The Swedish based company, IKEA, just announced its commitment to donate $48 million to the U.N. Children’s Fund initiatives in India. The U.N. reports that one woman dies every seven minutes from causes related to pregnancy and childbirth and nearly 1 million newborn babies die annually in India.

The money donated will go towards developing critical long-term programs that seek to improve child survival, development and protection in some of India’s most deprived areas. India is home to 40% of the world’s malnourished children. The funds will also provide clean water and nutritional supplements for India’s children. IKEA is already UNICEF’s biggest corporate partner. The company has guaranteed its total commitment more than $180 million to the organization. They have been honoring their commitment since 2000 and will continue to payout their organization till 2015.

As well, this affordable retailer has a solid environmental commitment and offers consumers a range of affordable home accessories that can spruce up your baby’s nursery or Kids room.

A face painter from the UK, Erica Norman, is expanding her clientele. Using water based face paints, she is turn mother’s bellies into works of art. While her belly paintings do not last as long as a belly cast, her sessions definitely appear to be a fun activity for excited new mothers to be. The final piece makes for some really cool and artistic photography, which Erica provides. Check out more of her story over at BBC

Head on over to Inhabitots today to check out my 10 tips to help you prepare for Childbirth.

Actress, Activist and Producer Salma Hayek was moved to take action while on a recent visit to Sierra Leone, West Africa. Before she reached her hotel, her and her crew stopped at a hospital. “(A woman) was trying to breast-feed the baby, and the baby wouldn’t take it anymore. I said, ‘I think we shouldn’t be here.’ As we walked out, two to three minutes later, the baby died,” she says. “I’ll never forget the look of desperation on that woman’s face. How can you not get involved, especially when you have a child yourself?”

With the camera crew of ABC’s Nightline following her during the duration of her stay, footage of Ms. Hayek breastfeeding a hungry baby was documented. The infant’s mother was unable to produce any milk to feed her child so Ms. Hayek was compelled to become the baby’s wet nurse. She went on to say, “It’s about women sticking together and we really need to help the children in any way we can.”

Ms. Hayek was in the routine of breastfeeding her one year old daughter at the time and had extra milk to share.

Want to give a cute little valentine’s gift to a new born, toddler or little kid? Check out these designs and more from My Goodness Duds. The company will screen print holiday designs onto 100% Organic Cotton garments, bibs and more. The prices are very reasonable and range from $12-$22. They have a wide variety of holiday selections, so keep note of this site for upcoming holidays that you may celebrate.