Baby Gear

Walk down the aisle of any baby store, and it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the sheer volume of choices. Should I buy a play-yard or a co-sleeper? Should I skip the changing table? Do I really need a baby wipe warmer? However, all expectant parents need to consider several factors before deciding what pieces of baby gear are essential.

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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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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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 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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Baby Playards Multi-Purpose

A play yard is such a wonderful multi-purpose piece of baby gear. They come with a variety of different accessories to make life with your new baby as easy as possible. Utilizing these tools really does make a huge difference and should be taken into account when planning for life with a baby.

A play yard is great for many reasons, but the portability is perhaps one of the greatest. It folds up and fits into a zip-up bag with a convenient carrying strap. Whether taking a long distance trip via airplane or even a short trip down the road to a friend’s house, this makes travelling extremely simple. They even come with wheels to move easily around the house.

There are many other characteristics of a play yard that make it so wonderful. Many play yards now come with a removable bassinet for newborns. It is usually made of a mesh material that clips into the top part of the play yard and the floor mat fits into the bottom to create a miniature crib. There is a weight limit that should be considered when using the bassinet feature to ensure proper safety. When baby grows out of the bassinet, remove it and place the floor mat into the bottom to create a stable, much larger area. This space can be used for sleeping or playing depending on the circumstance.

A detachable changing table is another characteristic of many play yards. You can attach the changing table when needed… Read the rest

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Baby Bibs

  Everything is wonderful when the new baby comes home. Life could not be more perfect than it is at that point. That feeling of euphoria soon comes to an end when the baby spits up, becomes colicky and ceases to smell like baby shampoo. Babies are wonderful little beings that fill our lives with joy and with that joy comes many stress factors. Trying to keep baby’s clothes clean should not be an additional stress factor. That is where baby bibs come into play.

Parents are busy trying to make sure that baby has everything he or she needs throughout the day. Among the many chores that ultimately accompany new parenthood are changing diapers, feeding and calming the baby. Baby bibs come in handy during every feeding, but that is not the only time things can get messy with the baby. Baby bibs can be worn throughout the day to avoid several issues that can arise.

The problem that some parents have with using them is that baby bibs tend to cover up that “cute outfit”. When parents disregard the baby bib facts, opting to show off the cute clothing underneath, they also invite other problems into the scenario. The main reason to use baby bibs is to keep stains off clothing. Stains from baby formula, mother’s milk and, later, solid foods are difficult to remove from clothing. Once the clothing is stained, it may have to be discarded, costing parents the price of new clothing.

Baby bibs come… Read the rest

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Baby Cribs Explained

  Planning your baby’s nursery often revolves around which style of crib you choose. Color schemes, wall decorations, and other furnishings will need to match the crib. But how do you choose? Walk into any baby furniture store and the number of choices available will overwhelm you! The following is a description of the types of baby cribs available, as well as tips for decorating, and safety.

Most Popular Types Of Cribs

As of June 28, 2010, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission put new safety standards into place, making drop side cribs illegal to manufacture or sell (new or used) in the United States. Your choices are now limited to the following:

Convertible Baby Crib: These are designed to convert to a toddler bed, and eventually a full day or regular bed, after thee infant stage.

Standard Baby Crib: Everything from fancy to simple, and come in different types of material (wood and metal are most common.) Think, two sides with anchor head and foot boards.

Sleigh Baby Crib: The outward curved tops of both end boards create a beautiful, classic look that resembles, what else? A sleigh.

Round Baby Crib: These come with or without canopies. Available in metal or wood frames, round baby cribs are incredibly elegant.

Now that you’ve got the basics down, decide on a theme. Things to consider are the gender of your baby (if you’ve chosen to find out) and color schemes. Are you hoping to create an elegant, yet relaxing environment? Perhaps… Read the rest

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Baby Carrier

  When I found out I was pregnant with my first child, my husband and I were thrilled in that naive sort of way that first-timers often are. Visions of chubby, cuddly, dozing babies danced in our heads while any realistic issues were tossed by the wayside for the time being. As the life inside me began to take form, my mothering instincts kicked in, and I began to devour all information I could get my hands on relating to pregnancy, childbirth, and caring for a newborn.

I knew we needed supplies, but I was determined to buy only those practical items that we would use on a regular basis, steering clear of all the “fluff.” Our tiny house was cramped as it was, and I couldn’t imagine filling it with clunky contraptions to soothe a fussy baby.

Baby carriers were one of the items I came across that intrigued me. I learned that many mothers found it helpful to “wear” their baby throughout the day, allowing them to complete chores and tasks with free hands while giving their babies a comforting, stimulating experience. Being the multi-tasker that I naturally am, the thought of completing my to-do list without missing a beat thrilled me.

I learned about the basic types of carriers. Backpacks allow you to carry your baby on your back. These are suitable for babies who have total head control, so you really can’t use them until your baby is around 6 months old. Backpacks are available in… Read the rest

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