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Things you must know about pumping or expressing breast milk for your baby:

1. Wash all equipments (breast pump and milk containers) in hot soapy water, then sterilize them.
2. You can use hard-sided plastic or glass containers to store the milk. Or, find freezer milk bags designed for storing human milk.
3. Wash your hands before expressing or pumping.
4. Use a wide mouthed container if you plan to express your milk by hand.
5. If you use a breast pump, either mechanical or electric one, don’t forget to read the instructions.
6. Warm the milk by heating it under warm, running water. Gently swirl the milk to redistribute separated parts of the milk.
7. Never use a microwave to warm the milk.

Where you can store the milk: (Source: La Leche League)
* at room temperature (66-72°F, 19-22°C) for up to 10 hours
* in a refrigerator (32-39°F, 0-4°C) for up to 8 days
* in a freezer compartment inside a refrigerator (variable temperature due to the door opening frequently) for up to 2 weeks
* in a freezer compartment with a separate door (variable temperature due to the door opening frequently) for up to 3 to 4 months.
* in a separate deep freeze (0°F, -19°C) for up to 6 months or longer.

It is the best decision for a mother to give breast milk to her baby. Why?
1. Breast milk is the best nutrition for a newborn.
2. Breastfeeding creates a very special bond between mother and baby.
3. Breastfeeding is practical and economical.

However, there are moms who cannot breastfeed their babies for some reasons. How do they feel actually? Find it out here.

I know it’s late, my dear Hailey… I’m really sorry.

But I mean it. I mean it when I’m saying that your mama is one of the best and luckiest moms in the world…

that she has a very lovely, cute, energetic little girl with beautiful eyes and smile…

and that she has a wonderful, exciting, inspiring idea about the butterfly theme on your birthday party last weekend….

Happy 2 years old, Hailey…

And thank you, Jenny, for sharing those adorable pictures!

What about you, moms? How did or will you celebrate you little ones birthday? Wanna share it here? Come on, please

Studies show that there are numerous benefits you can get from exercising while you are pregnant. Exercise improves your energy levels, blood circulation, and enhances your chances for an early recovery.
Another reason for exercise is moms who work out while getting pregnant has shorter and easier labor.
So, what are the exercises then?

• Walking – It’s the best overall exercise for pregnant mothers anywhere. Low impact, but really good for your heart and blood flow. Walking is usually safe throughout the entire pregnancy. Moreover, it’s the cheapest exercise among all. You can do it anytime anywhere.

• Swimming – Swimming eases the heaviness you feel from weight gain associated with pregnancy. It also provides you with optimal cardiovascular benefits and helps you feel light and refreshed. You’ll sleep better, burn your calories, and stay fresh as you can deal with physical and emotional challenges during pregnancy.

• Yoga – This exercise helps you maintain your muscle tone and stretch out ligaments during pregnancy. If you’re interested, a prenatal yoga class is definitely a good endeavor. You can do yoga almost anywhere. Many women feel comfortable doing it at home. Please beware that it can be harmful if you don’t do it correctly. So, advice from practitioners is definitely essential.

Always consult with your obgyn doctor before starting any program. You should also commit to exercises regularly. Generally at least 30 minutes of exercise and 4-7 days a week is recommended.
**Tips before and during the exercises:
- drink a lot of water to keep you fresh and avoid you from dehydrated
- avoid over-heating as it can endager you and your baby
- stop exercising when you start feeling dizzy or lightheaded
- always do warming-up before the exercise to reduce injury
- cool-down after activities to help your heart rate return to normal

Enjoy your pregnancy!

Are you wondering what your baby will be able to accomplish when he/she reaches 9 months old?

As I look into my baby, the first tooth came in when he was that age, while a friend of mine’s baby girl already had her first tooth while she was 6 months old.

Or, my baby could stand up on his own by holding onto something at that age. In the meantime, if I’m not mistaken, the baby girl of my friend just started to crawl.

What I’m trying to say is that every baby is unique. You should not be worry too much if your baby has not been able to do something you expect he/she can do. However, if you suspect anything, such as a delay in the development, it’s better if you schedule an appointment with a pediatrician.

If you are still curious about the development of a 9-month-old baby, Ashlee (New Mama’s Nest) shared everything about her cute little boy Xavier, who just reached 9 months old early this September.

Thanks a lot for sharing, Ashlee…. Happy 9 months, Xavier!

At the moment, we, at InsParenting.com, are in great happiness. The wife of one of our staff, DH, just delivered their first child.

The baby boy arrived yesterday morning through a caesarean section. The baby weighs in at 6 pounds, 2 ounces, 20 inches!

Mother and baby are healthy. I visited them yesterday afternoon and had a chance to see the baby boy who was still in the baby room.

Oh God, he is so cute. Too bad I could only see him from a distant. DH’s wife told me the baby gets his daddy’s curls.

Congratulations to DH and wife! We are so happy for you, guys!

You wonder what would a mom with two girls (out of triplets) do ….. without the boys?

Jen@AmazingTriplets really had a wonderful time last weekend with her little girls Elizabeth and Carolyn. The magical Girls Only Weekend!

In the meantime, Charlie (daddy) spent time with William for a 4-day trip out of town. Wow, that’s gotta be very interesting!

Boys and girls only weekend!

And don’t miss how their safety harnesses over the cute little angels may cause shame yet it will save their babies.

So, how was your own weekend? Hope it was exciting, too!

Are you planning to have an adoption? Are you sure you’re going to do it? Before you move on, why not get some information about it, just like what you find below. Hope that helps.

Adoption – Knowing Whether Or Not You Are Ready
By Michael Russell
There are a few basic steps that will help you evaluate whether or not you and your husband or wife are ready to take on the responsibilities of being the parent of an adopted child. First, you will need to educate yourself. Secondly, you will need to conduct an assessment on yourself, to see whether you are ready to handle the challenge in every aspect of your life. Finally, look at your evaluation. Do you possess the needed characteristics to take upon yourselves the responsibility of caring for this child for life?

Educating yourself on the adoption process and the location in which your child lives, among other things is very important. This can be done by finding information online. Knowing other families that have adopted children and discussing the ups and downs of the process, including raising the child, will be beneficial in allowing you to see the reality of what it would be like to take upon yourselves the responsibility of caring for an adopted child. You can meet other families that have adopted children, through local adopted families support groups. Talking to child welfare professionals will aid you in learning more about the issues that face the children that are ready to be adopted and of those that have been adopted in the past. Look up websites that have lists of children who are waiting to be adopted, both here in the United States and internationally.

Secondly, you will need to conduct an assessment on yourself, to see whether you are ready to handle the challenges in every aspect of life, related to raising an adopted child. There are various questions related to adoption you need to ask yourself. Why do you want to adopt? Are you willing to make the time necessary to invest into this child’s life and to ensure their needs are being met- physically, emotionally and spiritually? Are you using adoption to aid in attempting to fix the issues that you and your spouse have in marriage? Do you have the support of your spouse and the rest of your family related to the topic of adoption and is your family willing to make the changes necessary in accommodating this child? Are you called to care for orphans in other ways, rather than by adopting? These are just a few of the major questions you need to answer, prior to beginning the adoption process.

Finally, look over your self evaluation. Do you possess the characteristics that will be required of you as a parent of an adopted child? You need to possess perseverance and patience, since the adoption process often takes a very long time. You must be willing to not judge, to love unconditionally and to recognize that the healing process can be a very lengthy one. You must be committed to that child and willing to try new things. You need to be aware of your own belief system and know that you must treat the child no different than you would treat a biological child.

There are many facets that relate to the area of adoption. It can be a very lengthy and challenging task, but it is well worth it. There are numerous websites out there, books and other resources that will assist you with any questions you may have related to the issue of adoption. Knowing your motives, your circumstances, your personality and your belief system will allow you to examine yourself and to find out if adoption is right for you and your family.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Adoption