Healthy, Happy Babies

Your baby's health depends not only on his own physiology but on your health, especially while you are pregnant. Eating healthy foods and doing moderate exercise can help you maintain your health while your baby develops. And you can always consult your doctor or midwife if you have specific questions about any foods or exercises.

First, don't eat much of these kinds of food: sugary, fatty or those with caffeine. Some suggest limiting oily kinds of fish to two or fewer times per week. These are some foods to abstain from altogether while pregnant: raw eggs, soft cheeses, marlin, swordfish, and shark. It is best to refrain from drinking alcohol while pregnant or at least drink only a drink or two once or twice a week. Do not drink heavily.

There are foods you should eat while you are pregnant: eat high-protein food at least once a day and fruits and vegetables five times daily. Some examples of high-protein foods are: poultry, eggs, meat, fish, and, lentils. You can also combine certain foods to get high-protein if you are a vegetarian and there are good protein powders available as well. Your baby will be protected with antibodies, have the best nutrition, and consume the most digestible food if you breast feed her during her first year. Breast milk also provides essential amino acids, fluid, vitamins, minerals, and the high fat content that a baby needs, plus the correct amounts of cholesterol and carbohydrates. Your baby will be ready for solids such as rice cereal around four to six months of age. When your baby is eating cereal two or three times a day, it is time to mash up some vegetables and fruits and let your baby try one new food each week.

Here are some ways to keep your baby healthy. Get your baby immunized and make sure she is on schedule. Take her to her regular checkups. Wash your hands often and ask other people to wash their hands before they hold, play with, feed or touch your baby. Postpone any visits with sick family or friends. When you can't wash your hands, use hand sanitizer after doing things like going to the ATM, pumping gas, using a shopping cart, getting something out of a vending machine or touching public door handles.

Use disinfectant wipes to clean the baby's toys or pacifier if she drops it. Clean any public high chair in a restaurant with the wipes. The brand of sanitizer wipes should be recommended safe for babies. Do not smoke near your baby and try to avoid others who do smoke. Eight-five percent of the smoke from a cigarette becomes second hand smoke. Your baby does not to inhale smoke. It is a good idea to put a changing pad or towel on a high chair or changing table that is for public use. Keep your baby from direct sunlight--put a hat on that protects her eyes or sunglasses. If the weather is cold put an extra layer of clothing on her. Put a hat on to keep her head warm.

All these suggestions can help both you and your baby stay healthy and enjoy each other.