Baby Tips

The best burp cloth, as a matter of fact, isn’t a burp cloth at all!  I’ve tried the flannel and terry cloth varieties, and they’ve all been one big, non-absorbent disappointment.  I was discussing this with my sister, and she recommended using cloth diapers as a burp rag.  Yes, I said cloth diapers!  She gave me some that she had on hand and I haven’t turned back since!  Specifically, they are the Gerber pre-fold cloth diapers.

So what is so great about them?  First of all, they are large.  They will easily cover your entire shoulder with room to spare, so no worrying about baby missing the mark.  Even better is their thickness.  Since they are made to be used as diapers, they are much thicker than your typical burp cloth.  If your baby spits up a lot, it will do a great job absorbing it instead of letting it run right through the material.  The material is much more durable than flannel and terry cloth burp rags, but it is still soft and pliable. 

I also love that the cloth diapers can be used for other purposes.  I use them on a daily basis when I feed my son cereal.  I tuck them into his shirt to make a bib and it covers his entire chest and lap, unlike a typical bib which just protects his chest.  I don’t have a problem with food getting on his clothes when I use the cloth diaper.  I also use these for a simple drool/runny nose cloth.  Once again, the absorbency of these cloths work great to wipe the face off because it doesn’t just smear around the wetness on his face. 

If you are the type of person that fashion is more important than function, consider purchasing some decorative trim from a craft store and sewing two strips along each side for trim.  It’s a simple and inexpensive way to dress up a basic cloth diaper and you don’t have to sacrifice fashion for function.

Don’t waste your time on other burp cloths and give these old-fashioned cloth diapers a try!

Want to spice up your nursery walls and not break the bank?  Here is a simple and inexpensive idea to get you started.  I personally did this for my son’s nursery.

1.  Buy inexpensive picture frame/s

These come in all colors. I love classic black and white!

For my project I bought four large plastic picture frames that came with a white matting.  They were only $3 a piece. If you are able to spend more money, you can get a rich-looking, long-lasting wood frame.

2.  Buy paints and supplies

If you don’t already have brushes and paints on hand, you can easily find some at a craft store or maybe you know someone who can lend them to you.  Choose colors that match your room’s theme.  I bought two shades of brown and two shades of blue and white for accenting since these were the colors I was using in the nursery.

3.  Get creative

It’s time to paint!  I simply used the paper that came inside the frame and painted the back.  This way I had a sure fit when I was done.  Choose your design and go for it.  Don’t stress over trying to make your painting look perfect.  Imperfections give character.  In my case, I didn’t do the painting at all.  I asked my nieces and nephews to do it for me!  They each got their own paper and I told them they could paint whatever they wanted (using the colors I provided), just as long as they filled the paper completely.  So how did it turn out?  I got four unique, abstract pieces of art to group above my sons crib.  They loved the fact that they were painting something for baby, and I loved the fact that the paintings had sentimental value.

So, what do you think? Share your projects and ideas with me!

In a recent post, I wrote about five baby products that I couldn’t live without.  However, there are also some products out there that I would think twice before buying.  Here are five I think you are better off saving your money on. 

1.  The Crib Bumper

Research has been done on SIDS cases to show that the less you have in your babies crib, the better off you are in protecting them from SIDS.  Yes, bumpers may look cute, but baby’s safety comes first.  So save your money.

2.  The Crib Mobile

While on the subject of cribs, the crib mobile is another product that you can pass on.  Once again, mobiles may be cute, but the truth of the matter is that your baby will spend most of their time sleeping in their crib, not staring at the mobile.  When baby is awake and playful, they are most likely going to be spending time with you, and not in their crib.

3.  The Baby Sling

Not to be confused with the Moby Wrap or a Baby Bjorn carrier, baby slings are both limited in use and a possible safety hazard.  These type of carriers are only able to be used with newborns and very small infants, so they are not great for long-term use.  Their safety is also questionable.  These types of slings are not securely wrapped around the body, and the way baby is laid in the sling can be a breathing hazard.  They are also uncomfortable and can hurt your back and shoulder because the weight is placed on just one side of the body. Considering these factors, there are much safer and more versatile carriers to spend your money on.  I personally recommend the Moby Wrap.

4.  The Bassinet

Over-priced and, oftentimes, underused, bassinets are the type of product everyone likes to think you’ll need, but they really aren’t necessary.  For the few short weeks or months you decide to keep your baby in the room, if at all, you are better off getting a hand-me-down.  Bassinets are expensive, and babies outgrow them quickly. 

5.  The Baby Bath Tub

Save your money and your back and pass on the baby tub.  I learned quickly that bending over the side of the tub during bath time was very awkward and hard to hang on to baby, whether they are in their own baby tub or not.  I highly recommend using the kitchen sink.  It’s smaller and at your level, making it easy to hold onto baby and save your back at the same time.

Do you agree or disagree with my list of over-rated baby products?  What products do you find to be over-rated?

After much trial-and-error in making purchases, I’ve compiled a list of the top five must-have products for baby.  Hopefully you will soon agree that these products are hard to live without!

1.  The Moby Wrap

This carrier has turned out to be a life-saver!  It’s simple, it’s comfortable, and baby will love it, particularly is they are a high-maintenance baby who wants to be carried most of the time.  The Moby will allow you to get things done with two hands but keep baby content and safe at the same time.  Check out my review of the Moby Wrap.

2.  The Exersaucer

As soon as baby is old enough to support their head and their weight on their legs, the exersaucer will make a great activity.  It keeps them contained and in close reach of a variety of toys and activities, which babies will love practicing their grabbing and chewing skills on.  Although a larger investment, baby will get hours of use and you will get hours to get things done. 

3.  The Pacifier Clip

A simple and inexpensive solution to a very annoying problem, the pacifier clip is simply something that I could not live without.  As much as babies like to spit out their pacifiers, this is a sure solution to keep it from hitting that dirty floor at the store.

4.  The Vulli Teether

Hands down, this is by far the best and favorite teether for my son.  Don’t waste your money buying a lot of teethers when you have this one!  Read about what makes the Vulli teether so great.

5.  The Bumbo Baby  Sitter

This handy little chair is great for babies when they are able to hold their heads on their own.  It’s a molded booster chair that comfortably and safely props your baby up in the sitting position so they can look around.  It is great for play or feeding time, or for that fussy baby that wants to sit and watch you everywhere you go.

Do you agree with my list of must-have baby products?  What other baby products do you consider must-haves?

There are a million different baby products out there on the market and sometimes it’s seems hard and almost impossible to decide what is going to be best for baby.  Just go stand in the baby bottle aisle at your favorite retailer and see how many choices of this product alone there are to choose from.  It can be downright overwhelming to pick something as simple as what to feed your baby with, especially if you’re new to the baby scene.  There are so many options to choose from, from vented to wide-mouthed to drop-ins to double-nippled.  How is one going to make sense of it all and decide what is best for baby, and secondly, best for you.

In this particular article, I’m going to address just one basic component of the bottle; what it’s made of.  The most common types of bottles are made of either glass or BPA-free plastic.  Are you trying to decide between the two?  I personally have used both glass and plastic, so I will give a break down of what I liked and disliked about each and conclude which I like the best.

First of all, the plastic bottle I first used for my son was the Breastflow bottle by First Years.  The makers of this bottle claim that it helps support breastfeeding by mimicking the feel and flow of a breast.  My son took to it right away and had no problems switching back and forth between bottle and breast.  I also have used the plastic bottles that came with my Medela Freestyle breast pump, mainly for milk storage.  So what did I like best about using plastic bottles?  Probably what attracts most moms to plastic; I liked that I didn’t have to worry about them breaking when dropped.   As baby gets older and is able to hold his own bottle, it will be nice to know that the dropped bottle won’t have a chance of shattering.  It’s a safety thing.  No one wants to put baby in harms way.  Another plus is that plastic is light-weight.  When hauling around a diaper bag on your shoulder a good part of the day, it’s nice to have the lightest items possible, and plastic obviously wins in this respect.

So what are the disadvantages of plastic?  At first I didn’t notice so it so much, but the more I used the bottles, they seemed to form a permanent film on the inside that cannot be removed with scrubbing.  To make things worse, scrubbing oftentimes scratches the bottle.  Plastic is very susceptible to scratches and dings.  For those of you who are clean freaks and perfectionists, you will probably not like the way your once perfect bottles look after a couples months or even weeks of use.  Also, plastic bottles like to bounce around the dishwasher for those who like to wash their bottles in this fashion.  Another disadvantage of plastic is the possible  leaking of chemicals when the bottles are warmed.  By now we have all heard of the BPA scare, a chemical that used to be in plastic baby bottles that was afraid to cause a number of hormone issues in rats and possibly humans.  Yes, BPA has now been removed from plastic baby bottles, but who is to say that there isn’t another possibly harmful chemical in the plastic that we don’t know about yet?  Plastic definitely has it’s drawbacks.

Now to evaluate glass.  I have also used the Evenflo classic glass nursers.  They are a basic glass bottle, with no bells or whistles, for a very reasonable price.  My son has had no problem with their design.  One of the biggest advantages to glass is clean-ability.  There never is, and never will be, any built up residue from milk, even after months of use.  Every time they are cleaned they come out looking as good as the day you bought them.  They are also scratch resistant.  You can use a bottle brush on them all you want and there will be no scratching.  Another advantage with glass is that you don’t have to worry about any chemicals leaking into the milk, which is an added bonus to parents out there who are extra careful about what is put into baby’s body.  Glass also holds heat longer than plastic, so warmed milk keeps its temperature longer.

The disadvantages to glass are quite obvious.  Glass is heavy, and glass is breakable.  Babies using glass bottles may have a little more trouble learning to hold their own bottle since it is heavier for them to hold.  And of course glass always has the ability to break, although most glass bottles are made heavy duty and don’t break very readily.  Silicone bottle sleeves are also available to protect bottles from breaking.

Having personally used both glass and plastic bottles, I have found that I am most into glass bottles.  Although they are not perfect, I love the fact that they are perfectly clean and perfectly safe for baby.  I haven’t had a dropped bottle break yet and I love their classic simplicity. 

I would recommend, for those who are unsure of whether glass or plastic is best, to try out both and decide what works best for your baby and your lifestyle.  Clearly there are advantages and disadvantages to both glass and plastic.  What is best for baby, and you, is what features you place as the most important.  There really is no right or wrong answer.  Just find what is right for you and your baby.

Read in-depth reviews on the Breastflow bottle and Evenflo Glass Nursers right now!

Do you prefer glass or plastic baby bottles?  Why?

One of my friends bought the funniest chew toy I’ve ever seen for my son, but it turned out to be the best!  It’s the Vulli Chan Pie Gnon natural rubber teether, and it’s everything a baby could ever want in a chew toy.  It’s narrow neck and soft rubber body makes it very easy for baby to hang onto, even when they are just learning to grasp objects.  The cute mushroom shape is fun for little baby gums to chomp on, and they will especially love the large bump on top of the mushroom’s head to suck on.  When squeezed it lets out a soft squeak which makes baby laugh.  Plus its little eyes and freckles make it so cute!  It is by far the most liked chew toy for my baby, and I’m sure yours!  They also make one with a loop and one with two bumps on the head for different textures.  Try it out!  I’m sure your baby will be into it!

It’s the age-old question asked to every new mom: Are you planning on staying home with baby or going back to work?  If only the answer was always easy.  Many factors come into play in making this huge decision, from money, to social life, to baby’s best interest.  For most mothers, there never really seems to be one clear answer.  So if the answer is not black-and-white, how does one decide whether to be a stay-at-home mom or to re-enter the workforce after baby arrives?  Hopefully this article can help you weigh the pros and cons of each in order to make the best decision for your situation. 

The first and most important thing to ask yourself in making the decision is what will be best for the overall health of your family?  By health I mean physically, emotionally, spiritually, and financially.  If you are married or in a committed relationship, it is vital that you consider your partner’s wishes as to what they think is best.  Making such a huge decision on your own without placing importance on your significant other’s opinion of the matter will only strain your relationship and make an unhealthy environment for your baby.  So before doing anything else, start a dialogue with whom it matters most; your family.  If you have your partner’s support, it will make your decision a much easier one.

Probably the biggest concern about making the decision to be a stay-at-home-mom is finances.  Unfortunately, the world runs off of money and I don’t see that fact changing anytime soon.  In order to provide for your baby in the best way possible, there has to be income.  In a perfect world, a mother would never have to go back to work when her heart is telling her to stay home with baby, but in many cases it just isn’t possible.  If you are a single mom and have no choice but to return to work, be proud in knowing that you are caring for your baby in the best way possible by being their provider.  If you are married but you must go back to work, know that you are keeping a huge burden off of your spouse’s shoulders by helping provide for the family.  If you think you may want to stay home with baby but aren’t sure you can afford it, you need to sit down and physically crunch the numbers and make honest answers to some important questions.  Would we be able to pay the bills from one income?  If not, are we willing or able to downgrade our lifestyle or living arrangements?  Will we still have or be able to afford health insurance?  Is health insurance a necessity to us?  Will living off of one income be too much of a stressor on our relationship?  These questions, and more, need to be addressed in order to make the best decision for your family. 

For some people, finances really aren’t an issue.  At times, deciding to be a stay-at-home mom is more of a social and professional decision.  Are you the type of person that needs or desires regular contact with other adults?  Do you need to feel as if you are contributing your ideas and talents to the outside world?  Do you have an education or are you a professional that wants to further your career?  Women who answer ‘yes’ to these questions may be more apt to returning to work after having baby.  There is nothing wrong with this.  Women who have worked hard to reach a certain position in their workplace may have a hard time giving that up, and they shouldn’t have to.  You will be the best mother possible by doing what keeps you the happiest and healthiest. On the other hand, some professional women may find that they will feel most valued staying home full-time with baby.  Ask yourself into which category you fall. 

Although deciding to be a stay-at-home-mom should very much be a logical decision, it is often an emotional one.  Mothers have an intense bond with baby, and many times women think that by returning to work you will be breaking that bond.  This is simply not true.  Your baby knows you and you know your baby more than anyone else, and deciding to go back to work will not change that.  Putting your baby in a daycare will not change this fact either.  If your heart is telling you to go back to work, by all means, go back to work, guilt-free!  But if the thought of you dropping your baby off at a daycare makes you break out in a sweat or weep uncontrollably, you just may want to consider staying home.  Of every mom I have ever talked to who made the tough decision to stay home with their baby, none of them have ever said they’ve regretted it.  If you’re not sure what to do, see if you can do a sort of “test run” by returning to work part-time.  By spending some days at work and some at home, it may help you decide where you’d rather be.  And sometimes many moms find that part-time is the best of both worlds.

No matter what you decide, to stay home with baby or return to work, it is usually not an easy decision to make.  There are pros and cons to each.  You and only you can decide what is best in your unique situation.  Just know that whatever you decide, your baby will be emotionally happy and healthy because you and your family will provide and nuture them in the best way possible.

Are you trying to make the decision to stay-at-home or go back to work?  Have you already made the decision?  What helped you make the choice?

Some babies seem born content and able to entertain themselves.  Others seem they constantly need to be held, walked, played with, and entertained every moment of the day or else they put up a fuss.  Does your baby sound like the latter of the two?  You just may have a high-maintenance baby.

I personally know the frustration of having a very demanding little one.  My 5 month-old son loves to be held and walked around almost every waking minute and will  put up a fuss shortly after being set down to play.  At this age babies are very aware of their surroundings.  They should be able to keep themselves entertained for part of the day as they are beginning to sharpen certain skills such as grabbing objects, chewing, and rolling over.  Although my son is reaching these milestones, he is happiest being toted around everywhere I go.  This can be very frustrating as it makes it difficult to accomplish simple tasks, housework, or even just getting a few minutes to relax during the day.  Does this sound similar to your situation?  I have found a few simple tips can help survive the high-maintenance baby.  Some may require an investment, but it will make your job much easier and your attention-loving baby happier.

My first tip to those of you with high-maintenance babies, particular those which like to be held everywhere you go, is to invest in a Moby Wrap.  I bought mine on a whim before having my son and it has been extremely useful.  The Moby Wrap is a long sheet of material that can be wrapped around your torso to serve as a baby carrier.  What I love about the moby is that it can be used many different ways to carry your baby in different positions.  It is just as useful for carrying a newborn as it is a toddler, making it one of the most versatile carriers on the market.  My Moby has been a lifesaver as it allows my baby to be wrapped closely to my body and free up both my hands.  I am able to do all types of housework and keep him contently carried with me at all times.  Yes, it is an investment, but if you have a “walk-me baby” you won’t regret the money spent.  If you’d like to read a more in-depth review on the Moby Wrap, check out my Moby Wrap Review.

Let’s face it.  You can’t carry around your baby 24/7.  You’re going to need some other forms of entertainment.  However, your high-maintenance baby may seen to get bored with different activities quickly.  It is a good idea to have a few different options for play and entertainment available.  For younger infants, a baby bouncer with built in toys or a baby gym are very appropriate.  The Fisher-Price Rainforest bouncer worked great to hold and entertain my son during his newborn stage.  Now that he is older, he is usually content playing in his Fisher-Price Rainforest baby gym for some time.  When he gets tired of that, I will try putting him in his exersaucer, which is great for babies old enough to stand with assistance and support their heads.  A great buy is the Baby Einstein Discovery activity center.  It contains many bright and interesting activities of different colors, textures, and sounds which helps entertain babies for a longer period of time.  A swing may also be a great investment, but not all babies are fond of them, so it may be wise to either purchase a used one at a garage sale or try a hand-me-down to see if you baby take to it.  We opted to buy a cheaper, smaller swing to see if our son liked it.  We went for the Fisher Price Take Along swing.  In my situation, my son is usually content playing several minutes at each separate activity.  When he gets bored with one, I move him to the next.  It may be a lot of moving around, but the minutes I have free in between are valuable.  By no means am I suggesting that fussy babies need all of these activities.  I am just making suggestions of what has worked in my situation and that you may find it works for you.

So far most of the things I mentioned require one to make an investment.  However, if you want to keep costs low or reduce clutter from toys in the house, you may be able to get by with a simpler solution.  Instead of buying a baby gym, just trying lying your baby on a blanket with some small toys on the floor.  Try placing them on their back, then side, then tummy.  Get creative when working in different areas of the house.  Set your baby in the middle of your bed when straightening the bedroom, or place them on a blanket in the clothes basket when working in the laundry room.  Many times talking to them while you’re working as well as them being able to watch your movements will keep them entertained.  Many babies labeled high-maintenance just want you to be in their sight.  Instead of using objects that are already in your house, such as a bed or clothes basket, you may feel more comfortable trying something like the Bumbo chair.  It is little molded seat that comfortably seats your baby in a sitting position even if they are unable to sit unassisted.  It is very portable and is great for bringing room-to-room.  One more low-cost option is to place your baby within view of the television.  Yes, some recommend that small children do not watch television at all, but the combination of movement and colors for babies can be captivating for some time.  And when you have a demanding baby those few minutes of being content are much needed.

It’s true, high-maintenance babies can be challenging.  The key is to use the resources that are available to you to make it easiest to function, and keep your attention-loving baby happy at the same time.  Despite what people say, a baby can’t be spoiled.  Feel privileged to have a baby that loves to be by your side as much as possible and desires your attention.

Do you have a high-maintenance baby?  How do you deal with it?

“Baby-wearing” seems to be one of the hottest trends for getting around with your baby.  The comfort and ease of having baby securely held while running errands or doing housework is a huge plus for busy moms and dads.  Baby is not only happy to be close to you at all times, but you are able to keep them content while doing activities that require two hands.

The Original Moby Wrap retails for $45.99 and comes in several different colors to compliment you and your baby’s personalities.  I selected chocolate brown, which has kept its color well after several washes (which is another great feature of the Moby), and has been a great neutral color to wear with any outfit.  Be assured that there is a color option available to suit everyone’s taste.