3 Must Reads This Weekend

Posted on May 29, 2015 by llpitlwp

3 Must Reads this Weekend

Secondary Drowning and How You Can Save Your Child

There is nothing like a summer weekend for family fun times. Water safety is something we should all be aware of especially during this time of the year.

Water is fun but it can also be dangerous. If your child falls in or has a water incident and displays any of these signs it could be secondary drowning which can happen in even 1/2 inch of water.

child is not acting like himself
he is lethargic
he is coughing even after the event is over
his lips changed color
he has a change in his breathing

These can be a sign that he has water in his lungs and needs immediate medical help. Call 911 immediately.

Click the following link for a video on CPR for children.

Source: What Is Secondary Drowning And How Can You Prevent It :: YummyMummyClub.ca

Flying with Baby

Traveling with baby on a weekend getaway can be trying at best. Here are a few tips that just might help you as you get ready to board a plane with your little one.

Crying At High Altitudes-This is stressful for you more than other passengers even when they give you dirty looks. Sucking on a pacifier, nursing or feeding your baby a bottle might ease the pressure on his ears.
Ear pain– Again this is experienced by some babies and not others. If your baby has a cold and you are going to travel you might want to have your pediatrician take a quick peek at his ears to make sure he does not have an infection.
Noise level- The decibel level in the plane may be upsetting to your baby, using small pieces of cotton to cover your baby’s ears may help him fall asleep through the noise.
Flying with Baby – HealthyChildren.org

9 Signs of Mean Girl Behavior Warnings

No one wants their daughter to be a “mean” girl. Here are some 9 signs that might be the beginning of trouble.

She is bossy
She is always making threats
She forms clubs to exclude other kids
Click the link to read the rest: Is Your Daughter a Mean Girl

Happy Weekend from ParentingintheLoop!

Pregnancy at 25 weeks

Posted on May 28, 2015 by llpitlwp

Pregnancy at 25 Weeks

Your baby is now about 13 1/2 inches long and weights approximately 1 1/2 pounds. He now has some baby fat on him and is starting to look more like a newborn. He has more hair with color and texture.

Your life at 25 Weeks Gestation

You may be finding it harder to get around at this point in your pregnancy. So be more careful when you are exercising and don’t work out when you are too tired, or have any pain. Your balance may be a little off and you definitely do not want to fall.
Do not lie flat on your back as the weight of your uterus impedes the flow of major blood vessels which can make you lightheaded and dizzy.
Drink plenty of water while you exercise.
Your hair will be thicker now…due to hormonal changes so enjoy your nice locks because you will lose the extra hair after delivery.
You will be having a glucose screening between 24-28 weeks.
Baby names should no be on your schedule too. Make this a fun time for you and your significant other.

“To ease constipation, add oat or wheat bran to anything you can think of — cereal, yogurt, smoothies, or even spaghetti sauce.”

Third Trimester of Pregnancy is Coming Up:

You will see your practitioner every two weeks during weeks 28-36 and then it will become weekly.
Your practitioner will be checking on you physically and emotionally. Physically, he will ask you about contractions, vaginal discharge, bleeding or headaches. Make sure to mention if you are anxious or depressed.
There will be questions about your baby’s movements. If you baby becomes less active you will be instructed to call your caregiver. You may be asked to start counting your baby’s movements for a set period each day.
Weighing-in at each appointment is important as is checking your urine for sugar and protein a sign of preeclampsia.
Your blood pressure will be monitored as well as any swelling of your ankles, hands and face.
Baby’s heartbeat will be monitored also. Your abdomen will be measured too, which is a way to estimate the size of your baby.

Usually you will not have an internal exam until maybe the last four weeks. Your caregiver will probably discuss the signs of early or preterm labor as you get closer to your due date. He/she will also discuss signs of preeclampsia.

You should make a list of questions for your caregiver.
You might want to discuss circumcision and feeding of your baby.

Here are a list of tests coming up for some of you.

Hemocrit/hemoglobin, which tests for anemia
Glucose screening will be done and a Glucose Tolerance Test will be ordered if you screening is abnormal.
Rh antibody screening will be repeated if you are Rh-negative. If you are Rh-neg you will receive an injection of Rhogam (Rh immune globulin) at 28 weeks. This will protect you from developing anti-bodies, which would pose a risk to future babies or even to this child. If you and the father of the baby are both Rh-negative then your baby will also be Rh-negative and you will not need Rhogam.
If you are at risk, now is the time to check again for any STDs including HIV.
Biophysical profiles and non stress tests which check on your baby will be done if you have any complications.

Group B strep test: Between 35 and 37 weeks, you’ll be checked for group B streptococci (GBS) in your vagina and rectum. You won’t be treated right away if the cultures are positive, because early treatment is no guarantee that the bacteria won’t return. Instead, you’ll be treated with IV antibiotics when you’re in labor. (If you’ve previously given birth to a baby who had GBS, you can skip this test because you’ll be given antibiotics in labor no matter what.)

Taking care of yourself and significant other:

Take time for you and your significant other at this time of pregnancy. The next weeks will seem to take forever but they will actually speed by and before you know it, you will have your baby in your arms. So enjoy your time together before the arrival of your child.

Source: | BabyCenter

Exercises during Pregnancy are Good

Posted on May 26, 2015 by llpitlwp

Exercises during Pregnancy

During pregnancy exercise remains important. Although your labor progression cannot be predicted it is known that a few exercises can help you prepare your body.

There are four specific exercises during pregnancy that exceptionally good.

Kegels
Pelvic Tilt
Squat
Tailor or Cobbler Pose

Remember to start slowly and work at your own level for each exercise.

Kegels

These simple exercises are small internal contractions of the pelvic floor muscles. The muscles in the pelvic are support the urethra, bladder, uterus and rectum. These exercises can also help to keep hemorrhoids from inflammation. It may even speed healing after a vaginal delivery. It may even shorten the pushing stage of your labor.

Tighten the muscles around your vagina as if trying to interrupt the flow of urine when going to the bathroom.

Hold for a count of four, then release. Repeat ten times. Try to work up to three or four sets about three times a day.

Pelvic tilt or angry cat

This is a one of the great exercises during pregnancy to strengthen your abdominal muscles and can ease back pain during pregnancy and labor.

Get down on your hands and knees, arms shoulder-width apart and knees hip-width apart, keeping your arms straight but not locking the elbows.
As you breathe in, tighten your abdominal muscles and tuck your buttocks under and round your back.
Relax your back into a neutral position as you breathe out.
Repeat at your own pace, following the rhythm of your breath.

Squat

Squatting is an exercise long known for helping to prepare for labor and delivery. It helps to strengthen you thighs and open your pelvis.

Stand facing the back of a chair with your feet slightly more than hip-width apart, toes pointed outward. Hold the back of the chair for support.
Contract your abdominal muscles, lift your chest, and relax your shoulders. Then lower your tailbone toward the floor as though you were sitting down on a chair. Find your balance — most of your weight should be toward your heels.
Take a deep breath in and then exhale, pushing into your legs to rise to a standing position.

Tailor or Cobbler Pose

This exercise can also help to open you pelvis and loosen your hip joints in preparation for childbirth. It helps with posture and easing lower back pain.

Sit up straight against a wall with the soles of your feet touching each other (sit on a folded towel if that’s more comfortable for you).

Gently press your knees down and away from each other, but don’t force them.
Stay in this position for as long as you’re comfortable.

Exercises during pregnancy can help you feel better not only during your pregnancy, but during labor and delivery and postpartum.

If it okay with your doctor or caregiver do exercise you should give these a try.

Source: Four exercises to ease aches and help with labor | BabyCenter

Family Summer Safety

Posted on May 24, 2015 by llpitlwp

Summer Safety

Safety is a concern for your family during these months when you are having picnics and may be around water. Children pose specific safety concerns at this time of year.

Here are some suggestions:

Sandy Fun

Summer Food Safety:

Cleanliness: Handwashing is most important and then keeping surfaces clean when you are preparing food so you do not cross contaminate any of the foods. Always thoroughly wash fresh fruits and vegetables.
Cooking: Make sure foods are cooked thoroughly and to the proper temperature so that bacteria and germs are destroyed. Allow food to rest for the recommended time so that the internal temperature of the food continues to destroy germs.
Chilling: Did you know that a room temperature bacteria can double in your food every 20 minutes? Refrigeration kills bacteria so keep foods at cold temperatures so that you do not get sick.

Outdoors:

Sunscreen is something everyone should use especially women who are pregnant as their skin is more sensitive to the sun. Sun exposure increases your risk of skin cancer and will age your skin prematurely.

A baby burns more easily than older children because their skin is thin. Sun safety is so important especially for babies younger than 6 months.

Sun Safety:

Stay out of the sun between 10a.m. and 4p.m. when the sunlight is strongest. Babies that are younger than 6 months should avoid the sun altogether.
Wear your hat with a brim along with your UV protection sunglasses.
Wear lightweight clothes that cover arms and legs.

A Day at the Beach…Martha’s Vineyard

Summer Water Safety:

• Never leave your children alone around water. Babies can drown in as little as one inch of water.
• Don’t be distracted when watching your children at the pool or beach. Make sure someone is always watching them and do not rely on family members unless they are specifically designated to watch your children at a given time.
• Use a proper fitting Coast Guard approved life vest for children under 5 years old
• Learn CPR.

Here’s to a safe summer!

Source: News Moms Need »

Tags: CPR, food safety, food-borne illness, sun safety, sunscreen, water safety

TGIF-Weekend Reading

Posted on May 22, 2015 by llpitlwp

Weekend Reading

Martha’s Vineyard

Are you getting ready for a long weekend and the beginning of the Summer season by finding a beach read?

I do love the beginning of summer. But, in my opinion, anytime is a time for reading, especially when you have a few extra hours to devote to relaxing and catching up.

So here are some short articles for you to peruse in the next few days when you get that minute!

Music

Do you hate listening to all those kid CDs in the car or even at home? Then this article might help make your music more appealing to your children. It may come in handy if you are taking a road trip this holiday weekend.

You don’t have to listen to kiddie tunes even though you have a kid. Check these out.

Source: Top 10 albums that help your baby sleep (without destroying your hipster cred) – The Washington Post

Depression News

Having depression is serious. Most of us, at sometime in our lives, have experienced a feeling of being down or depressed. The recent findings from a study done in England are quite astounding. Depression can cause a shorter life expectancy due to changes in our DNA.

The good news is this, the process is more than likely reversible. There is evidence in studying mice that were stressed and showed the same DNA changes as humans who were depressed. The mice improved when they were removed from the stressors. The mice actually recovered from the stress. The mice cells literally returned to health. This is wonderful news about depression and its possible treatments.

Depression has always been seen as a mood disorder to those who haven’t experienced it and sometimes, even those who have don’t understand the science behind the way depression affects your brain. New research has come to light showing that depression can change your DNA and change the way in which your cells generate energy.

Source: Depression Can Change Your DNA, Study Claims

Working Moms

It seems that everyone has an opinion over what is better for kids, a working mom or a stay at home mom. It is one of the topics that continues to ignite the mommy wars. This is an interesting article discussing the positive side of having a mother who works.

Nearly three-quarters of American mothers with children at home are employed. That fact doesn’t necessarily make it any easier for mothers to drop a toddler at day care or miss school plays. The mommy wars might seem like a relic of the 1990s, but 41 percent of adults say the increase in working mothers is bad for society, while just 22 percent say it is good, according to the Pew Research Center.

Source: Mounting Evidence of Advantages for Children of Working Mothers – NYTimes.com

Memorial Day Weekend is here. I hope you enjoy it. Let’s honor our military.

Pregnancy at 24 Weeks

Posted on May 21, 2015 by llpitlwp

Pregnancy at 24 Weeks

Your baby continues to grow:

He is about the size of an ear of corn
He weighs in at about 1 1/3 pounds
He is about 12 inches long
He still is pretty skinny and his skin is still almost see through, once he puts on weight that will change
His brain continues to grow quickly around this time in gestation
His lungs are developing their branches
He is beginning to produce surfactant that will help his air sacs to fill with air and inflate when he is born

About now you should know the signs of preterm labor just in case:

increase in vaginal discharge or a change in the type of discharge, watery, mucus-like or bloody or blood tinged, pinkish.
any vaginal bleeding or spotting
cramping like menstrual pain
abdominal pain
more than 4 contractions in one hour even if they do not hurt
increased pressure in your pelvis
low back pain especially if you did not previously have back pain

Symptoms like the above can be normal and confusing but they should be checked out by your midwife or doctor. Contractions can be Braxton Hicks contractions which are normal and pelvic pressure and back pain can be normal too but always better to get your caregivers opinion before assuming that this is normal for you.

If you think that you are experiencing preterm labor call your practitioner right away without delay.

You will probably will be told to go to the hospital to get an assessment. Once you are there your contractions will be monitored as well as your baby’s heart rate. You will probably have a speculum vaginal exam to determine if your membranes have ruptured. A swab of your cervix and vagina will probably be done and sent to the lab to check for infection. Another swab will be sent to check for a fetal fibronectin test.

This test analyzes your cervical and vaginal fluid for the presence of a protein that helps bind the amniotic sac to the lining of your uterus. Between 24 and 34 weeks, elevated levels of fFN mean that this “glue” is disintegrating ahead of schedule (due to contractions or injury to the amniotic sac). A negative result means that it’s highly unlikely that you’ll give birth in the next week or two, which can set your mind at ease and allow your practitioner to hold off on treatments that may prove to be unnecessary.

via Baby Center

Preterm labor is always worrisome. Premies born between 34 to 37 weeks tend to do okay although they are still at risk for some long and short term problems. Babies who are extremely premature may have serious long term problems although there have been many advances in their care and survival rates.

Good prenatal care can help reduce your chances of preterm labor. So continue to be good to yourself and attend your appointments as scheduled.

Life changes during this stage of pregnancy:

Your uterus has grown and is now above your belly button and about the size of a soccer ball.
Glucose screening tests will usually be done between now and 28 weeks to check for gestational diabetes
If your test is abnormal you will have a glucose tolerance test to find out for sure if you have gestational diabetes.

Gestational diabetes can cause your baby to grow too large during pregnancy and make it difficult to deliver your baby vaginally. It also can increase your baby’s risk for low blood sugar complications after delivery.

It is a time to learn about the signs of preterm labor and know that it is okay to call your doctor if you have questions about whether or not you are having symptoms of it. It may be good to make your own list of these preterm labor signs so that you can have them handy if you do have a question.

Continue to take care of yourself and enjoy your pregnancy.

Traveling Through the First Trimester

Posted on May 20, 2015 by llpitlwp

First Trimester (in a nutshell) by Adrienne Lavine

I had no nausea and no morning sickness but I was rid with anxiety with a touch of depression. Living half way across the country from my family and the bitter cold winter with a snowstorm every other day did not help.

I taught yoga through my first trimester. However, not having a regular 9-5 job, not having family nearby and not having as many friends around is very hard, especially while pregnant. All I wanted to do was to go home and be with my family. My husband was annoying me but when he wasn’t around, I wanted him to be home. I couldn’t win and neither could he.

In addition to the homesickness, boredom and loneliness during my first trimester, I was also experiencing panic attacks. I decided that I needed to go and be with my family so I traveled to Chicago at the end of February. It was supposed to only be for a week but ended up to be a three weeks.

I spent a lot of time with my mom. She took me shopping and bought me some new bras that I desperately needed and some brightly colored maternity clothing that cheered me up. My mom is also an incredible cook and made sure that I had good food and enough of it! I even relaxed to the point of being able to take a nap and sleep through the night for the first time in weeks. Trust me that was a big deal.

Having family nearby has so many benefits, although my husband doesn’t fully understand why I want my mom so badly. I am close with my family and tell my mom everything (she jokes sometimes that I probably tell her too much). The amount that I wish to spend more time with my mom will never change and certainly won’t during pregnancy.

The day before I was supposed to return to Rhode Island was week 13. My mom and I thought it would be nice to be able to get an ultrasound done so that she could experience something special with me. We decided to go and have my husband on Face Time. The tech asked if my husband and I wanted to know what we were having… Absolutely! She knew that it was on the early side and was pretty sure it was a boy. My dad walked in the room and it was like he had a reaction. “Oh. It’s a boy!”

Very excited with the news of finally adding a male to the family, we all waited for the tech to bring the DVD of the ultrasound. It was such a happy experience to be able to share with everyone special to me. Plus, I could stop referring to the baby as an “it”.

When I got back to my parents’ house I called Rich to talk. I was supposed to fly home late Tuesday night and would have arrived after midnight. He was going to leave work early on Friday to go on a snowboarding trip to Vermont. I decided to stay in Chicago for an extra week. There was no point in going back to Rhode Island just to be alone for the whole weekend.

The following Tuesday rolled around and my new flight was in the afternoon. I was nervous just at the thought of going back. I was also nervous of flying alone and being alone all of the time.

My mom was driving me to the airport. We were approaching Midway when I had a panic attack. My mom drove the car into one of the garages and parked. After I had calmed down we called my dad. We canceled my flight and booked another for a week later. Then we called Rich. I was still very upset so my mom told him what had happened. He was very understanding and just wanted me to feel better. We ended up flying Rich to Chicago on Saturday so that he could fly back with me on Tuesday. We made it to Rhode Island with a minimal amount of anxiety.

First trimester was full of emotional and physical changes…looking forward to what’s next.

TGIF – Weekend Reading

Posted on May 16, 2015 by llpitlwp

TGIF Weekend Reading

Moments in Sand

I love my Canadian blogger friends. These suggestions for a fun filled holiday weekend is just a sampling of what you will find at Yummy Mummy Club.

Flower Power Make a trip to your local garden centre so you can create a cascade of rainbows in your yard by planting colourful flowers.

Source: Ten Ways To Celebrate The Victoria Day Long Weekend :: YummyMummyClub.ca

These two styles of parenting have been news worthy recently. What style are you? I fall somewhere in between. Here are the “facts” from NYTimes.

1. What are Free Range and Helicopter Parenting? Free Range and Helicopter Parenting are two different and opposing parenting styles that illustrate what happens to a flourishing post-industrial society with excess leisure time. This also explains why “The Bachelor” is in its 19th season.

Source: Free Range vs. Helicopter Parenting: Get the Facts – NYTimes.com

New York City was my home when Etan Patz disappeared as he was going to school one morning. I have never forgotten his story nor have I ever forgotten Adam Walsh, who disappeared from a store in South Florida while I was living there with small children. I became a helicopter parent then and there.

It is there in the quick steps of a woman hurrying up the street in Brooklyn, muttering to herself, “I’m a good parent, I’m a good parent.” She was regretting letting her son run home alone from a restaurant and was rushing to catch up with him. It is there in the childhood memories of a girl who grew up always looking over her shoulder. She would become a mother telling a cautionary tale to her own children. The one about the little boy who left for school one day and was never seen again. It is there in the father who remembers, as a boy, the room going silent when the news anchor Roger Grimsby gave his nightly update on the search. Today, that father says he always has “an eye in the back of my head.”

Source: The Legacy of Etan Patz: Wary Children Who Became Watchful Parents – NYTimes.com

A lot of clouds here this morning…we will have to make our own sunshine this weekend!

Pregnancy at 23 weeks

Posted on May 14, 2015 by llpitlwp

Pregnancy At 23 Weeks

Your growing baby can now hear music and can feel your movements at this point in your pregnancy. He is weighing in at just over a pound and a little more than 11 inches in length about the size of a mango.

He is getting his lungs ready to breath on his own after delivery.
He is able to hear loud noises as well.
You may even see his movements on your belly at this point.

Your body is still changing too:

You may have some ankle and feet swelling especially now that the warmer weather is coming.
The swelling is called edema and is due to changes in your circulation and blood chemistry.
This fluid will go away after you have your baby.
Remember to lie on your left side and put your feet up whenever you can.
Stretch out and avoid standing or sitting in one place for long excessive periods of time.
Regular exercise is important for your circulation and drinking plenty of fluids helps with fluid retention.
If you experience sudden swelling in your extremities, hands ,face or eye puffiness call your caregiver as this could be a sign of a serious condition known as preeclampsia.

“When I started having trouble sleeping during my pregnancy, I asked my friends what to do. One suggested I take a half-hour walk during the day. It really helped me sleep better, and it felt great to have a little time for myself.”

Source: Things to think about:

Cord Blood Banking

If you bank your baby’s cord blood, the blood left in your baby’s umbilical cord and placenta after birth is collected, frozen, and stored for future medical use. Cord blood is prized because it’s a rich source of stem cells – the building blocks of the blood and immune system.

Stem cells have the ability to develop into other types of cells. Because of this, they can help repair tissues, organs, and blood vessels and can be used to treat a number of diseases. Cord blood has already been used successfully in the treatment of more than 70 diseases. And many more uses for cord blood are being researched and tested.

The process of collecting cord blood is fast and painless for you and your baby. Storing cord blood makes it more likely that that its unique, potentially lifesaving stem cells won’t go to waste.

Your pregnancy: 23 weeks | BabyCenter

Find out more:These are links from Baby Center that discuss cord blood banking pretty thoroughly.

Overview of cord blood banking
Choosing whether to donate or use a private cord blood bank

Another suggestion from Baby Center:

Make a collage about your pregnancy and your hopes and dreams for your baby or write a letter to your baby. It will be something that your child will treasure.

Vanity Fair Gives to Women

Posted on May 13, 2015 by llpitlwp

Vanity Fair Gives Back

As I told you all, I attended a wonderful meeting of mom bloggers, MOM 2.0. in Scottsdale Arizona a couple of weeks ago. While there I enjoyed visiting with great sponsors one of which was VF Lingerie

As a thank you they are offering you a discount with purchase from their online site until May 18 2015.

Thank you to Vanity Fair for this opportunity.

We’re partnering with Dress for Success® to support women who are overcoming obstacles and finding lasting careers and happiness. Because all women deserve a chance to succeed in life, love and the pursuit of whatever they dream.

Source: Inside Vanity Fair

This post was not sponsored.

Parenting in the Loop

Monthly Archives: May 2015

3 Must Reads This Weekend