online baby info

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Around 70% of parents who have the opportunity to learn whether their baby is a boy or a girl before the birth will opt to do so: the rest want to keep it a surprise. The most important reason for knowing the sex of the fetus is in the case of sex-linked genetic diseases. If a particular disease runs in the family and only occurs in one sex, parents may well be concerned about their baby’s chances of having the disease. The other reason is curiosity: some people want to know in advance so they can have the name, nursery and wardrobe all lined up. Ultrasound is most commonly used for determining the sex of a baby, since it’s non-invasive and relatively simple. The genders tend to be fully differentiated at around 12 weeks after conception, so as long as the technician or doctor can get a clear view, the chances of getting it right are high. After the 12th week of pregnancy, accuracy approaches 99%.

Sometimes the doctor will test for illness, disease or fetal abnormality by using amniocentesis; a procedure in which a sample of amniotic fluid is extracted and tested. If you’re having amnio done for another reason, you can also have the sex of the baby determined, but because amniocentesis carries risks of miscarriage or infection, you’d only use it for sex determination if something else is being tested for. Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) is another test used to look for genetic disorders: in this case, a small sample of the sac where the baby develops is taken from the mother. This sample can also be used in a secondary fashion to determine the baby’s gender.

The pros and cons of learning your baby’s gender are simple, but the psychological effects can be great. If you are sure you’re carrying a much-wanted son but find instead that your baby will be a daughter, it may cause you some dismay. Inheritances may be affected in families that only pass assets on to one gender. Because ultrasound determinations aren’t 100% accurate, there is a 1-5% chance that you will be told your baby is a boy when it’s a girl, or vice versa. If you don’t mind surprises, that’s fine, but if you’ve been making decisions about nursery school waiting lists, nannies vs mannies or pink vs blue, you may find yourself in a middle of a gender confused nursery. Get the best information you can by making sure the person who interprets the ultra sound photo feels very confident in the prediction. If the picture is unclear, you may want to wait and have the ultrasound done at a later time.

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A cord blood bank is a facility which stores umbilical cord blood for future use. Both private and public cord blood banks have developed since the mid to late 1990s in response to the potential for cord blood transplants in treating diseases of the blood and immune systems. However, cord blood is not recommended to be stored in a private bank for the vast majority of cases.

Your cord blood is the best gift you can give your baby after she is born. Not convinced. Here are some advantages of saving of umbilical blood for your baby.

Your extracting cord blood for your baby is not painful for you and your baby.

Your placenta and the umbilical cord would have been discarded anyway. Why not use it for the welfare of your baby and its siblings.

There are many diseases like cancer which can be treated with the help of the patients stem cells.

Bone marrow can supply stem cells too. However, the quality and quantity is a lot better in the umbilical cord.

If a person has his own stem cells, he does not have to depend on others for donation. He is his own donor.

There can be a situation where the donors stem cells do not match that of the patients. As a result, treatment will be delayed leading to dire consequences. This could have been avoided if the patients parents had decided to preserve his cord blood after he was born.

Preserving your babys cord blood will not only help your baby but also her siblings whose blood you have not saved. Various researches has proved that the stem cells from a sibling is more beneficial than other familys stem cells.

You can look at it as insurance for your family. At the time of need this blood storage may prove to be life savior of your family member.

Incase, you see that your child is growing up healthy and there is no problem in the next few years, you can chose to donate the umbilical cord blood to a needy family.

Diseases Which Can Be Cured With Cord blood

Here is a list of some of the diseases that can be treated with the help of your babys umbilical cord blood:

• Acute Leukemias
• Chronic Leukemias
• Myelodysplastic Syndromes
• Stem Cell Disorders
• Myeloproliferative Disorders
• Lymphoproliferative Disorders
• Phagocyte Disorders
• Liposomal Storage Diseases
• Histiocytic Disorders
• Inherited Erythrocyte Abnormalities
• Congenital (Inherited) Immune System Disorders
• Other Inherited Disorders
• Inherited Platelet Abnormalities,
• Plasma Cell Disorders
• Autoimmune Diseases
• Brain Tumors
• Ewing Sarcoma
• Neuroblastoma
• Ovarian Cancer
• Renal Cell Carcinoma
• Small-Cell Lung Cancer
• Testicular Cancer.

Cord blood banking may sound expensive now, but if you look that benefits you and your family might be getting out of it, the expense looks quite miniscule. So, think again. You love your baby very much and will always try to do everything possible to ensure that she is healthy and happy. Save her umbilical cord blood. Save the very cells that created her. Give her a gift she will always remember her own stem cells. They can give her a new life.

How to choose a breastpump? Having a good breastpump is essential for working mother. It doesn’t matter whether you need to leave the house for work, need to store extra milk for later, or need to have milk available for someone else who’s feeding the baby.
There are two major types of breastpump - manual and battery/electric. Single and double models are available. If you need to pump often, consider a dual electric model. However, if you don’t need to pump often, consider a smaller, less expensive model.

photo credit: Telstar Logistics

Every mother wants what’s best for her baby. Breastfeeding is one of the best ways to give your child the nutrition and antibodies that he or she needs. However, it can get in the way of other obligations and work schedules. That means it can be hard to breastfeed every time your child needs to eat. A breastpump allows you to offer your baby all the benefits of breastfeeding, but without losing the ability to engage in other activities. It also means that you can turn feeding over to dad or another family member from time to time.

There are lots of different models of breastpumps on the market. Different women prefer different styles. The most basic is the single pump, for one breast at a time, a lot like the way a baby nurses. Career women or those who can’t be home at all times often prefer this style, since it’s small and easy to take along with you. Miniature pumps are also great for traveling. They work just like a full sized pump, but you can take them almost anywhere. Single and double models are available in this size, and are practical for almost any woman who can’t be home at all times. A double breastpump is a good idea if you have twins - you’ll need to pump more often than a mom who just has one baby. If you can pump at home and have twins, choose a full size double breastpump. The extra milk is also useful if you’re trying to get others involved in feeding your child, too.

Most single, double, or mini breastpumps require a power source, whether they’re plug in or battery powered. Battery powered breastpumps are best if you’ll need to pump in many different places. That’s because you don’t have to find a place to plug the pump in. However, these pumps don’t offer the same amount of power as an electrical pump. That means they might not be as efficient. If you need to pump often, or are new to it, think about using a plug in model, which can expel more milk. There are a few pumps that let you use both options - an adapter can be used when there’s an outlet available, or you can use batteries when you can’t find one.

Many different companies which also produce other baby products make breastpumps, too. Medela is one of the most popular makers, and make some of the strongest breastpumps available. This manufacturer offers both single and double pumps, and manufactures carrying cases and accessories, too. You can also find pumps from Evenflo, which is known for pumps that suit the needs of new moms well. Prices from Evenflo tend to be lower than those at Medela. Ameda and Avent make single and double breastpumps, and include accessories for their models with the pumps. These companies all make high quality breastpumps that are practical and affordable for new moms who want to breastfeed without all the hassle.

Choosing perfect breastpump is vital. You’ll have to take a look at all your options to decide which of the many different pumps available work best for you. Some people like sturdy, larger models that offer power but need an outlet to work. Others prefer a convenient, portable battery powered pump. If you use a double pump, you might be able to cut down the amount of time required, but not everyone likes them. Children drink only one breast full of milk at a time, making some prefer a single pump. Experiment and do your research to find the one that’ll work best for you, and remember to keep a spare on hand in case your breaks or is lost.

Baby educational games can stimulate your babies brain, creating interest and arousing curiosity for further development of their mind.

When your baby is born their eyesight is blurry. In the first two months of their life they can only focus on objects eight to ten inches in front of him, so the first colours your baby sees are black, white and red. Their favourite sight is you, and they love to hear your voice. Now you can sing to your hearts content, they will love it.

Interaction is your great fun learning game, seeing you, listening to you, giggling and laughing at you. But you cannot be your child’s only entertainment system, you will need some time out!

So lets look at some games that your baby will love. Here are Three Brain-Stimulating Activities for Your Baby recommended by museum tour Read the rest