Stress is a part of life. We all endure it, most on an everyday basis. For pregnant women, stress is typically increased due to hormone levels associated with pregnancy. You may find yourself in a state of depression or worry – this is perfectly normal. However, if the depression becomes overwhelming, you should seek professional help immediately.

The most common fear for pregnant women is that something is, or will be, wrong with the baby. Most babies are born without complications. Doctors have very advanced method of testing for birth defects or disorders before the baby is even born. Also, when it comes down to the big day you need to remember – you are surrounded by professionals. If you are worried about labor pains, do some research. Read books and articles on different relaxation techniques. Talk to your physician or midwife about different pain management alternatives. Another common fear in expectant mothers is losing your dignity while in labor. This is because you are imagining yourself spread wide open in front of a room full of strangers — relax. They are not new to this. Many doctors and midwives have delivered thousands of babies, you aren’t any different from the rest.

There are several things you can do to take the stress off of your back. The main thing is to speak up. Talk to other mothers and listen to their embarrassing stories. This will likely make you feel more comfortable. Listen to their impressions, fears, sensations, pains – anything you have a question about, just ask.

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Before your baby girl or your baby boy displays their ever so cute “toothless grin” or even before their first tooth even surfaces it’s good to start thinking about good oral hygiene. I know, seems early but if the truth be told bacteria and germs may still build up in their mouths especially with emerging teeth. I started oral hygiene care with my babies as early as 6 weeks old. I started doing this early because my pediatrician recommended it at their six week checkup. You may be asking yourself ” How can this be done and safely?” Here are a few tips according to Baby Center and ideas that may ease your fears regarding early hygiene habits.

Cleaning Baby’s gums

• Wipe baby’s gums with gauze
• Soft wet cloth

Simply just wrap the gauze or wet cloth around one of your fingers and gently rub the gums.

Cleaning their first teeth

• Search for a baby tooth brush with a small bristle head and a large grip. Toothpaste is unnecessary at this age due to accidental ingestion. One swipe of the toothbrush is good enough and can be done twice a day to kill or prevent any bacteria build-up.
• You can buy baby oral cleansing gel at most drug stores if you are uncertain that plain water is not working. Baby oral gels are safe and easy to use and safe for baby to swallow.

What about fluoride? This is an excellent question as we know that fluoride treatments are essential for oral health. Fluoridated water is suggested at this point. Refrain from fluoride toothpastes until they are older.

When do little ones need to start seeing a dentist? Many family dentists suggest by their first birthday. Other suggest by the age of 4. It is best to consult your baby’s pediatrician about when exactly would be a good time for your little one start visiting the dentist.

How early did you introduce oral hygiene to your little one? What methods did you use? Feel free to share your experiences.

Image: Free Digital Photos

Source: Baby Center

Whether for yourself or as a gift, choosing the right infant blanket can be an overwhelming task. After all, there are tons of products on the market, spanning all price points and even pushing the limits of the imagination! Luckily, there are really only three factors to consider when making this decision: size, fabric, and the pattern or colors.

Consider the size

You should determine what size blanket you want based on what you will use it for. If it is a receiving blanket or one to be used for swaddling during the baby’s early months, then you will probably want something smaller. However, if you intend for the baby to use it for longer, then larger is better.

Pick a functional fabric

Short and simple, the best fabric for baby blankets is cotton muslin. It is versatile, durable, soft, and you can even buy organic cotton muslin for parents who prefer to keep their baby away from synthetic fibers. Although flannel and wool may make sense as a layering blanket in very cold climates, parents will get the most use out of a cotton muslin blanket because they can use it during every season for almost every purpose.

Have fun with patterns and colors

This choice is up to you! If you know the gender of the infant, it can be fun to get something pink or blue. Some parents prefer to avoid these gendered colors or they are waiting until birth to find out the baby’s gender – in these situations, you can choose from a variety of fun patterns or gender-neutral colors. The options are abundant, and there is no wrong answer!

I know how hard it is to find time to exercise when you’re a new mom. The first twelve weeks, you don’t need to be going full force anyways because you could severely injure yourself.

Start with some squats. You can hold your baby anyway you’d like. Keep your back straight and your legs parallel to your shoulders. Inhale as you squat down, exhale as you come up. Make it fun by counting with your baby or singing as you squat. This helps the baby have a good time too. Start with maybe five or ten if you’re just getting started.

Back lunges are a great way to tone your legs. Bend your right knee and step out on your right foot, keeping your upper body straight. Your left leg should be extended behind you, foot forward and knee straight. Again, hold your baby in whichever position is most comfortable for you.

After being stretched out for nine months, you definitely want to focus on your core. Lie your baby on the floor on a blanket. Get in the push up (or pike) position, with your elbows and lower arms are on each side of the baby, with your legs straight out and on your toes. Make sure not to drop your back down low. Hold yourself in this position for about 90 seconds. Repeat five times. While in the pike position, try some push ups, kissing your baby every time you drop down.

Sometimes, consumers can get confused when people use multiple terms to describe the same product. Although there are many products that use the word “wrap” in their name, generally speaking, an infant wrap is another way of referring to a swaddling wrap or a swaddling blanket. No matter which way you refer to these products, they are something that every mother wants and will use!

What is an infant wrap anyway?

An infant wrap is a blanket used to wrap, or swaddle, the baby during the first few months and up to a year after he or she is born. The wrapping technique is referred to as swaddling and is thousands of years old. By keeping the baby’s arms and legs pressed gently against his or her own body, swaddling promotes better rest and longer periods of uninterrupted sleep. Additionally, this method of wrapping the infant helps the baby stay warm and comfortable in the crib or bassinet.

In order to facilitate this method of wrapping the baby, infant wraps have the following characteristics:

-          Square or rectangular shape

-          Small enough to wrap the baby without extra cumbersome fabric

-          Lightweight fabric to keep the baby from overheating

-          Stretchy fabric to ventilate the infant and help with swaddling

-          Often made from cotton muslin

Every mother wants an infant wrap. In fact, this is a great gift to give anyone who is pregnant or has recently had a child because most moms can use several infant wraps!

The teething process is different for every baby. For some, a tooth may cut overnight, causing little to no fussiness from your baby. However, for some babies, the teething process is a long, painful process. Signs that your baby is teething include irritability, diarrhea, cold like symptoms, drooling and the main sign – chewing or gnawing. Babies like to bite or chew on things when they teethe because the counter pressure gives them a bit of relief from the cutting tooth. They are a few ways to naturally soothe your baby’s sore teeth and gums that will help both of you get a better nights rest and a better day.

-A Wooden Cooking Spoon: Although this may seem strange, it is no different than a wooden teething ring.

-Cold Fruits or Veggies: Depending on your baby’s age, giving them a tasty frozen treat could be very comforting to your little one. An alternative, if your baby is too small to digestive chunks of food, is a mesh feeder. Bread also works well for older babies.

-Clove Oil: Always test this on yourself first before you put it on your baby. If it is too strong, it could blister baby’s gums. However, in the correct dosage, this could be very relieving.

Remember, teething is not forever. Although it may seem like it will never end - it will.

There are many reasons why a mother would want a breastfeeding cover. Moms enjoy the fact that a breastfeeding cover offers some privacy when they are nursing in public or even in their own homes when other people are around. Although they love the opportunity to bond with their child, nursing can be a challenge when the baby is hungry and privacy is unavailable.

Some mothers point to the fact that their other children or their children’s friends are confused when they see the mother nursing, so a breastfeeding cover offers a way to avoid that discussion until a more appropriate time.

A more discreet way of nursing

Although moms have been throwing a blanket over themselves and their infants for years, today’s breastfeeding covers are a step above a baby blanket. Some of the advantages include:

-          Neck straps to keep the blanket in place even if the baby kicks or you shift position

-          Stain resistant fabrics

-          Stiffer top sections to keep the top open, allowing for eye contact between mother and child as well as ventilation

-          Use the cover as a stroller cover or as a diaper changing surface

While the primary reasons many moms point to for purchasing and using these covers is to promote their own privacy, this is certainly not the only use for these versatile blankets. Don’t drive yourself crazy with a baby blanket – get a breastfeeding cover and make this time more enjoyable for yourself and your baby.

Swaddling – An old tradition with modern versatility

Swaddling is a tradition as old as recorded history. There are records of swaddling in texts written ancient Romans, ancient Greeks, and even the Bible. Today’s swaddle wraps are a far cry from the old ones, but they work in the same fashion.

How it works

Swaddling refers to a specific technique used to wrap a blanket around the infant. The blanket is wrapped tightly but not too tightly so that the baby is not pinned into position but his or her limbs are snugly tucked into their body.

This position accomplishes two things:

1. First, it emulates the feeling of being in the womb, making the baby more comfortable and keeping them warm.
2. Second, the blanket prevents the baby from waking up when they accidentally move their arms or legs. This allows for longer periods of uninterrupted rest.

Swaddling today

Today’s swaddling blankets are different from the older ones in several important ways. First of all, the best modern swaddle wraps are made from cotton muslin. It is softer than ancient fabrics so that it is more pleasant next to a baby’s sensitive skin. Additionally, it has a little stretch to it, allowing it to be used for swaddling more easily.  Finally, it is a thin material that provides insulation and ventilation so that the baby is warm without overheating.

These blankets come in a variety of colors and patterns, but they all are a great source of comfort to both mother and child during this special time.

Baby blankets come in all shapes, sizes, colors and fabrics. With so many choices, how can you decide which one is the best for your infant? The best fabric often depends on the use of the blanket and the climate where you live.

Here are some popular fabrics and the pros and cons for baby blankets made from them:

• Wool. Wool blankets really only make sense in places where the temperature is consistently low and the weather is harsh. They are too rough to go next to baby’s sensitive skin but can be used when layering in very cold conditions.
• Flannel. Flannel can be made from wool, wool and synthetic fibers, or wool and cotton fibers. Like wool in its pure form, it is best used in cold climates because it can overheat babies when the temperature is warmer. Although these blankets are good for layering, flannel blankets would not be recommended for an all-purpose baby blanket.
• Faux fur. While faux fur may seem silly to many parents, it is popular with some moms because it has a soft texture and fun appearance. Today’s faux fur is made from cotton but can be difficult to clean and keep sanitary.
• Fleece. Fleece is made from processed polyester, making it a synthetic fiber than many parents prefer to keep away from the baby’s sensitive skin. Again, this is a good material for layering blankets, but not for a baby blanket.
• Cotton muslin. This is the preferred fabric for baby blankets because it is not synthetic, is relatively economical, can be easily washed and sanitized, and is very soft to the touch. This is the most popular choice for baby blankets and the only one sold by Luna Lullaby.

The first reasons many women cite for using their nursing cover is that they enjoy the privacy it affords them while nursing in public or while others are around. While breastfeeding is a wonderful way to bond with your infant and offer the child immunities and nutrients that are unavailable in formula, it can also be very inconvenient.

If your baby is hungry in the middle of the playground, you may not be able to retreat to the privacy of you car in order to feed the baby without anyone seeing. This is where a nursing cover comes in particularly handy!

This great item looks much like a baby blanket, only it is stiffer in construction and has a neck strap to keep it on securely. The nursing cover allows you to satisfy your baby’s hunger without sacrificing your own modesty as it keeps you and the baby covered during these special moments.

Other reasons why you may want a nursing cover

Not every woman feels self-conscious about nursing in public. Many see it as a natural part of motherhood. However, even the least self-conscious mom will enjoy a nursing cover because it offers additional benefits besides privacy.

Some of the things that all moms enjoy about a nursing cover include:

• Minimizing distractions from other people or noises so baby feeds more consistently
• Catches spills so that mom’s clothes stay cleaner
• Can be used as a surface for diaper changes
• Folds up to fit in most diaper bags for maximum portability