One benefit of circumcision is that it prevents or reduces urinary tract infections. Even though UTIs are uncommon in males, baby boys are at the greatest risk when they are under a year old. Although the risk of UTIs in the first year is low (even lower for breastfed babies), various studies suggest that UTIs may be as much as…
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Bleeding and oozing is one of the most common problems associated with circumcision (as with any surgical procedure), occurring in close to all circumcisions and is usually easily controlled by gentle direct pressure. Bleeding typically occurs when the skin of the newly exposed glans becomes irritated by the pressure of the diaper and ammonia of the urine or when the…
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When considering baby circumcision with a newborn boy, ask your self why you believe it may be necessary and weigh the pros and cons. Circumcision consists of surgically removing the skin (the foreskin or the “prepuce”) covering the tip of the penis. This procedure is fairly common (but still quite controversial) in the United States, with approximately 1.2 million circumcisions…
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Significant softening of the cervix is an early pregnancy symptom. This is another symptom due to the increased blood flow to the vaginal area and is typically apparent as early as 6-8 weeks along (or 4-6 weeks following conception). more Pregnancy Signs Implantation Bleeding Missed Menstrual Period Positive Pregnancy Test Tender Breasts Sensitive Nipples Ultrasound Detection Darker Areolas Fatigue Nausea…
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Contractions that are intermittent “practice” contractions of the uterus are Braxton Hicks Contractions that can start very early in pregnancy, possibly as early as 6 weeks along. Most women don’t begin to notice them until the second trimester, closer to 20-24 weeks. Sometimes these painless uterine contractions go undetected until the third trimester (this is when they’re the most common)…
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The choice is yours. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of breastfeeding and bottle-feeding. Remember, you don’t have to opt exclusively for either the breast or the bottle alone. Many parents find that a combination of both methods works well and lets them enjoy the advantages of each. Advantages of Breastfed Babies Breastfed babies are less likely to…
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Human breast milk contains at least 100 ingredients that are not found in cow’s milk and that cannot be exactly duplicated in commercial formulas. Breast milk is a living fluid and is made by you, just for your baby. No other product can ever come close. Breast milk is easier to digest than cow’s milk or commercial formulas. The proportion…
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Bottle-feeding doesn’t tie the mother down to her baby. She’s able to work outside the home, shop, go out with friends and even sleep through the night (sometimes), because someone else can feed the baby. Although expressing milk with a breast-pump can enable others to take over some feedings. Bottle-feeding allows the father to share the feeding responsibilities more easily…
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In our family, we have three children and three types of allergies, not all completely diagnosed as of yet. My best advice to you is to closely monitor your childs symptoms. Talk to your pediatrician and don’t be afraid to ask for a referral or second opinion. Don’t give up. You know your child and you know when something isn’t…
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There are technically three basic adoption options for birth mothers to choose from: confidential (or “closed”) adoption, mediated (or “semi-open”) adoption and fully disclosed (or “open”) adoption. These options are categorized by the different degrees of openness achieved, as well as the amount of information exchanged between the birth parents and the adoptive parents. Many birth mothers like the freedom…
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Some women experience small amounts of nipple discharge during pregnancy. This is called “colostrum” and it’s completely normal, although not all women have this occur during pregnancy. Some women don’t experience any leaking, while others may be able to squeeze a few drops out. Others may even leak enough colostrum to soak their bra. This typically won’t be a pregnancy…
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As a pregnancy progresses, more pronounced physical symptoms occur, such as an enlarged abdomen. This symptom can be hard to miss, as your uterus continues growing. You may notice this during the second or third month of pregnancy or a bit earlier if you’ve had previous pregnancies. Your uterus can usually be felt through your abdomen after the first trimester…
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by Kim Luckabaugh Now, make no mistake about it, abusing children is always wrong. And if you find yourself in this situation, find a good counselor, call your pastor, or contact someone to help you! What I’m looking to focus on is really the times when you spank for a minor offense which wouldn’t elicit this response under normal circumstances,…
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Gaining weight is another symptom of pregnancy. You may notice yourself gradually putting on the pounds and your clothes becoming tighter around the waist. Initially, some women actually may lose a little weight. But, by the second trimester you’re bound to have gained at least several pounds. more Pregnancy Signs Implantation Bleeding Missed Menstrual Period Positive Pregnancy Test Tender Breasts…
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You may want to create a birth plan to avoid having to make certain decisions amidst labor contractions. You may want to plan ahead of time about what kind of birth you want, by writing your childbirth preferences down on paper. Creating a personal birth plan is essential to outline your ideal vision, as well as your expectations of labor,…
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