Babys First Year

Baby Room Themes – Decorating your baby’s room is one of the most important things you can do
while waiting for your little one to arrive.

Setting up a baby room for the first time will require a small investment in time and creativity. One of the first considerations for a baby room is often color and or theme. Neutral colors ideal for a boy or girl’s baby room include varying shades of: yellow, purple (lavender, lilac), orange, green or red. Most rooms nowadays are not pink or blue specifically, though there are several exceptions to this rule.

There are a wide variety of themes also available that add to the décor of a new baby room, these include shapes, colors, animal themes and even cartoon characters. Once you decide upon the décor and theme, furnishing the baby room becomes the next big task. There are several big ticket items that are considered a must-have by most parents, including the following:

Bassinet: Though this item isn’t a necessity, many parents find it very useful for the first few weeks of baby’s life. A crib is a very wide and open space; sometimes placing newborns in a bassinet facilitates better sleeping and comfort for your new baby. Many parents also like to use bassinets because they are mobile; they can easily be transported from baby’s room to parents and back again.

Infant Crib This item is a necessity. All babies at some point or another will need a crib to sleep in. Many use their crib until they are 1 ½ years old, though this age varies from baby to baby. There are certain critical factors that should be evaluated when purchasing a new crib, including the space between rails, the fit of the mattress and the durability of the unit. Most pediatric organizations recommend that you do not purchase a used crib unless you know who it is coming from, how old it is and you are 100% percent that all the parts are in working order.

Dresser Without adequate storage space you’ll find yourself swamped under piles and piles of new baby clothes. Having a baby dresser handy will help not only organize clothes, but also accessories such as bibs, towels, washcloths, socks and personal care items such as baby brushes and nail clippers.

Changing Tables: Having a changing station available will make diaper changing events much easier and more organize. A station allows you to conveniently have all baby items handy, including wipes a change of clothes, rags, extra burp cloths and of course diapers.

Diaper Disposal System and Diaper Disposal Cover Unavoidably, babies soil hundreds of diapers a month. Having a diaper disposal system not only allows for convenient disposal, but also prevents excess odor build up in baby’s room. You might find you actually prefer to have two systems handy, one for the baby’s room and one for the main living area where diaper changes will also often occur.

Rocker/Glider: Though this item can’t technically be considered a necessity it is highly recommended for all new moms. A rocker provides a convenient place for not only feeding, but spending cherished one on one time, play time and comfort time. A rocker is a great place to sit with your baby to calm him down after a busy day. Many moms often enjoy the comfort of a
luxurious reclining glider for middle of the night feedings, where both mom and baby can snooze comfortably and safely.

You’ll find sooner than you expected your baby room is filled with an assortment of additional accessories, including toys, nightlights, clothes, stocks of diapers and wipes among other things. There are a number of accessories that can be purchased such as a mobile to attach to your infant crib to add to the décor and cozy atmosphere. Consider speaking with other parents to find out what other items they considered necessities for their first baby room.

Decorating the Baby Nursery when you don’t know the Baby’s Gender – while it can be a challenge to decorate your new baby’s room when you have decided not to find out the gender of your baby during pregnancy, you have choices!

Baby Furniture for Frugal Families – Ideas to get you thinking frugally before rushing out to purchase furniture for your baby’s room.

Popular Nursery Theme Ideas for Baby Boys - The ultrasound showed that a bouncing baby boy is on the way. Now you need to prepare a room in which he can grow and have adventures.

Popular Nursery Theme Ideas for Baby Girls - You’ve found out that your precious bundle of joy will be a girl. Pictures of pink and frills suddenly fill your head. But, decorating for a little girl doesn’t have to be limited to pink.

Teething can be a horrible time for babies. Not only does a new tooth cause pain and discomfort for your little one, it also can be scary to have something new growing inside their mouth. While there are lots of products on the market, such as baby Tylenol and teething gels, these products can be dangerous for your child. Before you go shopping at the pharmacy aisle, try some of these natural remedies to stop teething pain.

What most people don’t realize is that not all babies are in horrible pain while teething, they’re simply uncomfortable and scared. The option many people skip to cure teething pain is to distract the baby with a toy. Focusing on the pain can make it worse, so try to give them something else to think about.

Another natural cure for teething pain is giving the baby something to chew on. Pressure on their gums will not only feel good, it will distract them from the pain and discomfort by giving them something to do. Here are some ideas for what to give your baby.

1. Frozen teething ring. While the cold helps numb baby’s sore gums, freezing normal rings can make them hard and uncomfortable. They now make soft teething rings that stay soft when you freeze them. Just be careful; soft rings can break open if chewed to hard. Make sure the ingredients inside wont harm your baby.
2. Frozen washcloth. Just wet it down and pop it in the freezer. It has all the benefits of the teething ring, but it’s softer for more sensitive babies.
3. Food. Frozen bananas can be something new and different for a baby that doesn’t want their teething ring. Plus they taste good too. Just don’t give a baby with teeth since they can break off and choke on.
4. Teething Biscuits. While the teething biscuits that your mother gave you contain chemical you probably don’t want baby to have, they do make new organic biscuits you can give. Just be sure to check that they’ll dissolve in your mouth before giving them to your child so there’s no risk of choking.

If you’ve tried all these options and nothing’s working, don’t worry just yet. There are natural products and herbs you can give your baby before turning to medicines. Here are just a few that others have found helpful. Check with a doctor before giving anything to your child.

• Natural teething tablets. The best one’s to use contain Chamomile for irritability and Belladonna for inflammation. They come in a form that dissolves in your child’s mouth so there’s no risk of choking.
• Clove oil. This is pretty potent stuff; so you want to dilute it. Just mix a few drops with 2 tablespoons of safe, edible oil and rub into baby’s gums. The rubbing action will also soothe them as well.
• Vanilla extract. Rubbing a little bit on baby’s gums not only feels warm and soothing; the vanilla also has a calming effect.

If you’ve tried all these remedies and nothing has worked, take your child to their pediatrician. A common problem is that parents may miss signs of an illness because they think the crying and fussiness is caused by teething. The most important thing to remember with a teething baby is patience. When you get upset and frustrated, you child gets upset and frustrated too.

Are you worried about your baby crawling all over the house and injuring himself? As many parents will tell you, a household can be fraught with danger for young children. Once your baby becomes mobile, he or she will get curious and start touching this and that. Which can be dangerous. It’s your job to keep that crawling, walking, or running child safe from accidents. Let’s look at some tips.

Kitchen Safety – It’s really dangerous for a baby to be in the kitchen. The principal dangers come from hot appliances, and cupboards full of food. It’s good to install some cupboard locks, refrigerator latches, and stove shields to protect the kids.

Household Safety – OK, the first lesson in household safety for your baby? Yes, its those little electrical outlets. They are just the right height to attract crawling babies and toddlers. Make sure you get those outlet covers that plug in place or screw in over the switch plate.

Another important tip is to remember that children love to use what you’re using. So paper and scissors, CD players and stereos, cookware, and tools of all sorts have enormous appeal. Keep sharp objects away from your baby and provide him with child-safe versions of the things you use every day. Toy car phones, CD players, pots and pans all fit in this category.

Bathroom Safety – The bathroom floor, when slippery, is also very dangerous (even for adults). The bathtub is another hazard. I recommend that you watch over your kid very carefully when he or she is in the bathroom. Also, it’s advisable to get some latches that prevent your baby from lifting the toilet lid. Another tip to remember is to avoid using water that is too hot. Remember, baby skin is a lot more fragile than an adult’s.

Safety gates – The baby safety gate is an important baby proofing tool. This is an inexpensive baby product that can keep your little one from tumbling down a staircase or wandering into areas of the home that are not baby-safe. You can choose from pressure gates, hardware-mounted gates and customizable gates.

About the Author: Gary Hendricks, gary_hendricks@baby-product-guide.com Gary Hendricks is the editor of Baby-Product-Guide.com, a hobby site providing tips and tricks on selecting and buying the best baby products for your child.

Baby Room Themes – Decorating your baby’s room is one of the most important things you can do while waiting for your little one to arrive.

Sifting through the piles of available baby products can often be challenging and overwhelming for a first time mom. Even experienced parents sometimes have to sigh at the sheer volume of baby products available on the market today.

Regardless of your situation, there are some tips and considerations that will help you sift through the mounds of baby products people offer you at every turn. First and foremost, consider the ages of the children you are buying for. There are several baby products that a newborn for example, will grow out of within just a couple of months. These include small sized onesies or newborn bottle nipples. Other baby products will likely prove more long lasting. These might include the infants crib, diaper disposal system and infant play-yard among others.

Diapers are one of those baby products that come in every size, shape, color and fashion imaginable. There are huggable diapers, comfort fit, super absorbable varieties and even those specially designed from preemies. One thing you can count on is your baby’s ability to outgrow his diapers at the blink of an eye. While it is good to stock up for the short term, resist the temptation to stock up too far in advance, or you might find yourself with a stash of too small diapers. Also consider “trying out” a couple of different styles and brands before you decide on the one that is best for you and your baby. What works for one baby doesn’t necessarily work for another. Some mothers still prefer to use cloth diapers. In this case, consider looking into a diaper service that will handle the cleaning for you.

Some baby products, albeit often considered “extras” certainly can make life easier for the parents of a newborn to catch a few moments quiet time. This includes a bouncy or vibration chair and an Baby/Infant Swing. Both generally can hold babies up to 15-25 pounds depending on the model, and thus should last through a majority of the first year and into the second.

Some skin care baby products are also available that are specially designed to keep baby’s sensitive skin from becoming irritated. Generally the less perfumes and other chemicals added to detergents, lotions and soaps, the better for babies skin. Some of these baby products are even recommended for adults that have sensitive skin.

High Chairs, car seats, booster seats, strollers, pressure gates, monitors and swings are just a sampling of the many different baby products available on the market today. Most now come with reviews as well, making the decision making process easier. Not sure what will work best for you and your baby? Check out the kinds of baby products other parents have. Ask a friend which products they felt were “must haves” and which merely made life easier. Undoubtedly you will make the decision that is best for you, but it always helps to have a second opinion.

Luxury Baby Gifts – What better way to show how much you love that brand new baby, than buying a luxurious stroller, or baby bedding, or other luxury gift?

Baby Furniture for Frugal Families – Ideas to get you thinking frugally before rushing out to purchase furniture for your baby’s room.

Popular Nursery Theme Ideas for Baby Boys – The ultrasound showed that a bouncing baby boy is on the way. Now you need to prepare a room in which he can grow and have adventures.

Popular Nursery Theme Ideas for Baby Girls – You’ve found out that your precious bundle of joy will be a girl. Pictures of pink and frills suddenly fill your head. But, decorating for a little girl doesn’t have to be limited to pink.

It’s Also A Baby Name

Socrates, Einstein, Elvis, even Martha. Oh what’s in a name! While naming your new baby can seem to bring more stress than joy, there are a few tips to keep in mind for this momentous occasion:

Sound compatibility – A baby name should foremost sound very pleasing. Initial gut reactions are sometimes the best indicator of suitability. In addition, make sure the baby name is compatible with the last name. Often time, a long first and last name sound very discordant. A first name that ends with a vowel tethered with a last name beginning with a vowel should be avoided.

Uniqueness – If your baby will already have an unusual last name, don’t exacerbate the problem by naming him “Egbert the III.” However, if he’s destined to be a Smith, a unique name can draw some flattering attention throughout life. So pick a name that’s middle of the road.

Relatives & friends – Honoring your friends and family by naming your baby after one of them will not only bring you goodwill but also serves as a ready-to-go, prescreened name pool. However, don’t get pressured into naming your precious baby after someone you don’t want to like Aunt Gertrude.

Baggage – Naming your baby after a famous rock star or celebrity can bring unwanted baggage to your child years later. “Cute” names or puns like Holly Wood also wear out quickly.

Tradition & heritage – Respect the culture identity of your newborn. In addition, following tradition can lead to better family harmony and pleasant memories. Just make sure you’re not falling into a one-sided deal.

Meaning – Knowing the derivation or origin of your name (i.e. biblical figure) is not only interesting but can also provide sentimental value for your child. Hiroshito, derived from the word hero, just might grow up to be the next 007.

Nicknames – Playground teasing can be harsh and scarring. Therefore, think of any possible twists and variations on your child’s namesake that might cause trouble in the future. A cute nickname for a formal first name can also be a practical compromise for the elitist in you.

Baby Names Meanings – one of the biggest decisions is what to name the new bundle of joy.

When parents are expecting their new little one, one of the biggest decisions is what to name the new bundle of joy. When people find out you are expecting, people will come along with all kinds of suggestions for names. One of the considerations when choosing names is how it sounds with the to beg for teasing. While people don’t consider the meaning of names as much as they once did, people still find name meanings interesting.

Baby name meaning books are always popular, and now there are many websites that provide search features that help you find names with specific meanings, find the meanings of names you like. They also feature names from around the world. We always hope that our children fit the names we give them. Parents will give the child a strong name, in hopes that the child grows up strong.

Some of the more popular boys names are still very traditional names. Most of the top ten for 2006 have a Biblical connection: Jacob (Supplanted; held by the heel), Michael (Who is like God?), Joshua (God rescues), Matthew (Gift of God), Ethan (Strong, firm, impetuous), Andrew (Man, warrior), Daniel (God is my judge), Anthony (unknown), Christopher (Bearer of Christ), Joseph (He will enlarge).

Girls names tend vary more in their sources, but there are still quite a few that have Biblical connections. The top ten girls names for 2006 were: Emily (Rival; emulating), Emma (All-containing; universal), Madison (Son of Maud; Matthew’s Son), Abigail (Father in rejoicing), Olivia (Elf army), Isabella, (My God is a vow), Hannah (Grace; favor), Samantha (Listener), Ava (Voice), Ashley (Ash wood).

Quite often, family members can be upset if the child is not named following family traditions. Couples want to avoid insulting one member or another, so they look to other sources. In the past, people have named their children after favorite characters in books. In recent years, it has become popular to name children after characters in television shows or actors and actresses. One problem with this is that there tend to be a lot of children with the same name.

Many parents will keep their choice of names a secret until the child is born, thus avoiding people voicing their preferences about the name.

In the end, it comes down to one thing: how does the name sound when you yell the full name from the front porch calling your child home?