In today's internet age, there should never be a need to write out multiple invitations to a baby shower by hand, unless, of course, you want to. By carrying out a search on the internet, you will quickly discover there are numerous ways that you can avoid using those little invitations where you need to fill in the blank spaces provided for each piece of information. Instead, baby shower invitations can be a simple matter of just printing off the required number of copies. So much easier!
One option you may decide to employ is to make your own invitations at home. All you need to buy is some sheets of colored card. You can then make your desired cute or simple layout according to your taste. Once you have checked to make sure that all of the included information is correct, you can do a trial print to make sure that your design looks as good as you designed it to be. Just make sure that you fold it correctly, according to the way you want it presented, and that you have envelopes that your invitations will fit into.
Another option, if you want to make your own baby shower invitations, is to cut your colored card into postcard size pieces, then print the details on one side and use pre-printed address labels on the other side. This option makes life easier for you as your baby shower invites will not require any fancy folding or envelopes, and the cost of mailing them will also be a lot less.
A further option open to you is to try pre-formatted versions employing card-making or invitation-making software. If you think that your computer designing skills are not up to the job, this could be the answer you are looking for. Also available are pre-sized invitations, for a baby shower or blank ones, which are ready-made to conform to a pre-determined size.
However, If You Just Can't Manage It...
There are many websites available on the internet where all you need to do is input all the details concerning your baby shower into a pre-formatted invitation template, tell them how many copies you need, et voilà - the requested number of baby shower invitations and envelopes will arrive on your doorstep in good time. This is an excellent way to obtain state-of-the-art baby shower invitations. More and more people are turning to these services as they become easier to make and cheaper to buy.
You will find that these template invitations that you order via the internet are dearer than the packages of blank invitations, but the benefits of the online invitation, both for baby showers, and for many other types, are numerous. Gone is the need to write out the invitations. Now you can get a professionally printed invitation at a very affordable price. For just a small extra fee you can add custom return-address labels that match the invitations. Most importantly, the only job that is left for you to do is address them!
Whichever method you choose, don't forget to save a baby shower invitation to give to the guest of honor!
Want more tips and ideas to make your baby shower unique, and get more baby shower invitation ideas? Just point your browser at http://www.babyshowerhost.info
Showing posts with label baby. Show all posts
Showing posts with label baby. Show all posts
Friday, February 1, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
Funny Baby Video, You have got to see this
This is a video i found that i thought every woman that has had a young one or will soon have an infant would have a great time watching. The ones who have walked this path have this or something similar. The ones who will soon cross this path will soon have many similar events in you ner future.
Hope you enjoy.
Hope you enjoy.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Dressing Baby For Winter
Dressing a baby for winter can be a chore and a challenge. The little ones do feel changes in temperature far more keenly than adults, so it's important to keep them warm - without overheating their little bodies. Don't think just because you've picked up a nice snowsuit or bunting that your baby has all the clothes he needs for winter.
What should the well-dessed winter baby be wearing?The key concept in dressing babies for winter weather is layers. Several thin layers will keep baby far warmer than one bulky snowsuit - and make him feel far less like a stuffed sausage. In addition, you can regulate his body temperature by stripping off and putting on layers, or unzipping outer layers when you step inside. More specifically:Onesies or footed cotton stretchies are the best inner layer for a winter outfit. The close fit helps keep body warmth in, and the one piece construction avoids drafts. Socks are important, especially if you choose a onesie instead of footed stretchies.
Put them on before you put on pants so that they tuck inside pant legs.Sweatshirts are prone to riding up and baring belly and back at the waist, and elastic waist sweatpants do the same in the opposite direction. Sweatsuits may be adorable on little ones, but a one-piece heavyweight jersey or fleece jumpsuit is a better choice for cold days. No gaps in coverage to let the cold in.Sweaters are a must for babies and toddlers as well - and not just for winter.
They're great for slipping on over clothing on cool spring and autumn evenings. If you pick a couple of nice, oversize ones with hoods, they'll do a nice job of substituting for a winter bunting as long as you've bundled up nice and snug underneath it. While you're bundling, don't assume that a hood is all the head-covering baby needs. We lose up to 40% of our body heat through the top of our heads, and a loose hood can't keep it all in.
Make sure you tuck a nice snug cap under the hood - and pick a hood or cap with a face guard if you'll have baby out in temperatures below freezing for more than short trips back and forth to the car. Tender skin gets frostbitten far too easily.Make sure you cover up little fingers too - don't trust to overlong sleeves. Little mittens, whether knitted or the built-in snowsuit mitts are vital. As far as snowsuits go, until the baby is up and walking, stick with bunting style snowsuits.
They give the baby room to move his legs around, which will add to YOUR comfort on long car and stroller rides by reducing fussing. Shop around for a bunting with a safety-strap slot to feed car seat and stroller buckles through. Never compromise safety for warmth, not when you can have both. And speaking of car seats, adjust car seat straps and buckles to fit snugly without binding - and be sure to readjust when you pop in the baby sans bulky snowsuit.
About The Author
Bruce Hughbanks is Dedicated to helping others World Wide. Contributed to the Advancement of Self Improvement, Sefl Motivation, and Success. Build First a Stong Foundation. http://www.hughbanks.com/ (Another TeagINC Network Production)
Friends and Family Should be Priority!Experience True Freedom! The Employment Alternative Group™http://www.theemploymentalternativegroup.com/
What should the well-dessed winter baby be wearing?The key concept in dressing babies for winter weather is layers. Several thin layers will keep baby far warmer than one bulky snowsuit - and make him feel far less like a stuffed sausage. In addition, you can regulate his body temperature by stripping off and putting on layers, or unzipping outer layers when you step inside. More specifically:Onesies or footed cotton stretchies are the best inner layer for a winter outfit. The close fit helps keep body warmth in, and the one piece construction avoids drafts. Socks are important, especially if you choose a onesie instead of footed stretchies.
Put them on before you put on pants so that they tuck inside pant legs.Sweatshirts are prone to riding up and baring belly and back at the waist, and elastic waist sweatpants do the same in the opposite direction. Sweatsuits may be adorable on little ones, but a one-piece heavyweight jersey or fleece jumpsuit is a better choice for cold days. No gaps in coverage to let the cold in.Sweaters are a must for babies and toddlers as well - and not just for winter.
They're great for slipping on over clothing on cool spring and autumn evenings. If you pick a couple of nice, oversize ones with hoods, they'll do a nice job of substituting for a winter bunting as long as you've bundled up nice and snug underneath it. While you're bundling, don't assume that a hood is all the head-covering baby needs. We lose up to 40% of our body heat through the top of our heads, and a loose hood can't keep it all in.
Make sure you tuck a nice snug cap under the hood - and pick a hood or cap with a face guard if you'll have baby out in temperatures below freezing for more than short trips back and forth to the car. Tender skin gets frostbitten far too easily.Make sure you cover up little fingers too - don't trust to overlong sleeves. Little mittens, whether knitted or the built-in snowsuit mitts are vital. As far as snowsuits go, until the baby is up and walking, stick with bunting style snowsuits.
They give the baby room to move his legs around, which will add to YOUR comfort on long car and stroller rides by reducing fussing. Shop around for a bunting with a safety-strap slot to feed car seat and stroller buckles through. Never compromise safety for warmth, not when you can have both. And speaking of car seats, adjust car seat straps and buckles to fit snugly without binding - and be sure to readjust when you pop in the baby sans bulky snowsuit.
About The Author
Bruce Hughbanks is Dedicated to helping others World Wide. Contributed to the Advancement of Self Improvement, Sefl Motivation, and Success. Build First a Stong Foundation. http://www.hughbanks.com/ (Another TeagINC Network Production)
Friends and Family Should be Priority!Experience True Freedom! The Employment Alternative Group™http://www.theemploymentalternativegroup.com/
Alternative Clothing For Babies
Alternative Clothing For BabiesWhile the concept of "baby tees" has taken on a whole new meaning in the new millennium, some companies have made a real dedication to the original intent of the phrase. Of course there is always the basic "I Love My Mommy" and "Someone in Tallahassee Loves Me" t-shirts, but in keeping with the times, some companies have designed some shirts that really let baby and parent's personality shine through.
Take, for example, Wry Baby, a company that specializes in humorous baby t-shirts. Some of my favorites include "I'M NOT A BOY," "NEW," "SCENTED," and a special twin set that reads, "STOP COPYING ME." There are also onesies that come complete with baby care directions for everything from feeding to carrying.
For the breast feeding baby, there are shirts made in the style of the "I Love New York" shirts that read, 'I Love Big Boobies." A shirt that reads "Blankie, Boopie, or Bottle, Nobody Rides for Free" and features a picture of a tricycle is a nice take-off on a popular bumper sticker that's a little bit more PG rated than it's predecessor.At Baby Wit, online shoppers can find a wide range of baby and toddler t-shirts. Whether your baby wants to make a political statement, hang out with the cool kids, or just have a cute monkey on his or her shirt, there is something for them here.
Here you can find some more controversial t-shirt sayings, like "He Thinks He's My Daddy" or "My Mommy Drinks Because I Cry." There are also some amusing, but more tame shirts for the family set. Shirts like, "Come Closer So I Can Spit on You" and "Been Inside for Nine Months" (in prison suit font) make this site a well-rounded source of baby novelty bliss.For the most creative parents, there are sites that feature personalized t-shirts for babies. It is also pretty easy to pick up the paint and stencils necessary to create a super-personal look for your newborn fashion plate. So if you think you can come up with something better than "Look, Maybe Someday I'll Be Changing Your Diapers" than get thee to a craft store.
If you're politically minded, mypunkbaby.com, a company based out of Massachusetts, donates five percent of all proceeds to a different charity each month. All shoppers are given a ballot at the end of their checkout to decide which of the highlighted charities will receive the five percent donation for the month. This way, your money is not only helping a good cause, it's helping a good cause that you get a say in deciding.You can, of course, go with the method of using your baby's clothing as a way to instill the values that you hold nearest and dearest to you, like moral fiber, ethics, and rock and roll.
Recently, at a baby shower for a friend who had recently graduated from college, the new mother got a baby t-shirt that had the Guns'n'Roses logo with the words, "Sweet Child O' Mine" printed across it. It's good to know that the next generation will be a good, hearty stock.
About The Author
Bruce Hughbanks is Dedicated to helping others World Wide. Contributed to the Advancement of Self Improvement, Sefl Motivation, and Success. Build First a Stong Foundation. http://www.Hughbanks.com (Another TeagINC Network Production)
Friends and Family Should be Priority!Experience True Freedom! The Employment Alternative Group™http://www.TheEmploymentAlternativeGroup.com
Take, for example, Wry Baby, a company that specializes in humorous baby t-shirts. Some of my favorites include "I'M NOT A BOY," "NEW," "SCENTED," and a special twin set that reads, "STOP COPYING ME." There are also onesies that come complete with baby care directions for everything from feeding to carrying.
For the breast feeding baby, there are shirts made in the style of the "I Love New York" shirts that read, 'I Love Big Boobies." A shirt that reads "Blankie, Boopie, or Bottle, Nobody Rides for Free" and features a picture of a tricycle is a nice take-off on a popular bumper sticker that's a little bit more PG rated than it's predecessor.At Baby Wit, online shoppers can find a wide range of baby and toddler t-shirts. Whether your baby wants to make a political statement, hang out with the cool kids, or just have a cute monkey on his or her shirt, there is something for them here.
Here you can find some more controversial t-shirt sayings, like "He Thinks He's My Daddy" or "My Mommy Drinks Because I Cry." There are also some amusing, but more tame shirts for the family set. Shirts like, "Come Closer So I Can Spit on You" and "Been Inside for Nine Months" (in prison suit font) make this site a well-rounded source of baby novelty bliss.For the most creative parents, there are sites that feature personalized t-shirts for babies. It is also pretty easy to pick up the paint and stencils necessary to create a super-personal look for your newborn fashion plate. So if you think you can come up with something better than "Look, Maybe Someday I'll Be Changing Your Diapers" than get thee to a craft store.
If you're politically minded, mypunkbaby.com, a company based out of Massachusetts, donates five percent of all proceeds to a different charity each month. All shoppers are given a ballot at the end of their checkout to decide which of the highlighted charities will receive the five percent donation for the month. This way, your money is not only helping a good cause, it's helping a good cause that you get a say in deciding.You can, of course, go with the method of using your baby's clothing as a way to instill the values that you hold nearest and dearest to you, like moral fiber, ethics, and rock and roll.
Recently, at a baby shower for a friend who had recently graduated from college, the new mother got a baby t-shirt that had the Guns'n'Roses logo with the words, "Sweet Child O' Mine" printed across it. It's good to know that the next generation will be a good, hearty stock.
About The Author
Bruce Hughbanks is Dedicated to helping others World Wide. Contributed to the Advancement of Self Improvement, Sefl Motivation, and Success. Build First a Stong Foundation. http://www.Hughbanks.com (Another TeagINC Network Production)
Friends and Family Should be Priority!Experience True Freedom! The Employment Alternative Group™http://www.TheEmploymentAlternativeGroup.com
Homemade Baby Foods
Preparing baby foods at home helps to integrate preparation of your infant's meals into preparation of meals for the rest of the family. By making baby foods yourself, you will be in control of the quality of nutrients that your child eats, and also you will be able to provide her diet with a greater variety of healthy foods that taste much better than any jar baby food available at your local supermarket. While having a tremendous sense of satisfaction from having impact on your baby's health, you will also save money!
Essentials you need:
- stainless steel saucepan and steamer (avoid copper as it robs food from vitamin C)- food processor or blender- veggie/fruit peeler- paring knife - colander (for rinsing and draining)- fine mesh strainer- ice cube trays or muffin tins- pen, labels or masking tape- small freezer bags- instant-read meat thermometer
Fruits & Vegetables
With the exception of bananas and avocado, all fruits and vegetables have to be cooked. Cooking tenderizes them and kills bacteria that may be present on their surfaces. While cooking in water is the easiest way to prepare fruits and vegetables, it's not the healthiest, as it depletes many nutrients. To preserve all or most vitamins and minerals, steam your fruits and vegetables instead. Other healthy ways to prepare your foods are roasting and baking. You may roast or bake apples, winter squash, broccoli, cauliflower, and sweet potatoes. Dry heat will preserve all their nutrients and bring out their natural flavor.
Meat & Poultry
Roasting or baking meat or poultry are healthier methods than frying, broiling, or grilling. Frying leaves the food too greasy and fatty, while broiling and grilling can cause formation of carcinogens, the cancer-triggering substances. Always check if your meat is done with the meat thermometer.
You do not need to add salt to your baby's food. Also, refrain from adding spices in the baby's first year of life, as her delicate digestive system may not ready to handle them.
Freezing
Spoon your cooked and cooled baby food into clean ice cube tray (~ 2 tbs of food), or muffin tin for older infants. Leave room to allow for fluid expansion during freezing. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and place in the freezer. When frozen, transfer baby food cubes into small freezer bags. Label them with the name of food and the date of preparation. You may store the frozen cubes up t 1-2 months.
Thawing
Defrost the desired amount of baby food in the fridge overnight. You may microwave it for ~30 seconds per cube if you need the food right away. However, check the food's temperature before you serve it to your infant to prevent burns! Discard leftovers. Also any baby food left at room temperature for an hour or more needs to be discarded.
Sample recipes:
BANANA
1 small ripe bananabreast milk or formula
Break banana into pieces. Blend with a blender or food processor. Add breast milk or formula to thin it out.
CARROTS
½ lbs peeled and washed carrots
breast milk or formula
Steam carrots until tender (~10 minutes). Cool for ~ 10 minutes. Blend. Add breast milk or formula to thin it out.
MEAT/POULTRY
2 oz cooked and chopped chicken, turkey, beef, or porkbreast milk or formula
Blend the meat. Remove chunks. Add breast milk or formula to thin it out.
Dr. Hillary is a pediatric nurse practitioner with a doctoral degree in health promotion and risk reduction. She works as a pediatric clinician and writes for Plugged in Parents. Plugged In Parents provides up-to-date info on pediatric health, safety and nutrition along with movie reviews, recipes, tech-savvy tips, and a parent's only forum. You can also contact Dr. Hillary for personal questions related to health and nutrition. Please visit http://www.pluggedinparents.com
Essentials you need:
- stainless steel saucepan and steamer (avoid copper as it robs food from vitamin C)- food processor or blender- veggie/fruit peeler- paring knife - colander (for rinsing and draining)- fine mesh strainer- ice cube trays or muffin tins- pen, labels or masking tape- small freezer bags- instant-read meat thermometer
Fruits & Vegetables
With the exception of bananas and avocado, all fruits and vegetables have to be cooked. Cooking tenderizes them and kills bacteria that may be present on their surfaces. While cooking in water is the easiest way to prepare fruits and vegetables, it's not the healthiest, as it depletes many nutrients. To preserve all or most vitamins and minerals, steam your fruits and vegetables instead. Other healthy ways to prepare your foods are roasting and baking. You may roast or bake apples, winter squash, broccoli, cauliflower, and sweet potatoes. Dry heat will preserve all their nutrients and bring out their natural flavor.
Meat & Poultry
Roasting or baking meat or poultry are healthier methods than frying, broiling, or grilling. Frying leaves the food too greasy and fatty, while broiling and grilling can cause formation of carcinogens, the cancer-triggering substances. Always check if your meat is done with the meat thermometer.
You do not need to add salt to your baby's food. Also, refrain from adding spices in the baby's first year of life, as her delicate digestive system may not ready to handle them.
Freezing
Spoon your cooked and cooled baby food into clean ice cube tray (~ 2 tbs of food), or muffin tin for older infants. Leave room to allow for fluid expansion during freezing. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and place in the freezer. When frozen, transfer baby food cubes into small freezer bags. Label them with the name of food and the date of preparation. You may store the frozen cubes up t 1-2 months.
Thawing
Defrost the desired amount of baby food in the fridge overnight. You may microwave it for ~30 seconds per cube if you need the food right away. However, check the food's temperature before you serve it to your infant to prevent burns! Discard leftovers. Also any baby food left at room temperature for an hour or more needs to be discarded.
Sample recipes:
BANANA
1 small ripe bananabreast milk or formula
Break banana into pieces. Blend with a blender or food processor. Add breast milk or formula to thin it out.
CARROTS
½ lbs peeled and washed carrots
breast milk or formula
Steam carrots until tender (~10 minutes). Cool for ~ 10 minutes. Blend. Add breast milk or formula to thin it out.
MEAT/POULTRY
2 oz cooked and chopped chicken, turkey, beef, or porkbreast milk or formula
Blend the meat. Remove chunks. Add breast milk or formula to thin it out.
Dr. Hillary is a pediatric nurse practitioner with a doctoral degree in health promotion and risk reduction. She works as a pediatric clinician and writes for Plugged in Parents. Plugged In Parents provides up-to-date info on pediatric health, safety and nutrition along with movie reviews, recipes, tech-savvy tips, and a parent's only forum. You can also contact Dr. Hillary for personal questions related to health and nutrition. Please visit http://www.pluggedinparents.com
Life Changes with a New Baby
It's true, having a baby will change your whole life. However, with each new addition to your family, those changes will change as well. Below are just a few of the changes that will be more easily noticed, and may cause you to do just a bit of pondering of your life.
Your clothing:
1st baby: You begin wearing maternity clothes as soon as the stick turns blue.
2nd baby: You wear your regular clothes for as long as possible, and then your wear your husband's shirts and sweat pants as maternity clothes.
3rd baby: Your maternity clothes are your regular clothes.
Baby clothing:
1st baby: You purchase every item brand new, prewash it in infant detergent, and keep it folded neatly in the dresser.
2nd baby: You bring all the first child's hand me downs up from the basement.
3rd baby: You bleach every item of clothing until it's completely white, but stain free.
Naming:
1st baby: You browse through baby-name books and websites for hours every day.
2nd baby: You visit one baby name site, and then give the baby the name you wanted to use for the first baby, but your husband vetoed.
3rd baby: You let the two older kids pick the name, since they will be calling the baby names anyway.
Getting ready:
1st baby: You have the entire nursery complete and ready 7 months before your due date.
2nd baby: A week before your due date, you put a bassinette next to your bed, and a bag of diapers under it.
3rd baby: You wait until the contractions are 5 minutes apart, and then drag the crib down from the attic.
Concern:
1st baby: At the first sign of unhappiness, the first tear, or whimper, you pick the baby up before she can cry.
2nd baby: You pick the baby up as soon as you finish whatever tasks you were performing for the first-born.
3rd baby: You pick up the baby before his screams can wake up the other two.
Social:
1st baby: You take your infant to Mommy & Me, Infant Massage, and Baby Yoga.
2nd baby: You take your kids to the grocery store and Laundromat.
3rd baby: You take your kids to the baby sitter.
Leaving:
1st baby: The first time you leave your baby with a sitter; you call home every hour, and come home early.
2nd baby: An hour after leaving, you call home to give the sitter a number where you can be reached.
3rd baby: You leave your cell phone number for the sitter, and then you leave the cell phone in the garage.
Daily:
1st baby: You spend most of everyday just looking at the baby.
2nd baby: You spend pretty much all day watching the older child so that he doesn't pinch, poke, or drop the baby.
3rd baby: You spend a good part of everyday hiding from the children and watching out the window for your husband to come home.
Catherine is a mother of three and staff writer/blogger at LikeThatName.com. LikeThatName provides a fast and fun way to discover thousands of interesting baby names, along with a supportive community and information for new parents. To read the latest articles and join our community, visit us online today!
Your clothing:
1st baby: You begin wearing maternity clothes as soon as the stick turns blue.
2nd baby: You wear your regular clothes for as long as possible, and then your wear your husband's shirts and sweat pants as maternity clothes.
3rd baby: Your maternity clothes are your regular clothes.
Baby clothing:
1st baby: You purchase every item brand new, prewash it in infant detergent, and keep it folded neatly in the dresser.
2nd baby: You bring all the first child's hand me downs up from the basement.
3rd baby: You bleach every item of clothing until it's completely white, but stain free.
Naming:
1st baby: You browse through baby-name books and websites for hours every day.
2nd baby: You visit one baby name site, and then give the baby the name you wanted to use for the first baby, but your husband vetoed.
3rd baby: You let the two older kids pick the name, since they will be calling the baby names anyway.
Getting ready:
1st baby: You have the entire nursery complete and ready 7 months before your due date.
2nd baby: A week before your due date, you put a bassinette next to your bed, and a bag of diapers under it.
3rd baby: You wait until the contractions are 5 minutes apart, and then drag the crib down from the attic.
Concern:
1st baby: At the first sign of unhappiness, the first tear, or whimper, you pick the baby up before she can cry.
2nd baby: You pick the baby up as soon as you finish whatever tasks you were performing for the first-born.
3rd baby: You pick up the baby before his screams can wake up the other two.
Social:
1st baby: You take your infant to Mommy & Me, Infant Massage, and Baby Yoga.
2nd baby: You take your kids to the grocery store and Laundromat.
3rd baby: You take your kids to the baby sitter.
Leaving:
1st baby: The first time you leave your baby with a sitter; you call home every hour, and come home early.
2nd baby: An hour after leaving, you call home to give the sitter a number where you can be reached.
3rd baby: You leave your cell phone number for the sitter, and then you leave the cell phone in the garage.
Daily:
1st baby: You spend most of everyday just looking at the baby.
2nd baby: You spend pretty much all day watching the older child so that he doesn't pinch, poke, or drop the baby.
3rd baby: You spend a good part of everyday hiding from the children and watching out the window for your husband to come home.
Catherine is a mother of three and staff writer/blogger at LikeThatName.com. LikeThatName provides a fast and fun way to discover thousands of interesting baby names, along with a supportive community and information for new parents. To read the latest articles and join our community, visit us online today!
A Foolproof Source Of Great Baby Gift Ideas
When you get invited to a baby shower, it's an honor and a lot of fun too. You know there will be the regular baby shower fun and excitement and lots of admiration of the mommy to be and learning what she is in naming the child, learning its gender and all the other "giggly stuff" that is part of the fun of a shower.
But one area of anxiety you might have when getting ready for the shower is what to give for a baby gift. The last thing you want to do is to buy a bassinette only to find she is getting four of those at the shower. And there is that list of general baby gifts that are always given at a shower that you can draw on. But maybe you want your gift to be unique, to be the one that makes that mom to be smile and maybe squeal because it is just the right thing and the thing that before the shower said, "I sure hope someone thinks to give me...." And that thing she hoped for is what you brought.
But how do you go about finding out what that one great gift would be? Well there is one foolproof source of that information and that is the mom to be herself. You could just ask her. That seems to be an approach that is least often used and it might be the one that the expectant mom would most like to see used. If you just pick up the phone to RSVP that invitation to the shower, you can take a few minutes to laugh and enjoy the moment of celebration because of the excitement of the upcoming delivery of her child.
But then during that call, you can just casually ask what she has on hand already and what that really special thing someone who loves her should give. She will get the hint and realize you are the one guest of many who wants to find out what the perfect gift would be. Think of the sense of gratification and joy you will get if you are the one at the shower that gives the gift that is declared "perfect" for the baby soon to be here.
Sometimes an expectant mom is not as easy to read as that and the direct approach only leaves you with the regular list of supplies for baby that anyone can think of. Then you might need to get a little more clever in finding out what the perfect baby gift would be. So an invitation to brunch for you to celebrate her pregnancy and discuss how things are going is a great next step. During that lunch it will be easy to get your friend or relative talking about how the preparation of the baby room is coming along and any anxieties this new mom might be having about taking care of the new baby.
You might discern that the best gift would be a book on what to do when new baby comes. That is a gift that keeps on giving for sure and it might be an excellent gift for the dad to be as well. Or you might find out that there is a certain toy or accessory that the mom to be can remember from her upbringing that she would love to see given to the baby by a very special friend.
You can get a good list of unique gifts that would stand out at the shower and bless the expectant family in a very special way by just being attentive and use good listening skills when you are around the new mom. And by taking good notes well in advance of the delivery or even in advance of the shower, you will grab that one great baby gift idea that will be the gift that makes her cry at the shower. And that's the idea, isn't it?
If you are interested in learning more about babies gifts then visit us at http://www.BabiesGifts.org
But one area of anxiety you might have when getting ready for the shower is what to give for a baby gift. The last thing you want to do is to buy a bassinette only to find she is getting four of those at the shower. And there is that list of general baby gifts that are always given at a shower that you can draw on. But maybe you want your gift to be unique, to be the one that makes that mom to be smile and maybe squeal because it is just the right thing and the thing that before the shower said, "I sure hope someone thinks to give me...." And that thing she hoped for is what you brought.
But how do you go about finding out what that one great gift would be? Well there is one foolproof source of that information and that is the mom to be herself. You could just ask her. That seems to be an approach that is least often used and it might be the one that the expectant mom would most like to see used. If you just pick up the phone to RSVP that invitation to the shower, you can take a few minutes to laugh and enjoy the moment of celebration because of the excitement of the upcoming delivery of her child.
But then during that call, you can just casually ask what she has on hand already and what that really special thing someone who loves her should give. She will get the hint and realize you are the one guest of many who wants to find out what the perfect gift would be. Think of the sense of gratification and joy you will get if you are the one at the shower that gives the gift that is declared "perfect" for the baby soon to be here.
Sometimes an expectant mom is not as easy to read as that and the direct approach only leaves you with the regular list of supplies for baby that anyone can think of. Then you might need to get a little more clever in finding out what the perfect baby gift would be. So an invitation to brunch for you to celebrate her pregnancy and discuss how things are going is a great next step. During that lunch it will be easy to get your friend or relative talking about how the preparation of the baby room is coming along and any anxieties this new mom might be having about taking care of the new baby.
You might discern that the best gift would be a book on what to do when new baby comes. That is a gift that keeps on giving for sure and it might be an excellent gift for the dad to be as well. Or you might find out that there is a certain toy or accessory that the mom to be can remember from her upbringing that she would love to see given to the baby by a very special friend.
You can get a good list of unique gifts that would stand out at the shower and bless the expectant family in a very special way by just being attentive and use good listening skills when you are around the new mom. And by taking good notes well in advance of the delivery or even in advance of the shower, you will grab that one great baby gift idea that will be the gift that makes her cry at the shower. And that's the idea, isn't it?
If you are interested in learning more about babies gifts then visit us at http://www.BabiesGifts.org
Pregnancy Weight Gain - How Much Should You Really Gain?
Pregnancy weight gain is essential during pregnancy. It is critical to the health of your baby that you gain the appropriate amount of weight during pregnancy. Different people need to gain different amount. I am going to break it down as best as I can so that you don't have to guess when it comes to pregnancy weight gain.
Weight gain really differs from person to person. If you start out at a healthy weight when you get pregnant, you should look at gaining anywhere from 20-30 pounds throughout your entire pregnancy. If you are under weight, you should look at gaining a little more, usually in the 35 pounds range. And, if you are overweight when you get pregnant, your goal should be around 10-15 pounds gained throughout your pregnancy.
Pregnancy is not an excuse to eat anything that you want and gain weight just because you are pregnant. It is really important that you eat healthy and gain weight in the right areas of the body. This will involve exercise and healthy eating throughout each trimester. If you do not watch your weight, you can expect to gain double the amount that is recommended making labor harder and losing weight after labor really hard.
You should gain around 5 pounds during your first trimester, and around 1 pound per week during your second and third trimester. If you are underweight, you should try to gain around 8 pounds during the first trimester, and a little over a pound per week for the second and third trimesters. If you are overweight, you should gain around 3 pounds the first trimester and around 1 pound every other week during the second and third trimester of pregnancy.
A lot of women like to use the excuse that just because they are pregnant, they can eat what they want. This is very bad and can cause problems down the road and after labor. If you eat healthy and exercise during pregnancy, you can expect to have an easier labor and be able to lose your pregnancy weight faster after delivery. You will be down to your normal weight before you know it.
Some things to keep an eye on are either gaining too much weight too fast, or not gaining enough weight. If you find that you have gained over 5 pounds in one week and you are eating right, you need to get checked by the doctor. This could be a sign of preeclampsia, which is a very serious disease.
On the other side of the table, if you are not gaining any weight at all, make sure that you get checked out by a doctor. Weight gain is essential during pregnancy. It could be normal, however, to not gain any weight one week, but gain 2 pounds the next. This is still normal, but you will want to keep your doctor informed of what is going on.
Did you know that it is really easy to stay within your ideal birth weight? Get a copy of the Pregnancy Weight Guide. It is full of great info, and best of all, it is free. Good luck and congrats on the pregnancy.
Weight gain really differs from person to person. If you start out at a healthy weight when you get pregnant, you should look at gaining anywhere from 20-30 pounds throughout your entire pregnancy. If you are under weight, you should look at gaining a little more, usually in the 35 pounds range. And, if you are overweight when you get pregnant, your goal should be around 10-15 pounds gained throughout your pregnancy.
Pregnancy is not an excuse to eat anything that you want and gain weight just because you are pregnant. It is really important that you eat healthy and gain weight in the right areas of the body. This will involve exercise and healthy eating throughout each trimester. If you do not watch your weight, you can expect to gain double the amount that is recommended making labor harder and losing weight after labor really hard.
You should gain around 5 pounds during your first trimester, and around 1 pound per week during your second and third trimester. If you are underweight, you should try to gain around 8 pounds during the first trimester, and a little over a pound per week for the second and third trimesters. If you are overweight, you should gain around 3 pounds the first trimester and around 1 pound every other week during the second and third trimester of pregnancy.
A lot of women like to use the excuse that just because they are pregnant, they can eat what they want. This is very bad and can cause problems down the road and after labor. If you eat healthy and exercise during pregnancy, you can expect to have an easier labor and be able to lose your pregnancy weight faster after delivery. You will be down to your normal weight before you know it.
Some things to keep an eye on are either gaining too much weight too fast, or not gaining enough weight. If you find that you have gained over 5 pounds in one week and you are eating right, you need to get checked by the doctor. This could be a sign of preeclampsia, which is a very serious disease.
On the other side of the table, if you are not gaining any weight at all, make sure that you get checked out by a doctor. Weight gain is essential during pregnancy. It could be normal, however, to not gain any weight one week, but gain 2 pounds the next. This is still normal, but you will want to keep your doctor informed of what is going on.
Did you know that it is really easy to stay within your ideal birth weight? Get a copy of the Pregnancy Weight Guide. It is full of great info, and best of all, it is free. Good luck and congrats on the pregnancy.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Five Reasons For Preparing Your Own Baby Food
Here are 5 good reasons to start preparing your own baby food, as opposed to buying it in the store.
IT'S HEALTHIER AND MORE NUTRITIOUS Commercial baby foods contain additional fat, salt, sugar, fillers or other ingredients that are completely unnecessary (and often inappropriate) to your baby's diet. These additives are an attempt to add flavor, texture and bulk to poor-quality products. They contribute nothing at all to your baby's health or well-being. By preparing the food yourself, you can be sure that your baby is getting exactly what his/her little body needs - and nothing that it doesn't.
YOU'RE IN CONTROL By preparing your baby's food yourself, you know exactly what your baby is eating. When you prepare an apple sauce, you know he/she is getting fresh, pure apple and all the goodness it contains. However, when you buy apple-sauce at the store, you'd almost need a degree in nutrition just to decipher the list of ingredients.
IT'S EASY Once you get started cooking for your baby, you'll quickly realize just how easy it is. All you need is a food blender and some fresh ingredients to quickly prepare healthy, tasty, home-made meals for your little one. Furthermore, by making large amounts of his/her favorite meals in advance, and then freezing them for later, you'll be able to serve up delicious, healthy meals in minutes -- every day of the week.
IT'S MUCH CHEAPER The prices that baby food manufacturers charge for their products is nothing short of scandalous and are in no way justifiable. The reason they can charge so much is because they've conditioned most parents to believe that they have no choice but to buy from them. By preparing your baby's food yourself, you can avoid being a victim of this daylight robbery, and find yourself with extra cash to spend on all those other things that a growing baby needs.
IT'S VERY GRATIFYING Watching your baby enjoy the meal you've just prepared for him/her is already a very gratifying experience. On top of that, however, you have the satisfaction and pride of knowing that you're giving your child the gift of a healthy and nutritious diet - and saving yourself money as well.
And finally...
If all that weren't enough, here's another great reason to do it yourself: home-made baby food is much tastier than any commercial product. Delicious food is one of life's great pleasures and your baby deserves to enjoy the rich flavor and texture of real home cooking just as much as you or I. After all, none of us would enjoy eating 'TV Dinners' morning, noon and night - and that goes for your baby too!
So, don't put it off. Get started today. Your baby will thank you for it in more ways than one.
Nancy.
About The Author
Nancy Miller is author of 'How to Make Your Own Healthy Baby Food' and a full-time working mom. Visit Nancy's website at http://www.healthy-baby-food.com
nancy@healthy-baby-food.com
IT'S HEALTHIER AND MORE NUTRITIOUS Commercial baby foods contain additional fat, salt, sugar, fillers or other ingredients that are completely unnecessary (and often inappropriate) to your baby's diet. These additives are an attempt to add flavor, texture and bulk to poor-quality products. They contribute nothing at all to your baby's health or well-being. By preparing the food yourself, you can be sure that your baby is getting exactly what his/her little body needs - and nothing that it doesn't.
YOU'RE IN CONTROL By preparing your baby's food yourself, you know exactly what your baby is eating. When you prepare an apple sauce, you know he/she is getting fresh, pure apple and all the goodness it contains. However, when you buy apple-sauce at the store, you'd almost need a degree in nutrition just to decipher the list of ingredients.
IT'S EASY Once you get started cooking for your baby, you'll quickly realize just how easy it is. All you need is a food blender and some fresh ingredients to quickly prepare healthy, tasty, home-made meals for your little one. Furthermore, by making large amounts of his/her favorite meals in advance, and then freezing them for later, you'll be able to serve up delicious, healthy meals in minutes -- every day of the week.
IT'S MUCH CHEAPER The prices that baby food manufacturers charge for their products is nothing short of scandalous and are in no way justifiable. The reason they can charge so much is because they've conditioned most parents to believe that they have no choice but to buy from them. By preparing your baby's food yourself, you can avoid being a victim of this daylight robbery, and find yourself with extra cash to spend on all those other things that a growing baby needs.
IT'S VERY GRATIFYING Watching your baby enjoy the meal you've just prepared for him/her is already a very gratifying experience. On top of that, however, you have the satisfaction and pride of knowing that you're giving your child the gift of a healthy and nutritious diet - and saving yourself money as well.
And finally...
If all that weren't enough, here's another great reason to do it yourself: home-made baby food is much tastier than any commercial product. Delicious food is one of life's great pleasures and your baby deserves to enjoy the rich flavor and texture of real home cooking just as much as you or I. After all, none of us would enjoy eating 'TV Dinners' morning, noon and night - and that goes for your baby too!
So, don't put it off. Get started today. Your baby will thank you for it in more ways than one.
Nancy.
About The Author
Nancy Miller is author of 'How to Make Your Own Healthy Baby Food' and a full-time working mom. Visit Nancy's website at http://www.healthy-baby-food.com
nancy@healthy-baby-food.com
More Baby Shower Gift Ideas
A few guests can get together and get a big laundry basket. Place in it a long clothes line with outfits, diapers, bibs, etc. pinned to it. It can also be used as a room decoration. It has a bit of everything and something to carry it in!
Baby Quilt - here's a great gift from those that love to sew and quilt. Find an alphabet quilt pattern. Each square has a letter of the alphabet on it and a picture of an object that started with that letter. It can have numbers too. Each guest can be given/sent a square before the shower and can embroider, quilt, or embellish it according to her own taste. If the quilt is meant to be a wall hanging, guests can also attach little items like rattles and toys. Be sure that everyone signs their own block in some way and have the blocks returned by a certain date in order to have it put together. This can also be used as a decoration at the shower.
Make a scrapbook album. Take blank scrapbook pages and have everyone write down their well wishes (without Mom knowing it) for the new baby. This can be done at or before the shower and can be given at the shower or to Mom while she is in the hospital. If given after the shower, it can include photos taken there.
Pass out sheets of heavy paper decorated with baby related stamps, stickers, or pictures several lines drawn on. Have the guests write their name on the paper and then write down some baby/parenting advice. Once everyone is finished, collect them, add a cover, punch holes in it, and tie it together with some ribbon. Then hand it to Mom to read aloud. This will be entertaining as well as touching and is a nice keepsake. There is tons of room for creativity on this one.
Have each guest bring an extra gift (small item recommended) for Daddy-to-be and the host of the shower will then place them in large gift bag to present to him at the close of the party (usually after the main gifts are opened). He opens this with Mommy-to-be at home or in presence of close family or friends.
Diaper Shower – For a second (or more) baby, consider a diaper shower. Ask each guest to bring only a package of diapers as a gift. Some guests may bring other gifts also, but Mom will end up with a mountain of diapers … something she'll really need! Items could also include anything associated with diapering such as wipes, ointment, powder, etc.
Casserole Shower – For the mother who has everything already, how about a Casserole Shower? Have each guest bring a casserole or other ready-to-cook meal that can be frozen or stored until after the baby is born. Be sure to have the containers clearly labeled with contents and any cooking instructions. How helpful that will be when Mom and Baby come home!
Book Party – Have each guest purchase and give a copy of their favorite childhood book.
About The Author
Adriana Copaceanu provides people with creative gift ideas that don't blow the bank. Gift Baskets for Baby to Birthday and Beyond, are just some gift ideas you'll find at her site: http://www.abcgiftsandbaskets.com. Want regular reminders on gift-giving? Sign up for her free monthly newsletter at http://www.abcgiftsandbaskets.com/gift-news-signup.htm
Baby Quilt - here's a great gift from those that love to sew and quilt. Find an alphabet quilt pattern. Each square has a letter of the alphabet on it and a picture of an object that started with that letter. It can have numbers too. Each guest can be given/sent a square before the shower and can embroider, quilt, or embellish it according to her own taste. If the quilt is meant to be a wall hanging, guests can also attach little items like rattles and toys. Be sure that everyone signs their own block in some way and have the blocks returned by a certain date in order to have it put together. This can also be used as a decoration at the shower.
Make a scrapbook album. Take blank scrapbook pages and have everyone write down their well wishes (without Mom knowing it) for the new baby. This can be done at or before the shower and can be given at the shower or to Mom while she is in the hospital. If given after the shower, it can include photos taken there.
Pass out sheets of heavy paper decorated with baby related stamps, stickers, or pictures several lines drawn on. Have the guests write their name on the paper and then write down some baby/parenting advice. Once everyone is finished, collect them, add a cover, punch holes in it, and tie it together with some ribbon. Then hand it to Mom to read aloud. This will be entertaining as well as touching and is a nice keepsake. There is tons of room for creativity on this one.
Have each guest bring an extra gift (small item recommended) for Daddy-to-be and the host of the shower will then place them in large gift bag to present to him at the close of the party (usually after the main gifts are opened). He opens this with Mommy-to-be at home or in presence of close family or friends.
Diaper Shower – For a second (or more) baby, consider a diaper shower. Ask each guest to bring only a package of diapers as a gift. Some guests may bring other gifts also, but Mom will end up with a mountain of diapers … something she'll really need! Items could also include anything associated with diapering such as wipes, ointment, powder, etc.
Casserole Shower – For the mother who has everything already, how about a Casserole Shower? Have each guest bring a casserole or other ready-to-cook meal that can be frozen or stored until after the baby is born. Be sure to have the containers clearly labeled with contents and any cooking instructions. How helpful that will be when Mom and Baby come home!
Book Party – Have each guest purchase and give a copy of their favorite childhood book.
About The Author
Adriana Copaceanu provides people with creative gift ideas that don't blow the bank. Gift Baskets for Baby to Birthday and Beyond, are just some gift ideas you'll find at her site: http://www.abcgiftsandbaskets.com. Want regular reminders on gift-giving? Sign up for her free monthly newsletter at http://www.abcgiftsandbaskets.com/gift-news-signup.htm
Breastfeeding - Handling Criticism
Feelings about how to parent seem to shift with every generation. A new way of parenting, sometimes called attachment parenting, has emerged and it challenges many of the rigid teachings of our mother's generation. Although breastfeeding is on the rise now, women are still dealing with the repercussions of previous generations. Not too long ago mainstream women did not breastfeed at all and the ones that did were taught to follow strict schedules. Some thought of breastfeeding as primitive. Formula was touted as being equal to or superior to breast milk. Only recently, has the fact that "breast is best" been acknowledged. Other women were in the workforce. They may have felt that breastfeeding was not an option for them. They did not have the modern breast pump available to them. The medical community may not have encouraged breastfeeding at the time. It is not hard to imagine. After all, even with all the knowledge about the benefits of breastfeeding there are still many health professionals today that are uneducated and unsupportive of breastfeeding. With all the challenges in the way of breastfeeding, it is understandable why many women of yesterday did not choose to breastfeed.
Breastfeeding has come a long way but still many of the old thinking still carries on. Women are more educated on the subject; however, even with the many books and other information available, people are often most influenced by their immediate family and friends. Having the support of friends and family can boost the chances of having a successful breastfeeding experience. On the other hand, having to deal with criticism and misinformation from the people you are close to can sabotage a new mom trying to breastfeed.
There are many ways to deal with the negativity of others. One of the best things you can do is to try to understand why the person feels the way they do. Is it because they were taught differently about breastfeeding? Were they indoctrinated with the ideas that breastfeeding is primitive or inferior? Or is it that they feel breasts are a sexual object? Maybe they have never seen someone breastfeed and it makes them uncomfortable. This is the case with a lot of people. Once breastfeeding in public becomes more commonplace, perhaps, this will become less of a problem. Whatever the case, finding out the root of the person's issues with breastfeeding may help to resolve the tension.
Here are some things you can do to deal with criticism.
Be positive: It is hard for someone to argue with a happy, positive person. If you are excited and enthusiastic about breastfeeding it can be contagious
Try to educate them: Find information on the benefits of breastfeeding to mom and baby and share this with them. You don't have to "push this down their throat". Just be enthusiastic about your decision to breastfeed and share with them why you decided to.
Be sympathetic: A lot of times women are defensive because breastfeeding did not work out for them. If you sit and talk with any woman that really wanted to breastfeed, you can hear the sadness in her story. Try to be sympathetic and non-judgmental. Don't say things like "you could have or should have". Share your experience, be positive, and let them know you care.
Try not to get angry: Breastfeeding conversations can get very heated. Getting angry with someone is not likely to change her feelings. It will just make you and her upset. If you don't feel like you can talk about breastfeeding with this person change the subject or avoid talking about it.
Use your doctor as your advocate: Sometimes the best thing you can do is tell someone that this is what your doctor recommends. What you think means very little to some people but a doctor's word carries weight.
Don't be sarcastic or insulting: Belittling someone is likely to make someone defensive. It is not a good approach to winning someone over. You may turn an opportunity to educate someone into a personal attack.
Stand your ground: Do not let someone else decide how you are going to parent. If they are uncomfortable then they will have to come to terms with it. You do not have to change the way you parent to suit someone else.
If nothing is working then you may just let the person know that you do not want to discuss the issue with them any more. Hopefully, it doesn't come to this.
About The Author
Patty Hone is a wife and mommy to three kids. She is also co-owner of Justmommies.com. Justmommies is a community for mommies to make friends and find support. Please visit Justmommies at http://www.justmommies.com
email@justmommies.com
Breastfeeding has come a long way but still many of the old thinking still carries on. Women are more educated on the subject; however, even with the many books and other information available, people are often most influenced by their immediate family and friends. Having the support of friends and family can boost the chances of having a successful breastfeeding experience. On the other hand, having to deal with criticism and misinformation from the people you are close to can sabotage a new mom trying to breastfeed.
There are many ways to deal with the negativity of others. One of the best things you can do is to try to understand why the person feels the way they do. Is it because they were taught differently about breastfeeding? Were they indoctrinated with the ideas that breastfeeding is primitive or inferior? Or is it that they feel breasts are a sexual object? Maybe they have never seen someone breastfeed and it makes them uncomfortable. This is the case with a lot of people. Once breastfeeding in public becomes more commonplace, perhaps, this will become less of a problem. Whatever the case, finding out the root of the person's issues with breastfeeding may help to resolve the tension.
Here are some things you can do to deal with criticism.
Be positive: It is hard for someone to argue with a happy, positive person. If you are excited and enthusiastic about breastfeeding it can be contagious
Try to educate them: Find information on the benefits of breastfeeding to mom and baby and share this with them. You don't have to "push this down their throat". Just be enthusiastic about your decision to breastfeed and share with them why you decided to.
Be sympathetic: A lot of times women are defensive because breastfeeding did not work out for them. If you sit and talk with any woman that really wanted to breastfeed, you can hear the sadness in her story. Try to be sympathetic and non-judgmental. Don't say things like "you could have or should have". Share your experience, be positive, and let them know you care.
Try not to get angry: Breastfeeding conversations can get very heated. Getting angry with someone is not likely to change her feelings. It will just make you and her upset. If you don't feel like you can talk about breastfeeding with this person change the subject or avoid talking about it.
Use your doctor as your advocate: Sometimes the best thing you can do is tell someone that this is what your doctor recommends. What you think means very little to some people but a doctor's word carries weight.
Don't be sarcastic or insulting: Belittling someone is likely to make someone defensive. It is not a good approach to winning someone over. You may turn an opportunity to educate someone into a personal attack.
Stand your ground: Do not let someone else decide how you are going to parent. If they are uncomfortable then they will have to come to terms with it. You do not have to change the way you parent to suit someone else.
If nothing is working then you may just let the person know that you do not want to discuss the issue with them any more. Hopefully, it doesn't come to this.
About The Author
Patty Hone is a wife and mommy to three kids. She is also co-owner of Justmommies.com. Justmommies is a community for mommies to make friends and find support. Please visit Justmommies at http://www.justmommies.com
email@justmommies.com
Are Parents Killing Their Infants Unaware?
SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) has been a worry on every new parent’s mind for a long time and its cause has been a mystery for just as long. Scientists all over the world claim that SIDS can happen to any infant, anywhere, any time, and there is absolutely nothing the parents can do to stop it. Most parents simply resign themselves to this and say that there is nothing that they can do to stop SIDS from occurring, but the fact is that a new study out of New Zealand claims to know the cause of it.
The answer lies within the crib the child sleeps in! The chemicals of arsenic, phosphorus, and antimony were first manufactured into crib mattresses back in the mid 1900’s and these chemicals are required by law to be in mattresses as a fire retardant. But, it is not just the mattress alone that causes the crib death, the study says. It is only when mold finds its way into the mattress that you begin to have a problem. When Scopulariopsis brevicaulis gets into one of these mattresses that has these chemicals in it, it begins to feed on them and releases them back into the air as toxic fumes or nerve gases. It is activated by heat and so when the baby sleeps on it (or especially when it has a fever), the mold begins to grow more quickly and lets the gases out into the air.
While the gas disperses almost immediately, it is still dangerous for infants to sleep on the mattresses because they are breathing too close to the surface of it. They are breathing these gases while they are still potent and this is what causes crib death.
So, what can you do? Do not use anything in the crib that contains these chemicals and wrap the mattress in plastic to keep these dangerous gases from escaping. It’s best to do this when the mattress is brand new so you know there isn’t any mold in it and if you have an old mattress that was given to you by friends or relatives to use, throw it away. There are special baby mattress wraps that you can use to wrap up your baby’s mattress, but are only available from New Zealand.
Also, use only materials such as 100% Egyptian cotton blankets for your baby to sleep on. Do not use sheepskin, polyester, anything that is quilted, padded, or filled, pillows or cushions. 100% cotton is the best thing to use.
Learn More about mold From the Experts at Mold Remediation U.S.A.
The answer lies within the crib the child sleeps in! The chemicals of arsenic, phosphorus, and antimony were first manufactured into crib mattresses back in the mid 1900’s and these chemicals are required by law to be in mattresses as a fire retardant. But, it is not just the mattress alone that causes the crib death, the study says. It is only when mold finds its way into the mattress that you begin to have a problem. When Scopulariopsis brevicaulis gets into one of these mattresses that has these chemicals in it, it begins to feed on them and releases them back into the air as toxic fumes or nerve gases. It is activated by heat and so when the baby sleeps on it (or especially when it has a fever), the mold begins to grow more quickly and lets the gases out into the air.
While the gas disperses almost immediately, it is still dangerous for infants to sleep on the mattresses because they are breathing too close to the surface of it. They are breathing these gases while they are still potent and this is what causes crib death.
So, what can you do? Do not use anything in the crib that contains these chemicals and wrap the mattress in plastic to keep these dangerous gases from escaping. It’s best to do this when the mattress is brand new so you know there isn’t any mold in it and if you have an old mattress that was given to you by friends or relatives to use, throw it away. There are special baby mattress wraps that you can use to wrap up your baby’s mattress, but are only available from New Zealand.
Also, use only materials such as 100% Egyptian cotton blankets for your baby to sleep on. Do not use sheepskin, polyester, anything that is quilted, padded, or filled, pillows or cushions. 100% cotton is the best thing to use.
Learn More about mold From the Experts at Mold Remediation U.S.A.
Wives Tales and Pregnancy
It's all great to hear advice during your pregnancy, especially unwelcome advice. I'm sure you've been told by one person or another how to live. Am I right? It only gets worse the further along in your pregnancy you are. Someone will want to tell you that you shouldn't bend, or walk a certain way, not to pick up a baby in case you hurt the one in your stomach or put yourself in labor. As the pregnancy gets closer to the due date you'll be told many different home remedies of how to put yourself in labor. Got a headache? Someone can tell you exactly what to drink to get rid of it without any medication, remember it is important to ask a doctor before trying to take something you've never tried before doing it. But the most fun I have during the course of the 9-10 months stretch is hearing all the wives tales, also known as myths.
I'm pretty sure you aren't going to even care at this point what sex the baby is, all you want is for the morning sickness to stop. You may even be counting down the days until the first trimester is over. Chances are if you morning sickness someone is bound to tell you what sex of the baby is. One wives tale is if you are having severe morning sickness is a sign you are having a girl.
Here's a wives tale that is a lot of fun and you can test it on everyone in your household. Take a thin piece of string or your hair, slide your ring down it, hold it above your belly and let the ring dangle above it. If the rings spins in a circle it is a boy, but if it goes from one side to the other, it is a girl. Once you've tried it out on your tummy, get someone in your house and do it above their hand. Does the ring spin in a circle above your husband's hand? Hmm, is it really and old wives tale or is there really something to it?
Many women claim to suffer from bouts of heartburn during the pregnancy, according to the old wives tell this would mean your baby will be born with a head full of hair.
Right before the end of your first trimester your doctor will listen to your baby's heart rate, this is to make sure the baby is doing alright. The wives tale goes, if the heart rate is high it is a girl and a low one is a boy.
Ever have someone tell you that you are carrying high or low and wonder what that really means? Basically if you are carrying your baby low it is closer to your abdomen, a high baby is closer to your chest. Look at yourself in the mirror. How is your baby sitting? The old tale says that if you are carrying high it is a girl, carrying low is a boy.
Wives tales can be a lot of fun but keep in mind these aren’t fact. Don’t go preparing your child’s room just because one of these told you, you were going to have a girl.
I'm pretty sure you aren't going to even care at this point what sex the baby is, all you want is for the morning sickness to stop. You may even be counting down the days until the first trimester is over. Chances are if you morning sickness someone is bound to tell you what sex of the baby is. One wives tale is if you are having severe morning sickness is a sign you are having a girl.
Here's a wives tale that is a lot of fun and you can test it on everyone in your household. Take a thin piece of string or your hair, slide your ring down it, hold it above your belly and let the ring dangle above it. If the rings spins in a circle it is a boy, but if it goes from one side to the other, it is a girl. Once you've tried it out on your tummy, get someone in your house and do it above their hand. Does the ring spin in a circle above your husband's hand? Hmm, is it really and old wives tale or is there really something to it?
Many women claim to suffer from bouts of heartburn during the pregnancy, according to the old wives tell this would mean your baby will be born with a head full of hair.
Right before the end of your first trimester your doctor will listen to your baby's heart rate, this is to make sure the baby is doing alright. The wives tale goes, if the heart rate is high it is a girl and a low one is a boy.
Ever have someone tell you that you are carrying high or low and wonder what that really means? Basically if you are carrying your baby low it is closer to your abdomen, a high baby is closer to your chest. Look at yourself in the mirror. How is your baby sitting? The old tale says that if you are carrying high it is a girl, carrying low is a boy.
Wives tales can be a lot of fun but keep in mind these aren’t fact. Don’t go preparing your child’s room just because one of these told you, you were going to have a girl.
Pregnancy’s Beautiful Stretch Marks
The minute you find out you are pregnant you know things are going to be changing, from your waist size to those little stretch marks that pop up. Stretch marks are exactly that, red or purple marks left in your skin because it has stretched. The most common areas for it to appear is the buttocks, thighs, stomach, breasts and even arms. 90 percent of all pregnant women will get them, whether they get a lot or a few depends on the body and how they are preventing them.
There are a ton of lotions out there that claim to help prevent stretch marks, such as scar serum, cocoa butter or Maderma. Make sure your skin is always moist, this helps in stretching the skin and not tearing it. There are new discoveries every day, ask your doctor what he/she recommends. Try them out yourself first and see if they work for you. This isn’t something you just put on one time during your pregnancy, you’ll have to make this a daily effort in order for it to work. That’s where most women fail, they just stop doing it.
During your pregnancy try to eat healthy and stay in shape. This can help to keep off any access weight. The recommended weight gain for the average, 25-35 healthy pregnancy is 25-35 pounds. Make sure you drink plenty of water, staying hydrated helps keep the skin healthy. The moment your skin dries out you can begin getting stretch marks.
If you’ve had one or more children your chances of getting more stretch marks will increase. Your skin has already been stretched out and you are about to do it again. Large babies and multiple babies can increase your chances of getting stretch marks too. Begin using preventing creams and lotions with vitamins A and E in them, as soon as you find out your are pregnant and try to lessen your chances of getting them.
After the pregnancy if you have any stretch marks you may still have a few stretch marks, even after all the care you took. These do fade over time, so don’t worry about the way you look. If they are unbearable to you and you’ve waited a while, you can choose to have a tummy tuck or laser removal. Make an appointment with a dermatologist to see what he/she has to tell you. You may discover that you can live with them after all.
Besides caring for your skin daily and eating right, there isn’t much you can do to prevent these beautiful pregnancy marks, however this doesn’t mean you don’t have to try. Take comfort in knowing that half the woman you know that have been pregnant probably have a mark or two, they may even have a little road map. Think about it as you’ve just been initiated into the gang of motherhood. No woman should ever feel ashamed of her stretch marks, they may not be the prettiest thing in the world but they do represent one thing…your child. Remember that the next time you are getting disgusted by them.
There are a ton of lotions out there that claim to help prevent stretch marks, such as scar serum, cocoa butter or Maderma. Make sure your skin is always moist, this helps in stretching the skin and not tearing it. There are new discoveries every day, ask your doctor what he/she recommends. Try them out yourself first and see if they work for you. This isn’t something you just put on one time during your pregnancy, you’ll have to make this a daily effort in order for it to work. That’s where most women fail, they just stop doing it.
During your pregnancy try to eat healthy and stay in shape. This can help to keep off any access weight. The recommended weight gain for the average, 25-35 healthy pregnancy is 25-35 pounds. Make sure you drink plenty of water, staying hydrated helps keep the skin healthy. The moment your skin dries out you can begin getting stretch marks.
If you’ve had one or more children your chances of getting more stretch marks will increase. Your skin has already been stretched out and you are about to do it again. Large babies and multiple babies can increase your chances of getting stretch marks too. Begin using preventing creams and lotions with vitamins A and E in them, as soon as you find out your are pregnant and try to lessen your chances of getting them.
After the pregnancy if you have any stretch marks you may still have a few stretch marks, even after all the care you took. These do fade over time, so don’t worry about the way you look. If they are unbearable to you and you’ve waited a while, you can choose to have a tummy tuck or laser removal. Make an appointment with a dermatologist to see what he/she has to tell you. You may discover that you can live with them after all.
Besides caring for your skin daily and eating right, there isn’t much you can do to prevent these beautiful pregnancy marks, however this doesn’t mean you don’t have to try. Take comfort in knowing that half the woman you know that have been pregnant probably have a mark or two, they may even have a little road map. Think about it as you’ve just been initiated into the gang of motherhood. No woman should ever feel ashamed of her stretch marks, they may not be the prettiest thing in the world but they do represent one thing…your child. Remember that the next time you are getting disgusted by them.
Picking a Name Before Your Pregnancy Ends
Choosing a name is one of the most important things you'll have to decide on during your pregnancy. Pick a name that your child is going to love, not something he/she will hate or be made fun of. There are a lot of things to consider when naming your child.
Origin
The origin of a name can help you pick out what name you like best, this also adds a piece of history to your child. Giving your son/daughter an Italian name because their great grandfather originally came over from Sicily will mean a lot to the family. Not to mention your child will always know they’re Italian. This doesn’t mean you can only choose names that go with your heritage, there may be a name out there that belongs to your child that isn’t.
The Sound of the Name:
Names can be hard to pronounce sometimes, not just for other people but for your child as well. Don’t choose a name you have a hard enough time saying, imagine how hard it’ll be for your own child to learn. The spelling can also be a cause for concern. Your child must learn how to spell his/her name, you don’t want a name that has over 20 letters long. Do you think you’d be able to learn to spell that in kindergarten? Think about your child first, sure the name might sound great but make sure it isn’t something that is going to be really hard. This doesn’t mean don’t choose a name that is unique, that is what makes your child stand out. But make sure that is what you really want.
Meaning
Meaning can be another factor when choosing a name, learn what that name means before you pick it. You might want something that means something dear to you. My daughter’s name means pure hope, I thought it was a lovely gesture and it sounded beautiful. Think about choosing a positive meaning for your child, this is the first thing that will be associated with him/her the moment he/she is born.
Gender names
Gender naming is another important issue. Think about if the name sounds like a boy’s name or a girl’s name. There are names that can go either way such as Sam, Erin or Angel.
Nicknames
When picking out a name, don’t forget that your child may end up being called by a nickname because of the name you have chosen. If this is something you don’t want, try picking a name that can’t be shortened. But don’t be surprised if it happens anyways. If you don’t mind, try picking out a name that’ll have a nickname you enjoy.
Last but certainly not least, remember children can be cruel think about the initials your child will have. You don’t want something that it’s initials mean something else. You want your child to be proud of his/her name. Not everyone is going to like the name you have chosen for your child, but as long as it is something you like, your child will like it too.
Origin
The origin of a name can help you pick out what name you like best, this also adds a piece of history to your child. Giving your son/daughter an Italian name because their great grandfather originally came over from Sicily will mean a lot to the family. Not to mention your child will always know they’re Italian. This doesn’t mean you can only choose names that go with your heritage, there may be a name out there that belongs to your child that isn’t.
The Sound of the Name:
Names can be hard to pronounce sometimes, not just for other people but for your child as well. Don’t choose a name you have a hard enough time saying, imagine how hard it’ll be for your own child to learn. The spelling can also be a cause for concern. Your child must learn how to spell his/her name, you don’t want a name that has over 20 letters long. Do you think you’d be able to learn to spell that in kindergarten? Think about your child first, sure the name might sound great but make sure it isn’t something that is going to be really hard. This doesn’t mean don’t choose a name that is unique, that is what makes your child stand out. But make sure that is what you really want.
Meaning
Meaning can be another factor when choosing a name, learn what that name means before you pick it. You might want something that means something dear to you. My daughter’s name means pure hope, I thought it was a lovely gesture and it sounded beautiful. Think about choosing a positive meaning for your child, this is the first thing that will be associated with him/her the moment he/she is born.
Gender names
Gender naming is another important issue. Think about if the name sounds like a boy’s name or a girl’s name. There are names that can go either way such as Sam, Erin or Angel.
Nicknames
When picking out a name, don’t forget that your child may end up being called by a nickname because of the name you have chosen. If this is something you don’t want, try picking a name that can’t be shortened. But don’t be surprised if it happens anyways. If you don’t mind, try picking out a name that’ll have a nickname you enjoy.
Last but certainly not least, remember children can be cruel think about the initials your child will have. You don’t want something that it’s initials mean something else. You want your child to be proud of his/her name. Not everyone is going to like the name you have chosen for your child, but as long as it is something you like, your child will like it too.
Morning Sickness During Pregnancy
Morning sickness can be one of your first signs that you are pregnant. This doesn’t always mean that you’ll get sick only in the morning. This can happen, morning, noon or night. It will normally occur in the first trimester or your pregnancy and end by the second, this isn’t the case in all pregnancies though. Some women will continue with it until the very end of term.
Nausea can happen immediately or you may get lucky and have no morning sickness at all. No one is for certain what causes morning sickness, it is a change in the body that happens during pregnancy. Many women seem to get sick after taking the prenatal pill, try taking it later in the day. Your doctor may even advise you to take some other form of vitamin instead of the pill. Always find out first with your doctor before taking anything new or taking yourself off medication, even prenatal pills.
There are a few ways to minimize the sickness, but they don’t work for everyone. Try keeping crackers on hand, I prefer saltines for some reason. Try drinking some ginger ale, it calms the stomach down. Dry cereal is another good thing to eat, your stomach may just be a little bit hungry and trying to tell you. Remember to take small portions, this way you know if it is all going to come up or not. Sleeping is another good way to avoid it, however it will wake you up. Keep yourself hydrated, not only can this make your sickness come but you can become dehydrated and need to go to the emergency room if you aren’t careful.
Smells is another thing that seems to cause morning sickness. Imagine walking into a restaurant and the first thing you smell is grease. Yes, this can easily set it off. Bad smells and even certain tastes, get the feel for your body during the pregnancy and figure out just what sets it off. Knowing how to avoid it, can make a world of difference.
A few reasons you should go to your doctor would be if you begin losing weight because you are constantly sick. If you become dehydrated, faint, look pale, confused or throw up more than four times in a day. Your doctor may be able to prescribe something that will stop it.
Try slowing down a bit, sometimes your body is just exhausted from all the errands you are running and it tries to give you a break. Listen to your body, take a nap, relax and watch a television show…take some time off. If you are looking for remedies for your morning sickness, you may try buying some pregnancy pops. Or if you’d prefer to stay away from the sweets you can wear a bracelet designed to stop morning sickness, they are just like the motion sickness bracelets. They don’t work for everyone but they could work for you.
Nausea can happen immediately or you may get lucky and have no morning sickness at all. No one is for certain what causes morning sickness, it is a change in the body that happens during pregnancy. Many women seem to get sick after taking the prenatal pill, try taking it later in the day. Your doctor may even advise you to take some other form of vitamin instead of the pill. Always find out first with your doctor before taking anything new or taking yourself off medication, even prenatal pills.
There are a few ways to minimize the sickness, but they don’t work for everyone. Try keeping crackers on hand, I prefer saltines for some reason. Try drinking some ginger ale, it calms the stomach down. Dry cereal is another good thing to eat, your stomach may just be a little bit hungry and trying to tell you. Remember to take small portions, this way you know if it is all going to come up or not. Sleeping is another good way to avoid it, however it will wake you up. Keep yourself hydrated, not only can this make your sickness come but you can become dehydrated and need to go to the emergency room if you aren’t careful.
Smells is another thing that seems to cause morning sickness. Imagine walking into a restaurant and the first thing you smell is grease. Yes, this can easily set it off. Bad smells and even certain tastes, get the feel for your body during the pregnancy and figure out just what sets it off. Knowing how to avoid it, can make a world of difference.
A few reasons you should go to your doctor would be if you begin losing weight because you are constantly sick. If you become dehydrated, faint, look pale, confused or throw up more than four times in a day. Your doctor may be able to prescribe something that will stop it.
Try slowing down a bit, sometimes your body is just exhausted from all the errands you are running and it tries to give you a break. Listen to your body, take a nap, relax and watch a television show…take some time off. If you are looking for remedies for your morning sickness, you may try buying some pregnancy pops. Or if you’d prefer to stay away from the sweets you can wear a bracelet designed to stop morning sickness, they are just like the motion sickness bracelets. They don’t work for everyone but they could work for you.
Eating Right During Your Pregnancy
You already know it is important to eat a well-balanced diet, but it is even more important when you are pregnant. Keep in mind now you are eating for two. Whatever you eat, the baby eats as well. In fact the baby actually takes your nourishments so you must eat enough for both of you. The healthier you eat the better it is for the pregnancy and you.
Never miss a meal while you are pregnant, especially breakfast. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and your baby has probably been waiting since he/she woke up in the middle of the night. You may learn that if you wait so long before eating you start to feel sick, this is your body telling you to eat. Do it!
Make sure you are getting enough of the food you need daily. It takes 4-6 servings of dairy a day for a healthy pregnancy, this can include some cheeses, milk, yogurt. This provides the baby with calcium which it’ll need to develop healthy growing bones. Adding extra calcium to your diet wouldn’t hurt you either, especially your teeth and bones.
Don’t forget about your fruit and vegetable servings. Lots of green is always a good choice, so are sweet potatoes. Not only will you be giving your body what it needs but you’ll start to have more energy. Try laying off the sweets for a week and replace them with healthier items and see how alive you feel.
Foods to Avoid
Not all foods are safe during your pregnancy, there are a few things you should avoid eating:
- unpasteurized products- brie
- Certain fish- exotic, shark, swordfish, anything high in mercury
- Raw eggs
- Undercooked meats- lunch meats. If you are buying a deli sandwich you can ask for them to eat the meat up a little.
- Caffeine- soda, chocolate. If you find this difficult you can wean yourself off, but the less caffeine in your system the better it is for the baby.
If you are ever unsure of the foods you can eat you can ask your doctor for a list of items to avoid during pregnancy. They’ll be more than happy to share this with you.
You may also learn that your stomach won’t handle certain foods that it would before. Some of those foods may include foods that contain grease, fast foods, meat, and certain foods that have a strong odor.
Eating healthy doesn’t mean you have to cut out all the fun in your life, you can still treat yourself from time to time. Go out and get a frozen yogurt or a smoothie.
While you are making sure you get enough to eat throughout the day, that doesn’t mean neglect your fluid intake. You’ll need lots of water and juices from here on out. The baby will thank you later. Who knows, you may discover that you really enjoy eating healthier and continue it even after the pregnancy.
Never miss a meal while you are pregnant, especially breakfast. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and your baby has probably been waiting since he/she woke up in the middle of the night. You may learn that if you wait so long before eating you start to feel sick, this is your body telling you to eat. Do it!
Make sure you are getting enough of the food you need daily. It takes 4-6 servings of dairy a day for a healthy pregnancy, this can include some cheeses, milk, yogurt. This provides the baby with calcium which it’ll need to develop healthy growing bones. Adding extra calcium to your diet wouldn’t hurt you either, especially your teeth and bones.
Don’t forget about your fruit and vegetable servings. Lots of green is always a good choice, so are sweet potatoes. Not only will you be giving your body what it needs but you’ll start to have more energy. Try laying off the sweets for a week and replace them with healthier items and see how alive you feel.
Foods to Avoid
Not all foods are safe during your pregnancy, there are a few things you should avoid eating:
- unpasteurized products- brie
- Certain fish- exotic, shark, swordfish, anything high in mercury
- Raw eggs
- Undercooked meats- lunch meats. If you are buying a deli sandwich you can ask for them to eat the meat up a little.
- Caffeine- soda, chocolate. If you find this difficult you can wean yourself off, but the less caffeine in your system the better it is for the baby.
If you are ever unsure of the foods you can eat you can ask your doctor for a list of items to avoid during pregnancy. They’ll be more than happy to share this with you.
You may also learn that your stomach won’t handle certain foods that it would before. Some of those foods may include foods that contain grease, fast foods, meat, and certain foods that have a strong odor.
Eating healthy doesn’t mean you have to cut out all the fun in your life, you can still treat yourself from time to time. Go out and get a frozen yogurt or a smoothie.
While you are making sure you get enough to eat throughout the day, that doesn’t mean neglect your fluid intake. You’ll need lots of water and juices from here on out. The baby will thank you later. Who knows, you may discover that you really enjoy eating healthier and continue it even after the pregnancy.
All Hands on Baby
Everyone wants to touch the baby, especially during the pregnancy but no one every asks. If you haven't noticed yet, the minute you start to show a tummy everyone else will gladly show you. The tummy becomes this magnet for hands and everyone wants to handle it. It doesn’t matter if you are walking around in a store, sitting down in a restaurant or walking on your own street, someone is bound to start rubbing all over it.
You aren’t the only one that is being driven nuts by this either, take a look at your husband. Sure he seems like a trooper but deep inside he’s probably ready to put someone’s lights out. Talk with your husband and see how he feels. Even if you don’t mind, he might not like other men’s hands on you. He may not care if it is a female touching your body but he can mind about a man. Think about how you would feel if you saw some woman rubbing her hands all over your husband’s chest. Maybe the two of you can come to an agreement, after all do you have to let everyone touch the baby?
Your belly, clothed or not is a personal space, sure there is someone intruding inside you but that person in welcome. But to actually touch someone else’s belly one should ask before they do it and respect your answer. If you don’t want them to touch it, tell them. While some women don’t mind all the attention, there are other women that don’t want their belly’s touched, let alone them to be showing for the whole world to see. Maybe they’ve gained 10 pounds and feel conscious enough about it, or they could be a very private person.
Children may also want to touch the belly, normally it is because they know someone that has had a baby and they were able to do it. If you don’t like it, let them know. If you don’t mind, you may want to place their hand on your belly. Children tend to get excited and actually smack the belly when they are trying to reach for it.
Forget about the rubbing the belly for a moment, be careful that you don’t get the person that likes to poke at it. That hurts more than anything and half the time they don’t get it. Try explaining to them as nicely as you can that it hurts. They may only be doing it because they want to see the baby move and when you jump they just think it is part of the pregnancy reaction. They may think twice before doing it again to you or anyone else.
If nothing else seems to work and you’ve been polite in letting people know that your belly is off limits, feel free to sick your husband on them or start swatting. You’ve already given fair warning. Don’t feel bad if you smack a person that lifts up your shirt in broad daylight either. This is a normal reaction and people should really think twice before doing it. They wouldn’t do it if you weren’t pregnant.
You aren’t the only one that is being driven nuts by this either, take a look at your husband. Sure he seems like a trooper but deep inside he’s probably ready to put someone’s lights out. Talk with your husband and see how he feels. Even if you don’t mind, he might not like other men’s hands on you. He may not care if it is a female touching your body but he can mind about a man. Think about how you would feel if you saw some woman rubbing her hands all over your husband’s chest. Maybe the two of you can come to an agreement, after all do you have to let everyone touch the baby?
Your belly, clothed or not is a personal space, sure there is someone intruding inside you but that person in welcome. But to actually touch someone else’s belly one should ask before they do it and respect your answer. If you don’t want them to touch it, tell them. While some women don’t mind all the attention, there are other women that don’t want their belly’s touched, let alone them to be showing for the whole world to see. Maybe they’ve gained 10 pounds and feel conscious enough about it, or they could be a very private person.
Children may also want to touch the belly, normally it is because they know someone that has had a baby and they were able to do it. If you don’t like it, let them know. If you don’t mind, you may want to place their hand on your belly. Children tend to get excited and actually smack the belly when they are trying to reach for it.
Forget about the rubbing the belly for a moment, be careful that you don’t get the person that likes to poke at it. That hurts more than anything and half the time they don’t get it. Try explaining to them as nicely as you can that it hurts. They may only be doing it because they want to see the baby move and when you jump they just think it is part of the pregnancy reaction. They may think twice before doing it again to you or anyone else.
If nothing else seems to work and you’ve been polite in letting people know that your belly is off limits, feel free to sick your husband on them or start swatting. You’ve already given fair warning. Don’t feel bad if you smack a person that lifts up your shirt in broad daylight either. This is a normal reaction and people should really think twice before doing it. They wouldn’t do it if you weren’t pregnant.
Planning a Baby Shower
Baby showers are a lot of fun, especially for pregnant mom-to-be. Not only is this something for the baby, but now she doesn‘t have to go out and buy. Before you throw a baby shower for someone there are a few things you should do to prepare. The first thing is figure out if this will be a surprise shower or not. There are benefits to both, the first one being if she knows she can help you with a list of people that she would like to be there. However, if it is a surprise she’ll be touched that you cared enough to throw her a baby shower, but be careful you don’t want to give her too much of surprise and put her in labor.
Making the Guest List
When it comes to making the guest list things can get a little tricky. Find out if there is anyone that would be upset if they weren't invited. Never leave out close family or friends, at least give them the option of showing up.
Games
Planning games for a shower can be a bit difficult when you have so many fun games and have a few gifts to pass out as prizes. Baby shower games are a lot of fun, here is a quick list.
Mommy’s belly- The mom-to-be stand in the center of the room and each guests get to decide how big her belly is using a string or a toilet paper sheets. Find out who guessed the closest.
Guess the nursery rhyme- Give each guest a sheet of nursery rhymes and have them guess the nursery rhyme or finish it. This will help everyone remember them and see who reads those bedtime stories.
Did you say Baby Game?- Each guest is giving small clothespins to wear around their neck on a necklace or on their shirt. Every time someone says “Baby” if someone catches them they get to take one pin. At the end of the party the guest with the most pins wins a prize.
Memory- Using a plastic tin of some sort place a bunch of baby items in it such as, bib, thermometer, baby spoon, diaper rash crème, etc. Anything you’d use on a baby. Let each guest get a chance to look in the bin for a few seconds and take it away. Once everyone is finished have them write down everything that was in the box. The person with the most correct answers wins.
Baby Food Tasting - Have a variety of baby food in jars, take off the outside wrapper and place a number at the bottom of the jar, on a separate piece of paper write the name of each jar. Each guest is dished out a spoonful of baby food to try. Have them write down what they think each one is. The one with the most correct answers wins a prize.
Have a great baby shower and don’t forget to bring a gift.
Making the Guest List
When it comes to making the guest list things can get a little tricky. Find out if there is anyone that would be upset if they weren't invited. Never leave out close family or friends, at least give them the option of showing up.
Games
Planning games for a shower can be a bit difficult when you have so many fun games and have a few gifts to pass out as prizes. Baby shower games are a lot of fun, here is a quick list.
Mommy’s belly- The mom-to-be stand in the center of the room and each guests get to decide how big her belly is using a string or a toilet paper sheets. Find out who guessed the closest.
Guess the nursery rhyme- Give each guest a sheet of nursery rhymes and have them guess the nursery rhyme or finish it. This will help everyone remember them and see who reads those bedtime stories.
Did you say Baby Game?- Each guest is giving small clothespins to wear around their neck on a necklace or on their shirt. Every time someone says “Baby” if someone catches them they get to take one pin. At the end of the party the guest with the most pins wins a prize.
Memory- Using a plastic tin of some sort place a bunch of baby items in it such as, bib, thermometer, baby spoon, diaper rash crème, etc. Anything you’d use on a baby. Let each guest get a chance to look in the bin for a few seconds and take it away. Once everyone is finished have them write down everything that was in the box. The person with the most correct answers wins.
Baby Food Tasting - Have a variety of baby food in jars, take off the outside wrapper and place a number at the bottom of the jar, on a separate piece of paper write the name of each jar. Each guest is dished out a spoonful of baby food to try. Have them write down what they think each one is. The one with the most correct answers wins a prize.
Have a great baby shower and don’t forget to bring a gift.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Tips On Baby Shower Etiquette
Proper baby shower etiquette can lend fun and joy to baby shower party. You can have lots of fun at the party by implying a little knowledge and some baby shower planning . Everyone is sure to enjoy the event and carry lovely memories after a wonderful celebration.The traditional rule with a baby shower is that anyone can throw it except for the couple that are having the baby. The proper baby shower etiquette says that someone who is not related to the couple should throw the baby shower.
The reason for this is that it won't look as though the family are asking for gifts. But this isn't necessarily true and we don't always follow tradition anymore. It should be that anyone who is close to you and willing to plan your baby shower should do so.It is good to do baby shower planning prior to the birth of the child. Hosting a baby shower after the arrival of the baby would not be so much of fun without the pot belly mother. The best time for hosting a baby shower would be somewhere between seventh and the ninth month when the mother has a big round belly.
Take care not to plan the party just before the due date, in case the baby arrives sooner than expected. On the other hand a baby shower party in the first few months would not be as exciting without the bulging belly. Before any invitations are sent out, the mom-to-be needs to decide on a day that would suit her and also go through the guest list to make sure that no one has been left out. If it is for a second or third baby, the guests would normally just be close friends and family.
Normally, for any baby shower, it is just women who are invited. Though men were not normally invited, but it was quite common for the man to show at the end of the party to help his wife with the presents. Now days, it seems that it is fine for men to a part of the baby shower.Baby showers are quite commonly held at country clubs, parks, restaurants, bars or any other place where people are able to get together. It is, however, a bit more personal and more comfortable if it is held in someone's house.It is only fair that the person who is organizing or hosting the baby shower should pay for it. It should be considered as a gift to the mom-to-be. The rest of the gifts should be practical.
As a baby shower could work out quite pricey, multiple people could throw the baby shower, which then helps with splitting the costs.Choice of food can vary depending upon the tastes. While hosting a baby shower, you can take your pick from finger foods, appetizers or having full course at a big restaurant.
Light snacks at such parties have disappeared since long. Nowadays, people often opt for buffet with cold beverages, coffee, wine and other drinks during baby shower planning. A cake is still a standard party etiquette at a baby shower. I think you've learned a lot from the baby shower etiquette above. In the end, remember that baby showers are meant to have fun, so enjoy!
About the Author
Looking for more ideas for baby showers? Qing Gu shares with you loads of helpful articles here for baby shower beginners...plus many advanced topics:http://www.coolest-baby-shower-idea.com/babyshower.htmlAlso sign up with the Planning A Baby Shower FREE eCourse, you'll be enjoying all the fun and innovative ways to make sure your baby shower party a great succes.
The reason for this is that it won't look as though the family are asking for gifts. But this isn't necessarily true and we don't always follow tradition anymore. It should be that anyone who is close to you and willing to plan your baby shower should do so.It is good to do baby shower planning prior to the birth of the child. Hosting a baby shower after the arrival of the baby would not be so much of fun without the pot belly mother. The best time for hosting a baby shower would be somewhere between seventh and the ninth month when the mother has a big round belly.
Take care not to plan the party just before the due date, in case the baby arrives sooner than expected. On the other hand a baby shower party in the first few months would not be as exciting without the bulging belly. Before any invitations are sent out, the mom-to-be needs to decide on a day that would suit her and also go through the guest list to make sure that no one has been left out. If it is for a second or third baby, the guests would normally just be close friends and family.
Normally, for any baby shower, it is just women who are invited. Though men were not normally invited, but it was quite common for the man to show at the end of the party to help his wife with the presents. Now days, it seems that it is fine for men to a part of the baby shower.Baby showers are quite commonly held at country clubs, parks, restaurants, bars or any other place where people are able to get together. It is, however, a bit more personal and more comfortable if it is held in someone's house.It is only fair that the person who is organizing or hosting the baby shower should pay for it. It should be considered as a gift to the mom-to-be. The rest of the gifts should be practical.
As a baby shower could work out quite pricey, multiple people could throw the baby shower, which then helps with splitting the costs.Choice of food can vary depending upon the tastes. While hosting a baby shower, you can take your pick from finger foods, appetizers or having full course at a big restaurant.
Light snacks at such parties have disappeared since long. Nowadays, people often opt for buffet with cold beverages, coffee, wine and other drinks during baby shower planning. A cake is still a standard party etiquette at a baby shower. I think you've learned a lot from the baby shower etiquette above. In the end, remember that baby showers are meant to have fun, so enjoy!
About the Author
Looking for more ideas for baby showers? Qing Gu shares with you loads of helpful articles here for baby shower beginners...plus many advanced topics:http://www.coolest-baby-shower-idea.com/babyshower.htmlAlso sign up with the Planning A Baby Shower FREE eCourse, you'll be enjoying all the fun and innovative ways to make sure your baby shower party a great succes.
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