We had shopped for the best car seat and bed. They met all safety requirements. We got the baby home without any trouble. I laid her down to sleep, carefully on her back. Like all new moms, I was aware of sudden infant death syndrome-SIDS. Then it was time to change the diaper. I worried about the umbilical cord. I called my personal expert on newborn care, my mom. She advised me to keep it clean and dry. The stump would fall off on its own.

If your mom is not available, I have found grandmas, aunts, and moms with older children are fountains of knowledge on newborn care. I also have the doctor on speed dial. If in doubt about anything, don’t hesitate to call them.

Infants are naturally clean; after all they don’t play in the backyard mud, yet. Their skin is sensitive. There is no need to bath the baby every day. A light going over every couple days is just fine. Be sure to wipe with care each time you change diapers. Remind everyone the baby is not a toy to be tossed about. Always be sure the head and neck are supported. Never lay her down any where she might fall.

Talk baby talk and smile. I smile all the time, stimulating her senses. I know she understands me. Feeding her is our own private time. I look forward to holding her, touching her small check, having her wrap her tiny fingers around mine. My husband and I argue over whose turn it is to give her a bottle. I find feeding time at our house comes in cycles. Every three or four hours, you’ll hear a fussy cry. A baby should live on milk the first year, whether breast or formula. I’m warning all new moms, infants do not sleep all night. If you are lucky, your little angel will give you a break around the age of three or four months. All babies seem to have their own way of doing things, eating and sleeping in short intervals.

Babies should come with a label, don’t shake. When you are tired and unable to cope, call someone. If that’s not possible, sit down, take a deep breath and relax for a few moments. Shaking a baby can cause serious brain damage. And never, never ignore your baby’s cries. An infant can’t get enough spoiling. Hold them, let them you care. Infants need to feel secure.
If there are young children around, don’t leave the baby alone with them. A young toddler doesn’t realize how fragile a newborn is. The same goes with pets.
The most important thing I have learned is give your baby plenty of loving attention and hugs.
Trust your heart and baby will thrive. A teddy bear wouldn’t hurt.

Sources:

http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/newborns-10-questions-about-first-week

http://similac.com/feeding-nutrition/dos-donts-for-feeding-baby-solid-food

http://ezinearticles.com/?Baby-Dos-and-Donts&id=480171

A fertile calendar basically tells you your next most fertile days and when ovulation occurs. This will give you set dates to attempt intercourse with your mate in an effort to conceive. It asks you for the first day of your last menstrual period, and how long your cycle is. Once you enter this information, it does the rest. The best thing about this is that it gives you specific dates. If you are unaware of how long your cycle is, count from the first day of your last period to the first day of the next one. The days between this time period is the length of your cycle.

Sometimes, using prepregnancy tools are not the answer. Couples may actually be experiencing fertility issues that need to be addressed by a physician. In this case conception may have to be guided and regulated by a fertility doctor. Most women who use a fertility calendar conceive with a year, if not, it may not be the woman but the man. When planning to conceive, it is important that the man and woman have knowledge about each other’s health history, including any instances where STDs were contracted. This can have a dramatic effect on couples trying to conceive.

In order for a woman to be fertile, she needs working parts such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes and the uterus. This means that she needs to be having her periods regularly every month in order for her to ovulate. Her fallopian tube and her uterus need to be clear in order for implantation to occur. Since most women do not have a regular 28 day cycle, it is important that you chart your periods and keep track of them in an attempt to figure out what cycle you are actually on. Once you are sure about your cycle, you will have a better chance of conceiving.

Another way a woman can determine if she’s fertile may be by checking her basal temperature on a daily basis. If it is a slight bit higher than normal, then more than likely she is ovulating and fertile. Most women who keep track of things during their cycle tend to get pregnant within a year. Pregnancy planning isn’t always a piece of cake, but with the right tools and direction; prepregnancy decisions can be a lot easier.

Infertility is the fear of anyone trying to conceive, so finding out as soon as possible if you are pregnant eases a young woman’s mind. It also gives the couple a chance to know far in advance if infertility is an issue and just how they want to deal with it.

So I went to Consumer Reports, who have become the hallmark with seventy-five years of testing and evaluating products under their belt. They gave results of the top two home pregnancy kits and here is what they say about the best on the market:

“First Response Early Result” is a home pregnancy test/urine test that can give results as early as 6 days before your missed period. The home use test kit contains two test strips for about $12.00 and has an expiration date that should be adhered to. The test can be performed after removing the cap, and pointing the sensitive tip directly in your urine stream or by putting the urine in a clean cup and setting it in the cup. It takes only 5 seconds in the urine. Replace the cap and leave on a flat surface for three minutes. The pregnancy test result will be two pink lines and you are, or one line means you are not. According to the manufacturer, the home pregnancy test result is 68% accurate 6 days before your missed period and 100% accurate 4 days before your period.

The second home pregnancy test with a best rating is “Clearblue Easy Digital Pregnancy Test.” This home pregnancy test kit contains 2 test sticks for about $19.00. This home use test kit contains the easiest to read test strip. No need to figure out pink or blue lines; the digital readout will state if you are or not pregnant. This home pregnancy test kit is also a unine test that detects a hormone called human Chorionic Gonadotrophin(hCG) which is only in our body when we are pregnant. During the urine test the sensitive tip detects this hormone which increases in the body during gestation until around 7-12 weeks of the pregnancy. This hormone remains in the body until about three weeks after delivery.

Sources:

http://www.consumersearch.com/pregnancy-tests

http://www.firstresponse.com/early-pregnancy-test.asp

http://www.clearblueeasy.com/clearblue-easy-digital-pregnancy-test.php

When you breastfeed, your child is relying on your to provide him or her with adequate nutrition, which is essential for his or her development. When you were pregnant you likely watched your diet carefully, and when you are nursing, you should be doing the same. The milk comes through your breast and into your child’s mouth carries anything you have eaten or drank. This means that to keep your baby healthy, you should not drink alcohol at all while breastfeeding.

Be wary of other foods that may not bother you, as the mom, but may pass to your child when you are nursing, and be bad for his or her health. These things include obvious items like caffeine, as well as lesser known foods and beverages, such as spicy foods. Spicy foods can actually make their way into your milk, and when your child latches on to your breast to eat his or her dinner, he or she is in for a meal that is likely to upset his or her stomach.

When you breastfeed, it is especially important that, besides avoiding unhealthy foods, that you also make sure to eat foods that are high in nutrition. That way when you are nursing, your child gets adequate nutrients and is able to grow at the right rates. Even though you may not enjoy fish, for example, it is important that your child gets Vitamin E as well as the healthy Omega 3 fats for brain development. As an adult, you are able to obtain adequate nutrition for your body through multivitamins and other supplements. However, when you are breastfeeding, your child’s best chance at getting adequate amounts of important nutrients is for you to eat enough of the foods where these vitamins and minerals occur naturally.

You should also take care to ensure that you are eating enough green, leafy, vegetables to provide adequate vitamins and minerals not only for your body, but for your child’s nutritional needs as well. Many women love to breastfeed their babies exactly for this reason – you are still eating for two, which means that while you are ingesting a great deal of calories from foods such as whole milk, red meat, and full fat dairy items like cheese, you are not gaining weight. Rather, many new mothers love this opportunity to continue to “eat for two” and regain the bodies that they had prior to having children.

Do not go overboard, however, as eventually you will wean your child, and for some new mothers this happens sooner rather than later. At that point all the calories you ingest will be staying in your body, which means you will have to cut back, or adopt a new exercise regimen.

It May Not Be Easy
You’ve read books and seen articles, breastfeeding may also have been a topic in childbirth class. While there is plenty of research and support behind the activity, there is often little mention of breastfeeding problems. Issues with latching, engorgement and general pain are swept under the rug in the name of encouraging breastfeeding. Addressing trouble spots, hygiene and illness early on are keys to ongoing success. Getting ample rest, staying well-hydrated and eating enough are also imperative to successful breastfeeding. Remember, you’re still eating for two.

Ask for Help:
New mothers are fortunate to have extensive networks of available resources as they embark on the journey. Women who successfully breastfed often admit their support network was imperative to continued success. In building your own support network, consider lactation consultants, hospital nurses, your child’s pediatrician or friends or family member who successfully breastfed. Most will be happy to share insight, tips and lend support through the early days and weeks of breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding, Bottle feeding: Which is Best?
Ultimately, feeding your child and getting some rest is most important. Breastfeeding offers the opportunity to bond with your baby. Oftentimes, the father may look for feeding time to help strengthen his bond with the baby as well. Bottle feeding can allow for this critical bonding time. Additionally, if you are eventually slated to return to work or plan on being away from the baby for long periods, incorporating a bottle into your baby’s feeding routine early on, will be important. New mothers have the option of expressing breast milk which can be stored and used for subsequent feedings or supplementing with formula. The downside to formula is that its use can interfere with your milk supply.

Breastfeeding Bottle Feeding Advantages Disadvantages:
There are advantages and disadvantages to both methods of feeding. If a baby is exclusively breastfed, they often resist the bottle and must be brought everywhere to ensure meals are not missed. However, as much as this can seem a negative, constantly having a supply of food available, no matter where you are, is a distinct advantage. Many mothers who bottle feed have tales of heading out sans bottle and having to make an emergency stop for formula. Breastfeeding mothers do not have this problem. Additionally, the cost savings of breastfeeding are unparalleled.

It is One of the Best Gifts You Can Give Your Child:
Research supports the importance of breast milk in a baby’s diet. Ounce for ounce, there is no better meal for newborns and infants than mother’s milk. Children who were breastfed tend to have a lower risk for obesity later in life and research indicates they stay healthier overall. While formula is nutritionally sufficient, the antibodies and nutrients provided in breast milk cannot be matched.

Stay Committed:
Breastfeeding, like so many other things in life, is work. On the days when you think you have reached the end, try to get to the root of the problem and see if you can work through the problems. The time and energy invested in breastfeeding is well worth the sacrifices and commitment.

Knowing the signs of possible pregnancy is important. They can make you aware that you need to be careful and that you should take a pregnancy test as soon as possible or schedule an appointment with your doctor.

As quickly as six to twelve days after you conceive, the embryo will embed itself into the wall of your uterus. This can cause spotting and cramping and is often the first sign of pregnancy.

When your menstrual period is late or you have missed it entirely, this is the symptom that will most likely influence you to take that pregnancy test or make the doctor’s appointment. Another of the many early signs of pregnancy are your breasts becoming swollen and tender. This may happen as early as a week or two after conception. Many women experience some very uncomfortable changes in their breasts and find them very tender to touch and quite sore and swollen.

If you are one of the unlucky expectant moms, anywhere from two to eight weeks after you become pregnant, you may experience one of the most well known early signs of pregnancy. Morning sickness may come to call. Lots of women don’t suffer nausea or morning sickness as one of their pregnancy symptoms at all. Others will have to deal with it through all stages of pregnancy and right up to their pregnancy due date.

Backaches, extra trips to the bathroom, headaches, and the craving of certain foods are all additional early signs of pregnancy. Many of these pregnancy symptoms can continue throughout all stages of pregnancy and also right up to the pregnancy due date.

As you progress through each of the stages of pregnancy, some of these signs and symptoms may go away, or at least, lessen somewhat. On the other hand, you might acquire even more pregnancy symptoms. The “eating for two” syndrome might give you a voracious appetite. Digestion problems such as heartburn and constipation might join the list of pregnancy symptoms due to your increased hormone levels or your expanding uterus. Sensitivity to smells might also add some unpleasantness to this particular time in your life.

Whatever your pregnancy symptoms turn out to be, and whether you experience them for just a short time early on or throughout all stages of your pregnancy, please keep this thought in mind. Your pregnancy due date will eventually arrive, you will deliver your new son or daughter, and then you will have a whole new variety of things to think about. Good luck and enjoy motherhood whether it is your first time or your tenth!

Preventing morning sickness
During the first trimester (the first three months), many women experience morning sickness. If this is your situation, you must pay attention to which foods your body rejects. Sometimes, you are doing well if you keep anything down.
Avoid junk food during the nine-month marathon, especially through the first trimester. White-flour products and sugar will give you cheap energy and rob you of nutrients. Many times one craves donuts or sweet things because she needs fresh fruit.

Feeding the cravings
These do not always have to be crazy things like pickles and ice cream. Many times a mom-to-be will crave a hamburger, for example, when she needs iron. Perhaps a steak will meet her need for iron better than a mass-produced burger. Additional iron comes from beef liver or natural chlorella.
Learn from your cravings and watch for the things your body needs most. Someone’s cravings for ice cream may indicate a lack of calcium. A desire for fried food may signal your body’s need for essential fatty acids (omega-3 oils). Good supplements go a long way in preventing problems.

Digesting well
The more you can fill your diet with fresh fruits and vegetables, the more stable your metabolism will be. As the pregnancy wears on, your intestinal area will come under greater pressure. Fresh foods will digest better, along with meat and steamed vegetables.
When your body craves starch, something lighter like rice may digest better. Heavy foods can give you acid reflux and indigestion. Avoid eating just before lying down, as this can worsen the condition. Natural digestive aids include acidophilus, bromelain, pineapple, papaya, and grapefruit.

Eating protein regularly
Every couple of hours a pregnant woman should eat some protein to keep blood sugar regulated. Nuts, legumes, and jerky make handy snacks for the woman on the go. This will help make up for the smaller meal servings, since one’s stomach cannot hold as much.
Protein helps prevent Braxton-Hicks contractions, also called false labor. Another antidote would be a regular dose of quality calcium. Good calcium (citrate, not carbonate) will also minimize Charlie horses and other cramped muscles.

Supplementing healthy eating
A pregnancy puts additional demands on a woman’s body. A good multi-vitamin will nourish her organs with necessary prenatal care. She needs B vitamins to control moods and energy. Vitamin B6 has also helped some women avoid morning sickness. Vitamins A, C, D, and E help boost the immune system. A balanced mix of minerals will prevent later problems such as osteoporosis.
One must also start drinking water as one of her consistent habits, especially if supplementing with iron. You can prevent most constipation by drinking a half-gallon of water everyday. Fortunately, relief from these metabolic disruptions is just a matter of time.

The First Prenatal Exam

The first prenatal exam is almost always the longest. During the first prenatal exam, a doctor will want a full health history of both parents, as well as other close family members. The doctor will want to know whether the parents suffer any chronic illnesses such as diabetes or depression. They will also inquire about the habits of the parents, such as if they smoke, drink heavily or take recreational drugs. The doctor will want to know the date of your last menstrual cycle, so as to ascertain an approximate due date. The maternal age will also be inquired of, and any complications taken into consideration. If the patient has a maternal age of 35 years of age or more, there could be increased risks in the pregnancy, including the risk of the child being born with Down Syndrome. For mothers with a higher maternal age, additional testing throughout the pregnancy will be carried out to ensure that the baby will be born healthy.

Initial Prenatal Testing

A physical exam will also be carried out, typically including a pap smear and a rectal exam. A urine test will generally be ordered, to check sugar and protein levels, as well as possibilities of infection. A blood test will be performed so as to see such factors as: RH levels, rubella, chickenpox, anemia and any STD’s. If a problem with RH levels is detected during prenatal testing, the doctor will most likely give the patient injections to counteract this potential hazard to the fetus. Women are also offered HIV testing. The mother’s height and weight will also be measured during prenatal testing.

Prenatal Exams Throughout the Pregnancy

Usually, during the first 28 weeks, a monthly visit is required. During the 20th week, an expecting mother is generally given an ultrasound of her baby. These are very helpful because they can help doctors: check for multiple fetuses, see if the vital organs are developing, determine the sex of the baby, see any risks that may be involved in the pregnancy, can check the amniotic fluid for any possible problems. Around 26 weeks, testing for gestational diabetes will be performed.

From 28 to 36 weeks of pregnancy, the doctor will most likely want to see the expecting mother every two weeks. During these visits, doctors will test for the group B Strep virus through a vaginal culture.

From 36 weeks and on, weekly prenatal care visits will be scheduled. Doctors will help ensure that the baby is in the normal birthing position, and not in the breech position. From about 37 weeks and on, cervical exams will be performed to check for dilation.

At 40 weeks, the baby is full-term! Babies are generally expected to arrive two weeks before or after their anticipated due date. If the mother reaches 42 weeks of gestation, labor will generally be induced.

Changes to the Skin

Everyone has heard people talk about the glow that pregnant women experience. Generally, they’re referring to the radiant look of healthy, glowing skin. Unfortunately, some women will experience the opposite of glowing skin, namely acne breakouts. Interestingly, both are thought to be caused by the hormone changes taking place in a pregnant woman’s body. Taking good care of your skin during these nine months, eating well, and drinking a lot of water will help your skin look its best no matter what.

Stretch marks are the most common negative experience related to being pregnant. Not all women develop stretch marks and they can be minimized by using a high quality moisturizer. Apply it to your growing belly and don’t forsake other common areas affected by stretch marks, such as the thighs and buttocks. Stretch marks sometimes lighten slightly as time goes by, though they often do not go away completely. Your best bet is to prevent them by not gaining an excessive amount of weight while pregnant and by keeping your skin moisturized.

Food Cravings and Aversions

Perhaps you’ve heard that someone in your family craved pickles and ice cream or some other strange combination of foods. You may very well experience some food cravings yourself, although not all are as strange as you might think. You may find yourself seeking sweet foods or salty foods more than you did before you were pregnant. While these desires can be intense, stick to a balanced diet as much as possible. This helps keep weight gain at an ideal amount (remember the importance of preventing those pesky stretch marks) and provides healthy nutrition for you and your baby. Food aversions are as common as cravings. You may be surprised to find you are sickened at the thought of consuming foods you once loved. Both of these situations relate back to hormone levels going haywire. It is also worthy to note that many women, such as myself, experience neither of these conditions. Don’t worry that there’s something wrong with you if you do not crave certain foods or have aversions to others.

Sex and the Pregnant Woman

Myths surrounding the topic of intercourse while pregnant are abundant. One thing that is often true about sex and pregnant women is that they want it, and a lot of it. This makes perfect sense if we think back to our years spent in puberty. This increased sex drive is caused by hormone changes and increased blood flow. This is another perk for working so hard those nine months. If this happens to you, use it to your advantage. Your husband will appreciate it!

Foods that should be avoided are few. Fish consumption, including tuna, should be greatly curtailed, unless you are absolutely certain you are eating farm-grown fish from US fisheries. The reason for this is that wild-caught fish have high levels of mercury. While this is of little concern to an adult human in moderation, its effects are amplified in a developing fetus. Fish should be removed from your diet until you’ve given birth and weaned the baby should you decide to breastfeed.

Expectant mothers should also steer clear of eating raw eggs due to salmonella concerns. While the craving for raw cookie dough or to lick cake batter from a spoon can be overwhelming, potentially exposing your child to salmonella is not worth the risk. Salmonella causes horrible cramps, nearly uncontrollable diarrhea, and can lead to dehydration- all of which can complicate your pregnancy.

Finally, many pregnant women refuse cold cuts due to high nitrates and the possibility of listeriosis. Listeriosis is known to cause premature delivery, infection, and a one-quarter stillbirth rate in afflicted women. Nitrates, specifically sodium nitrate, is a preservative in cold cuts that has been linked with low birth weight and development delays. It is best to avoid lunch meat entirely during pregnancy.

In your quest to eat right, you should eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables along with lean cuts of meat. Be sure to choose a large selection to ensure that you’re receiving plenty of different vitamins and minerals. For example, if you’re a salad lover, add baby spinach and romaine hearts to your lettuce, and toss in some tomatoes. The more varied the colors are, the better. You should eat five to seven servings of fruits and vegetables a day to ensure your body has enough calories and nutrients to support you and your baby.

The meat you choose should be lean, to avoid unnecessary fats and cholesterol. A serving is about the size of a deck of cards. Pork, beef, mutton, fowl, and even wild game are safe during pregnancy. However, be aware that any spices you use, while harmless to the baby, may upset your stomach or give you gas. If you develop a meat aversion, which is common during pregnancy, be sure to speak to your ob/gyn. You may be advised to supplement with protein shakes or other replacements if you can no longer tolerate meat.

In short, you can experience a safe, healthy pregnancy by curtailing fish, cold cuts, and raw eggs and choosing foods that are varied. Fruits and vegetables, along with sensible portions of meat, are the best diet for an active, robust lifestyle while you’re waiting for your little one to arrive!