Sleep is a big thing in our house, we love it but just don't get enough of it. To be honest, we grab those elusive 40 winks at any opportunity but which side of the body is best for sleeping? My friend is a nurse and she has to deal with lots of different patient complaints but some are in relation to how they sleep? (Who knew!) They complain about pain in the back left hip, left foot or the occasional abdominal pains for the sideway sleeper on bed. Of course, sleeping on the left side of the bed is medically approved, and it’s completely different from the right side. 

The Lymph Drains Towards The Left Side

Interestingly, a significant amount of the body’s lymphatic fluid drains to the thoracic duct, found on the left side. Along the way, it carries proteins, metabolites, and glucose. So, by sleeping on the right side, you hinder this process leading to chronic lymphatic complications.

Hinders Elimination of Waste

Here, the small intestines dump waste through the ICV or ileocecal valve, located on the right side of your body. This is just near the start of the large intestines. So, food travels up and across the right side of your tummy where it dumps the waste products into the left side of your colon. With the help of gravity, the left side of your body can move food wastes from the small to the large intestines quickly.

It is amazing to see that by sleeping on the right side, you put your body through an unbearable digestion process. Eventually, this leads to indigestion and other stomach complications. Therefore, if you find yourself with un-ending tummy problems, it might not be something you ate but shockingly, how you sleep! wow!

Reduces The Efficiency of a Functioning Heart

We all know that the heart is located on the left side. By sleeping on this side of the body, you further aid the body in lymphatic drainage to your heart through gravity. Remember that it’s always good to take some of the tedious work off your heart as you enjoy your night’s rest.

If you prefer sleeping on the right side, you’re not doing your heart any favors. Here, you’re just giving it extra work throughout the night, and chances are that you might not even enjoy your sleep. Many of my patients complain about heart problems, but after running some tests, the results show no problem. If you’re going through a similar situation, consider changing your sleeping posture!

It Gives Your Spleen Too Much Work!

We sometimes all need a little reminder that the spleen plays an essential role in your lymphatic system. It’s like a gigantic lymph node. However, other than just filtering lymph, it also removes ‘dirt’ from the blood. By sleeping on the left side and through the help of gravity, you assist the spleen in handling these processes quickly. However, if you love sleeping on the right side, you give the spleen extra work which is not healthy at all!

Do You Feel Sleepy After Taking a Heavy Meal?

Sleeping on the right side after a heavy dinner is quite unhealthy. It further causes indigestion and discomfort throughout the night. Keep in mind that the gallbladder and liver hang on the right side. By resting them on the left side, you allow them to secrete precious bile and to swing freely. And with the help of gravity, they can quickly emulsify fats and neutralize the stomach acids, giving you peaceful rest during the night.

Over the years we have talked a lot about sleeping but who knew how important it was to sleep on the left side, especially if you’re suffering from ‘weird’ health complications. Besides, if you’re having trouble sleeping, sleeping on the right side could be the problem. Either way, you should change your sleeping posture sooner rather than later!

Happy snoozing! 

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Once you have children, it is your responsibility as their parent to make sure that your children are always well cared for and are safe. That means, making sure their needs are met, they are sent to a good school, and of course, their safety on the road. This is why a lot of families have opted to purchase a family car. But what exactly defines a family vehicle?

A family car the role it plays

Family vehicles are often larger vehicles like an SUV or a minivan that can comfortably fit at least one to three children comfortably. Because of the role it plays, you also need to be able to take care of it as it will be the mode of transport for you and your kids for the first 18 years of their life. And here are a few easy ways for you to do just that

Keep it Clean. Everyone likes a clean house as it offers a more comfortable stay. The same can be said about your family car. When you have kids, messy car trips are almost unavoidable. Make sure to clean up and spills as soon as you can, and remember to wash and wax the vehicle regularly to ensure that it is always looking good. Not only will keeping your family car clean prolong its life, but it will also show everyone a reflection of how you take care of your family.

Regularly Change its fluids. An essential skill all car owners must possess is the ability to change the oil and coolant in their vehicle. Change the car’s oil and refill the coolant as needed to make sure that the engine is running well and won’t break down when you’re in the middle of a road trip with your kids in the car.

Pressure Check. Each tire has a specific pressure that it must maintain at all costs. A lot of people overlook the tire pressure, but doing so can make driving the car a lot harder. Check your tire pressure regularly, ideally with each petrol refill. This way, it will be easier to fill it up with air, and there will be someone there to assist you if needed.

Watch where you park. Before you put on the parking brakes, check the area where you are parking. Is it safe? Is it under a tree? Are there any hazards that can pose a threat to your vehicle’s well-being? If the answer is yes, then you might want to rethink your parking location. It is highly recommended that owners park their family cars in secure areas as you will be loading and unloading children. And when you’re at home, avoid parking on the street where it is exposed to the elements. Park it in your garage, or if putting it out on the street is unavoidable, provide a cover for it, so It’s protected against bird droppings, tree branches, and dings from passing vehicles.

Drive Smart. Learn how to drive your car safely. Don’t go fast right off the bat. Remember to start slow. After all, you have kids on board. Also, don’t hit the brakes abruptly. This can wear down your brakes faster and can put unnecessary stress on your car’s engine at the same time. Learn to pace yourself and always drive defensively to avoid any collisions. You and your family’s safety depend on it.

When you take care of your family vehicle, you lessen the chance of needing to buy a new one in less than ten years. And if you’re in the market to own a car for your family but don’t have the means, consider a rent to own car. It offers a lower payment at a price that you is tailor-made for your needs.

Oh and in this cold weather, don't forget the de-icer too!!

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The parenting journey is the most incredibly difficult and entertaining experience you will ever go through. For the most part, all you can do is grab hold of your child’s baby grow and then hang on for dear life as they navigate the world and find out who they are as a person. However, there are times where you need to step in and act as the wise woman you are, and that is when the struggle becomes real.

All of us just treading water and trying to do what we can with the information we have, but that does not mean we have all the answers. Nope. Not at all. Instead, we follow our gut, guide our kids based on what we believe to be morally right and hope that they survive their childhood as best as possible.

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You need to teach the respect, help them understand why there are rules in place, how important manners are, why school is important and how to go after their dreams, all while playing the role of day-to-day mum or dad. As we said, it is a struggle. But amongst all of this, it is absolutely imperative you hold a few crucial conversations. Trust us, you and your kid will massively benefit from them.

1. Sit Down And Ask Them How They Are

We can all be a little obsessed with our own child. You want to be with them every waking minute (even though they stress you out no end) and talk to them and understand who they are better. But when was the last time you asked them how they are; how they really are. We don’t just mean, “how was your day, sweetheart?” We mean asking them how they are doing in general. No one wants to unload their feelings without a prompt, so give your child the floor and let them tell you whatever is on their mind or, better yet, in their hearts. It could take a bit of patience on your part, and a bit of trial and error in the way you ask, but once they are comfortable you will be amazed at what spills out of them. So long as you are sympathetic and not pushy, you will be amazed at who your wonderful little one is and you’ll be teaching them a) how to express their emotions and b) that it is okay to express them.

2. Talk To Them About Being Street Smart

It would be absolutely amazing if we all lived in the fictional world of some Disney film where we could let our kids run around the streets without having a single worry or twinge of anxiety about what if this happened or what if that occurred. Unfortunately, that is not possible these days. Whether you blame that on the press, the way society has gone or your own insecurities don't matter; parents don’t feel confident enough to make that kind of Mayberry dream a reality. However, there will come a time where you have to let go which is why it’s so important you talk to them about being street smart. You want them to be kids but not naive. You need them to be aware of the potential dangers out there and how to spot them coming from as far away as possible. If you know they can spot dangers then you know they are more likely to be safe, and that’s all a parent wants; a safe and happy child.

3. Have A Chat About Compassion

Raising a child that boasts a wealth of compassion is far better than raising one that is just focussed on making money because compassion is what makes someone want to make a difference. It is the foundation for making them open-minded and sympathetic to their surrounding, especially people. A great place to start is teaching them what a compassionate act is and how they can have compassion for other people, whether they be less fortunate or seem as though they have it all. The intrinsic rewards of showing compassion and actively wanting to help others go far beyond anything else. That is where happiness and purpose come from.

4. We Can’t Leave Out The Birds & The Bees

We get it, this is a conversation you would rather not have because the idea of your little one growing up and becoming sexually active is disconcerting, to say the least. But they will grow up, it is their destiny, and so the best thing we can do is talk to them about sex. That means teaching them about the responsibilities involved such as using contraception, whether that be a microgynon pill an implant or condoms, as well as how to own their sexuality and not feel pressured to do anything. Trust us, your kids are going to feel just as embarrassed about this chat if not more, but it is up to you to open the door and start educating them. They will learn about this at some point, so it is whether you want to be the guiding voice or leave it to their friends-slash-the internet.

5. Discuss The Growing Issue Of Bullying

This is a part of growing up that has gotten disgustingly out of hand, thanks to the Internet. It isn’t just being done face to face anymore, it is being done through social media and instant messengers and that has had a severe effect on young people, and we mean that in the most serious way possible. Bullying is such a real problem and your role is to teach your kid how and why it is important to speak up if they are getting bullied or indeed know someone that is. You need to make the effort to talk to your children about the topic of bullying, but make sure you read advice about how to first and how to spot the signs that they are being bullied so that you avoid making any mistakes that push them further away. Most parents weren’t brought up in the internet age, so this can be new and terrifying, so it’s as much about educating yourself as it is guiding your kids. It’s hard but so important.

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We talk a lot about girls toys and activities on the Lilypad, mainly because I have two girls (makes sense eh?) but we don't want to leave the boys .... or indeed the adrenalin fuelled girls out, so we are talking cars today! 

Not being entirely savvy as far as boys Christmas wish lists are concerned, I didn't know that zooming onto everyone’s Christmas list this year are the Wave Racers, the revolutionary new wave technology aimed at ages 6+. Players can race on their own or against friends with expandable track sets, providing hours of fun for any racing enthusiast!  

I remember my brother having car racing tracks when we were kids but they were nothing like these. The Wave Racer cars are capable of reaching sensational speeds and the track sets feature a number of different stunt capabilities offering young racers the chance to perform stunts and tricks such as 360 loops, side by side racing and mid-air jumps! The innovative new range allows you to activate your racer by waving your hand over the sensor. The faster you wave your hand, the faster your Wave Racer will go! 

Complete a full 360° vertical loop at ultra-high speed with Skyloop Rally. 

There are a number of Wave Racer sets to choose from but the features of this one include:

• Tracks can be combined with other Wave Racer Sets
• Revoluntionary wave technology
• The longer the players wave their hand, the longer the car will run for
• The faster players wave their hand, the faster the cars speed
• Contents: 24 track pieces and one Wave Sensor Car
• Assembled dimensions: 59.5L x 43.5W x 26H cm
• Batteries required: For car 2 x AAA (Not included)

The Wave Racer range is available to buy now from Smyths Toys and Toys R Us with an RRP from £19.99 - £49.99 but we have the chance for you to win one .... all you need to do is enter below.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway  

Terms & Conditions

The Prize: Wave Racers Skyloop Rally
The winners will be chosen at random by the random winner generator on Rafflecopter and notified within 7 working days by email
By entering this competition, you understand that your details may be retained for future mailings. You can unsubscribe from this mailing list at any time.
There is no monetary equivalent.
Little Lilypad Co take no /responsibility for loss or damage in the despatch of prizes
If the prize is unclaimed within 7 days we reserve the right to redraw the winner.
End Date 09/12/2017 at 12am

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