Baby Time Blog
babytime.blogware.com provides information about Baby related products and gifts including baby toys, baby clothes, baby showers and more!
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- Gund Stuffed Animals and Toys
Gund stuffed animals are known for their quality, design, and unique appeal. They come in an endless variety of styles from dogs and cats to teddy bears, cows, and horses. Whatever the animal, every Gund toy is known for its plush material and sweet expression. You can find dozens of high quality Gund stuffed animals at InvitationBox.com.
Gund toys make great children's gifts because they are so soft and so lovable. They are also made to last, so you don't have to worry about your gift literally "coming apart at the seams." Another characteristic unique to Gunds is that they all have names, just like a real pet. When you give a child Garstang the Orangutan or Ollie the Bear, you are giving him or her a cuddly new friend.
Gund stuffed animals are also appropriate gifts for baby showers. While everyone else is giving baby clothes and bottles, you can be the Auntie who delivers baby's first giant teddy bear. Many of the Gunds available at StuffedAnimalBox.com come in several sizes, so if you like Manni the Bear, for instance, you might love to see his sweet expression in a larger version.
If your child receives a Gund stuffed animal, you or your child will want to send a thank you card immediately. When your children are very young--say less than four years old--you should write the thank you cards for them. As they get older you can start them out by guiding their hands with yours as they write the thank you note. Eventually they will be able to write them on their own, and you will have given them a valuable social tool.
Tue, 15 Aug 2006 22:00:26 -0400 - How To Prevent Child Obesity
Today, it is estimated that over 65% of the population is overweight with around 30% being at least clinically obese. Even more alarming is the estimation that 15% to 20% of the country's children are overweight with nearly one third being at least clinically obese.
By sitting back and allowing our children to become overweight and eventually obese, we are in effect severely shorting their lives.
The main ingredient in helping to eliminate child obesity is recognition. As parents, we can not take the stand that it is healthy for our children to be round and plump. Yes they need to eat enough to be healthy and to grow properly, but we must know where to draw the line between what is a healthy weight and what is excessive weight.
Often, parents will push food on their children with the idea that they need more food because they are growing. The fact is however, the energy expenditure required for growth accounts for only around 2% of their daily energy expenditure. With this in mind, a child's appetite should be taken into account when determining how much they need to eat.
Over eating is more of a learned thing than one that just develops on its own. Children, much like adults, if given a well balanced diet with limited access to junk food and fast food, will eat all they need and stop when they are done. Forcing them to eat beyond that point, as well as giving them as much junk food and fast food as they want, only teaches them to over eat from an early age. This habit then usually carries over into their adult lives.
Sometimes when a parent does notice that their child is overweight, they will try to push diets on them that are too low in calories. This is not good for them either. They still need a certain amount of calories for their growth and restricting their calories too much can interfere with the normal growth process. It is better here to simply bring them back to the proper amount of calories they should be getting. Since they were over eating before, going to a normal amount of food will make them lose the extra weight just fine.
Last but certainly not least, lack of exercise is part of the reason that so many children get fat. The average school kid today spends more time watching TV and playing video games than they spend in school. Even when they are in school, most kids only get around 60 to 90 minutes maximum of physical education per week.
Mon, 17 Apr 2006 04:56:14 -0400 - Selecting Baby Clothes
Selecting clothes for your baby can put you in a quandary. Ranging from Disney to quality seconds stores, the second hand stores, charity shops and garage sales, departmental store’s own label baby clothes, the variety CAN BE BAFFLING. Anyhow, there are a few things to bear in mind when making those choices. The article below offers a few thoughts on what you need to consider while choosing baby clothes.
Looks are not all
Looking after a baby is very much a practical affair. Think about it from your own point of view, but also ask friends who have recently had babies, they may have a few tips for you. So, while you plan for your baby’s birth, arrange your layette, or get advise from your friends and relatives what you need as baby gifts, be sure to keep practicality in mind. To help you, though, here are a few things to bear in mind when buying baby clothes.
Comfort is foremost
Clothes for a newborn baby should be soft, absorbent, and made of natural fibres. Remember that the skin of your new born is very tender, and quite sensitive. While the outfit you admire may be the ultimate in cuteness, it could cause discomfort if it is made of the wrong materials, does not breathe easily, or is too restrictive. Pure cotton is the best for baby clothes.
Baby Clothes' Accessibility
The baby will need to be changed frequently. If you choose baby clothes with too many buttons, straps, and fasteners, you will soon find them troublesome. There will be times when you are in a scurry, or in an inconvenient place, and having to spend minutes trying to get through the layers of baby clothes to the diaper for changing will soon force you to discard those cute and expensive designer wear.
Bear in mind that babies are messy, and that you and your spouse / partner will be cleaning up after them. So, make it simple by choosing baby clothes with quick and easy access, and easy to put on and take off.
Thu, 13 Apr 2006 06:42:29 -0400 - Play at two!
Play is indeed one of the best ways for babies to grapple new concepts and ideas. It is one of the best teaching methods. However at every stage, a child needs newer forms of play to stimulate his interest. What is interesting for a six month old won't surely be that interesting for a two year old. You can't expect your two year old to feel excited just by watching some colorful object- which would actually be very interesting for a six month old baby. As your baby grows, he not only outgrows certain toys and games- his preferences also changes. So what exactly can be/constitute interesting and appropriate play for a two year old? Read on to get some ideas.
By the time your baby is two, games which involve shapes, sizes or colors would make up for interesting play. This is a good time to introduce her to different shapes like rectangles, squares, triangles etc. You can give her an assorted jumble of toys or objects of different shapes- for e.g. two triangular objects, three circular ones and four rectangular toys. Then tell her to put the similar shapes in one stack from the assorted shapes. Show her how she can do it. This kind of a game can be very stimulating for her. Also, she would learn the concept of shapes through this game. So it can be a very educational game at the same time. This could be her lesson in geometry! You can make her play similar games involving colors or sizes.
The 'Stack and Store' kind of game also proves to be fun. Put an entire jamboree of goodies in a container- it would be fascinating for her to take them out and put them in again. This would also be the first step towards teaching her to keep her toys in order and organized!
Toys which toddlers can rock, push or ride would also prove to be fun.
The high chair can be used as a prop for a very interesting game. Strap your baby carefully in the high chair- then place a basket in front and give him some soft balls. Tell him to throw the balls in the basket- sit back and see her aim getting better!
The list of fun games is endless. But remember, at this age babies are like sponges- they absorb everything taught to them. So try to imbibe some qualities in the games that are educational and contribute to their learning process. Nothing makes learning as much fun as playing!
Wed, 12 Apr 2006 02:03:56 -0400 - Tiny Pearls
When it comes to teething, there is hardly a fixed pattern regarding it in babies. There is no certainty as to when the teething would begin, the amount of time it will take or the pain quotient. Some babies hardly experience pain when a tooth is cut, whereas in some babies there is too much of pain and teething is a severe process. In many cases, a lump can be seen in the gum for many weeks. And in some babies the tooth erupts without any visible prior lump like formation.
Just as in other areas of development- each child has an individual pattern in teething. Every baby is different. Often, the teething process can follow patterns which are hereditary. So if the father or the mother had early/late teething- the child will follow suit.
Usually seven months is the average age when a tiny tooth erupts. The tooth usually erupts in the lower gum (as said earlier, your baby could get his first tooth before or after this age). With the appearance of tiny teeth- you have to begin the proper dental care of your baby. Even if these happen to be milk teeth and temporary- your treatment of them should not be lax. Because if the milk teeth get decayed or lost due to decay- there can be deformity of the dental structure in the long run, even with the appearance of permanent teeth. Not only deformity, decay and premature loss of milk teeth can lead to poor nutritional intake. It can hamper the speech development and confidence level (leading to shyness) in the long run.
The diet of the pregnant mother influences a baby's teeth formation- the crown of babies teeth are formed when they are in the womb. Therefore it is very necessary for a pregnant woman to include nutrients like Vitamin A, B, C, D, Calcium and Phosphorous in her diet. After birth, the baby's diet should also consist of these nutrients. Most of these are contained in milk and vitamin drops can be added to make up for the rest.
The lower two incisors are the first teeth to appear. The four upper incisors appear next, within a few months. Usually, by the time a baby is one year old- he has six tiny teeth
Tue, 11 Apr 2006 03:02:37 -0400 - Healthy Food For Your Baby
Every baby is different and his or her nutritional need are unique in that sense.A baby generally adds about an ounce every day for the first six months of his life and about half an ounce every day in the next six months. This simple fact is a good pointer as to how essential a proper nutritional intake for him. For any baby nothing can beat breast milk. It is absolutely the right nutrition that his body needs to grow. Any baby between zero to four months feeds at intervals of about two to three hours that means he needs about eight to twelve feeding sessions every day. If breast-feeding is an option, then the baby should feed for 10 to 20 minutes on each breast. This would be enough nutrient for him. This would not only be comfortable for him but also goes a long way in establishing the bonds that parents and their kids share later on.
After having completed four months a baby can now be fed cereal. But the solid food that he intakes must be made into a paste or it can be mixed with the breast milk or the formula. And a baby should not be fed more than two to three teaspoons of cereal during a single meal. But his diet of breast milk or formula must continue, though he now might feed less frequently but in greater amounts.
Once he completes six months you can slowly start experimenting with other solid foods. It makes sense to introduce one new food every week and it is best to do so when he's very hungry. You can feed him strained fruits, meats, vegetables and egg yolks. But all these should be introduced slowly and it should be observed if his system could take the new foods well. It is better not to make your baby drink sodas, soft drinks or tea. Such beverages don't have the adequate nutritional values that your baby needs at this tender age. Moreover they can also result into cavities. Also make sure that your baby sits upright on a chair while having any solids. And it is better to make him practice having meals with the rest of the family at least once a day.
Mon, 10 Apr 2006 02:15:21 -0400 - A Fun Baby Shower Game That Everyone Will Enjoy
Some of the most memorable moments of a baby shower for the guests are the fun baby shower games that are played. Many a hostess could tell you that the same games get used at almost every baby shower. So, finding a unique and fun baby shower game becomes important if you want to make your party different.
Here is a hilarious, original and easy game to play for your party - it is called "How Prego Can You GO!!"
It goes like this: Before the shower, buy about 200 medium-sized balloons. Then, either borrow or buy 4-5 XXL shirts and 4-5 pairs of XXL pants (you will need one shirt and 1 pant for each team, so if you only have 2 or 3 teams just buy 2 or 3 pairs of clothing).
How to Play: During the baby shower, divide the guests into teams of 4 or 5 people. Have each team choose one team member who is going to be "pregnant". Then give each team one large shirt and one pair of large pants, and about 50 balloons. When you say "Go!" the "pregnant" team member of each team will put the shirt and pants on as quick as they can, while their teammates start to blow up the balloons. When the "pregnant" one is "dressed", teammates will begin stuffing the inflated balloons as fast as they can into the shirt and pants of the "pregnant" one. After 3 minutes, everyone must stop stuffing balloons. The winning team is the one that has the MOST "pregnant" team-member (the one with the most stuffed inflated balloons). Don't pull the balloons out to count, though! The fun has just started! The best (and most hilarious) way to count the balloons is to get a long pin or needle and pop the balloons, one by one while everyone is watching. This can be such a riot! You can pop all the balloons in the pants first and then have a very "pregnant" and/or well developed mommy! This game gets everyone involved and laughing.
This is a very fun baby shower game that will be a definite highlight of the party and a memorable event for everyone.
Fri, 07 Apr 2006 06:54:57 -0400 - Baby Showers: Avoiding Surprises
Baby Showers are typically given before a delivery, commonly a month or two ahead of the expected date of delivery. It's an excellent thought to present the to-be-mother a sufficient amount of time subsequent to the baby shower to buy the stuff she didn't obtain, nonetheless wants to procure by the time the baby arrives. Surprises can be fun if they are the kind of thing the expecting mother typically enjoys. In this case, you need to enlist the help of those close to the mom to find out her needs and wants for the baby. You'll also want to plan the guest list carefully, checking it with a close relative or friend to be sure you haven't omitted anyone close to the expecting mom.
A traditional and customary baby shower is a safer bet: proving you an ability to evaluate the guest list with the guest of honor, and also lets the mom to register for gifts and allow the host to discern any particular requirement desirable for the baby.
Regardless of whether the baby showers is a surprise party, or otherwise, bear in mind that it is for the mom-to-be! Ensure she has a comfortable chair to sit in (which does not apply much of stress on both to-be-mother and the baby), someone to tender her gifts (no pregnant woman will like to bend down to pick up objects), her choicest cuisines, and abundance of help getting the gifts to her car and into her home. Since this is her day – a special one!
Wed, 05 Apr 2006 05:16:48 -0400 - Food Allergies in Infants and Babies
Food allergies are a common problem amongst babies alike.
There are many possible reasons for food allergies. Your infant could be allergic to cow's milk or your child could be having some problems dealing with solids when you're trying to wean him/her.
Causes for food allergies:
· Introduction of allergenic solids in baby's diet before four months of age
· Allergy towards cow's milk
· Allergy towards other foods like dairy products, fish, nuts, or wheat
· Heredity
· Enzyme deficiency which causes lactose intolerance
· In rare cases, a serious undetected illness or condition
First, try to eliminate the following products from your infant's diet.
· Dairy products
· Soy
· Egg (or at least white of egg)
· Wheat
· Peanuts
· Tree nuts
· Citrus fruits
· All types of food additives (reduce introduction of canned, packaged or ready-to-eat food)
· Shellfish
Tue, 04 Apr 2006 04:54:50 -0400 - Making Babies Inclined Towards Being a Vegetarian
Persuading babies to consume healthy food, from the very beginning, will have a upbeat bearing on them in the future, influencing physical condition, weight, and requirement for medical treatments. Sadly, with the varied and ambiguous communication we listen from the media, obtaining accurate information on nutrition can present a challenge.
Vegetables, grains, fruits, legumes, and nuts are the most advantageous foods for kids. Loaded with complex carbohydrates, protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, they constitute the basis for dietary routine that sustain an existence of vigor. Studies specify that adults who take fruits and vegetables are those who took these foods during childhood.
Evidence proves that lacto-vegetarian diets sufficiently meet the dietetic needs of children. Suitably designed vegan and lacto-ovo-vegetarian diets gratify nutritional requirements of infants, children, and adolescents and prop up normal growth.
Thu, 30 Mar 2006 04:18:19 -0500 - Having a Healthy Union With Your Baby
Nearly all parents instinctively get attached with their children, a powerful emotion that impels you to desire to cleave to and love and look after them. For a few parents, this can take a somewhat longer, more so if there has been a complicated pregnancy or labor, or caesarian. Bonding is an ordinary route but there are several ways to enhance it, particularly if you present focused, receptive heed in a fostering upbringing environment. Studies and analysis prove that babies having pleasing relations with their parents have a propensity for growing into secure, stable adults and even achieve better at school.
Touch
A baby's first communiqué is through touch, so hold your baby close, cot him / her in your arms, caress him, hug him, or use a sling if you need to get on with chores. Massage provides a more structured method of touching your baby and a way of promoting physical and mental growth as well as the parent-baby bond.
Breastfeedingis sometimes tricky; consequently consult your doctor in case you want any aid or support.
Talk
A breastfed baby will get close contact with her mother regularly, facilitating an early tie to grow. Sadly, this
Even though the baby may not grasp your lingo but he / she will definitely heed you discussing about what your chores; be it changing her nappy, making you food or taking bath. This will instill confidence in him / her. This results from the verity that you are always close by and always all ears about her while doing your chores.Music and Singing
Make your child music-savvy right at the start of his life by exposing him to various musical notes. Notwithstanding how cacophonic your voice might be, your baby will be keen on listening to your voice. The cadenced temperament of nursery rhymes is very comforting and facilitates learning abilities like language improvement.
Tue, 28 Mar 2006 05:53:17 -0500 - Baby Shower Protocol
While organizing a baby shower importune guidance from the to-be-parents regarding programs, schedules, guest list, to ascertain that their favorite guests are present, their pet tasks, programs, and activities are performed. Customarily, baby showers are held close to the baby’s birth.
Even then if you decide to schedule a shower for after the baby is born, that's fine, too. Then guests can bring gifts specific to the baby's sex. And with a baby as the centerpiece, you'll have a surefire icebreaker and conversation topic.
The menu must also be set as per the fancy of the expecting couple. Moreover, the party must be held near to the date of conception as this increases exhilaration. The invitations are to be sent minimum 3-4 weeks in advance. Invitation card must include the necessary info like names of the parents expecting a child, their registry information, venue of the party, and RSVP details. Also, it’s perfectly fine to mention the theme of the party in the invitation card.
Do apply KISS (keep it short and sweet) rule; 2-3 hours are adequate. More than this could stress the mother-to-be physically.
Avoid a surprise baby showers, as they can either be wonderful and exciting, or terribly awkward and thwarting for the mom-to-be. If you are confident that a surprise baby shower will be a hit, then only plan one.
Mon, 27 Mar 2006 23:18:05 -0500 - Dealing with Bedwetting by Babies
Bedwetting is now openly acknowledged as a frequent childhood trouble. Twenty percent of five-year-olds and ten percent of six-year-olds routinely wet their beds. Such action is just a sign of an undeveloped bladder system, and in case of the majority of kids, the problem will depart when they become a little grown-up. The subsequent ideas can act as a booster for the process of upturn.
Yet, if the symptoms don’t disappear after 5 yrs of age then do arrange for him to have a complete medical check-up. Inform the doctor in advance about your problem in order that your child does not get humiliated at the clinic. If there are any health problems your doctor can identify them and help solve the problem. Ask your doctor about PNE (Primary Nocturnal Enuresis) which is caused by a hormone deficiency that causes bedwetting and can be treated with a prescription nasal spray.
Sometimes the reason might just be laziness to get out of bed and relieve. So to counter the menace of bed-wetting make your child to wear disposable padded underwear (easily procurable in the market) while he is going to sleep if your kid is five or younger.
Fri, 24 Mar 2006 04:37:41 -0500 - Preventing Babies from Accidental Poisoning
Medicines, various sort of household products, and natural tendency and curiosity to put everything they see in their mouth make babies highly vulnerable to accidental poisoning. Even though the parents might be taking all the necessary precautions and measures to prevent their kids from this menace the children become vulnerable again when a child visits your relatives, friends, and acquaintances’ house. Accordingly albeit you're sure that your home is up to snuff, read on to confirm your offsprings remain safe anywhere they go.
Amass potentially dangerous household and medicinal products safely
Don't leave medicine in your purse or in an unlocked kitchen or bathroom cabinet. All medicines and other potentially poisonous household products must be locked out of children's sight and reach. When you're a guest in someone's home, scrutinize the rooms where your child will hang around. Regarding your own house, do:
Examine labels to detect the potentially poisonous items. Put such items separate from toothpaste, soap and other daily-use things, to make your kids less vulnerable to them.
Thu, 23 Mar 2006 03:33:48 -0500 - A Perfect Parenting Plan
Bringing up children is an intricate work.
In the vast informational sources regarding parenting, you can easily discover solutions for almost any problem or issue you encounter. Every child is different, and every parent is different. Because of this, there are no comprehensive resolutions that will work for everyone. I suggest that you review all the solutions you discover and take a few quiet minutes to think about them. Modify the suggestions to best suit your family, and don't be afraid to try out more than one until you discover your best answer.
Remember that following a few important rules will make every situation with your child easier to handle, regardless of which solution you choose to implement. These are called - The Perfect Parenting Keys.
Know how to Control your KidsMake your child / children understand that they must obey you and you are right counsel for them in all major and minor walks of life. The first step to taking charge is simply to give yourself permission to be in charge, and start expecting your children to obey you.
With this firm basis you will construct an affectionate, credulous bond with your children. And, probably more significantly, you will be able to guide your children into maturity with good principles, ethics, wisdom and life skills that only a strong, encouraging and compassionate parent can pass on.
Guide your kids accuraltely:
While you impart values to your kids and tell him / her to do something (or stop doing something) make a unambiguous, precise statement that leaves no scope for misunderstanding.
A common error parents commit is asking children instead of telling. At this stage children can not differentiate between right and wrong. So, by hook or crook, make the children follow the appropriate course of action. The manner in which you utter your words establishes whether your kids view your call as voluntary or necessary. Throw out all feeble expressions from your terminology, especially while dealing with children.
Tue, 21 Mar 2006 04:20:10 -0500
