Baby and Mom

Prenatal-Vitamin Supplements

2009-01-05T13:45:00.000-08:00

Virtually every pregnant woman is prescribed a daily prenatal vitamin. Doctors know that it is possible for a woman to cover all of her nutritional needs with a balanced diet but they also know that no woman has the perfect diet.
Perhaps your diet would be sufficient if you never ate on the run, never felt too sick to eat, you knew you were only pregnant with only one child, or if you lived in laboratory where all your food was specific caloric needs were calculated and your food was weighed and measured to the exact amount.
However, your doctors are realistic and prefer to take the safe route by suggesting all expecting women take supplements.
So what is in a prenatal supplement? There are no standards set for what ought to be in the pill, but look for a supplement with the following ingredients:
Vitamin A (no more than 4,000 IU) - This factor is essential for cell growth for you and your baby, healthy skin, bones, and eyes.
Folic Acid (400-600 mcg) - Taking folic acid supplements can help reduce the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida.
Calcium (250 mcg) - Calcium is necessary for you're the development of your baby's bones, muscle, heart, and nerve development, as well as for blood clotting and enzyme activity.
Iron (30 mg) - Iron is essential for the developing blood supply of the fetus and for increasing your own blood supply.
Vitamin C (80 mg) - Your baby needs this compound for tissue repair, metabolic processes, proper growth and development of strong bones and teeth.
Zinc (15 mg)
Copper (2 mg)
Vitamin B6 (2 mg) - Sometimes extra B6 and antihistamines are prescribed to treat nausea from morning sickness.
Vitamin D (no more than 400 IU) - It helps body use Calcium and Phosphorus. It also promotes healthy teeth and bones.
Vitamin E (15 mg)- It helps the body form and use red blood cells and muscles.
Thiamin (1.4 mg) - It raises energy levels which can be very helpful during pregnancy and it regulates the nervous system.
Riboflavin (1.4 mg) - It maintains energy, and promotes good vision and healthy skin.
Niacin (18 mg) - It promotes healthy skin, nerves and digestion.
Vitamin B12 (2.6 mg)
The prenatal supplement prescribed by your doctor should cover your nutritional bases, but over the counter pills are cheaper and generally follow a similar formula. So if insurance doesn't cover one, you'll still be safe with an over-the-counter pill.
Of course supplements do not replace a healthy diet. Nutrients are best utilized when they come from fresh foods. Also food comes packed with calories, protein, fiber, and water all of which you and your baby need during your pregnancy and can't get from a pill.
Also, as in all cases, be careful not to overdose. Taking too much of any vitamin can be toxic and can harm both you and your baby. So be sure to follow the doctor's orders and take only one pill each day.
If all women had a perfect diet, there would be no need for prenatal vitamins. Although they are no guarantee of a healthy pregnancy, prenatal vitamins can prevent a number of birth defects and prevent deficiencies in both mother and baby. Make them an essential part of your pregnancy regimen.
Prenatal vitamins can prevent a number of birth defects and take care of deficiencies in both mother and baby. If your insurance doesn't cover women health supplements, look for an over-the-counter pill at http://www.goodelements.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=A_Aaronson

HOME::Home-and-Family/Parenting X

2009-01-05T13:43:00.000-08:00

Parenting is about knowing and helping to meet the needs of the child while teaching them independence. At the same time, however, it also involves teaching your child or children how to work together for the benefit of the whole family. There are several things that you can do as a parent to achieve these goals:
1. Cook together. Many of my young adult clients are petrified about how they will survive when they leave home because they have never learned to shop or cook. When you take your children to the grocery store to buy ingredients for recipes that they will help you to make, they learn about pricing, budgeting, measurements and the work involved in packing and carrying the bags. Following the recipe allows them to learn about accuracy and creativity. When children help to cook, they also seem to enjoy the food more because they shared in the process.
2. Share musical adventures. Your child doesn't have to take lessons although this will help them learn discipline and rhythm and the joy of being able to play tunes. As a parent, you can enhance their lives and yours by singing or dancing with them. My children and grandchildren have learned songs that my parents and grandparents taught me. There are several free karaoke programs on the internet that provide music and written lyrics so you and your child can sing together. It always surprises me at how much laughter there is when people sing together. Dancing with the children teaches them a skill that will provide them confidence in their dating relationships and prepare them for the formal graduation dance.
3. Do house and yardwork together. Children do not like to be told to clean their rooms - especially when their parents' room looks like a bomb went off! On the other hand, most children like to be part of an activity where they can do "grown up" jobs. Working with the parents to weed a flowerbed or straighten the family room is more enjoyable than being TOLD to do these projects. Don't expect the children to do things on their own all the time or do things for them all the time without their help. Try doing things together WITH them. It will help the children to learn how to meet the standards for completion, speed up the task (you save arguing time) and will provide a fun experience that you can share.
These are only three things that a parent and child can share. What others can you think of that would help you to achieve your goals for your children?
And now I would like to invite you to claim your Free Instant Access to a complimentary list of 10 Steps to Making Your Life an Adventure when you visit http://www.lindahancockspeaks.com
From Dr. Linda Hancock, Registered Psychologist and Registered Social Worker
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_Hancock

Baby and mom

2008-12-23T20:09:00.000-08:00

when I had a baby I could never fit everything into my diaper bag .The bags were always too small .Now there is a bag that puts all the other diaper bags to shame.Yes finally you can carry evey thing in this diaper bag and elegantly carry the baby with you. goto http://www.pyknyk.com the diaper bag wizards also make green diaper bags.Earth friendly. yes the new diaper bags are made of cork and cotton canvas but they will be introduced in January. I will let you know where and when you can get a hold of the new bags!!!