Friday, April 30, 2010
I got my own domain..
I've moved to www.247parents.com. Please follow me (and my hubby) there from now on. :)
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Good DVD Workouts
Ever since I moved to Kuwait I've become more and more addicted to DVD workouts. The gyms here do not offer aerobic classes that are of the caliber I was used to in Lebanon.
First I started with the prenatal workouts which my sister-in-law got me. The one I liked the most and did often was The Perfect Pregnancy Workout. She works out the entire body and ends it with a stamina builder that's perfect for childbirth. Karyne also has a post-natal workout, but I haven't done it so I can't comment on it.
However, the postnatal workout I did that had a great idea behind it but a horrible implementation was Fabulously Fit Moms: Total Body Workout. It's supposed to be done with a baby (which is fabulous)... but she does it with a medicine ball so you end up trying to guess what's the best way to hold your baby. That said, Mimi and enjoyed it at the beginning. By the time I was half way through the workout she'd be asleep! :D So in that sense it was fabulous. :)
But if you're a tae-bo kinda gal, the postnatal must-have is Billy Blanks: Postnatal Power Tae-bo Workout! I enjoyed every minute of it. :)
On our last trip to Beirut I found the most amazing DVD workout.. brace yourself, ladies and gents (because your man will enjoy this one too!).... Pussycat Dolls Workout! Now it's up to you if you'd allow your child to watch or do this routine with you, so I'm not going to go into that.
So there you have it, ladies, that's only 4 DVDs and your set from pregnancy and onwards to motherhood!
A fit mom is a happy mom. :) Remember that! So, go ahead and put on a nice top and some nice sweatpants and just dance around your living room. Whoever said you can't look nice while you're working out? And always remember to have a smile on your face. That will definitely make you feel better.
First I started with the prenatal workouts which my sister-in-law got me. The one I liked the most and did often was The Perfect Pregnancy Workout. She works out the entire body and ends it with a stamina builder that's perfect for childbirth. Karyne also has a post-natal workout, but I haven't done it so I can't comment on it.
However, the postnatal workout I did that had a great idea behind it but a horrible implementation was Fabulously Fit Moms: Total Body Workout. It's supposed to be done with a baby (which is fabulous)... but she does it with a medicine ball so you end up trying to guess what's the best way to hold your baby. That said, Mimi and enjoyed it at the beginning. By the time I was half way through the workout she'd be asleep! :D So in that sense it was fabulous. :)
But if you're a tae-bo kinda gal, the postnatal must-have is Billy Blanks: Postnatal Power Tae-bo Workout! I enjoyed every minute of it. :)
On our last trip to Beirut I found the most amazing DVD workout.. brace yourself, ladies and gents (because your man will enjoy this one too!).... Pussycat Dolls Workout! Now it's up to you if you'd allow your child to watch or do this routine with you, so I'm not going to go into that.
So there you have it, ladies, that's only 4 DVDs and your set from pregnancy and onwards to motherhood!
A fit mom is a happy mom. :) Remember that! So, go ahead and put on a nice top and some nice sweatpants and just dance around your living room. Whoever said you can't look nice while you're working out? And always remember to have a smile on your face. That will definitely make you feel better.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Oullie signs Water!
Oh, joy!! My 10 month-old just signed water!
I would strongly urge parents to try teaching their babies sign language. The book I used was: Sign With Your Baby. But it might be helpful for some parents to get a DVD.
They usually say that signing works best with the first baby. However in my case it didn't really work with my daughter. As soon as she signed for milk, she also said it. So I dropped signing and insisted on her talking.
I was actually very hesitant to sign with my son because I was worried my 3 year-old would regress. Turns out she's the best teacher around! She always emphasizes the sign that goes with the action/object we are giving her baby brother. So instead of having one teacher, he had two! :) And today we all celebrated that he signed for water. My hubby and daughter saw him do it first and when I ran into the room, he courteously repeated it for me. :)
I would strongly urge parents to try teaching their babies sign language. The book I used was: Sign With Your Baby. But it might be helpful for some parents to get a DVD.
They usually say that signing works best with the first baby. However in my case it didn't really work with my daughter. As soon as she signed for milk, she also said it. So I dropped signing and insisted on her talking.
I was actually very hesitant to sign with my son because I was worried my 3 year-old would regress. Turns out she's the best teacher around! She always emphasizes the sign that goes with the action/object we are giving her baby brother. So instead of having one teacher, he had two! :) And today we all celebrated that he signed for water. My hubby and daughter saw him do it first and when I ran into the room, he courteously repeated it for me. :)
I hate teething!!!
Teething is probably the only reason I wouldn't want to get more children. It's unbearable!!! Both for my baby and for me. The poor dear wakes up shrieking during the night! And I miss my sleep!
It's especially hard when he has the four top teeth all coming in at the same time! I'm not sure if he's on a deadline or what.
I've tried several teething gels and the only one that seems to have worked with me is Orajel which I find infrequently at Sultan. I like how they have a day tube and a night tube (which is obviously a bit stronger so the baby can sleep better).
It's especially hard when he has the four top teeth all coming in at the same time! I'm not sure if he's on a deadline or what.
I've tried several teething gels and the only one that seems to have worked with me is Orajel which I find infrequently at Sultan. I like how they have a day tube and a night tube (which is obviously a bit stronger so the baby can sleep better).
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Miracle Balm!
Every mom who's breastfed even for a day knows the pain that can be caused by engorgement (when the breast is not emptied properly due to infrequent or inadequate feedings). Engorgement can actually reduce you to tears. Your breast becomes hard and full. Putting your baby to your breast is not a solution because it will only make matters worse because your baby will not be able to latch on because your breasts are so full. Consequently, baby will start crying and you breasts will hurt even more. :( It's a sad picture I know... but it's a very painful one that I hope you'll never experience like I did.
Well, there are two things you will need in this case: the miracle balm and a breastpump. The miracle balm is... Bag Balm! Not available in Kuwait, but if you need some, let me know and I'll send some your way.
The way to use it is in the shower:
- Apply it liberally on the engorged breast(s) and massage.
- Stand under lukewarm/warm water and continue to massage.
- Ta-da... you will feel instant relief because you'll be dripping milk. :)
Then you can either try putting your baby to your breast or pump a bit (like 2 mins) if you feel it is still difficult for the baby to latch on to the nipple.
Well, there are two things you will need in this case: the miracle balm and a breastpump. The miracle balm is... Bag Balm! Not available in Kuwait, but if you need some, let me know and I'll send some your way.
The way to use it is in the shower:
- Apply it liberally on the engorged breast(s) and massage.
- Stand under lukewarm/warm water and continue to massage.
- Ta-da... you will feel instant relief because you'll be dripping milk. :)
Then you can either try putting your baby to your breast or pump a bit (like 2 mins) if you feel it is still difficult for the baby to latch on to the nipple.
Breastfeeding
It's saddening to realize that we live in a part of the world that is currently going through an anti-breastfeeding phase. I really hope it's a phase. Almost all the women I've talked to had little or no support when they ventured into breastfeeding. Either no one helped them through the first couple of days by showing them how it's done or at any minor obstacle they were encouraged to stop.
The Medela website states, "Though breastfeeding is natural, the technique is a learned skill and it may take time and patience for you and your baby to master it. As you become more practiced, breastfeeding will become easier and more pleasurable." This is very true.
Without the proper guidance, coaching and support at the beginning, many women opt to resort to formula. Unfortunately many of the cases I've heard about were situations where the mom could have continued to breastfeed.
One major issue with new moms is, "I'm not producing enough milk!" Trust me every mom produces the right amount of milk for her baby. Resorting to formula as a supplement actually makes your milk supply decrease! The only way to increase your milk supply is to let your baby stay at your breast for as long as s/he wants provided s/he doesn't fall asleep at the breast. The way to measure if your baby is getting enough milk is by counting wet diapers. There should be 6 wet diapers in every 24 hour period. I had a calendar posted up on my closet when my kids were born and I would mark each wet diaper on it. That helped calm me down especially when Mimi was an infant. I had trouble with her latching on because she spent the first week of her life in the NICU and they gave her a bottle so we had a hard time adjusting to breastfeeding. But I was adamant about it even through the engorgement, the sore and bleeding nipples, and the tears. We enjoyed a year and a half of breastfeeding after that (up until I was 3 months pregnant with Oullie).
Other common myths are:
- women who have a c-section can't breastfeed
- women with inverted nipples can't breastfeed
Every woman can breastfeed if she puts her mind to it... even adopting mothers can breastfeed! It's all about educating yourself about the subject prior to embarking on it. A book that I found really helpful was: The Nursing Mother's Companion.
On a final note, also from the Medela website, "No formula can duplicate the unique properties of breastmilk, no matter how many vitamins, minerals and supplements are added to what is basically a chemical formulation."Gosh, even formula packages indicate that "breastmilk is the best food for babies"!
Give your baby the best milk.... give him/her breastmilk. :)
P.S. Maybe I should start a breastfeeding support network. Those of you who are interested, please let me know and we'll start something like La Leche.
The Medela website states, "Though breastfeeding is natural, the technique is a learned skill and it may take time and patience for you and your baby to master it. As you become more practiced, breastfeeding will become easier and more pleasurable." This is very true.
Without the proper guidance, coaching and support at the beginning, many women opt to resort to formula. Unfortunately many of the cases I've heard about were situations where the mom could have continued to breastfeed.
One major issue with new moms is, "I'm not producing enough milk!" Trust me every mom produces the right amount of milk for her baby. Resorting to formula as a supplement actually makes your milk supply decrease! The only way to increase your milk supply is to let your baby stay at your breast for as long as s/he wants provided s/he doesn't fall asleep at the breast. The way to measure if your baby is getting enough milk is by counting wet diapers. There should be 6 wet diapers in every 24 hour period. I had a calendar posted up on my closet when my kids were born and I would mark each wet diaper on it. That helped calm me down especially when Mimi was an infant. I had trouble with her latching on because she spent the first week of her life in the NICU and they gave her a bottle so we had a hard time adjusting to breastfeeding. But I was adamant about it even through the engorgement, the sore and bleeding nipples, and the tears. We enjoyed a year and a half of breastfeeding after that (up until I was 3 months pregnant with Oullie).
Other common myths are:
- women who have a c-section can't breastfeed
- women with inverted nipples can't breastfeed
Every woman can breastfeed if she puts her mind to it... even adopting mothers can breastfeed! It's all about educating yourself about the subject prior to embarking on it. A book that I found really helpful was: The Nursing Mother's Companion.
On a final note, also from the Medela website, "No formula can duplicate the unique properties of breastmilk, no matter how many vitamins, minerals and supplements are added to what is basically a chemical formulation."Gosh, even formula packages indicate that "breastmilk is the best food for babies"!
Give your baby the best milk.... give him/her breastmilk. :)
P.S. Maybe I should start a breastfeeding support network. Those of you who are interested, please let me know and we'll start something like La Leche.
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