Even before she was three months pregnant, my wife wanted to go and buy a baby bed. Naturally, I wondered what the hurry was all about. What would we do with a baby bed around the house that wouldn’t be used for at least another six months? But she was insistent that we didn’t have to wait till the very last minute and began to harp on certain aspect of my lethargic character. So I succumbed and gave in. More out of a lack of desire to retort than anything else!
Now I have never before had the occasion to see, let alone buy a baby bed. In fact, even when I was a baby, I never had a bed of my own. I always shared a bed with my elder brother and it was only when I grew large enough to pulverize him in my sleep, that I was given a bed of my own. So you can expect my shock and surprise at knowing that not only were there all kinds of baby beds available in the market, most of them actually cost more than the king size bed that I shared with my wife!
That was not all. I don’t know about most other people, but I couldn’t believe the range of beds that were available! There was a range of something called ‘Bassinets’. Then there were the familiar (thank God!) cradles. Then of course were the cribs. Rocking, portable, travel and all permutations and combinations. And finally, there were elegant baby beds that could burn a hole in your pocket to make your baby feel like royalty.
It may come as a surprise to you but baby beds are not just made of wood. They come in all sorts of materials. There are metal baby beds, wood ones, plastic disposable ones (who would dispose a baby bed!) and even beds made of medicinal and therapeutic materials. They come with wheels, coasters, rocking attachments and in one memorable instance, with a dangling toy and battery operated fan. No wonder the kids today are spoilt rotten. Imagine if they started their lives with such comfort, they would only grow up craving everything fancy. And the suckers that we parents are, we have no choice but to give in!
Anyways, after spending over four hours looking over wooden, metal, plastic and porcelain beds, my wife settled on a hardwood ‘Caspian’ baby bed. It came with wheels (lockable) three position mattress support, and a one hand one knee release dropsied in case you came to the bed, doddering with a baby nestled in your arms and had only singular limbs to manipulate the bed!
As I lugged the extremely heavy bed to the parking lot, I thought about how I had spent the best part of my infancy rollicking around on the cold, hard floor or in the warm embrace of my mother. And I turned out well after all. But hey! Just because I didn’t get to enjoy the luxury of a baby bed is no reason for me to deprive my unborn child! My baby will sleep in his/her own baby bed.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Baby feeding
baby feeding
All parents start off with good intentions, but some think they know everything, and don’t want to listen to the advice of their doctors. I know this first hand. My sister had her baby about the same time that my little girl was born, and we had vastly different ways of feeding the babies. I couldn’t breast feed, so my daughter was on formula. My sister choose not to do so, so her baby was also on formula. Our methods of baby feeding were vastly different from each other even though we had the same pediatrician.
I guess I took the pediatrician’s advice about baby feeding much more seriously than my sister did. I was told that bottle should not go in the microwave because they heat unevenly. When that happens, there can be parts of the bottle that can be too hot and the babies mouth might be burned when feeding. I listened to this advice and she did not. I guess everything turned out okay, but I wasn’t about to take the chance. She informed me that she didn’t have the time to heat them otherwise. I thought she should make time, but I guess it was none of my business.
Another thing about baby feeding that I took very seriously was how long they should remain on a strictly breast milk or formula diet. My pediatrician said that baby feedings of cereals should not happen until the baby is at least six months old. I listed to this, and gave her only formula for the required time. My sister, however, began cereal at four weeks, stating that the baby slept better that way. I was told that the baby’s system cannot handle the food, but she didn’t care. I guess every mother is different.
If you have a new one on the way, you should really pay attention to the rules about baby feeding. These rules aren’t there to give you more work, or to stop your baby from sleeping through the night. These rules have been determined to be of the most benefit to your baby. If you aren’t ready to spend a little more time warming up the bottle or getting up at night, perhaps you should rethink the whole thing. I guess that sounds a little preachy, but babies are so helpless, and they depend on your to make the right choices for them. That’s never something that should be taken lightly.
All parents start off with good intentions, but some think they know everything, and don’t want to listen to the advice of their doctors. I know this first hand. My sister had her baby about the same time that my little girl was born, and we had vastly different ways of feeding the babies. I couldn’t breast feed, so my daughter was on formula. My sister choose not to do so, so her baby was also on formula. Our methods of baby feeding were vastly different from each other even though we had the same pediatrician.
I guess I took the pediatrician’s advice about baby feeding much more seriously than my sister did. I was told that bottle should not go in the microwave because they heat unevenly. When that happens, there can be parts of the bottle that can be too hot and the babies mouth might be burned when feeding. I listened to this advice and she did not. I guess everything turned out okay, but I wasn’t about to take the chance. She informed me that she didn’t have the time to heat them otherwise. I thought she should make time, but I guess it was none of my business.
Another thing about baby feeding that I took very seriously was how long they should remain on a strictly breast milk or formula diet. My pediatrician said that baby feedings of cereals should not happen until the baby is at least six months old. I listed to this, and gave her only formula for the required time. My sister, however, began cereal at four weeks, stating that the baby slept better that way. I was told that the baby’s system cannot handle the food, but she didn’t care. I guess every mother is different.
If you have a new one on the way, you should really pay attention to the rules about baby feeding. These rules aren’t there to give you more work, or to stop your baby from sleeping through the night. These rules have been determined to be of the most benefit to your baby. If you aren’t ready to spend a little more time warming up the bottle or getting up at night, perhaps you should rethink the whole thing. I guess that sounds a little preachy, but babies are so helpless, and they depend on your to make the right choices for them. That’s never something that should be taken lightly.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Instructions For New Born Baby Care
Giving an eco-friendly or environmentally friendly newborn baby, new baby or baby gift basket is a great way to help the environment. Whether you buy an eco-friendly gift basket from a gift basket business, make it cheaply yourself at home or add it to an existing line for your gift basket business, the environment will be better off for it. Think recycled paper (100% post-consumer, waste/process, chlorine-free), organic products, vegan products, non-toxic and non-plastic items, natural fibers, reusing and recycling. Just use these simple tips and follow these easy instructions and you’ll learn how to make a great, unique, custom, personalized baby gift basket.
First of all you’ll need to decide whether you’ll be using organic or vegan items or products, fair-trade products like soaps, items of clothing like new socks made from recycled cotton, or pre-packaged, homemade or recyclable used items. You probably won’t want to use any fragrant food items if you’re using any scented products. The fragrances of food and perfume don’t combine well in a gift basket. But use your best judgment. Also you may have some other ideas for making your basket more of a personal memory gift.
Next decide on what products or items will go into the environmentally friendly newborn baby, new baby or baby gift basket.
For an organic, vegan or all natural baby gift basket – some products and ideas are: organic baby foods, organic teething chews, all natural or organic baby lotions, organic shampoos, organic baby powders, other organic bath products, organic, vegan and fair-trade soaps, natural fiber sponges, organic cotton towels, terry cloth bath pillows, natural spa pillows, natural hair brushes, socks and other clothing made of organic cotton, CDs of nature sounds or other soothing music, baby toys made with natural fiber and/or safe recycled material, wooden blocks, safe, non-toxic baby games, personal memory gift items, or a no-expiration gift certificate to a store that specializes in environmentally friendly items.
Now that you’ve decided on what products or items to use it’s time to put your personalized environmentally friendly gift basket together.
For gift container ideas: fair-trade baskets, wooden baskets, wooden bowls, fiber baskets, straw baskets, locally made pottery, buckets, potted plant holders, wire baskets, fabric gift bags, homemade gift bags, used baskets and containers from Goodwill Industries and Salvation Army stores or anything recyclable.
For gift basket liner ideas: shredded newspaper, shredded comics, organic cotton tea towels, organic cotton dish towels, organic cotton wash cloths, hand towels, or bath towels, colored recyclable napkins, organic cotton cloth napkins, fabric pieces, or an organic cotton receiving blanket.
For gift basket filler, if needed, you can use: crumpled or shredded newspaper comics, or use your imagination to come up with a better idea.
And for gift basket wrap and tie you can use: recyclable paper, butcher paper, newspaper, newspaper comics, or reusable brown paper bags. Also check with the Salvation Army or Goodwill Industries stores for inexpensive recyclable wrapping paper. Tie with jute or raffia twine for a simple rustic look or leave the gift basket unwrapped.
Now the easy instructions for putting your custom, personalized environmentally friendly gift basket together - first start with your custom container. Place the liner inside and add the gift basket filler. Arrange the gift basket products and gift items with the tallest in back. If needed, fill any holes with small baby items or crumpled or shredded recycled paper. Cover with wrap and tie with jute or raffia twine. Don’t forget the personalized, recycled or homemade card. If you’re using a homemade card include a happy, personal, positive, uplifting, spine-tingling favorite quote or saying. Mom can read it to baby. That’s it! You should have a fine-looking eco-friendly, environmentally friendly newborn baby, new baby or baby gift basket!
First of all you’ll need to decide whether you’ll be using organic or vegan items or products, fair-trade products like soaps, items of clothing like new socks made from recycled cotton, or pre-packaged, homemade or recyclable used items. You probably won’t want to use any fragrant food items if you’re using any scented products. The fragrances of food and perfume don’t combine well in a gift basket. But use your best judgment. Also you may have some other ideas for making your basket more of a personal memory gift.
Next decide on what products or items will go into the environmentally friendly newborn baby, new baby or baby gift basket.
For an organic, vegan or all natural baby gift basket – some products and ideas are: organic baby foods, organic teething chews, all natural or organic baby lotions, organic shampoos, organic baby powders, other organic bath products, organic, vegan and fair-trade soaps, natural fiber sponges, organic cotton towels, terry cloth bath pillows, natural spa pillows, natural hair brushes, socks and other clothing made of organic cotton, CDs of nature sounds or other soothing music, baby toys made with natural fiber and/or safe recycled material, wooden blocks, safe, non-toxic baby games, personal memory gift items, or a no-expiration gift certificate to a store that specializes in environmentally friendly items.
Now that you’ve decided on what products or items to use it’s time to put your personalized environmentally friendly gift basket together.
For gift container ideas: fair-trade baskets, wooden baskets, wooden bowls, fiber baskets, straw baskets, locally made pottery, buckets, potted plant holders, wire baskets, fabric gift bags, homemade gift bags, used baskets and containers from Goodwill Industries and Salvation Army stores or anything recyclable.
For gift basket liner ideas: shredded newspaper, shredded comics, organic cotton tea towels, organic cotton dish towels, organic cotton wash cloths, hand towels, or bath towels, colored recyclable napkins, organic cotton cloth napkins, fabric pieces, or an organic cotton receiving blanket.
For gift basket filler, if needed, you can use: crumpled or shredded newspaper comics, or use your imagination to come up with a better idea.
And for gift basket wrap and tie you can use: recyclable paper, butcher paper, newspaper, newspaper comics, or reusable brown paper bags. Also check with the Salvation Army or Goodwill Industries stores for inexpensive recyclable wrapping paper. Tie with jute or raffia twine for a simple rustic look or leave the gift basket unwrapped.
Now the easy instructions for putting your custom, personalized environmentally friendly gift basket together - first start with your custom container. Place the liner inside and add the gift basket filler. Arrange the gift basket products and gift items with the tallest in back. If needed, fill any holes with small baby items or crumpled or shredded recycled paper. Cover with wrap and tie with jute or raffia twine. Don’t forget the personalized, recycled or homemade card. If you’re using a homemade card include a happy, personal, positive, uplifting, spine-tingling favorite quote or saying. Mom can read it to baby. That’s it! You should have a fine-looking eco-friendly, environmentally friendly newborn baby, new baby or baby gift basket!
Important Points For New Born Baby Care
It's considerably easier to take care of older infants and toddlers than to care for a newborn baby. This is mainly because they are very delicate and have needs that they cannot easily express - they manifest this need only by crying.
One of the possible factors that contribute to post-natal depression is the difficulty of inexperienced - or even experienced - mothers with newborn baby care. To lessen the impact of this condition, it is helpful to read books about caring for infants. When you are informed about newborn baby care, chances are you won't be caught flat-footed when something unusual happens to your child.
What are the important things to know?
Old wives' tales regarding newborn baby care abound. Sometimes listening to too many of these superstitions make mothers worry unnecessarily over their baby's health. Old people, for instance, constantly point out that it's not advisable to bring the newborn baby out of the house.
The fact is, almost all babies need morning sunshine to counteract the early stages of jaundice. Taking the baby outside even a mere few weeks after birth is perfectly acceptable, as long as the infant is dressed in comfortable, cool clothes during summer and safely wrapped in a warm blanket during the cooler months.
When the baby is several weeks old, you might notice some changes on his skin - that is, his skin may become flaky and could even "shed." It is not necessary to apply lotions or oils, as this is normal for newborns. In newborn baby care, the use of chemicals is generally avoided even as these are considered safe for adults.
Even the baby's scalp will shed its top layer a few weeks after birth. In some cases, a little assistance is needed in removing this layer of dead cells. You can gently rub it away with a sponge while bathing the baby, but there is really no need to apply oils or lotions on his calp.
Many infants will also develop mild rashes. These are normal and newborn baby care dictates that they must not be treated with creams and ointments that may be too harsh for the baby's skin. These rashes may be due to different factors. When the rashes get worse or seem too out of the normal, it's best to consult the pediatrician about it.
Another common issue in newborn baby care is whether to carry the infant or not when it is crying. Parents often agree on not giving in to a child's crying because this might spoil the child. However, at that age, it is nearly impossible to spoil a newborn.
Common newborn baby care sense will tell you that when a newborn baby cries, it's because it needs something - that something could be anything from milk or a diaper change. Being comforted is also a basic need of newborns, so denying them this in their first few weeks of life may result in a profound psychological impact on the child.
What do I do with the stump?
Many new mothers who are not too well-vesred in newborn baby care often feel queasy about having to deal with the umbilical cord. Remember that the stump is nothing else but dead protein so accidentally touching it won't cause any harm to the infant.
The important thing to know in newborn baby care, as regards the umbilical cord, is to keep it dry at all times. If it inevitably gets wet during bathing, take a cotton ball soaked with alcohol and clean the cord with it.
By the end of the second week, the stump will have fallen off. After this happens, refrain from bathing the infant more frequently than every two or three days, to allow it to completely heal.
One of the possible factors that contribute to post-natal depression is the difficulty of inexperienced - or even experienced - mothers with newborn baby care. To lessen the impact of this condition, it is helpful to read books about caring for infants. When you are informed about newborn baby care, chances are you won't be caught flat-footed when something unusual happens to your child.
What are the important things to know?
Old wives' tales regarding newborn baby care abound. Sometimes listening to too many of these superstitions make mothers worry unnecessarily over their baby's health. Old people, for instance, constantly point out that it's not advisable to bring the newborn baby out of the house.
The fact is, almost all babies need morning sunshine to counteract the early stages of jaundice. Taking the baby outside even a mere few weeks after birth is perfectly acceptable, as long as the infant is dressed in comfortable, cool clothes during summer and safely wrapped in a warm blanket during the cooler months.
When the baby is several weeks old, you might notice some changes on his skin - that is, his skin may become flaky and could even "shed." It is not necessary to apply lotions or oils, as this is normal for newborns. In newborn baby care, the use of chemicals is generally avoided even as these are considered safe for adults.
Even the baby's scalp will shed its top layer a few weeks after birth. In some cases, a little assistance is needed in removing this layer of dead cells. You can gently rub it away with a sponge while bathing the baby, but there is really no need to apply oils or lotions on his calp.
Many infants will also develop mild rashes. These are normal and newborn baby care dictates that they must not be treated with creams and ointments that may be too harsh for the baby's skin. These rashes may be due to different factors. When the rashes get worse or seem too out of the normal, it's best to consult the pediatrician about it.
Another common issue in newborn baby care is whether to carry the infant or not when it is crying. Parents often agree on not giving in to a child's crying because this might spoil the child. However, at that age, it is nearly impossible to spoil a newborn.
Common newborn baby care sense will tell you that when a newborn baby cries, it's because it needs something - that something could be anything from milk or a diaper change. Being comforted is also a basic need of newborns, so denying them this in their first few weeks of life may result in a profound psychological impact on the child.
What do I do with the stump?
Many new mothers who are not too well-vesred in newborn baby care often feel queasy about having to deal with the umbilical cord. Remember that the stump is nothing else but dead protein so accidentally touching it won't cause any harm to the infant.
The important thing to know in newborn baby care, as regards the umbilical cord, is to keep it dry at all times. If it inevitably gets wet during bathing, take a cotton ball soaked with alcohol and clean the cord with it.
By the end of the second week, the stump will have fallen off. After this happens, refrain from bathing the infant more frequently than every two or three days, to allow it to completely heal.
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