Many people are concerned about moving their child from their crib to a toddler bed too soon or too late. There are some general guidelines but it really comes down to each individual child. While age and size can help provide some indicators much of it depends on the childs mental and emotional development as to wether they are ready to handle this dramatic change in their life. If the child is starting to climb out of the crib then you definitely need to start the process of moving him/her from the crib into a toddler bed. There is too great of a risk that the child can fall and injure themselves while climbing out of the bed. If your child is three feet tall or taller you should probably move them out of the crib because they are just getting too large for most cribs. Any time you feel the child is too big, or active for their crib you can move them. If the child has started potty training they may need to be in a bed to allow them to get up and use the bathroom as needed. Most children can be safely moved to a toddler bed anywhere from 18 months to 3.5 years old. Many child experts recommend that you wait until the child is closer to 3 before moving them. This is a big change for most children, they are giving up their familiar and comfortable crib. This can make it a very stressful situation for the child, if it seems to be causing undue stress for your little one you are certainly better off to hold off and wait a little longer before moving the child. If your toddler is climbing out of their crib yet resists being moved to a toddler bed you do have some alternatives. You could install a crib tent on the crib. This is a framework covered with a mesh like cloth that appears very similar to the popular dome tents. This mounts on the top of the rails of the crib and fully encloses it to keep the baby from climbing out of the crib and possibly injuring themself. Whenever you do decide to move the child try to get them excited about it and carefully monitor how they are reacting to the change. There are a variety of things you can do to try to ease the transition for them.
When To Make The Transition To A Toddler Bed
Why Top 100 Baby Names?
While looking into search patterns I stumbled upon the fact that parents to be or other people that has an interest in baby names are divided into to major groups. Nothing special about the fact that people belongs to different groups but this one shows a trend that has been gaining strength for the last 5-10 years. On one side we have the parents that are searching for phrases like “top 100 baby names”, “top ten baby names”, “popular baby names” etc. All of these phrases have in common that the surfer is looking for what everyone else is naming their baby. Now don’t get me wrong... There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to call your baby a commonly used name. There can many reasons for wanting to name your baby boy or baby girl the same name as most other kids. A reason could be that you want the baby to be socially accepted when he or she grows up and starts playing with other children. Another reason would be that it might be easier for the baby to get called in for a job interview and maybe even get the job. It can be a tradition in the family to name the babies the name that ranks number 1 in the previous year. There can be a lot of reasons for naming a baby after the majority of the babies born in that time period. This is not the part that got my attention. What got my attention was that on the other side there is a similar large group of parents that is looking for the exact opposite. They are searching for phrases like “unusual baby names”, odd baby names”, unique baby names” etc. Again the reasons for wanting an unusual baby name can be many and I can only guess what they might be but from what is happening in society I think that some of the most obvious reasons are these: You want to show the outside world that your baby is something special. By giving your child a name that only a few people carry then you have made them special. They now have a name that will (probably) be easier for other people to remember because of the fact that they haven’t heard the name before. A second reason can be that it has become a trend to name you child a unique name. Over the years this trend has been increasing and like with the common name a special name can now apply status as well. Why people are divided into these categories no one knows. There is naturally still the third category left and that are the ones searching for neutral baby names. It is hard to say anything specific about these search patterns but it is a fact that they exist and there is nothing right or wrong no matter what category you might fall into.
Why A Child Is Cute
We find every child a cute child. We enjoy looking at the children, love playing with them and share their happiness and innocence with joy. Why? Is it only because the child is a lovely child in looks? That is not true. We mainly enjoy being with children and love them because they are honest. We love children because of their innocence. We love children because we are sure that child will not judge us and that we can be totally free with the children without any fear. Let us examine our relationship with grown ups. With most of our friends and acquaintances, we are guarded in our approach. We think before speaking. We try to hide most of our true feelings and try to act in a way that we believe will maintain a make believe relationship. How many times, have you thought of shouting at someone, but have refrained from doing so? How many times have you wished to laugh at someone's dressing sense but have stopped that laughter? How many times have you really wanted to tell someone few things but stopped midway worried that it may spoil the relationship? Please think about the artificial way in which we relate with grown up people. We do all this because we are unsure of ourselves. We are unsure about the other person's reaction and intelligence and we are unsure about the relationship. With a child nothing of this kind exists. We are free to express ourselves in as many ways as we wish, without any reservations. That is why we love children and call them cute.
What is a Crib Rail Cover
Teething is a real important time for children. All children react and respond differently to the teething period, but teething is something that all teething babies enjoy doing. The Crib Rail furnishes teething tots with the perfect chewing opportunity. The Crib Rail Cover will assist you and your little infant during this period of time. It is very important that you make sure that you purchase the right kind of Crib Rail Cover. When you decide to purchase a Crib Rail Cover it is very important that you make sure that it is made of a soft safe fabric. You will notice that some Crib Rail Covers are made of a pliant plastic. This may cover the wooden part of the crib rail, however it may be too tough and it could still traumitize your child's new chompers. A Crib Rail Cover is a very affordable item that you may want to invest in as a backup if the need arises. Teething babies really enjoy chewing on things. The Crib Rail Cover provides the perfect testing ground for new babies to practice using their new teeth. During the teething stage you may notice that teething infants will stand in the crib and chaw on the sides of the Teething Rail and this isn't safe for your little baby. Sometimes the tiny tot can incidentally chip their teeth on the sides of the Teething Rail. The Crib Rail Cover will help stop these accidents from happening. The Crib Rail Cover has been made to help protect your teething tiny infant from splintering wood and harmful varnish. Are you the owner of a baby crib? If that's the case, you may need to buy a Crib Rail Cover. Investing in a Crib Rail Cover will protect your teething baby in the crib. Crib Railings are typically made of a wood. A Crib Rail Cover was created to envelope this solid material and to soften it. Crib Rails are normally treated with a varnish or some other brand of paint. This material could put your baby in harm's way. Once your young tot has started to teethe he or she might attempt to bite down on the sides of the Teething Rail. The Crib Rail Cover is designed to safely cushion and guard your teething baby from the harmful effects that stem from chewing upon the sides of the Crib Rail.
Your Baby’s Growth And Development
Unlike us who struggle to keep up with our work duties during the day and can sit back, watch TV and really relax only during the night you little baby is not governed by the fascist rules of night and day. They will sleep whenever they feel like it, wherever they feel like it, and however long they want to. On an average, babies sleep close to 17 hours a day. A whopping nine hours more than what we can just about manage. However, unlike us they don’t nap for long stretches of time, most of their sleeping spells extend only up to 2-3 hours. When they do wake up they expect to be fed or changed and in case you forget to meet those expectations they’ll create a ruckus just to remind you. To help your baby’s routine get more conventional, in terms of it’s sleeping/feeding time etc. you can take a number of steps. To make sure he/she learns that nighttime is the time to sleep and daytime the time to stay up and throw tantrums, put your baby in a room that is too bright during the day to fall asleep in. However be careful to not put your baby in direct sunlight. At night either shift your baby to a room that is cold and dark, or use the same room but just curtain it up and switch on the ac to make it cozy enough for your him/her to fall asleep. You can also put your baby in a sort of routine just to condition him/her to what comes before getting to sleep. Give him/her a warm bath or feed her or play soothing music right before putting him/her to bed everyday. Every child is born with certain reflexes. If you touch his cheek with the tip of your hand or your breast he will turn towards the tip and open his mouth, if you put your finger in his palm he will grasp it etc. These reflexes disappear after the few initial months after his/her birth and are duly replaced by more voluntary actions. Although a large variety of baby food is available in the market today nothing is as high in nutrients as the mothers milk. The antidotes found in a mother’s milk protects the child against infections and makes his/her immune system stronger. After birth the babies weight undergoes rapid change. Within a matter of six months it becomes twice it’s birth weight. In the next six months it’s weight shoots up to around triple the weight at its birth. Once it crosses the one-year mark it’s growth pattern settles down and continues at a comparatively lower speed. At one years of age any average child is about 30 inches in length and 20 pounds in weight. At two these figures become about 33 and 26 respectively. At three months of age, your child will love to study faces and try and grasp toys and moving objects of interest hanging over its head. He/she will also respond to voices and sounds and volume. By six months most babies will be able to stand and sit with some assistance. At nine months of age, your baby will be sitting alone and will also be able to pull herself/himself on furniture (provided their strength matches their weight). Their babble will now start taking a concrete shape and fingers will come handy in pointing and of course eating little pieces of food. By the time your baby is 1 she will probably learn to walk on her own and also crawl up over more difficult terrain, like the stairs or over the crib or play pen. She will also show greater preference for one hand over the other, and will tend to do most of her movements with the preferred hand. They will also learn to recognize faces and thereby be afraid of strangers and will express love and affection.
What is thread count?
Thread count is a measure of quality of fabrics used for bedding. This measure of quality looks at the fineness or coarseness of a fabric; in this case it mostly refers to bed linens like sheets and pillowcases. Thread count is the number of threads going each way in one square inch of fabric. Thread count is measured by counting the number of horizontal and vertical threads in one square inch of fabric. Thread counts average from lowest (80) to highest (1200). Most are usually between 180 and 300, and anything above 300 is considered higher quality. Higher thread count means more threads, and this usually translates into a more densely woven fabric that lasts longer and is many times softer. Some exceptions to this rule are fabrics made of linen, flannel, or jersey. Fabrics like linen, flannel, or jersey are subject to low thread count because of the type of material they are made of and the properties of that material. For example, part of the softness of flannel comes from its low thread count because of the material it’s made from. Ply and thickness are two factors that also affect thread count. The ply is defined as the number of threads that are wrapped into a single thread. Single-ply refers to the use of single threads in the construction of a fabric. Two-ply refers to materials that twist two threads together into a single thread, thus increasing the fabric’s thread count and creating a stronger thread. This creates a heavier, more durable fabric. Using finer threads often allows for softer, smoother fabrics and more fit into a square inch. Finer thread, like silk, create a lighter fabric, and are thus more desire able than coarser threads. They are also more fragile, so it is important to care for them especially well. While thread count is important in picking your bed linens, remember that cotton and silk are the main types of materials to judge based on a high or low thread count. Other materials like linen, flannel, and jersey may have a lower thread count, but this doesn’t mean they aren’t comfortable. Blends are also common, and often create softer materials. Jersey-cotton blends, for example, are ideal for baby sheets and other types of baby bedding. When in doubt, see what feels the best. You’re best off visiting a fabric store and exploring the many different kinds of materials to find out how a fabric feels. Knowing what you’re going to get makes your sheet shopping experience easier and more rewarding, especially if you’re shopping online.
What Should I Buy For Baby—An Experienced Mom’s Advice
Baby's coming home soon - have you got what you need to take care of the little angel properly? You know you need footie pajamas and onesies, baby towels and bibs - but how many is enough? Having done this five times now - please hold the applause and gasps of shock - I consider myself a bit of an expert on bringing baby home to a prepared household. Most estimates of 'what you need for baby' are a wee bit off, in my opinion. Having brought baby home both with and without a handy washing machine, here's my recommendations for what the well-equipped baby should have at home before he leaves the hospital. Layette: Four to six undershirts - the usual recommendation - is actually plenty. You'll find you use them far less than I did when my oldest was born - pre-Onesies days. Skip the tank tops, as cute as the little midge might look in one just like daddy's, and go straight for the lap-shoulder t-shirts. They slip on easily, and if you buy them a size or two too big, they'll be long enough to tuck into sweatpants or bottoms. Sleeping gowns are underrated. They make a great second layer over onesies, and are cool, loose and comfortable for baby in the summer. If you're bringing home a summer baby, pick up at least 6 or 8 sleeping gowns. They're much more comfortable in the heat than stretchies. You can never have enough onesies. Whether you use them as the bottom layer in winter outfitting or the only thing baby wears in the summer, you'll go through several a day. If you have a washer at home, you can get by with 6-8. Otherwise, pick up even more. An even dozen isn't really too many at all. - Experienced mom's note: DO use them in the summer. They'll keep your baby cooler than being in a diaper alone because the cotton absorbs moisture and wicks it away from the skin. Stretchies are the second handiest baby invention ever. Stick with 100% natural fabrics like stretch cotton or cotton terry for the summer. For the winter, fuzzy jammies should go OVER a pair of onesies rather than against the skin to prevent irritation. 6-8 stretchies should be enough for baby's first few months. Pick up one or two sweaters or sweatshirts to keep baby warm in wintertime or on cooler spring/summer evenings. Four to six pairs each of booties and socks should be plenty. Cotton stretchy ones will be far more comfortable for baby than nylon. One special take-me-home outfit and a few cute everyday ones. Supplies: Half a dozen baby washcloths are a must. They're far thinner than regular adult washcloths, and less likely to irritate baby's skin. I never used more than three or four hooded towels, but your mileage may vary. They're awfully handy for wrapping a baby up from head to toe after a bath, especially in a cool house. Bibs are another of those things you just can't have enough of. Drool bibs are fine for tucking under baby's chin to keep drool and spit-up from staining clothing. You won't need the bigger bibs for feeding for a while, but pick up one or two to have on hand. Receiving blankets make great all purpose you-name-its. They're the perfect size for swaddling baby under a crib blanket, tossing over your shoulder when you burp the munchkin - or for privacy while you nurse him. You'll use them as towel substitutes, to toss on the floor or on a changing station before you put the baby down, spread them over the stroller or baby seat in the sun - in other words, for just about everything. 6-12 certainly aren't too many. It's not like the baby will outgrow them - my toddlers used them as bath towels for years. Even if you're using disposable diapers, pick up a dozen cloth diapers. They're simply the best burp rag ever made. Two packages of disposable diapers (size newborn and size one) if you've decided to use disposables.
Where to Find Baby Discount Furniture
Baby discount furniture is generally not hard to find, if you know where to look. Whether you are having a boy or a girl, you will need baby furniture to create that special room for your new arrival. Creating that special room on a tight budget can sometimes be tricky. While looking for baby furniture at a discount, there are a few things you will want to keep in mind. You can often find baby discount furniture at many fine department stores. That is if you catch them putting their baby furniture on sale. If you are lucky, you will find many pieces of baby furniture throughout the year, with just the right markdown. End of the year and clearance sales are great to look for when sturdy baby furniture is something you need. Baby furniture is so versatile, you might find some pieces at a discount price that will go from newborn to grade school, without breaking the bank, or having to switch out furniture in a few years. Garage sales are an excellent place to look for baby discount furniture. Many people use their baby furniture to the turn around and resell it in a garage sale, for only a fraction of the price. Some baby furniture items you might find at a garage sale include, name brand cribs; nice sturdy dressers; an all needed changing table; and high chairs that are in great condition, only to name a few. The best time of year to look for garage sales in your neighborhood would be in the spring and summer time. These are the times of the year that many people are cleaning unwanted items out of their homes, to make a few bucks in return. Thrift shops can be a good resource for finding baby discount furniture also. Sometimes people will donate their unwanted items to a thrift store so that they can be resold, and the money will go to charity. By being creative, you can even make your own baby furniture out of an old piece of furniture you might spot. Antique desks can easily be spiffed up with new paint and hardware to create a changing table for your baby. Keep in mind the height you would need with drawers easily accessible to hold all of the items a newborn might need.
Why Unique baby shower gifts - Are Less Embarrassing
How unique is unique, well to be honest I am not sure but to give a gift with a difference then surely this is enough to say your donation is just that. Unique baby shower gifts make the giving more pleasurable and less embarrassing in case of duplication. The receiving of a gift given with heartfelt emotion at a baby shower will make the occasion more unique than you could ever imagine from the eyes of the expectant mother. Future parents who wait in anticipation for birth of their baby occupy their mind in other ways by joining in the fun at the baby shower party. Eat drink and be merry is just one of the top priorities to be fulfilled at joyous events like these but first and foremost is the opening of all the unique baby shower gifts. By personalizing a gift you have guaranteed a way of ensuring uniqueness. Items like baby blankets, bibs, cuddly toys and baby burp cloths can be emblazoned with special logos, this can be of babys name or initials. Jewelry trinkets make fine donations if presented in presentation boxes personalized with engraved inscriptions thus making this gift unique. Jewelry can be put in a safe place till a later date if baby is not born at the time of the celebration. The future mother and dad also like to receive gifts. Consider giving them items like diaper - nappy or pram bags, even an article of clothing like a sweat shirt embroidered with a motto. Favoured among many guests invited along to a baby shower party is give a gift basket. Baskets for mother and baby can be specially personalised where you choose what the content is to be. By selecting what the basket is to contain then you have just added a uniqueness to your basket therefore different from all others. Content fillers of a gift basket for the mom-to-be are gifts of maternity clothes etc. And for dad the most unique gift of all is the price of a pint to wet the babys head Where do you go to find a unique baby gift - well, the first place to look is in your head for ideas. Be creative with your thoughts, then have someone make - build - bake what ever it is you have in mind. What will make your gift donation different from any other is the sheer fact that it was given by you
Wearing Your Baby
If you're looking for the perfect gift for the parents-to-be, nothing comes close to the gift of a wearable baby. Years ago, the only way to take your baby along was in a stroller or pram, or to carry her in your arms. All that changed with the introduction of the soft baby carrier, a way to carry your baby and still leave your arms and hands free for other things. Wearable babies are not a concept new to this culture. Native American women carried their babies on papoose boards on their backs, or tucked close against their bodies with a swath of deerskin. In many countries, babies are tucked into sling carriers - pleated lengths of cloth that tie over one shoulder and support the baby against the opposite hip. There's little doubt in anyone's mind that babies who are 'snugli'd' are happier and more comfortable with being put down when it's time to put them down. Snugli, the name brand soft baby carrier that's now distributed by Evenflo, brought the concept of the wearable baby back into popularity about 25 years ago. That was just about the time that my oldest daughter was born, and the idea of having her close to my heart fit so perfectly with all my beliefs about raising children that I had to have one. They weren't easy to find at the time - and I ended up making one of my own, using a pattern that was passed from mother to mother in my La Leche League group. I can attest first-hand to the advantages of the wearable baby. My Snugli was more than a way to carry my daughter. It was her soother. On afternoons when nothing would soothe her fussing, I'd tuck her into the Snugli where the warmth of my body and the rhythm of my movements calmed and reassured her. I learned to take advantage of the Snugli - I wore my baby while vacuuming the carpet, while walking to the store, while hiking through Purgatory Chasm. In winter, I wore her in her Snugli, cozy against my chest and simply buttoned my coat over the both of us together. When she was old enough to sit up by herself, I slipped it around to the back, and she rode it piggyback style - while her baby brother took her place in a new Snugli against my chest. Snugli now makes a full range of soft and framed carriers for babies, to fit newborns to 18 months old. They're available in a variety of patterns and colors, in winter weight and summer weight, and with varying degrees of padding. You can buy a Snugli at any Toys R Us, Kmart, Walmart or any one of dozens of other stores. While it might not technically be baby clothes, a Snugli is easily the most important thing your baby can wear.
Why is it that a baby handprint picture might be right for you?
Since you’re reading this article I guess that you have already done some initial thinking about creating a baby keepsake in the form of a baby handprint and maybe you have already created a few. If you’re still uncertain of what baby keepsake to create or even how to do it, I strongly recommend that you spend some time reading the articles and information at my site as there are a lot of things that you’ll need to consider before getting started. It might save you some time and agony and make sure that you do it right the first time around. The first time you think of creating a baby keepsake it might seem overwhelming to you. I agree that there are a lot of things that you need to consider but once you have structured the process it isn’t a big task. It is pure fun most of the time in fact. If you have already created the baby handprint in clay, mold, bronze or maybe a baby ink handprint on paper, then you’re ready for the next step. A baby handprint created in clay or any other material is a great way to keep a memory of your baby, but it is difficult to share with friends and family if then don’t come around often. Creating a baby ink handprint however, will have you ship the keepsake just as easily as if you had taken a picture of the baby handprint in e.g. clay. One thing that you will have to make sure though, is that the ink you use has to be the right one and that the paper you put the baby handprint on is of the right quality. Otherwise you’ll risk loosing the keepsake in a matter of a few years and thereby loosing the special memory. The best way to create an easy to ship baby keepsake that’ll last for a long time is to take a picture of it. When you have created the handprint in either material you can easily do a baby handprint picture. It doesn’t matter whether you use a normal camera or a digital camera to take the picture. If you have both to choose from then I would recommend that you use the digital one as you’re then able to edit the picture. Taking great pictures of objects are not an easy task and therefore it might cost you a little time and a lot of photos to get it just right. Be sure to have enough light at the keepsake so that the baby handprint picture will show all the little details that makes it so special.
What You Can Expect From 7 To 9-Months-Old Babies
Now that your little angel has reached 7 months old. Time goes by so fast that you don't realize your baby is now able to sit upright without your support or even her own hands. Wow, that must be an incredible feeling seeing her grow so instantly. For parents of 7 to 9-months-old babies, what else can you find in their physical growths? Well, every baby is not the same. One may have earlier development from the others. For example, your friend's baby was able to start crawling when he was 8 months old, while yours could do it when she was seven and a half months. On the other hand, the first baby started teething when he was 6 months old, whereas yours did it when she was 9 months. So, you really need not to be anxious about your baby's development. She will reach the stage. What you need to pay attention to is your baby's developmental milestone. This means she should be able to do certain things at particular ages. It's best for you to make some notes on your baby's growth, such as writing all her new skills in an online diary. If you do not want to miss any of your baby's growths, writing the journal will be very exciting. Adding up cute photos when new things happen will also be a wonderful endeavor. Later on, you'll thank yourself for keeping the memories online as you can see it anytime anywhere. Add up the joy by sharing the site to friends and families. Now let's go back to the previous topic. If you're a first-time parent, you probably still have a little idea about your baby's development. Below is a milestone you can use as your guideline. If your baby isn't on her track or doesn't reach many of the stages mentioned here, you may consult it with your baby's pediatrician. Here are some of the milestones for 7 to 9-months-old baby: 1. Sitting upright without support 2. Crawling 3. Teething 4. Babbling 5. Passing things from hand to hand 6. Standing up by holding onto something 7. Waving hands 8. Clapping hands 9. Turning heads when someone calls her 10. Holding her bottles 11. Picking objects up with pincer (thumb-finger) grasp 12. Testing your responses to her behavior 13. Able to distinguish people she knows and strangers 14. Cruising while holding onto the wall or other furniture The older your baby, the more skills she may have. If your baby is not able to do some of these things, don't worry too much. It does not mean a problem. She'll reach the phase in the perfect time, soon.
Who Should I Invite To A Baby Shower?
It's often a challenge to decide just who to invite to your baby shower. What is the proper etiquette and how do you avoid hurting someone's feelings? When determining your guest list, it's important to define your target group. Is it your idea to host the traditional women only gathering or will you include children? Today it's becoming increasingly popular to invite couples and/or complete families. When you decide on the type of shower you are going to be hosting make sure your invitations are precisely worded, such as "women only", "children welcome" and so on based on your decision. If you are planning a specific theme make sure this is included on your invitations as well as any special instructions such as what to bring, how to dress, and directions to the party location. This will save you countless telephone inquiries regarding the specifics of your shower plans. Always ask your invited guests to RSVP and keep in mind that typically about 20-25% of those confirming will ultimately fail to attend for a variety of reasons. Baby Showers held at an office, social club or church have a pre-determined guest list of co-workers, club members or fellow church members but make sure that you find out if your shower is the only one being held for the mom to be. If it is, then you may want to extend invitations to her personal friends and family. It may take a bit of discreet probing to find out if there are additional showers planned. Alternatively, if you are a friend or family member planning the only shower, it's a thoughtful idea to make a call to the prospective mother to be's employer to find out who should be invited from her workplace. In most cases her husband should be able to supply contact information for her friends and work associates. Don't forget that if your shower is the sole party planned, you should extend invites to the mom's family as well as her husband's family.
Using Baby Shower Clipart To Spice Things Up
If you're planning a baby shower and starting to look at invitations, you'll certainly want to look into finding some quality baby shower clip art. Putting baby shower clip art is the easiest and most affordable way to make your invitations, announcements and even party favors more interesting. They can help you design the perfect card, poster, flyer for the up and coming baby shower. And the best part about using baby shower clip art is that you don’t need to be an artist to use them. Aside from invitations and favors, you could also use baby shower clipart to create baby shower keepsakes and scrap booking accents for you, your family and your friends There are many types of baby shower clip art. The range goes from the outrageously funny, irresistibly cute to the heartwarmingly sentimental. Of course on top of the list are drawings of babies in various positions. You have babies alone, babies with bottles, babies with teddy bears, babies with blankets or babies tucked in a cradle. You will find baby clip art pictures of babies with diapers, babies with no diapers, babies with a brother or sister, babies with a cute animal or pet, etc. Everyone find babies cute, cuddly and adorable and everyone simply loves looking at baby pictures. Putting baby shower clip art in your wedding invitation or flyer is a wise decision since it will definitely attract attention. Another good thing about baby shower clipart is hat it is very easy to find. And usually you can get them free of charge. And even if you have to pay a fee, it is often very affordable. And the money you shell out will definitely be worth it since baby shower clipart have hundreds if not thousand of uses. The Internet is a treasure throve of baby shower clipart ready for you to download. There are literally thousands of available baby shower clipart on the world wide web. You wouldn’t have a hard time looking for them. And whatever baby shower you are planning to do, for sure there is a baby shower clipart that is appropriate for it. That’s because there is a very wide category of baby shower clipart which contains different styles and designs that are perfect for any baby shower needs. And it doesn’t matter if the baby is a boy or a girl. For sure there is a baby shower clipart made for specifically for each gender and there are many that are made for both. The only real rule that you need to remember when using baby shower clipart is to use a single theme all throughout your project. For example, your invitation and thank you notes should match so you must use the same style or design of baby shower clipart when making both. Another rule is not to clutter your project with too many different baby shower clipart. Doing so would only make your project look messy. You must also pay attention to things like color, size and format of the baby shower clipart. You must also learn how to experiment with sizes, colors and themes. Put some clipart together and see what works for you. All you need is a little practice and patience and you’ll soon be creating your baby shower masterpiece. Save money by using baby shower clipart. You need not spend a fortune on baby shower invitation and favors. All you need is your creativity and some baby shower clipart and you’re ready to make the most memorable baby shower.
Types of Baby Strollers
As you know there is a wide variety of baby strollers available to choose from. Your choice of strollers will be affected by how many children you plan to use it for, how you are going to use the stroller and where, and finally your budget. All things aside your baby’s comfort and safety will also influence your choice. Let’s take a look at some of the types of strollers available to you. The standard stroller will fit one child and there are many different features on standard strollers such as play trays, parent trays, fabrics, and handlebars. On many strollers handlebars are now height adjustable which is great back saver. Double strollers have two seats. There is a variety of seating arrangements for double strollers. The traditional double seat is one behind the other - tandem style. Tandem seating has the first child with a good view and he one in the rear seat sees the back of the other’s head. A variant of the tandem seating is stadium seating. Think of bleachers where each seat is raised slightly above the one in front of it allowing those in the rear to see what’s going on. There is side by side seating as well as face to face seating. Jogging strollers are very popular because they enable you to bring your child along on a run. The jogging stroller has a triangular wheel base with two large wheels in the rear and one wheel in the front. They have many attractive features. An added safety feature is a wrist strap on the handle bar. This is worn so that when you stop, the stroller doesn’t roll away from you. As always whenever you stop your stroller the break should always be applied. The wrist strap is added protection. Jogging strollers are available for multiple seating as well. Triple strollers are terrific for triplets or three children. Seating arrangements can be side by side but most have tandem seating or stadium seating. When the stroller is full of kids and you are pushing it will help you achieve your goals of fitness. Convertible multiple strollers are available where they can be made into double seater's with additional seats and a transverse bar. You might want to check if this option is available for the particular stroller you are considering. Umbrella strollers are very inexpensive. They are generally easier to fold and unfold. They are very lightweight and store easily in a car trunk. They are terrific for short trips to the Mall or short walks. They do not work well on all terrain. They do come in multiple seating as well. The only drawback I had with umbrella strollers is that if anything was hung on the handle it caused the carriage to tip backwards. Light weight strollers are slightly heavier than the umbrella strollers and slightly less than the standard stroller. They typically fold in a single hand motion. They also resemble the standard type stroller. They also come in multiple seating. Carriage Strollers are convertible strollers in that you can change them from a carriage (a bed on wheels) to a stroller. This is great for infants that are unable to sit up yet. The handle is reversible so you can turn it into a stroller which is great for children who are sitting up. Bike strollers or trailers are installed by attaching it to the rear wheel. There are two seated models available. They can be converted from a trailer to a stroller with no tools. The restraint system is a five-point harness for each child.
What Do You Do When Baby Outgrows His Clothes?
You've recently had a baby. It's been a few months now, and the baby has outgrown virtually two full wardrobes. Sure it's expensive, but there's a whole other issue at hand. What is a mother to do with all of this extra baby clothes? There are a number of ways to deal with this problem. First of all, there is the donation route. If you don't have close friends with similar aged babies, you can put aside certain things for when they do, or in the event that you have another. The rest of the clothes can go to the Goodwill or Salvation Army. These are also a great place to find gently used baby clothes for incredible savings. Special occasion attire like baby's coming home outfit, first Christmas, and Baptism can be saved in a special place for passing on to a next generation. A great way to do this is by creating a memory box. Get a small trunk at a craft store and decorate it however you'd like. Fill it with small mementos like the baby's hospital bracelet, first outfit and blanket. As the baby gets older you will have more things to add to it. This is a great way to preserve memories that your child may not have the foresight to think of now, but will appreciate very much later. Using material from old baby clothes to make new baby clothes is a great way to save money and get a little more use out of the items that your child quickly outgrows. Making t-shirts into cute patchwork dresses, and pants into shorts are some quick fixes to pinch pennies. Another way to use up material from old baby clothes is to make stuffed animals. Do you have a favorite t-shirt of your baby's that his or her little arms just don't quite fit right in anymore? Using the material to make a little stuffed bear is a great way to preserve that memory for yourself and pass something very special on to your baby. The same thing can be done, if a hobby persists, with socks and jeans as well. Soon all of your friends will be begging for little stuffed dolls made out of your baby's old clothing. If you are in fact creatively inclined, another great way to reincarnate your baby's clothes is by creating a memory quilt. Save bits and pieces of your baby's clothing and use it to create a full sized patchwork quilt for when your baby gets their own big bed. That kind of sentimental value also makes a great gift for a graduation or a wedding (if you can wait that long to show off your handy work). If you're planning on having another child, you have a built in way to get rid of all of the extra clothes. You can put away the clothes that your baby grows out of in a storage area. Just make sure you launder everything when it comes back out for round two. Sure, it stinks to get hand-me-downs, but it is unlikely your infant will notice, let alone care.
What Should You Pay Your Babysitter
Being that your babysitter will be taking care of your young loved ones, you want to be careful and put a lot of thought into making a decision of which babysitter is best for you. Realize, however, that due to the importance of your children's security, this is not a time that you are really trying to cut costs. The rates that you will be charged are going to differ on the type of babysitter you decide to go with. The two types of babysitter's are generally going to fall into one of two categories: a personal acquaintance/friend and a professional agency.
Hiring a babysitter from an agency will be more expensive than hiring an acquaintance or friend. With an agency, you will have to pay them a fee on top of the babysitter's hourly rate. However, that fee should guarantee you that your loved ones will be in good hands. Being that the agency is correctly run, you should be provided with the babysitter's credentials, and the agency should know the babysitter very well. This will help give you peace of mind while you are out, away from your loved ones. Another advantage of hiring a babysitter from an agency is that they can generally adhere to all of your needs, in terms of having a babysitter ready in very short notice or in being able to have someone take care of you kids over longer periods of time.
Now in determining the rate per hour that you pay your babysitter will likely depend on how many children she will be watching each time. The more children being watched would naturally mean a higher hourly rate. A very common hourly rate for a baby sitter for one child is twelve dollars. Most babysitter's will charge anywhere from three to five dollars more per additional child. If you use the same babysitter all the time and things have been working out smoothly, you might be able to negotiate a slightly lower rate being that you are a source of regular income for that person. It can't hurt to negotiate once a relationship has been built, but don't try and take advantage of that person, or you might lose your regular babysitter.
If you have a child or children that require special needs or that tend to be extremely unruly, then there will likely be a surcharge to the average hourly rate, as it is going to take the babysitter more effort to complete her duties. The same also goes for a babysitter who you require to do more than just watch the children, such as preparing dinner for them or picking them up from school. On the other hand, if you only require that your babysitter read to your child and then put him/her to bed at a specific hour, then your rates are sure to be lower.
In terms of paying your babysitter, that is something that can be worked out between the two of you to find the most suitable terms of payment. Often, however, the babysitter will allow you to pay a slightly lower rate if you pay in cash. So you may want to exploit this option.
At the end of the day, you just want to make sure that you and your babysitter are happy with the arrangements. Your babysitter is taking care of your precious ones, and that is not something you are looking to get a big discount on. More importantly, you just want to make sure that your children are safe while you are away.
Using a baby hand and footprint as a gift?
I am sure that you have been in a situation where you didn’t know what to get for your parents or your mom and dad in law. Maybe it was their birthday or maybe it was for Christmas or maybe you just wanted to give them a present. Nevertheless it can sometimes be a challenge to find a gift that is affordable and one that they will be glad that they got. If you are a parent yourself (preferably if you have a child of age 0-6 years) then you now have an easy to do, affordable and yet valuable gift to give. And the best part is that you can spend time with your child and he/she will think that it is fun to do. The gift is to create a unique baby hand and footprint (or a child hand and footprint if your child isn’t a baby). It is easy to do if you choose to buy a keepsake kit from a local store or on the internet. If you’re going for the internet then be aware that it takes time for the shop to ship the kit to you. Once you have the kit at home you’re ready to start making a baby handprint, a baby footprint or maybe even both. Use your imagination and let your fantasy run wild. Use colors if you’re the artistic type or keep it in plain colors if you’re the more conservative type. They great thing about a handprint or a footprint is that it will always be unique. No one can create a print that is exactly the same as your baby’s hands and feet are very unique. Secondly I’ll bet that your parents or your mom and dad in law will be thrilled to get a little keepsake memory of their grandson or daughter. If this is the first time that you have ever done a handprint or a footprint you might want to buy more than one kit. It isn’t difficult to do as most kits have an explanation inside but if you do something wrong you’ll have to run to the store to get another kit or buy another one on the internet (and wait for it to arrive). A kit is just one way to do a handprint or a footprint but there are other ways that are more creative, fun and unique. Actually the kit solution is kind of “the easy way out”. If you feel that you could do more than just a kit print then I invite you to come to my site to see some of the other options that are available to you. No matter what route you choose to go I can assure you that the baby handprint or footprint will be a gift that the grandparents will want to hold on to for the years to come.
What Does My New Baby Really Need? A Guide To Shopping For Your New Baby
What is it do I really need to buy for my new baby? While writing my latest book found at www.CareForMyBaby.com I found that this is a question a lot of new moms must ask themselves. Having a new baby is a huge expense, and it is hard to stay on budget when you see all of the cute outfits in the stores. While all of the tiny things are really tempting to buy, please keep in mind that babies grow really fast. One of the biggest mistakes that new parents make is over shopping for clothes. Remember, you will probably keep baby in a lot during those first few months so cute outfits with matching hats and shoes may not get any use. Plus if you are going to have a baby shower you will receive a lot of cute outfits fit for your little bundle of joy. Below is a list of things that I put together as a guide for you to use while doing your shopping. Remember to do your shopping after your baby shower this way you will only buy what you need. Health and Safety digital thermometer nasal aspirator infant acetaminophen drops baby monitor night lightBaby Care Products baby shampoo/baby wash diaper cream baby nail clippers or safety scissors baby oil/lotion baby brush and comb a couple of pacifiers (even if you don't plan to use!) Layette and Diapering newborn diapers/cloth diapers/wraps or set up diaper service baby wipes and/or extra baby washcloths diaper pail burp cloths or extra cloth diapers gowns/kimonos or newborn sleepers (4-6) receiving blankets (4-6) swaddling blankets (2-3) crib blanket or quilt newborn socks or booties (4-6 pair) newborn cap (1-2) hooded bath towels and wash cloth 4-6 T-shirts or all-in-ones 1-2 sweaters or bunting (depending upon season) Baby Equipment baby carrier (sling, wrap or pack carrier) infant seat (have to bring it to the hospital!) stroller or carriage bouncer seat or swing diaper bag Furniture and Accessories co-sleeper/bassinet/cradle or crib mattress, waterproof pads, at least two sheets and other bedding changing table or other safe changing area mobile for the crib and/or changing area changing pad and 2 coversNursing Necessities nursing pillow washable or disposable nursing pads rental, electric or manual breast pump and storage bottles or bags if you plan to pump milk feeding bottles (2-4 4 oz to start), nipples, and bottle brush if you plan to use bottles Below you will find a short list of things new moms will need to have on hand. New Mother Care sitzbath herbs big box of extra-long maxi pads for locchia nursing nightgown or comfy cotton pajamas small tube of modified lanolin or other product to soothe sore nipples nursing bras (1-2 comfy nursing bras plus a sleep bra to take to the hospital -- you can get more when your milk comes in, in case your size changes) Other Good Ideas pick out birth announcements (address envelopes before baby comes, if possible) make a Belly Cast to remember this amazing time! Also a good thing to know is that some of these accessories and gadgets are fun to have. Some of them even help make your life easier. However these are not must haves, all your baby really needs is your love and affection and your baby will grow and flourish. Remember you must have a car seat for baby, because the hospital will not let you leave without it! Plus you want to protect your little miracle in any way possible. Relax and enjoy this time with your precious baby because this time will never return. If possible line up friends and family who will bring meals or come help you out at home after the baby is born (and a good friend to coordinate) and/or hire a doula to help. This way you can spend even more time just worrying about the baby, while someone else worries about YOU!
Travelling With Baby - Tips To Make Life Easier
It may sound daunting, but travelling with baby does not have to be a nightmare! A little preparation and forward planning is all you need for a successful trip with your tiny traveller. There are certain supplies that are essential for any trip with your baby. The most important, of course, is enough food and milk for the journey. Always pack more than you think you'll need and include plenty of finger foods if your baby is old enough -- these are great for helping to keep him occupied! If you are breastfeeding and need to express milk, you can store it in a cooler, with ice, for up to 24 hours. You can also store bottles of pre-made formula in the same way -- alternatively, you can add pre-measured powdered formula to the bottles, then top it up with cooled, boiled water as required. Another option is to bring "ready to drink" cartons of formula. Whilst ideal for the journey itself, be aware that you may not be allowed to take these cartons with you into certain countries. Sealed containers of formula do not normally present a problem. Solid foods can be packed into a cooler, although a better idea is to bring foods with you that you can easily prepare during the journey. Avocado pears and bananas are good examples, as they can be simply peeled, mashed and served to your baby at room temperature. Always bring your own feeding bowls and utensils when travelling with baby - many eating establishments do not have cutlery appropriate for an infant's use. A travel high chair is incredibly useful, too -- and means that you can comfortably feed your baby wherever you go. Disposable bibs, or a wipe-clean plastic bib, can be very convenient when travelling and they certainly cut down on the laundry! If you ask for food or milk to be warmed for you, be VERY careful to check the temperature on its return. Busy waiters or cabin crew may overheat the food and you will need to wait for it to cool down. With this in mind, ask for any food or milk to be warmed well before you're actually going to need it! Many parents worry about how to sterilise feeding equipment when travelling with baby. There are many products available to assist with this, from microwave steriliser bags to disposable bottle liners. Most stores dealing with infant feeding equipment will offer a range of travelling accessories such as these. Other essential items for your trip will include nappies/diapers and scented diaper bags. If you're heading to a warm destination, adequate sun protection is a must! Also, consider bringing a small nightlight - if you're breastfeeding, it can be very useful in a dark, unfamiliar hotel room. To help your baby cope with the trip and to reassure him in new surroundings, be sure to bring his favourite blanket. This can also serve as a handy "curtain" to shield an aeroplane sky cot/bassinet from the light, or for naps in his stroller when out and about. Dress your baby in light layers when travelling -- not only does this make it easier to cope with fluctuating temperatures, but if your baby spills his food, for example, you can easily remove the top layer of clothing. Bring a change of clothes for yourself, too -- baby's mess tends to have a habit of transferring itself to his parents! Enjoy your trip!
Unique Baby Names
What's in a name? Er…well, everything, really! Of course your little bundle of joy is the sweetest, most beautiful thing you have ever seen and you want to choose a name that reflects his/her individuality, spirituality, uniqueness and all-round special-ness. But wait a minute! Remember that the unique baby name you choose will help define junior's life - how they are viewed and accepted - for many, many years. What sounds cute and original for a 5-year-old, may not sound so funky for a 15-year-old…and what about a 55-year old? Time was when only celebrities could get away with unique baby names (Zowie Bowie, Dweezil and Moon Unit Zappa, etc), but in the modern world, individuality is more prized than ever before, and increasingly, this starts with our names. Great idea - but don't allow a flash of a self-indulgence to condemn your child to a lifetime of problems; it's reported that a Chinese couple named their child "Saddam Sars" to mark the current world events at the time of the birth! I just hope it means something nice in Mandarin, or Cantonese! This probably wouldn't have happened in Germany, where names can only be registered if they recognizable, do not ridicule the child and are gender specific. Perhaps there is at least one Chinese child in the world, who will grow up wishing he/she were German! So - assuming you are not German - what should you do if you want to create a unique baby name, without creating too many problems? Here are some tips and some warnings to make the process less painful: 1. Anagrams: try creating an anagram of an existing name. 2. Father and Mother: try using derivatives of one of the parents' names, or a combination of both. Alternatively, how does the mother's maiden name sound as a first name? 3. Telescoping: try dropping letters from another name or a word, until you get a nice-sounding unique baby name. 4. Spelling: an unusual spelling of a common name creates uniqueness. However, remember that your child will be condemned to a lifetime of "…that's David spelt D..A..Y..V..I..D…" conversations. 5. Pronunciation: another trick is to pronounce a common name in an unusual way. But this can also lead to a lifetime of corrections and explanations - as well as teasing and accusations of pretentiousness. 6. History: do some research into names that were popular in previous eras, but have become less so. 7. Family History: are there any unusual baby names that can be used to honor family members or ancestors? But beware family politics… 8. Nature: many names come from the natural world, particularly flowers (e.g. Rose) and it's a great source for unique baby names (e.g. Gwyneth Paltrow's daughter Apple). 9. Geography: another useful source of great names - grab an atlas and start searching. David and Victoria Beckham called their first son Brooklyn, which many people think is a cool-sounding name. However, it's reported that the choice was made because that's where conception took place. Hmmm, imagine a lifetime in which your name is a constant reminder of your parents having sex! Eeeuuuuww!!! 10. Celebrities: famous people with slightly unusual names are a common source of inspiration. There are lots of teenage "Kylie"s running around the UK since Kylie Minogue's arrival on the music scene at end of the '80's, and her recent resurgence, will have created a second wave of them. And I'm sure many little "Be'yonce"s have been popping up over the last few years. The only problem is that names like these very soon begin to sound a little silly and "wannabe". 11. Foreign Names: consider using a foreign version of a name, e.g., Pedro, instead of Peter. Or try using a name from a completely different culture. 12. Nicknames: try using a nickname e.g. Angie, instead of Angela or Angelina. However, make sure the name is will pass the "age test" - see number 17 below. 13. Middle Names: a great way to accommodate individuality when naming your baby, is to combine a common first name with a unique second/middle name. The benefit of this is that your child can avoid embarrassment throughout his/her life by ignoring it of keeping it hidden. 14. Initials: when you have settled on some baby names, check that the initials aren't embarrassing. This is an easy trap to fall into and can lead to a lifetime of misery. "Zina Indigo" are may be nice sounding names for your lovely daughter, but make sure your surname doesn't begin with "T"! 15. First Name-Surname: check how the selected first name combines with the surname. Make sure the two names do not create some something recognizable, to prevent a lifetime of teasing. Also, check the rhythm of the two names; a different number of syllables in each name usually flows much better. Avoid rhyming the 2 names at all costs or your child will hate you forever! 16. The loudness test: try saying the name softly, at normal pitch and shouting it very loudly. You may be surprised at the results. 17. The age test: try to visualize your child with the name as a baby, as a teenager, as a young adult, a mature adult and as a senior citizen. A name can create completely different perceptions of the individual at separate stages of life. 18. The meaning: the final test of the baby name that you choose should be to check its meaning (if any). Don't leave your child open to getting a nasty surprise later in life. Whatever unique baby name you decide, don't fall into the trap of self-indulgence. Remember, it's not about you, it's all about your child. Your grand design to celebrate the uniqueness of this new human being, may eventually lead to a lifelong, desperate desire for conformity and anonymity. Even Zowie Bowie eventually changed his name to "Joey"…
Weird Celebrity Baby Names
Celebrities seem to be competing for the wierdest baby names. Among the social elite, you'll find names like Apple, Banjo, Cosima, and Daisy Boo. As always, Americans seem to be following suit. Walk into the classroom and you don't see the same Jack and Jill's of yesteryear. Today's names are often made unique by alternate spellings, combinations of two names, and even made up names. Here are some of the weird celebrity baby names you might see on Hollywood. Weird Celebrity Baby Names : Fifi Trixibelle (Paula Yates and Bob Geldof) Moon Unit (Frank and Gail Zappa) Apple (Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin) Satchel (Mia Farrow and Woody Allen) Peaches (Paula Yates and Bob Geldof) Tiger Lily Heavenly Hirani (Paula Yates and Michael Hutchence) Maddox (adopted by Angelina Jolie) River (Arlyn and John Phoenix) Dweezil (Frank/Gail Zappa) Brooklyn (Victoria/David Beckham) Zowie (Angie and David Bowie) Phoenix Chi (Mel C and Jimmy Gulzar) Banjo (Patrick and Rachel Griffiths) Chester (Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks) Cosima (Nigella Lawson) Daisy Boo (Jamie Oliver) Dexter (Diane Keaton) Maddox (Angelina Jolie and Billy Bob Thornton) Racer, Rebel, Rocket (Robert Rodriguez) Willow (Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith) Zola (Eddie Murphy)
Transitioning From Bassinet To Crib
If your baby has been sleeping in your room in a bassinet, you may have some concerns about moving her to her own room and her crib. But, don’t worry; you will probably both sleep better once the transition is complete. Most babies are ready to move to the crib at around six to eight weeks of age, or whenever he is sleeping for longer periods during the night. Be prepared that the crib might feel a bit large to the baby who has been accustomed to a bassinet, but the transition will be much easier when the baby is older than it would have been with a newborn. If your baby seems bothered by the size of the crib, try putting a pillow at his feet to give the illusion of a smaller space. However, if your baby is turning over on his own, or scooting about the crib, leave the pillow out, as it can be dangerous. To make the transition easier, have the baby take naps in the crib for a few weeks before you move him in there for the whole night. Ideally, have baby take naps in his crib from the very beginning, so that when you move him there permanently, the surroundings will be familiar. If you’re worried that you won’t hear the baby with him in another room, use a monitor to alleviate your worries. But, what you’ll likely find is that you hear him when he really needs you, but you don’t wake up at every little gurgle, which means better rest for both of you. Many first time moms are very fearful of sleeping through their child’s cries, but it is rarely a real concern. In spite of the fact that you are likely very sleep deprived, you will hear your baby. Finally, it is common to worry about your child feeling isolated. But, studies show that children are much more likely to be comfortable sleeping alone in their room if they begin this routine early in life. The two year old who has always slept in Mom and Dad’s room would definitely feel isolated when put into his own room, the two month old will not. It is probably a bigger adjustment for you than the baby. Your baby is getting more independent, and that might be making you a bit sad, which is perfectly normal. But, there are many more days of this ahead, and each step toward independence is a sign that you’re giving your child the skills he needs to develop.
Your Guide To Baby Shower Planning
With baby showers, as with all important events, often the details can get in the way of the hosts enjoyment of the party! Don’t let yourself get overwhelmed. Take it one step at a time and enjoy yourself. A baby is on the way and the baby shower is your welcome home gift. Answer these questions before you begin and your baby shower is sure to be a success. Who Does What? Assign tasks. Delegating duties will let you direct and handle mishaps rather than handle everything as well as mishaps. Of course, enlisting friends and family requires their agreement so ask them well in advance of the baby shower. How Much Will You Spend? Set aside a certain amount of money for each part of the baby shower and stick to it. Make sure your list is thorough and that your expected expenditures are realistic. Don’t forget the paper plates and cups and napkins! Assigning others to bring things you need will help you cut down on baby shower expenses. Who’s Coming? Ask the new parents who they want at their baby shower and get the addresses at least a month in advance. You will need addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses. Get the invitations out no less than 3 weeks before the day of the baby shower. What’s Your Theme? 1930s Flapper baby shower? Maybe a picnic in the park? Whatever you choose, make sure that your guests know what to expect. What Food Will You Serve? The food for your baby shower should reflect the theme, but make sure you choose something that the Mom to be likes. Pregnant women have aversions and cravings and catering to these is an essential aspect of the baby shower. Where Should You Hold the Baby Shower? Wherever you choose, it should be easy to find, comfortable for the number of guests you’ve invited and inexpensive to you. When Should You Hold the Baby Shower? It’s the new mom’s choice! She may want to hold it in the middle of her pregnancy or wait until after the baby is born. When you pick a date and time, stick with it! What Games Will You Play? What prizes will you give away? What will you need so that all of your guests can play the games? Make sure you choose plenty of back up baby shower games in case things go a little too slow and need some livening up!
Unique Baby Shower Gift Ideas
Selecting what to bring for a baby shower party can be a tricky task. Any guest would like to give a gift that can be useful to the baby or the parents. Nobody would like to have his or her gift stashed in a closet or to given away to charity without being used first by the recipient. Therefore, one has to make sure that he or she has chosen the baby shower gift properly so it will not be wasted. As much as possible, never select a baby shower gift that the parents may already have. Sometimes, the baby shower invitation says what the parents would like to receive. If it is not on the invitation, you can also call the mom to ask what she would like to receive or what else she would need. At times when the parents seem to have prepared well for the baby, you can select unique baby shower gifts that would serve as decorative items and remembrance. Here are some exclusive baby shower gift suggestions. * Personalized Ornaments These ornaments are made from ceramic tiles that can be displayed on cabinet or shelves. These can be personalized to contain the baby's name or picture. You may also give a poem to the engraving company so it will be included in the ornament. * Birth Announcement Plates These are decorative plates that come in pastel colors and different designs. These can also be personalized with the baby's name. Some companies also offer printing the baby's picture on the plates. The plates may be used to contain food. However, many chooses to have these plates displayed somewhere in the house. * Personalized Baby Blankets These blankets come in pastel colors with different designs. These can be personalized to include the baby's name. Before deciding to give one, make sure that the parents hadn't bought or will not be receiving several blankets during the baby shower party. * Personalized Name Frame If the baby's name was already chosen, you can choose a personalized name frame. This will contain the baby's name with it's meaning, usually the biblical or historic association of the name. It may also have a poem dedicating the gift to the baby or wishing the baby and the parents well. * Piggy Bank The parents can start the baby's savings with a personalized piggy bank. The parents may drop coins each day after the baby is born. When the child is older, he or she can continue saving money with this decorative piggy bank. * Music CD Music has been proven to enhance the creativity and eliminate stress. For babies, music can help them have quality sleep and boost their creativity and intelligence. This is a perfect gift for the baby and the parents. Regardless of the gift that you have chosen, always include a card to express your thoughts and your joys in sharing the celebration with the baby' parents. * Baby Naming Book If the parents still hadn't decided what name to give to the baby or if they are not yet sure of the baby's gender, the baby-naming book is a great gift for the baby shower. The book contains name selections from the bible and historical figures. The meanings of the names are also given as well as the variations and origins in different countries and cultures. * Pillows Pillows can also be personalized with the baby's name. These come in several colors and designs.
Why Are Cloth Nappies So Good For Your Baby?
Congratulations on the new arrival! Caring for your little bundle of joy is a truly delightful experience, when you want to lavish all your love and attention over this one unique person. Nothing is good enough for your precious baby for whom, if possible, you would even buy the moon! Naturally, you want the very best for your child, and with the countless baby products flooding the market, this means you can pick and choose to your satisfaction. Moreover, many options are available to the parent of today, and it is upto you to make up your mind about whats best for your child. Is breast feeding better than the bottle, what brand of baby food is more healthy, or, oh dear, shouldnt the nursery be painted a mild and soothing green instead of all this pink? Should you opt for cloth or disposable diapers? Are you doing the right thing? Help! Relax. The most important thing when raising a child is to make sure it is healthy. Just as proper nutrition is essential for your babys welfare, so is hygiene and cleanliness. While nutrition can be easily taken care of with regular feedings of milk, hygiene is a different matter. With little or no control over their bodily functions, babies expel a lot of waste, and keeping them clean can be a daunting task. The solution? Nappies, of course! There are disposable Nappies and cloth nappies. Disposable nappies are easy to use; use it once and throw it away. No washing, no fuss! However, disposable diapers are made of chemicals that can harm your babys sensitive skin. Also, with its synthetic texture, disposable nappies are not comfortable, and babies are prone to develop rashes or allergies. Diapers made from natural fibres are a welcome change from disposable nappies as they are soft and soothing to the skin. Raising a child also means rising expenses! A baby will go through upto a thousand or more diapers before his first birthday. Disposable diapers cost more than cloth nappies, but in this case, being expensive does not necessarily mean its better. Cloth nappies are lower-priced and are reusable. So, one cloth nappy serves as well as many disposable ones. To further cut expenses, using second hand cloth nappies is a good idea, and after your baby has outgrown them, it is recommended you donate them to other parents or reuse them for your next child, thereby reducing waste. If one baby will use more than a thousand diapers in a year, imagine the amount of garbage generated in a city from diapers alone! While disposable nappies contain chemicals that do not decompose, discarded cloth nappies are absorbed back into the environment, and are thus very eco-friendly. In the modern nuclear family where both parents work, washing cloth nappies may seem a tedious process. A gentle wash in the washing machine solves this problem. Some popular brands of cloth nappies are: the Bumble sized shape nappy, Rainbow Bots and, Prorap All in One Nappies. Terries are flat squares of terry towelling that can be shaped into nappies. These are all nappies that are sized, shaped and have a high second hand value, meaning they are very durable. Almost all brands of cotton nappies are made of light cotton-based material. Comfort for your baby comes first, and with the menace of harmful chemicals in disposable diapers, cloth nappies seem the only solution. Comfortable, hygienic, eco-friendly, durable . . . with so many merits, it is no wonder cloth nappies are replacing disposable diapers everywhere. There can be no doubt that cloth nappies are so good for your baby!
What Is A Preemie?
"Preemie" is the common term used when referring to a premature baby. The dictionary definition of a preemie is “a prematurely born infant”. A preemie is born before 37 weeks gestation while a full term baby is born at 37 weeks or after. Preemies require a very different start in life, and this can vary dramatically depending on the level of prematurity. Micropreemie and preemie are the two terms used to help define the degree of prematurity. To an NICU medical professional, a micropreemie is defined as a baby that is under 1 ¾ pounds (between 700-800 grams) and is generally born before 26 weeks gestation, but most people prefer to loosen this term up to include any baby under 3 pounds (1500 grams) or under 29 weeks gestation. Micropreemies require a lot of medical attention in order to survive, and many more micropreemies are surviving than ever before in history. The statistics for the survival of a micropreemie can range from 10-80%. A micropreemie born before 23 weeks gestation has no chance of survival to 10%. Every day inside the mother increases the chances of survival for a micropreemie, and every week is a major significance continuing to push that percentage higher. This also lowers the numbers of short and long term health risks. Some of the many difficulties that a micropreemie experiences are immature lungs, an underdeveloped digestive system, cerebral hemorrhaging, high risk of infection, incomplete feeding reflexes, severe anemia, neurological delays, physical handicaps, and long term health issues. Because of so many problems associated with being a micropreemie, medical intervention to keep micropreemies alive include biliblankets, blood pressure monitors, cardiac monitors, endotracheal tubes, isolettes, intravenous pumps & tubes, nasal CPAPs, nasal gastric tubes, nasal prongs, oxyhoods, oxygen saturation monitors, phototherapy lights, pulse oximeters, respiratory monitors, synthetic surfactant, temperature probes, UACs, ultrasounds, UVCs, and ventilators. So much more information is being made available to parents of micropreemies than ever before, allowing parents the opportunity to educate themselves on their micropreemie’s needs. The technical term for preemie is defined as a baby that is under 5 ½ pounds (2500 grams), though the general public chooses to call any baby under 7 pounds (3000 grams) a preemie. This is partially due to the fact that it is difficult to find clothing that fits these babies unless shopping at preemie stores for preemie sizes, so some parents refer to their little baby as a preemie. Another reason is that many people are uninformed about the definition of prematurity. Statistics for preemie survival is greater than 90%. The medical requirements for preemies tends to be a lot less demanding than those of their micropreemie counterparts. However, it can still be a precarious time and many preemies may still be on much of the medical equipment that micropreemies need. A preemie is weaned off of this equipment as soon as she strong enough or is capable of handling many bodily functions herself, yet, many times a preemie seems to go back and forth for a little while. As a preemie begins to steadily get stronger and medical needs lessen, it is soon time to go home. Many a preemie has been sent home with medical equipment that their parents have been trained to use in case of an emergency. This is a scary time and an exciting time for parents because they are now in control, not quite sure if they can handle emergencies but desperately wanting to get down to the “normal” part of life, raising their preemie. These resilient, warrior-parents do quite well continuing to fight for their baby and are very in-tune to even the smallest details. Many preemies continue to have health issues that they struggle with for the rest of their lives. However, as technology advances, some of these problems can be controlled with surgery, medication, and other interventions. This is a preemie!
Unique Ideas For Baby Shower Favors
A baby shower is often the most fun event during an expectant mother's pregnancy. It's a great way to celebrate the coming of a new baby! Baby showers should be a joyful and memorable time, not just for the mom-to-be, but for the guests as well. Planning a baby shower shouldn't be all that complicated, though it does require some thought and consideration.
Baby shower favors are items which should be considered when having a shower. They are a great way to thank the guests, family and friends, for celebrating with the mother during her time of joy. Here are some unique and fun baby shower favor ideas to get you started:
Teddy Bear Crystal Baby Favors - Beautiful keepsakes, these luminous crystal teddy bears are a great way to celebrate a little one... and to thank your guests for being a part of this special time. Each multifaceted crystal figurine is embellished with precious teddy bear facial features in black.
Baby Bottle Candle Favors - Candle Favors are an affordable way to thank your guests with classic charm and contemporary style! An adorable, practical gift for your guests, these baby bottle candles celebrate baby with an enchanting glow. Available in Pink or Blue, embellished with star and heart decorations.
Baby Teddy Bear Frame Favors - Beautifully ornate... and surprisingly affordable... these cute photo frames are a sweet way to thank your guests. Available in Pink or Blue, these adorable resin baby frames are shaped like a baby footprint. Embellished with a cute teddy bear on a rocking horse and blocks spelling out the word BABY, they're perfect for use as place card holders... or as take-home favors for your guests.
Baby Rocking Horse Key Chain Favors - An adorably practical way to thank your baby shower guests, these Baby Rocking Horse Key Chain Favors feature the classic rocking horse on a key ring they'll love using again and again. Affordable and so cute, these rocking horse favors are charming keepsakes they'll always remember.
Baby Cookie Cutter Favor Set - Treat your baby shower guests to an adorable favor they'll love using again and again! The Baby Cookie Cutter Favor Set will invoke sweet memories of your baby shower each time your guests make a fresh batch of their favorite cookies. Each set of cookie cutters includes a rocking horse, a teddy bear and a bottle.
ABC Baby Block Cookie - Butter cookie with your choice of either Pink, Blue and Pink Green combination icing. They make great baby shower favors and/or gifts. All cookies are Pas Yisroel and Kosher/Dairy, also has no transfat.
It's About Time - Baby is Brewing Teapot Timer - These teapot kitchen timers are fully functional keepsakes, featuring a twist bottom that counts down any interval of time from one to 60 minutes. This practical, memorable shower favor is the perfect way to thank your guests for a wonderful baby shower!
Baby Fun Mint Tins - The perfect affordable gift for your guests, these cute, versatile tins are great for organizing buttons and small jewelry... or refilling with mints or candy... after the baby shower. These adorable mint tins are festively decorated with a rattle, a teddy bear and a heart design. In Pink or Blue, these fun tins are ready to be filled with candy or other treats for your baby shower.
These are just some ideas for fun favors you could get for your own baby shower. Keep in mind that to make your party even more fun and memorable, choose favors that coincide with the "theme" of the party.
Watch Out For Allergies With Baby Laundry!
So you're having a baby. You think you've thought of everything, but at the same time you're terrified that you've missed something. Here's one thing you may or may not have thought of: laundry. Yes, you know that you will have more, but have you considered the basic differences between your baby's laundering needs and yours? If you regularly use perfumed detergents, bleach, or fabric softener, your laundering habits may need some reform. Gone are the days of washing clothes just because they smell. Your baby is going to burp up stuff you've never thought of, and your laundry piles are going to skyrocket. This is only one new concern, however, since your baby's skin is much more sensitive to chemicals than you and your spouses’ grown up skin. Laundering the baby's clothing in detergents that are free of perfumes and dyes is one quick way to help ensure that your baby does not get unnecessary discomfort from irritating chemicals. There are detergents formulated specifically for babies, but for the most part as long as you stay away from perfume and dye heavy products, your baby should be just fine. There are of course rare cases in which the baby has specific allergies, in which case it is probably best to find one brand that works for your baby's skin and stick with it. Unfortunately for your baby, this may mean a short trial and error process. As with food allergies, just keep a keen eye out and make sure you seek immediate medical treatment when you are concerned about anything. Another thing that is important when laundering baby clothing is to make sure that you launder any cloth diapers separately. If you are using cloth diapers, you may think of the obvious reason: these items of clothing are obviously much more soiled than the average baby clothing item. It is best to launder these items twice: once in bleach with a double rinse, and then a second time with just vinegar during the last rinse cycle. This is important because not only is the baby using these items a lot more frequently (so they get a lot more wear), but also they are the closest to the baby's very sensitive skin. So making sure that cloth diapers are as allergen free as possible is a key factor in keeping your baby comfortable and happy. The last item on our laundry agenda will keep your laundry service or electric company well fed, and you plenty busy. As your baby quickly outgrows each new item of clothing, and a new one needs to be purchased to replace it, the new items should all be washed before being put on the baby. That includes outerwear and bath accessories, but is especially important for things that you buy a lot of, like undershirts, socks, and onesies. The first couple of months are particularly crucial in determining what kind of laundering ritual is best for your new addition. This is also a time in which you will be getting used to a lot of specifics about your new baby. Make sure no matter how you launder your baby's clothes, you keep a good eye out for possible allergic reactions and rashes. A comfortable baby is a much happier baby.
What To Do When Your Baby Won’t Wear Clothes!
A lot of time and energy goes into clothing your baby during the first year. From the color debate, to the rapid speed at which most infants outgrow their clothing, new parents have their plates full with keeping their babies clean, comfortable and clothed. So what do you do when all of a sudden, the baby doesn't want to wear any clothes at all? How do you deal with the exhibitionist stage of your toddler? At about fourteen months, your baby will most likely want to romp around in the buff. This is completely normal, and in fact could help a little bit with potty training. Obviously, however, it can be a bit troublesome when trying to introduce social norms, and of course when having company without children over for coffee or lunch. So how does a new parent deal with a naked toddler? The best thing to do is not discourage this behavior entirely. Set limits about where and when your toddler can be naked and enforce them. It is tedious, but repeatedly re-dressing your toddler may be the best way to get the message across. Keep an especially close eye on your toddler in public. Not just because of the obvious, but because you don't want to lose expensive items like shoes or jackets. Setting a "naked time" where your child is free to roam around the house for an hour or so a day is a good way to set limits on acceptable behavior. Make sure this time is a time when you can be around to monitor them very closely and make sure that they don't hurt their more exposed areas. Also, it's probably best if naked time is a time when your home doesn't see a lot of traffic. Your toddler may be comfortable with their naked time, but friends and neighbors may not be. Use your child's newfound freedom to encourage them to choose their own clothing. Let your toddler dress him or herself a couple of times a week as a special treat. Soon they might like to get dressed as much as they enjoy disrobing. Make getting dressed fun, and stress the importance of where and when it is okay to take off your clothes. This way your child begins to understand the important role that clothing plays in the day-to-day life of grown ups. The most important thing to remember is not to let your discipline about clothing become about your child's body. It is easy to make your child feel ashamed of their naked body, even if it is not intended. This kind of discomfort can go a long way in determining how your child feels about their body in the long term, right up into adulthood. Making play dates for right before or after naked time can be a good way to demonstrate for your child the difference between private time and public time, and let them begin making their own boundaries in their mind. This time in their life is a lot about exploration. So even though you've been there, it's important to let them figure out some stuff on their own.
Transitioning Your Baby To Sleep
New parents have many responsibilities. Close to the top of the list is to develop and nurture good sleep patterns and sleeping habits for their new baby. Newborns need to transition from sleeping with the mother to sleeping alone, but getting your baby to learn to sleep on his own takes some time. However, there are many benefits for both the baby and the parents when this takes place. There are a seemingly endless supply of tips and helpful hints to assist parents with this tricky task. Research and try as many as it takes to find out what works best for your baby and you. Trust your intuition and never give up until you have found that magic combination. The reward of your baby and you both getting a good night of sleep on a consistent basis is worth the effort. Most of the advice you will find to help with your baby’s sleep deals with establishing schedules, habits and associations for your baby just before and during bedtime. Associating bedtime with sleeping is the goal. The sooner you can achieve that association, the more likely the baby will go to sleep without a struggle. Establishing the differences between daytime and nighttime is something that most advisors seem to ignore. Creating the understanding in your baby the change from being awake during daytime and falling asleep at night is a very valuable step. Here are some methods you can try. Many times your baby has been very active throughout the day and is too stimulated to relax and fall to sleep. Employ one of those sling-type baby carriers that hold your baby close to your body while allowing you to be free to go about your regular activities around the house. Your baby will love being in close contact with you. This will provide ample time for your baby to calm down slowly from that hyped feeling of stimulation and excitement. Many times the routine of transitioning between thirty minutes or an hour before bedtime is performed by the mother. This may be working against you. Try this with the father. Just before moving the baby into the bed, have Dad hold and cradle the baby close. His voice is generally much deeper than Mom’s is and often the baby can be more soothed by it. This change in routine can be learned as a triggering mechanism for the baby – “Dad is holding me, it must be almost time for sleep.” Whether you find it in a listing of baby tips or discover it on your own, one of the methods of transitioning into bedtime is to simply take the baby for a car ride. While this idea may seem to be a perfect “quick fix,” I would advise against it. In the beginning, it may seem like a good deal. After all who wouldn’t trade a little inconvenience for a night of peace and quite and sleep? However, as your baby becomes accustomed to that nightly driving ritual, dependence may develop and it will not take long to become much more than just an inconvenience. The idea is to begin slowly with these transition techniques. Once you and your baby have found the magic formula and have built an almost automatic routine, then just as slowly transition away from them and into a much more simple bedtime pattern. The goal here is to teach your baby to sleep on its own. Good Night and enjoy your baby and your rest!
Ways to gift a unique baby gift basket
A unique baby gift basket could be a special way to show new parents that how much you care. Earlier, it was a tradition to give flowers or plants as congratulation gifts for new born babies and even today flowers are accepted but to present a baby gift basket filled with new items could be a more exciting alternative. You can present a baby gift basket upon several occasions such as baby shower gifts, congratulation gifts, baptism gifts, christening gifts, baby naming ceremony gifts or for the first birthday of the baby. In spite of any of these occasions, a gift basket shall be highly appreciated with a lasting impression. So if you too wish to give a perfect gift then why to waste your time searching aimlessly through stores or wait in queues when you can save yourself with all the trouble just by sending a gift basket. There are many online companies that take your quick and convenient order thereby proving you all the comfort at your own home. Gift baskets come in a wide variety of size and price ranges that makes them ideal for any budget because most of them range from $25 for a small simple basket to a few 100 dollars for more extravagant basket. If you are looking for an original baby gift basket then you will be surprised with number of options available from different themes and styles. You also hold the opportunity to add a personal touch the gift basket and showing your won creativity if you put together your own gift basket and deliver it yourself. This could also be much rewarding. Many stores even have baby gift registries where the expectant parents can easily register and make a list of whatever they need for the baby. Creating your own customized baby gift registries could be exciting for expectant mothers. Gift registries are the expectant mother’s wish list whereby they can register whatever their heart desires. Using baby registry is a great way for friends and family to provide expectant parent what they want and need for their new ones. A huge benefit of a gift registry is that it is easy to find something within your price range. For more information, visit our recommended website customgiftbasket.info
How To Get Your Baby To Sleep At Naptime
If you baby is not napping well during her first few months of life, you may want to try to cut back on the time she is awake by 15 minute increments. If she is getting overstimulated, then she will fight sleep and be difficult to get to nap. The way to prevent this is to watch her “sleepy” cues to make sure that you put her down when she is beginning to get sleepy.
Some parents believe that letting their child cry will harm him or her. Fifteen or twenty minutes of crying will not harm your child physically or mentally. Babies will learn to self-soothe and fall asleep by themselves, but only if you let her. It is very important that babies learn to fall asleep by themselves so that they can self-soothe if they awake in the middle of the night. Otherwise, you may have a child that will not sleep through the night for years.
Regular sleep patterns are intermeshed with regular eating patterns, so let us look at the stages of a baby’s life:
Newborn: Your newborn will sleep anywhere from 16 to 20 hours a day, including the naps that he takes between feedings. When your baby has been fed, let him stay awake for a short while and then put him down before he becomes overstimulated.
Two months: At two months and older, your child should be allowed to try to self-soothe during their naptimes and bedtime. Crying is normal when you put your baby down, but it is okay. If he cries for longer than 10-15 minutes, then go in and check on him. Don’t get him up, but pat his bottom or lightly rub his back until he calms down.
3-6 months: At around 3-6 months, your baby will stop taking one of his naps. Usually it is the third nap or late afternoon nap that they do not need as much. He may be a little fussy and may want to take a little nap, but you need to try to keep him up if you want him to go to bed at a decent time and sleep soundly through the night.
16+ months: When your child is between 16-20 months, they usually quit taking the morning nap in favor of a longer nap in the afternoons. Babies this age usually sleep between 10-12 hours a night and take a 2-3 hour afternoon nap.
Ground Rules about Naps:
1. You decide when the nap starts and ends, not the baby.
2. When your baby is older than 4 months old, she will wake up crying if she hasn’t slept enough. She might have a dirty diaper, be in a position that is not comfortable, or cold/hot. Fix the problem and encourage her to go back to sleep. Babies that have enough rest wake up happy, talking, and in a good mood!
Infant Nutrition: Give Your Baby a Healthy Start
All parents want the best for their new baby. Good nutrition allows parents to give their baby a healthy head start.
Often, parents don't think about how they can influence their infant's health, including their infant's immune system development through nutrition. Below are a few tips for parents to help support the development of an infant's immune system during pregnancy and the first year.
* During pregnancy: A mom should remember that what she eats affects her child before and after birth. A good source of vitamins and minerals and proper hydration will help a mom-to-be stay healthy.
To support an infant's immune system development, experts recommend that pregnant women eat protein-rich foods such as soy, lean meats and legumes and foods rich in antioxidants like broccoli, red potatoes and blueberries.
* The first year: Before birth, a developing baby receives antibodies from its mother. Maternal antibodies provide initial immune protection to the developing infant, but rapidly decline after birth. A baby begins to develop its own antibodies as the mother's begin to wear off.
One reason why breast-feeding is recommended for at least the first year of life is because a mother's breast milk is the only way she can pass immune-protecting antibodies to her infant after birth.
"These antibodies help keep an infant healthy," said Bridget Swinney, dietitian, mother of two and author of "Healthy Food for Healthy Kids: A Practical and Tasty Guide to Your Child's Nutrition." "But if a mom chooses to feed infant formula or supplement, she should find an iron-fortified infant formula similar to breast milk, like Similac Advance."
Some infant formulas provide specific breast milk compounds called nucleotides. Clinical research shows that Similac Advance's patented blend of nucleotides helps support the development of a baby's immune system.
Guide To Massaging New Born Babies
Newborns simply love to be touched and cuddled. The skin to skin touch helps you and your baby bond, comforts your baby when she is upset or uneasy with gas or colic problems. Hence, touch is a critical part of growth and development.
The massage strokes used on adults are completely different from the strokes to be used on newborns. You can adapt the adult strokes to massage your child. Just make sure that your strokes are lighter on them. The younger they are, more delicate and smaller will be the strokes be.
It is ideal that you take your child either on your lap or lay him on any kind of elevated soft surface such as few thick towels put together. Be very gentle while massaging. If your child cries or does not enjoy it, stop massaging till it feels comfortable about the whole thing.
Massage steps for the front of the body
- Lay the child on the back. Start by stroking gently the face, move to the middle of the forehead and temples
- Stroke the cheeks from nose to ears and back moving down to the chin. Gently stroke the area around the eyes.
- Stroke the front of the body along the arms. Make clockwise circles around the navel with both hands. Do gentle wringing action across the abdomen and up the body.
- Take one arm at a time, start stroking from shoulder to hand to fingers. Massage the hand, squeeze and rotate each of the fingers in turn. Do the same for other arm.
- Take one leg at time. Do a gentle wring or squeeze up the leg and stroke down the leg. Do the same for other arm.
Massage steps for the back of the body
- Lay the child stomach down. Stoke up and over the back and along the arms.
- Do a gentle kneading on the child's shoulder
- Do a gentle wringing stroke all over the body. Massage the rear side with gentle kneading or pinching strokes.
- Slide smoothly down the spine alternating with both the hands. Start from the base of the neck and move to working down to the base of spine.
- Gently stroke the legs, bending the knee up and working all the way to the foot.
- Hold the anklebone between your fingertips and move both the hands in circular motion.
- Squeeze the heal with one hand and use the thumb of your other hand to massage the sole of the foot.
- Massage the toes by gentle squeezing, rotating and pulling it in turns. Hold the foot firmly between your hands for few seconds. Repeat the same for massaging the backside of other leg.
Lastly, turn the baby over and give it a final massage in two strokes. Start from one foot up the leg, across the lower abdomen and move down the other leg. Do light strokes from the top of head right down to the feet.
To massage the baby having gas or digestive problems, use the "I Love You" technique.
- Lay the baby on the back and undress it completely or just leave the diaper on.
- Use two or three fingers of your right hand to trace the alphabet "I" on the right side of the abdomen with gentle, yet firm movements.
- Next do a gentle stroke from left to right across the baby's abdomen and then do a small downward stroke along the right side of his stomach forming upside down "L" alphabet.
- Last, stroke up from the left side of your baby's hipbone moving towards the left side of the abdomen, across the baby’s body from left to right horizontally along the stomach and finally finish by stroking down the right side in the same manner, forming the "U" alphabet in upside down direction.
Get Dad Involved in Breastfeeding
Many fathers feel excluded from parenting their children during the first initial stages of life. This feeling of exclusion and helplessness is exacerbated by mother breastfeeding her baby. So, can a father get more involved when it comes to feeding his baby? The answer is, yes.
The number one thing a dad can do to get involved is to support mom. At times, both parents will feel very tired when caring for the newborn infant, the mother especially. This is why it’s so important for the dad to support mom. So, exactly how does dad provide support? The most obvious thing to do is chores: preparing meals, cleaning house, laundry etc. He can also directly help take care of the baby by changing its diaper, bathing and burbing. But the most important thing he can do is to provide emotional support. To listen to what his partner is saying and to let her know how pleased he is with her as a mother. A new mother needs support at this time of life more than at any other time.
A dad can also get involved with feeding his child, even though mom is breastfeeding. A mother can express her milk and store it for later use. The baby can then be fed mom’s milk with a bottle at a later time. No reason why dad can’t do this. In fact it can be a real benefit to the mother during those nighttime feeds as she can stay in bed and catch up on some sleep while dad does the feeding.
Breastfeeding can be a ‘selfish’ activity for a mother. A lot of women who breastfeed, cherish the intimacy between mom and baby. Breastfeeding can be the most intimate experience for a woman; a physical bond between two people where one is nurturing the other in the most fundamental way. So, it’s understandable that some mothers are reluctant to hand over feeding of their baby to someone else, even if it is the baby’s father. But, if the father is feeling somewhat left-out-of-things then perhaps it’s time to let the father bottle feed the baby with the mother’s expressed milk. The level of intimacy they feel toward their baby when feeding surprises most fathers.
A be patient with dad. When he first starts to bottle feed his child he is bound to feel a little unsure of how best to do things. Show him how to hold the baby; how to soothe; how to notice signs of when the baby is hungry and when he’s satiated. Soon, with a little gentle instruction, he’ll be feeding baby as good as mom. And, he’ll probably exchange notes with mom on the little improvements the baby is making at feeding time.
A couple raising a child need to approach it as a team effort. Sometimes, both mom and dad do things together and sometimes they swap roles. Flexibility is key. When one of the parents is feeling too tired, or fed up to take care of baby, the other can step in, thereby giving the other a rest. This swapping and sharing responsibilities can also include breastfeeding.