When I was pregnant with my third child, I had two friends who were also expecting. We would get together once a week and, over milkshakes, compare our growing bellies and laugh about our big maternity pants.We would also share our fears. Together we obsessed about nearly everything that could go wrong in the 40 weeks of pregnancy. What are these pains? Why am I so tired? How much will labor hurt? Can I handle another child? And the big one: Will my baby be healthy?Worries and pregnancy seem to go hand in hand. Fortunately, however, most women of childbearing age are healthy and most pregnancies are considered "low-risk." For most women, the surest way to have a healthy baby is to live a healthy lifestyle. The March of Dimes suggests the following precautions: Get early prenatal care, even before you're pregnant. Eat a well-balanced diet, including a vitamin supplement that contains folic acid. Exercise regularly with your doctor's permission. Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, and illicit drugs, and limit caffeine. Avoid x-rays, hot tubs, and saunas. Avoid infections. Getting Good Care
Age/ Food Group 4 to 6 months 6 to 9 months 9 to 12 months Cereals & Grains iron-fortified rice cereal iron-fortified oat cereal iron-fortified barley cereal iron-fortified mixed-grain cereal rice cereal with banana cooked elbow macaroni flour tortillas rice mixed-grain cereals Fruits & Vegetables applesauce, unsweetened peaches, cooked and mashed pears, cooked and mashed bananas, mashed green beans, cooked and mashed squash, cooked and mashed peas, cooked and mashed sweet potatoes, cooked and mashed carrots, cooked and mashed carrots, cooked and diced banana, diced peaches, diced Meats chicken, minced turkey, minced beef, minced lamb, minced pork, minced Finger Foods bread crusts dry oat cereal arrowroot crackers rice cakes toast zwieback Dairy foods and eggs fruit-flavored yogurt hard cheese, diced scrambled or hard-cooked egg yolk Age/ Food Group 4 to 6 months 6 to 9 months 9 to 12 months Cereals & Grains iron-fortified rice cereal iron-fortified oat cereal iron-fortifie
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