If you are a parent yourself (preferably if you have a child of age 0-6 years) then you now have an easy to do, affordable and yet valuable gift to give. And the best part is that you can spend time with your child and he/she will think that it is fun to do.

The gift is to create a unique baby hand and footprint (or a child hand and footprint if your child isnt a baby). It is easy to do if you choose to buy a keepsake kit from a local store or on the internet. If youre going for the internet then be aware that it takes time for the shop to ship the kit to you.

Once you have the kit at home youre ready to start making a baby handprint, a baby footprint or maybe even both. Use your imagination and let your fantasy run wild. Use colors if youre the artistic type or keep it in plain colors if youre the more conservative type.

They great thing about a handprint or a footprint is that it will always be unique. No one can create a print that is exactly the same as your babys hands and feet are very unique. Secondly Ill bet that your parents or your mom and dad in law will be thrilled to get a little keepsake memory of their grandson or daughter.

If this is the first time that you have ever done a handprint or a footprint you might want to buy more than one kit. It isnt difficult to do as most kits have an explanation inside but if you do something wrong youll have to run to the store to get another kit or buy another one on the internet (and wait for it to arrive).

A kit is just one way to do a handprint or a footprint but there are other ways that are more creative, fun and unique. Actually the kit solution is kind of the easy way out. If you feel that you could do more than just a kit print then I invite you to come to my site to see some of the other options that are available to you.

No matter what route you choose to go I can assure you that the baby handprint or footprint will be a gift that the grandparents will want to hold on to for the years to come.

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Make sure your baby is ready for potty training. They need to be able to let you know when they need to potty and they need to be able, physically to use the facilities.

Use positive encouragement. Forcing them to sit on the potty until they go will only lead to setbacks in your babys potty training. If you force them, it will create negative thoughts about using the bathroom that may last a long time. You may even cause your baby to withhold letting you know they need to potty.

If there is a lot going on in your life, such as vacations, marriages, divorces, etc., then it may be a bad time to start your babys potty training. Your routine should be as normal as possible while you take your baby through this process.

Dont let anyone tell you that your babys potty training should take any specific amount of time. Every child is unique and while some may learn in three days, others may take as long as a year. Dont stress on this point or force them to learn faster than they can. Take even small progress as a positive sign and show your baby how proud you are of them when they do well.

Accidents will happen. Its normal. Dont make it out to be a big deal. Get them to help you clean up the mess and wait until next time to encourage them to use the potty. Overreacting to accidents will only lead to more accidents and again set back your babys progress.

Make sure you dress your baby in clothes that are easy to manage. They may wait until its almost too late to make it to the potty, then because of the clothes fail. Again, that can discourage them and set back your babys progress. Nude is the ultimate way to let your baby run around while potty training. If you are uncomfortable with that, then make sure they have as few snaps, zipper, bows, or buttons to deal with. Clothing that just pulls up or down is the easiest type of clothing to dress your baby in while potty training.

For the little girls, make sure they wear two piece bathing suits for swimming so they wont have a harder time than little boys. Also, remember winter may not be the best time to potty train your baby. The need for extra clothing during winter will hamper your babys efforts to use the potty.

Bed-wetting, or enuresis is not solved through potty training and is a separate issue altogether. Dont expect that as you complete potty training that bedwetting will also stop at the same time. Many children dont stop wetting the bed until they are 4 years old. Babies under 3 dont have the bladder control to stop this yet. Children that are sleeping dont have the mental capacity to know they need to wake up, go to the bathroom, and use the toilet.

Keep your babys fears about potty training in mind. The loud flush of the toilet in a confined space might be frightening to your baby. If they slip and their bottom touches the water in the toilet, they can be traumatized to the point that you will have to stop potty training for awhile. Seeing something come out of them and then flushing down the toilet can even scare them. Remember their fears are real and their minds dont quite comprehend what is happening to them.

Another thing to consider is, your baby may not want to change certain things. They may feel secure in diapers. The fact that you have been changing their diaper and taking care of them may have them comfortable with that process and may make it difficult for them to begin taking care of themselves. This loss of intimacy is frightful to your baby. Your child may not become independent so easily. This is also normal. Make sure in the beginning that you spend time with them to be close and intimate with them after potty time so they dont miss the time you spent with them when they were wearing diapers and you took care of them.

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Some parents believe that letting their child cry will harm him or her. Fifteen or twenty minutes of crying will not harm your child physically or mentally. Babies will learn to self-soothe and fall asleep by themselves, but only if you let her. It is very important that babies learn to fall asleep by themselves so that they can self-soothe if they awake in the middle of the night. Otherwise, you may have a child that will not sleep through the night for years.

Regular sleep patterns are intermeshed with regular eating patterns, so let us look at the stages of a babys life:

Newborn: Your newborn will sleep anywhere from 16 to 20 hours a day, including the naps that he takes between feedings. When your baby has been fed, let him stay awake for a short while and then put him down before he becomes overstimulated.

Two months: At two months and older, your child should be allowed to try to self-soothe during their naptimes and bedtime. Crying is normal when you put your baby down, but it is okay. If he cries for longer than 10-15 minutes, then go in and check on him. Dont get him up, but pat his bottom or lightly rub his back until he calms down.

3-6 months: At around 3-6 months, your baby will stop taking one of his naps. Usually it is the third nap or late afternoon nap that they do not need as much. He may be a little fussy and may want to take a little nap, but you need to try to keep him up if you want him to go to bed at a decent time and sleep soundly through the night.

16+ months: When your child is between 16-20 months, they usually quit taking the morning nap in favor of a longer nap in the afternoons. Babies this age usually sleep between 10-12 hours a night and take a 2-3 hour afternoon nap.

Ground Rules about Naps:

1. You decide when the nap starts and ends, not the baby.

2. When your baby is older than 4 months old, she will wake up crying if she hasnt slept enough. She might have a dirty diaper, be in a position that is not comfortable, or cold/hot. Fix the problem and encourage her to go back to sleep. Babies that have enough rest wake up happy, talking, and in a good mood!

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Mentally preparing for the new baby
Remember this, women adjust to having a new baby faster than men; so, do not expect husbands to start being all fatherly after the pregnancy is announced. They are not like that. Women adjust better to the new baby, mentally, because they experience physical, emotional and psychological changes. These changes help them adjust to the new baby quicker. However, men start feeling the new baby when they see the bump or feel the flicker of baby movement over mommys belly.

Physically preparing for the new baby
There is nothing much a new father can do to prepare to the new baby. What needs to be done by a father needs to be done BEFORE the new baby is conceived. However, the new father can try quitting smoking, quitting drinking and other vices once the new baby is conceived. The new mother needs to do the same too.

Planning for the new baby: the house and car
With the new baby, depending on whether you are planning to co-sleep with the baby or whether you are planning to plonk the baby in a separate room affects the changes to your home. Either way, we recommend having a separate room for your new baby, even if the new baby is going to be sleeping with the new parents for the first couple of months. A baby crib, some toys, a place to put all the babys clothes, shelves to convenient grab lotions, creams, diaper wipes, diapers, etc. off near the changing table is a MUST.

You will also need to think about getting a baby chair too; baby chair for the house (at the right height for the dining table) and a baby chair for the car (for traveling). Some baby chairs can be adjusted to fit the adult dining chair AND fit into the car at the same time. They are a little bit more expensive than the conventional baby chairs, but the multi-function is extremely convenient PLUS it is downright comfortable for your new baby.

Other essential stuff for your new baby
Frankly speaking, the essentials depend wholly on your own preference, budget and lifestyle. You can live without some of these things if you think you would rather not waste the money.

If you have had previous babies before, you probably do not need too many new baby clothes. New babies outgrow their clothes terribly fast and it would be a waste of money to splurge on new clothes. You can get hand-me-downs from nieces and nephews too, if you want. What you should probably get are blankets, sweaters, coats, and clothes for going out. At home, your new baby is not going to mind old clothes. In fact, it is a fact that your new baby is probably going to like wearing the old clothes better than the new clothes. Dont forget the feeding utensils like baby bowls, breast pump (if youre planning to pump breast milk for your new baby at work), baby bottles, cloth nappies, diapers, baby wipes, lotions, shampoo, bath gels, towels, baby blankets, baby bedding, bibs, stroller, etc.

And do not worry, you will do fine. The best thing to do is to get unbiased referrals from friends and family.

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Classic

Simple Presents are always the best. A memorable gift like a babys first china bowl and plate, there are many memorable designs such as Beatrix Potter, by Royal Doulton. This classic present never goes out of style, and is something everyone will cherish for a lifetime. In fact, many people pass these precious dishes down from family member to family member for generations to come.

A Basket Full of Practicality
A basket full of necessities for the baby will always come in handy for the new mom from wet nappies to baby spoons, and blankets. A simple basket of baby goods, is a practical way to welcome a new born into this world, and will save mom a few trips to the grocery store.

Sleepers in Different Sizes

If mom needs one thing for her new baby its sleepers in various sizes. Babys grow quickly and do not remain in their infant size clothing for too long. They are always in need of new sleepers; and if there is one thing babys like to do in their early beginnings it is to sleep. Sleepers are the perfect present for any mom who knows she will have a fast growing baby, and no time to sleep.

Gifts from the Warmth of Your Heart

A gift of homemade goodies, is always a great baby gift for new moms, no mother wants to cook after they have just given birth and been released from the hospital. A homemade casserole is the perfect way to show you care, and is a fantastic present for the sleep deprived mom who no longer has time to comb her hair.

The Gift of Time

Another fantastic baby gift is the gift of time. Lets give mom a break and it is always appreciated and welcome, both she and dad to be would be elated to have a couple of hours of time to get away. Plus, you get to spend some alone time with a new bundle of joy, and bond with its delightful smile.

All that Matters is You Care

Baby gifts dont need to be expensive or luxurious but they should show you care; and a little thought goes a long way in finding the perfect baby gift. New moms will appreciate the time you took in spending to find, or create the perfect gift for the new loved one in their life.

Finding the perfect gift, is easy all you need, is little imagination, a little creativity, and a little use of your own time. To welcome the newest edition into your friends or families life; an original baby gift will show how much you truly care.

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 Child-centered Parenting

o Intensely pursue the childs happiness, taking great strains to avoid discomfort or emotional stress for the child.

o The child receives what she wants when she wants it: no delay, no waiting.

These concepts might not sound too bad, but what happens when Mom is sick? Or when Mom & Dad want to leave the baby with a sitter? There is little-to-no freedom in this parenting planand the baby will not grow in to a child who understands delayed gratification or how the world works. Additionally, this sets a child up for a bad case of me-ismother people will not matter to her. Her goals and needs are paramount to everyone elses goals and needs, and the ability to look outward and understand being part of a team will be compromised.

 Family-centered Parenting

o Keeps the babys needs met, but within the appropriate context of the family unit.

o The child enters in to a team-setting; she is not the center of the universe, but part of the family-team.

These concepts might not seem very different from the child-centered approach to parenting, but the results of the two methods are starkly different. Parents have the freedom to meet their childs needs and look ahead to developing skills and abilities, as they arent catering to every fleeting whim or fancy a child might express. Sitters are okay for the family, as the parents will take time out to date and be intentional with each other. Because a baby raised in a family-centered plan understands that she is part of a team, she will learn we-ism, not me-ism. She will consider others as she grows and how her goals and needs can be met within the framework of a teamwithout compromising the others on the team.

You may know people on either side of these parenting styles who go overboard. Thats not what Im advocating here; a balance must be achieved. Remember these things:

 Life doesnt stop because you have a baby

 Date your spouse

 Continue those loving gestures you enjoyed before your baby came along

 Invite some friends over for food and fellowship

 At the end of each day, spend 15 minutes sitting with your spouse, discussing the days events

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Something else that is needed throughout a childs upbringing is discipline; a sensible level of discipline from which the child will benefit throughout their adult lives. The application of discipline can seem to become more difficult as a child gets older, in direct proportion to the childs ability to express themselves assertively. In reality, though, applying discipline to a baby can be every bit as difficult, because it is a much more subtle and less obvious process.

A teenager ignoring your 10pm curfew is a blatant discipline problem. To some, a one year old baby crying because they are being taken from their toys to have a bath and go to bed, is not even about discipline, and they may not think of it as such. They love the baby, want it to be happy and, despite knowing that the baby should sleep, feel pity and put her back with her toys.

Does a Baby Need Discipline?

Discipline with a child is usually about testing boundaries; the boundaries of what they are allowed to do and what they are not allowed to do. If they do not like the answer, they protest and test again; and again. If the boundary they are trying to break gives way easily, it encourages them to go back and do it again.

If the boundary holds firm, with a consistent parent being calmly unbending, then the baby or infant will give up..eventually. Patience and consistency are vital to the discipline, otherwise the baby will become confused; they will not learn what is acceptable and what is not, if one day you give into their protests, and on another day you do not.

In the example above, the baby has successfully used tears to get their way against the parents better judgement. Bath and bed time have been delayed, with a two fold result. Firstly, she will not sleep at the time that is best for her, and she will become crotchety and over tired, and cry even louder with the next attempt to put her to bed. Secondly, her success at preventing the bath will bolster her for next time; she has learnt that yelling will get her own way.

About a decade ago, while I still lived in the UK, there was a study into teenagers, to find out what it was they most needed to make their lives happier and better. More than half said they really wanted more discipline; yes, wanted.

Discipline has been allowed to evaporate across some Western societies, with a result that teenagers have felt that there is an absence of necessary discipline in their lives. However, there is no need to allow your baby to become just one more in the statistics of undisciplined children.

Does a baby need discipline? In my opinion, and based on my own experience, the answer is a resounding yes.

Can Love and Discipline Mix?

From the perspective of a second time around parent, I would say that not only do love and discipline mix, they are mutually essential. Working from home, I have been able to observe our baby daughter for two years. I have also been here all the time to apply discipline and to provide heaps of love, affection and cuddles.

I am of the view that love is not only an essential for a happy baby, it also the parents most powerful weapon when it comes to discipline. How can that be? By threatening to withdraw your love if the baby is naughty?

No, there is no need to make any threats at all. The baby needs love and they adore their parents. You are, in the main, their life. As they recognize you are not happy when they do something wrong, what will discipline them in the end is their deep desire for you to be happy with them, to praise them, and to show your love for them.

If a babys naughtiness threatens their ideal world, by observing the negative effect on you, the baby will learn to steer things back onto a course where you are happy with them, praise them again, and show your love. They will not only say they are sorry, they will mean it, because they truly are. To that extent, discipline becomes self discipline by the baby if there is enough love in the home to make them yearn for that love more than anything else.

I am not saying disciplining any baby is easy, but with sufficient love it can be a relatively smooth process if you see things from the babys point of view, and understand that the baby, deep down, wants to please you more than anything else.

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There are many different baby monitors on the market, and all are very similar. Some baby monitors operate on AC and/or battery. Those models with a battery back up provide parents with added assurance in case of a power failure. Most baby monitors have a lighted display that coordinates with the level of sound the monitor picks up. The baby monitor is placed near the baby attached to the crib so that the sensitive transmitter picks up only the sounds of the baby, and not background noise. The babys sounds are then transmitted through the receiver to the parents as long as the receiver is within range of the monitor, which is usually conveyed to the parent by an out of range indicator light. Most models also come with a low battery indicator as well to let you know its time to change the batteries.

Baby monitors average $40 in price, some more, some less. It just depends on the manufacturer and what features the baby monitor has. You can shop online and compare prices and features of various baby monitors and buy there, or you can buy at most discount stores, or any store that carries baby products. There are also sights that compare models and are rated by consumer review which should help you decide which baby monitor is the best to buy. After all, you are entrusting the safety of your baby to the monitor when you are not right in the nursery, and you want to make sure that you purchase a reliable unit. Baby monitors make great gifts at baby showers also, you dont have to be the one expecting, but you can give the gift of added assurance to your friend or family member. Baby monitors can save babys lives.

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When your baby is weighed and measured, the pediatrician will tell you where your babys weight and length rank in terms of a percentile. This simply tells you how your baby compares to other babies of the same age. For example, if your babys weight falls into the 80th percentile, it means she weighs more than 80 percent of babies her age. Some people seem to think ranking in a high percentile is a good thing, because it means the baby is thriving. However, this is not necessarily the case. A baby in the 40th percentile might be thriving, but just destined to be a small person. For example, my daughter has consistently ranked in about the 50th percentile, and she is very healthy, and has plenty of meat on her bones. My husband and I are not very large people, and it seems that she has simply inherited our body size.

Your babys length will be ranked in exactly the same way, and can give you an idea of whether your baby will be tall, medium or average in height. If both you and your husband are short, dont expect a baby to rank in the 90th percentile in height, though it can happen.

One thing you do need to look for is a major difference between the height and weight percentiles. They should be pretty close. If your baby is in the 40th percentile in height, and 90th in weight, you might be feeding her a bit too much. On the other hand, a baby in the 90th percentile in height that ranks in the 30th percentile in weight is probably a bit on the thin side. Your doctor will advise you if your childs diet needs attention.

The most important thing you can do to monitor your childs development is to attend those well baby visits with your pediatrician. Your doctor will be monitoring your babys progress, and in the event that any area needs attention, he will be able to alert you to the issues. This first year of development is critical, and it is good to keep tabs on the progress.

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Some babies are just more prone to diaper rash than others, and if yours is prone, youll really have to keep on top of the problem. The most important thing you can do is change your babys diaper regularly. Diaper rash is caused by the skin being constantly exposed to wetness, so changing frequently can prevent the problem. Most of the diaper rash ointments on the market are designed simply to protect your babys skin from wetness, so they are great at preventing diaper rash. If your baby is diaper rash prone, you might want to use an ointment at every changing as a preventative measure.

But, what if your baby already has a raging case of diaper rash? As I said, most of the products labeled as diaper rash ointments are best at preventing diaper rash, not healing it. There are a few concoctions that can help cure a bad case of diaper rash.

The first is Maalox yes Maalox. Put some liquid Maalox on a cotton ball and apply to babys sore bottom. Let it dry a bit before diapering. For obvious reasons, dont buy the mint flavor, and dont use this bottle of Maalox for anything but treating diaper rash.

A second helpful treatment for diaper rash is an oatmeal bath. There are some good oatmeal bath products on the market, even some designed especially for baby. These work wonders on diaper rash. Usually one or two baths is all it takes.

Finally, I had great luck when I mixed diaper rash ointment with a little bit of hydrocortisone cream. About 3 parts diaper rash ointment to one part hydrocortisone. One caution here- check with your doctor before you try this one, since hydrocortisone cream is normally not recommended for use on children under the age of two years.

If these remedies dont work, check with your pediatrician. There may be some prescription products for extreme cases. But, the most important measure to take for diaper rash seems to be persistence. Keeping on top of the problem is your best bet for keeping the rash at bay.

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