Round Ligament Pain: The Facts

What causes round ligament pain?

Some women experience aching in the lower tummy during pregnancy. This aching is completely normal and is caused by your expanding uterus. Pregnancy hormones cause your muscles and ligaments to become more flexible. This allows them to continue supporting your uterus as it balloons in size. The round ligament holds your uterus in place, and is put under increased pressure as your uterus grows.

Round ligament pain will be most noticeable when you change positions too quickly, especially if you have been in the same position for a long period. It may also ache when you cough or sneeze.

Many women find that the discomfort worsens during the last few weeks of pregnancy. As the baby’s head engages, you may find that the ache becomes more obvious. This discomfort should disappear straight after childbirth though.

Coping with the discomfort

Unfortunately there is no cure for round ligament pain. However, you may find the following tips useful:

  • Slow down – take your time getting out of bed, climbing out of cars and standing up. By taking things slow, you allow your muscles time to adapt as you change position.
  • Try Yoga – attending a prenatal yoga course will help you to learn positions that will strengthen your muscles. There are a number of yoga positions that are particularly helpful for easing the discomfort caused by round ligament pain.
  • Rest – make sure you are getting enough rest. Relax comfortably as often as you can to ease the strain on your body.
  • Bend and flex – if you are about to sneeze, cough or laugh heartily, try bending and flexing at the hips.
  • Have a massage – prenatal massage can be a great way to tackle the aches and pains during pregnancy. Tell your masseuse that you would like a massage to help with the discomfort of round ligament pain.
  • Get support – Placing a pillow between your knees when lying down may also help.

If you have tried the above and are still suffering, ask your healthcare provider for advice. They may be able to advise you on a suitable pregnancy girdle or belt to help support your bump. The girdles or belts available these days are easily disguised under clothing, and may offer some relief.

When to call your healthcare provider

You should contact your healthcare provider immediately if the aching is accompanied by any of the following symptoms:

  • Vaginal bleeding
  • Sharp pain
  • Cramping
  • Fluid loss from your vagina
  • Fever or chills
  • Feeling faint
  • Painful urination

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

Shortness of Breath in Pregnancy

Shortness of breath, or breathlessness, is very common during pregnancy. Over half of all pregnant women will experience it at some point. Some women describe it as feeling winded. Others say they feel unable to catch their breath, even after only walking a short distance.

Your oxygen intake increases by about 20 per cent during pregnancy. As well as your own oxygen needs, you are now providing oxygen to your baby, the placenta and your uterus.

During the first trimester, progesterone increases your lung capacity to allow you to take deeper breaths. Throughout the pregnancy, you won’t take more breaths per minute, but the amount of air you inhale with breath will significantly increase.

During the third trimester, your uterus will put pressure on your diaphragm and will effectively reduce lung capacity. You may find that your breathing improves during the very last few weeks of pregnancy. As the baby drops down slightly in preparation for the birth, you will feel less pressure on your diaphragm. You should be able to breathe easy for those last few weeks. If this is your second baby, you may unfortunately find that your baby doesn’t drop until the very end of the pregnancy, and so any relief will be short lived.

How to reduce shortness of breath in pregnancy

Although common and nothing to worry about, shortness of breath can be frustrating for pregnant women. If you used to have an active lifestyle, and now get out of puff walking to the bathroom, it can be a shock. There are some steps you can take to reduce shortness of breath:

  • Good posture – keeping your back and shoulders straight will allow your lungs the maximum room possible to expand into.
  • Extra pillows – if breathlessness is keeping you awake, try propping yourself up on extra pillows.
  • Take it easy – don’t push yourself too hard. If you’re feeling breathless, take a break.
  • Arms up – if the third trimester organ squeeze is causing you problems, lift your arms up. This will take pressure off your rib cage and allow you to breathe more easily.
  • Eat healthy – breathlessness can be made worse by being overweight. Eat a healthy diet to maintain a healthy pregnancy weight.
  • Yoga – the breathing exercises taught during yoga may help you to take control of your breathing. The gentle exercise will also help you to stay fit.

While it may be uncomfortable for you, shortness of breath will not affect your baby.

When to speak to a doctor

You should contact your healthcare provider immediately if:

  • Breathing is painful.
  • Breathlessness worsens when you lie down.
  • You experience heart palpitations, or faintness.
  • You have a blue tinge around your fingers, toes or lips.
  • You feel you are not getting enough oxygen.
  • You have a persistent cough.
  • You have coughed up blood.
  • You have worsening asthma.

If you feel worried about the breathlessness you are experiencing, you should speak to your healthcare provider about it.

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy

At each prenatal appointment, your healthcare provider will take your blood pressure to check that it is in the ‘normal’ range. High blood pressure means that your body is working harder than than it should be to pump blood around your body.

High blood pressure during pregnancy affects less than one in five women. High blood pressure during pregnancy is also known as hypertension and comes in two main forms:

  • chronic hypertension (this is not a pregnancy condition)
  • gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia

Hypertension varies from mild to severe, and this is judged by the heart rate itself. A higher heart rate means a more severe condition. The treatment and management of the condition will depend upon the severity.

Chronic hypertension
If you suffer from chronic hypertension, you may already be taking medications to lower your blood pressure. Some women find they are able to temporarily stop taking these medications during pregnancy as their blood pressure naturally lowers. If you are already taking blood pressure medication, you must inform your doctor that you are pregnant or trying for a baby. Some blood pressure medications are not suitable for use during pregnancy, and you may need to change medications.

Gestational hypertension
Gestational hypertension occurs during the second half of the pregnancy. If you do not go on to develop pre-eclampsia, and your blood pressure returns to normal within six weeks of the birth, you were suffering from gestational hypertension. Less than one in five women will develop gestational hypertension during pregnancy.

Pre-eclampsia
High blood pressure is one of the symptoms of a serious condition called pre-eclampsia. At each prenatal visit, your healthcare provider should check both your blood pressure and perform a dip test on your urine sample to identify proteins. If you test positive for both high blood pressure and proteins in your urine, you may be suffering from pre-eclampsia.

How to manage high blood pressure during pregnancy
The following tips may help you to manage your blood pressure during pregnancy:

  • regular exercise – you should take 30 minutes of exercise every day. Swimming, yoga and walking are gentle exercises that can have a positive effect on blood pressure.
  • eat healthily – eat a healthy, balanced diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables. Avoid junk and processed foods where possible. Avoid consuming empty calories such as fizzy drinks and sweets.
  • cut the salt – reduce your salt intake. Avoid cooking with salt, and try to limit your intake or processed foods. You might be surprised to find out how much salt hides in the food you eat every day.

It is important to attend every prenatal appointment with your healthcare provider. The regular blood pressure checks allow your healthcare provider to keep an eye on your condition.

Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

Trapped Gas During Pregnancy

Trapped gas is uncomfortable at the best of times, but this is especially true during pregnancy when space is already at a premium. Your digestive system slows down during pregnancy to allow your body to absorb as much nutrients as possible from your food, the downside to this is the gas. Trapped gas during pregnancy is a common complaint, and can be quite painful. Here are some ways to relieve gas during pregnancy:

1. Eat little and often – avoid filling up your stomach by eating little and often. This gives your body chance to process your food, without allowing for a build up of gas trapped in your digestive system.

2. Watch what you eat – try to eat a healthy, balanced diet. Make sure you eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, and stay hydrated.

3. Avoid problem foods – sodas, beans and processed foods that are difficult for the body to digest, may be adding to your problems. Try cutting these out of your diet to see if you notice an improvement.

4. One mouthful at a time – try a slower pace during mealtimes. Instead of wolfing down your dinner, be mindful of each mouthful. By rushing your dinner, you increase the amount of air swallowed, which could be contributing to your trapped gas. Eat slower, and be careful not to swallow much air during each meal.

5. Keep track of it – if trapped gas is a recurring problem, try keeping a food journal. Write down everything you eat and when, and then make a note each time you suffer from trapped gas. You may notice a pattern arises pretty quickly, allowing you to cut the offending foods from your diet. It’s much easier to notice these patterns if they’re noted down.

6. Get into position – try kneeling on the ground, with your forehead touching the floor, and your bum lifted in the air. If you feel in pain, adopt this position for relief. The idea is that the gas will rise, allowing you to pass gas and feel more comfortable.

7. Drink peppermint tea – some women swear by this as a way of reducing trapped gas during pregnancy.

8. Get moving – you may find that regular exercise helps gas to travel smoothly through your digestive system. Try to exercise each day during pregnancy. During painful bouts of trapped gas, you may find that going for a walk helps to release the gas.

9. Speak to your pharmacist – there are a number of over-the-counter remedies available to treat trapped gas. Speak to your pharmacist to find out which ones are safe to use during pregnancy.

Have you been suffering from trapped gas during pregnancy?

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

5 Tips to Help Siblings Adjust to Pregnancy

You are pregnant. And you are ecstatic. You have been wanting to add to your family for quite some time now, and finally your dreams are coming true. Of course, you expect that the rest of your family will be just as excited as you are. But what happens when they are not? And what happens when your little ones don’t particularly want to be big brothers or sisters?

For a mom, hearing your 5-year-old exclaim, “I don’t want another baby” can be heartbreaking. The good news is that there are some things you can do to help them adjust. Here are some 5 tips to help siblings adjust to pregnancy.

1. Use good judgment and timing when you announce the news. If your children are very young, you may want to warm them up to the idea before you tell them that you are pregnant. Point out other people you know that have younger siblings or a baby in the family. This way, they can begin to mentally prepare before they are just bombarded with the news. If they have questions or concerns, then make sure you address them as they come up. Remember EVERY concern your child has is one that is important to them.

2. As a mother, don’t be offended by a young child’s kneejerk reaction. Remember, they didn’t choose to have a sibling – YOU DID. And although they will warm up to the idea, it is important to allow them to go through their own feelings on the matter. They may start out being anger, or acting out towards you for a few weeks, which is normal. Although you shouldn’t allow them to be disrespectful, you do need to allow them to own their own feelings. And even if you don’t agree with their feelings, make sure that you validate them and try to understand things from their point of view.

3. Enroll them in a sibling class, especially near your third trimester. This will help them make friends with other kids their age who are also expecting a sibling, and empower them to be in a position to help you. When they realize that they will be the metaphorical ‘big man on campus,’ they may warm up to the idea of having a younger sibling.

4. Don’t leave them out of the decision making. No, you don’t have to let your 3-year-old name your new baby, but it is a good idea to ask their opinions on things. Get their input on how to decorate the nursery, let them pick out the coming home outfit for the baby, and make sure that they have a voice in things. This helps them to regain some control, and also reminds them that you value their feelings and opinions.

5. Last but not least, make sure that extended family and friends make a BIG deal of the older sibling when delivery day comes. The baby won’t remember the gifts or the people that come to visit, but the older brother and sister WILL! Speak with family members and make sure that they don’t let the excitement of a new baby make the older siblings feel unnoticed.

Obviously, you also want to remind your children that no matter what, and no matter how many kids you have, you will always love them the same. This isn’t something that can be said enough times! Just keep reminding them – hug them and tell them how much you love them every chance you get. When the baby comes, things may be askew for a few weeks or months as your new family adjusts, but in the end, everything will work out for the best!

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

Signs of Labor

Is it time? Are you ready? Is this labor?

You have been feeling sort of ‘off’ all day long. Nothing quite specific, just different. Maybe you had a burst of energy (nesting) or maybe you have had a nagging, dull ache in your back and abdomen all day long. Those contractions that you have been calling Braxton Hicks for weeks now, are seemingly stronger. You may even start to have some pelvic cramping that reminds you of period cramps. Could this be the first stage of labor? The truth is the signs of labor are different for every woman, and you have to go with your intuition!

The first stage of labor can last for hours or even days. Most women start feeling a little different and get a burst of energy as new hormones are released to prepare you for labor and delivery. The big question is – do you go to the hospital or wait it out?

If you are having some of the signs of labor listed above, but are not having contractions that are timely and getting faster by the moment, your best bet is to stay at home for a little longer. Now is a good time to lie down and take a little rest. Make sure that you eat well so you will have the energy for labor and delivery and try to relax. Being in the hospital for the very early stages of labor is normally not necessary, and many hospitals may just send you home anyway.

One of the most common signs of labor that says labor is imminent, or will occur within a day or two is the ‘bloody show.’ The bloody show is essentially the loss of your mucous plug from the cervix, which until now has held your cervix closed. Most women only notice this when they go to the bathroom and see a mucousy discharge that is tinged pink or red with blood. This means that your cervix has thinned sufficiently and labor and delivery are imminent. This would be a good time to call your doctor, but not necessarily the time to rush to the hospital.

Another sign of labor is the breaking of waters. Don’t worry – it’s not usually as dramatic as in the movies. But it’s certainly a sign you won’t NOT notice. If your water breaks, you should go ahead and proceed to the hospital where they will test the fluid to make sure it is amniotic fluid and not something else.  If it is, you will be admitted and can start letting friends and family know that you are about to be in labor. IF you call your doctor, some may even advise you to wait until contractions start to go the hospital, but you should do whatever is comfortable for you.

If you are suddenly getting contractions that are harder and faster and coming more consistently, you should definitely start timing them and place a call into your doctor. Most folks, at this point – go ahead and trek to the hospital to get checked in. Some doctors will recommend waiting until contractions are lasting a minute each, coming every 5 minutes and have been that way for at least an hour before coming to the hospital. If this is your first baby, you have no idea how fast your labor will progress, so being safe rather than sorry is the best rule of thumb.

At the end of pregnancy, it is very important to pay attention to your body and to go to your regularly scheduled well visits with your health care provider. If you are paying attention to your body, and notice the subtle changes that may take place days before active labor begins, you will be ready for the real thing when it happens.

How did you know you were in labor?

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

Music During Labour

Benefits of listening to music during labour

Some women choose to use music during labour, either as a way to motivate them or keep them calm during contractions. For some women, controlling their birthing environment helps them to feel empowered during labour. While you can’t redecorate the birthing suite, you can do things to make it feel more like home. Music is a great way to change the ambience, and will distract from the background sounds of the labour ward.

Listening to pleasant music can release dopamine into the brain. Dopamine is strongly associated with feel-good activities such as sex and food, and may act as a form of pain relief. Scientists believe music can lessen patients’ experience of pain at the dentist, so why not give it a go during childbirth? As well as triggering the release of chemicals, music can act as a distraction from the discomfort. If you are focused on the music, you will be less focused on any discomfort you may be experiencing.

Music has been found to relieve the physiological symptoms of stress. During labour, these symptoms can act to impede labour by triggering the fight or flight response. Music can lower blood pressure, slow breathing down and ease muscle tension, all of which could have a positive effect on labour.

The practicalities

Most hospitals and birthing centres have CD players or music docks available, but it is worth checking in advance. If your hospital does not offer this service, they may allow you to bring your own in. Some women choose to listen to the music on headphones instead.

If you are having an elective cesarean, whether you are allowed music playing will depend on your surgeon. Some are happy to allow patients to choose music, but others may find it distracting which isn’t really ideal for operating! Speak to the hospital in advance, and find out what to expect on the day. Unlike with a vaginal birth, you should know in advance exactly how long the birth will last, and can plan a playlist accordingly.

What to listen to

If you want to use music during labour, you should create a playlist including your favourite songs. Try to cover all the bases – emotional, upbeat, angry and calming – you’ll probably experience a variety of emotions during childbirth.

It’s impossible to predict how you will feel on the day. You may find that after spending hours producing the perfect mix playlist for labour, you then want to sit in stoney silence throughout. If you usually like calm, sensual music, you may find yourself yearning for some loud, angry heavy metal for the pushing stage of labour. Be prepared, and take a mix of music types, so that you have something to suit every mood.

What songs have you got on your labour playlist?

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

Common Breastfeeding Problems

Breastfeeding comes naturally to some mothers and babies, but some will have problems along the way. By preparing yourself for a potential struggle, you may avoid feelings of disappointment and failure if you have to work at breastfeeding.

One thing to remember is that most breastfeeding problems are temporary and can be overcome. Only around one percent of mothers are physically unable to breastfeed. If you find yourself struggling to feed your newborn, the most important thing you can do is ask for help. Speak to your healthcare provider straight away, they will be able to diagnose the problem and offer you the support necessary to help you continue on your breastfeeding journey.

There are a number of common breastfeeding problems, and the more you know about them, the easier you will find it to identify any problems you may face.

Sore nipples
Some women have very sensitive nipples, and can experience some discomfort as their nipples “toughen up” for breastfeeding. This pain is temporary and will soon disappear once you are in the swing of breastfeeding.

Some women find that each breastfeed is painful, this could be down to a painful letdown. Letdown is the moment your milk starts to flow. If this is to blame, the pain will disappear after about a minute of feeding.

If you are still in pain after one minute, you should remove your baby from the breast. The pain may be caused by an improper latch, so try latching the baby onto your breast again to see if that helps. Make sure baby’s mouth is wide open and baby’s body is at breast level and tummy-to-mummy – these minor adjustments can relieve a lot of pain.

If your nipples are sore and cracked, you can rub a few drops of breast milk into the nipple at the end of each feed. This will help to keep the skin moisturised and should encourage healing. You might also try using a purified lanolin made especially for breastfeeding mums.

Thrush
Pink, sore nipples that itch could be a symptom of thrush. If your nipples are infected with thrush, your baby may be suffering from oral thrush. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you have thrush. Antifungal cream will be prescribed to treat the infection. Both mom and baby should be treated.

Blocked milk ducts
If you are suffering from tender, hard, hot breasts, you may have blocked milk ducts. This condition can be very painful, but can be treated at home by getting lots of rest, feeding from the affected side to clear the blockage, and applying heat to the affected area. Hand expressing may also help to clear the blockage, and pain relief may help to alleviate any discomfort (speak to your pharmacist to find out what you can take while breastfeeding). Contact your healthcare provider if you are still experiencing pain 48 hours after onset.

Mastitis
Mastitis can be caused by a bacterial infection, or improper drainage of the breast. It is a painful condition and the affected breast(s) will feel hard and hot to the touch, will appear red and inflamed, and you may experience a burning sensation during feeds. Mastitis is often accompanied by flu-like symptoms.

Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are suffering from mastitis, since antibiotics are sometimes needed to fight the infection. Use heat compresses, drink plenty of water, rest, and continue to feed through the affected breast to speed up recovery. Your healthcare provider may recommend pain relief for the discomfort.

Tongue tie
Some babies are born with an excessively tight piece of skin connecting the floor of the mouth to the underside of the tongue. This is known as a tongue tie and can cause feeding problems. If you think your baby has a tongue tie, or if you are experiencing ongoing feeding problems, you should contact your healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment. Tongue tie most often causes nipple soreness, low milk supply and slow weight gain.

Seeking support
Try not to feel disheartened if you run into problems at the start of your breastfeeding journey. Remember, most women seek assistance in the early weeks of feeding. Breastfeeding is natural, but that doesn’t mean it comes naturally. Speak to your healthcare provider to find breastfeeding support in your local area.

Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

Photographing Birth? Should You Do it?

We live in technological world. Today, it is nearly impossible to take a trip to the store without the viable concern that you may be videotaped by some stranger with a smartphone. We take more pictures and videos today than any other generation has. Ever. And this ease of technology that makes it simple to capture life’s moments one by one, and post them online for friends and family to see within minutes, has definitely made its appearance in the delivery room.

Most women log their pregnancy through pictures that show the beautiful and sometimes subtle transitions of the female body. It is also becoming increasingly popular for to-be parents to hire fancy birth photographers to show up during labor and delivery to document birth from beginning to end.  (Of course, all the photography will be edited with soft filters afterwards so no one sees your wincing and “ugly birth face.” But is it birth photography for you?

Today, there is a whole new breed of birth photographers who require hefty deposits, and who are willing to trek into the delivery room with you to record your experiences there for all posterity. They will catch every sound, every beautiful movement of your body, every expression of your loved ones as they wait for their lives to change with the birth of your baby. And then, they will edit these moments providing you with a beautiful keepsake. One of the nice results, is that often life is moving so fast while you are giving birth that YOU miss out on many things that are going on. The expression on your partner’s face. Hearing the first sound of your baby. Watching them get their first bath that will make them smell so shiny and new. The cutting of the umbilical cord. If you want to be able to see these things, then you should consider labor and delivery birth photography.

Or, you can be more traditional and have some family members snap a few shots, and hope that your memory of the day will suffice for the rest of your life. For some people, having strangers and extras in the delivery room is not something they want. After all, you never know how it is going to go, and having your legs up in stirrups while your baby crowns doesn’t always make for the perfect wall art for the family room.

Truth is, only you can decide what is right for you.  If you want to go the full route and hire a birth photographer, you need to start planning before your third trimester. These folks live off a beeper, and can only be in one place at one time. If you want to preserve memories with pictures and videos, but prefer a more private setting – then ask a loved one or a good friend (a very good friend) to handle the pictures and videography for you.

One thing that I, as an experienced mother, would advise is to bring some make-up and hair accessories to the hospital, along with an attractive shirt so that you can get some stunning shots of you and your baby in the hours and days that follow your first physical meeting. These will definitely be pictures and moments that you will treasure for the rest of your life. And, you only have one chance to make this happen.

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

Five Ways to Decide on a Baby Name

Choosing a baby name is not an easy task. After all, it’s not just a baby name you’re choosing. It’s a teenager name, a middle aged name and an old person name too. What seems perfect for your little baby, may not work quite so well for your teenager in high school. To complicate things further, you probably have to share name-choosing duties with the dad-to-be, meaning this decision is twice as complicated. To save you from nine long months of bickering, here are five ways to decide on a baby name:

1. Search separately, then discuss – instead of hashing out each and every name you stumble upon, set some time aside to embark on solo searches. Invest in a baby book, download an app or find a website you both like, and look through the names. Each of you should note down any names you like. Once you’ve both looked through the names, and found a few you like, it’s time to compare notes.

2. Brainstorm – get together over a cup of tea and some chocolate biscuits, and spend some time discussing names. This is a blue sky thinking exercise, and there are no wrong answers at this point. You should both be honest about how you feel about each name. It’s important not get defensive over name choices, which can be difficult when you love a name your partner hates. Try to focus on the positives (names you both like), rather than the negatives (he hates your favourite name).

3. Get inspired – think back to movies you have seen together, books you have shared, and friends and family members you have loved. Are there any names that stand out as potential baby names? As a couple, you already have a shared history. Delve into it for inspiration for the next chapter of your lives.

4. Use an App – there are lots of baby name Apps and generators online. Find one you like, and spend an evening trying it out together. Some of the names will be ridiculous, you’ll probably agree on lots you hate, but you might find a couple that stick.

5. Outsource it – ok, this option is only for the very brave and very trusting, but you could outsource the choosing of your baby’s name. If you have a best friend or close relative you would trust, ask them to choose for you. You could give them a list of options, or let them go free range and choose any name under the sun.

Are you and your partner bickering about names, or did you have one picked immediately?

Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice.  All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

5 Useful Tips for Buying a Car Seat

One of the most expensive, useful and confusing purchases you will make prior to your baby’s arrival is the car seat. Today, cars seats come in such a wide variety of options and choices that picking one can be super confusing. Every company boasts their car seat as the safest, and many have bells and whistles that can make the cost double. Of course you want THE BEST for your baby, which can make it difficult to decide on which car seat is for you.

Today, we offer 5 useful tips for buying a car seat.

1. Does it fit? First and foremost, find a car-seat that fits your car. The last thing you want to do is put a car seat on your baby registry, then get it at your baby shower only to find out that it doesn’t fit your car well. Word to the wise, go to a baby store and actually test the demonstrator car seats IN YOUR CAR. Most stores will allow you to take it out to your vehicle and try it out for size. The LATCH system won’t be effective if your vehicle is not equipped with LATCH (many older cars aren’t). Likewise, if the seat doesn’t fit into your backseat well, it won’t be the safest choice for you. All car seats are made a little bit differently and will fit in your vehicle differently. Find the one that FITS the BEST!

2. Is it washable? Make sure it is completely 100% washable! They look so cute when they are new. But in 5 months when your baby spits up, spills his or her bottle, urinates, or otherwise soils the seat – you want to make sure it is easy to wash. In fact, one great idea is to check with the manufacturer to make sure that they sell replacement covers (some do and some don’t). Replacing the fabric after a year is much less expensive than replacing the whole seat.

3. Will it grow with your baby? Todays seats are made in many options. The newborn seats will only be effective until your baby is 20 pounds or 1 year old. Other seats are convertible, which means that they can be turned to forward facing seats and will accommodate a toddler. Considering how expensive these seats are, purchasing one that will be good for more than a year may be a good use of your hard earned money!

4. Is it used? Think twice before buying or accepting a hand-me-down. Car seats laws change all the time. And, car seats are recalled ALL THE TIME! If you purchase a used car seat or take a hand-me-down, parts may be missing, it may have been in an accident thus less effective, and you won’t be able to stay up-to-date with recalls on the product. When you buy a new car seat, make sure you take the extra five minutes to fill out and mail the warranty card so you can be notified if the product is recalled.

5.  Do your research. Find two car seats that you are interested in, and that fit in your car well – and then do simple online searches to find out if there are any complaints, deaths, or pending recalls. This will help you narrow your choice down to the best seat for you. If you do your research early enough, you can add the car seat to your baby registry!

What features are most important to you when looking for a car seat? Share your experiences with us!

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.