Baby Car Seat Safety

It is very important to use the correct type of baby seat when you have an infant on board. Most people do not know how to install a baby car seat safely. Do you know that some hospitals won't discharge a mom and new baby until they see the car seat? Fortunately, many kinds of infant car seats exist in the market.

The easiest baby car seat to utilize is the kind that has a base that is buckled securely to the seat. This car seat itself can be lifted off and carried around by the handle. This is will be convenient to you because the baby can be carried to and from the house or wherever the child is going while strapped into the seat. These infant seats usually will only be safe for transporting babies facing backward, until the age of one year. When the baby is 18 pounds, and at least one year old, it is time for a forward-facing baby car seat. Plus, by the time the baby is that old, and weighs 18 pounds, he will be too heavy to lug around that way! You will want to get the baby out of the baby seat, and carry him, or he may even be walking by then!

The next kind of baby car seat is called a convertible car seat. Many of these baby car seats can be placed in the backward-facing position for when babies grow out of their infant seats, but are not yet old enough, or at a heavy enough weight to sit facing forward. Then, the convertible baby car seat can be turned to face forward, and will seat the baby until the baby is 40 pounds or more. These have a 5-point harness that is buckled at the bottom and the chest.

Once the baby reaches 40 pounds, he will move to a booster seat. This seat is a small base that keeps the child secure, while allowing him to use the regular seat belt. The child can usually sit in this type of car seat until he weighs 80 pounds!

As a rule of thumb, babies and children below the age of twelve are supposed to be seated behind, not in the front seat. The safest place is the center of the back seat. This is because studies show that air bags in the front seat may cause injuries to children. So if possible, never allow a child to be seated in front.

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Can Infant Acne Lead to Teen Acne?

Do you notice rashes and pimples on your newborn's delicate skin? That must be infant acne, but don't worry, it's normal for babies to get acne, too. This form of acne, also called baby acne, is common among one-month old babies. There are some cases too, however, wherein the pimples are already present right after birth. It's temporary; however, it might recur intermittently within a period of six months.

Like in adults, infant acne is manifested by inflamed skin with tiny and bumpy whiteheads in the middle. You can usually find these on the cheeks, on the forehead and on the chin. What causes infant acne is still unknown to specialists, though these can be triggered by the irritation of the skin due to saliva, milk and clothing or fabric that have been washed with harsh soap and are frequently held against the baby's face. It can also be triggered by a certain kind of drugs the mother have taken while breastfeeding or those that were given to the baby.

Some experts claim that infant acne is caused by the excess hormones the baby has gotten from the mother at the closing stages of the pregnancy. The baby may be in the process of eliminating these active hormones out of its body and infant acne is one of the ways through which the baby does this. Other babies may respond to these hormones differently and you may not even be aware of it.

Infant acne is not life threatening as it is a normal cleaning process babies undergo, so don't worry too much. It will last just for a couple of weeks and your baby's skin will again be as gentle as it was. In it manageable and in most cases, treatment is not necessary. But there are things you should avoid doing to prevent infections that could harm your baby. Many parents think it's caused by dirt so they scrub the baby's skin. This should never be done as it will only irritate the skin and cause it to get more inflamed. You can clean it with clean water and baby soap that is gentle to your baby's skin.

Also, do not treat the infant acne yourself by using ointments or oils as these would only worsen the acne. If the condition of the infant acne is severe it would be best to bring your baby to the pediatrician or dermatologist who can recommend the right treatment. Usually doctors recommend benzoyl peroxide creams, an antibacterial drug that helps kill bacteria that aggravate infant acne. These can be bought over the counter.

The doctor may also prescribe a drug, which your baby may have to take for a certain period of time, but this is usually given only for severe conditions of infant acne. Generally, infant acne does not last long so they say that the best solution is to be patient about it. If it doesn't make your baby too uncomfortable, better not worry too much about it as well.

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Know The Risks Of Cesarean Section

A cesarean section is usually performed by gynecologists through a surgical method of taking the baby from the mother through a cut in the mother's abdomen and uterus.

Many people believe the term cesarean come from Julius Caesar. His mother supposedly survived Julius delivery through her abdomen. At that time, her survival is remarkable for such surgery usually took the lives of most mothers.

Whether a cesarean section is an elective surgery or emergency surgery, the reason it should be done must be to save the life of both mother and baby and their health concerns. About five percent of all births are complicated enough to need c-section. In US, the rates of birth by c-section have been raising to over 1 in 4 births according to studies.

When compared to other nations, the US ranks 15 in infant mortality rate currently. Even though that we have the most advance health care facilities, when it comes to cesarean section, there seems to be no correlation of improved health for mothers and babies.

The risk present in a cesarean section is generally the same risk faced with any traditional abdominal surgery. Maternal complications from surgical delivery may include uterine infection, urinary tract infection, wound infection, anesthesia complications, and unexplained abdominal pain. In some cases it may even result in death!

In a French study, it was found that undergoing a cesarean section puts women at three times the risk of dying than with vaginal birth. Women who had c-section may feel guilty, cheated and inadequate in being a mother after the experience. Some psychological consequences may develop in her. These are depression, anger, frustration and even bitterness towards the doctor who performed the cesarean section.

There are also some risks to a baby born from a c-section. The most common are a lack of alertness, respiratory distress syndrome, drug complications and some other risks. Mothers are usually separated from babies because of her need to recover. This may cause the baby not able to receive colostrum from breast milk, further disadvantaging the baby.

Because of these concerns regarding cesarean section, it is always be well informed of the development of child birth. Cesarean section must be avoided whenever possible. Most babies can be delivered normally; about 5 percent of births necessitate a c-section delivery in order to save the life of the mother or baby. Seek the advice of another doctor if you need to.

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Baby Signs - Truth or Fiction?

Babies learn our language in a very different and perhaps progressive manner. Initially, they hear sounds and form them into patterns. They might even notice different syllables. They also have an innate perception for tone, which can convey and show feeling and emotion of the speaker. But the ability to communicate simply is not there yet. A high pitch voice can cause a baby to smile simply because of the tone. All babies learn and understand language prior to their ability to articulate exact phrasing of words. They can often learn to convey simple thoughts, such as "more", "change" and "eat".

The main point is the bridge the gap between the ability to communicate and the ability to be understood. Luckily, there's a way to do this. It is known as "baby signs". Baby signs can be very effective in the reinforcement in the development of a baby's language skills. As parents, we can assist in this development and lowers the frustration level of a baby.

The theory behind baby signs is to assign a common but consistent gesture to a word. The more common word can be "eat", "more", "potty" etc. Perhaps it could be pointing to your mouth. The point is to have the baby associate the gesture with the meaning of the word. Some common points are to speak to the baby directly, making good eye contact and do the gesture at the same time. You can begin doing this as to the baby as young as 2-3 months. If so, they by the time the baby are 10-12 months, they can communicate with you using baby signs.

The earlier your baby starts learning signs, the earlier they will start using them. It's all about the connection that the baby makes in their brain with ideas and signs. This connection has been proven to give them a head start in the world of verbal communication. Which will lead to speech as soon as possible. The most important point is that it reduces the baby's frustration level with their ability to communicate with you.

Some opponent of this theory says that babies using baby signs might not effective with their speech. However, studies and my personal experience have proved otherwise entirely. The connection between thoughts and word are form earlier, which lends itself to a higher, and a more satisfying form with existence.

Even though baby signs are a relatively new concept, it is very effective with new babies and how they can talk to their parents. Everyone in his or her family raves about the increased comfort level with the baby.

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Make yours an Organic and Eco Baby

Organic and Fairtrade Baby Food

Organic baby food has been around for decades and fairtrade baby food has only recently been launched. Why feed your baby with chemicals, additives and possibly genetically modified ingredients when you can feed them fresh, organic and healthier food? By buying fairtrade it also enables you to put something back into local communities where the ingredients originated from, so that they can look after their families better due to being paid a fair price for their food and hence they are able to reinvest the funds into their community and families.


Organic and Eco Friendly Baby Care

Babies have extremely sensitive skin that requires a mild and gentle touch - which is why it makes sense to treat them with products made from the purest ingredients. The skin is the largest part of the babies body and is often prone to sores and nappy rash in the early days. Minimise the amount of chemicals coming into contact with the babies skin by buying organic or natural baby care products.

Organic and Fairtrade Baby Clothing

A babys skin is thinner than that of an adult, so make sure the clothes against their bodies are free from harmful pesticides and chemicals by buying clothing which are made from organic or hemp fibres which are made with the minimum or no chemicals in the production and processing. By buying Fairtrade or ethical baby clothes from companies such as HUG ensures that other babies in developing countries may benefit as well from the clothes that you buy. Cheap, brand new clothes from supermarkets etc. are often made in China in low cost production facilities where workers are paid the minimum wage and where the term sweatshops originated from. Buying second hand or using donated clothes is the ultimate form of recycling and is cheaper too at this expensive time of life.

Environmentally Friendly Cloth Nappies

Cloth nappies can be washed and reused hundreds of times. Millions of disposable nappies are used throughout your country and you can imagine what size of landfill is needed to bury them all! Cloth nappies can reduce nappy rash and have no suspect chemicals. By washing them with your normal clothes, you again minimise your babies impact on the environment.


Breast feeding

Breast milk is very economical, constantly available at the right temperature and if your diet is organic then so is your milk which is therefore better for your baby. If you have to buy formula we wary of buying Nestle as an International Nestle Boycott is in effect in 20 countries. The boycott will continue until Nestle ends its irresponsible marketing of breast milk substitutes world-wide and abides by the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and subsequent Resolutions in policy and practice.

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Baby Sleep Problems and Solutions Part 1

There are many important factors to consider when trying to ensure your baby gets a good night sleep. While one method alone will not work for everyone if you do persevere then it is just a matter of finding one that suits you and your baby.

In the first few months of a babies life they will not be able to tell the difference between night and day. This causes them to sleep more hours in daytime than at night. The daytime sleep is made up of many naps throughout the day. As the baby gets older they will gradually erase one of the naps and this will continue as they get older. A young child will never be able to see one full morning and afternoon without napping some of the time though the naps get less frequent.

From a very early age you need to set out a baby sleep schedule and to stick with it even though sometimes you may find this difficult. The idea is to instill in the babies mind that now is the time for bed because certain things are happening. This set routine will not only assist you with organizing your time but it will also be appreciated by the baby.

Every mum has their own type of schedule that involves many different things and some of them maybe similar to the ones that have worked for me even though they may be done in a different order. I used to call mine the five step method and I will go through each step so you can see why I do it and how effective it can be. You can integrate any of these methods into your schedule if you wanted to quite easily.

As the baby gets older you can still provide these same five examples though they will be done at different times as the baby develops.

The first Step:
I set aside a specific time of the day for afternoon playtime. This will get the mind of the baby working along with their body. It can be playing with small soft toys or just simple, games of peek-a-boo and other family favorites. The idea is to get the activity out of the way now and as far away as the sleep time as possible so they do not go to bed a little excited and hyperactive.

The Second Step:
After all that energy being used I find this is a good time to give them a bath. Babies normally love the bath time experience nearly as much as the mother. This is a good mother baby bonding session in its own right. By now the baby should be feeling clean and refreshed.

The Third Step:
Before I dress the baby for bed I like to give a 10-15 minutes massage. This is the ultimate relaxing moment for the baby as you give them a gentle rub down on the front and back. Baby massage has many benefits and aids baby development. After the massage has been finished I powder the baby a little then get them into their sleeping clothes. By no the baby should be continuing the winding down toward sleep.

The Forth Step.
I always give a feed before bedtime. After all the energies of the past few hours I think you will find that they are ready to fill tuck into something warm and nourishing. Babies are not unlike adults in many ways. I dont know about you but if I have eaten too much I just want to relax and often fall asleep. Babies do the exact same. After a good feed and still feeling the benefits of the last hour of pre-sleep ritual they should be ready to get into slumber.

The Fifth Step:
If you have done the first four steps correctly the last should be a breeze. You may not need to get into singing, humming, swaying or gyrating mode for this as all your past work is hopefully now going to pay dividends and the baby drops off to sleep of their own accord.

Mission accomplished I pour myself a glass of wine and flop down on the sofa and recap on another eventful day for mother and child. What will tomorrow bring? Who knows.

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Tips on Your Baby's Skin Care

Although babies have basically flawless skin, some babies appear to have irritations and redness on their facial skin. This should not alarm parents as this condition is actually quite normal and would probably stop all on its own.

Baby skin is actually the purest and the healthiest as all functions are still active and the skin is still well hydrated. There is little damage from sunlight that can be seen and blemishes are non-existent. Of course, damage will eventually be visible as children will most likely play outside under the sun when they grow a little bit older.

One thing that parents must understand though is the fact that not because children's skin are flawless, their skin is not damaged or is not being damaged. Oftentimes, the visible signs of damage come later in life.

And because children have no idea in what skin care is or could not care less on the condition of their skin 10 years in the future, it is the responsibility of the parents to educate their children on the needs and begin a skin care regimen that will help prevent the onset of various skin problems like dark spots, wrinkles, warts and acne.

It is never too soon for them to learn how to take care of their skin and it is never too soon for you to worry about your babies' skins. In fact, it is important that parents realize this because the care for the skin of your children will rest solely on you.

Although there is really no need to get into medications and other stuff because the skin of babies are basically healthy, there is still a need to start protecting the skin from the sun. This can be done by wearing clothes that will shield them from the sun, wearing hats and sun-visors.

It is also important not to expose them too much in direct sunlight especially in noontime. If you do plan to go to the beach, make sure that you use sunscreen on them. There are sunscreens made especially for babies that are available in the market.

With bathing essentials like soaps, parents should stay clear of products that have added components. The milder and purer the better as the skin of babies and young kids are sensitive. Additional ingredients such as perfume may only irritate the skin and cause allergies. Coloring agents in baby products are also a no-no.

Below are some tips that can help you in your search for the skin care professional that will not only help you care for your skin but will also help you take care of your whole body and well-being.

1. Go to reputable hospitals

Most hospitals will have sections or departments that deal with the skin. Most of the time, it is best to go here and ask for referrals as most of their doctors are reputable and experts in their fields.

Another advantage of seeking a doctor inside the hospitals or in major clinics is the fact that they will be able to provide your with the latest in facilities and also in terms of techniques. Big hospitals are constantly upgrading their service as well as updating their staff with the latest technology.

2. Ask a recommendation.

For sure, you will know someone who have been treated and if not, you can always ask your friends who will surely know someone really good. Getting referrals is a great way of ensuring that your doctor is really good because someone you know has already tried his services.

Another advantage of going to a doctor that your friends know is that you can ask for tips when it comes to some things like haggling for the price.

3. Check your budget

You can get the best care but if you don't have the money to pay for it, why bother? It is important that before you look for a good doctor, you know how much you are willing to spend. The doctor that you should be asking for should be within that budget. Otherwise, you will only be wasting your time.

4. Make sure that you have all the facts

Before you go hunting for doctors, make sure that you have already done your research on the procedure. This way, you will be able to find the doctor that will fit your needs and requirements.

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A Vital Part of Early Development

During the first three months of infancy, babies spend most of their time eating and sleeping. Their eyes are just learning to focus on objects near their face and they are unable to grasp a toy with their own hand. Even in these helpless first few months, babies are beginning to discover their surroundings by seeing and hearing.

As your newborn grows, she will learn that her arms and legs move. She will begin to explore her world with the help of her sense of touch. During the months of infant discovery, it is important to provide your baby with a variety of age-appropriate learning toys to promote her healthy growth and development.

The best traditional toys for babies are those that allow them to explore using their senses. Bright, vivid colors and contrasting patterns are easy for her to focus on and toys that make noise will thrill an infant at any age. Various textures and toys with easy to operate buttons or knobs are great for encouraging development in newborns.

Rattles are classic toys that are still favorites for infants. Look for rattles with bold colors and an easy to grip handle. Until your baby learns to hold things in her hand, typically between 3 and 6 months, she can watch the rattle as you gently shake it for her. As your little one grows, encourage her to shake her rattle along with music and during sing-along time.

Most babies begin teething around 3 or 4 months of age, so be sure to provide your newborn with several teething toys. Many teethers double as activity toys with rattling pieces and a mixture of shapes and materials to explore. Make sure all the toys you give your baby during her teething stages are safe for her to put in her mouth. Avoid toys with small parts that may pose choking hazards.

Soft, cuddly dolls are ideal toys for infants as well. Choose safe dolls designed for children under a year old. Soft toys that squeak when you squeeze them will delight babies and dangly plastic toys like key rings will fascinate them. Activity gyms that allow babies to lay underneath them and play are also good choices.

Babies are captivated with their own image. Shatter proof mirrors and activity mats with mirrors will allow your infant to safely explore that pretty baby in front of her. Remember to provide your baby with a selection of sturdy board books and make reading to your little one a part of your daily routine.

Music has been proven to aid in childhood development, so introduce your baby to a variety of songs and rhythms. Play upbeat music softly in the background during playtime and consider a relaxing lullaby CD at night or during naps. Sing with your baby often and play simple sing-song games like pat-a-cake with her.

Once your baby becomes mobile, she will enjoy upright toys that allow her to push as she practices walking behind it. Many walkers are designed with knobs and buttons that click and spin to entertain your baby when she stops to play. There are several toys that are appropriate for babies under a year old. Choose toys that enhance learning and development by allowing your little one to safely explore a variety of sights and sounds with her hands and feet, as well as her mouth.

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Another Possible Colic Reliever

Many babies develop colic, in fact up to 25% of all babies suffer from this condition that seems to be more a grouping of symptoms than an actual condition. Because of this many parents and doctors alike have a difficult time finding some form of medication or treatment that will help soothe the baby's discomfort. Fortunately, there are Hylands Colic tablets. Hylands colic tablets are organic in nature and designed specifically for mild stomach upset, which is basically what colic really is.

Colic can be caused by any range of things from milk proteins, eating too quickly, swallowing too much air, and the like and Hylands colic tablets works to ease the baby's pain no matter what is causing the colic. Basically, colic is indigestion and gas pains very similar to those adults feel and baby's need relief, too, and parents want to give it to them, so this is where Hylands colic tablets come into play.

Highlands colic tablets have been around for a while and proven to be the solution many generations of frantic parents were looking for to soothe their babies' colic, indigestion, gas, stomach upset, and similar complaints. These tablets are small and dissolve easily in baby's cheek or else in a glass of water to be administered with a bottle. Miraculously, babies with mild tummy aches, gas, indigestion, and the like respond rather quickly and well to these natural colic tablets. However, if your baby continues to get worse or exists for several days you should contact your physician.

The indications for use of Hylands colic tablets include baby gas, indigestion, irritability, restlessness, colic pains, and the like. Generally these conditions are brought on be feeding too quickly, gulping too much air, food irritations, colds, teething, and other similar conditions. When your baby is experiencing these types of symptoms it is likely Hylands colic tablets will work for your baby. Of course, Hylands colic tablets don't work for every baby, but you should still give them a try to see if they bring some much needed comfort to your little one.

There are many natural solutions for baby colic and Hylands colic tablets are just one of them. Of course, you may need to try many different products and remedies before you find the one that works for your baby, but if you are persistent you will surely find something that calms and soothes your little one. As a result, try Hylands colic tablets if nothing else you have done so far has been able to comfort your little one and hopefully you will see the positive results so many other parents have seen with these homeopathic little tablets.

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The Danger of Cute Baby Clothes

Is it me, or are babies now the best-dressed people on the planet? From Baby Phat to Baby Gap, it seems that no little person now can now be seen in anything but the latest designer gear - even Gucci now has a range for 2-year-olds!

It's probably just the natural consequence of the self-obsessed times in which we live; the The New York Times once offered an explanation for women's obsession with baby fashions, in an article titled "Dressing Up Mini-Me." It blamed rivalry and narcissism run amok and showcased society babes in nothing less than Gucci booties and DKNY cashmere sweaters.

The explanation usually given is "Why not - it looks really cute," followed by a more defensive rationale such as, "I want my child to have the best and if I can afford it, why not?" Well, call me old-fashioned, but it seems we are getting priorities a little out of place here. After all, can anyone explain the sense in buying an expensive biker jacket for a 2-year-old, who will grow out of it in a couple of months?

Fashion has its place and - yes - it's nice to see cute little kids running around in pretty outfits, but c'mon! Let's remember that the MOST important criteria when it comes to buying baby clothes have nothing to do with how nice they look - they are comfort, safety and functionality. Here are a few of the issues you really should be thinking about when you are buying baby clothes:

1. Fabric - organic fabrics are best. Babies have extremely sensitive skin, so make sure the material is soft. It should also be flame-retardant and free of bleaches, pesticides and heavy dyes.

2. Ease of use - make sure it's easy to put on and take off and that your child can move around comfortably when wearing it. Snap crotches are great for ease of diaper changes and necklines are usually best when stretchy or with a snap or two to widen the opening around your baby's head.

3. Size - buy something that your baby will grow into. If not, you will be shocked at how quickly they will outgrow their duds.

4. Season - you need to buy clothes relevant to the current and upcoming seasons, but also try to keep your purchases season-neutral as much as possible. For young babies and toddlers' daily summer wear, onesies made of lightweight cotton are a great alternative to pants and shirts. For winter wear, bundling babies in layers is a good way to combat the difference between heated buildings and the outside. Warm socks, mittens, and hats are also essential for keeping in most of the baby's body heat.

One final tip - don't be afraid or ashamed of hand-me-downs. Babies grow fast - real fast! This means that you can usually get you can usually get several babies worth of use out of an outfit and if you really do want your baby to look like a fashion model mini-me, this is probably the most sensible and cost-effective way to do it.

But however much money you want to spend on your little one - or however cute you want him/her to look - remember that when it comes to buying baby clothes, "cute" is no substitute for safe and comfortable.

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25 Reasons Why Babies Cry

More often than not, a crying baby can drive parents and caregivers crazy, especially if the baby cries persistently. However, you need to know that crying is a common event in the lives of all babies. When a baby comes out of the womb the first thing to do is crying.

By the first cry he will take some air into the lungs for the first time in their life. It is obvious that the healthy baby should cry.

We all know that a baby can't tell his needs or troubles. The only way for him to communicate with others is by crying. Babies show some other signals like feet kicking, hand waving and head turning. But the easiest way to capture the attention of others is by crying.

It's hard to define whether crying is excessive, as the crying behavior varies from baby to baby. Some babies can be calmed easily but some are difficult to sooth.

Many a times the baby calms down by giving breast milk or by carrying with a gentle rocking. Sudden onset of excessive crying means the baby is distressed and needs attention.

The causes of crying extends from simple reasons to life threatening conditions. While it is prudent to investigate every crying, it is also good to know that some babies cry habitually without any real reasons, but will stop gradually.

Here is a list of the common causes of a baby crying.

1) Hunger
One of the more common reasons is a hungry baby, who will cry until he gets the milk.

2) Wetting
Urination and defecation cause some discomfort and results in crying till he is cleaned and made dry .

3) Company
Some babies need someone near. Or when his comfort item like a favourite doll slips away from the grip, he cries.

4) Fatigue
When the baby is tired but unable to sleep, he'll simply cry.

5) Heat and cold
If he feels too hot or too cold he becomes restless and cry. Ensure there is good ventilation and the room temperature is just right.

6) Tight clothing
Tight clothes especially during warm weather is intolerable for babies. Tight elastic of the dress can also cause soreness in the hip area.

7) Dark room
When the baby wakes up from sleep he needs some dim light. If there is complete darkness he will cry.

8) Mosquitoes
Yes, these insects disturb the sleep by their blood sucking, causing itch and making the baby cry.

9) Nasal blockage
The infant may not be able to sleep when there is nasal blockage and will keep on crying until the passage is clear.

10) Phlegm in throat
This also causes difficult breathing. Sometimes a typical sound can be heard with each breath.

11) General aching
Generalised body ache with restlessness is seen in flu and prodromal stages of some infectious diseases. The baby cries as a result.

12) Nappy rash
If a tight and wet nappy is kept for a long time, a nappy rash may develop. The rash can also be due to some allergic response to the elastic material of the nappy. Other skin problems like eczema, ecthyma, candidiasis etc can also cause discomfort in the baby.

13) Ear ache
Ear infection is prevalent especially in wet climate. Ear ache commonly becomes worse at night when lying down. The child will become restless and an older toddler may show signs of rubbing the affected ear regularly.

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Baby Please Stop Crying

Communication - that's what a baby's crying is for. This sweet thing that suddenly turn into a fit of tears is just craving for your sweeter attention. All cultures in the world nod to this pattern all infants are accustomed to.

A baby cries the most during his or her first three months. Though the amount of crying steadily increase, the crying time period may vary from an hour to most of the day and this could still be considered within normal range. Like, whoah, right? Babies are also known as howling tear factories.

Some thought that a baby cries more during the afternoon accounting it to the anxiousness of the mother or the stressed mood of the father after going home from work. But the most accepted assumption now is that babies have this automatic screening ability they use to shut off all the noise that may stimulate some response from them so they could get enough rest. But in the long run, this filter weakens and totally disappears during the approximate age of six weeks. This, then, make a baby very sensitive to the external factors such as noise, movements, etc. And these generally elicit a reaction from a baby and how best could he or she respond but only through crying.

There are many reasons why a baby succumbs to crying. Deciphering these reasons is the major feat a parent must surmount. Here are some of the things your sweetsome baby is making you understand through crying.

Hunger. Yes, your attention-hungry baby is craving to let you know that his tummy is grumbling. This is the most common reason for a baby to cry, especially, during his early months. The pattern of the hunger howl could be characterized as being persistent, demanding and almost rhythmical. But that rhythm is not at any rate close to becoming musical, of course.

Boredom. What can I say? Aren't these babies just plain spoiled? Crying because of boredom, errr, I'd find that a bit more twisted or weird if it's with an adult that is. But babies are really built like this. Crying is their way of telling you, "Hey get me a life here!" Aside from attention and food, consequently, babies need a lot of stimulation. And when they don't get this, there you get your waaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!!! The trick is to pick the baby up and play with him. This move may be frowned upon by some because of its amounting to spoiling the baby. But it is important to know that stimulation is also one of the major necessities of an infant and it won't hurt to provide him with some while in his growing age. This boredom cry is said to be also rhythmical and full of sobs and moans.

Discomfort. Pain is another precursor of the baby's crying. Who won't cry when in pain, right? Babies are not Major Paynes to endure the most excruciating discomfort they could undergo. They are little, vulnerable beings that need to be attended to when injured or when in an inconvenient situation. This cry could be more persistent, louder and more demanding. Shrieking and screaming, those are words that better describe the crying pattern roused by pain.

Another cause may be disturbance; surely, howling will proceed just when they're about to sleep or are already fast asleep and suddenly gets surprised by some noise, or movement. An illness that causes discomfort to a baby may also be the reason for a baby's bursting into fit of tears.

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Remedying Colic Naturally

While colic seems like an incurable situation there are some options that will offer comfort and soothe your baby. Many of these remedies happen to be natural, yet many parents don't turn to these first even though they might work better. Regardless, many parents turn to natural colic remedies when they can find nothing else to soothe their baby. Most doctors don't have any suggestions that will help you soothe your baby's colic, so natural remedies might be your best option. When you can no longer stand sleepless nights and a crying baby you might want to try some of the following natural remedies for colic.

One natural remedy that has amazing results with many babies suffering from colic is herbal tea. This might sound strange to you, but herbal tea helps adults feel better and babies as well. Doctors will even approve four ounces or more of herbal tea daily for babies suffering from colic. The different elements in herbal tea helps baby feel better and soothes the symptoms of colic. However, don't feed your baby too much herbal tea because you want him to still have an appetite for breast milk or formula that has all of those important nutrients. Don't make the tea too strong either. Remember, you are making the tea for a baby so weak is fine. Teas like chamomile, catnip, ginger, and even peppermint seem to work the best.

Other remedies for colic include herbal remedies you can find at your local drugstore. Humphries and iBaba are both herbal remedies that are natural and have a calming affect on your baby. Most of the time when you give your baby one of these herbal remedies you will notice a calming effect quickly as the medicine works to calm the intestines, relieve gas, and simply make the baby feel better. These remedies are generally small dissolvable pills that can be placed in the baby's cheek or else dissolved in water and given to baby.

Yet another natural remedy includes massage and chiropractic adjustment. Both of these natural remedies work to relieve colic and help your baby feel better. You can learn some basis massage techniques from baby massage books and on the Internet as well as visit a baby massage therapist. If you believe your baby's colic is from misalignment you might want to visit the chiropractor.

There are many natural remedies for colic as you can see and you may be surprised at some of them. However, all of these natural remedies work for different babies so if you try one and it doesn't work you just might need to try another and another until you find the best natural remedy for your baby.

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Tips When Choosing a Baby Blanket

It is the goal of every parent to keep his or her baby safe and comfortable. One of the most valuable tools that any parent, especially a new parent has is the baby blanket. This tool can be used to keep the baby warm, keep him dry from the rain and is a trusted play mat in an unfamiliar location. With all of these important jobs, it is essential that the correct blanket is chosen for your little one.

Here are some tips for helping you choose the right blanket at the right price for your child.

1. As a newborn, a blanket is needed to keep warm and swaddled, to help them feel safe in the big new world. Choose something lightweight as babies this young tend to be held a lot and overheat quickly.

2. Try to choose soft cotton or fleece fabrics that are easy on babies' skin. Also, be sure to wash the new blanket in baby detergent before letting it come in contact with the babies' sensitive skin.

3. All new parents soon find out how many times a diaper must be changed and how many times a diaper should have been changed, resulting in clothes that have been wet through. Wet clothes on a baby often mean wet blankets too. For this reason (if for no other), you will need almost as many soft, comfy baby blankets as you can get your hands on. Don't worry, they will be used.

4. Buy baby blankets that are made from fire resistant, non-toxic materials. These are added features to keep your baby safe and in a friendly environment.

5. After all of these criteria have been met, have fun. Choose blankets that you like, whether they are pink, purple or black; have puppies, kittens or tractors. Baby blankets come in such a variety, there is sure to be many to fit your tastes.

Blankets can be very dangerous for babies. Therefore, as you are in the process of using the baby blankets that you have so lovingly chosen for your baby, there is one very important safety note to remember. Don't ever give your baby more than one blanket at a time and be sure that the blanket they are using is wide and long enough to be securely tucked under the crib mattress.

Keep that safety tip in mind and your baby blankets handy, they will be needed many times before your child is through with them.

Summary:

The comfort of a new born is the top priority of every parent. Baby blankets are one thing which keeps the baby comfortable and snug. But a lot of thought should go into buying a baby blanket. Choosing the right blanket is not difficult if you know which brands meet safety standards and are also perfect for your baby.

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Teen Pregnancy Information and Facts

There are many - some very serious issues involved with teenage pregnancy these days. There are numerous health risks to both the mother and the unborn baby, and there are some very important factors we need to consider. Even with the numinous and in some cases quite serious health risks, there are still almost one million teenage girls becoming pregnant each and every year here in the United States alone.

Listed below are some of the many risks and complications that can occur as a result of teenage pregnancy.

Low Birth Weight - Teenagers are less likely to gain the extra weight they need during their pregnancy, leading to a low birth weight. Low birth weight, in turn, is associated with many and varied childhood disorders, and also has a high rate of infant mortality. Infants who are born with a low birth weight often have organs that aren't developed fully, which can result in something as serious as bleeding in the brain. If you are a pregnant teenager, it is very important that you make sure you gain adequate weight to avoid such health risks.

Premature Babies - Teenage mothers are far more likely to give birth to premature babies, which pose serious and sometimes fatal risks for the baby. Most commonly, premature babies are at a much higher risk than full term babies to develop bleeding in the brain, serious retinal problems, intestinal problems, and even sudden infant death syndrome, which is the unexpected and unexplainable death of a baby in their sleep. Even if none of these happen, a premature baby is much more prone to face a lifetime of many health problems - seizures, developmental delays, and even cerebral palsy.

Smoking and Pregnancy- However sad, teenage mothers are more likely to smoke than mother's over the age of twenty five. Smoking dramatically increases the risk of a low birth weight in babies, which is discussed above. Also, smoking while pregnant highly increases a lot more pregnancy complications, premature birth, and giving birth to a stillborn baby to name but a few.

The information on this page is not intended to be a criticism towards teenage pregnancy; rather it is geared towards highlighting the risks involved. We strongly recommend that if you or your child is a teenager and pregnant, that you should always go to your prenatal care visits. And no matter what else you to, at the very least be sure to take your vitamins and eat a healthy diet - always keep a record and maintain a good pregnant weight, but don't do it by eating junk. Remember A healthy, balanced diet goes a long way not only for you but also for your developing baby.

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Creative Birth Announcement for Twins

Having a twin may bring new excitement and adventure in your life you. The thoughts of sending out birth announcements may be crossing your mind every now and then ever since you discovered you were pregnant. Baby announcement notes for twins that are sent through mail to your family and closest friends only signify that a new life is brought to world.

You would want to cherish and mark this special moment. Sharing your newfound happiness and pride to those special people in your life could be the sweetest thing that you can offer to them. For sure, they will be more thrilled to receive and know a personalized note about the special occasion.

Sending out baby announcements for twins is an easy task for parents-to-be. All you need to do is get familiarized with the right ways baby announcement notes and letters should be sent. When choosing birth announcement letters or tokens, make sure that they reflect your personality and creativity. There are many alternatives available for you - from the simplest to the most creative birth announcement cards.

Choosing the type of birth announcement token should be a lot of fun. However, do you have the time and energy to get the tasks done wisely and right? After all, birth announcements only prove that you are willing to do everything to show everybody that your babies are very special to you. One option to make the job easier and yet creative is to work with a company that deals in making creative birth announcement letters.

Moreover, parents should plan what to send and who to send the birth announcement letters to. You can also prepare on the type of design on the notes since you already know the genders of the babies. You may select the type of color, pattern or design based on your preferred motif for the birth announcement letters.

Once you have decided on the motif and the basic things to do for your birth announcement, the information needed should be printed accurately and properly. This includes the babies' names, parents' names, birth date and exact time of birth and the babies' weight and length. These are bits of information that your recipients are looking forward to know when they receive the mails.

Make sure that your birth announcements for twins are special and one of a kind just like your babies. Try to think of distributing unique birth announcement cards that features a colored picture of the babies along with basic information and baby statistics. You may find good quality cards that are printed glossy and with beautiful designs. Card styles may depend on the motif and idea you present to the maker.

There are also web sites that offer highest quality picture birth announcements. There are even free samples and a variety of items that you can choose from. Nothing is more satisfying than making your birth announcements unique, creative and special. Always remember to have fun with your birth announcements designs.

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Tips for Soothing a Colicky Baby

Babies that have colic are generally in a lot of pain and seeing them this way makes every parent want to comfort them, despite the fact that no matter what the parent might do it is unlikely to soothe the baby. Because of this it is easy for parents to get frustrated and feel completely helpless because their baby is suffering and they can do nothing to help. However, there are some tips that can help soothe a colicky baby, even if it is just a little bit and doing something will likely make you feel better, too.

First things first is for the parents to remain relaxed, that is as relaxed as is possible after dealing with incessant crying. Babies are really very smart and they will notice if you are tense or stressed out and this will only make their situation worse. So, if you and your spouse can't seem to deal with the colicky baby on your own simply call a parent, friend, or babysitter to relieve you for a couple of hours. This will give you a break to regain your composure, take a nap, or simply de-stress so that you can help your baby by being as calm as possible.

Another suggestion is to buy some gas medication. There are a wide variety of gas medications on the market as well as herbal remedies however most doctors agree that they are all worth a try in a colicky baby to try and help baby and parents get some rest not to mention relieving baby's discomfort. You will want to talk to your pediatrician before administering any of these gas relieving drugs to your baby, but once you get the go ahead you can rest assured that many times these gas drugs are very helpful. So, get on a schedule with the gas medicine and hope for a restful and happy baby.

Some moms and dads find that massage is the answer to their prayers when it comes to soothing their baby with colic. This is because massage has several beneficial properties like reducing stress in the baby as well as relieving gas pain and pressure. There are in fact certain massages that involve the baby's legs and belly that will allow them to pass the gas that is causing them so much pain. This is a perfectly natural and easy way for many parents to relieve the discomfort of their colicky baby.

Yet another solution that is helpful for some babies with colic is swaddling. Babies were in a confined space in the womb and many young babies will gain comfort from being swaddled and feeling this security. When the baby is swaddled and relaxed he will be better able to pass gas and relieve the pressure and discomfort. If all else fails, give swaddling a try because it might help, and it certainly won't hurt!

Other babies gain some relief from rocking, walking, swinging, or simply being held by mom or dad. For some reason many parents have found that movement helps soothe a colicky baby however the verdict is still out as to whether or not it is the movement that relieves discomfort or the movement that distracts that actually soothes the baby.

When your baby has colic you will feel frustrated, helpless, and maybe feel like pulling your hair out. But, if you give the above tips a try more than likely at least one of them will help somewhat to relieve your baby's discomfort and some of your stress as well. So, what are you waiting for? Give these tips a try!

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