Baby,Pregnancy and Healthy world !!

Baby Shower Cake Alternatives

admin — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 15:32:12 +0000

Dainty ducks made out of sugar frosting are great for a first birthday party, but the new grandma in the room might secretly be wishing it were something a little more…interesting. After all, it’s not often that friends and family can come together to celebrate a new pregnancy, so why not forgo the traditional store-bought baby shower cake with the pastel building blocks and make something that adults will be more than eager to sink their teeth into?If you’re looking to break away from the traditoinal baby shower cake routine, try these sophisticated and interesting alternatives!Frozen cakes are great, especially in the summer – they take minimal ingredients and incorporating your favorite ice cream flavor into the recipe is easy!Or you can try invidual cakes for your guests. Chocolate lava cakes are a great treat that you can garnish with fresh raspberries or chocolate dipped strawberries for a healthy illusion.Why not go with a decadent, calorie-laden cheesecake? A turtle cheesecake is a great way to go. Hey, if you’re going to cheat on your diet, why not make it out?!There’s also the gluten-free option. This is a great idea for guests with special diety needs. You could try a gluten-free yellow cake recipe adapted for individual cupcakes if you don’t want to make a whole cake. These are sure to be appreciated by some of your guests!Any of these cakes or desserts can easily be decorated to coincide with your baby shower theme. Decorative cake toppers, accents and lay-on graphcis can add the finishing touches to whatever you decide to whip up.

Baby Safety in the Car

admin — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 15:49:35 +0000

When out on the road, expect the unexpected. Follow these tips to keep your family safe. Did you know that traffic accidents are still a leading cause of death and injury in children? Keep your precious cargo safe and reduce your chances of becoming another statistic.

- ALWAYS use a car seat when transporting your child in the car.

- Studies show that 4 out of 5 car seats are not installed properly. Get your car seat inspected to make sure yours is not one of the four. Call your local police/fire station or visit seatcheck.org for a certified technician near you.

- Ensure that your child is within the height AND weight regulations of your car seat.

- The American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends that babies remain in a rear- facing car seat until they are at least 2 years old and/or have reached the height or weight limit of the convertible car seat. Take home message…the longer a baby can ride rear- facing, the better.

- Never leave your child unattended in the car, not even for a moment.

- To prevent serious injury and/or death from air bags, never place a child younger than the age of 12 in the front seat. If you must place a child in the front seat, be sure to turn off the air bags.

- Secure all loose items. In the event of an accident, these items could become projectile and cause serious injury and/or death.

- Do not attend to your baby while driving. If your baby needs your attention, pull over and appease them before continuing your trip.

- Stay focused and keep your eyes on the road. Looking at your baby in the mirror, texting, talking on the phone, eating and other dangerous activities could put you, your baby and your family at risk.

- Be sure everyone in the car buckles up….seat belts save lives!

The dangers of the road seem amplified now that you have an especially fragile package strapped to your backseat, but stay vigilant and you’ll be fine. Happy travels!

Protecting Our Babies From Toxic Chemicals

admin — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 16:08:37 +0000

Recent media attention concerning chemicals in baby products has caused much concern and alarm. The No More Toxic Tub report from the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, a non-profit agency whose goal is to bring attention to harmful chemicals in our skin care products, informs us that many of the baby products that we know, love, and have used for many years contain cancer-causing (carcinogenic) chemicals, specifically, 1,4-dioxane and formaldehyde. In addition to these two harmful chemicals, parents have to worry about the presence of phthalates and parabens in their personal care products as well as their baby’s. These chemicals are not federally regulated here in the United States, but have been banned in other countries. 1,4-dioxane has been banned in Europe and formaldehyde is banned in Japan and Sweden. The U.S. and Europe have banned three phthalates (DEHP, DBP, and BBP) from children’s toys.

1,4-dioxane is not a product added intentionally, but instead is considered a contaminant and therefore is not required to be listed on product labels. This chemical is used as a foaming agent and found in many of the products that we use today, such as shampoos, liquid soaps, deodorants, laundry detergents, toothpastes and much more. 1,4-dioxane is readily absorbed into the bloodstream potentially causing damage to the central nervous system, liver, kidneys and may even result in death.

Formaldehyde exposure occurs everyday in the air that we breath and from some of the foods that we eat. Formaldehyde is a gas which can cause throat, nose, skin, and eye irritation. Exposure can cause coughing, wheezing, watery eyes, itching, and skin irritations. Formaldehyde exposure has been linked to allergies and asthma in children. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classifies formaldehyde as a carcinogen and high levels of this chemical have been linked to the development of nose, lung, and brain cancer as well as leukemia.

Phthalates are another man-made chemical found in many of our personal care products. Phthalates are used to make plastics flexible and used in many fragrance oils to help prolong the fragrance’s scent. A study conducted by the American Academy of Pediatrics concluded that many young infants are frequently exposed to phthalates in common baby lotions, powders, and shampoos thereby making them more vulnerable to the developmental and reproductive adverse effects of these chemicals. Phthalates have been linked to hormonal changes, birth defects, reproductive abnormalities in baby boys (i.e. low sperm count, testicular cancer, deformities of the penis), and damage to the liver, kidneys, and lungs.

Parabens are used as a preservative in many cosmetics, foods and pharmaceutical products. Parabens can mimic the hormone estrogen and when absorbed through the skin, parabens have been linked to breast cancer and male reproductive abnormalities.

Recently, even natural and organic products have been shown to contain these worrisome chemicals. Bottom line, read the label. Here is a list of the worrisome ingredients to watch for in you and your baby’s products:

1. Avoid products containing “Fragrance”. Oddly enough, the various chemicals present under the name “fragrance” do not have to be listed individually, thereby hiding them under the broad category “fragrance” (this is where common phthalates hide).

2. Avoid products containing the following ingredients which may contain 1,4-dioxane:

A. PEG compounds (example: PEG-80)

B. Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLS)

C. “cetearth”

E. “xynol”

F. “oleth”

G. . polyethylene

3. Avoid products containing the term “phthalate” (example: monoethyl phthalate).

4. Avoid plastics that contain the

recycling number “3″ which is a possible source for phthalates.

5. Avoid products containing the word paraben.

6. Avoid other worrisome ingredients:

A. BHA

B. Oxybenzone

C. Triclosan

D. Boric acid

E. Sodium borate

F. Tolune

G. Triethanolamine

H. Dyes

I. Methylchloroisothiazolinone

J. Methylisothiazolinone

K. Iodopropynyl butylcarbamate

L. Benzyl alcohol

M. Isopropyl alcohol

N. Oxybenzone

7. Review product safety ratings on the

Skin Deep database.

Sure, there is only small amounts of these chemicals in our baby products which are stated to be below the acceptable levels, but isn’t it possible that repeated exposure over a life-time can increase the risk for cancer? Here are some sad cancer statistics:

A. Cancer is the leading cause of death in children between the ages of 1 and 15.

B. Cancer kills more children than any other disease.

C. The median age for a child with cancer is 6 years old.

Maybe, just maybe, we can help reduce these sad and shocking numbers by becoming more informed and making better choices in the products that we use, the food that we eat and the water that we drink.

How To Choose The Best Baby Gift Basket

admin — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 16:27:35 +0000

Are you planning a baby shower sometime in the near future? Whether it is for you, a family member or a friend, you should make sure you choose some baby gift baskets. Hold on, you shouldn’t choose just any one of them, you should choose the best baby gift baskets. What exactly would the best ones be? As you are reading this article, we are going to answer your question. First of all, you could either make the basket or you could purchase it. Whatever you do, you should make sure it is something that is unique. When you purchase one from the local store, then you may end up getting the same one that someone else has gotten. With that said, we believe you should look on the Internet and get one. Chances are, your basket is going to be unique. There are many things you could give as a gift for a baby. You could include some bath toys with bath soap, or you could include toys in the new baby gift basket. You may also get a case that is full of baby clothes. However, first, you need to make sure it is a boy or a girl. Remember, you are not one hundred percent sure, so you may want to hold on to that receipt in case you buy a lot of dresses and the baby turns out to be a boy. The main importance of a baby gift basket is to make sure that the basket contains items that are going to be useful to the recipient. For a newborn baby gift basket, you might want to search for one that includes items such a mobile, changing mat, bottles, teethers, and rattles. You can also include things like CD’s with nursery rhymes, bibs, spoons, infant cups, and pacifiers. You can even get baby gift baskets which are made with furniture such as bassinets and cribs! Whatever you choose, just make sure that the basket’s contents suit the baby and its parents!

3 Tips for Choosing the Right Baby Crib Mattress

admin — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 16:53:41 +0000

The choice of baby crib mattress is at least as important as the selection of the right baby crib. When researching crib mattresses, there are a few important things to look at to ensure that your baby is comfortable and safe in the crib.

Coil Innerspring or Foam Core

The preference of coil over foam is probably due to the fact the most parents sleep on coil spring mattresses. For your choice of crib mattress, just make sure to get the best quality crib mattress that you can afford of which ever type you like. The mattress should be firm, not soft. You do not want your baby sinking into it as this poses a risk of suffocation.

When looking for a coil crib mattress, check the number of coils it has. This information should be readily available. Usually, more coils usually means a firmer mattress.

In a foam crib mattresses, look for the one that feel heavier than the others as this usually means a higher quality foam was used. You also want to see how fast the mattress regains its shape so push down on the mattress and then take your hand away. The faster it goes back to its original shape the better.

Choosing the Correct Size

Most cribs made today are a standard size and most crib mattresses are made to fit. Older cribs may be a different size and some designer cribs also have different dimensions. The standard size for a baby crib is 51 5/8″ x 27 1/4″. Make sure you should measure the crib just to make sure. You can look at the label on the crib mattress which should have the dimensions on it. It is a good idea to measure the mattress anyway as mistakes do happen. It is important to measure accurately as a little error can mean a big difference to your baby’s safety.

It is essential that the mattress fits snugly in the crib and not leave a gap between the edge of the mattress and the sides of the crib. If you can fit two adult fingers between the sides of the crib and the mattress then the mattress is too small. Having a crib mattress that is too small can result in your baby could possibly slipping between the mattress and the side of the crib. This can cause injury to your child.

The Cover

The crib mattress cover should be durable and, needless to say, easily cleaned. The majority of today’s baby crib mattresses are covered in vinyl. More layers usually means a more durable mattress. The better quality mattresses have a double layered cover while the best quality have covers made of three layers.

You can find crib mattresses that have an antimicrobial cover that can slow the growth of molds and bacteria. These covers do NOT prevent the growth, only slow it. You still need to make sure you clean up well after spills and leaks.

Taking the time to find out what is available online or locally before you buy can help ensure that you find the best baby crib mattress so that your baby will be comfortable and safe when sleeping.

The Advantage of Organic Baby Clothes – My O Baby

admin — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 17:06:06 +0000

My O Baby is delivering healthy clothing alternatives for today’s babies. The chemical and pesticide free cotton which comprises our entire line is certified by The Control Union which guarantees that, addition to being free of chemicals and pesticides, the materials across our clothing lines are organically grown. To ensure that My O Baby is creating the safest garments possible, The Control Union has also certified that the snaps are nickel-free, dyes carry a minimum of metal content and that the garments will not cause the rashes and skin irritations which typically result from conventional cotton. The importance of chemical and pesticide free baby clothes has been reinforced by recent statistics on the content of dangerous elements in conventional cotton. According to Lotus Organics, “Millions of children in the US receive up to 35% of their estimated lifetime dose of some carcinogenic pesticides by age five through food, contaminated drinking water, household use, and pesticide drift”. The most shocking aspect of this statement is that the children are receiving this exposure when they are the most susceptible to those poisonous elements. This dilemma is described in detail on Johnson and Johnson’s website where they state, “A baby’s skin is thinner, more fragile and less oily than an adult’s. A baby’s skin also produces less melanin, the substance that helps protect against sunburn. It’s less resistant to bacteria and harmful substances in the environment, especially if it’s irritated. Babies also sweat less efficiently than the rest of us, so it’s harder for them to maintain their inner body temperature.” A baby’s skin is also more porous, meaning that impurities can pass into their systems in greater concentrations. When those impurities are carried in clothing that can be in contact with a baby’s skin for hours at a time, the potential for exposure to toxins increases dramatically. One of the potential carriers for these toxins is conventional cotton, one of the biggest crops grown for use in clothing production in the world. The industry, by itself, accounts for $2.6 billion in pesticide spending each year. Because cotton is not a food crop, it is not regulated in terms in terms of pesticides, herbicides, or chemicals that come in contact with it. According to the EPA, 7 out of the 15 pesticides that are regularly used on cotton carry labels classifying them as either potential or known carcinogens. The unregulated nature of cotton production explains why despite using only 2.4% of the world’s farmland, 25% of the world’s pesticides and 10% of its insecticides are used on it yearly. That calculates out to one pound of pesticide and one pound of chemical fertilizer for each pair of jeans or t-shirt produced. The conversion of this unregulated cotton into clothing requires additional chemicals that are added at various stages during the process. These chemicals include petroleum scours, softeners, brighteners, heavy metals, flame and soil retardants, ammonia and formaldehyde. Considering those statistics, it’s not surprising that organic clothing for babies is rapidly gaining in popularity despite being more expensive than regular cotton apparel. In addition to being a much healthier choice, consumers are finding that clothes made of organic cotton last five to ten times longer than chemically treated cotton. The longevity of organic cotton clothes is attributed to the abuse that conventional cotton receives during processing where the breakdown of cotton fiber begins even before being sewn. It might be more expensive and more difficult to find at times but organic clothing brings so many healthy benefits it’s worth the money, time, and effort to put your baby into outfits that have not been touched chemicals and pesticides. Indeed, by lasting longer than conventional cotton clothes, they’re sure to make great hand-me-downs as well. Visit us at http://www.myobaby.com or email us info@myobaby.com (925) 988- 0169

Tips For Keeping Your Baby Healthy and Safe

admin — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 17:27:25 +0000

Here are some key points to remember to help keep your baby healthy and safe. Remember, newborns, preemies, and young infants are very susceptible to illness. Be sure to:

* Wash your hands frequently when caring for your little one (especially after going to the bathroom and changing diapers). * Make sure all visitors wash their hands prior to touching your baby. * Make sure visitors are not ill when coming to visit. * Avoid large crowds for at least 1 month after your baby is born.

Help protected your baby from accidental injury. Be sure to:

* Always place your baby in an appropriate car seat when traveling in any vehicle. * Never leave baby unattended (especially in the car, bathtub, changing table, or on any other elevated area). * Always keep one hand on your baby when in the bathtub, on the changing table, or on any elevated area. * Never shake your baby. Shaken baby syndrome can cause blindness, brain damage or death. * Place baby on his/her back to sleep to reduce the likelihood of sudden infant death syndrome. * Always test the temperature of the water before giving a bath. * Use a non-skid mat in the bathtub. * Never prop a bottle when feeding your baby. * Never place pacifier on a string around baby’s neck. * Check pacifiers and nipples for holes and tears frequently. * Always test the temperature of breast milk/formula prior to feeding your baby. * Never leave pets or young children alone with your baby. * Ensure smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are functioning properly. * Do not carry infant when you are cooking or holding hot drinks. * Make sure that your baby’s toys are unbreakable. * Remove toys from the crib when your baby is sleeping or unattended. * Never give an infant under 1 year of age honey. Honey has been associated with botulism.

Buying Baby Clothing

admin — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 17:45:32 +0000

If you’ve recently become pregnant you may be wondering how many items of baby clothing you’ll need to be prepared for your baby’s arrival. Even if you don’t usually think of yourself as an organised person, it still may put you at ease to know that at least a few things are taken care of before bubbie gets here. It is unrealistic for most to assume there will be plenty of opportunity after the baby comes to go out shopping. It is definitely more likely that the more that is done before your baby comes, the more relaxed and comfortable the parents will be. –

The last thing a new mother is wanting to do, is to spend her day out shopping with a tiny new baby. Even if the baby is very happy and sleepy it’s not ideal to be driving around shopping. Childcare is an option but for such a new one, many mothers will still be breastfeeding and find it difficult to stop what they are doing every two hours or the option of expressing in between feeds can be exhausting. Some mothers will run into problems during childbirth and may have had a c-section or other complications that may make it difficult to get out to buy baby clothing also in the first few weeks.

So how much do you need to buy as far as baby clothing goes? The first few months your baby will usually grow through the first few sizes pretty fast. This makes lots of mothers think they might not need very many suits but it is important to look at how much you will want to be washing and drying baby clothes. Some babies dirty up their clothes faster than others. If your baby suffers from anything like reflux they will sometimes vomit on their clothes more than other babies. While some mothers feel their baby gets vomit on them more often anyway! Your baby may be fine in one outfit for the day and a fresh one after bathtime for the night, other babies will need 3-4 outfits a day. So if you base your estimate on somewhere in between you may feel comfortable having 10 suits in a particular size and only need to wash a couple of times a week.

Baby Safety in the Home

admin — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 18:12:37 +0000

Is your home safe for your baby? Your home may feel like a safe sanctuary to you, but to your baby, it could be a mine field. Get your house ready for baby by taking these precautions:

- Keep potentially toxic items (such as cleaning agents, medicines, vitamins, toiletries, mothballs, poisons, paint, oil, gas, harmful plants, and other potentially hazardous items) out of your child’s reach and utilize locks/latches on cabinet doors for added protection. Special note: Keep purses and bags out of your baby’s reach also, since these hold potentially hazardous items.

- Post the number for Poison Control (800) 222- 1222 near your phone.

- Ensure all smoke and carbon dioxide detectors are functioning properly and check the batteries every week.

- Cover all electrical outlets with appropriate covers or block with furniture. Special note: Some commonly used outlet covers are potential choking hazards. Look for outlet covers that cover the entire outlet or require an additional step to remove. You may even want to consider changing the entire outlet to a tamper resistant one.

- Secure any loose cords (electrical and blinds/drapes) to prevent accidental strangulation.

- Block passages to unsafe areas (stairs, bathrooms, laundry room, fireplaces, etc) by using gates, door knob covers, and by keeping doors closed and locked (if able).

- Secure toilet seats with appropriate safety latches/locks.

- Secure furnishings (dressers, TV, book case, etc) to the wall to prevent toppling.

- Make sure table cloths are secured or removed to prevent your child from pulling the table cloth and potentially injuring him/her from falling objects on the table.

- Place guards on the corners of your tables and other sharp edges throughout your home.

- Utilize door stoppers to protect your baby’s fingers.

- Keep windows locked and never leave a child unattended near an open window.

- Never leave your baby unattended on any elevated surface (i.e. sofa, changing table, high chair, beds, etc.). Be sure to use your safety harnesses.

- Utilize safety belts/harnesses whenever possible (i.e. high chairs, swings, changing table, strollers, etc.).

- Keep plastic bags, balloons, string, and rope out of your baby’s reach to prevent suffocation and/or strangulation.

- Ensure stair and porch railings are no wider than 4 inches apart. If the railings are wider, then cover with banister guards to prevent falls and/or entrapment.

- Never leave pets unattended around your baby.

Get down on the floor and look at each room through your baby’s eyes. It will be easier to see the potential dangers.Be sure to download our Emergency Contacts sheet and keep accessible in the event of an emergency. Watching your baby become aware of their surroundings and begin exploring their environment will be a magical experience. Make sure it’s a safe one too!

Cheap Baby Clothing

admin — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 18:23:34 +0000

Babies can be a very expensive addition to the family. There is nothing worse than feeling like you can’t be excited about the arrival of your new baby, because of the stress and anxiety associated with all the extra costs. If the mother was previously working there is now a drastic cut in a couples income and now new expenses to add onto the budget. No new parents want to be worried that they may not be able to afford some of the weekly expenses such as formula, nappies, wipes and baby clothing.

Once the big things such as the car seat, cot and pram are purchased, most parents will feel slightly relieved. One of the ongoing costs for a growing baby is baby clothes. In the first year babies grow so fast that it is hard for some parents to justify spending a lot of money on baby clothing. They may only wear an outfit a few times before they have grown out of it. This doesn’t mean parents don’t want the best and cutest outfits for their babies to wear.

There are many ways you can get your hands on adorable outfits for low prices. Baby clothing, new or second hand, can be purchased online from many different sites at very low prices. Have baby clothes delivered to your door, which is another bonus for new mummy’s who really don’t feel up to going out shopping, especially if they are struggling with sleep, feeding and routines. Delivery costs are usually fairly low or even free if a certain amount are ordered. Of course there is the option of checking out your local stores. Op shops and markets are other places really cheap baby clothes can be found.

Whatever the size or style of baby clothing you are looking for it is an easy task when searching online. The range and variety of clothes is vast and if you are looking for something unique and different it is sure to be found. You can even have baby clothes custom made to suit your taste. Don’t pay a ridiculous amount for clothes your baby may only wear for a few months or even only weeks, get great cute clothes from websites that understand your financial needs.

Theres no need to worry when it come to expensive baby clothing. Your baby can be wearing great, well known brands that will last and last without breaking the bank. It is a great idea to pass on baby clothes to close friends or family so you know they are getting as much use as possible and therefore more value for your money.