Ironically, if women were more aware of the difficulties they may encounter, then maybe they would be less likely to give up at the first hurdle and less likely to feel guilty at their perceived failure. So here are some of those possible problems and hopefully a few myths put to rights too.

Babies are not all born knowing instinctively how to breastfeed, like you they need to learn. It can take many attempts and of course perseverance pays off. The problem is many women feel pressured to feed their baby instantly and feel panicky when their newborn loses some birth weight. At this point the temptation to top up with a bit of formula is great however this in itself can create issues for successful breastfeeding. A breastfed baby needs to open their mouth wide to feed and their mouth shape is very different to a bottle fed baby. Offering a bottle before a baby is established on the breast ( at about 6 weeks ) can make breastfeeding very hard as it is too confusing for the baby. It is better, if you feel the need to offer formula, to offer a baby formula off a spoon to be lapped up in order to avoid any confusion.

Women who have Caesarians, especially elected can take longer for their milk to “come in” therefore breast feeding can be trickier as the pressure to feed their infant increases. It can be hard to find a position to feed your baby in comfortably. Some women need to sit upright to feed and this can take a little while to manage post Caesarian.

It doesn’t matter what size your breasts are, breast feeding is possible. Don’t believe the myth that small breasted women can’t feed it simply isn’t true. It is true that many women find it painful and suffer sore and cracked nipples. This is usually due to poor or improper positioning of the baby when latching on. A baby needs to tilt their head back to take in the nipple and aureola, placing your baby nose to nipple and tickling their upper lip with the nipple helps the baby to learn a good position. You should be belly to belly with your baby and they should be lifted to the breast, don’t lean over to the baby as this encourages a poor position. You can buy special breast feeding cushions that help in the early weeks of feeding.

If you are struggling seek advice before giving up, sometimes it can be a simple issue such as the baby being tongue tied and a small procedure can correct this. Even a women who has had breast augmentation can potentially breast feed as modern techniques do not always interfere with the process.

Breast milk is easier to digest than formula so you may find yourself feeding every 2 hours or so, day and night, so you may find yourself feeling envious of formula fed babies who can sleep longer as formula is slower to digest. Some people also believe breastfeeding helps shift the baby weight quicker. While this is true for some women breast feeding requires increased calorie intake and over exercising can affect milk supply. Don’t compare yourself to celebrities that are back in their jeans after 3 weeks, chances are they are formula feeding and at the gym every hour available!

Breast feeding is a great way of bonding with your baby but it can take time and effort. Some women take to it easily, others struggle. Many women can express milk at the drop of a hat while others never really take to it, it can be difficult to get a “let down” of milk when you have a pump in your hand.

Stress can be a real factor that affects successful breastfeeding, the more pressure a woman feels the harder it is.  Support is vital, as is good advice and reassurance. You can find many excellent books and DVD’s on breastfeeding . The old adage “practice makes perfect” is very apt when it comes to breastfeeding, don’t expect to be able to do it first time, there a very few women who medically can’t feed so be prepared with the facts and you should succeed.

The advantage of making them yourself is that you can add little personal touches such as the year of birth or initials on a bib Cookie. When making cookies for a baby shower the last think you want is for them to spread and lose shape. This is a great recipe for keeping your cute cookies in shape!!

Sugar Cookie Recipe

Makes approx 60 3″ cookies

6 cups All purpose flour
3 teaspoons of baking powder
2 cups of sugar
2 cups of butter
2 eggs
2 teaspoons Vanilla extract.
1 teaspoon of salt.

1) In a bowl cream together the butter and sugar until fluffy. Pour beaten eggs and vanilla into the bowl, mix well. Mix baking power and salt into the flour and add gradually to the butter mixture.
2) Mix until it is all well blended and forms a dough.

3) Place in refrigerator to chill for an hour.

4) Roll out to required thickness and cut shapes out with cutters. You can buy lovely cutters with baby themes such as onesie textured cookie cutters or Wilton Baby Cutters. Place on a baking sheet at 350 degrees for up to 10 mins. Remove when they are starting to turn brown at the edges.

Royal Icing

4 cups powdered/Icing Sugar
2 tablespoons Meringue powder
6 tablespoons water

1) Put into mixer on a low speed for 8-10 minutes. When mixture is no longer shiny it is ready. If it is too thick mix in extra water gradually by hand.

2) Pipe around the edge of the cookie with the thick mixture. Allow to dry. Add more water to the Icing until it flows easily off a spoon and flood or fill in the area required. Dry over night before adding decoration or different colored icing detail.

3) When decorated present them in cookie bags and tie with ribbon or for extra wow factor make them into cookie lollipops; simply place a lollipop stick into cookie before baking and seal in bag afterwards.You can make baby face shaped cookies or even ones shaped to match a baby shower theme such as a rubber duck.

A baby shower is the baby equivalent of a bachelorette party or Hen night. It’s a great way to show your expectant friend or relation how much they mean to you and to celebrate the imminent arrival! It’s a good opportunity to give gifts for her and her baby to enjoy, receive some attention and pampering while she still can.

The Organiser and timing.

A friend who knows what the expectant Mum likes is probably the best choice when it comes to organising a Baby shower. The only rule should be that the mum-to-be shouldn’t be responsible as she really doesn’t need the extra stress. As for the timing, it is usual to hold a baby shower in the third trimester. Some people plan a surprise party, others choose to tell the mum so she feels involved.

Venues

The size of the venue will determine the number of guests you can invite. Never hold it at the expectant Mum’s house, she won’t appreciate clearing up after the event. Find either a friend who will hold the event at their house or book a venue. There are lots of options from function rooms in hotels to church halls.

Costing

You may be best to ask all the guests to contribute to the cost. Don’t forget to include venue hire, disposable plates, cups etc, decorations, a gift (if you are buying a joint one), prizes and party bags, also a cake. Remember you need to send invitations, the cheapest and quickest option is e-invites by email.

Theme options

It is good fun to have a theme. Create one yourself or consider;

A favorite kids book such as …..The Gruffalo

Cute animals

Teddy bear’s picnic

Nursery rhymes

Pink or Blue – if the gender of the baby is known.

To play Games or Not.

This really depends on how you think the Mum to be will feel. Some games are great ice breakers, especially when all the guests don’t know each other.

Popular games are:

• Guess who;

Get everyone to bring a baby picture of themselves and play guess who.

• Celebrity bump;

Get magazine pictures and cut out pregnant celebrities. Cover the heads with a “?” and get every one to guess the famous mum to be.

• Guess the name or gender;

If your mum to be is involved and happy they may agree to telling you their choice of name. Scramble it in a list of others and see who guesses right. Some Mums even allow you to guess the gender of the baby if they have kept it a secret before.

• Word search;

Make up a word grid with hidden words such as diaper, birth, stroller, sleep, teething etc.

Don’t forget some fun prizes.

• Party bags

Every one loves a little goody bag. Some thing fun and small is a good idea, chocolates, even a home made cookie iced to look like a baby’s face or even include scented soap.

• Food

It is cheaper to do this yourself and get everyone to bring a dish. Be aware pregnant women need to avoid certain foods but apart from that use your imagination. Some make their food like that at a kids party.

Enjoy it!

Infertility may be broadly defined as the inability to get pregnant after trying for at least one year without using any birth control.

In Western countries, infertility affects an estimated 15% of the population. While a part of them are trying to conceive using alternative methods like IVF, others prefer to optimize the chances of getting pregnant naturally. Trying to get pregnant naturally may be very important, since many couples and individuals who are diagnosed with infertility may be able to get pregnant without treatment (and hence should be defined as “subfertile” rather than “infertile”).

When trying to get pregnant naturally, the most important factor is to understand the menstrual cycle and the timing of ovulation, which leads to the optimum chances of getting impregnated. Usually, ovulation occurs around the fourteenth day, and hence, to get pregnant naturally, a couple should have as much sexual intercourse as possible between the twelfth and the fifteenth day. Different women have slightly varying menstrual cycles.Hence, to improve the chances of becoming pregnant, it is imperative to study one’s periods, and calculate exactly when one ovulates.

Determining the signs of ovulation.

To check for the right timings of ovulation, a woman can do one, or many, of the following things:

. Keep a calendar. Keeping a calendar to chart the days is an easy and effective method to determine the right time to have sexual intercourse.

. Keep a check on vaginal fluids. Mucus discharge from the vagina usually becomes heavier, thinner, clearer and stretchy during ovulation when compared to the usual times.

. Feel the inside of the vagina. During ovulation, the cervix is softer and slightly more open than usual.

. Keep tabs on any sharp pain in the abdomen. Sharp pains in the abdomen, or some slight spotting, may be indicative of ovulation.

. Other physical conditions. Headaches, bloating, breast tenderness and pain may be signs of ovulation.

Having checked for ovulation, there are some other things that an individual can do to increase the chances of getting pregnant naturally. These include lying still for a while after having sexual intercourse, avoiding the bathroom for about thirty minutes after having sexual intercourse, and most importantly, figuring out how many times one should have sexual intercourse.

Men often neglect their own part to play in this whole scenario. The sperms need to be of the correct constitution, correct shape and correct motility too, or else, however fertile the women may be, impregnation does not occur naturally. A way of ensuring that the sperms are undamaged is by wearing boxers instead of briefs. Boxers help in keeping the testicles from overheating and damaging sperms.

For both women and men, the anatomical and hormonal factors are not the only ones to be monitored and corrected. In most cases, failure to conceive may result from an improper diet, undue stress, the use of drugs like alcohol and nicotine, and even environmental factors such as proximity to harmful doses of pesticides. Abstinence from such factors goes a long way in ensuring a pregnancy.

One should always keep in mind that the holistic approach to solving a problem is the optimal way to tackle infertility. Getting regular health checkups, taking supplements to combat existing problem, exercising and stress reduction techniques are only part of the holistic solution to infertility which considers the problem as part of a whole unlike the conventional approach which tackles a specific body organ in its attempt to heal. The holistic approach is not only a surefire way to increase your chances of conception it also guarantees a safe and healthy pregnancy.

This article is based on the book, “Pregnancy Miracle” by Lisa Olson. Lisa is an author, researcher, nutritionist and health consultant who dedicated her life to creating the ultimate pregnancy solution guaranteed to permanently reverse the root of infertility, help you get pregnant quickly and naturally and dramatically improve the overall quality of your life, without the use prescription medication and without any surgical procedures. Learn more by visiting her website: Pregnancy Miracle

As well as owning a pet you will have to consider the huge responsibility of having a new baby and assess the safety implications your animal may pose to your baby.

A real concern is that an existing animal can become very jealous when a new arrival enters the home that they regard as theirs. Unfortunately this can result in an infant suffering harm by the family pet, previously thought of as safe, due to this feeling of jealousy.

As a dog is by nature a member of a pack it ranks itself in the family. A new baby to a dog can be a threat as they regard themselves above the baby in pack order if an owner is not careful to address this through training. Al dog can naturally want to protect the new baby and can be a threat to friends and visitors who may come near the child.

It is not only a dog that potentially are a problem, as cats can also cause harm to a baby. They can easily claw a baby’s skin scratching it or worse their eyes resulting in possible health concerns for the future.

Some cats may be welcoming to a new baby but be aware cats enjoy the warmth and cosiness of being close up to anyone and this can mean your baby. Cats are extremely good at jumping and can climb almost anything, it is no problem for them to jump into a stroller or baby crib and cause a sleeping baby to suffocate . You can buy special cat prevention nets that fit over a stroller or crib to stop a cat from being able to climb in to them, a cat is very quick to snuggle up to a baby so be cautious.

You will need to closely watch your pets behavior towards your new baby and take instant action if you observe any signs that your animal may be a safety risk to your child.

Sadly it may be that a beloved pet is un able to accept your baby and you may have to find it a new home or some one who will look after it until your child is that bit older.

There is also a question of allergies. Some babies will develop allergies to pets and react to animal hair, therefore it may be that it is not viable to have a pet around them.

If you do have a pet, or indeed more than one you will have to be very vigilant. Animals are very unpredictable creatures, even the gentlest of animals can have a sudden character change. You can’t be too cautious around a small baby when it comes to their safety around a pet. Bear in mind if you are taking your baby to visit family or friends that their pets may also be a possible threat. Never leave your child unattended around any animal and if you are considering buying a pet wait until your child is beyond the crawling stage and able to be understand how to treat a pet gently and safely.

The company offers two different types of cribs: a 3 in 1 crib and a LifeStyle crib

The Babi Italia 3 in 1 crib that is a 3 in 1 will convert from a crib to a toddler bed to a day bed; all without reassembly. Each different version will give off a unique look of its own so this is a purchase that will save you a lot of money over time. And if for some reason, your child grows tired of the bed, you can use the piece as a day
bed in a spare bedroom for when company arrives or just as a comfortable space to watch television or read.

The Babi Italia LifeStyle crib will convert from a crib, to a toddler bed, to a day bed to a full size bed. This is a piece of furniture that can last your child from newborn all the way until they are a teen. And again, if necessary, the day bed can be used for guests in a spare bedroom. All guard rails (for a toddler bed) are sold separately but there are pieces of the crib that can be used as a headboard and a footboard so there will be no additional pieces needed for turning the crib into a full size bed.

All Babi Italia cribs meet the Consumers Products Safety Commission standards and all their products are warranted. This includes a 5 year limited warranty on all cribs purchased after January 2008. All case pieces have a 1 year limited warranty. The paint used on all Babi Italia cribs and accessories is safe, non-toxic and lead free. The best way to clean this furniture is with a soft, damp cloth and any mild soap that has been recommended for wood products.

A Babi Italia crib comes with accessories that have the same beautiful lines and visual appeal as their cribs. Some models are available as both a 3 in 1 and as a LifeStyle convertible, but not all come as both so it is important to do an online check of the various models. Most include a 5 drawer dresser, a combo and a nightstand and some include an armoire or a hutch.

Babi Italia cribs are easy to assemble and some of the Serta mattresses they recommend for their cribs are made with two layers of organic cotton that will provide eco-friendly, deluxe comfort and support for your little one. These mattresses will fit both a crib and a toddler bed and offer a lifetime warranty.

The woods used in all Babi Italia cribs are of the highest quality. Some of the woods they use are beech wood, birch, cherry, rubber wood, pine and whitewood

It is an issue that raises very strong opinions in experts and parents alike, so be warned if you choose to co sleep be prepared for every one to tell you exactly what they think.There is so much conflicting advice out there, experts are divided and the good old Media runs headlines to make your hair stand on end, often misquoting latest research.

In many Countries co sleeping is simply a way of life, a necessity and not an issue at all. So why in the West are we made to feel like bad parents if we consider it?

Mostly the reason is because people argue against it saying it isn’t safe, that a baby can be smothered accidentally as a parent may roll on the baby. The truth is if parents follow firm safety guidelines this is highly unlikely. The decision to co sleep should be the parents and theirs alone.

Some reports of studies into cot death have reported alarming figures of up to 54% of babies dying whilst co sleeping.The authors of such reports are quick to point out that these figures are only accurate when you realise other factors are involved such as the parents having consumed alcohol, drugs or are Smokers.

Many studies show co sleeping breast fed babies do wake more often for feeds, the nearness of that tempting milk, but are better at settling themselves back to sleep. The Mother therefore gets a better quality of sleep compared to getting out of bed into the cold, lifting her baby out of bed, feeding and then attempting to settle them.

Others point out that a co sleeping baby may be difficult to transfer into their own bed later on as it becomes necessary. This sounds like a very insecure little person but studies show co sleepers to be exactly the opposite. The point is the decision to co sleep is entirely personal and hopefully one you will have made after careful consideration.
The important thing to consider is your lifestyle and to be honest. Do you plan to

• drink alcohol
• smoke
• take prescription tranquilizers or
• recreational drugs?

If the answer to any of these is yes then co sleeping is not an option.

The affect of alcohol and drugs is they dull your awareness and this is vital when sharing your bed with your baby.

Smoke clings to clothes and is identified as a factor in cot deaths.

Mothers who co sleep are usually so attuned to their baby they are highly unlikely to roll onto them. Their partners are not always this sensitive, although they do become so. Babies are advised to sleep either between their Mother and a bed guard or between their Mother and the wall. If either of you are fitful active sleepers then co sleeping shouldn’t be considered.

Another consideration is the affect a baby in bed may have on your love life, some find a co sleeper in the bed means intimacy goes out the window! This can add strain to a relationship, so consider carefully.

Here are the main Do’s and Dont’s.

Don’t co sleep if:-

1. You are a fitful active sleeper.
2. You have drunk alcohol, taken drugs or smoke.
3. You are sleep deprived as your awareness may be compromised.
4. You are Obese as smothering is an issue.
5. You have a waterbed as baby can suffocate.
6. You are the babysitter, the awareness is not the same as a parent.
7. You use a cushion to feed baby on as you may fall asleep and baby may fall or be smothered.

And DON’T allow baby to become overheated, consider your bedding.

Do co sleep if:

1. You have a large enough bed, Queen or Kingsize.
2. You place baby next to Mother and wall or bed guard. NOT between parents.
3. You place baby on their back to the bed.

Do consider a bedside crib, as some babies simply sleep better alone. You can keep baby near but still in their crib.

Do enjoy your baby, as they grow so quickly!

Unfortunately there are no drugs to help treat colic babies. Parents simply have to realize that until the baby is able to acclimatize to his or her new habitat, this condition will carry on and administer natural remedies to help relieve the symptoms.

One of the simplest natural remedies parents can use is music and is thought to be the reason why lullabies were invented. Parent who do not have a singing voice can play music from a CD or radio or even and ipod if you have a speaker dock. This should used when your baby is in it’s bed, this will aid him or her to sleep comfortably.

Another natural remedy can be found in the diet of the mother. It is believed that certain foods generate gas and when this is then passed on to the child via the mothers milk. A dietitian or nutritionist can put a plan together to help reduce this.

If the mother is no longer breastfeeding and is bottle feeding, perhaps switching to soy milk instead of the regular kind can help the colic baby.

Many parents believe that a baby can solely rely on breast milk for the first few months. However babies also need a certain amount of water, this should be checked prior to giving it to the child. A good way to do this would be to read the ingredients on the product label and also make sure that it is age appropriate.

If a colicky baby cries, parents will normally carry the child. This works as motion comforts most infants. If Mom is finding it hard going carrying the child, another way to do would be to take your baby out for a walk to the park using his or her Stroller. Some parents are also known to pop the little one into it’s car seat and take them for a drive.

Even at this young age babies get stressed. Give the baby a massage, a hot bath or using aromatherapy can help comfort your baby. Mom or Dad can also use a hot bag and put it on their stomach to ensure that the water is not too hot.

Babies are colicky because of their new habitat. No one can think badly of the little one especially when the home has been the mother’s womb for the past nine months or so. To help your baby adjust to it’s new home, parents can try swaddling or holding the child close to their chests. This will make your child remember what it was like before.

These various natural remedies are useful, however not all will be effective so parents should check out alternative colic remedies if things do not get better.

There are a few medications available that can help treat colic babies. If parents are not having any success using the natural remedies they should consult their general practitioner.

Parents should try not to worry if their infant is diagnosed as having colic. This is for the reason that it is not a disease and this is a good sign that the baby is normal. Both mother and father should be prepared for some challenging days ahead as there will be countless disturbed nights making one feel awfully exhausted.

The simple answer to this is any time, within reason. In general most babies get their first tooth at six months of age. These milk or deciduous teeth start to develop whilst your babies is in the uterus and as a result some babies are born with their first teeth through. Others will teeth early at 4 months whilst some babies do not develop their first tooth until around 1 year old.

Your babies teeth and how they develop:

On the whole your babies teeth develop in the following order.

• First to cut will usually be the bottom front two teeth, these are the bottom incisors and may develop at around 5-7 months.

• Next are the top front two teeth (top incisors) at approximately 9 to 11 months.

• Then the two top teeth either side of the front ones (top lateral incisors) at 8 to 11 months.

• Bottom lateral incisors (either side of the bottom front teeth) 9 to 12 months.

• Canines are next (16 to 20 months) followed by Molars (12 to 16 months) and finally you will observe your toddler teething with their Second Molars (20 to 30 months.)

Symptoms of teething:

As all babies are different so are the symptoms they display varied. Some babies seem to have no trouble teething whilst others do suffer from mild discomfort to considerable pain.

Commonly a babies cheeks will be red and you will notice an increase in dribbling. The teething infant produces an excess amount of Saliva and their tops and faces can be constantly wet. Ensure you wipe and dry your child frequently as they can develop a rash on their chin and chest if left. Many parents find putting a bib on their baby helps at this time.

As a child tends to swallow the saliva another symptom can be an increase in loose stools or diarrhea. Lots of babies develop diaper rash and you will need to treat this by changing your babies diaper immediately and applying barrier creams.

Swollen and sore gums are very uncomfortable and you will find many good teething gels which have a mild local anaesthetic in them. Ensure the product is sugar free as some are not and can cause tooth decay in developing teeth.

You may notice your child biting or putting their hands in their mouths, even pulling at their ears as they teeth.

Mild temperatures or fevers are common also although be aware that they rarely reach over 101 degrees F/ 38.3 degrees C. If your child develops a temperature higher than this or it is raised for a prolonged time consult the advice of your doctor.

Another frustrating symptom of teething can be a refusal to eat. Some babies make a link between discomfort and food. You need to persevere and keep a watch on your child’s weight as they can lose some during bouts of teething.

Treating Teething:

Sugar free gels can relieve the discomfort of swollen gums, applying some 10 minutes before a meal can also help with a child who refuses to eat.

Cold raw vegetables and fruit can offer relief, raw carrot and apple are particularly good. Bread sticks are also good as a teething child likes to chew on them but DO NOT give rusks as these often contain sugar which can cause dental caries (tooth decay.)

If your child is refusing to eat try them with cool or cold mushy foods, cold fruit purees or even a slush mixture of frozen fruit juice, try mixing in apple puree too.

Pain killers designed for babies can offer relief from discomfort and reduce a temperature, ensure you follow the dosage carefully for the age of your baby.

Teething rings offer relief to sore gums and you can buy ones that are chilled in the refrigerator. To view a wide selection of excellent teething rings click here

Breastfeeding baby

As a new parent, you may be battling between the choices of bottle-feeding and breastfeeding.  While you’re weighing your options, you should know about all of the benefits that come from breastfeeding – from convenience to long-term health.  You may be surprised by all of the advantages provided by Mother Nature.

Breast milk is more than just a form of food.  It is actually made of living cells that can have huge benefits for your child’s health.  One of the most crucial components of breast milk is colostrum.  This substance is produced early in your baby’s life and is full of antibodies that help your baby’s immune system to develop in the first days of his life.  By breastfeeding your baby, you provide this protection that can’t be matched by a commercial formula.

On top of the immune boost that breastfeeding provides, breast milk is also easier for your baby’s developing digestive system to process.  Your baby will have fewer problems with constipation, diarrhea, and even have fewer food allergies.

Breastfeeding also helps your baby’s brain to develop because it’s rich in fatty acids that protect the cells of the brain.  It also helps your baby to develop strong muscles because breast milk provides the perfect mix of proteins for building muscle tissue.  Finally, in a time when obesity is a major health problem around the world, breastfeeding can be a great way to help your child maintain a healthy weight.  Babies who are breast-fed have a smaller chance of becoming obese later in life.

While breastfeeding has a huge impact on your baby’s development, it can also have a dramatic effect on your body.  If you choose to breast feed, you’ll open up a world of benefits for now and for the long-term.  The immediate benefits of breastfeeding can be very powerful.  After you give birth, breastfeeding actually stimulates the contractions that help you expel the placenta.  It can help your body to recover more quickly and painlessly.

Breastfeeding also burns major calories!  What better way to burn off the baby weight without having to hit the gym?  It will also prevent your body from having a period for several months if you feed your baby exclusively breast milk.  In addition, breastfeeding provides a natural method of contraception.  In the long-term, breastfeeding can provide disease prevention power.  Women who breastfeed their babies have a lower risk of developing breast and other cancers throughout their lives.  They’re also less likely to have problems related to osteoporosis.

One of the best reasons for breastfeeding is a benefit for both mom and baby.  When you breastfeed your baby, you help to develop the bond between the two of you.  This provides comfort and improved mental health for both of you.  When you’re weighing the decision of whether to bottle feed or breastfeed, make sure to consider the overall well being that comes from this natural process.