Tim Pim Blog

Sudoku is the addictive number puzzle that has taken the UK by storm and is now taking over the rest of the world. Since it first appeared in The Times in late 2004 its popularity has grow so that it appears in most UK newspapers and has spread to countries from India to Canada, Australia to South Africa.

So what is Sudoku all about? Sudoku is played on a nine by nine grid which is divided into nine smaller squares. The object of the puzzle is to fill in the digits from 1 to 9 so that it appears only once in each column, row and small three by three square. You are given some of the numbers and you have to use logic and deduction to find the position of the other numbers.

Simple? Well, it depends! A Sudoku puzzle can vary from easy to absolutely fiendish. Certainly the more numbers you are given to start off with, the easier the puzzle, but it also depends on which ones the puzzle setter offers. Traditionally there should be no more than 30 numbers given.

Sudoku first appeared in a US puzzle magazine in the late 1970s, but was then picked up by Japanese publisher Nikoli who dubbed it Su Doku or ‘Solitary Square’ and the puzzle-hungry Japanese loved it. From there it was discovered by The Times and the rest is history.

Sudoku is solved simply by logic; there is no maths required. You may at first be able to fill in a couple of numbers where it appears in every column and row but one. Next you may need to mark up possible candidates in the empty squares until only one possibility remains. Like so many puzzles there will be times when you stare hopelessly and others where the answers jump out at you.

The sudden popularity of Sudoku may be due to many things. It requires just enough brainwork to give a feeling of satisfaction when the puzzle is complete, without taking up huge amounts of time and it requires no special knowledge unlike for instance crosswords, which may require a wide vocabulary.

For hardcore Sudoku fans there are now even more difficult versions. There are sixteen by sixteen square versions which include letters as well as numbers, and a three dimensional version called the Dion Cube.

There are benefits to doing Sudoku puzzles too - the sort of exercise which the brain gets from logic puzzles can help to stop memory decline, make you smarter and even halt the progress of Alzheimer’s disease. Teachers are even giving simple versions of the puzzles to pupils to help develop their logic skills. So next time you see one of those nine by nine grids in your newspaper, give it a go. Your brain might just thank you!

Jacqui O’Brien is a Sudoku fan and the webmaster of http://www.sudokuonline.co.uk, where you can find all the latest news and information on Sudoku as well as the best online Sudoku games and solvers.

There is NO comparison..BREAST REALLY IS BEST!!

However in today’s society where most mothers are finding themselves having to go back to work and with some even not taking their full maternity leave due to financial constraints placed upon them, this makes finding the time and the energy to breast feed a very difficult decision and bottle feeding the only option available to them. Many people look down on mothers who find themselves unable to breast feed and see the mother as depriving the child.

There has been a decline in the number of babies who are breastfed in recent years and this figure drops dramatically after the ages of four months. This has prompted the government to launch a campaign for more mothers to breast feed their children. The government wants to promote and encourage mothers to breast feed their babies and to continue doing so after their baby has past their first stage and is moving towards solid foods.

Advantages of Breast Feeding

Breast milk provides all the essential nutrients that a baby needs. There is no need for vitamin or other supplements to be introduced to the babies diet when breastfeeding.
Breast milk also can protect him or her from infections.

After giving birth a baby usually needs fed within an hour after delivery.
Breast milk at this time produces a substance called ‘Colostrum’ which is a yellowish transparent fluid. This substance lasts for approximately the first 3 days and is rich in high levels of protein and anti bodies which the baby needs. This fluid also contains less fat and a baby weaned on ‘Colostrum’ is more likely to resist the bacteria and viruses that can cause illness.

It also helps to build up a healthy immune system and protects the baby against disease by providing essential anti bodies and growth factors.

After the first few days a mother’s milk changes in colour and consistency. This being due to a change in the mothers hormones. This milk is of a thinner consistency and is usually blue-white in colour.

A mothers milk constantly changes as both the baby and the mother develops. This ensures that the mother’s milk is designed to meet the digestive and nutritional needs of the developing baby. A baby’s digestive system is far from developed when a baby is born and this even more so in premature babies. Breast milk can aid and assist the breakdown of this important nutrition ensuring the baby’s needs are met.

Breast feeding may also prevent diarrhoea, ear and urinary tract infections. It may also reduce blood pressure.

Breast fed babies also have a lower rate of contracting meningitis or severe blood infections.

Breastfeeding your baby can raise his or her IQ levels. This being due to the essential fatty acids and minerals found in the breast milk.

A baby who is breast fed can almost never becomes allergic to their mothers milk.

Breast fed milk ensures that the baby is exposed to fewer allergens and helps protect against allergies which are found in formula milk.

Although it is difficult to monitor how much breast milk a baby is receiving, it is shown that it is almost impossible to over feed a breast fed baby.

A mother who breast feeds usually develops a closeness to her child. This has massive psychological benefits for both mother and child.

Breast milk is FREE, CONVENIENT and NATURAL!
It is always there and you don’t need to carry around cumbersome equipment and bottles.

Disadvantages of Breast Feeding

There are very few disadvantages in breastfeeding.

The main disadvantage is that the mother has to be there to provide milk at all times. The may make the mother tired and anxious. She may find that she has to plan her timetable very meticulously and if going out with the baby ensure that there are suitable mother and baby rooms available. ( For all the advantages in modern society some people still find a mother breast feeding her baby in public an act of ‘public indecency’).

Mothers may find that their milk dries up and may develop swollen or cracked nipples. When a mother finds their milk has dried up they may find that this can cause some psychological problems as the mother may feel she unable to ‘provide for her baby’.

They may also find that their milk may leak and will have to wear a nursing bra and breast pads whilst breastfeeding.

She also will have to watch her diet for the time she is breastfeeding as anything she east will be passed straight through her to the baby through her milk.

Gillian Docherty writes for the Unique baby names Pregnancy site http://www.top-100-baby-names.name.

You are going to be a parent! With euphoric visions of nursery rhymes, toys, giggles, bunnies and teddy bears, you begin to design the room to turn into a nursery. Soft pink or blue paint, pastel plaid patterns, trim, wallpaper and matching furniture are screaming out in magazine ads and showrooms. You’ve done your browsing, read the brochures, picked the theme, and now you’re ready to doll out the thousands of dollars for the perfect nursery for baby.

Before beginning, take a breather, relax, and sit in the room. Think about your decorating plans and what the nursery will look like. Now, imagine a few years from now, when your baby grows older. Will you need to repaint and redecorate the room? Will the furniture be too small for your child, the clothing too big to fit in the dresser? If you’re willing to spend money for a great nursery, keep in mind that your child will outgrow it much sooner than you think. If you wish to stretch your budget and save time and energy with a minimal redesign of the bedroom, think of the “convertible nursery” approach.

Designing a Nursery

To keep the nursery functional as a child’s room, think of the walls. Instead of baby-themed wallpaper, or pink or blue paint, think of bolder or more neutral colors. Greens or light golds is a great color for any age, and you will still easily achieve the “baby” feel without your child finding it too babyish. Think of patches of bold primary color, usable both for baby and your child. White walls are a great option as well, and gives a clean contrast with the rest of the decorations.

Curtains, trim, shelving, nursery toys, wall posters, rugs and bedding sets can create a more effective nursery atmosphere than the choice of paint itself. Choose decorations that can enhance any wall, such as quilts, framed pictures and window valences. Then, a few years down the line, you simply replace these accents with something more appropriate. Voil, the nursery becomes a child’s room without having to do an expensive renovation!

Furniture

The focal point of the nursery is, of course, the crib. This will probably be your greatest expense in the nursery, especially if you include bedding and accessories such as bumper pads and diaper bags. Instead of replacing it after two or so years, look for one that can convert into a child’s bed. These convertible cribs feature adjustable mattress heights for your growing infant, and a guardrail when it turns into a bed. Some companies even offer optional mattress rails to turn it into a full-size adult bed.

Convertible cribs cost a bit more and, just like the nursery décor, picture what the bed will look like in a few years. There are some points to keep in mind, though. Because they use the same headboard and footboard as the crib, the equal sizes of both might look strange. Don’t buy something too trendy, for it will look out of style in a few years. Finally, read the manufacturer’s description. Sometimes the conversion kits cost extra, adding a few extra hundred dollars to the price.

Look for furniture that can be used well into childhood. For instance, instead of a small, cute nursery dresser, look for a medium-size or even adult dresser with deep drawers to accommodate your child’s or even your teenager’s clothing. Instead of buying a separate change table, the dresser can be used for this purpose with an attachable pad on top. Bookcases can start off with teddy bears, baskets and other nursery items, and be eventually replaced with a growing library.

Storage will be needed. Lots of storage. Blankets, clothing, diaper bags, quilts, shoes and the like will quickly fill the nursery. Along with a dresser, build storage compartments into the closet, and look for a chest or two. When the child grows, the baby clothes in the chest can be replaced with toys.

It’s now time to decorate and fill the nursery. Think of the present and imagine your beautiful baby sleeping in the room. Spend a lot of time here, because before you know it, your baby will have Barbie dolls or toy cars scattered all over his or her room!

Chris, a new dad, is the author and owner of Good-night-baby.com. Find tips, information and resources on baby cribs, bedding, and nursery design.