The Essential Infant Blog

Why is my 8 month old baby's poo very pale?

Wed, 16 May 2012 14:49:32 GMT

My baby is 8 months. Eating solids very well and on minimal milk +- 500ml at the most per day. She has been in hospital 3 times with bronchitus and pneumonia.

Sunblock for 4 month old

Wed, 16 May 2012 14:41:22 GMT

Hi there, was wondering if you know of any sunblocks that are safe for 4month olds? I have heard that Episencial Sunny Sunscreen may be, but I'm not positive.

Baby Coupons and Discount Codes for January - February, 2012

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 18:06:44 GMT

With all the expenses a new baby brings to the table, is it any wonder that we ALL seem to be clambering for baby coupons these days? Here's a directory of the best online baby stores, with their current coupons, free shipping codes, and sales announcements.

What types of foods should I give my son? He is just starting table foods.

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 22:39:38 GMT

My 9 month old son just got the go ahead for strictly table foods from our doctor. I am wondering what to give him for breakfast and lunch? Dinner he eats

Constipation and Fever

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 19:30:44 GMT

My 20 month old son hasn't pooped in 3 and a half days and also has had a fever for that long, is something seriously wrong? It is now Monday morning,

Does a Belly Binder Really Help with Post-Cesearean Recovery?

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 20:42:19 GMT

I've gotten a lot of questions over the years about whether a belly binder for post-c-section recovery is worth the cost. Since I'm not currently pregnant, I asked for a pregnant volunteer from my subscribers.

Baby Learning Toys: How to Find the Smartest Ones

Sat, 29 Oct 2011 18:34:43 GMT

If you're going to buy toys for your infant, why not choose baby learning toys that will stimulate his brain and encourage milestone growth? Here's what to look for in a toy worth giving.

A Baby Yoda Costume You Must Have

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 23:37:23 GMT

If Yoda was here, he would give you some very sound advice: a baby Yoda costume you must have...Who are you to argue with the last Jedi Master? Here are some of the cutest Star Wars inspired costumes for babies in the galaxy.

New Mom of Twins Needs Some Advice

Sat, 24 Sep 2011 16:01:25 GMT

I have just given birth to twin boys on August 23rd 2011. I also have two precious girls (aged 5 and 4 years old, there is exactly a difference of one

14 Newborn Costumes That Actually Fit Newborns

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:04:30 GMT

When it comes to newborn costumes, Sturgeon's Law must be applied. What?!? You don't know this Universal Truth? Let me whittle it down to 5 words. 90% of everything is crap.

5 Halloween Infant Costumes Inspired by Beloved Bedtime Books

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 13:39:40 GMT

Don't just do Halloween infant costumes for the sake of Baby's First Halloween. Show off his emerging personality! Use his well-loved, well-chewed boardbook lying next to the nursery rocking chair as inspiration!

Transform Tom Arma Halloween Costumes into Nursery Art

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 22:59:40 GMT

There's a reason Tom Arma Halloween costumes are called heirlooms. They are a step WAAAY above the average Halloween infant costume. These are works of art, ready to be photographed and displayed in your nursery (or at Grandma's house) all year round.

What are the Best Baby Monitors?

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 13:43:42 GMT

I'm having my first child this Christmas and the one item i have not been able to figure out is which is the best baby monitor. I was wondering what you

Help with my son... He has silent reflux!

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 19:48:18 GMT

At 3 weeks and 2 days my son began an eating frenzy, I figured he's going through a growth spurt. 2 days later, he begins fussing while he eats and burps.

MAM Anti Colic Bottle Review

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 23:47:53 GMT

I had a hard time breast feeding my son when he was born because of my low milk supply (finally found out due to overmedicating thyroid meds) and because

Free Baby Samples That Will Make Your Heart Flutter

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 23:01:13 GMT

I recognize that the phrase free baby samples is not as breath-catching, as say...a free SUV. However. We moms have to take our thrills where we can. Babies ain't cheap, and in my book, every penny saved on baby stuff is a penny spent on a romantic get away with my hubby.

Is it normal for a child with tubes in their ears to have excessive smell?

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 14:21:04 GMT

My grandson has tubes in his ears,and has had infection in them for quite some time. He has been on antibiotic ear drops the whole time, but the smell

Get a Baby Food Organizer...Save a Life in Africa?

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 21:00:08 GMT

Did you know that, for a limited time, purchasing a baby food organizer could help save a life in Africa?

6 Week Old Strains a Lot to Pass Gas

Sat, 25 Jun 2011 14:38:46 GMT

My son is 6 weeks old and is exclusively breastfed. Since birth he used to poop after every feed. On Wednesday morning was the last time he went and started

Reoccuring Clogged Milk Ducts & Crying....

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 13:38:44 GMT

I have had the same side clogging off & on for the last 2 wks. Any tips? I've tried the whole gamit; wet compress, heating pad, hot shower, massage, even

My Baby is Suffering From Fever with Cough and Vomit

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 13:17:59 GMT

My Baby is 9 Months old and she is very weak her head size is bigger in compare with her body. In the past she suffered from fever but cured by the grace

Choosing the Best Baby Bottle For...

Wed, 25 May 2011 23:38:45 GMT

Find the best baby bottle for YOUR situation. Do you breastfeed? On a budget? Colic? Each situation has bottles that are best for THAT situation. Discover what they are.

The Best Summer Reading Books

Tue, 17 May 2011 12:59:44 GMT

Merry Mothers share their favorites just in time for summer reading.

Your 2011 Infant Swimwear and Baby Fun-Sun Guide

Sat, 14 May 2011 01:17:10 GMT

Summer has arrived, and you're itching to breakout the infant swimwear and introduce your baby to the wonders of the outdoors. Here's everything you need to make baby's first summer spectacular.

5 Breastfeeding Challenges You CAN Overcome

Wed, 11 May 2011 15:19:57 GMT

There are 5 common breastfeeding challenges that often confront new mothers. Luckily, you don't need to throw in the burp rag and give up! You can overcome these challenges easily.

Free Baby Diapers: Your EZ Guide to Huggies, Pampers, 7th Generation, and a Little Luvs

Fri, 06 May 2011 19:07:18 GMT

Okay...bad news first. (I'm such a pessimist.) Free baby diapers are not going to gently float down from heaven, covering you with their money-saving goodness. They're more likely to arrive like Forest Gump's feather: one lonely diaper at a time. HOWEVER, there's one thing you can do that will shake the goose, so to speak.

Is Your Baby Sunscreen a Sultan? or a Sham?

Mon, 02 May 2011 21:44:09 GMT

I counted out eight different types of baby sunscreen at the checkout counter in Target last week. And every last one of them was taunting me. Which one should I choose? What makes each different? Does it even matter? Or is it the same white stuff in a different colored bottle?

Is my infant urinating enough?

Mon, 02 May 2011 19:58:34 GMT

My son will be 6 months old on the 1st of May, he drinks plenty of fluids through out the day but only urinates a little in 10 hours is this normal?

The Baby Fever Fighter: Five Tricks To Try at Home

Wed, 20 Apr 2011 21:07:17 GMT

That wicked baby fever. His sad, tired eyes. Your anxious ones. Not fun. Fortunately, you don't have to just cross your fingers and hope for the best. I've researched up five techniques to help you help him get more comfortable. And when he's more comfortable, he'll eat better, sleep better, and most importantly, feel better.

Infant Thermometer Showdown: The Top 5 Most-Loved

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 16:38:41 GMT

If I had a quarter for every infant thermometer I've purchased, I could pay cash for our health insurance. So writing this article was somewhat selfish. I wanted to get down and dirty into the world of baby thermometers. Pull out the medical research...poll some moms...and see which methods and tools came out shining.

5 Ways to Conquer the Infant Cold

Sat, 16 Apr 2011 21:31:43 GMT

It is not uncommon for an infant cold to be the first storm a mother must weather. It's so hard to see your infant all stuffed up and uncomfortable! Here are some basic guideliness on how to relieve cold-induced misery.

Can Enfamil Cause Ear Infections?

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 16:10:44 GMT

This could be coincidence, but I started her on Enfamil Premium when she was 3 months old because that's what WIC offers, and that's when she started these

Burping Baby Tips

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 21:17:32 GMT

Would you be comfortable with a huge balloon in your stomach? A burping baby lives without that discomfort. Consequence? A happier baby. Lesson? Learn how to get that burp!

Stylish Baby Easter Dresses for Picture-Perfect Egg Hunting Adventures

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 20:34:07 GMT

Let me rescue you from the hum-drum baby Easter dresses lined up at your local mega-mart. As your friendly neighborhood fashion pirate, allow me to reveal a treasure map to the most sophisticatedly cute baby Spring dresses ever made. There's a New World of infant style just waiting for you to plunder.

Why does my baby spit up so much?

Mon, 21 Mar 2011 19:00:36 GMT

My son is 5 weeks old and seems to spit up everything he eats. I breastfeed and after every feeding he spits or throws up everything he just ate. He is

Fancy Infant Easter Dresses...The 2011 Fantastics

Mon, 21 Mar 2011 18:59:10 GMT

Forget the plain-jane infant Easter dresses stocked hundreds-high at your local Target. Go original in 2011. I've scoured the web for amazingly-beautiful and jaw-dropping unique designs from boutiques you probably didn't even realize existed.

Are Dogs and Babies a Recipe for Grief? or a Grand Slam?

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 21:03:27 GMT

Dogs and babies are two of my passions. So when we first discovered my pregnancy, I was a little concerned. How would Moxie, the little shih tzu who had been with me since the 8th grade, handle this new competition? Fortunately, there's a way to keep your family intact, without sending away your four-legged baby just when your two-legged one arrives.

Why a Good Teething Pacifier Makes All The Difference

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 19:40:07 GMT

Using a regular 'ole binky as a teething pacifier is asking for trouble. In no time all, your budding piranah will devour that flimsy plastic and choking hazards will sprout everywhere. You need a REAL teething pacifier, or at least some decent teething toys. Here are the top gnaw-worthy toys to soothe and comfort your suffering infant.

Infant Diarrhea after Formula Switch

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 20:58:17 GMT

My 3 week old infant had diarrhea twice in 4 hours, what should I do? We switched formulas from Similac Sensitive because of constipation and gave her

A C-Section Recovery: Elizabeth's Tips for Quicker Healing

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 21:14:27 GMT

Every single person on the planet (excepting any residing in Area 51), arrived either by vaginal or c-section delivery. And although the end prize (a baby) is the same, the methods couldn't be further apart.

Can Baby Sign Language Delay Speech?

Sun, 09 Jan 2011 01:57:51 GMT

It's a valid question. After all, who wants to work hard teaching baby sign language only to discover it delayed the 'Mommy!' you're dying to hear? Yes, in the short-run baby signing is a blessing. A signing infant will give you fewer fits of frustration. But is that short-term benefit worth a potential long term harm?

Can I give my 18 month old cold medicine?

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 22:25:05 GMT

What cold medicine can I give my 18 month old who has greenish mucus and a constant runny nose? Yes, he is still teething, but all this drainage is making

Skip the Baby Cold: How to Avoid the Crusty Nose Nasties

Mon, 13 Dec 2010 23:03:23 GMT

Don't let a baby cold turn your beautiful infant into a nightmare of crusty yellow nasties. You CAN have a hugable baby all winter long.

Is It an Infant Ear Infection? 7 Home-Tests Can Tell You

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 23:05:10 GMT

There are few things as devastating to your good-night's rest like an infant ear infection. Here are some tips and clues to help you identify when she may need that visit to the doctor.

The Ultimate Infant Sleep Guide for Bleary-Eyed Parents

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 21:00:15 GMT

Infant Sleep? or Mimfant Shmeep? No, the concept of infants sleeping isn't some cruel joke older parents play on newer ones. Your baby WILL start sleeping through the night. Eventually. And this guide is to help that happen as soon as possible.

Review of MAM Anti Colic Bottles

Sat, 13 Nov 2010 18:56:27 GMT

These bottles are awesome. Easier to clean than Dr.Browns but harder to find. I think they would be more popular if they were available more places. Just

Less Urination

Mon, 08 Nov 2010 21:28:14 GMT

My baby is now 1 year old. He got viral fever. He is under medicine since 3 days.. But his urination is very very less that during day time he urinates

Is there a way to get my baby to stop gulping his milk?

Mon, 08 Nov 2010 21:23:06 GMT

I have a 1 month old son who has been mostly breastfed but I have also pumped and given that to him in a bottle. It doesn't seem to matter which way he

Heather's Gotta-Giveways

Wed, 27 Oct 2010 21:10:11 GMT

Once in a while I get an itch to give something away. And when I do, I post it here. What, exactly, do I giveaway? Well, I've given away boardbooks, I've given away lotions, I've given away clothes, gift certificates, iPhone apps, baby books...

Designer Baby Bedding: Going Outside the Box But Staying INSIDE the Budget

Mon, 11 Oct 2010 23:49:07 GMT

Hi...my name is Heather...and I like designer baby bedding. I can't help it. In fact, I'm just the teensiest-weensiest jealous of the octuplet mom...just THINK of all the crib bedding she got to pick out! MAN, I'd love to be the friend to help with that shopping. (notice I didn't say the MOM...)