mom sectionmom section
During the first few months of life, newborns may sleep during the day and stay awake at night, they may have difficulty going to sleep or they may wake often for diaper changes and feedings. As babies grow older, they may settle into a different sleep schedule. Parents struggling to get a baby to go to sleep at a particular time may wonder if a consistent bedtime is necessary for the baby's health.
Making a baby's bed always requires you to keep a few key things in mind. Find out how to make a baby's bed with help from a family case worker in this free video clip.
A miniature baby bed can fit well with a customized dollhouse decorated exactly the way you’d want your dream house to be. Bedding and fabric allow you to customize a bed to match the decor of a miniaturized room. The hard part is finding objects that are in proportion to the miniaturized bed, forcing you to improvise. Holding the fabric to the bed also can be difficult, since the smaller materials are more likely to crack open when fasteners are embedded in them, though glues can easily hold light objects together.
Unlike adults, infants can't blow their noses to clear them out. Their tiny nasal passages can easily become blocked from dried or excess mucus if not cleaned on a regular basis. This nasal congestion can disrupt your baby's eating and sleeping, cause discomfort and even affect the infant's health. You can keep your baby breathing freely by cleaning his nostrils using simple techniques with nasal saline drops and a bulb syringe.
Once you verify the baby bed you own meets all necessary safety standards, you can paint it to create a custom piece in your infant's nursery. Unlike a bed for older children and adults, infant cribs cannot be painted with just any paint. As infants grow, they place anything within reach into their mouths -- including the sides of their crib. Painting a crib with a paint not recommended for use in a nursery can have negative health side effects on your child.
A bed skirt completes the look of a crib or a baby bed. A skirt hides the storage areas beneath the bed and enhances its overall look. If you cannot find a ready-made baby bed skirt that matches the comforter, you can sew your own. The task may look complicated, but it's one you don't need to be a sewing expert to complete.
Most stores that sell baby furniture also sell bed linens. Although these linens are usually very attractive, they can be quite expensive. Fortunately, with only basic sewing skills, you can make your own gathered baby bed skirt to complement the crib sheets and blankets that you already have. If you make the skirt long enough to reach the floor, you will have the added benefit of creating a hidden storage area under the bed.
In December of 2010 the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) banned the sale of traditional drop-side cribs to prevent child injury and death. More than 6 million drop-side cribs were recalled. A new mandatory rule was established on June 28, 2011, for new and improved crib safety standards. The rule updates existing regulation to stop the manufacture and sale of dangerous, traditional drop-side cribs. It makes mattress supports stronger, improves slat strength, ensures more durable crib hardware and creates rigorous safety testing.
For a bit of a personal touch, make a homemade bed for the newest member of your family. Creating a bed for a new baby was the norm for people in days gone by. Whether you are trying to recapture this nostalgia or simply staying within a budget, a homemade or alternative baby bed is a project that can be achieved by even the beginning do-it-yourselfer.
Painting a baby bed or crib requires extra care and consideration. Babies and toddlers often chew on things within reach, beds and cribs included, so the paint used on the baby's bed has to be completely safe and nontoxic. It's also important not to paint over old lead-based finishes -- many old or antique cribs contain lead-based paints, which are considered unsafe for children.
A baby’s nursery highlights soft colors and adorable themes, but the area above the bed may get overlooked as other decorations come together. Yet this space in the nursery can serve as the main focal point in the room. Your baby will spend plenty of time sleeping in her bed, so decorate the area above the bed with accents that match the room and promote a peaceful, calm environment.
Adding a daybed to your baby's bedroom could serve a multitude of purposes, such as providing a space for her to sleep when she outgrows her crib. Incorporate the daybed into the decor so it doesn't stick out, while serving whatever purpose you need. In addition, some convertible cribs turn into a daybed when the crib is no longer needed.
Ideally, baby bunnies should sleep in a bed that is lined with timothy hay and their mother's fur. If this isn't possible because the mother rabbit has passed away or if you were given a baby bunny as a rescue pet, you need to provide alternative accommodations for the bunny to sleep on until the bunny is more than 2 months old. At this age, bunnies can sleep in a cage with a flat piece of wood placed on the floor.
The main worry parents have about tucking babies into bed is safety. Before placing your baby in a crib, make sure the crib is safe and sturdy. Also, try bathing your baby in a warm bath before bedtime to relax her. Parenting.com states that giving babies baths or massages before bedtime helps them understand sleep time is near. Ultimately, parents decide the best methods for tucking their babies in bed. However, always use soft tones and gentle movements around your baby during bedtime.
If you're unfamiliar with infant care, holding a baby for the first time can be an intimidating task. Though tiny in size, infants can cause a wide range of emotions from joy to anxiety. While it's true that infants are fragile and need support, their small size and light weight makes them easy to move into a safe position that is comfortable for both baby and you.
There are several sleeping options for children under the age of three. Throughout the infant and early toddler years, children may sleep in a bassinet, cradle, crib or toddler bed. When deciding what bed and mattress to buy, it is important to be aware of standard sizes. Although it is normal for baby mattresses to vary slightly in size, they should never deviate from the standard size by more than a few inches.
Cosleeping, a component of "attachment parenting theory," is done by parents for a variety of reasons. Breastfeeding mothers report easier feedings during the night, and cosleeping parents believe it strengthens the emotional bond and makes comforting their child during nighttime wakings easier for everyone. However, cosleeping parents also report less sleep during the night and less intimacy as a couple. There comes a point in many parents' lives when they want to reclaim their bed and have their child sleep independently.
Traveling with your baby can be a difficult task, but a good-quality baby bed can make your travels easier. A good portion of your trip will be spent entertaining and caring for your baby, but creating a home away from home with a bed that is comfortable is the first step to success.
Baby beds or toddler beds, as they are more commonly known, come in a variety of designs and styles. Many cribs are convertible into toddler beds and some even convert into full-sized twin beds. Consumers who feel overwhelmed with the abundant selection of toddler beds available should shop based on quality, durability and functionality. Toddler beds can also vary drastically in price. The top-ranked toddler beds are P'kolino, Kidkraft Nantucket, Dream on Me and Warm Biscuit.
Baby bedding and products are popular gifts for a newborn. Blankets, sheets, quilts and other products add soothing décor to a baby's room, or may help babies sleep well and enhance their comfort. Additionally, some newborns form attachments to particular blankets or bedding and may feel more secure when holding them outside of their crib. Other bedding accessories can entertain babies or provide storage.
Baby bed specifications are established and monitored for safety by both the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and ASTM International. The specifications set forth and monitored are aimed to keep baby beds and cribs as safe as possible to prevent injuries and deaths of children. Information regarding the safety and compliance regulations of these cribs change frequently. Check the CPSC website for the most current update.
Convertible cribs can be a great way for new parents to save money. They can be used as a conventional crib, then parents can remove one side of the crib to convert it into a youth bed for a toddler who has outgrown the crib. These multitasking pieces of furniture are available from most crib manufacturers. The Kathryn crib by Baby's Dream Furniture, Inc. is a sleigh-style crib and is made of solid pine.
With commercial crib sets (crib bumper, matching blanket and undercrib ruffle) priced at $150 or more in 2011, frugal moms with any sewing ability can save a lot of money making their own crib bumpers. Also called bumper pads, home-sewn crib bumpers can also be made of any fabric you wish, guaranteeing a match with your chosen nursery theme. Since sewing crib bumpers consists solely of straight stitches, even a novice stitcher can whip up these cute safety bumpers for the new arrival.
Swaddling is a practice that has been done for hundreds of years. Referenced in the Bible with baby Jesus, it has continued as a practice through the ages. According to investigators at the neonatal department at Washington University, the risk of sudden instant death syndrome may be lowered by swaddling a child. When children are swaddled, fussiness is reduced as well as random movements when sleeping. The Kiddopotamus swaddler helps you swaddle your baby and helps ensure a restful sleep.
When a friend is expecting a baby, you naturally want to get a special gift. A gift that is truly special is custom baby bedding, which you can make yourself and tailor to the mom, the baby and the nursery. You can choose from different fabrics that might fit into the theme of the baby's room; you can even choose all organic fabrics if the mom likes to be green or if there are a lot of allergies in the home.
As a parent, you have plenty of reasons to move your baby into a toddler bed, such as when she outgrows her crib, completes potty training and needs easy access to the bathroom, climbs out of the crib during the night or needs to yield the crib to another sibling on the way. Moving from a crib to a bed is a natural transition all babies go through. Choosing a toddler bed can help make the transition smoother, because you can still use her original crib mattress and bedding that is already familiar to her.
If you have made the decision to have a family bed, use caution. There are benefits of sharing a bed with your little one, but you must be careful that your baby does not fall off. Make adjustments to your bed and the way that your child gets in and out of the bed. Knowing your child is safe will give you peace of mind.
Every new parent enjoys staring at his baby's tiny fingers, wide-eyed smiles and chubby thighs. Preserve these memories by taking portraits at home with even the most simple camera. Attention to framing, focus and timing creates memorable baby portraits of your little one. Since you have full access to the baby, snap portraits often to capture the infant in various poses, outfits and locations. Whether the baby admires flowers in the backyard, giggles non-stop at grandma or sleeps soundly on the couch, real-life portraits capture the baby's day-to-day discoveries.
Layette is a term used to describe clothing and bedding needed for babies. If you're a first-time parent or have been out of practice for a while, you may not know which essential items are needed for newborns. Some parents feel they need every piece of a layette, while others only opt for the bare minimum. The choice is yours.
You don't have to be an expert woodworker to construct a doll bed. Typical measurements for a cradle are set for a 16-inch doll, but if you want to custom-size it, remember to make it at least 2 inches longer than the doll, and the other measurements can stay the same. As with all children's toys, if you decide to paint a handmade cradle, use non-toxic paint, as it could end up in a child's mouth.
The number one priority for parents is the safety and well-being of their children. The crib is usually the first place where infants are left unsupervised. It is vital that cribs comply with federal safety standards to ensure the safety of those infants. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, only cribs manufactured after 1991 meet all current safety standards. These standards were changed in 1974 and new crib regulations were added in 1996. Only cribs certified and labeled by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) can provide assurance that they meet the latest federal safety standards.
For your nursery theme, one of the first things you will probably choose is baby bedding. However, sometimes you may find that you cannot find a bedding set that matches your personal sense of style or that those you do like are very expensive. You could make your own bedding, but the idea of making a fitted crib sheet can be intimidating for the non-expert sewer. Luckily, you can make your own fitted crib sheet at home for little money and little effort.
Dress your baby appropriately for bed to prevent choking hazards, overheating and other dangers that can lead to suffocation or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The ideal room temperature for the baby's sleep time is about 70 degrees F. If your home is cooler or warmer, dress the baby to account for the difference. Adjust her sleepwear as necessary to keep her warm without causing her to be too warm.
Transitioning your toddler from a crib to a bed is a big milestone in her development. Many cribs today are easily convertible from a crib to a toddler bed and even into a full-size bed later on. The crib typically comes with all the parts when you purchase it, however, if you have lost the instructions or aren't sure if you have all of the pieces, you can still easily change the crib to a toddler bed.
When a newborn baby comes into your life, he is likely the most precious creature you'll ever have the privilege of interacting with. Unlike other species of mammals, however, human infants are completely helpless. They need constant attention and must be handled delicately. You can't simply pick them up under the armpits like a toddler or an older child without injuring them.
Choosing a crib can be overwhelming when contemplating the variety of choices. A bit of research mixed in with the realities of the buyer's personal situation will help make the choices more clear. Smaller spaces or nurseries might work better with a mini-crib, bassinet or portable crib. Larger-sized cribs work fine for several years, as long as you don't need to move the crib around from room to room. By comparing the available styles, you will be able to determine the best type of bed to purchase for your child.
Pregnancy marks the beginning of a seemingly endless string of decision-making situations. The type of bed for the new member of the family comes with many style options. Each choice holds its own set of benefits and drawbacks. Assess your needs, budget and preferences for sleeping arrangements when deciding on the best bed choice for your baby.
If you're anxiously awaiting the birth of your child, and that nesting instinct is kicking in, here are a few cute craft ideas to turn your baby's nursery into a warm and welcoming home. These are low cost ideas that you can do easily at home (even while several months pregnant). You can try out these crafts ideas, or maybe they will inspire some original ideas of your own.
When to move your toddler from the crib to a bed is an important decision. There's no certain age that a toddler needs to be transitioned from the crib, but most toddlers move to a regular bed between the ages of 1 and 3 and a half. There are several things to consider when deciding when the right time is for your toddler.
I am sure that this has happened to some parents out there. Your baby is so adorable and cuddly that often times she ends up as your teddy bear. From my simple instructions, you too will be able to move your baby into the crib if it is high time that she sleeps on her own.
To put a baby to bed, make sure to remove all dangerous items from the crib, lay the infant on their back and soothe them until they fall completely asleep. Find out more about putting a baby to bed in this free video from a professional nanny about child care.
The practice of baby wearing is done much like it sounds. A large piece of cloth is wrapped around the body in such a way that it creates a baby sling that can support a baby while leaving the wearer's hands and legs free to move about. This makes it possible for you to move around with the baby while working on smaller tasks wherever you are. A baby sling can be made using items found around the house, such as a bed sheet.
Usually coordinated with curtains, blankets and pillows, baby bed skirts complement and complete the décor of the room. They can be as convenient as they are pretty simply by adding pockets to hold essential baby-care items. Follow these simple instructions to make a dual-purpose baby bed skirt for your nursery.
Child births, particularly with those of first-time mothers, often occur with a lot of warnings and signs. You will have plenty of time to get to hospital. However, it is a good idea to learn about emergency delivery just in case you might need it.
It's important at some early point in a baby's life to establish a bed time routine. When you first try to put a baby to bed they may cry and fuss for attention. You need to teach them how to go to sleep on their own by repeating the same pattern of behavior every night. The more you stray from the routine, the less likely the baby will ever accept bedtime as you want it. Once you let the baby know that if it cries you will come and take it out of the crib and comfort it, it will…
Co-sleeping is a wonderful, beneficial bonding experience for new babies and parents. But all good things must come to an end, and eventually it will be time for your child to learn to sleep in his own bed. Weaning is a gradual process of graduating from one developmental stage to another. If it is forced or rushed, the child may regress, or have difficulty moving on to the next stage. Using these tips will help make the transition go as smoothly and naturally as possible.
Your first reaction after the baby's born is to run over and watch everything the nurses are doing. It's exciting, challenging, and scary all in the same moment. You were probably an excellent labor coach, but your work isn't done after the baby is born. Mom will still need you. The following steps explain how to support Mom during this immediate postpartum period (usually the first 24 hours).
The Miracle Blanket is a swaddling blanket designed to provide your baby with the comfort and security he needs to sleep through the night. If your baby can break free of your best swaddling efforts using traditional baby blankets then you should consider purchasing a Miracle Blanket. The Miracle Blanket with help both you and your baby get much needed rest. Read on to learn more.
Studies have shown that children who share their parents' bed have high levels of independence and self-esteem. Follow these steps for a safe and restful night's sleep for everyone.
All babies eventually learn how to calm themselves and settle for sleep. Observe your baby to see when she's tired and follow a bedtime routine. If she has trouble settling, talk to her or sit with her for a few minutes. The less you do in the way of holding or rocking her until she's asleep, the more quickly she may learn.
