Great Family Camping Trips Make Excellent Traditions

by Valerie Giles

A wonderful way to invest in your families' treasure trove of memories is by spending time in the great outdoors. Camping trips can be an excellent tradition that your family will look forward to and in time, look back upon with fond memories.

Whether you plan to camp at the same place every year or seek out new places doesn't matter as camping is always filled with new adventures. Your family might have a favorite place you go to every year mixed with a new spot you select together for another weekend or extended holiday during the year. There are so many national parks to explore; your options really are quite limitless.

Camping doesn't have to be an overly expensive expenditure. Again this all depends on how you'll be camping. Camping in a tent carries a completely different dynamic than camping in a fully equipped camper. Camping in a tent is also relatively inexpensive. Perhaps the camper is something you'll decide to invest in after a few years of tent camping, then again there are some who prefer to only go tent camping. There's something to be said about the rustic quality of sleeping in a tent, you can hike to far off remote spots where you couldn't get to with a camper in tow.

Regardless of how you'll be camping you'll want to have the proper camping gear and accessories. First off you want to have the best tent and sleeping bags you can possibly afford. As your tent will be your home away from home for your trip and your sleeping bag will keep you warm and covered for those long nights under the stars (there are tents available that have mesh roofs for star gazing, of coarse if it starts to rain, you can just cover it up with your tent fly), you'll want to be sure that both these items keep you appropriately covered so to speak.

Next you'll want to have proper camp accessories; a trustworthy camp stove, a lantern, flashlights, a first aid kit, tarp, cooking and eating utensils, a little axe (for chopping firewood, also doubles as a hammer for hammering in tent pegs), some rope (for clothes lines and securing tarp), and cooler. Along with your sleeping bag you'll want to remember comfy pillows (unless your backpacking then you might want a convenient inflatable pillow) and very importantly a good sleep pad. An uncomfortable sleep experience on hard ground may steer you off tent camping alvemtogether, so come prepared, a good sleeping pad is worth its weight in gold. A good idea to help you remember all these items is the camping check list.

It's a good idea to store your camp gear in some plastic containers. This way it's all in one place (with your camp list included), so when it's time to pack up and go camping you can go through the containers making any necessary additions needed. It's very important to check that all your equipment is properly maintained and cared for; there is nothing worse than getting to your destination and finding that your camp stove is not working. You'll also want to be sure that your camp fuel supply is replenished and you have extra batteries (for flashlights, lanterns or radios).

One of the best things about the whole camping experience is the food. Now depending on where you're camping and what time of year it is, if you're lucky you'll be able to do some of your cooking around the campfire. During dry seasons there may be fire restrictions due to forest fire concerns, if that's the case you'll do all your cooking atop your camping stove. Every meal always seems to taste a bit better when you're camping, it might have something to do with all the fresh air, or maybe all the fun activity builds up you're appetite, either way you'll want to bring along some family favorites. For dinner maybe some grilling of the families select choices, accompanied by some corn on the cob and potatoes wrapped in tin foil cooked on the coals with a nice salad and later for dessert smores (marshmallow and a slice of chocolate sandwiched between two graham wafers), add to that some hot chocolate before bed and that's a night of food to dream about.

The activities (or lack of activities) will also make your camping trip one to remember. Hiking, kayaking, cycling and sailing might be on your agenda. Most parks offer excellent groomed hiking trails. Research in advance the area you will be visiting to know what activities will be available, you may be able to rent a kayak and take a lesson at the same time. Many areas also offer great bike trails that the family can cycle on together. A late night walk is among favorite suggestions; you can check out the stars and just listen to the silence.

Bring along a book you've wanted to read or some magazines. Games are another excellent pastime, a deck of cards or a board game might be some fun. Of course you can always bring along some baseball gloves and a ball for a game of catch. Soccer balls, badminton rackets and a net or volleyball and net all make for a fun day at the park.

If your family has little one's you'll be presented with a whole new challenge. Depending on the ages of your babies or toddlers you'll want to pack some extra conveniences. There are excellent baby back carriers available allowing you to hike all sorts of terrain with baby in tow while keeping your back feeling comfortable, as well there are a numerous variety of baby strollers to select from which are great for using on trails. For toddlers you may want to bring a playpen to keep baby safe. You can never bring too many toys; the more your child has to keep them entertained you can rest assure they will be more content.

Be prepared for weather changes by bringing along extra clothing. Most likely you will be camping in the warmer spring, summer and fall months. It's wise to remember however that the evenings can often get quite cool. Bring along heavy sweaters or extra jackets for added warmth, it can never hurt to bring along a couple of extra blankets for comfort beside the fire (or for use at a day picnic). Rainwear is another excellent addition to your camping wardrobe. With good quality rain jackets, hats, rain pants and boots you can take advantage of the rainy weather and actually go out for a hike rather than staying inside the tent or worse yet ending your camp trip all together.

Camping certainly has its challenges. Knowing what to bring and having the proper equipment and accessories is the first hurtle. Once you arrive at your destination and set up you want to keep everyone as comfortable and happy as possible, whether it's keeping the kids occupied without the use of video games or cooking a surefire dinner. Rest assured that after your first couple of trips when you find out what everyone enjoys doing and you realize all you like to include on your trip, you will certainly add camping to your families list of favorite excursions and traditions. The wonderful thing about camping is its always different, perhaps the site is different or the campground you selected is unique to the last you stayed at, whatever the difference is it always seems to be an adventure that the whole family can enjoy.

So, He's Going to be a Big Brother!

by Elizabeth Brautigan

One of the most exciting (and frightening) things a little boy can hear is "You are going to be a Big Brother." It's exciting because he likes the idea of having a tiny little person that's "his" little brother or little sister that he can protect and play with. In his mind he's thinking "Hmmm, like my X-men doll, only it cries." And it's frightening because invariably he will begin thinking about what will happen to him. Will mommy and daddy still love him as much? Will they still pay attention to him? What role in the household will he play?

One of the most important things parents can do to ease the feelings of the child during the pregnancy is to keep them involved. No matter what the age, the brother can be asked for input on how the nursery should be decorated (Do you think your baby brother would like Donald Duck or Mickey Mouse?), on clothes and various other baby related purchases. When the big brother is part of the process, his fear of being ignored will begin to ease. Of course, once the younger child reaches the age of ten or twelve, the opinions of the older sibling are no longer as welcome or appreciated. But that's a different article altogether.

The second thing that parents can do is to help define the role that the older sibling will take. This role will vary somewhat depending on the age of the older sibling. Even if the "big brother" is just a couple of years older, there are many things that he can be told the parent will need "help" with. For instance, giving baby a bath can mean a lot of things. Obviously, a two year old can't give the baby a bath solo, but can certainly stand right by mom and assist by handing her all the items she'll need. Or during bottle time, he can become the official "temperature" tester to make sure that the formula isn't too hot or too cold. One of the most wonderful "involvement" techniques that have been used is that of the "official story teller" which has double rewards. Obviously, the baby will benefit from being read to, but the older brother will also improve his reading skills as well as feel pride in his "official" role.

A wonderful item that we think will help the older sibling feel "needed" is the "Big Brother's on Duty" Tool Belt. Picture a canvas tool belt with the words "Big Brother's On Duty" embroidered in blue across the front, and tucked into the belt are all the items a big brother would need to help give baby a bath - baby wash, baby shampoo, washcloth, powder, a baby bath toy and even a couple of treats for the big brother himself. A great time to present this is at the baby shower. While he's watching mom open up all the great gifts for baby, if mom comes across a gift especially for the Big Brother, he'll fell extra special. A Big Sister's on Duty belt is also available.

Traveling with Babies

by Linda Jenkinson

If you start traveling with your little one slowly and plan wisely, both you and baby will enjoy first-class comfort. If you begin with baby steps, you'll find that you and your little one will soon be able to walk, ride, or fly in the fast lane.

Day Trips

Introduce baby to travel starting with a few day-trips to a local relative or friend. Basic equipment will be a packed diaper bag, a stroller or pram (if you'll spend some time outdoors), and a car seat. Most modern car seats easily detach and convert into a baby carrier.

Be sure to pack your diaper bag with a diaper for each two hours you intend to be away from home. Pack 2 nipples for each bottle you pack, two to three receiving blankets, and an extra change of clothing for baby and an extra shirt for you. Cut down on diaper bag weight and keep things easy to find by using Ziploc bags to pack extras like nipples, wipes, and pacifiers. Pack one large, empty Ziploc for soiled items.

Overnights

For baby's first overnight trip, you'll need to extend your day-trip plan with a couple of extra receiving blankets and extra sets of clothing for baby. Even if your overnight trip is to Grandma's house, remember that nighttime sounds and perceptions may be different from those during daytime hours. A good pram with wheel locks can double as a bassinet, helping baby feel right at home and enabling everyone to sleep more comfortably through the night.

If overnight travel is a frequent part of your regular routine, consider investing in a Graco Pack 'n Play Classic Care Center. This excellent piece of baby travel equipment is a bassinet, changing table, and playpen in one portable unit that folds into a handy tote bag. There are 22 models of the Classic Care Center. With prices starting at under $50.00, you're sure to find one that's right for your little one and your budget.

Extended Hotel Stays

Many hotels stock products and equipment especially for travelers with babies, but they may not stock the brands you and baby prefer. When you make your reservation, ask for specific information on product brands and the equipment you'll need to make baby's stay comfortable. If you opt to use a hotel crib or bassinet, be sure to pack a couple of baby's own blankets, a familiar mobile, and/or other "security items".

Although your inclination may be to pack up your complete nursery, in some cases, an extended stay may allow you to pack even less than you would for an overnight trip. For instance, it would be impractical to pack a week's worth of bottles and nipples. Pack only enough for a day and leave time in your itinerary for clean-ups. When packing baby clothes, include two or three one-piece outfits that can be quickly hand washed when soiled.

You'll also want to be sure to bring along a stroller. Most contemporary strollers are lightweight and easily collapse for transport or storage. Some models are equipped with multi-position reclining seats so baby can sight-see or nap as he or she chooses. In addition, many have features like tray attachments, sun canopies, attached toy bars, and "parent" trays for your little extras.

If part of your vacation will put you in a crowd, consider a baby backpack or sling. The Baby Bjorn Carrier holds baby safely to your chest, increasing baby's sense of security as he maintains eye contact with your familiar face.

From day trips to cruise ships, how you travel with babies depends chiefly on your destination and length of stay. However developing a basic plan and adding to it as the situation warrants will quickly make seasoned travel companions out of you and your little one.

Beauty Tips

by Tania Jain

Beauty is an essence. Looking beautiful means having one of the most comforts of life. Looking beautiful means get noticed. And who don't' want to be noticed. The word 'beauty' has a number of synonyms, cute, smart, gorgeous, handsome, and good looking sexy, stylish and after all beautiful.

When we use word beauty or beautiful, it clearly indicates our inclination towards something or object which we like the most. Nature is most beautiful object we have in which we exist in general. The word beautiful is a feminine word. When we listen the word beauty or beautiful, we assume a pretty, cool, charming and good-looking face. Boys or men don't need to be beautiful rather they need to be handsome.

No matter either you are a cool pretty girl / woman or a handsome boy / man; you must need to be smart, intelligent, and diligent. Your smartness, intelligence and diligence all reflect in your personality. And your personality depends on the fact that how you carry yourself and how you associate with the objects or persons around you. Your personality is the integration of your body, mind and soul. Rather you are a big-hearted person having a high degree of IQ. And the amalgamation of beauty with your mind and soul make you a being of get noticed. And who don't want that.

A well groomed child get noticed in his or her prep class, a handsome is get noticed in playgrounds, a sexy lace is get noticed some time on the streets and some time on the discos. A smart and bold person is get noticed in the society. A smart / beautiful manager is get noticed in board meetings.

It means beauty has its place everywhere, it makes its' place, it exists. It exists in every being. Some time it didn't look even though it is there. This is because the person is not taking care of his / her body i.e. skin, nails, eyes, hair, etc.

Taking care of your body means taking care of your self and for that you don't need to put extra effort, you don't need to put extra hour of your work schedule. Only you need to put is the minimum required attention. You need to regulate your life style, you need to discover the ways of living, and you need to monitor yourself with proper care.

How do you do that?

Here are few tips that make you a noticeable personality in the crowd and your body healthy, sexy and overall beautiful. 1. Drink 8 to 12 glasses of water everyday, having more water means feeling less hungry, consuming less food and hence being fit in shape and always looks energetic. 2. You can drink water in a regular interval of half an hour or so, while in office or traveling long, keep you water bottle with you. 3. Take balanced diet rich in carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and good fats. 4. Cut on calories; don't take food that gives high calories and fewer nutrients. 5. Nutrients are necessary to keep you away from sickness and thus helps in being beautiful 6. Take some beet root, cut into small pieces and grind. Squeeze it and massage your face for 5 minutes with beetroot juice. Wash / shower after 10 minutes with mild soap or gram flour. You will feel relaxed and your face will glow. 7. Mix honey in water, and drink it daily in the morning. This will keep your skin shiney and smooth. 8. Massage your body with milk. Moisturizer in the milk will keep your skin smooth and healthy. 9. Keep room temperature moderate, using humidifiers. This will keep you skin away from dryness. 10. If you take shower too long or a bit long, the dead skin of your body automatically gets removed. Don't rub your body with towel. Be gentle on your skin. 11. If you go out in the sun, your skins will loss its fairness. Take cucumber juice and tomato juice and apply it to your skin, shower after 10 minutes. This will make your skin fair. 12. Take rose petals, and grind them. Mix with cream on the top of milk. Shower after 10 minutes.

So take a little care of your body and stay healthy, handsome, beautiful, smart, and bold. Get noticed!!!

Bathing Your Baby

by Donna Lee

Bathing your baby

Make bath time enjoyable for your baby by being safe, prepared, and nurturing. Babies love the feel of water (lots of splashing!) and the feel of skin-to-skin touch. Speak to your baby in soft, happy tones to make him feel relaxed and comfortable.

Safety Reminders

In the first few days, newborns should be sponge-bathed. Sit your baby on a soft towel and wipe your baby with warm washcloths. Never leave your baby unattended. Test the water temperature on the back of your wrist. Water should be warm, not hot. Always keep one hand on your baby. To avoid falls or slips, keep bathing supplies within arms reach. Consult your child's doctor on how to care for the child's umbilical cord and/or circumcision.

Bathing Supplies

Organize these supplies before beginning your baby's bath.

Soft non-abrasive washcloths; Baby formulated soap and/or shampoo(tearless); Baby bath tub; Small cup to pour water; Two large soft towels (one for drying and one to place the baby on); Baby creams, lotions, or oils. New change of clothes and diapers.

Bathing Tips

The ideal way to bathe a baby is to start from the top and work down. Gently wash baby's face with warm washcloth. Eyes should be wiped from nose to cheek, using a different corner for each wipe. Apply a tearless baby formulated shampoo to your baby's head. To rinse, hold the baby like a football and tip his head. Carefully pour small cups of water over the top of the head avoiding water to stream over the face. Wash your baby's body next, leaving the genital area last. Remember to clean within skin folds, between feet, and behind ears. Lay out a large towel next to the tub. Wrap baby in another soft large towel and transfer him from the tub to the towel. Gently pat your baby dry. Remember to dry all folds in his skin. Diaper and change baby into fresh new clothes.

An African Bush Doctor's Prescription For Better Health

by Christopher Ricardo Scipio

Bush Medicine is traditional herbal medicine- the oldest system of healing in the world. Bush medicine started in Africa about 30,000 years ago. In the African-Caribbean culture plants are referred to as "Bush" such as "fever bush" or "toothache bush and are revered for their healing and spiritual properties". Every culture in world practiced and still practices bush medicine to treat the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual problems of the people. Today 70% of the world's population still uses traditional herbal medicine (bush medicine) as it's primary source of health care.

For the past 75 years medical doctors and drug companies have tried to discredit traditional herbal medicine while at the same time sending ethnobotanists all around the world to acquire the knowledge of local plants from bush doctors in order to make new pharmaceutical drugs. Often once a drug company has appropriated local plant knowledge- usually without compensating the locals in any way, they patent the plants and pressure the governments into banning the local population from having access to the plants they have depended on for millennia. Fortunately there is now a worldwide effort underway to protect local plant knowledge from unethical exploitation. People are returning to their traditional herbalists because of the failure of pharmaceutical drugs to treat chronic health problems safely and effectively.

I am from a long-line of African bush doctors. My family has practiced traditional herbal medicine for many generations. My grandmother was a prominent bush doctor in Trinidad, the country of my birth. The African-Caribbean culture is a largely intact culture where we have retained much of the knowledge of our bush doctors. Here are some simple tips for improving your health from me, Christopher Scipio- your friendly neighbourhood bush doctor.

1. Eat less. Unless you are very physically active you are probably eating a third more calories than you need. Excessive caloric intake is one of the biggest factors in reducing life expectancy.

2. Don't eat alone. People eat too quickly, chew their food less, and tend to consume less nutritional meals when they are eating alone. Having company provides many health benefits and is much better for your mental and emotional well-being.

2A. Pay attention to your eating environment. Loud noises, lack of a comfortable sitting position, too many distractions and a less than peaceful environment can all contribute to digestive problems and may cascade into other health issues. Eating in a relaxed quiet environment with good company is a great habit to get into.

3. Along the theme of eating less- use smaller plates and cutlery and consider using chop sticks or your fingers to eat with. The oversized cutlery just promotes the wolfing down of food. I love using chopsticks for lots of different kinds of meals and there is much sensual pleasure with eating with your fingers the way we Africans do.

4. Reduce your carbs, especially bread and pasta. Obesity and many of the health problems that go with it like diabetes were virtually unknown until we started consuming such large quantities of bread, pasta and baked goods. I recommend not eating bread or pasta more than 3-4 times per week and substituting beans and dishes like hummous as a replacement.

5. Get and use a juicer. The juice you buy in a store is dead. Many juice enzymes die within an hour of extraction. Most juices have been pasteurized to further deplete their nutritional value. Making your own juice is a joy. I like starting the day with a blend of carrot, apple, Hawaiian ginger and beet juice, but there are so many juices to discover. I recommend the book on healing juices by Heinermann.

6, Cook your own food. It is more than worth the time. I know you are busy but you can work cooking into any schedule. Consider getting a slow cooker. Consider cooking large batches on your days off and keeping them ready in the freezer. Cooking your own food is the only way of knowing what actually is put into your food, plus it sends the right message to your body that you care.

6A. Don't assume restaurant food is healthy. Many restaurants are fond of using iceberg lettuce which is very cheap and is usually grown in high-tech hydroponic factories but has virtually no nutritional value and don't even ask about the chemicals used to keep lettuce looking "fresh". Most restaurants don't use organic ingredients and many restaurants use microwaves to heat their meals. Just take a tour of the kitchen of your favourite restaurants and you may be horrified.

7. Bless your food and remember where it comes from. This modern life is a very disconnected from reality kind of life. Often there is little though given to where food comes from, how it was harvested and processed and by whom? Do you know where you food came from? If not you better bless it and bless it well before you take it and all the vibes that go along with it into your sensitive body.

8. Balance yourself daily with yoga, tai-chi or Qi- gong. 20 minutes a day in your own home of one of these practices and I'll personally guarantee your health will improve no matter how healthy you were before-hand. You can go to classes as well but what I recommend is that you empower yourself by learning how to do simple routines at home so you are not dependant on a class.

9 Get and give a massage at least once per month. Weekly is even better. Give and receive this vital practice as often as possible. Even a mediocre massage is better than none at all so recruit your partner or a friend if you cannot access a professional and don't be reluctant to lay your hands on others as well.

10. Love More. Love is the ultimate healing. Love your partner, love children, love your neighbours, love your community, love the environment, love your God, love your life, love yourself.

11. Don't forget to laugh. Laughter is great medicine. Give yourself permission to be silly, don't be so serious and you'll have a longer and happy life.

12. Just say no to drugs. Ronald and Nancy Regan were worried about recreational drugs and I agree that recreational drugs are harmful to your health but the drugs that I see devastating the community's health the most are coffee, alcohol and cigarettes- in that order. Don't believe the self-serving propaganda from the Starbucks lobby about the possible benefits of drinking coffee. There are no net benefits to drinking coffee and it is particularly devastating to women's health as is heavy alcohol consumption and cigarettes.

13. Eat like an adult not a child. You a big boy/girl now so eat like one. Don't be a slave to cravings and food addictions. Eat for nutritional value and not strictly for taste or as an emotional panacea. On my hot list of non-nutritional foods are chocolate, ice cream, sodas, white bread, white rice, and white pasta.

14. Eat soft foods. Eat wet foods. Softer foods are much easier for your body to digest and are much more likely to have a high water content. Wet foods are also easier to digest and help provide the water you need. Your body is mostly water, the earth is mostly water, so try to limit dry, hard, dead foods like crackers, bread, and cereals and embrace soft wet foods like soups, purees (I love hummous and baba ganoush), fruit, steamed vegetables, smoothies, organic plain yoghurt, etc.

The human body is a wondrous miracle of engineering and grace. Treat your body well and it will reward you with many years of health and happiness. Neglect or abuse your body at your own peril.

Christopher Scipio Homeopath/Herbalist African Bush Doctor

Baby Gifts - A Guide for Men

by Robin Darch

Buying gifts for babies can be a difficult chore for men, especially for single men. After all, how can a man who has no children know what the best Baby Gifts are? With this article I hope to help men take some of the mystery out of shopping for Baby Gifts. Baby shower gifts can be simple or elegant, traditional or creative and personal. Select with creativity and care. The possibilities are endless. Check the registry. A lot of moms are doing the same thing for baby showers they have always done for wedding showers and that is to create a registry, a list of items she knows she will need. By picking something that is on the list you avoid having to make a choice at all. For a man, that's always the best choice!. Use your experience as a parent (or ask someone you know who has kids): If you are a parent, think back to what you couldn't have done without. If you aren't a parent, then talk to one of your friends who is. They can help you choose the right Baby Gift. Ask the new parents to give you a list of things they might need. If you are good friends with them, they won't mind you asking and might even appreciate the fact that you want to buy them a Baby Gift they can really use. Look around and imagine what they might need, like car seats, front carriers, etc. Go in with a group to purchase baby furniture or strollers. This is perfect for men who don't have a clue! Ask some of your friends what they are getting as a Baby Gift and ask them if they want to split the cost of a more expensive Baby Gift. Monogram an Item. A Picture Frame, A Bib, Baby Silverware, anything like that, can be a great baby Gift that is both useful and cherished.

Baby Gift Baskets. Shop around for little things you know the parents and the newborn will need. Baby Powder, Baby Lotion, Baby Shampoo, Diapers, and other small items in a Nice Baby Gift Basket is always a safe choice.

Personalized baby Song CD. Now this is a unique gift! Go to http://www.giftsfortots.ca/personalcds.asp and you can order a CD made with songs that actually use the baby's name in the songs! Buy child-sized jewelry: Bracelets, Necklaces, ID bracelets, Tie Bars, and Cufflinks, make a great Baby Gift made for babies make great Baby Gifts. Choose clothes in size 3 months or larger. Anticipating that the baby will soon grow out of the clothes usually bought at a baby shower can please the parents immensely . Include gift receipts if possible so they can be exchanged if you suspect you have awful taste or if they just need them in a different size. Start the baby's library with a book. Choose one of the classics for children, Winnie the Pooh and other books are a great Baby Gift. Put a nameplate in the front cover for a personal touch. Give the baby a savings bond. Start their college fund with a savings bond and the gift is truly for the baby. The parents will appreciate the gift and it will encourage them to add to it as years go by. Get them started early!

Baby Tips for New Parents

by Ian Tham

The first few years of baby's life demand constant attention and care. First of all, you need all the help you can get. This is where the grandparents can play a role.

Ideally, you could either stay in your parents' home or your in -laws' home . The alternative would be to ask your parents or in laws to stay with you. If that is not feasible, see if you can stay in near proximity to your parents. You could also get a nanny or baby sitter. If both husband and wife are working the nanny will be under minimum supervision which isn't an advisable thing to do. In the beginning you may seek your parents' help to monitor and guide the nanny. You could also try to take some leave during the first few months of the nanny's employment. Alternatively you could put your child in a baby care center. There's no need to worry about abuse or baby neglect. There are baby care centers at hospitals that offer round the clock 24 hrs baby care. However I suggest you need to spend a couple of hours each day to establish bond with your baby.

When you are first time parents , the stress and pressure can be unbearable. This is understandable. That is why support from your parents is vital. It's also good to keep in contact friends with young children and have common interests. Both parties can share their experience of taking care of baby and also exchange tips and ideas . Handling a newborn baby requires special care. The body is still soft and fragile. Remember, you must always support the head and the neck of the baby when you are handling or carrying the baby.. Other tricky operations include bathing the baby. Prepare a baby bathtub half filled with water. Remember to hold always the head of the baby above the water surface. Otherwise the baby might accidentally drink the soap water and get indigestion. Water getting into the lungs might also cause bronchitis or in the worst case scenario baby might drown due to lack of oxygen after being submerged underwater for a period of time. With one hand holding its head take a sponge towel soaked in soap water and gently wipe the baby's body . Remember to pay extra attention to its face and buttocks as milk rash and sores are more likely to occur in these areas.

You need to understand behavior of baby. What does he want when he cries? Is he wet and dirty, hungry or tired? From past experience you will roughly be able to guess what his needs are. Trying to get baby to sleep is a mentally challenging and exhausting affair. I find placing the baby in a baby bouncer works perfectly fine in getting baby to sleep. The gentle rocking motion of the bouncer plus the comfortable and cooling cotton netting lets the baby sleep in no time. You may also try to sing a few songs to calm down the baby.

Always put baby in a baby cot .The barrier protects him and prevents him from falling onto the ground . Put the blanket away from his head in case of suffocation. Avoid using a pillow for the same reason. Make sure the mattress is firm and hard. Ideally speaking , get baby to sleep on its back rather than on its tummy. This is to prevent him from suffocating as it may find it difficult to breathe with its nostrils against the bed sheets. Do not sleep with baby on your bed as you may crush him or he may fall off the bed. You can consider putting the mattress on the floor but someone might accidentally step on baby .

Baby must be kept warm and dry.

The health of baby is very important. Make sure he eats and sleeps well. Babies are susceptible to illness. If they fall sick then you will have a difficult and stressful time as baby would require more attention and you will have to spend extra effort to take care of it. For example , giving medicine and sponging him if it has a fever. Don't bring the baby to air-conditioned malls where crowds thronged in them. Baby can catch a flu bug or other contagious diseases. If someone close to the family is sick, send the person away or bring baby to another place.

New baby

by Dakota Caudilla

First of all, CONGRATULATIONS! You're having a new baby! Now, on to the serious stuff. You're going to get yourself prepared for your new baby, mentally, physically and you will need to adjust your house and car for the new baby too!

Mentally preparing for the new baby Remember this, women adjust to having a new baby faster than men; so, don't expect husbands to start being all fatherly after the pregnancy is announced. They're 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 mommy's belly.

Physically preparing for the new baby There's 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. Needless to say, 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're planning to co-sleep with the baby or whether you're 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 baby's clothes, shelves to convenient grab lotions, creams, diaper wipes, diapers, etc. off near the changing table is a MUST.

You'll also need to think about getting a baby chair too; baby chair for the house (at the right height for the dining table) and also 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's 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'd rather not waste the money.

If you've had previous babies before, you probably don't need too many new baby clothes. New babies outgrow their clothes terribly fast and it'd 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's not going to mind old clothes. In fact, it's a fact that your new baby is probably going to like wearing the old clothes better than the new clothes. Don't forget the feeding utensils like baby bowls, breast pump (if you're 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 don't worry, you'll do fine. The best thing to do is to get unbiased referrals from friends and family.

Is Your Baby Necessarily Need Shoes?

by Diana Claire

When you came up with such question, what will be your answer? You understand that your baby always in your arm and your baby cannot walk yet. So, what the need of shoes for your baby?

Don't get confuse. Your baby is growing. She has different stages of growth; of course she needs different stages of baby shoes. Although some would say that letting your baby barefoot is okay, but still you need something to cover her feet. Your baby should have shoes to keep her feet warm such as soft-sole baby shoes which are made of light and flexible cloth that provides an extra layer of warmth.

There are three categories of soft-sole baby shoes for your kid which include smooth leather sole, suede leather sole and rubber sole. All are made for your baby from the early age up to a few months. These types of baby shoes are made resembling your baby being barefoot. It serve to protect the foot from cold, dirt, glass, uneven surfaces, tree roots, gravel, wooden decks, rocks etc. Many medical experts agree that barefoot is best, but not practical when standing, pulling up, cruising or walking.

You might find moccasins as an example of soft-sole baby shoes. Moccasins are nothing more than leather sewn around the foot. The moccasin has absolutely no structure to get in the way of the foot doing what it wants to do naturally. Moccasins have either smooth leather or suede leather bottoms which are sewn to the leather top part.

As your baby begins to be more active, the shoes change a little. You need more appropriate shoes for this age which are much sturdy. At this stage, there are so many styles of baby shoes. You can find for your baby girl or boy. The shoes also serve as protections while your baby already crawling or scooting.

The next stage of your baby's shoes development is when your baby begins to walk. Shoes are important apparel for your baby. The style of the shoe is not as important as the protection and guidance a baby gets from those shoes. When the baby reaches the walking stage, it is probably time to spend a little more on a shoe that will support baby and protect his feet well.

When your child is getting bigger, you have to find more proper shoes that could protect your child feet from dangerous stuffs. In the first three years, your child feet undergo the most rapid growth and the average will grow several sizes. In fact, children's feet are not fully formed until their teens.

You must understand that size are different from manufacturer to manufacturer, shoe sizes will often vary from brand to brand. Leather is the most popular material for children's shoes because it lets air in while keeping moisture out, meaning feet stay cool and dry in most conditions. This is important because a child's foot perspires twice as much as an adult's. And since kids are tougher on shoes than adults, leather is also more popular than other materials because of its durability qualities.

So, it shows that since your baby born until your kid gets bigger, shoes always been important mean to protect their feet.

Losing Pregnancy Weight

by Tony Robinson

Losing weight after pregnancy presents a special type of problem. At no other time in a woman's life is she likely to gain as much weight in as short a period. And after having a baby, especially your first baby, life changes drastically. You might find it hard to make time to exercise. If you're nursing, you can't restrict calories. It seems as though many of the usual avenues to losing weight have been cut off.

Though experts recommend that a woman gain no more than about 27 pounds during pregnancy, for some of us, that's easier said than done. Some women report that they gained weight during pregnancy regardless of how carefully they controlled their eating, even if they made a point of exercising. Some pregnancies just seem to demand weight gain - interestingly, this seems to be particularly true of women who are naturally thinner than average to begin with. For a naturally 'skinny' woman to gain what might seem to be a huge amount of weight - sometimes up to sixty or even seventy pounds - during pregnancy seems to be a rather common phenomenon. Pregnancy seems to change the way that food is metabolized and fat is stored. The amount of weight you gain during pregnancy may even be genetic.

Of course, pregnancy food cravings also have something to do with it! We've all heard of some of the bizarre cravings that pregnant women can get, but in fact, most crave the nutrients they need the most. It's not uncommon for a woman who is normally a vegetarian to have strong cravings for meat while she is pregnant, for instance. These are cravings you can and should give in to, because your body is telling you what it needs.

Some women also find that they need to eat during the first trimester, because it keeps morning sickness at bay. 'Morning sickness' is actually a bit of a misnomer, as it can happen at any time of day or night. It tends to happen the most when your stomach is empty and your blood sugar is low. Some women pack on the pounds during these first few months of pregnancy just to keep from feeling sick all the time.

So, for one reason or another, many women find that it's very difficult or impossible to control their weight gain during pregnancy. That's not to say that you shouldn't try, of course, but if you know that you're eating healthy foods and the weight is coming on regardless, let it. You'll do more harm than good by trying to diet during pregnancy. As long as you aren't binging or eating unhealthy foods, rest assured that your body has its own wisdom and you are gaining weight because you need to.

Though only about ten or fifteen pounds are lost during delivery, there are plenty of opportunities to lose weight after the baby is born. For one thing, if you give it a month or so, you might find that most of the weight disappears on its own during nursing. In fact, that's one of the reasons why women are programmed to gain weight during pregnancy - after the baby's born, you need that extra weight. It all gets converted to milk to feed your baby. In fact, nursing full time burns about 500 calories a day - the same as a good workout. At that rate, you could lose a pound a week without even trying.

That having been said, there may come a time when you do have to put some effort into losing those last few pounds. After your baby is weaned, that natural means of weight loss isn't there anymore. It's time to start adding some workouts to your daily schedule. If you don't have the opportunity to exercise without the baby, take him along - that's why jogging strollers were invented. Or boost your calorie burning by carrying your baby in a front or back carrier while you go for a walk or hike. The babies love it, and for you, it's like carrying a constantly increasing weight around with your for hours at a time - great for burning fat.

After you have a baby, you may feel as though the baby has taken over your entire existence. It doesn't have to be that way. Take the time to reclaim your body and your time, and you'll have more energy to take on the hectic schedule of a new mother.

New Baby Shopping List

by Kara Kelso

New Baby Shopping List by Kara Kelso http://www.momsmarketonline.com

Being pregnate with your first child is a stressful enough time without having to worry about if you have all the items you need for when you bring that little one home. Use the following check list to put your mind at ease:

1. Crib & accessories

Cribs are an obvious item, but sometimes forgotten are the accessories that go inside it. You can easily pick up all bedding when you purchase your crib. Used items can be purchased on eBay: http://www.momsmarketonline.com/baby-ebay.html or new at Buddy Blankets or Zuzu's Place.

2. Clothes

Plan to have several sleepers, onsies, and regular outfits. Don't forget socks! New baby clothes can be purchased at Unique Baby Boutique, and used clothes at eBay or Carrie's Kiddie Closet.

3. Diapers

Be sure to weigh your options between cloth diapers and disposables. Cloth diapers can be purchased at Mrs. MacADoos and several other online baby stores.

4. Baby wipes

Again weigh the options between disposable and reusable. Reusable wipes can be purchased at Natural Home.

5. Baby powder

Non-talc is the best for your baby's sensitive skin. Look for non-talc baby powder at any natural baby store.

6. Diaper bag

Generally given to you at the hospital, but you may wish to have a larger one and more personalised.

7. Bottles

Even if breastfeeding, you will still want to pick up bottles and a breast pump. Breast pumps can be found at Unique Baby Boutique or at local department stores.

8. Baby Bath Tubs

Can be purchased used at eBay, or new at local department stores.

9.Bath products

Check labels and be sure to buy the most gentle soap possible to avoid skin problems. Natural soaps can be purchased at Natural Home, Baby Blossoms, A Family Affair, and other baby stores.

10. Car seat

Used car seats can be found on eBay, or new at your local department store. Make sure you buy an infant car seat first, not one designed for a toddler.

These are just basic items which are a necessity. You may also want to think about purchasing the following:

~ Stroller ~ Swing ~ Walker ~ Play Pen ~ Pacifiers ~ Toys ~ Sun screen in summer months

Premature Birth - Relieving a Mother's Guilt

by Linda Dague

Parents begin the journey of pregnancy with excitement, anxiety, and denial that anything bad could happen to their baby. For parents the experience of having a preterm infant the emotional roller coaster that ensues can be long and toiling. Many mothers first reaction is "what did I do to cause this"?

There are many causes of preterm delivery. Sometimes preterm birth can be caused by the mother's lifestyle choices during the pregnancy such as drugs, alcohol, poor diet, poor prenatal care, smoking, and physical stress. However, most incidences of preterm birth are not caused by the mother's lack of care to herself or her unborn child. This can include a hormone imbalance, an infection, chronic illness, an abnormality of the uterus, or any number of problems. The research though, does indicate a higher percentage of premature births to women over 35, under 19, and carrying multiple fetuses. Statistics show certain regions of the United States have a higher percentage of premature births then other states, for which the cause in unknown. The medical community has struggled to determine exactly what causes preterm birth. With the help and donations to organizations such as the March of Dimes (http://www.marchofdimes.com), the search continues.

Premature infants have different and more critical needs than a full term infant. They lack the body fat to maintain their body temperature. As temperature control is vital to their survival, they will be placed in an incubator to keep them warm. This decreases the chance of infection and limits water loss. Premature infants also have high-energy requirements because of their greater growth rate. Heat loss from the skin raises this energy need. They may have a yellow skin tone and eyes (jaundice) and fewer red blood cells to carry precious oxygen to the tissues (anemia).

They may have feeding problems and irregular breathing (apnea). As their skin is rice paper thin, you can see the blood veins. This is why their sensitivity is manifested and careful control of what lays against their skin must be very soft and comforting. The infant may have to spend weeks or sometimes months in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

With the proper medical support and growth, the infant will normally be able to function on its own. Before being discharged from the NICU the infant must be able to maintain their body temperature in an open crib, take all feedings from a bottle or breast without supplemental tubing, and be steadily gaining weight. Some infants though, will be discharged from the hospital requiring the continued use of a heart monitor and/or oxygen.

According to the March of Dimes Peristats (http://www.marchofdimes.com/peristats/pdflib/195/99.pdf) over 9,596 babies are born preterm every week.

Manufacturers have overlooked the specialized needs of the premature infant. Each time the infant moves or pulls at their tubing and wires the heart monitor may sound an alarm. This requires immediately ensuring the infant is not in trouble or disturbing the infant by undressing the infant to reposition the belt. The number one complaint of parents is the clothing on the market labeled as preemie still must be rolled and tucked and the necessary wires are draped all over the infant. The manufactured clothing on the market today does not address these needs. In desperation to find small clothing, some parents will resort to Cabbage Patch clothing or doll clothing. These types of clothing should never be put on a preemie. Look inside these clothes - they are made with stiff nylon thread, prickly lace around the cuffs or neckline, the seams are very abrasive, and are made with very course material. The reason infants cry when you put this type of clothing on them is because it is like barbed wire against their delicate skin.

So how do you ensure your infant maintains vital body heat, protect delicate skin, and contain all the lead wires? ANNA'S, LLC (http://www.annaspreemie.com) has manufactured a clothing line that incorporates all of these vital requirements. Their patented sleepers come in six styles to fit your baby's needs. The patented design has a flap in the front of the garment that allows access to the heart monitor so the baby does not have to be undressed (helps to maintain body temperature) and the baby is disturbed less. The flap Velcro's closed so there are no hard snaps to add weight to the garment (protects the delicate skin). Loops on the side of the garment hold all wires together and out of the way of little hands (less pulling of wires reduces the need to reposition them and fewer false alarms). Their specialty bib Velcro's to the garment so there are no dangerous strings to tie around the baby's neck. In addition, each garment is made from 100% Peruvian combed cotton to achieve the highest level of softness possible. They understand that parents have a very difficult time finding or cannot find accessories for the tiniest of babies. Their website is a one-stop shop that carries clothing, diapers for infants up to 6 pounds, the Wee Soothie pacifier that is used in hospitals, and much more.

Preparing A Layette For Your New Baby

by Roy Thomsitt

First of all, in case you do not know, what is a layette? Well, the definition of layette is quite simple: a kit consisting of a complete outfit (clothing and accessories) for a new baby.

Whether your new baby is going to be your first or fifth, taking that baby back home from hospital requires a lot of preparation. It is far better to have the essentials ready to make for a smooth return home with your new arrival. The last thing you will want to do in those first few days after the baby arrives is to run around buying any little necessities that you forgot. You will undoubtedly feel much more at easy, and able to concentrate on the baby, if you have everything prepared well in advance.

If you can get everything you need for the layette, whether bought new or second hand, or even borrowed, then you can feel relaxed about being able to deal with the initial practicalities of taking the baby home.

While it is nice to have everything brand new for your baby, it is worth thinking long and hard about whether that is at all necessary, or even desirable. One thing is certain, babies get to be very expensive, and they grow into even more expensive children and teenagers later on. Unless you are financially super secure long into the future, you may appreciate in the long run saving as much as you can in the early days.

Baby clothes especially are very expensive new, when you consider their tiny size. Whatever item you buy, your baby will soon out grow it, so new does not necessarily mean good value. Quite the opposite, in fact.

Remember, you are buying things for your baby, and your baby cares not one iota if the clothes you adorn them with are new, second hand or fourth hand. The baby will grow quickly, and the clothes may get soiled quickly if you are unlicky. All the baby needs is your love and care, plus comfort for sleeping and resting. It is all about security and love in the early stages. Your baby is not a fashion model.

Of course, you want the baby to look nice in what they wear, and they will pretty soon become conscious of their clothes. But if you are buying on a budget, there are plenty of low cost sources for all baby's needs. And they can look just as cute in second hand clothes as something brand new.

In practice, most people will go for a mix of new, quality seconds, and second hand clothes for their baby. You will, for sure, know the prices of the new clothes in the local stores. If you buy some second hand, the savings will soon mount up. To give yourself an incentive, why not set aside those savings into a bank account for the baby? You'll appreciate that later on, and so will the baby when they see the little nest egg growing as they get older.

Here are a few tips about buying for your baby layette:

Shopping For Your Layette In Quality Seconds Stores

As with adult clothing, baby clothes manufacturers sometimes have manufacturing errors. Usually, the missed stitch or not-quite-perfect seam is not anything that will affect wear, especially in the short time the clothing item will fit your baby. You could save as much as 70% off department store prices if you buy baby layette items at your local discount and seconds stores. Your new baby won't know, nor will she care.

Buy Layette Items In Charity Or Other Second Hand Stores

Newborn baby layette items are nearly always hardly used. Most babies just do not wear them long enough to do much damage. A visit to local charity stores, such as a Salvation Army thrift store, may enable you to buy a whole load of layette items that still look good, all for a few dollars.

Buy New Born Baby Clothes A Size Up

Many newborn babies hardly spend a month in the 0-3 month sizes. What you can do is save the smallest size for special occasions, as a good fit obviously looks smarter. Such occasions could be coming home from the hospital, the first visit to or from grandparents etc. Otherwise jump right to the 3-6 month size for any fitted clothing. For the same reason, stick to comfortable, stretchy cotton and terry knit materials for one piece sleepers. They should fit your baby fit much longer.

Easy Access Night Gowns

Drawstring bottom night gowns are just about the most convenient single item for your new baby at home. When baby needs her diaper changing, you can just pull up, change her, and then pull back down again. Do not be distracted by the reference to "night"; when your baby comes home, whether it's dark or light outside, it will always be night as far as she's concerned. She will be sleeping, lying their waking up, or falling asleep, just about 24 hours a day. The distractions will be for feeding and changing. In the middle of the real night, you will appreciate being able to change her with ease, rather than fiddling, in your half asleep state, with lots of poppers, zips and layers of clothing.

Multi Purpose Cotton Diapers

If you decide to use disposable diapers, do not rule out the purchase of some 100% cotton diapers as well, even if it's only one pack. They really are great to have around when you have a new baby, and even when baby becomes a young child. They are very useful as burp rags, laid over your shoulder or lap, as you burp the baby. But you will also find yourself using them for other things, such as wiping away dribbles, or worse. Rarely, a baby will even adopt one for comfort to suck at night. However, I am sure my 24 year old son would not want me to go further into that matter!

Wash Fabric Layette Items Before Baby Is Born

It is worthwhile using a very mild laundry soap, such as Dreft or Ivory Snow, to wash away any remnants of dyes, chemicals or starches. Babies have notoriously delicate skin, and allergic reaction can be a real problem. Bleaching used items is fine, but you must give a thorough rinsing before baby comes into contact. That's it! I'm sure you'll think of other things too, but that's just a few ideas for your baby layette as the big day nears.

Pink, Blue Or Undecided?

by Kirsten Hawkins

The pink or blue question is a moot one these days, isn't it? After all, it's so easy to tell the gender of a baby before the happy day, so there's no need to guess. Well, that's not strictly true. Even with the advances in technology, ultrasound pictures aren't always one hundred percent certain, and many parents prefer to be surprised. If you're shopping for a new baby without knowing the gender, you still might have to decide whether to buy pink or blue.

You could always flip a coin - heads it's roses and lace, tails you pick up the little sailor suit. There are more efficient and practical ways to make sure that you pick up clothing and accessories that will be appreciated and useful.

Gender-Neutral Colors

The easiest way, of course, is to stick with gender neutral colors in your choices. As a culture, we're fond of dressing babies in pastels, but you don't have to limit yourself to pale yellow and baby green to be safe. There are lots of other gender-neutral colors to choose from.

Looking for a crib set that isn't gender-specific? White and ivory are good choices, and you can actually get away with eyelet and lace as long as it's not too delicate. A plump white comforter and matching crib bumpers work just as well for a boy as for a girl.

Primary and bright, clear secondary colors are another great way to avoid the gender tangle when selecting clothing and accessories for baby. Bright red, blue, green and yellow sleepers will look adorable no matter what gender the baby turns out to be. Pick onesies in turquoise, orange, dark green or red, either all a solid color, or with contrasting ribbing along the edges.

Go for the unusual. Imagine how high the adorable meter will raise if you outfit baby's room in tuxedoed penguins sporting bright red, blue and yellow ribbons, or pick up a t-shirt emblazoned with red, yellow and blue balloons. You can even pat yourself on the back for choosing bright colors for the baby's room and accessories. As much as we love pastel baby togs, babies respond far better to bright, clear colors.

Gender Neutral Patterns

If you're not sure on the boy/girl issue, keep in mind that you can err more easily on the boy side than the girl. A baby girl in a t-shirt printed with sports motifs is cute. You just wouldn't put a little boy in a sleeper printed with tiny sprigs of daisies. Teddy bears and duckies are one gender-neutral choice, but you can find adorable, unique prints that will stand out. Some of the more clever that we've seen around lately - Noah's Ark, lions and tigers, traffic signs, seasonal themes (candy canes, pumpkins, candy corn?).

Other gender neutral patterns that work for boys or girls clothing include candy color stripes, odd-size polka dots and abstract patterns. Pick a motif, pick a color and have a blast dressing your baby in clothes and accessories that don't scream boy or girl.

Prepare for New Baby with These Tried and True Items

by Judi Cox

Search the net and you're sure to find list upon list of what you need for a new baby. Most of those lists go way overboard. Babies don't usually need much at all. Here's a list of what I found, through my own experiences, to be the most useful.

Clothing

Plenty of t-shirts and sleepers - If you only want to do laundry every few days figure around 4 t-shirts, and 2 sleepers per day. This may be a bit more than necessary on most days, but there will always be the occasional day, or days, when baby is spitting up more than normal, or has messy blow-outs. You'll appreciate the extra tees.

Diapers and Wipes

Disposables or Cloth - In today's internet world, you will find diapers and wipes in variety of styles, patterns and personalities. The options are even wider for cloth than they are for disposables, can you imagine? There are some really ingenious designs that make diapering a baby's tush almost seem exciting! And the following within the cloth diaper community feels the same way. However, beware, you may end up needing to one day admit "My name is ___. And I'm a cloth diaper addict."

Can't talk yourself into cloth? No worries, the disposable diapers have come along way and while they aren't soft natural cotton and wool, they do keep your baby dry and don't leak.

How much of each? Only keep a couple jumbo packs of disposables on hand at a time. Babies grow so fast you aren't always able to gauge how soon they'll be into the next size. Planning on using cloth? A dozen or two dozen would probably be a good start. What I've seen is that cloth diapers are an addictive thing and you may end up with wonderful cloth diapers coming out your ears! Wipes? I always buy by the package and sometimes by the box. Making your own? A yard of flannel or fleece would probably yield a good start.

Blankets

Receiving blankets; those itty bitty blankets you wrap a newborn in, but after the first month aren't good for much baby wrapping. But if you, like most women, end up with a few dozen of them, they make great lap pads, burp pads, and for mom, use them to wrap your hair when you get out of the shower - they are light-weight so they don't fall over when you are tending to baby, or use them as a nursing pad when you are bra-less. They work just fine. They may also be used when baby is going bare - to catch any accidents.

On the other hand, a couple of really nice, kid-sized blankets are must have!

Sling or Carrier

The online mothering community has been inundated with every type of baby sling and carrier you could imagine, and then some; padded to unpadded slings, pouches, wraps and carriers. These, like cloth diapers, may lead to addiction, tread with caution! But a good carrier is a must have. You even see mothers in the public eye touting their babes in slings nowadays. It's no longer alternative, having paved a path into mainstream.

Structured carriers are great too. Do some research and where possible, give one a test run. Some communities offer baby wearing classes and have slings you can test. Some online shops will even send you a used sling to try, reserving cost on your credit card - then applied back when you return the carrier.

Sleeping Area

Co-sleeping has become more commonplace practice, but it isn't always for everyone. Not to mention, some moms, even the attachment parenting mom would like a place to lay baby. Some ideas include a bassinet or cradle, a travel crib, a Moses basket, or many others. This is something you may need to experiment with to find the best fit for you and the baby. Different stages of babyhood may require some changes.

Pad an out of the walk-way area of the floor with a couple receiving blankets and make a little nest for baby to lay. No extra expense.

Required: Car Seat

Unless you live in a walking/biking community, chances are you'll need a car seat. For safety's sake, do your research on this one. An infant seat is nice when you can take it in and out of the car easily while baby sleeps, but any secure, up-to-date infant approved car seat is great, necessary! Also, take note that not all car seats fit all cars.

Optional: Stroller

Most mothers who "wear" their babies say you don't need a stroller. Strollers don't have to receive use directly from the baby to be useful. It comes in handy to carry coats and jackets, drinks, purse or diaper bag, extra diapers, change of clothes, not to mention any purchased items on your outing. As an added benefit, it leaves mom pretty hands free - you get really good at pushing a stroller with one hand! If you opt for a stroller, choose one that has drink carriers.

Bouncy Seat

A bouncy seat comes in handy so often, that while I'd classify it as "optional", for myself, it was necessary. I loved our bouncy seat as much as baby enjoyed it. I carried it everywhere with me, to the bathroom for instance. It was a great baby holder while I took care of bathroom duties, did the dishes and cooked dinner. Baby and I would sing, talk and play while I got chores done.

Diaper Bag

Any bag with a couple pockets works well. The younger the baby, the bigger the bag needed. As baby grows and has less accidents (i.e. spit up, bottom blow-outs), you'll get more efficient at packing just what you may need. Don't go overboard on a diaper bag with all the frills. A nice canvas bag, decorated by you and siblings, will work as a great bag for outings. Toss in a couple gallon-sized baggies for messes, a couple of receiving blankets for padding and you're good to go!

They Grow So Fast

by K Quinn

Before you go and spend a small fortune on clothing your little one will soon outgrow research some other resources for low cost baby clothing and what you can do with it when they outgrow it. Many people are starting to buy their baby clothing in bulk on eBay.com. Search for your child's size and gender and see what you find. Another good place to find low cost clothing are garage sales and second hand stores. Babies spend so little time in their clothes before they're ready for the next size that the items hardly look worn at all.

Once you're done with your baby clothes. If you have no thoughts of the pitter patter of more little feet you can donate your clothes to a worthy cause or make a few bucks off of it. Foster Care agencies are always taking baby clothes to pass on to the foster mothers who so generously spend their time and efforts for our needy children. Also homeless shelters are a good place to donate. Don't forget to keep records of this for your taxes. If you're in need of funds a good idea is to sell your pre-owned baby clothing on eBay. Who knows, you might sell it to me...

Time Saving Laundry Tips

by Carrie Lauth

Mom, are you spending way too much time sorting, washing, and folding laundry?

Here are some quick easy tips to help get you out of the laundry room!

1) Sort Less

With the exception of whites that need to be bleached, brand new dark or red items that bleed or delicates, you may not need to sort laundry as much as you think.

Most high quality clothing doesn't bleed. And there is no crime in washing towels with other laundry unless it will get linty (like microfiber cleaning cloths).

You might want to sort laundry by what room it will end up in. I throw my boy's laundry all in together and despite what home economics gurus might tell you, I haven't noticed any bad effects! This method simplifies things because each load goes to the same place. Instead of walking around the house delivering laundry to each room, you save energy and time.

2) Instead of folding...

Hang kid's shirts in their closet and simply lay small items flat in their drawers.

I use those cheap shoebox size plastic organizers in the boy's closet and throw unsorted clean socks in one, undies in another, pjs in another. Each child has his own containers so there's no confusion.

It's much simpler than spending time folding underwear and matching socks. They can find their own sock mates!

3) Use Your Tools

Put one laundry basket in each room where dirty laundry is discarded (usually one per bathroom or bedroom). Buy some of those zippered mesh bags at the dollar store and throw one in each.

4) Teach your kids and husband

Ask your husband and kids to put laundry in the hamper instead of dropping it on the floor, and to bring their hamper to the laundry area when you're ready to wash. Don't scold or nag, use natural consequences. When someone needs that favorite pair of Buzz Lightyear pjs or boxers, they will quickly learn that if it doesn't make it to the hamper, it doesn't get washed!

Train them too to put their dirty socks in the mesh bag. Even if they're too young to do so, put all dirty socks in the bag and throw the entire thing in the washer. They come out clean and the washer doesn't eat the baby's socks.

Enlist your kid's help when it comes to folding laundry.

A 2 year old can put dirty laundry in the hamper and throw clean clothes in the dryer when you hand it to them, a 3 year old can fold washcloths, and an older child can deliver clean folded laundry to their room and even hang items.

5) Forget Perfection

When I was a kid we had "play clothes" and "school clothes". The nicer things were what you wore to school and out of the house, and you changed into your play clothes (usually items that had a defect or weren't as nice as going-out clothes) as soon as you got home.

Using this method means that the nicer items don't wear out as quickly, and they may not need to be washed after every wearing. An item that is worn once (unless it's socks or undies) doesn't necessarily need to be washed.

And you may decide that it's not worth spending time removing stains on play clothes, thus saving you more time and money.

Also, try using Oxi-Clean or another non-toxic whitener instead of bleach on your whites. Since it can also be used on colors, it won't be the end of the world if a stray colored item gets in your bleach load.

I hope these tips help rescue you from laundry room shackles!

Advice on Building a Bunk Bed

by Dave Lavinsky

Bunk bed plans are design plans to build the perfect bunk bed. Bunk bed plans include do-it-yourself instructions to build a bunk bed out of wood. Some plans include just the bunks, while others also include plans to build drawers and other features.

Most bunk bed plans begin with the building of two twin size beds. Then the plan explains how to build the infrastructure and attach the beds. Some plans include instructions to use box springs to support the mattress rather than merely plywood. Such a design will make the bunk bed more comfortable for kids.

When building a bunk bed, special attention must be paid to safety because the bed will not be subject to quality control testing like beds created in factories. Safety tips to keep in mind when building and/or maintaining beds created with you bunk bed plan begin with making sure the top bunk has guard rails on all four sides. It is critical to ensure that the mattress fits snugly on all sides of the bed, and that the bed frame is sturdy. Finally, the ladder must be firmly connected to the bed.

Bunk bed plans have several advantages. To begin, there is obvious satisfaction from your child, or someone else, sleeping in a bed that you constructed. Likewise, upon completed the bed, you will feel a great sense of accomplishment. Building your bunk bed also provides the ability for customization. You can select the type of wood, the finish, etc., as well as add ornaments such as hardware (e.g., handles) that meet your tastes and style. Finally, by taking extra precautions and care, it is possible for the bunk bed you build to be even safer than those created in factories.

5 Tips To Help New Parents Get Some Sleep

by Craig Rowe

The joy of a new baby is certainly special and something that all new parents experience. However, a lack of sleep is also part of having a new baby and new parents notoriously get very little sleep, if any at all. Fortunately, there are some strategies and tips to help new parents get some sleep when the new baby comes. Of course, with a baby you will never get an over abundance of sleep, but these tips will help you at least get enough sleep to keep your sanity.

Tip 1 Take Turns When the baby starts crying both parents generally wake up, even if only one attends to the baby. However, in the first couple of months both parents might get up each time the baby cries. This will lead to a lack of sleep for both parents. The best plan is for mom and dad to make a plan of who will get up when to comfort the crying baby. Generally, taking turns is really the best option and will help everyone get just a little more sleep.

Tip 2 Nap With Baby If you are caring for the baby and are tired and the baby goes to sleep then you should take a nap as well. This will allow you to get some much needed sleep. So, whether the baby naps in the morning, afternoon, or early evening you should also get a little rest because you never know when the baby might wake up.

Tip 3 Accept Help Frequently when you have a new baby there are plenty of people willing to help from parents, siblings, friends, and other family members. So, when you really need to get some sleep just accept some of the help that is being offered. Having your mom care for the baby just a couple of hours will allow you to get some much needed sleep.

Tip 4 Keep Baby in Nursery The baby should sleep in the nursery and not with the parents. Many times it is tempting to allow the baby to sleep with the parents, but this is not healthy for the child or the parents. So, put the baby to sleep in his crib in the nursery. Then, when the baby cries one parent can easily go attend to the baby without disturbing the other parent. This allows a little more sleep for new parents.

Tip 5 Feed Baby Before You Sleep If your baby has been asleep for several hours and it is around 11 pm and you are getting ready for bed simply wake baby for a feeding. Most babies wake during the night because they are hungry, so if you feed baby late before you go to bed it is likely they will sleep until early morning or 6-7 hours. This will allow you to get some continuous sleep, even if it is not as much as you want.