Belly Notes

Parents Aren’t Always in Love With Their Baby’s Name

corazonriley — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 01:54:10 +0000

I saw these articles and felt a little sad! People always ask “Have you chosen a name?” or “What’s your baby’s name?” It almost feels the baby’s name gets judged by everyone that finds out, even if us judgers don’t want to admit it. It’s a lot of pressure and parents can make lists and lists of names before choosing the right one. Picking a name sticks for life and it isn’t something a parent wants to regret. After all, what’s in a name?

Baby Name Mistakes

Baby Name Regrets

Attention Expecting Moms…It’s Flu Shot Time!

corazonriley — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 05:21:11 +0000

It’s flu season and doctors are recommending that expecting moms get a flu shot to protect themselves and baby. The flu shot can prevent serious illness to mom that can affect baby’s health. The March of Dimes urges that all pregnant women be immunized and that the vaccine is safe and effective. Talk to your doctor about getting vaccinated!

September is Baby Safety Month!!!

corazonriley — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 04:53:06 +0000

September is here and it is officially Baby Safety Month, sponsored by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association. In the past, JPMA has focused on educating parents about outfitting a nursery, using a car seat properly, and creating a safe sleeping environment. This year, they will focus on using wearable infant products like soft carriers, slings, and frame carriers.

JPMA talks about the benefits of using a carrier or sling (babywearing), not only has a hands free option of carrying your infant but has a way to establish a close physical connection. If you are using a soft carrier, make sure the baby’s face is always visible and that they are never covered with fabric. They should have plenty of airflow. If you are using a frame carrier, make sure baby’s weight is distributed evenly and always check for any ripped seams. If you use a sling, check your baby’s position by embracing them after you place them in the sling. They should not move around a lot. Also, make sure they are not hunched over and don’t let their chin touch their chest.

Visit Baby Safety Month’s site for a ton more safety tips, recall information, and plenty of other resources for everything baby safety!

CARE Calls for Our Help in the Horn of Africa

corazonriley — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 02:15:19 +0000

During pregnancy, expecting moms can be preoccupied with gaining too much weight, not gaining enough, and losing the “baby weight” after the baby comes. Proper nutrition is essential and an internet search for “pregnancy food” brings up 213,000,000 results (I tried it). It is so hard to imagine going through a pregnancy being malnourished and worrying about eating anything at all on a given day.

I was crushed to hear how expecting moms in the Horn of Africa are acutely malnourished. According to CARE, about 360,000 women are pregnant in this area and in Somalia, 1 in 5 women of reproductive age do not get nearly enough food for herself and her baby.

CARE International stresses the importance of supporting these women so they are healthy and can breastfeed their newborns and ensure them a healthy start. Take a minute to visit CARE’s website and learn more. Our support is needed to relieve the malnutrition.

An Unexpected Pregnancy

corazonriley — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 17:16:22 +0000

Wow! This is truly amazing. Imagine not knowing you were pregnant and then, just like that, you are holding your newborn boy. Her boyfriend thought it was a practical joke. Too bad it isn’t April 1st! Check out this video.

Married Couples Pass on Having Children

corazonriley — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 15:36:54 +0000

The economy is having a major influence on the family planing of many married couples in the U.S. Couples are thinking twice before not just expanding their brood, but having a brood at all. No kids means less financial commitment, less stress and guilt, and more free time.

According to an article on Yahoo! Shine, one in five American women do not have children at all. Also, in a 2007 survey, just 41% of Americans consider having children important for a successful marriage.

Check out the article. What do you think?

Worldwide Vaccines

corazonriley — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 21:16:44 +0000

Vaccines are such a simple way to ensure that children don’t catch sicknesses that are easily preventable. Especially in poorer countries, these illnesses that are easily treated in countries where healthcare is a priority can end young children’s lives. Pneumonia, for example, has proven to be a problem in Mozambique. Watch this mother and her son’s fight against pneumonia.

Donate to an organization like Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization and make a difference!

Hypnobirthing: What is it?

corazonriley — Thu, 19 May 2011 06:41:50 +0000

Hypnobirthing. Giving birth while under hypnosis? That doesn’t sound right. So what is it?

Hypnobirthing is a technique that helps mom focus intently on the labor process and understand how the birthing muscles work in harmony. According to Hypnobirthing.com, this method “teaches you that, in the absence of fear and tension, or special medical circumstances, severe pain does not have to be an accompaniment of labor.”

Celebrities, most recently Jessica Alba, have embraced this trend in natural birth. Completely awake, it helps you relax and be aware and totally in control of your body. Birthing centers and hospitals have classes that teach these self-hypnosis techniques.

Relaxed and calm. Isn’t that how it should be?

Supermodel Brings Awareness to Maternal Health

corazonriley — Tue, 10 May 2011 16:42:07 +0000

Supermodel, businesswoman, wife, mom of two and advocate.

Since becoming a mother, Christy Turlington Burns has devoted her time to raising awareness for healthy pregnancies around the globe and advocating for women that do not have access to the proper health care and support. Turlington Burns had an unpredictable complication during her first childbirth experience, postpartum hemorrhage. Since, she has developed a passion for improving maternal health and lowering the rate (15% of all pregnancies) of complications.

Realizing that not every woman has the luxury of regular checkups, multiple birthing options, and shopping for the latest trends, Turlington Burns has set out to give a voice to women with diverse pregnancy experiences. Her latest documentary, “No Woman, No Cry”, follows the condition of maternal health all over the world. Her foundation, Every Mother Counts, encourages people to understand the challenges of pregnancy and help improve the lives of expecting moms and their children.

Find out how you can help make a change!

Save With Cord Blood Registry!

corazonriley — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 15:42:01 +0000

CBR is offering a wonderful coupon for parents considering private cord blood banking. In a nutshell, cord blood banking allows you to store your baby’s cord blood stem cells for use in future medical treatments.

New parents can register and use the code M1998 w/ CBR and receive a $250 discount on banking fees, plus much more! Read more here.