Let That Baby Bump Add To Your Style Quotient

Weight gain during pregnancy is healthy and unavoidable. Although, you might not be comfortable flaunting dresses that accentuated your oh-so-lovely curves perfectly in the past, you do not have to settle with looking drab either.

None of the celebrities do and no, it’s not because they are celebrities but it’s just that they get the style right. Maternity style, when chosen practically can turn you into one of those yummy mummies.

The first trimester is the easiest; the bump hasn’t materialized yet and you are most likely to squeeze in your existing wardrobe. Although, you must opt for pregnancy clothes that are slightly looser and which do not stick to your body like a second skin.

However, once you start to grow and your belly starts showing, it’s time for you to adopt a maternity specific style that complements your body shape. Take a cue from Reese Witherspoon, the legally blonde babe who comfortably carried her baby bump in a number of dresses both maxi and shorter ones.

Loose tops and maternity jeans should be available readily in your wardrobe. Opt for solid colors and black has been a woman’s ally in camouflaging weight since centuries, so you can depend on the color to bail you out of one of those my-waist-isn’t-26-inches-anymore cribbing moments.

Jackets and pullovers are great if you are seeking to add layers and camouflage the bulge. A well-fitting jacket can make you look a million dollars, just keep in mind that well-fitting does not equate with skin hugging.

If you plan to go ethnic, take a cue from the gorgeous Aishwarya Rai, who’s recently had a baby girl. During the course of her pregnancy, she was seen flaunting kurti style elegant Indian wear. Her Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla designed cream colored salwar Kameez at the launch of the Hanuman Chalisa album created quite a stir as it also happened to be her first outing with that almost hidden bump.

If you do plan to go with Indian attire, try opting for kurtis that have buttons in the front that can allow easy nursing once the baby arrives (thus killing two birds with a stone!) Team these up with churidars or patialas and you have that classy yet chic look.

(Another tip for when the baby arrives: nursing t-shirts are great casual wear and when you are busy running from the kitchen to the baby cot, you’d need something that is comfortable and trendy. These nursing t-shirts save one the inconvenience of having to change every time you have to feed the baby.)

Clothes they say might maketh a man (or a woman) but it is your personal self image that is the key to being able to don a pillow cover and look fabulous. Yes, your waistline is expanding, yes, you might even be getting those dreaded stretch marks but if you FEEL like a supermodel, you’d look like a supermodel. Do not neglect yourself and take out time to take care of your skin and hair, this along with that special pregnancy glow is enough to turn you into feeling like one hot mom!

A Guide to Choosing the Perfect High Chair for Babies

It gets difficult for parents to continuously hold on to their child and sit, feeding themselves and the child at the dinner table. While it is better than running around him trying to make her eat one morsel, it can also get impractical.

High chairs can rid parents of this discomfort and is perhaps a lesser known fact but psychologically, allowing kids to sit by themselves and tend to their food can instill a sense of independence and responsibility in the child.

When should I start looking for a Baby High Chair?
One of the baby essentials, you should have bought one of these by the time the baby turns 4 months old. Usually, babies are able to sit up with support by the time they turn four months old. If your little one has already started eating solid food, you’d want to prop him up against a support and feed him for better feasibility.

What should I look for in a High Chair?
One of the most important concerns is safety; the chair must be strong enough to support the baby and should have proper barriers to keep the baby perched safely without him bending over and off the chair. Although, every chair would have the necessary restraint facility, considering the fact that they are manufactured keeping the safety concerns in mind, you should still try to inspect for proper hinges and a secured look.

Taking the safety consideration a step further, check whether the edges are child-friendly instead and do not have sharp edges that could end up nicking the baby. If there are wheels attached at the base, it must have a locking system to keep it secured. A safety certification from a relevant authority should be enough to put you at rest.

Your baby would grow at a rapid pace and before you know it, they’d be growing out of all their old clothes. The high chair that you purchase should be able to grow and adapt to the changes. Some of these come with adjustable or removable parts that can be manipulated to allow the baby to sit comfortably.

Adjustable trays and reclining seats are much better at being able to adjust with the growing child. The tray should again be properly held in place and also easy to adjust so that you can tend to it with one hand if you are holding the baby in the other.

If yours is a modest apartment, try to go for portable chairs that can be folded and kept away when not in need. However, you must assess the quality and strength of the chair before buying as there have been cases of portable chairs not being able to live up to the mark.

Lastly, look high chairs for babies that are not at a stark contrast with the house décor and color. Also, it must be easy to clean and maintain.

Even if you are a budget, try to not go with the very inexpensive brands as then the quality is likely to get compromised with.

The Cleaning Bug – A Virus among All Pregnant Women

Don’t know what the correlation with the pregnancy and the cleaning bug and above all the cleanliness we expect in our pregnancy clothing?! But as the months progress we women just go on an overdrive and I wonder why? So I am 6 months pregnant and I work really hard to keep the house clean and get things in order and create space for the new baby like he/she is fighting with me for space for his over sized clothes (pun intended).

Or discarding away all my Size 0 clothes (again pun intended) which I feel like i will never fit into again. Really! Actually I know that I just might but I want to sympathize with myself for those extra kilos that I’ve gained and how getting back into shape is such a task.

I know that I am not the only one gets this but I just wonder why does this happen? Why does the sight of trash or anything remotely unclean just get our nerves ticking? Husbands beware! It’s nice to be organized but is not sure if cleaning and cleaning and organizing some more is the best use of time. I didn’t do it in my last pregnancy as I was on my desk doing a full time job. But this time around it’s bitten me and bitten me bad. I know a friend who thought she had become highly domesticated just because she was on a cleanliness drive!

The only conclusion I can draw is good is just preparing you for sleepless nights and new responsibility that’s about to take all over you! So get rid of the cleaning bug, put on your best pregnancy dress and enjoy a lavish day for yourself every once in awhile, because you might have to let it go for at least 3 years once the little one pops out of you!

All About Baby’s Footwear

When your baby takes those first few tottering steps, it is indeed a very exciting time. It is also the time every parent start to look for appropriate footwear for the baby.

Some parents even buy shoes for babies when they start to crawl! But experts do not recommend this as footwear at that stage can hinder the development of baby’s feet. Babies who have not yet started to walk only require protection from cold in the winter. Soft baby booties and socks will suffice for this purpose.

Once the child starts to walk, shoes play an important role because they provide safety, support and comfort for the child. Here are some tips on choosing baby’s footwear:

The right size: Very rarely do footwear shops in our country measure a toddler’s foot before recommending footwear, and then again, the three dimensional aspect is rarely taken into consideration. Additionally, most children and some adults have one foot larger than the other.

This means that getting the right sized shoe for your toddler can take some time. Too large can mean that the child could trip and fall; too small will cramp the child’s growing feet and cause him pain. It is recommended that there be a space of about half an inch of growth-room from the longest toe to the front of the shoes. You may get the right size by inserting a finger in the heel end of the shoe when the baby tries it on.

You can also make the child wear the shoes in the shop and then make him walk and run for a few minutes. After this, check for any red marks or for pinched toes.  You will also notice that if the shoes are uncomfortable, the child will hesitate to walk in them and generally appear very restricted in his movements.

The right material: Children run around a lot and their feet can get hot and sweaty twice as much as an adult’s. The material of the shoes should be preferably something natural and breathable. Soft leather or canvas is ideal.

Flexibility:  Soft-sole shoes that are flexible are advised for the growth and development of your toddler’s feet. When the child walks, the shoes should bend not only in the middle but also in the front where the toes are.

Re-check size every 6-8 weeks: As babies grow fast, their shoe size will change every two or three months. From the age of 12 months to 24 months, re-check shoe size every eight weeks. After 24 months, one should check the shoe size every four months.

Fasteners: Avoid lace-up shoes as the child can trip over open laces and fall often. Velcro fasteners are the most convenient for parents. But remember that children learn fast and very soon you will find your child peeling the Velcro, removing the shoes and running around gleefully, barefoot!

Skid resistant footwear: Footwear with soles that have traction to limit your baby’s falls is very useful. This will reduce the number of falls which peak at this stage.

How many pairs? There really is no upper limit, although it is debatable if your baby will wear a lot of it, as she will outgrow them so quickly. Practically, three to four pairs would be a good idea. One for daily wear, one or two pairs for occasions, and one for playtime in the mucky garden or park!

Orthotics: Some parents start to panic when they don’t see the arches on their baby’s feet and rush to get orthotics for their child. But this is not necessary; on the contrary, they might harm the normal development of the child. A child may start to develop arches on their feet only after two or three years or even four years of age.  So it is best to wait and then have a doctor diagnose the problem and suggest suitable orthotics.

Children who hate footwear: Many children hate footwear. They need time to get used to the idea. First get them used to some comfortable baby socks and then try some shoes. Allow them to choose the pair they like and there are greater chances that they will wear those without giving you much trouble!

Buying a Baby Walker - Momandmeshop

Baby walkers, also known as push toys, are getting to be very popular, despite some fears that they cause injuries and accidents. When chosen with care keeping in mind some important criteria, these can be fun and a safe way to support baby just as she begins to show signs of standing up and walking.

Baby walkers help to develop muscles in children and at the same time help baby to gain balance and coordination of limbs as she pushes around with the walker.

There are various kinds of baby walkers one can choose from. The sit-in walkers are safe to use as soon as baby has learn to sit by himself. Sometimes these walkers have some extensions with toys and gizmos attached. which then makes the walker an activity center.

Traditionally, the wooden push trucks have been used to make the child comfortable with walking.  The electronic ones have a whole of lights flashing on them, music playing, with lots of things to pull at and to wiggle.

All walkers come with wheels attached on a mostly circular base and the whole idea is to get the baby to push the walker and as the wheels increase the momentum, the baby moves with it, holding on to the walker. The movement induced by the wheels makes the baby place one leg in front of the other in order to keep with the walker.  This action can strengthen leg muscles and help the child to balance.

Choosing the Right Walker

Keep the child’s age, weight and height in mind when choosing a walker. Take the baby with you when you buy the walker as then you can ensure that it is suitable in every way.  There may be manufacturer’s guidelines about weight that you may need to check out. Check to see if the baby’s feet touches the ground if it is a sit-in kind of a walker.

Another important factor is to choose one with a wide base and a smaller frame on top as this kind of design keeps the walker more balanced. Walkers with larger wheel sizes are good as it gives stability to the walker.  All wheels should be level and flush to the surface. Walkers with wheels with friction tape or those that have locking wheels are useful as the walker stops moving when they reach uneven ground, thereby saving baby and walker from toppling over.

Some walkers, which are adjustable, can be a great buy as then it can be used for a longer time by your growing baby. Sharp edges and hinges are a no-no.

If you can find walkers with a base width of more than 36 inches, go for it. This width will mean that the walker cannot pass through doorways and so you don’t have to worry about baby wandering into a dangerous area like the kitchen or a staircase.

A walker with a removable tray is helpful as the tray can be used for putting food and toys for baby as he moves around.

Precautions

Babies should never be left alone without supervision and this applies to one in a walker too. Many parents hold the opinion that a baby is totally safe in a walker and that therefore they can be left alone for a few minutes. This is incorrect as baby’s accessibility within and without the house is now suddenly much more, and a jutting rod or a sharp corner can cause injury to baby. For this reason, it is important to child-proof your house, especially when intending to use a baby walker.

Paediatricians also advise that the walker should not be used more than 30 minutes at a stretch and no more than an hour in a day, which will ensure that there is yet plenty of tummy time and that baby is getting enough practice rolling and crawling.

Is Yours An “Average” Pregnancy?

Talk to any two women who have been through pregnancy, and it’s amazing just how much of a difference there is! It seems like there is really no “average” pregnancy. Even if you take two sisters, one has weeks of morning sickness, the other has none whatsoever; one woman loses her pregnancy weight in 3 months post delivery and another is still carting it around 2 years later! (And isn’t it fun to compare notes and discuss how each one’s experience is so different?) One wears pregnancy tops throughout her pregnancy and the other never has to buy one! 

When each woman’s experience is so different, naturally, each woman’s questions and challenges are also a little different. At the same time, women also love to discuss their experiences with others and get tips on what worked for others, what didn’t. After all, in many cases, there is no hard-and-fast rule – it’s a question of finding out what works for you.

These days, it has also become easier to find the information that will work for each of us, thanks to the wealth of information that technology makes accessible to us. The newest addition to this is the Mother’s World mobile app developed by Mom&Me that makes it possible for expecting mothers to get information specific to their condition, in a very friendly mobile format.

On entering the date of the last menstrual period or the due data, it offers the mother-to-be completely personalized information suited to her week of pregnancy.

Besides information on the baby’s growth and activity at each stage, and the common doubts women have during pregnancy it can be customized by expecting mothers in a number of ways. For instance, it allows you to track your emotions during this period and understand them better. Best of all, you can connect with other moms through the Mom&Me blog and Facebook page. You can also find pregnancy dresses online at great rates and best brands.

So, if you’re looking for helpful information and tips that work for your pregnancy, do check out the Mother’s World mobile app!

Graco's Baby Car Seat that Grows with Your Child!

Buy the Elite Graco Car Seat that is ergonomically designed to adapt to the changing needs of a growing child, allowing them to travel in comfort and safety.  This convertible car seat can be easily installed using the car's seat belt and includes five point safety harnessing, side impact protection padding and harness retainers to get your child in and out of the seat easily.