“The most important thing about any diaper disposal system is that it controls odors. This new system employs the built-in power of ARM & HAMMER® Baking Soda to provide natural, safe and effective odor elimination,” said Doug Gillespie, Munchkin Vice President of Marketing. “We also knew the pail had to be easy for parents to use, so we developed a patented self-sealing system and refill bags that you simply snap, seal and toss in the trash.”

The ARM & HAMMER® name has been trusted for generations to eliminate odors, and Munchkin is known to today’s parents for delivering clever solutions to their everyday needs. The ARM & HAMMER(TM) Diaper Pail has numerous innovations that reflect the respective strengths of the two brands.

Baking Soda Dispenser: A built-in, vented dispenser sprinkles odor-eliminating baking soda each time the lid is closed and continuously absorbs and eliminates odors even when not in use.

Self-Sealing System: Munchkin’s patented system automatically seals the bag when the lid is closed and keeps it sealed when the lid is reopened.
Snap, Seal and Toss Bags: The disposable refill bags, each of which can hold up to 25 diapers, shut tight with a snap and can be easily tossed and replaced without cutting or tying.

Source: Munchkin

“Funkoos is now the great equalizer when it comes to making organic clothing affordable. No longer will discerning shoppers have to pay a premium for durable, stylish, organic clothing,” said Aaron Wasserman, Director of Marketing, Funkoos. “When parents touch our products, they’ll feel how soft the fabric is, how it actually breathes as it’s laying against the skin.

“Not only does this line provide the well documented health benefits of 100 percent organic cotton clothing, but the design is playful and easy for parents to manage,” added Wasserman.

“We believe that the superior construction of Funkoos clothing - from the soft, breathable fabric to the practical, fun design - will change the way people shop for baby clothes.”

In addition to designing clothing with pure organic cotton that has been manufactured in factories certified as per the internationally-recognized Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS), Funkoos is dedicated to ensuring that all products are manufactured in fair trade work environments. Additionally, the brand is giving back a portion of all revenues through charitable environmental causes.

“At Funkoos, we truly take pride in maintaining completely fair work environments and compensation plans, and are involved with a number of nonprofit organizations, including the internationally recognized One Percent for the Planet.” said Sitwat Shah, Director of Operations, Funkoos.

Source: Funkoos

Maclaren is one of the most trusted brands in the market when it comes to baby buggies as their designs provide a comfortable fusion of durability, convenience and class. They have several lines of Maclaren Prams, Maclaren Pushchairs and strollers to fit the different stages of your child’s buggy years.

As for those who are still confused with the difference among prams, pushchairs and strollers, prams are usually made to carry babies from 0-3 months. Pushchairs are usually for babies below 1-2 years of age, depending upon the size of the child, while strollers are for toddlers who can already fully support their backs. The good news is that most strollers nowadays have chairs with adjustable reclining angles to accommodate babies from birth to toddler hood.

Maclaren strollers offer several designs that your child can use throughout his/her buggy years. The designs are perfect for parents living in the city who need a stroller that is durable enough to withstand the constant folding and stuffing into the back of the car and the busy pushing crowd in the malls while still maintaining class and elegance.

With much consideration to your child’s safety, here is one of the possible concerns. Suffocation hazards may cause your child’s safety at risk.

You may be sleeping with your child in your home. It may feel easier sometimes but it may be dangerous at the same time. Considering the pillows and blankets that could possibly cause accidents, be sure not to put those things within your child’s reach. Or you may just put your child in his own crib near your bed. Those things may cause suffocation or shortness of breathing if those things will accidentally cover your child’s mouth. He may be too small and too weak to move them out of the way (especially if your the one weighing it down).

If you decide to put your child on the crib, ensure that it is empty. No toys or big pillows should be present on the crib. If your child has chills at night, put her in a sleeping sack instead of blankets. He may get tangled up and not be strong enough to untangle himself. It is also strongly encouraged that you put your child to sleep on her back.

Have your child put into safety at all times. Be sure to know and to monitor such kinds of possible suffocation hazards as those things put a great risk for your child’s safety.

Without patience, for sure, you may just end up compromising your child’s safety.

There is a condition that may possibly happen if you are one type of a person who is likely to cause some abuse. It is called the Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS). Also called as Battered Baby Syndrome, it is one of the leading causes of mortality in infants. It is a form of child abuse that occurs when an abuser violently shakes an infant or small child, creating a whiplash-type motion that causes brain injuries.  Actually, it can be 100% prevented.

A newborn’s neck muscles are not yet strong. Therefore, they are extremely vulnerable to mishandling. Every parent or caretaker should know that an ultimately safe infant care must be given to a newborn.

A shaken baby is likely to develop swelling of the brain that can cause head and even brain trauma. This sad consequence can lead to serious health problems later in life. Worst to know, almost half of these kinds of situations end in death.

So if you are likely to be on the verge of almost getting to your limits, do not touch your baby when you are angry or upset. Be on a time-out. Walk away and compose yourself first before going back to your baby to comfort him. But if you are close to your breaking point, switch off with your spouse or any other person with you in your house. If you are by yourself, secure him down into safety. You may walk into another room to gain your composure before returning.

You do not want for sure that your baby will be put into abuse. If you will be in your baby’s shoes, you may not want to be innocently traumatized as well. Violent shaking is NEVER an accepted behavior to express any of your deepest anger or frustrations.

Children’s eyes are more susceptible to any eye damages caused by too much exposure to the sun. Their lenses do not block as much UV rays as adults do.

Children’s sunglasses don’t have to be expensive. The sunglasses should have 100% UVA and UVB protection created by chemicals in the lenses. Stick to the recommended UV protection not by the darkness of the lenses. The lenses should be dark brown or black. No any other color is recommended.

Just as how you protect your children’s skin from UV rays, eye protection should be taken seriously. Make sure the sunglasses fit properly and are comfortable. Buying the proper sunglasses won’t do any good if your children won’t wear them. If your children do not like wearing their sunglasses (even with straps), insist that a wide-brimmed hat that shades their face can go with their sunglasses.

Children’s sunglasses should be made of polycarbonate to protect against possible shattering. Polycarbonate lenses are used in quality sunglasses that incorporate filters to block ultra-violet (UV) rays and near-UV rays. The main advantage of polycarbonate is the unbeatable strength, durability and distortion-free combined with light weight. While a glass-made sunglasses is not recommended because it puts a risk for potential eye injury if in case it breaks. Ensure as well that you check the sunglasses for bubbles or distortions that could cause squinting, blinking, headaches and dizziness.

Be an example to your children. Wear sunglasses as well when outdoors. Make this a part of your child care responsibility. Encourage your children to wear the sunglasses because the more time the eyes are exposed to harmful UV rays, the more likely to suffer vision problems in the future.

Let us take a closer look on this condition. “Common colds” is a generic term for the medical condition called Upper Respiratory Infection (URI). Colds are caused by a virus. The treatment involves more than just taking a few antibiotics.

Babies contract a lot more colds than adults. Their immune systems are still immature that make the catching of a cold fairly easy. According to some proven studies, an average baby will have 6-8 colds a year. Newborns under 4 weeks very rarely get colds because their bodies have a rich content of antibodies to fight any disease. While those infants exposed to toddlers or older children can have as many as 10 or more colds a year.

Setting all the alerts on to prevent colds, your child care responsibility is take some preventive measures against this condition.

The virus is spread to infants mostly by touching. It also can be spread through droplets after sneezing. An effective universal prevention is still more on hand-washing frequently. Carrying an alcohol-based antibacterial wash in your diaper bag is also a helpful idea to stop visiting viruses. Even baby wipes can be used to help keep you and your baby’s hands as virus-free as possible.

Disinfect as well your baby’s things as frequently as possible. Maintaining cleanliness will not promote any harboring of the viruses that cause colds.

Limiting contact with other sick adults and children is also a common-sense solution to avoiding a baby cold. Also, less sneezing directly to the face of your baby will help in the prevention. This applies with the proper prevention in adults.

Breastfeeding (even for just a few months) is also a great way to help prevent a baby cold. Your breastmilk gives antibodies to your baby, and protects him as he builds up his own.

Just like the saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”, the best treatment for a cold is actually preventing it.

There are recommended positions that will help your baby be burped in a comfortable way. The burping positions depend on you and your baby.

Over the Shoulder Position

*You can also lay your baby over your shoulder (with a supporting cloth or bib), so your collar bone presses against her tummy. That pressure is vital to getting a good burp. Be sure that your baby is leaning comfortably against your chest and sitting on your arm.

Over the Lap Position

*You can place a burp cloth on your thigh while you lay your baby on top so her mouth is over the cloth and your knee is applying the vital pressure on her stomach.

Over the Hand Position

If you think this works for your baby, you can sit your newborn on your lap with the palm of your left hand against his tummy and his chin resting in the “V” between your thumb and index finger (if you’re right handed). Then, lean him forward slightly, so that most of his weight is resting against your palm (providing that vital pressure). If he is less than three months old, make sure you are supporting his neck.

Whichever position works, gently rub and pat your baby’s back until gas is released. Have your burp cloth readily draped over for possible spit ups.

It is a need because during feeding, air can be swallowed and accumulate in your baby’s stomach. The formation of air bubbles will possibly lead to discomfort to your baby. Too much air in the stomach can lead to uneasiness, colic, and later on, spitting up of the milk.

Proper burping technique helps prevent your baby’s discomfort. If your baby is on bottle feeding, you can choose to burp after every few ounces. While for breast feeding babies, every 10-15 minutes is recommended.

Breastfed and Bottlefed babies are recommended to be fed in a more upright position of 45 degrees. Avoid frequent feedings with short intervals because it will contribute to less swallowing of air. If your baby is bottle fed, it is not a good idea to let your baby drink milk while straight on her back. Not only will it increase gas, choking is at an increased risk to happen.

Much of the time you will spend with your little baby will involve this act.

Before you actually begin ripping diapers open, it’s a good idea to set up the diaper changing station. Having it ready for each change will prevent the temptation to move away from the baby to reach what you need.

Your changing station should include:

* a diaper changing table
* a good diaper pail
* clean diapers (cloth or disposable)
* diaper ointment (or other remedy) for diaper rash
* a washcloth or wipes
* Antibacterial wash
* clean water

Have your baby be in some form of distraction while you do the cleaning. Eliminate that by offering a small container of toys to hear at diaper changes. Have a lot of toys to give your baby every time  you lay him down for a diaper change. You

Healthy babies should have light to dark-yellow urine. The darker the color, the less liquid the baby is getting. So, lighter is better.

Occasionally you may see what looks like a pink stain on the diaper. This is usually not blood, but highly concentrated urine interacting with the gel used in disposable diapers, producing a pinkish color.

Monitor the times, frequency of changing the diapers and the consistency of the urine and stools of your baby. If your  doesn’t wet 4 diapers a day, contact your doctor and report the changes.

* If your baby urinates less than 3 times in a 24 hour period, it is a possible sign of dehydration.
* If he is urinating more than every half hour, it may cause dehydration.
* If the urine drastically changes color, there might be an underlying problem that needs immediate preventive action.

Monitor as well if there are any rashes formed in your baby’s skin. Presence of rashes may indicate that your baby is allergic to the diapers. Report the rashes to your pediatrician and immediately change the brand of the diapers to a new one.

Use these diaper changes to build and to promote loving bonds between you and your baby.

Here is a good way to guide you through your infant care experience.

From birth to 1 month, your infant likes to be wrapped and/or held securely, likes the colors black, white and red and Will be startled and disturbed by loud noises. As a parent, you can sing and talk to your infant, play music softly, rock your infant or you can take him/her for walks

When your infant is 2 to 3 months old, he/she likes bright objects and enjoys pictures and mirrors, Rattles can be given to your infant. Swinging also is loved at this time. You can as well sing and talk to your infant.

On the 4th to 6th month, you can sing, talk and read to your infant. Provide tummy time for your infant. Encourage your infant to crawl and sit by placing him/her on the floor.

By 6th to 9th month, large toys with bright colors that move are the enjoyment of your infant. At this time, you can call your infant by name. be sure to speak clearly to your child and encourage different sounds. Body parts naming can now be done. You can begin saying words that tell what you are doing as well. Encourage your infant to crawl by placing toys beyond his/her reach. Continue to cuddle, sing and read with your infant.

On the 9th to 12th month, your infant now enjoys looking at books, likes naming animals and identifying animal sounds and enjoys large toys that can be pushed and pulled. By this time, you can now take your infant to different places and outings. Playing ball with your infant can now be possible.

Enjoy every moment with your infant. Every time you play or give infant care is a perfect time to promote a strong bond between you and your child.

Once your baby is introduced to solids, his stools will often be of the same color as the food he ate. The stools may also contain small pieces of undigested food. The appearance and smell of their stools will change dramatically as well. For breastfed babies, their stools will reveal a noticeable change by which their stools were previously of a smooth texture and relatively sweet smelling. The frequency of passing of stools may change too. Sometimes a baby can go a few days without a bowel movement.

Basically, constipation is possibly caused by constipating foods such as rice cereals, cooked carrots, bananas, potato, yogurt, applesauce, cheese and pasta. Other causes can include an underlying illness, food allergies, dehydration and certain types of medication that your baby may have been prescribed.

This condition is too hard for your baby to cope with. Here are some signs to look for if your baby is constipated.

= Stools are hard and dry. This must be an indicative sign of this condition.

= Your baby cries as he “poos” - straining might be normal, but crying indicates a greater discomfort that needs investigating.

= Your baby seems resistant to be fed.

= There is a possibility of presence of blood.

If your baby has any of these symptoms, seek for a medical advice from your doctor to rule any underlying cause.

Baby constipation can be distressing but there are simple infant care steps to relieve baby’s discomfort and prevent its return. These can help you out as you provide child care.

* Feed your baby plenty of fiber rich foods, fruits and vegetables, in addition to breast milk, formula, or whole milk.
* Gradually increase the amount of fluids in your child’s diet. Make sure that he/she drinks plenty of water. Offer him/her diluted juice or plain water several times a day. Increasing the amount of fluids your child consumes can help prevent as well as ease the problem of constipation.
* Giving prune juice to your child, every morning, can help keep stools soft. You can also dilute the prune juice, if you want. In case of any problem, try using apple juice as a substitute. Giving bran cereal is also an option. However, this remedy is suitable for older children and not infants.
* Avoid giving those foods to your baby that produce harder bowel movements, such as bananas, rice, white bread products and processed foods. Give him/her extra servings of other fruits and vegetables instead.
* Massage baby’s tummy gently, in a clockwise direction, starting at his navel and moving outwards.
* Give him a warm bath - this will make him feel relaxed (if he enjoys his baths!) and you can continue the massage technique to “get things moving” and relieve discomfort.
* ‘Cycle’ baby’s legs - this exerts gentle pressure on his intestines by moving the muscles in his tummy. Simply put him on his back, hold his legs and turn them gently, but quickly, in a cycling motion.
* If hard stools have caused tears to baby’s anus, alert his doctor and use Vaseline to protect his delicate skin.

Here are some tips for soothing babies with soreness in gums while teething:

* Cool off the pain: Use fake Popsicles or teething pacifiers that have bumps on them by keeping them in the refrigerator and giving them to the baby to bite, chew or suck and cool the pain off, when he/she is hurting. Remember that teething rings or teethers are not to be kept in the freezer as they can harm the tender skin of the infant.
* Distraction: Teething pain can be chronic and cause great discomfort to the baby making him/her irritable. You can cuddle the baby more often, talk to him or offer her a new toy as a way of distraction to soothe her so that she forgets her ache for sometime as she gets attracted to you or the toy.
* Massage: A tooth deep in the gum may be painful and yet not have bruised the gum. In such cases, counter pressure created by chewing can help to soothe the baby and plastic toys, teething rings and other soft plastic toys for teething babies may help her to satisfy her urge to chomp. If the babies’ gums are too tender, then you can lightly massage them with a clean finger or a finger wrapped in washcloth to soothe the baby.
* Medications: Many parents trust over-the-counter local anesthetics like Anbesol or Orajel for their babies but do remember to follow the directions carefully or the baby may fall sick. They should never be given to a baby more than four doses a day or for more than two weeks. Acetaminophen drops may also help the baby to fall asleep but they must be used only at the time of nap or in nighttime. Do not use them to soothe the baby when he should be awake.

All these might help you as you go on with your child care responsibility in teething stage.

Colic crying consists of frequent and prolonged outbursts. According to experts, the most common reason for colic is abdominal pain in babies and the two most common reasons that cause tummy ache in infants are discussed here along with their symptoms and cures:

-Reflux or Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Since the circular band of muscle where the esophagus joins the stomach in babies is not fully matured yet, it allows stomach acid to flow into the esophagus and this causes heartburn and irritation in the lining.The symptoms that manifest, babies cry a lot and are inconsolable. They spit up after feeding, writhe in pain, have frequent wet or sour burps and cannot sleep properly.
For cure, breast milk easier to digest and will reduce the chances of reflux. For colic babies, give half the amount at once but twice as often. Especially in bottle-feeding, it helps to digest milk better. After feeding, keep the baby upright elevating his head for about 30 to 45 degrees for at least half an hour. It is a must to burp the baby immediately after feeding. If your baby still remains colicky, the doctor may prescribe medication to reduce stomach acid.
-Allergy: A component of a formula or something in a mother’s diet who is still breastfeeding may act as an allergen for the baby.The symptoms that manifest: Apart from symptoms of GERD, the other symptoms of allergy may include diarrhea and raised rashes on the face and body of the baby.
For cure to this, feed your baby more frequently and in smaller amounts. If you are bottle-feeding for the baby, try a hypoallergenic formula. Cow’s milk is the most common infant allergen, so you can eliminate it for a week from a breastfeeding mother’s or baby’s diet and see whether it improves the condition of your baby. Other things that may act as allergens for the baby are soy, wheat, eggs and nuts.

Those mentioned are some of the possible ways to sooth your baby’s colic. However, most babies outgrow that condition at the age of about three to six months. Find the best way to nurse your baby.

Applying Sunscreen

Before using the sunscreen over the body parts of your baby, it is advisable to test it. Apply it on your baby’s back and wait for a few seconds, to make sure that there is no adverse reaction. Then, take a small amount of sunscreen in your hands and rub the palms over each other. Gently rub your sunscreen-smeared palms over the body parts of your child. Make sure to avoid the area around the eyes, even the eyelids.

For some emergency times when your baby ends up rubbing sunscreen into her eyes, it is advisable to wipe his/her eyes and hands clean, with the help of a damp cloth. Wash it with water as well. In case his/her eyes starts watering, become red or he/she tries to touch them time and again, it might be that his/her eyes are burning. In this case, wash his/her face immediately, even splashing some water in his/her eyes. If that is the case, next time, try a different brand of sunscreen.

The use of sunscreen in your babies require some extra care. It is advisable to use as little sunscreen on kids as possible. Be careful not to overuse it because your babies (depending on their age) are at high risk to be prone for chemical exposure that may result to some adverse reactions.

Need For Treatment
It is common for newborn babies and infants to suffer from Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). However, it is only in the following conditions that you need to visit a doctor.

* Baby is spitting up often
* Baby has apnea (breathing stops for 15-20 seconds at a time)
* Baby is growing poorly
* Baby gets pneumonia or breathing difficulties from aspirating spit-up liquid

Causes Of Gastroesophageal Reflux
One of the main reasons of Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease in children comprises of a poorly coordinated gastrointestinal tract. The immature digestive system results in unnecessary opening of the stomach, after eating food, as a result of which gas and fluid manage to escape to the esophagus. This leads to reflex in children. It has been seen that majority of the infants grow out of GERD by the time they are one year old.

Symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux

* Frequent vomiting
* Persistent cough
* Refusing to eat or difficulty in eating
* Choking or gagging while feeding
* Heartburn
* Gas
* Abdominal pain
* Colic
* Colicky behavior (frequent crying and fussiness)
* Regurgitation
* Re-swallowing
* Poor growth
* Breathing problems
* Recurrent pneumonia

Cure For Gastroesophageal Reflux

For Babies, your infant care responsibilities are the following:

* Try to keep the head of the baby’s crib elevated, as much as you can.
* Every time you feed baby, hold him/her upright for the next 30 minutes
* You can make the bottle feeds a bit thicker by adding some cereal. However, it is advisable to consult a doctor before doing this.
* Try to bring some changes in the feeding schedule of the baby.
* You can try giving some solid food to the baby, though with the doctor’s approval.

Symptoms of Infant Fever

Moreover, in case you observe any of the following symptoms, take your new-born to the doctor or your pediatrician.

* If the baby is crying miserably;
* her is having convulsions;
* his fontanelle, the soft spot at the top of his head, is mildly swollen;
* he seems to be in pain;
* he has got purple splotches on his skin, or another type of rash;
* he appears pale or flushed;
* he is having problems in breathing;
* he is refusing to breastfeed or drink from a bottle;
* he appears to have trouble swallowing;
* he is vomiting or has diarrhea.

How To Treat Infant Fever?

* Don’t use medication on your own without referring the doctor. Take the baby to the doctor and get the right medication. Give the exact dosage as prescribed.
* Meanwhile, you can continue to breastfeed or bottle feed your infant as normal, if he takes it.
* In case you find signs of dehydration like dry mouth, less than six wet diapers per day, tearless and sunken eyes, a sunken fontanelle, or dry skin, give him an electrolyte solution in between feedings, or replace the feedings with the electrolyte solution. Refer to your doctor before starting.
* You can give a sponge bath with lukewarm water to the baby. If you let the water evaporate off his skin, it will help to cool him down.

Babies can actually learn to swim if taught to do so. However, you may not know how to teach them or may not have baby swimming classes available to you. You may feel that the best way to protect your child is to use swimming aids.

There are several types of swimming aids but they don’t all provide the same level of confidence for keeping young children safe. The following are some types you may think of:

* Inflatable animals – An inflatable animal may be good for having fun in the pool if you already know how to swim, but they are not advisable to keep non-swimming children safe. The inflatable animals will keep children afloat as long as they are strong enough to hold on; should they let go, drowning is a possibility if no one is watching closely.

* Arm bands – Inflatable arm bands are a better option for children that cannot swim. However, they still don’t provide enough protection. These are good for children that are learning to swim but haven’t quite gotten the hang of it yet.

* Floating swimsuits – Floating swimsuits come in a variety of styles. They can be as simple as a swimsuit with an inflatable ring to something more elaborate like a swimsuit with life vest material in them. If you choose to have your child swimming with you in deeper water, the latter floating swimsuit would be a better choice.

* Life vests – Life vests are probably the best choice if you have your children around water. Not only will they keep your child afloat, they are designed to keep your child on its back to avoid drowning. Life vests truly can save a child’s life if used whenever a child is near the water.

Pros of using swimming aids

If used properly, and consistently, some of the swimming aids can save your child’s life. They are readily available through most discount stores; however, you may want to buy actual life vests at sporting goods stores to ensure you’re getting the best quality.

Cons of using swimming aids

Swimming aids can give you a false sense of security where your small, non-swimming children and water are concerned. You may not think you have to watch them as closely if they have on a swimming aid, but the truth is supervision is important whether your child can swim or not and whether they are wearing a swimming aid or not. Flotation devices such as animals, arm bands, and some floating swimsuits are not life preservers and it is best not to think of them as such.

Swimming aids and safety may seem to go hand-in-hand, but that isn’t always the case. While they may keep your child safer than not using one, nothing can beat having supervision whenever your child is near the water. Summertime fun in the sun and in the water is right around the corner. Are you prepared?

* An oral thermometer can be used over four years of age as they can put it under the tongue easily.

* Forehead strips are the easiest one to use on children and are easily available too but they are not trusted enough to get an exact reading. However, they are good for children who are a year old or older.

* Underarm temperature represents external body temperature, which may be lower than internal temperature and lead to false assumptions and diagnosis.

* While some people may prefer taking ear temperature, it can be a little challenging to place the thermometer right to get a good reading. It may also be hurtful to children who have ear infections.

* The best way to take a temperature in a baby is via rectal route. It is the recommended route to use. Rectal temperatures represent the body temperature most accurately too as the oral temperature may vary with the temperature of something the baby has just eaten or drunk.It can be taken for about 3-5 minutes.

* For taking rectal temperature, use digital rectal thermometer and apply petroleum jelly on it. Insert it one inch into the rectum and keep it there for about a minute or until the thermometer beeps. Remove the thermometer and note the reading. Babies may have a bowel moment just as you remove the thermometer from their rectum.

By the time a baby reaches three months or age there is no reason why you cannot travel with him or her. Babies are not as fragile as many parents believe them to be and they are not able to walk or run off therefore keeping your baby close to you should not be a problem!

Food and comfort tips

* If you are breastfeeding your baby then make sure you bring a water bottle for yourself to help keep yourself hydrated during the trip.
* If you are bottle-feeding then the most convenient thing to bring along for the trip is ready-to-use formula.
* Make sure you bring a bib for your baby (or a couple) that have a plastic or waterproof coating and is big enough to cover his or her whole front.
* Pack enough diapers for the trip as well as bags to put dirty diapers in and lotion in case diaper rash develops.
* In your carry-on bag or in a bag that is easily accessible to you in the car, pack an extra set of clothing for both yourself and your baby in the event that your baby spits up on you or vomits or if a diaper leak occurs.
* Always have a blanket with you so your baby has a cozy, soft place to lie his or her head down and take a nap or even crawl around or roll on.

Health and safety tips

* Gather together all of the supplies you need to create a first aid kit to ensure that you can cope effectively with any minor medical problem that takes place on your trip, with either yourself or your baby. If your infant has any prescription medication that he or she needs make sure to pack it. Write out a list of essentials for the first aid kit if you are concerned that you might forget something important. Any over-the-counter drugs that you might need for your baby is important to include in the first aid kit as well.
* Make sure you have completed an emergency sheet for your baby, which details his or her health information as well as any medication he or she requires. Also include on this sheet all relevant names and telephone numbers of family, friends and doctors.
* A hat is essential for your baby both in the hot months as well as the cold months. Sunscreen is an essential item as well if you plan to have your infant outside. This is not just the case in the summer but all year long. Apply a sunscreen to the face and backs of hands of infants who are under six months of age and apply even more to babies who are older than six months. Always buy a sunscreen that has an SPF of 30 for protection.

* Does your baby watch you with eager anticipation when you eat? Maybe he even opens his mouth, or tries to grab your spoon? Besides making you feel guilty as you enjoy your dinner, this behaviour indicates that he may be ready for solid food.

* Does your baby seem hungrier than usual, appearing dissatisfied after his usual milk feeds? Once you’ve ruled out teething or illness as possible causes, you may find that he needs something a little more substantial to satisfy his growing appetite!

* Is your baby waking at night after previously sleeping through? Or, if he was waking at night anyway, is he now waking more often? This can be a sign that he’s ready for solids. And it’s very tempting to get baby started on solid foods so that he’ll settle at night and “sleep like a baby”! (Where did that expression ever come from?)
But be careful! He may be waking more often due to teething, or some other discomfort. If you introduce solid foods too early, it can have the opposite effect on your baby to the one you seek. His immature digestive system may not be able to cope. This can mean an upset tummy for him … and even more sleepless nights for you!

* Can baby sit well, without support? This will make swallowing easier. Not all babies are able to sit unsupported at this stage, though. So it’s important that you provide the proper support when feeding, if this is the case.

* Does your baby have good head control? This is important, so that your baby can turn his head away to refuse food.

These are all good indicators of your baby’s readiness for solids. You can all take these into consideration. You will then be well knowledgeable to determine whether or not your little one is ready for solids.

* Using sign language reduces the frustration and tantrums that baby’s inability to communicate can provoke

* Children taught baby sign in infancy tend to develop superb language skills later on - including an increased ability to learn a second language

* Children who sign display a tendency to resolve problems with good communication, not tantrums

* Some signing babies actually speak EARLIER than those who don’t use sign

* Children who sign often develop a higher IQ

* Parents form deep, strong bonds with their signing children, based on satisfaction and trust - babies are more content, knowing their needs will be met

* In families where all children are taught to sign, the bond between siblings is great - particularly when older children are able to communicate with a baby brother or sister

The period before the fall of the umbilical cord is very crucial for the baby as well as the mother. For the parent as part of the child care responsibility, it is the time to take proper care of the newborn, because the umbilical cord is highly sensitive to skin irritation and various kinds of infection. The cord needs to be dried well, before it falls off naturally. If you do not know how to take care of the newborn’s umbilical cord, then you are reading the right article. Go through the following lines and get some tips on taking care of your baby’s umbilical cord.

Taking Care Of Your Baby’s Umbilical Stump

Cleaning The Umbilical Cord

* You need to clean your newborn’s umbilical cord, to avoid any kind of infection. Since no nerves are located in the cord, cleaning it won’t prove painful to your child.
* For the purpose, make use of cotton balls or swabs. Dip the cotton balls/swabs in rubbing alcohol.
* Now, wipe the soaked cotton swab around the base of the cord, next to the baby’s skin. Thoroughly clean the area between the cord and the skin.
* If your baby cries when the soaked cotton ball comes in contact with the umbilical cord, then need not worry - it is due to the cold sensation due to the use of rubbing alcohol.

Keep The Umbilical Cord Dry

* It is vital to keep the umbilical cord stump dry, to avoid any kind of skin irritation or infection.
* Allow fresh air to pass through the cord, to keep it dry.
* While putting on the diaper, always fold down its top edge. By doing so, the diaper would not rub against or cover the cord.

Some More Tips

* Give your baby clean sponge baths, until the umbilical cord falls off naturally. Avoid the cord getting wet, while bathing your newborn. If the cord gets wet by chance, then dry it immediately by wiping it with a cotton ball/swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.
* Be sure to clean the umbilical cord after every diaper change, if your doctor has recommended to do so.
* In case you notice redness, swelling around the cord, discharge or bad odor from the stump, contact your doctor immediately.
* The umbilical stump should naturally fall off by three weeks after the birth. If the cord persists to stay in the place even after the stipulated time, consult your doctor.
* If the cord stays moist even after two to three days of birth, consult the physician.

Tips To Ease Teething Pain

Chewing Toys
One thing that you can do to reduce your baby’s teething pain is provide him something to chew on, as it helps alleviate the discomfort. Give him liquid filled rings or rubber toys. You can also get a number of products from the market, for this purpose. To reduce the pain further, freeze the toys and give them to your baby. The chill soothes the gums and helps reduce the pain, at least temporarily.

Nursing
For some babies, nursing often reduces the teething pain. This will not only provide food to the baby, but also comfort him. You can even freeze the breast milk for the purpose. If your child eats food other than your breast milk as well, providing him with chilled foods, like chilled yogurt, pulp of peaches or even a banana, will do the trick.

Hard Cookies/ Biscuits
You can give your child hard cookies or biscuits to chew on. They are nutritious as well, thus being much better than the chewing toys available in the market. You would easily find cookies specially made for teething purposes. Buy them in flavors that your baby enjoys and give them for chewing.

Cold Water
You can also give your baby cold water for drinking. It will numb the gum and reduce the pain. But do so, only when the weather is warm and your child is able to drink it. Otherwise, he may catch cold or even flu.

Massaging
Another thing what you can do is to freeze a clean cloth and wrap it around your finger. Now, gently massage your baby’s gum with it. He will feel an instant relief. You can also give him the cloth to chew upon. If he is too small to eat chilled fruits, freeze them, wrap them around a very cold cloth and give them for chewing on.

Teething Gels
Teething gels are also available in the market, which can help reduce the pain and discomfort experienced by your baby. However, if the pain persists for long, you can need to consult your doctor and ask him to give your child some medication.

Your baby’s toothbrush should have rounded, soft filaments. You should replace it every 10-12 weeks, or sooner if the filaments become splayed.

Another option is to use a specially designed infant toothbrush that fits over your finger. Some babies seem to prefer this type… but beware! If your baby is a biter, a toothbrush of this type offers your vulnerable finger very little protection!

As your baby grows and wants to hold the brush himself, then it’s a good idea to buy him one with a chunky handle. This will be easier for him to hold - but, of course, you will still need to do the majority of the brushing yourself!

Tips for brushing baby’s teeth

* If your baby won’t open his mouth when it’s time to brush his teeth, then try putting the brush in YOUR mouth - babies love to mimic whatever Mum is doing!

* Open your mouth wide and sing a musical scale (we recommend trying this one in the privacy of your bathroom ONLY!). He will either try to copy your singing - or he will laugh - but either way, he will have opened his mouth!

* Sit your baby in the most comfortable position for both of you - try standing or sitting behind your baby as he looks up. This is an excellent position to adopt, because it makes it very easy to reach all parts of his mouth.

* Be gentle - it isn’t necessary to brush firmly at this stage and it may just put your baby off having his teeth brushed altogether!

Here are some tips that can help you feed ‘real’ foods to the baby in a way that he will enjoy:

* Milk is a VERY important part of baby’s diet for the first year and at this stage he should still be having around 5 - 6 breast-feeds or 24 to 40 oz of formula in 24 hours.

* Babies are very skeptic about ingesting solid foods as they have only been fed on breast milk or formula until now. So, they may push the food out of their mouths or may purse their lips together so that you cannot get the spoon or the food inside their mouth. This is just natural.

* You certainly don’t need to be worrying about introducing 3 meals a day at this point, either. Take things slowly, increasing the size and frequency of solid meals as your baby’s appetite dictates.

* Babies younger than four months have more permeable gut that can absorb whole proteins too and thus, the risks of developing a food allergy is much greater at that age. So, do not try to give him solids then.

* Breast milk or formula provides enough nutrition for the babies younger than 6 months of age but older babies need additional calories and nutrients that can be supplemented by solid foods. One year olds may need about 400 extra calories from solids while 2 year olds may need about 600 calories.

* If you try to force feed a baby, he or she may not be able to use the tongue to push the food properly from front to back and may gag on it.

* Infants that are fed cereal before 3 months old are at a higher risk of developing celiac disease (a serious intolerance of wheat protein) and children who are fed cereal before three months of age and after seven months of age are at greater risk for diabetes.

* Try to make baby eat only one or two teaspoon of any new food or at least taste it. The experience with eating should be positive for the baby.

* Once baby is enjoying baby rice, then it’s time to introduce some vegetables and fruits  (that, of course, is if you didn’t skip the rice cereal and move straight to alternative first foods from the outset).

* You have to be patient and know that this process has to be slow and force should never be used to make the baby open the mouth. This may mean that baby is still not ready to take in solid foods or it may take as many as 20 tries before he trusts a particular food to ingest it.

* You may start introducing baby to solid foods between the ages of 4 to 6 months as the reflex of pushing food outside the mouth with the tongue disappears, though you may delay it a bit if you are undergoing too much pressure of work or stress, so that you can be more patient with the baby.

- Opt for a sturdy wooden table with guard rails to prevent tipping if a curious baby pulls on it from the floor.
- If you select a changing table that folds, always make sure it’s sturdy and secure when open and in use.
- Make sure that the table has a wide base to prevent being pulled over.
- Choose a table that has shelves or a compartment to store baby supplies, so you can give baby your complete attention.
- Guard rails on changing tables should stand at least 2 inches high.
- Make sure the changing table has a safety belt, and always use it.

How optimum is the nutrients in breast milk. Well, like magic, it has the right amount of fat, sugar, water and protein needed by the baby for his growth. It is also easier to digest than cow’s milk. After all, the baby is not a cow. Human breastmilk is much more easier to absorb and break down.

Apart from the nutrients, breast milk has anitbodies to provide important protection against bacteria and viruses. In today’s polluted environment, this is no laughing matter. Breastmilk can really help strengthen your child. It makes babies less susceptible to contract lower respiratory infections, ear infection, septicemia and urinary tract infections.

More importantly, for the mother, breastfeeding helps to lower the risk of breast and ovarian cancer. It also helps the uterus return to its normal size more quickly.

The most common reason why babies can have uneven heads is because of staying too long in one lying position, mostly with their backs on the bed. The distinguished Mayo Clinic notes that you’ll notice two soft areas at the top of your baby’s head where the skull bones haven’t yet grown together. These spots, called fontanels, are designed to allow a baby’s relatively large head to move through the narrow birth canal. They also accommodate your baby’s rapidly growing brain during infancy. But because your baby’s skull is malleable, too much time in one position can result in an uneven head shape well past the time when birth-related lopsidedness evens out. This is known as positional molding.

Positional molding is most common in babies who spend most of their time on their backs in cribs, car seats or infant seats. Although this is the safest position for sleep, there’s plenty you can to do to keep your baby’s head from becoming flat or lopsided. Here are more guidelines from the Mayo Clinic:

- Change direction. Place your baby on his or her back to sleep, but alternate the direction your baby’s head faces. Or place your baby’s head near the foot of the crib one day, the head of the crib the next. Use varying positions in the car seat and other infant seats, too. You might also consider using a neck-positioning device — such as a specially designed wedge or U-shaped pad — while your baby sleeps. Never rest your baby’s head on a pillow or other type of soft bedding.
- Hold your baby. Holding your baby when he or she is awake will help relieve pressure on your baby’s head from swings, carriers and infant seats.
- Try tummy time. With close supervision, place your baby on his or her tummy to play. Make sure the surface is firm. If you must leave the room, bring your baby with you.
- Get creative. Position your baby so that he or she will have to turn away from the flattened side of the head to look at you or to track movement or sound in the room. Move the crib occasionally to give your baby a new vantage point.

Criticism and Grumbling
By these forms of behavior parents show their children that they ar eon the wrong side of the street called “good behavior”. They, therefore, grow to believe that there are conditions placed on our love and approval of them and that they must rely on us and others in authority to measure their performance and self-worth.

Judgments and Evaluations
Judgments and evaluations represent our own observations and conclusions being forced upon our children on the basis that our view points and world acceptance is better than their ones. Here are some examples:
“Latin is a dead language, what the sense if its study?”
“You’re just naturally stupid. But don’t worry; it’s not your fault.”

Affirmations can even be a form of evaluation, too. Look at these examples:
“It’s OK, I was totally obsessed with my hair in junior high, too”.

Any time we make statements like these, it sends our children the message that they are not ideal, not the ones our parents want us to be. That the only way to be better is to be the perfect image of parents, and what to do if it’s not possible? Whenever we make assessments about our children, we must be sure to get across to them that these are opinions, not edicts carved in stone.

Rebuke and Illogical Punishment
Whereas criticism is a warning to our children that they’ve strayed off the course we’ve set for them, reprimand or rebuke means they have already done something not correct or even horrible. They often reflect our negative feelings, especially anger and disappointment. Using such phrases as “how dare you”, “how you could even think of doing it?” and so on make children disappointed and upset all the times they hear such words.

Illogical punishment influences even greater. Examples include whipping children for not telling the truth, making them write different stupid promises on a sheet of paper, and sending them to bed without supper for making mistakes in their control papers.
Such punishments only make our children focus their attention externally on how angry they are with us and accomplish little in correcting their bad behavior. Children generally heed reprimand and punishment because they fear reprisal, not because it’s the right thing to do.