Posts filed under 'Pregnancy'
It may seem that massage is a technique used only for adults who lead stressful and demanding lives. With so many ailments that strain both our minds and bodies, it is no wonder that parents benefit so much from the comforting and healing power of massage.
What about babies and even infants? It may seem strange to think that these small little bundles of joy could have any reason to feel stress or pain of any kind, but that is not the case. While somewhat new to the United States, infant massage and baby massage are making their mark and proving just how important massage is to the care and development of all babies and especially infants.
Not only will massage provide the needed touch and care that your baby’s needs and desires, but it will build a close relationship between you and your child. Experts emphasize that getting Dads. Moms, and even Grandparents involved in baby massage is a great idea.
The benefits of infant massage are exciting, and most parents would not trade the short time that they spend each day massaging their infant for anything. Infant massage contributes so much to the growth, development, and overall happiness of the child and parents.
Some of the benefits of baby or infant massage:
~Relaxation- Helping to calm your baby and their muscles, while teaching them how to relax and the importance of relaxation in life.
~Relief from pain- An infant with colic can be a strain on the entire family. Certain massage techniques can help to relieve the gas and spasm that the infant exeriencenes, and can help the digestive system to work more efficiently.
~Bonding- Spending one on one time with your infant and creating a special bond that may be hard to find in our busy lives.
~Sleep- Massage helps the baby to be relaxed and pain free, helping them sleep better, and in turn helping you sleep better.
~Health- Massage is good for your infants overall health. It promotes proper blood flow as well as increased sensory awareness and normal brain development.
There are many important techniques involved in infant massage, and likewise there are many resources available to help parents know how to properly perform infant massage.
Books, instructors, and even instructional videos are available to help you get the most out of the time you spend massaging your baby. In the meantime, get your infant in the habit of spending this relaxation time with you each day.
The environment in which you perform your infant’s massage is vital. A room that is cool and well lit does not promote the same calming effect as one that is at a comfortable temperature with dimmed lights and soft music playing. Try to create an atmosphere that would be appealing to you if you were to receive a massage. Experts suggest using a vegetable or plant oil to massage your baby rather that mineral based baby oil, which may not absorb as well.
Any way that we can start our children on the path to health and happiness in life is so helpful to both them and us as their parents. Spending the short amount of time needed to massage your baby each day will benefit them for years to come, and the bond that you will form will be priceless.
Details on infant massage techniques
Naptime help for your toddler at Child N Parent
By: Vanessa Lee
July 26th, 2008
If my baby was a boy, my three-year-old son thought “Mater” would be a good name. Luckily for the baby, it’s a girl. That same child is lucky he wasn’t a girl because his older sisters wanted to name him “Lolly”. I know people who were named by older siblings after “Curious George” and “Marsha” from “The Brady Bunch”.
My husband and I have chosen to tell our three children they are absolutely not naming the baby, and that’s final. But we have still tried to come up with a name they at least like. We’ve started calling her little Claire now so there will be no confusion when she’s born.
When you already have older children, it is really the family that is having the baby. It is important to make sure siblings are involved in the excitement and anticipation of the pregnancy. This helps them to feel a bond with the baby when it is born, and be less likely to feel replaced.
Sometimes I feel a little mauled by the older kids, but know it is important to let them feel the baby move. They love to give her (really my stomach) hugs and kisses.
Older children start to deal with changes from the time Mom becomes pregnant. Early in my pregnancy I was plagued with morning sickness. Sometimes I would run out of the room with no explanation (strange behavior for a mom). My son once followed me to the bathroom, then pretended to throw-up as well.
Other times I would spend long periods of time lying on the couch. I found it good to explain to them what was happening to me and that these things were a normal part of pregnancy. Knowing helped reduce their anxiety.
These things are just the beginning of changes to come. They range from sharing Mom’s attention to shifting beds and bedrooms. It’s important to start preparing children early and make the changes gradually so kids are not hit with everything at once.
For tips on helping get your big kids ready for a baby, visit our tips for siblings article in the pregnancy section of childnparent.com.
Happy pregnancy!
By: Megamom
Megan C. Wallgren
March 17th, 2008
With each pregnancy I found myself getting more and more forgetful. Having a baby meant losing very vital brain cells, and after each baby it seemed to get worse. I am not sure if sure if I ever regained my memory completely, but I think after several years I am almost back to normal, unless I just forgot what normal was.
Luckily, I am not alone. At least 80% of all women say that they become more forgetful during pregnancy, especially during the third trimester and that it continues even after delivery. According to a recent study in Australia expectant mothers probably are more forgetful. Based on their research, pregnancy turns pregnant mothers into 60 year olds, at least when it comes to their memories. They say that women can become impaired for at least a year after giving birth. Researches do not know why this happens.
If you are pregnant and forgetful, just keep in mind that you are normal, and that some day along with your body, you may get your mind back.
Our website, Child’n Parent has more answers to your pregnancy questions.
By: Vanessa Lee
February 12th, 2008
My three-year-old son wants to name our baby “Mater” as in “Tow-Mater”. Though our whole family likes the movie “Cars”, we breathed a sigh of relief when we found out we were having a girl.
A baby carries its name throughout life and — love it or hate it — a name is part of what makes a person who they are. Shakespeare says “That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet.” But, when it comes to naming our babies, the names we give in some ways reflect our hopes for our children. Do we call her Sunni or Susan? Do we name him after his grandfather, a favorite athlete, or a U.S. president
Some couples choose baby names before they are even pregnant. Others wait until after birth to see what name seems to fit the baby. Naming your child is an important, but fun part of being a parent. For help in choosing you have “The Meaning of Thousands of Baby Names” and “Baby Names World.” Here are some tips to help you find the perfect baby name.
Common or Unique? There are advantages to having a unique name or a common one. If the name is unique, your child is less likely to have other kids with the same name in his class and it can avoid confusion.
Having a unique name can make your child stand out. This can be good or bad. Your child may feel special and proud. However, if the name is too strange, your child may wish she could just blend in with the crowd. As children get older, some refuse to go by a name they don’t like.
Spelling should also be considered. While you may think a unique spelling is cute, your child may resent always having to correct people’s spelling and pronunciation. Baby names follow trends and what may be unusual today, may be very popular in five years. What sounds cute today, may sound silly in twenty.
Play the association game. Most of us have very powerful associations with names. We like the name of our favorite aunt, we hate the name of the kid that used to bully us at recess.
While your child will come to define the name, it’s important to choose a name with a positive meaning for you. Many people name their children after relatives. This can give your child a sense of family and belonging. Choosing names with a specific ethnic origin can help your child identify with that culture.
Some people choose names for meanings that reflect the qualities and traits they value and hope their children will embrace. Some babies are named for times (Summer, May) or places (London, Dakota) that have special meaning to their parents.
Does it roll off the tongue? Consider how the name sounds with your last name. Some people like to repeat beginning sounds or sounds in the middle of the name. How does the name fit in when you say it with the other names in your family? Think about potential nicknames and whether you like them or not.
Before your baby is born, family, friends and even strangers will be anxious to discuss potential names. Don’t try to please others. Any name you choose is sure to get mixed reviews. Some people wait to tell others about their chosen name to avoid this.
Find a name you love, and don’t worry about what others think. They will grow to love the name as they grow to love your child. We have more tips for announcing the new baby and for Great New Baby Toys.
By Megan C. Wallgren
December 2nd, 2007
A sibling can be a lifelong friend, but sometimes they get off to a rocky start. Big brother or sister may see the new baby as an attention stealer and a little jealousy is not uncommon. These simple ways to get your child ready for their new big kid role can help lessen the sibling rivalry.
Start getting your child ready for the new baby around the second trimester. At this point, there is less chance of miscarriage, but still plenty of time to make adjustments.
When talking about the baby, always refer to it as “our baby”. This helps your older child feel like a part of an expanding family. She will form a bond with the baby early on as she shares in the anticipation.
Read this full, wonderful article at childnparent.com
and visit here for more answers to pregnancy questions.
September 17th, 2007
I was sitting in a small room trying to chat comfortably and ignore the needle in my arm when the nurse asked, do you want us to call you with the results of the blood test, or just send them to the doctor.
I was in my 18th week of pregnancy, and flabbergasted by the question. “Will I know what the results mean,” I asked. Going a little red I admitted, “I don’t even know what I’m being tested for.”
It’s my fourth pregnancy, so when my doctor said, “Go get your blood drawn,” I obediently went. I am, after all a very good pregnant lady, taking my prenatal vitamin every day, eschewing caffeine, and faithfully doing yoga for pregnant women.
I like to leave all the fancy medical terminology and the worries that go with it to my doctor. When a week later, the doctor told me the tests were normal, I breathed a sigh of relief, though I wasn’t quite sure what bullets my baby and I had dodged. As I left the clinic, however, I vowed to become better informed.
By Megan C. Wallgren
Read Megan’s article on prenatal tests and results at childnparent.com
August 29th, 2007
Morning sickness is a condition that affects at least fifty percent of all pregnant women. It usually begins with a nauseated feeling and can be accompanied by vomiting. Morning sickness generally begins around the sixth week of pregnancy, and is often most bothersome around the fifth to seventh week. Morning sickness will often last through the fourteenth or sixteenth week of pregnancy and then abruptly end, however it can continue throughout the entire pregnancy. Although morning sickness is far from being a pleasant experience for most new moms, there is a medical theory that maintains that morning sickness could be a sign of a healthy baby.
You will find the complete article at childnparent.com
For more answers to pregnancy questions go to Child N Parent.com
By: Debby Hoffer
July 30th, 2007
When you are pregnant, everything that you do affects your baby. It is important to make healthy choices for you and your little one. Exercise is one healthy choice that can give you more energy during pregnancy. You will feel better and avoid extra weight gain. It can also help you to gain strength and stamina for your upcoming delivery.
Find this complete article and more answers to pregnancy questions at childnparent.com.
By: Megan C. Wallgren
June 26th, 2007
Mapping out a plan for handling morning sickness is crucial to a pregnant Mom’s survival. After all, a busy mom has only so much time, and if a good chunk of that time is spent caressing the porcelain bowl, it can be very inconvenient. Morning sickness often happens in the morning when a pregnant woman’s blood sugar is at a low level due to not eating during the night. Hence the name, morning sickness.
Map out your plan to handle morning sickness with the help of this great article.
Your resource for pregnancy questions at childnprent.
By: Debby Hoffer
June 4th, 2007
It can strike at any time, day or night. For the lucky, it’s a mild irritation. For the rest of us gals, it brings us to our knees. It’s the first foe we face in pregnancy, morning sickness.
Most doctors (but no mothers) see morning sickness as a good thing. It is caused by an increase in estrogen and other hormonal changes that are present in a healthy pregnancy. For some women these changes cause nausea and vomiting. Morning sickness usually lasts from about the 6th to 12th week of pregnancy, but for some can go on longer.
Though there are some medications your doctor can prescribe for morning sickness, most recommend using natural remedies because your baby is very vulnerable during the first trimester.
Use this article and our other helpful articles on morning sickness and pregnancy questions at childnparent.com.
By: Megan Wallgren
April 19th, 2007
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