Halloween is at the door; Halloween is knocking; Halloween is coming in…so bad if you’re not prepared. With just a day to go, you can bet…Halloween is all that matters. You read the signs on the street, you see it on TV, you hear about it at work, and of course, you see it online. The news is everywhere and it just gets hotter every minute.
There are not many occasions in the year that can get you filled on both hands. Halloween is definitely one you can't miss out on. So, if you’ve not started planning already, now is a perfect time to arrange a costume that will make a big splash. It doesn't matter whether it looks thought inspiring, hilarious, mysterious, scary or super hot, as long as it's a double-take, you shouldn't mind.
Normalcy is definitely not fashionable in a time like this, and if your costume doesn't get any attention or trigger some conversations, then you never really planned for Halloween.
But then, what if you have a little bundle around and still want to parade on the fright night? Isn't he too young to go trick-or-treating?
To the second question, the answer is obvious. To the first, I say, it's your call! Even though bub might not be old enough to go trick-or-treating, it doesn't mean he should miss out on the spookiest night of the year.
Here's what you don't know- Halloween is actually twice the delight when you've got a babysitter to team up with. However, you may also find it a bit challenging choosing a clever costume that comes with a comfortable carrier for your gorgeous pumpkin.
From adorable little Yodas to cute ETs, to luxurious peapods, to spooky sharks and sloths, you will be amazed at the huge number of fabulous baby carrier costume ideas on display at the moment for babywearing moms and dads.
Here are the top creations by savvy parents which are undeniably genius.
Transform your gorgeous tot into some hot buttered popcorn and begin to "feast" on the delicious babe. Don't worry, you won't actually be eating any hair on the pumpkin or the costume itself...it's just a silly way to show off your longing for a movie theatre or cinema. But then you would rather be with your little bundle of joy.
Whatever you do, don't get peckish, not even a bit, not when you have bub strapped to your chest as a box of buttered popcorn. And please don't be carried away when you start hearing stuffs like, "He looks so yummy! Can I eat some?"
Remember it's your little tot in there.
Nasty? Yes. Astonishing, witty costume? Absolutely! However, expect a mixed reaction and some funny looks from strangers, because only the brave can stand the sight of a gore-some walking dead.
But then, it's a fright night...who cares! After all, it's not every time one gets to see a brain-thirsty zombie parading for amusement. So embrace your head-turning costume and walk around, head high, with an alien bursting out from the chest.
No doubt, you will stun onlookers. And as long as you capture all the details, the whole fam should be satisfied.
Remember the beautiful girl imprisoned in a tower who lets down her long hair for a rescuer to climb?
Another fairy tale outfit that looks incredible with a baby carrier, Rapunzel is one Halloween costume that is perfect for dad and her long haired daughter.
You're the stone tower, and she's Rapunzel in prison. But then, she's comfy and you're probably not. Isn't it expensive for someone looked away?
But then, it's not every time you come across a tower harbouring a beautiful girl with a long golden hair who is waiting for her rescue. Oh, I almost forgot? What about the rescuer? Will he ever come forth? Don’t fret, it's just a costume!
Cutest alien about to make his homecoming at the Halloween. You won't only be satisfied with your son as ET, you may as well assume you're out of this world. Phone home now and let us know what's going on.
ET and Elliot is undeniably the coolest Halloween costume on the list for you and bub. A good way to remind everyone of the classic movie masterpiece.
How I wish you would remain on the bike. But then, you will no longer be wearing a costume. Nothwistanding, ET is perfect for the family.
Perfect duo. Mice and Cheese is a testament to the fact that you don't have to spend through your nose to arrange for a clever babysitter for Halloween.
A brick of cheese on your head with your cute little daughter as a grey mouse is as adorable as it sounds funny.
How I wish the mice would actually play and reap off the cheese on your head. Sounds funny...right? But then, the simple idea is what make this cute outfit cheesy and unique.
The perfect makeover when you've got two cute tots with a political vibe, and you don't mind acting secret service. This presidential podium costume is the best way to gather momentum get the masses on "their" side.
Babies for President! It doesn't matter if I don't make out anything from their "heated" debate, am still going to vote for them. Too bad, old Trump doesn't look as happy and adorable as this little cuties!
Playing as about Zach Galifianakis holding onto tot Tyler on Halloween couldn't be cooler than with this hilarious get-up. Though little one might not have a clue what's going on, but you can be sure daddy is feeling over the moon.
Not only is Hangover a recreation of our favourite scene in the original movie, it is one of the funniest makeover for fright night.
Finally, don't just settle for an inspiring Halloween costume, instead choose one that is comfy for your little bundle. No amount of facebook comments or Instagram likes is enough to sacrifice your child's comfort. It's just one night...so make the best of it.
Talking about the best of the best, I think all the ideas on the list are perfect, but I just can't get over the hilarious zombie family. Maybe it's because am a horror freak. Anyway just sharing my thoughts. What about you? Which costume idea stands out for you?
Let me know what you think in the comment box.
]]>Congratulations! Your baby is finally teething- a good sign she’s growing up.
But also get ready for the horror teething can bring to both the baby and your family.
Hell hath no fury like a teething baby, which is why baby teethers, teething gels, and teething necklaces sell so well. This was the worst stage for my friends and I, as it also causes drooling, chapped faces and sometimes a runny tummy.
Teething can be your worst nightmare as a parent especially when it's your first experience. But, even as you reproduce more bundles, it doesn't get any better.
While some babies won’t make a fuss about teething, many are more likely to drool and howl in pain.
Hopefully, they all outlive the experience before they are six. But I still think it’s a long wait.
One day, you have a little pumpkin that is happy. As long as you feed and cuddle her enough, you don't have a problem. You think you’ve finally got things under control.
The baby looks sweet and cries very little. You don't need to sing so many choruses like before. Things can't seem to get better. So wonderful...the joy of motherhood!
Then all of a sudden, the sweet, happy bundle suddenly just turns into an angry wailing pumpkin that cries uncontrollably. You have to carry her all the time, sing more, shush more and probably swaddle more.
But it seems you have to do more to stop all the howling and slobbering.
Teething is a huge milestone not only for babies but also for parents. The incessant drooling resulting from sore gums and the new protruding teeth can cause as much pain for the baby as it's hard on the parents, especially mothers.
When babies or toddlers are in pain, it's hard for them to get a good sleep. It's even harder to bear the torment if they're exhausted from howling endlessly.
My first child didn't make a fuss about teething. It was as if he was getting those teeth and didn't even seem to know it was happening.
First, he cut his first teeth on a Friday morning. And BAM!!! Another one appeared the next day. It was hard for me to notice because he was still snoozing like Rip Vin Winkle as usual.
It was my second daughter Jessie that really gave my husband and I a tough time, not because of teething, but for colic.
Colic is worse because there is never one solution. Pray you don't experience it! Even if you do, there is a way to get through it comfortably. Luckily, I have written something about that.
Back to teething…
My next two daughters were the real teething victims. They cried, drooled, fussed, flailed, and were often tired from crying so much. It started with Lynda, my third child. For a while, it was sleeping regression for the whole house, until I started doing certain things which I will soon be sharing.
Like I said earlier, teething is really awful. You need a lot of guts to scale through. In fact, it promises to be hard on the whole family and not just you as the mother.
Fortunately, there's a way to get through the process without all the pain and discomfort, many mothers normally experience. Having the right information under your belt can make life easier for the whole house.
With this in mind, here are seven things you can do to survive teething.
Try to ensure your child is comfortable before she goes to sleep.
Whether it's a nap or a long night sleep, employ certain products that can offer relieve to her. Personally, I think OrajelTM Kids gel is the best topical product you will find on the counter for this purpose.
Although, there are other good options, but Orajel works incredibly faster. The effect is almost instantaneous. And believe me, a fast relieve is exactly what your baby needs.
You can also use this natural teething gel to check if your baby is “really” teething or not. Just apply some on her gums and if she calms down, then you can be sure it's teething. But if not, then it could be a cold, stomach bug or even hunger.
Generally, teething isn't fun, but it's usually manageable during the day. The main horror comes during the night. So you would want to have Orajel very close.
Gently put the gel on her teeth while she's still actively asleep. Add more gel in the evenings before you got to sleep.
Most mothers are usually tempted to change their basic routine while teething. You don’t have to do that.
Teething lasts for years. A complete overhaul of the basic things you do can affect the comfort of your baby. Instead of changing your basic plan, try to be flexible.
For instance, if the child is finding it difficult to sleep, you can adjust their bedtime by 30 minutes or an hour.
More importantly, don’t make the mistake of dropping a nap while teething even if your baby shows signs that she is ready to stop.
During teething, babies are more likely to bite anything that they come across. This is usually done to get relieve from the soreness caused by the new tooth as it comes through the gums.
I noticed that whenever my daughter wasn’t asleep, she would always want to chew on something. Though I wasn’t comfortable with this at first, I later found out it was completely normal.
So, I had to provide her with things that are safe and satisfying to chew.
Here are some suggestions:
Toys: toys work wonders at distracting babies from the soreness and swelling. Some really good toy products include the Giraffe Teether, Vulli Sophie and Soothie Pacifier amongst others.
Teething necklace: teething necklaces do not only provide relieve for babies, they also make them cuter. Sometimes, you may not need Orajel or other painkillers when using a good teething necklace. Amber and silicone are very good options.
Mesh teething feeder: Mesh feeders are a lot of fun for kids. They help soothe the gums while baby feeds on the food (which is often frozen strawberry).
Others: Apart from regular feeders and teethers, you can use a dishtowel if your baby is a new teether. However, for toddlers, celery, popsicles, frozen bananas, or carrots, is preferable.
When you see blisters, do not panic. They are normal.
In some cases, you might notice a small blood blister over the area where the tooth will likely come out from. This was exactly what happened with my daughter.
But I also noticed that the discolored teeth resulting from staining by the blisters, soon faded and took their original white color as the baby started eating food.
Sleeping is very important for babies. So, when they are not getting enough of it during teething, it’s normal for parents to become worried.
However, here is what you mustn’t do-trying to get the little pumpkin to sleep by every means possible. I think “force” is a better word. Many parents can go far in trying to force their baby to sleep while teething.
Parlor tricks are not bad themselves. But they only work when you are certain a new tooth will cut in a day or two. Using them when you only suspect teething without actually seeing the tooth may not turn out well.
It is advisable to make very few changes because teething may last for years. You don’t want to rock the bed every time for years because you are trying to get your baby to sleep.
Keeping to a regular cleaning schedule helps your baby to develop good cleaning habit from the start.
Gum message should be done even before teething starts. Rinse the child’s mouth properly after every meal. Doing this will contribute to her oral health and also help her get used to having her mouth cleaned after meals.
She will eventually grow up with it as a habit and won’t find it difficult to brush.
Gum message should be done before and through the teething stage. Not only does it provides relieve, it also helps in breaking up the gum tissues so that teeth can come out without much pain.
Tired babies and toddlers are cranky, so they need their regular nap.
Try your best to help your child get enough sleep even if she’s finding it hard. Like I said earlier, don’t “force” it or you will find it harder in the future.
Instead, you can apply medications that help induce sleep. Good examples are Motrin and Tylenol. Motrin should be used only if your baby is already above six months old, while Tylenol is appropriate if she’s younger.
Caring for a teether is a big job, but that’s only a part of the equation. Make sure you don’t overlook other areas like skin care, proper feeding, and clothing.
Neglecting one aspect of your child’s health will only worsen the state of the other.
For instance, the baby might find it hard to eat due to the pain of teething. In such a case, you need to allow the child chew on something cold to relieve the soreness of the gums, before meals, and keep them hydrated.
Hopefully, this will make feeding easier.
Also, in caring for the baby’s skin, use a bib or a mild ointment to keep their skin dry and reduce the risk of skin infection that may arise from drooling.
Like I said earlier, teething is awful. Hopefully, the strategies above will help you keep your sanity as you survive through it.
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Ever had a baby with colic? My second daughter screamed non-stop from 5pm-9pm for the first 3 months of her life, and it nearly broke me.
Then I took her to the nearest “Baby and Me” class around, but things got worse. While the other babies cooed and slept soundly, my little pumpkin cried aloud inconsolably. What was wrong with my child?
Did I miss anything? Was there anything I was doing wrong? I didn't think so. At least things worked out well with my first baby, Duke. But why was this one different? After six weeks, I was already worn out and frustrated. The joy of motherhood was slowly leaving me. The noise had become unbearable, and I felt terrible as a mother.
Luckily, after three long, difficult month of searching for a solution, my husband was able to arrange an appointment with a pediatrician. It was during that period that we learnt about the true condition of our baby, Jessie. She had colic, and I wasn’t responsible. Later on, I discovered other mothers had a similar experience.
Medical professionals define colic as a state of fussiness or extreme crying which usually lasts between 3 weeks to 3 months from the first or second week of their conception.
Usually, the baby will cry for more than 3 hours every day for at least 3 days in a week. Now that's a lot of crying!
Even the most loving mom and dad can "lose it". The incessant howling can be hard to bear, not to mention the stress and frustration of trying to console an inconsolable baby.
Parents caring for colic babies are often very jumpy and distressed. In fact, many experts claim they can easily tell when a baby has colic by merely observing the countenance and reaction of their parents.
Unfortunately, experts are yet to determine the exact cause of colic, although many of them believe it can stem from everything, ranging from an immature nervous system to a sensitive temperament. Some also attribute it to over secretion of a neurotransmitter responsible for maintaining the baby's sense of well-being and security.
Some underlying issues like protein allergy or acid reflux can also make a baby very difficult to control. Even hunger and sleepiness can be probable causes. This is why it's very important to see a pediatrician to ascertain the true condition of your child.
Although I retired from childbearing after my fifth child***winks***, I've always been astonished at how this infantile affliction can bring even the most experienced mother to her knees.
Luckily for me, I was able to handle colic more comfortably when it later appeared in my fourth child. I no longer felt frustrated and guilty like I did with my second baby because I had learnt to survive through it.
Down in the trenches, my experience has helped me discover various remedies, both old and new, that can help your family survive through colic.
Although I must confess that my meeting with the pediatrician served as the major breakthrough for me as it offered me relieve and freedom, which was what I needed to go on.
Desperate parents try everything they can to stop the tears from rolling. It's understandable, and you can’t blame it on them.
But things can get even harder when you don't know what to do.
Just like labour, colic comes with a lot of physical and emotional demand. It's as if you will never forget the experience. This is exactly how I feel, even now. But am glad I can look back now with the wisdom that distance and time affords, and say, "yes, I wish I knew what I know now from the very beginning!"
Anyway, I don't intend to have any more bundles now, but I can share my knowledge and experience to mothers going through colic experience at the moment.
Even if you are awaiting mother, the wisdom I will soon be sharing here will help you live through a colic experience without the frustration and distress my family went through with Jessie.
So, without wasting much time, here is how you can survive through colic:
The first step to surviving colic is to realize that you are not a bad parent. It's not you that's making the baby scream-it’s the colic.
Although, I must confess-it’s torturing and distressing to hear your baby scream uncontrollably. Like I said earlier, several nights of battling colic can bring even the most experienced mothers to their knees.
For my family, it was always a guessing game. Since the baby couldn't communicate her discomfort or pains, we were always trying different things to soothe her.
I don't think there is anything we didn't do. Sometimes we got lucky; other times, it seemed as if she was going to bring the whole place down.
We didn't go out that much because of her.
I felt terrible as a mother, and it didn't take too long before depression started settling in. But our meeting with the doctor changed everything. In time I realized the problem was neither with me or my loving husband, Harry.
According to the pediatrician, our parenting skills were never in doubt. Instead, the problem was colic!
The truth is that you can't handle colic duty every time. It's impossible to go through every night for hours straight without burning out, even if you're a super mom. If you're not a single mom, try taking shifts with your hubby. If not, get a friend or family member to help you.
Even older siblings, neighbors, grandparents can help especially if you and your partner are both at wits end.
In my case, Harry was extremely wonderful. I never knew he could be so cool and patient. All the while, he was always telling me things will work out. Although it wasn't easy for me at that time, I have come to love him even more now.
So don't battle colic alone, or you risk losing your mind or cool. Even more, you’ll feel better knowing you’re not alone in the struggle.
Apart from breastfeeding or allowing your baby to gnaw on her hands, there are many other ways you can soothe her.
The most common one is using white noise- a method popularly known as shushing. However, make sure the noise is not too loud. Ideally, it should be something that can remind the baby of the utero sound or heartbeat she was used to while in the womb.
There are so many baby toys you can use for this purpose. Other devices like hair dryer, vacuum cleaner, rattles, CDs, apps, portable sound machines, and swings, amongst others, can be conveniently used to produce a shushing sound.
Most babies really enjoy being tossed around or moved around. So, swinging is another method that works just fine. It worked for me several times. Am sure it will do the same for you.
You can swing the little pumpkin on your arms, or you can take her for a brief ride in your car when you notice she's getting fussy.
Vibration is another way to swindle a baby. So, try placing the child in a bassinet or seat that can be vibrated or shaken.
Swaddling is another ancient practice that works great. It involves wrapping your baby with a piece of cloth (blanket) to make her feel secure and cozy.
Swaddling helps to encourage your baby to sleep by restricting involuntary movements that may rattle her awake.
Avoid using any other blanket material to swaddle apart from cotton. When not properly done, swaddling can lead to SIDS or other serious issues. So, do it the right way!
Don't be afraid to try new things. Remember, your aim is to calm your bundle, even if it requires you to run an electric drill.
Colic is not the only reason babies cry. Hunger and tiredness can also make them scream. Sometimes, they may also need a diaper change.
So don't get caught up swaddling, swinging, or shushing. Try to find out if something else is wrong with your child.
Even turning off or turning on the lights can trigger a response from a baby. This is why you have to be sensitive as a parent to know what your baby likes.
Don't worry, over time, you will learn to know what she prefers as you both get to know each other.
Sometimes it's best to just allow the baby to fuss and cry. It is understandable if you feel guilty about it- in fact, we all do. So don't get hooked trying to calm your child that you forget about yourself and the other people around you.
Take some time off, especially if nothing seems to be working. Put the baby down and get on with other stuff you need to do. Don't worry. Crying never kills anybody! So your baby won't be the first. You may want to take your bath, brush, or have a nice meal. You can even listen to a good music just to relieve yourself.
Also, try to spend time with other members of the family. You can go for a walk around the block or have some good conservation together, even if it's for one hour.
Never allow the incessant crying of the little fellow to rob you the joy of family life.
If possible, cry a little. Walk away if you have the urge to shake or hit the baby.
Taking a break from time to time will also give you some relieve and help you regain balance.
Parenting a colicky baby can be really isolating.
From my experience, I found out that many mothers prefer facing the problem alone because they don't impose their babies’ behavior on others.
They can't talk about it because it feels painful to share. The thought of thinking they are not doing well as mothers can be very difficult.
But you know what? You won't make it through colic that way. The breakthrough starts only when you start talking.
There are many mothers who have been through your situation; looking up to these people for advice will definitely help you a great deal. Just like what am doing now-helping you by sharing my knowledge and experience!
You can also meet up with parents who are caring for colic babies at local playgrounds. Coming together this way will enable you to exchange useful tips and technique with each other. You will definitely be glad to know that you're not the only one having a hard time.
Meeting with a therapist may also prove to be extremely helpful.
Whatever you do, have it in mind that colic is temporary. Your baby is likely to outgrow it sooner.
So, you should get to that point where you can say, "The problem is with the baby, not me".
Trust me; this will give you a sense of relieve and help you cope with the situation more freely.
Remember, the problem will not last forever. So take it easy one day at a time.
Take care of your baby and also take care of yourself.
You will eventually get to the point of hugs, smiles and laughters. And the colic experience wouldn't even matter anymore.
]]>Without doubts, there is always some kind of attachment between every mother and her child. However, this bonding is usually stronger in some momma-baby relations than others, as observed in the number of grown-ups with low affinity and reduced affection for their parents. While some kids grow up to become securely attached to their parents, there are others who grow up without such connection. Overtime, experience has shown that the latter often have difficulties coping with school and life generally.
Although, there are several ways to form a strong bond with a newborn, overtime, skin to skin contact has proven to be the easiest and most rewarding method. Getting attached to bub at the go is the best way to set up an unbreakable bond that will remain for a life time.
While it may not appear obvious, babies tend to be closest to their mothers while they are still in the womb. They practically depend on them for survival. Everything from food, shelter, warmth, oxygen, nutrients are all supplied by their mothers to sustain them till the moment they are due for delivery. However, immediately after conception, you will quickly discover that they no longer has immediate access to any of these things, which is why there’s a lot of activities on the outside to help get on with their new environment.
Warmth and protection are two essential benefits that are provided to newborns through frequent skin-to-skin contact (also known as Kangaroo care). In fact, it is the first thing mothers are required to do immediately after the birth of their bundle. And in a situation where they are not fit enough to do so, the fathers may have to step in. This is just to tell you how important the Kangaroo care is.
With this in mind, I have decided to discuss a good number of benefits of skin-to-skin care.
Like you and me, babies derive their energy from glucose, which is why they need lots of it in their bloodstream. Even while in the womb, glucose is one of the essential nutrients babies need to survive. However until they were outside the uterus, they had immediate access to these nutrients from their mothers. But now, they have to depend on the milk from your breasts to get these nutrients.
Guess what happens when the sugar in your breast milk is not enough to meet the baby needs…they feed poorly and look weak most of the time. Crying might be another indication of an insufficient diet, and I won’t be surprised if the problem degenerates to other health challenges.
Sometimes, low sugar level in breast milk and the baby’s liver might be unavoidable, as seen in the cases of pregnant women with gestational diabetes. It is expected that the babies delivered by such women will have unstable glucose level in their bloodstream.
Skin-to-skin care is one of the most effective ways to stabilize your little bundle’s glucose level as well as other nutrients, especially immediately after birth.
The old school method of keeping mother and child apart during the Golden Hour doesn't work anymore. Recent discoveries have pointed to an intensified bonding potential that can ensue from keeping both mother and child. This connection which forms the basis for future attraction and affinity is usually mostly active during the first few hours immediately after delivery.
Bonding can never occur without closeness and there is no doubt skin-to-skin contact will help you get really close. So except you have a medical condition that requires separation from your little one sometimes, you should always endeavour to get really close through deliberate skin-to-skin contact.
Amongst other things, bonding helps your bundle of joy to quickly get used to you-your scent, your touch and your voice. Believe me, there’s no better way to create strong connection that can last a lifetime.
The baby’s transition from the womb to the outside world is one that could come with a lot of complications if not properly done. When outside the uterus for the first time, babies generally struggle to adapt to their new world.
If you are well observant, you would have noticed a lot of things with your little pumpkin. For instance, you would have noticed that his eyes were shut for a while after birth…why? Because he’s not used to so much light. Remember, he’s just coming out from the womb. And you know how dark it is inside the womb.
What the kangaroo care does is to make the transition from womb to the new world a whole lot easier. Babies who are allowed to quickly bond with their mothers through this way usually tend to settle into their new environment quickly, even if the baby is born premature.
Amongst other things, communication is undeniably one major area most parents always struggle with when dealing with newborns. From the moment of conception, babies begin to communicate even though it's in a language that's pretty difficult to figure out.
But then, being able to discern your baby needs comes with a host of benefits especially that of the ability to establish a very strong bond even when the kid grows up.
Skin-to-skin contact is one of the easiest ways you can quickly learn to recognize your baby’s signals for hunger, discomfort, and anger. Responding to these needs consequently helps to establish maternal confidence and sense of security and trust.
The early years of motherhood wasn’t particularly easy for me as I watched my first kid suffer a lot of things I didn’t really understand. Thankfully, I learnt a lot along the way which made the latter years quite easier.
From experience, I have come to discover that babies who are frequently separated from their parents tend to have a poor gut health and immunity. Such kids are usually prone to infection because of their weak immune system. Take it from a mom with six kids. Apart from the facts, most of the time, I speak from experience.
Staying connected with your child through intimate body contact helps to stimulate and strengthen his digestive system. There is better intake of nutrients due to larger villi in the gut. Also, there is reduced risk of infection as the babies immune system gets stronger.
While you were still heavy, do you remember all those moments of profuse sweating and strange shivering even when the weather didn't look like it? Right. This was exactly what your baby needed to stay cozy. At that stage in the womb, your baby's temperature was maintained by yours.
But then, immediately after birth, your baby’s temperature is no longer adjusted by you. His ability to respond to heat changes is still very weak which is why much is done to keep him under cover.
Kangaroo care remains one of the best ways you can help keep your babies temperature in check. In fact, when compared with artificial warmers, skin-to-skin contact tend to be more effective.
Experience has shown overtime that babies who are quickly subjected to Kangaroo care do not usually have problem nursing early. Babies that are laid in close skin contact with their mamas tend to suckle and breastfeed more than those who are swaddled and kept under close supervision in the nursery.
With the baby latching sooner and effectively, your milk flow is likely to be steady. And wait, I didn’t tell you-babies do have a strong sense of smell, probably more than you, which makes it all the more easier. So don’t be surprised if bub quickly latches on your perky nipples just after you place him on your chest.
Believe it or not, no mom enjoys a crying baby, no matter how much love you have for the child. Personally, I wish babies would naturally do other things but cry, and I know am not alone in my fairyland. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work like that.
Babies do cry and this one of the things that makes them babies. But so much crying can be a nuisance even when it’s coming from your prince charming. Interestingly, skin-to-skin contact can help reduce your incessant howls and wails so that you don’t lose your mind. You know why?
As an adult, there’s usually very little tendency to feel depressed, worried or bad, when in your comfort zone. Well, babies do not feel any different. Thus, when you maintain skin-to-skin contact with your baby, he is likely to cry less because the bonding will make him feel comfortable and secure all the time. More importantly, he is likely to get used to the outside world sooner than you think.
While the kangaroo care is only intensified immediately after birth, experience shows that there is more to gain from ensuring continued close skin contact with your little bundle throughout infancy. The power of touch doesn’t only come with great benefits for your kid but also for you.
So get busy with showing bub how much love you’ve got for him. Skin-to-skin should be your lifestyle through motherhood. Take it from a mother who has seen and experienced it all.
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Without a doubt, parenting is hard, pretty hard, especially for new mums and dads. As much as we don't like to admit it, the truth is glaring, and we can't shy away from it.
It's a wonder how we can love our children so much and don't cherish every minute we spend with them. None of us enjoys the frequent diaper changes or the late night watch we often have to keep just to cuddle a crying baby.
However, even with its sucky parts, there is nothing more wonderful and fulfilling than parenting. And there's no greater joy in a woman's life than having a child to call her own. But as expected, parenting will always be the hard part which is why so much has been said on the proper way to take care of a child.
How do you react when little tot cries and would not be comforted? What about all the midnight watches that doesn't seem to be ending? How do you celebrate their playfulness without sparing the rod? It's damn hard, right? I couldn't agree more.
Thankfully, many of us, especially we old mommas-***winks***-have grown to be pillars amidst the storm. And I can wholehearted tell you that I love my children more than anything else in the world. Unfortunately, it wasn't easy putting up with all their excesses during infancy, but am glad my perseverance paid off.
However, thanks to some new discoveries in science, raising a child has been made a whole lot easier. Over time, science has demonstrated how contact is important to the development of both infants and adults. For example, massage has proven to be one of the best relieve for people who are constantly stressed out from work. And sometimes, touching someone momentarily at work can boost his confidence and performance.
However, it seems children are the ones who benefit most from frequent physical contact. In addition to encouraging bonding, breastfeeding and communication, a recent study has shown that cuddling infants could also impact their genetic makeup especially during the first few weeks of conception. This is based on the results of a recent study carried out by a team made up of researchers from the University of British Columbia and BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute.
In carrying out the study, the team observed how contact with babies can induce some epigenetic changes in their DNA. Based on the research, it was discovered that babies who receive less hugs and skin-to-skin care tend to experience more distress even before they turn five. Their behavioral pattern was quite different from kids who were exposed to more touch and care at infancy. Epigenetics is concerned with the hereditary changes that occur as a result of the activation and deactivation of genes by chemical signals without any change in DNA sequence.
In carrying out the study, the team from UBC asked the parents of 94 babies to keep diaries which contained details of their physical contact (cuddling and touch) as well as their children's behavior (like crying, eating and sleeping) starting from the fifth week after birth. They were also required to log in the duration of cuddling that followed these behaviors. At approximately four-and-a-half years, DNA swabs were taken from inside the cheeks of the kids and the samples were analyzed for a biochemical modification known as DNA methylation - based on the differences in DNA resulting from the extent of physical contact.
Using DNA methylation, the researchers discovered some key differences at five specific DNA sites between the kids that received more cuddling (high-contact) and those that received little (low-contact). Interestingly, it was also voiced that among the five DNA sites, two play very important roles in metabolism and protective resistance against infections (immunity).
In addition, it was also discovered that the biological aging of the tissue and blood was quite abnormal in kids who had low contact with their parents. These kids were reported to have experienced more distress which wasn't "normal" considering how young they were. In order words, kids who were touched less frequently experienced abnormal cell development which was not peculiar to other kids of their age. Interestingly, the research findings had some correlation to a similar study carried out on rats more than four years ago.
“In children, we think slower epigenetic aging could reflect less favorable developmental progress,” says a member of the team, Michael Kobor.
Although nothing is certain yet, scientists believe that the gaps between biological age and epigenetic age could be responsible for some health problems. Thus, further research would be required to explain the reason for these gaps and how the condition could possibly have any health implication.
"We plan to follow up on whether the 'biological immaturity' we saw in these children carries broad implications for their health, especially their psychological development," says Lead author, Sarah Moore.
"If further research confirms this initial finding, it will underscore the importance of providing physical contact, especially for distressed infants."
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Preparing for a new-born as a first-time parent can turn out to be both exciting and terrifying. There is suddenly an urgent need to put everything in place to ensure the safety of your baby, which is also compounded by the fear of motherhood experience. While this is absolutely normal, it's not something that should stress you at all. Setting up a nursery for your little pumpkin can either be fun or overwhelming depending on how you approach it.
Personally, I believe creating a baby nursery is not just creating "another room" in your home. Instead, it is about creating "the room" in your home. It is the room where all the focus will be.
Since its where your precious little pumpkin will be spending most of her time, you want to take your time putting everything together to make sure the room is safe and comfortable. And of course, you want to do this without wrecking your wallet.
Most moms, especially those with no parenting experience, are usually overwhelmed by the huge number of baby items they find in the market, and as such, find it pretty hard determining which ones are really worth their money.
You will be happy to discover that there are only few things you really need in order to set up a comfortable nursery for your baby. Most of the items you see on the counter may not even be needed at the moment. You can always buy them afterward when you know more about what attracts your baby, as well as what pleases you.
So, from my experience with six kids, I have come up with what you can describe as the perfect nursery checklist which includes the essential items you need to buy for baby's room BEFORE your baby arrives. Whether you need an upgrade or it's your first, you will find my recommendation quite handy and very useful.
The principal focus of any baby nursery is usually the bedding, which is why it should come first on your list of basic nursery items. The bedding is not only meant to be comfortable, it should also blend with other items in the room. Ideally, it should stand out as a focal point in the whole nursery arrangement and decoration. It should also be safe and large enough to accommodate your baby.
When preparing bedding for your child, there are usually two options that are open to you- a bassinet or crib. A bassinet is usually more convenient, however, your baby is likely to outgrow it sooner and then you may need to get a bigger one or a new crib entirely. Whichever one you opt for, just make sure it's strong and built with quality materials.
Normally, you will come across different styles and price tags of bassinets and cribs in the market. Make sure you choose one that complements your nursery decor. It should also be affordable and within your budget. Whatever you do, make sure you stay off from drop-side cribs in order not to risk the safety of your kid.
Having a baby monitor will enable you to sleep well in the night without constantly peering into your baby's crib to check if everything is OK.
This is really important especially if you're not sleeping in the same room with bub. With a monitor, you will be able to maintain constant visual or audio contact with your child even while you're staying in a separate room. It doesn't matter whether your space is small; what matters is that you can close the door and still be aware of what is going on.
Baby monitors could either be audio or video, or both. Audio models, which are better known as traditional monitors, only transmit sound, while the video models allow you see a life image of your baby at any point in time. However, there are still certain baby monitors that can have both visual and audio functions. With this kind of monitors, you can hear and watch your little love day and night.
Ordinarily, either the audio or visual monitor should do, however, if you have the money you can purchase the more conventional monitor that comes with both functions.
Adding a glider or rocking chair to your baby's nursery can save you a lot of stress when feeding or soothing your baby. The rocking motion produced by the chair helps babies to feel comfortable and more relaxed. As such, they serve as a good spot for breastfeeding and inducing sleep.
Both gliders and rocking chairs come with a curved base which can be gently rocked back and forth. However, while a glider strictly moves on a track, a rocking chair is mainly driven by your feet. Whichever one you opt for, make sure it's sturdy and comfortable with a good footrest and lot pillows for back support. It should be a model you can use for a long time.
Generally, gliders have smoother motion than rocking chairs. They are also considered safer and more versatile. You can easily convert a good one to a regular chair when no longer needed for nursery.
It will be helpful to have a table close by where you can place feeding bottles or reading materials.
Another important nursery item that should also come to on your checklist is a changing table.
Whether you like it or not, there will always be a need to change your baby's diapers. So having a changing table or dresser will help you a great deal. Apart from the support it provides for your precious bundle during change, it also provides storage. In addition, when the table is high enough, the strain of bending over anytime you want to change your baby's napkin will be greatly reduced.
Since the table is probably going to take up a large space in the room, it's very important for the design to be nice. An elegant changing table will not only improve the overall outlook of the nursery, it will also give you a feeling of peace and security.
Like I said earlier, you should choose a changing table or dresser that comes with a shelf that can accommodate your baby's diapers or nappies, wipes, lotions, and the likes. It wouldn't hurt to also have a laundry basket around.
Speaking about bub's clothing, you may only require few singlets, rompers, and growsuits.
Mobiles are wonderful for soothing babies. In fact, your baby's nursery wouldn't be complete without them.
Though the vision of new-borns is usually blurry, but they soon outgrow this stage after some days. So even though you wouldn't need one immediately, it's still a good idea to install a mobile.
But then, once the baby gets the mobile memo, it becomes easier to fall blissfully asleep. Even while awake, there are various features of a mobile that can be used to entertain the child.
Depending on your style, you may decide to go for independent mobiles or those that come installed with bedding sets. Whichever one you choose is OK. However, the more features a mobile has, the more useful it is in soothing your baby. Who knows...maybe, if the dangling bears don't attract the kid, the mirror will, or perhaps it might be the music. For me, it was always the dangling bears!
Setting up a night light in your baby's room is really necessary. You will even need it more than them.
Generally, infants are not afraid of the dark, but you need a soft low light to guide you during late-night visits. This is important especially if you need to feed or change their clothes. Switching on the normal lighting may startle them from sleep and perhaps, a bright lighting isn't good for soothing babies. And mind you- a dark room is not an option. You don't want to bump into some piece of furniture while rushing to attend to a crying bub in the middle of the night.
So try to make provision for low lighting as part of your baby's nursery. You may want to position the light near the baby's sleeping area.
You can get all the nursery items listed above from our website, including those items that are not featured. The CuddleBug nursery room set is the best collection you can use in setting up the perfect sanctuary for your little bundle of joy.
From quality comfortable baby cribs to, to soft night lights, to sturdy dressers, gliders, rocking chairs, changing tables, and other nursery must-haves. You can find full details on pricing on everything right here on CuddleBug. Our products also include on-the-go gear, as well as other nursery items that make life easier, like swaddle, stereo, wall art, amongst others.
Finally, I believe it's normal to want to buy everything baby thing you come across. But then, you don't want to spend unnecessarily. Like I said earlier, there will be more occasions to buy some of these things afterwards, especially those cute flashy clothes and toys. For now, you may just want to focus on the core essentials above.
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Your baby won’t tell you about it, but she really loves clean swaddles and cool soft wraps. These snug baby items give the newborn a sense of security and warmth. Your swaddled bundle of joy is far less likely to be disturbed by her startle-reflexes, the little jerks she experiences in her sleep. Swaddling your baby may considerably help calm her down if she is over-stimulated.
That is just how important swaddles and baby wraps are. So it’s important to give them the very best of care and maintenance like any other gem in your coffers. You’ll want to keep the swaddles in the best shape so they can continue to keep your baby toasty as her internal thermostat prepares to kick in.
Many new moms, however, wonder how to go about this whole business of caring for swaddles. You just need to look online to realize this; a lot of forums on the Internet are packed with questions on this topic. New moms take to the forums to ask whether they should wash baby swaddles. Should they wash everything before they use on the baby? Should they hand-wash or machine-wash the items? Which detergents should they use?
If any of these questions sound anything like your own, then you’re in luck. In this article we try to provide the answers so your heart that’s full of love for the baby can find peace.
Let’s have a look at the do’s (and don’ts) of maintaining and caring for baby swaddles and wraps.
For starters, these baby items are made of soft and delicate fabric. We highly recommend that you avoid pilling them. Rather, keep them nicely in a wash bag or other suitable bag to prolong their life.
Your baby wraps need a fair bit of washing. It’s important that this starts right before you use them on the baby to get rid of whatever chemicals they may have. You’ll find some swaddles that come ready-to-wear right out of the box, but it’s a good idea to wash any type of wrap before its first use. You’ll even find that woven wraps are more enjoyable to use after a wash and dry.
Subsequent washing is way more important. You ideally want to get rid of every germ. And the swaddles attract quite a bit of germs so to speak. People will want to hold your beautiful baby and you won’t be able to tell how clean their hands are. The kid may sneeze, or people handling the wraps may cough on them. There are simply so many ways swaddles and wraps can attract germs.
Babies have sensitive skin, and germs can easily irritate them. You don’t want that to happen, so it’s important that you keep the wraps clean and germ-free at all times.
This will depend on the materials comprising the swaddle or wrap. Different materials have different requirements and manufacturers always provide the right care instructions for each item. It is best to follow these instructions to preserve the fabric.
For swaddle blankets, you can always find these instructions on the instruction labels sewn into the side of the blanket. You’ll need to see if you can wash the swaddle or wrap in cold or warm water.
If your baby wrap is a blend for instance, you’ll want to follow the instructions that apply to washing the more delicate fibers. More specifically, a wool or cotton wrap requires the instructions for washing wool.
Some manufacturers will recommend that you use water in a certain temperature. This will make a difference as far as the fabric’s lifespan is concerned. However, for others, you may only want to go the warm way as a matter of preference. Or, warm water would be a preference when you want to remove more sticky or oily components that stick to the fabric.
Here are some general rules of washing the baby item
1. Wash each wrap using cold water of about 30 °C or warm water of about 40 °C to 60 °C depending on the maximum washing temperature the manufacturer has specified.
2. Do not use the wrap or try it on your baby before first washing. The wrap or sling must shrink to its designed weaving density and length for optimum use.
3. Do not wash the swaddles and wraps together with clothes with sharp elements such as zippers. Such sharp elements may pill the material and damage it.
4. The right detergent, any day
It is best not to use bleach, dryer sheets or fabric softener with your swaddles and wraps. Instead, wash the swaddles with a gentle liquid detergent that contains no optical softeners or brighteners. Dreft is my all-time favorite laundry detergent, but soap nuts are equally great for wraps or for swaddles and cloth diapers.
Wash baby wrap/sling in small amount of washing powder for babies. Liquid laundry detergents tend to make baby wrap fiber a bit too slippery. You’ll want to be able to tighten your baby wrap, and slippery fabric may make that less possible in some wraps and slings.
5. No chemicals, no fragranceThe detergent you use on your baby’s items should be low scent or have no scent at all. Dreft for instance is a synthetic detergent with no bleach or harsh chemicals at all. You may be thinking about preserving the fabric, but the baby’s skin is even more important. Any harsh chemicals in the detergent could cause skin irritation to the baby.
Perfumes feel like a good idea but they are not for the baby things. They could potentially trigger allergic response out of the baby.
Obviously, some babies will be less sensitive than others. They might not even experience any side effects if you use your regular detergent on their swaddles. However, it would mean that you experiment with your standard detergent; use to wash some clothes and have your baby wear them for about a week. You’ll know if your baby is cool with the detergent if you see no irritation following the experimentation.
Like washing, drying the washed swaddles equally affect the fabric lifespan. Different fabrics will be more tolerant to different levels of heat. Nonetheless, you should never dry them at high heat.
For 100% cotton swaddles and wraps, it is best to let the item dry naturally or on low air. This is the surest way to prevent cotton from shrinking. Both washing cotton on hot or drying it in the dryer may cause the fabric to shrink. So if you don’t want to lose a few inches off your wrap or swaddle then you may prefer the tumble drying or low air drying.
Be sure to not to use a dryer sheet. You may, however, use untreated dryer balls; they are wonderful for softening swaddles and wraps in the dryer.
The popular thing to do is air dry all wraps. Simply hang them on the line and let drying happen.
An important part of the proper care for any item is to know and master the procedure for doing it. So here are some procedures to help you with washing your swaddles and wraps.
Start by filling a basin with warm water and add about .5 fl. oz. of the laundry detergent (dreft for my case).
Mix the water and the detergent, meanwhile using your hand to gently agitate the item you’re washing. Let it soak there for about an hour. Some color may appear in your water. Do not fret about it, this is a normal thing.
Then run cold water through item to rinse it until there is no more soapy water. Then squeeze the water gently out of the fabric.
Once this is done, hang the item to dry. You could lay it flat or tumble dry it on low. All these will depend on the instructions on the item.
First, set your machine to a normal cycle. For colored items, select cold. For white swaddles and wraps, go instead for hot.
Be sure to snap all snaps and zip all zippers before you put the items in the washing machine. This helps prevent these fastenings from snagging. Also, for the same reason. Once done, promptly remove the items from the washing machine and tumble dry them low.
Caring for babies can get messy. Babies can get serious stains on their clothing. To spot clean any such stains, mix a chlorine-free bleach with water; this creates a pasty substance. Take this substance and rub it gently with a toothbrush or stain brush into the stain.
Alternatively, you may want to soak a stain. Simply fill a basin (or sink) with hot water and bleach (chlorine-free). Soak the stained item(s) for a minimum of one hour. Then rinse the dirty water out. You may have to repeat the process depending on the stubbornness of the stain.
There will always be minor differences in the care and maintenance procedures. Whatever the case, the tips provided here should apply across the board.
]]>Swaddling is one of the oldest practices in human history that is still very much common in many parts of the world today. It is simply the act of wrapping infants in clothing that restricts movement.
Although in recent times, there have been some contentions as to whether this ancient practice should continue or not, however, the general consensus is that swaddling is safe as long as it is done the right way.
When properly done, wrapping your baby will help to keep her secure and safe, and also encourage them to sleep. It will help them survive the transition of leaving the womb as they try to adapt to the new world. However, doing it carelessly can cause some serious damage to your child’s health.
This is why it is very important for you as a parent to learn how to swaddle properly.
To a large extent, swaddling mimics the condition inside the womb by enabling your baby to have the same physical sensation. This helps your baby to adjust to their new environment quickly.
The wrapping of arms and leg keeps involuntary movement during sleep which can startle your baby awake.
Also, Swaddling provides comfort to your child. Think about the physical sensation your baby had before coming out of your womb. Think about the warm bath of fluid, the solitude, the cozy surrounding, the dark atmosphere, and the secure covering.
Unfortunately, once the little pumpkin comes into the world, that sense of security is no longer there.
Her perfect sanctuary is taken away, and a complete overhaul occurs. Instead of her wonderful, perfect isolated dark sanctuary, she is now exposed to radiant light, unfamiliar voices, napkin and clothes, harsh weather, and of course a new kind of sleep bed-the bassinet.
Luckily, swaddling brings calmness and a feeling of comfort to the baby in spite of the drastic change she’s exposed to after birth. It helps her to quickly settle in her new environment, feeling safe and secure.
Swaddling starts at the hospital during the first few hours of delivery.
As the baby leaves the womb, she is carefully wrapped in clean clothing after the blood stains have been washed away. At this time, her muscles are weak, and her legs and hands are not yet completely straight.
Subsequently, as the baby is taken home, she is frequently swaddled, but not all the time.
This should be done until your baby's arms and legs are straight enough to provide her with comfort and also prevent involuntary movement during sleep. Normally, this should be done for one to four months from the time of birth. By this time, your baby should have already begun moving and rolling by herself.
Sometimes, the baby may stay around five to six months before outgrowing the startle reflex. In this case, you may want to wrap her a little longer.
However, swaddling shouldn't be extended beyond this period as it may lead to hip dysplasia.
Because it helps to retain body heat, swaddling is not advisable when your baby is sick or feverish. Doing so will only worsen the situation.
Also, avoid laying your baby on her side or stomach as this exposes them to SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome)
A general rule of thumb is to stop swaddling once your baby can roll over voluntarily. This usually occurs between 4-6 months.
To swaddle your baby, you need swaddling clothes.
But don't be confused by the term. Swaddling clothes could be any blanket or wrapper large enough to enclose your baby.
However, these days, swaddling clothes are usually mild cotton fabrics (blankets) specially designed for wrapping infants.
Make sure whatever blanket you choose is clean and free from stains and dust.
While there are several methods or styles for swaddling an infant, not all of them can restrict your baby's movement during sleep.
Also, using blankets that are short or undersized won't provide the needed comfort and warmth for your child.
However, the common swaddling technique that is generally recognized as the best is the "burrito style". This simply means wrapping up your baby with a large cotton cloth like a burrito. Here your baby is carefully wrapped and covered on all the sides so that it's almost impossible for her to startle herself awake during sleep. This style also helps your baby to feel safe and secured.
There are definitely other good techniques you may want to consider. However, the one mentioned above is a good start and also generally recommended.
As earlier mentioned, cotton is the best material to use for swaddling. It is firm and can conserve just enough heat that is needed by your little pumpkin. Using any other cloth material may cause overheating. Avoid using fabric materials that are covered with fur.
Instead go for those cotton fabrics that are designed to prevent interference with your child's breathing, so that even when she moves the cloth over her face, it won't cover her nose completely.
Apart from large plain cotton blankets, you may also want to consider using sleep sacks which come with fasteners and "wings". These blankets look like sleeping bags and are generally easier to use, although, they may cost you more money.
Whichever color or size of fabric you decide to use, make sure you don't swaddle too tightly. There should be enough room for proper air circulation. Covering a baby is one thing but cutting off ventilation is quite another.
Normally, babies are swaddled before laying them in the bassinet to sleep at night or for a nap during the day. Night time is probably the best time to swaddle your kid as it encourages longer period of sleep.
The steps below show how to swaddle correctly.
In order to reduce the risk of SIDS, it is necessary you swaddle your baby the right way. There are certain things you should do and others you shouldn't.
Because swaddling is still a common practice today, it means the exercise is still very useful and beneficial for your kid, or else it would have been a lost art. However, its purpose and benefits can become easily perverted when it's not properly done. By following the guide above, you will not only be protecting your baby but will also help conserving an ancient art that have survived through the centuries.
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As well as breastfeeding, co-sleeping is one of humankind's oldest forms of attachment parenting. Attachment parenting is a philosophical outlook that favors the attachment of an infant to their mother. The term was first coined by the American pediatrician Dr. William Sears. This form of parenting is nostalgic in some ways because it was during the 20th century that parenting began to be less detached to the child. This happened due to cultural and technological progress. Many new mothers chose bottle-feeding over breastfeeding, and having the newborn in a cot or crib instead of sleeping with the parents.
The debate about whether or not it's safe and beneficial for a baby to co-sleep is ongoing. Some circles promote it, while others strongly reject it as dangerous. Let's examine co-sleeping in more detail, including the benefits and potential dangers of it:
Co-sleeping is when a child sleeps close to their parents. The child can be of any age, ranging from newborn to school age. Some people assume co-sleeping means the child sleeps in the same bed, while others think it simply means that they're sleeping in the same room. Then there is a third way of technically co-sleeping: having the baby or infant in their bed that can literally attach to the parents bed. Hence, they are sleeping close to the parents but still have their own enclosed space.
None of the descriptions are essentially wrong, but for the sake of this article, we're going to examine the idea of a newborn, infant or child sleeping in the same bed as their parents.
It's difficult to really tell if co-sleeping is a good or a bad thing. Sure, there are benefits, but let's take a look at SIDS, which pops up in both the benefits and the potential dangers:
Sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS, is when a baby dies for no apparent reason. It usually happens when they are sleeping and can happen to healthy babies who have no symptoms of illness of any kind. Other terms for SIDS are crib death or cot death because a lot of these unexplained deaths happen to a baby while in their crib.
The co-sleeping debate is very confusing indeed. Here I am listing the prevention of SIDS as a benefit of it, while down below you'll also see that some experts believe co-sleeping actually causes SIDS. The only thing that's clear is that co-sleeping has to be done in a safe way, and it depends on a number of factors that can cause it to be a cause or a prevention of SIDS.
It is generally believed that a baby who sleeps with their parents in the same bed develops a closer bond with them. This is particularly true if the mother also breastfeeds. The human body works in cycles, and a breastfeeding mother and her baby have a cycle that is more in sync with each other. This means that the body will instinctively tell the mother when the baby is awake and asleep. It also means that their breathing and heart rhythms are more in sync during the night than a mother who chooses bottles over breastfeeding.
Therefore, this would suggest that co-sleeping is safer if the mother breastfeeds. If she uses a mother, there is a risk that her body is not in sync enough with the baby and will not wake up when it stirs in the bed.
We've seen the good side of co-sleeping: now let's examine the potential dangers of it:
Some researchers believe co-sleeping actually causes SIDS. The reality is that it would only increase the danger of SIDS if the parents sleeping beside or on either side of the baby are exceptionally deep sleepers. Advocates of co-sleeping assert that while their baby is beside them they're very aware and only sleep lightly. In this sense, there would be little danger of SIDS, because many cases of it are actually when the baby suffocates. They are usually found face down on the mattress. A parent who sleeps lightly and makes sure to keep the baby on their back will ensure they don't die unexpectedly.
The other main concern about co-sleeping is that it will make an infant grow up to be a dependent, clingy child who has problems socializing. This seems to be a bit of a melodramatic assertion. For one, what do kids really remember about being a newborn baby? Yes, the psychologists will have you believe that memories from as far back as the womb are buried deep in the subconscious, but this is a highly debatable claim.
It's the same as the breastfeeding versus bottle-feeding debate, really: a breash-fed baby will grow up to clingy, and you see those horror stories of kids who are ten years old suckling on their mother's teat. The best thing to do is to use your own discernment and decide what method of sleeping you will choose. You can always go half-way and get your baby a crib that attaches to the bed. This is perhaps the best solution: the baby is right there with you, but there is no danger of you flapping an arm in his or her face while they sleep.
Yes, there may be potential dangers of co-sleeping, but because the research is so varied you can't outright claim that co-sleeping is definitely harmful to a child. If you are a parent who has considered both the pros and cons of co-sleeping carefully and still want to give it a try, here are tips to help you do it as safely as possible:
The sleep position of the newborn, infant, or child is incredibly important in order to ensure that they can sleep safely and soundly. It is best to place him or her on their back.
The best type of mattress to use if you're going to have your child sleeping with you is a firm mattress as opposed to memory form or anything that doesn't support the baby's back.
Yes, the sheets are important too. The safest sheets for co-sleeping are ones that fit nice and tight, so make sure you don't buy a size that's too big for your bed. It's significant to note that different retailers have a slightly different measurement for their sheet sizes, so it's best to actually measure the length and width of your bed and see which fits it most closely. This is especially applicable when you're not sure if your bed is a queen or a king-size.
In order to ensure the safety of your child, make sure there aren't any objects acting as an obstacle to their breathing. In other words, keep loose pillows and spare bedding as far away as possible. Also, take care that you don't pull the comforter over their head during the night, as this can cause them to overheat and have difficulty breathing.
More often than not, in some households, you find that there is a space between the mattress and the wall. To an adult, it's not a significant gap, but never put your baby on this side of the bed as they are a lot smaller than you and might find themselves getting an arm or a leg trapped there during the night.
The nightclothes you put on your baby can also impact their safety when co-sleeping. It's best to dress them in a light cotton sleepsuit so they stay nice and cool. Don't dress them in wool or fleecy material, especially during the summer months, as they are liable to get too hot. This is something you really don't want, as overheating is one of the possible causes of SIDS.
It might sound cruel, but sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind! Never, ever allow your infant to bring any toys to bed. This even applies to stuffed toys. Think about it: what happens if you're fast asleep and they start putting their toy in their mouth during the night? They could choke on the stuffing, so be safe and keep the bed completely free of toys and clutter.
If you and your partner have more than one child, be careful how you choose to co-sleep. Ideally, there should not be more than one child in the bed at one time. This is particularly true when you have a newborn. A newborn, or in fact a baby that is less than one years old, should never be in the bed at the same time as an older child. The older child may kick and toss their arms as they sleep, and this could hurt the baby. Be extra careful with infants who are less than one years old.
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Babywearing is an instinctive parenting style where a baby is held close to the parent in a sling or pouch for a substantial part of the day. Every culture in the world has known baby garb in some form or capacity throughout time. Depending on the climate and the mother's role in the family, baby carrier go from small pieces of fabric at the hip, stomach, or back, to full cradleboards carrier on the back.
Many carriers have multi-uses. For earlier civilizations, it made sense to carry your baby; the world was full of sickness and predators and baby carrying kept your child from becoming a target of infection, wild animals, poisonous plants, climate exposure (snow, sleet, wind, rain), and other threats to child’s health.
Also, it made it easier for women, whom the family unit relied upon heavily for day-to-day functioning, to return to work much more quickly. They were able to carry about regular chores such as cooking, cleaning, harvesting, skinning, tanning, caring for other family members, and going to market, with their child, who was dependent upon them for food and comfort, in close proximity.
One might be surprised to realize how a seemingly simple invention of baby carrying device has played an important role in the progress of human species. Here is a list of countries around the world and a description of various ways they carry their babies.
In Latin American countries such as Mexico and Guatemala, Rebozos are used as baby carriers. Rebozos are short wraparound slings or shawls that are rectangular in shape and are worn over the shoulders. These shawls are used for carrying various accessories and clothing, as well as providing protection from the sun. Pregnant women also use Rebozos to help reposition the developing infant and they are also used as support for the mother during childbirth.
If one visits countries further south and head to Peru or Bolivia, one might see mothers carrying their babies on their backs using traditional mantas or awayos. This type of baby carrier is a large rectangle woven fabric that is folded in half and tied at the carrier’s chest.
The use of cradle boards as baby carriers were popular among many Native American and Canadian cultures for centuries. Mothers wrapped their babies in either cloth or fur and then placed their loved ones the cradle board which was latterly strapped to the carriers back. During travel, cradle boards were hung by a pommel from a saddle. Cradle boards went out of use during the 1950’s and were replaced by strollers. Not all indigenous Americans used cradleboards to carry their babies. In regions such as Alaska, the Inuit women used a parka material called Amauti when carrying their babies and toddlers in tow. A amauti is a very thick arctic coat with a baby pocket on the back and a large hood that goes over both the mother and baby’s head while still allowing the child to see over the mother’s shoulder.
In Eastern African countries such as Kenya, mothers use a Kanga also called pagne which is a short piece of cloth that is tied around the torso, so the baby can sit comfortably on the lower back. The Kanga is typically a rectangular piece of fabric with a border around it and used not only for baby carrying but also for carrying items and for protecting clothing whilst cooking. During the last century, traditional Swahili sayings began to be printed on each kanga.
In Mozambique a capulana is used for baby carrying. The capulana is a printed sling like piece of cloth wherein the weight of the baby is supported by the carrier's shoulder by tying a knot between the breasts.
Europe’s baby carrying traditions are a bit different compared to other parts of the world. During the 19th century, only Europe's poor and uneducated classes carried around their offspring and were physically close to them. Whereas the elite class created distance between adult and child with the essential goal of not spoiling them.
Until the 1950’s, Welsh mothers used long pieces of warm fabrics and shawls called Siol Fagu to carry babies. These carriers were also referred as nursing shawls.
Much like what the North American indigenous people used, mothers in Greenland carry around their babies using an amaarngut. Women and girls of Greenland typically carry around babies and small children on their backs in a hood of a garment designed solely for this purpose.
In Sweden, mothers have traditionally carried around their children using a bog or a boeg, which is derived from the English word, bag. These bags are made of leather and shaped into a rounded bag with edges and straps that were cut into traditional patterns. The infant would be bundled in something warm and then placed in the bog. In other parts of Scandinavia, cradleboards were used.
Similar to the Native Americans and Scandinavians cradleboards, Aboriginals mothers kept their babies in carriers made of bark but without the cloth covering. Aboriginal mothers would lay their babies in very small curved wooden dishes that she holds at her side or lays in the shade for scrub during hunting. During a corroborree, an Australian Aboriginal dance ceremony, it is very common for a child to be balanced on the mother’s shoulders, asleep as the mother dances. In these cultures the children are taken care of and even breastfed by many kin women, however, the baby still spends most of the time with their mother.
In Papua New Guinea, the Ipili people use a net bag called a bilum as baby carriers. This bag is held at the forehead with the baby hanging from the front or back. A bilum carrier is available in different sizes and used for carrying many different things. The bag is lined with soft leaves or pieces of cloth to add more comfort for the baby.
Babies in Indonesia traditionally do not touch the ground for the first 3 months. Instead, they are passed from person to person. After this period, a special ceremony is held, and babies are then welcomed to play on the ground. When the baby is not crawling, mothers use pieces of fabric, called selendang slings that are tied over one shoulder and used as baby carriers. These slings are also worn as a dress or a skirt and are also used as plain carrying bags.
In parts of China, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam, mei tais are used as a baby wearing method. These baby carriers are worn with either a double or single strap and are often beautifully hand embroidered. The mei tai was first introduced in China and has been traditionally used for centuries. At first, the mei tais were only used by peasant women whilst working in the fields but now they are used by all classes of people in these regions.
In South East Asia, in countries such as Laos, Myanmar, and Tibet, a “Hmong”-style carrier is used as a baby carrier. It is a piece of square of fabric and the baby is worn in front or on the back. In these cultures, there is typically plenty of extended family so babies are often passed from one set of arms to another. As people move to cities and move away from more traditional ways, carriers are used far less and more Western ways such as strollers are adopted.
Babies who are in close physical contact and are carried by their parents benefit from a more stable heart rate and regulated breathing.
Being in close physical contact with a parent provides a baby with a rich learning environment where all of their most important needs can be met – food, warmth, love and touch. Babies who are carried learn more, stimulating brain development and expanding their future learning potential.
Baby wearing also increases cardiac output, improves circulation, promotes respiration and aids in digestion. Provides the exact level and kind of stimulation an infant requires, energizing their nervous system and creating a quiet, calm alertness in the infant. Decreases the levels of stress hormones circulating in a baby’s blood stream, resulting in a more relaxed, happy baby Develops the muscles needed for the infant to sit, stand and walk. Enhances motor skills by stimulating the baby’s vestibular system (balance organs) by exposing the baby to a variety of sights, sounds and motion. Offers easy access to the infant’s food source – mothers’ breast milk, without having to stop or sit down. Frequently carried babies fall asleep quickly and will usually sleep deeper and for longer periods of time in the comfort of their sling. Babies worn in slings feel safe and secure which helps to foster a solid sense of self.
For parents, an increased feeling of early bonding, a feeling of competence and confidence that their baby is well cared for, and less stress on the family because of the decreased crying are just a few of the benefits of babywearing. Additionally, parents feel able to get more accomplished in the day and report less frustration over early parenting and baby rearing.
Additionally, a baby quickly learns their role in the family, rather than allowing for the baby to become the center of the family and communities universe. Likewise, the baby learns about their culture, society, and family rhythms, equating to a more content and well-adjusted child, and more content and well-adjusted family.
Babywearing enables the mother to be acutely aware of her baby’s cues and signals and heightens her perception of her child’s needs. A study published in the Pediatrics journal found that babywearing reduces crying and fussiness by up to 51%, with parents feeling more competent and nurturing toward their children.
]]>Habits acquired early in life go a long way in shaping us, and oral hygiene is no exception. Oral hygiene practices responsible for healthy gums, teeth and mouth should start early – right before baby teeth erupt.
Think it’s too early to consider brushing your baby’s teeth? Think again! While baby teeth are normally replaced by permanent ones eventually, these infant's teeth are just as important. They reserve the space where permanent teeth erupt later. Failure to care for them may lead to their decay, which can cause inflammation of the gums otherwise called gingivitis. This infection can affect the permanent teeth that come in later by damaging their spacing.
But let’s face it: maintaining toddler tooth hygiene can be easier said than done – often because your bundle of joy can find brushing rather frightening or uncomfortable. Many millennial moms and dads—even dentists—struggle to keep their children’s teeth and mouths clean.
As a parent, you may have more in common with your dentist than you think. And developing and inculcating proper brushing habits in your baby do not have to be difficult, not for you nor your little one.
If you’re not sure when or how to get started, you will find it a lot easier to start with some helpful tips. Here are six.
Your baby will normally show signs of irritability, restlessness or fussiness anywhere between the age of 3 and 9 months as his primary teeth begin to erupt. The infant may experience swollen gums and pain at this stage. He needs your help. Gently massaging the gums with a clean fingertip will go a long way in alleviating the teething pain.
You’ll also need to provide the little one with a teething ring to chew on. You can’t massage their gums all the time, but the teething ring will provide the needed relief at times when you’re not massaging them. The baby tends to feel better when chewing on such objects as washcloths and soft rubbery items especially when they’re cold. Be sure to watch them out so they don’t hurt or chock themselves with hard or breaking objects.
It’s important that you don’t wait for the teeth to show; start cleaning your baby’s gums with a wet gauze or an infant toothbrush every after feeding and also at bedtime. A wet washcloth wrapped around your finger is also suitable for cleaning the gums.
Once the much-desired baby teeth begin to show, it’s time to start taking care of them. Proper dental hygiene right off the bat can prevent the possible buildup of bacteria and formation of plaque. This will go a long way in ensuring the kid’s oral and overall health.
You can almost be certain that your kid won’t like tooth brushing at first. They may find it unpleasant and resist it, getting the toothpaste all over.
If your baby gets used to the routine of brushing teeth from their infancy, you can be sure to have fewer battles on the same at later stages.
There are baby toothbrushes designed for use to clean babies’ gums and teeth. These are soft and brittle, and friendly to the tender tissue in a baby’s mouth. The brushes also have shorter handles for easy navigation on a baby’s generally smaller mouth. Baby toothbrushes also normally have special handles that are safe for the baby to handle himself.
Like for adults, you should routinely replace your baby’s toothbrush after every three months, or following a sickness event with contagious ailment such as flu.
Remember to use baby-friendly toothpaste. Different brands have toothpaste options specially designed for kids aged between 0 and 2 years old. This is extremely important because babies won’t always spit out the paste after brushing teeth. The child-friendly toothpaste options do not contain fluoride, preservatives or artificial colors; rendering them safe for the kid to swallow.
Notice that your baby still needs enough supply of fluoride even though he does not use a fluoride toothpaste. The mineral helps with preventing tooth decay, which explains why most communal, public or tap water supplies contain it. Fluoride is normally added to tap water to help prevent tooth decay. It’s important therefore to talk to your dentist about suitable fluoride supplements if your baby is not drinking tap water.
While brushing, you may notice some discoloration on the baby’s teeth. These can result from any number of causes, sugars being a major culprit. It’s important to cut down on your baby’s intake of sugar to reduce chances of tooth decay. If you spot any form of discoloration or pitting in the baby teeth, ensure you visit a dentist immediately.
Daily intake of sweets may double your child’s risk of tooth decay. Sugary foods like candy and sugary juices expose adult teeth to equally high risk of damage. For babies, the risk comes from the bottled milk and acidic food items such as fruit juices, soda and other carbonated drinks.
Such acidic drinks are harmful to your baby’s teeth. One way to make juice safer for his teeth is to dilute it with water in the ration of 1 to 10.
More importantly, you should avoid keeping your baby’s teeth exposed to the sugary foods for extended periods of time. Do not leave the infant with a bottle of milk or juice for long periods of time as this is a notorious cause of baby tooth decay.
Babies hardly know how to spit toothpaste once they’ve used it. You can expect them to nearly always swallow some of it. That’s why it’s recommended to use only a small amount of toothpaste.
Regular toothpastes also contain additives that are potentially unsafe when accidentally swallowed. So, you should avoid using the regular fluoride toothpastes when brushing baby teeth.
Brush two times every day to reduce chances for accumulation of bacteria and plaque. Brushing should take approximately two minutes, every morning after he takes breakfast and later in the day, preferably at bedtime.
Use small circular motions in brushing the baby’s teeth. Gently move the toothbrush over the teeth in back and forth strokes, and work your way through the tongue and gums to completely clean the mouth.
You may also consider flossing his teeth after brushing if there are two or more teeth together. This will not only help remove food particles trapped between the teeth, but also teach your kit to develop the habit of flossing.
Kids love to imitate what adults do – that includes brushing teeth. What better way to show your kid how to brush than by reflecting the activity on a mirror?
Brushing can be really messy when your baby does not like it. Reflecting the technique on a mirror will be an effective way to teach the young one to adapt it and want to do it himself.
There are two ways to go about it. One, you could stand behind your baby as you brush his teeth and let him look in the mirror (with both of you looking into the mirror). He will slowly master the technique of brushing and get in the habit of brushing their teeth on their own – because kids are generally kinesthetic.
Alternatively, you could sometimes let him have the toothbrush while you’re brushing your own teeth. Looking at what you’re doing directly or from your reflection in the mirror, the baby will mimic you.
They may not do much of a job themselves, but they’ll certainly get used to the idea of toothbrushing. This subliminal message can be quite effective in inculcating good oral hygiene in kids. Notice that you have to help them with tooth brushing until they are six years or older.
Kids love fun things. Make tooth brushing fun and it will soon be a breeze to brush their teeth. They’ll start enjoying it instead of resisting it. Wear a positive mood every time you’re brushing their teeth by smiling and playing with them all the way.
You may also allow the kid to choose their own toothbrush by going along with them to the store buy one. They’ll have the liberty to pick their favorite color and design, and will naturally feel a sense of ownership to it.
There are lots of new kids’ toothbrushes with cartoons and some of kids’ favorite comic book characters printed all over. It would be great to get him some of these.
When it’s time to brush, let him feel in control by allowing him to grip the toothbrush. They’ll feel more confident and find it enjoyable. It won’t be long before you and your baby both look forward to brushing teeth.
So, ready for your first baby tooth brushing experience as a proficient millennial mom? Equipped with these tips, you certainly have no reason not to be.
]]>Communication is undeniably one major area most parents always struggle with when dealing with newborns. Do you remember the first thing that happened when little bub came out of the womb? He cried!
From the moment of conception, babies begin to communicate even though it's in a language that's pretty difficult to figure out.
Then come the beautiful smiles and gurgles amidst the diaper changes and non-stop feeding and soothing. All the while, the baby is hoping you will talk right back or at least respond when it's play time.
Unfortunately, it's always a struggle trying to keep up with the flurry of changes especially if you are a new parent. As your pumpkin's communication becomes more interactive with each passing day, you can easily get blown away by how to respond without looking like an alien to the tiny tot.
Fortunately, there are many ways to "baby talk" right back between the wails and squeals. But then, you want to stick with those ones that will contribute to your child's development.
All babies generally communicate by crying, especially at the early stages. But then, this could mean a lot of things.
Babies cry when they are hungry; they cry when they pee; they cry when their feet are chilly; they cry when they feel tired; they cry when they want to be cuddled...they cry virtually for everything. This is why it's so hard to tell exactly what they want!
But then, little bubs cry should always tell you that something is wrong. It is now left to you to find out what it is.
While "soothing is often the first line of approach", it is your ability to properly respond to your baby’s needs that strengthen the bond you share. But then this doesn't happen overnight otherwise you wouldn't be here. Most parents find it frustrating dealing with a crying baby, especially those with no previous experience.
Although, I have gone beyond my "glory days", my experience with six kids is worthwhile. So you can bank on the knowledge I will be sharing here.
It doesn't matter whether you've been a babysitter all your life or you've just had your first issue, the ideas below will make all the difference between being a confused woman and a mother who knows how to respond to her child's every need.
With this in mind, let's quickly consider 10 ways you can easily tickle your little bundle of joy and establish a lasting bond between you two.
There can never be any bonding without closeness. So the first step towards creating a strong lasting bond with your little pumpkin is to spend a lot of time together.
To make it worthwhile, sometimes, let him determine the kind of activity you will be doing. Notice whether he loves watching MTV and dedicate a good time watching it with him every day.
If he likes looking at the colorful pictures on the pages of a book, then consider spending an hour doing it with him every day. The more you spend such special times for with your kid, the more you will come to understand him.
Like seriously, talking to a new-born initially is like talking to a foreigner- you know he doesn't understand you, neither do you understand him. But you just keep on talking like you don't have a choice.
Although it might not be obvious, talking and listening to kids especially during infancy helps to develop their verbal communication ability. This is crucial because their brain is usually in the development stage and as such is easily aroused by the closest vocal and optical stimulants.
This is why most kids get more attracted to their mothers than anyone else; because it's the voice they quickly get used to. So, learn how to talk and listen to your baby, even though the latter might seem pointless. You will eventually start solving the puzzle...Just do your part and keep talking.
If possible, talk throughout the day-the more you do it, the better it gets. When engaged in peculiar activities like the laundry, dishes, cooking, feeding, dressing and the likes, make sure your baby is close by and try talking to him at every little chance you get.
Maximize bath time by talking and singing to him. The song and the warm water will soothe him and make him feel more relaxed and settled around you.
Trust me; it won't take long before he starts responding in his own funny way. More importantly, he will be able to learn the language of cleaning before anything else which is cool if you ask me.
Behind every happy tot is a smiling momma.
Smiling is one powerful way to help your child grow in an atmosphere of love. But more importantly, it also helps to solidify the bond between the two of you.
Even at infancy, kids are attracted to faces, especially the one they see more often. They tend to focus more on faces that are either smiling or frowning. But if I were you, I would rather smile all the time.
Although it is not always easy to deal with newborns, I would advise you to be patient, because that is essentially what makes you a mother. Don't ever get tired of giving them all the attention and love they need. And smiling is undoubtedly a good way to show you care.
So try to smile especially when the child is gurgling, cooing, or trying to mince "baby words". It's even more fun when he laughs. Smiling back will allow you share in the fun. Over time, you will start decoding his facial expressions, but this requires a lot of attention.
Another good reason to smile often is because babies tend to easily imitate facial expressions. I can't tell you how much joy I felt whenever I see the toothless grin on the faces of my kids. It's always a beautiful sight and I can tell it's a sign they are happy with momma.
Like I indicated earlier, it's very important to make your baby-talk a two-way thing. Even as adults, we don't like it when we are doing all the talking and the other person is just there looking like a zombie.
So, it's very important to listen to your kids and respond back even if you don’t understand the message being relayed. A good way to respond well is to mimic him. Try imitating whatever he's saying--"daa-daa", "mo..mom", --and let him know he's not alone in whatever he's feeling. Copy his gestures too. Smile when he smiles, and frown when he frowns.
By so doing, your baby will come to learn that communication is a give-and-take process.
Though it sounds ridiculous, babies too do fancy books. If you're waiting for them to tell you, then you're going to be waiting for long. But mind you, they don't just fancy books as "books", instead they are just like any other play stuff. However, books serve as more than just play materials.
Reading a short simple story together is one way you can inculcate the habit of reading in the little bub when he eventually grows up. To make it more fun and interactive, try going for books with colorful images and a lot of repeated words. A nice turtle story will do- try to get lots of it.
And make sure you stick to short tales. Babies also get bored, so you don't want to read Shakespeare because it won't do them any good. If you ask me, I would say "touch and feel" books are great; I have a lot of them and I can tell my kids love them so much. In fact, they all grew up to cherish storytelling time.
Games are not only meant for older kids and young adults. Babies too want to share in the fun, although quite differently.
Playing with toys is undeniably one thing all babies love to do. In fact, if you don't get them a normal toy, they won't hesitate to turn whatever they can lay hold into a nice yummy toy. It could be your hair comb, your smartphone, the TV remote, or even.... And guess where it may likely end up? Inside their mouth!
Therefore, in addition to the need to have toys for playing, it is also important you provide your baby with proper toys.
Initially, I thought toys were only there to serve as a distraction but I soon discovered it does more than just that. In addition to being good play tools, toys also help to engage your baby. Communication improves when there is a lot of it going on, and trust me, there are no better dummies to make your child more interactive.
Another cool way you can engage your bundle is in front of the mirror. Just place a large mirror in front of him and watch him stare at the baby in the other end. Monitor how he reacts. This served as one of the happy moments for my fourth child and am sure it would serve as something for yours too.
Peek-a-boo is another nice game you can try out. Personally, I believe there are endless possibilities to the games you can play with your little bundle of joy. It all depends on how creative you are.
Meanwhile, the ones I have mentioned so far are good to start with.
]]>After enduring nine difficult months of pregnancy, you finally made it through the ordeals of labour and delivery. Looking at your reward-the newborn baby-you don't even remember the pain anymore.
For the first time, you feel the joy and excitement of motherhood. And Oh, what a sigh of relief; the baby is finally out and you are now a mother. It's time to go home and start life with your little pumpkin.
After you got home, you soon realize there are so many "firsts" to experience, and you don't even know where to start.
While there are definitely many things to sort out, your baby's first bath is usually the first real milestone you have to overcome as a first-time mom.
You know the baby needs a bath, but you are apprehensive about it. Why? Because the tiny pumpkin looks so delicate and you're not sure you know how to hold her properly. You keep wondering how wiggly and slippery she would be once she is covered with that soapy water. Looks scary! There’s no need to fear; the tips that'll soon be shared here will help make bath time a breeze for you. You will soon discover it’s not a scary task after all.
But before that, let's quickly look at a very important aspect of bathing a newborn that many new parents do not obviously know about.
You must have probably noticed the nice fresh scent on your baby’s skin. While it would be really nice to have her smell that way all the time, the exposure and touches will eventually make it necessary to clean her up.
Unlike adults and young children, newborn babies don’t need to take their bath every day. This is because, they hardly get dirty; it seems they are always smelling nice and looking ever fresh, except of course when they poop or spit up.
So, as long as you keep their hands, face and bottoms clean in between baths, babies may just need to have their bath two or three times every week. However, for toddlers, bathing should be done more frequently.
Generally, some new-borns show signs of distress when bathing them while some don’t even make a fuss at all. Whichever is the case with your babe, don’t be discouraged as both scenarios are completely normal. If your baby doesn’t like baths, start with a “top and tail” bath the first day, and then a proper bath next time.
It’s advisable to use warm water for bathing infants.
Apart from cleanup, bathing your baby has many interesting benefits. Three of these are mentioned below:
Now to the main deal…Here are seven top tips for first moms to bath their baby.
Bathing your newborn more than three or four times a week can leave her skin very dry. So, to maintain her delicate soft skin, you need to pick the right moments within the week to give her a good bath.
Although some babies don’t generally like having their bath, choosing a good time can make bathing less stressful or more enjoyable. So, you may want to choose that time of the day when the baby is well-rested and not feeling hungry. You shouldn’t give a bath immediately after a meal or when the baby is still sleeping. Evening bath is good because it tends to encourage sleep afterwards. Thus, babies tend to feel more relaxed and sleep more during the night after having their bath in the evening. So, if choose to bath your little pumpkin at this time, make sure it’s after she has taken her meal and rested well-preferably one hour. Only introduce the baby to the bath after you’re both comfortable and relaxed.
Apart from evenings, you can also choose other periods of the day as long as it works for both of you. Once you find a good time, try turning it into a routine. This helps to make the baby get used to bathing.
When preparing for the bath, make sure you gather all the baby's supplies and have them safely positioned within an arm's length from where you are bathing the child.
Also, ensure all the bottles you will need are properly lined up, opened and ready to pour. This will help to prevent any likelihood of you trying to open a bottle with one arm while supporting your child with the other during the bath. Make sure you always keep an eye on your baby while getting any supplies.
Other items you may want to keep close include a towel, clothes, diaper, barrier cream and soap (not always necessary). A thermometer can also be handy; at least to check the temperature of the water if you're not sure. Usually, the allowable temperature is between 90 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Babies hardly get dirty, except when they spit out or soil their diapers, so you don't need a lot of soap to bath them. Just use a bit of soap and shampoo to wash their bottoms, hair and hand. Ensure you use your soap sparingly. Also, make sure the water is lukewarm; it should neither be cold or hot.
Also, ensure that the bath products you are using are all tear-free and mild. The shampoo should be the last thing you apply. You don't want to keep your baby in soapy water for too long; doing that can expose her to cold. Bath times are better when they are not too long.
Like we established earlier, babies don’t easily get dirty. So giving a sponge bath is advisable especially if the child still got the umbilical cord attached. Apart from bathing her a couple of times weekly, pay careful attention to her diaper area and chin, where her poo and spits do normally build up. Make sure you clean these areas frequently with warm water and replace the diapers when soiled. At this point, you may not need to use soap. Also, make sure you don’t submerge the child in water when giving the sponge bath. Try as much as you can to keep the area under the umbilical cord dry.
Start bathing by gently washing her face with lukewarm water and a soft washcloth. Then if possible, wipe the area under her eyes with cotton balls. After cleaning, pat the face, neck and ears dry. Never leave your baby's side during baths except there is someone around to hold her. Just one inch of water is enough to dry a baby.
Bathing is usually a shocking experience for many infants, especially when it's their first time. So, it's normal for your baby to fuss and howl. It's advisable to keep the bath short if you discover your baby doesn't like it. Dry her quickly with a clean towel and cover her well with a warm cloth. For the baby’s genital, use a bit of soap and lukewarm water.
It is also common for babies to blow out their diapers immediately after dressing them. Don't be discouraged; you'll soon get used to it.
Babies are tender and have very delicate skin. So, you have to take it easy when handling them during a bath. Ease your baby into bath by gently lowering into the water. As a first time mom, it is advisable to have someone close by to help, at least for the first couple of times.
Sometimes you may need to step out of the bath. Leaving your baby all by her self is the last thing you want to do, even if the water is very small. This is why having someone around to help is important. Perhaps, two people will do a better job in soothing a howling babe.
While bathing, have the person hold the child while you wash her down or the other way round. While washing, use a soft washcloth and go from up to down (that is the face, ears, neck, torso, hands, legs, and then finally, the bum). Try to reach every area, especially those skin folds and tiny creases. Also, don't forget to clean around the umbilical cord if there's still a stump.
Apart from using warm water, it also helps to keep it toasty inside the bathing room. Ensure the room is heated to a warm temperature (preferably, 75 to 80 degree celsius) before you start bathing. This helps to keep baby warm even when they are out of the water. Confirm the temperature of the water using your elbow or the inside of your wrist.
Finally, don't hit your daughter's head on the wall because your shaky hands wouldn't allow you to properly transfer her from sink to counter, or because you can't deal with her incessant fuss and cry.
Don't get discouraged even if your baby is uncomfortable and fussy in the water. Give her some time, and she will soon get used to being inside water.
Follow the tips above and you will end up becoming the mother you dreamed of.
And then, you can live happily ever after.
]]>What is baby wearing?
Baby wearing literally means wearing or carrying your baby around on your body. It is much safer than carrying your baby in your arms, and has countless benefits over other alternatives of baby transportation. As one of the oldest ways of transporting your baby, it is the most natural, and beneficial to your child’s development. Apart from providing the baby with an enhanced sense of security, it speeds cognitive development, and social development. It also frees your hands, and rids yourself of clunky strollers, enabling you to get your work done while being with your little one. A few more of the many benefits of wearing your baby are:
FUSS LESS
A recent study showed that carrying your baby at least three hours a day reduces crying and fussing 43% during the day, and 51% at night. Babies are happier, they have less need to cry, and parents enjoy their babies more as a result. (Source: Hunzike)
CUDDLE MORE
In addition to better sleep, and faster development, your child is literally cuddling against your warm body all day long. More constant feeding, touching, eye contact and cuddling releases greater levels of the “Love Hormone” Oxytocin. Elevated levels of Oxytocin mean you literally fall in love with your baby to a greater degree than you otherwise would. The more you wear the more you love. (Sources: Lonstein & Anisfeld)
LEARN MORE
The constant stimulation of being worn on the body, also leads to faster cognitive development for your baby. They interact with countless objects throughout the day, hearing what you hear and seeing what you see. This gives carried babies’ enhanced visual and auditory alertness while simultaneously improving speech development. Give your child the gift of knowledge! (Source: Alison)
DO MORE
As an additional bonus of using our baby wraps, you have both hands free to work, tackle household chores, or run errands. The constant Cuddling often lulls a fussy baby to sleep almost instantly, allowing busy moms to get more done!
The benefits of Baby Swaddling are immense. All the information contained below comes from the Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
When your baby is swaddled, he or she is taken back to the days in the womb, when everything was comfortable, safe and snug.
Swaddling has a number of key benefits for both parents and babies – when done correctly and safely:
SLEEP MORE
Infants who sleep swaddled wake up less often, and experience an average increase of 50% in REM sleep. Throughout REM sleep, the infant is also much more likely to return to sleep after startling awake. This reduces the need for a parent to assist in helping the infant return to sleep. A well rested baby means well rested parents! (Source: Gerard)
OTHER BENEFITS:
Physiologic studies on swaddling: an ancient child care practice, which may promote the supine position for infant sleep. J Pediatr.2002; 141 :398– 404
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Simply put, swaddling is wrapping your baby in a piece of fabric. There are two main forms of swaddling. First, any time you wrap your baby up nice and snug is technically swaddling. Most mothers are familiar with this. Babies are swaddled when you first hold them in the hospital, for example. Imagine a much cuter version of a mummy being wrapped in bandages, and you've got the idea.
Babywearing with a baby wrap is also a form of swaddling. When you wrap your baby around yourself using baby wraps, it has many of the same effects of swaddling in a swaddle. Babywearing is an alternative method of transporting your baby. The comfort the baby feels when swaddled is thought to resemble the safety of the womb. It's a soothing technique that promotes the comfort, security, and health of your baby.
Swaddling goes back as far as Biblical times. When Moses was sent down the river in a basket, he was swaddled. When Jesus was born, his mother Mary wrapped him in swaddling clothes. Now, you might not believe in the Bible, but it's significant that the world's oldest book mentions swaddling, right?
Scientifically speaking, archaeological records suggest swaddling dates back to 400 BC when many people were migrating and swaddling was the most convenient way of carrying a baby around. They didn't have fancy strollers back then!
Throughout history, swaddling has had both positive and negative press. During Tudor times, for example, it was thought that swaddling helped to prevent deformities arising in the baby's development. Conversely, later in the 17th century, it became associated with neglect. Swaddling during this time was often perceived as an excuse to leave the baby alone for hours on end.
In the late 18th century things bounced around again. Swaddling was seen as a practical choice in cold countries, but thought to increase infection or disease in warmer ones. There were some highly controversial parenting methods going on, due to the fact that people didn't have the same scientific knowledge we possess today. For example, swaddling lost popularity in England and France in favor of...wait for it...alcohol and opiates! Can you believe it? If someone did that now they'd be jailed for abuse. Back then both drugs were seen as appropriate sedatives for infants. Thank God for progress and scientific discovery, eh?
Jump to the twentieth century: swaddling became popular again during the eighties and nineties. During this time there were a lot of cases of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and studies showed that swaddling helped prevent it. Anxious parents rushed to get on board in a bid to protect their child. SIDS is a frightening prospect for parents because experts still don't know what causes it. It is classified as the third leading cause of infant mortality in America, so it's no surprise that swaddling is back with a vengeance.
There are many reasons to choose swaddling. Swaddling makes work easier for you. When you're going somewhere and you put your baby in the stroller, both of your hands are occupied. Mothers are incredibly busy people, and little things that save time can make all the difference. Choosing to swaddle through babywearing saves you those precious few moments when you're getting ready. We all know how awkward it can be rushing around dismantling the stroller or push-pram, right? Sometimes those things have the most stubborn mechanical parts! It's much easier to just wrap-and-go
It isn't just us ordinary folk who choose between swaddles and strollers. Celebrity mothers also have to make the decision about how to make their days more efficient. There are some intelligent celebrity women out there!
Celebrities who have been seen using swaddles include Heidi Klum, Sandra Bullock, and Julia Roberts.
Mother of four and Australian native Raegan Moya-Jones is the smart lady responsible for introducing swaddles to the celebrity world. She noticed that muslin cotton, a common swaddling fabric in her home country, wasn't readily available in America. As a result, she worked to produce muslin cotton swaddles, and the idea took off. Her company aden + anais now boasts annual revenues of sixty-five million. What a fantastic example Jones is to women around the globe, considering the fact that only 2% of every woman-owned business ever breaks one million in revenue. Her boss at her previous job told her she didn't have an entrepreneurial bone in her body. She sure proved her detractor wrong! Glass ceiling, ladies?
We also use muslin cotton in our swaddles. There is a hefty price tag that comes with an aden + anais swaddle. Ours is the same quality at only a fraction of the price.
I've already mentioned how swaddling is a great time-saver, but there are lots of benefits to swaddling. Reasons for swaddling differ across nations and cultures. In Russia, it is thought to prevent self-injury. Polish parents who swaddle believe it to help physically strengthen the infant. The warmth and comfort a swaddle provides is another compelling reason to do it.
Cultural perspectives are valuable, but there are also medical benefits to swaddling.
Babies have what is known as a 'moro' or 'startle' reflex. It's nature's way of protecting the baby from harm. This occurs in two phases:
The moro reflex is a perfectly normal behavior. There is nothing to be concerned about when your baby does it. It's actually abnormal if they don't. However, when the moro reflex is triggered, the baby becomes upset. Triggers include a loud noise, a drastic change in lighting, or a sudden touch. Think about what startles you — it's similar for your baby.
Anyway, swaddling your baby provides the correct stimulus to help them recover from their fright. It does exactly what their reflex guides their brain to do: moves their arms and legs closer to their body in a defensive position. Moreover, swaddling actually works in a cycle: not only does it provide the comforting position the reflex requires, the womb-like environment actually prevents the baby from becoming startled so easily. The consequential benefits of this are numerous: a generally calmer baby, a baby who sleeps more soundly, and a baby who gets roughly 50% more REM sleep.
As well as soothing the baby's startle reflex, swaddling can help develop an infant's tactile system. This promotes their emotional security in later life as they become comfortable being touched at an early age. Emotional security is key to healthy development, so swaddling ensures your baby has the optimal conditions for growing up healthily.
A swaddled baby experiences less anxiety, which transfers to you the parent. It decreases the amount of times a baby wakes up unnecessarily due to the startle reflex, allowing you to establish a better sleep routine for both you and your child.
Swaddling will also save you money in two specific ways: first, baby wraps and swaddles are much cheaper than strollers. Our swaddling products don't break the bank! New strollers cost hundreds. Think of the money you'll save. As well as this, swaddling eliminates the need for comfort items in the baby's crib. Now, all parents want to spoil their child (understandably), but if you're on a budget you have less soft toys to worry about.
Babies are prone to infection and disease as their systems are not completely developed. Swaddling even helps with this aspect of parenting. It is known to soothe babies with colic, for example.
With all of these benefits, it's no surprise that swaddling is an age-old practice that spans generations and cultures.
In order to ensure your baby is safe and secure, take a look at our safety commandments for swaddling.
We also have an easy How-To video that can get you swaddling in no time!
Cuddlebug boasts a wide variety of products to help you ease into the process of swaddling. We offer a selection of wraps, swaddles, and nursing covers. We're also currently working on the development of new lines. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter so you can be first in line when our new products are released. Watch this space!
For now though, have a browse through our collection.
Why not just use a piece of torn-off bed-sheet? Well, for one, you'll look really silly going out in public comfortably holding a bed-sheet. I don't know about you, but I want to look good while swaddling. That's just aesthetics of course. The more important reason is that we're experts in this area and we know how to make the very best swaddle for your baby.
Our premium baby wraps, for example, are made of a cotton spandex blend that is both soft and stretchy. The soft texture makes it super comfortable for both you and the baby. The stretch factor allows the fabric to adapt to the size of your body and baby. Bed-sheets don't work well for big-chested women or pudgy babies!
All of our products are made using materials that have moisture resistant characteristics, which means that you'll both stay dry even if you have to make an urgent trip out in the rain. Each product has a lifetime guarantee because of the quality and durability of our materials. It won't be coming loose at the seams in a couple of weeks, so you have the peace of mind that comes from knowing your baby is safely and securely wrapped.
What are you waiting for?
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Babywearing is the act of wearing or carrying a baby in a sling or other form of carrier. Baby carriers have been around for thousands of years. Before the twentieth century, baby wearing wasn't seen as a fad; it was simply a means for mothers to get things done. Mothers since the beginning of history have used fabrics ranging from long cloths, shawls, scarves, and even bedsheets to attach their baby to their body in order to multi-task.
Nowadays we think of babywearing as something that occurs more often in developing countries or cultures. We might imagine a tribe where babywearing is a fully accepted part of community life. There are many different forms of baby carriers used by different countries, dependent on the climate, role of women, and traditions regarding clothing.
For example, in Mexico mothers use what's known as the Rebozo, a square of women cloth tied over one shoulder. Depending on the length of the fabric it is sometimes called a Chal. The babies are most often carried on the mother's back.
Then, in Peru, the carrier of choice is known as a Manta. It's more cape-like than the Rebozo and sits over both shoulders, with the baby sitting high on the mother's back.
European mothers use a mixture of pouches, wraps, and short cloth carriers, while Aboriginal mothers historically used carriers made of bark. This choice of carrier is similar to the Native American cradleboard, only without the cloth covering.
There are a variety of methods used by women all over the world to carry their baby. As you can see, babywearing is not a new trend. It's a form of childcare that has a rich history across many different cultures.
Only recently is babywearing becoming popular in Western culture again. This is because for a long time, babywearing began to be associated with poverty. Using fabric to carry a baby was what poor people did, while prosperous people began to latch onto the trend of baby strollers. Interestingly, this was also the case with the consumption of bread. For a long time brown bread was associated with poverty because it was cheaper due to the fact that it didn't undergo the same processing as white bread. It's funny how things that are seen as the poor person's choice then undergo a complete revival in the culture of the rich!
Babywearing also started to disappear from the public eye in the mid-twentieth century because parenting trends were moving towards teaching a child independence. It was thought that constantly carrying the baby would cause him or her to develop into a needy and spoilt child.
Luckily, the tables have once again turned when it comes to babywearing. Later research refuted the spoilt child theory and actually brought about a wave of theories arguing that lack of love and touch actually severely diminishes the development of a baby. As a result, baby carriers began to regain their popularity.
Culture isn't a reliable marker for deciding what's good and bad because it's so fickle. Instead, it's more sensible to decide for yourself whether babywearing is the right choice for you and your baby. There are many benefits to it. Below are some for you to consider:
It's Perfectly Safe
Once you learn how to use a baby carrier, you never need to worry about your baby falling out of the carrier or it becoming loose. Carriers these days are specifically designed with the best materials in order to ensure the safety of your baby. They provide adequate support for your infant's developing neck and back. Things have moved on quite substantially from the more traditional method of using a bed-sheet!
It's Perfectly Easy
New mothers can be very anxious about anything and everything to do with their baby. Fear not: baby carriers are made for simplicity and efficiency. After the first cautious try, you'll find yourself getting confident very early on because our babywearing products are very easy to use.
It's Perfectly Natural
Think about all of the things we are led to believe we need to buy or think about when preparing for a baby. Babywearing allows you to get back to the things that really matter: helping a child grow and develop in the real world. We are often deceived into thinking that having a baby involves a cacophony of specialized equipment. If you breastfeed and babywear, a lot of those special items are simply not necessary. Keeping things simple will give you more time for the things that really matter.
It Lasts Forever
Literally. All of our baby carriers come with a lifetime guarantee. Planning to have more kids in the future? You can even keep your carrier for your next baby and use it all over again!
It's Practical
When people think of a baby carrier, they often don't use their imagination. Luckily, we've used ours. Our carriers aren't just white or cream. They come in many different colors and patterns. If you're a fashion-conscious mother, you'll have no trouble finding a carrier to match your outfit. You could even get one for any day of the week! Like a little black dress, we have our classic tones like baby wrap carrier in gray and black, but if you're feeling more adventurous, why not opt for a baby wrap in daring red? It saves you Money
As if there aren't enough benefits, right? Baby carriers are much, much cheaper than strollers. A new stroller costs hundreds of dollars while a carrier costs less than fifty!
Less Fussy Baby
Did you know that carried babies cry less? It's true! Babies who are worn by their mothers forget to fuss. There have been studies to confirm this. In 1986, babies who were carried cried and fussed 43% less than the non-carried babies.
A More Alert Baby
Being worn is a fun and exciting experience for a baby. While they're busy forgetting to fuss and cry, what are they doing instead? They're learning of course. A worn baby is more aware of its surroundings. The height a baby is at when carried allows them to see and experience the world much more vividly. Do you remember when you were a kid and you loved nothing more than being put on your daddy's shoulders? Being carried is just as enthralling for a baby. Not only this, but they have a wider view of the world around them when they're carried. Think of it this way: a baby in a stroller gets a two-dimensional view of the world, while a carried baby gets a three-dimensional one.
A Better-Developed Baby
When a baby comes out of the womb, it is something of a jolt for them. For nine months, they have been cozy and warm inside the womb, only to be brought out into bright lights and hospital smells. The birth process actually disrupts the organizing process of the baby's systems. Because a carried baby is wrapped up nice and snug, close to the mother, babywearing extends the experience of the womb. This helps the baby adjust to their new life much more smoothly as the carrier acts as an external regulating system that balances out the jolt caused by birth. Hearing the mother's heartbeat, for example, reminds the carried baby of the womb. It's a wonderfully calming and familiar sound for the baby. The comforting biological rhythms, sounds, and smells of the mother allow the baby to balance out, ensuring their development will occur at a harmonious pace.
A Smarter Baby
We've all heard the tale of mothers playing Beethoven to their unborn child, hoping for a genius. Well, did you know that carried babies actually become smarter? Roll over, Beethoven! The carried baby has increased environmental experiences, allowing nerves to branch out and stimulate their growing brain. Babywearing actually helps the infant's developing brain to form the right connections. The greater intimacy between mother and baby a carrier allows encourages the baby to have a more direct experience of the mother's world. A carried baby's brain stores more experiences because their vision of the world is much more all-encompassing than a baby transported in a stroller. Babywearing doesn't only help to boost brain development; it also helps to boost speech development. Logically, a carried baby is closer to the conversations of his or her parents, so the sounds heard are louder, allowing the baby to process them more quickly. Being at eye level helps the baby to learn how to listen to speech patterns. Even sounds can help the baby learn faster. A non-carried baby would likely give way to their moro reflex when they hear a startling sound, but everything for a carried baby is a potential learning experience.
Anthropologists Agree
Anthropology is the study of human behavior across different cultures. Anthropologists who study infant-care practices agree that in babywearing cultures infants cry much less. We often measure a baby's crying in hours, but in places where babywearing is a common practice, it's measured in minutes. We've almost become used to the idea that babies cry a lot. This just isn't true, and babywearing will mean that you'll be counting in minutes too!
This list of benefits isn't even completely exhaustive. There are so many benefits that babywearing offers it's almost impossible to name them all! Now that you've read about some of them, why not browse through our collection of baby-wearing products. Trust me: you won't regret it!
References:
Benefits of Babywearing for your Baby
The History of Babywearing and 'Modern' Slings
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Today I would like to share my CuddleBug baby wrap experience to the world. Please note… I’m not a great author, just a mom wanting to inform other moms about my experience with my baby wrap.
Vacation Experience:
I know this is a long post, and is essentially a culmination of my knowledge about baby wearing, and my new found love for the CuddleBug baby wrap, but I’d really like to start with telling a story about my trip to Southern Germany with Samuel and my husband.
Please note** although I am quite in love with my baby wrap, I also bought a baby carrier with some more rigid structure for when Samuel gets a bit older. There are backpack carriers that can be used until the baby is like 2 years old, or more! Unfortunately, he’ll be too heavy for me to carry around by then, so I think my husband will be using the more rigid baby carrier much more than I. I must also confess that in my closet, I also have a Sling carrier, the kind with a ring, which my aunt gave me. I’ve used it a few times, and it’s simply precious, you can stare down into your babies eyes as he’s cradled in your arms, but when it comes to comfort and practicality, I find myself opting for the wrap almost every time, it’s just hard to beat.
Anyways, while I was packing I considered my heavy duty carrier, with the rigid mountaineering frame. I also considered the sling, which is adorable, but again not super practical. I ended up going with the most compact of the three, the wrap, which folds down into a bag the size of a coffee grinder. I wasn’t sure about the weather in Germany so I figured I’d “selflessly” pack the most “natural” carrier, and any space it saved for my wardrobe would be purely coincidental. It took up almost zero space in my luggage, and I couldn’t have been happier with the performance. We stayed with family right outside of the military base of Ramstein, and almost everywhere we went, was a castle! Fun day trips, very informational, but at the end of the day they’re big, cold, grandiose stone buildings that you wouldn’t want to spend more than 3 hours at unless you had to. I was SO ridiculously happy I brought the wrap. I didn’t need any sort of Everest Summiteering backpack (if that’s a word… google says no but I disagree). I was however, out long enough to need something that wouldn’t kill my back in exchange for a bit of ogling from German strangers.
I remember one specific moment, as I sat down on a cold stone castle wall sipping our delicious German coffees, that my back felt fine, and Sam hadn’t even been conscious since we started our tour, let alone cry his heart out. I remember realizing how great the day had been thus far, and realizing that twenty-four year old me wouldn’t understand, but as a new mom, sitting down, no back pain, sleeping baby, day touring a castle with your husband, AND a nice cup of coffee to warm your hands, what the meaning of a great day was. I obviously can’t thank CuddleBug for it, any more than I can thank my 2 euro cup of coffee, but I can tell everyone about it, in the hopes that they share my experience, or one similar to it!
Ode to Baby Carrier Purchasing
Oh baby carriers...how many choices you offer.
When my mother recommended to me a baby wrap, at first I didn’t know what to expect from something so traditional. Will it be hard on my back? Will it be a pain in the “you know what” to tie? So I started reading about baby wraps, about the ergonomics, if it’s safe for the baby, is it safe for me, will he fall out??!!? If I can summarize in simple terms the gist of what I read, when you are carrying your baby in a baby wrap, you are, in a way, repeating the conditions in which it was in the womb (body is somewhat restricted, but in constant motion with the mother). As long as you tie your wrap even 50% correctly, (insert legal disclaimer I don’t have here), there is no chance of him or her falling out, just watch the videos online and you should be fine. Tip: Make sure it’s snugger than you think you’d need for comfort and safety sake! The ergonomics are great, I won’t go into too much detail but it’s a super natural way for the baby and the mother to be. Humans and monkey’s have been carrying little ones on our chests for millions of years, so we’re both pretty well adapted for it! I also realized how very practical baby wearing is compared to something like a stroller, since it leaves both hands free to continue doing odds n’ ends while you literally cuddle with your baby.
What could be better?
So before giving birth I went out to buy a few baby carriers. The most important thing for me was ergonomics. I over simplified above, but if you want to do some research on your own, it’s pretty important! Oddly enough, there are many baby carriers on the market (of well-known brands) that are not embracing of, and do not respect the natural position of the baby. Baby wraps allow natural movement of the baby, while still restricting him/her somewhat (similar to a swaddle). This calms them down immensely, and keeps their body weight evenly distributed throughout their back, hips, and chest. For the mom, wear the baby tightly, walk with good posture, and you’ll be fine. The wrap distributes the weight of the baby all over your back, and hips pretty evenly, unlike some other carriers which focuses the weight on your shoulders. Both my sisters had babies recently, and they are in love with their Baby Bjorn 360’s. Don’t get me wrong, they’re awesome carriers, but they keep complaining about carrying their babies for more than an hour or so, and I simply can’t relate!! They don’t like wraps because they claim they’re too hard to tie, but when push comes to shove, I’m the only sister not B!***ing about my back hurting after an hour. I hope they read this and decide to at least try wraps out!!!
From my personal experience and research, there are a lot of baby carriers that brag about ergonomics: some with elastic waistbands, others have brand new “sling” technology, shoulder strap carriers, mei tai carriers, baby carrier backpacks, front carriers, etc.... I recommend that you investigate all these yourself enough because there really is so much to choose from, and a large portion of the decision is simple personal preference. Try not to buy into all the marketing however! Mom’s are easy targets, we want the best for our babies, so we are willing to pay for the best. The problem arrises when one company charges $200-300 for something that should really cost $20-$30, and us moms, trying to get “the best” for our babies stupidly pay it. I’m not saying all carriers for $300 are a rip off, but keep your eyes open Darling!
The good thing about the baby wrap, in my humble opinion, is that it can be used without problems from birth. It's super comfortable, it does not squeeze anywhere and the baby is going to be super close to you. The bad thing is that you have to learn how to make the basic knot. There are many videos on YouTube, and a few on the CuddleBug site, it’s easy to self-teach. It is true that it takes a few days to become a master of the wrap, although it’s not a tough process. I recommend getting the wrap before the baby is born, and practice with a puppy, pillow, or with a doll (I practiced a lot with my cat Ralph, he wasn’t a fan).
I use my wrap almost always when I'm working around the home, or when I have errands to run. Anytime I’ll be out of the house for more than a few hours, I’ll bring my stroller, as I just get too tired carrying around my now 25 pound Samuel for more than a few hours at a time. Maybe a more in-shape super mom could last a day at the zoo, but not me unfortunately.
Long story short, after much searching I chose the CuddleBug baby wrap, because it can be used from birth without using any adapters, and it’s affordable. The Ergo Baby, LÍLLÉbaby, and all the other $100 plus carriers out there are great, I have yet to hear any substantially negative things about any of them (except for my sister’s complaining in comparison to my own), but when it comes to bang for your buck, for a carrier under $50, a baby wrap is an amazing way to go. It easily competes on all levels with the $200 carriers, and really has no substantial disadvantages.
I love having Samuel always near me and the baby wrap makes that possible. Sometimes, this may sound funny, but he takes a nap while we’re doing our chores, and I feel like a little kangaroo mom, with my little kangaroo Joey in my pouch. While I organize his room, work on the computer or prepare dinner, every time that thought hits me I can’t help but smile and laugh a little! I started baby wearing with fear and insecurity, constantly worrying if the positioning was correct, if Samuel was comfortable, if I was straining my back ... but basically after the first week I got used to the process, and now not a single day goes buy where I’m not carrying Samuel, and thinking about kangaroos for some strange reason.
I hope my experience has been insightful to the new moms out there!
Love,
Kristina
Once upon a time the only way your baby could accompany you anywhere was either carried in your arms, or in a baby wrap sling. Prams and strollers didn’t exist for pretty much all of time! After the advent of sexy strollers, it was easy to forget about the baby wrap, a simple, understated, long piece of fabric that wraps around you and provides the perfect spot to pop your baby for safekeeping and convenience.
Carrying a baby in a sling or something similar against the body is not a new concept; the women in many indigenous cultures have been doing versions of it for centuries. American Indian women for instance carried their babies in a papoose. Mums in Papua New Guinea carry their young babies in a colorful hand woven string bag on their back. In many countries a sling carrier that ties over one shoulder and carries the baby on the opposite hip is used. They’re all variations upon a simple theme; remaining as close as possible to your baby, while freeing your arms and hands to get on with other necessary bits of your life. We don’t know who invented baby wearing, and certainly not the baby wrap carrier, but whomever it was has made the lives of millions of mothers worldwide easier, happier, and much more convenient!
Somehow, women in many western countries seem to have forgotten about the natural habit of baby wearing. They’ve been seduced into the habit of using prams and strollers instead. Sure a stroller has it’s place in the world, a day at Disneyland is far to long to carry your baby! We love strollers, don’t get us wrong, but the bonding shared with your baby literally tied to your chest, is one experience you simply can’t miss out on.
So if you’re looking for that absolutely perfect gift for a mum to be, or if you’re the mum to be and can’t figure out what you want, a baby wrap has to be right at the top of the list. At CuddleBug we have a range of top quality baby wrap slings, all with a lifetime guarantee, that will make the perfect gift for any expecting mother.
Another ideal gift for a baby shower is our famous 4 Pack of Muslin Cotton Baby Swaddles. Swaddling is another timeless mothering technique, one that has been done for centuries. Ancient swaddling however, was conducted for very different reasons than we swaddle newborn infants for today. Babies were originally very tightly swaddled to ensure their limbs grew straight and it was generally not a very nice experience for the baby. These days, swaddling is a much kinder, softer practice, and is done to sooth, lull, and comfort an infant to sleep. Swaddling a baby restricts their motion, and by keeping them still and confined, it reminds them of the womb, their first home. This allows them to calm down, relax, and drift off into a blissful sleep.
Swaddling a baby is very simple, but it does require a bit of instruction. You or the mum you gift our swaddles to can follow our how to video on YouTube.
Just make sure once you’re finished that your swaddled baby is lying on their back and can’t roll over onto their stomach, or pull other bedding over their face. Another danger with swaddling is overheating, when mothers use swaddles that are too heavy or thick. With CuddleBug swaddles this is a non-issue, as our muslin cotton swaddles are breathable, lightweight, and cool for even the warmest babies. They’re also super easy to wash, maintain, and they even come with a lifetime guarantee! Did someone say best baby shower gift ever?
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After the rapid success of our first line of Muslin Swaddles, we've decided to launch fitted, adjustable, and ridiculously soft cotton velcro swaddles.
Unfortunately our initial launch only has a few thousand units, so we will not be in stock long! Buy them while you can.
With Love,
CuddleBug
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