What's Happening To My Lady Lumps?

Many women feel like their breasts don't belong to them since becoming pregnant...they change so much! So what's happening to "the girls "?

The changes that a woman’s breasts undergo are to prepare them for their new function and are caused by hormones. Some women’s breasts grow fast right from the start – up to 3 cup sizes – while others notice little change. Breasts may be sore or tender because of their expansion. In addition the nipples and the areola (the area around the nipples) may grow and become darker. Some women feel little bumps under their skin. These are sweat glands and disappear after the pregnancy.

For more pregnancy questions answered visit http://www.babyonline.co.za/

Coffee Fix and Pregnancy

If coffee is your lifeline to get you through the day, you might be feeling a little uneasy about drinking it while pregnant.

The fact of the matter is that coffee does get through to your baby. So while there are no definitive studies that show that coffee is harmful to your foetus, you know in your heart that it can’t be good. Your baby’s system takes longer than yours to process chemicals, which means that the caffeine also stays in the baby’s system for longer than it does in yours.

If you are unable to quit drinking coffee you should cut down as much as possible – ideally to one or two cups per day. There seems to be a link between heavy coffee consumption (around 6 cups per day) and increased risk of miscarriage. Perhaps it would be helpful to try a lighter brand, since the caffeine content of different coffees varies dramatically. Since your already consuming considerable quantities of caffeine, be sure to check the labels of the foods you choose because a surprising number of foods such as chocolate and soft drinks also contain caffeine.

There are a couple of other aspects you need to be aware of. The first is that the diuretic effect of coffee can deplete your calcium stores, and also leach water from your system. In addition to making you run to the toilet even more than normal, this can be unhealthy for the foetus. Also be aware that you may be taking in more empty calories than you realize, what with the sugar and milk or cream.

Visit http://www.babyonline.co.za/ for all your pregnancy & baby questions answered.

You're Invited!

The new baby has arrived and then begin the various celebrations...birth announcements, christenings and many birthday parties. We to start you wonder? First things first, you need a "wow" invitation to invite those near and dear to the momentous occassion.

Project Flair, a CPT based events and stationery company provides the full spectrum of services from event planning to exclusive stationery design, planning the perfect day for your special bundle is easy.

For further info or to request contact details, email marketing@babyonline.co.za

To view more invite designs visit http://www.babyonline.co.za/babyshop/devinedesign/divinedesign.htm

Walking - The Right Age

Your baby's first birthday is next week and a few people have expressed surprise that she isn't walking yet - should you be concerned!

Absolutely not!

Your baby will walk when she is ready. That's the trusth. So some babies are walking well by their first birthday, while others take months more. Actually, the majority of babies walk after their first birthday. Whatever anyone says to you, the fact is that walking age is not an indicator of intelligence or physical ability.

For more of your baby concerns answered visit http://www.babyonline.co.za/

Babies Get Flashy... Bling Dummies!

While American rappers such as Jay Z and P Diddy brag about their bling in most of their music videos, South African babies are set to give them a run for their money.

Bling dummies have become a must-have accessory among moms who want their children to be cooler than Hollywood A-listers. Known as Elli Belli Bling Dummies, the colourful pacifiers come with a price tag of R350 each.

Bling dummies may be new in SA, but local celebs and fashionista parents have long been paying top dollar for stylish baby accessories. These trendy Swarovski crystal enrusted dummies are not only super cute, but completely safe and make the perfect gift.

To view the full range of Elli Belli Bling Dummies and/or place an order visit: http://www.babyonline.co.za/babyshop/ellibelli/ellibelli.htm

Terrible Two's & Tantrums

I'm a godmother to a beautiful girl who has just turned two - the terrilbe two's! As sweet as she can be, a little monster emerges when she throws one of her not-so-little tantrums. It begins with high pitch screaming, then kicking, followed by flung toys and eventually mommy becomes a punching bag.

When toddlers throw there toys-out-the-cot it's very easy to give into their demands just to keep the peace. However this defeats the purpose of actually teaching your tot what appropriate behaviour is. Sadly so, there is no parenting technique that magically makes tantrums disappear. The good news is that your toddler’s tantrums are a childhood behaviour that she will outgrow.

It is not possible to get rid of your toddler’s tantrums completely, however it is possible to minimize them.

Stay calm and speak softly because your screaming over her screaming will only encourage your toddler to scream louder....ear plugs prove to be ineffective!

Express understanding; say “I know it’s hard when you can’t have that. Sometimes mommy also gets angry when I can’t get what I want.

Get down to her level. Sitting on the floor may help to even out the frustrating size difference between you and her.

Ignore the demand, continue to go about your business, try humming to make it clear that you are not paying attention to the tantrum. In the beginning this might make it worst however eventually she will work it out that she is not being taken note of. If you can’t ignore the tantrum because you at a shopping mall, call it a time-out.

If you unable to stop a tantrum don’t worry just let it run its course however try not to give into demands or else she will always use her tantrums to get her way.

....easier said than done, right moms? Time to show a little tough love!

Antenatal Classes - How To Choose?

You've just found out you've got a bun-in-the-oven and then suddenly a fload of questions flog your mind...what am I going to tell the family? when will I start showing? how do I prepare for the arrival of my baby? and is there a difference between all these fancy antenatal classes?

In todays time and age, moms and dads-to-be are really spoiled for choice.
Many couples attend classes at the hospital, which they have chosen for delivery. Those are mostly free. But there are other options. Midwives also provide childbirth education, occasionally for free. A more expensive form is an aqua natal class, which can be more fun. Otherwise you can choose if you want to go in a ‘Mothers Only’ class, or in a “Couples” class. If this is not your first delivery you can go to a refresher course. Which ever you choose, book ASAP and ensure that the teacher knows what she is doing....being comfortable and getting the most out of classes is what counts.

For more top baby and parenting tips and advice visit
http://www.babyonline.co.za/

Arrival of the babyonline blog!

Now that http://www.babyonline.co.za/ is all grown-up with a very active facebook group, naturally we decided that the next step would be to start a blog. Like a first time mom this is all very new to us! We're being to crawl around, explore the new gadgets and hopefully in time help walk mom's through the highs and lows of parenting....and we're going to have fun doing it!

Let’s embrace the full spectrum of parenthood, from cravings, to raging hormones, to the “awh cute” moments, to stylish nursery ideas, fashion, beauty and plain old baby talk.

Hope you enjoy the blog :)