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How to Choose Your Infant’s Formula

Thursday, December 8th, 2011

Whether you have decided to formula feed exclusively or just part time, it is essential that you choose the right formula for your baby. Take a look at these tips that can help you narrow down your options.

If this is your first baby and you don’t know how to choose your infant’s formula, don’t worry. You’re not alone. Countless brands and types are now offered for formula-fed babies, and each formula makes claims that theirs is the best. To make matters even more confusing, not all babies are able to take just any formula. If you need help deciding which nutrition is best for your infant, here are some tips.

Don’t Forget That Breast is Best

There are many reasons that parents choose to formula feed their infant, and it is definitely a personal choice. And there is no doubt that you have heard of the countless benefits of breast milk for babies. Babies that are breast fed are less likely to get sick than formula-fed infants. Breastfeeding also promotes bonding between mother and baby. Additionally, digesting breast milk is easier for baby. All of these things are true, but you have to choose what is best for you. It’s never too late to change your mind and choose the healthiest option for your baby.

Gassy, Fussy, Colicky Babies

Gassy, fussy, or colicky babies often struggle to digest the compounds found within regular formula. To choose your infant’s formula, look for soy-based formulas or opt for specialized formulas that are designed for infants with sensitive digestive systems. These are generally more expensive than regular milk-based formulas, but you should notice that your infant is better able to digest their food and is notably less fussy.

Vegan Formula Options

More and more families are deciding to adopt a vegan lifestyle because of the noted health benefits and the potential dangers that accompany the hormone injection and diet of dairy cows. Breastfeeding is naturally vegan, but there is another vegan option for families that want to formula feed. To choose your infant’s formula as a vegan option, look for soy-based formula.

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Announcing Your Baby’s Arrival with On-line Birth Announcements

Friday, November 18th, 2011

Technology has made a lot of things in life easier and faster, including birth announcements! Discover the benefits of on-line birth announcements and learn how to determine if they are right for you.

Announcing your baby’s arrival with on-line birth announcements can provide you and your family with many benefits, but the method isn’t right for everyone. Most parents, however, will find that the benefits of on-line birth announcements greatly outweigh the disadvantages. And thankfully, conventional birth announcements are still an option should you decide that on-line announcements aren’t right for you.

Advantages to Announcing Your Baby’s Arrival with On-line Birth Announcements

Benefits of on-line birth announcements are plentiful. Some sites offer on-line announcement templates for free, so there is no cost to you. Your announcements are customizable, and depending on the site you choose, you can have many professional-looking extras to incorporate into your on-line birth announcement.

Family and friends are often impatient to see that first picture, which makes on-line birth announcements a perfect option. Because you are e-mailing them directly to friends and family from your computer, your family can receive a photo and announcement of your baby within just moments of his or her first picture. And because you are using an announcement, your family receives a print-worthy announcement that they can show off to their friends and co-workers.

Disadvantages to Announcing Your Baby’s Arrival with On-line Birth Announcements

Even with all of the advantages to using on-line birth announcements, there are some disadvantages that you should be aware of. Some family members may not have the ability to print the announcement. This leaves them with only an on-line photo of your baby. For some family members, especially grandparents that love to dote, this can be a real problem.

Another disadvantage is the possibility of the announcement finding a spam or bulk folder and never reaching your family members. There are specialists that can help you get all of your birth announcements out safely, but there is a cost for announcing your baby’s arrival with on-line birth announcement specialists, so think carefully before choosing this option.

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Angelic Baby Name Ideas for Your New Baby

Monday, November 14th, 2011

A new little angel is deserving of an angelic baby name! Here are some beautiful name ideas inspired by the angels themselves to help you find a name for your new baby boy or girl.

Angelic baby name ideas are plentiful, and choosing an angelic name is a great way to emphasize the essence of new life and happiness your bundle of joy will bring. Angels have long been prominent symbolic figures in many world religions, and their significance in art and culture around the globe has been and continues to be a fascinating phenomena.

Whether you choose an angel-inspired name because of your interest in the history of angels or you simply love the sound and meaning of an angelic name, any of the following angelic baby names are beautiful options:

Seraphim—This name is equally great for a boy or a girl and its meaning is just as majestic and mysterious as the name itself. The seraphim are considered the highest ranking of all of God’s angels. For example, they are above cherubim and archangels, which makes them pretty special in the heavenly realm.

Uriel—Do you love music? Do you want an angelic baby name that will have some musical influence as well as a heavenly symbolism? Uriel is the biblical name of the angel who is to blow the trumpet on Judgment Day and is a beautiful name for a new baby boy.

Solange—Solange is a very pretty baby girl name that means “angel of the sun.” It is French in origin and also means “dignified.” If you want an elegant, striking name for your baby girl, this is a good option.

Gabriel—This is a very popular boy’s name and has been for many years. It is especially significant in the realm of angelic baby name ideas. Gabriel is a biblical name that is packed with a lot of honorable significance. It means “God’s able-bodied one” or “hero of God.” It is Hebrew in origin and offers many female variants, including Gabriele, Gabbi, and Gabriella. This is one of the strongest, most versatile angelic baby name ideas you can choose.

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Caring for and Choosing Your Baby’s Pacifier

Thursday, November 10th, 2011

While not all infants take well to pacifiers, others cannot live a day without them. But before you purchase a pacifier, there are some basics you should know about caring for and choosing your baby’s pacifier. Find out more here.

Caring for and choosing your baby’s pacifier may seem like a simple and straightforward task, and it is—if you know a few basic rules. Lack of knowledge, however, can result in a number of complications, from bacterial infections to choking hazards and even pacifier rejection. To prevent these common pacifier issues, among many others, follow these simple tips and guidelines that can help you in caring for and choosing your baby’s pacifier.

Caring for and Choosing Your Baby’s Pacifier: Selecting the Right Pacifier

First and foremost, you need to know how to choose the right pacifier for your baby. Every baby is different and preferences will vary. Breastfeeding babies may prefer different types of pacifiers than bottle fed babies, but a breastfeeding pacifier may not always be preferred by a breastfed baby, or vice versa. For this reason, you should purchase a wide range of pacifiers before your baby is born. Buy one of each type: orthodontic, standard round, latex, and silicone.

All pacifiers you choose should be for babies 0-6 months. Pacifiers should also have ventilation holes to allow saliva to disperse away from baby’s face. Mouth shields should also be at least 1 ¼ inches to prevent your baby from being able to put the entire pacifier in his or her mouth. Failure to follow this guideline can result in choking.

Caring for and Choosing Your Baby’s Pacifier: Cleaning

Before your baby uses their pacifier for the first time, it should be washed in very hot, soapy water. After that, normal washing should suffice. You may also want to soak the pacifier in equal parts vinegar and water daily to prevent fungus buildup. If your baby drops his or her pacifier on the floor, you can simply rinse it in hot water.

Caring for and Choosing Your Pacifier: Replacement

Your baby’s pacifier should be replaced as soon as it starts to show any signs of wear and tear. This can include spots on the nipple that look weak, separation of the nipple from the mouth shield, and holes or bite marks in the nipple. Replacement is an important part of caring for and choosing your baby’s pacifier for both safety and sanitary reasons.

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Money-Saving Tips for New Parents

Thursday, September 29th, 2011

Are you overwhelmed by the costs of a new baby? Try some of these basic money-saving tips for new parents.

Unless you have some money-saving tips for new parents, keeping costs of a new baby manageable can be close to impossible. Expenses can add up quickly and new parents are often led to believe that they need everything they see. However, this is not the case. Learn how to prioritize your new baby spending with these money-saving tips for new parents.

Check Out Cloth Diapers

Diapers are the single most expensive item that you will buy—especially if you go for disposables. Cloth diapers have changed drastically over the last several years. You can now find cloth diapers that slip on and off just like disposables. The only difference between the new cloth diapers and the disposables is that you have to wash them. Dumping what’s in the diaper is pretty simple and many parents that use cloth opt for a small trash can with a lid filled with water and baking soda to prevent drying and to keep the smell down. When it’s time to wash, you just dump the container into the washer.

Limit What You Buy

New parents are often led to believe that they need an excess of everything. You’re told you need pacifiers, slews of receiving blankets, and dozens upon dozens of outfits. If you use these money-saving tips for new parents, however, you’ll see that you can limit what you buy. Not all babies like pacifiers. Some babies love being swaddled, and others don’t. And all those outfits? Your baby is going to grow out of them within weeks. You can always buy more of something if you need it later, but you can’t or won’t be able to return extra items.

Buy a High-Quality Convertible Crib

A high-quality convertible crib is one of the best places to spend money. You can use the crib all the way from infancy to (in some cases) the teen years and beyond. Again, just be sure to buy a model with quality so that the crib is able to withstand the test of time. Also, to ensure safety, be sure to purchase the crib brand new so that you avoid any chances that it was recalled over the last several years. While it may cost you more in the beginning, this money-saving tip for new parents will save you money over the next several years.

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Buying Eco-Friendly Baby Items

Tuesday, August 9th, 2011

With recent environmental trends and in light of our planet’s state, it has become evident that some things must change when we think about items to purchase for our babies. Learn how you can be more eco-friendly with the items that you purchase for your baby.

Buying eco-friendly baby items may have more benefits that many parents realize. Not only is it environmentally friendly, it is also easier on your wallet, especially over time. So, if you want to learn how to raise a “green” baby, these tips can help.

Buying Used Items

The first step to buying eco-friendly baby items is to not buy things new that you can otherwise find secondhand. You can often find items on-line, like larger items such as cribs, rocking chairs, and changing tables. These items are no longer being used by others and could be used by you. And, if you take good care of them, you can repurpose them or give them to someone else.

Buying Gender Neutral

Another tip for buying eco-friendly baby items is to avoid the idea that you have to stick to gender-specific colors or items. While you may want to dress your daughter in pink or your son in blue once in a while, keep in mind that there will be many days at home and many outfits that others will never see. These outfits can easily be repurposed for a second child down the road or passed on to someone else.

Other items like car seats, strollers, and baby swings can also be found in gender neutral style. With the initial expense of these items, you will find that buying eco-friendly baby items is very cost-effective, especially if you intend to have more children.

Buying Items That Can be Reused

This is one of the best ways to buy eco-friendly baby items. Things like wipes, diapers, and burp rags can be bought in cotton and then reused, instead of just thrown away. Many of these items will cost you more in the beginning but will save you a bundle in the long run. Buying eco-friendly baby items like these, even if they are unusable after your first child, are also biodegradable, which means they won’t sit in a landfill for the next few decades.

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Items You Should Purchase When You Plan to Breastfeed Your Baby

Thursday, July 14th, 2011

Breastfeeding your baby is a wonderful bonding experience. It also comes with a lot of health benefits for both you and your baby. Find out now what you will need to have on hand before your baby arrives.

While the list of items you should purchase when you plan to breastfeed your baby is not as extensive as the items needed for bottle-fed babies, there are some items that you should consider. These items can make the nursing experience more enjoyable for you, which in turn will make the experience more enjoyable for your baby as well.

A Nursing Bra with Good Support

A nursing bra with good support is one of the most important items you should purchase when you plan to breastfeed your baby. A nursing bra will make nursing much easier, especially in public. Support is also important because your breasts will get larger and become heavier when your milk comes in.

Breast Pads

For first-time nursing mothers especially, leaks will happen. It is just a part of breastfeeding. And while this may go away or diminish after time, having breast pads on your list of items you should purchase when you plan to breastfeed your baby can save you from embarrassing leaks in public. If you want something for pain management, you can also find special breast pads that will help reduce the pain of sore nipples and engorged breasts.

Nipple Cream

Nipple cream is one of the life-saving items you should purchase when you plan to breastfeed your baby. Most mothers will experience sore, dry, or cracked nipples in the first few weeks of breastfeeding. This can be somewhat minimized by ensuring that the baby is latched on correctly. However, sore nipples are another one of the frustrations that can accompany breastfeeding in the beginning.

Remember, choosing the right items to purchase when you plan to breastfeed your baby can help you minimize pain that often accompanies early nursing so that you can stick with it and start enjoying the joy of nursing your baby.

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Items You Should Purchase When You Plan to Bottle feed Your Baby

Monday, July 11th, 2011

Bottle feeding has changed dramatically over the years and some items promoted require more costs that you have to shell out. Learn what you really need to bottle feed your baby to help you cut down on the expense.

There are so many items promoted that advertisers will tell you are items you should purchase when you plan to bottle feed your baby. However, many of these items are simply out there to make money and can end up being items that just collect dust. Also, considering the price tag on some of them, you could save a great deal of money if you know which items are essential.

Formula

Formula is an essential item you should purchase when you plan to bottle feed your baby. However, since your infant is not here yet, you can’t be sure of which one will suit them best. Try to avoid buying in bulk. Purchase one can of two or three different types of formula, just in case your infant has allergies to certain types or brands. You might consider purchasing the same regular formula in two different brands and then one soy formula. If these are not working for your baby when it arrives, you can talk to your pediatrician about other options.

BPA Free Bottles

BPA is contained in many plastic items, including some infant bottles. It has been linked to several health problems. While it may be possible that bottles that contain BPA will eventually be taken off the market, you have to read the label for now. BPA free bottles are very important items you should plan to purchase when you plan to bottle feed your baby.

A High Quality Bottle Brush

A high quality bottle brush may be more expensive than some of the others that you see on the shelf, but they are money-saving items you should purchase when you plan to bottle feed your baby. Cheaper bottle brushes wear down within weeks, sometimes days, and you will have to purchase another one. Don’t let this be one of the items that you compromise for price when considering which items you should purchase when you plan to bottle feed your baby.

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Items You Need for Your Baby’s Trip Home

Monday, July 4th, 2011

Packing your diaper bag for that first trip home can seem overwhelming. Learn what you need for your baby’s first trip home from the hospital.

It can be difficult to choose which items you need for your baby’s first trip home, especially if you are a first time mother. Luckily, there are many mothers that have come before you who can offer you advice. Additionally, this checklist can help you make sure that you are as prepared as possible for your little one’s arrival.

When to Pack the Bag

You should pack your diaper bag at least two weeks before your baby’s due date. However, if your doctor has indicated that you may be delivering early, you may want to choose your items much sooner. It is best if you pack everything in a diaper bag. The hospital will most likely provide you with a diaper bag, but you will have new items to bring home from the hospital. Use the hospital diaper bag to store these extra items, and use your bag to store items you need for your baby’s trip home.

Items for You

It is easy to get excited about packing for your new baby, but don’t forget that there are items you need at the hospital as well. Socks, a comfortable change of clothes, undergarments, a nursing bra, a toothbrush, soap, shampoo, conditioner, and a camera are just a few of the items that you will want to bring for yourself.

Items for Baby

Most of the items you need for baby’s trip home will be worn on the day you bring them home. This includes an outfit to wear home, some socks, a hat, and a receiving blanket. If the weather will be cold, you will need a heavy blanket as well. However, there are also a few items you will need for your time in the hospital. These include extra hats, baby mittens, and an outfit to wear for pictures.

In addition to all of the items you need for baby’s trip home, you may want to pack your baby’s baby book and things to keep you occupied during your hospital stay.

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Choosing Your Baby’s First Car Seat

Monday, June 6th, 2011

Car seats are essential for a baby’s safety, and understanding which kind to choose can be pretty overwhelming. Learn how to choose your baby’s first car seat properly.

Choosing your baby’s first car seat may sound like an easy task. However, the moment you walk into a store or browse on-line, you will find that the process is not as simple as it sounds. There are many different styles, colors, brands, and extra options when it comes to infant car seats. This can make choosing one seem completely overwhelming. These tips will help you understand the different types of car seats so that you can determine which one works best for you.

Booster Seats

Booster seats are intended for large children that have outgrown their car seats. When choosing your baby’s first car seat, avoid this kind, as it is not suitable for infants or toddlers.

Convertible Car Seats

Convertible car seats can be used for toddlers, infants, and babies. They are designed to grow with your baby from the moment they leave the hospital until they have reached the maximum weight. The maximum weight can vary depending on the specific car seat, so be sure to check the maximum weight if you choose this for your baby’s first car seat.

During infancy, a convertible car seat can be rear facing. However, you are likely to find that a small infant will experience difficulty holding their head up because of the angle of the seat. It is important to know that these seats cannot be used for premature infants for any reason.

One large inconvenience of convertible car seats is that they cannot be removed easily. This means that you will have to remove your child from the seat at every location if you choose this for your baby’s first car seat. This can be extremely frustrating when your infant is sleeping.

Infant Carriers

Infant carriers are often the choice for new parents. These are easy to set at the right angle and can easily be removed with the use of a base. This allows your infant to sleep while you are out and about. However, by making this your baby’s first car seat, you will find that you cannot use it as long.