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Whether you have relatives to visit or a romantic beach hideaway to revisit, if you're planning a trip to Mexico with a baby, you need to make advance preparations. Traveling to a foreign country -- particularly one where sanitation standards may or may not be what you're used to -- presents challenges when you have a baby. The heat in Mexico can also be more than you're used to and air conditioning less prevalent. Know what to expect and your trip will be memorable for all the right reasons.
Stuffed animals are a part of almost every child's life, providing comfort during stressful times and practice with deeper feelings, such as love. A stuffed animal can carry familiar sensations, such as the scent of your home or the feeling of its fur against a child's cheek. Later in life, stuffed animals become a source for memories, allowing you to connect to your childhood.
Infants may sleep several hours per day, but during their first year, they are exposed to a constant stream of sounds and words. The speech directed at an infant often has a certain character, and this speech helps an infant trust the world and learn about communication. Talking to your infant about daily events increases her motivation to answer you. Parenting Science says infant-directed speech is not the same as nonsense speech. Instead, it is a melodic and emotional way of talking that helps your infant focus her attention on sounds and speech patterns.
Babies love to explore their world by putting everything and anything in their mouths. Once your infant begins to cut his or her first tooth, you will find that your baby's need to chew or bite whatever object comes in close proximity to their mouth increases. If one of these objects includes the rail on your baby's crib, there are a number of options for protecting both the rail and your baby during this developmental phase.
Stuffed animals are a popular baby gift, but you may find that you have no idea where to store them all as you set up your nursery. While larger stuffed animals can be attractively displayed on shelves or chairs, make use of vertical storage by hanging smaller stuffed animals from a plastic toy chain with clips. While the clips may be difficult to reach and use for toddlers or young children, they provide an easy alternative to toy boxes when your child is a baby.
Special paints designed for use on infant's cribs are available in non-toxic forms, without volatile chemicals ("no VOC"), natural varieties and combinations of these. Paint should always be lead-free due to potential lead poisoning.
If you've ever been awakened by the sounds of your child screaming due to an arm or leg stuck in the bars of their crib, you may be concerned about how to prevent this. Covering your child's crib might be an option to consider.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, 33 infants are born daily with some degree of hearing loss. It is one of the most common congenital conditions in the United States. By doing home hearing screenings with infants, parents can determine if there are any hearing issues that should be investigated further by a pediatrician.
Hand-me-down and used cribs are often given to expecting parents. Using an older crib is a simple way to save money, but soon-to-be parents should take precautions. New cribs are all held to rigorous safety standards, whereas an older crib may not meet current safety regulation guidelines. Before using an older baby crib, ensure that the crib is safe for your child.
Shopping for a newborn can be overwhelming. While certain items are needed for a baby's well being, others are considered luxury purchases. A baby's daily activities require some essential items.
Baby bumpers are bedding accessories that line the inside of the crib and prevent the baby from getting an appendage or his head stuck between the bars of the crib. They also serve as a decorative accessory to liven up the room and make the crib coordinate with the rest of the decor. Using a baby bumper is easy and can be done in a matter of minutes.
You might need to share a room with your baby because you can't afford an extra bedroom right now or it makes nighttime feedings so much easier. Make sure your baby is tired when you go to bed so that you can get some rest as well. The Parents website recommends keeping her active in the day with lots of playing and not letting her fall asleep while you are holding her.
VOC's found in paints and stains can cause serious health problems, including cancer. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, cribs painted with VOC paints can emit harmful vapors for several years. Avoid harmful VOC's by refinishing your baby's crib with a safe stain or paint. Using non-toxic, soy-based products will ensure a safe environment for the new addition to your family.
As your baby gets older and begins to turn over, sit up, and pull herself up, her crib may no longer be the safe zone that it once was. It is important to change the crib as your baby changes. Remember that your older, more active baby will now be able to grab her mobile, pull on her crib bumpers, or chew on her crib rails. Here are some tips about how to make a crib safe for an older baby.
Once your baby begins crawling, your home may become a dangerous place. An older baby's natural curiosity, paired with her lack of good judgment, can make a seemingly ordinary item in your home hazardous. To reduce the risk of injury to your baby, you may want to consider modifying your home. Remove dangerous objects from her reach, gradually teach your baby what is dangerous, and be constantly watchful when your baby is exploring. Training your baby to know what is and is not safe will take months, even years. Modifying the environment around her may be the best way to…
A crib is probably the most important purchase you will make for your new baby since your baby may be spending some 12-16 hours per day in this crib, at least at first, and may be sleeping in this crib for two years or even a bit longer. You also want to make sure that you buy a safe crib. That is why it is important that you do a little homework before just going out and buying the first, or prettiest, or cheapest crib that you see. You want to make sure that your baby's crib is comfortable, secure,…
If your baby is sleeping in a bassinet beside your bed for the first few months of her life, it's essential to make certain your infant is safe and protected while she snoozes next to you. Follow these steps to ensure a secure and comfortable night's sleep for your little one.
Shaken baby syndrome is a brain injury resulting from aggressively shaking a baby. If you have a baby or you care for a baby, you need to be aware of shaken baby syndrome. An estimated 600 to 1,400 cases of shaken baby syndrome occur annually. Most victims are between 3 and 8 months old. Sadly, approximately 20 percent of victims die within days of the injury. Fortunately, this syndrome is completely preventable.
