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.

Bringing the New Baby into an Already Full Household

Bringing a new baby into the world is a wonderful experience. It can also be trying and difficult if you have other children at home. As you prepare for the birth of your new baby, here are some things you should keep in mind about introducing the new baby.

Equal Treatment
It is hard not to constantly dote on the new baby once you’re home. Be cautious about spending so much time with the new baby that you inadvertently ignore your other children. Try to set aside special time with each child. Talk about their day at school, or extracurricular activities they are involved in. Spend your special time focusing only on that particular child.

Reminisce
Now would be the perfect time to get out the picture albums and baby books from your older children. Set aside a special day just to go through the books. Talk about how you felt when each child was born. Share funny stories with them. Recollecting fond memories will bring your family closer and will show your other children that they are just as special as the newborn.

Get Them Involved
Let your children be involved in the caretaking of your new baby. Give each child a special responsibility. One child might be in charge of gathering the diaper-changing necessities, while another is in charge of warming the bottle. Your older children can take turns feeding the baby. Let your children be involved; however, don’t force them to participate if they don’t want to at first. Sometimes it takes a few days for children to “warm up” to the idea of a new baby being in the house.

Be Patient
Some children don’t take too well to a new sibling but be patient and know that you are doing the right things and that your older child will soon come around. Eventually your children may even be such good friends that you won’t even remember this time.