The Importance of a Regular Routine to your Child
Regular schedules provide the day with a structure that orders a young child’s world. Although predictability can be tiresome for adults, children thrive on repetition and routine. Schedules begin from the first days of life. Babies, especially, need regular sleep and meal programs and even routines leading up to those activities.
As they gets older, when a child knows what is going to happen and who is going to be there, it allows them to think and feel more independently, and feel more safe and secure. A disrupted routine can set a child off and cause them to feel insecure and irritable.
Dinnertime is a great place to start setting a routine. Sitting together at the dinner table gives children the opportunity to share their day and talk about their feelings. This is also a great time to include some responsibility in your child’s routine, such as helping to set or clear the table.
And regardless of how exhausted you or your children may be, don’t be tempted to skip winding down from the day. This is part of a nighttime ritual and allows both child and parent to decompress after a busy day. It also helps bedtime go more smoothly. This is usually the time of day when parent and child can spend some quality time together, so fight the urge to start the laundry or do the dishes until after the child has gone to bed. If this isn’t possible, consider trading off these duties with your spouse each night to ensure your child has quality time with each parent on a regular basis. Take the time to find out what wind-down strategy works best for your child. Some children are actually energized instead of relaxed by a warm bath, so if that’s the case with your child, bath time should be saved for a different time of day. Whatever routine you settle on, make it quiet, relaxing, and tranquil for everyone.
And though routines are essential, there should be some room to be flexible as well. You might be out late at night on a family outing, have unexpected company show up that may result in a skipped meal or nap in the car while running errands in the evening. In these instances, it’s important for you to keep your cool. If you express frustration or anger about disrupting the routine, your child will as well. Prepare children for such unexpected events and show them that though it can happen from time to time, the routine will return the next day.
As most of you know, a baby’s skin is considerably more sensitive than the average adult. For that reason, it is vitally important that you use natural skin care products for your child. Many skin care products contain chemicals and fragrances that can irritate your new baby’s skin. By knowing which products to avoid, and which products you should use, you can ensure that your little one grows up with healthy beautiful skin.
Weleda Diaper Care Cream is by far one of the best products we have found to date. Weleda was established back in 1921 by physicians and pharmacists under the guidance of Dr. Rudolf Steiner. The main ingredients in their diaper care cream are almond oil, calendula flower, chamomile flower, lanolin, and lavender oil. These ingredients are contained in a base of zinc oxide. This product provides highly effective treatment for painful diaper rash. It is truly one-of-a-kind.
Lavera Baby Toothpaste is yet another excellent product, with absolutely no harmful ingredients. It contains no fluoride, phosphate, or sugar. It is made with all natural silica, which is very effective at cleaning your baby’s new teeth. This toothpaste is also ideal for helping your growing child with learning to brush his or her own teeth, as it is safe to swallow. This product is also certified organic.
Dr. Hauschka’s Sunscreen Spray for Children is an incredible product. It has an SPF of 20, and is ideal for day-to-day use. The wonderful thing about this sunscreen is that it is colored, and allows one to see exactly where it has been applied. It has a pure and natural composition, and is safe for use on all skin types. It is also water resistant, so parents can relax knowing their children have the best sun protection on the beach or in the water. Furthermore, the plant-based nutrients moisturize your little one’s skin while the sun dries it out.
Lavera Baby Shampoo will transform bath time with your baby into an oasis of fun. As with other products from this excellent company, Lavera Baby Shampoo is comprised of all natural ingredients such as organic almond and wheat extract. This tear-free shampoo is perfect for your baby’s sensitive skin, as it helps to maintain the natural moisture balance of your baby’s skin. This gentle, mild-foaming shampoo is perfect for children and adults alike.
Regardless of the products you have chosen to use with your children, it cannot hurt to learn more about the other products that are available on the market. While many companies advertise their products as natural, most of them cannot be considered truly natural. The products mentioned above are just a few of the excellent products we have discovered and had the pleasure to use. We hope you check them out for yourself.
Tags: Almond Oil, Baby Shampoo, Baby Toothpaste, Bath Time, Beautiful Skin, Chamomile Flower, Diaper Care, Diaper Rash, Dr Hauschka, Dr Rudolf Steiner, Harmful Ingredients, Lanolin, Lavender Oil, Natural Skin Care, Natural Skin Care Products, Rudolf Steiner, Skin Care Products, Sun Dries, Sun Protection, Zinc OxideRelated posts
As your baby grows larger, that little tiny counter top bathtub will become a thing of the past. But, putting a baby into a big bathtub can be frightening for both of you. Here are some ideas to make bath time fun and safe for you and your little one.
Take a bath together
Your baby will love having you play and splash with her, especially if she is a little afraid of the big bathtub. This works best when baby is old enough to sit up on her own, so you dont have to hold her the entire time.
Buy a bath ring
Bath rings are great for babies who cant sit unsupported just yet, because they keep the baby from slipping down into the water
Try an inflatable bathtub
Inflatable tubs fit snugly down inside your bath tub. They are soft, with big puffy sides that help keep baby upright. Plus, these tubs make the large tub seem a little smaller and less overwhelming to the baby. I found this to be a great way to transition my children into the big tub.
Buy lots of bath toys
If your child is a little fearful of the tub, the best way to deal with the fear is to take his mind off it. There are loads of toys for the bath, from a plain old rubber ducky, to battery operated fish that swim around, to paints designed for writing right on the walls. Find the right combination of bath toys, and only let him play with them in the bath, and you should be able to turn bath time into the favorite time of day.
Color the water
There are some great bath time products that can color your bath water. Children are delighted to be able to pick the color of the bath. Its a great way to teach colors, too!
A couple of final words about bath time – be sure you are using childrens bath products. The last thing you want is a child who is already fearful of the bath getting soap or shampoo in his eyes. Plus, adult products can be drying and cause skin irritation. And, never leave baby unattended in the bath, not even for a second. The bath can be loads of fun for your child, but only if its safe, too.
Tags: Adult Products, Babies, Bath Ring, Bath Soap, Bath Time, Bath Toys, Bath Tub, Bath Water, Bathtub, Cause Skin Irritation, Colors, Fear, Loads Of Fun, Paints, Right Combination, Rubber Ducky, Shampoo, Time Of Day, Time Products, Water ChildrenRelated posts
Babys first bath. It can be a little unnerving, especially if you are a new mother and never given a newborn a bath. Dont worry though, youll do just fine. Mothers have been giving babies a bath since the beginning of time. Today is much safer with all the new types of tubs designed just for infants and toddlers. And many babies love getting a bath!
Your newborn should just get sponge baths for the first couple of weeks at home or until the umbilical cord heals. Since your baby doesnt need a bath every day, you can give sponge baths twice a week or as often as you feel is necessary. It is important to go ahead and gather everything you will need before you start. And here is the equipment you will need to bath a newborn:
* 1. thick towels or a sponge-type bath cushion
* 2. soft washcloths
* 3. bath seat for basin or sink
* 4. cotton balls
* 5. baby shampoo and baby soap (non-irritating)
* 6. hooded baby towel
* 7. clean diaper and clothing
Make sure the room you are using is warm (around 75 degrees F). Place a non-skid cushion or towel at the bottom of the seat/tub so your baby will not slide around (little ones are very slippery). Run warm water (between 90 to 100 degrees or warm to the inside of your wrist) into the sink/tub. Gently undress your baby while talking in a soothing voice, explaining what you are doing. Place the baby in the water slowly.
Start with the face with just a little bit of baby soap. Next, wash the head, and continue moving downwards. When bathing your baby, make sure to clean the following areas (and creases) thoroughly: neck, ears, buttocks and groin area. Try not to get the umbilical cord area wet; gently clean with a cotton ball dipped in alcohol. And if your son is circumcised, try not to move the foreskin back when cleaning the groin area. Once you have the front clean, then finish with the back side.
Dry your baby thoroughly and then dress them. Make sure the head is completely dry. The first time may take a little bit of time because they will squirm and they are very slippery. But never take your hands off your baby. Once you both get used to this routine, it will be extremely easy. Have fun!
Tags: Baby Bath, Baby Shampoo, Baby Soap, Bath Cushion, Bath Seat, Bath Time, Beginning Of Time, Buttocks, Cotton Ball, Cotton Balls, Creases, Foreskin, Groin Area, Infants And Toddlers, Little Ones, New Mother, Sponge Baths, Thick Towels, Time Today, Umbilical CordRelated posts
How dull this world would be had we no babies to tend! Imagine the monotony of sounds without their contagious giggles, pitiful cries, and puzzling babbles. Oh how awful it would be without their incredible innocence or their charming naughtiness, what with their ways that can open a whole new world of perspective for us adults.
But whether for you babies are powerful tiny persons or cherubs sent from above, there is a wealth of things to know about these little humans (just when you thought you knew them all!).
Do you know that daily naps are vital not only to aid their physical growth? Daily naps are recommended, for without them babies will become hyperactive or fussier as the day wears on. Babies are indeed energetic but they do need breaks, you know. So send them to snooze, regularly! Oh, you know that already?
How about the reason why toys come in attractive colors? Why playpens have soft, dangling items on them that infants cant help but stare at for long? Whats going on as they see these bright colors and hear these chimes?
Speaking of toys, what does the Lion Mark symbol that you see attached to some toys signify? How are these different from the ones without the mark? There are toys that are specified for 0 to 6 months babies only and toys for 6 to 12 months, but would you know which is for which if there werent any age advice stamped on them? Why bother to care when they grow to reach that age sooner than youd realize, anyway?
Do you know how to make bath time fun for them, instead of torture? What bathing strategies should you employ for the newborn? How about for a toddler who can easily jump out of the tub and splash water all over (reminds you of Calvin and his Hobbes, right?).
What should you feed these babies? What should you have them wear? These topics seem basic but would you not like to know the recent findings about nutrition? The recent trends and developments in baby clothing to give them ultimate comfort and protection?
In traveling, when is it safe to have a baby on the front passenger seat? Is it okay to use an infant carrier as a car seat? What tests should you do to make certain a baby will be secure in the car, whether on front or on the rear seat?
How can you avoid baby bottle tooth decay? Why do babies pull their ears could it be related to teething or to ear infection? What is an exersaucer? When and how should you toilet-train them? What novelty gift ideas are available so you can have something truly helpful for your mom-to-be friend?
If you do not know the answers to these questions, or know only a little, or would want to know more apart from the above topics, its time to discover these babies info! Parents, parents-to-be, nannies, those whose careers are related to babies and practically anyone can benefit from the knowledge about babies. For the love of them, for the love from them discover babies now!
Tags: 12 Months, Adults, Attractive Colors, Babies, Baby Clothing, Bath Time, Bright Colors, Cherubs, Chimes, Discovering The World, Hobbes, Innocence, Lion, Little Humans, Monotony, Naps, Naughtiness, Perspective, Splash Water, TortureRelated posts
Each day, toddlers everywhere enjoy playtime activities that engage their natural curiosity and allow them to demonstrate their fun-loving enthusiasm. But as every parent knows, when the playtime ends, the much-needed task of cleanup begins. Moms can help toddlers ease cleanup time hesitation by incorporating engaging games, fun and imagination into the process.
A nationwide survey revealed that 98 percent of moms would like to team up with their toddlers to be actively involved in the cleanup process and help them learn good hygiene habits.
Because they are working together as a team, 9 out of 10 moms agree that bath time can be a special one-on-one bonding time. In fact, 92 percent of moms make a point to engage in playful bath time at least three or more times a week. So it is no surprise that today’s moms are on the lookout for fun products that help them teach their toddlers how to take part in the cleanup process.
Based on these consumer insights, Kimberly-Clark recently introduced Huggies Cleanteam- a line of toiletries for toddlers that has been developed to make cleanup time more fun for mom and toddler-and help toddlers learn about hygiene. The line, which includes cleansing cloths, body wash, bath mitts, shampoo, detangler, and hand soap, features fun and interactive letter-shaped characters called Alphamals.
“It’s more than just a line of toddler toiletries-Huggies Cleanteam provides a bonding experience for mother and child,” said Steve Kalmanson, group president, North Atlantic Consumer Products for Kimberly-Clark. “The toiletries keep toddlers engaged through the use of characters, bottle shapes and fragrances and help teach cleaning habits to children that will last a lifetime.”
The products help make clean-up time more like playtime by pairing a toddler’s love of animals, learning and imagination with mom’s need to make mealtime, potty time, on-the-go cleanup and bath time easier.
Widely available at major retail locations, Huggies Cleanteam products feature a unique Blue Melon Splash fragrance, formulated specifically for toddlers in 9- oz. and 15-oz. bottles.
Tips to Help Make Cleanup Time a Fun Experience
Interactive Bath Time Games:
• Suds it up. Use tear-free, all-over body wash to clean up and have fun. Soap suds are perfect for “drawing” on the bathtub wall and watching the bubbles slide down.
• Make bath time an adventure! Mix hypoallergenic shaving cream with a few drops of food coloring to create a fun paint to use on little toes, legs, arms and bellies.
• Think of creative ways to encourage cleanup. An old set of measuring cups are great to fill and dump into one another while in the bathtub. Little ones can even use them to help you rinse the shampoo out of their hair.
Easy Cleanups Keep
Families Smiling:
• Be prepared for any mess. Being prepared for messy situations will allow you to let your toddler play and learn by getting dirty. With cleansing cloths that are perfect for “on-the-go,” you’ll be prepared for any mess and your child will learn from your example.
• Just for them. Giving children a product made just for them makes cleanup time extra special. Use fun, foaming hand soap to encourage hand washing and put your child on the path towards a healthy habit.
• Help your child grow. By letting your toddler begin to clean up by themselves, he or she will start to feel a sense of pride and independence. Flushable, moist wipes are a great way to help your little ones finish up by themselves.
Today’s moms are on the lookout for fun products that help them teach their toddlers how to take part in the cleanup process.
Tags: 9 Out Of 10, Bath Mitts, Bath Time, Body Wash, Bottle Shapes, Clean Up Time, Cleanup Process, Cleanup Time, Consumer Insights, Detangler, Fun Products, Group President, Hand Soap, Huggies Cleanteam, Interactive Letter, Kalmanson, Mealtime, Natural Curiosity, Playtime, President NorthRelated posts
Bathing a newborn baby can be a traumatic event for a first time Mom. Newborns can seem so fragile, and wet, slippery ones downright frightening. But, dont fear; once you get the hang of it, youll feel like a pro. Newborns only need to be bathed two or three times a week bathing more often can result in dry skin.
First of all, its important not to put your newborn in any sort of bathtub until her umbilical cord has fallen off. If your baby is circumcised, you need to wait until this has healed, as well. Until then, give your baby a sponge bath.
When its time to put baby in the tabletop tub, give her your undivided attention. Leaving her for even a minute can literally be fatal. Turn the answering machine on and ignore the doorbell. Never run the bath water with the baby in the tub. Fill the tub and check the temperature before you add the baby.
Be prepared for the fact that your baby will not like the bath. There may be a lot of crying, so plan to make it as short as possible. Also, the bath water gets cold to the baby rather quickly; another reason to make it quick. One trick to help keep the water warm is to soak a towel in very warm water and lay it in the bottom of the tub. This keeps the water warmer, provides a nice cushion for baby, and keeps her from slipping around. Keep one hand under her head to support her neck, and keep her from slipping into the tub. Speak to her in soft soothing tones, reassuring her that everything is ok.
Use lukewarm water on your babys tender skin, and only soaps and shampoos designed for babies. In fact, during the first few weeks of life, until youve determined if your baby has any skin allergies, it might be wise to bathe her using only water, especially on her face. Have a towel and diaper ready to wrap her in immediately when youre finished, to avoid her getting chilled.
As your baby gets older, bath time will probably become a favorite part of the day for your baby. For more tips on making bath time fun for older babies, check out my article in Mommy to Mommy The Truth about Taking Care of Baby. You can find it at http://www.educatedmother.com
Tags: Answering Machine, Bath Time, Bath Water, Bathtub, Doorbell, Dry Skin, First Time Mom, Lukewarm Water, Newborn Baby, Newborns, Shampoos, Skin Allergies, Soothing Tones, Sponge Bath, Tender Skin, Traumatic Event, Umbilical Cord, Undivided Attention, Warm Water, Water WarmRelated posts
Baby Shower Gifts – Perfect Gift For A Mad Mummy And Daddy
There are many different ways of celebrating a new baby on the way the options are endless. It is the holding of a shower party which is the most popular where guests bring along baby shower gifts for the mother-to-be. All presents are normally items that mother and baby need thus helping the new parent in raising the baby.
Looking for ideas on what to give will not be a problem but what you have to remember when buying baby shower gifts is, it is not about you and your likes and dislikes. The new mom-to-be may not have the same opinion on what you see as pretty or not. Stick with the essentials and you can not go far wrong. By doing this you know that your baby shower gift will be truly appreciated especially if it helps towards reducing the new parents cost allowance in raising the baby.
If you are not sure of what the essentials are then the list below may help you decide on what to bring as your gift to the party.
1. Diapers may not be the most fanciful of gifts to bestow but certainly the most practical. We all know that you can never have too many diapers of which mummy will find out a little later when baby is here. Diapers can be very costly so I am sure that this baby shower gift will not be snubbed. You have two types of diaper the deposable or cloth. A tip for the parent, if you receive cloth and dont intend to use them then why not cut into neat square strips and use for baby flannels you will need them come bath time.
2. Bottles and Pacifiers are fabulous gift items but need to be chosen with care e.g. colours, pacifiers in blue dont suit little girls or vice or versa. This sort of gift picking can be a nightmare because baby can be picky on what they are comfortable and content with.
3. If you choose to buy baby clothes as your baby shower gift always go for a size bigger or bigger again as babies are not babies for long. Selecting what clothes to buy will be a lot simpler if the sex of the baby is known or the month baby is due. By having this information under your hat your choice regarding colours and which outfit for the season will make your task easier.
4. Toys make ideal presents but once again the sex of the baby is definitely a plus to know. You can help boost babys mind with self educational stuff, things like classic story baby books, video and music CDs even cuddly bears which often becomes babys companion at bedtime.
5. Bath time and babies, they either love or hate the water. For babies that love to splash then perfect gifts are baby shower bath toys. For infants who are dubious in taking the plunge you have to make this experience as enjoyable as you can by giving little excites like cute rubber ducks bright and colourful. Scented bath rubs like lavender cologne or even bubble bath may help baby relax more. Towels/flannels are among other gifts warmly welcomed for help to easing bath time pressure, mopping up splashed water. This is a time for wetsuits believe me.
If all fails at bath time in keeping the agitated baby content and the baby shower gifts are not helping to overcome the fear then you have no option but to play clown for a while. The more action around baby at this time e.g. a mad mummy and daddy dunking their head under water may just help baby to forget why he/she made all the fuss in the first place.
Tags: 2 Bottles, Baby Clothes, Baby Diapers, Baby On The Way, Baby Shower Gift, Baby Shower Gifts, Bath Time, Fabulous Gift, Flannels, Little Girls, Many Different Ways, Mother And Baby, Mummy And Daddy, New Baby, New Mom, New Parents, Pacifiers, Party 1, Perfect Gift, Time 2Related posts
So you have received a special invitation to attend a friend’s baby shower party, now headache time wondering what gift to purchase for the expectant mother. Do not worry you will have no problem in deciding as the list for what to buy for new born babies are endless.
The best idea worth considering when giving presents is to give several of them in a baby shower gift basket. You will be certain that one of the goodies you placed into the basket will surprise and excite the receiver. In a Gift basket expect to find all sorts from blankets, undergarments, changing pads, teething toy, soft toys, hats, sleeping gowns, cuddly bears and more.
Contents of a gift basket are very useful for mum-to-be for when she brings the new arrival home. Your particular gift basket can be made up by yourself but if you prefer there are people who are trained in this department and fully aware of the needs of mother/baby. Expect to find gift basket organizers to be mothers themselves which is better as they know what is best to help mother when raising the baby.
Baby gift shower baskets are a wonderful present to bestow. The variety of essentials contained in the basket for baby’s well being is warmly welcomed.
Themes and styles are normally used in the presentation of a Baby shower gift basket. You have bath time goody baskets filled with towels, comb, hairbrush, baby soaps and smellies like talcum powder. Then we have the beddy bye creel laden with hanging mobiles, cuddly toys, bedding, and fairy tale books.
Prices of a gift basket differ; total cost depends on items chosen to fill the baby shower gift basket.
White lemon and peach are colours that trail behind blue and pink for most popular shades behind a theme. If the sex of the baby is unknown when you place your order for the baby gift basket then opt for white or lemon this way you can not go wrong.
Baby shower gift baskets can be bought online if time is a problem for you. Online shopping for gift baskets is so simple you even get to see what is included in the baby gift basket before you make a purchase. Prettily packaged, gift wrapped and tied with bows is how the finished product looks. Do not forget to place a card inside with a personal greeting from you to mother and baby wishing them both well.
I would like to put my penny worth in and break tradition. I would fill the basket with envelopes containing gift vouchers for different mother/baby shops. This way no headache trying to decide on what gifts for inside the basket and no headache for the mother in returning presents that are not to her taste. A happy Mother-to-be is one with a fist full of vouchers before the birth or after.
That’s what I call getting it right.
Tags: Baby Baby, Baby Baskets, Baby Gift Basket, Baby Shower Gift, Baby Shower Gift Baskets, Baby Shower Party, Baby Soaps, Bath Time, Blankets, Comb, Cuddly Toys, Fairy Tale Books, Goody Baskets, Mother Baby, New Arrival, New Born Babies, Peach, Shopping Baskets, Shower Baskets, Soft ToysRelated posts
A baby shower is a very special time and it is important to choose the right gift. You’ve circled the date on your calendar. You know that it’s approaching. All of your other friends have purchased their presents weeks in advanced, but you, the only single left in the bunch, still can’t decide on what present to bring to your friend’s baby shower.
Let’s face it, you know nothing about babies. Your presence make babies cry! You can’t tell a blanket from a diaper! This is your first time ever to attend one of these so called events. You know you suck at this, and everyone knows it too, but still you have to go, It’s a test of friendship! So what do you do?
Well, for starters you wipe that frown off of your face, and you put on your “I’m happy to be an auntie smile!’. Then, you go to a shopping mall, and you grab yourself a baby shower gift basket!
Gift baskets contain everything from soft toys, hats, blankets, undergarments, changing pads, sleeping gowns, teething toy, bears, etc.
The great thing about gift baskets is that they are very useful. The people who put together baby shower gift baskets know what they are doing! The things that are included in a baby shower gift basket are exactly the things that a new mother, and an upcoming baby will need.
So you know you’d be getting your money’s worth when you purchase a baby shower gift basket. More importantly, it will make the recipient happy. New mothers need all the help that they could get, especially once the have delivered their babies. The daily expenses of a family always escalates with the addition of a new member. So it is best to give presents that will help to provide for the needs of the new mother, and baby.
Baby shower gift baskets come in different themes. Some of these baskets concentrate on the baby’s bath time needs. Items like: towels, washcloths, comb and brush sets; and of course, the quintessential giant rubber duckies are included.
This puts variety, and a fun twist on the baby shower gift basket idea! So you’d actually have quite a selection to choose from.
These baby shower gift baskets vary in prices, depending on the intricacy of the lay out, and items included in the basket. The average price for a baby shower gift basket is around $70.
These baskets are usually divided into girl themes, and boy themes. The girl- themed baskets usually come in pink, and contain items suitable for a baby girl. While the boy-themed gift baskets offer things that a baby boy will need.
These baby shower gift baskets can also be purchased online. So if you don’t have any time to shop, you can just always order a gift basket online. The selection of these gift baskets are usually displayed online. Also, the items that are included inside is listed along side the picture of the gift basket.
They come in a nicely gift wrapped packaging that includes a ribbon and a card. This allows you to write a personal greeting, and a dedication to the mother. Don’t forget to include well wishes for the baby!
If you’ve purchased your gift basket online, you can just type in your dedication on the net. This way, your dedication will be included in the gift basket that you’ve ordered. It will then be delivered to the specified recipient.
Baby shower gift baskets are a wonderful and thoughtful gift idea because they include a little bit of everything. They are also very meaningful because they provide things that will provide for the needs of a newborn baby.
So become a baby shower superstar, and bring a baby shower gift basket to the party. All your friends will be in awe of you!
Tags: Attend One, Auntie, Baby Baby, Baby Baskets, Baby Shower Gift, Baby Shower Gift Baskets, Basket Gift, Bath Time, Blankets, Comb, Gift Basket, Mother And Baby, New Mother, New Mothers, Rubber Duckies, Shopping Mall, Soft Toys, Special Time, Starters, Toy Bears