New Parents Guide

Baby Development at 12 Months/ Revisiting Constipation

2009-04-21T14:19:00.000-07:00

Baby development at 12 months- At 12 months your little one is learning to stand and will start walking soon. Your little one understands you more than you think and can recognize certain facial expressions and distinguish vocal tone. Reading to your little and pointing out pronunciations is a good way to teach your little one and help them with their development. Twelve months is an exciting time and a precious milestone. This is also the time where you will want to make your little one's birthday memorable. At 1 year your little one won't really be as excited as you are about their birthday so make sure to not make the party extravagant.

Tips:
-choose a theme
-plan party around nap times
-keep the guest list to a minimal
-make sure to have activities if there are little ones
-A photographer is also a good idea if you can afford one.

Revisiting constipation:

FINALLY we've found something that works for our little one. Sweet potatoes! The kind I get is from Gerber, sweet potatoes and corn or sweet potatoes and turkey. It works! Our little one loves it and it really helps her with her bowel movements. I would highly suggest this if your little one is constipated and able to take solids. It's been a lifesaver:)

To read more about baby development at 48 weeks
Babies Online - Baby Development at 48 weeks

Good luck!

Learn how to get more for your money/ 11 month old development

2009-03-25T14:16:00.001-07:00

Savings Tip-Did you know that sometimes Generic brands use the exact same ingredients as the Name Brands? If you read over the ingredients you can save much more. I went to Freddy's and was looking in the bath section. I looked at the back of the bottle and read the ingredients it had the same exact everything so I decided to purchase it. It works just as well as the name brand and I saved almost $3.00. You can do this for lotions, body wash, shampoo, people often overlook the bottle just because it's not name brand. In a time such as this many people are looking to put more money into their pockets and save.

Baby development at 11 months-

If you haven't invested in a playpen you definitely want to do that. At 11 months your little one is probably extremely active. Pulling and throwing things, climbing on chairs. A playpen allows your little one to be safe while you tend to household or work duties. There are many playpens that are worth the money. There's the Pack and Play which includes a playpen, full size bassinet and a changing table, this is a little bit more expensive. There's also the Pack and go that is just a playpen and a full size bassinet. You can find Playpens at Walmart, Toysrus, Babysrus, Target, Kmart, Sears, etc. Another benefit of having a Playpen is that it's soft and helps your little one to learn to walk by using the sides for support. At this age your little one will be quick and you want to ensure they are safe but at the same time free to play. At this age your little one is learning to self feed so give them tons of finger foods. You will also notice that your little one is understanding certain words you say and wants to be cuddled and lavished with attention. Take those moments to tell them a story, talk about your day, etc.

Read more about baby development at 11 months

Babies Online - Baby Development at 44 weeks

Putting Your Newborn on a Schedule

2009-03-12T14:59:00.000-07:00

If you don't have your little one on a schedule now would be the time to start. The following is the schedule that I have my little one.

6:30AM- She'll usually wake up for a feeding and than go back to sleep
9:30AM- She'll wake up and feed again than sleep (formula and snacks)
10:00AM-2:00PM Feeding @ 10:00 and play time (solids)
2:00PM-3:00PM- Nap
3:00PM-5:00PM- Feeding and play time (solids)
5:00-5:30PM- Naptime,bathtime
7:00PM-9:00PM-playtime
9:00-10:00- go to bed latest by 10:00
10:00PM-6:30AM- Sleep

It doesn't matter what your schedule looks like and schedules vary. All that matters is that your baby is getting enough rest, play and feeding time. It is important to get your little one on a schedule because it will help them understand what's going on and it will make parenting easier. Some ways to get your little one to nap is sleeping next to them when they start to get fussy. At bedtime you can give your little one a bath before putting them to bed.

Here are some suggestions for baby snacks

-cheerios
- baby toast by Gerber
- mushed fruits
- yogurt melts
- My little girl loves oranges and what I do is let her gum the juice or will pick the pulp and feed it to her. She loves it!

Baby Development at 10 months

2009-02-24T15:37:00.000-08:00

At 10 months your baby is full of energy and climbing on everything. Make sure to keep an eye on your little one because they can be very fast. If you have your baby upstairs or near open doorways make sure to get a baby gate. Baby proof your home from poisons, sharp objects, electric outlets, etc. At this stage your little one can get bored of toys easily the best thing to do is invest in toys that will distract and continue to help with their development. Our little girl loves music so we try to get toys that make sounds or play music, she also likes lights and soft things. Bond with your baby and find out what their interests are. We have also introduced our little one to cheerios which she loves. If you don't feel comfortable with giving your baby cheerios consult your pediatrician. Playpens are good for keeping your little one safe and also helps them with their development because they will climb and learn to get up on their own and eventually start walking. At 10 months your little ones' sleeping times may vary so it's also good to try to get them on a schedule and keep it. Remember to cherish these moments and make the best of them because children grow up fast.

To read more about baby development:
Babies Online - Baby Development at 40 weeks

Baby Development at 9 months/ Bathing your baby

2009-02-02T13:54:00.001-08:00

At 9 months your little one is so active that it might be hard to keep up. Make sure to keep any small or hazardous objects out of your little one's reach. At this age they will be trying to stick anything and everything into their little mouth's. If you have your little one on your bed make sure to keep an eye on them because they move quick. Your little one will probably pull on things and try climbing. Pretty soon your little one will be walking!!

To read more about 9 month development
Babies Online - Baby Development at 36 weeks

How to bathe your baby when they are little

Materials
- Sink
- Wash cloths
for body
for hair
- baby shampoo (preferably Johnson's Baby)
- baby wash (preferably Johnson's Baby)
- bath towel
- long cloth to wrap baby

When your little one is little the best way is to undress them but just leave their diaper on. Hold baby in a football position supporting neck and start watering their hair if they have hair and put shampoo on. Massage shampoo into hair. Take washcloth for hair and dip it into the water and start using it to rinse out hair. Than unwrap baby and remove diaper and place baby in sink or tub, making sure to support baby. Soap baby with body wash using hands, making sure to clean private areas front to back. Than use the washcloth for body and start rinsing off the soap. Use towel to dry off your little one and put on lotion or baby powder..(I choose not to use baby powder because it has talc which may lead to cancer if inhaled). Place diaper under baby's bottom and fasten sides together. Than put clothes on baby. I found this technique off of a video on youtube.

8 Month Development/Shaken Baby Syndrome

2009-01-28T14:45:00.000-08:00

At 8 months your little one will be sitting up on their own and moving around a lot. If your baby is crawling you want to make sure to keep sharp and small objects out of your baby's reach. Always keep an eye on your little one because they will move fast. There have been some reviews on walkers that they can be dangerous so always keep an eye on your little one if they are in their walker. At this age your little one probably also likes to touch and feel different objects, they will probably also be entertained in throwing their toy. It is important at this age to encourage your baby with toys that require them to sit up and crawl. If your little one isn't crawling yet you can encourage them by placing toys and objects that will entice them and slowly moving it away so baby can go after it. Your baby probably understands you and that's why it is important to give them lots of hugs and kisses you also want to be firm if your little one does something bad. This does not mean spanking but showing disapproval by a firm face, saying no, taking their toy away.

To read more about 8 month development
Babies Online - 8 Month Development

Shaken Baby Syndrome

Shaken Baby Syndrome is a serious issue and a form of abuse. There have been many cases where a child died or became disabled due to mistreatment. Shaken Baby Syndrome happens when a parent is angry with their baby usually because of crying and they shake their baby hoping it will stop them. This may cause damage to the baby's brain, spinal-cord injury and even death.

If you have shaken your baby it is important to seek treatment right away.

Preventing Shaken Baby Syndrome
-Control your anger
-If you cannot control your anger place your baby in a safe place and leave the room
-Keep in mind that a baby cries because they have needs not to annoy you
-Count to 10 and take deep breaths

to read more on SBS
http://www.medicinenet.com/shaken_baby_syndrome/article.htm

Baby Development at 7 months

2009-01-19T11:23:00.000-08:00

At 7 months your baby is much more active and eating solids. The time to start solids is usually around 6 months or if unsure you should consult your pediatrician. The way to tell if your little one is interested in solids is when they try to grab the food you are eating or keep eyeing it. Most pediatricians recommend baby cereal as the first foods. You want to start offering baby a little bit at a time along with breastmilk or formula until they are used to it. After baby has been introduced to solids and is taking it you want to wait a week or so before introducing any new solids. This way you can figure out which foods your baby may be allergic to. In terms of development your baby is probably rolling around a lot, sitting up and being much more active. Some babies also start to learn to crawl or scoot around at this age. Again, every baby is different and development stages vary if you are concerned make sure to seek your pediatrician for guidance. What is most important is that you have a happy and healthy baby.

To read more about baby development at 28 weeks
Babies Online - Baby Development at 28 weeks

Important Dates

2009-01-13T13:33:00.000-08:00

After your little one is born it is important to keep the post pregnancy checkups

Mom-
6 week postpartum- Obgyn checks to make sure you are doing well after pregnancy and healing properly/ talks about birth control options, pap smear.

Baby-
2 week appt- keep track of baby development and bilirubin level, regular checkup to make sure baby is doing okay after pregnancy. Consultations about breastfeeding, etc.
2 month- keep track of development, 2 month vaccinations
4 month- keep track of development and growth,4 month vaccinations
6 month- keep track of development and growth,6 month vaccinations
9 month- keep track of development and growth,9 month vaccinations
12 month-

Baby development at 6 months

At this age your baby has probably mastered rolling around on his or her back. Sights and sound excite them even more and baby is probably able to sit on their own. Toys that will be good for your little one would be the ones that encourage hands on, lights and colorful shapes. Also the toys that encourage play while sitting up or if your baby is still not able to sit a lot of tummy time toys will help or a swing (parental supervision required). It is important to have your baby playing in different positions so they are not just always on their back.

Babies Online - Read more about 6 month development

myLot User Profile

Opportunity for Parents

2008-12-31T13:48:00.001-08:00

Hi guys,

Thank you all for joining and bearing with me on this new adventure:)I wanted to let you know about an opportunity to earn some money. We are still new but hopefully our goal for 2009 will be to grow and I would love for you all to be a part of it. The goal here is to help out other moms/parents and let them know that there is a place they can turn to. The opportunity is to get paid for helping others.

OPPORTUNITY
Givers earn $.10 for free stuff that is taken/ individual posts
Must be different items/categories for example you cannot post one item of clothing and than post another for another item of clothing.

Example that is ok-
1 post-item of clothing
1 post- baby toys
Must reach $5.00 to get paid
Paid by Paypal other payment options may be available later
Item cannot be given to same person multiple times
Only one account per IP address.

Benefit you get paid for something you were going to give away for free and also are helping other moms.

*You are credited once the item is taken and will be paid once you reach $5.00
If you don't have a Paypal account you can sign up here

If you are found to be abusing your membership you will be banned.

Sign up here

Basic Baby Care- Feeding and Proper Cleaning of Bottles

2008-12-30T14:48:00.000-08:00

Feeding your newborn- Sorry this is out of sequence but I thought I would touch up on simple baby care.

Proper preparation of formula:

1. Wash hands
2. Pour the desired amount of water in ounces (Instructions are found on infant formula can)
3. Scoop out the correct measurement for feeding, make sure to follow instructions by using the right amount. Scoop unpacked level of desired amount and put it into the bottle.
Each scoop makes 2 ounces

*2 ounces of water-1 scoop
*4 ounces of water- 2 scoops
*6 ounces of water- 3 scoops

4. Replace cap
5. Shake or roll, rolling the bottle eliminates bubbles which causes gas.

When feeding your newborn you want to make sure to get the appropriate nipple size for their age. Sizes range from slow drip, medium and fast. When your little one is young you want to make sure not to have a nipple that drips too fast or they can choke. You also want to make sure that the nipple isn't too slow or your little one will be sucking in more air. When feeding your newborn you want to place your baby comfortably so that their head is higher than their tummy on your lap. You also want to make sure to support their back and head. Using your other hand with the bottle you want to have the bottle parallel to their mouth so that it doesn't drip too fast. After several feedings you will start to figure out your baby's preference and feeding patterns.

Cleaning baby bottles-
There are many ways to clean baby bottles. One way is to remove the top from the bottle and pour out all remaining contents. Than remove the nipple from the cap and bottle. You want to take each piece and use the bottle brush to clean. Rinse first and than use soap to clean each piece. Make sure the pieces are cleaned throughly. After you have rinsed the soap off you want to use a microwave sterilizer to sterilize the bottles.
Other bottle cleaning tips

When to replace bottle nipples:
Every 3 months is good or when you see any tears.
Replace by age

Baby Development at 5 months-
At 5 months your little one has probably mastered raising their head and keeping it up and also rolling around. They are learning the sights and sounds around them and probably even recognize them if you call out their name. This is a very enjoyable time to try bonding with your little one and giving them as much tummy time as possible. Also your little one will probably start to learn to sit on their own.

To read more about 5 months-Babies Online - Week 20

Momma's Helper

2008-12-17T15:58:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone,

Thank you for reading my blog. I was very touched by a lot of things that have been going on and wanted to see if I could do something to help moms out. We all know how expensive baby stuff can be. There are so many classified ads and sites for free stuff but some have strings attached or is mixed with other free stuff. I wanted to create a forum where it's just for absolutely free stuff for moms. This is a great way to get free stuff for your baby or children, network with other moms and also build your business.

Momma's helper is a forum designed to create a community where moms can feel free to network and also get free stuff for their baby. Signatures are allowed as long as it doesn't distract from others posts, please do not spam. If you are only here to advertise your business you will be banned.This is an opportunity to get free stuff for your baby and get more business.

Rules:
*Person giving away free item* Giver:
*Person taking free item *Receiver*
*PM the person that has the item you are interested in: Receiver
Post baby items that you want to give away and location: Giver
Giver is allowed to include advertisement for their business such as a business card or promo etc. (Nothing inappropriate)
*Receiver is responsible for shipping costs*
* Giver chooses who to give item to* (help locally or statewide)You are allowed to post wanted ads but you must also give.

Item Condition:
Please don't send damaged or destroyed items.
-Item should be clean
-Damage free
-Stain free
-If electronic toy etc, should still work
-Do not list car seats that have been recalled or in accidents..please do your homework on items before accepting or posting.

Other than that please be respectful of others and follow the rules. HAVE FUN!!

Click here to join

Getting Steal of a Deal on Baby Items

2008-12-17T08:29:00.000-08:00

Hi guys,

It's that time again:) I don't know if you are aware of JBF or Just Between Friends. Several times in the year JBF puts on a consignment sale. The Oregon one is coming up. This is the place to go because you can get great baby stuff for very good prices. We all know how expensive baby stuff can be. You have the option of signing up as a consignor where you price your items and they try to sell it for you by taking a piece of the cut. I think that's what I will be doing this year since our little girl has outgrown a lot of her clothes. You can also sign up as a volunteer and get an additional discount or you can sign up as a first time mom so that you can be one of the first to check out the goods. Overall it's a win win situation:) So I would recommend you check it out, you have nothing to lose!

Some items they have: baby clothes, crib bumpers, car seats, maternity clothes, exersaucers, high chairs, walkers, swings, bath tubs, probably pretty much anything.

http://www.jbfsale.com/home/

Free Baby Stuff

2008-12-15T11:13:00.000-08:00

Free Sample of Kirkland's Signature Supreme Diaper

Free Sample of Goodnites Underpants

Babies Online - Lots of Free Baby Coupons and Samples

Baby's First Circus Tickets from Ringling Brothers

Free 64 Count Huggies Softskin Shea Butter Baby Wipes

For more free stuff:

Bundling Up/ Free Stuff/ Baby Development 4 Months

2008-12-09T12:47:00.000-08:00

Tip of the day-Thank you to those that have been following my blog. We are entering into the coldest of days. These are the months where it is important to stay warm and keep your little one bundled up. A baby's immune system is not as strong as an adult so they are more susceptible to catching the colds and whatever bugs are out there. Always keep your little ones head covered and also their hands and feet. You want to keep them bundled up with one or maybe even two blankets. Another thing is keeping a bottle of hand sanitizer around because even the tiniest of germs can get your little one sick.

Today I want to talk to you about how to get free help/stuff for your little one.
Pregnancy Resource Center- (Check with your PRC in your state)
Some services offered
Our free services include:

* Pregnancy Tests
* Ongoing Peer-Counseling
* Pregnancy and Fetal Development Information
* Limited uls services
* Information on Abortion Risks, Procedures and Alternatives
* Adoption Information and Referrals
* Maternity and Baby Clothing
* Baby Toys and Furnishings
* Parenting Classes
* Referrals for Medical Care, Housing, Legal Aid, Professional Counseling, and Community Services
* Spiritual Encouragement
* After-hours Helpline

Freecycle.org- Get free stuff locally, you can ask for stuff but it needs to even out with free stuff you might want to give away.

Craigslist Classifieds- Free stuff in the free section

Free webpages- Make your own cute webpage, chat with other mommies and free resources. Babies Online -

Baby Development at 4 Months-
At four months your baby will be laughing more and interacting with you more. They will be curious with their hands and feet and moving around a lot more than usual. Your baby is still developing strength in the neck area and may be able to hold their head up a bit longer than usual. They are also developing strength in their legs. You can try placing different toys to see if they are ready to start playing with it. At this age our daughter liked to touch soft stuffed animals and her blanket. Remember all babies develop at their own pace so don't worry. If you would like to read more about baby development you can click on the link below.
Babies Online - Week 16

I'm thinking of maybe running a contest for a chance to win free stuff for your little one so stay tuned!

Baby Development at 3 Months/ SIDS

2008-12-01T08:34:00.000-08:00

At 3 months your baby will be able to follow you with their eyes and moving a little more. They will also be able to start laughing and interacting a little more than before. Their hand and eye coordination is still developing. Your baby can see your face clearer up close. Your baby may or may not sleep through the night, at 3 months our daughter started sleeping through the night. One way to help your baby sleep is by swaddling them as your doctor might have showed you at the time of your baby's birth. Swaddling your little one is like mirroring a womb. If you haven't introduced the pacifier to your little one now would be a good time. It is also good to try to get your little one on a schedule such as feeding and nap time. Below is a link to read more about your baby's development at 3 months.

Babies Online - 12 Week Development

How to Swaddle your Baby-
1. Lay blanket on soft surface such as your bed or crib
2. Place baby in the middle of the blanket on their back and hands to the side make sure blanket goes up a little below baby's shoulder.
3. Pull left side of the blanket so that it covers the front of your baby. Left to right.
4. Then cover right to left
5. Fold bottom of the blanket back to hold baby in place
Make sure that the blanket is not wrapped too tight.

SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)-
SIDS in the dictionary is defined as: Sudden and unexpected death of an apparently healthy infant during sleep.

Precautions for reducing the risk of SIDS-
1. Make sure there is nothing in the crib or bassinet that can cause suffocation such as: loose blankets, toys, pillows, objects, etc. Always remove everything from the crib at bed time or nap time and keep blanket away from baby's face.
2. Swaddle your baby and make sure baby is sleeping on their back
3. Invest in a video monitor or baby monitor
4. Pacifiers are known to help prevent sids
5. If your baby sleeps next to you make sure to have baby in a secure sleeper bed.
6. This is just my opinion but having your baby sleep in the same room until they're older; this way you can hear if they are struggling and check up on them right away.
7. Do not overheat baby by dressing them in too warm of clothes and than wrapping them. Make sure baby is comfortable. Wrapping baby if they sleep between mom and dad may cause overheating.
8. Using a Sleeper blanket which is like a pajama sleeping bag. Keeps baby warm and is better than using a blanket.

Gassiness and Constipation

2008-11-21T09:13:00.000-08:00

Today I'm going to talk to you about one of the worse discomforts your child may have. It seems with my little girl having gas and constipation was very bothersome to her. It is said that babies that are bottle fed tend to have more gas and constipation and that's why choosing the right formula for your little one can make a huge difference. If you are trying out formulas you should stick with one for a whole week to see how your little one is adjusting to it. When you decide to switch you can switch straight to it or you can do half and half until you completely switch over this way it won't be so rough on your child's digestive system.

What to do if your child has gas:

1-Purchase Mylicon from Walmart or other grocery stores, these are safe to use and made from natural ingredients. It's been found that Mylicon will work on some babies, it works for our daughter.
2-Choose a formula that is for gassiness and fussiness, the one that we have is the Similac Sensitive.
3-Lay your little one across your lap with their tummy against your lap and pat gently on the lower back this will break up some of the gas bubbles and make it easier for them to pass gas.
4. Lay your baby on their back and cycle their legs like a bicycle you can also push their legs gently to their chest so that their thighs are up against the chest. This will also break up the gas bubbles.

How to know if your child is constipated:
1- Strains when they are trying to poo
2- Bowel movements consist of hard dry pellets
3- Dryness in the bowel movement and streak in the diaper can be a sign of constipation.

What to do if your child is constipated:
1-Depending on how old your baby is and their weight you can give them prune juice that is diluted with water. You don't want to give them too much because it might be too hard on their tummy. Make sure to seek advice from your nurse if you are unsure whether your child is constipated and if you are unsure on how much prune juice to give. You can also mix the prune juice in with their formula. (Method I use)
2-Stick your clean pinky in their bottom and move in circular motions to try to get your little one to poo.
3- Use an anal thermometer
4- As always if you are unsure or not comfortable seek an advice nurse or pediatrician for advice.

http://www.yousaytoo.com/maddie007/?2765

My Apologies

2008-11-19T13:13:00.000-08:00

I apologize that I haven't been updating. I am going to start and hope to add a few video tutorials because it's more entertaining and so people learn better that way. In my last post I spoke briefly about your baby at 1 month, in the 2nd and 3rd month your baby is still developing their eyes and it's usually in the 3rd month where you baby will be able to follow your movement and focus on you more. During these months your baby will be doing the usual, crying, eating, sleeping and pooping. My daughter still ate every two hours and it was late into the 2nd month when we discovered the terror hours. It seemed that every day at the same time, usually in the evening, she would cry non stop, nothing would keep her from crying. She cried really painful like screams and we got her to stop for a few minutes but it didn't stop until 2 1/2 hours. They say that it usually stops in the 3rd month. This probably varies for different babies depending if your baby is colicy or not. If you find yourself in this predicament try to keep your cool, hold your baby close and try to comfort him/her, don't worry the crying will pass and it's only temporary. If you are ever concerned about your baby always consult your advice nurse or pediatrician.

How to console your baby
-Swaddle them in a blanket and rock them in your arms
-Sing to your little one
-Put on some soft soothing music
-Take your baby for a car ride (sometimes the motion of being in the car in the carseat will calm them down and get them to sleep).

If you feel overwhelmed put your baby in a safe place such as the crib and step out of the room to take a breather.

At home with baby

2008-09-05T17:14:00.001-07:00

Your little one is here and you've either decided to become a stay at home mom or take maternity leave. I chose to stay at home with my daughter, it was a difficult decision to make because leaving the workforce isn't easy especially with how our economy is going. Staying home with my little one has it's challenges but it's rewarding because I get to watch her develop and grow. I also chose to look for work at home which believe it or not is possible. Here are a few sites that have been very helpful, www.workplacelikehome.com (has great information on legitimate companies and experiences of employees/ex-employees). Craigslist also has work at home opportunities, the key is using the right keywords. I usually go to part-time jobs and type in telecommute or home office. You want to be careful to research the company before giving out personal information. You also want to make sure that you are taking it easy since you just had a baby! I tried to be superwoman only to burn myself out. Remember to take this time to bond with your baby. At three weeks your little one will still be doing the usual crying,sleeping etc. At one month your little one is developing visually and learning to focus on objects, they can only see black and white but still try to bond by smiling and interacting with your little one.

State Assistance

2008-08-20T12:35:00.000-07:00

STATE ASSISTANCE

As you can see, I gave this one it's own special category because trust me this will be beneficial for SOMEONE, a few or many:):)I want to tell you all about this great program it is called WIC, stands for women, infant and children. They give assistance to low income families through food vouchers. These food vouchers are for nutritious foods such as: eggs,milk,ceareal,peas,peanut butter,etc. You can locate your wic office here http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/ or simply type in WIC programs in google. Restrictions apply but just give it a try, doesn't hurt!

Who is served by WIC?

* Pregnant women.
* Breastfeeding women with children under 12 months of age.
* Non-breastfeeding women with children under 6 months of age.
* Infants and children under 5 years of age.

Fathers, grandparents, foster parents or other guardians may apply for WIC for their children. (http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/wic/about_us.shtml#desc)

Once your baby is born they give you vouchers for formula which as you know can really help you save. I encourage those that feel they could benefit to apply for it:) Also pass around this information, I'm sure it will help someone out:)

Back to the Essentials

2008-08-18T12:02:00.000-07:00

Ok, let's rewind back to the essentials. Let me tell you, it is true when they say having a baby is expensive so you want to make sure you are prepared for it. If not, there are certain state programs that will help you out.

Diapers- You can either choose to use cloth diapers or disposable ones. I've chosen to use disposable and I've found that Pampers have worked the best for me. It costs around $21.00 for a pack of 92 diapers(lasts 2-3 weeks depending on baby)(Up to 10lbs), which depending on how much your little one poops or pees can be used rather quickly. I usually purchase mine from Walmart or Target. Than you need to purchase wipes, getting bulk is the way to go this usually costs $14.00-$20.00 for a pack of 312 (lasts a few months depending on baby), I usually get the Huggies wipes. I don't mind the price on the diapers because I've used other diapers such as Huggies and non brand ones that have leaked many times. I found that Pampers is much more softer and absorbent for my daughter.

There are people that choose to use cloth diapers which in the long run will save you much more money, I'm not sure about all the details of using cloth diapers but I know that they range $7.00-$10.00 for a six pack.

Nipples- Your little one will most likely be using the nipples for (0-3mo) which are the slow drip nipples, I prefer to use the Evenflo nipples, since our little girl was so tiny we started off with the Gerber nipples but than she quickly outgrew them. You can get these at Walmart for around $3.00 for a pack of 4.

Formula Dispenser- This is a neat gadget to carry your formula in premeasured, instead of having to carry the clunky formula bottle. The way it works is, you measure the amount that your baby uses for each feeding and pour it into one slot and keep doing it for all the slots. The one I have is circular and carries enough for 3 feedings, easy to use when traveling. You can also get this at Walmart for around $3.00. This isn't the exact one but similar.

Bottles- It doesn't matter what kind of bottles you get and there are a lot of varieties out there. You can get a 3 pack with nipples and cap attached for around $3.00-$4.00 (Walmart or Kmart). The 5 ounce ones are the best ones to start on. You want to get a few cases of bottles, we have around 14+ bottles total, but don't worry as your little one gets older he/she will be using fewer bottles. The pic below isn't the exact one we have I believe the bottles we use are manufactured by Small Wonders.

BABY FOOD
We can't forget baby food! Breastmilk is the way to go, saves a lot of money and is healthy for the baby, provided you are eating healthy. If you can't do breastmilk, don't feel bad. There are also benefits to bottle feeding such as convenience and variety. I just want to stress, bottle feeding is not something you should feel bad about because I know when I wasn't able to breastfeed I felt horrible. If you can do supplementing breastmilk and formula that would be good also because your baby would still be getting nutrients from you. If you are thinking about breastfeeding or know you will breastfeed a breastpump would be a good investment.

BOTTLEFEEDING
There are many types of formula out there, the well known ones are: Similac, Enfamil,Nestle. We've tried Enfamil and Similac you can visit www.enfamil.com for more choices or www.similac.com. I believe it's common among little ones especially for those that are bottle fed to have more gas and constipation, there are formulas that help for those symptoms. Whichever one you choose is up to you. Enfamil for a 12.9 oz can is around $15.00-$20.00 or for the biggest one is a whopping $25-$30 and again we purchase the formula from either walmart or kmart. The more costly would be Nestle which we have not tried. The 12.9 oz usually lasts 2 weeks for our little one.

You are probably saying, I cannot afford that much to feed my baby! Well, there are coupons which are like checks that these manufactures will give. All you need to do is simply sign up at their site, pretty neat too:) You will also be sent formula samples (2 12.9 oz) to see which one your little one likes best.

Similac-They usually give you 3 or 4 checks a month that allow you to take off $5.00 off your formula purchase.

Enfamil-They give you a total of $9.00 a month so one $5.00 check and a $4.00 one which can be used up to the expiration date.

Feeding Patterns
When our little girl was first born she would eat every two ounces every two hours around the clock. YES around the clock, sorry to say the first few weeks you will NOT get any sleep but cherish these times because your little one will grow up fast!

References:
http://www.csnbaby.com/asp/show_detail.asp?sku=EVF1143&refid=XT51-EVF1143
http://www.mysimon.com/9015-11024_8-24049051.html
http://www.diapers.com/Shop/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=6702&From=Brand
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2919699
http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/wic/about_us.shtml#desc

Tips for Crying Babies

2008-08-15T16:25:00.001-07:00

I remember hearing about a woman named Priscilla Dunstan aka "the baby whisperer" she could decipher any baby's cry. I decided to research a little bit more into her discovery. You can view the video here http://video.ivillage.com/player/?id=47974.

This is what I've discovered in my own little one

Rubbing eyes,face,pulling hair or ears,says Oww cry that usually means she is tired.
Nyah- The N is emphasized and she won't stop crying, usually means she's hungry or tired.
Eh,eh- needs to be burped or has gas
Aowh- A is really emphasized means she has to pass gas or is uncomfortable
Heh eh- wet diaper or needs a diaper change

Don't worry all little ones are different and soon you will be able to decipher your baby's cries.

I'm going to clue you in on the top things you MUST HAVE/KNOW when you have a baby

-How to burp your little one
-Bathing your little one
-Feeding your little one
-Consoling
-Swaddling

These are all important in your child's development and the bond that is forming.

Need to have
-Food-Formula or breastmilk
-Bottles
-Nipples
-Microwave Sterilizer or some form of bottle sterilizer
-Diapers
-Bassinet or a Sleeper if your baby is sleeping with you
-A few pairs of clothes, onesies,socks
-Mylicon (if your baby is gassy)
-Burping cloth
-Changing pad
-Diaper Bag
-Baby bath tub
-Bibs
-Wipes
-Blanket
-Bottle and Nipple brush

Burping Baby-
There are several ways to burp your little one and each little one is different.
1. Burping by patting lightly or rubbing on the back with your baby over your shoulder
2. Burping your baby by laying baby on your lap and patting lightly on the back
3. Supporting your baby on your lap and placing hand in c shape underneath baby's chin and lightly patting baby on the back or rubbing.
4. This works for me, placing baby over the shoulder so that chest is near shoulder, arm supporting baby's bottom and using other hand to pat baby on the bottom.
5. I also found that this work for me, holding baby in a sitting position supporting head and moving baby so that baby is sitting up but waist is moving in a circular motion.

If you hear a bubbly sound it is probably because your baby has to pass gas or needs to be burped.

There are many ways to burp your baby and it doesn't matter which method you choose as long as you burp your little one. You will have a happier, less fussy baby. If your little one is fussy and crying, make sure you evaluate everything listed above and care for his or her basic needs. If you have done everything above and your little one is still crying, it might be best to consult your pediatrician. It is important to be patient with your little one and to keep trying to console them. If it gets to be too much for you leave your baby in a safe place,such as a crib and leave the room for a few minutes. It is good to take a breather so if you have family members or friends you can call that would be good.

0 - 3 Week Development

2008-08-15T14:46:00.000-07:00

What to Expect
0 Weeks- Crying, Sleeping, Eating,Pooping, focused on ceilings,lights,colors
1 Week- Crying, Sleeping, Eating,Pooping, focused on ceilings,lights,colors
2 Weeks-Crying, Sleeping,Eating,Pooping, focused on ceilings,lights,colors
3 Weeks-Crying,Sleeping,Eating,Pooping, your child may start interacting a little more than usual and will also start to focus on things more.

When our little one was born it was an amazing experience. VERY painful but amazing, it was April 20th, 2008 at 9:40PM. I got rolled into the emergency room on a stretcher getting prepped up for surgery, this was after 12 hours of labor and I still remember the pain. I went through 12 hours of labor and unexpectedly delivered our baby girl through a c-section. I was intoxicated with all the medication they had given me and could barely stay awake, I remember feeling pressure and more pressure and than heard the most beautiful little cry. Our baby girl was born! It was amazing! She weighed 5lbs, 8oz, perfectly healthy. After the delivery I was than placed into my room for recovery, ahem more like bootcamp. After going through surgery and labor my body was aching all over and in extreme pain, I could not walk and barely ate. The doctor kept insisting that I walk so I could recover faster. I kept thinking "that's easy for you to say, you aren't bleeding profusely and feeling as miserable as I am."
Day one with our baby girl was interesting and exhausting. We finally realized how hard being a parent was. My little girl was placed into my arms and I remember being afraid to hold her because she was so tiny, she was a little bit bigger than my arm. The doctors had lactation specialists come in to talk about breastfeeding. The benefits of it compared to bottle feeding and how to get baby to nurse. It was difficult since I was in so much pain. My husband took care of our little one which as you might already know babies don't do much except for eat,sleep,poop and cry. We learned how to swaddle our baby. I recommend all parents learn how to swaddle their babies because it's a lifesaver when you need sleep. She was a good baby for the first two days and barely cried but the next few days were different. I was discharged out of the hospital at day 3.
I was relieved to be able to go home and start our new life together. The next few days our little girl started to cry more and it was very frustrating because we didn't know what it was our baby needed. When a newborn cries it can be very frustrating and overwhelming. My husband and I took turns trying to console our little one and this is when I decided to research on the internet how to deciper babies cries.

Congrats!

2008-08-15T14:26:00.000-07:00

Congrats! You have just given birth to your little bundle of joy but what to do now? Babies do not come with instruction manuals nor do they require little care like your chia pets. Being a parent takes a lot of work, I am a proud mother of one sweet little girl:) In my blog I will share with you my experiences from day one and you will go on my journey as a first time mom whom is consistently living and learning. Don't be surprised being a parent is a lot harder than you may realize. That is why I will be sharing with you my experiences good and bad. You're a good parent since you must have stumbled upon my blog looking for answers, c'mon give yourself some credit. On this journey trust me you will feel like you are a bad parent or have failed but we are all humans and as long as we keep trying we never fail. Feel free to bookmark this page as I will be updating.