How to stay healthy when pregnant

If you have not looked after your body before, when you are pregnant it is an important time to start. You now have two people to look after whose health is closely intertwined. Here are some tips for a healthy pregnancy.

Regular Check Ups

In the UK, the National Health Service provide excellent pre natal care. Many other countries have similar programmes. As soon as you get a positive pregnancy test result, make an appointment with your doctor. Once confirmed, your doctor will set the pre-natal care programme in motion.

You will usually be asked to attend your first check with the midwife at 6-8 weeks. Make sure you don’t miss it. Not only will they review your medical history to see if you will need any special monitoring or treatment, they will also provide you with a lot of useful information about your pregnancy.

This will be your first of many visits to or from your midwife. It varies between health authorities but typically you can expect to see your midwife every 4 weeks during the second trimester and every two weeks in the third trimester. She will check your weight, blood pressure, how you are feeling and occasionally will take a urine sample. 

In the UK you will also be sent for an ultrasound scan between 8 and 14 weeks and another one between 18 to 21 weeks.

The one stop online shop for mums and mums to be

Diet

The saying ‘eating for two’ when you are pregnant does not mean that you need to eat twice as much. However the average mum of a healthy weight carrying one child does need to eat around 300 calories more per day. 

A nutritious balanced diet is important to ensure your baby gets everything they need. Lean meat and low fat dairy products for the protein and calcium, fruit and veg for the vitamins and minerals and whole grain bread and cereals for the fibre and carbs.

Your GP/Midwife may also recommend supplements such as calcium, iron and folic acid. In the UK folic acid is recommended for all pregnant women. Iron and calcium supplements are normally only given if your doctor detects that your levels are low.

Research shows that taking folic acid 1 month before pregnancy and during the first 3 months of pregnancy reduces the risk of neural tube defects by 70%. Neural tube defects can cause problems like spina bifida in children.

Extra calcium is needed because of the calcium loss in your bones during pregnancy. In addition to the foods already mentioned, spinach, broccoli , tofu, almonds and orange juice are good sources of calcium.

The body needs extra iron during pregnancy to make the haemoglobin which helps carry oxygen through the blood. Red meat, eggs, dark poultry, tofu, leafy vegetables and salmon are good sources of iron. Some breakfast cereals are also fortified with iron.

It is also necessary to drink plenty of water when pregnant. The baby, placenta and the amniotic fluid all require plenty of water. Your body also contains a lot more blood when pregnant so needs more fluid. 

Of course there are also a lot of types of food that you need to avoid and that in itself is a minefield. We have another blog specifically on this subject that will help you.

Exercise

Your body needs exercise to stay healthy. Not only does it help your heart, lungs and blood pressure but it also works your lymphatic system which is important for fending off disease.

When you are pregnant you still need exercise. It avoids excessive weight gain and will help prevent back pain, swelling and constipation. At least 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day is recommended. Being fit can also help make labour easier and recovery time less. Swimming,walking and yoga are all suitable exercises when pregnant.

Maternity Swimwear from Bunny Bumpkin

Sleep

Pregnancy, especially in the latter stages can leave you feeling exhausted so be sure to get plenty of sleep. Try to get a few naps in the day also if you can.

Of course there are no guarantees, but looking after yourself when pregnant gives you a better chance of a smoother, healthier pregnancy.

Of course pregnancy is still no easy ride and if you want to know more about some of the common complaints of pregnancy read our blog on that subject.

Stretch Marks

Stretch marks is the subject of todays blog from Bunny Bumpkin.

When you have a baby your little bundle of joy is not the only permanent reminder of your pregnancy. Stretch marks affect 90 per cent of women. The severity of stretch marks varies considerably. They don't only appear on the stomach. They can appear on the buttocks, thighs and breasts also. You may not be able to prevent stretch marks altogether but there are some things you can do to reduce the severity of them

There are all sorts of potions and lotions that claim to stop stretch marks but any good moisturiser containing vitamin E will help. However you must apply them every day to make sure your skin is always moist. Don't give up even if you start to see stretch marks appearing.In fact it is even more important to keep applying when the stretch marks appear.

Eating healthily and keeping fit can also help your skin. You shouldn't put on more than 25-35 pounds during pregnancy. Drinking plenty of water also keeps the skin healthy. Dry skin will almost certainly lead to stretch marks.

If you have had children before your chances of stretch marks is higher because your skin has already been stretched before.Twins or large babies can also make them worse.

Start with the creams as early as possible, even before you start feeling the skin beginning to stretch.

You may be horrified by the sight of your stretch marks after birth but don't worry, they do fade with time. Some women do opt for laser removal but it is a lot cheaper to accept them as part of being a mother. A dermatologist will be able to advise you on possible treatments if you decide to go that route.But think of them of them as a badge of achievement. This infographic says it all. We posted this on facebook  and tumblr and are pleased to say that we had loads of shares from mums who are proud of their stretch marks. So be proud of yours.

For most mums though, stretch marks become the least of your worries. Having a child is a full time occupation. It is tiring and stressful but hugely rewarding. You will probably forget all about the stretch marks very quickly.

Bunny Bumpkin 3 piece Maternity Pyjamas £24.99 

Kate, George and Swaddling

Kate Middleton, and her muslin swaddled Prince George have generated quite an interest in the ancient practice of swaddling. Retailers are seeing a huge increase in swaddling muslin sales as a result of what will probably become known as the George effect.

But Kate isn't the first celebrity mum to swaddle. Sandra Bullock, Julia Roberts and Peaches Geldof are all swaddlers.

Swaddling is the practice of wrapping infants in blankets or similar cloth so that movement of the limbs is restricted.

It is thought that swaddling can help babies feel secure as it recreates the restricted space of the womb. This may help them sleep and also help prevent the baby making his ‘moro’ reflex.( Waving out the arms and crying because the baby feels like he is falling when he is no longer held).

It is no surprise that Kate chose muslin for swaddling in the current hot weather. The open weave of muslin allows air to flow around the baby preventing the baby from overheating.

Swaddling Muslin available from Bunny Bumpkin

There are conflicting views on whether swaddling is a good or bad thing but like most things moderation and a bit of common sense is probably the best approach. Swaddling may help settle a restless baby but I’m sure you would not want your arms and legs restricted for long periods of time.

Also don’t wrap the swaddle too tight. Allow enough space for the elbows to move if the hands are by the side. As soon as your baby is able to roll, don’t leave your baby unsupervised in a swaddle as if they roll onto their front they could get into difficulties breathing. Alternatively you can leave the hands by the face in the swaddle. Some experts argue that  this increase the risks of the baby pulling the blanket over their head but it is quite safe with muslin as it has air holes.

 

To swaddle or not to swaddle is a choice for the individual mum but what can’t be disputed is that the royal baby looks gorgeous wrapped up in his swaddle.

What Do You Need For Breastfeeding?

Nursing bras, Nursing Tops and Butterfly Shawls. In todays blog Bunny Bumpkin talks you through some of the great products available to make breastfeeding easier.

Everyone knows the saying breast is best but how does a new mother prepare for breastfeeding?

Your midwife will advise you on how and when to breastfeed, but she may not tell you what you need and what products are available to make breastfeeding easier.

So here is the Bunny Bumpkin guide to products that can help make breastfeeding easier.

The Nursing Bra

If you are out and about you don’t want to be wrestling with your bra in order to discretely feed your baby. Nursing bras have drop down clips above the cup to allow easy and comfortable breastfeeding. Normally you need to get measured two weeks before the birth due to the increase in breast size. However most of Bunny Bumpkins nursing bras have one cup size meaning that you do not have to make the uncomfortable journey into town to be measured. Simply order online using the your current chest size (e.g. 36)

Emma Jane Nursing Bra available from Bunny Bumpkin

Nursing Tops

The nursing top comes in various different styles but allow for easy access for breastfeeding. For example, some Cami style tops have clips on the straps similar to nursing bras whereas sleeved tops often have a lift up panel.

See Bunny Bumpkins Nursing Tops

Breastfeeding Butterflies

Breastfeeding Butterfly Shawls offer great privacy. The baby is cradled in a sling which goes over mums shoulders while feeding.

See Bunny Bumpkins Butterfly Shawl

Nipple Cream

Breastfeeding can make nipples sore and they can become dry and cracked increasing the risk of mastitis. At the first sign of any soreness apply a nipple cream such as Lansinoh.

Nursing Cushions

The nursing cushion is designed to hug a mother's body and provide a raised platform to support baby as they feed in comfort. However it also has other uses. Many women use it for back support during pregnancy or as a between-the-knees support cushion or as a wedge to rest under the tummy whilst sleeping on the side. When approx 3 months old, a baby can rest within the arms of the pillow to aid the digestion process and when learning to sit up themselves, the pillow can be positioned around baby to cushion them in case they topple backwards.

See Bunny Bumpkins Breastfeeding Cushions

Breast pads

Even when not feeding breasts have a tendency to leak. Breast pads absorb excess milk preventing stains on your clothes. These are available from Boots

Muslin Cloths

The muslin cloth has numerous uses but the principal uses for breastfeeding are:

Wiping away excess milk from you and your baby after baby has unlatched from your breast.

Wiping up after winding your baby (as they are often slightly sick after a feed.)

See Bunny Bumpkins Muslin Cloths

Nursing Nightwear

Feeding your baby while half asleep is difficult enough without having to battle with your nightwear. Nursing pyjamas and nighties work in a similar way to nursing tops and are also very comfortable.

See Bunny Bumpkins Nursing Nightwear

For more great blogs visit our other blog page

Keeping your baby cool in the summer

Baby bandanas ,cellular blankets and cool baths. In todays blog Bunny Bumpkin gives some tips on how to keep your baby cool in the summer.

Summer has finally arrived and everyone heads for the sun but it is important to remember that babies cannot tolerate the sun like adults.

Babies fair skin is prone to sunburn and they are also susceptible to dehydration and heatstroke.

Bunny Bumpkin has put together these tips on keeping your baby safe and cool in the summer and we have some product ideas to make it easy for you.

• Avoid the sun between 11am and 3pm when it is at its hottest.
• Use a very high factor sunscreen (e.g. factor 50) even if your baby is in the shade.Apply the sun cream regularly especially if they are using a paddling pool.
• Put a sun hat on your baby. Bunny Bumpkin sell a range of summer dresses with matching sun hats like this purple & pink posy and polka dot dress/sun hat set

Summer dress and hat set from Bunny Bumpkin

Alternatively your baby can go for the hip look with this baby bandana available in four different colours. 

Baby Bandana from Bunny Bumpkin

• Give them more water than usual. Cooled boiled water is best for young babies. Fruit Juice Ice lollies are great for quenching an older babys’ thirst. If your baby is on solids fruit is another great way of getting them to have more fluid.
   
• If you are breastfeeding, you may need to increase the frequency. This summery Emma Jane nursing top makes breastfeeding easy.

Emma Jane Nursing Top from Bunny Bumpkin

• A cool bath before bed time will make for a more comfortable night.

• Keep the bedroom cool by closing the curtains in the day and using a fan during hot nights.

• Keep bedclothes and nightwear to a minimum. Don’t let them get too cold though as the temperature can drop suddenly in the night. A baby sleeping bag is handy for baby’s who like to kick the covers off. If it is a hot night though just put them in their nappy only and then put them  in the sleeping bag.Cellular blankets are also good for keeping the baby warm without overheating.
  
  
  

  

  Cellular Blanket

For more great blogs visit our other blog page