blog | Babytalk

Baby Dreams – Fertility Tips

A guest post from Babytalk exhibitor and speaker Dan Oakes of Neighbourhood Midwives.

sleep

How many times have you heard in the news about a couple that conceived after giving up trying? Stress is a huge factor that affects us all. When we are under pressure, our bodies release hormones that constrict our blood vessels and put us on high alert. This chemical response is embedded in all of us–our fight or flight response. Unfortunately, these hormones actively fight the ones that we need to create a baby. It can be extremely frustrating for couples who are trying to conceive month after month with no baby to show for it. Frustration causes a vicious cycle, causing more stress that blocks your baby dreams.

The good news is that now you know and can take steps to offload your barriers to conception. The hormone you are most interested in when trying to conceive is that most notorious and elusive one – Oxytocin. In fact, oxytocin plays a huge role throughout the entire conception, pregnancy and bonding journey. Oxytocin is known under many names: the love hormone, the relaxation hormone and if it could be bottled (not that they haven’t tried) chemists might call it Liquid Trust.

So how does one get their hands on some of this Liquid Trust? Picture this: a day off work spent with your loved one, having a picnic in the park, the hot sun beating gently down on you. After that, a long, luxurious soak in the jacuzzi while sipping champagne. Then, your favourite meal is lovingly prepared by your partner and eaten together by candlelight. Finally, you both enjoy an intense lovemaking session followed by a mind-blowing orgasm. Maybe this wouldn’t appeal to everyone, but you get the picture. An experience like this would set you up with enough oxytocin for at least a week. Busy couples and families would be hard pressed to find the kind of time and effort needed to achieve this scenario, but you could start off with loads of hugs. Hugs relieve stress like nothing else. “We need 4 hugs a day for survival, 8 hugs a day for maintenance, 12 hugs a day for growth.” (Virginia Satir)

Obviously there is more to baby dreams than hot water and candlelight. When is the best time to have sex? Does smoking affect my fertility? What’s most helpful to eat? Your Neighbourhood Midwives will be at the Babytalk Festival to listen to you and give you the latest in fertility breakthroughs. Stop by our exhibition and get a free health check. Midwives know the secrets of fertility and our answers will give you the confidence to achieve your baby dreams.

Dan Oakes, Registered Midwife, is the father of three boys. Dan founded Neighbourhood Midwives Ltd. in 2012, with Tracy Donegan, bringing the best in Irish maternity care straight to the heart of your home before and after your hospital birth.

By Marie | February 16, 2014 | Babytalk Exhibitors, Fertility, Pregnancy | No Comments |

Baby Steps

Once your child takes those first steps, it’s time to get a real pair of shoes, courtesy of Easy Parenting Magazine

baby-shoes

Most children start walking between 10 and 18 months, although this varies from child to child. Even though you may want to protect your baby’s feet when they are beginning to walk, it’s important to avoid structured shoes until your child is ready to walk outdoors. While still learning indoors, bare feet are good for grip, or soft-soled booties or socks will suffice. Once your child is able to walk unaided or walk about most of the day, you may need to invest in a proper, protective-soled pair of shoes.

Paediatricians and podiatrists recommend that children’s early shoes allow for natural movement and development of the feet. Medical studies show that they should be as close as possible to walking barefoot, while still allowing for protection from the external environment (such as cold temperature, hard floors, outside surfaces, etc). To achieve this, shoes should be as soft and flexible as possible and also allow the child’s feet to breathe.

Feet take time to develop

It takes about 18 years for a human’s foot to develop fully. The foot contains 22 partially formed bones at birth. These are spongy and soft and at a few months old the foot can even be pushed out of shape by a tight sock, restrictive sleep suit or sheets! By about four years, the bones will have increased to 45 partially fused bones, but it will take the next 14 years for these bones to fuse together to form the adult foot with 26 bones (28 if you include the sesamoid bones at the base of the big toe).

Buying well-fitted shoes, from a trained shoe fitter is hugely important as ill-fitting shoes can affect the alignment of bones. There is no such thing as an average foot, and feet change as they mature. Feet vary in arches, insteps and toes too, so getting the shoes fitted correctly is a must for your child’s comfort.

The longer a child walks without shoes, the more they are allowed to develop naturally. Experts recommend letting your child go barefoot or sock-covered for as long as possible to allow tiny feet to develop for longer. Of course, when they are eager to get outside and exploring, it’s time to protect their feet with proper shoes. It’s also important to check children’s feet every four to six weeks to ensure their shoes still fit correctly. Children’s feet grow, on average, two full sizes a year until they are four years old.

Tips for buying first shoes

A very flexible sole
Bend the shoe in your hand, checking it for flexibility. Ideally, you should be able to fold the shoe in half. For outside wear, the sole should be thick enough to protect baby’s feet from sharp or rough objects. Children before the ages of four years of age should be in a flexible shoe in order for muscles to develop without restriction of movement. Breathable uppers and lining

Select shoes that are preferably leather or canvas (not synthetic). Have a look at where the leather is cut and feel the leather with your fingers. The synthetic leather is smoother and has a synthetic (usually black) material backing. Using shoes that do not breathe can cause bacterial problems with your child’s feet at an early age.

No high-tops and definitely no heels!
High-top (ankle) shoes or boots can restrict the movement of a baby’s ankles, possibly leading to developmental problems. And heels can drastically effect the development of your child’s feet. Look for plenty of toe room. Toe room is not only important in making sure that baby’s feet have room to grow, but also baby needs to be able to wiggle his/her toes freely. It’s best to have about 1cm of space (or one finger width) in the toe area.

A comfortable interior
Put your fingers inside of the shoe and check for any hard seams or ridges that might irritate your baby’s foot.

No arch support
Arch support should not be built into shoes for children under the age of three (unless directed otherwise by a professional). The arches, bones, and ligaments of the feet are still developing, and the feet need to grow and develop naturally without being artificially supported. As the child progresses from three years of age upwards arch support becomes more important.

Expert Advice

“A baby’s first pair of shoes should fit well around the ankle and instep to support the foot in walking, this should have a little room at the toes. Use big toe or second toe if longer as length guide and leave approx 5mm more in length. The sole of the shoe should be stable and quite stiff on the shank (this is just after the heel area). It should also flex at the front of the shoe. Most babies toe walk (up to three years), but getting the right shoe can help support the foot and ankle in their first steps.”

– Veronica Daniels, Podiatrist

By Sarah | February 16, 2014 | Baby Accessories, Easy Parenting Magazine, Toddlers | No Comments |

Not just skin deep

Concerned about stretch marks? Babytalk exhibitor Lisa Heeney has some tips and a Beautiful Belly Bar to give away! Just comment below or on the corresponding facebook post to be in with a chance to win!

bellybar

Pregnancy is a time of change, both physically and mentally. Some women breeze through the 42 weeks whilst others have a more challenging time with discomforts such as morning sickness, sleeplessness, heart-burn or excessive swelling (Honestly, it’s all forgotten in the end!). A common result of a rapidly changing body size and shape is stretch marks which, unfortunately, can be accompanied by tight, itchy, inflamed skin as it stretches to embrace your growing baby bump.

And s-t-r-e-t-c-h…
Stretch marks can happen when the rate of growth of your skin has difficulty in keeping up with the rate of growth of your body underneath. Changes in skin physiology mean that structural fibres in the middle layer of your skin are stretched and often broken, causing the appearance of darker pigmented lines around your belly, breasts and thighs.

Not everyone gets stretch marks, but there seems to be some factors that might make getting stretch marks more likely: stress, dehydration, rapid weight gain, and unfortunately, genetics (not much we can do about that one girls!).

Reduce your stress
It is not realistic to say that if you do x, y or z you will definitely not get stretch marks, however, staying hydrated, incorporating healthy oils like olive oil and coconut oil into your diet, and keeping your skin well nourished to improve its elasticity will help make your growing body more comfortable. From working regularly with pregnant women, in my opinion stress is also a big factor in how a woman’s body reacts to her pregnancy, so staying relaxed, both mentally and physically and allowing your body to work properly, is very important too. Getting reflexology, going for a massage, doing yoga or going for some acupuncture are all wonderful ways of helping to stay relaxed, and physically and emotionally balanced when pregnant.

Looking after your bump
Another important thing you can do for yourself is to care for your skin and keep it properly nourished and hydrated as your pregnancy progresses. Your body diverts many of the nutrients you take in via your food to your baby, so it’s important to give your skin some extra love in the form of proper moisturisation and TLC. Whilst no cream, lotion or potion can or should say that it will 100% prevent stretch marks, improved elasticity of the skin may diminish their appearance somewhat and improve how your skin feels. Properly moisturised skin will not feel as tight or as uncomfortable, and certain beneficial ingredients may also help with inflammation and itchiness.

Taking the time to look after your body and pay it some attention is very rewarding in itself. Spending a few minutes in the morning, after your shower, or before you head to bed in the evening time, massaging your bump will help you relax. It’s nice to use some gentle sweeping strokes moving one hand up from the bottom of your bump to the top, whilst bringing your other hand down from the top to the bottom, in a relaxed circle shape. It feels lovely to use your knuckles to massage your legs and thighs upwards towards your bum as it helps to relieve daily tension build-up and improve circulation. Improving blood flow to your womb and pelvis is important through massage and gentle exercise because it allows a good oxygen supply to baby.

What goes on, goes in
Just as it’s important to be prudent about what you put into your body when you’re pregnant, it’s equally important to pay attention to what you’re putting ON your pregnant body, as a percentage of what you put on your skin will pass to your blood stream and can cross the placental barrier. It’s wise to avoid harsh chemicals with artificial fragrances and colours, or that are petroleum based as these have been linked amongst other things, to causing hormonal imbalances, both for you and your developing baby. Skin can also be in a state of heightened sensitivity when you’re pregnant, so is much more likely to react badly to irritants and synthetic compounds.

Moisturising, protective, healing
In 2002 I learned about certain ingredients in cosmetics that could be detrimental to our health and was truly horrified. When I started making my own body products in 2012, I was determined to use only natural ingredients, that were organic where possible. Some of the ingredients that I incorporate into my products are:
Beeswax (locally sourced from Co. Louth), Cocoa Butter, Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Rosehip Oil, Calendula Oil and beautiful essential oils – some of my favourites include Neroli, Frankincense, and Chamomile.

Natural Benefits
Beeswax forms a natural protective barrier when used in skincare products, has anti-inflammatory properties, softens the skin and helps to heal wounds. Shea and Cocoa butter have long been used to nourish, soften and protect the skin. They work with your skin and moisturise from the outer layers down, whilst still allowing your skin to breathe and do its job of getting rid of your body’s toxins. Rosehip and Calendula oils are well renowned for their skin rejuvenating properties and encourage healing of scars and wounds, whilst coconut oil is wonderful at moisturising, and balancing the skin’s own oils. Being an aromatherapist, I choose essential oils that are therapeutic as well as being beautifully fragrant, and specific to pregnancy requirements. (Please note that certain essential oils are not recommended as being safe during pregnancy. Please check with a trained aromatherapist if you are unsure as to which oils to use.)

I have created a pregnancy-specific product called the Beautiful Belly Bar which is a solid moisturising bar made using local beeswax, organic shea butter, organic rosehip oil and calendula oil. It is naturally nourishing and protective for your pregnancy body and the beautiful and luxurious essential oil of neroli makes it extra special. Simply rub it on, and rub it in.

Giveaway!
And one of my Beautiful Belly Bars is up for grabs! To be in with a chance of winning, just comment on this post or on the babytalk facebook page and the winner will be notified accordingly.

Bio
Since 2001, Lisa Heeney started working with pregnant women as a reflexologist and aromatherapist, but is now focussing on developing her range of hand-crafted natural body products. Lisa is an advocate of natural pregnancy and birth and wants women to enjoy their pregnancies and have positive birth experiences. She lives in Drogheda, Co. Louth, is married to John and is mum to three beautiful children, Elizabeth, Ruairi and Jacob.

You can read more about her hand-made natural products at www.lisaheeney.com

By Marie | February 15, 2014 | Babytalk Exhibitors, Competitions, Pregnancy | 1 Comment |

You made me a mother

Video credit Boba.com

“I made you, but you made me a mother.”

I’m typing this with a big lump in my throat and eyes full of tears. This is a stunning video that captures the experiences of real Mums and how they feel about being a Mother.

What are the little things that make you feel like a parent? When did you really feel like a Mum or Dad for the first time? For me it was when I realised that just being snuggled up in my arms was enough to soothe my baby, she didn’t need anything else, just me.

This video really reminded me that every time a baby is born, so is a parent. Even if you are having your second, third, fourth or tenth baby. You are a different and new parent to each one. You have to learn about them and they have to learn about you. It’s all new again.

Enjoy learning about each other and growing together!

By Rachel | February 15, 2014 | parenting, parenting styles, video | No Comments |