Things To Think Of When Having A Baby Part 2

(continued from previous post)

 

4-What effect will it have on your health? For some of us, this is a very real consideration. For instance, there's a good chance that I would not be able to take some of the medications I am currently on if I were to get pregnant. This might not be a problem, but there's no way to tell that beforehand. For this reason (among others), I think I'd prefer to adopt. My husband is on board with this in theory, but we know that there are going to be a lot of other things to think about in addition to what I've mentioned above. Things like adoption-specific costs, age of the child and whether we will be able to meet any special needs the child may have are very important considerations.

Also, some parents have medical conditions that they are concerned about passing onto their children. Only their doctor can guide them about this, but it has factored into the decisions of some people I know to adopt as opposed to having a baby.

If you do get pregnant, will you be able to carry the baby to term? People with certain medical conditions or prior injuries may need to have the baby taken early by C-section if there's a reason natural childbirth wouldn't work well.

-Do you have a good support system? Even if one of you staying home with the baby, you're going to need a babysitter or someone to help you with errands when things get to be too much for you and your partner. Are there people around who can help you? If you're planning on going back to work, who will care for your child?

Hopefully now you have an idea of what things you should consider before having a child. I'm writing this just as much for myself as I am for you; I'm not a parent myself, but I've seen a lot of people have children before they're really ready to. While some say that if you wait for the “right time” to have a child you never will, it's important to consider the impact a child will have on your life and vice versa. Good luck!

Things To Think Of Before Having A Baby Part 1

For the past few months, I have been seriously thinking about having a child. My husband is on board with the idea of kids in theory, but there are still a lot of details to work out. If you're in the same boat or just want to make sure you know what you're getting into, here are some questions to ask yourself before getting pregnant or adopting.

1-Are you having a child because you want one, or to please someone else? Some people feel as though they “should” have kids by a certain age or have parents who keep pushing them to procreate. Also, are you trying to “fix” a problem in your life by having a baby? Trust me, having a child is not a way to repair an ailing relationship. While it is possible that someone will settle down and “grow up” when a baby is coming-it happened with my nephew and my friend's boyfriend-, you shouldn't count on that. If your relationship is having problems, best to work on them before you have a baby. Otherwise, it will be three (or more!) lives affected by a breakup.

2-Can you afford it? I can't imagine anyone saying that having children is cheap, but many of us don't realize exactly how much things can cost until the time comes. This is especially true for teenage mothers still living at home and have not had to make their own way. Think about daily expenses, as well as one- or maybe two-time purchases (car seats, cribs, furnishing a nursery, if you need a different car, etc). This is especially important if you plan to take time off from work; some employers will give you paid time off, but FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) is usually unpaid. FMLA basically means that your employer has to hold onto your position for up to 12 months after you have a family event, but that doesn't always kick in right away; depending on the company, you might have to have worked there for a year or so before being eligible. They may extend it to you out of courtesy, but they don't have to. Inquire about your employer's policies and keep them in mind if you intend to return to work.

3-What effect will it have on your other children? This isn't to say you should ask “permission” so much as to consider whether you and your partner will be able to handle an extra child. Can you deal with two children in diapers at a time, or do you want to wait until your older child is potty-trained before you have another? Will you be able to give the older child the attention s/he needs? It's not uncommon for a child to start 'acting out' to get attention or to have other problems, so it helps to consider whether or not you and/or your partner will be spread too thin.

(continued in next post)

Ideas For Baby's First Birthday

It's your baby's first birthday! While this milestone is definitely one to celebrate (“We actually got through the first year without pulling our hair out! Yay!”), some people take things a little too far. Fireworks and ponies? These will probably scare the kid more than anything else.  Renting out a toy store? Kids would love that, but very few stores will agree to it unless you know someone and pay through the nose. There's even a show on TLC called “Outrageous Kid Parties” about this very thing!

Most of us don't have the money or patience for things like this. However, just because you don't have a lot of money doesn't mean you can't still throw your child a great first birthday party. Here are a few ideas for “the rest of us” to celebrate our little one.

A general reminder: You will want to be able to plan whatever you do for the child around nap times and not have the party go for much longer than an hour or two.

Finger-painting party. If your children have “play dates”, make one of those a finger-painting party. Get some non-toxic finger paint and large sheets of paper or cardboard and set your kids free. If you have lots of finger-paint and the children are walking, lay it out in trays and have the kids step through them onto the paper. It's best to do this outside after the cake, especially since it's going to go all over her face anyway. 

 

Story Time.  This is another thing that works well with play dates, but can also be fun with the whole day care class or even just the family. If you have a person with an animated personality, have them put that to work in reading a story to the group. My nephew used to love it when I read The Monster At The End Of This Book to him because I would use silly voices and involve him in the story. If your child has a favorite book and this is something that can be done, everyone around will probably get a kick out of it. Otherwise, you could bring in a volunteer from the library.

Cartoon Cupcakes. Make or buy some cupcakes and insert plastic cupcake toppers of your child's favorite cartoon characters. Elmo and Thomas the Train Engine are very popular. That way, your child can play with the topper once she's done with the cupcake, and the cupcakes are small enough to where everyone can have one with less to clean up. Also, cupcake toppers tend to be big enough to avoid posing a choking risk.

As you can see, it's not hard at all to celebrate your child's first birthday on a budget. Half the fun with these party ideas is having your friends and family around to celebrate with your child. The most important thing for your child is that he feels special and loved. You don't have to spend a lot of money to do that. 

Essentials For Eating Out With Babies And Kids

Here are a few items that can make eating out with a child easier.

'Alternative' bottles. My sister had some 'straw bottles' http://www.pacifeeder.com/baby_bottle_straw.html-basically, the nipples are attached to flexible straws so the baby can drink from the bottle without having to hold it. This is good for babies who aren't able to hold their bottle yet, for traveling or as a way to let the baby drink over a longer period of time. You could also use a bottle with 'handles', which can be a lot of fun for older babies and toddlers.

Reusable placemats-A friend of mine has a plastic stick-on, re-usable placemat that has a 'pocket' in the front that hangs off of the table. These things are very helpful for children who eat solid food; the last thing most of us want to do is cut the food up on a plate or table-top you're not sure about! For older children, my sister also had some placemats that were basically stickers that you affixed and peeled from the table at each meal. As a former waitress who has cleaned up after babies a lot, I'd like to say, 'Thank you'!

Portable high chairs. If you don't want to use the ones in the restaurant (and believe me, I don't blame you), there are high chair tray sets you can attach to the table. This is good for small tables or for babies who aren't quite old enough to sit at the table.

Bibs. I know this seems obvious, but you'd be surprised.

Disposable changing pads. I'm sure I don't have to explain why you wouldn't want to place your child directly on the changing table in the bathroom. These things are available at most grocery or 'big-box' stores and are a total godsend!

Small utensils and plates. Most of the utensils in restaurants aren't small enough for young children. Plus, some kids get really nervous when they are away from the home and don't want to eat or drink anything. Bringing your own dining set with fun utensils, plates and cups are a good way to get a child to eat out and make them feel special at the same time.

Things to keep the kids occupied. How many times have you been in a restaurant and the toddler in the booth in front of you decided to say 'hi'? I used to do this all the time, especially when I was bored waiting for everyone else to finish eating. Quiet toys such as toy trucks and crayons are something a parent should always bring any time the family goes out to eat. We might think our kids are adorable, but other restaurant patrons might not and you need to have some sort of way to keep your child in the seat and busy.

Snacks. Kids aren't as patient as we are when it comes to waiting for the food to come. Many restaurants will bring the child's food out first, but you can't always count on that. Small things such as Cheerios, fruit or other chewy snacks can go a long way when it comes to tiding your child over. Restaurant 'rules' about 'no outside food or drink' don't usually apply to things like this. If they do, you know where not to go next time.

Having Kids When You're 'Older'

Hear that? That 'ticking' noise? No, it's not a bomb. It's a clock-my biological clock, to be precise. I'm in my mid-30s and have really only been thinking about having kids in past year or two. If I listen to statistics, I'm not alone. In fact, a study done by the University of Houston says that nearly 40 percent of children born in 2010 were born to women over the age of 30. The reason for this is that many women are choosing to wait until after they are out of college and/or established in their careers before settling down and having children.

Modern medicine says this is fine, but society hasn't caught up; If I hear one more person tell me it's 'too late' or that I'd 'better get started', I'm going to throw something. Apparently my 'advanced' age means that any babies I have will have five heads, six arms and fifteen ingrown toenails. Okay, that last one was an exaggeration, but you get the point. There are, however, things that women who wait to have children should keep in mind.

Fertility issues. Fertility tends to decline as we get older and our number of eggs declines. However, this isn't a given. Elizabeth Gregory, the director of the aforementioned study, says that roughly 90% of 35-year-old women are able to conceive without medical aid (in vitro fertilization, etc). It might take them longer, but it does happen. The numbers go down as we get older, the rates being about 75% for ages 36-39 and 50% for ages 39-41. This isn't to say that you will have trouble getting pregnant, just that it's more likely than it is for our younger counterparts.

Risk of health problems, for both mother and child. Women over 35 have a higher risk of problems such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, placenta previa (the placenta partly covers the cervix) and placental difficulties. We are also at a higher risk of having a premature or stillborn child, as well as needing a c-section. Getting the proper prenatal care makes these things much less likely, but the risks are still there.

Those of us over 35 do have a higher risk of having a child with chromosomal defects. For instance, the rate of children with Down syndrome (a form of retardation) being born to women over 40 is 1 in 100, about ten times higher than that of mothers under 30. We can get genetic testing to determine our personal risks, but it's not always easy to determine the exact cause of a birth defect.

Some doctors say that the risk of having a child with autism goes up after 35, but that's not a given. Even if it were, however, that's may not be a bad thing. My friend V had her son at age 42. She lovingly refers to him as Genius Brat because, while his Asperger's Syndrome (a form of autism) causes him to have social problems, he is brilliant in other ways. 

This may or may not be relevant, but- 

Disdain from other people. Like I said above, some people still haven't 'gotten the memo' about the 'proper' age of having children. I've heard concern about 'older' parents having less energy and not being able to be there for their kids when they hit their 'adult' milestones-graduations, marriage, children, etc. Honestly, this is total bunk. My father is 72 and, while he does get tired more easily, is sharp as a tack and has no problem keeping up with my 6-year-old nephews. Everyone is different. The only people I can think of who would have a real problem with an 'older' mom are nosy busybodies who mean well but don't always think before they speak. Feel free to ignore them or change the subject.

If your doctor is okay with it, there is really no reason a woman in her 30s or above shouldn't have a child. Regardless of the 'higher' risks we hear so much about, every woman (and every child) is an individual. My mom was 34 when I was born, and I turned out fine. Some may not think so, but that's another post. :) I don't really care anyway.

Fun And Useful 'New Baby' Apps

If you're like me, you've found yourself completely dependent on technology. I seem to always be either playing with my device, texting friends or working on the computer. If you're in the same boat and have a new baby in the family, the 'smartphone' industry has come out with all kinds of applications ('apps') that can help you in your daily functions as a mom, as well as giving you important information. I've found that the majority of apps that are available on iPod/iPhone are also available in Android versions. If not, they probably will be soon.

I think we can all agree that WebMD is one of the most useful sites out there when it comes to health-related questions. Now, the website has put out a series of smartphone apps so you get get your information on-the-go. Their baby-specific app, WebMD Baby allows you to track things like diaper changes and growth patterns as well as providing access to some of their articles. It even has a 'baby book' so you can keep all your information in one piece. Best of all, it's free! There's also a 'pregnancy' version and a 'general knowledge' version.

If you want to be able to 'check in' with your nanny while you're away from home, Baby Connect is a great app to have. It allows you to track everything-activities, milestones, diaper changes, sleep, feedings, etc-and share them with other users so that everyone will be 'in the loop' as far as how your baby's (or babies'!) day goes. It's especially good in that it can synchronize with various Apple and Android devices, as well as email and social networking sites such as Facebook. I'm not sure that all your Twitter or Facebook friends would want to know what was in your baby's diaper, but it's good in that you can get the information to the people who need it in various ways. It's $4.99 in the App Store and $5.21 in the Android market, but I say the sheer functionality of makes it well worth the cost.

If you'd like a way to keep all of your family's most important information in one place, check out the CareZone app. In addition to your baby's information, you can keep track of your entire family's medications, to-do lists, calendars, etc and sync them with others so everyone's on the same page. The iPhone version even lets you record a voice message and broadcast it to up to 100 people! This app is very helpful for keeping track of multiple children, elderly paren ts or anyone else you take care of. If you're so inclined, you can even create a page for your pets! Best of all, it's free!

And now, as for your device itself:

I never thought I'd say this, but you can let your baby play with your iPhone to his heart's content. Just make sure you encase it in this 'Apptivity Case' put out by Fisher Price. The purpose of this is to protect your phone from drool, breakage (although I wouldn't test this too much) and unwanted pushing of buttons. That way, she gets to hold the device while talking to Grandma on FaceTime or play one of the many learning and/or game apps you can download from the App store.

As you can see, there are all kinds of ways the technological age helps new moms keep track of their baby's progress. If nothing else, you'll be able to keep everything in one place. Have fun!

What Should I Eat While Breastfeeding?

In this post, I told you what you shouldn't eat while breastfeeding. Here are a few ideas about what you *should* eat. A lot of these are similar to/the same as what you were doing during pregnancy, so you probably won't have to make any major adjustments just yet. Plus, it's just healthy in general.

-Most doctors will tell you to continue with your prenatal vitamins, or suggest another multivitamin. Also essential are calcium, folic acid and zinc. Make sure you consume plenty of dairy items; you have to *have* milk in order to *make* milk!

-While they don't suggest counting calories, some doctors will say that you should increase your caloric intake by about 500 calories. This probably isn't much different from what you did during your pregnancy. *What* you eat is much more important than how many calories, so this is an estimate.

-Drink plenty of water. It doesn't *have* to be filtered because the EPA requires the local tap water supply to meet high standards for cleanliness, but some people prefer to lower any possibility of contaminants.

-You shouldn't have a problem with rare steaks, although some doctors will advise against eating tuna steak very often due to the possiblity of mercury in the fish. Trim any excess fat off of your meat because the fat is where most of the chemicals your meat comes into contact with are stored.

-Work in about 3-5 ounces of 'good fats" into your diet each day. By 'good fats', I'm referring to mono- and polyunsaturated fats, not saturated or trans fats. The 'good fats' can be found in things like olives, olive oil, avocados and vegetable-based oils such as peanut and canola. Whole grains, nuts and seeds are also good. Again, this might have been what you did during your pregnancy, so it shouldn't be much of a 'stretch'.

-As usual, eat lots of fruits and vegetables. It's a good idea to get them from a local farmer's market or similar place because they usually don't have the pesticides and preservatives that might be added to 'shipped-in' foods. Plus, you will be helping out local growers. While it may not be possible to remove *all* traces of pesticides, wash your fruits and veggies the best that you can.

-If you want to lose your 'baby weight', don't start 'dieting' until your baby is at least two months old. Otherwise, your milk production could be affected and you could suffer from a lack of energy. Anyone who has been around a young baby knows that you're going to need all the energy you can get! Also, it's estimated that babies consume about 1,000 calories from their breast milk each day; that *alone* will probably help you lose weight.

Basically, eat what's healthy for *you*. It won't harm your baby if you 'slip up' and down the occasional bag of Cheetos, but it's best to keep on a healthy track. It's better for you in general and can help with any weight loss you are trying for.

For more information, visit
http://breastfeeding.about.com/od/breastfeedingbasics/a/nutritionalneed.htm
http://www.babycenter.com/0_diet-for-a-healthy-breastfeeding-mom_3565.bc
http://www.parents.com/baby/breastfeeding/basics/nutrition-tips-for-breastfeeding-moms/
http://kidshealth.org/parent/growth/feeding/breastfeed_eating.html#

What Shouldn't I Eat While Breastfeeding?

One of the first questions many women ask after giving birth is, 'What should I avoid while breastfeeding?' While every baby is different, here are some basic guidelines.

-Sometimes certain foods will make a baby 'gassy' or disrupt his/her sleep. If you notice this about any particular food, avoid it for a few days before introducing it back into your diet. That way, you have a better idea of the cause of the problem-that food or something else.

It's also possible that a baby may be intolerant or even allergic to something you're eating. If your baby seems to be in a lot of pain from gas, gets a rash, or has hard and/or bloody stools, check with your doctor.

-Caffeine. There's nothing wrong with a cup or two of coffee a day, but don't overdo it because it could disrupt your baby's sleep patterns. Ditto sodas, energy drinks and certain teas.

-Avoid artificial sweeteners such as aspartame and saccharin. Personally, I avoid them because I think they're disgusting, but your mileage may vary. :)

-There are a few types of fish that have a higher concentration of mercury, which isn't exactly good for *anyone*, let alone a baby. Swordfish, king mackerel and shark should be avoided. Canned tuna is usually fine in moderation-perhaps one or two cans a week.

You may also want to avoid shellfish because they are 'bottom-feeders'-in other words, they eat all the nasty stuff you'd find at the bottom of the ocean. Since some areas have more of a mercury or water pollution problem than others, check with your doctor. You might not always be able to know where your fish comes from, but I come from a coastal town where a lot of the fish in restaurants and grocery stores are caught by local fishermen. I love it, but your doctor might not. :) For more information, visit this site-http://www.breastfeeding-problems.com/fish-while-breastfeeding.html.

-Alcohol. This really should be obvious, but don't drink to excess. It's okay to have an occasional drink but, if you are planning to have more than one in a sitting, wait at least two hours per drink before nursing again. Two hours for one beer, four for two...you get the idea. Better yet, nurse your baby *before* you have that merlot. It's best to wait until your your baby has been on a 'pattern' for at least three months.

If you're going to a cocktail party or otherwise think you may want more than a couple of beers, you may want to 'pump it and dump it'-pump the milk and toss it out.

Of course, you could always store breast milk and give *that* to your baby.

-There are a lot of prescription drugs that you shouldn't take while breastfeeding, so talk to your doctors-all of them-to see if they can find any alternatives.

Essentially, you should remember that your baby 'eats' everything you do while breastfeeding. I'm not a doctor, though, so you're going to want to check with yours to see what is right for your particular baby.

For ideas on what you *should* eat, check out this post-http://www.momsnewbaby.com/2013/06/what-should-i-eat-while-breastfeeding.html

Home Essentials for a New Baby

How to Bond with Your Baby

7 Fun Baby Shower Games

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Are you in charge of the baby shower, but have no idea what to do? There's always the 'opening presents' part and the cute cake, but what if you want to add a bit of 'spirit' to the party? How can you cater to the mom-to-be's silly side while still keeping the 'baby' theme? Here are a few baby shower games that should have everyone laughing.

Toilet-paper diaper. Have you ever been to a bridal shower where they played 'toilet paper bridal gown'? Put a twist on it with 'toilet paper diaper'. Divide up in teams and give everyone five minutes to 'diaper up' one team member with toilet paper. Whoever comes up with the best of most creative 'diaper' in that time wins. Be sure to take plenty of pictures to put up on Facebook or use for 'blackmail'. :)

Chug, chug, chug. Put punch, beer or whatever in a baby bottle and see who can 'suck it dry' first.

PJ 'pop art'. Get a bunch of onesies and some puffy paint, paint pens, etc to decorate. Whoever makes the most creative onesie gets a prize. If you can't think of a prize, chocolate always works!

Baby belly relay race. Make a 'belly' out of a fanny pack or some other sling-like contraption. Divide up in teams and have a relay race. Instead of passing a baton, everyone has to pass and put on the 'belly'. This should be a lot of fun, especially considering that some of those fanny packs like to fall off!

Pin the baby on the mommy. Draw or blow up a picture of the mom to be and play 'pin the baby on the mommy', with the goal being the mom's belly. Give a prize to whoever gets closest. You could also use her arms as the goal or give a prize to whoever is farthest away.

Afternoon 'feeding'. If the shower is on a nice day, go outside and divide everyone up into teams of two. Give each person a disposable bib and a cup or applesauce, pudding or something else that can make a mess. Like a newly-married couple feeds each other the wedding cake that the same time, have each person 'spoon-feed' their partner. Whoever gets to the bottom of their cup wins. For a twist, you can give a time limit and give a prize to whichever team has gotten the messiest!

Don't say 'baby'. When each person arrives, give them a 'necklace' of clothespins or diaper pins to wear. For the entire party, everyone has to avoid saying the word 'Baby'. If anyone hears someone say the 'secret word', they call the person on it and take one of their pins. Be prepared for a lot of yelling and laughing! Give a prize to the person with the most pins at the end of the party. If you want, have everyone pin the diaper pins to their clothes so they have to walk around with little ducks or Mickey Mouse hanging from their shirts all afternoon!

As you can see, there are plenty of ways you can add a bit of silliness to any baby shower. Enjoy!

Newborn Sibling Jealousy:

All children, down deep, love to embrace and enjoy all the attention of their parents. So, when a new baby coming along is announced, many times the older child may not share your excitement. It mostly stems from the older child suddenly experiencing insecurities due to the fact that they really don’t know what to expect. They don’t know what the changes really will be and which ones will involve them.

Then, jealousy can show up. This can show as soon as you begin to put a nursery together. You are now suddenly spending time on a room that really has nothing to do with them at all. Of course, they want you to spend this time with them. The easiest way to get the older child prepared to have a sibling is by selling it to them. Present it to them as an opportunity to become a big brother or sister to someone. How exciting will that be? Tell them how they will be helping to teach the new little one all sorts of things from talking, to walking to playing baseball.

Always remember to include the older sibling in the planning of the new baby. Let them hear the names you are considering and always tell them any good news about the baby when you come home from your doctor visits. This child will, no doubt, need a little more attention throughout this time because once you have the new baby, your time will become a bit more limited. Getting on a good schedule now with the older child will help the transition of the new baby go much smoother.
It is exciting growing your family and it just takes a little extra patience to get everyone all on the same page with the new development. Another good idea is to have a certain time each week that is exclusively for the older child to go somewhere or do something with you. Then, continuing this after the baby is born shows the older child that you value him just like you did before the new baby arrived. This stability will help him to see that you have enough love for a bunch of kids, him included.

Lots of parents allow the older child to visit the baby as soon as it is born or be there for its birth. All decisions that are totally up to you as a family. It is also a nice idea for a grandparent to help by giving some extra attention to the older child, which will help to make him feel all the love from his family. Should this older child act out a bit, wet his pants like preschoolers may, etc., don’t be too alarmed it will soon pass as soon as you are back into some sort of regular family schedule. Adding to a family makes for an exciting time so just focus on the positive of it all and things will end up working themselves out.

Gift Ideas For A New Mom

Every new mother becomes instantly overwhelmed right after childbirth. Suddenly, everyone’s focus is, of course, on the baby and not on her or how her pregnancy is going anymore. Many friends and family automatically bring gifts to the home for new baby. From clothes to diapers to blankets. Within weeks their home is quickly full of such baby and nursery items.

Lately, and most probably due to the surge of post-partum depression, some new moms are receiving gifts specifically designed for them and not for the new baby. These gifts may include a spa day so that the new mom can go and relax at a local spa and enjoy the quiet and relaxing atmosphere that it offers. Another great gift idea is for a manicure and pedicure at a nearby salon. If you know where the new mom enjoys going, it’s a good idea to get a gift card to that business since she is already happy with their services. A new haircut is also a nice way for a new mom to start off fresh with being a parent. Since time will now be precious to her perhaps a look into an easier hair style is in order.

A gift that is free is offering a calendar that has pre-filled babysitting times for the next few months. You can easily ask some friends and family if they have an hour or two to spare to just sit and take care of the newborn enabling her to relax, catch up on laundry, or just write a few emails. Another really nice gift idea is to take her car (or minivan) to a local car wash and have it washed and vacuumed for her. Or to put together some fresh flower pots together for the entry area of her home. Little touches that she may not have time to even think about anymore. Calling and telling her you are sending dinner over for tomorrow is always a welcome and appreciated gift and it is one less thing that she needs to thing about during this time of adjustment.

A gift card to her favorite store for clothes would be a wonderful gift. She may not have any clothes that fit her the way she would like now so picking up something temporarily until she is allowed to exercise may lift her spirits, too. Wearing something new always makes one feel better. A gift card for her favorite restaurant and your offering to baby-sit would provide her and her husband a short time out and away to enjoy a relaxing dinner out. Sending her a subscription to her favorite magazine would be a welcoming surprise and also remind her how important it is to take a few moments each day for herself. Each month when she receives it she would be reminded of your thoughtfulness at such a busy time for her.

A really great gift but perhaps a little more costly is to pay a professional organizer to help her organize the nursery and the kitchen area now that her family has grown. She may be at a loss as to were to put everything for it’s ease of usage right now. This way she can start off on the right foot and have more time each day since her home will be all set up for the new little one.

Websites That Can Help You Save Money On Baby Items

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If I were to say that babies can be expensive, I doubt I'd get many arguments. Between diapers, bottles, cribs and car seats, taking care of your new little one can cost you a pretty penny. Times are tough for a lot of us, but even people who aren't having money problems at the moment can use some help paying for their new baby's expenses. I can't help with stuff like doctors' bills and vaccinations, but I can point you toward some good websites that can give you coupons and discounts on various baby items. You may have heard of them before, but it still pays to take a look.

Babycenter.com (http://www.babycenter.com/) is a very good site for new mothers in general, but they do have quite a few links that can help you save money on baby supplies. Not only do they have the usual coupons and free samples, they also link to offer sites that can give discounts on baby-related goods. I've seen deals and discounts on big things like car seats and bedding, in addition to smaller things like food and diapers. I've even seen links to sites about saving cord blood; I've never heard of this before, but it might be worth looking into. There's also a link to a site in Spanish, if that makes it easier for you.

Coolsavings.com (www.coolsavings.com/) is one of the most popular coupon sites on the internet, and for good reason! This site has insane amounts of deals on pretty much everything you can think of. There are printable grocery coupons, links for free samples, and deals specific to your particular location. They have a useful Babies and Kids section that not only gives you valuable coupons, but also links you toward informational sites and free offers. There's even a feature that allows you to compare prices on certain things so that you know which stores offer the best deals! Whichever feature you use, Coolsavings.com is a very useful site for any mother, new or not!

Swapbabygoods.com (www.swapbabygoods.com) is a different sort of savings site. Like Amazon.com, retailers and mothers will list items they have for sale. There is a section for coupons and gift cards, but I'm mentioning this site because it is a good place to look for used baby items like clothes, strollers and nursery furniture. Another good thing about this site is that you can list your items for sale once your baby grows out of them! This makes it a sort of 'win-win' for a new mother.

These are just a few of the websites you can visit to find deals on the things you will need for your new baby. Each site has its own way to print coupons, so you may have to download some special software. Another way you can save money is to visit the websites of particular companies- Gerber.com for baby food, Huggies.com for diapers, etc. These sites will often carry coupons and free-sample deals that you won't find elsewhere on the internet. Wherever deals you find, every little bit of savings can help. Good luck!

Baby Gifts Your New Mom Will Love:

When giving baby gifts, it is always a nice touch to include it into a basket of some sort. It is especially nice when it is a newborn baby gift because as a basket, it makes a really great presentation at the shower. If the mom-to-be does not want to know the sex of her baby ahead of time, you can always put together a unisex type of a newborn baby gift basket. It is, however, easier on you if you know ahead of time and can order or make up a newborn baby boy gift basket or one for a girl.

A newborn baby gift basket makes a wonderful gift for any new baby and their mothers too. A newborn is fun to shop for because they will need just about everything you see in the store or on the internet. Anything you pick, will no doubt, be a hit with the new mom and be needed for her newborn. It makes for a beautiful newborn baby gift basket if you pick one or two colors as part of a theme that will, perhaps, match the nursery that the parents have started for their newborn. So many newborn outfits, blankets, some form of patterned dining ware for infants and bedding all match making it very easy to compile a really pretty basket stuffed full of newborn baby gifts.

With the importance of the environment at this time, lots of companies now offer organic bedding, clothing, bottles, and diapers which can be a nice idea for a newborn baby gift basket. One new trend is those new parents that may prefer items manufactured in the USA, while others have no particular wishes so those gifts that have a manufacturer in China may work just fine for them. It’s always good to keep in mind preferences of the parents when purchasing gifts for their newborn.

Another good gift idea for a newborn baby gift basket is one of a financial nature. You could put together some small newborn gifts and then add things like a share of stock in Disney, Apple or Build-A-Bear. Included could also be a piggy bank with their name personalized on it. A savings bond would make a great addition to this type of newborn baby gift basket. A savings/financial type of newborn basket makes a great gift because it shows the parents that you already care about this child’s future because you are helping them to plan for it. A perk to it all, is that your savings bond gift and/or stock purchase will grow over the years for this special little newborn.

Recipes For Home-Made Baby Foods

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You're concerned about what 'additives' might be in commercial baby foods.

Your child has allergies or other special needs.

You have a picky eater on your hands.

You want to save money.

There are all kinds of reasons you might want to make your own baby food. Even if you do use commercial foods, sometimes it's just good to have some recipes on hand in case your baby 'suddenly' decides she no longer likes what you usually serve or you just want to give him something different. If you'd like an idea of what you can serve your baby from your cabinet, here are a few recipes.

Of course, you will want to check with your doctor to see if it's okay to introduce new foods or spices. The age ranges I've given are estimates; every baby is different.

Here's a recipe for baked apples that can easily be adapted for the rest of the family. For everyone else, just skip the last step.

Baked Apples (usually appropriate for 4-6 mos)

Preheat the oven to 350 F.

For each serving, pick a sweet apple. Gala and Red Delicious are my favorites, but you can use any sweet variety. Wash it and remove the core (but not the skin, that comes later). You will want to keep the rest of the apple in one piece, so use a thin knife or melon baller. Now, put the apple on a sheet of aluminum foil and sprinkle cinnamon over it put raisins in the core. Some people add some honey or maple syrup to counteract the tartness of the raisins, but that's up to you. Now, tightly wrap the apple in the foil and bake until tender, about 45 minutes. When you take it out of the oven, let it cool, remove the skin and puree or mash.

Here's a mild and easy-to-make veggie recipe for babies 6-9 mos old.

'Caulitatoes'

3 medium-sized yellow potatoes

2 cups cauliflower florets

1 tbsp unsalted butter.

First, steam the cauliflower until tender, about 5-6 minutes. While that's going on, peel the potatoes and cut into ½ chunks. Then, add potatoes to a pot of water and bring to a rolling boil until tender, about 10 minutes. Then, add the potatoes, cauliflower, butter and ¼ cup of the boiling water to a food processor or blender and whip until smooth.

For your baby's breakfast:

Fast and Fruity Oatmeal (usually 6-9 mos.)

8 fluid ounces (1 cup) of water, milk or breast milk

½ cup oatmeal

½ cup mashed or chopped fruit, whichever your baby likes best

¼ tsp. cinnamon

Put the oatmeal, cinnamon and whichever liquid you're using into a large bowl and microwave until thickened, usually about 3 minutes on High. Mash or chop the fruit, add to cooled oatmeal and stir.

As you can see, it's not very difficult or expensive to make baby food at home. Like I said before, my timeframes are estimates; ask your doctor before starting your baby on a new food.
For more recipes, see http://www.homemade-baby-food-recipes.com/index.html and http://www.nurturebaby.com/index.php/recipes.

Weird baby products

Anyone who's ever been to a discount or grocery store knows that there is an insane amount of baby products out there. What's more, most of us probably don't even know what half of them are. For instance, exactly what is a Diaper Genie used for? Am I the only one who laughs when she sees a diaper rash cream named 'Bordeaux's Butt Paste'? However odd I might find these things, these are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to over-the-top, weird baby products. They have their uses but, most of the time, they're just good for a laugh. Here are some of the stranger products I've seen.

• Play-Doh Cologne Spray. Because nothing makes you feel more like a woman than smelling like a child's modeling clay.
• Baby Bum Fan. While I understand the principle behind this-avoiding diaper rash by making sure the baby is completely dry before putting on a fresh diaper-, this looks more like a gag gift to me.
• Time-Out Pad. I get that you want to make sure your child stays put when in 'time-out', but doesn't using a monitor that lights up and makes noises that make 'time-out' fun kind of defeat the purpose?
• Battery-Operated Nasal Aspirator.  I'd be creeped out if someone tried to aspirate my nose with something that makes noise and vibrates. Imagine how a baby would feel?
• Zaky Infant Pillow. A pillow that looks like disembodied hands-now that's just creepy. I understand that a baby who falls asleep in your hands might wake up when you leave, but this just looks weird.
• Baby High Heels. I suppose it's good if your pretty little girl learns how to walk in heels early on, but first she's got to learn how to walk, period.
• Baby Bangs. When I saw a 'commercial' for Baby Toupees on Saturday Night Live, I thought the idea was too ridiculous to be true. Oops. I was wrong. Besides, wouldn't the kid just throw them on the floor like my nephews did with their hats? $29.99 is a lot for what might eventually amount to littering.
• NoseFrida Snot Sucker. The description on the website tells you why this is weird better than I ever could. I just hope the filter stays on.
• BabyKeeper Hanging Harness. I can appreciate the concept, definitely. Sometimes you really have to go and don't have a choice but to take your baby into the stall with you. I also think some babies won't have a problem with it, but I can't imagine what it would be like to have to put a fussy baby into one of those things while you're crossing your legs to keep from peeing in your pants.

As you can see, there are all kinds of products for babies and kids out there that make even the most 'baby-savvy' people we know scratch their heads. If nothing else, I hope I've given you your laugh for the day!

Does your baby have food allergies? How can you tell?

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For whatever reason, we seem to be hearing more and more stories about kids getting sick or dying because of food allergies. In fact, one such incident happened at a restaurant I worked in when the waiter accidentally grabbed the wrong bowl of macaroni and cheese and served it to a child with a gluten allergy. The child recovered because he received emergency care in time, but it could have been a lot worse. I hope you won't have to deal with this, but here are some things you should know about food allergies.

While it's possible for any food to cause a reaction, here are some common culprits.

• Milk
• Eggs
• Nuts (almonds, walnuts, etc)
• Peanuts
• Fish
• Shellfish
• Soy
• Wheat (which is where gluten comes in)

While you might not be planning on feeding solid foods to your baby for some time now, it's still possible to come into contact with allergens if the food or formula is packaged at the same facility.

It's important to be able to tell the difference between an intolerance and an allergy. An intolerance means that your child has problems processing certain foods. For instance, people with lactose intolerance tend to get gassy, cramp up or vomit when they drink milk. It usually takes a good amount of it to cause a problem. There are also lactose-free milks and formulas. With allergies, however, the reaction is much more extreme to the point that the body treats the allergen as though it were a threatening bacteria. Just a tiny amount can cause reactions that include:

• dizziness or fainting
• feeling of anxiety or restlessness
• swelling of the tongue, face, lips or eyes
• trouble breathing
• eczema, hives and/or flushing of the skin
• diarrhea, nausea and vomiting

One problem with food allergies is that the reactions can be subtle at first. Symptoms like eczema, vomiting or diarrhea can be mistaken for something else, but allergic reactions can get progressively worse with repeated exposure. Also, babies with food allergies may have problems with growth or development. If your baby has any sort of reaction to a food or has other problems that can't be otherwise explained, see the doctor and ask about testing for allergies. The chances of a child having a food allergy are higher if you or the child's father have them.

If your baby does turn out to be allergic to a food, here are some steps you can take to prevent a possible fatal reaction.

• If your baby is having problems breathing or experiences any swelling, call 911 immediately.
• Your doctor may suggest carrying around an Epi-pen or dose of Benadryl wherever you go.
• Be an obsessive label reader! Like I said earlier, things you wouldn't expect to have certain ingredients can still cause a reaction if they are processed at the same place as an allergen. Also, be very careful about the ingredients you use when you cook.
• Nurse exclusively for six months if possible. If you do breastfeed, avoid whichever food your child is or may be allergic to yourself to prevent your baby from being exposed through breast milk.

These are just a few things to think about if you think your baby may have a food allergy. As always, your doctor can give you more information.

How To Get Your Pet Ready For A Baby:

Wondering how your pet will do when the new baby arrives? Chances are your beloved canine or feline already knows something is up. Mom’s belly is getting bigger, the house is getting rearranged, there are all kinds of new smells… diapers and Desitin… baby blankets and bottles… and what’s the deal with all these stuffed animals? Pets pick up on hormonal changes as well, so there’s a good chance your dog or cat knew you were pregnant even before you did. Still, you are going to want to make preparations in order to ensure a happy homecoming for your baby.

Don’t wait until the third trimester to get things ready with your pet. Once you know you’re expecting, there are a number of things you can start with right away.

Obedience Training

No, not your husband. If you haven’t already done this kind of work, you’ve got the next nine months to break your pet of any bad habits. Focus on problem behaviors such as mouthing, jumping, possessiveness, fear, or anxiety. If you’re not sure how to work with your pet on your own, seek help from an animal behaviorist. Consider enrolling in a training class with your dog - this will help with obedience and enhance the bond between the two of you. Remember, your dog’s behavior is controllable while your baby’s is not for the first few years (though there are reports that this can extend well into the teenage and even adult years).

Baby Practice

Invite friends with babies over to your home so that your pet can get used to the sounds, smells, and sights of children. You can use a rocking chair, turn on the mechanical swing, play tapes of 'baby noises' such as crying and even practice holding a baby doll in order to accustom your pet to the upcoming routine.

Sleeping Arrangements

If you allow your dog or cat to sleep on your bed, think about whether or not this will continue once the baby comes. Your pet looks to you for stability and consistency. If you suddenly decide that the bed is off limits because the baby is there sometimes, you will create anxiety and possible resentment in your pet. A gradual transition to a pet bed is a better way to go.

Health

Take your dog or cat for an annual wellness exam before the baby comes. This way you will be able to address any particular health problems while your life is still relatively controlled. Spay or neuter if you haven’t already done so - fixed pets tend to have fewer health problems and are generally less aggressive.

How To Care For Baby's Laundry~

Having a baby just about always means increased laundry. Because of spit-up, diaper “blow outs,” and babies’ general inability to control anything from coming out, you may find yourself changing baby’s clothes several times a day. New parents quickly learn not to leave the house without a change of clothes for their baby. As your baby grows, laundry needs don’t go away. Potty-training accidents and other stain-intensive events mean that extra laundry is going to be around for a while! So what’s the best way to wash baby’s clothes? Does it matter what detergent you use? Following are some tips on how to launder baby clothes, and what soap is said to be best. 

 Don’t Fear the Dryer 

Some moms are afraid the dryer will ruin their baby’s clothes, but once your baby arrives, you will find the dryer is your friend! In fact, the dryer tends to make baby’s clothes softer, and it will help remove excess lint, dust, or pet hair from the clothes. Another plus is the germ-killing effect of a hot dryer on clothes that were soiled before being washed.

 Sunlight Can Help 

While the dryer is your friend, hanging some clothes out can really help “bleach” out stains and kill germs. This is said to be especially true for cloth diapers. You might want to run them through the dryer for a while, then take them out while still damp and hang them in the sun. Soaking Moms often recommend tossing baby’s soiled clothes in a bucket of water into which you’ve stirred OxiClean powder. Then the powder can work on the stains and you can put off the laundry for a bit. This especially helps with spit-up and/or poop stains. 

 Do You Need Special Soap? 

It depends on whom you ask. Some moms say it makes no difference; they just toss their baby’s clothes in with the rest of the family’s laundry. Other moms whose babies have sensitive skin make sure to use only detergents formulated for sensitive baby skin. The problem seems to be that the delicate stuff doesn’t remove stains. Here’s an idea for a compromise – if you’re using the gentle detergent, try soaking in OxiClean as described above before washing with the delicate soap. And if your baby does not have sensitive skin, you may not need any special detergent at all. 

 Mesh Bag 

Here’s a tip for keeping tiny baby socks, hats, and other tiny bits of apparel from getting lost in the washer. Put baby’s clothes into a mesh laundry bag (such as one might use for lingerie) and toss it in with the rest of the laundry. This will keep everything together.