Q: I'm 14 weeks pregnant and would like to start swimming
I find doing lengths in the pool a bit boring - can you suggest any exercises that can make swimming a bit more interesting?
A: Water is a great environment to work out in,as it supports your bump and adds resistance,so your muscles work harder.
1.Jog in the water. Bring your knees up and push your arms forward and back.Keep jogging on the spot for 3 to 4 minutes to tone arms and legs.
2.Try bicycle kicks. Hold on to the side of the pool with your back against the wall.Start kicking your legs in front of you as if you're riding a bicycle.Continue for 3 to 4 minutes.
3.Tone those arms! Stand with feet apart,knees bent.Now lift your arms to the height of your shoulders,and back down.Pull your arms down towards you,breathing out as you do so,and push up again hard.
Tuesday 9 July 2013
Q: Are his bowel movements normal?
I'm breastfeeding my 7-week-old son.He dirties his nappies about four times a day and has constant wind and nappy rash.Is he pooing too much?He is fed every three to four hours and feeds well.
A: Many parents wonder if their baby has diarrhoea because bowel movements in a newborn occur frequently.A baby's bowel movements will depend on whether he is being breast - or formulafed. The bowel movements of breastfed newborns are usually yellowish,on the soft side and may occur up to five times a daily.Within a month,most babies are down to one or two movements a day.
If your baby is frequently passing smelly,watery,mucusstreaked stools (looking like you blew your nose in your child's nappy) or if he has a fever or is losing weight,it may be diarrhoea,so consult your doctor.
I'm breastfeeding my 7-week-old son.He dirties his nappies about four times a day and has constant wind and nappy rash.Is he pooing too much?He is fed every three to four hours and feeds well.
A: Many parents wonder if their baby has diarrhoea because bowel movements in a newborn occur frequently.A baby's bowel movements will depend on whether he is being breast - or formulafed. The bowel movements of breastfed newborns are usually yellowish,on the soft side and may occur up to five times a daily.Within a month,most babies are down to one or two movements a day.
If your baby is frequently passing smelly,watery,mucusstreaked stools (looking like you blew your nose in your child's nappy) or if he has a fever or is losing weight,it may be diarrhoea,so consult your doctor.
Q: I can't sleep,can't get comfy and my bump keeps going hard.Is this normal?
I am 29 weeks pregnant with my first baby and find it so hard to sleep.I have a maternity pillow,but can't get comfy.I also have hip pain,and am worried because my bump seems to go hard occasionally.Are all these things normal?
A: By 29 weeks,your body is changing dramatically.The high levels of the pregnancy hormone progesterone act as a muscle relaxant and your abdominal and pelvic ligaments stretch to accommodate your expanding uterus.This can cause hip and pelvic discomfort.The hip pain may also be due to the position of your baby,who may be lying on your sciatic nerve.If the pain persists,you should ask your midwife on doctor to refer you to an obstetric physiotherapist.
There are some simple remedies you could try to help you sleep better.Sleep on your side with your legs bent,with a pillow between your knees so that it supports your entire leg rather than just the knee.
The "tightenings" you are experiencing are completely normal,and are called Braxton Hicks,which are "practice" contractions.They can occur several times a day,last up to a minute,and may become more frequent as your pregnancy progresses.However,if they become painful or are associated with other symptoms,see your midwife or doctor.Take things slowly and look after yourself!
I am 29 weeks pregnant with my first baby and find it so hard to sleep.I have a maternity pillow,but can't get comfy.I also have hip pain,and am worried because my bump seems to go hard occasionally.Are all these things normal?
A: By 29 weeks,your body is changing dramatically.The high levels of the pregnancy hormone progesterone act as a muscle relaxant and your abdominal and pelvic ligaments stretch to accommodate your expanding uterus.This can cause hip and pelvic discomfort.The hip pain may also be due to the position of your baby,who may be lying on your sciatic nerve.If the pain persists,you should ask your midwife on doctor to refer you to an obstetric physiotherapist.
There are some simple remedies you could try to help you sleep better.Sleep on your side with your legs bent,with a pillow between your knees so that it supports your entire leg rather than just the knee.
The "tightenings" you are experiencing are completely normal,and are called Braxton Hicks,which are "practice" contractions.They can occur several times a day,last up to a minute,and may become more frequent as your pregnancy progresses.However,if they become painful or are associated with other symptoms,see your midwife or doctor.Take things slowly and look after yourself!
Monday 8 July 2013
Q: How long until my periods come back?
Q: How long until my periods come back?
I had a miscarriage seven weeks ago and haven't had a period since then.I took another pregnancy test,but it was negative.If I'm not pregnant,how long will I need to wait for my period?
A: It can take a little while for your periods to return normal.Bleeding often continues for around seven to 10 days following a misscarriage and menstruation returns after four to six weeks.If your periods were irregular before,the miscarriage,they may take longer to come back.
Fertility usually returns before your next period,so if you "feel" pregnant again,but a home test is negative,you could still be pregnant - it may be too early to show up.Try repeating the test again in a week or so,or ask your doctor for a blood test.Both the blood and urine tests measure the levels of the hormone HCG,which increases in pregnancy.
Don't be disheartened if you are not pregnant,and try to keep positive.Give your body and mind time to recover,and your periods time to return to normal.
Good luck with the next pregnancy.
I had a miscarriage seven weeks ago and haven't had a period since then.I took another pregnancy test,but it was negative.If I'm not pregnant,how long will I need to wait for my period?
A: It can take a little while for your periods to return normal.Bleeding often continues for around seven to 10 days following a misscarriage and menstruation returns after four to six weeks.If your periods were irregular before,the miscarriage,they may take longer to come back.
Fertility usually returns before your next period,so if you "feel" pregnant again,but a home test is negative,you could still be pregnant - it may be too early to show up.Try repeating the test again in a week or so,or ask your doctor for a blood test.Both the blood and urine tests measure the levels of the hormone HCG,which increases in pregnancy.
Don't be disheartened if you are not pregnant,and try to keep positive.Give your body and mind time to recover,and your periods time to return to normal.
Good luck with the next pregnancy.
Q:Are baby bouncers safe?
Q: Are baby bouncers safe?
A work colleague has told me that she'd never put her baby in a bouncer or a walker,as they can give the baby bowed legs.I have a 1-year-old boy and,until recently,would put him in his bouncer for about an hour a day.Could this have damaged him?
A: Stationery walkers that swivel,rock or bounce (eg. baby bouncer) are fine for short periods of time,as long you observe the age restrictions and follow the instructions carefully.
However,baby walkers - that is,devices that enable a baby to whizz around a room - can be extremely dangerous as they give babies extra speed,extra height and access to various hazards.It's easy to assume that when a baby is occupied in his walker or bouncer he is safe and can be left unsupervised for short periods.In reality,extra vigilance is needed.
Baby walkers won't help your baby learn to walk,either - in fact,using one too much may delay this slightly,as a baby need to roll,crawl and sit unrestricted in order to develop the skills needed to stand and walk.
A work colleague has told me that she'd never put her baby in a bouncer or a walker,as they can give the baby bowed legs.I have a 1-year-old boy and,until recently,would put him in his bouncer for about an hour a day.Could this have damaged him?
A: Stationery walkers that swivel,rock or bounce (eg. baby bouncer) are fine for short periods of time,as long you observe the age restrictions and follow the instructions carefully.
However,baby walkers - that is,devices that enable a baby to whizz around a room - can be extremely dangerous as they give babies extra speed,extra height and access to various hazards.It's easy to assume that when a baby is occupied in his walker or bouncer he is safe and can be left unsupervised for short periods.In reality,extra vigilance is needed.
Baby walkers won't help your baby learn to walk,either - in fact,using one too much may delay this slightly,as a baby need to roll,crawl and sit unrestricted in order to develop the skills needed to stand and walk.
Sunday 7 July 2013
Q: What's best for baby skin?
Q: What's best for baby skin?
Is it best to use a specific detergent and softener for my baby's clothes?Also the baby towel I've bought is shedding lots of fluff-is this bad for my baby's breathing?
A: Research involving adults with eczema found that the kind of detergent used,whether biological or non-biological,made no difference to their skin.However,many people prefer to use a non-bio detergent for washing children's clothes.But really,it's a case of trial and error,as well as personal preference.
The same goes for fabric softener.On the one hand,you may choose not to expose your child's skin to additional chemicals.
On the other,you may find that using a softener makes fabrics less likely to irritate delicate skins.General advice is to use cotton towels and clothes,and to moisturise a child's skin once or twice a day unless advised otherwise.
The towel you're using shouldn't put your child's health at risk if it's intended for a baby and is from a reputable shop,but if you're still worried,I'd suggest buyng another towel.
Is it best to use a specific detergent and softener for my baby's clothes?Also the baby towel I've bought is shedding lots of fluff-is this bad for my baby's breathing?
A: Research involving adults with eczema found that the kind of detergent used,whether biological or non-biological,made no difference to their skin.However,many people prefer to use a non-bio detergent for washing children's clothes.But really,it's a case of trial and error,as well as personal preference.
The same goes for fabric softener.On the one hand,you may choose not to expose your child's skin to additional chemicals.
On the other,you may find that using a softener makes fabrics less likely to irritate delicate skins.General advice is to use cotton towels and clothes,and to moisturise a child's skin once or twice a day unless advised otherwise.
The towel you're using shouldn't put your child's health at risk if it's intended for a baby and is from a reputable shop,but if you're still worried,I'd suggest buyng another towel.
Q:She wakes so early!
Q: She wakes so early!
My 3-year old daughter has started to wake up around 5am.She cries if I leave her and I can't seem to get her back to sleep at this time.She is shattered by 11.30am and will sleep for two hours.At bedtime,she is asleep by 7.30pm.Any advice would be much appreciated!
A: The average sleep for a 3 year old is around 12 hours,so she is getting the right amount of sleep,just at the wrong time.A lot of children of your daughter's age will be consolidating all their sleep at night and having very little or no sleep in the day.
I would suggest slowly reducing her nap,so she starts to sleep later in the morning.Initally reduce her nap to 45 minutes;this in itself may resolve the problem and enable her to sleep later.
As her wake-up time gets later,you will also need her nap time to after lunch.Further nap reduction may be necessary after a few weeks,dropping town to just 20 minutes.
Then,over the next month or two,eventually stop her naps altogether,replacing them with "quiet time" instead.
My 3-year old daughter has started to wake up around 5am.She cries if I leave her and I can't seem to get her back to sleep at this time.She is shattered by 11.30am and will sleep for two hours.At bedtime,she is asleep by 7.30pm.Any advice would be much appreciated!
A: The average sleep for a 3 year old is around 12 hours,so she is getting the right amount of sleep,just at the wrong time.A lot of children of your daughter's age will be consolidating all their sleep at night and having very little or no sleep in the day.
I would suggest slowly reducing her nap,so she starts to sleep later in the morning.Initally reduce her nap to 45 minutes;this in itself may resolve the problem and enable her to sleep later.
As her wake-up time gets later,you will also need her nap time to after lunch.Further nap reduction may be necessary after a few weeks,dropping town to just 20 minutes.
Then,over the next month or two,eventually stop her naps altogether,replacing them with "quiet time" instead.
.Q: Will diet affect my breastmilk?
Q: Will diet affect my breastmilk?
I'm breastfeeding my 3-month old baby girl.Will what I eat and drink affect her?
A: Most breastfeeding mums can eat what they like,but some foods seem to upset or be linked to colic in some babies.
Common culprits include onions,cabbage,garlic,spices,dairy food and citrus fruit.If you think this may be the case,avoid those praticular foods for a day or two to see if it makes a difference.But always speak to your doctor before cutting foods out,because you could become deficient in certain nutrients.
Caffeine and alcohol pass into breastmilk and can affect your baby's feeding,digestion and sleeping.So avoid too much tea,coffee and cola and other soft drinks containing caffeine,and keep your alcohol intake low.Current advice to breastfeeding women is to drink no more than one or two units of alcohol once or twice a week and to avoid drinking before feed.You may prefer to stop drinking alcohol altogether.
You should also check with your doctor or pharmacist that any medication you need to take is safe while you are breastfeeding.
I'm breastfeeding my 3-month old baby girl.Will what I eat and drink affect her?
A: Most breastfeeding mums can eat what they like,but some foods seem to upset or be linked to colic in some babies.
Common culprits include onions,cabbage,garlic,spices,dairy food and citrus fruit.If you think this may be the case,avoid those praticular foods for a day or two to see if it makes a difference.But always speak to your doctor before cutting foods out,because you could become deficient in certain nutrients.
Caffeine and alcohol pass into breastmilk and can affect your baby's feeding,digestion and sleeping.So avoid too much tea,coffee and cola and other soft drinks containing caffeine,and keep your alcohol intake low.Current advice to breastfeeding women is to drink no more than one or two units of alcohol once or twice a week and to avoid drinking before feed.You may prefer to stop drinking alcohol altogether.
You should also check with your doctor or pharmacist that any medication you need to take is safe while you are breastfeeding.
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