Archive for February, 2010

Choosing a Medela Breast Pump

Saturday, February 20th, 2010

Study after study has suggested the benefits of breastmilk to children, from increased immunity to illness, to early protection from allergies, to better digestion. These are only a few of the advantages breastmilk provides over commercially prepared infant formulas ; but while the benefits of breastfeeding are clear, it isn’t always easy! With hindrance like active lifestyles and the necessity to return to work, breastfeeding outside the standard 6 weeks of pregnancy leave can get difficult. Thankfully mothers can continue breastfeeding even in these situations, thanks to the Medela breast pump brand.

Naturally, Medela isn’t the only brand of breast pump available, but it is definitely the best. Medela is the make of breast pump most frequently found in surgeries and businesses that provide medical apparatus rentals. A sector leader for over 25 years, Medela is the sole make of breast pump many breastfeeding mummies trust, and the one most frequently recommended by doctors and lactation advisors. For mothers who only need to pump occasionally, to mothers who exclusively pump, there’s a breast pump right for each situation.

For occasional use, there are four Medela pump options : the Single deluxe breast pump, the Breastfeeding Discharge Kit, the Harmony breastpump, and the Pedalpump breastpump. These pumps are excellent for mothers who are fully breastfeeding, but who need to pump occasionally for things like a few hours away from their baby or to obtain breastmilk to mix with cereal or formula ( when weening ). For mums who work outside of the home and need to pump daily, there are three Medela breast pump options : the Swing, the Freestyle and the Pump in Style.

Occasionally, a mother isnot able to breastfeed her child in any way. This could be because of a number of reasons, from a premature birth to latching problems. These scenarios, however , don’t necessarily mean a mummy can’t provide the benefits of breastmilk to her infant. Many mummies in such situations choose to solely pump, implying they use a breastpump totally, and feed their breastmilk to their child thru bottles. When exclusively pumping, itis important to use a hospital grade Medela breast pump, either the Lactina or Symphony.

In a society that does not always understand, accept or inspire breastfeeding, it’s important for mums to find breastfeeding support, either in the shape of loved ones, organizations like the La Leche League, or the direction of a lactation consultant or home health nurse. In addition, web sites like Breastpump.com can help the breastfeeding mummy with choosing a breast pump, supplies, connect to other mummies, and learn about the most recent advances in and studies about breastfeeding. Really, breastfeeding is one gift you can give to your kid that may last a lifetime.

Should you even Think about Getting a Tan While Going Through Pregnancy?

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010

When you’re pregnant, it can be a struggle to feel pretty. As you watch your belly expand, your ankles swell into sausages, and your breasts blow up like balloons, you wonder if you’ll ever be enticing again. You can do some things to improve your look, which includes lovely garments and fab looking hair and make-up, but if you’re pregnant in the summer months, you may wonder whether it’s safe for you to do any sun-tanning during pregnancy.

No one wants to harm their baby, and that is possible even before it is born if you subject it to the incorrect circumstances. Though the majority only think in terms of tanning beds being harmful to their developing child, it is essentially just one of the things to think about before attempting to achieve that sun-bronzed glow.

Let’s begin with tanning beds in our discourse of tanning during pregnancy. Though there is no proof that the beds themselves are harmful to the baby, there is evidence that unjustifiable heat may cause spinal defects. Additionally, there have been studies which have linked UV rays with a deficiency in folic acid. Folic acid is very important, especially in the first trimester, in preventing neural tube effects,eg spina bifida.

On top of the things that tanning beds can do to your baby, you also must consider the damage it can do to you. During pregnancy, your full body chemistry changes. Your skin is more subject to burning and to the development of unsightly dark splotches and skin cancers.

Getting a tan out on the beach or even outside generally has the same risks as those caused by tanning beds. Too much heat, fragile skin exposed to the elements with higher chances of bad burns and discoloration, and UV rays are just as bad when caused by the sun as they are by artificial rays, so it’s best to limit your sun exposure as long as you’re pregnant. Even after pregnancy, you’ll still be sensible to bypass the UV rays which cause cancer of the skin.

After governing out tanning beds and time spent in the sun, that leaves the choice of getting a tan from a bottle which seems to be the best alternative if you truly feel you need to get a tan. Even so, many doctors believe that you’re better off waiting at least until the end of your first trimester to use chemical tanning products, because noone really knows if the chemicals will penetrate the skin and do the baby harm. Tanning during pregnancy just isn’t the best idea.