Congratulations, Aiden. You’ve held onto the number-one boy’s spot for the sixth year in a row.

Welcome to the pack, Liam and Abigail. You’re now officially a part of the coveted top 10.

BabyCenter released its list of the Top 100 Baby Names of 2010 today. The online parenting and pregnancy destination compiled some 350,000 baby names and combined those that sound the same but have different spellings (such as Sophia and Sofia) to create a true measure of popularity.

Top 10 Girls’ Names of 2010

1.Sophia
2.Isabella
3.Olivia
4.Emma
5.Chloe
6.Ava
7.Lily
8.Madison
9.Addison
10.Abigail

Top 10 Boys’ Names of 2010

1.Aiden
2.Jacob
3.Jackson
4.Ethan
5.Jayden
6.Noah
7.Logan
8.Caden
9.Lucas
10.Liam

What’s influencing baby-naming parents? Parents turned to pop culture, politics, a bygone era, and the ever-popular Old Testament for inspiration. Here’s a look at the Hottest Baby Name Trends of 2010:

•Glee’s cheerleader queen Quinn may be mean, but her name is certainly popular, jumping up in the ratings a whopping 60 percent. Finn, Jenna, and Lea are also singing a happy tune.

•The critically acclaimed drama Mad Men has struck a nerve with the American public. Dishy Don (as in Draper) inched up the charts, and his ex-wife is bringing the cool back to Betty. The silver-haired fox Roger rose 21 percent, while his wife, Jane, also gained popularity.

•The names of the moms on MTV’s reality show 16 and Pregnant are also popular: Maci, Farrah, and Katelynn are up by 60, 51, and 7 percent, respectively.

•Sarah Palin’s daughters’ names – Bristol, Willow, and Piper – are climbing the ladder, but the name Sarah is actually in decline.

•The golden age of film (think 1930 to 1959) played a starring role in this year’s list. Audrey, Ava, Scarlett, Evelyn, Vivien, and Greta all got rave reviews.

•Parents are reaching back for names…way, way back to the Old Testament. Jacob has made the BabyCenter top ten for the past ten years, while Levi, Caleb, Elijah, and Jeremiah are rising in the charts. For more about the hottest trends see BabyCenter’s Baby Names Special Report of 2010.

What about names below the top ten? Some are flying up the list, while others are spiraling downward.

•Newcomers who broke into the top 100 include Annabelle (69), Stella (72), Nora (83), Jeremiah (90), Hudson (96), and Ryder (97).

•Ellie, who leapfrogged 26 spots to come in at number 61, is a rising star.

•So is Charlotte, who was bumped up 20 to number 38.

•And then there’s Grayson, who enjoyed a 25-spot jump to land at number 66.

•Some names lost a lot of ground. Brooke shot down 23 spots to number 82, while Hayden tumbled 20 spots to number 91.

•Ashley and Brendan exited the top 100 entirely.

What’s up for next year? BabyCenter uses a top-secret algorithm to unearth the names that are likely to become even more popular in 2011.

•Of the top 100 girls’ names from 2010, it looks like Layla, Lila, Evelyn, Charlotte, Lucy, Ellie, Aaliyah, Bella, Claire, and Aubrey will continue to rise in 2011.

•Of the top 100 boys’ names from 2010, BabyCenter predicts that Eli, Colton, Grayson, Wyatt, Henry, Mason, Landon, Charlie, Max, and Chase will gain momentum in 2011.

And what about names that haven’t even broken into the top 100? Who will be next year’s newcomers?

•Among the less popular names now moving up the girls’ list are Isla, Adalyn, Giuliana, Olive, Kinsley, Evangeline, Paisley, Vivienne, Maci, and Kinley.

•And although Bentley, Kellan, Kingston, Aarav, Ryker, Beckett, Colt, Paxton, Jax, and Lincoln are well below the top 100 on the boys’ list, they’re all fast climbers.

Think you know a thing or two about kissing? You probably do. But the facts below are so off the beaten path, we’ll bet you don’t know them all — and they could come in handy. Not only could they provide some steamy “Did you know…?” small talk, but they’ll help you see all the benefits a satisfying liplock can bring into your life. Happy smooching!

1. Two out of every three couples turn their heads to the right when they kiss.

2. A simple peck uses two muscles; a passionate kiss, on the other hand, uses all 34 muscles in your face. Now that’s a rigorous workout!

3. Like fingerprints or snowflakes, no two lip impressions are alike.

4. Kissing is good for what ails you. Research shows that the act of smooching improves our skin, helps circulation, prevents tooth decay, and can even relieve headaches.

5. The average person spends 336 hours of his or her life kissing.

6. Ever wonder how an “X” came to represent a kiss? Starting in the Middle Ages, people who could not read used an X as a signature. They would kiss this mark as a sign of sincerity. Eventually, the X came to represent the kiss itself.

7. Talk about a rush! Kissing releases the same neurotransmitters in our brains as parachuting, bungee jumping, and running.

8. The average woman kisses 29 men before she gets married.

9. Men who kiss their partners before leaving for work average higher incomes than those who don’t.

10. The longest kiss in movie history was between Jane Wyman and Regis Tommey in the 1941 film, You’re in the Army Now. It lasted 3 minutes and 5 seconds. So if you’ve beaten that record, it’s time to celebrate!

Study to see how much exercise is healthy for mom, baby.

Her Asics laced up and her water bottle at her side, Meredith Dobrosielski stepped onto the treadmill for a robust half-hour walk.

For the Towson runner, this wasn’t just any trip to the gym. The session took place in a lab at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore. And each step offered information on the impact of exercise on her fetus. Dobrosielski is about 8 months pregnant.

Doctors expect the information collected to fill in some gaps in the data on how much pounding is OK for a developing baby. Eventually, they hope to be able to develop personalized workout schedules for women in different states of fitness.

“We do know that not only can exercise be done, it should be done,” said Dr. Andrew J. Satin, professor and vice chairman of the department of gynecology and obstetrics for the Hopkins School of Medicine. “But the level of fitness should impact the individual’s prescription.”

Not too long ago doctors used to tell all women not to exercise when they became pregnant, but that advice has changed, said Satin and Dr. Linda Szymanski, a fellow in maternal fetal medicine helping conduct the research. But there still is little data about what’s too much for the elite athlete verses the couch potato and those in between. Satin said much is based on “opinion and common sense.”

They believe research is limited because doctors fear testing pregnant women. But nine months into the study, there have been no adverse reactions. As a precaution, the hospital’s labor and delivery area is close by.

About 60 women in their third trimester of pregnancy take turns on the treadmill. Some are regular runners and others are sedentary. Everyone takes a moderate walk, and the regular runners also run until they hit their peak capacity but don’t linger there. Several measurements are taken over the sessions from fetal heart rate and blood flow to the womb to fetal movement and amniotic fluid levels. The fetuses are examined by ultrasound before and after treadmill work.

Over time, the doctors plan to measure the impact on fetuses; partner with biomedical engineers to develop new ways to monitor the fetus, perhaps wirelessly during exercise; and collect long-term data on the pregnancy outcomes. The treadmill tests are the first step and some solid data should be available in a couple of months.

Doctors and groups such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Pregnancy Association now give blanket advice to pregnant women to get 30 minutes of exercise a day.

Potential benefits include improvement in general health and a decreased chance of gestational diabetes and hypertension, among others. Also, these groups say, that labor, delivery and recovery can be easier.

But the advice is based on recommendations from government and groups such as the American College of Sports Medicine that non-pregnant people get such exercise. And it’s filled with notes of caution for those who are just starting and those with certain conditions. The college suggests seeing a doctor first, starting slow and stopping when there’s pain or bleeding — advice Satin doesn’t dispute.

He added that doctors do know driving up a heart rate and maintaining it there for too long can cut off blood flow to the fetus. Getting overheated and dehydrated are also problems. Joints also can become lax and balance may be off, so some exercises should be avoided, such as street biking late in pregnancy. Contact sports, horseback riding and downhill skiing also may cause injury from blows or falls.

But he and others say not everyone has gotten the message that exercise is beneficial.

It was a big change in 2008 when physical guidelines were published for Americans, including pregnant women, said James Pivarnik, who works with the sports medicine college and is professor kinesiology and epidemiology and director of the Center for Physical Activity and Health at Michigan State University.

He said the guidelines do indicate “that the elite runner can continue doing what she is doing for a bit, provided her health care provider is in the loop, and that she has no warning signs or other issues.” But he said “boutique” recommendations are hard with so many possible circumstances.

“Pretty much the aerobic recs are the same as for anyone,” he said.

Pivarnik agreed more research is needed, such as Satin’s. He’s now looking at how much weight lifting is good for pregnant women.

Szymanski said the incomplete data has only confused the message. “[Pregnant] women express frustration because a number of doctors give different advice. Some still tell them not to exercise, especially if they haven’t been exercising.”

Outdated information and myths perpetuated by the Internet still mean many women who had been exercising — up to a quarter by some accounts — stop because they fear they will harm their babies, the doctors said.

Satin said it’s actually a really good time to suggest starting an exercise program. Women are more apt to take care of themselves when they are pregnant. They’ll quit smoking, eat better and exercise for the sake of the developing baby and then carry over the good habits, he said.

As long as jogging is comfortable, runners can keep at it. Stationary bikes and running in a pool also are good exercises, Satin said. And walking is safe for nearly everyone. The fetuses are not “flipping and flopping,” he said. In fact, the entire uterus is moving with the exercise motion, buoying the fetus.

Satin said his interest in pregnant athletes grew out of his work with women in the military who wanted to stay physically fit. He was formerly a professor and chair of the Uniformed Services University F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine in the obstetrics and gynecology department. Szymanski also is an exercise physiologist and collegiate athlete.

Dobrosielski, who is about to have her second child, said she decided to participate in the study because she wanted to help other women. She’s been running “forever” and played field hockey in high school and college. An ankle injury stopped her from running after 4 months, but everyday she runs in a pool, or does yoga, lifts weights or rides a stationary bike.

She knows she won’t lose as much of her fitness and will be able to return to running, even racing, quickly. Others should be able to find out what’s good for them, she said.

“It’s a special population and there’s so little time for study,” she said of pregnant women. “I felt comfortable exercising and I knew when I needed to stop. I think it’s important for all women to exercise and maybe this research will convince them to do that.”

Exercising while pregnant

Several medical organizations recommend 30 minutes of exercising a day for pregnant women.

•If you’re just beginning or have a condition, consult your doctor. Start slow and stop if you have pain or bleeding.

•Don’t get overheated, stay hydrated and take breaks.

•Your joints may be lax and your balance off, particularly in later months, so avoid unstable ground or consider a stationary bike or running in a pool.

•No contact sports, but some weight training is OK. Avoid lying on your back after the first trimester.

These new studies have recently been reported.

Scientific data continue to indicate that higher intake of alcohol during pregnancy adversely affects the fetus, and could lead to very severe developmental or other problems in the child. However, most recent publications show little or no effects of occasional or light drinking by the mother during pregnancy. The studies also demonstrate how socio-economic, education, and other lifestyle factors of the mother may have large effects on the health of the fetus and child; these must be considered when evaluating the potential effects of alcohol during pregnancy.

A very large population-based observational study from the UK found that at the age of 5 years, the children of women who reported light (no more than 1-2 units of alcohol per week or per occasion) drinking did not show any evidence of impairment on testing for behavioral and emotional problems or cognitive ability. There was a tendency for the male children of women reporting “heavy/binge” drinking during pregnancy (7 or more units per week or 6 or more units per occasion) to have poorer behavioural scores, but the effects were less clear among female offspring.

A second study, published in Pediatrics, based on a population in Western Australia examined the associations between dose, pattern, and timing of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and birth defects and found similar results, that there was no association between low or moderate prenatal alcohol exposure and birth defects.

Data from a randomly selected, population-based cohort of non- indigenous women who gave birth to a live infant in Western Australia (WA) between 1995 and 1997 (4714 participants) were linked to WA Midwives Notification System and WA Birth Defects Registry data. Information about maternal alcohol consumption was collected 3 months after birth for the 3 month period before pregnancy and for each trimester separately.

Low alcohol consumption was defined as less then 7 standard drinks (10g) a week, and no more than 2 drinks on any one day. Women who consumed more than 70g per week were classified as heavy drinkers and women consuming more than 140g were classified as very heavy drinkers.

Overall, current scientific data indicate that while drinking during pregnancy should not be encouraged, there is little evidence to suggest that an occasional drink or light drinking by the mother is associated with harm. Heavy drinking, however, is associated with serious developmental defects in the fetus.

For those hot summer days when one is running errands around town or relaxing on the weekend, there is nothing more perfect than those perfect shorts and a cute tank. This look is classic and timeless while still being refreshing. I love pairing a solid tank, in either the classic white or a more vibrant deep hue, with a cute pair of denim shorts. When one is pregnant, finding a tank that is cut a bit longer in front is key, as it will be comfortable and is designed with your growing belly in mind. Maternal America’s Ribbed Cotton Tank does this perfectly. With a scoop neck and fine ribbing, it is super cute. The soft fabric will not irritate your skin and it will keep you cool in the warm weather. Pair this cute tank with a great pair of denim shorts, such as Maternal America’s Megan Denim Shorts. Aside from the super comfortable stretch waist band (perfect for your changing body), these shorts are virtually undetectable as being maternity clothing! The slightly faded jean enhances the feeling of these shorts, cut in the trendy bermuda style. Pair this outfit with cute gladiator sandals or a great pair of espadrilles, and you have your go to weekend outfit!

A sundress is must have option for the summer months, and Maternal America designs cute and breezy dresses perfectly. One gorgeous option is their Ombre Cotton Dress. The multi layered tiered design brings this season’s hot stripe trend in a cute and flattering way. Lightweight cotton is cool and comfortable, ensuring that you will feel great even on the hottest summer days. Whether you choose to wear this dress to your baby shower or a brunch with friends, you will feel comfortable and look stunning. Another cute option for a great sundress is the Garment Dyed Maternity Dress. Simply adorable, this dress is lightweight and super comfortable. A gentle scoop neck frames your face and stylish pockets and a tiered hem add great detailing. Summer dresses are great as they are easy, one piece options which are instantly stylish. Maternal America’s selection is both vast and stylish!

A final summer essential is the lightweight, short sleeve, summer gop. A breezy top is fashionable and versatile, as it can work with a skirt, capris, or shorts. It also can be dressed up or down with the addition of jewelry. One super cute option is Maternal America’s Crochet Top. A fun colorful pattern is combined with a gorgeous crochet neckline. It looks great with jeans or black or white capris, and is perfect for anything from a day at the park to a dinner out. I love it paired with some gold bangles and capri jeans! The Diamond Tank Top is another great option, as it is work appropriate while also being great for an evening out. The deep v-neck, coming together at a diamond shaped centerpiece, is incredibly flattering. The fabric flows gently over your skin and stretches throughout your pregnancy. Maternal America’s summer tops fashionable, flattering, and comfortable! They are so cute you will want to wear them long after your baby is born.

Overall, Maternal America’s summer collection brings color, patterns, and great designs into play. You will feel and look great in whatever you choose to wear. Getting a few versatile pieces for your wardrobe is a great idea, many of which can be worn after pregnancy!

There’s no need to wear a frumpy 2 fabric layer old-school nursing top in the middle of summer or ever. Now a-days there are a ton of cute and hip nursing top styles on the market that don’t look a thing like a nursing top. Look for a neck style that flatters your face shape. This is a time to play up your neckline as well as your bust line while it is in full bloom. So pick a style that flatters your face and figure.

Olian Maternity has some great new styles to choose from this summer such as their Round Neck Maternity/Nursing top. This pretty lipstick shape empire waist top can be worn for either maternity or postpartum for nursing. The back sash tie makes it easily adjustable to your shape and the front pleats do wonders to disguise a postpartum belly while not tenting out. Attention is drawn to the pretty neckline, cap sleeves and fitted ruching empire waist style while the belly area is completely camouflaged. Nursing access is under the empire waist which makes nursing a breeze without showing any skin.

Another great look is the deep V-neck top with a faux pick-a-boo cami to make discreet nursing easy the fabric lightweight cool for hot summer months. Take a look at Maternal America’s Combo Maternity/Nursing top which is cut extra long for style and comfort and could even be worn with leggings in early pregnancy and postpartum. The faux cami is a sailor stripe while the rest of the tunic is navy. The adjustable sash tie makes this style an easy fit for all stages of your body’s metamorphosis through pregnancy and nursing. The mock cami provides nursing access from the deep V-neck without you missing a beat to your busy day or prolonging a baby’s hungry cry.

If your maternity leave is over and you are ready to head back to the office but don’t have a suitable top to wear, much less one that looks good on and fits your changing shape, then check out Japanese Weekend’s nursing tops which make for excellent transition wear to the office or out on the town in the evening. Their D&A (during and after) line of maternity/tops provide a lot of sophisticated styles in cool prints and solids. In particular, their D&A ¾ sleeves Sash Tie in pretty Teal is a great all-season look for any workplace. This top is a front cross-over empire waist design with a V-neck that hits high enough not to reveal cleavage while still flattering your shape. Nursing access can be made under the empire waist sash or above from the cross over front design. You can dress this top up or down for day or night.

Another great choice for work by Japanese Weekend is the D&A cami which comes in a variety of colors. Similarly this cami works great during and after pregnancy and nursing access is from under the empire waist stretch band which provides an overlay of fabric across the bust. The cami also has a stylish bottom band which works great for both a blooming belly (by keeping the fabric from tenting out) and for postpartum wear as the pleats work to disguise a postpartum belly. You can layer this cami under a jacket or cardigan for a sharp professional look or wear alone with pants for a more casual look in the evening. Many women find this cami so useful and flattering that they stock up on it in a variety of colors.

So whether you are a stay-at-home mom in need of better style or fit in your top selection or a professional on the go who’s just had a baby, treat yourself to a few good transition wear tops to take you through the next several months in style and comfort.

Maternal America’s Jenni Tankini is a surefire bet to flatter almost any body shape. This suit offers a flirty cut and a fun fiesta print. The halter style is always flattering and slimming to your upper body giving a sexy look to the shoulders and bust. The Jenni Tankini offers supportive padding and shape to the bust with an attractive O-ring halter style which also gives a pretty ruching effect. The cute side sash tie bottoms fit under the belly and allow the perfect fit to your changing shape to fit throughout your entire pregnancy (and beyond!).

If you are looking for a tropical escape, take a peek at Prego Maternity’s South Seas Strapless Mini. Prego Maternity makes high quality and superior supportive strapless suits for maternity swimwear. This summer’s South Seas print in chocolate brown and turquoise flowers with chocolate bottoms will put you in a laid back island mood in no time at all. The bottoms fit over the belly but are fully covered with the strapless mini dress style top. An optional halter string is included for an alternate look and for a little added insurance and support when lap swimming.

Whether you are pregnant or nursing postpartum, the BelaBumBum Nursing Tankini is a sexy and flattering suit for both during and after pregnancy. This summer’s black and white floral pattern is classic, tropical and timeless. You will love the stretch and feel of this maternity and nursing swimsuit with adjustable tank straps and discreet nursing access under the black empire waist sash tie. This top even looks great out of the pool and worn casually with jeans or capris.

Finally don’t forget your beach cover-up. Maternal America has a super cute sash tie cover-up in both white and black with a deep V-neck and pretty pleats across the belly that is especially designed for maternity. This cover-up is so versatile you can pair it with pants or capris for casual wear too. If you are looking for a more festive pattern, then check out Maternal America’s Mesh Carnival Print cover-up in strapless. This cover-up has pretty front smocking and an optional halter string tie. The light mesh fabric is perfect for hot days and an airy breezy feel and look.

So grab a towel and beach bag and head to the sand or water. You have no excuse not to hit the beach or pool this summer once you are suited up in style!

Want strong bones? Eat foods high in calcium and vitamin D, get plenty of exercise — and maybe steer clear of soda.

In recent decades, as consumption of the beverage has steadily displaced the consumption of others —particularly milk — studies have consistently linked soda consumption with weaker bones. Now scientists are trying to figure out how and why, precisely, drinking soda may affect skeletons.

One theory is that a component in cola may cause bone to deteriorate; another is that people who drink soda simply drink (and eat) fewer nutritious foods.

In the 1990s, several studies suggested soft-drink consumption might be linked to lower bone mass and reduced bone accretion — the process by which bone is built up — in children, especially teens.

In a study of 127 teens that was published in the Journal of Adolescent Health in 1994, teenage girls who drank carbonated beverages were three times as likely to suffer bone fractures compared with girls who didn’t drink soda. A study by the same author published in the Archives of Pediatric Adolescent Medicine in 2000 showed the same effect — and an even stronger one for girls who drank cola beverages, who were five times as likely to suffer bone fractures.

Researchers surmised at the time that soda took its toll on bones because children who drank soda did so in place of milk. Soda drinking was also seen as a marker for a generally unhealthful diet lacking items that help foster strong bones.

It does seem to be true that soda drinkers have worse diets overall. In a study published this month in the Journal of the American Dietetic Assn., for example, among 170 girls followed from age 5 to 15, those who drank soda at age 5 were less likely to drink milk throughout childhood than 5-year-olds who did not drink soda. And they were more likely to consume diets lacking in calcium, fiber, vitamin D, protein, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium.

Such findings are significant because as much as 90% of bone mass is acquired in youth, particularly from age 16 to 25, says Dr. Jeri Nieves, director of bone density testing at Helen Hayes Hospital in West Haverstraw, N.Y.

Children who fail to get enough bone-building nutrients and bone-thickening exercise in their youth end up with increased risk of osteoporosis and fracture as they get older, adds Dr. Robert Murray, director of the Center for Healthy Weight and Nutrition at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.

But there is also evidence that drinking sodas — specifically, colas — may take a direct toll on the skeleton, says Dr. Katherine Tucker, professor of health sciences at Northeastern University in Boston.

In a large, well-designed study published by Tucker and colleagues in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2006, women enrolled in the ongoing Framingham Osteoporosis Study who drank just three or more colas a week had a 3.7% to 5.4% lower bone mineral density in their hip bones when compared with women who didn’t drink the beverage.

The study also showed what scientists call a dose response: The more soda participants drank, the lower their bone mineral density.

The effect was seen only with colas — non-cola soft drinks, such as ginger ale and orange soda, had no effect on bone density. That finding led Tucker and colleagues to suggest that the phosphoric acid in cola is behind its bone-weakening effects.

Phosphoric acid is added to colas for its tangy flavor. It’s not normally found in the food chain, Tucker says. When ingested, it causes the acidity of the blood to increase; to adjust the blood’s pH, the body draws calcium out of bones and into the bloodstream.

These proposed effects of phosphoric acid on bone are largely theoretical, but they are supported by animal studies and some human research. A Danish study published in the journal Osteoporosis International in 2005 measured the blood levels of bone minerals in a group of men after they consumed a low-calcium diet and 2.5 liters of soda daily for 10 days, and then again after they consumed a normal diet and 2.5 liters of skim milk for 10 days.

During the cola-drinking period, the men had higher blood levels of the bone mineral phosphate, the bone turnover protein osteocalcin and a substance called CTX — results that indicated minerals were being removed from bone, and not replaced, during the soda-drinking period.

Scientists are continuing to test the theory that phosphoric acid in soda harms bones. But even if it turns out that phosphoric acids cause only small or temporary changes in bone composition, these can add up over time, Tucker says.

In the meantime, Nieves suggests, it’s probably wise to limit your intake of soda.

“It’s not like alcohol, where one drink a day is OK,” she says. “Because bone mass is constantly changing throughout life, soda can cause bone loss at any stage.”

Generally When Pregnant

When you are pregnant don’t be afraid to show some skin. A pregnant body can be very sensual and you still have great assets. So don’t be shy about showing off great legs or pretty arms, shoulders or going strapless. Be sure to define your shape the way your like it. You want some definition to you pregnant belly without going uncomfortably skin tight. Grecian can be flattering as it can drape over your curves to show off the gist of your belly without showing your belly button in detail. However, too big equates to baggy which only makes you look bigger. An empire waist looks that are more contained look great on almost any pregnant body type. Belting dresses beneath the bust can create this look. Deep shades like teal and plum that are popular this season are flattering on pregnant shapes, particularly if you are further along than busy patterns or metallics

Busty

If you are the busty type you are probably three times more busty when you are expecting. Your body has taken on new dimensions and everything you try on seems to be accentuated by your pronounced cleavage. A good look to try to de-emphasize the chest is a flirty dress in one shade. By sticking to one shade of color your figure becomes elongated and you look much leaner and slimmer.

Also going with a more tailored or structured dress that gives you a clear silhouette, you better define your shape. For example, instead of going hippie chic, go with better bust support and strong vertical pleats. A hemmed and pleated knee length flirty dress with a structured chest and wide straps will do wonders for your figure. Finally, always look to support and lift. Forget strapless or backless dresses as you will never find the level of support you need. Always look for a dress or top with wide enough shoulder straps for a supportive bra.

Hippy

A skirt or dress with inverted pleats keeps hips looking narrower. An A-line skirt is also a good choice for camouflaging hips. Even just a flared hem de-emphasizes the hips. Again choose structure in defining your silhouette so you show off a small empire waist and don’t get swallowed in something loose and baggy. Remember to show off your best assets, so if you have pretty shoulders, flaunt them with a sleeveless bodice dress, strapless or one shoulder style. Draw attention to your best body parts up high – look for a jeweled neckline or brighter colors around the face or neck. Even wearing some bling jewelry will keep the gaze upwards.

Petite

If you are petite and you don’t want to tower in platform shoes or stilettos when you are pregnant, there are some other tricks to add some length to your frame. If you have great legs, then show them off. Go for shorter hems and sheerer hose to elongate your shape. Show off some skin somewhere- arms and necklines are a great place to start. Pleats and bubble hem can work well if its not overdone – you want to add some volume without looking like a powder puff. Accessorize smartly. A few well chosen pieces that don’t weigh you down is all you need to add some height.

Tall

If you are tall, then you have a lot of choices. Tall frames can get away with prints and patterns, horizontal stripes and all the usual hazards most women need to avoid can actually be more flattering when tall. Do make sure your clothing fits you well. Beware of cuts that tent out and make you appear bigger than you are or that miss your curves. Sleek and fitted always looks better no matter how far along you are in your pregnancy. Do be careful with super short hemlines and minis as they can make you look like a giant whose clothes got shrunk in the dryer. Otherwise, have fun with accessories as you can get away with more to wear as you have more space to fill!

So whatever your shape, find some maternity clothes that fit and flatter your figure and make you feel as beautiful and sexy and as you truly are. Bottom line, if you feel great in the clothes you are in, then you will project that to those around you.

Teaching babies to swim from just a few months old helps them to develop impressive physical skills later in life.

A university study found baby swimmers balance better and grasped objects more easily than non-swimmers.

This difference persists even when children are five years old, according to the research from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.
babies

Three-month-old babies can hold a standing balanced position in the water, scientists reported

Professor Hermundur Sigmundsson from NTNU and Professor Brian Hopkins from Lancaster University, compared 19 baby swimmers against a control group of 19 children who had not participated in baby swimming.

The only factor that separated baby swimmers from the control group was swimming. All other factors, such as the parents’ education and economic status, were the same.

The baby swimmers had participated in swimming classes for two hours a week from the age of 2-3 months until they were about 7 months old.

A typical session might involve helping the baby do a somersault on a floating mat, having the baby dive under water, jump from the pool edge, and balance on the hand of a parent while reaching to pick up floating objects.

When they were five the two groups were tested with a number of exercises such as balancing on one foot, skipping rope and catching a beanbag.

The researchers said the results were startling.

‘We saw very clearly that baby swimmers were the best in exercises that related to balance and the ability to reach for things,’ says Professor Sigmundsson.

Professor Sigmundsson says he was simply overwhelmed by what the instructor was able to get the babies to do.

‘The instructor was able to bring three-month-old babies right up to a balanced position, standing on his palm. The babies locked joints – it was amazing to watch,’ he said.

He believes that the survey shows that specific training in young children gives results.

‘It’s incredibly exciting that specific training for young babies has an effect later in life. Development is a dynamic interplay between maturation, growth, experience and learning.

‘Our study shows that we must never underestimate the learning aspect.’

The study was published in the May 2010 issue of Child: Care Health and Development.