Breastfeeding Mums Need To Talk!

Breastfeeding can be an isolating experience. A new mum, breastfeeding for the first time, can feel cut off from family and friends if they are unsupportive or simply do not understand her motives.

All too often it is assumed that a breastfeeding mum will scurry off to do the deed behind a locked door and well out of sight. And God forbid she utters the phrase, "I'm Breastfeeding!" Men avert their eyes and women smile as they shuffle their feet and move the conversation swiftly along! So much for breastfeeding support amongst peers!

Most mums choosing to breastfeed their babies do so because they have been made aware of the lifelong advantages of breastfeeding. But when it comes to the task itself, many feel they have no-one to turn to for information and advice when things are not going as planned. For that reason, a lot of breastfeeding mums give up breastfeeding prematurely.

The World Health Organisation recommends exclusively breastfeeding babies for the first six months of their lives. But many are only breastfed for a few days or weeks.

It is vital that breastfeeding mums have a supportive and informative network of people to ask for help.

And that is where Breastfeeding Support Groups come into their own.

A well- organised breastfeeding support group will cater for a variety of women from varied backgrounds. It will educate women thinking about breastfeeding whilst they are pregnant and it will also cater for novice and more experienced breastfeeders. Breastfeeding support groups allow women and their babies to come together in a relaxed atmosphere, to enjoy congenial conversation. Women are encouraged to discuss breastfeeding issues and, as a result, breastfeeding mums help one another to bypass barriers placed along the path.

Breastfeeding mums need to talk about breastfeeding in order to bring their experiences into the wider community. It is only by chatting about breastfeeding in an open and honest way with one another that it will become more acceptable. If more women are given the opportunity to access breastfeeding support groups then breastfeeding statistics will surely rise.

And who knows, maybe today's breastfed babies will become confident breastfeeding mums of tomorrow, free of the hang-ups prevalent in today's society regarding breastfeeding!

What You Can Expect From 7 To 9-Months-Old Babies

Now that your little angel has reached 7 months old. Time goes by so fast that you don't realize your baby is now able to sit upright without your support or even her own hands. Wow, that must be an incredible feeling seeing her grow so instantly.

For parents of 7 to 9-months-old babies, what else can you find in their physical growths? Well, every baby is not the same. One may have earlier development from the others.

For example, your friend's baby was able to start crawling when he was 8 months old, while yours could do it when she was seven and a half months.

On the other hand, the first baby started teething when he was 6 months old, whereas yours did it when she was 9 months.

So, you really need not to be anxious about your baby's development. She will reach the stage.

What you need to pay attention to is your baby's developmental milestone. This means she should be able to do certain things at particular ages.

It's best for you to make some notes on your baby's growth, such as writing all her new skills in an online diary. If you do not want to miss any of your baby's growths, writing the journal will be very exciting.

Adding up cute photos when new things happen will also be a wonderful endeavor. Later on, you'll thank yourself for keeping the memories online as you can see it anytime anywhere. Add up the joy by sharing the site to friends and families.

Now let's go back to the previous topic. If you're a first-time parent, you probably still have a little idea about your baby's development.

Below is a milestone you can use as your guideline. If your baby isn't on her track or doesn't reach many of the stages mentioned here, you may consult it with your baby's pediatrician.

Here are some of the milestones for 7 to 9-months-old baby:

1. Sitting upright without support 2. Crawling 3. Teething 4. Babbling 5. Passing things from hand to hand 6. Standing up by holding onto something 7. Waving hands 8. Clapping hands 9. Turning heads when someone calls her 10. Holding her bottles 11. Picking objects up with pincer (thumb-finger) grasp 12. Testing your responses to her behavior 13. Able to distinguish people she knows and strangers 14. Cruising while holding onto the wall or other furniture

The older your baby, the more skills she may have. If your baby is not able to do some of these things, don't worry too much. It does not mean a problem. She'll reach the phase in the perfect time, soon.

The Best Baby Shower Gift Ideas

In anticipation of the arrival of a new baby typically friend will have a baby shower for the expecting mother. This is a special celebration of motherhood that is typically held around three months before the baby is due. However now and days some people are even having baby showers after the baby is born. There are benefits either way.

It is customary for guests to bring some type of gift to the baby shower. These typically are something for the mother or baby. Picking these gifts can be a lot of fun for guests. It can be a real joy to think about the future baby and his/her mother and things they might like. Shopping for toys, diapers, bottles or other such baby items can be enjoyable.

However picking just the right gift can be difficult also. You want to find something that the mother too be or baby will use and something that they do not already have. This can pose a difficult problem. Here are some suggestions to picking the perfect baby shower gift.

Tip #1 Buy something practical -Things that the all babies use frequently can be very practical and ensure that what you buy is useful. Things like baby ointments, baby lotions, diapers, wipes, baby power, and other stuff. By placing these all in a cute basket it will scream baby shower gift! Buying a baby shower gift this way you can be sure that it will be put to good use. All babies need diapers and they go through them at an amazing rate. In fact this can be a huge expense for the new family. By buying useful objects like diapers, ointments and other functional products you will help defray some of the cost and the parents will think of you every time they change a diaper.

Tip #2 Buy something that is fun for the baby - Another fun tip and easy gift is to buy something that is fun for the baby like a toy. Today they have tons of great toys that vibrate, play music, and have colorful lights. These are all great toys and very helpful for the babies brain development. The more babbies explore and play the faster their brain connections develop. So not only will you be giving a fun gift you will be helping the child develop their brains. Things like swings, bouncy seats, high chairs, rockers or small soft play toys can all be great gift ideas.

Tip #3 Buy some clothes - This one can be a very fun gift. It is hard for anyone to resist the cute little clothes that babies wear. Just imagining those small feet, hands and body filling the tiny clothes can be a joy in itself. When buying clothes it is better to stay with pretty practical things to ensure that the baby will get to wear it a few times. Things that need to be dry-cleaned, ironed, or etc probably will not ever be worn by the bay because of the extra time and effort required by the mother to use these clothes. Also buying clothes in medium sizes or a variety of different sizes. Typically a family will get tons of clothes that are for newborns. That is what everyone like to buy as they imagine the baby. However to be unique and provide something that is useful at the same time buying clothes that are 3 to 6 or 6 to 9 months can be fun for the parents and make for a unique gift.

Tip #3 Buy something that is practical for mom - Buying gifts for the future mom can also be a lot of fun and very practical and something you can be sure they will use. Things like a diaper trashcan that keeps the smell of dirty diapers down, a sling to carry the baby, or a diaper bag can all be helpful. The mom to be has the hardest job of all. She will be getting up at all hours of the night to feed and comfort the baby along with being overwhelmed at having to take care of a brand new life. Giving some gift that can help make her life easier is often very appreciated.

Tip# 4 Buy something just for mom - Yes a baby shower is supposed to technically be for the baby. However moms are often nervous about the new life that will be coming to them and also can feel very exhausted from both the pregnancy and the delivery of a new baby. Buying a gift for her can be something that gives her a little boost. Things that will make mom's life a little easier are always appreciated. A gift certificate to a local mall so mom can get away for a break and do a little fun shopping is often very appreciated. Other options for mom might include gift certificates for food, especially from places that deliver will typically be used. Even cooking a dinner for the future parents can be incredibly helpful. Also to unwind a subscription to a magazine can be a nice gift for a mom.

By following these tips you can find a fun gift that will celebrate the mom to be and the baby that is on it's way into the family. This can be a very fun time and while shopping for such gifts can be difficult at times if you go early and think about the suggestions above and just have fun and find what you like the gift is sure to be something that the mother and baby will be happy to receive and use frequently.

Remember that a baby shower is a special time for the parents, mother and baby to be welcomed into the world. It is a great chance to boost the mother to be and prepare her for the hard work of being a mother. It is also a wonderful chance to celebrate the birth of a new life. Babies are so cute this can be a fun time for everyone. To ensure that you get the right baby shower gift take your time, relax and follow some of the suggestions above.

Breastfeeding My Baby, Where Do I Start?

Congratulations you have a new baby! Having a new baby is hard enough but when you choose to breastfeed you sometimes feel that you made this experience even harder. Breastfeeding is not as difficult as it looks or as you may have heard from others. It is actually pretty easy and a very fulfilling way to nourish your newborn once you get the hang of it. Remember as with most things practice makes perfect! Breastfeeding is new to you and to your little one but with a little practice you two will become pros in no time!

During the first week of your baby's life, your breasts will produce colostrum for your baby to drink. Colostrum is rich in antibodies and aids the baby's immune system. It also helps him pass his first bowel movement, which is called meconium. Meconium is black and tarry looking and is in the first few diapers after birth. Then he begins to transition to a brown substance and after your milk comes in, it becomes a yellow, mustardy stool that is loose and watery. Bottle-fed babies pass firmer, tannish stools than breastfed babies.

After 24-48 hours after birth, your baby will start having wet diapers that will increase to two or three a day.

Your technique and positioning is a very important factor in ensuring that your breastfeeding experience is a great one. There are a few different positions that can be used to make the experience more comfortable for you and baby. Some of these positions include:

• Laying down - Lay down on you side with pillows behind you to support your back. Lay baby facing you with her head on a pillow your breast should be level with baby's mouth. Bend your legs with a pillow between your knees and then have baby latch on.

• Sitting Up – Sit up either in bed or a comfortable chair or couch with pillows supporting your back and head. Place a pillow on your lap and put baby on top of the pillow in your arms, you can rest your arms on the pillow to make it easier to bring baby up to your breast. Bend your knees to make this even easier have baby latch on.

• The Clutch Hold – This is also known as the football hold. This position is also good when nursing twins as it allows mom to have a baby on each side. Sit down and tuck your baby under your arm almost like a handbag. Rest baby's head on a firm pillow on your lap. Ensure that baby's feet are behind your back. Your hand is at the back of baby's neck, not on baby's head. Your arm will extend down baby's back , guide baby to latch on

These are just a few of the positions that you can use there is also the cradle hold, clutch hold, and the transition position. Do some research to learn these other positions to nurse your baby if you find the above positions uncomfortable.

While your baby drinks colostrum and then milk, you should listen for a pattern of "suck, suck, suck, swallow." This pattern will be rhythmic and there should be no "clicking" noises. The "clicking" sound can indicate that your baby is not properly latched on and may not be getting enough milk from you. If you start to hear this, you need to unlatch him and then reattach him. If you continue to hear this sound after reattaching him several times, then you may want to consult a lactation consultant or your pediatrician.

After the first week of life, you should see 6-8 wet diapers each day and at least 3 bowel movements a day. His urine should be clear and he should become more alert with each passing day. Your baby should also be gaining weight and growing, as this is the surest way to tell that they are getting enough nutrition. If you have two days in a row that deviates from the above indicators, then you should call your pediatrician immediately.

Breastfeeding problems, such as milk production difficulties, are not as common when using the PDF feeding method, but they do occur. Even if you are well rested, eating healthy, have a pretty routine life, and your baby is growing and getting enough food, you still may experience a milk production issue. Many things can cause production problems. Here are just a few.

Some things that can affect your milk supply are:

• What mom eats • How much mom rests and sleeps • Her state of mind • The age of the mom • How many children you have • Your desire to breastfeed • Your nursing capabilities • Your nursing techniques • Baby's latch on abilities

If you choose to breastfeed, it is very important that you take your baby for their check-ups as needed. If you don't, how will you know if he is getting enough milk and growing at the correct rate? There is no way for you to tell that your child is getting enough nutrition for sure without your child being weighed.

Free Baby Shower Games- Laughter is all that Matters

Daunting is not the word to use when organising baby shower games because it really can prove to be fun for all involved with the planning. But if not going according to plan then daunting it can be. Shower parties are no ordinary gatherings they are a celebration where more detail and preparation is needed for everything to run smooth. The host of a baby shower plays a very important role when it comes to making decisions. So careful planning of all activities for on the day will definitely need a considerable amount of thought if perfection is to be achieved.

After planning the food menu/decorations and speeches it is time to think about what games to play. If this occasion is to be a happy joyous fun filled event with guaranteed laughter then a sure way of this happening is to choose the right baby shower party games. Not all guests participate in the games but the biggest majority do. Activities as such are relevant in livening up the occasion.

Shower ideas for games can be found freely on the internet and the good news is most are free, so definitely worth considering if on a budget. I stress not all free baby shower games is every ones cup of tea.

The downside to free games are the print outs are not quite as eye catching as the games you would find on the shelves down at your local store. At the end of the day it is a game and it is free.

It would be worth talking to the mother-to-be to see if she has any objection to using free baby shower games. Depending on your guests, unattractive print outs may not be an issue as long as the concept of the game produces fun and laughter. If impressing is first and foremost in your mind then stick with the professionally devised games because free baby shower games normally lack class materials. It is best you choose another option if you are out to impress.

What you have to remember is you only get what you pay for meaning, if you have found a shower game for free then do not be surprised if no artistic measures have been taken to make the presentation look good. If you decide that these type of games are not for your baby shower event then you will find a wide variety of good quality ones in the shops. Baby shower games dont have to look good to give of laughter to all those who participate as long as they disperse pleasure that is all that matters. Think back to your childhood days and the games you enjoyed playing that left you with memories of hilarious moments. Bring back those moments and share them with your guests. Play the fool if need be. If it gets laughs then do it.

Successful Breastfeeding - Prepare Yourself!

"I'm going to breastfeed", is a common refrain amongst pregnant women. But what many women don't do is to prepare for breastfeeding beforehand. They simply make the statement and then put it to the back of their minds. The next time the issue arises is often in the delivery suite when the new mum has just gone through the ordeal of childbirth.

When presented with her newborn, the new mum may be exhausted and the last thing she wants is to have anyone else poking at her. The result? All her good intentions to breastfeed become overshadowed when a bottle is produced and the exhausted mum is told that she can try to give a breastfeed later on in the day!

To stand the best chance of successfully breastfeeding, pregnant women need to prepare during their pregnancy. Successful breastfeeding results from careful planning. And the most important way to successfully breastfeed is to give the newborn baby a breastfeed within half an hour of her birth! Not later on!

Being committed to breastfeeding, but not placing too much pressure on oneself, can work wonders! If a new mum pressurises herself she is likely to end up feeling stressed and, as a result, will be more like to give up breastfeeding early. Having a new baby is stressful enough! By preparing to breastfeed whilst you are still pregnant, you will feel more relaxed about it when the baby is born.

The following will certainly aid you in your breastfeeding experience:

Join a Breastfeeding Support Group to chat to new and experienced breastfeeding mums. Ask questions about breastfeeding and enquire if you can watch some babies being offered the breast.

Observe how each baby is put on the breast.

Look at how different mums hold their babies. Getting the right position is essential to avoid early problems.

Also ask for advice about breastfeeding friendly shops and changing facilities!

Read books, magazines or online articles, to find out as much as you can about breastfeeding successfully.

Get measured for a nursing bra when you are around 38 weeks pregnant. Many baby stores now offer this service. Try a few different styles to find one that is comfortable. Also purchase a couple of night-time nursing bras.

Nursing pads are essential for absorbing leaks and avoiding embarrassing stains!

Nursing shells can be very useful on nights out, as they will catch leaks. Or you can use them during breastfeeding to collect milk from the breast not being used, storing the milk for later use.

Nipple Creams can help soothe sore nipples.

Front-opening or Nursing Nightdresses or Pyjamas can make it easier to breastfeed at night.

Loose- fitting tops can be comfortable during the day. Try layering so that your back is not exposed when you are feeding. Or use a poncho or wrap if you feel anxious about breastfeeding in front of other people.

A Breast-pump is a fantastic investment as it can be used to collect milk for bottle feeds, making up first solids or when you are away from the baby to prevent engorgement or ease mastitis. Ask other mums to recommend one they liked.

A V-shaped Cushion can make breastfeeding more comfortable as it offers good support for mums back. Or a Nursing Pillow can be used to raise the baby up to a more comfortable height for mum.

A Steriliser is a compact way to keep baby utensils and breast-pump attachments clean and sterile. Some mums find a Gliding chair very useful, particularly for night feeds.

If you are well prepared for breastfeeding there is no reason why you should not succeed.

Breast-milk is nature's diet for babies; perfectly balanced for a great start to life.

Why Unique baby shower gifts - Are Less Embarrassing

How unique is unique, well to be honest I am not sure but to give a gift with a difference then surely this is enough to say your donation is just that.

Unique baby shower gifts make the giving more pleasurable and less embarrassing in case of duplication. The receiving of a gift given with heartfelt emotion at a baby shower will make the occasion more unique than you could ever imagine from the eyes of the expectant mother.

Future parents who wait in anticipation for birth of their baby occupy their mind in other ways by joining in the fun at the baby shower party. Eat drink and be merry is just one of the top priorities to be fulfilled at joyous events like these but first and foremost is the opening of all the unique baby shower gifts.

By personalizing a gift you have guaranteed a way of ensuring uniqueness. Items like baby blankets, bibs, cuddly toys and baby burp cloths can be emblazoned with special logos, this can be of babys name or initials. Jewelry trinkets make fine donations if presented in presentation boxes personalized with engraved inscriptions thus making this gift unique. Jewelry can be put in a safe place till a later date if baby is not born at the time of the celebration.

The future mother and dad also like to receive gifts. Consider giving them items like diaper - nappy or pram bags, even an article of clothing like a sweat shirt embroidered with a motto. Favoured among many guests invited along to a baby shower party is give a gift basket. Baskets for mother and baby can be specially personalised where you choose what the content is to be. By selecting what the basket is to contain then you have just added a uniqueness to your basket therefore different from all others. Content fillers of a gift basket for the mom-to-be are gifts of maternity clothes etc. And for dad the most unique gift of all is the price of a pint to wet the babys head

Where do you go to find a unique baby gift - well, the first place to look is in your head for ideas. Be creative with your thoughts, then have someone make - build - bake what ever it is you have in mind. What will make your gift donation different from any other is the sheer fact that it was given by you