Healthy Pregnancy Centre

Archive for June, 2009

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Article from: www.myfamilyuk.com Breast milk is the best food for new-born babies, packed with all the essential nutrients required for their growth and overall development. But is it essential?

Breast Milk

Mother’s milk consists of all the elements, in the right proportions, that are required by young ones for adequate growth. Breast milk also contains lactoferrin, that helps babies absorb the right quantities of iron and protects them from infections. It also contains certain hormones that help fight allergies and increase metabolism leading to proper digestion. Many powder formulas have been proven to contain slight errors in these quantities, a deficiency that is exacerbated by the fact that the mother’s milk is specially designed for her child, and is likely to contain specially tailored proportions.

Benefits Of Breast Milk

The goodness of breast milk and its benefits are outlined below.

1) Nutrition

Mother’s milk can never be substituted for artificial feeds, as it contains varying quantities of nutrients and vitamins that the baby needs. Some mothers may produce more sugar, and some more water, to help their baby grow. As growth progresses, the composition of the mother’s milk does too, aiding the child’s development both mentall and physically. In addition, breast-fed children run lesser risk of obesity in the future, as compared to the ones fed with bottled milk.

2) Growth

Babies fed with breast milk for 6 months or more are exposed to fewer ailments than their formula-fed counterparts. Breast milk provides a complete solution to all the nutritional requirements of a growing infant, helping him become stronger, more active, and intelligent. Breast milk contains ingredients like DHA (docosohexaenoic acid) and AA (arachidonic acid), which contributes to speedier brain and retinal development.

3) Immune system

Mother’s milk is packed with all the essential nutrients that a child requires for the development of the immune system during those first months and years. Breast milk contains certain essential enzymes and antibodies that help protect the child from germs and help keep infections at bay. In addition, babies fed with breast milk run lesser risk of sudden Infant death syndrome (SIDS), high cholesterol, and asthma in the first year of their life.

4) Benefits For Nursing Mothers

Breast-feeding actually burns extra calories, helping the nursing mother shed the pounds of weight they put on during pregnancy. The hormones released during feeding also help the uterus get back in shape, and strengthen it. It may also lower the risk of breast and ovarian cancers, although this has not been fully proven.

5) Emotional Bond

As breast-feeding requires close mother-child skin-to-skin contact and demands exclusive time to be spent by the mother, it helps strengthen her bond with her child, leading to the child feeling secure and comfortable. With the invention of breast pumps, the father can strengthen his bond with the child as well, while using authentic milk.

Further Information

For further information, and for more great ways to have fun with your family, log on to www.myfamilyuk.com. With a huge collection of articles covering everything from child safety to rainy day activities, you’ll find all the help, guidance and entertainment you need to be a great parent. Go now!

MyFamilyUK.com is a brand new website that is turning the online focus back onto families. We’re dedicated to supporting you and your family live the life you choose to the full, with games, tips, offers and articles on all aspects of parenting. If your family means the world to you, check out www.myfamilyuk.com.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/pregnancy-articles/breastfeeding-is-it-essential-995823.html

Article from: www.myfamilyuk.com

It is important to know what you are entitled to as a new parent or parent to be, but the rules and regulations can be hard to remember. Here’s an introduction to the basics.

Statutory Maternity Leave

To qualify for the legal minimum requirement for maternity leave, you need to be an ‘employee’, as opposed to a worker or self-employed. If you are unsure of your employment status, find out at DirectGov.

How it works

• All employees are entitled to 52 weeks of maternity leave no matter how long they have been working for their employer

• This is divided into Ordinary Maternity Leave (the first 26 weeks) and Additional Maternity Leave (the last 26 weeks)

• During the additional period, you have fewer contractual rights

• You can take maternity leave from up to 11 weeks before the due date of your child

Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP)

Although it is any employee’s legal right to take maternity leave, you only qualify for SMP if you earn an average of more than £90 per week and have been employed by the same employer continuously for at least 26 weeks up to the 15th week before the due date.

How it works

• You need to tell your employer at least 28 days before you want to start claiming SMP

• You are entitled to 90% of your average weekly earnings for the first 6 weeks

• This drops to a flat rate of £117.18 (£123.06 from 5 April 2009) for the following 33 weeks making 39 weeks in total

Contractual Maternity Pay

Some companies offer enhanced maternity leave and maternity pay, but if you don’t return to work after your maternity period is over, you may be required to pay some money back.

Paternity Leave and Paternity Pay

If you are having a child or adopting a child with your partner you will be entitled to two weeks paternity leave provided you have been continuously employed by the same employer for 26 weeks by the 15th week before the baby is due. The entitlement also applies to partners in same-sex relationships.

How it works

• You need to inform your employer in or before the 15th week before the baby is due

• You can take your leave in one week blocks or as two consecutive weeks

• During your leave you are entitled to 90% of your average earnings or the flat rate of £117.18 (£123.06 from 5 April 2009)

Further information

Your entitlement to maternity leave and maternity leave pay varies according to your employment status. Use the Tiger Tool on Direct Gov to get a personalised statement about what you qualify for.

Other benefits

If you don’t qualify for SMP you may qualify for Maternity Allowance (MA) or other benefits. Contact your local JobcentrePlus for details.

Problems with your employer

If your employer refuses to give you leave and pay that you are entitled to, they are breaking the law. Clarify your rights by checking with your trade union official or your local Citizens Advice Bureau.

Further Information

For further information, and for more great ways to have fun with your family, log on to www.myfamilyuk.com. With a huge collection of articles covering everything from child safety to rainy day activities, you’ll find all the help, guidance and entertainment you need to be a great parent. Go now!

MyFamilyUK.com is a brand new website that is turning the online focus back onto families. We’re dedicated to supporting you and your family live the life you choose to the full, with games, tips, offers and articles on all aspects of parenting. If your family means the world to you, check out www.myfamilyuk.com.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/pregnancy-articles/your-guide-to-maternity-and-paternity-leave-995916.html

Are you getting enough sleep everyday or are you staying up late at nights because your child just won’t go to bed when you want her to? You need proper rest to be a good parent. She needs proper rest to be a good child. Many children misbehave or cannot focus because they are tired. Besides this, children do most of their physical growing while they sleep. A toddler needs 12-15 hours of sleep a day, a baby even more. This means that your child NEEDS an early hour bedtime whether she wants it to or not and whether or not she feels tired. A good time would be 8pm. It is even hard for me, sometimes, to adhere to the 8pm bedtime. My little Theo will only be this cute and fun for a little bit and I want to savor every moment. I work all day so my time with him is limited. However, from observing what my friends go through, I know what happens when parents do not start the bedtime regimen early and stick to it: children are playing at all hours into the night, parents are yelling at the kids and the house is always a mess. Besides this, parents do not have time for themselves to catch up on the day, relax with a book, cuddle while watching a movie.
Ever since my little boy Theo was a 4-month-old my friends have been amazed at how easy it is to put him down at bedtime. No muss, no fuss. I begin Theo’s nightly routine at 7:20. He takes a bath. He drinks his bottle while I read him a story. Then hugs and kisses are given all around for Mommy, Daddy and Theo. Theo usually takes a few minutes to say goodnight to his stuffed animal buddies before laying down to rest for the day.
This happens in our home every night! It can happen in your home too in just a few days! Believe it. A good age to start having a set bedtime is when your baby is about 4 months old. This guide works with older children as well. The KEY is to be firm and consistent! Decide on a bedtime regimen. Wind down the baby quietly. While you give your baby the nighttime feeding, dim the lights, turn on some quiet music. When she is done feeding, place her in the crib, say, “Goodnight, Sweetie,” and walk out of the room. If she cries, wait a minute to see if she stops then check on her. If she is safe and nothing seems to be the matter, say, “Goodnight, Sweetie,” again and walk out of the room. Do not go back in if she cries again. You will be very tempted to go back in to comfort her. Do not do it! I repeat. Do not do it! She needs to know that you mean business when you say, “Goodnight,” aka “No getting out of bed to play.” In a short time, you will know when your little one is crying for something she needs or if she is crying to get out of the crib. Be firm and consistent with your regimen. Even a sweet 4-month-old knows how to manipulate your emotions.  You can later pick a day of the week to hide the clock for family time.

Kimberly Wilson
Owner of http://www.DiaperBagSpecials.com
“Diaper Bags for Supermoms”
http://www.diaperbagspecials.com/help_articles_for_parents/
Contact info: support@DiaperBagSpecials.com
I am a former elementary school teacher. I am a stay-at-home mom and businesswoman who enjoys sharing helpful parenting advice while selling diaper bags at the lowest prices.
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Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/pregnancy-articles/bedtime-strategy-for-kids-991861.html