BEST PRENATAL MASSAGE

If you don't have the time to go to an out-of-town spa but your back is killing you...go to Zen Beginnings at Mount Pleasant, just south of Eglinton. Make an apt with Rachel--a registered Massage Therapist who, from my personal experience, is a miracle-worker. she just seems to get all the right spots for pregnant women.

She does not use a table with the hole in it for your belly. Lying on your stomach, even with the hole is known to stress your lower back and, as you are further along, your abdomen. (Not to mention if you have tenderness in your breasts, that wouldn't be comfortable at all!) Some women do prefer to lie on their stomachs, but I find the side is much more comfortable and anyway, if you go to Zen Beginnings it will be on your side. Rachel has you lie on your side with pillows for support--she is able to get at the soreness even while you on your side, so don't worry about not getting a good massage.

So many women don't take advantage of their work health plans--check yours out and see if you have allowance for a massage. After the massage you will wonder why you didn't do it sooner because it is such a relief--especially later on in pregnancy when you are still working but are carrying around so much more weight (and stress/anxiety). Typically if you have a nice work plan, they will cover some of your visit to a registered massage therapist--just submit your receipts and possibly a referral from your doc.

Rachel at Zen Beginnings is very sweet, she takes your sore areas into consideration and really wants you to have a good experience. She isn't all "touchy/feely" and she will either talk to you throughout or keep things quiet--she takes the cues from you. She is young and vibrant and gives you a great experience without leaving the city.

Sure--a spa weekend would be nice, but it's not always in the cards. So if you are like me and just need some relief--go to her, she will alleviate the pains.

Hotel Etiquette with a baby?

All the sleep books and online advice I have read have said that your baby should behave the same as they do at home while traveling. This is a lie. My child regularly sleeps through the night and on vacation he has been waking up numerous times. I brought a sheet from home, his snuggly toy and his sound machine. For the past two nights however our son has ended up sleeping with us as after hours of crying and struggling we just have had enough and so has he. So he gets a little sleep and mommy and daddy get no sleep.

All that to ask the question: what is hotel etiquette when traveling with a baby? Although at home if we are having a rough go at bedtime I let my son cry it out a bit--what to do in a hotel where we may be disturbing other guests?

I am horrified that my son is possibly keeping people up at night--my husband has been trying to convince me that no one can hear the noise through the walls. Any idea?

BRAT diet

Why have I not posted something in a few days you ask? Well... we have had a pretty rough few days dealing with a mild case of diarrhea (although still unpleasant). He was able to keep his fluids up and he maintained a healthy appetite but diaper changing was very frequent. Everyone kept telling me "oh, that happens. Just do the BRAT diet."

I had never heard of the BRAT diet before. So let me explain what it is for all you moms out there who are just clueless as me.

BRAT STANDS FOR:

Bananas
Rice
Applesauce
Toast

Does it help? Since some of those foods, especially bananas and rice, are 'binders' and are considered to be constipating, they might help diarrhea.

Many people recommend the BRAT diet and other people say that children should continue their regular diet when they have diarrhea. The American Academy of Pediatrics states that 'most children should continue to eat a normal diet including formula or milk while they have mild diarrhea.'

Yogurt with active cultures, which contain acidophilus, may be helpful.

Pedialyte is also something people recommended. My doc said that the pedialyte is good to prevent dehydration, but it`s not a cure for the diarrhea. So a good thing to have on hand if your child is vomiting or has diarrhea.

So...not sure if the BRAT diet is the cure for diarrhea but after changing lots of diapers I was definitely feeding my little one bananas and toast!

Anyone out there have any tips?

What is not a toy???

So on my current trip, I decided to not pack the complete toybox--although I was tempted.
I packed a couple of small things but then thought to myself that since I will be out and about every day he really doesn't need much. I was wrong--I need something to entertain the little guy in the morning before going out and in the evening before bed.

Here are some things I am using to entertain him but your tips and ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Bath time: little plastic cups that are in hotel bathrooms. Has provided much fun at bath time.

Rolling toy: a pop bottle that is empty. Roll it around on the ground--loads of fun.

Tunnels: couch cushions and pillows and blankets (also excellent for peek-a-boo)

Stacking toys: also known as plastic cups

Musical instruments:: the pop bottle, a bowl and a spoon

Can't wait to hear your ideas because I have a feeling that the empty pop bottle won't keep us entertained forever!

Stains

I need tips on laundering!

What are the best ways to treat baby stains on clothing?

Prior to becoming a mom I never really had to worry about poo stains or spit-up stains. I am having trouble getting the stains out and it is driving me crazy!

Any tips would be appreciated--except if you tell me to put his clothes out in the sun. It's winter. I am not putting my child's onesies out on our patio table. So if that's your tip--please don't post it. :)

Winter Dry Skin

In the beginning I never put lotion on my baby but now he has dry skin that is so bad it is actually flaky. You can tell it is that tight itchy dryness and so I decided that I had to do something. He is over 6 months so there are less concerns about reactions to many products.
I have been trying some different products but willing to try others...any suggestions?

Introducing Foods...HELLO CONSTIPATION!

Over the past four weeks I have started to introduce solid foods. The introductions were going very well "Hello rice cereal", "Hello pears", "Hello squash"...then..."Hello Constipation!".
A new friend was made "Hello Prunes"...but we are still having issues... any suggestions??