A large treasure chest for a newborn baby

Here is a practical baby shower gifts list to help you out:

• Baby Clothing Gift: booties, caps, baby clothes, hats, mittens, slippers, socks, undershirts, tights
• Baby Crib Gift: quilt, crib blankets, crib bumpers, crib sheets, crib toys
• Baby Bottle Gift: baby bottles, bibs, bottle cozy, feeding spoon/bent spoon, insulated bottle carrier, scooper bowl, tipper cup,
• Baby Diaper Gift: cloth diaper, diapers, diaper bag, diaper pail, diaper pail disinfectant, diaper pail liners, diaper pins, diaper rash cream, disposable diapers, plastic pants
• Baby Hygiene Gift: nail clippers, baby powder, shampoo, scissors, soap, hooded towel, towels, toothbrush, tweezers
• Baby Health Gift: thermometer, first aid kit, medicine dropper, medicine spoon, nasal aspirator
• Toys: rattles, musical toys, baby mobile toys, squeaky toys
• Parent’s Tools: infant and baby care book, lap pad, receiving blankets
• Others: hangers, doorknob covers, drawer locks, infant seat, humidifier, outlet plugs, shock-guards, stroller bag, vaporizer

The baby gift list above is just a guide to help you find a present that will be very useful to the new family. But the best baby shower gift you can really give to the new baby and the parents is your sincere support and care. Practical presents will let them know how much you want them to enjoy this new phase in their lives. Not only you do help them cut the costs, you also share with them a memory of you, through your gift, as the baby will grow.

The modern baby high chairs available today are nowhere near the older, traditional ones most parents grew up with. There are now height-adjustable baby chairs, baby chairs which can convert into a swing, chairs with wheels, and even those where your child can recline.

One thing which has not changed though is the fact that babies will need a good high chair as they get older. If you’re getting ready to buy your baby a high chair, here are some things you will need to consider and keep in mind.

· The need for a baby high chair.

If you’ve just given birth or if your baby can’t sit on his or her own yet, then you don’t need a baby high chair just yet. Once your baby is around six months old or when he or she starts to eat solid foods, that would be the time when you should buy a high chair. However, if a friend or a family member gave you a baby high chair early on, this is also a good way for your baby to join in on the table and get used to seeing everybody eat their meals.

· Make sure the baby high chair is safe for your baby.

Before buying a baby high chair, it would be a wise move on your part to check for any product recalls before making the purchase. The standard features you should check are the harnesses, that the chair should have something in between where your baby’s legs would be to prevent him or her from slipping through, the materials used, and how sturdy the chair is. The base of the high chair should be wide to ensure stability, and to test the high chair, shake it and then imagine a constantly moving baby on it like if he or she would tip over.

· Check the whistles and bells your baby high chair comes with.

If you’re buying a foldable high chair, check if it is possible to fold the chair while it’s being used to determine if accidents could happen while on it. For baby high chairs with wheels, check the locks of the wheels if the chair can still move if the lock is on, and if the wheels go smoothly when unlocked. The last thing you’d want would be to chase a wriggly baby around your house as he or she pushes and wheels towards different parts of the house while in the chair.

· Look into high chairs you can use for a long time.

You should invest in baby high chairs which have a height adjustment feature so that your baby can use it for a longer period of time. However, you should also check the weight requirements of the chair. If your baby is a little short but weighs heavily, you might want to consider a different chair to avoid possible accidents.

When buying baby furniture, always make sure to read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions so that you can ensure your baby’s safety and keep the furniture in good shape so your baby can use it for a longer period of time.

A lot of parents say that a baby sling has proven to be a great way for them to have and carry their baby around with their two hands free to do a lot of other things, especially chores at home. However, there are also some disadvantages in using baby slings to carry your baby around, both for you and the baby. But first, let’s take a closer look at the advantages of using baby slings.

Advantages

As mentioned earlier, baby slings provide an excellent way for the parent to get around to doing chores and other errands as their hands are free and still carry the baby around wherever they are. This allows the parent to constantly monitor their baby as they go about other tasks. Compared to other baby equipment currently available in the market, baby slings are a whole lot cheaper in addition to the fact that it is very simple and easy to use. All you would have to do is to slip the baby sling over your shoulder and place your baby carefully inside the pouch.

Baby slings also offer breastfeeding moms a big advantage as they can easily breastfeed their baby and do it discreetly. The baby sling itself can be used as a cover for the breastfeeding mom, while the baby is inside the pouch happily feeding. A lot of baby slings are adjustable and can be made to fit the parent’s height, and some come with extra padding to keep your baby snug inside the pouch. The fabrics used in making baby slings are available in a wide variety of colors and patterns you can choose from, or even choose to match with your outfit.

Now that the most common advantages of baby slings have been covered, let’s take a look at the disadvantages of baby slings.

Disadvantages

The most obvious disadvantage of using baby slings is the fact that you will be supporting the entire weight of your baby with only one arm. Sure, your baby might not weigh as much right now, but the longer you are supporting that weight on one shoulder will eventually cause shoulder and back pains, not to mention affect your posture. Having said so, it would actually be much better to use a baby backpack wherein the weight of your baby is evenly distributed in both shoulders, although this would be a good idea only for babies who can already hold their head up by themselves.

Another disadvantage of using a baby sling for younger babies is the fact that you have to be really careful and check every now and then that your baby is in a comfortable position where it is easy for them to breathe. You will need to check every now and then if your baby’s chin is not pressed against their chest, as well as take extra caution when moving and avoid sudden, abrupt movements at the same time.

The Verdict

If the baby sling will be used only inside the house and with a slightly older baby and only for short periods during the day, then it would generally be OK to do so. Even though a baby sling would allow you to do something else, doing other tasks will become even harder because you also have to be conscious of your baby and the position he or she is in. You will not be able to concentrate 100% on whatever it is you are doing, not to mention the fact that your baby’s weight is constantly pressing against one shoulder of yours.

There are many different baby shower decoration ideas out there, but how do you choose which one to implement for your celebration? As there are a lot to choose from, here instead are what you need to think about when choosing baby shower decoration ideas.

· Consider your budget for the celebration.

It is always a good idea to think about how much you are willing to spend on the baby shower before choosing the {baby shower decorations}. This allows you to keep your spending in check and make realistic goals about the whole celebration. If you don’t have that much money, then try to keep things simple during the celebration. After all, what’s important is that you and your guests have a great time instead.

· Figure out who’s responsible for what during the celebration.

Are you going to order all of the decorations for your baby shower pre-made or are you going to make your own {baby shower decorations}? Either way, you should make sure that you have enough time to make and/or order your decorations. If you’re delegating the tasks needed for the baby shower like someone’s going to be in charge of the decorations and someone else will be in charge of the {baby shower invitations}, etc. Delegating tasks means you get a lot of work done in a short amount of time, but it also means that you need to make sure everybody’s doing their share properly and on time, too.

· Decide on the time and date for your baby shower celebration.

Are you going to have your baby shower in the morning, around lunch time, or closer to the afternoon? Is there an occasion near when you are having your baby shower, like Halloween or Valentine’s Day for example? If so, you might want to consider those dates in order to save you time in preparing decorations and other needed items for your baby shower. Most venues during such occasions can be rented which are already decorated (if you are renting), which allows you to save time and effort in doing so. You can also simply match the food with the theme of your venue to make cooking and preparing meals a lot easier as well. The time when you’re having your baby shower will also help you in deciding if you are going to serve heavy meals or just light snacks.

Just because you like several baby shower decoration ideas does not mean you should jump the wagon and use those for your celebration. There are some things you need to think about first, and then make your decision afterwards.

Let’s face it – not everybody is blessed with hands that are great with arts and crafts, but there may come a time when your arts and crafts skills will be put to the test, especially if you are looking into making baby shower decoration crafts. If this is your first time to really make something from scratch, here are a few tips to help make your first crafting experience fun and exciting.

· Set realistic goals.

When you start to make your baby shower decoration crafts, you need to set realistic goals in terms of how much time you have, when you can finish the project, how much you can spend on everything, etc. Remember that at any time, if any of what you’re doing seems to daunting or too much for you to handle, you can always ask help from friends and family members.

· Find a project that is easy to complete.

No one’s expecting a magnificent sculpture on your baby shower and knowing that you’re a beginner, you need to take things easy and start with smaller and easier projects. The sooner you get accustomed to all the cutting, gluing, shaping, etc. that are involved in baby shower crafts, you can move on to more complex projects. Make sure to have a copy of the instructions you need to follow handy so you can take a peek at it anytime while you’re working.

· Have everything you need handy.

Make sure that all the materials you need for completing your project is within easy reach. Believe it or not, this will make your project a lot easier because you don’t have to keep looking for where the scissors or glue is while working. This is especially true when you’re making {baby shower invitations}. Less clutter, less frustration equals more work done for you.

· Take things slowly.

One thing about arts and crafts is that this requires patience – you just can’t rush things. You need to take things slowly and do things according to the instructions. If it says you need to wait for the glue to dry 24 hours, then you need to wait or else it won’t come out as pretty as you want it to be.

· Practice makes perfect.

With everything that’s new, constantly practicing and working on something is the way to perfect it. This is also true for baby shower decoration crafts. The sooner you get used to making arts and crafts,  the sooner you can move on to more complex and intricate projects as well as {homemade baby shower favors}.

Shopping for baby clothes is truly a meticulous process as you have to check the materials the clothes are made from, make sure they’re the right size, style, and color, and should also look good on your baby when he or she is wearing it.

However, baby clothes are one of the things that babies outgrow at a very fast rate. What you spent hours shopping for a few weeks back may already be too tight or short on your baby now. To effectively shop for baby clothes, here are a few tips you will find most useful:

§ Shop for the future.

Your baby needs clothes to wear now, but don’t buy all of your baby’s clothes in the exact size for him or her right now. Make sure it is a little loose or about a half size bigger than what he or she should be wearing right now. This will allow you to save money as your baby can wear it a bit longer by doing so.

§ Buy clothes you can mix and match.

Another way to save a lot in shopping for baby clothes is to buy pieces you can mix and match to those which you already have. For instance, if your baby already has a nice piece of denim shorts, it would be better to buy him or her a few tops to pair with it rather than another piece of shorts. Those shorts won’t fit your baby anymore sooner than you think. Plus, no one would really notice it’s the same pair of shorts you’re baby’s wearing out to the mall if you pair it with other tops.

§ Buy only what you need.

You’ll be surprised at how draining having a baby is in terms of budget and finances. You’ll be spending a whole lot on diapers, milk, trips to the pediatrician, medicines, feeding bottles, powder and other toiletries, etc. So unless you and your baby will be out in public every single day, it’s best to just buy clothes your baby will need at home, and a few for going out.

§ Get the help of your family members.

If you have friends or family members who also have kids, don’t be shy to ask them for some hand-me-downs. This will help you save a lot since your baby will outgrow these quicker than you can imagine. Plus, if you’re having a baby shower or any occasion where your friends or family members would be bringing gifts for you or the baby, prepare a gift registry with the things you need instead, so that they can give you what you need and avoid duplicate gifts in the process.

As much as possible, shop for baby clothes during store sales as this will allow you to save a lot of money on clothes your baby will only be wearing for a short while. Once your baby has outgrown the clothes, make sure to store them properly in airtight bags so that when you have another baby, you can reuse the clothes or perhaps give them to another friend or family member as hand-me-downs, too!

If you’re a new parent, you might find that a whole day isn’t enough to do everything you want and need to get done especially if you’re alone in taking care of your new baby. This is where shopping online for baby items and stuff come handy. You can easily search for something you want, like a stroller for instance, and then just have it shipped to your residence just in time for your day at the mall or any outdoor activities. But of course, similar to shopping online for other items, there are some things you need to consider and keep in mind while searching for items on sale. Here are a few to give you ideas:

§ Check out and always ask for actual pictures of the items being sold.

Babies outgrow a lot of their stuff pretty fast, so it’s actually a smart and budget-wise decision to buy second hand items which are cheaper than brand new ones. However, since you’re buying items which aren’t brand new, keep in mind that a lot of these might not have any store warranties anymore, so once it’s broken you’re on your own. Asking for actual pictures of the product being sold will give you a fair idea of the condition the item is in before deciding on buying it.

§ Check the seller’s reputation and the number of transactions done.

As things become much easier for us with the help of computers and the internet, scamming people has also become considerably easy. Always check and verify the seller’s reputation by checking out the profiles of other customers he or she has done transactions with, and also check if these customers have bought products from other sellers to ensure that these customers aren’t just dummy accounts created by the same person. Money is money, regardless of how small the amount may be.

§ Pay using a secure and traceable method.

Paying for items you purchase online through Western Union is a very dangerous way – there’s no way to trace that person after the money’s been collected. Plus, the information the seller provided you might not even be his or hers, so always opt for more secure means of payment like PayPal for example.

§ Check the details of your order.

If possible and if time permits you and the seller, go for meet ups wherein you can personally meet the seller (or a representative on his or her behalf), physically check the item you are interested in buying, and pay for it right then and there. This is by far the safest method, as you pay and leave with the item you paid for at the very same moment.

If you’re not comfortable with the thought of providing your card details and other sensitive information online, you can always visit thrift shops, garage sales, or perhaps post an ad online that you’re looking for a particular item and state your terms in buying the item. Honest sellers who are really interested in selling their item will be more than happy to follow your terms or meet you halfway.

Cribs play an important part for any home with a new baby and a nursery. Your baby can sleep comfortably and soundly while in a crib, compared to having your baby between you and your spouse where either of you can unconsciously hurt him or her with sudden movements while you are sleeping.

There are plenty of designs to choose from when it comes to cribs, and a lot of them come in different materials. The most common design though is the rectangular one made of wood, wherein the bottom can be moved up or down depending on how old as well as the size of the baby, as well as one side may be lowered for easy access to the baby. Here are some tips to help you get started in shopping for baby cribs.

§ Choose a crib that is durable and safe.

This should be one of your first concerns when searching for cribs. Cribs made out of wood have proven to be most durable, and wooden cribs added with metal for support are even more durable. You should look for cribs that have legs with an even height, as the last thing you would want would be a wobbly crib which could cause accidents.

§ Choose cribs based on what you need.

After establishing the safety of the crib, you should choose a design that suits your needs. Some cribs come with drawers at the bottom which make as great storage for things you will need for your baby and if you’re a little short on the space of the nursery itself. If you’re having twins, size will be your next concern, as you would need to look for cribs which can comfortably accommodate two infants at the same time.

§ Consider the accessories the crib will need.

If you’re a little tight on the budget, going for the regular rectangular styled cribs will help you save on the beddings you need for it, since there are a lot available. However, for circular or round baby cribs as well as corner-style cribs, these mattresses may be a bit harder to find and usually cost more than their rectangular counterparts.

§ Think of what you’ll need in the future.

As your baby grows older and eventually outgrows the crib, you’ll need a toddler-sized bed for your little boy or girl. There are actually convertible cribs available wherein the crib can be turned into a toddler bed as well as a full sized bed as your kid needs it. Although the initial investment in a convertible crib may be quite expensive compared to traditional ones, you’ll actually be saving a whole lot in the long run since you don’t need to buy a new bed once your child gets older. It is important though that you choose convertible cribs which are made with very durable materials – you’ll want the crib to last the next growth spurt so that your child can still make use of it.

If you’re really tight on the budget, ask friends or family members if they have a crib stored somewhere in their attic and with a little touchup, you can make the crib look and feel new again without having to spend a lot!

· What is the regular price?

Knowing the regular price and/or the price per item compared to the wholesale price is the best way to find out if you are really getting a discount when buying in bulk. Once you know exactly how much you’re saving when going wholesale, you can try to find other offers which might be better than what you’re getting. If not, at least you’re assured you’re really getting the best value for your money.

· Can I personalize the items?

When you’re buying baby shower supplies in bulk, ask if you have the option to personalize the items according to your liking. We’re not just talking about the colors here – for instance, ask if you can add a personal message to the invitations, design the baby banner yourself, or come up with the layout for the materials following the {baby shower theme} of your choice. You’ll want to make the event a memorable one, so generic-looking materials just won’t do the trick.

· Your Return/Cancellation Policy

Knowing how you can get your money back after you have paid a deposit for the baby shower supplies is a must. Sometimes, unforeseen events arise and you may need to have a complete change of plans altogether. For example, you suddenly found out at the last minute that the baby was a boy instead of a girl and all the decorations you purchased are in pink. Ask if you can change the items to a different color or return everything for a refund, and don’t forget to ask how many days you have in order to qualify for the return policy.

Don’t be tempted to jump the wagon and make the purchase just because you saw the baby shower products offered for a lower price. Make sure you get the most value for your money.

Why do babies cry? Well, aside from the obvious that they do not know how to talk yet, crying is the way your baby communicates and sends you a message that he or she needs something. Your baby might be hungry or just want you to hold him or her. For first time parents, a crying baby can be frustrating, but as the weeks go by and the more you respond to your baby’s cry, you will find out that your baby actually has a different way to cry for different reasons, and your baby will also learn different ways of getting your attention.

Babies mostly cry because they are hungry. Babies get hungry easily as their stomachs are still small and their bodies cannot hold in a big amount of milk. Crying out of hunger can be quite frequent, so don’t panic as this is quite normal. However, if your baby has already finished his or her bottle and is still crying, it could be because of another reason.

Another reason why your baby is crying could be that they are uncomfortable. Check if you’ve put your baby’s clothes on too tight, or perhaps their diaper is too tight or it is already spoiled or filled with pee. Check your baby’s diaper every now and then as well to prevent diaper rashes from occurring as this can easily make your baby even more irritable and cause more crying.

Sometimes, even though the baby has already been fed, burped, and has a new diaper on, the baby still continues to cry. If this happens, pick your baby up and hold him or her close. Some babies continue crying because they want to be held or carried. Feeling your body heat is a very reassuring feeling for babies, having spent so many months in your stomach and then feeling all alone after birth. There are times that a baby will want to be held for a little while, and then fall asleep eventually.

If you’ve done everything mentioned above and your baby still continues to cry, check if your baby is sick. Check your baby’s temperature, his or her nose to see if anything’s clogged, and even check for any physical injuries. It could be that your baby was bitten by an insect for example, or perhaps there is something in the crib that is irritating her.

If you’re baby is not sick and you’ve done everything mentioned above, it’s time to take care of yourself. Make sure the baby is in a safe place like inside the crib, and then move to a different part of the house where you can’t hear the loudness of your baby’s cry. Take a few deep breaths, relax, and clear your thoughts. Once you’re calm and ready, you can go back to your baby to see if he or she is still crying or not. It will be a lot easier for you to learn and find out why your baby is crying if you are not too overwhelmed with it and if you’re not beating yourself up figuring out the reason why. There are indeed times when babies will cry for no reason at all, so don’t be too hard on yourself.