| Tips & Techniques |  |
|
| What Should I Pack in the Diaper Bag? |
| | About.com provides the answer to this recurring question from new mothers. Here are some items you can pack in the diaper bag to make sure you're prepared for whatever may come up when you're out and about. Remember, some items may vary depending on whether you are breastfeeding or bottle feeding and whether your child is eating solid foods. Diapering and Clothing6-8 diapers, depending on how long your outing is going to be travel-sized container of wipes changing pad diaper rash ointment 2 changes of clothing ziplock bags for soiled clothing and diaper disposal hat(s) appropriate for shade or warmth Feedingbottles, if formula feeding cans of formula or containers of pre-measured formula burp cloths bottled water for you (and baby if using powdered or concentrated formula) jarred food and spoons portable snacks for you 2-3 bibsToys and Soothing Items2 blankets pacifiers comfort toys teething rings small, durable books (board books work great) Safety and Emergenciesband-aids hand sanitizer antibiotic ointment cell phone tissues sunblock fever reducer/pain reliever like Tylenol $20 bill and some quarters Diaper Packing TipsPack plenty of diapers. You'll want one for about every two hours you plan to be out. Pack a few extra in case of diarrhea. When choosing a blanket, keep the weather conditions in mind. If you have a habit of forgetting keys, pack an extra set in the diaper bag to keep with you. This is also good if you have a car that auto-locks when the driver's door shuts. You may have grabbed the bag and not the baby, yet, so you can still get him out of the car. If you know your child has allergies, keep a liquid antihistamine like Benadryl in the bag. If allergies are severe, you might want to get a prescription for an Epi-pento keep in the bag at all times. You never know when you're going to want to snap a shot of a precious moment, so keep a disposable camera in the bag. This is also good in case you are in a fender bender, you can take pictures... |
| | 4/02/2009 9:24 PM (519d 1h 14m ago) |
| Consumer Reports: Three Ways to Save Money on High-end Baby Gear |
| | Let’s face it. Babies are a lot of work and having the right equipment can make the job easier and more fun. But to avoid buying stuff you won’t use enough to justify the price tag, take these steps, which function like spending speed bumps, before making these splurge purchases. Read the Consumer Reports article here. |
| | 3/23/2009 6:24 PM (529d 4h 15m ago) |
| Learn Your Baby's Body Language |
| | What's your baby trying to tell you? How to read her leg kicks, eye rubs, and more.Kicking Her Legs: It could mean: She's having a swell time. When your baby spies something amazing -- like water pouring from the bathtub spout -- leg banging is her way of saying "Wow!"Turning His Face Away: It could mean: He needs a minute to process what's going on. "Babies are often trying to make sense of what they're seeing," says Paul C. Holinger, M.D., author of What Babies Say Before They Can Talk. "Looking away can mean 'Let me swallow this first before you give me another bite.'" Rubbing or Covering Her Eyes: It could mean: She's trying to lure you into a game of peekaboo. Babies pick up on how that game works pretty quickly, and even 8- or 9-month-olds can initiate it themselves. Read the rest of the Parenting Guide to Baby's Body Language here. |
| | 3/16/2009 8:24 PM (536d 2h 14m ago) |
| How Parents Can Become Shades of Green |
| | Green is in! Everyone is talking about it, magazines are writing about it, celebrities are endorsing the lifestyle, and your cool neighbor is trying to convince you too! However, “It’s not easy being green.” Kermit said it, and I’m sure many of us can agree that in theory we want to provide a better tomorrow for the next generation, but it may seem too difficult to incorporate into our current lifestyles. Being environmentally conscious is something that you can gradually incorporate into your families’ lives over time. Even small changes can have a big impact. As parents, you want to set a good example by being a good citizen, one that is a good steward with their surroundings. As some of you already realized your habits and mannerisms (good or bad) are being picked up by your children. You are their first influence, so make sure it’s for positive things.Read the complete article here. |
| | 3/16/2009 8:14 PM (536d 2h 25m ago) |
|
|
|
|