A shopper hunting for baby gifts could swing from one extreme of being practical to the other point of being whimsical. But while picking up a Graco baby product one can be both. A nice gift to a baby can never really be unpractical. Nevertheless keeping in view the size of one’s budget it is best to pick up a gift that will add to the comfort of the newborn.

New parents will be helped a lot if they receive customized or personalized baby gifts. A close friend or relation could opt for a pram for the baby or a fully equipped and durable stroller. Other options are monogrammed picture frames, silver spoons or a unique mother and child necklace.

For the shopper who has plenty of love but limited cash in the bank it is best to fix up a modest hamper filled with baby stuff. It is easy to scramble together a baby gift basket at a reasonable price. Baby shoes can be picked up from the shop or one could knit a pair of cute booties complete with a cap to match. Handmade goods are much appreciated and valued. These can be placed in the hamper along with safe baby accessories like toilet stuff, rattles, soft toys; diapers too would be most welcome and useful.

But diapers as a gift? One may not associate it with a gift but it is more than welcome by the parents struggling in the middle of the night to find a clean diaper. Far from being mundane diapers in the gift basket would be very useful and practical. Teethers and pacifiers could be included also.

Other alternatives are baby clothes but it should be one size larger because babies outgrow clothes at a very rapid rate. An attractive blanket together with a comforter could also be included in the list. Babies bring joy and happiness and no gift is too small or big for it provided it is laced with love and care.

Themed gift baskets like diapering baskets, bath baskets, book baskets, clothes or toy baskets have also gained in popularity and one can always come up with something newer.

For newborns an all-purpose basket is very useful since you can put in all the essential stuff required for those first few months. But if you want a specific themed basket, the most practical is a diaper-themed basket so you can stuff the basket with plenty of wet wipes, nappies, diapers, lotions or creams for nappy rash, small towels, a separate small carry-all for soiled diapers etc.

The traditional wicker basket can be replaced by toy wagons, laundry baskets or buckets which can then be decorated nicely and personalized with choice items that matches the baby’s personality. This can serve the double purpose of holding soiled diapers or clothes later on. You can also opt for a sleepy time theme where you can stuff these large containers with crib blankets, quilts or sheets, pillows or cushions and sleepwear for the baby.

Toys and bath items are also welcome gifts for the baby. Bath items should be hypoallergenic, tearless and gentle. Toys are beloved by babies of all age groups; just make sure that the toys correspond to the baby’s age and are not toxic. Crib mobiles will fascinate the newborn baby while lying in the crib and rattles and soft toys are also well-liked by babies.

Baby gift baskets for twins become very easy because all you have to do is to get two of every item and cram them into a single basket if they are for same-gender twins.  But, why not make it a bit more interesting by arranging for two separate baskets also even if it they are for the same -gender twins? Vary the color scheme of each basket and tweak some items here and there. Gift baskets for boy-girl twins are of course of blue and pink colors and items like clothes will obviously be different from each other.

Baskets for one-year olds can hold more than the usual crib toys, diapers, clothes etc. Books, music CD’s, edibles also make for great additions to a toddler’s gift basket. Books are a wonderful way of developing good communication skills in one-year olds and children of this age enjoy listening to stories, looking at pictures even if they cannot comprehend much of it. Soothing lullabies on music CD’s are also greatly enjoyed by toddlers. Edibles can include the child’s favorite cereals or chocolates or cookies.

A baby needs to eat every two to three hours during the first week of life. However, it depends on the baby’s sleep regimen whether the child should be woken up to have their proper feed.

At times, it becomes difficult to rouse a sleeping baby, hence some tips and techniques for waking up the baby are outlined herein:

01)      Normally it is advised to strip the baby down as the mother’s skin contact emanates sufficient warmth to keep the baby’s temperature regulated. This prevents the child from feeling chilled and is a good technique for rousing the baby from deep sleep.

02)      If the baby is still in deep slumber, the mother should simply hug the baby tight to her chest. This skin contact plays a significant role as it lures the baby away from sleep and the toddler wakes up as he starts to feel hungry.

03)      Massaging the baby softly but firmly and talking softly is a sure way to wake up the baby.

04)      Sometimes if other tricks fail, a diaper change or burping the baby helps in awakening the toddler.

05)      Physical discomfort is the most common reason why a baby wakes up. Early morning sunlight streaming into the room usually does the trick and is sure to wake up the baby.

06)      Staying too close to religious centers like temples or mosques disturbs the baby’s sleep as religious music early in the morning acts as a deterrent and wakes the baby from deep slumber.

However, it depends on the mother’s intuition to determine when it is necessary to wake a sleeping baby for feeding and when the toddler should be allowed to sleep undisturbed. Using common sense and following a pediatrician’s advice is a great help to mothers of new born babies.

During the first few weeks it is tough for parents to awaken the baby. But at times to wake up the baby, mothers need to take recourse to various techniques as suggested above.

Some other ideas for breaking up the sleep and keeping the baby awake long enough to finish feeding include:

• Un-swaddling the baby
• Tickling the feet soles and sides of the baby
• Running the finger down the baby’s cheek and neck
• Talking sweet baby talk
• Making the baby sit-up as most babies tend to open their eyes when they sit-up

]]> http://blog.gotobaby.com/2010/02/tips-for-waking-a-baby/feed/ 1 http://blog.gotobaby.com/2010/02/hassle-free-baby-traveling/ http://blog.gotobaby.com/2010/02/hassle-free-baby-traveling/#comments Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:44:27 +0000 GTB Blogger http://blog.gotobaby.com/?p=125

Traveling with a baby is an exhilarating experience for parents, as for toddlers it is their first enjoyable exposure to the exciting outside world. It can in many ways be the easiest travel if planned properly. While traveling with a baby it is the trip preparation that is more difficult than the journey itself.

Planning and preparation has to be meticulously carried out as babies need non-stop attention for feeding, diaper changes and other such activities. Parents normally prefer short distance baby travel as the fear of infection to their babies is a constant worry.  Health and safety kits have to be carried for in-transit minor medical problems as well as a medical sheet containing contact details, doctors’ references and child health information.

During transportation by car, it is advisable for the baby to ride in the backseat with seat belts correctly straddled to ensure complete security.  In the event of traveling by public transport such as train, bus or taxi, a car seat if carried makes traveling more comfortable. For air transport, an FAA approved car seat is the safest way for carrying babies. If babies experience ear pain during take off and landing while on flight it is advisable to breast feed or allow the baby to suck on a bottle or pacifier.

If the baby is not breast fed, packaging ready to use food is the most convenient alternative. For babies on solid food, a large bib with plastic water proofing that is sufficiently big enough to cover most of the outfit should be packed. Diapers, diaper rash lotion and clothes are mandatory for babies. Diaper covers for insurance against leaks and disposable bags for dirty diapers must also be packed. An extra set of clothes for mother and child should be kept in a readily available spot in a carry bag.

For new born babies, a lightweight buggy or a baby carrier is useful. Lightweight folding strollers and car seats are extremely handy in allowing sleeping babes to be moved. To keep hands free, front carriers or slings for carting small babies can be utilized while baby backpacks can be used for those babies who are capable of sitting.

In case of night stays in hotels, it is advisable to inform the management about arrangement of cribs and other baby necessities. The other option is to carry play yard or a portable bed if a crib is unavailable.

During long travels a constant anxiety for parents is keeping the baby happy and comfortable. In such cases, a goody bag with a few toys such as a rattle, teething rings, soft animals or musical toys to keep the child quiet, occupied and entertained. Traveling with a baby becomes a pleasant challenge when planned in advance and lets parents and their children experience the great outdoors together.

Normally, new born babies sleep for about 17 to 18 hours a day for the first few weeks and 15 hours a day when they are three months old. But the sleeping cycle is confined to roughly 3 to 4 hours at a stretch. At this young stage, it is advisable to make the baby sleep in a cot next to the parents at least for the first six months.

Other recommendations include putting the baby on his back to sleep and also ensuring that the toddler’s feet are close to the end of the cot. This prevents the child from wriggling too far down under the blanket. However, the parents should check frequently to see that the baby’s head is left uncovered by the blanket. The new born baby should never be allowed to sleep on a pillow since they have a tendency to roll off and this may result in smothering the baby in its soft folds.

Keeping the baby cot away from air-conditioning blasts and maintaining the room temperature at 68 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit ensures that the room is sufficiently warm and comfortable. As for bedding, it is advisable to use soft cotton sheets during summer months.

In winter, thin cotton quilts or cellular blankets are preferable to heavy cotton quilts. Parents should periodically check to make sure that the baby does not become too hot or too cold and accordingly should take steps to keep the child in ultimate comfort.

To settle the child down to sleep, the parents should be aware of the signs indicating that the child is tired. If the baby stays up for more than two hours at a time and is put down to sleep after that, the child could be over tired and will not be able to fall asleep easily. The symptoms indicating that the baby is sleepy are when the baby is rubbing his eyes or pulling his ears or there are faint dark circles under the eyes. When such signs are visible, it is suggested that the parents should settle the child for a nap immediately.

Some babies are awake at night and it is advisable for parents to teach the baby to distinguish between day and night. At night the parents should not spend too much time talking or playing with the child. This will initiate the child to distinguish that night time is for sleeping. Often the parents rock their babies to sleep but some medical experts are against rocking as they suspect that the child will look for this practice everyday when they grow up.

Decorating a baby’s room can be the most fun filled and enriching experience for new parents, and with some tips, you can give your baby the key to a fantasy world of dreams when he arrives.

Always remember, safety first! Be sure to read and re read safety guidelines before buying any new furniture to decorate baby’s room. Remember there are no bargains when it comes to your precious angel. Always decorate the room with products that meet all required safety standards. After all, it’s his world to explore and enjoy.

Color schemes are always the defining factor for the room. Fill the room with a palette of rich vibrant colors, along with images of lots of toys and animals. Experiment with themes and let your imagination run wild to give your baby an enchanting new world all around him.  Make sure the colors are long lasting and will “grow” with your child. Use wallpapers around the room for that extra effect.

Expand the room with shelves and try to color coordinate the walls with the furniture to add to the beauty. You can use second hand sales for those on a budget, but again check the safety. A baby shower is the perfect way to get some long lasting items.

Add loads of cushions and multi colored toys as props to enhance the beauty of the walls.  Buy a soft comfortable rocking chair for staying up with your baby at nights. Also make a special place for baby essentials so it’s always just a touch away during emergencies.

It’s always fun to share ideas with people around you. Gather different thoughts and select the best suggestions. Go for bright fabrics and use designed window coverings to express a more cheerful mood. For those on a budget, you can always borrow some stuff from your friends and reinvent their placing in your own way to provide the best experience for your baby.

In the end, leave a small empty space to fill up with a collage of the first baby moments and baby pictures. It would allow the room to grow with your baby and help him build up a bond around his surroundings. Also, it would make you the person of envy in everyone’s eyes.

Always remember to have fun and make your baby’s room a fun-filled world of colors. The more imaginative you are, the more enchanting the room becomes for your toddler. Hurry up, pack your bags, and let’s start the decorations.