Start breastfeeding

We at GreatDad.com are big believers in breastfeeding and strongly urge you to do all you can to support mom. The first meals, especially, can be a challenge as milk may not come in right away. The baby may not know what to do and the mom, if she has not breastfed before, may be equally lost.


Here is a simple beginner’s guide to breastfeeding:

• The mother usually holds the breast with the thumb on top and the other fingers below the breast. The areola, the circle of dark skin around the nipple should be free to enter the baby’s mouth.

• Holding the breast, the mother encourages the baby to suckle by touching the nipple to the baby’s lips. Once the baby’s jaw is around the nipple, she needs to hold the baby close to her. This will squeeze the breast and enable the baby to start suckling.

• The areola should be completely inside the baby’s mouth. The baby’s lips should pout out over the breast, rather than be pulled in. If the baby is correctly latched on and drinking, swallowing sounds will be audible.

• In case of any concerns regarding the baby’s breathing, the mother may press down on the breast near the baby’s nose to facilitate easy breathing.

• Whichever position the mother chooses, she should ensure that there is no strain to the baby’s head or neck.


Is it safe for the mother to take medications while breastfeeding?
Always talk with your doctor before your spouse starts taking any medications. According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, most medications pass into her milk in small amounts. If she takes medication for a chronic condition such as high blood pressure, diabetes or asthma, her medication may already have been studied in breastfeeding women, so she should be able to find information to help her make an informed decision with the help of the doctor.

Newer medications and medications for rare disorders may have less information available.


How long should my spouse breastfeed?
According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, babies should be fed with breast milk only – no formula – for the first six months of life. The longer a mom and baby breastfeeds, the greater the benefits are for both mom and baby. Ideally, babies should receive breast milk through the first year of life, or for as long as both you and your baby wish. Solid foods can be added to your baby’s diet, while you continue to breastfeed, when your baby is six months old.

For at least the first six months, breastfed babies don't need supplements of water, juice, or other fluids (according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Service). These can interfere with your spouse’s milk supply if they are introduced during this time. One of the best things that only the mother can do is to breastfeed her baby for as long as possible.

Find features advice from experienced dads on parenting, pregnancy, breastfeeding, newborn baby, child development and on raising kids and teens.

Mineral Make Up : A Cosmetic Revolution

In the mid 1970's, a major change in the field of cosmetics occurred. The change was the evolution of mineral makeup. This product is made from natural minerals that are found in the earth and are finely ground to use as cosmetics. No unnatural dyes, chemicals, or preservatives are need. Today, this makeup continues to be extremely popular within the cosmetic industry. As with any product, there are those who can't stop telling others how wonderful it is, and then there are others who won't stop in criticizing it. The ones who do love mineral make up will tell you how wonderful it is, how light, natural ,and how long lasting the glow lasts, a glow that just isn't offered by other makeup. However, there are those who complain that it's drying, irritating, and emphasizes wrinkles, adding years to your appearance. They also say the colors have an pasty undertone that can be problem for exotic skin tones. For safer, and better skin, many consumers are initially drawn to try out mineral make up, its skin health claims offer the promise of a formulation that will work well with sensitive, acne or rosaceous prone skin. You can stay true to who you are with bare mineral make up. All of these products--including foundation--are crushed to a creamy powder form that's not quite a powder. These powders are natural, free of oils, harmful chemicals, scents, or anything else that might be damaging to your skin. So these formulas protect you from the sun and give you a great look no matter your skin's color or sensitivity, all while keeping you safe from the chemicals found in other types of makeup. For a totally natural look that brings out the sparkle in your skin, try sheer cover makeup powders. The mineral pigments within the powder work to cover imperfections and give skin an even look, whilst remaining light and avoiding that 'cakey' feeling. There are no dyes or perfumes used; the sheer cover formula works with your skin's natural oils and produces a flawless finish. Fine lines disappear like magic! Millions of women have discovered the advantages of using makeup that is natural, pure, and good for their skin. Mineral make up looks great and feels great. Minerals give skin a youthful glow, while still looking natural, not heavy or "made up." It is a pure product that contains no oil, talc, perfume, dyes, alcohol. Bare mineral is "Makeup so pure you can sleep in it".

Spray Tanning – Sunless Tanning Solution

From very early days tanning is very popular among the masses. To achieve the tanning effect on the skin long solar exposure was required. Regular visits to the beaches were a regular feature for weekends and holidays to get a nice sun tanned body. All of a sudden skin cancer and its relationship with sun tanning were discovered in 1960s. This made the sun tanning a vulnerable proposition for the masses. Since the tanning had become very popular till that point of time, hence people immediately started looking for the alternatives. As a result popularity of solariums was considerably increased, but solariums had problems of their own. There was constant risk of skin damage and broken capillaries due to constant exposure of the body in high temperatures. The next alternative discovered was the artificial or synthetic tanning, spray tanning being part of it. Spray tanning was quite safe and got the nod from Skin Cancer Organizations, American Academy of Dermatology, Canadian Dermatology Association, The American Cancer Society and the American Medical Association etc.

The spray tans are applied by professional technicians using specialized equipment designed for applying self tanning sprays, such as an LVLP spray gun, and HVLP spray gun equipment types. The technician hand sprays the client from head to toe with a gentle tan solution misting. This technique generally used to spray the bronzed tan solutions. The manual spray tanning had few short comings, the most important of all being the client had to stand nude before a complete stranger for a period of 20 minutes or so to get the spray tanning. Beside that the spray solution use to contain Bronzers, which was responsible for innumerable problems like most of it comes down on first shower itself, it may leave dark stains on hands and legs and these stains are irremovable in a jiffy. The brown dye present in the tanning solution readily spoils your clothes and undergarments. If you have large pores on your face you will end up with a blackhead effect for a prolonged period. The brown dye can keep coming out for days which can spoil your sheets and towels, also the white clothes you wear, if you happen to sweat.

To offer a better solution for spray tanning, colorless tan solutions were developed; which allows the skin to develop the tan color itself. The tan obtained by these solutions last for longer duration of time and they do not come off readily. The positive point of this process is that you get the spray done in a booth within a minute there is no requirement of baring yourself before some stranger.

There are numerous solution types available for spray tanning each having some specialty over other, it is advisable to do a patch test whenever trying any new brand of spray tan. If there is no redness or irritation then you can go in for that particular brand otherwise stick to your own brand. The clear spray tans develop color 5 to 6 hours after the actual spraying in contrast to the tans containing bronzers.

As far as the sun tanning is concerned it doesn’t cost you a single penny but you always carry the risk of developing the skin cancer and various other skin problems- time required to get a good tan is 5 to 6 days. The solariums are another option with lesser amount of risk, they cost you roughly $120 and above per month – time required to develop a good tan is 10 sessions. In comparison to these methods the clear spray tanning costs you roughly around $ 100 per month that too without any risk and time required is just a minute.

This is the reason why the clear spray tanning is gaining popularity day by day. If you want to protect yourself while enjoying the gorgeous tanning effect then you should go in for the spray tanning today.

Start breastfeeding

We at GreatDad.com are big believers in breastfeeding and strongly urge you to do all you can to support mom. The first meals, especially, can be a challenge as milk may not come in right away. The baby may not know what to do and the mom, if she has not breastfed before, may be equally lost.


Here is a simple beginner’s guide to breastfeeding:

• The mother usually holds the breast with the thumb on top and the other fingers below the breast. The areola, the circle of dark skin around the nipple should be free to enter the baby’s mouth.

• Holding the breast, the mother encourages the baby to suckle by touching the nipple to the baby’s lips. Once the baby’s jaw is around the nipple, she needs to hold the baby close to her. This will squeeze the breast and enable the baby to start suckling.

• The areola should be completely inside the baby’s mouth. The baby’s lips should pout out over the breast, rather than be pulled in. If the baby is correctly latched on and drinking, swallowing sounds will be audible.

• In case of any concerns regarding the baby’s breathing, the mother may press down on the breast near the baby’s nose to facilitate easy breathing.

• Whichever position the mother chooses, she should ensure that there is no strain to the baby’s head or neck.


Is it safe for the mother to take medications while breastfeeding?
Always talk with your doctor before your spouse starts taking any medications. According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, most medications pass into her milk in small amounts. If she takes medication for a chronic condition such as high blood pressure, diabetes or asthma, her medication may already have been studied in breastfeeding women, so she should be able to find information to help her make an informed decision with the help of the doctor.

Newer medications and medications for rare disorders may have less information available.


How long should my spouse breastfeed?
According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, babies should be fed with breast milk only – no formula – for the first six months of life. The longer a mom and baby breastfeeds, the greater the benefits are for both mom and baby. Ideally, babies should receive breast milk through the first year of life, or for as long as both you and your baby wish. Solid foods can be added to your baby’s diet, while you continue to breastfeed, when your baby is six months old.

For at least the first six months, breastfed babies don't need supplements of water, juice, or other fluids (according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Service). These can interfere with your spouse’s milk supply if they are introduced during this time. One of the best things that only the mother can do is to breastfeed her baby for as long as possible.

Find features advice from experienced dads on parenting, pregnancy, breastfeeding, newborn baby, child development and on raising kids and teens.

Mineral Make Up : A Cosmetic Revolution

In the mid 1970's, a major change in the field of cosmetics occurred. The change was the evolution of mineral makeup. This product is made from natural minerals that are found in the earth and are finely ground to use as cosmetics. No unnatural dyes, chemicals, or preservatives are need. Today, this makeup continues to be extremely popular within the cosmetic industry. As with any product, there are those who can't stop telling others how wonderful it is, and then there are others who won't stop in criticizing it. The ones who do love mineral make up will tell you how wonderful it is, how light, natural ,and how long lasting the glow lasts, a glow that just isn't offered by other makeup. However, there are those who complain that it's drying, irritating, and emphasizes wrinkles, adding years to your appearance. They also say the colors have an pasty undertone that can be problem for exotic skin tones. For safer, and better skin, many consumers are initially drawn to try out mineral make up, its skin health claims offer the promise of a formulation that will work well with sensitive, acne or rosaceous prone skin. You can stay true to who you are with bare mineral make up. All of these products--including foundation--are crushed to a creamy powder form that's not quite a powder. These powders are natural, free of oils, harmful chemicals, scents, or anything else that might be damaging to your skin. So these formulas protect you from the sun and give you a great look no matter your skin's color or sensitivity, all while keeping you safe from the chemicals found in other types of makeup. For a totally natural look that brings out the sparkle in your skin, try sheer cover makeup powders. The mineral pigments within the powder work to cover imperfections and give skin an even look, whilst remaining light and avoiding that 'cakey' feeling. There are no dyes or perfumes used; the sheer cover formula works with your skin's natural oils and produces a flawless finish. Fine lines disappear like magic! Millions of women have discovered the advantages of using makeup that is natural, pure, and good for their skin. Mineral make up looks great and feels great. Minerals give skin a youthful glow, while still looking natural, not heavy or "made up." It is a pure product that contains no oil, talc, perfume, dyes, alcohol. Bare mineral is "Makeup so pure you can sleep in it".

Spray Tanning – Sunless Tanning Solution

From very early days tanning is very popular among the masses. To achieve the tanning effect on the skin long solar exposure was required. Regular visits to the beaches were a regular feature for weekends and holidays to get a nice sun tanned body. All of a sudden skin cancer and its relationship with sun tanning were discovered in 1960s. This made the sun tanning a vulnerable proposition for the masses. Since the tanning had become very popular till that point of time, hence people immediately started looking for the alternatives. As a result popularity of solariums was considerably increased, but solariums had problems of their own. There was constant risk of skin damage and broken capillaries due to constant exposure of the body in high temperatures. The next alternative discovered was the artificial or synthetic tanning, spray tanning being part of it. Spray tanning was quite safe and got the nod from Skin Cancer Organizations, American Academy of Dermatology, Canadian Dermatology Association, The American Cancer Society and the American Medical Association etc.

The spray tans are applied by professional technicians using specialized equipment designed for applying self tanning sprays, such as an LVLP spray gun, and HVLP spray gun equipment types. The technician hand sprays the client from head to toe with a gentle tan solution misting. This technique generally used to spray the bronzed tan solutions. The manual spray tanning had few short comings, the most important of all being the client had to stand nude before a complete stranger for a period of 20 minutes or so to get the spray tanning. Beside that the spray solution use to contain Bronzers, which was responsible for innumerable problems like most of it comes down on first shower itself, it may leave dark stains on hands and legs and these stains are irremovable in a jiffy. The brown dye present in the tanning solution readily spoils your clothes and undergarments. If you have large pores on your face you will end up with a blackhead effect for a prolonged period. The brown dye can keep coming out for days which can spoil your sheets and towels, also the white clothes you wear, if you happen to sweat.

To offer a better solution for spray tanning, colorless tan solutions were developed; which allows the skin to develop the tan color itself. The tan obtained by these solutions last for longer duration of time and they do not come off readily. The positive point of this process is that you get the spray done in a booth within a minute there is no requirement of baring yourself before some stranger.

There are numerous solution types available for spray tanning each having some specialty over other, it is advisable to do a patch test whenever trying any new brand of spray tan. If there is no redness or irritation then you can go in for that particular brand otherwise stick to your own brand. The clear spray tans develop color 5 to 6 hours after the actual spraying in contrast to the tans containing bronzers.

As far as the sun tanning is concerned it doesn’t cost you a single penny but you always carry the risk of developing the skin cancer and various other skin problems- time required to get a good tan is 5 to 6 days. The solariums are another option with lesser amount of risk, they cost you roughly $120 and above per month – time required to develop a good tan is 10 sessions. In comparison to these methods the clear spray tanning costs you roughly around $ 100 per month that too without any risk and time required is just a minute.

This is the reason why the clear spray tanning is gaining popularity day by day. If you want to protect yourself while enjoying the gorgeous tanning effect then you should go in for the spray tanning today.

For Knock out Lashes….Tint Me!!!!

Eyelash and eyebrow tinting are in great demand in the present time. These are quick and easy services to offer. The eyelash and eyebrow tinting attract and concern many people. The salons are constantly asked the questions like how long does it take to do? How long does it last for? What colors are there? Is it safe? To date it is not believed to cause any harm to the delicate eye area. FDA has issued stern warning for the use of the dyes and their application in the eye area. Tinting must be carried out with extreme caution.

You are required to take a patch test 24 to 48 hours before tinting treatment. This is just to ensure that you have no adverse reaction to the products being used. It is not advisable to carry out these treatments, if your patch test is not suitable. It is further advisable to undertake the patch test, whenever you go to a new salon, or use another dye for the treatment. This could result in disaster.

If ladies come into the salon for an eyelash tint and have an eye infection, or a sore/irritated eye area etc., it is advisable for them to wait till the eye problem is properly cured and healed, otherwise they may face severe eye problems. Contact lenses must be removed before having any eye care treatment to ensure safety of the eyes. To bathe the eye area with water and dampened cotton wool to ensure all traces of tint are removed from an eyelash tint is an excellent idea, it gives a very soothing effect to the eyes.

In the beginning, tinting looks fantastic but gradually fades out with passing time. The eyelash hairs usually have a life span of nearly 4 weeks. As the tinted lash falls out, another eyelash grows in its place obviously with natural color, and continues the hair growth cycle. For this very reason the eyelash tint lasts about 3 to 4 weeks. The eyebrow tinting lasts only for 2 weeks as we continuously cleanse and exfoliate our face, washing it away over time.

Mature and ladies having fair complexion should opt for the brown color tint for eyelashes, a small amount of black may be added to deepen the effect of the color if required. Blue black is actually very noticeable on mature grey hair and ladies having fair complexion. Blue black is actually a very noticeable eyelash tint. Gray and light browns are also available for ladies with gray hair and light skin coloring. Never be hesitant to ask your therapist about the various colors available. Tinting is a very personal matter and only freshly prepared tint should be applied, because after 15 minutes the tint will no longer continue to work as it has an additive in it, which stops the chemical reaction after 15 minutes. It is advisable to ask for freshly prepared tint every time.

The skin around the eye area is very thin, delicate and often very sensitive. Please bear this in mind as we only have one pair of eyes therefore whatever treatment you want to undertake for your eyes think twice before proceeding further. One wrong step may cause severe and irreparable damage to your eyes.