Have you ever felt pain in your throat when swallowing? Or have you experienced it being too itchy but don’t know how to relieve the irritation? You may be having tonsillitis.

 

Common Symptoms

 

Tonsillitis will cause pain in your throat when you try to swallow, eat, or drink. It is one illness that can be coupled by a fever and is one that is primarily caused by a bacteria or a virus. You will also know that you have tonsillitis when your tonsils are with a yellow or white coating or when you observe them to be redder than usual. Other signs of tonsillitis include swollen glands in the neck, noticeable bad breath and a funny-sounding kind of voice.

 

Treatment for Tonsillitis

 

When you see a doctor for your tonsillitis, he will first take a look at your tonsils. To be able to do this, he will use a tongue depressor, which is a small wooden stick, to hold your tongue and get a clear view of the state of your tonsils.

 

He will also check for other signs of infection by looking at your nose and ears. He will be checking in particular for the presence of the streptococci bacteria because the presence of this will need special treatment. To know if you have this, your doctor will swab the back of your throat and make you gag to get a throat culture which he will send to the lab.

 

If your tonsillitis is caused by the strep bacteria, your doctor will prescribe for you antibiotic that would kill the bacteria. It is important that you finish the entire prescription he has asked you to take even if the pain is gone within the few first days, this is to insure that the bacteria is really killed and that it will not resurface again as a stronger kind of bacteria.

 

If, on the other hand, your tonsillitis is caused by a virus usually your own body will work against it on its own and no amount of antibiotics can kill it.

 

Dealing with Tonsillitis

 

When you have tonsillitis, there are some things you can do to make yourself feel a bit better.

 

You should drink plenty of fluids and try to eat smooth foods, like gelatin, ice pops and soups. Avoid eating hard, spicy and crunchy types of foods for they will only increase the pain.

 

You can also take the time to get sufficient and the much needed rest.

 

Finally try to use a humidifier in the room where you are staying. This can help moisten the air in your room and avoid the air friction in your throat that can cause further pain.

Nothing is more exciting than the arrival of your newborn child. However, along with joy and excitement, new moms should be aware of the challenges this new stage in their life could bring. While many new moms are willing to breastfeed their babies, there face some struggles in doing so.

Breastfeeding is beneficial to both the baby and the mother. Not only does it provide complete nutrition to your baby, it also forms a bond between you and your newborn child. Breastfeeding, however, is a process that you need to learn and develop; no one is born knowing how the process is done. To ensure that you will be able to provide your nourishing milk to your baby, here are 5 breastfeeding tips for new mothers.

Breastfeed your baby within the first hour of delivery. Once your baby is born, the doctors will let you hold your baby and encourage you to nurse him or her. Take advantage of this opportunity as this will help your uterus contract, signaling your mammary gland to provide colostrum for your baby.

Feed on demand. When your baby shows signs of hunger, make sure to offer your breast and let him or her get all the milk the he or she wants. Let your baby nurse completely on one breast before offering the other in order for him or her to get both the foremilk and the hind milk.

Avoid introducing bottles and pacifiers to your baby early. Make sure that breastfeeding is well established first so that he or she would prefer nursing from you.

Increase your milk supply. If it seems like you do not have enough milk to satisfy your little one, there are a lot of ways to improve your milk flow. Stay hydrated and consume soups, juices, and lots of water. There are also food supplements that can help you improve your milk supply such as fenugreek. Moreover, practice skin-to-skin contact with your baby.

Stay calm and relaxed when feeding your baby. When your stressed or worried that you may not be feeding your baby well, it affects the entire process of breastfeeding. Just stay calm and believe that you are providing enough nutrition and satisfaction to your little one.

If, after following these breastfeeding tips for new mothers, you still find breastfeeding a big challenge, you may need to turn to a lactation consultant who can give you sound advice on what you may not be doing correctly.

Do you have poor supply of breast milk? Do you find it difficult to feed your baby with your milk? Know how to properly breastfeed your baby with these effective tips.

The Importance of Breastfeeding

It is a universally accepted fact that nothing can compare to breast milk when it comes to giving your baby his or her needed nourishment – physically and emotionally.

Breast milk provides babies with the nutrients needed to protect them from possible infection and allergy. This is especially true during the first few days after birth when the mother produces colostrum, which contains anti-bodies that will help develop an infant’s resistance to infection. At the same time, breast-feeding gives you and your baby the opportunity to develop that special nurturing bond between mother and child.

How to Deal with Poor Milk Supply

Breast milk almost often comes naturally for many mothers. However, there are those who find it difficult to produce adequate milk for their infant. This lack of breast milk often experienced by first-time mothers can be caused by anxiety, an improper diet, and the lack of appropriate stimulus. Below are three easy steps that could help new mothers produce enough breast milk for their new born infants.

First time mothers who are anxious and tense in breast feeding their infants may find it difficult to produce milk. This is because anxiety prevents you from producing enough oxytocin, a hormone that triggers the initial milk flow. Mothers should try to relax when feeding their infants by practicing deep breathing exercises. Listening to soothing music or watching television during feeds may also help.

Stimulate the flow of breast milk by allowing the baby to suck on your nipples for as long as your baby wants (read more on this topic here). This tugging motion helps boost circulation and clears blocked milk ducts. Slowly massaging your nipples occasionally may also help.

Maintaining a mother and child friendly diet is most important. Lactating mothers should consume at least eight glasses of water or fruit juices in one day. Vegetable soup, green leafy vegetables, and calcium-rich food are necessary in a mother’s diet. Lactating mothers should also avoid caffeine as well as alcohol. A mother’s milk contains whatever it is that she takes for herself, so mothers should treat themselves to small frequent meals in between feeding.

When poor milk supply continues to persist for more than a week after giving birth, it is advised that mothers get appropriate medical help.

Are you a first time mother and scared how properly breastfeed your baby? Know the right way of proper breastfeeding for your baby’s full growth and development.

First-time mothers are usually both excited and afraid about nurturing their newly born babies. Most mothers even seek the help of their mothers or their friends who have had the same experience to assist them on how to raise their babies properly.

Breastfeeding Guide

As a guide, here are some important things breastfeeding mothers should know:

Breast size has no bearing at all on the ability of a mother to breastfeed her baby. Sometimes, women with small breasts produce more milk than those with full heavy breasts that consist mostly of fatty tissues only. The milk is formed in the glandular tissues that develop during pregnancy and passes to the small sacs in the breasts and out through the nipples.

After you have delivered your baby in the hospital, ask your doctor to have your baby brought to you for personal nursing, instead of giving him or her a bottle, as practiced in most hospitals.

The watery fluid called colostrum which precedes milk is important to the infant as it will provide the baby with a natural immunity from many infections. The colostrum also serves as a milk laxative that cleans out the first stool or bowel movement the baby passes out after birth. So, it is important that this fluid be given to your baby after delivery.

The best nursing position is lying down with two pillows to prop you up. Sitting down on a comfortable chair or a rocking chair while holding the baby in your arms is also an effective position for breastfeeding.

Relax and rest while nursing the baby. Offer one breast first, letting the baby suck it for eight to 10 minutes before offering the other breast. Make sure that your baby empties both your breasts to avoid painful gorging and less production of milk.

If you cannot breastfeed your baby because you have to leave for work or other errands, you can transfer your breast milk in a bottle and let the baby drink it. Some working mothers, however, choose to feed their babies with breast milk as soon as they got home from work at night to make up for their absence during the day.

Ask your doctor what to eat during your nursing stage. As a rule, your diet should be the same as during your pregnancy, with more intake of milk and protein foods. Your doctor may prescribe iron tablets or vitamin preparations. Before taking any drug and medication though, seek the advice of your doctor first.

Being a mother is not easy at all. However, if you see that your child is growing healthy and happy, you will realize that the difficulties you have gone through and the sacrifices you made are all worth it.

Now that you know your baby is on the way, what you should you be most concerned about? Of course, you are planning to give him the best care, and this must begin from the day you realize you are pregnant. In fact, you should start long before. The better your own health, even before you are married, the healthier your children are likely to be. It is most important that you keep well-nourished and well rested.

Chiropractic Care for Pregnant Women

Do you know that chiropractic adjustments can help pregnant women cope better with physiological and endocrinological changes that occur during pregnancy? Because pregnancy brings about misalignment of the spine due to protruding belly, a gentle chiropractic adjustment can establish pelvic balance and restore alignment. When the pelvic is aligned properly, delivery of the baby will be easier and is likely to be normal and non-invasive.

Pregnant women who have undergone chiropractic treatment during pregnancy have also been observed to have reduced labor pains and shortened labor time. Chiropractic adjustment, therefore, is a pregnancy care and preparation tip that pregnant women should try to consider.

Other Pregnancy Care Tips to Keep in Mind

Choose a good doctor. Even though this may be your first child, you can never tell whether complications might arise. Your doctor would rather have you consult him as soon as possible, allowing him to guide you through this important period of your life. Don’t forget to check out my tips for breastfeeding too!

The amount of exercise you indulge in will depend somewhat on your natural habits of life. If you have been an active person, you may continue your activities in a rather modified form. There is no reason why you cannot play outdoor games or drive a car unless your doctor advises otherwise.

Taking a good walk is an excellent tonic for the whole body. Begin with shorter walks and gradually increase them.

Grab some fresh air, for you are breathing not only for yourself but also for your baby.

Your bedroom should be well ventilated at night.

Heavy smoking during pregnancy is not wise. The smoke from one cigarette may speed up the heart of an unborn baby as much as 25 percent above its previous rate.

It is wiser to avoid alcoholic drinks, even beer, not only for your own sake but also for your baby’s health.

It is important to have regular bowels during pregnancy. At least one movement should take place every day. Large quantities of fruits and vegetables will help to keep you regular.

Marital relations are permitted until the last four weeks of pregnancy. After that time there might be some danger of infection and perhaps premature labor. If at any time sexual intercourse is uncomfortable to the expectant mother, it is wise to refrain from further indulgence.

Drink at least six to eight glasses of water or other liquids each day.

Now is the time for the proper care of your nipples. If they are stiff and hard, it will be difficult for the baby to draw milk from them. The nipples should be washed each morning with mild soap and water.

There should not be any tight bands around the waist or legs. Do not wear garters at any form.

Wear comfortable low-heeled shoes. Wearing high heels can put you at risk for falls and other accidents.

Take your usual daily bath. It should not be too hot or too cold.

Take a plenty of rest. You should have at least eight to nine hours of sleep each night. Trust me, when the baby comes out, you will miss having complete rest.

Now that you are pregnant, you should be mindful not only about your body but your baby, too. As long as you observe proper safety measures, you can be sure that you will successfully deliver your baby.