5 Things to Remember About Postpartum Weight Loss

Well, it’s been 38 weeks since your pregnancy ended so you may be wondering why your body hasn’t bounced back yet. And why is it taking so long, when most celebrities seem to have rock hard abs just weeks after giving birth? And, more importantly, when are you meant to find the time to exercise when you’re caring for a nine month old baby who shrieks every time you leave the room? Here are five important things to remember about postpartum weight loss:

  1. Everyone is different

There is no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to postpartum weight loss. Your best friend might have shrunk back down in weeks, but that doesn’t mean the same will (or should) happen for you. Every body is different so you shouldn’t compare yourself to others. Don’t hold your body up to a beauty standard set by celebrities in glossy magazines.

  1. A lot of what your grandma says can be discounted

Grandmas are great, but they’re not always up to date on the latest scientific research. One popular old wives’ tale is that it takes nine months for you to get your figure back after having a child. Whilst this may be true for some, it’s certainly not a theory that can be applied to everyone. It is true that it takes a few months for your hips and ribs to move back to where they once were, but that doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get your pre-baby body back then.

  1. Weight loss doesn’t need to be your main focus right now…

You probably haven’t slept properly in months, you barely have the time to drink a cup of coffee never mind cook a healthy meal. Your brain is muddled from lack of sleep, you spend most of your waking hours (ie, all the hours) attached to a clingy baby and you can’t imagine finding the energy to go for a run. That’s ok. It’s perfectly acceptable for you to be so immersed in motherhood that you can’t think about weightloss or fitness right now, you must do things in your own time.

  1. …But it’s ok if it is

Similarly, you shouldn’t feel guilty if you are starting to focus on getting fit and healthy. Leaving your baby to go for a run doesn’t make you a bad mom. In fact, taking some time to yourself and engaging in a stress-busting exercise could help you to feel like an even better mom. If you’re ready to get fit, then you should absolutely do that.

  1. Your body is amazing

It might not look exactly the same as it did before. Your boobs might be bigger or smaller than they once were. Your stomach might still look a little pouchy from the side. You may still have the odd stretch mark snaking across your tummy. But, your body is more amazing now than it has ever been before. Before you became a mom, you probably judged your body solely on its ability to look good. Now you know just how amazing your body can be. It’s hard to dislike something that brought you the person you love most in the world, isn’t 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 2016. All rights reserved.

Crawling and Cruising: Baby is on the Move

Crawling and cruising are significant milestones that often mean walking is not too far behind. Although it can vary, babies often learn to crawl between six and ten months. But babies don’t always follow a set timetable. So don’t worry if your baby reaches ten months and is still content to hangout and has not started to crawl yet. If your little one has not started to crawl by about a year, talk to your pediatrician if you’re concerned.

Learning to Crawl

So how do babies master crawling? Often crawling is a gradual process.  Once your baby is sitting well without support, he might learn to get on all fours. You might notice he rocks backs and forth, shifting his weight from his hands to his knees. Although he looks like he might take off at any moment, it might be a few more weeks before he learns to push off with his knees and propel himself forward.

But don’t be surprised if your baby has a different crawling style. Not all babies start crawling on all fours. Some little ones prefer to crawl commando style. Your baby might lie on her tummy and drag herself forward with her arms, army style.  Other babies scoot on their bottom instead of crawling on all fours. Creative crawling methods in babies are very common.

Keep in mind, there is no one perfect way to learn to crawl. What’s important is that your baby is making an attempt to get moving. Some babies also skip crawling altogether and go right to standing.

Cruising Along

Before he takes his memorable first step, your baby may start cruising by holding on to furniture and shuffling along. Cruising usually starts shortly after your baby learns to stand. She may start by inching along and sliding her feet while holding on to anything in sight. As she gains confidence and balance, she will pick up her feet and move between pieces of furniture holding on to one while reaching for another.

There is no need to hurry your baby along and try to make him crawl or cruise before he is ready. He will do it in his own time. But there are a few things you can do to encourage his motor skill development.  For instance, make sure to give your baby plenty of opportunities for tummy time. Spending time playing on his tummy helps your baby strengthen his trunk, back and arms.

One way to motivate your baby to get mobile is by placing a toy a little out of his reach. Also, if your baby is on all fours and has not yet figured out how to move forward, you can place your hands behind his feet. This might give him something to push off.

Once your baby is crawling and cruising, be sure to take a good look around and make sure everything is baby proofed. For instance, cover electrical outlets, place baby gates near stairs and move plants stands that could tip over when your baby reaches for furniture.

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.

Your 9-Month-Old

Your baby will soon be a year old. So much has changed over the last several months! Here’s what you can expect around 9-months-old:

On the Move

Your baby has likely been crawling for a while now, and may be trying to pull to a standing position. Once standing, he may enjoy cruising around the furniture. Hold your baby’s hands and allow him to walk across the room and back with your support! If your baby is a climber, make sure you teach him to climb back down safely. Gate stairs and close doors to keep baby safe.

Your baby can also change positions pretty easily now, from crawling to sitting and then on the move again. Be sure your home is safe for baby to explore. Childproofing is an ongoing battle – just when you think you’ve got it all taken care of, baby reaches another milestone! Crawl around with your baby (who will think it great fun) and check for any hazards.

Other motor skills are improving, too. Your baby has probably mastered the pincer grasp (grabbing small objects with the thumb and forefinger), and can move toys from hand to hand (and then straight to the mouth). Toys that allow them to manipulate objects – stacking cups, sorting toys, building blocks, etc. – will give your baby a chance to work his mind as well as practice his fine motor skills.

Making Conversation

All day long it seems like your baby is talking to you, though you don’t really know what he’s saying. By answering his babbling, you’re teaching him how to converse. Throughout the day, name objects around the house, on your walk, in the grocery store, at the park, etc. Your baby will likely begin to mimic your sounds, eventually saying simple words like ‘mama’ and ‘dada.’

Even though he can’t talk yet, he will be able to understand many words, as well as gestures, facial expressions and tone of voice. Your baby will also start to understand the word ‘no,’ and you may find yourself saying it more often. Setting limits can begin even at this early age.

Stranger Anxiety

Your baby may begin to be wary of new people, and maybe even people he knows but doesn’t see often (like grandparents or a sitter). He may be clingy with you, and may fuss when you try to leave. These are normal changes related to your baby’s growing brain – his awareness of self and others, his memory, and the idea of object permanence are all maturing. Separation anxiety is always worse when baby is tired, hungry or ill. It usually peaks between 10 and 18 months, and is usually gone by age 2.

Mealtime Fun

Your baby is probably a little gourmet, having started solid foods around 6 months. Your baby may enjoy small, soft pieces of food he can feed to himself. He can start to have cheese and yogurt around this time, if you haven’t already introduced them. Breastmilk or formula should still be your baby’s main source of calories, though. He might like to try using a spoon – though he won’t be very good at it yet.

Your baby may also enjoy learning to use a cup around this time. Try to find a cup with handles, which will be easier for your baby to manipulate. Most parents opt for ‘sippy cups’ with spillproof spouts. But you can teach your baby to drink from a straw or even an open cup, too. Simply fill the cup with water and let your baby experiment with it. It will take a while before he’s proficient enough to take all his liquid from cups.

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.

Baby’s Lovie Dependency

When your baby was first born, he or she was probably gifted with a special blanket, stuffed animal, or lovie. These gifts often come from friends and family, as well as those you pick out yourself. In fact, there are usually quite a few to choose from in the nursery when baby is first born. And initially, he or she shows no preference for any of them.

But somewhere between 6 months and a year, that all changes. Suddenly, your little one is likely to choose a favorite—an item he or she doesn’t want to do anything without. And then, you find yourself carrying a blanky around everywhere, or forever searching for a prime opportunity to swipe and wash that lovie. You may have even already experienced a meltdown or two (or 12) when your baby was caught without that favorite stuffed animal in sight.

So of course, you’ve started to worry a bit. Is this lovie dependency normal? Should you be doing something to break it now, before you have a grade school kid who won’t leave their favorite stuffed animal behind? Is it happening because of something you’re doing? Because your child isn’t connected or attached enough to you?

The short answers are, yes, it’s normal. No, it’s not something you have to worry about. And beyond a shadow of a doubt, it has nothing at all to do with anything you may or may not have done wrong.

In fact, this dependency is actually a sign that your baby is moving into the next developmental stage. They are growing more mobile and independent, and are clinging to these security objects as a way of self-soothing while they explore their independence. It’s a good thing! It means they feel attached enough to you to branch out on their own a bit, and that they are emotionally secure enough to find ways to cope with their own anxiety over that new push towards independence.

As long as your child’s security item is a safe one (no buttons or beads that could be torn off and serve as a choke hazard, for instance) you have nothing to worry about. In most cases, your child will relinquish their attachment to their security item on their own. And even if they continue to nurture that attachment, it won’t always be an item they are toting around in public.

Your biggest concern at this point should be losing that security item. Once an attachment has been formed and declared by your little one, be sure to buy a few extras of that same item if possible. The last thing you want is to be caught without that lovie at bedtime!

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.

 

5 Amazing Benefits of Reading to Your Baby

It’s never too early to start reading to your baby. Though she may not yet understand the words you say, she will be soothed by the sound of your voice and will enjoy some quiet time snuggled up with you. You might want to start reading the favorites books from your own childhood, or perhaps you were given some children’s books as presents when your baby was born. While your baby is young, you could even read aloud from whatever you’re reading, giving you a chance to enjoy a book too. Here are just five of the reasons you should start reading to your baby:

  1. Time to bond

Life can be pretty hectic, especially when you have a young baby in the house. You probably find you spend most of the day rushing around changing diapers, trying to get out of the house on time for baby group and trying to stay on top of the laundry. Reading gives you a bit of quiet bonding time to enjoy with your baby. Away from the hustle and bustle of life, you can both relax and enjoy some cuddles whilst enjoying books together.

  1. Reading encourages language skills

Reading to your baby encourages the development of language skills. She’ll be hearing new words, listening to the way you use your voice and learning more about language. According to reports, more than 1 in 3 US children start kindergarten without the language skills necessary for learning to read. You can give your child some extra help by reading aloud, and it’s never too early to start.

  1. Reading aids brain development

Reading aloud to young children can help brain development. The American Academy of Pediatrics says, “Reading regularly with young children stimulates optimal patterns of brain development and strengthens parent-child relationships at a critical time in child development, which, in turn, builds language, literacy, and social-emotional skills that last a lifetime”.

  1. It’s relaxing

Reading is a great way to unwind after a busy day. Many parents use bedtime stories as part of their relaxing bedtime routine. To help your baby prepare to sleep, enjoy some cuddles in bed whilst you read aloud to her. This quiet bonding time won’t just benefit your baby, you’ll enjoy it too. After a busy day of parenting, you’ll benefit from some focused one-to-one bonding time with your baby.

  1. It gives you something to say

Talking to your baby is the best way to teach her about language and social communication, but that doesn’t mean it comes naturally to every parent. You might find yourself struggling for something to say, after all, the conversation is pretty one-sided at this early stage. Books give you things to say. You can read the story but also point out the pictures and talk more about the issues raised in the book. They’re a great starting point for if you’re struggling to things of things to talk about.

What are your favorite books to read to 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.

Understanding Baby’s Growth Chart Measurements

Get any group of new parents together, and the subject of growth charts will inevitably come up.

“My little guy is 95th percentile for height,” one new mommy might brag. “Tall just like his daddy!”

“Mine is 90th percentile for both height and weight,” a new daddy might throw in. “Built like a football player, that one!”

In the corner, you might notice another new parent looking sheepish, “Mine is only 10th percentile,” they admit. “Should I be worried?”

The truth is, no, probably not.

The first thing to understand is what those percentiles mean. Basically, if a child is in the 50th percentile, that means that if you were to compare him or her to 100 other children of the same race and gender, 50 would be larger and 50 would be smaller. That 50th percentile child would fit right in the middle.

In most cases, those growth chart measurements aren’t meant to be compared with other babies. While, yes, they do reflect back on the averages for children your child’s age; all pediatricians know that children grow at a different rate, and that there is a very large margin for what constitutes as “normal.”

The things your pediatrician is looking for when taking those measurements include whether or not your baby seems to be growing at a consistent rate, (so, has he or she always been in the 10th percentile, or was there a recent drop over 20 percentage points or more in growth?) and whether or not your baby’s measurements seem to be proportional (that means height, weight, and head circumference measurements that are all around the same percentile).

As long as your baby seems to be growing consistently and proportionally, he or she is probably healthy and right on track!

The one exception to that is if your baby seems to be suddenly measuring under the 5th percentile. If this has been the case with your little one, your pediatrician will probably want to continue monitoring the situation and may request more follow up appointments.

Conversely, if your baby’s weight seems to consistently outmatch his or her height on the growth charts, your pediatrician may want to discuss what your little one is eating and how to ensure you are providing appropriate portion sizes.

For most parents, though, the growth chart numbers will be given simply because your pediatrician knows you find them interesting. Rarely do they indicate any reason for true concern, and when they do, your pediatrician will be sure to guide you in what to do next.

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.

Are Baby Walkers Safe?

Baby walkers might seem like a harmless enough toy, and certainly one that will make your life easier but experts are warning against them. The American Academy of Pediatrics wants to ban the sale of baby walkers, blaming them for a number of child injuries each year.

What is a baby walker?

The term baby walker refers to a frame surrounding a fabric chair that suspends babies so their feet can touch the floor. The walker is on wheels, allowing the baby to scoot around the room. The frames often feature a number of toys and activities to keep babies entertained. They’re very popular products, and most babies have access to them.

Why are they so dangerous?

Walkers allow your baby to be mobile before he has developed the skills to move. Before he has developed strong leg muscles and coordination, your baby can move across the room at speed with the help of his walker.

Each day in the US, around 100 children suffer injuries in their baby walkers. The majority of these injuries are head injuries caused by falls. Babies in baby walkers have fallen down stairs, touched hot ovens and escaped through the patio door and straight into the family pool. Baby walkers allow young babies to be mobile at an age when they’re not old enough to understand the risks and potential dangers in the home.

Can they help babies learn how to walk?

There is a common misconception that baby walkers help babies learn how to walk. In fact, time spent in a baby walker can actually delay the development of the strength and skills necessary for walking. Babies who spend time in baby walkers have been found to take longer to sit up, crawl and walk.

Can I still buy one?

Of course, as the parent it is your choice whether you purchase a baby walker for your child. If you do wish to buy one, research the safety mechanisms in place as these vary between brands and models. Make sure your baby is supervised when using the walker though this will not always prevent injury.

What alternatives are there?

If you love the look of walkers because of the engaging and fun looking play stations, fear not, you can buy stationary play centers with similar set ups. You could also use a playpen with toys as a way of entertaining your baby, this has the added benefit of allowing your baby freedom of movement. This freedom is key to developing the muscle strength and control that your baby will need for those first steps.

Do you have a baby walker for 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.

5 Things That Stink About Growth Spurts

They say babies have five major growth spurts in their first year of life. These can happen at any point in time, but are most common between weeks one and three, weeks six and eight, the third month, the sixth month, and the ninth month. So if you are nearing any one of those periods and feel like your little one is growing before your very eyes—he or she might actually be.

Of course, no one ever really enjoys the growth spurt periods. And here’s why:

  1. Feeding Schedule Chaos: You’ve been on a great schedule. You’ve known what to expect when it comes to feedings, and have been able to plan your days around that. But now, your kiddo is famished and wants to eat every hour—as opposed to every three or four—throwing your whole schedule out the window. This can make it impossible to accomplish much of anything at all.
  2. Unworn Clothes: That adorable jumper you bought just a few weeks ago? Or the cute little shoes that match your own? Yeah… your baby may never get to wear those items. Because growth spurts can come on without warning… an outfit that fit a week ago can suddenly be far too small for wearing.
  3. There Goes Your Sleep: Babies in the middle of growth spurts tend to wake up more often through the night, and take shorter naps as well. So if your little one is suddenly all about keeping you up at night, a growth spurt might be to blame.
  4. Cranky Baby, Cranky Mama: Maybe it’s the lack of sleep, or maybe your little one is feeling a bit achy from all that growing. Either way, growth spurts tend to bring on the crankiness. And a fussy baby is bound to make you feel extra cranky as well. Take a warm bath tonight after your baby finally goes down—you deserve it!
  5. Time Refuses to Stand Still: Without a doubt, the worst part about growth spurts is what they stand for—your baby is growing up, and won’t even be your baby for much longer! Sure, you’re excited for the next stages, and of course you want your baby to grow. But… don’t blink! It happens too fast.

The good news is that growth spurts happen fast as well—quick bursts before everything returns to normal, as opposed to extended periods of suffering. Usually, the growing starts and ends within a few days. That’s why they call them “spurts.”

Which means that if you’re noticing signs of a growth spurt now, it will probably be over before you know it. And bonus: the bigger your baby gets, the more toned your arms will be from carrying him or her around!

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.