Babies & Toddler

Archive for the ‘Baby Activities’ Category

Couples Baby Showers for the Dad-to-Be and Mom-to-Be and Their Friends

Baby showers were traditionally for the Mom-to-Be. However, times have definitely changed. With fathers taking a more active role in their family, particularly when it comes to planning for their new baby’s arrival, Dads-to-Be have felt left out of the baby shower party celebrations. Thus having a couples baby shower has become more a normal occurrence rather than the exception. The imprinted couples baby shower invitations should clearly indicate that the baby shower is a couples baby shower. Read More About Couples Baby Showers for the Expecting Parents.

When planning for a couples baby shower, it is important to consider the dynamics of the guests. It is not a women’s get-together; it is a celebration where men and women will be coming together to help celebrate with the expectant parents their new arrival. Therefore, it is important to help to make the men feel comfortable and definitely welcome. The unique couples baby shower invitations should appeal to both the men and women, which will help to bring the men so that the father-to-be will not be the only guy at the baby party.

The hostess should ensure that the decorations are not entirely feminine. A couples baby shower should not be dainty either, even if the couple is expecting a baby girl. The food served is a good example. Since there will be men attending, consider serving pizza, a deli-style buffet or even BBQ. Something else to consider is providing name tags if the guests do not know each other – although some people might balk at name tags, so ensure that this is truly something thing that you or the Mom-to-Be want to have available.

At traditional baby showers, the Mom-to-Be is given something for her, not just the baby. When hosting a couples baby shower, ensure that there is a little something just for the Dad-to-Be, such as a ‘coach’ t-shirt, etc. Baby shower favors can also be given out the guests, but the items should be something that would be appreciated by the couple, such as candles or food items. The food items could be as simple as baby-themed cookies, frosted with the name of the baby or even just the Mom-to-Be’s last name. A copy of the recipe could be included inside the favor.

If couples baby shower games should be easy, fun and ones that the men will enjoy also. Here are some ideas for baby shower games couples will enjoy playing:
* Take the couples first names and have the guests make as many baby names as they can from the letters. Prizes given could include both the most names and the funniest names.
* Fill baby bottles with some sort of beverage and have a drinking contest. Whoever finishes first, wins! Of course, this could be messy, but definitely fun.
* Have the couple bring their own baby picture. Then have a contest to see how many people can identify to most. Silly prizes are also fun, such as Nerf-type items.

A fun thing to memorialize the event is to take photos and have each of the attending couple sign the book with advice for the Mom-to-Be. A couples baby shower is a great way to celebrate the new arrival with family and friends and have an excuse to get together before the baby arrives.
Getting ready for a baby shower for couples can be really fun.

When sending affordable couples baby shower invitations, be sure and inform the invited guests that it is for couples – the father-to-be does not want to be the only guy there. Also make the event fun for everyone, with good food and plenty of laughter. Since the Mom-to-Be will need to send baby shower thank you cards after the baby shower, it is a good idea order the baby shower thank you cards at the time the couples baby shower invitations are ordered so they will have the same baby shower theme. There are websites that have sample couples baby shower invitations sayings, verses and wording ideas.

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If Toys ‘R Us is a company that offers various toys for kids, what does Baby R Us offer? No way! It’s not babies! Baby R Us offers baby products.

In 1996, Westbury, New York, Baby R Us opened its first store. It has been immediately followed with opening six more branches on different locations at the end of the year. After tremendous expansion and joining the Baby Superstore chain, Baby R Us store count has reach 218 at the beginning of 2005. What a mammoth feat for a baby store, right?

Babies R Us is considered a pioneer in retailing premier baby products. It is said to be the biggest store chain in the world that provides baby products. They have stores and online stores that assist in giving a unique and fun shopping experience for their consumers. It has a state-of-the-art baby registry service that provides more convenience when shopping for your baby’s needs. Baby R Us also has a Mother’s room that attends to babies’ necessities.

It has an online store that contains various helpful features that include the following:

The Baby Registry service is a product of Babies R Us teaming up with Amazon.com. Parents that are expecting their baby are permitted to create an online baby registry or update a registry that was set up on one of the Babies R Us stores nationwide. What this registry rids the parents is the inconvenience of surmounting geographic barriers and presumption of which products suit your baby. This way, when your friends and relatives plan to buy your baby a gift, it won’t be that much of a hassle anymore. All that they have to do is go online, select, buy and get the gift delivered to you on time. All the land-based Baby R Us stores allow all purchase returns as an added feature.

Baby R Us also constantly maintains a “Top Seller List” that usually include educational baby equipment, baby books, a pregnant mom’s book, diaper accessories, comfy baby bouncer, play gyms, baby call nursery monitors, a changing pad, monitors with dual receivers, an infant car seat base, baby wraps, toddler rockers, baby swings, nursery care kits, feeding bottle set, etc.

Baby R Us online store also allows browsers to check on different brands of baby products that suit their preferences. The following are the categories that Baby R Us provides various brands of products on: gear, activity, toys, nursery, health and safety, specialty stores, feeding, bath and potty, and clothing and layette.

Baby R Us also presents gift ideas to those who want to share some goodies to their little kids, nephews, nieces, granddaughter or grandsons. A gift set is always considered a hit in making parents with their babies smile with appreciation. These are often in baby gift basket forms that contain various items that deal with the parents and baby’s needs. There are also these “Parents Favorite” items and Babies R Us’ basic gift ideas that are never surmounted by novel items. Gift certificates are also available as treats to the parents-to-be. Baby R Us even added “new baby” or “pregnancy” e-card. Along with this e-card, the option of an e-mail or a paper gift certificate is still offered.

Babies R Us online even has this resource center page that includes various buying guides, checklists, articles, advices and other information that will both benefit the parents and the baby.

It is possible to find baby shower gifts for every budget.  No matter what your financial situation here are some ideas to help you find that perfect baby shower gift without breaking the bank. 

Inexpensive and Easy Baby Shower Gift Basket

A visit to your local dollar store will turn up a number of baby items (example: shampoo, oil, powder, lotion, socks, wipes, washcloths, bibs, bottles and hair bows). Place 5 or 6 dollar items in a basket that you picked up at the thrift store and spray painted a clean bright white.
Tie a pink or blue ribbon (also purchased at the dollar store) around the handle, tuck in a few sheets of colored tissue paper and you have a great baby shower gift basket.
 
Baby Shower Gifts Under $10:

Baby Bottles, Baby Powder and Oil, Baby Shampoo and Conditioner, Baby Wipes, Bibs, Blankets, Rattles, Socks and Washcloths, Baby Tylenol, Booties, Burp Cloth, Clothing, Diapers, Gas Drops,  Hooded Towel, Onesies, Pacifier, Rubber Duck, Teething Toys, Thermal Blanket and Thermometer

Baby Shower Gifts for $15 to $50:

Assortment of baby pharmacy items, Baby bathtub, Baby carrier, Baby monitor, Baby skin care items, Backpack for carrying baby, Basket with diapers and towels, Bath seats, blankets, Bottle warmer, Bouncy chair, Bumbo seat, Diaper bag, Diapers, Exersaucer, Formula, Head-to-toe outfit, Highchair, Layette, Mobile, Outfits, Picture frames, Play gym, sheets, Sink bathtub, Thermometer, and Value-pack size 1 or size 2 diapers & Value-pack wipes

Baby Shower Gifts for $50 to $100:

Activity centers, Baby Einstein DVDs, Baby monitor system, Baby rocker or jumper, Baby wash tub w/ towels, shampoos, body wash, lotions & Vaseline, Bassinet, Car seat, Carrying sling, Exersaucer, Gift cards for restaurants that will deliver, High chair, Jungle gym, Massage for the mom-to-be, Pack-n-Play, Playpen, Savings bond, Strollers, Swings and Walkers

Baby Shower Gifts over $100:

Baby bath tub (marble), Bed, Car seat, Changing table, Clothes, Corner playpen has 3 sides, fits nicely in the corner of a room), Cradle, Crib w/ mattress, Diaper service for first few months, Gift cards, Gift certificate for spa treatments for mom, Gift certificate to youth furniture store, Jogging stroller for new mommy fitness, Rocker glider, Rocking chair, Stroller and Swing

Finally, another source for baby shower gifts for every budget is the gift card. Gift cards can be purchased in any amount and are available at almost any store, spa or restaurant. They are often the perfect gift, because the parents can use them to buy those items they did not receive as gifts.

To know how to settle a colicky crying baby, one must first understand that there is a real reason for the baby crying.  According to the American Heritage Dictionary Online colic is:  Severe abdominal pain caused by spasm, obstruction, or distention of any of the hollow viscera, such as the intestines; or a condition of unknown cause seen in infants less than three months old, marked by periods of inconsolable crying lasting for hours at a time for at least three weeks.

It’s the second type of colic that can be a trial for parents of newborns. There is nothing more frustrating than to have your baby crying continually. Not only does your baby’s distress tear at your heart, but it can be mentally and physically draining.

We asked a group of parents who had experienced a colicky crying baby. Here, sometimes in their own words, they share the various methods of settling a crying baby.

Remain Calm

“One of the most important things and often the most difficult is for the parent or caregiver to try to stay calm, as the baby can feed off of the tension or negative vibes from the parent. If it gets to be too much, see if you can take a break (even a few minutes can help you refocus).”

White Noise

Many parents have found that soft background sound seemed to have the most effect; not only does it soothe the baby, but it also helps calm the parents. Often soft soothing music combined with the movement of a rocker or baby swing worked perfectly to settle a colicky crying baby.

Some parents discovered that running the vacuum cleaner was the perfect noise to quiet their crying baby. Another woman discovered that if she would place her baby in a baby seat and then set it on top of the clothes dryer. Then keeping the heat off, she would turn on the dryer. The combination of sound and vibration worked every time.

Keep Moving

“Babies can detect up/down, left/right and forward/back and are comforted when some combination of two of these movements. Rocking the baby in your arms while cradling him/her and going up and down on your toes will activate all three. This seems to soothe them, but be prepared to be doing this for a long time!”

Another mother found that it helps to sit on one of those exercise balls and gently bounce up and down, especially when the baby is naked and has skin-to-skin contact with you. Other parents swear by the rocking chair, a drive in a car, the baby swing or being pushed in the stroller.

Holding or Swaddling

Swaddling is done by wrapping a small blanket firmly, but not too tightly, around the body, this seems to comfort the baby.  Another type of swaddling is accomplished by holding the baby close against your chest.

Massage/Warmth on the Tummy

Gently massaging the baby’s belly with a little almond oil in a clockwise motion has proven to sooth the baby. It also serves to relax the overstressed parents as well.

As one parent reported, “I have found from dealing with a colicky crying baby, that warmth on the tummy works wonders. I have done the warm rice pillows and a swing at the same time. He slept so wonderfully. It lasted until the swing stopped anyway.”

Peppermint

One parent suggested: “Give them peppermint water. Put one peppermint candy in a baby bottle filled with water. Then let the baby drink it. This works very well.”

Of course, before trying any of the suggestions above, one would want to make sure that the baby’s basic needs of a dry diaper and a full tummy have been taken care of.  If those don’t settle a colicky crying baby, then try one, or all, of the suggestions above.  Just remember you must be calm first. If it’s been going on too long, get someone to watch the baby and get away for an hour or two. Not only will the break help you, but it will help the baby to have a relaxed parent.

There’s nothing that compares to holding your baby in your arms – watching and feeling him against your chest. When a baby is first born, we have time to enjoy these moments. If you are like most moms, living in today’s hectic world, life goes on, and there is always too much to do. But we don’t have to give up keeping our baby close. We can accomplish tasks that need to be done and still enjoy our baby’s companionship by wearing him in a baby sling, or pouch.

The benefits of bonding with your baby while the two of you share the world around you is beyond measure. He will feel more a part of your life and you a part of his. Baby wearing has been shown to positively contribute to baby’s development physically, emotionally, and socially.

When a baby is attached to his mother, he is in tune with the rhythm of her breathing, the sound of her heartbeat, and the movements she makes – walking, bending, and reaching. We learn much from watching other and this is an up close lesson for your baby. Being held close to a parent acts as an extension to baby’s peaceful time in the womb. Research has shown that premature babies who are touched and held gain weight faster and are healthier.

It is a well-known fact that most babies cry and fuss less when they are held. In some cultures where baby wearing is the norm, babies often cry for only a few minutes a day, compared to a few hours a day for western babies. Crying is exhausting for both the baby and his parents, and may cause long-term damage to the baby’s developing brain as it is continually flooded with stress hormones. Babies naturally feel calmer and have a greater sense of security, just by your touch. You will quickly discover that your newborn will sleep while in their arms, comforted by the rise and fall of your chest.
Studies indicate that babies worn are less prone to develop fears of loss or loneliness, often becoming independent earlier.

Baby-wearing can be healthy for you and other family members. It can be challenging for new mothers to find time to exercise, but if you go for a walk with your baby in her sling, you will enjoy the dual benefits of walking and weightlifting. It makes me smile when I see a new father going for a walk with his baby. The baby is becoming used to his voice, heartbeat, movements and facial expressions, and the two are forging a strong attachment of their own.

Baby wearing is the most comfortable way to hold a baby. You can use a sling on your shoulders, back or hip distributing your baby’s weight evenly. It is perfect for a day at the beach or an evening stroll through the park. Leaving the house doesn’t require as much preparation. No large stroller to pack into the car and navigate through crowds. Carriers can be folded up and stuffed into a diaper.
Baby wearing is usually associated with infants but it is also very useful for toddlers. This world can be a scary place for toddlers. They will feel more confident when they know they can retreat to the security of trusting arms. Most slings accommodate children up to 35 or 40 pounds.

Using a sling or other type of baby carrier takes some practice. It may take a few tries for you and your baby to feel comfortable and secure. But since both of you will benefit from baby wearing for months, even years, to come, it’s worth the effort. One suggestion for getting the baby used to the sling is to start walking as soon as you get things adjusted. The baby will be comforted by the movement as he gets used to being carried in a new way.

Parents use baby carriers for many different reasons and in all kinds of situations. Carriers allow baby to enjoy being in your presence even when you are concentrating on other activities. You can interact with your baby throughout the day and still play with an older child and accomplish necessary tasks. It’s also fun for baby, because when he is up at eye level, other adults notice and interacts with him more. Whenever you find yourself trying to juggle the needs of your baby and the demands of everyday life, it’s likely that baby wearing will make things easier.

A baby play yard is one of the best things your baby can have for convenient play. It is quite comfortable for the baby to play in the play yard, and the fact that it is usually quite reasonably priced and is portable too, makes it quite a preferred baby accessory among parents as well. In fact it is not rare to find parents opting for well designed baby play yard in place of the tradition baby crib. However, to make sure you get the best out of your baby play yard, here are some safety suggestions to follow:

1. The baby play yard should not have any sharp edges. This factor should be ensured not only at the time of purchasing the baby play yard, but also from time to time, once your baby starts using it. Sharp edges can be quite dangerous.

2. It is also necessary to keep making occasional thorough checks of the baby play yard mesh fabric. Make sure that it stays free of any excessive wear or tear. In case wear or tear does happen, mend it immediately, or if required get it replaced. You don’t want the baby to tear it down even more or start fussing with it, do you?! Maintaining the baby play yard well is a good practice.

3. If you have opted for a play yard that has been made out of wood, make sure that the wooden slates of the play yard are not more than 3/8 to 2 inches apart. Slates that are too wide apart allow the baby to slip out of the yard easily, or sometimes get the baby trapped as they make an attempt to slip out.

4. Though you would obviously like to fill up the yard with toys, avoid placing of too many padded objects that can be easily stacked. This helps to ensure that the baby does not stack up the toys to climb up on them to escape from the play yard. The worst case scenario is when the baby makes and attempt to climb out, and falls down instead, getting hurt.

5. Avoid the use of hanging strings. They pose the risk of causing suffocation to the babies, especially the much younger ones. Even if they do not really cause suffocation, they can sometimes be extremely irritating for the baby.

6. Generally it is better to avoid the use of loose bedding in the play yard as far as possible. They are messy and cause unnecessary trouble to the babies during their play time. Also, in the case of younger babies, loose bedding can even cause suffocation.

Keep the baby play yard clean and well maintained if you do not want the baby to start developing health hazards. Also it is important to bear in mind that no matter how careful you may have been while purchasing and maintaining the play yard, the baby should never be left unattended. You never really know what the baby might be up to, and what new tricks they might decide to try next. Keeping a close vigilance on them during their play time is a must.