Today, I’m going to offer some tips about buying a baby gift for a coworker.

When should I buy a baby gift for a coworker?

Many people are unsure if they should purchase a baby gift for their coworker at all. While there is no set rule on when to buy a gift for a coworker, it’s always best to err on the side of caution. In other words, if you’re debating whether or not to buy a baby gift, you should buy a baby gift.  After all, this is a person you work with, and they are sure to appreciate you reaching out to remember the birth of her baby.

It’s also a good idea to find out what your other coworkers are doing. If everybody else is purchasing a gift, then you should probably purchase one as well or coordinate buying a group gift. You don’t want to be put in an awkward situation of buying a gift that is the same as other coworkers.

How much should I spend?

This is where your decision becomes more subjective. The amount you spend is entirely dependent on your relationship with your coworker. If you work in the same office, but you don’t have a close relationship with your coworker, then you shouldn’t spend more than $10 or $20. At that price range, your baby gift will be a simple yet thoughtful gesture on your part.

If you work side-by-side with your coworker every day and would consider that person a close friend, then you might want to take your baby gift to the next level. You’ll want to put a little more thought into your baby gift. At this point, the amount you spend isn’t so important. Instead, it’s all about how much thought you put into it.

Ultimately, your coworker will appreciate your baby gift regardless of how much you spend on it. If you’re able to give the baby a thoughtful and unique present with some emotional connection behind it, that will mean more to your coworker than even the most expensive gift.

What kind of gifts should I give?

Fortunately, this question is the easiest one to answer. There are so many different baby gifts to buy that you really can’t go wrong here. Obviously, you should figure out whether you’re buying a gift for a boy or a girl. If your coworker is having a baby shower before the birth of the baby, and if the sex of the baby isn’t known, then you’ll have to choose a unisex gift.

In many cases, your coworker will have a baby registry that you can look at in order to get gift ideas. If your coworker has set up a baby registry, then your job is easy. However, if all of the gifts on the baby registry are more than you would like to spend, then don’t be afraid to purchase your own gift.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

-Piggy banks

-Wall clocks

-Baby Clothes

-Diaper disposal systems or diaper caddies (or a baby diaper cake..wink)

-Savings bonds

-Gift baskets/gift cards

-Baby toys

-Company stock in the baby’s name

Conclusion

Ultimately, your gift will mean more if it has some practical use to the baby or the parents. Stay away from flowers and other frivolous gifts. Instead, find a gift with a genuine emotional connection and your coworker will be more than happy.

Here’s a Lil’ Baby Cake from Oct. 1999

cake.  It is then decorated to match a particular baby theme with ribbons, bows, and baby care items.  I then like to add a plush toy for the baby to enjoy as they grow older.  Then the response is usually “Oh, that’s cool, I have never heard of those before” or “Wait a minute, are those the things people bring to baby showers?  I think I know what they are.”  Either way, the conversation continues and I either explain more (if they ask) or we move on to different topics.  It got me thinking that there are many people who have never heard of a diaper cake or don’t even know they are giving as baby gift.  So with that background, I’ll proceed to explain what a diaper cake is for those who may be wondering.

Well I think it’s fair to say the diaper cake is a “girl” thing.  There aren’t many men who are aware of them primarily because they are popular at baby showers and traditionally the baby shower is about the mom and her friends.  I did some searches and it’s not really clear the origin of diaper cakes, however, it’s assumed that they were made even before disposable diapers became mainstream.  Of course, back then cloth diapers were used and probably glass baby bottles, as plastic bottles were generally not available at the time.  It’s also assumed that the diaper cake creators were woman who enjoyed crafting and as such made these for friends and family members who were pregnant.  And lastly, it’s pretty safe to assume that there weren’t any for profit businesses make diaper cakes like there are today.  I went back to the earliest days of Lil Baby Cakes (Oct 2, 1999) and pick up the diaper cake image shown on the right.  This was one of the first diaper cakes created on the site at the time.  Back then, you can see a baby bottle, Q-tips, ribbons and bows, and a cellophane wrap to present as a gift to the new mom.

Over the years, the designs have evolved to include plush toys and a host of other “goodies” for the mom.  I’m sure you may have seen pictures of diaper cakes made with a champagne bottle in the center along with the diapers as a way to give the mom something to care for the newborn plus of course the champagne for the parents.  I’ve seen motorcycles, airplanes, topsy-turvey, and a host of other designs all cleverly created with diapers.  However, just like a traditional wedding cake has it’s tiers, so does the “traditional” diaper cake and I feel most comfortable with this style for many reasons.

Our Lil Monkey Pink Diaper Cake December 2012

So a Lil’ Baby Cake diaper cake for now is a collection of diapers arranged as a traditional tiered cake.  We use Pampers Swaddler diapers in our designs and look for quality plush toys to include on our cakes.  Each diaper is perfectly usable as if it just came out of the package. (I do get asked every now and then if all the diapers are usable.)  And just like in the “ole days” each cake is handmade from scratch when the customer places the order.  The Our Lil’ Monkey Pink 4 Tier design shown on the right highlights the main characteristics that goes into

every cake I design.  For instance,  I love Mambo from Gund.  It’s a great product with a cherished history that new parents appreciate as well as the baby as she grows older.  We put together an overview of this diaper cake that you can find on our main website entitled what is a diaper cake?

In closing, I thought to add another comment from folks I have talked to while owning Lil’ Baby Cakes.  Believe it or not, I still get the occasional question asking whether or not you have to refrigerate the diaper cake.  Now, maybe it is all in jest or maybe they are just making wise cracks.  However, it has happened enough times that I sometimes wonder if people do get confused about exactly what a diaper cake is.

As 2012 closes down I would like to wish you a Happy New Year.  I look forward to creating many more new designs next year all Lil’ Baby Cakes style!  Best wishes for a great 2013,

Original Pooh Bear on Display in New York City

He’s over 80 years old now, but still as popular as ever. His name is Winnie the Pooh and his name is loved by children (and adults I may add) worldwide. I did some digging around and at one point Disney reported revenues on Pooh products of over 1 Billion dollars, about the same amount as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, and Pluto combined! Who would have thought such an simple looking bear created by A.A. Milne, an English author would have grown into such an iconic figure. His first book was released in 1929.

In case you are wondering, the name “Winnie the Pooh” was coined by Milne after a teddy bear owned by his son Christopher Robin Milne. This original bear is on display in a public library in New York City.

The picture shown above left is the original bear owned by Christopher Robin Milne.

Notice another familiar name? Christopher Robin of course is the fictional character who became Pooh’s best friend. He was named after Milne’s son. And so begin the rise of a wonderful children’s story that many of us can remember growing up ourselves and of course then sharing with our children.

If you look at the picture you will notice Pooh didn’t have his popular red shirt. The first artist version of Pooh with the red shirt occurred in 1932 by Stephen Slesinger, the man who licensed the use of Winnie the Pooh from Milne only 2 years earlier. (Incidentally, Mr. Slesinger was known as a pioneer for licensing literary characters.) There were no plush Pooh toys with the red shirt until the 1940s. A lady by the name of Agnes Brush created these new designs. I checked some auction sites and you can still find original Pooh plush toys from the 1950′s with his red shirt available for purchase.

In 1961, the late Stephen Slesinger’s wife, Shirley met with Walt Disney and a licensing agreement was created with Disney for Winnie the Pooh. With the Disney name behind Pooh, his popularity soared even more. Movies, animated features and of course virtually everything you can put a Pooh image on was produced. For the next 30 years the Pooh brand grew with Disney doing what they do best: marketing! It wasn’t until 1991 that a bump in the road occurred. That “bump” was the Slesinger family suing Disney for breach of contract regarding royalties. Many court cases ensued with a settlement reached in 2009–a full 18 years of legal wrangling!

Winnie the Pooh Diaper Cake

Over the years, Lil’ Baby Cakes has featured a diaper cake using Pooh with his red shirt pooh and the classic Pooh. I have always like the classic Pooh and am now happy to offer our latest rendition of the Winnie the Pooh diaper cake. This is a 4 tier design built using 70 Pampers Swaddler diapers featuring a classic Pooh plush toy. I dressed this design up with a flannel receiving blanket, Pooh themed accoutrements, and the Burt’s Bees getting started products. This design is a great way to pass the legacy of Winnie the Pooh story to the new family. Long after the diapers are gone the newborn boy or girl will have classic Pooh plush toy as a lasting remembrance of a classic story. As with all our designs, you can have this shipped to the new family along with your personalized gift card welcoming the new baby home.

I thought it would be fitting to end this post with the lyrics from the Winnie the Pooh song. Ready? Let’s sing along:

Winnie the Pooh
From Winnie The Pooh and the Honey Tree
Written by: Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman

Deep in the hundred acre wood where Christopher Robin plays
You’ll find the enchanted neighborhood of Christopher’s childhood days
A donkey named Eeyore is his friend and Kanga and little Roo
There’s Rabbit and Piglet and there’s Owl, but most of all Winnie the Pooh

Winnie the Pooh
Winnie the Pooh
Tubby little cubby all stuffed with fluff
He’s Winnie the Pooh
Winnie the Pooh
Willy nilly silly old bear

Winnie the Pooh
Winnie the Pooh
Tubby little cubby all stuffed with fluff
He’s Winnie the Pooh
Winnie the Pooh
Willy nilly silly old bear

I welcome your thoughts about Pooh and our latest design in the comments section below.

Kitty Cat Personalized Diaper Cake

We are happy to introduce a line of personalized diaper cakes.  These cakes allow you to add your own personalized greeting.  This may be the baby’s name or other short phrase for welcoming the baby home.  We will be introducing more selections in the future, however, in the meantime we have three selections for you to choose from.

The first selection is called Kitty Cat Personalized Diaper Cake.  Your special message will be imprinted on the second tier of this four tier diaper cake as shown in the photo.  Included in this cake is 72 Pampers Swaddler 1 diapers, the Johnson and Johnson Travel Pack of products, a Kitty Paci-Clip, and a pair of white eyelet trimmed socks.  We also include a plush Kitty Cat toy adorned in pink, white, and mint stripes.

Our second selection is called the Too Cute Boy Personalized 4 Tier Diaper Cake.  This particular cake is also a 4 tier design, and like the Kitty Cat,
your message appears on the second tier of the cake. This cake include 70 Pampers Swaddler 1 diapers, washcloths, newborn booties that have a cute little dump truck design on them, and a stripped flannel receiving blanket. Also included in the Johnson and Johnson products as well as a cute Gund Bear named Maxie.

Too Cute Boy Personalized 4 Tier Diaper Cake message appears on the

Our last selection is called Our Lil’ Princess Personalized 3 Tier Diaper Cake.  This design has your message imprinted on the bottom layer as shown in the photo.  Included in this design is 42 Pampers Swaddler 1 diapers, cotton Disney brand Princess bib, Johnson and Johnson products, and washcloths.

Any selection you choose is wrapped in tulle ready for gift giving.  We also provide an optional gift card you can add with any additional message. I’m really excited about the roll-out of these personalized cakes. Giving you the choice of adding your own special message is something we hope the new mom will enjoy. Also, in keeping with our goal of offering great value for your money, any of our personalized diaper cakes comes with FREE personalization.

Our Lil’ Princess Personalized 3 Tier Diaper Cake

We hope you enjoy these selections.  So far this year, we have introduced over 50 new designs. In thinking about these new designs, I wanted to cover a broad cross section of themes and colors so that you have the best selection possible.

As always, your comments are welcome.

Personalized Blue Elephant Diaper Cake

It can be very difficult to think of a personalized baby shower ideas or gift when a friend or relative has a baby shower. Anyone could purchase an off-the-shelf item for the new mother, so often you’ll want unique baby gifts to make sure you bring across that you’ve given more thought to their present than merely finding some cliché item at the mall. A personalized diaper cake is alternative can certainly be a unique baby gift idea the new mom will enjoy.

Typically, the most common personalized baby gifts are small items such as engraved ornaments or a blanket with the baby’s name embroidered on it.  So if the gift giver wishes to send a larger sized baby shower gift that’s different than the typical baby gift, a personalized diaper cake can be a very appealing option.

Diaper cakes are a unique type of gift given to new mothers for their baby. They consist of a multi-layered ‘cake’ composed of rolled or folded diapers arranged similar to a wedding cake.

Diaper cakes are often assembled with different kinds of necessaries for a newborn baby. These include, in addition to the diapers, baby shampoos, lotions, body wash, baby powder, stuffed toys and burp cloths, but any kind of personal gift for the new mother would surely be appreciated.

It seems obvious, but disposable diapers are a very large expense for a new mother. Diaper cakes are a great present because new mothers are always in need of a plentiful supply of disposable diapers, so it might be out of necessity that you want to give them to the new mother, even though diapers on their own aren’t exactly the most thrilling of presents. A personalized diaper cake is a nice way of presenting an expecting mother with some necessities as well as presenting them with something appealing and thoughtful.

A personalized diaper cake is the ideal centerpiece to a baby shower. Professional personalized diaper cakes are very beautiful items, decked out in bows and ribbons and lovingly hand-crafted to look exactly like a layered wedding cake. The model of a married couple that normally adorns the top of a wedding cake is usually replaced with something theme-centric, such as a teddy bear or a gender-specific toy (a car for a boy, a doll for a girl, etc).  For our personalized diaper cake, we offer the customer an opportunity to create their own unique message that is applied to the ribbon on the diaper cake.  This gives the new mom a truly personalized gift with a special message to welcome the new baby.

They are often the “fun item”, as taking apart each layer reveals usually contains another baby care item for the expectant mom. They can be personalized in any way the customer wishes, so any in-jokes and notable likes the recipient has can be well expressed. The recipient will know that you spent a lot of time thinking about them and the present you wanted to get them, and they’ll appreciate it all the more.

The diaper cakes can also be themed, so that the presents and decorations that adorn it match not only each other but the specific theme of a nursery or to reflect the baby’s gender. Often the personalized diaper cake is so beautiful it is kept as an ornament in the baby’s room (after the presents have been removed, of course).

Common themes include building a baby library, where all gifts are baby books or book-related, a Noah’s Ark theme, where each person brings two identical gifts of things the mother-to-be is likely to need several of, or a ‘pamper mom’ party, where each guest brings a small luxury, such as chocolates, bath salts, etc.

If you know the sex of the baby in advance, it is common to have sports-themed cake decorated with baseballs and bats, footballs, soccer balls and tennis balls. For a girl, its common do have a stuff-animal theme, with monkeys, ducks (and ducklings), pigs, frogs or elephants.

A personalized diaper cake can also be the focus of baby shower games, such as a variant of the traditional memory game. The host places the diaper cake in the center of the room, and each player has two minutes to study and memorize what items were on the cake (pacifiers, clothes, ribbons, etc).

The diaper cake is then removed from the room, and each player has another two minutes to write down each item that they can remember that was on the cake. When the time is up, the cake is brought back in and whoever has the most correct answers wins.

Whether used as a baby shower centerpiece or purchased as a standalone baby gift, a personalized diaper cake makes an attractive gift option for those looking for something different.  After the baby shower or the birth of the baby, the new mom will have a ample supply of diaper and necessities she can use for the care of the new baby.

Should You Buy or Make a Diaper Cake?

I am often asked whether it is better to make a diaper cake yourself or purchase one ready made.  Obviously I am a little bit biased because my core business is making baby diaper cakes.  Nonetheless, I thought is would make sense to compare both options and then let the reader decide for themselves the best choice.

There are many places to find information on how to make a diaper cake.  You Tube has a slew of how to make a diaper cake videos, and you can also find diaper cake instructions through a Google search.  It doesn’t matter where you find the information because regardless, you will be making one if not multiple trips to the store for supplies.  So let’s start with the basics.  You will need to find a cake plate to work with.  Depending on the size of design you want to make, you may get stuck buying a package of cake plates because typically they are not sold individually.  So unless you are making multiple diaper cakes for baby shower centerpieces, you won’t have much use for the remaining plates.  Next comes the diapers.  You can get these just about anywhere, however, based on the size of your design you will probably not use an entire box of diapers.  I guess you can give the new mom the extra diapers you don’t use.  It would be a bit awkward if you made a baby shower diaper cake and then tell the expectant mom “By the way, here are some extra diapers I didn’t use” along with your hand made diaper cake gift.

Next comes the selection of the ribbon.  You can select the ribbons and bows you would like to use from many different sources.  There are literally hundreds of ribbon styles to choose from so the biggest problem will be picking one or multiple ones to use.  Again, you will end up buying a whole roll of ribbon and unless you can use the remaining ribbon elsewhere you will have some waste.  Lastly, comes the part I enjoy, which is picking  a plush toy to adorn the top of the diaper cake.  Again, the sky is the limit as far as choices so this shouldn’t be too big of a problem to find one that works for your design.  Many styles also include baby care necessities such as baby shampoo, baby lotion, and powder.  These items are optional based on your own design concept.  After you get these supplies rounded up, all that remains is gathering up some common items many home crafters have around the house and you can get started.

So far, I discussed the things you need to buy to make a baby diaper cake.  Let’s talk about why people like to make their own diaper cake.  Probably the main reason is to offer a personalized baby gift that is hand made.  Usually, the person making a diaper cake knows the expectant mom very well and wants to create a special experience for the new mom.  This person isn’t going to give a store bought baby gift as “anyone” can do that.  Instead, they are creative and want to show that creativity through a thoughtful unique baby gift.  Others may make a diaper cake to save money.  I personally think, based on the emails I get, that many “do-it-yourselfers” underestimate the costs and time involved to make a diaper cake.  How do I know?  Because I get messages routinely asking about where to buy supplies, or how to attach items because their way isn’t working.  So I can only surmise that they must be having problems making their diaper cake.  Does this happen to everyone?  No, and I am not trying to persuade anyone from making their own diaper cake, if that is their desire.  I just believes, sometimes people underestimate what it takes to make a diaper cake that they can be proud to give as a baby gift.

On the other hand, some choose to buy a handmade diaper cake directly from a company such as Lil’ Baby Cakes.  There are many reasons for this with probably the key one being the buyer gets a professionally handmade diaper cake ready for baby gift giving.  Instead of having to run around town looking for supplies and themes, one can merely go online and browse from pages of diaper cake designs looking for the right fit.  The baby gift buyer only needs to pick an appropriate size and style, make the purchase, and then have it shipped to the new mom.  It couldn’t be any easier.

Who tends to buy diaper cakes online?  Primarily I would say they are busy folks who don’t have the time or energy to create their own diaper cake.  Another possibility is those who live away from the expectant mom and really need the convenience of being able to purchase a diaper cake that is already made.  Companies may also choose to purchase a diaper cake online as it is a easy way to purchase a unique baby gift that the new mom would enjoy.

Regardless of whether you make a diaper cake or purchase one for a baby shower, you definitely have choices.  If you are the creative type, you many enjoy the process of researching a design and then moving forward to make your own diaper cake.  I’m sure the new mom would really appreciate the thoughtfulness and the personalized nature of the baby gift.  Similarly, if you are making a baby shower diaper cake, you and the other ladies planning the shower can work with each other to personalize the entire event and add your own special touches.  Alternatively, for those who choose to purchase a diaper cake directly, you can choose from many popular styles and themes, all ready for gift giving.  Either way, the expectant mom will receive a baby gift she is sure to love.   A diaper cake is not only practical, but a baby gift that she’ll talk about long after the baby comes.

What are your thoughts?  I welcome your comments.

Blue Satin Frog Diaper Cake for Boys

A diaper cake for boys is a unique way to give an expecting mom a practical baby gift.  When making a diaper cake for boys, you will typically find lots of blues, as blue is the general color that you find for boys. You can also have different types of themes for the diaper cake. Most parents will decide on a theme for the child’s nursery, and the baby shower will be centered on that theme.

When looking at a diaper cake from afar, you may think it looks like a multi-tiered wedding cake. Most diaper cakes are used with only white diapers, causing it to look like a white cake. After further inspection, you will find that the cake is made entirely of diapers. The cake is actually made of around 50 diapers or so.  Some larger tier cakes (4 or 5 tiers) use more diapers to construct the additional layers.  The diapers are folded around a center post in a circular pattern to make each layer.  Each layer is then stacked to make it look like a cake. You can make it as simple as you want, or as elaborate as can be. For a different look, some designers roll up each diaper and then arrange bundles of the rolled diapers to create each layer.  For either design style, ribbons , baby care necessities, a plush or stuffed animal can all be attached to the diaper cake to complete the design.  Naturally, these baby items are all selected to match the boy theme.

You can find many different items on the diaper cake.  It’s common to find newborn baby shampoo, diaper powder, or baby lotion as gifts included with the cake. Some diaper cakes contain different colored baby bottles wrapped around the edges of the cake so that it will add more color to the aesthetic appearance of the entire gift. Cotton swabs, washcloths and body wash are a few other things commonly found on the the cake. Sometimes a receiving blanket is included on the base layer of the diaper cake to add more color.

Diaper cakes for boys are made entirely from diapers that can all be used for the new baby. Proper construction of the diaper cake allows the new mom to disassemble the cake diaper by diaper.  Sometimes, the cakes are made with differently sized diapers that will fit the baby as it grows. The cake can have many layers, but most of them typically have three separate layers. Typically, the largest cake that someone would choose to have made is composed of five layers. Six layers are also possible, but shipping considerations may limit this as an option for sending to the new mom.  With the larger cakes, you could place a teddy bear for the new mother and her baby. Expecting mothers really love receiving these cakes as gifts – there’s nothing like watching a new mom use the items on the diaper cake as they are truly items required for the care of a newborn.

Because the diaper cakes are such a unique baby gift, they can be sent in many different situations. For example, they can be used as a centerpiece at the baby shower or as focal point on the gift table.  Any mother would love to walk into her baby shower and see the diaper cake used not only for a gift but as a part of the decorations. Diaper cakes don’t just have to be for the new moms to be either. Any workplace or group of friends can get one for a new dad as well. Few things are as satisfying as receiving a useful and thoughtful for a new baby that is on the way.

If you’re planning to give a diaper cake as a baby gift, you should first think about what kinds of themes and contents would be the best fit for the mother and baby. Find out what the new mother and father are looking to put into the nursery. Take the time to find little objects that will match with their décor. If the mother is going with a jungle type theme, you can adorn the diaper cake with stuffed giraffes or elephants from a local nursery store or from Lil’ Baby Cakes. The same is true for themes such as trains or cars that certainly match the diaper cake for boys theme.

The average baby uses about seven to eight new diapers a day! Keep that in mind when choosing the type and size of diaper cake to get. It can take some of that new stress off the mother if she already has a supply of diapers on hand. Although these cakes are usually given to new or expecting mothers, those are not necessarily the only situations in which they’re appropriate. If you ask an experienced mother, she will always tell you, you can’t have enough diapers! If you want to do something nice for a mother who has already had her child, she would still appreciate the gesture and the diaper supply. That’s why a diaper cake for boys is an extremely practical gift. What parent wouldn’t be thankful for such a thoughtful gesture? Many people don’t give diapers despite their practicality because it’s a somewhat awkward or non-standard gift. The diaper cake brings elegance to the practicality and excitement to the whole experience of a baby shower or newborn’s birthday.

Next time you are invited to a baby shower, consider alternatives before you go out and buy a new baby gift for the new parent. Talk to some of the people going to the shower and see what they are getting for the new mother to be. Most people attending baby showers love to get a single large gift from several people at a time so that they can get something greatly needed for the mother. Check out some of the diaper cakes that are available and you’re sure to find one that will go with the mother’s, or the new baby’s, theme. It can be a great way to help start up a brand new nursery, and the mother will be grateful. If you are hosting the party and you don’t know what to do for the mom to be, order or a diaper cake for boys – they always look great and the new parents will get use out of the diapers and the baby will grow up with a plush toy that could become their favorite.

A Diaper Cake for a Baby Shower

Often seen at a baby shower or sent by mail, the diaper cake makes one of the most truly unique baby shower gifts an expecting mom is likely to receive. However, it is not a cake one would enjoy eating, as it is entirely made up of disposable baby diapers. In modern times, you don’t find many new parents using cloth diapers, and consequently, you won’t find many cloth diaper cakes. Most diaper cakes for baby showers are made with disposable diapers – the same kind you would normally use for your baby.

A diaper cake looks like a multi-layered cake. Some may compare it to a wedding cake, at least from a distance. Upon further inspection, the diaper cake is actually made of multiple layers of diapers. It usually takes dozens to get the full effect, rolled up and wrapped around each other in a circular pattern, built on multiple tiers. Often, the diapers are white, but colored diapers can be bought that will make for a truly special diaper cake. The cake will use all different sizes of diapers if the creator chooses to use them for a different effect.

One of the attractions of a diaper cake during a baby shower is that it allows you to have plenty of options. The cake can be as elaborate, or as simple, as you would like. It can be a very simple cake, or an extremely complex one with different colors, a theme and creative gifts. The nice thing about a diaper cake is that it is always a creative baby gift that can look very impressive regardless of the theme and gifts you choose to put into it.

Aside from being something that creates a special and memorable experience for a new mother, a diaper cake is an elaborate way to wrap a gift, or a group of gifts. These gifts are normally placed toward the center of the cake and allow for the expectant mother to “unwrap” the cake in order to find out what is in the center. As the diaper cake can be rather large, it is able to conceal some rather large gifts. One of the best things on the cake, once it is presented, are the different objects placed around the cake. A themed cake shows all the different colors it can be, along with the ribbons and bows placed around it. All the items can generally be used anywhere inside the nursery of the new baby.

A diaper cake begins with wrapping a single diaper, then adding multiple rolled diapers in a circle around that core. It is easiest to start with the top level, which may be just 3 or 4 diapers, and work down from there. A three-tiered cake takes approximately 50 small diapers, but it could use many more if you want a more creative cake. Once the layers are made, smaller gifts can be inserted in place of some of the diapers. Or, if they are small enough, gifts can be crowded in between the diapers.

Once the diapers are all in place, ribbons and other kinds of color features can be added to the diaper cake. This really makes the creation come alive and gives it a very high profile. Of course, if the gender of the baby is already known, the cake can be made in appropriate colors celebrating that fact.

Not only does this offer a chance to get the expectant mom some nice gifts, the gift wrap is also very practical. New parents will always need diapers and this gives them dozens right from the start, presented in a very unique way. Of course, it would be possible just to present the mom-to-be with a case of diapers, but a diaper cake really shows thought and creativity.

Diaper cakes can also be used as a baby shower centerpiece. Alternatively, one can be placed on the gift table, or placed on the back of the gift table so that guests know where to put the gifts when they arrive. As the hostess of the shower, it is an amazing and unique gift to give the new mom to be. It can be filled with anything from bath products to clothing for the new baby. As the hostess, you can use the diaper cake as part of a baby shower game to guess what is inside of the diaper cake.

Diaper cakes for baby showers are becoming more and more popular. They can be based around the theme for the baby’s nursery. If the new mother is having a little girl, you can have a pink shower cake filled with anything from princess themed items to butterflies. Night lights can be added, as well as pillow cases for the new baby. Pink pillows that are in themed shapes can be tied around the outside of the cake. Pink stars or pretty fairies can be partially tucked in, so that you can only see some of the shape, to add some suspense and excitement.

Diaper cakes can also be made for boys. You can find sports themes, train themes and a wide variety of others. Most diaper cakes for boys have lots of blue colors added to them. Blue receiving blankets can be tied or rolled around the edges of the cake. If you have a jungle theme for the baby, you can add blue elephants, or a stuffed tiger hanging off the edges of the tiers of the diaper cake.

Any mother, new or experienced, would love to receive a diaper cake. Diapers are used on all babies, and generally inside the diaper cake at a baby shower, you can have a few weeks’ worth of diapers for the baby. They have a variety of new and exciting items inside them. The next time you go to a baby shower, consider getting the new mom a diaper cake. She’ll be even more excited to receive it than you are about giving it!

A jungle themed baby shower gives you a variety of ideas for the special day because you can choose which aspect of the jungle to focus on. For example, you can have an all-animal theme where you can use various animals as part of your decorations, supplies, and food items. You can also just pick one animal from the jungle and use a jungle backdrop for photo sessions and all your other activities. One good example would be to choose the monkey as your main jungle animal and have bananas and little monkeys on the forefront of your party.

Whatever aspect you may focus on, this guide will help you arrange a great baby shower if you ever choose to use a jungle theme to execute your celebration.

Jungle animal themed shower ideas

Use this Diaper Cake as a Baby Shower Centerpiece

Decorating a jungle themed baby shower is pretty easy especially if you already have a bunch of animal plush toys hanging around the house. You first have to decide on the colors that you will be using as backdrop. Always remember the three-color rule for decorations so you will still have a nice focus without the risk of making the party colors into a monotone mix.

Once you have this decided, you can move on to choosing the baby shower centerpieces and banners which you will be decorating the baby shower with. You might want to bring the party outside to the garden since you will already have the greenery, plants, and palm trees to enhance the entire look.  Lil Baby Cakes also offers several animal themed designs you can choose from including our 4 Tier Safari Giraffe Theme Diaper Cake.

Set up your tables with centerpieces with a nice bonsai plant and top that with a nice animal plush toy or figurines which you can buy in stores. This will give you a safari or jungle feel for your guests. Another way to do this would be to put fruits like bananas, apples, and oranges on the table along with animal figurines. Not only are these inexpensive, but they will surely add color to your surroundings without ruining the color scheme of the baby shower.

Jungle themed food ideas

To have a focused baby shower, even your baby shower food should go with the theme. This can be easily done with the proper menu and right tableware. If you have extra budget, buy some jungle-inspired plates, cups, and napkins.

While your guests are waiting, serve them some snacks that they can munch on. Animal crackers are a good way to set the jungle party mood, but you can also go for banana chips, jelly beans, and chocolate bits that have the same color as your motif.

For your main dishes, get creative by naming the entrees with jungle related names, such as spaghetti rope vines or Madagascar macarons. You can also serve food options that are cut into animal shapes like cookies or even sandwiches. These finger food items will surely be a hit among your guests.

As for drinks, you can go with flavors that have the same color as your background. Green apple flavored drinks or shakes along with yellow mango juices will make great fruit juice drinks for your baby shower. If you want to serve colas, you can always go with dark toned sodas and add vanilla ice cream on top to make them into a nice brown color. Soda ice cream floats will also be a hit if you will hold your baby shower on a hot summer day.

Safari baby shower games

When you come up with games during baby showers, try to make them as unique and as related to the theme as possible. Two good party games for a jungle theme baby shower would be a guessing game and a naming game.

The first guessing game will involve a party bags either printed with animals or a normal brown paper bag, different baby items all with animal or safari prints, and handkerchiefs for blindfolding. You can choose how many of your guests will join this game. The mechanics are simple. Your guests will have to reach into the bags and correctly guess as many items as they can within the time limit. The guest that guesses the most number of correct items wins the game.

The second game would be naming the babies of animals. You have to prepare a list of animals with their corresponding baby’s names. For example, you have chick for hens, eaglets for eagles, tadpoles for frogs, etc. Group your guests into fours or fives and have them list down their answers. The group that gets the most pair-names correctly wins.

Jungle baby shower favors

Lastly, you should not forget about your baby shower favors. Since you are already playing with the idea of jungle animals, you can choose from a variety of premade party favors that are animal shaped. For example, you can go with safari animal baby candles, soaps, or scents, which are perfect for guests who love these bed and bath things.

You can also go with plush toys as souvenirs. Simply tell your guests to pick their favorite plush toys to take home. Then as a formal party favor, give them an animal shaped cupcake packaged nicely with a card to remember the date by.

Or you can also go with the usual baby shower favor—the party bag. Buy a jungle-inspired party bag or have it custom-made to match your theme. Fill it with animal crackers, animal-shaped candies, and other snacks. It’s a nice way to remember what transpired during the baby shower plus it will make a nice snack bag when your friends are going home.

Try out a jungle themed baby shower today and have a roaring good time with family and friends.  As always your comments are welcome.  Let us know what other ideas you have for this popular theme.

Why Not Consider a Ladybug Baby Shower Theme?

Is your friend expecting a little girl sometime this season? Are you thinking of the best baby shower theme to make the party festive and to also welcome a cute little girl into the family? Are you out of baby shower favor ideas that are unique and customized but still affordable and fits your budget?

If you are planning on holding a baby shower for the summer season, a ladybug baby shower is one of the most popular themes mostly because it coincides with the summer season. Not only will you have no problems with the setting—this theme can be perfectly executed as an outdoor lunch-out with close friends and family. Obviously, you can still use this theme even if it’s not summer as many nursery themes are based on a ladybug theme and would be used all year round. Either way, this theme would be perfect as a memorable celebration for welcoming a baby girl into the new family.

Use this quick guide to know which preparations should be on the top of your checklist. Here, you will find tips on how to tackle the ladybug theme, how to decorate the ladybug invitations, choosing a ladybug cake (whether an edible cake or a baby diaper cake from us) as the baby shower centerpiece, how to manage your supplies during the party, and how to create baby shower favors that are unique to this baby shower event.

Overall ladybug theme

When you choose a ladybug theme, you can either go with making the theme colors reminiscent of ladybugs—bright red and pastel colors, which can reflect the flowers on which you can find a ladybug on.

If you will take on these colors, try finding shades of pastel pinks and greens and a bright red as the central color. Make sure that when you start buying your supplies, make the red ones should serve as accents on the table. This means that the bigger designs, including the main colors of the cake, the plates, and the glasses can be red or of this shade.

The other colors can serve as your table cloth, your overall decorations, utensils, and such. Since pastel colors are more muted than right red or even black, these will make for a perfect backdrop or table cloth setting.

As an overall theme, make sure that you stick to just a three colors—two muted tones and one that stands out. In addition, when you pick a ladybug baby shower theme, don’t forget that you can also give your party a garden theme, so flowers as part of decorations can be done.

Baby shower invitations

Because the ladybug baby shower idea has been a hit, you can easily find party invitations and other paraphernalia that is exclusively for those who want to use this theme. Just surf through some websites online and you will surely stumble upon ladybug-personalized invitations. Some even come with baby shower invitations-set, which can end up saving you a lot of expenses.

But if you want to utilize your creativity or if you know someone who is willing to do handmade invitations to set your baby shower apart from the rest, one unique thing to do is to try out an origami invitation. This may take more effort depending on the number of guests that you are planning to invite, but this would be a fun way to invite your guests.

You can opt to go with a medium-sized ladybug invitation, one which you can either slip the typewritten invitation with the details in or one that they can deconstruct to find the message inside. This will make for a fun and interactive invitation for your guests.

Baby shower centerpiece

Ladybug Diaper Cake from Lil’ Baby Cakes

To coordinate with the theme you can choose an edible cake or use our ladybug diaper cake as the baby shower centerpiece.  When choosing an edible cake, there are several styles of cakes that you can opt to go with. You can choose a tiered style or sheet cake style decorated to match a ladybug.  The trick here is to know if you want a playful cake with different shapes or sizes and has an almost cartoonish appeal to it, or if you want a cake that has a simple round or square cake that is dotted with ladybugs or flowers.

The main thing to remember is that your cake is the centerpiece of your party, so you have to make sure that it both goes well with your decoration but it stands out enough for guests to never miss it on the table.

Utensils, wares, and food

The beauty of baby showers is that you are not restricted to formal setups as can be seen in weddings, but  it can also be playful just like birthday parties.

When it comes to your baby shower menu, try to stick with the ladybug theme, so the colors of the food will not clash with your color scheme. For instance, you can have red punch or juice so the pitchers will have a nice central color.

As for the snacks, try going with food that have fruits like strawberries, watermelon, berries, and apples. Match the healthy menu with desserts like chocolate pieces or mocha cakes, so it will give a woody atmosphere because of the brown color.

So this kind of menu will work schedule the baby shower during snack time, so you won’t need heavy meals.

Baby shower favors

Lastly, there are the baby shower favors to consider. Figurines have always been a staple as favors, however, you can take many generic items an make them into a ladybug favor.  For instance, you can find cellophane bags with a ladybug imprinted on it.  Purchase some of these and fill them with mints, jellybeans, or any other candy item and you’ve just created a simple favor. This will not only make your baby shower memorable but it will also make the perfect complement to the other components of the baby shower.

Hopefully this article has provided some inspiration for the planning of a ladybug themed baby shower.  Your comments are always welcome.  Good luck with your baby shower planning!

Due in September from Cafe Press

September is the 9^th month of the year and marks the beginning of autumn in the Northern hemisphere and the start of spring in the Southern hemisphere. Here are some fun facts about babies born in September.

The equinox (Mabon (autumn) or Ostara (spring) in the pagan wheel of the year) falls between the 21^st and 24^th. It is a wonderful time to have a child and can be a magical birth month in either hemisphere. Autumn is a time of change; as colorful leaves fall from the trees, refreshing breezes stir the still, hot air of summer, promising possibility. Spring is also a time of change and carries with it the seeds of renewal and new life. The name September comes from the Latin septem for seven, since this was the seventh month of the Roman calendar. September is a time for fun; the American football season begins in September, and September 19 is International Talk Like a Pirate Day.  (I’m not kidding!)

September has several birth flowers, the forget-me-not, the morning glory, and the aster. Forget-me-not represents love and memories, aster represents love as well, and morning glory represents unrequited love. These are all very passionate flowers. The birth stone for the month is the sapphire. Sapphire is usually envisioned as a blue stone but also comes in green, pink, purple, and clear. The blue sapphire in particular represents clarity of thought, intuition, and peacefulness. In traditional medicine it is used to treat fevers and reduce inflammation. Black sapphire is seen as a grounding and protecting stone. Sapphire reduces anxiety and procrastination and gives the wearer luck. So to sum up, the birth flowers and stone for September represent both passionate emotion and clarified thought.

The zodiac signs for September include Virgo (August 23-September 22) and Libra (September 23-October 22). Virgo is a mutable earth sign which is ruled by the planet Mercury. Virgos are well known for their industrious, reliable natures. If a Virgo is given a task, as a child or as an adult, he or she will work toward completion and excellence of that task. Virgos seek the same excellence in their interpersonal relationships as they do in their work and studies, but do tend toward being more critical of other people than they are of themselves. What do Virgos look for in others? Virgos seek stability, and this is true in the workplace and in the home as well. If your baby is a Virgo, it will be your job to provide a stable environment as he or she grows up. When your child becomes an adult, that stability will be carried on to his or her own home. A couple of famous Virgos include Mother Theresa (August 27) and Michael Jackson (August 29).

If your newborn is a Libra, he or she will have very clear ideas of what is right or wrong, and will seek for balance in interpersonal relationships. Libras work toward harmony at home and at work, and are very interested in the people around them. If you have a Libra child, make sure to remember that he or she may not express everything in the interest of preserving the peace—so you should take extra care that he or she is truly happy. Famous Libras include John Lennon (October 9) and Truman Capote (September 30). Both Virgos and Libras are very harmonious signs, so you can look forward to a balanced and personable child!  I hope you have enjoyed reading this month’s baby fun facts.

Selection of baby shower themes has often been tricky, depending on who will be arranging the celebration. There are so many things to take note of and accomplish when it comes to the preparations. You would have to consider the baby shower decorations, the baby shower invitations, the guest list, thank you cards, supplies, games, and baby shower party favors, to name a few. This is because the occasion is not just to celebrate the coming of the baby but also to commemorate the joy of the woman’s transition to motherhood.

If you or the celebratory mom is already expecting a boy, we invite you to try out some of these baby boy shower themes. All you need to remember is that most of the necessities in carrying out a successful baby shower are typically the same, regardless of the theme. The most important thing is that you customize the celebration based on the guests and the mom’s taste, so that you will all have a good time.

Jungle Baby Shower Theme

You Can Even Get Jungle Themed Stamps from Zazzle.com

A jungle theme for a baby shower is easy to organize because you will mostly be needing plush animal toys, animal-related food entrees, greenery, and centerpieces that are reminiscent of wildlife. In addition, you can set your party outdoors, like the garden, so you already have the backdrop of greenery around you.

For a unique take on the jungle theme, you can opt to have a safari blue theme, which is similar to the jungle theme only you will put blue as a dominant color in your scheme. This mostly serves to make it obvious that this baby shower theme is for a baby boy. Put in centerpieces and other important baby shower supplies in blue so that these aspects will be accentuated.

Monkey Baby Shower Theme

Baby showers featuring a monkey theme have also been popular with would-be moms, mainly because you can be very creative in throwing these kinds of parties. You’d think that this theme would be very restricting since it would be focusing on just one animal, but from the baby shower invitations to the decorations, you can go wild and unique with ideas.

For example, instead of opting for the usual written or stationery-like invitations, why not make a banana-shaped invite for a change? Or you can make a monkey-head cut-out to make it more interesting for your guests.

As for the baby shower decorations, you can go for little monkey banners or paper bananas hanging on clotheslines or thin ropes along the walls. Another tip for those who are on the budget—bananas make the best centerpieces for monkey themed baby showers, and it can also make a light snack for those who can’t wait for lunch.

Lil’ Baby Cakes has three Monkey Themed Diaper Cakes you may be interested in to match this fun and popular theme.

Sweet Prince Baby Shower Theme

Sweet Prince Baby Shower Invitation from MyPaperShop.com

To welcome their baby boy, some moms may want to try out the sweet prince baby shower theme, where you can all dress up as queens and ladies-in-waiting for an afternoon. It does not have to be a formal celebration. Light but colorful sundresses or casual pants and blouses would be good dress code, to keep with a “prince” baby theme.

This theme would be perfect if your house has a pergola that can be decorated to look like a part of a castle. The party can then be held outside, with chairs and tables arranged around the pergola for it to look like a small gathering of royalty.

For your baby shower party favors, you can have a crystal baby figurine that looks like a little prince or a small glass crown figure. You can glue this to a small pillow for a more regal effect.

Precious Bear Blue Baby Shower Theme

Bear themes for baby showers can be done for either boys or girls, but if you make the color blue more dominant in the party, it will surely send the right message. The good thing about this theme is that, similar to the monkey theme, you can choose to customize the way you set the decorations and do the baby shower favors.

For example, you can choose from the different habitats of the various bears around. You can choose to go with pandas and bamboo shoots, which will bring a more peaceful and Zen feel to the party. A polar bear will bring you to the North Pole, and some fake snow and an ice sculpture as centerpiece is not so shabby for your guests, too. You can also go with the traditional teddy bear of which there are numerous possibilities. Adopt an existing bear selection or create your own and your baby shower shower ideas featuring a bear would be endless.  You can also check this site for  additional baby bear shower ideas.

These are just some of the baby boy shower themes that you can throw for a new mom who is expecting a boy to join the family. Always remember that the important thing with baby showers is that the guests and especially the mom will have a good time, because memories from this day will forever be remembered, documented, and treasured.

Owl Baby Shower Invitation from Tiny Prints

The safest way to go about it is the second method, because there are several baby shower themes that you can choose from that still gives a neutral vibe without taking out the fun in color schemes, centerpieces, and decoration. One of these themes is an owl themed baby shower.

You think that it would be hard to come up with a good design and set-up for a theme that revolves on just one bird—and one that is commonly brown in color. In fact, anything owl related may be a hardball to pull off, especially with the way you seem to be limited with the color, invitation designs, cake samples, and decoration. But when it comes to owl themed baby showers, you have to remember that all of the designs are open for interpretation. And you can easily make owls into fun characters for a create a personalized baby shower.  You can start with owl themed baby shower invitations to get the process started.

Owl decors

The next thing to remember when it comes to owl themed baby showers is that you need to decide on the main colors and design of the theme. Since it is a baby shower, it is much better to use owls that have big cute eyes and colorful feathers, so that your baby shower will have a nice festive feel to it.

Brown has always been a staple color when it comes to realistic owls, but let’s face it—this is a baby shower, and you’re not restricted by realism or art. What you want is to make the decorations and color scheme fitting to a joyous occasion.

As for the owl decoration that you will use, opt for those that look like they’re straight from a cartoon. You can easily create your own cartoon owl characters. The good thing about going with a cartoon owl is that you will lessen the notion that owls are serious creatures, hence the correlation of the party having a stiff atmosphere.

You can go with pastel colors to make a variety of owls, or go with just two to three major colors which you can mix and match and use for the colors of your utensils, decorations, and other supplies.

Owl colors and the cake

You Can Use our Owl Diaper Cake as a Baby Shower Centerpiece

Now that you have decided on the main color of your party theme, it’s time that you worry about the centerpiece of the show. Similar to birthday parties, it is also fun to have a nice cake centerpiece.

If you already have a menu, you don’t have to revamp the ideas just because you have an owl theme. Bear in mind that a theme usually adds decoration. To unify the theme, just add accessories and a small paper mache owl on the glass rim. On the table, you can put in owl toy plushies or have those festive banner cut-outs in the shape of owls.

When it comes to your centerpiece, it would be nice if you can have your cake personalized and made to look like a cartoon owl. In a previous blog post we showed an example of our owl diaper cake that uses a very colorful and baby shower friendly plush owl that certainly can be used as a baby shower centerpiece if you don’t want to use an edible cake.  If you prefer an edible cake, there are many stores that accept cake orders. Tell them specifically what kind of color and shade you will need and what design you would need to have on the cake. You can choose to go with just a picture of an owl on the flat surface or an entirely creative cake that’s part edible, part artwork.

Owl Decorated Cookies from Sweetopia.net

For those who want a different kind of centerpiece tiny owl cupcakes or owl cookies are adorable and they can be a unique way to decorate your table. You can use food coloring to match your cookies with your color scheme but still maintain the flavors that you want. To make them look like owls, you can use whipped cream and little chocolate bits for the eyes—just pop them in the oven for a few minutes.

Baby shower favors and other supplies

For a more creative approach, use your art skills to put owl eyes on the colorful balloons. Add plumes which you can buy cheaply in bulks. These plumes can be side decorations on the table or they can be attached to the string of the balloons to make a more snazzy-looking owl balloons.

Another important thing that you should not forget with baby showers would be the baby shower favors. Some of the common baby shower favors are figurines or small cupcakes that can be the perfect and dainty token for your guests.

However, since you’re already going with an owl theme, it is best to use that theme until the end, even for your baby shower favors. You can use some of the owl cookies or cupcakes as a nice token. Just remember to wrap them in nice packages. Or you can also opt to go with finding a cheap owl figurine that goes well with your overall scheme.

This way, it will show that you have planned the perfect baby shower because you took everything into consideration.

Saving tips

All of these ideas seem easy to execute, but if you’re on a tight budget, it may need a little tweaking. For instance, instead of ordering a cake, why not try creating your own cake?

If you have an oven at home, you can easily whip up your own owl cake—which is better because you can ensure that the icing and cake decors match your overall color scheme. There are several cake designs and recipes on the Internet that you can follow. Just make sure that you follow the recipe or have someone with you while baking.

As much as you can, follow the looks for a less designer approach—if you can create your own materials, it makes for a more personalized owl themed baby shower display.

Lil Twin Monkey 5 Tier Twin Diaper Cake

Lil Twin Monkey 5 Tier Diaper Cake

Our largest monkey themed diaper cake is designed specifically for twin babies.  We start with a five tier base cake consisting of 110 Pampers Swaddler Size 1-2 diapers.  I picked green and brown polka dot ribbons along with some vine embellishments to dress up the cake.  I then included four washcloths and wrapped them in the ribbon along with a silicone pacifier so that each baby will get two washcloths and a pacifier.  Since this is a more upscale diaper cake I included Burt’s Bees products.  For those of you not familiar with Burt’s Bees, they offer an all natural product line which we have found to be very appealing to new moms who enjoy all natural products for baby care.  We use the Burt Bees Getting Started Kit which features five sampler items:

• Baby Bee Nourishing Lotion
• Baby Bee Shampoo & Body Wash
• Baby Bee Diaper Ointment
• Baby Bee Nourishing Oil
• Baby Bee Buttermilk Soap

Lastly, we finish up the design with two Gund Mambo Junior plush toys.  I really like Mambo and this little guy is 10 inches tall and very soft and cuddly, a characteristic of all Gund plush toys.  He’s holding a banana which really adds to the overall design look.

You can read more details about this design here:  Lil Twin Monkey 5 Tier Diaper Cake

Our Lil Monkey 4 Tier Diaper Cake

Our Lil Monkey 4 Tier Diaper Cake

This baby diaper cake consists of 70 Pampers Swaddler diapers arranged in a 4 tier design.  We use green and brown polka dot ribbon to dress up each layer of the cake.  Also included are two wash cloths, a silicone pacifier, and the Burt’s Bees Getting Started Kit, similar to our 5 tier twin cake.  For this design I am using the full size Mambo who measures 14 inches tall.  He’s holding a banana just like Mambo Jr., and it every bit as cuddly.

We often get questions about whether or not all the diaper are usable.  For all our diaper cakes, we hand-make each one so that the new mom can easily disassemble the diapers from the cake and use them as if they just came out of the package.  In this design, the new mom will receive 70 usable diapers that she can use for the care of the new baby.  We never use pins, tape, or any material that could damage any of the diapers.

You can read more details about this design here:  Our Lil Monkey 4 Tier Diaper Cake

Welcome to the Zoo 3 Tier Diaper Cake

Welcome to the Zoo 3 Tier Diaper Cake

Our last addition is Welcome to the Zoo. I wanted to branch away from the darker browns and create a design that has a different color scheme yet still features a monkey plush toy.  This diaper cake starts with a three tier base cake designed using 40 Pampers Swaddler 1-2 diapers.  Instead of the brown and green polka dots used on the previously mention cakes, I am using a cream colored baby zoo animal receiving blanket.  This blanket has baby zoo animals such as a giraffe, monkey, lion, and elephant arranged in an alternating fashion.  I add a simple green ribbon around the blanket for an accent.  The middle layer uses a wide off-white ribbon along with a “Welcome to the Zoo” decal to support the overall design theme.  The Gund plush toy on this baby diaper cake makes animal sounds when you squeeze him.  As such, his name is Animal Chatter (clever!).  Lastly, the top layer gets the same off-white ribbon as the second layer plus a green bow and silicone pacifier.  I finish this baby diaper cake with Johnson and Johnson travel pack products featuring their body wash, baby powder, and baby shampoo.

You can read more details about this design here:  Welcome to the Zoo 3 Tier Diaper Cake

So that’s the overview of our monkey themed diaper cakes.  This theme is very popular for a baby’s nursery and as for baby shower themes as evidenced by all the bedding, decorations, invitations, and baby shower accessories that are available.  I invite you to consider one of our monkey diaper cakes as an cute and adorable baby gift for the new mom.  As always, your comments are welcome.

Owl Diaper Cake by Lil Baby Cakes

We’re introducing our Owl Diaper Cake as a new addition to our Lil’ Baby Cakes product line.  I really love the owl theme that is becoming more and more popular today.  I’ve had this theme design in my head for quite some time, however, I had problems finding an owl plush toy that would  fit the theme.  I’m happy to have found this colorful plush toy to serve as the focal point for this offering.  Here’s a description of this design.

This adorable cake starts with a 2 tier base made from 40 Pampers Swaddler 1 diapers.  We then added some colorful dotted ribbon along with pink trim ribbon to set the overall color cue for the diaper cake.  We added a bottle mounted horizontally on the top of the cake to act as a “perch” for the owl.  Our owl is a colorful patterned plush toy that matches popular color themes used for baby showers or in a baby’s nursery.

New moms enjoy the Johnson and Johnson baby products so we added the travel size shampoo, baby lotion, and baby powder.  We also added some coordinating crinkly paper and a pink and green bow to complete the diaper cake.

Not shown is the white tulle and ribbon used to wrap the Owl Diaper Cake for baby gift giving.  An optional gift card is also provided to create a personalized message for the new mom and family.

We’re excited to offer our customers the Owl Diaper Cake.  Whether you’re shopping for a baby shower gift or a baby gift to send by mail, we invite you to consider our new design.  We’re sure it will become a popular baby gift the new mom will love.  You can find out more information about this design on our product detail page located here:  Owl Diaper Cake

Every woman fears some part of child birth. Some of them are for funny reasons, some for more serious ones.  In this two-part series we are going to hash over the top eight reasons women fear delivery—and we’re going to start with those little issues that leave you laughing. Wondering later, why did that even matter to me?

Too little, too late

Almost every woman has run the worst-case scenario through their minds at least once during those last weeks. The sudden gush of fluid that sends everyone into a tailspin and (thank you Hollywood film) the panic that ensues is multiplied by a rapid birth that means baby arrives in the Honda instead of the hospital.  Waiting too long to leave for the hospital and having to yell “The baby’s coming! NOW!”  sends chills down our backs. No epidural. No doctor. No help. Just you, your driver and the car.  Here’s a newsflash about delivery: most women are in labor for 24 to 36 hours. Standard. Most women push for an average of 2 hours before baby is delivered. I know. Someone out there is going to tell me that they delivered in one push with no contractions. I know you exist. But you aren’t the norm. (And neither was I, so don’t be offended.) You will have more than enough time to get there.

Undergarments are Understanding

We cling to our bras and underwear like a security blanket—like the teddy bear you tried to hide under your pillow in college. We love them. We somehow believe that surrendering our underwear leaves us vulnerable. That folding them and putting on the open-backed gown says “I’m weak. I’m out of control. I can’t do this!”  Even for myself, a nurse for many years before the birth of my first child, put on my gown and smiled at my friend and nurse. “Can’t I just leave my underwear on?” I ask. She just smiled. “Off.”  She said. And they have to come off. No way around it. I once heard of a woman who delivered into the leg of her pantyhose because she refused to take them off—as though staying dressed was going to change the course of her future.

The Energy of the Enema

The truth is, no one is given an enema much these days.  Two decades ago, this touchy process was considered standard for anyone entering a hospital for delivery. Well not anymore. Because of this, many women live in fear that they will do#2 as they push.  Here’s the hard reality of that: it happens. Some women make a great “statement” while pushing. Some don’t.  Afraid your partner will see? Have them stand by your head.  And rest assured your doctor is ready too—with a swipe quicker than the eye—it will be gone so fast no one will ever notice. Discreet is the name of the game so be confident that everything will turn out fine. But if you still want a flush, go ahead and ask

No privacy– Most women bring new babies into their room after birth—and many into their beds. This changes the way you feel about being alone with your partner, especially if your little bundle is staring at you.  The feeling of being watched is certainly a mood killer.

Exhaustion—Let’s face it, you’re so tired, you can barely remember your name. And unless your partner is sleeping in the garage, so are they. Feeling romantic can be a larger-than-life problem for couples when sleep deprivation are factored into the mix.  To help everyone feel more rested, consider sleeping in shifts. When one partner comes in from work, mom goes to bed for a few hours while they take care of the baby.  Switch off in a few hours so everyone can grab some shut eye.

Body Changes—Your body certainly won’t look like it used to after delivery. Don’t worry though—it also won’t stay as flabby and floppy either.  Those early months after delivery can be hard on a gal’s self-esteem.  Excess weight gain, a now sagging soft belly, and swollen leaking breasts can hamper a woman’s sense of self and make it hard to feel in the mood.  Remember that it took 10 months to get you here, and it will take nearly that to get back to the body you started in. Some of us, unfortunately, never made it back there completely!

Fear– The first time back in the saddle has many couples cringing for a variety of reasons.  Reluctance for romance may stem from a fear of tearing stitches, triggering bleeding, or heaven forbid—another pregnancy.  Those are plenty of reasons to avoid intimacy, but most women find that taking things slow can make all the difference. Consider an over-the-counter lubricant to make things more comfortable in the beginning and if you need to, stop.

August is celebrated as a harvest month in the pagan festival of Lughnasadh. It is also International Beer Day (not great for your baby—but fun when he or she grows up!), Independence Day in several countries, and also a month marking many important events which ended World War II. The middle week of August is the high point of the Perseid meteor shower, a beautiful event which lights up the night skies with falling stars.

The birth flowers for August are the gladiolus and the poppy, and the birthstones for this month are the peridot and the onyx. The gladiolus represents strength of character and takes its name from the Latin word for sword—another August connection to ancient Rome and martial power. Poppies bear a more ominous interpretation of sleep and death—but also of resurrection. They remind us that all things change, and that the coming months will bring autumn and winter, but that spring will come again. Your new son or daughter will go through ups and downs, as every growing child does.

Peridot relates to health and wealth and allows the user to fend off negative emotions by enabling a deeper understanding of relationships. In traditional remedies it has been used to cleanse the heart and open the heart chakra. Onyx is a grounding stone which centers and calms the mind, reducing emotional energy. It promotes reticence and self control.

Babies born in August are either Leos or Virgos. If you are a Leo, you are a fire sign and a natural leader who is generous to others and wants to provide and to lead. You have the capacity to help others, especially if they are willing to follow your lead. You may struggle with anger should others seem unappreciative of your efforts, and you will need to carefully check that trait if you are to lead others successfully. You probably will do best in relationships and workplaces where you are allowed to make most of the decisions. Famous Leos include Bill Clinton (August 19) and Jacqueline Kennedy (July 28).

If you are a Virgo, you are a mutable earth sign ruled by Mercury. Virgos tend to be reliable hard workers who are committed to their tasks. Virgos excel to meet the highest mark in work and in relationships, but can be overly critical of others. Virgos favor constancy and stability, so if your baby is a Virgo, make sure you provide a stable home for him or her to grow up in. Famous Virgos have included Mother Teresa (August 27) and Michael Jackson (August 29).

August is a month associated with change, growth, and accomplishment. If your child is born in this month, he or she may grow to change the world and others.

Are all these third trimester prenatal tests necessary?

Group B Strep

Perhaps one of the last specific screenings needed is your Group B Strep (GBS) screening.  GBS, a bacteria that colonizes the gastrointestinal tract of virtually everyone is a dangerous and sometimes deadly invader for babies.  Every woman will be screened for GBS on or around your 36^th week. The test is simple—your provider will take a quick swab of your vaginal and rectal areas and send the test off to look for the presence of GBS.   A large number of women are colonized with GBS and will need to be treated with antibiotics for a few hours prior to delivery to help reduce the likelihood that the bacteria will be transferred to the baby during delivery.  Babies who have GBS infection may face serious illness, and even death.  It’s because of GBS’s highly infective nature that every woman should be screened.  If you deliver prior to 36 weeks, or your results aren’t back yet, your doctor may treat you while you are in labor “just in case”.

Non Stress Testing

If you have been diagnosed with pretty much any type of condition that could complicate your pregnancy, your doctor may send you for weekly non stress testing to assess your baby’s tolerance to life inside.  Women who are often making this regular trek include those with gestational diabetes, preeclampsia/high blood pressure, or babies who are growth restricted, just to name a few. Every case varies, but an NST may take just a few minutes, or an hour or longer to complete.  For the test, baby is monitored through the use of an ultrasound to assess heart rate.  The baby’s heart rate in utero can tell your doctor a lot about your baby’s oxygenation and tolerance to his or her environment.  The test simply monitors your baby’s heart rate in response to movement (it should go up) as proof that baby is happy, and as healthy as possible. This test can be a key component of spotting early signs of intolerance, decreasing oxygen supply to the baby, or fetal intolerances that may require intervention (like an induction or C-Section).

There are several other tests your doctor may recommend, including amniocentesis, biophysical profiles, and genetic assessments.  All of which may be necessary in your particular case, but that will be between you and your doctor.  So even if you may feel like you are constantly under the microscope, be patient—it’s all for the best of your baby, and your new life to come.

July features Independence Day and revolutionary celebrations in over a dozen countries, making it a global month of commemoration steeped in history. July brings together the old and the new, marking change and growth. It is also National Ice Cream Month in the United States.

If your child is born in July, his or her birthstone will be the ruby. The July birth flowers are the larkspur and the water lily, and the horoscope signs for this month are Cancer and Leo. The water lily is the national flower of several countries, echoing again the themes of independence and growth. The larkspur symbolizes openness of the heart and attachment and love.

The ruby is a warm, deep red stone which symbolizes wealth, love, passion, joy and power. It is wonderful for strengthening the heart chakra and for revitalizing emotional energies. This is a stone of leadership which intensifies the emotions. It also can be used to heal the root chakra from associated illnesses.

If your birthday falls after June 21, then you are a Cancer. Cancer is a water sign with a deep emotional current. If you are a Cancer, your life probably revolves around your home and family. You may be sensitive to insults, perhaps even remarks or actions not intended as such. You have a home within your own soul that you can always curl up in when you feel threatened, and the home you create around yourself will feature stability and emotional connectedness. A couple of famous Cancers include Princess Di (July 1) and Nelson Mandela (July 18).

If you were born after June 21, then you are a Leo, which is a fire sign ruled by the sun. Leos are usually ambitious but generous, and make excellent leaders. As a Leo, the happiness of others is always a prime concern, and you will probably put yourself in a position to be a provider. Watch out for your ego though; sometimes if Leos feel underappreciated, they can throw quite a tantrum! Leos tend to take charge in the workplace and in their personal relationships, and do well in positions where they can care for others. Famous Leos have included Jacqueline Kennedy (July 28) and Bill Clinton (August 19).

As you can see, a child born in the month of July could follow a path toward leadership, much like Julius Caesar, the warrior and ruler for whom this month was named. If you were born in July, and particularly if you were born a Leo, take care to keep your ambition in check and you will be sure to thrive and lead and inspire others.

There are constant recalls on baby supplies all the time.  Sometimes  it’s a specific car seat that fails to stay in one piece during an accident, or a choking hazard, or fall risk from a defective toy.  There are so many baby products on the market today, not only do you have to decide what to buy, but also filter through what’ safe and what isn’t.

Drop side no-no

Over 11 million drop side cribs have been recalled over the last four years.  Basically, the reasoning boils down to poor workmanship.  Over time, the hardware used to raise and lower one side of the bed slightly (which is why it’s called a “drop side”) can wear out—resulting in a bed that’s rickety or unstable. I personally raised two children in a drop side, and found it to be a dangerous arrangement. After the jumping and climbing antics of two toddlers using it, the bed was unstable and so much so that the bottom would occasionally shift and fall out on one end.  The “bottom” being the place that held the mattress, and my child. Not good.

I was never so happy to be rid of that bed. Leaving strict instructions for the sanitation men that it was to be thrown away and never used again.  These beds can pose choking hazards as well as suffocation risks if the bed’s support structures became loose. Just steer clear.

Baby powder and oil

We all love the smell of a fresh baby. But some of those perfumed  bottles  can pose serious risks to your baby.  The most obvious being baby powder. In case you have been under a rock for the last 8 years or so, you will know that dousing your baby in a cloud of billowing powder enters the lungs—causing respiratory problems in some babies.  Equally as dangerous, but more so for toddlers is baby oil. This includes the creamy baby oils.  In some very tragic cases, children have drank the liquid, which coats the inside of the lungs—and children essentially die from suffocation.  Bottom line: you don’t need these items to keep your baby’s skin soft and dry.  Don’t even bring them into your house.  If someone gave them to you as a gift, throw them away.  It’s not even worth passing them on to someone else.

Those satin-lined nightmares

Despite what you may be thinking, I’m not talking about your pajamas.  I’m talking about those beautiful, cuddly blankets that are all over the market today—lined on one side with a plush fabric and the other the smoothest satin-ish material.  As a nursery nurse, I see these blankets in baby’s beds all the time. I take them out and stuff them underneath the bed, and inform parents when I see them about their dangers.  First and foremost anything plush and cuddly should be kept away from baby to reduce suffocation risks.  Second, have you ever tried to wrap a baby in one of those blankets?  With absolutely no grip, they slip and slide like a bowl of Jell-o.  You can barely keep the baby from sliding out the bottom as the blanket wiggles and worms around—never staying in the same place for an instant.  The risk of dropping a baby wrapped in these blankets is high—keep them off your registry no matter how pretty they are.

When we neglect our teeth, bacteria in and around the gum line will begin to build up—over time as bacteria go to work in places that you may not notice, these tiny invaders have access to not only your teeth, but your body’s blood supply.  As infection develops, periodontal disease can set in, taking on a variety of forms.  No matter how it gets there, these bacteria may find it easy to move throughout your body and trigger inflammation in other places. For men, some research has linked poor oral health to a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. In women who are pregnant, the link has connected higher rates of preterm birth, preeclampsia (complicated high blood pressure) and low birth weight babies to periodontal infections.

It can be especially easy to neglect your gums when you are pregnant especially when you consider the increase in blood supply, which may make them more likely to bleed when you brush and floss. It’s normal for this to happen, but it certainly doesn’t mean that you can skimp on your morning tooth routine.  If all that bleeding makes you nauseated, try waiting a bit after you wake up before you brush—giving your body time to overcome those early morning waves of sickness before you add a toothbrush to the mix. Once you have tackled the morning challenge, remember to use a soft toothbrush, and use it gently.  Flossing is still equally important, so do your best to floss daily and brush at least twice a day.

I remember how brushing my teeth automatically triggered a trip to the toilet for my queasy stomach—it never got better and in fact, it was the very first symptom that told me I was pregnant, even before those famous two lines appeared on the stick.

If you don’t already, make a special point to see your dentist every six months, and make an extra effort when you’re pregnant. If you are early in your pregnancy, make sure your dentist knows so that  you can opt-out of any x-rays during your visit.  If you must have any x-rays, your abdomen may be shielded with a lead apron to protect your baby from the rays.

I don’t want to dive into the specifics of miscarriage, but instead to encourage each and every one of you who may have had one—that you are not alone.  In fact, I read somewhere that an estimated 70% of first pregnancies end in a miscarriage.  That includes the women who missed a period and then suddenly had a very heavy, painful period and never took a pregnancy test.  That’s a lot of women. That is a lot of grief for some women.

So what about those of you who have had to ride the emotional pregnancy roller coaster over and over? Three, four– even six times? There is certainly nothing that anyone can say to help, but just knowing that someone else has been there does provide some form of comfort in its own way. Today, I have two healthy, happy children but the days leading up to their births were marred by my fears.  Carrying a baby after a loss changes the game for most of us. We never see our pregnancies the same again—viewing them instead as delicate, fragile and able to be lost in an instant. We prepare ourselves for the bad news with every doctor’s visit.  I never found a relief from that feeling, but instead did my best to cope with the fear.  After all, is it really under my control? How would worrying keep my baby any safer?

No matter if you carried 8 weeks, or 38 weeks, the sense of loss is profound. I think that for those women who had the opportunity to see and hear their baby’s heart, to feel their tiny kicks, stretches and movements, the loss is unexplainable—life changing and profound.  But for the women who lose babies during the first trimester, the grief may be no less as it is coupled with disappointment for what might have been.

I would love to hear your stories—about your loss, how you learned to grieve and find hope again. Please feel free to share your feelings, thoughts, emotions, and what helped you most—as it might help someone else.

–Rachel

There are still questions to be answered regarding the use of the vaccine before delivery–and the vaccines are currently still being given after delivery, so don’t be surprised if a nurse walks in with a dose for you before you leave the hospital.

One other important factor–those in close contact with your newborn should also be vaccinated to reduce the risk of bringing the bacteria home. Partners, children, grandparents and even child care workers should be vaccinated to help swaddle newborns in protection until their own immune systems can develop antibodies–which usually don’t develop properly until about the first 12 months.  Babies will get a pertussis vaccine in their first set of shots at 2 months of age, along with a couple of boosters before their first year of life.

Pertussis vaccine causes a nearly uncontrollable cough in children and infants–as they inhale during coughing spells, a signature “whooping” sound is heard. Pertussis can make it nearly impossible for children to catch their breath.

In California alone last year there were 10,000 reported cases of whooping cough and 10 infant deaths as a result of the disease.  Data showed that only 6% of adults caring for children with the condition were properly vaccinated.  In order to properly prevent this devastating illness, adults must recognize the risk and get vaccinated–just having good intentions won’t keep your baby healthy…which reminds me…next week, we will take a look at what screenings, test and preventative measures pregnant women can expect as they near delivery…since we are on the topic.

Buy Consignment
Buying consignment for everything from maternity clothes, to cribs, swings, and baby clothes is a great way to save money.  Reputable, high-end childrens’ and maternity consignment shops often offer the same sweet outfits, along with the same quality at a fraction of the price when compared to buying new items.  If you are worried about recalls or safety issues with big items like cribs–most stores will be aware of any of those, or you can do your homework before you shop to stay current on what to avoid.  The only item that I would avoid purchasing from a consignment shop for safety reasons would be a carseat.  Carseats are technically supposed to be retired after any collision, whether they appear damaged or not.  Because you can’t get a “CARSEAT FAX” I would avoid any seat that you can’t verify a history on.

Borrow
Borrowing items that you will only need temporarily is a great way to save some dough. Infant swings, and bassinets are two items that come to mind immediately.  Babies often use these items no longer than the first three to four months (depending on how lively your little one is) before they are no longer safe or practical.  If a friend offers to lend you thiers, take it.

Shop for Sales
There are certainly some items that parents want to buy themselves.  Crib bedding is a big one, along with a special outfit for pictures in the hospital, or an outift to wear home.  Don’t let money keep you from buying a trendy set of duds–just shop around,look for sales and use those gift cards from your baby showers to save a few dollars.

Think Practically
I have seen some pretty ridiculous baby supplies on the market. With aisle after aisle of products to purchase, many parents are left feeling that they are supposed to buy everything– and for that reason may buy many things that they will never use. Who needs a wipes warmer? That’s just another gadget to take up space and use electricity–and when junior is out for the day, where are you going to warm his wipe?  One of the most comical products I’ve noticed lately is a pacifier wipe. What happened to soap and water? Mothers (and their children) have survived for decades without paci wipes and we will continue–and keep our money for something else.

Heat Safety
First and foremost—if it is 95 degrees outside and you are strutting a tank top and shorts, what makes you think your baby should be in a full sleeper (yes with the feet), socks, and two blankets? No. No. No. I have heard parents say “he sleeps so well when he’s covered”…no, actually he or she will fall into a deep sleep as their body overheats—so that five hour nap your baby took at the company picnic? Not so great if she was dressed for an arctic blizzard while you snacked on snow cones. Your baby is comfortable sporting the same attire that you are—so just remember that.

Car Safety
We all know that leaving children alone in any car, even for a moment is a truly stupid idea. An even dumber idea is to leave a baby in a hot car. While this happens across the country all the time (and usually makes news for the tragedy that followed) it can be easy to overlook just how hot it can get. At outdoor temperatures of 70 degrees, the temperature inside a vehicle can soar to 90 degrees or higher in less than 30 minutes. That’s hot for a baby who is probably overdressed to start with. Overheating can lead to respiratory compromise and even death if left long enough in the heat. Babies lack the ability to properly regulate their temperature as we do, so pay close attention to how the environment feels. If you are hot, so is your baby.

Sun Safety
My sister in law took my three month old nephew out under the shade tree one afternoon last week. After about 30 minutes she took him inside and later that evening discovered he had developed a sunburn. Feeling like less than mother of the year, she was left kicking herself—never imaging that a short visit outside would damage his skin.
No doubt babies have tender skin. If you have one of the very rare babies that even enjoys being out in direct sunlight, it’s pretty obvious that new skin will require some sort of protection. Shade is a sneakier culprit altogether though. UV rays can easily penetrate and just because you are in the shade does not mean you are free from the sun’s damaging rays. Invest in sunscreen for your baby—an SPF of 30 or higher is usually enough to prevent burning. Apply at least 30 minutes before going out and reapply as needed. Make sure the sunscreen will not burn your baby’s eyes should it run into them. Also consider investing in a good quality hat or sun shade for baby’s car seat, stroller or outdoor play equipment to further reduce exposure.

There isn’t really a lot in the way of June holidays, but some important days in June include D-Day and Flag Day in the UK, Denmark, Argentina, and Romania.  Mother’s Day falls on the second Sunday in June in Luxembourg only, but Father’s day falls in June in Belgium, the US, the UK, Mexico, Canada, and several other countries.

The birth flowers for the month of June include the honeysuckle and the rose.  Honeysuckle traditionally stands for bonds of devotion, love, fidelity and generosity.  Few flowers have as many meanings attributed to them as the rose.  Depending on the type of rose, roses can indicate romantic love, secrecy, desire, gratitude, mourning, impossible hopes, modesty, joy, love at first sight, innocence, sacrifice, and much more.  In the traditional language of flowers, roses are among the most important flowers.

June birthstones are the pearl, moonstone, and alexandrite.  Alexandrite represents health and longevity.  Moonstone represents change, new beginnings, and the shifting tides of emotion.  Moonstone can help a wearer to alleviate stress, especially due to sudden changes in life.  Moonstone is also believed to increase intuition and aid in lucid dreaming.  Pearls symbolize purity of heart and faith, as well as growth and transformation through trying circumstances.

Babies born between June 1 and June 21 are Gemini signs.  If you are a Gemini, you are a mutable air sign and your characteristics tend toward high energy and a thirst for new things.  Your talents may include consolidating information and people and using what you learn to charm and inform other people you meet.  Geminis sometimes struggle with repetitive tasks, but excel at communication.  Gemini children often forget to finish their chores, but learn quickly.  You can help a Gemini child to thrive by constantly providing new activities to keep him or her engaged at school and outside of it.  Some Gemini celebrities include John F. Kennedy, (May 29), Marilyn Monroe (June 1), and Judy Garland (June 10).

If you were born after June 21, then you are a Cancer sign.  Cancer is a water sign, and the center of a Cancer’s life is usually home and family.  Cancers are deeply rooted, almost like earth signs, but have a strong emotional current in their souls.  They are often sensitive to slights, but have an inner sanctum within themselves which they can retreat to when threatened.  Cancers look for stability, which means if your child is a Cancer, you will want to make sure your home life is as stable as possible.  Later in life, Cancer will prefer stable jobs and relationships, and will notice immediately if something is amiss.  Cancers have a deep emotional connection to the people and world around them.  Two famous Cancers were Princess Di (July 1) and Nelson Mandela (July 18).

Both Gemini and Cancer are passionate signs which belong to individuals who connect strongly to others around them, so in your new Gemini or Cancer baby you should find a loving child with a deep nature.

I have to say that epidurals, while they do have their share of risks (and some serious) are relatively safe as a whole and provide effective, adequate pain control that usually lasts throughout the labor and delivery process. I know…don’t write me letters and tell me how yours didn’t work. I had one of those myself–and I called for a second. Call me a wimp, but I got the second and then bottomed out my blood pressure which made me feel like I needed to walk into the bright light. They brought me out of that, and everything turned out fine. While some women want to experience child birth for all its sensations–the good and the bad, I wanted to spend those precious hours not writhing in pain and blind from the misery but instead smiling, talking and concentrating on what was to come.

So what’s good about the more natural method of delivery? A lot. First, remembering that child birth is in fact not an illness, but a beautiful event, there really is no need to intervene with such tremendous measures.  Allowing the mother’s body and the baby to make their paced decent as it was intended to be–without monitors, lines or drugs–is the way that many parents want the experience to be.

Does one mom “get more” out of her birth than another based on how much pain she experiences? I don’t think so. If I have learned nothing else from my years of holding other women’s legs, it’s that child birth is a subjective experience.  No matter if the labor process is filled with travail, or not the end result is the same–a baby that is born healthy, and a mother who cherishes her most precious creation.

And then, just two and half short years later I decided to repeat yet another pregnancy. Well, that’s what I thought. Instead of having the pregnancy high I had expected as before, I was thrown an entirely different set of feelings.  I ached–seemingly everywhere, but my hips and back were the worst.  When I had been able to do the splits previously, I couldn’t roll over in bed without moaning and groaning.  So where does all this pain come from?  Mostly, you can blame hormones and a growing baby on changes to the supporting structures of the pelvis and back.

Part of delivering a healthy baby is having a body that is ready to conform to the shape of a 7 or 8 pounder–and pass them through the birth canal without getting stuck.  In order to do so, the hips, pelvis and spine must be prepared to spread open, and the body makes sure it happens by sending out hormones to relax and loosen these structures.  This is also why some women have a noticeable “pregnancy waddle”–their bones have truly loosened..think about it like backing out several bolts on…oh…that crib you just put together.  You back them out, but don’t take them completely apart and the crib will hold together, but it just moves and rocks more easily. Same thing with mama’s hips.

But it can really hurt. I see more women in our triage area in labor hall for complaints of abdominal pain that are just what we call “round ligament” pains.  Usually worse with subsequent pregnancies, round ligament pain can feel like pinching, pulling or burning.  Many women fear that there’s something wrong with baby, but as the body stretches to accommodate a growing uterus and its passenger, it can certainly cause some discomfort.

A warm bath, and doctor-approved pain medications (always ask before you take ANYTHING) can help with the discomfort. As can light exercise, walking, yoga and stretching exercises.  Massage may also be helpful, but use caution with vigorous massage and/or the table with the belly hole in the middle.  A dangling belly can cause more pain of its own…

Headaches, back pain, leg cramps (my personal favorite, also known as a charlie horse in this house), belly aches and everything in between are more inconvenient than anything else. And besides, you’ll look around all too soon and your “belly pain maker” will be off to kindergarten, or heck–maybe even college. So take it with a great attitude, and know it will all be over soon. I wish you a happy, pain-free pregnancy.

I’m a totally normal person typically…well, that might depend on who you ask. But I have absolutely no history of mental illness, nor do I have any real lingering effects now–except the stinging memories (or lack thereof) from the first weeks of my children’s births.  It’s sad to me, and disappointing that during those important weeks that I should have been bonding, I was crying, sleeping and forgetting–all as a result of a medical condition that I had no idea was going to get me.

Fortunately, postpartum depression often responds well to treatment.  Once symptoms are recognized and medical help can be found, most women recover fully. I did–though it took two years to find help. I made multiple visits to my doctor once I completed the initial rounds of antidepressants, complaining of terrible “PMS” symptoms that I just couldn’t shake.  He told me it was situational and sent me out the door with more Prozac.

I knew that wasn’t the case, and my then 18 month old and I began a search for something else.   I finally found my answer, and while it may not be everyone’s answer, vitamin supplementation along with amino acids from a local health food store finally kicked the sadness that robbed me of valuable time with my children, and gave me my life back.

Here’s some facts and figures on postpartum depression…

Those at risk for postpartum depression include

• young mothers under the age of 20
• those who have stressful family situations
• mothers of babies who are admitted for intensive care
• women who have little or no family support

Certain medical conditions may also increase the risk for postpartum depression– such as thyroid problems, or a personal or family history of mental illness. (Turns out I had my thyroid to thank.)  The most common symptoms associated with postpartum depression include

• sleeping too much or not enough
• crying uncontrollably
• difficulty concentrating
• feelings of worthlessness
• thoughts of hurting the baby
• suicidal thoughts
• decreased appetite
• loss of interest in usual activities

Keep in mind that it is normal to have periods of crying, and moments of emotion for up to one week after the birth of the baby, without a diagnosis of postpartum depression.  This period of time is known as the baby blues, and most women can expect mood swings as hormone levels reregulate.  Any symptoms lasting beyond one week after birth should be reported to a physician. I would never wish this struggle on any woman, and I’m yet to meet anyone who suffered as badly as I did…but I just want you to know that there is help out there–don’t be afraid to find it–your life, and your children’s lives depend on it.

Induction of labor involves administration of intravenous medications, or medications placed into the vagina to start contractions, and soften/dilate the cervix. In the past, inducing a patient for labor was done only for medical situations in which the baby needed to be delivered due to medical complications in which it is not safe to continue the pregnancy. Recently however, more and more women are requesting labor inductions for a variety of new reasons, and it appears that physicians are complying. (Even though I don’t know why…)

New reasons for requesting an induction include having a delivery that is convenient for the birth partner or coach–if they need to be out of town for example-and for the mother’s personal comfort. I think women as a whole have begun to view child birth much like they have everything else in society–it’s all about convenience.

Dr. Deborah Ehrenthal, director of women’s health programs at Christiana Care Health System in Newark, Del., and an assistant professor of family medicine at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia said “We need to understand it’s not without risk to be doing this,” Ehrenthal said of some elective inductions and the higher risk of C-sections. There are significant risk to moms for C-sections.”

Additional research by physicians at U.S. National Institutes of Health also compared induction rate increases over the last decade and a half. In 1992, only 9.5% of all deliveries were induced. By 2006 those numbers had jumped to 22.6% and now the United States has topped that number with nearly 32% of all deliveries starting with an induction. Inductions are not recommended for babies less than 39 weeks according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, but some inductions are being done as early as 37 weeks in some cases. Having a C-section also increases your chances of having subsequent Cesarean Sections in the future.

Other risks associated with C-Sections can include higher infection rates, difficulty controlling pain and bonding immediately after birth. Babies can also see difficulties transitioning to extrauterine life and have difficulty breathing temporarily. Risks are associated with attempting a vaginal delivery after a Cesarean section and should be considered with any pregnancies later in life. Each case should be evaluated individually and the best decision made to provide both mother and baby with the ideal outcome.

For me, it was the traditional hospital birth–flat on my back in a bed with wires, tubes, IV’s and monitors.  And to top it off,add not just one epidural, but two consecutive ones with the birth of my second child. This was the type of birth that I preferred, however we know that many, many women prefer something very different. And while you may think that I only support childbirth the way I did it, I actually really enjoy helping women deliver their own way.  After all, childbirth is NOT an illness, right? So the point I’m trying to get to here is about the laying on your back issue…for me, it was probably better because I only took two hours start to finish and if I had been afforded the luxury of squatting, or walking, or sitting on the toilet, we would have had a tremendously fast delivery.

So what are the best labor positions? Honestly, it’s up to you. For me, I wanted to lay on my back. Logic and common sense tells you that laying flat on your back is completely counterproductive though.  Without the help of gravity to  bring the baby down and a pelvis that may not be open wide enough to accommodate a baby as it moves through the birth canal, this position can be the most problematic.

I really think that squatting is best.  If you are preparing to deliver and want to go it without an epidural then talk with your doctor and nurses about alternate birthing positions.  A squat bar, your birth partner, or even a birthing ball may be used to assist you to a sitting position where you pelvis can open and your baby can descend more easily.  I think many American women view squatting as primal, or too inappropriate, thanks to years of being told they must lay down and they are often afraid to ask for something different.

There are many alterations on the squat–side lying, seated in a chair, and even standing if you can do it.  (And if there are any of you out there who stood to give birth, let me know who you are so I can send you some flowers–I don’t see how it could be possible…)
I just can’t stress enough how important it is to do what feels natural and right for you. Some women want to be involved in reaching down and assisting with the delivery…some women  wish for a blindfold.  Either way, just remember that this is your baby, your birth, and it will only come by this way once.  So work to make it yours.

My husband was a great coach–he cried with me, and even sweated out a new nervous minutes with me. But some women aren’t so lucky–their partner may be a fainter, or grossed out by even the thought of being near the delivery.  Some women don’t want their sexual partner to see them in a birthing position–I even had a friend whose husband waited in the parking lot during the delivery.  That was what they both wanted. I know–it seems strange to me also–but as a couple they agreed that they were both uncomfortable, and this made them happy.

That said, if you don’t have a great coach, or your husband wants to go out for coffee instead of hold a leg,  I can’t stress enough the benefit of a doula. Doulas are certified, trained birth coaches.  Some may have a medical background, while others do not.  They are usually certified through organizations like DONA.org which provide training in the birth process, normal prenatal development, pain management and coaching among other topics.  Some doulas may stay with you even into your postpartum period as well as after you get home from the hospital to assist with infant care, breast feeding and light cooking or cleaning.

Doula supported women usually require less pain medication, and higher satisfaction with the birth overall. A doula may also cut any tension by being the calming force during a birth, which lessens tensions between the mom-to-be and her partner. And that makes everybody happier in the end.  Perhaps some day I can share with you the many amazing stories of how pregnancy and labor sends some partners into a tailspin of crazy behaviors…

There are doulas available across the country–you can perform a quick internet search for one in your area (many have personal sites) or search through groups like DONA.  Arrange a personal meeting or two with your doula before birth to ensure you are a right fit for each other. If you prefer, meet with two or three and pick the one who most closely represents what you will need during your delivery.  Doula assistance does not come cheaply either–not typically covered by insurance, you can expect to pay between $500 and $700 start to finish.

If you read my previous post about birth plans--and how they usually equate to a c-section in a hospital setting, you will see that my view of less invasive care is a bit skewed.  While I am absolutely not against a home birth or minimally invasive labor, I just don’t think you should come to a hospital and expect to labor as if you were doing it at home.  We just don’t work that way.  Many hospitals do look at childbirth as an emergency waiting to happen–I know that.

I also know that childbirth is a miraculous, wonderful event and every effort should be made to meet the families’ expectations as much as possible.  Above all, make sure that you trust, and feel comfortable with your health care team. When seconds count and you aren’t thinking as clear as you should, it means a lot to know you have a team of health care providers on your side that will do what’s best for you and your baby.

I know, you have it all planned out in your head–you’ve followed all the online guides to the T and you’ve written it all down, discussed it with your birth coach and had it signed by your doctor. But honestly girls, that birth plan means squat to your nurse when you are in labor.  It’s a bit of a soapbox for me, but listen to me closely…if you don’t want to me monitored, don’t want your water broken, don’t want Pitocin (can’t say I blame you there though) and want to deliver hanging from the light fixtures, then don’t come to a hospital to have your baby. Instead, seek out a birthing center, or do it at home with a trained midwife. I know, home births are quite risky and that’s another blog entirely, but hospitals and medical care that is delivered there is focused on prevention and treatment. Pregnancy is not an illness, I know that. But many people treat it as such. And I’m afraid many labor and delivery units are the same way–simply because they have to be prepared for anything.

Monitoring is essential to know when and if your baby goes south…and I don’t mean down toward your feet. I mean, there may be a complication that you won’t “just feel”–it  must be seen on a monitor and treated in order for you and your baby to have the best outcomes. You can have a plan if you must, but know and understand that those plans go straight out the window the minute something changes.  I can easily say that I have only cared for one or two mothers who actually had a birth that went according to their documents. Everyone else ended up with the most invasive, complication-riddled Cesarean Section you could imagine.  Their babies, that they wanted to have no bath, no vaccines and no invasive care ended up in the NICU on a vent and clinging to life–and it just happens.  Sure, we nurses joke about how freaky it is that it turns out that way, but it is very upsetting to parents who had their heart set on something completely different.

Birth plans are not really birth plans.  Confused? In reality, they are a mother’s attempt to maintain some sense of control in a situation when she has none.  Labor is one of the few events in life, aside from death that happens to us whether we are willing to go through it or not. And that’s really scary for a lot of women. I can absolutely see why having a birth plan might bring you a sense of reassurance and I hope for you that it works out that way.  (Am I a pessimist today or what?)

This is  never an easy subject to broach, but I feel like eventually we might need to discuss it.  No parent ever wants to think that their new baby may be sick after birth, but the truth is, that it happens on occasion–and there’s usually not a thing you could have done about it. Especially if you have no warning of an illness or medical condition, it can be startling to take an already stressful event (though a happy one) and make it more stressful.

Statistics show that one in ten babies born in the U.S. will require some form of resuscitation after birth.  It may not be a full-blown CPR event, but sometimes babies need a little “jump start” to get going.  Thankfully, the resiliency of newborns makes them respond almost instantly to the assistance given by skilled doctors and nurses, and they bounce back quickly with no problems.  For you as a parent, you probably will never even notice the quiet whispers being passed between your nurses as they work to help your baby.  I have handed beautiful, healthy pink babies to mothers only minutes after I had been scrambling to help them breathe–and their mothers have no idea.  It’s the way it is.

Beyond a simple bit of assistance, are the babies who end up spending days in a neonatal ICU or nursery being monitored for other problems.  I’m not going to scare you–but I want to give you some pointers for those of you who may be faced with this very difficult situation.

First, remember that more than likely, you didn’t do anything to make your baby sick.  I can only think of a few clear cut issues that we won’t go into that fall into that category.

If your baby does require more intensive care, the shock of it can make it difficult to hear what the doctors and nurses are saying, so rely on a spouse, friend or family  member to help you listen to what they are saying.  Write down any questions you have so that you will remember to ask them–its easy to forget your name when you are upset.

Be nice to your doctors and nurses, and remember that they are stressed too–and working really hard to give your baby the best care possible.  It’s acceptable to want to see your baby, so don’t hesitate to visit the nursery and stay by your baby’s side.  For some procedures and X-rays, you may be asked to step out, but the medical staff will allow you to return as soon as they can.

Once I was caring for a newborn that had been in our nursery for over a week, and while he was relatively stable, he was still very sick.  His father was at the end of his logical rope and through his exhaustion and worry decided to try to physically remove the baby from the nursery so he could drive him three hours to a larger hospital. He really was receiving the best care possible already and a trip of that nature could have sent him spiraling downward.  What resulted was a major incident between the father and I as I struggled to keep some form of composure and keep the baby safe.  The baby stayed with me, and did well–but I say that to say this–try not to lose your cool.

I used to stand, hunched ever so slightly, over birthing beds to help women push–for hours.  With my belly as big as theirs, the weight in the front of my body brought on major back pain when I tried to straighten up.  I would moan and groan, and the other nurses would laugh–but it was very uncomfortable. I was wishing for someone to rub my back then…

While massage during pregnancy has been shown to help with many different maternal complaints and maybe even boost baby’s health as well, you must remember to do your homework and check with your doctor before hopping up on the table.

Prenatal massage has been shown to reduce stress hormones like cortisol and norepinephrine, while other levels climbed.  The “feel good” hormones that we count on every day to fight depression increased after only two massage sessions a week for four weeks.  Prenatal massage has also been linked to improved labor outcomes and fewer low birth weight babies. Researchers believe that massage helps to regulate hormone levels which could help improve baby’s growth processes inside the uterus.

Are these promises guaranteed? Certainly not.  Just because you have regular massages does not mean that your labor will be smooth, or your baby perfectly healthy–so take these recommendations lightly, and makes sure to combine any massage with regular prenatal visits, a healthy diet and light exercise.  (That’s my little disclaimer before we continue.) I can’t help but think that someone is making some pretty serious claims to fame about this.  There is so much more to consider for a healthy pregnancy and baby than just massage. So just remember that.

In order to get a safe, effective massage make sure you find a certified massage therapist who has been trained in prenatal processes.  Because there are some differences in the expectant mom’s body, you can’t just flop up on the table and go to town.  Swedish massage is actually the recommended type of massage to receive because of its focus on muscle relaxation and improvement of blood flow. Ask your massage therapist if they have experience in prenatal massage and find out if they are certified.  If not, you may want to keep looking.

Be wary of the massage table with the hole in the center too.  Lying on your stomach may be difficult any other time and the thought of getting to try it on a massage table may be tempting.  However, tables like this can put pressure on the uterus, or a dangling belly may cause supporting ligaments to stretch–leading to more pain.  Most prenatal massages are performed in mom lying on her side. Don’t spend too much time flat on your back either–this compresses large blood vessels to the baby and can drop heart rate and oxygen levels. Left side-lying is preferred most of the time.

Massage therapists should also be aware of certain pressure points in the wrist or ankles that can stimulate pelvic muscles (including the uterus).  Frequent pressure and stimulation of these areas could result in contractions–so they should be handled carefully or avoided all together.

If you have had a complicated pregnancy, a high risk for pre-term delivery, or medical conditions like preeclampsia, hypertension, or extreme swelling, talk with your doctor before you start any prental program.

Despite this, I fretted. Every moment I wondered if the next would bring on a surge of fluids and a baby that delivers in my bathroom floor instead of a hospital room. When I voiced my fears to my good friend–a well-seasoned labor and delivery nurse, she laughed at me.  “The baby won’t fall out on the floor.” she said. And she didn’t. Of course I know that there are probably some of you out there who can dispute this–because your baby probably did deliver unexpectedly.

There certainly are as many different birth stories as there are mothers–because labor and delivery is one of the most individual, personal experiences any mother will ever go through.    So keep that in mind as I attempt to stereotype the process.

How do you know if you are in labor…generally speaking there are a few events that may point to the big day and I just want you to keep in mind that it may not go this way. If you have delivered at least once before, remember that no labor is the same as the one before.

Early signs of labor can include a spectrum of new feelings and symptoms.  A sudden surge of energy that drives you to do laundry, cook, and prepare for baby is sometimes common. We often call this “nesting” as mothers prepare for their new arrival. I used to fold and unfold all the baby clothes–just to feel like I was preparing for something and to try to control the urge.

Other symptoms may include diarrhea, nausea or even vomiting (aside from morning sickness, of course).  Often the baby will “drop” or settle lower into your pelvis.  This drop can help you breathe more easily, but it can also put pressure on your bladder–making you visit the ladies room more than you already were. Like you needed that.

As the day gets closer, some women report the loss of their mucus plug. Gross. I’m a nurse, and I’ll just say that it’s gross. Many women never notice a thing-but don’t be surprised if it happens to you.  I’ll spare you the gory details–but you will know it if it happens. Let’s just leave it at that.

Now, the big issue–when water breaks or you have contractions.  All these recommendations are for full-term moms and babies with no complications. We are assuming that baby is head down, ready to be delivered, and everyone is healthy as far as we know. You should consult your doctor to find out exactly what he/she wants you to do.

If your water breaks go ahead and give your doctor a call–undoubtedly they will advise you to come to the hospital for an evaluation.

If your water does not break, and you begin to have regular contractions at home, stay with them. Don’t run to the hospital as soon as they start.  Begin timing your contractions–from the start of one to the start of the next.  When your contractions are regular, about every 4 to 5 minutes for an hour or two you can call your doctor for advice.  Remember to rest, and drink plenty of fluids during this time.

It’s very important that you don’t get so worked up that you end up exhausted before labor really gets going.  Average labors are 24 hours or more from start to finish. So be patient and take care of yourself so you will still have energy for the birth of your new baby.

May takes its name from that of the Greek goddess Maia, whose Roman equivalent is Bona Dea.  Maia was considered a symbol of spring and fertility, both themes relating to your childbirth.  Many holidays fall in May including May Day, Beltane, a celebration of spring, and Cinco de Mayo.  Occasionally Easter falls in early May.  May is a heritage month for South Asians, Asian Pacific Americans, and Jewish Americans.  There are also some fun pop culture events like Zombie Awareness Month and the annual Eurovision contest!

If you’re a May baby, your birthstone is the emerald and your flower is the Lily of the Valley.  Lily of the Valley symbolizes sweetness, innocence and purity.  Emerald symbolizes love and fortune.  Emerald is considered a deflector of negative energy and an attractor of abundance, harmony, and love.  Emerald is worn to bring inspiration and to provide healing, patience, truth and wisdom in relationships.  If worn with diamond, the power of emerald can be amplified.  In folk remedies, emerald is recommended for blood and heart problems, childbirth, and detoxification.  It is a stone loved by ancient cultures for thousands of years.

Your zodiac sign is either Taurus (April 20-May 20) or Gemini (May 21-June 20).  If you are a Taurus, you are an earth sign, and you share the stability of the earth.  You may tend toward conservative choices, but you make a loyal and lasting companion.  In intense situations, you keep a level head, but if pushed over the line, you can explode.  If you have a baby in May who is a Taurus, you can expect him or her to perform well in school and later in work, particularly if a stable environment is provided which matches the Taurus personality.  Some famous Taurus personalities include Ulysses Grant (April 27) and Audrey Hepburn (May 4).

Gemini is a mutable air sign, and in many ways quite the opposite of Taurus.  If you are a Gemini, odds are you are energetic, fast paced, and constantly striving to learn new things.  You draw information and people together and can entertain and inform others.  You may become easily bored with tedious tasks or leave tasks unfinished unless they are very compelling.  If you have a Gemini baby in May, you can look forward to a child who will master the skills of communication early and learn at an incredible rate.  Your Gemini child will have a magnetic personality, but may neglect school tasks or chores (or relationships) unless constantly given new, exciting aspects to keep him or her engaged.  Famous Geminis include John F. Kennedy, (May 29), Marilyn Monroe (June 1), and Judy Garland (June 10).

Whether your baby is an energetic Gemini or a grounded Taurus, he or she will bring a unique inner strength to life as a child and later as an adult!

Congratulations to all expectant moms due in the month of May.

Honestly, I’m not trying to insult your intelligence. I just know that I see moms day in and day out that you might assume know everything, but it turns out they don’t. Especially when they leave a diaper on for twelve hours without changing it and then look at you like you’re crazy when you ask how many wet or dirty diapers they’ve changed…”aren’t you doing that?“  They ask.  And when I, (their nurse) inform them, that no, as long as the baby is in their room, the parents do the greatest part of the care, they just don’t know what to say.  It happens almost every day.

Seems like an obvious task–changing a diaper.  But for many, it’s just one of several key baby care basics that get skipped.    So, we’ve taken a look at circumcisions and the necessity for great umbilical cord care.  Now, let’s think about some more obvious but neglected issues.

Sleep Positioning

Newborns should sleep on their backs or sides. I know. I know. When we were born, our mothers put us on our bellies to keep us from choking. But, that was then and this is now and while babies are placed on their backs today, we don’t see the number of choking problems that you might expect. The risk of belly sleeping is more than just a choking issue, its a breathing one.   We still now very little about what causes Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), but tummy sleeping has been linked to a higher rate of occurrence and that rules out this position for safety reasons.

Babies should also be placed in cribs or bassinets with firm, flat mattresses, free from soft blankets, and fuzzy animals.  Sometimes, I am even anti-bumper pad for the same issue. Babies may smother in soft surfaces, so keep your baby on their back or side.     If you would like to position your baby on his or her side, you may use a sleep positioner (one of those padded “devices” you can pick up at any baby care store) or just roll two blankets and tuck one behind and one in front of baby for sleeping.

Bathing

During the first weeks of life, your baby only needs a head-to-toe bath about every other day. Sponge off any dirty areas like the face, hands and bottom every day, and don’t forget to clean the cord with alcohol. NO, NO, NO tub bath or water soaked cords until it falls off and heals completely.

Remember to bathe your baby in an area free from cold drafts and only expose the part you want to wash. Don’t leave your baby unattended near water, and don’t do baths on high surfaces where baby may roll off or be dropped. Make sure you have everything within reach that you will need.  Use the floor until you get a good handle on what you’re doing.

If you aren’t sure about the water temperature, test it on the inside of your wrist, or pick up a temperature tester in the baby department. Turn down the temperature on your water heater to prevent scalding as well.   Anyway, clean the exposed body part, and then dry and cover up again.  Start with the eyes and face. (I mean, logically, who washes their backside before their face? Let’s not go there…) Then work your way down the body saving the diaper area for last. Wash hair after the rest of the body is finished by wrapping your baby in a blanket and gently washing the hair under warm running water. See? Its easier to manage a crying, wet, slippery baby than you thought.

There’s a lot more to cover, but we’ll work up to that. For now, you have the most obvious and important tasks mastered, I know it!

Last week I went to see our newest addition to the family–a nephew–and my brother and sister in law’s third child.  I was surprised to find that at two weeks old, he still had his cord.  (Cord’s usually fall off at around a week or two.)  When I investigated, I pulled the skin back from the base of this umbilical cord to find a not-so-pleasant goo of things you don’t want to know about.  Requesting alcohol and a cotton swab, I meticulously cleaned it–much to my nephew’s dislike.  But nonetheless, it was clean.
I reminded my sister in law to make sure that she was cleaning deep enough, and she looked at me like I was crazy. “I don’t remember doing that with the girls. They didn’t have cords like his, and I didn’t know I was supposed to.” she said.  And that’s exactly right–every baby is different and just because you have one or two under your belt, don’t underestimate those baby basics.

Cord Care:
The cord can be the source of dangerous and serious infection if it is not cared for correctly.  Some hospitals (though not many) paint cords with a special blue dye after birth to help protect it, and others do not.  Research has proven that cords actually come off more quickly without being dyed, but either way is acceptable.  Clean your baby’s cord while at the hospital and at home until it comes off. Wipe between the skin and the cord (not just the belly) with an alcohol-soaked cotton ball, cotton swab or alcohol wipe three to four times a day. NO TUB BATH until the cord has come off, and the skin has had 4-6 more days to heal. Your baby’s belly button should look like yours before submerging into bath water.
Circumcision:
A circumcision is the removal of the foreskin on the baby’s penis.  Circumcisions are an entirely optional procedure and will be left up to the parents to decide if it will be done while in the hospital.  Today, many physicians use a numbing medication by injection to prevent pain.
There are a few ways to do a circ, but care is essentially the same. Care for your baby’s skin by using petroleum jelly and either a gauze square, or just piling some jelly on the end of his penis to protect it and keep it from sticking to his diaper while it heals.
Keep your baby off his belly (this includes laying on your chest) to prevent increased blood flow to the area that could cause pain.  Change the gauze with each diaper change, and if the circumcision gets dirty (i.e. poop) just rinse it with mild baby soap diluted in warm water, dry gently and reapply the petroleum jelly.  Your doctor may also recommend pain relievers like acetaminophen, but follow his or her instructions carefully regarding its use.

This is certainly longer than I intended for it to be…stay tuned for part 2 next week when we will explore the  fascinating world of bathing, sleep positioning and feeding schedules!

Of course, you want to do what’s best for your baby and for yourself, so you may be wondering if breast or bottle feeding is better.  So what’s the answer? The answer is that it’s a completely personal decision that should be left up to you, the parent. In order to decide what feeding method to choose, you must consider several factors.  First, how long would you nurse if you decided to? Do you plan to put the baby to the breast or only pump and feed from a bottle? (I have strong feelings about this by the way.)  Do you want others to participate in feedings?  Can you afford the cost of formula every month? There are so many questions, but I want to help you think about your options so you can make the best choice for you and your new baby.
Breast Feeding Positives:

• breast milk is always warm, and readily available

• its FREE

• breast milk is more easily digested and absorbed which usually meansfewer tummy troubles for baby

• perfectly balanced nutritional content

Breast Feeding Negatives:

• mom is primarily responsible for all feedings and pumping

• more difficult for others to feed baby

• mom must be mindful of any medications that may transfer to baby through milk

• pumping will be required when mom is away from baby for feedings

I once saw a young mother  who wanted to breast feed make a rapid decision to the contrary.  Immediately after delivery, the nurse assisted mom in latching the baby to feed. Immediately, mom stiffened, threw her arms out and said “get it off me! get this baby off me!” Now that was dramatic, but I say that to say this: breast feeding isn’t for everyone. For some moms, it just feels too strange. For others, mom may take medications that are necessary for her, but dangerous to a breast feeding baby if transferred through milk. Mom may have an infectious disease like HIV that makes it impossible to nurse. In these cases, bottle feeding will be a better choice.
Bottle feeding positives:

• Easy for others to participate in feedings.

• While not entirely nutritionally complete, formulas have come a long way in recent years to offer a more complete nutritional balance.

• With many types of formula (powder, concentrate and ready to feed) parents can choose a type that works best for them.

Bottle feeding negatives:

• Cost.  Some formulas can cost up to $40 a can for hypoallergenic brands, and most families spend between $50 and $200+ a month on formula alone.

• More difficult to digest and may trigger gas, colic, spitting, constipation and other digestive problems for some babies.

• Bottles must be sterilized, prepared, stored properly.

• Formula isn’t immediately ready and must be prepared for feedings and/or warmed if necessary.

I once witnessed a difficult adjustment of a big sister to her new baby.  As her mother’s nurse, I was in the room when mom and dad gave big sister a present from her new sister Paige.  The mother lovingly handed the three year old a baby doll who’s name was Paige as well–and she told the little girl that she had her own new baby to take care of now too.  The older girl took the doll, and stared at her only a few seconds before grabbing it up by its feet and beating it headlong into the wall while she screamed “Hate baby Paige! Hate baby Paige!”  I quickly made an exit from the room, hiding my laughter, and I have often wondered how those first few weeks at home were for that family.

Difficult adjustments to new babies are normal and should be expected.  But I can’t stress enough that helping the older child (or children) feel that they are still important to you is key.  Here’s some tips you may want to consider:

• If they don’t want to participate in the baby’s care, don’t force them.
• Give them time, and when they require your attention, place the baby in a safe place and spend time with your older child.
• While baby doll Paige blew up in the face of one family, a gift from the baby to younger siblings may be a good way to break the ice too.
• Make sure that when your other children visit for the first time at the hospital, that you are not holding the new baby when they enter the room. Place the baby in the crib, or have another family member hold the baby to lessen tension, and then introduce the baby after lots of hugs and welcoming cuddles with your older child.  Taking this important step helps reassure them and promote  much needed security.

Every child will adjust differently, so be patient and forgiving and realize that everyone is adjusting to having a new family member. But stick close, love a lot and everything will work out fine.

Don’t take my underwear!
·    Many women present to labor hall for verification of whether or not they are in labor.  In order to be examined, they must undress and put on a hospital gown.  After peeing in a cup, and putting on a gown they prepare for their exam.  9 times out of 10, I raise the gown to assess them and they still have their underwear on.  “Can’t I just leave them on?” They ask. I laugh–because being a nurse myself, I did it too when it was time to give birth.  Like a life preserver in the ocean, so are underwear to a laboring woman.  Go figure….

It’s just going to rot off…
·    Of all the astonishing things that can be said, many of them come from doctors.  One of the most memorable occurred when a circumcision was completed on a newborn, but as things go, it was bleeding more than was expected.  As the bleeding slowed, it collected as a blood clot over the end of the baby’s private parts—and when the physician went to the parent’s room to discuss the issue, he said “Oh don’t worry about it—it’s going to fall off anyway.” (Meaning the dried clot) But in a misunderstood panic, the parents exchanged a troubled glance and said “His—his penis is going to fall off?!”

I had a little accident…

·“I think my water broke.” The certain assurance by most women that labor has begun brings them trotting double time to the hospital. “My underwear are wet…I know my water’s broke.” And dad, pacing the room is calling family and friends to let them know that the big event may be underway.  I can’t tell you enough how often this happens—time after time—everyone is so sure.  And then, the exam reveals that in fact, no—their water is not broken and thanks to the natural function of the human body during pregnancy, they may have just peed their pants.  Do we laugh about this? Of course not…well, maybe not where they can see us!

Do you have a funny story? Chime in and share with us–post it below!

April is believed to take its name from the Latin word aperire, which means “to open.”  April is the month when blossoms open and new leaves appear on barren trees.  Colour and life return to the northern hemisphere as the southern hemisphere moves into autumn.  It is also thought that the name may be a reference to Aphrodite and that the month may have been originally called “Aphrilis,” or “Apru,” after the goddess’s Etruscan name.

Along with Easter, there are many other holidays in April, quite a few of them with religious significance to various traditions.  These include Passover, Buddha’s Birthday, St. George’s Day, Good Friday, and St. Mark’s Eve.  Other holidays that fall in April include April Fools’ Day, Earth Day and Arbor Day.  April is National Poetry Month and National Poetry Writing Month.

If you were an April baby, your birth flowers are the daisy and sweet pea which bloom in April, spattering the earth with color and adding their sweet scent to the air.  Your birthstone is the diamond.  The diamond is believed to be a great amplifier of the energies of other stones and of the wearer.  You can use diamond to amplify the positive effects of aquamarine, emerald and amethyst, as well as your own energy.

An April baby can be either an Aries (April 1^st-19^th) or a Taurus (April 20^th-30^th).  Aries is a strong fire sign.  Most Aries are curious, energetic, ambitious and restless.  In approaching their goals they act with confidence and in their dealings with others they are direct.  If you have an Aries baby, be ready to raise a bold and competitive child.  Aries usually retain their competitive natures into adulthood and carry the force of their personalities into the workplace and their relationships.  Famous Aries include Thomas Jefferson (April 13) and Leonardo Da Vinci (April 15).

Taurus is an earth sign and generally a Taurus is a stable, grounded person who is conservative with decisions and makes a deeply loyal companion.  Taurus is generally level headed even in intense situations but can be explosive if pushed over the brink.  As a child, Taurus is usually pliable and reasonable but also can be intensely stubborn.  They usually fit well into school and work situations, and thrive best in a stable environment which reflects their own inner natures.  Some well known Taurus figures include Ulysses Grant (April 27) and Audrey Hepburn (May 4).

Whether your April baby is a fiery Aries or a grounded Taurus, you are sure to find yourself with a strong willed and energetic child who will grow into a powerful adult.  As the first full month of spring, April is an encouraging month to be born indeed!

Please share your comments or your observations about April born babies.

• Expensive or very sentimental items should be left at home if possible.  Jewelry, large amounts of cash, medications (including your prenatal vitamins) should all stay home. If you need medications during your stay, the hospital will be able to provide those.

• Basic baby supplies are also provided so you won’t need to bring diapers, wipes or lots of changes of clothes for your baby.  Just an outfit for pictures and home is fine.  Fancy clothes on a newborn are sweet but they actually make it difficult for medical staff to assess your baby, and could slow down emergency care should the need arise.

• Leave your breast pump behind.  Most hospitals have all the necessary supplies to help with establishing breast feeding. Ask your baby’s nurse or talk with the hospital’s lactation consultant if the need for a pump should arise.

Even though you have spent the last 10 months thinking about your little one, always remember to make provisions for yourself after birth.  Even though all attention turns to the newest member of the family, remember that being a good mom requires taking care of yourself too. After delivery, you may need some basic items that are often forgotten.

• A prepaid phone card or cell phone to call long distance friends and family members

• A list of people to call and their numbers

• Snacks: If you deliver in the middle of the night, good hot food will not be available, and you will probably be very hungry.  Your partner or coach can bring food in and you can even have it delivered from a restaurant if you wish. But just in case, throw in some high-protein snacks.

• Breast feeding support pillow and bras: If you plan to breast feed bring along your breast feeding support pillow and one or two supportive and comfortable nursing bras.

• Gifts for older siblings.  The birth of a new baby can be an exciting but also difficult time for older siblings.  Show them you haven’t forgotten them by giving them a gift from the baby.

• Parents often forget to bring the car seat along with them to the hospital.  Remember to have it professionally installed at your local health or fire department before the birth to eliminate the need afterward.

The birth of a baby is exciting and these simple steps can ease stress and help you feel more prepared for a somewhat unpredictable event.  So make a list, plan ahead and you will be ready to focus on what’ s most important when the time arises.

Your Newborn is Almost Here

It’s the typical scenario—a mother’s water breaks and in a panic an unprepared couple speed off to the hospital with only the clothes on their back. In reality, most babies will give their parents plenty of time to prepare for their arrival–but just the idea of a sudden start of labor can send the coolest of couples reeling.  Being prepared is the name of the game, and knowing what to pack and what to leave at home can help make the birth experience less stressful and more enjoyable for the entire family.

Consider packing two bags—one smaller one for the labor and ,and another with the items you will need during the typical two to four day stay (depending on complications and type of birth you have).   In your labor bag remember to pack your insurance card, photo I.D. (make sure your significant other has theirs as well).  Your birth plan if you have one and any hospital paperwork your doctor may have given you prior to delivery.

Basic toiletries—don’t get too carried away here; you won’t feel like doing too much.  Keep it simple with a toothbrush and toothpaste, chap stick,  hair bands or barrettes, brush/comb, deodorant and maybe makeup if you really feel like you need it. It’s childbirth, not a beauty pageant.

If you wear contacts you may not want to bother with the hassle when you have labored for hours with no real rest, so don’t forget your glasses.  A bathrobe, socks, slippers and maybe a gown that you don’t mind getting dirty should also be included.  Why should they get dirty you ask? Well, you may just want to take my word for it on that. Your hospital will provide a gown and robe if you don’t want to bring yours though.

Relaxation items are helpful to some moms.  Some possible items include could be your own pillow, calming music and a way to play it, or a focus item like a photograph or religious item.  Anything that is calming to you should be fine though. If you are anything like me…good luck finding anything to calm you down.  I could stare at a picture of a beautiful green meadow all day and it wouldn’t take away the pain. Nonetheless…

Don’t forget about your labor partner or coach either. He or she will need some essentials to keep their energy up and stay supportive, including snacks, money for parking or meals, and something to read.

Don’t forget those essential electronics to document the big event.  The video camera or  digital camera, extra batteries, charger and memory card—check with your labor and delivery nurse when you arrive to find out when you can and cannot videotape.  Some hospitals will not allow video cameras of the birth or c-section.  But taping of labor and after the birth is usually fine. Make sure you talk with your partner about the taping too–be clear on what you are comfortable having on film.

Toiletries and a change of clothes. If you are planning to labor in water or the shower, make sure your partner comes prepared with appropriate clothing should they need to support you or assist you in or out of the tub.

The birth of your baby is a memorable and exiting event for everyone–and you won’t want the people you love to miss a moment.  So plan ahead and be ready so that when its time, you won’t have to say “did we bring the…?”

Interested in the 2nd part of this topic?  You can find it here:  Packing for the Hospital–Part 2

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Are you expecting a baby born in March?  If so, this is a fabulous month to have a baby.  March is the month which marks the end of winter and the start of spring.  Yeah!  Easter usually falls in April, but sometimes in March as well so throughout your baby’s life you will be able to celebrate their birthday as well as Easter and the start of spring.  These special days make March a month of renewal, rebirth and new life – a very fitting theme for your baby’s birth month.

March is named for Mars, the Roman god of war.  In ancient Rome, not only was March the beginning of spring, but also the start for many military campaigns.  As such, Mars is a beginning not just in nature, but traditionally a beginning for great human endeavors.  Great Britain and Russia and other countries traditionally began their old calendars in March, not January.  New Year’s celebrations are still held worldwide in March in many cultures.  March is definitely a time for beginnings.  Since your March baby will be starting their life’s journey, this too is obviously a new beginning.

March also marks a number of other festive holidays including Saint Patrick’s Day, Pi Day, and the tail end of Mardi Gras.

For the month of March, the traditional birthstones are aquamarine and bloodstone.  Aquamarine is believed to be a soothing stone which can quell fears, protect, provide foresight, courage, and happiness.  As a healing stone, it is said to be effective as a treatment for anxiety and in the Middle Ages it was thought to reduce the effect of poisons.  Bloodstone represents fortitude and strength and is believed to attract abundance and wealth.  The flower for March is the daffodil, representing rebirth since it is one of the first flowers of spring.

If your baby was born before March 20, their Greek zodiac sign is Pisces.  For babies  born after March 20, they’re an Aries.  Pisces is a water sign and a mutable sign (meaning it is a sign of restlessness).  Pisces are usually believed to be shy, romantic, aloof and sensitive.  They are deeply emotional creatures with great capacity for empathy with others.  Pisces children are usually pliable, kind, and crave some extra affection.  Their passion remains with them throughout life.  Well known Pisces include Michelangelo (March 15), Albert Einstein (March 14) and Dr. Seuss (March 2).  Aries on the other hand is a fire sign.  Aries are considered to be curious, energetic and restless.  They are confident and direct.  Aries children are very competitive, a streak that usually remains with them throughout their future careers.  Well known Aries include Thomas Jefferson (April 13) and Leonardo Da Vinci (April 15).

March is a wonderful month for a baby to be born.  Under such fortuitous signs of courage, strength and renewal, and with either of two very different but very powerful zodiac signs, March is indeed a wonderful month to be born in.  If you were born in March yourself, it would be interesting to note if you can relate to any of these traits described for March born babies.  Feel free to post your comments.

Cloth Diapers vs Disposable Diapers

If one considers a budget, cloth diapers will beat out disposables every time. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics from birth to six weeks babies should have five to six wet diapers and four soiled diapers per day. Calculations done by realdiaperassociation.org suggest that the average child will need 60 diapers per week costing the family $1600 over a two year period for disposables. Families who use cloth diapers can spend roughly $300 over the same time frame and have the advantage of using them for multiple children. Those on the disposable side of the debate will argue that cloth diapering can add to energy usage and laundry costs not to mention the extra time involved for laundering.  Another solution is a cloth diaper service which delivers to your home.  You can check this industry trade association for service providers.   Although this reasoning may seem sound, mothers with older children will admit that leaks and stool “explosions” will happen regardless if you are using cloth or disposable diapers, So extra laundry concerns may be a moot point.

So…Who Wins the Diaper War?

If considering convenience one could argue that disposables are much easier to use. For those who work outside of the home and use daycare providers they might not have the option of using cloth or only cloth diaper at home but send in disposables to day care. Others may argue that disposables are easier to handle because they do not have the extra laundry to contend with. Some families may choose this option because they do not have washer/dryer in their home and do not want to hand wash diapers or take them to a commercial laundry mat.

Many families have gone “green” and have started looking at diapering alternatives. While eco-friendly diapers are not as widely used as much as their counterparts; the “green” movement is making a huge impact across the nation.  Eco-friendly or natural diapers come in both disposable and cloth forms. Seventh Generation chlorine free diapers are available at most retail stores at around the same price as Huggies and Pampers brands. gDiapers offer several options for both cloth and disposable supporters. The gDiaper flushable inserts gives families many more options by allowing the family to flush the insert down the toilet, compost it, or just toss it in the garbage. gDiapers are a bit more expensive then traditional cloth diapers but for a family interested in an eco-friendly diaper this may be an attractive alternative solution.

Some studies estimate that 83% of families are using disposable diapers.  However nothing factual has been published in many years and many families do use both cloth and disposable depending on family needs.

Choose the type of diapers that best suit your objectives and priorities. Stock up those shelves with the right choice of diapers that fits your needs as obviously there are many diaper changes on the way once the new baby arrives.

Your comments are welcome.

Some of the events around the world shared with babies born in February are Black history month, the Chinese new year, and of course our favorite, Valentines Day. February children have the birthstone of the amethyst and their flower is the primrose although some would disagree and say it is the violet. It is not a surprise then that the color for February is purple. Purple is he color for the season of Lent and Advent which makes sense because these seasons usually begin in February. Pancake Day, fat Tuesday or Mardi grass are all events that normally fall in the month of February but sometimes end up in March.

The Zodiac sign for February is Aquarius until mid month, the 18^th and then it changes to Pisces. For the Aquarians, this sign literally means water carrier and it is the eleventh astrological sign of the zodiac. The babies born in the first 18 days of February posses strong and attractive personalities. Buying any books on a strong willed child might help in understanding your little Aquarian. These guys are frank, speak what is on their mind and very self assertive. The Pisces on the other hand are very compassionate, selfless and sympathetic. Pisces means circle of life and is the twelfth astrological sign of the zodiac. Two fish are the symbols for this sign. They are more weak willed and are easily led. There is quite a difference in the two zodiac signs of February children.

For a few fun facts about February, it is the national cherry and chocolate month, which is good for the celebration of Valentines Day. Several of the founding fathers of the United States of America were born in this month. George Washington, the first president of the USA and Abraham Lincoln, the 16^th president were just two of them. And finally, February 2^nd is ground hog day where thousands of people gather in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to see if the ground hog produces a shadow when he crawls out of his hole. For some reason people believe that if he does produce a shadow there will be six more months of winter. Go figure.