Baby and Mommy

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Article of the week teaser - Rhythm and Routine for Babies

Rhythm and Routine for Babies: The Importance of Finding Your Family’s Groove Before becoming parents you might have regarded routine as the opposite of joyful spontaneity, but once children enter our lives it transforms into something almost sacred. For adults, routine provides peace of mind, but for developing babies and children it is absolutely essential to healthy development.

Perhaps a more enticing and accurate term for “routine” though, is “rhythm”. Rhythm refers to fluid movement and progression, peaceful synchronization, that (with practice) becomes almost effortless, and that’s exactly what routine does for our children and us when we make it part of our lives.

Please read the rest of the article on the Expectant Mother’s Guide website.

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Article of the week teaser - Preparing For Birth – Childbirth Education Classes

Women have always prepared for birth according to their cultures and times. Historically, the pain which begins to build at the beginning of the birth process may itself have always served as a signal to a woman and her companions that the time to focus on moving through labor to the birth of her child is at hand. She must turn from other life activities to the important life-giving work of birth. A woman today should be able to give birth confidently, free to find comfort in a variety of ways, and supported by family and healthcare professionals who trust that she has within her the ability to give birth.

Read the rest on our Expectant Mother’s Guide website.

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Article of the week teaser - Infant Massage

Infant Massage: Speaking Your Baby’s First Language How would you like a massage every day of your life, given to you by someone you love and trust more than anyone else in the world? Would it make you a better person…a healthier and happier individual? Yes, in fact, it would, according to research at the University of Miami Medical Center. But for most people in the United States, this is no more than a fantasy. A daily massage…great idea, right, but who has the time? The money?

Read the full article on the Expectant Mother’s Guide website.

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Article of the week teaser - Designing a Non-Toxic Nursery

You spend your entire pregnancy taking care of your body for baby and eating right, the next step is to make their new environment healthy. Newborns spend a large portion of their early life in their nursery, so keeping it as healthy as possible is an important task. Designing a non-toxic nursery environment for your baby can help to reduce their exposure to harmful chemicals.

Read the rest of the article on the Expectant Mother’s Guide website.

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Article of the week teaser - Breast-Pumping & Proper Milk Storage

Congratulations! You’ve made it through those first few weeks with your newborn and he’s thriving on your breast milk. You’ve established your good milk supply during those important first two weeks by nursing your baby at least 8 to 12 times in 24 hours and sometimes even more often than that. You and your baby have gotten to know each other quite well as you’ve learned how to breastfeed together. Now your mind has turned to thoughts of you or someone else being able to offer your baby a bottle of your expressed breast milk.

Check out the rest of the article on our Expectant mother’s Guide website!

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Article of the week teaser - Maternity Shopping 101

Everything You Need to Know for Your First Trip Maternity Shopping

When do I need to start buying maternity clothes?

As soon as you start feeling uncomfortable in your normal clothes, it is time to go maternity shopping. Even though this time varies for each person, it is appropriate to start shopping after you have completed your first trimester. Many first-time moms choose to delay maternity shopping. However, it is important to purchase a few basic items at the beginning of your pregnancy such as pants and a few tops, so that you are comfortable and feel attractive. If you purchase quality maternity clothes, they should last throughout your entire pregnancy.

Read the full article on the Expectant Mother’s Guide website.

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Article of the week teaser - Breastfeeding Q & A

Breastfeeding : Answers to Common Questions

How can I get a good start on breastfeeding during my hospital stay?

Let the nursing staff know you want to breastfeed your baby immediately after birth, if possible, and request to room-in with your baby. In the first moments after birth, practice skin-to-skin care with your newborn right on your chest, both of you covered with a blanket for at least 30 minutes. This closeness comforts and warms your baby – and helps you get to know your baby’s early hunger cues. Immediate skin-to-skin contact after birth is shown to help a baby breastfeed well and often. If you have a cesarean delivery, ask to begin breastfeeding as soon as possible after birth.

read thew full article on the Expectant Mother’s Guide website today! 

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Article of the week teaser - Baby Registry Checklist

Newborn, Nursery and Baby Gear Essentials for Your Baby Registry Checklist

Newborn

Basic Layette

Baby Bodies – long sleeve (x6)

Baby Bodies – short sleeve (x6)

Footies (x5)

Baby Gowns (x4)

Crossover Tops (x4)

Socks (x7)

Soft Sole Shoes

Sleepwear & Swaddle

Blankets

Beanies/Caps (x4)

Bibs (x12+)

Receiving Blankets (x3)

See the full list on our Expectant Mother’s Guide website.

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Article of the week teaser - Baby-Friendly Hospitals & Breast Feeding

Breast Feeding: Protecting a Mother’s Feeding Choice

All pregnant mothers will come to a point in their pregnancy when they make the choice as to how they will choose to feed their infant after birth. All information available on the benefits of human milk for human infants is explored and weighed. The same is true for the choice of formulas, as to the benefits and risks. All feeding decisions are personal and so, a mother takes many variables into consideration, after which, she can then make an informed choice as to what is best her infant and her family.

Read the entire article on our Expectant Mother’s Guide website today!

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Article of the week teaser - Maternity Must-Haves: Top 5 Items

So, you’re pregnant, and you cringe at the idea of giving up your designer jeans and Prada bag for frumpy maternity pants with a belly panel the size of Texas and a Winnie the Pooh diaper bag. Don’t fear! There is very stylish and flattering maternity wear out there. In fact, you may not want to give up these great wardrobe pieces after you have the baby. There are so many styles these days that you can wear during and after pregnancy. The main thing to remember is to start your wardrobe with key pieces you can build from, just like your pre-pregnancy wardrobe. 

read the full article on our Expectant Mother’s Guide website. 

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Article of the week teaser - Preparing for Successful Breastfeeding

Many mothers are aware of the benefits of breastfeeding, but an expectant mother may question whether she will be able to share this experience with her baby. While breastfeeding is both natural and normal, it is a learned skill. Our ancestors acquired the knowledge to successfully breastfeed by observing mothers and babies in their communities. In today’s world, many new mothers do not have the advantage of living in multi-generational groups. Consequently, they may be less familiar with newborn care and the art of breastfeeding. Fortunately, today there are resources available to help new mothers gain the knowledge that will help them breastfeed with confidence.

Pregnancy is the ideal time to learn more about infants and breastfeeding, as well as to line up resources to contact once the baby arrives. Attending a breastfeeding class with your husband, partner, friend, or family member will teach you the basics of breastfeeding and prepare you to handle any challenges you may encounter with this new job. A good prenatal breastfeeding class will emphasize how to position your baby at the breast to ensure optimal comfort with breastfeeding. Classes should also provide local resources and let mothers know how and when to get help if they need it. A comprehensive class may also cover strategies for soothing your baby and techniques for managing household tasks and demands.

read the rest on the Expectant Mother’s Guide website.

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Article of the week teaser - Bonding During Pregnancy

A trip to the obstetrician is often filled with discussions about nutrition, weight gain, due dates, exercise and medical advice, but what is too often forgotten is a conversation about bonding with your unborn baby. A common belief of our society is that bonding begins at birth, but we now know that bonding truly begins during pregnancy.

What do you mean by bonding during pregnancy?

Researchers have shown that so much is happening inside the womb between mother and baby throughout those precious nine months. Beginning early in the pregnancy, natural rhythms and responses are developing constantly. Baby listens to mom and mom to baby, often even subconsciously. There is a communication system that unborn babies become familiar with, which often shows after birth by the responses of babies to their mother’s voice, touch, and even smell.

Read the entire article on our Expectant Mother’s Guide website.

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