Baby Bottles Sterilize Reviews

Philips Avent Scd51000 Baby Monitor Review

admin — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 06:38:58 +0000

The Philips Avent SCD510/00 is an audio baby monitor. It has an integrated night light to serve your child sleep without being panicked of the dusky. You can find this model for an average price of $100. Keep reading to learn about some of its features.

Frequency

Many wireless devices use 900 MHz or 2.4 GHz frequencies that can cause interference with baby monitors. The Philips Avent SCD510/00 avoids this problem by using the 1.9 GHz or DECT frequency. It also offers data encryption so you don’t have to worry about others being able to hear the feed.

Sound

The Philips Avent SCD510/00 audio baby monitor allows you to adjust the microphone’s sensitivity. With the sound off, you will still be able to screech if there’s sound coming from your baby’s room. The unit is fitted with lights to indicate the sound level.

Mobility

You can hear your baby from up to 1,000 feet away using the Philips Avent SCD510/00. The monitor also offers a belt clip so you can walk around without having to carry it in your hands. There is also an intercom function so you can talk to your child even when you’re far away.

Alerts

The Philips Avent SCD510/00 baby monitor offers a range of audible alerts. The parent’s unit will alert you whenever the battery is running low on power. It will also let you know when you’re out of range and it’s unable to provide audio.

Power

The parent’s unit of the Philips Avent SCD510/00 is powered by a rechargeable battery. It can operate for a whole day without needing to be recharged. The unit also has a visual indicator to let you know when it’s time to recharge.

The Philips Avent SCD510/00 audio baby monitor operates on a 1.9 GHz frequency, so you won’t experience interference from other devices that use more common 2.4 GHz or 900 MHz frequencies. You can also adjust the microphone sensitivity and even sing when there’s sound coming from the room thanks to the integrated lights. The parent’s unit will alert you whenever you’re out of range or low on power.

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Best Ways To Sterilize Baby Bottles

admin — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 02:42:23 +0000

Babies have far less immunity to illness than adults, so added precautions are needed with regard to everything you give a baby, including their bottles. Baby bottles need to be sterilized daily as the breast milk and formula they’re filled with can build up and form mold or bacteria that is harmful to the infant. Regular washing may be effective enough for adults and older children but babies need the extra sterilization to ensure the source of their nutrition is smart.

Scrub and Microwave

Using a bottle brush, dish soap and hot water scrub the inside of the bottles. Rinse then fill with super water. Microwave the water filled bottles for five minutes. The water will heat and become a sanitation medium that kills the germs and removes any dried liquid. Carefully remove from the microwave, pour out the water and rinse with clean warm water. Status out to dry on a drying rack. Make definite you don’t place the bottles on a dirty drying rack or handle with a dirty rags or hands.

Boil

The most favorite method of sterilization. Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil. Region the bottles, nipples and caps removed in the water. Let them boil for ten minutes then remove from the pot, rinse with warm water and set out to dry or dry with a clean kitchen towel. The boiling water kills all the germs and loosens any formula or breast milk stuck inside. Make sure you handle the bottles with clean hands and a elegant kitchen towel to possess the sterilization and prevent spreading any germs or contaminants.

Spend a steam sterilizer

There are steam sterilizers on the market that are great for baby’s bottles as well as tupperware, pacifiers, toys and more. Get a steam sterilizer and follow the instructions. Most only require that you plug them in, add some water in the water container, place your items under the hooded section and begin the steaming. Most of these steams have cycles that range from 10-15 minutes.

Dissolving tablets

Fill a large container with cold water and place a dissolving sterilization tablet in the water. The dissolving tabs can be found at most grocery stores and drug stores. Allow it to dissolve. Place the bottles, nipples removed and caps open in the water. Let sit for thirty minutes. Then remove and rinse with clean warm water. Status on a drying rack and let air dry. Make sure the drying rack is clean and doesn’t have any potential contaminants. Also always handle the bottles with clean hands.

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Braun Kfk12fl Flavorselect 12-Cup Replacement Carafe Review

admin — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 12:04:41 +0000

The Braun KFK12FL FlavorSelect 12-Cup Replacement Carafe is dishwasher safe. Although the glass is a bit thin so there is the problem of chipping off. It could have easily been a bit thicker. It is calibrated which makes it easy to read. The fingers can be protected from hot glass with the knuckle guard. The mark is quite reasonable and it is a 12 cup carafe which you can use with all flavor select coffee makers. I was using a carafe which had this small lip the caught the grinds or the sludge and it held them back from getting poured into the cup. That is a very useful design detail which is not present here in this Braun KFK12FL FlavorSelect 12-Cup Replacement Carafe.

This carafe has a good design otherwise and it looks great on the kitchen shelf. You feel good when you pour out from coffee from this Braun KFK12FL FlavorSelect 12-Cup Replacement Carafe to your family. This is much better an option and cheaper too than having to replace the coffee maker every time for a new one. The one major dilemma with this Braun KFK12FL FlavorSelect 12-Cup Replacement Carafe is the thin glass and I have to replace it more than often. The other carafe that I used often dripped while pouring coffee but this Braun KFK12FL FlavorSelect 12-Cup Replacement Carafe
Has no such problem and it pours coffee pretty well.

This carafe is not noteworthy different, in fact from the original one that came from the coffee maker. This is dishwasher safe and so we often keep it in the bottom rack as well without any injure to it. You have to be a bit modestly careful with this carafe and it should work out very well for you.

So now, when I have planned to set my kitchen with accessories of my choice, this Braun KFK12FL FlavorSelect 12-Cup Replacement Carafe is a beneficial thing to be added. I have not had to go for a whole new set of coffee maker, as this comes as a replacement carafe and it enhances the looks of my kitchen shelves. My family loves it as we pour coffee into each others mugs at a modest family gathering. I love the smell of coffee brewing in the coffee maker as my husband offers to make the morning coffee. I feel on a day off from work, all I can look forward to is coffee poured elegantly from this Braun KFK12FL FlavorSelect 12-Cup Replacement Carafe along with a few hot selling magazines to flip through and that is what is called Life!

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Breastfeeding Vs Formula

admin — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 08:02:27 +0000

You are about to welcome your newborn baby into this world and the age old question arises. Are you going to breast feed or are you going to bottle feed? Here are some points to think as you make your decision. Remember, you are the mother, and no one is to tell you the right way. It is your baby and you need to make the good decision that is best for you and your baby. No procedure is right or disagreeable.

Yes, there are studies that say that breast milk is better for your baby. But the formulas that are for sale today that are so comparable to breast milk that they get the same nutrients as they get in the breast milk. After you stutter your baby the hospital will try to lean you towards breast feeding, but like I said earlier, you need to decide what is best for you and your life. If you notion to work full time after having the baby you may not have time in your work day to pump breast milk. If you are working and breast feeding you will have to pump all the time at work to keep your milk coming to meet the feeding needs of your baby.

If money is real tight in your family, formula is definitely not a good choice. With breast feeding you will probably purchase a breast pump, but that will cost less than $100, which is less than a months worth of formula. Formula will cost you between $100 -$150 a month. I personally with my two kids alternated breast milk and formula. I was not comfortable with putting my baby to my breast so I pumped my milk. I wasn’t producing enough milk for my baby so I supplemented formula. It actually worked quite well. I was able to work, save money, and was assured my children were getting all the nutrients they needed.

I have heard that children are less sick when they are breastfed, do not know if it is true but with my two kids I do believe it is true. My first daughter is two and she has only had one ear infection and maybe a couple of colds. That’s resplendent good considering kids seem to be sick all the time. If I did not have to work I think that I would breastfeed exclusively. But that is my opinion and I don’t frown upon mothers who only formula feed. I think that formula is just as good as breast milk.

If you breast feed exclusively and do not pump, then you do not need any bottles. Let me drawl you that no bottles are wonderful. They are such a pain to clean, sterilize, and having to carry them around is such a wound. I do wish that I did not have to carry them around because they are a big hassle. If you do your research properly, you will be able to make a decision that is best for your lifestyle and your children. Remember, no one can decide for you so don’t let anyone make you think that you made the infamous choice.

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Guide On How To Find The Right Breast Pump

admin — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 20:52:32 +0000

Breast pumps come in a variety of sizes, types, brands, and prices. There are so many to choose from that sometimes you’re not sure which way to go. This is a guide to help you find the right pump for you.

The well known brands of breast pumps are Evenflo, Gerber, Medela, and Ameda, Lansinoh, and Avent. The types of pumps include manual, AC adapter, battery powered, car adapter, and hospital grade. To get the best pump for you probably will require some research and asking questions. You don’t want to buy the most expensive one and then realize it had a lot of bad reviews. The best map to determine is to look for a pump that is easy to take apart, easy to trim, and fits into your budget.

Where to research:

There are several places you can research each breast pump. You can search online, compare each pump with the other, and decide what type you want. Then search the brand and see what sizes they have, and how many pieces come off (for washing purposes). Read reviews, and shop around for the best price.

You can ask around.
Ask other breast feeding mothers about their opinions, what they used and how they liked it. You can also ask your baby’s doctor, who could give you pamphlets with more information. Also, ask your health unit, or WIC office. WIC strongly recommends breast feeding, and they will give you all the information you need, as well as free classes.

Other places.
There are a lot of books you can either bewitch from your local bookstore, or check out from the library. If your library has a video section, perhaps you can salvage video tutorials that would have information on the different style pumps.

*NOTE When I was looking for my electric and my hand pump, I went to www.walmart.com and searched their pumps. I read the product information, the price, and then the reviews placed by other mothers. Not all pumps had good reviews, so be sure to check that part out especially.

What questions to ask:

Do I want a pump that is home use only? (electric)
Do I need a pump for travel? (hand pump, or car charger, or battery)
Do I need a pump that is quick and easy access? (hand pump)
Is this easy to clean? Is this dishwasher safe? (some aren’t, and some have too many pieces to take apart)
Is this a brand I trust?

The different kinds of breast pumps:

Manual pumps with a trigger – These suction and pull the milk by you squeezing the triggered handle. And they seem to be the most effective and the best choice of hand pumps. The highlight of this pump is that it’s portable, doesn’t need batteries or an outlet, and you can exhaust it with one hand. The downside of this pump, it’s not as effective as the electric pump and you have to continuously squeeze the trigger.

Syringe cylinder pumps – This type is one of the few that require both hands. Which could cause your hands to tire rather like a flash. There is no trigger, which means you will have to hand pump your breast, while holding the flange and bottle tightly over your areola and nipple. The highlights of this pump, it’s effectiveness and it’s lightweight. The downside of this pump is that it takes two hands, and has no trigger.

Electric pumps - The suction action on this pump is very similar to that of your baby’s nursing pattern. Which makes this the ideal pump to use and it seems to be most effective. Electric pumps range in size, they can be stout or small. Some can even be rented from your local drugstore or medical supply store. The highlights of this pump is the suction is just like baby’s sucking, one hand to operate, most effective (depend on brand) The downside of this pump, it has to be plugged in.
*NOTE Not all electric ones work correctly, it all depends on brand. Please research and read reviews first. When I was looking for my electric pump, I ran across too many expensive ones that had nothing but dreadful reviews. Be cautious when you are choosing your pump, but there are some out there that work wonderfully.

Battery powered pumps – Similar to electric pumps, but does not have quite as worthy power. The highlights of this pump, it’s more portable than the electric pumps and they don’t require an outlet, and is a one hand use. The downside of this pump is the batteries will have to be replaced every so often as needed.

Squeeze bulb pumps – Majority of these are shaped like a bike horn and are manually operated. I don’t know anyone that recommends this type of pump. The suction is bad, it’s difficult to orderly, and requires too much energy, work, and time. The highlights of this pump is that it’s lightweight and portable. The downside of this pump, bad suction, hard to clean, too much effort to pump, will leave you feeling sore and tender, and your doctor will probably advise you NOT to get this pump.

Parts of the breast pump:

Most pieces of the pumps can be ordered from the Brand name’s company. The parts catalogue is usually found at the back of your pumps manual, or ordered online. This is mainly just in case any pieces get destroyed or misplaced. Ordering these pieces from the company are much cheaper than buying an entirely unusual pump. The only problem is waiting on the item to be shipped and received. Unless there is a local store with the piece you are looking for, you can call the brands hotline for more information.

How to use the breast pump:

If pump is properly hooked up, plugged in if needed, and has storage container attache, then you’re ready.
Place the flange over your nipple, this should cover almost your entire areola. The flange should fit snug, but still allowing your nipple to fit easily into the opening.
Start by pumping the first breast for 5-8 minutes, then the same for the second.
Then pump the first breast for 3-5 minutes, then the same for the second.
And again on the first breast for 2-3 minutes, then the same for the second.
You’ll want to inform this last step until you have pumped all the milk, or breasts are too tender to go on.

In order to get more milk, you’ll want to switch from one breast to the other several times in one session. (This is not needed if you have a dual suction pump, one for each breast)

What I use:

Medela Double Select – Electric pump, with a suction action objective like baby’s sucking pattern. This style comes with two flanges and bottles so you can have both going at once (this will require you to use both hands, one per pump, but it shortens the time dramatically!). Has several speeds in order to obtain the milk fast, and it’s very comfortable. Comes with bottles, and the system is lightweight with a long cord, making it easy to move. Broad in any room.

This is the electric one that I used. It had several different suction speeds. I would always start on low, and gradually go to fast. This was my absolute favorite, it worked really well, had no problems with it, and was actually comfortable. The only thing you need to clean is the flanges and the bottles it’s connected to, after baby is done with it. You can pump straight into the bottle you want to feed your baby with. It comes with bottles, but it can also fit bigger sized bottles of a different brand (which is what I did). Or you can unprejudiced buy more of the same Medela bottles in a different size.

Philips Avent ISIS – Dual manual pumps, that came with Avent bottles, replacement parts, a small cooler (which I loved) and two ice packs.

This pump worked perfectly for me, it’s not electric or battery powered, which is what I needed when I wasn’t pumping at home. I carried this with me, pumped when I needed to, and if baby wasn’t hungry good then, I unprejudiced stored the bottle into the cooler. Or if I just didn’t feel like plugging in my electric pump (it moved room to room quite often) then I just grabbed this handy one. Very few parts to take off for cleaning, and although it was dishwasher first-rate, I still washed by hand as I do with all baby’s bottles.

Each pump might work differently for each woman, but the two pumps I have seem the best ones for me.

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Bringing Home Baby Checklist For New Parents

admin — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 17:31:09 +0000

Preparing for childbirth is tough enough without having to worry about making sure you have everything you need before you bring you baby home. Here is a simple checklist of all the necessities to accomplish your tiny ones arrival stress-free and comfortable.

· Diapers and wipes- Buy a medium size pack of the brand you favor and wait off till buying in bulk until you have tried these on your baby. Sometimes babies may net a rash from one brand or you may notice frequent diaper leaks which would suggest you should switch to another impress. Once you have decided which brand is best for you bewitch in bulk to say money and avoid frequent trips to the drugstores. Newborns go through diaper changes rapidly so you will need plenty of them.

· Baby shampoo, baby wash, and baby lotion- Johnson’s baby products are a long time common of parents for being gentle and soothing.

· Baby tub-An essential for bath time safety and fun. It doesn’t need to be appreciate but it might help to think about where you will be giving your new born a bath. There are even specific tubs that are able to fit in your kitchen sinks so think about your particular needs and requirements before purchasing.

· Changing table- It doesn’t matter if it costs $200 or $50 you need to have this if you want to be saved from backaches. Babies need to be changed a LOT so this is a must have.

· Crib/bassinet- Whether you want a life time crib that changes as your baby grows older or a bassinet that is compact and easily moved from room to room. Keep in mind where your baby will spend most of their time and buy accordingly.

· Side buttoned shirts- Sometime during the first two weeks of life the baby’s umbilical cord stump is going to dry and fall off. It is important to sustain clothing loose. It is recommended that you use side buttoned shirts which are not only loose fitted but also extremely easy to take off when you want to clean or change the baby.

· Bodysuits and One piece- Since these are very cheaply available in packs at all baby stores I would suggest buying at least a dozen for 0-3 months and for 3-6 months age ranges. You won’t have to worry about laundry every other day and since babies outgrow clothes very snappy you may want to save money and not spend on expensive clothes until a little later.

· Hooded Baby Towels –

· Baby blankets or swaddlers- Babies love to be swaddled. Buy cotton blankets or specially made swaddlers that will keep baby warm and snuggly.

· Mittens- babies tend to scratch and it’s important to support nails short and effect mittens on their hands to prevent them from hurting themselves and leaving scars.

· Stroller and car seat- it is a favorable idea to invest in a well made stroller and car seat. Hospitals will not release your baby unless you have a car seat. A good option may be to get a travel system stroller that is cheaper than buying each item individually.

· Baby care kit (baby thermometer, nasal aspirator, infant Tylenol, etc)- Hopefully you will not need to use this for a long time but if your baby does get sick you don’t want to be running around looking for these things at the last minute. Eventually, you will need these at some point so invest in good quality items.

· Baby bottles (if breastfeeding or formula)- There are numerous brands and each parent has their acquire pick. I recommend trying Avent for everyday use and the playtex disposable drop-ins system for travelling.

· Baby Formula-This will be a trial and error process as some babies capture one brand to the other. I recommend Enfamil Lipil as it is the closest formula to breast milk but your baby might be the one to resolve which one you end up using.

· Bottle sterilizers- the steam sterilizers are good but a dinky large and more costly. If you will be breast feeding primarily or travelling a lot it might be easier and cheaper to buy a microwave sterilizer which are less bulky as well. Baby bottles, nipples, need to be sterilized only for the first 6 months to avoid infections and after that time it is usually a personal preference to continue. If you intend to breastfeed for that time you could simply skip on the sterilizer.

· Stroller accessories : JJ cole bundle me is the warmest cover-up for the winters, any rain/snow/wind cover to provide protection against the elements, and clips to hang bags that you will inevitably be lugging around are all a must.

· Winter Babies: snow suit for baby that covers hands and feet with an attached hat provide the best protection against the cold

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Baby Registry Items To Bypass

admin — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 06:29:42 +0000

My son is now 20 months veteran. I’m past that baby stage and onto toddler hood. When I was registering for my son ( who is my only child as of now, so therefor, my first), I followed the advice of the few Mom friends I had at that time, and also the advice of Babies R Us, the store that I registered at. Now, I love Babies R Us. Even though my son has basically outgrown the store, I still enjoy browsing around at all the adorable clothes and baby products. That being said, there is so considerable to choose from when you are going to be a new Mom. Where do you start? What do you get and what is not needed?

Now it’s my younger sister’s turn. She is pregnant with her first, and I recently took her to Babies R Us to help her with her registry and I found myself saying things such as “this was wonderful,” or “you need to get this!” But I also found myself saying “you really don’t need that,” a lot. Here are some of the items that we can live without:

Plush and expensive baby blankets.
I got a few expensive baby blankets at my baby shower and they were beautiful! I would lay them down on the floor and allow my son to have his tummy time, spreading out some toys for him to try and reach. And then…splat! He’d spit up. There goes that expensive baby blanket…down the laundry shoot again. By the time his spitting days were over, the blankets would be a bit frayed and some of them would even have a stain or two, no matter how quickly I got it in the laundry (and when you’re a new Mom, you know it’s hard to gain those clothes immediately into the laundry at times!). I found myself keeping a few of the blankets on shelves in his closet so I wouldn’t end them, and taking out the blankets I got for a dolor or two. They worked just as well and I didn’t cringe when my son would spit up on them, yet once again.

Expensive baby clothes.
Of course you have to have a few absolutely adorable outfits to show your baby off in, but for the same reason as above, I kept the expensive outfits to a minimum. Not only was there spit-it to worry about, but babies outgrow their clothes entirely too quickly. I still have clothes that have tags on them!

A highchair.
When I was pregnant, a girlfriend of mine swore up and down that her highchair was the best remove she could have made. I just wonder why. You shouldn’t place your child in a highchair until they are able to sit by themselves unsupported which tends to happen sometime around six months. By the time I would have placed my son in a highchair, he would have had the trunk stability to sit by himself in a booster seat as well. So that’s what we did. We began with the Bumbo (a product that has been recalled, but that I absolutely LOVED!). We would place him here and feed him some solid foods when we were not at home. When we were at home, we would place him in a chair that actually had two bars protruding out that attached to the table itself. He was high enough that he could near anything he needed and close enough to the table as well. It also had a seat belt, so we knew he was safe. Once he outgrew this chair, we placed him in a regular booster chair of sorts. A chair that strapped to the adult table chair and had a tray of it’s own. At first we used the tray, but we soon learned that pushing his chair up closer to the table resulted in his eating upright there with us…even at a young age. Goodbye bulky highchair! Hello little safe booster chair that you couldn’t even see when the chair was pushed under the table. Definitely the alternative for us…cheaper (cost us less than $20!), less bulky, good. We’ll use it with our next baby, too. To eat, to paint, to play play dough, to color, etc. Any table activity. It’s the way to go.

Jumperoo.
I’ve had Mom’s who have sworn that this was also an amazing product to have, that their children loved it. If you want a jumperoo, then go for it! Working in early intervention, though, I’ve learned that they are not the best for gross motor development. Children tend to jump on the balls of their feet, when really, then should be flat-footed as best they can. When jumping so much on the balls of their feet, they develop those muscles and in turn, make it harder for them to use the muscles that are needed to be flat-footed that help you learn to stand, walk, etc. Exersaucers have the same issue. Did I place my son in an exersacuer? You better possess it! I needed my shower and this is how I got it! I’d place him in his exersaucer in the bathroom with me and ahhhhh….a splash of hot water down my back! My moment’s peace! Until I would open the shower curtain to make definite he was okay, that is! The key to this is moderation. If in an exersaucer, make sure your child’s feet are flat, place the setting down low enough that they can bend their knees. And use it only a few times throughout your day, and not as a babysitter. Jumperoos look like they can be a whole lot of fun, but my son did well without one. The floor is the best place for your child to be, helping them to learn how to use their muscles.

A bassinet.
If you’re going to have your child sleep in your room with you, I’d most definitely recommend a co-sleeper instead of a bassinet. It’s got the same view as you can have your baby closer to you, but it’s so much more practical. A co-sleeper rests on the side of your bed and has belts that extend under and to the opposite waste of the bed to clasp on for safety. That way you can’t move the co-sleeper. It’s secured to the edge of your bed, and closer to you. When my son would wake for a feeding, I’d roll over and could easily pick him up, without even having to sit up. With a bassinet, you’d have to reach over the side to pick your child up (okay, this is staring to accomplish me sound inactive…but anyone who knows true sleep deprivation understands me here!). The co-sleeper also folds up very distinguished like a pack-and-play would, so it’s compact and portable if you need it to be.

A bottle sterilizer.
I breastfed my son, but would often use bottles, not only for my husband to feed our baby, but also once he started daycare part-time. I bought a bottle sterilizer but very soon found it up on the top of a shelf. There it would discontinue until we packed it away. If I really wanted to sterilize my bottles, I would place them in boiling water. Setting up the sterilizer, etc. just proved to be more of a pain than anything else. It didn’t seem to make things easier…honest proved to add to my workload as a current Mom.

I’m sure every Mom who is out of the baby stage has their enjoy list of must-have’s and have-not’s. For anyone expecting a child, I first want to congratulate you! I hope this list can help.

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Useless Baby Items That Only First-time Parents Buy

admin — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 02:40:25 +0000

Yesterday I helped a friend shop for his daughter’s baby shower. It’s her first baby. You know how I could tell? Her baby shower registry list.

First-time parents will, of course, originate plenty of rookie mistakes. First-time parents will freak out every time their baby so much as whimpers and will often think that a runny nose requires a three a.m. emergency room visit. There are some parenting lessons that you just have to learn on your own, but there are some lessons that you can take from me, Experienced Parent.

A single visit to Babies ‘R Us will fill the first-time parent-to-be with overwhelming anxiety. What is all of this stuff? Do I need it? I must. It’s here! Even the most intelligent, marketing-savvy adults will forget that baby products are an industry like any other, and that advertising companies prey on parents’ desire to provide their child with the safest and highest-quality products available, to the tune of billions annually.

With that in mind, Lesson One: You don’t need even half of the crap on your baby shower registry.

Take a deep breath, sit down, and rest assured that you don’t need any of the following:

1. Steam Sterilizer. At about $50, this is one of the most useless baby products ever. You might as well grab a $50 bill and light it on fire. Sure, you want your baby’s bottles and pacifiers to be clean, but do they need to be steam sterilized? Um, no. Have a dishwasher? How about a sink, Palmolive, and a hot water heater? Then you’re objective exquisite. Take that $50 and buy a $3 bottle brush. Exhaust the remaining $47 on heavily caffeinated beverages- something you’ll actually need.

2. Infant carseat. You know those carrier carseats that you can unlatch from the base and use to carry the baby? Colossal destroy of money (not to mention painfully heavy to carry). Depending on how swiftly your baby grows, they’ll be out of an infant carseat in a matter of months. Instead of buying an infant carseat (the inexpensive ones are around $70), buy the regular carseat that you’re going to have to buy anyway in a few months. Choose that $70 you almost blew and apply it toward getting the safest, most highly-rated carseat you can find. Just make sure that the weight limit is such that it’s safe for a newborn.

3. Highchair. They compose really neat highchairs these days, I know. But I’m here to tell you that they’re more of a injure than they’re worth. First, they’re bulky. Even in the most generously-sized kitchens or dining rooms, highchairs take up a lot of plot (especially since highchair manufacturers realized that kids would stop tipping over in them if they expanded the sinful of the chairs). Second, they keep your child at an awkward height if your child eats with you at family meals. Most highchairs will have your child at a whole ‘nother level than everyone else at the table. Finally, they’re expensive. The inexpensive highchairs begin in the $70 range, and the trace increases exponentially from there. Instead, seat your child at the table with everyone else, for about $20. The chair-mount booster seats are mostly in the $20 range and have removable and dishwasher-safe trays, as well as the safety belts that highchairs have. Booster seats hold up much less space and are a snap to clean. Take that extra $50 and use it to consume cleaning wipes. Another item you’ll actually need.

4. Diaper pails or Diaper Genies. They don’t hold the smell any better contained than regular trash cans- trust me. A regular diaper pail costs about $15 (not too much more than the cost of a regular trash can with a lid), and like most trash cans, it more or less keeps the diaper stench in- until you open the lid. Same with the Diaper Genie- but the Diaper Genie costs about $25, and the bag refills cost about $6 per refill cartridge. And the Diaper Genie isn’t a part of cake to use- lots of unnecessary pain and expense, many will tell you. Instead, do what my daycare does: utilize the plastic grocery bags you paid nothing for, place each dirty diaper in one, tie it off, and drop it in the regular trash can. Take out your trash at least once daily. This works surprisingly well, and you won’t have to deal with cleaning out an absolutely wretchedly stinky diaper pail, ever. But if you really want to ensure that no diaper smell lingers in your home, keep a bag or pail outside the back door of your house and toss dirty diapers directly into it. Note: this advice applies to disposable diapers, not cloth. If you tie a messed cloth diaper in a plastic bag for later laundering, remember that you will eventually have to open the bag. Ick.

5. Baby bath. Sure, they’re only $20, but do you really need one? No. Your baby will be small enough to fit in the baby bath (usually made for babies who aren’t yet sitting) for only a few months. Add to that the facts that they’re uncomfortable for the parent to use (lots of crouching and stooping) and bulky to store, and they become more misfortune than they’re worth. What’s the time, money, and back-saving alternative? Your kitchen sink. If you have one of those extendable spray hoses, well, you’re just extra lucky. Indulge in the age-old tradition of sink bathing- it requires a tidy sink, a towel or two for padding if your baby isn’t sitting yet, and the usual baby-cleaning accessories. Your abet will thank you for bathing baby in the sink, and clean-up is a snap. Catch that $20 and buy another memory stick for your digital camera, because there’s nothing cuter than a record of a baby taking a bath in a kitchen sink.

There will be plenty of items that your baby will need in bulk that you’ll have to spend plenty of money on- so do yourself a favor and skip the above items. The baby products industry won’t collapse, I swear.

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Bringing Home Baby! A Guide To Caring For Your New Baby

admin — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 19:47:32 +0000

Being a first time mom can be very scary. Babies don’t approach with an instruction manual. I know when I became a mother I was frightened to bring my baby home. I didn’t know if I knew enough to occupy care of a baby. In the hospital you have so much help, all the nurses are willing to teach you how to change a diaper, feed the baby a bottle and help you breast feed if that’s what you choose. If you have no help at home it can be very scary. The best thing to do is educate yourself as much as possible through reading and classes. Doing this will help you prepare for the first day that you bring home your baby and it’s honest you and baby.

When being discharged from the hospital you have to make sure that you have a car seat. If you do not have a car seat the hospital will not let you leave. You want to make sure that you have a car seat that is installed properly so that your baby will be safe if an accident was to occur. Install the car seat according to the instructions if you have anxiety you can go to the car dealership and ask if they will succor you to install the seat properly. If the car dealership does not help you, you can go to the highway patrol office or a police station and they will succor you there. If you put the car seat in your self you should know that the safest location for the baby to be is in the middle in the back seat of the car. You should never assign baby’s or small children in the front seat if you have an airbag. You should make sure that all the straps work and everything buckles properly.

Newborn babies can sleep up to 20 hours a day. Your baby will sleep, wake up briefly to eat and sleep some more. It is very important to keep your baby’s bed free of stuffed animals, pillows, blankets and comforters. You should have nothing fluffy or soft in the bed while baby is sleeping. It can get in your child’s face and suffocate your baby. Do sure that you have a firm mattress for your baby, not a soft one that we judge would be more comfortable. When putting your baby down to sleep you should swaddle your baby or as I would say wrap them like a burrito and put them to sleep on their back.

When your baby cries you should met the obvious needs first. Change their diaper and feed them if they are hungry. If your baby is still crying you can try rocking your baby, talking to your baby or offer your baby a pacifier. Walking around with baby can help as well. It has the gentle rocking motion your baby felt in your stomach. If none of that see if your baby is too cold or to warm. Adding or removing a blanket or layer of clothes can fix the problem. Sometimes baby’s just need time to themselves. Try laying your baby in their bed and left them cry for a few minutes. Most of the time that’s all your baby needed she may have became overwhelmed with all the attention. If you become upset with your new baby over all the crying you should set aside your child down and ask for help from someone else. Being upset and stressed is not healthy for you or your child.

You will change plenty of diapers your baby’s first year. Trust me I know I have two baby’s, so it won’t prefer you long to master this technique. Here are some tips on how to make changing diapers easier the first few days until you get the hang of it. Have everything you need close by you. You will need a diaper, wipes, powder or diaper rash cream (just in case your baby starts to get a rash you will have it on hand), and a change of clothes if needed. Take the baby’s dirty diaper off and remove it from under your baby’s bottom. You should wipe your child with a baby wipe or a wash cloth that’s been wet with warm water. Wipe your child from front to back and make sure you tidy in between all their little creases. Then put on a clean diaper and it’s all done. Make positive the diaper is on tight enough not to slip off. If working with a puny boy you should put a diaper or burp cloth over the baby’s penis to avoid being peed on. Boys seem to be famous for peeing on you. If your baby still has their umbilical cord you should continue to rub alcohol on it at every diaper change until it falls of. You should also fold your child’s diaper the umbilical cord to prevent the diaper from rubbing against it and irritating it.

Feeding your baby is very important. You will feel like you just fed your baby and its time to do it again. Newborns should eat every 2-3 hours. It’s your choice to breast feed or bottle feed. If bottle feeding you measure out the water, and the proper amount of formula and shake. On the can of formula it will tell you how to properly make the bottle according to the stamp you use. Make sure that you wash your hands every time you invent your baby a bottle so that you wont spread any inappropriate germs to your child. It’s a good thing to have plenty of burp clothes on hand. Baby’s can spit up a lot and you don’t want it all over your clothes. You should burp your baby every few minutes. Baby’s can get air into their tummies while feeding and they need help to release it. You can put your baby over your shoulder or lay them across your lap to burp them. You will soon learn what works best for your baby. There is no set limit of how worthy your child should eat. You should talk to your child’s pediatrician to score out what is best for your baby. My pediatrician told me to do on demand feeding. Feed when she is hungry, but what is right for my children may not be right for your child.

You won’t be able to give your baby a real bath until the umbilical cord has fallen off and healed. You can give your baby a sponge bath. Start by getting all the things you will need first. You don’t want to be in the middle of bathing your baby and don’t have something you need. You will need to a bowl or small bucket with warm water, several towels, a washcloth, and a few cotton balls. Lay a towel down and keep your baby covered. Uncover one fraction of your baby’s body at a time and gently wipe it clean, pat dry and mask her back up. When finished you can moisturize your child if you choose and dress quickly. If your baby gets upset during this process you can pick your baby up and comfort him and continue when your baby is settled down.

Every baby is different. Not everything works the same for every child. In time you will learn what your baby like and dislikes and you will learn to distinguish between a hunger cry, wet shout and just hold me cry. It’s all a learning process. Here are a few more tips to remember as well. You should never, ever shake your child. Shaking your child can do some really bad harm to your child. It can even result in death if you shake your baby. Make sure that you always support your baby’s head when holding your baby’s. Baby’s don’t have any head control yet. You should keep the temperature in your house at about the same temp all the time. This will prevent your baby from getting sick from being to cold and it won’t be to hot in your home either. You should avoid putting your baby in direct sunlight. Always cover them up their skin and eyes are very sensitive. Don’t put necklaces or string around your baby’s neck and you should check their clothes for loose strings that your baby’s toes and fingers can get caught in.

I hope that these tips will benefit you with your first days home with your new baby. If you have family or friends to help you when you come home let them. New mothers can get overwhelmed very easily. It’s always easier to have serve. I wish you luck with your new baby and devour your baby because they will grow up so expeditiously.

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Choosing A Pediatrician

admin — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 04:41:58 +0000

There comes a time during every woman’s pregnancy when she is asked, “Have you selected a pediatrician? ” Choosing a pediatrician is serious work; it is more than just thumbing through the yellow pages, or your insurance company’s provider directory. Just think, this is the person, or persons, you are choosing to care for your child. The pediatrician you choose will soothe your child when they are sick and calm you down when you place that emergency call in the middle of the night.

Several parenting books recommend that you try to identify a pediatrician before your child is born so that once your baby arrives, they can participate in the first exam. Many hospitals work in conjunction with your chosen pediatrician to develop a plan of care that is appropriate for your child. If you do not have a pediatrician chosen before your baby is born, the hospital will either make recommendations or assist you in identifying a pediatrician.

Selecting the right pediatrician for your child requires a great deal of thought and advanced preparation. Like all physicians, pediatricians have different approaches to delivering care and not all approaches may fit with you and your family’s needs.

There are many ways to go about choosing a pediatrician. The first, and often best, way is to ask your family and friends for recommendations. Another option is to ask your obstetrician. Your obstetrician will have the ability to discuss their professional interactions with the different pediatricians and pediatric groups and should be able to address their competencies and reputations as a physician.

Additionally, today’s pediatricians are open to meeting with parents and participating in interviews before the child is born. It is valuable to talk with the pediatrician and ensure that you agree with the pediatrician’s policies and child rearing philosophies.

If you are interested in conducting an interview, it is best to contact the pediatrician several months before your due date. If you are able to net a meeting you should to arrive at the meeting prepared with a series of questions. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that you ask the following questions:

Is the pediatrician accepting new patients?
Do they score your insurance or managed-care idea?
What are the office hours?
What is the best time to call with routine questions?
How does the office handle billing and insurance claims?
Is payment due at the time of the visit? What are the costs of care?
How soon after birth will the pediatrician see your baby?
When will your baby’s next exams take region?
When is the doctor available by phone? Are they available by email?
What hospital does the doctor prefer to use?
What happens if there is an emergency?
Who “covers” the practice when the pediatrician is not available?
How often will the pediatrician see your baby for checkups and immunizations?
What is your background and credentials?

Another option to help you choose a pediatrician is to attend a new and expecting parents’ seminar. These seminars are often held at your local hospital, baby store or even at a pediatrician’s office. In Sewell, NJ, the Laurel Pediatrics group holds a new parent seminar once a month, in a group setting, at their practice’s office on Fishpond Road. During the new parent seminar, the practice distributes informational packets, discusses office procedures, presents a brief PowerPoint presentation on celebrated infant illnesses, newborn rashes and birthmarks and basic infant care. The presentation is followed by an open question and answer session; however, participants also have the opportunity to ask private, individual questions.

The new parent seminar is a gargantuan alternative to the one-on-one interview and is becoming a more accepted practice. If you are not sure if new parent seminars are held in your town, try calling a few pediatricians’ offices or skimming the local hospital’s newsletter or calendar.

Choosing the true pediatrician for you and your child is an important decision. Your pediatrician could care for your child from birth to their high school graduation. Be selective and don’t be afraid or embarrassed to ask questions.