Very young babies don’t get dirty, so they don’t need frequent bathing but bath time provides a perfect opportunity for cuddling and playing that infants come to relish. It also gives fathers a chance to spend time with their babies. Later, bath time will be part of your baby’s bed time routine, a signal that it’s time to wind down.

While Your Baby is Young

Many parents are understandably nervous about bathing their new born baby while she is still tiny and seems so vulnerable. It is how ever, worth remembering that a baby is quite resilient, provided she is handled gently but firmly, so try to be as confident as possible. You will be shown the safest and easiest methods for bathing your baby a few days after the birth by a staff member at the hospital.

As with all aspects of caring for your baby, bathing her will soon become second nature once you’ve given your selves time to get used to it. The first few times, your baby may get quite distressed when she’s being bathed, so don’t feel you have to bathe her every day. Thorough cleansing using the topping and tailing method out lined below is quite sufficient.

Topping and Tailing

Topping and tailing means cleaning your baby thoroughly by washing her face, hands, and diaper area, with out undressing her completely. You can do this most days as part of your baby’s diaper changing and dressing routine and then just give her a bath every two or three days. This will save you time and is less distressing for your baby.

Bathing Tips

To bathe your baby as quickly and as safely as possible.

* Wash or bathe her in a room that is warm and draft free it doesn’t have to be the bath room. Use a pail to carry the water and to fill and empty the bath.

* If you use a sponge and face cloth, make sure they are reserved strictly for your baby’s use and wash them frequently.

* Never poke around in side your baby’s ears with a cotton bud you could easily damage her delicate eardrum. Only remove ear wax that is visible at the opening.

Bathing Your Baby

Choose a bath time that suits you and your baby, it doesn’t always have to be in the evening, especially if your baby tends to be fretful at that time of day. How ever, if you’re working parents, bathing your baby in the evening is often a good way for you to spend time with him; you can even take a bath with him when he’s older to make it more fun. Make sure you have all of the items you need with in easy reach.

A new baby can be cute, cuddly - and downright scary! If you are a new parent, the responsibility for that little one is a heavy weight to shoulder indeed. The first piece of advice for a new parent is usually to relax, and try to enjoy those first few days and weeks with your new bundle. This will be much easier if you are well-armed with a few basics in newborn baby care. Consider this; your precious little one will do little else than sleep, eat, and dirty diapers in the first few weeks of life. These three processes are the first parenting basics that you need to know for your newborn’s baby care.

Sleeping

The first thing you need to know about newborn baby care is that your infant will sleep about sixteen hours every day at first. This sleep is generally done in increments of three to four hours, since that is as long as a baby’s digestive system can go without nourishment. Because your newborn will spend so much time in sleep mode, it is important that you provide the proper setting for him to catch his Z’s. A bassinette or crib that has been cleared of all excess bedding and pillows will provide the safest environment. It is also important to place your baby on his back for sleeping, since this reduces the risk of SIDS.

Eating

Babies need to be fed every two to four hours in the early days and weeks of life. This is true for babies that are nursed as well as those that are fed from a bottle. While demand feeding (offering food when the baby seems hungry) is a good approach, it can be used in tandem with a loosely monitored feeding schedule that will allow an infant’s digestive system to be regulated. This approach to newborn baby care tends to be easier with bottle-fed infants, since it is easier to keep track of how much the baby is eating. Burping is an important part of the feeding process, since it allows air taken in during sucking to escape before getting into the tummy.

Diapers

Once you have made your decision on whether to use cloth or disposable diapers, you might think that you have done your job in this area of newborn baby care. Not so! Besides diapers, you will also need to stock up on diaper wipes, diaper ointment, cotton balls and a clean washcloth. Newborns have very sensitive skin, so you must use care when cleaning your baby’s bottom.

Some parents prefer to use a washcloth and warm water instead of baby wipes, although there are many wipes available that do not contain any harsh chemicals that can damage your infant’s skin. It is very important as a part of newborn baby care to change your child frequently, since wetness on the bottom can contribute to diaper rash.

New babies are a wonderful addition to the family, especially when you are armed with the most up-to-date information on newborn baby care to prepare you for tending to your new little bundle.

If you’re expecting a baby, then it would do you well to expect additional expenses too. With the many things that you would have to buy, you need to differentiate between pieces of

that are absolutely necessary and those that are mere fills. Here are the absolute top five baby furniture pieces that you should have in your nursery.

Crib

Whether you’re planning to co-sleep with your baby at night, you would still need to have a sturdy and safe baby crib. The crib is the only piece of baby furniture on which you may safely leave your baby unattended for a short period of time.

Cribs are made with safety in mind these days especially since the government and product controllers have set certain guidelines for product users’ safety. Otherwise, crib models would never make it out on the market. You should still be extra careful and vigilant though. Even to this day, there are crib product recalls. The recalls usually happen when certain features are discovered to be potentially dangerous. Keep your ears and eyes peeled for online news on recent product recalls.

Portable Crib/ Playpen

Even with nursery cribs, it would still be a practical idea to have a portable playpen or a portable baby crib. Portables like these would come in handy for parents who would like to enjoy family trips and picnics with their babies.

Like nursery cribs, standard portable cribs are also manufactured with your baby’s safety in mind. Do remember though that like standard cribs, portables may also be recalled if they have features that may still be improved on. Some parents also use portable cribs as their main nursery crib. It is probably safest though not to use portables as all around cribs.

Cabinet/ Changing Table

Of course you can’t do without some space to store all those baby diapers, clothes and miscellaneous items. A sturdy cabinet with back brackets would be a good piece of furniture to store baby items in. To save you some cash, you should consider buying a baby cabinet that can double as a changing table. This way, you only have to buy one piece of furniture that can perform two functions. A good design would be a piece with a changing table on top and open shelves or drawers below to hold baby items. The top storage compartment could hold diapers and other changing articles to make baby changing an easier chore.

High Chair

As soon as your baby finds out that he can sit and move around while feeding, things can begin to get really messy. You don’t want to forever keep chasing after your baby. This is why you need a good high chair for baby meal time. Pick one with a wide sturdy base to prevent tipping accidents.

Toy Box

Teaching your child to clean his room should begin as early as the baby and toddler stages. This is why it is probably a good idea for you to get your child a toy box. Teach him to store his toys after play so that he can carry over the habit until adulthood. Pick a toy box that doesn’t have a heavy lid. It should also ideally have a lock in place spring to prevent the lid from falling on your child. Other safe designs include the open storage piece that is easy for your baby to use

The different food groups your baby needs
Your baby needs many different food groups for a balanced, healthy diet. These food groups are:
• carbohydrates
• proteins
• fats
• vitamins and minerals.

Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are the group that provides essential energy. It gives your baby immediate energy and helps to keep him or her active and healthy. In the first few months of your baby’s life, all your baby’s energy needs will be provided by lactose, a carbohydrate found in breast milk or infant formula.
Once your baby moves onto solids and reduces their dependence on breast milk or formula, their
source of complex carbohydrates will be derived from starches such as pasta, bread, potatoes,
cereals and rice. Fruits such as apples, bananas, and grapes and vegetables such as carrots,
peas and sweet potatoes all contain carbohydrates. If your baby enjoys a variety of these foods he or she will get all the carbohydrates they require for rapid growth and an active day.
Carbohydrates are also present in sugary foods, such as lollies, biscuits, jams, chocolate, soft
drinks and cordials. Beware of these options! They are extremely high in refined sugars, have no
nutritional value, cause tooth decay, can lead to a craving for sugar and possibly obesity. Please
steer clear of all of the above!!

Protein
Protein is the main material that the body needs for growth development and also keeps the body
in a good state of repair. Babies need more protein than adults due to the fast growth of the
basic body tissues such as the brain, muscles, blood and skin, particularly in their first few years. Animal protein is obtained from meat, fish, eggs and dairy products such as cheese and yoghurt. Vegetable protein is obtained from cereals, nuts, lentils, pasta rice and root vegetables.

Fibre
Fibre is another food group your baby needs, as it encourages good digestion and keeps us
regular! Fibre or roughage is found in fruits and vegetables, wholemeal and wholegrain breads
and cereals and nuts.

Fats
Fats are another important group to include in your baby’s diet. Smaller amounts of fat is needed
compare to the other food groups, however, they are an important part of your baby’s diet as
they are a source of essential fatty acids and vitamins. The fat stored by the body will protect your baby from heat loss. There are many different kinds of fats, such as saturated fats,
polyunsaturated fats and monounsaturated fats. Saturated fats come from animals, while
polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats are found in avocados, which is one of the first solid
foods your baby will probably eat.
Vitamins and minerals
Your baby requires many vitamins and minerals for healthy development. In summary, a varied,
healthy diet will provide your baby with all the vitamins and minerals they need.
Minerals such as calcium, essential for healthy bones and teeth, is found in dairy products and
leafy green vegetables. Iron is found in commercially prepared rice cereal, red meat and some green vegetables.
Salt or sodium is found in vegetables, fluoride is provided by our water supply and magnesium is
found in cabbage and potatoes. Phosphorous is found in breast milk and formula, whilst
potassium, essential for maintaining water balance and muscle and nerve activity, is found in
bananas, a great favourite of many babies (and their mums). Your baby requires many vitamins, especially vitamins C and A. Vitamin C is found particularly in citrus fruits, whilst vitamin A is found in yellow, green and orange fruits and vegetables.

Today, one in every four or five babies and toddlers suffer from dry skin. This makes them prone to more serious skin conditions such as eczema. Since their skin is more delicate than adults’ skin, it is important to know the ins and outs of skin care for them.

Causes of Baby Dry Skin

When the baby is born, she is initially covered in a slippery coat of amniotic fluid. During the first several days, her skin may still not be used to such a dry environment and develop patches of dry skin and redness. Dryness in the air, such as during winter and inside heated homes, can also strip her skin of moisture.

Doting parents may be tempted to give the baby daily baths to make sure she stays clean. What most people don’t know is that daily baths are unnecessary, and may actually harm and dry the skin even more. Summer is also a time for swimming in the pool and the ocean, especially for active toddlers. The salt and chlorine have drying effects on the skin and can cause rashes.

Prevention and treatment of baby dry skin

Adding a humidifier or vaporizer in the baby’s room will help control the moisture content in the air and help hydrate her dry skin. When the temperature gets too cold, it is often a better idea to give the baby more clothes to wear instead of turning the heat up; doing so will lower the humidity. During the summer, take steps to protect the baby from sunburn. Give her gloves or mittens during the winter, both to protect against dropping humidity levels and scratching.

When it comes to washing the baby, a bath every three or four days is actually enough to give her a measure of protection against dry skin. As the baby grows and begins to crawl and get dirty, a bath scheduled every other day is reasonable; just make sure to avoid bubble baths as much as possible, as soap and lather tends to dry the skin. It is often enough to simply sponge areas that look dry during the day.

While giving baby a bath, it is advisable to use warm water instead of hot, as hot water dries the skin. It is also a good idea to cut down the bath time to ten minutes or so-any longer will sap most of the moisture from her skin. Don’t use soap on the baby. Instead, use a soap-free, fragrance-free cleanser. Soap, as in every other possible case, dries the skin. Within a few minutes after the bath, pat her dry and apply a moisturizer, lotion, or emollient. This will lock in the moisture her skin took in from the bath and keep her skin supple until the next bath time. Make sure the moisturizer has no dyes and heavy perfumes, as these can irritate and dry skin.

When washing the baby’s clothes, wash them in a batch separate from the clothes of other members of the family. Do not use laundry soap and fabric softeners on her clothes, as the detergents can irritate her dry skin and cause allergies. Tea-tree oil and baking soda has been advised in the past as a substitute for laundry detergents. During the day, make sure the child isn’t dressed too tightly, and try to avoid any wool or nylon in her wardrobe. Wool, as well as other synthetic materials, has rough edges which easily causes irritation, especially on the baby’s delicate skin. Disposable and cloth diapers are both fine and acceptable for babies. There is only one rule to remember about diapers: if it’s wet, change it. Many parents leave disposable diapers on their babies for too long, until the core bursts and exposes the baby’s skin to more than just wetness.

Toddlers love to play in the water, and trips to the beach or the pool are often in order during the summer. To protect against dry skin caused by salt and chlorine, rinse the child completely in tap water after swimming, then apply a good moisturizer. As a general rule for children, the thicker the moisturizer, the better.

Consult your doctor

Regularly check your child’s skin for any dry skin and redness. While eczema is often treatable with regular applications of moisturizers, it is often best to see the child’s doctor if the redness does not disappear or if the child is always uncomfortable. Red, dry skin may also be an indication of icthyosis, a genetic medical condition. As dry skin gets worse, it may break, swell, or get infected.

It is always a good idea to consult with your doctor if your child’s dry skin problems worry you. Schedule a visit if her dry skin does not respond to home treatments.

Massage is very helpful for the healthy development of bones of your baby. It also strengthens the bonds between you and your baby. Pediatric research has shown that babies born prematurely make much quicker progress when given regular massage.

The best time to massage your baby is just after his or her bath when he or she is not feeling hungry or irritable. Make sure the room is nice and warm and perhaps perfume it gently with a vaporizer and one of the relaxing aromatherapy oils.

You will find it easiest to work sitting on the floor, legs outstretched with the baby lying on your legs. This means he or she is reassured by the warmth of your skin. Make sure you feel comfortable before you start and if necessary, prop yourself up with a couple of cushions.

You need to remove any jewelry and warm your hands and the oil prior to massage. Use a blend of 4 fl oz (100 ml) of sweet almond oil to which you have added two drops of any of the following - camomile oil, rose oil, lavender oil, neroli oil. Now you are ready to begin.

Baby massage step by step

• Start with your baby lying against your legs on his or her back so he or she can look up at you.
• Stroke gently down his arms then his legs, repeating each movement five or six times.
• Circle round his tummy using the flat of your hand in an anti clockwise direction (this is very calming),
• Stretch out his toes one by one then gently rub over the soles of his feet using your thumb.
• Uncurl his fingers then gently move each one clockwise then anti clockwise. Now rub over the palms of his hands with your thumb.

Turn your baby over to lie on his tummy against your legs.

• Gently rub a little oil into his back, bottom, legs and feet using long light strokes.
• Stroke down his back giving a little squeeze at the buttocks. Repeat five or six times.
• Gently stroke round his shoulders down his arms and off at his hands.
• Gently stroke down his legs several times. Each time finish by giving his legs a little stretch by pulling gently at the ankles.
• Finish by stroking gently down his back and legs in one movement. Repeat, getting lighter with each stroke, until your hand just glides over your baby without actually touching him.

Gently turn your baby on to his back so he can see you again.

• Gently stroke a little oil (the surplus on your hands should be enough) on to his face. Lightly stroke up his forehead several times.
• With your thumbs stroke across his cheeks then down his nose and chin. Do each movement several times.
• Gently squeeze and rub his ear lobes between your fingers and thumb.
• Finish off with a connecting stroke. With one hand cradling your baby’s head, stroke gently down his body with the other and bring it to rest on top of his feet. Hold this position (one hand on the head, the other on the feet) for a count of ten. Gently release and lift off your hands.

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.

As every parent has surely discovered, you are never quite prepared for the arrival of your new baby. No matter how much time and effort you might put into preparing yourselves and your home for your new arrival, there are always a few things that tend to get overlooked. This is not without good reason, mind you. It is such a wonderfully exciting time for expectant parents, so naturally you are going to be less focused on trivial day-to-day matters. For all of the expectant parents our there, this article is for you!

The nursery is the first place to start when you are preparing your home for your new baby. The crib is likely the first major piece of furniture you will purchase for your child. Be sure that the crib you purchase meets all of the mandatory and voluntary safety guidelines. You will also want to invest in a quality crib mattress, as your baby will be spending upwards of 70% of his or her first year on it. Bedding is another consideration, and very much a matter of personal preference. Just don’t forget to pick up a mattress cover! A changing table is another option, but not entirely necessary. Alternately, a baby monitor is an absolute must-have for your child’s nursery.

The next area to focus your attention on is that of baby supplies. While most people have a reasonable idea of what their children’s needs are, it is a good idea to pause and reflect every so often.

are very popular, and there are so many choices to make. Be sure you purchase mild baby soap and shampoo, as chemicals and fragrances can have a terrible impact on a baby’s fresh skin. A high quality, all-natural, moisturizer should also be used. Some parents are keen on using baby powder to help keep their baby’s bottom dry. Try to find a baby powder that does not have a talcum powder base. It can be terribly dangerous if inhaled, so be on the lookout for one with a cornstarch base.

After all of the necessary supplies and furniture have been secured, it is time to think about fun and entertainment for your baby. While the world itself will provide hours of fun and discovery for your child, certain toys and playthings can considerably enhance their experiences. A mobile is an excellent toy for new babies, as they spend a lot of time in their crib at that age. Some soft, fluffy toys are also nice, especially if they are designed to provide some sensory stimulation of some sort. Teething toys are an absolute necessity as your child grows older. There are some wonderful toys on the market for young children, just be sure to consult the consumer reports for information about recalls and other possible dangers associated with children’s toys.

When you’re in the market for a baby monitor, you will wind up doing a lot of research through consumer magazines, product reviews and the Internet in order to get the best deal on your baby monitor. Knowing what to look for in the highest quality monitor will make your choice a lot easier.

You have your baby and things to do. You want to be able to keep an eye on the baby, but you have to work, or you have other children that need your attention.

Here are a couple of ideas that will make you be at ease and be able to take care of the other children.

There are two kinds of baby monitors available for you, one is video and the other is intercom. They both work very well for a mother that is busy in their home.

The first monitor has a radio in the babies room and the other connection in what ever room you are in so you can hear the baby at all times. They have made it so you can hear the baby breathe when they are asleep. You can relax if you are cleaning, working, or doing things with your other kids.

The next monitor is a video monitor that has 2 screens. One for your babies room and the other screen were ever you are. Now you can see your baby sleeping or trying to get out of bed.

There are a lot of things that can happen when you put your baby to bed so many first time moms will feel more comfortable with the video monitor. It is a little more expensive than an intercom monitoring system, but when you are talking about your child and sleeping I think it is worth every penny.

Baby monitors have improved over the years they have gotten more technical so that is good news for you on such things as, the range it can provide. Some can go 300 feet in length. You also have a LCD screen that you can watch your child move around or breath which I know is a relief for many parents.

There are a lot of choices to make you have to go with what works for you and your home. You can go to a baby store were they can answer any questions you may have.

When I have a baby, it seems like everything I do, I do it for my baby. I guess this is a natural tendency that all the parents have. We all want our baby’s life as comfortable and safe as possible. Below are some very important baby gears that I am sure most of us can’t live without. Many of these baby gears can actually promote health and safety for our babies.

First, a baby car seat is a must. Even if you don’t intend to take your baby out by car. Many hospitals will actually make sure that you have one before they release the infant and mother. If you don’t have one, some hospitals will provide a temporary baby’s car seat for you, but you need to agree with their insurance regulations.

One way or another, you will want to carry your baby around when you are taking him or her outside, but your arms will get tired. So, you need a good baby carrier; a good back pack or front pack baby carrier will do wonders (I prefer front pack baby carrier as I can always keep an eye on my baby). It will free your arms and also great for promoting physical closeness and bonding between you and your newborn.

However, both backpack and front pack baby carrier can get heavy after a while. This is where a baby’s stroller becomes useful. A sturdy stroller that comes with some safety features such as a braking mechanism for hills and near the curb is very useful and safe. Also, make sure you get one with an adjustable hood to protect your baby from direct sunlight.

Both at home and away, a good diaper changing station will prove to be very convenient for moms or dads who are caring for their babies. A portable one is very handy and will do wonders during the spur-of-the-moment that always seem to come at the most inconvenient time.

Lastly, when it comes to baby toys, soft baby toys are always better as they are free from sharp edges and contours. Babies are exploratory by nature, stacking toys in the form of alphabet, number and picture blocks can help the baby’s developing mind learn about shape, volume and other basic skills. Your baby will learn to stack blocks one on top of the other. These toys are safe and nicely rounded and free from sharp edges.

There are a whole range of toys that can give your baby great learning experience and help them learn how to interact with their world. For example, Baby Einstein toys offers great interactive learning experience. There are variety of toys, books, CDs and DVDs available to help your baby get in touch with the world.

Just like children of other ages, baby’s need toys too. They just need a different type of toy. Baby toys can add excitement and stimulate your baby. But what is it you want in baby toys?

Well one of the first thing you want out of your baby toys is safety. Recent problems with toys made in China containing lead paint have once again brought to our attention the importance of knowing what you buy.

The baby toys you choose for your baby should fit your baby’s personality and the type of stimulation they enjoy. Each baby develops at a different level, likes to do different things, and each also has their own frustration points. You know your baby better than anyone else, so don’t worry you will make the right choices with just a little help.

There is no question that there are definitely some excellent baby toys on the market. Since you can’t afford them all let’s start analyzing your baby so that the toy’s you buy he will love.

What are baby’s favorite toys when he’s in his crib, car seat, or stroller. Does your baby have a toy he likes to clutch, perhaps one he favors, or one that jingles and gets his attention.

Even at this young age, chances are your baby has a favorite tool. Of all his baby toys, which is the one that comforts him when he’s cranky, tired, or even when he’s in pain like when he is cutting a new tooth?

Think about it for a minute, out of all those baby toys, which is the one that relaxes him, and makes him stop crying or fretting. Which toy puts a smile on his face? Consider if his favorite toys share characteristics such as material, color, or sound?

Once you have identified what makes your baby happy when it comes to his baby toys you are going to make smarter purchases. It’s a win-win – your baby is happy and your happy because you spent less.

Studies have shown that up until your baby is six months of age they respond to contrasting, bold colors, captivating your baby’s attention. These kinds of baby toys encourage physical activity in kicking, waving, and wiggling. They also stimulate visual development.

When we are talking about baby toys we tend to focus on what’s available in the store, without realizing there are a few things hanging around the house that would amuse a baby for hours. For example, what about those wind chimes? Hang them over your baby’s crib and they’ll be amused for hours. Of course you can buy baby wind chimes too. Wind chimes make a soft tinkling sound that is pleasing to your baby’s ears and they will drift off to sleep.

Even younger baby’s can learn which is why educational baby toys are a smart buy. Bath baby toys are also a must have, they are both educational and fun for baby. Remember your rubber ducky? Well it’s still going strong.

There are many terrific baby toys on the market and in all different price ranges, so know your baby’s likes and dislikes, know your budget, and you’ll be buying baby toys you can afford and that your baby will love.