Disliking bath time is not uncommon in young children. Some can’t stay still long enough, some don’t like the feeling of being wet and some might not want to wash of the pen they drew on themselves. One of the worst thing to do is force your child to take baths and they will tend to react in a negative way and they can be very stubborn. All is not lost though. Using a few great tricks, you can soon have your child not only bathing regularly but also enjoying it. The best three are these.

Bath with them.  In the early stages of introducing your child to bathing, it is a very good idea to bath with them. Children feed off the emotions and actions of their parents a vast amount. If you are relaxed and seem to be having fun in the water, your kids will associate the bath time with enjoyment and will not be reluctant.

Toys.One of the most successful methods for getting young children to bathe is by using toys. There is such a vast selection and many bath toys are things that children don’t get to play with normally. Water guns, boats and the classic rubber ducky are all options but there is so much to choose from.Before they bathe, take them to the shops and get them to pick out a bath-time toy which they like. Because they have selected the toy, it is very likely that they will be itching to play with

Ritual. It is very important that once you get into a nice routine and everyone is happy, you stick with it. Children like routine and they will happly go along and start to forget what the fuss was about in the first place. If you follow each bath time with bed time story, with your child tucked in bed with their baby doll, they will sleep well and nighttimes will always run smoothly

Breastfeeding is the best way to feed your newborn baby. It gives her optimum nutrition and builds up her immune system. But for some mothers and their babies, it just isn’t an option. Baby formula is sometimes the only alternative for a number of different reasons.

But there are people who are worried about possible issues that might arise from giving cow’s milk to their baby. They’re not comfortable with the thought of giving their baby formula. In reality, though, commercially prepared baby formula is a safe and nutritious alternative to breastfeeding.

For infants under a year of age, regular cow’s milk isn’t recommended. The quality and quantity of nutrients it contains aren’t as ideal as those found in breast milk. But baby formula isn’t just milk in a fancy package. The manufacturers of baby formula put considerable research into their products. It contains proteins and fats that resemble breast milk very closely.

There are also various kinds of baby formula that aren’t made from cow’s milk at all. Some newborns are lactose intolerant and can’t digest dairy products. But you have other choices that are healthy and safe.

One good alternative is formula based on soy products. It’s made with soy protein and is lactose free. However, don’t buy regular soy milk because it’s not meant for babies; make sure it’s soy formula.

Formula containing protein hydrolysate is another alternative to dairy based products. The proteins in this formula have been broken down so that they are similar to the product of normal digestion.

All these products are available in a variety of formulations. Your least expensive choice is powdered formula. It’s designed to be mixed with water that’s been boiled. Formula in a liquid concentrate format also needs to be mixed with water, but it’s simpler to do so.

When preparing either powdered or concentrated products, it’s important to measure carefully. It’s essential that you use the correct ratio of water to formula for the health of your baby. Also be sure to sterilize all utensils that are used to prepare the formula.

Pre-mixed, ready to use formula, however, can be used straight from the container. It’s also the most expensive of your various options. Similar to the other formulations, you can feed it to your baby either warmed up or at room temperature, depending on her preferences.

A potential problem with giving formula to your baby is that it’s easier to see how much your child is drinking. Good baby advice to follow is to avoid encouraging your infant to take in more than she wants. If she hasn’t drunk the full amount at the time you think she should, just wait and try again later. Your baby won’t starve; when she’s hungry, she’ll let you know.

Babies can be pretty fussy when they’re teething. The bad news is that they seem to be perpetually teething in the first two years or so. This makes it difficult to tell whether your child has a new tooth coming in or whether something else is wrong. Here are few things to look for to help you figure out if a tooth is getting ready to show itself.

If your baby seems like he or she is getting a cold, it might in fact be teething. When the teeth come in, they sometimes put pressure on the baby’s sinuses or ear canals. This can cause cold symptoms to occur. You might only notice some minor sinus congestion or it could be as severe as a painful ear infection.

Some people aren’t aware that baby teething can lead to ear infections. Sometimes a baby will develop this painful condition because the emerging teeth are placing pressure on the ear canal. Then fluid backs up and gets infected. An ear infection will need to be treated as soon as possible to prevent any permanent damage to the ear drum.

As well, your baby might experience fever when the teeth are coming in. But keep in mind that normal teething doesn’t cause a high fever. Never ignore a high fever in an infant. There’s a risk that he or she has an ear or sinus infection. You’ll need to take your baby to its pediatrician to be examined and see if a prescription is in order.

When your little one is teething, there will be several other symptoms you can look for. For example, red cheeks usually accompany this process. You might notice that one cheek is red and the other is normal; chances are the new tooth will emerge on the side that’s red.

Another sure sign is an overabundance of drool. Of course, babies always drool, but during teething it will increase dramatically. You might even find that you have to change your baby’s clothes frequently because of the excessive drooling.

Teething can also be the explanation for unexplained, sustained periods of crying and misery. One of the worst symptoms of teething is excessive crying. This is usually accompanied by difficulty sleeping. These behaviors can be very hard on both of you.

Most sources of baby advice recommend giving your child a carefully measured dose of infant pain reliever to provide some relief. But make sure you talk to the baby’s pediatrician before you give your child any type of medication.

Parents have transported their infants in slings attached to their body for centuries now. However, they haven’t enjoyed much popularity in western culture during all those years. Nowadays, though, they’ve become an essential component of any parent’s supply of baby equipment.

Baby slings offer a safe and convenient way to transport your little one. They provide comfort and flexibility for both parent and infant. As well, they facilitate the transfer of the parent’s body heat so the baby stays comfortable. At the same time they provide physical contact that’s of benefit to both parent and baby.

Some baby carriers are like a wrap that is patterned after early Asian styles. They loop around the parent’s back and waist, forming a sling in which the infant is able to lie or sit securely. Another style of carrier resembles a backpack. The straps sit securely on the shoulders and a safety belt is fastened around the waist.

Either style lets you carry your baby on either the front or back. Both positions have their benefits, according to sources of expert baby advice. Positioned in the front, the baby is close to the chest where it can have access to the parent’s face. When placed on the back, there’s more even distribution of the load. This makes it more comfortable for a parent to carry the baby for a longer time.

Front or back, the baby can be positioned to face either towards or away from the parent. Both positions have their advantages. The baby will feel more secure when facing towards the parent. Facing out, they can observe their surroundings. This gives your baby a chance to learn about his surroundings, and will help him remain engaged and happy.

There are a few advantages to a backpack carrier over a sling. As a rule, they’re sturdier and can be fastened to your body more securely. Because of the more rigid structure, it will help your baby remain upright more easily.

Backpacks make it simpler to reposition the weight load to your shoulders, where the child can be carried for extended periods of time. This is especially useful if you’re going for a long walk or on a lengthy shopping trip.

Baby carriers are available in a colorful assortment of shades and patterns. You can find any style imaginable to suit your personal preferences and interests.

Car seats and strollers will always have their place in your lineup of necessary baby safety gear. However, slings and backpacks provide benefits that those products can’t. Most people are glad they made the investment.

We have all heard of car accidents in which children were seriously injured after becoming airborne. Most of these injuries and fatalities could have been easily preventable if car seats had been used. Seat belts are not enough to protect children in a car especially infants.

Small infants cannot sit or hold their heads up well. This is one of the reasons that you should have them in a car seat that allows them to lie back comfortably. Infants should be placed in a rear facing car seat. The car seat must also be the right size.  

Talking to your family and friends should lead you towards a good quality child seat. That is how I found the Britax Frontier booster. Research for a car seat that has a good safety record from the hundreds that are available in the market. This is a major responsibility for every parent who wants to keep their children safe.  

A car seat is not a toy that you can play with but an important part of every day life. You should learn how to properly install and also use the car seat. Take the time to read and understand how to install the seat in your car. If you have to, get one of the sales people come and install it for you. 

There is a reason why various states and countries have come up with safety requirements for car seats. Not all car seat manufacturers are honest. Never use a car seat that does not at least meet the minimum car seat safety requirements. Doing this may not only lead to a fine but also unnecessary injury to your child. 

Education is vital when it comes to child safety. It is a good idea to not only educate children on the importance of car seats but anyone who you leave the child with. You never want to be caught in a situation where the nanny does not know how to properly install a car seat.  

Considering that 75% of your baby’s intellectual growth will occur before the age of 6, it is very important that you begin to stimulate your newborn’s mind as soon as they are born. With babies, everything around them is extremely influential on their developing mind – sights, sounds, smells, and touches.  These early inputs and influences help them to learn and grow, no matter what age.  It is very important for a parent to consider creating a stimulating environment for their baby.  Here are a few ways to stimulate your child’s intellect.

1. Provide tons to look at.
Surround your child with color to stimulate their visual sense. Place them in a playpen like the Graco Pack n Playard so they’ll be surrounded by different colors and shapes for them to look at. Hang colored shapes on the wall or hang a mobile above their playpen.  Teach your infant to recognize themselves by hanging a baby-safe mirror on the wall or next to their playpen.  Add whatever you can to the visual excitement of your infant’s world to spice up their environment.

2. Provide tons to listen to.
It is a well-known fact that babies respond to music, even when in the womb – you can play music for them as soon as you’d like.  Rainforest sounds, whistling wind, or rain showers – play a CD of nature sounds to stimulate your infant’s sense of hearing. newborns love to be sung to, there is no more beautiful voice on earth to your newborn than Mommy’s voice. Also, make sure you allow your infant to make their own sounds and noises – encourage them to play with rattles or musical toys.  Teach them how to clap. The more they explore their own sounds, the more they learn.

3. Supply them lots to touch.
Make sure your baby has plenty of room to crawl or roll around in – you might want think about a larger size play pen, like the Graco Pack n Playard, which affords them enough space to explore the world around them. Play hand games with your baby – paddycake is always a favorite. Bounce and dance with your infant in your arms or your lap, really involve them in your motion. Let them touch and explore different textures. Toys with different kinds of surfaces or different fabrics, for example the toys in the Graco Playard provide many different textures for your child to touch. The more you allow your newborn to touch and feel the world around them, the greater the intellectual stimulation and the greater the learning.

One of the most important aspects of your infant’s development is their intellectual stimulation. It is up to you as a parent to provide an environment to your baby where they can safely explore and learn about the world around them. Provide a world full of color for your baby. Give your newborn the gift of stimulating and soothing sounds of music.  Give your newborn many things to touch – all the different textures and surfaces you can find.  All of these things are be very influential on your newborn and on their mind.

These days, there are numerous products available that claim to be important for the skin care of a newborn. But it might surprise you to know that some experts believe that these baby skin care products may actually do more harm than good. This is because of the chemicals that some of them contain.

It’s important that you keep chemicals away from your baby for as long as you can. Don’t interfere with the natural growth of your baby’s skin. Allergies, eczema, and other irritations are less likely to occur this way.

Basic skin care is generally enough for your baby. For the first month, keep your baby safe from any type of product containing chemicals. In fact, when bathing your baby in the first month you should only use water and a soft cloth. You can comb thick hair with a baby comb to get it clean during bath time.

Nature Knows Best

Natural is the best way to go when approaching baby skin care. Natural care means not interfering with your baby’s skin as much as possible.

After your baby’s birth, you might see a white, sticky coating on your baby’s skin. Don’t remove it, because it’s a natural skin moisturizer. Allow it to be absorbed into the skin naturally.

It’s doubly important that you stay away from these products if your baby was born prematurely. The reason for this is that preemies have even more fragile skin than a full term baby. The best time to start skin care for your premature baby is after the exact due date of your baby.

Cleaning the Cord Area

Until the cord falls off, it’s important that you keep the area clean and dry. There is no need to use any powders or lotions on it. If the area gets dirty simply use a soft cloth and water to wipe it clean before patting dry.

If your baby is premature or sick then the skin care routine you should follow for keeping the cord clean may be different. An antiseptic product might be needed if there’s a risk of infection. Your pediatrician can help you out with advice on caring for the skin of a sick or premature baby.

Hold off on using baby wipes until after your baby’s first month. Any baby wipes you use should be alcohol and fragrance free. Get the mildest ones you can find. Emollient based moisturizers are the best for your newborn.

Baptism gifts can serve as wonderful reminders of this spiritual occasion.  One of the most notable religious symbols is the cross.  A great way to symbolize a baptism is to give a gift that displays the holy cross.  

Here are some cross themed baptism gift ideas that will create the perfect remembrance.

• Cross Wall Plaque – A day-to-day reminder as they grow of their being a member of God’s family.  Some designs even have a special prayer printed on them for the child to recite.  
• Embroidered Afghan or Blanket – A lasting memento that can be stitched with a cross along with the baby’s name and their baptismal date. 
• Child Bible – This baptism gift is the perfect way to introduce Bible stories to a child with special illustrations that appeal uniquely to children.  Some designs may allow for personalizing.
• Engraved Photo Album – A wonderful keepsake with an engravable front cover to hold all the cherished photos of their special day for years to come.
• Customized Picture Frame – A custom-made way to display a cherished photo from their baptism.
• Cross Necklace or Bracelet – Infant-sized baptism jewelry will complement any baptismal outfit and will also be a great heirloom piece to pass down to future generations.
• First Rosary and Keepsake Case – Both are baptism gifts that will be inspiring souvenirs of the child’s baptism day. 
• Plush Bear or Lamb – Can commemorate this special occasion for years to come by having special words or a cross embroidered on it.  If it happens to be musical it may play a favorite children’s tune for the child to sing along with, such as ‘Jesus Loves Me’.

As you can see, there are many baptism gifts that will symbolize this once-in-a-lifetime Christian celebration for years to come.  Since they are only a baby, they will appreciate the keepsake gifts as they grow both physically and spiritually.

So, you’re wondering what would be the perfect christening or baptism gift for a baby since you’ve been invited to celebrate this precious spiritual occasion. 

You are no doubt looking for the ideal baptism or christening gift that will put a smile on the faces of the parents as they open it.  It’s always so rewarding when you see how genuinely delighted they are with your gift.  It makes you feel good that you chose something they really appreciate. 

Since a baby’s christening or baptism is such a special event, you might want to consider giving a gift that will become a treasured memory for years to come.  A gift that can be personalized with the baby’s name and date will make a lasting souvenir of the occasion. This is a terrific way for the baby to always remember when they became a member of God’s family on their baptismal day.

Here is a list of just some of the wonderful baptism and christening gift ideas available that will create a lifetime keepsake for the baby.

·  Engraved Picture Frame – A great way to display a favorite photo of the baby all dressed up in their baptism or christening gown. 

·  Cross Necklace – A baby’s first cross necklace will complement any outfit on their baptism or christening day and will become a treasured family heirloom.  Given in a keepsake box that is personalized will make it even more special.

·  Child Bible – A child will love learning Bible stories when the illustrations are meant to appeal to children.  Some versions can even be personalized on the front cover and are packaged as a keepsake.

·  Cross Plaque – Hanging on the child’s bedroom wall, it’s the perfect reminder that they are a member of God’s family.  There are many styles to choose from.  A cross might picture a boy or girl praying or it might display a special prayer along with the child’s name.

·  Personalized Photo Album – Provides a terrific way to display all the cherished photos from this special occasion. 

·  Embroidered Blanket – Throws are quite popular these days so why not give one that is personalized and commemorates the baby’s baptism day. 

·  Plush Lamb – A truly unique gift that the child can cuddle with and learn the prayer or song it plays.        

Giving keepsake christening and baptism gifts is a wonderful way to honor the memory of this special Christian celebration as the child grows, both physically and spiritually.

Baptism invitations play an important role in the planning of this special event for your baby but are you familiar with all the optional items that can be part of the complete invitation ensemble.  Here is a list of extra items for your consideration to assist you in your invitation planning.   

Photo Baptism Invitations:  To uniquely personalize your invitations, have a photo of your baby printed on them.  This makes the invitation a special keepsake for your guest to save beyond the celebration.

Reception Card:  If you are planning a brunch or any type of celebration following the baptism ceremony and there is not enough room for the information on your invitation, you could include a reception card for listing all the details.  Most invitation styles offer these cards with a matching design.  Please keep in mind that this card could possibly add to your mailing cost since postage is based on weight.

Respond Card:  To properly plan for your celebration as far as food preparations and seating arrangements, this card is essential so you have an accurate guest count.  You will also have to decide on a reply date to list on the card so guests will respond accordingly.  The respond card along with its mailing envelope will be inserted with your baptism invitations.  Its return mailing envelope will have your address pre-printed on it and be sure to remember to include a postage stamp for easy returning by your guests.    

Printed Return Address:  This option of having your return address printed on the back flap of the invitation mailing envelope can save you valuable time and ensure that undeliverable ones are returned to you.  There is an extra cost involved so it is optional.   

Lined Outer Envelope:  As an added touch to your baptism invitations, you can add a colored lining to your mailing envelopes.  There is an extra charge for this lining and color choices will vary depending on the invitation style you choose.

Envelope Seal:  These self-adhesive decorative stickers add a nice finishing touch to your mailing envelope.  Available in many styles and colors, a seal is used to make it look like it is holding the flap down even though it has already been sealed.

Informal Note:  Also used as thank you cards, they are pre-printed with the baby’s name on the front and the inside being left blank for handwriting your own personal thank you note to guests.  Since informal notes are usually available to match your baptism invitations, it is recommended to order them at the same time to save time and extra shipping costs later.  Blank mailing envelopes are included in the price or you can have a return address printed on them for an extra charge.

As you can see, there are many items that can be part of your baptism invitation ensemble.  It is a personal choice as to which of the above items you choose to include.  Your budget may also dictate which items you purchase as well.