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Baby Swing Buying Guide

For many moms, baby swings are a lifesaver. The smooth, rhythmic motion is reminiscent of months in the womb and lulls many a babe to sweet slumber — allowing mom to catch some precious z’s or take some time for herself. The upright position is also handy for babies with a stuffy nose or breathing concerns. If you’re in the market for a baby swing, how do you choose from so many? Let’s break it down by looking at what factors are most important to you.

But first, a word of caution: some babies don’t like the motion of a swing, so try it out before you spend a lot of time searching for one.

• Size and Portability

How much space does your home have for a swing? Will you move it from room to room? Do you plan to take the swing when you travel to Grandma’s house? Portable swings, also called travel swings, are much smaller, easier to move, and easier to fit in a car than standard swings. However, the seat is much closer to the ground, which may be awkward for everyday use. Standard, or full-sized, baby swings generally support babies from birth to 25 or 30 pounds.

• Type of Motion

Most swings offer a front-to-back motion, while others rock baby side-to-side. Fancier swings even offer both. Some babies prefer one type of motion over the other, so it’s best to try out both options ahead of time so you know what to… Read the rest

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Baby Car Seats Explained

  In years past, parents would drive holding their infant in their laps and kids would jump around in the back seat, unrestrained. Many mothers talk about the years gone by when they would actually change their infant’s diaper while sitting at a stop light; some were daring enough to change the diaper while driving! Today, this action would be utterly impossible because our little ones are restrained in car seats, for good reason.

The car seat is used to protect an individual of small stature by holding him in place, should there be a collision. This seat is equipped with a safety harness and is secured to the vehicle’s seat with the existing seat belt or latch system.

In the U.S., car seats for children up to 24 months are mandatory. Never place a rear facing infant safety seat in front of a vehicle’s active airbag. If this air bag deploys, it could cause severe head injuries or even death to the little one.

Car Seats Expire

Many parents are unaware that there are expiration dates on car seats. The majority of the car seat’s expiration dates are visible on the seat. It is not wise to purchase a used car seat if you are unaware of the seats entire history. Never continue to use a car seat after it has been used in a collision.

The Carrycot/Bucket Seat Restraint System

Car restraint systems for infants up to 12 months are sometimes called carrycots or bucket seats. This system… Read the rest

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Breast Feeding Your Baby

New mothers have to make the personal decision to either feed their baby formula or breast milk. Breastfeeding has phased in and out of popularity throughout the years based on the ever changing lifestyles of mothers and families. When choosing whether or not to nurse your new baby, consider the pros and cons of breastfeeding regarding your the needs of your baby and yourself.

The pitfalls of breastfeeding occur during the days and weeks after the birth of your baby. During this time, some mothers struggle with getting their baby to latch, discomfort during feedings and keeping up with the demanding schedule of nursing. Due to these challenges, some women don’t make it past the early stages of breastfeeding. By finding ways to overcome these obstacles, you can continue nursing your newborn and eventually feel very comfortable with the process.

While still in the hospital, lactation consultants can assist you in finding a comfortable latch for you and your baby. For new mothers who still can’t get their babies to latch, lactation consultants show them proper holding techniques and even offer rubber nipple shields that facilitate the latching process for babies. The nurses at the hospital will also give you pain medication to relieve the uterine and nipple pain associated with nursing.

Breastfeeding gives new mothers the opportunity to spend quality time bonding with their new babies. Immediately after the birth of your baby, nursing provides skin-to-skin contact, giving him feelings of warmth, comfort and security. If you commit to… Read the rest

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Choosing Baby Toys

As a new mom, you want to buy your baby toys that will be both fun and educational. Therefore, there are a few things you should consider carefully when purchasing baby toys for your own bundle of joy.

Toys Should Catch Baby’s Attention

Really take time to look through all of the baby toys on the market today. Look specifically for toys that are brightly colored or have interesting patterns that will surely catch your baby’s attention. Babies seem to be attracted to stripes, polka dots, and floral prints that they can study. Another tip is to look for toys that feature two colors that really stand out in stark contrast to one another. Babies will appreciate the differences in color and be even more attracted to the toys. Visually attractive toys make babies want to explore.

Babies Like to Touch

Babies will start to reach for their toys soon after birth. Make sure the toys you buy have different textures on them. Babies will notice the different textures and will rub those textures on their hands, on their face, and just about anywhere they can reach. Remember that at some point all of your baby’s toys will go into her mouth as that is one way babies learn and explore. Look carefully at a toy to make sure that it will be safe in case your baby puts it in her mouth or tries to chew on it.

Babies Respond to Noises

Most toys that interest babies also make… Read the rest

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Planning a Baby Shower

Nothing warrants a more splendid occasion than celebrating the pending arrival of a new baby! If you’re having trouble planning a baby shower or just aren’t sure where to begin, check out these planning ideas to guide you on your way.

The first step to planning a baby shower is to decide who you want to invite. Some expectant mothers choose to have multiple baby showers as a way to accommodate both sides of the family, friends, and any other special guests. For example, you may allow your mother or the baby’s father’s mother to plan the family baby shower and have a friend or two to plan a shower for you and your favorite pals. You should plan to hold the baby shower at least one to two months prior to the baby’s due date. With that in mind, be sure to mail invitations to all guests you wish to attend at least two to three weeks before the event. Typically, baby showers are scheduled on the weekend so that guests may attend without having to worry about work obligations.

Perhaps the most crucial and exciting preparation you must perform is to register for gifts. Because a baby shower is centered around the opening of gifts, it is important to register at least a week or two before the invitations are mailed so that your guests will have adequate time to purchase what is needed. Be sure to register at two or more locations with items in a variety… Read the rest

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Baby Monitors

Parents should take the time to investigate baby monitors before choosing a brand for use in the home. There are two basic types of monitors: audio and audio/video. Some are analogue and others are digital, but they perform essentially the same function. Some monitors detect an infant’s breathing or heartbeat and give an alarm if breathing stops for too long a period. Others provide only audio to inform parents when a baby is awakened. There are many other high-tech features available including color video monitors in high definition, motion detectors to identify intruders and infrared video so parents can view a child without opening doors and turning on lights, which can awaken the baby.

All models consist of a base unit, which is placed in the baby’s room, and a receiver, which goes in the parents’ bedroom. The base unit receives data from the crib and nursery and transmits this information by radio frequency to the parents. There are many frequencies employed by modern electronic devices and there may be interference caused by cell phone operation or other devices being used in the area. Many models offer a variety of frequencies so parents can choose the one offering the clearest signal. Digital monitors encode the signal so other people cannot pick up the sounds on their electronic devices. Parents may wish to choose a monitor that operates on a different frequency than other electronic gadgets used in the home.

Most monitor’s base units operate on both AC or DC… Read the rest

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Baby Feeding

When you think of feeding your baby, you are likely thinking of two things: healthy food and convenience. One of the biggest trends in baby foods in the past few years has been the ready availability of organic baby foods. Just 10 years ago these were a specialty item that could be hard to find. Today, every major baby food company has an organic line, and some companies make nothing but organic baby foods.

Buying the organic foods mean less exposure to pesticides for babies. Studies have shown that pesticides have a heavier impact on children than they do adults, making many parents concerned about the long-term damage of pesticides. With organic foods, there is one less worry for new parents who likely have plenty of worries about their new bundle of joy.

Meals and Convenience

One of the reasons that those little glass baby food jars have remained so popular over the decades is that they are incredibly convenient to use. Just pop a few into your diaper bag and you have a few meals ready just in case they are needed.

One way to make sure that you are always ready for a feeding on the go is to use a travel baby spoon case in your diaper bag. These hold two or three travel spoons, depending on the design, and keep them clean and ready for use. With a case, your spoons are also easier to find in your bag.

When at home, popping open a jar… Read the rest

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Baby Clothes Explained

If you expecting, chances are you’ve been combing the malls looking at baby clothing stores and thinking about the perfect garb to wrap your little precious one in. Just like parenting, there’s no one book to tell you what is the best baby clothing. For the most part, you need to use some common sense. A baby’s skin is so tender and sensitive, and it’s best to have a soft material up against their baby skin.

Cotton is the most common fabric in baby clothes. It’s soft, absorbent and gentle on a baby’s skin. As you probably already know, cotton will shrink up to approximately 10 percent with the first wash and dry. Cotton and polyester blends are also soft and tend to be slightly less expensive than 100 percent cotton. This blend is popular among parents because it is resistant to wrinkles and is easy to care for.

Cotton with spandex is one of the most popular choices among new parents due to its softness and stretchiness. This blend is the ultimate in softness and allows your baby to move with ease. You can be assured your baby will let you know he does not like to be restricted and loves to move about freely.

Fuzzy and warm, fleece is a popular fabric featured in baby outerwear. Fleece comes in a variety of weights, and it’s great for layering. Lighter weight fleece is perfect for the summer time, and heavy weight is more appropriate for the cooler seasons. The… Read the rest

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Baby Bouncers

  As new mothers we are always interested in the purchases that we make for our baby. With all the information given and all the diversity in baby merchandise it can be overwhelming. You may be wondering how do I choose a baby bouncer? Choosing the right baby bouncer can be very easy if you have all the information.

Baby bouncers are the most wonderful invention that has come along for a new mother because she has a safe place to put the baby while doing other things. This gives the baby time to look around and discover things and move their legs and arms around with a new freedom. Since the infant is lying down most of the time, the baby can appreciate seeing the world from an upright position. The question is at what age can a baby use a baby bouncer? The design of the baby bouncer is made to cradle the neck and the spine of the newborn, but each baby is different and this should be taken into consideration.

Of course safety is always the first concern. What things should you consider when choosing the right baby bouncer? Each manufacturer has a rating and guidelines that you should follow. Check reviews and see how they match up with other brands. The weight of the baby, placement seat and accessories should meet the high safety standards. Each time you use the baby bouncer check for wear and tear in the fabric. Always make sure the infant… Read the rest

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Baby Strollers

Shopping for baby strollers can be intimidating for a new mother. There are so many styles available out there, and they run from as little as $50 to more than $500. The best stroller for your baby depends on the features you are looking for.

Strollers come with single, double or even triple seats. Having multiples? A double or triple stroller is the way to go. Even though light-weight umbrella strollers are convenient, sometimes there just are not enough hands for carting the babes around in them. Parents should always have a regular stroller on hand, especially since they have great storage capacity for lugging around diaper bags, purses, blankets and extra bottles.

Lots of strollers are sold in a bundle with a compatible car seat. This is convenient because the car seat just snaps right in, something that will come in handy when walking with the baby. However, parents can also purchase a car seat adapter for their stroller to achieve the same purpose, but it is more hassle, which is the last thing new moms need.

Parents should also consider what else they want from a stroller. They all generally come with cup holders and storage baskets. More-expensive brands will have fancy features, like swiveling seats to allow baby to face forward or backward. Finding seats that recline all the way down is great because it provides baby with a comfortable place to sleep. Also, some strollers will have a step in the back for older siblings… Read the rest

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