An Introduction to Baby Car Seats

Becoming a parent for the first time involves a huge amount of learning, as there are hundreds of things involved which childless people will have had no reason to come across before, nor had any incentive to learn about. When you first learn of the impending new arrival, your thoughts will probably be taken up with decorating and equipping a nursery, buying clothes, bottles, and much more, but many people don't think of a baby car seat until later on in the pregnancy. It's very important to make sure you know what to look for in a seat, as after all, you'll need one on your baby's very first journey, from the hospital back to home.

For this first journey, you'll need a seat which faces towards the rear of your vehicle. This provides the best protection in the event of an impact for an infant who is unable yet to support the weight of their own head. The seat will be nicely reclined backwards, providing a safe and comfortable coccoon for your baby.

It's important to choose a rear-facing seat which is sturdy and dependable, yet light to carry. Young babies sleep a little and often, and the last thing you want to do after finally getting your child to sleep in a car journey is to wake them by removing them from their warm and cosy seat. Having an easily detachable model which is light to carry means you can ferry your baby from car to house with as little disturbance as possible.

These rear facing seats are only suitable for younger infants. Once they've grown to weigh around 20 pounds, or the top of their head is nearing the upper edge of the seat and thus no longer protected properly, you'll need to move to a forward facing seat.

These seats are much more upright, but better models can be adjusted to provide a more horizontal position to help your toddler sleep during longer journeys. Because of the upright position, it's essential that your child is able to sit up on their own before using this kind of seat. Forward facing seats are built to last for a fair few years, and most will be good until your child reaches the age of 4 or 6.

Before we finish, there are two extremely important things to bear in mind when buying a car seat.

Firstly, you should be very careful when buying one that isn't brand new. Although it might seem like an economy to get a second hand seat, there's no way of knowing for sure its history. It may have been involved in an accident at some point in the past, resulting in weaknessess that may not be visible to the naked eye. These weaknesses could endanger your baby even in a minor accident. You should only buy a used seat when you can be absolutely sure of the history - such as when buying off close friends or family.

Finally, baby car seats shouldn't be fitted in front seats where an airbag is fitted. In an accident, the inflation of the airbag could cause serious injury or suffocation to a child, so always fit car seats in the rear of the vehicle in this case.

Baby Toy Bargains On The World Wide Web

The vast majority of new parents live on restrictive budgets. They are early in their careers and are not at the peak of their earning potentials. Likewise, with the birth of a new child, bills are high -- including the costs associated with clothing and toys for the newborn child.

While there are many absolutely fabulous toy stores in the brick and mortar world that offer some truly imaginative and delightful toys for children, the price tags on many of these items at these outlets can be quite high. Indeed, there are now toys for babies in these real world retail stores that are priced over the moon.

If you are a new parent, you most certainly are interested in finding ways in which you can save money on baby toys. The Internet is a worthy and useful resource for people who are interested in finding good toys for their baby without having to pay an arm and a leg for these products.

One resource that you will want to utilize in your search for lower cost toys for your baby online is one or another of the overstock websites now in operations. These sites tend to carry a decent selection of baby toys -- including the latest items on the market in the world today. At these sites, a consumer many times can save a significant amount of money for a particular toy, a significant amount of money over what he or she would end up having to pay in the brick and mortar world.

There are also an ever growing number of websites on the Net that cater specifically to the marketing and selling of bargain toys for children of all ages, including babies. By accessing and utilizing these sites, a typical parent is able to obtain a nice selection of toys for a baby without breaking the bank in the process.

Many parents are interested in buying educational toys and products for their children, including for their babies. These are now websites on the Net that specifically carry and stock educational toys for children. (Many experts maintain that it is never too young to begin exposing a child to education toys and related products.) Again, through Internet sites, a typical parent can save a significant amount of cash on education toys and related products for his or her child, for his or her baby.

Baby Shower Favor Ideas and Tips

Cute Ideas for Baby Shower Favors Even though guests shouldn't expect to leave any party with anything, it is always a nice gesture to give parting guests a favor. Here are some instructions for simple and easy baby shower favors that you can make at home. By making the favors yourself, not only can you save money, but the handmade favors can be personalized easily to reflect the tastes of the mom-to-be and the theme of the shower!

Baby Bottles- Even your local dollar store can be a great place to find favor ideas. Plastic baby bottles can be filled with chocolate, candies, Jordan almonds, jelly beans, bath beads or bath salts. Tie some ribbon around the neck with a tag that says "Thank You" with the mom's and baby's names on it.

Baby Booties- Filled with candies, wrapped chocolates, gum balls, you can tie these at the tops with ribbons and a tag, much like the baby bottles.

Organza or Net Bags - You can find these in the wedding section of most major craft retailers. Fill with candies, bath salts, chocolates, etc.

Plastic Bottles or Glass Jars- It's not too hard to find these types of containers. If you don't see them locally, search online and you can order them in large quantities. Fill them with bath salts, bubble bath, shower gel or even baby powder. You can tie a tag on them that has a cute verse about showering them like they showered the mom-to-be!

Tea Cups- Some baby shower hostesses have purchased tea cups and a flat of flowers and put one flower in each mug for a beautiful favor. A great place to find odds and ends tea cups is at local garage sales and thrift shops. Find some with pretty flowers painted on the sides. You can also fill the tea cups with candle gel and a wick for another fun favor idea.

Flower Pots- With a cute tag telling the recipient to nurture their plant as the new mom will nurture her new baby, you could give guests small flower pots and seed packets or bulbs for tulips or daffodils for them to plant and grow some flowers. If you want to do more, decorate the flower pot with acrylic paints or rub-on sayings or pictures found in the scrapbooking section of craft stores. You can even get a simple foam stamp to decorate them.

Candy Bar Wrappers- You've seen those expensive candy bar wrappers you can order, but why not make your own? These are perfect favors for showers that take place after the baby has arrived! Just purchase a large quantity of candy bars from your local warehouse store like Sam's or Costco and take one wrapper off to measure the size of the wrapper. Now you have a template. Create a wrapper using your favorite software and add special details like the baby's name, birthday, weight and length and don't forget to add the parent's names as the "manufacturer". For ingredients, try words like "sugar and spice and all things nice," "love," "snips, snails and puppy dog tails."

There are so many ways you can make inexpensive favors that your baby shower guests will really love. Even something as simple as a bar of glycerin soap tied with a pretty ribbon is a nice gift most people will enjoy. Look for sales and clearance items to really save money, but have the look of an expensive gift.

Baby shower favors that you make at home are personal gifts that add a great touch. Not only does it make your guests happy, but it shows the mom-to-be that you care for her friends, too! Have fun making your homemade baby shower favors!

Using a baby hand and footprint as a gift?

I am sure that you have been in a situation where you didn't know what to get for your parents or your mom and dad in law. Maybe it was their birthday or maybe it was for Christmas or maybe you just wanted to give them a present. Nevertheless it can sometimes be a challenge to find a gift that is affordable and one that they will be glad that they got.

If you are a parent yourself (preferably if you have a child of age 0-6 years) then you now have an easy to do, affordable and yet valuable gift to give. And the best part is that you can spend time with your child and he/she will think that it is fun to do.

The gift is to create a unique baby hand and footprint (or a child hand and footprint if your child isn't a baby). It is easy to do if you choose to buy a keepsake kit from a local store or on the internet. If you're going for the internet then be aware that it takes time for the shop to ship the kit to you.

Once you have the kit at home you're ready to start making a baby handprint, a baby footprint or maybe even both. Use your imagination and let your fantasy run wild. Use colors if you're the artistic type or keep it in plain colors if you're the more conservative type.

They great thing about a handprint or a footprint is that it will always be unique. No one can create a print that is exactly the same as your baby's hands and feet are very unique. Secondly I'll bet that your parents or your mom and dad in law will be thrilled to get a little keepsake memory of their grandson or daughter.

If this is the first time that you have ever done a handprint or a footprint you might want to buy more than one kit. It isn't difficult to do as most kits have an explanation inside but if you do something wrong you'll have to run to the store to get another kit or buy another one on the internet (and wait for it to arrive).

A kit is just one way to do a handprint or a footprint but there are other ways that are more creative, fun and unique. Actually the kit solution is kind of "the easy way out". If you feel that you could do more than just a kit print then I invite you to come to my site to see some of the other options that are available to you.

No matter what route you choose to go I can assure you that the baby handprint or footprint will be a gift that the grandparents will want to hold on to for the years to come.

Baby Clothes: 7 Money Saving Shopping Tips for New Parents

Perhaps the biggest problem with baby clothes is that they don't last. Not because they wear out, but because your baby quickly out grows them.

It's important to plan your baby clothes shopping around the growth of your baby. If you don't, you could be wasting money.

Keep in mind these seven tips while you plan your baby clothes shopping:

1. Wear a Larger Size

People say babies grow fast, and they're right about that. You'll be wasting money if you buy perfect fitting clothes because they'll soon be too small. Buying a larger size will extend the amount of time your baby can wear them.

2. Make a Weather Prediction

Stop and think for a moment about clothes labels that state size in terms of a baby's age, such as 12 or 18 months. Then ask this question: "When my baby is X months old, what will the weather or temperature be like?" Get the answer to this question correct and you'll buy clothes that not only fit, but also will be appropriate for the season.

3. Find Easy To Put On Outfits

Sometimes you'll struggle to dress your baby into an outfit you want him to wear. Outfits that come in several pieces, button from behind or pull over the head may require more of your patience and time. Outfits that come in one piece, open in the front, have zippers, or snap buttons should be easier to deal with.

4. Have Enough for Emergencies

Food can drop on your baby's clothes while you're feeding him. If your baby becomes sick, he might throw-up on his outfit. When a messy accident occurs, you'll need a clean set of clothes ready for your baby to wear.

5. Save at The Clearance Racks

You can save a bundle at the clearance racks. Almost every type of store has these. In addition, if you wait for a big sale you can save even more. Some stores will also markdown the clearance item further at the cash register.

6. Accept Hand Me Downs

Your family and friends may want to give you their children's baby clothes. They may have new clothes that their baby didn't have a chance to wear. If you decide to accept what they are willing to give, you'll save yourself some money, especially if they have clothing you would have bought.

7. Exchange Old Clothes for Cash

Sell the clothes your baby no longer fits into on eBay. eBay is just an example. There are many other ways to trade your old clothes for cash. You may not make as much as you had originally paid for them, however, you'll at least earn some of your money back.

Summary

If getting the most use out of the clothes you buy for your child is important to you, then the seven tips in this article should help you accomplish this. Take these ideas with you the next time you go baby clothes shopping. You'll feel good about the clothes you buy for your baby and the money you're going to save.

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?

Tips On Balancing Work And Breastfeeding

While many new moms have the best intentions to continue breastfeeding after returning to work, a new survey found that nearly one-third (29 percent) of new mothers who breastfeed stop prematurely due to work-related issues. These issues include having no designated place to pump (57 percent) and no place to store pumped milk (27 percent).

"While the health benefits of breastfeeding for baby and mother are undisputed, returning to work can leave breastfeeding moms feeling overwhelmed and frustrated," says Sue Huml, international board-certified lactation consul-tant and member of the Lansinoh Breastfeeding Advisory Board.

"While many mothers may fear returning to work will disrupt the breastfeeding routine they've worked so hard to establish, it is possible and common for women to breastfeed and return to work outside the home. It does take planning, commitment and flexibility, however," advises noted pediatrician Dr. James Sears.

Dr. Sears and Sue Huml offer some tips to help moms successfully ease the transition back to the office and continue to breastfeed while working:

• Invest in a Quality Electric Breast Pump: Many women find that using an electric breast pump helps to keep up their milk supply better than manual pumping and allows for pumping enough milk to have on hand while they are at work. "Look for a pump where you can control the speed and suction, which can enhance the milk flow by mimicking your baby's natural sucking pattern," adds Huml. "The Lansinoh Double Electric Breast Pump is quiet, which is good for being discreet, and uses a patented system that keeps condensation/breast milk from getting into the tubing and damaging the motor. It also comes with an instructional DVD."

• Stock Up: If possible, mothers should start pumping and freezing their milk about a month before returning to work. Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags are specially designed for freezing expressed breast milk safely.

• Talk with Your Employer: It is important to talk to your supervisor about your pumping schedule and work out a designated area that is safe, clean and private, where you will be able to pump without being disturbed. You can also point out the many benefits of breastfeeding for the employer, such as reduced absenteeism.

Most moms create a pumping schedule that mimics their baby's feeding schedule. As a general rule, it is best to pump every two to three hours that you will be away from your baby.

"Whenever you are not working and can be with your baby you should breastfeed exclusively in order to maintain and build up your milk supply," adds Dr. Sears.

Who Should I Invite To A Baby Shower?

It's often a challenge to decide just who to invite to your baby shower. What is the proper etiquette and how do you avoid hurting someone's feelings?

When determining your guest list, it's important to define your target group. Is it your idea to host the traditional women only gathering or will you include children? Today it's becoming increasingly popular to invite couples and/or complete families.

When you decide on the type of shower you are going to be hosting make sure your invitations are precisely worded, such as "women only", "children welcome" and so on based on your decision. If you are planning a specific theme make sure this is included on your invitations as well as any special instructions such as what to bring, how to dress, and directions to the party location. This will save you countless telephone inquiries regarding the specifics of your shower plans.

Always ask your invited guests to RSVP and keep in mind that typically about 20-25% of those confirming will ultimately fail to attend for a variety of reasons.

Baby Showers held at an office, social club or church have a pre-determined guest list of co-workers, club members or fellow church members but make sure that you find out if your shower is the only one being held for the mom to be. If it is, then you may want to extend invitations to her personal friends and family. It may take a bit of discreet probing to find out if there are additional showers planned.

Alternatively, if you are a friend or family member planning the only shower, it's a thoughtful idea to make a call to the prospective mother to be's employer to find out who should be invited from her workplace.

In most cases her husband should be able to supply contact information for her friends and work associates.

Don't forget that if your shower is the sole party planned, you should extend invites to the mom's family as well as her husband's family.

Stress Out Baby Shower Planning - 6 Golden Tips for Planning A Baby Shower (Part Two)

If you're just starting your baby shower planning and want to make sure it a huge success, you'll probably feel that as you try to take care of everything and hard to even find time to take a break.

The good news is, you're not alone.

Here are some of my useful experiences that I learn through as the guest of other's baby shower.

Sooner or later, you'll be finding out that becoming an experienced baby shower hostess takes a little bit of getting used to.

Just keep a fun attituide and enjoy your baby shower planning.

Golden Tips 4: If You Really in Need of A Baby Shower Book, Buy A E-book.

According to the report, "How Women and Men Use the Internet", published by PEW Internet & American Life Project in December 28th, 2005, there are trends showing that women are catching up in overall use and are framing their online experience with a greater emphasis on deepening connections with people.

So what you can learn from it for your baby shower planning? Definitely a lot!

Not only are most of the print version of baby shower books outdated, these books are not suitable to feed the needs for today's busy and web-savvy women.

I've read almost all the baby shower related books sold on Amazon, some of them are good written. But compare to e-books, they are not able to update with fresh content in a timely manner.

Even more, a busy 9-and-5 Shower hostess is able to organizing party ideas while every and each co-hostess can read the same Shower planning book, exchange ideas, and provide solution using emails.

Of course, this only works with e-books since you can send as many copies to your partners without paying extra money.

Golden Tip 5: Do It or Deliberate It.

Do you understand that how does the 80/20 rule work for baby shower planning?

You're probably be good at creating great Shower games or making delicious food and drink, but you can't be an all-star-team on your own to plan something that please all the family members, close friends, and even co-workers.

The smart way is to do what you're good at and deliberate the rest to your co-hostess.

I have yet to meet a baby shower hostess who's been able to accomplish everything while trying to turn the party into a one man's show. Though Shower hostess must make sure that everything is well-organized, but working with a few partners is a wise decision.

As that, you could focus on only the most important baby shower planning and activities that you've been familiar with."

What's more...if you're a friend to the soon-to-be-mom or soon-to-be-dad, you should ask their family members to help in the planning details like suggesting an invitation list, gift ideas, or providing refreshments.

Golden Tip 6: Build Your Very Own Family Web Site, And Start Showing Off Your Baby Shower Albums.

Even you are a frequent shower hostess, you probably have no idea to remember what you've done for all those oh-so-cute baby cakes and oh-so-funny activities in detail.

It comes to be a problem when you want to reuse them for a coming baby shower, and that's why I suggest people find a way to put their used baby shower planning ideas and photos online.

Imagine this: One day, a friend of you ring your home phone to ask for diaper cake making tips, you can say, "Oh dear, I did make a 4-tier rubber ducky diaper cake months ago, but I really can't remember how many diapers and what baby items I've used, can you visit my website at...".

See how it works?

You don't have to be a computer programmer to create a Web site. If you know how to browser the Internet, you can build a Web site in minutes.

It's full of fun when you're writing your ideas, uploading your photos for people to share and learn from.

A few web site building tools to recommend: Online-hosting services like Namezero.com, and Web album programs like Picasa (owned by Google).

Caring For Baby's Clothes

New parents are full of concerns about what regular household activities may pose a threat or present problems for their newest family member. At some point the question about the best ways to wash baby clothing will arise. Parents typically ask whether there is a certain type off detergent that they should use, whether it is safe to wash baby clothes with the rest of the family's clothing and what special steps should be taken with cloth diapers if they are being used.

Detergent

This is a valid concern. It is not atypical for certain detergents to irritate the skin of adults and older children, so it is certainly feasible that a baby's tender and sensitive skin can be easily irritated by harsh detergents. There are several detergents on the market that are supposedly intended for baby's clothing, but there is not much difference between them and other mild detergents. The best choice for parents to make in this area is to purchase mild detergent that is free from added colors and fragrances and wash the clothing in that. If the baby does develop a rash or seems to be experiencing skin discomfort of any kind, the first thing to do is consult the family pediatrician. The doctor may simply recommend that a different detergent be used, but will also be able to determine if there is a more serious problem.

Washing Baby Clothes with Family Clothes

Some parents feel that the baby's clothing needs to be washed separately from that of the rest of the family. The rationale for this is that the other family members' clothing could somehow taint or contaminate the baby's. There is no reason to worry about this and it is perfectly safe to wash baby's clothes and bedding along with everyone else's. The exception to this rule is cloth diapers. If parents are using cloth diapers and washing them at home rather than using a diaper service, they must be washed apart from everything else.

Cloth Diapers

Cloth diapers are fading into memory, replaced by the more convenient disposable brands that are on the market. For families that choose to use these, however, there are some special considerations. The most sanitary way to utilize reusable cloth diapers is to contract a diaper service. This will take away the hassle of washing the diapers at home and ensure that the replacement diapers are sterile. For families that choose to wash at home, the previous paragraph details that they should be kept separate from all other laundry. Storing the diapers until wash time must be done as sanitarily as possible. This means rinsing the cloth diaper in the toilet to remove solid wastes, then storing it in a pail until it is time to be washed. The pail should be covered to prevent odor and lined with a disposable or washable liner. The pail, lid, and liner should be cleaned whenever the diapers are and the soiled diapers should be washed at least twice weekly.

Inexpensive ideas for a baby shower.

A few guests can get together and get a big laundry basket. Place in it a long clothes line with outfits, diapers, bibs, etc. pinned to it. It can also be used as a room decoration. It has a bit of everything and something to carry it in! Baby Quilt - here is a great gift from those that love to sew and quilt. Find an alphabet quilt pattern. Each square has a letter of the alphabet on it and a picture of an object that started with that letter. It can have numbers too. Each guest can be given/sent a square before the shower and can embroider, quilt, or embellish it according to her own taste. If the quilt is meant to be a wall hanging, guests can also attach little items like rattles and toys. Be sure that everyone signs their own block in some way and have the blocks returned by a certain date in order to have it put together. This can also be used as a decoration at the shower. Make a scrapbook album. Take blank scrapbook pages and have everyone write down their well wishes (without Mom knowing it) for the new baby. This can be done at or before the shower and can be given at the shower or to Mom while she is in the hospital. If given after the shower, it can include photos taken there. Pass out sheets of heavy paper decorated with baby related stamps, stickers, or pictures several lines drawn on. Have the guests write their name on the paper and then write down some baby/parenting advice. Once everyone is finished, collect them, add a cover, punch holes in it, and tie it together with some ribbon. Then hand it to Mom to read aloud. This will be entertaining as well as touching and is a nice keepsake. There is tons of room for creativity on this one. Have each guest bring an extra gift (small item recommended) for Daddy-to-be and the host of the shower will then place them in large gift bag to present to him at the close of the party (usually after the main gifts are opened). He opens this with Mommy-to-be at home or in presence of close family or friends. Diaper Shower--- For a second (or more) baby, consider a diaper shower. Ask each guest to bring only a package of diapers as a gift. Some guests may bring other gifts also, but Mom will end up with a mountain of diapers, something she will really need! Items could also include anything associated with diapering such as wipes, ointment, powder, etc. Casserole Shower--- For the mother who has everything already, how about a Casserole Shower? Have each guest bring a casserole or other ready-to-cook meal that can be frozen or stored until after the baby is born. Be sure to have the containers clearly labeled with contents and any cooking instructions. How helpful that will be when Mom and Baby come home! Book Party--- Have each guest purchase and give a copy of their favorite childhood book.

Baby Sleep Tips - Feeding During The Day

Every parent of a newborn will inevitably deal with many sleepless nights. Babies, of course, have many needs, and when they awake in the night they will cry for their mothers. One of your most important tasks as a parent is to establish good sleeping habits in your child. Every baby must go through a transition where he adjusts from sleeping with his mother to sleeping on his own. This is a natural transition of course, and takes some time, but there are things you can do to expedite the process. Not only will this help your child develop better sleep habits, it will allow you to get some much needed rest.

Many baby sleep tips exist, and every parent would be well advised to research many different baby sleep tips. It is important to keep in mind, however, that no baby sleep tip should be considered hard and fast rules. As a parent, your instincts know best, and when you are in doubt in regards to baby sleep tips remind yourself of this fact. Many first time parents experience insecurity in terms of whether their decisions and strategies are correct, and while you shouldn't be uninformed, you should always view baby sleep tips through the lens of your own parental instincts.

Now, one thing you should consider when trying to get your newborn to sleep better at night is what his feeding habits are. Oftentimes the child will be active and otherwise busy during the day, and won't be doing a lot of feeding. The problem with this, of course, is that he will then wake you repeatedly thought the night for feedings. A good technique, then, for getting your baby to sleep better at night is to "tank up" during the day. Try feeding every three hours during the day. This will not only ensure that you child's appetite is satisfied for the night, but will create an important association: you want your child to associate feeding with the daytime. If your child does wake up in the night for a feeding, try to get him to do one full feeding the first time he wakes up. If you don't do this, you encourage him to "snack" throughout the night - i.e. wake you up every couple hours.

Again, it is important to understand these baby feeding tips should not be taken as hard and fast rules, but rather as guidance. In a general way, you want to create both daytime and sleep associations for your child. You want him to associate feeding and play with something that happens during the day, and lullabies and baths as something that happens at night, before bed. By doing this you ease the transition between sleep and wakefulness, which is the ultimate goal in terms of putting your child to bed easily. If, however, your child doesn't want to feed every three hours, don't force him. Similarly, don't force a full feeding when you wake him at night. Rather, think of the bigger picture: by creating general habits and associations for your child, you will ensure a hasty and healthy sleep development.

Baby Shower Games: Reasons Not To Use Free Games

Planning a baby shower should entail the careful incorporation of ideas as well as the budget for the whole event. You would not want to come up with something that will reflect the this-will-do attitude of most people.

Consequently, baby shower games, as part of the celebration, should be meticulously prepared. However, not all baby showers have games on their plans. But the fact that it is a great ice-breaker, many baby shower coordinators are incorporating the idea of having baby shower games in the party.

With the advent of the Internet, there are many baby shower game ideas made available online. The best thing about it is that most of the baby shower games available on the Internet are free. Hence, for people who are really tight on the budget, they can get hold of the benefits that free baby shower games can give them.

But then again, free baby shower games are not for everybody. There are people who contend that free baby shower games are not the ideal games to be used in the baby shower.

Here are some of the disadvantages about the free baby shower games.

1. Free baby shower games do not look nice.

Most people contend that the printouts of the free printable baby shower games available online are better than the free baby shower games available in the market. This is because most of the free baby shower games are just plain handouts, with no artistic creations embedded in it.

2. Most parents would appreciate it more if you will not use free baby shower games.

The value or the money is not the issue here but on how baby shower games are used or executed. Because free baby shower games usually lacks quality materials, it would be better not to include them in the party than to make it appear that the event and the preparation was just taken for granted.

3. If there were a budget, it would be better not to use free baby shower games.

If you have a budget for the baby shower as well as the games, it would be better to use the games that were designed professionally.

Besides, baby shower games are not at all expensive when compared to free baby shower games.

4. Believe on the saying, you will get what you have paid for.

This would mean that if you have obtained a baby shower game for free, then, expect something that is not meticulously and artistically created because there are no capitals or investments used to make the creation attractive.

If you obtained a baby shower game that is worth your money, chances are, you will have quality baby shower games to enjoy in the party.

The bottom line is that baby shower games should not be taken for granted. It does not necessarily mean that free baby shower games are really bad or is not worth using. But the fact that the event is such a momentous occasion for the parents-to-be, then, it would be better to come up with baby shower games that would reflect the joy and happiness of the people on the arrival of the baby.

After all, baby shower games are not that expensive so there is no sense in getting free baby shower games.

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.

Baby Furniture - Furnishing The Nursery Safely

Babies are such a joy to be around and the feeling of excitement usually elevates during the period where its time to buy and select baby furniture for the baby.

One of the essential pieces of baby furniture that a baby needs is a crib. Though a crib is a common thing needed by babies, the selection process of picking this kind of baby furniture is crucial. Why you may ask? Well, according to recent reports, at least 50 babies experience suffocation or were strangled each year because of accidents that involve cribs that are old and have broken parts. This eventually led to the declaration of U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in 1995. The said declaration was all about the destruction and elimination of old and used cribs. Due to this incident, the safest way to ensure that baby furniture is in good and safe condition is to buy a brand new one. Unfortunately, not all people have the money to buy a new one so the best thing that you could do is to wait for the next best thing

In buying baby furniture, always remember that the safety of the baby is at stake. Do not buy baby furniture just for the sake of saving money because you would risk the safety of the child in return. Be sure to use precaution and examine everything. Here are some tips that would help you in finding the perfect baby furniture for the perfect baby (without compromising your baby's safety as well as your budget).

The first step in choosing used baby furniture is to check the furniture thoroughly. Be sure to check every detail and look for possible missing, loose, broken or improperly installed screws, brackets and other hardware on the baby furniture. Another thing that you should consider is the material that the baby furniture is made of. A few minutes or so of inspection is a wise investment both financially and for the protection of your child.

After checking for obvious visual defects visit the CPSC's website and enter the make and model of the item in their search box, this should bring back any warnings or recall notices.

Buying Gently Used Baby Clothing

Remember that adorable outfit you bought for your newborn - the one that cost you nearly $40, and got worn three times before it no longer fit? For such tiny things, baby clothing is expensive - and as fast as babies grow, they seldom see much wear. For parents on a budget, those are potent arguments for cutting costs where you can when dressing baby.

Designer duds for baby DO make sense though - and by designer, I mean the elite in the baby design field: OshKosh and Baby B'Gosh, Carters, Sweat Pea and other top-of-the-line baby clothing manufacturers. They concentrate on the little details that cheap clothing manufacturers skimp on - little details that make a major difference in fit, appearance and comfort. You want to take advantage of nice, flat seams that don't irritate, and nylon snaps that don't scratch or pull through fabric. But you don't want to pay $30 for a sleeper!

The answer is shopping around for gently worn using baby clothes and checking with friends and relatives for outgrown hand-me-downs. Yard sales are a great source in the spring and summer months. You'll often find great clothes that are barely worn in sizes for the next couple of years. Check the newspaper for upcoming yard sales - baby clothes are often one of the advertised items.

Another great place to buy designer baby clothes at rock-bottom prices is a good consignment shop. Strike up a relationship with the owner, and she may even put aside items that she knows you'll love and give you a call to let you know what she's got. In addition, you can often sell the same baby clothes BACK, or trade them in on the next size up when baby outgrows them.

How about a place to get gently used baby clothing for the cost of the gas to go pick them up? Freecycle.org is a national movement of community bulletin boards who are committed to the concept of 'one man's junk'. Check http://www.freecycle.org to see if there's a chapter near you, and join up. Seldom a day goes by that someone doesn't offer a few bags of baby and children's clothing in various sizes. The quality varies, but the younger the baby, the more likely that the clothing is still in excellent shape.

Don't overlook church and community thrift shops as sources of good, well-cared for baby clothing. If there's a Junior League thrift shop in your city, you'll find beautiful clothing for baby at bargain basement prices.

When you do pick up used clothing for baby, launder it as soon as you get it home. Pretreat stains if there are any, and wash with a gentle laundry soap meant for baby. Add borax to the water for extra whitening power, and be sure to rinse at least twice if you use bleach. By the time you're done, you'll have one of the best-dressed babies in town - without breaking your piggy bank.

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.

Choosing A Formula

If you've decided on formula as the choice for feeding your baby, you might be a bit confused about all the choices. There are lots of options to help you find the type that will best suit your baby's needs and your lifestyle.

When you are in the hospital, if your baby is getting formula, it will likely be pre-mixed in one serving disposable bottles, and will be a name brand, milk based formula. This is likely to be what your pediatrician recommends and will work well for most babies. You may be able to use this for the whole first year, with no issues.

If your baby has trouble with this formula, he may have a milk allergy, and may need soy, or other special type of formula. If your baby is having trouble tolerating his formula, he may cry significantly after eating, indicating that he has a stomach ache or he may throw up or have diarrhea. If you notice what you think might be intolerance to the formula, contact your pediatrician right away. You might have to experiment with a few before you find the right one, but don't lose hope. There is a formula out there that will work well for your baby.

Your next consideration is whether you want pre-mixed, liquid concentrate or powdered formula. Pre-mixed means you just pour and serve. Liquid concentrates need to have water added, as does powdered. Pre-mixed is the most expensive, powdered is the least. But, of course, pre-mixed is also the most convenient. Pre-mixed and liquid concentrates also spoil more quickly. Powdered formulas do have a shelf life, but are generally good for about two weeks. Your decision will generally be decided by your budget and lifestyle, as babies tolerate all three types equally well. You might want to mix and match, using powdered formula when you're at home, and pre-mixed when you travel. Follow the directions on your formula package carefully.

When you're bottle feeding, you must also be diligent about sterilizing your bottles. Keeping the feeding equipment sterile is critical to protecting your baby's health, especially in the early days. If you want to minimize the equipment that needs to be sterile, try using the bottles that hold disposable milk bags. These are good at keeping air out of the baby's tummy, and require that only the nipple be sterilized. The down side is that you have to buy the sterile disposable bags, and each bag can be used only once. You might want to spend some time shopping around to decide what kind of bottle your want to try. Whatever type you choose, just be sure to read the sterilization instructions, and follow them closely.

At first, bottle feeding may seem like a lot of work, but give it some time. Once you get the hang of sterilizing bottles and preparing formula, it will be a breeze.

Common Cause Of Frequent Infant Crying Could Point To Digestive Problems

Every year, millions of expectant parents prepare for their new baby's arrival.

Bringing a newborn home can be a thrilling but stressful and confusing experience.

A new baby's frequent crying can also be a source of anxiety for inexperienced parents. According to a recent survey conducted by the Caregivers' Advisory Board, 94 percent of first-time mothers admit to feeling stress when their babies are crying and can't be comforted.

Although babies cry for a variety of reasons, digestive problems, such as infant gas, are a common cause. Infant gas affects more than 2 million infants per year. While excess gas can be uncomfortable for a baby, it is important for parents to remember that it is often a temporary problem.

"First, it is important that parents with questions or concerns regarding their infants talk to their pediatrician. But parents can help prevent and reduce gas by ensuring that the baby's mouth forms a good seal around the breast or bottle, and by avoiding certain foods while breast feeding," says Dr. James Sears, pediatrician and co-author of "The Baby Book." "I also recommend an over-the-counter treatment, such as Infants' Mylicon Gas Relief Drops, to safely relieve gas and make the baby more comfortable."

The main symptoms of infant gas include uncontrollable crying and the baby pulling his or her legs up into a curled position, as if to relieve pain. To relieve these symptoms, many parents may find over-the-counter simethicone drops helpful. In fact, 95 percent of new mothers surveyed in the Caregivers' Advisory Board survey who tried Mylicon drops said the treatment provided some relief to their babies.

Baby Shower Planning: Tips, Advice, And Ideas For A Successful Shower

Planning a baby shower is the perfect way of expressing "Congratulations," or "We're happy for you," or "Best wishes" when a newborn has been added to the family.

Aimed at further boosting the parents-to-be's excitement for the future member of their family, the baby shower is usually hosted by a close friend or relative, at any time during the last months of the pregnancy.

Just like any other party, a baby shower requires careful planning to ensure that it will go as smoothly as possible, and be memorable for everyone. Although there are no rules cast in stone in preparing for a baby shower, there are some helpful tips to follow to help the host organize every aspect of the event.

1) Decide on the location.

Most baby showers are held at the parent-to-be's house, since the expectant mother's health needs to be considered. It is recommended for small, intimate parties, with only the closest friends and family members. Guests also tend to be more comfortable if the party's setting is at home.

If the expectant parents love the outdoors, a barbecue party at their garden, or a local park may also be an option. Naturally, the weather must be considered – baby shower does not literally mean soaking the guests in the rain.

For less complications, the host may reserve a secluded area in a restaurant or bar. It may be more costly, but at least the decoration, food and drinks, as well as the post-party cleanup will already be taken care of.

2) Choose the party's theme.

For easier decoration ideas, a theme may be decided upon. Consider the expectant parents' favorite movies or hangouts. Another option is to decorate the party site by re-creating the place where they had their honeymoon, such as a cruise ship, or Paris-inspired café.

Since the party will also be a celebration of the future baby, a childish atmosphere may also be considered. Choose cartoon characters, bright colors, and other designs depending on the baby's gender.

3) Finalize the menu.

The party's menu will depend upon the time of the event. In most baby showers, the host serves finger food, pastries and other baked goods for convenience. However, if the event will be held during lunch or dinner time, heavier meals will naturally be served. Alcoholic drinks may also be prepared, depending on the guests' preference.

4) Design a fun program.

Contrary to what most people believe, a baby shower is not only limited to mingling around, gift giving, eating and drinking. Fun games may also be included, such as charades, or those which will bring back the guests' childhood memories. Remember that the main point is to make sure everyone will have a good time, and various games will surely liven up the event.

5) Create the guest list and send out invitations.

Prepare a list of the expectant parents' closest friends and family members. Make sure to seek their approval before sending out invitations, to avoid any embarrassing mistakes later. Bear in mind that it's the parents' event, and not the host's, so their choice of people should matter the most.

Ready-made baby shower invitations are readily available in gift shops and craft stores. However, homemade invitations may also be used to provide the host's personal touch.

Send out invitations out two to four weeks before the party to give time for the guests to fix their schedule. Baby shower invitations follow the same format as any other invitation — it indicates the date, time, place, attire preferred, gift registry, if any, the host's contact numbers for RSVP. Just to be organized, prepare a final list of attendees a few days before the baby shower.

Baby Shower Theme - This Is About Babies Right

What sort of ideas are you seeking for your baby shower theme, well of course we all know that - ideas that will reflect what the whole occasion is about and remain in the guest`s memories for a long time to come.

Not all baby showers have a theme and this could be because of a number of reasons like a restricted budget or that the host or mother-to-be has other ideas for the celebration.

If your event to celebrate the new baby on the way is going to involve a baby theme then decorate accordingly - for example if Winnie the Pooh is your preference then cute little cuddly bears can be placed around the room. Honey pots with personalized engravings can be donated as your thank you gift favors. While on the subject of bears we have to remember that these have always held a preferential place over any other item given to a baby as their first toy. Teddy bear themes will always encourage an atmosphere of baby`s presence whether the infant is born or not

New born babies are sleepers so this maybe the reason why the night sky glittered with stars are so poplar for a baby topic. Decorations for this type of atmosphere are simple - silver stars cut from tin foil and other evening sky object shapes will prove to be very cost effective for this look. Be careful when putting this theme in to action as it may entail climbing a ladder to reach the ceiling. Hang coloured streamers and angelic cherub cut outs.

Baby and kiddie fairy tale books strewn around the room can add colour as well as gain interest from your guests in occupying themselves while waiting for the food to be served up. These books can be given as your thank you gift favors. The books will be warmly accepted because there is a possibility that the guest never got to finish the story they started reading before filling their bellies - so to cut a long story short (excuse the pun) they get to read the ending.

Fairies, elves and fairytale characters are fabulous ornamentation figurines to place on the table of edibles even the edibles can be shaped in the form of different baby icons. Baby theme ideas are endless.

If you have other children bring them in on the planning of the theme for your baby shower party. Kiddies have wonderful ideas - their imaginations just run wild so consider any suggestions that they have. The worst case scenario that could happen here by listening to the child is - the guest may not be impressed but the babies that are already here will be. (This is about babies right)

Baby Clothes: Long and Lean

Confused by the phrase 'Long and Lean' following Baby Clothes? Well, this article works both ways to reduce the confusion of those online baby cloth hunters. And surprisingly, most of the optimized searches will disappoint you if you are either searching clothes meant for your long and lean babies, or clothes to make your baby look long and lean! Confusing, right?

For those who have been thinking that buying a baby's cloth is just a child's play, note that baby clothes have their whole of rules. And as they begin their growth, you will realize that your baby should be understood in terms of their growth and gender in order to meet their needs. Let us take a peek into what makes these criteria a must for those parents shopping for baby clothes.

The Long and the Lean

It is believed that the condition of birth determines what a child will look like when it grows up. But there is no way to predict exactly the rate of their growth. However, recent studies have claimed that heavy babies tend to grow up fat and long babies tend to grow up tall. But this may be contestable.

Sizing a baby's clothing: the Long and the Lean

Parents might be often asking: "What do I need to buy for my lean or fat baby?" Though a baby's clothes comes in sizes shown by months, as in 0-3 months, this question calls in for a different set of solution. How do you know that this is a standard? There are four fundamental flaws in this standard:

1. The sizes of babies vary enormously. And the manufacturers might claim that a particular size is the standard of your baby's age group. 2. The growth of babies varies, ranging from slow to rapid. And some babies might be double the size of their same age group. 3. The shape also varies. Some children might outgrow their clothes; clothes made for round babies might stop snapping at the crotch well before they hit their supposed limit. 4. Different manufacturers have their own specific standards. This considerably confuses parents while buying clothes for their babies.

So what do we do? Does one need to buy by weight, or size, or age group? A baby's age stage is the most confusing stage indeed! And, parents will be likely to keep buying clothes to keep up with the alterations in the baby's growth – size, weight, length, and shape.

The best advice is not to buy very expensive clothes for this stage. You will not be able to keep up with the speed a baby soils the clothes. However, ensure that the clothes are friendly with your child.

And remember that we cannot help the fluctuations in a baby's growth; while searching clothes for your long and lean baby, or clothes to make your baby look long and lean, just be patient. We all have been through it as babies!

Free Baby Stuffs Online

Shopping for a newborn baby is one of the most beautiful experiences for an expectant mother. With number of online outlets coming up shopping is become more easy and comfortable. Now days you can also find different types of free baby stuffs online. Yes you have heard it right free baby stuffs. All you have to do is just sign up for free product samples and get your daily freebies, newsletters, free stuff coupon and free product samples right in your inbox.

Free product samples can really help today's busy and cash strapped family to figure out works for them without having to make their debit cards work over time. These free stuffs outlets provide free product samples newsletters just with the click of a link to get your free product samples. If you join the mailing list of such site you can actually have all the daily newest freebies in your inbox. Some of the freebies that you can avail from these sites are

1. Free Baby Talk DVD : Free Baby Talk DVD can provide you with information you need to now about breast feeding, infant fevers, getting enough sleep, healthy eating, crying babies and so on. This Baby Talk DVD is entertaining and easy to watch, it offers practical and down to earth advice. 2. Free Baby Planner : A free baby planner provides you with invaluable information that covers all your biggest new 'milestones' month by month from conception and birth right until your baby hits the toddler stage. 3. Free Potty Training: Free Potty training provide useful training for your young ones to know when they are wet and encourage them to stay drier for a longer time.

To avail the above freebies from any free baby stuffs outlet all you have to do is just register your details with them and they will send you your free baby stuff samples.

How To Shop For Baby Designer Furniture

Oh what fun baby Designer furniture is! If you can afford to outfit your baby's first bedroom in Designer furniture, do it. You can rest assured that the furniture will be of high quality and last a lifetime being able to be passed down from generation to generation. A great way to start a family heirloom is with furniture that will last. You won't have to worry about the next generation having to buy furniture for their baby. They will be able to enjoy the pieces you bought and know that their baby is in good hands.

When looking for baby designer furniture, you will find a wide assortment of designs and styles to choose from. Go with something that compliments the decor in your nursery and makes it comfortable. Be sure to include pieces like a high chair, changing table, rocking chair and toy chest. Getting these things ahead of time will make you feel better about knowing you have it when you need it. Of course at first you won't be using the toy chest for toys, but you can store extra blankets and things for the baby in it. The rocking chair on the other hand will be put to use right away, I am sure. You need to get a comfortable rocking chair for you and the baby. This is probably the best place to nurse and feed your baby while it is an infant.

Baby designer furniture can be versatile as well as comfortable and of high quality. Versatile, meaning you can buy a crib that will turn into a toddler bed, and then later make into a single bed for when your baby gets bigger. Knowing you can buy furniture that will last your child through to grade school, is quite relieving for some new mom's. Otherwise you would be buying new furniture about every few years until your baby is a teen.

Baby designer furniture is fun, high quality, and versatile. What else could a new mom ask for? Be sure you choose a name brand that you trust and know. You want to be comfortable knowing your baby is in good hands with the furniture that you choose. You will sleep better, and so will your baby.

Finding Cute Baby clothes

Everybody wants their baby to look cute. People always try finding out clothes which are comfortable and make their baby look cute. There are number of places from where you can find cute baby clothes. Many parents like their babies to dress their babies in a cowboy or a cowgirl style.

There are a variety of options for parents to choose cute baby clothes for their babies. From the printed tee shirts to comfy denims the choices with baby clothes retailers are numerous. Choosing western outfit baby clothes for your babies also makes them stylish and cute at the same time. Finding cute baby clothes you should not underestimate comfort ability of clothes. You should make it sure that the clothes which make your baby look cute is also comfortable to him or her. Confirm the quality of the clothes and also see the fabric doesn't harm the tender skin of their babies.

It always suggested going for brands while choosing cute baby clothes, especially those which exclusively offer baby clothes. These brands assure of you of their quality which is also very important factor while choosing cute baby clothes. Plus, you also get great options on choosing clothes from a wide array choice available to you. Cute baby clothes are also an exclusive option with these brands.

Some of the common examples that can help you while finding cute baby clothes for babies are to go for clothes with fur. Clothes with fur are not only cute looking, comfortable but are also warm that also protects them from cool temperatures of winter season. Other good choices of cute clothes are combination of caps with clothes with rabbit ears on their caps. Clothes which depict cartoons of animals are also very cute for your babies.

Many parents like to buy clothes with cute scriptures written on it. You can ask for lovely clothes with cool colors having beautiful scriptures written on it. Searching in internet for cute baby clothes is also a great idea. There are not a wide variety of clothes available under cute baby clothes but you have an advantage on searching in the web. You can decide which clothes are best to make babies cute. You can also read opinions of other parents who have purchased cute baby clothes plus you can choose great varieties of cute baby clothes just by sitting in front of you desktop.

Top 10 Companies That Offer Baby Freebies!

By the time you find out you're pregnant (pregnancy test $15) to the time junior blows out the candles on his first birthday cake (cake $20), parents can expect to spend upwards of $18,000. And that's on baby's first year alone. By the time junior reaches 18, the average middle-income family will spend $160,140, according to recent government calculations. That doesn't even touch college tuition. Ouch!

Children are priceless, but raising them is probably the most expensive thing a parent will ever do.

But there's good news. One of the few times companies are eager to hand out free things is when someone is having a baby!

When author, Sue Hannah found out that she was expecting twins, she couldn't wait for their arrival. But feeling the financial strain that goes along with being a new parent (times two), she was definitely a little nervous.

Desperate to find extra help for her expanding family, she contacted almost every company that manufactured baby items. She scoured through parenting magazines, searched the Internet and made phone calls until her husband thought she was suffering a pregnancy-induced craze. He claimed she couldn't get something for nothing. Boy, was he wrong!

She was surprised to find out that many companies offered free stuff to new and expecting parents--and with no obligation to buy anything! She received hundreds of dollars worth of fabulous freebies for herself and her babies, including free diapers, baby wipes, baby food, baby bibs, bottles, free gift packs, parenting starter kits, free parenting videos and software, coupons, parenting books and magazines, and tons of free samples in the mail, all from well-known companies like Huggies, Gerber, Heinz, Nestlé Carnation, Johnson & Johnson, and many more.

"It was really exciting to receive free stuff in the mail", says Hannah. "These companies were eager to respond to my requests for free samples and promotional items and within a couple of weeks of contacting them, my mailbox was flooded with valuable free stuff--and with no obligation to buy anything! I could hardly wait to see what my mailman brought me in the mail each day! I filled up three large storage bins with free stuff for my twins, and saved a ton of money!"

After receiving a flood of free stuff in the mail, Hannah decided to compile her contacts and listings into an awesome book, Free Stuff For Baby!, consisting of toll-free numbers that parents could call to request free stuff, company addresses where parents could write to request free stuff, as well as Internet websites where parents could register online to request free stuff for themselves and their baby. And what a success that book has been! Hannah has recently appeared on several television programs promoting her new book, including, "Northwest Afternoon" (KomoTV/Seattle), "Your Morning" (Comcast), "Canada AM", "Breakfast Television", to name a few. Her articles have appeared in tons of parenting magazines, including "Fit Pregnancy", "Today's Parent", "Work & Family", and many more!

For those "new or expecting" parents who are reading this article today, Hannah has offered to give you a sneak preview of her new book, "Free Stuff For Baby!", in the form of an awesome, 101-page e-book called "The Best of Baby Freebies", that contains hundreds of listings of companies that offer free stuff to new and expecting parents in the U.S. and Canada....FREE!! Details are available at the website. www.Free-Baby-Samples.com

Hannah's final words of advice: "Join as many mailing lists as you can to take advantage of what these companies have to offer. Enjoy your baby. Cherish every moment!"

Note: When contacting these companies, ask to be put on their mailing list to receive free promotional items for new and expecting parents. If you are expecting multiples, be sure to mention that in your correspondence with them.

Check out Sue Hannah's website at www.Free-Baby-Samples.com, where you can sign up for these and many other free baby offers online. Simple, Fast....and FREE!!

1. Pampers (Procter & Gamble) In the United States or Canada, call 800-543-0480, 800-726-7377 U.S. Website: http://www.us.pampers.com/en_US/home.do (click on "JoinPampers.com") Canadian Website: www.pampers.ca (click on "coupons and special offers") Call the above-listed number to be put on the company mailing list to receive sample products and disposable diaper coupons. Call again after the baby is born to receive further offers. Pampers will also send out occasional mailings and coupons at the different stages of your baby's development. When you register online at Pampers.com, you will receive a free newsletter, a $10.00 New Registration Coupon Book, private product previews and samples from Pampers, as well as special offers from other Procter & Gamble brands.

2. Huggies (Kimberly-Clark Corporation) In the United States or Canada, call 800-544-1847 www.Huggies.com Call, or sign up online to join Huggies' mailing list for new and expecting parents where you will receive coupons for Huggies diapers, wipes, and other promotional items and free samples that they are offering at the time.

3. Johnson & Johnson In the United States, call 800-526-3967 In Canada, call 800-361-8068 U.S. Website: www.johnsonsbaby.com www.babycenter.com Canadian Website: www.jnjCanada.com Parents can call the above-listed number to receive a free Baby Care Basics brochure with valuable coupons, as well as to receive occasional mailings from time to time with further offers from Johnson & Johnson. You can also attend at the Johnson's Baby Website to sign up for their free personalized newsletter, as well as special offers. When you sign up, you will automatically be entered for a chance to win a diaper bag filled with $50 worth of Johnson's Baby products. There is one winner each month. Good luck! Residents of Canada can call Johnson & Johnson to receive a "New Parent's Pack" with free samples, coupons, and literature.

4. Bright Beginnings www.brightbeginnings.com Bright Beginnings, the fastest-growing baby formula in the United States, is offering a free sample of Bright Beginnings baby formula, coupons & more. Residents of the U.S. can sign up online at the Bright Beginnings website.

5. Nestlé Infant Nutrition In the United States, call 800-242-5200 In Canada, call 800-387-5536 U.S. Website: www.verybestbaby.com Canadian Website: www.nestle.ca (click on "Good Start Magazine") Call to join Very Best Baby to receive a free 6-month subscription to The Very Best Baby magazine, as well as to receive free money-saving checks for Nestle Infant Nutrition products. You can also register online to join the Very Best Baby at the above-listed Website. When you register online, you can choose to receive an assortment of free benefits. Residents of Canada can call the above-listed number to receive a FREE subscription to the Nestlé Baby Magazine for expecting and new moms. Along with your free magazine subscription, you will receive valuable coupons, free samples of infant formula and baby cereal (if you choose), plus information and savings on special products for new parents. You can also subscribe online to the Nestle Baby Magazine by visiting the website listed above.

6. Similac Welcome Addition Club In the United States, call 800-BABYLINE (press #1) In Canada, call 800-518-CLUB U.S. Website: www.welcomeaddition.com Canadian Website: www.welcomeaddition.com (click on "Join the Club") Call the above-listed toll-free number, or attend at the Website listed above to join "The Similac Welcome Addition Club". Member benefits include money-saving discounts, free samples of Similac Infant Formulas, periodic newsletters containing expert pregnancy and parenting advice, or other gifts. Residents of Canada can call the toll-free number, or write to the address listed above to join the "Welcome Addition Club" to receive coupons, free samples, and a free gift for your baby.

7. Enfamil Family Beginnings (Mead Johnson Nutritionals) In the United States, call: 800-BABY-123 (press #6) In Canada, call 800-361-6323 U.S. Website:www.enfamil.com Canadian Website: www.enfamil.ca The "Enfamil Family Beginnings" program is a free program that is brought to you by Mead Johnson. Call the above-listed toll-free number to take part in the program and receive valuable retail checks and special offers. You can also register online at the above-listed Website to join the "Enfamil Family Beginnings" program. Attend at http://www.enfamil.com/enfamil8.html/ to print out a page to pack in your suitcase and give to your nurse at the hospital when your baby arrives to receive a free diaper bag and other free samples.(Offer available at participating hospitals.) Residents of Canada can call to receive discounts on baby formula, and to join the "Enfamil First Connections" program. When you join "Enfamil First Connections", you'll receive a keepsake box with a free product sample and coupons, informational brochures, & more. You can also register online at the above-listed Website to join "Enfamil First Connections".

8. Gerber Products Company In the United States & Canada, call 800-4GERBER U.S. Website: www.gerber.com/mygerber/register.asp Canadian Website: www.gerbercanada.com Call to receive coupons for baby food, a free informational booklet, and a free baby spoon. Check out Gerber's Website to receive up to $50 in valuable coupons for Gerber products, special offers, free samples and more when you join "Growing Up Gerber".

9. H.J. Heinz Company In the United States, call 800-USA-BABY (press #2) In Canada, call 800-565-2100 www.heinzbaby.com Call the above-listed number to receive a free feeding booklet with discount coupons, as well as other free promotional offers from Heinz. Residents of Canada can call the above-noted number to participate in the "Children's Miracle Network" program, a label-saving program where you can collect and send in the labels/box tops from any Heinz baby product. Through the Children's Miracle Network, Heinz will make a donation of 6 cents for each label collected to a local participating children's hospital.

10. American Baby Magazine U.S. Website: www.freebiesquest.com(click on "baby & toddler") Get a FREE subscription to American Baby magazine! Are you a new or expecting parent? Do you know someone who is expecting a baby or who has a baby under 1 year of age? Check out Hannah's website at www.freestuff4baby.com for tons of baby freebies and parenting resources!

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***For more baby freebies, don't forget to check out Sue Hannah's website at www.Free-Baby-Samples.com where parents can sign up for these and other terrific baby freebies. SIMPLE, FAST.....AND FREE!!!

Caring For Baby's Clothes

New parents are full of concerns about what regular household activities may pose a threat or present problems for their newest family member. At some point the question about the best ways to wash baby clothing will arise. Parents typically ask whether there is a certain type off detergent that they should use, whether it is safe to wash baby clothes with the rest of the family's clothing and what special steps should be taken with cloth diapers if they are being used.

Detergent

This is a valid concern. It is not atypical for certain detergents to irritate the skin of adults and older children, so it is certainly feasible that a baby's tender and sensitive skin can be easily irritated by harsh detergents. There are several detergents on the market that are supposedly intended for baby's clothing, but there is not much difference between them and other mild detergents. The best choice for parents to make in this area is to purchase mild detergent that is free from added colors and fragrances and wash the clothing in that. If the baby does develop a rash or seems to be experiencing skin discomfort of any kind, the first thing to do is consult the family pediatrician. The doctor may simply recommend that a different detergent be used, but will also be able to determine if there is a more serious problem.

Washing Baby Clothes with Family Clothes

Some parents feel that the baby's clothing needs to be washed separately from that of the rest of the family. The rationale for this is that the other family members' clothing could somehow taint or contaminate the baby's. There is no reason to worry about this and it is perfectly safe to wash baby's clothes and bedding along with everyone else's. The exception to this rule is cloth diapers. If parents are using cloth diapers and washing them at home rather than using a diaper service, they must be washed apart from everything else.

Cloth Diapers

Cloth diapers are fading into memory, replaced by the more convenient disposable brands that are on the market. For families that choose to use these, however, there are some special considerations. The most sanitary way to utilize reusable cloth diapers is to contract a diaper service. This will take away the hassle of washing the diapers at home and ensure that the replacement diapers are sterile. For families that choose to wash at home, the previous paragraph details that they should be kept separate from all other laundry. Storing the diapers until wash time must be done as sanitarily as possible. This means rinsing the cloth diaper in the toilet to remove solid wastes, then storing it in a pail until it is time to be washed. The pail should be covered to prevent odor and lined with a disposable or washable liner. The pail, lid, and liner should be cleaned whenever the diapers are and the soiled diapers should be washed at least twice weekly.

Choosing a Baby Monitor

A baby monitor is an essential purchase for expectant parents, as it will give you the peace of mind of being able to check on your sleeping baby wherever you are in your home. Unfortunately, these monitors are the kind of device which you are unlikely to have any experience of until the time comes when you need one, and it can be difficult to know which type to buy.

There are three basic kinds of monitor: audio, video, and movement or breathing.

The audio monitor is the most popular kind, and at its most basic consists of a transmitter that you place in your baby's nursery, and a receiver that lets you 'listen in', alerting you if your baby starts to cry or otherwise shows signs of waking. The very cheapest modules will have a fixed receiver that needs to be plugged into a wall socket for power, but most models nowadays have a rechargable mobile receiver which you can carry from room to room, or even outside so long as you stay in range.

The range of your monitor system will depend on a number of factors, including the construction of your home - thicker walls will reduce the range - and any sources of interference such as neighbouring monitor systems, computer wireless networks, and even microwave ovens with some models.

Interference is less of a problem these days, as most models will now let you select from a range of channels to operate on, so if you do encounter interference problems, you can switch to a new channel to hopefully clear things up. Some units only feature two or four channels which you have to manually select, while the more advanced designs now have hundreds of channels which will be selected automatically to minimize interference in the current conditions.

The more modern monitors, like so much else these days, use digital technology. What this means in practice is a clearer signal, and an increased range of operation.

Those are the basics of audio monitors, but there are other features available depending on the model. A popular one is an intercom or talkback system where you can talk to your baby through the monitor, helping you to soothe her back to sleep without the disturbance of going into the nursery. Other models may have nightlights or lullabies which you can set to play either automatically or by hand, again without entering the room, while another common feature is temperature alerts where you can see how warm the nursery is, and be alerted if it falls outside a safe range.

For most people, an audio monitor is sufficient, but some people value the extra security of having a video monitor where you can actually see your baby on a TV screen built into the receiver. If you decide to get a video monitor, make sure it has night vision capability, or it won't be much use when it's dark!

For complete reassurance that your baby is slepping safely, you can also get a breathing and movement monitor. This consists of a pressure pad placed under the cot mattress, which will sense if your baby stops breathing or shows other signs of distress, and alert you immediately.

The final point to consider when choosing a monitor system is price. The range is enormous, from only a few dollars up to a few hundred. For something as essential as a monitor though, it's worth getting the best model you can afford, as after all, if the system doesn't work well and you can't trust it, then it's effectively a waste of time.

Baby Formula Goes Organic

Organic foods may finally get a seat at the kids' table.

Seven out of 10 Americans said they prefer organic alternatives. It's probably no surprise that many parents say they want to give their babies the benefits of an organic product when it comes to feeding them baby formula. However, the problem has been that until recently, there hasn't been an organic formula available that provides babies with two key nutrients for mental and visual development: the lipids DHA and ARA.

The Role Of Nutrition

"These lipids are naturally supplied from mom to baby in breast milk, but in reality, not all moms can breast feed. If parents formula feed, and choose an organic infant formula, it's essential that they use an organic formula enriched with DHA and ARA," explains Dr. Barbara Levine, director of the Nutrition Information Center and associate professor of nutrition in clinical medicine at Weill College of Medicine of Cornell University.

The only nationally distributed organic baby formula with DHA and ARA is available at Wal-Mart and is called Parent's Choice Organic Infant Formula, made by PBM Nutritionals. In addition to having the essential lipids, the formula is enriched with the same nutrients as other baby formulas and meets the strict infant formula guidelines set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Finding Affordable Formula

The formula helps parents looking for organic alternatives in a second way as well: It can save them some green. PBM got around the problem of high-priced organic foods by distributing its product nationally through Wal-Mart stores. Doing so allowed the manufacturer to reach many parents who did not have access to organic formulas-and to keep prices relatively low.

Bathing Your Newborn

Bathing a newborn baby can be a traumatic event for a first time Mom. Newborns can seem so fragile, and wet, slippery ones downright frightening. But, don't fear; once you get the hang of it, you'll feel like a pro. Newborns only need to be bathed two or three times a week – bathing more often can result in dry skin.

First of all, it's important not to put your newborn in any sort of bathtub until her umbilical cord has fallen off. If your baby is circumcised, you need to wait until this has healed, as well. Until then, give your baby a sponge bath.

When it's time to put baby in the tabletop tub, give her your undivided attention. Leaving her for even a minute can literally be fatal. Turn the answering machine on and ignore the doorbell. Never run the bath water with the baby in the tub. Fill the tub and check the temperature before you add the baby.

Be prepared for the fact that your baby will not like the bath. There may be a lot of crying, so plan to make it as short as possible. Also, the bath water gets cold to the baby rather quickly; another reason to make it quick. One trick to help keep the water warm is to soak a towel in very warm water and lay it in the bottom of the tub. This keeps the water warmer, provides a nice cushion for baby, and keeps her from slipping around. Keep one hand under her head to support her neck, and keep her from slipping into the tub. Speak to her in soft soothing tones, reassuring her that everything is ok.

Use lukewarm water on your baby's tender skin, and only soaps and shampoos designed for babies. In fact, during the first few weeks of life, until you've determined if your baby has any skin allergies, it might be wise to bathe her using only water, especially on her face. Have a towel and diaper ready to wrap her in immediately when you're finished, to avoid her getting chilled.

As your baby gets older, bath time will probably become a favorite part of the day for your baby. For more tips on making bath time fun for older babies, check out my article in "Mommy to Mommy – The Truth about Taking Care of Baby". You can find it at http://www.educatedmother.com

Your Guide To Baby Shower Planning

With baby showers, as with all important events, often the details can get in the way of the hosts enjoyment of the party! Don't let yourself get overwhelmed. Take it one step at a time and enjoy yourself. A baby is on the way and the baby shower is your welcome home gift. Answer these questions before you begin and your baby shower is sure to be a success.

Who Does What?

Assign tasks. Delegating duties will let you direct and handle mishaps rather than handle everything as well as mishaps. Of course, enlisting friends and family requires their agreement so ask them well in advance of the baby shower.

How Much Will You Spend?

Set aside a certain amount of money for each part of the baby shower and stick to it. Make sure your list is thorough and that your expected expenditures are realistic. Don't forget the paper plates and cups and napkins! Assigning others to bring things you need will help you cut down on baby shower expenses.

Who's Coming?

Ask the new parents who they want at their baby shower and get the addresses at least a month in advance. You will need addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses. Get the invitations out no less than 3 weeks before the day of the baby shower.

What's Your Theme?

1930s Flapper baby shower? Maybe a picnic in the park? Whatever you choose, make sure that your guests know what to expect.

What Food Will You Serve?

The food for your baby shower should reflect the theme, but make sure you choose something that the Mom to be likes. Pregnant women have aversions and cravings and catering to these is an essential aspect of the baby shower.

Where Should You Hold the Baby Shower?

Wherever you choose, it should be easy to find, comfortable for the number of guests you've invited and inexpensive to you.

When Should You Hold the Baby Shower?

It's the new mom's choice! She may want to hold it in the middle of her pregnancy or wait until after the baby is born. When you pick a date and time, stick with it!

What Games Will You Play?

What prizes will you give away? What will you need so that all of your guests can play the games? Make sure you choose plenty of back up baby shower games in case things go a little too slow and need some livening up!

Traditional, Classic, And Old World Baby Clothing Dressing Your Baby The Old-School Way

In today's world there are nearly as many styles in baby clothing as there are babies crawling about. Parents who want modern clothing can find it at the nearest Wal-Mart, those who desire alternative forms of clothing for their babies can usually find it online, some people make their baby clothing by hand, cutting cloth and sewing together designs from patterns purchased at the nearest Hancock Fabrics location. The choices are nearly limitless and include styles and designs too numerous to mention completely.

Like in other areas of the fashion world, baby clothes designs never really die, they go in and out of style according to the whims of the populace which, in the case of baby clothes, means the whims of the parents. Right now one of those whims is leaning toward retro clothing styles.

The term retro can mean a number of things, but often refers to pop culture of the recent past. While its true that styles influenced by the pop culture of the 1970s and 1980s are becoming popular, there is another retro movement taking place and it leans toward classic or old world baby clothing. Designs that were popular fifty, sixty, seventy, and up to a hundred years ago are gaining popularity with parents all over the country.

For baby boys, billowing "rompers" are selling from a number of specialty shops and websites from around the world to a largely American clientele, as are two piece short & shirt sets and old-style coveralls. Classic designs for girls include mostly flowing dresses and female counterparts to the boys' rompers.

Most of these designs can not be found in the average American store and many come from Europe and must be purchased online or by mail order. The British web site "Baby Classics" offers these styles and more to their customers, so many of whom are in the US that the company saw fit to quote their prices in dollars as well as British pounds. The outfits are expensive by most baby clothing standards, costing about the same as some of the more extravagant designer outfits for babies, but have found an audience because of the "cute" appearance of the clothing as it is worn by the infants or toddlers.

These extremely retro baby fashions may not be for everyone because off their unique looks and hefty prices, but many parents are jumping onto this classic bandwagon and dressing their babies in the fashions of long ago. Due to the cost and the delicate fabrics you probably won't see a lot of these designs showing up at the local park for play dates, but don't be surprised if you're sitting in church or at some special occasion and see a baby dressed like she's living in the 1920s.