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by Alicia Bodine, Contributing Writer
1. Don't argue with Mother Nature. In other words, when the weatherman says it is going to be hot AND humid you need to stay in doors. Make sure you have an adequate fan or air conditioner available. If you absolutely have to travel make sure you car has air conditioning as well as the destination. I highly recommend you avoid outdoor activities on these days.
2. Use wet wash cloths. I loved using wet wash cloth's in the summer. The trick is placing them around the back of your neck. It tends to cool off the whole body just from that one spot. I am not a scientist, I am just commenting on my own experiences. Some folk suggest you use a water bottle and spray yourself through out the day. Whatever you prefer, it helps you use cold water on and off during those hot days. ​ 3. Plan to run your errands either early or late. The hottest hours of the day are reportedly between the hours of 10am and 2pm. Get your shopping, banking, etc done early if you are a morning person or after dinner if you are a night owl. I personally liked getting up early and not having to go anywhere the rest of the day. Either way, avoid the sun in the afternoon.
4. Drink plenty of water. I think this has to be one of the most important things on the survival list. Water will keep your body hydrated. I personally can't quench my thirst with anything else. I recommend always having a nice cold glass of ice water handy wherever you go. If you have to be out and about, pack a little cooler that holds at least 3 drinks. Then you will be sure not to run out.
5. Don't be shy. Ask for help with daily activities if you need it. Over exerting yourself during those summer months can result in exhaustion, burn out, or worse. And if you are outdoors you increase your chances for suffering from heat stroke. The important thing is keeping you and your unborn baby as safe, healthy, and comfortable as possible. 6. Get plenty of rest. Let's face it, you won't have time for rest when the baby is born so you mine as well get it while you can. You also have to remember you are carrying around a lot of extra weight making it more strenuous and tiresome to keep up with your normal daily activities. Taking some naps and getting plenty of rest at night will help keep you at your best. ​ 7. Always wear sunscreen. I remember getting several lectures from my nurses when I showed up for a check up with a tan. According to them I should have been wearing sun block with a SPF of 100. Seriously though, it is recommended that you wear at least a sun block with a SPF of 15 every time you venture outdoors. This article was previously published on the Yahoo Contributor Network.
by Alicia Bodine, Contributing Writer
2. My family takes great joy in using our Christmas cards for decorations. We place each one along the tops of the doorways on the inside of our home. It is fun to watch each entryway fill with Christmas cards. We just tape them up, but you can just as easily put a hole through each card with your hole puncher, slide a string through the hole, and hang them up anywhere in your house.
​3. After we finish using our Christmas cards as decorations, we take them down and place them in a basket. The basket is then set in the middle of the dining room table. Each night at dinner we take a card out of the basket and pray for the family that sent us the card. Every family needs prayer, and what better way to thank your family for thinking of you at Christmas time than to pray for them. We get over 80 cards per year, and by using one card per night we can keep the cards around until March. 4. Finally, we use our Christmas cards in our scrapbooks. Christmas cards have creative greetings and warm wishes that you can cut out and paste with your pictures. You can also clip out the awesome Christmas scenes or Christmas characters to use with the Christmas pages of your scrapbook. One year I did a scrap booking Bible Study. The page of Thankfulness I did entirely with my Christmas cards. I was thankful for my family and friends who had taken the time to think of us that year. There is no end to what you can do with your Christmas cards if you put some thought into it. Go ahead and be creative. You may be surprised to see where it leads you. This article was previously posted on the Yahoo Contributor Network.
by Alicia Bodine, Contributing Writer
Mayim Bialik
As one of the stars of the popular series The Big Bang Theory, Mayim Bialik is quite busy. As the mother of two boys, Miles and Frederick, relies on her ex-husband Michael Stone to care for the boys while she is working. Matthew McConaughey Matthew McConaughey and his wife Camila Alves have a total of three children, Levi, Vida, and Livingston, raising all of them without the help of a nanny. Just like Jennifer Lopez, the couple had Camila's mother move into their home to help care for the children when they are working. Matthew continues to work as a busy actor, while Camila continues to work as a model. Kimberly Williams-Paisley ​ Many will remember Kimberly Williams (now Paisley) as Steve Martin's daughter in Father of the Bride. These days Kimberly is married to country music star Brad Paisley and the pair have two children, Huck and Jasper. The couple follows the "It takes a village to raise a child" motto by recruiting help from both of their moms, as well as several family friends. ​  Image © MarkDoliner; Flickr.com Newborns can have the tendency to get gas pains and there are some signs parents should be aware of. Paying attention to your baby's actions and cries can help aid in determining if your newborn is experiencing gas pains. As a mother and former nanny, I have had plenty of varied experiences related to newborn gas pains. I have also researched the topic extensively over the years.
When a newborn has gas pains, the sooner a parent figures this out, the better for the newborn. This way, steps can be taken to relieve the gas and hopefully alleviate the pain. It isn't always easy, especially for a new parent, to determine which symptoms are indications a newborn has gas pains. The information below is not meant to be a complete diagnostic guide, but may help parents find some of the answers they need. Crying Not all crying is an indication of gas or gas pains. Because newborn babies cannot talk, crying is the most common form of communication for a variety of their needs. They will learn to use it as a means of communication. Generally, sharp and piercing cries will indicate pain, but not all babies are the same. If you notice such a cry after feeding, this may be one of the varied indications your newborn has gas pains. Crankiness A baby can be cranky for several reasons. Before deciding it's one of the indications your newborn has gas pains, consider other reasons. Is the baby sleepy, hungry, or in need of a diaper change? Does the baby want to be held, swaddled, or given a pacifier? If none of those apply and the crankiness cannot be soothed with conventional methods, your newborn may have gas pains. Movements Pay attention to your baby's movements. Some newborns will draw their legs in toward the chest and then push them straight out when gas pains are present. Although, some infants do this for other reasons as well. Another common movement that may be related to gas pains is clenched fists. If your baby is doing one or both, these are possible indications your newborn has gas pains. Feeding Habits When newborns are experiencing gas pains, they may refuse the breast or bottle. Refusing to feed does not always indicate gas pains, but it can. The baby may also just be tired, not hungry, or need to burp but is not necessarily in pain. Sleep Habits If a baby is having a tough time sleeping, it may be one indicator of gas pains. But, babies can remain awake for a variety of reasons. Pay attention to other cues, like those above as well. -- Note that the author is not a licensed medical professional. The above is provided for informational purposes. Always consult a licensed medical professional for any advice pertaining to health matters.  Image © Yachichurova; Flickr.com Whether breastfed or formula fed, infants can unfortunately get diarrhea and it can be especially dangerous to newborns. Read further to learn how to tell whether your newborn's stool is diarrhea or not and when to take a newborn with diarrhea to the pediatrician.
Check Your Newborn Baby’s Stool The stool of a newborn infant is generally fairly soft. This does not always indicate diarrhea. Newborn diarrhea will be thin and watery. Also watch a newborn's wetting habits. If a newborn normally wets 8-12 diapers per day and is only wetting 6-8 (or less), that is an indicator that diarrhea is causing dehydration. How Can I Hydrate My Newborn? A newborn with diarrhea can be treated at home to prevent dehydration, but a pediatrician must still be contacted. Diarrhea can cause loss of vital fluids. Pedialyte (or another oral electrolyte solution) is often recommended by doctors when babies and toddlers are dehydrated. This can help replace the fluids that may be lost during diarrhea. In newborns, the doctor may instead suggest an increase in breastmilk or formula feedings. When Should the Diarrhea Clear Up? Mild diarrhea should clear up within a day or so. But if a newborn shows any signs of dehydration, illness, severe diarrhea, or has a fever, do not hesitate to seek medical care. Diarrhea can sometimes be an indication of a virus or bacterial infection. A viral infection is more common than a bacterial infection when it comes to diarrhea causes. Another cause may be parasites. What Causes Diarrhea in a Newborn Baby? When the newborn diarrhea is not caused by a virus, bacteria, or parasite, it may be caused by the infant's diet. Fruit juice and any diet other than infant formula or breastmilk can cause newborn diarrhea. Until at least 4 months of age, newborn babies should be fed only breastmilk or infant formula. Lactose intolerance or other dietary allergies may also cause newborn diarrhea. In an infant who is drinking formula, a pediatrician may recommend switching to a different formula to see if that helps. Never switch infant formulas without the advice of a pediatrician. Babies have very sensitive stomachs and individual dietary needs. Switching formula could upset the baby's digestive system even further. A breastfeeding mom may need to change her own dietary habits for the infant’s benefit. If your newborn is taking antibiotics for any reason, that could also be the cause of diarrhea. Sometimes antibiotics will cause newborn diarrhea. If this happens, contact the pediatrician. They may decide to use another antibiotic if the diarrhea is severe. When Should I Take My Newborn to the Doctor for Diarrhea? Newborns are very delicate and vulnerable. If your newborn has diarrhea, you need to contact your pediatrician right away. A newborn can get dehydrated very easily with diarrhea and this is hazardous to your infant’s health and well-being. Diarrhea can also be symptoms of bigger issues. It may be a simple dietary issue, but only a licensed medical professional should make that diagnosis. Warning Signs That May Occur With Newborn Diarrhea
Symptoms of Dehydration in Newborns
*Note that the author is not a licensed medical professional. The above is provided for informational purposes. Always consult a licensed medical professional for any advice pertaining to health matters. 
Whether it’s for natural care reasons or health care benefits, parents may request soy-based baby gifts for their newborn. Know an expectant parent who is into natural care, being eco-friendly, or who has an infant with lactose intolerance? This gift guide to soy-based baby products may help you decide what gift is best. As a mom who's into natural living and researching new things all the time, I've come across a variety of potentially useful products.
Soybean Fiber Baby Clothes For the eco-friendly mom or dad, there are companies who make baby clothing out of soybean protein fibers. These baby clothes are eco-friendly, all-natural, and can by quite stylish too. Baby clothing made from soybean fibers is very soft to the touch and makes great soy-based gifts for newborns. Baby Soap Enriched With Soy Proteins Many natural organic soaps are made with protein oils, such as soybean oil. Soy proteins are great for the skin. As long as Baby isn't allergic to soy, baby soap enriched with soy proteins would be an appreciated gift for newborns. If you feel like being creative, you may even want to look up a recipe and make homemade soap using soybean oil and other ingredients. Soy Baby Formula If the newborn you are buying a gift for is lactose intolerant or requires soy baby formula for another reason, this could be a good gift idea. The best newborn baby gifts are those that will actually get used. Baby formula does not exactly sound like a pretty or fancy gift, but it's definitely useful. Formula prices can be costly to some, so soy baby formula could be a well-appreciated gift for newborns who can use it. Soybean Crib Mattress Did you know that soybean fibers can be used to make a crib mattress? Mattress foam made from soy fibers is said to reduce sagging and increase durability in infant mattresses. This could add to the firm support required for newborns. Since soybeans are a renewable resource, this likely is a more earth-friendly purchase than other mattresses. As long as the baby's parent/s don't already have a mattress, a soybean crib mattress could make a great soy-based gift for newborns. Homemade Soybean Puree If you like to cook, you could try making homemade soybean puree baby food and freezing it to make a parent's job easier a few months down the line. Keep in mind that frozen baby food should not be kept frozen too long. Three months is a general time limit, but it could keep longer (or for less time) depending on the freezing and storage method. Another option is to gather some great baby food recipes involving soybeans and assemble them in a homemade recipe book made from recycled papers. **Author’s Note: Not all experts agree on the health benefits of soy, so it's best to know the family's stance on this before giving a soy-based newborn baby gift. The author is not a licensed medical professional. Always consult a licensed physician for health matters. |
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Lyn Lomasi is founder and owner of the Brand Shamans network. She is your brand healing, soul healing, marketing & content superhero to the rescue! Running a network of websites, tackling deadlines single-handedly, and coaching fellow writers, brands, & entrepreneurs to be thought leaders is her top priority.
While rescuing civilians from boring content and brands, this awesomely crazy family conquers the world, managing Intent-sive Nature while going on Upstream Parenting adventures & lessons, sometimes in an RV. They strive to cuddle with lions and giraffes. Until then, they settle for rescue dogs and cats. By supporting us, you support a single parent, healer, and minority small business that donates to and/or stands for several causes, including homeless pets, homeless people, trans youth, equality, helping starving artists, and more! A portion of all proceeds from our all-inclusive store, Intent-sive Nature goes toward worthy causes. For guidance in the world of freelance writing or for advice on her specialty topics, Ask Lyn. Archives
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