The Foundation of Your Baby Nursery

Creating a warm and comfortable environment for your newborn begins with your selection of baby furniture. Many mothers-to-be list baby furniture items in their gift registry to make it easy for relatives and friends to make the right choice. Small items like baby carriers or travel beds can be just as important as the crib and bedding.

Of all your child's furniture you will buy, none are more important to the safety of your child than the baby crib. While a nursery theme appeals to your heart, the need to protect your little one comes first. Become familiar with the guidelines for safety in baby furniture and it will make your shopping much easier.

Safety Features to Look for in Nursery Furniture

Your newborn will spend many hours in their crib and infants are especially vulnerable in their first year. The construction and materials used in your furniture for the baby nursery will be in direct contact with your baby. Babies learn about the world around them by using their senses, in particular, their sense of taste which makes it important the crib you select for your tot must have teething protection on all four sides. Babies have delicate skin, so all the surfaces they touch should be coated in non-toxic lacquer finishes without the use of lead paints.

The changing table is the second most used piece of furnishing and caution is needed when you make your purchase. The best design for changing tables are those with a restraint and raised sides with ends at least 9 inches high and secure locks for the collapsible frame. Most importantly, NEVER leave your baby unattended-not even for a second.

Decorating your baby's nursery is different from decorating your living room. All the furnishings you use in your tot's nursery should be free of anything that could pose physical danger to your newborn, such as cutout designs which have been a major cause of infant strangulation or small objects that could be swallowed or become lodged in your baby's throat. As your little one begins to become more active, avoid using walkers; babies that can move around on their own, can be a danger to themselves.

Look for Flexibility in Baby Furnishings

With many mothers working from home, it is a good idea that all of your child's furniture be made with mobility in mind. You will be able to move your baby's crib around the nursery or to another room easier if it is made with double two inch barrel casters. Using a monitor will help you to be aware of when your newborn needs attention. If you use the wireless video baby monitor, it gives you the advantage of being able to see and hear everything that is happening in the nursery.

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Wonderful of Baby Room Decor

How exciting it is to know that you will be having an addition to your family. What's just as exciting is planning the baby room decor. There are so many wonderful and interesting ways to decorate a nursery. If you are someone who knows the sex of your pending new born then it will be a lot easier than for someone waiting the surprise. Knowing what sex your babe will be can help enormously with wall colors, furniture and window coverings just to mention a few.

It is still pretty much traditional to use pastels like blues and pinks although there are so many other colors that can make a room look delightful. When choosing your baby room decor remember to think a little ahead and not just make it for the new born but decorate it so you do not need too many changes as the baby develops into a toddler. This can be a real money saver.

It is important to make the nursery have a quiet comforting feel to it. This is where softer colors come in to play. Of course we know that babies do need stimulation so you can add things like mobiles with bright colored animals or toys hanging from it. Things like these can keep your babe intrigued and inquisitive. You do not want too many brightly colored objects around the room as this may excite the child too much when he or she is supposed to be sleeping.

You will be amazed at what is on offer as baby room decor these days. You can have wall coverings in different prints to suit babies and toddlers alike. There is a large range of wallpapers that have all different designs suitable for nurseries. Blankets and spreads come in many colors and designs and often they will correspond with the window coverings.

When it comes to furniture well, the sky's the limit. Cradles, basinets, cots, chairs, drawers, change tables, baths, rockers, the list in endless. Not only can you find just about anything but you will find them in just about design and color that you are after. Some people try to keep their baby room decor in alignment with their own home decor and that is fine too. Others like to do a theme for their child and then many others just like something very simple.

What ever you wish to do is fine as long as you also keep safety in mind. Remember the covers for the electricity sockets, keep any dangerous substances out of reach and locked away. You will be surprised with how quickly your babe will grow into an investigative toddler who will go to any lengths to reach things. Choose toys that do not have small objects on them that can be swallowed. Believe it or not but most accidents happen in the child's own home.

So if you are someone who is having a baby then please accept my congratulations and good luck with the decorating

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Fighting With a Disease Called Jaundice

The word jaundice is derived from a French word called as jaune, which means yellow. It is a very common condition which is seen in newborn babies which can be treated by exposing them to sunlight. It is also known as yellow skin or eyes disease. It turns your skin, mucous membranes, sclera (the white of your eyes) into a single yellow color. This yellow pigment which is seen on your skin is due to bilirubin which is a byproduct of old red blood cells. If you are affected by jaundice consider it to be a serious problem which cannot to be taken lightly.

Nearly 1% red blood cells retire everyday and those are replaced by fresh blood cells. These old blood cells are processed in the liver and later disposed. If there happens to be too many old red blood cells the yellow pigment builds up in the body, which results in the first stages of jaundice.

Even though jaundice is not a disease but it is a sign for many other diseases. Jaundice is very common among babies due to the immature functioning of the liver. It is not equipped to deal with the removal of bilirubin from the bloodstream. Jaundice occurs mainly due to liver failure but there are many other reasons by which it is affected.

Detection of jaundice is very important, because if you detect jaundice in the later stages it may prove to be fatal. Some of the common symptoms for jaundice are:
*Extreme fatigue and weakness
*Severe headaches
*Constipation
*Nauseating feeling
*Yellow color of your eyes, skin
*Constant pain near your stomach and liver


There are many causes for jaundice these are some of the reasons due to which you are under the jaundice attack
-It occurs when high level of bilirubin is being produced for the liver and unable to be removed from the blood.
-Defect in liver due to prevention in removal of bilirubin from the blood.
-Due to blockage of bile ducts.
-Due to viral hepatitis (hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, hepatitis D and hepatitis E)
-Alcoholic liver disease
-Cancer of the pancreas
-Malaria
-Neonatal jaundice found in babies
- Gall bladder cancer
-Yellow fever
-Stomach cancer
-Rh incompatibility

Remedial measures when suffering from Jaundice
*A hot cup of water mixed with 1/4 tsp of turmeric powder taken 2-3 times a day would be very beneficial
*Consumption of lime juice is very good for your health
*Having plenty of sugarcane juice is also good
*Barley water, orange juice helps in urination
*Spicy and oily food should be strictly avoided
*Consumptions of vegetables like radish leaves, tomato and lemon is good
*Dried dates along with almonds and cardamoms are also good

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How Disney is Baby Friendly

Disneyland is a place for everyone, and at Disneyland, they have thought of everything -
including the babies. The Disneyland Baby Center is located on Main Street, behind the Plaza Inn. This is not a babysitting service. Instead, it is a place where you can attend to your babies needs.

There are several characters present in this area, and their purpose there is not only to amuse your baby, but also to help you attend to your baby's needs. This area has rockers, where you can rock and breast feed your baby. No men are allowed in this room, but they are allowed in other rooms within the Baby Center. You can warm a bottle or a jar of
food, and clean bottles as necessary. Baby changing tables are available, and the entire center is very clean and comfortable. There are even smaller toilets for children who are being potty trained.

You can also purchase emergency baby supplies at the Baby Center. Diapers cost about a dollar each, and several different types of formula and baby food are kept in supply, although the selections are limited. This is Disneyland's way of making sure that the needs of every guest - no matter how small they may be - are attended to.

As a parent, you already know that you don't want to have to carry your child around in your arms all day. You couldn't possibly make it through the day! You also can't expect your child to walk all day long. The obvious choice is to have a way to transport your child - without wearing you or the child completely out.

Strollers are not only welcome at Disneyland, they are highly recommended. In fact, Disneyland rents strollers for a reasonable fee. Strollers can be rented for less than $10 for the day, and you can get a huge discount on a second stroller if it is needed. The strollers are clean and well-maintained, but they do all look alike. Tie something on the stroller, such as a brightly colored ribbon, to help identify it from all of the other strollers in the park.

Never leave your child unattended in the stroller, and never leave any material items of any value in the stroller either. Even if you bring your own stroller, you should have some easy way to identify it - there will be other strollers that look just like it at Disneyland.

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Teething Troubles - How To Cope

Generally, the two bottom front teeth (central incisors) are the first to appear. About one to two months later, the four upper teeth (central and lateral incisors) will become visible. Then, the lower incisors, first molars, and the canine or eye teeth will follow.

Unfortunately, most babies experience some degree of discomfort during the teething process. Most often its mild and includes irritability, crying, low-grade temperature, excessive drooling, and a need to chew on something hard. The gums around the new teeth will also appear somewhat swollen and inflamed.

Cold teething rings made of firm rubber can help ease the pain, as well as massaging your babys gums with your finger. Even a cool, wet washcloth to chew on can give relief. In the vast majority of babies, topical or oral pain relievers are simply not necessary for teething pain. If your child has more than a very low-grade fever, most likely its not teething and is most likely a virus or other type of infection. Consult with your paediatrician or health care advisor if your baby seems to be in a great deal of teething pain or develops a high fever.

Its important to remember that proper dental care begins when your babys first tooth appears. Brush them daily with a soft childs toothbrush or a piece of gauze. To prevent dental decay, never let your baby fall asleep with a bottle of milk or juice. These liquids can pool in the mouth and can greatly increase the chance of early cavity development.

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Priceless Funny Baby Pictures

Summer is one of the best times to take photos and capture memories of your baby.

Babies experience a number of new things and tastes during their first summer and these moments are well worth the effort of creating a scrapbook.

In the months before your baby's first summer, make plans to take a lot of pictures and keep a calendar or notebook handy to write down special occasions and amusing events.

Some great ideas for a scrapbook revolving around your baby's first summer include photos of swimming or outdoor play, interaction between baby and siblings or pets, and pictures of facial expressions while eating a first snow cone or ice cream. Babies have a wonderful time throwing balls and chasing after the family pet.

Keep your camera within easy reach and make sure to bend over when taking photos so that you are on the same level as your baby.

Some of the best pictures to include in your summer with baby scrapbook are those that are taken while your child is unaware of your presence. Water toys and sprinklers are great fun for baby and the photos you can capture will make outstanding and funny additions to your scrapbook.

Family picnics and reunions are also great times to snap photos of your baby. Relatives and other children playing with your baby make great memories that can be preserved in your scrapbook.

Your baby's first summer is a magical time that should be remembered throughout the years. Keep your camera and notebook handy so you will have plenty of material to include in your scrapbook

Your baby's first summer is a magical time that should be remembered throughout the years. Keep your camera and notebook handy so you will have plenty of material to include in your scrapbook.

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Is It Baby Acne, Heat Rash, Or Cradle Crap?

There are a number of skin conditions that babies can get, and two different types of acne. Each one has different treatments and recommendations, so it's good to know the symptoms of each.

Heat Rash

Heat rash can occur in anyone, though babies are more vulnerable because their sweat glands aren't fully developed. Thus, they are less able to re-balance their core body temperature. Heat rash is characterized by very small bumps on the skin, surrounded by a red area. Heat rash:

* usually breaks out on areas of the body covered by clothes
* this includes the trunk, groin, and armpits
* it can cause fever and heat exhaustion in severe cases
* hot and humid environments tend to be associated with it more
* it can feel prickly or stinging

Cradle Crap

Like neonatal acne, cradle crap and seborrheic dermatitis are related to the hormonal changes associated with pregnancy, which cause the oil glands to go into overdrive. Cradle crap is:

* crusty, scaly, red patches on baby's scalp
* caused by overactive sebaceous glands (these produce the skin's oil)
* there can also redness in the crease of the baby's neck, armpits, and behind his ears
* when it is only on the scalp, it is cradle crap. When it spreads all over the face, and in the diaper area, it is called seborrheic dermatitis. You should contact your doctor to get a stronger shampoo or alternative treatment if this occurs.

Baby Acne

Like teenage acne, baby acne occurs more often in boys than girls. Unlike later forms of acne, it is generally mild or moderate, and rarely severe.

It generally occurs on the face of infants - usually the cheeks, though it can spread to the chin and forehead. When this type of acne is mild to moderate, it is unlikely to lead to permanent scarring. However, if the acne is severe, scars can occur that last into adulthood. Those babies who develop severe acne usually get acne vulgaris when they reach the teenage years. Acne vulgaris is the most common type of acne people suffer from.

Neonatal acne can include features of regular acne like whiteheads and blackheads, as well as papules and pustules. Papules do not have pus in them, and look like small, solid, raised areas of the skin. Pustules do have pus in them, as the name suggests. Pustules generally form in sweat glands or hair follicles. It is composed of inflammatory cells as well as pus.

When there are no comedomes (whiteheads and blackheads), babies may have what is call neonatal cephalic pustulosis. This is a result of an infection by a genus of yeasts called malassezia. There are a number of different species belonging to this genus, although it has not been established whether the different species cause particular skin conditions. Malassezia yeasts can cause seborrhoeic dermatitis and dandruff, as well as neonatal cephalic pustulosis and a range of other conditions.

Neonatal cephalic pustulosis doesn't usually need treatment, though a topical antifungal cream can be applied.

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The Joys of International Adoption

The decision to adopt is a big one. To take care of a child not biologically yours is, by itself, a complicated life-choice to make. One would think that adopting a child who is also from a different race, a different country and a different culture would make it even more complicated. And yet, every year, thousands of parents make this happy choice and feel blessed by it. What are their reasons? And why should you consider international adoption?

More to Choose From, More to Love

Locally, very few babies are available for adoption. Modern birth control methods and even abortion result in fewer unplanned babies. Often, too, even single mothers are unwilling to give their babies up for adoption. In such a situation, choosing a baby is a luxury you are unlikely to have. Just to get a baby, any baby, you will probably have to wait a long time.

This is untrue with international adoption. Because you have a whole world of babies waiting for your care, you don't have to wait so long, and you can even choose! You have a greater chance of finding your "ideal baby" or as close as you can come to it.

And when your adopted darling grows up, you can tell her in all honesty, "Of course, we love you. We chose you, didn't we?"

It Won't Be a Long Wait

When you adopt from another country, the waiting time is usually just 12-18 months. It may seem like a long time, but that is really nothing compared to the time you've already waited childlessly, and to the three years which is about the usual time local adoptions take.

In fact, considering all the paperwork that needs to be done, 12-18 months is really a very short time.

You're Not Perfect, But That's OK

Because the demand is so great, in many countries you need to pass certain qualifications to adopt a local child:
- Childless couples are first priority.
- Some agencies require you to be infertile.
- It is preferred that you and your mate be twenty-five to thirty-five years old.
- Ideally, you must have no physical disabilities.
- You must be married.

In addition, birth mothers are allowed to specify the kind of parents they want for their child, and they usually choose young, married, educated couples who are well-off and have active lifestyles.

International adoptions are far less prejudiced. Some countries and agencies allow you to have seven other children, you can be fifty years old, and you can be poor. If you will take care of the child and love her better than her real parents did before they went away, international adoption agencies will give you a fair shot and thank you for it.

You Never Have To Share Your Bundle of Joy

Foreign children usually cannot be adopted unless they are legally orphans. This has three very comforting implications for you:
- The birth mother will not suddenly change her mind.
- No biological mother will ever try to take your bundle of joy away from you.
- It is much less likely that your child will try to leave you for her biological parents when she grows up.

When it comes to custody, a foreign adoption is virtually as safe as bearing the child yourself.

Your World is Enlarged

When you adopt a child from another country, inevitably, you adopt not just the child but also the country. You learn to love another country as much as your own, simply because it is where your child was born. You are gently constrained to learn another country's culture and history so that you may teach it to your child. Her natural heritage becomes your natural heritage. Her people become your people; strangers from her country automatically become your friends when you meet them in the streets.

And when you are stumped on where to take your next exotic vacation, there is now an easy answer.

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How to Let Baby Sleep The Night

 

Having newborns who will sleep through the night is the last time on earth that the mother ever DARE dream of! Babies just know that they are supposed to play in the night and sleep in the day...? Why, WHY, Why? haha....but My baby daughter is different. Ever since birth, she sleeps through the night, only to wake up 2-3 times for her milk feeds and 'diligently' go back to sleep Zzzz....

Let me tell you my secret to this...

Perhaps it began during my pregnancy. When my fetus learned to kick me. Similar to many pregnant mothers, my fetus kicked me vigourously in the night and was quiet in the day. It took me about 1 month to realise that this shouldn't be the way. Since I'm staying at home, usually doing close to nothing...it is very obvious that the reason for not noticing baby movements in the day is NOT because I'm busy. So I began to talk to my baby...

In the DAY, "Darling, Mama knows YOU are asleep. Just an hour's nap will do, Ok? And play with Mama..kick Mama when you wake up." (then tap on my tummy to wake the fetus and talk to her an hour later)

In the NIGHT, "Darling, why are you kicking so hard? It's nighttime, TIME TO SLEEP. It's been a long day and Mama is tired. I believe you are tired too. Sleep with Mama, Ok? Stop kicking and sleep." (then tap slowly on my tummy as if soothing baby to sleep)

I do this almost everyday when the baby sleeps in the day and kicks in the night. The situation was better after some time. For a few days in a row, baby does kicks in the DAY and was quiet in the NIGHT. Then the turn-around came again and I repeat the process.

Eventually, the baby arrives to our world. She is now 3 months old and sleeps through the night! -only ask for 1 milk feed sometimes. And she doesn't even bother to open her eyes when she suckles for her milk. I didn't realise I was very lucky until my sister-in-law asked me about it and was SO impressed with my answer. She said, "It's a miracle! I must try that out for my next baby!"

However, do not worry too much or fuss about it when you feel your baby does not sleep "through the night". What you should understand most is that, for a newborn of one to four months of age, a five-hour stretch is a full night. Many babies of this age can sleep without waking from midnight till 5a.m. And that's a far cry from what you may have heard of "sleeping through the night". Yes, my daughter sleeps at 10p.m and wakes up at 5.30a.m or 6.30a.m for her first milk feed of the day! So please pause for a minute to think, "Do you have a baby who sleeps through the night but you didn't know it??"

What's more, while the definition of "sleeping through the night" is clarified. Most of us would not consider the five hours sleep a full night's sleep ourselves. In fact, I've heard some mothers who has sleep-through-the-night newborns suddenly begin waking more frequently. Then settle into more stable, all-night, sleep pattern when they turn one or even two years old.

But then again, there's another side of the studies who say, "Working mothers will tend to have babies who wakes up very often in the night. But sleep through the day when they are at their caregiver's place." This is because babies recognize and needs to have their share of 'Mummy's time' everyday. If they do not get it during the day (because their mothers are off to work), then they will cry and ask to be cuddled at night when their mothers are with them. This, if you believe is true, can easily be solved by carrying your baby more when you get home in the evening and before the baby's bedtime.

There's a natural way to let your baby fall into dreamland happily and enjoy undisturbed sleep. That is to fall asleep while sucking at the breast, a bottle, or a pacifier. When the baby or newborn always falls asleep this way, he learns to associate the sucking with time to sleep; overtime, he happily goes to sleep by himself. Hey, this is a very powerful sucking-to-sleep association. My girl must have her milk at the breast before she sleeps. But I do not allow her to stay at the breast if she is not sucking and swallowing the milk because I do not want her to treat the breast as a pacifier. I will remove her from the breast when she stops for about 5 minutes and is dreamy. Then I'll clean her mouth with a tissue and slowly carry her to her crib. Most of the time, she is still half awake, but falls asleep happily because that is the everyday procedure! It's bedtime!

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Predicting Babies with the Chinese Calendar

For whatever reason, many people just can not wait until the birth of their child to find out whether they have a girl or a boy. It is true that knowing the gender of the baby before the birth day can have it's advantages such as knowing which color clothes to buy and whether to paint the nursery pink or blue, while on the other side of the coin, not knowing the sex of the baby up until the birth can give the woman something to wonder about while going through the pains of labor.

In the modern world the most popular way of determining the sex of the unborn baby is by an ultrasound scan, this method is very reliable and with modern technology and the new 3-D scanning systems you are able to see quite clearly whether the baby it male or female.

Before we had these wonderful scanning systems the methods to determine the sex of the baby within the womb was done in some very strange and peculiar ways, the use of dowsing was probably one of the most popular ways, basically this consisted of a stick or rod with a piece of string tied to the end from which a ball was attached, this would then be held above the womans belly and the gender of the baby was determined on which way the string and Ball rotated. While this may seem very strange to many of us, nothing is more peculiar than the current flood of websites that are featuring the Chinese birth calendar.

Over 700 years ago a very strange and intriguing discovery was made in Beijing, the capital of China. This discovery was a simple chart that apparently predicted the gender of a baby even before conception,

The Chinese birth calendar calculates its results based upon the woman's age and the month of conception, by drawing two straight lines 1 horizontal relating to your age and one vertical from the month of conception, the place where the lines meet is the predicted result of the gender of the baby.

While many people believe this chart to be extremely reliable in its predictions, (some believing it to be as much as 90%). we strongly recommend that it only be used for its fun factor, although the chart is currently on show at the Beijing Institute of science, there is no scientific evidence that we know of that can give any support to the workings of the Chinese Birth Calendar.

It is somewhat quite hilarious that the Chinese birth calendar predicts that a 21-year-old girl who conceives during the months from February to December will have a baby girl; this is quite a remarkable prediction that somehow seems a little far fetched to us.

Just remember, being pregnant should be a wonderful and fun time for all mums-to-be so we recommend that you have a little fun with this chart and don not take it seriously.

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Quick Ways to Litter Box Train Your Dog

Litter box training a cat is a norm, and is fairly simple. You show the cat where the litter box will be located, and the cat instinctively relieves himself there. Today there are methods available for litter box training dog members of your family, as well. The following paragraphs will take a look some helpful tips when litter box training dog members of your family, and explain some of the things you will need.

To get started with litter box training dog babies, there are a few supplies that are necessary. These supplies include:

@ cleaning products
@ a litter box
@ litter box filler
@ pooper scooper

The type of filler you will want to uses to litter box train dog members of your family will depend on many factors. If your dog is already paper trained, you may want to use newspaper shreds as filler when litter box training dog friends. If you are going to use newspaper as your litter box filler, you should also put some newspaper down right next to the litter box. If you are litter box training dog family members from scratch, litter might be the better option.

During the first stage of litter box training dog members of your family, you will need to keep a close eye on the dog. If you catch the dog using the bathroom in inappropriate places, it is good to startle the dog by clapping your hands together, or giving an aggressive "NO!". Doing this while litter box training dog buddies, will encourage you canine pal to run to his own bathroom area to do his business. Once your dog completes his business in his predetermined bathroom area, you should immediately praise your dog. Some dog owners have reported that placing a tissue soaked in a little bit of your dogs urine can be strategically placed in the dog's litter box, to encourage the dog to continue to go where he smells his own scent.

After several weeks of hard work, and at least a month of monitoring and frequently checking your dog's progress during litter box training dog babies, you should be able to let the dog roam freely around your home, having all the confidence that he will use his litter box.

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Relieving Your Baby's Colic

Carry your baby for at least three hours a day and see if that helps relieve colic symptoms. You probably think carrying a crying baby for three hours is more than you can take, but if it helps calm your baby it is certainly worth a try. Consider buying a baby sling or backpack to keep your arms free and baby strapped to your body and moving. Don't worry about giving your child too much attention by doing this either because doctors say that babies under four or five months can't receive too much so carrying them for three hours won't be a problem and it just might help so give it a try.

If your baby has been suffering from colic for some time then the idea of colic relief might seem like a joke to you because more than likely you have tried everything you know of to ease your baby's pain. However, there really are some tips that you can apply and see if they help relieve your baby's discomfort because many times they really are effective. Of course, you think you should stop reading now because you have researched, talked to friends and doctors, and have tried every home remedy there is. But, keep reading just to make sure you really have because there might be one you have overlooked. Relief for you and your baby may be just around the corner so keep reading.
Many doctors and psychologists say that you should let your baby cry for a while before responding to him/her just to see if they stop crying on their own. However, this is the worst thing you can do for your colicky baby because when your baby is crying he/she is more than likely inhaling lots of air and making his colic worse. So as soon as your baby begins to cry respond to help reduce colic pain. You won't be spoiling your baby but rather soothing him/her so keep this in mind.

Many parents smoke in the home despite the many negative effects is might have on their baby, including colic. So, if your baby is suffering from colic and you or your spouse or another family member is regularly smoking in the home or around the baby then stop. Colic is exasperated or initiated many times by cigarette smoking and simply smoking away from the baby is often times what is necessary to cure baby from the pain and suffering.

Another suggestion is to avoid milk products if you are breastfeeding because many babies are lactose intolerant. If you are formula feeding then consider a lactose free formula to see if this helps. If a baby is lactose intolerant and begins receiving lactose free milk then the colic will more than likely remedy itself quickly. You might also consider feeding your baby frequently, but small amounts. It is proven that babies can digest better when they eat a very small amount at a time.

Colic is no fun at all for baby or parents, but there are some ways to reduce colic pain so keep this in mind. In fact, one of the above suggestions might be the perfect way to reduce your baby's pain.

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You Need to Quit Smoking Today!

Is smoking really all that bad for you? Sometimes smokers, particularly young ones, get the feeling that the government is just out to get them, raising taxes and passing laws that prohibit smoking in public places. They say that it's just politics, that smoking is really not all that harmful. Well, the truth is that smoking is one of the most deadly habits you can acquire. Quitting today can make a big difference in your life expectancy, regardless of your age. Read on for seven compelling reasons to quit ASAP.

1. Quitting today can reduce your risk of cancer substantially. Lung cancer is the first type of cancer we generally think of in connection with smoking, but it is not the only one affected. Smoking increases a person's risk of other forms of cancer, too, including uterine cancer, pancreatic cancer, and cancers of the mouth and lips. Virtually any form of cancer can be linked with bringing tobacco smoke into the system through the lungs.

2. If you want healthy lungs, it's important to breathe clean air and not bring smoke into them. Respiratory diseases such as chronic lung obstruction are greatly exacerbated by cigarette smoking. Emphysema is also strongly correlated with smoking.

3. If you want a healthy heart and a healthy cardiovascular system, you need to stop smoking. Coronary heart disease is two to four times more prevalent among smokers than nonsmokers. If you smoke, you're also twice as likely to have a stroke. The blood vessels are also negatively affected by cigarette smoke, causing peripheral vascular disease, which is a narrowing of the arteries.

4. If you happen to be a woman in your childbearing years, there is the safety of your children to consider. Babies of smokers are more likely to die of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) than babies of nonsmokers. Smokers tend to have smaller babies, premature babies, and more cases of stillbirth.

5. Smoking can interfere with calcium uptake and bone density. Older women who smoke are more likely to fracture a hip than those who have never smoked.

6. Maybe you don't care how much smoking hurts your own health, but what about that of others? Second hand smoke has been correlated with lung cancer and heart disease in household members who live with smokers but don't smoke themselves. Children are particularly vulnerable to the ravages of other people's smoking.

7. If all the health issues associated with smoking don't convince you, think of your pocketbook! Smoking is an expensive hobby with taxes on cigarettes rising all the time. Surely there would be a more satisfying way to spend that money.

Quitting smoking today can greatly improve your outlook and life expectancy. The earlier you can quit, the better. Best is if you never start. If you have children and you smoke, think of the example you are setting for them. Statistics say that about one-fourth of all children live with a smoker. Young people lack the understanding to keep from starting smoking because of the long term risks. They are far more likely to try it, and when they try it young, they are more likely to get addicted. Your best bet in every way is to make every effort to quit smoking as soon as possible.

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Baby Information and Names

Moms Break free birthday pintables can helps you throw a birthday party

So be a frugal shopper and use our free birthday invitations and our other great free birthday ideas, Childbirth Facts and birthday crafts for kids. For example many of our free birthday invitations are in jpg image format and can be opened in any image editor and personalized before printing.

Also find free birthday printable theme sets which include free birthday card, invitation, placement, Baby Information, Baby names, and many other useful birthday ideas.

Having a Natural Childbirth is one of the most empowering experiences a woman will ever encounter. Having control over your body and making informed decisions about your delivery will make for lasting memories.

There are many ways to name a baby, Baby Information, Baby Shop, Perhaps you stumbled on the perfect name. Maybe you and your spouse have already decided long ago. Or maybe you're like me and wrestling with the decision for a long, long time. I'd suggest starting with narrowing some of the names or types of Baby names you don't like. If you hate certain Baby names don't consider them. Start with the positive Baby names. Then define your baby naming style, Babies Names. From there I'd suggest lists of Babies Names. Baby names books are great for that purpose.

Choosing the Best Birth Environment

Your choice of birth environment, Childbirth Information is the first decision you make that determines your pain-relief options. If you know you want to use modern medical pain-relief methods, Parenting Tips you will need to select a birth environment that can accommodate these preferences. If you are leaning more toward a natural childbirth, but would like to keep your options open, you may want to be in a birth environment that offers not only no medical forms of pain relief but also allows accessibility to medical pain relief. If you are committed to using no medical pain-relief options and do not want to be in an environment where they are frequently used, you will need to choose a birth environment that has both the physical amenities and supportive caregivers you will need to successfully give birth free of any medications, using complementary and alternative pain-management techniques.

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Bad Breath in Toddlers and Babies

Many adults encounter bad breath, but the problem is becoming more widespread for children as well. If your baby or toddler has been having bad breath recently, here are a few things you can do to keep your baby's breath smelling better.

There are also ways to find out if your child's bad breath is an indication that he or she may have a more critical condition, so that you can deal with the it as quickly as possible.

Decreased saliva production is one of the primary reasons why babies and toddlers encounter bad breath. When children are awake, they have a bit more control over swallowing saliva and regulating saliva production in the mouth. Saliva washes away bacteria in the mouth, so if children are drinking ample amounts of fluids during the day, the breath will remain fresher.

But when your baby goes to sleep, he or she may sleep with an open mouth, which dries out the mouth and saliva production is reduced. This can cause morning breath-even in children. If your baby or toddler sucks his or her thumb, this can also cause bad breath, so it's important to make sure that you give your child a pacifier or teething ring instead.

If you are brushing your toddler's teeth every day, and are having him or her rinse with a kid-friendly mouthwash after every brushing, you should see an improvement in your little one's breath in a short time. However, if the matter persists, it may be a sign that your child could have a more serious condition.

For instance, if your baby's breath smells like baked bread, it can be an indication of typhoid fever, and if your toddler's breath smells like celery, it could be a sign of Aasthouse urine disease. Garlicky breath could indicate arsenic or thallium poisoning, so be sure to pay particular attention to the actual scent of your child's breath to find the right treatment options.

If you feel that your child needs to be treated for diseases and conditions that may be more serious or ongoing, you should change your child's diet in order to remove toxins from the body. Having your baby or toddler drink water and all-natural juices several times a day will help to cleanse the body and freshen the breath.

You should also be feeding your children fresh foods at meal time, as packaged foods can slow down the reduction of wastes from the body. You should also confer with your child's doctor as soon as you can in order to treat your little one's bad breath permanently.

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Who is Dr. Harvey Karp?

When you are a new parent you hear about a lot of different specialists and authors of great books, but sometimes you wonder who these people actually are. It's good to question these supposed authorities on babies. One specialist you may have heard about is Dr. Harvey Karp. He has written a book called The Happiest Baby On The Block and has been working with babies and their parents for more than 25 years. Dr. Harvey Karp has done extensive research into crying and colic and provides parents with some great information in his book. Crying and colic is something that every new parent can use some help or advice with, so if you haven't picked up his book yet, you might want to do so.

Dr. Harvey Karp is quite the celebrated pediatrician. He trained with the well-known Dr. Brazelton who is often considered a true authority on child rearing. Dr. Harvey Karp is also a professor at UCLA School of Medicine where he continues to educate up and coming doctors on children's health. Dr. Harvey Karp has had a continuing passion for children's health and breastfeeding since he began practicing. In 1981 he was given the prestigious Ehrman Fellowship to study colic and crying, and from those studies he has gleaned some important information that he passes onto parents in his book and other publications.

Dr. Harvey Karp is well known for his 5 S's for children who are suffering from colic or gas. The 5 S's are a strategy that shows new parents how to comfort their children. Through studies the doctor has learned that all children respond to these things, especially if they have parents that use these things regularly. The 5 S's is something that many other pediatricians use and believe in, and pass onto their patients. Any doctor that can get the backing of other pediatricians is exceptional, and Dr. Harvey Karp truly is.

It's rare to find a pediatrician as celebrated as Dr. Harvey Karp, but his dedication to finding relief for babies and families suffering from are undeniable. Dr. Harvey Karp continues to practice today in his private practice in California. He has children of his own, so he knows how important valid information about infants really is. If you can trust anyone, new parents can trust Dr. Harvey Karp. If you have a baby that suffers from colic or you'd just like to know how to effectively soothe your crying baby, Dr. Harvey Karp can help you out. The Happiest Baby On The Block really should be considered a must read for all new parents as it can really help you achieve maximum comfort for your baby and minimum stress for you.

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Birth Injuries: Types and Causes

Many children are born every year with birth defects and developmental disabilities. Sometimes though, injuries occurred during birth or immediately after birth. Certain disabilities such as Cerebral Palsy can occur under negligent care. 1 out of 28 babies are born every year with a birth defect. Birth defects are also the leading cause of death in the first year of life. Source: March of Dimes.

After birth there are a number of disabilities that can occur, if babies are abused or neglected by a care giver or provider. Such disabilities are: Cerebral Palsy and Shaken Baby Syndrome, as well as others. Often times a baby that later grows up to be developmentally disabled, may have had a physical event occur that was never documented in the babies childhood, such as being dropped by any adult and the parents never being told. Where documented cases of this are few, it is definitely an event that occurs more often than one would wish to admit.

In the past serious long-term disabilities have occurred in children who were born by under-qualified medical professionals, who caused damage to various parts of the infants, through inexperienced and unorthodox techniques of child-birthing, or rushed, negligent procedures utilized by otherwise qualified Doctor's.

The definition of cerebral (Brain) palsy (Movement) (CP) is thus: A group of serious conditions that affect muscle movement and coordination. Some individuals who have CP are able to function perfectly well mentally and intellectually, though have trouble walking or running, and of course by severity they may also not be able to walk or move at all. While others may be impacted intellectually, and retain most of their physical abilities. Of course in worse cases they are affected to large degrees in both capacities.

The cause of CP is most commonly believed to be damage or trauma to certain portions of the brain relating to the decline which will later follow in the babies' characteristics and lack of specific abilities we as human have, like the ability to walk and talk, and other basic things. In other words a child not being able to talk due to CP, may have incurred damage to the part of the brain that controls this function.

Here is a small list (Taken from: about-cerebral-palsy.org), which is not meant to diagnose, but is signs of such a diagnosis of CP.

* Lethargy, or lack of alertness
* Irritability or fussiness
* Abnormal, high-pitched cry
* Trembling of the arms and legs
* Poor feeding abilities secondary to problems sucking and swallowing
* Low muscle tone
* Abnormal posture, such as the child favoring one side of their body
* Seizures, staring spells, eye fluttering, body twitching
Abnormal reflexes

Cerebral Palsy and other conditions that a baby either developed in the womb or after, are devastating conditions that will affect the baby's life forever, impacting the level of independence they will achieve as adults. If your baby has signs of this or any other condition(s) you are urged to seek an attorney. There are many factors which may have attributed to your babies condition that you may not know. It is important that you have a way to pay for the care of your child, now and for their life.

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The Miracle of Multiple Births

The predominant factors that contribute to having a multiple birth pregnancy are heredity, race, number of previous pregnancies, delayed child bearing, and infertility treatments. In the past two decades, both the significant increase in older mothers and infertility treatments has caused the biggest increase in multiple births.

The types of multiples

There are two types of twins monozygotic and dizygotic. These are probably better known as identical and non-identical or fraternal twins.

Identical twins develop from one fertilized egg that has split in two halves and grown into two identical babies. Non-identical twins come from two separate eggs that are fertilized by individual sperm. They grow separately and are no more alike than other siblings born to the same parents. Super-twins is a common term for triplets or higher order multiple births. These babies can be identical, non-identical, or a combination of both.

Staying healthy during a multiple birth pregnancy
Eating properly, getting enough rest, and making regular trips to the doctor are critical measures for any expectant mother to stay healthy. A woman with a multiple pregnancy might be scheduled for more frequent appointments with her obstetrician/gynecologist (OB-GYN) than women who are pregnant with a single fetus.

Your weight and comfort

Mothers who are carrying multiples are expected to gain more weight during the course of the pregnancy than mothers carrying a single fetus. Exactly how much weight you should gain depends on your pre-pregnancy weight and the number of fetuses. This should be discussed with your doctor so you know what is healthy for you. In general, though, you should consume about 300 additional calories a day for each fetus.

Although it might be tough to eat a lot when your abdomen is full of babies, it can help to eat smaller, more frequent meals. Expecting multiples probably means that youre experiencing the typical discomforts of pregnancy more intensely. Nurture yourself and help ease the stress of pregnancy. Relax as much as you can by reading, listening to music or walking can make you feel better.

Preparing for childbirth

Being ready for a multiple birth may seem overwhelming, and concerns about pre-term labour can be additional burdens for you to bear. The best reassurance is knowing that you have a network of support around you: capable doctors, a caring hospital staff, and hopefully a supportive partner, family members, and/or friends.
Taking your babies home

The first days, weeks, and months are often the most difficult for parents of multiples, as everyone learns to get used to the frequent feedings, lack of sleep, and little personal time involved in parenting multiples. Enlist whatever help you can get from neighbors, family members, and friends for household chores and daily tasks. Having extra hands around can not only make feedings easier and help you rest and recover from delivery, it can also give you the precious time you need to get to know your babies.

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Finding a Baby Crib for Twins

If you are having twins, you should know that there is the option of a baby crib for twins that is available to you. Although a lot of people do not seem to be aware of it, there is the option of a baby crib for twins available, although these products are not necessarily widely available.

Where can I Find a Baby Crib for Twins?

If you are looking for a baby crib for twins, there are many options that are available, but there are some in particular that are more deserving of you than others. For instance, there is a baby crib for twins that is available at Netkidswear.com, which is a bunk-bed style crib that has two crib areas stacked on top of each other, and in this way the product uses less floor space, which can be an incredibly useful factor.

Then there is also the option of Kiwi Kid LLC, which also offers twin cribs, one in particular being that of the Pamco Twin Crib, which allows the two babies to enjoy close contact with one another, and yet they still have their own room because you are able to maintain them to have their own separate sleeping spaces. This crib in particular is also quite useful because it is able to convert into two single beds for when your twins are able and ready to move out of their cribs.

There is also the option of MoreThanOne.com, which is an online site that is specifically set up and designed for parents who are having more than one baby. The twins crib here is basically L-shaped and it built by having two cribs that are joined together at the corner; there is also an optional center divider which is sold separately, that you can install as the babies grow so that they can each be contained in their own separate space.

Regardless of where you actually decide to shop for your twin crib, the best and most important thing to remember is that you should take the proper time and consideration and put that into your search as well as into your final decision, so that in the end you will be able to get both the best quality and worth that you possibly can. Take the time to research a company before you buy from it, so that you are sure that they are legit and trustworthy; you especially want to do this if you are shopping over the Internet.

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Eco Friendly Baby & Family Products

Being an environmentally friendly parent for babies involves buying products and services that are eco friendly and baby friendly. The range of products is increasing weekly as parents wake up to the green revolution.

What can I buy?

The real question for eco parents is: what can't I buy? but you don't need to always buy new, you can re-use items already in existence, the less new items you buy the more ecologically friendly your new family will be! Baby clothes are easy and good-value to buy secondhand and because babies grow so fast, they tend to be hardly worn. Other items to look for in secondhand and charity shops include cot linen, soft furnishings, bouncy chairs and inflatable baby nests.

These products also minimize the impact on the environment and by taking actions such as recycling you can set a good precedent for the future generation. You can now buy most things in a 'green' version for babies including organic baby clothes, baby food and even green magazines made out of recycled paper. There is an increasing movement by parents to return to the old days and use cloth nappies instead of the disposable ones which add to the land fills. Imagine how many of these nappies you can get through in the first years of the babies life? Hundreds if not thousands! Many of these cloth nappy companies are stating ease of use, financial benefits, less rubbish and the comfort of natural cloth over paper and gel against delicate skin as some of the many reasons for making this change. See the green directory for companies that offer cloth nappies and other eco products for babies and the home. Choosing reusable nappies is one of the biggest single things you can do to make a difference. It's been estimated that two trees a year are felled to provide the pulp for each baby who wears disposables and it also takes hundreds of years for them to break down in landfill sites. Reusables are a lot less hassle than they used to be. And for times when they are inconvenient, the range of eco-disposables is expanding and is better than ever. If you're buying wooden objects, such as high chairs and baby toys, avoid tropical hardwoods. Look for ones made from trees grown in sustainable forests and remember if you doubt you really need something, don't buy it yet - wait and see.

I want to enable parents to choose and use products which will benefit baby and his or her family now and protect his / her future environment. GuideMeGreen is essentially a result of my own search for natural and eco-friendly products for my family and offers a service that makes it far easier for other parents to find the right products for them. With the introduction of a discussion board, parents are able to find out information and ask questions to an area which is new to them. We want to convert those to be more eco friendly that at the moment couldn't care less. I spend half my life telling family members off for throwing glass and plastic away. Being a one man band I deal with all emails and often receive requests from teenagers asking for information on ethical clothing shops and other products of interest to them. My thoughts are -. If teenagers are interested, GuideMeGreen must be doing something right!

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Diaper Rash - An Irritant For Babies

Diaper as a whole is a very good product and could be termed in some manner as a boon for all parents. Even though, this boon can boomerang any moment making it one of the worst nightmares for all parents. It is one of the common skin disorders that your child has to go through. As the babies skin is very soft and delicate it can easily cause damage by the constant use of diapers. Once you start solid food, diaper rash becomes more common, leading to rashes which create graver problems for your children. First 12 months can be a testing period for parents as well as babies.

The dominating factor for diaper rash is skin wetness. Areas which are already damaged tend to be more sensitive for other skin related problems. It is a kind of chain reaction as and when the skin gets affected due to urinary wetness which later on affects the stool enzymes or other irritants leading to inflammation of the skin. This rash becomes an open passage for bacteria and other organisms causing further damage to your child's skin problem. Common sufferers of diaper rash are between 8 to 10 months old.

Some of the common diaper rashes are
-Friction Rash
-Irritant Rash
-Allergic Rash
-Intertrigo Rash
-Seborrhea Rash
-Psoriasis

Measures to be taken
-Change the diapers often or avoid diapers, if you can manage it like that
-Keep your child exposed to fresh air
-Have a diaper which fits properly giving enough air to breath
-Use water instead of using diaper wipes
-Avoid food that may cause diarrhea
-Avoid soaps or powder which may tend to cause irritation
-Keep the infected area always dry to avoid any infection
-Breastfeeding your baby helps the baby immensely
-Use a bottle to squirt water rather than rub or wipe
-Pat dry, the area instead of wiping or rubbing the area
-Let your baby's skin dry before putting on another diaper
-Completely ban the use of plastic pants

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How These Food Choices Can Harm Your Baby

Everything in this article is relevant for children. If we want to have healthy children, we should feed them healthy food.Mothers should prepare their bodies nutritionally, well ahead of becoming pregnant, by detoxifying, drinking lots of fresh juices, eating raw foods, getting essential fatty acids such as hemp and flax oils, breathing fresh air, exercising, and resting.

When babies are changed over from breast milk to a cooked, solid food diet, they try to spit the food out. They intuitively know it is dead food. However, after repeated persistence and coaxing by mom or dad, they give in and accept the substandard cooked nutrition.

Their natural instincts for healthy food are gradually suppressed. Several unhealthy processes begin to happen in a baby's body as a result of eating cooked food.

First, cooked food digestion is incomplete and stools take on an offensive odor. The undigested matter is literally, rotting food.

Second, the body starts to use its stored nutritional reserves to maintain life-sustaining activities. If the feeding pattern continues, nutritional deficiencies start to develop.

Third, toxins from the incompletely digested and assimilated food begin to accumulate in the organs of elimination.

Fourth, retained toxins begin to be stored in various tissues throughout the body, thereby reducing its overall efficiency. When the combination of organ congestion, toxin storage, and nutritional deficiencies reach the point where the body can no longer maintain homeostasis- usually later in life-disease symptoms begin to manifest.

Babies should be fed breast milk-with the mother eating correctly- until they have teeth for chewing. Breast milk is natural food. It contains everything needed in the correct proportions for the proper growth and development of a baby.

Babies do not begin producing digestive enzymes in their bodies until their teeth have begun to erupt, meaning they have great difficulty handling solid food. If for some reason, the mother is unable to breast feed the infant for long, the next best substitute is raw goat's milk mixed with equal parts of fresh carrot juice, juice from a stick of celery, and pure water.

Cow milk is not recommended, even raw, because it is too high in calcium and protein, in addition to its acid-alkaline balance being wrong. Pasteurized products should not be fed to babies, while canned formulas should only be used as a last resort.

These are dead, mucus-producing foods; they precipitate sinus problems, ear infections, allergies, and lung disorders.Infants and children thrive on raw, whole foods. When weaning babies, introduce raw fruit first, then after a while, vegetables, both of which can be pulverized and broken down in a blender, food processor, or juicer.

As they grow, babies are gradually able to handle a greater variety of whole fruits and vegetables. Make this type of food a major portion of their intake, and watch the results.

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What is Gripe Water?

While many Americans have never heard of Gripe Water, it's a European aide that has been in use for generations. Gripe Water is helpful to parents that are dealing with babies with colic, gas, nausea, hiccups, and just about every other ailment. Gripe Water is an all-natural substance, so there is no need to worry about toxicity or over doing it. Every new mom can use something to help calm her baby, which is why Gripe Water is so popular in European cultures. Where bottles and rattles are common baby shower gifts and gifts that are given to new parents in America, Gripe Water is a common gift for new parents.

Gripe Water isn't nearly as common as it used to be, so the brands that you are able to find may vary from year to year. As more and more Americans learn about Gripe Water it seems to be making a slight comeback, though you can't walk into any store and find it. Usually baby specialty stores will carry it, or be able to tell you where you can likely find it in your area. If you can't seem to find it in your area at all, the Internet can help you get Gripe Water in your home to help you calm your baby.

Gripe Water is usually water that is fortified with herbs such as ginger, chamomile, or fennel. All of these herbs are known for calming the stomach, relieving gas, and just helping the body to relax. Many mothers feed their children herbal teas when they are not feeling well, but Gripe Water is easier because all the calming and soothing herbs are together in one place so that you don't have to choose which herb you'll use. Mothers have been finding Gripe Water helpful for a long time, so it must work well for a good number of babies suffering.

Many parents start using Gripe Water right after birth and continue to do so well into the toddler years. When babies suffer from gas and colic Gripe Water is often used to soothe the pain and allow both the parents and the baby get some much needed rest. As the baby begins to grow and suffers from teething, Gripe Water will again come in very handy. Many parents also swear that using Gripe Water during those sleepless nights helps to get baby to relax and finally close his or her eyes.

What is Gripe Water for? Only you can determine what you'll use it for, but it's worth a try! Whatever your child seems to be griping about may be soothed easily with this herbal concoction. Look for it in the store or on the Internet. If it doesn't work, you needn't buy more, but you'll likely find yourself wanting to keep a stock of Gripe Water at all times!

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Starting the First Game

Children like to play games. When they go to a birthday party, they are expecting to have a good time with friends of their own age. Find out the simple game on how to start the fun for children aged 5-4 years.

After a period of free play the young host's mother produced a tiny bell and asked the children if they wouldn't like to play "Ring Bell Ring." All the children bowed their heads in their laps while Johnny, holding on to the bell clapper, ran and hid in the next room. When he was safely hidden the hostess called out, "Ring Bell Ring." The children then pointed in the direction of the bell ringer. This simple game delighted the children and had to be repeated again and again with a different bell ringer each time.

Then the hostess told a story about Mother Kitty and Baby Kitty. She chose a little lass to be Mother Kitty. Then Mother Kitty and all the baby kitties went fast asleep. While Mother Kitty slept four of the babies awakened and tiptoed away to hide. When Mother Kitty awakened and found her babies gone she cried, "Meow." The little lost kittens cried, "Mew." Mother Kitty had to locate her babies by sound. After her every "Meow," the babies answered, "Mew."
"Policeman and Lost Child" next delighted the young?sters. One child was Policeman, and Mother worriedly asked his help in searching for her lost child. The Police?man asked Mother to tell him what her lost child was wearing. Mother then described in detail the clothes of her lost child. The Policeman looked about at the chil?dren and brought to Mother the child answering the description.

A "Game of Touch" was next on the program. The hostess put three familiar objects in a cloth bag-a ball, a toy automobile and a pencil. Each youngster took his turn at identifying the objects by feeling them through the bag. For "Bucket Ball" the children formed a circle with a wastebasket in the center. Then each child was given a chance to throw a large rubber ball into the waste-basket. Young children are not very adept at aiming a ball, but they thoroughly enjoy ball games. In this game, if a youngster did get the ball in the basket he was given another throw.

It is important to have a game in which the children can easily understand so they can enjoy the game. The game "Ring Bell Ring", story about Mother Kitty and Baby Kitty, Policeman and Lost Child and a "Game of Touch" are the simple games that the 3-4 years children can easily follow.

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Baby Sleep Problems and Solutions Part 2

There are many solutions to the problems associated with getting your baby to sleep. One of the most effective has to be creating the correct sleeping environment for your baby. The room where your baby sleep needs to be welcoming. A place where the baby will look forward to going for those mid-morning or afternoon naps and of course for the night time sleeping ritual.

This sleeping area will make an immediate connection to the baby so they know that when they enter they will associate it with sleep instantaneously. There are simple steps that can be taken to ensure that the place where your baby sleeps will very desirable to the infant.

Lets first look at the baby itself and the preparation for sleep. Putting them down after a bath and feed is very effective. The baby will be refreshed after the bath and content after the feed. Ensure that the baby clothes are dry and comfortable and that they have no restrictions in the size that will pull if the baby twists into a different position. The baby clothes should be fresh and clean and not have any sharp uncomfortable tags that may irritate the back of the neck or collar.

The cot itself should be the right size so that the baby can move freely if needed. Dont be afraid to place additional pillows on top of the mattress if you need extra softness. As long as they are firmly covered by a soft and warm fleecy blanket then they will be fine. Baby sleeping bags (or sacks) are a great product and will ensure your baby is completely warm and secure but with the ability to move around freely. Dont place pillows or toys directly into the cot with the baby when sleeping. Remove all toys direct from the sleeping area because they can be very distracting and in the dark may look a little scary to the baby.

Ensure the room is heated to the right temperature. Not too cold as to be uncomfortable and not to hot or the room will become stuffy and make the babies throat dry. Dont be afraid to open the door a little to let any excess heat escape so the room does not overheat. Placing a glass of water in the room will ensure that the air will receive moisture.

Drafts from windows and air conditioning vents are a common problem and this is one if the easiest ways for your baby to get a temperature and a common cold. Run your hand down any windows to see if they have drafts that need to be insulated.

Warm lighting shades are essential in a babies room. Make them too bright and the room will have a cold appearance. Try having a dim light on in the room before you enter with the baby, this could even be a small light you find on many modern cots. It needs to be bright enough to see though not enough to stop your baby going to sleep. You can also open the curtains or blinds a little just to bring in a little light if your baby prefers not to sleep in total darkness.

You may find that purchasing an attractive nursery nightlight that provides a colorful silhouette of light are ideal. There are others that will display rotating shapes against the walls and ceilings and these are more suitable for older babies.

Some babies welcome a little music to accompany them to sleep and many of the modern cots have these installed as standard. Just a basic repertoire of nursery rhymes that can be played at various levels are ideal. As your baby goes into slumber you can turn the music down a little. If you turn it off completely it may startle the baby and you will be back to square one again.

Try and avoid letting a new baby sleep with other children in the room. They are a big distraction and other youngsters will not be able to appreciate the importance of baby sleep for the newborn as much as you do. They find them fascinating and will often disturb them even in a loving way.

I think you will find that trying a selection of these methods will have a positive effect on your babies sleeping ritual. As long as the room where they sleep is associated with warmth and comfortable that has a welcoming atmosphere then I am sure you will see great results. Your baby will benefit from a good sleep and you never know, you may even have the chance to get some well earned sleep yourself.

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