who sends us the most helpful tip will receive the gift set.
All the best responses will be published in a future blog post to help other
parents of babies have good travel experiences this holiday season. All
submissions must be sent before December 14th, 2011.
Meals and snacks during pregnancy can seem complicated
because there are so many things that you should avoid consuming for the health of your
baby. In general, any type of food or drink that can harbor illness-inducing bacteria should be avoided. However, substances that can cause contractions and some items that seem safe can cause adverse reactions in your developing baby. Here is your quick guide of what not to consume during pregnancy:
cheeses - Brie, goat cheese, Camembert, feta, blue, Roquefort, Gorgonzola,
queso blanco, queso fresco and other Mexican-style cheeses. If non-imported
cheese is pasteurized it is safe to eat. Cream cheese and cottage cheese
meats. Cold cuts, sausages and hot dogs should be cooked until steaming.
meats (Cook meats medium-medium well). The juice from the meats should run
clear. Use a meat thermometer to make sure they are cooked
to the correct temperature. Avoid raw poultry that has been stuffed,
unless you buy it frozen and cook from its frozen state.
eggs (including runny eggs). Raw eggs can show up in Caesar salad
dressing, cookie dough, cake batter, un-pasteurized eggnog, homemade ice
cream, mayonnaise, custards, and Hollandaise sauces. Restaurants are
supposed to use pasteurized eggs for sauces, dressings and desserts but
you might want to ask before ordering.
like alfalfa, radish, clover and mung bean.
milk or juice.
seafood like lox, nova style, kippered or jerky. Canned or jarred smoked
seafood that is shelf-safe is usually safe right out of the container. If
smoked seafood is a cooked ingredient it is safe for consumption.
shellfish like oysters, clams, or mussels. Cook shellfish until their
fish. Fish should be cooked until it is flaky and opaque throughout.
Shrimp, lobster and scallops should be cooked until they are solid white.
or meat spreads that are refrigerated. Shelf-safe meat spreads or pates
that are from a can or jar are okay to eat.
and parsley seeds. These are all safe in normal culinary use but large doses (e.g. supplements) can cause contractions.
teas. A good rule of thumb to follow with herbal teas is to only drink what you can safely eat during pregnancy. Fruit-based and spice teas are generally safe. However, large amounts
of red raspberry leaf tea can cause contractions. Many of the ingredients in
teas, even those marketed to pregnant women, have not been studied for
their safety during pregnancy. Consult your doctor if you are unsure about any teas that you wish to drink.
fish like shark, tilefish, king mackerel, swordfish, albacore tuna (canned
tuna is okay but still should only be eaten in moderation). Only eat fish
2-3 times a week. For more on which fish have high levels see Mercury
locally from polluted or contaminated ponds. Some fish that are
particularly susceptible are bluefish, stripped bass, salmon, pike, trout
and walleye. This does not include the fish you buy in the grocery store.
amounts of vitamin A can cause birth defects. Avoid consuming large
amounts of liver or taking vitamin A supplements.
alcohol, it crosses the placenta immediately and can lead to behavioral
problems, disorders of the nervous system and physical abnormalities.
caffeine to 300 milligrams or less a day. 500 milligrams or more is
associated with an increased risk of miscarriage and even less than that has
been associated with slower growth rates in fetuses. Remember that
caffeine is found in coffee, caffeinated teas (like black, green, English
and Irish teas), sodas and chocolate.
What item has been the hardest for you to give up during pregnancy?
The trends for next year's round of baby names are already appearing. Heroes, made-up concoctions, and certain letters are leading the way for baby names in 2012. Here's the latest:
Heroes - People are naming their children after their personal heroes. Monroe, Gatsby, 