A free, monthly newsletter with a roundup of the best the internet has to offer about mom-to-be and baby.

Pregnancy

Coping with Stress - How can I reduce stress while I'm trying to get pregnant?

There is no hard evidence to suggest that stress can prevent you from becoming pregnant. However, stress can depress your immune system, raise your blood pressure and disrupt your hormonal function. Also, it can prevent you and your partner from enjoying this time of anticipation and pleasure. Without doubt, being concerned about your ability to conceive or undergoing evaluation or treatment for infertility can be stressful.

Nutrition and lifestyle for a healthy pregnancy outcome

Maternal nutrition and lifestyle choices are major influences on both mother and child’s health. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, women of childbearing age should adopt a healthy lifestyle to help reduce the risk of birth defects, suboptimal foetal development and chronic health problems in mother and baby.

Birth

Labour on the ball

March of Dimes Pregnancy Time Lapse

Breastfeeding

Discontinuation syndrome in newborns whose mothers took antidepressants while pregnant or breastfeeding

This study compared mothers’ report of symptoms of discontinuation syndrome in infants exposed to antidepressants both in utero and during lactation to infants who were exposed only during lactation.

Is my baby getting enough milk?

Breastfeeding mothers frequently ask how to know their babies are getting enough milk. The breast is not the bottle, and it is not possible to hold the breast up to the light to see how many millilitres of milk the baby drank. And this is a good thing!! We are not supposed to know how much the baby is getting but rather is baby getting enough.

Skin to Skin

The importance of skin to skin contact

There are now a multitude of studies that show that mothers and babies should be together, skin to skin (baby naked, not wrapped in a blanket) immediately after birth, as well as later. The baby is happier, the baby’s temperature is more stable and more normal, the baby’s heart and breathing rates are more stable and more normal, and the baby’s blood sugar is more elevated. Nor only that, skin to skin contact immediately after birth allows the baby to be colonised by the same bacteria as the mother. This, plus breastfeeding, are thought to be important in the prevention of allergic diseases. When a baby is put into an incubator, his skin and gut are often colonised by bacteria different from his mother’s.

Parenting

Brain Development

A child’s brain undergoes an amazing period of development from birth to three - producing 700 new neural connections every second. The development of the brain is influenced by many factors, including a child’s relationships, experiences and environment. Learn more about the crucial role you play in building your baby’s brain.

Beyond Birth Day

Simple pleasures, shared discoveries Our babies offer us a second chance to discover the joys found in simple things – blowing bubbles, splashing in the tub, walking barefoot.

Inspiration

Alovahs birth story

I woke up in the morning, Sent my daughter Natalia off to school with her dad.  I went back to sleep. My helper left for the day at around 9am … I said goodbye and returned to bed…

Humour

Developing a sense of humour

Dylan is busy in the bathtub, trying on a variety of "hats." First, it's the little bucket he uses as a bath toy. Then it's his washcloth, then his rubber duck. He finds all this very funny. But when his dad takes the rubber duck and balances it on his own head, the giggles really get going.