Baby names – Choosing trendy or traditional

Lists of baby names are always fun to look at, whether you’re seeking a name for your soon-to-be-born baby boy or baby girl, wondering about the popularity of your own first name, or just curious about what baby names are currently hot.

What I find particularly interesting is tracking the popularity of baby names over the decades. In looking through U.S. government baby name lists from 1880 to the present, some amusing patterns emerge, particularly in regards to baby names for girls.

For example, in Victorian times Biblical names, such as Mary, Sarah and Ruth were very popular for baby girls. There were also many baby names that sounded very old-fashioned to me, as a kid growing up in the 1960s, including names like Martha, Alice, Bertha and Minnie.

From the 1920s to the 1950s certain baby names rose in popularity. For example, I went to school with many Susans, Debbies, Patricias, and Lindas. All of these baby names have since waned, to be replaced, by the 1980s, with fancier names such as Jennifer, Jessica and Nicole. When I was a children’s librarian in the 1980s my preschool storyhours were populated with little girls named Lauren and Jenny, and little boys named Alex and Matthew.

More recently there’s been a lot of renewed interest in more “old-fashioned” baby names like Hannah, Abigail and Ethan, plus many Biblical names such as Sarah, Rachel, Joshua, Jacob, and Samuel. There’s also been a surge in nontraditional baby names including Madison, Ashley and Brianna for baby girls, and Brandon and Logan for baby boys.

It’s interesting to consider the whys and wherefores of such developments. Sometimes, I suspect, the popularity of a specific actor or fictional character might result in many babies with a particular name. For example, were some of the Lauras born in the 1970s and 1980s given a name suggested by older brothers and sisters who were growing up watching “Little House on the Prairie ?” Were some attributable to the super popular Laura of “General Hospital” fame ?

Today Madison is a very highly ranked baby name for girls (ranking number 3 in 2003) but, when the film “Splash” came out in 1984, Tom Hanks’ character told Daryl Hannah’s character that Madison was not a bona fide first name.

While baby girls’ names seem quite subject to the whims of fashion and the top ten lists can change radically over time, I’ve noticed that, in general, the top baby names for boys remain far more stable. Names like John, William and James are perennials, perhaps because baby boys are often named for their fathers, perpetuating the popularity of certain baby names from generation to generation. The “Junior” factor aside, baby boys are also less apt to be given fanciful names.

When naming a baby there are, of course, many other points to consider besides how popular or unique a name is. Here are some helpful tips that you can use with your other children to get them involved in choosing a name for the new baby and to make the process fun:

1. Baby names need to go nicely with the sound of your last name. Also, pick a first name and a middle name that go together well. (So maybe not something like Erasmus Beelzebub Smith !)

2. When your family finds a name you all like, look at the initials to be sure that you don’t give the new baby a name with initials that will make people laugh. (So maybe not Pamela Iris Green, which equals P.I.G. !)

3. You might not want a baby name that is so unusual that the other kids will make fun of your little brother or sister as he or she grows up. (So maybe not Rosebud or Molasses !)

4. You also might not want a baby name that is so trendy that it will sound funny by the time the baby is ten years old. (So maybe not Sunshine !)

5. You probably shouldn’t pick a name that’s really cute for an adorable little baby but will sound silly when the baby grows up. (So maybe not Dimples !)

6. Avoid baby names that might produce insulting nicknames when people shorten them. (So maybe not Smellonius, or Smelly for short !)

7. You and your family might not want a name that is so hard to spell or to pronounce that people will always get it wrong and your poor little brother or sister will have to go through life correcting people. (So maybe not something like Incandescence, or is it Incandessints ? )

8. You and your family might want to pick baby names in honor of favorite relatives or ancestors, or special names that show your family’s ethnic roots. You might even find a special name from a book or movie that you love. (Like Harry ?)

9. You might want to look through books of baby names and pick one that has a special meaning that you like – maybe something that means “sweet” or “kind” or “brave.” (So maybe not wimp !)

10. You might want to think about names that will go nicely with your name and your other brothers’ and sisters’ names, so that if mom or dad are calling you all for dinner or signing a birthday card to grandma it won’t sound too crazy.
(So maybe not “Happy Birthday, Grandma ! Love, Joey, Cindy and Dweevo !”)

There are hundreds of names waiting for you out there, so good luck on your search for the perfect name !

Visit Barbara Freedman-DeVito’s website at http://www.childrensclothingbabyclothes.com for baby clothes, children’s clothing and

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Baby Bedding Information

by:Randy Wilson

When you choose a baby bedding, choose the one which can guarantee optimum baby bedding safety and coziness to your baby. The best fabric for the baby would be 100 percent cotton. Below are descriptions of the different types of nursery bedding for each type of furniture.

Crib Bedding:

Until the baby is one or one and a half years old, the crib is its ideal bed. Cribs are of many different types, but they all need to be strong and durable. You could choose a standard crib, or go for a more expensive one such as a convertible or portable crib which would be ideal for traveling. It is best to always choose a crib from a reputable company.
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Bassinet bedding:

Bassinets are suitable for the baby for the first 3 or 4 months. A perfect bassinet will have a soft cuddly mattress, a small little pillow and a blanket. A bassinet should be made of soft material with preferably the color blending with the baby’s room.

Cradle bedding:

Cradles have a lovely rocking motion which makes sure that the baby gets a sound sleep. Light colored cradles are preferred by parents because they look nice and you can notice when they get wet.

Baby blankets:

Baby blankets should be of soft material and must be non toxic. Today there are many types of blankets to choose from that will be soft, smooth, and pleasant smelling with attractive and eye pleasing colors.

Bedding for the baby could be different for a boy or a girl. They could be gender neutral as well. The color combination and the cute looking cartoons are common to both the gender.

Normally for the girls, the baby bedding is replete with shades of pink, light blue and purples. A baby girl’s bed is laid out like a princess. A baby boy’s bed is sport oriented. You could see baby bedding for boys themed around superheroes, WWE personalities or baseball stars. The colors tend to be darker and bolder for boys.

As pointed out above, it is not a hard and fast rule for the baby bedding to be in a certain set of preferences for baby boys and girls. In fact you will see a lot of neutral nursery bedding themes with regard to cartoons like Disney or Popeye characters or cute animations.

The kids are too small to understand the difference about having gender specific cartoons and animals and they are attracted to anything which pleases their eyes and make them smile. It is just that when they get a little older, little boys would feel a little awkward having his bed done in pinks and pastels.

When baby girls grow older, their beds could have blinds with the curtains hanging on rods above. This gives the bed somewhat a princess bed kind of appearance. Not that the girls would be complaining!

Bedding is one interesting avenue where there are a lot of options in store for the parent from choosing the kind and texture of sheets, the choice of colors and baby bedding patterns.

While purchasing a baby bed it is up to you if you choose a gender neutral baby bed or something which would make her feel like a princess or make him feel like a superhero.

© Copyright Randy Wilson, All Rights Reserved.

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Welcome an adopted baby into the family

The addition of a new child to a family is a wonderous occasion! An adopted baby is just as much a miracle as any other and should be celebrated as such.

And all babies need “stuff”, even an adopted child, so having an adoption baby shower for this child is not only acceptable, but necessary.

There are some differences you should consider when attempting to plan this a baby shower for adoption. You will need to know the age of the adopted child first of all. Some couples may have adopted a baby, but others may have adopted a toddler or older child.

You will also want to find out if the family wants to celebrate the baby shower for adoption before or after the baby/child is adopted.

For infants, the basic necessities, such as diapers, clothing, feeding items, and nursery décor are appropriate for adoption baby showers. The parents-to-be of an adopted baby/child should register for baby shower gifts just the same as any other parents.

Though it is rare, some adoptive mothers are able to breastfeed their infants, so you should take care to find out what this mom-to-be will be doing. If she will be bottle feeding the baby, gifts of baby formula will be helpful, though you may want to wait to find out what type of formula she will be using, since there are so many.

Some families choose to acknowledge the adopted baby’s birth mother in some way. In some cases, they have formed a close bond with the birth mother and may choose to include her in the adoption baby shower festivities.

Or they may want to give the birth mother a gift. Discuss with the parents (tactfully, since it is a delicate subject) if this is their wish. Then consider asking guests to bring a gift to the adoption baby shower for the birth mother.

Because this baby is adopted and the mom-to-be is not pregnant, stay away from any maternity-type games at the adoption baby shower, like “how big is Mom’s tummy” or any other such games. You can however, play games to guess the baby’s sex or birth date (if they have not yet been born) for adoption baby showers.

It is important to know the age of the child being adopted in order to know what types of baby shower gifts to purchase. Buying rattles and baby booties for a 3 year-old is not helpful to Mom and Dad!

Parents can still register for an older child at any retailer that has a baby registry for the baby shower. Make sure you have an idea of not only the child’s age, but also what size clothing they wear.

For families adopting an older child, a fun idea is to have a “welcome” party for the child after he or she comes home. Find out the child’s sex, age and what toys or types of entertainment they like.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Randy is owner of http://www.planning-a-baby-shower.com where you will find further tips on baby showers and baby shower games.

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Baby shower recipes

Baby shower recipes are available on the Internet and in various cook books. It is a great idea to have a wide variety of snacks, drinks, and desserts since people enjoy so many different things. Most people who are planning a baby shower plan a few simple appetizers. Some juice, pop, perhaps a punch, and some desserts such as cake and cookies. Try to stick to the baby shower theme and basic flavors and your culinary work will be appreciated by all that attend.

There are cook books at your local book store that offer great ideas for baby shower recipes. There are many cook books that guide you through entertaining a variety of occasions, not only baby showers. Some of these parties could be bridal showers, Halloween parties, and holiday entertaining, not just baby shower parties.

One of the tastiest treats at a baby shower is baby shower punch. This type of baby shower punch is quite delicious and always alcohol free. The new or expectant mother would surely like to enjoy some as well! There are many different types of baby shower punch recipes. Some of the most delicious we’ve tried for a baby shower are as simple as orange juice, Sprite, and orange sorbet.

If you do a search on the Internet for baby shower punch recipes you are sure to find many baby shower recipes to choose from.

If you prefer, you can always have some white wine or champagne on hand to add to each cup of the punch. Be sure to check with the new mom if this is okay with her.

Baby cake is another must-have treat at a baby shower. A baby shower cake can be any sort of cake that you choose, shaped into a baby-type shape. This can be anything really, but the most popular shapes for baby showers are bottles, diaper pins, and teddy bears. Chocolate or vanilla are the most popular type of cake used to make a baby cake. You can do something a little different though with black forest, angel food, or marble cake for your baby shower.

Of course there is the other type of baby cake. It is essentially a gift basket containing items for the new parents and baby. These are usually referred to as baby diaper cakes or just simply a diaper cake.

Appetizers are also a must at a baby shower. You should have a variety of different types. Be sure to have some vegetarian ones since many people don’t eat meat these days. Keep in mind that seafood allergies, especially to shellfish are also common.

A great type of appetizer is baked brie. This is always a hit at baby showers and so easy to make. All you need is a round of brie placed into a baking dish. Place garlic cloves and sun dried tomatoes on top and bake at a medium temperature for approximately 15 minutes. It should melt nicely and the cloves of garlic should be soft. This goes well with crackers or baguette rounds for your baby shower party.

Some other baby shower recipes could be finger sandwiches, crackers and cheese, spinach dip, veggie plates, and fruit plates. If you are expecting a large crowd to show up you may want to consider asking some close family members to help with the baby shower food. Making all these appetizers may sound simple, but if you are planning baby shower food for 20 or so people you could be in the kitchen for hours.
The Internet is a great resource for finding help and guidance for all of your baby shower planning.

© Copyright Randy Wilson, All Rights Reserved.

About the Author

Randy has dozens more baby shower related articles such as Baby Shower Centerpieces, Free Baby Shower Games and Baby Clipart.

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Baby shower invitations ideas

by: Randy Wilson

The best baby shower invitations ideas are both practical and sentimental. Plan your baby shower the way you would any other celebration, starting with the baby shower invitation. Invitations let everyone know the details of the upcoming event. The baby shower invitations set the tone and the theme for the event. Everyone gets excited when they see a baby shower invitation arrive in the mail. Again, the best baby shower invitations are beautiful, simple, and informative.

The first thing you need to do before you order invitations or make your own baby shower invitations is to decide on the theme of your party! You can choose from baby shower invitations ideas like teddy bears, ducks, baby bottles and diaper pins. And what colors do you want? Blue for boys, pink for girls, or yellow and green for the baby yet unseen?

You need to consider the mother’s personal style. Would she prefer bright and bold or subdued and sweet? If you’re not sure, don’t hesitate to get some input from those who know her best. Most of all what kind of baby shower invitations ideas would she like best? That’s the thing that will be saved in the baby scrapbook for the rest of the child’s life. After all, as much fun as it is for you to plan the baby shower, it is the mother and child who will cherish the special, once in a lifetime memory forever. So, plan well!

Once you have decided the theme for your baby shower party. Designing the baby shower invitation is the first step in letting all the family, friends and co-workers know. So you want to make a great first impression. Using the baby shower invitations ideas will help make everything run smoothly, and that’s the impression you want to give.

Now let’s get on with it, because those baby shower invitations need to be sent out weeks in advance to allow everyone time to shop for the perfect baby gifts and make travel plans if necessary. And you’ve got to figure in printing and delivery time as well. There is no time to waste.

You’ve finally chosen your theme, colors and you’re confident you know the mother’s style. What important details should be included? First and foremost is the date and time of the event and the location. You may consider including a map to the location if necessary for out of town guests. Include the RSVP information and the places where mother and baby are registered.

If the event is open to the guys, you need to say so. Otherwise, they will assume that this is a ladies only event. But having the guys around can be great fun! Don’t rule it out as a possibility.

Once you think you’ve got the details of the baby shower invitation down pat, it’s time to decide whether you should create them yourself or look for a printer. Creating baby invitations yourself is always an option, but you may decide it’s worth paying an expert for their services.

They can help you make decisions about baby shower invitations ideas you may be less familiar with. Like font colors, paper styles, baby shower invitation wording, and matching accessories like envelopes, thank you notes, and baby birth announcements.

If you decide to use a professional printing service, make sure you know what you’re paying for up front. Let them know your budget, but be aware that they will try to add on services. Know before you go into the sale exactly what you will and will not pay for.

Do you really want to pay for embossing or engraving or custom design? Do you want the heavier paper with accent ribbon that will cost more postage to mail as well as take longer to print and deliver? There are lots of choices for you and a little time spent in researching your options and asking good questions will go a long way and possibly save you money.

Whatever you decide, make the mother to be a special keepsake with these wonderful baby shower invitations ideas. Perhaps frame an invitation and display it at the baby shower, and then let her take it home as a gift. Or find a picture of the expectant mother. Then tuck it along with the baby invitation into a new baby scrapbook.

This will help get her started in saving all of her precious memories. She will be touched by your thoughtfulness. This is a special time in the mother’s life, and you will be appreciated for all that you do to welcome the newborn into the world.

© Copyright Randy Wilson, All Rights Reserved.

About the Author

Randy is owner of http://www.planning-a-baby-shower.com where you will find further tips on baby showers and <>baby shower games.

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Baby shower cake as the centerpiece

When you’re holding a baby shower one of the most important items that you’ll serve is the baby shower cake. Cakes should be the highlight of the food lineup and should be served with a selection of desserts, finger food and cookies. Cakes can come in all shapes and sizes, including baby cakes, diaper cakes and bootie baby cakes.

When you’re planning what type of cakes to prepare for the baby shower you’ll find many babyshower cake cookbooks from which to make your selection. If you know the baby is a girl you can decorate the cake in a pink style. The same goes if the baby is a boy, in which case you’ll want to focus on blue or green colors.

Baby shower cakes can be either one large cake, or you can make several smaller individual cakes which can be created for each guest that is invited.

The main focus of cakes is of course the expectant mother. Baby cakes make a great centerpiece that will bring a smile to any expectant mother. Diaper cakes also continue to be popular and are easy to make and assemble.

When you’re planning which cakes that you want to make you can be as creative as you like. There are cookbooks available that feature some great ideas for cakes that you can adapt to fit your baby shower theme. If the theme of the baby shower is the alphabet you can find cakes that highlight this theme. There is no limit to the types of cakes that you can choose from for the shower.

Many times the cakes themselves create the theme for the shower. This is because the cakes can be the focus and centerpiece of the entire party. You can plan all the decorations, food and themes around the type of baby shower cake you decide to feature.

When you’re looking for baby shower cake recipes you can find cookbooks in the recipe section in your local bookstore or library. You can also find a selection of recipes for baby shower cakes and diaper cakes on the internet. If you can’t find the exact cake that you have in mind for your baby shower you can make any adaptations that you need to modify the cake to your liking.

Cakes should be as fun and creative as possible. There may be times when you want to hire someone to make the perfect cake. But keep in mind that half the fun of a baby shower is doing things yourself. Using your imagination, and a little help from cookbooks you can come up with the most amazing cakes imaginable.

There are many different types of cakes that you can choose from or that you can use as a starting base for your own babyshower cake ideas. Baby Shower Diaper cakes can often be paired up with edible cakes. This way you have the fun of a cake made from diapers and the deliciousness of an edible cake that everyone can enjoy.

Distinct Deliveries is an online merchant which offers not only Baby Shower Diaper Cakes, but much more.
href=http://distinctdeliveries.com/baby.cfm?secid=6&affid=1246>Distinct Deliveries.com offers baby baskets, baby announcements, baby books, shower cakes, baby jewelry, engraved items, plush items, baby shower items, gifts baskets, chocolate & candy, baby gifts, book packages, flowers & plants, bath & body, fruit packages, gourmet & snacks, seasonal, pet gifts, specialty gifts, monthly clubs..

Some themes you might want to use include:

  1. Sports theme for boys
  2. Princess cakes in pink for girls
  3. Jungle animals for boys
  4. Fairy theme for girls

No matter what type of cake you take into consideration your final choice should somehow reflect the theme of the baby shower.

© Copyright Randy Wilson, All Rights Reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Randy is owner of http://www.planning-a-baby-shower.com where you will find further tips on baby showers and baby shower games

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Baby gift registry

A furniture baby gift registry is the best option you can go for if you want to shower the baby with love and gifts. When you are considering getting a gift for the baby, the choices could be endless. If you are considering buying furniture for the baby, you can rely on the ever dependable furniture gift registry.

A furniture gift registry helps us streamline to the best choice. Through an online gift registry, parents can find out exactly what is required for their baby. The guests could also use the help of the gift registry to make the choice of that perfect gift. It takes 15 minutes to create a furniture baby gift registry and the amount and variety of baby furniture you could possible see has to been seen to be believed. While going through an online gift registry, you could see furniture which would serve the needs of the baby. For example, High chairs are something which would help the baby eat comfortably.

Here is some of the ideal baby furniture you would find in a furniture baby gift registry:

Baby changing tables: They provide a hygienic plane for place for parents to change baby diapers. The changing pads are made of cloth or plastic while the changing tables are made of wood. The baby is placed on the changing pad. The changing table’s height should be of the right type, neither too or too low. Choose a changing pad which could be protective and padded properly. A changing table should have a protection barrier and should be held close to the table’s base.

Highchairs: High chairs allow the parent to teach the baby to eat. An ideal baby high chair is the one which is durable and does not wobble. One should look to buy a high chair from a manufacturer who is reputed in the baby furniture industry. That goes for all the baby furniture products but more for the high chair. A tip to choose an ideal high chair would be one with a belt having adjustable shoulder straps to hold the baby safely and also a removable tray to facilitate cleaning.

Co-Sleeper: Co-sleeper is another baby furniture gift registry item which is the favorite of every mother. It allows mothers to hold the baby close to them when sleeping, or feeding them. They are built in such a way that the baby is at close proximity to them and there is a small partition which joins mama-papa’s bed with the baby’s bed.

Night stands: Night stands are the baby’s shelf. Here you can put all your baby’s daily products like clothes, bottles and diapers. When choosing a night stand or a baby dresser from the baby gift registry, make sure that the color of the night stand intermingles with the color of the room and is also close to its bed and changing table.

Baby crib: This is one of the best buys in the baby furniture gift registry. Since the baby crib is an ideal bed for the baby to sleep comfortably till it is about 2 yrs old, you have to see that the crib which you choose is the best one for your baby. The crib has to be strong and durable, from a reputed company. It should be free from rough edges or unnecessary protrusions. The cribs could be standard ones with single or double sided openings, or ones which look cradles (having a rocking motion to put it to sleep comfortably). The cribs which are on the expensive sides are the convertible ones and theme oriented metal built canopy cribs, with beautiful fabric. For example, you could have a canopy crib which could look like a baby princess bed.

So while choosing baby furniture from the baby gift registry, choose the one which is safe, secure and easy on the baby.

© Copyright Randy Wilson, All Rights Reserved.

About the Author

Randy is owner of How to Plan a Baby Shower where you can get more tips and ideas for your baby shower. You can also purchase and find free baby shower games. Randy owned and operated a very successful storefront/mailorder business from 1988 to 2003.

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Baby car seats safety – Frequently asked questions

by: Martin Smith

In this article you will be provided with information about baby car seats and keeping your baby safe while in the car. There are tips for buying new and used baby car seats. Answers to some of the most asked questions about car seats are provided as well.

Q. What is the best baby car seat?

The best car seat is the one that matches your baby’s size and weight. It also fits properly in your car and is easily installed.

Q. What types of baby car seats are available?

There are several types of baby car seats such as infant seats, front facing car seats, and convertible seats. There are also combination seats (can face front or rear), booster seats and integrated car seats. With each type of seat there are variations.

Q. Is a five-point harness or a shield safest for my baby?

A five point harness gives your child the greatest protection because it holds your baby tighter in the seat in the event of a crash. A T-Shield or over-the-head restraint allows too much room or can get in the way of chubby tummies and legs. The stalk of the T-Shield can cause serious injury to your baby.

Q. How can I find out how to safely install my baby’s car seat?

All car seats (except most second hand seats) come with printed directions. If after reading the directions you still are not sure how to properly install it. You can call or email the manufacturer. Some police stations and hospitals have assistance programsas well.

Q. Is there a correct way to secure my child in the baby car seat?

Yes, there is a correct way in which to secure your child in his car seat. How you secure your baby in the car seat will likely depend on the age and size of your baby. For children under a year of age they should be placed in rear-facing seats in the centerof the rear seat. Older children can sit facing front and their seat are generally placed behind the driver or passenger in order to utilize the shoulder/lap belts.

Q. What is LATCH?

LATCH refers to Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children. It is a baby car seat installation system. The lower hooks are attached between the bottom of the back of the seat and seat itself. The tether piece is a strap made of seat belt material with a clip that secures forward facing baby car seats and prevents excessive movement of the baby’s head in crashes.

Q. What is a Tether?

The tether is a strap made of seat belt material with a clip. It attaches to the clips on the seat and secures front facing baby car seats. In a crash it prevents excessive movement of the seat and the baby’s head, reducing the severity of injuries.

Q. How can I tell when my child is ready to use car seat belts without a booster seat?

Your child will be ready for using the car safety restraint system when s/he can sitall the way back in the seat and the knees can bend comfortably over the edge of the seat. The belt crosses the shoulder between the neck and the arm and the lap belt is low and touches the thighs. Your child must be able to remain seated the whole trip.

Q. Can a baby car seat be used safely in an airplane?

Yes it can. Airlines require children age 2 and under, to be in approved car seats. The seats must be 16 inches or less to fit in the airplane seats. Call ahead and find out ifyour seat is an approved seat. Once on the plane, the hostess/es, will be able to assistyou.

Q. Is it safe for me to use second-hand baby car seats?

Yes it is safe to use second-hand baby car seats provided you do a safety check. Belts and harnesses should not be frayed or cracked. There should be no cracks or tears in the seat cover and the seat should recline easily and stay upright when the baby is seated. Look into the history of the seat, if it has been in a car crash do not buy it, its ability to safely restrain your child has been compromised. If the seat doesn’t come with a manual contact the manufacturer to ensure the seat will be properly installed.If the seat is more than 5 years old do not use it, it may have been in a crash and older baby car seats may not fit in new model cars.

Q. What should I do if my baby car seat is recalled?

In most cases, the manufacturer will provide you with instructions of what to do if baby car seat is recalled. In some cases they will replace it for free they will have you bring it somewhere to get replacement parts also at no cost to you.

Q. Are there baby car seats available for children with special needs?

Children with special needs may require different restraint systems. Discuss your options with your pediatrician. Agencies such as Easter Seals have programs and information on baby car seats for special needs children.

Q. What is the best type of harness for my baby car seat?

There are four types of harnesses in baby car seats. The six-point harness has two straps at the shoulders, two at the hips and two at the crotch. The five-point harness has two straps at the shoulders, two at the hips and one at the crotch. The t-shield is a padded triangle that latches at the crotch while the overhead shield comes down from over the head and latches at the crotch also. The safest harnesses are the five or six-point harnesses. These prevent excessive movement of the baby in crash situations. The t shield and the over-head shield allow for too much room and could cause your baby to be ejected from the car in a crash.

In Conclusion

You can never go wrong if you err on the side of caution when it comes to your baby. The size and weight of your baby as well as your budget will decide what type of seat you will purchase. This article has provided you with a number of tips to keep your baby safe while riding with you in the car.

(c) www.1st-babies.com

About the Author
Martin Smith is a successful freelance writer providing advice for consumers on purchasing a variety of Nursery Bedding which includes Baby strollers, Baby car seats, and more! His numerous articles provide a wonderfully researched resource of interesting and relevant information.

About the Author

About the Author
Martin Smith is a successful freelance writer providing advice for consumers on purchasing a variety of Baby strollers,
Baby car seats,
and more! His numerous articles provide a researched resource of interesting and relevant information.

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Baby monitor technology and buyers guide

by: Sarah Cooke
Baby monitors are a relatively new invention yet they have quickly become an essential part of any parent’s baby equipment.

There are now many types available and this article summarizes the technology available and what a buyer should look for.

Baby Monitor Buyers Guide

What is a baby monitor & why do I need one?

It might seem like an obvious question these days, but baby monitors are a relatively new innovation. At the most basic level they give the parent freedom from keeping a constant vigil at their baby’s bedside (cot-side or Moses basket-side!).
A baby monitor normally consists of a transmitter and a receiver unit. The transmitter is placed near the baby and the parent keeps the receiver unit. This way the parent can hear instantly if their baby needs reassurance while doing other things around the house – or maybe catching up on some well needed rest!

Baby Monitor Types

Baby monitors now fall into three main categories. There are the traditional audio baby monitors. These alert the parent if the baby starts to cry or seems restless or uncomfortable. Audio/visual baby monitors take this a step further by letting the parent see and hear their baby. These consist of a camera unit with a microphone and a eceiver unit with a TV screen and speaker.

Lastly, there are sensor baby monitors (also called respiratory baby monitors). These offer peace of mind by immediately alerting the parent if their baby’s breathing becomes significantly uneven or even stops completely.

Audio Baby Monitors

Audio baby monitors fall into two further types: analogue and digital. Analogue baby monitors traditionally were subject to lots of interference from other household items that gave off a wireless signal. While this still can be true of cheaper analogue monitors, today most have more than one channel enabling you to select one that is interference free and incorporate technology that lessens outside interferences such as the Philips Cordless Babysitter.

To guarantee an interference transmission and reception you will need a digital baby monitor. Remember that a baby monitor is essentially a radio transmitter and receiver and digital radio (should you have one!) is superior to normal radio reception. The higher-end digital baby monitors use something called DECT technology. This technology came from digital walkabout phones and stands for Digital Enhanced Cordless Technology.

DECT monitors will select a channel automatically from 120 channels and often encrypt the channels to stop any eavesdropping. Because of this technology these monitors are normally more expensive, but (like the Philips Digital Baby Monitor and the BT Digital Monitors) they guarantee interference free transmission and often come with several useful extra features:

Audio baby monitors – things to look for:

•Number of channels
•Rechargeable parent unit
•Belt clip for portable convenience
•Light display on the parent that shows noise level even if the sound is turned down.
•Low battery indicator
•Night light on baby unit
•Two-way transmission – so you can talk to your baby from the parent unit.
•Temperature gauge – remember the ideal nursery temperature is around 18C (65F)

Audio/Visual Baby Monitors

A recent innovation – these monitors let you see and hear your baby. This gives obvious added benefits such as seeing if your baby has come out of their blanket, or if they are sleeping in an awkward position etc. However, these baby monitor may also be useful for older children so you can remotely check on them if they are playing by themselves in another room.
The range of audio/visual baby monitors can be limited by your house layout. If your house has normal partition (or stud) walls then the range will be around the quoted 30m. However, if you live in an old house with solid internal walls the range will be reduced – especially if the signal has to pass through several walls. This will not apply when you are directly below or above a nursery as the signal only has to pass through a wooden floor (or floors) and should therefore be perfect.

AudioVisual Baby Monitors – Things to look for:

•Night vision – sounds obvious but some come without it! This is essential for night time viewing. All our audiovisual baby monitors come with night vision.
•Number of channels – helps in finding the best channel but can also enable you to add extra cameras later.
•Standby mode – if you have a portable parent unit the screen can be draining on the battery. Some units such as the

Tranwo Gigaair automatically come out of standby mode if you baby makes a noise.

Sensor Baby Monitors

Also called respiratory baby monitors these monitors consist of sensitive pads that go underneath your baby’s mattress.During the first year of life, infants can experience irregular breathing patterns or even stop breathing completely.
These monitors can alert when your baby’s breathing changes due to a cold, high fever, or other illness.

The href=”http://www.MonitorMyBaby.co.uk/Products/babysense.html”>Babysense II will continually detect your baby’s motion and breathing movements, and set off a sound and visual alarm if breathing movements ceases for over 20 seconds or if the breathing rate slows to below 10 breaths per minute.

REMEMBER, a sensor baby monitor is an added precaution and safeguard which can help peace of mind but it must be combined with the important recommendations of “Safe Sleeping” (sleeping on the back, not overheating of baby’s room, not smoking
around the baby).

Sensor Baby Monitors – things to look for

•Certifications – the Babysense II is currently the only Household Movement Monitor to carry complete CE registration as a Medical Device and to comply with 93/42/EEC

Medical device Directive.
•Mattress type – some sensor baby monitors will not work properly with a spring mattress
•Mattress thickness – check your mattress thickness. Some are certified for thicknesses up to 12cm and some for thicknesses up to 14cm.
•Mattress base – sensor monitors work best on a flat base. This should be no problem with a cot, however, if used in a Moses basket you are advised to put the basket on a flat base.

About the Author

Sarah Cooke. Mother of two and Director of MonitorMyBaby – Baby monitor specialists a site specialising in all types of baby monitor.

 

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Baby proof your home – Frequently asked questions

by: Martin Smith
 
Keeping your baby safe at all times is one of your greatest concerns and responsibilities. There is so much to consider and it is very easy to overlook something that might be fairly obvious to some but escape others. Things like covering electrical outlets, putting up baby gates and turning pot handles to the rear of the stove are discussed in this article and is presented in a question and answer format.

Q. What is the best way to approach baby-proofing our home?

The best way is to see your home from the eyes of your child. It is recommended that you get down on your hands and knees and crawl around your home. This will enable you to see hazards you might not have recognized at your full height. Are electrical outlets in baby’s reach or are there electric cords hanging down that your baby can pull on or get tangled in? Does your furniture have sharp corners? Are there precious items at your baby’s level that should be put up out of reach?

Q. What is the most hazardous situation for my baby?

Any situation that places your baby in harm’s way is the worst situation for your baby. The most hazardous situation for your baby is choking or anything that might cause him to stop breathing. The most hazardous situation for you baby is one that caused an injury that could have been prevented.

Q. What are some things I need to consider when I am baby-proofing our home?

There are many things to consider. Your baby is a quick mover so it is never really safe to leave him unattended if at all possible. Consider putting up all valuables and breakable items out of reach of your baby’s. Anything that is small enough to fit in his mouth should be removed. If in doubt as to whether any one item is small enough to fit in your baby’s mouth and pose a choking hazard take an empty toilet paper roll. If it fits inside the tube it go in his mouth and possibly harm him.

Q. Why do I need baby safety gates?

Baby safety gates can be placed in doorways or at the top and bottom of staircases. The gates can prevent your baby from getting into the kitchen or bathroom. They can also prevent your baby from tumbling down the stairs or climbing the stairs and falling. The mesh or the holes in the gate should not be large enough for your baby to put his toes through to climb the gate. Gates now are being made to operate hands-free or one handed. There are gates being made with the bars going vertical instead of horizontal reducing the chances of your baby being able to climb the gate.

Q. What are electric outlet covers or locks?

Electric outlet covers look like plastic plugs when they are inserted and prevents your baby from sticking his fingers or something else in the outlet and getting a serious shock. Electric outlet lock plates can replace typical outlets and in order to insert anything into the outlet the plug has to be inserted and turned.

Q. It was suggested to me that I have motion alarms on our doors and windows, why would I need them?

Some kids are very active and able to do things you would be very surprise about. Children have been known to open windows and fall through screens and become seriously injured. There are many news stories where toddlers have gotten up in the night and unbeknownst to their parents open the door and go outside. Some are found wandering around and others are not so lucky. Some windows now come with a mechanism to prevent the window from being opened more than an inch or two. The alarms will alert you to the door opening and you can intervene before something tragic happens.

Q. What kind of baby-proofing products are available?

There all kinds of baby products available and most are reasonably priced. There are motion sensors, corner cushions for sharp corners on furniture. There are electric outlet covers, cabinet and drawer locks of different types and cord retractors for window blinds.

Q. Is there anything available to protect my baby from getting in between banister posts?

There is netting available that can be attached with screws that will prevent your baby from getting between the banister posts. This product is similar to the deck netting available for outdoor decks.

Q. Are there baby proofing checklists available?

Yes there are baby-proofing checklists available. You can locate them online and they are printable. Specialty stores, hospitals, and pediatricians are all possible sources for such checklists.

Q. How can I baby proof my nursery?

You can baby proof your nursery by keeping your baby’s crib away from windows and blinds cords. Put outlet protectors on all outlets. Make certain to dress your baby in sleepers rather than using blankets. When your baby begins sitting up place the mattress in the lowest position. Do not put stuffed animals or pillows in the crib with your little one, they could nestle up to them and suffocate.

Q. How can I baby proof my kitchen?

Put all cleaners or chemicals up out of reach of your baby. Make sure all drawers and cabinet doors. While cooking put all pot handles toward the rear of the stove. Do not allow electric cords to hang over counters where your baby can pull on them. Better still, if possible unless you are feeding your baby keep him out of the kitchen.

Q. How can I baby proof my car?

You can baby proof your car by making sure the car seat your baby will ride in is installed correctly and that it is the correct one for your baby. Remove all loose items that could become missiles in a crash or quick stop, and place them in the trunk.

In Conclusion

The bottom line of baby proofing your home and your car is to be mindful that the most common things can be hazardous to a baby or small child. You can obtain a checklist of things to look for when baby-proofing your home. Window blinds cords should be shortened and outlets should be covered. Look at your home and car through your baby’s eyes, you might be surprised at hazards you miss when you are looking from adult height.

About the Author

Martin Smith is a successful freelance writer providing advice for consumers on purchasing a variety of
Nursery Bedding
and more! His numerous articles provide a wonderfully researched resource of interesting and relevant information.

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