Photo by _rexie

Some babies just stare at their slice of first birthday cake. A few more gingerly pick at it thinking, "I wish I had some blocks." But two-thirds of moms in the CafeMom Newcomer's Club said their babies just dove right in just like the sweetheart above.

Check out more photos:

Photo by Bekah062205

Photo by NateysMama

Photo by AMIE050107

Did you little one year old snub, pick or dive in cake-first?

Related posts:

First Birthday: What Did You Give Your Baby?

Birthday Gift Registries: Great Idea or Tacky?

See this video at CafeMom.

CafeMom queenamy is a plus-size mom. She had trouble finding slings that fit her frame with her first two kids, so she didn't use them much. Now baby No. 3 is on the way, and she's definitely wearing this child. She wanted to know from other moms in the Newcomer's Club how to find the best sling for plus-size women.

The verdict: There are a few you can buy, or you can make your own. CafeMom TheSinFamily posted the above video on how to wear a baby sling for moms who want to go the DIY route, and she and others added these specific instructions:

• Find a stretchy jersey knit cotton fabric. The ladies at the fabric store can help you find the right material for the sling.

• You need about 5 feet, so just under 2 yards. If you find one for about $5 a yard you'll be spending under $15 with tax.

• If you want to test drive the idea before buying the fabric, get an old bed sheet and cut it in half lengthwise. Sew the two ends together firmly and use as the center, then follow the video above.

If you want to buy a sling, plus-size moms say these worked well for them:

The Moby Wrap; $45

The Sleepy Wrap; $40

Did you have trouble finding a baby sling that fit comfortably? Which one worked best for you?

Related posts:

Which Way Do You Sling?

Why Slings Are Good for Mom and Baby

And find support in the private group Baby Wearing Mamas.

Knit Monkey Hat; $15

What is it about clever handmade baby and toddler hats around CafeMom? Our Etsy moms have the best design sense in the world. We should open a shop and get rich: "The CafeMom Cutest Kids Hats Ever Store."

The monkey hat at left was designed and knit by Etsy CafeMom Jessica03106. This would be perfect for my daughter, who I affectionately refer to as "my little monkey."

Moms in the CafeMom Newcomer's Club love it too. Check out Jessica's Bows by Jess Etsy shop for more beautiful handmade hats.

Another adorable one when you continue on ...

Faux-hawk Wool and Cotton Baby Hat; $20

CafeMom lilpapoose lines this wool hat with cotton so your little punk rocker can focus on his music not all that itchy wool on his head. For babies 3-6 months. More details at lilpapoose's Etsy Shop.

Related posts:

Winter Toddler Hats and Hats and Hats!

Who Has a Cute Owl Hat? Who? Who?

Photo by MadsMom04

A weekly post to help us get to know some of our CafeMom cuties ...

Who: Lucas Kenneth, 11 months old, son of MadsMom04. When Lucas was born via c-section, he was screaming so loud. My husband I were laughing so hard we were crying.

He sometimes sleeps through the night, and he takes two, two-hour naps during the day.

What makes him smile?

His big sister!

What is his latest milestone?

He is trying to say words like Mommy, Daddy and baby. He's also said hi! I love trying to get him to say new words.

What is his fussiest time of day?

Usually around 7 p.m. He starts getting very whiny and there's not much that can make him happy except a bath and his crib.

What will he do for a career?

A comedian! If he makes you laugh, he'll keep doing whatever it is to keep you laughing.

++++

Introduce us to your baby! -- post a photo tagged dailybuzz and PM me if you'd like your new addition featured in Baby of the Week.

Previous Baby of the Week:

Joseph

Sophia

Aurora

Alexander

Gavin and Elijah

Photo by butterfly7sp

Maybe you've already made the decision to co-sleep with your baby. But other moms who will be putting their new babies in their own beds often wrangle with what's better -- a bassinet, a cradle, or straight to the crib.

But with a newborn the crib just seems so ... big. Not cozy at all. At least that's the way I felt.

KaetlinC was even wondering if it's safe to put a newborn straight in the crib.

Tons of moms in the Advice for Moms thread said they put their babies into the crib from day one with no problem. It is perfectly safe as long as the crib is safe (in good condition; without gaping slats that can catch a head or limb; no bumpers, pillows, loose blankets or stuffed animals) and you plug in a baby monitor if the crib is in another room.

Moms said bassinets are great for those who are breastfeeding, since those babies wake up more frequently than formula-fed infants. You can put the bassinet right next to your bed. Plus, new moms check on their babies all night long, and this will save you a few groggy-eyed steps.

I used a bassinet the first couple of months for both my children for exactly those two reasons. My babies were only arms length away from my bed, so when they were hungry, I'd just sit up, reach over, grab the kid, and plop them down next to me in bed. Often we'd both fall asleep and I'd put them back later. Worked like a charm.

A couple months later when they started to sleep a little longer I felt comfortable putting them in the crib, which, with a couple more pounds of kissable little baby fat filling up the space, didn't seem as cold and cavernous anymore.

See this poll at CafeMom.

Related posts:

Getting By Without a Crib

Bassinet Questions and Answers

It's hard being a new mom (or even an experienced mom to a new baby) and sometimes we do things we know we shouldn't, despite what all the experts say. But this is a safe place to share your secrets—we won't tell.

This Week's Secret:

I put cereal in my baby's bottle. I know the doctors advise against it nowadays but I did it with my first when he was two months old and he was fine, and I plan on doing it again with my next one. — anonymous

See this poll at CafeMom.

We all have secrets and opinions—so thanks to this brave mom for sharing her honest thoughts, and thank you for keeping this conversation nonjudgmental!

If you have a new mom secret you'd like to share anonymously, PM me.

Past confessions:

I Thought My Baby Was Ugly

I'm Breastfeeding But I Crave Beer

I Sometimes Use Breastmilk for Cooking

My Baby Annoys Me

I Took My Baby to a Bar

I Drove My Baby Without a Car Seat

I Forgot My Baby's Name!

I Leave My Twin Babies Home Alone

I Let My Baby Wear a Dirty Diaper

I Wish I Never Had a Baby

Photo by PrinceEdsmommy

The month of November is Prematurity Awareness Month, sponsored by the March of Dimes. I had no idea that the rate of premature births has been escalating over the past 20 years.

Being lucky enough to have delivered full-term healthy infants, I hadn't been paying attention and thought the problem was under control. How wrong I was.

Today one in eight babies are born before they should be. In nearly 40 percent of all cases, no one knows why, since premature birth can happen to any woman, even healthy ones.

But here are some of the other "known" reasons why more women give birth prematurely:

Infections and inflammation Even bacterial infections far away from the reproductive organs, such as periodontal disease, may contribute to premature delivery -- so pregnant ladies, get to the dentist!

Stress Felt by either the mother or the baby.

Bleeding Such as from placental abruption, when the placenta peels away from the uterine wall before delivery.

Stretching The uterus may become overstretched by the presence of multiples, amniotic fluid, or certain abnormalities.

Babies who are born premature are not simply small babies. They are often too sick or underdeveloped to leave the hospital and must stay in the NICU for weeks or months. Other concerns:

• These babies face an increased risk of serious medical complications and death; however, most, eventually, will go home.

• Even the best of care cannot always spare a premature baby from lasting disabilities such as cerebral palsy, mental retardation and learning problems, chronic lung disease, and vision and hearing problems.

• Half of all neurological disabilities in children are related to premature birth.

There are lots of places where moms of premature babies can turn for support on CafeMom:

Preemie Moms

2007 & 2008 Preemie Babies

Children with Special Needs Around the World

Are you the mother of a premature baby? How long did your little one have to stay in the hospital before coming home?

Related posts:

Kangaroo Care for Premature Babies

Mandatory Drug Testing for Moms of Preemies?

Photo by luna_moon

CafeMom Momma_Halo was tired of hearing scary and emotional childbirth stories and posted a Journal asking for funny delivery stories. And moms, um, delivered. Here's a sampling. But you've just got to visit her Journal for the rest because it's Monday. You need to laugh some more.

-- I was given an epidural so the doctor could stop mid-delivery to check the baby's mouth (she'd had a bowel movement in the womb, very dangerous). I was sitting there with only the baby's head out when hubby said something stupid. I started laughing and couldn't stop. 

Finally my doctor told me to stop laughing because I was pushing the baby out and she wasn't ready to catch her yet.  After we were all done, both the doctor and the nurse told us that they have never before uttered those words stop laughing during a delivery before. I was the highlight of their week.

-- I went to the wrong hospital. I delivered at Northside. Yeah, well, l they have three locations! I thought I would deliver in the one closet to my doc's office. NOPE. I had to deliver at the hospital 40 minutes in the other direction. I loved the hospital I went to for the tour. And I'd pre-registered there and everything!

-- Before I gave birth, I was talking to my sister on the phone telling her how many contractions I was having. She's like, "OMG, you're in labor!" I was making tacos and she was screaming at me to call the hospital, I told her, "I'm not going anywhere until I'm done with my tacos." She's like, "How can you think about food when you're in labor?" Well, it was tacos.  

-- My husband did great till the brought the hypodermic for the the episiotomy. DH was standing by my waist and his eyes got HUGE, nearly stumbling and passing out. He then grabbed the bed and pulled his wobbly self up and pants in my face "OMG, did you see the size of that needle?" Then he stumbled and nearly passed out again.

-- When I had my third c-section, I remember laying there terrified and everyone in the room started laughing hysterically. I was so confused and I kept asking "What the h**l is so FUNNY?" over and over because no one would answer me. The only answer I kept getting was "it's ok, it's ok" in between laughs. By the time they brought my son to me they told me: He was breech. None of us had any idea! When they cut me open and pushed on the top of my belly to deliver the head, his legs popped out instead and waved so wildly in the air that they had a hard time catching them. So now it's our little joke that Gavin was born to hit the ground running.

What's your funny delivery story?

Related posts:

Childbirth Tips from a Labor and Delivery Nurse

Did You Have an Orgasm During Birth?

Photo by AshBayGrammy

A Spanish company has developed an iPhone application that will analyze your baby's cry and tell you if she is hungry, tired, annoyed, stressed or bored.

Then it will give you tips on how to deal with one of those five emotional states of infant screaming.

The Cry Translator uses sound analysis technology and is selling for $10 now, but that price is expected to jump to $30 in Apple's app store after tomorrow.

I guess it's possible that a baby's cry contains detectable meaning. Just yesterday I told you that babies cry in their own native languages.

I'm curious if this application really works -- the company says it's 96 percent accurate -- but I wonder more about whether learning this information makes a lick of difference. Most moms resort to everything to get their babies to stop crying anyway.

If this worked on your current cell phone, is the Cry Translator something you would ever consider buying?

Photo by Lelandsmommy

Have two under two? Oh mama, bless you. These links are just for you:

Must-haves for moms of two-under-two. — Celeb Baby

Six sanity-saving tips for dealing with your two. — Babble

Two cribs, two diapers, it's tough. CNN's Campbell Brown talks about having two kids under the age of two. — Yahoo! Shine

Six baby gear items that really helped this mom of two out. — Parent Dish

Do you have two babies under two?

Related posts:

Having Babies Close Together in Age

2 Under 2

Huge Maclaren stroller recall.

Maclaren strollers is recalling about a million umbrella strollers because of a hinge mechanism that could possibly catch and cut off a child's finger. Twelve children have had their fingertips amputated because of the problem in the US.

Here are the details:

Hazard: The stroller’s hinge mechanism poses a fingertip amputation and laceration hazard to the child when the consumer is unfolding/opening the stroller.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received 15 reports of children placing their finger in the stroller’s hinge mechanism, resulting in 12 reports of fingertip amputations in the United States.

Description: This recall involves all Maclaren single and double umbrella strollers. The word “Maclaren” is printed on the stroller. The affected models included Volo, Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Techno XT, TechnoXLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno and Easy Traveller.

Sold at: Babies“R”Us, Target and other juvenile product and mass merchandise retailers nationwide from 1999 through November 2009 for between $100 and $360.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using these recalled strollers and contact Maclaren USA to receive a free repair kit.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Maclaren USA toll-free at (877) 688-2326 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.maclaren.us/recall

++++

Do you have a Maclaren stroller affected by the recall?

Related posts:

Best Small Stroller for Travel

Is Your Stroller Stressing Out Your Baby?

Photo by amybuddy45

The next time your baby cries, listen very closely. Does the cry tend to go up a few octaves in melody or down? Does your baby's cry even have a "melody"?

As a matter of fact, it does. Researchers have found that babies cry in their own native language, and that each cry has it's own distinctive sound, according to Reuters.

For instance, French newborns tend to cry with a rising melody contour, while their German neighbors prefer a falling melody shape -- patterns which the researchers said fit with characteristic differences between the two languages.

Previous studies have shown that human fetuses can memorize sounds from the external world by the last three months of pregnancy and are particularly attuned to melodies in both music and language, says Reuters. Vocal imitation studies have also shown babies can match vowel sounds spoken by adults, but only from 12 weeks old.

The study involved only French and German babies, so I'm not sure what distinguishes an English speaking baby's cry, except that I I've absorbed enough soundwaves up close and personal to know that it can really hurt your ears.

What's your baby's mother tongue? Have you noticed that infants with a different native language cry differently than your baby?

Related posts:

Inconsolable Crying? How Mom Can De-Stress

Hey Baby, How Would You Like a Massage?

Photo by Loops427

There's a new study on twins .... but before I tell you any more, let me first say that this news should in no way panic moms expecting twins in which one or both babies are boys. That's the doctor who did the research himself talking, not me.

But I found this report sort of interesting in terms of the famed "boy disadvantage" we've heard about.

What's the "boy disadvantage"?

Well, it means singleton boys are more likely than girls to be born prematurely, need a cesarean delivery, or have newborn health problems. That's all well known.

And the latest study published in the nation's top gynecological journal suggests that having a male twin may also raise the odds of complications, according to Reuters.

This is what researchers gleaned from 2,704 fraternal twin pregnancies:

• The risk of preterm delivery was highest when both twins were male and lowest when both were female.

• The risks of certain complications, such as lower birth weight and newborn breathing problems, were higher among males and females who had shared the womb with a brother rather than a sister.

• Babies had a slower growth rate when they had shared the womb with a brother rather than a sister.

• Girls who had shared the womb with a brother were more likely to have neurological complications or breathing problems from underdeveloped lungs.

So what's up with the boys? Yep, testosterone. Not only do the hormones make men want to challenge each other to head-butting contests, but they also have been shown to limit lung development, for instance.

Expectant twin mamas having one or two boys need not do anything different -- there are no new recommendations for managing a twin pregnancy.

But, next up, doctors do want to look at the long-term effects of boys' mental, physical and behavioral development to see if the pre-natal issues are related in any way.

Did you find any of the above true of your boy/girl or boy/boy fraternal twins?

Related posts:

Twin Pregnancy Week by Week

Having Twins Makes Me Twice as Cool as You

Photo by StarrMom2Xander

Carrying my babies up and down our slippery wooden stairway was always one of my biggest new mom fears. There were a couple of near misses, but we made it to toddlerhood unscathed. I'm making up for it now. Just the other day, I sledded down the last few treads on my butt. I'm just so klutzy.

natalies_mama's husband did fall down the stairs the other day with their 2 1/2 month old daughter. Their stairs are carpeted but narrow, and her husband is tall. Every time he ventures down with the baby, she holds her breath and listens.

The other night, that ended with tumbling and her husband crying out.

He forced himself to land backwards, so the baby was fine, just shaken, thank goodness.

My girlfriend's biggest mom fear was baby rolling off the changing table. I remember one time I turned my back on her daughter for a second to grab a baby wipe, and she verbally flayed me for taking such a "big risk."Ouch. I got over it.

Some mom fears border on the irrational ... but understandable ... for first-timers. Moms in Answers shared theirs:

• Breaking her fingers or toes while dressing her.

• Smothering her with my boob while breastfeeding.

• Breaking his arms and legs during diaper changes.

• Accidentally locking baby in the car with my keys inside.

• That she would stop breathing for no reason.

• Being so distracted that I would leave my daughter somewhere.

• Hurting his fontanels.

• Feeding him too much or too little.

• Accidently poisoning him by touching something that would absorb into my skin, into my bloodstream, and into my breastmilk.

• That her head would fall out of the infant supports in the carseat and her neck would snap.

• In the hospital, I was afraid that he'd kick the leg alarm off while I was sleeping and someone would take him, or that they would accidentally switch him with another baby when they took him for his hearing test.

What is your biggest new baby fear -- irrational or not?

Related posts:

I Hurt Him By Accident

Have You Ever Dropped Your Baby?

Photo by ventichaitea

One CafeMom had a surprise home birth. (Not unusual unless you're not planning on it.)

Cafe MicheleZ, who's expecting twins in another month, is worried that her babies might come so fast (she should be so lucky!) that her midwife or doctor of choice may not make it to the delivery room in time. She's thinking of creating a Birth Plan B and C just in case.

This is probably a good idea considering the strange and unexpected places babies decide to pop out. Just this week, a woman in Eau Claire, Wisconsin gave birth on the sidewalk outside the hospital.

According to the Eau Claire Wire, the baby's grandmother drove laboring mom Tiffany Kohls to the hospital, but Kohls couldn't hold back as the car pulled up. The grandmother ran into the hospital and grabbed a wheelchair and asked two security guards for help.

But it was too late, and Kellen Kohl arrived on the sidewalk before maternity nurses could race to the front door. Mom and son are reported to be doing fine.

As for me, If I'd waited another half-hour to drive to the hospital, my daughter would have arrived in the car. Labor came on fast, and she greeted the world about 10 minutes after they got me situated in the birthing room. My own doctor didn't even make it. They told me to stop pushing while they pulled some other doctor, whom I'd never met, from another room to catch the baby as she came out. Liability thing.

Was your baby delivered in an unexpected way or in an odd place?

Photo by fern624

The American Dietetic Association, the nation's largest professional organization of nutritionists and dietitians, has come out even more strongly in favor of breastfeeding, calling it the "optimal feeding method for infants."

But its report was also quick follow that statement up, in its very diplomatic and roundabout way, with a call for a lot more support and encouragement than moms are getting right now. CafeMoms in the Breastfeeding Moms group couldn't agree more:

Arisce: "I think America is slowly moving in the right direction. I'm a little concerned though that we're going to push breastfeeding and not give women any actual support, which will create even more bad feelings toward breastfeeding."

lyndallsmom: "It's all well and good that these groups are encouraging something that should never have been discouraged in the first place. I, however, would like to see more promotion. I'd much rather see ads and commercials for breastfeeding than these stupid car ads, fast food ads, and diapers ads."

The report outlined numerous benefits of breastfeeding to both mother and child. Nothing earth-shattering, but here's the summary you've all heard before:

Health benefits of breastfeeding infants include:

• Enhanced immune system
• Reduced risk for nonspecific gastroenteritis, severe lower respiratory tract infections and asthma
• Protection against allergies and intolerances
• Promotion of correct development of jaw and teeth
• Association with higher intelligence quotient and school performance through adolescence
• Reduced risk for chronic disease such as obesity, type 1 and 2 diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and childhood leukemia
• Reduced risk for sudden infant death syndrome.

Benefits for the mother include:

• Strong bonding with infant
• Increased calorie expenditure, which may lead to faster return to pre-pregnancy weight
• Faster shrinking of the uterus
• Reduced postpartum bleeding and delays in the menstrual cycle
• Decreased risk for chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, breast cancer and ovarian cancer
• Improved bone density and decreased risk for hip fracture
• Decreased risk for postpartum depression
• Enhanced self-esteem in the maternal role
• Time saved from preparing and mixing formula
• Money saved from not buying formula and increased medical expenses associated with formula feeding.

Do you feel that new moms aren't encouraged and supported in breastfeeding as much as they should be from the outside world?

Related posts:

How Long Will You Breastfeed Your Baby?

Milking Breastfeeding as Much as You Can

Photo by nily

A weekly post to help us get to know some of our CafeMom cuties ...

Who: Joseph Anthony, 1 year, son of nily. When I was 35 weeks pregnant I had an accident and fell on the sidewalk, landing on my very preggo belly. Because of that he was born premature through emergency c-section and spent seven days in the NICU. He weighed 5 lbs, 10 oz and measured 19 inches. Joseph defeated all odds of a rough start, so I'm very proud of him. To me he is a warrior. Right now he has no sign of any delay. He does everything a full-term baby does.

My little man has slept from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. since he was four months old and I hope he stays like that! He also takes two naps per day.

What makes him smile?

My son loves music. I put classical on and he just closes his eyes and smiles. He loves sounds and to hear everything around him.

What is his latest milestone?

He's been busy taking his first steps, adding new words to his vocabulary, and learning to master the sippy. My son can say and understand the following words in our native Spanish: mami (mommy), papá (dad), tití (aunt), más (more), dame (give me), no. Some new ones: callate (shut up) and LaI (trying to say Nilmary, his sister's name).

What is his fussiest time of day?

Sadly, usually in the afternoon when Daddy comes home from work. He gets tired and very fussy but my husband manages to spend time with him and make him comfortable.

What will he do for a career?

I think my son might be choose a career related to music, but anything he picks would be fine with us. All that we ask is that it be something honest and decent.

++++

Introduce us to your baby! -- post a photo tagged dailybuzz and PM me if you'd like your new addition featured in Baby of the Week.

Previous Baby of the Week:

Sophia

Aurora

Alexander

Gavin and Elijah

Stella McCartney Cashmere Cardigan; $58

Cafe MicheleZ was just swooning a few feet away from me over something online, and then I heard her mention "a leopard print shirt and skinny jeans." At first I was thinking, Wow, how dramatic will that twin prego belly of hers look dressed in all those spots!

But since most of Michele's thoughts are on her forthcoming babies these days, I wasn't surprised when she told me she was talking about the new clothing line designed by Stella McCartney for Baby Gap and Gap Kids.

I clicked straight to the site and this is what I found:

Kanga Footed One-Piece; $38

Kanga Sweater Dress; $48

Days of Week Onesies; $58

Right on the homepage for BabyGap is a picture of a little girl about my daughter's age wearing a soft grey hooded sweatshirt over a muted pink layered tutu with comfy tights.

OMGoodness, I want this outfit! Grey and pink are one of my favorite combinations. The soft palate in lots of comfy fabrics is McCartney's trademark, and this comes through in her Gap Kids line for children through age 12, too.

Pricey for sure, but someone is buying them. The line only just launched, but several sizes are already sold out.

I just wonder -- can you toss cashmere leggings with pureed carrot stains right in the wash?

Do you like the new Stella McCartney line?

Related posts:

6 Ways to Save $$ on Baby Clothes

Used Baby Clothes Could Be Outlawed

It's hard being a new mom (or even an experienced mom to a new baby) and sometimes we do things we know we shouldn't, despite what all the experts say. But this is a safe place to share your secrets—we won't tell.

This Week's Secret:

When my baby was first born, I thought she was ugly, but she's so beautiful to me now. — anonymous

See this poll at CafeMom.

We all have secrets and opinions—so thanks to this brave mom for sharing her honest thoughts, and thank you for keeping this conversation nonjudgmental!

If you have a new mom secret you'd like to share anonymously, PM me.

Past confessions:

I'm Breastfeeding But I Crave Beer

I Sometimes Use Breastmilk for Cooking

My Baby Annoys Me

I Took My Baby to a Bar

I Drove My Baby Without a Car Seat

I Forgot My Baby's Name!

I Leave My Twin Babies Home Alone

I Let My Baby Wear a Dirty Diaper

I Wish I Never Had a Baby

Photo by bellamumma

My son did his first crawl while in day care. So his teacher was the first one to see it, not me. That always makes me a little sad. I wish I could have changed circumstances and been around more, but it was just the way it was.

It's hard to miss that first smile, laugh, step or word. Sometimes they happen so fast, out of the blue. Even stay-at-home moms can't always be in the right place at the right time.

Slightly different issue, but momtoezzie's 8 month old has been Army crawling or "scooting" a few feet in front of herself for a couple of weeks now. momtoezzie thinks her daughter is full-fledged crawling when she's not looking. She'll put her down in one spot of the room, and then seconds later, she'll appear miraculously in another spot.

"Whenever I look, she stops what she's doing and then whines for me to pick her up. I try encouraging her by motioning for her to come to me and telling her 'good girl', or coaxing her with a bottle or a sippy cup. But once I look at her, she stops what she's doing! I even try getting on my hands and knees and slowly start creeping toward her to show her what to do."

At least there's a bright side ... one of the commenters in Advice for Moms, where momtoezzie originally posted, said crawling is not technically a developmental milestone. But for some reason, that doesn't make me feel a whole lot better about missing it. :(

Have you been present for all of baby's milestones? Did it bum you out to miss it?

Related posts:

What Were You Doing the First Time Your Baby Rolled Over?

How Does Your Baby Crawl?

Photo by livewiresav06

I felt guilty taking my two-week old firstborn to a friend's party where there were lots of snuffly little kids around. Our pediatrician had specifically said to wait at least a month to six weeks before exposing him to germs, and as a new mom, I took his words as gospel.

When my daughter was born, I was strolling the aisles of Target and visiting friends within days with no guilt whatsoever. If she was going to catch anything, it would be something from her germy big brother.

I recently visited my friend and her 1 week old, and even though she's been through it all with an older son, she doesn't plan to take her new baby out anytime soon, especially with the Swine Flu going around. So it seems like it just depends on the mom.

Some of the responses from moms who were asked when they took their newborn out in public in Answers made me giggle:

Pnukey: "Just a few days. I had things to do."

serenaxxmarie: "When I asked my mother, she said, 'You gave birth to a baby in a hospital, the most germ ridden place there is, and you're worried about taking him to the store?' So anyway, I took my little one to a relatives' house the day I got out of the hospital and I believe McDonalds like three days after."

TiccledBlue: "We stopped at the store on the way home from the hospital."

See this poll at CafeMom.

Is it safer, healthier, for baby to keep her inside away from strangers as long as possible?

Related posts:

Get That Sick Baby Away From Me

Your Kid Got My Kid Sick!

Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty

Mel Gibson, 53, already has seven kids ages 28 to 10 with ex-wife Robyn Moore -- and now he's the father of a baby girl. Gibson and Grigorieva named her Lucia.

RadarOnline.com reports that the actor's partner, Oksana Grigorieva, 39, gave birth to a baby girl last Friday.

The online tabloid reports that everything went well, and mom and daughter are already home.

Mel Gibson's ex-wife filed divorce papers last spring, after romantic shots of Gibson and the Russian musician started popping up in magazines. Grigorieva has a 12-year-old son, Alexander, with ex-boyfriend Timothy Dalton of James Bond fame.

Whatever you think of Mel, gotta admit that baby has some good-looking genes. At least it's another celebrity baby to follow.

Reactions to Mel Gibson becoming a father again at 53? Anybody care?

Related posts:

Mel Gibson Divorce: Wife Files Papers

Recent Celebrity Baby Names

Photo by mamichan

If apple, pear, and squash baby food are in your horizon, there are tons of opinions on what, when, and how to feed baby. Here are some of those opinions:

Feeding timeline for that first year. — Lil Sugar

Get your kids to like veggies early on. — Parent Dish

Author Nina Planck gives info on unlikely baby food. — Babble

Introducing solids into your baby's diet. — That's Fit

Organic baby food for the entire family. — Cool Mom Picks

Recipes for homemade baby food. — Wholesome Baby Food

Is your baby eating baby food yet? What's his or her favorite?

Related posts:

Save Hundreds of Dollars on Baby Food

Frozen Baby Foods: Easy and Healthful

Make Your Baby a Good Eater

Photo by geminisummerz

I have only one set of professional holiday photos of my children. Make that child, my son. I skipped it with my daughter.

My son was eight months old. In one holiday shot, he's sitting on the snow posed next to a sled with no coat in sight.

In another, the photographer changed the background so my baby boy is on the floor next to a roaring fireplace. The tree is right there next to him, with lots of presents underneath. The photographer did a great job making my son smile and the shots turned out really great.

But years later, every time I look at that shot, I think ... Who's house is that? And why did they place a live Christmas tree -- nevermind an infant! -- by an open fireplace? Hey, what are these people doing with my baby?!

Okay, so that's a tad nut job over-analytical. Take a breath, Cyn. I guess it's my way of saying I have more fun taking my own holiday portraits, even if they lack that professional studio quality and flair.

What about you?

See this poll at CafeMom.

I'd love to see your holiday baby photos. Upload them to your page and tag them dailybuzz -- and I will try to get them in the Buzz.

Related groups:

Kids, Fun & Photos!

Photo Moms

Photo by ColeysMommy2

CafeMom JMB4Evr posted in 20 Somethings (a private group) that she swaddled her 1 year old the other day! Just one of those cute, funny things you feel like sharing.

Her little girl was fussy and refused to take a nap. JMB4Evr was so desperate to get her to sleep that she grabbed the pink blanket and wrapped her baby up like a cigar. No joke, as soon as she finished, her daughter fell fast asleep. 

For sure, this wouldn't work with every 1 year old. One mom said her little ones would have a fit, and another mom guaranteed she'd end up with bite marks on her arm if she tried that.

Hmm ... this story made me wonder if a baby is ever too old to swaddle. When I was poking around for the answer, I found a lot of moms who want to break baby of the swaddling habit. The crutch can become a bit tedious for mom.

rabbate answered both of my questions in her recent Answers reply:

"Just keep swaddling her until she fights you to put it on. There is no specific age not to swaddle and at some point she will grow out of it. I know an 11 month old that is still swaddled. My daughter was swaddled until 5 months, and then she would fight to put it on. I couldn't take it away cold turkey, though, because she was having trouble putting herself to sleep even though she didn't want it on. I just loosened it a little each night, then kept her arms out one night and it worked. Just be patient and don't let anyone tell you that at some specific age you have to stop swaddling unless it is your pediatrician."

Do you still swaddle your baby? How old is he/she? Do you like the habit or are you looking forward to your baby falling asleep without?

Related posts:

My Baby Sleeps on His Tummy -- So What?

Get Your Screaming Baby to Sleep

Is Your Baby Sleeping Through the Night?