Following a doubling of the number of babies born with spina bifida in Scotland this year, the UK Government is recommending women of child bearing age to take folic acid as a daily supplement.

Spina bifida occurs when a baby’s spine does not develop correctly in the womb. The spine begins to form as early as 28 days after conception. At this stage the spinal chord is like an open tube (known as a neural tube) which should in time close and be covered by bone. When this does not happen spina bifida develops which can result in learning difficulties and even an open spinal chord. Research shows that daily intake of folic acid in the period leading up to and during pregnancy can reduce the chances of a baby developing spina bifida by 75%.

Baby’s spine develops very soon after conception so it is important to take sufficient folic acid before you become pregnant, taking a supplement once you are aware you are pregnant is probably too late. Continue taking folic acid until the 12th week of pregnancy.

Most women need to take a 400mcg supplement of folic acid each day. However, if you already have a baby with spina bifida, or if you have coelic disease, diabetes, or if you take anti-epileptic drugs; you need a bigger dose – see you medical advisor.

Some countries add folic acid to locally produced flour and bread. Other foods high in folic acid are leafy green vegetables like spring greens, broccoli and spinach. Brown rice is another source. Take care when cooking vegetables as overcooking results in the loss of much of the benefit. Avoid liver though as, although liver is high in folic acid, it contains a high level of vitamin A which could harm your baby. Aloe vera is an excellent source of folic acid if taken as a gel drink. Aloe vera will provide your body with all the vitamins, amino acids and minerals it needs and is a great addition to your diet.

Folic acid is a B vitamin and there are no known side effects.

Breastfeeding is another genius function of the women’s body. After giving birth to a baby your body is perfectly capable of giving your child the best nutrition, which no other thing can substitute for – breast milk.

But unfortunately not every woman feels comfortable when the tine comes to breastfeed the baby. Some of them get accustomed easily and quickly, while others can’t get into the swing of it for a long time, if ever. You have to know that practice makes perfect even in case with breastfeeding, and if you do not feel comfortable, than you probably do something wrong.

Firstly, breastfeed your baby since the very first days of its life. Not only it helps to get accustomed faster, but it also creates a strong emotional bond between you both. Do not be disappointed if the baby doesn’t want your milk from the first try, as the baby needs some time to get used too. But if you experience some serious problems and discomfort, you have to consult with a lactation specialist.

Some people claim that it is better to wake the baby at night to feed it, as it has to eat every three hours or so. But if the baby sleeps all night long and feels good during the day even if you do not wake it, than you don’t have to. If you notice that your child suddenly started eating much more and more frequently, don’t be worried – it is normal in the period of growth spurt, and you have to give your baby the nutrition it needs. If on the contrary, you baby is eating less when it should eat more, consult with a pediatrician.

While you breastfeed your baby it is vital that you feel comfortable and relax all your body, especially the breast muscles. It is a good idea to use a nursing pillow. Do not hurry and give your baby your love and attention. Even if you don’t feel comfortable at first, you will certainly experience very pleasant feelings while breastfeeding later. Sit comfortably and put everything you might need near yourself in order not to get up.

Don’t forget to eat well yourself. You will not have any milk, or your milk will be of low food value if your only concern after birth giving is how to return to your previous body shape. Give your baby attention and love, and spend some time not thinking about your weight and just being a happy mother. After all, you will have plenty of time to regain your body shape later. Remember that there is nothing better you can do for your baby than breastfeeding it, for the wise Mother Nature created things this way.

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Breastfeeding is the best most natural way of providing your newborn baby with food. There are many factors that can influence a woman’s decision in this case. In some cases breastfeeding is either impossible or even not recommended, and this is very sad. But if you don’t have any problems and restrictions, here are some reasons which can convince to decide on breastfeeding in its favour.

• There is no more suitable and finer food for a baby that its mother’s breastmilk. Every mother’s breastmilk has its own unique structure, created by the Mother Nature especially for the needs and peculiarities of your baby’s body. It will provide all the necessary nutrition during the first months of the life of the baby.

• Breastmilk is a powerful healing and protective means for the health of your baby. Many illnesses can be prevented and eliminated with the help of your breastmilk. Your baby will get an improved immunity system for the rest of its life, and there are scientific grounds to think that children that have been breastfeed mostly don’t have allergies, diabetes and asthma.

• Breastfeeding creates invisible but strong connection between mother and child. The time spent so closely together with your child is the best therapy and foundations for future close emotional relationship, and this connection doesn’t disappear anywhere throughout the lifetime.

• Breastfeeding can improve your body shape! If you have gained a lot of weight during pregnancy, it is time to get rid of it once and for all with the help of breastfeeding, because considerable energy supplies are needed for producing milk, and these supplies are usually taken by burning calories of your body. Breastfeeding will reduce the time of rehabilitation period, as it causes a special hormone to be produced, which makes the womb to return to its primary shape.

• Breastmilk is absolutely free and mostly available in large quantities, when the breastmilk substitutes are expensive and far not as good. You can use a breast pump to produce and store extra milk for cases when you won’t be able to breastfeed your child directly.

• Breastfeeding is strongly recommended by most of the respected and trusted health organizations, such as the World Health Organization, as the most suitable and advantageous way of providing your baby with food.

Many women are deprived of this wonderful opportunity to feed their babies, but don’t deprive yourself of it if everything is alright with you and your breastfeeding system. Breastfeeding is another ingenious design of Mother Nature, and we know that anything created by nature can’t be harmful for us and serves our good. Believe me, you will never regret choosing breastfeeding and see your baby grow healthy, and what is happiness if not this?

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Breastfeeding should be accompanied by comfort and relaxation. The milk can flow freely only is the mom is totally relaxed and calm. Different positions work for different women in the different stages of the life of your baby. You have to find a position which can help you and your baby relax at most.

There may be some problems with breastfeeding. If you don’t have them you shouldn’t be looking for them, and if you do it doesn’t matter that there is something wrong with you. The size of your breasts has no relation to their ability to produce milk like many people think.

One of the possible problems is engorgement. It is a result of the hormonal imbalance and not some other separate type of disease. The thing is that after birth hormone prolactin is produced in greater quantities, and this hormone controls production pf milk. Sometimes the milk appears overnight and this results in very painful and swollen breasts, stuffed both with milk and the blood supply. This can be really uncomfortable and painful, but luckily you won’t have to cope with it for a long time – this imbalance will last only for several first days. Later on everything will be normal and even if your breasts will have to produce twice as much milk it won’t be painful any more.

Your baby will relieve you of all the excess milk giving you comfort and reducing pain. If your nipples and areolae are hard the baby won’t be able to latch on, and any efforts will just bring you pain. Soften your breasts by bathing them in warm water and try to get some milk out of them by gently pressing. But be careful if your breasts are swollen – they can be easily bruised. Make some cold compresses in the intervals, this will reduce and soothe the swelling. Take a packet of something frozen – peas or any other small pieces of vegetables will do, and fit it to the shape of your breasts. Try not to make your breasts too cold and hold the compress only for a minute or so for providing the necessary relief and avoiding supercooling of your breasts. Another great way of making cold compress is fresh cabbage leaves, cooled in the refrigerator. They greatly preserve coldness and give it to your body apart from being very convenient and just of the right shape to fit round your breasts.

Any time you are breastfeeding your baby this shouldn’t be a torture or something unpleasant and painful, on the contrary – in normal conditions most women find breastfeeding very pleasant and unforgettable experience. If you feel any pain, even slight one, or if you experience any discomfort while breastfeeding, consult with a doctor straightaway. Commonly the reasons of these inconveniencies can be easily eliminated so that you and your baby can fully enjoy the wonderful gift of motherhood and breastfeeding.

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