Baby Care Guide

2010-03-04T09:21:00.001-08:00

The baby shower is a party that is held to celebrate a woman’s impending motherhood. It is typically arranged by her friends, and guests including other pals, family and co-workers in case the woman is close to them in relation. Moreover, being a good excuse for great treat, a baby shower is also a fantastic way to make sure that a new mother gets all the supplements that she needs especially if the baby is her first child.

Traditionally, baby shower features an assortment of games those are related to baby as well as the opening of presents. In many cases, food is also served with great pleasure. Guests are invited by a person, who arranges the baby shower, and in some cases, the baby shower could be a surprise for a new mother but in this case, the cooperation of the father or family member is generally enlisted.
Themes of Baby Showers

Choosing a baby shower theme is the fist step towards the successful baby shower. The theme for your baby shower will make the party entertaining, joyful, and fun and the memory that will last long not only to you but also to all the guests invited. You also need to look at the budget if you are an arranger for the happy event.

The theme that you decide will determine the concept of the baby shower. You need to put yourself into guests’ shoes and to think at their point of view. Think what you would like if you are called for a baby shower and you need to arrange this party accordingly.

One of the common but workable themes that the women would love is a tea theme party. There are tea gift baskets that can work well in tea them party. Not only can gift baskets will provide the theme for your baby shower but they can also double as a centerpiece for your table decorations. With plenty of themed gift baskets available in the market, you are able to use any kind of gift basket for any kind of baby shower theme.

There are hundreds of the baby themes and few to name them are; Stork shower theme, Baby safari shower theme, Book shower theme, Teddy bear shower theme, Jungle shower theme, Princess shower theme, Sports theme, Cowboy shower theme, and Angle shower theme etc.
Events in the Baby Shower

When purchasing gifts for a baby shower, generally people try to get things those they think are practical and useful. In major cases, these gifts are the products those people have used themselves and felt good. In some cases, parents with older children can offer old changing tables, car seats, cribs and other potentially expensive baby equipment. These gifts are greatly appreciated by lower income mothers who might not be able to readily afford those items.

Common gifts at baby shower are things like baby clothes in an assortment of sizes, toys and books etc. You can also include baby supplies like diaper bags, changing tables, monitors and blankets. Some more appreciable tings are gift certificates for diaper laundering companies, nannies and other housekeeping services. Though some of those gifts can be redundant, it is a wise thought to coordinate gifts with the attendees that can assure that a mother will not receive unwanted multiples. Coordinating also makes you sure that mother receives vitally useful items such as an infant car seat to take it home from the hospital in.

In addition to practical gifts handed over to mothers, a baby shower is also a great juncture to pamper the new mother. Gift certificates of spa, massage and boutiques, saloons are funny ways to celebrate a mother and to encourage her to take care of herself after giving birth to a baby in a royal and excellent way this may also help her to back into her arousing figure!

Other gifts like yard care, use of car service or even a meal delivery in the weeks that follows deliver are also general but useful and practical gifts for both parents. In some cases, thinking outside the frame for baby shower presents/gifts can yield a very gratefully received gift.
Some personalized gifts for Baby Shower

If you are looking for something out of the flow, you should offer some personalized baby shower gift that will make you outstanding. There are many beautiful gift ideas those can made even more special with personalized baby shower gifts and just for instance, baby’s name and date of birth added to the gift!

A personalized baby shower gifts may fall in a theme that rotates around a scrapbook for the parents-to-be. This is indeed a great baby shower idea, which will involve lots of guest participation. You can invite relatives and friends to bring snaps and share their memories to create a scrapbook.

The parents will surely like if their baby’s name is engraved on the baby shower gifts. Some of the art-lover parents will appreciate if your baby shower gift is containing some embroidery or some knitted materials.
Baby shower corsages

Wearing baby shower corsages are indeed a very cute way to celebrate and honor the upcoming arrival of an infant in the family. However, you can go for buying baby shower corsages but there are lot of benefits to crate them yourself.

The foremost benefit of developing your own baby shower corsage is you need not to search for the corsage that meets your ideas. Making your own corsage will make it a whole much easier that will fall within your budget, especially when you want a corsage for your each guest.

Another good point in developing your own baby shower corsages is you may have the colors of the baby shower theme you have on the event. You can also personalize the corsages such as you can add a special detail or touch that your guest will really appreciate and love while receiving.

Above all, creating your own baby shower corsage brings lots of fun to you. You will surely enjoy being able to give your all guests something that is wonderfully created with lots of emotions and is gorgeous.

2010-03-04T09:18:00.001-08:00

aby Vitamins
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Vitamins and minerals supplements are not necessary for a healthy baby until the breastfeeding is going on. Mother’s milk is the best for baby fulfilling every need of baby. Many researches have shown that there is no requirement to supply any additional nutrients to a baby if it is healthy. Yes, of course, if your baby is underweight or not healthy by any means, it is to be supplied with rich nutrients. Though, pediatricians recommend various vitamins supplements to be on safer side even to the healthy baby and therefore, vitamin supplements have become one of the routine prescribed items in doctor’s list.

Breast-milk is considered to be nectar for a baby at least up to six months. Studies have shown that fluoride, juice, vitamins, formula, iron, water and solid foods are very less beneficial to healthy breastfed babies especially during first six months of their lives and opposite to that, some could be harmful if given without any necessity.

Supplements of vitamins to baby is necessary in some cases but it is not a rule. The American Academy of Pediatrics states that…

“No supplements (water, glucose water, formula and so forth) should be given to breastfeeding newborns unless a medical indication exists… Exclusive breastfeeding is ideal nutrition and sufficient to support optimal growth and development for approximately the first six months after birth”.

On the other hand, babies which are premature and having LBW (low birth weight) should be supplied by additional vitamins and minerals from outside. These vitamins can be added to mother’s milk and then can be given to baby.

Here is the list of vitamins that play an important role in baby’s growth and development of good milestones.

Vitamin A

Breast-milk is considered to be natural and excellent source of vitamin A. It is useful for eyes and other bodily functions like it helps in growth and repairing body tissues. It also helps in building body’s immunity and helps in night vision. They can be supplied as vitamin A drops directly to the baby and as food as in eggs, dark green and yellow vegetables and fruits, dairy products and liver.

Vitamin B

This is one of the most important vitamins. Vitamin B has many sub-vitamin groups and therefore, it is called as vitamin B complex. Right from the day one when a woman conceives, she has to start taking vitamin B complex. This is to be done at any cost as it good and adequate supplement of this group of will ensure good growth of embryo and it will build mother’s body also. One of the vitamin from this group, Vitamin B2 or riboflavin are generally not recommended for breastfed babies as it is very rare especially in developed countries.

In same way, Vitamin B1, B6 and B12 is also very important and needed to be supplied to mother and in some cases when the baby is underweight, to the baby. Vitamin B complex helps baby in carbohydrate and protein metabolism, nervous system maintenance, formation of antibodies, blood cell formation and in building immunity.

Vitamin C

This is also known as Ascorbic acid and is very important for wound healing, collagen maintenance and it also builds resistance against various infections. It is equally important for healthy gums and blood vessels. Vitamin C can be found in almost all citrus fruits, tomatoes, berries, green and red peppers, broccoli and melons. You can also get some medicated drops containing Vitamin C in it. The dosage is to be fixed as per the age and weight of the child and has to be decided by pediatrician.

Vitamin D

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends you that you should provide your baby a supplement of 200 IU per day of vitamin D if it is exclusively breastfed or drinks less than 17 ounces per day or fortified formula. Breast milk are transferred in breast milk, while fortified formula contains sufficient amount of Vitamin D. Infant vitamins typically provide 400 IU of vitamin D, it is the same amount that is found in 33 ounces of infant formula. Mind it that baby can safely take up to 1000 IU per day of vitamin D and therefore, the amount found in formula or a supplement shall not be too much.

Vitamin K

This is extremely important for infants and hence, the injection containing Vitamin K is immediately given to newborns. This is done to protect child or newborn from internal bleeding (internal bleeding is quite possible while delivery of an infant). This will check out any internal bleeding and Vitamin K will stop it and hence, will prevent the further damage in the body.

Vitamin E

You can supply vitamin E from outside as it is available in the form of pills or drops. It is also known as tocopherol. It helps as free radical scavenger and it probably has role in developing immunity.

Along with vitamins, minerals are also important for baby’s growth. Zinc, iron and fluoride are equally beneficial for baby’s health and immunity. They provide immunity and also nice development of the bodily systems.

2010-03-04T09:10:00.001-08:00

Baby brings a new word for its parents. It is indeed the happiest moment for parents in their life. The baby brings all joys and happiness with its gestures and waving its extremities! Parents might not have brought the best material for themselves but for a baby, they do not want to take chance and provide the best quality available.

This remains in every accessories related to a baby including toys, cribs, beddings, furniture and so on. However, one of the most important things, clothes is to be chosen and clothing is to be done with a great care. Mind it; clothes are more nearer to your baby than you are. They are in continues touch with baby’s skin and all those delicate parts where you also touch carefully. On the other hand, nothing in the world equals the pleasure of dressing a child to its mother.

Baby clothes are to be purchased with some strategies and precautions in mind. Baby clothes should be a combination of comfort and a style that can suite to your little cutie pie. Nowadays, retail outlets provide wide range of baby clothes, which easily fall to your budget and though are stylish with high comfort zone for a baby.

Baby clothes are so cute that you want to buy them all and right now! Tiny shoes, bonny suit jackets, frilly dresses and many more miniature creatures just attract you like a magnet. This is the time you need to stop yourself now understanding that in the early months of life, your baby does not need fashionable and fancy apparels but for it, simple is better.

Babies grow faster than adults do and therefore, the biggest problem with baby clothes is soon they become outdated or outfitted. They become shorter and babies grow bigger. A wise person will not go for the exact size that suites the baby’s body but will go for a number higher than that. For instance, if a little bonny trouser sizing 11 suites to your baby, go for 11.5 or 12 as planning in this way will allow that trouser to fit into baby’s size for a longer period.

About the material used for baby clothing, there is wide range of fabrics that is used for baby clothes. Cotton as always is best and human skin-friendly. They rarely produce an allergy that can be common with other fabrics. You should be very careful about the fittings of the baby clothes.

An extreme precaution is to be taken especially when a newborn baby is having an umbilical clip. Until it falls off, choose the baby clothes those are very loose and do not bother baby’s any body part. They should be airy and should be changed regularly. Keeping the same top for longer period may infect the umbilical cord. Put some antiseptic powder before clothing to your infant. You stick with ‘baby bags’, which are drawstring bottoms, one piece sleepers.

Try to go for the clothes having loose neck so that they can be easily putted on to the newborn without harming the skull and the soft-pallet on the head. The shirts and tops should be wide enough so that you can put baby’s arms comfortably. This goes same with pant or bottom-wear. For infants, diapers are best for all circumstances. The only thing is to be kept in mind is a size that suites to baby. Diaper manufacturers mention the age or weight on their packs and you have to decide according to the labeling. If you baby is to wear bottom, try to go for a clothe that is having wide room for legs. It should not be tight from the waist. One can go for the string bottom-wear rather than the elastic that grips your baby’s waist firmly. These elastics leave the mark and make the skin sensitive.

During winter, you baby is to be kept away from the cold. Here, one has to remember that putting too many clothes on baby may trouble it. Babies have tendency to get irritated if you keep on changing the clothes and therefore, choose the clothes that can be kept on baby for couple of hours. Go for one thick jacket or sweater rather than putting 4-5 thinner ones. When you put clothes on baby, make sure that baby is not being suffocated. The clothes should be protective though airy.

It is good to have different clothes for different occasions but all the clothes are to be comfortable and not skintight to baby. For shoes, one should go for shoes made up of clothes than plastic. Plastic or other material may produce irritation to the baby’s foot and some of them may produce heat. The shoes are to be loosely tied.

To summarize, there are some considerations to be kept in mind while purchasing clothes and clothing a baby…

Babies do not like their clothes being changed every now and then so one has to choose clothes, which are easy to change and simple to put on or to off.
Strings are good but you should be careful that long strings are not to be chosen, it may get tied up with baby’s limbs.
If you want to go for elastic waistbands, be sure that they are not over tight to your baby.
Do not buy socks with shaped heels. Prefer branded socks.
Clothes, which open in front, are easer to put on babies.
Wide attires with wide neck are always best.
Choose the clothes with less buttons on it as having more buttons increase the risk of falling off and baby can swallow them.
For shoes, try to avoid laces as baby’s foot can tie up with that and it may fall.
Select clothes with smooth stitching.
Avoid clothes having too many zips, poppers and layers. Choose simple and sober ones.
Most of the time baby clothes do not need ironing. Even though you want, them to be ironed, do it gently.

2010-03-04T09:04:00.000-08:00

It is very difficult to choose baby’s name when the juncture really comes in your life along with happiness. It demands lots of search and efforts but though it is equally exciting and joyful to do so. It is easy to pick up any name that is of your choice and give it to baby but when it comes to the choice of an opposite partner; many times, the name you have chosen gets rejected. This happens not only with your partner but also with your mom, dad, uncle, aunty and oh.. The list becomes so long!

You just keep in mind that you cannot choose the name that can pleased everyone and on other hand, you need the name that is awesome and never heard before! There are two choices straight away; you can choose the name has meaning or you can go for the name that sounds good but does not have exact meaning. These both categories are okay nowadays.

Most importunately, the name has to be selected that makes you, your partner happy, and not the rest of the world! You can select plenty of names and then can filter as few but, before all, you need to decide, which name you are looking for? Is it something meaningful or something that sounds good but has no meaning? There are lot many directories suggesting different types of baby’s names.

You should also select the categories like mythology, ancient name, new name or name from different language like Latin, Greek or French. Generally, name is name and there is no rule that it should match to your mother tongue. For instance, in many of the South Asian countries like India people have started keeping English name to their children and opposite to that, in many developing western countries like US people are now interested in keeping ancient names coming from Greek mythology.

Many parents get excited when they conceive and start thinking about the name of their forthcoming baby. In this case, to keep the secret of gender, you can also go for the unisex name that can be applied to both, male baby and female as well. There are plenty of unisex names available in different books and ‘name directories for baby’ on the Internet.

Try to choose the name that is easy to pronounce and a name having some good meaning. For instance, Christina May flows easy where as, Christina Alexandra need some efforts. Another thing to be kept in mind is, your baby’s name should not rhyme with a word having another bad meaning or awkward meaning. The perfect example for this is ‘Duke’ that can be badly pronounced as ‘Puke’. Keeping some great people’s name is fuddy-duddy and so not in use.

You also need to keep in mind that you should not give the name that carries high value and expectations as there are chances that a child, when grows, may not fulfill the meaning of his or her own name. You can avoid this dilemma by keeping some time tested and trusted names like Jack, Bill, James, John, Kristina, Angelina, David, Emily, Olivia, Alexis etc. These are the names with no arguments or comments across the world. These are pronounced well and clearly and so accepted with no difficulties.

You can go for various options to find the exact and suitable name for your baby. There are lot many books available in the market and book stalls suggesting hundreds of names and their meaning. You can also search for the baby’s name on Internet. Innumerable websites are offering thousands of names according to different classifications. All you need to do is to search for ‘baby’s name directory’ in search engine and you will get millions of page displayed within fraction of seconds.

On baby name directories, you can select the name from different categories like; the section that displays only boy’s or girl’s name or you can select any particular language you need the name from (like English, Greek, French, Latin and so on). You can also select the category of modern name or ancient name or mythological name. Baby’s name can also be selected according to the region you live in, for example Asian names, Japanese names, Indian names, French names, Greek names, American names, European names and so on.

2010-03-04T09:01:00.000-08:00

What are the benefits of the MMR vaccine?

The MMR vaccine protects your child against three viruses: measles, mumps, and rubella (German measles).

Many parents now choose the MMRV vaccine instead of the MMR. MMRV is the same as MMR, except that it includes protection against the varicella virus, which causes chicken pox.

Measles
Measles is a highly contagious illness that was once almost universal in children. Its main symptoms are a rash, fever, runny nose, cough, and eye irritation.

Possible complications of measles include ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia, seizures, encephalitis, brain damage, and death.

Before a measles vaccine was licensed in 1964, more than 500,000 cases of measles were reported on average in the United States annually, with about 48,000 hospitalizations and 450 deaths from the disease. After the introduction of the vaccine, the number of measles cases went down 99.9 percent to about 50 cases a year, mostly originating outside the country.

These days, measles has been virtually wiped out in the United States, although a small outbreak is occasionally imported — usually from Europe or Asia — to an unvaccinated population (a group that refuses vaccines, for example) or to people who have received only one dose of the MMR vaccine.

Mumps
Mumps is a viral infection that typically causes a fever, headache, and inflammation of the glands under the jaw.

Mumps can lead to meningitis, encephalitis, and (rarely) deafness. It can also cause painful swelling of the testicles or ovaries. Twenty to 50 percent of males infected with mumps after puberty develop orchitis, an inflammation of one or both testicles. In rare cases, orchitis can lead to sterility.

The current strain of the mumps vaccine has been used worldwide since being approved in the United States in 1967. Before a vaccine was available, the United States had an average of about 150,000 cases every year. In 2003 the number had dropped to 231 — a 99.9 percent decrease in the number of cases. In 2006, however, 6,000 cases were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) during a multistate outbreak.

Rubella, or German measles
Rubella, also called German measles, is characterized by a pinkish red rash that starts on the face, a mild fever, and swollen lymph nodes. It's possible, however, to have rubella without any symptoms.

Rubella is a mild illness that runs its course in about three days, but if a woman gets it during pregnancy, it can cause miscarriage or birth defects in her baby, including deafness, eye problems, heart defects, and mental retardation.

The first rubella vaccines were licensed in 1969. During an epidemic in 1964-1965, 12.5 million cases of rubella were reported in the United States and 20,000 infants were born blind, deaf, or mentally retarded as a result. Today, rubella has been virtually eliminated in the United States, with only a handful of cases reported each year.

2010-03-04T08:57:00.001-08:00

What are the benefits of the hepatitis B vaccine?

The hepatitis B vaccine (HBV) protects your child against the hepatitis B virus, which can lead to liver damage and even death.

Hepatitis B is generally considered an adult disease because it's known to be transmitted through unsafe sex and shared needles. But many who get it, including children, don't engage in these "high-risk" behaviors. They're either infected at birth or they contract the disease from close contact during childhood with others who are infected.

Hepatitis B is highly infectious. An estimated 800,000 to 1.4 million people in the United States have the virus, and 20 to 30 percent of them acquired the disease in childhood. Many of them never feel sick and don't know they have it, but those who become infected as children are more likely to have long-term health problems such as cirrhosis and liver cancer. About 2,000 to 4,000 Americans die from hepatitis B-related illness every year.

The HBV vaccine was introduced in 1982 and became part of the recommended immunization schedule in the United States in 1991. Since then, the incidence of acute hepatitis B has dropped by over 95 percent in children and adolescents, and over 75 percent overall. The number of new infections per year has declined from an average of 260,000 in the 1980s to about 43,000 in 2007, with the biggest decline among children and adolescents.

What's the recommended schedule?

Recommended number of doses
Three shots.

Recommended ages
• At birth
• Between 1 and 2 months
• Between 6 and 18 months

Women in the United States are screened for hepatitis B during pregnancy. If you test positive, your baby should get an injection of hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG), which provides short-term protection, within 12 hours of birth.

2010-03-04T08:55:00.000-08:00

What are the benefits of the DTaP vaccine?

The DTaP vaccine protects your child against three diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough).

Diptheria
This bacterial infection causes a thick gray coating to develop at the back of the throat that makes it hard to breathe and swallow, and can result in suffocation. If the infection is not treated, toxins produced by the bacteria may affect tissues and organs throughout the body, which can lead to heart failure or paralysis.

Death occurs in up 20 percent of cases in people under age 5 and over age 40. These numbers have changed little in the last 50 years, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Before the vaccine was developed in the 1920s, there were more than 175,000 cases a year on average in the United States. By contrast, since the year 2000, only five cases have been reported. But every year sees outbreaks of diphtheria in Eastern Europe, Russia, Brazil, Nigeria, Indonesia, and the Philippines. So while the risk of getting diphtheria in the United States is low, the disease is only a plane ride away.

Tetanus
Tetanus (also called lockjaw) is a bacterial infection that causes severe and painful muscle spasms, seizures, and paralysis. It's not contagious. The bacteria live in soil and dust and enter the body through a break in the skin. People can get tetanus from any kind of puncture wound, or from other types of injuries (even a tiny scratch) if they're not cleaned and cared for properly. Ten to 20 percent of reported cases end in death.

Since the vaccine came into widespread use in the 1940s, the number of tetanus cases in the United States has fallen from about 500 to about 50 a year.

Pertussis
Pertussis, better known as whooping cough, is a very contagious bacterial infection and one of the most common vaccine-preventable childhood diseases. Whooping cough causes coughing spells so severe that it's hard for children to eat, drink, or breathe. It can lead to pneumonia, seizures, brain damage, and death.

Before the vaccine was introduced in the 1940s, about 147,000 U.S. children came down with whooping cough every year. The number of cases in the United States dropped to a historic low of 1,010 in 1976 but then rose again, with more than 25,000 reported in 2005 as adolescents who had been vaccinated as babies lost their immunity and more babies went unvaccinated.

To counter this trend, an additional shot called the Tdap is now recommended at age 11 or 12. And one Tdap shot is also recommended, now, for adults who didn't have one during adolescence. Getting yourself vaccinated helps to protect your infant and other infants you're around.

Whooping cough remains a serious health problem among children in other parts of the world.

2010-03-04T08:46:00.000-08:00

Even if you put your child in a glass case for protection, he'd find a way to break the glass and cut himself. Accidents happen in childhood, despite your best childproofing and safety efforts.

Here you'll find a list of the most common childhood emergencies and injuries, followed by breakdowns of the most common accidents from birth to 6 months, and 7 months to a year.

The most common childhood injuries

• Burns, one of the most common childhood accidental injuries. These include sunburns and burns caused by stoves, lamps, matches, lighted cigarettes, fireplaces, wood stoves, and hot liquid from a pan, cup, bath, or hot water heater.

• Head injuries caused primarily by falls from high chairs, beds, furniture, stairs, and play equipment.

• Choking on food or foreign objects.

• Strangulation caused by strings, ties, ribbons, and cords on toys, clothing, and household appliances and fixtures.

• Nose injuries caused by running into stationary objects, falling on a hard surface, or deflecting a flying toy (or the fist or foot of another child).

• Items stuck in a nostril, like small stones, chewable vitamins, pebbles, and peas.

• Cuts and scratches caused by sharp fingernails (either your baby's own or some other child's), pets, sharp objects, and encounters with sticks and other pointed objects that live in your yard.

• Fractures and sprains caused by hard falls and, as your child enters the toddler years, by playing energetically. Children tend to break bones more easily than adults because they have soft areas near the end of each bone called growth plates.

• Contusions — bruises under the skin — caused by bumps and falls.

• Insect and bee stings.

• Muscle strains, which occur most often when a child starts a new sport or activity.

• A pulled elbow, caused by picking up your child by one arm, jerking his arm forcefully, or swinging him around by the arms. The forearm bone actually slips out of the elbow joint and will sometimes slip back without medical attention.

• Eye injuries caused by dust, sand, or other types of foreign matter in the child's eye.

2010-03-04T08:36:00.002-08:00

Baby carriage products have undergone as many facelifts as a Hollywood wash-up. Today there are even fancy Louis Vuitton carriers and the spacious double umbrella
stroller for fashionable twins. With so many options on the market, at times it's difficult to tell which is what and what's better. The important thing to remember is that all strollers, be it a simple baby carriage or a double baby stroller, are all different. Every stroller doesn't fit everybody so each must be evaluated independently.

For starters, umbrella strollers are slightly heavier than the trendy light weight strollers. The light weight stroller can be folded up and carried around for convenience. Umbrella strollers aren't recommended for children younger than six months according to baby stroller review information. A baby carriage, on the other hand, is like a traveling bed. They are great for infants, because they provide a lot of opportunities to catch up on sleep. Many can be converted for later use once the child grows older.

Several leading brands could rank as the "best baby stroller." Such a label, however, is highly suggestive since the best baby stroller is the one th at works best for you and for your child. Any of the following models, however, are worthy of consideration by discriminating parents.

Combi Savvy Z Stroller
The Combi Savvy Z Stroller is a light-weight giant weighing in at just seven and a half pounds. Sporting a plush pillow to support the baby's head, the Combi Savvy Z comes with a canopy for sun protection during the dog days of summer. Perhaps its greatest asset is its sense of style. The Savvy Z is offered in a variety of patterns and colors, with the leopard print leading the pack. This comes as no surprise since Combi baby strollers are known trendsetters.

This stroller isn't all about good looks, however. There's a detachable front bar and storage space for diapers, bottle and the occasional soft drink for Mom. Look at large retail venues for purchasing the Combi Savvy Z as some offer the product at ten to twenty percent off the market price.

Peg Perego Pliko Matic
The Peg Perego Pliko Matic is a lightweight stroller known fo r its durability. The Pliko Matic is a spoon of sugar. With just one touch of a handle button the stroller folds up. There's no bending involved. Just like a purse, there's a nice holding strap. It can be placed for convenient storage anywhere since it has the ability to stand. It prices at $299.00.

2010-03-04T08:33:00.004-08:00

Baby Monitors
Most baby monitor reviews identify the best baby monitors - for example the Sony baby monitor - as those that instantly alert the caregiver. Thanks to advances in technology,
baby monitors have gotten better and better at what they do. Parents can now choose a wireless baby monitor or digital baby monitors that effectively and efficiently sense movement and sound. Visual monitors are the next best thing to being in the room when it comes to keeping a watchful eye on your newborn baby.

What Is A Baby Monitor?
A typical baby monitor is a unidirectional radio transmitter / receiver system used for remotely listening. The transmitter that comes with a microphone is placed near the infant, while the receiver equipped with a speaker is kept near the caregiver. Some of the best baby monitors are bi-directional, which actually allow for two-way communication, for instance if the parent who has gone to the aid of the child needs to speak with the parent who is still in the other part of the house.

How Are Baby Monitors Used?
The primary use of a baby monitor is to ensure that the caregiver can hear the child from another room not necessarily in close proximity to the nu rsery. The units give parents more flexibility to work around the house while baby takes a nap especially if the infant is sick and needs closer monitoring. A wireless video baby monitor, though more expensive than basic audio systems, can increase a parent's comfort level considerably. The more portable baby monitors come with clips that allow the caregiver to attach the receiver to a belt or article of clothing, which allows for even greater freedom of motion within the operating range of the monitor system.

The Best Baby Monitors
Some of the best baby monitors that have been found to be particularly useful with regard to features, range, price, and ease of use include:
BebeSounds Tv872 Baby Video Monitor 2.4 Ghz
This portable wireless monitor with video and sound operates entirely on batteries and is effective within a maximum range of 450 feet. Equipped with infrared night vision and four selectable channels, the system can be expanded to include four cameras. The unit sells from $133 to $200.
Unisar Angelcare Ac201 Baby Movement Sensor
This device consists of an under - the - mattress Sensor Pad which helps in detecting the infant's slightest movements, and also helps in transmitting a No Movement alarm to the Parent's unit. Priced at $65, this unit would act as a sound monitor up to a range of 200 feet, and comes with 2 channels to avoid interference. The receivers are equipped with adjustable volume control, with battery backup.
Summer Infant 02160 Two Child
The Infant Two Child-Two Room Scanning Monitor comes equipped with two cameras, which contain not only night vision facility, but also the feature of Auto-Scan that provides for the cameras to automatically scan between rooms every 10 seconds.

Graco: Digital Monitor
Priced at $60, these Pure Digital baby monitors have quite simply the best performing technology available for baby monitors. This digital device offers the clearest reception which is uniquely sensitive to the sounds that a caregiver would want to hear. Batteries are rechargeable, and the digital power provides for an extended range of up to 2000.

2010-03-04T08:25:00.003-08:00

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) refers to the sudden death of an infant under the age of one that remains unexplained after a thorough investigation. That investigation
would include an autopsy, examination of the death scene and a review of the infant's clinical history. The confounding nature of these deaths makes SIDS prevention a vital area of research and one of tremendous interest to parents.

In a typical SIDS situation parents check on their infant, expecting to find him or her sleeping. Instead they find a dead child. It is the worse tragedy parents can face and it leaves a void and a sadness in their lives forever. The medical profession can't tell them why their baby died, so they blame themselves or sometimes innocent other people. Both the topic of SIDS and statistics on deaths are more than enough to scare parents.

In the United States the annual SIDS rate per 1,000 live births has dropped steadily since 1983. That year it was 1.46 per 1,000 births, while in 2001 it dropped to .56. Even though that represents a decrease of more than 50 percent, there are still approximately 2,500 deaths per year in the U.S. and thousands more elsewhere in the w orld.

Risk Can Be Reduced
Medical research is not at a point where parents can be told absolutely what to do to prevent a SIDS death or event the exact causes of SIDS, but there are some preventative measures they can take to reduce the risk.

These measures include early visits to the doctor when you know you are pregnant, and the sooner the better. Following the first visit to the doctor your physician will schedule regular checkups throughout the pregnancy.

You should also make good nutritional choices during pregnancy to reduce the likelihood of premature birth, which is a major SIDS risk factor. Avoid smoking, using cocaine or heroin because all three increase the infant's risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

Avoid Teen Pregnancies
Women should avoid becoming pregnant during their teen years. Consider abstinence from sexual activity or use reliable birth control methods. If you have a child and you're still a teenager, make sure another pregnancy does not occur. Teenage mothers with more than one child face an even greater risk for SIDS deaths. After the age of 20 mothers face a greatly reduced risk of losing a child to SIDS. Pregnancies no closer together than a year are recommended and longer periods are even better.

Although your baby may sleep better on its stomach, avoid the temptation and put the child to bed on its back. Soft mattresses should be avoided. Tummy time can take place during the day to help the infant learn head and neck control and to help him or her learn to roll over.

Finally, police your own habits. Do not smoke in the house. Babies exposed to second-hand smoke have a greater SIDS risk. If you are a smoker, take your cigarettes outside.

2010-03-04T08:23:00.000-08:00

Legal and medical discussions concerning the Shaken Bay Syndrome controversy have created questions about its diagnosis, and even its existence, leading to a consideration
of potential false shaken baby syndrome cases and re-evaluation of the criteria for the violation of shaken baby syndrome laws.

Shaken Bay Syndrome (SBS) is the result of shaking or hitting the head of an infant or small child in a whiplash-like motion. It causes acceleration-deceleration injuries and can be fatal, or cause permanent neurological damage. Ten to 12 percent of child abuse deaths are attributed to SBS.

When retinal hemorrhages and subdural hematomas are found in a child there is an immediate referral to child protective services unless the caretaker's explanation is consistent with a two to three story fall or a 35 mile per hour unrestrained vehicle accident. If the caregiver says the injuries were the result of a short fall or another event less likely to result in death, and the physician thinks it improbable, it is likely to be deemed child abuse.

The website www.sbsdefense.com provides defense attorneys, medical experts, concerned family members and those falsely accused of child abuse with a user-friendly look at the diagnosis and prosecution of cases involving allegations of SBS. It points out th e dangers of mistaken shaken baby syndrome diagnoses.

Brains Not Fully Developed
The brains of young children are not completely developed and suffer injury when shaken. The effects often do not show up until later, when the educational demands on the brain increase.

Less severe cases of SBS may not be seen by doctors and thus may never be diagnosed. Severe cases result in death or dramatic neurological consequences. In severe cases the child usually becomes unconscious and has a rapidly escalating and life-threatening central nervous system dysfunction.

Can Be Hard to Diagnose
Head injury to infants and toddlers can be hard to diagnose, contributing to the shaken baby syndrome controversy, because symptoms are often not specific to the injury. Vomiting, fever, irritability and lethargy are symptoms of many diseases in children. When caretakers do not provide a history of injury, or the victim cannot speak, a head injury can be misdiagnosed as something less serious.

Children who suffered SBS have a number of disabilities that have to be addressed in the educational setting. Developmental disabilities are severe, with chronic mental or physical disabilities, or both, occurring before the age of 22. Developmental disabilities usually occur indefinitely and limit a victim's participation in three or more of the following major life activities: self-care, mobility, language, learning, self-direction, independent living and economic self-sufficiency.

Parents of SBS children should contact their local school system and ask to have their child assessed. The assessment process should include a multidisciplinary team of professionals, observations by professionals who have had experience working with your child, an examination of your child's medical history and information and observations from the family.

2010-03-04T08:17:00.000-08:00

Baby’s, during this stage if growth are going to sleep a lot, almost 12 to 15 hours a day. These would include lots of night time sleep and quick naps. During the first three months, your baby will wake up at regular intervals for his/her feed but after that you will see him/or her develop a regular sleep and wake up pattern.

Sleep Training
It would seem like its too early for training your little one for sleep but you can try some sleep training if you feel like. One important thing! Do not try to impose a sleep program on your 3 month old little one. Most babies naturally develop sleep patterns that blend in well with your life and schedule.

All babies have unique developmental schedules. Newborns may react differently to sleep training and if your little one isn’t upto it, then you might want to stop it for a while and give it another try after a few weeks.

Night Naps
Night naps are going to be irregular during the first 3 months but thereafter, your little one will easily be able to sleep through the night. By “through the night” we do not mean 8-10 hours but only 4-5 hours at the most. My children, however, may sleep for longer intervals as well.

This will finally enable you to make up for all that sleep time you lost during the final weeks of your 3rd trimester and the first few months after childbirth.

Alternatively, you baby might still wake up after every 3-4 hours for his night feeds during in the 3-6 month bracket.
Changing Patterns
Your babies, normally, will develop the patterns of sleeping through the night and are going to stick to it henceforth but in some cases, they may start to wake up again. Frustrating and surprising as it is, just go with the flow and attend to all his/her needs.

Babies develop the sense of being separate entities during this time and may rant and cry, just to get your attention. Attend to them!

Make them feel as much loved as possible.

2010-03-04T08:06:00.000-08:00

This is the moment. Your little bundle of joy is in your arms and its your baby's first birthday. After going through twelve exhaustive months of joy, worry, devotion and concern, you are now proud a proud parent. It is your baby's first anniversary and for sure a valid cause for grand celebration.

Selecting the perfect gift to mark this occasion is rather simple then you may have imagined or expected. In their endeavour to give a unique gift, there are parents who are choosing to commemorate the occasion. This not necessarily is an effort to celebrate the birthday but rather they are looking forward celebrate the young life's success and achievement so far.

If you think that marking the toddlers achievement is kind of going overboard, then consider the fact, how much your baby has grown in the last twelve months. Compare this to the fact how little we adults change during the same time span. In fact, it is during the first twelve months that babies undergo a lot of development. You can notice a lot of their personality traits in the during their earliest weeks. The fact is your baby has completed a year and that in itself is a huge accomplishment.

One of the apt gift giving approach for the family and friends of the baby is to gift something that is personalized marking the occasion. Gift something which will be passed down the years as a keepsake. You can think of gifting a personalized dinner plate or an engraved spoon which can be passed down the years and kept as a remembrance for the baby in future. Apart from this, there are many other personalized gifts that you can choose from like baby chairs, step stools and quilts.

These are very unique and personalized additions to the baby's collection which will remain with them for times to come and something for them to ponder back upon during the future. Another very popular gift in the personalized category is the custom made frame or scrapbook. The idea of scrapbook is in fact among the most popular trends. Parents can chronicle the happenings of the baby's life in the first year in these scrapbooks unlike earlier when they would be busy organizing the baby's snaps.

These scrapbooks can be passed on as a heirloom in the future and can be kept as a keepsake ornament. Though scrapbooks are inexpensive, it can be decorated and customized according to the givers choice and taste. Another very good personalized gift idea is a photo frame. You can gift a frame with two photo's of the baby, one when the baby just arrived home and the other when the baby completed one year. You can further add the name and date of birth of the baby.

There are many options for the personalized gifts apart from those mentioned above. You can choose to gift something that is a combination of the practical and the sentimental. So you can either gift a personalized frame and a blanket or a frame and a shawl which could also be used as a multipurpose garment. Thus you can make these personalized gifts even more unique and memorable.