What are cigarettes made of?

Tobacco in a cigarette is blended from two types of tobacco leaves. Nicotine is found in tobacco leaves and the amount of nicotine is usually 2.5% to 4%. A smoker enjoys a steady dose of nicotine as the cigarette is designed to deliver nicotine in such manner.

Other parts of a tobacca plant is used to make fillers in a cigarette. Fillers are mixed with additives and flavours. Additives are added in a cigarette to make it more addictive and flavors such as mint makes it more appealing to smokers. Although individual ingredients are usually harmless, but when combined to make up a cigarette, these substances may be harmful to your health.

The cigarette filter is made from cellulose and its main purpose is to filter tar from inhaled smoke. Despite claims that filtered cigarettes deliver less nicotine to the smoker and is therefore safer to smoke, it is advisable to read these claims with reservations. Especially reports published by tobacco companies which more often than not are poorly substantiated. It is best to refer to independent studies and research to verify such claims. Regardless, a safer cigarette is an oxymoron.

Smoking cigarettes lower fertility

One of the main causes of infertility, or decreased fertility, is cigarette smoking. If you and your partner, or either one of you smokes, there is a likelihood of lower fertility.

For the male counterpart, cigarette smoking is linked to lower sperm quality and sperm count. Sperm from a male smoker is at a risk of abnormalities and lower mobility. The risk of erectile disfunction is higher for male smokers which in turn affects normal conception.

For female smokers, studies indicate smoking lowers female fertility by affecting the ovaries, the fallopian tube and the eggs produced. Exposure to the harmful toxins from cigarette smoke affects the female sex hormone estrogen production which is responsible for regulating reproductive functions in a female’s body. Smoking also distrupts the function of fallopian tube cells. When an egg is fertilized in the fallopian tube, it is transported to the uterus by fallopian tube cells where the egg continues to grow normally. Failure to place the egg in the uterus cause miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies (an occurance where the egg grows outside of the uterus).

Dangers to your baby if you smoke during pregnancy

Smoking is the main cause of illness and death in mothers and babies. It is also the single most preventable cause but obviously not the easiest habit to quit due to the very nature of nicotine which makes smoking cigarettes so addictive. That is why I commend you in what could be your first step to quit smoking for the sake of you and your baby’s health.

So what are the risks of smoking pose to you and your baby when you’re pregnant? Generally, studies have shown that women who smoke are prone to miscarriage, placenta complications, low birth weight, stillbirth and neonatal death (where newborn dies in the first month of life).

The placenta is responsible for delivering nutrients and oxygen to the foetus. Nutrients and oxygen gets contaminated with cigarette smoke toxins when pregnant women smoke. Carbon monoxide level in the foetal blood increases while oxygen level drops. The foetus’ heart beats faster and is stressed to compensate for the lower than normal oxygen level. Tobacco smoke exposure during pregnancy may lead to abnormal low placenta placement or placenta abruption. All of which add up to the risk of premature labor, low birth weight and in severe cases, still born babies.

Premature babies due to exposure to tobacco smoke during pregnancy have birth weight lower than 2.5kg and internal organs that are smaller and less fully developed than full term healthy babies. Therefore, they are likely to have weaker lungs, prone to middle ear infections and asthmatic bronchitis during infancy stage. The risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) or cot death increases up to 3 fold compared to newborns of non-smoker mothers.

Never too late to quit smoking

It is not fair to expose an unborn baby to the hazards of tobacco smoke. Secondhand smokers can move out of the way when a smoker lights up but your foetus has no choice. Do not place your baby’s health at risk and it is never too late to quit. Your baby’s health will benefit even if you quit in the middle of pregnancy.

There are nurses and nursing specialists in the hospital ready to assist, advise and guide you on how to breastfeed your newborn. You will likely need their guidance because most new mothers will find breastfeeding for the first time difficult and challenging.

Experienced mothers make breast feeding look effortless and easy. Do not let that fool you into thinking breast feeding for the first time comes easily and naturally. Remember both your baby and yourself are new at this so do not expect your first attempt at breastfeeding to be successful. Instead, give yourself and your baby some time to learn breastfeeding. Soon with enough patience and practise, you will find breast feeding a natural, easy and effortless process.

With that in mind, try to remain calm, relax, be patient and do not let frustration build up as tension tends to make breast feeding more difficult. It prevents milk let-down even if your breast is full.

Your baby too will struggle as much as you do during the first few tries at breast feeding. He or she will have to learn how to latch on to your nipple properly. Your newborn may show cry or fuss being unable to suck your milk during the first few attempts. You’ll find your patience and persistence tested. Again, you should remain calm and relax despite all the fuss.

Some mothers have inverted nipples and wonder if it complicates breastfeeding. Inverted nipples require preparation before breastfeeding sessions to make them protude. Your doctor or nursing specialist will advice you to try severals methods which may include the use of breast pump, breast shield and manually massaging your nipple area with Hoffman technique to help your nipple protude fully.

Any concerns about your newborn baby not getting enough milk in those first few breastfeeding sessions is unnecessary. Newborn babies do not need much milk. In fact, babies aren’t born hungry at least not until third or fourth day of life. The seemingly tiny amount of colostrum your breast is producing for your newborn’s initial feedings is nourishing and satisfying enough. In fact, colostrum is extremely nourishing for your newborn and provides needed antibodies not yet produced by your newborn baby.

Breastfeeding mothers should maintain a healthy and adequate intake of fluids daily. Drinking more water is not shown to increase milk production. Just make sure you drink water when you’re thirsty to avoid dehydration.

Get yourself positioned comfortably before you start breastfeeding your baby. A pillow may be necessary to provide support because you’re likely to cradle your baby for a long period of time while nursing.

It is more comfortable to bring your baby closer to your breast than you leaning towards him especially when you’re breastfeeding in a sitting position. That way your back is well supported and you won’t get tired easily. Place a pillow on your lap and rest your cradling arm on it to raise your baby towards your breast.

Hold the part of your breast near the areola using your thumb and forefinger. Guide the tip of your breast towards your baby and tease her lips with it. Your baby’s natural instinct will guide her to the direction of the tickling sensation so rubbing your nipple gently up and down your baby’s lips encourage her to open her mouth and start nursing.

When your baby opens her mouth, place your nipple into her mouth to latch on. Newborns nursing for the first time needs time to practise latching onto your nipple, especially the areola securely. The areola is the area behind your nipple and it needs to be stimulated for your breast to excrete milk. If your baby fails to latch on to the areola, the milk glands under the areola may not receive enough pressure to release breast milk. You could end up with sore nipples if your baby sucks only the nipple area. Break your baby’s suction and try inserting the tip of your breast again until your baby can latch on as close to the areola as possible.

Observe your baby’s nose at all times, making sure your breast is not blocking her nose. Using your fingers, press the part of your breast that is blocking your baby’s nose to give her adequate breathing space.

Here are signs to look for to know if your baby is suckling properly. Your baby’s cheeks is showing constant movements of suckling breast milk. You may even be able to hear sounds of her swallowing.

Some mothers may find that the amount of breast milk excreted during feeding is so plentiful that their baby is choking. If and when that happens, stop breastfeeding and express some of your milk by using a pump or your hands.

Another situation where you should consider expressing your breast milk is when your baby is lazy at nursing. Some babies would latch on, nurse for less than a few minutes and doze off. You can consider pumping out remaining breast milk into a plastic container and refridgerate it up to 48 hours ready for supplementary feeds later.. When stored in the freezer, expressed breast milk can be stored much longer up to two weeks.

PKU is a autosomal recessive genetic disorder in which the affected person is unable to produce an enzyme necessary to metabolise protein phenylalanine(phe) into tyrosine. Hence, phenylalanine protein builds up in the body of the person’s blood stream increasing toxicity. If no treatment is given, it can cause brain damage and retardation. Phe buildup can also cause restlessness, irritability and behavioral problems.

Newborns are tested for PKU when they are born. If a newborn is tested positive for PKU, he will be treated with medication to control the level of Phe in his body. Parents are advised to carefully follow a special diet that is low in Phe.

Newborns with PKU can still be breastfed but it is important for parents to find the right lactation specialist or dietician who is helpful and experienced when it comes to PKU infants nurtrition needs. Breastfeeding PKU baby involves alternating between breastmilk and special infant formula. Depending on your baby’s phe tolerance level, the portion and ratio of special infant formula and breastmilk combination will be worked out by your lactation specialist.

As your baby grows, his body’s phe level will be supplemented by special infant formulas, pills and a controlled diet. Phenylalanine, and Tyrosine which has to be supplemented as well, are essential proteins for normal growth.

It is recommended that the controlled low-Phenylalanine diet be continued until the child reaches the age of twelve to fully develop the brain without affected by PKU induced problems. Some are adviced to strictly follow the special diet throughout puberty to ensure proper reproductive organs growth.

Pregnant women with PKU are instructed to resume the special low-Phenylalanine diet as soon as they conceive. Phenylalanine in your blood level must be screened throughout your pregnancy.

With a proper diet and treatment, most PKU newborns grow up to be perfectly healthy individuals. Pregnant women will be monitored closely and treated throughout the entire pregnancy to ensure foetus is growing healthily.

Dr Duncan’s team of researchers believe babies who suffered SIDS have insufficient serotonin, a neurotransmitter substance in the brainstem that regulates life sustaining bodily functions, one of which is breathing. Low level of serotonin may be the cause of why babies who die from SIDS, suddenly stops breathing. One of the responsibilities of serotonin is regulate breathing. When a baby’s breathing is distrupted, serotonin sends a signal to the brain to awake the baby.

I believe like me, every mother to a newborn or infant is spooked by stories of SIDS. I have read all about anti-SIDS safety practises. But this breakthrough study sheds scientific proof on SIDS. I hope further research goes into this study and soon in the future, newborns are routinely tested for serotonin deficiency.

What good can Guinness baths do to babies? Well according to her, bathing newborns with Guinness Stout nurtures healthy skin and improves their complexion. She even said the practise could prevent acne and pimples as the child grows older. I don’t know how true that is but she sounded very confident. Another patient who overheard our conversation shared her believe and can attest to it.

The procedure is basically like this. Buy a small bottle of Guinness Stout. The amount is to be divided into roughly seven portions. Each portion is added into the tub of water each time you bath your newborn. Seven baths altogether.

If you’re reading this and you have experienced bathing your newborn with Guiness Stout, do share. Or if you know very well someone who does so. As for me, I might just try it for my next baby. It’s really diluted beer anyway, so I can’t imagine what harm it can do to newborn’s skin. Am I wrong?

To avoid your child having any those of the nightmares or night terrors, make sure the period before bedtime is a peaceful, quiet and restful time for everyone. But if your child cry and awake after a nightmare, do help to comfort him. Say something pleasant to soothe and assure him that mommy or daddy is always by their side and here for them.

Before you put your child to bed, you can do something to make your him feel calm and peaceful. Babies feel the voices of their parents is very soothing, so talk softly to your child before he goes to sleep, maybe you could try by softly singing a lullaby or telling a short story.  This will also help after the child wakes.  As a parents it’s important to remain calm.  If you’re tense up, your baby will feel that and it will make it even harder to get him calmed down again.

Make sure you can clearly hear your child if he cries out in the night.  That’s one situation where you’ll find baby monitors are such useful devices.  It’s important to response to your little one as soon as possible in order to soothe and reassure him.  If you should hear him cry out, don’t wake him if he has not woken up on his own.  Stay with him to until he goes back to sleep peacefully.  Keep in mind that you try not to let him sleep with you after a nightmare, either.  This may end up having a negative effect and giving the effect that he should be afraid of his own room and bed. If it becomes habit, it could become a difficult one to break.

Newborns generally sleep approximately 16-17 hours in a 24-hour period. Most babies will not sleep through the night until they’re at least 3 months old. There are several reasons why. First of all, their stomachs are very small and they will easily get hungry, especially if you’re breastfeeding your baby. Breast milk is much more easily digested than formula, and your baby will need to feed more often, especially in the beginning.

Babies also have shorter sleep cycles than adults do and have shorter dream cycles. Generally, a newborn baby should sleep around 8 or 9 hours during the day and approximately 8 hours at night. Well, these usually will not be in 8-hour cycles. In the early stage, those sleep times will be very short.

When the baby gets older, up to around 2 years of age, she will still be sleeping 13-14 hours, but the duration of daytime sleep will getting less month-by-month. Your baby should be sleeping through the night by the age of 2 and a 2-hour nap during the day is needed. Again, every child have different sleeping pattern.  As for baby Clarisse, the total hours she sleep each day is between 12-13 hours.  During day time, baby Clarisse will take around 1 to 2 hours of nap depending how early she wake up in the morning.  Well, usually your child might need a slightly longer nap or two short naps and very much depend how early they wake up in the morning. At this age though, try to discourage naps too late in the afternoon, as this can cause it more difficult to make them to sleep a few hours later at bed time.

Once a baby begins to regularly sleep through the night, parents are often disappointed when he/she starts to awake in the night again. This commonly happens at about 6 months of age and is usually a normal part of growing called separation anxiety, when a baby does not understand that separations are just temporary.

When I saw her she was within arm’s reach of the puppy. I did not carry her away from the dog but stopped her from walking even closer to the puppy. I did not want to create fear of dogs in her.

Do you know why most kids like dogs so much? Well, it might actually be that they have a lot in common They are frisky, energetic, volatile, impulsive, unpredictable and not easy to control them. (If out them together, you’ve got either the stuff photo opportunities are made of or a disaster waiting to happen.)

At their age, toddlers have no idea what dangerous is. Therefore, it is important for parents to start instilling a little caution. If your toddler runs up to a strange dog or a familiar one, stop her before she gets too close but never put her in fears. We do not want to make our child turn into fearful on anything. I always explain to baby Clarise that she cannot simply pet a dog without Daddy and Mummy with her. Let your child know that she can do it when daddy and Mummy says it’s OK.

Well, of course it’s never an overnight accomplishment for a toddler to learn but when you keep telling her, she will get it fairly quickly.

It was apparent she realised those few steps are a big achievement as her face lit up with a smile to show how happy and proud she was. Immediately, baby Clarisse felt so enjoyable she walked to and fro between me and my husband repeatedly until she tires.

She likes to push a chair around the house for the pass 2 weeks. I guess that helped her a lot in gaining enough confidence to let go and take the few steps forward unaided.

It’s a farcry from one month ago when she would downright refuse it whenever I wanted to put on baby shoes for her. Very peculiar her dislike for wearing baby shoes and I really don’t know why. Somehow, I managed to break down that barrier by constantly tempting her to walk on her own two feet, she’d have to wear shoes like everyone else. I know she likes to walk on the floor very much. I am sincerely hoping that when she gets a taste of what it feels like walking around, she would grow fonder to wearing baby shoes. Eventually, baby Clarisse gave in, wore the pair of new shoes and walked everywhere holding onto things along the way.

Nowadays baby Clarisse love her shoes so much that she wanted to wear wherever we go.  She will always ask me to put on the shoes for her before we get down from the car.

Which brings us to what I looked into when choosing a suitable pair of shoes for my baby Clarisse:

1) It is common to find older folks sharing their wisdom to always go for a looser fit for toddlers. Just like my mother-in-law, upon seeing the new pair of shoes I bought, she told me to return it and change for a bigger one for baby Clarisse because she think the size is too small for baby Clarisse. Although it can’t be denied that toddlers can outgrow their shoes very fast, it is advisable to go for a perfect fit. Not too big or too small to help your toddler walk with ease.

2) Easy on and easy off shoes are best for a new walker. This is very much depend on the toddler’s foot shape as well as on the fit of the particular pair of shoes.

3) Make sure the shoe is light weight, so that will not put unnecessary extra weight for a new walker when walking.

4) Non-slip and non-grip soles are more suitable for a new walker so that it will not be slippery or so ground-gripping until it’s hard to lift a foot.

5) Flexible soles are best for a new walker, this can make them easier to walk.

6) Heels are definately not suitable for a new walker,  even slightly raised heel will cause imbalance.

Finally, of course before buying a pair of shoes, do consider if its reasonably priced.  It will definately need replacing four to five times within a year. As long as the shoes are reasonable priced and is well made for the sake of comfort and safety, it should be worth buying.

Now that she’ll be turning one next month, I’m glad to be able to devote all my time and energy to care for her throughout her entire first year but this has to stop somehow. I have decided it’s time for me to get a job and return to the workforce.

Before seriously looking for jobs, there are a few things I need to take care of. First, I have to wean baby Clarisse from breastfeeding. Secondly, my mother has agreed to take care of baby Clarisse and we have to make sure baby Clarisse get used to spending long hours at her grandma’s house gradually.

Last week, I starting taking baby Clarisse to my mother’s house. My husband and I then sneaked out for 30 minutes, without baby Clarisse’s knowledge. When we came back, baby Clarisse cried so pitifully the moment she saw me. Her arms opened wide and when I embraced her, she hugged me so tight with tears kept rolling down her cheeks. Even my mom cried a little. She told me baby Clarisse looked everywhere for me throughout the whole 30 minutes when I’m out. Each time she turn here and there, she’d pout and shed some tears.

So the next day, I took baby Clarisse to my mom’s house again. We stayed for a while and instead of sneaking out, we plan to let her know we’re leaving. When my husband took his car keys out from his pocket, baby Clarisse lunged forward and wants him to carry her. She hugged him so tightly. Then I explained to baby Clarrise that she must stay with grandma for a while because Papa and Momma has to go to work and will be back later. I gave her a kiss on her forehead. Suprisingly she seems to understood what I told her and embraced her grandma. She even wave goodbye at us when grandma told her to. I told my mom to carry her out to the driveway, watch us leave and see how she’d react. To my pleasant surprise, she was perfectly fine and kept waving at us until we drive away.

We came home an hour later and baby Clarisse was sleeping. I was so glad that she was able to sleep without me nursing her. My mother told me that she manage to feed baby Clarisse with 40ml of formula milk (she went breastmilk entirely when she was 2 months old) and behave quite well in that one hour although before baby Clarisse went to sleep she would still look for me.

Therefore, I wouldn’t take separation anxiety for granted. There’s not quick fix when dealing with separation anxiety but here’s a few tips to start overcoming it bit by bit:

1. Leave your baby with someone you trust, that will minimise your anxiety. I will only leave my baby with my mother because she is the only person I trust that able to take good care on baby Clarisse. Baby Clarisse is quite close to my mother since my mother take care her for 2 months after her birth.
2. Usually I arrive my mother’s place early by 15-20 mins, I will stay there for some time to let my mother play with baby Clarisse, so that baby Clarisse will easily attach more to my mother and forget about me. Usually when baby Clarisse is happily playing with something, she will not bother where I am.
3. Talk to your baby, give her an advanced notice of your departure. Babies at this stage do understand what you are telling them. Baby Clarisse do respond when I told her “Momma and Papa need to go out to do some work and Clarisse stay with Popo”. Baby Clarisse extend open arms and wanted her grandma to carry and then wave her hands at us saying “Bye-bye”. Never sneak out of the house while your baby is not looking because she may begin to fear that you’ll leave her without warning at anytime and will respond with extra clinginess.
4. Do give your baby a hug and kiss to make a happy ritual out of leaving but never prolong the goodbyes or make them overly sentimental. My mother usually take baby Clarisse out of the house to let her watch us leaving the place, so that I can wave to her.

I begin by leaving baby Clarisse with my mother for half an hour for few days. This is to make sure she gradually gain confidence that I will return and she may be comfortable enough with these short outings to be ready for longer ones. After that, I slowly increase my time away from baby Clarisse until for several hours or even half a day.