Monday, July 30, 2007

Baby Gift Baskets, For The Mom Or Baby Who Has Everything

Are you completely lost on what to buy for an expecting mother? Baby gift baskets are always a great choice. Gift baskets can be very practical, providing the new parents with all sorts of goodies and necessities for their baby.They are also a very personal and special way to show proud parents how much you care.

Ever wonder what to get for the expecting mother who has already gone out and bought everything she will need for her child (and probably the next half dozen or so)? Finding gifts for families can be an extremely tough decision. This is especially true if they have planned ahead enough to purchase everything they deem necessary for a child.

While clothing is usually a good safe bet, more women are deciding not to find out whether or not their child will be a boy or a girl until the baby is born. This certainly limits the options for baby clothes, as you would look simply ridiculous if you purchased items for a baby of the wrong sex. There are also issues of style taste and budget, wrong choices may unintentionally offend

Although countless men and women are confused about what type of gift to purchase for newborns and expecting mothers, more and more smart friends are turning to baby gift baskets.

Baby gift baskets are essentially specialty gift baskets, like the ones available for adults. These, however, contain a variety of baby products such as, photo albums, toys, pacifiers, onesies, bottles, and teething toys. You can purchase baby gift baskets for anywhere between twenty five dollars and upwards into the hundreds of dollars, so there is a product and wide variety of choices available for virtually anyones price bracket.

From gender specific to unisex, every type of basket is represented, making them perfect gifts for any type of expecting mother or newborn child. Also, you can even purchase specialty baskets or custom baby gift baskets, which make perfectly personalized gifts that are tailor-made just for that new newborn in your life. More expensive gift baskets come chock full of toys, games, photo albums and some even come with their own carrying carts that are modeled after famous wagons and baby carriages.

At the other end of the price range, the lower end baby gift baskets come with puppets, small stuffed animals and maybe a set of clothes or two. No matter how much you spend, however, a baby gift basket is a unique gift that the parents of the newborn child will treasure forever.

Baskets can also be put together with a theme. As an example you could give a basket consisting of only natural products for mom and baby. However you look at it gift baskets are clever and safe gift choices.

Now there is a gallery of information yours for the taking.The hottest ideas and the latest information. Do yourself a favor and Click:
http://www.speciality-gift-basket.best-info-only.com/

Friday, July 27, 2007

Master Niche Blogs: Babies And Parenthood - Another Way To Make Money From Your Blog

For the mother of a new baby, blogging is likely to be the last thing on her mind. Taking care of an infant takes so much time and when you have a toddler at home also, free time is scarce, it seems unrealistic to imagine that there would be time left over for any mother to blog. But you could make money from your blog about parenting.

And a growing number of new moms are joining the blogosphere to share their experiences and help each other during this exciting time of life. There is a whole range of benefits that new mothers can have from blogging, and the spectrum covers everything from getting through the night to helping distant relatives feel closer.

Among the reasons why, for a mom dealing with the hassles and triumphs of a baby, blogging is a great idea, is that having a blog about motherhood is a great way to blow off some steam.

Babies sometimes have very erratic sleep patterns that leave parents up many hours of the night, and sometimes the best way to fill those hours is on the internet.

Many new moms turn on the television to help them weather these dawn vigils, but by blogging through the night moms can turn what feels like a somewhat depressing situation into an actively positive and productive one which could help you make money from your blog.

Another reason why new moms often find blogging very satisfying is that it helps them to be a part of a
community.
For moms who are not able to successfully juggle a full social life with the very tough demands of taking care of a new baby, blogging can be a great way to stave off the isolation that sometimes comes with this stage of life.

A baby requires almost constant attention, and it can be difficult to attend social events when you are responsible for an infant. Luckily, the blogosphere is full of other moms in the same situation, and by chatting with them it is possible to overcome some of the loneliness that many new mothers are surprised to encounter.

Of course, for a mom with an adorable new baby, blogging can be as much about celebration as it is about necessity. Having a blog about living with a new child can give mothers the chance to reflect on how powerful and warm the sensation of motherhood is, and
sometimes sharing the triumphs of this unique time can make them even sweeter.

A blog is a great way to keep friends and family updated with news about your baby's first words or first steps, and with new technology it is easier than ever to make photos and video clips a part of your blog, so you can give far-away relatives the chance to feel much more involved in your child's life. While you're at it, why not make money from your blog. Adsense is a nice way to moneytize a blog.

Alain Tanguay is a home business entrepreneur that gets hundreds of targeted visitors each months. Subscribe to his free newsletter packed with useful tips at http://www.flashnetbiz.com

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Choosing Baby Names

A baby name can be harder to choose than many people realise.
It's very easy to pick one that you like yourself but quite
often this can clash with what your partner has in mind. I hope
this article will help you with the reasons for your choice.

You have to remember that you will never be able to choose a
baby name which will please everybody, the main thing is to
choose a baby name that is right for you and your partner, not
for your friends or family, it's your baby after all.

Rather than picking just one baby name, try to think of 2 or 3
for both a girl and boy. You may find that as the time draws
nearer, you may go off your first choice; possibly you might
meet someone you don't like with the same name. Even if you
know what gender the baby will be due to scans, it's still wise
to pick baby names for the opposite gender as scans are not 100%
full proof.

If you can't agree 100% on a baby name with your partner, and
it is also important to you to tray and go some way to please
parents, then you could think about using their choice for a
second name. If the name is only one syllable and the other
choice has two then you may find your partner will agree it is
best as a second name anyway.

This is another consideration for the baby name, does is flow
when spoken, try saying it out aloud and see how is sounds. For
example, Christina May flows well whereas Christina Alexandra is
a bit of a mouthful. Also make sure that the baby name is easy
to pronounce, it can be very irritating if you have to keep
correcting people.

Another problem is the baby name may rhyme with another word
which kids may pick up on at school, someone called Duke might
be called Duke the Puke for example. You may also consider
whether the name takes on a new meaning if joined to the
surname. Classic examples are Ivor Biggin or Rusty Bracket.

If you want a baby name that is unique then you may want to
invent one of your own, it could be an amalgamation of two other
names. However, don't make the name too wacky, it may sound
good now but your child may not appreciate it when they are
older. For the same reason, be careful of names that are
suddenly fashionable.

You may want to look up what the name actually mean, this is
especially important in say the Chinese culture where they put
as much importance on the meaning of the name as to how it
sounds. What may have a nice sounding name could have a very
strange meaning indeed, or vice versa.

Bear in mind that a baby name can determine how they will be
perceived before somebody meets them. If say you are meeting
somebody called Charles or Bartholomew, you may expect them to
look and speak differently to if they were called Dave or Nick.
Try and pick a name which you think will suit your child and
their environment.

In this day and age of email, it could also be a consideration
to choose a name which isn't hyphenated, email address can often
be spelt incorrectly as it's not always clear whether the name
should be hyphened in the address or not.

About The Author: Phil Wheatley is an Internet Web Designer who
creates sites covering a broad range of subjects, his web site
http://www.babyshowerinvitationsweb.com hones in on key topics
relating to baby products and resources

Please use the HTML version of this article at:
http://www.isnare.com/html.php?aid=167572
 
Need <a href="http://www.babyhelptips.com/">baby help tips</a>?

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Tips On Buying Products For A New Born Baby

We all want the best for our babies, and if you are having your
first child, you will probably be even more prone to buying the
most expensive items, which you may never use. A classic
example of this is a special airlock diaper bin you can buy for
around $100/£50. At first glance this may seem like an
essential purchase when in fact, for a mere 16 cents/32p, you
can buy a pack of 100 diaper bags which can then be easily
disposed of.

Another consideration is when you are buying essentials like
diapers, tissues and the like, do you go for the cheaper
products or is that false economy. Well, as for tissues, we can
tell you that if you are using them for wiping/drying after
changing the baby, it's better to use the cheap supermarket
tissues as they are tougher and less likely to tear if wet. The
more expensive tissues are softer and more suitable for wiping
the nose.

Concerning diapers, it's a bit more complicated. Yes, the
cheaper ones will ultimately do the same job, but because the
system for keeping the wetness away from the baby's skin isn't
as good, you may find the baby will be more prone to rashes,
which means using more cream…and spending more money. Another
problem is the cheaper diapers can leak during the night which
will result in more sleepless nights. In our opinion, if you
can afford it, go for one of the leading brands.

Another example where you may want to avoid the cheapest route
is bottle sterilizers. At first we used a container where you
soaked the bottles in a solution of water and purifying tablets.
We found that it could cause the bottles to smell like chlorine
and also, after a while, it could affect your hands and make
them dry, even bleed. Using a steamer type sterilizer was
quicker, easier and kinder to your hands. It does cost a bit
more but you will be using it every day for months and months to
come.

Talking of essentials, the kind of items mentioned above would
be ideal gifts to give at a baby shower (a party where gifts are
given to a parent or baby). Sometimes people spend lots of money
on elaborate gifts which may never get used.

If you know anybody who has recently had a child then it is
really worth asking about their experiences with various
products, your parents may also be a good source of information.
You will find that you may get many different options, they may
not all be right for you, including some of them in this article
but you will at least have a range of options and you can make
the decision you feel is best for you and your baby.

About The Author: Phil Wheatley is an Internet Web Designer who
creates sites covering a broad range of subjects, his web site
http://www.babyshowerinvitationsweb.com hones in on key topics
relating to baby products and resources

Please use the HTML version of this article at:
http://www.isnare.com/html.php?aid=167781

Monday, July 16, 2007

Baby Stroller Types

Baby strollers, buggies or pushchairs as they are also known,
are becoming more and more elaborate in their designs. This
article outlines the basic concept of each type of baby
stroller and what advantages or disadvantages they have.

For a newborn baby, you have the choice of going for a
traditional pram or a multi purpose stroller, which can do both
jobs with a few adjustments. A pram looks nice but some of the
better models can be expensive, especially as a pram may only
be used for the first few months. However, a pram can double
up as a second cot until the baby gets bigger.

A second problem the pram has compared to the stroller is its
size. They are ideal for walking on a large path or in the
park but they are almost impossible to get on most busses and
they are also hard to control in a busy shopping area.

In recent years, the baby stroller or buggy has become more
popular as they are generally more compact, light but still
offer the stability of a pram. A baby stroller can also be
used for many more months than a pram, even for years depending
on the model you choose.

Standard Baby Strollers - The standard stroller looks the most
like the traditional pram out of all the styles. It is also
the type that can perform the most number of tasks. As well as
a pushchair, it normally has a large amount of storage for bags
and accessories and also often comes with a detachable cot or
infant carrier. A good all-rounder.

Umbrella Baby Strollers / Buggies - The umbrella stroller is
the lightest and most compact of them all, and probably the
most popular for those reasons. These strollers are easier to
take on busses, trains and will fit nicely into the car boot.
They generally come with a rain hood and a small carrying tray
/ net underneath.

There is an even lighter version of this stroller, which
doesn't have a hood or any carrying compartments, it's very
portable but you have to hope it doesn't rain!

All Terrain Baby Strollers - This type of stroller is often a 3
wheeler and is the most stylish of the bunch. In fact, many
parents go for this type for the fashion element as much as
anything else. They can often be more expensive due to their
sleek design but do offer a comfortable ride for both passenger
and pusher. Bear in mind that many of these strollers are often
heavier than standard models.

Jogging Baby Strollers - Like the all terrain stroller, these
have air filled tires, which of course can puncture. These
will provide a smoother ride and capable of tackling rougher
terrain. The theory is you can keep fit while pushing your
child, as long as the baby is old enough.

Each baby stroller offers features, which may or may not be
suitable for you, so when you buy your stroller, keep in mind
how and where you are going to use it and you won't go far
wrong.

About The Author: Phil Wheatley is an Internet Web Designer who
creates sites covering a broad range of subjects, his web site
http://www.babyshowerinvitationsweb.com hones in on key topics
relating to baby products and resources

Please use the HTML version of this article at:
http://www.isnare.com/html.php?aid=167247

Saturday, July 14, 2007

Gifts And Delights For A Baby Shower

There is no other way to welcome the baby and celebrate the
parents by throwing fun baby showers. For those who would like
to do the honor of holding one for somebody close, I suggest
that you carefully plan it so that you won't miss out on any
important things that you basically need to cover. Pre baby
parties are to give the parents for moral support and maybe
lift their financial burden a little by giving basic
necessities for their baby.

The first question to ask is who should host the gathering? In
the past only non-related womenfolk hosted a baby shower,
groups such as friends, co-workers and church cells. Time
changes traditions and it is currently more common and
acceptable for mothers, aunts, grandmothers and sisters to host
showers too. Someone has to take the first step to host the
shower and the person generally becomes the hostess. A baby
shower is a wonderful display of showing love and caring for a
growing family and specially helps to welcome a new life into
the world. A baby shower can be hosted either individually or
as a group; in fact it might be more fun and exciting for a
group to share in the excitement and responsibilities of
planning out and hosting this extra special event. This will
help to alleviate some of the stress of planning should the
burden of hosting be shouldered alone.

As for the guest list, you would most likely have a rough idea
of those you think should be invited to the event, but it is
best to make sure the mother to be has a look at the list
beforehand to ensure that no one is left out and that you leave
out people that she doesn't want there. Although the written
invitation is still the most preferable way to kick off a
shower as it adds a personal touch, you can invite guests using
more modern methods such as via phone calls, sms or e-mail. Baby
shower e-card invitations templates are readily available online
for free or at a nominal cost. Regardless of the type of
invitation used, you must double check to make sure that all
pertinent information is included. This may be in regards to
themes, a map or written directions to the shower, the address
of the hospital the mother to be is at or any other item that
guests should know about.

Planning for the date of the shower is crucial too. Never have
it in the last trimester of pregnancy, during which the mother
is most uncomfortable. Make room so that she can still source
the things that both she and the baby needs.

When deciding on the gifts, think of basic necessities. Things
the baby would need when it arrives. Towels, diapers or even
cloth basket will do just fine. Try to be more creative by
arranging the stuffs in the basket so that it looks delightful.
You can also use a bathroom bucket and fill in with bath
essentials like soap, lotion and shampoo. Arranging the items
into a cake made of towels and other goodies is also appealing.
A few simple things like rubber, tape and ribbons should do the
job. Homemade baby things are a joy to have. Patchwork covers
are indeed a delight for mothers and baby. So are knit wears

A baby show need not take too long to carry out. It all depends
on the visitors present. If they know each other well, they
might want to stay longer.

Although there are many different variations on shower events,
but a simple schedule for baby showers is shown here in this
article which should be useful as a rough guideline. Any part
can be added, removed and re-ordered to your personal tastes.
Firstly as the host you should receive the arriving guests and
greet them. It would be a good idea to serve some light snacks
or finger foods. Once all or almost all guests have arrived,
walk around the room and get each guest to introduce themselves
briefly and identify how they know the mother-to-be. Play a few
simple shower games at the beginning as ice-breakers many
wonderful game ideas are available on the internet. You have to
bear in mind that some of the guests may not know anyone else
there other than the mother-to-be. Once this is over is over
allow everyone go and eat the available food.

Once everyone has been served and satiated, the mother-to-be
can start to open her gifts. An important note is to be sure to
have a designated somebody jots down what each gift is and who
it came from. This will make returning thank-you notes a lot
easier for the future mother. The guests may leave at different
intervals usually a few at a time depending on how well they
mingle with the other guests. Make sure the mother-to-be has
the opportunity to say goodbye to everyone. As the hostess or
hostesses, be sure to thank the guests for attending. If the
hostess has any shower favors, they should give this to the
guests at this time.

About The Author: Elizabeth Ellis is a leading expert in all
personalized gifts and has written a number of articles related
to baptism gifts, http://www.peculiarstuff.com/Mugs.htm
personalized photo mugs, baby shower favors and so on.

Please use the HTML version of this article at:
http://www.isnare.com/html.php?aid=165775

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Infant Massage Helps Babies with Colic

What is Colic? Websters Dictionary defines Colic as:
Paroxysms of pain. This condition usually occurs in the
abdominal region but may occur in other body regions as
well.

(Paroxysms - . A sudden uncontrollable attack; "a paroxysm
of giggling"; "a fit of coughing".)

But really that doesn't answer your question. In terms of
babies, we know that colic causes babies to cry and cry,
much more than other babies who are not suffering from
colic. What are signs of Colic? When babies with colic
cry, they may draw their arms and legs in tight toward
their bodies and appear to be in pain. Or other times they
stretch out their arms and legs and stiffen, then draw up
tight again. You may notice that baby's face turns bright
red from excessive crying.

Babies are diagnosed with colic when their crying lasts for
more than three hours a day. You may find that colicky
babies get fussier toward the end of the day, but colic can
happen at any time.

A baby with colic may cry for long periods or may cry
almost all of the time. And you may have already noticed
that when your baby cries, they may swallow air. This
swallowing is likely to give your baby uncomfortable gas.
Having an extra amount of gas in your baby's tummy will
make it look swollen and feel tight, which can of course
make your baby more uncomfortable. What Causes Colic? This
has long been a question without a definite answer. Still
no one is quite sure what actually causes colic. Babies
with colic are healthy, so it does not appear to be caused
by a medical problem. And colic is not caused by the way a
baby is cared for. Without a doubt it is not any fault of
the parent.

A milk allergy was once considered to be a possible cause,
but now doctors believe that this is rarely the case, as
breastfed babies can get colic too. Many believe that colic
is caused by excessive gas in the tummy which is the result
of baby swallowing too much air while crying. How long
will Colic last? Colic usually starts when baby is three to
six weeks old. And will typically go away when they are
around three months old. If your baby still appears to show
signs of colic after three months of age, they may be
experiencing a reflux disorder and you may wish to visit
your baby's physician for guidance. How can I help soothe
my colicky baby? There is no one treatment which has been
proven to make colic go away, but there are some simple
things you can try to soothe your colicky baby. For example
many babies calm when they are gently rocked, bounced or
held closely to their parent's body. By being held close,
your baby may feel more warm and secure, and your body
movements may help to calm. Try also swaddling. Being
swaddled for many babies helps them to organize. You may
also try singing or humming a calming tune to your little
one. This soothing sound may also calm you too!

And without a doubt, try massaging your baby's tummy. In
some cases, gently massaging baby's tummy has helped to
move uncomfortable gasses out of the intestinal tract
relieving tightness and discomfort. Massage should be
given to baby in a clockwise circular motion using your
full soft hand. This massage specifically pinpoints the
digestive tract and should help to ease your baby's pain by
helping them to pass painful gas. How to cope when your
baby has colic? If your baby has colic, surely your family
life has been turned upside down. You may find it extremely
stressful and upsetting when your baby is crying for hours
and cannot be easily comforted. Of course like many
parents, you may feel guilty even though you are not the
cause of your little one's colic. No one wants to see their
baby in pain.

Caring for a baby with colic can be extremely frustrating,
so be sure to take care of yourself, too.

Don't blame yourself or your baby for the constant crying -
colic is nobody's fault. Try to relax, and remember that
your baby will eventually outgrow this phase. It is
absolutely okay if you need a break. It may be necessary
for you to call on friends or family as reinforcement.

If you're unsure whether your baby's crying is colic or a
symptom of another illness, call your doctor.

About the Author:

Looking for the best ways to care for and comfort your
little one? Find answers to all your questions about infant
and children's massage at http://www.liddlekidz.com . With
over a decade of service to children and families, Tina
Allen, founder of leading children's health and nurturing
touch organization Liddle Kidz™, has become an
internationally respected parent educator and expert in the
field of infant massage and children's massage therapy.

Monday, July 09, 2007

12 Tips To Get Your Baby To Sleep

Getting a baby to adjust to a normal sleep schedule can be a
challenge for new parents. Below you will find a series of tips
that should help you get your baby into a proper sleep pattern
and allow you to get your own night time back. However, parents
should keep in mind that no recommendations about a baby's sleep
should be viewed as a hard-and-fast rule as every precious
little bundle is different and should be treated so. Sleeping,
like eating, is not a state you can force a baby into but
rather one you should try to build into a routine.

· For the first 2-3 months your baby needs to wake up to eat
but some babies jerk themselves and wake up before they are
ready to eat. If this happens, try ignoring your baby for a
short while to see if they fall back to sleep naturally.

· After the first few weeks, start to encourage nighttime baby
sleep patterns if your baby is awake a lot at night and sleeps
much of the day.

· Newborn babies need 21 hours sleep a day and children from
six months to two years of age need at least 12 hours sleep.
Sleep is just as important to a child's health as a nutritious
meal.

· Babies that are breast-fed are more likely to wake at night
than those bottle-fed.

· Babies need a routine and to follow sleep patterns.

· Babies are usually more soothed and calmed by a male's deeper
speech, and can fall asleep more smoothly upon hearing it for
some time.

· Babies that spend a lot of time in the arms of their mothers
are generally more relaxed and sleep better.

· Babies are little creatures of habit too and a sleep schedule
lets them know that bedtime is coming and it's time for sleep.

· Try using a Baby Soother as an effective background noise to
cover other sources of sound that may wake the baby.

· If you have been co-sleeping, rocking/nursing to sleep and/or
holding your baby while s/he sleeps in order to get your child
to sleep, you need to stop this habit. By doing this you are
instilling a belief in your baby that they will be sleeping
with you all the time and you will have real trouble getting
your baby to sleep on their own. In order to break this habit,
put your baby to bed and leave the room. No matter how much
they cry, do not return to comfort them immediately. Instead,
wait 5 minutes the first time and then gradually increase this
time. You will soon find after a week or two that your baby
will be happy to sleep on their own.

· Bedtime routines can become cues that help even tiny babies
wind down and become conditioned to fall asleep. Bedtime and
naptime have to be non-negotiable.

· One thing you should consider when trying to get your newborn
to sleep better at night is what his feeding habits are.

Conclusion.

One of the keys to getting a more peaceful night is to
understand that you should be developing a long-term goal, in
terms of your baby's sleep. Whilst testing different strategies
to get your baby to sleep, as with most aspects of parenting,
you are sure to come across a wide variety of opinions about
your baby's sleep. Try to stick with the strategies that work
for you.

Newborn babies usually sleep 14 to 20 hours a day, a three
month old sleeps for about 15 hours and a one year old sleeps
13 to 14 hours usually at night. Newborns simply don't know how
to transition from being awake to being asleep, and it may
require much patience on the part of the parents.

About The Author: If you enjoyed this article, learn more about
taking care of your newborn baby at
http://babysleeptips.articleselection.info and also sign up for
our free newsletter and free gift.

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Friday, July 06, 2007

Swaddling Your Baby - Step by Step Guide

Swaddling is an ancient tradition of wrapping baby securely
in her blanket. This can help your baby feel safe and
secure as she begins to adjust to all of the new
experiences around her and especially her new environment.
Why Swaddle your Baby?

First and foremost as your baby's caregiver you want her to
feel safe and secure. However, there are also many other
reasons why you might try swaddling her. You might try
swaddling your baby if she is having trouble sleeping and
becomes easily startled. Or if you believe that her own
muscle movements may wake her. Also if your baby seems
uncomfortable for no obvious reason swaddling may be a good
idea. And sometimes babies don't like to feel their arms
and legs freely moving, and would really enjoy the nice
snug feeling of being hugged by their baby blanket.

Some tips about Swaddling your baby to Remember:

Swaddling is typically only effective for the first few
weeks after birth. After your baby reaches about one month
old, swaddling can restrict your baby's motor development.

In an especially warm room do not swaddle your baby as
overheating has been shown as a SIDS risk factor.

Swaddling should be snug and secure, not loosely wrapped.
You want your baby to feel cuddled by her blanket.

And of course, if your baby doesn't enjoy being swaddled,
that is absolutely okay. All babies are unique and special.
Your baby is no exception. It is important to take the cues
from your baby on what she likes best.

How-to Swaddle your baby in 7 easy steps:

1.Before swaddling, lay your baby's blanket on a flat
surface.

2.Then fold one corner of the baby blanket.

3.Next, place your baby in the middle of the fold with her
head just above the edge of the blanket.

4.Take the right corner of your blanket and gently wrap
over baby's arm and tuck securely into the opposite side.

5.Then, take the bottom and fold upward to cover baby's
feet and legs.

6.Take the left corner of blanket and gently wrap over
baby's arm, tucking it around the opposite side as far
under baby's back as it will go.

7.Keeping your little bundle snugly wrapped, pick her up
and give a little kiss and hug.

Also:

If your baby wiggles her arms out of your nice snug swaddle
while she sleeps. You may find that your baby does not
enjoy having her arms confined. If this is the case, try
keeping her arms outside of the blanket when you wrap her.


----------------------------------------------------
Looking for the best ways to swaddle your baby? Find
answers to all your questions about infant and children's
massage at http://www.liddlekidz.com . With over a decade
of service to children and families, Tina Allen, founder of
leading children's health and nurturing touch organization
Liddle KidzT, has become an internationally respected
parent educator and expert in the field of infant and
children's massage therapy.

Thursday, July 05, 2007

Baby Basics Child Care Courses Are Offered All Around You

So you are a new parent who does not know yet all the basics of
how to properly take care of a baby. In all honesty, nothing can
really prepare a new parent for the arrival of a new bundle of
joy. Since babies are tiny and helpless, they need their
parents to do everything for them. But what if you have no clue
about how to take care of them? It is a blessing to have books,
schools, and other health institutions that offers baby basics
childcare courses to guide new parents in taking care of their
babies.

Schools And Health Institutions

There are many schools and health institutions that provide a
variety of baby basics child care courses and offer support
before, during, and after the baby is born. Baby Duck
Childbirth Education specializes in preconception counseling,
natural childbirth, and also infant safety classes. They also
offer babysitting courses for those interested in becoming
babysitters. They incorporate the different childbirth and
parenting methods so families can find out what would best work
for them and their baby.

The American Red Cross also gives a baby basics child care
course that specializes in CPR training on babies, child, and
adult. Also, as part of their baby basics childcare course, the
American Red Cross offers first-aid training, babysitting
training, and in addition, they offer water safety classes as
part of the course.

Hospitals like Adventist Healthcare, Columbia Reston Hospital
Center, Washington Hospital Center, and Reston Hospital Center
offer baby basics childcare courses that tackle infant CPR,
passenger safety classes, and general first-aid as part of the
whole course.

Read It

If you cannot go to classes that offer baby basics childcare
courses, you could just read books to guide you step-by-step in
taking good care of your baby. The book, "The New Basics: A-to-Z
Baby & Child Care For Modern Parent" by Dr. Michael Cohen, a
pediatrician who shares his wisdom on baby care. The book has a
question and answer portion from real parents answered by the
doctor.

The book tackles issues such as bed-wetting, breastfeeding,
eczema, thumb sucking, earwax, and a whole lot more. The book
is designed to help the parents not worry too much; offering
solutions to problems and concerns that they may encounter.

Other sources of information can be found by searching the
Internet. Medical websites can be great for answering specific
questions. Online parenting communities are perfect places for
sharing information with other parents.

About The Author: Ann Marier writes informative articles about
family life and general health issues, Her latest are about
baby care . Click on http://babycare.ultimatehealthinfo.com to
read her articles on baby care. Click on
http://www.ultimatehealthinfo.com for other articles on general
health issues

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Wednesday, July 04, 2007

Muscle Building Exercises For Babies

Every parent wants to take an active role in rearing their child and many choose to concentrate their efforts on developing muscle building exercises for babies that can be done in the car, or in the crib at home. Some parents guide the development of their child from the time the baby is born, and other couples might take it further and start their supervision while the baby is still in the womb.

During the pregnancy, the Mother might keep a record of her eating habits and make sure that the food she consumes is high in proteins. Proteins are typically the source of all muscle building exercises for babies and adults for that matter. After the baby is born, the parents might begin to check labels for just the right nutrients and do a surmountable amount of research for muscle building exercises for babies.

They may also choose to make their own baby foods that are rich in calcium for bone growth and protein to help build strong muscles. Some of the muscles that babies use the most are the ones that are associated with their mouth and those muscles develop on their own with no help from Mom. Muscles contract all over a baby's body when they cry, and when they smile and they are very active when a child is fed.

The suckling that occurs when babies drink from baby bottles can have a positive or negative effect on the way their facial expressions are formed and set when they are older. Some parents feel that pacifiers do not serve a useful purpose and refuse to allow their children to use them. Some researchers agree with this concept because they tend to force the jaw line to shift and prefer to offer other muscle building exercises for babies that use a totally different brand of pacifier.

The muscle building exercises for babies can be adjusted to strengthen the jaw line by choosing pacifiers that are approved by the American Dental Association. Ill-shaped pacifiers only tend to encourage the jaw to move and care should be taken to purchase pacifiers that encourage muscle building exercises for babies and not just to serve as a source of comfort for a child.

The muscle building exercises for babies will continue when the baby starts to crawl. The muscles in the legs will drive the child forward but it is the muscles in the buttocks that will get them to stand on their own two feet. Balancing a child on their feet before they have completed the muscle building process to support their own weight can cause the child to develop bowed legs or slanted bones at the ankles that might not show for several years.

James Brown writes about http://www.onlinepromotioncodes.com

Tuesday, July 03, 2007

How To Plan The Best Baby Shower Ever

Start with a fun theme and your creative mind will take off like a rocket. Soon you'll find yourself heading for a party store or surfing the Internet for invitations, party favors, decorations and clever games that support the theme.

One idea is to use a 'diaper cake' and let the theme evolve from that. Obviously, these aren't real cakes, since the bottom layer is made from disposable diapers and they contain fun baby gifts. But to help with the party budget, a diaper cake will do double duty as the centerpiece and your shower gift.

There are so many choices from pink frilly cakes for baby girls, a blue 'macho' theme for baby boys and others in neutral colors if the parents want the sex of their baby to be a surprise. Character cakes cover the gamut from children's movie and TV characters to teddy bears and frogs. There are even cakes for twins and triplets. What fun!

But before getting too carried away with a theme, unless this is a surprise shower, have lunch with the mommy-to-be to get her input for the guest list and gifts she could really use. It's okay to keep the theme a secret unless she offers specific ideas. If it is a surprise shower, contact the family for suggestions. The important thing to keep in mind is that this will be baby's first party so make it special!

Is this going to be a 'girls only' party or would the mom prefer a couples shower? This is where the budget begins to evolve. The location may be dictated by the guest list as well as the menu, type of games and party favors. For a couples shower, it may be a more traditional type of party without the games and prizes. However, a clever theme will still make the event more festive.

Once the guest list is set, be sure to get addresses, phone numbers and email addresses. There are online invitation services that can make it easy to send invitations and receive an RSVP. Plus, the design of the invitation offers a creative outlet to 'let the theme out of the bag.'

If traditional invitations are sent by mail, be sure to include all contact information including your email and the complete address of the shower location. Many people use the Internet to map locations, so including the zip code is important.

Baby showers are typically held at the home of the host. If another location is preferred, try to choose one that's easy to find and convenient to as many guests as possible. The goal is to have everyone come and share this special occasion.

Baby showers are typically held about six weeks before the baby's due date. However, some moms are choosing to have the party after the baby is born. When selecting the time, rely on the guest list. If most people work, an evening or weekend shower is best. For guests who have to travel, consider an early afternoon weekend date.

When planning the menu, find ways to have it reflect the theme. The food doesn't have to be elaborate but have enough variety to accommodate those who may have special dietary needs. Keep it simple enough so that everything can be prepared ahead so you can enjoy your guests, too. Remember - the purpose for the party is to celebrate the mom and dad to be.'

Even if the shower is for couples, include at least one fun game. Here's an idea, but it will require the help of a couple of friends. Go to a dollar store and buy items such as soaps, candles, tools, etc. Wrap each one in tissue and place them in a basket. If it's a couples shower, have separate baskets for girl gifts and guy gifts.

At the shower when it's time for the mom-to-be to open gifts, announce to your guests that a timer will go off every 7 minutes and the person's gift being opened at that time will get to select a gift from the basket. You'll need one friend to set the timer and another to walk around with the basket(s). Since everyone loves to win, they will all pay attention to the gifts being opened. There's nothing worse than to have everyone lose interest, and the mom finds herself opening gifts with no 'oohs and ahhs.'

Showering the expectant Mom (and Dad) with friendship and love is the real purpose of a baby shower. Your shower will be a big success if they are the center of attention and the room is filled with laughter and fun.

Janet Winter delights in providing great resources for parents and unique gifts for baby showers, newborns and toddlers, and first birthdays at http://www.WelcomeBabyGifts.com. She is a web designer, travel agent, and writer on many topics including babies, wild birds and dogs.

Monday, July 02, 2007

Unique Gift Basket For Baby

The birth of a baby is an exciting time for family and friends.
Whether the baby's gender is known ahead of time or not, the
introduction of the little one calls for gifts.

A unique gift basket for baby and mother is a gift that will be
appreciated by all - and it can be made easily.

DIY Unique Baby Gift Basket

What would you put into a do-it-yourself, unique baby gift
basket? We went looking, and were delighted at some of the
possibilities. Here are some examples that may help.

1. Pail of Presents: Begin with a pretty, useful pail instead
of a basket. Line the pail with a flannelette blanket, letting
the edges extend over the pail's top. Add a soft infant's toy,
baby soap, baby face cloths, and other bath items according to
the size of your gift basket. Finally, add a treat or two for
Baby's mother: chocolates, bath salts, a book, or a pretty
scarf.

2. Baby Cakes: These gift baskets are becoming very popular.
Make yours a unique baby gift basket by creating the cake
yourself. Begin with a "layer" of disposable diapers arranged
in a circle. Wrap a small pastel blanket or towel around the
diapers, and add diaper pin embellishments. Make the second
layer of bibs and face cloths rolled into an appropriate size.
Wrap to match the first layer. Insert soft toys in the top of
the baby cake. Wrap your gift basket in a large sheet of
cellophane and tie the top with a big bow.

3. Baby Sports Fan: Make a unique gift basket that reflects the
parents' sports interests. Begin with a hat or helmet from a
favorite sports team. Include booties, mittens, shirt, bib, or
other clothing in team colors. If your team offers baby items
with the team logo, choose from those. Most teams have a plush
version of the team mascot. Add that to the hat or helmet. Fill
with assorted, practical baby items for a unique baby gift
basket.

4. Dinnertime: This unique gift basket for baby looks good in a
white woven basket shaped like a bassinette. Line the gift
basket with a soft blanket or towels. Add a keepsake name
plate, with a gift certificate to have the name inscribed.
Include a set of baby silverware or stainless, a plastic dish,
and 2 bibs. Top with a soft plush teddy bear and treats for the
new mother.

5. Finances: Few gift baskets center on the new baby's
finances, but yours can. Start with a basket shaped like a
nest. Line it with "something for the bottom line" – diapers
and a note that calls them that. Add a piggy bank in
silverplate or ceramic. Include a bank passbook or other
evidence of a new savings account for the baby – with a minimal
deposit. Add a couple of plastic "nest eggs" filled with treats
for the new mother.

6. Bathtime: Start this unique baby gift basket with a baby
"TummyTub" that keeps young babies safe and secure. "TummyTub"
was designed in the Netherlands to ease transition from the
mother's womb. Line the tub with 2 hooded baby towels and 3
facecloths. Add a pretty rubber ducky, bath products, comb, and
brush to your gift basket. Don't forget to put in bath salts for
Mom.

7. Organics: This gift basket is sure to please parents who are
concerned about the environment. It must start with an organic
basket, of course. Bamboo is a good eco-friendly choice. Add an
organic bamboo receiving blanket, and clothing items such as
organic bamboo knit shirt, bamboo diaper covers, and bamboo
knit hat. Put in organic bath products and lotions. Top off
your gift basket with a soft, organic cotton toy and organic
treats for the new mother.

Helpful Tip

Baby gift baskets need not be wrapped in cellophane, although
they will look professional if you do so. All you really need
is a pretty ribbon and a card.

Disclaimer: The author is not associated with any retailer
named in this article, and is not compensated in any way if the
reader makes a purchase as a result of information offered.

About The Author: ©2007, Anna Hart. Anna Hart raised
near-twins, adopting a newborn girl just 5 months before giving
birth to her son. Anna Hart invites you to read more of her
articles about gift baskets at
http://www.distinctivegiftsandcards.com. Anna has posted
additional information on that site about other gifts and
cards. If you would like to find unique baby gifts for a second
child, visit Anna now.

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