Parenting Children

My kids are very lucky and have no known food allergies. My husband’s father is allergic to seafood so we waited until our kids were three to introduce fish and they have never had a reaction. Since I have been pregnant I have eaten a ton of candy, which is what happens when you gestate through Halloween. Most of that candy had nuts in them which I never thought about until one day when it realized to me that maybe me eating all of those nuts may give my unborn baby a nut allergy. It wasn’t something my doctor told me to stay away from, but I remember that advice from other moms.

According to a new guidance report for pediatricians, in the January issue of the journal Pediatrics, I have nothing to be scared of. The only sure fire way to prevent allergies, food allergies and wheezing is to breastfeed your children. The report says:
-There is no convincing evidence that women who avoid peanuts or other foods during pregnancy or breast-feeding lower their child’s risk of allergies.
-For infants with a family history of allergies, breast-feeding for at least four months can lessen the risk of rashes and allergy to cow’s milk.
-There is some evidence for feeding hypoallergenic formulas to susceptible babies if they are not solely breast-fed.

Surprisingly to me, they say there is no convincing evidence that delaying the introduction of foods such as eggs, fish or peanut butter to children prevents allergies. They also state that infants should not get solid food before 4 to 6 months of age, just like pediatricians tell us.

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I have to admit I find most maternity clothing to be dowdy and boring. I thought maybe something had improved in the four years between my pregnancies, but I was disappointed. The one thing that was much better was the availability of maternity clothes in stores, I hated having to buy all of my maternity clothes online just to get them and see how ugly or unflattering they actually were.

If you are looking for hip, cool maternity clothes that don’t make you look like you are wearing a tent, I have a great site for you. 2chix.com is a great site for expecting mamas, and they don’t leave expecting dads out either! Do they sounds familiar? Well you probably have seen their clothes featured in magazines liek People, Conceive or Pregnancy.
They have the cutest t-shirts for your ever expanding belly like this knocked up shirt or this 009 months shirt.

They don’t just sell t-shirts, they have long sleeve shirts, maternity skirts and tanks as well. At first I was concerned about the “one-size-fits-most” sizing but the soft cotton of their clothing was surprisingly stretchy and even fit over my big belly! If you are scared about the “one size” try their voluptuous tees which fits sizes 12-18.
All of their clothing are for the haute mama in you, we all know that woman are even more gorgeous when they are pregnant, why not let the world see how “haute” you really are?!

pregnancy, maternity, maternity clothes, hip maternity clothes, new moms, expecting dads

Happy New Year! This year on parentingourchildren.com expect more pregnancy stories from me, since I have about 11 weeks to go, more contest and giveaways, more advice and tips. I also expect more from you, my readers. Feel free to send me a email and let me know what you want to see on this site, ask questions or comment.
Now that I am coming to the last leg of my pregnancy, baby names are a big topic in this house. I want to share with you what I think the best and worst unique celebrity baby names of 2007.

The best:

EVER GABO - Milla Jovovich & Paul Anderson
They say that this is a Scottish boy’s name they used for their daughter, but I have never heard of it. I think it is a modern, pretty name.

STORY ELIAS-Jenna Elfman, & Bodhi
She said her husband suggested this name and she just loved it. I think it is different. Although I think it is better suited for a girl what is better then a good story?

OLIVE- Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher
I have no idea why but I really like this name. I wanted to name our cat Olive and was out voted by my family.

The worst:

ZEPPLIN- Jonathon Davis & Deven
Not a fan or band names for kids, but Jonathon has a history of bad name choices, his older son is named Pirate. Aaarrgh.

PRINCESS TIAAMII- Katie Price & Peter Andre
Every parent thinks their daughter is a princess, no need to name her that. Tiaamii is a combination of the grandmother’s first names.

KING JUSTICE - Jaceon Taylor
Enough with royalty names! This baby can play with Princess, Baron Trump and Count and Countess Bonaduce.

What do you think the best and worst celebrity baby names are?

celebrity baby names, baby names, 2007 celebrity baby names, babies, pregnancy, unique baby names

My twins will be five next month, just old enough to have definite ideas about what they want for Christmas. Don’t get me wrong, they have always had “favorite” items on their lists like a Little Einstein movie they had seen or a Dora doll. This year they have been preparing their lists for weeks. I introduced them to all the great Christmas movies from my childhood, Rudolph, the Grinch and Frosty. All of which were on regular television, which they are not used to watching. Anything they watch I Tivo and it is from Noggin or Nick Jr where there are no commercials. With these classic movies came the introduction to commercials for everything they don’t need but have to have.

Two weeks ago my daughter started asking for High School Musical 2 DVD. I have no idea what this movie is about, I have only heard of it in passing. I told my daughter this movie was for older kids and that she could get it when she was older.
That was not the answer she wanted to hear.

So for days now, she tells me “I know I am going to get High School Musical!” and ” I know Santa is bringing me High School Musical”. So what do I do? My fear is she will open all of her gifts and wonder where this one DVD is, the one thing she wanted. On the other hand is this movie for older kids and if so should I stick to my guns and not get it for her?

What happens when your child really wants a gun and you do not approve of them? What about when your daughter wants a Bratz doll or makeup and you think those are not great gifts for children?
What do you do when your kids ask for gifts that are not age appropriate?

Christmas gifts, gifts for kids, parenting, Christmas, appropriate gifts for kids

I am sure you have knowledge of many aspects of childbirth but have you ever heard of a doula? Maybe you are familiar with the word, but are not sure what a doula does? A doula is a professionally trained labor coach who provides emotional, physical and informational support. There are also post partum doulas who specialize in helping a woman and her family after the baby is born.

During the delivery, doulas are with the mother at all times. They can provide alternative pain relief techniques, like massage and laboring positions. A doula should act as an advocate for the mother, encouraging her in her birthing plan. The purpose of a doula is to help the mother have a safe birth experience. She is to help with the birthing process not take the place of the father or birthing partner.

There are a few thngs you should consider when finding the right doula for you besides good qualifications. Here are a sample of questions you need to ask prospective doulas to get a good match for you and your partner:

Does the doula have a backup person if she is unavailable when you go into labor? When can you meet that person?

Does the doula offer a payment plan if you need one?

What is her philosophy on childbirth? Is she opposed to medical intervention if your doctor thinks it is necessary?

If you are interested in finding a doula in your area you can call the American Pregnancy Association at: 1-800-672-2296 for a list of doulas in your area or check out this web site.
Have you used a doula? What was your birth experience with a doula like?

doula, using a doula, birth experience, pregnancy, doulas, DONA, birthing plans, natural birth

The Lamaze method is the most popular birthing method to date. It started in the 1950s, became popular in the 1970s and is the oldest and most popular technique since then. Lamaze is known for its rhythmic breathing techniques to take the concentration off the actual labor pains and through concentration, the mother would be relaxed and the labor would be easier for them. These days Lamaze has expanded past breathing techniques. It now teaches various simple coping strategies for Moms.

Pain management without any drug intervention is what makes Lamaze so popular with woman who want to have a natural birth experience. It also brings the husband or “coach” and expectant mom closer together because they have the opportunity to bond during the classes together.
If you want to take Lamaze classes, you usually take classes for up to six weeks early in your third trimester. I have heard of some classes being offered here in New Jersey that take place all in one weekend.

I knew I was having a C-section early on in my pregnancy so I never had to think about birthing plans. Does Lamaze work? I don’t know, I assume it would depend on the woman, her pain tolerance and birthing expectations.
Did you use the Lamaze birthing technique? Did it work for you?

If you are interested in learning more about Lamaze or to find classes in your area, call Lamaze International at (800) 368-4404 or visit the web site.

Lamaze, Lamaze birthing technique, birthing methods, pregnancy, vaginal birth, natural birth, birthing techniques, VBAC, childbirth, preparing for childbirth

You made it through the nine months, you survived the labor and delivery and you are finally home with your new bundle of joy. Now what?
Your body is not the same, you are tired and you have a new person to take care of. Welcome to the fourth trimester.

After you have your baby recovery starts, but it may not feel like it. You are sore, you have minor contractions, your breasts are tender and you are fatigued.
New mothers can bleed for weeks after delivery, this is called lochia and it is made up of blood, mucus and tissue. The bleeding is normal but if you go through more then one pad an hour, call your doctor.

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Now that I am pregnant again I scrambled to find my maternity clothes. Most of my clothes are still way to big for me to fit in and I have a lot of work clothes, because at night I would just put on some comfy pajamas. I tried the rubber band around the button trick for my pre-pregnancy pants and I still fit into many of my shirts. The problem is now that I am showing faster then when I was pregnant the first time, some of my regular shirts are too short in the front because of my ever expanding belly.

Blush has taken care of that problem. Blush has topless undershirts to save your belly and your pocketbook. These undershirts add a layered look to any shirt you have without the extra bulk. They come in fourteen different colors or patterns and are $15.00 each. Less the what a maternity tee will cost you. These will also help on those days where you cannot button your pre-pregnancy jeans but are not ready for maternity jeans yet. Nobody will know your buttons are open with this layered look.

I also love the idea of wearing this undershirt while nursing. No more cold air on your belly and back or exposing yourself any more then you have to.

I am ordering mine today! Best yet, Blush has given a 20% off coupon to all parentingourchildren.com readers! Use coupon code: justfortheladies and remember this coupon is good for one month. Go ahead order one for yourself, as a shower gift or for anyone (they have non maternity undershirts too!).

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Trying to find a name that both you and your husband both like is I think one of the hardest things about having a baby. When I was pregnant with the twins we went over names endlessly. We would put some on a list and take some off but we always ended up a core of names that we could not narrow down. For me boys names were the hardest because they were either too popular, too trendy or too boring. There were very few names I liked but we kept coming back to one and that was the one we end up naming our son.
My daughter is another story we finally narrowed the list down to two names but waivered about them for an entire day after she was born. The alternate name was Emma and although I still love that name, I am glad that is not her name now because it is the second most popular baby name last year and it has been in the top five for years now.

Some people may not care their child’s name is popular as long as they love it. I remember sitting in classrooms with three Jennifers, two Stephanies and 4 Michaels. I didn’t want my child to always be preferred to as “firstnamelastinitial”.
While we are on the subject I hate when people use alternate spellings for names to make their child more “unique”. Naming your child Madysson, Brookelynn, Emalee only makes sure your child will have to spell out their name to everyone they come in contact with for the rest of their life. Naming your child after a fruit or an object may just be setting your own child up for abuse. Your child is unique already there is only one of them in the world, don’t torture them.

If you want to see the top baby names for 2006 you can visit the social security web site here.
How did you find a name for your child?

baby names, top ten baby names, baby names by state, popular baby names, pregnancy, new parents

There is nothing more relaxing for a women then a day at the spa. To a pregnant woman a day at the spa is not only a nice day, it is practically required minimally every trimester. What should you do when you are pregnant? All women have heard different advice on the dos and don’ts of salon visit from their friends, doctors and mothers. So how do you know what is safe and what you should hold off on until after the baby comes?

I have highlights in my hair. The reason I have highlights is because when I was pregnant the first time, I rapidly grew grey hair. So now I disguise them. Can I get my hair highlighted during my pregnancy though? Although I don’t even want to think about the chemicals used, there have been no studies that show a link to hair dye and birth defects. My doctors have always told me highlights are safe (the chemicals do not touch your scalp) but try and hold off until my second and third trimester.

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The minute I found out I was pregnant I got sick and that lasted until week fourteen. I never threw up but I was queasy 24 hours a day. If I woke up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom I was queasy, watching TV, going to the park with the kids and eating are all activities I did while I was queasy. I was also incredibly tired. At least there may be some benefit to me in the future!

I am not sure anything would have helped, and there are a lot of home remedies for morning, or all day, sickness out there. The Earth Mama Morning Wellness Bucket may have helped me though. The basket includes Morning Sickness Relief CD, “Tea for One” Teapot and Strainer,
Morning Wellness Organic Loose Leaf Herbal Tea and Earth Mama’s Happy Mama Aromatherapy Spray. It is on sale right now so buy one for someone you love, chances are she will love it.

Some mothers swear by pregnancy pops. Sucking on something did make me feel better, but I used plain old life savers and I kept them by my bed. I just read about a mother that used these accupressure bandsduring her first trimester and she wasn’t sure if they were helping but by just wearing them it helped her feel a bit better.

The hard candy helped me, I also avoided cleaning with anything but a mixture of vinegar and water and we were on a lotion/cologne/candle ban in this house because smells bothered me so much. I tried to eat frequent small meals. My doctors said that protein would be best to eat during this time, but who could eat anything but carbs?

So what did you do to help your morning sickness? Any home remedies that you heard of that were too ridiculous to even try?

maternity gifts, pregnancy, pregnancy gifts, morning sickness, morning sickness remedies, home remedies for morning sickness, 1st trimester, pregnant, newly pregnant

I have some news to share with you guys, I am pregnant. I am due with our third baby March 2008. I was much more sick and tired this time around so I have had some issues, but otherwise I am feeling fine now. I am happy to share with you all the things that are going on with me, my body and my family while getting ready for this new arrival.

Now that I am in my second trimester and feeling better, I am getting excited about this pregnancy. We are not going to find out the sex of this baby at my upcoming ultrasound, so I am having some fun online. I have writtten before on some sites to have fun on and I have recently found some more. Check out this site to track your growing belly. I know you see it growing before your eyes but it is fun to see it from a different perspective.
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According to the Washington Post, a coalition of top scientists from private groups and federal agencies are disputing the no to little fish for pregnant women rule. For years women have been told to cut back to less them 12 ounces or eliminate fish from their diets when they are pregnant because of the high content of mercury in fish.

Fish and seafood are the major dietary sources of omega-3 fatty acids, especially a substance called docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). They are key nutrients for the brain and nervous system in developing fetuses, infants and young children. This data are inaddition to a growing call for consuming more omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy. The fish with the highest amouts of omega-3s are as salmon, tuna and sardines.

If you do not like or are allergic to seafood you can get omega-3s in other areas like flaxseed, oils or eggs that are fortified with omega-3s.

pregnancy, healthy pregnancy, mercury in fish, omega-3s, developing babies, babies, infants, eating fish while pregnant

United States researchers say that having children may help reduce a woman’s risk of breast cancer. The protective cells transferred from the fetus to the mother may get into a mother and recognize a pre-cancer breast cancer cell and kill it before it becomes an active cancer.

“Researchers in Seattle studied 82 women, 35 of whom had been diagnosed with breast cancer, to test a theory that fetal cells which take up residence in the mother — called fetal micro-chimerism — protect against breast cancer. ” They think that these fetal cells can stay with the mother all through her life and protect her against this type of cancer.

The results of the study were published in the October issue of Cancer Research. So according to this new study having a baby and having morning sickness may really help your changes for getting breast cancer.

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breast cancer, pregnancy, women’s healthy, preventing breast cancer, having children

Do you wish your body was back into your pre-baby shape? Many more moms these days are going in for makeovers, body makeovers after having their children.
Moms are seeking cosmetic surgery more then ever before to zap away those stretch marks, lift those sagging breasts and get rid of the skin problems. Having a baby takes a huge toll on your body, we all know that. There is only so much you can do with diet and exercise after being pregnant, like in my case where I have loose skin after being stretched so far with my BIG twins.

It is also a pricey alternative to just living with the saggy breasts you may have. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons the costs for the most common surgeries are: breast augmentation: $3,600, breast lift $4,200, liposuction: $2,750 and tummy tuck (abdominoplasty): $5,063.
I won’t even go into vaginal rejuvinations.

So tell me, if you are done having children, would you consider having plastic surgery? Would you mind some help getting back into pre-baby shape if money was not an issue?

pre-baby shape, pregnancy, women, moms, new moms, plastic surgery, mom makeovers, cosmetic surgery