Pregnancy and Infant Healthcare

Independent tests for Pal Disinfectant Wipes have proven the solution to be effective against Influenza A H1N1 (Swine Flu).

The hard surface wipes are impregnated with a unique and highly effective disinfectant solution with a low alcohol formula, making them ideal for sensitive areas.  

Proven effective against 99.9% of bacteria, viruses and fungi, including Influenza (H1N1), MRSA, and Salmonella, these wipes are invaluable for pregnant women, who fall into the category of ‘high risk’ for Swine Flu.  

Pregnant women are said to be of ‘high risk’ because their immune systems are naturally suppressed, making them more likely to catch Swine Flu.

The majority of pregnant women will only suffer mild symptoms so try not to panic, however evidence from previous flu pandemics suggest that pregnant women are more likely to develop complications from flu, such as Pneumonia, difficultly breathing, and dehydration. These are most likely to happen in the second and third trimester of pregnancy.

It is extremely important then to take precautions against Swine Flu, such as avoiding unnecessary travelling; always covering your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing, disposing of dirty tissues promptly, cleaning hard surfaces frequently and having good hygiene.  

Click here to view more information about Pal Disinfectant Wipes on our website

Breastfeeding gives your baby everything he needs to eat and drink for the first six months and has a number of benefits. One of the main benefits being that breastfeeding is tailor-made for your baby; it changes to meet your baby’s needs as he grows.

When you breastfeed your baby, you are not just giving him food and drink, you are also helping to protect him against infections now and from other illnesses as he grows. Breastfeeding your baby can also help to protect you from illnesses later in your life, such as diabetes, ovarian and breast cancer. If breastfed, your baby will experience the taste of the foods your family usually eats and this may well prepare your baby for the different tastes he will have later on.

Breastfeeding is something that is special and personal to the mother, however others might want to share the joy that feeding can bring. You can then express your milk so someone else can feed your baby with a bottle.

Ana Wiz offers two breast pumps for both home and clinical use: the Electric Spectra 3 Breast Pump and Lansinoh’s Manual Breast Pump.

Our Electric Spectra 3 Breast Pump is a quality breast pump at an affordable price. The rhythmic pumping action emulates that of the feeding baby and is extremely quiet allowing use without disturbing the baby.

Lansinoh, a company dedicated towards breastfeeding mothers has produced the Manual Breast Pump. It is made from 100% Bisphenol-A free polypropylene, which is the preferred plastic for breast milk storage and the ergonomic design is safe, easy to use and efficient.

Click here to view these breast pumps on our website

Recent press coverage has once again raised concern in the minds of parents as to whether the use of the chemical BPA in baby bottles can cause any harm to the baby or not.

In the USA all manufacturers of baby bottles have now agreed to remove the chemical.  However, in the UK some major manufacturers are still selling bottles with BPA in.

In the UK there is a difference of opinion between the Food Standards Agency that believes the level of the chemical in the UK bottles is ‘well below the levels considered harmful’,  whilst the NCT (National Childbirth Trust) believes that UK manufacturers should follow the lead of the US.  Some British manufacturers have already made the decision to remove it – these include, MAM, Babisil and NUK.

What potential harm can be caused by BPA? There is some evidence that this chemical can mimic the effects of the oestrogen hormone found in the body.  Since babies growth is faster than at any other time in human life, it is felt that this can cause behavioural changes and possibly the early onset of puberty.  Other studies have found that adults with high levels of BPA could mean they were more prone to heart disease and diabetes.

There is now no doubt,  caffeine does increase your chance of miscarriage.

 Previous studies indicating that caffeine leads to an increased risk of miscarriage have been dismissed in the past as many women decrease their caffeine intake during early pregnancy because of morning sickness.  De-Kun Li from the Californian health insurer Kaiser Permanente interviewed 1063 women during their early pregnancy about their caffeine consumption, these women were then followed until 20 weeks or miscarriage.

Just over one cup of coffee (200 milligrams or more of caffeine) was linked to a doubling of the risk of miscarriage.    

Li believes that the caffeine, which constricts blood vessels, may be restricting blood flow to the placenta or having a toxic effect on the fetus.  

Li’s advice is to give up caffeine altogether during pregnancy.