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It is hard to believe but it has already been 3 months since our daughter came into our lives. She has already changed so much. It seems that every day she gets bigger and learns something new. Babies truly are amazing little creatures. Everything starts out as being totally foreign to them but slowly they get to know certain things in their environment. Our daughter clearly recognizes our faces. she gets especially excited when she sees me if I have been out of the room or out of her line of sight. She even seems to recognize our cats. The first time she reached for something it was to touch one of the cats.
One of the sweetest thing I ever heard was her first little laugh. She laughs usually every day now. It is fun to try to figure out what she will find funny. Usually it isn't the same thing twice. It is almost like she looks at you and thinks "I found that funny yesterday, that's old news".
We got her a new activity gym because the first one we had didn't seem to really engage her. She loves this new one. Her favorite thing to do is to watch the lights above her and to reach out and grab a little lady bug that dangles close by. She is entertained for quite a while by it.
Sleeping has become much better, although she is not very regular with her sleep. I never know from night to night how many times she will get up. Most nights she is just getting up once, usually around 3am or 4am, then she'll sleep another 3-4 hours. Some nights she will sleep straight through (boy are those nights a blessing!). We still have the occasional night where she'll get up 2 or 3 times, but luckily those are few and far between now.
I can't believe it has already been 3 months. It still feels like just yesterday I was pregnant and anxiously awaiting her arrival. I am amazed by her every day and can't wait to see what new things she will learn next.
With tomorrow being Valentine’s Day I’m sure there are lots of moms out there looking for some fun craft ideas to do with their kids or play groups. When I was little I used to love making crafts with my mom. My daughter is too little for stuff like this now but when she is old enough we’ll definitely be making fun crafts for every occasion.
Here are a few fun crafts that I found. Follow the links to find detailed directions and pictures. Have fun and Happy Valentine’s Day!!
Remembering to pack everything you will need on a trip is hard enough when you only have to think about yourself, add a baby to the mix and you are bound to forget something. Babies need a surprising amount of stuff for something so little. When my husband and I traveled with our infant daughter over the holidays I found it was key to pack light for ourselves because the baby stuff took up a lot of room. Traveling with your kids can be fun, packing for the trip is another story!
Here is a little checklist to hopefully make your packing adventure a little easier.
- Diapers. You will need some in your carry-on luggage and some for the rest of the trip. Pack extras in your carry-on luggage to account for any delays you may encounter. If you are headed to a destination where you won’t be able to buy diapers be sure to pack more than you think you will need, just in case.
- Changing pad. You may want one for your carry-on luggage and one in your regular luggage.
- Blankets. Make sure you bring blankets for several different temperatures. If you won’t be able to do any laundry while you are gone make sure you bring extras.
- All the diaper changing essentials, wipes, diaper cream, hand sanitizer, etc.
- Clothes for the baby. Include clothes for all different weather conditions and bring extras in case you can’t do any laundry. (Don’t forget the socks!)
- A hat that is appropriate for the weather conditions where you are heading.
- If your baby uses a pacifier don’t forget to bring extras.
- If your baby is eating solid foods make sure you pack food, utensils, bowls, etc.
- Bottles, with extra nipples and something to clean them with. Even if you are breastfeeding it is a good idea to have bottles with you just in case.
- If you baby is formula fed be sure to bring enough formula plus a some extra.
- Your breast pump if you use one and intend to pump on the trip.
- Snacks and water for you if you are breastfeeding as you’ll need them on the trip.
- First aid kit with all the baby essentials like baby pain reliever and anti-gas drops plus any medications your baby may be taking.
- Portable crib or playard if one is not available at your destination (don’t forget the sheets).
- Carseat.
- Portable baby bathtub (inflatable or folding types work best).
- Stroller (lightweight and easy to carry are best).
- Front carrier or sling.
- Some of your baby’s favorite toys.
It seems like a lot of stuff, and it is. Babies require a lot of stuff and if you travel with your baby you have to bring all that stuff with you. Anything you can pick up when you get to your destination like diapers, wipes, etc will help to lighten your load, but make sure you can get the brand you (and your baby) are used to using. If you are staying in a hotel some do provide cribs so call ahead to find out if you will need to bring your own or not.
Good luck packing and enjoy your trip!!
Placenta previa occurs when the placenta is lying low in your uterus and is either right next to or covering the cervix. In a normal pregnancy the placenta would be near the top of the uterus, well away from the cervix. During your early ultrasounds your doctor will look to see where the placenta is in your uterus. Placenta previa isn’t usually a problem early in pregnancy but can become a problem later in pregnancy causing bleeding and possibly premature birth.
During your mid-pregnancy ultrasound, usually done around 19 or 20 weeks, the doctor will determine where your placenta is lying. If your placenta is low in the uterus, right next to or covering the cervix, your doctor will need to monitor your pregnancy more closely. It is possible for the placenta to migrate into a more normal, higher, position later in the pregnancy so being diagnosed with placenta previa during your second trimester doesn’t necessarily mean you will still have placenta previa later in your pregnancy. The placenta itself does not move, but as your uterus continues to expand it may end up further away from your cervix. Only about 10% of women who are found to have placenta previa during their mid-pregnancy ultrasound still have it when they deliver their baby.
You will be scheduled for a follow up ultrasound so that your doctor can keep an eye on the location of your placenta, depending on if the placenta previa resolves itself or not you may have multiple ultrasounds throughout the remainder of your pregnancy. If placenta previa persists your doctor will likely prescribe pelvic rest and you’ll be advised to take it easy, being especially careful to avoid any activities that may provoke vaginal bleeding. Your doctor will monitor you for bleeding throughout the remainder of your pregnancy. If you do have bleeding or contractions you will be hospitalized so you can be monitored closely. With placenta previa you will not be able to deliver vaginally, which is why your doctor will want to keep an eye out for any signs of preterm labor.
Placenta previa can happen to any one, however, there are a few factors that increase your risk of placenta previa, they are:
- You are pregnant with multiples (twins or higher)
- You have previously had a c-section
- You have previously had uterine surgery (such as D&C or fibroid removal)
- You smoke
- You use cocaine
- You age and the number of kids you have had can also increase your risk
If you are diagnosed with placenta previa talk to your doctor about what that means for you, what you need to do to ensure a safe delivery, etc. As stated above, placenta previa found earlier in pregnancy often resolves later in pregnancy, however, it may persist so your doctor will monitor you closely throughout your pregnancy so they can ensure they are on top of any complications that may arise.
Breastfeeding is not without its challenges, issues can arise throughout the time you are breastfeeding your baby. One of the most common challenges women face is clogged milk ducts. Some women will breastfeed multiple babies and never experience this complication, while others will have it happen multiple times. There are many things that can cause clogged milk ducts, and luckily it is pretty simple to self treat if you catch it early and do your best to work through it.
Breastfeeding is one of the most rewarding things you can do as a mother. Your own body is producing milk that provides your baby with everything she needs as she starts her life. Once you get over the challenge of figuring out what you are doing in the beginning it becomes a lot easier and can really help to simplify your life as a new mom. However, it is not without its ups and downs, challenges can continue to arise. Continued breastfeeding is usually the best way to over come any challenges you may face, including clogged milk ducts.
Lucky me, I just got over my first (and hopefully only) experience with a clogged milk duct. It was painful and uncomfortable but through continued breastfeeding and a few extra little tricks I was able to get over it in just a few hours. More on that later.
So what are clogged milk ducts? Clogged milk ducts are just that, milk ducts that have become clogged, they also become inflamed and sore. This happens when milk fails to adequately drain from the duct. You will likely feel a hard spot in your breast, and it will be sore or tender to the touch. Some women experience redness on the skin of their breast as well. I found it was similar to engorgement but only in one isolated spot on the breast.
Milk ducts become clogged when milk fails to drain completely from the duct. There are many causes for this failure to drain including:
- Wearing a nursing bra that does not fit properly, either too constricting or has underwire that is pressing on a milk duct.
- An incomplete or skipped feeding.
- An inadequate breast pump that doesn’t drain the breast properly.
- Any sort of illness, like a cold or the flu.
- Increased stress.
- Sleeping on your stomach (it can put too much pressure on the milk ducts).
- Or it could happen for no apparent reason at all.
Clogged milk ducts can become infected if left untreated so it is important to do what you can to release the clog as soon as you recognize it has occurred. Luckily you can pretty easily self treat a clogged milk duct. For some women though self treatment is not enough and medication is required. Continued breastfeeding is the most important part of tackling the clog so even if it is painful you should continue to breastfeed through this challenge. Here are a few things you can try to help get the milk duct unclogged.
- Frequent breastfeeding.
- Pump after the breastfeeding session to ensure the breast has been completely drained.
- Start each breastfeeding session on the affected breast until the clog has resolved.
- Massage the affected area frequently and firmly.
- Apply a warm compress prior to breastfeeding.
- Vary your nursing position, many women find it helpful to point the baby’s chin towards the spot on the breast where the clogged milk duct is.
- Some women find it helpful to get more vitamin C (drink your orange juice!).
- Rest (I know, not the easiest thing to do with a baby).
The things that I found most helpful were frequent breastfeeding, always starting on the affected breast, pumping after the breastfeeding session to make sure it had been drained, massaging the area, and using a warm compress. I noticed the clogged milk duct when I went to bed one night and was able to get it unclogged by midmorning the next day.
There is a risk of infection with a clogged milk duct so keep an eye on things, if you begin running a fever or have flu-like symptoms call your doctor. If you are unsure if what you are experiencing is a clogged milk duct call you doctor or go see a lactation consultant. You should also call your doctor if you don’t seem to be able to get the duct unclogged with the self treatment techniques, you may have an infection or another issue going on.
Have you ever experienced a clogged milk duct, or any other breastfeeding complications? What worked for you to help get things moving again?