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How to Choose Infant Bath Toys


Infants either enjoy their bath or they hate it and create a fuss everyday. Bath toys can make the task enjoyable in any case. However, you should be lucky enough to get the toy that will attract your baby's attention. Making this choice is difficult. Here are some tips you can consider to buy a baby bath toy:

Infants from 0 to 2 months are too small to enjoy toys while bathing. So consider this option for infants older than this.

Involve variety when you buy these toys initially. Observe what attracts your infant the most. It could be sound, color or texture. However, avoid toys with harsh sounds for infants.

Make sure the bath toys are absolutely safe. They should be free from carcinogenic substances, small and detachable parts and harmful colors. There should be no hazards resulting due to choking.

As you observe your baby's progress with age, replace the toys after every few months. They tend to explore and understand more gradually.

Your choice may be quite different from your little one's. You can take your kid to the shop and take help in selecting the toy.

Natural, organic and BPA-free toys are the best choice. Search various websites to find out brands that deal in quality toys. One of them is Fisher Price that specializes in infant toys.

Along with toys, strictly observe the safety rules when bathing your infant.

Bath toys

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How to Choose a Mattress for a Crib


A good crib mattress is as important as a good and sturdy crib. Infants spend most of their time having small naps and also play in the crib when they are a little older. An improper mattress not only causes discomfort to the baby but may also hamper the development due to the improper postures. Here are some tips that will help you select a good mattress for your infant's crib:

The dimensions of the mattress should be in proportion to the dimensions of the crib. Check the crib dimensions before you buy the mattress.

The material of which the mattress is made up of is your choice. You may go in for foam or a coil mattress or can opt for an organic mattress made up of organic cotton or organic wool. In any case, check for the standard requirements of each material and be sure they are comfortable for the infant.

The cost of the mattress should not be a concern. Mattresses are costly but your baby's comfort is priceless. Always select a good quality mattress.

There are mattresses made of materials that may be fire or even moisture resistant. There are special mattresses for infants with good ventilation. This minimizes the risk of suffocation. So when buying a mattress, make sure the dealer really knows about infant bedding and accessories.

Make sure that the baby bedding is free of any chemicals or toxins.

Warning: Always make sure the mattress has no sharp springs coming up. There should be no cotton or foam springing out. This is very risky for the baby. When putting your baby off to sleep, remove extra blankets, bedding accessories or toys if spread around. Place the infant in a comfortable position and watch over when asleep.

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How to Buy a Baby Crib

DaVinci Kalani 4-in-1 Convertible Crib with Toddler Rail
When you plan the interior of the nursery for your baby, the crib is the most important feature. The infant stage of the child is spent mostly in the crib. With so many varieties and brands of cribs in the market, it becomes really difficult to finalize on to something really special for your angel. Secondly, as a new parent you need to look into the finer details of this furniture item other than its attractive appearance. Here are some clues about it:

Survey the market for various brands, prices and designs. It will help you to decide what exactly you are looking for.

The crib can come with or without wheels. In case you wish to buy a crib with wheels, check the type of wheels and moreover the wheel lock. That's very important for the safety of your infant.

The design of the crib is another important aspect. Go in for a sturdy crib preferably wooden with a good quality finish. Check the design to ensure there is no risk wherein the baby's body parts can get caught. Prefer a crib without detachable parts to avoid any risk.

The dimensions of the crib is also important. Make sure it can accommodate a baby upto at least 2 years of age. There are cribs more spacious than that too.

There are cribs with one or more drop down sides. Though it seems convenient it can be risky at times particularly in case of toddlers.

Some cribs can be converted into toddler or children beds and thus are useful for years. However, these convertible cribs are costly. If you intend to change the nursery furnishings, go in for the simple crib that can serve the purpose for a couple of years or more.

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How to Design Invitation Cards for a Baby Shower Party

Baby shower is the most awaited event during pregnancy. It is equally exciting for the mom-to-be, the entire family as well as the person who hosts the party. It is actually the first event to invite the baby into the family with pomp and pleasure. Like any other function or party, baby shower needs to be planned and executed. There are a lot many options in case of the party themes, invitation cards, games, gifts and even baby shower cakes. Designing the invitation card is the first step that goes into your baby shower preparation. Here are few tips for the same:

Consult the new parents-to-be, especially the mom and fix up the date, time and venue.

If you are planning a theme based baby shower, you can narrow the card designing with respect to the party theme.

You can get the cards designed as per your specifications. Including quotes, verses or something that is your own creation is a great idea. Professionals give you many options for customized cards.

If you are an artist or amateur, design your own card. The market is flooded with variety of materials for decoration.

If you are in touch with everyone through the Internet, invite them for the baby shower by sending an e-card. Again this can be designed or is readily available on the Internet. This gives you an option to use animated cards.

Make your card flowery, dreamy and mention something special about the parents or the family. In fact you may go for gender specific cards too if it is advisable.

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How to Buy a Diaper Cake for a Baby Shower Party

A diaper cake is the crown in the jewel when you throw a baby shower party. The cake is gifted usually by a close relative or a friend. Diaper cakes can be made or purchased. A diaper cake is a single or multi tier cake made up of various items that a would-be-mom would need for her infant.You can decorate it as creatively as a Christmas tree! When you buy a diaper cake, here are some things you need to consider:

Your budget is the first thing you need to consider. If you go in for branded diaper cakes or those that are exclusively decorated, it becomes a costly affair. Other way round, you can purchase a basic diaper cake and decorate it at home.

The cost of the diaper cake depends on the tiers and the quality and amount of utility items that are used.

Insist on quality. A diaper cake is made up of diapers, toys, baby bath items and infant accessories. All of these need to be of premium quality and no compromise on that. Ask for a suitable cover that can be used to preserve it after the baby shower function.

When you buy the cake, check the items that are used for it. Many a times the same varieties are repeated. Ask the dealer for variation in toys or baby products. A made-to-order cake is always better.

Sometimes diaper cakes are made and decorated exclusively for a baby boy or baby girl. There are gender neutral cakes too. You can make the choice.

It is advisable if the cake is packed off properly or dissembled after the baby shower celebration.

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How to Buy a Rattle for Your Baby

The first toy to which an infant or a baby responds is a rattle. Babies respond to the movement, sound and the bright colours of the rattle. Infants from 0 to 1 year old happily get engaged with rattles and hence it is one of the best toy to gift too. When buying a rattle, there are a few things you need to look into:

The appearance and output of the rattle should be pleasant. It should not make shrill or harsh sounds but pleasant ones. Also, it should be made of materials that are safe even if the baby chews the rattle. You can go in for branded rattles. Fisher Price, Baby Einstein are some of the well known brands.

With every few months, babies respond in different ways to this toy. A newborn baby will give responses but will not be able to handle it. In the next few months the infant would want to feel it and try it. Little older babies play with the rattles and also tend to bite, chew them and throw them as well. Accordingly the rattles should be vibrant, safe, and light in weight.

When buying a rattle always prefer the ones that occur as a single piece and make sure that they are not open or likely to open from anywhere.

Rattles also come in various forms. They are available as teethers, socks and wrist rattles. In any case, make sure that they are absolutely safe for the infant.

Some rattles are heavy and the infant may get hurt. Avoid buying heavy rattles.

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Tips for Buying a Teether for a Baby

Babies start teething from somewhere around 4 months, though it may be late in some cases. During this phase, the gums become sensitive and sore and as the teeth emerges, it results in pain. The baby thus appears restless and tends to chew and bite into a lot of things. Teethers or gum soothers are an ideal option in these days. Nowadays teethers occur in a wide range of varieties. Some of them are as follows:

Teethers occur in bright colours and various shapes like those of animals, flowers and fruits.

They are made of variety of materials. You can go in for slicone or natural rubber. Most of
them are purely organic and thus BPA, PVC and pthalate free. Some teethers are filled with sterilized water that is absolutely safe and can be cooled. However, you need to be careful in this case if the baby is too small.

Nowadays teethers occur in specialized forms depending on the age of the baby. Thus you get teethers for the front teeth as well as for the molars.

Teethers may occur in various forms like toys, pacifiers and even blankets! There are textured teething surfaces at the corners of the blankets. Some teethers also come in as Mom's jewellery that the baby can chew on.

When you buy a teether, always go in for well known brands when you buy a teether, since it is going to be chewed by your infant.

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How to Choose a Unique Baby Name

When you receive the news of your pregnancy, everyone in the family gets curious whether it would be a baby boy or baby girl. You and hubby dear start dreaming of the little one. You all are enthusiastic about deciding the baby's name.Without being concerned whether it is a boy or a girl, you shortlist all the possible names that you like. The older and the younger members of the family also do not lack in this enthusiasm. But many a times, it really becomes confusing to narrow down your choice and select a name that would satisfy all the criteria. Here are few tips on the various ways which help you selet a suitable name for your baby:

List out all the criteria. It could be that you prefer a short and sweet name or it could be that you want it to suit the last name. Some of you may prefer names with deeper meaning while some go in for trendy names. Decide what the priorities are.

The alphabet of the name is also an important factor. You may want it as a family style. Howeever, this restricts your choice a bit.

The baby name selection may be a moral binding when religion, horoscope or the choice of grandparents comes in. Sometimes the baby is named after some person in the family.

Whatever be the case, websites are a great resource for baby names. They provide huge variety of names along with their origin, meaning and alternatives as well.

Last but not the least, go in for a name that is easy to spell and pronounce. As far as possible it could be in synch with the last name.

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How to Manage the Baby Sleep Patterns

Well, you both are glad to be a proud Mom and Dad as you get your little bundle of joy home.You are also set with the information on baby care and things like that. However, your little one gives you jitters as she abruptly remains awake throughout the night or prefers to have short naps.This may go on for weeks as your baby just refuses to give in to your efforts to make her sleep. Here are some tips on how to understand the management of newborns and sleep:

You need to understand that your little one has just entered this world and is trying to adapt to the surroundings. So many a times, babies take time to settle themselves in a routine.

Though your knowledge from the internet, books and advice from the elders have taught you many things, always remember that every baby is unique and has individual habits. You cannot relate the baby sleep patterns in anyway.

Check out the basic comforts when you put your baby to sleep. The room should have the temperature maintained. The light arrangement should be dim and soft. Cribs, swings or a small baby mattress are ideal options. Babies love to be swayed and sleep faster.

Soothe the baby when you are putting her off to sleep. A sweet lullaby, warm caresses and the warmth of your lap or arms makes them feel secure.

Newborns have a tendency to have short naps as they wake up frequently for feeds and diaper changes! This duration could be two to three hours and the cycle goes on irrespective of days or nights.

Infant colic is one reason that could keep your little one awake. When the baby is not ready to take in feeds or immediately gets upset after being breastfed or shows definite patterns of irritation or crying, you need to consult the child care specialist.

Apart from colic there could be some other reason that makes your baby uncomfortable. It could be the change in weather, rise in heat or cold or something else.You need to check them out.

Some babies just don't like to be wrapped up or swaddled and you may take time to realize this.

Inspite of all this, some babies do keep awake for several nights.Some have their share of sleep during daytime and play off at nights.If the baby is up and well, you need to accept the pattern till they are a little old and you can mould them for a routine.

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