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Preparing your house and life for a new baby can seem like a never-ending stream of product placement with the next item being superior to the last. There is no question you can spend countless amounts of money on "must-have" gadgets for baby, but a simple reality remains. Few things beat the basics.
Inadequate milk supply is one of the top fears of breastfeeding mothers. Over half of all women who stop breastfeeding by six months believed they didn't produce enough milk, according to a 2008 study in "Pediatrics." In many cases, women mistakenly believe they have a low milk supply if their baby starts nursing more frequently, their breasts stop leaking milk or their baby becomes extra fussy. However, a number of factors can cause a genuinely low milk supply. Identifying the reason why your milk production has dropped is the first step in correcting the problem so you can successfully breastfeed…
Many women hope to breastfeed their babies. According to an article in Pediatrics, the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, 83 percent of mothers attempt breastfeeding while in the hospital, but by six months, only 50 percent are still doing it. Of the mothers who stopped breastfeeding, over half gave "I didn't have enough milk" as a reason why they quit. For this reason, establishing a good milk supply in the first weeks after a baby's birth is critical to a successful breastfeeding relationship.
Expecting twins and not sure what to buy? Products have come a long way over the years and creative thinkers have solved many of the struggles that previous generations may have gone through with their own young twins. With twin births on the rise, new products are being created each year. Parents of twins need to have special accommodations to successfully feed, care for and nurture their babies.
A baby's skin comes naturally coated in a protective layer of dead skin cells and mucous called the vernix caseosa, but occasionally this is not enough to protect infants from the elements. When bathing your baby or treating a rash, it is important to make sure the product you're using is appropriate for a baby's sensitive skin.
Having your first baby is exciting but can also be overwhelming. Amid the cuddles and coos, lies the daunting responsibility of keeping her safe at all times. While it's impossible to watch your baby 24 hours a day, safety products for your home can help you keep her out of harm's way as she grows and moves around on her own.
Getting ready for a baby often entails purchasing or borrowing a lot of items. Babies require food, diapers, clothing, a safety seat, a crib or bassinet and possibly other gear like a stroller or swing. There are ways to get items for free that cannot be borrowed and would otherwise require a large one-time expense or a recurring purchase.
In advising a new mom as to what are the best new baby products, it would help to know the temperment of the baby and any problems the mom is having that the latest innovations may be able to solve. Regardless of whether you have this information, new baby products are divided into four general categories: feeding and changing, entertaining, sleeping, and traveling.
Babies' skin can be quite sensitive to the environment, more than adult skin. Products that claim to stop skin problems may exacerbate them if they contain irritating ingredients such as fragrance or artificial dyes. Brand names such as Aveeno, Eucerin and Cetaphil advertise themselves as hypoallergenic, but savvy consumers should check ingredient lists to be sure.
You might consider your home to be a safe haven for your baby, one in which you can protect your family and your children from harm. However, your home may be more dangerous than you think. According to BabyCenter, children between one and four years of age are more likely to die from accidents at home than from a stranger. Take proper precautions and carefully baby proof your home to reduce the likelihood of an accident occurring.
There are so many options for baby presents, but the decision can be a tricky one at the end of the day --- especially since babies tend to outgrow many gifts, such as clothing, very quickly. This often makes the ideal gifts and products for children items that they can use for a long time. Another key point is making sure these gifts and products are safe and ergonomically designed to ensure the baby's safety.
When dealing with babies, adults must learn to be extra cautious. These precious little people are not only delicate to handle, but they will touch everything they can reach and most items end up in their mouths. Parents should make sure to clean surfaces frequently, whether on the go or at home, because even if you don't get to it, you can be sure your curious baby will.
Parenting is an expensive business, especially in the early days when you need to buy a range of equipment, plus a seemingly endless supply of diapers, clothes and toiletries. Testing baby products for free eases the cost and also provides valuable information for other parents and parents-to-be. Products for testing range from: bath time products to strollers and infant carriers. A growing number of parenting websites seek parent testers.
All parents want their homes to be safe havens for their families, but most households have potential dangers, especially for an infant that is beginning to crawl or walk. Parents and caregivers can invest in products that will baby-proof their homes and help them keep their babies safe in every room.
Children can get into troublesome, often dangerous, situations while using common products. This can include the Jolly Jumper, a device that lets babies exercise. The Jolly Jumper attaches to a door frame and allows a child as young as 3 months to remain in a standing position. The baby can then bounce around, gaining strength and balance.
Babies can be expensive. In addition to toys, cribs and other baby gear, you also have to buy a seemingly endless supply of diapers and formula. However, there are opportunities to get free baby products. It may take a little patience and effort, but being able to save money and offset some baby expenses may prove to be well worth it.
As a baby develops in utero his own body systems, including his excretory systems, begin to function.
As a new parent, you want to keep your child safe and healthy. One of the most important things that you can do to help your baby is to sterilize everything that he uses. This includes bottles and toys. There is a separate method for sterilization for baby bottles than for toys. While you can also sterilize toys in the same way you do bottles, you should not sterilize bottles using the same method used for toys.
Learn must have baby products and other effective parenting skills for raising twins in this free infant care video with tips for new parents.
