CARE FOR BABY :: Baby Care tips - Pregnancy Tips for mom ::

Tips for Throwing a Baby Shower Party

2008-10-30T10:34:00.000-07:00

Babies bring immense joy and blessing to a family. Even the parent’s friends are delighted to hop in the fun of celebrating the coming of a new addition to the family – a bundle of joy at that.

If you are one of the would-be-parents’ closest friend or relative, you are probably secretly expected to throw the much awaited baby shower party. This sounds fun, yet tedious for some. It doesn’t have to be such hard work, really if you are able to plan ahead of time. It also helps if you have set yourself to research and read on tips and advices on planning or throwing a baby shower party. Aside from that, ensure that you have access to all the help you can get – from friends and relatives who are willing to pool their time, energy, and yes some cash for the nice little party you are planning for. Of course, everyone will be invited in the end so help should not be difficult to avail of.

For starters, here are a few tips on how to throw a memorable baby shower:

Choose a party motif
Choosing the color should not keep you clueless as long as you know the gender of the baby. Pink for girls, and blue for boys are conventional. You might want to try a new hue for a change. The color motif of the party shall dictate the decorations and invitation of the party.

Inviting the attendees
Select the people who are “game” for a baby shower party. Craft the invitation in such a way as they will be encouraged to bring gifts for the baby (and the mother, hopefully), due to the excitement of seeing a new born soon. It helps to give this as early as two weeks before the event. Make sure you inform them if it’s a baby girl or a baby boy that they shall be expecting.

Research and Prepare for Games
A lot of games for baby showers are made available on the Internet. You can also visit your favorite bookstore to help you with the research. Remember that the game should delight the participants, but should not be so stressful for the mother.

Buy your Gifts
It’s practical to check on some websites or books that advice the best and most practical gifts to give for mommies and new born babies. Remember that the stuffs you ought to give should be functional for this stage in the baby’s and the mother’s life. Choosing the first few clothes that the baby has to wear like baby girl shoes are perfect. You may also go for a sling cloth carrier that the mother can use in carrying her baby.

Here are a just a few tips you can try in throwing a baby shower party. The most important thing to take note of, it should be fun and exciting – just as exciting as having a new born around.

Author: rianne de leon

Potty Training a Developmentally Delayed Child

2008-04-24T10:06:00.001-07:00

The most important thing you need to remember when potty training a developmentally delayed child is that potty training may not happen until your child is much older than his peers. As a parent, you may want him to potty train sooner, but like any potty training child, he isn't going to be potty trained until he is ready. You can start pre-potty training your developmentally delayed child whenever you are ready. Your little one might stay stuck in the pre-potty training step for a long time before you ever see a potty training success, but be patient. He will figure it out eventually.

Here are some pre-potty training ideas that you can do with your developmentally delayed child.

-Teach him the words for urine and feces. You can use whatever words you want to for this. During diaper changes talk to him and make sure to tell him about "pee pee" and "poo poo". If he isn't talking yet don't worry, his receptive language (what he understands) may develop before his expressive language (what he can say).

-If he is walking, take him to the bathroom when you go to the bathroom. Let him flush the toilet or sit on the toilet. If he doesn't want to sit on the toilet or if he gets scared, back off and go have some fun. Making him sit on the toilet when he isn't ready will just make potty training more difficult.

-Get him a potty seat or potty chair. Don't worry if he doesn't actually use his potty seat any time soon. Let him sit on it when he wants to. He may not actually pee on the potty but let him enjoy his potty seat and being a big boy.

Signs that your child is ready to start potty training.

- He can walk to the bathroom by himself

-He can take his pants on and off by himself

-He can understand simple instructions

-He has regular bowel movements

-He is capable of communicating his needs to you

-He takes an interest in wearing underwear

-He is not afraid of the toilet

-He lets you know when his diaper is wet or soiled or takes diapers off

Once he starts showing signs that he is ready to start potty training take things slowly and be patient. Take him to the potty and let him sit on the toilet or potty chair. He may not actually go on the potty but as long as he is happy let him sit on the potty for a while. He may enjoy sitting on the potty like a big boy but not actually get what he is supposed to be doing. Don't worry. He will get it eventually. Let him practice sitting on the potty once or twice a day. First thing in the morning and right after nap time are both good times to let him try sitting on the potty. If he gets frustrated or you get frustrated take some time off.

You may go through months before you have one success but one day you will be pleasantly surprised when your developmentally delayed child finally pees on the potty. The first success is always the most exciting but don't be surprised if the first success isn't followed by another. When my developmentally delayed child started potty training and finally had a success, I though "eureka, he's finally got it." Just to be disappointed when he didn't do it again for another two or three months. Keep plugging along and keep letting him practice sitting on the potty. In time his success stories will be more frequent and eventually he will be completely potty trained.

Patty Hone is a wife and mother to four kids. She is also the cofounder of Justmommies. For more tips visit Justmommies social networking for moms and be sure to check out Justmommies Baby Names at http://www.justmommies.com/pregnancy/babyname.shtml

Colic in Infants

2008-04-24T10:05:00.000-07:00

Having a baby in the house is a wonderful experience. At times, however, the joy is broken by a bad case of colic. Many babies, and parents alike, have experienced the agony of colic in infants. It can easily wear a parent's patience thin, especially if the colic episodes go on for hours at a time. Colic is, after all, defined as a baby that cries for more than three hours a day and which crying lasts for more than three weeks. Is it something that you should be alarmed about, however?

Colic in infants is not something that is necessarily harmful to the child. It is always a good idea, however, to ask your doctor about the colic that your baby is experiencing to see if there may be a more serious underlying cause. Colic, by itself, is not damaging or harmful to the baby at all, as far as anybody knows. Any children that experience this problem grow up without any more difficulties than any child that has not had to deal with this problem. So if the issue is actually colic, there is not really any need for alarm, other than the crying that seems to go on almost nonstop.

Many parents are afraid that the colic is hurting their child because the baby seems to be in pain whenever they are crying. The child that is suffering from colic may turn red in color and clench their hands and pull their feet up into their body as if they were hurting somehow. As far as anybody can tell, however, there is not really any pain associated with colic in infants. They can certainly be a trying time for any parent, however, but it does not last forever. Colic in infants tends to go way after about three months of age.

One of the best things that you can do for yourself if you are experiencing this problem is to get away from it every now and again. Enlist the help of a trusted family member or friend to watch the baby while you get out of the house and do some shopping or just drive around to clear your head. You would be amazed at what an hour to yourself can accomplish.

Learn more about colic in infants and find out what you can do to make your life a little easier at http://www.ColicSymptoms.org.

Have You Packed You And Your Babies Bag?

2008-04-24T10:03:00.000-07:00

4 weeks to go until your due date and suddenly everyone starts asking if you've packed your bag! Suddenly it all becomes very real indeed and instead of thinking what's going on in your body you finally have to think about how you're going to get your baby out of your body!

Packing your bag for hospital is a good way to start the changing thought process. I tried to keep my bag to a minimum but there are some key essentials.

2 front fastening nighties. If you have decided to breastfeed these are a must. Easy access when you're trying to get your baby to latch on and you are both beginners is essential! I also packed some loose pyjamas for walking around the ward in.

Nipple cream is also a good idea- rarely have I heard anyone saying the first few days were easy or pain free so chose a good brand. I liked Kamillosan Nipple cream that is very popular. Breast pads for between feeds and a comfortable breast feeding bra.

While we are on personal items you will also need maternity pads. Don't think you can get away with ordinary pads as, like me, you will discover that your stitches stick to them- ouch!

A wash bag with all the usual included but also remember some antibacterial wipes. With so much in the news about super bugs you really don't want to catch anything and a handy wipe before you use the bathroom only takes a second! Also remember a couple of dark towels (as you may well find you do get blood on them).

An iPod with all your fav' tracks so that you can shut out the noise of the ward when your baby is sleeping and have a bit of me time with your new book until junior wakes up and needs you! I never actually managed to open the book by the iPod was a life saver!

Your going home outfit. Many of us have friends who have walked out of hospital in their old size 12 jeans but none of us have actually witnessed it! Go for comfort and simply pull in your old elasticated trousers to the new you! A loose front fastening top is also perfect.

It's all too easy to get so absorbed in 'you' during pregnancy that you forget there will be two of you soon after entering the hospital! Once you've packed your own bag remember to pack a bag for baby too.

Essentials.

Nappies.

I made the classic 'first Mum' error of forgetting to pack nappies for my newborn, assuming that the hospital would provide these. I therefore spent the first few hours borrowing from the kind lady in the next bed to me! What I did find is that your brand loyalty starts right now. I was a 'Pampers' Mum throughout simply because they were the nappies delivered to me in hospital.

Clothes.

You will need at least 3 babygros and vests. Try to buy easy fastening babygros and vests. It's incredible how fragile your baby feels even at a good weight and to start with you need to practice so back fastening is too much of a challenge! Don't forget that your baby might be larger than average so unless you know you are having a small baby ensure you buy the correct size!

Muslin Squares.

Who could believe that simple squares of fabric will become such a major part of ones life! To start they are fantastic for wiping up all manner of drips and sick and eventually many become essential comforters for the baby itself! I love the coloured packs now available in lime green and lemon from Mothercare!

Outfit for going home.

All hospitals are very warm so it's essential that your baby has something suitable, depending on the time of year, to leave the hospital in. This may mean a warm coat and socks and booties but will always mean a hat! A blanket is also useful for the first trip outside.

Car seat.

You will not be allowed to leave the hospital without a car seat! Practice fitting this into your car at home so that you don't struggle while your baby is in it!

Charlie Newman writes on behalf of Baby Says Hello http://www.babysayshello.com/ . Announce your baby's birth with designer cards and a beautiful birth announcement http://www.babysayshello.com/baby-announcements/ webpage to send to all your friends.

When Baby Cries - How To Respond

2008-04-08T22:43:00.000-07:00

Crying is the newborn baby's chief method of communicating with whoever will listen to her in this big new world. All babies will cry. She may be crying because she is hungry or thirsty or have a wet nappy - she will even cry when she is tired and grumpy.

In the first few months it is important to respond quickly, keeping calm and reassuring. Don't do anything to make it difficult for the baby, but respond in a way that shows that you are there to meet her needs. A quick response shows the baby that her communication was successful, and that her needs will be met. This will lead to a baby that only cries when she needs something, is able to trust that she will be looked after and ultimately is more likely to develop good communication skills.

Make sure your response does not give messages of anger, frustration and tension. This will be picked up by baby, and she will respond the only way she knows how...by crying! So it has the potential to be a downward spiral, of an inexperienced parent getting angry because the baby keeps crying, and the baby sensing the anger crying in response to the uncomfortable messages she is receiving. But you, as the adult, must put a stop to it. You are the one to demonstrate calm reassuring behavior, responding to baby's needs, enquiring into the manner and cause of her distress, ruling each option out, and trying all the tricks up your sleeve to settle baby. Often it is without cause and completely irrational. But baby's basic instinct is to tell you something is wrong, so you need to be able to deal with it.

Being held and cuddled by mum or dad is the most settling place in the whole world for baby. While you check out the possible causes (sleep, thirst, change nappy, tired), you might try some gentle rocking in a rocking chair. Walking around the room can be reassuring and remind her of the rocking motion inside mum's tummy several months ago. You will soon discover if she is an 'upright baby', or prefers to lie back, or her tummy or on her back. Gentle swinging may be soothing, or a walk in the stroller. Going outside for some fresh air often is settling, as is going for a drive in the car, strapped into her capsule or carseat. Quiet soothing music may also assist in calming, perhaps some lavender or other scent. Might be time try a pacifier. One of the most soothing things you can do is calmly and quietly talk to her, or sing to her.

Find out what is the cause of her distress, and respond - so if she is hungry - give her a feed or make a bottle. If she needs her nappy changed - then change it. If she is just tired and grumpy, then the soothing calming process is essential, and the tips for getting baby to sleep come into play.

Lindsey Paul is mother of four, all round supermum. She also runs the comparison shopping site http://www.bargains4baby-n-mum.com providing information and advice for this great adventure of parenting, and identifying the best deals on the net for hundreds of baby products.

Parenting Tips - What To Do When Your Kids Cry ?

2008-04-08T22:40:00.000-07:00

Crying is a physiological process in the life of a baby. All normal babies cry to communicate with others. Since they can't express their feelings in words crying is the only way for communication. If any uncomfortable feeling comes they simply cry. Normally babies cry in situations like hunger, wetting, too heat or cold, tight clothes, pain etc.

Some kids need the presence of somebody otherwise will cry simply. Crying without any cause is habitual in some babies. Even though crying is considered as normal it may worry the family members. Since the reasons for crying ranges from simple causes to serious causes it should not be ignored and hence exact cause has to be identified and managed accordingly.

The following are some points which should be considered while dealing with a crying baby.

1. It is dangerous to shake the baby vigorously.

2. Tight clothes can cause irritation hence it should be removed.

3. If the room is hot, switch on the fan and open the windows.

4. If the nappy is wet remove it and after cleaning the parts make it dry with a soft towel.

5. Pat her back or stroke her head slowly and let her here your soothing sound.

6. Give breast milk and make her quiet.

7. If the climate is cold cover her in soft towel.

8. Rock her gently in your arms and walk slowly in the room.

9. Take a music making doll and let her listen.

10. Try a pacifier or help her for thumb sucking.

11. If no response change her position.

12. Walk outdoors with her.

13. Put her on the cradle and rock gently.

14. If no response ask somebody to carry the baby.

Even after all these steps the baby goes on crying see for the following signs. ( Probable cause is given after every sign)

1. Press her abdomen gently,she may twist or resist you:---Colic

2. Pull her ear gently she may become worse or push your hands away:---Earache.

3. Feel her temperature with the back of your hands:--Fever due to any infection.

4.Examine the skin from head to foot:--Eruptive disease,nappy rash, measles, vesicles, allergy etc.

5. See the nose for any discharge:--Coryza.

6. Move the head gently to feel any neck stiffness:--Meningitis,head injury etc.

7. Keep your ear near her chest to hear any rattling sound:--Increased mucus in wind pipes.

8. Examine the anal orifice:--Anal erosion,rectal polyp,crawling of worms.

9. Examine the genitalia:--Any discharge or erosion.

10. In male baby see the testicles which may be swollen or tender:--Orchitis,torsion of testes.

Also notice the body movements and see for any convulsions, rigors, vomiting, cough, laboured breathing etc.

If you see the above signs or any other abnormal signs consult your doctor for proper treatment.

Low Jeremy contributes other articles relating to child care like the ABCs of breastfeeding

Visit pinkyhealth.com for more information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Low_Jeremy

Potty Training Basics - 3 Tips You Can Use Now

2008-04-08T00:20:00.001-07:00

I have had the same potty training issues as you are having. I have compiled a few simple techniques that helped me get through it.

1. Introduce potty training as early as is reasonable. A reasonable start time for potty training means different things for different people. There are signs that your child might be ready to be introduced to the potty chair. Your child may take more of an interest in the washroom. She certainly stays dry for more than two hours, that indicates that she is holding it for a period of time and that is a good sign.

2. Always be positive and patient when potty training. Try to remember that even if it seems like an unachievable goal, your child will not be wetting himself when he is 12 so just know that it will eventually work itself out. I know that sounds unreasonable but you must remain positive you must demonstrate a positive temperament. However, you just want it to be sooner rather than later. I have made some mistakes, like telling my son that he is "not a big boy" unless he goes potty. I deeply regret some of the things negative things that I might have said in anger. Do not put yourself in my position. Your son or daughter is the most treasured and beautiful aspect of your life, treat them that way.

3. Act as a potty training team. It is not you versus your child. Both parents, the child, even siblings and grandparents are part of the team when it comes to potty training. There are a number of gimmicks you can try such as hitting the cheerios or making the star wet, even a simple potty training chart. But it really does not matter as long as whatever you do is consistent and fun. Most importantly, there has to be a reward for success rather than a penalty for failure. This reward is preferably not a food treat (childhood obesity is a whole other issue) but rather a sticker or a star. For a major success such as going dry all week, you could have a bag of dollar store toys and let the child select one.

Potty training is easier and more fun than you realize. And it can be much quicker than you think. If you want to get it over with in a few days then please visit http://www.pottytrainingchild.blogspot.com

10 Useful Tips On Preparing For Your First Newborn

2008-04-08T00:19:00.000-07:00

When you're a first-time parent, the urge to buy tons of cute, new stuff for your baby is overwhelming. There are so many cool gadgets, products, clothes and more for your little one ... not to mention all the already-parents telling you what you absolutely have to have in order to survive as a new parent. I am 38 weeks pregnant with my first child - a boy named Quentin (whom we already call "Q") - and I really do believe that it will be possible for my fiance and I to maintain somewhat of a simple lifestyle. Am I living in a dream world? As of now, we buy only what we need in terms of food, consumer products and clothing - so why should having a baby change all that?

Well, there's a laugh! It just does, doesn't it? And those of you who are already parents probably know exactly what I mean. I'd love to hear your thoughts and comments about raising a "minimalist" baby. I think it's completely possible, but I want to hear feedback from the clutter-ridden to the absolutely minimalistic. Although we are not total minimalists, we thrive on having a simple household - I truly believe there is a happy medium in which we buy and keep things that we love, use or need. And that's it. If anything doesn't fit into one of those three categories, it goes to charity, the recycle bin or - as a last resort - the garbage.

Here are 10 useful tips (I've found) on preparing for your first newborn:

1. Wait until after the baby shower to buy. So far, we've had a baby shower and we received many items that we will definitely use (products and such). My suggestion is to not buy anything such as baby shampoos, soaps, wipes and diapers until after your baby shower. People will most likely buy these things for you. You will also receive gift cards, and these will come in handy to buy the things you still need after the shower is over.

2. Definitely have a baby shower for your first baby. Even if you only invite a few people, a baby shower is a time not only to receive special gifts and wishes from people you care about, it's a time to celebrate the new family member that will soon enter your lives.

3. Keep your baby shower simple. Forget center pieces. Forget renting a hall or restaurant space. Invite people that are closest to you. Have it in your home if at all possible. Order catering (so you don't have to cook/prepare food). Obtain the help of a friend or parent to help you clean the day before. Enlist another friend to help with handwritten or computer generated invitations and keeping things organized on shower day. People understand that you are close to giving birth, and they will not expect you to be the hostess of the year for your shower. Sometimes it's easy to forget how sympathetic others are - there is no need to pull off the "perfect" shower - just have fun, open gifts and enjoy your guests.

4. Do not feel like you have to use the "must-have" newborn checklists on mega baby store websites. These lists are designed to get you to buy as much stuff as possible. From the layette to toys to bottles to strollers, it can all be very overwhelming. The best things I did to see what I absolutely needed was to 1.) ask friends that already have babies what they absolutely needed and what they could do without and 2.) read the book Baby Bargains - it answers so many questions for first time parents and tells you what you absolutely need and what you do not. You can get it used or new from Amazon.com, or borrow a copy from a friend. Even if you don't have the newest version, you'll still benefit from reading it.

5. Get creative and stay simple when decorating your baby's nursery. Why must we paint the baby's nursery pale pink or blue and buy all the fancy "trimmings" like quilts that can't even be used in the crib anyway? Let me be the one to tell you ... the baby does not care what his or her nursery looks like. He will not remember. Do you remember your baby nursery? Buy or use furniture that will grow with the child instead of baby-looking furniture like white or pale wood. I think it's important for a child to love his own space once he's old enough to appreciate and remember it - it's something you can do together once he's old enough. But, as for an infant, do what doesn't require 1.) a lot of work, 2.) a lot of paint, and 3.) a lot of "fuss" (too many stuffed animals, blankets, toys, etc.) Simplicity starts from the very beginning, and if you want to instill that mindset into your child, you must start from day one so things don't start accumulating.

6. Breastfeed if you can. This eliminates the need for extra bottles, nipples, formula, bottle warmers (which don't work well anyway and aren't recommended even for formula) and burp rags (your baby will spit up less with breast milk). Breastfeeding is the best possible food for your baby - not only that, but it's also the simplest! You can go anywhere and always have food "on hand" (or "on breast" ... however you want to look at it!) Don't give up early if you feel you just can't do it ... keep trying, and your baby will thank you in more ways than one.

7. Don't feel bad buying second-hand clothing or accepting hand-me-downs from friends and family. There is absolutely nothing wrong with using second hand clothes for babies. Think about it - babies outgrow their clothes about every three months until they are in school. Why would we buy all new clothes everytime they have a growing spurt? The great thing about this is, used clothes clean up like new with some fragrance free detergent and fabric softener. No one will ever know but you ... and maybe your "baby" when he becomes a teenager!

8. Buy or use products that "transition" into something else. Some examples of this include: cribs that transition into toddler and then full-size beds, carseats that can be used as carriers and also insert into your stroller, carseats that transition into bigger carseats (so you don't have to keep buying new ones), pack 'n plays that can be used as a bassinet, changing table and playpen. These products will last longer and transition with your baby as he grows older.

9. Create your own list of baby needs and wants. Start from scratch with a list of things you think you may need or want with a new baby, and then think of places or people that you can get these things from without buying them (or getting them dirt cheap ... ebay is a great start!) Stick to your guns when people try to tell you you need something when you clearly know you don't. Chances are, you won't. You definitely need the basics when taking care of a baby, but the "frills" are for the parents' sake only - not the baby's - you just don't need all that extra stuff. Truly think about what will make your life easier for you and your child during those first few months, and that's it.

10. Simplify your own home. This entire website is about simplifying your life. If you haven't taken action to simplify your own life before this new life comes into your life, now is as good a time as any. You may have that nesting instinct kicking in, so take advantage of it, and perhaps enlist the help of a spouse or friend to go through your home (little by little) getting rid of things that no longer serve your new life. I promise you, once you get on this "kick", it will carry over into your life as a new parent, and you'll want to keep things simple even with your new little one.

I hope this list helps you get started and takes away some of the overwhelming feelings that come along with being a first time parent. You really don't need all the stuff that stores and even well-meaning friends and family press upon you. Be who you are, stick to what you believe and continue your minimalist-like lifestyle, even with a new baby in the mix.

Jen Burmeister, The Zenplicity Coach, is a professional organizer, minimizer, simplify-your-life coach and soon-to-be mommy in Troy, Michigan. To read more articles of this nature & find out more information about how to simplify your life or find more purpose & meaning in your life, please visit http://thezenplicitycoach.wordpress.com

Preschool Themes for Spring - Preschool Activities for the Spring Time

2008-04-08T00:18:00.000-07:00

Sometimes is can be difficult to find preschool activities and preschool themes that you can enjoy with your toddlers and preschoolers. It doesn't have to be anymore as there are several options out there, and there is not time better than the season of Spring to explore everything you can do.

Cure the cabin fever, you can finally get outside. Even if there is a little bit of snow left, or a few cold days, you can still manage to get rid of most of the cabin fever. All you have to do is bundle yourselves up and get moving. It is time to take bike rides, go for walks, and discover spring.

The first theme you can cover is Spring itself, explain to your little ones what it means, and then show them. Listen to the birds chirping, show them the water in the nearby crick that is higher because of the melting snow. Take lots of pictures and be creative with what you can do outside.

Balls make another great theme. You can grab all the bouncy balls you can find and put them in a large bags. Take them outside and let them roll, the balls and the kids that is. The extra sun and the time outside is sure to get them ready for nap just a bit better than normal. You can come up with rhymes to sing or find several of them online.

Transportation is a good theme to cover because you are outside and can see the different trucks, cars, van, mac trucks etc. You can print out pictures of these things and let the kids color them. You might even be able to find different vehicles to take little rides in around your neighborhood, depending on where you live.

Zoo animals is a good topic to cover as well and there is a lot you can do with it too. First take a trip to the zoo and take lots of pictures of the animals (trust me, you will use them), show the kids the new babies at the zoo (animals) and take their pictures touching animals in the petting zoon. Read about the animals to your little ones if they will pay attention, or skip to the exciting things, and make the sounds of the different animals together.

Once you get the pictures developed you can do a scrapbook together with them. It is nice to let them have their own set of pictures to use because it is a craft for them and as they add more to it over the years they will see themselves growing up and see how they did developmentally.

If you enjoyed these themes for preschoolers you can check out Early Childhood Fun http://www.earlychildhoodfun.com/blog as these themes will be covered in more depth there. You will find activities, songs, crafts and games for several themes just for Spring and all will be for kids ages 2-6. Come visit today and start enjoying the preschool years more - http://www.earlychildhoodfun.com/blog

Keeping Your Beach Baby Safe

2008-04-08T00:17:00.000-07:00

Babies skin is five times thinner than that of an adult so it is vital we protect our children from the sun's harmful rays.

Even in the UK, the sun is strong enough to burn our skin and between the months of April to September, babies should not be outside without sun protection. It is also recommended that babies under the age of 12 months are keep away from strong sunlight, if possible, in the shade. You can protect your baby from the sun in many different ways - through clothing, hats, sunglasses and perhaps most importantly by applying a sunscreen to their skin.

For babies and children a sun lotion with a high SPF of at least 50 should be used. It is important to buy new sun lotion each year as it does have a shelf life. Lotion should be applied to your child's skin approximately 20 minutes before they go outside. It should be re-applied during the day and at least every two hours if at the beach.

Sun lotion cannot be relied upon by itself. At the hottest time of day, between 11-3pm babies and children need to wear cotton t-shirts to cover their vulnerable skin. If you have a young child with a pushchair it is a good idea to have a parasol fitted to offer some shade from the sun.

At the beach, it is also a good idea to use a large sun parasol or a pop-up baby tent which filters out UV rays.

It is also important to ensure babies are wearing a sun hat to protect their delicate heads.

Baby Treasure Trove stock organic cotton sun hats which protect babies head but are soft on the skin. Please see http://www.babygifts-treasuretrove.co.uk

Baby Clothes That Make You Smile

2008-03-19T09:56:00.000-07:00

By: Art Gib

If you want to clothe your little one in a playful and unique style, try involving a little bit of humor.
After all, parenting is a full-time job that often involves late-nights, sibling rivalry, thousands of diapers, and a lot of laundry with teeny, tiny clothes. As long as the clothes need to be changed one to five times a day, you might as well have fun with the kind of clothes you choose to buy.

This is one advantage of buying designer baby clothes. Designers often capitalize on stereotypes associated with babies to create entertaining labels and messages. For example, parents can buy baseball caps reading "Big Brother. A.K.A. The Boss," a onesie reading "Carpe Diem! Seize the day and scream all night!" or a bright-red bib with white letters reading "BABEWATCH" that will help keep them and their friends laughing through the sweet and trying times of parenthood.

Designer clothes also allow parents to dress their children in clothes all keeping with a favorite theme. For example, rough and tough fathers may get a kick out of seeing their little man covered from head to toe with Harley Davidson logos. Jackets, shirts, bibs, creepers, backpacks, wallets, blankets and even underwear sporting this well-known biking motif are all available through designer baby clothes companies. For parents with a milder taste, clothing with Disney characters like Mickey Mouse and Pooh Bear are also available.

Designer accessories are often sold individually because of the specialized messages they display and individual preferences of customer, but many of the clothes they provide are sold in 2 or 3-piece sets which include matching pants and shirt with a third item such as a bib, a cap, or socks. These sets usually cost $24 - $29 but individual outfits such as coveralls can cost as little as $9. The selection parents choose from includes hundreds of items available in newborn, infant and toddler sizes ensuring that a wide variety of tastes can be satisfied at one location.

Designer baby clothes are also known for their quality. Designer onesies, pants, shirts, sleepers and beanies are usually made with 100% super soft cotton that will keep your baby warm and comfortable all day and night. If you are looking for other baby items as well, many designer stores also offer blankets, diaper bags, or toys so you get more shopping done in less time.

Whether you are buying baby clothes for your own kids or a good friend's baby shower, be sure to shop where the selection, style and quality are high.

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Babies First Solids - Baby Cereal Is A Good Start

2008-03-18T03:14:00.001-07:00

By: Kenneth Scott

Pediatricians recommend that babies should be started on some kind of solid food between the ages of four to six months based in individual development. Factors like a stable neck among others are used to decide whether a baby is ready to start eating or not. The reason why solids are introduced at this stage is because solid food allows for more calories to be inputted into the childs system which is what is required at this stage. It is also important that your baby learn the act of swallowing.

These solid as they are called are not tough pieces of bread or chunks of chicken that your baby is expected to bite. The first meal that you offer your baby should ideally be a cereal mixed in breast milk or formula milk. Even though cereal manufacturers mention that you can mix the cereal in water, the use of milk helps in providing a familiar taste to the baby reducing the chances of it being rejected.

To start with, you should choose to a rice cereal for your child. This is the preferred option since rice has almost a zero chance of being an allergen and is easily digested. Another cereal that is not likely to be an allergen is oatmeal. Once you have tried these with your baby, you can move on to other combinations like oatmeal and banana or rice and apple or oatmeal and mixed vegetables. There are options of exotic flavors like black currant to provide variety and excitement and amusement for the fledgling palette of your child.

Make sure that when you start making a cereal meal for you baby, you should ensure that the consistency is thin and almost fluid. You can gradually increase the cereal content and reduce the liquid added to obtain a thicker consistency as and when your baby shows signs of comfort with the food. Ensure that what you make is even and pasty and does not have lumps so that it is easy fro the baby to swallow.

Once your baby has taken to cereal and shown no allergies, you can start to introduce other foods. Keep in mind that your baby still does not have any teeth and it is a good idea to run anything that you want to feed your baby through a baby blending or mashing machine. A favorite fruit is banana that can easily be mashed, the slippery consistency of which is thoroughly enjoyed by babies. Make sure that you introduce a single new food at a time, giving about 2 weeks for each new addition to settle down before classifying it as an acceptable option.

Obviously, once the baby cuts teeth and has a nice set of pearly white milk teeth, you can through out the remaining packs of baby cereal and baby food and start offering real solid food to your child

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Too Hot? - Not Of You Use A Bottle Warmer!

2008-03-18T03:09:00.000-07:00

By: Kenneth Scott

Every mother has gone through this phase in her life when she has had to wake up several times in the night and also in the wee hours of the morning for a baby feed. Whether this feed is formula milk or a previously expressed quantity of breast milk, the fact of the matter is that it needs heating. In most cases microwave heating is not recommended since uneven heating can be an issue. And that is the reason why most mothers appreciate a product called the baby bottle warmer.

Like most other products available these days, baby bottle warmers also come in various shapes and sizes. And therefore, the price of each of them is different. However, the size and shape is not the only reason why you may find options ranging from a few dollars to scores of dollars. The raw material and the quality of plastic, element and other parts used plays an important role in the final cost of the product. Many people can make the mistake of assuming that since these are bay products, they would have gone through stringent checks and regulations to ensure that the final product is an effective and safe one to use. Unfortunately, that is not the case.

There are many cheap brands available in the market that may look similar to the expensive ones but are likely to create problems once you start using them. Some of them may not be made of good quality plastic and may crack or melt. Other may cause uneven heating and result in a bottle with warm milk followed by a surprising entry of cold milk. Uneven heating can result if the steam in the baby bottle warmer is not allowed to circulate properly in the apparatus ensure even heating. This can result in only the lower part of the bottle to be heated adequately, leaving the upper part as chilly as it was when it was removed from the refrigerator.

Even though the uneven milk may not cause the milk to be scalding to burn or scald our baby, imagine the surprise and maybe a scare that it will give him when he suddenly encounters cold milk that he is not used to. In such cases, it is always better to be safe than sorry and invest in some time and effort in researching the right product at the right price. Buying cheap should not be the objective here. What you should aim at is getting a product that is worth its price to ensure that your needs are met adequately.

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Best Gifts For A Baby

2008-03-12T01:31:00.000-07:00

By: Victor Epand

You are a new parent and you want to make sure you buy the absolute best for your baby. There are many options out there, so what do you pick that will not only help your child grow, but help them have fun too?

The first type of gift you want to get for your baby is anything that causes intellectual stimulation. These are gifts which get the small mind of a baby working in overdrive, helping to create a healthy mind as they grow older. You should introduce games with various shapes, colors, and songs to your baby as young as possible.

Take the baby to the beach for their birthday. They can play in the sand, enjoy the water, with you holding them of course, and play around with other babies who are enjoying the sand as well.

A special blanket for your baby is a great gift, and depending on the type of personality, they may hold onto the blanket for a lot longer than their first couple years. The blanket is something the baby will identify with very quickly and it will eventually have a place in a memento box one day.

You want your baby to know that bath time is fun, so get them a gift that will allow them to play in the bath. You can get them special shampoo and soap meant for their skin, or a bunch of toys that the two of you can play with in the bathtub.

Give your baby the gift of music. Studies have shown that a baby introduced to music, particularly classical, at an early age, grow up to have well-formed minds that nurture many mental abilities including problem solving and creativity. There are many CDs out that actually cater to a baby and are the best bet to buy over the usual music CD.

Get the baby something that is personalized. It can be a jumper with their initials or a blanket with their name stitched into it, because like the blanket, it is something that they will save throughout their lives and it will bring back warm feelings of being a baby long ago.

Try and find the best gift you can for your baby and make it something that will help them nurture their minds and bodies, as well as teach them about having fun. They are your baby and they deserve only the best.

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Encourage Good Sleeping Habits For Your Newborn

2008-03-11T06:23:00.000-07:00

By: Kenneth Scott

Babies must eventually learn how to sleep away from their mothers. This transition takes some time, and new parents can help by establishing good sleeping habits for their newborns. The added benefit of creating good sleep habits for the baby is that parents also get more rest!

Most recommendations focus on developing routines and habits for babies that encourage them to associate sleeping with nighttime. The sooner parents can get their children to associate bedtime with sleeping, the more likely the children will be able to go to sleep without making a fuss.

However, the transition period, the time that exists between being awake and going to sleep, is often overlooked in these recommendations. Several techniques can be applied during this period.

One technique is known as fathering down. Just before putting the baby into the bed, the father should cradle his baby so that the babys head lies on the fathers neck. The father should talk to his child gently. Babies are often soothed by a male voice because it is deeper than the female voice, and they may fall asleep more easily after hearing the fathers voice for a time.

Another technique is called wearing down. This can be especially effective if a baby has been active all day and is too excited to be put to bed easily. Put the baby in a sling or carrier and wear him or her for approximately 30 minutes before bedtime. Perform your usual tasks. The baby will experience an easier transition from wakefulness to sleep because of being close to you and being slowly rocked by your general movements before bedtime.

If these techniques fail, you may want to try driving down. This is a method of last resort and involves putting the baby in the car and driving around for a period of time until the baby falls asleep. While this method is somewhat inconvenient, it is usually effective. If you need some well-deserved rest, driving down is an attractive option.

Of course, you do not want to get into the habit of driving the baby around in the car every night! And you do not want to always carry the baby in sling before bed to encourage sleep. The idea is to use these techniques and slowly ease away from them. You should only use them during the major transition that your new baby experiences when he or she has never slept alone before.

The baby does not know how to handle the transition, so you must teach him or her how to go from being awake to being asleep. These transition techniques can gradually be eliminated as the baby learns good bedtime habits, and both you and the baby can then have a good nights sleep!

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Mindful Parenting Tips: Long Term Effects Of Punishment

2008-03-09T00:02:00.002-08:00

I always get such a kick out of the way Jane Nelson puts this: Get rid of the crazy idea that in order to make children do better, first you have to make them feel worse. Do you feel like doing better when you feel humiliated? Her choice of words seems to really resonate with folks.

Jane challenges us to take a new look at "time out". Instead, think of it as "feel better time" or "cooling off". Tell children in advance that we all need a "cooling off period" sometimes when we are misbehaving.

Teach your children about cooling off periods. Have everyone practice going to a separate area to do something to help themselves feel better.

Tell them, "This is what I am going to do when I am feeling bad, and need to feel better." Then use it by modeling it yourself during a situation. Be sure to problem solve later at a neutral time with mutual respect.

Proper timing is the key. It does not work to deal with the problem at the time of conflict because emotions get in the way.

Use the cooling off periods, then work out the problem during a neutral time when everyone is feeling better. Have meetings to solve the problems.

Punishment may work if all you are interested in is stopping the behavior in the moment. Beware of the long range results of punishment: Resentment, Rebellion, Revenge or Retreat.

Use Natural Consequences when appropriate. According to the late guru, Rudolph Dreikurs, Natural Consequences are the most important means of maintaining order. Opportunities to let your child experience unpleasant results of misbehavior will arise in the natural course of events. Never spare your children of these natural consequences!

For example, Brianna refuses to put her shoes on in the morning. As a logical conscequence, Mom and Brianna can't walk older brother to his classroom that morning (which Brianns loves to do), because she is wearing no shoes. There is no blame or shame related to this consequence.

Per Maria Montessori, during the approximate ages of 2 1/5 and five years, children enter the Sensitive Period of Social Development phase. A child explores and absorbs group and social behavior. Due to this sensitivity, a child needs to experience natural consequences for improper behavior. For example, a child should be removed from group nucleus if behavior is unacceptable.

During family or class meetings children can help decide on consequences. Back off, let them decide on and experience their choices. You or they can bring it up at another meeting to renegotiate.

Remember to not use the word punishment, which does not work for long-range "good" results.

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Encourage Good Sleeping Habits For Your Newborn

2008-03-09T00:02:00.001-08:00

By: Kenneth Scott

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Toddler Toys Not Safe Anymore!

2008-03-09T00:00:00.000-08:00

By: Rachel Nunez

Now-a-days mothers should read the labels of the toys they are planning to buy for their children. Toys in the market may now have harmful chemicals mixed during manufacturing it. This may lead to the children to have a later effect on their growth such as, brain developing. For those mothers who do not want this to happen here are some tips to be helpful. First, see the manufacturer. Second, if you had heard negative news about this manufacturer research more about it before judging the product. Lastly, be more a qualitative rather than what is popular in the market that you think your child must have it. If you care for the youngster we should not base it on waht is the popular toy of the year but the benefits that the child we are giving it shall have. Toys are made for children to help them explore the world. It is made to be colorful to help them distinguish colors. It is made to have different sizes for them determine what the small is and the large. It is basically a helping tool for children in learning. Yet, we as the elder shall be narrower in buying those toys because we know what is best for them.

Some toys are expensive and because of this matter others chooses to buy those cheap tag toys in the malls or even on bargain store. As a consumer product we should not base the price tags of the toys that we are planning to give instead base it on the quality and assure us that the content of these toys are good or else it may harm the kids that we love. Thier lives are precious. They are just discovering the world that we had already seen. So, we must be wiser now.

It is not only mothers who shall be responsible on choosing what kind of toys they should buy in the market for their kids but also other persons who have intended to give such as a gift or a present. It is now alarming that this matter have shock not only to those who have siblings but also economic deficit on the side of the maker of this product.

Toys are only for toddlers for them to enjoy, have fun, and explore using this? Nope but elders also love them too because it gives joy and lighter feeling when you have it especially when it is given by somebody who are so dear to you.

As it breaking the news on the television and over the internet if you care for your children there are other ways to solve it. One is to investigate. Two, ask for those who know in the authority (example Pediatricians, Toxicologist). Third, listen in the news be more aware and alert. Finally, if you really want that your children have safe toys you can make your own homemade toys. If you have a baby who are protruding tooth or teeth you can gave them clean baby towels instead of toys for them to bite. It may lessen the pain that they are experiencing because of this sticking-out of tooth.

We must now learn from the past before its too late to blame ourselves on buying cheap tagged price toys over those expensive yet safe for your kids to play with.

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Kids and Teens - Just How Smart Is Your Kid?

2008-02-13T05:25:00.000-08:00

This is very scary. If judged only by their IQ scores, kids today are smarter than any generation since IQ testing began. We all think our kids and/or grandkids are the smartest kid walking on this Earth. Believe it or not it now appears to be true. It is believe that this is attributed to: a richer intellectual environment; smaller families; testing dexterity and possibly genes. I used to ask my grandson "How did you get so smart?" and his answer was always "It's my brain, grandma".

My only concern is if the teachers are able to keep up with these intelligent kids. I have experienced some teachers that are lost when it comes to relating to kids in their classrooms (sorry teachers). I hate to categorize it this way, but it appears with some teachers the only way they know to relate to some of the kids in the classroom, who are completely bored with the average teaching that has been in place for generations, is to bully the student. At this point, it is the responsibility of the parent to check on the teachers to make sure their kids are being taught in the best way possible; considering our kids are getting smarter each and every day. Let's not, as adults, stay complacent and think kids today can be taught the same way we were taught.

One mom explained to me that she believes the teachers are only teaching the kids what they need to know in order to achieve high SAT scores to ensure state and federal financial support. That is truly a disappointment if indeed that is true. An easy answer for schools is to push the kids ahead in the "advanced" courses. Some kids are not mature enough to handle "advanced" courses even though their brains may be ready. As it turns out kids are struggling with "advanced" courses because they are not mature enough to plan their time; their concentration has not been developed to figure out how to get all of their school work completed; and the kids gets emotional about not being able to keep up.

Rosalie Lynch is a Certified Life Coach who works with parents and kids in figuring out how to live together. You are invited to check out the blog "The Kids Speak Out" at http://www.uachieve.blogs.com/kids

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A Glimpse On Baby's Iron Diet

2008-02-12T19:31:00.000-08:00

By: Jim Brown

We know all too well that we need iron, may it be from our well-prepared meals or from the dependable iron supplement pill that we take in everyday. Iron is an essential element that our body needs. It is basically required for us to maintain our strength and energy literally as without it we could be finding ourselves ensconced in a chair or in bed after feeling weak and faint due to the lack of oxygen on our body's tissues. There are a lot of benefits that one can get from iron. The need for iron rich foods or products may be for preventive purposes for evading and ducking away from ailments that are caused by the deficiency of this element; or for treatment reasons. Iron could very well ignite the healing aids of our body into doing their jobs and making us healthy in no time.

The most widely held consideration for making sure that one's diet amply includes the recommended daily allowance for iron is to avoid iron deficiency anemia. This is especially critical during the very first stages of our lives - our nine months or so inside the mother's womb or the first few months after our introduction to this big, big world. Iron deficiency anemia is a big deal for babies and infants as it can cause problems on a child's development and growth more particularly on the aspects of behavior, motor or mental facets. This means that your child could grow to be weak not only physically but he could be very well out of the kindergarten "fast learner's league." These implications are a cause for concern because they can have long term effects even if the anemia has already been treated or cured.

During pregnancy, the mom is strongly advised to get all the iron she needs from food with a little extra from iron supplements. This is because her body undergoes a lot of physical changes, one of which is to accommodate the growing fetus inside her which in time will spurt out to be a healthy baby. In this phase, she generates new tissues and so iron is needed to deliver the much needed oxygen to these new blood cells and tissues. A regular person who lacks in iron is prone to feelings of weakness and faintness, how much more for a mother who is carrying another person inside of her. Iron in this stage of life is vital.

During the last few months of pregnancy, the baby typically obtains from his mom iron and stores it in his body which should last at the very least for the first six months of his life outside the mother's womb. This is the reason why most premature babies are at a high risk for iron deficiency anemia. Iron deficiency anemia is also possible for babies with low birth weights at a range below 6.5 lbs. and babies whose mothers have diabetes which are poor nutritional status.

For ages, we have learned that breast milk is the best food for babies. And this is classically true when it comes to iron. An added advantage is that the iron that is found in breast milk is easily absorbed by the baby's system as well. When opting out of breast milk, one should check the formula milk to ensure that it is fortified with iron. As he grows older, make sure to feed your baby iron rich foods, vegetables, cereals and fruits.

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A New Mom's Guide To Coping with Sleep Deprivation

2008-02-12T04:33:00.000-08:00

By: Salena Kulkarni

Becoming a new mom brings us face to face with some of the toughest challenges that we will ever experience as a woman in our life. At a time when energy reserves are in short supply, one of the biggest obstacles that many new mothers have to deal with is sleep deprivation. We are all warned of the sleepless nights when we are pregnant, but it isn't until we actually become mothers that we feel the pain of this ourselves.

I completely understand that sometimes you can be so sleep deprived that it hurts. Well, I am here to tell you that it does end and that you will return to a more restful sleep routine. If you can just take a deep breath and have complete acceptance of the way things are, it will make this difficult time pass quickly and with more ease.

Lack of sleep can make us all a little short tempered, a little irrational, and a little slow in the decision making arena. I know, that isn't a shocker to you right now, and while the only cure for that is getting a good night sleep here are some survival tips for you until you can get those much needed zzzzzzzzzzzz's

Survival Tip One:
Make sure you ask for help. This might sound obvious, but so many mom soldier on because they think they have to do it alone. Talk to your significant other or friends to see if they will be able to help you on a rough day. They are going to want to visit you anyway to play with baby and check in on you, why not have them help you. Talk openly and honestly with your spouse or significant other. They may just as tired as you are so try to set up a tag team schedule so that one can rest while the other tends to baby and house hold chores.

If you can try to arrange to have help with the baby before the baby arrives. Fortunately my family was very good at arranging times to come and help once I had my first child for the first couple of weeks. They brought dinners and helped with laundry. Talk to your friends and family and see if anyone can come and help even if only for 30 minutes at a time. That is at least a good nap.

Survival Tip Two:
This is the old golden rule of sleep whenever your baby sleeps. Too many new moms get distracted with chores and other 'to-do's' and forget that without enough sleep, then everything becomes more difficult. It doesn't matter if it is 11 in the morning or 2 in the afternoon. Sleep, everything else can wait until you wake up or until you have time to do it. I am not kidding you, I lived by that golden rule and it made a huge difference.

Survival Tip Three:
Find the time to meditate. A regular meditation practice (and specifically transcendental) uses simple and effective techniques that focus on helping the mind to settle. And because of the intimate mind and body connection, as the mind settles there is a natural settling of the physiology. When this happens the body can start to gain a deep level of rest. Meditation gives you the ability to relax in such a way that is much deeper than deep sleep. This is an incredibly powerful tool for new moms

If you are a newbie, then find a good guided mediation CD or tape to listen to. Be sure to make a regular time each day in a quiet place specifically to listen to it. If you are familiar with mediation, renew your practice and notice the immediate impact.

Survival Tip Four:
New Mothers need to eat foods that are going to support their energy levels. Make sure that you are getting protein in the morning, drinking a lot of water and staying away from packaged and processed foods. I know that a cup of coffee can give you the energy spike that you need at the moment, but when it wears off you can often be left feeling worse then you did before. Water will help flush toxins out of the body which can be bogging you down. Fresh veggies and fruit will help keep your digestion efficient and give you the nutrients you need to cope with the long days and nights.

Survival Tip Five:
If you are having difficulty falling asleep again immediately after you get up through the night to attend to your baby, then you should avoid looking into bright lights or watching television when you get up. Many new moms recommended placing the crib or bassinet next to your bed if at all possible. This helps cut down the long trips to the baby's room for the middle of the night fusses. Plus you will also find that it is easier for you to go back to sleep with out having to move too much.

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Salena Kulkarni is the creator of the 'Secrets of Extraordinary New Moms' program, which helps new moms feel energized, get back in shape, eliminate emotional overwhelm, and experience fulfillment in 30 days or less! Visit playfulmum.playfulmom.hop.clickbank.net/ now for more information.

10 Tips To Make Your Colic Baby Sleep

2008-02-10T21:22:00.000-08:00

By: Clive Chung

Is your baby's crying keeping both of you awake at night? Would you like to find out how you can soothe your colicky baby so both of you can get a good night's rest? If you want to take steps towards quieting and calming your baby, try this battle plan to soothe the symptoms:

1. Check to see if your baby is hungry

First of all you should check to see if your baby is hungry. To do this with young babies simply place you finger under their chin and if it tries to suck or move toward it then it means that your baby is hungry.

2. Walk with your baby

Walk with your baby or sit in a rocking chair. The continuous movement will soothe your baby. However, be sure to place your baby's head close to your chest so that it can hear your heartbeat.

3. Burping while feeding

Try burping your baby more frequently during feeding.

4. Know that a colic attack is coming and be prepared for it

When dealing with a colicky baby it is best to plan ahead. For example, if your baby usually has colic attacks in the afternoon/evening then you should do most of your household chores in the morning. Make sure that if your baby has been awake for most of the morning that he/she gets a nap in the afternoon and you take one with them. A nap can actually reduce the frequency of the colic attacks and how long they last.

5. Play music

Play music like classical or slow music as some babies respond better to sound and will find it soothing.

6. Stop the Crying as soon as possible

Using a pacifier may help stop your baby crying however, if this does not work a small bottle of sugar water helps calm and relax the baby.

Stopping your baby's crying spells as quickly and calmly as possible can significantly shorten the episodes of colic.

7. Massage

Place your baby across your lap while he/she lies on his/her belly and rub his/her back. This will help get rid of air in your baby's stomach and prevent gas.

8. Neck nestling - Dad's are fantastic at this!

This is when the baby snuggles his/her head into the space that is located between the jaw and chest of the parent. Your jawbone drapes gently over the baby's head and your voice box presses against its' head. Small babies hear not only with their ears but also the vibrations that go through their skull. If you sing something monotonous like a lullaby it will help your baby to drift off to sleep. This technique works best with dad's because they have a lower pitch and higher vibration from their voice.

9. A special favourite - especially good for dad's as well!

This is a good technique for dad's to do. What you have to do is drape your bare skinned but diapered baby over your bare chest. Make sure that your baby's ear is over your heartbeat. The rhythm of your heart combined with the rhythm of your chest moving as you are breathing and a bit of rhythmic patting on your baby's back will usually soothe both of you.

10. Use motion

Some babies prefer to be still when calmed down whereas, others like the use of motion to be soothed. Motion swings set at approximately 60 beats per minute is an excellent device to be used for those types of babies. The constant motion is great for relaxing the baby. However, you should bear in mind that for some babies this may not work as the swing only provides a back and forth motion.

A vibrating bouncer is another excellent tool to use to calm down your colicky baby. The vibration and rhythmic sound coming from this device will soothe your baby.

Caring for a colicky baby can be extremely stressful and frustrating at times but, remember it's not your fault. Also, bear in mind that you need to take care of yourself as well. You can't be very soothing to your baby if you are all tense and stressed. You need to try to relax and remember that your baby will outgrow this phase. In addition, keep in mind that if you need to take a break from your baby's crying then do so, there is nothing wrong with that. Family and relatives are often understanding and happy to take care of your baby when you need some time out for yourself, even if your baby is crying. If there is no one around it's ok to put your baby in the crib, let him/her cry and take a break before trying to make another attempt.

Do not fear or worry too much if your child has colic as your baby will outgrow it. However, do consult your doctor if your baby screams constantly or if your baby's colic attacks are accompanied with excessive vomiting, diarrhea and constipation. These symptoms may indicate a more serious problem.

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Check out Colic Calm for more infomation about the best colic baby treatment. Also check out Infant Reflux Treatment.

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New Moms: Five Tips To Avoiding Post Natal Depression

2008-02-10T21:18:00.000-08:00

By: Salena Kulkarni

As a new mom, I want you to know that feeling like you are on an emotional roller coaster is perfectly normal. One minute you can feel like you are on the top of the world and the next all you want to do is cry. The reason for the grab bag of emotions is because of all the changes you are going through right now both physically and mentally, not to mention that you are most likely tired and run down. While no mom in the world wants to experience baby blues, I think that all new moms experience these at times to one degree or another.

Knowing that baby blues are common might give you some comfort, but I understand that it is not enough. The truth is that post natal depression is becoming more and more common in modern society and sadly, many women are turning straight to drugs to help them cope. The reality is that there are plenty of cultures around the world where post natal depression is almost non-existent. So have a look at these tips to get a sense of how you might avoid becoming 'stuck' in the baby blues.

Tip 1
My first tip is to keep a daily journal specifically to capture your thoughts on all the things in your life that you are grateful for. While journaling is not a new concept and has been around for hundreds and thousands of years, its power and application in motherhood is often overlooked.

Using a journal to document everything in your life that you are grateful for will help you to tune into the big and small blessings in your life and this will help you keep things in perspective. This can be a little as the fact that you had five minutes to yourself in the bathroom. Read it every time you are feeling sad or overwhelmed. The power of journaling can be tremendous for new moms in avoiding the blues.

Tip 2
Accept the circumstances of your life the way they are and do not spend time wishing for things to be different. The fact is your life is the way it is and in every difficult time there are opportunities for learning. The difficult times of the first few months of being a new mom will pass quickly. Depression occurs when there is a gap between reality and the way you think things should be. Remind yourself of this when you are feeling overwhelmed with emotion.

Tip 3
Be active and get plenty of fresh air. Studies have shown that there is a strong relationship between being active and the absence of depression. If nothing else, try to go for a walk at least once a day, even just for 10 minutes. Exercise moves the bones, ligament and tendons of the spine. When the spine moves it fires off nerve messages up into the brain and one of the benefits of this is reducing depression.

Tip 4
Create a list of 'circuit breakers'. Not the electrical type, there is no need to shock yourself! A circuit breaker is simply something that can do that will help to snap you out of your mood, and get you out of a rut. There are heaps of circuit breakers out there, it is just a matter of tuning into what really inspires or turns you on. This could include things like going for a walk, listening to groovy music, a bubble bath, reading a fun book, cuddling a puppy, painting... the list is endless. Circuit breakers are any actions that you can do that will lift you up to a happier state of being. Make a list of things that make you happy and keep it at hand for when you notice yourself feeling down.

Tip 5
Tip five, take up meditation. This is a simple thing you can do that will really change the way you deal with life. You will become much more grounded, less tense, less stressed, you will find new energy and vitality. Meditation is such a freeing experience, it doesn't require any special equipment and you don't have to join a club. All you need is a space, where you can sit quietly and just be. Be sure to find a teacher that you feel comfortable with.

Remember, avoiding the blues as a new mom is not always easy. When you become a new mom go easy on yourself. Don't compare yourself to others or expect that you will fall into your role as a new mom immediately. Give it time and be patient, because the tough times pass quickly and know there is light at the end of the tunnel.

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Salena Kulkarni is the creator of the 'Secrets of Extraordinary New Moms' audio program, which helps new moms feel energized, get in shape, eliminate emotional overwhelm, and experience fulfillment in 30 days or less! Visit www.thrivingafterchildbirth.com now for more information.

Remedying Colic Naturally

2008-02-04T02:33:00.001-08:00

By: Vickie Barnes

While colic seems like an incurable situation there are some options that will offer comfort and soothe your baby. Many of these remedies happen to be natural, yet many parents don't turn to these first even though they might work better. Regardless, many parents turn to natural colic remedies when they can find nothing else to soothe their baby. Most doctors don't have any suggestions that will help you soothe your baby's colic, so natural remedies might be your best option. When you can no longer stand sleepless nights and a crying baby you might want to try some of the following natural remedies for colic.

One natural remedy that has amazing results with many babies suffering from colic is herbal tea. This might sound strange to you, but herbal tea helps adults feel better and babies as well. Doctors will even approve four ounces or more of herbal tea daily for babies suffering from colic. The different elements in herbal tea helps baby feel better and soothes the symptoms of colic. However, don't feed your baby too much herbal tea because you want him to still have an appetite for breast milk or formula that has all of those important nutrients. Don't make the tea too strong either. Remember, you are making the tea for a baby so weak is fine. Teas like chamomile, catnip, ginger, and even peppermint seem to work the best.

Other remedies for colic include herbal remedies you can find at your local drugstore. Humphries and iBaba are both herbal remedies that are natural and have a calming affect on your baby. Most of the time when you give your baby one of these herbal remedies you will notice a calming effect quickly as the medicine works to calm the intestines, relieve gas, and simply make the baby feel better. These remedies are generally small dissolvable pills that can be placed in the baby's cheek or else dissolved in water and given to baby.

Yet another natural remedy includes massage and chiropractic adjustment. Both of these natural remedies work to relieve colic and help your baby feel better. You can learn some basis massage techniques from baby massage books and on the Internet as well as visit a baby massage therapist. If you believe your baby's colic is from misalignment you might want to visit the chiropractor.

There are many natural remedies for colic as you can see and you may be surprised at some of them. However, all of these natural remedies work for different babies so if you try one and it doesn't work you just might need to try another and another until you find the best natural remedy for your baby.

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Using Potty Dolls To Train Your Child

2008-02-04T02:24:00.000-08:00

By: Mary Hanna

Potty Training is stressful for both the parents and the child. You will need all the help you can get. The use of Potty Dolls are a very good tool for teaching your child how to utilize the toilet. The doll drinks and then "wets" when your child presses on the stomach. It has the internal plumbing that will simulate the bathroom process, making it easier for your child to grasp the idea.

There are a few tools you will need to get started; purchase the doll at a children's store or website and get use to how it works. "Big Kid" underwear is your next purchase to get the child use to not using diapers. You will also need a potty chair or a potty seat cover to dismiss any fears your child will have of the big opening on the toilet. These will get you started on training your child to use the bathroom.

Start the process together. The child needs to name the doll, usually after someone, like a cartoon or someone they consider to be a Hero. Have the child feed the doll some water, then both of you walk to the potty chair pull down the dolls underwear, place it on the seat, and press on it's stomach so it expels the water into the potty chair/seat. When that's done make a big deal out of it with maybe horns or noise makers, or cookies and milk. This conveys to the child that using the potty is a good thing. The psychology here is that if their Hero does it and gains praise, then maybe your child should do it too. All young children thrive on praise from their parents.

Now is also the time to get rid of the diapers and introduce the Big Kid underwear to the child. Remember, the Hero Doll just used the underwear and wouldn't your child want to be just like their Hero? Start giving the child a lot of liquids to encourage the use of the potty; this reinforces the need to use the potty.

Ask frequently if they need to go to the potty. Remember young children are not yet programmed to head to the potty when an urge is felt. Since they have been born they have just acted on that urge immediately. You need to train them to use the potty when they feel the urge and by mentioning it frequently they will get the hint.

When they are ready, take them to the potty and help them pull down their underwear. If you are successful in this endeavor praise the child profusely. This will be a positive reinforcement. Never, never ever scold a child if they have an accident because using negative attitudes will undo all your hard work in trying to get the child trained.

After your child has used the potty for the first time, it is time to get the milk and cookies out again to make him/her feel special, once more, turn the event into a positive rewarding experience.

Well you might say, that's great information but when do I start? There are a zillion schools of thought on this. Some say as early as six months while others think it easier to train children when they are older. The best advice I have seen is to let your child tell you!

We've all seen little kids scrunch their faces and make grunting noises when the feel the need to "eliminate". This is your cue that they are getting ready, so why not start right then. If they are completely against the potty training they will let you know, but if you follow the steps outlined above it will work.

Try to make this experience seem positive so that it will be virtually painless for both you and your child.

Good Luck!

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