Posts Tagged: baby


7
Jun 11

Unique Baby Names

Expectant parents often say they are looking for a unique baby name. But what do they mean? Do they really want a name that is totally unique? In the strictest sense, if you want such a name, then of course you want it to be the only one of its kind. But how realistic is that?

Realistic or not, a sizeable number of prospective parents still try to come up with “one-of-a-kind” names. Some names, such as Mackenzie, now have literally dozens of spelling variations, including McKenzee, MacKinzee, and Machenzie. But taken to the extreme, the hunt for a unique baby name can lead to some curious, clunky variants. Do you want your child to be named “Mukkenzy,” after all other possible variations have been taken, simply so your boy or girl can have that unique name? Probably not. You probably don’t want to go with a name like Pilot Inspektor, Moxie Crimefighter, or Version 2.0 either.

A growing body of research suggests that giving your child a unique baby name may not be the best thing for the child, longterm. This argument holds that your name subtly influences how people see you, and this affects how they treat you. In turn, this influences your self-image and self-esteem, starting as a small child. In its simplest form, a child with a ‘weird’ name, such as Elmer, may be continuously teased in school, and this will hurt Elmer’s self-image and future development. By contrast, ‘Alexander,’ named after the great emperor, may be empowered by his name, because other people unconsciously respond to him with a certain level of respect.

Robert Needlman, MD, has written an interesting discussion of this topic. The research implies that boys with unusual first names tend to display more emotional disturbances than boys with more traditional names. But, as Dr. Needlman points out, it is important not to overstate the case. Are the boys in question more troubled because of their names, or because of the parental support structure which gave them strange names in the first place? Nonetheless, there are many instances where ‘desirable’ names are shown to lead to greater success. A recent report from the School of Business at Arizona State University shows that the names of top CEOs in Phoenix come from a disproportionately small group of names, implying that certain names are more likely to lead to greater success. The three most successful names in the study group were Robert, John, and Steve.

But whether or not it’s a good idea to give a child a unique name, some parents seem driven to find one. The following list may make it a little easier.

While the following names are not totally unique, they are very unusual. They are real names, and some even have very interesting histories. The boy’s name Jago, for instance, is a variant of the name James, from Cornwall, in England. And the girl’s name Lettice is another old name, Latin in origin, meaning “gladness.”

But while all these names are “real,” none of them has been in the top 1000 names in the last hundred years, according to U.S. Social Security data. Maybe they’re not one hundred percent unique. But they’re unusual, out-of-the-ordinary, and very individual. If that’s the kind of name your’e looking for, then this list is definitely for you.

Girls’ Names: Briony, Dalena, Easter, Flick, Gaia, Happy, Jaine, Lettice, Odelia, Opal, Posy, Saffron, Tarina, Unity, Wilda, Xanthe, Zinnia.

Boys’ Names: Alban, Barker, Chay, Digby, Edan, Fergal, Jago, Laban, Napier, Parsifal, Somerled, Trayton, Urban, Vanslow, Yorick, Zeno.


1
Jun 11

Organic Baby Bibs

If you haven’t heard, going green is on the top ten to do-list of everyone it would seem. It of course is increasing in popularity nearly every day. As we finally realize what the chemicals we use on a daily basis have been doing, both to our world and to ourselves. You might be asking yourself, what does this have to do with my infant’s bibs? Well, I will tell you. Your standard bibs are treated with several different chemicals, and are usually found to have extremely high levels of agrochemicals. Of which are used in the production of your standard non-organic cotton. You might not know this, as you look down upon your mass-market cotton bib; but most of the cotton that is produced for the big-boy retailers; use more chemicals per unit area than any other crop in the world. This means that it can be accounted for over sixteen percent of the world’s pesticide.

While you might not think twice about it when you are placing that chemical-infused bib around your child’s throat for lunch. You might wish to consider a different option from here on out. Not only is it better for the world, if we purchase organic made clothing and accessories. But it will help yourself, and your children to live a more chemical-free lifestyle in the hopes of good health.

You might worry that these organically made bibs can’t be nearly as cute, as the one that says ” Grandma’s little man” from the mass-market retailer. Quite the contrary. Nearly any design that you can find in your treated cotton, you will find a similar or exact match in an organic nature. The one true downside to organic clothing and bibs, is that they do have a tenancy to cost slightly more. However, can you truly put a price on your child’s health? Generally speaking, organic clothes also tend to last much longer than treated or artificial clothing; enabling you to utilize them for a much longer period (or as long as your child will still fit into them).

The one trick to going organic with your child’s bibs, is finding them. You will most likely have to steer clear of your neighborhood superstore; and opt for a smaller specialty boutique locally or online. This will help ensure that you obtain true organic material in your child’s bib. Not to mention, they are more likely to offer a larger selection for you to choose from, which in turn will make your search far easier.


31
May 11

How to Have a Boy Baby – Natural Gender Selection Methods

Determining gender of baby pre-conception has been something people have been trying since the dawn of time. In the past, the techniques to accomplish choosing a boy or girl child involved a lot of guesswork, some old wives tales, and maybe a tiny bit of science. There were foods to conceive a boy, positions to conceive a girl, exercises to do and elixirs to drink. Right or wrong, these methods were hard to prove effective… or even ineffective. Under normal circumstances you have a 50/50 chance of producing the desired sex anyway, so unless you the same methodology is closely followed and that data is gathered over a longer period of time – there’s just no way of knowing which gender selection pregnancy techniques worked best. Until now.

The tips and tricks below will teach you how to have a boy baby. They’ve been gathered and compiled together using carefully plotted research over a period of many years. With just a few modifications to your diet, exercise, and sexual routine, you can determine gender of baby each time, every time. Here are just some of the techniques you should be using in order to have that son you’ve always wanted:

* The Shettles Method – One that that’s been proven beyond a shadow of a doubt: male sperm (y-sperm) travel faster than female sperm (x-sperm). It’s also been noted that the x-chromosomed sperm die out faster than the female ones, which live longer and tend to have more endurance. Taking this into account, the shorter the distance that needs to be traveled to reach the egg – the MUCH greater your chances are of having a male child. As the distance gets further, your chances of conceiving a girl are greatly increased.

Where does this all apply in how to have a boy baby? The answer is simple: the closer you have intercourse to your exact ovulation date, the better your chances of having a male child. Try to plan as much sex as possible on or about the date of ovulation (usually 1 day before or after). The Shettles technique recommends having sex as early as 24 hours before ovulation up to and including no more than 12 hours past the predicted time you ovulated in order to greatly increase your chances of conceiving a boy.

* Foods to Conceive a Boy – Bananas! Salty foods, dairy products, and bananas are all said to help gender selection boy efforts. Eating more calories than normal can do it also, and it’s been shown that women who are getting a full supply of all necessary nutrients tend to create more male babies. Be sure to be taking the best prenatal vitamins.

* Caffeine – Right before intercourse, the male partner should drink 1 to 2 cups of caffeinated coffee or a similar beverage. This gives a supercharged boost to the already fast x-sperm, increasing chances for a male-favored conception.

* Adjust Your pH Level – Making sure you have the proper pH levels in your reproductive tract is one of the most important ways to choose the sex of baby. An acidic pH will tend to destroy sperm, with the x-sperm dying off more quickly (remember – they’re faster but not stronger than y-sperm!). This leaves the unwanted condition of higher levels of y-sperm in a man’s semen. So when trying to conceive a baby boy, make certain you’re promoting an alkaline environment by not eating a lot of spicy or acidic foods.

* Boxers or Briefs? – If you’re looking to create a son instead of a daughter, your best bet is boxer shorts. The further from the body the testicles are allowed to hang, the more regulated the temperature of a man’s semen. Keep them in close to the body, as in the case of briefs, and many sperm will die from the higher temperature levels. And since the male sperm die faster than female sperm, this hurts your chances of having a boy.

* Sexual Positioning – Once again, the speed of the individual x and y sperm plays a factor here. The closer the male can deposit semen to the woman’s cervix, the better the chances of an x-sperm reaching the egg first. Therefore, choose positions to conceive a boy during intercourse that allow for the deepest possible penetration. It’s been suggested that the ‘doggie-style’ position is one of the best ways to accomplish this.

* Orgasms During Sex – It’s been proven that if the female partner accomplishes orgasm during sex, two things happen: one, the contractions help move the sperm upward and into the cervix. Two, the endorphins released into the body during orgasm create a more alkaline environment, which we already know is better for male sperm. When trying for a boy, keep this in mind!


26
May 11

Finding the Right Pediatrician for You and Your Baby

Congratulations, you抮e pregnant. As the count-down to the birth of your new child approaches, you should consider finding a pediatrician who will work the best with your soon to be expanding family. Having a pediatrician on-hand though the formative weeks and years of your child抯 life is in the best interests of both you and your child. Waiting until your child gets sick or needs a check-up is absolutely not the time to be going through the selection process, which can be stressful even when everything is going according to plan.
Beginning Your Search

There are several sources you can tap into to locate qualified pediatricians in your community.

  • A good place to start is the 揂merican Board of Pediatrics (ABP)? A pediatrician who is certified by them will have will have graduated from four years of medical school, received three years of resident training, and passed their written examination. They provide pediatrician search service on-line.
  • Another source is the 揂merican Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)? They also provide a referral database of participating members.
  • Certain health plans require you to choose a pediatrician from their approved network.
  • You can also ask is your obstetrician. Obstetricians and pediatricians often interact to oversee the care of both mother and baby.
  • Ask other moms in your neighborhood including friends, family or co-workers. They may be able to relate their personal experiences about specific individuals.

Vetting the Field

You抣l want to find a doctor who fits with your goals and expectations. It抯 usually best to first meet the candidates to assess their qualifications, personality, approach and experience before arriving at a decision. The kinds of questions you might consider asking your prospective pediatrician and other considerations include:

  • What type of pediatric qualifications do they have? Are they certified by the ABP and/or a member of the AAP?
  • If you are aware of certain health concerns in your family or with your pregnancy, you may want to ask about qualifications in pediatric subspecialty areas?
  • How can they be contacted after hours or during an emergency? Are they available by phone? Who covers for them when they are not available?
  • If you have minor questions what is the best time and method to reach them?
  • Does the pediatrician talk with and care about the children, and not just the parents?
  • Does the pediatrician seem to know about current issues and advances in pediatric medicine?
  • Does the pediatrician have 揷hemistry?with the children as well as the parents?
  • Does the pediatrician appear knowledgeable about current issues and advances in pediatric medicine?

In addition, you抣l probably want to know about availability and cost of services. Areas of investigation include:

  • Office and Location ?What are the office hours? What hospital is he/she affiliated with? Is the location conveniently close to your residence or work place?
  • Costs and insurance coverage ?What are the costs of services? Do they work with your insurance plan? What services are covered and which ones are not? What are the co-pays and other billing practices?
  • What are the routine child-care check-ups? The AAP recommends checkups at one, two, four, six, nine, twelve, fifteen, and twenty-four months.

Finding the right pediatrician for your family can be a daunting challenge. However, there are several good sources that can help you in your quest. In most cases you抣l have a choice about your child抯 doctor so try to find a doctor who is just right for you. Evaluate you抣l health care provider based on the criteria that are most important to you and your family.


18
May 11

Bassett Convertible Cribs

Like most other manufacturers Bassett now makes convertible cribs. The company’s latest collection owes much of its design inspiration from older American country styles. For, those who love simple, Cottage, New England or Shaker styles, Bassett Convertible cribs will pull at the heart strings.

Harking back to traditional American furniture styles seems to sit well with this Virginia based company. Unlike many baby furniture manufacturers, the company still makes its cribs in the United States using only the finest hardwoods and craftsmanship.

Using traditional designs and good materials is one thing, but Bassett convertible cribs are also made using the latest technology. Not only does this help to make a Bassett affordable whilst still being of the highest quality, it also means that each piece of nursery furniture meets and exceeds industry standards. All its convertibles have Juvenile Product Manufacturers Association (JPMA) certification, which helps to ensure a baby sleeps safely and that parents can sleep safe in the knowledge that no harm will come their little one.

Bassett aren’t going to be to everyone’s liking. Surprisingly, the company has not come up with a broad range of designs. There are no European modern styles, like that found in Pali cribs. And, the designs, whilst being very traditional, lack the intricate and fancy detailing of manufacturers such as Munire Cribs. The company doesn’t really make cheap baby furniture either; instead, Bassett cribs occupy the mid-range price range.

Inevitably, many parents won’t be buying a Bassett crib, but for those who like or yearn for good-old-fashioned, simple American furniture they will appreciate the designs of many of the Bassett convertible cribs.

The names used in the various collections give an idea of what to expect. The Cottage Pine collection is based on American country designs. There’s a wainscot panel on the headboard. The legs are curved but simple which is reflected in the gentle curve of the back. The slats are also simple affairs. This is a 3-in-1 crib so it can be converted to a day bed – with this model there’s only a headboard; no footboard when made into a bed.

The New Haven crib by Bassett reminds one of Shaker furniture. The headboard has a simple wainscot and straight top. The legs are squared and straight but are thin and graceful. The rails of the top and bottom panels have a very gentle downward curve – when converted to day bed, this piece of furniture reminds one of a Shaker Settle. The New Haven crib comes in two finishes; Natural and Cherry – the Cherry is definitely the one to choose.

There are quite a few others in the collection, but let’s take a quick look at just one; The American Home. Unlike the two mentioned above, this is a 4-in-1 convertible crib by Bassett. This means that it will convert not only into toddler and day bed, but it can also be converted to a full size bed. This is my personal favorite of the convertible cribs collection. It reminds me very much of furniture you’d expect to find in a New England home. The Carolina Pine finish really shows off this piece well. Again, it is very simple with squared legs and simple slats. It looks beautiful no matter what its configuration, but the toddler bed is divine.

The above three are my favorite Bassett convertible cribs but there are others like the Timber Creek, Winsor, Mission and Wendy Bellissimo. Perhaps, when you take a closer look at the company has to offer, you’ll prefer one these. All of the baby cribs from Bassett echo the fine American tradition of making simple but beautifully elegant furniture.


13
May 11

New Born Babies – How to Hold Your New Born Babies to Make Them Feel Comfortable?

If you have new born babies, it is important to know how to hold them correctly. This is because your baby can sense the way you are feeling when you are holding them. For most first-time parents, chances are you will feel very nervous as you are probably uncomfortable in holding your baby for the first time. I can understand that because I was so overwhelmed when I had twins! However, your baby will be able to sense your discomfort and object to your hold. So how can you hold your new born babies to make them feel comfortable?

What your new baby will do if she senses your discomfort in holding her is that she will wriggle her body, arch her back and show that she did not want to be carried by you. Some babies might even cry to show their objection. You do not have to feel helpless when that happens. All you have to do is to relax and enjoy the feel of your baby in your arms. It is vital for you to pay special attention to whether you are carrying your baby safely and securely. Check to make sure that your baby is feeling comfortable in your arms.

Here are 4 ways in which you can hold your new born babies.

1.Cradle Hold
This is the easiest and most natural way to carry your infant. In fact, this is also my favourite way of carrying my twins around the house, especially when they were only a few months old.

If you want to use the cradle hold method, all you have to do is to position your baby’s head on the crook of your arm. Usually you will put her little head on your dominant arm so that it is comfortable for you and the baby. Next, use your other arm as the support under your dominant arm or wrap it around your baby’s body. This is a very comfortable position for your little one and most babies sleep well in this position. It is also good for talking to your baby or to take a walk with her.

2.Shoulder Hold
For a shoulder hold, you have to lean your baby against one of your shoulders. Meanwhile, provide the necessary prop using your arm on the same side of that shoulder. It is important to note that you have to wrap your supporting arm around your little baby’s buttocks. Secure your infant’s neck and back using your free arm. This is a comfortable position for your baby to snooze but it might be uncomfortable for you if you are trying to walk around the house carrying her in this way. I have found it to be easier if I sit and carry my babies in this position instead of standing or walking.

3.Belly Hold
By this, you have to lay your baby chest down on top of your forearm while securing her by placing your other arm around her back. Alternatively, you can also position your baby transversely on your lap. This position is especially beneficial for gassy babies.

However, this is one method I did not feel comfortable in using so I had hardly used it to carry by twins. So it all depends on what method you feel at ease with.

4.Hip Hold
Hip hold is useful when your baby is older, probably when she is around 6 months as she would have developed a certain amount of neck and head control by then. What you have to do is to place your baby on a seated position on either side of your hip. Your baby should be facing outwards and tightly secured around the waist with the arm on the same side of the hip on which the baby is seated. This method allows you a free arm and your baby can also get to observe the environment around her. Little babies are very curious and love to find out more about the world around them so this is a good learning position for them.

There, you have 4 ways you can choose to carry your baby. Just remember that you have to make your baby feel safe in your arms and practise makes perfect! As long as you are feeling relaxed, your new born babies will be happy with you and enjoyed being hold by you. Your little ones will grow up very fast so enjoy your first year with them and do not get too stressed!


10
May 11

Foods To Avoid During Pregnancy

Many women have questions about the types of food that are safe to eat during pregnancy. It is actually easier to discuss the types of foods you should avoid during pregnancy than it is do discuss the foods that are safe to eat.

There’s a lot of food to avoid during pregnancy because they may be harmful to you or your developing baby.

Food To Avoid During Pregnancy

Deli and Processed Sandwich Meats – these meats might be contaminated with Listeria, a potentially deadly bacteria that can result in miscarriage or even a stillbirth. While listeria is relatively harmless to most ordinary people, it can be life threatening for your unborn baby. Pregnant women are more susceptible to listeria because of their lowered immune system. If you want to eat deli meats, be sure that you cook them until they are steaming hot, which will help kill any bacteria that might be present.

Raw meats – much lie deli meats, raw meats should be avoided because they can carry bacteria that are harmful for both mother and baby.

Certain types of fish – while most fish is healthy, there are certain kinds of fish that contain high levels of mercury, which is harmful for your unborn baby’s brain. Consuming too much mercury during pregnancy can result in developmental problems and even brain damage. The types of fish that contain the highest levels of mercury include: swordfish, shark, king mackerel, tuna, sea bass and tilefish.

Raw eggs – like raw meat, raw eggs have the potential to carry bacteria, particularly salmonella. Believe it or not raw eggs are in a number of various products including some forms of Caesar dressing, mayonnaise and even ice cream. If you are uncertain about whether or not something you are eating contains raw eggs, avoid it unless you can find out for certain whether or not it is harmful.

Unpasteurized soft cheeses – some chesses that are imported also have the potential to carry life threatening Listeria if they are not pasteurized. The most common types of cheese that carry this risk include certain forms of Brie, Camembert, feta, Gorgonzola and Mexican cheeses like queso. If these cheeses are pasteurized however they should be safe to consume.

Unpasteurized milk or juices – remember that any type of milk product or juice that has not been pasteurized has the potential to carry Listeria and other bacteria that may be harmful for you and your baby during pregnancy.

You should also avoid alcohol during your pregnancy. There is no known safe amount of alcohol that can be recommended during pregnancy. There are numerous fetal abnormalities and birth defects as well as developmental problems that have been associated with alcohol use during pregnancy. Alcohol should also be minimized or avoided during breastfeeding, because it can pass through the breast milk.


29
Apr 11

Travel Safely With Toddlers

When children first begin to crawl, their curiosity about the world around them triples as they explore any and everything. Pre-schoolers develop motor skills but they have poor impulse control and judgment. Children don’t have the strength, coordination nor maturity to avoid injury and their curiosity is a powerful force.

As a result, they enter one of the most dangerous times of their lives when they are at the highest risk for injury. Preventable injuries in the home are the number one cause of death of children. These injuries also transfer to any environment where you are with your infant or toddler. That can be a hotel room while on vacation, grandma’s house, a rental property, etc.

The same precautions that you take at home should be taken at any of these temporary locations as they all have dangerous sliding doors, toilets that can cause drowning, cabinets that should not be opened by a toddler and sometimes access to toxic products that can cause a poisoning.

Child Proofing needs to travel with you. We suggest you have a travel kit filled with door knob covers, electrical outlet covers, sliding door blocks, toilet seat locks, a first aid kit, a poison antidote, etc. to ensure the protection of your small children.

Also, should there be an accident while your child is with a caregiver, be sure you have a Medical Authorization form completed and notarized so that a caregiver can authorize medical care should you not be available. If, for instance, there is a poisoning and your child is rushed to the hospital while you are finally out for that long awaited romantic dinner, the grandmother cannot authorize care without a Medical Authorization. You don’t want the physicians just standing by waiting for you to arrive when they could be saving your child’s life. An emergency telephone list with details of your child’s blood type, allergies, etc. should also be with each caregiver.

There is absolutely no greater devastation than loosing a child and certainly that devastation is compounded when the loss is due to a preventable accident. Your question is not will your child find hazards, but when. Take the extra precautions today to prevent a trip to the emergency room tomorrow.


26
Apr 11

Protect Your Children – Choose Products Carefully

I am very concerned about the ingredients in conventional baby care products. As a mother of a toddler with strange and mysterious allergies, along with asthma, I am a compulsive reader of ingredients. Unfortunately, most baby lotions, soaps, and shampoos contain synthetic chemical ingredients that trigger a multitude of health issues. Their manufacturers just don’t have the health of our children in mind when they formulate their products, and there is no legislation that currently protects us from these ingredients either.

Conventional household cleaning products are even worse. They can contain ingredients that cause cancer, birth defects, asthma, infertility, and some are just plain deadly. We lock them up in our homes to keep them away from our little ones. With their noxious fumes and toxic residue, why would we want to use them at all in our homes?

A study done recently by the Environmental Working Group revealed that toddlers had 2-3 times the toxic chemical load in their bloodstream as compared to their parents. Part of the reason is that, with faster metabolisms and smaller body masses, children absorb and store chemicals more readily than adults. Their immature livers and kidneys are also less able to filter out toxins. Any substance applied to your baby’s skin, baby lotion for example, is absorbed through pores and mucous membranes directly into his or her bloodstream. Chemicals in household cleaning products are also absorbed through the skin or inhaled, with potentially devastating effects on the health of your child.

In other words, you should be VERY CAREFUL in choosing your baby care products and household cleaning products. Read ingredient labels and choose your products carefully. Avoid those that require a degree in chemistry to pronounce their ingredients. If there are product warning labels of any sort, don’t buy it. Until legislation keeps us with consumer need, your safest bet is to choose organic or natural baby care products and household cleaners — it is the best way to protect the health of your little ones!


21
Apr 11

Infant Development

Do you wonder what your infant should be doing at this age? This is a summarized guide of where your infant should be in his or her development. If your child does not meet these standards, give it another month or two before you get alarmed. If you are very concerned talk to you pediatrician about the problems you are concerned about.

At two months old, your baby should be starting to smile, make noises and begin to laugh. The frequency of these things should increase with time. Your baby should be able to lift its head and chest up when laying on their stomach. Keep in mind that when they start doing this, they can only do it for very short periods of time. In the next couple of months your baby will begin trying to roll over, sit up with support, and hold onto a rattle. Remember that not all babies are the same, and some babies will take longer to learn these things than others.

At four months old, your baby should be able to roll over from their front to their back, support weight on their legs, sit with support, and hold onto a rattle. Your baby will start to imitate sounds, and reach for things. Four months of age is usually a good time to start adding infant cereal to their diet, so talk to your pediatrician to see if they think your baby is ready. In the next couple months, you should be able to start adding baby food to their diet as well. Always start out with just fruits and vegetables, and add desserts later.

Most babies take two to three naps each day, and sleep through the night. If your baby has been sleeping in a bassinette or with you, now is a good time to get them into a full sized crib, preferably in their own room.

At nine months, your baby should be starting to pull themselves up to stand, sit without support, stand up holding onto things, crawl imitate sounds, wave goodbye, and begin to show anxiety over strangers. In the next few months your baby should be trying to say mama and dada, and walk with the help of mom or dad.

At this stage, your baby is curious about how things work, and usually like to play patty cake, and peek a boo, and being read to. Reading to your baby is excellent for stimulation of the brain. Most babies take 2 short naps though out the day, but don抰 be alarmed if they do not. My children fought sleep tooth and nail, and usually only took one nap through the day, if at all.

At twelve months old, or one year, your baby should be getting ready to walk on their own. Look out! Next thing you know they will be running. By now, baby should be saying mama and dada and begin to use a spoon on their own. If you haven抰 child proofed your home by now, you better do it quick.

I hope that this information is as helpful to you as it was for me. Remember that not all babies are the same, and each baby learns things in their own time. Also remember to enjoy these precious times now, because they are not babies for long.