Monday, 29 November 2021

Your Comprehensive Guide to Preventing Stretch Marks

Stretch marks are unfortunately a common side effect of pregnancy. Preventing stretch marks during pregnancy is possible! It just takes some effort on your part to keep that belly happy and healthy! The good news is that there are many ways to prevent stretch marks. This blog post will discuss them all - from what causes stretch marks in the first place, to how you can treat and prevent them through your pregnancy!

What Causes Stretch Marks During Pregnancy

Stretch marks are caused when the skin stretches too much and tears. This usually happens when the skin is growing faster than the underlying tissue can support it. Stretch marks can also be caused by changes in hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone. These hormones play a huge role in pregnancy. They help to support the fetus and prepare your body for birth of that baby!

Stretch Marks on Belly, Buttocks & Breasts

Typically, stretch marks during pregnancy appear around the belly area first. As you get further along in your pregnancy they can also be seen on other parts of your body, including your buttocks and breasts.

Signs of Pregnancy Stretch Marks

One way to tell if you are developing stretch marks during pregnancy is by looking for changes in the skin's texture or coloration. If an area becomes slightly discolored, then that could be a sign that it will develop into stretch marks soon. There may also be small red, purple or white lines on the skin.

How to Prevent Stretch Marks During Pregnancy

There are many ways to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy. Some of them are:

- Keeping your skin hydrated

Hydrating your skin is an easy way to keep stretch marks at bay. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day and applying a moisturizer can help to keep inflammation in your skin down, which will reduce the chances of stretch marks appearing.

- Preventing a Vitamin D Deficiency

A deficiency in vitamin D can cause your skin to become dry and flaky. This, of course, will increase the likelihood that stretch marks appear on your body! Make sure you're getting enough sunlight - either from being outside or through supplementation as recommended by your doctor.

- Exfoliating Daily

Exfoliation is an important part of preventing stretch marks during pregnancy because it helps remove dead cells from the surface of the skin. These dead cells tend to accumulate faster than other types due to increased hormone levels exercising their effect on cell turnover rates throughout the body during pregnancy.

- Eating a healthy diet

Eating a balanced, healthy diet will not only increase your energy levels but also the health of your skin. Eating foods that are high in Omega-3 fatty acids, proteins, and vitamins can help to keep your skin stretch mark free. Foods that are high in Omega-3 fats include walnuts, salmon, flaxseed, or chia seeds.

- Taking prenatal vitamins

Prenatal vitamins are essential for pregnant women because they provide several nutrients that are important for the baby's growth and development. Some of these nutrients include vitamin A, C, D, and E, as well as zinc and iron. All of these nutrients are important for keeping your skin healthy - which will help to prevent stretch marks from appearing.

- Exercising regularly

Exercise is an important part of staying healthy, both during and after pregnancy. Staying active can help to increase your blood circulation, which will bring more nutrients to the surface of your skin. Exercise also helps with muscle tone - keeping muscles toned can prevent stretch marks because you're less likely to tear them when they are strong!

- Using a good moisturizer

Using a good moisturizer is an inexpensive and effective way of preventing stretch marks during pregnancy. Make sure you're using a top-quality product that contains hyaluronic acid - this substance will help to keep the surface of your skin smooth and supple, which in turn reduces the likelihood of stretch mark formation occurring!

- Preventing dryness in your skin

Dryness in the skin is a leading cause of stretch marks. Preventing dryness can be difficult, but it's important to make sure you're drinking plenty of water and applying moisturizer regularly to keep this side effect at bay!

- Avoiding rapid weight gain during pregnancy

Rapid weight gain can cause stretch marks because your skin needs more time to keep up with the growth of your body. Preventing rapid weight loss or gaining too much weight during pregnancy is very important for keeping stretch marks at bay!

- Preventing inflammation in the skin

Inflammation in the skin causes stretching, which leads to scarring. Preventing inflammation can be done through proper hydration, using a good moisturizer containing hyaluronic acid, and avoiding dryness in the skin.

In Conclusion

Preventing stretch marks during pregnancy may seem like a daunting task, but with these simple steps, you can keep them at bay. Preventing dryness in the skin is one of the most effective ways to reduce the likelihood that your skin will be susceptible to stretching and forming unsightly scars from being stretched too far. Prevent inflammation by following our advice for proper hydration, use of quality moisturizer containing hyaluronic acid, and avoiding any form of dryness or rapid weight gain. If you need help finding high-quality products that work well for pregnant women or want additional guidance on how best to implement these principles into your daily routine check out some of these posts below! 

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Tuesday, 7 April 2020

Best Infant Travel Systems

Instead of buying a car seat and stroller separately, it's possible to buy them in combination as a multi-piece travel system. Most are geared towards infants and include a stroller and matching infant car seat with base, and may include extra accessories like additional car seats bases.

The car seat portion is normally geared towards infants, while the stroller can typically hold more weight, so even if your child outgrows the car seat, they can still use the stroller. Plus, most products allow you to snap the infant car seat into the stroller, meaning you can take your baby straight from car to stroller without moving them. This is an amazing feature for times when you need to change from car to stroller (or vice versa) without waking baby.

When looking at these sets, it's important to consider that quality is extremely important for the longevity of the product, so don't skimp out on something cheap. The point of buying a set is to make it easier on you, so avoid having to spend more money down the road upgrading or purchasing again in the future. 

If you are unsure about committing to a set, consider purchasing separately instead, such as a convertible car seat and a lightweight travel stroller.  When purchasing separately, you are able to shop according to specific likes/dislikes when it comes to each product. If you are looking for easy and convenient though, you should consider purchasing one of the travel systems below.

Debatably the best set on the market right now is the Chicco Bravo LE Trio Travel System, which includes a Chicco Bravo stroller and the #1 rated Chicco KeyFit30 infant car seat. It boasts an innovative fold/carry handle for one-handed, free-standing quick fold. Something that sets this apart from other products is that you can detach the stroller seat and canopy to leave behind a lightweight stroller frame. This 3-in-1 versatility means it can be a frame stroller, toddler stroller, or a travel system - all in one purchase. This feature takes travel systems to the next level, plus is still has those basic features we've come to love like a large storage basket, cup holders, and height-adjustable handle for mom and dad. 

This 3-piece set by Evenflo includes the Sarema  SafeMax infant car seat with Safe Zone base, and an Evenflo stroller. The set features a modular frame with 6 modes, including carriage mode and frame stroller. The stay-in-car base allows for a quick and safe infant car seat connection from car to stroller and vice-versa. There's a removable snack tray, over-sized storage basket, and versatile cruiser tires for all types of surfaces. Plus, the car seat boasts safety with a multipurpose travel seat that has been tested for rollover and side-impact and an integrated belt lock off system so you can be sure the base has been securely installed.

This stroller features dual front wheels for great maneuverability, a large storage basket, and a large canopy with peek-a-boo window. There's a swing away child tray with snack and cup holders, as well as a tray for parents and a height-adjustable handle. The car seat features a five-point safety harness, padded seat with soft head support. The rear-facing infant car seat has a weight limit of 35 pounds, just like the Doona above, and is engineered with higher, deeper side wings with EPS foam for optimal side impact. Base installs with LATCH clips or seat belt.

This travel system includes the FastAction SE Stroller and SnugRide 30 LX  infant car seat by Graco. The stroller is a 25% smaller fold than the current FastAction fold and features Graco's new signature FastAction one-second, one-hand fold for ultimate convnience. It has a parent's tray with two deep cup holders and storage, as well as a folding child's tray and a multi-position recline. The stroller holds children weighing up to 50 pounds and folds small to be stored in tight spaces. 

The infant car seat is rear-facing and supports children weight 4-30 lbs and up to 30 inches. The car seat can be attached directly to the stroller for easy mobility.

This travel system includes a Chicco Bravo Stroller and a Key Fit 300 infant car seat with base. The stroller has a removable seat that transforms into a frame carrier for the car seat and features a one-hand fold and a self-standing, compact folded position. There's a parent tray with storage cup and holders, multi-position reclining seat, and an adjustable canopy. Plus, there's full suspensions, front swivel wheels, one-touch brakes, a height-adjustable handle, and a large storage basket below.

The car seat is similar to other car seats and is designed for infants 4-30 pounds and up to 30 inches tall. This car seat is one of the top rated car seats int he market right now.

All Things Considered

When shopping for a travel system, make sure you are considering what you are personally looking for in a stroller and car seat. These systems are not intended to be particularly lightweight, so if that's an important feature for you then I would consider buying these items separately. However, if you would rather have a matching system that you can take the car seat right out of the car and put on a stroller, then a travel system could be the perfect match for you. 

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Tuesday, 31 March 2020

Super Cute Baby Bath Time Gadgets You Didn't Know You Needed

While babies don't need to be bathed very often, most babies will find the warm water soothing and this can help a fussy baby calm down and relax. About 2-3 times per week, you should gently wash your baby, paying special attention to any areas that may accumulate debris. When and how you wash your baby is personal preference, as there are many different locations and times of day you can bathe your little one. It's important to make sure you always have a hand on your baby while they're in the water, and you must pay special attention to keeping the water warm, but not too hot. That being said, bath time should be an enjoyable experience for both baby and parent, so we've compiled the list of our favorite baby bath time gadgets to make bath time a breeze.

"Love love love it!" -Nicole

This innovative (and super cute) rinse cup is a great addition to your bath time essentials. Its design ensures quick, cry-free rinses by channeling a steady flow of water over a soft rubber lip that acts as a baby bath visor. The lip fits snugly to the forehead, preventing water from getting into your baby's eyes. Plus, the easy-grip handle allows you to hold the cup in just one hand, leaving the other hand free to grip your baby.

"This is my #1 recommended product for babies!" -Kristin

Take your sink bath to the next level with this plush sunflower baby bath. It fits mosts sinks and is a fantastic alternative to traditional plastic baby bath tubs. It's built to be super soft and cuddly to keep baby happy and comfortable during bath time and moms love it. The unique design makes baths more comfortable, plus it's machine washable for easy cleaning.

"These hudson towels are the absolute best hooded towels.." -Jade

While a hooded bath towel is an essential piece to any bath time routine, you'll fall in love with these extra adorable baby animal hooded towels. There's 26 animal options ranging from a unicorn, whale, and elephant, as well as a chick, fox and penguin. They're all charming little baby animals and are bound to make your little one smile.

"Perfect solution for an adult and kids shared bathroom." -Kate

Tired of suction cups that won't stick? Especially when they fall over, only to dump all those toys all over the place? Ubbi's Bath Toy Organizer is freestanding on its own base, meaning you can set it to the side to dry, then store it away in the cabinet until next bath time. It's a 2 part system: the removable base collects excessive water and the top basket has handles and large drain holes to quickly and easily collect toys from the tub. Perhaps the best part is that it's dishwasher safe, as well as PVC, BPA and Phthalate free!

"Absolutely love this product, this is exactly what I needed!" -Kevin

This bath time gadget is more about you than baby. Bending over the bath to bathe your little one gets really old really quick. The solution is this extra-thick (1.5 inches) pad for your knees and elbows. It spans 22 inches wide, fits all standard tubs, and offers the most comfort possible. The pads are light gray, sleek and modern, meaning it goes well with almost any bathroom decor. The two large mesh pockets offer great storage for bath accessories so they are easy to reach at any time. When not in use, simply fold and store away.

This adorable, whale-themed bath kit includes 4 pieces: soft spout cover, bath kneeler, bath mat, and padded elbow rest. This kit is intended for use with a full-sized bath tub and includes all the basics for a more comfortable bath time. The spout cover is made of soft, tough rubber to protect from painful head bumps and the textured bath mat keeps baby from slipping and sliding. Plus, the bath kneeler and elbow rest make for a more comfortable experience for the bather. Pair with the whale waterfall rinse from above for a complete, whale-themed bath set!

Baby Bath Time Essentials

Did you see something you didn't know you needed? My personal favorite is the whale waterfall rinser. My daughter hates getting any water on her face during bath time, and this rinse cup changed bath time forever. It seems like a silly purchase, but once you get one, you'll wish you had ordered it sooner. And if you don't have a knee/elbow pad, it's time to take the plunge. You'll be happy you did. All of these baby bath time gadgets are well worth it!

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