Babies

Why Sip & See Parties Are Taking Over Baby Shower World

After-delivery get-togethers are starting to become more popular, with more and more people using them as a way to let people get a peek at the baby after he’s been sequestered with Mom at home for a month or two. Sip & See parties started mostly in the South, and they’ve started to gain traction in other parts of the country. They’re often held as an alternative to a baby shower.

First and foremost, everyone gets to see the baby, which is the whole point to begin with, right? You get a chance to introduce your little buddy to your wider circle of family and friends all at once instead of having people dropping by unexpected. And you can use a lot of the same decorations and theme ideas you did for the original baby shower to make things easy. People drop by, have a few cocktails, drop some baby advice to the parents and then head home. [Read more…] about Why Sip & See Parties Are Taking Over Baby Shower World

Baby Food Allergies – Symptoms, Common Food Triggers, Treatments, When to Call 911

by DP Nguyen 4 Comments

No parent wants her baby to have a food allergy, but it’s important that you know the signs of a baby food allergy, so that you act quickly to prevent it from getting worse. In this article, you will learn the basics of food allergies in babies, including symptoms of an allergic reaction, common foods that trigger allergies, and when to call 911.

Food allergies in children are on the rise. According to 2011 statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 5 percent of all children under age 18 have a food allergy. In 2000, only 3.5 percent of kids had food allergies.

Food You Should Avoid When Breastfeeding

by Guest Writer 17 Comments

When a new mom is breastfeeding, what she eats is passed on to her baby through her breast milk. There really isn’t any food that’s “off-limits” or foods to avoid when breastfeeding. It just depends on what your baby can tolerate, and what he or she can’t.

For example, although you might love eating your grandmother’s recipe for homemade spaghetti, all those tomatoes and garlic might not agree with your nursing child’s tummy. Your baby can get gassy and cranky, and it might be due to what you had for dinner.

Another baby might be fine if you get tomatoes, garlic, and cheese.

If you’re a first-time breastfeeding mother, you’re going to need to find foods that trigger gassiness and discomfort in your baby.

Why Circumcise Your Baby Boy?

by DP Nguyen 4 Comments

Having a little boy comes with a big decision – should you circumcise your baby? Circumcision is a hot button topic. It ranks up there with baby ear piercing (which happens to be one of my most controversial, intensely debated articles).

There are pros and cons of circumcision, and the choice is ultimately the parents.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) used to be neutral on the subject of circumcision. But in 1999, they changed their opinion and they do not recommend routine circumcision. The AAP argues that circumcision is not essential to your baby’s health, so as parents, you must choice what is best for your son. You should think carefully about the benefits as well as the risks of the procedure.

As of January 2012, the American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend all baby boys to be circumcised. The benefits are not sufficient for them to recommend circumcision. However, by August of the same year, there was new evidence that the health benefits outweighed the risk for infant male circumcision. The American Academy of Pediatrics revised their policy statement, and still said that the health benefits were not strong enough to recommend routine circumcision for all little boys. So the choice to have your son circumcised is still up to you – the mom and dad.

What is Colostrum?

by DP Nguyen Leave a Comment

Colostrum is the yellowish or creamy milk that you secrete in the first couple of days after birth. It’s often called “baby’s first milk” or “pre-milk.” Colostrum is much thicker than your mature breast milk, and full of immunoglobulins and antibodies that will help protect your baby from the millions of germs and bacteria that exist in our world.

Although you may not realize it, but your breasts have been producing colostrum since the beginning of your second trimester. If you experienced any breast leakage in pregnancy, that was colostrum.

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What Do You Need For Breastfeeding?

by DP Nguyen 2 Comments

What do you really need for breastfeeding? In this article, you will find out my recommended breastfeeding supplies that will make your nursing sessions more comfortable and enjoyable.

First, please note that breastfeeding is the best way to nourish your baby in the first year of life. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all mothers breastfeed exclusively (not allowing your child to eat any solids) until their child is six months of age.

The Surgeon General of the United States is also making a huge push to get more mothers to breastfeed. So, if you are able to do it, you try and breastfeed your infant.