Monthly Archives: February 2019

A Guide to Helping Children to Cope with Divorce

Divorce (and the separation of cohabiting parents) typically lies on a spectrum of “mildly unsettling” to “utterly horrendous” and the fact that the UK does not currently recognise “no-fault” divorce creates additional challenges for those who are trying to manage an amicable separation, even though the legal process of divorce in the UK has a fundamental principle that the welfare of any children must be put front and centre at all times.

While members of the legal profession will do everything they can to minimise the impact on children, at the end of the day, the main responsibility for the welfare of children lies, as always with their parents. With that in mind, here are three suggestions which might help.

Have a solution prepared before you tell children the problem

Create a plan of action for you and your partner, so you are both clear on the way forward, before you tell your children. This is less about focusing on the positives of the change, as, from the children’s perspective, there may be absolutely none, but about limiting the negatives and, crucially, emphasising to your children that you remain united as parents.

NB: It is a sad fact of modern life that the more people know about something, the more likely it is that children, even younger ones, will get to hear about it, or at least rumours of it, via social media. Even if you limit your children’s access to social media (or ban them completely from using it), the reality is that they will almost certainly interact with children who do have access to it and who will pass on the gossip to their friends as people do. With that in mind, it’s strongly advisable to be very careful about where, when and with whom you discuss your feelings and plans.

Underline the fact that the divorce is about you and not about them

It can be very tricky to decide just how much to tell children, even older ones. You may wish to take the approach of telling them the truth and nothing but the truth, but not necessarily the whole truth. There is, however, one fact which must be underlined in all situations which is that the divorce is about you and your partner as individuals, not about you and your partner as parents. Not only does that mean that you will both expect to have the same relationship with your children, but it also means that you will continue to work together with regards to the practicalities of parenting, such as setting ground rules for behaviour and ensuring that they are enforced.

Keep change to a minimum

In a sense, keeping change to a minimum is a way of making good on your promise that this change is only going to affect you and your partner as individuals, rather than having a negative impact on your children. If you find yourself having to make unwelcome changes to their established routine, then you are basically demonstrating that your divorce is going to have a negative impact on them.

K J Smith Solicitors are family solicitors in Reading, specialising in all aspects of divorce and separation in including finances on divorce, family mediation, cohabitation agreements and collaborative law.

Seven Tips for A Lighter Purse and No Back Pain (#5 Is the Most Useful)

Photo credit: businessinsider.in

Has your heavy purse gotten way too hard to shoulder? There are many ways to go lighter and avoid excess baggage. Whether you’re using it as a travel purse or it’s the best toddler bags for moms.

You can never make the same mistake twice. And this Seven Tips for Lighter Purse guide shows you where you can improve.

Everything you think you need to lighten the load is right here.

[YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GWI–fsj_o]

Seven Tips for A Lighter Purse

#1 Remove Unnecessary Items Daily

Photo credit: scarves.com

You will find some item or the other at the end of every day. It takes just a minute to declutter all the garbage in your purse that you don’t need. This can drastically lighten the purse.

Even something as small as a parking ticket or wrapping paper can make a mess. More often than not, you fail to throw it away for days. So the inside of your purse becomes an eyesore to see!

#2 Always Use Your Coins

We tend to collect change and never use it. This is because coins are pushed to the bottom of the purse. And never to be seen again. Unless and until you remove everything from it!

What you’re doing is carrying around tiny but significant pieces of metal. And as the coins keep building up, it can weigh down your purse.

Just as how you have to declutter unwanted items from the bag every day. Use up all the coins you have by keeping them in a small pouch in your purse. That way, you can store them all in one place so it’s easier to find.

#3 Wear a Smarter Purse

Photo credit: ournextadventure.co

Are you carrying way too many items every day? If you cannot reduce the items you put in the purse. You can change the purse to make everything fit better and lighter.

There’s a difference between an average-quality and high-quality purse. It’s what makes these seven tips for a lighter purse possible.

A smart purse is what reduces back and shoulder pain. As heavier purses weigh you down and can cause postural problems. You might not feel the pain or discomfort on the first day. But the tension in your shoulders and back keeps building up. So it can damage your spine and the way you stand and move around.

Even the best toddler bags for moms are made of lightweight materials. Such as nylon, cotton, and canvas. They’re lighter and breathable than leather. Plus, leather is a stiff material with fewer pockets and buckles to experiment with.

#4 How Many Beauty Products Do You Need?

Photo credit: stylesalute.com

We think we need those many lipstick shades for a day. But do you ever really use it? Minimizing your make-up products to the bare essential is necessary. You don’t need as many beauty products to get you through the day.

Eliminate the extra cosmetics you have lying around in the purse. This includes the clunky compacts, hair spray, brush, and other items.

#5 Buy Everything in Travel Size

This tip can really come in handy. Especially if you like to carry your whole world in that little purse of yours!

Need all your essentials to get you through the day? No problem! But make sure you buy them in travel size. Nowadays, you get everything down to its smallest size. This can be a hand sanitizer, tissues, key holder, etc.

Buying travel size items reduce clutter for the long run. You can buy a few extras for your house. Once the pack in your purse is over, replace it with a new one.

This helps keep your bag light and reduces clutter at the end of every day.

#6 Do Not Buy a Bulky Wallet

The bigger your wallet is, the more things you’d want to put in it. With a smaller and handy wallet, you can put just your credit card, business card, and cash.

Some of the unnecessary items in a bulky wallet are as follows. Old receipts, other business cards, offer cards, and foreign change. It’s time to leave everything you don’t need behind. A small wallet will house all the essentials that you need on a daily basis. This includes your identification, credit cards, and cash.

#7 Reduce the Number of Electronics in Your Purse

Photo credit: rd.com

The last but definitely not the least important tip is electronics. Do you really need to carry an mp3 player, a tablet, and an e-book reader? It’s highly unlikely that you will use all these items in a single day.

Not to forget, you also have your phone to put in which adds to the load. Stick to using only a single electronic gadget a day. If you’re in the mood to read, carry a book or Kindle. If you want to listen to music, your personal mobile phone or an mp3 would work.

Key Takeaway

There’s a lot to cut back on when looking at these seven tips for a lighter purse. And at the end of the day, you feel more comfortable and lighter. Isn’t that the whole point of decluttering your purse?

You have no choice but to carry around your purse each day. So you might as well have it lighter, more supportive, and not-at-all painful, right? These seven tips for lighter purse make sure of that.

About the author:

Jennifer Kessler uses every bit of her personal experiences to make the most of the blogging community. Her articles are not just words put together. Kessler creates only after she gets a first-hand experience herself. Doing something and then writing about it makes more sense than not experiencing it altogether. So her work is completely authentic, reliable, and even invaluable to women readers.

Sources:

https://heyletsmakestuff.com/a-life-more-simple-seven-tips-lighter-purse/
https://www.realsimple.com/health/preventative-health/aches-pains/heavy-purse
https://www.rd.com/home/cleaning-organizing/downsize-heavy-purse/

A Practical Guide To Choosing Your Next Breast Milk Warmer Wisely

What features should you look for in a bottle warmer to heat breast milk safely? Is speed the most important factor? Let’s take a minute and discuss what is important, and what is not.

Making a wise choice for a breast milk warmer means choosing one that warms the milk without damaging the nutrients in it. You want a warmer that gently heats the milk to approximately body temperature level, but avoids getting the milk too hot and dangerous to drink. It needs to heat the milk evenly in the bottle without overheating some parts of the milk and leaving other parts cold.

A Few Things To Consider:

Let’s discuss each of those questions briefly:

1. How fast does it warm the milk?

A good bottle warmer for breast milk should be able to heat a pouch, or bottle, of breast milk in about 2 to 4 minutes. Frozen breast milk will take longer. You should try to plan ahead and let frozen milk thaw in your refrigerator before use when possible.

2. Is it easy to clean?

Keeping a bottle warmer clean is essential since the bottle and milk will be going from the warmer straight to your baby’s mouth. Check to see if the bottle warmer can be disassembled for cleaning. We recommend reading the cleaning instructions before buying the warmer.

3. Can you take it on the road with you?

Are you wanting to take the warmer on the road with you? You will want a compact bottle warmer that is easy to pack in a diaper bag and does not make a mess. Some bottle warmers come complete with auto power plugs so you can use it in your car.

4. How much counter space does it need?

Take a look at the space where you are planning to use your bottle warmer. Bottle warmers vary in size. You can find very small warmers like the Beaba, or much larger units like the Tommie Tipper. Keep in mind, smaller is not always better. Make sure the warmer can still do everything you want. Some of the larger units allow you to heat two bottles at the same time, or to heat a bottle and a jar of baby food.

5. Does it shut off automatically?

This is one feature we feel is under appreciated. Automatic shutoff is a blessing. Check to see if the breast milk warmer has an automatic shutoff for when the milk reaches a certain temperature, or at a minimum, a timer to shut off the warmer. Imagine starting to warm the bottle when you are sleepy. You are holding your baby in your arms sitting in the rocking chair. The next thing you know an hour has slipped away and the bottle is still in the warmer. An auto-shutoff is something mothers quickly learn to appreciate.

5. Pricing

Did you think we forgot about pricing? We are going to ignore bottle warmers with less than a four-star rating. Great quality bottle warmers range in price from $14.99 up to around $59.99. The more expensive warmers usually heat multiple items at the same time. Take a little time to research your breast milk warmer using the topics we discussed and you will make a wise purchase.

Things You Really Shouldn’t Wash in the Washing Machine

Washing machines are one of the most useful of modern white good appliances that we have today. However, they are only as effective as the way you use them. In the following post therefore, we want to discuss the kind of things you think might be okay to put in the washing machine, but that you should never actually put in the washing machine.

Running Shoes

While normal trainers are mostly fine, especially if they are not particularly expensive, we wouldn’t recommend putting those fancy running shoes into the washing machine. The harshness of the wash cycle could reduce their plushness or even shrink them. If you need to wash those running shoes, it is better then to hand wash them and then just air dry them out.

Stains Caused by Flammable Sources

Most stains can be washed out in the washing machine, apart from one specific group of stains. That is, stains caused by flammable substances such as petrol, diesel and other solvents that are combustible. If you put clothes that have been stained with these kinds of substances, you run the risk of having a fire or even causing an explosion.

Underwired Bras

Who has time to hand wash their underwear every single time without fail? Well, it might be time to start doing that, if you want to get as much life out of your underwired bras as possible. The underwire can easily get destroyed by being thrown around during the wash cycle in your machine. If you can’t face washing them by hand every single time and need to use the washing machine, perhaps because you are in a rush, stick them in a mesh wash bag or even a pillow case to protect them.

Incredibly Small Items (E.g. Baby Socks etc.)

Have you ever put a load of clothes into the washer and been sure there were pairs of baby socks in there only to find when you take the load out, you only have one sock of each pair? You are not alone. Just where do those smaller items go? They get sucked into the vents and hoses inside your machine, or at least, they can. If you are going to wash smaller items in your washing machine, and we don’t really blame you for doing so, you need to follow the same advice as above and use a mesh bag or pillow case to keep them safe. Failing that you could wash them in the sink by hand.

There are a few areas where you need to use a bit of caution, because some types are okay while others aren’t okay to wash in the machine.

Blankets and Throws
Sofa Covers – As most are pre-shrunk, they are safe to machine wash. Without the label outlining instructions, it is best to stick with your gut and have them dry-cleaned.
Pillows and Duvets – It all comes down to the capacity of your washing machine whether you can wash duvets and pillows or not.

We’ve looked at some of the items you really shouldn’t wash in your washing machine in this post, but if you want to know some of the surprising things you can wash, check out this post at Repair Aid.

6 Handy Tips for Greener Use of Your Washing Machine

Washing machines are obviously incredibly convenient. They are more effective than hand washing and avoid you needing to take your clothes down to the nearest stream or launderette. However, they also use a lot of water, energy and chemicals. If you are looking for ways to make greener use of your washing machine, you’ve come to the right place. Check out the six great tips we have provided below.

Always Wash a Full Load

As a rule of thumb, it is best to only use your washing machine when it has a full load in the drum. It should go without saying that while you want it to be full, you don’t want to overfill it or not all the items will wash as thoroughly.

Pick the Right Washer

It is important to choose, if you are in the process of buying a new washing machine, the right one. That is one that is rated for water efficiency and energy efficiency. This helpful guide at Repair Aid gives further suggestions worth considering.

Avoid Using Prewash Cycles

Although it can be very tempting to use those prewash cycles if you have clothes that are particularly dirty. You know the kind we mean – the kids have been to football practice or are home from a weekend at Glastonbury. That kind of muck. However, you could increase the efficiency of your machine by avoiding them all together and instead using laundry balls, these help to mix the laundry up much better and improve the overall effectiveness of the wash cycle.

Always Wash at 30-Degrees Where Possible

It is possible that you have heard many advertisements proclaiming about how effective washing your dirty laundry at just 30-degrees can be. This is not a sales pitch. The truth is that most washing machines are now efficient and effective enough to wash clothes thoroughly, even if the temperature is set to 30-degrees. This obviously saves on the energy required to warm the water and it also is a gentler way to get your clothes clean. An important tip though would be to use a liquid detergent, rather than a powder if you are washing at lower temperatures as these are already dissolved.

Avoid Overusing Detergent

Try to follow the guidelines on the back of the bottle or box of detergent. If you want to prevent your machine from working inefficiently or being more polluting, measure it carefully. Besides, using too much each wash will increase the amount of money you are having to pay out for washing machine detergent.

Choose the Time of Day You Wash Your Clothes Carefully

This only applies if you have a dual day/night meter. If you do, avoid using your machine during the day and try to use it more at nighttime or even at the weekends to enjoy a reduced tariff. If power is sourced from photovoltaic solar paneling, you are best using your washing machine during the day to get the full benefit from all that free electricity generated from the panels.

Great Reasons Why Stay-At-Home Mums Should Consider Digital Marketing Courses in London

In the past if a stay-at-home mum wanted to make a little money on the side while taking care of their little one, there was only a limited number of options. They could take on a direct sales role, offer ironing services or look after other children too. Nowadays though, things are a little easier and thanks to the internet, there are various options out there for mum’s with young children looking to make an earning while being able to work around the children. If you are going to work online though, there are some skills that you need to pick up and it may be worth your while investing in enrolment on one of the various digital marketing courses in London.

Not convinced? Check out some of the convincing reasons for studying a digital marketing course below.

Easy to Pick up and Learn

Just about anything in this world, if you have an interest and it is taught in the right way, is easy to pick up and understand. The same could be said about digital marketing. If you have great instructors or mentors, then the fundamentals of digital marketing are very easy to get. We appreciate that to a complete novice digital marketing and all the jargon can seem intimidating, but that’s always going to be the case with something new. Once you get past the jargon, digital marketing makes a lot of common sense.

Trending Occupation

There is no denying it, digital marketing is, and has been for some time, a trending occupation. Most brands out there and companies put a lot of money and time into it because their target audiences are best reached through the internet, through Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Therefore, if you want to have any success online, whether working for someone else or running your own business, skills in digital marketing can provide immeasurable help.

Chance to Freelance

Obviously, you may have in your mind to set up your own site or niche blog using the skills you can develop from digital marketing courses. However, once you have passed and gained that experience and knowhow, it also opens another door of opportunity – the chance to freelance as a digital marketing specialist.

Convenience to Work when you Want

If you are intent on staying at home and trying to forge a business there, digital marketing courses can help give you the skills and knowledge you need to build and market a successful business from the comfort of your home. There’s no need to leave the house to go to a workplace and you can fit your work schedule, as it will be all based online, around the kids, your husband and the other commitments in your life.

Do Things Your Way

Obviously, the biggest, we feel, advantage of taking digital marketing courses is that it gives you the power to become your own boss. Once you know the ins and outs of marketing in the digital age a little better, you no longer need to work for someone else, following their schedule, doing things their way, you can take full control over your own potential and destiny.

Tarot Card Reading – 3 Pointers You Must Know?

Most of us are curious about our future. What if we tell you there is a way to know what the future holds for you? Well, if you are curious about what awaits for you in the future, consider going for a tarot card reading session.

Tarot card reading is a way to unravel the mystery called life. However, it does not work like astrology or palmistry. A tarot card reader can only answer to your specific questions. And by offering you answers, the reader can help you connect with your past present and the future.

When you finally go for your reading session, you must prepare yourself to ask the right questions and embrace the truth. During the session, a lot about you can be revealed which will help you understand your life from a better perspective.

For a tarot card reading session to be successful, you must prepare yourself and below listed are some of the pointers you must keep in mind.

Prepare Yourself To Accept And Embrace The Truth

You must get a good night’s sleep before you visit a reader. Do not visit the tarot card reader in an inebriated state or when you feel anxious or stressed. Ensure that you are ready for the session and do not be doubtful or hesitant about the results. In short, an open mind to accept the outcome is one of the most important qualities you need when you go for a session.

In fact, the moment you walk into the room of the tarot reader, you can feel the warmth. The reader will put you at ease. You will not be judged for your questions or thoughts. Be at peace for you are in a safe place. Most tarot readers will help you relax, and you should try your best to stay calm. Anyone can get tensed thinking about how the future will unravel. If you feel uncomfortable or you think you are not ready, just communicate it to the reader. Another appointment can be scheduled.

Be Ready To Open Up

Whatever information you share with your reader, it will stay safe. Under no circumstances does a tarot reader disclose your personal details or findings to others. So you must reveal any detail that you might help with your reading.

Also, be sure to ask the right questions and only then will you get the right answers. Never hide anything or withhold any crucial detail such as a thought or dream that you may have had. All these bits and pieces of information will help the reader offer you a better insight.

You might be asked questions about your past – it can be about an incident, a habit or an activity. Be truthful and honest. Only then a true connection can be established.

Answering honestly will help you also have more clarity about your present. Many people do not realize that when we seek answers, sometimes they may come from the past. The universe does work in mysterious ways. There is always a connection between who we were and who we are about to be. With a tarot reading, you will be able to navigate the voyage called life easily.

Be Ready To Understand And Interpret Insights

One thing that definitely happens at all tarot reading sessions is that you gain insight. Our lives present situations in puzzling ways. Most of the time it becomes impossible for an average person to understand the deeper meanings of incidents. A little bit of guidance from a tarot reader can help us have a perspective and understand about our lives. Yes, a tarot card reader can help us unravel the truth easily.

Though life keeps bringing us opportunities, we might not see them. A tarot reading points us in the right direction. It can help us make the most of our opportunities. When left with options, we might feel overwhelmed. A good tarot reader can disclose what each such opportunity might lead us into. This knowledge can indeed make us feel confident and help take the right decisions.

After your session at the reader, go home and take rest for a while. Give some time for the truth to sink in. Ask yourself the right questions, weigh your options carefully, and then take a decision.

Indeed, a tarot card reading session can give us enough clarity that makes our lives happier. Embrace your new-found confidence and take life head-on.

Six Awesome Hacks to be Trendy

Have you ever been in a conundrum standing in front of your closet full of attires in the morning and thinking about what to wear? We all have been there. Sometimes it gets hard to decide what to wear. Other times it could be the mood that kills the zest in selecting an outfit. Dressing up every day could be fun. If only you know the act of it. Dressing up to be trendy every day is not an art. It could be practiced. Here are six awesome hacks that you can use in your daily life and be trendy all the time.

Balance Your Outfit

As top fashion consultants and designers say, your outfit should be balanced to compliment your body type. If you are wearing a loose top, balance it with a slim pair of jeans. A straight fit or loose fit can make you look wider than you actually are. Don’t match up the colors in a typical manner. You can take help from a color wheel. The opposite colors on the wheel are complementary colors. Mix patterns and prints for a balanced look. Color balance is equally important. Be colorful, but not obscurely. Balance your colors to make a look for the day, every day. The objective is to appear what you are. You don’t want to look like a bear when you actually are a cat. Unless you wish to imitate.

Trend Is Age-dependent

Everyone is conscious of their age. Wearing a shrink-top when you’ve turned thirty, doesn’t sound trendy. Rather it may seem obscene to some. Make sure whatever you wear is meant for your age. If you are tinies, most of it out there works for you, if not all. If you are middle-aged, choose your colors and patterns that are not too childish. You need your clothing to bear the tag of your maturity. There is a sense of respect that everyone demands after a certain age. And your outfit will get you that. Age has to do a lot with your dressing sense. Although dressing sense evolves with age, there are times when we all wish to appear younger than we are. Your color selection can help you with that. Select a tank top that stretches up to your waistline, just above the navel. No-one wants to be uncomfortable with their age. So it’s absolutely fine. Flaunt your age with what you wear and you’ll never be embarrassed by your age or your dressing sense.

State Your Own Jewelry Quotient

You don’t want to call unnecessary attention. If you have a bulgy body, wear a short necklace or a necktie pendant. Long chains and bulky pendants will rest on your body, awkwardly. For those who prefer a conservative look in their jewelry, David Chapman from Frost recommends a Cuban link style chain for a sleek and subtle touch. Wear lighter earrings, such as pearls. The shape of earrings also has its play. Wearing long earrings can make your face look slimmer. Likewise, if you have a round face, you should try studs and short earrings. Oddly speaking, gold compliments all, is a myth. Rather its the shape that matters more. Of course, the color of your jewelry should be contrasting with your dress, it does not necessarily mean to match. A mannequin looks great in whatever it wears but you don’t.

White Shirts Are Always Classy

Oohhh! White shirts are sexy! There’s a class to them. Wear one under a dark coat, or with a pair of plain jeans. It works just the same with everything. Isn’t it awesome? A classic white shirt is a must-have for you. It’s always trendy. A neatly ironed white shirt can make you look cheerful. Yes, colors have an impact on your mood. Not only yours but also the people around you. And white has always been the best in setting the mood right for everything. You can wear a bold lipstick with a pure white shirt, not ivory, and it’ll make your face look brighter. Wear no makeup and voila, you’re set for your vacation. Put a black blazer over it, and you are an executive now. No matter what you pair it with or how you wear it, it feels awesome every time. But, you should keep in mind that the shirt should be fit. It should not have any pull-ups in front or back. The shoulder seam should line up with your shoulders. Shoulders shouldn’t be slacking down. Do not dry-clean them. To maintain their brightness, launder them the same as men’s shirt.

Spend More On Staples

Hooks, buttons, tees, whatever it is, you can always find them at cheap rates. But are they worth it? Buying a $20 sweater that will lose it’s shape after a few washes is not at all smart. Compare the total expenses that you do on replacing or repairing a cheap piece of clothing against buying a quality one for a few extra dollars. You can surely calculate the difference. The best practice would be to buy less of in number but more of quality clothes. A quality shirt would last longer without losing it’s shape or fading away than a cheap one. Especially when you are buying clothes like blazers, investing in good quality wool would be smarter than investing in cashmere or cheap replacements.

What Kind Of A Bra Are You Wearing?

Your breasts make a lot of how your cloth fits you. If you are wearing a fitting bra that does not bulge and snugs properly, it means that your silhouette will make you look trimmer from every angle. Select your bra accordingly. There should be no wrinkles or gapping in between the cups. If you’ve found a bra that snugs your breasts properly and rests them somewhere in between your elbows and shoulders, then you have scored one. The best way to know if it fits you without suffocating is to slip two fingers under the band. See if they can squeeze in. The flatter the front panel appears, the more it’ll adorn you. Don’t leave them drooping. A firm chest will always depict your confidence. This is the reason that designers stress on the bra so much. After all, with women, it is an important part of your overall appearance.

After all the hacks that I have just told you, none is the one that could be ignored, if you are looking for that perfect look. Apart from all these, you can always add up more. Accessorize your clothes with belts and bangles. You can wear a hat or a cap depending upon what you are wearing around your torso. Everyone wishes to show off their toned arms or flat belly or their smooth skin. It’s just that with wrong dressing sense, your flaunting turns into haunting. A body-hugging dress with clear hem and necklines would get you more attention than a short skirt just above the knees. Reveal your skin as per your dress. Wearing a low-cut dress, you should focus more on your cleavage than the legs. Accessories are fun. You can play with different colors and textures. Your footwear is the one that completes your attire. Sneakers with raised jeans, tip-toes with robust clothing and high heels with dresses and gowns, these are the best combinations that one can make with their footwear and what they wear above feet. Nevertheless, these hacks will definitely raise brows in surprise. The next time you go shopping, make sure you know what you want to wear and shop accordingly.

These Orthodontic Appliances Can Improve Your Smile

People often talk about the importance of dentistry and dental health, but what is often forgotten is the impact of orthodontic services. When a dentist sees that you have an overbite, they will give you a referral to an orthodontist for you to see what an orthodontist can do for you and your smile.

While dentists focus on dental care like cavities and gum diseases, orthodontists concentrate on the relationship between teeth and the jaw according to the British Orthodontic Society. They commonly rectify problems such as alignment and overbites.

Most commonly, orthodontia is done on children while their teeth and jaws are rapidly growing because it’s easiest to make an impactful change without dental surgery at this stage. Orthodontists use a variety of appliances to help improve your smile:

Bionators

A bionator is a functional, removable orthodontic appliance that is used commonly in people 7 years old or older. This appliance is primarily used to stimulate the growth of the lower jaw to correct an over-bite or over-jet.

Because of this, the appliance is most effective when the user experiences maximum growth – which is it’s mostly used in kids. There are two main bionators; bionators that open a bite, and ones that close a bite.

Bionators are available in a variety of colours and shades; actually, they can come in both sparkly and glow in the dark designs! Many orthodontists prefer to use this appliance to correct overbites over headgears, as headgears are more painful and can strain jaw points if misused.

To be effective, bionators must be worn at all times and only removed while eating or brushing teeth.

Expanders

An expander is an orthodontic appliance that expands your jaw. This is an appliance with the power to help give you a beautiful smile thanks to its ability to correct overbites.

There a variety of expanders that work towards the same goals, but in different ways:

Palatal Expander: This expander is most used to widen the roof of your mouth to create space for crowded teeth and to rectify crossbites. It’s attached to the molars with metal rings where expansion screws are built. The expansion is activated by turning the key to tighten the appliance.

This appliance is usually by younger children because once skeletal maturity is reached the upper jaw is fused. This makes it challenging to achieve expansion without invasive surgery.

Quad Helix: Like a palatal expander, the quad helix is a fixed expander placed at the roof of your mouth for the upper jaw. It widens the upper arch to rectify a crossbite or make room for crowded teeth.

The main difference here is that the quad helix is cemented to the molars; additionally, it doesn’t require a key for activation. Instead, springs are used to widen the arch. It also is used to help straighten teeth.

Schwartz Appliance: This removable expander can be worn on your upper or lower teeth to widen your arch and teeth. This is to be used 24 hours a day and is only taken out for physical activity like sports, teeth brushing or eating. Like the palatal expander, a key is used to activate expansion.

Braces

Braces are an orthodontic appliance used to correct and straighten teeth. This is often used when teeth or crooked, overcrowded, or have gaps that need to be closed.

A recent advancement in braces technology is Invisalign, which can do much more than conventional braces. The Invisalign system utilizes plastic aligners; one aligned is worn for two weeks to reach the desired state, and the patient then moves on to another tighter fitting aligner to achieve the next necessary stage.

UK BIRTH INJURY

About 4% of the babies will have some type of birth injury in which damage is caused to the baby’s body before, during or shortly after delivery The injuries can vary from minor to severe and from temporary to permanent and may include paralysis, fractured bones, brain damage and nerve disruption. Oxygen deprivation and mechanical trauma can occur when the baby assumes an unusual position or when the baby is too large. Although infant mortality rates have been substantially reduced over the centuries there is still a significant risk of death to a child particularly during a traumatic birth. These injuries are most often caused by induced or operative delivery, rather than a natural spontaneous delivery.

Many of these injuries are caused by medical negligence with the most common injuries being;

cerebral palsy

erbs palsy

broken collar bone

shoulder dystocia

klumke’s palsy

brachial plexus palsy

horners syndrome

NEONATAL CONDITIONS

In addition to injuries caused during delivery there is also a group of problems known as neonatal conditions that can affect children in the days immediately following birth which include

Obstetric Cholestasis

Obstetric Cholestasis is a liver disorder that affects approximately 1% of pregnant women and often the only symptom that occurs is itching, particularly on the hands and feet. The condition poses a risk of harm to the baby and may prove fatal unless it is recognised promptly and treated properly by early delivery to prevent the possibility of stillbirth. Failure by a doctor or other healthcare professional to properly diagnose this condition can result in a claim for medical negligence if it results in harm either to the mother or baby.

Neonatal Hypoglycaemia

Neonatal Hypoglycaemia is a condition which can cause brain damage to an infant. Doctors often do not recognise the extent to which the child is suffering from neonatal hypoglycaemia and as a result do not take appropriate action to prevent brain damage.

Hip Dysplasia

Hip Dysplasia Is a dislocation of the leg from the pelvis and is a frequent cause of litigation. Examination of the hips should be carried out at regular intervals until a child is walking normally. To avoid a claim for medical negligence doctors and nurses should take every opportunity to check a child’s hips and if necessary, refer the child on for specialist diagnosis. Hip dysplasia is often not diagnosed until the child is walking which may have already caused serious long-term damage that requires immediate operative treatment the outcome of which is often less than satisfactory.

Kernicterus and Hyperbilirubinaemia

Are conditions that can lead to cerebral palsy. Doctors should recognise the signs and symptoms of an infant suffering from kernicterus and hyperbilirubinaemia and take appropriate action. Failure to diagnose in a timely manner can result in an action for compensation for medical negligence

MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE SOLICITORS

Specialist medical negligence solicitors can deal with claims for compensation for birth injury, neonatal conditions and obstetric cholestasis. A specialist solicitor will focus entirely on your needs by providing vigorous expert representation to ensure that you receive maximum damages for your medical negligence claim. It is important that a qualified solicitor is involved from the very start of your claim to ensure that you obtain fair and reasonable compensation. A solicitor can help you to preserve your legal right to compensation. Most offer free initial consultations for advice to find out whether you have a good case, how to go about claiming and how much your compensation might be worth. A lawyer will give you clear unequivocal advice about your chances of success and the anticipated value of your claim. If after talking to a lawyer you decide not to take matters further you are usually under no obligation to do so and you will normally not be charged anything at all for initial advice.

Revolution Mother