0-6 Months: Breast milk and/or iron-fortified formula. (Note that all efforts should be made to breastfeed, with formula being second best.)

Developmental skills: Your baby’s mouth is designed to suck, not chew yet. She has a “tongue-thrust reflex” that pushes out solid foods.

6 Months: Strained, pureed starter foods. Try bananas, pears, rice cereal, or unsweetened applesauce. Some suggest starting with more bland-tasting veges so that your baby doesn’t develop an early sweet tooth.

Developmental skills: Baby can now sit up in a chair. Tongue-thrust and gag reflexes lessen, so she is now able to accepts solids. She may also begins teething!

7-9 Months: You can now begin finger foods such as teething biscuits, cheerios and small pieces of soft, cooked foods.  Add additional types of pureed and mashed foods.  Baby may also start drink from a cup.

Developmental skills: You may notice your baby begins to reach for foods and utensils. She is now able to hold a bottle or sippy cup, and begins trying to pick up small food morsels with her thumb-and-forefinger.
Beware of choking hazards, as she will taste just about everything she can get her hands on! She’s really “acting like a baby” now, and enjoys banging, dropping, and flinging things.

9-12 Months: Baby is ready to try foods with a lumpier consistency. Make sure food is cut into small enough piece so she can’t choke on them. New foods to introduce can be lamb, veal, tofu, poultry, noodles, bagel, beans, rice cakes, peas, egg yolk, yams, cheese, oatmeal, and yogurt.

Developmental skills: Your baby’s self-feeding skills are improving, although she still loves to make a mess with her food. Try to let her feed herself even if she spills much of her food (or tries to smear it into her hair!); it’s good for her development!

12-18 Months: Let your baby participates in family meals. She can eat almost any foods the rest of you eat. See how she likes papaya, cottage cheese, apricots, grapefruit, whole eggs, grape halves, beef, strawberries, tomatoes, fish (salmon, tuna), pasta, crackers, broccoli, cereal, spinach, honey, cauliflower, pancakes, melon, muffins, mango, kiwi.

Developmental skills: Baby’s  “Do it myself” desire intensifies, but luckily she can hold her spoon better and spill less when eating and drinking. It’s still normal if some of the food ends up on her lap, floor, or hair.  If baby has begun walking, you may have a hard time getting her to sit still and eat. She may prefer to stop by and pick off of your plate now and then.

18-24 Months: You toddler starts the grazing stage, often earning her the title of “picky eater.”  Try tempting her with various foods to see what she likes. Some options include sandwiches, stews, smoothies, shakes, pate, dips, toppings, spreads, soups. You can also try to make food fun by creating
fun-shaped snacks, such as avocado boats, cooked carrot wheels, cheese blocks, broccoli trees, o-shaped cereals, toast sticks, and cookie-cutter cheese melts.

Developmental skills: Molars appear, so toddler begins rotary chewing. She can mostly spoon-feeds herself without too much spilling.  She may be able to say things like “more” or “all done” or signal those meanings. However, you’ll probably need to be more persistent or creative in order to keep her at mealtime. Her eating habits may be erratic, so focus on small meals or snacks throughout the day as opposed to three set mealtimes.

Source: Dr. Sears

Note: May parents are concerned that their children get “enough” milk and dairy products, mainly because of the calcium. However, due to the increase in sensitivity to cow’s milk, you may NOT want to include too much dairy in your kids’ diets.  In fact, milk may not even be the best source of calcium after all. Other foods to try are calcium-fortified orange juice, calcium-enriched cereals or calcium-enriched soy milk, sesame seeds and sesame butter (tahini), broccoli, collards, spinach, baked beans, and supplements.

Feature image from Bella Baby Food organic, frozen baby food.

If something like this has happened to you, you’re not alone, and it’s actually quite normal.  These skin changes did not happen overnight, although you may notice them all of the sudden on morning.  The American Academy of Dermatology says that about 70 percent of pregnant women develop these blotchy areas of darkened skin. It’s called chloasma or melasma, but is also known as “the mask of pregnancy” (sounds more romantic than it is!).

The blotchy areas usually appear around your nose, cheekbones, and forehead (hence the name Mask of Pregnancy). They may also show up on your upper lip, cheeks, and jawline.  Some women also develop dark patches on other body parts that are exposed to the sun. You may also notice areas of skin that are naturally darker (nipples, freckles, genitals) — becomes even darker during pregnancy. Some women notice a darkened line, called the linea nigra, running from their belly button downward.

Why does it happen?

You guessed it– it’s those lovely hormones at work again!  During pregnancy, hormonal changes cause a temporary increase in your body’s production of melanin, the chemical that gives color to hair, skin, and eyes.

Women with darker skin are more likely that lighter-skinned women to get melasma.  This “mask” may become more pronounced with each pregnancy.

Will it go away?

The good news is that these darkened areas will probably fade within a few months after delivery. In some cases it never completely disapears, but for many women their skin will return to its normal shade.

Can I prevent it?

Although this skin pigmentation  usually disappear on its own after delivery, there are some things you can do to minimize the splotchy factor:

• Stay out of the sun and avoid tanning salons. Cover up or use sunblock if you’ll be out in the sun. More pigment is created when skin is exposed to sunlight.
• Use gentle cleansers and lotions. Irritating products can worsen the condition.
• Use concealer! When all else fails, there’s always the make-up bag.
• After birth: Continue to protect sensitive areas from the sun. Certain contraceptives containing estrogen may also cause melasma.

feature image from The Daily Green

Epidural anesthesia has become the most common form of pain medication for labor and birth, but it’s not for everyone.  Here are some common reasons an epidural might not be right for you:

1. Your Body Type: Sometimes, the doctor has no easy access to the epidural space. Factors that might make it difficult to find the right spot include obesity, scoliosis, scar tissue, unusual spinal archtecture or previous surgeries.
2. Drug interactions: Some medications, such as blood thinners, can make an epidural risky or ineffective.
3. Existing health issues: If you have a low platelet count, or other blood disorders, there is an increased risk of internal bleeding in the spine.
4. Timing: In some hospitals, anesthesiologists are available only at certain hours of the day, or certain days of the week. They may simply be busy and unavailable. Also, if you come into the hospital in advanced labor, or with a very quick labor, there might not be time to get an epidural in place.
5. Infection: If you have an infection on your back, you definitely don’t want your anesthesiologist putting a needle through that area.  It might cause the infection to spread to the spine and other areas of your body, which could lead to major problems.
6. Heavy bleeding or shock: Often, having an epidural lowers blood pressure. Therefor, if you are bleeding heavily or are suffering from shock, your already lowered blood pressure can make the situation even more dangerous.
7. Hospital restrictions: Some hospitals have policies about when you can have an epidural. Some stipulate that you must be at a certain point in labor (for example, four centimeters dilated) before an epidural can be given. Others may decide that epidural should not be given after a certain point of labor (for example when you’ve reached full dilation).

Source: About.com

image credit

• Ovaries
• Fallopian tubes
• Tissues that hold the uterus in place
• Outer surface of the uterus
• Lining of the pelvic cavity

According to the Endometriosis Research Center: “It is more prevalent than breast cancer, yet continues to be treated as an insignificant, obscure ailment… The average delay in diagnosis is a startling 9 years, and a woman will go through as many as 5 physicians before she is properly diagnosed and treated.”

Symptoms:

The most common symptom is pain in the lower abdomen (pelvis) or the lower back, mainly during menstrual periods. The amount of pain is different for each woman, and does not depend on how much endometriosis she has.

Other symptoms of endometriosis can include:

• Very painful menstrual cramps, which may get worse over time
• Chronic pain in the lower back and pelvis
• Pain during or after sex
• Intestinal pain
• Painful bowel movements or urination during menstrual periods
• Spotting or bleeding between menstrual periods
• Infertility or not being able to get pregnant
• Fatigue
• Diarrhea, constipation, bloating, or nausea, especially during menstrual periods
• Click here for other related health problems

The symptoms of endometriosis diminish during pregnancy. Symptoms also tend to decrease with menopause, when menstrual periods end for good.

Associated health problems

Endometriosis growths are benign (not cancerous), but they still can cause many problems. To understand why, it helps to be familiar with a woman’s menstrual cycle. Every month, hormones cause the lining of a woman’s uterus to build up with tissue and blood vessels. If a woman does not get pregnant, the uterus sheds this tissue and blood through the vagina, IE: as her menstrual period.

Patches of endometriosis also respond to the hormones produced during the menstrual cycle. But misplaced endometriosis tissue and the cells it sheds have no way of leaving the body. Trapped between layers of tissue, they cause inflammation, scar tissue, adhesions and bowel problems. These growths expand over time, adding extra tissue and blood. This is why the symptoms of endometriosis often get worse.

As endometrial tissue grows, it can cover or grow into the ovaries and block the fallopian tubes. Trapped blood in the ovaries can form cysts, or closed sacs. It also can cause inflammation and cause the body to form scar tissue and adhesions (tissue that sometimes binds organs together). This scar tissue may cause pelvic pain and make it hard for women to get pregnant. The growths can also cause problems in the intestines and bladder.

Can I reduce my chances of getting endometriosis?

Because the hormone estrogen is involved in thickening the lining of the uterus during the menstrual cycle, you can try to lower the estrogen levels in your body.

• Exercise regularly
• Keep a low amount of body fat
• Avoid large amounts of alcohol and caffeine
• Try to keep stress levels as low as possible
• Balance estrogen levels naturally. Read more here.

Testing

Pelvic exam. Your doctor will perform a pelvic exam to feel for large cysts or scars behind your uterus. Smaller areas of endometriosis are hard to feel.

Ultrasound. Your doctor could perform an ultrasound, an imaging test to see if there are ovarian cysts from endometriosis. During a vaginal ultrasound, the doctor will insert a wand-shaped scanner into your vagina. During an ultrasound of your pelvis, a scanner is moved across your abdomen. Both tests use sound waves to make pictures of your reproductive organs. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is another common imaging test that can produce a picture of the inside of your body.

Laparoscopy. The only way for your doctor to know for sure that you have endometriosis is to look inside your abdomen to see endometriosis tissue. He or she can do this through a minor surgery called laparoscopy. You will receive general anesthesia before the surgery. Then, your abdomen is expanded with a gas to make it easy to see your organs. A tiny cut is made in your abdomen and a thin tube with a light is placed inside to see growths from endometriosis. Sometimes doctors can diagnose endometriosis just by seeing the growths. Other times, they need to take a small sample of tissue and study it under a microscope.

HSG. Women with endometriosis who are struggling to get pregnant can undergo a structural study known as an HSG (hysterosalpingogram). This diagnostic test can be performed in as little as five minutes. The procedure is associated with cramping, but ibuprofen can be used to ease the pain. During the test, radiocontrast media is injected through the cervix into the uterus. An x-ray is taken to examine the internal contour of the uterus and check whether the fallopian tubes are open.

Treatment

Conventional medicine states that there is no cure for endometriosis, but there are many treatments offered to deal with the pain and infertility.  A naturopathic/integrative medicine doctor will suggest a different course of action to clear up endometriosis based on diet, exercise, detox, addressing emotional stress, and/or natural progesterone.

Pain Medication. For women with mild symptoms, doctors may suggest taking over-the-counter medicines for pain. These include ibuprofen (Advil and Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve).

Hormone Treatment. When pain medicine is not enough, doctors often recommend hormone medicines to treat endometriosis. Only women who do not wish to become pregnant can use these drugs. Hormone treatment is best for women with small growths who do not have bad pain. Hormones come in many forms including pills, shots, and nasal sprays. Common hormones used for endometriosis include:

• Birth control pills to decrease the amount of menstrual flow and prevent overgrowth of tissue that lines the uterus. Most birth control pills contain two hormones, estrogen and progestin. Once a woman stops taking them, she can get pregnant again. Stopping these pills will cause the symptoms of endometriosis to return.
• GnRH agonists and antagonists greatly reduce the amount of estrogen in a woman’s body, which stops the menstrual cycle. These drugs should not be used alone because they can cause side effects similar to those during menopause, such as hot flashes, bone loss, and vaginal dryness. Taking a low dose of progestin or estrogen along with these drugs can protect against these side effects. When a woman stops taking this medicine, monthly periods and the ability to get pregnant return. She also might stay free of the problems of endometriosis for months or years afterward.
• Progestins. The hormone progestin can shrink spots of endometriosis by working against the effects of estrogen on the tissue. It will stop a woman’s menstrual periods, but can cause irregular vaginal bleeding. Medroxyprogesterone (muh-DROKS-ee-proh-JESS-tur-ohn) (Depo-Provera) is a common progestin taken as a shot. Side effects of progestin can include weight gain, depressed mood, and decreased bone growth.
• Danazol (DAY-nuh-zawl) is a weak male hormone that lowers the levels of estrogen and progesterone in a woman’s body. This stops a woman’s period or makes it come less often. It is not often the first choice for treatment due to its side effects, such as oily skin, weight gain, tiredness, smaller breasts, and facial hair growth. It does not prevent pregnancy and can harm a baby growing in the uterus. It also cannot be used with other hormones, such as birth control pills.

Surgery. Women with severe endometriosis — many growths, a great deal of pain, or fertility problems — may consider surgery. Your doctor might suggest one of the following:

• Laparoscopy can be used to diagnose and treat endometriosis. During this surgery, doctors remove growths and scar tissue or burn them away. The goal is to treat the endometriosis without harming the healthy tissue around it. Women recover from laparoscopy much faster than from major abdominal surgery.
• Laparotomy  or major abdominal surgery that involves a much larger cut in the abdomen than with laparoscopy. This allows the doctor to reach and remove growths of endometriosis in the pelvis or abdomen.
• Hysterectomy is a surgery in which the doctor removes the uterus. Removing the ovaries as well can help ensure that endometriosis will not return. This is done when the endometriosis has severely damaged these organs. A woman cannot get pregnant after this surgery, so it should only be considered as a last resort.

The Natural Path. Carolyn Dean, M.D., N.D. states: “While modern medicine insists the cause of endometriosis is unknown and there is no cure, it can be relatively simple to treat and control the symptoms. The standard medical treatment involves taking synthetic hormones, such as the birth control pill, that stops menstruation and therefore stops the buildup of blood and endometrial tissue outside the uterus. But there are new ways of approaching endometriosis that are much kinder to the body and address an underlying problem that certainly relates to the condition.” To learn about turning the tables on endometriosis using alternative methods, click here or here, or speak to a naturalistic doctor for more information.

Emotional Support

You may want to consider joining a support group (online or in your community) to talk with other women who have endometriosis.

You can find out more about endometriosis by contacting womenshealth.gov at 1-800-994-9662. You also can contact the following organizations:

Endometriosis Association
Phone Number(s): (414) 355-2200
Internet Address: http://www.endometriosisassn.org

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Phone Number(s): (202) 638-5577; (202) 863-2518 (for publication requests only)
Internet Address: http://www.acog.org

Endometriosis Research Center
Phone Number(s): (561) 274-7442
Internet Address: http://www.endocenter.org

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Phone Number(s): 1-800-370-2943
TTY: 1-888-320-6942
Internet Address: http://www.nichd.nih.gov

feature image credit.

CBS News reports that more than 75 percent of kids before the age of 5 have an ear infection, according to the Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Ear infections have routinely been treated with antibiotics, but now, new research suggests the best medicine may be no medicine at all.  There is substantial evidence to show that about 80 percent of ear infections clear up without antibiotics, and with no ill effects.

What you may not have known is that most ear infections are caused by viruses, which are not treatable with antibiotics anyway.”  Everyone involved may have to work on their patience, but letting the ear infection run its course may be your best option.

The American Academy of Pediatrics is about to update its guidelines. The new “rules” will say that unless the child is very young or very sick, a doctor should employ “watchful waiting” — monitoring the child’s health. Your doctor might prescribe a safety net antibiotic prescription (SNAP) to be filled only if the child has not improved within 48 to 72 hours.

However, current guidelines suggest that some children should still get antibiotics:

• Are under age 2
• Appear seriously ill with fever of 102F or higher
• Have fluid dripping from the ears
• Have a double ear infection (both ears infected)

If you still don’t believe your child’s ear infection will heal best on its own, you should be aware of some side effects caused by antibiotic. The most serious side effect, she said, is antibiotic resistance.  In about 10 to 20 percent of children, Ashton said, antibiotics can cause upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea. Less frequently, they can cause rashes.

You want to avoid over-use of antibiotics to avoid antibiotic resistance, which makes the next bug tougher to treat. The next time your doctor prescribes amoxicillin, the most common one for kids, it might not work. Doctors would be wise to head this new research, but in 84 percent of cases, they still prescribe antibiotics.  It may be up to  parents to decide that antibiotics may not be the best medicine, and forgo.

“Pediatricians are now focusing on pain relief,” CBS News Medical Correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton said. “Children screaming in pain will not get relief from an antibiotic in the first 24 hours. They should be given ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol), and sometimes prescription ear drops can ease the pain.”

**Side Note: I only had one experiences with ear infections when my daughter was a baby, a few years ago. The doctor gave me a choice of antibiotics or a homeopathic remedy. I decided to try the homeopathic remedy, and it worked wonderfully. The ear infection may have gone away on it’s own, but the pain subsided very quickly and gave us no more problems!

You can watch the family’s CBS News interview here!

Watch CBS News Videos Online

Did you have a birth that progressed so quickly that you couldn’t make it to your planned destination? Tell us about it!

So what should you be looking for?  Here are some Spring 2010 fashion trends for the mom-to-be that won’t have you shuddering in horror!

Sugar Candy Shades: Silky, floating fabrics in soft, feminine colors will definitely breath a sense of spring-time into your wardrobe. Bring on the frills, ruffles, and pastels!

Candy Floss style via Made for Mums

Be Knotty! Knots, drapes, pleats, and other fun shapes reigned on the catwalks, says Made for Mums.

Drop-Waist Peasant Top by Old Navy; Tie Knot dress by Isabella Oliver

Cool T’s: When the weather starts to heat up, you’ll want some fun, comfy T-shirts to brighten up your outfit. The bright colors, draping, and graphics on these T’s keeps them from being boring!

T-shirts from the Gap

Eye-popping Prints: Dress your bump in flashy florals and bright geometric designs.  Let your wardrobe energize you this spring season!

James Jeans Maternity Bootcut Stretch Jeans at Nordstrom; Maternity Jeans by Gap

Although there can be a number of reasons for this trend, experts fear that older women are ditching contraception in the mistaken belief that they cannot get pregnant past a certain age.  Yes, fertility does wane as you age, but women can still get pregnant well into their thirties, forties and even fifties.

So the Family Planning Association (FPA) has a new campaign ‘Conceivable?’ directed at women over 35 years old. It’s purpose is to remind women to stay vigilant about unplanned pregnancy and to keep using contraception until after menopause if they do not wish to become pregnant.

And here I thought it was common knowledge that until you stop menstruating, you can still get pregnant. Silly me.

Just one night of unprotected sex can result in pregnancy, even if you are way beyond your teenage years.  Emily James of Marie Stopes International said: “Many older women facing an unplanned pregnancy are completely shocked to find themselves in this position – many assume that their irregular periods are due to menopause, and are surprised to learn that they are in fact pregnant.”

Bottom Line: Talk to your doctor about age, menopause, and fertility, and be vigilant about unwanted pregnancy, no matter what age you are!

Source: BBC News

This follows another Australian report from 2  years ago saying that researchers have confirmed women do become more forgetful during and after pregnancy.

This time, the researchers analyzed the mental function of a group of women before, during, and after pregnancy, and reported no differences at all.

“I think that people have the tendency to blame the fact that they’re pregnant on normal lapses of memory which happen all the time to us anyway,”  said lead researcher Helen Christensen.  “Our results challenge the view that mothers are anything other than the intellectual peers of their contemporaries.”

Well, no one is saying that pregnant women and mommies are dumber than we used to be. We are just slightly more absent-minded and forgetful. I’m not sure that is something that can be accurately measured.

“Women often report problems with memory and reasoning after they become pregnant,” Christensen said. “But the latest findings from our decade-long study, the most in-depth to look at this issue, has proven they do not.”

Blame it on sleep deprivation, hormonal changes, or just normal memory lapses… I still think there’s something to it.  I tend to agree with blogger Kimmama who refuses to believe that “baby brain” was all in her head.  She’s thinking, and I’m thinking too, that clearly none of these researchers have been pregnant before!

The Daily Mail reports mentions research carried out last year by Dr Craig Kinsley, of Richmond University in Virginia, suggesting that giving birth actually leads to dramatic improvements in mental capacity. He says that giving birth actually produces a “surge of memory and learning ability that makes women more vigilant and alert.”

Like I said, we’re not getting dumber… we’re just… what was it I said?

Indybel Birthing Ball

1. Find a Soothing Environment

Your birth setting must feel safe to you. It should have space to walk and bathe, as well as a variety of options to enhance movement, comfort, and pain relief: a soft bed, CD player, rocking chair, birth ball, low stool, and/or squatting bar. It should also have policies that encourage you to try a variety of positions. Access to appropriate medical care is crucial if problems arise.

2. Choose Your Team Carefully

Knowledgeable, caring midwives, doctors, nurses, partners, loved ones and/or doulas create a supportive birth team. When you’re treated with respect and patience, stress and inhibitions decrease, and you can more easily find your best coping mechanisms.

3. Learn About Labor

The more knowledge you have, the fewer surprises you will experience. Find out everything you can about labor from books, magazines, Web sites, videos, classes, a hospital tour and discussions with your health-care provider, doula, family and friends. Familiarize yourself with the procedures and customs at your hospital or birth center. Such discussions are best had before labor.

4. Express Your Fears

Are you worried about pain and labor, needles, medicines or losing control? Speak with a knowledgeable and trusted friend, childbirth educator or doula. Voicing your concerns can bring relief as well as practical solutions to your concerns. Stating your preferences in a birth plan can also help calm fears.

5. Practice Rhythmic Breating

Breathe fully in a slow rhythm during contractions. Release tension with each exhalation and try moaning. Also try taking quick breaths, about one every 2 to 3 seconds (20 to 30 per minute). Your partner or birth coach may be able to help you keep your rhythm with eye contact, rhythmic hand or head movements, or by talking you through contractions.

6. Use Imagery and Visualization

Focusing on something that makes you happy (like your partner’s face, an inspirational picture or favorite object) engages your senses and decreases your awareness of pain. Listen to music, a soothing voice or a recording of ocean waves, and imagine yourself in a relaxing environment.

7. Take a Warm Shower or Bath

A warm shower is soothing, especially if you can sit on a stool and direct a handheld showerhead onto your abdomen or back. Bathing in warm water is relaxing, and it may even speed up labor.

8. Keep Moving

Move around as much as you can. Walk, lean, sway, rock and squat. Some positions will be more comfortable than others.

9. Seek Relief with Warm or Cool Compresses

Place a warm pack on your lower abdomen, groin, lower back or shoulders during labor. A cold pack or latex glove filled with ice chips can soothe painful areas. Cool cloths relieve a sweaty face, chest or neck.

10. Indulge in Gentle Touch or Massage

Have your partner or doula massage you in whatever way provides the most relief for you.  Whether it’s someone holding your hand, stroking your cheek or hair, or patting your hand or shoulder, touch conveys reassurance, caring and understanding.