For most children, summer months mean long hours of play outside in the sunshine. But a few months in the sun can lead to compromised eye health later on if proper UV protection isn’t part of children’s summer routines. The British Columbia Association of Optometrists urges parents to foster good UV eye-protection habits in their children at an early age by encouraging them to wear sunglasses all summer long. Even babies and toddlers should be wearing sunglasses when outdoors.
Q – What’s the deal with folic acid? I know I’m supposed to start taking it but don’t fully understand why? Should I take it before I get pregnant or just during my pregnancy? Do I need to keep taking it if I’m breastfeeding?
Q – My baby is 7 weeks old and I am exclusively breastfeeding and very happy doing it. I am, though, really missing a glass of wine or two…not like I need to drink a lot but I feel very conflicted about it while I’m nursing. How much is ok to drink, how long do I have to wait before feeding my baby, and how long does it take for the alcohol to actually leave my body?
As excited as new moms are about the birth of their baby, they also can’t believe the body that’s been left behind. Our round, voluptuous body that seemed so beautiful while pregnant is completely transformed! What makes matters worse is that new moms 1) don’t have time to do traditional exercise and 2) shouldn’t be dieting.
Women are often warned to not consume alcohol during pregnancy, as ample evidence has shown that it poses a severe and avoidable risk to her unborn baby. The risks of drinking and breastfeeding are not as well defined. (And let’s face it. You were so good for 9 months. How long before you can really enjoy the Veuve?) Breastfeeding mothers receive conflicting advice about whether alcohol and breastfeeding can have an effect on their baby, which often leaves mothers feeling like they have more questions than answers. So, what information should a mother who is considering drinking while breastfeeding know? Instead of being all judgy, we’ve outlined the prevalent research and you can make your own informed decision.
Q: I have heard you are not supposed to get “overheated” when you are pregnant. I’m not sure what this exactly means as I have continued to go to the gym and get quite heated during my workouts. Can you help me with this?
Remember when mom took care of the house and dad went off to work? If you were like me, that was the context in which growing up occurred. My mom was amazing. She baked fresh bread every week and for dinner we always had a homemade dessert. She kept her house clean and her children safe and held her marriage together with patience, persistence, tolerance and love. Dad was amazing too. Every day he would go to work long hours in his construction trade and was home to eat dinner with the family. On weekends he would take us fishing or hiking or we would build things in his workshop.