Mom Central Baby

What to eat while breastfeeding

I remember being so overwhelmed with the thought of eating correctly once my baby was born. I wanted to make sure to offer him the best diet I could, but it was also a struggle to find foods that did not upset his stomach. It was a trial and error experiment, but we finally worked it out and eating became second nature again. Here are a few of the things I learned:

Dehydration

When you are busy with a new baby it is easy to forget to drink plenty of fluids when you’re breastfeeding. Things like water and milk are probably some of the best things you could be drinking. Keep in mind that some babies may have a milk protein allergy, which may mean cutting dairy out of your diet. To keep your milk supply up you are going to want to avoid dehydration.

Fiber

Things like oatmeal, fruits, and vegetables are loaded with fiber. Some people suggest that fiber may keep your milk supply up. Not only will you be producing a healthy milk supply, but you will also be providing your baby with a well rounded diet. If you continue to have trouble with your milk supply make sure to contact your local lactation consultant.

Foods that cause gas or fussiness

I learned quickly that my baby could not tolerate broccoli. I noticed that every time I ate broccoli he would have more fussiness. You may find that spicy foods and green vegetables can cause gas or fussiness in your baby.

Another thing is to avoid caffeine if you’re breastfeeding. I was so excited to be able to reintroduce caffeine into my diet and did not realize that it was going to effect my baby in such a huge way. I actually remember reading that the caffeine that is passed to your breastfed baby stays in their bodies for a few days. I made the decision to cut out caffeine all together for this very reason.

Overall, the main thing to remember is to eat a well balanced diet, keep hydrated and drink and eat often when you’re breastfeeding. And don’t forget to enjoy this special time with your baby!

Felicia Carter is the author of Go Graham Go, a parenting blog with advice, products and money saving tips. She has a three year old son and is expecting number two in September. Connect with Felicia on Twitter.

Managing visitors after baby is born

If this is your first pregnancy, chances are you are going to have several visitors to deal with. On one hand visitors are a welcomed sight. It’s a time to show off your brand new baby to the people who are the closest to you. On the other hand, visitors can sometimes become out of hand if you do not have a plan in place. Whether it is the hospital or at home, it is always good to have some sort of “traffic plan” for your visitors.

Managing visitors in the hospital

When my first son was born, I was so excited to see people like my parents, close family, and very close friends to show him off. Most of them were waiting patiently so that they could come in and meet him after he was born. I was thrilled to have them in my room after he arrived, and once the nurses had everyone presentable. We were all enjoying meeting this new little guy when there was a knock on the delivery room door. When the door was opened it was a man from my church whom I knew, but not well enough to let into the delivery room. It was awkward, but we made the best of it. From that point on I told my husband we would have to come up with a plan if this kept happening.

We were moved to the recovery room a few hours after our son was born and it was pretty late. The only people that came with us were my parents. We were lucky that most everyone realized we would need our sleep. The next day started very early and it seemed like a revolving door! Our sweet nurse finally looked at me and said, “You need your rest. Let me know if you want me to get rid of some of your visitors.” I told her that she was absolutely right and she quickly left a note on our hospital door.

From that point on, my clue word was, “I'm feeling thirsty,” and the nurse and my husband knew that it was time to try and send visitors on their way and put the note back on the door.

Managing visitors at home

When we made it home I breathed a sigh of relief. I felt like less people would be coming directly to our home, but I found that I was wrong when there was a knock on the door only a few hours after we arrived. Again, it was a man that we knew from church, but never would've expected in our home. Luckily, my mother-in-law and sister-in-law were home and ready to answer the door. My husband and I were napping trying to recuperate from all of the lost sleep in the hospital.

One great idea I learned after the fact was to provide a place on your porch or garage where friends could drop off the food and leave a note. This way they were not coming in your home and staying for hours. Another great idea if you are organizing a food delivery is to ask the people providing the food to limit their visit to about 10 minutes.

Everyone wants a chance to meet baby, it is just a delicate balance so that new parents do not become overwhelmed. Code words, planned food drop offs, and clear communication can help save your family some stress.

Felicia Carter is the author of Go Graham Go, a parenting blog with advice, products and money saving tips. She has a three year old son and is expecting number two in September. Connect with Felicia on Twitter.

Making your own baby food

We are so lucky to live in the day and age where we can pick up baby food that offers many varieties as well as organic options. I know that when Graham started baby food I tried to stick with the organic options out there even if they were a little more pricey than the original baby food options.

I soon started to learn more about making my own baby food and decided that this could be a potential cost saver. You only need a few things to get started and it really can be a convenient way to save!

What you will need to make your own baby food

• Baby food storage trays or regular ice cube trays
• Freezer bags (quart sized is best)
• A blender or food processor
• A steamer or oven

Baby food preparation

First of all, you need to make sure you are serving up appropriate foods at the right time. Make sure to talk to your pediatrician about what is right for your baby at any given age. Most babies are ready for solid foods around four to six months.

There are so many different methods, but this is what was quick and easy for me. I would cook or steam my food as I usually would. If it was sweet potato I would bake it in the oven. For other vegetables I would use the steamer.

Once your items are finished cooking you can add them to the blender with a little water. I would just keep blending and adding water until I reached the right consistency. If you use a steamer make sure to add back in the water from the steamer. The water from the steamer tends to hold more nutrients.

Freezing and defrosting baby food

Once your food is the consistency you would like, spoon the food into the ice cube trays. Put them in the freezer long enough to freeze (a few hours). Each square on the tray holds approximately one ounce. Pop the frozen squares into your freezer bag and make sure to label the date on the outside of the bag.

When it is time to defrost the food you can do it a few different ways. One way is to leave it out on the counter to let it thaw to room temperature. You could also pop it in the microwave or place it in the oven for a few minutes. I know some moms who just put it in the refrigerator overnight and then serve it to their babies cold. (Some babies prefer their food cold, others like it warm.)

Felicia Carter is the author of Go Graham Go, a parenting blog with advice, products and money saving tips. She has a three year old son and is expecting number two in September. Connect with Felicia on Twitter.

Working in the last weeks of pregnancy

I am officially 38 weeks pregnant this week and I am starting to feel it. On top of being in the last few weeks of pregnancy, I also started back to work this week. To say that it was exhausting would be an understatement. I am just one of those people who refuse to take up valuable sick days that I could use to spend with my newborn baby.

What does that mean? It means I will be at work until I pop! If it is anything like my first pregnancy I will be working until 41 weeks pregnant. I know there must be several other expectant mothers out there who feel the same way I do and are wondering how they can make it through those last few weeks.

Here are some tips that have been helpful for me:

Bring a stool to work

If you have a job that requires a lot of sitting, then you are going to need something to prop your feet up on, but in a professional manner. I brought one of Graham's wooden stools to work with me.  It seems to help a little with the swelling in my feet. It also helps if I can change up the position of my feet throughout the day. If you do not have a stool, try using a box from work.

Use a balance ball

In order to do this, it will depend upon the kind of environment you work in. Since I am a school counselor, I do not think people would take me very seriously. I do know that this can be a great way to help prevent swelling and also keep your back in a more comfortable position. It also helps to open up your pelvis so that if you do have minor contractions at work, they can be more tolerable.

Bring a water bottle

I know that I seem to bring up water in almost every post lately, but it is so important! If you have water in a water bottle you are going to be more likely to drink more of it. I like to set a goal to at least finish an entire water bottle before it is time to head home for the day. I know that this is not nearly enough, but it is a goal I can meet. Water helps minimize early contractions and will also help with swelling. Not to mention, you are going to feel more energized if you are hydrated.

Know when to call it quits

Most importantly, even if you are trying to save every single sick day, know when to say enough is enough! Ultimately, you want to have a healthy baby and have enough energy to labor. Keep this in mind when you start to feel worn down.

Felicia Carter is the author of Go Graham Go, a parenting blog with advice, products and money saving tips. She has a three year old son and is expecting number two in September. Connect with Felicia on Twitter.

Breast milk storage and pumping

One of the problems I faced with my first son was keeping up my milk supply when I headed back to work. My job offers zero down time, and I found myself struggling to be able to pump adequately throughout the day. I also work in a high stress environment which does not lend itself well to pumping.

This time around I have been talking to friends and reading up on ways to make my milk storage and pumping more effective.

Pump early

I was so afraid to start pumping early because everything I read said that I should not do anything to alter my milk supply until the nursing was well established. While I definitely see the reasoning behind this, it seems to me that the more I pump the more milk I will produce. With my first son I waited until he was about a month old before I started. This time around I think I will only wait a week or two.

Ice cube trays

I did not try this last time, but it was a tip that I am going to take advantage of this time around. Ice trays generally offer about one fluid ounce per cube. Some women will freeze their breast milk in a tray and then pop it into a freezer bag marked with the date. This would be so much easier for me to store in our compact freezer than breast milk bags. I also think it will help me waste less of the milk because I can prepare it ounce by ounce.

Breast milk storage bags

As convenient as the ice cube trays will be, I am still going to need some of the breast milk storage bags for work. I do not think my colleagues would appreciate me taking up the freezer space with ice cube trays. Besides, they may think they are ice! The only draw back to the bags is that I tend to be clumsy and the bags can sometimes slip when I am trying to pour the milk!

Breast milk storage bottles

This may be a more effective option for work depending upon the price. You can attach the bottles directly to your pump so that you do not have to transfer the milk anywhere else. Most come with caps so that they will be secure during transport. The draw back to these would be for the woman who pumps several ounces of milk. She may not have enough room to tote all of the bottles around.

I would love to know what worked for you! I am definitely looking for tips and suggestions.

Felicia Carter is the author of Go Graham Go, a parenting blog with advice, products and money saving tips. She has a three year old son and is expecting number two in September. Connect with Felicia on Twitter.

Pregnancy and nesting

When I was pregnant with Graham I was a little offended by the term “nesting” for some reason. I suppose it made me feel like a bird of some sort!  People would ask, “have you started nesting yet?” My response was always polite, but wanted to be, “What do I look like?” At any rate, nesting did take place, and when it did I was very aware.

What is nesting anyway?

If you are a first time mom you may be asking yourself what is all this nesting hype about? I know I certainly did. I can tell you that when it happens you will know. All of a sudden you have a uncontrollable urge to have everything organized, cleaned, and squared away. Maybe it is your body's way of letting you know you are soon going to be more overwhelmed than you have ever been in your life and you need to have a few things taken care of.

When does nesting take place?

I think that for most women, nesting happens within that last month of pregnancy. The first time around for me it was around week 37. I found myself vacuuming the house daily, dusting, reorganizing the already organized closet, and stockpiling things. This time around it hit a lot sooner. At about 33 weeks I had an uncontrollable urge to have every thing taken care of. I'm not sure if it hit so much sooner this time because I have another child to look after or if it was because I am out of work for the summer. I definitely have a desire to know that everything is in its proper place. I also have a new nesting desire this time; baking and freezing food! I guess I remember how hungry I was last time!

Nesting tips

You can definitely start to become overwhelmed once the nesting desire takes over. I know that my husband was probably tired of me constantly nagging him about completing the baby's room, but I felt a strong sense that things were not right until it was finished. My tip is to try to take a step back from whatever it is you are doing that day. Make some time for yourself and do something relaxing. Above all else, remember that finished room or not, your baby will never know and you are still going to love that precious soul more than you could ever know!

Felicia Carter is the author of Go Graham Go, a parenting blog with advice, products and money saving tips. She has a three year old son and is expecting number two in September. Connect with Felicia on Twitter.

Ideas for turning a breech baby

First of all, I want to make absolute sure that everyone knows I am in no way a doctor and that you must consult your doctor before doing anything. With that said, my last OB visit has left me wondering about how my baby may be positioned. When she asked if I felt like the baby was head down, I told her that it seemed he flipped and I wasn't sure anymore. When she located his heart beat higher than normal she told me she wasn't sure either. I have one more week before my major exams begin, so we will know more then.  In the mean time, I have been researching ways I can hopefully ensure that this little guy turns head down! Here are a few of the tips I've read:

Music

In this MP3 player age, most people have access to music with ear phones. You can place the ear phones near the bottom of your belly to help encourage the baby to move towards the music. It is true that at about 15 weeks gestation, your baby can hear what is going on outside of the womb! There are even different devices on the market today that are made especially for playing music to your unborn baby.

Water

When you think about it, the baby in your womb needs plenty of amniotic fluid in order to be able to move well. The more you intake water, the more your amniotic fluid will increase, which will hopefully give baby room to wiggle around. Make sure you are taking in even more water if you are pregnant during the summer months. It is amazing how quickly you can become dehydrated.

Balance or exercise ball

A balance ball is great for so many reasons! When you are pregnant you can use it for labor, stretching, and to open up your hips. By keeping your hips open you can possible help your baby have room to move to the head down position. You can sit on the balance ball while watching a favorite show or just during commercial breaks. If anything, it can help soothe that aching back! Make sure to avoid sitting in recliners or any type of chair that may compress your pelvic area. This will only make less room for baby to move.

Swimming

Swimming is a great way to get in some exercise as well as open up your hips! I also have found that if I am having lower back pain, swimming is just the thing to relieve it. If you have another child, you can get in some family fun time as well!

Felicia Carter is the author of Go Graham Go, a parenting blog with advice, products and money saving tips. She has a three year old son and is expecting number two in September. Connect with Felicia on Twitter.

Cure the third trimester slump!

Here I am with about five weeks to go in this pregnancy and I am definitely starting to feel it physically. It is amazing how you can go from loads of energy to not being able to lift your head in the matter of a few weeks. What makes it even harder is the fact that I have a thre year old who is relying on me every single day. There are absolutely no sick days and there is little to no time for a nap (unless I take one when he is napping). Maybe I was this exhausted the first time around, but I definitely do not remember it! I have been trying to take matters into my own hands and find things that help pick me back up during the day. Hopefully some of these ideas will be helpful to you as well!

Exercising in your third trimester

I am most certainly not running or even jogging at this point in my pregnancy, but I can definitely still walk! As tempting as it is to park in the “expectant mother” parking or find the closest available parking spot, I try to park a little further away just so I have to walk more. It is easier for me because I have a child who can walk by himself. I understand that if you still have a small toddler it may be easier for you to park closer and carry your child (still a work out though)!

I also try to take about 30 minutes a day, three days a week to walk on our Gazelle. Yes, it is one of those Tony Little devices that makes me feel completely ridiculous, but the point is that I do it and it helps! Even just exercising for one day will make a huge difference in any pains I may be feeling in my lower back or pelvis.

Water,  water, and more water!

Water is so vital to everything, especially when you are pregnant! Being dehydrated can even lead to preterm labor if you are not careful. While it is important to stay hydrated to avoid things like preterm labor, it is also important to stay hydrated for energy. Your body's cells are like sponges and absorb up every ounce of water you can give them.  If your cells are full, you are going to have more energy. If your cells are shriveling up so are you!

Treat yourself

Truthfully, if I had the money for a massage that is exactly what I would do! Instead, I opt for things like having my husband watch my three year old for me one night every once in a while so that I can go out, run errands, and take my time! It is amazing how relaxing a drive down the road, windows down, and no kiddie music playing can be. It is even more inviting to be able to do some shopping or get things done without worrying about a snack cup, nap time, or a convenient potty break. The point is to find something that is a treat for you and do it! If you have other children in the home I'm sure there is bound to be someone who can take them off your hands for just a few hours, even if you only do it once!

Felicia Carter is the author of Go Graham Go, a parenting blog with advice, products and money saving tips. She has a three year old son and is expecting number two in September. Connect with Felicia on Twitter.

Summer cold tips from Advil

Colds are annoying, but even more pesky when they jump on the scene in the summer time! I know that Graham and I both have fought off a two week long cold this summer. The problem is that it gets in the way of all of the fun things you would rather be doing. Poor Graham was exhausted and had a scratchy throat and runny nose the entire time. We avoided seeing a friend's brand new baby as well as trips to the pool.

Children average about 12 colds per year.  Exposure to air conditioning, air plane travel, and summer camp playmates put your child at risk more than you would think during the summer. Because colds are viral infections, they can be spread by breathing in germs from someone who has been coughing or sneezing, physical contact with another person who has a cold, or by touching a contaminated item.

What can you do about a summer time cold?

Here are some tips from Children's Advil (not part of the recent recall):

Runny Nose: It is better for your child to sniff or swallow than blow the nose which could lead to spreading to the ears and sinuses.

Stuffy Nose: Put three drops of warm tap water in the nose and swipe with a cotton swab

Sore Throat: Gargle with warm salt water

Fever: Use fever reducing medicine (Children's Advil for ages 2-11), dress lightly, drink lots of fluids to avoid dehydration

Loss of Appetite: Encourage your child to drink fluids (chicken soup, etc) so that they do not become dehydrated

Prevent Future Colds: Wash hands often, drink plenty of fluids, get plenty of rest, spend time outdoors (the Sun's ultraviolet rays can kill cold germs)

You can visit the Children's Advil website for a $1 off coupon as well as more important safety information about Children's Advil.

Felicia Carter is the author of Go Graham Go, a parenting blog with advice, products and money saving tips. She has a three year old son and is expecting number two in September. Connect with Felicia on Twitter.

Discovery Health's NICU docu-drama on premature babies

If you are currently a mother, you know how amazing the entire birth process was. I am thankful everyday for a healthy child and know that I am blessed beyond measure.

I have one friend in particular who has a really amazing story about giving birth to her son when he was only 23 weeks along. I watched the events unfold from the day her water broke until the day he came home from the hospital. He is now a bright, funny and lovable elementary school student! It is amazing what technology can do for the tiniest of lives and I am so grateful for all of the hard work doctors and nurses put in every day. What a wonderful time to be pregnant and having babies!

Starting Thursday, July 15th at 10 pm E/P time you can watch the new docu-drama created by Discovery Health. The series is called NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). This particular series takes you behind the scenes of NICUs in Baltimore, San Diego, and Cleveland. You will be able to follow the doctors, nurses, and even the families behind these tiny patients.

If you visit the Discovery Health NICU website, you can join the Discovery Health Pregnancy and Parenting Support Community as well as support the March of Dimes as they fight for preemies. The support community provides a way for you to post questions and gain feedback from other mothers.

I know that my friend would have loved to have had this type of support when she was going through the birth of her preemie. It is sometimes comforting to hear from other mothers who have been there. You can also find helpful articles available for parents of preemies that include tips for nursing a preemie and long term issues and problems associated with preemies.

Felicia Carter is the author of Go Graham Go, a parenting blog with advice, products and money saving tips. She has a three year old son and is expecting number two in September. Connect with Felicia on Twitter.