Fitting The New Baby In

I thought this was worth a read because most people have problems finding room for the new arrival.

Sometimes all the talk in the baby magazines and websites can ring a bit hollow when the subject turns to putting together a baby's room for your newborn. Those articles and books about decorating an adorable baby's room work from the presumption that you have an entire room you can give over to the baby.

But if you live in a small apartment like many of us do, you are going to have to adapt that dream. You are just as excited about the coming of that new baby to your home as anyone else. But you have to be a bit more creative especially when it comes to baby furniture.


Often the solution for how to accommodate the baby is simply to superimpose the baby's stuff on top of your stuff. For her crib or cradle, at least at first, you may need to bring the baby into the same room with mom and dad. This is where a crib that attaches to your bed so it doesn't get far away is a good choice. And for the nursing months, this is actually preferable so when baby wakes up hungry, mom or dad is right there.

As the baby gets older and perhaps needs a crib separate from parents, this is where some creative use of dividers can be very effective at creating the illusion of two rooms out of one. You can create a small space in the master bedroom perhaps no bigger than the crib itself and let baby sleep back there out of the glare of lights and separate from daddy's snoring at least a little bit.

But because you really don't have a separate space to set aside for baby, you may have to integrate the baby furniture in with the living room or dining room things. You can keep a baby's dresser in the living room and when the time comes to entertain, drape it with an elegant cloth to disguise what it is and then decorate it with potpourri and other decorative items so the baby furniture converts to a nondescript display piece that nobody needs to know why its there.

Similarly, toy chests, changing tables and other items that are needed from time to time can be stored away behind other things to be brought out when needed and slipped away again when not needed. Items needed to go out with baby such as a baby carrier, stroller and baby car seat can just live in the car back seat or trunk and never come into the apartment at all.

It wouldn't be a bad idea to find some overflow storage to use for items you must be able to lay your hands on but they don't need to be around every day. Or this storage could be used for mom and dad's stuff while baby takes up space in the apartment on the hedge that at some time in the near future you will move into a place with more space so that storage unit can be cancelled.

Raising a family in any setting takes creative thinking and the ability to solve problems. So if you need to make some accommodations to allow baby into your life, it wont be the last time that your lifestyle got a significant restructuring because of this sweet little life that basically moves in and takes over. But it's worth it for her little smile and the joy she brings you. And so you are a bit crowded. You're a family now and that is what is important.

By: Marie Wilson
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
If you are interested in learning more about baby nursery furniture or wood baby furniture then visit us at BabyCribset.net.

What Does Proper Skin Care for Babies Include?

What Does Proper Skin Care for Babies Include?
By: Louise Forrest

You are a brand new parent, and you are just bringing your first child home. You are naturally excited and cannot wait to get the newborn baby back home. However, there is so much to do now and everything is down to you.

Now is the time where you will realize exactly how prepared you are! Do you know everything there is to know about looking after your babys skin? Do you know what skin care products to use? The answer is, probably not! However, it is completely normal to know little about keeping your babies skin nice and
healthy. Luckily, there is help at hand!

Looking after Babies Skin
On the television, adverts always tell you the obvious - that a babys skin is very fragile. However, for some new parents they might be unaware of this and therefore it is best to try and find out sooner, rather than later about what is needed. Some baby care products can cause irritation to the baby or can cause allergic reactions so it is always better to know which products to actually go for.

There are several types of skin care products which are used most frequently for all newborn babies. However, before buying these products, you should always check to see what is in them.

You can use a small amount of soap on the baby, but always make sure that it is a mild soap containing ingredients such as olive, coconut, or even palm oil. You should refrain from using antibacterial soaps, as this can often cause skin irritations.

After you have used soap on the baby, you need to replenish the skins oils, so try to use a soothing oil or lotion which contains saturated oils. The benefit of this, is that most babies are not sensitive to the saturated oils and so they are a lot safer to sue overall.

You should never give young babies bubble baths, as the ingredients can cause some serious problems. A way around this is to add maybe some lavender oil to the water (a small amount). It would be safer to mix the Lavender oil with carrier oil, such as almond oil, before adding it to the water. This is because most essential oils are too harsh on the skin when used alone. Before using any aromatherapy oils you should consult your doctor to check that they are not harmful to the baby.

All babies have different types of hair and whilst some babies tend to have a lot of hair, others have hardly any what so ever. For the babies with hardly any hair shampooing does not need to be done very often at all. However for babies with oily, longer hair, a mild shampoo is often recommended.

Some babies can suffer terribly from skin conditions including nappy rash. Massaging certain lotions and oils into the babys skin can relieve the irritation and sooth inflammation. Make sure you that you get the right one for your baby though, in order to prevent making the problem worse. Ingredients you should look for in baby products include chamomile and aloe, as these two ingredients have been proven to help soothe and to moisturize the babies skin.

A good product to use on babies is the Johnson baby range. The Johnson brand baby lotion is ideal for newborn skin and it really does help to keep the skin soft and smooth.

Overall, having a baby can be hard work but there are hundreds of products out there to choose from. It is all a matter of trial and error and nobody is expected to get things right the first time around. Parenthood is about making mistakes and finding out what works best for your baby. If you are unsure as to which products to use, you can always consult your doctor or midwife. They will be able to tell you exactly what you can and cannot use and it will really help to put your mind at ease!

Article Source: http://addondashboard.com -- Free Articles, Free Web Content
Louise Forrest has created the ultimate FREE Health & Beauty guide. Find out how you can gain access to FREE natural skin care articles, tips and techniques at www.NaturalElements.co.uk See how your new born baby will benefit from a range oforganic baby skin care products at www.NaturalElements.co.uk

How a New Mother Can Use Her Breast Pump With Less Time and Bother

How a New Mother Can Use Her Breast Pump With Less Time and Bother
By Matia Bryson | Published 09/19/2006 | Parenting |

Many times a new mother is surprised at how time consuming feeding an infant can be. Add to the regular breast feeding schedule the time to use a breast pump and mothers are even more pressed. Timesavers can be found in making wise clothing choices, multi-tasking while pumping, and organizing the breast pumping routine better.

Dress for Successful Breast Pumping.
Wear two-piece outfits with easy access to your breasts. A loose top that can be pulled up from the bottom makes breast feeding and breast pumping more convenient. Another choice would be a dress or shirt that buttons all the way down the front. Buttons that go down only to the waist are not usually sufficient for double pumping because you need to be able to open the shirt wide. Also you could buy nursing tops or dresses with discreet slits at the breast for convenience when nursing or pumping.
Use a pumping bra for hands-free pumping or Medela’s Pumping-Free Attachment Kit. The strapless variety of pumping bra makes it convenient to put on and take off only while pumping in a two-piece outfit if you prefer your ordinary nursing brassieres for most of the day. Some women have made their own pumping bras by cutting slits in an old bra. You could also try the old rubber band trick.
While you are making clothing choices, note that prints will not show wetness as easily as solids, and breast milk will stain your silk blouses. Other wise (or unwise) fabric choices may come to mind. Leaning forward slightly while pumping will help to keep the milk going into the bottles and not running out on your clothes. Some users tuck a towel under their breasts.

Multi-tasking while Breast Pumping.
If you would rather not buy hands-free pumping bras, you can have at least one hand free while double pumping with the following technique. Sit at a desk or a table. Use the edge of the table and one arm to hold your funnels in place. That gives you a free hand to read something that will lay flat on the table or eat a snack. Some users put the breast pump motor on the floor and operate the controls with a toe. With the Avent Isis IQ Duo Breast Pump, the controls are in one button on the part that is near the breast and the user’s hand. Another option for multi-tasking is the hands-free breast pump by Whisper Wear, the self-contained breast pump worn inside your bra. Although not absolutely silent and it makes one’s chest look larger than usual, this breast pump may still be an option for many mothers.
Some women multitask by pumping one breast while nursing the baby on the other breast. Some babies are bothered by the noise of an electric pump so their mothers have more success with a quality one-handed manual pump like the Medela Harmony, Ameda One-Hand, or Avent Isis breast pumps. A good time to try this technique is early in the morning when milk supply and the prolactin hormone is the greatest. Baby will usually be sated with the one side at this time of day – no need to switch sides unless you feel lopsided. Women who have difficulty getting their milk to let-down when pumping alone can often fill a bottle with their baby helping to stimulate their let-down.

Organize Your Breast Pumping Routine Better.
Follow a set routine: assemble your equipment the same way each time. Disassemble and wash the parts the same way each time. Like the pit crew for a race car, you will get faster and more efficient each time.
If you use your breast pump more than once a day, you could try the following. Instead of washing your parts after every session, just give the breast shield assembly a quick rinse and seal it in a clean plastic bag in the refrigerator between uses. Do give the parts a thorough hot, soapy wash at least once daily and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for sterilizing when needed.
Some users advise buying extra breast pump parts as a convenience. Have a couple of sets of the washable parts and you can wash only half as often. Some women buy three sets if they are pumping three times daily while at work. They bag the parts without washing them and bring them home for one washing. It saves time at work, and you can take advantage of your home dishwasher. Some women assign the task of parts-washing to another family member so they can have more time nursing and re-bonding with their baby in the evening. Another advantage to owning at least one extra set of parts is as a little insurance in case you lose something essential. If you are not lucky enough to have a retailer in your area that sells all the parts individually, you need to call the manufacturer and have one shipped to you. It can take days for your part to arrive. That can be a real inconvenience for mothers who must pump every day.

Finally, if you are breast pumping several times a day, buy or rent an efficient, high-quality breast pump. A double electric pump will finish the job in sometimes less than half the time, usually ten minutes when you become experienced. A pump that is slow is not only inconvenient, but some users find them uncomfortable too. A breast pump that wastes your time will cause you aggravation you do not need.

Matia Bryson is the mother of seven previously breast fed children and wants to help other mothers to breast feed their children as long as they desire to do so. The “old rubber band trick” can be found at the Hands-Free Breast Pumping Page. For information on how to get more out of one’s breast pump, read the Breast Pump Articles at the Baby Loves Your Milk website. For tips on buying a new breast pump on eBay, go to EBay Breast Pump Watch.

Matia Bryson is a mother of seven previously breastfed children and reviews breast pumps at the Baby Loves Your Milk website.

Eczema Treatment

My first son suffered with this condition so I thought it was a good article to include.

Eczema Treatment - Stay Close to Stay Healthy by ADDAM DEVIN
In this fast paced world of the 21st century, one of the biggest things been ignored by humans is their health. There is a sort of outburst of health diseases and disorders prevailing throughout the planet as people helplessly fiddle with precious time wasted on the professional front or simply fail to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This problem poses as a serious threat, especially for newborns who have just stepped into the world and need proper care.
When it comes to babies, one of the commonest ailments that they can suffer from is eczema, which has been recorded to affect about one out of ten babies in today's world. As an ailment, eczema, or atopic dermatitis as it is particularly known, targets the pretty delicate skin of the infants. This disease has been observed to particularly attack the scalp and the face in babies, while young people can develop it in areas like the face, neck, wrists, ankles and between the fingers. To cut the advance of this disease short, prompt eczema treatment is quite necessary.

The effect of this disease can shape up in the form of inflammation, skin rashes, uncontrollable itching, oozing skin and even getting encrusted. This ailment can prolong in babies for some months, although there aren't any harmful effects to look out for in the future. As the disease is quite common, the market is flooded with various forms of eczema treatments in the form of essential oils, moisturising cream, scalp care tonics and bath therapies.

Since there is no dearth of eczema treatment methods to ward off this skin ailment, you can easily take care of your baby and even yourself. All you need to do is follow a healthy regime and experience the wonders of this non medicated treatment as it relieves you from the disease completely.

Related Articles - Eczema Treatment, Baby Skin Care,

How to Massage New Born Babies

We have tried this on our new baby and it does help them go to sleep in a nice relaxed way and its very good for the parents to. Thats why we have included this article.
P.S
How to Massage New Born Babies by JAMES CANDELL

Family & Parenting

Newborns simply love to be touched and cuddled. The skin to skin touch helps you and your baby bond, comforts your baby when she is upset or uneasy with gas or colic problems. Hence, touch is a critical part of growth and development.
The massage strokes used on adults are completely different from the strokes to be used on newborns. You can adapt the adult strokes to massage your child. Just make sure that your strokes are lighter on them. The younger they are, more delicate and smaller will be the strokes be.

It is ideal that you take your child either on your lap or lay him on any kind of elevated soft surface such as few thick towels put together. Be very gentle while massaging. If your child cries or does not enjoy it, stop massaging till it feels comfortable about the whole thing.

Massage steps for the front of the body

- Lay the child on the back. Start by stroking gently the face, move to the middle of the forehead and temples

- Stroke the cheeks from nose to ears and back moving down to the chin. Gently stroke the area around the eyes.

- Stroke the front of the body along the arms. Make clockwise circles around the navel with both hands. Do gentle wringing action across the abdomen and up the body.

- Take one arm at a time, start stroking from shoulder to hand to fingers. Massage the hand, squeeze and rotate each of the fingers in turn. Do the same for other arm.

- Take one leg at time. Do a gentle wring or squeeze up the leg and stroke down the leg. Do the same for other arm. Massage steps for the back of the body

- Lay the child stomach down. Stoke up and over the back and along the arms.

- Do a gentle kneading on the child's shoulder

- Do a gentle wringing stroke all over the body. Massage the rear side with gentle kneading or pinching strokes.

- Slide smoothly down the spine alternating with both the hands. Start from the base of the neck and move to working down to the base of spine.

- Gently stroke the legs, bending the knee up and working all the way to the foot.

- Hold the anklebone between your fingertips and move both the hands in circular motion.

- Squeeze the heal with one hand and use the thumb of your other hand to massage the sole of the foot.

- Massage the toes by gentle squeezing, rotating and pulling it in turns. Hold the foot firmly between your hands for few seconds. Repeat the same for massaging the backside of other leg.

Lastly, turn the baby over and give it a final massage in two strokes. Start from one foot up the leg, across the lower abdomen and move down the other leg. Do light strokes from the top of head right down to the feet.

To massage the baby having gas or digestive problems, use the "I Love You" technique.

- Lay the baby on the back and undress it completely or just leave the diaper on.

- Use two or three fingers of your right hand to trace the alphabet "I" on the right side of the abdomen with gentle, yet firm movements.

- Next do a gentle stroke from left to right across the baby's abdomen and then do a small downward stroke along the right side of his stomach forming upside down "L" alphabet.

- Last, stroke up from the left side of your baby's hipbone moving towards the left side of the abdomen, across the baby’s body from left to right horizontally along the stomach and finally finish by stroking down the right side in the same manner, forming the "U" alphabet in upside down direction.

James Mother and Baby Shop

Related Articles - baby name, pregnancy mother care, pregnant pilates, maternity wear, maternity clothing, breast feeding, infertility baby gift, symptom of pregnancy, m

stretch marks

Cream For Stretch Marks - Surviving Pregnancy by ALIEN SHENG

Oh how things change after having a new baby. Don't you just love it? You will usually have a few extra pounds to try and shave off, and let's not forget the stretch marks. Oh, and I almost forgot, we tend to wrinkle-up and acquire a few age spots.
Isn't the circle of life grand? Oh well, there's really nothing that can be done about this other than slowing the process by taking good care of ourselves.

However, some people go to the lengths of having plastic surgery done to retain their youth. Now, I'm not necessarily knocking this concept, but I personally don't look forward to going under the knife. There are simpler alternatives, you know.

Take stretch marks for example. You could go and attempt to have them surgically removed, or you could purchase some cream for stretch marks. Doesn't that sound a tad less frightening? Creams For Stretch Marks

What do you know about cream for stretch marks? Well, if you're a man, then you probably know virtually nothing. However, if you are of the softer sex, and have had a bout or two with the old stretch mark fairy, then you're probably looking into cream for stretch marks. There must be a way to reduce their visibility or simply vanquish them altogether.

I can recall going shopping with my wife a few years back and she was in the market for a quality cream for stretch marks. Who has one you might ask? The heck if I know. She ended up trying some serum from Clarins, but it caused irritation where she applied it.

Needless to say this was not a keeper for her. After browsing through several other products, she decided to just leave well enough alone. However, now days she is wanting to banish those irksome stretch marks once again. So it's back to the drawing board. Luckily there are more treatments and remedies to choose from now. That ideal cream for stretch marks is probably out there if you can actually pinpoint it.

One great place to start this journey is on the World-Wide-Web. The Internet is filled with cosmetics and reviews to give you the scoop on their quality. Sometimes you'll find that certain upper-scale products aren't rated so well. Go ahead and pop open your Mac or PC. It's time to find that perfect cream for stretch marks today. Alien writes for pregnancy signs . He also writes for weight loss tips and herbal remedies

Bedtime

Having had 3 children all completly unique as all baby's are, one thing I know is absolutely true baby's love rountine, Yes its boring, it interups your previously "I'll just do this, go here lifestyle but believe me it pays you dividends.

Also please please remember anything you start with for baby care when they are tiny and new and cute in this rountine is with you for years!!!

Parents most useful baby toy

One of our favorite toys is a baby nest with an over head frame. Your baby can be safe while you get on with things around her. There are lots of different things to look at and when they sit up its great too because they can play with all the textures and squeaky bits. If you have not seen one of these toys its basically an inflatable tyre covered in a colourful fabric with a tubeler plastic frame over the top with hanging toys to play with its great fun for both parents and babies.

Baby care Cuddly Toy

All my 3 children had, and still have a musical cuddly toy.
One had a bear with light up cheeks, the other two had a Winnie the Pooh laying on a cushion that changed colour and played a musical tune. All worked great for the bedtime routine's.
Tip once you have used these baby toys make certain You have a cupboard full of battery's. Believe me it isn't pleasant when you go to put them to bed......... and no batteries.

Tip Purchase some rechargeable battery's usually they take "AA" ones which can come in many power ratings and last for a long time. As you will be using the toys every night the problems with battery discharge does not matter, but it will save you quite a lot of money over the year and its better for the environment. If you can afford it buy the Maximum power rating battery because the toy is for young children they sometimes make it quite difficult to change them, it cuts out some of the hassle.

Baby Bed time

We found an over cot mobile is a good buy for your baby care because your baby will love watching this revolve and play music.

Another item we liked for value for money was a fabric bumper that you attach to the side of the cot and on one side it is shapes, faces etc in black and white for when baby is learning to focus.
Later this can be reversed to more interesting colourful pictures.

baby face

First birthday party

Arranging your baby's birthday party can be quite a hand full so I have included this article to help out.

How to Make Sure Your Baby’s Birthday First Party Will Be a Roaring Hit by MUNA WA WANJIRU
While many of us look forward to a birthday party and we remember them, our 1st birthday first party is one event that we know of only from photographs and tales from our family members. You will find that most parents usually plan their baby’s first party with great care.

To make any type of birthday a success there are a few items that you will need to look into. These items are of especial care when you are planning a one year olds birthday first party. The party can otherwise become a nightmare if you plan of lots of elaborate events.

For this type of 1st birthday party you will need to keep things in the party simple. You will need to plan on having lots of finger foods and filling snacks that your guests can munch on as they socialize at the party. These foods can be an assortment of sandwiches, mini pizzas or lots of different pizzas, hot dogs and burgers, fries with tubs of different sauces.

You can have many bowls of sweets and desserts like ice cream, caramel, éclairs, chocolates and cakes all laid out on a buffet style table. To have your younger guests laughing with enjoyment at your baby’s birthday first party you should plan on having different party games like Elephant Walk, Water Balloon Toss, Pass the Bubbles among a variety of activities.

For added enjoyment you can have lots of brightly colored balloons, tinsels and streamers flying around the site of the birthday. As birthday cakes are just about everyone’s favorite food you should buy a couple of large sized cakes in bright colors that has lots of icing all around it. The kids will love choosing a big piece of cake that is smothered in icing and you will see lots of sticky fingers and icing covered smiles wherever you look.

When you are looking at the different types of birthday cakes that you can buy for a birthday first party, you will see clowns, teddy bears, Scooby-Doo, My Little Pony, a fireman, a spaceman and even animal shaped cakes. These are just a few of the cakes that you can buy for your baby’s first birthday.

Now even though your baby is too young to understand and enjoy all of these activities that are going on you can plan on making the birthday first party that you are hosting a success with everyone else.

The way to achieve this is by seeing that everyone has plenty of food and drinks, lots of fun games and activities to take part in and the kids have goody bags that are filled to the brim with toys and sweets. This way your baby’s birthday first party will be a roaring hit and you can be sure that many people will talk about it for a long time to come.
Muna wa Wanjiru is a web administrator and has been researching and reporting on internet marketing for years.
For more information on birthday first party, visit his site at birthday first party

Why Do Babies Have Such A Difficult Time Going To Sleep?

This acticle has been included because most parents at some time or another have a difficult period with our babies going to sleep, so I thought it could be useful. At present we are playing a CD of a Tropical rainforest just outside my 20 month old daughter's bedroom door set on repeat play, and guess what she is now sleeping like a baby, excuse the pun. But is has worked after trying many different ideas to keep our little darling a sleep.
It has been hard going with a teenage son who bangs around the house like an Elephant on a rampage forgetting his little sister.
The reflux section is also worth a look as our daughter had it quite bad. I hope this acticle helps you and your partner get some sleep.
Please give me some feed back so we can all learn more tricks.

Why Do Babies Have Such A Difficult Time Going To Sleep?By: Dylon Sanger
Many people have asked the question of why babies seem to have such a difficult time getting to sleep. Is it just that the baby is being stubborn, is the baby not getting enough attention, is the baby missing his or her parent? The questions linger on in the minds of parents and the parents often blame themselves unjustly.

There are many reasons why your baby may be having difficulty getting to sleep at night or for daytime naps. Many of the causes of baby sleep problems are quite simple to resolve, once you know what those causes are. If you can understand why your baby has difficulty going to sleep, then you can come up with a solution that will help your baby's sleep problem. Let's take a look at some of the common reasons babies have trouble getting to sleep.

A Dirty Diaper. A wet or dirty diaper is not a comfortable feeling for your child. This is one of the easiest issues to address with your child. Check and/or change your child's diaper before putting him or her down to sleep.

Heat. There is a school of thought that says a baby needs to feel much like it did in the womb to be able to achieve complete comfort. This statement has a good deal of merit, but some parents may overdo it by wrapping a baby in a warm blanket while wearing an outfit. If the room is not a comfortable temperature your baby, much the same as you would in a hot room, will have a hard time getting to sleep. The point here is if you would not be able to get to sleep in that room fully dressed, with a blanket over you, do not expect your baby to be able to get to sleep either.

Teething. Teething pain can begin for a baby as early as 3 months of age and continue off and on all the way through age 2. Teething pain is very uncomfortable for a baby and unfortunately he cannot tell us what is hurting, all we know is that he will not go to sleep. Pay attention to teething symptoms with your baby. There are many products on the market that can relieve teething pain, but as always you will want to check with your pediatrician before using these over the counter medications.

Eating Too Much Or Too Little. Most parents understand that a baby that is hungry will be fussy and difficult to get to sleep. Not all new parents know just how often they should be feeding their newborn though. Newborns need to eat every 2-3 hours up until they are about 6 weeks old. After 6 weeks old the feeding times will stretch out to every 3 hours and after 4 months of age feeding will be about every 4 hours.

Try not to feed your baby too much. This is quite easy to do, although your baby will usually let you know in the most unattractive fashion if he or she has eaten too much.

Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER). This is much like heartburn that adults experience and can cause your baby's sleep pattern to be thrown off. There are many symptoms of this condition that you can detect. Some symptoms include irritability after meals, excessive spitting up, and wheezing. If you have any concerns that your baby may be suffering from GER you should contact your pediatrician and have your baby checked over by the doctor.

Lack Of A Baby Sleep Pattern. Some new parents do not know that babies need to be trained to go to sleep. Babies will often try to fight off sleep much the same way that many adults do. If you set up baby sleep patterns and rituals your baby will soon learn that after the ritual ends it is time to sleep. Some of theses rituals might include going to sleep shortly after a bath, taking a nap after a meal, etc.

As you can see, understanding the causes of why your baby might be having trouble getting to sleep leads to some simple solutions. Your baby can have difficulty sleeping for any one of the reasons above, or for others not listed. It could be a combination of any of these symptoms that keep your baby from going to sleep when you feel it is time for him or her to get some rest.

Hopefully you can see that it is not poor parenting or a "poor tempered baby" that keeps your baby awake. It can often be as simple as needing a clean diaper for your baby to get that needed rest. As you being to recognize the different symptoms of problems keeping your baby awake, the easier it will be for you to find a solution to those symptoms.

Article Source: http://www.blogtelecast.com

A Case for Babying your Baby

I really liked this article I found so please leave feed back what You think?

A Case for Babying your Baby by KEVIN WILSON
Recently, I have noticed a resurgence in parents afraid of “spoiling” their children, in particular their newborns and infants by holding them too often in a baby sling carrier. This certainly isn’t anything new. In the early half of the 20th century, the majority of child care experts discouraged parents from excessively holding their babies, warning that by doing so, they would not prepare their children for the harsh and cruel world that awaited them.
However, in 1946 Dr. Benjamin Spock published “The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care.” Dr. Spock was one of the early proponents of mothers caring for their babies by using their own judgment to determine what was best for their baby. Today there are still many who warn new parents that excessively holding their baby will spoil the child. These people are known as “regulators.” Regulators believe that the child needs a disciplined routine to develop. The second group of people is referred to as “facilitators”. The facilitating parent acts reactively to the child’s physical or emotional cues of distress.

In 2001, A. Scher from the University of Haifa, Israel, conducted a study to determine which method of parenting created a stronger bond between the mother and child. Overwhelmingly, babies whose mothers used a facilitating approach to parenting displayed more “attachment” to their mothers than babies whose mothers used a more regulating approach.

So what does this mean for a new parent? It simply means that by holding your child and appropriately caring for your child when they begin to fuss, you build a relationship of trust and security with your baby. Building this sense of trust with your baby will actually foster your baby’s confidence to explore and interact with others. So relax, and worry more about what your baby wants and less about the way your peers and associates say.

Baby's esseontials

:- Moses basket- Baby only in here for 3 months and the time flies.
Consider buying a pram system which has a carry cot, you could place on a stand.
Cot If possible buy a cotbed so your baby can grow with this as going straight into a normal single bed is very daunting. However if you intend to have another baby quite close then you would need the cot for them.

Baby Gadgets and toys

As a follow on from the last post I thought it would be a good idea to state that your children will be subjected to lots of stimulus quite early on from the likes of Play stations, X-boxes, Nintendo etc and then the wars will begin. So my advice is not to subject your baby to it. Tip A simple bouncer with a removable arch to look at and reach out to is the best.

I must confess though my first two children went in the bouncer quite a lot... My third baby preferred the car seat!
Tip: Its best to keep some of your money back because as they get older the costs will rise.

Toys and Gadgets For the Active Baby

There are never ending array of toys gadgets etc that the advertisers will try to convince you that your baby needs..... and yes with my first child we did buy quite a few things that were so little used we could probably sell them as new!
Let me share with you what we did find value for money and a pleasure for baby.

I would suggest a bouncy cradle although a first car seat with some little toys attached is absolutely fine. You will find many types of bouncing cradles that do all sorts of things, they rock and even vibrate! How on earth a baby is expected to relax on its own when it becomes use to being rocked and vibrated.
I would stay away from these, along with the flashing light versions...... heaven knows what that does to a tiny brain.

Active Baby

Daytime
You will be surprised how soon your baby starts to take an interest in you and their environment. The first smile is not to be missed. Babies need very few things to stimulate them, because what they enjoy most is you talking to them, singing nursery rhymes, using relaxing baby massage.
Tip The more relaxed you are around play time, the more relaxed your baby will be. You will have more fun and hopefully your baby will to.

Baby Bath Time

Here the cheapest option is to buy a seat to put into your bath although make sure you have some padding for your knee's!

We went for an over bath unit which really eases the stress on your back. It has been real value for money as it has been used for all three of our children. Bath times are such fun times for you and your baby and the more comfortable you both are the more you will enjoy it.
Which ever product you use it is only for the 1st six months.

Another option is to use a bath set where you bath the baby on the floor or suitable surface. Personally I never liked this idea having to lift the bath with water and empty it again.

We then used a bath swivel seat which is a great product.This is rated as a best buy product for value and fun it gives your baby. Your baby can sit happily in the bath and play with the support of the seat, some of them even have activities on them. A few bath toys is money well spent and invest in a bath thermometer it takes the guess work out of how hot the water is. Tip make sure the bath seat base has attached to the bath with all its suckers. Try pulling upwards before placing your baby in it.
If you go away quite a lot you might consider an inflatable bath or a foldaway bath. Both great ideas.