LilSugar

How Long Until Your Aunt Flo Returned?

LilSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:00:58 -0800

Pregnancy has its drawbacks, but one thing an expectant mama can get some relief from is her monthly period. A nine month (and often more) break from her monthly friend is a nice perk for most moms, but all good things must come to an end. Eventually, the cramps will return along with the tampons, pads, and PMS. Many women don't get their period for a few months after giving birth (especially those that are breastfeeding), but some get back on track as soon as the baby comes home from the hospital.

How long until you got a visit from Aunt Flo after having your baby?

Did You Change Your Diet Before Conception?

LilSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:00:00 -0800

When couples plan conception they generally prepare by tracking ovulation and take all the helpful hints they can get.

I recently stumbled on Cooking to Conceive: Fertility-Boosting Foods & Recipes to Help You Get Pregnant ($17) at the bookstore and was intrigued by the concept. It focuses on healthy dishes filled with veggies that add extra calcium, folate, and antioxidants to your diet (no champagne and oysters, but chocolate makes the cut!). It's all logical stuff, but I was impressed by the lineup. Did you change your diet when trying to get pregnant, or did you eat the same until you were eating for two?

H1N1: When Should You Take Your Tot to the ER?

LilSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:00:09 -0800

Parents have a tough enough time deciphering symptoms between the flu and a cold, and now there is the added confusion of learning the warning signs of the H1N1 virus. Present day parents have a lot to stress about, but knowing the facts puts most of us at ease. Before you fret over the next time your tot spikes a fever, check out this guide for emergency warning signs of H1N1 in children.

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What Do You Know About Breastmilk Storage?

LilSugar — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:30:33 -0700

Breastmilk is known to some as "white blood," because it's incredibly precious to nursing mamas who work hard to keep it pumping. Ask any breastfeeding lady and she'll tell you that nothing is worse than having to toss good milk that's gone bad. La Leche League International has put out guidelines for keeping your milk fresh, but how well do you know them? Take the quiz to find out how much you know about breastmilk storage.

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Did You Start Eating Better Once You Entered Motherhood?

babysugar — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 07:00:44 -0700

Before baby arrived, mama may have occasionally skipped dinner or even resorted to a liquid diet at the local happy hour. But when there's a wee one in the family, mommy's schedule shifts and often, so does her eating habits. Pregnancy usually kicks a woman's bad eating habits to the curb, giving her a head start on better food choices. When her child reaches the 6-month mark and starts eating solid foods, mum may find herself eating better than ever before. If she's making her own babe's pureed broccoli, chances are she's nibbling on the crowns, too and upping her own folic acid and iron intake.

Did you start eating better once you became a mama?

Share your favorite dishes and family foodie tips in the The Children's Table group over in the LilSugar Community!

Lil Tip: Prepare Your Bathroom For Visitors

LilSugar — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:30:04 -0700

Baby's born and mama's home from the hospital, so let the welcoming brigade begin. While her kitchen may be stocked with treats and beverages to keep guests' bellies full, the better place to maintain may be the bathroom!

Before allowing friends and family to visit with a newborn, many mamas require them to thoroughly wash up, especially during this particularly bad flu season. Fancy soaps and pretty linens may liven up the bathroom, but some anti-bacterial soap and paper towels that can be immediately thrown away are better options when it comes to preventing the spread of germs. What precautions did you take to prevent the spread of germs once your lil one arrived?

Has Your Child's Weight Ever Been an Issue?

LilSugar — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 07:00:08 -0700

Everyone knows that babies come in all different shapes and sizes. That's why it was so odd to hear of a healthy but chubby 4-month-old who was recently denied health insurance coverage. His 99th percentile ranking for height and weight for his age made him ineligible for coverage. The industry standard is to deny a policy for any new patients above the 95th percentile, including babies.

On the flip side, a friend of mine was given a stern talking to about the need for red meat from her mother-in-law because her daughter, a perfectly happy and healthy 9-month old, fell below the 10th percentile for her age group's height and weight. It's hard for any parent to hear that their child does not meet "national standards" and even worse when they are judged or worse, denied health benefits for it.

Thankfully, the Colorado company has rectified the situation and the lil boy is now protected. Has your child's weight ever been an issue?

Why Didn't Anybody Tell Me: Pregnancy and Carpal Tunnel

LilSugar — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 04:00:29 -0700

Pregnancy and motherhood are ripe with shocking, funny, embarrassing, and insightful moments. All too often we have that "how did I not know that?!" moment. We created the Why Didn't Anybody Tell Me? group in the LilSugar Community for you to share the things you wished somebody had told you, too. cheersdarlin916 shares her startling discovery:

I have been having issues with my forearms and my hands going painfully numb at night and the last couple of nights have been so bad it is causing me to loose sleep. I did some research online and then talked to a nurse at my doctor's office and sure enough I have carpal tunnel syndrome. Just when I think I get past one issue (be it nausea, insomnia, or getting GD under control) something else like this pops up. They tell me that it will likely go away within a month of having my baby but I am not even due for another three months. Good grief.

cheersdarlin916 isn't alone on this one. Studies have shown that one out of four pregnant women complain of the syndrome, usually in the second or third trimester of pregnancy. Did you experience it?

We want to hear your shocking pregnancy and motherhood stories. Join our Why Didn't Anybody Tell Me? group over in our LilSugar Community and dish your tales and tips.

Are You Planning on Vaccinating Your Child For the Swine Flu?

babysugar — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 04:00:14 -0700

Pumpkin carving, baseball playoffs and chilly weather are all signs of Fall fun and unfortunately, the dreaded flu season. After last year's breakout of the swine flu, also known as H1N1, parents are facing a whole new ballgame. When the virus first came to light, people were in defense mode as the only way to fight the disease was hand washing, arm coughing and other simple avoidance tactics. Now, however, the public is being offered the opportunity to get ahead of the game with the new swine flu vaccine.

While 65 percent of LilSugar readers said they would not get the vaccine if pregnant, I wonder if those same parents will be hesitant to sign their kiddo up for the shot knowing the swine flu is being blamed for claiming the lives of 76 children. A tough question for many parents, it is important to make the right call for yourself. To see some questions and answers regarding the safety of the vaccine, check out the thorough article by Tara Parker Pope of the New York Times and tell me if you are for or against the swine flu vaccine.

How Well Do You Know Infant Dehydration?

LilSugar — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:30:09 -0700

It takes a lot of fluid to keep a tiny baby healthy, and infants are more prone to dehydration than older children and adults. Fortunately most cases of infant dehydration are moderate and easily remedied as long as you know the signs. Take the quiz to see how well you know dehydration in babies.

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