Pregnant Women Should Not Take Baths
This idea is false; however some of the beliefs behind it are true. Pregnant women can and should take baths. It is a great way for a pregnant woman to take some of the weight off her back and relax, especially later in pregnancy. If your water has broken however you should NOT take a bath as your uterus is then vulnerable to infection. You should also avoid throughout your pregnancy taking baths or sitting in hot tubs above 100 degrees. This can raise your body temperature too much and cause problems to your baby, especially during the first trimester.

Holding Your Hands Above Your Head Can Hurt The Baby
The truth is that the positioning of your hands has nothing to do with your baby’s positioning in the uterus or the umbilical cord becoming wrapped around him. Babies born with the umbilical cord wrapped around them is actually quite common as it happens in about 1/3 of all pregnancies and is actually caused by the early movements your baby makes in utero, while they are still small enough to make them.

Wearing A Lei Can Choke Your Fetus
This Hawaiian superstition is just that…a superstition. It makes no sense that a pregnant woman who wears a lei could be choking her baby.

You Have to Drink A Lot of Water or Your Baby Will Get Dirty
A pregnant woman should drink water because it is good for them. However it has nothing to do with how clean or dirty the baby’s amniotic fluid is. The truth is your baby pees in and drinks the amniotic fluid surrounding them, and the amniotic fluid actually replenishes itself every three hours. Staying hydrated helps your baby, but your baby will not get dirty if you do not drink the recommended eight glasses of water a day.

You Need Boiling Water Nearby During Childbirth
Fact or fiction? In reality no one is really sure WHY midwives used to order the husbands to get boiling water. Some think it was just a ploy to get the husbands out of the room during tense times of labor. Others speculate that it was an effort to make sure the few tools that were used, were properly sterilized. Along the same lines so believe that it was a way to keep the tools used at room temperature instead of letting them get cold. Today there is little, if no need to have boiling water nearby during childbirth.

If You Have Heartburn During Pregnancy Your Baby Has A Lot of Hair
Because of there being less room in your stomach since there is a baby growing and pushing on it, heartburn is actually extremely common during those nine months. There is no proof or reason to believe that having heartburn is a sign of a baby being born with a head full of hair.

Your Partner Will Get a Sty in the Eye if They Don’t Feed You What You Crave
While this is fun and definitely something a pregnant woman might be able to get away with holding over her partners head, it is not true. However, that doesn’t mean that the person who denies their pregnant partner the food she craves is safe…

Sex Can Kick Start Labor
This one is actually true! Female enjoyment creates the hormone oxytocin which can help ripen your cervix and get it ready for labor. A mans semen contains the hormone prostaglandins which can cause contractions. Sex is often recommended at the end of a healthy, normal pregnancy. Ask your OB!

Full Moons Bring the Babies
While it is widely believed and noted in L&D rooms every where, however this myth has never been scientifically proven.

These are just a few that we have put together for you. To see our list of gender related pregnancy old wives tales, click here.

Pregnancy is such an incredible experience in a woman’s life. My experience was incredible in an unsettling way. While I was pregnant with my first child I felt wonderful for the first six months. I was always on the go and loved watching my belly grow. Then suddenly at 24 weeks, I started to feel cramping and started spotting.

After racing to Labor and Delivery, my ob-gyn told me that I was experiencing pre-term labor. I was clueless; I had never heard of pre-term labor and certainly didn’t know anyone who had experienced this. I was given terbutaline pills and told to stay off my feet for a couple of days. That was easy enough. It was nice to relax for a couple of days.

I went back to my doctor for a follow up visit and was shocked to learn that I was still experiencing pre-term labor. I was admitted to the hospital and my doctor performed numerous tests to make sure my baby was not stressed. It was too soon for my baby to be born. Finally, my doctor informed me that I had to be on bed rest until I was 37 weeks pregnant. Most importantly, I would have to be attached to a terbutaline pump to minimize my contractions. I was in disbelief. How could I be in bed for the remainder of my pregnancy?

The next few months were very difficult. I remained in bed all day and was only allowed to get out of bed to go to the bathroom. I was also allowed to leave the house once a week to visit my doctor. Each time I did get up from bed the pressure of my baby was extreme. I felt like my baby was going to fall out! Wearing the terbutaline pump was a test of my strength and will to deliver a healthy baby. I wore a cartridge with two syringes at my waist which pumped medication into my body every two hours through a small catheter in my thigh. Every five days the site of the catheter would have to be switched from thigh to thigh in order to prevent infection. Thank goodness for my husband who supported me through all of this and helped me change my catheter site. After all I was experiencing, I was terrified to prick my leg with the very small needle! Additionally, I had to wear a monitor around my belly twice a day to monitor contractions. I would submit the data via my phone line to a nurse who would review it and keep my doctor apprised of my progress.

Needless to say the three months I spent in bed were very lonely. I had many visitors, but how I longed to be mobile. Winter turned to spring it became more difficult to remain in bed. Pregnancy is such an exciting time! I was missing out on so much. I didn’t get to dress up in maternity clothes and show off my growing belly. I didn’t get to prepare the baby’s room. I cried a lot, but knowing that I was doing this to deliver a healthy baby kept me going.

Finally, my 37th week arrived and my doctor told me to stop the medication. I had waited for this time for so long, yet I was so scared to be off the medication. The terbutaline had been my security blanket. Now I was ready to have a baby. I was terrified about what was next.

I stopped the medication at 1 p.m. in the afternoon, and was free to do whatever I wanted. At this point, my baby was full term so I could get out of bed, go outside and walk around! Unfortunately, I had been in bed for so long that I had developed atrophy in my legs. I couldn’t walk! My husband took me out for a celebratory dinner that night in a wheelchair.

At 11 p.m., I started to feel crampy. I had never been pregnant before, so I didn’t know what I was experiencing. Was I in labor or was my stomach upset from dinner? For hours I paced back and forth to the bathroom and referred to my pregnancy manual to determine what I was feeling. At 2 a.m. I decided to call my doctor. She told me to head to the hospital. I was excited and frightened at the same time. When I finally arrived at the hospital, I was told to go home because my water did not break. I didn’t want to be home – I needed to be at the hospital! I’ll never forget lying in the hospital bed as the doctor told my husband to take me home. As she said that, I heard a pop! My water broke! How ironic.

Several hours later, after a couple of epidurals and five pushes, my son was born! He was healthy and he was beautiful.

So many people commend me for meeting the challenge of my pregnancy. As difficult as it was, it was what I had to do to for my son. He’s truly my miracle.

About The Author
Judy Shaw is a mother of two and co-owner and President of Sexy Belly Maternity.

By the end of pregnancy, the baby is likely to take a position that will be favorable for the coming journey. Over 95% of all babies will be facing head down, with their chins tucked on to their chest. Some babies, particularly those of first time mothers, will literally drop into the pelvic opening. The cervix may not have dilated, and the baby is still totally within the uterus, but the head is now nestled within the pelvic opening instead of abovdrop, e it. Doctors and midwives refer to this process as engagement.

Engagement is also known as lightening, probably because it provides some relief from common pregnancy symptoms. When your baby drops, pressure on your stomach and diaphragm drops, too. You will probably have less heartburn and shortness of breath. Of course, these symptoms may merely be exchanged for new ones. You may feel increased pelvic pressure, and some women complain that it’s hard to walk because it feels like the baby’s head is between their legs. However, it’s important to remember that many women have no change in their symptoms and never even notice when the baby’s head engages. It is also possible that the baby will not drop until labor begins.

There are other signs that the time for labor may be drawing near. For example, the mucous plug, which has kept the inside of the uterus sealed off from the vagina, falls out as the cervix begins to to soften and thin in preparation for labor. The mucous plug may fall out hours or even days before labor begins. Sometimes the membranes of the amniotic sac rupture (“breaking your water”) minutes or hours before labor begins. If your membranes rupture, you should call your practitioner. Some doctors and midwives prefer that you come in for examination right away. Others will advise you to wait at home to see if labor begins spontaneously.

Many women have other physical symptoms that signal labor is approaching, including diarrhea, low backache, or abdominal cramping. It seems that impending labor may cause psychological changes as well. A few women are seized with the nesting instinct in the hours and days before labor begins. They are suddenly consumed by the urge to clean and arrange things, when just a few days before they were too exhausted to move.

Can you do anything to deliberately start your own labor? There are a lot of old (and new) wives’ tales that you can consider. Some women insist that spicy food started their labors, and others claim it was because they dosed themselves with castor oil. Then there are those who swear by sex, reasoning that even if it doesn’t work, at least they’ll have a good time. Unfortunately, it’s not likely that any of these home remedies are effective. Labor starts when the baby is ready and not one second before.

About the Author
This article was adapted from the book How Your Baby is Born, by Amy B. Tuteur, MD. Dr. Tuteur runs the website Ask Dr. Amy.com where you can ask her your questions.

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.

Early in pregnancy, constipation is caused by a change in your hormones which can make your digestive system sluggish and often uncooperative. Later in pregnancy, the constipation can be aided by the increased size of your uterus and the baby pushing down on the intestines and inner organs, not allowing as much room for food to pass.

What You Can Do
There are several things you can do to help ease or prevent the occurrence of constipation.

• Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated has been proven to help keep your system regulated, both while pregnant and not pregnant. Doctors recommend that both pregnant and unpregnant women drink at least eight glasses of water a day. 
• Get more fiber. Fiber in your diet will help your bowel movements remain loose and regular. You can get fiber in fruits and vegetables, as well as grains. If you don’t feel like you are getting enough fiber, ask your doctor about taking a fiber supplement. 
• Watch the calcium. Too much calcium while pregnant can cause your bowels to harden and lead to constipation. Try to avoid eating more than the recommended amount of dairy foods. 
• Keep active. Exercise can help keep your system regulated. Keep up a walking routine, swim if you can, or lift some light weights if your doctor says it is safe.

If you are trying all this and the constipation still is not letting up, ask your doctor or midwife about the possibility of taking extra supplements or laxatives. There may be additional remedies that your provider can recommend to help bring you relief.

Food has a huge impact on a child’s well-being. It can energize, increase hyperactivity or induce fatigue. Just as a lack of sleep can jumble a child’s thinking or cause learning problems, so can an inadequate diet. Each child is a unique individual, and it’s unreasonable to think that “one size fits all” diet advice is realistic.

Children seem to be born not only with an emotional temperament but with a food temperament. For instance, my son has always had a particular suspicion and aversion to any food that is green; however, he doesn’t care much for sweets. In direct contrast, my youngest daughter has always loved vegetables and from the time she was a toddler, her favorite food was broccoli. Unfortunately, she also inherited my sweet tooth.

Diet is critical for children’s health and everything that we eat affects us. However, it affects each of us a little differently, depending on our individual makeup and metabolism. For instance, some children are highly sensitive to sugar and any form of sweets in their diet. For them, sugar consumption can aggravate many problems such as hyperactivity, anxiety, nervousness, irritability, and poor concentration—all of which can lead to sleep difficulties.

We all know that children are healthier and sleep better if they eat a healthy diet containing a variety of foods from all the food groups. Unfortunately, some children can be incredibly picky. I don’t think it’s a good idea to cater to a child’s every whim or to battle over food. Fill your house with healthy foods and snacks and don’t get in the habit of buying junk food. That way, when your children are hungry, they will have no choice but to eat healthy and nutritious foods.

In addition, children are much more likely to be interested in eating meals that they have helped plan and prepare. Buy a healthy children’s cookbook and have fun planning and preparing nutritious meals and snacks together.

Healthy Tips:

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Situation: It never fails, when we’re on vacation, the rains hit. We’re all stuck in the hotel room, and inevitably everyone gets grumpy. How do we keep the kids happy if this disaster strikes again?

Think about it: To quote the insightful words of William Shakespeare, “Nothing is good or bad, only thinking makes it so.” Hey, you’re still on vacation, no one has to go to work, or go to school, and you don’t have to cook and clean. You can still find plenty of ways to enjoy the time.

Solution #1: If you read this book before you left, you’ve packed some indoor activities. If not, venture out to a local store, and buy a selection. It will be the best money you spend on the trip. A few ideas are: paint by number sets, Legos TM, balloons, head sets with music and books on tape, puzzles, clay, and hand-held computer games. One toy that’s a hit for many kids from about age three to ten is a selection of plastic miniature animals or bugs. Many kids will play happily with these for hours. There are many favorite games that are made in small travel size versions, such as checkers, chess and even Monopoly TM. Check out the local toy store.

Solution #2: If you’re lucky enough to have a kitchenette in your room, allow the kids to play house. Let them use the dishes and supplies. Cleaning up the mess is worth it, since this activity will keep them busy for long periods of time. Even better, let room service take care of the mess and give them an extra tip.

Solution #3: Let the kids build a fort using tables, chairs, blankets and whatever else they can find. Let them play, eat, and even sleep in the fort. Need I say it again? The mess is worth the hours of happy playtime.

Solution #4: Fill the bathtub with water. Toss in anything you can find that can be used as water toys, such as cups, plastic dishes, and empty shampoo bottles. Let the kids enjoy playing in the water and don’t worry about the splashing.

Solution #5: Play “Easter Egg Hunt” using coins. Hide them all over the rooms and let the kids find them. Have a scavenger hunt, or a treasure hunt.

Solution #6: Set up a beauty salon. Let the kids practice hairstyles, paint each other’s fingernails, and put on make up.

Solution #7: Let the kids play dress-up with your clothes, if you’re comfortable with the idea. Have a fashion show. Put on a play. Have a concert.

Solution #8: Let them play in the rain! Just dry them off and give them some hot chocolate when they come in.

About the Author:
Elizabeth Pantley is the author of several books, including Gentle Baby Care : No-cry, No-fuss, No-worry — Essential Tips for Raising Your Baby, The No-Cry Sleep Solution: Gentle Ways to Help Your Baby Sleep Through the Night, Kid Cooperation (with an introduction by William Sears, MD), Perfect Parenting, as well as her latest The No-Cry Sleep Solution for Toddlers and Preschoolers and is also president of Better Beginnings, Inc. She is a popular speaker on family issues, and her newsletter, Parent Tips, is seen in schools nationwide. She appears as a regular radio show guest, and has been quoted in Parents, Parenting, Redbook, Good Housekeeping, American Baby, Working Mother, and Woman’s Day magazines. Visit Elizabeth’s web site http://www.pantley.com/elizabeth.

Question:
Our local public pool offers swimming classes for parents with babies. This sounds like fun, but I’m wondering: Is this something I can do safely with my eight-month-old baby?

Learn about it
Swimming classes can be a fun experience to share with your baby and with other parent-baby pairs. The term “class” in this context shouldn’t mean that your baby will “learn” anything. Until a child is over four years old, any swim program should be viewed as simply a pleasurable way to introduce your baby to the fun of being in the water.

At what age can you take a baby in a pool?
As long as the water and weather are warm enough, you can take any baby over a few weeks old into a pool while in your arms. The younger the baby, of course, the more closely you’ll need to monitor the reaction to the water, and the more careful you’ll need to be about the chill that can occur when wet skin hits cooler air. Keep in mind that your baby will chill before you do, and if your baby is shivering or his lips look blue, he should have been out of the water some time ago. Quickly wrap him up and warm him.

How can I make our swimming experience safe?
The one most important rule for swimming with a young baby is to always keep him in your arms when he’s in or near the water. Always.

How can I help my baby enjoy his first swimming experiences?
When taking your baby for a swim, make sure he isn’t hungry or tired so that he and you can both enjoy the water. Avoid taking a swim immediately after your baby has been fed.

Very young babies don’t really need any floats or swimming aids, since they will not be out of your arms at any time (right?). If you decide to let your older baby float around in a baby boat or swim ring, always keep in mind that these are not designed for safety or protection; you should keep your hands and eyes on your baby at all times.

Follow your baby’s lead. If he seems happy and curious, then move him around in the water. If he seems nervous or frightened, don’t push him beyond his comfort zone. Some babies take time to warm up to the idea of a big body of water, even if they love to splash in the bathtub at home. You may even find that your baby takes numerous trips to the pool or beach before he’s even willing to get wet. Be patient!

How do I choose a class?
Ideally, look for an instructor who has knowledge of child development in addition to swimming. A teacher like this can gear the class activities to the proper developmental abilities of the babies in the group. It’s important to work with a teacher who understands children and can be sensitive to a baby’s fear or uncertainty of the water, and who doesn’t expect a baby to do more than what he is comfortable doing ¾ even if that means just dangling his feet in the water for the first few lessons, or even just looking at it from a deck chair!

What should your baby wear?
At the beach, your baby can wear a diaper, a bathing suit, or a birthday suit ¾ whatever you and he are comfortable with. Many parents keep their babies in a t-shirt to protect against the sun. If your baby is a walker, you might want to invest in some aqua socks to protect little feet against sand, rocks, and shells and to prevent slipping while walking poolside. If you are in a pool, disposable or reusable swim diapers are a great option. These don’t swell up like a sponge, but they do retain the unmentionables that other swimmers would rather not see floating in the water!

Protect your baby from the sun and chemicals
If your swimming extravaganza is taking place outside, be certain that you protect your baby from the sun with a hat and (if the baby is older than six months) sunscreen. This is very important, since the sun’s rays are magnified when reflected off the water.

Be cautious about emerging your baby in a pool that has a high level of chlorine as this may irritate his delicate skin.

Après swim
Remember, just like you, your baby will probably be ravenous after a swim so plan to feed him soon after you’re out of the water. A breastfeed, bottle-feed or snack will keep your baby happy. And a snuggly feed after a swim is extra warm and cozy for both mom and baby.

An important warning
No matter how many swim classes your baby has had, and no matter what his comfort and skill levels while in the water are, and no matter what kind of swimming float he is wearing, you should never, ever leave your baby unattended while in or near water ¾ not for even a second. Babies are unpredictable. They easily can fall into the water and drown even in water just a few inches deep. Swimming lessons for babies have nothing whatsoever to do with reducing the risk of water hazards. As a matter of fact, they can increase the risk of water accidents when parents are lulled into thinking their baby is safer because he has had swimming lessons ¾ which is not the case. Plus, swimming lessons, if they are successful, dispel your baby’s natural wariness about water and make it more likely that he’ll explore on his own if given but a second. You are many years away from watching your child swim independently while you sit on the beach in a lounge chair.

Copyright Elizabeth Pantley. (McGraw-Hill, 2003)

About the Author:
Elizabeth Pantley is the author of several books, including Gentle Baby Care : No-cry, No-fuss, No-worry — Essential Tips for Raising Your Baby, The No-Cry Sleep Solution: Gentle Ways to Help Your Baby Sleep Through the Night, Kid Cooperation (with an introduction by William Sears, MD), Perfect Parenting, as well as her latest The No-Cry Sleep Solution for Toddlers and Preschoolers and is also president of Better Beginnings, Inc. She is a popular speaker on family issues, and her newsletter, Parent Tips, is seen in schools nationwide. She appears as a regular radio show guest, and has been quoted in Parents, Parenting, Redbook, Good Housekeeping, American Baby, Working Mother, and Woman’s Day magazines. Visit Elizabeth’s web site http://www.pantley.com/elizabeth.

When I found out I was pregnant and began to plan for my son, Cole, the choice to breastfeed wasn’t much of a choice, I figured why not? Not only was it the most natural way to feed my child, but also it was nutritious (while building your child’s immune system) as well as cost effective. I had NO idea how much more important, more amazing breastfeeding would become.

What No One Ever Told Me
No one told me the following things about breastfeeding, which I hope are helpful to you. In the first couple weeks your baby will be nursing VERY often, plan on devoting the majority of your time to nursing, sleeping and eating. Ask for help – don’t feel like you have to keep a clean house, let others help. This bonding time will only happen once, and it will be gone before you know it.

Keep food and water close by. I can assure you that as soon as you get the baby to sleep your tummy will start to rumble and you won’t want the little one to wake up. Also use comfortable pillows and wear comfortable-cuddly clothes. You will want to be relaxed and intimate. Let me stress that you will spend a large amount of time nursing – so be patient and relax. You probably want to leave the home for a while, which is understandable. It will be awhile before you feel comfortable taking your baby out in the world and before you have enough time between feedings.

The Do’s and Don’t of Eating
Not until Cole was on my chest after his birth did I fully understand the decision I had made to breast-feed. I suddenly realized that everything I ate would be directly given to him, just as when I was pregnant. Now that I had met my little boy it was even more important to feed him correctly. Some basic rules about your diet during breast-feeding:

1. Drink LOTS of water, this will not only keep you refreshed and losing weight, it will help with milk production.
2. Eat small healthy snacks throughout the day to keep your energy up. Finger foods are great, since they aren’t messy and can be kept handy. Try grapes, trail mix, graham crackers, cheerios, and baby carrots- anything small and easy to clean up will do the trick.
3. Think BEFORE you eat! Your baby will not enjoy Mexican, Chinese or any other spicy foods. The last thing you want to do is give your baby gas, or worse.
4. If you don’t have a good memory, keep a journal of what you eat. This will help determine what foods you eat may be causing an upset stomach for your little one. I found out after a couple tries that green apples gave my son a terrible tummy ache, needless to say I don’t eat them anymore.
5. Avoid fish – mercy found in fish has been found questionable by several sources. If you have questions talk with you physician.

Basic Rules of Breastfeeding

1. Talk and work with your doctor- they can make sure your child is gaining enough weight.
2. Set a Goal “I will breastfeed until he is at least 2 months old” or whatever you are comfortable with, this will affirm your decision and make an easy goal in sight. And who knows you may outlast your goal.
3. Find a mother group, hospital help line or use the La Leche League International website. You will have questions and you will need support!
4. Be patient, your milk supply will come, probably just when you have given up.
5. Take care of yourself! If you don’t take care of you- who will take care of the baby?
6. Be willing to make sacrifices, feedings will be on your child’s scheduled- and pretty often in the beginning.
7. Pick a comfortable spot to nurse like the rocking chair, or a comfy recliner, but stick to it as often as possible. Your baby will associate that area with you and nursing and will be comforted as soon as you sit there.

A Surprise
On about day four, I woke up from a nap, since Cole hadn’t slept much the night before, and my chest hurt SO badly! I freaked out, they were hard as a rock, and Cole had a hard time latching on. It was the weekend so my doctor wasn’t in, so I called my Doula – thank God for Doulas! Not only did she get me through the labor, she was a source of information, and she too had be through the hard chest.

This is a common occurrence, be prepared and don’t be scared. A couple good ways to deal with this – take a hot shower and let the water run on your chest. This will help start the movement of milk and will also relax you. You can also use cold packs or cold frozen veggies on your chest – but I found a hot shower worked best.

You will also have to message them to help release some milk manually and make it easier for your baby to latch on. Once he/she latches on and begins to nurse it will get easier, this may last up to two days – like it did for me! Just be patient, it will get better, I promise.

Other possible problems/pains – dry cracked nipples, bleeding nipples, or a baby who finds it hard to latch or seem uninterested. I have never had any of these problems, but I know they can all be worked on and possibly fixed with some determination and help from one of the above-mentioned resources.

Breastfeeding On The Go
I would like to think I have mastered the art of breastfeeding on the go – although I am sure I will still find struggles along the way. First and foremost be prepared. You may now asking, how do I make sure I am prepared to nurse my baby anywhere we go? First, always bring a blanket. The blankets you use for a baby bundle or baby burrito are perfect. You want a lightweight blanket in the summer and a warmer, fuzzy blanket in the winter.

When you pack your diaper bag, along with diapers pack a blanket. Check to make sure it is in your diaper bag every time you leave the house, this will become a routine. You may even want to pack one in the car, just in case. With a blanket, you can cover up a nurse anywhere you can find a seat.

Other important tips- invest in some comfortable nursing bras, this is a necessity. I have found the sports bra like ones with snaps at the top are easiest to reattach, while being modest. When you are going out with the baby consider what you wear, so you have easy access to your chest. You may like t-shirts, tank tops you can pull down, wrap shirts, button down shirts or even the specialty made nursing clothes. Avoid anything that would be complicated to lower or lift quickly. With the proper attire and a blanket you can nurse anywhere.

Are you still nervous? I was too, for a while. But I finally learned that people may look quickly to see what you are doing, but if you can nurse the baby before he is beginning to fuss or cry than you can avoid extra attention. As long as you are fully covered, which you brought a cover for, you have nothing to be ashamed of. Remember you are providing nourishment, comfort, and love to your child in the most natural way possible.

Working and Nursing…The Most Difficult Task
When I reluctantly went back to work after six short weeks, I knew breastfeeding was going to be hard, but I wasn’t about to give up on my goal of nursing my son for the first vital year of his life. The most helpful thing possible is a great breast pump.

Now I didn’t say good, I said GREAT! You will be pumping forever, and not get very good results with a hand held, cheap pump. I was given a Pump-In-Style that was so helpful. It plugs into the wall (make sure you have an outlet where you will be pumping), and has a refrigeration cubby where I put cold packs in to keep my milk cold and fresh.

Talk with your employer, let them know you will need time to pump, as well as a clean, private area to pump in. If they value you they will help with these things. You must pump to maintain your milk supply, and to have more for while you are away, and hopefully to build up stock.

Why Than Would You Breastfeed?
With all I have mentioned to you may be wondering, why breastfeed? Beyond the fact that it is the best source of nutrition for your child, it provides the most amazing bonding experience. There is nothing more incredible in the world than staring into the eyes of your child while being as close as you can possibly be. My sons eyes are the most beautiful shade of blue/gray and they look like puddles of water dancing around. When we cuddle down and nurse I can get lost in his eyes and the whole world disappears.

You will not regret a moment spent solely devoted to your child, and nursing is one of the easiest ways to get that time. So make nursing your plan for as long as you can, not only for his health, but also for your bond. You will learn to love him or her more everyday!

Encourage Others To Breastfeed!
Please encourage others to breastfeed and enjoy the many benefits of the decision to breastfeed. To help have them read this article and the article available at the link below. You will be amazed at the data showing why breastfeeding is so beneficial and totally worth the effort. Enjoy your baby!

About the Author
Carmen Shuey is the owner of CT Toys which specializes in toys and articles for babies and children.

Baby swimming classes are available almost everywhere, and the younger a child is when he or she is taught to swim the easier it will be for them to learn successfully. Why? Well, as you know, when in the womb a baby develops, begins to move and is eventually swimming in the amniotic fluid. So for about nine months the kid has already been a swimmer. (And from what I hear, they get pretty good at kicking during the nine months they are in there.)

Therefore, your baby should have little to no trouble adjusting to being in the water, he or she may even find it fun from minute one. They really are usually great at kicking, so that is where the instructors most often begin. You will be right there with your baby, and they will use a “marshmallow” or some sort of small floating device to keep the baby’s head above the water.

The baby, typically floating with the marshmallow or other floating device around their belly, will begin by kicking their legs underwater. There will be times where no floating devices are used. And the mothers simply hold their babies in the water. Often holding them horizontally by the stomach halfway above the water and halfway below. This helps them begin to understand better how to move around in the water, keep control and keep from sinking.

The biggest challenge in teaching a child to swim is that a baby has an automatic choke reflex that occurs when their heads are below water—usually, especially the first few times, the baby will try to inhale underwater and therefore start to choke. This is a nine-month habit that must be broken.

Obviously, the child must not only relearn swimming, but also unlearn what he or she had become so accustom to in the womb: oxygenating the lungs by breathing in the amniotic fluid. The must figure out that they cannot breathe this water in. That now their lungs are not meant to take in oxygen in the form of fluid—but rather only through the air.

The class will practice holding the children underwater—especially once they are more than six and ten months old, and try to signal to or show the babies how to hold their breath.

This works a lot of the time. Babies commonly learn very fast. However, if the child does not want to be submerged, or is obviously having trouble catching on, the rule is not to force them. Try again in a month or two until the baby is ready to hold his or her breath underwater and can then learn to take breaths from the surface, before submerging and holding their breath again.

Either way, the splashing, and laughing, and watery fun is worth it for the role swimming together can play in the personal connection between a baby and the parent or guardian participating with them in the class.

About The Author
Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles on child care please visit Baby Activities.

Having a baby comfortable in the water is the first thing you can do to prepare your child to be safe in the water and to have a love of swimming. As parents we let our children forget the wonderful sensation of free-floating. It is important to expose your very young baby to the feeling of floating on water. We forget that babies spend their first nine months of life in water!

Start by getting used to being in the water with your young baby. When the baby has some control of his head movements, get in the bathtub with your baby. (See the video example in www.swimbea.com) Hold him from underneath while he floats on his back and looks up at you. Turn him on his belly and hold him under his chin with his face above the water and gently move him back and forth to get him accustomed to sensing the water. Talk and sing to him tenderly. Stay in the tub for a short period of time. Keep the room and water warm. Do not let the baby get cold.

Every time that you give your baby a bath, run a little water down his face before you wash his head. Wipe his nose to keep any water from going up his little nose. These activities will accustom a very young baby to the water and prepare him for total submersion with you or in a swimming program.

Every parent wants their children to be comfortable around the water but may feel nervous about submerging their child. The following are some strategies for teaching infants and children to hold their breath and open their eyes while learning how to swim. Watching my video will give you confidence as you perform the activities. (www.swimbea.com) You will watch other parents doing the same things with their children. I can assure you that if you follow my suggestions, you will not be hurting your baby. You will not be holding your baby under the water long enough for the baby to swallow water. Add your own games and toys to distract the baby, praising and clapping for each accomplishment. Even if a child cannot swim any distance, teaching your child to hold his breath may save him if he falls in the water. (A minute after you notice he has escaped and you pull him out of the water!!

For a baby up to 6 months old, blow like a gentle gust of wind onto the baby’s face. If the baby takes in a gulp of air and makes a funny face, then you will blow on the baby’s face before putting him under the water and watch him hold his breath. Follow these steps. After the baby is comfortable and playful in the water, hold the baby under the arms facing you, and make eye contact with your baby. Count to three to set the signal, blow quickly on the child’s face, and watch the child make the funny face then smoothly and gently lower the baby’s head completely under the water for one second.

To teach a toddler and young child to hold his breath, count to three (to set the signal) and pour water on his face. When the baby is used to closing his mouth while having water on the face, the baby will be ready to be submerged. First, count to three and pour water over the baby’s face. Then lightly raise and gently lower the baby under the water for one second. After a few times you won’t need to pour water over the baby’s head. The count will be the signal. Every time you count to three, you will put the baby under the water or you will confuse the baby! Many parents pull the baby into the water or throw the baby up in the air while playing with the baby. That is great, but don’t count to three unless you are going to submerge the baby. Be consistent with the signals.

For all infants and young children: When you raise the baby, wipe the baby’s nose so that not even a tiny water bubble will go into his nose. Give the baby a hug to your chest so that the baby will blow out and not swallow air. You are teaching the baby to hold his breath. By blowing out the baby will not develop a hard tummy which sometimes becomes a big burp, and may even lead to throwing up.

As the young child becomes used to going under water, you extend the time under the water to up to 5 seconds pulling the child toward you for a short glide as you step back.

Next you put your hand behind the child’s head gliding the child to another person, to a toy or to the side.

As the child starts enjoying going under the water encourage the child to put his own face down and kick and dig while going to a toy or to the steps. Teach the child to stand up. Continue to hold the child since he may not have the skills to propel himself and swim alone. The child must trust you and master each step with confidence. To teach an older child to hold his breath and go under water, explain each step. Always say close your mouth, the child may not understand “hold your breath”. Have the child count to three and put a toy under the water telling the toy to close its mouth and wipe its face. Then, both of you put your faces under the water together. Have the child dunk you under the water. If the child won’t open his eyes, let the child see you open your eyes under water as you swim to him. Try waving to each other under water. Make noises when you blow out or spit. Wipe each other’s faces. Hold up a finger like a birthday candle for the child to blow out when he comes up from under the water. Pretend to crash the wall while the child has his face in the water and kicks. Hold up a finger like a birthday candle for the child to blow out when he comes up from under the water. Play with the child to open his eyes so he will realize that the water won’t hurt his eyes. If after all this the child continues to swallow water or has sensitive eyes, try goggles or even a mask that covers the nose. The child has to be comfortable and playful going under the water in order to learn to swim.

Encourage the child to open his eyes: It is very important for the child to open his eyes under the water. If a child doesn’t open his eyes, he probably remembers soap stinging his eyes in the tub. Go under water and open your eyes so the child can see you swim to him with your eyes open. Have the child hold a toy and you get it under the water so he can see your eyes open. If the child still won’t open his eyes, buy some swim goggles! (Don’t let the child become dependent on the goggles. Do some swimming without the goggles.) If you have our video, (www.swimbea.com) all of this will be shown with real children acting out their activities. You will see as you hear me talk and explain the progression and you will be able to teach your child to go under water too! Now get in the water and do it!!

copyright 2005 Beatriz Skeens, Swimbea Productions

About the Author:
A swimming teacher since 1971 to children, babies and adults, Miss Bea decided she had to share her experiences. She is featured in the recently released Swim Lesson DVD-video, 35 minutes each, in English and Spanish called Learn to Swim with Miss Bea. You can watch and learn how to swim from the children with the easy to follow instructions and activities. Bea Skeens is also National Board Certified Classroom Teacher in Glynn County, Georgia, with 20 years experience teaching Spanish. Visit her site www.swimbea.com or email her at beaskeens@gmail.com.