Rainforest Jumperoo

Product Name: Rainforest Jumperoo by Fisher Price
Submitted by: Michelle Morgan, Leawood, KS
Rating: 10
Where to buy: Amazon.com

Description: This product is a stand alone jumper.


Review: My daughter loves this toy. She received it as a gift from grandma when she was four months old. It only took me about 10 minutes to put together.


My daughter can touch on the lowest setting and bounce a little. She is fascinated by the activity toys and lights. I love that it can be set up in any where, easily breaks down for travel, and that there are controls for the lights and music. It is very sturdy.


This toy is great. I would recommend it for anyone with little ones. We will get a lot of use for now and as she grows. Instead of being set up in a doorway it can go anywhere in a room. It breaks down for easy travel. It is rainforest themed with lots of bright colors and rainforest animals. The tray has three different activity sections with great lights and music. The seat swivels all the way around to allow access to all the activities. Two leaves attach at the top on each side with a toy can and a frog hanging down. There is control panel for the music and lights.

Constipation and Hemorrhoids

One of the most common complaints of pregnant women is the fact that they are constipated on a continual basis and that they've developed hemorrhoids. To be able to prevent constipation and hemorrhoids, you should know what causes them to develop in pregnant women.


Reasons for constipation

• The hormone called progesterone which increases during pregnancy may cause your stomach activity to slow down. This in turn will cause the stools to sit in your large intestine and become harder and drier.
• Taking prenatal vitamins that contain iron may increase constipation. Also there are certain antacids and calcium pills that may cause constipation, as well.
• When your uterus becomes larger, it may press on your stomach or bowel and therefore not allow the stool to pass through your system as easily.

Try getting relief the natural way

• Do your exercises on a regular basis and drink plenty of water. You should drink at least 8-8oz glasses of water each day. Juices are also great to keep your stomach moving, but you still need to drink your 8 glasses of water.
• Eat foods that are rich in fiber -- fruits, vegetables and cereals that are high in fiber.
• Fiber supplements are safe to use everyday, even when you are pregnant.
• Prunes and prune juice are also very good in relieving constipation.

Other methods
Products that are considered to be stool softeners or mild laxatives are also safe to use every day. But do avoid taking products that have stimulants in them.

Some don’ts

• Don’t use mineral oil to relieve your constipation. The mineral oil might prevent your body from being able to absorb all its nutrients.
• Don't use caster oil. It may cause early contractions in the uterus.

Hemorrhoids
Avoiding constipation may be a start to avoiding hemorrhoids. After all, hemorrhoids are caused by straining to have a bowel movement. Besides the above listed suggestions for relieving constipation, here are a few more tips on preventing hemorrhoids from flaring up.

• Do not stand for any extended time
• Try putting your feet up throughout the day
• Take warm sitz baths
• Use ice to take any swelling down
• Try not to do any moderate or heavy lifting

If you are still having problems with either hemorrhoids or constipation tell your doctor. He or she will be your guide to help you overcoming this problem.

What to Expect During Your First Trimester

The first three months of your pregnancy is called the first trimester. It is here that you need to start your pregnancy off right by establishing a healthy prenatal care routine. You can start this routine by visiting your health care provider.

What to expect on your first visit to your health care provider
Your health care provider will need answers to several questions, so be prepared. The questions that he or she will ask is important information that will help to provide and establish a medical history he or she may need to draw upon at a later date.

You will be asked about your menstrual cycle, what you use for contraceptives, if you have had any previous pregnancies, and if you have any allergies or other medical conditions. Your health care provider will also ask if you are taking any prescription or over the counter medications. If you are not asked, you should still tell your doctor about any family genetic disorders or family history of any congenital abnormalities.

You will be asked when you last period was so the healthcare provider can establish the due date. He or she will do this by adding 40 weeks to the date of when you had your last period.

You will be given a physical exam. The doctor will need to know how healthy you are as well as how healthy the baby is. You will be weighed, have your blood pressure taken, and have your height recorded during this exam.

The doctor will also give you a pelvic exam and a pap test. From this exam, the doctor will determine if there are any infections or other abnormalities, such as cancer. The stage of your pregnancy can be determined by the change in your cervix and the size of your uterus.

You will also be given a blood test, not only to determine your blood type, but also the Rh factor which is a specific kind of protein that is on the surface of your red blood cells. The blood tests will also show if you have had any exposure to diseases like syphilis, measles, mumps, rubella, or hepatitis B.

Your urine will be tested for specific amounts of sugar and protein. Too much sugar or protein in your urine indicates diabetes or kidney problems.

Your health care provider will talk to you about vitamins, exercise and other lifestyle changes that may need to happen, such as not smoking.

Additional visits to schedule
During your first trimester, doctor visits will be scheduled for every four to six weeks. At these visits, you will be weighed and your blood pressure taken. It is here at these visits that you will need to talk about any questions or concerns that you have. Your doctor is a great support system for you, so it is important to be honest and open about anything you need to discuss.

Also during your first trimester is when you will have an ultrasound. This will give you your first look at your new baby. This is also where your doctor will be able to check how the baby is growing and developing.

Physical changes in your body

• Tender breasts
• Nausea, mostly in the morning, but may last all day
• Tiredness - expect a LOT more than usual
• Emotional changes
• Some dizziness - If your dizziness occurs with pain in the abdomen or vaginal bleeding you will need to call you doctor right away.
• More frequent urination, or leaking due to coughing, sneezing or laughing.

The most important thing is to make an appointment to visit with your doctor or health care provider as soon as you know, or if you suspect you may be pregnant. Taking care of yourself and your baby will provide you with a much happier and healthier pregnancy.

Getting Enough Sleep During Pregnancy

Every pregnant woman complains of this—not getting enough sleep. Most moms have no clue why they can’t sleep, let alone what to do about it. While you may eventually become so tired that you’ll fall asleep, this isn’t a good way to live.

Why Can’t I Sleep? The biggest reason why you aren’t able to sleep well is because your body is undergoing major changes. Other factors that could disrupt your sleep patterns are lack of exercise, too much exercise, and bad eating habits. Another thing that could affect your sleep is the position in which you sleep on your bed.

What Can I Do to Help Myself? If you are sedentary, try getting more exercise. Walking is super easy to do. Find a walking partner and walk at least 3 days a week, 30 minutes at a time. Not only is exercise good for your muscles, but it will help prevent excess weight gain and improve your energy levels. It will also prepare you for a healthier labor.

Pay attention to the position you assume when you go to bed at night. Do you sleep on your back? You should always sleep on either side, preferably your left side. If this doesn’t help, try tucking a pillow under your tummy, leg or side.

Calm your mind and body before going to bed. Try a bedtime routine of a warm bath, adding a little lavender oil will make it smell wonderful and aid relaxation. Once you finish your relaxing bath have your spouse give you a back or foot massage if possible and then have a nice cup of warm herbal tea. Chamomile or sleepy time are great sleep inducing and calming teas.

Another thing you could do is try to read a good relaxing book. I often find this is the easiest way to fall asleep as your mind doesn’t have time to wander.

I Still Can’t Sleep! Unfortunately, many pregnant women lose lots of sleep, especially during their last trimester. If you are able, take cat naps during the day. When you feel sleepy, take a nap; don’t fight it. Do your best to sleep as often as possible even if you’re having trouble sleeping through the whole night.

Want to learn more? The Pregnancy Bible book is a great resource for expecting moms!

Fisher Price Infant to Toddler Rocker

Product Name: Fisher Price Infant to Toddler Rocker

Submitted by: Kate Towers; Cambridgeshire

Rating: 9

Where to buy: Amazon.com

Description: This seat features a stand so you can have it as a normal seat that sits still or a rocker. Other features include a toy bar that goes across the front of the chair and it vibrates which keeps my little boy amused for hours.

Review: I purchased this online a month ago and I think its great and it has probably been our best purchase so far. My son has loved being in this and has spent more time asleep in this than in his cradle.

I love the fact that we will be able to still use it when he’s older too, so I think its great value for money. I also prefer to use this chair for when I am feeding him as he seems to feed better in this than with his high chair, I think he prefers being lower down. I would definitely recommend this rocker to friends. Great for when he sleeps, for rocking, feeding....everything.

Parenting - Learn to Listen to Your Instincts

New mothers often feel inadequate as a parent. They question their instincts because it’s strange and new to have these feelings. An important thing to remember is that your instincts are real. Every woman has intuition. As a mother, your intuitive instincts will grow even more. Here are a few points to help you as you learn to listen to your instincts.

Trust Yourself
What is your inner voice telling you? Be still and quiet and you will hear it. Let’s suppose your baby is crying and running fever but has no other symptoms. Your instincts tell you that she has an ear infection, even though you haven’t noticed her pulling at her ears. Do you trust yourself enough to take your baby to the doctor, or wait?

Don’t Second-Guess Yourself
You know your strengths and weaknesses. Are you naturally jumpy, or nervous? Do you overreact to minor situations? Do you rely on other people’s instincts or advice instead of following after what your own intuition tells you? Never second-guess yourself. If you think your baby needs medical attention, even though a “veteran” parent says that you’re overreacting, what would you do?

Know that You are Capable
One of the greatest fears of a new mother is that you will fail your child. Be assured that you know what is best for your child. You are able to provide for his needs. You are the best person for the job!

Tips for Coping with Contractions

Whether you will give birth naturally or use pain medications, you may experience the pain of contractions at some point throughout your labor. Here are some tips to help you cope with contractions.

Tip #1: Breathe
A common reaction to pain is to take a deep breath in and hold it. You should not do this while you’re in labor. Try to remember to breathe. Take a deep breath in, the slowly release it. (Don’t forget to take Lamaze classes, as this will help you learn breathing techniques to use during labor!)

Tip #2: Relax
As difficult as it sounds, you have to relax. Think about your favorite vacation spot. Concentrate on a time when you feel most relaxed. Take yourself to that place or time in your mind to help you relax. The more you tense your body the stronger your pain may feel.

Tip #3: Don’t Watch the Clock
Your husband needs something to do, so assign him clock duty. Let him time your contractions. Let him keep up with how many minutes apart they are. You stay focused on remaining calm and breathing and let him worry about the clock!

Tip#4: Rest
The last thing you should do while you’re having contractions is do last minute preparations in the baby’s room or clean your house. Try to resist the nesting instinct at this point and start mentally and physically preparing yourself for the labor ahead. You will need every ounce of energy you can muster when the time comes to push.

Tip#5: Distract Yourself
Keep something small at hand to distract yourself. You will feel anxious and nervous, so have something to keep your mind distracted. If you like to craft, work on a small needlepoint project. If you enjoy reading, catch up on that novel you’ve been waiting to read. Having friends or family around during early labor may help take your mind off the mild contractions.

Tip #6: Be Patient
When you begin to feel contractions, you will most likely start to feel excited. However, many labors, especially first-timers, tend to last for several hours. If your labor is slow, just be patient. Before you know it, you will have your beautiful baby girl or boy in your arms.

Mom and Baby Can Exercise Together

If you’re a new mom, you probably know that getting exercise can be tough. Taking care of a baby takes up a lot of your energy. It’s often difficult to find someone to watch the baby while you go to the gym or you may not want to leave baby with someone yet. To stay healthy and take off those extra pounds, try incorporating your baby into your workout routine. This way, baby can be entertained and you can work up a sweat. Plus, once you’re used to it, exercise can give you a great energy boost to get through your long, stressful day.

Here are some great exercises to try today:

• Walking - There are some great multi-terrain strollers which you can use for walks with your baby. You can also buy a sling and go for walks with baby. This will make your baby easier to tote around with you. Plus a walk can be a great way to stimulate your baby with new sights, sounds and smells.
• Running and biking - Instead of buying expensive workout equipment, why not check out the specialized strollers the next time you’re at a sport supply store? They make devices specifically for running and biking safely with your child. And like walking, this also exposes your baby to new stimuli.
• Move, shake, and dance with your baby - Next time your baby is crying, instead of jiggling and rocking them, try putting them in a sling and dancing with them. If this doesn’t work to quiet them, you can still do it when they’re happy.
• Take a class - Take a look on the internet or at a local gym. You can probably find a class in your area designed to give you and your baby a workout at the same time. If you’re serious about getting in shape with your baby, find a personal training who’s also a mom. She’ll be able to give you exercises you can not only do with your baby, but one that is also specifically tailored to you.

Working out with your baby can not only get you back into shape, it can also give your baby the stimulation they need to lead and active, healthy life. Just remember to be safe and always make sure your baby is secure.

Mastitis - Breastfeeding Woes

Mastitis is an inflammation of the breast usually caused by infection. Occurring during the first six months of breast-feeding, this is a common ailment affecting new mothers. Let’s discuss how to overcome mastitis.

When the breast becomes too full of milk, because a feeding has been delayed or your breast has not been emptied, this will result in a clogged duct. This can cause the infection known as mastitis. Another cause of infection to the breast can be due to cracked nipples. You may feel a sharp pain in your nipple while your baby is nursing, which may mean there is a thin crack in your nipple. This can happen if you do not dry your nipples thoroughly after each feeding. Your doctor will prescribe cream to apply to your nipple and the crack should take a few days to heal. You can, meanwhile, continue to breastfeed your baby using the other breast.

Mastitis may be exhibited by pain, redness, swelling and fever. A baby cannot get milk from a swollen nipple, so you need to remove excess milk before you breastfeed. Using a breast pump is ideal. As stated earlier, mastitis is common and is treatable with antibiotics. You can continue to breastfeed, however, it is important that if you are diagnosed with mastitis to follow these simple rules: rest; drink plenty of liquids and before you breastfeed, either soak your breasts in warm water or place a warm towel over the affected breast.

Continuing to breastfeed from the affected breast will not only help to clear up the mastitis, but is entirely safe for your baby. You can also switch to the other breast if the affected one is too painful for your child to breastfeed. Note that mastitis should be treated immediately to avoid any further complication.

Jeep Wrangler All Weather Umbrella Stroller

Product Name: Jeep Wrangler All Weather Umbrella Stroller

Submitted by: Sarah Grant, Rosamond, CA

Rating: 9

Where to buy: Amazon.com

Description: Very affordable single child stroller. It folds up really smooth and easy, has convenient rear wheel locks, a head rest for baby (under 35 lbs), along with a fold out sun shade/umbrella.

Review: I hate lugging huge things around, and I completely fell in love with this very affordable single child stroller. The all terrain wheels really work great too, I've taken mine over dirt, gravel, and grass and it keeps going without getting stuck. The fabric wipes clean easily, and mall, the park, the zoo, anywhere you take baby. I've even run into the grocery store with it to grab some milk, it's that quick to set up.

There are two little "saddle-bags" on the side to carry snacks and stuff. The lap belt works smoothly, I can snap or unsnap it with one hand.

I can't say enough how convenient it is to have such a compact little stroller in the back of the car that I can whip out any moment for strolling in the mall, the park, the zoo, anywhere you take baby. I've even run into the grocery store with it to grab some milk, it's that quick to set up.

Criticism: I wish it had a strap to hold it folded together after I've stored it under the seat in the car.

Back Aches During Pregnancy? Get Some Relief

Not only does pregnancy make us feel fat, it also increases the risk of back pain. With the extra weight that we carry, our sense of balance is off more often than not. If you are an expectant mother and your back is bothering you, here are some ways to find relief.

• Be Careful! - As a pregnant woman, your center of gravity will shift as the pregnancy progresses. When standing from the seated position rise slowly. Any quick movements could make you lose your balance and fall. Prop your feet up on a low stool when you sit down.
• Exercise - Exercise will help relieve back pain. Ask your doctor which exercises are allowed during each trimester of the pregnancy. Walking is the safest way to keep your back healthy. Maintain proper posture when walking to avoid further back aches.
• Do the Pelvic Tilt - These help to stretch the back out. Kneel on the floor on the hands and knees. Arch your back and tighten your abdominal muscles. Hold for a count of five. Slowly bring your back to the starting position. Be consistent with the exercises to relieve pain.
• Lie Down - But not completely flat to find relief from back pain. Place a pillow under the knees and another under your head. Or you can also lie flat on the floor with your feet propped up on a chair covered with a pillow. If you are not comfortable on your back due to the added weight of the baby, lie on your side. Use a body pillow to support your growing belly and a regular pillow between your knees. Curl forward in the fetal position to stretch the muscles of the back and the vertebrae.
• Make an Appointment at a Spa - Some spas offer massage therapy for pregnant women. The treatments are relaxing and go a long way to relieve lower back pains. Check with your doctor to be sure that a massage is safe for you.
• Use a Heating Pad or a Hot Water Bottle - Warmth on a sore muscle can help to relieve the pain. Afterwards, have another person rub the warmed area to massage the muscle. This could go a long way to relieving the pain if done when it first starts.
• Tylenol or Aspirin? - If you need to, Tylenol or aspirin can be taken during pregnancy for pain relief. Ask your doctor how much to take and how often it can be taken. Avoid ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, and any other pain relievers while you are pregnant.

Back pain is a hard thing to ignore. During pregnancy, it is just one more thing that you don’t want to have to deal with. Taking simple measures to relieve the pain when it first starts will keep it from getting any worse.

Having Twins? Here are Some Breastfeeding Tips

Having multiple births can be a blessing but, at the same time, can pose several problems. One of which is breastfeeding. Before you hit the panic button, here are some helpful breastfeeding tips for moms of multiples.

Most experts, including other moms of multiples, suggest buying a really good nursing pump. It not only stimulates milk production, but allows you to collect as much milk as you need to feed the babies. There are electric double pumps which allow you to express milk from both breasts at the same time. Although this can be costly to purchase, you may want to think about renting this kind of pump from a medical supply company.

In addition, seek and accept whatever assistance is offered by either family members or friends. This is a time when everyone needs to come together and address the concerns on a day to day basis. If you’ve had twins, try breastfeeding both at the same time. It is really whatever you feel comfortable with. There are no rules defining the right or wrong way to handle this situation.

While nursing one baby, use the pump on the other breast in order to increase milk production. Above all, when breastfeeding your baby, choose a quiet area in your home where you are most comfortable. Ensure there are no disturbances. Make certain you get plenty of rest in between feedings; reduce your stress level by engaging in a proper diet, and be sure to drink plenty of fluids.

According to experts, newborns breastfeed from eight to fourteen times a day within a 24 hour period. In addition, they suggest simulating a newborn’s feed routine in order to produce more milk. While each pumping session may take 10-20 minutes, the length of time will vary with each woman. Continue to pump as long as you have a good flow.

As long as you are surrounded by those willing to assist you with your multiples, there is nothing to worry about except you and the babies. Trying to do everything yourself will only complicate the process. Take it slow and easy, and everything will be fine.