Boppy Noggin Nest Cog Wheels Head Support

This adorable little invention is a great sleep aid for your baby and has great reviews from mothers. It is supposed to help your baby sleep comfortably without getting a flat head. We know that today's medical guidance suggests putting babies to sleep on their backs, as doing do has cut the SIDS rate by 50% in the US. However, many babies end up with flat heads from being put to sleep this way, instead of a round head, as their heads are still being molded so early in life. While generally not dangerous, it can aesthetically displease their moms, elicit annoying comments, and in some cases can actually require the use of a helmet to reshape their little heads, already a bigger issue.
This cute, little device has a padded pillow-like area for the head that elevates it and keeps the head from laying flat on the mattress. Cool, no? We think so.

What You Eat is What Your Baby Will Eat

Ever hear that you are what you eat? This applies to your baby as well, in a slightly different way. Studies show that what you eat when you are pregnant is likely to affect your baby's tastes when he or she begins to eat. If you eat smart and healthy while expecting, your baby is actually more likely to enjoy the same foods later on! So it is worthwhile to eat well - you'll have less to worry about later when trying to get your kids to eat their fruits and veggies.

A Winter Wardrobe

Most women are not looking to spend a fortune on a maternity wardrobe. Maternity is generally worn for 5 or 6 months at a time and then stowed away, perhaps to be worn again at a later date, perhaps not. The truth is, many women prefer to buy a few pieces for each pregnancy and then update for the next one in any case.
If a pregnancy is spread out over a few seasons, all the more reason for someone to be choosier about which pieces to purchase.
Key pieces for Winter essentials are a great, black pencil skirt. We love the Olian longer length Ponti skirt. The fabric is lightwieght, but just thick enough to provide a little extra warmth for the colder months. The new length is a fabulous, sophisticated style. And of course it goes with everything.
One great, fashion shirt, like the Mod Ruffle top from Juliet Dream. Pink and feminine, warm and chic. Can work for casual, career, or evening out.
A neutral sweater, like the wrap sweater, a bestseller. Very flattering style that looks great over whatever you've got.
And last but not least, some warm tights!

Sweaters are in!

We have some gorgeous new sweaters in for the fall. Even though pregnant women inevitably feel hot toward the end of their pregnancies, at least one sweater is a must for stepping outside when the air starts getting colder.
The best styles have some sort of closure but are open toward the bottom so that your belly has room for expansion. You don't want the bottom to be too open, as then your belly will pop right through it. The bottom should look closed without being closed.
The collared sweater is a fabulous bet. In a neutral tan color, great styling, and luscious, yummy fabric.

Foods to Avoid

Although almost anything in small amounts will not harm a growing fetus, there are many foods that can have an adverse affect in unusual cases. It's best to avoid these foods in general because you don't want to take any risks.

According to the American Pregnancy Association, pregnant women should not consume the follwoing:

1. Many raw foods such as meat, poultry, eggs, fish, and milk (not pastuerized.) Any of these foods many contain contaminants such as bacteria, salmonella, listeria, any of which could get into the bloodstream and affect the baby.

2. High mercury fish, such as shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish.Tuna fish has less but should be consumed in moderation, only once every 2 weeks. The mercury can affect brain development.

3. Caffeine, which different studies show to cause different problems.

4. Alcohol, which even in small quantities can be a lot for the tiny baby, and is associated with undesirable outcomes.

GBS

Depending on where you are in your pregnancy, you may or may not have heard about the "GBS" test. What is it and why is it important?
GBS stands for group B strep, and it is an infection that can get passed from mother to baby during delivery. It is a bacteria that can be found in a significant, although nor majority, percentage of healthy women. Most of these women will not become ill, but if the bacteria gets passed to the baby it can be quite dangerous. Therefore, most doctors will do a test on the mother in the 37th week of pregnancy to see if she is positive. This is a simple, internal swipe, so blood test, so it's fairly easy on the mother, and can be very important to the baby's health.
Most of the time, if the mother tests positive, the doctor will administer antibiotics through and IV during delivery. This greatly reduces the chance that the baby will contract the infection or be harmed by it.

New Products for Babies

Baby slings are the hot products that have got moms running to carry their little ones. Although they've been around forever and are staples in less industrialized societies, they've only become popular in the US recently. Now many companies are making them in gorgeous fabrics in styles that are easy to wear for the new mommy, and fast track chic women are embracing them - pun intended.

So what exactly is the use? "Wearing" your baby in the first months of his or her life is supposed to increase the bond between you and your baby. Your baby was inside of you for nine months, so that is her comfort zone. Keeping her close to your body provides a soothing environment for her while she learns about the outside world. Many women claim that they also help the baby sleep nicely.

For many moms, slings are also a great way to carry around the baby hands-free. You get to keep her close by while being able to talk on the phone, read, or just get around without pushing a stroller.

One of the hottest slings on the market is the hotslings, pictured above. Great patterns and look how easy it is to wear!