Have you ever been shopping for a humidifier whether for your own sweet baby or for someone else’s and discovered they are either labeled “cool mist” or  “warm mist”. What’s the difference and which one should you choose?  This question I asked myself just recently and I ended up doing some pretty extensive research on the subject since I wanted the best for my baby girl.  Here is what I found over at eHow.

Cool Mist Humidifiers

Cool mist humidifiers are recommended for young children.  “It helps treat asthma and allergy type symptoms.”  Cool air is easier to breathe than warm air.  If we think about this in detail this is so the truth.  It is definitely more difficult to breathe warmer air causing discomfort, so this can be a potential danger for newborns and infants with breathing issues if you choose the warm air humidifiers.

Cool mist humidifiers are known to be easier to clean and trap less bacteria, etc.  Rinsing this particular humidifier every few days cuts down on germs in the environment.  They are also known as environmentally friendly since it tends to use less electricity than warm mist humidifiers.

Warm Mist Humidifiers

Warm mist humidifiers are ideal for treating cold and flu symptoms.  If you experience congestion, stuffed up nose, and aches, the warm mist helps relieve those miserable symptoms.  Warm mist humidifiers also kill any mold present in the home.  If it a cold time of year it is best to consider a warm mist humidifier.  This helps warm up a room especially at night.

Many people prefer warm mist humidifiers because they don’t make any noise like cool mist humidifiers do.  Again, if you have a small child or baby residing in your home, consider the cool mist.  You want the best for your little one, especially during those “sicky” times of year.

I just recently noticed that there are humidifiers that have both cool mist and warm mist settings.  This is the one we went with since it was so hard to decide what was worth purchasing.  Basically, you may spend about the same amount on a dual setting rather than just one setting.

Hopefully this cleared some things up for you regarding the differences between “cool mist” and “warm mist’ humidifiers as it definitely helped me as confused as I was.  How about you?  Which humidifier do you find works best in your home?  Maybe you have a dual mist humidifier.  Feel free to share your experiences with both.  We would love to hear from you.

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Image: Clare Bloomfield / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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

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.

How much water should I drink while I’m pregnant?

Most adults know that they should be drinking a certain amount of water each day to promote better health, but many women are confused as to how or even if this requirement changes when they are pregnant. Getting enough water each day is as important, if not more important, while pregnant as it is for everyone else.

Pregnant women should get at least 64 ounces of water a day, more if they are moderately active, live in warm clients, notice they are thirsty after that much water, or are sweating more than they do when not pregnant.

Water is important during pregnancy for many reasons, including the following:

-         It is an essential component of blood, which is the way that your body transports nutrients to the baby while he or she is in the womb

-         Water helps to prevent bladder infections which are more common during pregnancy

-         It can alleviate constipation and hemorrhoids, both of which are also common problems during pregnancy

-         It prevents dehydration which is particularly important during the third trimester as dehydration can trigger premature labor during this period of your pregnancy

-         Fluids are necessary to support the increased volume of blood during pregnancy. By the seventh month, your blood volume will be double what it normally is.

-         It may reduce stretch marks and minimize dry skin.

-         Sufficient water allows the kidneys to function properly, and they are under a great deal of stress while you are pregnant.

Learn more

Make sure that you are getting enough water each day, it’s important for you and for the baby!  Read more tips for having a healthy pregnancy by visiting our website.

A few things you can expect early on

Pregnancy is an exciting time, but it is also one that is full of uncertainty. No two women are alike, and no two pregnancies are the same, so you may be worried about what you should expect early in your pregnancy.

No one can tell you exactly what will happen over the next nine months, but some of the things you may experience in the first few months of pregnancy include:

-         Morning sickness. Nausea at this time in your pregnancy is caused by the release of hCG, human chorionic gonadotropin. This nausea is commonly referred to as morning sickness, but you may experience it at any time of the day. The good news is that it usually subsides by the end of the first trimester as hCG production slows.

-         Cravings and aversions. You may desire certain foods that you normally don’t care for, or you may find yourself avoiding old favorites. Your senses are heightened at this time, so these changes in appetite are normal and should not be a source of concern.

-         Mood swings. The hormonal changes that occur during your pregnancy can cause you to feel happy one moment and anxious the next or suddenly weepy. This, too, is completely normal.

-         Fatigue. Many women feel very tired during these first few months. Try to get as much rest as your body needs to stay healthy, even if you need to start napping or going to bed earlier than usual.

If you are looking for signs that you are pregnant, look no further! In our second look at this topic, we’ll go through the symptoms that, once you have them, just about always point to being pregnant:

Can’t miss sings of pregnancy include:

-         Morning sickness, or nausea. One common sign that women are pregnant is experiencing morning sickness. However, morning sickness is not limited to the morning – some women feel this nausea at other points in the day instead of the morning or as well as during the mornings.

-         Pelvic cramping. As the fertilized egg implants in the uterine lining and the uterus begins to grow, many women experience cramps. This can be an indication that you are pregnant, but it may also be a normal pre-menstrual symptom.

-         Missed period. Although not a perfect indicator, a missed period is generally a clear sign that it is time to take a pregnancy test. Of course, some women are irregular and others do not track their cycle, so you may not realize you have missed a period right away.

-         Cravings for certain foods. Not all women have these during their period, but some experience a strong desire for foods they don’t usually want to eat or an aversion to ones they normally love. Sensitivity to smells is also a common sign of pregnancy.

-         A “gut instinct.” Finally, many women say that they simply knew that they were pregnant. They cannot point to a single, certain symptom or experience, but rather indicate an inherent knowledge and certainty that they were carrying a child.

For many women, especially those who are trying to get pregnant, a common question is what are some early signs of pregnancy? As each pregnancy and every woman is different and unique, there are many potential indicators that you might be pregnant.

However, as many of these can be explained in ways other than pregnancy, it is important to consider this list in light of your own health history.

A few early signs you may be pregnant include:

-         Exhaustion, tiredness, and fatigue. One of the first signs that women point to as indications that they were pregnant is feeling much more tired than usual.

-         Mood swings. The dramatic changes in hormones, production of new hormones, and fluctuations in these chemicals that occur during pregnancy are similar to those that were experienced during puberty. Women often feel weepy unexpectedly or go from very happy to extremely anxious quickly when they are pregnant. If you are experiencing unusually strong mood swings, it may be a sign of your pregnancy.

-         Changes in your breasts. Women often notice that their breast look larger and feel heavier when they are pregnant. This swelling can also make them more sensitive. These changes can be explained by pregnancy as your body begins to prepare the ducts and glands to produce milk. However, this can also be a normal part of your menstrual cycle, so it is important to consider both explanations. Additionally, some women notice that their areolas have darkened after becoming pregnant.

For the more obvious signs of pregnancy, look to the second post on this topic, or visit our website to read our full article on early signs of pregnancy.

Is there any such thing as normal?

When it comes to life, there is an old saying that goes “there’s no such thing as normal”. You could say that the same thing applies to pregnancy, and that’s one of the many good reasons why books like “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” are so popular.

Pregnancy can be a time of great apprehension and nervousness, especially for women who are pregnant for the first time. After all, this period is a time of great changes and an experience unlike any other, so what should you expect from pregnancy as you go into it?

A few things you can expect during pregnancy:

• Weight gain. Although this is fairly obvious, the pattern of weight gain may not be what you would expect. Most women do not gain a great deal of weight during their first trimester, and some may even lose weight during the first few weeks. However, by the start of the second trimester you will probably gain 1-2 pounds each week for a total of 25 to 35 pounds.
• Hormonal changes. Hormones are your body’s way of telling your body what to do to support the pregnancy, but they can also cause dramatic emotional swings. Do not feel like something is wrong with you if you go from happy to anxious and back again quickly; this is a normal reaction to the hormones you are producing.
• Physical changes. You will notice a huge range of physical symptoms although they vary from one woman to another. Common symptoms include heartburn, constipation, stretch marks, swollen and/or tender breasts, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and nausea.

Not sure, ask your doctor

No one can tell you exactly what to expect while you are pregnant, because each pregnancy is unique. And if you have any concerns about what is normal, make sure to ask your doctor.

If you can, the answer is yes

As a pregnant woman, you probably know that smoking is not good for your growing baby and are ready to quit. However, quitting is harder than it sounds, so many pregnant woman wonder what the best way to quit smoking is and whether cold turkey is safe for them and their infant.

The best way to quit is different for everyone

The best way to quit smoking is a way that works for you, and works as soon as possible.

If you can quit cold turkey, that would be the ideal choice because it stops the flow of nicotine and other toxins into the baby’s system as soon as possible. Although you may experience side effects and irritability, the baby will not, so it is not harmful to him or her.

Unless you are such a heavy smoker that you go into severe withdrawals such as seizures, cold turkey is the best option as long as you can do it successfully.

When going cold turkey is too hard

For many smokers, quitting cold turkey is simply too difficult. They are unsuccessful without other means of support during the challenging process of stopping. For these women, it is important to consult your doctor before using any stop-smoking aid.

Although medications and nicotine replacement therapies are safe for adults, they may have side effects that can be dangerous to your baby. As long as your doctor knows that you are a smoker and trying to quit, he or she can help you make the best and safest decision to help you stop smoking and have a healthier pregnancy.