How To Create Amazing Baby Shower Invitations

When it comes to creating baby shower invitations, spend the extra time to do things right as the invitations really set the tone for the shower. That's why in planning for a baby shower party, you should give significant attention to the baby shower invitation. Remember that you should always send out invitations for special occasions like baby shower. The good news is you don't have to leave your home when shopping for quality baby shower invitation. The Internets is full of different baby shower invitations from different styles and designs, from casual to formal to elegant and cute. There is also baby shower invitation for every budget range. You can even find invitations with chocolate and candies, with the details printed on the wrapper. Now, isn't that neat?

Look for a website with a wide collection of baby shower invitation designs and styles. Some companies would be happy personalize an invitation and some would even address and mail them for you. Now that's really hassle free service. All of you have to do is choose your design, give them he necessary information then attend to the more important aspects of your baby shower.

Confused at the many choices of baby shower invitation? Not knowing what baby shower invitation style or design to choose? Your main guide should be the theme of baby shower party. Is the baby shower party a formal event or is t just a simple gathering? In picking the right baby shower invitation for your baby shower party, you must choose one that reflects the theme of the party. If you are planning a jungle themes party then you must choose invitation with animals and jungle prints. If you are planning to decorate with angels then choose baby shower invitation with angles and other heavenly things. If you are planning to decorate with a specific cartoon character then choose an appropriate invitation. If you don not have a theme then choose an invitation with a general baby themed design like animals, baby bottles, babies, stars, rattles, cartoon characters, etc.

Once you've already decided on what kind of baby shower invitation to get, you can go to the process of ordering them. When you have the invitations already you can already start filling them up. Remember to include the following information: Name of guest of honor, date, time, place, whether it will be a surprise or not, RSVP date and phone number or return card. You should precise as to the details of the baby shower so as to avoid confusion.

If you have to send out the invitation yourself then you must mail it at least 4 – 6 weeks before the baby shower. If guests are from faraway places then send it 8 – 12 weeks in advance. It would also be nice to include a map or sketch of the location of the event.

The most important thing that your should remember is to make the invitation as attractive as possible. It is an invitation for an event announcing the arrival of your baby so it has to be special.

If you are the creative and crafty type, you can always make your own babsy shower invitation. Pick up ideas, from your frids, relatives, books or from the Internet. Making your won baby shower invitation would definitely add a personal touch to the event.

Baby shpwer invitauos come in a vcaruety of styles and designs. The babay shower inviataion you will buy should be according to your choiuce and rpefernece.

Baby Car Seats Safety Tips

Baby car seats can prevent serious injury to your child in the event of an accident. It is the law that all children under the age of twelve should be seated in the back seat. This is especially true if you have airbags in the front.

From the time you bring your baby home from the hospital, s/he should be placed in an appropriate car safety seat. Infants must be in a rear facing infant only seat or an appropriate convertible seat until s/he weighs twenty pounds or reach the age of one. After twenty pounds and after the first birthday, toddlers can use a forward facing seat until they reach approximately forty pounds or their ears reach the top of the car seat. Over forty pounds, a child must be in a seatbelt positioned booster seat.

Your car seat belts should not be used by a child under the age of eight unless they are four feet nine inches tall. A booster seat should be used until then. There are many different types of booster seats are available.

Your child should be appropriately restrained at all times. Your child will not be ready to use regular seatbelts until the shoulder trap fits across the shoulder not the neck. The lap belt must fit across the hips and not his stomach.

When installing car seats the manufacturer's directions must be followed exactly. if you don't have them call the company for a replacement. The car seat will have a label which will have the manufacturer, the address, and the phone number. It will also show the name of the car seat. You must have this information to get a replacement. If there is no label on the seat do not purchase it. It could be a seat that was damaged in a car accident.

If you are purchasing the car seat second hand, inspect it thoroughly. Check all the belts for fraying, all fasteners for cracks, and the padding of the seat to be sure it is not ripped or torn. Always check to see if there is a label on the seat, it will have the information you need if there is no manual available. Ask questions such as has this seat been in a crash? If so, do not purchase it. It may look fine but its safety may have been compromised. There could be a misalignment of the frame resulting in your child's safety being compromised.

No matter what type of seat you purchase, and there are many, consider how much you can spend. If expense is a concern a convertible travel system maybe in order. A rear-facing car seat can be used as a front facing car seat until the appropriate age. There is a base that remains in the car. The infant/toddler car seat then can be attached to a stroller frame and later it can reattach to the base that's in the car. Check out your options and consider what will be best as far as expenses are concerned. Do your research and determine what will be best for you and your child. Always, the first concern should be the safety of your baby from day one.

It is important to know what type of seat your vehicle will accommodate. Your car owner's manual or a dealer will be able to tell you what is compatible with the vehicle you own. It is an overwhelming choice to make but begin looking for a car seat when you find out you are expecting. A well informed choice will keep your baby safe.

Baby Shower Food: What And How To Serve

A baby shower is a traditional way of celebrating the coming (or the birth) of a new baby and welcoming him or her as a new member of the family. They can be hosted and organized by anybody, usually the close friends/group of friends or relatives of the expectant parents. It was once considered improper for family members to host baby showers (because they usually center on the gift giving), but nowadays it is fine for family members to help (and plan) them.

Baby showers are usually held a month or two before the mother's expected due date (some cultures, however, consider it bad luck to hold baby showers before the baby is born). They are intended not only to welcome the baby but also to help the expectant parents by giving them gifts that they will need for the baby.

Planning for a baby shower can be an enormous task. Everything requires a great deal of planning - from the guest list, to handing out invitations, to the decorations, to the games, to baby shower favors - and, most especially, to the food.

Every party cannot be without food, as they are considered as one of the best parts or the highlight of a party. This applies to baby showers as well.

There are numerous types of food that you can serve during baby showers. Some of them are the following:

· Bread or sandwiches · Dessert (cakes, cookies, ice cream, etc.) · Chips or fries · Pasta · Pies (pizzas, etc.) · Salad · Drinks (punch, juice, wine, etc.)

Below is a list of several tips and guidelines on food ideas that will surely delight your guests and the parents-to-be:

1. The baby shower food that you serve will largely depend on the time of day when it will be held. A baby shower that will be held at noon or at dinnertime usually requires a full 'sit-down' meal, while early afternoon or early evening showers can do with appetizers, salads, and finger foods. In addition, the amount of food that you need to prepare will depend on the number of guests you will be inviting.

2. Have multiple snack trays for serving different varieties of food - you can have one with an assortment of finger sandwiches, another with sliced turkey or smoked chicken, and still another with sliced fresh vegetables served with a dip that you can place in the center of the tray.

3. Try to match your food and keep them in-line with the baby shower's theme (if ever there is any). You may consider serving scones and finger sandwiches if your baby shower theme is a tea party. Or, if you are having a nursery rhyme-themed baby shower, cakes and pies that resemble the characters from famous nursery rhyme (such as Humpty Dumpty deviled eggs).

4. Put some 'life' in the baby shower foods that you will serve. Instead of serving your fruit salad in a simple salad bowl, try presenting them in a melon bowl (or better yet, in a baby carriage-shaped melon server).

5. Decorate your food table by tossing baby pacifier candies, chocolate bars, and confetti all over it.

6. Personalize your eating utensils. Match their colors with the color scheme of the entire party. Consider using disposable cups or plates for easy clean up.

7. It is important to take into account the special diet of the mom-to-be, so try to avoid serving food that the pregnant mom herself would not eat. In addition to her allergies and food aversions, avoid the types of food that are prone to contamination and food poisoning, such as soft cheeses, uncooked meat and (most especially) alcohol.

By following these food tips, you will surely be able to pull off a successful (and memorable) baby shower.

Running Noses or Running Buffet - Baby Shower Recipes

Recipe menus differ at baby showers, what goodies are to be eaten on the day is entirely up to you. By choosing the right food for the baby shower will no doubt satisfy the guests when filling their bellies therefore a guarantee for the host that remembrance of this baby shower will forever be in the thoughts by all who indulged

Baby showers announce the pregnancy of a new baby on the way. Guests invited to the happy event get to bestow and give gifts and in return the baby shower host gets to give back in providing a feast or banquet depending on your budget.

A lot goes into planning a baby shower party like organizing games, displaying gifts and arranging the seats if a sit down meal is on the agenda. Most importantly on the day of the baby shower celebration, is the food. Watch the guests on arrival see how their eyes are drawn to the table full of edibles.

Common recipes for an appetizing baby shower spread are (pizza sandwiches) What you need if this popular tasty meal is go onto the table is flavoured Pizza sauce Low fat Cottage cheese, English muffins and cheese (Parmesan) Blend 2-3 tbsp of pizza sauce with 2-3 tbsp of cottage cheese, spread the mixture on one side of the muffin, sprinkle with parmesan cheese, and grill lightly until cheese melts. Serve.

Cheese Balls another favourite, ingredients required ½ lb grated cheese (cheddar) 1 pack cream cheese 4 oz Tabasco sauce 1tspWorcestershire sauce 2 onions Finely chopped nuts 2 tsp chilli sauce

Stir and mix the ingredients together using a food mixer, keep the cheese at room temperature. All ingredients to be placed into small bowls lined with plastic wrap. Chill over night in the fridge. Remove the wrap when dishing up the cheese balls and sprinkle with nuts. Assorted crackers are best served with this recipe.

These are just a couple of popular recipes for a baby shower but there are other tasty measures that can be taken. Depending on the seasonal months should it be spring/ summer then it is a running buffet with plenty of running champagne to celebrate but if it is chilly winter and the only thing running is noses then it has to be a hot broth a sure way of warming up the party on the inside and out.

Baby Shower Games Can Be Fun AND Inexpensive

Are you planning a baby shower? Are you trying to figure out what to do? If so, here are a few fun baby shower game ideas for you.

The key to great baby shower games is to be short and fun. The games will serve as ice breakers if the guests do not know each other, and the themes should always be babies. For a typical baby shower in which no full meals are served, expect to be able to play two or three games.

Icebreaker Games

These games will get your guests interacting.

Who Am I, the Baby Version - In this game, players are each given a piece of paper with the name of a famous person on it. They do not look at the name, but tape it to their forehead. They then must figure out who they are by the reactions of the other guests. In the baby version, consider using only famous celebrity mothers, or perhaps cartoon characters. Be creative!

Who Is That Baby? - Before the party, have guests send you photos of themselves as a baby. Have each guest try to match the baby picture with the correct adult. The person with the most matches wins.

Don't Say It - When guests arrive, give them each a pacifier on a ribbon which they can wear over their neck. Instruct them that they are not allowed to say "baby" during the party. If another guest catches them at it, the can take their pacifier. At the end of the party, the guest with the most pacifiers wins.

Word Games

Baby Boggle - Come up with a fun sentence about the baby and the mother-to-be. See how many baby related words guests can make in three minutes from the letters. Everyone reads their list, crossing off duplicates, and the person with the most remaining wins. Use a phrase such as "So there's going to be a new [parents' last name] in the world!"

Advice Poem - Have someone write down a short piece of advice to the new mother. Then have the next person write down a line to create a poem about advice they have for the new mom. Continue with each guest adding a line, but each time, fold the paper so that the only line visible is the last one that was written. At the end, have someone read the finished poem. It is sure to contain lots of good advice in quite a funny way. This can also be done with guests writing a poem about the mother-to-be. This is especially good at a "Pamper Mommy" themed party.

Time Capsule - Have each guest write a short note to the baby. Seal the notes in a plastic bag and place them in a box for the mother-to-be, telling her she can open them with her child on his or her fifteenth birthday.

Games with Gifts

Assuming everyone is bringing a gift, you can easily create a game around them.

Baby Box - Ask every guest to bring a small item such as a rattle or a pacifier. As they arrive, place the items in a box which has a small hole cut in the side. After all the guests have arrived, give each person 20 seconds to touch as many items as they can (no peeking!), then have them write down what they felt. The person with the most correct wins.

Active Games

These games will get the guests up off the couch.

Diaper Tower - Have guests stack as many diapers as they can without the tower falling over. Of course, the mother-to-be gets to keep the diapers!

Tree Planting - Have guests help plant a tree in honor of the baby. This is especially nice if the mother-to-be recently moved into a new home. (Of course, get her input on the type of tree she would like.)

Dirty Diapers - Buy ten different chocolate candy bars (Snickers, Hershey's, etc.). Melt the bars and put each into a separate diaper. Hang diapers along a clothesline before the guest arrive. Give each guest a piece of paper and have them smell all the diapers (take lots of pictures!). The winner is the guest who correctly identifies each candy bar.

Other Games

Are You Hungry? - Before dessert is served, bring in a tray of various baby foods, with the labels removed. Number each bottle and have the guests look at each (no tasting or smelling!) and write down what they think it contains. The winner is the person who identifies the most correct foods.

Pacifier Pass - Have everyone put a pen or pencil (or chopstick) in their mouth. Place a pacifier on the end of one of the pencils. Guests must pass the pacifier around the circle without using their hands. If a guest drops the pacifier, they are out. The winner is the last person still in the circle.

Bottle Race - Time guests drinking juice from a bottle - the fastest time wins! This is best done as a race, with white grape juice or something else that won't stain. And once again, the mother-to-be keeps the bottles.

Gifts for the Winners

Gifts for the winners of the baby shower games can vary, but something inexpensive like shower gel or coffee will do nicely. Or guests can rack up points for each game they play (100 to the winner, 90 to second place, etc.) and at the end of the night the grand prize winner can take home something a little nicer, such as a restaurant gift certificate or bottle of wine.

While you can buy baby shower games from most party stores, the games that are the most fun are those you create with the mother-to-be specifically in mind. A new mother will also appreciate it if any of the games result in baby items she can keep, and the guests will love a door prize. One way to get something every mother needs: tell guests that there is going to be a raffle, and the cost of entry is a pack of diapers. They can enter as many times as they would like. Then either buy or make a gift basket. For instance, the prize could be a bottle of wine, pasta, sauce, parmesan cheese, and some yummy cookies in a basket. It could also be a gift certificate to a restaurant or spa. This will keep the new mother in diapers for quite awhile!

Simple yet Effective Ways to Sharpen Memory in Children

One of the mysteries has been solved. Babies younger than 8-9 months old do remember and have specific memories. For a long time, the question has baffled researchers, doctors, as well as parents—whether children have the power to remember or does memory develop later in life.

Did you know that there are three distinct memory stores in the child's brain? They are the sensory register, short-term memory store, and long-term memory store. This is where experiences are retained, stored, and recalled.

Memory as you know plays a crucial part in learning and intelligence. And in order to enhance memory, you would need to promote aspects like focused attention, associated ideas, and repetition in your kids.

It is Really up to You

Many of us grew up thinking that thinking power and memory were inherited - that is why some people are average while others are geniuses. This is a myth, research proves that you the parent can raise your child's intelligence and improve memory greatly.

All you need to do is be a caring parent and devote time to the child. Nurturing is what creates a child who is caring, loving, and giving.

First you must never think negative thoughts. Children can feel your inner emotions and unexpressed feelings. A positive internal dialogue communicates to the child and enhances not just thinking but self-confidence.

Introduce breathing exercises as well as daily physical activities like gymnastics, jogging, sports, swimming, and so on. Do them with your child. Deep breathing and physical exercises stimulate a kid's mental processes as well as overall performance.

Did you know, mental gymnastics can be done by playing games like checkers, chess, scrabble, word jumbles, and cryptograms and so on. These games stimulate the mind and enhance strategy skills.

Make the home environment comfortable and warm. Be sure to converse with the children whenever you can. This develops their language skills right from birth to around 26 months of age and that too at a very rapid rate.

One of the age-old methods to enhance intellectual potential, build vocabulary, enhance memory and attention span is repetitive reading - so read to the kids when they are young and repeat the same story time and again so that the child absorbs every nuance.

The World of Memory Games

The easiest and most interesting way to help children sharpen their memories is to introduce them to different kinds of games.

For example you make up a limerick in which piggy goes to the market to buy his mother cake, next repeat the rhyme and add one more object to the list—cake and soap. And, as your child repeats the lines he will need to stretch his memory to remember what all piggy needed to buy.

Another oft played game is to put out a jumble of objects on a table. Next allow the child or group of children to glance at the objects for say two minutes. Cover the objects with a cloth and ask each child to jot down a list of what is on the table. This will test their recall and by asking questions about the objects you could jog their memories. Play the game often and you will find that the kids become whizzes at it.

Technology has introduced great innovations in memory games and children are drawn to the wonderful 3D graphics and compelling tales that absorb their attention completely. These are not just entertaining but are designed with enhancement of brain power and memory as the ultimate goal. For example, Smart Neurons has designed several educational CDs and DVDs that integrate imagery with sound and words keeping the children engrossed by the changing contexts, including music as well as words and sentences that are a part of the child's vocabulary and appropriate to the age group and developmental stage of the child.

Maternity Celeb Baby Names

Naming their babies seems to have become a growing trend (and some might even call it a sport) among celebrities, actors, actresses, pop musicians and the likes. The ultimate goal is to give the kid the coolest and rarest name in town (ShowbizVille).

Ten years ago or even five years ago the task was easy but since then it has become harder and harder to come up with something unique that would make headlines. And then you're also competing with your fellow showbiz colleagues' babies named Alaia, Amandine, Rebel etc.

So when reading the stories in magazines and newspapers what do we ordinary people do when hearing these maternity celeb baby names? Surely we're not able to create the same headlines or make it the 7 o'clock news but we can at least feel inspired.

The fact is that the showbiz world influences us in a lot of ways. It can be the way we cut our hair, the clothes we chose to buy, the make-up and the cars that we drive. So in reality it isn't that strange to see ordinary people giving their children names just like the celebrities.

Some examples of celeb baby names are: Alaia (Stephen Baldwin), Amandine (John Malkovich), Apple (Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin), Assisi Jade (Jagger), Atticus (Isabella Hoffman and Daniel Baldwin)...

The list is long and every week a new celeb baby name is making headlines. There has actually been published a book called "Cool Names for Babies" that has tons of celebrity baby names along with lots of other unique (some might call them strange) baby names.

To be honest I think that it is great that people are naming their kids are old Greek philosophers, Roman gods, extinct animals and the likes. It provides us with a great, colorful landscape of names and it sends out positive energy.

However I do feel that you need to give it some thought before giving your child some crazy names just to make it special. It might be unique to be names "Ass" but I'm sure that it'll give the kid a hard time growing up. So be careful what you end up naming your baby.

To end I'll give you a few more maternity celeb baby names for inspiration: Cosima (Nigella Lawson), Daisy Boo (Jamie Oliver), Dexter (Diane Keaton), Dixie Dot and Bibi Belle (Anna Ryder Richardson), Elijah Bob Patricus Guggi Q (Bono), Gulliver (Gary Oldman)...

Unique Baby Names

What's in a name? Er…well, everything, really! Of course your little bundle of joy is the sweetest, most beautiful thing you have ever seen and you want to choose a name that reflects his/her individuality, spirituality, uniqueness and all-round special-ness.

But wait a minute!

Remember that the unique baby name you choose will help define junior's life - how they are viewed and accepted - for many, many years. What sounds cute and original for a 5-year-old, may not sound so funky for a 15-year-old…and what about a 55-year old?

Time was when only celebrities could get away with unique baby names (Zowie Bowie, Dweezil and Moon Unit Zappa, etc), but in the modern world, individuality is more prized than ever before, and increasingly, this starts with our names. Great idea - but don't allow a flash of a self-indulgence to condemn your child to a lifetime of problems; it's reported that a Chinese couple named their child "Saddam Sars" to mark the current world events at the time of the birth! I just hope it means something nice in Mandarin, or Cantonese!

This probably wouldn't have happened in Germany, where names can only be registered if they recognizable, do not ridicule the child and are gender specific. Perhaps there is at least one Chinese child in the world, who will grow up wishing he/she were German!

So - assuming you are not German - what should you do if you want to create a unique baby name, without creating too many problems? Here are some tips and some warnings to make the process less painful:

1. Anagrams: try creating an anagram of an existing name.

2. Father and Mother: try using derivatives of one of the parents' names, or a combination of both. Alternatively, how does the mother's maiden name sound as a first name?

3. Telescoping: try dropping letters from another name or a word, until you get a nice-sounding unique baby name.

4. Spelling: an unusual spelling of a common name creates uniqueness. However, remember that your child will be condemned to a lifetime of "…that's David spelt D..A..Y..V..I..D…" conversations.

5. Pronunciation: another trick is to pronounce a common name in an unusual way. But this can also lead to a lifetime of corrections and explanations - as well as teasing and accusations of pretentiousness.

6. History: do some research into names that were popular in previous eras, but have become less so.

7. Family History: are there any unusual baby names that can be used to honor family members or ancestors? But beware family politics…

8. Nature: many names come from the natural world, particularly flowers (e.g. Rose) and it's a great source for unique baby names (e.g. Gwyneth Paltrow's daughter Apple).

9. Geography: another useful source of great names - grab an atlas and start searching. David and Victoria Beckham called their first son Brooklyn, which many people think is a cool-sounding name. However, it's reported that the choice was made because that's where conception took place. Hmmm, imagine a lifetime in which your name is a constant reminder of your parents having sex! Eeeuuuuww!!!

10. Celebrities: famous people with slightly unusual names are a common source of inspiration. There are lots of teenage "Kylie"s running around the UK since Kylie Minogue's arrival on the music scene at end of the '80's, and her recent resurgence, will have created a second wave of them. And I'm sure many little "Be'yonce"s have been popping up over the last few years. The only problem is that names like these very soon begin to sound a little silly and "wannabe".

11. Foreign Names: consider using a foreign version of a name, e.g., Pedro, instead of Peter. Or try using a name from a completely different culture.

12. Nicknames: try using a nickname e.g. Angie, instead of Angela or Angelina. However, make sure the name is will pass the "age test" - see number 17 below.

13. Middle Names: a great way to accommodate individuality when naming your baby, is to combine a common first name with a unique second/middle name. The benefit of this is that your child can avoid embarrassment throughout his/her life by ignoring it of keeping it hidden.

14. Initials: when you have settled on some baby names, check that the initials aren't embarrassing. This is an easy trap to fall into and can lead to a lifetime of misery. "Zina Indigo" are may be nice sounding names for your lovely daughter, but make sure your surname doesn't begin with "T"!

15. First Name-Surname: check how the selected first name combines with the surname. Make sure the two names do not create some something recognizable, to prevent a lifetime of teasing. Also, check the rhythm of the two names; a different number of syllables in each name usually flows much better. Avoid rhyming the 2 names at all costs or your child will hate you forever!

16. The loudness test: try saying the name softly, at normal pitch and shouting it very loudly. You may be surprised at the results.

17. The age test: try to visualize your child with the name as a baby, as a teenager, as a young adult, a mature adult and as a senior citizen. A name can create completely different perceptions of the individual at separate stages of life.

18. The meaning: the final test of the baby name that you choose should be to check its meaning (if any). Don't leave your child open to getting a nasty surprise later in life.

Whatever unique baby name you decide, don't fall into the trap of self-indulgence. Remember, it's not about you, it's all about your child. Your grand design to celebrate the uniqueness of this new human being, may eventually lead to a lifelong, desperate desire for conformity and anonymity. Even Zowie Bowie eventually changed his name to "Joey"…

Premature Birth - Is To Early To Late

If every expectant mother were to know that their baby had made plans to arrive earlier than expected then word has it that all pregnant women would be prepared and ready for the arrival of the premature baby. Unfortunately the word premature means just that - earlier than expected with no guideline to times or dates.

We all have faith in our doctor and trust that the due dates he or she gives for the birth of our babies is 100% accurate. So you can understand why a premature birth can come as a surprise or shock for the pregnant woman. It is at a time like this where some confused women question the GPs prognosis. Believe me when I say doctors are never far wrong in their calculations, but alas, they hold no crystal ball to foresee or predict that there is a premature baby on the way.

Premature babies need a lot of care and attention after leaving the womb so this is why we give thanks to the world of modern technology and to all the life saving masters in the medical profession that nurture our before-time babies with their knowledge, thus increasing the odds for their survival. Hospitals today are well equipped to deal with emergencies like early births. The welfare of the premature baby is first and foremost in all hospital maternity wards.

The reasons given behind why a woman may go into labour earlier than anticipated are all health related factors e.g. smoking-poor diet-infections-twins-cervical ineptitude and other conditions that can be life threatening such as pre-eclampsia. All of these can speed up the process where premature baby births are likely.

Premature births can cause problems for the new born baby where their ability to breathe properly is hampered by under developed lungs. Babies delivered earlier than 32 weeks and weighing approx 3lb 5oz are normally born with under developed lungs which cannot conceal surfactant, a kind of frothy matter that holds back the inner surfaces of the lungs from sticking together and because of this the infant may experience severe breathing problems - Respiratory distress syndrome otherwise known as RDS. Depending on how early the baby is born the more prone they are to suffer from RDS.

Birthing after the thirty second week then this condition is less of a problem. If doctors feel you are at high risk of going into labour sooner than your due date then a course of injections/injection can be administered to help strengthen your unborn babys lungs. A premature babys immune system is not fully developed so therefore makes them more vulnerable to infections. Early babies usually develop a touch of jaundice due to an immature liver which is treatable by doctors with the medical aid of phototherapy lamps.

Babies born at 22-23 weeks have a 24 per cent chance of survival, at 24 weeks this rises to 31 per cent. Premature babies delivered at 25 weeks then their chances are increased by 50 per cent and from 32 weeks onwards most babies can survive without medical assistance.

During your pregnancy make sure to ease up on your intake or cut out things that are considered to bring on a premature birth. Pregnant women can become stressed throughout pregnancy (not all) which is not good for your health and that of your unborn child. A great option for you to consider in helping to combat stress is to take up Yoga. This type of exercise will help you relax before and after the birth. Yoga has proven to be very comforting for women. Before any form of exercise always consult your doctor

Premature babies can grow up as healthy as any other infant. November the 12th 1987 was the due date given to me by my doctor but my little boy decided to break the rules and made his appearance on September 23rd weighing in at 3lb 12 oz. My premature baby is now a strapping 6ft 2 mathematician.

Cord blood usage in infant medicine

After collecting the cord blood in maximum 15 minutes after the baby is born, processing it is the following faze in order to be viable for further medical operations. The processing of cord blood includes specific steps, such as RBC depletion, shipping and the actual freezing. The freezing or, scientifically said, the cryopreservation is applied within 1 day after the actual collection and can be successfully preserved for indefinite years.

There are various pediatric solutions that include using the cord blood. The most major ones are the children cancers and blood diseases, including infant leukemia (juvenile chronic myelogenous leukemia and juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia) or immune system disorders. All these are usually treated with chemotherapy, which, besides its benefic effects, also negatively affects some good cells. A significant cord blood usage in infant medicine is the marrow transplant. This procedure has the result of providing new and healthy blood cells, which leads to a safer immune system of the child. Besides these, there are some rare genetic diseases that require cord blood stem cells. Among these rare disorders, there is the fatal Krabbe Disease, which is characterized by causing severe degeneration of mental and motor skills of the child. If receiving the stem cells from the umbilical cord before the actual manifestation of the symptoms, the brain development can be successfully preserved. Hurler Syndrome, Adrenoleukodystrophy, Metachromatic Leukodystrophy, Tay-Sachs disease, Sandhoff disease are also other rare and severe conditions that affect the infants and can be successfully treated if using the cord blood stems. Hurler's Syndrome is a genetic and progressive disorder that results from the body's incapacity to make a significant enzyme. The disease damages many organs and most importantly, it affects the heart and causes death in the early teens. The Sandoff disorder has a result the progressive deterioration of the central nervous system and, like the Krabble disease, it is fatal before the age of 3.

Cord blood is not used as a temporary solution in serious medical cases of infants. Cord blood actually provides a new and healthy blood structure that increases the safety of the immune system and prevents further imbalances.

A Baby Footprint Makes A Great Baby Shower Invitation

If you are like many peo0le you can easily get stuck when it comes to the baby shower invitation. Finding the location, creating the guest lists and buying a cake can seem easy compared to picking the right invitation. The baby shower invitation will be the first impression that the guests will have of the event. It is therefore important to convey a message through the baby shower invitation. One really fun and very popular way to do this is use a baby footprint in the invitation. It is hard to resist the charm of a tiny little baby footprint. Baby shower invitations with a footprint are so irresistible be will just have to come to the shower.

So here are some creative ideas that you can use in creating your own baby shower footprint invitation.

1. Printed - A simple printed baby footprint can be a ton of fun. You can use a silhouette of a baby footprint to make the design. This will show the heel, toes and side of the foot. It will look as if a baby stepped in ink and then stamped the card with their feet. You can find clip art online by searching, use a stamp, use a real baby or even just freehand draw your own.

To put a little action into the baby shower footprint invitation you can make a series of footprints and make them decrease in size from large to smaller. This will give the illusion that the person leaving the prints is walking into the card. This is a great way to draw the attention of the viewer into the card and then place your important text information right above this.

2. Stamps - Stamping has become a very popular craft and is use widely among printers and crafters in the business of making invitations. You can easily purchase baby footprint stamps of varying sizes from your local craft store or on the Internet. These can make a fun and fancy decoration to the invitation. There are so many things you can do by varying the colors, size of the stamp and the paper the possibilities are really endless.

For example pick a cute pink (for girls) or a blue (for boys) ink pad and stamp a tiny border made up of footprints all around the invitation. Don't worry to much about making them all straight or in line just have fun and stamp at random. This will give the invitation a light fun feeling.

As an alternative you can purchase a large stamp and simply stamp a big filled in silhouetted image smack dab in the middle of the invitation. Then you can creatively with fun colored pens write all around the footprint following the outline of it. This makes another fun creative and even whimsical invitation.

3. Embossing - This is where the baby footprint is raised from the page. There are two types of embossing. The first is by using a professional printer and paying to have the cards done. A printer can actually emboss the paper and have a raised footprint right in the paper. A baby footprint embossed onto a beautifully textured pure white piece of paper can look very elegant!

If you are the do it yourself type it is very easy to purchase an embossing powder in stamping or craft store. These come in all kinds of fun colors but often gold or silver embossing powder can look very elegant! With embossing powder you will need a stamp and some ink. You start by stamping the invitation with the baby footprint stamp first. Then before the ink dries you poor some of the embossing powder on the stamped area. The embossing powder will stick tot he wet ink. You can then hold the piece of paper over a light bulb or use an embossing gun to heat the powder. Once it gets hot it will melt and adhere to the paper. This makes a fun and easy way to have a very elegant gold embossed baby footprint shower invitation.

4. Cut Out - With this technique you will want to find some stiff paper. Then you will pencil in an outline of a baby footprint and cut it out. You can also make a simple stencil suing a file folder and then quickly trace around the stencil and cut out to speed up the process and make the results more uniform. Then on the baby of the cut out footprint you can write all of your important baby shower details. Where it will take place, RSVP information and so forth.

Either way that you choose the important thing to remember is to have fun in creating the baby shower invitation footprint. Get some friends to help you if you plan on making your own invitations as this will speed up the entire process. It can also be more fun with a group of girlfriends around a table talking and having a good time then cutting 25 baby shower footprint invitations all by yourself.

As an addition to the fun, baby shower footprint invitation, it can be lots of fun to continue with the footprint theme in decorating for the part. You can use the same stamps and decorations that you used on the invitation in other places to decorate for the shower.

Christenings – Gifts, Etiquette and History Explained

There are two types of ceremonies available; religious and non-religious. Irrespective of which type is chosen, the common theme throughout is love and surrounding the child with family and friends in order to celebrate the child's birth and life ahead.

Religious Ceremonies: A Christening is the child's first initiation into the religious faith. At a Catholic Christening, the parents make their declarations, the baby is baptised with holy water, and a lit candle representing Jesus as the light of the world, is given to the parents and Godparents. The priest may ask the parents to attend preparation classes to fully understand the significance of a baptism. Catholic Christenings are often held as a separate service for one or more child, without hymns and lasts approximately 30 minutes.

In a Church of England Christening, the Christening takes place within the main Sunday church service and the baby is taken to the font, sprinkled with holy water, and the Godparents and parents promise God they will bring the child up in the Christian faith.

If you decide to go for a Christening, you need to speak to the vicar at your local church. They will explain the service, and may ask questions concerning your own faith, and that of the godparents. You will then be able to book a date.

Secular (Non-Religious) Ceremonies: There are a range of non-religious celebrations to choose from including a Baby-Naming Ceremony, Welcoming or Thanksgiving. These options are free of any commitment to the Christian faith. A British Humanist Association ceremony can take place anywhere you like. A trained, licensed celebrant will help you to create a unique and personal occasion. They can provide templates for ceremonies that you can adapt for your own situation, and they can suggest readings, poetry or music. You can include contributions from family/friends, and finish it all off with a tea or buffet. These ceremonies last on average 20 minutes.

Christenings are generally held within the first year of a baby's life, although some parents wait until the child is a little older.

Generally, photography is welcome during all types of ceremonies but it may be worth checking with the person presiding first as the congregation or gathering is likely to be invited to photograph the child, family and Godparents at specific points during the ceremony. Of course there can also be photographs before and after.

The child will usually be dressed in a special Christening outfit/gown or family heirloom garment. Women would be expected to dress smartly - hats are not necessary, and for men, suits or smart shirt and trousers. Ties are often not a necessity, particularly for summer ceremonies though if you are the father or Godfather, you would be expected to dress in a suit.

Usually following the ceremony a buffet or tea is held at the parent's house. The child will be shown off to all the family and friends, and Christening gifts are generally presented to the child. After the buffet, the official cake may be cut, and at this point, some people choose to plant a tree or dedicate a plant which will grow with the child.

Role of the Godparents: There are usually three Godparents - two the same sex as the child. The role of the Godparent comes from the days when converts to the early Christian church were usually adults whose parents were not Christians. The Godparents role was to provide a Christian mentor to help them through life. People also link the role of the Godparent with that of becoming 'legal guardian' should the child ever be orphaned. However, this would need to be written into a will with the permission of the Godparents themselves. Non-religious participants usually engage a 'mentor' who will watch over the child and steer them through life with help, care and advice. Generally Godparents are chosen for their own Christian beliefs but also because they are very close friends of the parents, or family members. Godparents or guardians should be people who are going to be around to offer support for the child if needed.

Christening Gifts: Many people prefer a traditional gift idea for a Christening such as pewter, silver or china; these are great gifts for the child to treasure. Another nice idea is to provide a photo album or keepsake box to store precious memories of the child's special day. For religious ceremonies it is common for a silver cross and chain or a bible to be presented to the child. Personalised gifts also make very nice ideas for this occasion, for example a framed name print, or a personalised Christening plate or mug, or perhaps an engraved tankard or cufflinks for a boy.

Finding A Unique Baby Shower Gift

Just as inevitable as the celebration of the birth of a new baby, is the pre-birth baby shower and its watershed of presents. Racking your brain to try and figure out just what to give the expecting mother can be about as much fun as three in the morning feedings, but it need not be so difficult, as with the beauty and convenience that the Internet can provide, you may not even have to venture out of your house and still be able to buy the perfect gift.

Baby showers are a fun time for everyone. It's a special event where the anticipation of an event as momentous and altering as a birth is celebrated in and of itself, and all manner of friends and family come together and show each other how much they care about the new life that is about to arrive. What is even better is that you know that the gifts you give to the parents will be things that will help them deal with the trials and tribulations of having a new baby, so that they can enjoy those first few months as much as humanly possible. You have the fortunate luxury of choosing a gift that is practical, goofy, sentimental, or the something that encapsulates all three, and still be able to choose something the parents can keep and remember for a long time after their new baby has grown out of infancy. After all, a baby shower gift is just as much for the parents as it is for the baby – maybe even more so – so you'll want to get something that will stick in their minds as well as something that the chilan enjoy.

We live in an age where plush toys come in all manner of shapes, sizes, and distinctions, and luckily, this is a gift that is timeless and lasting in its the opportunity to live on in a child's life far past the first few years. Teddy bears and sheep are the perfect crib additions, creating a cozy, reassuring environment for a new baby. Also classic and still popular is the baby mobile, with its twirling shapes and stuffed animals which can be the first things the baby sees when he or she wakes up in the morning. More practical baby gifts, depending on the amount you want to spend, can come in the form of baby changing tables, bassinets or car seats are always necessary and ideal for making the life of the parents that much easier.

Of course, all this hassle of trying to decide just what the perfect baby shower gift is may be moot if the parents have made up of a gift registry with a list of the things they'll want and need. But this doesn't make the present you give any less thoughtful or meaningful, as you'll have the assurance of knowing that you wont be getting them something they already have and don't need a duplicate of http://www.dixiejournal.com/category/home-guides. Now the decision becomes where to get the gift you want to get, and in this age of online shopping and computerized banking, you may not even have to get up off you favorite couch cushion to do the entire song and dance of searching and purchasing. Heck, you can probably even get it gift wrapped by the company you buy it from, saving you the trouble of getting gift paper and a card. Whatever budget you have, you'll be able, with a minimal amount of effort, to get just what kind of gift you want to give at your next baby shower, without the unnecessary headache.

Kicked in the Ribs - While Giving Birth

Sacrifices have to be made as soon as your result from the pregnancy test proves positive. Bungee jumping stops as of now, cut down on the intake of alcohol and tobacco. It is common sense to follow the rules from all medical advisors which in return will help you to understand the needs of your new unborn child. By adhering to all advice from your doctor/midwife may help making the birth a pleasant experience.

Women who have mothered broods of babies know what to expect in the delivery room like water off a ducks back to these professionals. But for the first child expectant mother it is a whole new world. Mums to be for the first time will experience either fear/happiness all because of the unknown.

All mother's have a story to tell about their time in the delivery room and should these tales be told to you in an attempt to ease your fear then all I say is, listen to what you want to hear.

The fear factor is what most first time female species experience in pregnancy, fear of pain being top of the list but in fact having to face the unknown holds a stronger presence in causing unnecessary stress which I hasten to add is, not good for you or your baby. If having babies were so bad why do women go on rising the numbers in family editions.

Women's needs and wants differ greatly in pregnancy, you will find some enjoy the whole nine month cycle very fulfilling where as others see it as a taboo gaining excess weight/ fear and pain . Things you normally would do before conceiving will have to be approached in a different manner depending on the chore or task because of the new life you are carrying.

Expecting a baby is a doddle nothing changes apart from having a figure like a sumo wrestler and forget any plans of squeezing in and out of tight places. No matter how much you breathe in, it just isn't happening. Unfortunately there are women who have difficult pregnancies so this is why it is important to listen and heed all medical advice...

There will be times you go off your food and suffer heartburn you may even experience a little back pain, but hey guess what, so do a million other people. Discomfort towards the delivery date is to be expected because we have an infant ready to make his/her grand entrance into the world to meet mummy/daddy. So be prepared for a few kick in the ribs.

Cries of sheer jubilation when it is all over, this is when cradling your new born in your arms you know it was all worthwhile.

A few tears may flow before the birth when labour kicks in with pain pangs coming every two to three minutes. Labour pains can only be explained in comparison with severe stomach cramps.

The magical potion to put a stop to labour pains is the actual birth.

Some women sail through the actual birth but for those who need help in dealing with the discomfort there are pain killing antidotes... Bringing an infant into the world can be a fabulous experience; but because women carry babies differently there are choices and options for delicate procedures in the delivery room on how matters are conducted in theatre.

Regardless of the mother's personality delicate/rough the end result is the same, a bouncing baby boy/girl and if lucky one of each. Listen to all medical advice given then that way you have a 100% chance of having a perfectly healthy baby.

Women who stuck by the rules and still lost a child then all I can say is that your little boy/girl must have been a very special baby for the lord to have chosen for his angel.

Designer Crib Bedding For Your Baby

Having a baby is one of the most natural and exciting things to happen to a family. Many people feel that their family is not complete without children of their own and the nine months from conception to birth is filled with enthusiasm and preparation.

One of the most exciting parts of the process for parents-to-be is the creation of a nursery for the newcomer. Babies obviously require a large amount of specific equipment, such as changing mats, clothes, toys and a crib. Preparing the nursery so that everything they need is available when they come home makes the impending arrival more real for the household. Choosing the color, style and overall look of the room depends largely on the personalities of the parents but many opt for designer items to ensure that they are of high standards and do the job they were made to do well, whilst looking aesthetically pleasing.

One area which can really alter the overall look of the room is the crib itself and the bedding within. For the first few years, the crib will be the dominating piece of furniture in the room and every visitor to the home will at some point peer in at the newborn as they sleep in their crib. The baby will spend a large proportion of its time sleeping for the first weeks and months so it makes sense to ensure that this is one area which the parents are particularly happy with.

Celebrities are renowned for using the best products and manufacturers for their babies. This endorsement, whether paid or not, brings certain products to the forefront of the public's mind and many parents feel that if it is good enough for a film star, it is good enough for them and their baby. Finding the products to buy can be a different matter though, particularly if you do not live in or near to a large city. However, the Internet has made it much easier to find whatever product you are looking for and to have it shipped directly to your home.

One website I have found which specialises in designer baby-wear, furniture and bedding is found at www.babyscribsupply.com This site allows you to shop by designer if you wish so that you can easily locate a specific product if you know who made it. Alternatively, you can browse the site by product. Everything you will need for your baby and nursery is available to buy in one place and every product has a photograph to allow you to see it before you buy it.

The crib bedding section has every color and pattern imaginable for your baby. You can view the products by gender of the baby or you all at a time. As I mentioned earlier, this is possibly one of the most important purchases you will make for your child's nursery as it will be seen and used with such regularity. Once you have selected the bedding you require you can then shop by the designer if you wish to decorate the whole room with the same label, or you can choose additional products which will complement the look you have chosen.

Baby Names - Considering Your Last Name

It's overwhelming enough to decide on a perfect first name for your baby, but if you're not considering its effects on your baby's last name you may be setting him up for future disaster. It's easy to overlook how the combination of your baby's first name and last name will work together. Let's look at a few pointers in this area.

Perhaps the most obvious place to start is using a duplicate name for your baby's first and last names. William Williams or John Johnson for example. These names may cause some flack for your child going through school or they may provide a way to really set them apart. Mitch Mitchell, for example, was a famous drummer with Jimi Hendrix.

Common words as last names can present problems. My last name is Byrd and I have to think twice about names so my baby doesn't end up with a silly name. Be especially aware if your last name is slang for something vulgar. You can be sure your child will never live down a name like Richard Johnson once they hit high school.

Next, make sure the first name you pick doesn't end with the same sound that your last name begins with. For example, when saying Mark Kogan aloud, it sounds like Mark Ogan or Mar Kogan. And John Nolan becomes Jaw Nolan or John Olan. Just a small point to check for once you're pretty certain on a name.

Also make sure that shortened first names don't clash with your baby's last name. Edward Jed will most likely shorten to Ed Jed which has a silly sound to it. The classic prank phone call name Ben Dover is the result of a shortened first name as well.

Any name you choose can be made fun of somehow, but these are just some ways to make sure you avoid the most obvious mistakes. Above all, be sure to say your baby's whole name outloud so that you can evaluate its entire sound. Good luck finding that perfect name for your baby!

Planning Your Baby's Layette

Even if you've done it all before, bringing a baby home from the hospital takes a lot of preparation. The last thing you'll want to do in those first few days after the baby arrives is run around to pick up any little necessitates that you forgot. Getting everything bought, borrowed or found and tucked away before the magical day can give you a feeling of accomplishment - and set your mind at ease that you've got everything you need.

If you're buying on a budget, there are some great low-cost sources for all of baby's needs - and considering how fast your newborn angel will outgrow those layette items, you'll want to take advantage of every cost-cutter that you can.

Shop the second's stores

Just like adult clothing, baby clothes manufacturers sometimes goof just a little. In most cases, the missed stitch or not-quite-perfect seam isn't anything that will affect wear. You can save as much as 70% off department store prices if you pick up baby layette items at your local job lots or discount department store.

Buy a size ahead in sleepers and footsies

Most babies barely spend a month in 0-3 month sizes. Reserve the smallest size for special occasion clothing - like coming home from the hospital, and skip right to the 3-6 month size for any fitted clothing. For the same reason, stick to comfy, stretchy cotton and terry knits for one piece footie jammies. They'll fit much longer.

Lay in a good stock of Swee'pea gowns.

Drawstring bottom nighties are just about the most convenient single item for baby at home. When baby needs changing, just pull up, change and pull back down.

A pack of birdseye diapers make the best burp rags

Even if you decide to use disposable diapers, buy one pack of cotton birdseye diapers. They can't be beat as burp rags to lay over your shoulder or lap when you're pat-pat-patting the baby to bring up any air bubbles in the tummy.

Shop yard sales

Newborn layette items are nearly always gently used. Most babies just aren't in them long enough to do a lot of damage. A stop at your local Salvation Army thrift store can buy you a whole layette's worth of crib sheets, receiving blankets, baby onesies and baby tees for less than $5.

Launder everything before the baby is born

Use a mild laundry soap like Dreft or Ivory Snow to wash away any remnants of dyes, chemicals or starches. Babies have notoriously delicate skin. If you'll feel better giving any used items a good bleaching, make sure that you put it all through a second clear rinse to wash away any lingering traces of bleach.

Quality DOES count in ways you don't expect. Do buy name brands that feature finished seams - French or enclosed seams are even better. It's not that your newborn cherub will put a lot of wear on those seams - it's that flat, enclosed seams will be far kinder to baby's delicate skin.

Shop wisely, and you'll get everything you need for baby's homecoming with a minimal investment of cash.

Good Deals On Supplies For Babies

New parents and those who are soon to become parents are often shocked by all the things that are needed for babies. There is so much stuff out there that they recommend babies have that it seems one could go broke in the process.

It is true that you will be a lot of stuff to care for your new baby but it doesn't have to cost as much money as you think. You can find all of the stuff that you need at prices significantly below typical retail.

Consignment Baby Shops

A great place to go shopping for stuff for babies is local consignment stores. There are a variety of popular chains as well as other locally owned shops. These stores carry used products at prices sometimes well below retail. You can find baby clothes, cribs, strollers, diaper bags, bouncy seats, and much more at consignment shops for babies. Be careful though as sometimes these items will be priced as high as they would be brand new. Comparison shop and keep an eye out for good deals.

Discount Internet Stores

You can often find good deals on baby stuff through Internet stores which can sell for much lower prices than traditional brick and mortar stores because they have less overhead. Many people are afraid to buy products online because of security issues. This is really not concern anymore if a few precautions are taken. Review the site where you like to do business carefully. Take a look at their customer service and return policies. Make sure that you're comfortable with doing business there. Always use a major credit card for all Internet purchases. By using a credit card you are protected if your card should become compromised anyway. Most credit card companies will not hold you liable for any charges that result from fraud.

Online Auctions

Did you know that you can also buy products for babies at a variety of online auctions? Online auctions are quickly becoming one of the most popular avenues for shopping online. You can buy everything from diaper bags to bouncy seats at online auctions.

This is another area where you want to protect yourself by taking a few precautions. Make sure that the seller you buy from has good ratings from prior customers and an established track record.

It doesn't have to cost a lot to find great deals on products for babies.

Baby Toys

There are a lot of important things to remember about buying baby toys for your baby. If you are buying toys for someone else's baby make sure you buy toys that are safe and toys the parents won't object to.

What are some of the best toys for baby? I'm glad you asked. Let's review some of the best baby toys available out there.

Alphabet Blocks are standard equipment of the well-stocked baby toy box. They have been one of the best developmental toys for centuries. Alphabet blocks appeared as early as 1693, when the philosopher John Locke pointed out that "dice and play-things, with the letters on them to teach children the alphabet by playing" would make learning to read a more enjoyable experience. A century and a quarter later, Friedrich Wilhelm August Froebel, a museum curator who pioneered kindergarten, introduced geometric solids carved from wood. Known as Froebel's "gifts," they soon led to alphabet blocks.

Parents may like them because they have educational value, but children like them because of their colors, the pictures on them, and their numbers, patterns, and symbols look nice piled up. These baby toys will always be a hit.

DVDs that teach letters and numbers. With today's technology we can move up to other ways to keep babies entertained, while teaching them the alphabet and their numbers and more. DVDs are perfect for teaching the letters and numbers to your little ones. It's amazing how babies and toddlers pick up letter and number recognition skills through these DVDs.

Toys that move with just a little help from baby. Toys like the Press N Go Inchworm, Tumble Time Tigger, and Carousels with lots of small moveable features that stay attached to the larger toy are great choices for your baby. They are colorful and with all those things that move, they can keep a baby entertained for hours.

Soft Dolls and Stuffed Animals are always a favorite. Make sure when you buy these baby toys, you check for loose parts, like eyes, buttons, and other parts that can be pulled off too easily. But babies love things that are soft, so choosing stuffed animals or soft dolls are a wonderful choice.

Colorful, Educational Books, introduce numbers, counting and equations to babies, toddlers and older kids. Lots of different activities are possible with these books, including number recognition, counting and more. As baby grows older, more possibilities emerge.

Baby Activity Belt; Hands-free entertainment is a valuable thing for busy parents! The Busy Belt is a portable activity center that allows parents to run errands or even ride a bike while baby plays contentedly. The rattling, squeaking and music-playing animals hold baby's attention, while the small mirror and picture frame provide familiar faces for gazing. Since the Busy Belt buckles around a parent's waist or onto a stroller or shopping cart, this is one toy you won't have to pick up several times when baby is at the toy-flinging age.

We hope the Tips on buying Baby Toys gave you plenty of ideas for what to get baby. There are more tips for buying Baby Toys at http://babyport.info Take time to choose the right baby toys and it will be very much appreciated by both parent and baby.

Breastfeeding: only the best for your baby!

A lot has been written about the importance of eating a healthy, balanced diet. There has been quite a debate in the press, as of late, regarding the importance of a healthy diet in relation to breast cancer prevention. Most would agree that maintaining a healthy diet is a good idea, regardless of the motivation. As we are discussing breast cancer, let's explore some of the food that has been proven assist with breast cancer prevention.

Foods that are rich in folate or folic acid are extremely beneficial. This is a B-complex vitamin that is abundant is foods such as spinach, romaine lettuce, beans, peas, asparagus, and Brussels sprouts. It can also be found in many cereals, pastas, and breads. Research has shown that mutations in DNA are more likely to occur when an individual has a deficiency of folate or folic acid.

Vitamin D has also shown great promise in the defense against cancer. It is a vitamin that assists in the absorption of calcium, which is vital for the development of strong teeth and bones. A recent report from the American Association of Cancer Research states that the risk of developing breast cancer can be reduced by over 50% with the assistance of Vitamin D. There are various food-based sources of Vitamin D, including milk, eggs, cod, salmon, and shrimp. It is also supplied in abundance by the Sun. Ten minutes per day in the sun, without sunscreen and with 40% of your body exposed, can produce as much as 5000IU of Vitamin D.

Tea has been praised for centuries for its healing capabilities, and modern scientists have started to confirm what our ancestors first observed. Tea is rich in flavonoids, which are known to have strong anti-oxidant properties. Kaempferol, one type of flavonoid, has shown protective effects against cancer. Research continues in this exciting area, but the general consensus is that 4 cups of tea per day can have lasting benefits for your health.

Curcumin has also shown great promise in the prevention of cancer. It is the active ingredient in Tumeric, a type of curry spice. Research has been conducted for decades now, and it would appear that Curcumin has extremely powerful anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-tumor properties. It has also been shown to interfere with cell-signaling pathways, which works to suppress the transformation and proliferation of cancerous cells. There are some wonderful Indian restaurants out there, so go out and treat yourself to a healthy curry dinner.

Research in these areas continues at an astounding pace, but for many people it is too late for prevention. At times it may seem that we are losing the battle against cancer, but there is still hope. Advances in research and treatment are being made each and every day. So continue to support your local cancer research facilities and organizations, and have faith that a cure for this horrible disease will one day be found. Until such time, give some thought to your diet. It could save your life.

Kristen Kelly is a strong advocate of living a healthy lifestyle. When she is not researching the latest women's health issues, she writes for thebreastsite.com – a wonderfully informative website dedicated to educating people about breast health, breastfeeding, breast cancer detection and more.

Why Top 100 Baby Names?

While looking into search patterns I stumbled upon the fact that parents to be or other people that has an interest in baby names are divided into to major groups. Nothing special about the fact that people belongs to different groups but this one shows a trend that has been gaining strength for the last 5-10 years.

On one side we have the parents that are searching for phrases like "top 100 baby names", "top ten baby names", "popular baby names" etc. All of these phrases have in common that the surfer is looking for what everyone else is naming their baby.

Now don't get me wrong... There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to call your baby a commonly used name. There can many reasons for wanting to name your baby boy or baby girl the same name as most other kids. A reason could be that you want the baby to be socially accepted when he or she grows up and starts playing with other children.

Another reason would be that it might be easier for the baby to get called in for a job interview and maybe even get the job. It can be a tradition in the family to name the babies the name that ranks number 1 in the previous year.

There can be a lot of reasons for naming a baby after the majority of the babies born in that time period. This is not the part that got my attention.

What got my attention was that on the other side there is a similar large group of parents that is looking for the exact opposite. They are searching for phrases like "unusual baby names", odd baby names", unique baby names" etc.

Again the reasons for wanting an unusual baby name can be many and I can only guess what they might be but from what is happening in society I think that some of the most obvious reasons are these:

You want to show the outside world that your baby is something special. By giving your child a name that only a few people carry then you have made them special. They now have a name that will (probably) be easier for other people to remember because of the fact that they haven't heard the name before.

A second reason can be that it has become a trend to name you child a unique name. Over the years this trend has been increasing and like with the common name a special name can now apply status as well.

Why people are divided into these categories no one knows. There is naturally still the third category left and that are the ones searching for neutral baby names. It is hard to say anything specific about these search patterns but it is a fact that they exist and there is nothing right or wrong no matter what category you might fall into.

Make Your Own Baby Food- The Easy Way!

Is your baby about to start solid foods? Are you thinking of making your own baby food?

When you make baby's first foods, you can save money and reduce waste. You also can choose more nutritious options. Fresh foods are typically more nutritious than canned, and you can purchase organic food to prepare for baby if you wish. You can also avoid unwholesome ingredients that show up in commercial baby food.

Making baby food doesn't have to be expensive or time consuming. In fact, the easiest and cheapest way is the best way!

The easy way to making your own baby food:

1) Don't bother with buying one of those baby food grinders. They're hard to clean and too much hassle.

2) If you wait until your baby is 6 months old to start solids, you can almost always just mash with a fork to the desired consistency.

If you're breastfeeding, you can even wait until baby's "pincer grasp" is developed and offer him small finger foods like peas, bits of grated apple, and the like. The pincer grasp is developed when baby can pinch small objects (like those bits of carpet fluff or food on the kitchen floor!) inbetween his thumb and first finger. In fact, if you have a family tendency towards food allergy, waiting longer to start solids may be preferable. No matter what baby's age, always offer one food at a time and wait several days to watch for signs of allergy before offering another. Take it slow.

3) Start with fresh single ingredient foods like:

Banana Steamed carrot, turnip, potato, yam Avocado Ripe pear, peach, melon, plum Cooked squash Grated apple- raw or steamed Peas Well cooked beans Hard cooked egg yolks (avoid the whites until 1 year)

Some of these foods could be served raw. Others are lightly steamed (steaming retains more nutrients than canning), to make them softer for baby.

4) It's not necessary to make a big deal of preparing baby's food.

If you want to take a lot of time blending food and freezing them in ice cube trays, you could certainly do that. But I'm all for the easy approach!

Although you do want to avoid giving baby salt and sugar (and spices that may upset the tummy), you can usually just take an ingredient from your own menu and "make" baby's dinner.

For instance, if you're steaming veggies to serve at dinner, take a tablespoon of them out of the pan before you add butter and salt. Put this in baby's plate and mash away. Voila! Instant baby food with no extra work. Or take a bit of beef from your roast and mash mash mash until it's very soft.

Even when you're at a restaurant, you can either bring an apple with you and "grate" it finely with a spoon at your table, or bring along a banana or other portable food. Any restaurant with a salad bar would have cooked beans or avocado. Or give baby a bit of your baked potato (before you add the goodies on top).

Life with a new baby is challenging enough. Keep starting solids simple!

For more helpful tips on simplifying life with kids, visit: http://www.natural-moms.com/homekeeping_organization.html

Put That Kid in a Car Seat!

Copyright 2006 Mike Patrick Jr, MD

I don't currently advocate road rage. Laying on the horn, swearing like a sailor, and swerving around the slow guy in the passing lane is not my style. Of course, tastes change over time, so I'd like to reserve the right to practice road rage in the future. But understand this: It won't be the slow guy in the passing lane that sets me off. Instead, it will be stupid parents.

You know the ones I'm talking about. You see them on interstate highways and city streets and country roads. You point them out to your spouse, and explain their poor judgment to your children. At least I hope you do. These are the parents who drive with unrestrained kids in the car, ones who let Little Bobby climb over the headrest and crouch on the floorboard and roam from window to window, pausing only to stick his tongue out at cars in the cruising lane.

Why do some parents allow their children such freedom? I think it boils down to convenience. Dad doesn't want to wear a seatbelt and he doesn't want to hear Little Bobby screaming to get out of his. So Dad lets him roam.

In every state, they're breaking the law. Not that it matters. Most states have secondary seatbelt laws, even for kids. This means police can only write a citation for an unrestrained occupant in the course of pulling a car over for another violation. But let's face it, toughening seatbelt laws into primary violations would do little to reduce the thousands of unrestrained children killed and injured in the United States each year. Why? Because you can't force common sense through legislation. Don't forget, these parents are stupid.

If you are still reading, I suspect you are either not a stupid parent or you are motivated to rise above your stupidity. And since smart parents ask lots of good questions about the appropriate use of car seats, booster seats, and seatbelts, I will review the basics for you.

The rules are pretty simple really. Until your child is a year old AND twenty pounds, use a rear-facing infant carrier in the back seat of your car. The middle of the seat is safest. Once your child is twenty pounds AND one year of age, it's safe to use a forward-facing car seat. Again, keep it in the back, and if possible, put it in the middle.

When do you graduate to a booster seat? For most kids, you can make the move when they weigh forty pounds. Start with the type that has its own restraining harness. When your child outgrows the harness (usually between 50 and 65 pounds), advance to a booster that incorporates the car's safety belt. The important thing here is to make certain the belt fits properly. The lap belt should fit over the pelvic bones and not slip up to the belly. The shoulder belt should cross the chest, not the upper shoulder and not the neck. Many of these boosters feature an adjustable clip to keep the shoulder belt in a good position. Never forsake the shoulder belt. Serious injury is common among children in booster seats who only use a lap belt.

For all car seats and boosters, be sure to follow the manufacturers guidelines for proper positioning and securing. You'll have to pay close attention here. Some seats are rear-facing only, some only face forward, others are reversible. Also pay attention to minimum and maximum length and weight for a given seat. If your child outgrows the length recommendation of a rear-facing infant seat, but is not yet a year old AND twenty pounds, you'll need a bigger reversible seat. Keep it rear-facing until he is big enough and old enough to face forward.

When are kids ready for seat belts without a booster? When their feet reach the floor while their back is against the seat. The lap belt must fit snuggly across the pelvic bones (not the stomach), and the shoulder belt must fit snugly across the chest (not the upper shoulder or neck). The exact age varies from kid to kid. If your son or daughter is petite, he or she might be 10 or 11 years old before meeting this criteria. I realize this is much older than most people (especially children) want to believe. But I bring you the facts. Please, don't shoot the messenger.

There's much more to say about car safety. When can kids ride up front? What about air bags? How do you secure premature babies and disabled children? The American Academy of Pediatrics has an excellent resource answering these and other questions at http://www.aap.org/family/carseatguide.htm

So what do we do with the dad who won't buckle Little Bobby? It's a tough call. This is America. Parents have rights. Does Little Bobby have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness? Is Dad interfering with that right? Maybe. Until we sort that out, you'll do well to avoid Dad's mistake. Be a good example to your children and always wear your seat belt. Insist on your children being properly secured from day one. Always use a car seat. Make no exceptions. Little Bobby figured out that if he screams loud enough and long enough, he gets to roam the car and stick his tongue out at passing cars. If you have a Little Bobby in your car, it's not too late. Let him scream. It won't last long. Will you be interfering with his life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness? Maybe. But I know which choice I'd make. How about you?

Fabric Softener for Baby Clothing

It is indeed daunting to realize that once a baby arrives, not only does your laundry chore doubles, but you need to make arrangements to shield off the tender skin of our baby from harsh clothes. Fabric softeners for baby clothing then becomes a necessity.

It may be reassuring to know it is not always necessary to use a baby detergent for your baby's clothes. Because a baby detergent does not always get rid of stains and odors on your baby's clothing as you'd like, it may be better you switch to some other detergent.

Switching on to fabric softener

Before switching to a fabric softener, make sure to test one article of clothing first. Unless your baby has allergies, eczema, atopic dermatitis, or other conditions affecting your baby's sensitive skin, liquid detergents meant exclusively for babies are your best bet because they work for all types of clothes. But if there seems to be some irritation, you can still try using a fabric softener detergent that does not contain colors or fragrances.

Why Fabric Softeners?

· Better than an ordinary baby detergent that only washes because they come with choices to meet the need of your baby's sensitive skin. Fabric softeners come in two types: sheets and liquids; they also come in scented as well as fragrance-free options. · Fabric softeners give fabrics a softer feel and help reduce static cling (particularly useful for synthetics and permanent press items). · They are designed to make clothes feel softer and smoother, and at the same time reduce wrinkles in clothing and mitigate the need to iron.

How to Use Fabric Softeners

· Liquid fabric softeners: Add liquid fabric softener during your washing machine's final rinse cycle for enhanced softening. Make sure there is water in the machine when you add the softener; however, avoid overfilling the washing machine. Staining may result if a fabric softener is poured directly on the clothes. And most importantly, keep your baby's fabric softener in an environment where it will not freeze; freezing leads to thickening of the liquid fabric softener. · Fabric softener sheets: While using sheets, it is always advisable to add them just before you start your drier. The drier's heat activates the softening properties of fabric softener sheets. Staining might result if you allow a fabric sheet to sit in a wet load of clothing.

Remember to avoid washing your little one's clothes with the rest of the family's clothes; the harsh detergents are likely to irritate your baby's skin (most common of them, diaper rash). All said, remember to always read the manufacturer's instructions and follow them; also look for any special cleaning instructions that may appear on the labels of your baby's clothing. Following these will ensure soft, fluffy clothes for your baby's comfort.

Breastfeeding My Baby, Where Do I Start?

Congratulations you have a new baby! Having a new baby is hard enough but when you choose to breastfeed you sometimes feel that you made this experience even harder. Breastfeeding is not as difficult as it looks or as you may have heard from others. It is actually pretty easy and a very fulfilling way to nourish your newborn once you get the hang of it. Remember as with most things practice makes perfect! Breastfeeding is new to you and to your little one but with a little practice you two will become pros in no time!

During the first week of your baby's life, your breasts will produce colostrum for your baby to drink. Colostrum is rich in antibodies and aids the baby's immune system. It also helps him pass his first bowel movement, which is called meconium. Meconium is black and tarry looking and is in the first few diapers after birth. Then he begins to transition to a brown substance and after your milk comes in, it becomes a yellow, mustardy stool that is loose and watery. Bottle-fed babies pass firmer, tannish stools than breastfed babies.

After 24-48 hours after birth, your baby will start having wet diapers that will increase to two or three a day.

Your technique and positioning is a very important factor in ensuring that your breastfeeding experience is a great one. There are a few different positions that can be used to make the experience more comfortable for you and baby. Some of these positions include:

• Laying down - Lay down on you side with pillows behind you to support your back. Lay baby facing you with her head on a pillow your breast should be level with baby's mouth. Bend your legs with a pillow between your knees and then have baby latch on.

• Sitting Up – Sit up either in bed or a comfortable chair or couch with pillows supporting your back and head. Place a pillow on your lap and put baby on top of the pillow in your arms, you can rest your arms on the pillow to make it easier to bring baby up to your breast. Bend your knees to make this even easier have baby latch on.

• The Clutch Hold – This is also known as the football hold. This position is also good when nursing twins as it allows mom to have a baby on each side. Sit down and tuck your baby under your arm almost like a handbag. Rest baby's head on a firm pillow on your lap. Ensure that baby's feet are behind your back. Your hand is at the back of baby's neck, not on baby's head. Your arm will extend down baby's back , guide baby to latch on

These are just a few of the positions that you can use there is also the cradle hold, clutch hold, and the transition position. Do some research to learn these other positions to nurse your baby if you find the above positions uncomfortable.

While your baby drinks colostrum and then milk, you should listen for a pattern of "suck, suck, suck, swallow." This pattern will be rhythmic and there should be no "clicking" noises. The "clicking" sound can indicate that your baby is not properly latched on and may not be getting enough milk from you. If you start to hear this, you need to unlatch him and then reattach him. If you continue to hear this sound after reattaching him several times, then you may want to consult a lactation consultant or your pediatrician.

After the first week of life, you should see 6-8 wet diapers each day and at least 3 bowel movements a day. His urine should be clear and he should become more alert with each passing day. Your baby should also be gaining weight and growing, as this is the surest way to tell that they are getting enough nutrition. If you have two days in a row that deviates from the above indicators, then you should call your pediatrician immediately.

Breastfeeding problems, such as milk production difficulties, are not as common when using the PDF feeding method, but they do occur. Even if you are well rested, eating healthy, have a pretty routine life, and your baby is growing and getting enough food, you still may experience a milk production issue. Many things can cause production problems. Here are just a few.

Some things that can affect your milk supply are:

• What mom eats • How much mom rests and sleeps • Her state of mind • The age of the mom • How many children you have • Your desire to breastfeed • Your nursing capabilities • Your nursing techniques • Baby's latch on abilities

If you choose to breastfeed, it is very important that you take your baby for their check-ups as needed. If you don't, how will you know if he is getting enough milk and growing at the correct rate? There is no way for you to tell that your child is getting enough nutrition for sure without your child being weighed.

Selecting The Perfect Baby Furniture For Your Nursery

The first thing that most new parents think about is a bassinet or a crib. A bassinet is very small and is designed for babies, while a crib is designed for babies and toddlers. The main concern with a crib is that some children may find themselves wedged in between the bars, so pay close attention to the spacing if selecting a crib with your new baby furniture.

For those restless nights, a rocking chair is a must have. This is generally placed next to the bassinet or crib and is for one of the parents to spend time rocking their child back and forth, either to relax them or to help them fall asleep. This is an essential piece of baby furniture and must be well constructed in order to avoid any mishaps. If the chair is assembled upon purchase, double check it's stability prior to use.

Another important piece of baby furniture is a changing table. This is commonly used for changing diapers, cleaning up after the baby and even dressing the child. It is important to keep the baby's clothes in one of the changing table's compartments or right next to the unit in a drawer. The reason that this is so important is so that your hand never leaves the child while on the table, so all clothes must be within reach so that you can safely reach for them while holding onto the child.

A baby bathtub is another essential piece of baby furniture and is designed especially for the little one's comfort. These are found at any baby specialty store or in the newborn department at a local retail store.

Not necessarily classified as baby furniture, but necessary nonetheless is a baby stroller for taking your newborn for a short walk. In addition, a diaper bag with diapers and an extra change of clothes (for both you and the baby) should be taken along.

When selecting baby furniture, it is important to consider quality above all else. This is the furniture that stands between your child and the floor, so make sure that it is sturdy and secure. In addition, pay close attention to recalls on any baby furniture or accessories. From time to time, certain types of baby furniture may be involved in a recall by the manufacturer. If this is the case, the manufacturer typically offers to either provide a repair, replacement or refund for the baby furniture in question.

Baby Name Meanings

Speaking as a Michael (a Hebrew name, meaning "Who is like God"), I'm really proud of my name. And I think that I - mostly - live up to the title! Of course, my mother would probably disagree; I think the phrase "little devil" would probably pass her lips if she was describing me during many stages of my childhood.

But then, my mother has her own issues; apparently her name (Kathleen) is a Celtic name meaning "Little Darling". Hmmm, that isn't the way I used to think about her during those regular occasions when she was punishing me for my "not like God" behaviour…!

And that's the fun of baby name meanings - parents make naming decisions based on many, many different reasons, including family traditions, religion, culture, uniqueness and "it just sounds really nice." But - in the Western world - we rarely do any real research into the history or real meaning of baby names. So when the poor/lucky child finally finds out the meaning of his/her "really nice sounding" name, the results can be interesting, ironic, unfortunate or just sometimes hilarious.

You can have a lot of fun thinking up family/friends names, finding out the meanings and trying to make a connection between the two. For example, my eldest brother Clive is apparently "a cliff dweller", which is coincidental, since he lives at the top of a very long steep hill! Or why not play the game with celebrities - consider the following:

Badu (as in r n'b singer Erykah Badu): African name meaning "Tenth born child"

Winona (as in actress Winona Ryder): Sioux name meaning "Firstborn daughter"

Aaliyah (the late r n'b singer): Arabic name meaning "High, exalted"

Hilary (as in actresses Duff/Swank): Latin name meaning "Cheerful"

Some cultures have very interesting traditions when it comes to baby name meanings. For example, Hindu names usually have connections with very positive things such as truth, beauty, happiness, blessings, etc, or one of the Hindu gods. In the Sikh culture, girls traditionally have the middle or surname "Kaur", meaning "Princess", whilst the boys have the middle or surname "Singh", meaning "Lion".

An African friend of mine once mentioned that many Africans are given a second name corresponding to the day of the week on which they were born. I think is a really nice tradition, but in my case, my middle name would be "Sondo" (born on Sunday)!! Hmmmm…

Whatever type of name you have chosen, or are thinking about for your "bundle of joy", its worth doing a little research into the meaning. And it's never been easier, with the wealth of Internet resources and books available, including my own site at www.all-about-baby-names.com, which is jam-packed with resources, tips and information on baby names, baby name meanings and baby products.

Your search may yield some surprises; for example, the lovely-sounding name "Malory" is French and means "Bad luck". You could get round this by spelling it "Mallory", but this means "Without good fortune" in Old German!

Alternatively, you may end up a little confused by different meanings of the same name; for example "Leah" is a beautiful girl's name, but what does it mean? Well…

" In Hebrew it means "Cow" or "Weary one" - uugghhh! " In Greek it means "Glad tidings" " In Assyrian, it means "Mistress, ruler"

And a final warning: if you are planning to go for a funky, unusual-sounding name, be sure to avoid "Bacia," - its Ugandan meaning is "Family deaths ruined the home!"

Baby Expense - When Money is Tight, and Baby's on the Way...

As you probably know, baby expense should be high on your list of things to plan for, before the baby comes. There is no cheap way to have and raise a baby: it takes sweat, work, lots of cash, patience, and more to have a happy, healthy baby. Some studies suggest that you will spend anywhere between $150,000 and $200,000 for your kids by the time they are 18 years old, not including private schools, special lessons, or college.

But if you waited until you had enough money, time and energy to have your baby, you would probably end up without any children. Here you'll find a few ways to ease the finances, so that you can enjoy your new bundle of joy.

1. Get health assistance - if you don't have health insurance, and can't afford it, doctor's bills can ad up really easy. But there are options out there for people just like you. This baby expense will probably be one of your biggest, so don't be afraid to ask for assistance if your family needs it.

2. Breastfeed your baby, if possible. It's free, it's convenient, and it might help against breast cancer. It's recommended as being the best form of nutrition for baby.

If you can't breastfeed, don't feel guilty. Try to apply for WIC (Women, Infants, and Children): http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic, a program designed to help middle and low income families with educational resources and food. You can also save money by buying formula in bulk, clipping coupons, and accepting free samples whenever they are offered. This is a baby expense you can't do without.

3. Diapers - Some diapers are better than others, but most are basically the same. Store brand disposable diapers can be just as good as the name brand, for several dollars less than their name brand counterparts. You can save even more, if you use cloth diapers instead of disposable. As with breastfeeding, it's a little more work involved, but well worth it.

4. Diaper Rash Prevention - instead of taking action after your baby got a diaper rash, prevent it with a drop of olive oil applied to their bottom every time you change their diaper: it works wonders (you should check with your doctor first).

5. Baby food - When it comes to baby food, a blender is your best friend: it will help you keep this baby expense at its lowest. Not only is it much cheaper, but it's so much healthier! Save the little baby food jars for quick trips, or special occasions, and give your baby pureed food made by you. You can cook a week's supply on the weekend, put the blended vegetables in the ice cube tray, for a few hours, and then place them in a freezer bag. Depending on your baby's appetite and age, you can microwave one, two or three cubes before meal time. It's quick, healthy and inexpensive.

6. Clothing - There is no need to buy expensive designer clothing for you little one. Do you think anyone will really notice that your baby is wearing Tommy Hilfiger? Babies look cute in anything: don't waste your money! You can get most of your baby clothing at yard sales or second-hand stores.

7. Toys - they are big business, but you don't have to feel pressured to get the latest and most expensive models. My kids were happy with everyday items as their toys: empty shampoo bottles (make sure they are cleaned and rinsed very well before handing them to your baby), plastic bowls, plastic containers from food products (margarine, sour cream , etc.) that they could stack up, etc. Also, buy some toys that will help with your baby's development, are durable, and are age appropriate: a baby expense worth the money.

8. Wills - Get a will or update your old will. Name a guardian for your child and the trustee of your child's inheritance (often but not always the same person). Without a will, the court will name these individuals and also split up your assets in accordance with state law which may not be the way you would wish. Please don't try to avoid this baby expense: your kid's future might depend on it. A simple will that includes a trust for minor children costs between $150 and $250.