The Ultimate Baby Resource

Baby Bucket

2007-02-05T17:56:00.000-05:00

Hmmm...I wonder why there are no retailers in the US? Check out this website for Tummy Tub. This is "The new concept in bathing babies in the TummyTub® from the birth up to 3 years. The benefits are acknowledged in maternity hospitals and homes throughout Europe. Endorsed by physicians, midwives and nursery nurses. " My big question is (believe me, I had many questions while reading this)-why would I pay $50 for this when I can buy a bucket or utility pail for much cheaper?

Valentine's Day Treat

2007-01-22T06:35:00.000-05:00

I saw this great recipe for "Passion Pops" in Parents magazine and thought I would share. The directions are simple and results are so cute! These could make great favors for a school Valentine's day party. If you check out the website there are a few other fun recipes.

Sweet Talk: Valentine's Day Desserts
Delicious ways to show your kids how much you love them this Valentine's Day.
By Jackie Plant and Fraya Berg

Passion Pops
What's not to love when you combine caramel, chocolate, and cookies? (image from Parents.com)

Ingredients:
-15 caramel squares
-32 vanilla wafers
-16 lollipop sticks
-1 cup semisweet or milk chocolate chips
-Valentine sprinkles

1. Melt unwrapped caramels in a microwave according to package directions. Working quickly, spoon small dollops of caramel onto 16 wafers. Place a lollipop stick in center, and top each with another wafer to make a cookie sandwich.

2. Melt chocolate chips according to package directions. Dunk each cookie sandwich in chocolate and shake to remove excess. Top lollipops with sprinkles and place onto wax-paper-lined baking sheet. Chill for 5 to 10 minutes or until firm. Makes 16 pops.

*I don't see why you couldn't also use white chocolate as a variation.
*I bet these would also look adorable with cellophane wrapped around the top and tied with a pink or red ribbon.

Swanky Bag

2006-12-16T08:53:00.000-05:00

Vera Bradley has a really nice looking diaper bag! Had I known this, I would've ordered one instead of the "classy" black bag I registered for at Babies 'R Us. There are 15 different patterns available and although the price is a bit high, I wouldn't mind carrying this baby everywhere:

Here's the description from the site:

Nantucket Navy Baby Bag
Oooo...baby! Everything to keep a new mom organized and on-the-go: a wide zip top, two inside pockets, a front slip-in, plus two more (one on each end) accented with trim, and a full pocket on back. Includes a 24" x 14" terry-covered changing pad. 16" x 12" x 6½"

Free Santa Letter

2006-11-16T20:10:00.000-05:00

If you go here: Free Letters from Santa - Send a free letter and vote for me! you can e-mail or print out a free letter from Santa Claus to your child. Once you finish, it also gives you the option to vote for a new design. Please vote as mine is the one that has a blue border with white snowflakes and a cartoon Santa at the bottom.

If you print out the letter to your child and would like it to be postmarked from the North Pole put your letter in an envelope addressed and stamped to your child in another envelope and mail it to this address:

North Pole Christmas Cancellation,
Postmaster
5400 Mail Trail
Fairbanks, AK 99709-9999

Diaper Pail Solution

2006-11-05T01:20:00.000-05:00

Here's a mini article from parent hacks "a collaborative weblog of practical parenting wisdom" describing how to minimize diaper pail odor. In our house we have a Diaper Champ which works great in helping to contain odors. We keep an Arm & Hammer odor absorber in the botttom but every once in awhile I catch a not so fresh whiff when I enter the nursery. *It depends on the amount of "stuff" in the pail* Anyhow, I thought this was a great, inexpensive idea.

Essential oil keeps the diaper pail smelling...better than that deodorant disc from the diaper service

Marta has solved the diaper pail odor problem:

Our diaper service gives out these deodorant discs that snap right into the bin - problem is, the disc gives off this horrid chemical odor that almost smells worse than the diapers. Finally, I figured out that a cotton ball soaked with a few drops of essential oil, taped with masking tape inside the bin's lid, works great! Now our diaper-changing area actually smells kind of yummy. I've tried peppermint and clove - probably any scent would be better than the alternative.

I'm impressed. I'm a confirmed hater of diaper pails because I could never get rid of the foul smell after a while.

Posted by Asha Dornfest on Nov 04, 2006

12 Things No One Ever Tells You About Babies

2006-11-01T22:22:00.000-05:00

This article does mention some interesting observations about new babies that people typically don't mention. One being about babies sneezing all the time. My son Jamie sneezes all the time. At first I was so worried that it was too cold or that he wasn't dressed warm enough...even though he was born in June! Read on for more information:

(From Parents.com)

12 Things No One Ever Tells You About Babies
Dirty diapers? Yes. Sleepless nights? Of course. A pimply, pointy-headed newborn -- what's up with that? Let us clue you in on the biggest surprises about little babies.
By Denise Porretto

No matter how much you've read about what to expect, life with a newborn is somehow still full of the unexpected. You quickly discover that there's much more to babies than what you find in books or what your mom, friends, or pediatrician bothered to share with you. Here's a guide to the things that worry new parents most in the early days.

"My baby's not pretty!"
You envisioned a picture-perfect Gerber baby -- round, rosy, and oh-so-cute. If your newborn's head looks a little strange and cone-shaped at first, that's because he probably spent hours wedged in your pelvis. Openings in the skull allow it to mold its shape to fit through the birth canal. "This protects against skull fractures or brain injury during a vaginal delivery," says Anne Hansen, M.D., a neonatologist at Children's Hospital Boston and an assistant professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School.

Other imperfections add to your baby's temporary troll-like appearance. If he slid out on his nose, his nostrils may be a bit squashed. Fluids accumulated under his skin may make his eyes look swollen. And he may even have a few small bruises on his face and scalp if forceps or a vacuum extractor was used to deliver him. Your baby is a work of beauty in progress. Be patient, and he'll soon become the angel you imagined.

"She's so jumpy."
After spending months curled up in a bag of water inside a cozy, snug womb, your newborn now has all the space in the world to move, with no restrictions on her limbs. She hasn't quite figured out how to control her body in this new medium, so a small wave of her arm becomes a wide jerky swing. Babies are also born with the Moro, or startle, reflex: When your infant senses she's falling or is startled, she'll suddenly throw out her arms, open her hands, draw her head back, and then quickly bring her arms back in. This reflex disappears by 3 months. A still-developing neurological system also sends more electrical impulses to muscles than necessary, which can cause your baby's chin to quiver or legs to tremble. As things become more organized over the first couple of weeks, she'll tend to shake less. Most quivers are nothing to worry about, but see a doctor if your baby's shaking is rhythmic or if a trembling limb doesn't stop when you touch it.

"He's big down there."
Before your husband takes credit for your newborn son's huge testicles, he should know that neither genetics nor super-powered male hormones played any part in their size. The swelling is actually a result of pressure exerted on your baby during birth, as well as by fluids trapped in tissue. Also, all new babies still have Mom's hormones circulating in their body. In boys, these hormones enlarge the testicles; in girls, they cause the labia to swell. Genital swelling subsides over the first couple of days.

"My baby's always hungry."
In the first weeks, it might feel as if you're feeding your infant around the clock. Her frequent demands are nature's way of increasing your milk supply to meet her growing appetite. Breast-fed babies also tend to eat more frequently, because breast milk is more quickly digested and more completely absorbed than formula.

The reason for the feeding frenzy, of course, is that your little one has a lot of growing to do. She'll double her birth weight in six months, which requires a huge caloric intake. Expect your baby to be particularly ravenous during growth spurts; the first typically occurs between 4 and 6 weeks of age. Just be careful that you don't misinterpret her cues as hunger when all she may want is comfort or closeness, says ob-gyn Glade Curtis, M.D., author of Your Baby's First Year Week by Week (Fisher Books, 2000). If she has eaten within the last two or three hours, try holding and swaddling her to see if that calms her down.

"His hands and feet are cold."
Before you crank up the thermostat or wrap your little one in another blanket, feel his torso. If it's warm and pink, your baby isn't chilled. Because his circulatory system is still developing, blood is shunted more often to vital organs and systems, where it's needed most. His hands and feet are the last body parts to get a good blood supply. It can take up to three months for his circulation to adapt completely to life outside the womb. In the meantime, it's common for his tiny fingers and toes to feel chilly and look pale. As your baby becomes more mobile and active, his circulation will improve.

"There's blood in her diaper!"
The same maternal hormones that cause swollen testicles and labia are also responsible for the bloody vaginal discharge that newborn girls sometimes have. Don't worry if you see a small smudge of blood or bit of staining on your baby's diaper in the first weeks of life. This mini menstrual period usually lasts only a few days, Dr. Curtis says. Sometimes, what looks like blood may actually be concentrated urine, which can look quite dark in the folds of a diaper. Bright red blood, however, is unusual and warrants medical attention.

"He has a callus on his upper lip."
Many newborns develop a nursing tubercle or blister from vigorous sucking on a bottle or breast. In some cases, the blister is present at birth because of thumb-sucking in the womb. A sucking callus causes no discomfort to your baby. In fact, the overgrowth of skin stiffens the lip and may make grasping the nipple easier. The callus will disappear on its own in a few months, or it might come and go from day to day.

"Every poop looks like diarrhea."
Breast-fed babies have seedy, mustard-yellow stools that are liquid and unformed, while bottle-fed infants tend to have slightly more solid bowel movements with a brownish color and the consistency of soft ice cream. Some babies poop a dozen times a day, while others pass stools just a few times a week. As long as your child is gaining weight and has no abdominal pain or bloating, her pooping frequency is fine.

It can be hard to distinguish normal bowel movements from diarrhea, particularly if you're nursing. Breast-fed babies commonly poop after every feeding. (It's called the gastro-colic reflex: Whenever milk goes into the stomach, something comes out the other end.) And their stools are naturally looser. Your best bet is to become familiar with what's usual for your baby. If the frequency, volume, or consistency changes dramatically, see your doctor.

"My baby sneezes all the time."
Newborns sneeze a lot, but not because they're cold or sick. It's simply how they clear their nasal and respiratory passages of congestion and airborne particles. Sneezing also helps reopen a temporarily closed nostril. "When a mom nurses and her baby is pressed up against her, his nose might be flattened or one nostril pushed shut," Dr. Curtis says. "After feeding, the baby will take a breath or sneeze to open his nose again."

"His hands and feet are peeling."
While your baby was bathing in a lagoon of amniotic fluid, his skin was nicely protected from the watery environment by a coating of white, waxy material called vernix. But once he's exposed to the air and the vernix is rubbed away, the upper layer of his skin dries out and begins to peel. Your child's entire body may peel (although it's most noticeable on the hands and feet). Don't try to pick off the flakes -- you might remove skin that's not ready to be shed. Moisturizers aren't necessary either. The flaking usually lasts one to two weeks.

"I can't see her breathing!"
Like many new parents, you probably spend a good part of each night bent over the side of your little one's crib, checking to make sure she's still breathing. And you've probably been freaked out a few times watching her irregular breaths. But it's actually normal for infants to take slight pauses and then go through periods of rapid breathing. "Occasionally catching or skipping a breath is part of the development of the diaphragm [the muscle that enables breathing] and neurological system," Dr. Curtis says. A pause of up to 20 seconds is considered normal. By the time she's about 6 weeks old, your baby should develop a more regular pattern of breathing.

You worry about SIDS, of course, and you're wise to be vigilant. Put your baby to sleep on her back, keep all soft bedding and toys out of her crib, and don't smoke. If your baby ever stops breathing for longer than 20 seconds (a sign of apnea) or turns blue or limp, seek medical attention.

"Every cry sounds the same."
You've heard how moms are supposed to know instinctively whether their baby's hungry, tired, or in need of a diaper change just from the sound of his cry. But if you're still not fluent in your baby's first language, don't worry. "Over time, you'll recognize the loud shrieking of the pain cry and the more subdued whimpering of fatigue," Dr. Hansen says. The hunger cry usually falls somewhere in between, although some babies can sound pretty desperate (and loud) when they want to be fed right away. But in the early days, it doesn't really matter why your little one cries (sometimes he'll howl for no reason at all). You'll still react with the same loving attention each time -- and that's all your baby really wants or needs.

6/02
Copyright © 2002 Denise Porretto. Reprinted with permission from the June 2002 issue of Parents Magazine.

Breastfeeding & IQ

2006-10-12T12:27:00.000-04:00

Here's an interesting article I got from CBS News about breastfeeding and IQ. For years it was said that breastfeeding helped to raise a child's IQ level-however newer studies suggest otherwise.

Breast-Fed Babies Aren't Smarter

Oct. 4, 2006
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(WebMD) Do breast-fed babies become brainier kids? Some studies say yes, but new research shows no direct link between breastfeeding and intelligence later in life.

In the largest study ever to address the issue, researchers found a positive impact for breastfeeding on intelligence only when other potential contributors — such as the mother's IQ and the parents' educational and economic status — were not taken into consideration.

When these variables were considered, breastfeeding was found to have little impact on a child's IQ.

The study included 5,475 children and mothers in the United States who participated in an ongoing youth development survey. The findings were published today in BMJ Online First.

The researchers also identified 332 sibling pairs in which one child was breast-fed and the other was not. No significant difference in intelligence was found among the breast-fed and non-breast-fed siblings.

"The mother's IQ was by far the most important variable, accounting for 70 percent to 75 percent of the difference [between children who were and were not breast-fed]," researcher Geoff Der, MCS, tells WebMD.

The first study linking breastfeeding to greater intelligence later in life appeared almost 80 years ago. But the research since that time has been mixed.

"Although the majority of studies concluded that breastfeeding promotes intelligence, the evidence from higher quality studies is less persuasive," researcher Anjali Jain, M.D., and colleagues wrote in 2002 in the journal Pediatrics.

When Der and colleagues combined their own results with those from other studies that also considered maternal intelligence, they again found little evidence of a link between breastfeeding and intelligence.

"We took three different approaches to examining this question within this one paper, and the results converged quite nicely," Der says.

Der and colleagues from the British research group Medical Research Council expressed surprise that maternal intelligence has been overlooked in so many studies examining the impact of breastfeeding on intelligence. Even many recent studies have failed to consider maternal IQ. They add that the latest findings should not be interpreted as meaning that new moms now have less reason to breastfeed.

"Even if it does not enhance intelligence, breastfeeding remains an unequalled way of providing ideal food for the healthy growth and development of infants," they write.

Breastfeeding has been shown to lower an infant's risk of infections and even sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and it is believed to help protect against allergies, diabetes, and obesity later in life.

"We would never suggest that any woman should choose not to breastfeed on the basis of our findings," Der says. "Clearly, there are many good reasons to breastfeed."

SOURCES: Der, G. BMJ Online First, Oct. 4, 2006. Geoff Der, MSC, statistician, Medical Research Council, U.K. Jain, A. Pediatrics, June 6, 2002; Vol. 109: pp. 1044-1053. WebMD Feature: "Making the Breastfeeding Decision."

By Salynn Boyles
Reviewed by Louise Chang, M.D.
Copyright 2006, WebMD Inc. All rights reserved.

Week by Week

2006-10-05T21:50:00.000-04:00

While I was pregnant I read the book "Your Pregnancy Week by Week". It was a fun book which covered how the baby was developing, where I may be emotionally & physically...things I should do, things I shouldn't do and how to prepare for birth and motherhood. It was only natural that I would follow it up with "Your Baby's First Year, Week by Week". This too covers where your baby is developmentally, tips on child rearing & parenting and medical information on issues like vaccination, schedules, and feeding. Sometimes I just want to keep reading the chapters but I try to stay just one week ahead of where my son is.

Vaccinating Your Baby

2006-10-04T20:48:00.000-04:00

There is so much controversy over vaccinating your kids. While there are many risks, the bottom line is that before your child can attend school-he or she will need to be vaccinated. Here is a helpful article I found at Parents Talk.

Vaccinations 101
By Leslie Ann Dauphin, Ph.D.
Author of The Germ Handbook

While the media has done an effective job of scaring most parents about the dangers of childhood vaccinations, it is important to keep in mind the history of infectious diseases in this country. Today, most people in the U.S. have not seen the effects of diseases such as diphtheria, whooping cough, or rubella. However, in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries these diseases were common in the U.S., affecting tens of thousands and killing many. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reports that the significant decrease in the number of cases of illnesses in the U.S. corresponds with introduction of vaccine use.1

What are vaccines?
A vaccine is a low or noninfectious dose of a germ that is given to provide protection from an infectious disease. Often the initial response is not sufficient to fight an infection with the real germ. This is why for some germs a second or even third dose (booster) is required to be effective. Vaccines are given orally, by injection, and more recently, by inhalation.

How do vaccines work?
Vaccines take advantage of our body's specific immunity. This is its ability to recall germs it has been in contact with. We may become ill the first time, but upon subsequent exposures to the same germ our body is able to respond more quickly because it "remembers" the germ. Usually, healthy people do not become ill when infected by the same germs at subsequent times in their lives.

What are the risks?
For most people vaccines are actually quite safe, and the side effects are usually very mild. Examples are sniffles and a low-grade fever for a day or two. It is important to mention however, that there are no vaccines that are completely, 100 percent safe or effective. Each person's immune system may react differently, and there is no way to predict how each person will react. Although the number of cases is considerably low, there have been some reports of serious illness and even death associated with vaccine use.

Why should parents feel safe about vaccines today?
It's not easy to get a vaccine approved for widespread use-it may take from ten to fifty years from the time a vaccine is discovered until the time it is approved. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), requires that vaccines be tested extensively to ensure safety before licensure for general use. Prior to testing in humans, a vaccine must first be tested in laboratory animals. If approved for licensure and placed on the market, the FDA continues to monitor its safety.

Although they are not perfect, it is clear that many of the infectious diseases that were once debilitating or even fatal are now preventable because of vaccines. Vaccines that are given to children routinely have been shown to be effective in 85 to 95 percent of the children that receive them.2 It is important to check with a physician or your local county or state health department. Also, ask your physician questions if you have any concerns about the safety of a vaccine.

Boppy

2006-10-03T12:57:00.000-04:00

This product is great! As a breastfeeding mom it certainly makes feedings more comfortable for Jamie and I. The pillow elevates him so I don't have to cramp my wrists or hands supporting him while he eats. This also works great as a lounger and for tummy time.

Spooky Treat

2006-10-01T11:46:00.000-04:00

I love Parents magazine. It has great articles, great ideas, and awesome recipes & crafts. Their website is just as good as the print version if not better because you can find stuff from previous issues too. Speaking of which, here is a fun, easy Halloween treat.

Frozen Spider Pops and Bon Bons
Cold, spooky treats!
By Jacqueline Plant and Fraya Berg

In microwave, heat 1 cup white-chocolate chips on medium heat for 30 seconds, stir, and then return to microwave for 30 seconds more. Stir until smooth. Transfer to small resealable plastic bag, and snip off one corner. Pipe out spider-web design on frozen chocolate-coated ice-cream bars or bite-size Bon Bons. If desired, attach spider-shaped candy and red M&M dotted with black decorating icing (to resemble ladybug) to icecream bar, in center of web.

Baby's Denti...

2006-09-30T23:38:00.000-04:00

My son is just over 3 months old and beginning to put everything in his mouth. He doesn't suck on his thumb, he chews on it and he is drooling all over himself! I have heard this could be a sign of early teething so I went in search of articles about teething. Here is a short and sweet one with great information from Family Doctor.org that I got through The American Academy of Family Physicians website.

How to Care for Your Baby's Teeth

When will my baby's teeth appear?
Every baby is different. Generally, teeth start appearing between 4 and 7 months of age. You baby may be drooling more at 4 months. The first teeth to come in are usually the 2 front teeth on the bottom.

Healthy teeth are important to your baby's overall health. Teeth help your baby chew food and form words and sounds when speaking. They also affect the way your baby's jaw grows.

What can I do to help my teething baby?
Teething is usually painless, but it can make some babies uncomfortable and fussy. Giving your baby a cold teething ring or a cold washcloth to chew or suck on may help. Teething gels should be used carefully because too much is not good for your baby.

Teething does not cause a fever. If your baby has a fever, you should talk to your doctor.

What about breast feeding, bottles and sippy cups?
Breast feeding is good for your baby's teeth. If you give your baby a bottle, always hold the baby when you feed him or her. Do not leave a bottle in the crib. Do not put juice in a bottle.

Your baby can start using a sippy cup when he or she is 6 months old. Stop giving your baby a bottle when he or she is a year old. Do not let your baby walk around with a sippy cup unless it has only water in it. Do not give your baby a sippy cup of juice or milk in the crib.

After your child is one year old, give only water or plain milk between meals instead of other drinks. If you give your child juice or flavored milk (like sweetened milk products), only give it with meals. Juice and flavored milk have a lot of sugar in them.

When should I start brushing my baby's teeth?
Start brushing your baby's teeth twice a day when the first tooth appears. The most important time to brush is just before bedtime. Use a soft baby toothbrush. Put a dab of toothpaste on the brush. The dab should be the size of a rice grain. Ask your doctor or dentist what kind of toothpaste you should use for your baby. He or she may suggest that you use toothpaste with fluoride (say: floor-ide) in it. Fluoride helps stop cavities.

When should I take my baby to the dentist?
Be sure to take your baby to a dentist by his or her first birthday, especially if there is a high risk for cavities or any other problems with his or her teeth. It is better for your child to meet the dentist and see the office before he or she has a tooth problem.

Hot!

2006-09-28T13:05:00.000-04:00

You can check out and buy these cool slings at Hotslings.com. They come in a variety of prints and patterns. I've had and used one since my son was a few weeeks old (he is 3+ months now). There are multiple ways to babywear with these (like shown in the picture) and their website gives downloadable instuctions & movies to help you.

Birth Plan

2006-09-27T11:32:00.000-04:00

Here's a helpful article from Pregnancy Weekly about creating a birth plan. Not exactly sure what a birth plan is? It is a list or description of what you do or don't want to happen during childbirth. For example if you'd like to have pain medication or a completely drug free experience. By creating a plan you can make your doctor aware of your feelings ahead of time. You will also want to bring a copy to the hospital to give to the nurse so he/she knows your desires as well.

Birth Plan

You may think that once the pregnancy test comes back positive, the biggest decisions left to make are choosing the baby's name and the border design for the nursery. Well, maybe. Choosing to create a birth plan can do a lot for you and your partner. It gives you the opportunity to think ahead about how you want your delivery to proceed and turn out. Click here for a Birth Plan Checklist.

Many expecting parents are choosing to be proactive in the birth of their baby by writing a birth plan. Writing a birth plan prompts expectant parents and caregivers to discuss details of the birth; everything from the birthing environment to if induction is necessary, how to be induced, to post delivery instructions for mother and baby. It can all be covered in the plan. Doctors are recognizing more and more that expectant parents want to be involved in making as many decisions as they can. Some doctors routinely ask expecting mothers to complete a birth plan; if this is not a routine practice most doctors are willing to discuss such a plan if their patient requests it.

The birth plan is not a legal, binding contract but more of a written understanding between the expecting parents, the doctor or midwife and the hospital or birthing center with the main goal of bringing all parties involved in the birth as close as possible to the parent's ideal experience, and avoiding major conflicts during the time of labor and delivery.

A detailed birth plan will cover a wide variety of topics. The exact content will vary depending on the expectant parents, their doctor or midwife and the hospital or birthing center involved, as well as any particular conditions affecting the pregnancy. Some topics that may be covered on a birth plan are:

Birthing Environment - birthing room, special birthing equipment?

Who will attend the birth - husband, partner, siblings, doula, friends, and other relatives?

If induction or augmenting labor is necessary, what method(s) are to be used - Pitocin, break membranes, enema, walking, acupuncture, etc.?

How will pain be managed- acupressure, acupuncture, massage, relaxation techniques,
medication, etc.?

If drugs are used, what type is preferred - regular or local analgesics or anesthesia, sedatives, tranquilizers, narcotics, and epidural?

Fetal monitoring - externally, intermittently using a Doppler, intermittently using a fetoscope?

Episiotomy?

Delivery Positioning?

Breastfeeding or Bottle Feeding?

Time with the baby - 24-hour rooming in, baby in room during the hours mother is awake, baby brought in for feedings only?

If the baby is a boy, will he be circumcised?

Are we going to collect the umbilical cord blood stem cells?

Of course with some of these items, the doctor's judgment or hospital rules will affect the final plan. Items such as dimmed lighting, playing music, videotaping and taking pictures are usually honored when expectant parents make requests for such. Expectant parents need to be realistic when putting a birth plan in place. While it's ideal if the plans can be carried out the way they were envisioned, it isn't always possible. There is no way to predict in advance how labor and delivery will progress and if complications will be encountered. Therefore the birth plans made before the process begins may not end up being in the best interest of the mother and baby. Things may have to change at the last minute. If this happens, try to keep in mind that the health and safety of the mother and baby are always the first priority and all other considerations must be secondary.

Rubber Blubber

2006-09-26T11:21:00.000-04:00

This is a fun craft from Family Fun Magazine. Their website is a plethora of arts & crafts, games, printables, and party ideas. This craft is recommended by them for the 6-8 year old age group.

Rubber Flubber

A fun way to kick off this gathering is to invite young scientists to see what happens when glue molecules interact with a borax solution -- you end up with a rubbery substance that actually bounces!

MATERIALS:

Quart of water
Borax
Food coloring
White glue
Large jar

Time needed: About 1 Hour
1. Combine a quart of water and 1 tablespoon of borax in a large jar. Stir well and let the mix stand for a few minutes.

2. Fill a disposable cup three quarters of the way with the borax solution. Stir in a few drops of food coloring. Add white glue (in a thin steady stream), stirring continuously. Don't stop adding glue until a large stringy mass wraps around the spoon.

3. Pull the mass off the spoon and drop it into a container of cold water.

4. Remove the Rubber Blubber and, with dry hands, squeeze it for a minute or so to get rid of air bubbles. Now roll it into a ball and see how high it will bounce. Store the Blubber in a plastic bag.

Play Time

2006-09-25T07:05:00.000-04:00

Pampers website isn't just about diapers, it's also a great parental resource full of child rearing information, learning activities, & games for your little one. They also have their site organized by stages so you can be sure to find great information & cool things too do regardless of your child's age. Here is a sample play activity for "new baby" age.

New Baby/Blowing Bubbles

"Everyday games help me learn about myself and the world around me."

Bubbles are mesmerizing for children of all ages. With minor modifications, you can play bubble games with your child from birth up to preschool-and probably beyond.

How It Plays
Newborns and babies: Blow bubbles for your baby while he is sitting in front of you in an infant seat or snuggled in your lap, facing out. (Make sure you aim away from your child's face.) You might want to put on some music to set the mood. Put a bubble jar in a diaper bag for ready entertainment during long waits or car trips. Toddlers and preschoolers: Show your child how to pop bubbles with his hands and stomp them with his feet. Blow bubbles for your child indoors (try doing it just before washing the kitchen floor!), at bath time, or outdoors (breezy days are best). Let your child blow his own bubbles and see how far they travel. On cold days, see if you can blow frozen bubbles!

What You'll Need:
-1/8 cup liquid dishwashing soap
-1 gallons water
-1/2 tablespoon glycerin, available at any drugstore (optional)

Mix together gently and you have what it takes to make bubbles. You can make a bubble wand from a pipe cleaner that has been wrapped around a pencil or a stick.

Learning and Growing
This activity is versatile enough to appeal to all ages. Babies can track the bubbles with their eyes and try to touch them with their hands. Toddlers and young children can catch them with their hands, pop them with their feet, and blow bubbles on their own.

Cry Baby!

2006-09-24T00:53:00.000-04:00

Wondering why your little one is so fussy? Will she always be a crabby baby? Here's an article from American Baby.com which addresses this issue.

"My Baby Cries a Lot"
Advice for parents who are concerned about their baby's constant crying.
By Claire Lerner, LCSW

Q. My 2-month-old cries a lot. Will she be crankier than other kids who don't cry as much now?

A. Put your fears to rest. By and large, the research shows that young babies who are fussy are not more likely to grow up grouchier than their peers. So what's behind all those tears?

Some babies' central nervous systems are more sensitive and reactive to incoming stimulation from the outside world. As they mature within the first four months, they usually become better able to handle the many sights and sounds they're rapidly encountering.

If your infant also spits up a lot, or regularly pulls away during feedings, often stretching and turning her neck, gastroesophageal reflux disease may be making her irritable. GERD is a complication of frequent reflux -- stomach acids backing up into the esophagus and sometimes out of the mouth. Talk to her doctor if you suspect GERD.

She may have colic, continuous crying for more than three hours, three days a week during the first three months. Although its definite cause is unknown, colic will go away and won't harm your baby's development or demeanor.

Whatever the cause of your child's crankiness, it's important to find ways for both you and her to cope. If nothing works to soothe her, put her down for 5 to 10 minutes. She (and you!) may need a total break from stimulation -- the rocking, singing, and talking -- to calm down.

Claire Lerner, LCSW, is a child development specialist at Zero to Three, a national nonprofit promoting the healthy development of babies and toddlers (zerotothree.org).

Originally published in American Baby magazine, November 2005.

Co Sleeping Part II

2006-09-23T09:03:00.000-04:00

Yesterday's article gave safe ways to co sleep with your child. This article from Parenting magazine differs in opinion:

Sleeping With Baby
The latest news on bed-sharing

By Amy Roberts
Although many experts advise against sharing your bed with your baby, many moms' guilty secret is that they do it anyway. If you're one of those moms, keep in mind that, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), it's difficult to make bed sharing completely safe.

One recent study has attracted attention. It found no risk of SIDS from bed sharing — but only for babies over 11 weeks whose moms didn't smoke during or after pregnancy and who slept in beds with no loose bedding, sheets, blankets, and pillows included. Following all those rules in your own bed isn't easy. "Nearly fifty percent of all babies who die suddenly and unexpectedly are in a bed-sharing situation, so why take the chance?" says Rachel Moon, M.D., member of the AAP's task force. (SIDS risk peaks from 2 to 4 months and is minimal after 6 months.)

Instead of sleeping together, consider putting your baby in your bedroom in a crib, bassinet, or co-sleeping attachment (a low crib right next to your bed). She can come into bed to nurse, but then sleep in her own safe place.

Parenting, April 2006

Co-Sleeping

2006-09-22T12:28:00.000-04:00

SHOULD I SLEEP WITH MY BABY? (from La Leche League)

Many mothers have found that cosleeping has many benefits for their families. According to Dr James McKenna,

"Studies have shown that co-sleeping with a breastfeeding infant promotes bonding, regulates the mother and baby's sleep patterns, plays a role in helping the mother to become more responsive to her baby's cues, and gives both the mother and baby needed rest. The co-sleeping environment also assists mothers in the continuation of breastfeeding on demand, an important step in maintaining the mother's milk supply. "

Contrary to popular opinion, cosleeping actually helps babies become independent. Meredith Small, anthropologist and author of Our Babies Ourselves, says,

"For millions of years, the normal sleeping position of human infants has been on their backs nestled next to mother. Only in western cultures do we force babies to sleep alone, thinking they are more safe and independent placed in a crib with no contact. But history, and how most babies sleep in other cultures, suggests that the West is out of step with what is best physically and emotionally for our children."

There are many ways of cosleeping. Some mothers keep their babies in bed with them all the time. Other mothers set up the crib or bassinet in the mother's room; their babies are brought to the mother's bed when they wake. Other mothers sleep with their babies on a mattress in the baby's room.

There are as many options as there are parents and babies. As babies grow and changes their sleep patterns, families often respond by changing sleeping spaces. The only right choice is what works to give the whole family as much rest as possible

Dr James McKenna suggests these safety guidelines:

-Parents should not sleep with their babies if they are smokers or have ingested alcohol or drugs.
-Cosleep only on beds, not on couches or recliners
-Bedding should be tight fitting to the mattress.
-The mattress should be tight fitting to the headboard of the bed.
-There should not be any loose pillows or soft blankets near the baby's face.
-There should not be any space between the bed and adjoining wall where the baby could roll and become trapped.
-The baby should not be placed on its stomach.
-Do not cosleep if you drink alcohol or medications that make you sleepy, take drugs, or smoke.

Some parents are concerned that their children will never move into their own rooms. Be assurred that while every baby and child is unique and has different needs, they all eventually become independent.

Cosleeping can be a safe and warm way to parent babies. We encourage each family to make an informed decision about what will work best for them.

Reading/Manners

2006-09-21T22:43:00.000-04:00

More Reading, Please! (from Scholastic.com)
By: Francie Alexander

Every time you encourage your child to say "please" or "thank you," you might also be giving his or her reading a boost. The Stanford University School of Education recently released a study linking social graces and reading success. While the results are speculative, I think we all agree that it is important to educate the whole child by addressing intellectual, social, emotional, and physical needs.
From my experience as a primary teacher, I observed that children who were careful of the feelings of others also seemed to be more attentive and focused when it came to their school work. My students' favorite place was our classroom "talking table," which was set with seasonal dishes and decorations. The kids practiced their manners and conversational skills there.

The first recipient of the Kinder Excellence in Teaching Award, Linda Alston, seems to agree: "Grace and courtesy are just as important and everything in Alston's Fairview Elementary School class in Denver — the plants, the china teacups, the pitcher and bowl used to wash tiny hands — has been placed there to foster those lessons" (USA Today, 6/14/06).

Try reading books about manners with your child. And here's one I wrote that you can download and print — in English or Spanish! It certainly can't hurt to multitask and to learn about good manners while you and your child are reading together.

Thank you for reading this!
9/14/2006