Bumps & Babies

Ahh spring. A time of rebirth, renewal and new life. When I think of spring, I think of tulips, lush green grass and (because I live on Vancouver Island) rain. Of course, the rain is necessary to nourish and support the plants, so it is a welcome sort of rain. The spring season usually calls to mind images of flowers, rays of sun, love-struck couples and traditional spring events like Easter. It is a lovely time of year signalling the end of another winter and the start of the warmer weather.

Taking care of a newborn means more than changing diapers and round-the-clock feedings. Parents and caregivers must also be aware of the umbilical stump. Like any other tissue that is healing, the skin surrounding your baby’s belly button will dry and then eventually fall off within one to two weeks. However, to avoid infection it is important to keep the umbilical cord stump clean and dry.

Here’s how to clean and care for the umbilical stump.

In today’s world, most moms are tech-savvy and have a smart phone on their person most of the time. So, it makes sense that app developers would see the value in creating apps geared toward the pregnant woman. With nearly 2000 pregnancy apps on the market today, it can be tough figuring out which option will suit you best – they are all so helpful and fun to use!

Below is a list of iOS and Android apps – all of which are free – full of excellent info and images sure to appeal to an expecting mom.

This tasty breakfast-style muffin contains fenugreek seeds, which are known for their milk-supply-boosting powers and have been used by women for that purpose for centuries. Fenugreek is a galactagogue (also high in fibre!) that is well known for producing increased milk in mothers with the sometimes odd side effect of causing the mother’s sweat and urine to smell like maple syrup – which really isn’t all that terrible a side effect. If, however, you find that you or baby is experiencing loose, watery or green stool, you should discontinue use.