In the last decade, social media has taken over most of our lives. We are constantly Tweeting, “liking” on Facebook, and Flash Back Friday-ing our Instagram accounts. And if you’re like a lot of new moms, you may have found your social media addiction—and certainly your habit of photo sharing—has only grown worse since the arrival of your baby.

Don’t worry, it’s normal! You love your kiddo, and you want to share him or her (and all the exciting new things going on in your life) with those you love!

But have you considered blogging yet?

Starting up a blog for your little one can accomplish a few things at once:

1. Documenting Milestones: A baby blog allows you to document and keep track of all those new baby milestones that have occurred along the way. The first steps, first words, first food; all of it. Sure, you may have a baby book for that as well, but baby books have the downfall of being fragile and easily lost in moves or home emergencies. A blog, though? That has the power to endure on the Internet forever.
2. Medical Tracking: In the same way, a blog can serve as a great place to keep track of your baby’s medical information. Height and weight at varying ages, vaccine records, and anything else that might be pertinent later on—writing it on a blog gives you a place to reference back to in the future.
3. Preserving Memories: Blogging for baby gives you an opportunity to post your favorite pictures and share your favorite memories—which can be pretty special to look back on as your baby grows older.
4. Providing Updates: There are a lot of different privacy settings and concerns to take into consideration when blogging for baby, but even if you want to make your blog completely private, you can still invite a few key people to view it with a password if they would like. Which means that your blog could be a great way to keep long-distance grandparents updated on what is new in your little one’s world.
5. Showcasing Your Love: Someday, your blog could serve as a way to show your little one just how loved he or she was, and is. You might find that your kids love reading through your entries as they grow older!

Starting up a new blog is easy, and there are a lot of different platforms for doing so. It’s just a matter of choosing the one that seems simplest to you, and putting your fingers to your keyboard to begin!

Written by Leah Campbell, infertility advocate, adoptive mama, writer and editor. Find me @sifinalaska on Twitter.

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 informational basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Like unsolicited advice, old wives’ tales and superstitions seem to surround birth and babies. You may give birth on a lucky day of the week, or when the stars are in alignment. Or your baby may have poor luck being born under a certain sign or during a particular year. In fact, one tale holds that Thursday has a single lucky hour, just before sunrise, for birth (so maybe you can plan ahead for that the next time you go into labor).

Do you have a lucky baby? What other superstitions could shape your baby’s temperament and fortune?

Born in the caul
From ancient times to modern, if a baby is born within an intact amniotic sac, he is thought to have good luck. In the past sailors paid large sums for a caul (amniotic sac) as a protective charm against drowning. Caulbearers (those born in the caul) are thought to be natural healers as well as insightful thinkers.

Birthmarks
Some cultures believe touching a birthmark confers luck. Location and shape seem to matter a great deal when it comes to the meaning of a birthmark. For instance, one tale suggests that a mark on baby’s right arm signals future wealth, but a mark on the left arm signals poverty. A birthmark in the middle of the chest indicates luck and prosperity. A birthmark in the shape of a heart, cross or star means luck and maybe even religious enlightenment. Some see birthmarks as gifts or wishes. Strangely, others see them as marks of evil.

What’s in a name?
In some parts of the world, people use names like “stinky pig” and “dog fart” for newborns to confuse evil spirits and steer them away from the baby. Even calling baby by different names is enough to keep evil at bay in other cultures.

Fashion forward
To avoid bad luck, don’t pull clothes over your baby’s head. In the middle ages, it was thought to be bad luck to dress baby at all. Irish legend says to dress a baby boy as a girl to keep the devil away. In Scottish legend, babies are protected by wrapping them in dad’s clothes and later by passing the child three times through mom’s petticoats. Bad luck abounds for those who wash baby’s first diaper or hang diapers to dry in the moonlight.

Follow directions
Never carry a baby downstairs when first taking him out into the world. Go upstairs first to ensure your baby’s prosperity and rise in life. Or consider saying an Irish prayer as protection against evil spirits and sorrows while holding baby up to the south wind.

Personal hygiene
Don’t cut baby’s nails or wash his hands before 12 months unless you’d like to invite ill luck, though you might bring good luck by spitting on baby or rubbing his head with money.

Weaning
Some traditions suggest babies should only be weaned in May, August, November or January and always at the full moon (as if there isn’t enough misinformation out there about breastfeeding). Others say it’s bad luck to wean a baby in early Spring.

Have you heard any of these tales? What’s your baby’s destiny?

Written by Michelle, childbirth instructor, lactation consultant, and mother to 4 busy kids

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 2016. All rights reserved.

Once your baby arrives, you and your partner go from being a couple to being a family instead. It’s a subtle shift, but your changing relationship can suffer when your focus remains solely on the baby. Middle of the night diaper changes and feedings aren’t exactly the makings of a steamy romance.

So how do you integrate your old couples-only existence into your new life with a baby? A first start can be regular date nights! You don’t even need to leave your baby – you can reconnect with your partner without the stress of wondering how your baby is doing with the sitter. These baby-friendly ideas can get you started:

• Take a drive: Get in the car with no destination in mind and just drive. Choose out-of-the way roads and country scenery, if you can. Turn on some music, but keep it quiet enough for conversation. Bonus: the car will often lull baby to sleep.

• Plan a picnic: Throw a blanket down in the grass (or even on the living room floor if the weather isn’t great). Cook dinner together or shop for premade picnic foods, and enjoy an out-of-the-ordinary dinner together.

• Consider a staycation: Who says you need to go somewhere to relax? Unplug the phone and television, put away your mobile devices and computers. Forget about the housekeeping. Plan a weekend of doing nothing together at home. Eat easy meals, nap, read, take long showers, talk, laugh. You’ll still need to care for baby, but you can let the outside world disappear for a couple of days

• Go to the movies: It’s easy to go to the movie theater when you’ve got a newborn. Any time your baby stirs, feed him (especially simple if you’re breastfeeding). Wear your baby in a sling or wrap – he may sleep the whole time. Even better? Find a drive-in movie theater. If baby fusses, it won’t bother anyone. And you may be able to get away with wearing your pajamas!

• Walk or hike: If you’re missing the outdoors, hike, walk or ride bikes together. You can take baby along on any of these excursions with the right equipment. The exercise, fresh air and sunshine will do all of you some good.

• Meet for a power lunch: If you’re tired by 7pm and can’t imagine going out to eat, consider meeting for lunch instead. There’s no reason romance should be confined to the evening and nighttime hours.

• Have a wine and cheese party at sunset: Enjoy appetizers al fresco and watch the sun go down. Hold hands or snuggle under a blanket if it’s chilly out.

• Dress up for dinner: Get ready as you would if you were going to a fancy restaurant. Plan a gourmet meal, and cook together. Or order out so you don’t have to do any work.

• Light a fire: Whether it’s a fireplace in your living room, a fire pit in your garden, or simply some candles with the lights turned off, spend time together whispering and enjoying the soft, romantic lighting. Who knows what other speaks it might ignite?

The key – no matter what you choose to do on your date – is to NOT to spend the whole evening talking about the baby or any babycare topics. Find conversation starters if you’re having trouble not discussing your cute little bundle’s milestones.

Most of all, remember that you’re in this together. Supporting each other in your changing parenting roles will make your family happier as it grows.

Written by Michelle, childbirth instructor, lactation consultant, and mother to 4 busy kids

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 2016. All rights reserved.

Being a new parent is exciting. But let’s be honest, if you’re a first-time parent, it also can be a bit scary. You want to do everything you can to protect your little one and keep him healthy and happy. So it’s natural to worry whether you’re doing everything right. While it may be impossible to completely prevent new parent jitters, there are several things you can probably stop worrying about including the following:

1. Reaching Baby Milestones on Schedule: You may have read all the baby books and learned when your baby should roll over, crawl, walk and say her first words. But babies have their own timeline. A combination of factors determines when your baby reaches certain milestones including genetics and temperament. While it’s important to recognize development delays, it’s also helpful to understand milestones are averages and have a wide range. If you remain concerned, just talk to your paediatrician about it.
2. The Little Things: Yep, your baby will make a mess and laundry may climb the walls. Sometimes you’ll eat junk for dinner and your house may not be very tidy. But it’s not worth it to get stressed about the little things. Learning to chill a bit can prevent you from feeling overwhelmed and help you focus on what matters.
3. Spoiling Your Baby: You may have been told if you hold your baby too much you will spoil her. But researchers have concluded during the first six months, you can’t spoil a baby. Babies at this age benefit from being comforted when they cry.
4. Doing Everything Perfectly: Sure, you might know a parent who makes their own baby food, knits cute outfits and always looks like they have it together. But that’s the exception, not the rule. As a parent, there will be good days and days you’ll wonder if you’re doing it right. The good news is, you don’t have to be perfect to be a great mom or dad!
5. What Other People Think: Everyone has an opinion about when to wean your baby, how to get her on a schedule and whether you should go back to work or stay at home. But what really matters is what you and your partner think. You won’t please everyone. Trust your instincts and do what’s best for you and your family.
6. The Future: Sure, it’s normal to worry about whether you’ll be able to provide financially or if your little one will get into the best schools. But if you spend too much time worrying about the future, you may not enjoy the present. One day your baby will be three or seven or packing for college. It may sound cliché, but they really do grow up in the blink of an eye. Don’t be so busy thinking about tomorrow that you don’t live today.

Written by MaryAnn DePietro @writerlady34

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 2016. All rights reserved.

Moms are shortchanged in the photo department, that’s for sure. You probably spend half the weekend taking adorable candid shots of your partner playing with and caring for your baby. And yet you only appear in a handful of the photos your partner takes of your child. Why is this? Well, in part it could be because you ask people not to take your photo. Perhaps you worry that your hair looks messy, or you haven’t got any makeup on or you’re simply not feeling photo-ready, and so you miss out, again. Here are a few reasons why you should take more photos with your baby:

1. Because it’s easy

Unlike in your grandmother’s day, you don’t have to save up for enough money to pay a professional photograph to take some snaps of you and your baby. Instead, you can simply grab your smartphone, tablet or digital camera and take as many photos as you like. We live in a world where photos are easy to come by, shouldn’t you be making the most of that?

2. Because this moment will pass

I know, it doesn’t feel that way now, but very soon this moment will be over. Your baby will have moved onto the next phase, and those things you take for granted now won’t happen anymore. Babies change so quickly, the more photographs you take, the more able you’ll be to capture those feelings forever.

3. Because no-one else will

If you have mom friends, you might find they take lots of photos of you with the baby. They know only too well what it feels like to realise you’re not in many of the family photos, and they don’t want you to get left out. Generally though, you’ll be the only one taking these photos, unless you ask your partner to take more. So make sure you take lots. Remember, if you take them yourself, you can always delete the ones you don’t like.

4. Because filters

There’s no excuse for not taking a photo when you have an abundance of flattering and eye-bag-hiding filters to choose from. Thanks to smartphone technology, you can make pretty much any photo look amazing these days, so you have no excuse.

5. Because they will be your memories

One day, your baby will grow up and ask to see baby photos. Your child will want to see what she looked like as a baby, how she was dressed and what her family looked like. Make sure you feature in those family photos. Don’t let yourself be the family photographer who never makes it into the pictures. Photographs can help us to remember a moment in time, make sure you give yourself that opportunity.

6. Because the photos will make you broody

How will you ever have more babies if you don’t have an app on your phone reminding you of how lovely it is to have a newborn baby? Quick, take some photos and upload them to social media immediately. Then, one year from now, you’ll be able to feel broody remembering how lovely like was today.

Do you take many photos of you and your baby?

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 2016. All rights reserved.

When you were little, playing house with your baby dolls, the idea of one day becoming a parent probably seemed exciting and grownup—which, of course, it is. But as anyone who has ever awaited the birth of their first child knows, it is also terrifying and overwhelming. The new parent panic is real.

Becoming Mom or Dad is one of the greatest responsibilities any of us will ever take on, and the fear of not getting it right is enough to cause heart palpitations for even the most stoic amongst us.

Don’t worry, that panicked state of mind is normal. In fact, here are 6 occasions when you might as well just expect the anxiety to hit:

1. The First Night: You’re in the hospital after hours (or days) of labor, looking at your newborn with a love so intense you can’t even put it into words. And then it hits you: this little person is all yours. And they are so tiny, and fragile, and dependent. It’s okay to freak out a little as you succumb to the new parent panic… most people do.
2. Bringing Baby Home: Then it’s time to bring your baby home, and as you try to put him or her in the car seat, you realize—you have no idea what you’re doing. The nurses offer to help, which is great, but what are you going to do when they aren’t there? Who are you going to turn to then? (Deep breaths, it’s going to be okay.)
3. Breastfeeding: For some women, breastfeeding just happens naturally. For others, it’s more of a struggle. And when it doesn’t happen easily, new moms are prone to beating themselves up and feeling like they are letting their babies down. Instead of doing that, have your partner search for a lactation consultant who will come to your home to help.
4. The First Illness: There is nothing worse than a sick baby. They are already so helpless, and when their temperature goes above 99.5°F (37.5°C), or a little cough rattles through their chest, it’s natural to feel helpless yourself. When in doubt, don’t hesitate to call the pediatrician.
5. The First Time You Leave: No matter how much you love your baby, you can’t be with him or her 24/7. Eventually, you will have to leave your little one with someone else—either to return to work, or to have a night out with your partner. That first time is hard for all new parents, but you’ll be fine. You may even find you enjoy it!
6. Every Other Day: Oh, wait… you thought the panics would stop after those first few months? Silly you! This parenting thing is a full time gig, from now until the end of your life. And the panics? They never stop. The new parent panic just becomes the experienced parent panic. From the first day of kindergarten to your babies becoming parents themselves; get ready for the most overwhelming, all-consuming job you’ve ever taken on. The good news? It’s all worth it!
   

Written by Leah Campbell, infertility advocate, adoptive mama, writer and editor. Find me @sifinalaska on Twitter.

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 informational basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Touch is an important sensory experience for your baby. You’ve probably noticed your baby loves to be held, cuddled and stroked. Your baby loves to be close to you. Your baby feels reassured by the touch of your skin. Many parents are now turning to baby massage as a way of bonding with their babies. If you haven’t tried baby massage yet, here are five reasons why you should:

1. It’s great for bonding

Including baby massage as part of your daily routine provides another way to strengthen the beautiful bond you have with your child. As the two of you relax together in a quiet room, you can look into his eyes and help him to unwind after a busy day. The massage itself encourages the release of oxytocin, the love hormone responsible for bonding, which allows both of you to relax and enjoy this special time together. It also guarantees you a little bit of time for the two of you to escape the chaos of everyday life and spend some time focused on each other.

2. It aids development

Baby massage stimulates your baby’s respiratory system, immune system and nervous system. Baby massage is a sensory experience, allowing your baby to learn more about his body in a safe and relaxing environment. It allows for eye contact and touch, enhancing your baby’s social development as well as strengthening your bond.

3. It’s good for sleep

If you’re trying to gently nudge your baby into more of a routine, baby massage can help. Many parents enjoy a quiet hour with their baby before bedtime. Bath and stories are popular bedtime activities, but baby massage is another great one to include. Turn down the lights, cut out background noise and spend some time helping your baby to relax before bed. The massage will help your baby calm down before bed.

4. It’s relaxing

Baby massage is great for helping babies to relax, but it can work wonders for your stress levels too. After a busy day spent tending to the needs of your baby, you might benefit from some relaxation time as well. Tuck yourself away from visitors, the television, and your phone, and enjoy fifteen minutes of quiet, focused time with your baby.

5. It can build confidence

Being a parent can be pretty overwhelming. There are so many decisions to be made on a daily basis, and sometimes you may worry you’re not qualified to make them. The more time you spend with your baby, the more your confidence will grow. Baby massage will help you to realize that you know how to soothe and calm your baby. As your bond strengthens, so too will your confidence.

How can I learn more about baby massage?

It’s advisable to attend an official baby massage class before you start. In infants, massage is done on the surface, with very little pressure and slow, gentle strokes. There are baby massage classes all over the country. Find out whether there is a class in your local area where you can find out more, learn the technique and meet other moms.

Have you tried baby massage with your baby?

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 2016. All rights reserved.