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Why Many Women Are Afraid Of Childbirth

Fear about childbirth stems from basically two  sources:

• Negative imagery in the media: Childbirth is often portrayed in movies or television shows in a chaotic light.  We’ve all seen those shows where a woman is frantic and screaming in pain while laying in the hospital bed.  Those images ingrain themselves in our subconscious, and we carry them with us, along with their unnecessary negativity.
• Negative birth stories you may have heard from friends: Like portrayals in the media, birth stories can have a lasting effect on our conscious and subconscious mind.  Hearing just one or two of these stories, without hearing positive ones to balance them out, can give women tunnel vision into thinking birth is difficult, painful and a generally rough experience.

How Fear Affects Your Childbirth Experience

Fear causes tension.  It may cause you to feel mental or physical tension.  Most often mental tension (or anxiety) causes physical tension, or muscle tension.  So, if you have built up a fear about childbirth, your body is likely to be in a tense state when either thinking about, preparing for or actually giving birth.

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Why Tension In Childbirth Is Really Bad

That tension during labor actually causes pain.  Remember, a woman’s uterus is  a muscle.  Excessive tension on that muscle will cause resistance to its natural functioning, cause fatigue and cause pain.  In other words:

Fear = Tension = Pain

Unlearn, Don’t Over-think and Let Your Body Do Its Thing

Remember, although birthing in a hospital is common, childbirth is not a medical condition.  You can do it all by yourself.  Now, I’m not recommending you do that per se.  However, if you can learn to get out of your body’s way, by reducing fear and relaxing, you can:

• Reduce and even eliminate pain.
• Reduce the amount of labor time.
• Birth more comfortably.
• Have an overall easier and more peaceful (rather than chaotic) birth experience.

That isn’t to say that you can control every detail of your birth.  On the contrary, you need to let things happen as they may, but prepare beforehand.  How?

• Eliminate those causes of fear regarding childbirth.
• Learn relaxation techniques.
• Hypnosis for childbirth has been proven effective in many studies.  Try a free hypnobirthing mp3 to deeply relax and take an easy step to a more comfortable birth.
• You may even want to try a full hypnosis birth program, such as Hypnobabies, HypnoBirthing or the Birth Relaxation Kit.

Those are the basics.  You are on your way to fear free birth!

What Is A Baby Bouncer?

A baby bouncer is a semi-reclined seat that a baby fits snuggly into.  The seat sits atop a frame that provides motion, most often using battery power.  Most battery-operated bouncers have a built in unit for vibration that allows you to adjust the speed.

Why Babies Find Them Soothing

Babies find bouncers, swings and being rocked in-arms very soothing probably because the motion is similar to when they were in the womb, where they spent about 9 months.  The womb is a place of warmth and comfort, where there was almost constant motion, and they were floating in amniotic fluid.  So, babies love the motion of bouncers.

Types Of Bouncers

Framed Bouncers framed baby bouncers have flexible frames that rock bath and forth simply by the shifting of a baby’s weight.  These types of baby bouncers are available in a wide variety of colors, patterns and styles, with a wide selection of extra features.

Vibrating Bouncers. As mentioned, there are battery-operated bouncers that vibrate.  Battery operated baby bouncers provide a consistent rocking motion.  This is really helpful for babies  who like or want that constant rocking motion.

There are also portable bouncers that fold up for travel.  These are often convertible, meaning they can be a bouncer or a bassinet.

Convertible Bouncers also can grow with your child, which certainly gives you more bang for your buck.

Convenient Not Just For Babies, But For Parents

Yes, a comforted baby is a happy baby.  A happy baby makes for happy parents.  So, devices like bouncers can give a parent peace when they may otherwise have a fussy baby.  The vibration of bouncers is most helpful for this.

Of course, giving your baby as much in-arms attention as possible is better than any device–bouncers, swings, entertainers, play centers alike.  Carriers are great for keeping baby close.  However, there are times when your arms simply need a break (and so does your back!).  So, this is another point of convenience for bouncers: Parents can be hands-free while baby is happy and soothed.

Safety Tips

• Always use the straps to secure your baby in the bouncer.  Once your baby learns how to turn over, they can easily flip right out of bouncers and swings and beds.
• Do not place your baby in the bouncer and leave the bouncer atop a high surface, such as a table or chair.  Serious injury can occur.
• Never leave your baby unattended in a bouncer.
• Check all parts and assembly of the bouncer before using it, especially if you buy it second hand.
• For added stability, get a wide-base.

Products

• BABYBJÖRN BabySitter

• Safety First Nature Sound Bouncer
• Bright Starts Comfort and Harmony Cradling Bouncer
• Graco Soothe and Swaddle

What is The Bumbo?

Made By Wartburg Enterprises, the Bumbo is a single-piece seat made of a low-density foam.  It’s a deep seat, with a high back and sides.   There are leg holes, which fit to a baby’s size, and also a front support so the baby won’t fall out.

The Bumbo essentially has infants sitting in an upright posture before they are physically capable of doing so themselves.  It is important to note that the Bumbo should definitely not be used if a baby cannot hold his/her head up.

Convenient Device

Like baby swings, bouncers, strollers and baby carriers, the Bumbo baby seat is convenient for parents.  Parents can put their infant who cannot sit upright on their own, in the baby seat, in a sitting position, fully supported.  Parents are then free do do what they may, while baby is happily sitting.  The Bumbo Baby Sitter Tray provides a surface baby can play on or eat off of.  This is both convenient for parents, and useful for baby.  The baby also gets used to sitting.  They can feel what it’s like.

Just Use It Responsibly

One area you need to used discretion is overuse. This idea goes with most devices, like jumpers and walkers.  The problem with these devices when overused, is that they are very much acting like a “crutch.”  Think of these devices as training wheels.  They give the baby the sense of the motion or activity.  But until the wheels are off, a child won’t know what it’s really like to bike.  With the Bumbo, a child may actually learn to depend on the seat, rather than developing their own ability to sit upright.  This may cause delays in that ability.  It is recommended that you do not overuse the Bumbo, and don’t have baby sit in it more than 15-20 minutes at a time.

It is important that parents use this device responsibly.  There have been many negligent parents who put the baby in the seat, and put the seat up on a table or a chair.  Horrible injuries have resulted from this sort of negligence.  There was even a Bumbo recall.  However, problems of negligence are not with the makers of the device, but with the parents using the device.

Conclusion

Used responsibly and properly, the Bumbo can be a helpful little device.  It comes in a bunch of different colors.  It’s also lightweight and easily carried from place to place.

Bumbo baby sitter seat

Certainly, parenting is and should be a hands-on experience.  It is best for baby, and the bond between parent and baby, to have your child in-arms whenever possible.  However, using alternative devices like the the Bumbo baby seat, baby swings and bouncers will certainly give your arms a rest from time to time.  This article will explain the importance of in-arms, attachment parenting, but will also give details about some of the hands-free devices you can rely on from time to time.

Why In-Arms

Things like co-sleeping, skin-to-skin contact, and keeping baby in-arms rather than in strollers, seats, swings and cribs, is the best way to give your baby security.  This type of attachment parenting fosters a strong bond between parent and child.  Especially in the early months (the first three months are often called the fourth trimester”), your baby needs to be close to mom or dad often.  It may sound counter-intuitive, but keeping your baby close actually fosters more independence. Keeping baby in arms gives them the warmth and security that they need to feel comfortable exploring independently, when they are ready.

Baby Carriers

Baby carriers, baby slings and baby wraps are a fantastic way to keep baby close, warm and secure, while leaving the parent hands free.  My 11 months old gets so excited every time I pull out my Ergo Baby Carrier so we can go out for a walk.  In fact, we have ditched our stroller altogether.

Using a carrier, sling or wrap, you can do work around the house, go for a walk with no extra equipment (stroller), carry several bags, and do all sorts of things.  Not only is this convenient for parents, but babies are right in the action.  They learn and observe very close to the parents’ eye level.  This is a fantastic way for babies to learn, and very different from the view they get from a stroller.

I suggest getting a carrier, like the Ergo, and a wrap, like a Moby Wrap or Girasol Wrap.  That way you have different alternatives.  For example, you cannot wear the baby facing out with the Ergo, but you can with the wraps.  The wraps give a lot of flexibility, as you can learn different ways to wear baby.  As baby gets older, you may for certain wraps styles better for your back.  The Ergo provides a great deal of back support as well.

When You Need To Give Your Back And Arms  A Break

Sometimes you need a break, even from the carrier or wrap.  This is when devices like the Bumbo baby sitter, swings, and baby bouncers come into play.  Each of these has their moments.

Bumbo

The Bumbo is a single-piece seat made of a low-density foam.  It’s a deep seat, with a high back and sides.   There are leg holes, which fit to a baby’s size, and also a front support so the baby won’t fall out.  The bumbo baby seat provides a way for your infant to sit up right before they are physically capable of doing so themselves.  This way, you can be hands free, and your baby can conveniently sit up and get used to a new position.

Be Careful: While the Bumbo is convenient, over-use is not good for your baby’s ability to develop an independent sitting posture.  If used for about more than 15 minutes, and if used to frequently, your baby may learn to depend on that support, rather than using his/her own muscles to develop the skills to sit up right.  Basically, it may delay that ability.

Also, never leave your baby unattended in the Bumbo, or set them atop a table or chair.  There was a Bumbo baby seat recall as a result of negligent parents leaving their kids unattended in the seat, or atop a high-up surface.  The name Bumbo Babysitter is misleading.  Be responsible!

Baby Bouncers

Baby bouncers are a good hands-free device that rocks baby to sleep.  A baby bouncer, not to be confused with a baby bouncer jumper,  is basically a seat that baby gets strapped into.  The seat is attached to a motorized (battery operated) frame that provides vibration and bouncing movement to soothe.  As you probably know, the baby experiences gentle rocking and swaying in the womb.  It’s no wonder they like things like baby bouncers and swings to soothe them and help them to sleep.

You’ll have to do a little searching to find the best baby bouncer.  You can try something like the Safety First Baby Bouncer.  I do suggest you go for something non-synthetic if you can afford it.  The less off-gassing materials your baby has to breathe, the stronger their immune system and overall health.

Baby Swings

Baby swings are another handy (or hands free!) device to help soothe baby to sleep.  We found our swing very useful.  Again, it is a motorized device with different speeds.

Suggestion: Don’t use any ONE device to help baby to sleep. If your baby gets used to going to sleep in the swing all the time, or the baby bouncer, or even the car (on those days or nights when nothing else seems to work!), they may have more trouble learning to self-soothe eventually.  However, relying on such devices from time to time should offer some relief to you when you need a break, or your baby is super fussy.

Conclusion

In summary, I encourage parents to not be so dependent on devices.  Such things dilute the attachment and bonding with children.  Books like The Continuum Concept, by Jane Leidoff, highlight the notion that strong attachment and in-arms early parenting will set the stage for your child for years to come on many levels.  However, certainly feel comfortable keeping a baby device or two around to give yourself a break from time to time.

So Many Great Choices – Not just One

There have been so many improvements in cloth diapers over the years.
Just know that using there are so many great options.  Don’t feel like there is one choice out there that is the best.  Different babies, sizes and situations call for different types of diapers.

How Many Should You Get To Start?

There are two points I need to tell you about those early diapering days.  The first is that newborns can go through up to 12 diapers a day. The second is that new parents are easily overwhelmed and exhausted, so don’t force your self to do laundry every day (or twice a day!) by not having enough supply.  I typically figure 2-3 days between loads.

So, I would suggest between 2 and 3 dozen diapers to start, but you may need less if your are trying elimination communication (EC).
I would suggest  getting 2-3 dozen prefold cloth diapers, and only need 6-8 covers.  The covers can get through a bunch of pees before getting damp or giving off odors.  So, you can get away with less of them.  If you are getting pocket diapers, the same thing goes: get about 8 covers and 2 dozen or so inserts.

What Kind Of Diapers?

A lot of parents are big fans of prefolds with a couple of different kinds of covers.   I agree that this is the way to go.  We also chose organic cotton ones.  I highly recommend organic diapers and organic newborn baby clothes.  Anything touching or penetrating your baby’s skin should ideally be natural.  On a side note, you should strongly consider baby organic shampoo and body wash.
Prefolds are pretty much the least expensive type of diaper system.  For diaper covers:

• Little Beetle Little To Big Wool are fantastic.  Though pricey, they are durable, and in theory could get your from newborn to potty trained.  Wool diaper covers are, in my opinion, one of the greatest natural fibers for diaper covers.
• Imse Vimse also makes great wool covers.  Also pricey, but a great product.
• Synthetic/waterproof covers are a great choice, and often the most protective from leaks.  Try Bummies, or Thirsties.  We had both.  The Thirsties were great for the early newborn stage.  The Bummies we used in the late newborn stage.  We liked the Bummies for night time.

Although I think prefolds are best in those early days, pocket diapers are also great.  But we really switched over to those after about 6 months.  Check out Fuzzibunz and BumGenius.  These are the best pocket diapers in my opinion.

If you are having trouble deciding, why not try a sample package. For about $60 you get 2 unbleached prefolds, 1 unbleached prefold, a fitted diaper, a waterproof diaper cover, an all-in-one diaper, and a pocket diaper.

What Size Should I Get

When you look at most brands they will have a newborn size.  For example, the Cloth-Eez organic cotton prefolds I mentioned ealier have a newborn size, shown by the orange color trim.  Pocket diapers have newborn and even preemie sizes.

Other Accessories

Here is a list of must-haves:

• cloth wipes
• doublers for night time (this is an extra absorptive layer)
• Diaper liners for night time (usually a fleece or microfiber fabric that “wicks” away moisture, keeping your baby feeling dry).
• natural wipe spray
• Calendula diaper cream
• 2 diaper pail liners (use the second when you’re washing the first)
• diaper bag

I wish you much luck on narrowing down your decisions.  I hope this run-down of tips has been helpful to you.

Do you know what type of channel range or frequencies you require?

Because other surrounding devices from other apartments or homes close by can interfere with your device, you will want to choose one which comes with a wide range of frequencies so that there will not be any interference. It’s absolutely critical that you adapt a system which can work on different frequencies, because the last thing you need is to be picking up the frequencies from another person’s baby monitor or device, instead of the sounds from your own baby. Take the time to gather information. A good source of information about quality products is Consumer Reports, which rates everything. These sites or magazines can be extremely useful, as they rate the top brands of every type of product, including monitors, and compare them in a detailed manner. With these type of reviews you can find out what brands truly represent the best value and which are overpriced or poor quality. If you really want to learn which products have the best performance record and give you the most value, these are types of reviews you should study. This is one of the few places where you can find truly objective information about products being sold. Many positive reviews you read online are on the company’s site; these may only be giving you one side of the story. You should also look into this info on boys wetting the bed.

How much battery life do you need? Consider the kind of battery life that is required for your family. There are monitoring systems which have the rechargeable battery option equipped with a charging station, and there are systems which allow you to plug the receiver into an outlet overnight for backup protection, but once again, it all depends on the type of battery life you want. In the end, you need to narrow down your choices so that you can choose a baby monitor which will work effectively in your home and one which will also monitor your baby effectively. When you are figuring out whether or not to buy it, you should be considering things like the shape/size, cost, frequency, battery life and other aspects because there are important aspects. Taking your time in the end to really assess what kinds of features and aspects you want your system to have is important so that you can come to a clear decision before you finally choose. And last but not least, be sure to review this information on bedwetting tips.

When you are looking for a baby video monitor , you’ll need to make sure the product you’re thinking about is interference free. This way, you won’t need to bother about interferance, and you’ll be able to clearly hear if the baby is crying and requires you. It is proberbly best to stear faraway from the older analoge type of monitor, instead, make sure you are only searching for the more recent digital kind video baby monitors, as these reportedly get far less interfearance. If you have other devices in the house that operate on 900MHz rate, such as a radio or cordless telephone, a digital monitor is definitely best.

It’s also very important to make certain that your baby video monitor can be charged more than one way. This way, the device will always be working. There are a number of baby monitors from manufacturers like Fisher Price that may be charged with a laptop USB port as well as a conventional electric outlet, and you can find very reasonable prices on these kinds of monitors generally.

As well as choosing the best baby video monitor for your baby, you can also look for some video cameras and devices that you can set up in your house when you are not there. If your youngster is at home with the nanny or baby sitter, and you would like to make sure that your baby is safe and sound, you will be able to access camera footage through your laptop or computer or cellular device.

If you are not sure where to visit to obtain a video baby monitor, you can take a look at some on-line resources that will help you to narrow down your options. For example, whenever you locate a baby monitor you want on Amazon.com, you can obtain a url to the brand’s web site, as well as in depth evaluations that will tell you the advantages and disadvantages of each and every item. A illustrative picture will show you just how the monitor will look when it arrives in the mailbox, and you’ll find all of the retailers that are supplying the product at affordable prices. You can also find video infant monitor choices if you visit sites like Bizrate.com, where brands such as Burley are featured. The site will demonstrate how much money you can save by internet shopping, and you can get some other fantastic supplies for baby as well.

To give this baby the best environment possible, it’s essential that you eat well during your entire pregnancy.  For many the first three months are the most challenging in terms of maintaining a healthy eating plan, due to morning sickness and certain food aversions.  If you find yourself not suffering from any morning sickness symptoms, then you are definitely one of the lucky ones, and can begin your healthy eating plan right from the beginning.

When you are eating healthy, you are only going to be benefitting your baby.    A diet of junk food is not going to help your baby with bone development and organ formation.  Have a diet that consisits of chips, chocolates and lollies will not give your baby the tools it needs for brain development.  Your baby and your body need calcium and vitamins to achieve all of this.

Having a good eating plan during your pregnancy will give your baby the right tools for when they start eating solids.   As your pregnancy extends into the later months, you will find that everything you eat, passes into the placenta and into the baby’s amniotic fluid.    Babies swallow this fluid and their taste buds are so develop that even in the womb they are able to taste the flavors.  Some doctors believe that babies that are exposed to a large selection of fruits and vegetables while still in utero, will be less likely be fussy eaters later in life.   They believe that these are the babies who will eat their fruit and vegetables without putting up any fight.

Many doctors believe that pregnant women who consume milk during their pregnancy, will have a much easier time weaning their babies off formula or breast milk onto regular milk later on.   However, this is only one benefit, the other great benefit of consuming milk during your pregnancy is the calcium that your baby gets for their bone development.  Many doctors will suggest that you drink at least one eight oz glass of milk per day, preferably fat free.  Calcium is essential for your baby’s bones and teeth, although you will only see them when they become a few months old.

This isn’t to say that you have to stay away from all sweets all the time.  You can certainly indulge in them every now and again.  You may find that you experience cravings, that require you to indulge a bit more regularly.  You do have to keep it in moderation.  Being pregnant should not be looked at as an excuse to eat whatever you want for nine months.  Both you and your baby could pay a dear price.

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Unfortunately the hormonal changes that you go through in pregnancy also make you a prime candidate for a Candida attack, so lets talk for a bit about yeast infection and pregnancy. (Baby is fully protected against your infection until they are born – so that is something at least!)

Yeast infection and pregnancy commonly clash for a variety of reasons;

Yeast Infection and Pregnancy Catch 1; Hormones
Normally all the bacteria and fungi within us play nicely and are an important part of our defense. With pregnancy there is a massive surge of hormones which throws your entire defense force into overdrive. This in turn creates an imbalance which the Candida take full advantage of.

Yeast Infection and Pregnancy Catch 2 – Lower Immunity
Your body instinctively programs the immune system to give your growing bub first priority This sounds freaky, but is actually entirely normal but it does explain why you are more susceptible to a Candida infection while being pregnant.

Yeast Infection and Pregnancy Catch 3 – Foods you may crave
I know that you are probably being very conscious of your diet right now, but what are you really wanting to eat? If it is loads of sugar, refined carbohydrates or even moldy cheeses then it may be that Candida is sending you those craving signals so just be alert!!

Yeast infection and Pregnancy Catch 4 – Tension
Stress is really common at these times. Stress during pregnancy can come from so many angles, from the massive physical changes, to the emotional concerns, to the practical upheaval to your life that having a new baby will be and everything that goes on in between!

Yeast Infection and Pregnancy Catch 5 – The Birthing Process
Most of you will have uncomplicated deliveries, some will need medical intervention and some will need c-sections. All are OK and all have their own risks. No matter how you end up giving birth this and the following few days are the prime time for Candida to take hold, so be prepared and take precautions.

Yeast Infection and Pregnancy – Treatment Options
There are a couple of things to do once you think that you may have the symptoms of a yeast infection.

1) Tell your midwife or medical professional about your symptoms, they can then run tests to confirm a Candida infection and to rule out any bacterial infection.

2) If it is confirmed that you have Candida, then look at using nautral remedies to treat it.

3) Make sure that you do treat your infection. You do not run the risk of passing it to your baby or of it becoming systemic.

Many pharmaceuticals are not recommended during pregnancy making your yeast infection and pregnancy treatment options very limited, so now is a great time to look at some natural remedies. Click here for a selection of great yeast infection natural remedies that are safe and super effective. (Psst – Some have even been known to start working in just 12 hours!)

The tandem style simply means that the seats are aligned in a straight line, one right after the other. Many times the back seat will be somewhat elevated so the child in the back can get a decent view. There are a couple of baby strollers that are quite flexible in that you can alter the configuration to have the seats facing each other or both facing back, in addition to the usual front facing setup. This is a lot different from the side by side layout where the babies will sit directly next to each other. Both of these types have their advantages and disadvantages so you need to seriously consider your needs prior to deciding.

If You Need A Jogging Stroller Your Choices Are Limited

If you’re an active person and need a jogging style stroller you’ll have more choices with a side by side layout than a tandem. The majority of double jogging strollers are side by side but you can locate a couple of tandems if you spend enough time searching. Reading online reviews can also send you in the right direction prior to deciding which one to buy. You can find indepth specifications on such brands as the Joovy Caboose tandem stroller or the popular Kolcraft Contours Options to name a couple. The more time you spend researching the better your chances are of buying the best stroller for your family’s needs.

There are several popular baby product manufacturers that currently build tandem triple and double strollers including Graco, Kolcraft, Baby Trend, Peg Perego, and Joovy. These companies represent the highest rated but there are in actuality several more. You’ll find new and innovative options being brought into the marketplace on an ongoing basis. If you have more than one baby then you owe it to your family to locate the right stroller, whether it is a tandem or side by side, for their needs. Those trips out of your home will be much more enjoyable for everybody.