Keeping Your Kids Safe This Halloween

Halloween is a holiday that every kid looks forward to.  Whether it’s the prospect of going through the neighborhood getting candy, or a community group event like a church harvest festival, kids love dressing up, pretending, and getting rewarded for it!  There are a few things to keep in mind, however, to make sure your kids stay safe during Halloween.

1. Choose Costumes Wisely

When choosing a costume for your child, think safety over looks.  Make sure that the costume doesn’t cover their eyes.  If the costume comes with a prop like a sword or wand, make sure that the end is dull enough that it won’t injure the child.  If trick or treating is on the agenda, consider affixing some reflective tape to the sides of the costume, as well as on the child’s shoes to make him/her more visible.  If possible, choose a costume that is brightly colored so drivers can see them at all times.  Many children also wear glow in the dark bracelets or other items to help them stand out in dark areas.

2. Navigate Safely

Pre-plan your trick or treating route.  If your child is old enough to venture out on their own, make sure you are aware (and approve) of their route.  Don’t go up to homes with cluttered or dark porches.  Always choose to trick or treat at homes that have their porch light lit.  Check the Megan’s law website to ensure that there are no convicted criminals on your trick or treating route.  Don’t run while trick or treating-always walk!  If children are under 12 years old, it is recommended that an adult accompanies them.  Make sure that children know the rules of the road for pedestrians, such as walking on the left hand side of the road, facing oncoming traffic, if a sidewalk isn’t present.  And finally, always make sure that children know to never go inside a stranger’s house.  If you child is old enough, lend them a cell phone to use while trick or treating.

3.Check the Candy

Yes, it’s still important to check your child’s candy.  When your child returns home with that bucket overflowing with treats, dump them out and make sure that each piece of candy has a wrapper fully intact.  Discard any candies that have damaged or missing wrappers.  Many parents also discard homemade treats, as a home kitchen may not employ food safety standards that are up to par.

4. Always Trust Your Instincts

If you feel a house doesn’t look right, or feel right, avoid it.  If there are individuals on the street that seem dangerous, walk the other way.  If a candy feels or smells “Off”, throw it away.  Always trust your instincts!

How Owning a Dog can Help Parents and Babies

A dog is more than just a pet-they are a constant source of love and companionship.  When you find out your pregnant, your four legged friend may very well become a naptime companion, a constant listener, and a comforting friend.  But when you bring home a new baby, many parents are concerned about integrating their pup with their new family member.  But many families are beginning to embrace some surprising new facts that may help more families embrace a pet-friendly home.

1. Practice

While owning a dog may not be as involved as parenting, it does help you get an idea of what parenting will entail.  Keeping a watchful eye on small objects, being able to set boundaries and rules, and most of all, being able to look over small accidents without losing your cool.

2. Instant Entertainment

Infants have an incredible attraction to animals-and dogs are no exception.  Your infant may very well love to watch your pup play fetch, a game of tug-o-war, or watching the dog show off a few tricks and behaviors.  Your child will likely giggle and laugh as she watches the dog go about its daily routines!

3. Security

Many pets will take on a watchdog role when it comes to a new family member.  Once the pet is used to the baby, it will probably bark when the child wakes up, notifying you of a need.  The pet may also act more protective of the family when strangers knock at the door.

4. Built-in Janitor

Spilled cereal?  Crushed crackers on the floor?  Baby food thrown from the high chair?  Not a problem-your pup is to the rescue!  You may very well be able to sweep less often thanks to your four legged friend.  While you should always be mindful of the food your pup eats, it will surprise you how many spilled pureed veggies your dog will gladly clean up!

5.  Illness Preventer

While many parents worry about the germs a dog may bring into the baby’s life, doctors actually believe that it’s healthier for children to be exposed to a small amount of germs-like those brought in by a dog-in order to build up a strong immune system. A new study shows that this small scale exposure leads to fewer respiratory illnesses and ear infections, as well as decreased risk for asthma and allergies.  While a doggie kiss bath probably isn’t a great idea, a few kisses here and there won’t hurt.

6. Anti-depressant

It’s a fact that animals help lower blood pressure, regulate heart beats, and help relieve depression and anxiety.  This may very well come in handy for new parents!  Being able to relax with your pet and receive no-strings-attached affection may help those suffering from the baby blues.  Having a pet will also help keep you active, which also helps to relieve depression and anxiety.

Dogs make wonderful pets, and having a pet that’s a good fit for your family is priceless.  If you’re looking for a new dog, contact your local shelter or non-profit humane society and inquire about adoption!

Dressing Your Child for Fall and Winter

It seems that there is no consensus when it comes to keeping a child warm during the chilly fall and winter weather.  Many parents bundle their children up in multiple coats, gloves, and socks, while others simply wear a jacket and mittens.  Which is better, and what’s the safest?

Children under 5 need extra consideration when it comes to outdoor play during fall and winter.  Their small bodies loose heat more rapidly than older children, so they need extra layers.  Here’s a quick guide to keeping your child safe and warm during the fall and winter months.

For an infant 0-6 weeks old, try to keep them inside as much as possible.  If an outside trip is necessary, bundle your infant up in several warm layers to keep heat in.  Always check to make sure the infant’s mouth and nose is uncovered.  Even though a baby’s movements may be very limited during this time, the jostling and movement that occurs during traveling may most blankets and clothing.

When dressing your infant for sleep, keep them as comfortable as possible.  If your baby enjoys swaddling, use a lightweight cotton swaddle.  If the infant is sleeping with the parents, extra layers are not necessary as the infant will gain heat from the parents.  If the baby is sleeping in a crib, keep blankets out of the crib until 12 months old.  Put the infant in a sleep suit or warm outfit underneath the swaddle.

From 6 weeks to a year, the typical rule is that babies need one layer more than their parents.  Choose a hooded snowsuit without drawstrings for outdoor treks.  Always put the hood up or use a winter appropriate hat to keep the head and ears warm, along with gloves, warm socks, and shoes.  Once indoors, check your child’s body temperature by feeling her belly and toes.  The toes should be cool, but not chilly, and the belly should be warm.  If the toes and the belly are equally warm, the baby is too hot.  If the belly and toes are cold, the baby is struggling to keep herself warm.

From one to four years, the most important thing to dressing for fall and winter weather is to choose a waterproof outer layer.  Clothes that get soaked by rain or snow will draw heat out of the body.  Invest in a waterproof jacket that can fit on top of other layers, and is snug at the wrist.  Clothes should come up high on the neck, but not be restrictive. 

One other key to keeping your child warm is to protect their feet, fingers, and head.  Wool is a wonderful choice for keeping heads warm and cozy, along with polyester fleece.  Water and wind-resistant gloves will help keep fingers safe and toasty.  Always buy a pair of waterproof winter boots for your toddler, along with warm socks.

Above all, do a temperature check every 30 minutes or so.  Watch for bright pink skin with white spots, which is an early sign of frostbite.  Also check for dampened clothes.  Clothes that have gotten soiled or wet should be removed and replaced.

 

Summer Camping Tips for Families

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Camping is becoming one of America’s favorite past times.  Statistics show that 2 out of 5 families will go camping this summer.  Whether it’s a quick weekend trip or a week-long wilderness adventure, camping is a fun way to spend some time outdoors.  To get the most out of your camping trip, consider these tips:

1. Book in Advance

With the rise in popularity of camping, many campsites are seeing a huge upswing in reservations.  To ensure that your family gets a camping site, book online through the state or federal camp reservation system.  Many campsites will have specific sites listed, allowing you to reserve a campsite based on location or amenities.

2. Prepare for Bugs

Bugs are an all-too common problem when it comes to camping.  Prepare your gear and your family for bugs.  Invest in some mosquito netting to drape over the tent.  Purchase bug repellant or use natural bug repellant, and re-apply often.  Products with DEET should never be used on children, although there are natural alternatives.  Purchase a few citronella candles or bug repellant lanterns to keep the biters at bay.  For wasps and bees, use press & seal paper or mason jars with holes in the lids.  Stick a straw in the drink and cast away the worries of wasps intruding on your refreshment.  Having a trash can is essential at a camp site, but be sure to move the trash can down-wind from the tent, and as far away as possible to keep bugs away from the main camping area.

3. Bring Extra Batteries

You never know when the air mattress pump or the flashlight may run out of juice, so always be prepared with extra batteries.  Keep a set of batteries in your camping gear dedicated for camping use only.

4. Cook over a Fire

While cooking marshmallows is fun, you can cook a whole meal over a fire!  There are many creative, delicious recipes online for families to create meals over an open flame-including desserts!  Children will love to see the food cooking over the flames-and the rewards will be enjoyed by everyone.

5. Get some Fun In

Whether it’s creating a nature-themed scavenger hunt, or telling scary stories around the campfire, always plan to have some fun, kid-friendly activities.  Children love to learn; plan some fishing lessons or teach your children about local wildlife identification.

6. Keep Clean

Always bring extra tissues, wipes, paper towels, and toilet paper when camping to ensure that messes can be cleaned up quickly and thoroughly.  Be sure to research the campground to see if there are quarter-operated showers available and plan accordingly.  If the vehicle that was used for camping is dirty, plan to wash it on the way home to remove debris and ash.

7. Leave it How You Found it

With the rising popularity of camping, campgrounds are beginning to see the impacts of irresponsible campers.  Always be sure to completely extinguish a fire before leaving.  Also, never bring firewood from home to the campsite-always purchase the wood locally.  When packing up camp, pick up any trash or litter to the next family has a nice, clean place to stay.

 

 

How to Plan a Summer with Dad

Being a dad is tough work, whether you’re married, single, or divorced.  Balancing work, personal time, family time and finances can be tricky.  Taking time out of your schedule to plan some fun activities with your children is not only an important part of being a dad; it’s good for you, too.  This summer, do something fun and new with your family!

1. Go fishing

Fishing is a wonderful way to spend time with kids.  Children’s fishing poles are affordable, and buying reusable bait ensures you won’t spend your day re-worming hooks.  Find a pond or lake, purchase a fishing license for yourself (Many states allow children to fish for free, check your local Fish & Wildlife guidelines), pack a few snacks, and hit the water. 

2. Learn Something New

Exposing yourself and your children to new experiences not only creates lasting memories, but helps foster close relationships.  Choose a new sport or hobby, and delve into it!  Learning something new together will help you, as a parent, see your children blossom and discover new things.  Try learning how to sail a boat, how to play baseball, or how to build and launch rockets-the possibilities are endless.

3. Let Your Kids Choose

When planning an outing, if all you’re left with is eye rolls, let your children choose what they’d like to do.  Visiting a theme park, or just going for ice cream-letting your children have some input as to what to do lets them feel listened to and cherished.

4. Discover the World around You

Every state has parks and recreation areas full of activities.  Hiking, camping, swimming, even nature preserves, are all wonderful places to take children.   Before you visit, be sure to look up interesting things about the area, such as native plants and animals to look out for, how to find footprints of native animals, or read reviews of other family’s experiences in the area.

5. Camp in Your Backyard

Even if you can’t get to a local campground, having a campout in your backyard is a fun solution.  You don’t even need a tent!  If there won’t be rain, use blankets as a makeshift tent.  If rain or a heavy dew is on the horizon, use a tarp.  Have a campfire around your grill, roasting smores and telling stories before packing it in for the night.  Inject some creativity into your camping trip by pretending you are cattle rustlers hiding from the sheriff.

6. Fly a kite

Spend a day flying kites.  There are many kite kits available at local craft stores, or you can purchase them pre-made.  Learning to fly a kite is a fun way to spend a day outdoors.

7. Have a picnic

Pack some sandwiches, sodas, and chips and head outside for an afternoon.  Fewer and fewer families have picnics-teaching your family this time-honored tradition is a sure-fire win.

However you spend your summer, penciling in a few activity days with dad is important.  The memories you create with your children will not only last your lifetime, but will be embraced and shared for generations to come.   

 

Must Have Baby Gear for Dads

Being a dad is a tough job as it is-without being burdened with carrying a bright pink diaper bag.  There are a few essential items every dad should invest in to make parenting easier while still keeping your manly side intact!

Baby carrier
There are plenty of utilitarian baby carriers available in neutral guy-friendly colors.  Some even convert into a normal backpack after carrying your child.  These carriers are heavy duty and useful.

Medicine pacifier
Many fathers are intimidated by the thought of giving their newest arrival medicine.  A medicine pacifier makes it foolproof.  Simply put the medicine into the nipple on the pacifier, and as your child suckles on the pacifier, the medicine is administered.

Bottle warmer
A bottle warmer allows every dad to help during nighttime feedings by heating up a bottle to the perfect temperature without having to run to the kitchen.  Many bottle warmers work quickly so the bottle is ready in seconds.

Stroller
If baby carrying isn’t your style, a stroller is the perfect solution.  There are many heavy-duty strollers available, and once your child is able to support themselves, a wagon with a canopy and seatbelts is a wonderful item to have!  

Child friendly phone case
Kids love phones; it goes without saying that many parents have handed their cell phones over to their children only to recover it from the bottom of a toilet or pick it up in pieces.  Investing in a child-friendly case enables you to hand your phone over knowing it will survive.

Diaper Bag
The dreaded diaper bag has gone through a huge transformation.  Many diaper bags are available in manly styles and colors, and feature changing pads, insulated pockets, and more.

Bathwater thermometer
Giving your baby a bath can be scary at first-especially when it comes to judging whether the water is too warm.  Invest a few dollars in a bathwater thermometer so you know instantly whether the water is safe.

Silicone baby bibs
Mealtime is always fun; however the mess left behind isn’t!  Make cleaning up the mess easier by purchasing silicone baby bibs with pockets in bottom so they’re easily washed out.

A good camera
Capturing your baby’s firsts is important!  Make sure you never miss a moment by purchasing a high-quality camera that offers both video and snapshot modes; keep it charging in the area where baby spends the most time so it’s readily available.

A quick reference guide
When you’re watching your child alone, cries and falls can seem like true emergencies.  Having an easy to use reference guide available will help you determine whether the situation warrants emergency attention.  Reference guides can also offer advice on how to calm a crying child, along with how to administer CPR.  Be sure to write important phone numbers in the front of the reference guide.

Imagination
Babies and children crave imaginative interaction.  Games, sounds, and silly faces are all wonderful teaching moments.  Your children will learn sounds, shapes, colors, and social interaction from their parents-so it’s important to play with them and develop a bond.

 

How to Play an Active Role in Birth

You’ve been waiting 40 weeks for this day.  You’ve spent countless hours deciding names, picking out nursery colors, and even listening to and feeling your partner’s ever-bulging belly.  But the time has come to meet the little person you helped create.  But when entering into the hospital, many fathers-to-be feel that they are put in the backseat of the process; an objective observer.   There are, however, many ways that a father can play an important, active role in the birthing process.

First and foremost, always be encouraging, gentle, and loving during the laboring process.  Labor may bring out intense emotions and reactions from your partner, so be prepared.  Before making the trip to the birthing center, suggest some birthing classes so you and your partner can get some common ground, and you can find ways to help her that she’s comfortable with.  Common focus points, playing special music, and massage techniques are just a few of the ways you can help your partner pre-birth.  Being aware of her birth plan, such as breastfeeding following delivery, delayed cord clamping, etc., is very important.

When the day comes to give birth, have a bag packed with all your essentials, including a pillow, camera, and comfortable shoes.  If your partner doesn’t have her bag packed, offer to do it for her.  When you arrive at the hospital, make sure that you are aware of any specific birth plan your partner would like in place, and be prepared to make those wishes known.

Try some laboring positions that you and her have practiced.  Talk in gentle, soothing tones.  Assisting your partner in walking is also very helpful.  If your room has a tub, encourage your partner to labor in the tub.  Lean over and rub her back, play with her hair, or anything else that can take her mind off of the contractions.

Remind her of her focus points, and breathe through contractions with her.  Encourage her to push when she feels ready, and hold her hand.  Offer to wipe her forehead with cool towels. A foot, hand, or shoulder massage during labor will help ease contractions as well.

Many men delight in guiding the baby out.  If this is allowed, holding your child for their first few moments out of the womb is unforgettable.

Cutting the cord is another wonderful way to be involved with the birth.  Make sure that if your partner wants to delay cord clamping to wait for the cord to become inactive before cutting.

After the birth process is over, monitoring visitors and keeping your new addition light and relaxing is very important.  Always ask your partner before letting people into the room, and offer to help change the first few diapers so you can get help from the nurses!  Giving the baby its first bath is also a wonderful way to let mom rest and get some bonding time.  Don’t be afraid to hold, cuddle, and kiss your baby during their first few hours.  It’s important to bond with your new family member!

If your partner decides to breastfeed, encourage that relationship by allowing her privacy and supporting her through the process in the hospital and at home.

There are many ways for a father to be involved in the birthing process, and supporting your partner through birth will help her and you have special roles in welcoming your new addition!

 

(Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/russrobinson/4448567924/sizes/z/in/photostr)

Ideas for Father Daughter Dates

The importance of a strong father-daughter bond cannot be disputed.  Daughters need a strong, responsible male influence in their lives in order to form appropriate perceptions of male relationships and their boundaries.  Some fathers, however, find it hard to take time to bond with their precious little girls.  Here are a few ideas to help you get started planning some father-daughter time.

1. Go out to eat.  Everyone loves to eat!  Go out with your daughter to dinner.  Open the door for her, pull out her chair, and make her feel special.  Let HER pick out the restaurant and choose what she would like to eat.  Going on an ice cream date is completely acceptable.
2. Go see a movie.  While a movie may seem like a boring idea, pick a movie that will encourage conversation between you and your daughter.  If you can’t find one playing in the theatres, put one on at home.  Pop some popcorn, grab some sodas, and get some one on one time.
3. Join a club together.  Look up meet-up groups online, or other community get together groups and find one that interests both of you.  It could be a gardening group, 4-H club, reading group, or activity interest club.  Follow through and attend meetings with your daughter-get involved so she can see her father in a leadership role.
4. Take a road trip!  There are a host of things you can do within a few hours’ drive with your daughter.  Seeing a circus, visiting a museum, or going to a concert.  Maybe you’ve always wanted to go hunting for geodes, or heard about an interesting show.  Invite your daughter to go with you and make it a day trip.
5. Go out with her friends!  Yes, your daughter may roll her eyes at first after learning that you’ll be hanging around with her and her three friends, but getting to know her friends will clue you in on what sort of people your daughter is hanging around with.  Friends can lift someone up or tear someone down, so make sure your daughter has encouraging, honest friends.
6. Volunteer.  Volunteering is a great way to bond while helping other people.  There are thousands of organizations looking for volunteers-and spending time with your daughter lending a hand to those in need is a great way to show your daughter the importance of giving back.
7. Teach her a lesson!  Take her into the shop and teach her how to use a hammer and nails.  Or show her how to change the oil on a car.  Show her something “Manly”.  Even building a small box out of wood, or teaching your daughter to drive a lawn mower.
8. Go outside!  Teaching your daughter to garden, hunt, fish, or nature is a great way to get in some good father-daughter time.  Look up tree and plant identification, fish cleaning, how to find the North Star, or any other valuable skill.

Even though daughters may seem bored or hesitant to do things alone with their fathers, it’s important to create that bond.  The more time you spend together, the quicker you two will become close.  Having a close relationship is key to ensuring that your daughter creates healthy male relationships as well as teaching her valuable life skills!

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Dad Gets Pregnant, Too!

While dad doesn’t literally get pregnant, mothers to be sometimes notice peculiar changes in their significant others during pregnancy.  While pregnant women are expected to have some major changes, many don’t realize the effect that pregnancy can have in their partner’s life.

When you first start experiencing those awful stomach sways of morning sickness, and the nausea and fatigue that follows, you may be surprised to know that your partner can feel the same things, too!  While the official term for these feelings is Couvade Syndrome, the common term for it is sympathy pains or sympathy pregnancy.  The word Couvade comes from the French word couver, which means, “To hatch”.

While it’s unclear what the cause of this condition is, men may experience a variety of pregnancy-like symptoms:  cramps, back pain, mood swings, food cravings, morning sickness, extreme tiredness, depression, irritability, fainting, toothaches, backaches, and even a swollen belly that may look like a baby bump! All of these symptoms were reported in a study done by the University of London.  The study took 282 expectant fathers and monitored their feelings during pregnancy and a control group of 281 non expecting fathers.  Surprisingly, stomach cramps were the most frequent complaint. 

One subject reported: “My stomach pains were very much like a build-up of a woman’s contraction as she’s giving birth. They started mild and then got stronger and stronger and stronger.”

Another expectant father claimed: “I think I was in more pain than she was. It seemed like my pain was worse.”

A third discussed his cravings, saying, “I was constantly hungry and had an unstoppable craving for chicken kormas and poppa dams – even in the early hours of the morning.”

Eleven of the men went to their doctors and underwent tests but no physical causes were found.

The phenomenon where men suffer sympathy symptoms is called Couvade Syndrome.

The study’s author, Dr. Arthur Brennan of the University of London’s Faculty of Health and Social Care Sciences, said: “Some people may perceive this as men trying to get in on the act but far from being attention-seeking, these symptoms are involuntary.

“Often the men haven’t got a clue about what’s happening to them. Doctors don’t recognize Couvade Syndrome. There’s no medical diagnosis.

“Yet this research proves that Couvade Syndrome really exists – the results speak for themselves.”

Dr. Val Collington, the head of the school of midwifery at St George’s, said the results matched her experience.

She said: “Midwives might not be surprised at these findings. One midwife told me that, in her experience, men often complain of nausea during the early stage of their partner’s pregnancy.”

While it’s believed these symptoms are psychosomatic, the pain they are feeling is real.  80% of expectant fathers suffer from increased headaches and stomach pains, but when you rule out the “Increased stresses” of the situation, serious cases of Couvade Syndrome hover at around 10%.  One statistic, however, gives the hypothesis that the more the expectant father is involved in the pregnancy, the more common the Couvade Syndrome is.  For instance, 92% of men who reported having severe Couvade Syndrome symptoms said their emotional involvement in the pregnancy was “Strong”.

While pregnancy can be a glorious time, it can also be difficult!  If your partner seems to be struggling with pain, don’t brush it off!  If it continues to be bothersome, seek guidance from your OB/GYN.

Your Partner’s Mood Swings During Pregnancy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You may have noticed that since she became pregnant, your partner is experiencing some mood changes that you may not have noticed before. Don’t be alarmed; mood changes during pregnancy are not uncommon and may have a number of causes including:

• Physical or emotional stress
• Fatigue
• Hormone changes

You may begin to notice your partner’s mood swings during the first trimester. They are most commonly experienced through weeks six to ten and then again towards the end of the third, as her body is preparing for birth.

What Causes Mood Swings

Even though you and your partner want your baby very much, pregnancy can still be a stressful time. This is because it involves many changes. You and your partner may be worried whether you will be able to handle a new child, or whether you will be good parents. You may also be concerned about the additional expense of an extra family member, or how a child will affect your personal relationship. These are all very normal concerns, and you need to remind yourself and your partner that this is a time of normal emotional upheaval. The best way to deal with it is to nurture yourself and your partner and to keep stress levels at a minimum.

How can you Help your Partner Cope with Mood Swings?

It is important that your partner knows that she is not alone during these times and that mood changes are simply another, quite normal, aspect of her pregnancy. As well as reassuring her, there are other ways you can help her to cope, such as:

• Relaxation – make sure you and your partner get some quality relaxation time. If she wants to take a nap during the day then let her have some quiet time. You can help her relax with a gentle massage or by preparing her a sensual soak in the tub with her favorite aromatherapy oil.
• Physical activity – encourage your partner to get regular physical activity without over doing it.  A yoga or tai chi class for moms-to-be might be just the ticket. This will help her stay healthy and help to relieve her tension.
• Quality time – spend some one-on-one time together. Take her to a movie, cook her a romantic meal at home. It’s important that she knows how much you love her and that you enjoy  spending time with her. If you have time, take her on a surprise vacation.  This will help her to relax and to feel confident that you still find her attractive.
• Communicate – keep talking; share your concerns with her, and don’t forget to be attentive when she’s talking to you. Keeping the lines of communication open is very important for you and your partner during , and can reduce the emotional stress for both of you.
• Diet – encourage your partner to maintain a balanced diet, even if it means that you have to change your eating habits. Remember, she is going through many changes in her hormones and metabolism now. This will affect her appetite including what she wants to eat and when she wants it. So if she wants ice cream and hot dogs in the middle of the night, be prepared.
• Patience – this is one of the most  valuable things you can provide for your partner when she is experiencing mood swings. Though you may find it frustrating that she is laughing one minute and then in tears the next, you must be calm and reassuring. She is well aware that her moods are changing and she may often find it difficult to control them. Be patient and remind her how much you love her.

 

Should my Partner Seek Professional Help?

If her mood swings have lasted for more than two weeks and have stayed the same or worsened, you may both want to speak to her health care provider about a referral to a counselor. According to the American Pregnancy Association between 14 and 23 percent of women will suffer some symptoms of depression during pregnancy. Symptoms may include:

• Increased irritability
• Feelings of anxiety
• Disturbed sleep pattern
• Changes in appetite
• Difficulty concentrating
• Difficulty remembering things

A professional counselor will help your partner to learn techniques for coping with depression and mood swings during pregnancy. This will ensure that your partner does not become severely depressed before or after the birth of your child.

Corinna Underwood is a freelance writer specializing in pregnancy, fertility and Cryo Bank.

Photo Credit: Pink Sherbet Photography via Compfight cc