Posted by TinyTotties on December 30 2010
When your baby starts climbing out of the crib on their own you know its time to switch from the crib to the toddler bed. This transition is a big step in a child’s life and if you aren’t careful it can lead to sleepless nights and a cranky baby. Here are some important tips to keep in mind as you make the switch.
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Wait Until Your Child is Ready- Don’t rush making the switch. Many children stay in their cribs until they almost 3, or even older. Once your child is potty trained, you should consider switching or if they are very active and could injure themselves in the crib. Otherwise wait until they are ready. There is no need to rush your child into a bed.
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Be Careful if Switching for Baby- If you are putting your child into a bed so that you can use the crib for a new baby, be very careful. Children tend to get very attached to their crib and may become jealous or resentful of a new baby if they see them taking over their crib and their parent’s attention at the same time. Make sure that you keep your child’s feelings in mind and that you realize that the arrival of a new baby can be a very stressful time especially when combined with new sleeping arrangements.
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Let Them Help You Choose- Your child is much more likely to enjoy their new bed if they have some input into the bed that is selected. Of course, don’t give them complete freedom to choose the new bed or they might not choose a safe bed or one that is in your budget. Instead choose 2 or 3 beds that you could be happy with and let your child make the final choice. They may also like their new bed more if you let them choose the theme of their toddler bedding.
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Be Patient- Switching from a bed to a crib will take time and you need to be patient throughout the process. As you start introducing the new bed to your child let them bring along favorite toys and don’t force them to sleep in the bed until they are ready.
Your baby is growing up. Switching from a crib into a toddler bed is a big step in your child’s life. By following these tips you can have a successful transition and can enjoy watching your child become more independent.
Posted by Vered on October 27 2010
The short answer: Yes and no. If you read the label on most sunscreens, you will probably notice that it says to use on babies older than six months. The concern with younger babies is that their skin might absorb more sunscreen than older children and adults’ skin, resulting in a greater risk of adverse reaction; and that the sunscreen will further impair their already slightly impaired cooling mechanism.
So, with very young babies, it’s best to avoid applying sunscreen to large areas of the skin. To protect them from the sun, dress them in light but long clothing; use hats and canopies; and stay in the shade, especially between 10am and 4pm. Use sunscreen only on small areas of skin such as their face, avoiding the eyes of course.
After the age of six months, it’s fine to apply sunscreen to your baby’s entire body. To avoid unnecessary chemicals, it’s probably a good idea to use a sunscreen formulated with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. Experiment with different types of sunscreen to find the one that does not trigger a skin reaction and that your baby tolerates, and – if a rash persists – consult with your pediatrician.
During my own childhood, in the seventies, getting sunburned at least once was pretty much part of each and every summer. But now we know so much more about how the sun damages our skin and about protecting our skin from the sun. Thinking back to those non-broad-spectrum-SPF-4 sunscreens of my childhood, no wonder we got burned so often!
While the limitations on using sunscreen on very young babies could limit your own plans, especially if you enjoy spending time outdoors, remember that it’s just for six months, and that you’re doing this to protect your baby from the harmful rays of the sun and from possible adverse reaction to the chemicals found in sunscreens.
Posted by TinyTotties on August 07 2009
As soon as you bring your new baby home, baby safety becomes a top priority. Babies are innocent and naturally curious. They are completely unaware of the dangers lurking around them. It is our job as parents to protect our babies from harmful substances and situations and to make sure they are safe.
Below you will find a list of 20 baby safety tips. While this list covers the most common hazards that are usually found in homes, it can’t replace doing your own research and consulting with your pediatrician about specific hazards that are not mentioned here.
Baby Safety in the Nursery
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To reduce the risk of SIDS, place your baby to sleep on her back, in a crib that meets current safety standards and has a firm, tight-fitting mattress and a fitted sheet. Don't use soft bedding such as pillows and thick quilts or comforters for infants under 12 months old. If you use them as decoration during the day, remove them when you put your baby to sleep.
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To prevent strangulation, make sure your baby can't reach the crib mobile. Keep lowering the crib mattress gradually as your baby grows. Once your baby can sit up, remove the mobile completely.
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When changing your baby's diaper, never leave her unattended – not even for a second. Even if she's not mobile yet, she can fall if she wiggles or if she suddenly rolls over.
Baby Safety in the Kitchen
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Never store cleaning supplies and other toxic materials under the sink. Place them on a high shelf, out of your baby's reach.
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Move potentially dangerous items, such as sharp knives, to high shelves your baby can’t reach or to locked drawers. Install safety latches on drawers and cabinets that may contain problematic items such as breakables and heavy pots and pans.
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Don't use small magnets on your fridge. They pose a choking hazard.
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When you cook, make sure all pot handles are turned inward, so that your baby can't pull on them and spill their content on himself. It’s best to only use the back burners if possible.
Baby Safety in the Bathroom
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Move all medications away from your baby's each. Do not rely on cabinet latches. Medications are far too dangerous and must be completely out of your baby's reach.
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Lock toilet lids using a special toilet latch.
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Never leave your baby alone in the bathtub, even for a few seconds. Babies can drown in just an inch or two of water.
Baby Safety Around the House
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Cover all electrical outlets.
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Make sure all stair and balcony railings are up to code. If they're not, baby-proof them.
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If you live in a two-story house, install baby gates at the top and bottom of the stairs.
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Remove tall lamps, large freestanding mirrors and glass coffee tables from your house and into storage until your child is at least three years old.
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Turn your hot water heater down to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Keep emergency phone numbers, including poison control center, near a telephone.
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Avoid using tablecloths for the first couple of years. Babies love to pull on them.
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Blind cords are a serious strangulation hazard. They must be shortened or placed out of baby’s reach.
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Don't place a hot coffee mug on the edge of a coffee table, where baby can reach it.
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It's a good idea to perform a monthly check of your home and make sure the safety devices you have installed are still working properly.
Please remember that regardless of how carefully you baby proof your home, you will most likely not achieve a completely hazard-free space. You should never leave your baby unattended. Of course, you can place her in her crib for a few minutes while you go to the bathroom or do something dangerous such as ironing. But leaving a baby free to roam around the house, unsupervised, means taking a big risk - one that I'm sure you are not willing to take.
Posted by TinyTotties on June 02 2009
One of the most overwhelming aspects of preparing for the arrival of a new baby is the seemingly endless list of stuff you’re supposed to buy. Of course, getting the nursery ready is great fun. But when the list of things to buy seems to grow longer by the minute, preparation for baby can make even the most organized parents feel a bit out of control, especially during rough financial times, when people are trying to avoid buying unnecessary items.
This list of twelve essential baby items will help you focus on what’s really important. These items need to be there before baby gets home, or in the case of a car seat – before baby leaves the hospital. There’s a lot to buy beyond this list, of course, and I wouldn’t dream of depriving you of the wonderfully creative process of buying nursery accessories that will transform it into a beautiful and welcoming place for your new baby. But here, I’d like to focus on the essentials.
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Car Seat. You won’t be able to leave the hospital without it, so this should be the first item on your list. For information on car seat safety, consult the American Academy of Pediatrics Car Safety Guide for Parents.
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Crib. When choosing a crib, make sure it meets the latest safety standards and especially that there are no more than 2 3/8 inches between the slats.
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Crib Mattress and a Mattress pad. Choose a mattress that has good back support and is not too soft. Squeeze the mattress at the edges and center to make sure it’s firm. It’s a good idea to protect the mattress with a waterproof mattress pad.
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Crib bedding and a baby blanket. You will need a minimum of 2 fitted crib sheets and 2 blankets.
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Layette. The basic newborn wardrobe should include six cotton onesies, or bodysuits. Buy just two in 0-3 month size, and four or five in 3-6 month size. Your baby will probably grow out of the smallest size after the first month. Get long-sleeved onesies if it’s winter, and short-sleeved onesies if it’s summer. You’ll also need six pairs of cotton pants with an elastic waist; six pairs of cotton socks; three receiving blankets; a sweater and a hat; and at least 12 burp cloths to protect your own clothes (an old T-shirt is fine).
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Diapers and diapering supplies. You will probably need around 70 disposable diapers per week for the first six weeks, then 50 per week; alcohol-and-fragrance-free wipes; a diaper rash ointment; and a diaper pail for soiled diapers.
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Bathing supplies. A baby tub is convenient, but not absolutely necessary. We used the sink when our babies were tiny. You do need gentle baby soap; a tearless shampoo; washcloths and bath towels; and rounded-tip nail scissors.
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Diaper bag. A roomy, well-stocked diaper bag is not a luxury: it’s a necessity. It’s good to have one ready so that you can just grab it whenever you leave the house with baby. A well-stocked diaper bag should include a few diapers, wipes, a diaper rash ointment, a towel or pad for diaper changes, a few ziploc bags for soiled diapers and dirty clothes, a change of clothes for baby, bottles and formula if you’re bottle-feeding, and Baby Tylenol.
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A baby carrier or sling is great because it keeps your baby close to you while freeing your hands. I found that my babies were a lot happier during the first few months in a baby carrier. Later on they learned to like the stroller – but not before the age of nine months. Of course, each baby is different.
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A stroller. Choose a model that’s lightweight yet stable and can be folded easily. I see lots of fancy strollers out there that may be all the rage fashion-wise, but to me they look heavy and impractical.
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Feeding supplies. If you’re breastfeeding, you should buy a breast pump and a couple of bottles in case you need to be away from your baby for a few hours; if you’re bottle-feeding, you’ll need 12 bottles, bottle nipples and covers, and baby formula.
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Basic medical supplies. Thermometer - a digital thermometer that you can place under your baby's armpit is easy to use; Baby Tylenol; rubbing alcohol to wipe around base of umbilical cord; infant sunscreen for babies over 6 months. You will also need a bulb syringe nasal aspirator to suction excess mucus from baby's nose (this is just as fun as it sounds!), but you typically get that at the hospital.
Obviously, there are many more items that are not essential but are nice to have, such as a baby monitor, a baby swing, and a rocking chair. This list is a great way to make sure you have all the essentials. Once you have those, you can add from the “nice to have” items as your budget allows.