Mod Mum

Wintertime normally brings a lot of flu’s, bugs, and colds. This year, however, I find myself faced with worries about the H1N1 Flu, or the Swine Flu. With young babies it is important to protect your family from getting sick if you can help it.

Make sure you wash your hands. Washing hands will prevent spreading an illness if you have it. Be sure to wash your hands with soap and water, or antibacterial lotion, every time you cough or sneeze.

Try not to touch your eyes and mouth around a baby. These two places are main transmitters for germs. If you have a habit of biting your fingernails be sure to wash your hands after.

Cough or sneeze in to a tissue or elbow. If you do it in a tissue you can throw it away and get rid of the germs. Try not to cough in to your hand.

If you know someone is sick, don’t go around them. If your friends want to have a play date but their kids are sick ask to reschedule. Even a runny nose with out a fever can be harmful to a baby.

When you go out in public wear baby in a baby carrier. A baby carrier allows you to be close to your baby and you can turn your back to people who sneeze more readily than you can a stroller. You will also be less likely to have a stranger go up to see your baby if you are carrying her close to you in a baby carrier or wrap than you would a baby in a car seat or stroller.

Clean your toys. Take out your toys and keep them clean. Sanitize them right after an ill child plays with them especially. You don’t want to spread the old germs, and you also do not want to spread the new ones.

If your child comes home from school or church sick do your best to keep them away from your baby. You can wear your baby in a baby carrier around the home to avoid them playing with the same items. Try to keep them away from each other at least one full day after the sick child’s fever breaks or flu-like symptoms end.

Reflux, or spitting up, is very common among babies. Many people assume that it is a part of life and eventually babies will outgrow it. While it is true that most babies outgrow it, it is not true that there is nothing parents can do about it.

Many people feel that wearing your baby close to you helps with reflux. Positioning your baby in an upright position in a baby wrap or sling helps relieve your baby of reflux symptoms. Baby wearing provides an excellent way to comfort babies that have symptoms of reflux as well, such as crying for a long amount of time.

Medical professionals agree that keeping babies upright for thirty minutes right after the baby eats helps them not spit up. Using a baby sling or baby wrap helps parents accomplish this. The added bonus with the baby wrap is that parents do not need to compromise their time simply holding the baby, but they can have their hands free to get work done.

A baby sling is calmer for your baby than a baby swing. Baby seats and baby bouncers also do not help with reflux because they add pressure to the stomach. Carrying your baby, on the other hand, keeps baby calm and relaxed while you move about.

Babywearing can accomplish a lot in regards to your baby. When walking around with your baby make sure you do not bounce baby the first half hour after he eats. Bouncing baby can cause acid to build up around baby and cause your baby irritation.

If your baby is suffering from acid reflux wearing your baby in a baby wrap or sling can help baby have better digestion. A wrap also allows for discreet feeding. Giving your baby frequent, small feedings help promote less reflux as well.

Babywearing also helps babies sleep. Reflux often makes babies cranky and sad. Wearing baby in a baby sling can help baby sleep longer and more peacefully.

If your baby has reflux speak to your doctor about solutions. You do not have to deal with constant reflux all day long. There are ways you can help.

The last few weeks of pregnancy seem to drag on for many mothers. It is hard to wait for the baby when that is the one thing you are hoping for, and is made even worse when your due date comes and goes and no baby arrives. Here are a few activities you can do to keep yourself busy while you wait for baby to finally arrive:

1. Clean your home. The nesting instinct may already have set in. Usually, if that is the case, cleaning your home will not only make you feel happier, but it will be a fun activity for you to help keep your mind off your baby that has not decided to come yet.

2. Go baby shopping. Get out of the house and buy something fun for the baby. A good choice is to buy a baby sling or baby carrier. Baby slings are a good choice to have before the baby comes because you will be able to use them when the baby is a newborn. Baby slings are very convenient too when you have another child at home. Your hands will be full taking care of two or more children, and a baby sling can be help keep your hands free while you get meals ready or get children out the door for school.

3. Take the opportunity to go out with your husband. Spend some quality time with him while you have the chance. Things get pretty exhausting and busy once the baby arrives, so spending quality time with your husband, and children if you already have some, is a good idea.

4. Take time to pamper yourself. Your new baby is going to be demanding a lot from you, especially in the first few months of his life. Go to a salon and get your nails and hair done. Many day spas offer great prenatal massages too.

5. Write down your feelings. Waiting for your baby to arrive is one emotional journey. Keep a journal about your pregnancy and share how you spent your last days before becoming a mother.

6. Read a good book. Great books are a great way to keep your mind off of dealing with the “waiting” game that comes the last few weeks of pregnancy. Books offer you hours of entertainment and distraction, rather than a good movie. Ask friends or family members to recommend good books that you might enjoy to read.

7. Exercise. Exercise is good for the baby and good for you. It also releases natural endorphins in your body, which can help with the late-pregnancy moodiness.