Risks of Tattoos During Pregnancy

It is very unlikely that you will find a tattooist who will be willing to perform a tattoo for you if you are pregnant. I contacted a number of tattooists while researching this subject, and all of them said they would not perform a tattoo if the client was pregnant. They gave a variety of reasons for this.

It is not unusual for people having a tattoo to faint or pass out. The tattooists felt that they were not prepared to take the risk of a pregnant woman fainting.

Several tattooists commented that they believed the action of having a tattoo may prove so shocking that it may lead the woman to go into labour! There is some evidence that stressful events in pregnancy may result in premature labour but having a tattoo has not been identified as one of these significantly stressful life events in any literature available to midwives. Interestingly there were comments about the ink that was used during the tattooing process. The tattooists felt that there wasn't enough known about any possible effects the ink, which may be partly absorbed into the body, may possibly have on the baby.

It therefore seems sensible to err on the side of caution and wait to have a tattoo until after the baby is born, rather than take any unnecessary risks during pregnancy.

During pregnancy, the way a woman feels about her body and her body image is altered. Something you may feel you would like to have during pregnancy may be something you regret after the baby is born. This may be another good reason for waiting until after the birth.

If you have a tattoo during pregnancy on skin that has been stretched, or you have put on a considerable amount of weight, bear in mind that the appearance of the tattoo may change after the baby is born. This is another reason for waiting.

If you are determined to have a tattoo in pregnancy despite the advice above, make sure that you choose a practitioner who uses disposable needles and whose equipment is scrupulously clean and has been sterilised properly. If unclean equipment is used, there is a real possibility of catching a serious infection, including Hepatitis B, which could have significant effects on you and your baby.
By Karen Bates

Full Body Massage Theraphy

Massage has been used as a curing therapy for many thousands of years. Records dating back to 2700 B.C. show that in China massage was used to treat many illnesses or to prevent any. Even Hippocrates, the famous Greek physician writing in 400 B.C., recommended that physicians should treat war or sports injuries with rubbing and massage.

The ancient cultures of Japan, Rome, Egypt and Arabia all considered massage to be calming, soothing and relaxing, and also very important as a therapeutic therapy. Now, in the 21st century, there are many different kinds of massage therapies available, each of which offers specific benefits to the mind and body. Full Body Massage is one of them.

These forms of specific massage can be used to treat a wide range of conditions, plus they can be used to simply unwind and relax.

What are the benefits?

Full Body Massage promotes relaxation and improved sleep, eases the symptoms of stiff, tired joints, encourages improved circulation and speeds up digestion. Clients who have experienced these forms of dedicated massage report that they find the treatment soothing and relaxing.

The skin's natural functions will be stimulated improving the condition of the skin and the warmth created will help relax the body physically and mentally. Full Body Massage technique involves a sequence of movements working superficially and deeper into the tissue layers. Movements such as effleurage work over the skin with the palm of the hand producing relaxation, whereas movements like petrissage work deeply. Petrissage movements such as wringing and kneading will help to relieve tension promoting deep relaxation in the tissues and muscles.

What to expect?

As no two people are alike, the body massage routine will be tailored to the client's needs. For those clients who are apprehensive about a massage treatment and of course the stigma attached to this may need some reassurance. A professional Massage Therapist will offer this treatment respecting the client's modesty at all times. The client is covered in towels, which are turned back to reveal only the area to be massaged at that time. Areas massaged in a full body massage are normally back, legs (back and front), arms front of shoulders and optionally abdomen.

By ensuring you call only a reputable, established company that has professional certificates and qualifications for its therapists, you will receive a wonderful, relaxing, treatment.

Why a Full Body Massage?

The massage is good for people who want to unwind and relax! It is a very relaxing and soothing massage. Available full Body Massages are for example:

-Swedish

-Holistic

-Deep Tissue

-Aromatherapy

As with any massage, it's a good idea to avoid big meals and alcohol beforehand.

At BTS all our mobile massage and beauty therapists are qualified, extremely experienced, uniformed, vetted, professional yet friendly in their approach and provide only the best client care at all times. Also, after the completion of their massage diploma BTS provides in-house Deep Tissue Massage training.

By Body Tissue

Nude Exercise to Loss Your Weight

Weight loss just got a bit more interesting. The advent of nude exercise resorts, gyms and home workout videos has given health nuts an additional option for shedding those extra pounds.

Despite what it may sound like, there is nothing sexual or "dirty" about nude exercise. Rather, it is merely an additional option for people to stay interested in working out. Certain sports, such as yoga and swimming, are particularly conducive to the practice, given the right conditions. Nude exercise comes with its own set of joys and precautions.

Here are 5 tips for starting your own nude exercise program.

Tip #1: Start at home: If you are like most people, you would never dare set foot in any public place in the buff. Regardless of what the future holds for you, take baby steps into the world of nude exercise by starting at home. The key is preparation. I suggest investing in a low-cost exercise mat in order to protect your exposed knees and elbows. Prepare your workout area by moving aside any potentially dangerous obstructions such as furniture. Also, ready at least two towels: one small personal towel and a large towel for placing on the floor or mats. You can find many excellent and legitimate nude exercise videos to get you started on the right moves.

Tip #2: Be safe: Nude exercise can be a wonderful way to lose extra pounds. You will stay cooler, and the lack of clothing will allow more unrestricted movement. At the same time, be extra cautious with certain movements. Whether you are a man or a woman, certain parts of your body might be more prone to injury than with clothed exercise. I suggest starting out by doing each new exercise very slowly, checking that your movements do not put you at any risk. Be particularly careful if you are using dumbbells or other special equipment.

Tip #3: Be respectful of others: Nudism is only accepted by a tiny portion of the population. Many people find nudism embarrassing, offensive, or even morally wrong. Even if you do not agree with anti-nudist opinions, be sure to remain respectful of the right of others not to see you nude. This includes drawing the blinds before working out and ensuring that others will not be entering your workout space anytime during your workout.

Tip #4: Join a nudist club or resort: Once you have gotten used to working out at home and have decided that nude exercise is right for you, look into joining a nudist resort, club or tour: they are on the rise globally. And, most of them have fully-equipped gyms. So, work up your confidence about being nude around others and branch out into some new territory.

Tip #5: Try a nude public gym: Nude exercise gyms do exist: one Dutch gym has now opened up its doors to nudists and others are sure to follow. Some of the complaints people have when working out in a nude gym include initial self-consciousness and fear of the occasional unseemly view of a fellow workout patron. However, most report that the self-consciousness quickly goes away once one sees that everyone else is nude, too. If you are squeamish about watching other people workout, avoid positioning yourself behind the treadmills or stationary bikes.

Nude exercise is not for everyone. But, for people who have lost the motivation to work out or who just feel restricted by excess clothing and want to try something new, nude exercise can be a viable option. Be sure to be safe, sanitary, and respectful of others and you can have a successful experience working out in the buff.
By Marie-Claire Smith

Tattoos for Babies

when your children are little and beg you to put a temporary tattoo on them you do it without thinking twice. But is the only reason you do this is because you know it will wash off in a couple of days? I mean yes I understand that real tattoos and temporary tattoos are not the same thing by all means. But if you are not careful your children may fall in love so much with those temporary tattoos that they will want a real one when they turn 18. So my question is to everyone out there, should you let your children where temporary tattoos if you have a problem with them wanting to get a real one, one day?

I for one will vouch for this. I always wanted a tattoo since I was like 8 or so. And of course I always wanted to wear temporary tattoos because I wanted one so bad. And in case you are wondering, yes I wear temporary tattoos until I got my real one. So parents you may want to think twice about wetting down the temporary tattoo and applying it to your child’s skin because the next words that come out of their mouth could be, ” I want a real tattoo.” I guess you can hope they either grow out of it or forget about it. But if your kids are like me they will have that love for tattoos their whole life.

By Ashley Ford

Causes of Hydrocephapus

Hydrocephalus is a condition in which there is too much CSF in the ventricles. This occurs when the natural system for draining and absorbing extra CSF does not work right. The ventricles enlarge to accommodate the extra fluid and then press on different parts of the brain, causing a number of different symptoms. Hydrocephalus has many different causes. Some people are born with the condition, while others develop it during their lives.

Causes

Possible etiologic factors include head injury, subarachnoid hemorrhage, meningitis, and CNS tumor. Although each of these conditions may cause hydrocephalus, how they are related to subsequent NPH is unclear.

Hydrocephalus is usually the result of a brain infection or a malformation in the fetus prior to birth. Although the baby's head may not appear abnormally large at birth, it expands rapidly from month to month. If untreated, the baby usually dies by the end of the second year. If the blockage of CSF is only partial, the child may live for a number of years or may even live a normal life span.
Hydrocephalus is due to a problem with the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the liquid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord.CSF moves through pathways of the brain called ventricles. It also flows around the outside of the brain and through the spinal canal. Higher-than-normal amounts of CSF can occur in the brain if the flow or absorption of CSF is blocked, or if too much CSF is produced. The build up of fluid puts pressure on the brain, pushing the brain up against the skull and damaging or destroying brain tissues.

Symptoms

Symptoms of hydrocephalus recur after successful ventriculoperitoneal (V-P) shunt placement, shunt malfunction should be suspected and evaluation for mechanical failure pursued. Catheter migration should be recognized as a correctable cause of shunt malfunction.

Hydrocephalus symptoms vary with age, disease progression, and a person's tolerance to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). For example, an infant's ability to tolerate CSF pressure differs from an adult's. The infant skull can expand to accommodate the buildup of CSF because the sutures (the fibrous joints that connect the bones of the skull) have not yet closed.

A large head that may get bigger very quickly. Usually a baby with congenital hydrocephalus will have a noticeably bigger head than other babies
the same age. A slightly bulging soft spot (fontanelle) on top of the head that doesn't go away when the baby is held upright. A baby may also have larger-than-normal areas between the skull bones.

Treatment

Surgical correction is the only treatment for hydrocephalus. Usually, such surgery consists of insertion of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt, which transports excess fluid from the lateral ventricle into the peritoneal cavity. A less common procedure is insertion of a ventriculoatrial shunt, which drains fluid from the brain's lateral ventricle into the right atrium of the heart, where the fluid makes its way into the venous circulation. Periodic lengthening of the shunt is necessary to accommodate growth in children. A clogged malfunctioning shunt will have to be replaced.

Hydrocephalus can pose risks to both mental and physical development. Many children diagnosed with the disorder benefit from rehabilitation and educational programs, and go on to lead normal lives. Don't be afraid to ask your doctors, nurses or therapists about the treatments your child will receive. If treatment includes medication, be sure your child takes it exactly as your doctor has ordered. And remember to bring your child to all follow-up appointments requested by our doctors or other medical staff.
By Peterhutch

Sexy Lingerie for Enhance Sexual Desire

Every woman undoubtedly wants to own something that can well be classified as sexy lingerie. They heighten sexual foreplay, and make the sexual experience more intense than you can ever imagine. Whether you want some sexy lingerie to surprise your man on your anniversary, or some dancewear for a more exotic and sensual night, there are various options you can choose from.

Sexy lingerie is one of the most subtle yet effective ways to improve your sex life. Men simply can not resist seeing sexy lingerie on professional strippers or on their wives. It stimulates their imagination in the most wonderful ways. Try putting one on and see for yourself how big a turn on it is for your partner. Not only that, it can make you feel sexiest, thereby building your sexual confidence in the best manner possible.

Sexy lingerie
What exactly is sexy lingerie? There has been a continuous rise in openness to sexuality in cultures all over the world. Sexy lingerie now has extended its definition to cover wearable underwear. Some women have grown to love wearing lingerie for their tops, revealing lacy and imagination-provoking wear that are not much different from that of sexy lingerie.

On the other hand, there is still a wide number of sexy lingerie more revealing and more sexually suggestive than ordinary lingerie. These are those that come in see-through fabrics, amazing concepts and sexually stimulating forms that can set men on fire almost instantly.

Dancewear
Erotic dance attire serves the purpose of just about any type of sensual, sexual clothing which is to enhance pleasure in sex. Dancewears are simple costumes that are people imagine to be usually worn in a strip tease dance by most strip dancers. They come in various shapes to fit different styles. A dancewear is usually considered as an exotic costume so it can portray any form of human and inhuman character possible. It can also meet practically all types of fantasies that are out in the world. So, whether you are performing for your man or for an audience of eager, excited men, an exotic dancewear, simple or complicated will surely fulfill the deepest fantasies of each and everyone watching.

Dancewear can come in many different types of materials which may include the all reliable leather, cotton, fur, plastic, latex, rubber, metals or chains, paint, and even candy. In reality though, exotic and sexy dancewear is not that different from the sexy lingerie you wear in your own private bedroom. In fact, an increasing number of women find it most sensual to wear dancewear bikinis, exotic dance costumes, sexy tops and skirt to wear for a nice, long night of great sex.

Feeling sexy and setting the mood for some delicious sex begins with what you wear. If you are looking for the confidence that you can only feel when you are most beautiful, shop around for a nice, sexy lingerie or dancewear to set the mood without having to say a word. Buying some sexy clothing is an important stepping stone to adventure - one that you will never regret. In fact, you will thank yourself heaps later on.

Tips For Baby Care

Choice can sometimes be a good thing. With babies, as with adults, they are all different and what will work for one baby may not work for another. The best idea is to find a book that will offer several different solutions for the one problem.

Take, for instance, the issue of sleeping. I have three children, all with the same two biological parents but they are living proof that different children need different methods of baby care. My eldest always liked to be swaddled tightly so that she felt secure and then she would happily sleep. My next child had to be free, right from the moment he was born, he couldn't bear the swaddling technique and his arms and legs were constantly on the move. My third baby simply didn't sleep and no amount of expert advice worked until he was good and ready.

There are many TV programmers dedicated to baby care and baby health and parenting advice. These often follow one track and that track is usually the latest trend. Over the years we have had the 'leave them to cry' technique, the 'check on them every five minutes but don't pick them up' technique and even the 'let baby dictate everything' technique.

Of course, child rearing is pretty much left to the parents choices and as long as the child never comes to any harm, you can agree or disagree with their methods, but it is still their decision. Not all parents relish these decisions; they recognize the huge responsibility of bringing another human into the world and the responsibility of shaping that human into a responsible adult.

However, the first few months of a baby's life are never going to be remembered by that baby and should be an enjoyable time for the parents, if tiring. This is the time when you can gaze into that precious face and know for the first time in your life how it feels to have unconditional love given and received.

People who already have children will offer you all the parenting advice you could wish for. Some of it will be constructive and you will forever thank them for it. Some of it will be downright annoying and it is up to you to filter out what you need and what you don't. Just remember that it is all given in good faith even that from the mother in law that shaped the way baby's dad is today!

There is no right or wrong way to care for a baby or child. The love you feel for that baby will dictate many of the ways you look after it and your instincts will help enormously. For more help visit to: www.create-super-baby.com. You can listen to parenting advice from the experts through videos and books and you can even join parenting forums on the internet for advice or simply sharing experiences. These are always a good way of picking up tips that you may not have found in a conventional book but might just work to make your baby rearing that little bit easier.

At the end of the day, enjoy your baby and trust your own parenting skills and it will all fall into place without too much worry. A worrying parent creates an anxious child and then you are on one bumpy rollercoaster!
By Sunita Sheoran

Breast Health and Sexy

There are many things you can do to obtain and maintain and optimal breast health. Studies show that an active lifestyle, a healthy diet, and plenty of sleep
are among the most important and easiest things you can do to support breast health. Genetics also plays a part in whether or not a woman develops breast cancer. If your mom, sister, aunt or grandmother has had breast cancer, your risk increases. Foods rich in antioxidants are believed to help keep your cells strong and possibly fend off breast cancer. Colorful fruits such as blueberries, cranberries, strawberries, blackberries, and pomegranates are filled with cancer-fighting antioxidants. As are many vegetables such as arugula, kale, carrots, spinach, broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower. Organic foods are especially healthy because they do not contain pesticides and environmental pollutants. The benefits of teas are also worth exploring. Some research suggests that soy intake should be limited, as it can cause increased levels of estrogen in the body. Limit your saturated fat intake as much as possible.

Stress should be kept to a minimum which helps to keep your immune system strong. It is thought that women who start their menstrual cycle before the age of twelve are at an increased risk for developing breast cancer, as are women who go through menopause after the age of fifty-five. Obviously you cannot control your menstruation cycles, but you can be careful if you fall into these categories. Long periods of hormone replacement therapy and use of birth control pills both increase levels of hormones in the body. Try to take natural remedies to ease menopause symptoms or take low levels of hormone replacement for the shortest amount of time possible. Birth control pills with lower hormone levels are becoming increasingly available, and the benefits outweigh the risks for most women. If you have a child after the age of thirty-five, your risk for developing breast cancer slightly increases, as does not having any children at all. If you are overweight or obese, your risk increases because fat tissue retains higher levels of estrogen in the body. Obviously smoking and drinking alcohol of any kind increase your risk.

Most doctors recommend no alcohol or no more than one alcoholic beverage per day. Be sure to do regular self-breast examinations and get mammograms starting at the age that is recommended by your doctor. Women who undergo breast enhancement surgery may have unclear mammograms. Also, if a woman has had breast enlargement surgery with silicone or saline implants, a mammogram will be more difficult to read. Certain medications and environmental pesticides have been linked to breast cancer. It is best to limit your exposure to pesticides and not take medication (especially antibiotics) unless it is absolutely necessary. Pay attention to any unusual changes in your breasts and get yearly gynecological exams. Many women are unsatisfied with their breast shape and size because of our society’s focus on breasts. Women often get breast enlargement surgery because of feelings of insecurity. Natural breast enhancement has also become a big business. To maintain clear, soft skin of course it is best to always use sunscreen and moisturizer on your chest and cleavage. Also, wear a well-fitted, supportive bra to maintain firmness and roundness and for optimal breast enhancement. A good bra also reduces sagging of the breasts. Some women find they need to be professionally measured and fitted to find the correct bra size. If you can follow at least some of our guidelines, it will help you to achieve optimal breast health.
By Skendorski

Dangerous Nuclear Radiation Effects

Basic Effects of Nuclear Weapons

Nuclear explosions produce both immediate and delayed destructive effects. Blast, thermal radiation, prompt ionizing radiation are produced and cause significant destruction within seconds or minutes of a nuclear detonation. The delayed effects, such as radioactive fallout and other possible environmental effects, inflict damage over an extended period ranging from hours to years.
Blast Effects

Most damage comes from the explosive blast. The shock wave of air radiates outward, producing sudden changes in air pressure that can crush objects, and high winds that can knock objects down. In general, large buildings are destroyed by the change in air pressure, while people and objects such as trees and utility poles are destroyed by the wind.

The magnitude of the blast effect is related to the height of the burst above ground level. For any given distance from the center of the explosion, there is an optimum burst height that will produce the greatest change in air pressure, called overpressure, and the greater the distance the greater the optimum burst height. As a result, a burst on the surface produces the greatest overpressure at very close ranges, but less overpressure than an air burst at somewhat longer ranges.

When a nuclear weapon is detonated on or near Earth's surface, the blast digs out a large crater. Some of the material that used in be in the crater is deposited on the rim of the crater; the rest is carried up into the air and returns to Earth as radioactive fallout. An explosion that is farther above the Earth's surface than the radius of the fireball does not dig a crater and produces negligible immediate fallout. For the most part, a nuclear blast kills people by indirect means rather than by direct pressure.
Thermal Radiation Effects

Approximately 35 percent of the energy from a nuclear explosion is an intense burst of thermal radiation, i.e., heat. The effects are similar to the effect of a two-second flash from an enormous sunlamp. Since the thermal radiation travels at roughly the speed of light, the flash of light and heat precedes the blast wave by several seconds, just as lightning is seen before thunder is heard.

The visible light will produce "flashblindness" in people who are looking in the direction of the explosion. Flashblindness can last for several minutes, after which recovery is total. If the flash is focused through the lens of the eye, a permanent retinal burn will result. At Hiroshima and Nagasaki, there were many cases of flashblindness, but only one case of retinal burn, among the survivors. On the other hand, anyone flashblinded while driving a car could easiIy cause permanent injury to himself and to others.

Skin burns result from higher intensities of light, and therefore take place closer to the point of explosion. First-degree, second-degree and third-degree burns can occur at distances of five miles away from the blast or more. Third-degree burns over 24 percent of the body, or second-degree burns over 30 percent of the body, will result in serious shock, and will probably prove fatal unless prompt, specialized medical care is available. The entire United States has facilities to treat 1,000 or 2,000 severe burn cases. A single nuclear weapon could produce more than 10,000.

The thermal radiation from a nuclear explosion can directly ignite kindling materials. In general, ignitable materials outside the house, such as leaves or newspapers, are not surrounded by enough combustible material to generate a self-sustaining fire. Fires more likely to spread are those caused by thermal radiation passing through windows to ignite beds and overstuffed furniture inside houses. Another possible source of fires, which might be more damaging in urban areas, is indirect. Blast damage to Stores, water heaters, furnaces, electrical circuits or gas lines would ignite fires where fuel is plentiful.
Direct Nuclear Radiation Effects

Direct radiation occurs at the time of the explosion. It can be very intense, but its range is limited. For large nuclear weapons, the range of intense direct radiation is less than the range of lethal blast and thermal radiation effects. However, in the case of smaller weapons, direct radiation may be the lethal effect with the greatest range. Direct radiation did substantial damage to the residents of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Human response to ionizing radiation is subject to great scientific uncertainty and intense controversy. It seems likely that even small doses of radiation do some harm.
Fallout

Fallout radiation is received from particles that are made radioactive by the effects of the explosion, and subsequently distributed at varying distances from the site of the blast. While any nuclear explosion in the atmosphere produces some fallout, the fallout is far greater if the burst is on the surface, or at least low enough for the firebalI to touch the ground. The significant hazards come from particles scooped up from the ground and irradiated by the nuclear explosion. The radioactive particles that rise only a short distance (those in the "stem" of the familiar mushroom cloud) will fall back to earth within a matter of minutes, landing close to the center of the explosion. Such particles are unlikely to cause many deaths, because they will fall in areas where most people have already been killed. However, the radioactivity will complicate efforts at rescue or eventual reconstruction. The radioactive particles that rise higher will be carried some distance by the wind before returning to Earth, and hence the area and intensity of the fallout is strongly influenced by local weather conditions. Much of the material is simply blown downwind in a long plume. Rainfall also can have a significant influence on the ways in which radiation from smaller weapons is deposited, since rain will carry contaminated particles to the ground. The areas receiving such contaminated rainfall would become "hot spots," with greater radiation intensity than their surroundings.

Mother's Milk Best for the Baby

Breastfeeding is the natural continuation of pregnancy. Human babies are meant to receive their mothers’ milk immediately after they are born, and for about the first six months of life, mothers’ milk is all that babies need to promote normal, healthy growth and development. Breastmilk contains scores, even hundreds of factors that protect the newborn from illness and provide exactly the balance of proteins, healthy fats and sugars, and everything else the baby needs to continue the growth that began in the womb and produced the amazing little human being that he is at birth. A healthy newborn does not need anything other than his mother’s milk; in fact, anything else given to the baby will change the perfect balance in his gut (intestinal tract) and will interfere with nature’s provision of a perfect system to protect him from all of the bacteria and viruses that are present around him once he leaves the safety of the womb and comes into the world. Because of this, no formula, water or anything else should be given to the baby unless there is a medical reason for it. (AAP Policy Statement on Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk. http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;115/2/496). Supplements of water or formula given to the breastfeeding baby also “interfere with the mother to infant biology of breastfeeding,” (A Woman’s Guide to Breastfeeding, American Academy of Pediatrics, 2002, p. 11), and will result in the mother having a lower milk supply and the baby receiving less benefit from her milk.
Although formula companies want us to believe that their products come close to breastmilk, and they spend millions of dollars advertising the “new” components that they discover and add to an increasing number of formulas available, the truth is that breastmilk can never be duplicated. Breastmilk is a living, changing fluid. Each mother’s milk contains antibodies to exactly the germs that she and her baby are exposed to in their own environment. As the baby grows, there are also changes that take place in the make-up of the milk that make it perfectly suited to the changing needs of the newborn, infant and toddler. Dr. Jack Newman, a leading expert in the breastfeeding field, states: “The differences between cow’s milk and formula are much smaller than the differences between formula and breastmilk.” (Newman, Jack, MD. The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers, Prima Publishing Roseville, CA: 2000, p. 13.) He goes on to say: “All pregnant women and their families need to know the risks of formula feeding. It does matter. All should be encouraged to breastfeed, and all should get the best support available start breastfeeding once the baby arrives.” (Ibid.)
Why, if it is the natural way to feed a baby, does it seem so hard to breastfeed ? Why do so many mothers try and fail? Why do so many pediatricians advise moms to stop breastfeeding and switch to formula at the first sign of trouble?
The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommends breastfeeding without giving the baby any other foods for the first six months, and that breastfeeding continue with the gradual addition of other foods in the second half of baby’s first year. They recommend “that breastfeeding continue for at least 12 months, and thereafter for as long as mutually desired.” (American Academy of Pediatrics Work Group on Breastfeeding, Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk, Pediatrics Vol 100 No. 6, December, 1997, p.1037)
In spite of this strong position on the importance of breastfeeding, many nurses, doctors and other health care providers do not have the specific training needed to adequately help mothers and babies who are experiencing breastfeeding difficulty. Often breastfeeding failure happens because hospital procedures in the hours and days after the baby’s birth prevent the normal progression of lactogenesis (the process by which the mother’s milk supply is established) or a misunderstanding of the newborn’s feeding patterns leads to the early use of bottles and pacifiers in the absence of a medical need for such intervention. This causes subtle changes in the way the baby sucks, and makes some babies begin to refuse the breast and to prefer the very rapid flow of milk from the bottle. Even if a baby has had some bottles and has begun to show a preference for the bottle rather than the breast, it is not too late! Most young babies can learn to breastfeed effectively, and most mothers can establish a good milk supply with the right kind of help and support.
Board Certified Lactation Consultants have special training in helping overcome some of these breastfeeding problems. The earlier a mother gets help, the easier it should be to establish breastfeeding even if a mom and baby have a rough start and encounter problems in the beginning. Other good sources of help are La Leche League, a volunteer organization with chapters in most places in the USA and Canada, as well as in many other countries. In the USA, most local WIC offices have resources to help mothers who want to breastfeed their babies. Go to http://www.ilca.org/falc.html for a list of Certified Lactation Consultants in your area.
While it is ideal for mother and baby to be together so that baby can feed frequently during the day and night, many moms today face the reality of returning to the workplace within weeks of the baby’s birth. It is entirely possible to provide your milk to your baby even if you must be separated for many hours of the day. Do not let the necessity of working outside your home rob you and your baby of this priceless gift.
Look for the information about pumping if you must be away from your baby and still want to provide him/her with your milk.

Breast-feeding is the gold standard for your baby!

Risks of Body Piercing

If you are considering a body piercing, it's not always fun and games, as many people might say. Body piercing may be a trendy and popular past time, but it also comes with risks. To avoid having your body piercing experience become a nightmare there are a few things you need to know.

However, let's first start with a word of caution in regards to your health, both short-term and long-term. You should know that medical studies have been conducted which have concluded that body piercing can lead to heart disease later on in life, as well as heart infection. Also, if you have existing medical conditions, such as diabetes, skin disorders or an immune system deficiency, you need to check with your doctor to make sure getting a body piercing is safe.

If you are pregnant, you will have to wait until you give birth to have a piercing done. Getting a body piercing while pregnant means running the risk of acquiring a disease or infection; you don't want to pass anything along to your child that may affect him/her. Such infections can occur when you have a piercing done in the mouth or nose area of your face. The reason for this is that millions of bacteria already live there, and by piercing these areas, you are essentially providing them with an open wound in which to thrive.

Lastly, it is also important that you understand that if you decide on a tongue piercing it can damage your teeth over time. The metal barbell stud that rests in the middle of your tongue over time will rub and collide with your teeth, weakening enamel and causing chips or cracking. Also, piercing your tongue, cheek or lip often leads to gum disease and other periodontal problems later in life.

If you've reached this point and have still not been deterred on your quest to acquire a body piercing, then you should at least know how to prepare for it and how to choose the right parlor in which to have it done.

Before you even walk into a parlor for the piercing make sure your immunizations are up to date to better lower your chances of an infection. Once this is done, then you can begin deciding on the right body piercing parlor.

For anyone who is under the age of 18, credible body piercing parlors require a parent's consent. If you know of a parlor that does not enforce this rule it is a good idea you not go there yourself. Establishments such as these are often unsanitary and may employee people unqualified to handle body piercing.

In addition to finding a parlor that is in compliance with the law, you should have your piercing done in a parlor where the floors are linoleum, and the furniture in the waiting room is not made of cloth material. This is important because parlors with carpet and cloth furniture carry hidden bacteria that can lead to an infection. Linoleum makes it harder for bacteria to live, as well as makes it easier for shop employees to sanitize.

Lastly, you should also make sure you get to watch the person performing the piercing remove the needle he/she will be using from the sanitized package in which it comes. There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking. Any credible establishment should actually do this without you even having to ask.

Body piercing is not a bad thing, and is not as risky as it probably seems now that you've read this; however, it is very important that you understand the risks involved when getting a piercing. If you want a body piercing, then you should get it, but for your own well being make sure and visit a few shops and ask questions. If you don't feel comfortable in a certain shop then go to another one. Remember, ultimately it is your body.

By Joe Goertz