There is no doubt that what gift you give says a lot about
you and how you feel about your friend and her child. In the
best of circumstances, selecting some designer baby gifts
will not only demonstrate your affection and respect for the
mother, but it will also show everyone just how thoughtful
you can be.

So then, what do you get her? There are just so many baby
gifts to choose from. What about something like a receiving
blanket or a snuggly little critter like a teddy bear? This
is potentially a good road to go down because a well-chosen
soft thing can forge an intense and lasting emotional
connection with the child. Another good route that you could
pursue is that of an imagination expanding or intellectually
stimulating present.

Although at first glance your choice of baby gifts can
appear to be inconsequential, nothing could be farther from
the truth because whatever item you choose to give will be
an important part of your friend’s child’s introduction to
the world.

For example, Trend Lab Baby bedding is full of bright
colors, captivating patterns and whimsical themes. Toddlers
love these kinds of designs, which illicit both excitement
and comfort. For older kids, Trend Lab hones in on
traditional designs such as zoo animals, flowers, and even
Noah’s Ark! For animal lovers, check out Trend Lab’s cute
collection of fuzzy onesies with hoods, giving your baby a
chance to be a frog, Santa’s helper, or even a blooming
flower! So cute.

As a parent, I know how important it is to find baby
products that are affordable, well-made, and designed to be
well-loved. Because baby products are so fashionable today,
I have noticed many designs that are no good for babies but
rather designed to compliment only the trendy purse of the
moment. And that’s exactly the reason why I admire Trend
Lab’s dedication to the little ones in our lives!

If this happens, the first thing you need to do is to get your child to a doctor so that the baby can be properly diagnosed. Of course, infants sleep a lot when very small and in fact spend most of their early weeks eating and sleeping. As they grow, they’ll spend more and more time awake. For the first few weeks, however, for the most part, the baby won’t be doing much other than eating, sleeping and soiling diapers.

As children get older, of course, it becomes much more exciting to stay awake than it does to go to sleep. Many young children have the idea that they are “missing something” every time they go to sleep. Adults simply have endless fun when they’re awake, while the child is stuck with boring old sleep. Of course, this isn’t true, but this is something that children go through to at least some extent for the most part.

The best way to make sure children go to bed without much trouble is to establish a regular routine. Follow the routine every night. For example, perhaps just after dinner, it’s time for bath. Once the child is in pajamas and ready for bed, some quiet playtime with toys in his or her room is to follow, followed by bedtime story, tucking in with stuffed animals or favorite blanket, and lights out.

Most children also go through periods when they experience nightmares or “the monster under the bed.” Again, this is usually pretty normal. Because young children sleep comparatively more than adults do as well and the line between imagination and reality is necessarily blurred at that age, sometimes sleep and wake patterns are much closer together for them, especially at night, so they may be “dreaming awake” for some of what the experience. Again, if this is true, simply being soothing and reassuring, while making sure that the child knows he or she needs to stay in bed, is the best way to handle this. (Of course, older children are very, very good about getting “spooky” monsters to delay bed times and other undesirable events, so of course, smart parents are aware of this and make sure these types of monsters are put in their places.)

For some babies just home from the hospital, especially if premature, they may suffer from sleep apnea. The parents who bring these infants home are required to go through courses for CPR, and many are also trained in the use of monitors for children so that they can be instantly alerted if babies stop breathing. This is a common cause for the disorder known as crib death, and such babies will likely be put on monitors so that parents will be alerted immediately if the baby should stop breathing. Simply nudging the baby or rubbing his or her back is usually enough to get these little ones who just aren’t quite old enough to know better to breathe on their own again.

By the time children are about six months old, the most acute danger for death has passed, with two years generally considered a safe age for no longer being at risk for this disorder. Your doctor will be able to tell you when your child no longer needs to be monitored for sleep apnea.

For this first trip of many to come you will need a car seat
that faces toward the rear of your car.  For a baby that is
not yet able to hold the weight of his own head this will
present the best safety in the event of an accident.  The
seat will be laid backwards, offering a safe and snug cocoon
for your baby.

It’s imperative to select a rear-facing seat that is strong
and reliable, yet light to carry.  Young babies have very
short sleep cycles and take many naps and the last thing you
want to do when your baby finally does go to sleep in a car
journey is to wake them by taking them out of their snug
little seat.  If you have a car seat that come out easily
and it light to carry around means you can carry your baby
from house to car to store and back again with a minimal
amount of disturbance.

Rear-facing seats are only appropriate for younger smaller
infants.  Once your baby has reached about 20 pounds or the
crown of their head is nearing the upper edge of the seat
which means that it is no longer protected properly you will
need to change to a forward facing seat.

The forward facing seats are much more upright, however some
models have the ability to be adjusted to provide a more
horizontal
position which allows your infant to rest during longer
trips. Due to the upright position it is necessary that your
child is able to sit up by itself before using this type of
seat.  Most forward facing seats are made to grow with your
child so they will generally last until your child is about
5 years old.

Before we come to an end, there are two tremendously
important things to keep in mind when buying a car seat.

First, you need to be very cautious when buying a car seat
that isn’t new.  Even though it may seem like a good idea
and a way of saving some money, you have no way of knowing
the history of the seat.   There is a possibility that it
has been par of a car accident, which could cause some weak
areas that may not be visible.  A weak point could place
your baby in danger even in a minor accident. You should
avoid purchasing a used car seat unless you can be certain
of the history - such as when buying off close friends or
family.

Finally, baby car seats should not be place in the front
where an airbag is installed.  If you were to be involved in
an accident, the inflation of the airbag could cause serious
injury or even suffocation to a child.  Make sure that you
always place a child’s car seat in the back seat so you can
avoid the dangers of the airbag.

The debate over juice and water has resurfaced in the last
few years.  Some researchers are looking for a link between
juice drinking and obesity among children.  Young people are
consuming excess calories through liquid refreshment and
adding unnecessary pounds.

Fruit juices provide valuable nutrients for baby’s diet.
These nutrients include vitamin C, folate, vitamin B6, iron,
potassium, and magnesium.  The majority of these essential
nutrients are found in 100% fruit juice.

Parents should read the labels on all juice they are
considering for their little one.  Unless it says 100% fruit
juice, it only contains five to twenty-five percent fruit
juice per bottle.  The other 75 -90 percent is composed of
mostly sugar.  Not exactly healthy for your baby is it?
Even 100% juice should be diluted in a 1:1 ratio for baby.
This cuts the amount of sugar content which could ultimately
affect developing teeth.
Babies should drink twelve or less ounces of juice per day.
The younger they are, the less juice they need to drink.
The same nutrients that are provided by juice can come from
pureed fruits without the extra sugar and additives.  This
is a much healthier way to get your baby the vitamins and
nutrients their growing body needs without all the extra
junk it doesn’t.

The human body is composed of ninety percent water and our
blood includes a component of water.  Drinking water is like
giving our body an internal shower.  Increased hydration
clears the skin and gives it a healthy glow too.  Babies
urinate regularly when there is adequate water in the body
and therefore you can use this as a sign of whether or not
your little one is receiving enough water.

Water is always needed by the body.  For babies, their
breast milk and formula contains plenty of water.  If you
are out and the weather is warm, giving baby a bottle of
water is one way to help keep them cool and refreshed.
Extreme heat can cause milk to sour on baby’s stomach and
therefore extremely high temperatures should be avoided
whenever possible to keep baby’s tummy from becoming upset.
As long as baby is feeding regularly, they are getting
enough water.  When solid foods are introduced, a four ounce
bottle of water twice a day will supplement the solid food
intake.  Keep in mind, water is thinner than formula so
encourage baby to drink slower to avoid choking.  You can
help by giving baby his or her water after feeding so they
don’t gulp it down due to hunger.

It has been proposed that fruit juices are not good for
kids, but studies do not prove this fact at this time.  One
hundred percent juice is okay for baby but should be
combined with water.  As long as an excess of juice is not
drank, baby gets the nutrients without the extra sugar or
weight gain and benefits from both juice and water.

However, there are ways to cut corners, and make furnishing
the baby’s room less expensive. Here are a few ideas to get
you thinking frugally before rushing out to purchase
furniture for your baby’s room.

The crib:
New parents may think they need both a bassinet and a crib.
The frugal shopper will choose to skip the bassinet, which
is typically viewed as a luxury. The crib is a necessity,
but the bassinet is only used for a few months, and is then
stored in the garage.

When shopping for a crib, keep your eyes open for a bargain
on a convertible style crib, which can transform from a
crib, to a toddler bed, and then a full size bed. If you can
invest in a convertible crib, it would alleviate the cost of
a bed in the future.

Of course, co-sleeping is even more affordable than buying a
crib or a bassinet. The decision to co-sleep can eliminate
the expense of a crib all-together or delay the expense
until you have time to shop around and find a bargain.

The Dresser:
Baby’s dresser is an item that can oftentimes be picked up
at a yard sale. Thrifty shoppers know that purchasing a
full-sized dresser is more economical than buying a small
dresser. Remember that you will eventually have to turn the
baby room into a child’s bedroom, and a smart investment now
can grow with your child through the years. Don’t be afraid
to buy an older dresser. An older dresser can be as good as
new with just a coat of paint, assuming all hardware is
working well.

Changing Table:
The changing table is a luxury for the frugal shopper. Check
places like the Salvation Army and Goodwill as well as yard
sales. These tables are often discarded when the baby
outgrows them. Another option for a frugal changing table is
to convert a full-size dresser into a changing table. If you
search online, you can find instructions to easily turn your
dresser into a safe place to change your baby. The changing
table is an item some moms choose to do without, and,
instead, set a blanket on the floor to change their babies
on.

I am sure in a perfect world, we would all appreciate the
luxury of going out and buying everything we need at a baby
boutique. However, the reality is that baby does not need
the most expensive furniture. Your baby needs only one
thing, and that is you.

All of these games are commonly played at baby game showers.
They are a way in which guests can mingle and get to know
each other, if they are not already acquainted.  It is also
a great way to give honor to the expecting mother for having
a beautiful baby on the way.

Instructions on how to play these particular games at a baby
game shower are listed below for your information.

Sing It Baby

This is a game whereby it is possible to sit or stand and
the guests form a circle.    In turn, they then proceed to
sing one or two lines from a song that includes the word
“baby”.  When the first player has sung their part, then the
next person in the circle has ten seconds to sing another
“baby” song.  The songs cannot be repeated, therefore,
participants who do repeat or cannot think of a song are
eliminated from the game.  It is the last person singing
that receives the prize.

Measuring up Mommy

This game gives the guests the freedom to measure just how
big the expectant mother has become.  All you need is a
couple of toilet rolls.  Each guest is then asked to guess
the size of the expectant mothers girth by cutting the
toilet paper at their estimate size.  Each guest then in
turn wraps the toilet paper around the expectant mother’s
stomach to see if it fits.  The guest with the closest
length wins the prize.

Here’s Looking at You, Kid

Do you remember how you looked when you were a baby?  It is
necessary that you dig out all of your baby pictures for
this game, and it is certain to take you down memory lane.
Therefore, before the party, you need to ask all guests to
bring their photos of them when they were a baby.  When the
guests arrive, secure each baby picture and give each
picture a number.  During the game, lay all of the baby
photos down and give each guest a pen and paper.  Each guest
then has to match the baby pictures to the guests.  The
guest with the most correct number of guesses wins the
prize.

Don’t Say Baby

This game means exactly what its title is, don’t say baby.
When arriving at the baby game shower you will be issued
with diaper pins.  Every time a guest says the word “baby” a
diaper pin will be taken away from them.  The person with
the most diaper pins at the end of the baby shower wins a
prize.

Baby Truth or Dare

This is a game for those who like baby trivia.  Baby Truth
or Dare is played by writing down some baby trivia, some
which are correct and others which are purposely written
incorrectly.  During the baby game shower, random questions
should be asked as to whether baby facts are true or false.
All guests who answer the questions correctly receive a
prize, and all guests who do answer the questions correctly
will be dared to perform in front of the other guests.

The Seventh Gift

It is common knowledge by all that the lady who catches the
bride’s bouquet at the wedding is believed to become the
next bride.  Well, the game of ‘The Seventh Gift’ is more a
fable that believes that the giver of the seventh gift
unwrapped will be the next expecting mother.  However, it is
essential that you do not “plant” the seventh gift.

Dig Out the Pins

The last but certainly not the least, Dig Out the Pins, is
the baby game shower where the guests have their agility
tested by fishing out the highest number of diaper pins, in
under two minutes, from a large bowl that has been filled
with uncooked rice.  Obviously, the guest with the highest
number of diaper pins wins the game and receives the prize.

It is outlined in his article about the selection of the
perfect baby bedding, that it must be neither too hard nor
too soft.  Very soft baby bedding has resulted in sudden
infant death syndrome (SIDS) in the past.  This has happened
in the past when the baby’s mattress is too soft and the
nose and mouth of the child gets covered which results in
the air that he exhales being the air that he breathes.
This is highly dangerous as the child is breathing carbon
dioxide rather than oxygen whereby the effects lead to
drowsiness, coma or even death.

There are available many styles and brands of baby bedding.
It is essential however, that the baby bedding be the
perfect fit for the size and shape of the chosen bed.  The
three most popular selections are a bassinet, a crib and a
cradle.  The difference between them is:

Bassinet

This is an oblong-shaped basket which serves as a bed for
the infant.  However, round bassinets are also available.
Bassinets usually come designed with lace and full of
trimmings.  It is essential that the baby bedding fits the
bassinet correctly to ensure that the space for the baby is
sufficient in order for him or her to be able to roll from
side to side.

Crib

This is a bed that is flanked with side bars that are high
for the safety of a baby or infant.  A crib is more often
than not more economical, as the baby can use it from
infancy up to two years.  The crib usually comes in the
shape of a square, therefore, the mattress can be fitted to
the size of the crib.  The baby bedding usually includes a
set of coverlet and small pillows.  It is also possible to
place hotdog pillows inside.  However, it is important that
there are not more than two or three pillows in case the
baby is able to stand on them and fall over.

Cradle

A cradle is a low bed which is smaller in size, which is on
a stand along with rockers.  The cradle comes in various
shapes and sizes.  Certain mothers prefer to use a cradle,
so that when the baby becomes grumpy, he or she can be
rocked to create a soothing motion.  It is essential that
the baby bedding for a cradle matches the shape of it.  It
is not possible to place additional items inside of a
cradle, as it is mainly used for the purposes of rocking the
baby to sleep.

However, it is not essential to possess all three items for
the baby’s safety, one will suffice.  The materials that are
used to make all of these pieces of equipment should alert
and signal to parents as to what safety precautions are
needed.  However the most preferred item by parents is the
crib as it can be used for a longer period of time.

Now that the basic equipment has been covered, it is
necessary to understand how to furnish it with baby bedding.
It has already been established that the baby bedding should
fit the sleeping equipment in order to avoid accidents and
other incidents.  Cotton is certainly the most suitable
material, and it is absorbent and cool to the baby’s skin.
In order to stimulate the baby’s color and pattern
recognitions, it is advised to use different designs.
Ultimately, it is an essential factor that the baby bedding
is suitable in order to keep your baby happy and healthy.

1.   Please cease to follow the family tradition.  Selecting
a name for your baby does not have to rely on what your
elderly relatives deem as the best name.  It is your baby,
not theirs.  Therefore select a name that you want.  Once
your baby is born and named, it will have that name for
life, so do not settle for a name just because it suits your
grandmother or aunties taste.  It is essential that you, as
the parents, select a name of your choice.

2.   It is essential that you look into the future.  You do
not want to select a name that will result in your child
being ridiculed by his playmates, making a laughing stock
out of him.   It is advised that you research the meaning of
the name that you wish to give your child.  Under no
circumstances consider the name Beelzebub just because you
heard it on a TV show and think that it is a cute name.
Also, do not call your child Rodelfa simply because a
particular Mexican TV show has a hunky lead actor by the
name of Rodolfo.  Do not say yes to any name that pops into
your head when thinking about certain people or celebrities.
3.   It is essential that you look at the initials of your
baby name.  It is important to ensure that they do not
translate into something comical, disturbing, or plain
stupid.  The initials from names such as Christine Sue
Irving, will only result in people asking “what will happen
on the next episode?”  Or a name such as Alvin Stephen
Stuart, for obvious reasons.  And one that you should
certainly avoid is Fran Ursula Catherine Klein, as this can
surely put your child in a very sickening situation when he
or she grows up.

4.   Refer to your family tree.  If you are a person that
wishes to include a name from a certain family member to be
a part of your baby’s name, then you need to know if anyone
else has the exact name or not, as this can cause confusion
for some people when calling a name that is owned by two.
Therefore it is advised to research all names of the family.

5.   Avoid overkill at all times.  It can certainly backfire
when thinking of a name that is too creative.  Unique
spellings are an example of this.  It may be difficult for
the child to repeatedly spell his or her name, when other
people only know the common spelling of such a name.

6.   It is essential that you and your partner are both
involved in the selection of your baby’s name.  It is not a
nice prospect of being blamed when people inquire as to who
chose that awful name!  But really joking aside, sharing
this kind of decision is a further way of bonding as a
couple, and also the possibility of coming up with a better
name.  Remember that very familiar saying “two heads are
better than one”.

Therefore, selecting a name which sounds nice as well as
avoiding embarrassing initials and disgusting meanings are
some of the most major concerns that need to be taken into
consideration when choosing a name for your baby.  It can be
a little bit taxing deciding upon a name, but in the long
run all of your homework will pay off in selecting the
correct name for your baby.  So all that remains to be said
is ‘happy baby naming’.