BabyLoving.com

Being the older sibling when a brand new baby enters the household can be a tough role to fill. Rare are the cases when the older sibling is 8-10 years older than the baby and can reasonably and logically understand the needs of the newborn and the diminished amount of time the parents can give. Although older children dislike sharing their parents, they understand why. However, older siblings who are 6-years-old or younger often have a very difficult time with the seemingly divided loyalties of the parents.

Before the baby arrived, the older child often had the sole attention of his parents. He was the center of his own little universe, and theirs as well, or so he thought. A child age 6 or under has difficulty understanding the concept of sharing, let alone sharing his role as the universe's center. Parents often find that when the new baby is brought home, they are suddenly thrust into a situation with two centers of the universe and the result can feel like intergalactic war. But take heart; intergalactic war can be avoided and peace can reign supreme. Following are a few things parents can do to ensure their older child adjusts as easily as possible, and to avoid much of the potential conflict.

1. Tell the sibling early. As soon as the joyous parents decide to let the rest of the world know the happy news that they are going to have another baby, they should tell the older sibling first. If possible, allow the sibling to share the news so he will feel as though it is his news as well as his parents'. Explain to him in words he will understand that he will have a new baby brother or sister and how wonderful it will be. Talk about how the baby will grow in Mommy's tummy and answer any of his questions. Of course, keep it to his age level. A 4-year-old doesn't need a lesson in sex education.

2. Visit other babies. Find anyone you know who has a new baby so your child can see what the baby is like and begin to get a glimpse about what his brother or sister will be like. If possible, take your child to a hospital to see the newborns in the nursery. Explain to him about how helpless and fragile babies are. Expose your child to babies of varying ages: newborns, babies who can sit up, crawlers, toddlers and so on. Let him know that in the early days, the baby won't be a playmate, but rather, someone to look after and care for, much like a doll.

3. Read about babies. There are many wonderful books on the market that are written for just such occasions. Some books will explain all about the baby while others directly address the feelings of the new older sibling. Read them all and talk about it often. Ask someone at your local bookstore or public library and they should be able to help you find something suitable.

4. Prepare the nursery together. Depending on the older sibling's age and ability, he may only be able to help you in small ways, such as setting up stuffed animals on a low shelf or putting pillows into the crib. Regardless of how small the task, invite your child to take part in decorating and preparing the nursery. Let him choose colors or toys or clothing for the baby. If possible, bring the older sibling to any baby showers or special celebrations. Remind him often that this is his baby as well as yours.

5. Spend special moments. Use the months of pregnancy to spend special moments with your child that you won't otherwise be able to share once the baby comes. Go for walks, visit the playground, go out for ice cream, and have special cuddle moments. Remind the older sibling that there will be times when you can not hold him once the baby arrives, but that you will continue to hold him as often as possible. Explain that there will be times of frustration and anger on his part, but that we all have to learn to share. Assure him often that you love him and will love him just as much after the baby arrives. If he asks who you will love more, don't squirm, just assure him that he will always be your first child and therefore, you love him in ways you will never love the new baby.

6. Carefully plan the delivery time. If there are no grandparents or extended family nearby, make sure you find someone suitable for the older sibling to stay with when it is time to deliver the baby. Some parents choose to allow the sibling to be in the delivery room and watch the birth, but if not, arrange for him to be with a good friend or school mate with whom he feels comfortable, especially if the visit must last over night. Since delivery dates are rarely planned, make your arrangements well in advance and have alternate plans in the event that the baby arrives at a time when the original arrangements can't be carried out as planned.

7. Bring the sibling to the hospital. As soon as the new baby is born and the mother and baby are allowed to have visitors, have someone bring the older sibling to the hospital. If possible, let him be the first visitor and let him visit without family and friends looking on. This is an intimate and sometimes frightening time for a small child and even with all the planning and preparation in the world, he may feel threatened and upset when he sees his mother cuddling the new wrinkled baby. Invite him to sit on the hospital bed with mom and let him touch the baby. If he is old enough, let him sit in a chair and hold and cuddle the baby himself. Tell him how big and strong he is and how the baby will look up to him.

8. Give the sibling a job to do. Once you return home from the hospital and begin the next couple months of sleep deprivation, diapers and nursing, give your older sibling special tasks to make him feel needed and important. This isn't the time to use him as a tiny slave who brings you everything you need, but rather, to ask him for help a couple of times each day and thank him profusely. Let him know when you are tired and assure him that you need and appreciate him. If there is anything the older sibling can do for the baby, by all means, let him do it. Some 5 and 6-year-olds are very proficient at changing diapers. If your child can do this, encourage it. If your older sibling is merely a 2-year-old, perhaps his job can be to make sure the baby has its favorite blanket, just like he has a favorite blanket. Make sure the tasks are age-appropriate.

9. Schedule alone times. You may not have the luxury or energy to spend the amount of time with your older child that you had before the baby came, but do what you can. In the first few weeks, especially, try to carve out even a mere 15 minutes while the baby is napping, and invite your older sibling to crawl into your lap and cuddle or talk. Remember that it is completely normal for an older child to regress a bit and he might want to suck on a bottle or revert to baby talk. Don't deride him for this, just indulge him in those first weeks and it should pass. Many times this is a way for the older sibling to test the parents and see if they really love him as much as the baby.

10. State your love often. You will, no doubt, be enamored with your newborn, and rightly so. While it is so easy and natural to cuddle and whisper sweet words to a tiny baby, your older child needs it now more than the baby does. Remind yourself, when you are nursing or cuddling the baby, to talk to your older child instead of the baby. Tell him how special he is and how much you love him. The baby will be satisfied by your voice and won't have a clue to whom you are talking. But your older child will know and that's what matters.

Babies grow up so fast, especially when you don't want them too.

My oldest is counting down the days until he hits those double digits and for me I can't even believe he's as old as he is. I remember the birth like it was yesterday, it was a very long pregnancy and once that baby wanted out he was on his way. He was a quick birth which I guess would go with his growing so fast and never wanting to stop right? It still doesn't seem right, I still remember him learning to walk and the smile with only one tooth. I remember the first time he hit a ball off a tee and just this past year I left him at camp during the day. He's also the type that has to have hands on everything and if he can do it hands on he is able to catch on just as well.

My second child is the one that wants to learn as much as she can and have as many books as she is allowed. Right now she is trying to learn to read so she can read to herself or to her sister. I know she just about has it and once she does she'll be growing up before my eyes. I have no clue if we'll read the same type of books but I sure do hope she keeps my love for books.
My youngest, which I said was going to stay my baby has a totally different idea, she wants to be just like her older brother and sister and there is no convincing her otherwise. She'll turn two this year and it's unbelievable. I watch her grow and learn and it's just an amazing part in nature to experience. She is constantly growing out of her little outfits and I'm always running to the store to buy a new one that I thought she'd wear for a while and didn't. I remember driving to the hospital after finally finding a ride and almost not making it there. She is the one that in stores will get your attention and once you have it she acts shy, if you stop watching her she is wanting the attention again.

So from watching the way mine have grown I've learned a few things about babies, yes they do grow up fast. Yes, they will always be your baby no matter what. As soon as your little one whether they are young or older gets hurt you will be there for them. Not all babies are the same though and they each will do something different as well as learn, each of mine have their own styles of how they deal with things. I also learned that all babies are the same as we love each of them and they all must be taught and taken care of.

Hug your baby today because even though they will always be your children, they won't always be small.

Picking a baby-sitter for baby should not be a simple thing to do. If you want to ensure that your baby will be safely cared for, you should make sure that you follow these steps for hiring a baby-sitter.

1. The age does make a difference. Why? Well this is a rather simple answer. If you hire an 11 year old versus a 20 year old, who do you think is going to have the most knowledge about caring for your baby? Also, you want to make sure that the baby-sitter will be old enough to really ensure that your baby will be handled with care.

2. Interview the baby-sitter before simply hiring them on the job. This is extremely important so that you can see any potential difficulties that may arise with the baby-sitter. Ask how much experience they have had with baby-sitting, and ask how they would handle certain emergency situations if needed. Ask them about their knowledge of how to tend the baby in the appropriate manner needed, such as how to hold the bottle up, how long to cook it for, when baby needs a nap, etc.

3. Ask the baby-sitter for recommendations. This way you can call other people and hear what they have to say about how that baby-sitter handles the children. Getting information from an outside source is an extreme benefit of knowledge to have.

4. Show the baby-sitter around the house and let them know about the areas that the baby should not be near.

5. Give a schedule to the baby-sitter. This is important so that the baby-sitter can understand and get a feel for when baby needs to eat, or have their diaper changed, take a nap, or whatever your certain and particular requirements may be.

6. Always call to check in and see how the baby-sitter's progress and relationship with the baby is doing, and not just how the baby is doing. This is important and vital to make sure that you will see no conflict arise. If you hear irritation in the baby-sitters voice, or catch on any sort of hint that the baby-sitter is not the right one for your baby, then you will have that knowledge, and you can find a different one.

As you can see there are several many steps that are extremely important for finding the right baby-sitter. If you just pick any old baby-sitter, you never know if your baby will be put in harm. You should have the right to ask the baby-sitter personal questions such as "do you take anger management classes?" or anything like that, because you will need to know what your baby is being exposed to and if there is any potential danger or harm. If you follow these steps, you will be able to rest easy knowing that your baby will be in safe care. There have been many reports about the danger of abusive nanny's and baby-sitter's, so always make sure to be on the look-out.

by Leanne Phillips

In the rush to get mom to the hospital and to keep her happy and uncomfortable, dads are sometimes overlooked. If you are an expecting dad, you may be spending long hours at the hospital awaiting the birth of your child. While you want to be as supportive of mom as you possibly can be, be sure to take care of yourself as well. Plan ahead, and while mom is packing her hospital bag, pack a bag of your own. Here are some things you should be sure to bring with you to the hospital to make the event go more smoothly and to keep you comfortable while you await the happy event.

1. Books and magazines. Waiting for baby is an exciting time, filled with lots of hustle, bustle and activity throughout the hospital. There can be a lot of down time, too, though. Mom may spend time sleeping in between rounds of contractions, or there may be times when you are relegated to a hallway or to the lobby while mom is undergoing certain procedures. Plan ahead for this down time by bringing along with you a book that you have been meaning to read and several magazines. You may find that you are unable to concentrate fully enough to get into a great novel. Magazines are great for skimming when you need something to occupy your time, but are a little too distracted or tired for heavy reading. Consider packing a couple of magazines for mom, too, or even your baby name book if you have not yet decided definitely on a name.

2. Address book. Make sure to pack your address book so that you have the telephone numbers of your family and friends with you at the hospital. If you had to leave the house in a hurry, you may not have had time to call anyone who needs to be notified that mom is in the hospital and is getting ready to deliver. You may want to notify your wife's mother, if she is planning to come to the hospital to be with her daughter, or if you think she will be of comfort and help to your wife during labor. You may also find yourself in need of a little comfort, or someone to talk to, while you wait for your wife to give birth. Have the telephone numbers of your own friends and family available so you can call to give them updates, or even just to chat when you are feeling nervous or stressed. Also, you will of course want to have those numbers handy so that you can notify family and friends once the blessed event arrives and your new child is born.

3. Medical or insurance card. To ensure that things go smoothly at the hospital, make sure you have your medical card, insurance card or insurance information available and handy for the trip to the hospital. This can speed up the admitting process and allow you to spend valuable time with your wife, comforting her and assisting her during labor. This is preferable to being stuck in the hospital's admitting office, trying to sort out insurance issues or confirm insurance coverage, while your child is being born.

4. Hand grip exerciser or stress ball. A good thing to bring with you to the hospital is a hand grip exerciser. These exercisers have two handles which meet in the middle with a spring in between them. You use the exerciser by gripping the two handles and pulling them closed together against the force of the spring, then releasing. Another item you may wish to bring with you is a stress ball. These are small, pliable balls that you can squeeze and release in your hand. If you do not have one of these and are not able to buy one in time, you can grab a tennis ball or other small rubber ball to bring with you instead. While your wife is in labor, it may be very helpful to her if you rub her back or massage her tight neck muscles when she is tense or in pain. Your hands can get very tired and stiff from this activity. If you have a hand grip exerciser or stress ball available, be sure to use them in between massaging your wife's sore muscles in order to keep your hand muscles loose and free from pain.

5. Money and snacks. The trip to the hospital sometimes comes with little or no advance warning. You may not have time to swing by your bank's ATM on the way to the hospital. It is a good idea to pack some cash in your own hospital bag so that you are prepared for your stay at the hospital. You may spend many, many hours at the hospital while your wife is preparing to give birth. You will want to make sure that you have money with you so that you can purchase food, snacks, coffee, soda pop or bottled water from the hospital cafeteria or vending machines. Remember, too, you may not always be able to get away from the birthing center when you are hungry, so it is a good idea to pack a few snacks to bring with you to the hospital. Nutrition bars are a great quick snack.

6. Quarters. Be sure to also pack, in addition to your cell phone and telephone calling card, one or two rolls of quarters for making telephone calls from the hospital pay phone. You may not be permitted to use your cell phone in the hospital, and even if you are, you may find that you get little or no reception due to the hospital's machines, computers and equipment. Also, it can be frustrating to have to dial a billion numbers for each and every telephone call in order to use a telephone calling card. Save the calling card for long distance calls and have plenty of quarters available for making local calls.

7. Hobby paraphernalia. If you have a hobby or interest that is somewhat portable, it may be a good idea to pack up your hobby equipment and bring it along with you. Many men nowadays enjoy hobbies such as knitting or embroidery. If you do not have a portable hobby, consider starting one. Hobbies like this are not only fun, constructive and portable, but are extremely relaxing and good for your mental well-being. On top of that, just imagine how impressed your in-laws will be when they arrive at the hospital and find you knitting a pair of booties for your brand new baby.

8. Stuff for mom. Be sure to pack a few things to help keep mom comfortable during labor. She will appreciate your thoughtfulness. Some things to pack include the following: Lotions and moisturizers, a mister bottle of water and some of her favorite things from home that may make her feel more comfortable and at ease. For example, she may appreciate having a favorite blanket available. You might also consider packing a few of her favorite photographs, perhaps photos of the two of you when you were first dating or from your wedding. If you have other children waiting at home for their new baby brother or sister, be sure to bring photos of the children. You might want to bring a few framed family photographs and place them on her bed table or in the window sill where she can see them. That way, she can feel surrounded by her family even when they cannot be right there with her.

9. Cameras. Definitely do not forget to pack your camera, digital camera and/or video camera and plenty of film. You will want to capture every moment of the blessed event on film. It would be a real shame to forget the camera and not have photographs to look back on in years to come. Take photographs of your wife while she is in labor, but only with her prior approval. She may not feel like having her photo taken, especially in the later stages of labor. Before you take your wife's photo, ask her permission and offer to help her with her hair and freshening up so that she looks and feels her best. In the midst of labor is often not a time when a woman feels her most attractive, so be sure to be sensitive of this fact. You might even take group photos of the nurses, doctors and midwives that are helping you so that you can remember them in years to come, as well as photos of family and friends that come to visit you, mom and the new baby. Of course, you will want to take photos of mom and the new baby once the baby arrives. Ask a nurse to take a photo of the three of you together. This is something that is often missed.

10. A change of clothes. While mom is packing her own bag with nighties, slippers and extra socks, make sure to pack a few things of your own. Bring at least one full change of clothes and, perhaps, a couple of clean shirts, a pair of comfortable tennis shoes, several pairs of socks, several changes of briefs or boxers (your choice), a shaving kit, soap, toothbrush and toothpaste. You may be spending several hours to a day or two at the hospital without being able to get away for a shower. You can keep yourself feeling clean, refreshed and comfortable by being prepared for that contingency and bringing these things from home.

Copyright (c) 2005 by Leni Leanne Phillips

by Paulla Estes

We all know the definition of a baby, if there is such a thing; it is a tiny person who can not yet take care of himself. A baby usually cannot walk or feed himself or use the bathroom by himself or clean up after himself. A baby is utterly dependent on other human beings for his complete care. If this is the definition of a baby, then when does a child stop being a baby?

Once babies begin to walk, we no longer call them babies: they become toddlers. Once babies begin to talk and communicate with us, we might still call them toddlers or just small children. When babies are old enough to use the bathroom on their own and feed themselves without too much fuss, they usually graduate to the status of being called preschoolers. Once they start kindergarten, learn to read, and establish friendships, they are known as children and the baby days seem to be long gone.

But ask any mom and she will tell you conflicting things about the definition of a baby. Most moms will agree that the definitions listed above are accurate in general, but when a mom refers to her own child, the line between being her baby and being a toddler, preschooler, child, teen, or even adult, is very fuzzy.

If you have ever seen the book, Love you Forever, you'll know what I mean. The tiny young mother in the book cuddles her newborn son, whispering cherishing words into his ear about how she'll love him forever and how he will always be her baby. As he grows into a naughty toddler, she continues to visit his bedside each night with the same sentiments. When he becomes a rambunctious little boy, playing with other rambunctious little boys, she still visits his sleeping form and whispers the promising words of love. This continues as the boy grows into a teen and even young adult. Finally comes the day when the boy is grown and moves away new a new home. In the night, the mother drives her car to the young man's home, climbs a ladder up into his bedroom window, and secretly whispers the loving sentiments into his sleeping ear.

The story would be perfect if it ended there, but it does not. The reader assumes that the boy never really realized what was being whispered to him as he slept through all his growing-up years, for each time she told him these things, he was asleep. But the story takes a turn when the son is now well into adulthood and the little mother is in failing health. She wants to go visit her son but she is too weak, so he drives to her home and goes to her bedside; he picks her tiny form up into his big, strong arms and holds her close. The reader chokes back tears as the son gently rocks his mother and whispers into her ear the same words she has whispered to him since infancy. The scene is touching as we see how the love of a mother has impacted her son; he has turned out much like her.

Yet we see this even more in the next surprising scene. The son goes back to his own home and visits the bedside of his tiny newborn daughter. He takes her from her crib and cuddles her, rocking her, and whispering the same loving words, assuring her that she will always be his baby.

So the question still remains, when does a baby stop being a baby? Ask any mother and she might say, never.

Cradle cap, or seborrhea dermatitis, is a skin condition that shows itself as yellow, crusty scales on the scalp and sometimes on baby's face. The description of cradle cap actually sounds worse than the condition and makes this fairly common type of dermatitis sound rather yucky. In reality, cradle cap is fairly similar to adult dandruff, can be treated, and while annoying to see on your darling baby, causes no real harm. Cradle cap is not contagious and can show up in any baby. Cradle cap commonly starts in the first 3 months of baby's life.

The symptoms of cradle cap include a scaly, crusty rash with redness or irritation often present as well.The scales of cradle cap may look oily or weepy. Cradle cap is diagnosed by examination of the baby's scalp. Many experts believe cradle cap is caused by a combination of overactive sebaceous glands and hormones. It is not at all related to being dirty.

Many concerned parents start to wash their baby's hair more often in an effort to fight cradle cap. While it is okay to wash baby's hair frequently with a mild shampoo, this will not cure cradle cap and too much washing may actually further stimulate baby's oil glands and make cradle cap worse.

Cradle cap does not need to be treated unless it itches baby's scalp. To treat cradle cap, apply a small amount of baby oil to baby's scalp. Let the baby oil sit on baby's scalp for several minutes to start to soften and loosen the scales. Use a small baby comb to very gently loosen the scales. Use a soft baby brush to brush the scales away and follow up by washing babies hair with a mild shampoo.

For particularly troublesome cradle cap in babies six months old and older, you can use a special seborrhea shampoo to wash babies hair. Be careful, however, because this type of shampoo will irritate babies eyes if it happens to get in them. If cradle cap causes redness and irritation, use a little cortisone on the red, inflamed area.

Baby will eventually outgrow cradle cap, but if the condition gets drastically worse, spreads to other parts of baby's body, or does not respond to treatment at all, consult your baby's pediatrician for advice.

You might wonder if your baby is constipated if baby doesn't pass a stool in a couple of days. Unfortunately babies do get constipated and constipation can make things rather uncomfortable for both baby and baby's parents. So how do you know if baby is constipated? There is no set frequency of bowel movements when it comes to babies. Some babies may pass a stool after nearly every feeding, some may go once per day, and others may skip a day or two. The frequency of bowel movements is often related to what baby eats.

For example, breast fed babies tend to have bowel movements more often than formula fed infants. Exclusively breast fed babies tend to have loose, yellow stools several times a day as young infants, tapering off to once a day or even once every three days. Formula fed babies tend to have firmer, darker bowel movements. The frequency of baby's bowel movements depends both on what baby consumes and how quickly baby's digestive system works. Once baby has begun to consume solid foods, baby's bowel movement pattern may change again, to become both more formed and less frequent.

To determine if your baby is really constipated look at type of stool rather than the frequency. If baby is truly constipated baby's stool will consist of dry, hard pellets or large, hard, and difficult to pass stools. Your baby is most likely constipated if he or she is having bowel movements at less frequency than is normal for your baby and is experiencing difficulty and discomfort passing them. Other signs baby is constipated include tummy discomfort coupled with hard infrequent stools and blood on the outside of the stool.

Constipation can be caused by too little water in the waste material that needs to be passed, not enough muscle movement, or a combination of both these things. New foods or drinks can contribute to constipation. Often the addition of cow's milk to a child's diet will cause constipation. If you believe a certain food or drink has caused your baby to become constipated, discontinue using it and consult your baby's doctor. If your baby is formula fed try switching to a different formula to see if that helps. Ask your baby's pediatrician about what brand you should try.

Rice cereal, a very common first baby food, is low in fiber and could contribute to constipation. Consider switching to oatmeal or barley infant cereal or add fruits or vegetables (pureed) to baby's cereal. In constipation prone babies, it is wise to avoid offering bananas and rice cereal or at least reduce the amount consumed. Give more pureed prunes and pears instead. If you have an older baby ask your doctor if it is okay to add bran or flax seed oil to baby's cereal.

Make sure your baby is getting enough fluids. This suggestion may seem rather obvious, but it is possible for baby to receive less fluid than he or she needs. If baby is wetting less than six diapers per day and is experiencing constipation, add extra fluids by giving baby apple or prune juice diluted with water.

Get baby moving! Activity is key in preventing constipation, so make sure your baby gets around plenty. If your baby is crawling get down on the floor and make a game out of getting him to crawl around with you. If baby isn't able to crawl yet help baby move by bicycling baby's legs. To do this lay baby on his back and move his legs up and forward in a pedaling motion.

If fiber, extra fluids, and activity don't help ease baby's constipation, talk to baby's doctor about using glycerin suppositories or glycerin liquid to help stimulate your baby's rectum and help her to have a bowel movement. Avoid using glycerin suppositories or liquid too often, however, because baby could become dependent on them to be able to pass her stools.

Eighteen years ago today, my first daughter was born. Wow, that seems like forever right now! I remember clearly the night that she was born. I watched television at home until about eight o'clock, even though I had known for several days that I was having mild labor pains. Talking with my doctor several times each day had reassured me that it was OK to wait awhile longer at home.

We finally drove to the hospital at about eight-thirty, and found one of the biggest crowds in maternity that our local hospital had ever seen. There wasn't a spare labor room, so I spent quite a bit of time on a gurney in the hallway! It was ridiculously hot, and the air conditioning system wasn't functioning right. I was very sick for some reason, even though I hadn't eaten all day long.

Baby was born around 2:30 in the morning and I remember being very glad to see her. Of course, she was absolutely perfect and it was love at first sight. Her daddy followed her as the nurses took her off for her tests and measuring, and he tells to this day about how they held her upside down by her ankles and she looked right into his eyes from across the room as if to ask "How could you let them DO this to me??" Her eyes were a remarkable shade of bright dark blue, a shade that I've only seen on each of my other two daughters in the first day or two after they were born. I guess children who have very dark brown eyes are born with that eye color and it changes to brown far more quickly than usual.

It was a few hours later that the medical team let us know that the baby was fairly jaundiced, and would have to spend time under special lights to regulate her blood chemicals. She looked quite like a little porn star, lying there under the lamps with her diaper off under her and small sunshades over her teensy eyes. One of the treatments for the jaundice at that time was to limit her nursing from me, so she also was having her first bottles at that time.

The next day, her pediatrician informed us that she had some looseness in her hip joints that could be a mild dysplasia, and he recommended that she wear a soft brace for the first few weeks of her life. At that point, the stress of the entire experience was too much for me, so I politely said, "Excuse me a minute," and burst into tears. I remember that he was sort of surprised by my orderly and short breakdown...he told me later that it was completely different than the response he was expecting.

The little one had to stay in the hospital for several days after I was released, so, sore and tired as I was, I made the trip back into town (about a half hour's ride over some bumpy country roads) three times each day to be with her and feed her a few times. We made our last trip at about eleven at night, just before the hospital was trying to settle the nursery for the evening. Lo and behold, there was her doctor doing his evening rounds. He said, "You know, her levels are lower now-would you like to take her home?" Of course, we answered. Then we both realized that we had absolutely nothing with us except the carseat that she would need because we were under the impression that she wouldn't be released until the next day.

I always wondered how the hospital handled cases like this, where the new parents weren't prepared to take baby when the time came. Never thought I'd be one of them, though! It turns out that they have packets of supplies for indigent parents-handmade baby blankets, a gown, and little tiny footies to keep the new baby warm. A local church's women's group keeps the hospital supplied with these items as a charitable project. The quilt and gown were beautifully made, and you have no idea how much I appreciated those women at that very moment. I'm not sure how we would've managed otherwise. When life settled down a few weeks later, we sent a generous financial donation to help them continue their work and show our appreciation, figuring that most of the families who use their items probably are not in a position to help like that.

Our little one got home after midnight that night. She was wide awake and ready for action, and I don't think any of us slept a wink that entire night. Maybe it was the quiet of her new home that threw her, or perhaps the darkness. Hospital nurseries, at least eighteen years ago, were quite bright even at night, and there is always some activity making small noises. I guess in addition, she was used to being under those Billi lights to help with her jaundice, so maybe the darkness really did bother her. Who knows? In any case, she was quite unhappy for quite a few hours after we tried to settle her into her crib. It was a very long first night home.

Hard to believe that eighteen years have passed since then. That teensy little baby wearing that brace has grown into a successful and competent young woman. She's graduating from high school tomorrow, and will be leaving for college in a few short months. She's tackled challenges and learned and grown and is ready to take on adult responsibilities (at least sort of!). Her father and I are very proud of her, and we tell her regularly.

I guess the ending moral of this little piece of prose is "Don't blink or you'll miss it." Don't spend your time wishing that your baby will hurry up and grow up. It happens all too fast as it is, and before you know it, you'll be launching your baby out into the world the way that we are. It's exciting, but it's a little bit sad, too. Life moves on!

By Mylea

Today unfortunately, children are being exposed to constant television viewing from the time of infancy. On several occasions I have had parents in the initial stages of bringing their child to daycare inform me that if we wanted to keep the child busy just set them in front of the television because they love to watch the colors and movement. The idea of teaching babies to focus on the television at such as early age is simply not good for this child.

Doctors from the Japan Pediatric Association says that children who watch television for extended periods of time are more likely to have difficulty communicating. Why do you think that is? Let us stop and think about it, if our children are of speaking age and yet they never have to talk due to not being able to have an interactive conversation with a television set we are in fact stumping the speech process. They have nothing to exercise or build on other than listening to others. Because of no exchange of communication while watching television some of the problems that might occur are; impaired ability to remember words or to maintain eye contact with you. They become unable to form interpersonal relationships with others as well as may prevent them from having healthy mental growth.

The Pediatric Association recommends that parents turn off the television sets during times when family interaction is encouraged, such as meal time. This would also include times when mother is nursing. Today almost every child has a computer in his room, or a video game and a television. Studies have been conducted with taking these electronic devices out of the rooms of children and the results were, communication skills improved.

For healthy mental growth, spend time with your children outside playing games. Encourage them to talk at mealtime; you can do this by taking turns sharing information about your day. Depending on the age of the child, in the beginning ask appropriate questions that require more than a yes or no answer. Listen intently to the answer your child gives, sometimes their answer may shock you but the important thing is not to over-react to what they have said. Now, that you have opened the door to communication do not close it by not thinking before you respond to what your child feels comfortable enough in sharing with you.

As parents, we first want to set the example ourselves of not constantly watching the television set. Take the initiative to sit with your baby or toddler and play games, introduce and identify new words to them by pointing to the object and assigning a name to it. Use appropriate facial expressions and voice tones during play; this is also helps in effective communication growth. Do not practice baby talk; instead use proper pronunciations of words in building vocabulary. Children television viewing is not bad within itself but the key is moderation. We want our children to grow up being good communicators and this can only happen if we as parents take an active role in their mental growth.

Many new parents feel most comfortable establishing a relationship with a doctor who specializes in children's healthcare: a pediatrician. Doctors at the local walk-in clinic are convenient, but most are general practitioners. They have the skills to meet the common needs of nearly anyone, but often do not have the specialized knowledge of any particular group of patients. A pediatrician, on the other hand, is a specialist in the particular unique healthcare needs of babies and children. This expertise makes them a great choice for your child's doctor. And by establishing an ongoing relationship with this person, you will allow the doctor to become an expert on one of the most important people in the world: your child. That's quite an advantage when you think about it.

Choosing a pediatrician is a very important decision. There are many factors to take into account. From location and office policies to insurance concerns, you need to consider the details of working with a particular doctor. You'll also want to think about personality, demeanor, and philosophy. By weighing all of these points carefully, you will be able to make the best decision for you and your baby.

If you are like most people these days, your first priority must be matching your insurance plan. Any doctor you consider needs to be covered in some fashion by your medical insurance. For some, this simply means that part of the doctor's fees will eventually be reimbursed. For others, you will need to choose from a specific list of providers or stay within certain geographic limits. Some plans may dictate which doctor you can see or which hospital you are allowed to use. Whatever the case, be sure you understand your insurance plan and its benefits. Contact your plan's customer service department or your employer's Human Resource Department to clarify any points you are not sure about.

It can be helpful to get recommendations from people you trust before choosing your pediatrician. Your own doctor, friends, relatives, or coworkers might have ideas and suggestions for you. Recommendations can be particularly useful if this is your first child or if you are new to the area. A handful of recommendations will provide you with a starting point in your search. Multiple recommendations for the same doctor might indicate that he or she is popular with others.

Check the hospital that the doctor is affiliated with. It's important that your doctor has privileges at the hospital you would want to take your child to in an emergency. You'll also want to make sure the hospital is covered on your particular insurance plan.

Once you've scoped out a doctor that you'd like to meet, schedule an appointment to interview him or her. You might need to pay for an appointment, but it will be money well spent. You want to make sure that you can work with this person for years to come and a bit of time and money spent now will save you quite a bit of aggravation down the road. Make sure the doctor is accepting new patients, and that you feel comfortable with his or her general attitudes and demeanor. Do you feel attended to? Do you feel like your questions and concerns are being addressed? Make sure the doctor's general attitudes about childrearing and children's health are in line with your own. For example, a doctor that believes in holistic cures may not be a good match if you are the type who wants to solve the problem as soon as possible and would rather have a pill to cure the illness if that's possible. Be sure that your doctor treats you and others with respect, and that you are comfortable with his or her general manner and think that your child will eventually be comfortable, as well. Remember that pediatricians see children well into their college years, so try to gauge how this doctor would treat children of various ages. Is the patience there to respond to childish questions and to reassure a frightened toddler? Will the doctor take a minute to encourage your elementary student who is considering a medical career? These things are all important, too.

Check the office's policies. Are the hours convenient to your usual schedule? What happens when you need a doctor's advice after hours? Find out if there is a number you can call if there is an emergency after hours or if you have to take the child to the emergency room. It's far better to able to contact the doctor if need be when your child is ill at two in the morning than to have to pack everyone up for a trip to the hospital. It's cheaper too! There may be a charge for an after-hours phone call, but it's bound to be far less expensive than taking the young one to the hospital for an earache.

And how about payment policies? Some offices require you to pay for visits in full then get reimbursed by your insurance while others will accept co-payment and file the paperwork for you. Does the doctor's office file insurance paperwork? Do they follow up when necessary? It may also be important to clarify the policy on financial problems and late payments, especially if your job is less than stable. All of these things vary from office to office, and there is no one right or wrong answers. But there are answers that won't work well to meet your personal needs, and you should be aware of the policies before you choose to establish a relationship.

Put some thought into choosing your child's doctor. This person will be there for you when you are upset or worried about your child, and most certainly will be there for your child when he or she is sick or hurt. Your child's doctor will answer your questions and reassure you when needed. You'll want to be sure that you're ready to share your life and your child's life with this person.

Breastfeeding a newborn baby can be tricky. Many new mothers are hesitant to nurse their infants because they are not knowledgeable about the best way to breastfeed. Understandably, you will not know all the positions or tricks the first time around. Doctors will recommend that new mothers attempt breastfeeding. Often, women try breastfeeding in the hospital, and immediately give up when they discover that is it difficult to maneuver the baby. Breastfeeding takes time and patience. The first few times may feel awkward. Nonetheless within a few days or weeks, the mother and baby will get into the routine.

Some women opt not to breastfeed. It is their body and their baby, thus they have the right to make this decision. There are mothers who try and make non-breastfeeding mothers feel bad. True, mothers were created to provide milk for their babies. Medical doctors and researchers will even imply that breastfed babies are healthier. Of course, many mothers know that this is not necessarily true. Millions of children are not breastfed and live a healthy life. In fact, in my circle of friends, ironically the mothers who were pro breastfeeding had more health issues with their children than the mothers who chose infant formula.

Mothers that do choose to breastfeed may need a few pointers to help them along the way. It helps to have a trusted friend or relative that can show or suggest positions. However, those who do not have anyone to guide them have turned to the right place.
Prior to nursing your baby it may be ideal to wash your hands. Once this is done, carry your baby to a couch or chair. The key to breastfeeding is finding the right position. This position should be comfortable for both you and your baby, more so for the infant. There are several positions to choose. These positions include the cradle hold, placing the baby on your side, or laying the baby at your side. Experiment with all three positions to determine which one is best.

Some mothers experience difficulty getting the baby to accept the breast. To begin breastfeeding, hold the baby close to your chest. Gently rub against his or her mouth. When the baby opens his mouth, pull him or her closer to you. Infants will normally attach themselves to the nipple and begin feeding. Mothers may experience some pain. Fortunately, the pain only last a few seconds to a minute. If the pain last longer, re-position the baby. They are likely only sucking on the tip.

In some situations, mothers may experience severe soreness. They tend to release the infant before he or she is finished feeding. Those who experience persistent soreness may consider switching the baby to the other breast as soon as they feel a little tenderness. Continuing to breastfeed when sore could prolong soreness and make it difficult to breastfeed later in the day. Mothers could also consider pumping their milk and bottle feeding to allow sore breast to heal.

Releasing the baby from the breast is the easiest part of breastfeeding. If the infant does not have a tight suction, simple pull them away from your chest area. Infants with a tight suction may require the mother sticking her finger in their mouth to loosen the suction. Immediately burp the baby once they finish nursing. New mothers often forget this important step. Burping serves two purposes. One, it helps the milk to digest. Two, it helps to alleviate gas. An infant with gas pains is not a pretty picture. The way to determine whether your baby is experiencing gas pains is by touching their stomach. Gas makes the stomach feel hard. The infant may also be screaming and kicking one leg. Infant gas relief medical drops are a must for every nursery bag. Within seconds, these drops stop gas pains.

Once the baby is burped, they likely want more milk. Mothers can latch the infant onto their other breast. The infant may not want anymore milk and refuse the breast. A mother will generally breast feed around 10 to 12 times in one day. Do not wait until the baby starts crying to feed. Indicators that they are hungry include smacking of the lips, restlessness, or whining.

Mothers who decide to breastfeed need to understand that everything they eat is passed to their milk. Thus, spicy foods or foods high in salt should be limited. Certain foods can make babies experience gas pains. Breastfeeding mothers should also maintain a healthy diet and drink plenty or water. Breastfeeding is not for everyone. Many mothers have tried nursing their infants, and in the end decided that bottle feeding was a better choice. These mothers have no reason to feel ashamed, nor should they be judged by other mothers who consider breastfeeding the better alternative.

By Christina VanGinkel

Do not wait for your babies to turn into toddlers, or even preschoolers, to start reading to them. Read to your baby from the very first day you bring him or her home. Do not let anyone tell you that an infant will not get anything out of it either. Statistics have long proven that infants that are read to early and consistently are ahead academically of children that do not have this same advantage. Not to mention what both you and your baby will both gain from it, togetherness.

What should you read to your infant? Any book will do to start. It has something to do with the tone of our voices when we read. The calming effect is how I refer to it. Not calming as in directly to the child, though it does that too, but calming to us, the adult. This in turn lets the baby become calm in our presence. When your infant reaches about six weeks of age, start to progress towards children's board books, as babies like to grasp anything their hands meet, and board books will be able to withstand all the tugging, pulling, and even teething that they will eventually be submitted too.

My favorite children's books to read aloud are those that rhyme. Infants and young children pick up the singsong effect that rhyming stories emit, and it seems like they are more likely to memorize a rhyming story than any other style. Besides the ever-popular Dr. Seuss stories, many authors write in the rhyming style today. A few that immediately come to mind include Karma Wilson, who wrote the delightful Bear Wants More, Bear Snores On, and Bear Stays up for Christmas, all featuring the most adorable illustrations by Jane Chapman. Dori Chaconas, author of On a Wintry Morning, is another favorite, as is anything by the late Linda Smith, including When Moon Fell Down. All of these are destined to become classics and you could not go wrong by introducing your infant to the works of these three authors.

If rhyme is not your style, pick something else, because the main advantage is the basic reading itself. Find a quiet spot in your house if you can, preferably somewhere cozy. If nothing like this exists, try to create a space. It could be a rocking chair, or even a few pillows tossed on the floor where you can settle down comfortably with baby. By the time you have done this a few times, you will be amazed at how even a fussy baby will settle down when they realize that they are going to be read a story. Some people also suggest reading at the same time each day, and that may work for some, but I read whenever the mood would strike. In addition, my daughter not only reads to my grandson everyday, but also whenever he seems to be getting overly fussy, out come the books.

I know some of you are saying that this is all good, but the costs of books are so high, that you cannot afford to be buying them for your infants and toddlers. While I agree that some seem high, that is because authors and illustrators have to make a living too. Moreover, there are many affordable alternatives besides the regular bookstore shelves. Check the sales racks anywhere books are sold on a regular basis. Dollar Stores often have a variety of nice board and toddler books. Libraries are free, and if you find a book that your child adores at the library, you can always make it a lesson in saving when they are a bit older, to help them purchase that favorite book for their own.

Wherever you end up getting books from, remember that reading them together is one of the greatest things you can do for your kids.

Experts have been telling new parents for years now that you should read aloud to your baby from birth onward. They say that reading aloud to children as early as possible and as often as possible will help them achieve greater success in school and learn to read more easily when the time comes. Speaking as a teacher, they are absolutely right! And it's not too hard to read aloud to your little one right after birth. I remember many, many afternoons resting my baby daughter on my knee and rocking gently as I read articles from my favorite magazines. It doesn't much matter what you read to the baby, as long as he or she is hearing your voice, the cadences of the language, and feeling your love and attention. However, things begin to change in a few short months. Babies start to pay more attention to the world around them and they become better equipped to focus on things like books. You'll want to switch over to more age appropriate reading material very soon! Here's what to look for when choosing books for your baby.

The first concern is the book's construction. It doesn't take long for infants to begin to reach, grab, and pull at books. Like everything else, books will go into baby's mouth for a thorough exploring with tongue and lips. Books for babies need to be safe for these kinds of explorations and sturdy enough to stand up to this kind of use. Be sure that the books you buy for your little one are well-made and that the pages are firmly attached together. If there are three-dimensional decorations, make sure they cannot possibly come off-you don't want to give your baby a choking hazard without thinking! Colors and inks need to be waterproof or colorfast. You don't want the book's colors to get into your baby's system. Make sure the book states that it is completely nontoxic, and follow the age recommendations provided by the manufacturer.

There is a growing line of plastic books being marketed for the very young. These have some great advantages: they are nearly unbreakable, they are washable, and they are very sturdy. Plastic pages will stand up to your baby's first attempts to turn pages and also be able to withstand being picked up by the covers or by the pages, as babies will do. Another plus of plastic books is their bright, safe colors. Babies just adore bright, primary colors, and these books have the colors put right into the plastic if they are of high quality. You'll want to steer clear of the cheap versions that have the colors painted or screen printed on. Plastic books last a very long time, but do be careful about leaving them in places where they might get hot. When plastic overheats, it can become brittle and crack. Check the books regularly for damage of this sort, and get rid of any that are flaking, cracking, or peeling.

Cloth books are the traditional first choice for baby's first ventures into literature. These books have squishable, squeezable pages, and they are very easy for little ones to grab onto. Make sure that the seams are firmly attached and that the edges of the book are bound in such a way as to prevent fraying. Ideally, the book should be washable! Make sure the dyes used are color-fast, and that the color doesn't rub off or run when wet.

There are also a number of books on the market that are made of a heavy cardboard covered with a laminated or glossy surface. Most of these can be wiped clean when needbe with a damp cloth. Again, be sure the pages are firmly attached, and that the edges are finished so that they won't come undone. It's also wise to avoid cardboard books that have sharp corners. Everything should be rounded to keep baby safe and to prevent paper cuts and similar injuries.

No matter what construction type you choose, there are several kinds of books that should be in your baby's first book collection. Each serves a different developmental purpose and will help your baby build skills that will be needed later in life. It's a great idea to have a wide variety of books available for your little one, so collect as many as you can and take advantage of your local library or toy exchange to supplement your own collection.

Babies respond very well to books that contain pictures of other babies and different kinds of faces. Scientists think that little ones are built to seek the kinds of patterns they see in faces from birth so that they learn to socialize. Books that are themed around pictures of babies will quickly become favorities. In addition, these are often pictures of babies at stages slightly ahead of your young infant. The pictures might be of older infants and toddlers who are doing things that your baby hasn't yet tried or isn't yet capable of. These examples can help your child develop the important skills of imitation and learning from example.

Many books for infants are picture-naming books designed to build vocabulary skills. They are full of clear pictures, in the form of either simple line drawings or photographs of common objects. The picutres are labelled. The book doesn't attempt to tell a story, but rather is intended to help the child understand more about the world around him or her. Many also have the pictures grouped into logical categories, such as things in different rooms of the house or types of tools or animals. Your child will learn about names of important things and also will develop categorization skills by using these kinds of books. Start by pointing to the different items and naming them with your baby. As your little one gains motor control, you'll be able to say the name of an item and have your baby point to it on the page. Finally, when baby is learning to talk, you can point to an item and ask "What's this?" These books also will help your conversations when you aren't reading. You will find that your child will make connections between things in the world around him or her back to the book where the pictures are. The ability to move between the concrete and the abstract in this way is an important intellectual leap that is one of the foundations of later school learning.

Be sure your child has some nursery rhyme books, as well. Nursery rhymes build a sense of language and also help kids develop skills called "phonemic awareness." Phonemic awareness skills are the foundation for later learning in phonics and spelling, and development starts very early in infancy when your baby is exposed to rhyming, alliteration, and similar word play that nursery rhymes are wonderful for providing. It's also important that your child begin to learn to keep track and pay attention to these little stories. Later in life, he or she will need to focus attention for increasing periods of time, and the rhymes are the perfect size to begin the process.

The so-called "busy books" are also high on the list of must-have literature for growing babies. These books have textures and manipulative parts that baby will learn to love as time goes by. Start with the texture, touchy-feely books, because your little one will be able to participate in the reading very early on by swinging a hand to the item in the book. You'll find books with furry patches, crinkly cellophane, and many other textures to explore. There are other books that have holes drilled into the pages that are perfect for small fingers to poke into. Many of these are also counting books and will encourage your child to learn about numbers. Finally, there are the true busy books that have zippers to zip, buttons to manipulate, and so forth. These become appropriate between the ages of eighteen months to three years or so, and will help your child learn many basic skills related to dressing and other life essentials.

Finally, don't forget the alphabet books! Even though your baby won't be trying to read for several more years in all likelihood, exposure to ABC books is important. These books build vocabulary and phonemic awareness. They help your little one make the connection between printed words and their spoken counterparts. Many will build categorization skills, like animal alphabet books or ABC's of farm life.

You can see how many different jobs these early books can do in your child's life. It's almost inexpressable how important it is that you read to your child, and these sturdy first books are just the place to begin.

by Christina VanGinkel

Ok, I have a gripe. Why is it that some parents insist on giving their children names that are way off the mark from being your average, typical name? You know what names I am talking about, the ones that sound as if they should have been something else, but the parents presumably sneezed when the nurse was putting the newborn's name in the charts. Next thing you know, instead of a Marcus running around, you have yourself a bona fide, honest to goodness, Farcus. Worse, there are the parents who name their child after a character in a show they watched on late night television.

A few years back we were selling an old car that we no longer used to a man and his wife with whom my husband happened to work. They lived off the beaten track in a relatively rural area north of us. Let me clarify before going any further that by me stating they live off the beaten track that this has nothing whatsoever to do with the name they chose for their child. I happen to live on the opposite end of the county from them, off the beaten track, in a relatively rural area. Anyhow, my husband had told him that I would drive the car up, and that he would follow and meet me at their house to finalize the sale. I arrived before my husband by approximately five minutes. In those few short minutes, I was greeted by this man and his wife and their lovely ten-year-old son. The husband's name was Joe, the wife's name was Emily, and I kid you not, their child's name was Festus. You got it, just like in the old TV western Gunsmoke.

How is it that some relatively normal adults saddle their children with names that some overworked scriptwriter in some back room gave a character on an imaginary show? Do they honestly believe that this will bring their child fame and fortune? If they would only stop and think for a minute, they would realize that a name such as Festus is only going to bring their child unwanted teasing during their elementary years and possibly beyond.

Moreover, to think, I was almost guilty of this myself. While I was pregnant with my second child, now the mother of my beautiful, and normally named grandson, I was obsessed with watching the daytime soap opera The Young and the Restless. On the show was this character called Reva. Not a bad name I thought. It had a very sophisticated sound to it, but moreover, it was not to be confused with the name Reba, as in the famous country western singer/movie-star. Reva sounded glorious to my ears. However, no matter how many times I approached my husband with the idea that if we had a daughter, we should name her Reva, I was met with this blank stare as if he did not hear me. The morning our daughter was born my husband disappeared for a few minutes immediately after the birth. Later that day when a nurse came into the room to verify all the birth details, she never asked me the name to be put on the birth certificate. As she was leaving the room, I asked her if she needed the name to put down and she turned and said, no, that would not be necessary, as my husband had already informed all the nurses, staff, and anyone else that would listen to him that our newborn's name was Rebecca.

My husband later told me that naming a child after someone is ok if the parents know the person, but they should never saddle a child with a name just because it looks and sounds good on the television or the big screen. The whole point being, give the name you are going to stick your child with for the rest of his or her life a major amount of thought. Though I am sure there are plenty of Farcus's, Festus's, and Reva's playing in schoolyards across the country, and the majority of them are happy and well adjusted, we as parents should think twice, even three or four times, before handing down any name to a child. Keep in mind that what we place on a birth certificate is most likely going to stay with that child for their entire life, unless as adults they choose to change it themselves.

While Reva is still a name I like, I once asked my daughter if she would have liked being named that. I was met with this blank stare as if she head not heard me. Upon prodding her for a reply, she answered that she was very glad she had at least one parent with a bit of sense!

Whether you are a parent or parent-to-be for the first time in your life, or you are simply adding a wonderful addition to your already blessed family, your life will change in magnificent and sometimes subtle ways. Hang on for the ride of your life, and try to enjoy every minute (or almost every minute) of it. Your life will truly never be the same.

As I think back to a couple of years ago when my husband and I were wondering whether to try to have a baby, I shudder to think of what we would have missed if we had chosen to shut that door forever. Although I have three children from a prior marriage, my husband had never experience true fatherhood. Of course, he is a wonderful step-father, and my children love him dearly. However, there isn't any substitute for their real father, and while their affection towards my husband is very real, no one can take the place of their dad in their hearts.

We had a dilemma, though. The children were already way past the baby stage when we began to throw the idea back and forth about having a baby. My daughters were already teenagers, and my son was fast approaching the teen years. Did we really want to start over with a baby? After all, in a few, very short years, we would be free to travel all that we wanted. Since we are both teachers, we have plenty of time in the summer for leisurely activities. My husband is an avid golfer. I love to read for hours at a time. We both love to fish and look forward to discovering that new creek just waiting for us to wade through its crystal clear waters. Sleeping late is still a luxury to me, and I treasure my Sunday afternoon naps.

Every other weekend when the children were at their dad's house, my husband and I had wonderful one-on-one time to spend with each other. We might play a game, take a walk, go to the movies, go out to eat, or fish till dark. Our free weekends were always full of promising possibilities, and there was plenty of time for uninterrupted intimacy to boot! What more could we ask for? Why would we want to mess that up?!

Still, as I spent my days going to work, doing some shopping, or driving down the road, I found my eyes drawn towards that woman pushing a stroller down the street, the baby in the high chair sitting next to us at the restaurant, the child peeking shyly out the window of a car sitting next to me at a red light.

I found myself searching through message boards and forums in the Internet that were filled with older women wanting to get pregnant or older mothers expressing their joy at the birth of their late-life child. I tried to guess the ages of the women I saw with babies in the grocery store. Was that child their son or grandson? Were they older than me. At forty-one, I knew that I was running out of time. My biological clock was ticking, and my eggs were aging!

Once my husband and I decided that we did, indeed, want to add to our family, I thought the most difficult part was over. I'd always conceived my children easily and quickly, so why would this be any different? Mother Nature had a different plan, though. Maybe God was really testing us to see if this was what we really wanted. Through the next year, I eagerly awaited the time of my next period, only to be disgusted and disgruntled when it actually occurred. There were several times when I imagined that I truly was pregnant, only to have two or three pregnancy tests prove me wrong. It just wasn't happening. My eggs were too old. I was too old. There wouldn't be any baby for us, or so I thought.

My emotions were on a rollercoaster. When my period would begin, I would comfort myself by saying that this was the way it was suppose to be. My husband and I would have more time for each other. I could lavish all my extra time and attention on my children before they flew from the nest I'd created. I could take more time to do the things that I love to do. I was already a mother, so I shouldn't be upset that I couldn't have another child.

As far as my husband went, he took it much better than I did. Of course, he would be disappointed each month, but he'd quickly recover, look me in the eyes and tell me that he was perfectly content with me and his step-children. I believed him, most of the time. I guess I was the person who was hardest on me.

After a year, I all but gave up. It just wasn't going to happen. I was a year older, which meant my chances of getting pregnant were becoming slimmer and slimmer. I told myself I didn't care, and I told everyone else that, too. I decided I didn't want a child after all, and I did a good job of convincing myself that this was for the best. I let it go, and I didn't think about it. Then, I received the surpise of my life!

My period was late, but I really wasn't sure because I wasn't keeping track anymore. My breasts were sore, but that happened sometimes when it was time for my period, so I didn't pay attention to them. After a few days of this, though, I decided I'd use the last pregnancy test left over from the endless stash I had kept during my trying to conceive period. Guess what? It was positive!

I showed it to my husband, and we stared at each other in disbelief! We were pregnant! Of course, common sense told me to wait at least till the first three months were past before I told anyone, but common sense wasn't the strongest emotion that I had at this point in time. I told everyone! My children were shocked and excited, and my husband was ecstatic. What about me?

I have to admit that I was scared and apprehensive. Could I still work full-time and take care of an infant? Would my other children feel neglected and left out? Would I still be able to attend all of their activities? How would my older body recover? Would the baby be healthy? Would he or she have birth defects or chromosomal disorders because of my age? Had I made a terrible mistake? I was terrified!

But, as the months quickly passed, and my stomach grew, I looked towards the birth of my child with more and more anticipation. We discovered he was a boy, and we struggled with a name that we all could love. We decorated the nursery and bought clothes and supplies. We watched in awe as my tummy rippled with the movement of our unborn son. We smiled, laughed, and whispered to him in the night. As the time of the delivery drew near, I remembered what labor was like, and I became nervous and apprehensive.

Then came the day of my induction. My parents, in-laws, and children all came to the hospital. My husband was wonderful as usual, and when we first saw our precious baby, we both cried. As I watched his older sisters and brother hold him, I finally realized what a miracle he truly was.

Now, a year has passed, and our baby is one. He is truly a gift to our family. If any of us is down, all we have to do is look at his smiling face. I call him my little sidekick, and I take him almost everywhere with me. I miss him when I'm away from him, and I adore everything that he does. His laugh is infectious, and his smile is a constant joy. As I press his sweet head to my shoulder and breathe in his baby scent, I wonder I could have ever questioned whether I should bring him into this world. I shudder to think at what we all would have missed. He is truly a blessing to so many people, and he has brought our family closer together. After all, you can never have too many people to love, can you? So if you are struggling with the decision of whether to conceive or not, just picture in your mind for a moment a new little face gazing up at you with complete and total adoration. That should do it!

By Mylea

Babies and sign language at an early age can be very beneficial to a child. Sign language can be taught to babies in the pre-verbal stage along with their parents, caregivers and even grandparents. The best age groups are between 6 months and 3 years old who are not yet able to speak clearly.

Learning baby sign language will help an 8-month old baby express their need for milk or that she is hungry. By the age of 10-months, she could tell you what she saw, such as an airplane. By 18-months, if she has an earache she would be able to convey that to her caregiver. When you are out in public, learning baby sign language would enable you to manage the behavior of your child without having to say a word. Think of the frustration that will be curtailed by having a communication mode with your pre-verbal child. By introducing baby sign language, you as a parent will jumpstart their language development as well as enhance self-esteem in your child.

Some of the proven benefits that will be gained by teaching baby sign language to your child is an increase in IQ and interest in books. When reading books to your child you will be able to point to the pictures and give them the sign to match as you say the word.
Having this communication in place early will change the way you and your child interact with each other strengthening the bond between you even more.

In the book Baby Signs written by Drs. Linda Acredolo and Susan Goodwyn they suggest you start to model signs from birth. It is not until about 6-months old that baby develops the ability to remember signs and is able to begin using the motor skills needed to make signs. Signs at first will not be exact, but the more you practice with your baby and they develop better motor skills they will become more distinct to you.

How do you know when baby is ready to communicate? Baby will start to bring objects to you hoping for an identification of the object. Has your baby started to clap or wave bye-bye? If she has she is showing signs of readiness. Do your baby experience a measure of frustration when you are unable to understand them resulting in temper tantrums? These are a few but not all of the indicators that might be present in the child that is ready to communicate but has not yet developed language skills. Even though you may start signing with your child from about 6 - 7 months she may not start signing back to you until closer to 12 months. On the other hand, some children by the age of 8 - 9 months are signing to you on a regular basis. Once the meaning of the signs are internalized and the necessary motor skills are developed your child will sign to you, but it is solely dependant upon the individual child and their personal development. The main thing to remember is do not give up, hang in there and it will pay off.

I am planning to embark on a critical mission. On Wednesday, morning at 6 am, I will leave my home and drive four hours to a world full of strange and unpredictable beings. I will be accompanied by three young, but enthusiastic females and an even younger, but truly tyrannical male.

Our mission? We must find a way to prove that Mommy can drive four hours on the highway with children, enter an amusement park with the same children, enjoy eight hours in the amusement park with the children, and exit the amusement park with the same 4 children without losing her mind. Also prohibited during this mission are screaming, running away, staying seated or otherwise resting for more that 5 minutes, hiding behind tall humans to avoid small humans, getting dizzy, or giving in to queasy feelings on rides. Mommy will be required to ply small fry with endless amounts of junk food, cheerfully ride the scrambler (just one more time), and empty her purse of anything green that happens to be in it. Hiding change for paying tolls is absolutely not allowed!

I have somehow gotten myself into taking a field trip to an amusement park with my four children ages 10, 7, 5, and six months. I don't know why I did it, but I agreed to let their father stay home. I am less than four hours away from starting my mission and the fear has begun to set in. How will I ever survive 8 to 10 hours in an amusement park with my four children? My children a hard to keep calm at the local park, so I can only imagine the type of pandemonium that will ensue once we actually pass the amusement park gates.

I've been coaching my children, over the last two weeks, on what I expect of their behavior. They have been warned to stay with me at all times, not to run ahead, or lag behind. They know I will not spend an outrageous amount on souvenirs, but I'm sure they have guessed that I can be coaxed into spending a mildly ridiculous amount on amusement park food. I know I will be, quite literally, exhausted by the end of our trip. I am exhausted after a day of keeping up with them at home, so I am sure this will be ten times more tiring.

Despite the wear and tear my children will put on my poor body, I am prepared to give this trip my all and enjoy myself as much as possible in the process. What I am not prepared for is keeping my six month baby (tyrant) happy and quiet. My adorable baby, Alex, is a joy to be around. I feel blessed to have him in my life. Alex, however, is attached to me at all times. I cannot put him down. I am nursing him or holding him, walking him or cuddling him. I am not exaggerating when I state the fact that he sits by himself only about thirty minutes per day. I even cuddle him while he sleeps since we have not yet come to an agreement about him sleeping in his crib.

You might be wondering, after learning about baby Alex, how I manage to get anything done. The answer is: by wearing my baby. I put him in his sling and get to work. It can be back-breaking because Alex already weighs in at twenty-five pounds, but it is the only way I can get anything done. Well meaning friends have suggested I simply let him cry it out, but I cannot handle that. Listening to baby Alex cry for me, watching his chubby little face turn beat red, seeing his normally smiling eyes fill with tears, just hurts my heart too much. I am an old softie. I do, however, let him cry while I'm cooking. I just will not take the risk of unintentionally injuring my sweet baby by trying to cook with him in my arms or strapped to me. The thirty minutes baby Alex spends sitting by himself per day, are usually while I am preparing dinner for our family.

It is mostly because Alex is so demanding of me physically that I am so frightened about our trip. I wonder: will he cry to be nursed every 15 minutes? Will he allow me to push him in his very cute but not very highly regarded ( by him at least) stroller? Will I have to sling him through the park for the entire day? Will I be able to walk at the end of the day, after carrying him for so long? Will baby Alex like the strange sights, sounds, and smells in the amusement park or will they make him even more unwilling to let go of me? Will this amusement park mission exhaust him so much that he will be cranky and irritable all the way home? And the most important question of all : why did I ever agree to do this alone?

As you can see I have many concerns about this trip. I hope, in spite of my concerns, that I will be pleasantly surprised with a smooth and enjoyable trip. I will do everything in my power to make sure the trip does go well, for my children's sake. They are so looking forward to going that they ate their vegetables at dinner, did not even ask for dessert, cleaned their rooms, showered (with soap), and got into bed without any nagging at all from me. I'm not certain if they actually went right to sleep because they do have trouble sleeping the night before a big trip, but the fact that they climbed into their beds without any prodding from me is truly a miracle.

by Christina VanGinkel

It has long been traditional that first time expectant mothers were given a baby shower by friends or relatives. Any gifts that could be used for additional bundles of joy were stored away to be used when the next baby arrived. Cribs, high chairs, bouncers, clothing, bedding, bottles, even toys were all reused for additional children. Nowadays, it is common for women giving birth to their second and subsequent children to have another shower complete with repeat gifts that were often received at the first shower. Gifts given the first time around may have been given away for lack of storage, sold at a rummage sale, even discarded. Today, if one or two children have used an item, the new parents, or extended family, often think that a new addition to the family means brand new everything.

If you happen to suddenly find yourself in different circumstances, such as going right back to work after the birth and could use the extra equipment to outfit a grandparent's or babysitter's house, by all means go ahead and have a second or even third traditional style baby shower.

However, if you find yourself pregnant with a new addition and already have all the equipment that goes hand in hand with having a baby in the house, consider some alternative ideas. Think about celebrating the coming arrival with all your friends by requesting, or asking the party throwers to request, either a no gift party, or an unconventional gift list, such as gift coupons for free babysitting for the older siblings, or some other unorthodox but useful items.

Nothing is wrong with celebrating subsequent births; it just makes more sense to have party goers know that the gifts they give are actually things you can use. If you choose to go the no gift route, consider asking everyone to bring a baby gift to be donated to a local hospital or shelter. On the other hand, ask everyone to come with a gift of a non-perishable food item to be donated to a shelter. Try to find the spirit to spread the joy to some other newly expectant parents who may not be as fortunate as you may be.

Celebrating the arrival of your brand new baby should not be tied to gifts if you already have everything you need. Still, you will want to remember the party for your future child. Mark the day by having all the attendees write a note about how they know you and the rest of the baby's family in a scrapbook, so when baby is older, he or she will have a solid remembrance of this special day.

The number one complaint by new mothers is being tired. It does not matter if you have one child or three, having a new baby in the house means change. A mother will experience double the workload; however they are usually unable to regroup because of the lack of sleep. In the beginning, babies sleep a lot. Nonetheless, they also wake up a lot. Some mothers are fortunate to have newborn babies that sleep through the night within a few weeks. Other mothers are not as fortunate. Mothers often wonder how to get their baby to sleep.

There are many techniques to help a baby fall asleep, and perhaps stay asleep for a longer period. The trick is finding the technique that best suits your baby. Discovering babies desired positions could be difficult if they prefer to fall asleep in an uncommon position. For example, a friend of mine can only get her baby to fall asleep by placing her in a vibrating bouncer. Another mother must place a musical teddy bear near her infant. Some infants fall asleep to motion, others to music, some to both. The key is discovering what makes your baby tick.

Mothers should initially try rocking their infant to sleep. This generally works well, however the mother may discover that the infant wakes up soon after they are laid down. Therefore rocking is a better choice if the mother plans to sit for a long extended period. Some will discourage rocking and holding a baby to get them to sleep because the infant may become accustomed to sleeping in this matter. Parents who choose to rock and hold their infant should keep in mind that as the child becomes older it may be difficult to break them of this habit.

During feedings is commonly when most infants and babies fall asleep. Try feeding infants that appear tired or restless. However, do not over feed an infant. If the baby recently ate, try another technique. Some parents make the mistake giving an infant a bottle every time they whine. This is not good because it teaches them early that food is the solution to boredom or feeling upset. Some may disagree with my next statement however an infant can become greedy. They love to eat, even when they are not hungry. Thus, they may cry in order to get another bottle or feeding.

Motion is also a great way to get a baby to sleep. It is not uncommon to hear of a parent who drives their baby around the block to get them asleep. I have also heard of parents who sit their infant in the carrier, and place the carrier on top of the washing machine. It is a fact that a baby loves motion. Vibration is the key to getting an infant to sleep for a long period of time. New parents may be unaware of the baby items that vibrate. Baby superstores have a wide selection of items to help a baby sleep. A vibrating bouncer and vibrating attachments for cribs are a top pick.

Rocking, swinging, and dancing with a baby will also put them to sleep. However once the movement stops, the baby is likely to wake-up. Vibrating machines are better because once the baby is placed in a bouncer or crib, the vibration provides constant movement, which allows them to sleep for hours. Noise also plays a part in getting an infant to sleep. A baby may find it difficult to sleep in a quiet room. Parents could include a musical lamp or stuffed animal. The humming of a fan or humidifier is also perfect for giving a soft background noise to help them sleep longer. A smooth jazz CD in repeat mode is also a proven technique for providing infant hours of sleep time.

A baby will also sleep longer if he or she is relaxed. Again, feedings are the perfect time for putting a baby to sleep because a full stomach will relax them. However, baths are also soothing and calming. Baby bath gels such as lavender are known for creating a tranquil mood in infants. Immediately put the baby to sleep after a bath. The more relax a baby is, the longer they will sleep.

Once a parent determines the best technique for getting their infant to sleep, they should put it to good use. The longer a baby sleep, the more time a mother has to do routine household chores. The mother could also use this time to get some needed rest. As the baby becomes older they will begin to sleep for much longer periods until they are eventually sleeping through the entire night. This usually happens between six and twelve months. Parents will agree that a baby sleeping sound through the night is a welcoming mat.

by Christina VanGinkel

Everyone has an opinion on whether a baby should be left to cry for any length of time. Many people believe that as long as the baby has been checked for all the basics, such as a wet or dirty diaper, nothing pinching or poking them, not too hot, too cold, etc. they should be left to cry it out so they do not become spoiled. What many people never think of is that the baby may still be in need of something. That being physical contact. Others forget the simple rule that before approximately two to three months old, and even older in some kids, a cry always means something. They do not know enough about the outside world to cry simply to manipulate someone. They are very self-centered at such an early age and if they are crying, it is for a reason. A brand new baby may be feeling the loss of the warmth and protection that was second nature to them in the womb. They may be unable to handle the challenges of the different stimuli that they are surrounded with on a daily basis. If picking up and cradling that infant can provide a sense of security, who are we as adults to deny them that just for the sake of not spoiling them.

An older baby that is relatively well adjusted, and will often play contentedly by itself the majority of the time, may suddenly crave the warmth and protection of a parent. They may be entering a stage where they are more aware of the different surroundings, sounds, and sights that fill their space. This is when you will have to star making judgment calls on whether to pick them up every time they cry.

If you are in tune to your child, or try to be as much as possible, you should start to pick up the differences in his or her cries as time goes by. A cry that means hold me, I am just craving a small amount of bonding, and pick me up because if you do not I am going to scream louder and demand to be carried everywhere, are most often very different in tone.

If you think you are no good at deciphering the differences, hang in there. It may be that your infant is too young, and all the cries mean hold me, feed me, clean me, and rock me. When they are a bit older, you will suddenly be confronted with the other type of cry, and you will instinctively know that they have reached an age where they are trying to manipulate their world. You will then have to decide whether to pick them up or let them cry.

Personally, I carried my children everywhere. They are now twenty-three, twenty-one, and twelve. The two older are well-adjusted adults and my twelve-year old is well on his way. No harm came to them from me toting them about first in my arms, and then on my hip. My back even held out, though I was often bombarded with comments as I carried my youngest around until he was pre-school age. Considering he entered the world at nine pounds fourteen ounces and continued to grow at a rapid, consistent rate, and I am all of five feet two inches tall, we still survived just fine.

Ultimately, remember this is a personal decision, one of the many thousands that you will have to make in regards to the upbringing of your children. Do what you think is best and do not think twice about what all the statistics say, or family and friends say. Remember also that even if you choose to pick up that crying baby, as I chose to do, that is no guarantee that the baby will miraculously quit crying. As babies are known to do, sometimes they cry for no reason whatsoever. That is half the fun of being a parent, dealing with the unexpected!

The best treatment for diaper rash is prevention. Keep baby's bottom clean and dry. Diaper rash thrives in a warm, wet environment. Change baby's diaper as soon as your baby's diaper becomes wet or is soiled. Let your baby go without diapers from time to time to allow your baby to get air to his or her bottom. Make sure your baby's diaper is not too tight because a too tight diaper may rub against baby's skin and cause irritation. Be careful with commercial baby wipes because the chemicals in the wipes can irritate baby's delicate skin as well.

Consider disposable diapers. Although disposable diapers are not as good for the environment as cloth diapers, they may be better at helping to prevent diaper rash. This is because disposable diapers are more absorbent and keep baby drier. Cloth diapers, especially when used in conjunction with plastic pants, can trap heat and moisture against baby's skin and lead to diaper rash. Detergent used to wash cloth diapers can also irritate baby's skin.

To treat diaper rash, make sure baby's bottom gets plenty of air. Keep baby out of diapers for at least a couple of hours per day, until the rash has cleared up. This may be messy, but it really does work. Place a waterproof pad under baby to help minimize the amount of cleaning up you will need to do.

Use warm water to clean baby's bottom while baby has a rash. Avoiding the use of soap, during this time, will help to prevent further irritation of the diaper area. If you must use soap, use a very mild type and use just a small amount.

Purchase and use a diaper ointment that contains zinc oxide to dry up diaper rash and protect baby's skin from moisture. Avoid the use of powder on baby. Powders containing talc can get into your baby's lungs and irritate them. Cornstarch can actually worsen a yeast infection.

Contact your baby's doctor if any of the following occur: the diaper rash persists for more than a few days, baby develops a fever, the rash spreads to other parts of baby's body, the rash begins to look strange to you, or the diaper rash seems to be getting worse in spite of your treatment efforts.

If your household is like most, it won't be long after baby is born that you will feel like you are hosting an entire zoo filled with plush animals. It seems like everyone, especially other adults who either don't have kids or whose children are grown, think that your baby needs that cute stuffed zebra or dog or teddy bear or dinosaur that they found. For some reason, many people find plush toys to be completely irresistible, and they will purchase them for your baby. Chances are very good that you yourself will find a few of these cuddly toys that your child absolutely HAS to have, as well! No matter how they arrive at your house, first and foremost, you'll need to make sure that they are safe for your baby. Next, you'll want to deal with management issues, such as where to keep them and what to do with them. Finally, you will eventually need suggestions about how to clean them when needed.

Stuffed animal safety has to be your first priority. There are a surprising number of plush toys that do not meet even the most basic of safety standards for children! In addition, babies of different ages and stages have divergent needs when it comes to safety. Toys that are perfectly safe and wonderful for a kindergartener could be a fatal hazard for an infant.

One of the most common problems with stuffed animals is small parts that can be removed by a persistent youngster and turn into a choking hazard. For this reason, do not allow your baby access to any toy that has parts that are smaller than a quarter that can be removed. Check eyes, facial decorations, buttons, buckles, and the ends of tails, as these are common places for manufacturers to put these sorts of items. Make sure that ears, tails and other features are securely attached. Don't allow a tail to be long enough and flexible enough to wrap around any portion of the child's body (including fingers!). String-like tails can choke a little one if they become wrapped around the neck, or they can get tangled tightly enough around arms, legs, fingers, or toes to cut off circulation and damage the child's muscles and nerves.

It's also important to check the seams on the stuffed toy. Make sure there are no loose threads or areas where the seam is likely to pull apart. You don't want holes in these creatures, because the filling can come out. It can be a choking hazard itself, or at minimum, it can make quite a mess. Whatever fur should also be firmly attached. You should not be able to pull hair out of the animal, and it should not shed when handled. The dye used to color the animal also needs to be fast and unlikely to rub off on the skin.

Remember that plush animals of any sort should not be left in the crib or cradle with an infant. This is for the same reason that parents are advised to remove pillows and other soft items from the bed when baby is sleeping. Babies who cannot roll or lift their heads on their own can shove themselves up against the stuffed animal and smother. Be safe! Allow the baby access to the stuffed animal only when fully supervised by an adult. If the child cannot have your undivided attention right then, keep the stuffed animals out of reach. You might want to use them as decorative additions to the nursery or playroom while your baby is still little.

Stuffed animals can also be a potential allergy problem. They tend to collect dust and dust mites, and if your child (or you!) is allergic, the stuffed animals can cause a lot of discomfort and health problems. Many doctors recommend that whatever stuffed animals you keep around not be stored in the child's room or in or around the child's bed. If your child is showing signs of allergies, such as chronic runny or stuffy nose, frequent ear infections, many colds, or similar problems, you may want to consider getting rid of the stuffed animals or at least limiting contact with them.

Stuffed animals are such a common present that you will need to have a plan for what to do with them soon after your baby's birth. They can make nice decorations for the nursery or play room. You can perch them atop mirrors or other pieces of furniture where baby can see them but isn't at risk of smothering on them. You could keep a few of them in the playroom, or scatter them around parts of your house where the baby spends a lot of time. Do not plan to keep them in the bathroom, though, because the moisture and dampness will quickly cause problems.

Some families find the stuffed animal collection grows so quickly that they run out of places to store them. If this is the case for you, consider putting several of them aside in a closed box or bin and rotating them every few weeks. In this way, your baby will get a chance to enjoy all of the toys, and the variety will be stimulating and interesting. You can also use stuffed animals as puppets. Keep some in a box set aside for that purpose and use them to act out stories for your baby.

And don't forget to pop a few small ones into your diaper bag. Stuffed animals make a wonderful diversion for your baby when you are away from home. They are generally quiet, you can use them to "talk" to the baby, and your little one will enjoy seeing them just like old friends if you only get them out when you are on the road.

Stuffed toys are notoriously tough to clean. For this reason, I suggest that small children be given stuffed animals that are machine washable. For the most part, these are smooth rather than furry, but they sure do clean up much more easily. Many stores sell stuffed animals that are made of corduroy or similar materials that have a bit of a nap to them and feel pleasant to the touch, and these are best for the very young. Babies who are still spitting up or likely to drop the toys in the dirt especially need friends that can be popped into the washer.

Once your child has passed the point of being likely to spit up or wet on the toys, you can move to plush toys that are surface washable. This remains important long after your child leaves early infancy because many children still get into trouble when they are sick and are unable to control their bodily functions or clean up nasal discharge properly. I know it's gross, but it IS important!!

Only after your little one has matured beyond these points (generally late preschool through early elementary) is it safe to give them a traditional, non-washable stuffed buddy on a regular basis. And even these need the occasional cleaning. They get dusty if pushed aside for any length of time. One good way to clean a stuffed animal is to vacuum it! If you need to clean a stuffed toy when dealing with head lice (a surprisingly common problem in many areas), it can be sealed in an airtight container, such as a trash bag for at least two weeks. Stuffed toys that have an odor for whatever reason might improve if left in the sun for a day or two. Sunshine is a natural deodorizer and will help eliminate many kinds of smells, including mildew and smoke.

Stuffed animals are great fun and most children love them. They are intriguing to children of a wide range of ages and developmental stages. From infants who enjoy looking at them from a distance to young children who will use them as props in pretend games to older kids who adopt them as special friends, stuffed animals play a huge role in most children's lives. Take simple steps to make sure that your child stays safe around plush toys and that the toys you offer can be cleaned when needed. Enjoy!

by Christina VanGinkel

It is now rummage sale time in our area and a neighboring town has hosted an annual Day of Rummage for the last several years. It is highly successful, with rummage after rummage up and down the city blocks and neighboring rural areas. Portable potties are brought in while food stands are set up and rummage goers set out in droves, by themselves and in groups.

The momentum of this sale is so huge that some most likely sensible parents forget their sense for the day. Children run across streets with little if any intervention. Kids are left unattended in cars, just for a minute! In addition, babies, from newborn up, are commonly seen being bandied about from sale to sale in the hot driving sun.

The first offense, kids running about, is mostly handled by drivers being extremely careful on the day, and adults who have no qualms telling kids they have never met before to watch where they are going, even grabbing an arm here and there to stop them from dashing out into a street. Moreover, what parent would dare say something back to the stranger who just most likely saved their child from possible harm?

Yet the other two, babies and kids in overheated cars and babies being dragged about most often never gives even one other adult the courage to speak up to these parents. To tell them that, hey, you do know how hot that car can get in just a few minutes. That you know that minute you are going to pop into that sale can quickly turn into five or ten when you find something you want and have to stand in line to pay for it. In addition, that beautiful little bundle of newborn, who yes, we know loves a bit of sun, can become overheated, even dehydrated, while you are so wrapped up in the moment that is really hours long.

The rummage is only an example. Think of the times you have witnessed a scenario similar, but never said a word because you did not want to offend someone. Why is it we can open our mouths so quickly when another adult offends us directly, but not when we know they are truly risking a life?

Oftentimes the new parent does not realize that the baby in their arms or uncovered stroller is in need of shade. A few words spoken that reflect this, and not point fingers, are usually all it takes. Such as, oh, what a beautiful baby you have there. I remember being a young mother myself out for a lovely day just like this, and not realizing how hot it was getting for my daughter. I bet you cannot wait to get to some shade. A comment such as this is usually all it takes to get a young mother to realize just how hot it is.

The second scenario is by far different. Kids die every year from being left in vehicles. If you witness this being done, contact authorities if you think the life of the child may be in danger. A responsible parent or caregiver knows to never, ever leave a child unattended in a parked vehicle, and, if they are not responsible, the rest of us needs to pick up the slack.

By Mylea

First time parents are usually a bundle of nerves when their first child is born and understandably so, especially if they are not use to being around young children. The baby cries and they jump wanting to make sure every thing is all right with the enormous responsibility that has been placed before them, all normal reactions. The baby is spitting up a little too much, they immediately get on the telephone to the nurse on call line to see if baby need to be taken to the hospital, a simple change in formula will alleviate this problem you are told. If baby pacifier drops on the floor or ground, it does not matter where they are, they will find some water even if it is the water in the glass they are drinking from to rinse it off. Baby comes first at all cost, as it should be. Just when does it go too far?

It is to far when baby comes home and you manage to alienate both family and friends from wanting to come and visit. How may you do this? You receive a call from grandma saying she and one of her friends want to come over to see you and the baby. Instead of saying, "great, come on over," you question grandma relentlessly; just who is this friend? Do they have a cold? Make sure they bring socks so they can take off their shoes before entering the house. Grandma arrives with friend, they follow your instructions to the letter, grandma goes to reach for her grandchild after washing her hands and you just turn the child around so that she can get a look at his/her sweet little face. Grandma is devastated and hurt, yet you continue with your conversation as if nothing happened.

A few of your close friends who always has dropped by unannounced, drops by with a few things they thought you might need from the store. You answer the door, accept the items they brought and inform them that the baby is asleep now therefore, this is not a good to for you. Never mind the fact that your friends took time out of their busy schedule, spent money out of their own pockets and drove out of their way to spend a few minutes with you.

It has gone to far when you finally bring baby out into public, no one is allowed to get a glimpse of him for fear they will breathe on this precious little one. To insure that no one gets near to this most precious one, you zip him up from head to toe, hold them facing you at all times, no one and I do mean no one outside of you and your spouse is allowed to hold this child. This is to far and selfish especially when you were always the first people to want to hold some one else's child.

A few months pass and now you are exhausted, why because you have managed to alienate everyone around you so that now no one will even think about helping you.
Suddenly you have become the expert, your child was created from a special mole, and therefore only you know how to take care of them. Remember that your parents raised you up to be the human being that you are. If we treat baby with a golden glove so to speak we eventually create a little terror, who only knows, I am the most special. Unbelievably, we send messages to our young ones at an early age. We begin to shape their personality by our dealing with them, either we can help them to develop a secure sense of self, or create a terror end.

New parents need to be careful when dealing with family and friends. These same people has loved and cared about you for such along time. To just cut them out of this most special time in your life serves as a big injustice to your child. Your actions can even cause others to resent you, even though they still love the child they will eventually not want anything to do with you or your child. Not because of jealousy or any of that none sense but out of hurt. Think about it.

By Mylea


Very often when we have twins, we forget they each have their own separate identity and they if not separated enough never quite develop it their own. As parents it is cute to try and keep twins together all the time, we love to see how dependant they are on each other always looking over their shoulder just to make sure the other one in some where nearby.

With twins, they can sometimes forget that other children exist in a room because they have become so accustomed to always playing together. It would be wise to start to help them develop a sense of self and independence early on in their life. The best thing to do is start taking them places by themselves; establish times when you can be with each of them alone. Do not make it a point of them always having to play with the same friends all of the time. Divide them up between grandparents sometime; if they are in daycare suggest they are placed into separate classrooms. For some parents of twins that I have worked with this seems to be a very hard thing for them to do. The reason is having the two of them always together gives them as parents a false sense of security that if they are together they can somehow look out for each other.

In my years of dealing with children, my experience has been mixed. I have seen the twins that were extremely close and shared everything. Yet, on the other hand, I have seen the twins that were so aggressive towards each other that you had no choice but to separate them. Some time ago, I met a set of twins at that time six years old, who were so aggressive towards each other you expected at any given time to have to call the ambulance because of their fighting. When I spoke with the parents of these children, they confirmed they had been like this even before birth. Mom said, there was always constant movement by these two in the womb they even came out fighting. She related a story to me that when she would lay them next to each other in the crib, they were always either clawing at or kicking each other. In the early stages they thought it was cute or just because they loved each other, but the older they got the more they fought. They first drew blood from each other at the age of two. While having one of their fights, she shared that before she and her husband could jump out of their seats, one had bitten the other on the ear and the other bit the other in the face. Why, even though they were very careful to buy two of every thing, they only wanted to play with whichever one the other has. Even when they would show them there were two of the same toys, it simply was not good enough. They can be playing a friendly game of chase or eating dinner and one wrong look from either of them could lead to an all out battle of the wills

The twins are now 10 and have been force to lead separate lives all together. Mom and dad has since divorced they each got one of the twins. It is amazing the change that has occurred in them. When one visits the other, they get alone beautifully they always call each other on the phone to see what is happening with the other since the move has forced them to go to different schools. The twins’ relationship since the separation, for the first time has grown into a real friendship. Divorce usually devastates a family and I am sure this one did not come off without a lot of pain as well. Nevertheless, the up side to it is now that the twins each have their own space to be who they are as individuals they are so much happier in life and with each other. There is a valuable lesson that can be learned from this most unfortunate situation, every one needs space and sense of being. I am no psychiatrist, but we each need to know who we are as persons, and if we happen to be a multiple this sense of personage is needed even more. This is just one example of twins needing their individual space.

By Mylea

Everyone would agree that seeing twins always excite people and to see triplets heightens that excitement even more. We often go goo goo ga over them being dressed alike; we want to know if they have the twin perception thing going on, what are their similarities? and so on. If they are identical as on lookers we want to know how mom and dad tell them apart, if they ever mixed up the twins and gotten confused and so on. If they are fraternal, say a boy and a girl, we want to know who is the more dominant. Which of them is the oldest etc?

What we never stop to take into consideration is, are they good babies? We just assume they are. How is mom and dad dealing with two little ones at the same time, unfortunately mostly mom. God forbid if one parent is in the arm forces or has a career that frequently takes them away from home. Let me give you a true-life scenario.

I am acquainted with a couple that dad is in the military; they are the proud parents of twins, a boy and a girl. When I first met them, the twins were 8 months old and dad was being shipped off to Iraq, my services were enlisted to care for them. When I first met them, I myself had the usual reactions that most people have in the presence of twins because they were and still are very beautiful children. From right off the bat the first day of caring for these children, a red flag went up. Not necessarily, a bad flag but one of confusion, when mom dropped off she seemed hesitant to leave. About an hour later, she called to check on the twins, they were playing at the time so the report was good. An hour and a half later, things took a drastic turn, her little 8-month-old twin started to scream and lash out, as I had never before seen a child of this age do. I went over and tried to pick her up and comfort her, she wailed even more and proceeded to try and through herself out of my arms as if my very touch was to painful to bare. At this point, I decided to place her in a crib designated for her to see if we could establish a comfortable secure place for her. She screamed even louder and even proceeded to rub her face mercilessly into the bedding. I then picked her up and placed her in a swing, thinking that maybe motion would calm her down. There she continued to pitch a royal fit; this had gone on for about an hour until she collapsed into a deep sleep in the swing. Mom called again, I explained I was not if she was just nervous about being here her first day or if something was wrong. It was then the truth came out, this little precious to look at 8- month old had been throwing fits of this nature since birth and it is with anyone, even mom and dad. This was the reason for mom's nervousness, as she had changed daycare two times already because of screaming. Mom informed me that anytime this child became sleepy, this is what we had to look forward too, unless she falls out before it hits.

Mom picked up both children after work, I could sense she was uncomfortable, but I assured her that we liked a challenge and would try to work with her and the twins.
For two weeks straight, the tantrums at naptime continued although had shortened tremendously. We realized it was important to establish a routine for this child so that she knew what to expect next to mentally prepare her for going to sleep and it seemed to work.

Just as we were giving high fives and patting each other on the back, about week three the odds once again struck. The ever so sweet twin boy went into a natural rage one day, this we has never experience, his twin sister, who had to be in a swing to fall asleep looked on wide-eyed as he kicked and screamed uncontrollably. Unlike his sister, he had much force behind his kicks even to the point of being difficult to pick up. The strength that this now 9-month old exhibited wowed us all, we had to literally take turns setting him between our legs with full bodied arms wrapped around him to subdue him. Now I am thinking, what in the world have I gotten myself into this time. Then it hit me. This poor mother, here she is all alone for an unknown extended period of time working full-time during the day and full-time at night. Up until this point I had no idea his behavior mirrored his sisters, but more so at night. My heart went out to their mom, who loved these two beautiful children more than life itself.

The twins are now 2 ½ years old, mom decided to change jobs to spend even more time with them, even though it meant taking a pay-cut. Dad has been sent to sea again for another tour of duty and now we have the normal fits by the twins escalated by the terrible twos. Mom admits, she feels as if she is about to have a nervous breakdown. Normally, we would not still have children in our care at this age, but the human factor kicks in everyday when we see the exhausted look on this loving mothers face. Yet, she refuses to give up in hopes that one day the rage that her twins seems to have been born with will just stop. Her only request at this time in her life is to have just one day, when they both twins can go 24hours without a rage attack. The beautiful thing in all of this is, she never complains or speaks of having any regrets; she continues to deal as best she can. All the while helping others as she silently suffers with her twins' behavior.

So, if you are friends of someone with multiples, help them out as much as you can. Most of the time, they will never ask for your help because to them that makes them a failure at parenting. Reassure them that they need a break also. Even if their twins' behavior is not as the above described, there may be other things going on that they cannot bring themselves to share. By your offering to baby sit while they go out to dinner, or take the children to the park or just to have a play date with your children and they can do the same for you. This is not to say that parents with single birth children may not need the extra help as well, what I am saying is parents with twins especially if both twins show similar behavior never really get a break. Be a friend and help them out, what goes around comes around.

I have over the past few years developed a growing interest in becoming an egg donor.I have been blessed with kind, smart, beautiful children and cannot imagine wanting to have children, but being unable to give birth. I think it would be wonderful to give the gift of a child to a couple who really wants to raise a child. I do understand that these couples have the option of trying to adopt but as a mother I can honestly say there is nothing as amazing as carrying a baby for nine months, bonding with your child before it is even born, and finally experiencing the miracle of birth. Sure pregnancy has its drawbacks, but feeling baby's kicks, squirms, and hiccups far outweighs the discomforts. I do believe adoption should be thoughtfully considered and I hope to adopt myself at some point in the future, but I can understand the desire to actually give birth.

So feeling as I do I have been trying to make a decision regarding whether or not to become an egg donor. Why am I hesitating since I thinking donate eggs is such a great thing? To be honest the genetic link gives me pause. It hurts me to think that someone may give birth to my baby and I will never have any contact with that precious little being. I am intellectually aware that the baby developed from my donated egg will not actually be my child. That baby will have another birth mother, but what worries me is my heart may not be able to make that distinction. I can't help but picture a child, bearing a close resemblance to my children, sitting alone in a darkened room crying his or her eyes out because of some sort of abuse. Yes, I know most parents are not abusive, but what if? What if my baby( at least genetically mine) is abused, molested, or neglected? What if he or she grows up never really feeling a sense of belonging to his or her family? What if one of my children grows up to unknowingly marry a half sibling all because I donated an egg? My list of what ifs goes on and on. I do not have the answers to my questions.

Sometimes I think I should just go ahead and do it and hope for the best. However, as a mom, I do not feel that I can simply hope for the best when it comes to my children. Again, I am considering this not yet even donated egg a part of my family. I keep picturing a chubby, laughing baby sitting on a new mom' lap, with smiling eyes look just like my son's eyes. I cannot do it. I am just not cut out to be an egg donor. I am already too emotionally attached to my eggs to give them up. What a shame. I truly would like to help.

I give kudos to the women who are able to make this sacrifice and help another woman be able to give birth. It is truly an amazing gift. I hope many women consider donating some of their eggs. Unfortunately, I will not be one of them.

It is clear that for baby to be hale and healthy, the mother of baby should take care of the food and other things right from the start of the pregnancy to avoid any happening that is undesirable! We will discuss in detail what things a pregnant woman should take care of!

It is a truth known to all that we should take a balanced food in order to grow and develop well both physically as well as mentally right from our childhood, but many of us do not know that growth and development of the body begins right in mother's womb itself as soon as the mother is pregnant.

The universal truth that all people know, is that, a child is required to be in its mother's womb for nine months. This is a superficial knowledge. The situation is still bad among those people in slum areas and do not consult any doctor during the pregnancy period till any major complication arises. While among some people, some cultural and dynasty customs make them confined to their own houses and they prefer to take the help of an experienced but not qualified lady at the time of delivery. In the case of former people, financial problems are the obstacles while in the case of latter the reasons are different. If a pregnant lady is overfed or underfed or not fed with a balanced food, she is more likely to suffer. Not only the mother but also the infant is endangered. What the doctor does when an expectant lady first visits him or her? The doctor will take into account all the necessary measurements by making a detailed check up of various body functions like blood pressure, hemoglobin level. Bodyweight, and pulse rate, etc., and will advice the lady accordingly. The nature and the quantity of food will depend upon all the checkups that a lady undergoes in the clinic of a gynecologist.

In general a pregnant woman requires more food than a non-pregnant one. Obviously one can easily understand the reason since the food taken by a pregnant woman has to serve for her and her baby. In routine, the doctors advise the expectant ladies to take their meals in short intervals and in lesser quantities. For example a normal person takes his meal three times a day but a pregnant woman is well advised to take her meal five times a day but the quantity in every shift should be less than a normal person! This is because of the fact that during pregnancy the digestion of food goes astray and the space in the stomach is not left too much. The baby, who gets his nourishment being wrapped in a biological cover known as placenta, gets feed from the mother by way of a sort of a pipe inside the placenta directly attached to the naval of the baby so the baby inside the placenta gets only the pure and digested feed since there are no means of excretion and all those sort of things.

So the amount of food which the mother takes becomes further lesser automatically when it reaches out to the baby. It is worthy to mention here that no wasteful products of the food lying in the mother's stomach can touch the baby since there is a barrier known as placental barrier. Doctors also advised the mothers to take a good quantity of milk and fruits along with green leafy vegetables. This food contains calcium, iron and vitamin A in it, which is very essential for the growth of the baby inside. In some cases fried food, junk food and the fast food is prohibited. A good quantity of liquid as food is also very essential since the baby lies in the placenta in a special type of fluid.

If a woman is alcoholic then she is also advised to avoid alcohol during pregnancy. Very salty, sour, chilly, roasted, and fried food is also not good for the health of the woman. It is very good partaking food according to the chart of balanced diet prescribed by the doctor for a pregnant woman. So we can say that a proper care in feeding pregnant woman is very essential in order to help the baby inside the womb for its growth and develop properly and be healthy afterwards in its whole life, since deficiency of proper feed inside the womb might not be recovered in the whole life. This is a bitter truth but still the truth. It should be noted that there may be various types of diseases that can be due to the improper feeding of the baby inside mother's womb, and if we want not to happen it with our baby, we must take a proper care of all these things and the ones that are prescribed by the doctor or physician!

If you're on a limited budget (like most of us) or simply searching for the right gift for a family with a baby, there are some toys that no child should be without. Like all quality children's toys, these items support learning, grow with the child, and are useful in many different ways. Their play value is simply enormous, and most children will play with them for years and years. Blocks are one fine example, and every family should make sure their baby has access to a quality set of building blocks.

Every child needs access to building toys. Young infants learn about basic shapes and sizes with blocks. There seems to be a strong internal drive to stack things (and knock them down again)! Even before the baby can walk, he or she will be interested in blocks. You'll probably want two different kinds: light weight ones that a very young child can use safely, and then a quality wooden set for building towers, castles and bridges. Blocks are very important to your child's development. They help nurture fine motor skills as children learn to make the little movements that allow them to stack and balance their blocks. Blocks also help kids to understand the physics and geometry of the world. The tower just won't stay up long if the blocks aren't lined up just so. Ideas about shape and size have their foundation in building with blocks, and blocks are wonderfully countable. Surprisingly, playing with blocks can also help your child get ready to read. Blocks encourage the development of spatial concepts, such as over, under, beside and between. These ideas are also important in the early grades of school, when kids are discovering the relationships between letter order and phonics, and when they are given directions such as "Draw a line under the house." Blocks are so important that every child should have access to them.

Blocks also will grow with your child. Your baby will want to hold them, feel them, mouth them, and squeeze them. Your toddler will haul them around in baby carriages or bags or boxes and put them in and out of containers. Don't be surprised when your little one presents you with a block and waits for you to say "Thank you!" Then the next part of the game is to take the block away again. Your baby is learning to understand the concepts of "mine'" and "yours"! Somewhere around the twelve-month mark, your baby will begin to try to stack the blocks into a tower. One of the developmental milestones, in fact, is the ability to stack three or more blocks. My daughter loved to see adults stack the blocks, then have the chance to knock them down. She was so gleeful about the game, that we started praising her for her astounding demolition techniques. It wasn't long before she would bring her blocks to her father and demand, "Build!" When the tower was done, she would knock it over with a wonderful roundhouse slap and yell, "Technique!" It's one of those wonderful childhood memories, now, because at age 18 she'd never dream of knocking over someone else's block tower. But at fourteen months, the game gave her a sense of power and control that little people just adore.

Your preschooler will play with blocks, too. Imagination is beginning to develop at this age, and you will see the blocks being used as a whole host of other things when your child understands symbolism and representation. A block in a baby stroller might be a baby. One tied to a string becomes a dog on a leash. A block pushed across the floor with appropriate sound effects makes a great car. It's a special time when your little one starts to do things like this, because it means that his or her mind is developing rapidly and imagination is growing.

As your child matures and his or her motor skills and knowledge of physics progress, you will find the little one building elaborate construction projects. Castles, skyscrapers, houses, caves, roads, bridges, and zoos will all be constructed out of the blocks. Your little one will discover that other toys can be mixed into the set to create pretend scenarios, and the block zoo will be peopled with animals from the plastic Noah's Ark set. Again, this is a stupendous milestone, because it means that your baby understands pretend play and is using his or her mind to create elaborate and intricate stories. These are the basis for later written expression skills and will serve your child well in school. Encourage it! Get down with the youngsters and play along, but be sure not to direct the play too much. It's really important for kids to have opportunities to tell the grown-ups what to do.

There are lots of kinds of blocks to choose from, but I think my children's favorite has always been the large set of plain wooden blocks that the oldest received as a baby present. You know the kind: over a hundred shaped blocks sanded smooth. There are cylindars, rectangles, squares, half circles, and triangles of different shapes and sizes. If you are thinking of purchasing blocks like this, the best bet are the sanded, lightly-varnished kinds. The brightly-painted ones tend to chip and look a bit ragged after a while. Be sure whatever finish has been used is safe for putting in the mouth, and that the wood is sturdy enough to stand up to banging around and occasional chewing. You'll want a sturdy container for the blocks, too. A box on wheels worked well for our family. Plastic containers tended to break pretty quickly and cloth containers didn't hold their contents too well.

I know that a good set of blocks can be somewhat pricey, but try to get one with over a hundred pieces. As your child grows, you want the block set to keep up with his or her needs and desires. Blocks are such an important part of your growing child's development that every kid should have a set.

When you think of children learning readiness skills, what age group comes to mind? Kindergarteners? Preschoolers? Maybe even toddlers? Reading readiness skills begin to develop much, much earlier. Researchers have discovered that even the youngest infants are learning skills that will later help them be successful academically. And you, as parent or caregiver, can nurture these skills and move the process along.

First and foremost, future learning depends heavily on language acquisition. Your baby needs to become an expert at listening and talking at a very early age, since so much depends on these skills. Now, a newborn child or even a baby nearing the first birthday is not likely to have much to say in words; his or her vocal control and other skills just are not ready yet. But little ones are listening from day one. Your baby will understand what you say long before that first word is formed.

Imagine what the world sounds like to an infant. A confusing babble of sounds is most likely. However, the human brain is equipped to make sense of this muddle in a remarkably short period of time. In a matter of just a few months, your baby will begin to pick out meaning from the sounds that those around are making. First the little one will learn to respond to familiar voices. Your baby will smile and coo when he or she hears your voice and will try to engage you in interaction. It won't be long before your baby can recognize and respond to his or her name, and by six to eight months of age, the little one will be following oral directions such as "How big is baby? So big!" It’s quite a process to watch.

Your baby also works hard to learn to talk. The youngest infants coo and make a host of sounds. Did you know that babies the world over make the same sounds, and the sounds they make include all of the sounds that make up every language in the world? Gradually, however, the little one will hone in on the sounds of the language spoken in the home. The baby will begin to babble, or practice lots of sounds that will later become words. Listen carefully, and you will hear first vowel sounds, then consonants being practiced. Your baby will lay on a blanket or sit in a swing and gleefully say "ba-ba-ba-ba" over and over again. A few days later, you may hear "kee-kee-kee-kee." Before you know it, the child will be stringing more sounds together to form syllables, even though they are meaningless ones.

You can help the whole process along by exposing your little one to as much language as possible from birth. Talk to the baby, sing to the baby, read to the baby, and talk around the baby. The more language he or she hears, the more information you pump into the little brain to process into listening and speaking skills. Babies who hear lots of language from day one are better equipped to understand and speak later on. There are many time-tested ways to do this.

Long before your baby is truly interested in books, you can begin to read aloud. It doesn't even matter much what you read! Your baby will learn about the way that words and sentences are put together from nearly any reading you do. Some parents use this time to catch up on magazines or novels by reading out loud while they rock the youngster. Nursery rhymes and poetry are very good for babies, too. There are reasons why these pieces of literature have been handed down for hundreds of years. The rhythm and rhyme will help your child build a set of skills known as "phonemic awareness." This is the understanding about how individual sounds work together to make meaningful words. Babies who listen to poetry and rhymes will learn about the parts of words called syllables, about same and different beginning and ending sounds, and the natural pauses that indicate the breaks in thoughts at the ends of sentences. This foundational learning must take place before a youngster can begin to learn to read, and your baby can begin the process.

Talk to your baby every chance that you get. Use vivid, descriptive words that will build baby's vocabulary. Remember that your child will understand what you are saying long before he or she can talk back. Describe scenes that you are both looking at, point out new and unusual things, and talk about even the everyday, mundane things that you do together, like dressing or taking a bath. Keep up a running conversation with your little one, even though it will seem terrifically one-sided.

Sing to your baby, too. It doesn't matter if you have a good voice or know how to sing or not. Your baby honestly doesn't care! Sing and sing and sing some more. Sing those goofy little kids' songs and sing the songs that you remember enjoying. Sing songs from your faith and from the Top Forty list when you were growing up. Your baby will respond to the rhythm and melody, and before you know it, he or she will be dancing or clapping or showing enjoyment in some other way. It can be lots of fun to sing songs about everyday activities. You can parody songs you know by changing the words to reflect what you are doing at the moment, or you can choose songs like "Here We Go 'Round the Mulberry Bush" that have verses about everyday activities. You remember that one: This is the way we brush our teeth, brush our teeth, brush our teeth. This is the way we brush our teeth, so early in the morning! And if you absolutely refuse to sing, find another way to bring music to your baby. Try CDs or cassettes, or make recordings of someone who's a bit less self-conscious.

Imitate your baby's noises. Babies know that conversation is a give and take activity, and they will "talk" to you long before they use real words. When the child makes a sound, try saying it back to him or her. It won't be long until you have a game going and your baby is chatting right along with you. You'll be teaching about language and about imitation. A lot of learning is based on the ability to copy something that someone else does, so you will be preparing your little one for later school success with this simple game.

So, you can see that there are loads of ways to nurture your baby's language and whenever you do these things, you will be traveling down the road to later school success. Help your baby learn as much about language and you will be giving the child a gift that will last a lifetime.

When you bring your first baby home from the hospital, you will be hyperaware of every coo, sniff and cry that she makes. Little mews in the night wake you up, ready to feed, cuddle and change her. Every sneeze makes you rush for the thermometer to take her temperature. Real cries and unhappy screams scare you and make your search to relieve her discomfort as quickly as possible.

As you and your baby get to know each other and as your schedule normalizes a little bit, you will start to understand what all of her little sounds mean. Even though she is not talking to you yet, her sounds are a way for her to communicate with you and you will soon learn to understand many of them if you pay attention. Yes, there will always be mysteries and you will often wish that only she could tell you what the problem is or where it hurts. Nonetheless, you will often know the answers.

The most important thing is to listen to what your baby is telling you. If she lets out a little gasp or a coo, you do not need to rush over to her and start checking her diaper. She is learning to use her voice, her breath and her body and sometimes babies just like to make noise. Many mothers find the first cry that they can recognize and differentiate from others is the hungry cry. Many babies start with a small fussy sound as they realize they are hungry. They repeat a discontented noise like a CD player with a bad laser. If they do not get fed in response to this sound, often the cry will transition into full-fledged wailing.

Some babies become aware at a very early age of when they wet or soil their diapers. If you pay attention, you may realize that your baby makes a sound or gives you a signal that tells you a diaper check is in order.

If your baby is crying frantically or in a way you have never seen before, this is a message you should always pay attention to. Any unusual and unhappy behavior can often signal that something is wrong in your baby's world. If the crying does not abate as you do things to try to make your baby more comfortable, a visit to the doctor is probably in order.

Of course as baby gets older, she will start to communicate in more ways. Many of these will be easier to understand, since your baby is already learning communication methods from you. For example, as you snuggle her or play silly games, she will first smile and later will let out little giggles. There is little that makes a parent feel happier than the laughter of his or her infant.

There will still be mysteries, of course. Your baby is not yet skilled in communicating and sometimes she will not even really know what she wants or needs. But, paying attention and watching your baby's signals can help you make progress toward getting to know your baby as well as possible.

Once baby is able to sit upright and is ready for solid foods, you need to get a high chair. Unlike the wooden spindle high chairs of old, modern chairs offer an array of features and comforts.

Safety
Look for a harness in your high chair that is comfortable, snug and easy to use. In addition, a molded plastic bar for between baby's legs will help prevent baby from slipping.

The seat and cover
While you want to select a seat cover that is easy to clean, remember it needs to be comfortable for baby to sit in. Vinyl covers are a snap to wipe up, but may stick to the delicate skin on the back of your baby's legs. Look for specially treated cloth covers that repel spills and stains but are softer and more comfortable for sitting. Make sure the seat cover is easy to remove and to put back on. It is ideal if you can select one that can be cleaned in the washing machine. Also check the seat and chair for crevices where food may get stuck.

The tray
Most high chairs have trays that are easy to remove and clean. The best trays offer smooth, raised rims at the outer edges so to help catch spills and rolling bits of food. Some have built in cup holders or other compartments, which are handy, but add a small amount of time to the cleaning process. Make sure the top of the tray is smooth, with no seams where food and germs might get stuck. Think of your high chair tray as one large plate for your baby, since the food usually spends more time on the tray than on the tableware on which it was served.

Adjustability
It is helpful to have a high chair that can be adjusted to different seating heights. This allows you to set baby level with you whatever table you use for mealtimes, or to perch baby up high to have a view of the action when you cook. If you have a breakfast bar or other high seating area where your family frequently dines, make sure the high chair has an appropriate height so that baby can sit with everyone else. Some high chairs also have different seat angle positions. While these are handy for rest and playtime, babies should always be upright when they eat.

Wheels
While it may seem that a high chair would be stationary, many people find they use it in multiple rooms. For example, do you dine in a breakfast nook early in the day and in the dining room for dinner? Or, do you anticipate putting baby in the high chair in the kitchen with a snack and a toy to watch from a high vantage point while you cook? If so, you may want to consider a high chair with wheels to make it easy to move. Any wheels should be equipped with a locking mechanism so that you can ensure the chair only moves when you want it to and not when an active baby is bouncing.
Once you have a high chair, you will probably find you use it for more than just mealtime. Highchairs are great for helping baby sit up where she can see what is going on as well as for certain kinds of play. For example, when your baby is a little bit older, the high chair is a perfect place for containing messy art activities. The tray edges catch rolling crayons and the surface is easily washable. It is also great for playdoh and for a toddler who wants to learn how to pour. If you make sure your high chair has all of the recommended features, you will undoubtedly find it is a very important piece of furniture in your baby's life.

When we think of education, another word that comes into our mind is the school. School education is provided with a definite pattern of instruction, evaluation and discipline and also it has a certain curriculum and a certain goal in its view. But for babies below four years of age, all these things are of no meaning. They have a world of their own. So their education starts in the home itself. Apart from the basic techniques of daily use like sitting, crawling, standing, holding things, walking, and turning, etc., that the infants learn very quickly of their own with only a little outside help, they need to be educated in some more departments of daily life. For example it is up to the caretakers to teach the baby what is wrong and what is right.
Generally all small children have a tendency to pick up every thing they can in their hands and try to put that into their mouths. But we all know that everything in this world is not an eatable. So babies are required to be taught, what are eatables and which one is not! --Not only the eatables but their quantities also. They need to be taught that anything eaten beyond the limit can cause diseases in the body.

Similarly at their early age the babies do not know which animal is dangerous for them and they need not go nearer to those animals or to flirt with them. For example dog, cat, certain insects, and flies, etc., can bite very severely if disturbed. The abovementioned animals are generally found around every locality inhabited by us. For elders they are not much of a problem but for babies they are!

In the case of eatables, if a baby touches anything with his tongue, which is bitter or very hot in nature, it may give a sort of lesson to him by itself. But in the case of animals this type of lesson may not be there and the risk of loosing too much is always there. In a house the elders should take care of the language they use to communicate with each other and the way in which they behave with all other people. This is because babies are always tuned in a learning mood. They may seem to be silent but their unconscious mind is never silent. It picks up each and every happening that takes place around it. Suppose the parents quarrel with each other very often or they use very harsh or vulgar words to communicate, you can take it granted that a baby in that house will grow up learning all these things and will most likely show the same behavior in the later part of his life!

General counting as one, two, three, four, five is also taught at home. This counting is very important for a baby. How many toys he wants? How many biscuits he has eaten? How many pictures he has seen? Like this there are many other phenomenon, which require counting.

Now take the case of cleanliness. The babies between three to four years should be educated in this regard as to how to brush their teeth and why, how to take a bath and why, why to comb your hair, why to use tumblers and other utensils to eat or drink, why not to spread things here and there, how to wear your clothes, why to wash your hands before eating, and how to go the toilet, etc.? If a child is not made habitual of cleanliness at his early age in the house, he may become a problem child in the school, later on!

One more very important aspect, which every parent must educate the babies is not to pick up and keep things possessed by others without their consent. Since not doing so we may encourage our children unconsciously to become a thief when they are grown up. For this sometimes they may be reprimanded if not agreeing with the advice. We should also tell our children not to touch like broken glass, sharp edged iron pieces, and thorny plants in the garden like cactus, etc., since they may injure themselves by doing so as they do not know the consequences prior to their activities. Also there are electricity switchboards in almost every part of the house here and there. Every baby who can stand and walk, should be educated the fatal results of trying to play with electricity. All the children have a general tendency to copy their elders so one should not do any activity in front of the babies carelessly because the babies would surely try to do the same activity in the absence of elders.

Playing with water is another activity, which requires some attention. Children who do not have a very good balance while standing or those who fall very frequently while walking are very accident prone if they play with water. For example, if there is a big bucket full of water placed in a bathroom, generally, a baby would try to do some activities of his own like splashing the water with his hands or trying to drink that water by taking his mouth directly into the bucket or trying to wet his hair by half drowning his head into the water, and so on! The children are required to be educated that they should not go near any big vessel or even a small pond with water collected in it without the company of any elderly person. It is also very necessary to teach them about holding things in their hands especially their toys, as there can be more than one baby in every house. Whenever two or more same age babies play with each other with the toys belonging to a particular baby, it is seen very often that they tend to loose their temper very soon. In most cases the fights have possession of toys as the main reason. So every baby should be taught that the toys are there to be played with and not to be used as weapons in a war. Also for good education the toys should be of such shapes, sizes and types that they help the child to enhance his general knowledge of the surroundings and should not be sharp edged anyhow. Also the babies should not be allowed to play with toys or games like guns, swords, sticks, and knives, etc.; as it is a proven fact that these types of toys and games mold the inner mind of the children into becoming a wicked and war-loving person rather than to develop himself into a loving and a loveable person in his life!

So we can say that to make a baby a good human being his education must start in the home where he lives before admitting him into a school.

Roll Over Baby

Baby's six month is an exciting time for both mom and infant. Most infants have developed the ability to roll over by the six month and some use rolling over as a way to get around. While watching baby roll around can be fun and amusing, this ability raises some important safety issues. Now that baby can roll over, usually in both directions, it is extremely important to protect baby from falls. To prevent falls never (even before baby learns to roll) leave your baby unattended on any raised surface. Remember to keep your hand on your baby at all times during diaper changes. It only takes a split second for baby to roll off a changing table and injure himself. This may even be a good time to retire the use of the changing table in favor of using a changing mat on the floor.

Trying New Foods

Many babies are trying out solid foods by six months. Even though baby can eat solids now, it is important to remember that breast milk or formula is still baby's most important and nutritional food. Use solid foods as a supplement to breast milk or formula, not the other way around. If you are starting solid foods it is wise to start out with infant cereal and veggies, saving the fruit for last. If you begin with sweet tasting fruits and try to add in the vegetables later, baby may balk at the less sweet tasting veggies. When giving baby a new food, always feed it to baby for several days in a row before feeding another new food. Separating new foods in this way makes for the easier detection of allergies to specific foods. Food allergy symptoms can include diarrhea, rash, vomiting,hives, and coughing. Do not feed baby any mixed foods until you are sure baby is not allergic to any of the individual ingredients.

Do not give your baby cows milk, honey, or egg whites until your baby is at least one year old. Avoid carbonated beverages, caffeinated drinks, and candy. Do not add seasonings to your baby's food at this age. It is also best to avoid putting baby to sleep with a bottle of formula or juice, as doing so can lead to the development of dental caries.

Hand Play

By six months of age many infants have developed a greater level of hand control. Baby can reach for and grasp objects as well as pull the objects towards him. Watch out for your dinner plate! Once baby has learned to grasp objects he will begin practicing moving the objects from hand to hand. Baby still places everything and anything in his mouth so be sure to keep dangerous objects, such as small toys he could swallow, out of his reach. Baby may grab your cup of scalding hot coffee when you least expect it and sustain serious burns. You must be diligent about keeping dangerous objects far away from baby. Give your baby a wide variety of toys in different textures to play with and mouth. Playing is actually a learning experience for your baby.

Baby's Social Life

Six month old babies tend to be very social creatures. Although, stranger anxiety is just around the corner, six month old infants seem to love to smile at everyone. Anyone who grins,talks to , or makes funny faces at your baby is likely to be rewarded by a grin and maybe even some baby talk. Your baby will still reserve his biggest smiles and most spirited conversations for you, her primary caregiver.

Your baby's communication skills are expanding rapidly now. He uses squeals, squeaks, bubbling, and babbling to communicate (and have fun) with others. Some babies, at this age, begin repeating single syllable sounds like "ma" or "ba" over and over again. Encourage your baby's oral development by talking back to him. Help to keep him stimulated by varying your approach to chatter. For example, talk to him in your normal tone of voice some of the time and copy his babble at other times. Sing to baby, read books, and use funny cartoon voices. Babies at this age will use their developing communication skills to get your attention. Baby may squeal, cry, wiggle, giggle, cough, or squirm to get your attention. Remember to listen intently when baby "talks" to let him know his "words" are important to you. Baby may pay attention to the tone of your voice now and may react by crying if you speak harshly to him. Be sensitive to baby's feelings.

Have Fun With Baby

Make sure you take some time to just relax and have fun with baby each and every day. While the thought of having time to relax may seem outlandish in the face of all you have to do, it is well worth it to squeeze it in wherever you can. Your baby's six month will pass in what may seem like the blink of an eye. Be careful or you will miss it. Sit or lie on the floor with baby and talk or play with toys. Sit a little bit away from her and watch her try to roll or creep over to you. Place some toys just out of baby's reach to encourage her to reach for them. Provide toys and other objects in different sizes, shapes, colors, and textures to help stimulate your baby. Babies tend to be curious about just about everything so you do not need to spend a ton of money on toys. Chances are you can find quite a few household objects to keep baby happy and safely occupied.

Keep in mind the fact that all babies develop at their own rate and meet developmental milestones at their own individual pace. Don't worry if your baby takes a little bit longer than you expect to reach certain milestones. If you have real concerns about baby's development, however, do not hesitate to consult your baby's doctor.

By Kathy A. Schaeffer

There are many things of which to be aware when deciding on the caretaker who will watch over your baby while you are out for the evening or during the day if you work outside of the home. Hopefully this article will serve as a checklist of things to watch out for, both good and bad, and help you to make that very vital decision.

If it is a workday sitter, it will most likely be someone older than a teenager since school will be in session for the teens for most of the year. This list of things to be aware of can easily be used with the adult sitters you wish to consider as well as the younger candidates.

The first thing to remember is that just because someone offers to do childcare for you and happens to be the teenager of a friend or co-worker, it does not automatically make them the best choice for the person to hire. There are still things you need to look for just the same as if you were interviewing a stranger.

One of the first things to decide on is the age of a babysitter you would prefer. If someone says they know a great sitter who is 11 or 12 years old and you don't feel comfortable with someone that age watching your baby, then by all means hire someone older. It can get sticky if a close friend or colleague suggests a child or niece of theirs but if you feel it is too young for a sitter, don't be afraid to say "I'm sure she (or he) is a great sitter, but I wish to hire someone a little older." Since it is your baby's welfare at stake here, any friend should understand your feelings on the matter. Many people now are setting a limit of 16 and sticking with it, so if that's what you prefer, stand firm on your convictions and don't interview anyone younger.

When it comes time to interview a possible sitter, there are things to take note of and remember. The first thing you will want to notice is if she arrived to the interview at the appointed time. If she couldn't get to a job interview on time, you may have trouble getting her to arrive when you need her at other times.

Ask about the hours and days she will be available. If, for instance, she can only help you out one Saturday night a month, or her Friday nights are always unpredictable, you may be better choosing someone with more availability.

Ask the babysitter candidate about her experience with infants. Don't assume that just because she has watched other children who may have been older means that she knows about taking care of a baby. Let her hold the baby during the interview and see how she interacts with him.

Another thing you may want to ask is if she has taken any child care classes, babysitting training (many towns offer it now) or first aid classes. This isn't in itself a reason to hire or not hire because experience with a younger sibling often teaches more than a class would. On the other hand, it's a good question to ask because you really don't want to assume things like this person necessarily knows how to change a diaper or calm a crying infant.

Ask for references from your potential sitters, and be sure to call those references. This would be not only people who have hired her to watch a baby, but perhaps you would like to talk to a parent or teacher (if it is a teen) as well. Make sure the potential sitter knows your rules about phone calls, visitors, and internet usage well enough ahead of time so that it won't turn out to be a problem the first time she arrives "for duty."

After you hire someone for the job, there are still things to look out for. If you have, for one example, not given permission for her to use a computer in the house, have you found signs that she may have done so anyhow? Are there signs that she had a visitor or visitors over while you were gone?

As sad as it is to have to put this into a babysitting article, it is also very important to be sure to observe the baby. Are there indications that a diaper hadn't been changed? Is the baby unusually irritable or fussy? It bears mention to keep in mind that such a thing (fussiness) may happen because of separation from you, so it's not automatically a flag that something is wrong, but you may want to try something to make sure. (One way would be to have someone else come by for an evening when you're out . . . a trusted family member or neighbor, and see if the same thing happens.)

It goes without saying that anything out of the ordinary by way of bruises or marks on the baby needs immediate action. Also, if there was to be a feeding time while you were gone, was the bottle actually used, or in the case of an older baby, the baby food used? It seems like a lot to remember, but it is all important.

A few things to do for the babysitter before leaving should be having emergency contact numbers written down, including where you can be reached and a neighbor's number. Write down directions to your home if you do not have a street address should the awful scenario of having to give directions to emergency workers arise. Include the name and number of the baby's doctor on the list. Be sure to write down times for feedings and time and precise amount for any medication the baby may need to be given.

Write down your instructions about the baby's routine and things the sitter will need to do for those times. You may want to change the routine in some ways for the nights you will be using a sitter, such as bathing the baby yourself before leaving or having the baby dressed for bedtime when you leave. Be sure to tell the sitter if he sleeps on back or tummy or if there is a special toy always in the crib.

When it's time for you to leave, be sure that you walk through the house with the sitter and show her where you have put your emergency phone numbers and instructions. Ideally that will be near the phone and then you are showing her where to find the phone as well. If you have some kind of alarm system at the house, tell the sitter what the procedure is if the alarm sounds.

When you take the time to make certain that everything is order, leaving your infant with a sitter will be a lot less stressful for you and you may be able to enjoy your time away just a little bit more.

Each year parents all over the country must come up with a new and entertaining way to celebrate their children's birthdays. Some parents try to outdo others by throwing extravagant galas and spending a lot of money. Others try to come up with economical ways to mark their child's special day. Still others quietly celebrate with a friend or two or with only family members. There are so many ways to celebrate, that it can be difficult to decide exactly what to do. When you are planning your child's birthday party, keep in mind that it should be entertaining, and it should also have at least some great food. After all, what is a celebration without food?!

When you are in the beginning stages of birthday planning, the first thing that you really need to consider is the age of your child. If she is very young, birthday celebrations can be quite overwhelming. In fact, it isn't uncommon for one and two-year olds to cry at least at some point during their party. What you might think is entertaining may actually hold an entirely different meaning for your child.

For example, most parents order that perfectly adorable birthday cake decorated in some sort of theme. Maybe it is made in the shape of a popular storybook or television character, or maybe it has an actual picture of the child on the top of it. Then, parents make sure to add what is now known as a "smash cake". The definition of smash cake isn't hard to understand. How well this cake is received may well be a different story, however.

One year old babies may already be overwhelmed at the amount of people and the commotion that their party brings. When you add a smash cake to the mix, it may be more than your child can take. After all, she is probably use to an orderly routine, and here she is surrounded by people all talking and laughing. Many of these people may simply be strangers, at least in baby's eyes. Why are they all here? Who are all of these people? Why are they so loud? Why do they all want to touch and hold me? All of these thoughts may be going through your child's head. Of course, she probably can't articulate those thoughts yet, and that is where your job as a parent comes in.

If you follow common procedure, you hand your baby her smash cake, and she may stare at it and then look at you as if to say, "What am I suppose to do with this?" Then, you or some other helpful party attendee will promptly put her hands in the cake and encourage her to make a mess. Now, keep in mind that on any other occasion that she sits in her high chair to eat, you probably keep a napkin or cloth close by to clean her up regularly. In fact, if you are a neat-freak, you may even keep her from getting her hands and face dirty at all! That is until now!

All of a sudden, you want her to cover herself in crumbs and icing? How confusing is this for baby?! No wonder she tries to shake the crumbs from her hands and may even proceed to rub her bewildered eyes, spreading icing everywhere! No wonder she then breaks down into tears! Is this then a celebration? Of course, then out comes the cloths or napkins, and baby is quickly lifted from her chair to be comforted. Some party, huh? However, over and over this same scenario is repeated in households in every town. We just can't help ourselves.

Ask yourself this question. Whose celebration is it anyway? Whose birthday is it? Don't you want to celebrate your birthday the way you choose? It is your special day, right? Then why do we expect our babies to celebrate the way we choose, which may be the exact opposite of what they prefer?

Well, what would a baby prefer? Babies need routines, naps, and quiet time. They need to be comforted, and they feel their best in familiar surroundings. OK, there you have it. That is all you need to know to plan a party that your baby can enjoy. First, think about your baby's routine. Do you really want to plan a party right in the middle of his naptime? What's the point? If he is tired and cranky, will he be able to enjoy his party? Will you? So, it is important to plan a party that coordinates with his naptime. If he typically takes a nap at 2:00, then plan his party for late afternoon, say 4:30 or so.

Routines also include mealtimes. You don't want your baby's main meal to be cake and ice cream, so try and plan the party after he has already had at least a healthy snack. If your baby generally sleeps in the morning from 9:00 to around 11:00, go ahead and let him nap, then feed him lunch, and then plan his party for around 12:30 or so. He is the person you should plan around, and you really shouldn't worry about anyone else.

Who should be at the party? Well, you may have a huge extended family, and they may all expect to be there. Obviously, you don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, and if you can't keep the party small, you can at least keep it under control. Does a one year old really want to go to a busy pizza place with electronic games and rides? I seriously doubt it! Where is your baby the most secure? Your answer is probably your home. If you are worried about having enough room, maybe you can have a party outside. If the weather won't cooperate, you at least have a great excuse for not having a large party. You can tell people that you wanted to have your child's party at home, and there simply isn't enough room for you to invite everyone. How can they argue with that?

Ideally, the best rule to stick to when deciding on the number of children to invite to a party is to invite the same amount of children that coordinates with the age of the child. So, if that is the case, a one year old baby should have one child to invite, right? Ok, maybe that is a little unrealistic, but you get the picture. When your child reaches four and five years of age, however, it begins to make much more sense.

First and second birthday parties are not the time to introduce your child to a lot of strangers. Things will be chaotic enough as it is, and your baby may be feeling insecure. If you surround her with people that she isn't very familiar with, and they all want to touch and hold her, how do you expect her to react? Of course, there are always those extroverted children who actually bask in all of the attention, but there are probably more children who are disturbed by it than those who aren't.

A birthday party is not the time to invite all of these people who normally don't come to your house. Instead, keep it small and relatively quiet, and you may not have to deal with a crying toddler who clings to you like a little monkey. If you simply must invite the neighbors and your co-workers, as well as Aunt Debbie and Uncle Bob, please caution them against trying to grab your child the minute they meet him. You can very politely explain that your baby is rather shy, and it will take him a while to warm up to them. Ask them to let him make the first move instead of it being the other way around. Of course, you will still probably have to come to his rescue, but maybe you have prevented a little of the stress that will inevitably come with his party.

Finally, keep the length of your baby's party to a minimum. The party should be long enough to enjoy some cake and ice cream. (You probably want to seriously forgo the smash cake, however!) Then, you can help your child open presents. Don't be surprised if he is just as fascinated with the wrapping paper and bows. If he has a lot of presents he may not know where to start, so simply put some away till later. Let people take a few pictures, and then end the party. Once everyone has left, you and your baby can enjoy some quiet time before he goes down for a much deserved nap. Later, pull out one or two toys at a time and quietly play with your child. Hopefully, you and he have survived the party, and maybe enjoyed it, too!

By Kathy A. Schaeffer

At what stage is it "too early" to start teaching a child? The answer, as many parents have discovered, is that there is no point at which it is too early. Learning activities to do with babies and toddlers are only limited to the imagination of the parent. There are five areas of learning and each of them can be geared toward babies. The areas of learning are cognitive, emotional, language, social, and physical.

The first suggestion that most parents and educators will mention is the importance of reading to children, yes, even the very youngest children. In the past decade or so, more and more mothers-to-be have decided to read to her baby even before the birth. The implication is that the baby can hear voices, so why not let him or her hear mom's voice calmly reading a story written specifically for children with its often rhythmic lines? Granted, reading the phone book or the classified section of the newspaper may offer the same calming effect for the baby, but why not read an fitting story in order to feel closer to the unborn child?

When the baby is old enough to actually look at the book and be interested in the pictures, point out various things in the photos and name the items. Still later, such as when the child is at the toddler stage and talking, try leaving end words off of sentences from favorite books and allow the child to fill in the word. You can also pick out some easy words to point out for word recognition for toddlers. Taking it a step further and writing the same words onto cards for another recognition game is a good idea.

Many parents also insist on introducing babies and toddlers to various genres of music. An activity such as listening to music also covers the social area of learning if the whole family or some older siblings are involved. That applies to the reading time, too. Perhaps the family members would enjoy taking turns reading to the baby or toddler and that would give the baby valuable social and bonding time with family members. Don't forget to invite grandparents to share in some of these activities.

You may be surprised at a very young baby starting to "coo" along when someone is singing, so your music education "lesson plans" need to include singing as well as simply listening to different kinds of music. If you wish to expand this further, you'd be amazed at how many objects around the house can be turned into "instruments" for the budding musician that lives inside of most toddlers. Don't let your (or the child's!) imagine stop with something like a wooden spoon and cooking pot.

The emotional area of learning is self explanatory. Teach the very young that they matter and that they are an important part of the family, church, playgroup, and later, the school community. Be careful that you don't say hurtful things thinking that it won't wound self esteem in a child as young a toddler. Words said in anger or without thinking can indeed injure the spirit of the very young, and an unfortunate side effect is that emotional scars remain with the child for his or her whole life in many cases. Even the youngest of babies can hear changes in voice tone or inflection and pick up on tension.

One excellent way to help your baby with the learning process and particularly the language area is to talk to the child from the moment he or she is born. During your daily activities, tell the baby what you are doing and even point out certain objects if you want to. If you are naming items of interest, repeat the name of it more than once. It will seem as if the baby doesn't understand or isn't paying attention but this, according to medical professionals, is what actually helps to form language skills.

When a baby is old enough for teaching things in the cognitive area of learning, the ideas for activities and how to help with the learning process are endless. This includes things like memory games, simple counting games and number recognition ("will you bring me three spoons, Mary?"), and other games that teach words, colors, shapes, and so on.

What are some other ways in which parents can provide a head start for babies and toddlers when it comes to learning new and exciting things? An added perk to doing this, according to research, seems to be that children who are taught to enjoy books and learning very early in life are more likely to succeed in school. The love of books and learning new things is truly something that continues for a lifetime.

Many companies that are connected with educational products are now developing and offering numerous series and individual learning DVDs and videos. If you take time to research what is available (online resources are a great way to do this) you will find that there are videos that are made for all age groups of children, even the very youngest. Choose age appropriate materials that will help to teach some of the things that you find important for the baby or toddler to learn. This would also apply to some of the programming that public television offers.

Games are great when it comes to learning tools. You may want to ask an older sibling or a friend's child to help think of some age appropriate games. It may be as simple as asking a toddler to "please fold the yellow wash cloth" when you are doing laundry. For younger babies, be sure to name objects that you are showing the baby.

Don't forget the games and songs that have withstood the test of time such as the ABC Song or Six Little Ducks. Draw six ducks to count with the toddler before singing the song. Old McDonald is a great way to teach animal sounds. Don't be afraid to compose a few songs of your own that will help with color or shape recognition, or anything else you wish to teach.

Babies are very curious about everything that goes on around them. You can greatly expand the universe that surrounds your young son or daughter by just remembering to interact with the baby as often as you possibly can. Ask other family members to do the same. The only thing to remember by way of caution, however, is that pushing is never good. A baby and toddler will learn things at a speed which is comfortable to the baby. There is never a valid reason to push beyond their limit or try to force them to learn more than they are ready to absorb at any given moment.

There is a certain irony in being a parent. Many parents are simply made for the job: they know as young children that they want to be a parent one day; they are attracted to babies long before they are able to have their own; and they seem to have a natural way with babies that the rest of us can only learn.

But for so many more of us, having a new baby is nothing less than a severe shock to the system. While we may admire babies from a distance and perhaps even hold one now and then, many of us have no idea about the reality of parenthood. Sure we take the Lamaze classes and read all the books, but nothing gives us a taste of the reality of parenthood until we experience the real thing; much like learning how cold the water is only after you've jumped off the boat and watch pitifully as it races away.

Many people don't really enjoy babies. Sure, we love our own - it's hardwired into us. We can't help it. Our own babies smell like pure joy. They are the most beautiful creatures to ever exist on this planet and we wonder at how we are the fortunate ones to be blessed with such a perfect gift. We marvel at how smart and beautiful our babies are compared to the babies of everyone else. How can it be that we got the best one?

Love is one thing; enjoyment is quite another. By the time the novelty wears off and baby begins to sleep through the night, we get the joy of seeing the first smile, hearing the first laugh and all the other wonderful firsts that accompany that first year. Yet we don't experience life with our baby occasionally and then go about our merry business. Rather, we are immersed in the life of this tiny new creature who demands to control every aspect of our lives including our meals, our physical appearance, our amount of sleep, our social lives, our budget, our careers, and our homes. There is very little, if anything in our lives, a baby will not touch in some way.

We are awakened each morning by cries for nourishment, clean britches, comfort, entertainment, and socialization. This small person cares not that we were up late finishing a report for work or having a fight with our spouse. He cares not that we might want to go for a jog or even have a bit to eat, ourselves. He will scream mercilessly until his needs are met and then he will want more. If we can coax the little tyrant into nap time later, we might catch up on some of our own life during that precious hour, but more likely we'll fall asleep with him and be awakened all over again when nap time is over.

The irony is that we are delighted by these tiny people. We laugh at their demands, their angry screams and their happy coos. We may not enjoy the monotony, the never-ending cycle of drudgery that comes with raising a baby, but somehow we love them too much to care. Many of us entrust our babies into the capable hands of nannies or day care providers, but we struggle with leaving them, even before they know who we are. We worry that our baby will become confused and not know who his true parents are; we actually want our baby to know that we are the ones solely responsible for his sustenance, shelter and entertainment. We want him to remember to whom his demands must be directed.

As we (and they) grow older and they become more independent, we are saddened by our babies' growth, as if we really want to go back to changing diapers and being awakened at all hours of the night. We look at other peoples' babies and feel nostalgic. We smell that scrumptious one-of-a-kind baby smell and swoon. We hold others' babies and imagine that we might take the little beauty home and pretend we don't know the parents; we think we really want a part of this baby thing again.

But then the baby will cry or soil his diaper and we chuckle and hand the baby back to the exhausted parents who look hollow-eyed and stunned by life. Somehow in their weary state, they welcome the soiled, crying baby back with open arms and coos of love and affection. They may be fatigued but they clean and comfort their precious little one with no thought for themselves. That is the definition of true love and irony, all rolled into one.

Tales of early sibling relations at their finest...

Exploration and entertainment often govern the first few years of a child's life. Getting into "trouble" is what little ones do best-especially when their curiosity kicks into overdrive.

It seems that siblings with minimal age gaps bond quite differently than those with a wider spread of years between them. Much in the same way, males and females interact differently-in terms of the degree of rivalry, the amount of affection, and various other idiosyncrasies of childhood conduct.

Babies and young tots carry hefty reputations for comical and mischievous behavior. At ages one and three, respectively, my younger siblings Michael and Susie Keenan put on quite a display of playful sibling mischief.

The mystery remains to this day as to how Michael acquired the tub of margarine. An even bigger mystery, perhaps, is why Susie sat still through the entire ordeal! The kitchen walls exhibited buttery handprints and sloppy streaks, the hallway, smothered in margarine as far as the eye could see. It was EVERYWHERE including all over Susie, from head to toe.

Curly caramel-colored locks were slick with the yellow slop, as Michael continued to massage more and more of the greasy substance into her hair. Did it actually feel good? Did she simply crave attention? Was she too young at age three to know any better?
Susie was, in fact, very passive about the whole experience. She was the older child who did not play the active role; rather, she watched the younger child play and explore.

Sibling interaction works on many levels. Children may go from playful and mischievous to aggressive and antagonistic, to sullen and subdued in only a matter of minutes. A child's mood and behavior is quite easily affected by the moods and behaviors of those around him or her.

Similarly, children who are only slightly older than their siblings may sometimes exhibit more active and aggressive tendencies. Brothers and sisters who are close in age may also form close bonds with each other. These bonds may operate in several different ways, including affection, competition and teasing.

In a family with three boys, the competition and joking aspects become more apparent. For instance, three brothers in a family I know have a lot in common. They enjoy sports, video games and playing outside. As the youngest, Justin put effort into proving himself a contender with his brothers-he imitated them to show that he was just as brave, strong and athletic as they were.

The three and five years between Justin and his older brothers provided ample opportunity for jovial rivalry and playful bantering. Jeremy and Jason most frequently targeted Justin during mealtime. If they weren't "mooing" about his steak or beef, or "clucking" about his chicken dinner, you could bet they were barking at his hotdog. Pork, ham and bacon fell to a fate of excessive "oinking," and pretty much any audible animal onomatopoeia caused poor Justin to drop his silverware in distress. The boys' mother became convinced that her youngest son would be scarred for life, and would become a vegetarian at such a young age.

On the contrary, years and years later Justin is a quick-witted and charismatic young man. Though the early days of torment kept him on his toes, he now refutes his brothers' teasing with some banter of his own.

Brothers and sisters truly do play a significant role in the formation of each other's personalities and behavioral characteristics. Close bonds with siblings become life-long friendships that are strengthened by playful teasing, healthy competition and even funny memories, like butter shampoos!

by Christina VanGinkel

Babies and their grandparents have a special bond that defies even the bond of the parents. How can this be you ask? Simple, if the mother lovers her child, as I do my daughter, then how could I not doubly love the child that she has brought into our lives?

My grandson travels with his parents but we were fortunate enough to have him, along with his mother, spend the first six months of his life in our home. Not ready to take a newborn on the road she chose to stay with us while Daddy came home every weekend, often from hundreds of miles away. His temporary loss was our forever gain.

In those six months, my grandson managed to work his way into the hearts of both my husband and I, and his Uncle who is all of twelve years old. We were witness to his first smiles, his first giggles, and first destruction of a box of Kleenex he managed to pull off the coffee table. Fortunately, he is healthy, but we were also able to be by our daughters side when as a newborn he had to be rushed to the hospital as he broke out in a rash all over his face and screamed as only a newborn can when they have an earache. We were by his side when our daughter learned he is allergic to cats, hence the rash, which came about after she visited his other grandmother who happens to have a cat. She had innocently laid her sweater on the couch and after putting it back on, he snuggled his face into her shoulder, cat hair and all. He was so congested from the hair his ears were inflamed from the pressure. He survived and now a year and a half later, he has decided that cats are grand and my daughter is forever pulling him away from any cat that may cross his path.

Almost two years old now, he calls us every single day. He talks to grandpa about the turkeys he fed in our yard the last time he visited, and he starts every conversation with me by saying the two sweetest words I have ever heard, -Hi Nana!- His vocabulary is rich thanks to the frequent talks we have on the phone, and he can recite a whole litany of animal sounds. He counts to three, and is learning his ABCs already.

If you are under the impression that you could never love someone as much as you do your very own babies, hang onto to your hearts tight. When you have your first grandchild, they will show you that just when you thought you could not love someone anymore than you already do, they will arrive, baby smiles and all, to test the strength of your heart.

I believe one of the hardest things for parents of a newborn is selecting a daycare or babysitter that they can trust. The days of mothers staying home once they give birth are long gone. Economic demands make dual incomes a necessity. Thus after the six weeks maternity leave, many mothers are forced to return to work. There is nothing wrong with placing your child in a daycare center. Some mothers feel guilty. Yet, there is no reason to feel ashamed, nor should others make you feel like a bad parent. Many children are placed in childcare at very early ages and turn out fine. The key is selecting a childcare center or babysitter that you are comfortable with.

There has been a debate as to which is better for infants, daycare centers or home childcare facilities. There are advantages to both. Larger daycare facilities are great for starting social skills early. The sooner a baby is around other children, the easier it is for them to adjust to different surroundings and different people. The downside to larger daycare settings is that the baby is exposed to several other children. An infants immune system is still developing, thus some parents may not be comfortable with their baby in a large setting.

Parents may prefer to place their young infant in a home daycare. Some feel that home daycares are more personable. The smaller setting also carries less germs, thus the likelihood of your baby coming in contact with contagious germs are small. Newborns require constant attention. Some newborns are needier than others. Those that need to be held more may benefit from one on one childcare. In situations like this parents may decide on hiring a babysitter to come to the home during the work week. Selecting a good babysitter is just as important as choosing a good home or daycare center.

Family and friends will make great babysitters, if they are available. In most families grandparents may care for the infant while the parents work. This arrangement is perfect because the baby is being taken care of by a trusted member of the family. Often, parents must hire a stranger as a babysitter. This can be a difficult job. For forty or more hours a week this person will be responsible for your baby. Before placing an ad in the newspaper, talk with family, coworkers, friends, etc. These individuals may be able to recommend someone.

Neighborhood teenagers can make suitable sitters if they are old enough. Although we become qualified babysitters at twelve or thirteen years old, I would not recommend leaving a person this age in charge of a newborn. Preteens and those in their early teens are best suited to care for older children. A college age teenager may make a good candidate. Prior to hiring the new sitter, they should be interviewed. The person should have experience caring for very young children. Taking care of an infant is different from caring for a toddler. Newborns are fragile, and there is a proper way to hold them. Those who are not around newborns may not know to support the head or that an infant needs to be burped after eating. I am speaking from experience. I once cared for an infant when I had little experience. Admittedly, I did not know what I am doing, and I think the baby noticed.

The interview is the best way for parents to become acquainted with future sitters. This is also the time to get some background information on the candidate. Parents generally seek someone who is going to provide long term care. Thus during the interview it would be wise to inquire of their future work plans. Are they in school? Killing time until something better comes? Looking for extra money? If you sense that the sitter is not planning to work long. Move on to the next interview. Parents should also inquire whether the candidate has experience, CPR training, and reliable transportation. If there is a very likable individual without the necessary training, they should not be immediately cast to the side. Hospitals and organizations regularly offer affordable first aid training.

Once a sitter is selected, parents should inform them of their house and discipline policies. Lack of communication is one reason why sitters and parents butt heads. However, if the sitter adheres to house rules, and parents treat them as individuals and not servants, the two will get along well. Although newborns rarely need to be disciplined, sitters should put aside their feelings on the proper way to discipline and respect the way parents choose to punish their children. The sitter should also respect parents request to avoid smoking or cursing in front of the children. The important thing is to feel comfortable with your newborns caretaker. Parents should listen to their gut instinct. If they feel that their baby is not receiving the best care, they should seriously consider selecting a different daycare or babysitter.

When babies reach about eight months of age, they may begin to show social anxiety and other fears. They have learned to tell the difference between the members of their family and strangers. They understand who takes care of them, and they are very dependent on their parents and caregivers.

What they don't understand is temporary separation. They understand what happens when you disappear from sight, but they don't understand that you will be back. In fact, each and every separation may be a dramatic production on their part. They simply can't understand or fathom the concept of time. You can't reason with an eight month old, so how can you make him feel more secure?

Now, obviously different babies react in different ways. Also, some babies may not show any evidence of social anxiety until they are older. Others may never show any evidence of separation anxiety or worry. Typically though, most children exhibit at least minor stress at the prospect of being separated from their beloved parent or other relative.

If your baby reacts with tears every time you leave her, you definitely aren't alone. Try to look at it this way. More than likely, you have been the prime caretaker of your child since she was born. You bathe her, feed her, rock her, change her, and comfort her on a daily basis. Is it any wonder that she is so very dependent on you? It is also easy to understand why separations are hard for her. After all, you might tell her that you'll be back in a few minutes or hours, but what does that mean to her? In her eyes, when you walk out that door, you are gone. She can't reason to herself that you will be back, even though you do come back every time.

Some babies are so attached to their moms or dads that they are very vocal about their preferences. Often, if a baby is extremely attached to his mother, he won't allow anyone to do anything else for him if she is around. This may result in hurt feelings for the father, but keep in mind that your baby doesn't understand how her actions affect you. In fact, the only thing that she does understand is how she feels at the moment and if her needs are being met. She really isn't interested in anything else.

Many times, fathers or mothers simply have to ignore a baby's howls of protest and do the best they can to soothe his hurt feelings. Obviously, one parent shouldn't have to do it all just because the baby favors that parent over the other one. In fact, how will the relationship between the child and the other parent ever develop if they simply give in to the baby's demands for his favored caregiver?

While it may be difficult to do sometimes, the preferred parent should let the other parent take charge of the baby's care on a regular basis. Even though your child cries for you to pick him up, feed him, change him, and bathe him, you should let your spouse do these things for him also. You may have to walk out of the room in order for things to settle down, but they will eventually settle down.

As your spouse becomes more adept at handling your sometimes demanding child, you both may notice a subtle change in the relationship. Not only is this good for your baby, but it is also good for your spouse to feel needed and useful. He or she needs to know how important his or her role is in your baby's life.

Do you have older children that can help with the baby? If so, this is a great way to help your child become more social, while at the same time teach the older sibling how to be more responsible. If you give your older child more responsibilities in regards to taking care of your baby, you are actually helping to forge a stronger bond between the two of them. Again, your baby may howl only for you, and there may come a time when you have to simply walk away from your child in order for someone else to take care of him. This isn't a bad thing, and you are actually helping your baby to grow emotionally.

It is unrealistic to think that there will never be anyone else to take care of your baby. After all, you and your spouse may want to plan a romantic evening, or you may go back to work. Regardless of the reason, you should be prepared for the fact that your child will not be happy when you leave her. It may be hard for you to leave her, also, after you look at her tear-stained face and outreaching arms. Remember, you can call and check on her, and when you do, don't be surprised to discover that she is just fine.

That's right. Children are remarkably resilient creatures. Even though they may act like any separation is the end of the world, they usually bounce back rather quickly. Now, if your baby has an extreme aversion to strangers, maybe to the point of embarrassing you, take heart. It could actually be a good thing that he doesn't like people he doesn't know. You won't have to worry about him following someone else, right?

Still, it can be a problem if those strangers are actually people whom you know, but your child doesn't. If you are one of those moms or dads who can't go anywhere without a child attached to your hip, you may be secretly crying out for help. What about the child who won't venture away from her parents to play with the other children in the park? Does this describe your child?

Yes, some babies are painfully shy, and they are actually afraid of strangers for no apparent reason. This can be difficult to deal with, but you can help your child somewhat. You may not be able to turn him into an extrovert, but you may be able to help him learn to adjust to time away from you, even if it is only in the next room.

When you do have to leave your child, try to be as upbeat and positive as you can when telling her goodbye. You can give her a hug, and you can even talk about all of the fun things she'll get to do while you are gone. If she is just a baby, she may not understand what you are saying, but she can understand your tone of voice, and that can make a difference. If you are stressed at the idea of leaving your child, especially if you are going back to work, you need to keep those feelings from her. It will be hard enough for her as it is without her seeing you upset, too.

In the same respect, when you greet your child after being gone, you should be just as happy. You want her to associate the separation with something positive instead of negative. While this may not help her with her separation anxiety, it will eventually teach her that the separation isn't a bad thing. As she grows and matures, she may surprise you by handling the situation better on a daily basis.

If your child is one of those children who hang back and watches the other children play without ever joining in, you can help her become more social. No, it won't happen overnight, but it can happen. It will help if you can let her spend time growing up with other children who are neighbors, children of friends, or relatives. If she grows up with these children, she will be familiar with them and not fearful of them.

Of course, there will be situations where your baby will be around new children. If he struggles with this, don't force the issue. Instead, help your baby gradually become more involved in his surroundings. When you go to a playground and he is glued to your leg, simply sit close to an area where other children are, but don't urge your child to go to them. Eventually, his curiosity may get the best of him, and he may wander over to them. If he looks back at you, just smile reassuringly, but don't make a big deal out of it. As time goes on and your child matures, he will more than likely become more social naturally, but until then, do your best to love and reassure him whenever he needs you to.

Learning is a process that starts as soon as a human being is born. Not only humans, but also the same thing applies for every living creature in this universe. Learning is of many types like natural, unnatural, conventional, non-conventional, formal, informal, non-formal, direct, and indirect, etc. Among these natural learning is a must for every living being. Without it life can not be sustained.

Let us have a look how a baby starts learning from the very birth. For this we have to chalk out the needs of the babies, which lead them to learn and fulfill them. Feed is the first need. How a baby comes to know as to how to intake any given substance? This is natural learning. Whenever a baby cries due to the reflexes of appetite, it is brought near the mother for breast-feeding. No body tells the baby about the technique of sucking out mother's feed. The obvious helpers are the need and the endeavor.

Now, how the babies learn to sit, crawl on the ground, stand, walk, speak, climb up and down the bed, excrete urine, passing out stools, chewing, holding articles, drinking and so on, are all the learning processes which are natural. In some of these like standing, walking, sitting, and crawling, etc., a bit of external help is provided by the caretakers, which is in the form of inspiration only. That is to encourage the baby to get perfection in the given process. Again the will power, the need and the endeavor of the baby are very essential for this. Take the case of mentally challenged babies. They do not learn all the abovementioned techniques, which are essential to sustain life or in some cases these babies learn upto only certain extent and also not very skillfully. What is lacking in them? The lack of willpower, the endeavor and the need are the main causes. There is no fault or disobedience but it is their inability to feel for these things.

Practice is an important aspect with the learning for a baby. For example it is practice that determines that a baby is going to be a left hander or a right hander in future. Now, language, clothing, habits of food, reading, and writing, etc., are some learning techniques, which are unnatural. That is to say that these depend entirely upon the region, culture and tradition in which the babies is born and also the caretakers, which are most of the times around the baby. A baby born in India will speak a different language than the baby born in the USA. Similarly a baby born in Japan will have different clothing and food habits than a baby born in Australia. The likes and dislikes of babies are also directly attached to the abovementioned aspects. For example a baby born in a family on sea shores will most probably be a non-vegetarian since fish is easily accessible to them; whereas a baby born in a family, which is dependent upon agriculture, will most probably be a vegetarian since non-vegetarian food is not required very badly.

There is also an ability to learn something from child to child. Some little ones are brilliant and catch immediately whatever is there around them to learn, while some are slow learners. That is to say, they take there own time to observe the happenings around their surroundings or we can say that their brains need more time to recollect and communicate with the other sensory organs of the body and further with the surroundings. That is why we use the terms like brilliant, genius, intelligent, dull, lethargic, and naughty, etc., for different babies. So we can say that if a baby is able to learn well, all sorts of learning in the very beginning of his life, then it can make all his life comfortable since a good foundation stone can be laid down with the habit of good observation, good coordination, good communication and good conclusions with the mind, sense organs and the surroundings.

A baby walker can be a great idea for moms and dads who need a little freedom to work around the house but whose little one wants to follow along. While it is important to remember that you cannot leave a baby in a walker and go to another room, you can let your little one totter around the laundry room while you are folding the towels. It will allow your baby to get some exercise and movement in while you are free to do other work. Walkers have lost favor in the past few years, many parents still find them useful. If you are going to get a walker, here are some tips to find one that you and baby can enjoy.

Make sure that you find one that works for your little one. Most walkers have a seat inset in a rounded, table-like setting with wheels on the bottom. There will probably be floor models of walkers at the store where you purchase your walker. Let your baby try out several to decide which one may work for her before you decide to buy it. The designs are a little different, so you will need to make sure that you purchase one your baby will like.

You will need to be sure that you walker-proof the house once you bring home the new wheels. Your baby will be up at his full height, and you need to be prepared. There is a whole new world up there, and Mom and Dad aren’t holding him to keep the goodies, and not so goodies, out of his mouth. Get down at his level and make sure that you remove anything that could be a danger and protect against sharp corners or other potential hazards.

Another problem that you could encounter with walkers is that it is simple for your baby to fall in them. Do not allow your little one to use the walker around any stairs. Keep a close eye out if you use the walker outdoors where they may be holes and stairs. If you have a basement, keep the door to it closed at all times. Now is the time to put up a baby safety gate if you will use the walker upstairs. You never know how quickly your little one can move in the walker until you hear a crash.

Limit time in the walker. You should not let your little one stay in the walker as its use it to help her move around on her own and to give you a few minutes to get some chores done. You still need to spend considerable time with your little one, and he needs to play on his own as well. Give your baby small amounts of time in the walker and then put it away for the day.

Once you find out that you are pregnant, you will want to let your family know in just the right way. For some people, they are too far from their own parents to have them over for a nice dinner to let them know. Here are two ways that you can let the grandparents-to-be in on your little surprise.

The first way is to send a card. If you luck up and find out that you are expecting right around the time of your dad’s birthday or the winter holidays, you can use your normal card to tell them. Instead of a card for dad, get one for grandpa. Do not say anything special inside the card, just leave it to him to figure out. Your parents may take a few minutes to catch on, but once they do, you will all enjoy their excitement.

If you do not want to send a card, you can opt for other choices for this type of announcement. You can try buying a “Grandma” sweatshirt, for example. You also may want to have something custom-made for Grandma or Grandpa. If it is the first grandchild, you could just ask a question along the lines of "so, what do you want the grandkids to call you?" Your parents will get more excitement out of the slow realization about what you are asking.

Another neat way to let your folks in on the big surprise will require a little more work from you. Purchase a picture frame and then print up a page to go inside the frame where the picture will be. The card should read: This spot reserved for a photo of your grandchild. Due 01-17-05. Package the frame well and mail it with a note on the outside of the package telling the recipients not to open it without calling you first. That way you can be on the phone when they get the frame, and you will hear the excitement in their voice as they realize what the gift is.

There are so many ways to make this time memorable for everyone. Find the one that is perfect for you.

By Brandi Rhoades

Just how important is maternal love in the life of a baby? What happens when a baby misses it?

Our last born brother grew up without a mother. I have learnt a lot of things from this young man's life. But most of all I can see the damage done on his life by not having a mother's love.

Early on doctors feared that he was too vulnerable and would probably not make it without the love that he could only receive from his departed mother. But the young guy was tough. He beat the odds and survived. But he did not escape the consequences of not having a mother.

But maybe I should start at the beginning. My mother passed away giving birh to our last born brother. She was probably expecting and hoping for a girl. We ended up four boys and one girl. My sister was actually the last born before our last born brother was born and our dear mother departed from this world.

I was very young then (about 6 years old) but I could still tell that my mother was delighted when she had my sister and she probbly felt that having another girl after her would guarantee that my sister would not grow up too spoilt. Alas it was never to be.

But my point here is that I have observed just how important a mother’s love is to the growth and development of any baby.

Not that the devoted lady who brough him up (bless her soul) did not love him. She loved and still loves him to bits. More so because despite visiting every specialist, she never had a child of her own. But that love, as devoted as it was, is definitely not the same thing as real maternal love.

Maybe the most telling attribute that I have seen in this baby who never knew motherly love is the obvious way in which he has looked for a mother in every romantic relationship he has been involved in. I have known and noted this because the guy stayed with me for quite a long time. Through his school days and part of his university life.

He seems to have finally found this in his current steady girl friend. At least I hope so because any break-up, especially if the initiative for such a break-up comes from the side of the girl, can prove to be quite traumatic. I guess it will be like his mother abandoning him all over again. hat sounds devastating does it not?

I went to school with a guy who had a very similar background to my kid brother. His girl dumped him and he attemp[ted to commit suicide. Only that being in medical school, he swallowed about two pills less the lethal dose. Meaning that he wanted to send a message but live to benefit from the consequences of his message being understood.

My brother, with all his degrees, has never been to medical school and I have heard him say to his girl friend, when he was quite drunk, that he will kill himself if she ever leaves him. I do not doubt the seriousness of that statement, hence my anxiety sometimes.

But don’t get me wrong. The man is not soft - far from it. In fact he is best described as a very cold-blooded math intellectual. One always gets the impression that he is always coldly calculating something.

But rather than dislike him, I often feel great pity for him. He missed something that is very important in making the life of anybody complete. And that is maternal love. Many of us take it for granted without realizing how impotant it is or was, if we are talking about our own lives.

Of course there is the other extreme of maternal love where it goes too far. I once had a neighbor whose divorce was caused by his mother or rather his mother feeling that this other woman was taking her son away from her. But that is another story for anther day.

For now, next time you see that baby being pampered by the mother, stop to think of the impact on life that seemingly innocent and ordinary occurence has.

When your baby starts to eat solid food, you will think a lot about what she is consuming. You will watch to see what she might be allergic to, and to see which foods she enjoys. You will want her to eat a well-balanced diet, and you will gradually introduce more foods to familiarize her with a variety of healthful options. But, do you feed your baby organic food?

Organic foods are grown without chemical pesticides and fertilizers. This reduces not only the chemicals that get on the food we eat, but also the contaminants in the soil that can leach into our water supply. Pesticides can have an adverse effect on not only humans, but also on the fish and animals in our environment.

Pesticides and fertilizers on the market have been tested for safety. However, it takes years to learn the long term effects of exposure to some chemicals. In addition, they are tested for safe exposure amounts for adults. Your tiny baby has a much smaller weight, so exposure to even a small amount of a chemical can have a large impact. In addition, her nervous system is still developing and is sensitive to anything around it.

Feeding your baby organic foods helps ensure that her exposure to potentially hazardous food additives and chemicals is reduced dramatically. While there are always dangers in our environment, the more you can shelter your baby during these critical developmental times, the better.

Organic does not mean you have to make your own baby food, although that is certainly an option. Several brands now offer tasty, well-balanced packaged baby foods that are one hundred percent organic. They are mainstream enough to be available at most major grocery store chains. They may cost a few cents more a jar, but isn't it worth that to invest in your child's long term health? In addition, if you watch for coupons and sales and stock up when prices are low, you can pay prices comparable to the non-organic brands. Of course most health food stores will carry several options in organic baby food, and may have a wider assortment of flavors or brands. Organics are available in dried baby cereal, jar and frozen baby food, milk, juice and even in snacks such as cookies and crackers.

by Eliza Ferree

Choosing a joggling stroller isn't as easy! This is one of those things that makes me want to yank out my hair.

Imagine standing in your front yard, watering your flowers when your young child walks up, hugs you and says, "Mommy when are you having the baby?" It was innocent, meant nothing by it but it hit you like a ton of bricks.

Okay, why did she ask that? Do I really look fat? Maybe I need to work out more. Okay we'll begin by walking with the kids. Oops, you forgot your littlest child is known to tire out so you'll need a stroller but that double stroller or umbrella stroller just doesn't work right when you are trying to jog.

You decide to pull out the stroller anyways and take your first walk... errr run. But a probably keeps happening every few feet. Your wheels keep turning the wrong way, which makes you collide into the stroller. Okay by the time you make it home you have slammed into the stroller about 8 times and are ready to buy a new one.

What do you buy though? How will you work out?

If your children are wanting to ride bikes why not try getting everyone in on the action and buying a bike seat for your infant and head on the road with your other guys. A bike seat is fine as long as you go with the proper precautions and know you can handle it, if you don't think you can situate the weight than don't get this.

Ez Trailers are another great purchase, these are the little trailers that attach to your bike and drags your child inside it while you ride. Your child is protected by a screen which keeps bugs out and keeps kids in. Some even has cups on the inside and a pouch where your child can keep his snacks while you ride. It's roomy enough that two could come along for the trip.

If you don't want to bike it you can always walk it. There are jogger strollers galore out there. A jogger stroller normally has three wheels, two in the back and one in the front. It kind of reminds you of a triangle the way the wheels are laid. Jogger strollers even have nets that you can also purchase to keep the wind and rain off them.

The Jeep Jogger actually has a built in steering wheel that your child can play with as you run. A snack and drink trays on the top so that you can keep your coffee there as you run and your child's snack nearby. There is a big enough basket underneath that you can keep the diaper bag or purse safe and secure. Now you may not want them down there if you are going over a puddle as they can get wet. It only takes about an hour to put together and comes with a pump in case the wheels get low.

by Eliza Ferree

What do you do when you first think your child is sick? I'll give you a second to respond to this.
For me I place my hand to their head, if it's warm I start looking for a thermometer. Others may try pressing their lips to the forehead. Have you been to the store to look for them now? There are millions, so many they should have their own aisle.

Here are a few that I have found comforting. Safety 1st is right up there with Vicks. Why you ask? Well, I know both names from other products I use, I mean who hasn't used the safety 1st plug in things, or gates? As for Vicks, you've most likely taken Vicks and slapped it on your own chest or put it in a humidifier. Right?

The safety 1st thermometer is clear and has a blue button at the end of it. Push the button. Wait for the L to appear and stick it in your mouth. Wait to hear the buzzing and it's done. Read your temperature. Yes, it's that easy and you don't have to worry about keeping track of time since it has the built in timer.

Of course as I mentioned in another blog before, they have the pacifier thermometers but I'd only use this for those that actually use a pacifier. Make sure it is a child using them and not trying to get off of them. You may end up getting him/her off the pacifier just to like these.
Vicks has a solution you put in your humidifier to clear up the passages. I will warn you it can get very strong but it does do the trick, they now have a Vicks humidifier too. I'm going to have to check this out and see how much I like it. I know I like their vapor rubs so pretty sure I'll like these as well. Don't forget they too have the thermometer.

You've figured out your child is sick but now it's time to take the medicine. How do you do it? You could try having them plug their nose until they swallow but that doesn't always work. They have a spoon now that measures the medicine and plugs it up so that none spills out while you are trying to feed it to your child. This will also work great for those that need to run out of the house for a while. Pour it in this spoon, cap it and go. Later you can uncap it and give it to your child. Your child may not like the idea but they'll get better faster.

What's worse a sick child or a child that is better because you gave them the medicine on time? Yes, they may kick and scream. They may tell you they hate you, but in the end they will thank you for making them better. If you need another reason, think of it this way, at least you won't have to be catering to a sick child.

By Eliza Ferree

When your newborn enters your life you want to keep them safe and warm, but there are a ton of different types of blankets to choose from. Millions of beautiful blankets and quilts are out there but it's your job to pick the special one for your baby.

When I was pregnant with our last child I knew I wanted something special for her but wasn't sure what. I took both the other two children and we shopped everywhere to find stuff for our soon to be newest family member, the children of course has a blast but I still wasn't finding what I wanted.

In the meantime we stocked the cabinets full of fleece because I love the way it feels on the skin. Fleece is very soft and pretty and now they come in simple to designed blankets which are nice with the fleece material. I even tried to make a fleece blanket. I took two pieces of fleece, cut the bottoms in strips and tied them together. It turned out cute, not like the ones in the store but still cute. I still sleep with it, yes it was suppose to be for the baby but I made it too large. What? No, I didn't intend to do that, it just happened. Yes it did.

My husband however had a whole other idea of what he wanted for our precious daughter. See he was hundreds of miles away...well not sure on the miles but he was in Iraq. He was going to miss the birth so he sent her a very special alphabet quilt that he ordered online. It even had her name embroidered on it. Each little patchwork had a letter and a picture that went with it. It was thick and warm. Perfect. I was very impressed by the way it looked and will now buy more stuff online.

Never forget that receiving blankets add to the warmth of the blanket or crib. These are normally pretty cheap and soft. I got a bunch of these with my last baby and plus all the ones I had saved over the years. Oh and if you have all your towels in the washer or dryer and have just finished washing your baby these work great for that too.

My older daughter uses the receiving blankets for her own little dolls as she plays mommy or doctor with them. Now that my youngest is outgrowing the blankets I plan on sewing them all together to make my own baby blanket for her and adding a bit of cotton to it to fluff it up a bit. This will store the old memories of her childhood and I can tell her about them later.

There are now reversible fleece blankets, which basically mean one side is plain and the other has a picture. I saw one that had a cute teddy bear on one side and on the other side were a bunch of pink flowers.

They also have thermal knit receiving blankets which are thicker and warmer, they are a bit more but for what they do it's worth every penny. Don't you think keeping your baby warm at night is worth it?

Are you looking for ideas to decorate your nursery before the baby comes? Since many people still choose not to learn the sex of their baby, or can't find out from their ultrasounds, gender neutral baby themes are still quite popular. I've even known one couple where the mother knew and the father did not. She chose a neutral theme for the nursery, so she wouldn't give away the "surprise" to the daddy.

Other people prefer a gender neutral theme because they plan to reuse the same bedding and decorations for subsequent babies or because they do not want to differentiate the nursery decor based on the baby's sex. Once the baby shows an interest in a theme, they redecorate according to his or her individual likes and dislikes.

Sea creatures
Whether you choose to decorate with fish, dolphins, whales or a menagerie of different sea creatures, this theme offers a lot of fun design opportunities. Start with a key piece you like, whether it is the bedding, or a stuffed fish. Then, use the colors, theme and general feel from that item to keep the design in check. Some great touches that are available and work well for this theme are an "aquarium" toy soother with lights and bubble sound effects and mobiles with fish or sea creatures. Another manufacturer makes a full line of soft sculpture fish and other sea creatures in bright colors that you can hang from the ceiling or walls. If you cannot find everything in a single line decorated with sea creatures, you can combine sea creatures with an underwater theme, a beach theme, or spice up the decor with other tropical elements.

Farm animals
The farm is a classic theme for babies that is still popular today. You can design around a single animal, such as sheep, or you can include an assortment of animals and other farm items. For example, look for a lamp shaped like a barn or silo to accent your farm room. Or, consider a mural of rolling fields and prancing ponies as a backdrop for this fun room. If you do not want bedding with a farm print on it, try using denim, chambray or gingham for a look that is sure to complement the overall country feel.

Winnie the pooh
So beloved, he is almost a cliche, Pooh bear continues to decorate baby clothing, gear and decorations everywhere. The charm of this lovable bear just never seems to wear off. Pooh bear themed items are available in two distinct styles: the original A.A. Milne illustration style and the more modern Disney-crafted Pooh bear. Whichever you choose, your baby is sure to love spending time with Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore and all of their other pals in your own little hundred acre wood.

Wild jungle animals
For a wild nursery theme, fill the room with a riot of wild jungle animals. Lions, tiger and bears can all frolic on baby's bedding, furniture and other accessories. Try mixing a couple of animals in your theme with animal-print patterned fabric as a backdrop for a really striking look. Don't forget the little touches like wooden animal clothing hooks and a stuffed animal rug.

Getting them to Eat
by Eliza Ferree

Getting your little one to eat the green stuff when they turn their noses up at it, isn't as easy as some may think.

You can try using the airplane game on your children but that doesn't always work, I remember an episode of "Full House" when the baby food ended up on everyone but not in the child's mouth.

Sure, we've all tried it but did it really work? For my kids it didn't, actually mine would purposely close their mouth just as the plane was coming in to land. Maybe they really thought it would turn into a plane once it entered their mouth. Have you ever tried tickling them to get them to open their mouth? Let’s just say it makes one awful mess.

Yes, playing games may work but not always and do you really want to show your child that eating is nothing more than a game? Who can shove the most food in their mouth? How long does it take you to eat five beans?

Hmm, I don't really think blindfolding a child is going to work so let's not even go there. Yes, I saw that smirk on your face and know exactly what you were thinking.

Here is what I have learned:

With my child whenever I mix the vegetables in their meals they tend to not notice. Yes, I know there are some kids that will pick out everything, I've seen it done. But try this! Mix two small helpings of frozen vegetables with three different types of noodles and stir in a bit of miracle whip and presto. My pickiest child actually wanted seconds and more but there wasn't anymore. She asks for it all the time now, instead of macaroni which is definitely a good change for us.
If mixing vegetables, flying air planes and blindfolds don't work you can always personalize their meals with dishes. There are so many out there, Tupperware makes them now just for children, you can get Barbie, PowerPuff or even Spongebob and Spiderman they come with a little cup, plate, bowl and sometimes their own silverware.

There are some dishes that come with a little suction cup at the bottom so it'll stay securely on the high chair. I've used these for my children and know for a fact they don't slip off the chair. My daughter has tried to grab the bowl and throw it but it won't budge, it actually take a lot to pop it off.

Gerber has many products out now just for children, some include a sippy cup, plate dish and spoons. A sippy cup is a small cup with a lid on it that your child must suck out of to get it to come out, a positive for this is that it won't spill. A plate dish is a small plate with deep pockets that you can add beans, mashed potatoes, etc in it. These dishes come in bright colors which are more appealing to a child’s eye.

I hope one of these things helps you with your picky eater, oh and before you walk away make sure they didn't hand it to the dog.

EBay is a wonderful source for purchasing many items. Not only can you find one of a kind and hard to find items, there are out of stock, discontinued and readily available objects listed for sale. So, what does this have to do with you and your baby?

Ebay has a veritable plethora of baby items for sale. If you are looking for baby gear at reasonable prices, eBay should definitely be one of the places you check. They have a wide assortment of used items, new products and everything in between.

Used gear
Some people swear by used baby gear. Since babies grow so quickly, often a baby outgrows an item long before it is worn out or heavily used. Some of the baby items available for sale on eBay include clothing, furniture, bedding, toys, books, swings, strollers, diaper bags and hiking backpacks. The first thing to do if you are considering used gear for your baby is to check the item against product recall lists. You can usually check the manufacturers web site for safety information about previous recalls, or check the government's consumer product safety commission web site for recall information. Once you confirm that the item is free of recalls, read the description carefully. Do the sellers offer information about the condition of the item? If they do not describe the item in detail, you would be advised to contact them with any questions before you place a bid. Also, think about the type of item you are buying. For example, a hiking backpack in near new condition is probably a good deal to purchase used. On the other hand, I would not advise purchasing a car seat, since you would not know the origins of the seat or whether it had every been in an accident. Since car seats can sustain invisible damage in an accident, they should be disposed of, and not used any more after an accident. Do you want to risk your baby's safety with a seat that might not be safe?

Also keep in mind how easy the item is to clean. For example, clothing or a blanket can be machine washed as soon as you receive it so you are confident it is clean. Hard plastic toys can be scrubbed with sanitizing cleanser. But, items like plush toys may harbor dust mites and bacteria that you cannot easily remove, so they are not good bets as used item purchases.

New items
Ebay is not just for used items. They have a wide selection of new products for sale, too. Often, these are things people have purchased and just never used. They may have received multiples of an object or simply not known where to return it. Also, people receive seasonal items and their babies may not grow into them at the appropriate time. Other times, people buy clearance or closeout items at a substantial discount with the intent of reselling them on eBay. New items will have "new" in their description, or may say "NWT" which is an eBay abbreviation for New With Tags. "NIB" indicates the item is new and still in the original box. If you only want an unused item, search for the terms NWT or NIB along with your item name when you conduct your search. Often, a new item can be purchased on eBay for half of what it would sell for in stores. Of course, if the item is hard to find or highly in demand, it may sell for more than retail in eBay's marketplace.

Eliza Ferree

With some families both parents can't stay at home with their child and this can be very hard on little babies. I've recently discovered the perfect solution for this, there is a place out here that makes dolls but not just dolls! These dolls are very soft and you need a photo of the loved one, they scan the photo in and transfer it to this doll. Your child will instantly have a soft doll of their mommy/daddy/aunt/uncle/grandparent or whom ever.

Why does your child need a doll you ask? Well, not every child will need one but there are many out there that could really benefit from one, especially the loved one that is copying with the child.

My daughter is 21 months old and her daddy is gone in Iraq. When she is at home you can find her a lot of time picking up a picture of her daddy, however this picture is in a glass frame. You can imagine how scary this can be watching her toddler around with a picture, worrying she might fall. Before you ask, yes I even placed a picture of her daddy in another frame, plastic, however that too broke. The glass one hasn't broke but it's a matter of time before something happens to it. I even went and bought this transparent stuff to go over the picture and give it to her that way so if she colored on it, wouldn't hurt it. That too doesn't help.

I heard about this doll and know that she would carry a doll around her and it would look much better than a picture, not to mention the doll can be washed if needed and won't break into millions of pieces. They cost around $20.00 but I think it's well worth the money.

This doll could be used to tuck her in at night or when daddy calls she could be holding him and kiss him, the doll would be there when she fell down or at night when she is scared. I see so much for this doll.

Now while I'm on this subject, I've heard they even have dolls out there these days that you can get to look just like your child. These dolls are porcelain, felt, soft, hard, you name it.

I'm currently looking at a soft personalized fire fighter doll. What this doll does is look just like a real fireman, he has his hose, fire hat, uniform, buttons, ties, snaps. There are a lot of little things that your baby will learn to do with these dolls, not only firefighters they also have a nurse, police officer, different ethnic dolls, your choice of boy or girl dolls.

Choice of boy and girl dolls you ask? Why? Because boys can have dolls too, no they don't need a barbie or a girly doll they can have one that plays soccer, baseball, etc. I remember the first time I got my son a doll, it had a blue hat just so no one would get mad. But it came with a back pack which I thought was cute and my son thought it meant his baby was ready for school.

So, there are many different types of personalized dolls out there you just need to find one that fits your needs.

Breastfeeding is the best way to feed your baby. Breast milk contains the perfect balance of nutrients for growing babies. Breast milk takes care of baby’s thirst and hunger needs by first quenching thirst and next satisfying hunger. The flavor of breast milk changes depending on the food baby’s mother has consumed. The unique composition of breast milk changes, as baby grows, to meet baby’s changing nutritional requirements. Breast milk is easier to digest than formula.

Breastfeeding offers many benefits to baby including helping to prevent and reduce the severity of certain infections. Breast milk provides baby with antibodies, which work to protect baby from many common illnesses, such as respiratory and intestinal infections. Breastfeeding helps to mature baby’s immune system and even helps decrease the risk of childhood cancers. Bottle fed baby’s have higher incidents of ear infections, pneumonia, and gastrointestinal upset. Breast milk also provides protection from illness, such as Crohn’s disease and celiac sprue. Research has shown that breast fed babies generally have a better immune response to immunizations, such as polio, tetanus, diphtheria, and Haemophilus influenzae. Infants who are breast fed also fare better in relation to respiratory syncytial virus infection, a common, but potentially dangerous, respiratory infection.

Breastfeeding exclusively for a period of at least six months provides some protection against allergies, eczema, and asthma. It may even help prevent the development of childhood obesity.

Current research shows that breastfeeding is also beneficial for optimal brain growth. While it’s not possible to predict baby’s future SAT scores based soley on the consumption of breast milk, research does show breastfed babies average higher scores on I.Q. tests then bottle fed babies and, in general, earn higher grades in school. This may be, in part, due to the fact that ingredients in breast milk like DHA (docosohexaenoic acid) and AA (arachidonic acid) are contributing factors in baby’s brain and retinal development. Another contributing factor may the tendency of breastfed babies to spend large amounts of time in the quiet alert state. The quiet alert state refers to a period of time when baby is bright eyed, alert, and attentive. The quiet alert state is a very important learning time for baby. More time spent in this state translates into more time spent learning.

Premature infants also benefit greatly from breastfeeding. Research has shown that breast milk is ideally suited to premature babies. Breast milk for premature infants, amazingly, contains more of certain nutrients than breast milk for a full term baby. The antibodies in breast milk are particularly important to premature babies because their immune systems are not as mature, which makes them more vulnerable to illness. Many premature babies are ready and able to breastfeed before they are able to bottle feed. Premature babies who are breast fed thrive more often than bottle fed, premature infants.

In addition to all the health benefits breastfeeding offers to infants, there are also emotional benefits to providing baby with breast milk. Breastfeeding helps to ensure essential mother-child bonding, make mom more aware of baby’s cues, and
helps mom learn to trust her maternal instincts.

Baby is not the only one who receives health benefits from breastfeeding. First and foremost, breastfeeding leads to healthier babies, which in turn leads to less mentally stressed moms. The physical benefits to the mother of a breastfeeding infant begins in the hospital. When baby is put to the breast soon after birth, the sucking of the baby helps the mother’s uterus to contract, reducing the risk of postpartum hemorrhage.

Exclusive breastfeeding delays ovulation and menstruation is many women. Although breastfeeding is not a foolproof method of birth control, exclusive breastfeeding is believed to be highly effective in preventing pregnancy by delaying the mother’s return to fertility, in the first six postpartum months. After six months it is better to use another method of birth control to prevent pregnancy. In addition to birth control benefits, the delayed return of menstruation helps to reduce the risk of iron deficiency anemia.

Women who breastfeed for at least one six month period during their lifetimes have a decreased risk of breast, ovarian, and uterine cancers. Research has shown that women who were breastfed as infants also receive the health benefit of a decreased risk of breast cancer.

As if all these benefits were not enough to convince you breastfeeding is the best way to feed baby, there is more. Breastfeeding moms experience, on average, more rapid and continuous weight loss after childbirth. Why? Breast milk production commonly uses up between 200 and 500 calories per day.

What more could any mom ask for? Breastfeeding is a health benefit laden way to feed baby and an effortless weight loss regimen all wrapped up in one!

By Mylea

When baby is young, the natural instinct is to gnaw on our flesh, which can be one of the cutest things ever. Most of the time we mistake this gnawing for love and affection and to a certain extent it is. The problem comes in when they start to teeth now what was so cute becomes very painful and quick. One day they are gnawing and a sharp pain will all of a sudden accompany the once affectionate feeling that came along with the gnawing. The gnawing has suddenly turned into biting. Now what?

Teething has begun and baby has moved on to biting. Now would be a good time to remove all toys that have paint on them, as baby will gnaw on anything they can get their mouths on. Baby may have a special toy that was safe before but because of his teething episode is no longer safe. Toys with parts that can potentially produce choking if bitten off should be put away until baby is past his teething episode.

Provide alternatives such as teething rings, toys or bagels that can be frozen or refrigerated, babies love to chew on cloth items so why not freeze a damp washcloth and give to him to chew on. This will take care of the need to chew and calm down his aching gums.

It may become necessary to treat the pain by using homeopathic remedies or pharmaceutical pain relievers. If the pain is severe, you may have to use infant acetaminophen. The main thing is to find the pain reliever that works for your baby. What works for one child may very well not work for another, so keep trying until you find what works for baby.

Do not over-look plenty of extra cuddle time as this goes a long way when baby is teething. Rubbing a clean finger over gums can help in reducing pain as well as calm baby. Sugar-free teething biscuits or frozen bread slices are also useful; make sure baby cannot bite off a chunk, which could cause choking. Frozen foods should not be to hard because this can cause damage to the gums and induce even more pain.

Because of baby teething mom can very easily become sleep-depraved some tips to help mom or dad are; Avoid caffeine or other stimulants before going to bed, avoid bright lighting or heavy eating before bed, but if you are hungry it will have the same effect on you. Keep your room at a comfortable temperature. While baby is asleep or someone else is watching baby take this opportunity to take a nap, doing so will help you to enjoy baby just that much more because you are well rested. Learn relaxation techniques so that when baby goes to sleep you are able to switch off also. Turn off television, radio and phone and lie down. Close your eyes, take deep breaths, tense up the muscles in your body, and then let go for a relaxed feeling. If you fall asleep, that is great, but if you do not a few minutes of total relaxation can give you a quick energy boost.

By Susie McGee

Your baby is growing and learning new things every day. There are so many changes that occur during a baby's first year. While each baby develops at his own individual rate, parents can help stimulate their own child's mind in a variety of ways. As you work with your baby, keep in mind that you and your child should enjoy your time together. Yes, you may be teaching your child new skills, but this educational time can be a fun time, also.

Many women begin working with their children before they are even born. That's right. Studies have indicated that an unborn child recognizes her mother's voice while she is still in the womb. Because of this, many parents-to-be begin reading to their children while they are still in utero. They also play soft, soothing music, including classical tunes. This is thought to stimulate the baby's senses. Some studies have even indicated that babies prefer certain books and music that they have heard before they were born. There is no doubt that a newborn recognizes his mother's voice right after birth.

Once your baby is born, you shouldn't wait until he is old enough to actually turn the pages before you read to him. Babies enjoy the closeness and the rhythm and cadence of their parents' voices as they read and sing to them. When you begin reading to your child, you are instilling a love of reading and learning from the very beginning, and this is very important to the development of your child.

It might be surprising to learn that your newborn will prefer certain types of books, although her tastes will certainly change as she grows and matures. Newborns' eyes haven't developed completely, and they only see certain colors, primarily red, black, and white. Because of this, it is important that parents begin introducing their children to images that have these colors.

If you don't believe that your baby could already have such preferences, try out a little experiment of your own. Place a book or colorful object in front of your infant. Your child can only see about six inches in front of her as a newborn, so don't hold the book or object too far away. While she may look at it for a moment, she probably won't focus on it for long. Now, place a book or object colored in red, black, and white in front of your baby, and watch her eyes zero in on the image. She may stare intently for several minutes at this new object. Look for books and toys that use these colors, and offer them for your baby's inspection several times during the day. You will need to do this when she is awake but not hungry.

As your baby continues to develop, his taste in colors will definitely expand. He will soon tire of the plainer black, white, and red images, and instead respond to more colorful objects. The brighter and more colorful the books and objects are, the better he'll like them. You might want to purchase plenty of sturdy board books for your child to examine and play with. Not only will this help him learn how to read, but it is also good practice for his developing motor skills. As he becomes more curious about what is on the next page, he'll become more adept at turning the pages and manipulating the book.
It is important for you to interact with your child as you show her the images in books and magazines. Take the time to point out the different objects that are pictured on the pages of the books. Repeat the names of each object, and ask her simple questions about the story. As she gets a little older, you may be happily surprised to discover that she has learned to point out different objects on her own.

You will want to continue to stimulate your child's love of learning, so it is important that you have a good variety of books and other images for her to look at. All children love pictures of other children, so find plenty of books with images of babies and children doing all sorts of different things. Also, your child may be fascinated by animals, and there are so many books available with many animals in them. You can teach your child about the various animals, birds, fish, and insects by pointing to each one and repeating its name. Your child will probably love to hear you make the sounds of each animal, also, and as she grows, she'll try repeating those sounds herself.

Of course, it is easy to understand how important books are to the development of your child's intellect, but there are other important things you can do to help your child mature both intellectually and emotionally. One of the simplest steps you can take to help your child become a well-rounded individual is to expose your baby to many different places, activities, and even people. Yes, it might be easier to leave your baby with grandma or a baby-sitter, but how else will your child learn about the world around him if he is never taken anywhere or exposed to anything?

If you have older children who are involved in extracurricular activities, take your baby along with you to these activities. Your baby will enjoy watching her older sibling playing baseball, practicing dance lessons, and learning the guitar. Yes, your baby might become restless, and that is to be expected, but so what? If you have to, take your baby out of the room for a while. If it is an activity that requires complete silence, he may not be able to last long in the room because of his short attention span, but eventually he will learn appropriate behavior as he continues to mature.

Learn to look at the world through the eyes of your child. You can take walks with your baby in your yard, at a park, or up the street. If he is too young to walk by himself, carry him in your arms or push him in a stroller. You should talk to him as you examine the wonderful world of the outdoors. Point out different plants, and tell him the names of the pretty flowers. Help him find the different birds in the trees, and talk about the birds' chirping and singing.

If you have pets, introduce your child. Of course, you should always supervise your baby when he is with any animal because you don't know what that animal's reaction might be, but pets can be wonderful companions for your baby. They also offer great learning opportunities for your baby. You can begin teaching your child when he is young how to treat animals. He needs to know how to be gentle and how to show compassion, and animals are a great way for him to learn and practice these attributes.
There are many puzzles that are made specifically for little fingers to manipulate. Puzzles are great learning tools, and your child will love removing the pieces from the puzzle. Of course, she'll need your help to put the pieces back together, but, one day, you and she will both be delighted when she can assemble the puzzle on her own.

Babies love silly songs and nursery rhymes, and these songs can also help your child develop her vocabulary. Children learn by repetition, so don't hesitate to continuously sing songs such as "ABC" or "The Eensy Weensy Spider" to her. You can also add hand movements with the songs to help your child learn how to perform coordinated movements.

Babies also love games, such as "Peek a Boo". You can help your child learn that objects may disappear, but they can reappear, also. Enhance this game by using a blanket or towel and hiding a favorite toy underneath it. Gradually pull the blanket off the object a little at a time until your child begins to see her toy. Once she reaches for the object to pull it off, clap your hands and praise her. She'll reward you with a big grin!

Finally, you should continuously look for learning opportunities to share with your baby. As you engage her in new activities and expose her to new experiences, she will want to learn even more, and her intelligence will continue to be stimulated. You and your baby can enjoy so many things together, and you will achieve so much enjoyment from just watching her continue to learn and explore.

If you could video your baby’s first months and years and then fast forward through that video, the changes that your child goes though would be absolutely amazing! Babies grow so quickly, and time flies at such a rapid pace, it isn’t any wonder that your baby won’t be a baby for very long. If you are a first time parent, you may not know exactly what to expect in regard to the changes your baby will experience both physically, mentally, and emotionally.

When you were pregnant, your doctor or nurse practitioner probably performed at least one sonogram on you to determine the health and the due date of your baby. If she did the first sonogram when you were only three or four months along, you probably couldn’t tell much about your little one. By the time you were seven months, though, it was easy to see your child’s arms, legs, and even private parts, to determine the gender of your child. When you think about how rapidly your unborn child developed from a mere fertilized egg into a living, breathing, crying newborn, it isn’t any wonder that the next months and years are also filled with dramatic changes!

Obviously the birth of your child can be an exciting and exhausting time for you, but how does it affect your newborn? If you think about it, the birth of your baby must be a shocking experience to her. Remember, she spent her first nine months or so in a warm, dark, cozy place. Outside sounds were muffled, and the temperature was always perfect. She didn’t have to worry about hunger pains, and the most irritating physical event she probably had to deal with was the hiccups. She was enveloped in warm liquid, and she could revel in her own nakedness. There wasn’t any need for uncomfortable clothing or diapers. She didn’t have diaper rash, and she probably didn’t have tummy troubles. Life was easy!

When labor began, her calm, secure world was suddenly interrupted. As your uterus contracted, she was actually squeezed, and although it didn’t hurt her, it was strange and maybe uncomfortable. If you had a vaginal delivery, she was squeezed even harder as she was forced into the birth canal. Then, as she made her way out of your body, how was she greeted? Bright lights, strange people, and cold, rubber-engulfed hands met her entry into the world. What an introduction! She was probably suctioned, and then they lay her slippery body against yours. For a little while, she felt comforted. That is until they took her from your arms, weighed and measured her, poked and prodded all her little body parts, and took blood. Wow! Think about how traumatic that was for your little one!

Although all of this was probably a major shock to your infant, he is beginning the first of many learning experiences that he will encounter as he grows and develops. He is learning about his world. Of course, he was actually already learning when he was still in your womb. He heard sounds and began to differentiate between your voice and the voices of his father, and siblings, if he has any. He heard loud sounds such as car horns, and continuous sounds, such as the television and radio. All of these sounds were your child’s pre-introduction to his soon-to-be new world.

After a few days, you should be able to take your precious newborn home, and then the fun really begins! Infants sleep a lot, but somehow, you’ll still be exhausted! How can this be? Well, your baby may sleep a lot but only in spurts. In fact, you may discover that it is 4:00 in the afternoon, and you haven’t had a shower, and you can’t remember when you last ate. It also isn’t uncommon for babies to get their days and nights reversed. You may find that you have all kinds of time to do housework and pay bills during the day, while your little slumbers peacefully nearby in her crib or bassinet, then nighttime rolls around, you’re exhausted, and your little one is raring to go! If this sounds like your life right now, heed this advice-Sleep when baby sleeps! Of course, that is easier said than done if you have other children in the family to take care of, especially if those children are toddlers. If so, don’t be afraid to ask for help. When someone asks how they can help you, look at them with sleep-depraved eyes and say, “Can you please watch the baby while I take a nap?” Then, sleepwalk your exhausted self to bed!

If you take a look around the world, and try to see it through the eyes of your infant, you’ll notice that, in general, the world is a noisy place. Of course, your baby could hear some sounds while she was in your womb, but the volume and the intensity are definitely magnified after birth occurs. How does she deal with all of this additional noise and confusion? You may be surprised to find that your infant can sleep in the oddest places. For example, if you take your baby to any sports event, such as a football game or a wrestling match, you may discover that she snoozes through most if not all of the event. This is normal for newborns because this is how an infant deals with the obtrusive noises all around her. She simply goes to sleep and shuts it out. This is a defense mechanism. Don’t you wish you could do that sometimes? Once she gets a little older, the exact opposite may happen. She may not be able to sleep under noisy circumstances, so enjoy it while you can!

While it may seem that your infant really can’t interact very much with you, nothing is further from the truth. Your baby needs the stimulation of those around him to help him develop both mentally and physically. When your little one is awake, take some time to play with him. Of course, the kind of playing you do with an infant will be quite different from playing with a toddler, but your infant will enjoy it nonetheless. Look into his eyes and talk to him. Sing silly songs. Take his hands and play patty-cake, or move his legs back and forth as if he is riding a bicycle. This is good exercise for him, and it offers him more opportunities to interact with you. Obviously, you should always support your newborn’s head and neck. It will be a while before he is strong enough to support them by himself.

You can also stimulate your baby by reading to him. That’s right! Read to your newborn! This is one of the most important things you can do to help your baby grow intellectually. Look for books that have black, white, and red images because these are the colors that your child will be the most fascinated with as an infant.

Continue the black, white, and red theme by buying toys, mobiles, and other objects in these colors to show to your infant. As she gets older, you will need to trade these in for more colorful objects, but for now, let her try to focus on these objects. Your baby will let you know when she has had enough stimulation for the moment. She may begin to fuss, lose her focus, and turn her head away from you or whatever book or toy you have offered her. You need to recognize these cues, and stop whatever it is you are doing. She is probably tired and/or hungry, and she doesn’t need to be overly stimulated.

Be sure you give your infant plenty of tummy time so that he can exercise his head, neck, chest, and arm muscles. Remember, you should never place your infant down for a nap on his tummy, though. Placing your infant on his back to sleep may reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). When you do place him on his tummy for some playtime, place some colorful objects and even a mirror around him. You want to stimulate his curiosity, so that he learns more about the world around him.

Finally, in the blink of an eye, your baby will be running around your home before you know it! Enjoy every minute of his life. Don’t rush him towards his next step or milestone. One day, you’ll be proudly watching as he mounts the stage to accept his diploma or as he walks down the aisle with his bride on his arm. Right now he is helplessly dependent on you, but that dependence won’t be there forever.

By Susie McGee

A number of magazines and baby books have suggested that changing units and Moses baskets aren't necessary equipment in the nursery, but that hasn't been my experience at all.

In the case of the changing unit, we did actually buy something that is more than just a changing unit however. We bought one where the changing mat was actually on the top of a chest of drawers - and not only that - but if you lifted the changing table up, it revealed a baby bath! This has now been used and outgrown by two babies as a changing unit, but as a piece of furniture it's still holding a lot of the everyday stuff needed for taking care of two little boys. The baby bath has now been removed and in due course we will probably get around to sealing the top so that the once changing unit becomes just another chest of drawers. On the other hand, it's possible that we may leave the top as it is because it may be a useful storage area for the boy's art and stationary supplies as they become older.

The Moses basket on the other hand, or should I say baskets, were well used. I should say however that my firstborn was a preemie so he was in his Moses basket a LONG time! However, it was one of only two places where he would sleep contentedly and so I was happy for him to be in it until he was able to turn over and it became unsafe for him to be there.
My second baby was far from a preemie in size, but again the Moses basket was his sleeping area of choice. This was a different Moses basket however. I don't think the manufacturers anticipate the amount of wear and tear that our first one received, not to mention the amount of travel it did, so when baby number two came along we bought him a new one. Although he was over three times the size that his big brother was at birth, he also stayed comfortably in the Moses basket until he was trying to turn over. Because of his size, we had to move him out before he could actually turn.
It was a sad day for all of us when the baby's were too big for the Moses baskets. I loved the freedom of being able to move the sleeping baby to whichever room I was working in, to be able to put it and it's folding stand into the car and take it with us when we visited people, and I just loved watching my sleeping babies doze contentedly in the cute bedding that we had for the baskets.
So I have to disagree with the experts and say that I had a lot of use out of both my changing unit and my Moses basket, and consider both of them to have been very necessary items during the babies' first months. Whether or not they are necessary for all babies is really up to the mommy-to-be, but I'd advise them to consider their own situation before listening to the "experts" on what equipment to buy!

Katie-Anne Gustafsson

By Mylea

Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis involves genetically screening embryos and selecting the one that is to be implanted into the uterus. The book Choosing Assisted Reproduction-Social, Emotional and Ethical Considerations explains: "Soon (scientist) will be able to determine physical, intellectual, and perhaps even emotional and social characteristics in an embryo."

This technique is one that will probably be debated on for some time. Some feel this is just the break through they need to have a healthy child. Some experts tend to agree that pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) should be used more for testing rather than screening purposes. It is felt that if there is a known disease in a family, or the disease has affected the family then this test would best aid this type of situation.

Conservative Christians and others feel that if left alone and under the right conditions the cell that was removed might have developed on its own, but it would have been destroyed by the testing. It is said that a defective fertilized egg if allowed to grow to maturity that results in a live birth would not necessarily develop a particular disorder or disease.

On the other hand you have those that are in support of this technique, one case is of the Nash family in Colorado, their daughter had a rare form of anemia in order to have a donor for her they chose to have another child. In order to accomplish this they used invitro-fertilization and PGD. The two procedures enabled them to insure that their second child would be disease free and provide a suitable donor for their daughter.

Some of the negative aspects of using the two procedures in trying to treat a sibling is the disease may progress so rapid that there may not be enough time for pregnancy and maturity of infant to occur. Another is the ethical question of are we producing "designer babies?" Others object to discarding of unused embryos, this by some is considered as murder.

The first PGD baby was born in 1989 and the procedure is recommended for women over the age of 35 and for couples that are at risk for passing a genetic or sex-linked genetic disease on to their offspring.

The decision to use this type of procedure is totally up to the individual, but if we choose to determine what child is deserving of life and which is not is this fair. What does this say about how we feel about those with birth defects that have already been born into society? Everyone is deserving of love, and a chance at life, are would we be somehow sending the message that if a child is not born just right, we can just toss them aside and get another one or a better one. I am sure this procedure has a place, but should just anyone be allowed to have it performed, just because.

This summer we'll hopefully be having my baby christened. The problem is that he isn't a baby anymore! He'll be approaching his second birthday by the time the christening takes place which creates a bit of a problem when considering the kind of outfit I should buy for the big day.
He ought to have been christened a lot sooner, but I want him christened in my home country and not the one where I live as it's more important to my family than it is to my husband's - and whilst we had organized to have the christening last summer, things happened and we had to cancel our plans. So here I am with a very energetic and mobile soon to be two year old who is yet to be christened.

The clothing problem is somewhat compounded by the fact that my baby is about as far from baby looking as it's possible for two year old to get! Oh he's got the baby curls, which look almost angelic if you don't notice the mischievous glint which is ever present in his eyes, but apart from that he's all little boy. I just don't see him in any of the traditional type christening outfits that I've seen. On the other hand, he's just too small to look good in one of those miniature tuxedos. It's causing me quite a headache.

I keep looking at pictures of the most beautiful and intricately embroidered christening gowns for baby girls - having a recent writing project where I was having to research christening gowns didn't help - and thinking life would be a lot easier if my little boy were a girl. On the other hand, I wouldn't swap that mischievous sparkle in his eyes for all the frilly princess dresses in the world.

So far, the only thing that looks anywhere near promising is a sailor suit. This I can see him in - and unless I'm hit by a flash of inspiration, this is probably what he'll end up wearing!

Katie-Anne Gustafsson

By Mylea

When babies are born everyone knows they spend the majority of their time sleeping, but as they grow their need for sleep decreases. By the age of two, most children sleep between 11 to 12 hours at night with a 1 - 2 hour nap during the day. The cycle of taking naps usually occur until the age of three, but some children continue to nap even at the age of five years old.

Infants are individuals and each will develop their own sleep patterns. Some babies develop a consistent sleep pattern earlier than others, but that is o.k. Parents sometimes try and compare how a previous child was as a baby and often times are very much in shock when the new baby seems to have other plans for their nights. By the time the infant is about 6 months a sleep pattern becomes more predictable, and you can count on about 2 – 3 naps a day. However, by the age of one the frequency of taking naps are down to about one a day.

How do you know when baby is tired? Tiredness is signaled by yawning, rubbing of the eyes, fussiness, crying or toward the end of feeding, they start to fall asleep. Some will go to sleep when laid in their cribs and others need a little bit more encouragement, they need to be gently rocked and then laid down. If there are other activities going on the home or daycare, babies should be placed in an area with less stimulating colors and away from activity to insure a quiet peaceful sleep. Quiet lullabies played in the background can help with this.

Some older toddlers when in a daycare setting does not sleep during the middle of the day. For these children get them use to lying down on a cot at quiet time for some relaxation as well, they do not have to go to sleep but they have to be quiet. Some providers and parents will allow the child while lying down to have a book to browse over quietly. In a setting where there is more than one child, the non-sleepers should be placed away from those who enjoy their naps.

In order to encourage nap time, developing a pre-nap routine would be very beneficial as a sort of wind down time. For example, allow children to get comfortable, pick a favorite stuff toy or blanket, take off shoes and settle down for a short story. Lights may be dimmed while story is being read or you can use this time to play some soft music. Doing this or something similar on a daily basis will program their little minds to calm down and get ready for quiet time. Never try to put children down after a high-energy activity such as coming in from outside play or even music time. Make sure the room temperature is comfortable, relatively quiet and your mood also must be one of calmness.

Sometimes a child may have an all around problem with sleeping, this can due to factors such as chronic middle ear infection, the use of certain medications and some cases even brain damage. For some falling asleep means they have to let go and sort of surrender themselves, this creates fear and anxieties thus produces scary thoughts and feelings of being out of control. The bad sleep habits that some have are simply due to poorly established sleep habits and routines from the beginning, so on your part, either as the parent or provider may have to do more to encourage the problem sleeper toward better sleeping habits until they are comfortable enough to go to sleep on their own. Patience is the key, if you become upset, the child will feed off of that and become even more anxious.

Remember, that even though sometimes we may think our child need a nap, they may just be a child that does not require a lot of sleep. If this is the case just encourage them to lay quietly every day for relaxation and this will make both of your day go smoother and who knows eventually he/she may start to fall asleep on their own.

I used to think that the average age when children began to have temper tantrums was around three or four. Whenever I witnessed a child in the grocery store or in the mall having a fit, they were usually around this age. I often wondered at what point a cute little baby becomes a terror. I have seen children on the floor screaming to the top of their lungs and kicking, one kid started throwing cereal boxes on the floor, and another tried to tilt the grocery cart over. Each time the tantrum started because the child could not have their way.

I have recently learned that my assumption about when temper tantrums begin was wrong. The truth is that tantrums begin much earlier than three or four years old. Granted some children are perfect angels as babies, they then turn into a completely different child a few years later. Understandably all children will throw a tantrum at some point. However, parents should be concerned about the frequency of tantrums and the severity. Severe tantrums do not begin overnight. Generally these children started having tantrums as early as six months old. Few parents know how to handle their childs tantrum.

Disciplining a baby can be difficult for two reasons. The first reason is that parents discover that it is hard to see pass the cuteness of their baby. The first time a baby throws a tantrum the parents may not know how to handle the situation. They may even think that it is funny. Admittedly, I once chuckled at a nine-month old having a tantrum. However, the child was not mine therefore I did not have to deal with the lasting effects. Parents who notice that their baby frequently has fits because they cannot get their way should avoid thinking the situation is humorous.

The second reason why disciplining may be difficult is because some parents do not know the best way to discipline a baby. It is easier to discipline an older child because they understand privileges being taken away or time-outs. Although difficult to train babies, it is not impossible. Some educators make claims that children under a year old do not understand discipline. Life experience has taught me different. Baby temper tantrums can be controlled. Waiting until the child becomes older to curtail tantrums is not always effective.

Children need to be trained infancy. A magazine article interviewed parents who were experiencing behavior problems with their young children. Over half the parents admitted that they failed to discipline and set boundaries when the children were babies. They waited until the child became five or six to set rules. By then it is too late. The child has already been accustomed to getting its way. These same parents also admitted that their children threw tantrums as babies, instead of correcting the baby, they ignored it. Ignoring the tantrums will not make them go away. As the child becomes older they get into the routine of falling out, kicking, and screaming.

There are ways for parents to control temper tantrums in children under a year old. Children who are prone to throw tantrums usually start around six months old. The first time may not be a big deal; the baby could simply be having a bad day. If the baby continually has tantrums, the parent should take action. Baby tantrums usually consists of screaming, kicking, scratching own self, and falling out. The baby may try and throw themselves out of their parent's arms. Sometimes ignoring the tantrum will help. If the child sees that they are not getting the desired response or attention, they stop. However, in situations when a tantrum lasts several minutes, ignoring may not be an option.

The parent should pick up the baby and place he, or she on their lap. If the baby squirms frantically or tries to hit, the parents should restrain their arms and try to calm them. Do not loosen grip until the child calms down. It is important for parents not to become upset. Your added frustration on top of a temper tantrum will make the situation worse.

It is easy for parents to give in to a temper tantrum. For example, if the tantrum started because the parent took away an item that they baby wanted to play with, it is tempting to simply give the baby the item to calm them. Resist this urge. Children need to learn early that they cannot have everything they want. Giving in to fits of angry gives the message that tantrums are the way to get what you want. Temper tantrums cannot be curtailed overnight. The key is consistency. As the baby becomes older they will gradually learn what behavior is acceptable, and which is not acceptable.

Setting up a nursery for a baby is exciting for new parents. Even parents who did not intend on becoming pregnant feel a special joy when deciding on colors and themes for their soon to be born son or daughter. Decorating a nursery does not sound difficult. However if you were to visit a baby store or entered the baby section of a department store, you may become overwhelmed with the choices. Many things can be included in a nursery. First time parents may be unsure as to what they should purchase. They know to buy a crib; however other necessary accessories can create a cozy and cute nursery.

Color is important when decorating a nursery. A color scheme can also be tricky. Most couples opt to know the sex of their baby before the delivery. This gives them the opportunity to select boy or girl colors for the nursery. Couples who choose not to know the sex of their baby generally decorate the nursery with neutral colors. These colors include yellow, green, or red. Theme nurseries are also very popular. Popular cartoon characters such as Winnie the Pooh, Mickey Mouse, and Care Bears are great picks. The more color, the better. Although young, babies respond to vibrant colors.

Furniture is another essential part to a baby's nursery. Most parents decide to place a bassinet in their bedroom for newborns. However, the baby will eventually move into their own room, thus parents should set us a crib. A crib can be dangerous if it does not meet specific safety standards. For example, the bars on cribs should not be wider than two inches. The railing should also be securely connected. Many accidents occur in cribs. Babies have fallen out of cribs, and caught between the railings. Therefore parents should choose a crib with care, and keep their ears open to any crib recalls.

Changing tables are ideal for nurseries. These tables are generally positioned about four feet from the ground, which is the perfect height for changing diapers. Some changing tables are equipped with a cloth pad. However parents may consider trading in the cloth pad for a plastic pad. Cloth pads can potential collect germs and bacteria from diapers. On the other hand, a plastic pad can easily be cleaned or disinfected after every use. Parents should never leave their baby lying on the changing table, not even for a second. It does not take long for a baby to roll over and fall. Purchasing a changing table with a rail and safety belt is the best way to protect your baby from falling.

The changing table will be used to house all the baby's personal hygiene products. Before the baby is born, take this time to fully stock the changing tables. Purchase a few packs of diapers. Newborns usually wear the smallest size. The parents could also stock up on baby powder, diaper rash cream, baby wipes, and antibacterial wipes. Keeping hand wipes near the changing table is ideal because the parent is able to quickly cleanse their hand after changing a dirty diaper. A diaper trash pail should be positioned near the table for easy access.

Babies sleep better in dark rooms, however some parents have discovered that a night light is also effective with keeping a baby calm during the night. Pitch black bedrooms could potentially make a baby feel uneasy. A night light provides a small amount of light to give them comfort. Parents may want to avoid having bright lights in the nursery. These could distract the baby and keep them awake.

Soft musical toys can also be included in a baby's nursery. Musical toys that play the melody to a nursery rhyme are perfect for relaxing, and putting a newborn to sleep. Musical toys can be in the form of a mobile that hangs over the crib. Mobiles are great because not only do they sing, but they are colorful. The music and images captivate babies until they are fast asleep. Mobiles that play music for hours will help babies sleep longer. Mobiles are also good for keeping babies entertained. These come in handy when mom has household chores. Babies can lie in cribs, while mom works around the home.

Additional decorative items that can be included in a baby's nursery include photographs, blankets, baby trinkets, and stuff animals. A rocking chair is almost a necessity. Rocking chairs add a finished touch to nurseries. These are perfect for putting your newborn to sleep. The motion can also be a source of relaxation for the parent. Rocking chairs could be placed near an open window, allowing a warm spring breeze to calm the baby. The best part about a rocking chair is that they can be used for years. Setting up a nursery for a newborn is fun. Parents can select a wide range of baby items. Regardless of the color, theme, or decor, you can never go wrong with a baby's nursery.

If you're a woman, you've undoubtedly attended more than your fair share of baby shower. Baby showers are so fun-- they remind me of spring with all of those storks and lambs and chicks and whatnot. Sugar cookies shaped like rattles, game like Baby Bingo-- what's not to love about baby showers?

Although I must admit that, unless you're a new mother yourself, the gift opening portion of the shower can get old really quickly. If it's a big shower, filled with random work associates, neighbors and great aunts that the family only sees when its gift giving time, then the gift opening session can seem endless. We've all been to baby showers where the mother to be opens gift after gift-- practical but predictable gifts like receiving blankets, onesies, and those terry cloth hooded bath towels. There's only so many of these "adorable" things you can ogle over before you start to get bored, very bored indeed. Oh sure, the new mother loves it (and that's really all that matters). Still, when a unique gift is opened, suddenly everyone starts paying attention. There's always that gift, that one gift, that outdoes all of the others.

"What a cute idea", you might say. "Why didn't I think of that?"

To the proud buyer you may say, "Where did you get that?"

It doesn't matter at this point. You've already given your contribution to the new baby-- a green or yellow outfit from a baby store, a package of onesies, and a two-pack of binkies. You had heard somewhere that that's all a new mother really needs.

It's true that most expectant mothers register at their favorite baby store for things they need, so if you need to buy a gift it's very easy to just check the registry and buy something that's listed. The problem is, you can bet that whatever you buy, someone else will also buy it because, although many of us check the registry for gift ideas, many of us also forget to tell the cashier to delete the item we're purchasing off the list. Thus, the expectant mommy may be getting duplicates of some of her gifts. Trust me, I know-- I still have an extra Diaper Genie I'm trying to pawn off.

Instead of buying something predictable, it's so much fun to buy something special. Here are some ideas for great baby shower gifts that will have the mom to be and all of the other guests ooohing and ahhhing for the rest of the shower.

-- A basket of goodies. Fill a big wicker hamper (which can later be sued in baby's room) with a bunch of important baby stuff: Diapers, diaper rash cream, blankets, a grooming kit (make sure it included those all important
fingernail clippers), a rattle or a plush toy, and a pacifier thermometer. I fist saw a pacifier thermometer when I received one at my own baby shower. I swear it was my favorite gift! I had never seen one before and it was literally the only way I could take my baby's temperature during the first year. I highly recommend them.

-- A Christmas ornament. Even if the baby is due in July, eventually baby's first Christmas will roll around. A beautiful ornament will be a gift that will be treasured for years to come. If you know what the baby's name will be, you can even buy a personalized ornament. Be careful, though-- if there is any chance that the name could be changed once the baby arrives, don't buy anything personalized. A "Baby's First Christmas' ornament will do just fine.

-- A mini library of books. Babies love books and if you read to your children when they are babies they will likely develop a lifelong love of reading. Give a gift of a mini library and include some favorite baby and toddler books. Some suggestions (and my personal favorites) include the classic touch and feel book, "Pat The Bunny" by Dorothy Kunhardt, "I Love You as Much" by Laura Krauss Melmed and "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom" by Bill Martin. You can also buy plush books or board books-- these types of books are suitable for young babies who like to drool and chew all over their literature.

-- A year full of clothing. Buy the newborn a wardrobe of clothing in sizes 0 to 3 months, 3 to 6 months and 6 to 12 month sizes. This will provide the blessed child with new outfits to wear all throughout his or her first year. Make sure to take into consideration what season it will be when he or she is in each size.

-- Homemade quilt or blanket. Homemade gifts are by far the most precious. Making a homemade quilt or blanket take talent. So if that's not your thing you may want to go another route. If you do know how to quilt or crochet, there are some wonderful patterns for homemade baby gifts that you can make.

--Baby Einstein DVDs and a lullaby CD. The Baby Einstein franchise is a bestselling series of books, videos and learning toys that every baby and new mother will love. The videos or DVDs are especially wonderful--lovely images are shown amidst a background of soothing classical melodies. My personal favorites are "Baby Bach", "Baby Mozart", "Baby Van Gogh" and "Baby Santa".

-- Address labels with new baby's name printed on them. This is an inexpensive gift, but it will be the most talked about. Keep in mind that you can only pull this off if you know absolutely for sure what the new baby's name will be. If you do, then order some pre-made address labels that say the family's name and includes the new baby. For example, they could say "The Smith's" at the top and then all of the names of the Smith clan-- Joe, Sally, Ashley, Joey and baby Emma!

-- Matching robes for mommy and baby. Plush robes, one in mommy's size and on in a baby size, are a lovely gift. There are websites that actually sell matching stuff for mom and baby. A gift like this will make the new mom feel special amidst all of the attention that the baby is getting.

-- A homemade gift certificate for a night of free babysitting. Use your computer and a clipart program to create a personalized certificate for a night of free babysitting. The new mom will be ready to cash in on it by about the third week after the baby's birth. You can also include a gift certificate to the expectant couple's favorite restaurant. That way they'll actually have somewhere to go while you sit with their precious baby.

--Stuff for mom. New moms are sometimes left out. While I don't think they actually resent all of the hoopla surrounding the new baby, they certainly appreciate a little attention once in a while. Enter the perfect gift-- stuff for mom. Give her a gift basket full of stuff to pamper herself with-- bath oil, moisturizing lotion, candles and some ultra comfy pajamas. Or give her a gift certificate for a day of beauty-- a manicure, pedicure, massage or an appointment to get her hair done. This will be much appreciated gift that she can use either before or after the baby arrives.

I realize that some of you would rather by something that the mother has specifically requested, or at the very least something that she really, really can't do without. If that's the case, here are some of the best gift suggestions for any new mother. Buy one of these and you'll be a best friend for life.

-- A Boppy pillow. This item is a must have for any nursing mother. It was truly the only thing I could use to get my babies in a comfortable position for feeding. You can buy this item in any department store or baby specialty store.

-- A baby monitor. Believe it or not, mom will actually have to leave her baby's side once in a while. This device makes it possible for mom to hear baby from anywhere in the house. The prices for one these things are all over the place-- look for a mid priced monitor made by a reputable manufacturer.

-- "The Girlfriend's Guide to Baby's First Year" by Vicki Iovine. Nearly very expectant mother reads the hilarious "Girlfriend's Guide to Expecting" while she is pregnant-- it's so much more personal than the dry, textbook-like "What to Expect When You're Expecting". Vicki Iovine's follow up book deals with everything a new mother can anticipate during baby's first year. It's a book that the new mom will turn to again and again as she tried to learn the ropes of new motherhood.

-- A bottle warmer. This item is a must have! Newborn babies like warm milk--whether it's form the breast or from a bottle. This gadget makes it super easy to warm up baby's milk. No more heating bottles upon the stove when you can have this puppy to do all of the work for you! Even if the mother has not requested this item on her registry, do her a favor and buy one for her. Later on, when she realizes how she could never live without the thing, you'll get a warm and sincere thank you.

By Brandi Rhoades

Once your baby is born, you will want to begin purchasing toys and other playthings. While you may be ready for your little one to jump up and join you in play, he or she is a few months from that yet. Still, it isn't too early to begin to think about what toys you will purchase for your baby.

The first question that you will want to ask is whether or not you oppose the ethics of the toy. While you may think that babyhood is free from these questions, it is not so. If you oppose guns, someone will find a baby gun to purchase for your infant. If you feel very strongly about not gender stereotyping your child, you will still find that most people will give your baby boy only sports equipment and your daughter play kitchens. You need to stand up to these decisions early in your baby's life and decide how you will proceed.

The second question is about your baby's safety when playing with a certain toy. Many people go overboard with their concerns for safety, so you should be sure that you educate yourself about a toy and then make your best decision. Be sure that you check out how sturdy a toy is before you purchase it. Try to look at the toy in its completed state before you make a purchase decision. You also should check out whether it has small parts, strings, or is easily breakable, and you should avoid it if it is.

Purchase age appropriate toys for baby. You may find something too adorable to pass up. In this case, get it and put it away until baby is old enough to enjoy it. There could be safety factors to take into account if you do not purchase toys that are right for your baby at this age. The other problem, though, is that your baby may not be interested in the toy because he simply is not old enough to understand how to play with it. That will only frustrate you and baby, so make sure you check the suggested ages on the package and that you watch to see if Baby can really get any enjoyment out of a particular toy.

The final consideration is the stimulation a toy provides for your little one. You should look early in baby's life for toys that stimulate sight, sound, or taste. Your little one will be more likely to play with these toys. As your newborn becomes an older infant, you should begin to purchase toys that will help her learn valuable lessons, such as how to identify certain shapes or that require hand-eye coordination. These toys will be fun for baby, and they will be educational as well.

If you look for these factors in baby's toys, you will find that your little guy or gal will have a blast with the toys you bring home, and you can feel better that he or she is getting the most out of each play session.

By Brandi Rhoades

When you leave baby after your maternity and paternity leave run out, you will need to know that he or she is good hands. Many parents worry about their babies after they leave them, but there are some ways you can determine what childcare situation will serve you best.

Some families have the option of relative care. In this option, Grandma or another relative or close family friend will keep your baby. The benefit of this situation is that you have the ultimate flexibility. If you need to pick up a few groceries after work, Grandma probably won't mind keeping Jason a little extra. This option typically is less expensive than the other choices you have.

The downside of relative care is that you may have more difficulty brining up problems with the care. If Aunt Jane doesn't make your little one take a nap, which you believe to be the reason your toddler is unbearable at 7 p.m., you may have a difficult time convincing your aunt that your wishes should come first because you are the parent.

To avoid that problem, you may have the choice of hiring an au pair or nanny for your little one. This person may live with you or may come in for specific hours, usually longer than what a daycare will provide. If you hire a nanny, you will be able to specify all of the rules for your children from discipline practices to what the little ones can eat during the day. Au pairs still have a fairly flexible schedule, so they work well with parents who work long hours.

The biggest drawback to hiring a nanny is the cost. You are paying someone's entire salary, and it can be very pricey. Most families must rule out this option simply because of the cost involved. Some parents also have a problem with hiring a nanny because of the bond your children should develop with her or him. This bond may seem too strong for some parents to handle, especially if Mom and Dad work really long hours and the nanny is always available.

A third option, and the one which fits for most families, is to take your children to a daycare center. These centers are more affordable for most families, and the people who work there should have training with working with small children.

The disadvantage of daycare centers is that they are inflexible. You have times when you can drop your children off and when you must pick them up. That means that you cannot run an errand or stay late at work. You have to make it during the time allotted. Your children also will have more structure when you take them to daycare. This part of the daycare system can be an advantage if you want structure in your child's life, but you will have little say over issues such as snacks, naptime, and discipline. You will need to ensure that you understand the policies of the daycare center where you take your little one.

These options do not exhaust the available childcare choices out there. Some people have in-home care that is similar to a daycare but less structured. Others may have at-work daycare available. Still other parents can adjust their work schedule to be at home more with their children.

Look at all of the available options to make sure that you feel comfortable everyday when you leave your baby for your job.

When our first child was born, I had two outfits' ready, bought months in advance: one for a girl and one for a boy. The tiny, pink ruffled dress with matching bloomers and bonnet was adorable. The light blue suit with matching cap and booties was precious. Each would make the new baby look like a live doll.

That first baby wore the light blue suit home from the hospital and he was dapper in spite of his wrinkled skin and tightly shut eyes. We soon acquired an entire dresser full of light blue baby clothes: suits complete with shirts and ties, sweat suits, sweater and corduroy sets, overalls with matching shirts, and the ever-popular onesies.

This was what I had been waiting for from the time I was a little girl with baby dolls and Barbies; I had always looked forward to dressing my own baby one day. I knew that once I had my own baby, I would dress him or her each day with care and he or she would always be clean, crisp, and of course, beautiful. But baby clothing, unbeknownst to me and my newborn son, was to be something of a problem.

First of all, the beautiful little outfits which had been so lovingly sent to us by friends and family members were not all baby- or mommy-friendly. While utterly adorable, the suits were completely unrealistic for a newborn who can't yet do anything but lie there waiting for his muscles to strengthen so he can move. And it was even worse when he did begin to move a bit; sliding down in his baby seat or rolling to one side. The suit shirt always come un-tucked and his little back and belly were exposed. Every time I picked him up, the whole thing sort of came apart.

Similar things happened with the other clothing; anything that was split into two pieces immediately came apart the moment our precious baby was picked up or moved. Even the overalls were a problem, as the undershirt always rode up in the back. The only outfit of clothing that seemed to work was the set of onesies a seasoned mother had given us.

As the first weeks of new parenthood passed, it didn't take long to clearly see that the best clothing for our little bundle of joy was the onesie. Onesies are just what the name implies: one-piece outfits that often include covering the feet. They snap all along the legs and bottom, for easy diaper access, and they are easy to get on and off the baby.

Perhaps the best aspect of onesies is their design for keeping baby all in once piece. Newborns are like pieces of jello, with their heads, arms, legs, and even torsos, often going in many different directions at once. Onesies keep them intact, from the neck down, anyway. This is easier on new moms and new babies, not to mention the frequent friends, neighbors, and family members who drop by, eager to pick up and hold the little guy.

As those early weeks turned into months, the beautiful suits, colorful sweat suits and darling overalls hung in the closet, pressed, clean, and unused. Before we knew it, our thriving son had outgrown all those cute clothes, many of which he had never worn. It made me feel sad, and a bit guilty.

The onesies, on the other hand, quickly grew in number. They were inexpensive and could be found everywhere, so I bought several. Yet unlike their clean, pressed counterparts, the sets of onesies began to show wear. Like a high-traffic area of carpet, they became stained, faded, and worn.

As the months continued to pass and our son became mobile, crawling, scooting, rolling, and even trying to walk, the onesies either continued wear or were replaced by fresh new ones. In fact, my son wore onesies up until about the time he became toilet trained and stopped needed diapers. They were so convenient and comfortable.

I ultimately gave most of the beautiful like-new clothes away or sold them in a garage sale. Our next two babies were both girls and none of the boy clothes were appropriate. As for the onesies, I had to buy all new ones, but this time, they were all I bought!

There is nothing on earth more meaningful than a father building his son or daughter their very first crib from scratch. Many fathers, whether they are craftsmen or not, set out to create a crib for their newborn child as a way to take part in the entire process of giving birth. While being their for a wife or loved one, they also want to touch the life of this child in such a way that the mother did for the last nine months, and building a crib is one such way to touch a child for a lifetime.

Cribs can be made in all shapes in sizes. If you're an experienced craftsmen, you'll have no problem making one on your own. However, if you're determined to do it without experience, your best bet is to buy actual plans so that you have schematics and guidelines in front of you to make the crib. Don't risk making something that's going to fall apart, especially if your baby is going to be in it most of their time. Take your time and above all else, follow the directions, otherwise you're going to have a useless box in front of you and a bunch of wasted time and money.

Follow the plans to the best of your ability. If you have questions, ask them. Look up information on the internet. Find our how to baby proof the crib you're making even further than the plans might make room for if possible. Test out the crib, make sure it can hold weight and make sure that your baby will have the room it needs to be comfortable as well as stay warm or cool as needed. Taking the time to make the best crib you can will not only be seen, but it will also make the crib safe, secure and filled with more love than you will ever now.

Making a safe crib, above all else, should be everyone's top priority regardless of skill level. If the crib isn't safe, you won't want to risk your baby's life by putting them in there. So, take the time to make sure the crib is baby proof as well as the rest of your home when taking this step to shower your child with love by making them a new crib. They'll never forget it.

Have you ever walked down the baby aisle in the grocery store and wondered: What the heck is all this stuff? Does a baby really need all this stuff they are selling? Well, when it comes down to it, there's no way a baby would ever need everything you could find in the baby aisle, but there are several items found there that you baby just won't be able to live without in their time as infants.

Such products as formula, diapers and bottles are just some of the items you'll want to stock up on before your child is born and while they are a newborn to ensure you never run out of what you need when you need it. You want to make sure that everything you buy for your child is safe and appropriate. If something doesn't work or your child has a reaction to it that isn't healthy, not only should you take the child to the doctor, you should also never use the product in question again. It's not worth risking your child's well-being.

Don't be intimidated when you walk down the baby aisle and need to pick up items for the first time. Do some research before hand to know exactly what you need for your child and bring a list with you so that you don't buy unnecessary items you won't use. Always do the research before hand though. You don't want to be standing in the aisle trying to decide what to put in your cart and take home with you; you honestly could be there all day comparing and contrasting products. By researching ahead of time and knowing what you want will save you time, money and the hassle of causing a backup in aisle five.

Baby products are expensive, and the cost will add up, so, it's better to shop discreetly than go out of your way to buy the best and brightest on the market especially if you can't afford it. Buy what you need, and splurge when you can should be your baby shopping motto. There's nothing more important than the items your baby needs to live a healthy life, and by taking it seriously as well as keeping an open mind will be the way to finding the best products that make your baby a happy one.

There are so many hazards in your home it's a miracle a baby makes it through their first few seconds when left by themselves let alone a lifetime. Baby proofing your home is not only a necessity it should be required by law. A baby doesn't know better, but an adult does, and as parents you should take the precautions to do all that you can to make sure you're not bringing your newborn child home to a death trap.

You should go through your house before your child is born and baby proof it. Don't wait until the last minute or until the child is born to do so. Baby proofing your house is going to be a huge task and chore, and after birth, nobody's going to want to do that amount of labor to make the house safe. That's a dangerous compromise to make, and no parent should compromise the safety of their child; take care to baby proof well in advance to the date of birth because you never know when the child might just decide to pop out.

Some common baby hazards include cabinets, drawers and doors, which can all easily be run into by a newborn baby while you're carrying it or if they are rolling around on a blanket. You'll want to put latches on your drawers to ensure a child can't pull them out once they're old enough, and you might consider putting up soft bumpers on sharp corners to prevent a cracked skull when your son or daughter takes the corner too quickly. If you store chemicals under the sink, take them all out, clean out the under part of the sink and store the chemicals far above the reach of your child.

If you have trinkets and other breakables on countertops and tables, store them higher up. It would be very easy for your child to break it not to mention if you break it by accident while holding your child. You could easily let go and drop your baby. Stairs should be gated off both at the top and bottom regardless of whether your child is in the home, this prevents them from being able to go up or down at their leisure. Electrical outlets should have plastic protectors on them at all times when not in use; this stops your child from sticking their fingers or something else into them and getting shocked. Secure electric cords to furniture and bundle them up in such a way that it would take quite some time for a child to pull at them.

These are just some of the ways you can baby proof your house, and they are the most common ways to keep your child safe. Take the time to investigate further and secure your home to ensure maximum safety for your newborn or toddler. That's the only way to prevent something horrible happening to your child, and if you don't take the precaution before it's too late, you'll never forgive yourself.

Everybody has heard or used baby talk in their life. Babies come up with creative ways to say words they can't otherwise pronounce for lack of understanding, lack of teeth and just general lack of knowledge of the English language. When babies begin to get attached to items, they tend to name them close to what they actually are but in most cases they won't be able to verbalize them how we're used to saying them. You get words like botties for bottles, binkies for pacifiers and bankies for blankets. This is later in life, though, when a baby first begins to "speak," it's more a production of sound as opposed to actual words. If you're lucky a child might pick up a word or two before their time, but most development in a healthy environment takes place slowly.

However, when it comes to the first sounds your child will make, generally this will be confined to syllables strung together in such a way to kind of sound like something but to be more nonsense than anything. Such syllabic strings as "mama" and "dada" are familiar, because they refer to mommy and daddy. Most children end up saying mama and dada long before they can ever say mommy and daddy; no matter how much you tell them it's mommy and daddy, they will not be able to pick it up simply from you saying it. Until they develop further, physically, not mentally, they won't be able to use their mouth, tongue and jaw to actually pronounce words. You can try all you want, but they won't be saying antidisestablishmentarianism anytime soon no matter how many times you say it to them.

This doesn't mean you should give up trying to encourage your child to speak, you just have to learn to adapt to the language they speak until they can better enunciate words and put together sentences. This takes up to five or six years in some cases, but by then, your child will have learned how to use their physical capacities to pronounce words you wish they would've said years ago. Don't despair! It's all apart of your baby's learning experience and in time they will be able to speak with the best of speakers.

Naming babies is by no means an easy task. There's so many different ways you can go about naming a child that's close to impossible to not find the perfect name for your little one. Some very simple ways to find a baby name is to use a baby book, which has names for both sexes that you can use to start thinking about your child's name. If you don't find the right name, then, you can brainstorm some ideas with your loved ones and try to come up with the perfect fit.

Many families like to keep in their family, and they will name children after their parents or grandparents, if this is the case in your family and you want to add on to that tradition by all means go ahead. Just remember that you don't always have to follow traditional and if you want a creative baby name, you have to work for it, because you never know when the right name might smack you right in the face. It might be on a license plate, a street sign or on a restaurant menu. Who knows? The Zappas were creative: They came up with Moon Unit and Dweezil. While those names are far out there, and not everyone is expected to name their children so strangely, you also don't have to deviate too far from the normal to get a unique name. Androgynous names, such as Robin or Jamie, can work for a boy or girl and that might be the touch you're looking for when your little one is born into the world.

Keep in mind that not all babies are meant to be named before they come out of the womb; some babies, even though parents may have already come up with names before the birth find out that their little one just doesn't fit the name based on their personality after they're born. So, even though you're set on that family name, it might turn out that your child isn't a Jacob, Kenneth, Rachel or Samantha. Some of the most unique and endearing baby names come from personality, so, make sure you pay attention closely after your child is born. He or she might have already picked a name on your behalf.

Whatever you do, do not bring a newborn baby back to a house that has a small puppy in it. Chances are the dog will try to smother the next child, thinking he or she is also a puppy, because it doesn't know better. It will think your little child, roughly smaller than it, is one in the same which leads to a dangerous situation for the little one. Cases have been documented of dogs jumping into cribs, into strollers and otherwise harassing babies. They don't understand that the little one is a child, not a dog, and this limited view makes them view the baby as a playmate. We've all seen dogs play with one another, and it's certainly not a way to handle a baby.

If you have a new puppy and a new baby, there are steps you can take to protect your child. First and foremost is making sure there's no way the puppy will ever get into the nursery. You can do this by creating a half-door to the nursery, not a puppy gate (which many dogs eventually learn how to get over or barrel through). A half-door is basically a door cut in half or three-quarters where you can walk by and see into the nursery without entering. Most parents like to leave the nursery door open, which would allow the puppy entrance, which is not what you want to do in this case. Using a half-door method will give the chance to walk-by and check on your child while maintaining a safe environment for them to grow up in.

Never leave the child alone and take care to make sure the dog can't harm the baby when he or she is in other areas of the house. If this means locking the dog in the backyard or in another room, risk hurting the dog's feelings and relationships with you, because the price of the alternative is just too high to pay. That price is that of the baby's life, and that's not a price any parent ever wants or deserves to pay. Take steps to prevent an accident from happening and protect your baby from the dangers of a new puppy who doesn't know better, just like your child doesn't know better.

Playing peek-a-boo with a baby is entertaining for more than just the kid factor that goes with it. You see, the baby really does believe you're disappearing when you hide your face. That's why the baby laughs, because to the little tyke, it's as if you are invincible even though you know you're right in front of their face. How is this possible? Why can't a baby "see" you even though you're right in front of them? It's simple!

Babies don't understand the concept of object permanence. Object permanence is the knowledge that an object is still there even if you can't see it. For example, close your eyes. It's dark, right? Well, you can't see anything in front of you, but that doesn't mean that it's not there. It's still there, and if you feel around you can confirm that. However, to a baby, who has no understanding of this concept, when you disappear from their site, whether it's behind your own hands or just standing behind a closed door, you really do disappear from their sight.

So, when a baby closes there eyes, they are basically in a void. They don't realize it's a void, and they think it's natural, because they don't have higher brain function just yet. They'll grow out of it as they get older, but it'll take time for the laughter of peek-a-boo to die down. They'll keep laughing until they're about one to one and a half years old, by then, the basics of object permanence will begin to grow in their brains. We all know that once they hit puberty, chances are they won't even remember playing peek-a-boo at all, which is why that growth and learning is essential to their understanding of how the world works.

As the baby grows older, keep in mind that they slowly begin to grow out of that as their knowledge of object permanence grows and they begin to understand that just because something disappears that doesn't mean it's really disappeared. Eventually as they grow older, they won't even think about it and peek-a-boo will be boring to them, because they know where you are, you're right behind your own hands. The laughter will stop and the baby will have begun to grow into a beautiful little child curious about the world but still not understanding everything in it.

By Kathy A. Schaeffer

Being hostess to a baby shower can be a wonderful and fun experience . . . or it can turn into a stressful event if you don't take the time necessary to assure that everything will run smoothly. Hopefully some of these ideas will tend to serve as a checklist of sorts to help while you plan a memorable baby shower.

First of all, be sure to plan the basics carefully and write them down in lists. Will you be having someone videotape the shower to make a copy for the guest of honor? If so, decide who will be asked to do the taping. Will the original movie be a gift for the mother, or will a copy be made for her? What about the grandparents, will they get copies, too? If you don't wish to do a movie of the event, will someone be assigned to take photographs of the shower for the mother-to-be?

Another thing to decide right away is whether the shower will be held before or after the baby is born. There are pros and cons for each option. If you hold the shower before the birth, the mother-to-be will be able to get some things she will need and not have to buy them later. On the other hand, waiting until after the birth allows guests to buy gifts that are more gender specific and many people prefer that option. If the shower is planned for before the birth, be sure to not have it too close to the due date. A month or 5 weeks before the due date is a good time frame.

What type of food will be served? Will it be a meal or simply refreshments or appetizers? You should at the very least have a special decorated cake made to serve, but for the other food that will be served, you will need to make decisions. Do you want a potluck meal with each guest bringing a covered dish? Perhaps serve just finger and snack foods along with the cake and punch?

Will the shower be a surprise? In the past, most baby showers were indeed surprise parties, but now it's turning more and more toward allowing the mother-to-be to have a part in the planning, at the very least to help with the guest list and tell the hostess what things she needs for the baby should a guest ask for a gift idea.

You may want to choose to have a sort of theme shower. The possibilities are endless and with a little imagination, you should be able to come up with something that will be a hit. One idea is a "fill a baby container" shower. Each guest would be assigned a particular container to put the baby gifts into. Containers would be things like a baby tub, diaper pail, and so on, but the problem with this is that it may end up forcing a guest to spend more than he or she would have generally spent for things to put into the assigned container. You may instead want to assign a few people to the same container, such as three sisters or four friends to fill a baby bathtub, or two aunts and grandma-to-be to fill a plastic toy box container.

Another thing that is changing over the years is the guest list itself. Until relatively recently, a dad-to-be simply didn't get anywhere near the baby shower. Now, however, increasingly more couples are requesting that the baby shower include both of the new parents and dad's friends and family as well as mom's. Be sure to plan the games and food around the fact that dad's friends will be attending, too, if that is the kind of shower you decide to plan.

Decide on a couple of games that will be played at the shower. One popular game is to have each guest bring a photograph of him or herself as a baby or toddler. Others at the shower will be looking at the photos which will have been tacked onto poster board or some other display area, and will get to know each other while trying to figure out which baby turned into which adult. This is a great ice breaker idea. Just have someone collecting the photos as the guests arrive and attaching them to the display area in time for the start of the shower.

Another game is to have about 20 to 25 baby items (safety pin, spoon, bootie, comb, cotton ball, pacifier, etc.) on a tray and the hostess will show it to each guest, one or two at a time depending on the seating arrangements and how many can see the tray at once. Make sure that each guest is seeing it for the same amount of time, whatever you decide on, but not too long. After everyone has seen the items, put them away and hand out paper and pencils. The guest remembering the most items on the tray is the winner. To make it a bit more difficult, and to avoid "guesses" since they are all baby items, you can throw a few other things onto the tray such as a button, rubber band, pen, key, and so on.

What kind of prizes will you have for game winners? This is another area that will change depending on whether or not the guests will be both men and women. A prize for either gender could be something like a book of postage stamps, a pie from a bakery, a picture frame or photo album. If it is an "all girl" shower, you can consider things like candles, stationary, bath oil, lotions, soaps, etc. If you have a door prize, give everyone a number on the way in and put a corresponding number into a container. Draw the winning number at the end of the shower. An alternative is to have each guest simply sign a piece of paper at arrival and put the names into the drawing container.

Decide when the mom-to-be or parents-to-be will open the gifts. This can happen after the food is eaten and the games are finished or before the food, making that the last part of the shower. If there are a lot of guests, thus a lot of gifts, you may want to help with the gift opening as hostess, or have the guest of honor choose someone to help. It will get done twice as fast that way and the guests will still get to see all of the gifts that were received.

Also on the subject of time limits, a baby shower should last around 2 hours, a little less if a proper meal is not being served, and a little longer is fine if there are a lot of guests that will be bringing gifts to open, or if a meal is served. And on the subject of guests, if the list of relatives, friends, coworkers, church members, etc. is extensive, you may decide to host two separate showers, or find out if someone else will host one, say for the coworkers and church members while family and friends will attend the other. Be sure that none of the same people will be asked to both showers, however.

Decide also if children will be invited. If not, you will need to specify that on the invitation, but state it delicately; it is a touchy issue with some people. If you specify "grownups only, please" some may be offended that may have brought their children . . . but if it's "children welcome" it may become disruptive.

Be sure to have a guest book available. A nice blank journal works well for this. Have each guest sign a message for the parents-to-be in the book upon arrival to the shower and then ask someone to record the gifts (don't forget the gift giver's name) into the book. Any blank pages that are left in the book can be used for the mom to record her thoughts and feelings as the time of the birth gets closer, or milestones of the baby if the shower is being held after the birth. If the book is large enough, she can paste cards or photos onto the pages as well.

One of the main things to remember is that the shower is given to help and indulge the new mom-to-be, so make sure that it is an enjoyable couple of hours for her. If you know that she never got along with Cousin Mary, for example, at least ask her if she wants Mary to be invited before deciding unilaterally to invite her. If mom doesn't like chocolate cake, do not order a chocolate cake even though you think most guests would prefer it.

The main thing is to have fun preparing and attending the shower you planned to be such a success!

I recently discovered the fact that there is a movement of parents in the United States that keep their babies diaper less. When I first came across a website, which listed the virtues of raising babies diaper less, I thought it was all some really grand joke. I read through page after page waiting for the punch line. At last, I had to give in to the obvious fact that there was no punch line. These people were serious.

I have to say I am the type of woman who will try anything, as long as it is legal, once. I am also a strong believer in the limitless values of attachment parenting. However, this whole diaper less baby thing was beyond my scope of understanding.

You may wonder, as I did, why any parent would want their baby to go without diapers. I have given my baby some diaper free floor time because being diaper less for even a short time per day can help to prevent and heal diaper rashes. Also, I imagine, it feels pretty good to get out of the tight confines of his disposable diaper. My son seems to take great joy in peeing into the air without being hampered by his diaper. I tolerate this about once everyday because I believe it is healthy for his skin. Urine is easy to clean up and waterproof pads do help when baby agrees to stay on it. The moment I hear him pass gas, however, I run right over to him and quickly fasten a diaper on his bottom. One poo on the floor was enough for me to be sure that I do not want him to have the opportunity to poo outside his diaper until he is potty trained. The diaper less baby movement is not all about a couple of hours of diaper free time however. It is about keeping baby diaper free all day and night.

Raising babies diaper less is often refereed to as elimination communication or natural hygiene. Parents use elimination communication to learn and eventually rely on signals and cues from their babies, in order to know when baby needs to relieve himself. When baby needs to use the bathroom, elimination communication parents take him or her to the adult bathroom and allow baby to go in the adult toilet or sink. For instance, many babies may grunt, grimace, squirm, or cry when they need to eliminate. Parents of diaper less babies watch for these changes in their babies and take them to the bathroom. Elimination communication parents also pay careful attention to when their babies need to use the bathroom most often and rely on that schedule to take their babies to the adult restroom. For example, many babies need to go to the bathroom just after meals, so parents raising their babies diaper less learn to take their babies to the bathroom after meals. The focus, in most cases, is not on training the baby to hold it, but on training parents to focus on and stay in tune with their babies needs. Many elimination communication supporters believe that babies will, in time, learn to hold it all on their own.

Many elimination communication advocates believe the best time to begin raising baby diaper less is in the first days or weeks of baby's life. They believe waiting beyond the first few months causes babies to lose their awareness of the need to eliminate because of the use of diapers. It is, they state, possible to train an older baby in the ways of being diaper less, but generally, it will require a greater investment of time, effort, and patience.

There are several reasons why parents may choose to raise their babies diaper less. Some parents think it is cruel to make a human being eliminate into his or her intimate apparel. Some parents are very environmentally conscious and believe they should contribute to the health of our planet by reducing the amount of disposable diapers. Many are very concerned about the health of their babies' skin. Some parents think it is easier to train their babies to use the potty as infants rather than first training them to use diapers and then later, as toddlers, training them to use the potty.

It is important to realize that raising babies diaper less is not a completely new concept. While it is relatively new in North America and Europe, it has been in practice for hundreds of years in other countries, such as Asia and Africa.

Although, this idea is still out of my realm of complete understanding, I do see some benefits in it. I do believe it would be healthier and more comfortable for baby's skin and I could definitely do with not having to change any messy diapers. Still, I just think the costs, in terms of ruined clothing, carpets, and outings with baby, would be too much for me to bear.

I often joked that I could never have kids because I loved sleep too much. The truth is that I have suffered from insomnia since I was a teenager. The nights that I am fortunate enough to get at least six hours of shut eye is a treat. As selfish as it may sound, I could not image getting less sleep than I already do, and being able to function. Newborns have needs, and these needs do not cease after 11:00 pm. Parents with a newborn baby may discover that it is difficult to find time to sleep. However, there are some practical tips that can help mom's get the needed rest.

Moms that stay home may have it a little easier, if they only have one child at home during the day. Newborns tend to sleep on and off throughout the day, thus many moms are able to get a few minutes of sleep during the day. Of course their cat naps are easily interrupted by the phone or door bell. The best way to remedy this problem is by taping a big sign on the door to inform solicitors or other neighbors that you are enjoying some quiet time. The sign could simple read, "Mother and child sleeping, do not disturb." If you are not expecting guest, leave the sign up all day. Putting the telephone on silent mode will eliminate the ringing disturbing your sleep.

The best time to get sleep is when your baby is sleeping. Understandably this can be difficult. Newborns require a lot of attention. Thus mothers are unable to take care of routine household chores when they are awake. The time when the baby is sleeping is usually the best time to do laundry, fold clothes, pay bills, dishes, etc. Nonetheless, mothers should not feel guilty is they need to rest. Leaving chores for later (or for your husband) will not hurt you. We can better care for our baby's when we are mentally alert. Getting enough rest will alleviate feeling burnt out or frustrated.

Mothers who work outside the home may find caring for a newborn to be especially challenging. These mothers do not have the luxury of taking quick naps during the day. The only time they are able to sleep is during the night. Mothers and fathers should compromise. Mothers primarily care for infants during the night. However, fathers should make an effort to share the workload. The parents could have designated baby duty nights. In other words, one parent will answer the cries, while the other is allowed to get a full nights rest. Interrupted sleep night after night can take a toll on our bodies.

Parents of newborns should not be too proud to ask for assistance. New parents may find it especially challenging. In a matter of hours their lives have changed completely. The change can be difficult, and it may take some time for their bodies to adjust. If family or close friends live nearby, ask them to come over for a few hours and sit with the baby while you sleep. Grandparents, aunts, and uncles are good for offering to watch newborns for a night. Accept their offers. It may be difficult at first, but you will be grateful once you get rest. Mothers who work may also take a few days off, without the baby. Understandably some mothers may feel guilty leaving their infant with the babysitter while they are at home. However this is the perfect opportunity to sleep, take care of household chores, run errands, etc. I am not suggesting that you make this a habit, but doing this occasionally when you need some quiet time does not make you a bad parent.

Some mothers are blessed with babies who sleep throughout the entire night. Those who are not blessed may want to incorporate some quick tips. We all sleep better when relaxed before bedtime. Babies are no different. A couple of hours before bedtime parents should avoid playing excitedly with their babies. This can over stimulate the baby making it difficult for them to calm down and fall asleep. Instead, give the baby a warm bath in calming bath oils.

When dressing the baby for bed, keep the baby warm. Comfort plays a role in infants waking up repeatedly throughout the night. Although you should dress them warmly, avoid putting on too many layers of clothing. Before going to sleep check your baby to see whether he or she is sweating. It may be necessary to remove blankets or socks. Keep the babies room quiet and dark. Babies are more apt to go back to sleep in dark rooms. Some parents have the idea that feeding babies large meals before bedtime will help them sleep longer. In actuality this may make the situation worse. Giving infants large meals or cereal could upset their stomach. Therefore the parents not only lose sleep, but they are awake with a screaming baby all night.

By Mylea

Children with special needs either are born with or develops a condition that cause a delay in normal development for their age group. If developmentally delayed, their developments in one or more areas are significantly later than that of their peers. Some children are considered at risk for delay due to environmental factors such as poverty or low birth weight. However, with early intervention some children will have a good chance to catch up with their peers.

Other children may have a deficit or impairment, this just means that in some way they are different from other children not just delayed. This difference can include children with hearing or visual loss, mental retardation or motor disabilities. These children also benefit from early intervention.

Some of the indicators for a slow learner are late in talking, walking, and all around general immaturity. There are also children that are educable mentally retarded, these children have noticeable delays in most areas, including cognitive skills (thinking ability) but can function quite well in a regular early childhood program. Children with cognitive deficits seem to have more problems with memory and attention span. Because they are usually less mature than their peers are, often need help in social settings with peer-interaction. This can be helped by the adult or parent modeling appropriate behavior in social settings, and if in a classroom setting encourage other children to be accepting of others with slight differences.

When it comes to visual impairment there are different degrees ranging from complete sightlessness to those that see less clearly than normal persons do. Some indicators of possible visual problems include red or watery eyes, have discharge, frequent styes or seem uncoordinated. If these problems are on going to be safe, take your child to an ophthalmologist to check for visual deficits. Some behaviors you may want to notice are frequently rubbing of the eyes, tilting the head, continually blinking, frowning or squinting or cannot recognize familiar people from a distance.

Children with mild hearing loss may go unnoticed for some time. Frequent ear infections can affect hearing so be alert to potential problems. Notice if the child seems not to hear when you speak to them or shows signs that their ears may hurt, this may be cause for concern.. Those with severity of hearing loss may be helped by a combination of methods including the use of hearing aids and sign language. Because hearing is tied to effective communication, the use of these aids will help the child to understand their surroundings.

Problems in communication could stem from a variety of causes such as; inadequate language stimulation, poor articulation might be caused by a malformation in the structure of the mouth. Encourage the child to participate in social activities by encouraging all forms of communication, even non-verbal forms. Create a need for speech, pretend to misunderstand the request of the child made through gestures. If child still does not talk, be patient, listen and give them your undivided attention. You want to be careful not to criticize incorrect speech but praise appropriate speech when it is used.

Some children have physical disabilities that can encompass a wide range of motor limitations. These can range from being slightly clumsy to have almost no muscular control. One of the more common motor impairments is cerebral palsy, this is a central nervous system dysfunction that causes children to be uncoordinated and awkward or sometimes totally helpless. Just because they may have physical limitations, it does not mean that he or she is necessarily mentally impaired. Some motor problems can be corrected surgically or with orthopedic aids such as casts, others can be improved with physical therapy sessions, however a specialist will be needed to make that determination. Whatever the limitations are, it is important to help children feel as independent and involved as possible. You can encourage independence by placing materials within their reach, or by keeping pathways accessible if they use crutches or a wheelchair. Adapt activities to encourage participation and inclusion, special needs children can lead a very productive and happy life with just a little outside assistance

Everyone knows it is important to read to children. It clearly helps their vocabulary, comprehension and reading skills as well as improving their general knowledge. In addition, children who have been read to statistically are more likely to be avid readers themselves. Children who are avid readers do better in school in all of their subjects.

But, some people do not know that it is just as important to read to your baby! From the time an infant is born, dramatic developmental changes are taking place in the brain. Babies are like little sponges, soaking up all of the things their senses can absorb. Language development does not just occur when your baby begins to talk; it begins at the first moment your baby hears your voice. Babies learn by listening to their parents and caregivers. When you talk to a baby it not only makes him feel happy and comfortable, it is broadening his verbal and aural horizons. Everything you say is in some way contributing to his current and future development and is forming the base for his ability to learn things in the future.

So, why read to him instead of just talking to him? First, reading is simply a good habit and the earlier you both get used to it, the better. Babies who are read to are more likely to grow into children who are read to, which in turn makes them avid readers with all the associated benefits we have already discussed. Additionally, the process of reading is different from the process of simply talking to your baby. He will gradually learn to associate the pictures in the books you read him with the words you are saying, making new and powerful mental connections. And, even before those connections are made, he will enjoy just looking at the bright and colorful illustrations in the baby books you have provided for him.

Finally, when you sit down and read a book to your baby, you are entirely focused on the process of doing something with your baby. It is fine to talk to your baby while you go about the business of your day, but it is also important to just spend time on one-on-one activities with your infant on a daily basis. This ensures he feels loved, nurtured and helps him thrive.

They make a wide variety of books in baby-safe board, cloth and vinyl formats today. Years past, there were only a few options available for those who wanted to share books with their infants, but today there are thousands of great choices in the baby book section. Remember to let your baby spend some time with his books even when you are not reading. While initially, he may just chew on his books, or simply turn a couple pages, he will grow to love looking at the pictures and "reading" them himself. Very little is more precious than a toddler sitting and reading himself one of his favorite stories.

Books are very accessible and baby books are not very expensive. For those with tight budgets, baby books are readily available used at children's consignment stores, used book stores, library-benefit bookstores and garage sales. And, you can always borrow books for free from your local library. There are so many reasons to make books a part of your baby's life and virtually no reasons not to, so make sure to start a storytime reading ritual with your little one today.

If your friends and family are like most, you've probably been getting tons of advice from well-meaning folks about how to raise your baby. Some of the words of wisdom are obviously very practical, some make you wonder, and a few are downright and obviously wrong. It's especially amusing to see the kinds of advice that new parents get from other adults who have not yet experienced child-rearing! Sometimes the people who have the least amount of hands-on experience have the most to say, don't they?

I was bombarded with advice when my kids were tiny, too. Mom had lots of thoughts on how to do everything from sterilize bottles to change diapers properly. My friend Norene was a godsend: she spent most of our time together just listening. Her kids were older, and she only offered advice when I actually asked for it. Visits with her were an island of sanity in my new position as stay-at-home mom. My friend Gayle was fun to be with, too, but she generally had bits of that advice that I considered wrong for me and my family. Through it all, my dad just sort of watched and waited, just like he lives the rest of his life.

Dad is probably one of the wisest men that I've been privileged to know. He doesn't say much, but when he chooses to dole out bits of wisdom, you can count on it being not only smart but also IMPORTANT. He chooses his words carefully, and his ideas and thoughts and opinions matter a great deal to me and to others in his life. He's a wonderful resource.

Dad didn't offer much in the way of child-rearing advice when the baby was born. He enjoyed his new role as grandpa and was quietly supportive. I suspect that this is why, when he did choose to spontaneously share a bit of advice, I sat up and took notice. Not only did he have that foundation of trust that his words would be true, but he was so sparing with his advice that only what he considers most important slips through.

I do remember, though, when he visited around Christmas time in 1987. My first baby was about six months old and starting to show some remarkable personality. She was rapidly developing a mind of her own and displaying a great sense of humor (at least for an infant!). Dad offered his one and only piece of unsolicited child-rearing advice on that visit.

He told me to be careful not to laugh at the baby's antics unless they were acceptable under all circumstances and would be welcomed long after she grew out of infancy. Sure enough, we noticed right after that that the child would quickly and eagerly repeat any action that elicited laughter amongst the audience. I could see what Dad meant. Laugh at a baby's tricks, and they will repeat them over and over and over, ad nauseum. And what is funny the first time or two quickly loses its appeal after the thirty-third repetition. It might be funny in the kitchen, but not so amusing in the restaurant or at the grocery.

Children need to learn what is and is not good humor. This starts at a very early age, and is based on what kind of responses kids get to their actions. If the adults around them pay attention, laugh, smile, and clap, then the action goes on the list of things that "work." If the action is ignored or scolded, then the child quickly learns that it is not appreciated.

It's fine to laugh at baby's first attempts at jokes. I remember the oldest made her first real joke around that six month time. She could hold her own bottle by then, and one day gleefully stuck the bottle into her forehead instead of her mouth. We all had a good laugh.

But the day that she upended her bowl of cereal a few weeks later and put the bowl on her head and proclaimed, "hat!" we struggled through with straight faces. It was not an action we wanted her to make a habit of. It worked, too. She only wore her bowl a time or two before going on to more acceptable jokes.

Wise advice, well worth remembering. If you think that baby's action could cause problems in other settings or times, then don't encourage it now. What is funny when they are six or eight months old will lose its appeal if they are still repeating it when they are four years of age. And remember that we shape baby's sense of humor by our responses. If you want your child to appreciate gentle, non-harmful humor, then you have to consistently reward that and reject other forms of what some call funny. Don't laugh at others' misfortune, for example. Baby will have a very hard time discriminating when it is and is not OK to laugh when others have problems.

Humor is a wonderful social lubricant, and everyone does better in life if they have a healthy sense of humor. Get things off to a good start for your baby's development by being choosy about what kinds of humor you encourage. You (and your child!) will be very glad that you did in the long run.

By Mylea

Infants learn from everyday routines that we as parents establish for them. Some companies are trying to capitalize on the learning curve of infants by making flashcards. This seems like a good idea for repetition purposes, but since babies are constantly learning, their everyday environment is the best place to learn. It is said often that a child's brain is like a little sponge. Their desire and ability to learn is programmed at birth, so the use of flashcards and other outside influences may actually interfere with the natural learning process of a baby. There are many fun and healthy ways that we as parents can encourage the learning process in our infants. Take for instance diaper change sessions this is a good time to encourage language development by talking to them throughout the process.
When feeding your baby use different facial expressions to help baby learn how his expressions affect others. These seem like simple things to do and they are. We must remember that this stage in our child's life every experience is about learning. When babies are awake, they need objects to play with that can stimulate their learning process. Tiny rattles shaken in different directions causes the infant to try to follow where the sound in coming from. Toys need not be expensive, if you use a little creativity you could probably find dozens of objects with different textures that you could introduce to baby. What you will soon notice and this takes some careful observation on your part baby will start to repeat certain actions to convey his needs. This action could be putting his hands in his mouth when he is hunger, or playing with his toes when he is happy. Remember that each baby is unique, so what another baby needs are for one action may be entirely different from your baby. This is why careful observations on your part in necessary.

Babies when older like to experiment with sound; this is also an opportunity to develop more language skills. If they are squeaking on a toy, emphasize the sound by saying the word squeak. When banging on things say the word bang, bang, by doing this the baby is associating a sound with a word. Help baby develop tactile skills, let him touch a piece of sticky tape and watch his reaction. Other ideas are a piece of velvet, while feeling say soft or for a piece of sandpaper say rough. Choose similar words to describe the same feel and to show diversity in wording. Stay in tune to your child's needs, if he starts to turn away, this usually means he has had enough and need a break. Older babies also feel the need to climb, if you have stairs in your home you see them start to take an interest in them. Now you have to be creative and develop an exerciser so that baby can satisfy this need without being hurt. Using padded cardboard boxes or well padding board to build a climber would satisfy this need. Help baby at first learn what to do until he can figure out the problem of getting down by himself.

Remember to only help if the child seems to be getting tired or frustrated, do not automatically rush in to rescue allow time for him to problem solve. Baby, because of not having well enough hand control to explore things with their fingers will result to putting everything in their mouth. It becomes very important to keep things around baby very clean; objects they explore in this manner should also be smooth. Ready-made toys can make our lives easier, so do not pass up the opportunity to introduce your baby to them. Still, you need to observe the level of frustration that is stemmed from not being able to figure out a certain toy. Sometimes, you may even have to put-away the toy until baby matures a little more, introduce the toy again later. Whatever toy your baby is using, whether ready-made or homemade, SAFETY FIRST.

In spite of the fact that I have recently given birth to my fourth child, it took me ten years to actually purchase a diaper bag. With the birth of each new baby my very loving friends and family gave me a new assortment of diaper bags. I gave birth to each of my children in a hospital so I also received a new bag, stuffed full of baby samples and coupons, each time I was discharged with a new baby.

Never needing to purchase a diaper bag for myself, I simply used the diaper bags I was given. Many of them were cute, decorated in tasteful colors and patterns, but some of them were simply awful, ghastly looking things that, while meant to be cute, made me want to run screaming in the other direction. Some of the diaper bags were large, while some were more compact. Some had extra pouches and compartments, while some had one simple section to hold all of baby's things. I dutifully used each and every diaper bag I was given, even if I secretly hated it, out of a sense of obligation to those who gave the bags to me. I love my friends and family dearly and would have felt much too guilty had I stashed an unwanted bag in a closet or given it away.

Last year, however, I gave birth to a baby boy who weighed in at nearly ten pounds. At 5 months old, he tipped the scales at 23 pounds. After a few months of lugging around a very cute, but back breaking, heavy baby boy along with a too bulky diaper bag that had the unfortunate tendency of sliding right off my shoulder, I decided enough was, in fact, enough.

I emptied the offending bag of all my baby essentials and took a good, hard look at it. It was a large rectangular bag that could hold plenty of baby care essentials, but it was so bulky I could barely fit it, myself, and baby through the door when I was wearing it. The adjustable strap was a great idea, but for some reason the strap just would not stay on my shoulder. I cannot describe just how annoying it was to need to stop every 3 steps to put the strap back up on my shoulder. The hip blue denim cover was cute but not cute enough to ignore how the bag contributed to my aching back.

I moved on and examined the next available diaper bag in my closet, given to me by my best friend. My best friend has great taste in clothes, jewelry, and makeup. I often enlist her help when I am having difficulty choosing something fashionable to wear. Why she threw that impeccable taste out the window to buy me a diaper bag in pastel colors, decorated with cutesy cartoon characters is way beyond me. The bag did have lots of pockets and included its own changing pad, but there was no way I was going to walk around wearing that vinyl nightmare. A few years ago I would have felt the need to at least give it a try, but I was over finally over that foolishness.

I took a look at the cute, black diaper bag I received from my neighbor. It was cute and stylish but way too small. There was no way I would be able to fit diapers, wipes, wash cloths, diaper cream, sweater, extra clothes, changing pad, and snacks and water (important for a breast feeding mom) into it.

I spied a duffle bag across the room that used to be my eldest child’s soccer bag. I was desperate, I guess, to even consider that duffle bag. Not desperate enough, however, to actually use it. After taking a look at a few more sad alternatives, I threw the whole lot in a huge plastic bag and drove it right on over to my local charity thrift store. I felt good donating the diaper bags, secure in the knowledge that though I hated them, there was sure to be someone who thought they were just great.

Newly diaper bag free, I drove on over to the mall to find a diaper bag to fit my lifestyle. I looked from store to store finding more of the types and styles of bags I had just rejected. I was getting discouraged; baby was getting cranky, when suddenly I spotted it. It was the diaper bag of my dreams. It was brown leather, soft, and supple. It was definitely a grown up diaper bag, totally lacking in cute kiddie creatures. It was a backpack! So I knew there would be no more of that dreaded sliding strap syndrome. The shoulder straps were even padded for added comfort. It contained a removable pouch with a zipper to carry things just for me, the very important mommy. It included its own changing pad and a wet/dry bag. As if these helpful features were not enough, it was full of compartments, pockets, and pouches to carry all of baby’s things and keep them separated as needed. It had two handy bottle pouches for moms who bottle-feed. I knew I would not use them anytime soon, but they might come in handy later. I even discovered a smaller bag, with a cold pack in it, inside the diaper bag. I was sold!

I couldn’t be happier with my new diaper bag. I have had it for a few days now and have found it to be durable, practical, stylish, and easy on my back. I think baby likes it too!

Now that my oldest daughter is nearing her eighteenth birthday, I'm doing a lot of thinking back and reminiscing about her infancy. It seems like just yesterday that we were excitedly awaiting her birth and anticipating what having a new baby in the house would be like. The nursery was freshly painted, and all of the latest baby accessories were waiting patiently in the closets and drawers. My mom was on call, ready to drop what she was doing two states away to try to get here between the start of labor and the actual birth. It surely was an exciting time!

These memories brought back my mom's comment shortly after the young one was born. She commented in an off-hand way how life with baby had changed in the nearly thirty years since I had been born into THEIR household. Something as commonplace as having a baby surely couldn't have changed THAT much, I thought, but as we talked, I marveled. Things really had changed dramatically, and mostly much for the better. Here are just a few of the changes that we laughed over after the birth of my oldest daughter, now eighteen years ago. I'm sure things have changed in several ways since then, but take a glimpse of what baby-raising was like nearly fifty years ago....

One of the biggest changes is car seats. When I came along in 1958, cars didn't even have seatbelts, let alone car seats for babies. Infants were held on a passenger's lap, or, if you were driving alone, they were laid on the seat beside the driver. The driver tried to keep a hand on the baby to prevent it from rolling off of the seat!! Can you even imagine it? This is certainly one change that is dramatically for the better. I have hazy memories of my brother's "car seat" (and I use the term very loosely) in about 1961. It was a plastic and metal affair shaped sort of like a tot lock chair that you fit onto the side of the table today. There was a flimsy plastic seatbelt to keep the baby from climbing out. The seat rested on a sort of rack over the back of the bench seat. It had a plastic steering wheel attached, with a button in the middle that baby could beep like a real horn. There was nothing attaching the seat to the car at all! And my mom commented that this was considered the height of baby safety at the time.

Even eighteen years ago, car seats were monstrous affairs. They were very large and heavy, and not very securely strapped into the car compared to today's models. The one we used for the eldest was about thirty pounds and designed to stay in the car rather than be removed to carry the baby. The seatbelt wrapped around its lower frame, but nothing secured the top of the seat at all. Baby sat in the seat with a lap belt and a crotch strap, in a more or less upright position. I remember having to purchase a special pillow to wedge in around her to keep her from sliding all over like a limp noodle. We used a pillow like that in the stroller, too. Wow, what a difference a few decades have made!

Another major improvement in baby managing that mom commented on was the evolution of baby seats. When I was an infant, babies were either held, put in the crib, or laid down on a blanket. I was blessed with a baby swing that had a removable seat that could be used as an infant carrier/seat. Now, I didn't have to try to figure out how to manage baby in the fast food restaurant or as I worked around the house the way my mom did. I could strap her into her seat and take her nearly anywhere. As baby grew, I remember that we used a tot lock chair quite a bit when we were on the road. Do they still have these? The chair sort of clips onto the side of most tables and provides a safe, portable place for the baby to eat at the table. Ever so much more convenient than hauling the high chair the way my mom had to back in the 1960's. We also had a cloth invention that wrapped around baby's waist once she was holding her head up fairly well. You know, that stage where they can sort of sit by themselves, but after a little bit they kind of slide away. This gizmo supported her and allowed her to sit upright safely in grocery carts and some high chairs. It served as seatbelt and support, and really made her feel a part of the group. I remember it got an awful lot of use.

Two of my babies were born in the early summer, and of course we wanted to resume our outdoor recreation as soon as was practical. Protecting the little ones from the sun and from insects became a priority. I found the perfect solution at one of those mall craft shows. It was a portable "igloo" for baby! The roof was made of cloth on a spring form frame. It opened up to a band shell sort of a shape and folded flat when not in use. It had a thick matching pad for a floor, and a net that could be lowered over the opening to keep the bugs out. It was absolutely perfect for days at the beach, outings to the park, and even relaxing out in the yard while the baby napped. I think the girls used it until they were about three as a nap shelter!

Baby backpacks and tummy packs have been a part of other cultures for generations, but my generation (having our children twenty years ago) discovered them all over again. First the tummy pack and then the backpack allowed us to take the kids with us on hikes, walks in the mall, and even around the neighborhood. Our roads just aren't stroller friendly, and without those packs, I wouldn't have been able to go for walks for several years. I really think the kids enjoyed them too. I remember many days (and nights!) when we packed fussy babies into the packs and walked around the house with them. The little ones felt more loved, I think, and less alone. They also were treated to the changing scenery and the constant chatter that I tended to provide for them whenever they were in earshot.

Umbrella strollers were also a fairly new invention when I had my first baby. They were considered so innovative at the time! Finally parents had an alternative to the big heavy strollers and carriages of yesteryear. The umbrella strollers were lightweight and folded up into a relatively small package. They were certainly much easier for a woman to wrestle in and out of the car and they fit a whole lot better into the back seat of the small vehicles that we had when the kids first came along.

Feeding baby had changed, too, my mom noted. She especially liked the food bowl that we used that was filled with hot water in its base and so kept the baby food at a nice temperature. This dish was also nice because it had a suction cup on the bottom! Baby couldn't toss the dish to the ground because it stuck quite nicely to the highchair tray. Another fairly new invention was the nursing bag that you stuck inside the bottle (Playtex used to be the only one that made them...is that still the case?). You could actually mix formula in them!

One of my personal favorite new-fangled inventions was the alternative playpen that we found for the kids. Instead of being the traditional four-sided affair, this was a lot more like a fence. It was a series of hinged panels that could be configured into many different shapes, and worked very well as a baby corral for the little ones. It even worked for a few years to protect the Christmas trees from curious little ones. There's something a bit comical about a tree inside a playpen, but it was very effective.

Isn't amazing to contemplate how life with baby has changed? People are amazingly innovative, and great strides have been made in safety and convenience. So what's new now that you're having your baby? Leave me a comment with your favorite baby innovation!!

What busy parent could not use a night out on the town without the baby? Although you may be luck enough to have family and friends who are more than willing to baby-sit while you enjoy a much needed parent's night out, there will come a time when you have to actually hire a sitter.

As a loving parent you may wonder how to choose an experienced, trustworthy sitter for your baby. There are so many horror stories concerning children who have been harmed by a trusted adult, that you may feel afraid to trust anyone new. It is important to remember that the majority of potential sitters are not out to harm your child. Child abusers are, thankfully, in the minority and while nothing is guaranteed, careful selection of a sitter for your baby is half the battle.

Here are some ways to choose a sitter for your baby:

Ask for recommendations. One of the best ways to find a sitter you can trust is by asking for referrals from your family and friends. Chances are if they have used and been satisfied with a sitter, you will too.

Other good places to look for a sitter are your church, local recreational center, school, and place of business. If you have friends with teenage children, ask if they would be available to baby-sit.

Check references. Often people ignore references, only call one person on the list, or even worse, never ask for references. Do get references and do call. You never know what important information you may learn by calling.

Training is key. Make sure the baby sitter you are considering is trained in First Aid and CPR. If the sitter doesn't have the training, but you are really sold on using her, go ahead and pay for her to get certified in this area. Instead of thinking about this as an extra expense, think how much more comfortable you will feel knowing your sitter is capable of handling health emergencies. Check your local library, recreational center, or Red Cross chapter to find out if they offer babysitter-training classes. These classes offer good preparation for new sitters.

Observe your sitter. Invite your sitter over a few times before you leave her completely alone with your child. This will give you time to observe her with your baby, as well as time for your baby to get to know the sitter in your presence. Watch how she interacts with your child. Leave the room for a little while and come back later. Observe how your child acts in her presences after they've spent a few minutes alone. Chat with her about what she would do in certain emergency situations, such as an accident, illness, or fire. Discuss your expectations, rules, and child rearing philosophy. Observe her body language for signs of her being open and receptive to what you are saying. Trust your instincts. If something just doesn't seem right do not hire her.

Start Early. Have your sitter arrive early on the first day she will be babysitting your baby. Spend time showing her where she can find all of baby's essentials. Show her where you have posted emergency numbers such as your cell phone number, additional emergency contact number, the number for baby's pediatrician, and local poison control center. Make sure your sitter is well versed in what to do in case of fire or other emergency.

Do check in. Call your sitter at least once to make sure things are okay. Call more than once if you like, since it will probably make you feel better when you are using a new sitter, but don't call so much you disrupt you child's night.

Observe again. When you return home observe how your child interacts with the sitter after spending this time alone with her. Although it can sometimes take a little time for your baby to get used to a new person your baby should not seem genuinely frightened of the sitter.

By Mylea

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder commonly known as ADHD usually begins in childhood. Those with ADHD have a hard time sitting still, staying on task, and are unable to control their impulses. Even though this behavior can be seen in the average child, these actions are more severe in the ADHD child of the same age.

This disorder is estimated at affecting approximately 3 to 5 percent of all school age children. Let us examine a few of the symptoms found in ADHD children:

Inattentiveness: This child is unable to sort out what is unimportant details in information received, which causes him/her to lose focus in the classroom.

In the classroom, outside sounds, smells and things seen easily distract the ADHD child.
He in fact is paying attention but is unable to determine exactly what factors in his/her surrounding is most important.

Impulsive behavior: The action comes before the thought.

The average child is able to ascertain what the consequences of their action will be before they act. The ADHD child displays bad judgment in things, because of his inability to plan things out his actions can become dangerous. When playing this child may run right over other children while playing, or dash out into the street in front of a moving vehicle.

Hyperactivity: The child may constantly move, unable to sit still.

This type of activity may carry on through their adult life. If you observe the child carefully, you will detect continuous movement involving the legs, feet, arms or hands.
They will usually have problems waiting, the longer they wait the more fidgety they become.

It is believed that half of all children with ADHD carry some of their symptoms into adolescence and adulthood with them. The risky behavior they exhibited in childhood may shift to delinquent behavior in adolescence years. For an adult, ADHD symptoms will be displayed by their frequently changing jobs or being fired a lot, fiddles all day and is restless. When the causes of these behaviors are misunderstood, it can cause a strain in marriages. An example of this would be in having a simple conversation, a lot of what was said by the spouse of an ADHD individual would be missed because of his inability to completely focus.

Several treatments have been proposed for ADHD. They range from focusing on the diet factor to using medications, behavior modification, and cognitive training. Because ADHD is a malfunction of the brain the use of medication could restore the chemical imbalance for many who suffer. Unfortunately it does not help with a child's learning ability it only increases their ability to focus. Behavior modification in children does not relieve parents from their responsibility to discipline their child. The parent(s) that simply give up on their child and let them run wild is not doing them any favors. There has to be clear-cut rules and limits as well as appropriate rewards and penalties. A strict routine has to be set and daily followed. This would include a schedule for doing homework, chores, bathing and other activities. In cognitive training you must help the child create a positive view of himself. Often, because of their disorder they feel, ugly, stupid and as if they are bad all of the time, even if these statements are not true. Because of the child's disorder he may receive much criticism from peers, teachers, siblings, and sometimes even from frustrated parents. A positive view of his self-worth along with knowing the difficulty he is having is manageable can go a long way. Support in these things can help him to set realistic goals and to not treat himself in a harsh manner.

By Mylea

Parents have to learn to be accepting of their children at any cost. Let me give you an example of what I mean. Some couples before having children may have led a very comfortable life style; they had the business, the cars, well traveled and a nice home. Usually the couple had mutually decided not to have children and something or one of them changes their mind. When you make the decision to have children, it should also be a 100% mutually agreed upon decision.

Before conception, the couple should get themselves mentally prepared for parenthood. They should actually interact with young children as much as possible, especially babies. I hope that you will have a close friend or family member that you could maybe provide some overnight care for on a regular basis. The reason for this is to prepare you for the big change that is about to take place in your life. You want to have a realistic view of parenthood, it is not all fun and cutsy at all times. Babies can be a challenge, from the crying and screaming colicky baby to the baby that scratch excessively to the point of bleeding.

An example of this is a couple fitting the description above, had the perfect little life and decided to have baby. The couple was two nice looking individuals so of course you expect the obvious, a beautiful baby. What happens when the baby is not so attractive, as a parent, you love that baby as if he/she is the most attractive baby in the world. Also, what if that same baby had skin problems like eczema and did not have that baby soft skin that other babies had. Well this baby did not and on top of that, in trying to create the perfect baby no one was allowed to see or touch the baby for fear they would pass on germs to him/her. They managed to alienate themselves from most of their family and friends by doing this and became the talk of their circle of friends. Even the care of grandparents weren't good enough for their child. Needless to say, a lot of feeling was hurt behind this type of behavior. When they finally started bringing this child out in public, anytime someone would approach them to see the baby the father would turn the baby around to his body so he/she did not get breathe on. The baby now has grown into a toddler and the same problems he/she had as a baby has escalated. As you might guess this couple is not dealing well with this and is puzzled as to why they have a child that does not behave as other children do. Their child scratches their skin to the point of bleeding just because he/she is told not too. Their child does not try to talk or mimic words as other kids his/her age does. Their child anytime he/she is not getting their way will break out in hives and rub their face until it looks like a severe reaction to something. They take him/her to doctor after doctor and am unable to find the problem, as I was talking with one of them one day their comment was, "I just want them to find out what is wrong with him/her and fix it."

We all want what is best for our children but we have a responsibility to love and accept that child for who he/she personally is. Having a child is not about comparisons, if you happen to have a child that is a little different from others, don't treat him/her as if they are broken. We do not live in a perfect world and there are no perfection children. When I hear parents such as the ones in the example develop the woe is me mentality it really makes me sad for the child. There are always going to be someone that is worst off and making the best of their situation. So consider all of these things before you make the decision to have children. Our children are an inheritance with no guarantees.

By Valencia Higuera

Couples who want babies often times do not sit and count the cost. The truth is babies are expensive. Unfortunately, many couples who do not plan on becoming pregnancy must realize the harsh reality. It amazes me when I hear of a young person anticipating starting a family, especially if I am aware of their financial situation. How do these people intend on feeding this baby? Babies cannot live on water. What about diapers? Unless you plan on using disposable ones which can be messy, diapers must be purchased weekly. Do you know how much formula cost? Believe me, its not cheap.

These are all essential items that babies need each week of the month. The sad part is that this is only part of the list. I understand that babies come into this world without warning. We are then forced to make the best of a situation. However, when someone deliberately has a baby when they are not ready, it seems a little selfish and irresponsible. An old co-worker of mine often complained how she did not have money to grocery shop or pay her utilities, yet she was trying to have a baby. I have learned to keep my mouth closed, thus I did not question her decision. I felt like shaking her. Wake up! If both you and your spouse have fulltime jobs, and you still cannot afford to put gas in your car, how are you supposed to raise a child and pay for childcare?

Having a family is a natural inclination. Understandably the baby bug will attack us all. However prior to making the decision to start a family couples should really count the cost. A baby is not going to miraculously make your money problems disappear. If anything, a baby may add to the problems. I am not saying you have to be rich or have a lot of disposable income to have a baby, but you do need some disposable income. If you have $20 left over after paying all your bills, maybe it is not the best time to consider a baby. Keep this in mind, daycare costs are roughly $100 per week. If you are fortunate to have a job that offers childcare reimbursements, you may be okay. Other expenses such as diapers, formula, and clothing may only run an extra $150 to $200 a month depending on the child. If your job does not offer reimbursement, this means that you will need at least an extra $400 a month, per child.

Again, children are a blessing. I can understand when a couple is anxiously waiting to start a family. I also recognize that we are never fully ready for a baby. Some plan their children perfectly. They purposely wait until their late twenties or early thirties. This way they can adequately care for their children. I am not suggesting that young couples wait too long before starting a family. There is a joy that comes with being a young parent. Nonetheless I am suggesting that couples be sensible. Babies have needs, and these needs require money. If you cannot take care of your own financial needs, how will you be able to care for a baby’s needs?

I attended a wedding this past weekend, along with many guests with children. Now the invitation stated very clearly, "No children." The announcement was very tactful. Of course many people ignored this request and attended the ceremony and reception with their little ones in tote. I understand that sometimes it is difficult to find a babysitter. I also know for a fact that some people were upset that the bride and groom made such a request and were determined to bring their babies to prove a point. Personally I do not understand the big deal with leaving your baby at home for a few hours. Weddings are adult occasions. Besides, this gives the mother and father time alone for a couple of hours.

Again, the request not to bring babies was ignored by quite a few, and for good reason. Right before the bride and groom were about to repeat their vows, a baby seated in the middle aisle began to yell. The baby was not crying because it was in pain, he was just being a brat and yelling loudly. I witnessed the incident thus I can call the baby a brat. The little boy was likely only a year old. He wanted to stand up, while the mother wanted him to sit. When his mother took control of the situation and made him sit, he became upset. I understand that babies are unpredictable. However the problem does not lie with the baby.

Instead of removing the child, the parents allowed him to scream in the middle of ceremony. They did not attempt to calm him, nor did they gently cover his mouth. The parents simply sat in their seat as if nothing out of the ordinary was occurring. The turning heads and evil eyes of other guests did not faze them either. I felt bad for the bride and groom. Not only were their clear instructions ignored, but the parents did not even have the decency to room their baby. This kind of situation occurs often. In restaurants and movie theaters parents allow their babies to scream and cry. Then they have the audacity to become upset when someone shows their irritation.

I know that babies are apart of this world. I also understand that keeping a baby calm at all times is impossible. Babies will cry, this is not the problem. The problem is mothers and fathers who think that their babies are too cute and special. What makes them think that we want to hear their children scream? Likely parents are used to their children misbehaving and they tune out the noise. Therefore when babies cry in public, parents are not consciously thinking about other people. Once when a friend visited with her little boy, the baby became upset because he could not have another cookie. The baby proceeded to have a 20 minute tantrum. This included a high pitch scream, kicking, and did I mention a high pitch scream. My friend never told him to stop or tried to calm him. She completely ignored him and continued with the conversation. I had just gotten home, and I had a headache. The last thing I wanted to hear was a baby screaming.

I do not have children; therefore I keep my mouth closed. According to some parents unless you have children, you do not understand how to care for one. The truth is I have been around babies and children for many years. I can honestly say that I know how to care for a child better than some parents, trust me. This is not rocket science.

It seems that when some people have a baby, they lose their common sense. I understand that caring for a baby is challenging, especially in the beginning. However, I also believe that some make the process of child rearing more complicated. Women have been having babies since the beginning on time. The rules may vary, but they never change. Yet, some women act as if God created a new mold with their child. Every ailment their baby gets is always the worse; daycare rules do not apply to their baby; and the kicker, their baby is too special and cute to be disciplined.

Of all of the things to plan ahead for when you're expecting a baby, choosing the baby's name is one of the most important. The name that you choose for your child will have a profound effect on his or her life, possible even influencing your child's popularity and how your child feels about his or her self.

When I was pregnant with my oldest son, my husband and I perused through a baby name book and each wrote down three names we liked. Luckily, we both agreed on one name -- Jason. At the time, the show "Growing Pains" was popular and the father on that show was named Jason. I thought it was a rugged, manly name. Unfortunately, and this came back to haunt me later, the horror movie series "Friday the Thirteenth" was also popular at the time and the killer in that movie was named-- you guessed it-- Jason. When I named my son Jason, I did not think the name was not particularly popular-- in fact, I thought it was rather unique. I didn't know any other Jason's, anyway. But by the time my son started school a few years later, there were no fewer than three other Jason's in his class. Jason was indeed a hot name after all. This is not to say that I regret naming my son Jason-- the name suits him and that's really what matters most.

Growing up I always loved the name Tara for a girl. I thought, wouldn't that be a pretty name for my own little girl some day. Years later I changed my mind and I decided that Allison would be my future daughter's name. Allison was so pretty and feminine. Well, when I finally did have a daughter I didn't name her Tara or Allison because my husband didn't like either name. Which goes to prove another point-- don't get your heart too set on a name unless you're sure your spouse will love it too. Oh, I'm sure after my husband saw me go through labor he would have let me name our daughter anything I wanted when it was all said and done, but I didn't want it to play out like that. I wanted to choose a name that we both loved and we did.

My sister in law and my brother had their own baby name dilemma. My sister in law always dreamed of having a little boy named Michael. This was years before she met my brother whose name, incidentally, is Michael. So when they had their first baby (a boy) what did they name him? Well, it wasn't Michael!
My brother insisted he didn't want a Mike Jr. under any circumstances. Two years later boy number two was born and what did they name him? Steven. My sister in law was still pushing for the name Michael but my brother wouldn't give in. When she got pregnant again a year later, my brother softened.
"Okay, if it's a boy we can name him Michael," he reluctantly agreed. Well, the baby was a girl. Three more girls followed after that, all born with the agreement that if they were boys they could be named Michael. So now my sister in law has six kids and no Michael's, but the kids all have great names anyway.

Agreeing on a name can be extremely difficult. It's such a huge decision and everyone has their own opinion. If you're still pregnant and are already set on a name, try keeping it to yourself. Why? Because everybody and their mother (and your mother) will give you their two cents on what they think of the name. Ellie? Oh, that's pretty but it rhymes with "smelly". Ethan? Oh, I know a little boy named Ethan and he's a real brat. You'll hear people's opinions over and over again if you divulge the name ahead of time. Once your baby is born and you've given him or her a name, what are people going to say? Will they say "Oh you named your child Brendan? I hate that name." No, through clenched teeth they will tell you how lovely the name is and that will be the end of it.

Celebrities can get away with a lot more than us regular folk. Actress Gwyneth Paltrow and her husband Chris Martin named their baby girl Apple. I personally think the name is adorable, but I wonder if I named my daughter Apple how much teasing she would have to endure when she gets older. Ditto for ex-"Friends" alum Courtney Cox Arquette-- she and hubby David named their bundle of joy Coco. As in Chanel, I guess. It's cute, but risky. And only the rich and famous Julia Roberts could get away with naming her twins Hazel and Phinneus. But that's the beauty of naming your baby-- it's your baby so you can name him or her whatever you like.

When choosing a name for your baby, here are some things to keep in mind.

-- Classic names. Traditional names like Anna, Olivia and Mary never go out of style. Boy's names like John or Matthew have been popular for decades. If you like traditional or biblical names there are many timeless names to choose from.

-- Family names. If you're from a close knit family, you may want to choose a first or middle name after a family member like a favorite aunt or your grandmother or grandfather. Names carried down from generation to generation are a lovely way to honor your family members.

-- Popular names. Take a gander at the top 10 baby names and you can be certain that those names will be the most popular names of your baby's future schoolmates. If you have a common last name like Jones or Miller, you may want to avoid names that are too popular. Hot names right now include Jacob and Michael for boys and Emily and Ashley for girls. To view a complete list of the most current popular baby names, check out the Social Security Administration's website, which compliles an annual list based on social security data. You can also search their site for the top names for each year back as far as the year 1900-- check it out to see where your name ranks for the year you were born.

-- Unisex names. There's nothing wrong with naming your daughter Ryan, but beware that the little boy across the street may have the same name. Ditto for names like Jordan, Riley and Taylor. But hey-- there's nothing wrong with sharing the same name as your future spouse. In fact, heiress and sometime actress Paris Hilton is currently dating a nice young lad whose name is-- Paris (what are the chances?).

-- Choosing a name based on meaning. If you really want to put thought into your baby's name, consider looking up the meanings of all of your favorite names. The name Hazel that I mentioned earlier means "commander". If you want your little lady to be strong and independent, maybe that name is for you after all.

-- Unusual spellings. Try to avoid cutesy spellings. There's a local newswoman in our city named Gennaphyr and all I think of as she reads the news is "Don't her parents know how to spell the name Jennifer?" I always feel sorry for guys named Geoff because I'm always tempted to call then Jee-- off. Maybe it's just me, but funky spellings like that are distracting to say the least, and your kid won't ever be able to find personalized items with the correct spelling of their name (you know, like preprinted notepads, stickers and Christmas ornaments with their name on it). Do your baby-- and yourself-- a favor and stick to the traditional spellings.

-- Consider the monogram. Don't name you baby Frieda Ann Thomas if you think the monogram (FAT) will be a problem. As she gets older, she may be self conscious about such a monogram.

-- Beware of nicknames. If you want your son to be named Timothy and not Timmy, you may not have a choice. Once your child starts school, the other kids and teachers may inadvertently shorten his name. This happened to me with my son Jason. He was always Jason until he started school-- then teachers started to call him Jay. He hated Jay and constantly corrected people who called him that. Now he only goes by Jason. If you give your child a long name like Elizabeth or Victoria, people will shorten it. Even shorter names, like Mary, often get shortened to Mare. Just keep all of the possible nicknames in mind when you choose a name for your child. Like it or not, people may shorten your child's name.

-- A word on middle names. Choosing a middle name is just as important as choosing a first name. Make sure the names flow well together with your last name. For example, Isabella Julianna Guggenheimer would be quite a mouthful-- it just has too many syllables. On the other hand, John James Jones is too short and choppy. Better choices would be Isabella Marie Guggenheimer or John Phillip Jones.

They've been around for generations, and parents have been sharing them with young children for most of that time. The characters and stories are ingrained in our culture; nearly everyone recognizes them by name and can tell the details of each. And perhaps most importantly, they help children learn about language and develop pre-reading skills. They are traditional nursery rhymes, and nearly every family has at least one book of them in their library. Mother Goose is an indispensable part of childhood for lots of reasons. Many nursery rhymes date back hundreds of years. Their language and structure harken back to times long gone by. Peopled by dames and damsels, princes and princesses, and tinkers and cobblers, the rhymes open doors to the past. The rhymes have value on lots of fronts, helping children learn about culture, reading and language, humor and social skills, and even values and consequences of actions.

These rhymes are deeply ingrained in our culture. Many pieces of literature reference nursery rhymes. Comparisons are made to nursery rhyme characters, like the Crooked Man or Old Mother Hubbard. We all know how silly Simple Simon is. The Old Woman Who Lived in the Shoe has been chasing her many children and Jack Sprat has been on his diet for a very long time. When someone mentions Jack and Jill, everyone knows the story. By sharing these rhymes with your baby, you will be enabling him or her to better understand these references and to "fit in" more easily by understanding what is going on around them when others reference the rhymes.

Nursery rhymes nurture social skills, too. Many of baby's first games are based on the rhymes. Baby will love the clapping rhymes, like Pease Porridge Hot and Pat-A-Cake, long before he or she learns to talk. Bouncing baby on your knee to the rhymes "Ride a Cockhorse" and "This is the Way The Ladies Ride" will quickly become a favorite game, too. Many of the rhymes are quite humorous. By sharing them with baby, you will be teaching what is funny. The silly situations that Simple Simon gets into, the ludicrous pictures of Little Jack Horner and the House That Jack Built, and the contrast of Jack Sprat and his wife are great examples of humor. Baby will model his or her idea of humor based on what you present as funny.

The rhymes build imagination and pretending skills. Children will first connect the rhymes with the pictures in whatever book you are reading from, but will gradually come to visualize on their own. You will find your little one pretending more and more as he or she grows up. This is an important part of developing the brain in order to accomplish later academic learning. The rhymes provide fodder for storylines and scenarios involving kings and queens, and dragons and horses.

Some of the rhymes teach values, as well. "Tom, Tom the Piper's Son" shows the consequences of taking off with someone else's property. "Wee Willie Winkie" sets a reasonable bedtime for baby. "Little Boy Blue" laments the results of falling asleep instead of tending to the job of watching the sheep. These lessons are hiding all through these pieces of traditional literature.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, nursery rhymes will build language and pre-reading skills. In order to learn to read efficiently when the time comes, babies need to master several large areas of knowledge. Readers need a wide vocabulary. One way to build a child's knowledge of words is to read, read, read. The nursery rhymes are the beginning of a long list of literature that your child should be exposed to in order to build the necessary vocabulary skills to learn to read when the time is right. Not only will your youngster be exposed to words like "cobbler," "contrary," and "rye," but he or she will also develop skills for tackling unknown words no matter where they are found. The little one will learn to check for clues in the pictures for new vocabulary and even to use the context clues (the other words and sentences that can help you decipher the meaning of new words).

Nursery rhymes help children to develop a skill called phonemic awareness, as well. Phonemic awareness is the understanding of how sounds make up words and how these can be separated and blended. The rhyming words will help your child to hear similarities between words that will later become skill with working with word families (reading words that have similar endings, like happy and sappy). The built-in rhythms of the rhymes will help your child develop an intuitive understanding of syllabication, which is the basis for meter in poetry.

Memorization of the nursery rhymes, which will happen almost automatically with repetition, is another important skill that you will be helping your baby learn when you read the rhymes regularly. The ability to intentionally learn material like that is learned and must be practiced. It's important to find ways to help your child learn and recite material like this because it will help him or her develop memory skills that will be needed later in school.

So you can see that it is very important to share these treasures with your baby as often as you can. A baby who has learned the rhymes will have lots of advantages over one who has never heard them, including better understanding of our culture and society, development of social skills and humor, and building reading readiness skills. He or she will eventually benefit from the story-telling and memory skills that are exercised by the rhymes, and more. Far from being a sillly waste of time, nursery rhymes are foundational to your baby's development.

Parents are usually very excited when their baby utters its first sounds. Since all people need communication to thrive, babies are no exception. Parents can do much to help their baby learn to vocalize, and it's a rewarding process for all. Although the age of first words varies from baby to baby, it usually happens within the first two years and then progresses rapidly. Very soon after birth babies begin to listen as parents talk, and they learn to distinguish the parents' voices from that of others, as parents also learn to distinguish the baby's voice from that of other babies. By 1 1/2 years, babies usually know