Does your pregnancy diet consist of ice cream, Taco Bell and more ice cream?  While those may be the only things you can stomach, there is some truth to the old adage you are what you eat.  And what you eat while you’re pregnant can affect your baby’s health for the rest of its life. 

You don’t have to go running to the nearest organic food store right this second, but making a few changes to your diet can go a long way for your developing baby.

Here are five things to incorporate into your diet over the next nine months:

OJ:  Folic acid (found in oranges and bananas) is really important, especially during the early stages of pregnancy, as it reduces neural-tube defects.  Studies have shown that supplementing with folic acid for a year before pregnancy can help reduce the risk of pre-term delivery.  Down a glass of orange juice every morning, plus supplement with a pre-natal vitamin.

Fish: Getting enough DHA (found in seafood) is one of the most important things you can do for your baby’s health.  DHA boosts baby’s brain development before birth, leading to better vision, memory, motor skills and language in early childhood.  So eat at least 12 ounces a week of low-mercury fish, or take a DHA supplement.

Meat: During pregnancy, your iron (found in protein) needs double to support your 50 percent increase in blood volume and promote fetal iron storage.  Iron transports oxygen, and your baby benefits from a healthy supply.

Cheese: Aim to get 1,000 milligrams of calcium a day (found in dairy products).  Your baby needs it for tooth and bone development in the second and third trimesters.

Produce/Whole Grains: A diet high in fiber (found in fruits, vegetables and whole grains) helps prevent constipation and keeps you feeling full so you are less likely to over eat.  High-fiber foods are packed with vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals essential to your baby’s overall development.

Remember, make each calorie count by choosing whole, healthy foods for your pregnant belly and developing baby!

Lullabelly Question: When listening to your Lullabelly pregnancy music belt, what song brings on the cravings?

Remember those early days of pregnancy when every little smell sent you running for the toilet?  You couldn’t walk past the Abercrombie & Fitch store at the mall without holding your breath to avoid the perfume wafting from the store.

Well, research shows it may all be in your head.  While many women say their sense of smell got stronger with pregnancy, research has not confirmed that women’s olfactory senses increase.  There have been several studies done on the subject and results are mixed. 

But ask any pregnant woman and she will tell you that she sure had experienced an altered sense of smell – especially in early pregnancy.

So why is your sniffer super sensitive now? 

Some scientists suggest that an aversion to smells might be a protective mechanism – like the spoiled meat doesn’t smell good, so you don’t eat it.

So trust your belly’s instincts.  If something doesn’t smell like roses to you, avoid it.  It may not cause food poisoning, but it might make you sick.

If you’re still on the fence about whether to breast or bottle feed, The Lullabelly Belly Blog can help you decide – we’re moms too who appreciate all things baby! 

We all know breast is considered best for baby as far as nourishment goes, but what you might not know is that breast milk has some other added benefits that have nothing to do with feeding time.

Experts say that breast milk may be better than hitting up the drugstore for common ailments.  Just a few drops of breast milk can help clear up the following:

Unstuff Noses – Skip the saline drops!  Instead, squirt two drops of breast milk into each nostril and clear out the mucus with an aspirator.  Exposure to your milk’s antibodies may help relieve irritation.

Correct Conjunctivitis – For mild cases of pinkeye, two drops of in each infected eye twice daily proves to be an effective antibiotic.

Cleaning Ouchies – Clean cuts and scrapes than dab on some breast milk instead antibacterial cream.

Itchy Scratchy Relief – Use a cotton ball to blot dry spots of eczema with breast milk, which is a great lubricant.

Oh and if your baby suffers from a mild case of diaper rash, breast milk has been known to heal tushies slightly faster than zinc oxide ointments. 

Breast milk really is liquid gold!

Tip! To help relax and stimulate milk production, pop on your Lullabelly musical belt’s headphones and listen to your relaxation playlist. You can use your Lullabelly even when you’re not pregnant – it’s easy to attach to your rocking chair and then listen away!

Your heartburn is raging.  Your feet and ankles have ballooned up.  You are dead tired and can’t shake it.

While these are all common symptoms in the third trimester, avoiding certain bad-news foods can help ease your complaints. Here is the “bad” list.

Caffeine:
You should be limiting your intake of caffeine anyways during pregnancy, but high amounts can cause you to retain water.  Skip the afternoon java and take a quick walk to wake-up instead. If you crave Starbucks, you can always sit in the shop and soak in the aroma!

Chocolate:

How can any pregnant woman resist the sweet, sweet comfort of chocolate during her pregnancy?  But if your heartburn is steady and constant, put down that Hershey bar.  Acidic foods like chocolate are known to contribute to indigestion. (Ah, a little bit of chocolate never hurt anyone, right?)

Sugar:

When you’re pregnant you need healthy foods that pack a nutrient rich punch to fuel baby’s growth and development.  Don’t waste your calories on empty junk food and candy that will give you a quick sugary boost of energy but cause you to come crashing down.  If you’re craving something sweet, go for the fruit bowl.  You’re post-pregnancy hips will thank you later. (Of course, one Krispy Kreme donut never hurt anyone?)

Avoiding these three temptations will hopefully have you feeling a bit better while in the home stretch of your pregnancy.

Before you found your self knocked up, you used to indulge in a spa day here or there complete with a soothing massage.  Now that you’re a human incubator, you’d love to take off for a little mama-to-be time at the nearest spa, but you may be wondering if it’s safe to get a rub down.

You’re in luck, because not only do experts say a massage during pregnancy is safe, studies have shown that prenatal massage can reduce anxiety, relieve muscle aches and joint pain and get this…improve labor and newborn health. Yay massage!

But before you slip out of that robe and slippers and onto the massage table, know this:

-       Choose a massage therapist that is certified in prenatal massage – they’ve received special training and know how to address specific pregnancy needs and how to handle sensitive lady bits.

-       Side-lying is the best position for a pregnant woman during a massage – confirm with the therapist prior to your appointment which position they place clients during the massage.

-       Be aware of pressure points – certain areas on the ankles and wrists can stimulate the uterus.  If you’ve been experiencing pre-term contractions alert your therapist.

-       Wait until your first trimester is over to make an appointment – many facilities won’t offer a massage to a woman who is still less than 12 weeks pregnant because of increased risks for miscarriage in early pregnancy.

Of course speak with your doc before getting a prenatal massage, especially if you are having a high risk pregnancy, preeclampsia, per-term labor or are experiencing severe swelling, high blood pressure and sever headaches.

Otherwise, go for it! You’re baby bump will thank you!

I’ll be honest.  With my first pregnancy, I did not care if we were having a boy or girl.  It was my first time to the rodeo and all I wanted was a healthy baby. 

But when the ultrasound technician announced it was a girl at our 20-week appointment – I did a little happy dance inside my head.  It’s not that I didn’t want a boy.  I was just more familiar with girls.  I’m a girl and I have a younger sister.  I knew nothing about boys until I moved in with my husband (and I still have a thing or two to learn about them).

My hubby was completely freaked when he found out we were having a girl.  He later told me that all he could think about was the wedding he would have to pay for one day.  It took him a while to adjust to the thought of having a girl, but two and a half years later, they have a special bond that he wouldn’t trade for the world.

The second time around, I was kind of hoping for a boy.  My husband and I decided we are going to be a two-kid family, so this was our last chance.  At the 20 week ultrasound I was convinced I would learn I was having a boy, but we found out it was another girl.  I was a little disappointed because it would have been nice to have one of each.  But again, a happy, healthy baby was more important.

My husband was a bit sad for the loss of the boy he would never have – but knew what he was getting into this time and welcomed the opportunity to be a father to another little girl.

The truth is, it’s normal to be happy or sad, nervous or elated, frustrated or excited when you initially find out the sex of your child.  After they are born and you get to know them, they become people.  You’re raising another human being and gender doesn’t make much of a difference when you are teaching them how to be a good person and live their life the best way they can.

And as Beyonce so poignantly says, “Who Run the World? GIRLS!” Oh yeah, that song was on my Lullabelly musical belt playlist. Maybe that’s why I was blessed with two strong-willed daughters!

You create a registry, ready the room and make sure you have all of the best gear and baby products before the baby arrives.  However, a step a lot of couples miss when preparing for baby is getting their finances and life provisions in order before junior comes along.

This is probably because this type of baby planning is not nearly as sexy or fun as decorating a nursery, but it should be done and is a very important aspect of being a responsible parent. (Oh man, when did we grow up?!)

Dealing with money matters early in pregnancy will allow for more time to focus on being a parent when baby is born and you’ll get the tough questions answered and out of the way. Whew!

Here are the to-dos you should consider:

Ensure Proper Insurance:  Establish health and life insurance policies (or adjust existing ones) to accommodate for baby.  Remember you’re not the first person in the world to have a child, so no matter how bureaucratic insurance companies can be, they still have standard protocols in place for families with new babies that should ease some of the process.

Will It That Way: Although a morbid thought, putting a plan in place in case your plane goes down is important.  Work with a lawyer to draft a will, he or she will know the tough questions to ask you so that all your affairs are in order including designating a legal guardian and a trustee to handle any money or assets in your place.

Saving Your Pennies: If you haven’t been a big saver, now is the time to change your ways.  College is expensive.  Putting aside a few dollars for baby’s education now will ease the blow later.  Consider setting up auto-payments from each paycheck into a separate college account or look into a 529 plan, which is a popular tax-advantage savings plan specially designed for a child’s future education.

And while you’re at it, don’t forget about your own future.  You won’t be able to work forever, so having a proper retirement plan in place now is a good idea too. After all, you don’t want that baby taking care of you in your old-age. No way!

As a new mom-to-be you should be fully aware that you are in for a whole world of poop when your baby is born. Babies poop a lot in those first few weeks (in fact, it would seem that every fart is accompanied by some poo). So enjoy the quiet time you have relaxing with your Lullabelly music belt now, soon you’ll be doing a lot of diaper changes.

Also, be prepared for what baby poop looks like. Don’t expect a nicely formed bowel movement. Oh no. Baby’s first poop will be dark, greenish-black and gooey (it looks kind of like tar). This is called meconium, and it’s made up of all the delicacies your baby has been swallowing for the last nine months like amniotic fluid, bile, mucous and dead skin cells. Sounds tasty, doesn’t it?

After the first few dirty diapers, baby’s poop will switch to a mustard-yellow with some tiny seeds in it if you are breastfeeding. If baby is drinking formula, the stool may be yellow, brown or green and may have a stronger smell to it.

All of these colors are perfectly normal, but if the poop is hard and pebble-like, has blood in it or is white, call your doc.

And that’s the scoop on newborn poop.

It’s not just your waistline that expands during pregnancy. Your boobs get big too and can go up a couple of cup sizes while you are pregnant.

Wondering when it might be time to get a new bra? The Lullabelly team has broken down which bras we think are best for each month in your pregnancy.

Months 1 – 3
Your Normal Bra
Although your boobs will probably be sore and tender in those first few months, you’ll likely be able to get away with your regular bra. But don’t try to push it, if your cup runneth over – go up a size.

Months 4-6
A Cheap Big Bra
No need to invest yet in a maternity bra, but go up a back size and cup for extra comfort. Buy cheap here, this bra will only last a few months so don’t overspend. Consider going without an underwire too if your breasts are sore.

Months 7-9
Maternity Bra
Okay, go for it. It’s time to purchase the maternity bra, which will provide support. Two maternity bras on rotation should do the job.

Post Baby
Nursing Bra
If you are planning to breastfeed, a good nursing bra (or two) will come in very handy. Think comfort and easy access (the cups unhook and fold down so you can feed baby quickly). Don’t purchase an underwire bra which can put pressure on your breasts and cause discomfort.

Post Post Baby
Sexy Bra
Once your breasts have come back down to Earth, it’s time to invest again in a new bra because chances are, your boobs are a different shape and size than they were pre-baby. Make it sexy so the other person in your life (your significant other) can enjoy it too!

When the clock strikes twelve (Noon that is, we know you preggos can’t stay awake much past 9 p.m. these days) are you stumped on what to grab for lunch? No worries, the Lullabelly blog has got you covered.

Here are some items to add to your lunch box:

Chili/Soup: Turkey chili is a great option for the pregnant diner. You’ll need more protein these days, so lean turkey and fiber-packed beans offer a delicious and healthy option. Plus, soups and chili can be simmered over the weekend and packed up for weekday lunches.

A Piece of Fruit: Stash at least one piece of fruit in your lunch bag each day. Pears, apples and oranges all work well and help with any digestive issues you may be encountering. They’ll even satisfy that sweetness you’ve been craving.

Cheese and Crackers: Cheese is filled with calcium and protein. Choose whole wheat crackers for a healthier option. Together they make the perfect snack.

Tea: Are you a coffee kind of girl? Well, you may want to skip the caffeine for nine months (or at least limit your intake), but if you’re still craving a hot beverage – decaf tea is a good substitute.

Side Salad: A guilt-free option! Pile the veggies as high as you want, but go easy on the dressing, which can be filled with fat and calories.

Leftovers: Whatever you make for dinner just cook a little extra and save for tomorrow’s lunch.

Remember, brown bagging it is always healthier because you control what goes into your food and the portions. If you are used to going out to lunch, try to cut back to once or twice a week. Happy – and nutritious – eating everyone!