Great Tips To Looking Your Best In Your Maternity Clothes

Tip #1: Stick to Clothing Styles That You Normally Wear Don't settle for clothes you don't feel comfortable in. Only spend money on things you feel beautiful in. The trick is to stick with the same type of clothing that you normally wear so you can feel beautiful, confident, and comfortable. If you love to wear loud, vibrant colors you won't feel as beautiful as you normally do if you are dressed in mellow pastels or neutral shades. Don't sacrifice your sense of style for something completely different.

Tip #2: If you have to choose 1 item to splurge on, it should be maternity pants. Even the best maternity top won't make you feel like a million bucks if your pants make you look bad in all the wrong places. Find maternity pants that are high quality and fit your curves. There are some really great pants out there that are comfortable, stylish, and flattering. Maternity pants, like bras, get a lot of use, so don't settle for pants that you have to constantly adjust to fit your body or stay up.

Belly bands are also a great alternative. Belly bands are an elastic-like band of fabric that you wear over the top unbuttoned pants to allow you to extend the life of your normal jeans during pregnancy. Simply wear a long shirt to cover your band and people will assume you are wearing a layered shirt if it shows.

Tip #3: Find transitional pieces for your wardrobe. There is a time in every pregnancy where you start to outgrow your typical clothing items, but aren't quite ready for regular maternity wear. My girl friends and I call this our "frumpy" stage. Avoid feeling less-than-stellar by purchasing a few outfits that are a size or two larger than you would normally wear. You will still look great, but won't have to wear such a restricting and tight wardrobe. These pieces will work perfectly for after the baby is born too.

Don't hide your curves. Show them off. Nothing can make a pregnant woman look larger than she is than wearing an oversized, boxy shirt. Accentuate your style by showing your baby bump off. Wear clothing that fits your form. A quick and easy way to give your tunic or baggy shirts some dimension is to add a belt above your belly. This will highlight a thin area, and still show off your cute belly at the same time.

Tip #4: Dark colors Slim Pregnant Women Too As a general rule dark colors, like black and navy, have a slimming affect. This holds true for pregnant women as well. Wear a dark blouse or sweater, and bring in more color with a scarf or splash of jewelry.

Remember to layer. When you are pregnant, wearing clothing layers can really come in handy during those times when you feel like you are in a sauna and your family and friends feel like they are in a blizzard. Wear jackets and cardigans that can easily be removed or put on, depending on your fluctuating body temperature.

By: Ashley Wyatt

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Essentials Needed For My First Nursery

Don’t let the magic of having a baby diminish because you’re stressing out about getting everything in place for when your newborn arrives. This is a wonderful time, and in all honesty there are only a few essentials that you need to get in place for the big day, a lot of other things can be purchased afterwards. So what do you need in place for your first nursery?

A Cot

This is vital, and it’s vital that you get the right type of cot with the right type of mattress. Your baby’s comfort and safety is paramount here, so spend a little time researching the right types of cots. You can spend anything between £70 and £700 for a cot, so be sure to have a budget in mind and stick to it.

Safety is the first thing to consider. All cots should carry the British Standards Institutions (BSI) number BS EN 716:2008. This means that all cots must comply with their safety standards. The next thing you need to consider is size. There are ‘standard-sized’ and ‘continental-sized’ cots and mattresses, so it’s advised to buy the same sized mattress and cot, otherwise the two won’t fit. If you want to buy one that converts into a toddler’s bed then this will save you money in the long run.

Sheets and Blankets

You’ll also need to purchase some cot sheets, blankets and wraps. You need to be careful when using blankets as you don’t want to smother your baby. Unfortunately, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and cot death is still prevalent, but the risk can be minimised if you ensure that your baby always sleeps on their back, their face is always uncovered and always make sure the blanket you use is tucked in securely and only comes up to the baby’s waist.

Clothes and Nappies

Newborns tend to live in babygrows or all-in-one sleep suits, so it’s important to buy a few of these, maybe 4 or 5. You’ll need a few as your baby will likely make a mess regularly, so have some spare for when he or she needs changing. Also consider buying a couple of vests for your baby to wear underneath if it’s pretty cold. If it’s extremely cold, be sure to buy a cardigan or a jumper for them to wear over the top as well.

It’s also essential to buy nappies. A newborn will likely need to be changed 10 to 12 times a day, so you need to buy enough to keep you going for a few days or a week initially for when the baby arrives. It’s up to you whether you want to use reusable or disposable nappies. There are pros and cons for both, but if you’re on a budget, then choosing reusable nappies will save you a lot of money in the long run.

Bathing

Whilst you can always bath your baby in a sink or washing up bowl, some parents choose to buy them their own baby bath or a newborn bath support. This will make their bathing experience a lot more enjoyable, and in some ways more hygienic too. Be sure to have a change table within your nursery too, as this will make bathing and changing a great deal easier. Also consider the types of toiletries you’ll need; choose gentle and basic cleaning products such as nappy wipe as well as a good nappy rash cream. You’ll also need cotton wool balls and cotton buds as well.

Storage and Space

Your nursery will also need plenty of space to store toys and clothes. Whilst this isn’t an essential for your newborn, it will certainly help you keep the room tidy and uncluttered, creating a calming and soothing feel for the room. As your child grows older, he or she can tidy away their toys and clothes using this storage space.

Mobiles Hung Over Cot and Changing Table

Finally, your baby will always need stimulation, especially in their early years. This will form the building blocks for their own development, so getting the baby interacting with bright colours, noises and moving objects will help immensely.

By: Vincent A Rogers

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Five Getting Pregnant Tips

Getting pregnant is not as easy as people may think. There are numerous variable that all have to be in place in order for conception to occur. The following are five getting pregnant tips that have helped many couples conceive.

1) Track ovulation with a fertility calendar or a fertility kit: This is one among the most important getting pregnant tips – the time of ovulation plays an important role in deciding the best duration of the month for conceiving. Note your basal body temperature (temperature taken just after you get out of bed) regularly, and note the spikes in the chart. Basal body temperature records are utilized to determine when you

are ovulating, and if the length of the post-ovulatory phase can sustain a pregnancy. A fertility kit that is available in the market tracks the production of LH, a hormone that is produced in excess a couple of days before ovulation. That, too, is a trustworthy tool that you can use while you are trying to conceive.

2) Have regular sex, and enjoy it! The process of baby-making is certainly not to be mechanized – have as much fun with your partner as you can, for a happy mental state is one that both you and your partner will most definitely need. Most doctors suggest sex thrice a week, for optimizing the chances of conception. It is definitely one of those getting pregnant tips that few have any complaints about.

3) Try the conventional ‘missionary’ position during copulation: Many dismiss it as an old wives’ tale, but the fact is, this is one of those getting pregnant tips that you could do well to follow. Scientifically, the man-on-top position does not defy gravity in the way most others do, and is thus one of those which could in fact aid in the sperm reaching the egg sooner. There are higher chances of the sperm swimming to the fallopian tubes in this position, rather than in other options wherein there is always a chance of the sperm leaking out.

4) Cool underwear clothing for men: This is one of those extremely significant getting pregnant tips, especially if you have been in the blind about this all this while. Extreme heat can destroy sperm, so make sure you avoid hot baths and whirlpools, and those long sessions in the sauna. Once destroyed, sperm takes up to three months to regenerate, so to increase your chances of having a baby, make sure you allow enough air around the testicles. Wear boxer shorts as opposed to briefs, as it allows more space for the testicles to hang loose and away from the body.

By: Nyrie

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Low Back Pain During Pregnancy - It Happens.

Lower back pain during pregnancy is inevitable. Most women experience it at some stage or another during their pregnancy, so it’s even more important that that proper attention is given to the changes that a pregnant woman feels. Once the cause of the pain is understood, it can make it less stressful and easier to deal with as simply knowing the ‘what’ and ‘why’ will help to alleviate many of the stresses and enable the pregnancy to be enjoyed worry free.

Causes

Pregnant women usually suffer from lower back pain because the hormone called Progesterone, which is responsible for the implantation of the embryo and gestation. This leads to the softening of the ligament and disks of the back. This then gives way to the reduction of the support that the upper body needs; thus resulting in cramping of the muscles in your lower back.

Another hormone that causes lower back pain is Relaxin. This hormone helps on the labor and delivery of the woman. This hormone relaxes the pelvis joints as to let the baby pass through the birth canal with sufficient space. Yet, Relaxin may cause the other joints to inflame and ache, which causes the joints in the body not to function properly.

Weight is another factor in lower back pain in pregnant women. Extra pounds will be added because of the baby that you are carrying inside you, the added water, and other nutrients that the baby needs to develop properly. As your weight increases, you will then try to balance yourself, which causes a great pressure towards the spine. This then causes the spine to become weak.

NOTE: Always remember that you need to seek proper medical guidance to determine cause of pain and most appropriate treatment methods for you

Tips

• Avoid standing for a long time. If, in case, there are circumstances that you need to stand for long hours, find something like a box that will take some of the strain through having a foot elevated on it.
• Practice proper posture upon standing.
• Perform daily exercises that are suitable for pregnant women. Pelvic tilt is one of the exercises that many suggest. Walking is also fine.
• While sitting, place a pillow behind your back.
• During the night, do not forget to place a pillow between your legs. The mattress you sleep on should be comfortable and firm enough to support your back properly. (Doesn’t necessarily mean you need a super firm mattress)
• You might want to use maternity pillows. These pillows are specifically used to lessen the strain on your back.
• Only wear flat foot wears as not to lose balance and not to exert too much pressure on your back.
• Don’t act like superwoman! Do not lift heavy things. This will trigger the spine, which might cause more pain.
• If you are to do any lifting then always remember to bed your legs rather than bending your back.
• Apply warm compress to areas of back where the pain is felt in order to obtain some relief from the pain.
• Take it easy! I’m not saying stop and don’t do anything, I’m saying don’t engage in too many activities that may add further burden and stress to the lower back pain you already feel.

Pregnancy is one of the greatest gifts in life that women get to experience so it should be an enjoyable one and lower back pain should not stop the many great memories that can be created during this special time.

By: Tim Abots

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Qualities To Look For In A Babysitter

A babysitter is a person hired by a family to look after their children, especially in their absence. Hiring a babysitter is a common practice in many US households, but there are still a few parents who have concerns utilizing babysitting services with full confidence. In particular, it is difficult for the parents to decide whether or not the babysitter they have hired lives up to their expectations.

In this article, we will take a look at some of the qualities that a good babysitter should possess. Watching for these qualities in a babysitter when hiring, will help to ensure that you choose the best babysitter for your child.

Reliability and trustworthiness:

As you will be leaving the babysitter with your children, house, and valuables, you want her to be reliable and trustworthy. These essential qualities in a babysitter can be difficult to ascertain based on the external appearance alone. Therefore, it is advisable to check the babysitter’s references. Talk with people whom the babysitter has sat with before, and ask them about the conduct and personality of the sitter. This will help in giving you a clear picture of what kind of babysitter they are, helping you feel more comfortable and secure in the care your child will be receiving.

Enthusiastic about childcare:

Another factor to consider is the level of interest the babysitter has in caring for and nurturing children. As most babysitters are young high school/college students, who generally opt for babysitting as a part-time job to earn pocket money, it can be difficult to find people who are truly enthusiastic about this job. So, while hiring, you should make sure that the sitter likes children, enjoys being around them, loves to take care of them and will also be open to your methods of parenting. Hiring a sitter trained in first aid or CPR is an added advantage, as she will be equipped to handle emergency situations in a better fashion than someone who does not have such training.

Punctuality and dedication to work:

Though a babysitter has limited duties and is hired for a short period of time, she is expected to be punctual and dedicated to her work. Moreover, as babysitting services are often utilized in cases with short notice, i.e., having to attend an unexpected meeting or event, the babysitters are expected to arrive on time and perform their duties as specified. Checking with the babysitters’ references regarding punctuality will give you a good idea of whether or not she is someone who runs on time.

Ability to interact with children:

Not all children are alike or have common traits. Some are flexible, some are fearful and some may be feisty. A good babysitter should be able to identify your child’s personality, likes and dislikes, and within a short period of time develop a good rapport/relationship with them. She should also be able to come up with innovative ideas to entertain children and thus interact with them more easily. Be sure to look for a sitter who will interact well with your children.

Should match up with your personal preferences:

In addition to the above, you should give some thought to your personal preferences. Some may prefer a babysitter who is good at education, some may look for a sitter who is active and athletic, and some parents want someone who is going to be very caring and nurturing. So, depending upon your personal preferences you should choose a babysitter who will make you comfortable when they are around your children.

Hiring a babysitter from a reputable referral agency is advisable for parents as they should be able to provide you with babysitters who have already undergone a thorough screening process and necessary background checks. Utilizing the services of a referral agency will relieve you of the burden of conducting interviews, background checks, and checking references, thereby saving you a lot of time.

By: Crunch Care

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Strollers For Toddlers And Big Kids

Many parents find that carrying the child until they are able to walk is preferred. As the child is able to get around on their own having a stroller can be beneficial. While the older child is able to walk along with parents to some extent, longer excursions are too much for them and they need to rest. A sturdy built, rugged stroller can give the child the comfort they need for longer walks.

Make sure that when purchasing a stroller the child will have plenty of room. The seat should be wide enough to not pinch the child's hips or thighs. Also make sure that there are seatbelts in the stroller to hold the child when they are riding in it. Many parents find it advantageous to make sure the canopy is ample and wide enough to block sun from getting in the chld's eyes.

One may find that they require a number of different strollers for different purposes. An umbrella stroller is not only lightweight but also tends to be able to navigate crowded spaces and stores with ease. Car seat stroller frames allow the child to be moved from the car to the stroller without ever needing to be removed from the car seat. These strollers allow parents to move the sleeping baby without disturbing it. The car seat snaps into a secure frame, and off you go.

There are also the standard strollers that tend to be a bit more expensive but have ample features for the on the go family. These strollers typically have comfortable, added seats and a holster system to hold the child securely in the stroller. These strollers also have the ability for the child to sit upright, recline or lay down entirely. One can even obtain a stroller in this category that can face forward, backward, or both.

No matter what type of stroller one chooses for their needs, shop around and get a feel for what the market has to offer. Find a unit with a cup holder, a snack tray, and even a place to store toys and gear for the child. One may also choose a stroller that includes insect netting and a rain blocker. Whatever the choice one is sure to get a stroller that will work for them and their toddler.

By: J Murray

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