Transitioning From Bassinet To Crib

If your baby has been sleeping in your room in a bassinet, you may have some concerns about moving her to her own room and her crib. But, don't worry; you will probably both sleep better once the transition is complete. Most babies are ready to move to the crib at around six to eight weeks of age, or whenever he is sleeping for longer periods during the night.

Be prepared that the crib might feel a bit large to the baby who has been accustomed to a bassinet, but the transition will be much easier when the baby is older than it would have been with a newborn. If your baby seems bothered by the size of the crib, try putting a pillow at his feet to give the illusion of a smaller space. However, if your baby is turning over on his own, or scooting about the crib, leave the pillow out, as it can be dangerous. To make the transition easier, have the baby take naps in the crib for a few weeks before you move him in there for the whole night. Ideally, have baby take naps in his crib from the very beginning, so that when you move him there permanently, the surroundings will be familiar.

If you're worried that you won't hear the baby with him in another room, use a monitor to alleviate your worries. But, what you'll likely find is that you hear him when he really needs you, but you don't wake up at every little gurgle, which means better rest for both of you. Many first time moms are very fearful of sleeping through their child's cries, but it is rarely a real concern. In spite of the fact that you are likely very sleep deprived, you will hear your baby.

Finally, it is common to worry about your child feeling isolated. But, studies show that children are much more likely to be comfortable sleeping alone in their room if they begin this routine early in life. The two year old who has always slept in Mom and Dad's room would definitely feel isolated when put into his own room, the two month old will not. It is probably a bigger adjustment for you than the baby.

Your baby is getting more independent, and that might be making you a bit sad, which is perfectly normal. But, there are many more days of this ahead, and each step toward independence is a sign that you're giving your child the skills he needs to develop.

Kicked in the Ribs - While Giving Birth

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Teething Without Biting Your Nails

For some babies, teething is a simple affair, with few noticeable side effects. For others, it takes months of pain and anguish to get those first teeth to pop in. Here is some information to help you get through the teething stage, without spending too much time biting your nails.

When will it happen? Well, that largely depends on when it happened for you and your husband. The timing of the appearance of that first tooth is largely hereditary. The average age is about seven months, though the first tooth can appear as early as three months, or as late as after the first birthday. However, teething symptoms can begin two or three months before the appearance of the tooth, so your child can seem to be teething for months on end. For many children, the painful symptoms are much more pronounced in the first two or three teeth, but then subside somewhat on subsequent teeth.

How do I alleviate the pain? There are many remedies to help with teething, without resulting to over the counter pain medicines. Homeopathic teething tablets, which dissolve on the child's tongue, were a godsend when my children were teething. I also took those little baby washcloths, wet them down, twisted them into a sort of stick shape and froze them. They are easy to chew on this way, and are colder than a traditional teething ring put in the refrigerator, though these work great for some babies. When things get extreme, a little acetaminophen or ibuprofen before bedtime can help your child sleep better.

Are there other symptoms? In some babies, there can be other symptoms that accompany the pain of teething. The most common is a stomach ache and diarrhea. This is thought to be caused by the extra saliva that a baby produces during teething. Many babies also run a low grade fever. Another, less common symptom is what we referred to as "teething poop". Whenever my daughter was going through a bout of teething, her bowel movements would burn the skin on her bottom, as though it was very acidic. So, in addition to being in pain from the teething, she had a sore bottom, too. We alleviated this pain with oatmeal baths, and with being more diligent about changing her diaper immediately after a bowel movement.

Teething is a normal part of babyhood, and, even if it is painful, it is temporary. Keep on top of the symptoms, and soon you'll be seeing a big toothy grin on your baby!

Discover the 4 Top Tips for Planning Great Baby Showers

Baby showers are parties thrown for friends that are pregnant. This practice has significantly changed over the course of the years and has gradually become more and more elaborate and planned.

You will be amazed but you are already way ahead of many people as you are seeking out information and with these simple planning tips you are bound to be a Baby Shower Success. So let's get started.

Baby showers can make an expectant mother feel more secure in the fact that her friends are all pulling for her and giving moral and financial support. Usually the baby shower is organized by non-relatives. But today, there is isn't abnormal to find family members, support group members, church friends and pretty much anyone except the expecting mother.

Inviting the Guests Who should you invite? Usually, the guest list will only include those nearest and dearest to the expectant mother. It wouldn't hurt if she gets a first look at the guest list so that she can suggest who should be invited. If you are planning a surprise baby shower, you will have to do a little research on who should be attending instead of running the list through the expectant mother.

If the child is not a firstborn, you may opt to keep the number of guests down to the closest to the mother. Firstborn baby showers tend to have a larger guest list since it is, after all, the mother's first time.

The thing to remember is that the nature of baby showers is intimacy. So, for any baby shower party, try making the gathering one of intimate friends.

You could use informal ways to invite these guests: email, phone and others. Invitation cards and other letters are the best way, however, as they provide a tangible, traceable evidence of invitation. Plus, it is the most sure and formal way to invite a person – and in many cultures – the only way.

What About the Guys The nature of the party is probably going to tend towards the feminine side; if the organizers of the party have a provision for this, then inviting men would be fine. It also depends on the men, since the party may dwell on topics such as pregnancy, children, and other motherly topics, they might not be that excited to join. All in all, it depends on the preference of the organizers.

Venue Anywhere! As long as it can keep with the placid and fun nature of the occasion, any place would be fine. The more usual places on baby shower lists are backyards, formal halls, restaurants, and basically any room that has the amenities to make a baby shower successful. Just make sure the venue is not crowded and stressful to the mother-to-be. It also pays to make sure the venue is set long before the actual baby shower happens.

When to Throw a Baby Shower Usually this is one or two months before her due. The baby shower is the perfect time to get your friend baby needs and stuff she may not have had time to purchase yet. It has to be well-timed though – not too close to the due date, and not to far as to whittle down the excitement.

Baby showers are a pleasant surprise to expecting mothers. It takes a lot of the stress of expecting a child off of their minds and provides a means for friends to show support and concern (and of course, baby gifts) to expecting friends.

A properly coordinated baby shower will be greatly appreciated and forever remembered by mothers long after they have delivered their children.

Discount Baby Shower Supplies: Planning A Shower On A Budget

Baby showers are a special occasion where friends, family and other people who know the parents to be, are gathered together to give gifts and make this occasion memorable to everyone present.

The one who will host this event is usually a very close friend of the future mother. Such events are mainly for gift giving which make it awkward for a family member of the mother to be the host for such an event. That person needs to start by talking to the mother and other members of the family what kind of theme will be appropriate for the party.

The host can do the planning alone or brainstorm with friends in picking the right invitation then having it made by the printers. When that is finished, the other details after that should already be quite easy such as the food for the occasion, and the program for the party.

The party is determined on the gender of the baby and the supplies for the occasion depend on the theme of the baby shower.

These include the following;

· A party for any occasion can never do without balloons. These can come in various colors, sizes and shapes and are quite affordable. One can order these either online or in the nearest party store in the neighborhood and have it ready for pickup or delivery in a few days.

· A nice looking cake is another important thing that must not be missed out for a baby shower. Just like balloons, this can be made in various colors or shapes symbolizing a cartoon character or any other thing that is the theme of the party.

· A baby shower should always have games. When there are games, there are prizes and the host can get some gift certificates to be given away.

· The party can be formal or it can be a casual one where people who are a bit older have a chance to act like children again. Party ware is available in various colors. One can get it at an affordable price which includes everything from the glass, to the utensils and the plate itself. Since these are disposable, one can easily get rid of it when the party is over.

· Streamers and ribbons for the party are also an essential to fix up the venue for baby shower. These come in rolls more than 50 feet long and can be purchased at a reasonable price.

Light and finger foods are usually served during baby showers so it won't be that hard figuring out what snacks to get for the event.

The host can even make a baby shower registry so that the future mother will not get similar gifts from friends and family.

Given that most baby showers are limited to a small number of people, planning the budget before going out and buying the essentials will not be that much of a problem.

If one does not have enough time and is busy with other things such as work, one can enlist the help of friends and divide the labor or get the assistance of professional. Most people who do this for a living offer packages reducing the worry of some who have not done this before.

The Ever Anticipated Feat Of Walking

We make such a big deal out of when a baby takes his first steps. In fact, the age at which your child took his first steps will be ingrained in your Mommy memory forever, just like your child's birth weight and time. Personally, I think walking is a bit overrated, since you can't manage to keep them out of trouble ever again once they start, but here are some things you might want to know, anyway.

For some reason, everyone seems to think that a baby should be walking by his first birthday, but the fact is that most babies don't walk until after this time. There are a few who walk as early as nine months of age, but a great many who don't take their first steps until fifteen months. And, if your child is a late walker, it has absolutely no bearing on his intelligence.

The age at which a baby walks is often genetic. Walking very early or very late often runs in the family. My husband walked at nine months, and I walked at ten months, so we were unlucky enough to have a daughter who also walked at ten months. She was very petite, so she looked like the world's tiniest walking human. She also scaled the kitchen counters before she was a year old, so you can see what I mean by "unlucky".

When your baby walks is also often related to his size. Babies with short legs usually walk sooner than those with long legs (a balance issue) and thinner babies usually walk sooner than their more plump counterparts.

Pushing your baby to walk is not a good idea, but providing him the opportunity to learn is critical. If you force your child to endure daily practice sessions, he may just rebel and refuse to walk for quite a while. On the other hand, if you keep him in swing or playpen all day, he'll never have the opportunity to try out his skills. Give him some supervised time on the floor, and he'll figure the rest out with or without your help.

If, by chance, your child is not walking by the age of eighteen months, it is best to have him checked out by a doctor. There is not necessarily anything wrong, but most babies are walking by this age, so have him examined as a precaution. But, don't be too eager, because once he starts walking, all the rules change. Someone, though I don't remember who, once said, - "We spend the first two years of our children's lives teaching them to walk and talk, and then the next sixteen telling them to sit down and shut up." It's so true.

Choosing Your Baby Nursery Theme

Planning a baby nursery is a big task. There is furniture to choose, walls to paint, safety to take into consideration. Probably the most exciting part of planning your baby nursery though, will be choosing your nursery's theme. The theme you decide on will set the tone for the whole room so it will certainly need to be one of the first decisions that you make when your start the planning process.

There are an almost endless supply of themes available for a baby's room. You could choose to go with something gender specific, a girl themed room for a girl and a boy themed room for a boy, or you may want to consider choosing a gender neutral theme if you plan to have more children. This will save you the trouble of possibly having to remodel the nursery when the next baby comes along. A pink princess themed nursery won't work so well if your next child is a boy. Likewise, a girl will seem out of place in a nursery decorated with cars.

If you want to plan a nursery that will stimulate your baby as they grow, consider bright primary colors and geometric shapes and patterns. Red, blue, and yellow have been found to be the colors that help stimulate young infants. Bedding and wall décor with geometric shapes and patterns will also do this especially if the shapes and patterns are large. This will make it easier for the baby to see since it takes many months for an infant's vision to completely develop.

Whatever theme you decide on for your nursery, be prepared to live with it for a few years. Most babies are not ready for a toddler room until they are two to three years old. If you want to save money, choose a theme that will grow with them into their toddler room. Since toddler beds take the same size mattress and bedding as a crib, you could continue to use the theme and bedding you choose in a toddler room if you wanted to.

No matter what theme you decide on, remember to have fun while taking on the whole nursery planning process. This is a joyous time in your life that you will always be able to look back on fondly.

What Should You Pay Your Babysitter

Being that your babysitter will be taking care of your young loved ones, you want to be careful and put a lot of thought into making a decision of which babysitter is best for you. Realize, however, that due to the importance of your children's security, this is not a time that you are really trying to cut costs. The rates that you will be charged are going to differ on the type of babysitter you decide to go with. The two types of babysitter's are generally going to fall into one of two categories: a personal acquaintance/friend and a professional agency.

Hiring a babysitter from an agency will be more expensive than hiring an acquaintance or friend. With an agency, you will have to pay them a fee on top of the babysitter's hourly rate. However, that fee should guarantee you that your loved ones will be in good hands. Being that the agency is correctly run, you should be provided with the babysitter's credentials, and the agency should know the babysitter very well. This will help give you peace of mind while you are out, away from your loved ones. Another advantage of hiring a babysitter from an agency is that they can generally adhere to all of your needs, in terms of having a babysitter ready in very short notice or in being able to have someone take care of you kids over longer periods of time.

Now in determining the rate per hour that you pay your babysitter will likely depend on how many children she will be watching each time. The more children being watched would naturally mean a higher hourly rate. A very common hourly rate for a baby sitter for one child is twelve dollars. Most babysitter's will charge anywhere from three to five dollars more per additional child. If you use the same babysitter all the time and things have been working out smoothly, you might be able to negotiate a slightly lower rate being that you are a source of regular income for that person. It can't hurt to negotiate once a relationship has been built, but don't try and take advantage of that person, or you might lose your regular babysitter.

If you have a child or children that require special needs or that tend to be extremely unruly, then there will likely be a surcharge to the average hourly rate, as it is going to take the babysitter more effort to complete her duties. The same also goes for a babysitter who you require to do more than just watch the children, such as preparing dinner for them or picking them up from school. On the other hand, if you only require that your babysitter read to your child and then put him/her to bed at a specific hour, then your rates are sure to be lower.

In terms of paying your babysitter, that is something that can be worked out between the two of you to find the most suitable terms of payment. Often, however, the babysitter will allow you to pay a slightly lower rate if you pay in cash. So you may want to exploit this option.

At the end of the day, you just want to make sure that you and your babysitter are happy with the arrangements. Your babysitter is taking care of your precious ones, and that is not something you are looking to get a big discount on. More importantly, you just want to make sure that your children are safe while you are away.

Baby Toy Bargains On The World Wide Web

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

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

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

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

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

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

What do you buy a new born baby?

So your friends have had a baby, and you're wondering what to get them for a gift. Well, you've come to the right place. Here are a few ideas to get you thinking – you might not like all of them, but hopefully there will be something here that appeals to you.

The first, and most obvious, candidate for a baby gift has to be clothes. Many people are reluctant to buy clothes in advance of the birth because they're not sure what gender the baby is going to be, but don't let that put you off – white clothes are nice-looking and gender-neutral. It will depend on where you live, but the best baby clothes tend to be soft, fluffy things that can keep the baby cosy and warm. Do realise, however, that clothes aren't exactly an original gift, and the couple might already be snowed under with them.

Toys are another favourite, although it can be difficult to know what to get. Things like mobiles and other brightly coloured things that the baby can swipe at tend to be a good choice, as are rattles and soft toys that make noises. You will probably win more points with the parents by getting more educational baby toys, such as those with shapes or animal noises, instead of ones that just seem cool.

If you want to think more unconventionally, though, there are plenty of things to consider. Why not buy (or contribute towards) a cot, or a pushchair? Why not start a savings fund for the baby, with a decent chunk of money to get it started? Or you could buy nappies, or bath stuff, or whatever – take a look at the baby section in any shop to get plenty of ideas.

One last idea: with all this focus on things for the baby, maybe the parents are feeling a little left out, with no presents for them and no money or time left to treat themselves for a good long while. A nice thing to do is to get a present for the parents, as it will probably be the only thing they get for themselves, and they'll be pleased that someone thought of them.

Throwing a Baby Shower Your Guests Will Remember

Are you in charge of planning a baby shower? Do you need a baby shower theme? Decorations? Favors? This guide will give you baby shower ideas, whether you are a sister, friend, or coworker.

Baby Shower Themes

The first and most difficult thing to do when planning a baby shower is to decide on a theme. After this has been finalized, much of the rest of the shower will plan itself.

There are several ways to pick a theme.

A baby shower theme can relate to the mother-to-be and what she needs. It can be a color, a nursery theme, or a specific type of item. For instance, if the nursery is decorated in flowers, the theme could be "A Baby's Garden." If it is decorated in a sports motif, the theme could be the parents' favorite sports team. All the gifts would then coordinate with the room. If the nursery is painted with frogs, the theme could be "Green." This way, the guests can be a little more creative in their giving. Or the theme could be "Bedtime," prompting guests to bring pajamas, blankets, and crib items.

For a second (or third, or fourth) time mother, the theme can be really creative. For someone who already has almost everything they need, a theme such as "Reading," in which everyone brings books for the baby (and maybe for the older children as well) would be a nice change of pace.

Some people do not like to attend showers for second time mothers, because they feel that they have already received what they needed for their first child and are just being greedy. If you feel this may be the case for your guests (such as a group of coworkers), throw a baby shower in which the invitation clearly states not to bring a present. Or spend some money on a nice gift (for instance, a gift certificate to a restaurant, spa, or hotel), and ask that guests bring a specific item (diapers, specific baby food) in exchange for a raffle ticket. They can even bring as many items as they would like in exchange for several tickets. That way, people who wish to be generous can still give the mother-to-be a useful gift, and no one feels obligated to bring anything. At the end of the night, raffle off the prize.

Some other theme ideas include: Look What the Stork is Bringing Noah's Ark (good for a shower where the guys are invited too!) Alphabet Soup Blue is for Boy

Baby Shower Decorations

The decorations should flow from the theme. A color theme is the most flexible and inexpensive, although a specific theme such as "Teddy Bears" will be easy, as you can buy coordinating tablecloths, plates, and napkins.

Keep the decorations simple. Put a nice tablecloth under the cake and spread some confetti rattles around it. Tie some balloons to the buffet or appetizer table. Add some pastel streamers across the living room, and you're done. After all, the focus should be on the mother-to-be.

If you are having the shower at work, the decorations can be even easier. Simply put the cake under a white tablecloth and add a bouquet of balloons. A lunchtime event is perfect for the office. Many of the baby shower ideas will work for any location, indoors or out.

Baby Shower Favors

After the shower, give your guests something to remember it by. Candle holders in the shape of a baby item, such as a rattle or booties, are popular and easy to find online or in a party supply store. Other favor ideas include magnets or candies in a pretty gift box. Of course, let the favors flow from the theme. At "Tea Party" themed baby shower, guests might receive tea cups and saucers. At a "Pamper Party," an idea increasingly popular for mothers who already have several children and therefore most of the stuff they actually need, they might take home spa accessories such as a loofah or bubble bath.

Baby Shower Schedule

Typically, a baby shower will last approximately two hours. If a full meal will be served, be sure to indicate this on the invitation so guests can plan accordingly. Usually, however, some light appetizers, punch, and cake are all that is needed. The following is a general idea of a schedule.

As your guests arrive, serve them some appetizers, and let them sign a guest book. One idea is to make this an advice book, allowing each guest to write down one piece of advice they would give the new mother.

Serve simple appetizers. Two to three dishes is best, along with some cheese, crackers, chips, dip, and fruit. Some ideas for munchies that are easy and can be made ahead of time include:

Deviled Eggs: Add salsa and cheddar for a Mexican twist! Stuffed Mushrooms

After all your guests have arrived, begin with everyone introducing themselves. This is especially important if this is a mixed shower, with coworkers, friends, and family. Make sure everyone mentions how they know the mother-to-be.

Next, play one or two games. These will serve as icebreakers. Some ideas include:

Baby Boggle - See how many baby related words guests can make in three minutes from a sentence such as "I can't believe [Mother-To-Be's Name] is going to have a baby!" or something else silly and fun. Everyone reads their list, crossing off duplicates, and the person with the most remaining wins.

Baby Box - Place some common baby items (rattle, diaper) in a box. Cut a small hand-sized hole in the side. Give each guest 20 seconds to touch as many items as they can (no peeking!), then have them write down what they felt. The person with the most correct wins.

Remember, short is good, and have fun!

If there is going to be a full meal, now is the time. Generally, a buffet is best, as the guests can eat while the mother-to-be opens her gifts. If there is not going to be a full meal, give everyone some time to get another round of appetizers, then have the guest of honor open her presents.

After the gifts are open, serve the cake. At this point, the shower is over. Everyone will socialize for as long as they'd like, and the guests will begin to leave. If the time is important (i.e. the host has somewhere she needs to be), be sure to put an end time of the invitations.

Hopefully this gave you enough baby shower ideas to begin brainstorming. Remember to have fun, and you'll throw a successful baby shower.

Throwing A Baby Shower : What You Need To Know

Throwing baby showers is a time-honored way to celebrate the impending addition of a new member to a loved one's family. Traditionally, a baby shower is a "girls only" event, often hosted by the baby's godmother, but today baby showers can be hosted by any friend or relative of the mother-to-be, and can be attended by whomever the host wishes to invite. The general purpose of a baby shower is to give useful gifts to the expectant mother, such as layette items, baby toys and clothes, and often gift certificates for useful things. It is not untoward for the expectant parents to draw up a "wish list" of items they especially need but may be having difficulty affording.

Baby showers are a relatively recent tradition, generally credited as having their start in the US. A baby shower is usually a relatively casual event, held in the afternoon or early evening, often with refreshments provided and sometimes party games held as well. It is not uncommon to have a potluck shower, where guests each bring a food item along with a gift, although fully catered showers are also quite common. Party games, if the host chooses to have them, generally center around the general theme of the baby and pregnancy, ranging from themed versions traditional games like charades to activities such as guessing the circumference of the pregnant guest-of-honor.

While many parents-to-be look forward to having a baby shower, some social groups feel such celebrations are best left as family affairs, or believe that it is bad luck to celebrate a birth before it happens. If you offer to host a shower for an expectant friend, don't be hurt if she politely declines. In other cases, the mother-to-be may have multiple showers! Perhaps one for co-workers and casual friends, and one for close friends and family. Some women have a baby shower only for their first child, while others may choose to have one for every pregnancy.

Baby showers are not bound by rigid traditions to the same extent as weddings and other life events, so don't be surprised if a new friend's baby shower is nothing like the last one you attended. There is really no "wrong" way to throw a baby shower, so if you have been charged with hosting a shower for a friend or relative, it's an "anything goes" affair (so long as you have the guest of honor's stamp of approval for your plans!).

Buy Baby Gift Items That Are Personalized

By the time you finish reading this, you will know how one can buy baby gift items that will stand out from all the others through personalization. In the market today, one has a wide range of options to choose from. Unique baby gifts and baby gift baskets of the highest quality are available. One might want to buy baby shower gifts. A range of unique and creative baby gifts and accessories await you if you are going shopping for your baby. Personalized keepsakes can last a lifetime and one would prefer a personalized baby gift rather than a simple one which has no personal touch. Buy baby gift items and personalize them to add value and uniqueness.

All About Personalized Gifts for Your Baby

An enormous list of options available for personalization includes silver gift sets, silver photo frames, birth candles, bone china, pewter and glass products. You could personalize china plates in 22ct gold with the child's full name, place and date of birth. They make a very special newborn baby gift. When looking to buy baby gift items for personalization, a gift with lasting appeal certainly adds value.

Another option is personalized children's music CDs. Kids enjoy singing along to songs and will certainly love hearing their own name sung in the lyrics of the songs. Along with their great entertainment value, these personalized CDs help to build self-esteem and develop self-confidence in the baby.

Baby gift baskets are another great option. They are filled with great things for both mom and baby. They are the perfect pick as baby shower gifts, newborn baby gifts, as a first and second birthday baby gift. Browse all baby gift baskets and see that the basket is not filled with useless and cheap trinkets. See to it that the baby gift baskets have practical, useful and fun stuff within them.

Other possible choices which help the little one feel comfortable in their first bedroom include artwork, hand painted furniture, bedding and cribs designed and personalized for the baby. Comfortable baby blankets and cozies can be found in this category as well.

Another choice is personalized books for children. For sale are deluxe framed names, in which the name of the child is written alongside beautifully illustrated pictures for each initial and the origin and meaning of the name is explained.

Soft toys, which babies love to have, can be personalized as well. included are a number of personalized teddy bears, with embroidered details. The best part is that a personalized bear can include any name or message up to 50 characters long, from a simple birthday greeting to complete name and birth details.

A mug can also be personalized with around 50 characters and kids love to have their early morning drink in them.

Baby clothes are an item that parents cannot get enough of. Of course, many different ways of personalizing clothing exist, such as embroidery, hand-painting, and iron-on artwork.

Keep in mind the following while looking to buy baby gift items: - The age of the baby while making the selection - See that the quality of the selected gift is good. - If the baby loves music, give him a personalized CD - Buy clothing items a few sizes larger so the baby can grow into them if shopping for personalized t-shirts etc.

Tips On Making A Move Easy For The Kids

In the way the world functions today moving for career or personal reasons is inevitable. Studies show that on an average families move at least 3-4 times in a life time. Moving even for the veteran mover is a challenge and if there are kids or pets involved then the tensions and problems are greater.

Children are often disturbed by changes in their home environment and schedule and are reluctant to leave their friends and familiar environment to move to a new place. It is important for you to set aside time to help your kids cope with change and understand that moving is "no monster."

• Most parents plan to move during holidays when the school term has ended. In actuality this makes it harder for the kids. Think about it, it is easier to adjust and cope when you are busy and have made a few friends. So, if you move during school term the kids will start at a new school and have plenty of interaction with teachers and classmates. They will also start following a schedule and have no time to brood or think about the changes in their lives.

• I know moving can be a burden with umpteen things to do but make time to sit down with the kids and explain why the need to move, and what they can look forward to. Instill in them a sense of security and if possible, assign a few responsibilities like maintaining a list for moving, caring for pets, having a going away treat for their friends and so on.

• Involve the kids in house hunting and finding out stuff about the new city or town where you are moving. If you are moving to a rural area then try and make it seem like an adventure. Add a sense of anticipation and excitement.

• Plan activities with them a "say goodbye" to old home, school, neighborhood, and friend activity and a "hello" to the new home and environment. Help them cope with emotions, uncertainties, and more by asking a favorite aunt or grandparent over to spend time with them, showing them pictures of the new home, allowing them to keep in touch with old friends by quickly hooking up the Internet connection when you arrive into your new home.

• Let each child decide what to take with them in their hand luggage something special. Maybe a soft toy, an old blanket, a much loved book, or collection of stamps or coins, or base ball cards.

• Plan a "family group" night in the new home. Spread out sleeping bags in the large living room and if its winter light a fire, watch movies together, roast marshmallows, sing songs, and exchange hugs. Being with each other and their parents will help settle fluttering stomachs and doubts.

• Reassure your kids that you will always be there for them, until they settle in; consider taking leave from work, flexi timings, or asking a grandparent to stay with them for a while. Consider aspects of child care and a day care center. If you have small children find out whether your new work place encourages mothers to bring children with them into work.

• Make the new environment a discovery. Explore the neighborhood together, take them on a tour of the school, local library and 'y.' Go swimming with them, and retrace the route they will take each day. Introduce yourself and the kids to neighbors, ask neighboring kids over to your new home so that the kids can make new friends.

Be a vigilant parent and look out for signs of being upset, bad behavior, nervousness, loss of appetites, bad dreams, frequent bathroom visits at night, demands for attention, or to sleep in with you. If you notice any of these you must take all essential steps to correct matters before they get nasty.

Children live in a world quite different from ours so help them with love, understanding, and patience.

Starting Your Baby On Solids – What Are The Right Foods

If your baby is ready to start on solid foods, you might be a bit confused as to which foods are best. There are a wide variety of foods that can be good starter foods. Here are some ideas to help you get going.

Rice, Mixed Grain or Oat Cereal This is the typical baby cereal that you mix with formula or breast milk. This is a good starter food because it is easily tolerated and you can make it as thin as you like for those first meals. Start with just about a tablespoon of the cereal.

Yellow Vegetables Mild yellow vegetables like squash, carrots and sweet potatoes are good starters, too. They are easy on the stomach and babies usually love the taste.

Yogurt Many babies love plain, unsweetened yogurt, and it is a very healthy first food. If your baby doesn't like it, try yogurt with the fruit on the bottom, but check labels, and buy yogurt with low sugar content. Very often the grocery store brand will be lower in sugar than the national brands.

Mild Fruits Applesauce, bananas, peaches and pears are all good choices, and babies love them.

These are some of the best foods to offer first. Many pediatricians recommend offering vegetables, cereals and unsweetened yogurt first and adding fruits and sweetened yogurt a bit later. This is based on the theory that saving sweeter foods for later discourages the development of a sweet tooth.

Be certain that you introduce only one new food at a time, and wait a week before introducing something new. This will let you determine if there is any food that your child is allergic to or does not tolerate well. Once you have introduced the foods above successfully, you can add other vegetables, like green beans and peas, and meat. It is usually recommended that you wait until your baby is older to introduce spinach and broccoli.

Beware trying to approach those first few solid meals when your baby is really hungry – he is likely to rebel. Give him just a little breast milk or formula, and he is likely to be much more patient with the process. Don't expect much those first few feedings. Your baby will wear more than he will eat for some time. But, it will get better – and these first few meals are more about learning the skill than actual nutrition, anyway!

Is Your Baby Ready For Solid Foods

Your little one is growing like a weed and drinking you out of house and home. You may be wondering if your little one is ready for some solid food. Here are a few tips to help you determine if your baby is ready to take the next step.

Gone are the days when anxious moms start their little ones on cereal somewhere between six and twelve weeks. To be honest, these moms did this for their own convenience, rather than the baby's health. Starting a baby on cereal early can help them sleep through the night sooner, which, I know, sounds heavenly. But here's why it's not a good idea. Your baby's tummy is just not developed enough to properly digest solids, even watered down cereal, just yet. If you force the issue, you are inviting a tummy ache, or worse, a true gastric disorder. So, when those older ladies give you this advice, smile and ignore it. But don't fault them too much. About 30 years ago, this was considered the thing to do, and even pediatricians endorsed it.

Today, most pediatricians will recommend that you wait until your baby is five to six months old to start solids. In addition to using this age as a guideline, there are some signs you can look for that indicates that your child is really ready. If you wait until you see some signs of readiness in your child, you will likely have much better success than if you just pick a day and start.

First, is your baby interested in what you are eating for dinner? At four and a half months, my daughter was literally grabbing for my plate when she sat with us at the table. Since she was clearly interested, we started her just a bit before she turned five months.

Another good indicator is that your child can sit fairly well, with only a little support. It's much easier to feed them solids when they are somewhat able to support themselves. You will probably still have to support them with pillows or rolled up towels for a while, especially if you put them straight into the high chair. There are some great feeding chairs for younger children that can work better than a high chair in the early days.

If you think your baby is ready for solids, check out my article on the best starter foods. You can find it in "Mommy to Mommy – The Truth about Taking Care of Baby" at http://www.educatedmother.com.

Games to Play at a Baby Shower

Baby showers can be fun times. It may be one of the last times for the mother-to-be to enjoy a relaxing get together with family and friends. Once the baby arrives, things will be hectic. However, it may also be a somewhat awkward time if her family and friends do not know each other well. One of the best ways to break the ice between everyone is by playing a fun shower game! Baby shower games are generally inexpensive and just require a little planning. Here are a few examples of fun games you can play at the next baby shower you host.

Baby Photos

This is a simple game, but it can get everyone in the "baby" mood. Ask the baby shower attendees to bring a picture of themselves as a baby or toddler. Take each picture and post it on a large piece of poster board, assigning each photo a number. When all the guests have arrived, give each one a nametag so everyone knows everyone's name. Then give each guest a piece of paper and let everyone guess who is who in the baby photos. The person who is able to identify the most baby pictures wins!

Baby Songs

Divide the party into two groups. Assign someone in each group to be the recorder and have them think of as many songs with baby in the title. Set a time limit of 5 minutes. Whichever team is able to list the most songs wins. To add more fun, make the losing team sing a song chosen by the winning team from their list.

Bottle Suckers

Some baby showers have men and women both attend, and this game is great for those type of showers. Fill one 4-ounce baby bottle with juice for each attendee. Have them all drink at once, timing them to see who finishes the fastest. It is good fun to see grownups sucking from a baby bottle. You can even trick the father-to-be by giving him a nipple with a small hole, so it takes him longer to drink the bottle.

Pillow Talk

This one is a little risqué, so if there are older relatives or men in the room, you may want to avoid it. However, if it is just the girls, it is super fun. Do not tell the mother-to-be what is going on, just have someone write down what she says when she opens each gift. Once all the gifts are open, have someone read back what she said, explaining that her comments are "what she said on the night the baby was conceived." It makes for some hilarious innuendos!

Baby Food Tasters

This one gets everyone in the mood for the new little addition. Purchase ten jars of baby food - all different varieties. Print out a sheet that lists each flavor and post it somewhere in the room. Cover the bottom of the jars with foil and print a number on each one. All guests should have a plastic spoon, a paper plate, and a piece of paper and a pen or pencil. Pass around each jar of baby food one at a time and have each guest place a small spoonful of the baby food on their plate. Have them taste it to try to guess what food it is. On their sheet of paper, have guests write down the number from the jar and what flavor that they think they are tasting. Sweet potatoes are usually hard to identify, so you might want to get a jar to try to fool everyone. Be sure to have your camera ready for the faces everyone will make when tasting the baby food.

Mom's Waistline

This one is fun if the mother-to-be is not too sensitive about the size of her ever-expanding waistline. Get a roll of ribbon and ask each guest to pull out as much ribbon as she thinks it will take to cover the mother-to-be's waistline. Cut off the ribbon and try it around the mom's waistline. The guess who comes closest to the actual waist circumference wins.

Test Drive

If it is a pretty day and you plan to have the baby shower outside, this is an entertaining game to play. Set up an obstacle course in the yard, put a doll in the stroller and have each guest run the obstacle course. Time each guest, giving them a 5-second penalty for collisions and a disqualification if the doll falls out of the stroller. Whoever completes the course in the fastest time wins.

Many entertaining games can be played at a baby shower. Just be sure to bring the camera to record all the fun for the mother-to-be to enjoy for years to come.

Baby Shower Party Favors - Recipe For Satisfaction

Now the party is over it is time to give in return a small token expressing thanks to all those who attended the baby shower gathering The giving of baby party shower favors is warmly welcomed by all, thus making this a common habit at baby celebrations. Gifts do not have to be expensive. Should your guest list be as long as your arm then do not fret as favors can be bought in bulk therefore helping to cut costs?

Keep the baby theme in mind when choosing what it is you want to give. If it be a fairy tale character, baby toys or animals then it would be nice to implement this onto the token. Jewelry pieces can be given, budget permitting of course. Believe me, if presented with a piece of gold or silver this will be one baby shower party your guests will never forget. Give little mniature versions of the Disney or cartoon character behind the theme of your event, this is another nice way of expressing your gratitude

Home made cookies and chocolates go down well as well as being simple to bake. Pick up a recipe book and put your self to the test by baking your own special little goodies, not only will this save you time but also very cost effective. Gifts in edible form are pleasing and tasty, hence a guarantee of guest satisfaction.

Try being creative in the bakery department and experiment by personalizing those appetizing incredible edibles by pipe creaming them to add colour. Why not have a go at moulding your pastry into teddy bear shapes or gingerbread men. Remember this is your baby party shower gift favor so it is up to you how they will look and taste.

More fabulous ideas away from the kitchen are bathroom novelties. Give coloured fragranced bars of soap or even sweet scented candles. Decorative packaging like gift bags or little presentation boxes to spruce up the favour will put the finishing touches to your thank you present. Candle making kit instructions are very easy and simple to follow so it is worth considering making your own in shades of pink and blue. This is a safe bet if the baby gender is unknown.

Small guilt edged photo frames containing a momentous photo of the day can be given and then replaced at a later date with a picture of baby when he/she are born. The options are endless. Whatever you choose to give as party baby gift favors is entirely up to you, the way you give it is another thing. Hand it over with a smile and in return your guest will do the same.

All About: Diaper Bags

A diaper bag, as the name suggests is quite obviously a bag that stores diapers. However, most have enough space for a wide range of baby accessories and have proved to be a wonderful solution for busy parents. A diaper bag stores diapers, toys, medicines, pacifiers, snacks and anything else you might need to keep baby comfortable and happy. As a matter of fact, diaper bags are as important as a diaper -- an equally indispensable part of a baby's growing up years.

Over the years, diaper bags have evolved immensely and are now custom-made in a variety of styles and colors to compliment mom and baby on their day out. Created primarily for convenience, some modern bags are a superb blend of logic and design, proving to be extremely functional as well as fashionable.

Traditionally, diaper bags were bulky carry-alls, made out of plastic(meant to be leak-proof) with one huge pocket and several smaller ones. They looked outdated and highly unattractive. Now, you may come across bags made out of micro fiber with plenty of pockets. There are others made of a combination of tweed and leather.

When buying a diaper bag, remember that the most essential convenience the bag should have is space for a variety of products beyond diapers.

Also keep in mind that prices for diaper bags start low and can go high(particularly if you choose a designer bag). Another thing to keep in mind would be the budget. Parents should opt for bags that suit their lifestyle and those of their children the best.

Diaper bags, as we can see, diaper bags are extremely important for a baby. They contribute to the baby's mobility and also provide ready relief for parents who dread excess baggage while traveling with their babies.

Check It Out - Checklist for Baby Shower Supplies

How many times have we sat down after a shopping spree and forgotten what it was we went for in the first place. This is why a checklist is vital when planning your baby shower party. Celebrations like this need ample supplies of goodies in quantities depending on the size of your guest list.

Invite cards are crucial elements and are one of the first items to be listed when piecing together a baby shower checklist. If you have a theme for the party then add this to the invitation this gives your guest a good idea on what the celebration is all about and will also help them with their gift picking. A month before the baby shower is a perfect time to send out the cards. RSVP all print outs. If cost is an issue then go online and select the invites from there. Online shopping for invitations offer a great range so selecting the right one will not be a problem. Why not kill two birds with one stone and have your thank you cards printed out at the same time. Remember it is the card of thanks that brings the celebration of the baby shower to an end. You could even try making your own

Be sure to add to your checklist - games and activities. Fun and laughter for all who participate is how you want the atmosphere to be and why not, this is a happy and joyous event. Award the winners of each game with prizes.

Run through the list of items on your checklist to see if you have the party venue listed in your notes. Decorate the party place accordingly to the theme. If the baby shower is a layette bash then a clothes line draped with baby wear of coloured paper cut-outs and other bits and bobs make a great display. This is your baby shower so you get to decide on what to hang - just make sure it is not yourself.

Let us not forget the buffet bar serving food and drinks. If you can account for all the guests attending then this will give you insight on how much food and drink to order for the baby shower party. Always up on supplies - because you always have one guest whose eyes are bigger than their belly. Jot down what edibles and drinks you intend to lay out on the feast table. Before going ahead and ordering your niblets think about the preparation behind any food dishes you have planned to serve, the reason is it may take up to much of your time to cook or even worse to much time cleaning up after..

A thank you token given to all guests who attended the baby shower is very traditional. Baby shower souvenirs need not be expensive, bulk buy to save money Make the checklist one of the essential things you have to do before planning for the baby party; it makes sense to have all your ideas for your celebration drawn up on a list so that nothing is forgotten. Just remember not to forget the checklist of baby shower supplies when you go shopping

Always check the checklist to make sure you checked it

Baby Cribs - Safety Is Key

You have just learned that you are expecting a baby. Even if you have other children, you must take a look at cribs. Is the crib you already have an antique? You should look carefully at your second hand crib whether it is an antique or not.

The safety of your new baby makes this necessary. The screws and/or other fasteners such as bolts must be in place and not loose. It is of the utmost importance that this is tested before you place your baby in the crib.

Take something that is almost equal to your 4-month-old baby's weight. In order to be certain that it will hold its position bounce it off the mattress. If it doesn't your baby could be hurt seriously or worse. When you set up your nursery, if it isn't set-up already, seriously consider where you will place your crib.

If you have to place the crib near a window with Venetian blinds, you can either shorten the cords or anchor them to prevent your baby from reaching and getting hold of them. Avoid, if possible placing the crib near the window. As your baby grows into a toddler and begins to climb out of the crib, s/he could become seriously injured in a fall.

Blankets are not necessarily a good idea to use with your baby. Be sure that you avoid anything that could put your baby at risk, especially in the light of SIDS incidents today. The most advisable way to put your baby to bed is in a blanket sleeper.

Make sure to tuck the blanket tightly around and under the foot of the mattress with you baby's feet touching the footboard if you must have a blanket on your baby. You also want to help prevent your baby from sliding under the blanket and suffocating by not putting the blanket any higher than his chest.

There is a risk of your baby slipping between the mattress and the bumper pads causing suffocation, if bumper pads, which are a great concept, are not secured properly. Bumper pads if used should be fastened in each of the four corners and evenly spaced on each of the two sides. There should be sixteen ties in all, eight for the top and eight for the bottom.

Although mobiles are nice additions you need to take a precaution to prevent your baby from getting entangled in it. It must be removed when your baby starts sitting up by himself. You must also check to see if there are small parts that are removable that your baby could choke on.

No matter is your crib is second hand or one you had for a previous child, or you got it from someone else, the mattress must by checked out carefully. The mattress covering should be checked for any holes or cracks.

The mattress must fit in the crib properly. Your baby could slip between the mattress and side or end bars and suffocate if you are not careful. The mattress should be snug in the crib. The sheets you use in your baby crib should fit properly and not slip and slide.

There are sheet hooks available that attach to the sheet under the mattress and keep it in place. Placing the mattress in the proper position is extremely important to your baby's safety. When the baby comes home most parents put the mattress in the highest position because it is easier to reach the baby and change him.

Lower the mattress according to the growth and activity of your baby. If your baby can come to a standing position in the crib the mattress should be put in the lowest position and to add to his safety you should measure the distance between the mattress and the top of the sidebar.

There should be no more than 26 inches from the top of the side bar to the mattress when it is in the lowest position. Moving your child to a regular bed might be a good idea if your child is climbing out of the crib or his head is above the side bar.

There are convertible cribs that become beds and grow with your child. Inspect your child's crib to be sure there is nothing that will put your baby at risk. The ornate designs carved into the end boards of cribs are beautiful but could pose a hazard to your child. Have you seen them?

Your child could be injured if his head, arm, or leg get caught in them and possibly sustain an injury. A simpler design may increase your child's safety. Safety guidelines from 1974 for cribs state that slats should be no more than 2 and 3/8th inches apart; to keep your baby from getting his head caught between the slats.

Your baby's safety could be compromised if getting stuck caused him injury and necessitating the removal of some slats.

Diaper Rash, Diaper Rash Diaper Rash...What to Do? What to Do? What to Do? Grandma El to the Rescue!

Before the rescue, let's learn more about Diaper Rash…what can cause it, how it can progress if untreated, and how to prevent secondary bacterial and fungal infections which can invade improperly cared for babies' bottoms.

The main cause of diaper dermatitis is simply contact of urine on the skin. Between diaper changes, urine begins to break down into ammonia and other chemical by-products. Fecal matter in the diaper area, between diaper changes, can cause the rapid proliferation of bacteria and or fungus which can infect the already irritated diaper area.

Obviously, the breakdown of urine, its continual contact with the skin, and resulting skin irritation, begins the all too common diaper rash syndrome. It was thought that Luvs, Pampers and other disposable diapers would be a better answer than the common cloth diaper. The new diapers were better. But diaper rash is still an all too persistent and difficult problem to deal with…until Grandma El's Diaper Rash Remedy & Prevention, everything else either didn't work too well, or did not work at all.

The most important treatment in healing diaper rash is PREVENTION!

Prevent urine from coming into contact with the baby's tender skin by putting a barrier on the skin that prevents urine and fecal matter from contact with tender bottoms by barrier action. Grandma El's, as it's smoothed on baby's diaper area (peri-anal) creates a barrier that allows the skin to breathe or respirate, while keeping moisture and other irritants from penetrating to the skin. This preventative action of Grandma El's is accompanied by a healing, soothing action to stop the beginning of irritation that produces Diaper Rash.

It is important that the skin is always able to breathe or respirate to induce the healing process. Many diaper rash products are heavy creams, pastes or lotions. While some will create a barrier to keep moisture away from the skin, these products DO NOT have the capability of allowing the skin to breathe. Thereby, the existing moisture can not be released and the healing process is hindered dramatically. It is recommended that you use a semi-occlusive ointment such as Grandma El's Diaper Rash Remedy & Prevention.

Used for over 30 years in treating and preventing infantile and geriatric diaper dermatitis, Grandma El's is available to all….RIGHT NOW!!

These are some frequently asked questions about diaper rash: What is diaper rash? 1. It is an irritation of the skin in the peri-anal area that is most often caused by ammonia forming due to urine breakdown.

What causes diaper rash? 1. It is caused by prolonged contact of a urine soaked diaper on a baby's skin. The skin turns red and tissue breaks down, creating a rash. This worsens as the skin remains in contact with urine and feces. 2. Chafing or rubbing of diaper or pull ups on the area 3. Possible allergic reaction to diaper 4. Bacterial or fungal infection in rash area 5. Allergic reaction to food can cause urine to be irritating

Who can get diaper rash? 1. It is common on babies between the ages of 2-24 months 2. It also can occur on babies whose diapers are not changed frequently 3. It may also occur on babies who are taking antibiotics or are nursing while mother might be taking antibiotics 4. It can also occur on babies as they begin to eat solid foods (allergic reaction)

What are the symptoms of diaper rash? 1. Red, irritated, and possibly warm skin in and around the stomach, genitals, and inside the skin folds of the thighs and bottom 2. Pain, burning and itching, and an unhappy baby!

Is diaper rash contagious? 1. Diaper rash is almost never a contagious skin condition

What do I do if my child has diaper rash? 1. Apply Grandma El's Diaper Rash Remedy and Prevention at every diaper change, after cleansing the area well, and blotting dry

How can I prevent diaper rash? 1. Apply Grandma El's Diaper Rash Remedy and Prevention with every diaper change 2. Change your baby's diaper often, and keep the area dry and clean 3. Use a gentle cleanser formulated especially for babies' skin 4. After washing your baby, gently pat dry the area, do not rub the area 5. Make sure the diapers used fit properly, so they do not rub against the skin

How long does diaper rash usually last? 1. In general without treatment, a diaper rash will last several days if not infected. If left untreated, a severe case can last up to 10-14 days or more 2. In most cases, Grandma El's Diaper Rash Remedy and Prevention can clear diaper rash within 24 hours

What types of products are not acceptable in treating diaper rash? 1. Ointments, with the exception of Grandma El's are occlusive, preventing skin respiration. Only a semi-occlusive ointment, such as Grandma El's works properly. 2. Creams are usually somewhat drying, have no protective activity, and allow all types of external stimuli (urine, feces, and allergens) to contact the skin causing further problems. Therefore, creams are not a good choice for a baby's rash treatment. 3. Lotions are not protective at all, and therefore have little value in treating or preventing diaper rash. 4. Some soaps and detergents can cause allergic sensitivity to further the breakdown of baby's delicate bottom.

Should I call my pediatrician? 1. If after several days, the rash is still visible, consult your pediatrician 2. If the rash has blisters or bumps, is oozing pus or bleeding, consult your pediatrician 3. If your baby has a rash and fever, consult your physician 4. If your baby has a rash and has urine that smells stronger than usual, or many loose stools, consult your pediatrician 5. If after properly treating your baby's diaper rash, it still persists, consult your pediatrician

What other types of diaper rash occur if proper treatment is not begun? Rash can further break down allowing either bacteria, or fungus to take hold and infect the skin. Common organisms causing the infection are E. Coli (bacteria) and other fungal infections such as Candida Albicans

How can I treat diaper rash infected with bacteria or fungi? Consult your physician immediately and he or she will prescribe a suitable anti-bacterial or anti-fungal product to eradicate the infection

What other types of diaper dermatitis exist? Contact irritants such as urine, fecal matter, poison ivy, oak or sumac, insect bites, soap allergy, rough rather than soft clothing causing skin abrasions, infrequent diaper changes, and poor skin cleansing techniques

Is diaper rash a common problem? Yes, diaper rash is a common problem. To help prevent diaper rash, change diapers frequently, keep the area dry, and use no cloth diapers. Definitely use Grandma El's Diaper Rash Remedy and Prevention. The "common" problem will disappear!

Grandma El's to the rescue!!

If you have other questions, please email them to info@grandmaels.com or visit our website at www.grandmaels.com.

Is Your Baby Ready For Potty Training

You're getting tired of changing those diapers, aren't you? It's so great to be able to get your child out of diapers. But, when it comes to potty training, timing is everything. If you start when your child isn't ready, it will just take longer. However, if you miss the right opportunity, your child may resist the process more when you try later on. So, just how do you know when to begin?

First of all – forget what your mom told you about having you potty trained by the time you were eighteen months old. She probably just had herself trained to sit you on the toilet at regular intervals, which is not the same as being fully potty trained. It's really best not to even think about potty training until your child is two. But, for most children, the right time will hit sometime between the ages of two and three.

When your child is ready to begin potty training, he will show an interest. He will begin to want to observe your toilet habits and will ask questions. Explain that big people go to the potty instead of using a diaper. Even if it makes you uncomfortable, let your child go to the bathroom with you and watch. If you have a son, make sure Daddy is taking him to the bathroom with him, too. Daddy will probably resist this, though I'm not really sure why, since public restrooms make public urination a regular occurrence for the average male! There are several good story books on the market about potty training that you can start reading to him your child at this stage, to help encourage an interest in going potty. There are books geared specifically to boys and those geared to girls, which is helpful.

Another good sign that your child is ready for potty training is his ability to pull his pants up and down by himself. If your child has mastered this step of dressing, potty training will go much more smoothly.

Another important physical sign of potty training readiness is the frequency with which your child urinates. If he is still wetting his diaper every half and hour or so, he is not ready. But, if he's going one to two hours between wet diapers, then he is able to hold his urine, which is critical to being truly potty trained, at any age.

If you think your child is ready for potty training, check out my article in "Mommy to Mommy – the Truth About Taking Care Of Baby", where I outline some potty training strategies designed to make this developmental hurdle as painless as possible, for you and the little one. You can pick up this book at http://www.educatedmother.com.

Premature Birth - Is To Early To Late

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wearing Your Baby

If you're looking for the perfect gift for the parents-to-be, nothing comes close to the gift of a wearable baby. Years ago, the only way to take your baby along was in a stroller or pram, or to carry her in your arms. All that changed with the introduction of the soft baby carrier, a way to carry your baby and still leave your arms and hands free for other things.

Wearable babies are not a concept new to this culture. Native American women carried their babies on papoose boards on their backs, or tucked close against their bodies with a swath of deerskin. In many countries, babies are tucked into sling carriers - pleated lengths of cloth that tie over one shoulder and support the baby against the opposite hip. There's little doubt in anyone's mind that babies who are 'snugli'd' are happier and more comfortable with being put down when it's time to put them down.

Snugli, the name brand soft baby carrier that's now distributed by Evenflo, brought the concept of the wearable baby back into popularity about 25 years ago. That was just about the time that my oldest daughter was born, and the idea of having her close to my heart fit so perfectly with all my beliefs about raising children that I had to have one. They weren't easy to find at the time - and I ended up making one of my own, using a pattern that was passed from mother to mother in my La Leche League group. I can attest first-hand to the advantages of the wearable baby.

My Snugli was more than a way to carry my daughter. It was her soother. On afternoons when nothing would soothe her fussing, I'd tuck her into the Snugli where the warmth of my body and the rhythm of my movements calmed and reassured her. I learned to take advantage of the Snugli - I wore my baby while vacuuming the carpet, while walking to the store, while hiking through Purgatory Chasm. In winter, I wore her in her Snugli, cozy against my chest and simply buttoned my coat over the both of us together. When she was old enough to sit up by herself, I slipped it around to the back, and she rode it piggyback style - while her baby brother took her place in a new Snugli against my chest.

Snugli now makes a full range of soft and framed carriers for babies, to fit newborns to 18 months old. They're available in a variety of patterns and colors, in winter weight and summer weight, and with varying degrees of padding. You can buy a Snugli at any Toys R Us, Kmart, Walmart or any one of dozens of other stores. While it might not technically be baby clothes, a Snugli is easily the most important thing your baby can wear.

Make Your Own Baby Food- The Easy Way!

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

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

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

The easy way to making your own baby food:

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

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

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

3) Start with fresh single ingredient foods like:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Planning A Baby Shower: Surefire Tips For Making Your Shower A Success

Planning a baby shower can be an extremely fun and rewarding experience, however it is important to know the do's and don'ts of organizing showers before you get started. Today's baby showers are becoming more of a highly-organized event than they were in the past and this article will get you up to speed.

Baby showers can make an expectant mother feel more secure in the fact that her friends are all pulling for her and giving moral and financial support. Usually the baby shower is organized by non-relatives. But today, there is isn't abnormal to find family members, support group members, church friends and pretty much anyone except the expecting mother.

Inviting the Guests Who should you invite? Usually, the guest list will only include those nearest and dearest to the expectant mother. It wouldn't hurt if she gets a first look at the guest list so that she can suggest who should be invited. If you are planning a surprise baby shower, you will have to do a little research on who should be attending instead of running the list through the expectant mother.

If the child is not a firstborn, you may opt to keep the number of guests down to the closest to the mother. Firstborn baby showers tend to have a larger guest list since it is, after all, the mother's first time.

The thing to remember is that the nature of baby showers is intimacy. So, for any baby shower party, try making the gathering one of intimate friends.

You could use informal ways to invite these guests: email, phone and others. Invitation cards and other letters are the best way, however, as they provide a tangible, traceable evidence of invitation. Plus, it is the most sure and formal way to invite a person – and in many cultures – the only way.

What About the Guys The nature of the party is probably going to tend towards the feminine side; if the organizers of the party have a provision for this, then inviting men would be fine. It also depends on the men, since the party may dwell on topics such as pregnancy, children, and other motherly topics, they might not be that excited to join. All in all, it depends on the preference of the organizers.

Venue Anywhere! As long as it can keep with the placid and fun nature of the occasion, any place would be fine. The more usual places on baby shower lists are backyards, formal halls, restaurants, and basically any room that has the amenities to make a baby shower successful. Just make sure the venue is not crowded and stressful to the mother-to-be. It also pays to make sure the venue is set long before the actual baby shower happens.

When to Throw a Baby Shower Usually this is one or two months before her due. The baby shower is the perfect time to get your friend baby needs and stuff she may not have had time to purchase yet. It has to be well-timed though – not too close to the due date, and not to far as to whittle down the excitement.

Baby showers are a pleasant surprise to expecting mothers. It takes a lot of the stress of expecting a child off of their minds and provides a means for friends to show support and concern (and of course, baby gifts) to expecting friends.

A properly coordinated baby shower will be greatly appreciated and forever remembered by mothers long after they have delivered their children.

Baby Strollers - On A Budget

Since you got the news, you have begun gather the things your new bundle of joy will be needing. If this is your first baby you may be overwhelmed by all the decisions at first. The type of stroller you will use for your baby is one of the biggest decisions you will need to make.

Your budget is the first thing to consider when you are choosing from among the many different types of strollers. Stroller costs can range from $10 to $400 and higher. The lower end strollers are generally the light weight umbrella strollers.

These strollers are advantageous because they are easy to fold and can store almost anywhere. The features and quality of the stroller may increase as the prices increase. Strollers come with a variety of features and you must decide which ones are most important to you.

Do you prefer a regular stroller and a car seat or a convertible travel system? There are travel systems that come with a stay in the car base, an infant carrier/ car safety seat, and a stroller frame for the infant seat to which it is attached.

These are wonderful especially for your newborn baby. A play tray that has places for a bottle or juice cup come with strollers. Canopies with a vinyl window come with many strollers so you can keep an eye on the baby.

Many strollers come with easily applied footbrakes that are attached to the both rear wheels and some include a wrist strap break that is used with the foot break. It provides a bit of extra safety preventing the stroller from rolling away while you are stopped while you use have the strap on.

Many strollers are now coming with a parent tray that fits over the handlebar and a large storage basket under the seat(s). It has insets for a cup of coffee or a soda, your cell phone, keys, and a snack. Now on many strollers the handle bars are reversible and can be moved from front to rear or vice versa and they are height adjustable.

The reversible handle bars can help you to see your baby while he rides if necessary and the height adjustable feature is a great back saver. The seat must be considered next. Is the seat able to recline and if it is will your newborn be able to lie almost flat if it reclines enough.

Is the seat comfortable and well padded for your baby? Can you remove the seat padding to wash it? Most strollers that have blankets that attach under the seat are on the upper end. These blankets on your baby's stroller like a bunting on wheels.

Rain hood can be detached and are used also to protect your baby from wind and harsh sunlight. The decision about your baby stroller has another twist. Your friend has a free almost brand new stroller that you can have.

She agrees to clean it and have it ready for you. Will it be a safe choice to use a used stroller for your baby? For you and your baby this could be a good choice but you will have to look over some things before your baby rides in it.

There should be cracks, dents, or gaps in the frame. Bolts and screws must all be in place Anything less could cause an accident, seriously injuring your baby. Are there any sharp spots on the frame? Are there screws sticking out that could cut your baby or that are loose?

The frame must be properly joined to the frame; is it? Do you need to check of leaks in the air pressure of the wheels or are they solid? The wheels; are they worn? The wheels, do they need replacing?

Are the wheels turning appropriately? The axels; are they straight? Do the brakes operate correctly by holding when they are applied? No matter if the seat is in straight us position or reclining position, does the seat hold? A seat that does not hold its place could cause serious injury to the baby.

Does the seat lining fit the frame properly and is it clean? A variety of options, styles and types of strollers are available. Strollers are available with multiple seats for two or more children.

There is a variety of seating arrangements including tandem and side by seating as well as stadium seating which a variation of tandem seating where the rear seat is higher than the front allowing the second child to see more than just the back of a head.

Jogging strollers have one large wheel out in front and two rear wheels. Multiple seating is also an option with jogging strollers. Whether the stroller is used or new! Enjoy outings with your child or children.