Many products today claim to make your baby smarter and most parents want to get them because of course we all want our child to have the best of everything and the brains to go along with it. Well, here is the ultimate product in helping your baby to be smarter: a sling!

Smartest Baby on the Block
Wearing your baby is the best decision you can make for the health and development of your baby. Studies show that babies worn in a sling learn better for a couple of different reasons. Babies learn best while in a quiet state and this is how they are while they are being held. Babies can also be stimulated more when they are viewing the world from where you do instead of looking at peoples legs from a stroller or laying in one spot without moving around.

Less Crying

Babies who are held more often also tend to cry less. They are more secure and feel that their needs will be met giving them the security to become more independent as they enter toddlerhood.

Physical Development

A baby also needs to learn the rhythm of life. By carrying your baby, he is more able to adapt to the rhythms of everyday life outside the womb.

There are many benefits to wearing your baby in a sling, these are just a few. The attachment that you will feel to your baby and your baby to you is probably one of the most important benefits. The discreetness of breastfeeding in public is also another great benefit a sling offers. Because baby slings can fit easily into a diaper bag, they are the ultimate baby carrier. If you want to know more about my favorite sling, visit the Maya Wrap baby slings page.

A really fun activity to do with toddlers and a great keepsake for parents and grandparents.

Get the recipe… Read more…

One of my favorite parenting magazines to read is Mothering. The magazine isn’t filled with chatter and nonsense about the things that toddlers do when they are two, organizing tips or what things I can do to have some time to myself. Mothering hits on real parenting topics like the safety, or rather lack thereof, of vaccinations. They feature articles on natural childbirth, breastfeeding and other parenting issues. This magazine is pro-child and I like that. I find that so many other magazines cater to what society has made parenting, an opportunity to consume more products. Mothering also hosts an online discussion community, as well as many other articles on their website by experts like Dr. Sears and man others. Check out Mothering today.

Know of other great parenting resources? Share them with us. Click on the ‘comments’ link.

Waterbirth is another safe, gentle birth choice available either at home, a birthing center and some hospitals. Waterbirths have been happening since at least the 1700s when scientists realized the value of hydrotherapy during labor and birth. Most women desire a waterbirth because it helps them get through the pain of labor and birth. Many mothers report no use of medications during a waterbirth and water births have also been known as the aquadural.

There are many advantages for a mother having a waterbirth. The first significant advantage is the relief the water provides is much safer than an epidural. Some studies show a reduction in labor time, though this is probably very individual to the birthing mother. Sitting in water does provide more mobility during labor so the laboring woman can position herself more comfortably and the water can allow a deeper relaxation which allows the appropriate hormones to kick in like they want to. The fluidity of the water can also help reduce tissue and perineal damage during a waterbirth, resulting in less inflammation from stitches. Read more…

Hospitals aren’t the only avenue of care for pregnant women. Homebirths and midwifery care appear to be taking their respective place in the spotlight again. For centuries, midwives were the primary caregivers for pregnant and laboring women. In some countries, midwives are still the normal medium of care; the countries who have midwives as primary caregivers, on average have lower infant and maternal mortality rates and there is less medical intervention used, even in high risk deliveries. Read more…