8 Tips for Efficient House Cleaning

With kids leaving a constant stream of toys, dirty clothes, crumbs and body fluids in their wake, it's no suprise many moms find cleaning house to be a frustrating, never-ending task. Luckily, Circle of Moms members have shared 8 simple strategies to help you create an efficient house-cleaning plan of attack.

1. Create a Schedule

Many Circle of Moms members suggest creating a weekly cleaning routine, both to keep messes from piling up and to make cleaning the whole house seem less overwhelming. Heather H. shares: “I do have a ‘schedule’ for cleaning. I find, for me, doing a little bit each day rather than trying to set aside a whole day for cleaning helps…I have 2 ‘laundry days’ and other days set aside for things like vacuuming, dusting, etc... I cycle through so that everything gets done weekly.” Lisa D. agrees: “I think that if you had a routine, it might help. Even if it is Mondays is kitchen and Tuesdays is Bathroom”

2. Track What You’ve Cleaned

Prefer a flexible approach over a strict routine? Consider trying mother-of-one Kelly's tracking method to help stay organized: “I kept a list of rooms on a dry erase board on my fridge, the rooms were written in Sharpie, and as I ‘did’ them, I would mark them off with a dry erase marker. When I got them all done, I would erase the marks and start again…Keeping the list helped me know which rooms had been cleaned recently and which needed attention—that way I didn't clean the living room all the time while never making it to cleaning the bathrooms.” Jodi K. found this strategy had a surprising bonus: “If I cross off what I've done, my husband will look and see what needs to be done instead of me having to tell him! Things are getting done without me asking! (It's almost like having a fabled cleaning fairy!”

3. Clean During Naps, Meals and Playtime

Naps are an obvious time goldmine to use for cleaning house. But as Bobbie F., mom to a 14-month-year-old, shared, you can also clean while your kids are awake and occupied: “I found that cleaning while he is self-feeding in the high chair, taking an afternoon nap, or playing by himself gives me time to clean the kitchen and other areas of the house at 95%.”

4. Set a Timer

When those rare free moments appear, most moms would prefer hopping in the shower to sweeping the kitchen floor. Julie S. recommends setting a timer to motivatate you to work extremely efficiently for a short burst of time: “When the baby went to sleep I would set the timer for 30 minutes and clean whatever I could get done in that amount of time. If the baby was still sleeping I would take some 'me' time, reading, getting a shower whatever.” The timer method worked for Kelly too: “I use a kitchen timer to do 15 minute speed cleans in each room – you can do A LOT in 15 minutes.”

5. Declutter with a Clean-up Basket

Sometimes the dust isn't as annoying as the dozens of oddball items cluttering every inch of countertop and carpet. Declutter quickly by making one sweep through the house with a "clean-up basket." As Emily F. explains: "We just take an empty laundry basket around the house and pick up anything that is not where it belongs. My 2 1/2 year old can do this by herself. Then we'll sit together and sort what ended up in the basket. Usually there’s tons of toys in there so we sit near the toy bins and the girls will run to put things away that belong elsewhere. If everyone is helping it usually takes less than ten minutes to get the house looking presentable.” If the kids aren’t available to help sort items, you can still collect the items, as Autumn F. does: “Sometimes I'll pick up all the toys in the living room and put it in a laundry basket and stick it in my kids' rooms till I can get to helping the kids put it way. It is amazing how much cleaner your house appears when all the kids' toys are out of sight!”

6. Squeeze in a Nightly Clean

The kids are in bed and you’re dying to relax…can you wait an extra 10 minutes? As Karen H. shares, regularly squeezing in an extra 10 minutes of cleaning at the end of each day can help keep things under control: “Doing one or two things at the end of each day will keep things from getting overwhelming.”

7. Get Inspired

If you’re looking for daily inspiration and extra help on creating a detailed cleaning plan, several Circle of Moms recommend Flylady.net. Andrea S. shares: “This site can help you get into good routines. It doesn't happen overnight, but it can help get things under control in time.” Dr. Rosina M. concurs: “She is the queen of helping you get organised!"

8. Cut Yourself Slack

Truly, it’s OK to leave a sink of dirty dishes over night, or to save a huge chunk of cleaning for the weekends. As Kelly G. wisely shares:
“Cleaning and scrubbing can wait for tomorrow,

Diabetes and your Mouth

   4 Signs You May Have a Problem

           Diabetes puts you at risk for dental problems. It impairs your ability to fight bacteria in your mouth. Having high blood sugar encourages bacteria to grow and contributes to gum disease. You may have gum disease if you have:

• Gums that are red, sore, bleeding, or swollen, or that pull away from your teeth
• Loose teeth
• Chronic bad breath
• An irregular bite or dentures that don't fit well

  Control Diabetes to Keep Your Smile

  Well-controlled diabetes contributes to a healthy mouth. If you have poorly controlled or high blood sugar, your risk increases for dry mouth, gum disease, tooth loss, and fungal infections like thrush. Since infections can also make your blood sugar rise, your diabetes may become even harder to control. Keeping your mouth healthy can help you manage your blood sugar.
  
  

  See Your Dentist Regularly

  People with diabetes are prone to oral infections. You should get dental checkups at least twice a year. Let your dentist know you have diabetes and what medicines you take. Regular checkups and professional cleanings can help keep a mouth healthy. And your dentist can teach you the best ways to care for your teeth and gums at home.
  

  Keep Plaque at Bay

  Sticky plaque -- food, saliva, and bacteria -- starts to form on your teeth after you eat, releasing acids that attack your tooth enamel. Untreated plaque turns into tartar, which builds under gum lines and is hard to remove with flossing. The longer it stays on your teeth, the more harmful it is. Bacteria in plaque causes inflammation and leads to gum disease. Having high blood sugar often makes gum disease worse.
  
  

  Brush Daily, Brush Right

  Brushing your teeth twice a day not only keeps your breath sweet, but also helps rid your mouth of bacteria that makes up plaque and can lead to oral infections. To brush properly, point your bristles at a 45-degree angle against your gums. Use gentle back-and-forth strokes all over your teeth -- in front, in back, and on chewing surfaces -- for two minutes. If holding a toothbrush is hard for you, try an electric toothbrush. Also brush your gums and tongue.
  
  

  Take Care of Your Dentures

  Loose-fitting or poorly maintained dentures can lead to gum irritation and infections. It's important to talk to your dentist about any changes in the fit of your dentures. When you have diabetes, you are at a higher risk of fungal infections like thrush. And poorly maintained dentures can contribute to thrush, too. It's important to remove and clean your dentures daily to help reduce your risk of infection.
  

  Toss the Tobacco

  Tobacco products -- including cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, and pipes -- are bad for anyone's mouth. But if you have diabetes and you smoke, you are at even greater risk of developing gum disease. Tobacco can damage gum tissue and cause receding gums. It can also speed up bone and tissue loss, leading to lost teeth. Motivate yourself to quit. List your reasons for quitting, set a date, and get the support of family and friends.
  
  

  4 Steps to Protect Your Health

  The same steps that ensure a healthy mouth also help you manage your diabetes.
  

  • Eat a healthy diet.
  • Don't smoke.
  • Keep up with your diabetes medications.
  • See your dentist regularly to reduce your risk of developing a serious problem.

  Know the Warning Signs

  Regular dental checkups are important because your dentist can spot gum disease even when you don't have any pain or symptoms. But you should examine your teeth and gums yourself for early signs of trouble. Infections can move fast. If you notice redness, swelling, bleeding, loose teeth, dry mouth, pain, or any other oral symptoms that worry you, talk to your dentist right away.

  Source : Webmd
  
  
  
  

Birth Order May Affect Risk of Allergies

First-born children may be more likely to develop certain types of allergies than their younger brothers or sisters, a study suggests.

Researchers found the prevalence of several types of allergies, such as allergic rhinitis (hay fever or seasonal allergies), allergic conjunctivitis (eye inflammation due to allergies), and food allergy decreased as birth order increased in a large group of Japanese schoolchildren.

For example, 4% of first-borns had some type of food allergy compared with 3.5% of second-borns and 2.6% of third-borns.

Researchers say it's the first study to show an effect of birth order on food allergy.

Benefit of Being the Youngest

Researchers surveyed the parents of more than 13,000 schoolchildren in Japan aged 7 to 15 about the prevalence of specific allergic diseases.

Based on the results, researchers calculated the prevalence of each allergic disease based on birth order.

The results showed there was no significant difference in the prevalence of asthma or atopic dermatitis (a type of eczema) according to birth order.

But the prevalence of allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, and food allergy decreased based on birth order -- from oldest to youngest.

“Individuals with increased birth order have a smaller risk of allergy," explained Takashi Kusunoki, MD, PhD, of the Shiga Medical Center for Children in Moriyama, Japan, in a news release. "However, the significance of the effect may differ by allergic diseases.”

Prenatal Origins of Allergies?

The study also showed that in infancy symptoms such as wheezing increased and food allergies decreased as birth order increased.

Researchers say these findings suggest that food allergies may have their origins in the prenatal period in the womb.

The results were presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology in San Francisco.

This study was presented at a medical conference. The findings should be considered preliminary as they have not yet undergone the "peer review" process, in which outside experts scrutinize the data prior to publication in a medical journal.

Source : Webmd

Breastfeeding Overview

Making the decision to breastfeed is a very personal matter. It's also one that's very likely to elicit strong opinions from friends and family.

Many medical authorities, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, strongly recommend breastfeeding. But you and your baby are unique, and the decision is up to you. To help you decide, WebMD offers this overview of breastfeeding. Find out what the benefits are for you and your baby. And if you do decide to breastfeed, here's information you can use to get started with confidence.

What Are the Benefits of Breastfeeding for Baby?

Breast milk provides the ideal nutrition for infants. It has the perfect mix of vitamins, protein, and fat -- everything your infant needs to grow. And it's all provided in a form more easily digested than infant formula. Breast milk contains antibodies that help your baby fight off viruses and bacteria. Breastfeeding reduces your baby's risk of having asthma or allergies. Babies who are breastfed exclusively for the first six months, without any formula, have fewer ear infections, respiratory illnesses, and bouts of diarrhea. They also have fewer hospitalizations and trips to the doctor.

Breastfeeding has been linked to higher IQ scores in later childhood in some studies The physical closeness, skin-to-skin touching, and eye contact all help your baby bond with you and feel secure. Breastfed infants are more likely to gain the right amount of weight as they grow rather than become overweight children. Some studies have also shown a link between breastfeeding and a lower risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), diabetes, obesity, and certain cancers. But more research is needed to confirm these findings.

Are There Breastfeeding Benefits for the Mother?

Breastfeeding burns extra calories, so it can help you lose pregnancy weight faster. It releases the hormone oxytocin, which helps your uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size and may reduce uterine bleeding after birth. Breastfeeding lowers your risk of breast and ovarian cancer. It may also lower your risk of osteoporosis.

Since you don't have to buy and measure formula, sterilize nipples, or warm bottles, breastfeeding saves you time and money. Deciding to breastfeed provides you with regular time for relaxing quietly with your newborn as you grow close and emotionally bond.

Will I Make Enough Milk to Breastfeed?

The first few days after birth, your breasts produce an ideal "first milk." It's called colostrum. Colostrum is thick, yellowish, and scant -- but there's plenty to meet your baby's nutritional needs. Colostrum helps a newborn's digestive tract develop and prepare itself to digest breast milk.

Most babies lose a small amount of weight in the first three to five days after birth. This is unrelated to breastfeeding. A natural feedback loop exists between your baby's feeding needs and your milk production. As your baby needs more milk and nurses more, your breasts respond by producing more milk. Experts recommend breastfeeding exclusively (no formula, juice, or water) for six months. If you supplement with formula, your milk production may go down.

Even if you breastfeed less than the recommended six months, it's better to breastfeed for a short time than no time at all. You can add solid food at six months but also continue to breastfeed if you want to keep producing milk.

What's the Best Position for Breastfeeding?

The best position for you is the one where you and your baby are both comfortable and relaxed, and you don't have to strain to hold the position or keep nursing. Here are some common positions for breastfeeding your baby:

• Cradle position. Rest the side of your baby's head in the crook of your elbow with his or her whole body facing you. Position your baby's belly against your body so he or she feels fully supported. Your other, "free" arm can wrap around to support your baby's head and neck -- or reach through your baby's legs to support the lower back.
• Football position. Line your baby's back along your forearm to hold your baby like a football, supporting his or her head and neck in your palm. This works best with newborns and small babies. It's also a good position if you're recovering from a cesarean birth and need to protect your belly from the pressure or weight of your baby.
• Side-lying position. This position is great for night feedings in bed. Side-lying also works well if you're recovering from an episiotomy -- an incision to widen the vaginal opening during delivery. Use pillows under your head to get comfortable. Then snuggle close to your baby and use your free hand to lift your breast and nipple into your baby's mouth. Once your baby is correctly "latched on," support your baby's head and neck with your free hand so there's no twisting or straining to keep nursing.

How Do I Get My Baby to "Latch on" During Breastfeeding?

Position your baby facing you, so your baby is comfortable and doesn't have to twist his or her neck to breastfeeding. With one hand, cup your breast and gently stroke your baby's lower lip with your nipple. Your baby's instinctive reflex will be to open the mouth wide. With your hand supporting your baby's neck, bring your baby's mouth closer around your nipple, trying to center your nipple in the baby's mouth above the tongue.

You'll know your baby is "latched on" correctly when both lips are pursed outward around your nipple. Your infant should have all of your nipple and most of the areola, which is the darker skin around your nipple, in his or her mouth. While you may feel a slight tingling or tugging, breastfeeding should not be painful. If your baby isn't latched on correctly and nursing with a smooth, comfortable rhythm, gently nudge your pinky between your baby's gums to break the suction, remove your nipple, and try again. Good "latching on" helps prevent sore nipples.

What Are the ABCs of Breastfeeding?

• A = Awareness. Watch for your baby's signs of hunger, and breastfeed whenever your baby is hungry. This is called "on demand" feeding. In reality, with newborns during the first few weeks, you may be nursing eight to 12 times every 24 hours. Hungry infants move their hands toward their mouths, make sucking noises or mouth movements, or move toward your breast. Don't wait for your baby to cry. That's a sign of being frustrated after becoming too hungry.
• B = Being patient. Breastfeed as long as your baby wants to nurse each time. Don't hurry your infant through feedings. Infants typically breastfeed for 10 to 20 minutes on each breast.
• C =Comfort. Comfort is key. It means you'll relax while breastfeeding and your milk is more likely to "let down" and flow. Get yourself comfortable with pillows as needed to support your arms, head, and neck and a footrest to support your feet and legs before you begin to breastfeed.

• Are There Medical Considerations With Breastfeeding?

  In a few situations, breastfeeding could actually cause a baby harm. You should not breastfeed if:
  
• You are HIV positive. You can pass the HIV virus to your infant through breast milk.
• You have active, untreated tuberculosis.
• You're receiving chemotherapy for cancer.
• You're using an illegal drug, such as cocaine or marijuana.
• Your baby has a rare condition called galactosemia and cannot tolerate the natural sugar, called galactose, in breast milk.
• You're taking certain prescription medications, such as some drugs for migraine headaches, Parkinson's disease, or arthritis.

Talk with your doctor before starting to breastfeed if you're taking prescription drugs of any kind. The safety of taking drugs for common chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and asthma while breastfeeding has been fairly widely studied. But less is known about the safety of less commonly used medicines. Your doctor can help you make an informed decision based on your particular medication.

Having a cold or flu should not prevent you from breastfeeding. Breast milk won't give your baby the illness and, in fact, may give antibodies to your baby to help fight off the illness.

Also, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests that -- starting at 4 months of age -- exclusively breastfedinfants and infants who are partially breastfed and receive more than one-half of their daily feedings as human milk shouldbe supplemented with 1 mg/kg per day of oraliron. This should continue until iron-containingcomplementaryfoods, such as iron-fortified cereals, are introducedin thediet. The AAP recommends checking iron levels in all children at age 1.

Why Do Some Women Choose Not to Breastfeed?

Medical experts advise breastfeeding for its many benefits to both mothers and babies. But some women choose not to breastfeed. Here are some common reasons:

• Some women don't want to breastfeed in public.
• Some prefer the flexibility of knowing that a father or any caregiver can bottle-feed the baby any time.
• Babies tend to digest formula more slowly than breast milk, so bottle feedings may not be as frequent as breastfeeding sessions.

The time commitment, and being "on-call" for feedings every few hours of a newborn's life, isn't feasible for every woman. Some women fear that breastfeeding will ruin the appearance of their breasts. But most breast surgeons would argue that age, gravity, genetics, and lifestyle factors like smoking all change the shape of a woman's breasts more than breastfeeding does.

What Are Some Common Challenges With Breastfeeding?

There are several challenges that mothers who breastfeed face, including:

• Sore nipples. In the first weeks of breastfeeding, you can expect some nipple soreness. Make sure your baby latches on correctly, and use one finger to break the suction of your baby's mouth after each feeding. That will help prevent sore nipples. If you still get sore, be sure you nurse with each breast fully enough to empty the milk ducts. If you don't, your breasts can become engorged, swollen, and painful. Holding ice or a bag of frozen peas against sore nipples can temporarily ease discomfort. Keeping your nipples dry and letting them "air dry" between feedings helps. Your baby tends to suck more actively at the start. So begin feedings with the less-sore nipple.
• Dry, cracked nipples. Avoiding soaps, perfumed creams, or lotions with alcohol in them, which can make nipples even more dry and cracked, can help relieve dry cracked nipples. You can try gently applying pure lanolin to your nipples after breastfeeding, but be sure you gently wash the lanolin off before breastfeeding again. Changing your bra pads often will help your nipples stay dry. And you should use only cotton bra pads.
• Worries about producing enough milk. Many women worry that they won't produce enough milk. A general rule of thumb is that a baby who's wetting six to eight diapers a day is most likely getting enough milk. Avoid supplementing your breast milk with formula or bottles of water. Your body needs the frequent, regular demand of your baby's nursing to keep producing its milk supply. Some women mistakenly think they can't breastfeed if they have small breasts. But small-breasted women can produce milk just as well as large-breasted women do. Good nutrition, plenty of rest, and staying well hydrated all help your body produce plenty of milk.
• Pumping and storing milk. You can express breast milk by hand or pump it with a breast pump. It may take a few days or weeks for your baby to get used to breast milk in a bottle. So begin experimenting early if you're going back to work. Breast milk can be safely used within two days if it's stored in a refrigerator. You can freeze breast milk for up to three months. Don't warm up or thaw frozen breast milk in a microwave. That will destroy some of its immune-boosting qualities, and heat the milk unevenly. Thaw in the refrigerator or in a bowl of warm water.
• Inverted nipples. An inverted nipple doesn't poke forward when you pinch the areola, the dark skin around the nipple. A lactation consultant -- that's a specialist in breastfeeding education -- can give simple tips that have allowed women with inverted nipples to breastfeed successfully.
• Breast engorgement. Breast fullness is natural and healthy. It happens as your breasts become full of milk, staying soft and pliable. But breast engorgement means the blood vessels in your breast have become congested. This traps fluid in your breasts and makes them feel hard, painful, and swollen. Alternating heat and cold, for instance using ice packs and hot showers, can relieve mild symptoms. Expressing milk, either by releasing your milk by hand or using a breast pump, can also help.
• Blocked ducts. A single sore spot on your breast, which may be red and hot, can signal a plugged milk duct. A plugged duct can often be relieved by warm compresses and gentle massage over the area to release the blockage. More frequent nursing can also help.
• Breast infection (mastitis). Occasionally, a breast infection, which is called mastitis, results when bacteria enter the breast, often through a cracked nipple after breastfeeding. If you have a sore area on your breast along with flu-like symptoms, fever, and fatigue, call your doctor. Antibiotics are usually needed to clear up a breast infection, but you can most likely continue to breastfeed while you have the infection and take antibiotics. To relieve breast tenderness, apply moist heat to the sore area four times a day for 15 to 20 minutes each time.
• Stress. Being overly anxious or stressed can interfere with your let-down reflex. That's your body's natural release of milk into the milk ducts. The let-down reflex, triggered by hormones -- oxytocin and prolactin -- released when your baby nurses, can also be triggered just by hearing your baby cry or thinking about your baby. Staying as relaxed and calm as possible before and during nursing can help your milk let down and flow more easily. That, in turn, can help calm and relax your infant and increase your emotional bonding.
• Premature babies. Babies born prematurely may not be able to breastfeed right away. In some cases, mothers can express breast milk and feed it through a bottle or feeding tube.
• Warning signs. Breastfeeding is a natural, healthy process. But call your doctor if:

• your breasts become unusually red, swollen, hard, or sore
• you have unusual discharge or bleeding from your nipples
• you're concerned your baby isn't gaining weight or getting enough milk

Where Can I Get Help With Breastfeeding?

Images of mothers breastfeeding their babies make it look simple and spontaneous. But you should know that most women need some help and coaching. It can come from a nurse, doctor, family member, or friend, and it helps mothers get over the bumps in the road they may encounter.

Reach out to friends, family, and your doctor with any questions you may have. Most likely, the women in your life have had those same questions.

Source : Webmd

12 FOODS FOR NEW MOMS

As a new mom, one of the best things you can do for yourself and your baby is to eat a healthy diet.

Even though you may be in a hurry to lose those pregnancy pounds, regularly eating foods that boost energy for new moms will give you the stamina you need to be the best mom you can be. That's because eating nutrient-rich foods at regular intervals throughout the day can maximize the little energy you probably have as a new mom.

And for nursing moms, it's important to know that the quality of your breast milk stays pretty much the same no matter what you choose to eat. That's because if you aren't getting the needed nutrients from your diet, your body will provide them from your own stores. But for your own well-being, it's best to make sure you're obtaining the nutrients your baby needs by incorporating a variety of healthy breastfeeding foods in your nursing mom food plan.

If you make sure the following 12 foods for new moms are a regular part of your diet, your body -- and your baby -- will thank you.

1. Salmon

There's no such thing as a perfect food. But salmon is pretty close when it comes to a nutritional powerhouse for new moms. One of the best breastfeeding foods out there, salmon, like other fatty fish, is loaded with a type of fat called DHA. DHA is crucial to the development of your baby's nervous system. All breast milk contains DHA, but levels of this essential nutrient are higher in the milk of women who get more DHA from their diets.

The DHA in salmon may also help your mood. Studies suggest it may play a role in preventing postpartum depression.

One caution: FDA guidelines say breastfeeding women should limit consumption of fish lower in mercury to 12 ounces per week because of potential exposure to mercury. Salmon is considered to have a low mercury content when compared to other types of fish, such as shark, swordfish, king mackerel, or tilefish.

2. Low-Fat Dairy Products

Whether you prefer yogurt, milk, or cheese, dairy products are an important part of healthy breastfeeding. In addition to providing protein, B vitamins, and vitamin D, dairy products are one of the best sources of calcium. If you're breastfeeding, your milk is loaded with calcium to help your baby's bones develop, so it's important for you to eat enough calcium to meet your own needs. One way to do that is to include at least three cups of dairy each day as part of your diet.

3. Lean Beef

When you're looking for foods to boost your energy as a new mom, seek out iron-rich foods, like lean beef. A deficiency of iron can drain your energy levels, making it hard for you to keep up with the demands of a newborn baby.

Also, when you're nursing, you need to eat extra protein and vitamin B-12. Lean beef is an excellent source for both of these nutrients.

4. Legumes

Beans, especially dark-colored ones like black beans and kidney beans, are a great breastfeeding food, especially for vegetarians. Not only are they rich in iron, they're a budget-friendly source of high quality, non-animal protein.

5. Blueberries

Breastfeeding moms should be sure to get two or more servings of fruit or juice each day. Antioxidant-rich blueberries are an excellent choice to help you meet your needs. These satisfying and yummy berries are filled with good-for-you vitamins and minerals and will give you a healthy dose of carbohydrates to keep your energy levels high.

6. Brown Rice

If you're attempting to lose the baby weight, you might be tempted to drastically cut back on your carbohydrate consumption. But losing weight too quickly may cause you to produce less milk for the baby and leave you feeling lethargic and sluggish. It's better to incorporate healthy, whole-grain carbs like brown rice in your diet to keep your energy levels up. And foods like brown rice provide your body the calories it needs to produce the best quality milk for your baby.

7. Oranges

Portable and nutritious, oranges are a great food to boost energy for new moms. Because nursing moms need even more vitamin C than pregnant women, oranges and other citrus fruits are an excellent breastfeeding food, too. Can't find time to sit down to a snack? Sip on some orange juice as you go about your day -- you'll get the vitamin C benefit and can even opt for calcium-fortified varieties to get even more benefit from your beverage.

8. Eggs

Egg yolk is one of the few natural sources of vitamin D -- an essential nutrient to keep your bones strong and help your baby's bones grow. Beyond that, eggs are a versatile way to meet your daily protein needs. Try scrambling up a couple of eggs for breakfast, tossing a hard-boiled egg or two on your lunchtime salad, or having an omelet and salad for dinner. As part of your diet, you might even opt for DHA-fortified eggs to increase the level of this essential fatty acid in your milk.

9. Whole-Wheat Bread

Folic acid is crucial to your baby's development in the early stages of pregnancy. But its importance doesn't end there. Folic acid is an important nutrient in your breast milk that your baby needs for good health. And it's crucial you eat enough for your own well-being, too. Enriched whole-grain breads and pastas are fortified with this vital nutrient. They also give you a healthy dose of fiber and iron.

10. Leafy Greens

The list of benefits you get from eating leafy green vegetables such as spinach, Swiss chard, and broccoli goes on and on. They're filled with vitamin A, which your baby needs to get from your breast milk. They're a non-dairy source of dietary calcium. They've got vitamin C and iron. On top of that, green veggies are filled with heart-healthy antioxidants, they're low calorie, and they're tasty to boot.

11. Whole-Grain Cereal

After yet another sleepless night, one of the best foods to boost energy for new moms in the morning is a healthy breakfast of whole-grain cereal. Many cold cereals are available that are fortified with essential vitamins and nutrients to help you meet your daily needs. Or, whip up a healthy hot breakfast by stirring blueberries and skim milk into a delicious serving of oatmeal.

12. Water

Dehydration is one of the biggest energy drains there is. And new moms who are breastfeeding are especially at risk. To keep your energy levels and milk production up, make sure you stay well hydrated. You can vary your options and meet some of your fluid requirements by drinking juice and milk, but be careful when it comes to caffeinated drinks like coffee or tea. Keep your intake to no more than 2-3 cups a day or switch to decaffeinated varieties. That's because caffeine enters your breast milk and can cause your baby to become irritable and sleep poorly.

 Source : Webmd

Your Action Plan for Moderate to Severe Allergies

When everyone else has spring fever, are you worrying about hay fever and indoor allergies? If so, it's time to take action against allergies. Try these 10 tips to minimize allergy symptoms.

1. Track the Allergens

As the weather gets warmer, pollens and molds are released into the air. If you have seasonal allergies, check your local pollen forecasts.

2. Keep Allergens out of Your Bed

You spend a third to half your life in your bedroom, so make sure allergens like dust mites don't too. If you've had your pillow and mattress for several years, replace them. Encase new ones in allergen-proof covers that zip closed. Keep pets and clothes you wear outside out of the bedroom.

3. Take up the Carpet

Hardwood, tile, and linoleum floors are easier to clean and aren't a haven for allergens, as carpet is. Sweeping stirs up allergens, so clean floors with a damp mop instead.

4. Wear Oversized Sunglasses

Jackie Onassis did. Audrey Hepburn did. You should too -- at least when pollen counts are high. Especially on windy days, big sunglasses will help keep pollen out of your eyes.

5. Let the Dogs Out

The best way to minimize allergies from pets is to keep them outside most of the time. If you can't keep your pets outside, limit them to one or two rooms of the house. Pets can also carry allergens on their coats, so clean their fur and paws before they come inside.

6. Take a Moonlight Stroll

On peak pollen days, experts recommend staying inside during the day, when pollen counts are higher. But that doesn't have to derail outdoor exercise. Instead, ride your bike, walk, or run in the evening. Shower when you come indoors.

7. Use HEPA Filters

High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters trap allergens. Vacuum carpets in your home once a week with a vacuum that has a HEPA filter. Put HEPA filters on vents if you have central heating and air-conditioning.

8. Bathe Your Pet

There is really no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog or cat. Both cats and dogs spread allergens in their dander (dead skin cells), urine, and saliva. Bathing and brushing your pet regularly may reduce your pet allergies significantly.

9. See an Allergist

If over-the-counter allergy medications don't provide relief, an allergist can dig deeper into what's causing your allergy and how severe it is. An allergist can also develop a more advanced treatment plan, which may include prescription medicines and allergy shots (immunotherapy).

Source : webmd

Mold Exposure in Infancy Raises Asthma Risk

Mold at Home Increases Risk of Asthma for Infants Later in Life

Infants raised in a home with moldy areas may be more likely to develop childhood asthma.

A new study shows that infants who lived in moldy homes were nearly three times more likely to have childhood asthma by age 7.

"Early life exposure to mold seems to play a critical role in childhood asthma development," researcher Tina Reponen, PhD, professor of environmental health at the University of Cincinnati, says in a news release.

"This study should motivate expectant parents -- especially if they have a family history of allergy or asthma -- to correct water damage and reduce the mold burden in their homes to protect the respiratory health of their children," Reponen says.

Mold Tied to Asthma Risk

In the study, published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, researchers looked at factors associated with the risk of developing childhood asthma in a group of 176 children followed from birth in the Cincinnati, Ohio, and Northern Kentucky area.

Mold exposure in the home was measured using EPA standards, and the children were evaluated for asthma at age 7.

The results showed that 18% of the children had childhood asthma by age 7. Children who lived in a home rated as having a high level of mold during the first year of life were 2.6 times more likely to have asthma as those who lived in homes with a low level of mold.

Researchers found that other factors associated with an increased childhood asthma risk were a family history of asthma and an allergic sensitization to dust mites.

The study also showed that air-conditioning at home slightly reduced the risk of childhood asthma development.

Researchers say about 9% of school-aged children in the U.S. will develop asthma. Symptoms of childhood asthma can range from a nagging cough to episodes of shortness of breath and wheezing that require emergency treatment.

 Source : Webmd

Asthma and asthma action plan

Asthma is an allergic inflammation of the lungs, which is usually triggered by pollens, molds, dust, animal dander, air pollution, chemicals, exercise, temperature changes or ingestion of certain foods. During an asthma attack the walls of the lungs turn out to be swollen and the mucus membranes fill with fluid and thick, sticky mucus making it hard to breathe. Asthma symptoms can include a scratchy throat, coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing and a tight feeling in the chest. An asthma attack can be mild, moderate or severe and lasting for a few minutes, hours, or even several days. People with asthma should have an asthma action plan. An asthma action plan lets you and your doctor to make a personalized plan for controlling your asthma.

The main key to understanding and controlling asthma is to know yourself. One person might get a severe asthma reaction from a minor whiff of perfume, whilst another asthma sufferer has no reaction at all to the very similar trigger. Everybody who suffers from asthma is unique and is affected differently so the asthma action plan should be tailored plan which helps you manage your asthma.

Knowing when to get emergency help for a severe attack can save your life. If you are experiencing the following, you should look for immediate medical attention:

-you have intense difficulty breathing, talking and walking,

-your chest feels tight and your ribs are pulled inward as you breathe,

-your medication does not control your symptoms

-your fingernails or lips are turning blue,

-your nostrils flare when you breathe

Very often things that we have eaten, used or are a part of our surroundings for years can unexpectedly become asthma triggers. Because there are so many variables involved that affect getting control of your asthma, the first thing you should do is keep a notebook as a part of your asthma action plan. This will help you identify your triggers. Once you recognize what they are, you can either take away these triggers or reduce them as much as possible.
Some people have both food and environmental triggers or allergies that they are unaware of. This can make determining specific triggers and controlling asthma symptoms much more complex, so keeping a notebook as a part of your asthma action plan is important. If you find that you are feeling asthmatic after consuming some food or drink, one of those stuff could be the culprit, but because you have also eaten quite a few things during the day, it's not always easy to know precisely what it was that caused the difficulty. If you evidence details of everything that was eaten every time you experienced asthma symptoms, you'll see a pattern developing, which will help you to discover exactly what your trigger is. Once you determine your triggers, you can then begin to eliminate them or reduce them as much as possible. This will help bring your asthma under control and help lessen your asthma symptoms.

Combining these measures with a good diet, stress reduction and natural supplements that help eliminate allergy and asthma symptoms as well as creating good asthma action plan will ensure an active, healthy life.

If you want to find out more about asthma, asthma action plan and a variety of asthma treatments please go to:

http://asthmaactionplanreview.com/

ALERGI : Hal yang dapat anda lakukan untuk mengontrol reaksi alergi anda

Apa yang menyebabkan Alergi ?

Anda akan mengalami alergi ketika tubuh anda memberikan reaksi berlebih terhadap sesuatu, dimana hal tersebut tidak terjadi pada sebagian besar orang lain. Penyebab terjadinya alergi disebut sebagai alergen. Ketika tubuh kita terpapar dengan alergen, maka melalui serangkaian reaksi imun akan timbul berbagai gejala yang tergolong sebagai gejala alergi. Berbagai gejala alergi antara lain hidung tersumbat, bersin- bersin, mata gatal dan berair, sesak nafas, gatal- gatal pada kulit, dan gangguan pencernaan.

Terkadang orang bisa alergi terhadap lebih dari satu alegen, beberapa zat-zat yang sering menjadi pencetus alergi antara lain :

• Debu rumah tangga (Dust mites/ Tungau)
• Spora jamur
• Makanan
• Gigitan serangga
• Obat-obatan
• Bulu-bulu hewan peliharaan

Bagaimana caranya untuk menghindari alergen?

Debu rumah tangga (Dust mites/ Tungau). Untuk mengurangi tungau di rumah anda, bersihkan gorden, bantal berbulu, mainan-mainan berbulu, dan karpet. Ganti karpet yang anda gunakan dengan lantai parket. Pel lantai sesering mungkin dengan pel basah, dan lap permukaan barang-barang dengan lap basah. Gunakan Vacuum cleaner yang memiliki saringan HEPA filter, untuk membersihkan gorden dan sofa yang berbulu. Untuk membersihkan udara di dalam ruangan rumah bisa digunakan air purifier.

Spora jamur. Anda dapat mengurangi terbentuknya spora dengan menghilangkan tanaman dalam rumah, selalu mengeringkan tirai shower di kamar mandi, dinding yang basah, juga tempat sampah di dalam rumah. Gunakan campuran air dan klorin (Bayclin) untuk membunuh jamur. Selalu buka pintu dan jendela secara teratur untuk meningkatkan pertukaran udara sehingga mencegah terbentuknya jamur.

Bulu- bulu hewan peliharaan. Apabila alegi yang anda derita parah, sebaiknya anda tidak memelihara binatang, atau setidaknya meletakkannya di luar area rumah anda. Bulu kucing atau anjing biasa terkumpul menjadi satu dengan debu rumah dan bertahan selama 4 minggu. Namun ada beberapa cara untuk mengurangi rontokokan bulu yaitu dengan memandikan binatang peliharaan anda secara teratur dan menggunakan filter udara di rumah anda.

Obat- obatan apa saja yang bisa digunakan untuk menghilangkan alergi?

Antihistamin, bisa membantu untuk mengurangi bersin-bersin, hidung berair, dan rasa gatal. Antihistamin akan lebih efektif jika digunakan sebelum anda terpapar dengan alegen.

Beberapa jenis antihistamin bisa menimbulkan rasa kantuk dan mulut kering.

Decongestan, antara lain pseudoefedrin dan phenylephrin yang biasa ditemukan dalam obat- obat influensa, bisa menghilangkan hidung tersumbat karena alergi.

Tetes mata, apabila gejala alergi menyerang mata anda, gunakan tetes mata yang mengandung anti alergi untuk mengurangi rasa gatal, dan berair pada mata.

Sumber : http://familydoctor.org

Obat & Menyusui

Menyusui tentu merupakan suatu momen yang tak terlupakan ketika kita menjadi seorang ibu. Saya masih ingat dengan baik momen tersebut ketika untuk pertama kalinya memberikan ASI ke anak pertama saya. Ikatan emosional yang terjadi saat proses menyusui tadi dapat mempererat hubungan antara kita dengan sang anak. Selain itu ASI juga merupakan makanan terbaik buat buah hati kita. 

Tetapi terkadang ketika kita sedang menjalankan proses pemberian ASI eksklusif, tidak jarang ibu menyusui terserang berbagai penyakit, yang tentunya sangat mengganggu. Tidak sedikit yang akhirnya memutuskan untuk menghentikan proses menyusui karena harus mengkonsumsi obat- obatan tertentu. Karena memang ada obat-obatan yang dapat terdistribusi melalui air susu. 

Langkah bijak yang bisa kita ambil adalah dengan tetap tenang dan tidak panik, masih ada kok obat-obatan yang dapat kita konsumsi tanpa harus menghentikan pemberian ASI ke anak kita.

Berikut beberapa penyakit yang mungkin kita derita plus obat yang dapat kita minum dengan aman :

• Infeksi saluran pernafasan dan saluran kencing                                  Ada beberapa antibiotika yang dapat dengan aman dikonsumsi selama menyusui diantaranya adalah Amoxicillin 500 mg ( 3x1 tablet sehari ), Ampicillin 500 mg ( 3x1 tablet sehari ), Cefixime 100 mg ( 2x1 kapsul sehari ), Cefadroxil 500 mg ( 3x1 kapsul sehari).
• Gatal-gatal alergi                                                                         Obat alergi yang aman dikonsumsi selama menyusui adalah Loratadin 10 mg ( 1x1 tablet sehari ). Kalau seandainya gatal-gatal yang kita alami tidak terlalu parah, atau hanya mengenai area tubuh tertentu saja maka kita bisa menggunakan salep Betamethason. 
• Demam, Pusing, Panas                                                                 Untuk sakit yang satu ini kita bisa minum tablet Parasetamol 500 mg ( 3x1 tablet sehari) atau Ibuprofen 400 mg ( 3x1 tablet sehari ).
• Diare                                                                                         Kalau diarenya ringan, kita cukup minum obat-obat bebas (OTC) yang bisa kita beli tanpa resep, yang mengandung Attapulgit ( diminum 2 tablet setiap habis BAB, maksimal 12 tablet/ hari ). Tetapi jika diarenya masih membandel atau bertambah parah, mungkin kita perlu minum obat yang lain seperti Loperamida 2 mg ( 3x1 tablet sehari ). Atau apabila kita mengalami disentri/ infeksi saluran pencernaan, kita bisa minum antibiotika seperti Cotrimoxasol 960mg ( 2x1 tablet sehari ), atau Metronidazol 500 mg ( 3x1 tablet sehari ). Dan jangan lupa minum Oralit suapaya nggak dehidrasi.
• Batuk & Pilek                                                                              Untuk batuk dan pilek kita bisa minum Loratadin 10 mg (1x1 tablet sehari)

Semoga apa yang saya posting disini bisa berguna, sehingga proses kita dalam memberikan yang terbaik buat anak kita tetap bisa dijalankan.

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