Take Time for You: Tips For New Moms

September 20, 2017 by Leave a Comment

 

Tips for New Moms

 

One of the biggest traps most new moms fall into is not getting enough time for themselves. New moms often forget to do simple things.  For example, taking a daily shower and pursuing their personal interests. If you too are a new mom who has limited time because of your newborn baby, you’re reading the right article. Check out our tips for new moms and how you can find time for yourself in spite of being a new mother.

#1: Take time for a shower

Choose a time when you baby is napping or content in his swing or exersaucer.  Take the swing or exersaucer inside the bathroom or place it outside the bathroom.  If the swing or exersauce is outside the bathroom, leave the door open. If your baby suddenly starts to cry, you can sing a song or play a game with him from inside the bathroom. That may pacify them enough for you to complete your shower.

#2: Dress in the best possible manner

If you haven’t lost enough baby weight, don’t continue to wear maternity clothes.  Even though you may have weight loss in mind, find cheap shirts and jeans for your present size. Don’t forget the theory that looking good will also make you feel good.

#3: Measure yourself

More than 80% of women wear the wrong bra size.  Pregnancy hormones bring about changes in your body. Find a store where you can be measured properly or learn how to take our own measurements for a bra.  Purchase one that makes you feel and look good.

#4: Take out some time for yourself

Don’t feel bad or scared about leaving your baby for a few minutes.  If you find your blood pressure rising or you questioning yourself about why you embraced motherhood, take a 5 minute break.  Leave your baby in the crib or swing for 5 minutes.  You can even lose pregnancy weigh if you workout for even 5-10 minutes. You may also lose weight in your face after giving birth to your little bundle of joy.

As we see, motherhood is indeed an adjustment.  We hope that you found our tips for new moms helpful, and you will continue to still take care of your own needs.  You can never become a perfect mom in the beginning and you don’t have to stress about it. Don’t forget that your baby loves you the way you are too.

Filed Under: Empowerment, Pregnancy-New Mom Tagged With: ,

Spa Day Ideas and Party Favors

September 16, 2017 by Leave a Comment

Planning a fun day with the girls?  Today, I’m going to share tips on Spa Day Ideas and Spa Party Favors.  As mothers and grandmothers, we’re always busy.  Fixing meals, being a chauffer, planning activities for the kids, doing laundry, and homeschooling.  Furthermore, we can’t leave out the husbands and significant others we must make time.  As a result of our busy life, we often neglect ourselves.    It’s a great way to rejuvenate and empower yourself.

Invite 2 or 3 friends over, and enjoy the day laughing, sipping wine and pampering yourself.  Not in the mood for friends or your time is limited.  No need to feel guilty, pick a few ideas for yourself. Here’s a list of spa day ideas that you can implement:

 

 

 

 

spa day ideas

 

 

 

Foot Massage – First, if you have a portable foot massager/bath, pull it out and pour yourself a glass of wine.  Roll up those leggings, and soak those tootsies.  If various friends will be using the foot massage, be sure to sanitize it between uses.

Give Yourself a Manicure  – Second, remove old polish, shape your nails and soak your fingers in a simple solution of your favorite liquid bath soap.  Better yet, have a friend remove the excess cuticle around your nail and give you a fresh coat of polish.

Facial – Next, a facial is always good.  So, use your favorite facial products and have your friends bring theirs.  You can provide warm water for rinsing and a towel as well as olive oil to use as a moisturizer.

Eye Treatment – Furthermore, slice a few cool cucumbers and place them over your eyes.  Turn on a relaxing DVD, and let the cucumbers do their job.

Finally, prepare a light lunch or finger foods and catch up on what’s been happening with everyone.  If you decide to go it alone, prepare a salad or sandwich and chill a bottle of your favorite wine.

 

 

spa day ideas

 

 

 

Last, create a spa day party favor for your guests. It doesn’t have to be expensive.  Just show your appreciation.  I grabbed these items from the dollar store.  A wine glass, a loofah and a facial brush are perfect.  Also, you can replace the facial brush with a disposal razor.  Create the spa day sundae above.  It’s simple, you can add bath salt to the bottom of the glass as well.  Add your razor or facial brush and than the loofah.  I think a solid color with white gives the sundae the perfect touch.  The white is reminiscent of a dollop of whipped cream.

Finally, grab a cute gift bag, and you’re set.  Hand them to your guests as they’re leaving to show a token of appreciation for helping to make the day a success.  Last, we hope you enjoyed our spa day ideas.  You may also like: 17 Ways Moms Can Refuel and Relax.

 

Filed Under: Beauty and Fashion, Empowerment Tagged With: , ,

Women’s Health Problems: Taking Back Your Health

August 19, 2017 by Leave a Comment

 

women's health care

“Take care of your body” is the leading mantra of the 21st century. It sounds like the most sensible and integral part of every lifestyle. However, it can come as an enormous surprise.  As a matter of fact, this frame of mind virtually didn’t exist among global communities years ago. It was mostly related to extreme lifestyle enthusiasts, people with money and superstars.

Fortunately, taking care of one’s health has become quite common.  We have so much access to detailed information related to medicine and biology today. The old saying goes – “prevention is better than cure.” So, it’s important to discuss some of the basic preventive health checkups every woman should do in order to reclaim their health. 

 Gynecological checkup

 A gynecological checkup should be done once every six months, although once a year is also acceptable. Consult your doctor to determine the appropriate schedule for you.  Additionally, this checkup should be an indispensable part of every modern woman’s schedule.  When compared to other checkups, it is the one that is most consistently done.

 

A Pap Smear is still one of the most reliable procedures to detect cervical cancer.  After the age of 20 and up until the age of 65, most women should do this test every three years.  Based on your medical history, after the age of 65 testing may be discontinued.  Consult your doctor with any questions or concerns. 

Breast checkup

Doing a self-exam of your breasts is one of the key checkups in the life of every woman. Every woman should have a clinical breast exam every three years up until the age of 40.  Examinations should be done yearly after the age of 40. 

By combining extensive knowledge with detailed examination and thorough questioning, your health care provider can determine the health of your breasts pretty confidently.  After the age of 50, every woman needs to start doing mammography tests, if not sooner. This test has been steeped in controversy because it uses ionizing radiation to detect malignant changes.  The health community agrees that benefits outweigh the risks by a significant margin.

In these hectic times when most people are exposed to a lot of stress and a breakneck lifestyles, many institutions and celebrities like Kylie Minogue and Angelina Jolie, are trying to raise awareness of these issues.

Hormone balance checkup

 Fatigue, mood swings, irritability, hot flashes, night sweats, and poor sleep are signs of a hormone imbalance.  Additionally, noticeable skin changes can also be a sign. These are especially known to hit women who are entering menopause.

Saliva testing and blood testing are regular methods to test for imbalances. Most importantly, it influences your metabolism and cardiovascular system.  In particular, the rate and strength of the heartbeat.

Heart checkup

Statistically speaking, men are more prone to heart problems.  However, heart disease is a big issue for women as well.  When we talk about heart problems, the first thing that comes to mind is a healthy diet.  Nonetheless, some people have heart problems unrelated to diet and weight, and some of the problems are hereditary.

This is why checkups for heart disease are important. Blood pressure and weight measurement are the most noninvasive checkups. Blood tests take a prick in the thumb or the arm, but they are generally fast, and extremely important for monitoring your cholesterol levels and triglycerides. 

Eye checkup

 women's health care

 

Of all the senses, the eyesight is the last one anyone would give up.  So, have your eye examined at least once a year. Due to the lifestyle that includes a lot of eye strain, the eyesight problems are becoming more and more frequent. This is why Australia is one of the leading countries trying to raise awareness about the importance of regular eyesight checkups with its versatile eye health campaigns. For instance, you can do a complete specialized eye test in Parramatta and spend a little time on a non-invasive test that can mean a lot.

Scientific research has shown that, just like with the heart, a healthy diet and taking care of your weight can have a lasting positive impact on your eyesight.

Your body is your temple. Taking care of yourself has not only become a necessity, but a rite of passage to adulthood. 

 

Author BIO:  Sophia Smith is Australian based beauty, fashion and lifestyle blogger. She is also very passionate about DIY projects, latest fashion trends and organic beauty products. Sophia writes mostly in beauty and fashion related topics, mainly through blogs and articles. She is regular contributor at High Style Life.

Find her on: Facebook  Twitter  Google +

 

Filed Under: Empowerment, Women's Health Tagged With: , ,

Buying the Right Breast Pump for You

August 11, 2017 by Leave a Comment

buying the right breast pump

 

Motherhood involves a variety of big decisions.  Some begin before birth ever occurs.  One of the post-birth decisions will be that big choice regarding breast feeding.  If you choose to breast feed, you’ll need to choose the best breast pump for your needs.  You will need to consider your breasts, production, storage needs, and other factors that you will discuss with your health care provider before purchasing a breast pump.  Check out our breast pump tips:

What will I need to consider when choosing a pump?

So, there are several factors that will help determine which pump is the best one for you.  Some pumps are meant for women with average production.  However, there are also pumps for women whose production is quite high.  In fact, there are double pumps as well, which help to speed up the process and allow you to get back to what is important, taking care of your baby.  We’ve created a list of breast pump tips to consider before you choose a pump that suits your needs.

  • Do you have low, average, or heavy milk production?
  • Do you have larger breasts than average?
  • Have you chosen a storage system already?
  • Do you have trouble with milk flow?
  • Do you have any skin allergies that may affect the material the pump is made of?
  • Are there any other concerns that could physically affect the type of pump you need?

It is important to answer the above questions honestly, writing it down if necessary.  This will help when you speak to your doctor about what type of pump you may need if you do not decide on your own.  The doctor can make suggestions for you.  Also, there are plenty of resources for breast pump research that can help you decide, though it is best to speak to your doctor for the most in-depth suggestions.

Is there a time when I should wait to choose a pump?

Another reason you may need to speak to your health care provider is breast feeding problems.  If you are having trouble breast feeding, you will need to determine the cause before making the decision to pump.  Be sure to speak to your doctor about any unusual changes you may notice, such as swelling, redness, or unusual consistency in your breast milk.

By handling all of your concerns before buying a breast pump, and having a check-up to ensure you are breast feeding properly, you will be able to step up to the plate, select a pump, and continue to provide the best nutrition for your baby.  This will also allow you to return to a normal routine, including returning to work, with peace of mind in the fact that you have made the right choice for yourself and your baby.  We hope you found our breast pump tips helpful.

 

 

Filed Under: Empowerment, Pregnancy-New Mom Tagged With: , ,

9 Tips for Repairing Strained Mother and Daughter Relationships

June 11, 2017 by Leave a Comment

Mother and daughter relationships are sacred.  Both will be affected if there is a breach or tension.  If you are the daughter or the mother, these nine tips may be helpful in repairing strained mother-daughter relationships.  The first three tips will be helpful when there is a profound breakdown in the relationship.  The rest of the tips will help both of you relate to each other positively.  Lets get to the tips so you can become empowered in your relationships!

 

mother daughter relationships

 

 

However, both of you need to have at least some desire and willingness to work towards genuine reconciliation. If the relationship has become toxic, it may be best to refrain from further contact. It’s imperative that you protect yourself from further damage.  Assess your relationship and decided if you want to repair your relationship.  If so, use these mother and daughter relationships tips to help you move forward:

  1. Make a date to meet together…

First, call your mother or daughter and ask if the two of you can meet for coffee and chat. Depending on your circumstances, decide whether a public place such as a restaurant would be more convenient than meeting in one of your homes.  Don’t include other family members.

  1. Talk things through thoroughly…

Decide what you want to say before you get together. First, thank your mother (or daughter) for meeting you and assure her of your love. Tell her how much the relationship means to you and that by all means you would like to be reconciled with her again. Take ownership of whatever your part may have been in the breakdown. Be honest about whatever the issues are. This is not the time to let your ego get in the way.  If you really want the relationship to be restored it will require a degree of humility.

  1. Decide to go forward…

Both of you will need to make the decision to go forward together. That means putting the past behind you and letting go of whatever caused the break down.  You need to see the future as a blank page waiting to be filled with new stories and experiences in your unique relationship.

  1. Practice forgiveness…

When you have both decided to rekindle the connection, you need to be prepared to navigate the way.  Forgiveness is essential if you want to make any progress.  Remember, forgiveness does not mean that you are condoning or minimizing what happened.  Instead, it means that you decide to let the matter go.  As a result, you can let go of   torment and bitterness.  Forgiveness should be given and received regularly by both parties.

  1. Be realistic and clear about your expectations…

Unrealistic expectation cause disappointments and damage emotions. Sometimes for an adult daughter it is difficult to realize that her mom may not always be available to nurture or rescue her.  Furthermore, she may not be able to meet her needs on a daily basis.  And for moms it can be a shock when their daughters want to fly out of the nest and make their own way. Both of you need to adjust to what it means to have an adult relationship, with clear and realistic expectations.

  1. Learn to listen carefully…

Often the words you say is not what you’re really thinking and feeling. That is why it is so important that you learn to listen carefully. Try to reflect back what the other person is saying so that you can be sure you understand what she means.  At first your mom may sound overly critical.  However, when you realize how worried she is about your safety you may be able to recognize her love for you.

  1. Learn to communicate carefully…

Don’t expect the other person to be a mind reader.  We need to communicate carefully and clearly.  Be gentle as you speak your heart . Harsh words pierce deeply and can leave a painful wound, even if you didn’t mean it that way.

  1. Make time for each other…

One of the most common complaints from mothers is that their adult daughters no longer have time for them. However, it can work both ways. It takes wisdom to find the balance of knowing how much time to spend together.  How much is enough, and how much is too much. Too much togetherness can cause petty irritations to surface. Yet,  not enough togetherness leads to isolation and a disconnection.  So seek to find the healthy balance of what will work best for both of you.

  1. Know your boundaries…

Boundaries are essential for any good relationship.  This includes mother and daughter relationships. If there has been bitter arguing or name calling, make it clear that you will leave if that restarts. Once you have set a boundary, be ready to enforce it for your own mental and emotional health. With perseverance and love it is possible to repair and maintain the powerful and precious mother and daughter relationships.

Author Bio:-

Sylvia Smith is a relationship expert with years of experience in training and helping couples. She has helped countless individuals and organizations around the world, offering effective and efficient solutions for healthy and successful relationships. Her mission is to provide inspiration, support and empowerment to everyone on their journey to a great marriage. She is a featured writer for Marriage.com, a reliable resource to support healthy happy marriages.

Filed Under: Confidence, Empowerment Tagged With: , ,

Spring/Summer Makeup Tips for Busy Moms

May 3, 2017 by Leave a Comment

If you’re a working mom, you  know the daily struggle that includes taking care of your kids while getting ready for work.  Applying makeup can be time consuming, but you can create a flawless makeup look at just a few simple steps.   Empower yourself with these six summer makeup tips and tricks.  They will help you speed up your morning makeup routine:

 

 

summer makeup tips

 

 

Choose tinted moisturizer instead of foundation

We know that you love your favorite foundation.  However you’ll kill two birds with one stone if you opt for a tinted moisturizer! Apart from providing great coverage, this product will also nourish your skin.  Additionally, it will keep your skin hydrated all day long.  Also, a tinted moisturizer is generally more lightweight than a foundation.  So, you don’t have to worry about clogged pores and potential breakouts!

Don’t forget the primer

If you want your makeup to be long-lasting, it’s crucial to get a high-quality primer.   Look at primer as an investment.  It will allow your makeup to stay on all day long without touch-ups.  As busy moms, this is exactly what you should look for. The primer will smooth everything out in no time and boost your hydration levels too.  So, don’t skip the primer under any circumstances!

Concealer is your best friend

If you’re a sleep-deprived mom who has to cover those hideous dark circles under the eyes, concealer should be your friend. The best way to apply it is to draw a triangle.  Place the base under your eyes and the point toward the cheeks.  Besides concealing dark circles, this technique also creates the illusion that your face is lifted.  Which, is what you need for an early morning meeting.  You can even skip a tinted moisturizer and apply concealer only.  Add this to your summer makeup tips.  It will provide a fresh look on its own!

Voluminous eyelashes for a wide-awake look

Two coats of your favorite black mascara will do wonders for your overall appearance.  Don’t be afraid to use an eyelash curler which can give you a wide awake look in the blink of an eye.  It’ll inevitably make your eyes look much bigger.  Which, contributes to a fresh morning look. Just remember to use this handy tool before applying mascara. Never use it afterward since it can stick to your mascara and even pull your lashes out.

A nice blush will save your day

The warm natural color is vital in a quick beauty routine.  So, make sure not to skip it. Just a touch of peachy blush or baby pink will result in a beautiful, luminous skin that looks healthy and fresh. Use a tad bit of it on the apples of your cheeks and you’ll see an instant improvement. You can get either a powder blush or a cream one .   It really doesn’t matter, as long as it gives your face a gentle glow.

Plump up those lips

Plumping up your lips is the final step before heading straight to the office or running errands. From balms and glosses to regular lipsticks and even lip stains, everything’s on the table. Here’s a little tip: apply these products with a lip brush since that’ll help them last a lot longer on your lips. Of course, applying some of them (such as lip stains) is much more time-consuming.  So, save those for special occasions and use a lip gloss instead.  This can be added to your bag of summer makeup tips without much effort.

As you can see, there are ways to come up with flawless summer makeup tips in just a few simple steps.  It’s all about optimizing your routine and using high-quality products.  Products that will allow your makeup to stay on throughout the day, without touch-ups. Once you master these steps, you’ll manage to look stunning in no time, and all day long!

Author BIO:  Sophia Smith is Australian based beauty, fashion and lifestyle blogger. She is also very passionate about DIY projects, latest fashion trends and organic beauty products. Sophia writes mostly in beauty and fashion related topics, mainly through blogs and articles. She is regular contributor at High Style Life.

 Find her on: Facebook  Twitter  Google +

Filed Under: Beauty and Fashion, Empowerment Tagged With: ,

Sleep Tips: Falling and Staying Asleep In the Midst of Commotion

April 11, 2017 by Leave a Comment

 

sleeping tips

 

Traditionally, noise does not accompany a great night of rest. However, whether it’s a noisy roommate, undesirable conditions, or too much light, obstructions exist. Therefore, you need to get accustomed to sleeping when conditions are sub par. Here’s a few sleep tips on how to fall asleep and stay asleep when noise and other undesirable conditions won’t stop or go away.

 Create More Noise

 It seems counterproductive, yet if you create your own white noise to drown out other sounds, you could lull yourself to sleep. Try placing a humidifier/dehumidifier somewhere adjacent to your bed. The rumbling would initially seem like a disturbance, yet it’s constant and does well in eclipsing other sounds in the immediate area.

 Use Earplugs

Some people don’t like sticking things in their ears.  They believe that it impedes their ability to hear intruders entering the home, the phone ringing, etc. However, a tried and true way to cancel out other noise is to block your ability to hear it.  If the solution sounds attractive, you’ll be happy to hear that a wide range of selections exists. Actually, some report that earplugs work too well.  They make it difficult to wake to alarms and hear other things.  Additionally, find apps at this link that help with waking on time.

 Muffle the Sound

 Use fabric and other materials to deafen sounds outside of your room. Wrap your door in heavy fabric that will muffle the sound.  Moreover, you could put soundproof fabric on your walls. The heavier the material, the better it will block sound. If you don’t like the thought of fabric, try shopping for heavier wallpaper or tapestries.

 Spray Scented Oils

Scents help drift people to sleep by first making them at peace and relaxed. For example, lavender oil is known to help people relax and is sometimes used in therapy and sleep studies. Many products on the market incorporate oils, chamomile, passionflower teas, etc.

 Exercise and Stretch to Exhaustion

Getting too tired to be bothered by noise is another way to get to sleep. Some enjoy reserving time in the evenings to stretch, lift weights, do a cardiovascular activity, etc. However, such a solution could backfire since working out can also make one feel energized afterward. It may be best to find a sweet spot, such as going to the gym or working out three to two hours before bedtime.

 Go to the Source

Another sleep tips is to try going straight to the source.  For example, if it’s a noisy radiator, maybe you need to call maintenance for help. If it’s a noisy roommate, it may be much more effective to have a conversation and ask them to be quiet. Maybe it’s not that noisy; perhaps you have a mild sleeping condition that can be addressed through medical attention.

 Make it Darker

In some cases, you may think that it’s noise that’s keeping you awake while it’s really too much light. Some people are very sensitive to light.  And if you are trying to sleep during the day or in a room that lets in too much interior light, it could be incredibly difficult to get to sleep. Try draping sheets over the windows while you’re sleeping, putting a towel underneath your door to block light from leaking in, etc.  Also, light blocking drapes are known to work. 

We hope that you have found our sleep tips beneficial, and you will implement a few suggestions in your life.

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Empowerment, Women's Health Tagged With: , ,

Why Putting Color In Your Diet Is A Good Thing

March 25, 2017 by 2 Comments

healthy living

 

First, did you know that fruit and vegetables that are brightly colored are packed with nutrients.  This includes green, orange, red, yellow, purple and blue products.  Brightly colored fruits and vegetables contain the most phytochemicals.  Phytochemicals, also called phytonutrients, are natural compounds that that are found in plants. Most importantly, phytochemicals also have antiviral, antibacterial and antioxidant benefits.  Putting color in your diet is a good thing.

Consuming nutritious fruits and vegetables, passes benefits on to us. This includes watermelon, tomatoes, peppers, strawberries, and the list goes on.  Furthermore, phytochemicals protect us against various ailments.  In addition, they help us to maintain good health. These nutrients regulate detoxification of enzymes and hormone metabolism.  Also, they stimulate the immune system.

Additionally, we should consume at least 5 servings of these fruits and vegetable every day. They can help to slow down the aging process.  And they help to reduce the risk of diseases such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.  Other risks they help reduce are cataracts, osteoporosis, urinary tract infections, and cancer.  In addition, making fruits and vegetables a part of your everyday meals, supplies nutrients essential to good health.  Fruits and vegetables reduce our calorie and fat intake.

Getting your daily recommended amount of fruits and veggies every day can be difficult. Fortunately, there are some strategies you can adopt to help achieve your goal.  Keep a range of brightly colored fruits and vegetables in your refrigerator.  Prepare them in advance to use in various dishes and stir fries.  You can also snack on vegetables such as carrots and celery with a healthy dip like hummus.

Drink pure fruit juices instead of flavored drinks and sodas.  Also eat fruits for dessert. When making a sandwich, go easy on the meat and include some veggies like lettuce, tomatoes, and peppers. You can also enjoy fresh fruit and vegetable smoothies for breakfast instead of filling yourself up with carbs.

For more information on the amazing benefits of eating a spectrum of colored fruits and vegetables, take a look at the infographic below.

Colours of Healthy Eating

 

Final Thoughts

We hope that our article on putting color in your diet was inspirational.   Eating a variety of different colored produce every day is an excellent way to take care of your physical and mental health.  So, include a few of our recommendations with each meal or snack.  We suggest that you consume some fruits and vegetables from each color group.  Last, you will soon be on the path to better health and start to see visible results.

 

Bio

Olivia writes on health and food at Everynutrient.com!  You can find her article on the yoli diet and other articles on health and fitness for people from all walks of life. Every Nutrient focuses on effective changes that you can make to live a healthy and fulfilled life!

 

Filed Under: Empowerment, Women's Health Tagged With: , ,

Essential Advice For Expectant Mothers

March 23, 2017 by Leave a Comment

advice for expectant mothers

 

Moms to be often have an expectation of what life with their newborn will be like. But when their newborn arrives, it’s often a lot different from what they imagined.  And it leaves them wishing they had done things differently while they were in the planning stages of having their baby. Also, it makes them realize they should have spent less time on things that really weren’t that important!  We can’t go back in time, but we can offer advice for other expectant moms. So, here is some  advice for expectant mothers in the first few months with their newborn.

Enjoy every moment

You may be surprised how many moms look back and wish they had enjoyed the time with their baby more.  You will never get that time back.  They grow up quickly, and you wake up one morning to find that they are not your newborn anymore. Therefore, no matter how tired or stressed you might be, it’s a good idea to enjoy every moment with your newborn.

Savor the moments that they smile or giggle for the first time.  And make sure you always have your camera next to you so you can take photos of your little one.  Afterwards, you can then look back at the photos and remember those special moments.  Many moms regret not taking more pictures of their kids when they were a baby.

Don’t try to do everything on your own

Some moms feel like asking for help will make them a failure.  As a result, they may struggle with their newborn. Additionally, they may refuse help from their loved ones because they want to be some form of supermom! But in months to come, moms will look back and wish they had taken the help.  After all, becoming a new mom is such a challenging time.  It can be more challenging if you try to do everything on your own.  If you’re inexperienced, it’s easy to get stuck.

Therefore, when friends and family volunteer to help, accept it with open arms.  Getting your mother to look after the baby while you get some sleep can make a big difference.  Furthermore, you want to be able to leave your little one with parents and friends without them crying for you.

It’s a good idea to get them used to being cuddled and played with by a number of people.  Another option is joining a baby group. In fact, a lot of moms look back with regret because they didn’t join earlier.  It’s great for socializing with other moms who are going through the same thing you are!  You may be surprised how much of a boost chatting with another adult can give you after a whole day with your newborn.  They may be able to provide advice for expectant mothers too.

 

advice for expectant mothers

Image from Pixabay

 

Don’t spend a fortune on unnecessary items

It’s so easy to go a little crazy when it comes to shopping for your newborn. After all, there’s so many cute things on the market.  You may think that you need a ton of stuff for your baby. In fact, you might end up spending a small fortune on things for your baby. But a lot of moms look back after the first few months with their baby and wish they hadn’t spent so much initially.  So, don’t be duped by magazines and websites that say things are essential, when actually they are not.

In fact, you might end up selling the items to try and get your money back.  While it’s so important to stock up on things like diapers and clothing, you don’t want to buy too many as they grow out of them so quickly. Therefore, before you begin shopping for your newborn make a list of things that are truly essential. That way, you won’t go overboard with your spending. And it will help to ensure you don’t go off your budge while you are in the store.  Most importantly, remember just because an item is expensive, doesn’t make it the best.

Put convenience first

When you look at items for your child, it’s so important that you put convenience first.  After all, a lot of moms make the mistake of going for the cutest option.  Or the one with the cheapest price tag.  But they look back with regret because they pick the most convenient item for their child.  After all, when you are stressed out with your newborn you want what is super easy to use. For example, when you are looking for a car seat, you want one which is simple to fit into your cars.

Getting a car seat into a vehicle can be tricky.  It must be properly placed to ensure your child is safe.  So, when you are looking online at reviews, check out Evenflo Tribute review.  Make sure you look at the top quality brands.  Also, you will know how easy it will be to get it in the car.  Furthermore, make sure you choose a breast pump that is easy to use.  In fact, read product reviews before you buy to ensure you’re are making the right choice.

Do what’s best for you

So moms look back with regret that they didn’t just choose an option which was easiest for them when taking care of their newborn. It’s so easy to follow the baby books or listen to other mom’s advice when bringing up your newborn. However, it is your baby and you must do what works for you.  Sometimes what has worked for another baby might not actually work for yours.  So take only what will work from you from our advice for expectant mothers.

If breastfeeding is causing you stress and worry, switch to bottle feeding. If you would rather co-sleep with your child, you should do what you think is best. And don’t worry about what other people think of you!

Some moms believe that they must get straight back into their pre-pregnancy shape after having their child. In fact, they put a lot of pressure on themselves to lose the weight as quickly as they can.  Some moms look back and wish they hadn’t worried so much about their body.  After all, there will be plenty of time to work on your figure. Therefore, concentrate on your child, and you can worry about your post-baby body later!

We hope that you enjoyed our advice for expectant mothers.  It’s not all inclusive, but it should get you thinking about how you want to plan for your newborn.

Filed Under: Empowerment, Pregnancy-New Mom Tagged With: ,

Body Changes After Pregnancy

March 20, 2017 by Leave a Comment

body changes after pregnancy

First, being pregnant (and the bliss that comes after) is probably one of the most beautiful times in a woman’s life. While not all pregnancies are the same.  Nor does every woman experience the same set of symptoms.  However, all of the mothers-to-be seem to have the same incredible glow and inexplicable beauty.

Most women are unaware of what they’ll be experiencing after giving birth. While everyone’s ready for sleepless nights, are they really ready for hair loss, tooth decay, melasma, spider veins, stretch marks, sagging breasts, and weight gain.  Furthermore, many experience postpartum depression.  Luckily, these days virtually everything is easily solved with a few preventive measures and treatments.

Here are some after pregnancy changes you may experience and a few tips on how you can survive them:

Hair Loss

It isn’t unusual for women to start losing large amounts of hair weeks after delivery. Normally, a person loses 100 hairs a day.  But pregnant women normally lose less because of raging hormones.  Once the pregnancy is over and your bundle of joy is delivered, your body has to compensate and lose extra hair.  Usually for the first six months after delivery.  The bad news is you will lose more hair than you expect. The great news is that your hair will soon return to its normal growth cycle.  Keep it shampooed and conditioned regularly.

Skin Discoloration

Melasma, or the so-called “mask of pregnancy” is that tan-colored area around your eyes, mouth, chin and nose. Patches may develop over time but shouldn’t be big. Beyond the cosmetic discoloration, melasma does not cause any other symptoms. Melasma usually disappears spontaneously over a period of several months after giving birth, so don’t worry.

Incontinence

When you are pregnant, it feels like you are urinating constantly. However when the baby is born, they are no longer pressing on your bladder.  As a result, it frees you from running to the bathroom every second. However, the pressure on the urethra during delivery can make urination difficult postpartum. Also, new moms may also suffer from incontinence or a urinary tract infection.  It can cause a burning sensation during urination.  See your doctor immediately.

Back Pain

Prepare to be extra patient as your stretched abdominal muscles will take time to regenerate and become strong again. Until the abdominal muscles tighten up again, you may feel discomfort.  Your back may also ache as a result of your back being strained. Back pain can also be caused by poor posture during pregnancy. Generally, the first six weeks after giving birth are when these problems normally clear up.  If not, you may want to see a chiropractor, masseuse or your doctor.

Stretch Marks

Additionally, the first thing to understand is that your body will change.  One of the changes is getting stretch marks.  They often appear sometime after the sixth or around the seventh month of pregnancy according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Furthermore, it is interesting to learn that genetics play a role in getting stretch marks.  If your mother has stretch marks, you’re more likely to have them too.  If you have a lighter complexion, you will tend to develop pinkish stretch marks.  Darker-skinned women tend to get stretch marks that are lighter than their skin tone.

While stretch marks can’t really be stopped from happening altogether, they can be reduced to a bare minimum. It’s advised to use a healthy organic stretch mark oil throughout your pregnancy.  However, avoid chemically processed stretch mark products.  No matter how promising the ads are, they can be harmful for the baby and you.

Dear new moms, frit not. Most of the changes happening to your body after pregnancy will disappear within a year of delivery.  You will be absolutely fine.  Take good care of yourself and the baby.  Everything will work out for the best!  We hope you enjoyed our after pregnancy changes and tips on how you can survive them.

 Author BIO:

Sophia Smith is Australian based fashion, beauty and lifestyle blogger. She is very passionate about yoga, organic skincare and healthy food choices. Sophia writes mostly in beauty and fashion related topics, mainly through blogs and articles. She is regular contributor at High Style Life.

 You can find out more about her writing following her on: Facebook  Twitter  Google +

Filed Under: Empowerment, Pregnancy-New Mom Tagged With: , ,