Drinks and Pregnancy - What you should know

For some mother to be pregnancy can be a very delighting and stressful time especially for does who enjoy have a drink with a friends and parties.


New research published in the Journal Of Epidemiology And Community Health concluded that children of mothers who drank one or two units of alcohol a week during pregnancy have suffered no ill-effects by the time they are 5 years old. They also do not have a behavioural difficulties and neither are they behind in their intellectual development.


The study looked at 11,500 children who were born between September 2000 and January 2002, mother were questioned about their drinking habits while pregnant. Through It they found that children whose mothers had been regular drinkers - having seven or more units a week, or six at one sitting ( one unit being half a glass of wine or third of a pint of beer ) were more likely to have behavioural and emotional problems than those whose mothers abstained during the pregnancy.


However, there was no evidence to suggest that the children of light drinkers, whose mothers had no more than the odd glass of wine a week, had been in any way harmed.
In fact, the children of women who had a couple of units of alcohol per week were 30% less likely to have behavioural problems and and had higher scores in mental developments tests than those of women who hadn't had any alcohol at all.


The government stands on the side of caution by advising pregnant women should stay away from alcohol.
The executive Director of of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome-UK, Susan Fleisher adds; We support and reiterate the Department of Health guidance, which is to avoid alcohol when pregnant or trying to conceive.


The Dr. Yvonne Kelly of University College London's department of epidemiology and public health, is the author of the report and argues that the findings should help to give women credible information to help them decide whether to drink alcohol during pregnancy.

What to buy for baby 2 years old as a present?

A 2 year old babies are very mobile and enjoy playing outside in playgrounds and also indoors in soft playgrounds but when it is time to choose a toy as a present, strong colours and size is what matter the most.
Doll characters from your child favourite TV program will do well, if you allow your child to enjoy any.
They love pretending to do house work so, things such as mini car-stroller, Lego 2+, mega blocks, mini vacuum cleaning, mini cooker, shopping trolley, mini washing machine can be a very good idea. Normally they are for 3+ but apart from the small pieces, most children love it whilst others show an interest in dolls.
I have selected some presents which could please children when they are 2 years old and also their parents.
You can check them out below.

How to prepare a fresh and cheap orange juice?

Orange juice has a lots of benefits for everyone; adults, children and babies 6 months plus. 

However, I'm talk about that old fashion orange juice that give us a lots  of work to do it and not about that easy 1 litre carton available everywhere nowadays.

Consuming a freshly squeezed orange juice give you many benefits as a health body. 

Orange juice contains flavonoids that will be very useful in controlling blood pressure level and bad cholesterol what makes it amazing for people suffering from hypertension . 

Also, you will get the best of vitamin c that is important to boost the system of immune and prevent the sell damage. It is a good antixidant, thats mean, it can be used to reduce the harmful effects of free radicals within your body cells. It is good for repairing the broken sells of our body. It contains minerals like magnesium as well as potassium, helps to prevent from fatal disease for instance stroke and heart attack as well as prevent against cancer.

Why should we prepare it instead buy?

Because the orange juice package contains many various chemicals as it will help the orange juice to stay good for a long period of time. Making yourself a orange juice will ensure that you and your family will get the best of it.

However, I had notice that people prefer to buy it because it is convenient for some reasons like:

If you have a family of 3 and have a juice machine you don't want to put all of that stuff out and make that huge mess to make only you and your baby or child a  glass of juice every day, once dad is not around.

If you family is too big and you find It will be expensive buy so many orange always.

If you are by yourself etc.

Each one of us find an excuse to justify the fact of not do squeeze an orange, lemon or lime and instead, just buy a ready made one. For all of these excuse and as I always say "the market nowadays are full of products that are design to make our life simple" it is just the case of look for them. 

I myself had solved my orange, lime and lemon problem in a very simple and inexpensive way. I find what I consider the best lemon, orange and lime squeeze that fits my reality and I will present it under the page for you although it is not my intention to do the market of it here but instead, give you that incentive to leave some of our old know-how and look what people are making that can make your life better in a way you can have more quality time for yourself and your family.

Here we have some of the products is on the market that can make easy to squeeze. Some are old fashion models, other are kite new design. My favourite is the gray and lemon one (Joseph Joseph) because it is strong to squeeze, catch the seeds and after used very, very easy to wash.

Can babies eat kiwi fruit?

Babies can eat kiwi fruit although, as a strawberries, It is recommended to introduce in his/her diet after baby is 9 months older. The reason is that some babies have a allergic reaction to the little seeds.

Kiwi are high fiber fruit, a excellent source of vitamins C, A and E. Contain magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and copper.
Kiwi is rich in antioxidants and enzymes. Research has shown that Kiwis are effective against respiratory-related health problems including wheezing, shortness of breath and coughing.

If you decide to give your baby kiwi before 9 months you can juicing It, blend It sieve and serve.

Don't forget that the kiwi must be peel before eat. We don't eat the skin.  

Babies and children swimming time

Many mums worry that their baby are too young to go to the pool ,or that they need to take first immunisations or even extra immunisations. In fact, swimming is a fantastic way to kick-start your baby confidence in the water and the Department of health says you can take your baby to swimming any time.

Mother need to wait six-week checkup before go to the pool.


The chid contact with water in the first months of life help to improve health in a good moment when he is discovering the world.

Under profissional care, babies are able to execute movements, showing a serie of commons reflexes on the first childhood.


Through out esterioceptives stimulus, activities help well development of sensorials organs as touching, hearing, seeing and smelling.

Around 8 months, babies are able to control the passive moviments and flowting . Between 13-14 months, the baby movement in the water increase and they can flowting on their belly and start to looking for the polls edge to leave.

Between 14-24 months babies can control very well their movements and change the direction. Beginning to jump and play.

Swim promote a miryad of organic, social, terapeutical and recreative benefit for your baby, as well as, help the social interaction your baby has with other children. The physical activity of swim has a good impact on the sleeping and eating habits of your baby.

 Baby might be benefit from being cradled in a deep bath of war water and gently splash about so he associates water with playtime.

When getting ready to go the pool, you will need some special items as: your usual changing bag, pack towels swimming clothes or nappies (remember; swimming nappies should be put on just before you get into the swimming area for avoid accident because they don't work if is dry), sandals with straps for toddlers and big children to avoid feet contact with bathroom floors, soap and shampoo for a hot shower before go back home.

Also, check the water temperature before you get in with your baby, it is ideal between 28 to 32 degrees, if you know about swimming centre that treat the water through ionization or eletrolise of salt, they are best in clean and  maintain the pool's water.

Get yourself ready to the pool before you change your baby. Mostly of the leissures centre has a baby facilities with play pet, where you can keep you baby safely, while change yourself.

When going inside the pool, keep your baby face close to yours in a way he can focus on you, feeling comfortable this will reassure him.. Gently splash the water on him till he gets use to. If he like bath toys, take one with you. Start to take him in a quiet time, when the pool is more empty for he doesn't get scared by lot of noise.

When he is in the water play with him gently and sing a rhyme if he enjoy that.After some time,  he will understand that swim is a fun time.

Tantrum: How can you cope with it?

Tantrum starts as soon as your little one starts to observe how much attention he or she gets from you when he cry for any reason. It means tantrum starts when your child is still baby (because babies are clever than we imagine) and gets worth when he is a toddler and can reach things, walk by himself, explore.

Tantrums is part of a child development. Is through a tantrum a child bursts of emotion and express her frustration.

When a child have a tantrum the first thing you should try to do make sure she is safe. If you are at home and she's thrashing about, put her in the cot. If you are on the street, consider to hold her in your arms if you need cross the road. If you are in a restaurant, pub or party consider to go out for few minutes or go to the bathroom, garden or any reserved area if it makes you feel embarrassed.

Next thing you should do is try to calm her down and stay calm yourself because despite nasty looks from strangers there is not a lot you can do to stop it once started.
It is important you help your child to calm down but leaving her comfy to learn to calm herself too.

Surprisingly, the biggest cause of babies and toddlers tantrums is;
- Parents not listening to the child and,
- A child not being able to control herself.

Many outburst can be averted if parents think about how it started because normally they are consequence of their own actions. If you take a child out when she is tired or ignore pleas to fix a toy because you are doing something else.
Try to explain the situation in a way she can understand.

In case the tantrum gets worth and you don't get stopped the next step is distract your baby. This is always the best option but make sure you don't give her a bribe or incentive could reward the behaviour.
Bringing your child into a game, do something funny, ask for help with a chore or task, mind be enough for distract her long enough for she forget what was upset her.

When the tantrum is finally over, try to get things back to normal as quickly as possible, if you show you are cross, your child mind see tantrum as a way of provoking you. Give her a hug if all the issues have been resolved. Don't give her a hug if she still complaining as this could send her a message she was in some way rightto have the tantrum in the first place.

Fussy babies and toddlers eaters

It is very common for babies and toddlers to be fussy eaters at some point of childhood. It happen suddenly and sometimes it is connect to a change in the eating habits such as when they starts to feeding themselves or drink from a cup instead bottle or not,  they suddenly just start to refuse foods they used to love.

Changing habits it will be a gradual process but if you focus on the positives and avoids turning meal times into a battle and distress moment you can  instead finish a meal frustrated encourage your child to come back eat old favourite and try new foods as well.

Some tips that can help you to copy with fussy eaters babies and toddlers;

· Patience is the first step because even though you think this is your problem and none of the others mums you know have the same problem, they have or had at sometime.

·         When the food is ready, don’t come to the table angry or anxious because your baby will get these feelings from you.
·         Sit together at the table in a way your baby can see everyone eating the same food as him and enjoying the meal.
·         Presenting your toddler with a mountain of food can overwhelming and put him off even trying to eat is not a good idea. Serve up small portions in a nice presentation.
·         Try to offer him milk from a cup and do not fill him up on milk because he won’t be hungry for solid food. Alternatively, give him milk 0ne and a half hour after solid food instead before.
·         Combine new foods with old favourites it is also a good thing to try.
·         If your baby has missed a meal  and is tempting to give him a biscuits and crisps give him instead healthy and nutritious            snacks  like cheese, breadsticks, hummus and pitta. In order to avoid spoiling your child’s appetite, don’t offer snacks close to mealtimes.
·         A hungry child is less fussy child so he’s likely to eat better at the next mealtime. Changing his eating habits will take time but, with patience and praise you can encourage him try new flavours.
·         When your baby or toddler refuses to eat, simply remove his plate calmily. Ignore any fussy behaviour so he learns it won’t get him any attention. But give him  lots of praise when he does try something new.