Many new mums experience the ‘baby blues’ within a few days of giving birth. After the initial oxytocin-induced natural high of meeting your baby for the first time, the baby blues can come as a bit of a shock. One minute you are over the moon, truly and utterly in love, and the next minute you are sobbing over the sink because your partner bought the wrong type of washing up sponge. It may feel a bit like you’re losing your mind; but don’t worry, the baby blues are a common postpartum symptom, and usually nothing to worry about.

What causes the baby blues?
Two to four days after giving birth, your hormone levels rapidly drop, and this is thought to be one of the causes of the baby blues. During this time, there are also chemical changes occurring, and new hormones being released to trigger bonding and milk production. That’s a lot happening at once, so it’s no wonder you’re left feeling a bit drained.

On top of that, you’re exhausted after the birth, and you’ve just been handed this wonderful, perfect little bundle who probably doesn’t sleep for very long. It can be a very scary feeling when you leave the hospital for the first time, and you realise you are in charge of a baby. It’s easy to worry that you’re under-qualified for the job. Add to this breastfeeding problems, birth recovery, the cries of a newborn baby, and the fact you’re too tired to shower.  Anyone would be feeling a bit weepy, even without the hormonal changes.

Symptoms of the baby blues
As many as 80 percent of new mums experience the baby blues. Possible symptoms include:

• weepiness
• anxiety
• irrational worry about your new baby
• irritability
• inability to concentrate
• feeling emotional

The baby blues will disappear by the time your baby is 10 days old. If you are still feeling low after that time, you should speak to your healthcare provider.

Battling the baby blues
The baby blues isn’t an illness, and there’s nothing you can do to ‘cure’ it. All you can do, is try to relax, take things easy, and wait for the blues to pass. The following tips may help you to minimise the impact of the baby blues:

• rest – get as much rest as possible. Easier said than done with a new baby in the house, but feeling overtired can heighten your emotions and leave you feeling worse.
• let it out – if you need to cry, cry. You might feel better after a good long weep. Bottling things up, and refusing to talk, can make your problems seem bigger and scarier than they really are.
• me time – it is so hard to get me time during those first few weeks, but try to give yourself some time to unwind. Run a nice warm bath, and have a soak for an hour or so. Leave the door unlocked though, because chances are the baby will want a feed as soon as you sit down.
• visitors – keep your visitors to a minimum, and don’t be afraid to cancel on people if you’re not feeling up to seeing them. Your mental health and wellbeing are important, so feel free to take some time to hibernate with your new family.
• talk – talk to your partner, your best friend, your mum – whoever you need to talk to to feel better. Let them know how you’re feeling, just talking can leave you feeling so much better.

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.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) occurs when an otherwise healthy baby dies for unknown reasons. Also known as cot death, SIDS occurs without warning. Though rare, over 2000 babies die from SIDS each year in the United States.

Why does SIDS happen?

The exact causes of SIDS are unknown, but it is thought some babies may have problems in the part of the brain that controls breathing. These babies may fail to breathe if their mouths are covered. You must be careful to ensure your sleeping baby’s face is not covered by blankets or loose bedding.

SIDS is most common during winter months, and some experts believe this is because some babies overheat when wrapped up at night. SIDS is most likely to occur when a baby is asleep, either at night or during nap time.

Which babies are most at risk?

Babies under six months are the most at risk, and around 90 percent of SIDS deaths occur during this period. As babies grow older, they are less likely to suffer from SIDS.

Babies born to mums aged 19 or younger at the time of the birth, have an increased risk of SIDS, although the reason for this is unknown. Premature babies and those born weighing less than 2.5kg (5.5lb) are also more at risk. Boys have a slightly increased risk of SIDS, but again, the reason for this is unknown.

How to reduce the risk of SIDS

The exact causes of SIDS remain unknown, and as such, it is not understood how to eliminate the risk of this tragedy occurring. Years of research, however, have identified some key steps that parents can take to reduce the risk. The following can reduce the risk:

• put your baby to sleep on her back
• do not smoke during pregnancy. Even secondary smoke can increase the chance of SIDS, so ask your partner to give up too
• keep your baby smoke free after the birth – don’t let people smoke near your baby
• keep your home, car, and anywhere else the baby spends time, smoke free
• breastfeed your baby, if you can
• sleep in the same room as your baby for the first six months
• use a firm, flat, waterproof mattress
• monitor the temperature in the room your baby sleeps in, and ensure your baby is dressed and covered appropriately

Experts advise parents to avoid the following:

• never sleep on a sofa or armchair with your baby
• if you smoke, drink, take drugs or are excessively tired, do not sleep in the same bed as your baby
• if your baby was born prematurely or had a low birth weight, do not sleep in the same bed as your baby
• don’t cover your sleeping baby’s head or face
• do not allow your baby to overheat
• do not use pillows, quilts and duvets for your baby
• do not let your sleeping baby wear a hat indoors

All advice should be followed during daytime naps as well as at night. While it may be tempting to nap with your baby on the sofa during the day, don’t. This increases the risk of SIDS. By all means, let your baby nap on you, but be sure you stay awake throughout.

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.

For some parents, bonding begins in utero, and for some it happens instantly at birth. For others, it can take a few days for things to settle down enough for the bonding process to really begin, and some parents may find it takes a bit longer.

There are plenty of ways you can encourage the bonding process between yourself and your baby, here are a few tried and tested techniques:

1. Skin to skin – touch is a great way to bond with your baby. Research has found that skin to skin contact helps babies by regulating breathing, stimulating digestion, regulating body temperature, and stimulating feeding behaviour. It has been found to help mothers relax, and to trigger the hormones of breastfeeding. Make sure you spend some time enjoying skin to skin contact.
2. Alone time – there’s probably a line of friends and family queuing up outside your door, but try to postpone them by a few days. Spend a some time bonding as a new family, and getting used to each other before you invite other people to meet your newborn.
3. Use your voice – your baby recognises your voice from his time in the womb. You may have noticed that, even at just a few hours old, he will turn his head to you whenever he hears you talk. The sound of your voice might even be enough to soothe him when he cries, so make the most of this ability and chat away throughout the day.
4. And your ears – talking is great, but listen, too. Your baby might not be able to talk just yet, but that doesn’t mean he’s not communicating. He may smile when happy, shy away when he doesn’t want a massage, or suck his thumb when he’s hungry. Through these actions, he is communicating with you. By learning to interpret your baby’s early attempts at communication, you can help him to learn the value of communicating – something you’ll be thankful of in the future. You may also learn to pick up on his early feeding cues, and be able to feed him before he starts to cry from hunger.
5. Feeding time – mealtimes are the perfect time to bond with your baby. If you’re breastfeeding, feed as often as your baby indicates he would like to. Feed frequently, and make eye contact with and talk to him as you do. The hormones associated with breastfeeding are said to encourage the bonding process too. If you’re bottle feeding, you can still use feeds as valuable bonding time. Talk to and make eye contact with your baby throughout the feed. Some parents decide that only they will feed their baby, to stop visitors from stealing that valuable bonding opportunity.
6. Close enough to kiss – you may have noticed that your newborn cries whenever he is put down, that’s because he wants to be close to you. Using a sling is a great way of keeping everyone happy. You’re happy because you have your hands free to get on with other things, and the baby is happy because he knows he’s safe with you. Dad can get in on the babywearing action too – it’s a great way for him to bond with the baby.
7. Massage – massaging your baby is a great way to promote bonding and closeness. You can incorporate a massage into your daily routine. Baby massage may also help to improve your confidence in your mothering abilities as you learn to communicate with your newborn. Massage is also said to help with colic, sleep and wind (gas) in babies. There are baby massage courses across the country that will equip you with the skills and confidence to massage your baby.

How do you plan to bond with your baby?

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 2016. All rights reserved.

As soon as you announced your pregnancy, you probably started receiving unwanted parenting advice. From your mother in law monitoring your diet, to the stranger at the bus stop giving you a dirty look for drinking a coffee, it may seem that your pregnancy is up for discussion. Add to this the number of people trying to touch your bump without permission, and it’s understandable that you’re getting a bit fed up.

Unfortunately, this unwanted advice probably won’t end when the baby is born. You’ll have strangers wandering over to you, desperate to stroke the cheek and squeeze the hand of your newborn. While they stop to tell you how beautiful and precious your newborn baby is, they’ll also probably drop a few parenting tips into the conversation. Your friends and family may also join in offering unsolicited advice at every opportunity.

Sleep

For the first few months, it may seem like the entire world is waiting with baited breath to find out how your little one slept last night. You’ll be offered outdated advice, and may even be made to feel that you have a ‘bad’ sleeper. Firstly, all babies are bad sleepers, that’s how they’re designed. Secondly, how they sleep at eight weeks does not determine how they will sleep forever. Yes sleepless nights are hard, yes having a newborn can be exhausting, but it won’t last forever. Don’t waste time worrying about sleep, just grab it while you can and make the most of this time with your newborn.

Size

There isn’t much to say about babies really, because they don’t do much. They’re cute, they have beautiful big eyes, and they are big, or small, or average. Everyone will comment on your baby’s size, probably because they’ve run out of other compliments to throw at him. As long as your healthcare provider thinks that your baby’s size is ok, then you have nothing to worry about.

Crying

There is nothing more stressful than being out and about when your newborn starts to wail loudly, going redder and redder in the face as he screams. Oh wait, yes there is: it’s when strangers choose that moment to come over and offer advice. What you really need is to be left alone so you can figure out, as quickly as possible, what your baby needs so you can soothe him. What you’ll get is a load of unwanted advice, “give that baby a bottle”, “he’s cold” and “get a dummy in him” being favourites. Ignore the advice, ignore everybody apart from your crying baby. You are his mother, you know what he needs, and if you don’t, you’ll figure it out in a few minutes. Breathe, and try to stay calm.

Parenting choices

Parenting can be a bit of a battleground, and almost every choice has two opposing sides. It is up to you how you decide to raise your baby. Bottle or breast, dummy or not, pram or carrier – all of these choices should be made by you and your partner. It’s not up to your mother in law to persuade you to use formula milk, it’s not your friend’s choice to give your baby a dummy, and you shouldn’t let other mums make you feel bad for letting your baby nap on you. Don’t worry about what everyone else is doing, just do what works for your family.

Confidence

As a first time parent, you are likely to lack confidence when looking after your newborn. It can be an overwhelming time, and you may feel a lot of pressure from various people to conform to their parenting ideals. Don’t. Feel confident in the choices you have made, and focus your energy on being the best parent you can be, ignore the unwanted advice and comments from other people.

Have you been given any unwanted parenting advice, and how did you deal with it?

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 2016. All rights reserved.

Being a new mom is wonderful, special, exhausting and unlike anything else. You are probably still walking on air from the intense power of the love you feel for your newborn. Whilst at the same time, you are tired to the point of breaking, and feel like emotional wreck.

Here are seven tips for new moms, to make those first few weeks more manageable:

1. Rest when you can – everyone says this, but not all new mothers do it. You should try to rest as often as you can. There is no shame in daytime napping, in fact it’s pretty much mandatory during maternity leave. The most important thing is that you and baby are healthy, so stop worrying about the laundry, and get yourself tucked in. Can’t sleep? At least get horizontal!
2. Eat healthily – for the first few days at least, this means eating as much fibre as you can stomach. Dried apricots, high bran cereal, and plenty of fruit and veggies to help you avoid the postpartum curse of constipation. Constipation can soon lead to hemorrhoids, neither of which are what you want when you’re trying to adjust to motherhood, breastfeeding and sleep deprivation. It’s easy to snack on biscuits throughout the day, and neglect eating full meals as a new mom. If you’re struggling to find the time to cook, try snacking on nuts, fresh fruit and vegetables instead of reaching for unhealthy convenience foods.
3. Quench your thirst – water will help to fight constipation, and will keep you hydrated. If you’re breastfeeding, you may find yourself feeling especially thirsty so be sure to increase your water intake.
4. Ignore the housework – obviously you don’t want to raise your newborn in a pigsty, but that doesn’t mean the house needs to be spotless. It doesn’t matter if you have a few dirty dishes waiting in the sink, a few loads of laundry waiting to be done or a bit of clutter in the living room. What matters is that you’re making the most of this time to bond with your baby. You won’t look back in the future and regret taking time out from real life to cuddle your newborn baby.
5. Ask for help – asking for help doesn’t mean you’re a failure, or lazy or struggling to cope – it means you’re normal. Ask your mother-in-law to bring a precooked meal over, ask your brother to clean the bathroom and see if your best friend would pick up some groceries on her way over. There’s a reason people keep offering to help, it’s because they want to make your life easier – so let them.
6. Give yourself a break – you’ve just created the most wonderful person ever to exist, don’t beat yourself up too much about the house being a mess or about being in your nightgown at 3pm. Don’t waste time feeling guilty or worrying, just enjoy this once in a lifetime period with your teeny tiny newborn.
7. Capture it – take as many videos and photos as you can, you will love looking back on them in years to come. Even the mundane moments will be special to look back on; the cuddles, the giggles and the little smiles. Capture as much of their childhood as you can.

Do you have any words of advice to help new moms settle into their new roles?

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 2016. All rights reserved.

Someone you know has just had a baby, and you are about to get all of the cuddles and cuteness without any of the hard work (read: pushing). To cement your special place in the baby’s heart, you first need to win over the parents. Whether they’re close friends or family, you’ll still need to prove yourself as a guest worth inviting over again.

New parents have a lot going on. Of course, they want you to come and visit their new baby, and they want to hear how gorgeous and perfect she is, but they also want to feel human. New parents don’t get much sleep, that’s a fact. They also struggle to eat three balanced meals a day, keep the house tidy and drink a cup of tea whilst it’s hot. This is where you come in – SuperGuest. All you need to do is follow the simple instructions below, and you’ll guarantee yourself a second invite round for more adorable cuddles and finger grabs.

1. Stay away if you’re ill – ok, you really want to see the baby while she’s still tiny; that’s only natural. But sometimes you have to say no. If you are feeling unwell, have a cold, or have recently come into contact with an unwell person (and could therefore be carrying the illness), you need to stay away. Far from being offended, the new parents will be grateful that you didn’t risk contaminating their new baby. You can get in touch as soon as you’re feeling better, and say you’d like to meet the newborn. If you go when you’re ill, and make the baby poorly, you’ll never live it down (and probably won’t get invited round again any time soon).

2. Bring food – new parents might be struggling to find the time to make it to the supermarket, so take them some supplies. You could cook them a nice meal to stock up their freezer, treat them to some fruit, or buy them some biscuits, anything will be appreciated during a 3am feed.

3. Make the tea – your hosts are probably too exhausted to play the perfect host, so why not look after them? Offer to make the tea, grab the biscuits and get anything else that might be needed. Save your friends the hassle of running round after you. It might not be the most exciting visit you’ve ever paid to their house, but it will make their lives much easier.

4. Let them drink tea – offer to hold the baby at an opportune time so that the new parents can enjoy a warm drink. Most new parents end up missing out on warm drinks for at least a few weeks, so will really appreciate the timing of your cuddle. Don’t drink your hot drink over the baby though – wait until you’ve given the baby back before having a sip.

5. A quick tidy up – if you don’t know the new parents that well, it might be weird to start cleaning their bathroom, but if you’re good friends, it’s a great way to show you care. New parents want to spend their time bonding with their newborn, not scrubbing the toilet bowl, so if you can help tidy up at all then please do. If you’re a particularly close friend, they may even ask you to do it.

Is anything missing from this list? What did your friends and family do to help out during early visits?

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 2016. All rights reserved.

You’ve made it through the early months, the breastfeeding struggles, the challenges of starting solids and teething. You’re nearing your baby’s first birthday in the coming weeks or months, and you’re starting to wonder if maybe it’s time to start trying to conceive again.

Everyone will have an opinion for you, but while people mean well and all have their own experiences to share, considerations to keep in mind include:

• Your recovery from your first pregnancy: your body needs time to recover, especially essential nutrients like iron. The best way to recuperate is by eating a healthy diet of nutrient-dense foods, and by exercising regularly.
• Breastfeeding: If you’re still breastfeeding baby #1, you can safely continue to breastfeed throughout pregnancy. However, not all women want to do so, some women have medical issues that mean baby should be weaned with a new pregnancy, and some babies may not like the changes to the milk that happen mid-pregnancy.
• Finances: Is another baby economically feasible right now? Will having a new child now actually save money in the long run (after all, you’ve already got all the baby gear)?

Other parents will tell you that there are pros and cons to each scenario …

When pregnancies occur close together, you’re still in baby mode so you’ve got the diapers, wipes and changing table still in the nursery and all the baby supplies are still likely out or easily accessible. Your children may share the same interests, activities and toys throughout much of their childhood. Your home will be pretty chaotic, because everyone will need your attention and supervision at the same time. Your time out of the workforce may not be as long, though closely spaced maternity leaves will cause some interruption.

When babies are born 2-4 years apart, you may have more patience and more knowledge (and a more defined parenting philosophy). Your children may share many of the same interests; though, if they attend different schools eventually, you may have twice the work. If your older child is attending preschool, you may have some baby-only time built in. Naps and diapering / potty training are probably not going to be in sync, making some additional work for you.

Waiting more than 5 years between births is almost like having two only children. You have given your older child years of your undivided attention, and you can now focus on your baby. Your older child is more independent but may resent having to share your attention after having you all to himself for so long. You may have had more time to develop your career between births, so your maternity leaves may not be as disruptive.

Researchers have some insight for you, too …

When pregnancies are too close, health risks are more pronounced. If it will be less than 12 months since you last gave birth, you have a greater risk of placental abruption and placenta previa with this pregnancy, and your child has a greater risk of autism. You have an increased risk of uterine rupture with a VBAC if your previous birth was less than 18 months from the when the next birth will be. Additionally, if the space between the births will be less than 18 months, the risks of preterm birth, low birth weight and having a baby who is small for gestational age are all increased. There are also risks to pregnancies spaced 5+ years apart, though researchers don’t know why: preeclampsia, preterm birth, low birth weight, and small for gestational age are all risk factors.

Experts believe that two to three years (but not more than 5) between births is the optimal spacing for siblings. This is true not only in the developed world, but also in traditional societies. (In fact, the average age between siblings in the US is about 30 months.) Some researchers have found that these children do better in math and reading as they grow. Experts seem to agree that health outcomes are better for moms and for babies with this spacing.

It’s up to you.

What it boils down to, though, is personal choice. When are you and your partner ready to expand your family? Sometimes it’s not a rational choice – it’s much more emotional. No matter what, if you love your children, they will thrive, regardless of how many months apart they are in age.

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.

“So, what do you do all day?,” my friend asked. At the time, she didn’t have any children yet, and I had two. I had decided to quit working outside the home when my oldest was born. My days were full – of changing diapers, washing and folding laundry, fixing meals, and, more importantly, cuddling and loving my small children.

The realities of being a stay-at-home mom, however, can be challenging for some. As one well-known reality television star put it, “It’s so boring!” There were days when it was raining outside, we had nowhere that we needed to go, and I didn’t have a single ounce of patience or time for crafts and nutritious meals. I was tired of doing the same old puzzles, reading the same old books, watching repeats of DVDs we’d already seen, and naptime couldn’t come soon enough. But those days were rare.

Did I miss being out among adults in the working world? Sometimes. When my husband was working longer hours, I might go the whole day conversing only with a one-year-old and three-year-old. It was hard not to envy at least a little intellectual stimulation that comes from even the simplest small talk with others my own age.

Did I miss the intellectual challenge of work and study? Sometimes. But I was able to do a lot of reading, and the Internet made a huge difference in being connected to resources to further my education and interests. The library became a favorite resource – for me and for my kids.

Here are some ideas to help you stay sane if you’re having trouble adjusting to being a stay-at-home mom:

– Find something creative you like to do, and do it without kids. Whether it’s writing, reading, painting, crocheting, exercising, hiking, shopping – whatever – find some time every week to do it without kids in tow. When my youngest was a baby, I attended a “play group” (which was essentially a way for new moms to get out of the house), and a group of us moms started meeting once a week for tea, coffee and gossip. Mostly we talked about our families, but at least we did it without having to find anything, wipe anything or yell at anyone.

– Get out of the house with your kids often. This doesn’t need to be to attend a structured program or playdate. Simply take a walk around the block, go dig in the garden together, play at the park, or toss a ball around on the porch. Fresh air and sunshine will do everyone a world of good.

– Have a routine. Kids thrive on structure. Having a predictable daily schedule may help you feel a little more in control, and will help you break up your day a little. If you know your baby naps from one to three, you won’t feel so stressed building block houses with her until then. While she sleeps, you can pay bills, fold laundry or clean the cat litter.

– Play. Don’t forget to have fun with your kids. Take time every day to get down on the floor with your kids and do something they enjoy. Set up a huge farm, and let him add his dinosaurs to the cow pen. Build skyscrapers with wooden blocks. Put puzzles together. Play simple board games. Talk, imagine, create, enjoy. It is so cliché to say this, but they’ll only be little once. You’ll never regret the time you spent enjoying your children.

It can be boring with a newborn – babies just don’t do much. They need lots and don’t give much in return. But as my children grew and started to show their own little personalities, it was like meeting someone new, someone who you wanted to get to know better. I was taken on a journey of never-ending discovery watching them learn new skills every day. Being able to stay at home with my children is an immense blessing. I feel amazingly thankful that we’ve chosen to have less stuff in order to have more connection with our children. I wouldn’t trade this abundance for any other life.

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.

Bicycling is a gentle way to ease yourself back into an exercise routine after the birth of your baby. But, can you bring baby along for the ride? The answer may depend on where you live. Check local laws (which typically have minimum ages) before riding with baby.

There’s not much research out there to support when it’s safe to bike with your baby. Health authorities in the UK and US recommend not biking with your baby until after your baby can sit well on his own (around age 9 months) when your baby has more stable head and neck control. Some suggest maybe not even until after your baby is one year old. In other countries, such as Denmark and the Netherlands where cycling is one of the preferred ways of getting around, riding with baby is much more common, even at younger ages. If in doubt, speak to your healthcare provider.

While accidents (falling or colliding with another vehicle) are a concern, the main worry with biking are the small bumps and jolts a baby without good head control will experience when riding even on everyday road, sidewalk or path conditions. Each of the bumps in the road can cause your baby’s tiny still-forming brain to move around inside the skull, with the potential for harm.

Safety precautions when riding with a baby include:

• Be sure the bike seat is correctly installed

• Babies should ride with an adult driving the bicycle, not with a sibling

• Do not carry your baby in a backpack or frontpack when cycling

• Your baby should always wear a lightweight, infant-sized bike helmet (though these may be difficult to find)

• You baby should be firmly strapped into an approved carrier or seat – whether on the back of your bike, or in a trailer towed behind the bike

• Bike in low-traffic areas, if possible

Keep in mind that carrying a baby on your bike will make you a little off balance, and will make stopping harder. You may want to consider the weight of the seat when deciding which to buy – heavier may mean a more difficult ride for you, while lighter may mean not quite as safe.

Types of seats for babies include:

• Rear Bike Seat: These seats are typically mounted to a rack on the back of the bike in order to support the weight of seat and passenger. Frame mount options are also available.

• Front Bike Seat: Mounted on the handlebars, these seats are best for children younger than age 3. While you might feel safer being able to see your baby as you ride, the seat itself may cause you to bump your knees as you pedal or to pedal bow legged (both of which may be less than comfortable).

• Bike Trailer: These carts attach to the rear axle or frame of the bike, and allow one or two children to sit or recline. They are typically covered and come with a windshield. Trailers are lower to the ground (so less chance of injury if the bike should tip), but they are often difficult for drivers to spot. Trailers can also make maneuvering more cumbersome, and may add quite a bit of weight to the biking experience.

• Box Bike or Cargo Bike (Bakfiets): These look like a cross between a wheelbarrow and a bicycle – the large open box in the front can carry your goods, including your child. Some cargo bikes have adapters that allow you to mount an infant seat in the cargo basket.

Before buying any seat, make sure it’s appropriate for your bike. Check to see that your bicycle has the correct type of handlebar connections with enough space for mounting a seat (for front mounted seats), enough frame space for the seat as well as your own body, and the correct mounting areas for trailers or rear mount seats. You’ll want to be sure mounting the seat doesn’t interfere with braking or with your ability to steer.

In addition, features such as kid handlebars, headrests, weather covers and windscreens may be important features for you. Adjustable straps that grow with your child (including foot straps) and always hold secure are the top safety feature to consider.

Do you enjoy biking with baby? How did you decide when and how?

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.

You know your baby is learning every day. And you want to do all you can to engage him and help build his little brain. While flashcards and structured lessons aren’t necessary, some simple lifestyle adjustments can encourage creativity, problem solving and, eventually, more complex thinking.

Babies in the first year experience sensory-motor thinking – learning about their world through touch, sound, taste, sight and smell. When your baby starts to play more with objects, he begins to learn the significance of cause and effect (if I drop this, mom will pick it up) and problem solving (how do I get this into this?).

Along with more complex thinking, you can foster creative thinking in your children. Creativity is a critical component of success, health and happiness. Creative people are flexible, adaptable and good at problem solving. Creativity isn’t necessarily inborn – it can be taught. It doesn’t mean buying all the right toys or watching just the right videos – it means giving your children opportunities to explore and challenge themselves, even at this young age.

1. Limit screen time: If your child is younger than age 2, you should discourage screen time altogether, and it should be limited for older children. Too much screen time may lead to attention problems, among other adverse outcomes.

2. Unschedule: Allow your child to have regular downtime or unstructured play time to explore his own interests (yes, even as a baby) and skills.

3. Get outdoors: Spend time in nature. Being outside encourages physical activity and active play. Hiking, biking, or just playing tag in the yard or park should be regular parts of your child’s life as he grows. Even now, the fresh air and sunshine will keep your baby happy and healthy as you take a walk with the stroller or with baby in a carrier.

4. Provide toys, like building blocks and dress-up clothes, that facilitate imaginative thinking. Themed toys limit your child’s creativity – there is a proscribed way to play with them and often children won’t think outside the box. Even plastic containers and lids, wooden spoons, and your car keys are fun “toys” for babies.

5. Hands off: Don’t direct all of your baby’s activities. Allow him the space to explore and try new things. Sometimes he might fail, and that’s OK. It teaches him resilience and problem solving.

6. Encourage reading: Read to your baby every day. This facilitates language learning, as well as imagination. Have books that your baby can manipulate on his own (even though he may just chew on them at first).

7. Play with your baby, toddler, preschooler, child: Take time out from your schedule and routine to play with your child, whether it’s building a block tower, throwing a ball, or chasing around the yard, your involvement is an important component to your child’s feelings of security and attachment, a good base for creativity and intelligence.

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.

Your days are full of diaper changes, feedings and hours spent comforting a little one. Baby care certainly takes up much of your time. But it’s easy to work some exercise into your routine if you include your baby. Even if it’s just for 5 minutes at a time, you’ll feel energized and ready to keep up with baby tasks all day long.

Any floor exercise you can do while baby lays on a blanket next to you can easily be integrated into tummy time or even earlier with baby on his back just watching what you’re doing. If you’re going to have your baby in arms while performing some moves, just make sure he’s able to hold his head up on his own (which happens around 3 to 4 months old) and that you’ve got a firm grip on baby’s wiggly body.

Ab Curl:
Lie on the floor, knees bent, feet flat, and baby on your abs (with your pelvis supporting baby’s weight). Hold baby in place gently. Using your abdominal muscles, slowly raise your head and shoulders from the floor, moving toward baby with a smile or a kiss, and then slowly lower yourself again.

Reverse Curl:
Lie on the floor and lift your feet, bringing your knees toward your head. Hold baby in place on your shins. Using your abdominal muscles, slowly lower baby toward you while lifting your head and shoulders, come in for a kiss or a snuggle, and then slowly return to your starting position.

Baby Bench Press:
Lie on the floor with your knees bent and feet flat, and hold baby securely under his arms against your chest. Slowly raise baby in the air, then slowly lower him to your body again. You can also do this while sitting cross-legged on the floor.

Airplane:
Lie on your belly with your baby in front of you. With your arms outstretched on either side of your body and your legs straight, slowly lift arms, legs and chest off the floor. Hold briefly, and then return to your starting position.

Push Ups:
With your arms and legs straight, and hands and feet supporting you, slowly lower yourself toward your baby, and then slowly raise yourself again. Alternatively, you can practice planks with baby lying on his back watching you. Support your weight on your feet and your forearms with your elbows bent, and hold. Sing or talk to baby, then rest.

Baby Lunges:
You can do lunges with your baby in a front carrier for some weight training, or you can do them toward your baby if he’s sitting in an infant seat, high chair or stroller. With one foot at the back and the other foot forward, bend both legs until your one thigh is parallel to the floor, keeping your knee in line with your ankle (don’t over-lunge). Then slowly return to start. Do several repetitions with each leg being the one bending (by switching lunging direction or which leg is forward).

Baby Carrier Squats:
With baby in a front carrier (facing you or facing out), place your feet shoulder width apart (maybe a tiny bit wider). Point your toes out a little then slowly begin to lower your body as if your are going to sit. Keep your pelvis tucked and remember that your center of gravity is pulled forward a little since you’re holding baby. Slowly return to standing, rest, repeat.

Walking:
You can walk with a stroller or with your baby in carrier. But go briskly enough that you get your heart rate up. If you enjoy running, consider investing in a jogging stroller so you can take baby along on your daily route. Your baby may even sleep better from the fresh air and movement.

Almost any exercise can be adapted to include baby in the fun. Don’t forget the importance of warm up stretches before any exercise. If you’ve recently given birth, be sure you get your doctor’s OK to start an exercise program. If you’ve never had a regular workout routine before, start slowly. Stay hydrated, and don’t overexert yourself.

Exercise doesn’t need to be just another chore on your to-do list. Have fun with your baby – talk, sing, smile, interact. You’re baby will love being with you, even if you’re multitasking!

What are your favorite postpartum exercises?

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.

For months you’ve been enjoying your baby’s gummy smiles. But your baby has started drooling a little, and seems to want to chew on everything and anything. Are her first teeth ready to erupt?

Teething signs and symptoms

When your baby starts teething, you may notice the following:

• Drooling
• Biting
• Sucking on hands
• Irritability, fussiness
• Wakefulness
• Ear rubbing
• A rash on the chin or around the mouth

When will my baby get teeth?

The lower central incisors are typically the first teeth to erupt – usually between 6 and 10 months. But your baby may show teething signs months ahead of that as the teeth start to push up through the gums. The top central incisors will show up between 8 and 12 months. And the remaining teeth slowly appear over the next couple of years, with the second molars coming in when your baby is 2½ to 3 years old.

What can I do about teething pain?

Those gums are sore! But pressure seems to make them feel better. Find one or two safe teethers that your baby really loves – they might be wooden, rubber or even cloth. Try gum massage – using a clean index finger, gently rub small circles all around baby’s gums. Freeze a wet washcloth and allow baby to chew on it, or put a baby spoon in the fridge to chill and give it to baby as a teether. Talk to your doctor about pain relievers – ibuprofen and acetaminophen may be useful for the worst bouts of pain but it’s best to consult a doctor first. Consider topical pain relievers, too.

How do I care for my baby’s teeth?

Even before those first teeth appear, you may want to use a washcloth or small piece of gauze over your finger to gently wipe baby’s gums after eating. The using a small, soft toothbrush and water only, you can clean the teeth as they appear. Be sure to brush the front and back of the teeth. You can slowly start using toothpaste as your baby gets older (start with just the tiniest smear and graduate to a pea-sized dollop of a gentle toothpaste when your child is around age 3).

Experts recommend scheduling your baby’s first dental exam between the ages 1 and 3 to check tooth development, with regular checkups thereafter.

Allow your baby a few sips of water after meals to wash away food particles. Don’t allow your baby to fall asleep with a bottle or sippy cup to prevent tooth decay. Breastfeeding to sleep, however, doesn’t need to be avoided, as the breastmilk doesn’t typically pool in the mouth in the same way.

Now that she has teeth, do I need to stop breastfeeding?

Many moms worry about baby biting the breast when feeding. When the baby is latched correctly, the tongue typically covers the lower gums and biting is unlikely. If baby falls asleep and lets go a little, he may try to recover by clamping down with his gums – and his new teeth. Paying close attention and removing baby from the breast when he is done actively nursing can prevent this from happening. Occasionally baby’s teeth will irritate the areola while nursing. Getting the best possible latch and changing positions often alleviates this problem.

When will my child start losing teeth?

Around age 6, your child may start losing their “baby teeth” – typically with the lower central incisors coming out first.

Fun Fact

Occasionally babies are born with teeth. Though very rare, these “natal teeth” have very little root structure holding them in place and are typically removed in the first couple of days after birth.

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.