Tuesday, June 30, 2009

You Are In Control With Organic Baby Food Recipes

Going organic these days can be a major lifestyle choice simply because truly organic foods cost a little more and a wide selection may not be as readily available in your local grocery stores. However, it is well worth your peace of mind knowing that what you are consuming is toxin-free and totally healthy. The same can be said when it comes to organic baby food recipes because you would want your baby to enjoy the same healthy lifestyle as you.

Of course, it must be said that breast milk is the ultimate food of choice for babies up to about six months of age or formula when breast milk is not an option. However, once baby is ready to branch out into other foods, you need some basic tips for organic baby food recipes. For instance, you do not want to mix different foods together; instead start baby with one food at a time for a few days. This move will help you gauge your baby's reaction to foods to evaluate any possible allergies.

The key to successful organic baby food recipes is in the preparation as well as your beginning food choices. First of all, babies should be started on simple vegetables and fruits while holding off on dairy products and heavy proteins like meat. Apples, carrots, green beans, pears, bananas, sweet potatoes and squash are popular with babies' palate. Peel the outer skin off the vegetable or fruit before steaming them. Once the food is soft, use a food processor or blender to process it until smooth. Of course, naturally soft foods like bananas do not need steaming for any organic baby food recipes.

The best grains to introduce to your young baby in the beginning stages of "solid" foods include brown rice and barley. When you are preparing more involved organic baby food recipes that require the mixing of several ingredients, adding one of these grains with a fruit or vegetable is often suggested to add not only variety but additional nutritional value. As babies get older and develop teeth, you can venture forth by adding some protein like chicken and pork – and remember meat gets the same attention with the food processor as vegetables and fruits.

If you are a super busy parent and cannot stop to make baby food for each meal, consider frozen organic baby food. You can either follow your organic baby food recipes and then freeze meals in bulk or look to the frozen food aisle of your health or whole foods market for them. Thanks to the increasing market share of organics, particularly in baby food, you are likely to see more and more choices as time goes on in the frozen food section. The good news about frozen organic food for babies is that it will taste fresh and have the same nutritional value.

Overall, organic baby food recipes are rather simple as long as you follow a few simple rules such as trying one food at a time before incorporating new foods into the mix. The reward for your extra efforts in going organic is a happy, healthy baby.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Designing a Nursery for a New Baby Girl

A nursery is basically the room to be used for a new baby. Most if not all of the new baby's thing are to be stored and found in the nursery. Many parents enjoy designing and making a nursery. The difference between a nursery for a new baby girl and new baby boy is basically in the color scheme. Baby girls are great to design for since there are so many different choices for color schemes and designs to choose from.

A new baby girl is usually viewed in a very girly light by everybody. Most of the color schemes and designs for a new baby girl nursery are most likely frilly and soft. Pink or lavender is the usually fare for most new baby girls although there are instances or a combination of pastel colors. Both colors can also be the focal colors for a new baby girl nursery.

Some parents also like the light blue color for their new baby girl so they opt for this as the main color for the nursery. There is actually no hard and fast rule regarding which colors are for boys and which are for girls. Most pastel colors are acceptable for most babies no matter what their gender. There are some parents, though, who do prefer boyish colors for boys such as blue and green while girly colors for girls like pink and lavender.

Research has yielded that there are some basic colors that can actually stimulate the brain of the baby causing better development. Red, black and white in combination are supposed to be better stimulants for the brain than any other color. The brightness and boldness of each color and their combination are said to stimulate thought processes and make more connections which mean hat the brain functions better.

It may be worthwhile to add some toys or patters in the new baby girl's nursery with a combination f these three basic colors. These colors can stimulate even an infant's brain which will cause more thought processes and synapses to be connected. It is best for your new baby girl to be stimulated not only through the eyes but in all her sense. Musical harmony, especially those of the classics, is great to soothe and stimulate the baby.

Color harmony is also one thing that needs to be consistent in a new baby girl or boy nursery to be able to bring out the best from the baby.

Friday, June 5, 2009

Getting the Benefits of Organic Baby Food

The benefits of baby food are something that every parent thinks about sooner or later. The benefits of choosing the right baby food can prevent the baby from becoming cranky or crying because of dietary problems. In order to reduce the symptoms of dietary and digestive issues, many people turn to the benefits of organic baby food to control the issue. It is important for children to get the best benefits of organic baby food to stop the discomfort and physical symptoms dietary problems cause. Even pets can realize the benefits of organic dog food to aid in digestive problems without medical intervention.

There are a wide range of different benefits of organic baby food available for children that suffer from the symptoms of dietary problems on a regular basis. Some of the baby foods are intended for occasional dietary problem symptoms while others are designed to prevent the symptoms of dietary problems from appearing at all. There are even organic baby foods that are preferred by parents that choose to use nothing but organic items with their baby. The benefits of organic baby food should relieve the child's symptoms for a significant period of time, so if the benefits of organic baby food are not being realized, the parents may want to make some dietary changes.

For some children, the benefits of organic baby food will work better with one type of baby food than another type of baby food because of the ingredients of the baby food and the symptoms that the child is experiencing. It is not uncommon for a parent to try several different types of organic baby foods before finding the baby foods that will work the best for the child. Once a person has found a food that provides the benefits of organic baby food, they should continue to use that baby food because a different baby food may not be as effective.

An important part of getting the best benefits of organic baby food is timing the feeding so that it is effective when it is needed the most. Children that typically suffer from dietary problems during the night should eat the organic baby food right before going to sleep so that the baby food can reduce the symptoms while the child is sleeping. If the benefits of organic baby food is not enough to alleviate the symptoms of the dietary problems, the parent may need to take the child to a physician for medical intervention.

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Choosing Baby Girl Crib Bedding

Arrival of a baby is a special time, which is full of anticipation and excitement. There are too many things to be bought, and too many decisions to be made. Selecting appropriate baby girl crib bedding is one of them. There is a lot of variety available to choose from, with unlimited colors, designs and themes. Crib bedding sets come in a set of four, five or six pieces, giving a complete look to the baby’s nursery.

For a baby girl, there is enormous choice available so that there is something as per every parent’s choice and taste. All the parents want to make the nursery of the baby a special place for their little ones. For the parents of a baby girl, they get a chance to go a bit further, and decorate using lacy fabrics, which will give exquisite look to the nursery. They can also choose baby crib bonnets, light paisley patterns, embroidered flowers, gingham and floral designs.

For the parents who like to give old fashioned look to the nursery, they can choose from the lacy fabrics and intricate border for the baby girl crib bedding. It can have lots of frills, and the color can be white, light yellow or pink. This combination gives a very feminine look to the nursery.

Parents can also choose the princess theme for the baby girl crib bedding. There can be bedding in pink with satin ribbons, bows, floral embroidery and silk taffeta. It is easy to choose from any of the Disney Princess theme for the bedding set, and complete the look with fairytale castles and cartoon princesses.

Another theme for the baby girl crib bedding can be flowers. There are modern designs with simple floral patterns, or classic floral with ornate designs. Flower theme gives the option of large color palette, and it is easy to find the bedding to match with the décor of the room.

Cartoons, children stories, rhymes and book themes are good for baby girl crib bedding. As a parent, you want to give best to your little princess, but before buying crib bedding, take some time to look around, and then buy the bedding that is of good quality and is available at affordable price. Internet is a good place to start searching, and all the big brands are available on their online stores. There are sometimes special discounts offered on the online stores that you can think to avail.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Choosing Baby Boy Bedding

How exciting! You are going to have a baby boy! Right now you get to pick out tons of cute little baby things, from baby boy clothes to baby boy decorations to baby boy bedding. You will most likely get several baby boy gifts, but you might want to go ahead and purchase some things for yourself that are very important to you. Here are some tips for choosing your baby boy bedding.

There are many different types of baby boy bedding that you could purchase for your son’s nursery or crib. You can get a crib set in a bag that includes a sheet, a sheet ruffle, a bumper, a mobile, and a quilt. Or you can get each piece separately. Or you could also purchase a pattern and material and make the baby boy bedding yourself.

There are also countless different designs for your baby boy bedding. Most of the time the father of the baby will want some say in the bedding. If the father likes football, he will probably want the baby boy bedding to be football related. If he likes fishing or golf, he might want to have some bedding for your baby boy that incorporates those hobbies. Remember, just because you put your son in a baby boy bedding set that has footballs on it, that does not mean that you have to put him into football! Some parents get hung up on trying to choose a baby boy bedding set that does not put any pressures on their son to be anything in particular, but they lose sight of the fact that the child in the crib is but a tiny baby!

If you really feel strongly against the “boy” themed baby boy bedding like football, baseball, sports, or fishing or golf, there are plenty of neutral baby bedding sets out there. You could get a simple blue set, or a blue and brown set. There are zoo animals, jungle themes, Noah’s ark themes, other religious themes, plain colors, or even something like frogs, birds, or any other animal.

Remember, the baby bedding that you choose is not extremely important. In fact, some babies do not even sleep in their crib! Some babies prefer to sleep with their parents. Remember, if you decide to practice co-sleeping with your infant there are safe ways to do it. Make sure that you find a checklist for safe co-sleeping and that you are following these guidelines clearly before you put the infant in the bed.

Monday, May 25, 2009

Homemade Teething Biscuit

When a healthy baby is born into this world they usually have the benefit of their mother’s antibodies for the first several months of their new life. Generally, because of this fact, the baby is fairly immune to several ailments.

However, one of the most uncomfortable growth processes that the baby experiences, anywhere from three months to one year, is the teething process. Therefore, it is important for the family to understand this process and to aid in the infant’s transition through teething.

Subsequently, it is important to know what is teething and the associated uncomfortable symptoms. Additionally, one specific action that can be taken to reduce the discomfort for the infant during the teething process is by making homemade teething biscuits.

Teething is a natural growing process that is experienced by all infants. Specifically, this natural process can start anywhere from three months of age up to a year.

Furthermore, teething is actually the natural movement of the teeth downwards through the gums and into the oral cavity. This process is accomplished so that the infant can eventually move from ingesting liquid to eating solid foods for their nourishment.

When this process is taking place there is some considerable discomfort and pain that is experienced by the baby. In fact, the symptoms of teething can include excessive drooling, discomfort or pain for the child and soreness of the gum. Often, the parent can run their finger gently over the gum areas of the child to actually feel the teeth coming through the child’s gums.

To help alleviate some of this discomfort there is a product that is used. This product is called a teething biscuit and helps to distract the child from the discomfort they are experiencing as well as minimize the discomfort of teething.

Furthermore, there are many teething biscuits that are available on the market. One of the most trusted and well known brand names for this type of product is the Gerber teething biscuit. This reputation has preceded them because of the number of successful years that they have been in the baby product business.

However, some individuals have chosen to make homemade teething biscuits. If opting for the making of homemade teething biscuits it is important to keep several considerations in mind. Some of those considerations include the use of the ingredients that are selected to make the homemade teething biscuits as well as what ingredients to avoid.

Generally, the basic ingredients that are needed to make the homemade teething biscuits include items such as an egg, sugar, some type of flavoring, and flour. It is also important to stay away from certain ingredients that may have the potential of causing an allergic reaction. Some of those ingredients could include milk or gluten. In regards to the actual cooking time and methods of preparation, you can usually find a baby teething biscuit recipe online.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Choosing a Baby Girl Name

Pregnancy is the time of great excitement, and there is long wait for the new arrival. Though, there is no preference regarding sex of the baby for most of the parents, some may feel strongly about particular sex of the newborn.

Some parents are just fine with a simple and common name for their newborn, but many people want a special and unique baby girl name for their little angel. The best place to search for a baby girl name is the Internet, where you can find alphabetical list of girl’s names along with their meanings.

Some of the most commonly used baby girl names are Mary, Patricia, Elizabeth, Barbara, Linda, Jennifer, Kimberly, Margaret, Dorothy, Laura, Helen, Susan, Deborah, Betty, Nancy, Ruth, Lisa, Karen, Jessica, Cathleen, Sarah, Sandra, Anna, Donna, Melissa, Maria, Sharon, Carol and Amanda.

Some of the unique baby girl names are Shadha, Kendyl, Inghinn, Havanna, Hadeel, Agotha, Kerrianne, Kennedi, Aethra, Lallie, Auda, Magdalen, Leanna, Charlique, Lind, Ulu, Alda, Graciana, Devinee, Inghinn, Galatea, Aniya, Bliths, Azzaria, Ollie and Leanna.

On various web-sites or baby names books, the names are classified as per aboriginal, African, African-American, Albanian, American, brazil, Aztec, Australian, Anglo-Saxon, Canadian, Chinese, Celtic, Egyptian, Finnish, English, French, German, Gaelic, Hawaiian, Greek, Hindu, Hebrew, Jewish, Japanese, Italian, Norse, Mexican, Irish Gaelic, Sanskrit, Polish, Turkish, Welsh, Ukrainian, Teutonic, Polish and Scottish names.

Most of these sites offer recommendations and additional information regarding meaning and history of the names. There are also the statistics regarding top ranking name over the past year. If you want a little different name, look for some unique names and you can choose them as per the country of origin. Most of these unique baby girl names usually have a religious meaning, or are symbolic of some tradition of that culture.

Baby girl names can vary in their spellings, it is hence important to make sure that you choose the correct name, with appropriate meaning. Many people like to name their child after someone significant in their life such as uncles, aunts, grandparents and the like, as it reminds them of someone dear. Parents also choose baby names after some historic icons or famous personality, who might have inspired them in some way.

These websites not only help you find the perfect baby girl name, there is a lot of other information available regarding names. You can also choose the perfect baby girl gift from these sites, and personalize it as per your own choice and taste.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Choosing a Baby Boy Name

Congratulations! You are about to be the parent to a beautiful baby boy. You will soon be picking out baby boy clothes, baby boy bedding, and most importantly, a baby boy name. Naming your child is a huge responsibility, and it is important that you do not take it lightly! Here are some tips for finding a baby boy name that you love.

Family names are a great place to find a baby boy name for your little guy. You can look at close relatives, like brothers, fathers, or grandfathers, or you could look a little farther back. You could even pull out a family tree and simply look to see if you find anything you like. Of course, using a family name for your baby boy name is more meaningful if your son knows where it came from. So if you are looking for a meaningful name, make sure that you get the name from a recent family member and not just from looking at the family tree! If you just want ideas and want to find something that has family history to it, looking at the family tree for a baby boy name is just fine!

Today biblical names are on the rise. Baby boy names and baby girl names alike are being taken from the bible. Parents like that the names have a solid meaning and that they are from a historical text. If you are a Christian, the bible is a great place to find a baby boy name. The only important thing to think about is giving your son one of the “good guy” names and not a “bad guy” name! If you are not a Christian, you can also look into your religious texts for meaningful names.

Most people want their baby boy name to be unique. They do not want their son to be the second, third, or fourth of their name in their class. One way to make sure that the name is unique is to look at the popular name list. Every year a popular name list is put out that says what the most popular names for the year were. You can find this list online. You can also look for a site online that tells you the popularity of the baby boy name over the course of a hundred years.

Whatever you do, make sure that you put a lot of time and thought into naming your son. After all, this is the name that he will have for the rest of his life!

Monday, May 18, 2009

The Signs of Baby Teething

The term teething is used to refer to the point in a baby’s life when their first teeth start to poke through. Usually babies begin to cut teeth when they are around six months old, but all kids are different so some may start teething at a younger age, some at an older age. It is usually never a problem no matter how early or late your baby starts teething, but talk to your doctor if you are worried.

It is important that you are aware of the signs of infant teething, not only so that you know what to expect but also so that you can be prepared when it comes time to relieve baby’s pain and help offer them as much comfort as possible.

There are actually quite a few different signs of baby teething that parents should learn more about. This includes irritation, red gums, diaper rash, runny nose, and if the child is refusing to eat food, especially if they are usually more than happy to chow back their meals.

Once you have determined that baby is in fact dealing with signs of baby teething, you are of course going to want to offer them relief. Seeing the signs of baby teething it is easy to see just how much pain baby is in, and so you are going to want to help them out. Of course it is much more difficult to deal with babies than with adults, so be careful with what you are giving them to relieve their pain.

So once you notice the signs of baby teething, you will want to speak to the family doctor. They will be able to give you very helpful advice that they have given to lots of other moms as well, and let you know what you are going to be able to do to relieve your baby’s teething pain and keep them from feeling as much pain as possible.

One of the first things you can try once you have noticed the signs of baby teething is something cold in baby’s mouth. This is going to help with the inflammation and irritation and make sure that baby feels their mouth numb which will take away the pain. You want baby to be as comfortable as possible, so whether you are placing something cold in their mouth or using Anbesol, a baby teething cream that is medicated, soothe and coddle them.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Homeopathic Teething Tablets

If your child is suffering from the symptoms of teething, you may want to find homeopathic teething tablets that work fast and handles the condition effectively. But how do you know where to find teething tablets? Homeopathic teething tablets can be found in a number of different places and the type of teething tablet that is used for your child will depend on how severe the symptoms are and what causes the symptoms to return. It is very important to attempt to determine the severity of the teething symptoms so that you can find a teething tablet that will prevent the symptoms from occurring at all.

One great place to find homeopathic teething tablets is in a local retail store where there will be a limited selection of different teething tablets available. These teething tablets are commonly used when the teething has caused mild or infrequent symptoms. Homeopathic teething tablets purchased from these stores will not be as strong as some of the teething tablets available at other locations and are meant to be used sparingly when the child is suffering from teething symptoms no more than several times a week.

Homeopathic teething tablets can be found in holistic stores and can come in many different strengths. Some people may choose the varieties that can be carried with them at all times while some others choose the larger packages so that they will always have enough close at hand for their child. These different varieties of homeopathic teething tablets can be created by a number of different manufacturers and shipped to holistic stores all over the world. Many people consider homeopathic teething tablets to be the best teething tablets because it does not contain any medications that may harm the child. The homeopathic teething tablets that you choose will depend on which ones you prefer the most. Some people prefer a Humphreys teething tablet while other prefer other brands or off-brand products.

If the person is having a hard time finding a place that carries the teething tablets that they want, then the person may want to consider obtaining their homeopathic teething tablets from a natural foods store. The teething tablets obtained from a natural foods store are generally preferred over anything that can be found in a retail store and are typically considered to be the best quality. Homeopathic teething tablets purchased from a natural foods store will typically be a tablet that can be taken daily to be effective at stopping the teething symptoms.

Friday, May 8, 2009

Is It Teething Or A Cold? Symptoms To Note

When your baby or toddler has a runny nose, diarrhea, and is irritable, what would you think is going on? Is he or she teething? Or are they cold symptoms or something worse like an ear infection? Looking at the symptoms of each can help you know whether a teething tablet is in order or a visit to the pediatrician. Of course, whenever you think your little darling has something more malicious than just classic teething or cold symptoms you should take them in to visit their health care provider who can check them for other causes for their symptoms.

With a child who is out of sorts and irritable, it can be hard to tell if it is due to their very sore gums or other aches and pains of illness. The pain of teething is generally worst for the first teeth and the molars (which are bigger with flatter tops).

Why would a teething toddler cough? Isn't cold more likely? Maybe. Actually, a teething toddler drools a lot – which often leads to a rash on the chin, cheeks, and even neck from the constant wetness. The extra saliva can also cause your toddler or baby to gag or cough. Usually it is really nothing to worry about on its own. If there are other symptoms, take them into consideration.

The pain that the teething toddler has in the gums when the molars are coming in can radiate up to the ears and cheeks, causing the baby to rub their cheeks or grab at their ears. But since this is also a common sign of an ear infection, this one might be smart to have your baby's doctor look into if it continues.

Diarrhea can be a symptom of teething and colds. Not all doctors and researchers agree, but parents generally say that their baby has looser bowel movements when they are teething. Those who do believe diarrhea ties in with teething say that the extra swallowed saliva can cause the stools to be looser. If this symptom continues, notify your baby's doctor.

Some doctors don't believe teething causes a fever, but parents generally disagree with this, based on their child's experience of teething. What is generally agreed on is that fevers from teething tend to be just low grade fevers that come and go over time. The fever that accompanies an ear infection, however, can be high and escalates over time until the infection gets under control.

Teething can cause symptoms that mimic a common cold. Things like a runny nose and coughing can come from the baby having their fingers in their mouth so much.

With both a cold and teething, the symptom of sleep disruption can be hard on parents as well as the sufferer. It is common for those teething to wake more often at night from the pain.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Buying the Perfect Baby Girl Gift

Shopping for the baby girl gift can be fun, as there are so many choices available, and you can have a great time searching through adorable and lovely baby items. It is however important to keep the age of the baby in mind when buying a baby girl gift.

Gift for a baby girl should have a feminine look and it must be in soft colors. For a newborn, it is easiest to buy a dressy outfit or traditional gown, but many people like to give some gold or silver ornaments.

For infants, people also like to give birth certificate holders, cup and plate set, comb and brush set, frames and so on. For baby girl for the age of almost six months, cloth books, rattles and teething rings are a good choice. You can also gift an interesting mobile for the crib, activity gym or other such age related toys. A baby gift basket is another good idea.

If the baby is able to sit, a good baby girl gift is the activity gym as she will now be able to reach for it. At this age, usually babies like to hold various objects and observe them. Stackable toys and musical toys also make a good gift. If you decide to gift her stuffed animals or dolls, make sure that any part of the toy must not present a choking hazard, as most of the toys at this age end up in the mouth.

Once the baby girl starts moving around, push and pull toys make an ideal choice. These toys include toy bubble poppers, lawnmowers, vacuum cleaners, and other pull toys. For outside play, sand table or sand box make a good baby girl gift. Girls love swings as well, and if there is enough space, it will make the child very happy. If the girl is fond of dolls, adorable playhouse can be kept in the yard. But never forget that books and puzzles are always the ideal baby girl gifts.

You can also give baby girl crib bedding, but make sure that it goes with the décor of the room, and the color is soft. There is a lot of variety offering luxurious fabrics and soft lace trim that can transform the crib into magical place.

You can easily shop for all the gifts over Internet, as it offers extensive range of selection and competitive prices. You can also personalize the gift as per your taste and choice. If you are not sure what to give as baby girl gift, it is best to give the gift certificate to the parents, so that they can buy something of their choice and need.

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Picking a New Baby Name: Choose Wisely

Choosing a new baby name can sometimes be an exhausting process. It requires the agreement of your partner, or various family members, it has to have certain qualities. Sometimes there’s a family tradition that you feel obligated to carry on.

However you should remember that when you are choosing a new baby name it should be one that you really like. Don’t choose something if you don’t feel totally comfortable with it. Don’t go with passing fads either, a name that’s popular today can sound dated in a few years time. You also don’t want to saddle your child with a name that they might be embarrassed to go by.

Choosing a new baby name is an important decision, one you should think about carefully. Have you ever heard that children can be cruel? Be careful that the new baby name you choose doesn’t set your child up for a lifetime of teasing. Celebrities get away with zany names for their babies because of their fame and wealth, but your children will thank you for passing on naming them anything too crazy.

Even if you have not chosen a first name that is out there, be careful of what a child’s initials spell out. Theresa Irene Thompson sounds fine when you say it out loud but when you write her initials it could cause some blushes. So make sure that all the new baby names you pick don’t spell something obscene.

When choosing a new baby name you need to think of the meaning of the name. Whether a name means new baby flowers or a particular characteristic you need to take the meaning into consideration as well when choosing a new baby name. Choosing a name that represents your ethnicity is also a very popular option. Check with your parents or grandparents if you are unsure what names that reflect your ethnic background would be suitable.

If there’s a particular name that you would like for your child but feel it would not be suitable as a first name then use it as a middle name. The middle name of a child is a great place to choose something creative or unusual.

You can also use a relative’s name as the middle name. If you are close to someone in your family and would like to use their name then the middle name is the perfect way to honor that special person in your life.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

A Guide to Newborn Baby Care For Dads

Baby books sometimes leave out the father completely when it comes to newborn baby care. This is a problem for fathers who want to take an active part in caring for their new baby. These tips are for all new parents but they involve a side of newborn baby care that a father can take charge of. For mother’s out there don’t forget to involve the new dad in baby duties, men may not have natural maternal instinct but all new dads want the best for their children.

Medical checkup are an important part of newborn baby care. Baby’s development needs constant checkups so that the doctor can make sure everything is fine with your baby. The first checkup a baby should have is within a week or two weeks of birth. Your baby will be weighed, measured, and the doctor will examine your baby thoroughly.

Part of a newborn’s medical checkup is a hearing test. Ask your doctor about this if you are not sure if one has been performed. It’s an important to determine early if your baby has any hearing difficulties. Don’t be afraid to ask any questions about newborn baby care during the checkups.

Nursing is a time for newborns to bond with mommy but dads can bond with baby during bath time. Bathing is an important part of newborn baby care and this is one area of newborn baby care that father’s can take charge of on a regular basis. This can be a little scary as babies can be very slippery.

Until the baby’s umbilical cord falls out you only need to sponge down baby. Gently sponge baby with a damp washcloth for the next ten to fourteen days. Once you start bathing be sure to use natural baby care. This is an important part of newborn baby care; you don’t want to expose your child to chemicals unnecessarily.

The most important thing to remember when bathing a newborn is that you must never leave a child unattended in a bathtub. Even if the water is very shallow and your baby can sit up the danger of drowning is always present.

Lay out the towel you will use later before bathing your baby. The bath water should only be two or three inches deep. This may not seem like enough but it’s enough water to get baby clean. Don’t undress your baby until right before you are about to start bathing.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Finding Good Baby Care Products to Fit Your Budget

A new baby in the family is a cause for celebration but shopping for baby care products when you have a budget can be a real pain. Everything cute seems far too expensive and there doesn’t seem like any way that you can afford all the things you need to welcome your new baby into the home. The good news is that you can definitely find a way to shop for baby care product when you are on a budget. You just have to be patient and find new ways to shop.

While it may not be ideal buying second hand baby care product is a good way to save. Some items like cribs, strollers, and car seats can sometimes be found for very cheap and in relatively good condition. While garage and yard sales are one place to look another place is eBay. You can find amazing deals on baby care products on eBay.

You can buy anything you can think of for newborn baby care on eBay. Craigslist is also another place you can look for baby care products at a bargain. It will take some patience but you can often find brand new items or items like new for very little. If possible try and meet up with the seller from Craigslist.

Compare prices when you are looking for baby care products that are cheaper. You can do this with an online shopping website that will let you compare the prices that different retailers offer. This will save you money if there happens to be a very good sale at one particular retailer. This is also a great place to look for what other moms have to say about certain products.

While looking for baby care products you want to see what can be investment pieces. If you plan to have more children it might be worth spending a little more on some things so that when you have your next child you can use the same baby care products. Another tip is to buy neutral colored cheap baby clothes. This way you can hand down baby clothes without worrying about the gender of your next child.

Checking out reviews on baby care products will also save you from buying a product that doesn’t work well. Plan your purchases before your baby is born so that you don’t have to worry about it with a newborn in the house. Ask friends with children where they found affordable baby care products to help you out.

Monday, March 30, 2009

Is Organic Baby Food Good For Your Little One?

The use of pesticides on crops and growth hormones and antibiotics in livestock has been proven to compromise babies' health which is the reason why organic baby food sales have skyrocketed. Babies' bodies do not have developed immune systems and their brain development is very susceptible to outside influences such as diet. When toxic materials such as pesticide residue on fruits and vegetables or the presence of growth hormones in milk are introduced, all developing systems of babies are compromised.

The late 1990's brought a growth to the organic industry as well as new federal regulations about the use of pesticides and even the banning of others. This is cold comfort to parents who have already raised their babies on regular jarred or prepared baby foods. Many companies have complied with federal standards but admit there are still low levels of metals and pesticides in their baby foods. There is no foolproof way to eradicate the presence of these toxins unless you go totally organic with organic baby food.

Babies totally raised on organic baby food will realize a healthier immune system and their brain development including hormones and the central nervous system will greatly benefit as well. The exposure to toxins in food can cause allergies, mental impairment, behavior issues and more. In fact, expectant moms are strongly encouraged to adopt an organic eating plan as these toxins consumed in their own diets could cross the umbilical cord to the fetus.

While organic baby food can be found in many retail grocery store chains, you will always find a better selection in your local health food or whole foods markets. Be sure to comparison shop in several of your local markets as prices can vary widely with organic products. Sign up for email grocery store alerts so you know when your favorite products are on sale. Organic baby food will be a little more expensive but the health of your baby is well worth the price.

Of course, you have other options in regards to organic baby food – you can make your own! A number of organic baby food recipes can be found with simple searches on the internet or even in cookbooks. Adapt any baby food recipe by using all organic products instead of traditional ones that might contain the toxins like antibiotics, pesticides or even food additives. For the most part, organic baby food is made by grinding up organic fruits, vegetables and other foods in a blender until it is a consistency babies can tolerate and digest – a puree for babies just starting solid foods and slightly lumpy or chunky for toddlers who have developing teeth.

Friday, March 27, 2009

What Are the Signs That My Baby is Teething?

One of the biggest things to deal with during your child's first three years are the signs and symptoms of teething. Getting in those pearly whites can be no big deal for some children, but for others – look out!

Some experts don't think that those signs and symptoms of teething are actually caused by teething, and that they just happen to occur at the same time as the teeth erupt. But most parents agree that those incoming teeth do cause their child some aches and pains, and when they see signs and symptoms of teething, they want to help their child through it as best as possible.

Regardless of whether the signs and symptoms of baby teething are truly from teething or just happen to occur at the same time, these signs and symptoms (whether of teething or not) should be paid attention to. If the symptoms are a concern to you, or the fever is higher than 101 degrees, it is wise to take your babe to his doctor. The child could have an ear infection – which is common among those children who are not breastfed.

There are several “typical” things that teething children experience. Your child will likely have one or more of the following signs and symptoms while teething, for toddlers and babies.

Irritability is a common sign of teething. Because those poor sore gums hurt a lot, the baby or toddler can get very grumpy. Children tend to get fussy for other reasons, of course, but this sign along with others is something to expect when your child is teething.

The gums swell and become very sensitive when teething. Some babies and children like to chew on things to alleviate the pain – even an adult's finger will do nicely! If the child likes to chew, it can help to offer them a chew toy or something cold – like a frozen wet washcloth or frozen peas – to chew on.

The swelling of the gums is usually accompanied by excessive drooling. Parents will often need to wipe the baby's face several times a day in an effort to avoid the facial rash that comes when the face is so wet.

Biting is common for children who have sore gums. It can feel good to them to use those new teeth, and gnawing is one way to use them. Once again, giving the child appropriate things to bite is the best way to deal with biting behavior. One place where the baby or child cannot be allowed to bite is their mother's nipple. Children who are still breastfeeding can be taught “no bite” - there is no need to wean the child at a time when they need as much comforting and love as possible. The first time the child bites, the mother should slip her finger in the corner of the baby's mouth the break the suction, then take the baby off her nipple with a firm “no bite.” Then offer the baby something else that he can chew on, like a toy. The baby will understand soon – in fact, this is one of the earliest lessons in discipline.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

New Baby Basics

A new baby is one of the most precious additions to the family. There are so many things that new parents need to remember regarding caring for a newborn. Safety is probably the foremost of these things as well as giving the new baby as much love as they possibly can. Many of the things that a parent needs for the baby are usually given as a new baby gift during baby showers, christenings and welcome home parties.

There are a great many things that should be remembered when caring for a newborn. Among these things is to practice patience with the baby. Babies have no other way to communicate except to cry, which is why for every little thing it wants, the baby usually cries. A new baby usually drinks milk every two to three hours every day. Since there is no set time and this time is an estimate, you can expect your baby to be variable when it comes to eating time.

Feeding the new baby with breast milk or formula is one of the many things that new parents should think about. Breast milk is basically made up of all the nutrients and protection that baby needs for the first few months of life. Breast milk gives colustrum, which boosts the baby's immune system and helps to protect from sickness. On the other hand, if the mother does not have the capacity to produce enough breast milk, the parents might need to supplement with formula or use formula fully to feed the new baby.

Holding the new baby is one thing that needs to be learned. Since the baby is not able to support his or her body as of yet, it is advisable to support the neck and back with an arm when carrying the new baby. Avoid letting the baby's head hang limply and make sure that as the baby is being carried the arms or legs are not pinched or trapped.

The clothes that a new baby is to wear should not be too warm or too cool. Avoid using buttons that might come off as well as safety pins that might poke baby. Cotton is the best clothing to use for a new baby since this is one of the least allergenic materials. Snaps are preferable to buttons and ties. Mittens are not preferable since these can hide the state of the new baby's fingers and hand. There have been some cases of a piece of string tangling in the baby's hand and cutting off circulation.

Saturday, March 21, 2009

What Baby Clothes Are Best for Gifts?

Is a friend or loved one expecting? Baby clothes are always a helpful gift for anyone who is expecting a baby. There are so many types of clothes to choose from but the key to finding a gift that the receiver will really appreciate it is to individualize it and think of practicality and usability.

Whether you are buying baby boy clothes or girl clothes, think about what the mother will appreciate most. The baby won’t know the difference between wearing designer clothes or a potato sack so put yourself in the mother’s shoes and think about what kind of baby clothes you would find useful in her position.
Babies grow very fast so you want to make sure you keep that in mind when you buy baby clothes. If everyone gives a mother newborn size clothing, her baby will grow out of them even before she gets to use them all. Instead, buy stuff that is appropriate for an older baby so the mother has stuff to change her baby into for months to come.

You might think shoes are a cute accessory but before buying a newborn baby shoes, consider the fact that they will have no use for them whatsoever. Babies won’t need shoes until they start using their walker around 6 months of age. Instead, think of purchasing warm slippers, socks, or leg warmers.

Also remember that babies like comfortable clothes too and aren’t dress up dolls. Consider baby clothes like onesies, footsie pajamas, and undershirts. These are items that get a lot of use and won’t just be hanging in the baby’s closet.

There is nothing sweeter than receiving a gift that has been embroidered with your baby’s name or that has a logo with a special meaning. For example, if your baby is having twins, look for a cute twin gift such as matching onesies with a catchy twin-theme. Or get the baby an outfit with his or her name embroidered in it. Make sure you ask the parent how the baby’s name is spelled however so you don’t misspell it when getting a gift personalized!

Make no mistake about it. Baby clothes may be a very common gift but they are very practical as well. Don’t get carried away though when you are shopping around for clothes for a new baby. Instead, put yourself in the mother’s shoes and think of what you would find most useful. Especially in these rough financial times, any new mother will appreciate a useful baby gifts instead of fancy dress up clothes that her baby will only wear once.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Your New Baby Girl

When people ask any pregnant lady if she wants a baby girl or baby boy, the first thing that comes to her mind is that she wants a healthy baby. But, all of us have preferences, whether we admit it or not. Mother of four girls may say that her desire is to have a baby boy. But does this desire of having a baby girl affect her relationship with her boys? The answer will be no for most of the mothers, as she will simply grieve over the dream of gender of the child she had hoped for, and move on.

But sometimes, parents actually feel more than just a passing depression over the sex of the baby. The desire to have a baby of particular sex is so strong that it affects them emotionally and physically for a long time. In such cases, it is advisable to go for counseling to explore the feelings. The feeling will come out in open and become easier to understand.

Many parents want to find out the sex of the baby while it is in the womb, and is mainly based on the claims of parental bonding. Parents want to be better prepared in terms of decorating the room, selecting a name and so on. Knowing the sex of the baby ahead of time also allows them to pass the grieving process during pregnancy instead of immediately during the postpartum period.

The sex of the baby can be determined by doing an ultrasound. There are many other ways to predict if woman is carrying a baby girl or boy. These guesses are based on way of carrying, shape of the bump, timing of the intercourse that resulted in conception, sexual position that resulted in conception, type of cravings, nausea, baby’s fetal heartbeat, change in mother’s looks and underwear preferences of the father-to-be.

Sharing the news of arrival of a baby girl is an exciting and important for parents. And the birth announcement can be made with the help of personalized cards. Selecting name for you baby girl can be quite a daunting task as well. Some people are just fine with a common name, but most of the parents want to have a unique name for their daughters.

To choose just a perfect baby girl name, there are numerous websites that have a comprehensive list of all the names arranged alphabetically, along with their meanings. Many people choose the name of the baby girl as per the numerology.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

The Basics of a Baby Boy

Congratulations! You are having a little bundle of joy! Being a new parent can be exciting and terrifying at the same time. If you are expecting a baby boy, hopefully the following tips and tricks will help you to care for your newborn baby boy.

Naming Your Son

If you have not yet decided on a name for your baby boy, it is, of course, not too late. There are several things you should think of when naming your little guy. First, remember that it is easier to be a little out there with a girl’s name than with a boy’s name. A baby boy name needs to be strong and masculine. You should make sure that the name will flow well with your last name and that there is no taunt that stands out in your mind for that name (like “fatsy patsy”). Once you find a masculine name that you like, you should be all set!

Diapering Your Son

Diapering a baby boy can be a lot more difficult than diapering a baby girl. When diapering your son, know that you will probably, in the beginning, wind up with pee all over the back of your son, the stomach of your son, and the legs of your baby boy. The key to getting the diaper on correctly and properly is to have the penis pointing down. If it is pointing up, then the pee will go straight up and out of the diaper, rendering the diaper pointless.

Caring For Your Son’s Circumcision

If you chose to have your baby boy circumcised, there are several things that you should know for taking care of it. First, make sure that you do not take the bandage off. The doctor will remove it or it will fall off on its own. Second, make sure that you keep plenty of Vaseline on the wound, especially after the bandage falls off. This is important so that the wound does not stick to the diaper. If it does stick to the diaper, you can run warm water over it until the diaper comes off easily. Make sure that you follow any of your doctor’s instructions for caring for the circumcision as well.

Having a baby boy is very special responsibility. Baby boys are exciting and fun and your life will never be the same! You are very blessed to have such a bundle of joy! Remember, if you have any questions at all contact your son’s pediatrician.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Caring For Your Baby's Sensitive Skin

Baby skin care is a necessary thing since our skin is the foremost line of defense for our bodies. Babies often have their own kind of skin pretty much like adults but there are times when the babies have not managed to build protection or immunity from an alien element and may be sensitive to this when it comes in contact with his or her skin. Baby skin care is also important since damage to the skin at such a young age may affect the individual in the future. All aspects of baby health care are important to have a happy healthy baby.

Babies with sensitive skin should have the right kind of baby skin care. The sensitivity of the skin can cause problems for the baby even in his or her initial years. The right kind of baby skin care for sensitive skin is to avoid too much exposure to harsh elements or chemicals. Usually, it is the harshness of chemicals and additives in bath soaps, laundry soaps, shampoos and lotions that can trigger a reaction in baby's skin.

Baby skin care for sensitive skin requires reading the list of ingredients in the label of the item before purchasing to see if there are ingredients that the baby is sensitive to. Parents can also ask their pediatrician regarding what chemicals or ingredients their child may be sensitive to. Baby skin care requires that the baby take a bath at least once a day to promote cleanliness.

If the baby is still quite small, it may be best to place her or him on a secure bath seat and then proceed to bathe the baby. Most baby skin care soaps can be used for both soap and shampoo. It is always best to start with a baby soap that is for sensitive skin in order to circumvent any reactions that baby's skin might have with the stronger kid's soaps and shampoos. Avoid unnecessary cleaning of baby with soaps since even sensitive skin soaps can dry out the skin with much too frequent use.

Other baby skin care tips for sensitive skin are to protect baby's skin from the harsh sun and to cover up. Babies with sensitive skin may react to the sun in some ways. The sun is an aging factor as well as does some serious damage to the skin. Constant exposure will eventually show as the baby grows older.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

How to Care For Your Premature Baby

Preemies are infants born too early from their due date. The due date is usually flexible for most pregnancies. In fact, doctors give a few days more or less for the due date. So the due date is just an estimate for many deliveries unless it is a cesarean section which needs to be scheduled. Premature babies are usually delivered a couple of months before their estimated due date. In this day and age, there is little risk of the baby dying due to premature birth unless there are underlying conditions surrounding the birth.

Baby care for premature infants is basically similar to those infants or babies born around their due date. There will be some adjustments regarding the capacity of the premature infant when it comes to eating as well as baby care regarding special needs.

Depending on how premature a baby is, the need for baby care may vary. Some premature babies that are normal can actually go home after spending just several days under observation in the hospital. New mothers are usually taught the right baby care for premature babies of its age. Baby skin care for a premature baby may be different since there are some preemies that have not developed so well yet with regards to skin. This does not happen often, though, and babies born seven to eight months can be under similar baby care instructions as those babies born full term.

Baby care usually concentrates on feeding the baby and meeting his or her most basic needs. There are some premature baby formulas if the mother is not yet capable of breast milk. Some premature babies may not have fully developed digestive systems which means they can not enjoy even breast milk as of yet. Even the size of the nipples for the baby bottles for preemies is different. Special instructions regarding baby care when it comes to feeding may be more on this aspect.

Bathing the premature baby may be difficult or dangerous for the first several weeks of his or her delivery. Baby care regarding bathing premature babies state that a sponge bath may just be what the baby's body can accept. A very soft and light sponge or washcloth is needed for giving baby a sponge bath. Baby care with regards to soap requires the gentlest soap possible or even just plain water.

Baby care for premature babies may be difficult to assimilate initially but as the child grows and adapts, the problem is gone.