Cord blood usage in infant medicine

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

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

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

5 Baby Shower Gifts That Mom Will Love

With the pregnancy bug in the water system, you are bound to know someone who is having a baby, if you aren't having one yourself. Pregnant women equal shopping time. Here are 5 gifts that any mother will most certainly be appreciative of. The baby shower gift ideas are great for those who are shopping or for mom's to put on their gift registry.

1. Diapers, diapers and more diapers. That is quite a bland gift but a very much needed gift. I don't any mom who will complain about having too many diapers with a newborn at home. To make diapers snazzy you have to dress it up a bit. You can find diaper cakes in lots of gift sites. Some come with as many as 150 diapers, plus booties, bibs and tons of other essentials for baby, but all in the shape of an all so cute cake.

2. Layettes, blankets, socks and burp cloths. Chances are they are going to get tons of these. However, these gifts tend to come in newborn or 3 months sizes which after a few weeks probably won't serve its purpose anymore. Making this a great gift is if you buy them in larger sizes. After a few months, mom still has brand new gifts for the baby to enjoy.

3. Pamper products for Mom. The last few weeks of pregnancy are very uncomfortable and can be hard on Mom. Let Mom have the star treatment as well. Once the baby is born, Mom's 15 minutes of fame are over.

4. Savings Bonds. A savings bond is a great way to help invest in the child's future. While everyone is thinking of now you are thinking ahead. It may also help jumpstart parents to jumpstart on baby's future if they haven't already.

5. Gift Certificates. You can never go wrong with a gift certificate. Mom and Dad get to choose what they want and you gave them that satisfaction. The obvious choice for a gift certificate would where the registry is set up. If they do not have a registry set up, good choices could include their favorite supermarket (formula, diapers) or baby store. Another gift certificate idea could be a check card gift certificate. It works like a credit card and can be used anywhere.

Tip: I don't suggest buying clothing unless the parents-to-be suggested so. Chances are they have already gone shopping and couldn't resist those tiny adorable outfits.

Celebrity Babies and their Famous Parents

With so many celebrities having babies these days, it is high time we acknowledged the new Hollywood royalty. It seems like every supermarket tabloid out there is absolutely obsessed with the private lives of our beloved celebrities. We would not go as far to say that we are obsessed, but we certainly do not lack interest in the lives of our favorite celebrities.

We are absolutely in love with Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin. They have to be one of the sweetest couples in the entertainment industry. It seems like yesterday that their first daughter, Apple, was born. Just this past week, they gave birth to their first son, Moses. At the time this writing we were unable to locate any photos, but it is safe to assume that Moses will be one of the most genetically gifted children in Hollywood.

As you are all likely aware, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes are expecting their first child. There has been a lot of talk in the press about them as of late. In particular, there has been a firestorm of controversy surrounding the role of Scientology in the birth of their first child. Tom is a devout adherent of the Scientology movement, and it has been said that they have some controversial ideas about things. We are unsure what constitutes a Scientologically sound childbirth, but we wish Tom and Katie the best of luck!

If you are avid reader of any celebrity gossip rags, you are likely aware that Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner recently had a baby girl named Violet. While they are not our favorite celebrity couple, we absolutely love the name they chose. It is a timeless, classically beautiful name. While I am certain that there are some superhero jokes in here somewhere, we will refrain at this time. Congratulations Ben and Jennifer on the happy, healthy arrival of baby Violet!

While we are confident that you are as sick of hearing about Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie as we are, it does deserve mentioning that they are expecting their own child. Even though they have a couple of adopted children, they are finally expecting one of their own. Pregnancy really seems to suit Angelina, and Brad truly seems in his element toting babies about town. Baby is due sometime in early May. Best wishes to the most popular celebrity couple in America.

Baby's First Foods - A Straightforward Guide To Starting Solids

Introducing your baby to solid foods is exciting and rewarding - but it can be difficult to know exactly how and when to get started.

Your baby should be four months of age at the very least - before this, his immature digestive system will find it difficult to cope with solid food. Most medical professionals, however, will advise waiting until your baby is at least six months of age, to reduce the risk of food allergies.

Your baby's age is not the only consideration and there are other factors to take into account when determining whether or not the time is right for baby's first foods.

Look for signs of readiness in your baby - does he watch you with interest when you eat, following the progress of your food from plate to mouth? This increased interest in solid food can indicate that he's ready to try it for himself.

Does your baby seem dissatisfied after his usual milk feeds, or is he waking at night after previously sleeping through? Although these may be signs of an increase in his appetite, they can also be triggered by discomfort from teething. It is important to try to establish whether or not teething is the cause, to avoid introducing solid foods before your baby really needs them.

Your baby should have good head control and be able to sit well, as this makes swallowing easier. Younger babies may not be able to sit unsupported, however, so it is very important to provide the appropriate support if this is the case.

The decision to introduce solid foods to your baby must ultimately be made by you and your child's doctor. You may feel pressured by other people - particularly the older generation - to give solid foods to your baby earlier than medical advice recommends. It is important to remember that a great deal of research has been carried out in order to provide this advice and such information simply wasn't available in the past.

So what is the best first food for baby?

Baby rice, an easily digestible, single grain cereal, is the ideal food to start with. It can be mixed with warmed breastmilk or formula, so its taste will be familiar to your baby. Initially, you can mix it to a fairly runny consistency that your baby will find easy to cope with, thickening the texture slightly with each subsequent feed.

About a tablespoon of baby rice is the perfect amount to start with. Try giving this first solid feed around lunch time, but take the edge off your baby's appetite by giving him some of his usual milk feed before the baby rice. If he is too hungry, he will be frustrated and distressed.

He will respond well to supportive gestures and smiles, so stay relaxed and don't worry if he pushes the food back out of his mouth! Most babies do this instinctively at first and this "tongue-thrust" reflex will subside as he becomes accustomed to the new and unusual textures he is experiencing.

If he does not seem interested, simply take the food away and try again the next day, or a few days later. You should not try to force him to eat, as this is traumatic for him and will only make things more difficult. After all, there is no rush - at this stage, breastmilk or formula is meeting all of his nutritional needs.

Once your baby is comfortably enjoying baby rice, then try introducing pureed, fresh vegetables. It is worth noting that some babies do not like baby rice at all and begin by eating vegetables straight away.

Introduce only one new vegetable at a time, leaving four days between each new food. This will help you identify any foods that cause an allergic reaction or trigger digestive problems in your baby.

Some good vegetables to introduce as baby's first foods are butternut squash, sweet potato, carrots, swede (or rutabaga) and white potatoes. These can be boiled or steamed, then pureed. Alternatively, sweet potatoes can be baked in their skins, then the soft flesh scooped out, ready to serve - instant, healthy baby food!

You can try combining different vegetables for some delicious new flavours - examples include parsnips with green beans, sweet potato and squash and swede (or rutabaga) and carrots. The possibilities are endless!

Once your baby is enjoying vegetables, you can add fruits to the menu. Good choices include pureed banana, avocado and cooked, pureed apples and pears. Citrus fruits should be avoided for the first year, as they can trigger allergic reactions.

For something really different, try combining fruits and vegetables, such as apples with carrots, or bananas with sweet potato, for some unusual but tempting new flavours.

Follow your baby's lead and increase the amount and frequency of his meals as his appetite dictates. Always watch carefully for any signs of allergic reactions and discuss any concerns with a medical professional.

Above all, have fun introducing baby's first foods - by selecting and preparing these fresh and wholesome ingredients, you are getting him off to a wonderfully healthy start.

Parties Are For Fun Not Fights - Planning Tips For A Baby Shower

We are having a baby are those precious words uttered which excites just as many other people besides the future parents and we all know the reason why. This is where we get the chance to put on our glad rags and celebrate the happy news with a baby shower party. It is at these celebrations where we are given the opportunity to express our feelings personally.

You get to say what you feel and give a gift at a baby shower normally about the time of seven months into the mothers pregnancy. Time flies by so start organizing your self now for the big occasion that lies ahead. Gather tips on how to plan a successful baby shower party. The host will go to the ends of the earth to search for tips and ideas to make the event a memorable one and most important will plan accordingly so not to come against last minute hitches. There are no set rules to adhere too when planning a baby shower but a little guidance and a few tips on prepaperation will surely help the occasion to run smooth.

Deciding on a location is one of the first matters to be dealt with besides the sending of invitations. Normally as a rule baby showers were held at the future parents home but this could be a problem if the size of your guest list is the length of the china wall. If this being the case then larger premises will have to be sought after. It is known that guests are more comfortable with the smaller intimate surroundings where they mingle with the happy couples friends and family members. However this is catch 22 situation because you have those who love the big venue - all action packed and full of fun. Ask the parents about the guest invites and try to make judgment from there this can also save unnecessary embarrassment.

If the love of an outdoor celebration excites you then so be it. A garden barbecue can mark the event. To lighten the load of all the hassle in arranging an outside baby shower party the host has other options to choose from like reserving a private area in a restaurant. This may incur more expense but at least you have a guarantee of tasty food which makes it all worth while. An added bonus is no Cinderella chores to attend to after.

If you intend on having a theme then channel it in the direction of the expectant parents favourite films, activities or hobbies. Another fabulous tip is to adorn the party place with mementos of their honeymoon or other little things relating to the couple - keep these mementos happy ones - this is a party for fun not for fights Baby showers are jolly and festive events that you can cherish memories of for ever. Tips on planning a baby shower and the success of it boils down to the edibles. Hosts would normally serve up tasty convenient foods. When I say convenient it means easy to clear away making more time for fun games and announcements. The food menu can be a cold running buffet consisting of pastries, chicken legs and cheese straws. A sit down meal is sometimes served by the host organizing the baby shower

Activities like the games programme at a baby shower can change the whole atmosphere and mood. So if you are game and up for having a good time then go knock them dead with your ideas. The guest will show their gratitude when they raise their glass to TOAST TO THE HOST

Sweet Dreams in Baby Furniture Land

There are many different kinds of dog trainer collars. How do you know you are choosing the correct one for you and your dog? There are many things to take into consideration, when making this decision. Sometimes knowing how to choose, the right trainer over so many others can be a bit overwhelming. Aren't they all the same? Actually, many of them may look the same, and some of them even work the same way, but they are all different, to allow a variety for different kinds of dogs.

The most commonly used dog trainer collar is the collar with the remote. This particular collar will stimulate your dog in a safe and humane way to help you train your dog more effectively. The way this one works is to attach a collar to your dog, which is then ready to provide stimulation to your pet, to make him stop misbehaving and irritate him to the point that he stops and listens to your command. After so many times of using this collar and remote system, your dog will listen to you and respect your commands for fear of being irritated with the stimulation. This is a most effective way to train your dog with a collar. The difference in the many remote and collars available can be the range of the remote control, as well as the collar that is needed for your particular dog. This is many times based on the weight of the dog, as to which collar would work better on him.

Another dog trainer collar method that is used would be the one where you would bury a wire in your yard. You would bury this wire wherever you want to keep your dog out of. For instance, if you want to keep your dog in the yard, bury the wire around the perimeter of your lawn, and attach the collar to your dog. Your pet will learn very fast not to cross over the buried wire. When your dog gets close to the wire, a clicking noise will warn your dog about the stimulation that is about to occur. This method is most effective for the dog owner that is not always home to use a remote.

While looking for a dog trainer collar, try choosing the one that is best for you and your dog. You both will be much happier once your misbehaved dog is behaving like he should.

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.

Tip-Top Treatment For Baby Bottoms

Until recently, mothers have had to rely on adult over-the-counter antifungal creams to treat their babies' cases of diaper rash complicated by yeast infections. For the first time, a prescription product-Vusion™ (0.25% miconazole nitrate, 15% zinc oxide and 81.35% white petrolatum) Ointment-is available and is indicated and specifically formulated for the treatment of this condition, called diaper dermatitis complicated by candidiasis (DDCC), in infants 4 weeks and older. Confirmation of DDCC is determined by microscopic evaluation for presence of pseudohyphae or budding yeast.

DDCC is a highly prevalent rash in infants that can cause great discomfort and distress. Typically, DDCC infections are characterized by a rash of bright red patches with irregular, raised borders and white scales on the surface. The main patches are often surrounded by smaller patches and painful sores or blisters.

Infants often get DDCC when their diapers chafe and break the surface of the skin, making it easier for microorganisms such as yeast to invade the skin. Other risk factors for DDCC include diarrhea, prolonged diaper rash, skin hygiene and the recent use of broad-spectrum antibiotics. The condition can occur anytime of year, but DDCC is often triggered in the winter months when the use of antibiotics commonly prescribed for illnesses such as ear infections is at its peak.

Treatment options have included the use of antifungal products, steroids and combination products that are not specifically approved for the treatment of DDCC or for use on infants.

"With Vusion™ Ointment now approved for the U.S. market, pediatricians and dermatologists can prescribe a treatment specifically meant for the condition that it was designed for and that is well tolerated for use on infants," said Dr. Mary Spraker, a pediatric dermatologist and associate professor in Emory University's Department of Dermatology, who assisted in the design of a Phase 3 clinical trial of the product. "Doctors are no longer reliant on prescribing antifungal agents intended for adults that have not been tested on children with DDCC."

Vusion™ Ointment was developed by Barrier Therapeutics, a Princeton, N.J.-based pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of products in the field of dermatology.

Discovering The World of Babies

How dull this world would be had we no babies to tend! Imagine the monotony of sounds without their contagious giggles, pitiful cries, and puzzling babbles. Oh how awful it would be without their incredible innocence or their charming naughtiness, what with their ways that can open a whole new world of perspective for us adults.

But whether for you babies are powerful tiny persons or cherubs sent from above, there is a wealth of things to know about these little humans (just when you thought you knew them all!).

Do you know that daily naps are vital not only to aid their physical growth? Daily naps are recommended, for without them babies will become hyperactive or fussier as the day wears on. Babies are indeed energetic but they do need breaks, you know. So send them to snooze, regularly! Oh, you know that already?

How about the reason why toys come in attractive colors? Why playpens have soft, dangling items on them that infants can't help but stare at for long? What's going on as they see these bright colors and hear these chimes?

Speaking of toys, what does the Lion Mark symbol that you see attached to some toys signify? How are these different from the ones without the mark? There are toys that are specified for 0 to 6 months babies only and toys for 6 to 12 months, but would you know which is for which if there weren't any age advice stamped on them? Why bother to care when they grow to reach that age sooner than you'd realize, anyway?

Do you know how to make bath time fun for them, instead of torture? What bathing strategies should you employ for the newborn? How about for a toddler who can easily jump out of the tub and splash water all over (reminds you of Calvin and his Hobbes, right?).

What should you feed these babies? What should you have them wear? These topics seem basic but would you not like to know the recent findings about nutrition? The recent trends and developments in baby clothing to give them ultimate comfort and protection?

In traveling, when is it safe to have a baby on the front passenger seat? Is it okay to use an infant carrier as a car seat? What tests should you do to make certain a baby will be secure in the car, whether on front or on the rear seat?

How can you avoid baby bottle tooth decay? Why do babies pull their ears – could it be related to teething or to ear infection? What is an exersaucer? When and how should you toilet-train them? What novelty gift ideas are available so you can have something truly helpful for your mom-to-be friend?

If you do not know the answers to these questions, or know only a little, or would want to know more apart from the above topics, it's time to discover these babies' info! Parents, parents-to-be, nannies, those whose careers are related to babies and practically anyone can benefit from the knowledge about babies. For the love of them, for the love from them… discover babies now!

Choosing A Baby Shower Theme

It is always a great joy to have someone added to your family, especially if it is a cute little baby. And how else would you celebrate the joy of having one? Plan the most fun and unique baby shower you'll ever have. Preparing for a baby shower should be fun and exciting. You can be as creative as you want. Go simple or go real extravagant. As long as you will make your party special and unforgettable, you can go ahead and experiment on the different themes you can have.

You can go traditional or get a little creative and make your baby shower a lot more unique. You can spice up the party with different themes that can either be serious, adorable or humorous.

Below are some popular themes ideas that would surely be a hit in any baby showers.

Color themes The usual color themes for girls are pink and blue for the boys. These are simple themes that can be just as fun as other themes. Decorate your venue with your chosen color theme. In putting up colored ribbons, intertwine them with a white ribbon too. This would give the room an elegant look. If you are unsure whether your baby would be a boy or a girl, settle for neutral colors like green or yellow.

Baby bottles theme You can have a baby bottle as your centerpiece in this particular theme. Use them as cute containers for game prizes. You can make fun of them too by using baby bottles as cups or mugs.

Teddy bear theme Everyone loves these cuddly teddies. They are perfect for decorations. You don't have to buy teddy bears though to fill up the room. Old but presentable ones will do. It would be memorable to have the guest of honor's favorite teddy as a centerpiece.

To read the rest of this article on picking a baby shower theme go now to

baby shower themes

Breast Pumps: Using Cues For A Faster Let-Down

Did you know using a breast pump to express milk for your infant can be a learned skill?

One of the challenges pumping mothers face is to elicit a let-down or their milk ejection reflex in a reasonable amount of time.

Breast pumps and your baby do not remove milk from your breast by suction alone. Compression and stimulation to your breast, and specifically to the areola and nipple, causes a message to be sent to your body to cause the muscles within the breast to contract, ejecting the milk in what is commonly called "the let-down." Even with all the recent innovations in breast pumps, your body can tell the difference between an infant feeding and a breast pump at work.

If you can associate your let-down with an action you can control--a stimulus or a cue--you can reduce the time it takes for let-down to occur with or without your baby's help.

You may remember the research of Dr. Ivan Pavlov, who would ring a bell every time food was presented to a dog. In time the dog would salivate on cue at the mere sound of the bell.

How does this translate to breastfeeding and breast pumping? You can use cues to program your milk to let down.

You can choose cues that are more meaningful than a bell ringing and that can serve a double purpose such as keeping you hydrated, comfortable or relaxed. Your chosen cues can incorporate your five senses. Their effect is more potent if used before let-down and at the beginning of when your milk lets down while you are nursing your baby. Then you can repeat these same cues in an entirely different setting when you are using your breast pump in the absence of your baby.

Here are some examples of cues:

1. Use your breastfeeding pillow--the kind worn around your waist--with your baby, and when you use a breast pump, you can also use it to support your back or the collection bottles.
   
2. Have the same thing to drink, like herb tea or water, in the same cup or sport bottle. Avoid excessive caffeine, which can increase baby fussiness and anything hot enough to scald baby. Accidents happen.
   
3. Hum or sing a favorite song. Make up a "milk-letting-down" song. Sometimes silliness can be effective.
   
4. Mentally record this program to play back in your mind when you are using your breast pump. Watch your baby nursing. Mentally note the changing sucking pattern and the jaw movements. Note the quick bursts at the start followed by longer draws as the milk lets down. Observe the tingling sensation in the breast if that is what you experience. Watch the little muscle wiggling in front of his ear. Hear and feel the little puff of air from his nose as he swallows.
   
5. Make a sound recording of your baby fussing before nursing, followed by the settling in noises and feeding sounds. Use a portable player with headphones to listen to it privately when you are breast pumping. You could also try a playlist of relaxing music.
   
6. Touch and smell clothing or a blanket with baby's unique scent on it. When using your breast pump, have the clothing ready in a sealed plastic bag and open it, touch it, and smell it
   
7. Looking at a picture of your baby is some common advice. Have you seen how the top-of-the-line breast pump kits will have a transparent pocket for your baby's picture? More helpful perhaps would be to have several pictures of your baby including some taken from your point of view, over your shoulder, while nursing.
   
8. Sit in the same chair and room where you do most of your breastfeeding when you are breast pumping at home.

Knowing that you can improve on your breast pumping skills is good news. By associating your let-down with cues you can reduce the time it takes to express your breast milk. Typically mothers will find they get better with practice and repetition without making any conscious effort to improve at all.

Notice: This article may be copied "as is" as long as this notice and this live link to the breast pump information at The Baby Loves Your Milk website are preserved. Request permission first from webmaster@babylovesyourmilk.com before making changes or additions.

Types of Baby Strollers

As you know there is a wide variety of baby strollers available to choose from. Your choice of strollers will be affected by how many children you plan to use it for, how you are going to use the stroller and where, and finally your budget. All things aside your baby's comfort and safety will also influence your choice. Let's take a look at some of the types of strollers available to you.

The standard stroller will fit one child and there are many different features on standard strollers such as play trays, parent trays, fabrics, and handlebars. On many strollers handlebars are now height adjustable which is great back saver.

Double strollers have two seats. There is a variety of seating arrangements for double strollers. The traditional double seat is one behind the other - tandem style. Tandem seating has the first child with a good view and he one in the rear seat sees the back of the other's head. A variant of the tandem seating is stadium seating. Think of bleachers where each seat is raised slightly above the one in front of it allowing those in the rear to see what's going on. There is side by side seating as well as face to face seating.

Jogging strollers are very popular because they enable you to bring your child along on a run. The jogging stroller has a triangular wheel base with two large wheels in the rear and one wheel in the front. They have many attractive features. An added safety feature is a wrist strap on the handle bar. This is worn so that when you stop, the stroller doesn't roll away from you. As always whenever you stop your stroller the break should always be applied. The wrist strap is added protection. Jogging strollers are available for multiple seating as well.

Triple strollers are terrific for triplets or three children. Seating arrangements can be side by side but most have tandem seating or stadium seating. When the stroller is full of kids and you are pushing it will help you achieve your goals of fitness.

Convertible multiple strollers are available where they can be made into double seater's with additional seats and a transverse bar. You might want to check if this option is available for the particular stroller you are considering.

Umbrella strollers are very inexpensive. They are generally easier to fold and unfold. They are very lightweight and store easily in a car trunk. They are terrific for short trips to the Mall or short walks. They do not work well on all terrain. They do come in multiple seating as well. The only drawback I had with umbrella strollers is that if anything was hung on the handle it caused the carriage to tip backwards.

Light weight strollers are slightly heavier than the umbrella strollers and slightly less than the standard stroller. They typically fold in a single hand motion. They also resemble the standard type stroller. They also come in multiple seating.

Carriage Strollers are convertible strollers in that you can change them from a carriage (a bed on wheels) to a stroller. This is great for infants that are unable to sit up yet. The handle is reversible so you can turn it into a stroller which is great for children who are sitting up.

Bike strollers or trailers are installed by attaching it to the rear wheel. There are two seated models available. They can be converted from a trailer to a stroller with no tools. The restraint system is a five-point harness for each child.

The Importance of Baby Sleep

All living creatures need sleep. Sleeping gives people and all living creatures the time for the body to recuperate and regenerate. Lion's needs 16 to 18 hours of sleep, while primates, ten to twelve hours of sleep. Humans need on average six to eight hours sleep to rejuvenate. Human babies need a full eight hours of sleep and naps in between.

The body uses sleep as a way to regenerate cells and refresh the brain and overall aids in the development of our body, mind, and health. During our sleep, the human body can regenerate hair follicles, fingernails, toenails and even the outer covering of the skin. This happens because of the automatic pilot that is built into our bodies. People tend to think that the body only needs to recharge spent energy on the day's work but in truth the body works the regeneration cycle much faster when the brain does not control much action.

Babies therefore need their sleeping time to develop muscles, limbs, and skeletal structure. In order to achieve a good night's sleep for your baby, it is important that your baby have comfortable and inviting bedding. The secret to a good bed is one that feels just right. Beds that are to big may make your little one feel insecure. Your baby's bed should be cozy and offer security for them to get a good night sleep. Selecting the proper bedding should also be a concern. The bedding should be easy to touch and feel cozy. Bedding that is to stiff or even to fluffy decreases your baby's comfort level and therefore reduces his/her sleep time. We would want our babies to enjoy their beds and consider it a place of security.

Try to make your baby's sleeping experience a pleasant one. Bedding should be inviting to the eye. There are so many wonderful patterns and fabrics on the market today that choosing the right bedding should not be to difficult. Remember that your baby needs enough rest to stimulate his/her growth and development and when this is achieved, your baby can reach his full potential.

Baby Information and Babies Names

Moms Break free birthday pintables can helps you throw a birthday party So be a frugal shopper and use our free birthday invitations and our other great free birthday ideas, Childbirth Facts and birthday crafts for kids. For example many of our free birthday invitations are in jpg image format and can be opened in any image editor and personalized before printing.

Also find free birthday printable theme sets which include free birthday card, invitation, placement, Baby Information, Baby names, and many other useful birthday ideas. Having a Natural Childbirth is one of the most empowering experiences a woman will ever encounter. Having control over your body and making informed decisions about your delivery will make for lasting memories. There are many ways to name a baby, Baby Information, Baby Shop, Perhaps you stumbled on the perfect name. Maybe you and your spouse have already decided long ago. Or maybe you're like me and wrestling with the decision for a long, long time. I'd suggest starting with narrowing some of the names or types of Baby names you don't like. If you hate certain Baby names don't consider them. Start with the positive Baby names. Then define your baby naming style, Babies Names. From there I'd suggest lists of Babies Names. Baby names books are great for that purpose. Choosing the Best Birth Environment Your choice of birth environment, Childbirth Information is the first decision you make that determines your pain-relief options. If you know you want to use modern medical pain-relief methods, Parenting Tips you will need to select a birth environment that can accommodate these preferences. If you are leaning more toward a natural childbirth, but would like to keep your options open, you may want to be in a birth environment that offers not only no medical forms of pain relief but also allows accessibility to medical pain relief. If you are committed to using no medical pain-relief options and do not want to be in an environment where they are frequently used, you will need to choose a birth environment that has both the physical amenities and supportive caregivers you will need to successfully give birth free of any medications, using complementary and alternative pain-management techniques. Get more information at site www.kiddiekids.co.uk

Baby Shower Gifts - Perfect Gift For A Mad Mummy And Daddy

There are many different ways of celebrating a new baby on the way the options are endless. It is the holding of a shower party which is the most popular where guests bring along baby shower gifts for the mother-to-be. All presents are normally items that mother and baby need thus helping the new parent in raising the baby.

Looking for ideas on what to give will not be a problem but what you have to remember when buying baby shower gifts is, it is not about you and your likes and dislikes. The new mom-to-be may not have the same opinion on what you see as pretty or not. Stick with the essentials and you can not go far wrong. By doing this you know that your baby shower gift will be truly appreciated especially if it helps towards reducing the new parents cost allowance in raising the baby. If you are not sure of what the essentials are then the list below may help you decide on what to bring as your gift to the party.

1. Diapers may not be the most fanciful of gifts to bestow but certainly the most practical. We all know that you can never have too many diapers of which mummy will find out a little later when baby is here. Diapers can be very costly so I am sure that this baby shower gift will not be snubbed. You have two types of diaper the deposable or cloth. A tip for the parent, if you receive cloth and dont intend to use them then why not cut into neat square strips and use for baby flannels you will need them come bath time.

2. Bottles and Pacifiers are fabulous gift items but need to be chosen with care e.g. colours, pacifiers in blue dont suit little girls or vice or versa. This sort of gift picking can be a nightmare because baby can be picky on what they are comfortable and content with.

3. If you choose to buy baby clothes as your baby shower gift always go for a size bigger or bigger again as babies are not babies for long. Selecting what clothes to buy will be a lot simpler if the sex of the baby is known or the month baby is due. By having this information under your hat your choice regarding colours and which outfit for the season will make your task easier.

4. Toys make ideal presents but once again the sex of the baby is definitely a plus to know. You can help boost babys mind with self educational stuff, things like classic story baby books, video and music CDs even cuddly bears which often becomes babys companion at bedtime.

5. Bath time and babies, they either love or hate the water. For babies that love to splash then perfect gifts are baby shower bath toys. For infants who are dubious in taking the plunge you have to make this experience as enjoyable as you can by giving little excites like cute rubber ducks bright and colourful. Scented bath rubs like lavender cologne or even bubble bath may help baby relax more. Towels/flannels are among other gifts warmly welcomed for help to easing bath time pressure, mopping up splashed water. This is a time for wetsuits believe me.

If all fails at bath time in keeping the agitated baby content and the baby shower gifts are not helping to overcome the fear then you have no option but to play clown for a while. The more action around baby at this time e.g. a mad mummy and daddy dunking their head under water may just help baby to forget why he/she made all the fuss in the first place.

Top Ten Baby Presents - Buy Baby Gift Items That Are Needed

It is always difficult to come up with ideas regarding what to get when you need to buy baby gift items. Baby gifts are as much for the mother as for the baby since there are many items that a mother could use but cannot necessarily afford to buy. So, the next time a baby shower, a birthday party or a christening has to be attended, use the following list of ten ideas to buy baby gift items that will make an impression:

Top Ten Baby Gifts

Baby Toys - These are baby gifts that will never go out of style, and can be actually enjoyed by the baby instead of the parents. There are baby toys that are specifically designed for certain age groups. So, all one has to do is go to the market and buy a toy that is made for the appropriate age, which is put up on the cover or packing of the toy. But the best and the most liked baby toy is a teddy bear or other soft toy, which is appropriate for babies of all ages. So if there is confusion, it is best to buy baby gift toys that are soft and plush.

Baby Monitor - Baby safety is constantly on the minds of the parents. Baby monitors are a perfect solution to end this worry. Now it's possible to monitor and detect the movements, whining and breathing of the baby audibly and visually too. There are many different models of audio-only, audio/video, and motion-sensor baby monitors to choose from in a wide price range.

Baby Bath Care - Getting an expensive bath care set for the baby is the perfect way to show that you care about the welfare of the baby.

Baby Stroller - This a device that a parent cannot do without. It has to be bought anyway, so why not save the parents that much cash? Gift it instead of something that is completely unnecessary.

Baby Books - Gifting the baby with books, appropriate for his/her age, is always good. This actually helps in developing a joy of reading from a very young age. Pictures and colors fascinate the baby's eyes, so make sure your book has a lot of illustrations. Buy baby gift books that have thick, cardboard or other material for durability.

Baby Blankets and Sleep Kits - Getting a cozy baby blanket and other sleep accessories is a perfect way of celebrating the baby's arrival. These days, it is possible to customize the baby blankets. A personalized baby blanket is a truly unique gift. They are available in many colors, materials and designs. The next time you need to buy baby gift items, consider a personalized baby blanket!

Baby Clothes - Smart clothes for the baby will definitely make the parents happy, especially if it's the second child. The baby will be spared from using hand-me-downs! These days, baby clothing is given a lot of importance, and one is likely to find beautifully made baby clothes in the market, keeping in mind the contemporary trends in fashion. To buy baby gift items that are useful, always consider baby clothes.

Baby Bedding - This will include everything from the mattress to the blanket and pillows, as well as the mosquito netting.

Baby Bouncers - Baby bouncers are the baby's sitting place, where he/she can roll and bounce and have the time of his/her life. These are somewhat like a bean bag, with a belt, to ensure the safety of the baby. Buy baby gift bouncers or other mobile-type walker since parents need an item like this.

Baby Jewels - A jewel is a priceless gift that will be cherished for a lifetime. They also make a unique baby gift. There are many websites online which are dedicated to baby accessories that carry baby jewelry and have their items displayed online. They also ship and home deliver the items, so that you don't need to go out and purchase them.

When you have to buy baby gift items, the above choices are always winners!

Don't Forget To Plan Some Baby Shower Games When You Plan Or Host A Baby Shower

Sometimes baby showers are hosted before the baby is born and sometimes after. Either way most baby showers have at least one thing in common, baby shower games.

When you host a baby shower it is fun to have games to play as entertainment as well as to break the ice. You may have guests that don't know each other as well as several different age generations in attendance.

I like to have different types of games when I host a baby shower so the same guest isn't always the winner. I also like to find games that require little preparation or expense. Here are a few free baby shower games you are free to use when you plan or host a baby shower.

1. One game you might want to play is to see who can name the most nursery rhymes. Give your guests a few minutes to write them down and see who thought of the most. Beforehand you can prepare a list to compare to if you want. Plus if your baby shower guests appear stumped you can name a few to get them started on the right track.

2. A word scramble is also a good type of game to have. You can scramble up some baby words and print them out on a piece of paper and let the guest unscramble them. You could also give your baby shower guests a blank sheet of paper and have them write a phrase such as Jill's new baby, or the new baby's full name and have them see how many words they can find in the letters.

3. If you want to liven things up a bit give every guest a piece of paper with a baby related word on it and tell them not to show it to anyone. When everyone has arrived explain to them that every time they hear their word they should cough and say excuse me within 5 seconds. The other guests then can each make one guess as to the word. You can give prizes to whoever guesses the most right as well as to whoever stumps the other shower guests the longest.

Basically just try to find a variety of baby shower games that everyone will enjoy playing and have a great time celebrating the blessing of a new baby.

Funding The Baby Adoption Process

A baby adoption is not an inexpensive process. Many hopeful parents discard the idea of a baby adoption early because they do not realize that there are both private and government resources that are available to help prospective adoptive parents, which will aid in the costs associated with travel, agency fees and additional spending.

There are several tax benefits associated with baby adoption, which include the Federal Adoption Tax Credit. This amount is a credit issued for adoptive families on qualified expenses related to a baby adoption. Allowable expenses, in this case, are subtracted from the current tax liability. In addition, a number of states offer a tax credit in addition to the previously mentioned federal tax credit. When it comes to taxes, adoptive parents are allowed to claim the same dependency exemption as for their biological children. This exemption provides a reduction in taxable income.

In addition to tax assistance, a number of employers participate in the Adoption Assistance Benefits Program. This program allows employers to reimburse a baby adoption with a cash benefit. If your employer does not participate in this program, you may request material to provide your employer in an effort to request adoption assistance by contacting the National Adoption Center.

Both federal employees and military personnel are eligible for baby adoption benefits, which vary from extended leaves and/or reimbursement of up to $2,000.00 after the baby adoption is finalized.

Employees of Harvard University are also eligible for baby adoption assistance directly from the Harvard Adoption Assistance Plan. Under this program, up to $5,000.00 may be granted for expenses relating to the adoption of a child with financial need not being a factor.

In addition to these options, there are grants specifically designed to help prospective parents with expenses relating to the adoption. These include A Child Waits Foundation, Hebrew Free Loan Association, Funds 4 Families, A Mother's Love Fundraising, Community Fundraisers, The National Adoption Foundation, Ours By Grace and United Way International.

As a final option in assistance with funding a baby adoption, individuals may consult with their local bank or credit union regarding loan programs for adoptive families. Others may choose to use their savings account or cash out the equity in their home to make an adoption happen. If you ask most adoptive parents, money is no object when it comes to the love of a child and the joy that he/she brings into the life of loving parents.

Healthy Breastfeeding Tips For You And Your Baby

We've all heard the debate. Breast Feeding vs Formula. But why do most people say breast feeding is the best for your baby? Because this natural mother's milk is genetically the best food for your baby. This is the way GOD designed for things to work.

Want a more scientific reason? Okay, for one, the complex fats that are abundant in human breastmilk are vital to brain development and may have an effect on your baby's intelligence as they grow older.

Breastfed babies are ten times less likely to be hospitalized with gastro-enteritis in the early months than babies who are fed formula.

Breastfed babies also gain immunities from a host of other infections.

Here are some terms you may not already know. "Foremilk" – the thinner milk that first comes from the breast when you begin feeding your baby. This is for quenching the baby's initial thirst. "Hindmilk" – is the milk that comes later during the feeding of your baby. The hindmilk is much more filling and contains all the nutrients your baby needs to stay healthy.

Breastfed babies rarely need other drinks and supplements, because their mother has already given them what nature intended for them to have and need.

What's in it for me as a Mom? There is nothing to compare the bonding and closeness with your baby that is caused by your choice to breastfeed. It is a great feeling to know that you are doing what is best for your baby.

Babies need to be close to their mothers. They need physical contact. Breastfeeding is one of the best types of physical contact you can have with your baby.

It's also a whole lot easier than bottle-feeding! No feeds to mix, no bottles to warm or sterilize. Your breastmilk is always available, already sterile, and already just the right temperature for your baby.

Here is a real favorite among all women who breastfeed. Many women lose weight more easily after the birth if they choose breastfeeding over bottle feeding.

Another big issue is that there is evidence that breastfeeding reduces your risk for breast cancer.

What if I am having problems breastfeeding? Either your pediatrician can help you or there are breastfeeding counselors you can find in your area or online that can help you with any problems you may have.

If you have sore nipples or your baby isn't getting enough milk, it may be your positioning. Your baby's mouth should cover all of the areola, especially the part just under the areola. Sucking on just the nipple will keep the baby from getting enough milk and will make your nipples very sore.

Can I give my baby a bottle at times and breastfeed at other times? It's not recommended. Bottle nipples are easier for the baby to suck on and they will obtain bad breastfeeding technique which in turn will cause them to be less hungry or not get enough milk from breastfeeding.

The Family Bed

There's an old tradition in Ireland, the wake bed, a family bed where the dead are waked. Well, the family bed takes on a whole new meaning when you have children: the awake bed!

When your new baby arrives home from the hospital all your plans to not spoil him go out the window. He is a tiny little soul and you are his slave. He squeaks, you run. You are completely in his control!

You planned to feed him, bathe him, dress him, play with him, show him off and at the end of the day, put him to sleep in his lovely new crib!

Real life isn't like that...

You've fed him, bathed him, dressed him, played with him, showed him off and, sleeping soundly in your arms, you've tenderly placed him in his lovely new crib. His eyes open, he glares at you, opens his mouth wide and screams loud enough to awaken the dead!

How dare you abandon him like that?

At the end of a tiring day you dolefully give in to his battle cry; you lift him and he stops... you are in his grip!

As days and nights merge into one he habitually sandwiches himself between mummy and daddy!

Number two arrives and it becomes a priority to make number one stay in his own bed. But, oh no, he doesn't like that! He may start off there but he makes his own way into the family bed throughout the night.

You may resort to tricks to encourage him to stay in his own room. Lovely new bed-clothes, soft character lighting, soothing music, pretty mobiles...

Don't fool yourself; he's well ahead of you! His nocturnal excursions continue. You beg, you plead, for a full night's sleep in your own bed without your little visitor - but it falls on deaf ears! Still he pays his call.

You resort to purchasing a new bed for yourself, a bigger one. You have a bright idea: let the wee man have your old bed. He'll like that, his own big bed, just like mummy and daddy!

More lovely bedclothes, lots of praise for your little treasure. Why didn't you think of it sooner?

Oh, the naivety of first-time parents.

His new bed might be bigger but so is yours; there's even more room between mummy and daddy now. So he can bring a few toys along too!

As the family grows so does the gap. You precariously hang off one side of the new big bed as your husband hangs off the other, but you smile as you sing along to, 'There were five in the bed and the little one said,"Roll Over!"'

Life imitates nursery rhymes. Didn't you know that?

Unique Baby Names

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

But wait a minute!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Teething Babies

Cutting new teeth, or teething, can be a very frustrating experience for babies and their parents. Parents hate to know their baby is in pain. In this article we hope to help you so you know what to do when your baby is teething.

Your baby can begin teething as early as 3 months old and the process can continue up to a child's third birthday or beyond. In most cases, when your baby is between the ages of 4 and 7 months, you will notice your child's first tooth pushing through the gum line.

Typically, the first teeth to appear are the two bottom front teeth. These are the central incisors. Within 4 to 8 weeks, your baby's four front upper teeth will begin to push through the gums. These are the central and lateral incisors.

In another month, your baby's lower lateral incisors will begin to come in. That is the two teeth on each side of the bottom front teeth. Next will be molars. Your baby's back teeth used for grinding food. Last but not least, your baby's eyeteeth will start to come in. That's the pointy teeth in the upper jaw. By your baby's third birthday, they will usually have all 20 primary teeth.

Only in very rare cases does a baby get born with one or two teeth or begin teething within the first few weeks after birth. There is no reason for concern if this happens, unless the teeth are loose and pose a choking hazard.

When your baby begins teething you might notice they begin to drool more and constantly want to chew on things. Some babies experience no pain while teething, others may be irritable or cranky for weeks. Some babies experience crying episodes, not wanting to eat, and sleep disruption. If your child is too irritable, call your doctor to see if there is a problem.

Tender and swollen gums can cause your baby's temperature to rise, but generally teething does not cause high temperature in babies. You should call your doctor if high temperatures do occur, because there is probably another cause for it.

If your baby drools excessively, wipe their mouth often or it could cause rashes. While sleeping, place a clean cloth under the baby's head to catch excess drooling.

Give your baby something to chew on that is large enough that they cannot swallow it and something that won't break or cannot be chewed into small pieces. Place a wet washcloth in the freezer for thirty minutes and let them chew on that. Rubber teething rings are another good choice. Don't use the ones that have liquid in them just to be safe. They could break.

Rub your baby's gums with your finger. This can help relieve the pain. Never tie a teething ring around your baby's neck.. Acetaminophen may also help relieve your baby's pain. Always consult your doctor before giving them any medication and remember, never give a baby aspirin.

Another important tip for preventing tooth decay: don't let your baby fall asleep with a bottle. The milk or juice can pool in her mouth and cause tooth decay and plaque.

Good dental hygiene for your baby is extremely important. These teeth are not permanent and will eventually fall out, however, lack of proper care can cause them to drop out prematurely, leaving gaps. If that happens the other teeth may try to fill the gap, causing bad alignment in the baby's permanent teeth.

You should start caring for the baby's gums even before the teeth come in. Wipe their gums off with a washcloth or gauze or use a baby-sized toothbrush, but no toothpaste. When the first tooth appears, brush it with plain water. The American Dental Association recommends that children see a dentist by age 1, when six to eight teeth are in place, to spot any potential problems and advise parents about preventive care.

Around age three, when your child is old enough to spit it out, toothpaste is okay to use. Make sure the toothpaste contains fluoride but use very little for small children. Do not let them swallow it. Overdoses of fluoride are dangerous for children.

Baby Shower Invitations: Get off on the right foot!

The invitations you send out for a baby shower really set the tone of the whole event!

Invitations are the first thing guests see and gives them the first impression of what the shower is going to be like. Just like the old expression, "You never get a second chance to make a first impression," you want to make sure the baby shower invitations you select are appropriate for the type of baby shower you are hosting.

There are many different ways to approach a baby shower invitation. If your shower is going to be a more formal event, you can order some professionally printed invitations. Just by checking out the links below, you can get some ideas for verses for baby shower invitation.

If the shower date has yet to be determined, you don't have to settle for cheap store bought invitations. Most online stationary companies offer fill in baby shower invitations that you can have almost every detail personalized and just hand write in the date! These are perfect for showers that take place after the baby is born. After all, you just never know what that bundle of joy will decide to make his or her appearance!

Shower invitations come in a wide variety of themes. You can get them with everything from airplane, classic pooh, ballerina, Noah's ark and horse themes. If the shower is for twins, there are special invitations just for them! I've even seen some precious twin baby shower invitations with 2 baby footprints on them.

When you go online to order them, be sure to look at the shower invitation samples to see the different wording you can use. Just be sure when you order the invitations, you don't put your personal preferences before that of the new mom! Keep her in mind to make this special occasion one she will treasure. Also be sure to double check spelling! Have someone else look everything over before you click the payment button. Once you submit the orders, few companies will refund anything if spelling errors were your fault!

Don't forget the mom-to-be who is adopting a child! Many adoptive moms can feel left out when they don't have the same "rites-of-passages" as birth mothers do. Make her feel extra special with a baby shower invitation that celebrates the uniqueness of being an adoptive mom. My favorite verse I have heard for adoption shower invitations is that while the baby didn't grow in her tummy, the baby grew in her heart! How sweet is that?

Remember that the first impression guests get of the baby shower is the invitation! Choose wisely!

Breastfeeding Is Best For Your Baby

Breastfeeding is without any doubt the most excellent means to nourish your newly born baby. It has got a lot of benefits as compared to feeding with a bottle and barely any drawbacks. More than one million babies pass away every year because of being given formula!

Breast milk makes available just the right nutrition, which your baby requires and also shields them from any diseases. Research has established that to a large extent kids who were breast-fed acquire a lesser rate of allergies, diarrhea, rashes, ear infectivity, hospital admittance and additional medical troubles than kids who were given formula.

Formula for a baby is prepared from the milk of a cow. However the trouble with formula is that it includes a separate kind of protein than the human milk and it does not include the appropriate nutrition, which babies require as well. Human babies have difficulty in processing this particular protein and consequently they are more often than not a great deal fatter than babies who are breast fed. Breast milk has got at least a hundred constituents that are not present in formula.

When a child is being breast fed by the mother, the antibodies of the mother are moreover transmitted to the infant. This shields the infant from ailments and sicknesses such as bronchitis, pneumonia, influenza, botulism, staphylococcal infections, ear infections and measles. About 80 % of the cells that are present in breast milk are cells, which destroy fungi, bacteria and viruses!

Contrasting to feeding from a bottle, breast feeding lets the mother embrace her infant close to her many times every day. The baby would feel a sensation of safety because of this and would make a better bonding with the mom. Nursing is a measure of reassurance and affection for a baby.

If you are thinking of breast feeing your baby, you ought to be conscious that it can be a bit hurting when you begin to do it for the first time. In addition, the nipples might get engorged, cracked, or sore. You will have to feed on a regular basis or your breasts would feel a bit tender for the reason of being a lot full. You would be a lot more attached to your kid rather than a mother who feeds formula.

After you have had the baby, you are supposed to breast feed in a little while, if possible amid one hour of delivery. You will not be making milk up till now however you would be having colostrum that is a liquid that consists of antibodies against any ailments. Newborn babies have to be fed no less than every 2 hours. When they grow a little older they would fall on a more normal schedule.

If you have become a new mother you would surely wish to provide the baby the most excellent care you can. Breast milk is the way you could do this. Breast milk consists of the whole lot that your baby requires and would make him a great deal healthier and happier.

Baby Toys

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Potty Training Your Baby

It is very important that you don't make your baby feel self-conscious or fearful during potty training. It can be very difficult to potty train your baby so you have to be patient above all else.

Make sure your baby is ready for potty training. They need to be able to let you know when they need to potty and they need to be able, physically to use the facilities.

Use positive encouragement. Forcing them to sit on the potty until they go will only lead to setbacks in your baby's potty training. If you force them, it will create negative thoughts about using the bathroom that may last a long time. You may even cause your baby to withhold letting you know they need to potty.

If there is a lot going on in your life, such as vacations, marriages, divorces, etc., then it may be a bad time to start your baby's potty training. Your routine should be as normal as possible while you take your baby through this process.

Don't let anyone tell you that your baby's potty training should take any specific amount of time. Every child is unique and while some may learn in three days, others may take as long as a year. Don't stress on this point or force them to learn faster than they can. Take even small progress as a positive sign and show your baby how proud you are of them when they do well.

Accidents will happen. It's normal. Don't make it out to be a big deal. Get them to help you clean up the mess and wait until next time to encourage them to use the potty. Overreacting to accidents will only lead to more accidents and again set back your baby's progress.

Make sure you dress your baby in clothes that are easy to manage. They may wait until it's almost too late to make it to the potty, then because of the clothes fail. Again, that can discourage them and set back your baby's progress. Nude is the ultimate way to let your baby run around while potty training. If you are uncomfortable with that, then make sure they have as few snaps, zipper, bows, or buttons to deal with. Clothing that just pulls up or down is the easiest type of clothing to dress your baby in while potty training.

For the little girls, make sure they wear two piece bathing suits for swimming so they won't have a harder time than little boys. Also, remember winter may not be the best time to potty train your baby. The need for extra clothing during winter will hamper your baby's efforts to use the potty.

Bed-wetting, or enuresis is not solved through potty training and is a separate issue altogether. Don't expect that as you complete potty training that bedwetting will also stop at the same time. Many children don't stop wetting the bed until they are 4 years old. Babies under 3 don't have the bladder control to stop this yet. Children that are sleeping don't have the mental capacity to know they need to wake up, go to the bathroom, and use the toilet.

Keep your baby's fears about potty training in mind. The loud flush of the toilet in a confined space might be frightening to your baby. If they slip and their bottom touches the water in the toilet, they can be traumatized to the point that you will have to stop potty training for awhile. Seeing something come out of them and then flushing down the toilet can even scare them. Remember their fears are real and their minds don't quite comprehend what is happening to them.

Another thing to consider is, your baby may not want to change certain things. They may feel secure in diapers. The fact that you have been changing their diaper and taking care of them may have them comfortable with that process and may make it difficult for them to begin taking care of themselves. This loss of intimacy is frightful to your baby. Your child may not become independent so easily. This is also normal. Make sure in the beginning that you spend time with them to be close and intimate with them after potty time so they don't miss the time you spent with them when they were wearing diapers and you took care of them.

Baby furniture for all your babies needs

Baby furniture will bring a quality to the home that reminds everyone who enters just how precious life can be. Seeing the joy on the faces of the parents is almost as beautiful.

Parents and family spend so much money and time organizing children's bedrooms, infant nurseries and playrooms. Parents should get started on designing and organizing the nursery well before their baby is born. Baby furniture is important to help make both the parent and child feel comfortable in their living environment.

The opportunity to design a nursery is very special, and parents should not take it for granted. The nursery is much more than just a room for the baby. It is an extension of the love and support that the parents plan to provide for the child.

Baby furniture can be found in most large-scale retail stores or in specialty baby stores across the country. Bright colors like yellow and red can be used to make the room more inviting. Pastels are wonderful shades to use in a child's room. Let your imagination run wild when you wander through the aisles of your local retail store.

Parents will be happy with whatever they get because the simple fact that they are now parents. The most important thing to remember when looking for furniture or toys for your baby is safety. A knowledgeable parent is a better parent.

Baby Heartbeat Monitors Reviewed

Today, with advances in science and technology constantly creating smaller and cheaper electronic devices, acquiring a home use baby heartbeat monitor is cheaper and easier than you may think. For parents that want to listen to the developing fetus of their unborn child, use of a baby heartbeat monitor provides added peace of mind and valuable information that can actually prevent complications during pregnancy. A baby heartbeat monitor is a device which is used to hear any kind of irregularity in the development of the baby, so that it can be taken care of well in time. One can find many heartbeat monitors manufactured by various companies, but to get the desired results it is essential that one chooses the best baby heart beat monitor available.

Choosing the Best Baby Heartbeat Monitor

There are various forms of baby heartbeat monitoring devices available on the market, each having different features and attachments. The available options differ from each other considerably. Whether it's a fetal Doppler baby heart monitor or an external electronic fetal baby monitor, a cosy fetal heart beat monitor or a BeBe Sound Prenatal Listener baby heartbeat monitor, each baby heartbeat monitor has some unique features which makes one model stand out over its competitors.

These advanced baby heartbeat monitors can let one hear the exact heart sounds of the little one growing inside the mother's womb. The sound-only baby heartbeat monitor for analyzing the heartbeat of a unborn baby is designed for clinical and medical use as well as for domestic use by the parents. Some home models also have video so one can see the baby (although the image is generated using ultrasound and not crystal clear). The sex of the unborn child can be determined using a video prenatal baby monitor.

Monitoring the heartbeat of the unborn baby at regular intervals is often recommended to those mothers who have an uncomplicated and healthy pregnancy. However, to those who develop certain complications such as pre-eclampsia, diabetes, any kind of heart disease, vaginal or urinary infections or is expecting twins are strictly advised to have continuous electronic fetal monitoring in order to keep track of any serious problems on the part of the child or the mother. Thus, choosing the heartbeat monitor depends on many factors and it is essential that an unborn baby gets monitored according to the needs of the situation.

Comparing the Prices of Baby Heartbeat Monitors

Pricing a baby heartbeat monitor mainly depends on factors such as the brand name, features, attachments, and quality. Sometimes the accuracy of a particular heartbeat monitor also contributes towards determining its price.

Starting as low as $25 for the BeBe Sounds Prenatal Listener, the prices go as high as $150 or $200 for a fetal Doppler ultrasonic baby heart beat monitor. One can choose exactly that which suits his or her budget and choose the features and quality that one can afford. However, one can't fix the price of the baby's health. It is more then anything in the world - it's priceless.

Out, Darn Spot! Removing Stains From Babies’ Clothing

Do you remember the television commercials for the laundry detergent that claimed to remove the embarrassing "ring around the collar?" The husband and wife would be at some social gathering, perhaps dining on Lobster Thermador at the Rotary Club or some such thing, when one of the Gladys Kravitz-esque attendees would notice a stain on Mr. Commercial's shirt collar and point it out loudly enough for everyone this side of Brooklyn to hear, "He's got ring around the collar!" The singsong nasal chorus would repeat this as Mrs. Commercial turned several shades of crimson and Mr. Commercial went on merrily munching on his shellfish, oblivious to the goings-on. I, for one, always wondered why Mrs. Commercial was so embarrassed when clearly the problem would take care of itself if Mr. Commercial would just take the time to wash his neck.

I got to thinking about that commercial recently as I was trying to remove another stubborn stain, this one caused by my baby's ample and artful methods of regurgitation rather than my husband's poor upper vertebral hygiene. Babies' garments are different from adults' you see, and babies' skin is far more sensitive, so there is no miracle stain remover that is both safe for baby and tough on the messes that they tend to make when they decide that they want to take one more look at that last bit of formula. There are, however, several ways to remove stubborn stains like these from baby clothes and accessories using common household items that contain no harmful chemicals.

For the traditional spit-up stain that parents of a young baby will see plenty of, the best method that I have found uses club soda and baking soda. What you'll want to do is sprinkle a bit of baking soda on the stained area and then pour on a bit of club soda. Remember the papier mache volcanoes that the nerdier kids constructed for the eighth grade science fair? This is the same effect. The club soda and baking soda will bubble and foam a bit. Let that happen for a few seconds and then take an old toothbrush and gently scrub the area. The dried on bits of yuck should loosen and chip away in no time at all. Now wash the garment as usual. Voila! The stain should be gone. This same concoction will remove corrosion from the positive and negative posts of an automobile battery, by the way, so if you have that problem one day, tell your husband that you'll take care of it for him while he goes into the bathroom and washes his neck.

Baby Shower Gift Ideas To Delight Any Mom-To-Be, And Her Baby

A thoughtfully chosen baby shower gift will be cherished, both for the sentiment attached to it, and the need it is likely to fill. Whether you prefer something unique or creative, or take the practical road, the vast collection of baby shower gifts and baby gift baskets available, will provide you with just the right idea.

Baby Shower Gift - Firm Furniture Favorites: If you want to contribute a big ticket item to the baby nursery, help with the crib, crib mattress, and indispensable items such as a changing table, will be particularly welcome baby shower gifts. In this case, however, it will be sensible to find out exactly what is needed. You will have to ascertain whether a classic, sleigh design will fit in with the nursery décor, or if a more contemporary look will be suitable. Any crib also has to meet the required safety standards. In this case, a gift certificate may even be in order, allowing the prospective parents to make their own choice.

Baby Shower Gift - Traveling Trends: Another quite expensive, must-have item for every newborn, is a quality car seat. This is a baby shower gift that will be used almost daily for a number of years. Buying from a reputable manufacturer is vital, to ensure durability and the necessary safety standards. Other items in this category, are strollers, jogging strollers, with carriers as a less costly option.

Baby Shower Gift - Bedding For A Snug Little Bundle: If you know what the theme in the nursery will be, you can assist by buying suitable bedding as a baby shower gift. Adorable bedding sets are available, to suit every possible theme and color scheme. Choose from plaids and patchwork sets, to cute characters, to animals big and small, to cars and trucks, to sea-life themes. Basic sets include sheeting, a bumper, and a quilt. More extravagant sets cover items such as curtains, lamps, wall paper borders, diaper bags, and many other extras.

Baby Shower Gift - Nursery Paraphernalia: Search for baby gift baskets with quality items no nursery can be without, such as pacifiers, bibs, soothers, lotions and potions, hooded towels, mealtime necessities, and all those little things that can ease a new parent over the bumps of the first few months. If you want to make it more personal, choose a caring collection, and make up your own bountiful basket.

Baby Shower Gift - Nurturing Little Minds: A wide variety of gift ideas target development, and the stimulation of senses. These include educational toys, textured items that encourage development of the sense of touch, and classical music cd's and videos. One of these is the 'Baby Mozart' video, which will delight any baby for many hours. This baby shower gift is a useful tool for teaching new words, and creating an awareness of color and size concepts.

Baby Shower Gift - Toys And Baby-Gear Galore: Toys and adorable baby clothing are always on the wishlist of soon-to-be parents. No baby has ever complained about having too much of these! The most difficult aspect, is choosing from the vast array of styles, collections, and trinkets.

Baby Shower Gift - Pamper Exhausted Parents: While the main focus at a baby shower is on the baby, a considerate 'extra' may be a gift basket to perk mom and dad up, after yet another sleepless night. Use your imagination, and collect a few spoil-yourself items, such as chocolate, bubble bath, scented candles, a magazine or two, and any other pampering products. Your gift will be remembered with fondness, and gratitude for your thoughtfulness.

In the end, it is not how much you spend that matters. What is important, is the thought and care that went into the baby shower gift.

Protect Your Family With Nanny Background Screening

If asked if your family was the most important thing in the world to you what would you say? Would you tell the person asking that your family means the world to you and that there is nothing that you would not do to protect them? Do you have a nanny? Have you done nanny background screening yet? If not then you may not have been as honest with the first question as you thought. Letting a stranger into your home to look after your kids is a big step and it is one that should never be taken lightly. This person if a bad person, could cause all kinds of trouble and destruction, that is why nanny background screening is so important to your entire family. You simply cannot wait to get the nanny background screening done, it should be done well before you even hire the nanny, never mind before she moves in.

Nanny background screening is vital to your safety and to that of your family. And I am not just talking about your physical safety although that is definitely an issue. I am also talking about financial safety. How many things of value do you have in your home? Jewelry, china, crystal, gold, money? Even your appliances and your electronic equipment are all worth something. Do you know how many people have come home and have their entire home cleaned out? Tons, that is why it is so important for you to get some good nanny background screening gong on before you let this stranger into your home. They could be anyone at all.

If you take the time to do nanny background screening you will at least know that they do not have any record of past deceitfulness. You will know that there is no past record of violence or negligence. Of course this does not mean that you are hiring an angel but it will go along way towards putting your mind at rest as far as their reliability. Nothing else but nanny background screening will be able to give you these kinds of answers that you need so desperately.

Getting nanny background screening done is a simple process. There are many nanny background screening companies that specialize in this kind of work. They will be found on the internet and in a matter of a few hours they can often get back to you with all of the info that you need in order to make the right decision. The nanny background screening will often consist of a past employment record, a criminal record check as well as checks on where they lived last and who they associated with in some cases. You can even find out who their roommates were if you choose the right nanny background screening agency. It is amazing what today's technology can help you find out through the nanny background screening process. Thanks goodness for computers, you might just owe your family's life to them and nanny background screening.

Baby & Toddlers Clothes - The Evolution of Children's Clothing

Children's clothing evolved as with all the things that are now present today.

From the beginning, children's' clothing used color to separate the genders. Especially in the olden days where little boys looked like little girls, the distinction can be made by the color of the clothes. Girls wore pink and little boys wore blue, this is as much true today as it is in the era of days gone by.

Because of historical accounts available like painting and photographs, it was not easily distinguished if a child was male or female. Thus, not only do the clothes determined the gender but the general appearance as well. This was manifested by the hair style that they were told to wear. It became a strong convention that little girls wear pretty dresses and their hair long while the little boys were told to wear the pants and sport short hair. However due to the evolution of time, little girls of today have adopted to wearing pants but the day hasn't come yet where the boys adopted the dresses of girls!

In our modern world today, a general convention exists that girls are able to wear the clothes of boys but never the other way around. But that wasn't the case in the 19th century where little girls and boys were dressed alike. Although during that time, girls were not allowed to dress in pants, otherwise, there was not much difference in the way they were dressed.

Up to the time of the second world war, clothes associated with girls were dresses, pantalets, smocks and pinafores.

Dresses

This was the basic clothing of girls up to the second world war since it was not everyday occurrence that girls wore pants or shorts before the war.

Bloomers

This was another staple in the little girls' clothing where it served its purpose of providing an alternative option to the restrictive and binding fashion sense during the 19th century. This can be attributed to Amelia Bloomer born 1818 - 1894 who was an American reformer espousing this cause. But the bloomer concept must be credited to Elizabeth Smith Miller as she was creator of the bloomers. Although this type of garment did not bloom at all.

Rompers

These were worn both by the girls and boys that were used primarily for play time. By the end of the second world war, rompers were basic staples for little girls wardrobe. They were usually used as costumes or uniforms for gym classes of girls.

Smocks

This is one generic children's clothing of years gone by. As this was so common, different styles, accessories, adornments, and other details filled the repertoire of how a smock can look like. There were smocks of different colors, smocks with different buttoning styles - buttons located at the back, in the front, or on the side. There were also smocks with collars, with trims, with ties, with pockets, with belts, etc. It was usual in the 1950s that smocks of identical cut were bought by mothers for their children.

Pinafores

This was a very essential piece of garment for the girls' wardrobe as they were usually worn by little girls of Europe and America.

Pantalets

These were worn both by boys and girls. Usually, boys wore plain pantalets while girls wore the fancier ones. But there were some boys who like to wear fancy Pantalets too.

Sailor suits

This was basically a boy's garment but it became a unisex garment as girls started to wear sailor suits too.