Pregnancy, fish oil and smarter babies

By David McEvoy

According to a recent study which was published in the ‘Archives of Disease in Childhood' in 2006, babies born to women who took fish oil supplements during the last 4 months of pregnancy had better hand to eye coordination, were better speakers and could understand more at the age of two and a half, than babies born to mothers who were given olive oil instead.

The Study

The double blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial was conducted by the University of Western Australia and led by Professor Susan Prescott. Also involved in the study were King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and Telethon Institute for Child Health Research and Centre for Child Health Research Australia.

A total of 98 women were initially enrolled in the study, all of who were non smokers and who did not regularly consume more than 2 portions of oily fish a week. A total of eighty three of these women completed the study. Researchers gave half of the women in the trial 4gr of fish oil supplements on a daily basis from twenty weeks of pregnancy and these supplements contained a combination of both Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The remainder of the women were given 4gr of Olive Oil. Development checks were carried out on a total of 72 of the babies when they had reached the age of two and a half years.

The children whose mothers received fish oil had a significantly higher score for eye-hand coordination than the babies whose mothers had been given olive oil instead. The growth rates were similar in both groups, as were the general language skills, however, the fish oil group showed higher scores for receptive language, phrase length and vocabulary. The positive results were not related to possibly influential factors such as maternal age and length of time breastfeeding as these factors had already been accounted for.

Fatty acids and the brain

The link between Omega 3 fatty acids and the brain has already been well established and many studies have now shown that fish oil can alleviate the symptoms or help to prevent the onset of several types of depressive disorders, including post natal depression. EPA in particular is believed to improve concentration and memory and cognitive function in general, and some studies have shown it can even help to prevent or slow down the progress of Alzheimer's disease.

It is during the last three months of pregnancy that the baby's brain is developing very rapidly and so this is a time when it is particularly vital that the mother gets enough of the essential Omega 3 fatty acids that are only found in any significant quantities in oily fish such as Salmon, Tuna, Mackerel, Herring and Anchovies. These fatty acids facilitate healthy structure and development of the brain and many professionals now believe it is DHA that is important for the structure of the brain and EPA for efficient functioning of the brain on a day to day basis.

Scientists at The University of Bristol in the UK are currently investigating the benefits of giving fish oil to children, as much of the evidence to date has come from dietary factors during pregnancy. For example, previous research by Bristol University found that children whose mothers ate fish regularly during pregnancy had better vision and cognitive development and behaviour than those whose mothers ate little or no fish.

So why don't we just eat more fish?

Due to the potentially high levels of toxins, particularly mercury, in fresh fish, the current recommendation is for pregnant women and women and girls who might have a baby one day in the future to eat no more than 2 portions of fish a week, one of which should be oily, and no more than 4 portions of fish for everyone else, no more than two of which should be oily.

The indications are that Pharmaceutical grade fish oil might be an option for everyone, including during pregnancy and beyond. Indeed, this type of fish oil is superior to standard grade fish oils and is becoming increasingly popular because the processes involved in producing it means the oil has been filtered and concentrated to contain high levels of the all important fatty acids without the danger of toxins associated with fresh fish.

Conclusion

The Australian study would appear to suggest that there are no adverse effects for mother or baby from taking relatively high doses of fish oil in late pregnancy. Not only can it have a beneficial effect on baby's cognitive development and reduce the risk of developing post natal depression, there are also numerous other health benefits associated with taking fish oil. However, if you are pregnant or trying to conceive and would like to consider the option of taking fish oil supplements, it is important that you discuss the implications with your doctor or other health care provider first.

Visit : http://fisho-il.blogspot.com/2008/12/pregnancy-fish-oil-and-smarter-babies.html

The best Baby Bedding Blanket to help prevent SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)

Buying a Baby-bedding blanket is a tough decision for any mother. She needs to take care of the various factors while choosing a baby-bedding blanket for her infant. Unlike adults, babies are not bothered about the color of the bedding blanket or whether their room has been decorated at all or not, rather they look for comfort. The same issue should be on the mind of a mother who is looking for a baby-bedding blanket and she should ensure the ease and the safety of the child.

It is generally advised that the baby pillows and duvets must not be included in your baby bedding purchase if your baby is comfortable in his cot as they can easily cause suffocation. There are a number of options that are available in the market apart from the traditional baby bedding blanket. You can opt for a wearable blanket or a sleep suit for your child. While purchasing these things make sure that the length is not very large or else the baby might get entangled in a blanket, thereby feeling uncomfortable and suffocated. Try to keep the length of the baby-bedding blanket as small as possible.

While making a purchase for a baby bedding blanket ensure the texture and the durability of the material. Make sure that it is soft and smooth and the baby is at ease. The material should not be rough and should be washable. This is an important aspect as you will feel the need to wash the blanket if it gets dirty.

It is better to choose a cotton blanket which is quite popular as the custom baby bedding among mothers. the reason being the optimum baby bedding safety and coziness that it provides to your child. The best fabric you can get for your child is 100% cotton baby bedding blanket.

It is always fun to purchase the baby nursery beddings for your toddler. You can search among some beautiful baby bedding sets around with some of the most attractive and sober looking baby blanket knitting patterns. You can also look at some designer baby bedding blankets that are available in the stores. If you are looking for something cheap and reliable then you can always purchase a discount baby bedding or a wholesale Baby Blanket that are easily available at any nursery shop. baby bedding Blanket

There is no hard and fast rule for baby bedding. You will see many neutral unique bedding themes with cartoons such as Disney and Popeye characters or cute animations.

The baby bedding blankets could differ depending on whether it is a boy or a girl, or alternatively it could be gender neutral as well. The color combination and cute looking cartoons are common to both the baby boys and baby girls. At most of the stores you will find different sections for Baby Girl Beddings and Baby Boy Beddings! Amazon.com

Finding the perfect Baby nursery bedding blanket is easy; however, making a decision with all the variety that is available will be harder than you think. You can create a wonderful nursery in any style, design, or theme you can imagine! Baby Bedding Blanket

On the search for a stylish, safe baby bedding blanket

You would think buying baby bedding would be easy! Actually it can get quite confusing, so much variety – safety concerns, colors, materials, designers and sizes. Are you looking for an online source for the most popular styles, baby nursery bedding, and toddler bedding sets?

You would think buying baby bedding or a baby blanket would be easy! Actually it can get quite confusing, so much variety – safety concerns, colors, materials, designers and sizes. That’s where a resource like Baby Bedding Blanket can help.
Are you looking for an online source for the most popular styles, baby nursery bedding, and toddler bedding sets? When it comes to safety, it is important that the baby is not at risk of suffocating from too much, or the wrong type of bedding. The causes of Sudden Cot Death Syndrome aren’t generally known but it has been suggested baby bedding can be a contributing factor. If you want to be completely safe, it is recommended that baby pillows and duvets do not form part of your baby bedding Blanket when your baby (under 1 year) is sleeping. This type of bedding could cause suffocation. There are a lot of different opinions on this subject, with many mothers choosing to move away from baby blankets and instead choosing wearable blankets or sleep suits. The train of though here is that it is much less likely that the baby will suffocate in something that they are physically wearing.
There are also many design considerations. There are a large variety of designers such as Patch Magic, Gus & max, Beach Babyz, Pitter Patter, Banana Fish and Glenna Jean. You also have to decide between traditional and contemporary crib sets for your baby and bedding designed specifically with the toddler in mind. Designers add new styles every week.
That is why small, specialized businesses like these provides a lot of resources, articles, information and service providers to help you find the best baby bedding. Do you need baby bedding or a baby blanket in time for your new child’s arrival? Remember baby bedding in all sizes, materials, colors, themes and sets are ready for you to choose from! Just remember safety as well. There are many ideas to make you’re your baby is as comfortable as he/she can be. A good starting point is Baby Bedding Blanket.
Joseph Keller who is a father of three children who has had a long and fulfilling writing career. He enjoys writing on issues which directly relate to the safety of his children. His latest project focuses on sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and information can be found at baby bedding blanket.

Soothing your baby

You have just taken your baby home from the hospital and it is one of the happiest days of your life. Well, not if you are having a difficult time comforting your crying baby. Many parents get overly concerned that there is something wrong with their baby because she is crying.

The truth is, babies cry! Even when your baby is perfectly happy, they may still cry. Babies are wonderfully complex human beings that we all want to make happy.

Babies cry sometimes because they want food, need a diaper, just want to be held, and sometimes they cry for no reason at all. That is the difficult part for many new parents. As a parent, you automatically want your child to feel better and stop crying.

Here are a few helpful hints:

1. Relax - Your baby will be able to sense that you are stressed. Learn to relax even when she is screaming. Your ability to relax will be passed on to her. She will feel your body relax.

2. Necessities - Make sure all her essential needs have been met. Even if she was just fed, she might still be hungry. Don't deny a baby food, she knows when she needs more! If she is hungry, feed her again. It is ok to feed her again; babies go through periods of growth spurts when they may eat every hour, especially if they are breastfed.

3. Dad - If mom has been trying to calm baby for awhile and it is not working, let dad have a go at it. Sometimes, the deep soothing voice of a father can get a baby right out of her crying spell.

4. Vacuum - Yep, vacuum. The loud constant sound of a vacuum is actually very soothing to a baby. At first, it may startle her, but the continuous sound will quickly send her off to la la land.

5. Rocking - An old-fashioned rocking chair works wonders for an upset baby. Just give her a few minutes to settle into the motion and she may be asleep before you know it.

6. Let her be - This is a really hard one for new parents. Sometimes your baby just does not want to be held. Your rocking, swaying, and talking could actually be making her more upset. Try setting her down in her crib. Give her a few minutes and see if she isn't a little happier.

7. Relax Again - It cannot be stressed enough that your baby knows what you are feeling. She can sense that your heart rate is up and that you are feeling overwhelmed. Take a few deep breaths and try to get your blood pressure down.

Getting a crying baby to stop crying does not have to be your goal of parenting. Yes, there are times that your child will be crying for a reason. More often, though, she will be crying because of gas, over stimulation, or no reason at all. Try the above techniques and see if they help you through your baby's next crying spell.

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Baby Bedding: A Buyer's Guide

Babies will sleep most of the time during their first few months. At this time, they require all the sleep they can get, so parents need to resist the temptation to wake them up and fondle or hug them.

Your baby spends the major part of the day in bed, sleeping. Therefore, it is important that the baby bedding you provide your child is comfortable, as well as easy to maintain. These are some commonly available options of baby bedding:
Cotton Sheets
Cotton sheets and blankets form a basic requirement for your baby's bedding. They can be indispensable in helping you maintain a comfortable temperature for your baby. This is because they can be used in layers, allowing you to add or remove them according to your needs. While you can easily buy cotton sheets in sizes that are appropriate for use as baby bedding, in a pinch, you can also cut them out from normal bed sheets meant for adults.
Pillows and Cushions
While an assortment of cushions surrounding your child may look adorable, resist the temptation to use them as baby bedding. Cushions and pillows are known to increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Besides, they may also make your baby hot. If you must include a pillow as part of your baby's bedding, remember, a firm one is preferable to a soft one.
Baby Sleeping Bags
Sleeping bags are another option for your baby's bedding. An advantage with using them is that your baby will not be able to throw it off as with a simple cover or quilt. However, we’re not talking about camping sleeping bags. If you decide to use a sleeping bag, remember to buy one that is the right size, to prevent your baby from sliding completely inside. If you are using a sleeping bag for your baby's bedding, keep the temperature of the room in mind—a sleeping bag can become quite hot.
Provide recommendations on child development, baby sleep, baby products like baby bouncer, baby crib and baby bedding for dads and new dads.

Children’s Bedding Ideas - Learn About The Latest Trends

Find out about the latest trends and in styles for childrens bedding. This includes both little girls and boys. 

There is nothing more exciting than taking your little one out to buy new bedding. The selection of children’s bedding on the market is simply fantastic. You can really focus in on their likes with the complete array of styles, colors and designs available. Not only is children’s bedding fun, it can be functional as well. You want to be sure to purchase quality bedding products for your little girl or boy. Buying bedding that is machine washable and will stand up to children is always a good bet.
Some of the latest children’s bedding can also be accessorized with a number of other bedroom pieces including area rugs, wall light covers, desk lamps, ceiling lamps, wallpaper, borders, garbage cans and more. You can do up the entire room and you don’t have to be a designing expert either.
Some of the popular choices for children’s bedding include designs featuring princesses, flowers, butterflies, dinosaurs, cartoon characters and super heroes. Little girls really love Miss Kitty, Dora, anything Disney especially princess themes. Now little boys really seem to be into sports, construction and animal themes.
One of the great advantages about children’s bedding is that you can purchase separates or you can choose bedding sets. In most comforter sets you will get the comforter, bed skirt and pillow shams. You will always have to buy sheet sets and pillow cases separately. You can also simply buy a comforter and purchase everything else separately. Often you can find some excellent deals on sets making them a much better buy.
If you have never shopped online for bedding, you have to check it out. The selection is often greater than what you would find when shopping in person. This goes for both adult, children’s and baby bedding. Many online retailers offer excellent prices as well as free shipping to entice shoppers. For fun ideas, spend some time shopping online to narrow down your search. Remember, we spend a great deal of our time in bed so we may as well be sleeping on sheets that we love.

Good positions for breastfeeding

Breastfeeding, one of the most natural acts in the world, takes practice. Learning how to hold and support your baby in a comfortable position for you calls for coordination -- and patience. Yet finding a position that works for you and your infant is well worth the effort. After all, the two of you will spend hours breastfeeding every day. Here are some time-tested positions to try, plus tips to make breastfeeding go smoothly.

Tips for every breastfeeding position

1. The Cradle Hold
This classic breastfeeding position requires you to cradle your baby's head in the crook of your arm. Sit in a chair that has supportive armrests or on a bed with lots of pillows. Rest your feet on a stool, coffee table, or other raised surface to avoid leaning down toward your baby. Hold her in your lap (or on a pillow on your lap) so that she's lying on her side with her face, stomach, and knees directly facing you. Her pelvis should line up with your stomach, and her nose should line up with your nipple. Tuck her lower arm under your own.
If she's feeding on the right breast, rest her head in the crook of your right arm. Extend your forearm and hand down her back to support her neck, spine, and bottom. Secure her knees against your body, across or just below your left breast. She should lie horizontally, or at a slight angle.
Try experimenting with this position by moving your baby's head further down your arm, towards your hand. A small adjustment often makes a considerable difference to comfort.
Best for: The cradle hold often works well for full-term babies who were delivered vaginally. Some mothers say this hold makes it hard to guide their newborn's mouth to the nipple, so you may prefer to use this position once your baby has stronger neck muscles at about 1 month old. Women who have had a caesarean section may find it puts too much pressure on their abdomen.

 

2. The Cross-Over Hold
Also known as the cross-cradle hold, this position differs from the cradle hold in that you don't support your baby's head with the crook of your arm. Instead, your arms switch roles. If you're feeding from your right breast, use your left hand and arm to hold your baby. Turn her body so her chest and tummy are directly facing you. With your thumb and fingers behind her head and below her ears, guide her mouth to your breast.
Best for: This hold may work well for small babies and for infants who have trouble latching on.

 

3. The Clutch or Rugby Ball Hold
As the name suggests, in this position you tuck your baby under your arm (on the same side that you're feeding from) like a rugby ball or handbag. First, position your baby at your side, under your arm. She should be facing you with her nose level with your nipple and her feet pointing toward your back. Rest your arm on a pillow in your lap or right beside you, and support your baby's shoulders, neck, and head with your hand. Using a C-hold (see below), guide her to your nipple, chin first. But be careful -- don't push her toward your breast so much that she resists and arches her head against your hand. Use your forearm to support her upper back.
Best for: You may want to try this hold if you've had a Caesarean section (to avoid the baby resting on your stomach). If your baby is small or has trouble latching on, the hold allows you to guide her head to your nipple. It also works well for women who have large breasts or flat nipples, and for mothers of twins.

 

4. The Reclining Position
To breastfeed while lying on your side in bed, ask your partner or helper to place several pillows behind your back for support. You can put a pillow under your head and shoulders, and one between your bent knees, too. The goal is to keep your back and hips in a straight line. With your baby facing you, draw her close and cradle her head with the hand of your bottom arm. Or, cradle her head with your top arm, tucking your bottom arm under your head, out of the way. If your baby needs to be higher and closer to your breast, place a small pillow or folded blanket under her head. She shouldn't strain to reach your nipple, and you shouldn't bend down toward her.
Best for: You may want to breastfeed lying down if you are recovering from a caesarean or difficult delivery, sitting up is uncomfortable, or you're breastfeeding in bed at night or during the day.
Photos by: Jeb Wallace-Brodeur

 

Tips for Every Feeding Position
Support your body.
Choose a comfortable chair with armrests, and use pillows -- lots of them -- to lend extra support your back and arms. (Most sofas are not supportive enough to sit on while breastfeeding.) Put a few cushions under your feet, too, to avoid bending towards your baby. A footstool, coffee table, or stack of books works just as well. A pillow or folded blanket on your lap can also keep you from hunching over. No matter which breastfeeding position you use, remember to bring your baby to your breast, rather than the other way around.
Support your breasts.
Your breasts get bigger and heavier during lactation. As you breastfeed, use your free hand to support your breast with a C-hold (four fingers underneath the breast at 9 o'clock with your thumb on top at 3 o'clock) Note: It's important to keep your fingers at least 2 inches behind the nipple and areola so that your baby doesn't suck on them instead.
Support your baby.
Feeling comfortable and secure will help your baby to feed happily and efficiently. Use your arm and hand, plus pillows or a folded blanket, to support your baby's head, neck, back, and hips and keep them in a straight line. You can swaddle her or gently hold her arms by her side to make breastfeeding easier.
Vary your routine.
Experiment to find a breastfeeding position that you find most comfortable. Many women find that the best way to avoid getting blocked milk ducts is to regularly alternate breastfeeding holds. Because each hold puts pressure on a different part of your nipple, you may avoid getting one nipples, too. Another tip: If you alternate which breast you feed from first, you'll boost milk production.
Relax, then breastfeed.
Take a few deep breaths, close your eyes, and think peaceful, calming thoughts. Keep a tall, cool glass of water, milk, or juice on hand to drink while you breastfeed -- staying hydrated will help you produce milk.
Time to stop?
Ideally, your baby will decide she's had enough when she's drained one or both breasts. If you need to change your baby's position, switch her to the other breast, or end her feed for any reason, gently insert your finger into the corner of her mouth. A quiet "pop" means you've broken the suction (which can be remarkably strong!), and you can move her away.

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