What is the Best Gift for New Moms?

Many people focus on the new baby a gift during their visit to a baby shower or visit a new mother for the first time after childbirth. However, do not let the new mother image limit you; there are many gifts for the new mother to choose if you know how and where to look.

Although there are many gift ideas that exist today, three in particular can make very special gifts that you can buy new mothers. For a new mom, the world is filled with love and hope; the joy of having a newborn is without limit. When visiting a new mother, you need to keep in mind that most people focus on things the new mom needs, and if you focus on something they want and enjoy, your gift will stand out remember be remembered.

Day of Pampering. What can better relieve muscle aches and emotionally drained new mothers than a visit to the spa? Whether it's 45 minutes of massage or a stay of 4 hours, a new mother will certainly have a chance to relax and be pampered by professionals. If possible, offer the child sitting for the day when she receives her well deserved princess treatment.

Another theme at this point in a woman's life is the preservation of the memory for years to come. With a new baby, there will be a lot you want to record it and note as the child begins to grow. You can make this easy for her by providing a personal journal. You can find pre-mother journals that have specific areas of information on the growth of the baby, and his reflections on his journey. You will also find a white paper that will do just as well and pair it with a beautiful pen.

If the mother you are interested in purchasing for enjoys scrapbooking, you have an instant gift. Give her a selection of scrapbooking supplies, including coordination of stickers, paper and embellishments. This will make it very easy for her to take early memories of her baby.

Matching pajamas for mom and baby are not only adorable, but it will be really appreciated if the new mom is sure to spend much time in the early months of caring for her baby for any time of day or night. Pajamas to keep her warm and comfortable, while her child is wearing a matching costume, will keep the new mother connected  and the lift her energy and spirits.

And if you really want to wow them, offer the follow them around for a day. You can stay in the car with the baby while they run for a million places they need to go to, but because it is a problem for the baby to get up and out of the car each time.

Update:  I have seen a disturbing trend in the showers I have been going to where the guests have been giving kitchen items as gifts.  Ceramic knives, like Yoshiblade, seem to be especially popular.  I am flabbergasted.  I don’t know what you people are thinking.  Perhaps you think that speeding up chopping tasks will allow mom to spend more time with the new baby, but give your heads a shake.  Check out a Yoshiblade review and you will quickly discover that these things are just as likely to chop of mom’s finger tip as well as the carrots.  There won’t be more time to spend with the baby when you are having your thumb stitched back on.  Stick to the traditional items please.

Trilastin SR Cream for Stretch Marks Review

There are many creams for sale that are marketed to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. Trilastin SR is one of the most popular and has been since it was released on Tyra Banks show a few years ago.
Stretch marks, also known as striae may occur when the fibers that bind the skin is too tight, which is generally focused on the grounds of pregnancy or extreme weight gain.

For any type of stretch mark cream to be effective, it must penetrate the skin and activates the repair of damage to the tissues below. SR Trilastin To do this, containing ingredients found in healthy skin such as elastin, collagen and soy protein. This not only helps prevent further damage to underlying tissues, and also to repair any existing damage.

Trilastin is basically a formula that contains active ingredients that actually penetrate the skin and actively work to repair the skin cells that cause stretch marks.

Trilastin contains collagen and elastin, the two elements that seem to do the stretch mark creams effective. The reason why these two elements are so important for the healing of stretch marks is that they are naturally present in cells of the skin and are used to repair the skin, so by injecting the skin with a collagen and elastin, Trilastin is actually able to solve the problem where it began, at the cellular level.

Not only that, but Trilastin seems to be a particularly effective way, using ingredients that are already great skin, such as elastin and collagen. An example of this is that soy protein containing 10 amino acids that work to create new skin cells and promote the development of new skin cells more dynamic.

Trilastin Does it work?  Although the results seem to vary, most users claim to see differences in the appearance of stretch marks 3-4 weeks, while in 2-3 months, the stretch marks are more or less disappeared completely.

The results of Trilastin sustainable?  Because Trilastin repair work on the domestic market of dead skin cells, the results are said to have stopped even after the last use of the cream itself. The only exception would be if, after the cessation of use, large weight losses or again occurred in this case, the application of Trilastin expected to continue. 

Are there any side effects?  Trilastin has no side effects because it is formulated from all natural ingredients and works with your Bodys own proteins to repair skin cells internally.

Will it work for all skin types?  Again, because it works with your own Bodys resources and is based on natural ingredients, Trilastin can deliver results for stretch marks that occur on any skin type.

How long will it take to see results?  Several reports indicate that the results can be visible from Trilastin noticed in as little as 3 weeks, but permanent results are likely to take up to 3-4 months to take full effect.

It is not wonder ECResearchCorp, manufacturers Trilastin SR, chose to highlight the experiences and views of clients, including on their website. These observations when combined with actual measurable before and after pictures are a great way for them to present their stretch mark cream is really finished. They hope that you will see dramatic results that others have earned and to recognize that it really works.

The product's website gives a much more useful than the simple stories of achievement. They offer a very good account of what causes stretch marks. They follow up on how their merchandise is one of the best products for skin care to both prevent and repair.

Also not to be overlooked is the money-back guarantee. Even if they only offer 60 days money back guarantee, which is significantly shorter than their competitor, Revitol Stretch Mark Prevention, they offer another one, so if you are not satisfied, you can get a refund. It is refreshing when a manufacturer is willing to abide by their products and put their money where their mouths. Equally encouraging is that they are a member of the Better Business Bureau.

In conclusion, it appears that for various reasons Trilastin is an effective and affordable to eliminate stretch marks and improve your skin. With so much talk about plastic surgery these days, it is great to see more safe and natural alternatives to the problems arising from beauty.

Keys to Fair, but Effective Discipline

Sometimes it can be very difficult to communicate something with your child. Set clear expectations regarding what is acceptable behavior and what is not. This is imperative to successfully teaching your child right from wrong. If the parameters are unclear or the child learns that in a situation the rules for the time being don't apply in another situation, he will be confusion and frustrated and so will you.

Sit with your child well in advance and explain both the expectations and consequences of misconduct or wrong doing. Make it clear that in no uncertain terms, there is no room for negotiation at the time of the crime.

Rules regarding your child's safety, health or well-being should have no room for negotiation at all and need to be strictly enforced. Other rules can be discussed openly and honestly with your child. If necessary, a contract between parent and child can be drawn up that puts these things in black and white, in language your child can understand. For young children, you may want to set up a table of good conduct in the contract, and for each week that passes without offenses, a favorite or special treat can be won.

But all children need to understand that discipline is the way you teach them what is acceptable behavior and what is not. Maybe it seems as though children fight rules and regulations, but they really know that these settings are intended for their welfare, health, safety, and allow them to grow into a mature person capable of taking wise decisions.

Consistency is key to successfully teaching your child right from wrong.  Dealing with small infractions now, makes dealing with the bigger problems later so much easier. You must stand firm and say when you say, "Turn off the television now" or "no dessert after dinner because you did not touch your dinner." This teaches defined consequences for misdeeds and inappropriate or unacceptable actions or behaviors. Inconsistency makes you directly responsible for the misconduct of your children and does not teach them to be accountable for their actions.

It is also important that each partner is consistent with the discipline. If one parent is too strict and the other is too lenient, the child may try to manipulate the situation to his advantage. Parents must agree on disciplinary action in advance and make a commitment to another to be consistent in implementing and monitoring the consequences. This can be particularly difficult if the parents are separated or divorced.

Consistency has to be strong and firm. It can sometimes be difficult after a hard day's work to face a hard night of parenting in front of you. Your child will always test the limits and "push the envelope” with you to see if there is any play in those consequences. Show that there is none and you expect nothing less than taking responsibility for their actions

What Type of Stroller to Choose?

There are dozens of choices available when it comes to picking out a stroller.  You can select from ultra light weight umbrella strollers to extremely durable larger strollers.  Then there are niche targeted items such as jogging strollers or models created to carry more than one child.  For newborns there are strollers that are just a frame with an attachment to support a car seat.  Then there are 3 in 1 designs that where the car seat and base is included with the stroller.

Each will feature a safety harness and is collapsible to some extent for easy storage.  Some of the larger strollers are less compact due to their sheer bulk.

Many new moms will purchase two strollers.  One will be a light weight umbrella style for quick errands, and another will be a midsize which are perfect for longer walks. 

Midsize models are more shock-absorbing with cushier , more supportive seating.  Some will have larger wheels which makes the chore of pushing much easier for you; especially on rough terrain.  In this sense you really want to let your lifestyle be your guide.

Don't overlook carriers either.  You will want to have one on hand for the times you have to navigate an area where bringing a stroller is not realistic.

Regardless of your decision, taking the opportunity to get a little exercise and go out to show off your new baby can be an incredibly rewarding experience not to mention a great way to shed a few of those pregnancy pounds.

Pregnancy and Work

With such a large percentage of working women in today’s society deciding what to do with work when you find out you are pregnant can be a real obstical. Furthermore it is not just the health of your baby that you need to be concerned with; discrimination unfortunately still exists.

It is imperative to keep in mind that if you work in a setting or industry where fumes etc, may cause harm to your child, you should let your supervisor know right away so that alternate arrangements can be made.

It is always a good idea to have a detailed plan that includes how long you plan to stay at your job, how long your maternity leave will be. You can then determine how and when you will finish up your responsibilities and what will have to be reassigned to others. It can be beneficial if your plan is somewhat flexible, providing your are not compromising on what is important to you.

Deciding when to tell your employer the news can be a real struggle. Some women are afraid of announcing their pregnancy right before a performance or salary review. In that case, you might want to wait until after before spilling the beans.

It would be nice if being pregnant was no longer a cause for discrimination in the workplace. Unfortunately, many women do still face inequality in the workplace just because they are pregnant.

There are law in place to protect eligible employees who need to take leave during or after pregnancy. If an employer offers sick leave or disability leave to its employees, it must permit pregnant employees to use that leave for pregnancy-related conditions.

"Family and medical leave" generally allows an eligible employee (man or woman) to take an unpaid leave of absence (generally up to 12 or 16 weeks) to care for a child upon the child’s birth or adoption.

Your best bet is to be as honest as possible with everyone involved, but remember you have rights and be sure that you are not unfairly pushed around.

Choosing a Baby Doctor

While most new moms choose their baby's doctor well before giving birth, that is not always the case.  Your new baby will be visiting its pediatrician often for the first few years so it is important to select someone you trust and are comfortable with.

When considering or interviewing a prospective doctor feel free to ask questions.  Don't only listen to the actual answers to the questions, but also pay attention to the many in which he or she responds to them.  Is the doctor sensitive and understanding or does he seem condescending and disinterested.  During your newborns frequent checkups you will have lots of question you will want to have addressed and this could be a could indication of how you will be treated later on.

You may wish to obtain referrals from family or friends.  If someone you trust has had good success with their chosen doctor that could be a good place to begin your search.  Don't forget to inquire about whether or not the new doctor will accept your insurance plan and that their office hours are suitable for you.

The choice between a pediatrician and a family doctor is another distinction to be made.  While a pediatrician has more specialized training in children's needs, a family doctor who is familiar with the whole family and you child can continue to see beyond childhood has its benefits as well.  If you do go with your family doctor, be certain to confirm that they have lots of baby care experience.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) can assist you with a referral to a certified pediatrician.

The bottom line is that your new baby's health is one of the most important things that you have been entrusted with.  The weight of this trust can be the source of an incredible stress for new moms.  Taking the time to choose a baby doctor that will put your mind and at ease and will be patient with even the most inane inquiries is critical to your peace of mind in these first few years.  Put in the time to research this decision responsibly now and you will definitely thank yourself later.

Challenges and Benefits of Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is a bit of a challenge sometimes for new moms. There is so much anxiety building up about doing it right and you feel a great deal of pressure because after all you are providing the sole nourishment for your new baby. This wouldn’t be so bad if breastfeeding was a snap and your baby latched on the first time with no problem, but that is not always the case. All in all this is not a recipe for a great new experience. There are however things you can do to make this the best experience possible for both mother and baby.

The first decision you need to make is whether you are going to breast feed at all. It is a personal choice and there is no right answer, accept the one that is right for you, however most prominent health organizations including the American Medical Association, advise that breastfeeding is the best choice for infants.

Your breast milk contains the optimum combination of nutrients for your baby’s health and development. Breastfeeding should be done exclusively for the first six months and partially for the following six months.

Breastfeeding in public can sometimes be a contentious issue. Please remember that there is nothing to feel embarrassed or ashamed about. A mother feeding her baby is a natural thing and not something you should feel you need to hide. This fact does not mean that you will not feel modesty and if it is your preference to nurse in a different room or not in a crowded restaurant, there is nothing wrong with this. It also helps to understand that some people just don’t know how to behave around a nursing mother. Should they avoid eye contact etc.? Because breasts are also sexual objects in North American society, breastfeeding in public just makes some people feel uneasy. That doesn’t make it right, but it’s a fact none the less.

It has been recommended by some that it is helpful to take calcium supplements while pregnant and breastfeeding, but this has been discounted by others. During pregnancy and the first few months of development a baby needs a great deal of calcium. The concern stems from the fact that if the mother does not get enough calcium, then the infant will draw what it needs from the mother’s bones. While breastfeeding you want to ensure you are providing your baby with its required daily dose of calcium.

After you have gotten past the initial learning period, you will find breastfeeding to be far easier and less hassle if you wear nursing bras. Ask your friends who chose to use formula about the effort associated with buying it, cleaning the equipment, getting it to the right temperature. Breast milk is especially convenient during late night feedings. Of course this presents a challenge for a father who wants to share in the feeding responsibilities; this can be overcome as well.

During the initial adjustment period, if you are having problems breastfeeding, but you do want to make it work, please ask for help. If you don’t click with it right away, it does not mean that you have to quit and switch to formula. You can be a good mother without breastfeeding, but that doesn’t mean you have to accept not breastfeeding if you would prefer not to.

A lesser known benefit of nursing is that it helps you lose weight and returns your uterus back to its normal size more quickly. Nursing consumes calories.

Returning to work is another challenge nursing mother’s face. Most will pump several times a day and then refrigerate it or freeze it for later. To thaw the frozen milk put it in warm water or let it slowly thaw in the fridge. You do not want to use a microwave as this will breakdown the milk’s nutrients and defeat the purpose of breastfeeding. Additionally this can make the milk too hot and risk scalding. Using a breast pump take a bit of getting used to so practice for awhile before going back to work.

It is in employer’s best interests to accommodate nursing mothers as much as possible. Women who can continue to breast feed can return to work much more quickly. Also children who are breastfed have shown to get sick less often when they are older which will mean the mother will need less sick days to care for sick kids.

I’ll stop it there for now if you have any breastfeeding questions, please do not hesitate to ask.