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Saturday, December 8, 2012

The Baby's Sleeping Essentials

Little babies sleep about seventy percent of the day. They also have irregular sleeping patterns, and they can be quite a handful to put to bed. But then, if you're equipped with the right sleeping essentials (e.g. like the Sealy Baby Ultra Rest mattress or the Sealy Perfect Rest crib mattress, etc.), getting the baby to go to sleep won't be any trouble at all.

Today, one will find a ton of baby products out in the market. When it comes to sleeping essentials, a lot of parents actually get surprised because not all of the stuff they end up buying are even necessary. Here are a couple of things that parents often think are needed, but aren't actually really necessary:

1. A Large-Sized Crib

A practical shopper would usually go with a bigger-sized crib because he/she is thinking of long-term use. Though it is indeed budget-friendly to do, it's not actually recommended by the experts. A right-sized crib should be bought for an infant. Meaning, it should be a crib that's just the right size -- enough room to move but not too much to the point that the child can fall out between the bars or get his/her head stuck in its corners.

2. A Pillow

Pillows are always associated with sleeping. When it comes to babies, pillows aren't actually necessary. According to medical experts, pillows aren't recommended for children 2 and below because they might suffocate on it. In case you'd really want to give the child a pillow, get one of those non-suffocating and hypo allergenic types.

3. A Mobile

Mobiles are those little rotating trinkets that are hung from the crib, right above the baby's head. Even to adults, looking at a spinning mobile is somewhat hypnotizing that it can make you fall asleep. Though mobiles can indeed help in putting a child to sleep, it's not really a requirement. Truth is, experts won't even recommend to have a mobile hung the whole day or night long as this might have a negative effect on the baby's eye sight.

4. Lullabies

Soothing lullabies can surely send someone to dreamland. However, this is also an option if you'd like to play lullabies for the child or not. Moreover, one should take note that every child is different, and there are really children who can't sleep when there's any noise (yes, even music like lullabies). So playing lullabies only works on a case to case basis.

These are just four of the many other things that most people don't totally understand about the baby's sleeping essentials. One other point that parents ought to understand about babies and sleeping is that you could actually find a way to somehow "regularize" his or her sleeping pattern. Doing so just requires establishing a regular routine.

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Top 5 Best Baby Stroller Accessories

Strollers make it convenient to bring your young with you whether you're out strolling at the park, running errands in the city, or going out hiking on the hills. Strollers make it possible for parents to live and keep their active lifestyles. Having a stroller to keep your baby is sometimes not enough, however. You also need to have stroller accessories to keep your things, entertain your baby, and make it easier for you to do activities while taking care of your child. Read this baby stroller review for more insight on best baby stroller accessories.

Accessories to Consider

1. Baby toys are great for keeping your young one entertained. There is such a wide variety of toys. They come in different colors, sizes, and some are also musical. It can help soothe babies and provide a distraction when needed. These can be attached to the best baby strollers.

2. Insect netting is important especially if you are a family that loves the outdoors. This netting will keep baby from pesky insects and give you peace of mind that you do not need to keep your eye focused on every insect that flies by. The netting is soft and will allow air to pass through so that your baby can breathe.

3. Baskets can be attached to the stroller. This provides extra storage for things that you need. You can place your drinks and snacks for the day. Families that love to go on picnics should consider this accessory.

4. Rain covers are needed if you live in rainy areas. In this way, you will always be prepared outdoors whether the sun is out or not.

5. Cup holders are handy for older children. It can be attached to the stroller and locked so that it does not come off easily. Some holders are insulated to keep drinks warm or cool.

Accessories are in so many forms and designs that it can be quite tempting to buy all that you see. However, in order to make the most out of your money, consider the tips below from this baby stroller review.

1. Think about your needs. Do you need extra storage? Is your baby too young for a cup holder? Do you need gear for the outdoors or do you spend most of your time going around the mall?

2. Set a budget for yourself. This will help you prioritize what you need to buy. Plus, if you go on a shopping spree for things you do not really need, most likely you will never use it.

3. The materials that accessories are made of are important. You want to make sure that baby toys you get are deemed safe for babies and it also best to invest in accessories in which the material is strong and can last for a long period of time.

How to Plan Your Nursery Decor Around Your Baby Bedding

You have searched high and low for the perfect baby bedding for your soon-to-arrive bundle of joy. However, you have not put too much thought into how you plan to design and decorate the rest of the baby nursery. If it's all about baby bedding for you, you can easily plan your room around the bedding you have selected. Read on to learn a few tips for planning your nursery decor around your baby bedding set.

Accent Colors

Analyze your baby's bedding and pull out at least 2 colors you wish to utilize as nursery accent colors. For example, if your baby bedding is a rustic plaid print, you may pick up on a deep hunter green tone and some specks of grey in the sheet set. You can choose to keep walls neutral and paint them beige, khaki, or cream; and garnish the rest of the nursery in the green and grey tones by featuring them in curtains, blinds, shelves, a glider, accent pillows, a changing table pad cover, or plush throw rug.

Color Blocking

If you choose solid toned bedding, consider using color blocking to accent and decorate the rest of the baby nursery. Color blocking occurs when contrasting but complementary colors come together. Some unexpected color combinations that work together when color blocked are tangerine orange and navy blue, aqua blue and yellow, cherry red and fuchsia, navy blue and pink, mint green and melon, or even lilac and sherbet orange. These color combinations can be cohesively worked into the walls and bedding, or even added as pops of color on a toy or book shelf, carpet and curtain combination, or in a wallpaper print.

Tone

Once you select your dream baby bedding, look closely at its tone. If it has a warm tone (red, yellow, orange, gold); consider choosing a brown crib, changing table, and dresser. If it has a cool tone (blue, purple, green); consider choosing black furniture. If your bedding is more on the pastel side or a classic neutral tone like ivory, beige, stone grey, or even white; you may wish to choose ultra-light furniture painted white or ivory shades.

Theme Inspiration

Let your ideal baby bedding inspire you. Is there something on the bedding that screams "theme?" If so, go with your gut! White eyelet bedding is perfect for a vintage theme nursery, while seersucker bedding will work with a nautical theme.

Many mothers to be choose their baby bedding first and decorate the baby nursery around it. Follow the four tips above to make preparing the nursery a fun and easy task!

Focusing on Fun: Setting Your Two Year Old's Bedroom Up for Learning

Ah, the terrific twos! What would we do without them? I'll tell you what - we'd miss out on one of the most critical periods for brain development. There are a number of things that you can do to support this important time, and believe me, it can be a challenge! What doesn't have to be challenging, though, is setting up the environment. Let's explore a few things that can be done to help support little ones in this terrific (albeit, sometimes terrible) time!

Less Is More -- A cliché, but so true! Toddlers are VERY easily overwhelmed. Stick to fewer toys and put them on open shelves so that they are easily visible. When a toddler sees a toy that stands alone in its own space, he is more likely to engage with it, which is the first step to initiating learning. Avoid toy boxes as best you can-they often end up with toys exploding all over the room, and can deter your child from wanting to play with anything at all.

Soft, Muted, Simple -- Too many colors can be just as overwhelming for your tot. I know we're all tempted to paint the walls red, yellow, and blue, and have a colorful and stimulating learning mat, as well as wall hangings with a million different letters and numbers and colors - but STOP! Kids at this age can focus best with muted colors. Primary colors, while popular with kids, are often incredibly over stimulating and can overload their brains.

Make Books Available -- Keep a small basket of books next to the bed for your child to access at any time. As they grow, you'll want them to have access to a bookshelf, but for now just having a handful of books available within their reach is great. Make sure to swap them out every once in a while for variety, but not too often so that they can learn rhythms, patterns, and stories by repetition. Read to them, but also allow them to explore books at their own pace and on their own time. Even being familiar with how to hold a book and turn the pages is a step toward reading.

Take The Pieces Out of the Puzzle -- That's right, you heard me! Why? When a toddler sees a puzzle with all the pieces in it, they see something that is complete-so why even touch it? Put the pieces in a small basket to the left of the puzzle board and watch what happens. Give them the freedom to put the pieces in the wrong spaces, upside-down, or even dump the basket-and then wait. All of this exploring will help them to discover all about puzzles. Don't worry, they'll get it eventually. Why put the pieces to the left of the board, specifically? This helps to develop the "left to right scanning" technique they will need for reading!

Have a Solid Workspace and a "Snuggle Spot" -- A child this age will want a table or someplace solid to run cars, set up play dishes, draw, etc. But, they will also need a place to collapse, to snuggle with their caregiver, or to pat their baby doll's back as she goes to sleep. Make sure that both of these places are present in their space. If there's not enough room where they sleep, make sure a play surface is present somewhere in your home.

Being two is hard work. We can all relate to how it felt being a little person in a big person's world. Having a space that meets the needs of someone so small shows them that they are special, important, and a valued member of your family.

Baby's 1st Birthday Party Ideas

Your baby reaching their first birthday is a landmark and deserves to be celebrated in style. However many parents spend weeks, even months trying to come up with a suitable birthday party theme. After all what can you do to entertain a room full of one year olds?

A baby sensory party is a great solution for tots and is suitable from newborn upwards. The additional bonus is that it doesn't have to cost the earth. Most of the equipment you need can be purchased or made cheaply. You may even find local companies who will supply everything you need.

A sensory party is all about just that. Senses.

You will need:

1. Some shallow trays. Toy box lids are a fantastic option. 2. Dried spaghetti 3. Jelly 4. Glow in the dark balls. These can be purchased from walkaround stores for less than £1 each. 5. Some blankets to make a den (or a small tent if you have one). 6. dried rice and empty plastic bottles with lids. 7. Corn Flour 8. Lots of old sheets (preferably plastic sheeting, the plastic party table clothes you can get are good).

First things first. Think about the room you will be holding the party in and set out 5 stations.

Station 1.

In the darkest corner build your den. You want to make it as dark as possible but not completely covered. The parents will need to keep an eye on their little ones so it's best to leave one whole side open.

Place a few textured cushions in the den so that the babies can experience different 'feels'. Don't use your best fabrics as they'll undoubtedly get messy!

Add the glow-in-the-dark balls to the den.

Station 2 - Jelly Tray.

Simply make up your jelly as per the instructions and pour in to one of the shallow trays. Put in the fridge to set. Lay out a plastic sheet and place the set jelly in it's tray on the sheet.

Station 3 - Spaghetti Tray

Cook the spaghetti as per the instructions. Run under cold water and pour into one of the shallow trays. Place the cold spaghetti in it's tray on a plastic sheet.

Station 4 - Corn Flour Tray

Pour a small packet of corn flour into a shallow tray and add enough water to make a thick, gloopy consistency. Place this in it's tray on a plastic sheet.

Station 5 - Maracas

Pour some dried rice in to clean, dry plastic bottles. Replace the lids tightly. You can decorate the bottles with wrapping paper if you want them to look more attractive.

Once you've set out your stations you're ready to let the babies loose. It's a good idea to cover anything you don't want to get messy. Everything suggested in this article is fairly easy to clean up and by using food items you don't have to worry about the little ones putting things in their mouths (which they inevitably will do).

Be imaginative and add as many sensory rich items as you can think of.

Your one year old will love exploring the new tastes, sounds and textures and is sure to have a fun, messy birthday.

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Top 4 Convenient Features of Double Strollers and Its Advantages

Double strollers come very handy especially for parents who have two children or twins. These are beneficial in times when a family outing is scheduled which consists of a lot of walking or when a family would like to go jogging together. There are other handy uses for double strollers as the child continues to grow. Double strollers could either be a side to side, tandem, front and rear, and more. To learn about the different features that you should consider in looking for, continue to read below.

Double strollers are all about keeping children safe and making it convenient for parents to bring their young around.

1. Babies or children would enjoy their strollers better if it provided good comfort. Comfort features include padded seats or headrests, reclining seats, and more.

2. There is an array of styles to choose from. Plus, strollers come in different colors. You can find a style that will bring out you and our baby's personality.

3. Most importantly, features included should be about the safety of the children. Strollers should have seat belts. On top of that, they should also have brakes in the front and in the back in order to keep the stroller from running without you.

4. If you have an older child and a younger one, you can also look for a feature that will allow both of them to ride the stroller at one time. In this case, there are some strollers that allow the youngest child who cannot walk to ride in the seat while the older one can stand on the platform of the stroller behind the seat. In this way, both of them get a free ride.

Double strollers provide advantages. Here are a few of them:

Taking them out to public areas like a shopping mall can become quite a challenge if one is left to walk on his own while the other is carried in your arms. With a double stroller you could have both of them in it. This way you do not have to be stuck at home but can roam around with your children under your watchful eye. Traveling and sightseeing can now be checked on your list since you can do it with this stroller. Especially when the sunlight will come out. This stroller can help you. A sit and stand double stroller will allow you to take your children out even if they are of different age groups. A double stroller can do other tasks such as carry groceries for you, and it can continue to be used for several more years. With this kind of stroller, you don't need to buy another branded single stroller which can take the extra money.

Double strollers can last for a long time while fulfilling many tasks as the child continues to grow. Compare styles, features, and prices online to find one that best suits your needs. You can buy them most definitely for function then followed budget and style.