Preparing for Pregnancy

When it comes that time in your life when you are thinking about starting a family or having another child, there are so many things to consider and the list just goes on and on! 

In this blog post we will focus on some of the key things to consider before getting pregnant such as diet, exercise and lifestyle choices that will help prepare your body for pregnancy.

Preparing your body for Pregnancy

 

The best thing you can do for yourself and your baby to be is to be healthy.  It is important to be in the healthy weight range for your body as being underweight or overweight can limit fertility and increase the risks of complications during pregnancy.  The best way to keep your weight at bay is via food and exercise.

 

 

 

Exercise

Exercise is great for your general health and well-being and should definitely be kept up pre-pregnancy at a low to moderate intensity level.   High intensity workouts during preconception should be avoided as excessive exercise could alter your menstrual cycle and even halt ovulation in some women.   

Brisk Walking
Brisk walking is an excellent low impact preconception exercise when done in moderation such as 30-60 minutes 3-5 times a week. 


Running 
If you are already a runner, then you can continue to run however limit it to moderate pace jogs and avoid training for that marathon!


Weights 
Avoid lifting heavy weights instead lift lighter weights with increased repetitions or resistance training such as push ups, squats, lunges and crunches. These will still help you build muscle tone and bone strength and help prepare your body for pregnancy.
 

Yoga
Avoid Bikram yoga (intensified yoga class run in a room very hot room). However in general yoga can be and ideal exercise before pregnancy as it builds strength, endurance, balance, muscle tone and a great relaxation tool but like any exercise,  just remember not to over do it.


Swimming or Cycling
Avoid triathlons or those endurance long rides, however both offer great low impact forms of pre-pregnancy exercise when done at a low to moderate intensity level.


Extreme Sports
Certain activities such as downhill skiing, horse back riding, scuba diving or other extreme or contact sports are not recommended during the preconception phase due to the increased risks of receiving a blow to the abdomen.  

Food & Diet

Not only is a healthy diet great for your health in general but sticking to a healthy well balanced diet can also help increase your chances of conceiving.


Eat a Healthy Balanced Diet
Pre-pregnancy is the perfect time to start making changes to your diet by eating more of the things we know are good for us and less of the bad.   Try to include each day in your diet five servings of fresh fruit and veggies, lots of starchy foods such as grainy bread, pasta, cereals, & rice.  Some protein with every meal.  Iron rich food such as red meat daily or substitute if your a vegetarian and  aim for three portions of dairy a day.

Reduce or Avoid
If you consume alcohol or coffee unfortunately now is the time to start thinking about reducing your intake or eliminating them from your diet.

If you are a smoker then you should definitely be thinking about quitting as smoking has been proven to increase the risk of complications during pregnancy and also could attribute to Sudden infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).


Folic Acid & Multivitamin Supplement
Although a supplement is recommended it should not substitute a healthy well balanced diet, it should be taken in addition to well balanced diet. A supplement such as Elevit with Iodine will help meet the nutritional needs of women who are trying to conceive, pregnant and breast feeding.  Folate or Folic Acid is a B group vitamin needed for healthy growth and development and helps prevent birth defects which is also included in most pregnancy multivitamins. 

Preparing for Pregnancy Checklist

Click the link to veiw, save or print our Pre-Pregnancy Checklist.

In Summary

Planning for a baby can be somewhat overwhelming not only for those thinking about starting a family for the first time, but also for parents considering bringing another bundle of joy into this world. Although as the saying's go "you will never truly be prepared for parenthood" or "there is never a right time to have a baby" however you can make it a little less overwhelming by being well prepared and informed about the journey you are about to embark on.


Next Blog Post - June 2016
In our next blog post we will guide you on eating well and food safety as well as exercising to continue a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy.

Sources for this article:

http://www.whattoexpect.com/preconception/health-and-wellness/safeguard-your-health/exercise-before-pregnancy.aspx

http://www.whattoexpect.com/member/eating_well/week1.aspx

 

 

 

How to Swaddle your Newborn Baby Safely

Swaddling is an ancient technique that has been practiced by parents for thousands of years.  In this blog post we will explain what swaddling is and how to swaddle your baby safely to avoid the risks that can be associated with incorrect swaddling.  We will also talk about some of the different options available to ensure your baby is swaddled safely.

What is Swaddling?

Swaddling consists of wrapping a newborn baby in a light weight cotton or muslin wrap.  If done correctly, swaddling can be an effective way to calm newborn babies (usually up to 3 months old) to help them fall asleep and reduce frequent waking. The snugly wrapped effect around the baby's body resembles the mother’s womb.

 

Correct Swaddling can Reduce the Risk of Hip Dysplasia

More recent studies have shown that wrapping babies too tightly with their legs held straight can lead to hip dysplasia and dislocation.  So, when wrapping babies, it's now recommended to leave enough room for their legs to move freely.

SIDS and Kids website has a video which shows parents and healthcare professionals how to wrap babies so their hips are not restricted. You can watch the video here.

 

How to Swaddle your Baby Correctly

1. Spread the muslin wrap out flat with one corner folded down.
2. Lay baby on its back on the blanket, with their head above the folded corner ensuring face up.
3. Straighten baby’s left arm, and wrap the left corner of the blanket over baby’s body and tuck it between right arm and the right side of body.
4. Then tuck the right arm down, and fold the right corner of the blanket over baby’s body and under its left side.
5. Fold or twist the bottom of the blanket loosely and tuck it under one side of the baby.
6. Make sure baby’s hips can move and that the blanket is not too tight.

 

When to Stop Swaddling?

As soon as your baby shows signs of rolling over on to their stomach on their own accord, they should no longer be swaddled.  Rolling over usually occurs between 2-4 months of age but can sometimes take longer.  You should cease swaddling your baby as soon as they show signs of rolling over due to increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) when babies are placed or roll onto their stomach's.  If your baby repeatedly manages to get their arms out of the wrap on a regular basis, this implies baby does not like to be swaddled and also a sign to stop swaddling.

Aside from safe swaddling SIDS and Kids website has some further tips to ensure you give your baby the safest sleeping environment possible.  Plus they have created a safe sleeping application you can download onto your phone.

 

Transition Baby to Un-Swaddled Sleep Slowly

 

When it comes time to stop swaddling your baby, it is important to do it gradually.  Start transitioning by leaving one arm un-swaddled. Once they are comfortable with one arm out you can transition to both or arms un-swaddled.   Eventually, you will build up to the point where you are not swaddling at all. The idea is that this slow, gradual transition makes it easier for a baby to get used to sleeping without being swaddled.   Love to Dream has a fantastic range of swaddle suits which are an alternative to traditional swaddling using a muslin wrap. Their 50/50 range comes with zip off arms so that you can easily transition one arm at a time being left out.

 What to use for Swaddling Babies?

For traditional swaddling as opposed to a swaddle suit All4Ella have created a wide range of luxurious Australian designed Muslin Wraps.  They are super soft 100% cotton muslin wraps.  These are the biggest and the best muslin wraps we have found. Each wrap is 1.2 x 1.2 meters and have already been pre shrunk! Great value too at only $12.50 per wrap when sold with 2 Wraps 4 Pram Pegs as a box set at $39.99.

In Summary

Swaddling can be a very effective tool for parents to get their newborn babies to sleep and keep them asleep for longer periods however it is extremely important that safe swaddling along with safe sleep routines are practiced.  This will help minimise the risks associated with incorrect swaddling.


Next Blog Post - May 2016
In our next blog post we will be focusing on general health and well being for Women along with some tips for keeping healthy through pregnancy and throughout motherhood.


Sources for this article:
http://www.sidsandkidsshop.org/safe-wrapping
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/diapers-clothing/Pages/Swaddling-Is-it-Safe.aspx

Nappy Rash - Causes & How to Prevent or Reduce it.

There are many underlying factors that can influence whether or not a baby will develop nappy rash.  There are also a few simple things that can be done to help prevent your little one from developing nappy rash. In this blog post we will explain some of the common causes of nappy rash as well as how to prevent it or reduce when it does occur.

What is Nappy Rash? 
Nappy rash is the inflammation of baby's skin around the nappy area. It can be mild with minor bumps or severe with blisters and broken skin. Nappy rash is very common and most babies will get it at some stage.  Babies between the age of 9 and 12 months are at increased risk of developing nappy rash however it can occur at any age whilst baby is wearing nappies.


What Causes Nappy Rash?

Nappy rash is more likely to occur;

• For formula fed babies than breastfed babies.
• When baby starts solid foods.
• When baby has a sensitive skin conditions such as cradle cap or eczema.
• Taking antibiotics (either baby or breast feeding mother).
• When baby has frequent, watery bowel movements.
• When baby has a cold because their natural defenses are not working as well as they should. 
• Thrush can aggravate nappy rash.
• Ammonia (chemicals in babies urine that irritates the skin).   

How to Prevent Nappy Rash?

1.    Use a Disposable Nappy with NO nasty Chemicals
Disposable nappies will better absorb urine and leave the surface of the nappy that is next to the skin dry.  An extra preventative would be to use a disposable nappy that is free from nasty chemicals.

Apart from the generic brands like Huggies and Babylove there are some excellent quality eco friendly disposable nappies that contain absolutely no nasty chemicals or Toxins.

Bambo Nature Nappies are made from wood pulp making them a very good natural and biodegradable nappy solution, especially for babies who suffer from sensitive skin or eczema.  The ultra thin and super absorbent design draws wetness away from baby’s delicate skin. Even with repeat wetting, baby will stay dry and comfortable.  A couple of other great disposable nappies with no nasty chemicals in them are Moltex Eco Nappies and Ecoriginals Nappies.

2.    Change Nappy Frequently
It is important to change your baby's nappies regularly such as before or after every feed and immediately after they have done a poo.  This is because the bacteria in the stool combined with urine can make the skin sore and lead to nappy rash.

If you are using cloth nappies you will also need to change your baby every time they have done a wee.  This is because cloth nappies stay damp against the skin whereas most disposable nappies have the technology to wick the moisture away from the skin.

3.    Use a Barrier Cream

Using a barrier cream provides a protective layer between your baby's skin and any wee and poo.  Apply a thin layer of barrier cream around the nappy area before putting on a clean nappy.  It is best to use a barrier cream that contains Zinc Oxide such as Sundocrem or Eco Store Nappy Balm.

4.    Use Unscented Baby Wipes with Less Chemicals

To clean your baby's bottom, it is best to use fragrance-free and alcohol-free baby wipes.  Try and use eco friendly baby wipes if you can as you will find less chemicals and preservatives in them than some of the main stream baby wipes. 

A wide range of unscented or eco friendly baby wipes can be found here but a few that we highly recommend are the Reynard Dry Baby Wipes, a handy box of dry baby wipes made from non woven material that you can wet with water at nappy change time.

Another is the Wotnot Baby Wipes which are 100% biodegradable and compostable and contain more natural ingredients.  A fairly new brand to our market is WaterWipes where there are only two ingredients being 99.9% Aqua and 0.1% Citrus grandis seed extract which is the preservative needed to keep the wipe moist. 

Baby Wipes and lotions that contain goats milk can also aid in the prevention of nappy rash.  You can read more about why this is in our previous blog post.

5.  Nappy Free Time
Try and give your baby's bottom some nappy free time every day to allow air to circulate freely. Make sure they are lying on an open nappy or a towel if the floor is not easy to clean!

How to Treat Nappy Rash?
All of the above techniques can also be applied to help clear up baby's nappy rash.  Nappy free time is a must and the more of it the better.  Using disposable nappies and baby wipes that are free from harmful chemicals will also aid in clearing up nappy rash.  If your baby's rash has developed into thrush, don’t use a barrier cream or ointment, as this can make the rash worse.

How long will Nappy Rash take to heal?
Generally nappy rash should clear up in about 3-4 days.  If it does not show signs of improvement  then you should consult your Health Nurse or Doctor as the nappy rash could have developed into thrush or a bacterial infection and become very sore and uncomfortable.

In Summary
Remember, nappy rash is very common and can happen no matter how careful you are about looking after your baby’s bottom. Following the above tips can help prevent or at least minimise the severity of nappy rash caused by the indirect factors which are out of your control. If you are unsure of your baby's symptoms, see your health professional as it could be something more severe that needs medical treatment to heal.

Next Blog Post - March 2016
We talk to a lot of new mum's here at The Nappy Shop and many of them are seeking information about swaddling their baby and safe sleep practices.   So we thought we would dedicate our next blog post to giving you some tips for safely swaddlling your baby for better sleep.

Sources for this article:
http://blogs.babycenter.com/tips_and_tricks/752013-5-natural-ways-to-treat-diaper-rash/
http://www.babycentre.co.uk/a81/nappy-rash

Benefits of using Goat Milk Skincare products on baby

In this article we en devour to outline some of the benefits of using soaps and lotions on your little one that contain goat milk.

Why are goat milk products considered a better alternative?
 Goat Milk is becoming an increasingly common ingredient in skincare products and more recently in skincare products for babies. So this poses the question of why goat milk skincare products are considered to be a better alternative?

Goat Milk has Similar PH Levels to human Skin

It is important for skincare products to contain similar PH levels to our skin and especially for babies skin. If a product has a PH level that is too low, then it could cause dry skin leaving babies more susceptible to nappy rash or eczema.  On the other side of the scale, if the PH level is too high then baby acne could appear. So using soaps or lotions that contain goat milk could help prevent babies skin from becoming too oily or too dry.

As we are all born with different skin types, some of us have naturally dry skin and some of us have naturally oily skin, using goats milk skincare products on babies can also help neutralise oily skin or dry skin as it helps to balance the PH levels.  It also leaves the skin feeling soft and silky like it should.

Helps Prevent or Sooth Nappy Rash, Eczema & Baby Acne
Using soaps and skincare lotions with goat milk can help reduce the risk of skin irritation such as nappy rash and allergic reactions as goat milk products don't contain additives like alcohol, petroleum, and preservatives. Using goat milk lotions can also help sooth nappy rash, eczema and baby acne as the natural nutrients found in goat milk help to reduce redness, itchiness and bumps in the skin. 


Skin Nutrition
Our skin is the largest organ in our bodies and studies have shown that approximately 60% of what we put on our skin gets absorbed into our bloodstream.  Goats milk is very high in vitamins, minerals, nutrients, protein & lipids which help nourish your skin and remove dead skin cells, leaving your skin feeling soft and supple.  

The vitamins goat milk contain help protect skin from invading bacteria and chemicals and also give it anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce acne and redness.  Besides the gentle calming effect on the skin, goat milk is also used widely to brighten the skin's complexion.

Anti Aging
Interestingly, goat milk contains probiotics, which are living micro- organisms that help protect the skin from harmful ultraviolet light.  Using goat milk skincare products can also reduce wrinkles and delay signs of skin aging. Not that we need to worry about reducing wrinkles in babies! However it could be good for the rest of the family.  

About the Baby U® Goat Milk Range
This range has been specifically formulated for babies delicate skin however there is no reason the whole family can't use these products, especially adults with sensitive skin or are prone to eczema and teenagers teenagers with acne.


For everyday use, the Goat Milk Soap or Goat Milk Body Wash are good picks. The soap is made from sustainable palm oil and there is also a Goat Milk Shampoo.

For nappy change there is Goat Milk Moisteriser and Goat Milk Baby Wipes which are enriched with soothing goats milk. The full Baby U Goat Milk range can be found here.




We hope this article has given you an insight to some of the key benefits of using skincare products that contain goat milk.

Next Blog Post - February 2016
In this article we touched a little on how goat milk lotions can help prevent or reduce nappy rash.  As Nappy Rash is very common and most babies will get it some stage, we will dedicate our next blog post to Nappy Rash and explain some of the common causes of "Nappy Rash" and how to prevent or reduce it.  Look out for it in February 2016.

Sources for this article:

http://www.kountrykandlesandmore.com/page7.html

http://hubpages.com/style/Top-Ten-Benefits-of-Goat-Milk-Soap

5 Handy Hints For Toilet Training & While Travelling

Are you delaying toilet training because you’re traveling soon?

It’s no surprise many families put off holidays until after toilet training or vice versa!  We believe it’s no different than toilet training at home, you just have to be super dedicated and organised with the right tools on hand for the job!  

1. Be prepared for the inevitable occasional accident

We all know that toilet training can be a tough time however one thing I have learned that will help successfully train your little one is to be consistent and well prepared for the inevitable occasional accident!

Consistency is the key! Continue to do what you are already doing and just think of traveling as an extended trip to the shops!  

2. Invest in a waterproof sheet protector

Whether you are traveling on a long road trip, taking a flight or just taking a trip to the shops, invest in a waterproof sheet protector for your little one to sit on.  We like Baby U Waterproof sheet Protector. This will be one of the most useful and extremely versatile toilet training aids you will buy! As the name suggests it is a sheet protector so weather at home, at a friends house, a caravan, hotel or cabin you have a great tool to assist you in so many different situations and most importantly give you piece of mind that you are prepared for an accident in any bed or seat should it occur.

3. Rewards Program

If you are using a rewards training program, then continue to while traveling but add an extra incentive or bigger reward whilst on holidays. This can work wonders!  A great Toilet training program is the Conni Kids Toilet Training Program which includes a weekly calendar, stickers and a handy cheat sheet.

4. Take a Travel Potty or Training Seat Everywhere

A travel potty typically has a disposable bag attached to the seat, which simplifies clean-up. We love Baby U Potette Plus.  A great 2 in 1 product as it doubles as a travel potty and a seat.  To use it as a potty simply open the folding legs so can be used on the ground or great for girls to use in the car boot!  When using as a seat simply fold the legs closed and use on any toilet such as public toilets, hotel toilets, and friends toilet.

 

5. Training Pants for back-up or occasional use

The occasional use of pull-ups or training pants is generally fine as they have the pull up and pull down concept like undies.  Bambo Nature Training Pants are extremely comfortable for your little one as they are ultra thin yet super absorbent.

Don't Delay - Just do it!

By all means toilet training is not easy at the best of times, however if you are organised and well prepared you will be in the best possible position to succeed no mater where in the world you happen to be!  Just continue to be consistent and make sure you have access to the must have products mentioned above and it won't matter if you are at home, on a trip to the shops, out for a play at the park or traveling on a road trip or overseas holiday.

Handy Hints for Traveling or Flying with your Little Angles!

No need to panic!  The most important thing to remember is simply this... plan ahead!
Here are a few tips we've found that have come in handy while traveling with kids.

The Devils in the Details
If your child is old enough to carry their own rucksack, have them carry it themselves.  Help them pack... Otherwise they may end up with a bag too heavy and full of toys.  

Make sure you pack plenty games and have already downloaded any movies prior to traveling.  If your movies are still in the cloud the local device won't be able to reach it without delays and extra expenses. 

Plan for Those Inevitable Delays 
Pack extra snacks in case of any delays.  Single-serving bags are easy to pack and dish out when on the go.  Try to avoid sugar and nuts as much as possible. Bellamy's Organic have a great range of ready to eat meals and snacks to keep your little one's at bay!

Sugar can have your little angles turning into devils when they don't have much room to roam.  Items including nuts may not be allowed to be opened if a person on the flight has a nut allergy.


The Crying Baby Solution
Babies cry, that's just part of what they do.  Some babies have an easier time flying than others, especially during take off and landings.

To keep the haters at bay, try buying $10 worth of ear plugs to pass out to passengers close by.  You may never need to use them but it sure is nice to knowing you have something just in case.  This will help to elevate some of your stress.

Prepare Kids for Going through Security
Talk to them prior to going through security.  Try giving them a bit of an understanding of what is about to happen.  With my little ones letting them know they would have to part with their favorite stuffed animal for a few seconds during this process saved a lot of headache.

When Boarding
Either board early or last.  If you have carry on luggage try to board early.  If not, try boarding last.  It can be hard to find a place for your carry on luggage if you are one of the last people to board.

A lot of airlines have eliminated free early boarding for families. Frequent fliers, first-class and business travelers are typically in the first groups to board. Airlines do still allow early boarding for “people who need a little extra time,” but they just don’t say “families” anymore.  It’s typically allowed during the first group who boards. Use it if you need it.

Most importantly, just do it!  Traveling can be stressful for adults and children alike.  Planning ahead makes the delays and setbacks easier and more enjoyable for the whole family.

Have fun!!!

Modern Cloth Nappies: General Tips and FAQ's answered.

When you type “Modern Cloth Nappies” into Google you will most likely be extremely overwhelmed by the mere number of results relating to those key words. 

Mum's or Mum's to be who visit The Nappy Shop tell us they are interested in finding out how cloth nappies work and what their options are.  They also tell us they had been online but really needed to come in and have a look at how they work and to get some expert advice.   

 If you can make it to our shop at 1341 Burke Rd, Kew Melbourne, I encourage you to do so to get the full “low down” on everything about Modern Cloth Nappies as well as have a look and touch at the display nappies of all the different brands and concepts we stock.  However for those of you who are not able to visit us in person I thought I would go through and give you the same information and advice I would if you came into see us.

Most of the Mum’s that I have spoken to use a combination of cloth and eco friendly disposable nappies,  cloth during the day when they are at home and eco disposables such as Bambo Nature Nappies or Moltex Eco Nappies for use overnight and when out and about. 

Why overnight?  Because cloth nappies should be changed every 4-5 hours to avoid higher risk of nappy rash occurring however a good eco disposable nappy can remain on the baby for up to 12 hours due to technology that wicks the moisture away from the skin.  This will also prevent your baby waking up every few hours because they feel wet and uncomfortable and need to be changed.

You will use approximately 50 nappies per week for the first 6 months or so and then over time the number per week decreases. If you plan to use cloth nappies part time we recommend a start up stash of about 12-15 and for full time use you would want to have at least 24. 

Although most Modern Cloth Nappies are marketed from Newborn to toilet training we actually recommend not to use cloth for the first few weeks say until the baby is 3-4 weeks old until their systems settle down. Using a disposable nappy in this initial period will protect the nappies from being soiled so badly that they will be stained for life.  It will also prevent many leaks as a result of the nappies being too big.  As babies grow so much in the first three weeks from birth, you will find they fit much better after baby is at least three weeks old.   We found that parents who started using cloth nappies on their baby after the first three weeks generally have a  more positive opinion of using cloth nappies!

Generally most of our customers purchase two or three modern cloth nappies to try out that way they can make sure their comfortable and confident that modern cloth is suitable before stocking up and breaking the bank with the start up outlay which can be substantial at the start however in the long run there will be some savings.

So to wrap up Modern Cloth Nappies I hope this blog post has answered some of the general concerns and questions you may have about Modern Cloth Nappies on a whole.