Baby Shower Gift Ideas - Look For Practical Items

There is absolutely no dearth of choices as far as baby shower gift ideas are concerned. However, you need to base your decision on the practicality and usefulness of the baby shower gifts and you should make sure that the gifts selected by you would be useful to the parents-to-be as soon as the baby is born. Given below are a few common and time-tested baby shower gift ideas.

Baby Clothes

There are several items of clothing that are required by a baby as soon as it enters this world. You can select many practical items such as undershirts, sleepers, blankets, diapers, socks etc. However, you must select only such types that are easy to put on and remove from the baby. There shouldn't be many buttons or snaps as these can be annoying at times for parents.

Baby Health Items

Since the health of the baby is of paramount importance, baby shower gift ideas in the field of health products would be ideal. You have a large choice in this field as you can find many such items in the stores. Such gifts include baby wipes, baby powder, q-tips, lotion, baby safety pins, scissors, nail file, baby thermometer, diapers and diaper bags, and hydrogen peroxide used to clean the umbilical cord.

Baby Feeding Items

One of the most practical baby shower gift ideas is to give baby feeding products. There are many such items to choose from, such as feeding spoon, bottles, bibs, baby formula, bottle holders, bottlebrush set, bottle sterilizers, breast pump, tipper cup, nipples, baby burp towels, bathrobes and plastic baby dishes. You should include plenty of similar brushes if you are including a bottle brush set. The feeding items could also include emergency baby food or formula supplies.

Bath Products

You should also consider bath products as baby shower gift ideas because they would be very useful baby shower gifts. Some of these items could include towels with hoods, baby lotions, soaps, shampoos, baby brushes, bath toys, washcloths, anti skid bathtubs, baby bath supports, etc. When you choose bath toys, you should make sure that you should only choose those toys that are appropriate for the age of the baby.

Baby Room Products

The other great baby shower gift ideas include baby room products. In this category, you can look for items such as wall pictures, stuffed animals, nursery lamp, dresser, changing table, piggy bank, bouncy seats, furniture, picture frame, ceramic items with the baby's initials and gift certificates. You can also look for various types of toys that might be of interest to the baby.

The pregnancy of the mother-to-be needs to be celebrated as it is an important phase in the lives of the parents-to-be. Baby shower is such an occasion when the friends and relatives are invited to be a part of the pregnancy celebrations and they bring with them baby shower gifts for expressing their happiness and congratulating the expectant mother. You should try to devise unique baby shower gift ideas so that the gifts that you give are useful to the parents as well as to the baby. They will always remember you when they use your gifts.

The most frequent problem that people going for baby shower parties face is dearth of baby shower gift ideas. There are numerous options for baby shower gifts that you can carry for baby shower. Baby Showers offers more information on baby shower parties, diaper cakes, baby gifts and other details related to pregnancy.

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Baby Furniture - What Do You Really Need?

Walking into a baby furniture store can be completely mind blowing - there's so much stuff! Most of us don't have an unlimited amount of money to spend, and if you've never had a baby before, it can be really hard to work out what's really necessary, useful, or basically a waste of time. If you're planning to set up a gift register at the store, you want to make sure the things you put on it are useful and practical. It's can all be incredibly confusing.

Let's take a look at some of the main items you're going to find in the baby store, so that you can have some idea of what baby furniture you really want or need before you even get to the store. That way you can focus on picking exactly which one you want, rather than messing about deciding whether you actually want or need it.

Baby Bassinet or Cradle

A bassinet or cradle is used from birth until around 4 months. Basically, if the baby can roll from side to side, it's time for baby to move up into a crib. Make sure the mattress fits snugly against the sides. You may even find that a padded bumper, sheets and quilt are included.

The bassinet probably falls somewhere in the middle between necessary and unnecessary. If you're on a budget, you can certainly go without one. Having said that, I loved my bassinet and wouldn't have been without it. It's so convenient to be able to move baby around. I generally let baby sleep in his own room during the day, and used a baby monitor, then at night wheeled baby's bassinet into my room. Mine could be rocked gently to help baby fall asleep, and because it was up on a stand, it was easy to life baby in and out - I was recovering from a caesarean.

So my advice would be - if you can fit a bassinet into your budget, do it. Perhaps it's an item that a few friends or family could buy for your baby shower.

Baby Crib or Cot

Some sort of secure bed for baby is definitely required. Spending a fortune buying one isn't required! You can buy cribs in a massive range of styles - with a huge range of price tags to match. Probably the main thing to look for is to make sure the crib adheres to the required safety standards. Check that the mattress fits snugly against the sides of the crib. Some other helpful features are: an adjustable base height, a couple of release mechanisms (not just one, in case baby learns how to do it!), lockable wheels, and no stickers that can be peeled off easily.

Crib Mattress

Many cribs include their own mattress, and that's probably the best option because it should fit the crib snugly. There are two types of mattress - inner spring/coil or foam. Generally, the innerspring style of mattress will last much longer, but is usually a little more expensive. It's worth buying some sort of waterproof mattress pad, to protect the mattress, but make sure it doesn't have any plastic on the side the baby will be sleeping on.

Bedding Accessories

This is an area where you can start to spend some serious dollars! It's very easy to get carried away with all the cute and gorgeous designs for baby bedding. Thankfully most cribs and bassinets use standard sizes, which makes things a little easier. One good strategy is to buy the necessary basics yourself, then put all the less necessary accessories on your baby shower gift register. Apart from the basic sheets, I've always liked to have a bumper for the top end of baby's bed - and make sure it ties on in multiple places, so more than one tie has to break before it can fall down. You should never use a pillow for baby, and even quilts or comforters aren't recommended - stick to ordinary blankets. You can also often get added extras, such as diaper stackers. Personally I've never found them of much use, but again, some of the extra might make good baby shower gifts.

Changing Table

If you're really strapped for cash, then you can probably make do with using your bed as a changing table, but if you can, this is something I highly recommend. Your back will certainly prefer it! My changing table was actually more like a set of dresser drawers, and nowadays, with the changing table part removed, it's still being used as drawers for my daughter's clothes. So it pays to think ahead and buy a changing table that's practical. Also look for safety features, such as guardrails and perhaps even safety straps. And of course it needs to be well padded! It's handy to have some sort of shelf where you can put items you're using, but personally I just put them down one end of the changing table and changed baby at the other end. Once baby got bigger, I used the top drawer.

Rocking Chair

This is definitely on the "maybe" list. A lot of women swear by them, but personally I never had one and it never bothered me in the slightest. So this is going to come down to personal preference and your budget. Having said that, you will need a comfortable chair to sit in, particularly if you're nursing your baby.

Portable Crib

This is one piece of baby furniture that got used a lot in my household! My son used to come to work with me when he was little, and I used a portable crib for his naps. It was great when I went to visit family and friends, because baby was familiar with it and happy to have a nap when the time came. I also didn't have to worry about baby rolling off someone's bed. It meant that we could go on holidays and know that baby had somewhere safe and familiar to sleep. I used mine so much that I ended up having to buy a second one when my daughter came along! It's important, though, to spend some time making sure the portable crib you choose is well constructed and safe. Make sure it can't collapse easily, particularly if baby tries to climb out. Check there are no small spaces where fingers could get trapped, and a collapsible padded base is very helpful.

High Chair

A high chair rates very close to the essential end of the scale. The good news is that you don't need one straight away, so you can put off buying it until quite a few months after baby is born. Look for an adjustable tray, restraints of some kind and perhaps even lockable rolling casters. Some models also have a reclining seat, so you can use it even when baby is still bottle feeding.

Car Seat

This is definitely essential - apart from ensuring your baby's safety, you're breaking the law in most places if you don't have one. Newborns must travel in the back seat of the car, facing the rear. Once baby is older, usually closer to 1 year old, you can place baby in a forward facing car seat. When your child is older again, anywhere from 2 years upwards depending on their size, you can change over to a booster seat.

The major decision you'll have here is whether to buy separate, specially designed car seats for baby and then your toddler, or whether to buy a convertible model. Personally I always had 2 separate car seats, mostly because all the consumer safety research I'd seen suggested that a specifically designed car seat was more effective in an accident. Thankfully I never tested that theory out! Construction and safety levels are constantly improving, however, so if buying a convertible model is where your budget is, that's okay too.

Strollers

This is another baby item where there seems to be too many choices. First you have to decide which style of stroller you want, before even looking at individual brands. At some point you are going to want to transport your baby, so you will need to buy something. You need to start by having a long, hard think about what you expect your movements to be with your baby. Do you plan to take baby jogging with you? Go over rougher terrain regularly? Or will you probably only put baby in a stroller at the shops? Do you want a pram that can later be converted into a stroller?

Once you have an idea what type of things you'll need to use your stroller for, a salesperson at the baby store should be able to guide you in the right direction. You then need to think about what added features you might like - accessory bars, toy and activity bars, headrests, adjustable height, rain shields etc.

Choosing the right stroller is probably going to take you a while!

Baby Monitor

A baby monitor probably isn't necessary, but I always found it was great for peace of mind. It meant I could be off in another part of the house doing something, but still be monitoring my baby's nap. Prices vary a lot, but it's probably better to choose your monitor based on the features you're going to need, rather than price. If you're going to move around a lot, make sure your monitor is portable. Do you want batteries or mains power? Do you want video monitoring as well?

Bouncer Seat

Again, this isn't necessary, but it's very useful! Babies love to watch everything that's going on around them, and it's much easier for them if they're raised slightly from the horizontal. You can buy all sorts of fancy bouncer seats, with everything from toy bars to battery operated bouncing. I only ever had a very basic fabric bouncer, and most of the time the toy bar wasn't even attached. Both my kids loved them, and the good thing was that I always knew where they were! Very handy, particularly when I was cooking dinner. The main thing to remember is that you should NEVER place a bouncer seat on a raised surface, they should always be placed on the floor or ground.

Discover more about getting ready for baby's arrival at Info About Baby You can sign up for a FREE Baby Tips newsletter at Baby Tips Newsletter. The author's book about babies is available at Baby's First Year [http://www.baby.learnheaps.com]

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Our Top 10 Favorite Tweeting Moms of 2010

When I set out to list my 10 favorite people on Twitter, I did not realize how hard it would be. BabiesOnline follows so many awesome people, even limiting the list to awesome moms was hard to do. This list isn’t in any particular order because every one of these moms is on here for a different reason.

@RookieMommy & @MomSurvival – I’m not cheating by listing these two ladies together. Together Lorraine and Erica wrote and published The Survival Guide for Rookie Moms (Read the review) this year. Their blog by the same name is characterized by posts that combine practical information with just the right amount of humor. On Twitter they promote their book and blog, but find time to interact with their followers as well.

@CrunchyGoddess – Amy blogs about natural parenting and all things “crunchy” as the Crunchy Domestic Goddess . Her posts are always well researched and she presents the facts in such a way that anyone can understand. My heart broke for her when she lost her sister in a car accident two months ago and she shared the news on Twitter. The blending of personal connections with informative posts make her a favorite.

@AmberStrocel – Amber blogs at Strocel.com and many other places across the Internets. She’s on my list because I can relate to so much of what she writes about. It might be because she has two children, a girl and a boy, just like I do, or like her I just can’t manage to give housework a high priority.

@PHDInParenting – Annie is not afraid of broaching controversial topics and her blog, PhD in Parenting, is her platform for calling attention to issues she finds important. I am constantly learning new things from her well-written and well-thought out posts. On Twitter I don’t think there’s anyone else having as many conversations as she does either!

@JanetLansbury – Janet is another favorite that isn’t afraid to stir up controversy with her blog posts at JanetLansburry.com or in her comments on other blogs. What I like about Janet is she invites people to join the conversation and then actually converses with them.

@Champuru – Donna’s journey to motherhood was long and well documented on her blog Champuru.net. From her struggles with infertility and finally conceiving through IVF, she’s blogged through it all. Her posts about parenting are filled with the wonder of a first-time parent who is doing everything she can to get it right. The real reason she’s on this list is her daughter lil K is irresistible!

@BabyShrink – Even if Heather wasn’t a doctor, I’d listen to her and read her posts about parenting. She’s a mom of four and for me that might hold more weight than her psychology degree! She blogs and answers reader’s questions at BabyShrink.com and her Twitter stream is filled with so much Aloha it’s contagious.

@CodeNameMama – Dionna blogs about Natural Parenting at her site Codename Mama. Her blog is one of the resources I wish I’d had when my kids were born 7 and 5 years ago. Since she’s only been blogging for a little over year, that would have been impossible, but I’m so glad she’s around for the new and expectant moms out there now.

@FeministBreeder – She’s an honest to goodness Rocker Chick turned mom and childbirth educator. On top of that she’s a childbirth educator AND pre-law student! She blogs daily at The Feminist Breeder and still has time to connect with people on Twitter. I get the feeling Gina is a bit of an overachiever.

@BabyRabies – Jill describes her blog, Baby Rabies, as “verbal diarrhea.” I’m not sure what it is, but whether she’s talking about poop or describing her bouts of pica, I find her writing very entertaining. In between the funny stories are real parenting posts that make her blog more than just a fun time.

@TessasDad – Okay, so Chris is definitely not a mom, but as a stay-at-home dad and proud parent of Tessa, he does great. He obviously loves being a dad and getting to see pictures of the adorable Tessa make him a great person to follow. He blogs at http://SahdinLansing.com.

I’m looking forward to meeting more great Twitter folks in the new year! Happy 2011 to all. ^FM

You can follow these great tweeps (and more) on our Babies Online’s Favorite Twitter List

$(function() {var zIndexNumber = 1000;$('div').each(function() {$(this).css('zIndex', zIndexNumber);zIndexNumber -= 10;});});

You can get more helpful information when you're a registered member. In addition to our services, you will also receive our newsletters delivered to your in-box. Be the first to hear about new free offers and member-only specials!

Posted by Fran on Tuesday, December 28th, 2010 at 8:55 am and is filed under Current Events.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Tags: blogging, followers, Social Networking, tweet, Twitter
Posted in: Current Events

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Using Medication to Deal With Depression or Stress

There was a period of time during one of my husband’s many military deployments when I had a lot of things going on even before you consider that I was raising two kids on my own while constantly wondering if my husband was safe. I work from home, and while I really love what I do, combine that with going to grad school part time and it was no wonder that half the time I felt like I was going to start screaming at everyone around me.

I made an effort to scale back on some of my obligations, but when I went in for my annual physical the doctor asked me how everything was going with my husband being gone. I told her that sometimes -particularly when my hormones went crazy once a month- I had a really hard time not wanting to take to bed crying.

Anti-depressants

At that point my doctor nonchalantly offered me some anti-depressants. Now don’t get me wrong; I have nothing against anti-depressants and I understand how they work because I’m studying psychopathology in school right now. I just figured that anti-depressants were supposed to be more of a compliment to therapy or some sort of last resort. Or, at the very least, I did not expect them to be offered to a patient you just met 15 minutes ago.

On the other hand, with months to go until my husband’s return, I knew that a happier me would make for happier kids, so it seemed silly to not at least give the meds a try. The type she gave me was a lower dose and -yippee!- as a side effect I might notice some weight loss.

Did the Anti-Depressants Work?

After about a week on the medication I noticed a lot less freaking out on my part. Instead of my body temperature rising whenever the kids started fighting, I was able to take a deep breath and diffuse the situation.

The really interesting thing about this is that even though I was embarrassed about taking these meds, I eventually revealed it to a friend of mine who shrugged her shoulders and said, “I’ve been on meds since my second baby was born.” She is one of the calmest friends I have and it never occurred to me that her calmness was chemically induced.

In fact, when I started talking to other moms, it became evident that a lot of moms get through their stressful days with some help from their pharmacists. A few months ago I stopped taking the meds, but I found out that some of my friends have been on medication for years…particularly since the kids came along.

The Moral of the Story

If you think that going on medication to regulate your moods is something to be embarrassed about, I’m here to tell you that there is a good chance many other moms in your social circle already have experience in this arena. I learned a lot from my experience, and although it was not a long-term solution for me it certainly helped me to get through a really stressful time.

$(function() {var zIndexNumber = 1000;$('div').each(function() {$(this).css('zIndex', zIndexNumber);zIndexNumber -= 10;});});

You can get more helpful information when you're a registered member. In addition to our services, you will also receive our newsletters delivered to your in-box. Be the first to hear about new free offers and member-only specials!

Posted by Tamsen Butler on Wednesday, November 17th, 2010 at 8:59 am and is filed under Parenting.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Tags: anxiety, Depression, friends, medication, moods, stress
Posted in: Parenting

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Do You Have a Challenging Baby?

The active baby.

Babies often send the first clue that they're going to be more active than most right from the uterus; suspicions are confirmed soon after birth when swaddling blankets are kicked off, nappy changing and dressing sessions become wrestling matches, and baby always ends up at the opposite end of the cot after a nap. Active babies are a constant challenge (they sleep less than most, become restless when feeding, can be extremely frustrated until they're able to be independently mobile, and are always at risk of hurting themselves), but they can also be a joy (they're usually very alert, interested and interesting, and quick to accomplish). While you don't want to squelch such a baby's enthusiasm and adventurous nature, you will want to take special protective precautions as well as learn ways to quiet him or her for eating and sleeping.

The following tips should help:

Use a blanket sleeper in cold weather and lightweight sleeper in cool weather; limit or avoid swaddling

Be especially careful never to leave an active baby on a bed, changing table or any other elevated spot even for a second. A restraining strap on the changing table is useful but should not be relied upon if you're more than a step away.

Adjust the cot mattress to its lowest level as soon as the active baby starts to sit alone for even a few seconds - the next step may be pulling up and over the sides of the cot. Keep all objects a baby might climb on out of cot and playpen.

Don't leave an active baby in an infant seat except on the floor - they are often capable of overturning the seat. And of course, baby should always be strapped in.

Learn what slows down your active baby - massage, soft music, a warm bath or looking at a picture book . Build such quietening activities into your baby's schedule before feeding and sleeping times.

The irregular baby.

At about six to twelve weeks, just when other babies seem to be settling into a schedule and becoming more predictable, these babies seem to become more erratic. Not only don't they fall into schedules on their own, they aren't interested in any you may have to offer.

Instead of following such a baby's lead and letting chaos take over your home life, or taking the reins yourself and imposing a very rigid schedule that is contrary to the infant's nature, try to find a middle ground. For both your sakes, it's necessary to put at least a modicum of order in your lives, but try as much as possible to build a schedule around any natural tendencies your baby seems to exhibit. You may have to keep a diary to uncover any hints of a recurring time frame in your child's days.

Try to counter any unpredictability with predictability. That means trying, as much as possible, to do things at the same times and in the same ways every day. Nurse in the same chair when possible, give baths at the same time each day, always soothe by the same method (rocking or singing or whatever works best). Try scheduling feedings at roughly the same times each day. Ease rather than force your baby into more of a structured day. And don't expect true regularity, just a little less chaos.

Nights with an irregular baby can be torture, mostly because the baby doesn't usually differentiate them from days. To survive, mummy and daddy may have to alternate night duty or share split shifts until things get better, which they eventually will if you are persistent and stay cool.

The poor-adaptability or initial-withdrawal baby.

These babies consistently reject the unfamiliar - new objects, people, foods. Some are upset by change of any kind even familiar change such as going from the house to the car. If this sounds like your baby, trv setting up a daily schedule with few surprises. Feedings, baths and naps should take place at the same times and in the same places, with as few departures from routine as possible. Introduce new toys and people very gradually. For example, hang a new mobile over the cot for just a minute or two. Remove it and bring it out again in a short while, leaving it up for a few minutes longer. Continue increasing the time of exposure until baby seems ready to accept and enjoy the mobile. Introduce other new toys and objects in the same way. Have new people spend a lot of time just being in the same room with your baby then talking at a distance, then communicating close up, before they make an attempt at physical contact. Later, when you introduce solids, add new foods very gradually, starting with tiny amounts, and increasing portion size over the span of a week or two. Don't add another food until the last is well accepted. Try- to avoid unnecessary changes when making purchases - a new feeding bottle with a different shape or colour, a new gadget on the pushchair, a new dummy. If an item wears out or breaks, try to replace it with an identical or similar model.

The high-intensity baby.

You probably noticed it right at the beginning - your baby cried louder than any other child in the hospital nursery. The loud crying and screaming, the kind that can frazzle even the steadiest of nerves, continued when you got home. You can't flip a switch and turn down the volume on your baby, of course - but turning down the volume of noise and activity in the environment may help tone your child down a bit. Also, you will want to take some purely practical measures to keep the noise from bothering family and neighbours. If possible, soundproof your baby's room by insulating the walls with insulating board or padding, adding carpeting, curtains, and anything else that will absorb the sound. You can try earplugs, a white-noise machine, a fan or air conditioner to reduce the wear and tear on your ears and nerves without totally blocking out your baby's cries. As crying lessens in the months ahead, so will this problem- but your child will probably always be louder and more intense than most.

The negative or 'unhappy' baby.

Instead of smiling and cooing, some babies just seem... grumpy all the time. This is no reflection on the parents (unless, of course, they've been neglectful), but it can have a profound impact on them. They often find it difficult to love their unhappy babies, and sometimes they even reject them. If nothing seems to satisfy your baby (and no medical explanation is uncovered ), then do your best to be loving and caring anyway, secure in the knowledge that one of these days, when your baby learns other ways of expression, the crying and general unhappiness will diminish, though he or she may always be the 'serious' type.

Carolyn Joana is a parenting expert who deeply understand all baby needs and desires to share her knowledge with the new parents. She offers great, tested, down to earth and reassuring tips on baby food, baby health, home-remedies for babies, baby massage, baby care, breastfeeding and much more at http://www.guide-to-baby-needs.com

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

How To Talk To Your Baby - And Understand What She's Saying Back

It is incredible, but within a years time your baby will progress from random crying to talking. This is quite an achievement for your baby and in a very short period of time. In this chapter we will look at your baby's development when it comes to language. You'll also discover what you can expect to see every month but it's important to remember that these stages of your baby's development are broad and because every baby is different these are not meant as exact milestones.

One month. Your baby will be able to understand speech long before actually talking. From birth he will look at your face and listen to your voice. He may make a small range of noises that will start to mean something to you - these may be made when he experiences feelings of hunger or pain (such as crying and certain sounds while he is breathing). When your baby is eating, you may notice him making sucking type noises and sounds of contentment. The way that your baby cries is an important communication method while he is actually unable to talk. Crying lays the foundation for speech as your baby learns to control his vocal cords. Crying is also a baby's way of indicating hunger, discontentment, or general discomfort. Through responding to this crying you let your baby know that she is important to you - and this can really be reassuring for a young infant.

Two months. As a child enters his second month he is far more aware of the world - things such as sounds, even that of your voice, will amuse and fascinate your child. Change the tone of your voice and this will keep him amused. Your baby will respond with a variety of cooing sounds, vowel-like sounds, and sometimes some consonant sounds such as a "k". You will find that your baby has quite a collection of cooing sounds that she uses to communicate with you as well as discover how to use the sound of her own voice. During this time, try and talk with your baby - this will encourage her response and help in the development process. By looking into your baby's eyes you are communicating an important thing to her - that you are listening.

Three months. By now you will find that your baby is able to recognize your voice and may come to you or face you when your voice is heard. You may notice him laugh out aloud and may even scare himself by doing this (as he does not initially know that he is the one making the sounds). Your baby will be making sounds such as "ahhhh gooo". He will squeal when he is happy and content, again often startling himself as he learns his own abilities.

At this stage you should not only talk to your baby but also introduce other communication forms such as singing and story telling. The greater your effort in trying to talk with him, the better his response is likely to be.

Four months. By now more and more communication should be taking place with your baby. You may notice a greater amount of smiling - while his babbling may have a noticeably singsong quality to it, often ranging into a high pitch that delights him as he learns to like the sound of his own voice. There will be lots of repetition to the sounds that your baby makes.

It is important that you always respond to your baby's "oohs" and "ahhs" and whatever other communication methods she is using - respond with your own voice tones. This is your chance to have a "chat time" with your baby and you should take advantage of these times - you are helping him to discover the art of conversation. There will also be certain times when your baby may also not be in the mood for talking. He will turn his head in the other direction and may put his arm over his face. He may be showing signs of anger or frustration by crying out, especially if something is taken away from him.

Five months. As each month progresses you will find that your baby is becoming better at communicating. It's possible that you will notice him imitate some sounds and gestures. By now he'll most likely be able to let you know if he's happy or sad. When attention is wanted your baby will babble until he is given the attention he feels he deserves. Interestingly, if you always respond to his communication efforts (whatever these may be) he'll repeat them whenever he wants your attention this way.

During this month it's likely that your baby will be looking at your mouth moving while you talk. Talk to him from across the room and he'll be able to find you with ease. He is learning to control his vocal sounds as he watches your response to his sounds.

Six months. Your baby may now be using consonant-vowel combinations. It's quite possible that he has discovered his mirror reflection and is probably having conversations with himself. Your baby's language is becoming much more precise.

Here are some ways that you can help your baby develop her language skills:

· Speak very slowly and clearly.

· Identify and point out items, objects and people as you talk about them.

· Use shorter sentences sentences.

· Using repetition when singing songs and nursery rhymes helps the learning process.

· Reading to your baby is a good idea and should be done as often as possible - ask your baby questions and point things out to make the process as interactive as possible.

· Let your baby respond in his own way when communicating with her.

Seven months. Your baby is now continuing to learn how to use his newfound language skills. He may be able to do things such as wave goodbye and may accompany his wave with babbling sounds. He can say "mama" or "dada".

Eight months. Your baby is playing games such as pat a cake and peek-a-boo. Even though he can't speak the words that belong to these games, he can babble and talk to himself. It's likely that your baby knows what the word "No" means by now as well.

Nine to twelve months. It's possible that by now your baby understands requests and commands such as "give it" or "don't touch that". Similarly, she may understand simple questions such as "where's your rattle?" At this time you should be encouraging your baby to use gestures (and you should respond to them). For example if your baby indicates she wants to be picked up then say "you want to be picked up?" while picking her up. This helps the learning process. You should also talk about everything that you do, and use gestures (and short sentences) as you're doing them.

Here are some ways to help your baby with the learning process:

· Look at books and talk about the pictures in simple languages. Where possible try and use books that your baby is able to hold.

· Talk often to your baby using simple words to identify objects in his life. Name trees, numbers, colours, and animals as you take your baby for a walk. You should also use your baby's name often - this way she will be able to recognise it.

· Talk back to your child when she talks with you.

· Introduce concepts to your baby, such as the "big" dog or the "little" mouse.

· Give your baby time to get his words out; don't be tempted to complete sentences for him.

· Continue to read to your baby as much as possible. Reading should be part of your daily routine.

· From day one start to talk in a simple, short and uncomplicated way with your baby - even though she will not understand what you are saying this is laying the foundations for learning language.

Twelve months. After one year babies are generally able to say one or two words and are able to understand 25 words or more. For example if a person in the room asks, "where is daddy?" your baby will look for you. Your baby is also able to point at things (and ask for things in this way).

Keziah Engineer is the author of the best selling ebook “THE BABY CARE BOOK” – a resource that teaches new parents absolutely everything they need to know about their newborn babies: [http://www.global-ebooks.com/babybook.htm]

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Bassettbaby Recalls Drop-Side Cribs

Recalled Due to Entrapment, Suffocation and Fall Hazards

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Bassettbaby drop-side cribs with external plastic hardware

Units: About 90,000

Manufacturer: Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc., of Bassett, Va.

Hazard: The cribs’ drop-side rail can malfunction, detach or otherwise fail, causing part of the drop side to detach from the crib. When a drop-side rail partially detaches, it creates a space between the drop-side and the crib mattress. An infant or toddler’s body can become entrapped in the space, which can lead to strangulation and/or suffocation. A child also can fall out of the crib. Drop-side incidents also can occur due to incorrect assembly and age-related wear and tear.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm and CPSC are aware of 18 reported incidents in which drop-sides malfunctioned or detached from the crib. No injuries were reported. In one of the incidents a child became entrapped between the mattress and the drop-side. In three of the incidents children fell out of the cribs. The firm also has received 154 reports of drop-side hardware breaking during shipment, assembly or use.

Description: The recalled cribs are wood with a metal mattress support and have a drop side with external plastic hardware. The cribs were sold in a variety of finishes. A label is attached to the footboard or headboard with the names “Bassettbaby” or “Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc.” as well as the model number, production date and other information. On some older models the manufacturer’s name appears on a separate label.

Note: This recall does not include non drop-side cribs.

Sold at: Children’s product stores, and other retailers nationwide and on-line from January 2000 through August 2010 for between about $200 and $500.

Manufactured in: China, Croatia, Slovenia, Taiwan and Vietnam

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled drop-side cribs and contact Bassettbaby for a free kit that will immobilize the drop side. In the meantime, parents are urged to find an alternate, safe sleeping environment for the child, such as a bassinet, play yard or toddler bed depending on the child’s age.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Bassettbaby at (800) 308-7485 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website.

Important Message from CPSC: CPSC reminds parents not to use any crib with missing, broken or loose parts. Make sure to tighten hardware from time to time to keep the crib sturdy. When using a drop-side crib, parents should check to make sure the drop side or any other moving part operates smoothly. Always check all sides and corners of the crib for parts separating that can create a gap and entrap a child. In addition, do not try to repair any side of the crib. Babies have died in cribs where repairs were attempted by caregivers. Crib age is a factor in safety. At a minimum, CPSC staff recommends that you not use a crib that is older than 10 years. Many older cribs may not meet current voluntary standards and can have a variety of safety problems. Check if your crib has been recalled.

MODELS INCLUDED IN RECALL TO REPAIRStyle NumberProduct DescriptionStyle NumberProduct DescriptionStyle NumberProduct Description$(function() {var zIndexNumber = 1000;$('div').each(function() {$(this).css('zIndex', zIndexNumber);zIndexNumber -= 10;});});

You can get more helpful information when you're a registered member. In addition to our services, you will also receive our newsletters delivered to your in-box. Be the first to hear about new free offers and member-only specials!

Posted by Dan on Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010 at 7:35 am and is filed under Recalls.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Tags: Bassettbaby, China, Entrapment Hazard, fall hazard, recall, suffocation hazard, unsafe crib
Posted in: Recalls

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

A Practical Guide to Baby Milestones

Practical advice and tips for ensuring Baby learns all important and smart skills. 70% Commission.

Check it out!
This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Simply Mother and Baby Superpack

Become a new mum in style with the mother and baby superpack. Everything that you need prior to becoming a new mum plus much more. From planning baby showers right through to the terrible two's. Affiliates Earn 60% visit: http://tinyurl.com/339xkly

Check it out!
This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Organic Baby - Caring for Baby the Chemical Free Way

Practical, Definitive Guide Uncovers All You Need to Know about the Use of Harmful Toxic Chemicals in Baby Products. A Must read for All Parents to Discover How to Keep Baby Healthy, Safe and Chemical Free.

Check it out!
This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Best Baby Shower Games on the Internet - High Conversion Rate

Earn High Commissions with These 75 Beautifully-Designed, Unique Baby Shower Games. Customers Love Them They Can Be Download and Printed in as Little as 5 Minutes. See for yourself - these games are Top Notch and blow others away.

Check it out!
This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Can Starting School Early Cause ADHD?

In the US, about 8 to 10% of school-aged children are diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ADHD is a behavioral disorder characterized by inattention and disruptive behavior in class. Kids with ADHD are hyperactive, impulsive and lack the ability to concentrate. Because of their behavior, they have problems not only academically but also socially. Boys are 3 times more likely than girls to be diagnosed with ADHD.

A recent report in Medscape attracted my attention because it reviewed two articles on the same topic but conducted by different researchers using different data-sets and came up with similar results.

ADHD Studies

The gist of what came out of the study is this: a child’s birthday may be a determinant factor in his/her being diagnosed with ADHD. It has nothing to do with having a birthday on a specific month or season. It has something to do with how the birthday coincides with cut-off date for starting kindergarten or school.

Let us look at 2 groups of kids:

Group 1 kids had birthdays just before the kindergarten cut-off date. They tended to be younger than most of their kindergarten peers.Group 2 kids had birthdays just after the cut-off date. These kids had to wait almost another year to get into kindergarten and thus were older than most of their classmates.

Which of these kids have the higher chances of being diagnosed with ADHD and even treated with anti-ADHD drugs? It is the Group 1 kids.

In a paper by a researcher in Michigan State University, 8.4% of Group 1 kids in the data-set were diagnosed with ADHD vs. 5.1% in Group 2. The results have long-lasting consequences because the study showed that younger pupils up to the 8th grade are still on ADHD medications.

The other paper by researchers at the University of Notre Dame concluded that “age relative to peers in class, and the resulting differences in behavior, directly affects a child’s probability of being diagnosed with and treated for ADHD.”

Are Your Children Ready For School?

The results look intriguing and challenge current perceptions of ADHD and children’s behavior, leading to the following questions:

Is immaturity in the kindergarten setting wrongly perceived as attention deficit problems?How strong is the contribution of teachers’ opinion and feedback to parents and school psychologists in reaching the ADHD diagnosis?Are we expecting too much from younger children in a kindergarten group?Should children be screened whether they are kindergarten-ready or not before entry?Will holding back younger children who may not seem ready help prevent ADHD?

The study results interest me personally because my twin boys were always the youngest in their class or group wherever we enrolled them.

My husband and I, despite the disapproval of many, applied for early school entry for our boys two years ago because we felt they are more than ready for school. For this we needed a special evaluation from their kindergarten teachers plus a psychologist’s attestation that they are school-ready.

I am glad to report that they are now in the 2nd grade, top of their respective classes and with no sign whatsoever of ADHD. Maybe we are simply lucky. But we are happy that our decision not to hold them back for another year was the right one.

Rethinking ADHD

The results of the studies should really make scientists and pediatric mental health experts rethink what they know about ADHD. After all, there is still no lab test that can confirm ADHD. Diagnosis is based mainly of psychiatric evaluation.

For parents, the results should make them ponder if the time is right for their kid to go to kindergarten or not; for those with children diagnosed with and treated for ADHD, these might help them understand their child more.

$(function() {var zIndexNumber = 1000;$('div').each(function() {$(this).css('zIndex', zIndexNumber);zIndexNumber -= 10;});});

You can get more helpful information when you're a registered member. In addition to our services, you will also receive our newsletters delivered to your in-box. Be the first to hear about new free offers and member-only specials!

Posted by Science-mom on Tuesday, November 9th, 2010 at 12:15 pm and is filed under Parenting.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Tags: ADHD, age, cut-off date, immaturity, kindergarten, misdiagnosis
Posted in: Parenting

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

The Newest & Hottest Baby Trend - A Baby Spa Party

The birth of a baby is a lifetime change and relationship like no other. The process of it all can be quite daunting also. Becoming a parent is a transforming experience and not only can it leave you exhausted and overwhelmed it can also be lonely. Thank goodness for baby groups!

Baby group activities can include journeys to the library, zoo and the pool. It can be a simple outing even just to the park. Or you might want to try one of the newest and most popular baby activity - a baby spa party!

Babies and children don't keep track of how many different places you take them. All they want is love, nurturing, time and to be taken care of and a baby spa party is a great way to bond with your baby and other parents and caregivers.

Here are some great ideas on how to host a baby spa party. Baby spa parties work best with no more than 6 - 8 babies and parents or caregivers. You can even just host the party for you and your baby.

If you know of someone who has just had a baby also - this is a great article to pass on to also enhance their new bond with their baby.

Step one is to set the mood in your home

Keep the lighting comfortable but not too dark.

Play your baby's instrumental lullaby music in the background softly.

Use lavender essential oil around the house. Either in a diffuser, a liquid potpourri burner or let a pot simmer on the stove ¾ full of water and add 10 drops of the oil (keep on low and watch that the water doesn't boil away).

Step two is to get your home comfortable for all babies

Place out baby blankets for all babies that are attending in a circle and spread them out.

Place a baby book and a small toy at each blanket to keep the babies entertained after their massage (use your own baby's toys, blankets and books, you don't need to go buy new stuff).

Keep your house warm but comfortable (temperature is a key element for massage).

In the middle of the circle have a few bottles of baby massage oil for passing around and a few towels to wipe off excess oil.

On each blanket place a copy of the Benefits of Infant Massage and Massaging Your Baby.

Benefits of Infant Massage

Enhances loving bond with baby

Increases sense of acceptance, respect and trust

Eases symptoms of gas and colic

Promotes longer and deeper sleeps

Helps strengthen and regulate baby's digestive, respiratory and circulatory system

Relaxes both baby and parent

Provides time to share

Provides quality time

Promotes parenting skills

Massaging Your Infant

Infant massage is best done when baby is quiet.

Keep massage under 10 minutes.

Maintain as much eye contact as possible and describe the massage to your baby.

Warm infant massage oil by gently rubbing oil between your hands.

With baby facing you - hold baby's ankle and stroke up the outside of the leg and around the thigh. Use thumbs to make small circles up the legs toward the heart.

Massage the soles and tops of the feet in circular movements with your thumbs.

Use the same technique for arms as you did for the legs.

Gently massage baby's belly in clockwise direction with your fingertips or the palms of your hand.

Turn baby over onto belly and massage up the back, with one hand on either side of the spine. Never put pressure directly on spine.

Avoid massaging face and hands, to minimize risk of getting oil in eyes or mouth.

Step three is to have appropriate snacks and refreshments.

For newborn babies offer mothers healthy snacks such as fruit, veggies, cheese crackers. Herbal tea, juice and water are also the best beverages to serve. Some mothers may be nursing and just may not even have time to eat. A simple glass of tea will be extremely appreciated.

If the babies are older and are eating offer finger food, again, select good food choices. Small pieces of cut-up fruit, tiny crackers, little cubes of cheese and mini yogurts are all great selections. (Don't serve any kind of nuts or anything really hard or sticky). Remember babies are just learning to eat and their eating habits require monitoring.

Step four is to have your scheduling set.

Baby spas are best done after babies morning nap so they aren't too fussy.

Once guests arrive, get everyone settle around in the circle.

Offer the guests any refreshments and ask them to get their babies into their diapers (re-check to make sure that your house is comfortable and warm).

Once everyone is settled, have the parents or caregivers read the massage page. If they need guidance be sure you are familiar with the massaging techniques so you can offer help.

Pass around the bottle of massage oil and have the parents or caregivers start the massage.

Have everyone speak quietly to the babies and use facial expressions throughout the whole massage - this can continue for around 10 - 15 minutes but no longer.

Wipe off any excess oil on the babies on towels and then get the babies dressed. Consider throwing the clothes into the dryer quickly (to keep the babies warm) - just remember who is whose.

After all the babies are dressed, let the baby play with the toy provided and have the parents softly read the baby book to them. Remember babies are little sponges and are taking everything in. At this point the babies have had enough and you don't want to over stimulate them.

Step five is to have some fun and relax!

Invite your guests to share in your refreshments and beautiful food you have prepared.

Share in your experiences about being parents, laugh and relax.

To really impress your guests, use Ballymoon's Angel Wings Massage Oil. It only uses Apricot Kernel Oil, Vitamin E and pure Essential Oils, as this will not clog babies' pores.

Create a spa bag for the parent and baby.

That's right a spa bag not a loot bag or goody bag.

Include a travel size baby barrier cream, travel size body butter (for parent or caregiver), baby soak envelope (for diaper rashes) and a spa salt envelope (for parents or caregiver). Ballymoon will even put it in a nice little bag for you.

Your guests will be sure and talk about this for a long time. And your babies will love the experience.

Colleen Willoughby and Fran Agar own Ballymoon. Ballymoon produces luxury spa and personal care products for women, men, children and babies. For information, visit http://www.ballymoon.biz or phone 403.995.1598.

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Colicky Baby Soothing Sounds Collection

This is the perfect package for your baby. And that's because you get a complete baby colic soothing sounds collection. It doesn't matter why your baby cries or how much, these sounds are the best solution you will ever find for him or her.

Check it out!
This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Halloween Candy: The Truth About The Treats

THE weekend kids have been waiting for is over. For many health-conscious moms like me, it’s a nightmare of a weekend.

Still, Halloween can be a fun affair without endangering our children’s health.

For starters, let us take a look at some facts and myths regarding Halloween treats, courtesy of the University of Carolina School of Medicine, plus a couple that I researched on my own.

Halloween is the holiday when the most sweets are consumed. This could be true. It is estimated that 5% of all sweets are bought and consumed during Halloween and the week after.

Halloween treats are only for kids. Dream on. Experts believe that parents eat one candy bar of every two the child brings home, especially the chocolate.

Dark chocolate is healthy. This is a rather recent one. Yes, new research has shown that dark chocolate is full of anti-oxidants that are supposedly heart-friendly. But let us face it. Dark chocolate as such is bitter, something that little kids definitely wouldn’t it. What makes it taste good is the sugar. Besides, it also contains lots of transfats. So don’t believe for a second that dark chocolate is a health food because it is not healthy at all.

Fat-free candy is healthier than chocolate. Okay, so fat-free candy may not contain transfats. But what about the sugar? And the artificial colors and flavors?

Halloween candy may be poisoned. Yes, there were a couple of tainted Halloween treats over the years but these actually involved family members poisoning their kids. Poisoned Halloween treats is simply an urban myth, I believe.

Sugar-free candies are the healthiest option, right? Yes and no. The so-called sugar products contain only very small amounts of sucrose – “table sugar” as we know it. Instead, sugar substitutes and artificial sweeteners are used such as saccharin, aspartame, sucralose, neotame, and acesulfame potassium to make these products sweet. Remember that these are all food additives. Currently, these additives are still controversial in terms of health risks but a few studies have shown that artificial sweeteners intake  is linked to weight gain.

So what is mom to do, without taking drastic and nasty measures such as those taken by Willy Wonka’s dad-dentist? Here is what I do every Halloween:

I feed my kids before going trick or treating. This way, they are less likely to overindulge.I make my kids promise to take all sweets home for safety inspection. I haven’t had any problems with broken promises so far.Together, we sort out the most hazardous treats (hard candies are almost 100% augar and hard on the teeth) from the lesser evils (e.g. chocolates, gum drops).They get to choose one or two treats to eat on that same evening. They deserve it after all the hard work they’ve done. The rest is kept for the next days.We ration the sweets, one treat each day. Pretty soon, these sweets will be forgotten and become rock hard. After 3 weeks, they end up in the rubbish bin, with the kids’ blessings

A USA Today article cites another possibility: giving the candies away. One way is to give excess Halloween treats to senior citizens’ homes, community centers and soup kitchens which can give out the sweets as dessert.

Any other creative ideas on how to get rid of excess Halloween treats? Share them with us here at BOL!

$(function() {var zIndexNumber = 1000;$('div').each(function() {$(this).css('zIndex', zIndexNumber);zIndexNumber -= 10;});});

You can get more helpful information when you're a registered member. In addition to our services, you will also receive our newsletters delivered to your in-box. Be the first to hear about new free offers and member-only specials!

Posted by Science-mom on Monday, November 1st, 2010 at 1:01 pm and is filed under Current Events, Holidays.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Tags: candies, Halloween, Health, sugar, sugar substitute, treats
Posted in: Current Events, Holidays

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Baby Signing - 10 Easy Ways to Start Signing with Your Baby

Babies can communicate their needs and desires a lot earlier than we think. They have an instinctive need to communicate. Baby signing is a pre-verbal form of communication. Babies can control their movements much earlier than mastering speech and can express all sorts of emotions, desires and wants with their hands! Baby sign language is key to learning how to interpret what your baby is telling you, eliminate the guesswork and to bond and enjoy life with your baby.

Imagine your baby being able to tell you they're thirsty or hungry. Or that they'd like to read a book or tell you that they've just seen a bird in the garden. Or for you to be able to guide them on safety using signs like 'hot' or 'stop'. All this is possible by talking to your baby and using appropriate baby signs. There are so many new experiences for your baby every day - new sights, new sounds, new objects, new people. And so much to talk about!

Scientific studies show baby sign language to be effective and beneficial for hearing babies in amazing ways. Research shows that signing babies had larger vocabularies, learned to talk earlier, showed less frustration, had more self-confidence, understood more words and scored higher in intelligence tests than non-signing babies

Signing with your baby is also rewarding for you. Imagine your joy seeing your baby 'talking' to you with signs. Of course it doesn't happen overnight. It's a new skill for you and baby to master. But the months of learning together helping your baby to discover this skill will bring you closer together.

10 easy ways to get started with baby sign language.

1. Start early. Start using baby signs in your everyday routine with your baby, even from a few weeks old. Remember to say the word as you make the sign and point to the object. Over time it will just come naturally. Babies tend to develop the gross motor skills to be able to shape their hands and make signs sometime from 6 months upwards.

2. Keep it fun! The more relevant the signs are for your baby the more likely your baby is to want to 'talk' to you. Most babies enjoy pointing at objects they like in books. Use those visual clues to build your baby sign language vocabulary. Sign and say words from the books that you're reading together.

3. Concentrate on a few signs at a time. Start with some simple signs like milk, car, home. You can build more and more signs into your baby sign language vocabulary over time.

4. Always say the word that you are signing. Baby signing helps with early language development as the signs are always done at the same time as the word is spoken.

5. Involve the family. Encourage older siblings, your partner, grandparents and other people that care for your baby. The more your baby is exposed to baby sign language the quicker he or she will learn.

6. Get together with a group of friends to sign. Better still go to a baby signing class if there's one local to you. It's very motivating to see other babies signing and it's a great social activity to get out and about and meet other mums in your area.

7. Don't let the sceptics get to you. People may try and tell you that baby signing slows down speech development. Baby signing was developed for hearing babies. If you're learning signing based on your country's deaf community language - e.g. BSL or ASL - then an added benefit will be that your baby is learning a skill that will enable them to communicate with the deaf community in later life.

8. Do what comes naturally. Adapt signs to suit you or your baby if you want. Above all have fun bonding!

9. Give it a go. If you don't you'll never know whether you could have reduced the frustration of the terrible twos, helped your baby's development or been a happier parent of a more confident, happier baby.

10. Don't give up. All babies develop skills and reach milestones at their own pace. Your baby will sign back to you when they're ready. And when that moment happens, you and your baby will feel like you've shared your own eureka.

© Jenny Davis Baby Experiences 2005

Jenny Davis is the founder of Baby Experiences which offers UK parents ideas on the world of activities, experiences and gifts to inspire, enjoy and bond with their babies. Baby signing is just one of the activities on offer at http://babyexperiences.co.uk

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Children’s Halloween Lanterns Recalled

Recalled by Dollar Tree Due to Fire and Burn Hazards

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Pumpkin, Ghost and Skull Halloween Lanterns

Units: About 682,000

Retailer:Dollar Tree Stores Inc., of Chesapeake, Va.

Importer: Greenbrier International Inc., of Chesapeake, Va.

Hazard: The bulb in the battery-operated lanterns can overheat, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received one report of the bulb in a lantern overheating. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves plastic Halloween-themed lanterns designed to resemble a pumpkin, ghost and skull. The lanterns are about 6 1/2 inches tall and were sold in orange, white and black. Model number 954437-13096-003-1005 is printed on the bottom of the lanterns.

Sold at: Dollar Tree, Dollar Bill$, Occasions, Deal$ and Dollar Tree Deal$ stores nationwide from August 2010 to October 2010 for about $1.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should take the recalled lanterns away from children immediately, remove and properly discard the batteries and return the lanterns to the store where purchased for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Dollar Tree Stores Inc. at (800) 876-8077 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at www.dollartree.com

Go here to see this recall on CPSC’s web site.

$(function() {var zIndexNumber = 1000;$('div').each(function() {$(this).css('zIndex', zIndexNumber);zIndexNumber -= 10;});});

You can get more helpful information when you're a registered member. In addition to our services, you will also receive our newsletters delivered to your in-box. Be the first to hear about new free offers and member-only specials!

Posted by Dan on Friday, October 29th, 2010 at 7:14 am and is filed under Recalls.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Tags: Dollar Tree, Halloween, Halloween safety, Halloween warning, lantern
Posted in: Recalls

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Choosing the Perfect Baby Name

Choosing a baby name can be one of the most fun and challenging aspects of having a new baby. Your baby's name will be an introduction to the type of person he or she is - for example, is your baby girl a 'Lilly', or is she a 'Rose'? In your baby boy a 'George' or a 'William'? Should your baby's name mean 'strength' or 'desire', or is the name's meaning not important?

Parents, grandparents, friends, siblings, and family will be sharing their advice and ideas in helping you find a name for your child. Chances are you will spend hours trying to pin down that perfect baby name and you'll change your mind more than once along the way. But eventually, you will find a few names that you like best.

Once you find a few different names, you can ask friends and family which name they like best. You can also compare your list to the top 100 baby names by decade or the most popular names of a specific year - maybe you want a popular baby name or maybe you prefer a unique name. Eventually, you will find the perfect baby name, and it will instill you with a sense of pride and achievement, both for you and eventually for your child.

Selecting a popular name for your baby

Today's favorite names may or may not be around tomorrow. While some names have proven the test of time, others have come and gone like leg warmers. There is an easy way to determine if a name has staying power, simply review the top 100 names by year using this site. We list the top 100 baby names for the past 125 years, by year. While choosing a very popular name today can be fun, it may mean your son or daughter will be one of many in their classes growing up. This isn't necessarily bad, but something to consider when selecting that perfect baby name.

Selecting a baby name with the perfect meaning

A great method in finding a perfect baby name is to understand the name meaning. You can find the perfect baby name meaning using one of two methods: 1) you can look up the meanings of your favorite names, and/or 2) you can take the BabyNamesUSA test. The tests helps you find the perfect baby name by choosing words that you believe are important or are words you want your future baby to possess - like loving, or gentle, or intelligent.

The test will allow you to choose meanings that are significant and/or important to you - whether it's a characteristic you find admirable, or one in which you want your future baby to possess to become successful in life.

Searching for a baby name using the origin/ethnicity/religion of the name

One of the most common methods for selecting a baby name is using the origin and/or ethnicity of the baby name. This will give the baby an immediate source of identity and an understanding of the culture and origin of the baby's family heritage. In some religions, like Judaism, it is common to name a baby after a deceased family member, to honor loved ones who've passed. In many cases these names were from a different generation (see top 100 baby names by year, above) and may be 'out of style'. If this is the case, middle names are the perfect solution.

Choose a baby name for each sex - so whatever the baby is, you are ready.

Once you get the wonderful news that a new baby is coming, it will be a while until you can determine the baby's sex - IF you are considering finding out at all (food for thought - there is no better surprise, and nothing more worth waiting for). Having a boy's name and girl's name is a great start.

Naming the baby after the parent - either a single name, or the entire name

In order for your baby boy to become a Jr. (junior), or the 'II' (the second), the entire name should be the same as the father's. The father is the Sr. (senior), the son becomes the Jr. For example, John William Smith names his son John William Smith, the father is the Sr. /I, the son is the Jr. /II. If the son is the third generation to receive the name, the baby boy typically becomes the III (third). Be sure you want to name your baby boy, or baby girl, the same as a parent - it can lead to confusion growing up. If you know you want to name the baby after a parent, selecting a unique middle name may be the perfect solution.

Your child will have to live with this name for a lifetime.

The name you choose for your baby (and future child/adult) should be worn happily. Will family, friends and one day, employers 'take notice' for the wrong reasons? Remember, kids can be cruel - don't make life more challenging than it needs to be.

Choose a baby name that you are proud of, and makes you smile.

Naming your baby after family and friends that have a special place in your heart is a great place to start. Are their special attributes you want your baby to carry - choosing a name that means something special is also a great idea.

Make sure the full name (first, middle and last) sounds good together.

Say the baby's name aloud - is it easy or difficult to say the name? Choose a name that flows well together. Stay away from Jim Shoe (gym shoe) or names that when pieced together can have an alternate meaning.

Write the full baby name down - as well as the initials of all names.

If your baby name's initials make up another word - be sure you are comfortable with what results. For example James Earl Thompson (JET) may be acceptable, but think twice about names like Daniel Irving Petty (DIP).

Spell it!! When writing the name down, was it difficult to spell and/or say? If you had problems, you may want to reconsider the name.

Nicknames are inevitable.

When your child goes to school, joins a sports team or club, chances are a nickname may be close behind. Some nicknames can be endearing, but others may not be what you had in mind when naming your baby. Many times, Alan Jackson results in AJ - be sure this is acceptable, as many times, it is ultimately out of the parents control.

Naming your baby after a sports figure, movie star, or political hero

Be sure you want to go this route, prior to naming your baby. While the name may be beautiful - it could become overly popular. Or, if the person falls out of favor, it may result in giving the name a negative stigma.

Naming multiple babies

If your family is going to increase by more than one baby, there a few things to consider. First, naming babies with the same first initial may be confusing - for you, the babies and future teachers. You may want to consider choosing different initials - giving each child a unique name. Second, choosing different initials may make things easier when accepting gifts containing your babies' initials. If each baby's name contains the same letters - it will be difficult in determining which gifts belong to which baby. This will only get more challenging.

Religious & Traditional considerations

Some families have a tradition in passing down names from generation to generation. Make sure you check with both parents' families first. Also, some religions don't allow babies to be named after living family members. Be sure to check your religious beliefs as well.

Select multiple names for your baby.

Chances are, you and your partner, your family, and others will all have a different name in mind. While the decision ultimately comes down to the parent(s), keep your mind open to suggestions. Not only will this help in selecting the best name for your baby, but it will make your life easier along the way.

What if there is a pet with the same name we wanted to name our baby.

Unless the name is Fido or Spot - we wouldn't worry much about it. We had a dog name Jordan (after Michael Jordan), and I've met many other people named Jordan. It is inevitable that someone somewhere named a dog, cat, fish or rabbit the same name you are considering for your baby. If you love the name - don't look back.

I have a friend/family member who is considering the name I wanted for my baby.

There are a few things you can do. If the person is going to move forward with the name, you may need to choose a new one (or try talking with them). Or you can find the meaning of the name, and see if a different name with the same meaning is appealing to you.

For you parents that have yet to choose a name for your baby - you should learn from this lesson. You may want to keep you favorite names secret - or only share with people that 1) aren't going to have kids anytime soon or 2) you can definitely trust. Well-liked and/or unique names can become very popular, very quickly.

I love the name - but others do not.

Two points on this.

1. If the opinions of these people mean something to you, it is up to you and your partner whether or not you let other people's opinions change your mind. If their points are valid - it may be worth listening to the person. See 'Selecting a Name'

2. You will always be able to find someone that isn't crazy about the name you've chosen for your baby. If you are happy with your choice - then tune the person out. If that doesn't work, tell them thanks for sharing their opinion with you, and name your baby what you wanted to anyway.

I like one baby name - my partner likes a different name.

There are several things you can do to compromise.

1. One of you pick the first name, the other can select the middle name - or a nick-name for the baby.

2. Each of you can select a few names you each like, and see if one of those baby names makes you both happy.

3. If you are planning on having multiple children, you can take turns selecting the baby's name. You can pick the name for the first child, and your partner can pick the name of the next baby. Be aware - if you decide to do it this way, one of you may not be happy when it comes to the next baby's name.

4. Dart board - Put the different baby names on a dart board (or something similar), and throw away! If that doesn't work, try the 'flip-a-coin' method.

My partner wants to name the baby after a family member - but I really don't care for the name (or the family member).

Honesty is typically the best policy in most cases. If you are not thrilled with the name your partner has chosen for the baby, see article 'I like one baby name - my partner likes a different name'. There are ideas here that will help.

One suggestion: It would probably be best if you didn't tell your partner that "You don't like the name they have chosen". It will be easier if you just say, let's consider that name, and come up with some alternatives as well. Or, if your partner is insistent on that particular name, you may want to use it as the baby's middle name.

Scott Zak is a publisher of http://www.babynamesusa.com and http://thetop100babynames.com

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Baby Spoon

Babies, Toddlers And Children Quick And Easy Recipes.

Check it out!
This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Unique Newborn Gift Idea - Ban Baby Shower Blues With Ideas For A Newborn Baby

A unique newborn gift idea, given with thoughtfulness and a generous spirit, often becomes a life-saver for frazzled new parents and a mom still struggling to recover after the pregnancy. So often this whole new adventure can seem daunting and overwhelming during the first few weeks of the newborn baby's life. Taking care when choosing a unique newborn gift idea may enable you to give something that will lighten the load, entertain the newborn infant for hours on end, or create a treasured keepsake such as a baby footprint or handprint.

Baby Will Love Cloud B's Animal-theme Unique Newborn Gift Idea

This scary, strange new world will feel just that bit better with a fluffy Sleep Sheep friend. This cuddly creature by Cloud B's baby sleep experts, hugs a sound box with tranquil nature sounds and mom's reassuring heart beat in the background. This unique newborn gift idea will shoo away scary night time noises and replace them with calming, recognizable sounds that will help the newborn infant to let the Sandman in.

Your baby gift idea comes with the sound of spring showers, mesmerizing ocean surf and delightful whale songs. The fluffy sheep fastens with velcro to the crib or cot bed, keeping it close by. After 23 minutes it switches off automatically.

Unique Newborn Baby Gift - Stimulate Baby Vision With Infant Stim-Mobile

The Wimmer Ferguson Manhatten Baby, with more than four decades of infant vision research, has become synonymous with quality baby goodies. In the Infant Stim-Mobile they have a unique newborn gift idea that will provide hours of entertainment for any newborn infant. Simple and complex graphics give a newborn baby the opportunity to focus on areas where light and dark come together. The graphic cards are cleverly reversible, allowing parents to create new, interesting variations of the patterns as the baby develops.

This award winning unique newborn gift idea comes with 10 black and white cards, and the sturdy, upright stand. The set now also includes bold color cards to brighten things up. Any baby will benefit from the scanning, focusing, tracking and orienting eye activities.

Baby Discovers Reading With Double Sided First Book As Unique Newborn Gift Idea

This is a clever baby shower or newborn gift idea. The ordinary crib bumper becomes baby's first introduction to reading. The Infant-Stim Tiny Love Crib Bumper Panel and Book is reversible, bright and colorful. Change tummy-time niggles into a time of visual stimulation and delight with this unique newborn gift idea.

A newborn infant will benefit from the high-contrast black, white and red illustrations. Three to six month old babies will adore the reverse side with more complex three dimensional figures and activities. The proximity of this colorful display encourages neck and shoulder exercise and movement. The bumper-book can also be used in a baby stroller or playpen.

Wrapping A Baby In Love With A Fluffy Unique Newborn Gift Idea

Contribute a beloved keepsake by giving one of the many soft baby blankets as your unique newborn gift idea. If you find a way to transform it into a uniquely personalized baby blanket, so much the better. A pinwheel weave baby blanket always looks and feels great. These 100% cotton receiving blankets made by such folk as the skilled artisans of Churchill Weavers in Berea Kentucky, are machine washable and kind to delicate baby skins. A wide variety of colors are available.

A Gund Comfy Cozy Puppy Makes A Delightfully Unique Newborn Gift Idea

These adorable security blankies will be taken everywhere. The softest plush that begs to be hugged comes with a cute puppy character. All the embroidered begging eyes ask for, is lots of love and cuddles. The underside or this unique newborn baby gift idea comes with satin pads. The puppy ears are made for chewing and gnawing. The Gund Comfy Cozy Puppy is machine washable. It comes in many other character variations. This will always be a comforting gift idea for a newborn baby.

Unique Newborn Gift Idea - White Noise Helps Parents Survive And Soothes Baby

White noise is a sound frequency that sounds like a 'hiss', similar to radio static or ocean sounds. The creators of a white noise sound CD series, generates white noise by adjusting sound frequencies until they have a soothing sound signal that can be used for sleep and relaxation. The full frequency spectrum used in this case is the reason behind its success. This technique can be used very effectively for newborns and adults alike. With these unique sets of CD's at home, you don't need a white noise machine.

Especially colicky kids or babies with infant acid reflux will benefit from this unique newborn gift idea.

Choose the New Baby 8 CD gift pack to give a restless little one (and his or her exhausted parents!) blissful sleep and relaxation. The set includes:

Night Night Time - Soothing lullaby melodies against a background of mom's heartbeat

Baby By The Sea - Let ocean waves lull the infant gently to sleep.

Baby By The Brook - Nurturing nature sounds and lullabies bring sleep on.

Sing-A-Long Lullabies - Moms and babies alike enjoy this bonding CD.

Baby's First PWN - Soft, calming white noise sounds for newborns.

Baby's Fan - The mesmerizing purr of a fan takes baby softly into sleep.

Baby's Vacuum Cleaner - The white noise frequencies of a vacuum cleaner are very popular with newborns.

Baby's Blow Dryer - Blow a fussy baby's mind with the white noise from a hair dryer.

Also available as a unique newborn gift idea, is the New Parent Survival Pack. These CD's include sounds like rain, pure white noise, waves, lullaby songs, and bubbling brooks.

Tiny Baby Footprints And Handprint Kits In Clay With Unique Newborn Gift Idea

Another winner in a newborn baby gift basket is a baby handprint or baby footprint kit. One option is a clay keepsake baby handprint kit. This unique newborn baby gift idea will enable parents to create treasured keepsakes for themselves, grandparents and other family members. Use a heart clay tile and follow the instructions to create a perfect baby footprint of your newborn's tiny feet. The self-drying Mexican pottery clay makes it really easy to create numerous baby footprint keepsakes and baby handprint memento's. Or opt for the Angel Baby Handprint Kit or an adorable Teddy Bear Baby Footprint Kit

Always remember the other siblings in the family and take along something special for them as well. Chosen with care, your unique newborn gift idea can bring pleasure and happy memories for years to come.

Cribs-for-Babies.com - With a spot-on gift idea, this is the reaction you might see: treat yourself to this extremely popular hilarious video clip of a laughing baby. For more information read Baby Handprint Footprint Ink Keepsake Kit - Tiny Toe And Footprint Frame Craft at Cribs-For-Babies.com - by Rika Susan of Article-Alert.com, where you will discover the number one online legitimate home based business opportunity. Copyright of this article: 2006 Rika Susan. This article may be reprinted if the resource box and hyperlinks are left intact.

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.