BREASTFEEDING
My baby found my rare breast cancer and saved my life
Our body’s natural abilities and instincts are incredible. The recent story of Sarah Boyle and her son, Teddy, is the perfect example. At 26, Sarah’s baby refused to nurse from the right breast in particular. He’d scream and throw a fit every time. After looking into the issue, she was diagnosed with a rare form of breast cancer.
“Teddy is my hero. If it hadn’t been for him I’d never have suspected I had cancer. My consultant told me that breastfeeding helps a mother and baby bond. In my case it did more than that – it saved my life.”
The finding happened after Sarah had been screened for breast cancer in previous years and told she was clear. [Read more here.]
The 111 Benefits of Breastfeeding – For Babies, Moms & Everyone Else
Need a reason to breastfeed? How about 111! And if someone is giving you a hard time? Guess what, there are benefits that even have an effect on them!
“My friends would tell me they couldn’t eat certain things before they breastfed their babies, and they complained about their cracked, painful nipples. I was sure breastfeeding wasn’t for me. I didn’t want to be stared at by people when I attempted to breastfeed my baby in public. My mind was made up, until one day when I was surfing the internet, and I found the website www.notmilk.com. That’s when it hit me – my feelings didn’t matter. The only thing that mattered was giving my baby the best, healthiest start I could.”
This post, written by mom who was formula fed herself, shares what she found when researching that made her decide to break from what she knew, formula, and breastfeed her own child. If you know someone on the fence about breastfeeding, share this with them. [Read more here.]
PREGNANCY
How Much Water Should You Drink During Pregnancy?
Water is an important part of any person’s daily routine, but during pregnancy it becomes more of a necessity than ever. Typically it is suggested to drink 8 glasses of water, or half your body weight in ounces. In pregnancy it increase to 10-12 glasses water a day, which is more like 3/4 your body weight in ounces. (And additional water is not going to hurt!) The key is staying fully hydrated all of the time, so that the fluid levels for your baby stay where they need to be. This article share five benefits of drinking water and how to drink it “right”. [Read more here.]
11 Cartoons About Those Pregnancy Struggles You Don’t Really Hear About
During pregnancy there are plenty of friends and family around to lift you up with excitement. They share happy words about the wonders of motherhood and the magic that is the experience of life growing inside of you. But sometimes you also need someone who just “gets it”; “it” being all the headaches that come with those nine months of pregnancy. Don’t worry. Line Severinsen has your back.
“Line Severinsen has been drawing cartoons since she was a kid. When she became pregnant with her first child in 2012, the Norway-based artist started documenting all of the challenging, unpleasant and even comical aspects of the experience in a series of funny illustrations.” [See comics here.]
MOTHERHOOD
The Funny Parents Of Twitter On The Hell That Is Flu Season
Whether or not you have been experiencing unusually spring-like weather for February, you are likely still being affected by the flu bug and random viruses that are circulating. No one enjoys it, and nobody wants to go through it, but it is sort of a right of passage in parenthood. You must deal with sickness. Long after the fact, you can swap stories with fellow moms who have been in the trenches and laugh about them together. But if you are needing a lighter perspective on the whole thing right now, turn to Twitter where you can already find the humor and/or silver lining in flu season. [Read more here.]
5 Things to Keep in Mind While Raising a Wild Child
Babies, toddlers, kids: they are all a handful. However, some are far more wild than others. If you do not believe that, it is likely because you do not have a “wild child”.
“My son has not stopped moving since he penetrated the wall. I have been told, “Oh, it’s a boy thing,” but I have seen many a little girl with the same crazed look in her eyes. The madness that only comes from being born a Wild Child.”
If you sometimes feel the need to break down crying or pull all of your hair out, know you are not the only one dealing with the energy levels of a child whose spirit cannot be tamed. Read the advise here on how to embrace your little one’s personality. [Read more here.]
INFANTS
Constipation In Infants Or Babies – 10 Causes, 11 Symptoms & 4 Treatments
Helping your baby through any kind of illness or discomfort is heartbreaking. Not only because you know your little cherub is in pain, but you know they cannot even begin to understand why they feel poorly. On top of that, they do not have a way of conveying their problem to you other than crying. Constipation is one such example and it does happen to babies.
“Irregular bowel movement can lead to many complications. The problem occurs when your infant starts consuming formula milk and solid foods.”
Learn about the causes to help your baby avoid constipation, but know the symptoms to look for and how to treat it as well. [Read more here.]
Best Baby Laundry Tricks and Tips
Do you have a specific laundry routine or a favorite detergent? Well, be prepared to throw all you have previously known out the window, because laundry chores are about to change. It is not uncommon for babies to have sensitive skin, requiring specific detergents only be used. On top of that, you are going to be doubling your laundry cycles and cleaning out new kinds of stains you have never experienced.
This article is a compilation of the best tips, tricks and hacks as well as products given by various mothers. [Read more here.]
TODDLERS
Age Appropriate Chores: How to Get Kids to Pitch In
Spring is only weeks away and in some regions, the weather is already giving a teaser. No one would blame you if you are to the point of busting out spring clothing and maybe even opening the windows for some spring cleaning. And one of the great things about toddlers? They are up for doing anything and everything Mom is doing!
“So, I’m a believer of teaching our children how to be productive adults through age appropriate chores. And what if we even had a little FUN while doing them?! ”
If you aren’t spring cleaning yet, you will be soon. Even if your kids aren’t excited to help with ‘chores’, this article has great tips for making it fun for all ages and maybe the help can continue even past spring. [Read more here.]
Genius hack to make toilet training easier
What is the latest and greatest potty training trick? Not sticker boards or special rewards. Not singing potties or ones that look like firetrucks. It’s just your regular old toilet that you already have in your bathroom. That and a dry erase marker. Simply lift the seat, set your kid on backwards, and hand them the marker and tell them to draw away.
The idea may not be brand new, but a recent Facebook post of the idea went viral last week with both positive and negative feedback on the pros and cons of this hack. [Read more here.]
