Baby Care and Parenting Tips

Expectant mothers are being bombarded with new prenatal fish oil supplements. Are they effective? Are they safe? Should you take DHA during pregnancy at all? The answers are maybe, maybe and yes – if you know what you are doing.

First, there seems to be some confusion about the relationship between DHA and omega 3 fish oil. DHA is an omega 3. What this means is that if you are trying to take DHA during pregnancy, you do not need a “prenatal” formula. A quality omega 3 fish oil supplement will not only suffice but in most cases be preferable.

There are really two omega 3s that mother and child need. The second one is EPA. In, other words if you plan on taking DHA during pregnancy you need EPA also, but not as much.

Why should I take omega 3s in the first place?

The two found in fish oil are part of every cell in our body. DHA is particularly prevalent in the brain and eyes, EPA in cell membranes. The research on this has not gone unnoticed, even in Washington.

Omega 3s have been shown to benefit four of the top five ailments or conditions for which troops receive hospital treatment. Those includes pregnancy and depression. The U.S. Department of defense is looking into adding these essential fats to soldiers diets.

It is not just combat performance that could be improved by omega-3s. Some military dietitians believe they could help to cut medical bills running into millions of dollars. The DOD is looking at doing this for their pregnant female soldiers because the research is pretty overwhelming.

What scientists have found is this.

Ninety-nine% of people in the West are estimated to have an omega 3 deficiency. Unless an expectant mother takes EPA and DHA during pregnancy that figure is going to include her and her child. What this means is that after the child is born she or he will be more likely to have:

1] Increased risk of depression, ADD, mood swings and emotional volatility.

2] Lower IQ scores – 8-10 points or more.

3] Visual problems.

4] Coordination development issues.

Mom is also more likely to have early labor and postpartum depression of her own.

The growing fetus is almost literally an omega 3 sponge. Since our bodies can not make these essential fats, the fetus is going to grab them from mom. If mom is not taking EPA and DHA during pregnancy then they both will likely have shortages.

What about supplements?

The only way to get these fats is by supplement or eating a lot of fish. The FDA is okay with purified supplements but not with too much fish. Heavy metals from the ocean are bad for everyone but downright deadly to young children.

As I mentioned earlier there are no special omega 3s for prenatal, postnatal or senior citizens. In fact, many of the prenatal supplements I have seen are inefficient at the least and contaminated at the worst. Do your research. Stick with quality. For more information in this area, please visit my website.

Remember, your unborn child is getting nutrients from you. Talk to your doctor about taking EPA and DHA during pregnancy. You need enough for at least two of you.

An invitation tells everyone a party’s theme, along with setting the tone of the event. Invitations also incite excitement as guests look forward to coming to the party. Of course, your little one-year-olds won’t have a clue, but their parents will. They will anxiously look forward to bringing their child to the party. So, let’s get start by getting everyone in the Elmo Birthday Party mood!

GUEST LIST

If you’re holding the party at your home, be sure you will be able to accommodate everyone who will be attending. Double-check the baby proofing of your home. It may be fine for one toddler, but may require additional removal of things for several little ones to run safely around your home. Also, be sure to have enough helpers to assist with your toddler crowd.

PARTY PARTICULARS

Insure your invitations provide all the necessary party particulars. Birthday child’s name, age, time party starts and ends, date, location, (directions, if needed), and party theme. Be sure to provide RSVP info, which includes a contact name, phone number, and response date.

SPECIAL PARTY PARTICULARS

If you have any special instructions to your guests, don’t forget to include that info in the invites. For example, you might want to request moms to bring a high chair, to keep your little guests contained when they eat. If you’re having any water activities, you might want moms to bring a bathing suit and towel.

Here’s some ideas for Elmo Party invitations to help get your creative juices flowing:

FURRY ELMO INVITES

Cut a large red circle out of a piece of card stock and write all of the party details on one side. Turn it over and glue red fur fabric to it. Glue an orange pom-pom for the nose, black felt for the mouth, and plastic Google eyes to the red fur.

BIG RED ELMO INVITES

Cut a large red circle out of a piece of card stock and write all of the party details on one side. On the reverse side, glue Google eyes, an orange pom-pom for the nose, and black felt for the mouth. In the alternative, you could just use orange paper for the nose and black paper for the mouth.

ELMO INVITATIONS

Cut 8 1/2″ x 11″ yellow card stock into 4 pieces. Type or handwrite party details in calligraphy on piece of textured white scrapbook paper. Cut each finished piece with decorative scissors so they measure 3″ x 4 1/2″. Glue to card stock. Decorate corners with Elmo stickers and embellish edges with glitter. On opposite side decorate with Elmo stickers and die cuts of letters and numbers.

ELMO PHOTO INVITATIONS

Cut 8 1/2″ x 11″ yellow card stock into 2 pieces and fold in half. Using decorative scissors, trim edges of photo of your baby in an Elmo costume so photo is slightly smaller than card stock. Glue photo to front of invitation. Put “Come Celebrate My 1st Birthday!” above the photo. On decorative paper (finished size 4 1/2″ x 7 1/2″) either type or handwrite in calligraphy the following on left side:

(Baby’s Name) birthday is brought to you by the letter (first letter of baby’s name) and the number “1.”
Date & Time:
Elmo’s World Location:
R.S.V.P. to:

EMBELLISHED READY-MADE ELMO INVITATIONS

Buy ready-made Elmo invitations and embellish picture. Add wiggly eyes, red glitter on body, orange felt for nose, and black felt for mouth.