How to Plan for a Perfect Baby Shower Party?

First thing which comes to mind hearing the four magical words, "We're having a baby?" is of course a baby shower party. The baby shower party is a great way of expressing the importance of the event as in a very perfect manner " Congratulates", the expectant parents and also conveys "We're happy for you," or " Best Wishes." Baby shower party is sharing of happiness among the expected parents, Friends and their relatives.

Baby shower parties are organized usually at the last months of pregnancy, hosted by close friends or relative, where the main aim lies to boost the parents-to-be excited for the future member of the family. To make the baby shower party a memorable event, it requires careful planning to ensure one has a great time at the party. Though there not much rules to follow for a baby shower party, but the following tips might also be of great help.

Choosing the right place

Keeping the expected mother's health in mind, mostly baby shower parties are conducted at the parent-to-be's house. Where guests find themselves more comfortable at home, which usually among closet friends and family members. If the weather permits baby shower parties can also be organized outdoors, wherein a barbecue party or a party at the local park can add-on to the excitement of the expected parents.

Though organizing a baby shower in a reserved secluded area like bar or restaurant might be costly, but it is of less complications as the decoration, food and drinks with the post-party arrangements are already been taken care of.

Choosing he party's theme

Re-creating the mood of the expectant parents with the help of a theme to decorate the venue appropriately according to the taste of the expectant parents, which can be their favorite hangouts or movies. Or the recreation of their honeymoon spot, can be easy and a great idea.

As the whole idea is to welcome the baby, a childish atmosphere using bright colors and cartoon characters depending on the baby's gender can be created.

Finalizing the menu

A lot depends upon what time the event to be held and the taste of the guests. If in case a party is thrown at the lunch or the dinnertime, usually heavier meals will be served. Whereas in most of baby shower parties the host usually serves pastries, finger food and other bake foods for convenience.

Designing a fun program

Just to refresh the guests child hood memories conducting fun games such as dum-charades would be a great idea, which is usually contrary to people beliefs for a baby shower party to be limited to mingling around eating, drinking and gift giving.

Creating the guest list and send out invitations.

As the baby shower parties are the parents' events and not the host, so the choice of the people also kept in mind before hosting the party. Where list of closet friends and family members of the expectant parents' is prepared with their approval to avoid any embarrassing mistakes.

Homemade invitations would be a good choice and give a personal touch, though ready-made baby shower invitations are readily available in the market.

Just to be organized, prepare a final list of attendees a few days before the baby shower. Make sure the invitation reaches the guests two or four weeks ahead giving them time to fix their schedule. The baby shower invitation would consists of date, time, place, attire preferred, gift registry, if any, the host's contact numbers for RSVP.

Choosing a Baby Name They Can Be Proud of

Getting ready for a new baby can be exciting, exhausting, and exhilarating all at once. One of the most challenging obstacles for new parents can be choosing a baby name. A name will identify your child throughout their life, people will form opinions about your child based solely on their name, and the name you choose will also play a role in molding your child's personality and behavior. Learning baby name meanings is a good first step in narrowing your choices.

Biblical and Hebrew Names Biblical and Hebrew names are probably the most popular names in the United States. Michael is consistently one of the most popular name for boys. In 2004 it was second, with the other four top five boy's names in order being Jacob, Joshua, Matthew, and Ethan. The origins for all are biblical or Hebrew. Biblical names for girls also endure consistent popularity with Hannah, Abigail, and Samantha being in the top ten most popular. Sarah, Rebecca, and Jessica also have enduring usage.

Vintage Names It is sometimes possible to "date" someone by knowing when their name was popular, especially for fad names that are used for only a short period of time due to the current popularity of a singer, movie star, or fictional character. Consider Marilyn, Jacquelyn, and Shirley, all examples of names that became popular for brief periods because of public figures. Another source of old-fashioned sounding names is classic literature.

Baby name meanings are often less important in vintage names, since usually the original meaning is secondary to the cultural associations. Girl's names seem to be more subject to trends and fads, as well, with boy's names changing less. For old fashioned names, look to your grandparents or great-grandparents, books, and movies from the era you would like a name from.

Ethnic Names Choosing a name based on your ancestry can be a way of showing pride in your heritage and passing that on to your child. Names from other cultures can also be a way of giving your child a less common name, but without some of the negative associations that can come with making one up. You can look to other languages for different spellings of common names, too. Using a common name in a foreign language can result in a distinctive name for your child, for instance the Swedish Mattias instead of Matthew.

Another option for a distinctive name is to use family names. Find out what your grandparent's or great-grandparent's middle names are. Using a mother or grandmother's maiden name can be a way of providing a unique identity for your child while preserving family ties and heritage.

Unisex Names Choosing a unisex name can be an easy compromise rather than coming up with a "boy name" and a "girl name", but it is rarely necessary now that most expecting parents know the gender of their child before birth. Unisex names can seem stylish and clever, but be aware that gender confusion can upset children. It's a safer choice to give a unisex name like Mackenzie, Tracy, or Morgan to a girl. It is more accepted for women to go by seemingly masculine names than for men to go by feminine sounding names. Plenty of girls with feminine names like Samantha or Maxine may even go by shortened forms that are male names like Sam and Max.

Hollywood Names Hollywood often sets the style for baby names, just as it does for so many other trends. The rich and famous rarely give their children common names. They range from the old-fashioned and classic to made up and unique to downright strange. Consider Frank Zappa, who named two of his children Moon Unit and Dweezil. Madonna's children are named Lourdes and Rocco. Nicole Kidman and Tom cruise named their children Isabella Jane and Connor Anthony. They traverse the spectrum, but one thing almost all celebrity children have in common is that their names are not.

Creating a Name Making up a name for your baby is becoming more popular, but it is still a choice you should consider carefully. There is some evidence of job discrimination when it comes to applicants with extremely unusual or made up names. Your child may also be subject to frequent mispronunciation by teachers and later coworkers. Creating a new name can also give your child a strong sense of identity, as with using a word not normally thought of as a name. Make sure you check dictionaries and other reference sources if you make up a name, though. It could already be an obscure word that may potentially embarrass your child.

Names and Personality The name you give your child can go on to affect their personality, their behavior, their self-worth and their identity. Choosing a strange and unusual name can make your child a target for teasing and bullying. While using words for names, or making them up entirely, is gaining some popularity, your child will probably still encounter prejudices based on their given name. Some children may even choose to change their names as adults or to use their initials instead of given names.

Using a name that is extremely common also has its pitfalls. If you select an extremely popular name for your child, like Matthew, Brittany, Dylan, or Ashley, it's probable that he or she will be one of several in his or her class at school. While that may not be an issue for your child, some may feel as though it is difficult to establish an independent identity. Others may feel that they don't fit in if they are identified differently than other children, such as by last name or first name and an initial, if other children aren't also identified that way.

Tips for Choosing a Name Try saying the name out loud. Make sure it sounds good with your last name. It may take some time for you to get used to it. Avoid names that can easily be turned into taunting nicknames. See if the name you like rhymes with any words likely to be used in an insult. You might not want to use Bart as a nickname if you choose to call your son Bartholomew.

Check to see if the initials spell anything potentially embarrassing. If you are making up a name, check the dictionary first. Urban legends are rife with stories of children named something embarrassing by unwitting parents. Remember that your child's name will be with them for life. Choose something that they will be proud of.

Coming up with prospective names for your child doesn't need to be difficult and fraught with arguments. Discovering the different name origins of common monikers can be both fun and educational. Even if you have already decided to use a name that has been in your family for generations, learning baby name meanings can still be fun.

Baby Names

Okay, you only get to do this once so let's get it right. Remember that it's not about you! Your little boy or girl is going to have to live with this name for the rest of their life. If they change it on their 18th birthday, you probably did a bad job of naming your baby.

In this article, I'm going to take you on a tour of the Internet as I look for baby names. I'll be your guide, so sit back and relax. I know what I'm doing here. Trust me.

Before we start, though, no drinking on this tour. It results in baby names like Justin Case, Sandy Castles, Paige Turner, Rusty Hook, Shaunda Lear, Candy Kaine, or others just as bad. As a matter of fact let's start out by searching for what not to name your baby.

So, you want to be original. Great. Remember, your kid's gonna be mad when he or she finds out there were much better choices! Ok, that's not bad enough? Well there are websites that make fun of bad baby name choices too. Some quotes from websites about people's baby name choices.

These are actual questions posted on the Internet about naming babies;

I love this one "I once met a lady named Rodana. I think she runs a successful Internet business." In her spare time she destroys Tokyo.

And this one too. "I've suggested to my sister that she name her little girl to be - Manchester. She's not sure about it but she's considering. What do you think?" "Clever. Like being named Pittsburg or Schenectady. Kid'll grow up to be beaten to death by Liverpool fans."

"We'd kind of like something that sounds good with Mikayla (our 3-year-old)." "Dear God, they're tailoring them into box sets!"

"What about the name skylar or raven?" "Thanks, 14-year-old-Goth-girl!"

"What about Bubba for a boy. a great unusual name " "Since when did your Ozark shack get Internet access?"

"Do you like the name Alexia? I think it's exotic and all 3 of my other girl's names begin with an A too." "Though Alexia sounds like a pretty name for a girl... alexia is actually an inability to read, caused by brain damage." "So maybe she should another A name. Something pretty, like Amnesia."

"I am not pregnant yet but thinking about names...I just thought of the name Lourdes Solange. This baby will be 75% latina and 15% european :)" "...and 10% polyester"

...and finally "Anyone ever thought about Sierra Joy? I love the name, but husband is less than thrilled with it." "But he'll love the pine-fresh scent!"

And for all the geeks, nerds, and Internet junkies out there, yes, the Internet and your computer can conspire to name your baby for you! Try this one for unique baby names. http://www.babyzone.com/babynames/nameinventor.asp I just love the categories, "baby boy names", "baby girl names", and "baby boy or girl names" for those parents who want to name the baby before it's born and before they know what sex the baby will be.

That website makes up names each time you click the links. Okay, this website doesn't exactly prove that technology is an actual improvement to our lives, but wait! There's more! This one claims to have 11,000 names from origins all around the world so you'll surely find exactly what you're looking for. http://www.babynamesworld.com/names1/name-generator.html This one is a little better at names that reflect different cultures. http://www.baby-name-generator.com/Names.html But Teutonic names? Are there still people who claim the nationality "Teuton"?

Okay, now, let's try to get serious about naming that baby. Now this article gives good, sensible advice about choosing baby names. http://www.babyport.info/776.php and if you are still intent on being unique, read this first, http://www.babyport.info/59689.php

If you are gonna have twins, not that I advise it, here is another good article about naming your baby twins. http://www.babyport.info/3647.php

I hope this little tour has helped you with naming your baby and that you have enjoyed the trip. Please look around and make sure you have all of your luggage and babies with you as you leave. Good luck on naming your baby!

Every Baby Deserves The Best "Shot" At Good Health; Hib Vaccine Protects Against Dreaded Disease

As a parent, you want to give your child the best shot at a long, healthy life. A key to ensuring your child's well- being is on-time vaccination against devastating but avoidable diseases.

One such disease is Haemophilus influenzae type b, commonly referred to as Hib. Hib disease usually occurs in infants and preschool children and is caused by bacteria. Hib can develop into a serious, often life-threatening illness. Most children will survive a Hib infection, but they may experience a number of potentially life-long complications. A disease called bacterial meningitis, which causes swelling of the protective covering of the brain and spinal cord, is the most common Hib infection. Survivors of Hib meningitis may suffer mental retardation, deafness, learning disabilities, motor abnormalities or seizures.

Prevention Is Key

The good news is that prevention is available. "Hib vaccination in this country has been so successful that many parents and pediatricians have never even seen the disease, much less the permanent damage it can cause," said David Greenberg, M.D., Director, Scientific & Medical Affairs, sanofi pasteur. "As long as parents and health care providers continue to vaccinate infants and children on time, we can prevent the return of this disease. Even one case is too many."

Amazingly, just two short decades ago, about 20,000 people-most under the age of 5-suffered from Hib infections each year. But today, thanks to the introduction of ActHIB (Haemophilus b Conjugate Vaccine [Tetanus Toxoid Conjugate]) and other vaccines that protect against the disease, fewer than 100 cases are reported annually.

While the number of Hib cases is currently low, health experts caution parents that they shouldn't let their guard down and remind them that the best protection is through on-time immunization. Your child can get Hib by being around children and adults who may be carriers of the bacteria and not know it. Day care attendance, having school-aged siblings and living in a large household each increase the risk for disease.

On-Time Vaccination

Is The Goal

Since the late 1980s, immunization during infancy has been the most effective way to prevent Hib. Protection starts with a series of vaccinations between 2 and 6 months of age, followed by a booster dose between 12 and 18 months of age. The injections should be received at these specific ages, so no matter how busy you are, be sure to bring your child in for all scheduled vaccination visits.

Today, Hib is rare, but it is still a threat. That is why it is important that babies receive recommended immunizations on time. Talk to your health care provider or local health department about Hib vaccination, or go to www.Hibdisease.com or www.Hib.com for more information about Hib and other vaccine-preventable diseases.

Safety Information

There are risks associated with all vaccines. Local and systemic adverse reactions to ActHIB vaccine may include injection-site redness, swelling and tenderness, as well as fever, irritability and drowsiness. Other local and systemic adverse reactions may occur. ActHIB vaccine is contraindicated in children known to have experienced a severe allergic reaction to any vaccine component or following a prior dose of the vaccine, as well as in children who are less than 6 weeks of age because of the potential for development of immunologic tolerance. Because intramuscular injections can cause injection-site bruising, if it is determined that the potential benefits clearly outweigh the risk, intramuscular injections should be given with caution to persons with any bleeding disorder. Vaccination should be delayed in children with moderate or severe acute illnesses; however, minor illnesses (such as mild upper respiratory infection) are not contraindications to vaccination.

Baby Gift Baskets Are The Hottest Gifts You Can Give

One of the most difficult decisions to make is the choice of gifts to give new parents after the arrival of their baby. It seems rather simple, but believe me it is a tough one.

Though this might sound funny, but its usefulness as a gift for new parents is getting increasingly popular. The item is baby-gift-baskets.

They are a very good gift option and are always welcomed, perhaps due to their utility nature. This kind of baskets can be used for variety of tasks.

Baby-gift-baskets are available in retail stores, and if you prefer shopping online, you can still order one from several internet shops. Those with a flair for creativity can even go a step further by making a baby-gift-basket of their choice.

When purchasing the gift, or if you are making one yourself, you must consider the gender of the baby. These will guide you about the theme to choose for the basket.

An interesting theme is "diaper duty". If you decide to go for this, then its best to include disposable diapers and baby powders for the parents.

If you are not disposed to the above, another option you can go for is to fill the baby-gift-baskets with travel sizes of the products most used by the parents.

Items to consider for this includes baby shampoo, soap, baby wash clothes, creams and lotions. The parents will appreciate this because the gift items will just fit into the diaper bag anytime they go out with the new arrival.

You can also include fun items like toys and books in the baby-gift-basket. They will come in handy when the baby begins to grow.

A very good idea is the addition of a memorable item in the baby-gift-basket. The best item for this will be a copy of the local newspaper for the day the baby was born.

An alternative to baby-gift-basket is a small rocking chair the baby will be able to use when it becomes a toddler.

And like other baby-gift-baskets options, this one too goes with accompanying items. Clothing and toys are good examples of what to add.

If you are not too keen with a rocking chair, you will want to give a baby bathtub a look in. The bathtub can be filled with all bath essentials like soaps, shampoos, wash cloths, and towels.

Fun items like a bath toy or bath crayons can also be added to the baby bathtub gift. This will offer something for the first few years of the baby's life.

However, when planning for the purchase of the baby-gift-baskets, you should also ensure you include a small gift for the new parents into your budget. A bottle of wine will be just fine, as it will enable the parents toast to their new bundle of joy.

Baby Care Tips

The mother of a baby is the most busy person on earth, when she is not very gathered about her daily routine vis-à-vis the baby.

Breast feeding

Everyday she has to bother about the baby's feeding, sleeping, clothing, changing and bathing. It is the best to feed your own milk to the child. Please do not forget to give her the first milk of yours because that would contain colostrums, which is vital for the immune system of the child. Mother's milk will always create the body resistance and the child will be a healthy one in future.

When you are breast feeding your child, the food that causes problems in your body may be communicated to the baby as well. Foods that cause gas or cold should be avoided or the baby will have uncomfortable state or congestion.

Bottle feeding

If you are bottle-feeding your baby for some reasons, then make sure that the bottles are well sterilized and clean. Scrub them with washing liquids. Boil them for 25 minutes to kill unwanted organism that may have developed in it due to the fermenting milk. Steam sterilizer and cold sterilizer methods are also there, about which one has to consult with an expert and should see to it that those are readily available in the market.

Baby sleeping

The materials needed to put the baby to sleep are a good, firm mattress, sheets and blankets. Keep one feet distance from the nostril range of the baby if you are lying along with your baby on the same bed. There should not be unnecessary clothing or clothes around the baby's body and bed which may cause temperature rise and heating. The baby is not going to talk about it, and you should be sensitive enough to remove the body coverings as much as possible. There should be a mosquito net, or at least a netted covering around the baby to keep away the flies and the mosquitoes.

Clothing

Summer clothes should be light cotton ones. When the baby is taken out, make sure that his head does not get the direct sun. In winter, there may be sweaters, trousers and other woolens.

Changing

The baby's diapers should be regularly changed. The intervals should be fixed according to the baby's routine of potting and wetting. Despite the routine, the baby may need changing because of untimely nature calls at times. It is the baby's right to feel dry at every moment. See to it that the bed is not wetted and the smelly clothes and bed sheets are removed.

Bathing

The baby needs a mouth washing with cotton. A bath tub large enough to hold it and is easy to wash should be made available. The baby should enjoy the water which can be assessed if leg splashing which is very distinct. The baby should be rubbed with baby oil and baby cream. The nail clippers should be used at bath time. After bath, the baby should be thoroughly dried and should be applied with a baby powder.

Immunisation

The baby should be immunized against Small Pox & Measles with BCG within 3 months of its age. The first DPT (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Psertussis, Polio, HIB, Meningitis C) is due within the first 2 months followed by the 2nd and the 3rd one at one month intervals. The MMR vaccination against Measles, Mumps and Rubella should be done within 1 years of age. The boosters should be taken after the baby is 4 years old.

Training and Education

Though regular training and teaching should not be started before the age of three years, the child's habits and sense of discipline is cultivated through the discipline the mother maintains. When the mother is calm against odds like the baby fever, or baby dysentery while making sure of the treatments, the child gets the idea to be calm against disastrous times.

The most important babycare tip

The parents should find enough time to spend with the baby.

What Do I Feed My Baby?

For the first four to six months of your baby's life, his or her diet consists solely of milk, whether from breast or bottle. When it comes time to start feeding your baby solid food, many experts give conflicting advice about what the right types of food to feed your baby. Some of these experts are of course, right in your own family. Grandma, Aunt Bessie, your sister, and others will all want to help you out by telling you what is best. What they may not understand is that recommendations may have changed since they were the mother of a new baby.

Dr. Ronald Kleinman, chief of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition at Massachusetts General Hospital, recalls nutritional guidelines that differ greatly from today's recommendations. "Several generations ago, doctors were quite dogmatic in establishing the order of what came first, next, and next. For example, the pediatrician would say, 'First, rice cereal. Then, peas. Then, introduce a yellow vegetable.' There wasn't any rhyme or reason to that dogmatism."

Without that strict guideline though, it's easy for parents to be confused about which approach to take. What type of food is the best to start with? How much should my baby eat each day? What types of food are bad or harmful to my baby? What if he's allergic to something I feed him? There are also a lot of myths to confuse you even more.

Let's explore some myths and facts about your baby's diet;

Myth: The first food that your baby is fed must be rice cereal. Rice cereal is a great place to start, but not the only potential first food you feed your baby. Almost any soft, hypoallergenic food can be fed to your baby as their first food. Mashed sweet potatoes and applesauce are two examples.

Myth: You should not feed your baby meat as a first food. As long as the food is soft or mashed and is hypoallergenic, your baby should be able to eat it.

Fact: You need to allow some time after each new food you introduce to see if it causes an allergic reaction in your baby. Food allergies can cause reactions varying in severity from mild to serious, including anaphylactic shock. However, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI) reports that only eight percent of children under age six have adverse reactions to ingested foods, and that only two to five percent have confirmed food allergies. People often confuse reactions to food with food allergies. For example, if a child has a stomach bug, he may be lactose intolerant for a week. That is a negative reaction, but not an allergy. "There is a host of adverse reactions to foods, and allergies are a subset of those," says Dr. Kleinman.

Fact; Your baby has a higher chance of being allergic to certain foods more than others, such as peanut butter, peanuts, egg whites, shellfish, fish, and tree nuts like walnuts and cashews. If your family is prone to food allergies you need to wait until your baby is at least three years old before introducing them to these foods. Even if your family is not prone to food allergies, there is no reason to start your baby on peanuts before age three.

Myth; If a baby refuses a food a few times, that means that she doesn't like it. "There's a lot of good research to show that children are notoriously stubborn about new foods," says Dr. Kleinman. It's often necessary to introduce the unpalatable food multiple times.

Leann Birch, head of the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at Penn State, published a study on food preferences in children. In it, she found that parents must present a food six to eight times before a baby will accept it. Don't force it, but don't give up easily, either. You really do know more about nutrients, vitamins, and calories than your baby does, and he's counting on you to persist.

Fact; As your baby begins to eat solid foods their motor skills will become more efficient and they will be able to begin feeding themselves. If you wish to speed the process along, start out by offering your baby finger foods after they have been on solid food for awhile, such as pieces of toasted oat bread, small pieces of well-cooked sweet potato, banana slices, or small chunks of avocado.

Myth; Commercial baby food is preferable to table food. Parents tend to believe that there's something special about commercially made baby food. That's a myth; in fact, most of the regular food on your table every night is probably just fine for your infant to eat. By pureeing food in a blender for your baby, you control exactly what your infant eats. "None of the baby food manufacturers have been found to be completely honest or accurate about what is in their products," warns Dr. Charles Shubin, director of Pediatrics at Mercy Medical Center and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.

Fact; You need to be extra careful when preparing food for infants and small babies. Practice good food hygiene. Wash your hands, scrub bowls and utensils thoroughly, keep food hot or cold as indicated, and cook food thoroughly. Make sure you keep the portions you feed your baby small enough for them to digest. Fruit needs to be stewed and strained to a creamy consistency to start out with, then you can move on to chunky, then bite sized pieces as you progress.

Myth; Parents should only offer a small varieties of bland foods. When your baby is 6 months old it's okay to introduce food that has more flavor. Remember, what you enjoyed while you were pregnant may have given the baby for a taste for it as well. Babies learn flavor preferences from the adult feeding the baby.

Myth; It doesn't matter what I eat, as long as my baby eats healthy. Babies and children learn by example. If all you eat is fried chicken and ice cream, they will want to only eat fried chicken and ice cream. If you do not want your child to be obese, set an example and eat healthy, so they will learn to eat healthy.

Blood Cord Investing in Your Baby’s Future

We all know that blood saves lives, and most of us are familiar with the importance of donating blood when and if we can. As medical science has progressed, however, the ways in which blood can be donated, and even the types of blood it is possible to share, have increased, bringing with them a number of issues that society must debate.

All cultures have their own traditions surrounding the process of giving birth, and some of these involve the placenta and umbilical cord, used to allow the transfer of substances between mother and child before birth takes place. While some cultures espouse the ingestion of a mother's placenta, western medicine has found another use for this organ, or at least for what is contained within.

The placenta and umbilical cord contain a type of blood that is rich with stem cells, which can be used to great benefit in patients suffering from a variety of immune disorders. The most widely known use of such cells is in bone marrow transplants, where patients suffering from cancer receive the bone marrow from a living donor, replacing the unhealthy blood cells of the patient for the life-saving ones of the voluntary donor. The process of bone marrow transplantation can, however, be time consuming, and finding an exact donor match can be difficult.

Cord blood contains a similar type of the stem cells that are found in bone marrow, but the way in which it is donated makes it more readily available for the patient in need. Cord blood, once tested for its suitability, can be stored in a special facility until it is needed – when it can be sent directly to the patient without enduring the time consuming search for a bone marrow donor.

Cord blood donation raises a number of issues. Public cord blood storage units are not always available to the parents who wish to donate their baby's blood. While parents can choose to store the cord blood privately for their baby's later use, this can be expensive, and raises the question of whether the blood should wait for someone who might never use it or be given immediately to a patient in need.

For the moment, this remains the choice of the parents, who can choose to save their baby's cord blood, if they can afford to pay the price. Like all insurance policies, it might be one taken out with the hope that it never needs to be called in, but society continues to ask whether this is a policy whose benefits should be shared

Baby Shower Ideas: Choosing The Right Decorations

Choosing the right baby shower decorations are an important part of the shower planning process. Depending on the time and budget of the baby shower party, there are numerous ideas for baby shower decorations available. The host of the baby shower party can get dozens of ideas for baby shower decorations that will certainly liven up the gathering.

Baby shower decorations can be as simple or as elaborate as the host wishes. Baby shower decorations help make every baby shower party extra special for the mom-to-be. There are a number of ways to decorate a baby shower party. The possibilities for baby shower decorations are endless.

Setting up baby shower decorations

When setting up baby shower decorations, the first thing to consider is the theme of the baby shower party. The theme of the baby shower party will have a bearing on the type of baby shower decorations needed to liven up the party area. The baby shower party may have a traditional theme wherein baby shower decorations would include silver and china.

However more and more baby shower parties are adopting modern themes that make use of popular cartoon characters. The baby shower decorations for this type of baby shower party are centered on the specific character used as theme. Many stores that specialize in baby shower decorations have a wide assortment of designs for baby shower decorations.

Ideas for baby shower decorations

Baby shower decorations need not be big and expensive. Imagination and creativity play a big part in the selection and arrangement of baby shower decorations. With a little ingenuity, putting together a baby shower party need not break the bank.

When setting up the area of the baby shower party, it is often best to stick to simple baby shower decorations that will not make the place look too gaudy. Seasonal flowers and a number of party toys for baby shower decorations make for a simple yet cozy gathering for a baby shower party among family and friends.

For a more elaborate baby shower party, baby shower decorations will include a lot more than flowers and a few toys. But fortunately most of these items can be re-used for other occasions like a child's birthday party. Or the host may give the baby shower decorations to the couple after the party as souvenirs or toys for the new baby.

Inexpensive baby shower decorations

Balloons are a great way to perk up the scene of any party. Colorful balloons can be arranged together to create a focal point at the tables of the baby shower party. In addition, to prevent the balloons from flying off, small baby items like baby bottles or soft plush toys can be tied at the end of the string.

Everyday, ordinary baby items also make great baby shower decorations. A baby bath tub can be used as a punch bowl during the baby shower party. The tub may also be used as a receptacle to hold the different gifts given by guests for the mom-to-be. The tub may be decorated with ribbons and balloons to coincide with the theme of the party.

Umbrellas also make for interesting baby shower decorations. These may be hung upside down from the ceiling with colorful streamers tied to the ends of the umbrellas.

Baby shower decorations can be created from simple items. Resourcefulness is the key to creating wonderful baby shower decorations that don't cost much.

How to Select the Right Educational Toys

Is it Safe?

Without a doubt the most important factor when choosing any educational toy for your baby is safety. The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) has published a number of articles regarding safety standards & safety information, as well as keeping a ban list and recalled items list. This is recommended as your first point of call when researching any products for your baby.

Beware of second-hand and hand-me-down toys as they may be broken, missing pieces, or missing important safety information. Be sure to give them a thorough inspection before allowing your child to play with them.

Remember: You are the last line of defense when it comes to your child's safety, always ensure they are supervised especially when playing near water, even very shallow amounts.

Choosing Age-Appropriate Toys

The best guide for buying toys for children is to see what they enjoy playing with, and be sure to keep an eye on the manufacturers recommended age.

0 – 6 Months

Simple toys to help your baby practice his grasp and learn that his hands are useful tools, high contrast colours (black, white, red) to help him focus and keep his attention:

• Small rattles with handles.
• Rubber rings.
• Soft balls or dolls.
• Bath toys.
• I-Qube.

6 – 12 Months

Toys that encourage her to push, pull, press and move working parts, noise making toys, hard and soft toys of different textures:

• Activity gyms.
• Music boxes.
• Stacking Cups.
• Activity toys.
• Balls.
• Toy cars.

12-18 Months

Toys that can be pushed, pulled, ridden, stacked, filled and dumped.

• Shopping carts.
• Riding toys.
• Bucket & spade.
• Basket of objects to be carried and dumped.
• Drums.
• Butchers paper & large crayons.

18 - 24 Months

Inside and outside toys with plenty of room to crawl, walk, run, and jump:

• Large blocks and blankets to build forts.
• Picture books.
• Dolls.
• Board Books.
• Butchers paper & large crayons.

24 - 36 Months

Outside toys allowing plenty of room to safely run, jump, and climb:

• Jungle Gyms
• Dress-up clothes.
• Boxes.
• Books.
• Paddle pools.
• Butchers paper & large crayons.

Crib Mattress Covers: Simple Ways To Keep Your Kids Allergy Free

There's nothing more frightening for new parents than the thought that their child may be sick. While most parents do well keeping their child away from common cold and flu germs, not everyone takes into account the affect household allergens may have on a newborn. Common respiratory symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, coughing and difficulty breathing are often examples of allergic rhinitis, or respiratory allergies, and are caused by a simple factor in the child's environment. Dust mites, pet dander, mold, pollen –young children can develop allergies to a number of everyday things. Luckily, removing allergens and thus preventing or reducing allergic reactions can be a very easy process. The most important part of the process, though, is knowing what you're up against.

It is important to understand what respiratory allergens are if you expect to protect your child from them. An allergy is an immune reaction to an irritable substance in the child's environment. The child's body views these irritants as dangerous and releases chemicals, such as histamines, that cause uncomfortable and potentially harmful symptoms. While a child may eventually develop immunity to these irritants, untreated or ignored allergic symptoms can lead to such respiratory problems as asthma and emphysema.

The most common allergens are dust mites, animal dander and molds. Dust mites are microscopic organisms that live in carpets and fabrics and feed on dead flakes of human and animal skin. Children can develop respiratory allergies from inhaling accumulated mites in areas that aren't cleaned properly or regularly. Bedding, clothing and comforters should be washed in hot water at least once a week. For additional protection, cribs and beds should be covered with an impermeable mattress encasement. These covers act as a barrier between your baby and allergy-causing dust mites. It is also important to vacuum and dust weekly; a vacuum cleaner with a high efficiency particulate arresting (HEPA) filter helps trap particles normal dusting and vacuuming can miss. It is also important to clean or replace heating ducts, furnace and air conditioning filters whenever they're in use.

Stuffed animals and plush toys can also be a haven for dust mites. Make sure you wash your child's favorite plush toys as often as you would his or her bedding and clothing.

Pet dander is another common household allergen. Unfortunately, the only sure-fire way to protect your child from dander is to give the animal away. This can often be a very difficult and heartbreaking decision, but if your child's allergic reaction is severe it may be the only option. If your child has only a mild allergy you might consider simply keeping the animal well-groomed, shampooed, off furniture and out of the child's room.

Mold is a versatile and particularly irksome allergen. Molds can grow in closets, attics, cellars, planters, refrigerators, showers, garbage cans, mattresses, carpets –just about any warm, moist area in the house. Mold allergies are caused by the spores the mold uses to reproduce. These spores can cause significant health problems. The best way to prevent mold growth is to keep the air in troublesome areas of your home dry. A dehumidifier can help keep air dry in the winter, while a good air conditioner can achieve the same effect in the summer. Keeping high-risk areas clean is also important—use mold-inhibiting disinfectants such as bleach or tea tree oil and water.

Of course, any respiratory symptoms should be checked by your child's physician. Most doctors won't prescribe allergy medication to newborns, especially children younger than six months, but they may have treatment options that better fit your child's specific allergy problem.

It's fairly easy to determine whether your child is going to have a tendency to be allergic. Allergic tendencies are inherited, though specific allergies are not. If either you or your mate is allergic to cats, for instance, your child will have a fifty percent chance of developing some sort of allergy as well, though not necessarily to cats. Allergies also take a while to develop. Newborns may not show symptoms of allergic reactions for a few months; then, suddenly, the child's exposure level to mites, mold or dander will reach its threshold and the child will start to develop symptoms.

Newborn allergies can be a scary experience for parents, especially if you are unprepared for them. The best way to help treat allergies is to prevent them before your child is even home from the hospital. Thoroughly clean and disinfect any areas the newborn will occupy, invest in proper ventilation and vacuum symptoms, and keep clothes and bedding washed regularly and protected with impermeable covers. Taking care of a newborn can bring about a number of unforeseen obstacles, but with proper preparation, common household allergens don't need to be one of them.

~Ben Anton, 2008

Determining Your Baby Shower Guest List

Pregnancy is always an exciting time. You are busy thinking about a thousand things - what sex the baby will be, what name to choose, how to decorate the nursery, etc. But, many of your friends probably have one thing at the top of their priority list - your baby shower. Baby showers are a great time to get together with friends and celebrate the upcoming birth and all the excitement that goes with that.

When the appropriate time comes, you will probably be approached by at least one friend about a baby shower. This may be your best friend from high school or the girlfriend you ran around with while still single. You may even be approached by relatives who want to throw a shower for you. Some people have multiple baby showers - one thrown by family members, one thrown by friends and one thrown by coworkers. No matter who throws the shower for you, you will need to think about whom to put on the guest list. Chances are, your aunt, best friend or coworker are not going to know everyone you would like to invite, so she is going to need a little help from you.

First, you will need to decide if you think you are going to have more than one shower. If you hear rumors of a family shower, you probably do not want to invite family members to your "friends" shower. If you have coworkers that are also close friends, you do not want to invite them to your "friends" shower only to find out you are having a work related shower as well. So keep your ears open to try to find out as much as possible to avoid duplicate invitations. You can even ask people you are close to if you feel comfortable enough and explain to them why you are asking. It will not be the worst thing if Aunt Silvia has to tell you to hold off on inviting your best friend to the family shower "just because."

Be sure to ask the shower host how many people can attend the shower. It may depend on where the shower is being held. Some people have their showers at their church so there is plenty of room and seating, but many people have them in their homes, so there may be a limited amount of space. You also do not want to overload your shower host's budget. She may be thinking you will invite fifteen people and you do not want to show up with a list of a hundred people. Remember that the shower invitations, decorations, and refreshments are going to cost your host money and you want to be respectful of her generosity in offering to throw you a shower.

Once you have an idea of what type of baby showers you are going to have, then you need to sit down and write out a list. You may want to jot down names on a sheet of paper before you start looking up addresses. You may even want to ask some other people whom you should invite. With all you have going on, chances are you may forget someone, so it will be useful to have another person helping you. You do not want to hurt anyone's feelings by unintentionally leaving them off the guest list.

After you get your list set, you will need to start gathering addresses. Actually giving your names and addresses to the host may best be done on the computer if you are comfortable using it. Many people already keep names and addresses in online address books, so giving your host your shower list may be as simple as printing the address list and checking the names of those you want to invite. If you do not have your addresses online, you can type them into a spreadsheet to give to your shower host. An online copy of addresses may come in handy depending on whether she is going to have addresses printed on envelopes, print address labels for the envelopes, or hand write the addresses on each envelope. No matter how she is going to do it, having a nice, clear copy of all names and addresses will be beneficial.

Finally, if you forget someone important on your list and feel badly about it, invite them out to a special one-on-one lunch with you. It will not be the same as being at the shower, but can help mend hurt feelings from being left out.

Have fun determining your baby shower list. Call a few of your closest friends, grab your old address books and have a good time reminiscing as you jot down names.

Organic Baby Food A Big Hit In Scotland

**50% of Scottish Babies fed Organic Baby Food

According to the Scotsman, more than half of Scottish children under two are now fed an exclusively organic diet. In fact, organic baby food accounted for 43% of total baby food sales in 2004. That represented sales of more than 63 million GBP in 2004.

A survey of 805 mothers and pregnant women conducted by the polling company BMRB found that four out of five mothers chose organic food for weaning their young children off of milk (between 6 months and 1 year old). The reasons given were clearly related to additives and chemical spraying. Mothers in the survey cited "less risk of chemical pesticides" (87%), "no additives" (80%), and "no GM" (84%)

Intensive marketing campaigns by groups such as the Soil Association Scotland are getting the message across about the negative effects of pesticides. This is clearly having an impact on the buying preferences of parents, and also on changes in school menus.

Organic milk also has positive health characteristics. It can contain up to 71 per cent more omega 3 than non-organic milk and most organic milk has a better ratio of omega 3 to omega 6 than conventional milk. Companies such as Hipp are bringing new products to market -- such as organic purees for weaning purposes -- to take advantage of the demand.

But adults are not changing their own eating habits nearly as quickly. Asda, a Scottish supermarket chain owned by WalMart, says organic produce for adults accounts for only about 2% of total sales.

**Self-Serve Machines moving in on fast food restaurants

People fond of ridiculing low-paying fast food restaurant jobs will be pleased to hear that many of these jobs will soon be a thing of the past. At least if RoberServer has its way. The company has recently unveiled its new fast food self serve machines called the "Line Buster."

According to RoberServer, the Line Buster will allow customers to place their own orders from a 15" touch screen, and then pay for their order with the onboard credit card processor. Customers then pick up their order at the counter. Industry estimates show that self-serve technologies can cut customer waiting time by as much as 33%.

The company is targeting the 115,000 fast food restaurants in the U.S. Similar technology has already been deployed in ATMs and self-checkout grocery stores.

Would you like fries with your meal? Would you like fries with your meal? Would you like fries with your meal?

**FDA says snack makers must show trans fats

The term "trans fats" has become a synonym for "unhealthy". That's because these ingredients hide in most mass produced snacks, cookies, and frozen french fries and then help to clog our arteries and contribute to our obesity.

As of January 1, 2006, the FDA is requiring the labels on packaged snacks and foods to list the amount of trans fats per serving.

Trans fats are an ingredient in nearly 40 percent of packaged foods, and they are suspected of contributing to diabetes, heart disease, strokes and many other unhealthy conditions.

Health researchers have found that trans fats raise the levels of unhealthy cholesterol and lower the levels of beneficial blood cholesterol. They say as little as 2 to 3 grams a day -- less than is contained in a typical donut -- can be detrimental.

Trans fats are common in processed foods because food manufacturers can use cheap liquid oils and turn them into solids by hydrogenation. Most experts agree it is better to use products that have been made with polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fats such as those found in canola and olive oils.

Simply avoiding processed foods and snacks accomplishes the same thing, since whole, unprocessed foods do not have trans fat additives.

Baby Gifts – A Guide for Men

Buying gifts for babies can be a difficult chore for men, especially for single men. After all, how can a man who has no children know what the best Baby Gifts are? With this article I hope to help men take some of the mystery out of shopping for Baby Gifts. Baby shower gifts can be simple or elegant, traditional or creative and personal. Select with creativity and care. The possibilities are endless.

Check the registry. A lot of moms are doing the same thing for baby showers they have always done for wedding showers and that is to create a registry, a list of items she knows she will need. By picking something that is on the list you avoid having to make a choice at all. For a man, that's always the best choice!.

Use your experience as a parent (or ask someone you know who has kids): If you are a parent, think back to what you couldn't have done without. If you aren't a parent, then talk to one of your friends who is. They can help you choose the right Baby Gift.

Ask the new parents to give you a list of things they might need. If you are good friends with them, they won't mind you asking and might even appreciate the fact that you want to buy them a Baby Gift they can really use. Look around and imagine what they might need, like car seats, front carriers, etc.

Go in with a group to purchase baby furniture or strollers. This is perfect for men who don't have a clue! Ask some of your friends what they are getting as a Baby Gift and ask them if they want to split the cost of a more expensive Baby Gift.

Monogram an Item. A Picture Frame, A Bib, Baby Silverware, anything like that, can be a great baby Gift that is both useful and cherished.

Baby Gift Baskets. Shop around for little things you know the parents and the newborn will need. Baby Powder, Baby Lotion, Baby Shampoo, Diapers, and other small items in a Nice Baby Gift Basket is always a safe choice.

Personalized baby Song CD. Now this is a unique gift! Go to http://www.giftsfortots.ca/personalcds.asp and you can order a CD made with songs that actually use the baby's name in the songs!

Buy child-sized jewelry: Bracelets, Necklaces, ID bracelets, Tie Bars, and Cufflinks, make a great Baby Gift made for babies make great Baby Gifts.

Choose clothes in size 3 months or larger. Anticipating that the baby will soon grow out of the clothes usually bought at a baby shower can please the parents immensely . Include gift receipts if possible so they can be exchanged if you suspect you have awful taste or if they just need them in a different size.

Start the baby's library with a book. Choose one of the classics for children, Winnie the Pooh and other books are a great Baby Gift. Put a nameplate in the front cover for a personal touch.

Give the baby a savings bond. Start their college fund with a savings bond and the gift is truly for the baby. The parents will appreciate the gift and it will encourage them to add to it as years go by. Get them started early!

We hope the Tips on buying a Baby Gift are helpful to you. There are more tips for buying Baby Gifts at http://babyport.info/30789.php Take time to choose the right gift and it will be very much appreciated.

Tips To Selecting Baby Names

Picking out baby names is one of the first things that a couple can do in planning for their new arrival. The most common way to find the best selection is through a book of baby names or through the annual announcement of the most popular baby names being given to newborns.

When selecting baby names, it is important that the couple choose a name that they both are fond of and will be proud to place on the birth certificate. Many infants are named after one parent or the other and, in some cases, even a grandparent or other family namesake.

Choose a name that fits well with the child's last name. It doesn't matter whether baby names are short or lengthy, but how they sound together will follow the child throughout their life.

When deciding on a middle name, say it to yourself and aloud several times. And, you can even write it down on paper and see how it looks. Either of these exercises will give you a good idea as to how the full name will look and sound.

It's a good idea to select a name that is unique. While there are certain baby names that are very popular for newborns, it is nice to give your child a name that is not so common and may set them apart from the rest. There are a large number of uncommon, but beautiful, baby names that are ideal for infants.

When choosing baby names, it's nice to select one that sounds classy and elegant. One of the best ways of accomplishing this is to read the meaning behind each name. Did you know that all baby names have a meaning behind them? Many parents not only look at the name itself, but of it's meaning and definition to help guide them toward a decision. If a child was unplanned, but a nice surprise nonetheless, perhaps a name that is inspired by luck or good fortune would be one befitting of your little one. If your new child is one that was hoped for over a long period of time, then a name that is inspired by hope and a blessing would be the perfect of all baby names.

The internet is a wealth of information where baby names are concerned. From resources to purchasing books and CD reference guides to free listings of baby names, the world wide web is the best place to find every resource imaginable.

Soothing Essentials For Mom And Baby

New moms don't have a lot of time on their hands so they need products that will quickly and conveniently address their babies' needs-and soothe and relieve their own post pregnancy-related ailments.

Beyond the baby basics (diapers, formula and bottles), there are a number of soothing, nurturing and gentle essentials to consider:

• Sometimes newborn babies miss the gentle rhythmic sounds of the heartbeat that lulled them to sleep in the womb. When a baby has a hard time falling asleep, products such as Baby Einstein's Baby Mozart® Music CD can help encourage a peaceful dreamtime.

• Another way to soothe a baby into a restful slumber is to start with a calming bath. A nightly routine using Johnson's® Bedtime Bath® will signal that bedtime is near. Plus, the calming and relaxing properties of lavender and chamomile can soothe both baby and mom.

• Welcoming a new baby into the world brings feelings of elation for the whole family, but for new moms it can also bring less desirable feelings-like chafing and itching.

To help, women's health care experts at Monistat® created Soothing Care® Intimate Care products. The line offers products that prevent and treat a range of discomforts such as skin chafing, which can occur between thighs and underarms or anywhere that delicate, sensitive skin may experience rubbing.

Other remedies alleviate things like itching and burning, which can persist on new mom's newly sensitive skin.

• Maintaining a healthy diet rich in vitamins and nutrients is one of the most important things a new mom can do for herself and her new baby. Smart snacks such as Luna Bars, fresh and dried fruits and wholesome granola are fortified with key essential vitamins to help replenish mom after giving birth and provide the necessary energy for keeping up with her baby.

Some other tips include stocking up on favorite snacks, restaurant take-out menus and movies before the baby's arrival. That way moms will have things to enjoy readily available during the first few hectic weeks.

Also, moms are encouraged to take advantage of help when it's offered. By relying on the kindness of friends and family who bring over dinner or baby-sit, moms can squeeze in much-needed time out of the house or an afternoon of rest.

A line of soothing products can alleviate the chafing new mothers sometimes experience.

Difference between a bassinet and a cradle

If you're a new parent looking for bed supplies for your new baby, you'll likely wonder whether you should buy a cradle or a bassinet. And then you'll ask yourself what the differences are between a bassinet and a cradle. Many people tend to lump the two together, but there are some differences that new parents should be aware of.

Bassinets

Much of the time, bassinets are made of natural fibers like wicker and tend to be more portable than cradles. Bassinets are great for parents who travel a lot, live in a house with more than one floor, or are very active. In addition, they are usually smaller and lighter than a cradle, but the sizes do vary. Bassinet bedding can either be purchased or custom made to fit the requirements and tastes of the parents; new parents need to be aware that though there are similarities between Bassinets and cradles, they take different mattresses, sheets, and bedding.

Cradles

Cradles are usually larger than bassinets and more stationary. They are usually made of wood and manufactured materials. Cradles come in many forms and with differing functions. There is a portable cradle that is smaller and more manageable that you can take on an extended visit to family or friends. Cradles are usually manufactured with a mechanism that will produce a side-to-side motion designed to comfort your baby and help them sleep. Most cradles have two floor rockers that allow a side-to-side rocking motion; others come with the frame suspended on hooks and gently sway rather than rock your baby. Baby bedding for cradles follows the same rules as bassinets: the bedding between the two is not interchangeable, so make sure you get the appropriate bedding for your choice of baby bed.

Whether you purchase a bassinet or cradle, remember to always buy a firm mattress that fits snugly and fits properly. You should not be able to stick more than two fingers between mattress and the side of the cradle or bassinet. Look for legs with strong locks to avoid fold-ins, smooth surfaces without wicker particles or outside hardware, and a sturdy, stable base that is both appropriate for the baby's weight and wide enough to remain stable, especially in the case of a rocking cradle.

Ensuring your child has an easy transition into the world is hard enough without having to worry about how well they will sleep at night, Both bassinets and cradles are excellent choices for those with new baby's—simply follow the guidelines and proper use for the cradle or bassinet, buy the correct baby sheets, bumpers, and liners, and buy the correct mattress. Figure out which option best suits your lifestyle and move ahead, confident and secure in the fact that your child will soon be sleeping safely and soundly in their new bed.

Baby Bedding Shopping By a New Father To Be

Up until a couple weeks ago, I had never thought about baby bedding, cribs and crib safety, baby feeding supplies or any of the other countless items it takes to prepare for the arrival of our future NFL super star. I was clueless as to the magnitude of the preparations involved in having a baby, and no I have not been in a coma the last 26 years, I've heard expecting couples and new parents talking about newborns and going on and on about crib safety and thread counts of baby bedding spewing out so many facts and stats on the subject that it reminded me of one of those sports fanatics that every neighborhood bar has, who sits there all evening stating one stat after another while you think to yourself "this guy needs a life".

But here's the shocker: I caught myself yesterday engaging in one of these conversations with two other couples in an almost heated debate over whether California Kids or Kid's Line Bedding has a higher thread count. This is amazing enough, but even more remarkable is the fact that I had never met either couple before that surreal moment in aisle 11 at Toys 'R' Us where I stated material preferences and quoted safety alerts from the CPSC's website on baby bedding.

And yet it's only the beginning, I now realize I am only two steps from becoming one of those diaper bag carrying, mini-van driving parents whose lazy Sunday afternoons spent reading the Times or napping at will are but a distant memory while they shuffle through their endless "to do" list at one of many after school events.

Scary? Heck yea! But on the other hand, I can hardly wait!

Now let's discuss something very important, Baby Bedding. Unlike bedding for adults, there are a lot of considerations in buying baby bedding like comfort and safety. The Consumer Product Safety Commission lists safety tips on baby bedding on their website at www.cpsc.gov and should be followed.

Baby Shower Gift Baskets: Gifts For The Perfect Shower

A baby shower is a very special time and it is important to choose the right gift. You've circled the date on your calendar. You know that it's approaching. All of your other friends have purchased their presents weeks in advanced, but you, the only single left in the bunch, still can't decide on what present to bring to your friend's baby shower.

Let's face it, you know nothing about babies. Your presence make babies cry! You can't tell a blanket from a diaper! This is your first time ever to attend one of these so called events. You know you suck at this, and everyone knows it too, but still you have to go, It's a test of friendship! So what do you do?

Well, for starters you wipe that frown off of your face, and you put on your "I'm happy to be an auntie smile!'. Then, you go to a shopping mall, and you grab yourself a baby shower gift basket!

Gift baskets contain everything from soft toys, hats, blankets, undergarments, changing pads, sleeping gowns, teething toy, bears, etc.

The great thing about gift baskets is that they are very useful. The people who put together baby shower gift baskets know what they are doing! The things that are included in a baby shower gift basket are exactly the things that a new mother, and an upcoming baby will need.

So you know you'd be getting your money's worth when you purchase a baby shower gift basket. More importantly, it will make the recipient happy. New mothers need all the help that they could get, especially once the have delivered their babies. The daily expenses of a family always escalates with the addition of a new member. So it is best to give presents that will help to provide for the needs of the new mother, and baby.

Baby shower gift baskets come in different themes. Some of these baskets concentrate on the baby's bath time needs. Items like: towels, washcloths, comb and brush sets; and of course, the quintessential giant rubber duckies are included.

This puts variety, and a fun twist on the baby shower gift basket idea! So you'd actually have quite a selection to choose from.

These baby shower gift baskets vary in prices, depending on the intricacy of the lay out, and items included in the basket. The average price for a baby shower gift basket is around $70.

These baskets are usually divided into girl themes, and boy themes. The girl- themed baskets usually come in pink, and contain items suitable for a baby girl. While the boy-themed gift baskets offer things that a baby boy will need.

These baby shower gift baskets can also be purchased online. So if you don't have any time to shop, you can just always order a gift basket online. The selection of these gift baskets are usually displayed online. Also, the items that are included inside is listed along side the picture of the gift basket.

They come in a nicely gift wrapped packaging that includes a ribbon and a card. This allows you to write a personal greeting, and a dedication to the mother. Don't forget to include well wishes for the baby!

If you've purchased your gift basket online, you can just type in your dedication on the net. This way, your dedication will be included in the gift basket that you've ordered. It will then be delivered to the specified recipient.

Baby shower gift baskets are a wonderful and thoughtful gift idea because they include a little bit of everything. They are also very meaningful because they provide things that will provide for the needs of a newborn baby.

So become a baby shower superstar, and bring a baby shower gift basket to the party. All your friends will be in awe of you!

Playing With Your Baby – How To Make An Impact

If you're wondering how to interact with your baby in the early days, just think back to your own childhood. Games your mom played with you are not outdated. In addition to making baby smile, silly baby rituals like "this little piggy went to market" teach your child some important early skills. Here are some favorites, and some things you may not know about them.

· Peek-a-boo – This is one of the most important, because it teaches your baby that even when you can't see something, it's still there. When your child gets older and starts to have anxiety separation, knowing that things that he can't see will come back (meaning you) will come back.

· Patty-cake – Clapping your hands or your baby's hands with this rhyme will help teach early motor coordination, though don't expect baby to be able to clap on his own until he is over a year old.

· Where are baby's eyes? This simple ritual of pointing out where baby's body parts are located is great for teaching not only the body parts themselves, but teaching him to respond to your questions. If you give lots of praise when he finds his nose on his own, he will be encouraged to respond to your requests of any nature.

· The itsy bitsy spider – This favorite song from our childhood teaches the coordination of words with actions, so don't forget to get your spider climbing fingers into the groove.

· How big? – You can teach the concept of large and small, as well as helping gross motor development by asking how big things are and spreading arms wide or putting hands close together for small things.

· Old MacDonald – This old, old song is a great way to teach animals and the sounds they make. Your child will be able to imitate the sounds long before they can sing the song, so encourage a duet on this one.

· One, two, buckle my shoe – This one is great for teaching numbers, and kids love to hear rhymes.

· Songs – Babies love to hear you sing, so it's important to get a good repertoire. You may also find that one particular song can calm your baby when nothing else will, so pay close attention to your baby's reactions to different songs.

You might feel silly playing some of these games at first, but once you see the impact on your baby, you'll get over your stage fright. Games and songs are critical to your baby's development and to cementing that bond between the two of you. These little rituals are your first opportunity to have fun with your baby, so don't miss out!

A Guide To Baby Gift Registries

If you're having a baby and would like to register for baby gifts, all you have to do is go to the Internet to a website that has baby gift registries, sign up and select the gifts that like or need. There are many websites online that host these registries. They are convenient, easy to use and a big help for those families and friends who are looking for the perfect gift to give your new arrival.

Registering online is easy. There is usually a form to fill out asking name, address, phone number, etc. When that is completed, you will be prompted to select from among hundreds of baby items. As you choose, your items will be stored in the registry. When someone logs on to the registry, they select from the items you listed. The item they choose is then listed as purchased.

A baby gift registry is truly a nice way to spread the word about the arrival of one's bundle of joy. It offers all the items that parents need to care for their baby. Most products offered are quality baby goods and are priced reasonably.

Baby registries make shopping easy and saves time and money. There is no running from store to store, hoping you select the right gift -- one that someone else hasn't already purchased. Purchases online are usually made with a credit card, but one can also usually mail a check. Once payment is processed, the gift is immediately mailed. Most websites are secure, so there is no need to worry about stolen information.

Registries are set up with the idea of knowing what expecting or new parents need and giving family and friends the opportunity to purchase baby gifts the parents would like to receive.

Bowflex For Baby Boomers

There are hundreds and maybe thousands of physical fitness guru's all claiming to have the perfect answer, the "magic bullet" for physical fitness and a solution to a healthier body and lifestyle. Well, I'm not going to claim to have the perfect answer! However, I do have a few tips on an easy to use piece of exercise equipment that may be one of the best for all ages and is particularly suitable for those of us who are either baby boomers or a bit more seasoned. It's the Bowflex...any version but a basic machine such as the Bowflex Sport is a perfect place to start.

So what's the catch here? Absolutely no catch whatsoever..... just an enthusiasm to share some ideas on perhaps one of the most efficient, versatile and affordable exercise machines available for home use. The Bowflex combines aerobic and strength training with a smooth pulley and power rod resistance system that's easy set up. You can easily switch resistance with the power rods through a wide range of motions for a complete strength and aerobic workout. Now don't get me wrong on the expected results. The Bowflex ads show smiling, well muscled young people whom we all would like to look like, no matter what age. Well, now you may just want to get back some muscle tone and some of that past strength and endurance you once had. At any rate, here we are at 55, 60, 65 or older and card carrying members of AARP. Most of us simply want to maintain or improve our strength, muscle tone and respiratory efficiency. Today many doctors and physical fitness experts are espousing weight training and especially the use of free weights as we age. Everyone now acknowledges that maintaining and / or building our strength is critical in later years. We will certainly function with greater confidence and renewed strength but we will also be less likely to fall and if we do, less likely to suffer fractures since strength training adds to our bone mass. What we don't hear talked about too frequently is the potential of injury with free weights if not properly supervised. Added to the injury possibility, there is also the need for other pieces of equipment such as various benches and supports in order to get a full range of activity with free weights.

So, let's talk about the Bowflex. Perhaps you've seen the infomercials and watched as the group of well muscled young men and women gathered around a Bowflex machine and marveled at how easy it works and the quality of the workout it provides. So, how does this apply to you...at 55, 60, 65 years or older?

First, you can safely use the Bowflex without needing a partner. However before staring a program check with your physician to insure that you have no physical ailments that would preclude vigorous exercise. The Bowflex is a home device and since it's in your home, it's available at anytime. I must caution you on the hype of "now you can use it anytime of your choosing". That may be correct, but to be successful you must establish a set time every day for your workout. Once you start slipping or changing times, you run the very real danger of skipping days and then a week or more and then suddenly you have no set program and you're back to being a couch potato.

The Bowflex machine comes with a very nice manual of exercises and instructions and most will also have an instructional DVD. Let's walk through some Bowflex 101 in the real world and set some realistic goals and simple to follow instructions:

1.Maintain a set time schedule either daily or every other day. Many prefer early morning exercise routines so that it doesn't get cancelled out later in the day by unexpected events.....or lost will power. Early workouts also tend to set a positive, go get 'em attitude when those endorphins kick in from good prolonged vigorous exercise. Many experts say that the most effective time for the body to exercise is mid-afternoon and the least effective is at night. Working out late in the evening may also cause some sleep disruption.

2.Review the exercise manual that Bowflex provides but don't become a slave to the described routines. While the programs were developed by experts, let your own sense of what's working be your guide.

3.After reviewing the manual, establish your beginning program routine and stick to it for at least two full weeks or longer without deviation. Maintaining a consistent pattern will allow you to assess whether the program you've selected is comfortable for you and not too boring. It's important to make the workout interesting as well as challenging. Boredom can lead to you dropping out so don't let that happen!

4.Design your program to include aerobic as well as strength activities. While the Bowflex will greatly assist in developing strength, the aerobic exercises are terrific and important.

5.Start off with easy resistance power rods. Remember, this is going to be a lifestyle addition and not a quick fix so there is no reason to use too much weight resistance at the beginning. It is best to get comfortable with how the Bowflex operates using lower resistance and then gradually increase the weight / resistance.

6.Don't feel compelled to "do the manual". Select the exercises that work well with your strength and flexibility and rotate through them. Make sure, though, that you balance upper body, arms, legs and abdominals in your program.

7.Make sure you take advantage of the aerobic rowing motion. The seat glides easily and the resistance power rods and pulleys are exceptionally smooth in operation.

8.Be Creative! In a short time, you'll be totally at ease and be able to handle any of the Bowflex routines. When that happens, you're now ready to mix and match and create new routines on your own.

So, while this is an exercise machine for all ages, the Bowflex from my experience is exceptionally well suited for the great generation of Baby Boomers and beyond. It's simplicity of set up, easy switching process from one exercise routine to another, wide range of weight resistance and easy fluid motion give this machine an A++ rating in my book!. While this is not an advertisement, you may want to check out the Bowflex website or other websites that offer exercise equipment. At any rate, get started on a healthier life style.

Be active, be healthy and be happy!