During pregnancy, we must keep our eating patterns, what we eat will affect our own babies. Therefore we need to know the foods that are healthy and useful for our baby’s growth during gestation. A healthy pregnant women who will produce a healthy baby as well.

Pregnant women should be, “Do not eat the fish” A lot of women! not have all the facts related to the possible dangers of eating fish during pregnancy or who are safe to eat a certain amount of fish that cause damage to their babies.

The danger in eating fish comes from ingesting too much mercury during pregnancy. Some studies, including a recent one done in Korea, conclude that high levels of mercury in a woman’s blood stream during pregnancy can be transferred to her unborn baby through the umbilical cord, causing birth defects, and in some cases, premature birth. In fact, women with high levels of mercury found in the cord blood are 3-5 times more likely to deliver a baby prematurely, i.e. before the 37th week of pregnancy, than women without mercury in their cord blood.

However, many experts disagree if the warning about eating fish includes ALL fish, or if certain types of fish are okay to eat occasionally during pregnancy. Some believe that salmon and other small fish are okay to eat during pregnancy while all bigger fish like tuna, swordfish, mackerel and shark should be avoided. The study in Korea concluded that “woman who never had fish during pregnancy had 4.6 micrograms of mercury per 1 liter of blood, while the mercury level of women who consumed fish more than four times per week had an average mercury level of 8.3 micrograms” although it never stated what type of fish the women ate, or commented on what kinds were considered safe during pregnancy.

Mercury risk to pregnant women and their unborn babies can also be found in other places too. There are also dental procedures that involve the use of amalgams that can put an unborn baby at risk. A dental amalgam is a mixture of mercury, and an alloy of silver, tin and copper. Mercury makes up about 45-50 percent of the compound. Mercury is used to bind the metals together and to provide a strong, hard, and durable filling that is used to fill cavities in your teeth. Because of the high amount of mercury, it is suggested that you not get fillings during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary, and that if you have to get fillings, that you try to avoid getting more than three until after your baby is born.

Many people don’t realize it, but there is actually a large percentage of mercury in the air that we breathe in daily in many parts of the world. Air pollution makes it very hard to steer clear of mercury and more effort may be needed in staying away from all fish and avoiding the dentist’s office during pregnancy, Take as many precautions as you can when it comes to mercury, in order to have the healthiest pregnancy possible, and to help avoid a premature delivery of your baby

Create a Consistent Routine

Try to find a stable routine and stick with it. Putting baby down at the same time each night and waking him at the same time each morning can go a long way towards promoting night time sleep. A good routine can consist of a bath, feeding, a book and then some time in the rocking chair or a quick pat to help him relax.

Have Realistic Expectations of Your Baby

Try to be practical, and know the difference between how much sleep you’d like to have and how much your child is likely to sleep each night. Newborns can sleep around 15-19 hours per day, but they won’t do this all in one stretch. Their stomachs are small, so they still become hungry in the night until they are somewhere around six months. At this time, you will find that your baby is able to sleep longer without waking to eat.

Institute More Daytime Feedings

Try to feed your child more during the day. Even though your child will likely still wake during the night at least once, you can try to get him to eat more during the day so that most of his nutritional needs are met then, instead of during the night. This is especially true if your child’s daytime feedings are short or if he is easily distracted during this time.

Help Your Baby Relax Before Bedtime

Allow your child to unwind. As adults, we often cannot just hop into bed and fall fast asleep. We generally take some time to relax, read, watch tv or whatever else helps us wind down before we begin to fall asleep. Before baby’s bedtime, keep noise and activity to a minimum and create some comfort rituals for him like reading a book or singing a quiet song.

Don’t Be in a Rush

If you’re not allowing your baby to cry it out or learn to self-soothe, make sure you take the extra time needed to get your baby into deep sleep. The first fifteen to twenty minutes of baby’s sleep is actually rather light. You may find that after feeding and rocking him to sleep, he wakes just as you lay him down in his crib. This is because he wasn’t fully asleep. If you take the extra five or ten minutes to assure he is in a deep sleep mode, the difference in how much longer you both will be able to sleep could well be worth it.

Be Aware of Special Situations

Remember, too, that there will be times when your baby will wake up during the night, no matter what. Be aware during these times, especially if the change in his sleeping pattern is sudden. This may indicate he is going through a growth spurt and needs extra feedings, or it could be the first signs of an oncoming illness.

The first years of your child’s life instill habits that can last a lifetime. That’s why it’s so important to teach ways to “live lean” during this impressionable stage. Babies are naturally plump, of course — that adorable, pinchable layer of fat insulates your little one’s body from the elements and provides fuel for the “play first, eat later” toddler years. Most babies lose their chubbiness when they start to crawl and walk, but here are some guidelines to make sure your tot keeps the baby fat at bay — for life.

Of course, the very best thing you can do to help your child maintain a healthy weight is to set a good example. If you’re passionate about eating right and staying fit, your child will emulate your good habits. Remember, you have more influence over him in these first years of life than at any other time, so take advantage of this opportunity to give him the tools for a healthy lifestyle.

1. Breastfeed for as Long as Possible

Breastfed babies not only “lean out” sooner, they’re also less likely to become obese later in childhood. What’s more, the longer a baby breastfeeds, the better her chances of growing up at a healthy weight. That’s because breastfeeding teaches her not to overeat. When she feels full, she naturally slows down or stops nursing. This helps her identify her hunger signals and regulate the amount she eats at each meal, a habit she’s likely to carry into childhood.

Breastfeeding also keeps your baby from equating food with comfort. After he fills up on breast milk, he may continue to suckle, but in a slow way that gives very little milk. As a result, he learns to associate the good feelings that come from sucking with the warm sensation of being held in your arms, not with having a too-full tummy.

2. Learn to Read Your Baby When Feeding Him Formula

Without baby-to-breast contact, bottle-feeding may be less intuitive than breastfeeding, but you still can help your child develop healthy eating habits by following his feeding cues. Offer formula when he’s hungry, not according to a schedule — a young baby’s tummy is about the same size as his 
fist, which means he’ll do better with smaller, more frequent feedings. By the same token, let him decide when he’s full. There’s no need for him to finish the last ounce or half-ounce in the bottle if he’s not interested. If he’s simply crying for comfort, use music, massage or rocking instead of a bottle to soothe him.

Follow this pattern once she starts eating solids too — just because she’s eating table foods doesn’t mean she needs to clean her plate. Smaller, more frequent meals are perfectly fine for your growing baby. Allowing a child to stop eating when her hunger is satisfied teaches her to trust her eating cues, helping to prevent overeating from becoming a habit.

The thought of giving birth used to scare me, but now I can hardly contain my excitement! We had our five month scan a few weeks ago now, and ever since we were told that the baby is by all measures doing great, I have just been so excited! To be honest with you I actually think that I have been too excited if anything, and I really need to calm down! I am worried that I am going to give myself high blood pressure or something, or somehow harm the baby, because I am literally running round the house screaming with excitement every so often!

I decided that I would take some very light exercise classes and I am also going to classes to learn some breathing techniques. These are of course to aid with the birth of the child, but I think I am going to need to control my breathing long before I reach labour! I have always been an excitable person, but now is just not the time. Luckily for me my husband is a very calm person, and he knows just how to calm me down, he has had to do it for many years now!

Now that I am 25 weeks pregnant there is not too long to go, but it is still the small matter of about three months! I am going to have to breathe, stretch and sleep myself through the next three months!

With over 4 million births in the United States and between 128 and 138 million births in the world every year, the need arises for proper care during pregnancy. Here are some tips for taking care of yourself during your pregnancy.

Get Prenatal Care

The number one most important thing you can do to insure you have a healthy baby is to get prenatal care from a reputable doctor. Regular prenatal checkups can detect potential problems early, determine whether a c-section may be needed, determine the sex and just insure things are going smoothly. A prenatal checkup will generally include blood and urine tests to check for bacteria, blood sugar problems, high blood protein levels, iron levels and other typical complications of pregnancy. Your blood pressure and weight will also be checked. Ultrasounds may also be done to check the growth of the baby and its position in the womb.

Eating Right

In addition to prenatal care, it’s essential that you eat right. Balanced meals are crucial, as you are now feeding your baby, as well as yourself. A diet with plenty of whole grains, high quality proteins, fruits and vegetables and dairy is usually recommended for most expectant mothers. It is also recommended that you avoid some items like too much caffeine, artificial sweeteners and any raw or not fully cooked foods like eggs, fish or meat. Also not recommended are soft cheeses and unpasteurized dairy products as these can contain bacteria that could cause an infection. Some types of fish contain higher levels of mercury, which should be avoided, these fish include tuna, shark, swordfish and mackerel. Only two or three servings of fish are recommended for most pregnant women. Above all, drink plenty of fluids, especially water, during your pregnancy.

Vitamins & Supplements

In recent years, studies have found that the B vitamin, folic acid, helps to prevent birth defects when taken during pregnancy. Doctors recommend you take 400 mcg every day. Your doctor may also recommend a multivitamin formulated for pregnant women as well. Many women also take other vitamins and supplements during pregnancy, but be sure to let your doctor know what other supplements you’re taking. Consulting a nutritionist or naturopath can be beneficial and they can customize a supplement plan for your specific health needs.

Exercise

In general, most pregnant women can do the same types of exercises that they did while they weren’t pregnant. Though some types of weight lifting, very strenuous exercise, as well as certain yoga poses and pilates movements aren’t recommended for pregnant women. You should do your research to make sure you are doing safe exercises for your baby. Generally, swimming and walking are excellent, lower impact exercises for pregnant women and are therefore most recommended.

Dealing With Morning Sickness

Vomiting and nausea are the two most prevalent symptoms of morning sickness in pregnant women. Some ways to alleviate morning sickness include eating more small meals throughout the day instead of 3 larger ones and also eating less greasy or fatty foods.

Prevention Of Complications

Taking care of yourself from the moment you are pregnant can not only protect the health of yourself and your unborn baby, but it can also prevent post birth health complications, including postpartum depression. Postpartum can be prevented by getting proper physical and mental health care during pregnancy, but if after birth, you still come down with a level of postpartum depression, it can be dealt with by using medication or counseling, including an innovative online counseling method, called eCounseling. eCounseling provides effective counseling services by certified counselors, for treating postpartum depression right in your own home.

Remember to take care of yourself during pregnancy, since you’re not just taking care of yourself anymore, but also another living being.

Lydia Quinn writes for Tranquil Counseling, a leader in eCounseling services. Bringing professional counseling to you in your home. Offering effective, private treatment for postpartum depression and other mental health issues.

Taking care of your child’s teeth, even their first baby teeth, is key in preventing tooth decay. Parents are often amazed when asked if they are flossing and brushing their baby’s teeth, often responding with, “I didn’t know I was supposed too!” Brushing can begin with the gums or the first tooth and flossing should begin as soon as there are two adjacent teeth.

Brushing
There are products on the market that can make brushing your baby’s teeth and gums easier. These include baby tooth pastes, finger brushes, and little bitty tooth brushes. Chances are your baby will like the feel of the finger brush on their sensitive gums while they are teething. The finger brush is made of rubber and will have soft bristles on the end that will feel great in your baby’s mouth.

Starting early will help set precedence for your baby of brushing daily. If it is what they have been taught, and all they know, they will be more likely to do it on their own as they get older. Don’t hesitate to brush your baby’s teeth a couple of times a day.

To brush, either with a finger brush or a baby tooth brush you will use just a small amount of tooth paste and rub it up and down on your baby’s tooth. The same rules apply as when you brush your teeth.

Flossing
Flossing at an early age will establish a basis for good oral hygiene. It should be started when your baby has two teeth next to each other. Flossing can help prevent cavities which can become rampant. In very small children, this is often referred to as “bottle decay.”

When plaque is present it causes swelling, redness, and bleeding of the gum tissue known as gingivitis. As much as seventy percent of children have gingivitis. Consistent removal of plaque can cure gingivitis; however, chronic gingivitis can cause a breakdown of the structures supporting the teeth and become periodontal disease.

Remember, it is never too early to start teaching your baby about good dental health. Your baby will only have two set of teeth in his life. If you start early teaching him how to take care of his baby teeth, then he will have solid precedent to go by when his adult teeth start coming in and he is taking care of them on his own.