admin – Page 25 – Baby Care Journals

Does Bed Rest Really Work?

February 1, 2011 admin

Bed rest during pregnancy–something that you, or someone you know, has most likely had to do. One of my best friends was on bed rest during two of her pregnancies–for five months each. She would complain, it would be hard, but would you do something different if it meant the life of your baby? Probably not. So, I was very interested in an article that I read on LATimes.com saying that bed rest didn’t really help prevent preterm birth. And the most interesting part? That OB’s have known this since 2004. Read More

Managing Diabetes During Pregnancy

January 12, 2011January 12, 2011 admin

For women who have diabetes, pregnancy presents some difficult challenges that must be dealt with early on. Not only do women need to be concerned about their own health; they must be concerned about the health of their baby as well. Fortunately, there are a variety of steps pregnant women can take to ensure that they have a pregnancy that is free of problems.

Starting Solid Foods: When and How

January 7, 2011April 1, 2015 admin

By Lisa Pecos For several months following birth, breast milk (or formula) is the only food that your child needs. It is only a matter of time, however, before your child begins to develop cravings for solid food. As muscle coordination develops and the baby’s nutritional needs begin to change, the transition from an all-liquid diet to a mixed one becomes inevitable. Moving to solid foods is a big step, but the good news is that it usually comes naturally, so you will not have to force it. Read More

How to Lose Your Baby Weight

December 13, 2010December 13, 2010 admin

By Jamell Andrews

Most women would love to be able to get pregnant and have a baby without gaining a significant amount of weight, but it is just not possible. The American Pregnancy Association recommends a weight gain of 25 to 35 pounds for normal-sized women, 28 to 40 pounds for underweight women, and 15 to 25 pounds for overweight women. Deviating too much from these recommendations (in either direction) can lead to health problems for both mother and baby.

Iron: Making Sure Your Baby Gets It

November 29, 2010 admin 1 Comment

We’ve all heard that breast is best, but one of the drawbacks of exclusively breastfed babies is that they are at risk for iron deficiency. Although formula-fed babies get iron through fortified formula, breast milk does not contain adequate amounts. The LA Times reported that “Studies have shown that 4 percent of 6 month olds, and 12 percent of 12 month olds are iron deficient. Children between the ages of 1-3 years of age have rates of iron deficiency between 6-15 percent. Preterm infants, infants who are exclusively breastfed and infants who are at risk for developmental disabilities seem to be at higher risk to develop iron deficiency.” So what’s the big deal? A lot, actually. Dr. Frank Greer, co-author of a Read More

What to Eat When Breastfeeding

November 22, 2010November 22, 2010 admin

By Lisa Pecos

During pregnancy, new moms have to worry about everything they put into their bodies. And while there are many ideas about what is best for a developing baby when it is in the womb, there is widespread agreement about the things that definitely should be avoided and what foods are healthy for the unborn child. But when it comes to post-birth health, the answers are not so clear-cut. The good news is that if you just eat healthy you should be fine, but there are additional concerns to keep in mind.

Is Co-Sleeping With a Baby a Good Idea?

November 9, 2010November 9, 2010 admin 1 Comment

By Lisa Pecos

Co-sleeping is one of the most controversial issues in contemporary parenting, with some parents advocating it as a beneficial way to encourage parent-child bonding, and others arguing that it is not only unnecessary but dangerous. While there are no easy answers to this question, and both the benefits and the risks of co-sleeping are certainly real in many respects, most experts ultimately recommend moderation. Let us look more deeply at this issue and consider some of the main issues involved.

Improvement Needed in U.S. Breastfeeding Rates

November 4, 2010November 4, 2010 admin

By Lisa Pecos

Thanks to widespread educational efforts, most modern mothers are very aware of the importance of breastfeeding their babies, and research indicates that we have come a long way in the past generation. However, according to the most recent CDC Breastfeeding Report Card, we still have room for improvement, especially among certain subgroups in the U.S. Because breastfeeding has huge benefits for young children, we need to continue working on this issue to bring the numbers higher.