September 27, 2011
Filed under: Baby health — Alan @ 4:35 am
Second trimester
In the second section, the initial complications of pregnancy, such as nausea tend to subside. Therefore, and because the risk of miscarriage has now been substantially reduced, many women feel this this time is very pleasant.
Some have, in the 1st trimester, a struggle with continual ups and downs of emotions, this trimester is usually characterised by balance and contentment. For these reasons the second trimester is as an ideal period to consider travel plans. The first movements of the foetus are now being felt.
Pregnancy Week 13-16: foetal movements
The stable phase of pregnancy begins now. The hormone production from the ovary is no longer needed because the placenta is mature to the point where it can form the hormones themselves. Therefore, the HCG levels after the 12th week are less high and morning sickness is improving now.
The weight gain is about 1-1.5 kg per month, or about 250 grams per week. Reddish or brownish stretch marks can occur due to stretching of the connective tissue. Often, a dark line (linea nigra) occurs, which runs between the navel and pubic bone. This colour change hormone usually regresses after pregnancy. The increased water retention can cause swelling of the arms and legs, or hands and feet.
The foetus is in the fourth month, and going through a rapid growth, the organs are forming quickly. The eyelids alsovclose and open again. Spontaneous movements of the head, arms and legs begin. The swallowing muscles are developed.
The lungs and the digestive system evolve by the foetus through the amniotic fluid contraction and expansion of the diaphragm “in and breathing out,” it respectively “drinks” and can subsequently get the hiccups. Salivary glands, stomach, kidneys and bowels are working.
The swallowed amniotic fluid is released back into the amniotic fluid as urine, which is replaced every 10-12 hours by new production. The placenta receives nutrients and antibodies, while waste products are excreted. The so-called woollen or lanugo hair is formed, this disappears soon after giving birth.
Toward the end of this month of pregnancy the genitals develop. If the baby is in a strategic position during ultrasound, the sex can be detected. The foetus in the 16th week is about 10cm high and weighs up to 100g. His head diameter is about 35mm.
Fifth month
Pregnancy Week 17-20: foetal movements generally felt
The uterus is now about as big as a cantaloupe. From 18 to 20 weeks the pregnant woman usually can feel the first foetal movements as a fine, slight tingling. A relatively asymptomatic pregnancy section begins. During this period, you can suffer from changes in vision, back pain and cramps in the legs. The foetus at the end of the month is about 14-16cm and weighs 150 to 300g.
Sixth month
Pregnancy Week 21-24: child begins to respond to external stimuli
Towards the end of the month, the uterus reaches the navel. The breasts enlarge under the influence of the hormones HCG, oestrogen and progesterone. The subcutaneous fat in the foetus begins to multiply.
The skin itself is covered by a protective layer of fat (vernix caseosa, including vernix). This then makes it easier to slide in the birth canal. The skin is still reddish, translucent, fingers and toe nails are almost fully developed. The hairs start to grow and the ossification of the skeleton is developing.
Rapid growth of the brain starts. Towards the end of the month the expectant child responds to auditory and visual stimuli from the outside (voices, sound, light). Whether at that time it is already possible for pain perception is controversial. An analysis of available research concluded that pain sensations are unlikely before the third trimester. At the end of the 6th month, the foetus is about 26 inches tall (from head to toe) and weighs 500g.
September 24, 2011
Filed under: Celebrity babies — Alan @ 11:25 am
It’s a craze. It’s a fad. It’s the norm. It’s true that you can now choose designer sunglasses made especially for an infant, not to mention for all ages up to the point when the kids start buying their own.
It would appear that there are two reasons for this development, but one is more compelling than the other. Scientific research into the effects of sunlight on the human body, specifically the eyes, has led to the first reason, which is the damage UV light can cause.
Until recently, medical professionals have not recommended sunglasses for very young children, since the options available were usually inferior in terms of their ability to block light in the UV spectrum.
With tinted lenses, enough light is blocked to make the iris open wider to compensate, so more of the potentially damaging UV rays get through if the sunglasses don’t have the capacity to block them also.
The Royal College of Ophthalmologists has stated that lenses need to block UV light with wavelengths up to 400mm, which translates to the UV400 industry standard. A large proportion of ‘cheap’ sunglasses don’t meet that standard, so voila, we have not-so-cheap shades from well-known fashion designers such as Gucci, Ray-Ban, Calvin Klein, and now Disney and Marvel Comics, OP and Nike and a whole bunch of other brand names that appeal to kids have joined the line-up.
In 2006 a British eye surgeon named Dr. Julie Diem Le founded Zoobug, a company dedicated to providing safe, comfortable eye wear for youngsters. Her first line for children 3 to 5 years of age won international awards from the optical industry. The company is the first of its kind in the UK, and Dr. Le says that sales have doubled every year for the last three years, partially because kids can choose sunglasses just as fashionable as the ones their parents wear.
The trend is certainly not confined to the UK, in fact it’s been ongoing in the U.S. for years, especially in sunny Southern California. In Hollywood nearly every kid born to a celebrity is wearing designer shades before they get past the crawling stage. Not surprising really, since their parents are making fashion statements with their own, and don’t mind paying ₤125 for the kid to make one too.
Zoobug sunglasses, incidentally, are priced from around ₤18.
According to Larry Benjamin of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, very young children should not be exposed to strong sunlight for any extended period, but he said they are generally at less risk since they don’t tend to engage in outdoor activities the way adults do. However, they should be protected with from UV rays if they are exposed, or risk painful inflammation, even temporary blindness.
If you want your kids’ eyes protected with style, the options are many and growing rapidly. An Australian brand called Baby Banz incorporates an elastic strap rather than earpieces, and Suneez shades just stick to a baby’s temples. Lots of other brands are available, and they come in every imaginable shape, size, colour and motif. Just make sure they also offer UV400 protection.
September 22, 2011
Filed under: Names — Alan @ 11:23 am
A new website that allows parents and family members to buy their baby’s domain name has launched this week. The website allows parents to create an online scrapbook for their child, which can be updated every day for the rest of their childhood to allow family members and friends to track the child’s progress.
A unique new gift website has launched this week, allowing parents to purchase the domain name for their child’s name. The website acts as a modern version of the more traditional baby-book, allowing new parents to create a fun, simple online diary for their baby and update their information as often as they wish, with information about growth, milestones and photos able to be added.
www.YourBabyDomainName.com is an ideal gift idea for new parents and their families. An annual subscription of £30 allows parents to secure their baby’s domain name, after which they can upload photos and information about their child and share it with extended friends and family.
The website has several features that provide a simple way of sharing a child’s first moments with those who matter. From their weight and length at birth to the moment that they take their first steps, families can capture their child’s special moments and share them with loved ones simply by uploading to the website, which has a user-friendly and comprehensive template for the customer to follow.
Customers are required to enter the baby or child’s name on the homepage of the website, to find out exactly which domain names are available for their child, grandchild, nieces, nephews, or the like and then follow the steps to register the child’s domain name. This can be used to document their progress, or as a gift for the child as an investment for their future.
The domain names are completely secure and password protected, so only those family members or friends that the account holder chooses to share the login information with can then access the page. Parents will also receive a personalised certificate to print and present to their child.
In order to retain the domain name, the account holder simply pays an annual subscription fee to continue the page and keep the domain name for their child. The domain can later be used for whatever the child wants when they are older; meaning it’s a good investment for their future; for example, if they later wanted to create their own business.
Wayne Bloore, Managing Director at YourBabyDomainName.com, had the following to say about the launch of the website:
“Buying your child’s domain name is an excellent investment for any parent. Whilst a baby book is a good memoir for the first few years of your child’s life, it’s hard to try and continue that throughout their childhood. With YourBabyDomainName.com you can continue compiling moments and pictures from the time your child is born and create an ongoing scrapbook to share with those close to you.”
He continued:
“It’s also a great way of sharing moments with grandparents or family members who live far away, so they can see special moments as soon as they happen. The website is really easy to use and is also a great gift idea for loved ones!”
Filed under: Child Birth — Alan @ 11:19 am
NEW mums are turning to the internet instead of their midwife with simple baby care questions. Recent research undertaken by Google shows that in their first week of becoming a parent, women’s internet searches double, with some of the most searched for questions being:
• How to change a nappy
• How to bath a baby
• How to put a baby to bed and help them sleep through the night
The results compiled by search engine Google, show that many first time mums are more comfortable turning to the Internet than their friends or midwife thanks to the convenience and embarrassment factor.
However, family favourite nappy rash cream, Sudocrem seek to help by teaming up with baby expert and midwife, Nikki Kahn to launch a series of mini-movies answering some of the top 11 most Googled baby related questions. These include: What to Pack for a hospital birth, How much weight a new-born baby gains,
How to make sure a dad bonds with baby from the outset, How to swaddle a baby, How to change a nappy, What is nappy rash and how to avoid it, What to pack in your changing bag, How to put a baby to bed and help them to sleep through the night, How do I know how much sleep my child needs at different ages, What is tummy time, What is Hypnobirthing.
Nikki said of the movies:
“All first time mums have questions and no query is ever too small, with many mums being in the same position of not knowing who to ask.
She continued: “These movies should alleviate those concerns and help you feel more confident with your new baby.”
From Mid September, the brand will be releasing a series of 11 movies on the Sudocrem YouTube channel and Sudocrem Facebook page.
September 15, 2011
Filed under: New Born — admin @ 3:49 pm
Le Mystère is bringing Sexy Back to Motherhood with the launch of the SEXY MAMA collection
Never before has nursing been so in fashion! With the offering of two gorgeous styles, the Sexy Mama provides great coverage while growing and contracting during the process of nursing. Style #163 (black pictured) is the wire version with easy one hand clip and pull down construction. The foam pad conceals nursing pads and the 4 rows of hook and eyes enables you to lose the post pregnancy pounds without having to purchase a new bra!
Style #263 (white pictured) is for the woman who prefers a wire free support with a soft feminine style. The #263 can be worn throughout the night to give added support and is designed to provide ultimate comfort and versatility to the nursing mother. Sizes for the Sexy Mama collection range from 32D – 40H.
Website: www.lemystere.com
Filed under: Baby health — Alan @ 7:05 am
Pregnancy can lead to disturbances in the mother or impairments that occur only during pregnancy (medical) gestosis. For other disorders such as venous sinus thrombosis during pregnancy the situation presents an increased risk. Some chronic diseases make themselves less noticeable during pregnancy: it can relapse in the example of multiple sclerosis or rheumatoid arthritis.
Each year, worldwide, approximately 600,000 women and girls have complications during pregnancy or birth, which can be up to 99% in developing countries. In sub-Saharan Africa one of 16 women die as a result of pregnancy or birth, since the majority of births take place with complications, even with medical assistance. In developed countries the risk is 1 in 2800.
The time of occurrence of gestosis is divided into the early first trimester and third trimester, represented by excessive vomiting during pregnancy (hyperemesis gravidarum and pregnancy-hypertension).
High blood pressure can be a sign of incipient pre-eclampsia, so it is regularly measured during antenatal care. Other symptoms include fluid retention (oedema) and protein excretion in the urine. Eclampsia is the most severe form of toxaemia, symptoms include cramps, and/or unconsciousness. The patients usually have previously had pre-eclampsia.
Filed under: Baby health — Alan @ 7:03 am
Alcohol consumption and smoking are harmful to the unborn child. Smoking mothers have twice the risk of miscarriage and a significantly increased risk of premature or stillborn babies.
The risk that the child has an Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) lies in mothers who smoke during pregnancy stands at 16.5 percent (4.6 percent otherwise). Smoking during pregnancy also increases the risk during later childhood for asthma and results in a significantly lower birth weight. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can lead to foetal alcohol syndrome.
The consumption of all drugs should be avoided during pregnancy and the impact of the withdrawal should be carried out only under careful medical supervision (because the withdrawal is also on the child and can lead to a miscarriage). Almost all drugs have special effects. Therefore, the physician usually denies the patient. Certain drugs such as thalidomide (® thalidomide) have teratogenic effects, that can lead to birth defects.
September 9, 2011
Filed under: Baby items — Alan @ 6:51 am
Online Maternity Bra Advice Tool from Marks & Spencer
The most iconic of British retailers, Marks & Spencer, have today launched an innovative online advice tool which gives advice to pregnant women on breast health and maternity bras, and is tailored to the exact stage of their pregnancy. It is incredibly simple to access, simply go to the Lingerie area of the www.marksandspencer.com website and access the advice from M&S’s Lingerie Technical Manager Julie Mercer.
Users can them select how many weeks they are into their pregnancy and advice will be generated specifically for that stage, Julia says that all women should have their breasts measured every 6 months to ensure they are wearing the correct sized bra, but these is even more important during pregnancy and a bra fitter should be visited regularly.
She added that with all the other changes going on, the last thing you need is the discomfort of wearing the wrong sized bra, and that this new tool will help pregnant women to identify when they should be getting fitted for a new bra and how important it is to do so.
Recent research by Mintel has suggested that mums-to.be do recognise the importance of wearing a well-fitting maternity bra, and also realise the possible health implications of wearing the wrong sized bra during pregnancy. As M&S are one of the most trusted retailers of underwear in the UK, they hope that their new online tool will give pregnant women all the information they need to purchase the correct maternity underwear.
September 7, 2011
Filed under: Celebrity babies — Alan @ 8:03 am
It has been described as the club that no one wants to join and members of it feel constantly demoralised and have a stigma put on them by the rest of society. The club is that of single mothers and singer for Jamelia, who has two daughters by two different fathers, it is something she describes as being, “not very proud of.”
Her first child was with her first love and even when the situation turned violent domestically she found it hard to leave. When the child was born she found the strength to leave the abusive father. The relationship with the second father just broke down, fortunately without violence.
“I love both my children, but I also feel constantly judged for not having their fathers in the picture. I was raised by only my mother and my dream was to have the perfect family, unfortunately though, our dreams don’t always work out,” says the singer.
You don’t have to look too far into the past to see a time where single mothers were outcast from society. Often social pressure would force them to give up their children. Today, while the social pressure has subsided somewhat, it is still present and felt by today’s single mothers.
Michael Lamb is a professor based at Cambridge University and has spent much of his career studying the effects on a child of being raised by a single mother. He has said on the issue, “most single mothers do as good a job as mothers with a partner.”
During the 20th century, being a single mother became more common as many women lost their husbands in the wars. There was still a significant stigma on those who were not married and had children however. By the 1960′s, 5% of mothers were raising a child alone.
Despite the 1960′s having a reputation for the sexual liberation of society there were problems for women. Birth control options were few and abortion was illegal until late in the decade, the contraceptive pill could only be prescribed to married women. Lack of sexual education in schools aggravated the problem.
Padmini Staple was one of those who fell pregnant in the mid 1960′s. She was unmarried and lost her job because of her status as a single mother. Her parents abandoned her at a mother and baby home where she spent her pregnancy before giving birth months later. “I didn’t want to give up my baby, but I had to,” said Ms Staple, “I later had a wonderful son and tracked down my daughter after over thirty years.”
In the 1990′s there were over a million single mothers in the UK and Julia Hartley-Brewer, a journalist, has been critical of the media’s portrayal of single mothers. She says that being a single mother is unfortunate but is not “a bad choice.” Single mothers are often portrayed as sponging off the state in the media. Jamelia has said, “Media stereotypes are the reason for the stigma that single mothers face.”
September 2, 2011
Filed under: Diet — Alan @ 9:50 am
More natural choice for mums with Little Nibbles
HiPP Organic have once again proved why they are such experts in the field of baby nutrition by bringing out new products in their ever popular ‘Little Nibbles’ range of children’s snacks. As well as the new products that mums have to choose from, the packaging on the entire Little Nibbles range has been revamped and now has eye catching and colourful cartoon characters which will appeal to the little ones and encourage them to eat the choose the healthy and tasty snacks inside, thus mastering the art of self-feeding.
So what can you now find in the range?
The new squiggly corn puffs are the latest melt in the mouth first finger food in HiPP’s range, and are for babies from 7 months upwards. They are specially created to teach your baby to feed themselves and chew properly. As well as being totally delicious these squiggles are completely free from any additives or other nasties and, keeping in line with HiPP’s policies, they are made from the very best organic ingredients.
Another new addition to the HiPP Little Nibbles range are the totally natural Fruit Bars, which come in two different and tasty varieties; Peach and Apple and Plum and Apple. These two flavours will certainly tickle your little ones taste buds. There is absolutely no added sugar and each bar contains at least 50% organic fruit and four organic cereals, and are suitable from 12 months old.
These bars are in handy individual packs so apart from being a great healthy snack in the home, they are perfect for taking out and about for when your little one gets peckish.
For those Elephant Biscuit lovers out there, you’ll be pleased to know that HiPP have tweaked their existing recipe to make them even tastier! Not only are they now free from added sugar, but they have also introduced organic apple juice for a sweeter flavour. These distinctive elephant shaped biscuits are perfectly sized for little hands to hold onto, providing important top up nourishment for tiny tummies, as a convenient snack. Suitable from 12 months onwards.
Other scrumptious products which sit within the new HiPP Organic Little Nibbles range include the yummy range of Little Nibbles Rice Cakes which are available in 3 delicious flavours; ‘Organic Apple’, ‘Organic Carrot and Pumpkin’ and ‘Organic Tomato and Sweet Red Pepper’. All are made with just organic rice and fruit or vegetable juices so are naturally free from added salt or sugar.
One Stop Shop for Information
The entire Little Nibbles range is available from the HiPP web shop with free delivery http://www.hipp.co.uk/acatalog/rusks.html
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