Influenza vaccine protects both mother and newborn

Influenza vaccine protects both mother and newborn
Studies done by Angelina Eick, formerly of Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and now of the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center, Silver Spring, Md., and her research team, show that infants whose mothers received influenza vaccinations during pregnancy are less susceptible to the flu and other respiratory diseases during the first six months after birth.

Read more on The Johns Hopkins News-Letter

Is there evidence that pregnancy causes the mother to develop an autoimmune disease?

My grandmother and a cousin both developed severe rheumatic autoimmune diseases after pregnancy, when being previously fine before pregnancy. I have not been able to find any additional evidence of pregnancy causing an autoimmune disease to develop, but am wondering if anyone knows of a link between the two, either clinical or anecdotal.

I realize that pregnancy has effects on women who already have autoimmune diseases, but am trying to weigh the risks of developing an illness from being pregnant. Any additional information would be very helpful. Thank you!

Baby Bedding Sets – What To Look For

When getting a bed set for a nursery it helps to see what goes into a typical set. There are many different decorative and functional items that can go in one of these sets. When finding baby bedding sets it will always be important to get things with comfort in mind. This is so that the baby will be calm and safe in bed.

The first things to find are the bedding sheets. Two types of these sheets are going to be used. A standard bed sheet and a fitted sheet for the mattress will. For these materials it helps to use cotton sheets. They will keep the baby warm and can handle moisture.

In addition to the sheets a quilt can be included. It is a material that can work with cotton materials but it can be mixed with polyester. Polyester is commonly used in quilts for baby bedding sets. It is a lightweight material that does not add too much weight onto the baby. With these features the baby will feel comfortable under the quilt.

A dust ruffle, which is also known as a crib skirt, can be included in a set. With this the crib can get a decorative look to it. It can even be used to help with covering up the area under the crib. This can help to hide storage bins that can go under the crib too.

Bumpers can also be part of a set to help with adding to the protection of the baby. These are soft materials that go around the bars of the bed’s walls. This makes the walls cushioned with the safety of the baby in mind. With this the baby will be safe even if the baby rolled into the bed walls. The bumpers will cushion all movements.

The use of a decorative pillow can be great to see in a bed set. It can be a good part of a set but it will need to have thick materials in it. With a thicker pillow the baby will not be able to lift it up. As a result the baby will not end up getting stuck under the pillow.

Many sets can come with their own diaper stackers. This is a material that works as a storage device for diapers, baby care products and toys. This part of the set can be designed with a pattern that matches the other items in the set.

The last thing you will have to decide on is the pattern or design of the set. A variety of different types of colors and themes are available for all parts of baby bedding sets. These include ones that feature different colors including blue, pink and white. There are many themes that work for boys or girls too. An animal or sports theme can work for boys while a castle or flower theme can work for girls.

Be sure to check and see how these pieces can work with a bed set for a baby. These pieces, including a quilt and sheets plus a safety bumper can be important. A diaper stacker can be convenient as well. With all of these parts it also helps to see what themes are available.

About the Author: B. Fraley loves babies and helping expectant mothers decorate their baby’s nursery and find baby bedding sets that go with the nursery’s theme. For quality products at the lowest price please visit her online stores for baby bedding sets and baby nursery bedding sets.

Baby Bedding Sets – A Suffocation Hazard For Your Child?

When you first bring home your baby, items like comforters, quilts and pillows aren’t necessary.

These sets often come with a bumper too and you might have heard or read conflicting information on them. In the end it comes down to the choice that you make.

If you do decide that a bumper will protect your child, go with a thinner design. Thick, fluffy bumpers are much more of a suffocation hazard than these thinner ones.

To avoid suffocation, all your baby really needs in the first 12 months is a sheet, mattress, and a crib skirt for aesthetics. Avoid anything fluffy and heavy in your baby’s crib.

However, you might be concerned about your baby staying warm at night. For that purpose consider using an organic blanket or sleep sac to swaddle your baby in. If you wrap your baby snugly you will avoid the risk of suffocation.

So, what do you do with the comforter or quilt that came in the baby bedding set? They make great accessories for your baby’s nursery.

You can hang the quilt over a rack designed for it, or simply mount it on the wall.

Purchasing a complete baby bedding set in the beginning may also save you money in the long run, as the set can be used for your child throughout the toddler years as well.

On the other hand, if you want to keep it simple in the beginning and buy only the necessary bedding items, you can later freshen up the nursery design with a toddler bedding set.

Organic Baby Nursery Bedding – Benefits and Considerations

Did you know your baby’s skin is five times thinner than yours? It can easily absorb pesticides and fertilizers that have remained in your baby nursery bedding manufactured using conventional means and non-organic cotton. Purchasing organic cotton bedding will prevent that poison to enter your little one’s body.

Even after conventional cotton is harvested, the baby bedding manufacturers use chlorine bleach and toxic dyes to achieve bright whites are varies colors, while organic baby bedding manufacturers use only non-toxic coloring agents.

The comforters, bumpers and pillows of organic baby bedding sets are typically stuffed with organic cotton or organic wool, which is resistant to the growth of bacteria and dust mites.

Organic wool comes from sheep that are raised organically. These sheep are moved around to prevent overgrazing which could make the farm land infertile.

Organic wool doesn’t have to be treated with chemicals to fireproove it, because it is naturally flame retardant. Without those harsh chemicals in the wool, the bedding ends up being so much softer than when conventional wool is used.

You can contribute to the green revolution by purchasing 100% organic cotton bedding for your baby and reap the benefits of it being softer and more durable at the same time. Yes, purchasing organic will increase your expense considerably, but you can always get started with just a couple of sheets and a blanket, while still purchasing regular crib skirts and bumpers.

Did you know that only 10% of the pesticides used in conventional cotton farming ends up on the cotton crops? The other 90% end up in other plants, soil, water, and air, and with that end up in our bodies.

It’s a slow process, but more and more companies begin manufacturing organic baby nursery bedding and baby bedding sets, increasing the variety of organic baby bedding available. From solid whites, to cream colors, to abstract and whimsical prints, there are plenty of designs to choose from.

Things To Discuss With Your Maternity Photographer For Great Pregnancy Photography

There are many varieties of props, which can be utilized for maternity portraits. You can utilize dolls, hats, balls, teddy bears, the list is endless. You only need to utilize your imagination in creating maternity portraits. Keep in mind that these particular types of props should be kept small due to possible traveling a baby photographer will perform. If you have your own photography studio then the sky is the limit and you can provide a wide array of props for maternity portraits

Currently there are numerous studios’, which offer pregnancy photography sessions with your privacy in mind. Some maternity photographers offer indoor as well as outdoor settings. If you are uncomfortable with going to a maternity photographer’s studio, you can always opt to have the pregnancy photography session performed within the safe confines of your own home.

Pregnancy photo sessions, which occur within your own home, will give you more confidence, which will enable you to be more cooperative with your maternity photographer. If you want the father of your child or someone who is very important to you in the photographs with you this can be implemented as well.

Last minute props for a maternity portrait can turn a dull unexciting picture into something truly special. One of the best tips to follow in this instance is that you must be flexible while creating these memorable moments for the mother. Not all of the maternity portraits have to serious. A baby photographer should encourage personalities to shine through within the maternity portraits. Quick additions of simple props can add some spice to maternity portraits.

No matter where you have your pregnancy photography session performed, it is very important to make your surroundings simplistic. The photos must be simple so that you and your unborn child will be the primary subject. You do not want anything to distract from the pregnancy portraits. Choose your backdrops with simplistic taste. Women generally do not feel very sexy when pregnant therefore, an experienced maternity photographer can enable you to exhibit the confidence needed for the pregnancy photography session.

Speak openly and frankly with your maternity photographer. Inform him or her about your fears as well as what you want to achieve during the photo shoot. If you are performing the pregnancy photo session as a couple this will be a great time to focus on the loving relationship between both of you as you both anticipate your unborn child coming into the world.

Many baby photographers use effective and less expensive options with seating arrangements. Box crates covered up by nice blankets can be utilized. The box crates come in many different sizes, which can aid you with your maternity portraits.

This experience is something for you and your family as well as your unborn child, there are no set rules for pregnancy photography.

This is a wonderful experience for any family to have. Create some memorable as well as long lasting moments with hiring a maternity photographer today. Treasured photograph’s as well as a bonding moment for you and your family will be the result of such a venture.

Got Stretch Marks? Want To Get Rid Of Them?

If you’ve just become a mom you know how happy your new baby can make you. But you also may know how unhappy your new stretch marks may also make you.

Getting rid of stretch marks is one of the biggest concerns of women who have recently had a baby. Not all new mums have stretch marks to contend with, but as those who do have them will tell you, removing stretch marks is one of their major concerns. But it’s estimated that over 75% of new mums have stretch marks to show off.

It’s possible to get stretch marks a number of ways, including during puberty, but for many mothers pregnancy was the culprit.

And it is also possible that you increase your risk of getting stretch marks if your mother had them, so it seems to be genetic too.

So how do you remove stretch marks? What options do you have?

Although none are guaranteed there are a number of options for women to choose. Some will just use a moisturizer and hope that does the trick. Some do nothing, and just hope they go away.

Others can try cosmetic surgery like laser surgery. This can be expensive and also will often result in a less than perfect result, and comes with it’s own risks.

And there’s also some creams that you can try that are specifically designed to target stretch marks but are not guaranteed to work either, and may also have risks.

Or you could try micro dermabrasion if you’re brave.

And if you’ve considered and rejected all of these the good news is that there are less intrusive less risky more natural approaches that are also quite successful, though as stated there are no guarantees. These include such options as simple home remedies combined with dietary changes, and some herbal and natural products, and specific exercises.

But many women haven’t even considered the possibility that there is a safe natural approach to removing stretch marks that can be safer and as likely to succeed as any other approach. You may not want to undertake risky and expensive procedures, there is an alternative.

So if the cost and/or the risks associated with some methods of removing stretch marks scares you there are other, cheaper and less risky, more natural options for you to choose.

Visit my website to find out more.

Choosing the Right Color Scheme For Your Nursery

When choosing color schemes for baby nurseries, there are several things you should consider. While it is true that young children love bright primary colors, large spans of bright reds and blues and greens can be overwhelming. Decorating the baby’s room

So long as you are paying attention to the details, you’ll find that practically any color scheme that you can imagine will work. Also keep in mind that your small child might be alarmed of things like certain colors, toys or people painted on the wall. You can get a safer, friendlier environment with lighter colors, which will also make it easier to change the dcor as your child grows older.

Warm colors are a good idea if your room is not bright and sunny most of the day. Barn red, ruby, coral and cranberry will add to the warm, cozy feel of the room. Or, if you want to be a bit more conservative, try rose, peach or primrose to give you the warm fuzzies.

Always remember that your colors need to be balanced. Rich colors on the wall call for light floors, ceilings and furniture. When you want to cool down red walls, look into pale blues, greens or even creams. When you have a lighter shade on the wall, like peach, pink, melon or yellow, look for accessories like toys and furniture to accent it.

When you are looking for a color scheme or theme that will suit both boys and girls, why not look at a garden theme? Give your child a ceiling painted like a pale sky, walls in light yellow and floor of natural wood tone. Consider a border of forest creatures or flowers and vines and think about how nice a cotton throw rug would look. Natural wood furniture is perfect when you are thinking about how you can move forward.

What if you are after something that is a little more whimsical? After all, what little child wouldn’t love a Snow White theme? When you want to replicate the forest, consider doing the walls, the floor and ceiling in mint green. You can adjust the value of the shade of paint that you are using by throwing in some black and white. While you can be subtle on the walls, you can use bolder colors on the border, play table and rugs.

There are two good reasons for this type of decorating. First, monochromatic rooms always look larger. If the ceiling and floor are also the color of the walls it will look the largest. If you have a very high ceiling in a small square room, you paint the ceiling darker to end that silo look. Conversely, in a low-ceiling room, raise the ceiling with darker walls and white above.

Remember that children will outgrow their nurseries very quickly, and if you design right, you are going to find that you can adjust the room to suit them. A simple color palette will let you keep on using the room as it is for years, and all you will need to do is switch the furniture around.

Choosing Baby Nursery Bedding For Your Baby Boy

If you are having a new baby boy, no doubt you are proud and excited. You’ll want to have the nursery perfect so you can welcome him in style when he arrives. Of course one important thing you’ll want to do is pick out great baby bedding that will make him comfy and help you decorate the rest of the nursery.

When you go about decorating the nursery for your baby boy, you may want to start by picking out a bedding set. You’ll find that many baby bedding sets are available in all kinds of colors and styles. When making this choice, two things to keep in mind are quality and comfort when it comes to the baby bedding you choose. The bedding should all be of high quality and comfortable for your baby boy too.

The first thing to check out when considering baby boy bedding sets is the material quality. You’ll want to make sure the material is soft, since newborns have skin that is sensitive. Ensure that you don’t go with bedding that is going to be too heavy as well. You don’t want a bedding set that is so heavy it keeps them from sleeping well at night.

You’ll also want to make sure that the sheets fit the mattress for your new baby boy. You don’t want the sheets to accidentally get pulled off while your baby is asleep, since this could put your baby in danger of suffocation.

Once you have found a few baby bedding sets that are of the appropriate quality then you can start to have fun with the styles that you are thinking of.

Usually baby boys traditionally end up with the color blue in their nursery. You can go with blue or you can go with various shades of blue as well to create a unique spin on this in your baby boy nursery. Other options are to go with baby bedding that not only have blue, but other soft colors like yellow and lovely greens.

You can also choose baby bedding that has a particular theme as well. There are a variety of baby bedding sets to choose from, so no doubt you’ll be able to find something that you really like.

If you have always dreamed of having a son to play sports with then why not make that the theme of your nursery? Choose baby boy bedding sets that feature basketballs, footballs, or baseballs on them. Or maybe you want your little boy to be surrounded by race cars, trains, or motorcycles. The truth is that the only limit on your options is your imagination.

Enjoy shopping for the bedding and let yourself get creative. You’ll be amazed at the great bedding you are able to find for your new little boy.

Baby Furniture Cribs – Which Type Is Right For Your Baby?

When you want to give your baby the best, you can start with the crib, but what type is good for you and how much should you spend?

When you go to buy a crib, remember that you should consider your space constraints as well as who might be coming in and out of your nursery. Also remember what your budget is like and how much you spend.

What kind of cribs are available for you to choose from?

First, there’s the Standard Crib. This is the kind you are most familiar with and have seen in many places. Standard cribs typically have a single or double drop side. This means that either one or both sides of the crib can be lowered to provide easy access to your baby.

Only get a double crib when the crib is going to have both sides open to the room; it’s pretty useless when you are looking at a crib that is shoved against the wall.

Then there is the Convertible Crib. Convertible cribs provide a great way to safe money throughout your baby’s childhood. While the upfront cost is higher than a standard crib, you will easily make up for the additional cost in just a few years. A convertible crib can easily be converted from a crib to a toddler bed, a day bed, and even a full-size bed.

Essentially, the head and foot boards are often detachable, which means that the mattress can be easily replaced. Look for a crib that will allow you to modify it into something that will please an older child. This will let you keep it comfortably in the nursery even after you have converted the rest of the room into an actual bedroom.

Another way to add some elegance and charm to your baby’s nursery is through a Canopy Crib. These cribs have posts in all four corners and a canopy will be hung across the top.

You can look for canopies that are designed to go on the bed, or you may decide to get crafty and to try making it yourself. You can use fabric that you have already used when it comes to decorating your nursery. Canopies can also be a great way to give a baby some privacy if he or she shares with you or with a sibling.

The Round Crib is a recent innovation, but wow is it a fun one! More and more people love these cribs due to the fact that it will let your baby sleep in any way that is comfortable to it. Round cribs still have a drop side and even better, there are no sharp edges to hurt your baby’s tender head. This can be much safer for your baby and it will help your baby see all around them.

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