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Applying For an Infant Passport

Posted by: Category: Baby

Traveling with an infant brings unique challenges for first time parents. Car seats, diaper bags, changes of clothing and more become part of the new travel routine. Along with all of the standard baby gear, there may be one more thing to consider bringing along: an infant passport.

Passports are becoming increasingly important. Most borders cannot be crossed today without a passport, even the Mexican and Canadian borders. Infants are not exempt from this requirement. You cannot add an infant to a U.S. passport. Every citizen, including babies, must have his or her own passport. Anyone trying to cross a border with an infant who doesn’t have a passport may be regarded with suspicion. Carrying a passport for an infant when you travel is just as important as carrying your own.

New parents often wonder when they should apply for an infant passport. The best answer is: as soon as possible. Obtaining a passport for an infant should be considered routine, just as applying for a birth certificate is. Even if you don’t have international travel plans in your immediate future, it’s still a good idea to apply for one. It usually takes about six weeks to have your application processed. Those who want to expedite the process and receive a passport in about two weeks can pay an extra fee of $35. However, by simply applying for it early on you can avoid this fee. You’ll also avoid the stress of trying to obtain a passport while busy making travel plans.

Infant passports are obtained in the same manner as a child or adult passport. Infant passport applications may be downloaded from various travel service providers and government agencies. You may also obtain one in person from your local post office or immigration office. Infant passport requirements include:

*Presentation of your baby’s birth certificate. If your child was born outside the United States, you must present the child’s Naturalization Certificate or Certificate of Citizenship along with the birth certificate.

*Two official passport photos. They must be regulation size (2 inches by 2 inches) and should be taken by a professional photographer. Home-produced photographs are not accepted.

*The application fee, which is $40. Remember, it will cost an extra $35 if you need to obtain it faster than six weeks.

The baby need not appear in person to be granted a passport. However, the person applying for it must be able to vouch for the identity of the child and present his or her own identification. Infant passports are valid for five years.

Traveling aside, it’s useful to obtain a passport for an infant for other reasons. It is often the only form of official picture ID that a baby can obtain. Sometimes picture ID is required for registering for preschool or kindergarten, or may even be required for some domestic airline flights. Having official picture identification for your child is never a bad idea. Applying for it right from the beginning may save parents from unforeseen trouble down the road.

http://travel.state.gov

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One of the most dreaded aspects of pregnancy is stretch marks. Stretch marks are lines that appear over the belly and sometimes on the breasts, hips, or buttocks during pregnancy. They mean the skin has been stressed by stretching. Between 75 and 90% of pregnant women develop stretch marks. Stretch marks can appear red, pink, purple, reddish-brown or brown, depending on your skin color. If you are pregnant with multiples, your chances are higher for developing marks due to the extreme stretching your skin goes through.


The chances that you’ll develop stretch marks during pregnancy depend on many things. If your mother or sister developed them, chances are that you will too. Genetics are thought to play a part in whether a woman gets stretch marks or not. It also depends on how much weight you gain and how quickly you gain it.


There are a few things you can try to prevent them, though if you are genetically predisposed, they may show up anyway. Luckily, all the things you can do to prevent stretch marks are also good for you and the baby, so they will be beneficial no matter what.


Eat sensibly. A nutritious, varied diet will provide everything you and your baby needs without adding excess weight. The recommended amount of weight gain for the average pregnancy is between 25 to 35 pounds. A good diet not only makes a healthy baby, it keeps your skin strong and healthy. If your baby grows steadily, your skin may be able to keep pace without damage.


Massage your belly. This increases the circulation in your skin, which may be helpful in preventing stretch marks. It feels good, too.


Be sure you drink enough water. Soda, coffee and other beverage choices are not as wholesome as plain water. You need to keep your body hydrated to make sure your blood volume can expand enough for a healthy pregnancy, and a fully hydrated body is critical to skin health.


Take your prenatal vitamins. They will make sure you get the nutrients that may be missing from your diet. This will keep you, your baby and your skin as healthy as possible.


Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! Begin in early pregnancy and continue through postpartum. Shea butter is a natural moisturizer that has been proven to have healing qualities. Some herbal oils are also very beneficial to the skin. Find one you like and use it liberally. This will support the skin and possibly reduce your chances of developing stretch marks.


Take care of yourself after the baby is born, too. You lose a lot of weight very quickly when the baby is born. The baby, the placenta, the amniotic fluid and other bodily fluids that are lost during birth add up to a substantial amount. Make sure you get enough rest and nutritious foods to support your body through this dramatic change.


Even if you still get stretch marks, they will fade with time. You might want to consider them a badge of motherhood. Wear them proudly.

 

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Breast-Feeding or Nursing is the optimal source of nutrition for your baby in their first year, nursing has obvious psychological benefits for both mother and child. When born, infants see only a closeup which is the distance between a nursing baby and its mothers face. Studies have found that infants as young as 1 week prefer the smell of their own mothers milk.

Multiple psychologists believe that a nursing baby enjoys a sense of security from the warmth and presence of the mother, especially when there is skin-to-skin contact during feeding. Most parents of bottle-fed babies may be tempted to prop bottles in the babies mouth. This lacks the human contact during feeding. It is important that a nursing mother cuddle and kiss her infant many times during the day. Nursing becomes more than a way to feed a baby; it’s a source of tenderness, warmth and comfort.

Studies have shown that when a baby is being fed and nurtured in this way, it’s natural for them to fall relax and fall asleep quickly. After you learn about your baby, you know how much he or she can consume in one feeding. If they fall asleep too soon, try to gently nudge them awake to finish the feeding. You can easily wake them with a little tickle on the bottom of their feet. If you do not they will get hungry sooner, then you’ll be feeding he or she off their schedule and make your life more difficult. This is one time in your life that you will want to get it right the first time.

Breast-Feeding is great for a new mother as well as for her baby. The bond that is created is once in a lifetime experience that one should never miss. This sets up the babies emotional support system for their future at this time. Studies have shown that a breast fed child is more emotionally secure than a child who is not a breast fed child.

The other side of breastfeeding is there are no bottles to sterilize. You don’t have to run to the store and buy formula that has to be mixed, measured and heated before feeding. Another benefit is the mother will start to lose the added weight that she gained during the pregnancy while nursing. This is natures way of added natural weight loss to compensate for the pounds gained during pregnancy. It burns calories and helps the nursing mother to lose the pounds of pregnancy naturally. Natural lactation stimulates the uterus to contract back to its original size.

A nursing mother must always get the extra needed rest. It is important she sit down, put her feet up and relax every couple of hours. This helps in the natural healing of the body to childbirth. The good thing is during breastfeeding at night, you do not have to go to the refrigerator for a bottle and warm it while the baby cries. Both you and the baby will also rest if you are breastfeeding and dozing while you nurse at night. It is important to have a comfortable rocking chair during this time period, money is no object for this luxury of rest.

In conclusion, if you suspect any problems with your breast milk, your child’s’ health or nursing, consult with your Pediatrician immediately. Remember, you are the sole source of nourishment for your baby and it is important you do not smoke or drink at this time. Eat organic food and live your life naturally during this time of your life. If you suspect your child has allergies, consult with your Pediatrician also.

Scott Fitzgerald is a consultant dealing with various products and Marketing. He can be reached at http://www.breastfeeding23.com or http://www.allergy-safehomes.com

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Early pregnancy can be a time of uncertainty, anxiety and worry. You may spend time wondering if you’re actually pregnant. Many women worry over every possible symptom. Does it mean you’re pregnant? If you know you’re pregnant, you may worry about a lack of certain symptoms. Does it mean you’ll miscarry?

Early pregnancy is also a time to come to terms with being pregnant. It is normal to feel apprehensive or ambivalent about it, even if you really want the baby. Having a baby is life changing. It is not unusual to have some cold feet about something that will change your entire life.

There are various signs and symptoms that many women experience in early pregnancy. It is perfectly normal for you to experience all of them, none of them or some amount in between.

Tender Breasts
Many women experience this symptom to some degree. The breasts may be tender, tingly or sore. The nipples become very sensitive to the slightest touch… even from the shirts you wear. This is due to increased hormones that help prepare the breasts for feeding your baby.

Fatigue
While you don’t look pregnant yet, your body is working hard to develop your baby. During early pregnancy is when your baby is making the most progress. This takes a lot of energy, and consequently you will feel tired. Try to get as much rest as possible. Progesterone, which is excreted in large quantities at this time, may also cause sleepiness.

The Vanishing Period
The most obvious sign to most women is when their period does not arrive as expected. While this can be caused by other issues than pregnancy, it is easy enough to find out by taking a pregnancy test.

Implantation Bleeding
Some women experience a little spotting about a week before their period is due. This is usually caused by the fertilized egg implanting into the uterine lining. Some women never see any implantation bleeding. Cramping may also be felt at this time, with or without the spotting.

Morning Sickness
Many women experience some degree of morning sickness, though not all women do. Some only get nauseous, while others spend long days in the bathroom, trying to keep something in their stomach. Morning sickness can actually occur at any time of day. Sometimes nausea can be triggered by odors or movement. Foods can also trigger these feelings. The most common foods to watch are coffee, spicy foods, fried foods, dairy products and meat.

Frequent Urination
You may feel you spend more time running to and from the bathroom than anything else. Changes in your uterus put more weight on your bladder, triggering the urge to go. Don’t worry… this will get better once the uterus grows large enough to grow out of the pelvis. It will come back in late pregnancy.

Raised Body Temperature
For those who take their basal body temperature each morning, you’ll notice that your temperature remains high instead of the usual plunge it takes before your period comes. According to those who practice this, 18 high temperatures after ovulation is usually indicative of pregnancy.

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Many women find some kinds of skin changes occurring during pregnancy. While these changes may be annoying, they are perfectly normal. If you are unsure whether a change is normal or not, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor or midwife. They can check it out for you and advise you once they examine you.

Glowing Skin
Pregnant women are often told they are “glowing.” This is due to an increased blood flow to the small vessels just beneath the skin surface. Hormones released in pregnancy also increase the oils that are produced by skin glands that may create a bit of a shine.

Chloasma
This is also known as the “mask of pregnancy.” Some women experience this phenomenon. During pregnancy, a slight darkening appears on the face on the forehead, temples and center of the face. These areas may get darker when exposed to sun. After the birth, these marks usually fade.

Acne
Hormones often cause pregnant women to experience break outs, while women who normally get acne may find it improves during pregnancy.

Itchiness
It is common for the skin on the belly to become itchy during pregnancy as it stretches to accommodate baby’s growth. It may also affect the breasts.

Linea Nigra
This is a dark line that develops from the belly button and runs downwards. This is extra pigment. After the baby is born, the line will fade.

Nails
For some women, pregnancy may cause their nails to become more brittle or soft than usual, or to grow faster.

Rashes
Pregnancy causes many women to perspire more than usual, and this can result in heat rash. Some women also find they get itchy red bumps on their belly, arms, legs and buttocks in late pregnancy. This is not dangerous, but it is itchy and can be uncomfortable.

The Palms
Increasing levels of estrogen may cause red, itchy palms. Some women also experience this on the soles of their feet. This also disappears after the birth.

Swelling
In late pregnancy, you may notice increasing swelling around your ankles, hands and face. This is usually harmless. If you experience swelling along with sudden weight gain and increased blood pressure, get tests done to rule out complications like pre-eclampsia.

Skin Tags
Skin tags are small growths of skin that protrude from the surface of your skin. They normally occur on the neck, breasts or armpits. They are thought to be cause by hormones released during pregnancy. They do not go away after the baby’s birth, but they can be removed by a dermatologist.

Stretch Marks
Probably the most famous of all pregnancy skin changes, stretch marks occur on the belly and breasts. Fresh stretch marks are usually pink, red or dark brown, depending on a woman’s color of skin. Stretch marks can also appear on the buttocks, hips or thighs. Stretch marks are caused by tiny tears in the underlying tissue. There is no real way to prevent stretch marks, but it may help to keep well hydrated and to moisturize your skin. Stretch marks will fade with time to a less noticeable silver.

Spider Veins
Spider veins are small red spots with lines branching out. These are tiny blood vessels that become noticeable because of more blood volume. They fade after the baby is born.

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Changes begin in the breasts almost as soon as you conceive. In fact, many women will say that the way their breasts felt was their first clue that they were pregnant. During pregnancy, more estrogen and progesterone are produced to keep the pregnancy going. These hormones also help prepare the breasts for nursing. Along the way, they can become sore, tender or tingly.

 

 Most women find breast tenderness to be at its most sensitive in early pregnancy. It can get so uncomfortable that even having the fabric of your shirt touch them can be difficult. They may feel heavier than you are used to, or they may be more sensitive to movement if you go jogging or for a brisk walk. You may find that the nipples become more noticeable and that the areolas become darker. A map of blue veins makes their appearance over your chest, supplying more blood to the breasts to help them ready for breastfeeding. Your breasts will get a bit larger throughout pregnancy. The hormones will make the milk ducts grow and get ready to feed your baby. The glandular tissue begins to expand as well.

 

 You may notice that your breasts become itchy as the skin stretches to accommodate the new growth. You may also develop small stretch marks. Many women may notice a little leaking from their breasts by mid-pregnancy. This is colostrum. Colostrum is the baby’s first milk. It is thick, yellow and sticky. You may notice it leaks on its own, or during intimate contact. If you don’t leak milk during pregnancy, that is also perfectly normal. It is no reflection on your ability to produce milk. Some women don’t produce much colostrum until after the baby is born.

 

 As your pregnancy continues, the tenderness may decrease a little bit. The growth will continue throughout pregnancy. The end result will depend on heredity, how much weight you gain during pregnancy and how large your breasts were to begin with. It is not uncommon to change two or three bra sizes, although this does not happen to everyone.

 

 The best thing you can do is to find a good support bra to get you through pregnancy. If they feel tight, you probably need to get a larger size. Don’t wear underwires. The best results will come if you take the time to consult with a lingerie professional in a maternity shop. If you can’t do this, measure yourself carefully. Be sure you measure around the fullest area of your breast to get the right cup size, and just beneath the arms for the chest size. Don’t be surprised if you need to do this again before the baby is born. Breast pads can help absorb any leaking. This will protect your clothes and will prevent embarrassment if you are out in public.

 

 Sleep bras can help you get needed support at night. A sleep bra is usually lightweight cotton. They can be found at maternity stores and at online maternity shops. If you exercise regularly, you will want a good sports bra that will offer sturdy support.

 

 Talk with your care provider if you have any concerns about your breast changes or lack of breast changes.

 

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A recall has issued by the U.S. Product Consumer Product Safety Commission for Jardine Cribs.
The first recall was issued in June of 2008.  The hazard on the first recall was listed that the wooden crib slats and spindles can break, creating a gap, which can pose an entrapment and strangulation hazard to infants.

The cause for the recall was due to 42 incidents of crib slats and spindles breaking. Four children became entrapped in the space created by a broken slat or spindle. Two of the children had abrasions and bruising.

The second recall in January of 2009 was for the same hazard on different models.  The second recall was as a result of the CPSC receiving 19 additional incidents of crib slats breaking. In nine of these incidents, consumers reported that their infant or toddler broke the slat while in the crib. In addition, a 22-month-old child fell through the gap between the crib slats when a slat broke. No injuries have been reported.

You can see these recalls and pictures of the cribs by going to the CPSC website at http://www.cpsc.gov.
You can see the June 2008 recall at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08312.html and the January 2009 recall at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09084.html

The total recall involves over 370,000 cribs manufactured between 2002 and 2007 and involves 31 different model numbers.  If you have one of these cribs, contact the company immediately.  Be careful if you have purchased or are looking for a crib in garage sales or second hand shops.

 

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By Holly Rigsby, CPT

www.FitYummyMummy.com

 

Rome wasn’t built in a day and your fat loss won’t happen that way either. Don’t expect to start eating perfectly and exercising religiously tomorrow. Instead set yourself up for success by implementing at least one supportive habit per week. Make an effort to adopt the premise of “progress, not perfection.” By developing awareness that improvement is measured by your daily progress, you can save yourself a lot of grief and frustration from the beginning. Focusing on small, positive steps in everything you do is a vital component to change. It starts you moving in the right direction and the momentum of your amazing, transforming results will soon follow. With time, commitment and a willingness to continue to take those small steps, failure is not an option.

How to do it: Be mindful of the fact that you didn’t gain it overnight so you’re not going to lose it overnight. A safe and effective fat loss program will yield 1 to 2 pounds of fat loss a week, not 10. As you begin your weight loss journey, aim for 2-3 small improvements each week. Build up to eating more supportively and moving a little more than yesterday. These small changes will add up to big improvements over time.

Beware of supplements and “quick fixes” that promise accelerated fat loss. Instead, plan on losing fat weight slowly. Sure we all want instant results, but it’s impossible to undo a years of inactivity and poor nutrition overnight.

Instead of only looking at the big picture, try to break it down into smaller bites. Set one-month goals, three-month goals, six-month goals and even yearly goals. Carry over each previous goal to make sure that you aren’t stopping one to achieve another. Make sure goals are achievable and realistic and what you truly want. A half-hearted desire will produce half-hearted results.

Remember, life happens and we must face the challenges. Sometimes that means not getting to exercise or eat properly. The difference is we get it. We make it a point to view each situation, each setback as an opportunity to LEARN and ASK, “What could I do differently next time?” Then it becomes a matter of getting back on track as soon as possible. Leave the excuses and blame behind and forget about beating ourselves up – we’re only human. Strive to do a little better today than you did the day before. The key is to stay consistent, focused and take daily action. Make goals meaningful. Our minds cannot differentiate between achieving an enormous goal or a miniscule goal it only perceives success or failure. If you set a goal that is impossible to fail you’ll only be setting yourself up for tremendous victory.

Don’t be too rigid. Telling your self that you HAVE to workout for a set time to feel a sense of completion is ill fated. If you set out to workout for 30 minutes and you only get in 20, you’ll more apt to be disappointed regardless of how hard you worked. If you simply set a goal to go to the gym at least 2-3 days a week and complete your resistance training and cardio you’ll perceive yourself as a winner.

An additional goal idea: Have you ever wanted to participate in a race or sport that you’ve never had the endurance for? Then use that as a goal! When the end justifies the means it’s easier to make it through the rough spots. It’s a win-win situation if you are able to achieve a want and a need simultaneously!

About the Author

Holly Rigsby is a nationally recognized women’s fitness coach, certified personal trainer (CPT) and the author of the internationally popular e-book – Fit Yummy Mummy – Burn Your Baby Fat & Get Your Body Back. Go to www.FitYummyMummy.com to get your FREE copy of her special report: “The Five Ways To Boost Your Metabolism.”

 

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Fit Yummy Mummy Review

By Anne Marie Nielson

www.FitYummyMummy.com

 

What Is It?

This lifestyle program for busy moms is a comprehensive guide to what’s arguably the most widespread, challenging and frustrating issue faced by moms today: how to get their pre-baby body back. For almost all mothers the changes their bodies incur during pregnancy coupled with the countless responsibilities that motherhood bring spell trouble for regaining their pre-pregnancy figure.

There is no shortage of fitness, diet and fat loss products on the market today. You can find a veritable library of conflicting arguments almost anywhere you choose to seek information on the subject of fitness for women, whether it’s online, at your local library, through contact with personal trainers, or through the (less reputable but nevertheless very common) ranks of wannabe experts: aka, those frustrating people with no qualifications and no practical experience but are self professed experts because they read the last issue of Shape magazine.

What Sets This Product Apart?

After months of frustration spent wading through the mass of conflicting information on fitness and fat loss, it was with a mixture of joy and near-tearful relief that I stumbled across “Fit Yummy Mummy”, by Holly Rigsby. As the title suggests, this product is specifically for moms wanting to get fit.  Literally all aspects of losing fat and getting fit are covered – and the best part is that it is written specifically for busy moms.  The material is presented in a manner both chatty and educational – it’s kind of like having a friendly conversation with a close friend that happens to be a fitness expert (with the added benefit of being able to refresh your understanding of the matter at any given time, simply by scrolling back to the relevant section!)

The tone of the book presents a welcome contrast to the other fitness products so freely available elsewhere on the Net: it’s friendly, understanding of the unique situations moms face, informative, and above all, commonsensical. No unrealistic recommendations, 2 hour workouts, or zero-carb diets here: it doesn’t take long to see that this lady knows what she’s talking about when it comes to mom’s lifestyles (and did I mention she’s a mom too?)

What’s Actually Included?

There’s a quick section on getting started and goal setting along with some morale-boosting advice on how to stay on track throughout the program, and then it’s straight into an action plan to get you started on the path to burning baby fat and getting your body back. 

The Supportive Nutrition Plan is next – this is particularly helpful! Every conceivable nutrition issue is covered, from how often you should eat to what you should keep in your pantry. And on top of that, it includes a ‘Create a Menu Planner’ to guide you in creating every meal to support your success.

Next, the Fit Yummy Mummy fat loss workouts are covered, but not without easy to follow explanations of the why’s and the how’s for every part of the workout program.   The workout plan even offers four different formats that you can plug into your lifestyle, something not found in any of the cookie cutter fat loss programs on the market.  My favorite part of the workout section is that regardless of your exercise (or lack of exercise) background, there is a workout designed specifically for you.  And no matter what you fitness level is, none of the workout programs require more than 90 minutes a week.

Finally, there’s a section called the Busy Mom’s Fat Loss Companion crammed with easy to use tools and resources like a goal setting sheet, fitness journal, exercise descriptions and even a ready made grocery list. The author has figured out every excuse and obstacle busy moms have and addressed them all.

Just Because It’s Detailed Doesn’t Mean It’s Confusing

Sound overwhelming? It’s actually very user-friendly. Not only is this e-book packed with sound practical advice and the whole thing is laid out in a very logical and easy-to-understand format, but it comes with a Quick Start Guide to make sure you start acting (and seeing results) fast.  The tone of Fit Yummy Mummy light and non-threatening (no scientific terminology here!) and it proceeds in a logical manner from step to step, with plenty of photos and descriptions to ensure that you are doing everything right.

Troubleshooting

In my opinion, one of the best parts: a follow up e-mail coaching series from the author  that keeps you on track, gives you daily fitness tips and even healthy recipes.  While most moms have the best of intentions, staying on track is tough.  This follow up e-mail coaching series is the perfect solution.
The Verdict

Regaining their pre-pregnancy body is a daunting task for most moms, but the author’s personal experience and hands on work with over 250 moms is pretty reassuring; and she certainly knows how to break it down for even the most exercise illiterate. In addition to the main features detailed above, there are plenty of valuable extras included to make getting your pre-baby body back as easy as possible: checklists, do’s and don’ts, printable workout sheets, even ready to follow meal plans!

All in all, two thumbs up from me: when the information on hand is as detailed, easy to absorb, and – above all – reliable as , you really can’t go wrong.


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