Babies & Toddler

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Hosting a surprise baby shower is a fun exercise in empathy. You need to put yourself in the shoes of the expectant mother – her feelings, her personality, her character, and her schedule. You also need to make it a fun experience for her; if there are tears, they should be tears of joy.

Pre-Baby Shower Preparations

Carefully plan the baby shower. Since this is usually given on the third trimester, you should have plenty of time for party planning. Prepare a checklist of the things you need to do, and procure including an initial list of baby shower gifts you need your attendees to bring.

Decide on the party theme, number and gender of invitees, and the date and venue. Decide if you want the party to be a surprise or not; you want a pleasant surprise for the honoree, not unpleasant shock. Prepare the guest list, which should include everyone close to the expectant mother.

If the expectant mother is registered for gifts, inform the guests should they inquire. Just like the wedding, send the invitations at least three weeks before the party. Prepare the menu to reflect the theme; you can prepare the food, order takeout, or engage a caterer. Make sure that the food is prepared and delivered as agreed.

If possible, prepare the venue a day before the party. Harried preparations have a way of ruining what could have been a great baby shower. If possible, rehearse the flow of activities to ensure smooth transition.

You also need to coordinate the attendees’ baby shower gifts. You need to ensure that there will be no unnecessary duplication of gifts. A diaper cake is a great gift – attractive and usable – but discovering that almost all the guests brought diaper cakes and nothing else is impractical.

During the Baby Shower

Make sure that the party activities are followed as closely as possible. However, remain flexible as baby showers are meant to be relaxed fun, not a military drill. Just ensure that the food is served satisfactorily, the guests and honorees are comfortable, and everybody is having fun.

Keep track of the baby shower gifts being opened. Sometimes, guests will bring extra gifts aside from the coordinated baby shower gifts. This is perfectly acceptable and the expectant mother will appreciate these extra blessings. Keeping track of these baby gifts will help you and the mother write appropriate thank-you notes.

After the Baby Shower

When the baby shower is finished, expect a lot of discarded gift wrappings, take-home gift baskets and diaper cakes and an assortment of baby equipment from bathtubs to cribs. These baby shower gifts must be organized and brought home, assuming that the venue is outside the expectant mother’s house.

Help in making the venue as tidy as possible. You want your honoree to feel relaxed from start to end of the baby shower, not act as the cleaning maid.

Assist the expectant mother in making thank-you notes to the guests for their participation and their gifts. Your tracking list should guide you in thanking the guests for the specific items they brought. Avoid social faux pas due to negligence.

When you host a baby shower, just remember that you are celebrating motherhood and a new life. Make the baby shower a celebration filled with good cheer and a joyful gathering of family and good friends.

There are plenty of models and brands out there when it comes to baby furniture cribs. Maybe you use a cradle for the first six months or so, but after that a crib is really a good place for the baby to sleep. So to invest in a good baby crib is really something worth while.

If you have allergies in the family, or are otherwise aware of toxic substances, maybe you should consider a natural baby crib. The amish baby furniture sets are totally free from toxic coloring or impregnators, and have really beautiful designs. You could easily end up furnituring you whole nursery with amish furniture, because they are so beautiful and have really clever storage systems. There are also hand painted cribs that are adorable, but unfortunately a bit costy. But, luckily enough there are cribs in all price ranges, so either if you’re on a budget or can spend anything you like, you will find something that fits you. Be aware of the safety standards and that the crib meets all the regulations required.

Many cribs comes with their own mattress, and that’s probably the best option because it should fit the crib neatly. There are two types of mattress and those are inner spring/coil or foam. The innerspring style of mattress will usually last much longer, and because of that it’s a little bit more expensive. A waterproof mattress pad to protect it can be a good thing to have under the sheets as well, be aware the you don’t have anything plastic that the baby will sleep directly on.

See to it that the cradle is a place that he or she will enjoy staying in, and a place for it to relax. Place some nice pictures or fabric on the wall above the crib, and have some suitable items like a baby crib mobile or soft toy attached to it. As the baby gets bigger and starts to play a bit by itself, you can have a softer start in the morning if you place some interesting things beside the crib, that the baby can reach and play with for a while (place a chair beside the crib to put the toys on). In that way you can rest a bit longer in the morning, and the baby gets a nice start to the day by playing and discovering the items. Remember to swap the things regularly, a baby wants to discover new things always and gets tired of playing with the same things too long. You can do the same with all the toys. If they start to just laying around, and the baby is not playing with some of them, take those away for awhile. Take them out again after a couple of weeks, and those toys will be as good as new and exciting to play with again!

For more info on baby furniture cribs, natural, hand painted and more, please visit our baby safety siteBaby Crib Info

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The acclaimed national bestseller-a no-holds-barred account of what you can really expect when you’re expecting Oh, the joys of pregnancy! There’s the gassiness, constipation, queasiness, and exhaustion, the forgetfulne… More >>

What is implantation bleeding?

It is not unusual that some women experience implantation bleeding in the early stages of pregnancy. Any vaginal bleeding outside implantation bleeding of pregnancy is classified as a threatened miscarriage, meaning the pregnancy is threatening to miscarriage. About 25% of all pregnancies are actually miscarried but 50% of all threatened miscarriages settle down and a normal pregnancy happens.

When does implantation bleeding occur?

Implantation bleeding occurs very early in pregnancy as a direct result of the fertilized egg (your growing baby) burying and snuggling its way into the lining of your womb. Implantation bleeding occurs about 10-14 days after the egg has been fertilized or when conception occurred. This is also around the time when your menstrual cycles would be expected.

Signs of Implantation Bleeding:

Signs of implantation bleeding can vary from one pregnant woman to another. It normally mild in nature and is much lighter than a normal menstrual period.

The color of implantation bleeding:

The color of implantation bleeding can vary form bright red to brown implantation bleeding. Bright red implantation bleeding means that there is an active area of bleeding within the womb and blood is flowing from the site of implantation to the vagina very quickly. It may indicate that implantation has just occurred.

Brown implantation bleeding is the color of old blood. When you get brown implantation bleeding it normally means that when the fertilized egg buried it way into the womb, a little blood was released. The bleeding that occurred at the moment of implantation stayed in the womb for some time so by the time you see it on your underwear or when you wipe yourself it showed up as brown implantation bleeding.

How long does implantation bleeding last?

Most cases of implantation bleeding last for a few minutes to a few days. If implantation bleeding lasts more than a few days then it may be a sign of vaginal infection or a threatened miscarriage.

How heavy is implantation bleeding?

Heavy implantation bleeding is unusual. The only thing you might notice with implantation bleeding is a pinkish or brown discharge when you wipe yourself after you go to the bathroom.

Cramps with implantation bleeding:

Cramps with implantation bleeding can happen. You may even experience cramps with or without bleeding. The reason you may experience cramps with implantation bleeding is because as the fertilized egg buries into your womb, it caused the muscle of your womb to contract. These contractions press on nerve endings and may result in mild to moderate menstrual like pains for 24-48 hours.

What to do if you have signs of implantation bleeding:

Don’t panic if you have any of the above signs of implantation bleeding. Remember 50% of all cases of implantation bleeding end up in a normal pregnancy.

Know your blood type. Depending on your partner’s blood type and if you are a rhesus negative blood type then it may be necessary to have an Rh-immune globulin injection within 24 hours of any pregnancy bleeding.

If you suspect you may be pregnant and your bleeding is from implantation bleeding then do a home pregnancy test. This home test should remain positive. If it is positive and you do not know your blood Rhesus factor, then call your provider for consultation for possible Rh-immune globulin.

Never insert a tampon, douche, or have sexual intercourse while you are bleeding.

Keep track of whether the bleeding is increasing or decreasing and how many pads you are using.

If you feel your pregnancy bleeding is heavier or lasting longer than the above ranges then call your health care provider for consultation immediately.

Bleeding during pregnancy is scary. Your fear is picked up by your unborn child. Intra uterine fear can stay with your child for a lifetime, so constantly reassure your baby that he or she is wanted and loved. Want to know more about how pregnancy is like from your babies viewpoint then check out my Birth, A Conscious Choice. at http://www.PregnancySuccessCoach.com

You may also be very interested in an amazing message that was telepathically dictated to me for humanity from my son when he was seven-weeks old. Yes you read correctly! I have the ability to communicate with baby’s emotions from inside and outside the womb. Down load this AMAZING MESSAGE FREE at http://www.PregnancySuccessCoach.com/Message_For_Humanity.html

If you wish to ask me a personal question about your pregnancy or an issue in your life then visit http://www.PregnancySuccessCoach.com/Ask_Hannah_Section.html

Hannah Bajor. C.N.M.,M.S.N.

Certified Nurse Midwife

Pregnancy Success Coach

Our immune systems are made up of cells, proteins, tissues, and organs that defend against germs and other microorganisms. For the most part the immune system does an excellent job at keeping us healthy but sometimes things can go wrong in the immune system and cause infections, illness, or diseases.

Immune response is the steps the immune system takes to attack organisms and other intruders of the body, called antigens. Leukocytes or white blood cells are the cells that are part of the defense system; they seek and destroy the organisms. White blood cells are produced and stored in many different locations of the body like the spleen, thymus, and bone marrow. That is why those organs are called the lymphatic organs. Clumps of lymphatic tissue are placed throughout the body as well, they are known as lymph nodes.

The leukocytes circulate through the body between the organs and nodes through the lymphatic vessels. They also travel through the blood vessels. There are two types of leukocytes, phagocytes and lymphocytes. Phagocytes are cells that chew up the intruding organisms and the lymphocytes are cells that allow the body to remember and recognize previous intruders to help destroy them.

Every one is born with a natural immunity. It is called innate immunity and it is a type of general protection that we have. Many of the germs that affect other species can’t harm us. Distemper in dogs or leukemia in cats can’t affect humans and the AIDS virus can’t make cats or dogs sick either. Innate immunity includes skin and mucous membranes. So it is what heals cuts and causes running noses.

Adaptive Immunity is our active immunity that develops throughout our lives. It develops as children and adults that are exposed to diseases through immunizations or vaccinations. Passive immunity is borrowed from another source like a mother breast feeding an infant. It does so because the mother is immune to certain diseases so drinking the milk from the mother will give temporary immunity to diseases that the mother has been exposed too. This can help to protect the infant from infection in the early years of childhood as well.

As we get older we become immune to more bacteria and germs, which is why more adults and teens tend not to get sick as much as children do. But there are many things that can go wrong with the immune system. There are many disorders that can happen in the immune system such as immunodeficiency, autoimmune disorders, allergic disorders, and cancers of the immune system.

Immunodefiencies happen when part of the immune system is not there or is not working correctly. AIDS or HIV are immunodefiencies. Autoimmune disorders are when the immune system attacks its own body by mistake. Lupus and rheumatoid arthritis are autoimmune disorders. Allergic disorders happen when the immune system overreacts to exposure of antigens in the environment. Asthma and eczema are examples of allergic disorders in the immune system. Cancers in the immune system are when cells grow out of control. Leukemia involves overgrowth of lymphoid tissues and is the most common childhood cancer.

Immune disorders usually can not be prevented but you can keep your immune system strong to help it fight off illness and stay healthy. Alternative Health Supplements offers a product called Immuno Xcell. It is made to supplement what nutrients you don’t get in your everyday diet that helps strength your immune system. It has probiotic support for optimal immune system function and defense. This product has all natural ingredients and has no side effects so it is perfectly safe to use on a daily basis. It will give you better overall health and an improved sense of well being.

When decorating the nursery and choosing baby furniture it’s important to understand your baby’s needs. There are specific milestones that all babies go through during their first year and getting the right baby furniture to meet their growing needs is essential.

When your baby is first born, expect mostly sleeping, some crying, a fair amount of eating and of course, elimination. That’s about it, but it is adorable. This is the perfect time to use the Da Vinci Cradle which is smaller and more protected than a crib. You can also keep the cradle at your bedside to rock the baby to sleep and respond quickly in the night. This is a safer choice than keeping your little one in bed with you.

However, cradles shouldn’t be used after baby starts to be more mobile which happens during the second and third months. From totally dependent newborn he or she will slowly get more voluntary control over the body. Endless hours are spent inspecting hands and body movements. Increasingly aware of his surroundings, your face will be recognized and you’ll love it. Smiles appear more frequently especially when you are seen or heard (This drops off in the teen years!). Neck strength will greatly improve along with mobility. There could even be cooing and swatting at mobile toys.

At this point, baby will need something less restrictive such as the Da Vinci Convertible Crib. In fact, this one convertible piece of baby furniture could last from home from the hospital to out the door to college. Convertible cribs reassemble to create a sturdy toddler bed, practical day bed and even a comfortable full size bed. Some convertible baby furniture comes with a conversion kit, other times you’ll need to purchase a kit separately.

Another item of baby furniture you’ll want is the Da Vinci 3 or 4 drawer dresser / changer. Also convertible, this is a safe perch for diaper changes through baby’s first year of life. Later it re-invents itself as a dresser as your child’s needs change. You’ll need this for clothing, blankets, diapers and toys to begin with.

During months four through seven, expect a predictable routine to emerge. Learning to coordinate the use of vision, touch, and hearing, developing motor skills of grasping, rolling over, sitting up and crawling, your baby will mouth, manipulate and explore all objects of interest. Your baby will learn to cry, whine, show displeasure and make it all worth it by developing a strong, tangible attachment to you. Those babies know how to get us, don’t they?

About this time you’ll want to make sure you have an item such as a Da Vinci Bookcase. You will want to have a place for visual and motor skill development toys. This is also the ideal time to begin reading daily with your little one, and you’ll need a place to keep books.

From eight months to a year, baby becomes increasingly mobile, developing quickly enough to keep you on your toes, crawling and possibly walking, exploring everything. Sitting up, rolling around, and grabbing things…you’ll never know what’s next! Retire the baby changer; Use a pad on the floor instead. Baby-proof your home as best you can, and just keep one eye on your little one at all times!

It’s a fun time of life, one filled with discovery and a great deal of love. It does take a lot of time, dedication and devotion. Having the right tools on hand for the great challenge of parenting can make it all a little more manageable and a lot more fun.

Whether you decide to go with convertible baby furniture to go the distance, or pieces to mix and match and swap out later, remember to look for quality and safety. Make one wise investment in your child’s dreams for many good nights to come.

Preparing for a new arrival is one of the most exciting times in a woman’s life.Baby activity playmats and gyms are one of those essential items that you’ll end up using often through your baby’s first few months of development.Playmats can be used anywhere, on the floor, the sofa, in the home, in the garden, giving your baby an interesting and safe place to play.A well-designed activity gym should be exciting for your baby and have plenty of accessories to keep them entertained with lots to see and do.This will also allow you a few moments of well deserved, “hands-free” rest!

Firstly there is the Fisher-Price Ocean Wonders Kick & Crawl Aquarium Gym, a soft baby mat. It has three hanging, detachable, ” bat-at” toys at the front of the gym: a fish and spinner, a fish and music, and a shell with mirror which help to strengthen baby’s arms and legs This gym has 3 modes of use: lay at, tummy time, and crawl through,giving you a while to have that cup of tea! Or your baby will love the Lamaze Spin & Explore Garden Gym:providing an innovative and fun mat that encourages exploration. It develops your baby’s upper body strength and lower legs. It has a unique shape,for your baby’s movements. The play mat can also be enjoyed after “tummy time” has passed:your baby can lay there for a while drinking their bottle as you put your weary feet up!however: the next one you must consider buying for your new little one:The exciting world of the rainforest comes alive for your baby with the Fisher Price Rainforest Melodies and Lights Baby Gym! This fun,interactive,and educational activity centre encourages healthy development while it entertains and calms baby.Fisher Price has designed an incredibly lovely atmosphere for babies to develop in with their “Rainforest” range of baby products.

Baby jumpers are hung from a door frame by a clamp or from a free-standing frame. They hold a child up in a seat or harness with only their toes touching the floor, so they can bounce up and down.Suspended baby jumpers are also called baby exercisers or baby bouncers.They are essential for your baby’s development,especially when learning movement. The Graco Bumper Jumper in Little Jungle takes mobility and bouncy fun to a whole new level. It has all the great features of a standard jumper and it comes with 2 soft, removable interactive toys attached to adjustable play rings to bring toys to baby’s level.

Most importantly, there are the baby walkers that are necessary for baby’s movement development.They are supported as they learn to use their legs and feet.The Baby Einstein Musical Motion Activity Jumper Has An Innovative Variety of Developmental Activities:It sports a cheerful, colour that’s eye-catching and suitable for boys or girls. It stands on a base, with the infant bucket seat attached to two arches by adjustable, spring-loaded straps. As a baby sits in the seat, they can kick off the ground with their legs to bounce up and down. This provides vital exercise for the baby’s legs which helps to prepare them for walking. The six-point height adjustment lets it grow with your infant, while non-skid feet and fabric-covered springs keep baby very safe.But your baby simply has to have the famous Fisher-Price Jumperoo:It provides tons of safe jumping fun, which activates rainforest music & lights, creating a fantastic rainforest environment. Now there are added toys all around and overhead, with a spinning seat that helps baby explore them all! A bobbing elephant, swinging monkey, spinning lizard and more that baby will just “go wild” for! Baby spins a drum to activate lights & music. Soft spring covers keep little fingers safe. The 3-position height adjustment ensures a custom fit for your infant.

This article ends with some useful tips for parentss o you travel a lot? Or do you go on outings often? A portable baby playmat or playgym that has its own bag will be very beneficial for you.You also want one that takes seconds to set up,there are designs that are simple to store and set up.The baby walker that you buy,not only helps with teaching your baby mobility but it also gives your baby hours of fun.

(The author was inspired to only give information about some of the best baby products, to make it a “little” easier for new parents to prepare for their new arrival.)