BABY MAGAZINE

Why Should You Cloth Diaper Your Baby?

2008-04-17T14:07:00.000-07:00

Why Should You Cloth Diaper Your Baby?

By Autumn Beck

Why go the extra step when diapering your baby? Don’t parents have enough things to worry about?

Those are two excellent questions. But what if I changed them up a bit and asked them this way:

Would you take an extra step if it were healthier for your baby, the environment and your pocketbook? What if you never had to worry about running out of diapers and needing to make a middle of the night diaper run?

When first introduced to the idea of cloth diapering, I didn’t rush right out and buy pins and prefolds. It took months before it wasn’t about me and the “extra work” I imagined. I began to see the benefits cloth diapering had to offer my child. The proverbial “straw” was seeing those icky gel crystals from disposables on my son’s private parts. After that I jumped right into cloth diapering and never looked back.

Further research into those gel crystals revealed that they had a name! Sodium Polyacrylate. Scientific journals reveal that those crystals could cause minor skin irritations and oozing blood from perineum and scrotal tissues (do a Google search and you will even learn that this chemical is also found in Sephora’s Lift Fusion face lift product!!!). That is not something you want touching or possible entering your child’s body. It’s hard enough dealing with a little diaper rash!

If the health argument isn’t a strong enough reason to make you run away from disposables maybe their impact on the environment will be.

Have you ever driven by what looked like a mountain only to discover that it is in fact a landfill?

I used to live close to a landfill just outside of Dallas. The landfill was as part of the skyline as skyscrapers are to Downtown Dallas. Next to this dump are some of the nicest shopping malls and brand name stores. When you left the shopping Mall area towards the highway you would see what appears to be a massive, barren mound that looks as if an atomic bomb was dropped on it. Contained in that monstrosity of a hole are BILLIONS of disposable diapers. Scientists aren’t even sure if disposable diapers will ever fully breakdown while sitting in the landfill.

Besides the fact that this space to store our waste is encroaching upon our living quarters, there are real human feces floating around by the tons! Even the EPA has something to say about this: “a significant portion of the disposable diaper waste dumped in American's landfills every year is actually biodegradable human waste preserved forever.” In order for anything to decompose air and water must be present. However, when landfills are constructed they are designed in such a way as to limit these 2 key components.

Therefore, even if you bought “green” disposables they would still sit unchanged for hundreds of years. On top of that, in 1998, the World Health Organization made it illegal to toss human waste into the trash. This law isn’t something you will read on the back of that brand name diaper package. When I was using disposable diapers, I certainly didn’t empty out the solids. Why take an extra step?

And of course, finally but certainly not least, is the financial impact diapers have on a family. You have heard it a million times, “Diapers are expensive!” And they’re talking about disposable ones. You never hear a family that is actually “cloth diapers are expensive”. When comparing the numbers, it’s very clear which method is less expensive. Even a coupon-clipping, grocery-gaming mom who can get disposable diapers for free wouldn’t come out the winner (or at least not their child).

A quick search on the internet for great diaper deals yields this “bargain”: Huggies 40ct size 3 diapers 4-pack for $61.92. If you change your baby’s diaper every 2 hours (as recommended) that pack will last 3 days and 8 hours. A year of these diapers would cost $6780.24 at this price. That is only for one year! Let’s say we cut that in half for store brand and you still have $3390.12. You would have one rockin’ cloth diaper stash if you spent that much money in one year. Buying conservatively and choosing to be frugal guarantees that cloth diapering will save you money (even when you factor in a little extra for washing).

You will love knowing that if all your diapers are dirty or if you are stranded (as were the survivors of Katrina), you can confidently and creatively diaper your child. You will no longer be dependant upon the diaper industry and a paycheck for diapers.

Cloth diapering is an amazing opportunity to lessen your footprint on this Earth. It is a wonderful feeling knowing that choosing to cloth diaper is the best choice biologically, environmentally, and financially.

About the Author: Autumn Beck invites those looking for the latest information on buying, using, washing and making cloth diapers to visit her blog "All About Cloth Diapers" Click Here for The Latest Cloth Diapering Strategies

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Healthy Water For Your New Baby

2008-04-17T14:05:00.000-07:00

Healthy Water For Your New Baby

By C. Reid Thornley B.Sc.

Perhaps you’ve just learned that you’re pregnant, or maybe the little bundle has already arrived and your thoughts have turned to home safety. While cribs and car seats traditionally get most of the attention, many parents are now beginning to look at other environmental health risks that may impact their baby. Home water quality is certainly one of the environmental factors that many families are examining, and for good reason.

Recent history shows us that the water we drink – water that we’ve mostly taken for granted – has the potential to negatively impact our health. In 1993 the gastrointestinal parasite Cryptosporidium contaminated the municipal drinking water of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. One hundred deaths were directly attributed to this outbreak. In 2000 a deadly strain of e.coli bacteria entered the Walkerton, Canada municipal water supply. Hundreds of residents of this small Canadian town became ill and seven people ultimately succumbed to the illness.

While these cases are certainly newsworthy and temporarily capture the interest of the general public, it is still shocking the number of home owners who choose not to purify the water that they use for making baby formula and for bathing their little one. Perhaps even scarier still is the number of rural dwelling families who assume that their well water is safe. In the absence of nation-wide studies, several smaller scale studies have shown that twenty to forty percent of wells in any given area are contaminated with e.coli or coliform bacteria at any given time. The presence of e.coli bacteria indicates contamination by animal or human feces.

Diligent rural dwellers that have their water tested are not necessarily safe either. Water quality varies tremendously with rainfall levels, air temperature, and even air pressure. Just because your water tested OK one day, does not ensure that it is safe the next. Consider also the limited testing capabilities of laboratories. Typically it is only e.coli and coliform bacteria that are tested for. In the Milwaukee example above it was a rarely-tested-for parasite called Cryptosporidium that infected thousands ultimately killing dozens. There are several other new waterborne parasites that only a handful of labs in the nation have the ability to test for.

So what is a new parent to do? Depending on whether you’re on city water or getting your water from a well, the answer to this question varies. Since most city water supplies are heavily chlorinated, bacteria and other living organisms aren’t usually a concern. The best water purification options for this group would be a reverse osmosis system (R.O. system for short) or a countertop water distiller. Both of these devices remove virtually all of the chemical contaminants found in city water.

The rural dweller on a well should probably be most concerned about potential bacterial contamination. The easiest and least expensive way to ensure your water supply is free from dangerous living organisms is with an ultraviolet (UV) water purification system. A UV system is a steel chamber that is plumbed on the home’s water main. A UV lamp inside this chamber zaps any bacteria or other dangerous microbes as the pass through. The zapped organisms are rendered harmless by the UV light and eventually die.

So what will this cost? The average RO system or countertop distiller will run about $600. A UV system is about the same. If you’re handy and want to do the install yourself, you can usually save a few hundred dollars buying any of these products from a reputable online reseller.

About the Author: C. Reid Thornley is a B.Sc. Biology and a former research associate for a world class water purification manufacturer. He has been a presenter for the US Water Quality Association and he now owns and operates aQuatell - Water Purification Made Easy!

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=193253&ca=Wellness%2C+Fitness+and+Diet

Planning A Baby Shower

2008-04-17T14:03:00.001-07:00

Planning A Baby Shower

By Nicole Munoz

Traditionally, baby showers were held a few months before the expectant mom’s due date and were thrown by one of her closest friends. Guests were limited to the new mom and grandmothers and a group of female friends and relatives, and the baby shower was typically held at the home of the hostess. Today, the possibilities for planning a baby shower are endless.

Coed baby showers that involve both the mom and dad to be are becoming increasingly popular. If you plan to throw a coed baby shower, be sure to invite plenty of men besides the soon to be father and make the invitations, decorations, and overall theme of the shower suitable for both men and women. A casual, friendly get together with the new parents and plenty of food would probably be more appropriate than a traditional baby shower. You may even consider a coed baby shower barbecue.

Office baby showers are also quite common today. Coworkers of the expectant mom will often throw a small office shower before she takes her leave from work. Office baby showers for the dad are also becoming more popular in coed work environments. Office showers are usually very simple with a cake or light snacks and a brief time of giving gifts, but some office parties are planned away from work as a lunch party at a nearby restaurant or even after office hours in another location.

While office baby showers are excellent opportunities to surprise the mom to be, it is usually best to involve the new parents in choosing the time for the shower, as well as the guests to be invited, rather than plan a surprise shower. Many new parents register their gift preferences with a popular store to help their friends and family select gifts the baby needs, as well as items that match the nursery décor. This information can be included on the shower invitations.

The invitations should reflect the mood and atmosphere of the baby shower, as well as state the date, time, and location of the shower. Send out your invitations 2 to 3 weeks before the date of the shower to allow plenty of time for responses and for your guests to prepare for the event. You may wish to include registry information in the invitation, or you can relate the info when the guests respond if you have requested a reply.

The easiest way to plan a successful baby shower is to base the shower on a theme. The theme of the baby shower could be anything from a traditional pink stork party to a tropical luau get together. Themes can be simple or creative and unique, and can make the choice of refreshments, decorations, and even shower games and activities a much easier decision. Themed invitations for the baby shower make great keepsakes for the parents to be, as well as the guests.

The possibilities for baby shower themes are endless. A great theme for a short baby shower, like those often given at work, is a library building shower. Encourage guests to bring gifts for the new baby’s book and music library, like books and Cds from the Baby Einstein collection, and serve coffee and pastries in a bookstore café fashion. You can find more fun baby shower themes, as well as decoration and game ideas here.

About the Author: For more tips and information about Baby Book Einstein Toddler, check out http: www.thekidstoystore.com.

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Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=173765&ca=Family+Concerns

Pregnant Women Still Can Have Sex During Pregnancy

2008-03-23T02:07:00.000-07:00

Author: Anne-Lie Karlsson

Is sex during pregnancy is safe for you and your baby? Many partners worry having sex during pregnancy, they fear that sexual intercourse could hurt the baby or might cause pain for the pregnant women. The baby is well protected by a fluid in the womb and mothers uterus. No injury will occur during gentle, loving sex and the fetus is unconcern what his/her mother and father doing.

Mothers or pregnant women with normal pregnancy, sex is considered safe during in all stages of the pregnancy. But if your pregnancy is at high risk, you may need to be more cautious and need some advice from your health care provider.

Women who are pregnant want on different position/ style which mean they have a higher sex drive than when they are not pregnant. But many expectant mothers find that their desire for sex fluctuates during certain stages in the pregnancy and lost their interest on having sex. They are worried and feels uncomfortable as their body getting larger.

Women also lose their desire and motivation because they are preoccupied of excitement of becoming a mother but afraid of labor pain during delivery. On the other hand there are reasons why sex might not be as pleasurable: fear of hurting the baby, nausea, fatigue, awkwardness, etc. Instead the couples resume sex during the first year of their baby's life.

Couples find appropriate positions especially during the later stages of the baby development. It is recommended that woman should avoid lying flat back during sex to avoid putting pressure on blood vessels on the fourth month stage of the baby. Most of the common position are lying sideways, spooning or the woman on top as alternative of traditional position lying flat back. Other says that it is more enjoyable during the pregnancy stage especially if when the couples experiment their positions. It develops their relationship and intimacy of the couples.

The hormonal fluctuations of pregnancy also play a part in your reactions to making love, as do the trimesters. Many women are too fatigued and nauseated to be very interested during the first trimester, while the second trimester brings a new sense of delight as her abdomen grows, and again later in the third trimester the desire may wane as well.

Problems associated sex during pregnancy
During the arousal and orgasm, some women experience mild contractions but this contractions is not the same as when you are in labor.

However, sex may be off limits if the pregnant women have a certain complications such as vaginal bleeding, or any problem related to pregnancy. Low lying placenta can cause some bleeding occur that sometimes women bleed a lot and compromise the baby.

Pregnant women with chlamydia or gonorrhea must undergo a series of test and sexual intercourse are not allowed to avoid the risk for the baby. Woman infected with herpes has the chances of passing virus onto her baby during the time of birth. Thus, it is recommended to have one sex partner to avoid any complications.

Alternative to sex if it is not allowed
But on pregnant women that have a lot of complications and advice to avoid sex they oftentimes spent their time on talking, massages, kissing, cuddling and holding each other.

Staying Happy With A New Baby

2008-03-14T14:30:00.001-07:00

just this nice video
Baby scare of her own shadow

Staying Happy With A New Baby

By Jane Cashin

You've just come home from the hospital, you're getting lots of calls and people want to come and see your new bub. You feel huge, tired and sore and the house is a mess. You want to be on top of it all but can't even think beyond the next feed. So how do you keep everyone happy and still enjoy your baby? There is a way.

The most important thing to realise about new motherhood is that you and the baby come first. Pretty easy huh? Well actually it takes determination. Nobody else went through the actual delivery, so they don't know how you feel. Nobody else is trying to maintain a partner and a new baby. There's a lot of adjusting going on internally and externally for you. You're likely to be having a lot of discussions; some might say arguments, about how to look after this new bub. There's an amazing pull that you get whenever your baby cries and they do tend to cry often when newborn. You're still learning to pick up your baby, change a nappy, feed. The whole thing is exhausting.

So how do you get through it? Well, my experience was that the first 6 weeks were some of the best in my life. I concentrated on the essentials and spent a lot of time looking at my baby, sleeping with him, watching him. I'm not a particularly maternal person, but I laughed more times a day in those first few weeks than I ever had in my life before. Babies are joy incarnate. Everything they do is 100% and if you can relax and enjoy them, you'll find the experience incredibly rewarding. My essentials were:

Forget the clock

There is so much pressure on women today to look great, to keep a nice house and to be polite when people want to see you. Recognising that your body and your mind are in dream land is essential to coping with your newborn. Night and day merge in feeding and changing and wondering about this amazing new addition to your life. Just as in pregnancy, you'll lose track of what you are doing. You can spend hours just feeding your baby and watching them sleep on you. Your mind and body are telling you what you need to do. Rest, drift and do only what must be done.

Don't worry about entertaining

Your family and friends are all keen to see you, to reassure themselves that you are fine and to hold and treasure your newborn. The temptation is to be nice, have people over and make tea. Meanwhile you can't sit down comfortably and you're worried about the next feed or nappy change not going smoothly. Maybe you realise that you're going to have problems at the time you arranged. Well, cancel. Go to sleep, relax and wait for a better day. This is your time and your friends and family will see you all soon enough.

Don't do house work

Choose a room to entertain in and just keep that tidy. If you really want to have a clean house, then factor in a cleaner every couple of weeks, or clue up your partner on what needs to be done. Physically you will be told not to do any exercise for the first 6 weeks at least (longer for a caesarean), so plan around that.There is no point in prolonging your recovery by doing too much too soon, and you and your baby will both suffer if you exhaust yourself.

Get help

If you are lucky you'll have help around the house and you might get to shower and do a little walking or shopping. Most likely your partner will take time off, but any help that is offered, take it. If someone comes over, they can bring dinner or afternoon tea. If you get offered a nappy service, a massage or other indulgence, take it. If there isn't a lot of help, make sure you keep in touch with others over the phone to keep a sense of perspective, and if you need help, ask for it.

Hand over the baby

The hardest thing as a new mother is to let someone else look after your baby. You might find as I did that you are a lion when it comes to protecting your child and so you should be. You are their whole world. However, you need back up. Let your partner take the baby between feeds, for burping and changing while you rest, eat or have a shower. Build up his confidence by asking for his help frequently and encourage him. You will learn together and you will be able to take time out confident that your partner is there for your baby.

Take time for yourself

In the days, weeks and years to come you will need time for yourself. A walk in the park, a trip to the shops and time with your friends, all of these are things that will keep you happy, refreshed and energised for your children and your partner. This is the most important advice of all; step back regularly and take time for yourself.

About the Author: Jane Cashin is a mother of two busy boys, but still finds time to write for happybub.com, a site where parents and parents-to-be can share and gain experience about positive, natural and happy pregnancy, childbirth and baby practices.

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=159243&ca=Parenting

What Makes A Baby Boomer?

2008-03-14T14:27:00.001-07:00

What Makes A Baby Boomer?

By BoomJ

By now you probably know that the Baby boomer generation includes all those people who were born between the years of 1946 through 1964. And you probably know that the Baby boomer generation is quite large, encompassing some 78 million individuals. But what you might not fully understand is how the Baby boomer generation got its name.

The term “baby boom” corresponds to what was happening back during the early days of the Baby boomer generation. Among other things, the end of World War II in 1945 brought with it the return to their homeland of hundreds of thousands of young men and women. In the United States, it was a time of world domination and economic prosperity. It was also a time of soaring marriage rates and urban sprawl and young couples weren’t wasting any time starting families.

Population explosion!

If you were young, healthy and female during 1945 and 1946 there was a good chance you were pregnant too. It was during 1946 that the birth rate exploded to levels never before reached. In the years that followed, birth rates continued to soar. It was this explosion of new births that would later become known as the “baby boom” which is what gave rise to the term that is so prevalent in our society today.

Although the timeline of births extends beyond what normally would be classified as a generation, those born between the Baby boomer generation years of 1946 – 1964 without a doubt have much in common. They were brought up in the years after the Depression and the victory in WWII brought about a time of optimism.

The Baby boomer generation was the first generation to grow up with television, and advertising, and a newfound sense of equitability. To those born during the baby boom, it seemed almost a goal to break all of the rules that had restricted their parents and their grandparents. And break those rules they did.

Growing up during the Baby boomer years meant growing up with rock ‘n roll and massive marketing. It was a time to question authority and experiment with drugs and sex. The early Baby boomer years were as unique back then as they are right now.

A generation of fulfillment

No other generation in history has so forcefully refused to grow old. And as the first of the Baby boomer generation nears retirement age, they have much to look forward to.

Rather than being something to fear, today’s Baby boomer lifestyle is one to be embraced. Baby boomers are living longer and they are working as hard as they play. They’re traveling, dating, expanding their knowledge, and staying active. They are committed to doing whatever it takes to maximize every single moment of life that they have left.

More than the years of their birth, their drive, their determination and their absolute love of life are what makes a Baby boomer. If you were lucky enough to be born during the baby boom, go ahead and wear the Baby boomer label with pride!

About the Author: Baby Boomer Generation

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Baby Bath Time

2008-03-14T14:25:00.000-07:00

Baby Bath Time

By Daniel Rozengurtel

Baby’s day out is fun from A to Z, regardless of what the baby does. All the time the child may be enjoying himself and his activities will also be a treat for parents to observe.

Why let this fun end when bathing the child? With some application of mind, you could make baby bathing an interesting activity for the child, and hence for yourself as well. All you need on hand are a few baby-bathing products, bath toys, and robes that are not only baby skin friendly, but also handy bathroom accessories any mom would love to stock her bathroom with.

Baby Bath Products and Accessories

Baby bathing products or accessories are numerous, but there is one item that is most essential – the baby bath towel or baby bath robe. A baby bath towel or robe must be soft on the child’s skin. If the child shows some discomfort while you use it on him, assume your child has not taken a kind view towards the new accessory and it is paining or irritating his skin. Also, the bath robes or towels must be sufficiently large so that it can easily and fully wrap around the baby. If the bathrobe has interesting pictures of animals and birds, it may help your child to remain inside the robe for at least some time. Usually the soft cotton hooded towel sets cater to children right from their newborn days to 12-24 months, depending on the child’s size. Such towel sets also make great baby gift items. It is quite possible to find all of these items on the net from sites such as SpiffyBaby.com where imagination is your boundary.

Baby Skin Care

The same theory of baby skin friendly concept applies to baby soaps, lotions, oils, and toys. While purchasing baby soaps and baby lotions ensure that they are sensitive enough for baby’s skin and do not contain any potential skin irritants. In that sense, if you see artificial or synthetic ingredients in baby skin products, you may want to avoid them. These products can cause terrible skin irritations.

The major task of baby’s bath time, however, remains to be baby’s entertainment in the bath tub. The baby most likely won’t like anyone to disturb his playful mood by pouring water over him in the confines of a bath tub. This is where bath toys play a crucial role, in ensuring that the playful atmosphere indeed carries over to the baby bathroom, giving the little ones full company all throughout the bathing ritual. Bath duckies, rubber animals and shapes, baby bath seats, bubble bath buddies (for kids of certain age), even the bath water thermometer, are some good bath time toys that could give your child good company in the bathroom. These items usually make decent baby shower presents, as well as being relatively low-cost items.

Above all, the most important thing for a child during bath time is the interaction with his caregivers, and the presence of an adult for safety at all times.

About the Author: http://www.SpiffyBaby.com/ is a luxurious online children's store specializing in upscale baby gifts and stylish toys, European designer children clothing and shower presents. Offering beautiful selection of elegant baby jewelry, baby nursery bedding and natural skin care products.

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=130692&ca=Parenting

How Safe Is 4d Baby Scan?

2008-03-14T14:24:00.000-07:00

How Safe Is 4d Baby Scan?

By Joe Kabyemela

4D baby ultrasound scan is safe. That is the long and short of it. Whilst that is actually true, nobody is going to take any such gospel-type pronouncements seriously. And rightly so. That is why I will try to explain this statement in this short piece.

When?

Medical ultrasound has been with us for well over 60 years; that is since the 1940s when first used by Karl Dussick in Austria. It has been a mainstream investigative and diagnostic tool in pregnancy care since the 1970s and it is often described as an extension of an obstetrician’s hand. That is how dependent we have become on this technology.

Mainstream 3D and 4D ultrasound scan is largely a 21st century development. Whilst the technology has been around since at least the early 1990s, it has been almost exclusively a research tool, the computing power and huge cost being the main limiting factors. Computing power has increased exponentially, something that has allowed the cost to drop to realistic levels for the technology to come into the sphere of the ordinary consumer.

In the last 5 to 6 years, the use of 3D and 4D ultrasound scan in pregnancy has taken off at an astonishing rate all across the globe.

What is it?

First things first. It is important to make it clear from the outset that 3D and 4D ultrasound is exactly the same technology as the conventional 2D ultrasound that everybody is familiar with.

Ultrasound is basically very high frequency sound waves. These sound waves are at a frequency well beyond the perception of the human ear and therefore no sound is actually audible.

Conventional ultrasound gives an image in two dimensions. 3D ultrasound, as the name suggests, gives a three-dimensional image. However, as is the convention, 3D describes a static image. With this technological development, you can see the baby in 3D and see the motion as well. It is the motion that is described as the fourth dimension hence the term 4D. In other words, you can see your baby in three dimensions and see all the action taking place in the womb. Some examples here:

http://www.4d-ultrasoundscan.co.uk/flash/4D/gallery.htm

What is new?

A scanning machine is basically a computer. At its core is a processor that is supposed to interpret the reflected high frequency sound waves into a picture. It had hitherto not been possible to get a picture in 3D as well as real-time movements. This was simply beyond the computing power of a standard hospital scanner. However, with the massive increase of the computing power, this is now possible and affordable.

Uses:

4D scan baby images are simply amazing, there is no argument. It is difficult to describe the emotional impact of this visual interaction with the unborn baby. There are quite a lot of scientific studies on the bonding effect of this type of scan and evidence is strong. Some of those scientific papers have been summarized (for the general public) at this link: www.4d-ultrasoundscan.co.uk/articles.htm#4DWhatTheMedicalLiteratureSays.

On the strictly medical front, 4D baby scanning has so far not proved to be significantly superior to conventional 2D scans in the diagnostic arena. This is why you are unlikely to see 4D scans replacing 2D scans any time soon. There is simply no compelling case for them yet in that area.

Safety

That brings us neatly to where we started. Is it safe? A 4D scan is as safe as the conventional 2D scan. Ultrasound scans, unlike X-rays or CT scan, do not employ any form of radiation.

The only theoretical risk is that of raised temperature. It is a well known scientific fact that the sound waves do cause a rise of temperature in the tissues where they pass through. The rise in temperature is dependent on acoustic power and scan duration. All modern scanners display what is known as a Thermal Index (TI). The index tells the operator about any change in tissue temperature. It is displayed continuously on the screen and therefore the operator stays within the accepted safe Thermal Index range.

There is solid evidence that elevation of temperature by 1.5°C above normal (37°C) is perfectly safe. In practice, this is rarely reached. It is also true that, in theory, the tissue temperature needs to rise to about 41°C to have the potential of causing harm. It is virtually impossible to reach this temperature in regular pregnancy ultrasound scanning.

In summary, apart from this visual evidence, it is known that the acoustic outputs produced by regular B-mode ultrasound are NOT high enough to produce harmful effects. The same is true of 3D/4D ultrasound.

A mother going for a 3D/4D ultrasound baby scan can look forward to a breathtaking experience at ease in the secure knowledge that she is not causing harm to her baby.

About the Author: Dr Joe Kabyemela, MD, MRCOG
Obstetrician & Gynaecologist: Aintree Centre for Women’s Health; University Hospital Aintree and Liverpool Women’s Hospital.
http://www.pregnancy-bliss.co.uk

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Keeping Your Baby Safe

2008-03-14T14:22:00.000-07:00

Keeping Your Baby Safe

By Mary Johnson

Nobody wants to see a newborn baby get injured. Regardless of how careful and watchful you are, there is always room to take extra precautions to help keep your baby from getting hurt.

Below are 10 helpful tips to keep your baby safe:

1. Don’t leave your baby alone with any pet, regardless of how small or harmless the animal may be.

2. Always keep an eye on your baby when you are shopping, out and about, going for a walk, or even at the playground. Kidnappers see strollers as a target from which to snatch your baby.

3. Never shake your baby. Don’t even playfully throw the baby up in the air.

4. If you are giving your baby a bath in a large tub, be sure to put a towel or rubber mat at the bottom of the to keep them from slipping.

5. Avoid any toys, clothes, or household objects that have strings on them, and keeping phone cords out of reach. Babies have a tendency to get them wrapped around their neck and accidentally choke.

6. Always put your baby in a car seat when driving. It is extremely easy for your baby to get injured if you get into an accident, so be sure to pay attention to the road. Avoid talking on a cell phone, eating, or any other activity that could distract from your driving.

7. Keep your baby away from open if you aren’t around to watch. In fact, it’s wise to keep your baby from all open windows - ever.

8. Never leave your baby alone in a room with a child under the age of six. Children in this age range tend to play roughly with babies – almost as if they were dolls.

9. If a baby sitter watches over your baby, be sure that they have been trained in infant safety and CPR, are at least 16 years or older, and have solid references.

10. If you are changing your baby’s diaper on a changing table, it is essential to never turn your back -- even for a split second. In a heartbeat babies can roll over and fall off the table.

Nothing matters more than your child’s safety. Don’t take it for granted. Always be vigilant in looking after your baby’s safety.

About the Author: Mary Johnson contributes to several web sites, on family issues and home topics.

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Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=83625&ca=Family+Concerns

Baby-shower Games

2008-03-14T14:20:00.001-07:00

Baby-shower Games

By Barbara Williams

Spice up your baby shower with some fun baby-themed games! A few games can make the celebration you throw for your baby fun and exciting. Games add a little zip to any gathering, and they help the attendees to get acquainted and feel at ease with each other. Here are a few examples of games you can play:

THE NAME GAME

Have your guests pick out two names for the baby. Ask them each to write the names they picked on a piece of paper (and tell them not to tell anyone else what the names are). Then tell them to try to come up with as many words possible using just the letters from those two names. Words should be of three letters or more in length. They need to come up with as many words from these names as possible. Give the guests a few minutes of time to complete this task.

When the time is up, have each guest read only the words they came up with – not the name, and see if all the other guests can figure out what names she wrote down.

Example: Ant - hint - mint - minty – lint

Answer: Michael and Anthony

FEEDING TIME

Put a several cotton balls in a big bowl and place an empty bowl in front of it. One at a time, players should try to transfer the cotton balls from one bowl to the other, using a spoon, while blindfolded. Cotton balls are light, so it’s really hard to gauge how many balls you are scooping up with the spoon. The winner of the game is the player that is able to transfer the most cotton balls to the other bowl within thirty seconds.

RICE BOWL

Half-way fill a bowl with plain, uncooked rice, then mix in some closed safety pins. Blindfold the players and have them, one at a time, use one hand to take as many safety pins out of the bowl as possible. The person who gets the most pins in 30 seconds is the winner. This may sound simple, but in reality the safety pins feel a lot like the rice.

BABY GUESTS

Have your guests bring pictures of themselves as a baby to the baby shower. Be very careful with these photos as they are important keepsakes. Lay each of these photos next to a number. Give each guest a list of the names of all the other guests and see if they can match the number of each photo to the right guests.

These games are only a few of the dozens of games you can play during a baby shower. These games are great for fostering friendships and making your baby shower a lot more fun and memorable.

About the Author: Barbara Williams writes for several web sites, on family and home and family topics.

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=81966&ca=Family+Concerns

Must-have Baby Furniture For Your New Arrival

2008-03-06T04:02:00.001-08:00

Must-have Baby Furniture For Your New Arrival

By Alex Daniels

Congratulations! Having a baby is a wonderfully exciting time, but it also requires a certain amount of planning. When your newborn arrives home, it’s important that he/she have a special room that’s designed just for them. If you start decorating early, you will be much more prepared for the newest addition to your family.

When it comes to decorating a nursery, the first thing that most parents shop for is a bassinet. As the child grows, he/she will require a crib. When shopping for either of these items, sturdiness is a must. For most parents, the bar spacing for a crib is a big consideration as children have often been known to become wedged between the bars. If shopping for a crib, make sure to pay close attention to this feature and choose the model that is the safest for your child.

A nursery wouldn’t be complete without a rocking chair to help soothe your little one during those restless nights. Most parents choose to have the rocking chair next to the crib or bassinet so that they can place the baby back in bed after he/she has fallen asleep. A good rocking chair must be strong, sturdy and smooth. Ideally, it would also be free of any squeaks or creaks. Otherwise, your baby may have trouble getting to sleep.

Most nurseries also feature a changing table, which is ideal for a quick diaper change, cleanup and even dressing the infant. Most changing tables feature one or more compartments, which are perfect for storing baby clothing, changing supplies and extra diapers. If there isn’t enough storage, you can purchase a separate drawer unit and place next to the changing table for easy access.

Additional items that should be included in every nursery include a baby bathtub, stroller, diaper bag, blankets, extra bedding linens, mobiles, bottles, toys, etc. When choosing the items for your nursery, it’s important to select only those that offer quality construction and safety. The furniture that you choose will be the only protection between your child and the floor, which is why excellence is a must.

In conclusion, shopping for baby furniture can be a fun experience. You can check out a specialty store or even your local retailer’s infant department for a variety of items to include in your nursery. Most new moms also have a baby shower, which may help to add some thoughtful touches to your newborn’s room. Shopping for nursery furniture online is also a terrific way to go not only because of the variety, but also the competitive pricing.

About the Author: Alex Daniels consults for a specialty shop offering professional leather cleaner plus other furniture care must-haves, and also for a wedding supply shop offering wedding stuff at discount prices.

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=159684&ca=Parenting

Baby Proofing Basics

2008-03-06T03:57:00.001-08:00

Baby Proofing Basics

By Olga Sysoef

One of the first things that goes through a new parent’s head is the need for safety. Baby proofing your home is a major concern – and rightfully so. Many accidents that happen in the home can be prevented with a few safety precautions.

Before you spend a penny on baby proofing accessories, take an inventory throughout your home to look for trouble spots. Some examples of baby dangers are chemicals, open toilets, bathtub faucets, sharp edges on tables and other furniture, staircases, unprotected electrical outlets, heavy furniture such as bookcases and entertainment centers that could fall on baby, window blind cords, electrical appliances, sharp utensils, doors that lock on the inside, and choking hazards.

As you’re going through your home making a baby-proofing inventory, make sure that you don’t stay on your feet. Don’t forget to get on your hands and knees and get a baby’s eye level view of your home.

When you look at the above list, you may begin to feel overwhelmed – but don’t panic! Baby proofing doesn’t have to be done all in one day – especially if you start early in your pregnancy and baby’s life.

You should begin thinking about baby proofing as soon as you decide to become a parent. However, even after your baby is born you have a little time to get the job done. At first your baby won’t be able to move around the house at will and this gives you time to get your baby proofing done if you haven’t already completed it. Certainly before your baby is crawling, you should have your baby proofing completed.

Many parents work hard at baby proofing their home, but don’t take care of the hidden choking hazards that are lurking. An easy test to determine whether or not an object is a choking hazard is to see if it will fit through the hole in a toilet paper roll.

If an object can easily slide through, it can easily be picked up by small hands and put in the mouth. Make sure that you don’t make a baby-proofing mistake by overlooking common objects in your home that could spell big danger.

Once you know what areas of your home need baby proofing, you can make some simple modifications to improve safety. Childproof latches, socket covers, and simply picking up dangerous objects can help make your home safer for your baby and improve your peace of mind.

About the Author: Olga is a co-publisher of Baby Care Guide designed to Unlock your Inner Mother Code. Parenting manual that mother nature should have included with your new baby

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=106870&ca=Parenting

Family Time: Instant Protection Against Dangerous Influences

2008-03-06T03:42:00.001-08:00

Family Time: Instant Protection Against Dangerous Influences

By Elena Neitlich

Family time is a necessity for those wishing to build happy and healthy families. Parents that take time out to eat as a family, play, read, and talk together, teach children that they matter, that relationships are worth nurturing, and that strong family bonds breed success.

Setting aside blocks allocated for family time can be very difficult for busy families. By the time everyone is home from work, school, sports, and other outside activities people are tired, playing a board game seems like the least important item on the to-do list. However, playing a board game, metaphorically, is the most important item to cross off of the list.

Family time is valuable time when parents can take time out to observe their children, follow their children, hug and kiss them, encourage, guide, and laugh. Family time is when children feel comfortable opening up to their parents; this is a time when the mood is relaxed and children feel supported, valued and loved.

Eat together

Studies have shown that the family activity with the greatest positive impact on children, is sitting down together to dinner each evening. Benefits for children include learning patience, (family members should wait for everyone to be served before eating and remain at the table until everyone is through), sitting quietly and calmly to eat, and listening attentively and participating in the conversation. If an evening meal is impossible to schedule, families can find a different meal to gather, a fun idea is to set the table later in the evening when everyone is home, and have dessert together.

Children should be included in meal preparation, setting the table, and clean-up. Although table manners must be taught and reinforced, mealtime should be a pleasant experience with a focus on togetherness. Quick behavioral reminders will reinforce good manners and then conversation can be resumed. Parents should choose to be in a good mood and not let the day’s issues weigh down the meal. After all, this is family time!

Creative planning can make the evening meal easier to put on the table and clean up afterwards. Simple meals, and meals prepared in advance and frozen, are good ways to ease the evening scramble and help keep the focus on family time, not on cooking and cleanup. Instead of spending an hour cleaning the kitchen after the meal, simple meals free up some time in the evening for togetherness.

Shut off the television and the computer

Shutting off the television in the evening helps to place the focus on the people in the house instead of the strangers on the screen. The evening hours spent interacting as a family instead of staring at the television will benefit everyone greatly and will help create warm and lasting memories.

Shutting off the television and the computer eliminates the risk that children will be exposed to damaging levels of violence and sexual content. Experts claim that violence and sexual imagery negatively change the brain chemistry of children, resulting in permanent changes in the brain’s wiring.

Set a relaxed mood

Bathe young children and put them in their pajamas. Put on some light music that isn’t jarring or offensive, this often cues a little impromptu dancing from children, always good for a laugh. No arguing, bickering, or crabbiness. Family time should be warm, joyful and happy. Parents should be demonstrative and giving, snuggle, hug, and kiss the kids and each other. Family time like this is ideal for modeling loving, kind behavior.

Find fun games and activities

The nature of children is to be fun loving and flexible and open to many ideas. Coloring, board games, guessing games, acting, playing with dolls or cars, and reading are all fun things to do together. Allow children to help set the evening agenda. One idea based on the Montessori principal of learning suggests observing the child and leading by following the child.

There are other opportunities during the day for family time

The evening is not the only option for family time. Parents should seek out other times to be together. Take the kids on the morning and afternoon dog walk, invite them to join in on gardening, ask them to help wash the car or help with the laundry. It is probably true that activities will be completed slower with kids as helpers, but their happiness far outweighs the inconvenience.

Parents who zone out each evening in front of the television or computer for hours and hours rob children of the necessary family time that they need. It is stingy of parents to choose to channel or web surf over spending time with their kids. In a blink of an eye the kids will be up and out of the house and parents will have the rest of their lives to stare blankly at a screen, alone.

Making a conscious effort to spend quality family time together is vital to the health and welfare of children. Children do not thrive if parents don’t interact with them daily. When parents choose to have kids, they automatically choose to sacrifice their time to raise their kids. Family time is a parenting tool which helps to regulate the content that children are exposed to and introduce healthier activities. Developing strong relationships with children also will build bonds that last a lifetime.

About the Author: Elena Neitlich is owner of Moms On Edge at http://www.momsonedge.com. When you're tired of battling with potty training, bedtime and other behavioral issues, find clever parenting tools and products proven to quickly help solve common parenting issues.

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=230993&ca=Parenting

Wearing Your Baby

2008-02-25T02:40:00.000-08:00

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.

Buying Baby Clothes at a Discoun

2008-02-24T05:24:00.000-08:00

Buying Baby Clothes at a Discount

Dressing your little darling doesn’t have to cost a fortune

It is no secret that having and providing for a new baby is an expensive job. With the expense of those all-important early doctor’s visits, necessary items for the nursery, and the rising prices of formula, diapers, and various infant accessories, it seems a wonder that anyone can afford to reproduce anymore. While it’s difficult to argue in favor of cutting corners when it comes to your baby, there are a few ways that you can save money on some of your baby related purchases. Baby clothes and layette needs are fortunately one area where you can afford to save a few bucks without diminishing the level of comfort and care that your little Nick or Jessica receives.

Secondhand Baby Clothes

This is a sore spot for some parents and not without good reason. The thought of putting “used” clothing on your baby can come with numerous unspoken horrors and various levels of mental anguish. After all, how do you know where that used Onesie has been? Fortunately, concerned parents can rest their minds easily and put aside the fears associated with purchasing secondhand baby wear by following a few bits of common sense. Used infant attire should only be purchased from a reputable source. A thrift store like those run by the Salvation Army or a good secondhand store that specializes in baby goods (Other Mothers is a particularly good chain in the Western United States) can be considered safe sources since they make a point of sterilizing such items before offering them for resale. Avoid purchasing any items for a baby from a garage sale or “flea market” unless you know the seller personally and even then do so with caution. Any secondhand baby items you do obtain – even those given to you by friends or family members – should be washed thoroughly before you ever put them on your child.

Shopping Online

The internet has been doing wonders for people’s wallets for years. In almost every case items that you can purchase in a local store can be found online for less. Baby clothes are no exception and there are literally hundreds of e-commerce web sites that will be more than happy to sell you everything you need for your baby’s layette and wardrobe at a considerable savings compared to what you’ll pay at the local Babies ‘R’ Us store. In addition to baby clothing, almost every other conceivable baby need can be met online for less. In many cases you can get free shipping as well. The web won’t save you from the occasional midnight run to the local 24 hour grocer or Wal-Mart for emergency diapers or formula, but it’s a veritable hero in most other regards.

Other options for saving money on baby clothes and accessories do exist, and most are fairly common sense approaches. Buying infant wear from Kmart, Target or Wal-Mart is certainly going to cost you less than shopping at Dillards, JC Penney, or Sak’s, for example, as will choosing off brand or no-name items instead of Baby Dior and Weebok’s. Babies cost enough money as it is, there’s no reason not to put a little green back in your pocket now by saving on baby clothes when you know you’ll be shelling it out for braces and piano lessons later in life

Choosing Baby Clothes

2008-02-22T14:18:00.001-08:00

Choosing Baby Clothes

There's more to consider than how it looks…

So, you're expecting a baby and making all the necessary preparations for the arrival of your new family member. How do you go about choosing the clothes for your new little person? There's much more than "blue for a boy…pink for a girl…twice as much for twins" when it comes time to select clothes for your new baby. To avoid the potential pitfalls that ensnare many new parents there are a few things to keep in mind to help make the process as seamless as possible.

Comfort Over Cuteness

Too many parents get all gushy and sentimental when shopping for baby clothes. It's very easy to look at that little blue sailor suit or little pink petticoat and think to oneself "how cute will little Keanu or Britney look in this!" Consider however that your newborn's skin is very tender and quite sensitive. That cute little outfit could cause quite a bit of discomfort if it's made of the wrong materials, doesn't breathe easily, or is too constrictive. Clothes for a newborn should be soft, absorbent, and made of natural fibers. Think cotton. There will be plenty of time to embarrass your child by forcing her to wear clothes she hates when she's a teenager. For the time being, choose outfits that put the baby's comfort over all else.

Accessibility

One point that some parents seem to forget when selecting baby clothes is that they will need to be changed… often. Infant wear with too many buttons, straps, and fasteners can quickly become troublesome as the item needs to be undone and redone again and again to allow access for diaper changing or removing and replacing the entire outfit due to soiling of some kind. Remember that babies are messy little people and that you and your partner are going to be the ones cleaning up those messes, in one way or another, for the next eighteen to twenty years. Make it easy on yourselves now while the child and the messes are still small.

Ease of Care

A very important consideration in baby clothing is ease of care. Always look at the care labels while you're still in the store and make sure that the item is machine washable and doesn't have any special restrictions regarding detergents, bleaches, or fabric softeners. You're not likely to come across any baby clothing that requires dry cleaning, but you always want to be sure. Cotton is definitely the fabric of choice for baby clothing for the reasons mentioned above, but cotton does have a nasty tendency to shrink when washed in hot water. Your baby will outgrow her clothes quickly enough, so items that contain a blend of cotton and other, non-shrinking, fibers may be acceptable. Make sure that the cotton to poly ratio is weighted in cotton's favor and you should still be all right in terms of comfort while ensuring that little Paris will be able to get into her duds for as long as possible.

Throwing Baby Showers

2008-02-08T06:06:00.000-08:00

Throwing Baby Showers

By Mikael Rieck

There is nothing like parties and some would even say that the more parties and fun occasions where you can be together with friends and family. You can have all sorts of parties and one of these is the popular baby shower party where you celebrate the baby and his or her mother and shower them with gifts and blessing.

When you are planning a baby shower it is not different from throwing any other party and you will need to plan it to make it a successful event. It might be an overstatement to say that the more you plan and the more you go into the details the better but naturally everything is a question of the time involved. The point I am trying to make is that you should not overdo it.

A baby shower party has the elements of most other parties plus one additional element which is the games to be played. First thing is to invite people. Without any guest there won’t be much of a party and therefore you must start by deciding who you would like to invite and how you are going to invite them. You can send out invitations by post and design a beautiful baby shower card or you can design an email invitation and send that out to friends and family.

Before you send out anything you will need to decide on a date and to be sure that as many as possible can attend the party it is a good idea to set a date at least a few weeks into the future. Most people are very busy in today’s society and will need more than a few days in advance to clear their calendar.

Now that you have invited people you should start planning what food to serve, if any decoration is required and what games you want to play. For these individual items I strongly suggest that you use the internet for ideas and inspiration if you are not full of ideas yourself. You can find tons and tons of great ideas and loads of information on both baby shower meals, how to design baby shower invitations and even what types of baby shower games are the most popular to play.

In the end it all comes down to being with friends and family and having a good time. It doesn’t have to be an extravagant event with a 5 meal dinner and live music in order to have a great party. As long as you give it your best effort you have done your part and the party will surely be a successful one.

One last thing that you will need to consider is what types of gifts that you would want for you and the baby. It is a custom that the guest brings gifts of all kinds and to make sure you are prepared when the guests call you to know what you would like to have. Now all that is left is to have a great and fun baby shower party.

About the Author: The best baby handprint poem can be found at Mikael’s baby footprint site along with tips on creating baby handprint and other baby keepsakes.

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=147899&ca=Family+Concerns

How To Choose A Great Baby Name

2008-02-08T06:04:00.000-08:00

How To Choose A Great Baby Name

By James Wills

My wife recently gave birth to our first child. We were very excited when we found out that she was pregnant, and we were ready to start our family. We began preparing early for our son, decorating the nursery, buying baby clothes, and reading baby books. However, one of the most important things that we did to prepare for our son’s birth was choosing a baby name.

Your baby’s name will be with them forever. Your child can be teased, or picked on their entire life depending on the name that you give them. Many names carry great meaning, but they could bring turmoil throughout your child’s life if they are teased. Although a name can cause teasing, it can also give a child character, and may even lead to greatness. Do you think that Dick Butkus would have been a Hall of Fame middle linebacker if his name were John Smith?

My wife looked through a large book of baby names, and secretly wrote down the names for a boy and a girl that she liked. Then she asked me to go through the same book and write down the names that I liked without letting her know which baby names I had chosen. After I was finished with my list my wife revealed her list and we looked for names that we had in common. Amazingly enough we had almost one third of our lists in common. We knew that this short list of baby names would contain the name that we would ultimately choose. The best thing to do after this is to look at the meanings of all of the names that are on the short list to help decide which name has the best meaning for your child.

You also want to pronounce your baby’s name with your last name, and also with their middle name, if you are going to give them one. Usually at least half of the list that is left does not have a meaning that you like, or does not sound good with their middle or last name, so you can mark them off of the list. After all of these tips have been used, you have the hard decision of choosing a baby name. Just remember this will be much easier than the first six weeks after your baby is born, and you have all of those sleepless nights.

About the Author: Find Baby name meanings and Popular Baby Names at Baby Names

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=77393&ca=Parenting

Baby Sitting The Grandchildren

2008-02-08T06:03:00.000-08:00

Baby Sitting The Grandchildren

By Bruce Elwell

My wife, Carol, had the opportunity to baby-sit for our first granddaughter, Jenna, while I was working. The hours were from 8:30am to 3:30pm Monday thru Friday. Quite a long day. Daycare cost for that amount of time was about $250.00. Compared to what our daughter could make working it would not have been worth working, but her family needed the extra income.

The question that we wrestled with was do we charge our daughter for the babysitting or not? If we do how much? It would be a great bonding experience for Carol and Jenna, but Carol would not be able to work reducing our income.

We decided that Carol would baby-sit and to charge sixty dollars per week. This provided Carol spending money to buy things for the baby and for other necessities as they came up. Carol provided babysitting until Jenna turned two years old. At that time my daughter could afford putting Jenna in a day care center and Carol was able to work part time again.

A year and a half later, Haley, our second granddaughter, was to arrive and the question Carol and I knew would be coming was “would we baby-sit Haley?” I was unemployed at that time and Carol and I could live off my severance pay for a couple of years. I missed much of my children’s early years because I was working all the time or going to night school for my Bachelor’s Degree. I was looking forward to the possibility of baby-sitting for Haley. So I agreed to baby-sit, but the cost for my daughter would be one hundred dollars a week.

Once Haley was 6 weeks old I started baby-sitting from 8:30am to 5:30pm. During this time Carol was working part-time during the week. So it was just Haley and myself most of the time. It was one of the most precious times of my life. I watched and took care of Haley for about ten months. We deeply bonded. This is one of the most incredible experiences one can have.

My daughter now works in the evenings so Carol and I baby-sit between the time mom goes to work and dad comes by to pick up the girls.

The love that we all share for each other will be with us for a lifetime. I would do this again if I had the opportunity.

Carol and I both used the portable baby monitor. This allowed us to move around the house to do other things while the baby was sleeping. The BebeSound Easy to Hold Sound Monitor, Model M0142, has two lightweight receivers that fit comfortably in your hand. This monitor has two channels to select from that will reduce interference and provide clearer sound. The receivers also have sound lights so you can see your baby’s sound level. If you want to go high tech check out their Portable Video and Sound Monitor, Model TV872.

About the Author: You can find additional baby monitors at http://www.everythingbridalandbaby.com/BabyMonitors.html, and baby accessories at http://www.everythingbridalandbaby.com/Baby.html

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=86916&ca=Parenting

Online Baby Books

2008-02-08T06:00:00.000-08:00

Online Baby Books

By Sophia Ton

A digital baby scrapbook with a print-out tool available for all of the photos, messages and other content would make a great gift for parents, grandparents…anyone. And now you can turn your digital photos into one of these memorable online baby albums in just a few simple steps.

Website Building

You can create a basic website by grabbing a library book with HTML code and using Notepad on your PC, by using software like Microsoft Frontpage or by heading to a 3rd party company who has everything handy for you like http://GoDaddy.com. There are other options, too, like purchasing a website from someone selling at places like eBay, or purchasing a template from online vendors and revising it with your Notepad or other software on your computer (check with templates to see compatibility.)

Here are basic website features to look for and add to your website:

Photo uploads – with GoDaddy’s Website Tonight or Quick Blog , you can add photo album links of a photo slideshow. Same thing with Frontgape and other software programs. Check Help and Support files and menus with your program. For more help, seek interactive forums like http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum and meet new friends while learning the ropes.

Backgrounds / Color scheme – Play around with different background templates and color schemes in GoDaddy, with your software and HTML code. You can often change these at any point in time, creating a whole new look in a click.

Interactive Area – Add a forum, message area, live chat or other interactive communication system to your site. Blog have a Comment area, perfect for this.

News Area – Set up a main area on the front page or index page for news, like your birth announcement. With today’s technology on some sites, you can even plug in RSS news feeds to help bring more of the world into your site. For example, if you head to http://news.yahoo.com/rss you can set up a custom news feed with keywords you enter yourself like, “baby showers,” “baby toys” and “baby books.”

Fun Area – Set up a page of baby articles linked for your visitors, of coloring and activity pages for visitors’ children (search online for free ones, like at: http://crayola.com ).

Subscribe / Email – You can invite people to subscribe to your blog, and they will receive instant updates as you post. Fof non-blogs, gather email addresses of your friends and send them the link when you update the site.

About the Author: Sophia Ton is a freelance writeer who writes about baby shower gifts, maternity, pregnancy and family topics. She loves to shop for diaper cakes and she loves baby books.

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=86918&ca=Family+Concerns

Bringing Out The Smart Baby In Him Or Her

2008-02-08T05:59:00.000-08:00

Bringing Out The Smart Baby In Him Or Her

By Jessica Davis

There is a social thought that every child is a reflection of the parent or parents. Though this does not have any scientific bearing, this is a general thought even up to these days. As a parent, you want to give all the best for your child- definitely. But it is also true that not at all times in his or her life, you will be there or could be there.

While he or she is young, it is best for you to help him out in developing what it takes to make it big on his or her own in the future. There are things now that you could do in order to provide your child the wings for his future flight.

Music is proven to increase intelligence quotient or IQ. Listen to music with your child. This will enhance a lot of his skills without you realizing it. You can have fun together by singing or dancing in the tunes. There are a lot of songs that are suited for your child. Your choice would matter and the way you handle things with these pieces of music matters most. With this, early learning for your child would be established.

Reading a story before sleep and before a nap is a smart way. Picture story books are very effective. Make sure to show them the pictures because they are very visual. They could remember things easily by colors. Make sure that you also show your child word spellings which are easy. Conditioning would be very effective too. Every time you are out, read to him or her signs and other essential words. With this, he or she would remember the word fast. Sooner, the child would be able to recognize these words.

Children will never let toys go. Take advantage of this idea by using toys as means of making them learn. Just make sure that the toys you are going to use are not hazardous. If your child is not yet sitting or holding things it does not follow that you will not show or give him or her toys. Toys which would stimulate your child’s attention are really helpful.

Too much dead air is not recommended. This means that you have to talk to your baby all the time. If you are busy doing something at home, make sure that you do not leave your child just staring at you with an empty head, trying to figure out what are you busy of. Get her or him involved. Talk to your child about what you are doing and show him or her things you deal with.

Having a smart child is not all-wish at all. It could really be possible. And, you are the best person who could bring the best in him or her.

About the Author: Jessica Davis is a freelance writer for the Cooking Times. She writes a regular column which is published every Thursday. Her latest 'favorite pick' is Baby Genius Productions.

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=73549&ca=Parenting

Take Your Baby Out For Some Fresh Air

2008-02-08T05:57:00.000-08:00

Take Your Baby Out For Some Fresh Air

By Kimberly Thane

Fresh air is unmatched, unparalleled. Nothing is up to it. Bring your baby under the influence of fresh air whenever you can. Getting out on a regular basis is excellent for your baby. But if you don’t have adequate time to take him out, ensure that his nursery has a good ventilation system that will increase flowing of fresh air all around the room. A room with stale and stagnant air is a place nurturing dust mites and germs. Don’t enwrap the cot with curtains that will block passing of fresh air.

The baby’s room must be well ventilated. It should not be stuffy or subject to over heat. Maintain a temperature of the room heater that would never overheat the baby’s room. Let the temperature fall a bit and wrap and dress up the baby more warmly. This you can surely do think about your baby’s health.

But whatever you do to improve the air circulation in the baby’s room, the freshness of air outside can’t be found elsewhere. Of course you have to rely on your common sense - which season you are in, what time is perfect to take the baby out. If the weather is clear, wrap up your baby, put on him a warm hat and get outside. In the rainy season you can use prams or strollers with rain hoods but it is better to stay at home at that time since the hoods will only hinder fresh air from passing through. Only the same air will circulate for the whole of the strolling. The outcome will be only wasting your precious time. But you can always buy a stroller with rain hood as they are good to combat any unpredicted pouring.

The babies are prone to new ambience. They love to be taken out and enjoy immensely all the jostling and stuff. And when your baby is able to sit, he will never stop looking around, wonderstruck by what’s happening around him. So try to take him out whenever it is convenient for you. If there’s a local park near you, stroll in that area. Lots of greenery and fun will make your child rejoice. In addition to that enjoyment, your baby will inhale lots of fresh air. You can even take his pram under a large tree….that is an excellent entertainment for the baby. He will love to watch the leaves dancing with the music of the wind. Lots of places with trivial entertainment are near your house. Search for them instead of thinking of exotic destinations.

About the Author: Kimberly Thane is a primary school nurse and author. See more of her articles at Baby Mobility and Baby Brands

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Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=72232&ca=Parenting

Your Baby At Three Months Of Age

2008-02-08T05:56:00.000-08:00

Your Baby At Three Months Of Age

By Chris Hinde

Three months - three months have passed so quickly and you are still thinking your dear baby has just arrived at your home. Suddenly you see he is getting to understand what is happening around him, he has now diminished a bit his dozing off bit every other minute. A whole new person is revealed within him to your delight.

His growing up - physical

You notice that your baby’s movements are nowadays more organized. He can’t control his hand properly though. He tends to get hold of everything that you have in your hand when you took him in your arms. He is up and awake to every sound he hears. He gazes at new things especially if it is colorful. He enjoys the world around him, responds to people’s talking to him by smiling at them or even laughing out loud! He often gets into unending giggles. Even he is learning slowly to make a way into the society! You wonder how. He is delighted when he makes one smile- the tactics of give and take policy.

But you observe that he gets startled or jumps when he hears something very noisy or when you are carrying him and you sit all of a sudden. This shows that he still feels insecure. This is due to his still weak nervous system. The reflexes that were notices when he was new-born have not disappeared even at this age.

Feeding your baby - now your baby is 3months old, you don’t have that much difficulty in feeding him as you used to have when he was new-born. Now it’s easier for you, the so difficult task is now a pleasure for you to do - your baby grinning at you when you are feeding him. Actually he has adapted himself to a feeding routine. His physical growth is so explicit at this age. But he is still not suitable for solid foods. So it is better to increase breast feeding. Nurse the young kid for 2/3 days.

Entertaining your baby- at the month of three, the baby does not need anything special to keep him entertained. You will see he himself is discovering new things in which he enjoys himself. Observe that he is getting to learn how to roll off the bed. So keep watch on him to avoid accident. When you lay him on a flat surface put one of your hands on him always.

Usually all the babies love to see someone around him. So spend time with him as much as possible. Talk to him. This way you will make him entertained. Your talking to him with intermittent smile and giggle will make him imitate your gestures.

This age is a sheer delight for your baby as well as you!

About the Author: Chris Hinde is an author and mother. See more of her articles at High Chairs For Baby and Top Baby Carriers.

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Giving Juice To Your Baby

2008-02-08T05:54:00.002-08:00

Giving Juice To Your Baby

By Christine Albury

Fruit juice for babies -- it sounds healthy enough, doesn't it? Yet giving juice to your baby is not as beneficial as many parents believe.

Health organisations worldwide, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Food Standards Agency in the UK, recommend that babies receive no supplemental fluids during the first 6 months of life. This means no juice OR water -- breastmilk or formula alone are sufficient for your baby's needs. If you give juice to your baby before 6 months of age, you may find that this "fills him up". This will then result in him consuming less breastmilk or formula, depriving him of the nutrients which are crucial to healthy growth and development.

Even in older babies, drinking too much juice may be harmful -- a baby who consumes juice before a solid meal will very likely eat less of his meal. This means he will be consuming less essential fats, vitamins, proteins and minerals than his body needs.

Another very important point to consider is that an excessive intake of juice can cause the body to absorb less carbohydrates -- this can sometimes lead to malnutrition.

Fruit juice can also be responsible for infant tooth decay, tummy pains and diarrhea.

The best option is to offer whole fruit to your baby -- nutritionally, it is far superior to juice and contains the fiber that juice lacks. When your baby reaches an age when supplemental fluids are required, then offer water instead! Many parents say that their babies will not accept water -- however, if your baby has not yet experienced the sweetness of juice, then he won't know what he's missing and is more likely to accept water quite happily!

If you still wish to include juice in your baby's diet, then you need to ensure that the juice you offer is appropriate for an infant.

Avoid juices marked "fruit drink", "fruit beverage" or "fruit cocktail" -- these are composed of less than 100% juice and often contain added sweeteners and flavors.

Any juice given to a baby must be pasteurized -- specially produced "infant juices" are the safest option and do not contain sulfites or added sugars.

Always offer juice in a cup, not a bottle - this prevents the fruit sugars in the juice from pooling around your baby's teeth. Only give juice with a meal - don't allow your baby to endlessly sip juice throughout the day.

Finally, limit your baby's intake of juice to between 4-6oz per day. This is equivalent to one serving of fruit and is sufficient for a baby's dietary needs.

About the Author: Christine Albury is a mother of four and the author of http://www.homemade-baby-food-recipes.com. She has written articles for several parenting websites and also writes for a regional UK magazine.

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Naming Your Baby According To The Kabbalah

2008-02-08T05:54:00.001-08:00

Naming Your Baby According To The Kabbalah

By Tali Saar

Many believe the name of a person holds much more than can be seen. The kabbalah states that the name of a person will certainly determine their faith: success, health, character, career, romantic life, disappointments, illness, setbacks, divorce, stress and separation. It is ones choice to stick with his born name, or make adjustment in order to change his life energy.

According to Kabbalah experts, each letter of the alpha-bet is the continuation of a revitalizing light. A special and unique force lies in each different letter, and is not found in other letters. This power can be investigated through the shape of the letter, and kabbalarian numbers which reveal valuable information by combining the numbers assigned to each letter in the name.

Each person lives by the effect of these forces, combined in his name. An ideal name would create a mixture of forces to balance the persons other influences coming from his birth date, name of his mother, his last name and so forth.

In the case of a newborn baby, knowing the names of the parents, and the last name, are sufficient in order to choose a balanced name.

Each change in combination of the letters in the name will result in a change in balance of powers. The order of the letters matters as well – The first letter is the most significant in its influence.

The letters reveal three aspects of a person: thought, speech, and action. Action lies in the written name, Speech lies in the sound of the name being called, and thought lies in the thought about a person carrying this name. These three aspects create a great meaningful pattern which can be detected and analyzed by kabbalah experts.

The mathematical principal in naming according to kabbalah is called gematria. Each letter in Hebrew is associated with a number. Adding up the numbers of all letters will result in a number that represents the person. For example – Jacob, in Hebrew is spelled with the letters yud-ayin-kuf-bet, and give the number 182, which is 7 times the name of God (yud-heh-vav-heh). The number 7 represents harmony and completeness – seven days a week, seven notes in a musical scale. Jacob therefore represents the complete and harmonious expression of God's name.

Non recommended choices in the kabbalah are two letter names, which do not posses enough strength, and also unisex names. It is important to keep in mind that each letter determines the faith of the baby.

Choosing the right and balanced name for your baby is a serious thing, and should be done with the help of a kabbalah expert. This is mainly because there are many aspects to be aware of as the last name, the date of birth, names of the parents and even location of birth. All of these might make a name that is right for one person, very misfortunate for another. Good luck!

About the Author: Tali Saar is Business promotion manager for http://www.babyhold.com

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