In the beginning, things like pillows, comforters, and quilts, as can be found in many bedding sets, are not really needed for your baby.

There’s also a big controversy going on when it comes to the use of bumpers. In the end it comes down to what you feel is the right choice.

If you do decide that a bumper will protect your child, go with a thinner design. Thick, fluffy bumpers are much more of a suffocation hazard than these thinner ones.

In the first year of your baby’s life all he or she really needs is sheets, a mattress, and maybe a bed skirt. Anything fluffy or heavy in your child’s crib can end up becoming a suffocation hazard.

If you want to make sure your baby is comfortably warm, consider getting an organic blanket for swaddling or an organic cotton sleep sac that also wraps up snugly around your baby and doesn’t present a suffocation hazard.

So, what do you do with the comforter or quilt that came in the baby bedding set? They make great accessories for your baby’s nursery.

You can hang the quilt over a rack designed for it, or simply mount it on the wall.

If you purchase a complete set in the beginning, you will not have to worry about finding the matching items later when your toddler can use the comforter.

Or you can just keep it simple in the beginning and transform your child’s room throughout the years just by purchasing a new bedding set.

Anyone who doesn’t have their whole nursery completely planned out will likely be frustrated (and possibly terrified!) by the massive selection of nursery decor items that are available. If you’re looking for an animal design, you can find just about anything you can imagine, from caterpillar crib bedding to safari themes. Are you considering angels as a theme? How many different angel styles can there be? Well over 100. And if you want nursery rhymes or cartoon characters, put aside a couple of weeks just to browse!

Whether it’s boy baby bedding or baby girl, it can be really difficult to stick within your budget, because everything is so sweet. It’s natural to want a beautiful room for your baby, but don’t let looks overshadow more important concerns. Here are some things that your baby actually will care about:

- Bumper pads have become somewhat controversial, as there is some evidence that they may do more harm than good. The idea behind a crib bumper is to protect baby from the hard bars of the crib, but if the bumper comes loose it may cause suffocation. If you decide to put crib bumpers in, be sure that they are properly secured and that any ties are on the outside of the railings. But the far better option is to just remove the pads completely, at least until the end of year one.

- Crib sheets consist of just a fitted sheet. There is no flat sheet and no pillowcase, because young babies really don’t need them. Make sure that all crib sheets you buy fit the mattress tightly. If they don’t, get elastic clips to hold them in place. If a crib sheet isn’t properly secured, it can pop off the mattress and become a suffocation hazard. White sheets are a definite no – babies are messy and your white sheets won’t stay white for long. A waterproof mattress cover is a good idea, too.

- Loose blankets are a safety hazard for babies under one, so stick to sleep sacks or warm pajamas instead. Pillows are a suffocation risk and babies actually sleep better without them, so keep them out of the crib.

When you’re looking at a crib set, make sure it’s safe first, then worry about looks.

In the past, pregnant women tended to cover up their expanding bellies as they moved from the first trimester into the second and third. With yesteryear’s maternity clothing, who could blame them? Thankfully, maternity wear has come a long way over the past several years. Long gone are the tent-like tops that seemed crudely cut from picnic table fabric. Today’s pregnancy clothes offer a stylish blend of chic, sophistication, and playfulness. Big and frumpy has been transformed into fun and sexy.

Below, I’ll give you four easy tips that you can use to put together a pregnancy wardrobe that you’ll look forward to wearing.

Tip 1 – Go For Jeans

It’s hard to look at what passed for pregnancy jeans years ago without chuckling. In truth, they weren’t jeans at all. Instead, they looked like ill-fitted bottoms that were painted with a denim color. Pregnancy clothing manufacturers have since figured out how to design jeans that are simultaneously comfortable, cool, and sexy for expecting moms-to-be. Even better, you can purchase them at all price levels.

Tip 2 – Shop Shoes Smartly

A little swelling in your feet is unavoidable. Your pregnant body is going to retain more water than normal. Plus, your body will produce a hormone known as relaxin, which will likely add an additional bit of swelling. Think about your shoes from the perspective of comfort as a main priority. The last thing you want is to wear shoes that are too tight; if your feet are uncomfortable, your entire body can feel the same. Keep your 6-inch stilettos in your closet and choose flats instead.

Tip 3 – Choose Comfort First

You want to look pretty. You want to feel sexy. When you’re pregnant, you want to do everything possible to accentuate your curves and highlight your best features. Not only is that understandable, but it’s a fantastic way to take true delight in your growing body during this extraordinary time. Just make sure you don’t sacrifice your comfort to do so. Your maternity wear can look great and feel comfortable at the same time.

Tip 4 – Look Through Your Closet

Chances are, you have more than a few items tucked away in your closet that would make perfect additions to your pregnancy wardrobe. T-shirts that were once loose-fitting will cozily hug your body and show off your curves. A light blazer left unbuttoned can be an ideal complement to a classy, easygoing ensemble. Use your imagination to mix and match. You might discover that clothes you had all but discarded can now find new life as a part of your maternity wear.

Being pregnant is a time to subtly show off your expanding figure. With a few choice tops and bottoms, along with a splash of sophisticated class, you can design a wardrobe that is both attractive and comfortable.

AngelCare Movement Sensor

When parents are unable to be in the same room as their little one, a baby monitor is a great way to make them feel at ease. At night time you can sleep more easily in a separate room, while at the same time you will still be aware of when your baby needs changing or fed. And during the day you are free to do things around the home without checking on baby every minute.

What we have to consider when thinking about purchasing a baby monitor are, among other things:

- how much do you wish to spend, which will then reflect on the available features

- type of property the baby monitor will be used in

- do you want a video in addition to audio capabilities

What types of Monitor Are Available?

- Audio monitor: this type allows you to hear your baby from elsewhere in your property. The transmitter is set in the child’s room and the receiver is taken with you. Depending on you choice of monitor you can get two receivers with some set ups.

- Movement with audio capability: this type consists of three parts ” the receiver, the transmitter and a detector pad which is placed under the babies mattress

- Audio and video: this type ” in addition to some of the features already mentioned above – consists of a small camera that you can safely place near your baby and a small TV screen that you can take with you. Some of the higher end models even have infra red so you can see baby in the dark.

Important Things to Consider

- The power source: battery operated monitor equipment is the best for mobility but can use a lot of batteries in a short space of time. So, the best options are either a/c adapter with battery combination or rechargeable battery option.

- Volume control: can be useful if you do not wish to hear every single sound that comes from your baby.

- Sound-activated lighting: useful when you are doing something that makes you unable to hear when your child awakes as the lights will flash on the receiver.

- Multi-channel: allows you to find a receptive channel in your area with limited interference from other radio operated equipment such as mobile phones.

- Frequency: the cheaper options operate on 49 MHz, which can actually lead to there being more interference from other radio devices. 900 MHz are better as they are less likely to suffer the same levels of interference. The best are 2.4 GHz however.

- A low battery indicator: obviously very useful.

- Size: if you move around a lot then a receiver that can be easily carried around with you is ideal. Also, if you travel often with your child its important to have a baby monitor that is light weight and easily packed.

- Two receiver option: good to have if you prefer to have one receiver left permanently in your bedroom for example, while the other one can be moved around the house as you need it.

Graco Nautilus 3-in-1 Car Seat

The Graco Nautilus 3-in-1 Car Seat can accommodate children up to 100
pounds, so rather than having to invest in a new toddler car seat every year this
one will last for years to come – and should indeed be the only forward-facing
seat your child will need.

The five-point harness will accommodate children up to 65 pounds but then the
convertible booster/backless booster will hold a child of up to 100 pounds.

There is a steel reinforced frame which helps to maintain its rigidity for many
years to come. A little bit of the techno stuff here but it is important so do
have a read through…

 

Technical Stuff

The car seat meets or exceeds US Safety Standards, including U.S. Compliance
Standard FMVSS 213; the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), with peak Crash Force
approximately twice the Car Seat Standard; and tests for Extreme Car Interior
Temperatures. EPS energy-absorbing foam provides additional security and comfort.

Okay, that said and done, as well as being secure and safe, your child will feel
extra-comfy, too, with an easily adjustable head support, cushioned seat, and
wide armrests; a cup holder and side storage keeps snacks and “treasures” close at
hand. Sounds even more comfortable than my own arm chair at home!

 

Here are the main features:

• Extended 5-point harness fits kids up to 65 lbs. to keep them safer longer

• Converts from 5-point harness to High-Back Booster for children 30-100 lbs.and Backless Booster for children 40-100 lbs.

• Steel reinforced structural frame: steel frame provides strength and durability

• 3-position recline to get the correct installation and comfort

• Wider, padded armrests are extra comfy

• Head rest can be easily adjusted in one hand so it changes with your child’s growth

• Engineered and crash tested to meet or exceed US standard:

-  U.S. Compliance Standard FMVSS 213
-  New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) peak Crash Force approximately 2X Car Seat Standard
-  Extreme Car Interior Temperatures
-  EPS, energy absorbing foam
-  Cup holder and convenient side storage keep must-haves handy
-  Open loop belt guides easily position your vehicle’s seatbelt

• Recommended Use:

-  o 20 – 65 lbs. 5-point harness
-  o 30- 100 lbs. Highback Booster
-  o 40- 100 lbs. Backless Booster

• Dimensions: 20″ x 22″ x 29″

 

Rather than me trying it out (I don’t think I would fit into it anyhow) I thought the best way to get the message across as to how other folks are feeling about the The Graco Nautilus 3-in 1 Car Seat and how they have found it with their children is to take some reviews and add them to my own write-up. So, please find below some comments made by previous customers regarding this particular product.

 

Review 1

“So I did a LOT of reseach before buying this, read multiple message boards, then to the store to look at them, etc. This replaced a Britax that was passed down to DD #2 for my rather large 4 y.o. girl (40lbs, 40inches) I want to keep her harnessed for as long as I can. I finally decided to go for it b/c of:

1)price (though it really wasn’t an object) but I am a big fan of bang for your buck
2)sturdiness: I was never a fan of Graco until i bought this seat. It’s got a nice weight, sturdy frame.
3)comfort, memory foam! DD loves it, she sleeps very comfortably in it without slumping over like she used to!
4)size, not gigantic like the Regent but large enough to have a big kid sit in it. I was concerned about its looks but it’s much better looking when you see it in person.

Finally, who can beat Amazon’s price!
I highly recommend it, I think it will last my DD until she’s probably 7-8 y.o. (my average sized 8yo nephew fits!)”.

Review 2

My Wife, a Pediatrician, did a ton of research – with the first priority being safety, safety, and, I’ll say it again, safety.

We were Britax users for our first car seats and found it a fine car seat, though pricey.

So, this time around, with our son growing too long for the Britax seats that we had, we decided to look at all the options.

Price was not part of the equation.

Design was not either.

Safety was it.

We highly recommend this Graco car seat (We have three now)!

1) The price blows Britax away.

2) The design is very nice. Our son loves the drink holder as well as the toy “compartment” in the arm rests. He “hides” toys in the arm rests and has a lot of fun fooling us.

The installation was simple.

The headrest is extremely easy to use and to “fit”.

The five point harness is critical to our son’s safety and it is very easy to use. Though, it is slightly different than Britax, so there is a few days of getting used to a “new” system. After that, there is no problem.

Overall, we are very happy with Graco.

Graco Nautilus 3-in-1 Car Seat

Review 3

I found this car seat while searching for something reasonably priced that would harness past 40 pounds. I bought a different seat first, but while it claimed to harness to 50# and 47″, my 37 pound 2 year old was already too tall for it. I returned it and purchased the Nautilus.

We are using the harness straps in the second hole down, so he still has a good deal of room to grow in this seat. The straps are extremely easy to adjust and installation was no problem. I use the vehicle seat belts rather than LATCH. The arm rests are very sturdy. The cup holder is in a good location.

I plan to keep him harnessed in this seat for hopefully 2 more years, or until he becomes too tall, and then continue to use this seat as a belt positioning booster. The headrest is very easy to adjust and is able to raise quite high. This seat can accommodate a 20# child, but it’s much better to use a convertible seat and keep the child rear facing to 35#.

 

Mmmmm, enough said about this particularly good toddler car seat?

Take good care now!

The MetropolisMom

AngelCare Movement Sensor - BébéSounds

This little number has got to be one of the very best baby monitors on the market at the moment! The reviews are excellent too, so let’s dive in and check out the Angel Care monitor/AngelCare Movement Sensor, shall we?

The Bebe Sounds Angel Care monitor can detect your little one’s movements while they are either awake or asleep. This unit will give off an alarm even when your child is still (not moving) for any longer than 20 seconds. This is done by using a sensor pad that lies under the mattress where a signal is sent from the pad to the nursery unit where the alarm alerts you.

There are two portable units too, so one can be permanently left in your own bedroom and one you can take with you. If you are on the move around the house you can carry one of these with you at all times.

The nursery unit also has an optional ticking function where you can set this to tick whenever your baby moves and will stop ticking when your child is still.

It is advisable that the crib – either portable or fixed -  should have a hard and flat surface below the mattress for the sensor pad to prevent false alarms. If yours does not then you can place a piece of wood such as plywood, or masonite under the mattress and place the sensor pad on top.

Here are the main points in brief:

• easily packed for traveling or storage

• strong signal transmittance that can work in large houses, even when you are down the far end of the garden

• suitable for preemie babies

• ideal product to allay fears of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) even if your child is a tummy sleeper

• detects not only movement but sounds also

• suitable for newborn, older baby and toddler alike

• lighting display on the monitor can be used to replace the warning sounds or can be used together

• two bands (a and b) to reduce static or interference caused by phones etc.

• can be used with all sorts of bedding including a fixed crib, a portable crib and a basinet


AngelCare Movement Sensor - BébéSounds

On the downside for the Bebe Sounds AngelCare Movement Sensor, there have been on occasion, reports that both bands had static. This has been known to be caused by a faulty product. Furthermore, the sensor can be a little too sensitive, although some parents may argue better being safe than sorry!

So on the whole the Bebe Sounds Angel Care monitor/AngelCare Movement Sensor is an all-out winner here, has to be said! If you have any comments to make about this product or any other related product, then please do so as I would love to hear from you!

Best wishes!

The MetropolisMom

Kids and Holidays

All work and no play will make Jack a dull boy indeed. Children love to have fun every now and then. During holidays it is a good idea that you should plan to give your children the chance to really enjoy themselves. Holidays present the perfect chance that parents have of spoiling their children and having creative fun at the same time. There are a few ideas for holiday activities that can provide happiness to a child.

A cheap holiday idea for your kid is visiting different places near your home. You do not have to plan for expensive trips far away from your home for your kid to enjoy his or her holiday. Visit a museum near you, or better yet a park or a zoo. Children find this kind of outings quite fascinating. Local holiday outings should include a picnic. The child will be happy and contented if the whole family shares this time with him or her.

The beach or a local swimming pool is another ideal holiday excursion for a child. You can also plan to ride around the neighborhood together as you catch up on your child’s development. Some children love to get involved in work around the house. You can plan to do some gardening work together. You can also play a board game together. There are numerous board games for children that are available.

Encourage your child to engage in fun filled activities such as games. As you plan for your child’s holiday activities, make sure that it is what he or she wants. A child will enjoy doing something that he likes. It helps to keep them out of trouble.

While planning for your kid’s holiday activities, always consider your budget. If you have a tight budget, you can arrange for holiday travels and other activities while schools are in session. Holiday activities that occur during the middle of the week are much cheaper than those that occur during the weekends. If you are planning to take your kid to a place far from home, make sure that you lodge in a comfortable but affordable establishment.

Holidays are meant to be joyful occasions full of fun. Your kid does not have to stay at home all the time with his PlayStation or glued to the TV. Treat your children to the best holiday activities this season. Remember to make sure that you choose the safest holiday option for your child.

BT Digital Baby Monitor 150

Okay I have been reading a bit about digital monitors for babies and how good these things are so I said to myself, “Jo, you gotta go and find some reviews and see how others are getting along with their BT Digital Baby Monitors”.

Here’s the outcome of that search and thanks to Amazon.co.uk* and their customers for these comments…
(no names published but apart from that nothing else is changed about the review at all, and these are the most recently found reviews beginning from first to last).

Reviews

1. “We were a bit doubtful about this monitor having had some problems with BT telephones in the past. But we needn’t have worried. It is fantastic. In a different league to our middle-of-the-range Tomy which had broken down after just 2 years. This BT monitor is very easy to use and the clarity of the sound is impressive. It has been very well thought out and so far we honestly cannot fault it. We didn’t think we would use half the features it comes with, such as polyphonic tunes, but actually they are quite gentle sounding (not ringtones) and might come in useful. The torch feature is invaluable as is the vibrate feature. Very simple to use and a quality piece of kit.
Overall, it is well worth the extra £15 and we thoroughly recommend it. Does what it says and does it very well indeed. The positive reviews we read when researching are all accurate. It is such a relief to find a decent product that functions properly!”

2. “Good Piece of kit, Crystal Clear sound (Hi def Sound). Raise the alarm if the room temperature is higher than it should be, I found it very useful.
Highly recommended. And swift delivery from Amazon as well.”

3. This baby monitor will give you complete peace of mind. It has so many different settings, but also it is simplicity itself to use – just turn it on and it performs the basic monitoring function. It also monitors room temperature and is very sensitive – you can set it to alert you if the temp. goes above a certain level (set by you). I would highly recommend it.

4. We simply wanted a monitor that had clear sound and was easy to use. This monitor ticks both boxes and has extras such as the ability to play nursery tunes remotely, a torch on the parent unit, a light on the baby unit, temperature display and vibrate function.

5. does exactly what it says on the tin, no interference with existing wireless network at home

6. Had the orginal version of this and that was excellent, This version seems to be as good if not better. Like the built in light in the parent unit

Now these are all unedited comments I have listed here and they all score 5 out of 5 in the Amazon rating system, which is really unusually good. Furthermore, if you read down the page all the ratings that I could see are 5 out of 5! I suspect then, if you are in need of a baby monitor and you don’t mind investing around £55 or so, then you are onto a clear winner with the BT Digital Baby Monitor 150!

BT Digital Baby Monitor 150

*I’m afraid to say that Amazon.com does not appear to stock the BT Digital Baby Monitor 150 but never worry, I shall be searching for more products in the days to come so do come back very soon!

Prenatal Vitamin Ingredients

Folic Acid

Folic acid is the most commonly prescribed prenatal supplement for the months prior to becoming pregnant and, once pregnant, it is essential for the health and growth of the baby, especially for brain functions.

The March of Dimes reports that birth defects of the spine, skull, and brain, such as spina bifida and anencephaly, are more likely to occur if the mother does not get sufficient folic acid during the first few weeks of her pregnancy – even before she knows she is pregnant.

Calcium

Calcium supplementation is so important during pregnancy. A good prenatal vitamin should include calcium, which is necessary for a healthy pregnancy and baby. Low dietary intake of calcium is associated with increased risk of pre-eclampsia (pregnancy-induced hypertension, urine protein loss and swelling around the ankles).

In the last trimester of pregnancy, skeletal growth is highest and the fetus draws calcium directly from the mother’s stores. In addition, clinical trials have shown that adequate calcium during pregnancy lowers blood pressure and may reduce the incidence of premature births.

Magnesium

Magnesium promotes the health of bones (64% of the body’s magnesium is concentrated in the bones) and may help maintain normal blood pressure and muscle comfort during pregnancy.  It supports normal bone structure and plays an essential role in more than 300 cellular reactions.

Iron

Iron is recommended to prevent the mother suffering from anemia due to the demands that the baby puts on her iron consumption. Iron is an important mineral and is responsible for helping the mother and the baby’s blood to carry oxygen. Iron deficiencies can lead to severe birth defects for the baby.

Vitamin A

Adequate amounts of vitamin A help to promote the health of the baby by promoting normal growth and development of the embryo and fetus, and supporting genes that determine the sequential development of organs in embryonic development. Beta-carotene is a nutrient from plants that the body converts into vitamin A.

Vitamin C

The female body’s requirement for vitamin C increases during pregnancy as this vitamin promotes the normal growth of the baby and supports building strong bones and teeth. Vitamin C promotes normal tissue repair and healing. It also supports the absorption of another key nutrient during pregnancy: iron.

Vitamin D

New research from the Boston University School of Medicine is recommending higher intakes of vitamin D as there is often a deficiency. Women’s levels of vitamin D are related to the frequency of milk consumption and prenatal vitamin use.

B-Vitamins

Increased vitamin B6 levels can boost immunities needed after pregnancy and sufficient B6 has been shown to provide infant growth advantages. This B- vitamin can prevent neural tube defects when taken early in pregnancy, especially during the first trimester.

B1 and B2 are water-soluble vitamins that support the body’s ability to process carbohydrates, fat, and protein. This helps with the energy requirements and production increase in pregnancy.

Pantothenic acid, also called vitamin B5, is a water-soluble vitamin that helps to regulate your body’s adrenal activity and antibody production. If you are pregnant and don’t get enough B5, your baby’s growth may be slowed.

Vitamin B6 is the master vitamin for processing amino acids – the building blocks of all proteins and some hormones, which is vital to your fetus’s developing brain and nervous system.

Vitamin B12 (consumed during pregnancy) promotes the health and normal nerve function of the baby.

Biotin

Women have an increased requirement for biotin during pregnancy, and a biotin deficiency may occur in as many as 50 percent of pregnant women. This deficiency may increase the risk of birth defects. The fetus pulls so much of the nutrients from the mother’s diet; therefore, it is important that she consumes enough biotin.

Zinc

Increased zinc levels can boost immunities needed after pregnancy. Zinc supports normal growth and development during pregnancy. Zinc is an essential mineral that is a component of more than 300 enzymes that support normal healing, fertility in adults and growth in children, protein synthesis, cell reproduction, vision, immune function, and protection against free radicals, among other functions.

Prenatal vitamins can be taken after pregnancy to provide a well-balanced supplementation program. With a mother’s hectic schedule and lack of time, prenatal vitamins are a perfect choice for an after pregnancy supplement regimen.

The correct prenatal vitamins are essential for a healthy pregnancy and baby. Doing your research on prenatal vitamins can be very rewarding and time well spent to ensure an easy and successful pregnancy. Researchers at the University of Maryland have noticed that many commonly prescribed prenatal vitamins do not dissolve well resulting in insufficient absorption of the nutrients.

An ectopic pregnancy can start out just like a normal pregnancy would. You may have a positive pregnancy test, miss your period or have other normal pregnancy symptoms. Then again, you may not have a positive pregnancy test and you should seek immediate medical help if you experience any of the ectopic pregnancy symptoms.

Many women first experience abdominal pain that can be tender to the touch, sharp or sudden, persistent or intermittent, or it could be fairly mild. Symptoms can have a wide range from person to person. Some women only have pain on one side while others have it in their entire abdomen or pelvis.

Vomiting or nausea can occur. Spotting or vaginal bleeding is also normal. Pain generally gets more severe if you are active, sneezing, coughing or laughing.

If your fallopian tube has ruptured, then you could be in immediate life-threatening danger and you should call for an ambulance immediately. If you have pain in your shoulder, especially when you lie down, this can be caused by internal bleeding. Lying down can wash the pooling blood up to your shoulder and put pressure on the nerves, causing pain.

This is a real emergency and you may not have much time to get medical help. Do not delay in calling an ambulance and never attempt to drive yourself if you experience this type of pain. Here are some symptoms to look out for:
- you may go into shock and experience a weak or fast pulse
- your skin could become pale and clammy
- you can get dizzy and find it hard to balance
- you can feel faint or actually pass out

Any of these symptoms should tell you that you are in immediate danger and you should get help without delay.

If you have had any of the following then the chances of an ectopic pregnancy are increased:
- IUD (contraceptive coil)
- previous ectopic pregnancy
- you have had any type of surgery in or around your fallopian tubes
- had a cesarean section or other abdominal surgery
- you have had any type of pelvic infection such as pelvic inflammatory disease, chlamydia or gonorrhea.

Any surgeries or infections can make scar tissue grow in your fallopian tubes trapping a fertilized egg. IUD’s and progestin-only birth control pills can make your uterus inhospitable to fertilized eggs and they may implant in your fallopian tube instead.

If you are at a higher risk for ectopic pregnancy, be very mindful of the symptoms so that you can seek medical help at the slightest signs of a problem.