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Breast feeding Tips

Feeling frazzled with breastfeeding? You’re not alone. Review our tips for success.

The first few weeks of breastfeeding can be very challenging for a new mom. Here are a few tips to help you succeed:

- Choose a comfortable place to nurse. Sit back, rest your head and neck and use a foot rest to enhance your comfort. Comfort is key since you will be in this position for some time.

- Have a glass of water handy and any other item that you may need during this time such as a snack, telephone or magazine.

- Use a nursing pillow or regular pillow to help position your baby.

- Place your baby in the desired breastfeeding position BEFORE attempting to latch your baby to your breast.

- Make sure that your baby is comfortable in this position.

- When enticing your baby to open his/her mouth, move your nipple in an up-to-down motion, stimulating your baby from the nose down to the chin.

- Place some manually expressed breast milk (or formula if no breast milk is available) directly onto your nipple to help entice your baby to latch.

- For a sleepy baby, try waking your baby by:

- Rubbing your baby’s back along his/her spine.

- Tickling your baby’s feet.

- Removing blankets, clothes and hat. Babies love to sleep when they are cozy and warm.

- Wipe your baby’s face and chest with a cool, damp cloth.

- Change to a football hold or in an upright position so your baby isn’t snuggling into you.

- If all else fails, put your baby near your breasts skin-to-skin with you and give your baby another 30 minutes to an hour to wake up and get hungry. The skin-to-skin contact keeps your baby close to you, smelling your scent and helps to stimulate your milk.

- Breastfeeding may be uncomfortable at the very beginning, but the pain should ease after the first couple of minutes. If it doesn’t, your baby may not be latched properly. Take your baby off of the breast, making sure to break his/her seal with your finger first, and then try again.

- A nipple shield may be helpful in assisting your baby to latch in the first week. Once good breastfeeding has been established, stop using the shield.

- Wait to offer a bottle or pacifier until good breastfeeding has been established. Bottles are much easier for babies to remove milk from. This could potentially cause your baby to prefer the easy bottle instead of your breast which is more work.

- Many breastfeeding moms are concerned that their baby is not getting enough milk. It is true that in the first few days, you will only be producing drops of colostrum. Colostrum, although low in quantity, is very high in quality. Colostrum is rich in protein and low in fat and sugar.

- A good guide for assessing adequate intake is if your baby is sleeping 2-3 hours between feeds, is stooling and is having 6-8 wet diapers a day.

- Keep a chart of the time your baby fed, the length of the feeding, the breast you started with and if your baby had a wet or poopy diaper. This is especially useful if you have more than one baby.

- You may find it helpful to use a bracelet or similar item to place on the arm that corresponds to the breast that you started your feeding session with.

- Still having problems? Seek out assistance from a lactation consultant in your area.

With patience, practice and time, breastfeeding your baby will become second nature. Don’t give up….you can do it!

Babies 411 is an on-line information and resource center for parents. This site has been developed by a neonatal intensive care nurse with the sole purpose of promoting the health, safety, and well-being of all babies.

Article Source: Breast feeding Tips

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Finding Baby Shower Gifts For The Upcoming Infant

Planning a baby shower for an expectant friend can make a memorable gift for her. In anticipation of the upcoming new member of the family, baby showers are usually thrown a couple of months before the due date. There is actually no strict rules on when is the perfect time to hold a baby shower. Having it before or after the baby is born are both acceptable. One of the most significant things that a mom-to-be look forward to are the baby shower gifts.

To welcome a new baby in world, giving gifts is what the family and friends would like to do. Shopping baby shower gifts is fun. There is a wide variety of baby items and accessories in different colors, sizes, designs and styles to choose from. You can give any baby supplies, from consumable products to playful things. However, choosing the best baby shower gift is not always easy. So to help you choose, check out the following gift options for babies:

Go practical. Think of the basic items that the infant will need frequently, such as baby care products, wipes, diapers and other stuff. These essential supplies can be presented inside a nice gift basket. You can think of other practical items for babies that moms can’t live without these days. This gift idea is usually highly appreciated by moms, keeping them making them safe from buying plenty of baby needs until a few months.

However, if you want your baby shower gift to be playful, then think of safe and healthy toys. Ideal toys for babies are those that help stimulate babies’ minds. Choose educational toys that produce sounds or those that move. You may also consider toys that can be mounted on the baby crib. There is an immeasurable choices of playful gifts to choose from, but make sure to choose items that will help enhance the mind development of the child.

Consider useful gifts for mom, too. Thinking of gifts that can aid a new mom is definitely an excellent idea. Her new life as a mom will not always be easy. So to ease her burden, consider useful items that she can use as soon as her baby arrives. The choices include a baby carrier, stroller, diaper bag, baby monitor, breastfeeding pad and others. These items will somehow help her caring her new little bundle of joy without stressing herself too much.

These are just few baby shower gifts to choose from. You can research for more interesting baby shower ideas online.Personalized baby gifts and other unique gift options are becoming very popular these days. Any item can be personalized with the baby’s name, initial, date of birth, or even a sweet personal message. If you are planning a baby shower, there are also plenty of shower accessories that you can find via the Internet. There are so many online stores these days that specialize on baby parties and are offering essential party supplies such as baby shower favors, invitations, games, party decors and the etc.

Jnet is an author for a variety of lifestyle issues and topics including weddings. If you’re looking for baby shower decorations, visit the website Prettybabygifts.com and browse their extensive collection. Find baby shower invitations more online!

Article Source: Finding Baby Shower Gifts For The Upcoming Infant

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Tips for Stretch Mark Prevention

There is nothing more exciting than getting the results back from a pregnancy test and knowing you are a pregnant. For a first time expectant mother, the news can be both exciting and scary. If you’ve had children before you will know that your body will go through a lot of different changes. As a new mom, you probably have read about changes you will experience and how to keep yourself healthy. One change that almost every mother will go through during their pregnancy is getting stretch marks.

Stretch marks occur in 50 to 90 percent of all pregnancies. They start to show on your stomach around the six month of your pregnancy. The skin stretches as your baby grows. Fare skinned women are more susceptible to stretch marks, and they are also hereditary. If your mom or sister got them, you probably will too. However, there are some things you can do to prevent stretch marks and keep your skin looking good and healthy. Here are some tips you should follow for stretch mark prevention.

It is important to make sure your skin stay pretty elastic so that it can stretch as your baby grows. One way to maintain elasticity is to drink a lot of water. Not only will this keep your skin in great condition, but it is important to stay hydrated for the health of you and your baby.

In addition to drinking lots of water, you should also eat healthy foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals. Natural foods that contain a lot of vitamins are fruits, vegetables, and leafy green vegetables. Eating these types of foods will provide proper nutrition, keep weight gain down, and will keep your skin healthy as well. One way of preventing stretch marks is to avoid rapid weight gain. You will gain weight during your pregnancy, but keep the pounds in healthy range which is 25 to 35 pounds.

Keeping your skin moisturized is imperative in preventing stretch marks. Your skin can become dry and itchy, but try your best not to scratch as this can cause stretch marks. Most pregnant women prefer to use lotions with cocoa butter in them, but there are other types of oils and lotions you can use. Lotions or oils used with emu oil are great to use. Oils, such as belly oils or eczema oil, that contain ingredients such as kukui nut oil, premium emu oil, jojoba oil, and coconut oil will prevent stretch marks, minimize existing stretch marks, ease dry, itchy skin, hasten the healing of hemorrhoids and minimizes scarring.

These stretch mark prevention tips are easy to follow and manage. Using these tips can minimize the amount of stretch marks you may get or prevent them all together from appearing. Enjoy your pregnancy, stay healthy, and stay happy.

Melanie Nader is the founder of the Homestead Company which makes premium quality natural skin care products including eczema oil and diaper ointment made with the finest 100% natural ingredients. For more information, visit http://www.homesteadcompany.com.

Article Source: Tips for Stretch Mark Prevention

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A New Mom’s Guide to Thriving with a New Baby

It was 18 years ago when I brought home my first baby from the hospital. I’ll never forget the day. It was July 2, 1991 and I slowly walked out of the hospital with no shoes because my ankles were so swollen. Feeling the pain of my episiotomy, I placed my son Kai in a car seat we borrowed from a friend. It wasn’t an infant car seat like the ones we have today, so the huge car seat swallowed up all 6 pounds, 14 ounces of him. Looking at his tiny body all scrunched up, and thinking about how I had already failed him, I burst into tears. It could have been the hormones, or the unrealistic expectations I placed on myself to be a good mom. And the tears were no doubt a reaction to the fear I felt as I was about to embark on an unknown journey. A journey, that no doubt, was one I took very seriously. After all, I would be responsible for the care and development of a new life – my baby.
Since then, I have raised my first son, and have eight years into my second boy. With this experience, and the years of coaching moms at various stages of motherhood, I’ve learned a few things about what it takes for a new mom to not just survive, but thrive with her new baby. Below are 10 tips you can use to make your experience as a new mom positive, healthy and enjoyable:

Sleep Whenever You Can
When you are sleeping, your body is working to correct chemical imbalances, assure proper blood sugar levels for the next day and maintain memory. A lack of sleep results in reduced energy, diminished moods and a weakened immune system. Because your baby is waking up a lot to feed, your sleep is disrupted. While you may be tempted to concentrate on getting things done while your baby sleeps, it is equally important that you sleep while your baby sleeps. Take naps whenever you can and go to bed early. If you are breastfeeding, store extra milk so Dad can take a few middle of the night feedings or give you a break on the weekends while you rest.

Slow Down and Simplify Your Life
While you get adjusted to your new life with a baby, consider cutting back on the number of commitments you place on yourself. Dr. Brent W. Bost, an obstetrician-gynecologist says “there are sixty million women in America who are so overscheduled and overstressed that it affects their physical health.” He identifies this phenomenon as The Hurried Woman Syndrome and reports that many of the “avoidable stresses are those that come from a busy, hectic schedule and lifestyle choices that many of us have embraced as completely ‘normal’.” Look for ways to simplify life and minimize stress for you and your baby.

Adjust Your Expectations
It doesn’t matter if this baby is your first, second or third, a new baby brings with it a time of transition. I know you want to be a great mom, and that is certainly an admirable goal, but a great mom is not a perfect mom. You don’t have to follow all the rules perfectly. Do what feels right to you. Your baby doesn’t care whether the house is perfectly clean, or whether or not she has the coolest toys or cutest outfits. She just needs love, food and sleep. Come together as a family and adjust your expectations. Focus on what is most important to you in this phase of your life, and accept that you’re in a period of learning and adjustment.

Ask for and Accept Lots of Support
Asking for and accepting help as a new mom, or a mom in any phase of motherhood, is not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of strength. Put together a team of people that can help you with the house, the children, the errands or with anything that takes a load off your shoulders. Most important, do not feel guilty for needing help. There are plenty of people who are more than willing to jump in and support you. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for my mom friends, including laundry and babysitting their children. Your time will come when you can give back to other moms by being a source of support for them.

Up to Date Parenting Information
We are blessed as moms today with a wealth of free information pertaining to every topic imaginable. There are community forums for moms to interact, share stories and gather ideas. Having access to up to date parenting information increases our confidence and reduces worry. It is okay to use the books, pediatricians and older moms to gain knowledge. And it’s equally okay for you to trust your gut. A mother’s intuition is strong. But I think one of the most important gifts we get from educating ourselves and staying connected to knowledge is validation. It’s comforting to know we are not alone, and other moms and children experience the same thing we are going through.

Spend Time with Other New Moms
Isolation is not healthy. Get out of the house or get away from your job and make time to connect with other new moms. Use your time together to enjoy each other and share funny stories. Avoid comparing your babies or yourselves, but instead do something fun and creative. You can join a moms club, start a playgroup, participate in a book discussion or just hang out and socialize over a cup of coffee. Getting out and connecting with other moms breaks up the monotony of everyday life and gives you something to look forward to.

Manage and Accept Your Emotions
It took you nine months to conceive and deliver your new baby, and it’s going to take some time for your body and hormones to readjust. Mood swings are normal for new moms, but it’s still important to talk about your feelings. Don’t judge yourself if you are feeling angry or sad. Instead take a few moments to talk with a friend or journal about what is going on inside. Fighting with your emotions only causes you to get stuck emotionally – going with the flow allows you to release your feelings and move forward. If you have a chronic feeling of depression or anger, don’t hesitate to seek help.

Exercise Your Body
Exercise is one of the best natural antidepressants on the market. Not only will exercise help you get your pre-baby body back, but it will boost your energy, release stress, and increase endorphins (the “feel good” hormones) in your brain. Take your baby for brisk walks. Join a health club that has a kid center. Do yoga with your baby. Partner with your husband so both mom and dad can get in shape and model healthy living for your new baby.

Take Time Alone to Nurture Yourself
Do you remember who you were before you became a mom? If not, it’s time to reconnect with that woman again. So many moms abandon important parts of their “self” in the process of motherhood. While it may seem like you are tending to the needs of your children and being a good mom, it will eventually catch up to you and manifest itself in irritability and impatience. Make regular time to stay connected to what makes you happy. Enjoy your hobbies and give yourself permission to hang out with “you”.

Romance with Your Husband
There is no doubt romance becomes more challenging after that first baby arrives. A family without a healthy marriage is not a healthy family. While a crying baby can be demanding, dad will feel abandoned if the baby moves in for all the attention. You need time too to reconnect with the man who helped you bring your new baby into the world. Find a reliable babysitter you can trust and schedule a date night once or twice a month. Not only will this nurture your marriage, but it gives your children a great example of what it means to be happily married.

A new baby brings great joy to a new mom. Choose to thrive, instead of survive, and make this time of your life a positive and healthy experience for everyone. And go kiss some baby toes.

Lori Radun is a certified life coach for moms and the founder of Momnificent! For a wealth of free resources for the modern mom, and to join her community of magnificent moms, visit www.momnificent.com.

Article Source: A New Mom’s Guide to Thriving with a New Baby

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The Baby Bedding Challenges

Having a baby is the most wonderful experience a woman can have as it is a fulfillment of the biological function of the female species. After the giving birth process, the real work begins. Feeding bottles, diaper changes, immunization records are just a few of the things the new mom have to learn quickly. And one important thing to consider in the arrival of the baby is the kind of baby bedding he or she will use. According to Dr. Mark Brandenburg (http://www.baby-place.com/crib_safety.html), the number one rule to follow in choosing the right baby bedding for your precious infant is safety. The second rule says safety and the third rule emphasizes safety. We are to conclude that it is not enough to say it, it must be emphasized that baby bedding is critical for the comfort of the baby.

In his article on how to find the perfect baby bedding, it must be neither too hard nor too soft. In the past, sudden infant death syndrome or SIDS was attributed to very soft baby bedding. This happened when the baby’s mattress is too soft that his nose and mouth gets covered and the air he exhales is the air he breathes. This is dangerous for him since he would breath carbon dioxide rather than oxygen and the effects could lead to drowsiness, coma or even death.

There are a lot of styles and makes in choosing the baby’s bed. And with that, it follows that the baby bedding must be a perfect fit with the chosen equipment. The three major selections are: a bassinet, a crib or a cradle. What differentiates one from the other? A bassinet is an oblong-shaped basket that serves as a bed for an infant. But sometimes, round bassinets are also available. A crib is a bed that is flanked with high side bars for a baby or young child’s safety. Cribs are usually more economical since the baby can use it from infancy to two years. While a cradle is a small low bed that an infant uses that has rockers on its stand. In all these, the material used to make the equipment should alert and signal to the mom how much safety precautions are needed.

Bassinets are usually lacey and full of trimmings. The baby bedding must fit the bassinet so that the baby’s space is enough for him or her to be able to roll from side to side. The crib is usually square, thus, mattresses can be fitted to the size of the crib. The baby bedding usually is a set of coverlet and small pillows. Hotdog pillows can also be placed inside. However, the pillows should not be more than two or three lest the baby can stand on them and could fall over. The cradle can come in various sizes and shapes. Some moms prefer cradles so that when the baby is cranky, he or she can be rocked to be calmed down. The baby bedding for a cradle should follow the shape of it. Not much can be placed inside it since it is used mainly to rock the baby to sleep. However, one need not the three to keep the baby safe, warm and secure. One will do and this would depend on the parent’s preference. The most preferred would be the crib since it can be used for a long time.

Now that we’ve covered the basic equipment, how do we furnish it with baby bedding? We have already established that the baby bedding should fit the sleeping equipment to avoid accidents and other untoward incidents. The most suitable material to use is cotton as it is absorbent and cool to the baby’s skin. Different designs must be used to stimulate the baby’s color and pattern recognition. Therefore, the baby bedding is a crucial factor in keeping the baby happy and healthy.

http://onebabycenter.com

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Article Source: The Baby Bedding Challenges

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Organic Gifts for a New Mom

A goal in life for many women is to have children, and once they do all their dreams come true. It is a joyous occasion for all friends and family members in the new baby’s life. Moms are filled with unconditional and endless love for the little life they welcomed into the world. It is a time for thanks that such a beautiful life was born to loving parents. It is also a time for relaxation and bonding with your newborn baby and your significant other. Giving some relaxing organic gifts such as lotions and candles for a new mom to use is a great way for her to relax and enjoy her time at home. Here are some organic gift ideas to give a new mom.

Making a basket full of foot spa necessities is perfect. Their feet may still be swollen from carrying their baby for 9 months. Soaking their feet in warm water with organic oils with lavender or peppermint scents would be a great relaxation method. Including a pumice scrub stone would be smart because she, or someone else, could scrub the dead skin off which will make her feet soft. It can feel very ticklish or relaxing and sometimes both. In addition to using a pumice stone, using a foot scrub will also make her feet soft. Organic foot scrubs heal dry skin and replenish moisture because they are made with organic shea butter and dead sea salt. Foot lotions have a great peppermint or eucalyptus smell usually and are made organically. They smell nice and are very relaxing.

You could also give a gift that was for the mom and the new baby. If you assemble a gift basket or package, be sure to use all organic products because babies’ skin is so sensitive that products with chemicals in them could be irritating. Lotions for adults can contain synthetic materials which can make she skin more dry which can lead to eczema or an increase in eczema flare ups. What should you include in your gift for a baby and a new mom? I would include some type of eczema oil. Eczema is common with babies and the oil can be used on any type of dry skin or as a preventative measure. Baby wipes can cause diaper rash, and a great alternative would be to use an organic baby wipe companion. You could include an assortment of baby and mom lotions and oils.

If the new mom doesn’t like foot scrubs or lotions, you could give regular lotions or skin care products. Plumeria or cucumber body butters are soft and smell good. After taking a relaxing bath, which every ne mom has been dying to do for 9 months, they can moisturize with the organic body butter. Instead of giving foot scrub, you can give her body scrubs instead which don’t smell like peppermint. The body scrubs will remove any dry or dead skin and leave the skin feeling fresh and moisturized. Any type of natural skin care product will moisturize and make her skin look beautiful and glowing. If the product isn’t organic, her skin may be left feeling more dry or irritated.

Melanie Nader is the founder of the Homestead Company which makes premium quality natural skin care products including eczema oil and diaper ointment made with the finest 100% natural ingredients. For more information, visit http://www.homesteadcompany.com.

Article Source: Organic Gifts for a New Mom

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Baby Gift Ideas That Sure To Be A Hit During Baby Showers

Finding the right gift for someone close to you is both challenging and rewarding. Challenging because you want only the best for your recipient, and finding such is not always easy. You will then feel rewarded after you have found and presented the right one, making your recipient happy and delighted. It is a one of kind feeling to bring smile on your recipient’s face, not to mention she is expecting a baby – double the fun!

Giving gift to someone who is expecting a baby is a thoughtful gesture to show how much love and care you have for her. It is another way to welcome the baby as well. It has been a tradition to give shower gifts to the mom-to-be, which she can use as soon as the little bundle of joy arrives. When giving baby gifts to an expectant mom, there are several things you have to keep in mind in order to come up with the right one. It is important to be a bit meticulous because both the mom-to-be and her baby deserves something that is of good quality and most especially from the heart.

If your recipient is a new mom, then she will likely need almost everything. Think of essential baby items that an infant will need on his/her first few months. Newborn clothes, blankets, socks, bibs, burp cloths, wash cloths, baby bottles, hats, diapers, baby bath supplies and the likes are among the basic ones you can present at the shower. Nearly all of these items are consumable, making practical presents for a new mom.

Baby gifts doesn’t need to be too lavish, however, need to be in good quality. If you are on a tight budget, it is okay to buy cheap items, provided it doesn’t look like literally “cheap.” There are ways on how to save money on baby shower gifts. Read your local papers and check if there’s any mall sale going on. Perfect timing of shopping gives you a chance to avail good discounts on baby items, products and accessories.

Another important thing when shopping baby shower presents is to consider the baby’s sex. Check the invitation to know the details of the shower. Baby shower invites usually indicate information about the upcoming child as well as the gift registry where she registered. There are gender-neutral options if in case the mom-to-be wants to keep the gender secret. Gender-neutral gifts come in neutral colors such as white, yellow, green and red.

An alternative way to shop for baby gift is by ordering online. Internet savvy people are enjoying the benefit of online shopping these days. The Internet is a huge source of almost everything! You can easily find various kinds of gifts, including adorable gifts for babies such as baby gift baskets, personalized clothes, blankets, nursery furniture and etc. Also, if you want to be the host the shower, finding and purchasing baby shower favors, invitations, decorations, games and other shower supplies can easily be done online.

Jnet is an author for a variety of lifestyle issues and topics including weddings. If you’re looking for personalized baby gifts, visit the website Prettybabygifts.com and browse their extensive collection. Find christening gifts more online!

Article Source: Baby Gift Ideas That Sure To Be A Hit During Baby Showers

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How To Plan The Perfect Baby Shower

Even the most inexperienced host can plan the perfect baby shower – all it takes is a little thought and organization.

In a moment of spontaneity you agreed to throw a shower for a special mom-to-be, but now you are questioning your sanity, tossing and turning at night wondering how you will ever pull it off. Well, there is no need to panic! By using a simple planning guide or checklist, giving yourself plenty of time to prepare, and enlisting the help of others, you can host an event that is both memorable and enjoyable.

Plan the Guest List: Determining how many people you need or want to invite will influence many other decisions such as location and menu. Will your baby shower be a small, intimate gathering of close friends or will it be a larger affair including family, coworkers, and neighborhood acquaintances? In some cases, you may want to check with the grandmothers-to-be or other friends to make sure no one is left out.

Choose a date, time, and location: Will the shower be before or after the baby is born? While many moms-to-be appreciate getting some of the necessities ahead of time, hosting a party after the baby is born is a great way to introduce the new bundle of joy to family and friends. If you choose to plan your shower before the baby is born, remember to select a day that is at least two months prior to the due date to avoid the possibility of early labor. If you prefer to wait until after baby arrives, remember to ask the new mom what time of day is best. Of course, the size of the guest list will determine the location. You can host the party in your own home, a tea room, restaurant, or choose to rent a larger facility such as a banquet hall or community center.

Choose a theme: When you want to plan the perfect baby shower, choosing a theme will give your event that unique and personal touch, and have guests believing that you are a party expert. You could choose something as simple as following the same color scheme as the nursery, or a more elaborate theme such as an around-the-clock shower or a tea party. You may wish to choose a Mother Goose or Fairy Tale theme and ask each guest to bring a book for the new baby; or possibly incorporate a Toy Story theme where everyone brings a new toy. Once you have determined a theme, choosing decorations and invitations will be much easier.

Invitations: It only takes a few minutes at the computer to find the perfect baby shower invitation to match any theme. If time or computer skills are an issue, most local department stores carry a large selection of party invitations at reasonable prices. Along with date, time, and location, remember to include any specifics such as baby’s gender (if known), gift registries, party theme, and method of RSVP. You should also decide on the most efficient way to manage replies – whether by mail, email, or phone – and keep a list of the responses received.

Decorations: Again, for the professional look, have decorations follow a specific color scheme or theme. If you are creative, you could make centerpieces and balloon bouquets, or for the less artistic, you could visit a local party store and purchase everything you need. If you choose a restaurant or tea room as your location, remember to check with management to find out what they will allow you to bring or what they are able to provide. To save money and accomplish two jobs at once, choose decorations that can also be used as party favors and thank you gifts, such as chocolate bouquets, fresh cut flowers, candle holders, or picture frames.

Games: Games are a vital part of any shower because they help people relax and encourage socializing. There are many options to choose from such as printable games, physically active games, group activities, and individual challenges and quizzes; however, venue and party size will be major considerations when making your selections. Keep prizes simple by using easy to find items like baby-shaped candy, soap, small bottles of hand lotion, or chocolate.

Menu: Perhaps the most stressful part of planning any party is deciding on the menu. The size of the party, the time of day, and the atmosphere you wish to create are important factors to consider when deciding on what food to serve. Do you want a brunch with soufflés and fruit, an afternoon tea with fancy sandwiches and pastries, a full course sit down meal, or a buffet of finger foods? Will guests be able to sit at tables or will they be balancing plates on their knees? If you will be preparing all of the food yourself, try to choose items that can be made ahead of time so that you know everything is in order before the guests arrive and you can focus on playing host/hostess. If you will be ordering some of the menu in, remember to order well ahead of time so you can relax, knowing that the right food will arrive at the right time.

Even if you are taking your first hesitant party planning step and feel completely overwhelmed, using these simple ideas to help plan the perfect baby shower will make the experience less stressful and leave guests raving about your hosting skills.

About Author:
Amanda DeSeta and Michelle Sy created www.TheSimpleFeast.com to share easy, affordable ways to entertain at home. They also offer step by step instructions on how to plan a perfect baby shower

Article Source: How To Plan The Perfect Baby Shower

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When Panic Strikes: Baby’s First Day Home from the Hospital

Why did the staff let me leave the hospital with this helpless little creature? These were the thoughts I had the day baby and I came home from the hospital. Here I was, totally responsible for the health and well-being of this newborn who was so very different than the cherubic babies I had babysat long ago! Suddenly I realized I was the parent with all the answers. I found that even after giving birth I still did not have much confidence in my parenting ability. I couldn’t imagine how my mother did it? I did not believe I could come close to her capability level? I felt like I should be panic stricken.

I found that placing my baby into the car seat was quite a feat. We had bought the best baby travel system we could find. It had a car seat that detached from its base to become an infant carrier; it also attached onto a stroller base, giving a three-in-one bonus. The previously perfect infant seat seemed to have grown to huge proportions once our new baby was lost in it! Certainly she was safer in my arms than all alone in that car seat! Logic and my husband managed to convince me to let go. Since they have limited muscle control, newborns end up scrunched down into one corner of their car seat. My husband calls it the “amoeba” stage. You can purchase additional padded support for your baby for use with the first weeks of “amoeba life”.

Once we were home, I struggled with needing to rest and wanting to be with our baby. Plus, she seemed constantly hungry. It was quite challenging to find a place in our home for nursing while we were both learning the process. Every new mom simply needs to try different positions. Some people use ring slings, fabric carriers that allow you to carry the baby around with you. This can be a great way to position baby for nursing if you can find the right adjustment for you. My ring sling was a wonderful hands-free carrier. After some trial and error over several feedings, I found the rocking chair to be my best option for nursing.

Babies need to have their diapers changed just about every time they eat, and even sometimes in between meals. The output capacity of a newborn rivals even the most efficient factory. I had chosen to use Fuzzi Bunz cloth diapers. The adjustable elastic really helped in the learning stage for me and my baby. Those early days of a “liquid only” diet produce some interesting diaper “issues.” Some of the biggest diaper challenges occurred on that first day. Frequently, quick changes of clothes are what you need! No matter how good the cloth diapers were, they only worked as well as my attempts to fasten them. And if you do not fasten them in time…they will not work at all!

The first days home begin an entirely new, fantastic chapter in your life. Constant shifts and changes become the norm. Your abilities will be constantly tested. I constantly called on all my resources, pretending to be as capable and in control as my mother. One day I realized she had probably been pretending as well – that day I realized I was a parent too.

Maria Cummings is a mom that has devoted herself to helping kids and families in the community. As Manager of Bustling Baby, Maria enjoys sharing her experience of natural parenting with new parents and supports parents in finding the best natural baby products, such as Fuzzi Bunz cloth diapers.

Article Source: When Panic Strikes: Baby’s First Day Home from the Hospital

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Proper Baby Bottle Preparation

New mom’s must make a choice whether to breast-feed or bottle-feed their newborn. Whichever choice they make, there will come a time when bottle-feeding will take place. This article will help new mothers properly prepare baby bottles to maintain their baby’s health.

The main point to consider before you begin is that cleanliness is at the root of proper bottle preparation. Everything you do during the preparation process will bear this in mind. This includes cleanliness of the preparer (that’s you), as well as cleanliness of the baby bottle and all associated equipment (bottle, nipple, cap and ring).

The first step is to ensure that your workspace is cleansed, and sanitized. This can be done by first clearing it of all debris, and then wiping the area with a sanitizing “wipey,” or towelette. You can also spray the area with a disinfectant, and then wipe it down with a clean cloth or paper towel.

Next, make sure to thoroughly wash your hands before you begin handling your baby’s bottle and equipment. Use common sense rules of thumb to wash your hands. For example, use warm water and hand soap, and scrub vigorously. No special soap needs to be used. Wash for at least 20 seconds by either counting out the seconds (one one-thousand, two one-thousand, etc.), or by singing the “ABC’s” song. If you have to, use a stopwatch.

Once your hands are clean, wash all equipment in hot soapy water making sure to scrub everything thoroughly. The equipment to be washed includes nipples, bottles, rings, and caps. You should use a bottle and a nipple brush to make sure these are clean both inside and out. Make sure to rinse everything in hot water after it has been cleansed with soap. This will help with the disinfection process.

If you feel that further disinfection is required, you can boil all equipment in a pot. Make sure to use enough water to cover everything. Boil for a minimum of five minutes to ensure proper disinfection. Once the boiling process is complete, use tongs to remove all the equipment and let everything air dry.

If you are using disposable plastic bag liners, it’s very important that you do not re-use the liners. Make sure to throw out the bag after a single use. Disinfect the rest of the equipment as described above.

Proper baby bottle preparation demands cleanliness and sanitation. This is very important for the health of your baby. To recap, clean your work area before you begin, and then thoroughly wash your hands before touching your baby’s bottle and equipment. Then, you’ll be able to use proper bottle cleaning procedures as described in this article to always provide a clean, sanitary, and safe bottle for your baby.

Baby bottles should always be thoroughly sanitized before each use. Your baby’s health depends on it. Something else to consider are clean diapers. One choice of diapers we’ve found useful are gerber cloth diapers.

Article Source: Proper Baby Bottle Preparation

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