A study led by Aligarh Muslim University and the University of California-Davis has concluded that breastfeeding promotes healthy weight gain in babies.

It was found that, through breastfeeding, babies gain weight naturally at their own unique rate. Dr Hessa Khalfan Al Ghazal, director of the Executive Committee for the Sharjah Baby Friendly Emirate Campaign (SBFEC), said of the study: “In some cases, babies have gained weight faster through artificial methods, but faster or bigger is not necessarily better.

We should let the baby’s body find its natural pace and adjust itself, rather than imposing external constraints.” These findings only help the efforts of the SBFEC, as the underlying goal of the campaign is to boost awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding and to make workplaces, public places, nurseries and health facilities more accommodating to breastfeeding women. The study adds strength to what experts have been saying for years about breastfeeding being the superior alternative due to the proteins, vitamins and other vital nutrients babies get from it. Of course, some women have a hard time with breastfeeding, and there are many parenting courses that can help make it easier and more comfortable for mothers.

Source:

http://gulftoday.ae/portal/2734d909-b81a-497a-ad6c-2c4eb2377941.aspx

Breastfeeding Promotes Healthier Weight: Study is a post from: Baby Massage Tips

After having been pressed to do so for more than three years, health care giant Johnson & Johnson has finally agreed to remove “chemicals of concern” from its product line.

They plan to have the dangerous chemicals removed from their baby products by the end of 2013, and from their adult products by the end of 2015. “We want people to have complete peace of mind when they use our products,” said Susan Nettesheim, vice president of product stewardship and toxicology for J&J’s consumer health brands.

Since 2009, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics has been pushing J&J to remove chemicals from their product line that the Environmental Working Group has deemed to be potentially unsafe. The key chemicals of concern are 1,4 dioxane and the preservative formaldehyde. Both of these substances are probable human carcinogens, and formaldehyde is a skin, eye and respiratory irritant. Triclosan, phthalates and parabens and fragrance ingredients are also on the chopping block. Parents are urged to take parenting courses that will help them understand the labels on baby products so that they can make healthier choices.

Source:

http://www.news.com.au/business/breaking-news/health-giant-to-remove-harmful-chemicals/story-e6frfkur-1226451267784

Johnson & Johnson Finally Agree to Remove Harmful Chemicals From Products is a post from: Baby Massage Tips

It has been estimated that more than 30 per cent of children in America are either overweight or obese. This epidemic has serious health consequences such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnoea, and orthopaedic problems that prevent them from playing. Plus, the risks get worse as the children get older.

Luckily, there are plenty of ways that you can combat childhood obesity and set your children up for a lifetime of good health, starting in the womb. Studies have shown that excessive weight gain during pregnancy can put your baby at risk of being overweight as a child.

Taking parenting courses that help with children’s nutrition early on will ensure that you can start feeding your child properly right from the start as well. Other ways to give your child a healthy kick-start include: being a good role model, feeding them lots of fibre, getting them away from the computer and outside instead, getting them involved in the cooking of their meals, getting creative with exercise and doing it together, and eating more meals together as a family.

Source:

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/08/29/10-ways-to-prevent-your-child-from-being-overweight/

How to Help Your Child Avoid Becoming Overweight is a post from: Baby Massage Tips

According to a new government report, more U.S. babies are being carried to full term. The report found that 61.1 per cent of births now occur at 39 weeks of pregnancy or later, which is a major improvement. The March of Dimes, the leading non-profit organisation for pregnancy and baby health, says that when infants are born even just a few weeks too soon they have higher rates of re-hospitalisation, illness and death. They also believe that this positive change may reflect better hospital practices, and the success of programs such as its Healthy Babies are Worth the Wait® campaign aims to prevent early elective deliveries. “Preventing premat­­ure birth saves lives,” said Dr. Jennifer L Howse, president of the March of Dimes. “Even babies born a few weeks early have higher risk of death compared to babies born at full term. That’s why we advise mums, if your pregnancy is healthy, it’s best to wait until 39 weeks or more.” In the U.S., nearly half a million babies are born too soon each year. While infant massage and other natural techniques can limit the negative effects, these babies still face an increased risk of lifelong health challenges such as cerebral palsy, breathing problems, intellectual disabilities and more.

Source:

http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/1112684187/more-babies-getting-the-benefit-of-a-healthy-fullterm-pregnancy/

More U.S. Babies Are Being Carried to Full Term is a post from: Baby Massage Tips

4moms, a Pittsburgh company, is on a mission to find innovative and high-tech ways to help parents solve everyday problems around the house. The initiative makes use of plenty of modern technology and automation to make everyday parenting tools smarter, better and more user-friendly. With $20 million in excess funding from Bain Capital, 4moms hopes to take their line international and increase their range of products. So far, of their products the “MamaRoo” ($200) and the “Origami” ($850) are the most popular on the market. The MamaRoo is a baby rocker that generally serves as a baby massage chair, a rocker and an iPod dock with speakers to play soothing music while baby sleeps. The Origami is a stroller that can fold and unfold at the touch of a button and comes equipped with an LCD dashboard that relays the temperature, trip and lifetime distance travelled, as well as your speed while walking or jogging. Plus, it charges its own batteries as you walk!

Source:

http://medcitynews.com/2012/08/parenting-aid-business-4moms-gets-20-million/

$20M Funding for High-Tech Parenting Gadgets is a post from: Baby Massage Tips

Faye Everett of Tewkesbury is devoted to helping the development of babies. First and foremost, she runs her own business, Pure Bambino Bliss, teaching other mums how to administer baby massage techniques. She says that massaging offers a gentle, loving way for mothers to communicate with their babies, while the babies receive many psychological and physical benefits. Not only does she commit her time to teaching this amazing skill to mums and dads, but she has also recently decided to also donate 10 per cent of the course fees she receives to charity. The charity, Scoo-B-Doo, is one that raises funds to help provide necessary life-saving equipment for the Special Baby Care Unit (SCBU) at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital. “I was inspired after working with a small group of mums and their babies who all met during their time in SCBU,” she said. “Each had their own special story to tell and spoke so fondly of the care they received during this difficult time.”

Source:

http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/Massage-babies-help-charity/story-16660529-detail/story.html

Baby Massage Professional Donates Proceeds to Charity is a post from: Baby Massage Tips