The Newest Baby Stroller Trend?

So what's all the fuzz about different strollers, for some years ago, a baby stroller was something you used to push your baby around in, but now it seem to be a fashion accessory.

Well, the latest baby stroller trend seems to be the Bugaboo stroller, is it any good or just a celebrity hyped device used by Hollywood celebs?

It's meant to appeal to the active, modern parent who wants to get around, whether it's the subway, pram, woods, sandy beach or whatever terrain you want to walk in.

The prize tag is at least something that can be a bit eye watering at first, but the question is, is it worth it?

Well, the parents who use it claims it's the best invention since the car, because it's light weight, but still stable. The seat and carrycot is reversible, so when the baby grows and wants to look around and not facing you, it's easy to turn around in one grip. And, it really does have some very inventive features, and it's obvious that the designers of the Bugaboo are active parents themselves, and developed a stroller they would want themselves. One thing that has never been seen on another stroller before its the ability to move the seat up and down vertically, so that the baby can sit at a table-high position and join you at the table if you want to have a comfortable position when feeding your baby outside sitting on a bench or similar.

The swivel like wheels make the Bugaboo stroller very easy to maneuver, so you don't have to push the handle down to get the front wheels up when turning, this is very handy, and after using a stroller like that it feels really uncomfortable to drive the "normal" stroller with fixed wheels.

The Carrycot is approved for use for overnight sleeping, good if you are on a trip or the baby is going to stay the night at grandma's. The Pushchair seat can also be used as a seat on the floor or the ground, like a baby bouncer seat. The handle bar is height adjustable, it will be comfortable for both mom and dad to walk around with. The underseat bag is bigger then it was before, so you have room for shopping bags or baby items. It will fit in the smallest car, because it doesn't take much space when folded together. The seat frame is longer than on a normal stroller, so will fit a longer baby and taller child, a really nice feature.

So is this really the Rolls Royce of stroller some claim it to be? Yes, probably. It's a bit costy indeed, but should be looked upon as an investment, because with it's high quality construction you can use it for as long as you need to have your child in a stroller.

Want to know more about the stroller? For more info click and Go Here

Beatrice Stephenson is a freelance writer on family health and recreation.

For more info on the Bugaboo Baby stroller please visit www.babysafety.efven.com/stroller.html

WhereTo Seek Help For Infertility?

There are many places a couple can look for infertility help. If you are not able to conceive a child, you are probably infertile and need to seek help. Begin with the infertility help process, first is going to see your gynecologist or doctor. Some times they can help but, they will maybe refer you to an infertility specialist. They will advice you on the infertility help that is based on what they have find out.

About the help

When you are going for the first visit to the specialist or doctor for help, you will need to get ready to give the doctor a medical and gynecological history. The male will probably be sent to see an urologist about his problems and the female will send to see a gynecologist. There will be an inspection of both of them. Infertility help will come after you have completed the testing and a cause is identified. The health care provider can then begin the infertility help treatments.

Man and woman have different problems that will need to be treated differently. There will be many kinds of infertility help treatment for you and your spouse. Remember, sometime you might not be luck and the causing you to be infertile can't be identified. This will definitely slow down the help you may obtain. You must continue to try to get information on infertility and the problems you are encountered. Don't forget, to look and obtain some support for your emotional help. It will be frustrating and sometimes very complicated for a person to handle such things. Having infertility help in the way of emotional support will make a change in your life.

Infertility Financial aid

Infertility financial aid is an option that man and woman that are facing infertility need to look into. If you have plan to go to a distance with the treatments that are available, you know that it end out can be very costly. You may or may not be able to pay for the treatment. This is where the infertility financial aid programs come into help you. They offer you ways to be able to pay for the various treatments that you may choose to treat your infertility. It is better for you need to understand each type of infertility financial aid and it cover areas. You don't want to sign out the papers and end out not be able to receive the services you have chosen.

The Options of Infertility Financial Aid

Some couples who find out about being infertile, can not afford to finance all their money themselves that it will take to try to get pregnant. You may have the option to use a credit card or take out a loan plan to fund your infertility treatments. You may know that your specific infertility clinic has a financial aid advisor that can help you get the support you required. Be careful and make sure that you have done a study and carefully read into other options before you sign out any plan. Look for those who have a better deal plan that allows you more freedom to choose. The facility you are using may have other providers that they work with on a regular basis.

There are a few dissimilar infertility financial aid options that are worth talking about. The first one is the (IFV) Invetro-fertilization Refund Program. This specific infertility financial aid plan allows you to have a certain number of IVF cycles done and will reimburse you for those cycles if you not become pregnant and have a child within a definite time frame. You may get back most of the money you have spent out if you do not become pregnant. You may be under certain restrictions with this type of infertility financial aid plan. One of the condition, you must have to fall under certain age limits, you may have a certain reduced fee to pay for a convinced amount of cycles, you may need to take up minimum number of cycles before getting refund, 70 to 100 percent refund amount permitted, restriction on type of services that covered, and any aid that may already put in place for the couples. All these factors are significant when you choose the correct aid for your treatment.

You may want to look into other companies infertility financial aid options. You can always try to get an unsecured loan for yourself to pay for the infertility treatments and any drugs you may need. Usually, the infertility drug cost can run to about 35 percent of the total amount you are paying. Some companies offer special loans special designed to finance IVF.

Seeking Help

Infertility help from your health care provider and support groups are necessary for you to be able to get through this trying ordeal. It is even more important for you and your spouse to understand and communicate whatever thing you are feeling to each other. Not only will you be able to start to understand each other feeling and thoughts but, you will be deepening your bond with each other and that is the most excellent type of infertility help you can get.

Whatever form of infertility financial aid that you choose is right for you will hopefully produce the desired results you are waiting. In the other site, if there is no baby at the end of the treatments, a refund guarantee may be in place.

Creative Baby Showers! They can be memorable and you can make the difference.

If you're looking for a creative and different way to honor new moms- and dads-to-be and help them get ready for their baby, consider throwing a baby safety shower instead of the usual "blankets and snugglies" shower.
Traditional baby showers are great fun and they offer new parents an opportunity to prepare their "nests" for the arrival of a new baby. Usually a baby shower is intended to give new parents a leg up in acquiring essential items like baby clothing, bath supplies, bottles or nursing equipment, toys and games, and special blankets or other treasures like silver cups. I've always viewed baby showers as one of the best ways that a community can come together around the birth of a new child. It reminds me of one of the best aspects of the "old days" when a town, village, or neighborhood considered the birth and caring for a new child its responsibility, too.
A baby safety shower is in keeping with these old communitarian traditions. It's more than just fun and games, it's really a learning experience for the whole community where all the activities revolve around baby and home safety. Parents and caregivers certainly have a great time, but they also leave with a higher awareness of ways to keep their new babies safe at home.
The shower's theme may focus on a variety of safety issues (see the Baby Safety Checklist below), including child-proofing one's home, nutrition or health. Also, you can arrange a baby safety shower for as many people as you can fit in your party space. At bigger safety showers, all of the moms and dads in attendance--not just the couple being honored--can visit a variety of exhibits where safety-savvy parents illustrate home safety information with games, puzzles, songs, prizes, and other activities. At smaller showers, it might work better to have one person lead the group in discussions and safety games.
Usually baby showers involve a collection of family and friends of the new parents, but safety showers are also a good way to create and promote partnerships within the broader community. By offering, for example, to distribute baby products donated by local stores, or by providing information from local community health service providers, you can enhance your ties with the local business community and build your relationships with local health and social service organizations. All this creates goodwill in your community and it provides your invited parents with welcome information, products, and services.
Use your creativity to create a baby safety shower for your personal situation. The key to throwing a safety shower that will be rewarding for all involved is providing important safety information in a festive and inviting setting. So--have fun, and learn about the all-important matter of better safety practices for your household.

Drawbacks Of Double Baby Jogging Stroller

One drawback that many women face when they have children is weight gain. It's an inevitable part of becoming pregnant and

for a lot of women, the extra pounds stick around long after the baby is born. Getting back to working-out can be a challenge, especially if you don't have someone who can watch your children for you. With a double baby jogging stroller you can simply take the kids with you. They get to enjoy the view while you get to enjoy a nice, brisk jog.

The age of your children will be one of the factors you'll want to carefully consider before choosing a model. Some double jogger strollers are fashioned so the children sit next to one another, while others accommodate two children, one behind the

other.

If your kids are the same age, the side-by-side design might be most appropriate. This allows the children the chance to interact and it also distributes the weight very evenly. Many people who have twins decide to purchase this type of double baby jogging stroller. They are designed to accommodate children from birth through five years of age, so you can expect to get lots of use out of them.

A traditional tandem stroller is often a better choice if your children are a couple of years apart in age. The older child can sit in the front of the double baby jogging stroller while the back is best suited for a baby. In some double jogger strollers, the back seat can even be reclined so that a small baby can be placed flat for comfort.

Many moms and dads who use these as part of their work-out routine look for a model that can hold a few essentials including

water bottles, snacks for the kids and a cell phone. A double baby jogging stroller with a pouch in the back is a great choice. Some even come equipped with a special holder designed for either a water bottle or a baby's bottle.

Long jogs will obviously require some extras including items for changing a baby or toddler. If this is a consideration for you, a double baby jogging stroller with a basket underneath that can

accommodate these things will work well. As the children grow you can use this space for snacks, sunscreen and picture books.

There's no reason for a parent to not get out and walk or run, even if they have small children to tend to. The fresh air will be good for everyone and you'll love getting in shape while sharing time with your kids.

XELR8 As Fast As You Can � Something To Consider For The Baby Boomer Generation

If you are a Baby Boomer you are in your mid forties or beyond.

How many jobs have you had? Are you satisfied with your current profession? Do you have children in college? Are you prepared for retirement? Is the job you are doing helping you realize your dreams? Do you dream of having more time? Do you dream of being excited about what you are doing? Do you dream of having a higher quality of life, more vacations, more quality time with family and friends, more financial security or whatever your definition of a higher quality of life is?

Do you feel stuck and frustrated that roughly half of your life on this Earth has past and you aren't quite where you thought you would be or want to be?

These are all normal questions for the Baby Boomer generation. For some there is total contentment. But for those who are still looking, seeking, hoping for more there is a means to that end. That end can be something different for everyone. But there is a way to realize it whatever it is.
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So where can you keep your current job (until you choose to move on), cultivate a new opportunity, create unlimited income potential, achieve a healthier personal and family lifestyle, pay those college tuitions, establish financial security for retirement, and have the means to pursue any dream you may have?

Let's consider for a moment a network marketing approach, to some known as multi-level-marketing or MLM. It can be done over the phone, Internet, from home, or just about anywhere in the world. Some may be thinking, "Amway", "the pyramid thing". The answer is No. Network Marketing has changed. Look for the company with the right endorsements, the right tools, the right approach, winning products, and impeccable timing. The company that has all these things will lift a person out of the daily rat race cycle and into a new, happier, healthier life with more free time and unlimited earning potential.

This is not to say that being successful in Network Marketing does not require effort and at time long hours. But, the flexibility in those hours, satisfaction in owning one's own business, no boss, no employees, with very high if not unlimited earning potential can be extremely satisfying. Matter of fact for some Baby Boomers, It may be the first professional satisfaction ever experienced. Being happy with one's profession can enhance a person's quality of life alone.
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Once established, the effort to maintain an income level with the right network marketing company will diminish drastically, providing for more time with the family and once again an overall healthier more satisfying, less stressful life style.

This is not to suggest that your dream is or should be to become a Network Marketer, but to suggest that network marketing is a very viable way to establish the means to realize your dreams.

Baby Boomer or not, if you have not considered network marketing as an alternative to the daily routine and the rut the American employee seems to be in. Perhaps you should. The possibilities are endless and the dream is yours to realize.

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What Baby Furniture Do I need For My Newborn Or Baby-To-Be?

Don't really know what a proper baby furniture set should contain? As a first time parent, it can be quite confusing when it comes to all the different things you think you might need for your newborn. Advertisers states that you would need a really exclusive full furnitured room, complete with all the "indispensable" items that they will tell you is a must.
You could buy a complete furniture set from the start, and that way get all the basic stuff in one go, but I personally think, from my own experience, that to buy baby furniture one by one is better. I will explain to you why in this article.

You will undoubtly need some basics. A crib and a wardrobe is a good place to start. Let's elaborate from that.
Remember that the baby will play on the floor for the first year or so. Maybe what you would want in first hand is an nice soft rug, and some colourful big storage boxes to keep the toys in, so they are easy to reach for the baby. The rest you can buy along the way, when you really know what you're in need of. Later on he will start to enjoy books, maybe then you will get a good steady bookshelf (in the right size of course) for the nursery. Get my point? Get the stuff when you know the needs for your baby. For a small baby that only still crawls, it's much nicer to have floor space to move around on, than a lot of unused furniture around. And, lets face it, how much time is the baby going to spend in the nursery room? You baby is going to be with you for some years at least, before he starts to enjoy (and don't need you to take care of and keep an eye on him of course!) playing by himself in his room.

A good place to start is a roomy wardrobe. If you invest in a good wardrobe you can keep it for years. Remember that it has to be steady and safe. You want to be absolutely sure that it can't overturn when your baby starts to lean on to it trying to walk, or climbing in to it. If you are unsure that it will be steady enough, secure it to the wall.

Besides that, the crib, of course, is another furniture you will need. Maybe you use a cradle for the first six months or so, but after that a crib is really a good place for the baby to sleep. See to it that the cradle is a place that he or she will enjoy staying in, and a place for it to relax. Place some nice pictures on the wall above the crib, maybe get a crib mobile or some nice things to hang from the sides of the crib. As the baby gets bigger, you can have a softer start in the morning if you place some interesting things beside the crib, that the baby can reach and play with for a while (place a chair beside the crib). In that way you can rest a bit longer in the morning, and the baby gets a nice start to the day by playing and discovering the items. Remember to swap the things regularly, a baby wants to discover new things always and gets tired of playing with the same things too long. You can do the same with all the toys. If they start to just laying around, and the baby is not playing with some of them, take those away for awhile. Take them out again after a couple of weeks, and those toys will be as good as new and exciting to play with again!

But, lets return to the other "must have" nursery furniture. What more should you get? Well, a nursery table is a piece you will need there if you are not doing the diaper changing somewhere else in the house, personally I have it in the bathroom, because I want access to running water. The rest is really up to you. Maybe you want a little table and some chairs or whatever, that will make the room look comfy, but don't rush in to things buying too much when the baby is small.

Beatrice Stephenson is a freelance writer on family health and recreation.

For more info on baby furniture and safety, please visit www.babysafety.efven.com

Baby Bottle Weaning

Pediatricians and child experts say that babies have to be weaned from their bottles starting at 12 months. At this stage, children can already sit down by themselves, sit up, walk and hold a cup. Introducing him to a training cup in place of his bottle by this time will more likely result in him permanently leaving the bottle, than starting the weaning process at around age 2.

Since toddlers 2 and 3 are more active, they will have the tendency to carry their bottles around while doing activities drinking from it from time to time. Others still look for their bottles before going to bed at age 4. Once you've let your child reach this age still on the bottle, there will be a big struggle to be able to get her off it.

Hence, it's best if you start him early on cups. In addition, doctors suggest that there are other consequences of staying with the feeding bottle long after the appropriate time.

EFFECTS OF LONG-TERM FEEDING BOTTLE USE

1. The acidity of the bottle when the milk has been drunk will cause cavities in his teeth. Since toddlers have the tendency to nibble on their bottle teats even after they've finished the milk, the acidity found here will ruin their teeth.
2. The prolonged use of the bottle can ruin the shape of his mouth and distort the alignment of his teeth.
3. He will have the tendency to rely on his bottle whenever he gets hungry thus he could be missing out on a lot of other important vitamins and nutrients found in healthy foods.
4. His social interaction skills could be slightly hampered because he has turned to the bottle for security and unless he loses it, he could be teased about it.

However, don't despair if you haven't started him on the weaning process or have been unsuccessful in the past. Experts suggest s few things to help motivate your child to lose the bottle.

1. Slowly decrease the amount of milk you put in his bottle. As he starts to get hungrier, feed him more solid foods.
2. When he asks for his bottle, hand him his training cup instead. Keep repeating this until he gets used to you just giving him his cup.
3. He will likely throw a tantrum when you do this so think of ways to calm him down. Hug him and soothe him with your voice.
4. Use the reward system to coax him into giving up his bottle. Each time he asks for his bottle and accepts his training cup instead, congratulate him on being a responsible grown little boy.
5. Since he associates his bottle with some sense of security, give him another security thing like a blanket, a new stuffed toy or a candy pillow. While you are trying to wean him and using this kind of exchange deal, keep her old blankets, pillows or stuffed toys first so she'll only focus on one security thing.

Remember that bottle weaning is essential not only in helping your child develop his independence, social skills and his sense of authority; but is also important for him health-wise.

What To Do When You're Not Getting Pregnant

Let's face it, getting pregnant is not always as easy as it sounds. As many stories as you have heard about unplanned pregnancies, getting pregnant should be easy right? You learned sex ed around the 5th grade, but what they didn't tell you is approximately 1 in 10 couples will experience infertility for one reason or another and that most couples do not get pregnant the first month of trying. If you are finding it more difficult than you thought to get pregnant, we have some suggestions for you.

1. Try a recipe for sex

There are quite a few of them out there. A recipe for sex is basically a list of days to have sex on to try to get pregnant. My personal favorite is having sex on days 9, 11, 12, 14, & 16 of your cycle. Of course if you don't have a 28 day cycle this one probably won't work for you. Another plan is having sex every other day starting about day 10 of your cycle.

2. Try fertility charting

Fertility charting involves taking your temperature at the same time every morning before getting out of bed. You also observe for signs of ovulation and chart your cervical mucous pattern. Charting can help determine if you are ovulating and help you to pinpoint when ovulation is occurring.

3. Use ovulation prediction kits (OPKs)

You can buy ovulation prediction kits at your local pharmacy or you can find them even cheaper if you purchase them online. A day or two before you ovulate, your body produces a surge of luteinizing hormone, LH. OPKs work by detecting this LH surge. Follow the directions that come with your kit to determine how to read the test strips, what time of day to test, and also what day of your cycle you should begin testing. OPKs cannot confirm ovulation, but they can help you predict ovulation before it occurs. Used in combination with fertility charting, they are very effective in determining ovulation.

4. Get to an ideal weight

Many women do not want to hear this one, but being overweight or underweight can affect your fertility. Women who are significantly underweight or exercise excessively often lose their period all together. It makes perfect sense then that if you are significantly overweight your fertility would be affected as well. Losing weight if you are overweight is one of the best things you can do to improve your fertility. Sticking to a sensible diet and increasing your weight if you are underweight will also help. Weight issues can also affect your partner's sperm, so if your partner is over or underweight encourage him to reach his ideal weight.

5. Check out your medicine cabinet

Certain medications can affect fertility. Talk with your doctor about the medications that you and you partner take. Even over the counter medications can cause problems. For example, medications such as tetracycline, erythromycin, and cimetidine can reduce a man's fertility.

6. Try Instead Softcups�

Although no formal research has been done on it, many women have claimed success from using them. Instead Softcups� are inserted and placed close to the cervix after intercourse to help hold semen close to the cervix.

7. Try a supplement

There are many over the counter supplements now that may aid in fertility including Vitex, FertiliAid, and FertiliTea. Vitamin B6 may also be helpful with improving your chances of getting pregnant. Men should take a daily multivitamin and women should start taking prenatal vitamins when they begin trying to conceive.

8. Check your position

The best sexual position for trying to conceive is with the woman on the bottom. It may also be helpful for her to lay on her back after intercourse with her knees to her chest for fifteen minutes.

9. Talk to your doctor

Although many doctors will not investigate infertility until you've been trying for a full year, many will and even those that are more conservative with treatment may be able to offer you valuable insight and suggestions. Your doctor can give you and your partner a full workup to check for potential causes of infertility. There are many treatments available including Clomid, IUI (Intrauterine Insemination), and more. Your doctor can also look at related health issues that may be affecting your fertility such as thyroid disorders and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Even infections and viral illnesses can cause problems getting pregnant. Your doctor can work with you to come up with a plan for you to get pregnant.

Baby Memory Book: Remember The 'Celestial' Days

I think there are certain "watershed" moments in the life of each family. Ours happened in June of 1995 when we finally got our last child potty trained. I sat down and punched a few numbers: we had gone through over twenty five thousand diapers!

While potty training our kids, my wife would sit next to the child for hours and read them story books until she got them to tinkle. To celebrate, she would clap, cheer, and give them chocolate--the exact same things that Oprah needs to sustain her fragile ego and mercurial waistline.

The whole process took place on a cute little plastic potty-chair that had endured the onslaught of our six well-fed little porkers. So, I called the family to gather in the back yard. We formed a sacred circle around the potty chair. In solemn assembly, I uttered a few reverent words about how that little chair had served us so well. I then passed out the golf clubs and we proceeded to beat the potty chair into about six thousand pieces.

Babies are so stinking cute--especially when they are breast fed. Usually breast fed babies are fat, healthy, happy and they just smell good. I'm always surprised when I hear a new mother announce that she isn't going to breast feed. I think, "Jeez lady, you've been packing those things around for twenty seven years. They have a purpose besides ornamentation you know!" Although, as ornaments, I do feel they are unsurpassed.

Most people go to church, I suppose, to hear the Word: "Blah, blah, blah...and here are five thousand more reasons why you're going to Hell! Blah, blah, blah!" When I go to church, I like to hold someone's baby. I've always felt that if you want to see the glory of the sun, you don't look at the sun. You look at what the sun illuminates: a beautiful red sky at sunset, or a verdant mountain. Likewise, if you want to see God, look at that which he illuminates. When I look at a baby, I feel like I'm looking at something celestial. Babies laugh when I wiggle my ears, and they don't see my weaknesses. They're not compiling a list of five hundred reasons to send me to Hell on judgment day.

The saddest thing about raising babies is that often times, the parents are so tired that they forget how awesome their babies are. Last week I was sitting in church and there was a handsome young couple sitting four seats apart with three kids trapped between them. The babies were as cute as Reese Witherspoon triplets, but the poor parents were exhausted. The mother was staring off into space obviously too tired to even dream of Cancun; and the poor dad looked like he was trying to emerge from a six year coma.

Isn't it amazing how kids mold their parents? When I was a kid there was this stuff called Dippity-Doo. It was basically petroleum jelly mixed with super glue. My mom would line me and my three brothers up in a row and slather Dippity-Doo all over our heads. After she combed our hair, it would set up as solid as Hoover Dam. Do you remember Barbie Doll and her gay brother Ken? Well, mom would march us to church looking like the four pre-pubescent, developmental stages of Ken.
When we got to church, she would line us up on the pew and tell us that she would kill us if we talked during church--which we always did. So every week after church, it was the same thing: mom would give me a knife and tell me to go cut a big switch off of the willow tree so she could tan our heathen little backsides. We brothers would run up stairs and put on two pairs of pants, but that strategy only led to mom thumping us over the head with her wooden house slippers that weighed about as much as the Spanish Armada. If it wasn't for the Dippity-Doo hard hat, I'm sure we'd all have brain damage.

The irony of this 1,000,000% true story is that my kids think I'm making it up! When I take the kids to see grandma, they gather round her feet and hang on every syllable that emanates from her angelic lips like a bunch of pilgrims at the Sermon on the Mount! I try to tell them that their sweet little grandma is not the woman who raised me: "The woman who raised me, whipped me and called me a damn little shit!"

"Ah Dad," they reply, "You're just making that up. Grandma is a lot nicer than you are." Like I said, I love babies, but I haven't said a word about teenagers. I sure am glad we kept a baby memory book for each of our kids, so we can remember their 'celestial' days.

Organic and Fairtrade Baby Food

The new Plum Baby product is made from organic mango, banana and quinoa grain from South America. Many mums want to feed their babies organic and healthier food as a pure organic diet can be more beneficial during the first few months of life than at any other time. Babies have immature systems and need the very purest and safest foods.

Organic produce is one of the fastest growing food retail sectors in the country. Health scares such as BSE and foot-and-mouth, plus fears of GM crops/food and synthetic dyes and ingredients such as Sudan1 have led to considerable growth in the organic and the healthy food market as worried consumers seek out more healthy and natural products for both adults and children. This has lead to Organic baby foods becoming increasingly popular. Once only available in health shops or via online, organic baby foods are becoming much more widely available and you can now find them in local conveneice shops. Sales of organic food now account for half of the entire baby food market. Organic baby foods are not necessarily an improvement on organic home cooking, but are more convenient. It is worth noting that descriptions on products -- such as natural, traditional, or environmentally friendly -- do not mean they are organic.

How do I know its Organic or Fairtrade?
The term organic is defined by law - all organic food production and processing is governed by a strict set of rules. Look for symbols such as the Soil Association symbol for your guarantee of the highest organic standards. The Soil Association organic symbol is the UK's largest and most recognizable trademark for organic produce. Wherever you see it you can be sure that the food you have purchased has been produced and processed to strict and rigorous animal welfare and environmental standards. Other symbols to look out for include the Organic Food Federation and Certified Organic Ingredients.

The Fairtrade Foundation exists to ensure that producers are guaranteed a minimum price for their goods irrespective of world prices. This means that Fairtrade goods are often more expensive in the UK than those without the Fairtrade logo. Although people are now arguing that supermarkets are fuelling their excessive profits by adding large mark-ups to these products This premium that the producer charges covers the basic food, housing, health and education needs of the local communities in countries such as India and Brazil. The Foundation awards a consumer label, the Fairtrade Mark, to products which meet internationally recognized standards of Fairtrade. It is the only such certification in the UK. The fairtrade label is often a black box with a half yellow, half blue circle with the text Guarantees a Better Deal for Third World Producers.

Look at the Fairtrade Mark
Most people dont have enough time to read the labels of all the different food products that they buy to check for organic or fairtrade ingredients. So look for the various symbols.

The use of such symbols is entirely optional and a product can still be organic or fairly traded even though it doesnt carry the symbol of a certifying body. That means if you want to be 100% satisfied that what you are eating or using is organic or fairtrade, always read the label or speak to the vendor.

10 Things You Should Know About Raising a Baby

So�you are now the proud parents of your beautiful baby but how much do you know about looking after him or her? Having a baby can be the most joyous event in your life but it can also be the most intimidating. There is no instruction book and it is therefore important that you know about some of the things that lie ahead. With a basic understanding, the job ahead will be much easier.

 Caesarean delivery: A caesarean is normally carried out on women when there is a possible danger in normal delivery. C-sections can be performed for many different reasons including delayed labour, difficult labour, problems with the baby that may make delivery hard, or other problems. Just remember, you are still a mother with a beautiful new blessing whether the baby is born vaginally or by a caesarean section.

 Bathing your baby: While your baby still has her umbilical cord, she should only be sponge bathed. The umbilical cord generally falls off after a week or two. After this happens, bath your baby in a shallow baby bath as shown by your nurse.

 Circumcision: Circumcision, though once widely accepted as almost routine, has become controversial in the past couple of decades. Many doctors concur that there are benefits to being circumcised as it may help to lower the risk of urinary tract infections and eliminates almost any chance of penile cancer. Circumcision does not cause long-term emotional problems for your child.

 Crib death (SIDS): Many studies have been done regarding SIDS. Although the cause of SIDS has not been definitely defined, there are some correlations that have been made between SIDS and the following things:

o Male babies are more likely to die from SIDS than females
o Prematurity makes it more likely
o Minority children are affected by it more often than non-minorities
o Children who live in a home with one or more smokers are more likely to be affected

Some people say that sleeping with your baby can reduce the risk of SIDS, but the American Academy of Pediatrics disagree with this statement and go on to say that there is a greater risk of SIDS in babies who co-sleep.


 Diapers: Most babies need a diaper change at each feeding time. This means that your baby will need about 6-8 diapers a day or more.

 Diaper rash: Sensitive skin is a common problem for some babies and they may get a diaper rash due to a food allergy, yeast infection, sitting too long in a wet or messy diaper, or teething. If you notice your baby beginning to get a diaper rash, talk to your pediatrician about which diaper rash medicine will work for your baby.

 Growth spurts: If you begin to notice that your child is not as satisfied with the amount that you have been feeding her previously, then she may be beginning a growth spurt period. Growth spurts can start as early as 10 days after your baby's birth. They are usually preceded by a sleepy, lethargic day and a big jump in appetite. Growth spurts may happen again at 3, 6, and 12 weeks and again at 4 and 6 months. If you are breastfeeding, you may want to add a feeding or two to satisfy your baby's appetite and to help increase milk production.

 Immunizations: With all of the conflicting reports on immunizations, you may be unsure about whether or not you want your child to receive immunizations. I think that there are simply too many fatal diseases that can be prevented by immunizing your baby to take the chance. If you are unsure, then you need to talk with your paediatrician, but understand that the reason that the infant mortality rate is so low in this country is because immunizations are routinely done.

 Pacifiers & thumb sucking: If you breastfeed, do not allow your child to use you as their pacifier. If your baby seems to have a need to suck beyond eating, then you need to give them a pacifier. There is no "nipple confusion" between a breast nipple and a pacifier as they are very different in feel and taste. Babies will know the difference between the two. Some children do not want a pacifier but will suck on their thumb. If you don't have a problem with it, then let them.


 Spitting up: It is very common for babies to spit up, but some babies do it more than others. If your baby is growing normally, then there is no need to worry about it. Projectile throwing up is not the same as spitting up. Projectile throwing up is a violent reaction to reject the contents of the stomach and not just "burping" up a little milk. If your baby does this frequently, consult your paediatrician.




Anne Wolski has worked in the health and welfare industry for more than 30 years. She is the owner of http://www.mummansun.com, a discount retail outlet, and a co-director of http://www.betterhealthshoppe.com which is an information portal with many interesting medical articles. She is also an associate of http://www.timzbiz.com which features many articles on internet marketing and resources.

Weaning A Breastfed Baby

When to wean is a question facing all breastfeeding mums. How does a new mum know when to introduce solid food into her baby's diet and what sort of food can a baby eat?

At present the World Health Organisation recommends that all babies be breastfed exclusively for six months. A long time, you may think, especially in the middle of a colic episode or growth spurt! However, there are real concerns for the welfare of babies that have led to this advice.

In the past many babies were fed solid foods at very young ages. It is now believed that their bodies were unable to cope with the demands this placed on them; a dramatic increase in the incidence of allergies and food intolerances meant guidelines were reviewed and altered.

The main danger that comes with introducing solid food too early is that babies may receive too much salt in their diets, leading to potential kidney problems in later life.

So, if you follow the advice of the World Health Organisation, you will see that it makes sense to put off giving food other than breastmilk for the first six months.

So how do you encourage a six month old baby to eat solids? The main thing to remember is that you should introduce solids gradually.

When your baby is ready for solid food he will begin to demand feeds more often, and may never seem satisfied for very long. He will start to take an interest in your meals and may even try to help himself! He will begin lip-smacking and chewing as he mimics you. A real sign that solids are imminent is the development of teeth.

Speak to a health-visitor if you think your baby is very hungry. If your baby is under six months you may find that he is just going through a prolonged growth spurt. If this is the case, his hunger will normally settle down after a few days when your milk supply has increased.

When your baby reaches the six month target, and you are sure that he is ready for solid food, try a teaspoonful of watery baby rice or baby porridge. Try to keep foods very bland and runny at the beginning.

Once he is used to solid foods, and is no younger than six months, you can quickly move onto adult cereals like Weetabix and Readybrek.

It is wise to only introduce one food at a time so that you can identify any intolerances or allergies. Sometimes these can take several days to take effect, so stick to one food for a few days before moving onto another.

Some babies are happy to have one solid feed a day at the beginning of weaning, whereas others require more frequent feeds. It is a good idea to offer the breast before and after each feed to maintain a good milk supply.

Cows milk and dairy products, eggs, fish particularly shellfish), nuts (especially peanuts), some fruits and foods containing gluten can all cause allergic reactions. So be careful with your choices...

From six months babies can digest protein so red meat, fish ,eggs, cheese, chicken and pulses can all be introduced.
Do not give peanuts to babies under one year old: if there is a history of allergies in your family avoid giving them for at least three years. As well a being an allergy hazard they can also be a choking hazard.

Honey should also be avoided for the first year as babies can contract botulism from it.

Eggs must be thoroughly cooked but can be introduced from six months.

Buy gluten-free baby food at the beginning of weaning, if possible, as gluten can cause coeliac disease. Usually a six month old baby can digest gluten without any problems but younger babies are more at risk.

Some babies react to citrus fruits such as oranges but alternative fruit juices can be given instead, such as apple juice.
Never add salt to food which your baby will eat. If he is ready to eat the same meals as the rest of the family do not add gravy until you have removed the baby's portion, as gravy can contain a lot of salt.

It is best to introduce savoury foods prior to sweet foods as babies very quickly develop a sweet tooth! They tend to enjoy pureed carrots, broccoli, sweet potatoes, turnip and parsnip and any combination of these foods. Babies also love stewed apples and pears or mashed bananas and strawberries!

However, many babies dislike potatoes at the beginning of weaning. When the baby is a little more experienced with tastes and textures you can start adding some potato to his meals.

Let the baby decide when he has had enough of any particular meal. Never force-feed the baby. He only needs a little bit of solid food each day. For some babies a few spoonfuls will be enough; for others a main course and dessert are required!
If he refuses to eat one type of food avoid it for a while and try something else. Return to the disliked food after a few days and try again. Some babies can be very fussy, whereas others eat whatever is placed in front of them!

Take it slowly and it will not be such a big change for either you or your baby. Weaning should be a fun experience for you both. After a very short time your baby will look forward to his solid feeds and will even start to let you know that he wants more!

Buying A Baby crib set

Buying a baby crib set is something worth taking a minute to think about. There are endless of patterns and colorings to choose from, but there are a lot of toxic colorings in many fabrics nowadays, so take a moment and learn a couple of things about.

Let's start by talking a bit about the production as such. There's plenty of cheap baby crib bedding out there, mainly because that the really cheap ones are produced in China or other Asian countries with a low cost production. The products coming from there, can contain basically any toxic colorings (or be made by child labour, if that's a concern for you), and can be really unhealthy for your newborn. Be sure that you buy from a quality product. How to know that?well, if they are produced in this country you can be quite sure it's a good product. a bit more expensive, yes, but remember that you actually don't need ten bedding sets, you can start with two. Buy more along the way when you know what you really need.

For the first half a year or so, babies haven't developed the ability cooling their bodies through sweating. Keeping the baby cool by using breathable fabric at places where fabrics contacts the baby's skin. Nowadays you can buy baby bedding in most every color or design. It should be soft so that it wont hurt your baby's delicate skin. A blanket is good to have in addition if you live in colder parts of the country so you can easy regulate the temperature of your little on. But remember to check that your baby isn't to warm! It's quite common that parents have too much on their baby instead of too little, and can be quite dangerous to get too hot!

You should choose all natural fiber, cotton, silk, Egyptian cotton, cotton velvet, wool, sateen or cotton blend satin. Let your baby sleep only on breathable natural fabrics, and no polyester!

To get some bumpers that goes around the crib is important. It will keep your baby from getting stuck between the bars, and will keep the baby safe inside. There are bumpers to fit your sheets and that are easy to wash. The should be made of cotton, and no artificial fabrics. Small babies like strong bright colours, so why not let your crib bumber be in colors that will give it something to look at when resting in the crib.

Organic bedding can be something to look into. Nowadays s there are organic beddings in all kinds of colors and designs, not just only beige or natural white that you might think of when you think of organic fabrics. Organic bedding products automatically provide relief from allergies.
The benefit for your baby is the softness and quality that only organic cotton can provide, and it is one of the top reasons people choose organic cotton for their baby's undeveloped skin. Cotton grown in commersioal ways is poorer and weakened by the chemicals used in growing, processing and dying of the cotton. All these things break the fibre down creates a much weaker and reduced product in the end.


For the newborn and small baby you shouldn't use a pillow. Their neck is not fully developed yet, and it can also be a choking hazard for the newborn.

Want to know more about baby bedding? Please visit my site http://www.babysafety.efven.com/bedding.html for more information.

Using Acupuncture For Female And Male Infertility

Some people wait their entire lives to have children and to be told that you can't make you feel worthless or inferior. A lot of factors that are involved in the natural conception all have to be in the correct place and balance for it to be successful. The organs of the female and the sperm of the male need to in the right order. The environment needs to be in proper order. When anything is out of place in either man or woman, you have female and male infertility. If you feel that there is a problem with you and your spouse having a baby, you need to read on to understand what may be going on.

When a couple finds out that they can't have children, the woman often blames herself first. It's a woman's worst fear, in most cases, to be told that they can't have children.

However, a woman shouldn't jump to conclusions without getting tested by a doctor because it may be the man that is the cause of their inability to become pregnant. If the man is the cause of the couple's inability to conceive. The doctor will ask the man to provide a sperm sample for testing. A urine and blood test may be necessary as well to determine if there are any other internal causes for infertility

Female infertility can be caused by genetics, smoking, a poor diet, lack of exercise, a hormone imbalance and more. Female can also suffer from ovulation disorder. Polycystic ovary syndrome is one of the more known problems in female. The common problem that male face is known as azoospermia and oligospermnia. The first causes are no sperm to be produced and the causes of oligospermnia are the sperm to be reduced to a point where it is not useful. The problem might also be from sperm that is not formed correctly or they die before they can reach the egg to fertilize it. A disorder that is genetic, in nature, can also become a problem. Male and Female infertility are about the same percentage when you are looking into the causes.

Acupuncture, the Traditional treatments

Acupuncture has been used for centuries in some cultures as an effective means of treating a variety of illnesses. The function of acupuncture is that it regulates blood pressure by stimulating the central nervous system. This process also causes the release of neurotransmitters and neurohormones, which assist the body in healing itself. Finally, acupuncture releases endorphins which will inhibit pain and give the body an overall feeling of wellness.

When to Use Acupuncture

Most medical experts will agree that acupuncture and infertility are generally and effective combination when used to treat issues like hormonal imbalances, rather than structural abnormalities like blocked fallopian tubes. Since acupuncture can help to regulate your body's system, blood flow is increased to the vital organs and hormone levels are better regulated. This will allow your body to heal itself from issues regarding an imbalance of hormones in some cases. It has been found that acupuncture and infertility work best together when acupuncture is done after conventional methods of treatment have been tried, or in conjunction with these treatment.

Sometimes during acupuncture sessions, herbs will be recommended to enhance the acupuncture experience and aid in healing the infertility issues. Keep in mind that some of these herbs can actually counter the effects of some of the fertility drugs that you might also be taking, so talk to your doctor before taking any kind of supplement. It has been shown that acupuncture and infertility are particularly effective when acupuncture is used while a woman is going through an in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle. This may be because acupuncture also serves as an aid to relaxing the body and reducing tension, which may contribute to the success of the IVF cycle.

To see Result

If you are stressed with an inability to conceive, perhaps you should look into the link between acupuncture and infertility. At the very least, these sessions may help you to handle the other infertility treatments a bit better. Keep in mind that you will most likely scheduling one or two sessions of acupuncture a week for a number of weeks at a time in order to see results. However, it may be your key to success - and a health baby.

What is Male Infertility and How to Test It

When young people (or even a little older people) have reached the point in their lives where they find that the time is right for having children, this is not always as easy as it sounds. Some couples hit a "homerun" the very first time, while other will struggle for years and might not even have any luck at all. Some couples go year after year of trying to have children but it just is not happening. For starters this is an extremely frustrating experience for those couples and especially the woman takes this very seriously because most women feels that it is her fault.

Even though it might be her body that is causing the infertility issue it is not always her own fault. There are many things that affect the body on a daily basis and some of them are not under you direct control. But when that has been said we are currently experiencing more and more men being the reason for the couples not to have children. You don't need to look back more than a few decades when it was considered unthinkable that the male could be the problem for the infertility. It might have something to do with male pride or something like that but luckily things have changed.

Today it is very common that couples are having a hard time conceiving and according to the latest statistics it is now every fifth couple that needs help of some sort. This can be from some basic guidance and sound advice on a dietary plan to strong medication and hospital treatments. For the most couples the guidance and advice will often be sufficient.

After trying out a between a half to a whole year without any luck it is advised to go see your doctor. Most often you doctor will give you a recommendation to another doctor whose specialty is infertility issues and he or she will therefore be much better equipped to give you the right answers to your questions. The first consultation will often be a talk between you and the doctor about how long you have been working at having children and what you have done to increase your chances (e.g. making sure that you try out at the right time in the woman's cycle).

Secondly the infertility doctor will probably talk to you about having some tests taken. This might be blood samples for both parties and other gender specific test for the male and the female. The male infertility test is much simpler than the tests that the female will need to go through. All he will need to do is deliver a sperm test, which will often be done at an infertility clinic, and that is it. When the results come the doctor will be able to determine the amount of sperm cells and the quality as well. These two factors are the determining ingredient when it comes to the man's part of the action.

Unfortunately more and more men are experiencing bad semen quality and a low sperm count and that is what is causing a lot of the problems that couples face when trying to conceive. This result can be caused by a lot of things but scientists and doctors believe that some of the main reasons are a bad dietary plan, a bad or not existing exercise schedule and some believe that underpants or boxers that are too tight might be a determining factor as well.

Because the reasons for the male infertility are so strait forward and the ways to change the condition are so simple it is a mystery why most men are still not following the advices given. By giving your body the right amount and the right type of exercise while applying a good dietary plan you will experience a significant change in life quality. The main reason is of cause to have children but the additional benefits of working out and eating the right nutrients are so overwhelming that being able to conceive will soon become a minor add-on bonus.

You vitality, strength and overall mood will change for the better and that in return will result in a better quality of life. If you are about to take a male infertility test or if you are having trouble conceiving you are both advised to start changing you life by eating a healthier meal and exercising more. You don't need to wait for the doctor to give you the test results or to even wait till you have consulted with the infertility doctor. I encourage you so start moving on a daily basis and to start thinking about what kind of building block you provide for your body so that is in return can give you the optimal results (mentally, physically and when is comes to reproducing yourselves). So do not delay, but take action today.

Your Baby And Teething

The appearance of your baby's first tooth is a major milestone in her development, and one that will likely see you sharing photographs with family, friends, and anyone else who may happen by! Unfortunately though, the arrival doesn't always go smoothly - it can be a testing time for both you and your baby, as there will inevitably be some discomfort involved, leading to yet more sleepless nights and grizzled behaviour.

There are usually some warning signs that a tooth is on its way, and these can include an increase in salivation or drooling, an intensified tendency for your baby to bite down on toys (or even people!), flushed cheeks and swollen gums, and a general malaise shown through loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping and irritability.

Many parents will tell you that teething is often accompanied by other problems such as stomach upsets or colds, although most medical experts say that there is no real connection, and that young children are more or less constantly fighting off one bug or another, and so any signs of illness appearing together with teething are probably just coincidences.

Teething generally starts at around 6 months, although as with all things related to babies and kids your own experience may vary. Indeed, a very few babies will be born sporting a tooth or two, while some may not see their first tooth emerge until their first birthday or even later. Whenever it starts, your baby will normally have a complete set of teeth by their third birthday, and these milk teeth will last until around the age of six, when they will begin to be replaced by adult teeth.

Although some infants sail through the whole teething process with little difficulty, for others it can be a real ordeal. Unfortunately there's nothing we as parents can do to speed the growth, but there are ways to relieve the discomfort a little.

The most traditional remedy for teething pain is a rubber biting ring, which works with your baby's natural inclination to bite down on things. A soft rubber ring provides a safe outlet for this urge, and keeping the ring in the refrigerator when not in use will also provide a cooling sensation.

Teething gel can also be applied to the gums, which can provide comfort, and can be smeared onto a dummy or pacifier if the biting reflex means direct application to the gums is risky for the parent!

Teething powders are also available, which consist of a sachet of crystals which you can pour into your baby's mouth, and seem to prove more effective than gels with some children.

Finally, you may find yourself having to resort to pain relief medication if the problem is severe. Be certain to use a medicine specifically formulated for babies of your child's age, and stick to the recommended dosage. Medicine which also induces drowsiness, such as anti-fever preparations, can also be very useful - especially at bed time.

Hopefully your own baby will not have too much difficulty developing a healthy toothy grin, but if you're finding teething is a problem, then remember that it doesn't last forever, and keep counting the teeth as they arrive!

Make yours an Organic and Eco Baby

The author looks at things that can make all the difference to an eco baby and eco family.

Organic and Fairtrade Baby Food

Organic baby food has been around for decades and fairtrade baby food has only recently been launched. Why feed your baby with chemicals, additives and possibly genetically modified ingredients when you can feed them fresh, organic and healthier food? By buying fairtrade it also enables you to put something back into local communities where the ingredients originated from, so that they can look after their families better due to being paid a fair price for their food and hence they are able to reinvest the funds into their community and families.


Organic and Eco Friendly Baby Care

Babies have extremely sensitive skin that requires a mild and gentle touch - which is why it makes sense to treat them with products made from the purest ingredients. The skin is the largest part of the babies body and is often prone to sores and nappy rash in the early days. Minimise the amount of chemicals coming into contact with the babies skin by buying organic or natural baby care products.

Organic and Fairtrade Baby Clothing

A babys skin is thinner than that of an adult, so make sure the clothes against their bodies are free from harmful pesticides and chemicals by buying clothing which are made from organic or hemp fibres which are made with the minimum or no chemicals in the production and processing. By buying Fairtrade or ethical baby clothes from companies such as HUG ensures that other babies in developing countries may benefit as well from the clothes that you buy. Cheap, brand new clothes from supermarkets etc. are often made in China in low cost production facilities where workers are paid the minimum wage and where the term sweatshops originated from. Buying second hand or using donated clothes is the ultimate form of recycling and is cheaper too at this expensive time of life.


Environmentally Friendly Cloth Nappies

Cloth nappies can be washed and reused hundreds of times. Millions of disposable nappies are used throughout your country and you can imagine what size of landfill is needed to bury them all! Cloth nappies can reduce nappy rash and have no suspect chemicals. By washing them with your normal clothes, you again minimise your babies impact on the environment.


Breast feeding

Breast milk is very economical, constantly available at the right temperature and if your diet is organic then so is your milk which is therefore better for your baby. If you have to buy formula we wary of buying Nestle as an International Nestle Boycott is in effect in 20 countries. The boycott will continue until Nestle ends its irresponsible marketing of breast milk substitutes world-wide and abides by the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and subsequent Resolutions in policy and practice.

Looking for more information on baby milk action or organic things for babies then see GuideMeGreen.com.

Eating The Right Foods While Pregnant

Even if you eat a healthy diet, you may need to modify it when you are pregnant. There are certain foods you should avoid and certain foods that you should eat more of.

Today, in our effort to find out more about food, health, and nutrition when pregnant, we must know more about the foods we eat and the impact they have on our bodies. Many studies are easily available to read on the Internet, as well as, in your local library.

You may have a lot of questions concerning organic foods, vegetarian diets, and more when you become pregnant. These too are worth looking into, to make sure you supply the important nutrition that your baby will require to grow and develop normally.

Foods to Eat

Some of the best foods you can eat contain protein. Since protein is the building block of all cells, you will want to eat more of it when you are pregnant. You may sense a natural craving for protein, over all the other kinds of foods that you consume in a day.

During your first trimester, your baby's organs will develop. This is a crucial time for development and will need a lot of protein material to grow normally. You will want to give your baby the proper nutrition by eating foods that are high in protein, vitamins, and minerals.

Foods to Avoid

Do you know which fish to avoid, or, which types of cheese? If not, then you need to research this information before you eat out at your favorite seafood restaurant or the next time you make a sandwich. Certain foods carry bacteria that can harm your baby. Protect yourself and your baby by avoiding these foods.

Eating a healthy diet through all stages of life is important, but never more so than when you are expecting. You should develop lists of the right and wrong foods to eat, as well as, heed advice on which organic foods to eat while pregnant.

If you eat a vegetarian diet, you should make sure that it is still filled with the protein needed for cellular development. Vegetarian diets have quite a large variety of foods with protein that after some research, may surprise you, and let you and your baby have a more healthy life.