New Mothers who experience Postpartum Depression
By Jamell Andrews
Some very strong emotions usually erupt following the birth of a baby. While most new mothers experience a combination of excitement, anxiety, fear, or happiness, some women also experience symptoms of depression. In fact, about 10% of new mothers develop a more severe type of depression known as postpartum depression.
Cord Blood Donation-Now Available at at Hospital Near You
Duke's Cord Blood Kit
When I was pregnant with my first child, I had read about the benefits that the blood in my baby’s umbilical cord could have for others. Filled with stem cells, this blood could help those with cancer, sickle-cell anemia, immunodeficiency, marrow failure and genetic diseases that call for transplants. Normally, this blood is literally thrown away, so if it has so many benefits, I thought, why not donate it? Unfortunately, when I told my OB my intentions, she informed me that the hospital that I was giving birth at didn’t have the availability to store the blood and get it to a bank. And my hospital was of the norm–there are only approximately 175 hospitals in the United States that can transfer cord blood to a bank, but it looks as if that’s about to change.
Time recently reported on a Public Donation Kit that’s allowing Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Care, Health, Newborns, Uncategorized | 
Tags: cord blood, cord blood donation, cord blood research, cord blood therapy, duke's public cord blood bank, stem cells | 
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Hypnobirthing-What’s It All About?
Jaime and her husband Devon, after the birth of their first child.
For a woman preparing to give birth for the first time, the idea of labor can be a frightening prospect. You hear that it’s painful, you have no idea what to expect, and it’s something that you have no control over. As a result, many women opt for the epidural route (which is fine) but for those that are wanting a drug-free birth, hypnobirthing may be your answer. Read the rest of this entry »
Basic Guidelines for Feeding Babies
By Jamell Andrews
Babies are generally able to start eating solid foods between the ages of 4 to 6 months. While most parents believe that they need to carefully feed babies very bland foods such as plain pasta and flavorless cereals, recent research has indicated that most babies are perfectly able to handle foods that not only contain some flavor, but some much needed nutrients as well.
Selecting a Nanny, Au Pair or Babysitter – What Are We Missing?
Nanny personality assessments can help parents learn more and choose better
Selecting a caregiver for our children is a difficult task and the risks in making a wrong choice are frightening. Most articles on this topic advise parents to interview the nannies, check their references and perform a background check. While each of those screening tools is important, they all have their limitations and do not necessarily provide sufficient information to make the best possible choice.
Dental Care for Baby
By Jamell Andrews
Though most people really do not think about it much, baby teeth serve a very important purpose. Baby teeth help your infant learn how to speak and chew food properly, and they act as a type of space saver for the adult teeth that will grow in a few years down the road. Baby teeth also promote healthy jaw growth, so it is important for parents to take care of these teeth from the beginning.
Are Prenatal Vitamins Important for your Baby?
By Andrew V.V.
One of the best things pregnant women can do is eat a healthy, well-balanced diet every day. The discouraging news, however, is that even when women make sure that they eat the most nutritious foods each day, it is still very likely that they are not getting all of the nutrients they need for their developing baby, and for themselves.
Disciplining your Toddler
By Jamell Andrews
For the majority of parents, finding effective ways of disciplining their toddler is incredibly difficult. Throughout a toddler’s development, he will naturally start to test the boundaries that you impose upon him. It is important to remember that establishing boundaries for your young child is extremely important, and he needs to know where these boundaries exist in order to abide by them.
Bonding with your Baby
By Jamell Andrews
Bonding is a natural attachment that develops between parents and their children over time. While many people would like for the bonding with their child to be instantaneous, the reality is that it takes time and patience for these attachments to develop and grow.
When to Wean Baby
Weaning really begins from the time additional nourishment apart from breast milk or formula is given to baby. It is a process rather than an event. There is no best time to wean baby. Most mothers do it when it suits them and their child. Babies are usually started on solids at around six months. As the baby gets older, he or she will want more solid food and often the need for milk then diminishes over a period of time. Read the rest of this entry »