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Archive for the ‘Parenting’ Category

On the day that your baby is born, he needs a comfortable clothing to cover his sensitive body from heat and cold. Since baby’s skin is very delicate, parents must be extra careful in selecting his infant clothing. Though cleanliness is the most important factor to consider but comfort also is necessary in choosing infant clothing. In selecting your babies clothes, make sure that it is comfortable,soft and clean.

First time parents have so much to think about! One thing that might slip in importance is the question of how many pieces of clothing you need for your baby. Of course, everyone tells you how quickly children grow, and they aren’t exaggerating. For your typical sized newborn, seven outfits, plus extra t-shirts or onezies, plus plenty of socks is a good start. However if you want to add more, go ahead its you choice.

Usually, about a week’s worth of outfits, with one outfit being dressier than the others is a decent rule of thumb. It must be a law of physics that socks disappear, because they always do. Therefore, a dozen or so pairs of socks is in order. You’ll also want two or three pajamas or closed-end nightgowns. After the first three months or so, you’ll know what your “go to” outfits are for your baby, so when it’s time to buy more, you’ll have an idea what styles your baby wears most. You’ll be amazed how quickly you’re putting away your baby’s outgrown clothes to await a new sibling!

What are the things that an expectant mother should know about pregnancy? Aside from the missed period, morning sickness, and breast signs, you should know how the baby is developing inside your womb.

During the first four weeks of pregnancy, your baby’s brain and spinal cord develop. After two more weeks, his heart begins to beat, and all his other organs start to develop. His facial bones start to form, his eyes and eye color start to develop, and his fingers and toes start to appear.

By the 12th week (about three months) of pregnancy, the baby’s major organs form. His brain grows fast, and compared to the rest of his body, his head is definitely larger. His chin, nose and eyelids become defined, and as he floats in your amniotic fluid, the baby also starts kicking gently.

At 16 weeks or four months of pregnancy, the baby’s legs shall be longer than his arms. His lungs develop, and his heartbeat can be heard by an ultrasound. At five months, his taste buds and fingerprints develop, and fine hair called lanugo covers his whole body. The baby’s body and brain become proportionate at six months. His bone centers harden and his genitals develop. He now has sleep patterns, and he starts to make breathing motions.

He starts to prepare himself for birth by seven months of pregnancy. There is fat under his skin, hair grows on his head, his eyelids start to open, and his brain becomes more active. He can already recognize your voice, and his heart beats faster when he hears you speak.

He is perfectly formed at eight months of pregnancy, and though his lungs are not fully mature, he has a good chance of survival.

And at nine months of pregnancy, his head engages in the right position and he is now ready to see the world outside.

New born babies need a lot of nutrition to help them grow strong and healthy. Unlike when he was in the mother’s womb, after birth the baby could no longer receive nourishment from his mother therefore selecting a baby formula is a very crucial thing. Most doctors advised breastfeeding. In the first placed it is the number one food for babies. However for some reasons, if mothers could not breastfeed their babies, a baby formula is the best substitute.

In selecting a formula for your newborn, it is best to ask advice from your pediatrician. Baby formula is classified into two stages from newborn to 6 months and 6 months onward. Specialized formula for newborn contains nutrition that is suited for their age and if you will use it to older babies, you will deprive them from getting the exact nutrients that their body needs. And if you will use the formula of older babies to newborns, they might experience stomach trouble either indigestion or constipation.

There are different kinds of baby formula that is available in the supermarket but see to it that you have read the nutritional facts in its label before getting one. There is also an organic formula that is good to your baby’s health. You can now purchase them online.

For the first few years, the baby’s room will essentially be a nursery room. As in everything that has something to do with baby. His safety is still and will always be the prime consideration.

Pastel colors are ideal in the baby nursery room. Not only are they soft in the eyes, they also make the nursery room look comforting and restful. Babies, however, are attracted to bright colors, so these can be reserved for the baby’s room rugs, toys, and other decoration. When choosing paint, though, make sure it is lead-free. Wallpaper is a good alternative as paint may seem plain and boring to some people.

Lighting in baby’s room should be diffused and indirect to prevent harmful glare into the baby’s eyes. Room curtains and blinds control the light from outside as well as prevent droughts from coming in. To ensure comfort, make sure the baby’s room is always well ventilated.

The baby’s room nursery should be big enough to accommodate the crib, cabinets, cupboards and shelves, table, and the nursing or rocking chair. Bear in mind that the baby will grow someday and you will need to replace the crib with a bed, so there should be enough room for this change right from the start. The cabinets also have a long life ahead of them, so make sure they are big enough to hold all of baby’s clothes now and later. The cupboards and shelves can hold the books, toys, and other small essentials. The table can help you with some bits and pieces while you’re nursing the baby. An important reminder is to keep the floor clean and free from clutter, since from his crawler days up to his teenage life, much of his life is spent on the floor.

No matter how you plan your baby’s room, the thing is to decorate it by choosing pieces that will grow with your baby. Long-range planning is always the way to go saves you time and saves you the money.
Even with the second, third, or fourth baby, it is always a fun thing to pick out baby bedding for an impending arrival. The guidelines have changed over the past couple of decades because of improvements in baby bedding safety, and you’re wise to take advantage of the latest in baby bedding safety and technology.

But sometimes simplest is best. Plain cotton baby blankets can keep your baby warm without the suffocation hazard of puffy blankets. Your baby needs the same weight covers that you do, so you don’t have to pile them on. Also, you don’t need top sheets for your baby’s crib. A fitted bottom sheet and a baby blanket will work just fine. Or you could just have a couple of baby sleeping sacks on hand. That way your baby can kick all he wants but won’t kick his covers off.

One final thing that will make life easier is to buy sheet protectors and several fitted sheets. Put down a sheet protector then a fitted sheet, then another sheet protector and another sheet. That way, when there’s an accident in the middle of the night, you can just remove the fitted sheet and the sheet protector and have a clean layer right underneath.

Next to playing with your new baby, buying infant clothes is one of the most fun parts of being a new parent. After all, your baby looks good in everything, right? One of the great things about needing infant clothes is that they outgrow them so fast you can always find an enormous selection of baby clothes through the comfort of your home. You don’t need to go shopping outside, there are websites that offer Store online. It’s best to choose natural fibers like cotton for most baby clothes because it is not irritating to most babies’ skin.

You could choose to buy retail for basics like undershirts and socks - the things that tend to get discolored and stained the most - and go secondhand for dressy or special occasion outfits, such as outfits for Halloween or Christmas. Shoes for infants are a great buy secondhand because they outgrow them before they can walk and wear them out. The great thing about babies is that you can dress them up in just about anything and they’ll look adorable.

First of all, you have to have a good obstetrician/gynecologist who will take care of you and your baby throughout your pregnancy. You can start looking for a good pediatrician at about this time, too. You will be doing a lot of medical check-ups before and after delivery, so check your health insurance coverage. If you are working, inform your company and inquire about your maternity leave and benefits.

Start preparing the baby’s room early on as you won’t have much time and energy for this later. Decide on the color scheme and work your way around that when choosing furniture, curtains, rugs, and other pieces. Start scouting around and compare costs and quality. Shop for the baby’s needs first like the crib or playpen with bassinet, stroller, seater, storage cabinet, feeding chair, bath, and your nursing chair.

When you’re done with the big items, buy the small essentials. These are the feeding bottles, sterilizer, beddings, and the baby’s layette. Babies grow super fast so buy only a few clothes as these are outgrown in just a few weeks. Anyway, many people give baby clothes as gifts so there’s actually no need to worry. Better yet, if you’re having a baby shower, wait for it before shopping so you would know what and what not to buy.

And last but not least, prepare your hospital bag. This should include baby essentials such as two to three changes of clothing, diapers, baby wipes, going home clothes, receiving blanket, a cap, and bottles and formula if you’re not breastfeeding. For yourself, maternity pads or adult diapers (whichever you prefer), a bathrobe, pajamas or nightgown, house slippers, toiletries, nursing pads, some underwear, loose comfortable going home clothes, and your camera, of course! . Make sure you also have your health insurance card information with you. If you want, you may also bring extra pillows, a small cooler with drinks and some light snacks, and a baby book to record those first few moments.

It is exciting to have a baby in the house, but it is even more exciting when you are prepared.