Flybaby Infant Airplane Seat

Today, I’ll talk about another travel-related topic, which is actually just as important, and that’s preparing for the trip and packing the right essentials. When it comes to packing, it’s important to pack right and bring everything you need. Indeed, any roadtrip adventure can quickly turn into a nightmare of sorts if you forget any essential item. Imagine taking a five hour flight, only to remember that you didn’t pack enough formula? Or, going on a roadtrip without your little one’s favorite toy or security blanket. In order to prevent a harrowing experience while travelling, create a packing list ahead of time to ensure that you have the items that you’d need.

Here are some essentials that you should not forget:

• Comfortable clothes that aren’t too bulky are a must-have when you’re traveling. If you’re going on a roadtrip, make sure that your bag has extra clothes, which will come in handy when there’s spillage or an “accident”. It’s also useful when your kid becomes drenched in sweat. Bring cottong wipes and swaddle blankets for small infants, too!
• If your toddler is not yet potty trained, make sure that you have extra diapers on hand as well. It’s never a good idea for your kid to stay in a soggy diaper, since it may lead to redness and rashes.
• Baby wipes are useful to wipe off any stains or runny noses – it’s a plus if your baby wipes contains antibacterial properties. Make sure that your baby isn’t allergic to any ingredients of the baby wipes.
• Alcohol or hand gel is an essential part of the trip as well. It’s always a good idea to disinfect your hands, baby’s hands, and the general surrounding when you’re traveling, especially if you’re in a public vehicle or a plane.
• Bring a first aid kit if this is your first time traveling with your toddler. Make sure to include disinfectant for cuts, medicine for queasy stomach, fever or headache medicine just in case your child feels out of sorts during the traveling period.
• Depending on the season, you may need some sunscreen to shield your child’s skin from the harsh rays of the sun, or you may need some extra blankets or mittens in order to keep the cold at bay.
• Disposable baggies are a must-have when you’re traveling in order to store those rubbish and trash that you are bound to collect en route to your destination.
• Make sure that you don’t forget your child’s “lovey” or plush back at home! You don’t know how many parents have endured howling and tantrums just because they’ve forgotten their child’s security blanket back at home.
• Food – bring formula, bottles and snacks. You may want to use bottles that hold “drop ins” or disposable liners, or formula in single-serve ready to feed bottles.

Traveling with a toddler can put you at risk for a wide range of unideal situations, but you can alleviate your stress levels by preparing the essentials. Don’t forget some fun games and stories to play during travel time, too. Don’t forget to enjoy!

image via www.examiner.com

With hectic schedules, little time and limited budgets , it can be difficult and expensive to seek out organic food alternatives. However, store-bought and commercialized food is a part of an unsustainable food system. It’s processed systematically and riddled with chemicals and preservatives, things that you don’t want in your body. Taking care of your health is the best thing that you can do to yourself, and starting with the things you eat is a part of a huge lifestyle change that will help you feel and look better. Choose the benefits that come with sustainable eating.

What is Sustainable Eating?

Our attention has been called to read labels to avoid certain ingredients in food, but we fail to realize that the best food are actually those which do not have labels, since they come directly from organic, free-range farms or even our own backyards. Partaking in sustainable eating helps us improve the quality of our diet, and our health, since we are not exposed to chemicals or preservatives that can damage our bodies.

Going sustainable is also better for the environment, since it does not make use of any synthetic materials that will seep into the soil and water. It also supports local farms and improves local economies, rather than giving additional profit to bigger corporations which disregards our need for a healthful body and safer environment.

How Can You Do Sustainable Eating?

1. Take the time to seek out a farmer’s market and prepare an entire meal out of the things that you have bought. No preservatives, no chemicals, everything’s truly organic.
2. Check out the Slow Food Movement in order to learn more about sustainable eating.
3. Even if you don’t really have a green thumb, take the time to grow vegetables or fruits that don’t require much work. Some of these are tomatoes, carrots, and basil. Get the kids to help you and start them early!
4. Research on fruits and vegetables that are in season in order to ensure that you’re getting the freshest products.

Sustainable eating has been around since time immemorial, until preservatives and other compounds have been introduced into our diet. If you have time, it helps to do a complete turnaround and change the way you eat. Your family’s health will definitely be better.

But, that’s not all. You can take things up to the next level by supporting different products (not just food) that are manufactured through sustainable practices. Many brands, like California Baby, for example follow sustainable business practices and use organic and biodegradable ingredients. Babyletto cribs, apart from being beautiful pieces of furniture, are great picks use 100% sustainable New Zealand pine that’s quick to grow and replace. The Eco Friendly Cotton Blanket uses natural cotton. Not as soft as poly-fibers but they’re the real thing!

What about you, are there other ways you can recommend to promote sustainable living?

• Check out a play area or an empty gate for your little one to play in
• Use this time to buy snacks and pick up drinks for the flight. Some flights will not allow you to carry milk onboard, so buy bottled water during this time
• Ask airport officials or agents for a nursing or pumping station
• Use this time to put your baby or little one in a new diaper

image via http://www.modelinia.com

Boarding

Airlines prioritize families with small children during boarding, so make use of this chance to get on the plane first and get yourself organized. If you can split up, have one parent go ahead with all the carry on baggage, and the other parent to stay behind with the kids.

Once on board, make sure that all necessary items that you need are within reach before takeoff. These include snacks, milk bottles, baby wipes, diapers and other essentials. If your toddler is to take their own seat during takeoff, make sure that you discuss your expectations with them before flying to avoid tantrums.

Takeoff

Babies and toddlers often cry during takeoff and landing, mostly because of air pressure, and unless they are asleep, you will need to help them. Gum can be helpful with older children, but for babies, you can let them use a pacifier or a bottle.

Babies often sleep well during flights because the motion of the plane an the noise of the engine provide a soothing environment for them. Keep fun and quite activities with you like crayons, coloring books, videos and games like Travel Tangoes  that your child an watch when they are sitting in the flight. Bring toys, but try to make them last so don’t take them out all at once.

During turbulence, the FAA recommends that you hold your baby in a way that provides uniform support to their neck, head and body to minimize injury caused by flailing. Keep yourself calm in front of your toddler and tell them a story or keep them preoccupied so they do not feel stressed.

When the plane lands, it is best to wait until all other passengers have deplaned before you do. This gives you time to gather all your belongings and make sure that you do not leave anything. Waiting to deplane last also allows aircraft crew to set up your child’s stroller so that it’s ready by the time you get down.

There you have it – tips to help you survive your travel and plane ride to your destination. Have fun with your vacation!

image via http://www.examiner.com

While it definitely helps to fly business or first class and bring a nanny with you, that isn’t really a reality for everyone. The next best thing? Plan your trip properly, and here are some tips for you to do so:

Checking in and flying

Let’s start with the most stressful part – and that’s getting to the airport, staying in the airport and flying to your destination. First tip: get to the airport early! Think nothing is worse than having a mini-heart attack inside your vehicle because you don’t know if you will make it in time for your flight? There is – it’s being in the same situation but having a crying baby beside you!

Also, getting through airport security and checkin counters can be time consuming, and you can’t expect yourself to make a mad dash to the boarding gates with a baby in tow. The extra time in the airport gives you time to settle or give your child some time to play (you can find a play area or empty gate) before flights. Make use of online checkin when you can, so you can secure your seat assignment online and print your boarding pass already. Don’t forget to pack your itinerary and a map of your destination.

If possible, book a hotel with airport transfers, so you don’t have to struggle to find your hotel, especially when the kids are tired after the flight.

Getting to the airport

If you live in an urban area with good public transportation, getting to the airport can be quite a challenge. You’ll need to bring a car seat, which can be difficult to do if you’re taking a taxi or asking someone to drop you off . If you are taking very short trips (think: two to four days), consider off-airport parking. For longer trips, find a car service which has car seats to drop you off and pick you up at the airport.

Checking in

Online checkin is a blessing for many parents and if this is the case, then you’ll probably just need to drop off your baggage at the bag drop counter.

If the line is long (as it usually is), make use of open spaces at the airport to let your kids run around, while one parent lines up to check the bags. Make sure you don’t go too far in case the agent needs to see IDs or see the passengers

Bring your stroller with you – unless you plan to just use a sling when boarding. Many airlines allow you to push your stroller all they way to the boarding gate, after which they’ll check it at the gate, store it for you and have it ready when you deplane.

To avoid losing your stroller – make sure it has a tag with your name, address and contact details. Make sure that you check with your airline about baggage restrictions, too as baby items like strollers and car seats may not be part of your baggage allowance but the baby’s.

Breezing through security

Security checks are non-negotiable. You have to go through them, and the kids have to go through them as well. Make this stage a breeze by making sure everything is organized in advance. Having loose items and stuff under the stroller basket will take a lot of work for you to gather everything and you may end up leaving something behind.

As with toddlers, make it a point to explain to them what exactly will happen, so they won’t be afraid to remove their shoes and place their toys on the conveyor belt. Most airports have a family lane which employs extra agents to help families get their belongings. Use this lane when you can.

Keep your identification cards and boarding passes within easy reach up until boarding time. Whew. That sounded like a lot of work…. But there’s definitely more and we’ll talk about that on the next post.

Check out this Cuddle U Nursing Pillow for easier nursing.

Tip 1: Attend a breastfeeding class or a La Leche League Meeting.

Every baby is different when it comes to breastfeeding. There will be some who will easily latch on, while there will be others who will prove to be more difficult and take more time. If you’re a new mother, you may benefit from attending a breastfeeding class offered in your local hospital or even a La Leche League meeting near your place. The best piece of advice that you can learn from these classes and meetings is that despite the rocky start of breastfeeding, you and your baby will eventually find your own rhythm, as long as you persevere. If you can’t find classes or groups in your locality, join forums and groups online.

Tip 2: Make sure that your baby has latched on properly.

Unfortunately, latching on may not come naturally for most mothers. It may take a few frustrating days before your baby can latch on, and even then you have to note if they’ve latched on properly, where your baby’s mouth has covered almost the entire underside of your nipple.

Tip 3: Trust your instincts.

There are a lot of conflicting ideas about this one – it’s either you keep track of the time that you breastfeed your baby and that you keep a strict schedule, or you allow your child to nurse as long as he or she wants and nurse them again the moment they start rooting or crying. In this regard, trust your instincts.

Tip 4: Don’t suffer in silence when your nipples become cracked and bleeding.

If you’re exclusively breastfeeding, you may develop mastitis, cracked and bleeding nipples, and even clogged milk ducts. This may be a result of the baby’s improper latching, and it can cause days and nights of stress, discomfort and pain. You can make use of nature’s remedies by seeking out herbs that can heal these conditions, such as lecithin, which prevents the clogging of milk ducts; alfalfa, for rich, nutritious milk; lanolin oil or cream, to prevent cracking and bleeding nipples; and blessed thistle, for increasing the flow of milk. Check out various products designed to help make things easier for you such as nipple shields or specially designed nursing bras.

Tip 5: Relax!

Even if your baby can’t seem to latch on and you’re experiencing a lot of frustrations, just relax. Nursing is supposed to be a bonding time between you and your baby, and your baby can tell if you’re tensed and stressed. Invest in a breastfeeding pillow or a nursing stool to help keep you relaxed. Keep in mind that every bump in the road as a learning experience.

Do you have any tips to share for other breastfeeding moms?

Allowing them to play with their food helps them discover with their senses. Sensory play is a powerful tool that you can make use of in letting your child know more about their environment, and it’s also a great way to introduce your kid to new flavors, textures and tastes. Slowly introduce to them the different types of food – smooth purees, rough oatmeal cookies, crunchy crackers, chewy brownies and more. The more you allow them to discover the different types of food, the bigger chances that they’re going to be more adventurous and less picky when it comes to food.

Giving them the freedom to play with their food also teaches them how to feed themselves correctly. It’s difficult for a child to learn how to eat independently if you’re constantly hovering with a napkin, ready to clean things up. Providing your children the chance to play with the food and eat by themselves, albeit messily, they will learn the value of acting independently and learning how to do things on their own.

Teach your kids that messiness can be okay, too. Most parents dislike mess and are horrified when their child shows up with stains – some find it as a slight against their parenting, as if a messy child is a telltale sign of poor parental skills. However, children are still bound to experience mess when they grow up, and it’s not good for them to be squeamish about dirt and mess. Help your child prevent tactile defensiveness and allow them to get messy, even for a little time. Dealing with messy clothes and stains would definitely not be a problem anyway with the right detergent.

Constant hovering and constant reproaches regarding food messes aren’t going to make your child neater than he or she really is. Keep mealtimes pleasant and positive. If your child is exposed to new food and wants to explore, let them do so. Place the food in a diner placemat so that your little one can mess around  Adapt a cool, collected demeanor even though the bowl of porridge has just crashed on your newly-mopped floors. Don’t force them into eating anything they don’t want to eat by shouting or yelling, or scream at them when foodstuffs get all over the place – this will just create friction and result to your child viewing mealtimes as something they should dread.

Melissa and Doug Easel Accessory

Mr. Sketch Scented Markers

Teach your little one the different hues with the help of the twelve vibrant shades of Mr. Sketch Scented Markers. The product comes from a trusted educator’s brand of premium coloring products, and it has been certified as a non-toxic product which is safe for your little tot. The bright water-based markers will last you for a long time, since it has at least twice the ink of leading competitors, plus you only have to use a small amount since a little goes a long way.

Chalk Ink 6MM Classic Wet Wipe Markers

Chalk Ink produces one of the highest quality chalk markers since 2005. These wet wipe markers can be used on a variety of surfaces such as mirrors, plastics, chalkboards, ceramics, decor and even glass, in such a way that you only have to use your imagination on where to use it. The eight creative, catchy names will surely capture your child’s attention: clown nose red, piggy bank pink, chalk white, and smiley face yellow, just to name a few. Its chisel tips produce water-based pigment ink which can be easily cleaned with ammonia-based cleaners, making the cleaning experience an easy, hassle-free one.

Crayola Fingerpaints Bold and Secondary Colors  

Enhance your child’s gross motor skills with Crayola Fingerprints Bold and Secondary Colors. Make your finger painting sessions fun and memorable with the use of washable finger paints that are enclosed in easy squeeze tubes whose flow you can easily control with the help of the flip top cap.

Melissa & Doug Shape, Model and Mold

Playing with clay has never been this fun! The eye-catching clays are in reds, yellows, blues and greens will surely entice your child to make his own fun shapes and objects, making it the perfect choice for honing the fine motor skills, finger strength and creative expression. This set includes wooden stamping cubes, rolling pins, patterned wheel presses and different cute animal molds on top of each tub.

50 Assorted Plastic Stamps

Got tons of letters to send? Make this a bonding session by encouraging your child to help you with the letter sending and sorting by equipping him with any of the 50 assorted plastic stamps. It includes a wide array of bugs, animals, symbols, smileys and even dinosaurs.

Dough Tools – 5 Piece Assortment

Kids will have fun rolling dough with the various cylindrical tools such as the flower roller, zig zag cutting roller, round cutting roller, plastic blade and the double-sided large hobby craft tool. These are made of durable plastic, preventing the risk of easily breaking. You don’t have to spend a lot of time cleaning it as well – it’s easily washable. Best for kids above 3 years of age.

Art time with your child is a soothing yet stimulating activity that provides mental, psychological and physical benefits to both you and your child. It’s a good bonding activity that you must take part in so that you can improve and facilitate your child’s love for the arts and learning.

Bordeaux’s Butt Paste

If your child is suffering from diaper rash, you can increase the number of times that you are changing his diaper in order to soothe the rashes by preventing the accumulation of moisture and ammonia on the skin area. You can also make use of diaper rash ointments or powders – here’s a list of what we recommend:

Baby Anti-Monkey Butt Diaper Rash Powder

Prevent the worsening of your child’s diaper rash by placing some of this powder on your baby’s diaper area. This works a lot since the powder minimizes frictional discomfort and absorbs leftover moisture. This product contains cornstarch and calamine, both useful ingredients in the prevention of rashes. A bottle will last you for a long time, since there’s 6 oz. worth of product for every bottle.

Weleda Calendula Diaper Rash Cream

If you’re looking for a product which relieves and protects baby’s sensitive diaper area, this product is for you. The cream creates a barrier between baby’s skin and the moisture, thus preventing the formation of rashes. It contains 12% zinc oxide, Alomon oil, Hydrolized beeswax, organic chamomile flower extract and biodynamic calendula flower extract.

Arbonne Baby Herbal Diaper Rash Cream

Arbonne is a company which specializes in skin care, thus rest assured that this is a quality product. The cream aims to relieve your baby’s irritated and puffy skin with its water-repelling ointment that contains antioxidants from various herbs. It’s dermatologist and paediatrician tested, and is deemed safe for all skin types.

A+D Diaper Rash Cream, Dimethicone Zine Oxide Cream

Look no further if you want a product that can both remove diaper rash and prevent it from coming back. It contains zinc oxide, which is the best ingredient in dispelling diaper rash. The ingredients allow the skin to naturally heal, and it is recommended that you use it the moment you notice the diaper rash appearing.

Pinxav Diaper Rash Cream

Pinxav Diaper Rash Cream contains the active ingredient zinc oxide  used in order to promote faster healing of the rashes, and to effectively stop any pain and discomfort that your baby may feel.

However, aside from ointments and powders, you can also prevent diaper rashes from spreading or worsening by air-drying your baby’s diaper areas for better air circulation. This way, you will also prevent the accumulation of moisture on baby’s skin, since wetness and moisture will aggravate the rashes and baby’s discomfort. Make sure to pat your child’s skin dry after you change the diaper – no harsh rubbing please!

There are also some babies who could not, or would not, tolerate a sippy cup for any reason. If you belong to either boat, here are some sippy cup alternatives that you may use in weaning your baby from the bottle.

Beaba Toddler Soft Cup Set

Go straight to a regular cup!

Sippy cups, due to its advertising, are touted as a “training cup”, thus making parents think that they are prerequisites to drinking from a regular cup. Actually, they aren’t – you can forgo sippy cups and go straight to a regular cup. It may be a bit difficult at first since you need to give your baby a little helping hand in order to steady the cup or prevent the contents from spilling, but it’s worth it in the long run since you don’t have to retrain them into drinking from a cup that actually spills.

The First Years Straw Cup comes in a pack of four, and comes with covers and straws, which leads us to option #2…

Use a straw instead of a sippy cup

Born Free Twist N Pop Straw Cup

If you can’t bear the mess that regular cups may bring, why not choose straws over sippies instead? Experts urge parents to use straws instead – the shape of the straw does not exacerbate the dreaded speech side effects that sippy cups may bring. In order to make use of a straw, choose a sturdy plastic container (it won’t break when it gets dropped), or any material that won’t break, provided that it comes with a cover. You can insert a hole on the lid where you can insert the straw in.

You should also keep in mind that your baby’s readiness and willingness must first be considered before you wean him or her from the bottle. There are some babies that, even if they can hold up their heads on their own and they have a strong grasp on things, are simply not ready. Every baby is different, regardless of what the mom on the playground tells you. Keep your baby’s needs and preference in mind before you get him or her on to bigger and better things.

ThinkBaby BPA Free Sippy Cup

What are sippy cups?

Sippy cups are training cups for your baby in order to help them learn how to drink from a cup without spilling the contents. These are usually made out of plastic, so that they won’t break when dropped. These cups also have snap-on lids with a spout. There are usually different types of spouts – some models even provide straws like this B.box Essential Sippy Cup. Sippy cups are perfect for the transition from bottle to cup because it teaches your baby how to drink from a regular cup without all the mess.

Choosing a Sippy Cup

There are various models of sippy cups and all the different kinds may overwhelm you. The type of sippy cup that you should buy is actually dependent on your baby’s needs and preferences, and you may even have to buy a lot of different kinds before you find the one that your baby likes. That said, don’t buy the ones in packs of twos or threes first. Buy singular sippy cups until you find the right one. If he or she dislikes the first sippy cups that you introduce to him or her, don’t lose hope – try to pay attention to what your baby likes before you begin the hunt for a new one.

The right age for Sippy Cups

What’s the right age to start? There is really no fixed answer for this as it depends on the willingness of your child to try the transition to sippy cups. Experts recommend that you should try to transition your baby from bottle to sippy cup at the time that they are already eating solids and when they can grasp objects with reasonable force, which is around six months of age. You don’t have to put liquids in the cup – you may just let them hold it for practice. They may actually start drinking from the cup at around nine months of age, since they have a better concept that it contains nourishment.

Now that you have a basic idea of what sippy cups are for, be sure to exercise proper precautions when choosing and allowing your baby to use a sippy cup. Make sure it’s BPA-free, sterilize it or wash it well, and have fun watching your baby experiment with the cup.

Here are things that you should consider when shopping for one or two (or three if you’re lucky):

Does it match your style?

Having a new baby is oftentimes a handful, which means you would be lucky to have enough time or energy to wash your hair and wear something fashionable. The last thing you want is a bag that really screams “diapers,” so you would definitely want one that’s chic, like this Skip Hop Versa Diaper Bag. Likewise, you would want something that matches your style in the event that you get back into the groove when you have the time to dress up again.

Aside from design, you also want to consider how you plan to wear the bag. Do you like feminine shoulder bags, messenger style bags or are you comfortable with backpacks?

Is it functional?

Your diaper bag of choice has to be functional. Otherwise, you might as well forget it. Some of the best features of functional bags are extra pockets, built-in diaper changing mats and matching wristlets or pouches that keep your items separate from baby’s. Some excellent extras include insulated bottle totes, adjustable shoulder straps,

Is it big enough?

Does your diaper bag of choice fit in everything that you need to carry? Look for bags that have space for enough bottles, clothes, diapers and changing products. Think about what you would regularly bring on daily outings and keep that in mind while choosing.

How much does it weigh?

Weight is very important because you’re going to be filling that bag up with lots of stuff. You don’t want to be weighed down by a heavy diaper bag on one shoulder, while carrying your baby at the same time. Check for bags made from light materials, which should weigh like a cloud when worn empty.

What’s it made of?

Diaper bags should be heavy duty and low maintenance at the same time. You’re going to be dragging it around and putting milk and food in it, so spills and accidents are definitely inevitable. You might want to choose a bag that’s water and stain resistant and easy to wipe clean like this Kalencom Laminated Buckle Bag. However, you may also want to consider something that you can pop in the washing machine. The very least you can find is a bag that you can wipe clean on the inside and out.

Can you use it when baby grows up?

When it comes to spending for diaper bags, here’s one thing to consider. The best bags are those that you can still use even when your baby is already out of diapers. It helps to have a little foresight while choosing, so it’s good to choose a bag that you can wear to work, while traveling or while going out. This way, it becomes an investment bag, not just a purchase that will be useless after one or two years.

What about you, what are the most important factors that you consider when choosing a diaper bag?

We love this Stokke Mini Sleeping Bag.

Stokke Mini Sleeping Bag.

So, what are we to use to protect baby against the cold if we can’t use blankets? Enter sleep sacks, which are basically fabric bags that your little one wears to sleep. They are designed to reduce the risk of SIDS because they keep your baby snug and warm at night, without worrying about blankets or cloth covering your baby’s face.

Most sleep sacks are designed to easily fasten or zip up close at the bottom to provide you with ease when changing diapers in the middle of the night. Most sacks are designed to be worn over pajamas, while others are designed to be worn by themselves. They come in a wide range of materials, colors, sizes and designs, and here are our favorite few:

Halo SleepSack Wearable Blanket

The HALO SleepSack Wearable Blanket is used in more than 1,000 hospital nurseries throughout the country. It features a sleeveless design to lower the risk of overheating. Its zipper is inverted in nature to make it easy for diaper changes. It has a generous size for the sack, making it “Hip Healthy.” The SleepSack comes in five sizes, from newborn to extra large.

KicKee Pants Layette Gown

The KicKee Pants layette gown is made from super soft fabric, and is great for super sensitive skin. The material maintains shape and vibrant color even after wash. This layette gown comes in small sizes, which are great if you are looking for something very snug for your little one.

Swaddle Designs Organic ZZZip Me Sac

This lovely ZZZip Me Sac sleep sack is made from organic eco-fleece material and features a soft satin trim. Its exclusively designed 2-way zipper opens both from the top or bottom, making it easy for you to access baby. This wearable blanket is great when baby transitions from swaddling to regular sleep.

Soft Baby Sleeper

This Soft Baby Sleeper is a wonderful alternative to the zipped sacs, because it uses a unique flip fold closure at the bottom, allowing quick and easy changes. It is made from soft merino wool, which is grown and harvested without any chemicals and pesiticeds. Natural fibers make the material breathable and comfortable for baby.

Do you use sleep sacks for your baby? What brands do you love?

On top of hormones and stretched skin, your itching can also be an effect of eczema, which usually worsens during pregnancy, as well as scabies and thrush.

California Baby Aloe Vera

Soothing Your Itchy Skin

When your skin is very itchy, you may want to shower regularly to soothe the irritating feeling. Showering is a great soothing method, but try to cut back on warm showers and baths. Skip the perfumed cleansing products and use pH-balanced and moisturizing soaps and washes like the Soothing Oat and Milky Bath instead so that your skin is not irritated or dried.

After washing the skin, moisturize it well. You can use perfumed-free lotions, or specialized products for pregnant women such as Pregnant Belly Baby Oil or Bell Ease Organic Baby Butter. When looking for skin products for itching and stretch marks, try to look for those with natural ingredients such as shea butter or sunflower oil.  For very severe itch that does not go away at all, you can use calamine lotion on the affected area. This lotion can be very comforting and can feel quite soothing.

It also helps to keep yourself cool, because heat can make itching and rashes worse. Wear loose and light cotton clothes and avoid the heat when possible so that you do not sweat.

Is Itching Dangerous For My Baby?

In majority of cases, itchy skin does not harm the baby. The itching usually goes away on its own or usually, after the baby is born. There is, however, a rare but severe case of itching that is caused by a liver problem called obstetric cholestasis (OC). This condition is also known as intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy or ICP. While it is unlikely to harm you, it can cause very disturbing and severe itchiness.

Unlike regular and everyday itching, OC affects large areas of the body but does not have a rash. It becomes worse at night and also causes pale colored stools and dark urine. The itching can be very, very bad that you cannot fall asleep at all, so your doctor may recommend medication or cream to ease the sensation. OC can be a bit of a risk to your baby, since he is likely to pass poo earlier than usual, causing meconium aspiration.

The only cure for OC is to give birth, so you may need to be induced for early labor when you turn 37 weeks pregnant. After giving birth, you and your baby will continue to see the doctor for several weeks until for monitoring until you and your baby are deemed fully healthy.

image via http://www.pinterest.com

Unless you have an unlimited shopping budget, then you’re probably wondering how you can go through six whole months of maternity dressing. You might seem like you need a new wardrobe, but you really do not need to break the bank to get your maternity fashion essentials together. You may need to buy a few outfits, but you can definitely make do with some stuff located in your closet. Looking forward to building your maternity outfits? Check out our list here:

• Classic Tees – Classic tees go with anything, from shorts to skirts to stretch pants. Choose any style that you like, but make sure that its made from stretchy material so that the shirt grows with your belly.
• Black Stretch Pants – Stretch pants go with all kinds of shirts and tops and will see you throughout the months of your pregnancy and even after you give birth.
• Dresses – Nothing is easier than slipping on a short dress. Think clingy fabrics that hug all your curves. Black is a great color because it is classic and timeless and works well with everything. What’s great is that you can wear the dress again and again and just use different accessories when you do. Pair it with a dress today, a cardigan the following week or wear it by itself. There are so many things that you can do with just one dress.
• Button down shirt – A tailored maternity button down provides you with a tailored look, but you don’t need to buy one. You can borrow your husband’s button down for a casual look, too. This option is great for the office, too.
• Jeans – Denim is an ultimate must have, even for pregnant women. You can dress it up or down. With different colors, cuts and styles, you can find a flattering pair that you will definitely love. Tip: You may want to check your pre-pregnancy jeans to see if they fit. Don’t worry if they do not close. You can buy extenders or maternity bands which will allow you to wear them while keeping the buttons open. Aside from jeans, you can also pick brown or black pants, which are perfect to go with button down shirts and casual tops for office wear.
• Shoes – even if you’re the daring type, leave the high heels and stilettos at home and make sensible shoe choices. Your feet will be carrying a lot of load during the day so it helps that you support it well by choosing the right type of shoes. Appropriate styles include comfortable pumps and boots, high quality sneakers and sandals. You may also need to buy your shoes in bigger sizes as your feet may go one (or more) size bigger.
• Bras and panties – You will definitely need new bras to accommodate your new breast size, which is definitely bigger than your normal breast size. Don’t be embarrassed to spend time looking for the right fit when you are shopping as it is very important that your breasts get the support that they need. You can also invest in maternity bras ahead of time, which you can also use post-partum if you plan to breastfeed your baby. Panties-wise, you’ll need something that fits your growing belly, so you may want to purchase maternity panties that go over the belly. For sexier options, you can buy panties from your favorite brand but get the pairs in larger sizes.

There you have it, all the essentials that you will possibly need for going out, whether to run errands or go on a quick meeting. Try to check your closet if you already have some of these items, and then build on from there. Have fun!

Car seats come in a wide range of models, brands, sizes and textures, which may make it difficult for you to choose from the multitude of options available. Here are some factors to consider when looking for one:

Chicco Keyfit 30 Infant Car Seat And Base, Equinox

Safety

When getting information about the safety of a certain car seat, check out safety reviews about each brand or model. Aside from checking consumer reports, check out safety reviews and user reviews as well. Read up and keep yourself informed especially on brands and models which have been recalled in the past.

Other safety features you should consider are harness, seat and tether features. The best harnesses are those with five secure points, such as the Safety 1st Vantage High Back Booster which keep the child snug and secure. Check for adjustability so that you can continue using the seat as the child grows older.

Ease Of Installation

Aside from safety, it is also important to look at how the car seat fits your car, such as how easy it is to install. Cars manufactured after 2002 have a LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system which is designed to make installation simpler. With the latch system, you can easily attach the car seat to anchors which are built into the car, making the process easier and safer.

Fit

Not all car seats are compatible with all car models, so you have to check if your choice fits the seat of your car. Infant car seats, for example, can be quite deep. Also, smaller cars may not have enough space in the back seat unless you move the front seat forward. Each seat has different dimensions and some may be bigger than others. Ask the store management if you can bring the seat to your car to try it out in your car.

Stroller Compatibility

You can purchase travel systems like the Baby Trend Expedition ELX which is basically a set that includes a stroller and a coordinating baby carrier. If matching fabrics is something important to you, then travel systems would seem like a good idea but if this is not a concern, then it’s better to pick a infant car seat and stroller of your choice. Most popular brands have available adapters, giving you a lot of options. Most expectant parents choose the car seat first then pick the stroller afterwards.

Other Things To Consider

Color, fabric and design are also other considerations, but they are not as important as safety and comfort features that are mentioned above. When shopping, consider these factors first before looking at aesthetics and design.