Breast milk is beneficial to the baby and her mother in many ways. Basically, it provides the optimum amount and type of nutrition to the baby for its healthy growth. Breast milk contains lactoferrin, an essential element that has many functions. It helps in iron absorption and fights the bacteria that can harm the gut.

Breastfeeding also provides lipases that help in the metabolism of fats and gives other useful hormones that help in the development and growth of the baby.Breast milk is beneficial to the baby and her mother in many ways. Basically, it provides the optimum amount and type of nutrition to the baby for its healthy growth.

Breast milk contains lactoferrin, an essential element that has many functions. It helps in iron absorption and fights the bacteria that can harm the gut. Breastfeeding also provides lipases that help in the metabolism of fats and gives other useful hormones that help in the development and growth of the baby.

Breast milk is more than just a form of food. It is actually made of living cells that can have huge benefits for your child's health. One of the most crucial components of breast milk is colostrum. This substance is produced early in your baby's life and is full of antibodies that help your baby's immune system to develop in the first days of his life. By breastfeeding your baby, you provide this protection that can't be matched by a commercial formula.

On top of the immune boost that breastfeeding provides, breast milk is also easier for your baby's developing digestive system to process. Your baby will have fewer problems with constipation, diarrhea, and even have fewer food allergies.

1 As your baby grows, your breast milk changes too so that your baby gets exactly what they need at every feed.
2 The antibodies that your body makes to fight any illness you contract get passed onto your baby through your breast milk. Amazing hey!
3 Your breast milk contains all the protein, fats, nutrients, salts and sugars, antibodies and antibacterial agents that your baby needs for the first 6 months of life. It's actually recommended by the World Health Organisation that breastfeeding continues to at least 2 years of age.
4 Your breast milk will protect your baby from bowel and lung illnesses, infection and gastroenteritis.
5 Breastfed babies are less likely to have middle ear infections and eczema.

There are many benefits to breastfeeding your baby. A mother can naturally provide her newborn baby with everything that he or she needs for a healthy start to life through breastfeeding. Studies have shown that babies who are breastfed have a healthier body weight and are less susceptible to illness than those that are bottle fed.

Breast milk features all of the vitamins and nutrients a child needs to grow like they should. It has four main components - water, fat, protein, and sugar. There has been plenty of research that indicates children that are breastfed are less likely to have health problems in their life due to their weight. This is due to the breast milk helping their metabolism to be in balance from the very start.

Read about babycare and also read about baby formula feeding and bornfree bottles

There was a time not so long ago when breastfeeding was considered very unfashionable, and mothers to be, simply refused to contemplate it. I respectfully suggest that it is much much more important than simply to be treated as a fashion statement. In recent years however, I am glad to say that attitudes towards breastfeeding have changed quite dramatically. it is now regarded as much more acceptable, and in fact is now considered as the norm for expecting mothers. I would strongly recommend to all mothers to be, that if they can breastfeed their new baby, then thy most certainly should. In a number of instances it will be physically impossible for some women to breastfeed their babies, and in such cases there are many excellent brands of formula milk available.

The nutritional needs of a nursing mother are very high when she starts feeding her baby as apart from the amount of breast milk required by the baby, the mother's own needs too need to be taken care of. If the mother does not take sufficient nutrition during this period, the body will strive to keep up the milk production but at the cost of the health of the mother. The breastfeeding diet must, therefore, necessarily incorporate sufficient amounts of balanced food.

Minerals are also important during the breastfeeding days. It is important for the mother to get her RDA of minerals such as Selenium, Zinc and Calcium.

Drink enough water and fluids daily, the recommended amount being 3 quarts. Drinking too much, however, may lead to less milk being produced.

The recommended daily caloric intake for a breastfeeding mother is 2,500 calories per day. If the mother plans to breastfeed for more than three months, then the intake can be increased to 2,800 calories - an addition of 300 calories.

Instead of three large meals, a breastfeeding mother should schedule 5 smaller, but more frequent meals at regular intervals. Make sure to include water, a low fat dairy product, and fruit in each meal.

1. Increase you water consumption to up to one quart more daily. Nursing mothers tend to get very thirsty because much of their water goes to milk production.
2. Eat one gram of protein daily per pound of body weight. Avoid sweets and junk food.
3. Eat equal amounts five times a day, breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, dinner and midnight snack. This will make sure that the nutrients in your milk always appear in more or less the same levels.
4. Your breastfeeding diet contraindicates nicotine If you must smoke leave a time span of one hour between your puffing in smoke and your eating so that the nicotine is not absorbed into the food.
5. Again, if you must drink alcohol or beer while on a breastfeeding diet should be done after feeding your baby. Alcohol slows down the baby's development.
6. Seek the advice of your doctor before taking any medication. Chemicals with iodine, many antibiotics, laxatives, are among the drugs that are dangerous to the baby. Protracted use of any drug is also contraindicated while breast feeding.

Read about babycare and also read about baby feeding bottles and how much to feed baby

Have you been heard about baby massage? Infant massage, also referred to as baby massage, has been practiced for centuries in other parts of world but has now gained popularity in the West.Baby massage is the process of rubbing and stroking baby's muscles and extremities in a way specifically designed for them. Baby massage is now available in most hospitals and clinics in the UK but the obvious choice to massage the baby is the mother, father, grandparent, or guardian. Although medical care specialists like nurses can also perform baby massage if they are confined in the hospital.

Having a new baby opens you up to a world of new experiences. As much as you prepare for their arrival there are always elements that are going to take you by surprise. However, one thing that many parents do not give much thought to is baby massage. Baby massage can be a powerful technique to increase the bond between parents and their baby.The art of baby or infant massage can bring about tremendous benefits like improved sleeping habits, better digestion and even improved growth. For example, studies have indicated that by carrying out massage for about three times a day over 10 days then babies had greater weight gain. In addition they were observed as being more active and alert. With all of the benefits you may sincerely be wondering about what is involved in the art of baby massage.

Baby massage is great for providing comfort and relief to your baby as well as acting as an important bonding exercise for the both of you.However before you begin baby massage you need to be sure the location you are using for the massage is prepared and ready for your baby, to ensure they get the most benefit from the baby massage session.Below you will find the steps to check for when preparing a room or environment where you will perform the baby massage.

Massage has been practiced for centuries in many cultures, and nowadays in parts of India, Pakistan, some African countries and the West Indies, massage is part of a baby's daily life. Babies are massaged almost as soon as they are born, often initially by their grandmothers. The mother takes over the daily ritual when she feels fit. The practice of massage continues throughout life, and children and adults are frequently massaged. Massage creates a strong and loving link between mother, father and baby. The London obstetrician Yehudi Gordon states that 'massage helps parents communicate with their baby, thereby strengthening the bonding process'.

The wonderful art of Baby Massage, also known as Infant massage has been practiced in Africa, South America and in the Far East for hundreds of years.Relatively new in the West, therapeutic baby massage is becoming increasingly popular and is taught to parent and baby groups via a worldwide network of baby massage instructors.Baby massage courses consist of a series of weekly group classes. Parents/carers are taught specific massaging routines in small groups of six or seven parents and their babies. This is followed by a general discussion.

Read about babycare and also read about Baby Formula Feed and Breastfeeding Tips

Safety rules are pretty strict concerning children play in pools,
lakes, and oceans. Many parents are wise enough to keep a close watch
over their precious offspring when they are in outside water areas.
However, the number one reason for deaths in children between the ages
of one and four is drowning. Not only in outside pools but in bathtubs
as well. Following baby bath safety rules will keep bath time fun and
effective.

When you think of childproofing your home, baby bath safety is not
the first thing that comes to mind. Most parents do not consider baby
bath safety because usually when a child is taking a bath, they are
under the direct supervision of an adult. However, supervision does not
always prevent accidents from happening.Anyone who has children knows
and can tell you that children are totally unpredictable and prone to
accidents with or without supervision. This is why there are certain
precautions that should be taken for bathtime safety.

It doesn't take a lot of water to harm a baby. They don't understand
that water can drown them and don't know to hold their breath if they
fall underwater. For this reason, you need to make sure that you have
everything needed for bath time with in arm's reach, including baby.A
great tool is a tub that is shaped like a bucket. It was made to
imitate the womb experience for the baby. It give the baby a snug fit
on the sides and they sit in the fetal position. This helps the baby
feel like they are in their natural environment, which make them feel
safe.

Tip 1 - If you are intending to use your own bath for washing your
baby in then it is a good idea to put a slip proof mat or even some
towels into the bath on which your baby can be placed. But if you can
afford to there are baby bath chairs that can be purchased which allow
the baby to sit comfortably in the bath whilst being washed.

Tip 2 - To ensure that the temperature of the water is right for
your baby not too hot or too cold there are several things as new
parents that you can do. You can either test the temperature of the
water using the traditional method of dipping your elbow or wrist into
the water as your mother would have done. The other way is to purchase
a special thermometer which changes colour when the water temperature
is correct.

Tests done by a leading group in safe cosmetics state that in over
60 percent of bath products for kids have a couple of hazardous
chemicals that are linked to serious health conditions. There aren't
any strict regulations for the amount of use in these products. Even
though they are identified as potential cancer causing agents. At the
very least, they can cause serious skin allergies. The labels may state
that they are gentle and safe, but they aren't, more toxins can be
absorbed through the skin than ingesting tainted food and water.

Read about babycare and also read about Bathing Newborn and baby feeding bottles

Safety rules are pretty strict concerning children play in pools, lakes, and oceans. Many parents are wise enough to keep a close watch over their precious offspring when they are in outside water areas. However, the number one reason for deaths in children between the ages of one and four is drowning. Not only in outside pools but in bathtubs as well. Following baby bath safety rules will keep bath time fun and effective.

When you think of childproofing your home, baby bath safety is not the first thing that comes to mind. Most parents do not consider baby bath safety because usually when a child is taking a bath, they are under the direct supervision of an adult. However, supervision does not always prevent accidents from happening.Anyone who has children knows and can tell you that children are totally unpredictable and prone to accidents with or without supervision. This is why there are certain precautions that should be taken for bathtime safety.

It doesn't take a lot of water to harm a baby. They don't understand that water can drown them and don't know to hold their breath if they fall underwater. For this reason, you need to make sure that you have everything needed for bath time with in arm's reach, including baby.A great tool is a tub that is shaped like a bucket. It was made to imitate the womb experience for the baby. It give the baby a snug fit on the sides and they sit in the fetal position. This helps the baby feel like they are in their natural environment, which make them feel safe.

Tip 1 - If you are intending to use your own bath for washing your baby in then it is a good idea to put a slip proof mat or even some towels into the bath on which your baby can be placed. But if you can afford to there are baby bath chairs that can be purchased which allow the baby to sit comfortably in the bath whilst being washed.

Tip 2 - To ensure that the temperature of the water is right for your baby not too hot or too cold there are several things as new parents that you can do. You can either test the temperature of the water using the traditional method of dipping your elbow or wrist into the water as your mother would have done. The other way is to purchase a special thermometer which changes colour when the water temperature is correct.

Tests done by a leading group in safe cosmetics state that in over 60 percent of bath products for kids have a couple of hazardous chemicals that are linked to serious health conditions. There aren't any strict regulations for the amount of use in these products. Even though they are identified as potential cancer causing agents. At the very least, they can cause serious skin allergies. The labels may state that they are gentle and safe, but they aren't, more toxins can be absorbed through the skin than ingesting tainted food and water.

Read about babycare and also read about Bathing Newborn and baby feeding bottles

If you follow some simple rules, getting baby to sleep through the night can be achieved painlessly and quicker than if you just put her to bed and hope for the best. New born babies sleep a lot and feed a lot! Any mother can tell you that! If you have a new born baby he or she will sleep, eat, have a quiet period while awake, occasionally cry and frequently poop.

First of all, let's assume you have a daughter or a son. I getting fed up with writing 'he or she' and in any case, most babies are daughters or sons. There should be a word to apply to either sex - 'it' sounds too inhuman so sometimes I will refer to 'she' and at others to 'he'. OK?

During the first six weeks, getting baby to sleep is usually not the big problem it can become in later weeks. Babies and mothers both need to establish a firm bond and this often is best established through constant contact.

When my elder children were born, the babies were usually cared for in the hospital nursery, away from the mother and tucked firmly into cribs.

It was the task of the nursing staff to care for the babies who were brought to the mother's bedside only at feeding times. These separations were often painful experiences for new mothers and not good learning times for either mothers or babies.

The main baby sleep problems are:

* Baby sleeps all day and stays awake all night
* Baby goes to sleep but won't stay asleep
* Baby becomes very distraught when put to bed at night and screams loudly

And if you're one of these parents then this was written especially for you, so don't despair, because there is a way out of the sleeping pill trap and it probably isn't as traumatic as you think.

Swaddling is a great way to lengthen your baby's sleep. It simulates the womb by providing a warm, secure and snug environment. This age-old practice of wrapping your baby in cloth, is almost sure to help get your baby to sleep faster, and for a longer period of time. In addition to making your baby feel warm and secure, swaddling your baby is beneficial in keeping your baby from startling herself with flailing limbs and preventing scratches to your baby's face. Swaddling also helps to restrain the Moro Reflex, which is an involuntary spasm in response to a perceived loss of balance.

Walking with the baby, or gently swaying the baby while walking can often lull a baby to sleep. Rocking the baby in a rocking chair or a glider and softly patting the baby's back is another proven way to help the baby go to sleep. Talking, reading, or even singing to a baby is an excellent way to get them down, just remember to keep your voice low and in a monotone range so as not to stir the baby. As a last resort, a parent can offer the baby a pacifier.

Read about newborn baby care and also read about immunizations baby and share sleep

Teeth grinding is a medical condition more formerly known as Bruxism. It is actually more common than most people realize, and the majority of adults that tend to grind their teeth do so while sleeping completely unaware of it. Typically, sleep grinders will often wake up with a sore jaw, or headaches throughout the day. If you know or suspect that you are experiencing Bruxism, it is important to learn how to stop teeth grinding as soon as possible. Every day or night that you continue on without gaining control over this self destructive condition, will result in further damage to your teeth.

Causes of teeth griding

Anger - Anger often causes a person to grind his teeth unconsciously. This is considered as a psychological issue. It is recommended approaching a professional psychiatrist to address the problem.

Malocclusion - This is known to be an abnormal alignment of teeth. It is known as one of the physical causes. A person tend to grind her upper teeth against er lower teeth unwillingly due to the structures of abnormality in the teeth.

Development of Teeth and Jaws - This often occurs among younger children, aged 7 years old and below. During the development of new teeth, itch may arise in the gum area, causing children to grind their teeth in attempt to ease their discomfort.

As adults are more habituated to alcohol, caffeine etc due to their lifestyle and still want to know on how to stop teeth grinding then keeping away from chocolates can help them in a way. Generally you must focus on relaxing your jaw muscles all the time as they are responsible for bruxism in your unconscious state of sleep. You can also work on how to stop teeth grinding by thinking about your reason of stress and discussing it with someone close, be it your husband or friend or any colleague along with its solutions.

Most of us think that teeth grinding is merely annoying. Few people know that grinding your teeth can actually be caused by a medical condition. This medical condition is called Bruxism and it refers to the gnashing, clenching and grinding of a person's teeth. It can cause difficulty in both children and adults and while most people think it is only a sleeping disorder but it can also happen while a person is awake. The difference is that when the problem only occurs at night, most people don't realize that it is actually happening until a more serious problem occurs because of the clenching.

Teeth grinding or bruxism is a very common thing experienced occasionally by all people. However if it becomes chronic it is a matter of concern and needs to be cured. The most common causes of this problem are stress and misaligned teeth. However it is difficult to find out if one is grinding teeth too much as it usually happens in sleep. A person grinding teeth in sleep is usually made aware of this problem by the people sleeping next to them.

Read about newborn baby care and also read about natural sleep aids and children sleep apnea

During the first six weeks, getting baby to sleep is usually not the big problem it can become in later weeks. Babies and mothers both need to establish a firm bond and this often is best established through constant contact.

When my elder children were born, the babies were usually cared for in the hospital nursery, away from the mother and tucked firmly into cribs.

It always troubles me to hear that there are parents using sleep medications for getting baby to sleep. Not just for baby's welfare but for the parents as well. Sleeping pills can be deadly for babies and small children for the following reasons:

1. Your child could be in for a lifetime of sleeping pill addiction. When he turns into an adult, he may never be able to develop a healthy sleep routine.
2. No sleeping drug has ever been tested on a baby or young child. In the case of some over-the-counter medications containing histamines (Nytol or Sominex) the effects can be reversed and they can act as a stimulant. Getting baby to sleep with these medications is virtually impossible.

Swaddling is a great way to lengthen your baby's sleep. It simulates the womb by providing a warm, secure and snug environment. This age-old practice of wrapping your baby in cloth, is almost sure to help get your baby to sleep faster, and for a longer period of time. In addition to making your baby feel warm and secure, swaddling your baby is beneficial in keeping your baby from startling herself with flailing limbs and preventing scratches to your baby's face. Swaddling also helps to restrain the Moro Reflex, which is an involuntary spasm in response to a perceived loss of balance.

With a little light playtime, your baby will have the opportunity to unwind before bedtime. A little playing can help the baby to fall asleep quicker, however, be careful not to play to hard, that can hinder a baby in falling asleep and you want to get baby to sleep as quickly as possible.

Your baby's comfort can also help to get baby down in a timely fashion. Warm baths and a fresh diaper can lull a baby to sleep. In some cases, a comfortable set of pajamas can add to a baby's comfort level and promote a drowsy baby.

Getting babies to sleep can be a frustrating and draining process. Thankfully there are ways to make it easier for you and your baby, so neither of you have to suffer. This article will explain the biggest mistake new parents make when teaching their baby to sleep and how to overcome it.

A newborn baby will sleep from 16 to 20 hours per day. Unfortunately, this sleeping time is usually broken up into 2-4 hour periods. The key is to get your baby into a routine sleeping schedule. This type of consistency will allow you ample time for household chores, a good night's rest, and time in general just for you...( because we know that all moms need some of that.)

Read about Parenting and also read about SIDS Risk and Baby Swaddling

Everyone knows that adequate sleep is very important for a healthy life. But all are not lucky to get good sleep, for various reasons. Sleep is one of the supporting pillars of life, and acts as a rejuvenator of mind and body.

Ayurveda, the oldest medical system, offers some simple tips for insomnia.

Try to sleep at a regular time daily. Whether it is a working day or a holiday going to bed, on a regular time helps to get good sleep. To achieve this, if necessary avoid napping during the day.

You need to be able to control your emotions in any situation. Find ways to channel stressful energy. Take deep breaths in a steady pattern. Clear your mind of worries and begin to relax every muscle in your body. Start at your toes and slowly work your way up, mentally relaxing your body as you go. Find what works for you, and practice reaching that clear-headed state of mind.

There are many factors behind sleeplessness. It could be financial concerns, relationship problems, or work issues. While it's possible whatever has been keeping you up is beyond your control, creating a conducive environment for sleeping is not. Try the following tips to make it easy on yourself to get 40 winks and a snore.

Make it a rule of thumb no caffeine or soda, 2 hours before bed time. If you did not know already, caffeine is a stimulate. Drinking those kind of drinks so close to bed time makes' it very difficult to sleep. If you want something hot and soothing, try some chamomile tea or you could have a glass of warm milk.

Sleep apnea literally means "sleep without breath" and can result from respiratory muscle weakness (known as central sleep apnea) or a blockage of the trachea, or airway (known as obstructive sleep apnea.) Obstructive sleep apnea is much more common than central sleep apnea and can be caused by a variety of factors including obesity, congestion in the throat, tonsillitis or mononucleosis. If the obstruction is big enough and the sufferer cannot breathe properly, there is a chance for sudden death from obstructive sleep apnea.

Remember also that while everyone gets insomnia from time to time, long term insomnia can be a sign of a more serious health condition. Be sure to visit your doctor to discuss your problem, potential causes and solutions. Good sleep is vital to health.

Over the counter sleep aids are meant for rare cases, not to be used on a regular basis. If you're becoming addicted to them or find that you cannot sleep at all without an over the counter sleep aid, you need to see your doctor. Some people also try to use alcohol to self-medicate. While you may feel that it helps you sleep at first, it actually increases insomnia and long term sleeplessness. If you are having trouble sleeping, alcohol should be avoided until the problem is cleared up.

We all want to arrive at our destination relaxed and refreshed but that does not always happen. Getting some sleep when traveling across time zones or on long flights is often necessary but not always accomplished. Here are some tips to help you get some shut-eye on your next flight.

Read about Parenting and also read about Baby Naps and Baby Sleep Night

Congratulations! You're probably reading this as you've brought your precious little baby home. Its a great step in life and you'll enjoy it. Many people struggle with sleep the first couple of weeks when their baby first comes home and don't really understand how to get their babies to sleep. Well I'm here to let you know that its not that hard to get your baby to sleep. With a little knowledge you'll know how to get your baby to sleep with little effort, which means more sleep for you. Both baby and parents win!

Many babies wake up because of hunger and because they are used to being fed in the hospital every four hours. Once you get your baby home, you can either continue in this manner or allow the baby to sleep as long as they can without waking them to be fed. If you feed them as much as they want just before putting the down for the night, they will have a full belly and are more apt to begin sleeping through the night. Most doctors tell you not to feed them solid foods such as cereal or baby food until they are at least six months old. How would you like it if you could only drink for six months? You most likely would not like it and could not sleep longer than a few hours without your stomach needing food.

As any Thanksgiving will show, people generally get sleepy after eating. This happens because your blood sugar levels change and because your body pushes blood to your stomach, thus taking it away from your brain. Babies are no different.However, letting babies fall asleep after eating creates a bad habit - it unconsciously forms a routine of only being able to fall asleep after eating. In the beginning this might not be an issue, but think about a few months from now. Do you want to have to feed baby every time she wakes up?

Another way to get baby to sleep through the night is to make sure that some one-on-one snuggle time is in your routine. You don't want to just dump the baby into his or her crib without another word. Take advantage of your baby's attachment to a blanket or cuddly animal. If they haven't established this yet, help them to find something that will make them feel comfortable when you are not there. An object like this, often called a transitional object, can give your baby comfort and help him or her to get to sleep, both when first put to bed and also on waking during the night.

As a parent, you can help to encourage your child to enter into a consistent sleep pattern if you follow certain steps to encourage her to sleep alone. The first is to observe when and for how long she sleeps, feeds and rests. You might think you know this, but make out a chart and write it all down. This lets you do two things: you will be able to detect a pattern of how long she spends on each of the above activities, and at what times she does it. You will also be able to detect changes to the pattern as you train her to change her sleeping habits.

Read about Parenting and also read about Baby Sleep Patterns and Sleep Baby Need