There are a lot of misconceptions out there about infertility, despite it being fairly common across the world. Whether you’re looking to conceive yourself or are simply hoping to understand this condition better, infertility impacts many but today is also largely treatable. Fertility technology is more advanced than ever in 2020, as is scientists’ and doctors’ knowledge about what the causes and symptoms of infertility are, and what steps could be taken to help prevent it. With today’s ongoing scientific developments in this area, this fertility issue is more straightforward to address than ever. Below, you’ll find some little known facts and well-kept secrets about infertility than anyone hoping to conceive in this day and age should be aware of.

1. IVF Technology Continues To Advance

Many people dealing with fertility problems turn to IVF treatment as a way to increase their odds of a viable pregnancy. IVF, short for in vitro fertilization, is a process that involves fertilizing an egg and then directly implanting it in the uterus, hence the name of the treatment. The process can take multiple months to complete and depending on the patient, the first round may not be successful, but the technology has solid scientific backing that continues to attract those hoping to conceive. Additionally, there is evidence that not only effectiveness but also overall safety continues to improve with the passage of time.

2. Male Infertility Is Possible

An old wives’ tale holds that infertility is primarily an issue on the part of women. However, you might be surprised to learn that male infertility is entirely possible as well. The difference lies in the cause. Infertility in women may be due to factors like damage to the fallopian tubes, uterine or cervix, or to conditions like endometriosis. In men, infertility is typically linked to sperm issues such as inadequate production or incomplete delivery. Anyone’s fertility can be affected by factors such as undergoing treatment for cancer.

3. The Definition Is Narrower Than You May Think

One common misconception about infertility is that this diagnosis means you are fully incapable of having children and will never be able to get pregnant. However, the official definition is much narrower than you might have thought. According to the Centers for Disease Control, infertility is when you are unable to conceive after one year or more of unprotected intercourse. This is also dependent on age restrictions – for example, if a woman is older than 35, the time window is reduced to six months.

4. Lifestyle Choices May Help Improve Fertility

After a deep dive into the facts of infertility, you might be wondering whether there’s anything you can do now to prevent it later on, especially if you don’t plan on trying to conceive for a while. Thankfully, the answer is yes. While not a cure-all in every situation, there’s strong evidence that healthy lifestyle choices can make a difference in your fertility. If you smoke, quitting is the way to go. You may also want to reduce alcohol use and ask your doctor whether any medications you’re on impact fertility. Getting enough sleep and exercise, eating well and maintaining a stable, healthy weight all play a role as well.

Infertility is a frequent issue many people run into worldwide, but whether due to persistent myths or inadequate public knowledge campaigns, literacy on the topic isn’t always at levels helpful for those looking to conceive. If you are struggling with infertility, however, you can rest assured that this is not an uncommon concern and in many cases can be treated. Additionally, with a deeper understanding of the issue, you can take steps to prevent it. Given today’s consistent advances in technology, the odds of getting pregnant for those dealing with infertility are on the rise.

 

A baby shower is a great way to help a mother-to-be cope with the prospect of welcoming a new baby. With family and friends around, the new mum can share space in a setting where baby gifts, support, and first-time-parent tips are accessible. When your friend or someone you love shares the exciting news of having a baby, then finding a thoughtful gift that the parents-to-be will appreciate is the best thing one can do. If you are looking for a perfect gift for an upcoming baby shower, then you might find this article quite helpful. Here are some unique gift ideas for a baby shower basket.

1. Baby Carrier

A babywearing carrier goes a long way in helping the new parents learn how to navigate around with the little one. Baby carriers also come with plenty of benefits, including enhanced bonds between mother and child, promotes breastfeeding, and reduced crying for the baby. No doubt that the parent-to-be would find a baby carrier so helpful.

2. Baby Pyjamas

Comfort and good sleep are some of the things every new mother wants, and pyjamas will perfectly meet these needs. Pyjamas are available in a wide range of options, and you want to ensure that you get the very best. Again, pyjamas in the market come in multiple themes. You can use the baby shower’s theme to inform your purchasing decision. You will also be at an advantage if the unborn child’s gender has been revealed to you. This way, you can get gender-specific pyjamas, namely girls pyjamas and boys pyjamas. Girls pyjamas, for example, will make her look more adorable and cosy in bedtime. On the other hand, boys pyjamas will be absolutely valuable for the newborn across all seasons.

3. Crib

Cribs are quite essential for nursing mothers, and gifting your friend with one will mean a lot to them. Of course, there is a wide range of cribs in the market today. Finding out the type of crib that the new parent would like will help you get a gift that suits their needs.

4. Soft Toys

When you are quite unsure of what to get for the new mother, soft toys would be the most standard gift you could ever buy. The toys can be superhero characters, princess, ballerina dolls, or a cute animal.

5. Diapers

An endless supply of diapers is every mother’s greatest desire. New parents may find themselves changing diapers for almost 10 times in a given day, and a set of diapers would be invaluable. So, why not get a month’s supply of diapers as your baby shower gift?

6. Baby Blanket

A baby blanket can be used for day-to-day fun, wrapping, and swaddling. A soft, personalized blanket with the baby’s name on it can make a perfect baby shower gift.

7. Costumes

Baby costumes can be fun, especially for mothers that would love to have a newborn photoshoot. From animal and cartoon costumes to movies and superhero costumes, you can always find the perfect gift for the newborn.

Babies are so precious that they instantly bring joy and light up a room. But as adorable and cute as they may be, they are also fragile and quite vulnerable. That is why the appropriateness of toys and apparel for infants and young children is categorised according to age group.

Not everyone is familiar with the dos and don’ts of choosing baby presents. With so many options to choose from and the desire to impress both the little recipient and their parents, the pressure is on. Don’t sweat it, though. This blog aims to guide you in choosing the perfect gift for your family’s sweet new addition.

• Size

In this case, you should not be looking for a perfect fit. Buying clothes for babies means choosing apparel in larger sizes. Babies tend to grow fast, which is why if you give them onesies, shirts, or pants that are fit exactly for their current age, the chances are they can only wear it for a short period.

• Comfort

As with purchasing adult clothes, choosing comfort over style is also an unspoken rule in baby clothing. You might come across a bright yellow or pink blanket or find pillows in farm animals’ shape. Instantly, you pick up these items, thinking that it would be the perfect gift. Always check the material and structure of the blanket, pillow, or plushie. Fleece and gauze are two of the most appropriate types of fabric for baby blankets. Jersey and bamboo rayon fabric are comfortable and appropriate for baby skin, while firm pillows without cases are ideal for infants.

• Function

Strollers, carriers, and baby accessories come in different shapes and colours. Ultimately, strollers with a stable structure, snap-on bassinets, built-in coverage, and comfortable seats, and cushions. Experts recommend high-seating carriers and those that provide more space for the baby’s bum and legs to rest while you carry them. Narrow-seated carriers tend to affect spine development and bone structure in infants.

• Practicality

Sometimes, parents are not after fancy dresses and tuxedos for their babies. All they want are additional supplies of diapers, milk, and baby wipes. It might not be something that will last a long time, but it is useful and will help out the baby’s parents a great deal. Practical baby gifts are money-saving and thoughtful.

• Educational

When choosing baby toys, find one that will stimulate the infant’s senses. Musical toys, rattles, and soft toys with different textures allow babies to explore their surroundings and make better sense of the environment around them. You can also buy storybooks that parents can read to them at night.

• Sentimental

It might be old-fashioned, but you can buy a photo album or storage where parents can preserve pictures of their little one. As mentioned earlier, babies grow up so fast that it is only a matter of time before they spend more time running around than cuddling in their mother’s or father’s arms. By offering something that lets parents reminisce and take a piece of their baby’s most precious moments while growing up, you are sure to give them a gift that’s worth more than cash.

Baby presents should be prepared with the infant’s safety and development in mind. Skip the fancy glitters, the mini figurines, marbles, magnets, and balloons. Opt for something appropriate for their age. Better yet, consult their parents’ opinion and ask if the child has specific or special needs that need to be addressed when choosing clothes, blankets, and accessories for them.

Keeping your baby safe and comfy is paramount which shouldn’t be compromised when taking your little one out in the pushchair. This will make outings a lot more enjoyable for both you and your baby. Here are several tips and tricks to help add that bit of extra comfort to your pushchair. Furthermore, you must also find the pram comfortable to use otherwise it could affect the experience of going out with your baby.

Types of pushchair

Many parents out there have recommended 3 in 1 pushchairs as they provide comfort at each stage of your child’s early years. From providing comfort to your baby from a spacious bassinet to having soft, padded material that lines the pushchair for when they enter the toddler stage. This explains why they are in high demand amongst new parents due to the versatility they offer. Pushchairs which do not offer this not only add extra expense as you will have to purchase additional extras or even a new pushchair as your baby gets older but, it means that you cannot change the position of your baby to suit your outing as you don’t get a carrycot, bassinet and toddler seat all in one, making it less versatile. No matter what pushchair you have your eye on buying, by making sure that it is forward-facing as well as rear-facing which will benefit you and your baby. It helps provide emotional support as your baby can see you so feels a sense of security. Likewise, you are able to encourage parent-baby interaction as well as being able to keep a closer eye on them.

Blankets

As obvious as it sounds, providing your baby with the right blanket will keep them warm in colder months and provide comfort and security all year round. Try to use a cellular blanket when you have a newborn as they are made of cotton which is perfect for delicate skin and they have tiny holes in the material which provides extra safety for your baby, especially when they are asleep, which would give you peace of mind if you are shopping when you haven’t got your full attention on your baby. The key is to find what blanket your child loves and use it on outings to make it more pleasurable as you will have a happy baby. Some babies prefer a comforter to a blanket so working out what your baby’s preferences are will make the world of difference when taking them out.

Pushchair liners

Although pushchairs come with enough padding for your baby to make them comfortable, adding an additional seat liner will bring extra comfort as they will keep your baby extra warm in colder months and cooler in warmer months. Many babies prefer liners made from sheepskin as they regulate body temperature better and provide extra support to create a swaddling effect which can increase the quality of their sleep. For winter months, some parents like to use a footmuff as they are designed to keep your baby warm from head to toe. Unlike a blanket, footmuffs are zipped up so you haven’t got the worry of your baby’s blanket becoming untucked. They act as a pushchair liner as your baby is cocooned in what is essentially, a baby sleeping bag!

Toys

As babies get older, distractions are needed to prevent them from becoming bored. Toys that attach to the car seat handle or toys which they can hold in their pushchair are a great way to keep your little one amused when you are out and about, especially when you are out for a long period of time. Not only does this entertain your child, but it also helps them to learn and develop from fine motor skills to gross motor skills.

Height of the handles

If your handles are not altered to suit your height, it could cause you back pain from poor posture. This is something, especially tall people need to consider when buying a pushchair because some handles don’t extend as much as others. It is even more so important that that you choose a pushchair with adjustable handles if you aren’t the only person who will be using it; especially if there is a significant height difference. You want outings with your child to be a pleasant experience and not uncomfortable.

All pushchairs are made with comfort in mind so if you choose not to buy any additional extras, your baby will still be comfy. However, some accessories could provide extra comfort to your baby which could make them sleep better and help with developmental milestones.

 

When you have a newborn one of the things you need to learn is how to calm them down. Babies face a new environment so they tend to be always afraid and start crying. This is where your muslin swaddle blanket comes into the picture.

Why should you swaddle your newborn? What are the benefits of swaddling? Why should you use muslin blankets?

Being a new parent is a lifechanging phase. But the more that you learn about your baby, the easier it gets. Read below to see why muslin blankets are good for newborns.

Why Swaddling Makes Your Baby Get Better Sleep

Some parents don’t swaddle their newborns because they are afraid of endangering them. Contrary to that many babies respond to swaddling in a positive way. Not only would it make them happy, but it will make you happy as well. A baby that sleeps well also gives the parents time to rest.

1. Swaddling can improve a newborn’s neuromuscular development
2. Swaddling can reduce the occurrence of SIDS
3. Your baby sleeps longer when swaddled
4. When your newborn experiences distress, swaddling can help soothe them
5. Swaddling can lessen your baby’s crying episodes

Why Should You Use Muslin Blankets?

Once you’ve decided to swaddle your newborn, you should then get a muslin blanket. Why does it need to be of muslin fabric? Won’t any other blanket work? There are reasons why muslin textures are well recommended.

• It gives your baby warmth and breathability. The fabric is also stretchy which lets your baby move around the swaddle.
• It is almost weightless. This means you can cover up your baby without having to wake them up.
• There are double layered versions for colder months.
• It functions well as a sunshade. You can also use them in strollers, travel cots, car seats, nursing covers and more.
• It can also function as a burp cloth or puke rag. It is reliable and easy to carry around.
• It can be a changing blanket especially outside. When you need to change your baby’s diapers, you can use muslin blankets to cover any surface to lie your baby on.
• It can be a pool towel or a play mat when you take your baby out to the pool or during playtime.

Why Getting a Muslin Is Your Best Baby Gear

If you want something that you can use anytime and anywhere muslin fabrics are the best. Of course one of their primary uses is in swaddling. But you can use them in a variety of emergencies. This is something that not all other baby blankets can offer.

Being pregnant, having a baby, and then caring for that baby can all be very hard on your body. To be performing at your best, you have to know how to take care of yourself during each of these times in your life and in the life of your child.

To help you with this as you deal with being postpartum and nursing your newborn baby, here are three tips for caring for your body while you’re a breastfeeding mother.

Get Enough To Drink Each Day

When you were pregnant, you were likely told that it was important for you to keep yourself hydrated. Well, now that you’ve delivered your baby, hydration is still very important, especially when breastfeeding.

According to the Mayo Clinic, you should be drinking enough water each day that you don’t ever actually feel thirsty and that your urine never appears dark yellow. If either one of these things is happening, you’re not getting the water that your body and your baby needs to breastfeed effectively.

So to keep yourself, your baby, and your breasts as healthy as possible—even though you might find yourself wanting to get some help from a plastic surgeon once you’re done nursing—make sure you’re getting your recommended daily amount of water. Because if you’re not properly hydrated, you’re going to have a hard time producing the milk that your little one so desperately needs.

Be Wary Of Dieting

When you were pregnant, you likely put on a few pounds over the nine-month process. And while some women seem to drop their baby weight very quickly, especially if they breastfeed, others don’t have that same experience. But as much as you might like to buckle down and lose that baby weight fast, while you’re nursing isn’t the best time to be putting yourself on a strict diet.

According to Alina Petre, a contributor to Healthline.com, nursing mothers need to be eating at least 1,500 calories per day to keep up their milk supply. While this is the bare minimum, you should shoot to be eating more like 1,800 calories or more. So rather than trying to diet by cutting calories, just make sure you’re eating healthy foods in proper proportions if you’re worried about keeping your weight down.

Practice Proper Hygiene

Having a newborn means you’re going to be up close and personal with their spit up, urine, feces, snot, and much more. And if you’re nursing, you’re also going to be dealing with breast milk as well. So while it might seem like fighting a losing battle, Melissa Kotlen, a contributor to Very Well Family, shares that you need to practice proper hygiene both for your own health and for the health of your baby. This means that you shower often, cleanse your breasts regularly, and keep your breasts clean and dry.

If you’re unsure about the best ways to care for your body when you’re breastfeeding, consider implementing the tips mentioned above.

 

Whether you’re looking to dress your baby in a graduation outfit to mark their graduation from baby to toddler or you are graduating from college in the near future and would love to purchase a baby graduation cap and gown so that your baby matches you, simply continue reading to discover how to choose the right baby graduation cap and grown.

How to choose a baby graduation cap and gown:

1. If you’re purchasing a baby graduation cap and gown for your graduation, find out what color your robes and gown are likely to be

If you’re looking forward to taking photos of yourself in your graduation outfit with your baby and would love your babies cap and gown to match yours, check your university website to find out what color your college or degrees robes are. As an example, your graduation robes may be black but they could also be navy or red depending on the college which you attended.

2. Consider whether you want to personalize your baby’s graduation cap

If you want your baby’s graduation cap to stand out you may want to consider getting your baby’s name or a cute phrase such as future grad embroidered on to the top of their graduation cap. The latter of which is a particularly fitting idea if you’d love to present your baby with their baby graduation cap as a memento, when they one day graduate college as a young adult.

3. Don’t be too fussed about the size of your baby’s graduation gown

Just like adult graduation gowns, babies graduation gowns are designed to be one size fits all. If your chosen baby graduation gown ends up being a little too long for your baby, simply carry your baby in your graduation photos or use Hollywood fashion tape to take up the hem of your baby’s graduation gown. Without causing any damage to your baby’s graduation gown.

Tips on getting the perfect photo of yourself with your little graduate:

1. Get a family member or friend to get your baby’s attention

If you want your baby to look directly at your camera, get a friend or family member to stand right next to your photographer and to wave your baby’s favorite toy and call their name. Which will make it far easier for your photographer to get a winning shot of yourself with your little graduate. Alternatively, some parents find that their child will look straight at a baby rattle if it is rattled in their direction!

2. Make sure to pose in a spot which offers adequate natural lighting

Also, make sure to pose in a spot which offers adequate natural lighting. If in doubt, you can’t go wrong selecting to take your graduation photos with your baby in tow outside.

What to do with your baby’s graduation cap and gown:

1. Keep both items for their future graduation

You may want to keep both items for your child’s future high school or college graduation.

Hopefully, if you’re interested in acquiring a baby graduation cap and gown, you have all the information you need in order to make a wise decision!