Babies & Toddler

Archive for the ‘Baby Names’ Category

There’s more to bottle feeding than you may realize. Get the inside scoop here.

1. Change your baby’s diaper before the feeding. This helps wake your baby for the feeding and allows for undisturbed sleep after the feeding.

2. Prepare your baby’s daily amount of formula ahead of time. You can:

Mix the desired amount of formula beforehand and put it the fridge. Then when you are ready to use the milk, place it in a bowl of warm water to take the chill off. Prepared powder formula may be kept in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours after mixed.

Pre-measure both the powder and water in separate containers (a sealed container for the powder and a baby bottle for the water). Make enough for the day/night. Then, when you are ready to feed your baby, mix the two together. This eliminates the need to warm the milk.

3. Use boiled water or bottled water when mixing your baby’s formula. When using boiled water, allow for the water to come back to room temperature before mixing with the formula.

4. Never warm formula in the microwave. This can cause the milk to be very hot in some areas. Always warm milk by placing the bottle in a bowl or cup of warm water. Be sure to test the milk on the inner aspect of your wrist to ensure temperature safety. Perfect formula temperature is when you are unable to feel hot or cold.

5. Discard any unused milk one hour after the feeding. Bacteria from your baby’s saliva begin to rapidly multiply when left at room temperature.

6. Make sure to burp your baby frequently during feedings.

If your baby does not spit up frequently, wait until your baby stops sucking from the bottle and then burp your baby. The gas bubbles make your baby think that he/she is full and will cause them to stop drinking the milk.

Once your baby lets out a good burp, he/she will probably resume eating.

If your baby tends to spit up frequently or has colic, try burping your baby more frequently, approximately after every half an ounce or so.

7. For a sleepy newborn or preemie:

Remove blankets and hat. Babies love to sleep when they are cozy and warm. If that doesn’t do the trick, undress your baby.

Rub your baby’s back along his/her spine.

Tickle your baby’s feet.

Wipe your baby’s face and chest with a cool, damp cloth.

Hold your baby on your lap with your non-dominate hand supporting your baby’s head, neck, and shoulder. Some babies tend to sleep when they are snuggled in mommy or daddy arms during feedings.

Remember, practice makes perfect.

“How’s that possible?” “I’ve been using what on babies?”

This was my reaction when I was researching baby products (during the development phase of Babies 411) and found out the news that most of the baby products that we know, love, and have used for years contain cancer-causing (carcinogenic) chemicals. What an eye opener.

As a NICU nurse, I care for babies that are compromised and are in their most vulnerable state. Now I find out that I have been unknowingly using and recommending unsafe products. Well, no more. I have taken a stand and made it a mission to educate mothers, caregivers and most of all healthcare professionals on the dangers lurking within our trusted baby shampoos, washes, lotions, wipes and more. As a healthcare professional, I know that parents are looking to us for the answers. And because of this, parents choose and purchase products that we use in the hospitals believing that this is the safest options. Why wouldn’t it be if we use them in the hospitals? Unfortunately, we are unknowingly and unintentionally promoting bad products.

Want to know how to protect your baby from these toxic products? Here are a few recommendations:

1. Knowledge is power so do your research! Read labels and avoid those products that contain harmful ingredients. Learn more by reading our article “Protecting our Babies from Toxic Chemicals” at www.Babies411.com

2. Less is more. Be sparing on products that you use on your baby.

3. How safe is your baby products? Check out Skin Deep to learn more about the products you are putting on your baby.

4. Keep up-to-date on news surrounding chemicals in baby products (not just skin care products, but also chemicals found in toys, clothing, food, plastics and other baby products).

5. Love disposable baby wipes but want to avoid the chemicals? Make your own wipes. Want to learn how? Read our article Making Homemade Baby Wipes for the easy, breezy recipe.

6. Are you expecting a baby? Ask your hospital or childbirth facility what baby products they use on babies. If it’s not a safe choice, bring your own and make your baby’s first bath a healthy, toxin-free bath.

7. Help us spread the word. We are working hard with our favorite company, Earth Mama Angel Baby, trying to educate healthcare facilities on the dangers of toxic baby products and looking to phase these products out of our hospital systems. With your help, we could move mountains! Contact your maternity unit and express your concerns.

Do not let winter’s cold and snow keep you and your baby housebound.  Both of you still need to get out, walk and enjoy fresh air and the company of others; and the business of everyday life does not slow down for an occasional blizzard or cold snap.  Naturally, however, because your baby’s immune system is still developing, and thousands of nasty bacteria and viruses lurk in super-heated household air, you need to protect your baby against the elements and winter’s cold, bundling her in the best winter clothing for babies.

Indoor winter clothing for babies

While your baby plays indoors, you want to keep her warm and comfortable, protecting her against cold floors and chilly drafts.  Keep your baby’s arms and legs covered, dressing her in layers.  Add a turtleneck over her t-shirt, and add cute little overalls with snaps along the legs for both comfort and convenience.  If your baby is crawling or toddling, check your floors for warmth, because tile and hardwood grow very cold during the winter.  You may want to add blankets to your baby’s favorite play spaces, protecting not only against the cold but also against bumps and bounces.

Especially make sure your baby’s feet and hands stay warm.  You probably know from your own experience, if your feet and hands do not feel warm, the rest of your body cannot feel warm.  Add extra socks under booties or shoes to keep those precious little toes nice and toasty; and take time out from crawling, walking, and dancing to check baby’s hands, rubbing them gently to warm them and promote circulation to tender little fingers.  If your hardwood and tile floors remain super cold, your baby may even want to wear her mittens indoors while she crawls and explores.

Outdoor winter clothing for babies

A good hat and sturdy mittens lead the list of outdoor essentials for your baby.  Because your baby’s head is still developing, you need to keep it warm and dry, and your baby’s delicate ears will chill quickly if you leave them unprotected against the cold.  If you can splurge on only one item of winter gear for your baby, look for a high-quality down-filled set that includes both mittens and a hat.  Very few manufacturers make gloves for babies, because their hands are too small and they would be a nightmare to put-on.  Mittens have the advantage of keeping hands warmer, and they slide on and off with ease.  You may want to supplement your investment with clips or strings, attaching the mittens directly to your baby’s snowsuit, so that they do not get lost, misplaced, or left behind.

You will see lots of cute knitted items for your baby’s hands and head, and knitwear will work well in autumn and spring, but it will not afford adequate protection against harsh winter storms.  When you and your baby venture out into the dead of winter, dress your baby in fleece-lined or fiber-filled rip-stop nylon head and hand wear.  You want your baby to remain waterproof as well as weatherproof.

Do not let winter’s cold and snow keep you and your baby housebound.  Both of you still need to get out, walk and enjoy fresh air and the company of others; and the business of everyday life does not slow down for an occasional blizzard or cold snap.  Naturally, however, because your baby’s immune system is still developing, and thousands of nasty bacteria and viruses lurk in super-heated household air, you need to protect your baby against the elements and winter’s cold, bundling her in the best winter clothing for babies.

Indoor winter clothing for babies

While your baby plays indoors, you want to keep her warm and comfortable, protecting her against cold floors and chilly drafts.  Keep your baby’s arms and legs covered, dressing her in layers.  Add a turtleneck over her t-shirt, and add cute little overalls with snaps along the legs for both comfort and convenience.  If your baby is crawling or toddling, check your floors for warmth, because tile and hardwood grow very cold during the winter.  You may want to add blankets to your baby’s favorite play spaces, protecting not only against the cold but also against bumps and bounces.

Especially make sure your baby’s feet and hands stay warm.  You probably know from your own experience, if your feet and hands do not feel warm, the rest of your body cannot feel warm.  Add extra socks under booties or shoes to keep those precious little toes nice and toasty; and take time out from crawling, walking, and dancing to check baby’s hands, rubbing them gently to warm them and promote circulation to tender little fingers.  If your hardwood and tile floors remain super cold, your baby may even want to wear her mittens indoors while she crawls and explores.

Outdoor winter clothing for babies

A good hat and sturdy mittens lead the list of outdoor essentials for your baby.  Because your baby’s head is still developing, you need to keep it warm and dry, and your baby’s delicate ears will chill quickly if you leave them unprotected against the cold.  If you can splurge on only one item of winter gear for your baby, look for a high-quality down-filled set that includes both mittens and a hat.  Very few manufacturers make gloves for babies, because their hands are too small and they would be a nightmare to put-on.  Mittens have the advantage of keeping hands warmer, and they slide on and off with ease.  You may want to supplement your investment with clips or strings, attaching the mittens directly to your baby’s snowsuit, so that they do not get lost, misplaced, or left behind.

You will see lots of cute knitted items for your baby’s hands and head, and knitwear will work well in autumn and spring, but it will not afford adequate protection against harsh winter storms.  When you and your baby venture out into the dead of winter, dress your baby in fleece-lined or fiber-filled rip-stop nylon head and hand wear.  You want your baby to remain waterproof as well as weatherproof.

Do you want a good way to get rid of diaper rash on your bundle of joy? Well, diaper rash happens to all babies and the reason often times is the diaper. Wetness trapped against your baby’s skin by the diaper can cause a rash to form.  Baby diaper rash can be prevented with all natural diaper cream.  Let’s explain some of the reasons why diaper rash occurs and focus on some common cures for diaper rash with all natural baby products.

Diaper rash is a common problem during long outings and in situations where a baby is wearing a diaper for an extended period of time. Parents should not let their child go wet for more than five or ten minutes.   The rash can spread and make your baby feel extreme discomfort.  At the root of diaper rash is moisture and allergic reactions from the diaper. The diaper can create high pH levels and trap moisture that could lead to a rash. In severe cases, if you don’t take care of your child’s diaper rash, it could turn into a fungal infection or creates sores that may bleed.

One of the best ways to cure diaper rashes is to prevent moisture from directly contacting your baby’s skin.  This can be achieved by lining the baby’s bottom with diaper rash cream.  The best diaper rash cream is the all natural cream.  Consider using all natural diaper creams as your diaper rash remedy because the chemicals found in synthetic diaper rash products contain harmful chemicals.

Interestingly, studies have shown that most breast fed babies have lower chances of developing diaper rash, because of the lower pH of the substances they consume and also of their excrement. This is another good example which illustrates the positive aspects of using an all natural diaper rash treatment.  Baby diaper rash cream is very helpful in protecting your baby’s skin and can be applied every time you change the diaper.

We all want our babies to be happy.  When a baby or toddler has a bad diaper rash, it can feel as if there is fire inside of their diaper or training pants.  Diaper rash can be very uncomfortable for your baby.  Always keep the diaper rash cream on hand in order to prevent diaper rash.

The rash can occur anytime your baby wears a diaper, because they may have wetness against them at anytime. The best way to prevent baby diaper rash is to check the diaper every time they drink any fluids or every forty five minutes. If you’re not careful with wet diapers your baby could have thrush start in their diaper. Thrush is a yeast infection that’s developed by diaper rash that hasn’t been fixed within a few days. The problem will have to be fixed with topical antibiotics. Baby diaper rash can be avoided by always keeping your child dry and applying plenty of baby diaper cream.

About Baby’s Bliss™ and Mommy’s Bliss™: Baby’s Bliss™ and Mommy’s Bliss™ is a U.S Corporation with offices in San Rafael, California, just north of San Francisco. The company began in 1999 when Roshan Kaderali, CEO and founder, formulated Baby’s Bliss™ Gripe Water-the first and the original all natural colic remedy in the States. The product quickly gained popularity and the company now has two full lines of product, Baby’s Bliss™ and Mommy’s Bliss™ dedicated to bringing bliss to families … naturally.

* Disclaimer: The information available on this website should not be used as a substitute for professional or medical care for the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment for you or your child. Please consult with your doctor, pediatrician or pharmacist before trying any prescription or OTC product. This information is provided only to help you be as informed as possible.

Feeling exhausted and having trouble putting your little one to sleep? Try these tips we collected from other mommies.

Remember, there are many ways to accomplish the same desired result. Apply the tips provided here and mold them to the result that best suits you, your baby and your family’s needs.

For You:

For the few weeks after birth, try to sleep when baby sleeps. Household chores can be done later….or better yet, by someone else. Allow for a night feeding to be done by dad or another supporting caregiver. For Your Baby

Newborns cannot be “spoiled” in the first 2 months of life, therefore, assist your baby to fall asleep by any means necessary during this time (examples include holding, rocking, sing, giving pacifier). Avoiding “training” your baby to sleep only when it is dark and quiet. This can be accomplished by allowing for some noise with daytime activities. Apply slow and gentle pressure to your baby’s skin just before nap time or bedtime to help your baby settle down. Try to put your baby to sleep before he/she becomes overtired. Babies can become extremely cranky when they are overtired. Sleep patterns in babies usually do not appear until approximately 3-4 months of age. You might find it helpful to keep a schedule of your baby’s sleep pattern for approximately 1 week to help you determine your baby’s sleep routine. Determining your baby’s sleep routine will help you know when to put your baby to sleep before he/she becomes overtired. Around 3-4 months of age, babies can begin to soothe themselves to go to sleep. Allow your baby approximately 10 minutes to put himself/herself back to sleep. If your baby remains unsettled, offer your assistance only for a couple of minutes at a time and try to do as little as possible to help your baby fall asleep.

Maximizing Your Sleep at Night with a Newborn:

Do not let your baby sleep for more than 3 consecutive hours throughout the day. Feed your baby more frequently throughout day. This will help you to stretch the nighttime feedings a bit longer. Even an extra 30 minutes to an hour of sleep is helpful. Give your baby a pacifier when putting your baby to sleep. Babies are soothed by sucking and pacifiers have been associated with decreasing the risk of SIDS. Skip a diaper change (unless child has diaper rash) in the middle of the night to keep the level of stimulation low. Make the night-time feedings boring. Try not to talk to much too your baby, keep the light low…just change your baby’s diaper (only if needed), feed your baby, and then put your baby back to bed. Dress your baby in a gown to make diaper changes easier at nighttime. Some infants, especially in the first month of life, feel secure when swaddled. It is best to swaddle your baby during the day when you are awake and checking on him/her. If you do swaddle your baby a night, do it safely either by swaddling your baby with his/her arms outside of the blanket to prevent blanket from covering mouth and noise during sleep or by using The Miracle Blanket. Provide the last feeding as late as possible. For formula fed babies: Pre-measure water in a baby bottle and pre-measure the desired amount of formula in a separate closed container. Prepare enough of these for the entire night. When it is feeding time, mix the water and powder for 1 feeding together. This eliminates the need to warm the milk.

Maximizing Your Sleep at Night When Your Baby is 2 months and Older:

Place your baby in his/her crib awake. Establish a night time routine before bed-time. For example, your routine my include giving your baby a bath after the last feeding, followed by a brief massage, changing into his/her pajamas, reading a short story or singing a lullaby. Between 2-4 months, it may be helpful to do your bedtime routine first and then provide the last feeding. Be consistent with nap time and bedtime routines. Be sure your baby sleeps in the same place and around the same times. Begin your bedtime routine early so that your baby is sleeping before he/she becomes overtired. After 6 months of age, when the risk of SIDS has decreased somewhat, you can allow your child to sleep with a comfort item such as a blanket or a small stuffed animal.

Congratulations on the new addition to your growing family. You will find that having a baby is both life changing and magical. There are some parents out there that are under the impression that any baby product from a store’s shelf today is safe for their baby. However, this is not true. In fact, a surprising number of baby products contain harmful ingredients that have long term side effects.  Be sure you look to a natural baby company that provides natural baby products, such as, natural baby shampoo, conditioners, moisturizers and herbal remedies. In this article, we will highlight some of the important reasons why you should choose all natural baby products.

Thankfully, nature has been kind enough to give you nine months to prepare for having a baby.  During this time, you will be able to conduct research and discover the various do’s and don’ts when it comes to baby products.  Below, you are going to find a list of ingredients that you should steer away from when it comes to your baby’s products.

The first ingredient to beware of is phthalates. Phthalates are chemicals that are potentially harmful for your infant’s skin and reproductive system. They can be found in bath and body products, including conditioners, shampoos, lotions, baby powders and even on children’s toys.

You should also avoid mineral oil, also known as baby oil. Many advertisements out there will tell you that they are great for your baby’s skin as they moisturize it.  However, what you may not know is the fact that mineral oil can have harmful effects on your baby’s skin. Mineral oil is known for dehydrating babies’ skin and can even cause baby diaper rash in some cases.  This is because it prevents the natural moisture from being absorbed into their skin.  A good all natural diaper rash cream will help in this case.  Natural baby care products are always the best choice for your baby.

Lanolin is another ingredient to stay away from. This is derived from sheep and is generally used as a moisturizer or in diaper rash cream. The scary part of this ingredient is the fact that it could contain pesticides and it is becoming a wider known skin irritant. Natural baby skin care products free of lanolin are the best choice for your infant.

All natural baby products are free of harmful ingredients that could seriously affect your baby’s health and well being.  Natural ingredients are not only safer, but often times they are less expensive, though it is generally believed that they are more expensive- this is a common misconception.   Concerned mothers look to natural baby care companies that offer safe, all natural baby care products.  The fact is that synthetic  products have more side effects due to the harmful ingredients they contain.

A good all natural baby product to help reduce colic in baby’s is Baby’s Bliss™ Gripe Water – an all natural, herbal supplement, safe for your  baby’s sensitive tummy.  It is made with organic fennel and ginger with sodium bicarbonate and fructose. The Gripe Water should be given to baby when it appears that he or she is becoming uncomfortable, especially after eating, as this tends to be the time when we see colic in babies.  All natural baby products are the best way to ensure the optimal health of your baby.

About Baby’s Bliss™ and Mommy’s Bliss™: Baby’s Bliss™ and Mommy’s Bliss™ is a U.S Corporation with offices in San Rafael, California, just north of San Francisco. The company began in 1999 when Roshan Kaderali, CEO and founder, formulated Baby’s Bliss™ Gripe Water-the first and the original all natural colic remedy in the States. The product quickly gained popularity and the company now has two full lines of product, Baby’s Bliss™ and Mommy’s Bliss™ dedicated to bringing bliss to families … naturally.

* Disclaimer: The information available on this website should not be used as a substitute for professional or medical care for the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment for you or your child. Please consult with your doctor, pediatrician or pharmacist before trying any prescription or OTC product. This information is provided only to help you be as informed as possible.