Parents know when something is “off” with their child. Baby suddenly gets extra fussy, or seems to be hungry all the time, or isn’t sleeping like he or she used to. Maybe it’s a combination of these factors. Either way, things are not quite right with your baby.

Before you panic and call the pediatrician, consider your child’s age. What you’re experiencing could simply be a growth spurt. When my nursing son hit the one month mark, it seemed like all he wanted to do was eat. Considering that that was all he had done for the first four weeks of his life, it was nearly unfathomable that he might want to eat even more than what he was already consuming. But he did! Because, as it turned out, it was a growth spurt.

Growth spurts can be sometimes difficult to identify but, in general, they occur around the first few days after arriving home from the hospital, then at about 1 week old, 2-3 weeks, 4-6 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 6 months and 9 months. In addition, after one year of age, growth spurts may occur again every few months or so until your child becomes a teenager. Of course, as with most things baby related, your timing may vary a bit. Growth spurts usually last two or three days.

Signs of a growth spurt include:

• Baby is hungry all the time

• He or she frequently wakes at night to eat

• Baby is more fussy or cranky than usual

For nursing moms, if your baby seems to be hungry all the time, just go along with it and feed your baby when he or she wants to eat. Don’t worry about running out of milk; your milk supply will adjust to your baby’s needs. In addition, if you are nursing, you might also be hungrier or thirstier while your baby is experiencing a growth spurt. It’s nature’s way of telling you that you need to eat more for baby. Just eat or drink more each day (opting for healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables and plenty of water, of course.)

If bottle feeding, bring on the bottles! Remember that babies are simply incapable of overeating. If he or she is fussing and seems hungry, try giving a bottle.

When our daughter first began eating table foods, it was an adventure. Not only did she have the joy and frustration of discovering different tastes and textures, but she also was able to explore her food for the first time not only with her mouth, but with her hands as well. After meal time was over, we’d find crumbs and small pieces of food tucked away into her hair, down her shirt and even underneath her legs where she was sitting. The high chair fared no better – food would be found all around the padded seat cushion, including on, inside and underneath it, not to mention crusted onto the tray.

What’s a somewhat clean-freak parent to do? Before getting out the bleach and spraying down the entire high chair, my husband and I decided to take a more calm approach. After taking the tray and padded cushion off the chair, we read the manufacturers’ instructions and proceeded to clean the chair accordingly. The tray goes to the kitchen sink, where it’s washed with dish soap and warm water, then dried and returned to the eating area. Then we use a non-chemical all-purpose cleaner to spray down the vinyl seat cushion, the chair underneath, and the foot rests. For the straps that hold her in, we scrub those with the cleaner and a sponge and, when they get really bad, soak them in soapy water or run them through the washing machine.

As for our daughter, we’ve learned a few tricks to keeping her clean at meal time, too. We use a receiving blanket tucked around her neck and down over her chest to catch any crumbs that fall down from her hand or mouth, and try to wipe down her hands with a damp wash cloth before she gets a chance to rub her eyes, hair, face or anything else within reach.

It’s not a fool-proof method, but it usually keeps the messes to a minimum.

Written by: Juliet

Pregnancy myths really vary from country to country. Most women follow some of these folklores due to the tradition they have ever since. But then, medicine and technology have changed the pregnancy experience of modern women. The development of medical testing has helped couples in determining the gender of their child. Discussion here will involve the facts regarding common pregnancy myths.

Women believe that standing on your head after making love can increase the chances of becoming pregnant. But according to some experts, this method has no proof to help women in getting pregnant. Though they contend that lying down after sex for 20 to 30 minutes can increase the chances of getting pregnant.

Another myth is that, people can determine the gender of a child through the shape and height of a woman’s stomach. The famous belief states that, women who carries a boy has a low belly. While women who will give birth to a girl, has a high stomach. But this is a total misconception. Because the shape and height of a woman’s stomach is determined by uterine tone, muscle tone and the baby’s position. In order to know the real gender of a baby, getting an ultrasound is very much recommended.

It is also erroneous to say that there is an association between the shape of a woman’s face and the gender of a baby. Pregnant women gain weight differently during pregnancy and their skin changes. People cannot tell that if a woman has a rosy cheek, is an indication that she will give birth to a baby girl.

Others also believe that taking a bath is unsafe and unhygienic. In contrast to this popular myth, there is no clear evidence which shows that tap water which enters the vagina can contaminate the pregnant woman. Actually, hygiene is very much needed during pregnancy.

Some women are afraid that if they put their arms around their head, the umbilical cord will muffle the baby. But there is no definite connection about this. Because according to a study conducted, 25 percent of all babies are born with their cords around their necks. Another myth that they believe is that, women lose a tooth for every birth that they have. But with the availability of supplements and vitamins nowadays, pregnant women will be ensure of preserving their maternal health. If a woman has a vitamin deficiency in her diet, calcium may be lost from the her teeth and bones. That is why pregnant women are advised to take at least 1500 mg of calcium everyday, either from food sources or supplement. Teeth will really fall if calcium is deficient or depleted.

During pregnancy, other women don’t begin any exercise that they are not already doing prior to pregnancy. This one has some basis. Because this will add protection to the newly pregnant woman from injury. In starting a pregnancy exercise, it is really important to seek the advice of a healthcare provider. It is advisable for pregnant women to join in a prenatal exercise or much better a yoga class not only to be physically fit but also to build a support group and even future social network. It is advised that pregnant women should take a walk for 30 to 40 minutes everyday plus a light exercise session after any physical activity.

With the modern technology and medicine being developed today, pregnant women should not anymore rely on these myths because there is no really clear evidence that these are true. What is best is that you must have a regular check-up with your doctor and ask for further questions if ever you want to clarify something. Because definitely they know best.

About The Article
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Hiccups in Utero
Pregnant women often mention feeling their baby having hiccups while in the womb and wonder what causes this. These hiccups can start in the first trimester, but won’t be felt by mom until late in the second trimester or during the third trimester. Rarely do the hiccups bother the mother-to-be, however some moms might worry that it is hurting their baby.

The exact cause of your baby’s hiccups is unknown. However, many specialists believe that your baby’s hiccups may be helping to strengthen the diaphragm muscle in order to help the baby breathe both in the womb and once they are born. In many cases your baby will have the hiccups at the same time everyday.

Not only can hiccups be felt by the mom-to-be, but it can also be detected during an ultrasound and picked up on a Doppler while at the doctor’s office for a routine visit. After a woman has been assured that these hiccups are normal and are not bothering their baby, then they become something that can be looked forward to on a daily basis, much like their baby kicking.

Hiccups After Birth
If your baby had hiccups while in utero, it is very plausible that he will have the hiccups after he is born. Some babies that did not have them in utero may still have them after birth. Hiccups can start after birth as early as the day your baby is born. Like the hiccups your baby might have had in utero, these hiccups are generally not painful for your baby.

Hiccups after birth occur when the diaphragm muscle contracts causing your baby to take quick short breaths. Normally these hiccups go away after only a few minutes. If they are really bothering you, try burping your baby more often during feedings. To get them to stop you can try to feed your baby whether you are nursing or bottlefeeding. The constant sucking and swallowing can help that muscle relax and help the hiccups stop.

The amniotic fluid is the clear, slightly yellowish fluid within the amniotic sac that surrounds the baby in the uterus. The baby grows in this amniotic sac, surrounded by the amniotic fluid, as he learns to move his limbs, open his eyes and breathe. Amniotic fluid levels generally sit at approximately 800ml through most of the pregnancy, dropping slightly in most cases to about 600ml by the time a woman reaches the 40 week mark.

The amniotic fluid has many purposes. It helps to cushion hard blows and jolts to your belly to protect the baby and it allows your baby the freedom to move while permitting symmetrical musculoskeletal development. It also maintains an even temperature so that your baby does not get too hot or too cold, even if you are extremely hot or cold.

Amniotic fluid also helps your baby develop his lungs. While in the womb your baby practices breathing by breathing in and out the water in the amniotic sac. The baby swallows and inhales the amniotic fluid and replaces the volume in the amniotic sac by urinating and exhaling the liquid.

In some cases, a woman may have too much or too little amniotic fluid. Having too much is called polyhydramnios and having too little is called oligohydramnios. In either case, a woman might be watched more closely by her physician throughout her pregnancy.

If a woman’s blood pressure starts rising it will generally start in the third trimester, although some women experience it in the second. High blood pressure, also called hypertension, can be an early sign that a woman has or is getting preeclampsia during her pregnancy. Another sign that can indicate pre-clampsia is protein in the urine.

There are still a lot of questions in the medical community regarding how and why preeclampsia starts. The best explanation seems to involve the placenta, not growing the appropriate blood vessels through the uterine wall to help sustain the pregnancy. In addition to causing the high blood pressure, it can lead to blood supply problems in your unborn baby, as well as liver and kidney problems in the mother-to-be.

Preeclampsia only occurs in about 5% of pregnancies, most of them being the first pregnancies for the mom-to-be. Pre-eclampsia can begin gradually or come on suddenly and can range from mild to severe. At its worst pre-eclampsia can cause death or serious injury to both mother and the baby. Sometimes it is necessary for the doctor or midwife to deliver a baby prematurely, in order to save both of your lives.

High blood pressure alone does not mean that you have or will have preeclampsia. There are many other signs that your provider will be looking throughout your pregnancy. These include an elevated level of protein in the urine, swelling of the hands, feet or face, sudden weight gain and blood clotting. Signs of severe preeclampsia include severe headaches or vision problems, breathing problems, abdominal pain, or a reduction in the need to urinate.

Depending on the severity of a woman’s pre-eclampsia it may be treatable with medication to prevent seizures or with high blood pressure medication. Delivery of the baby, whether early or at term will also lead to the preeclampsia going away.

During pregnancy, your baby receives DHA from you through the placenta. Transfer of DHA from mom to baby is greatest during the third trimester, a period of rapid development for the brain and nervous system. After birth, breastfed infants continue to receive DHA through their mother’s milk.

The potential benefits of a diet rich in DHA during pregnancy and while breastfeeding have been under investigation for many years. Studies comparing infants born prematurely with full-term infants have found that preterm infants tend to have lower DHA levels as well as delayed visual and cognitive development. Other studies looking at breastfed babies versus formula-fed babies (most formulas do not contain DHA) have found that breast-fed infants tend to have better visual acuity early in life.

DHA supplements are widely available. Some brands though, such as Nutrition for Two’s Vitrel-3, claim their active ingredient is “cervonic acid.” Cervonic acid is simply another name for DHA. These companies use the different name though to charge you twice as much for the same product.

Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers are encouraged to pay special attention to their diets to ensure an adequate consumption of foods rich in DHA. It is never too early to start helping your baby’s eyesight develop properly.

Cold-water fish, such as salmon, herring, mackerel and whitefish, are our best dietary sources of DHA. Indiscriminate consumption of fish, however, is not recommended for pregnant women. This is because many of our streams and oceans are contaminated with mercury, which can be harmful to a developing nervous system. While nearly all fish contain trace amounts of mercury, long-lived, larger fish that feed on other fish accumulate the highest levels and pose the greatest risk to people who eat them regularly. For these reasons, the Food and Drug Administration recommends that pregnant women or those thinking of becoming pregnant avoid shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish. The FDA has determined that up to 12 ounces per week (3 ounces is a normal serving size) of other cooked fish is safe for pregnant and nursing women. A good substitute for women who choose not to eat fish are DHA-enriched eggs now available in many stores.

For the infant, breast milk is an excellent source of essential fatty acids, including DHA. While infant formulas supplemented with DHA and AA have been available for several years in countries throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and Latin America, they have not been allowed in infant formulas sold in the United States until recently. Currently, there are two brands of infant formula on the market in the United States that are supplemented with DHA and these can cost 10 percent to 20 percent more than regular formulas.

Why do some women have loose stools? In most pregnancies, women will experience times of both constipation and diarrhea. Loose stools are obviously easier to tolerate, considering the condition doesn’t cause pain and hemorrhoids or lead to hours sitting on the toilet trying to get relief.

Loose stools in pregnancy can symbolize different things at different times. During early pregnancy, it can be a sign you are pregnant, as your uterus starts to grow and pushes out the waste. It can also be caused by your prenatal vitamin, just as constipation can be caused by the prenatal vitamin. All pregnancies and women are different.

Loose stools after the 37th week of pregnancy can signify the onset of labor. As your baby shifts and begins to drop, taking pressure off of your intestines and colon, you may begin experiencing diarrhea. It doesn’t mean labor will start that day, but it is a good sign that labor will start soon!

Some people even complain of smelly stools while pregnant. This can be caused by hormone changes and the food you eat, but it might also be caused by a virus. If you have smelly stools you should talk to your doctor. Likewise, while some women will have diarrhea throughout their entire pregnancies, if you are bothered by it, bring it up to your care provider and see if they have any options for you.

Linea negra is more commonly found in women who already have darker skin pigmentation. It is caused by an increased production of the pigment melanin during pregnancy. Prior to a dark line, some women might see a lighter, white line called “linea alba”.

Linea negra normally starts appearing during the second trimester, and may last for several months after your baby is born. For some women the line will never completely go away. Some doctors believe that there may be a connection between a woman’s insulin level and her getting linea negra, or even not getting enough folic acid.

Linea negra has a myth associated with it as well. It is an oldwives’ tale that if the linea negra stops at the belly button, the woman is having a girl, and if it goes all the way to the bottom of the rib cage then the woman is having a boy.

There is no danger to mom or baby from the linea negra; however it does bother some women. There are a few things you can do to help reduce the color and site of the line.

• Stay out of the sun
• Increase your intake of folic acid
• Try using makeup to cover up the line

Itching during pregnancy is quite normal. The most common cause is dry skin, also known as xerosis, which can be caused by not staying well hydrated. Xerosis can be treated by increasing daily water intake and rubbing lotion on the itchy areas.

Other causes of itchy skin include a liver abnormality called intrahepatic (within the liver) cholestasis (pooling of bile salts) of pregnancy, chicken pox, Fifth’s disease, or even a possible reaction to prenatal vitamins or a new medication. If you have a rash that will not go away, or is accompanied by a fever, you should consult your doctor.

Some women may experience some vaginal itching during pregnancy. This itching can be caused by a sexually transmitted disease, or an infection, but is more commonly caused by the change in your vaginal PH level. Yeast infections during pregnancy are also very common and can be the cause of moderate to severe itching.

What Can You Do?
Before trying to treat vaginal itching with over the counter or home remedies, you should consult your doctor or midwife to rule out the possibility of any STDs. If it is determined that your itching is being caused by a change in your PH level, there are several things you can do to try to relieve the itch.

• Run a bath and add baking soda to it
• Make a paste of baking soda and water to put on the itchy areas
• Place a cold compress on the itchy area

Preventing Vaginal Itching
There are many things you can try to do to help prevent the vaginal itching from starting or returning during your pregnancy.

• Keep yourself clean and dry
• Always wipe from front to back to keep bacteria away from your vagina
• Refrain from douching
• Use scentless detergents
• Wear loose clothing and cotton panties
• Take warm baths free of perfumed bubble bath, and use soap for sensitive skin to wash

If you still experience recurrent itching, whether on your belly, arms, legs or vaginal, consult your doctor to discuss other causes of itchy skin and what you can do about it.

Your baby is growing in your uterus, which is high up in your body. The uterus is not close to your vagina, nor in danger of being touched during your having intercourse. Since it is thought that your baby sleeps while you are moving around during the day, many people suggest that the act of intercourse actually puts the unborn baby to sleep.

Some people also worry about the baby knowing that they are having intercourse. There is no way that your baby can know or be affected negatively by intercourse during a normal healthy pregnancy. In fact, since fetuses can be affected by the emotions and feelings a mom experiences during pregnancy, some believe that the endorphins a woman will feel after an orgasm will be passed through the placenta to her baby, helping her baby be calmer and happier in the womb.

There are instances, however, when sex is not safe during your pregnancy. If you have had any complications or bleeding during your pregnancy you should check with your midwife or doctor prior to having intercourse to make sure it is safe. Also, if you had any complications in previous pregnancies you should check with your doctor.

Towards the end of your pregnancy, while safe, sex may become difficult or uncomfortable for mom or even dad. The big bump may make it hard for mom and dad to get in the groove, or it may feel different for dad since the woman’s body is changing. At this point a couple may choose NOT to have sex, even if their doctor has not said that it is a problem.

If your doctor or midwife approves intercourse throughout your pregnancy, and as a couple you choose to continue having sex until the end of your pregnancy, some believe that sex may help a woman go into labor. One of the old wives’ tales suggests that because a man’s sperm contains prostaglandin, a substance that is used in some labor inducing drugs, that sex can help dilate a cervix that is ready to dilate. This is a much debated theory.

Remember, if your midwife or doctor says it is safe to have sex and you WANT to have sex, there is no reason not to have sex. However, be sure to get the ok from your physician before you do, so that you know it is ok for you, during your pregnancy.

Low iron levels in pregnancy are a common problem for women of childbearing age across the world. Many times if a woman’s iron levels are low, her doctor or midwife will prescribe an iron supplement for her to take during pregnancy.

There have been some studies done over the past few years which suggest that low iron levels in a mother during pregnancy can affect the child’s mental development in negative ways. Children who are born to anemic mothers tend to score lower on a series of tests given to them, than the children who were born to mothers that had normal or high iron levels in their blood.

Besides the iron suppllement pills, a woman can eat more foods that are naturally high in iron during her pregnancy in order to increase the iron levels. Foods high in iron include meats, egg yolks, dried beans or peas, green leafy vegetables, dried fruits, nuts and grains.

If you are trying to get pregnant and have low iron levels, or are afraid that you will have low iron levels, there are things you can do prior to pregnancy to try to increase your iron. If you are planning on getting pregnant, you should start taking prenatal pills immediately, versus waiting till you are already pregnant. Also, start eating more iron-rich foods, remembering that foods coming from animals (the meat and eggs) have higher levels of iron in them than the foods coming from vegetables. If you are not a big meat eater, eating just a small amount of meat with your iron-rich vegetables will dramatically increase the amount of iron that is absorbed from those vegetables.

Adding Vitamin C to your meals will also help increase the amount of iron that is absorbed into your body. If you are consuming mostly vegetables to get your iron, avoid tea while eating them because the tea can prevent or reduce iron absorption. Also, try cooking food in an iron skillet, as the iron from the skillet adds to the iron levels in the food.

If you are worried or unsure about your iron levels during your pregnancy, be sure to ask your doctor or midwife if they have any additional suggestions for you to help you raise the levels while you are pregnant.