Baby Bath Tubs

Baby Bath Tubs - Do I Need to Buy One For My Baby?

It is easy to get carried away and buy your newborn everything they could possibly ever need. However, some things are more essential than others. A baby bath tub is one item that really can be made obsolete by you or your baby.

Some things you need to think about:

Cost

If you are going to buy a baby bath - shop around. Baby baths can cost anything from $10 to $100's (if you fancy splashing out on a roll top bath for your baby), and really depend on whether you want something stylish, or just practical.

Ease

We used a baby bath and the sink. It depended on who was bathing him. The baby bath could be used on the living room floor - until he started to splash too much! The sink was handy for a quicker bath.

Baby preference

For a while our baby developed hatred of bath time, we didn't know what to do He was about 1 1/2 and for no apparent reason at all, he seemed to be scared of water. He wouldn't use a baby bath or our bath at all. The only option left to us, was to top and tail him until the phobia passed. It worked, but it just goes to show, when YOU think something is OK for baby - they might have other ideas.

Alternatives

There are many ways to bath your baby.

In the adult bath - once your baby can sit up without assistance.
In a tummy tub or bucket bath - the 1st time you see these they look like very strange items. A tall tub that baby sits in, in the fetal position. As it replicates the womb; babies love them!
In a bowl in the sink - be careful to keep baby's head away from the taps In a baby bath with a support - these have a shaped sloping support that helps keep your baby more upright, while allowing them the freedom to splash around
In a regular baby bath. Probably the most common method.

Accessories

There are so many accessories you can buy from toys to baby bathrobes:

Toys - I really wanted my baby to have plastic bath ducks - but this was for me not him - he had absolutely no interest in them whatsoever! It was only as he got older that he started to want toys in the bath.
Bubble bath - again this is really only for when they get older. A newborn baby needs plain water for their bath - their skin just doesn't need anything in the water. Non slip bath mats - always a good idea if your child is using the bath
Baby shampoo visors - brilliant if your child starts to hate having their hair washed. It stops water running down their face and into their eyes when you rinse their hair.
Bath seats, these are great for that time when your baby is too big for a baby bath but too small for a regular bath. They can sit in a bath seat and be supported, but still have freedom to splash about.
Bath mitts and sponges, Mitts are great for washing the little ones, but a flannel or a sponge is all you really need
Bath toiletries, generally all you need is a bottle of top to toe wash for a small baby. All the talc, shampoos, bubble baths, are no good for their skin, and they really don't need them.
Baby bath robes and towels. Keep baby's towels separate from your own. Also, it is lovely to have a nice new towel to wrap them in after a bath.

Space

For me, space was an issue. Baby baths are big, our house was small. It just made so much more sense to use the sink with a bowl in it while our baby was small.

Safety

NEVER EVER leave your baby unattended in the bath. It can take a tiny amount of water and a couple of seconds for a terrible accident to happen. If you have to leave - take your baby with you.

Jane Rainford. When I was pregnant, I looked to the internet for information, but what I got was information overload. Never having been pregnant before it was all so overwhelming, I had so many questions, the internet seemed a good place to start. Once my baby was born I didn't have the time to be searching for answers, though I still had so many questions. As he is growing, I really want to pass on all I've learned to other parents who have questions, want answers, just want a laugh or to know there are other mums out there tearing their hair out too.

I'm no expert, I'm a mum - hang on maybe that does make me an expert! And boy do you learn a lot after baby is born! I run http://www.onlinemum.com From bump to toddler.

Baby Store

Shopping Tips For Baby Store Visits

By Kim M. Proulx

Attention expecting moms! You're about to find out the best way to shop for the enormous amount of baby furniture, baby gear, clothes and accessories you're going to need once your adorable angel arrives. You might have friends who have recommended certain local baby stores and products, but let's face it, when you're 8 - 9 months pregnant, the thought of going from store to store to find just the right things for your baby seems like quite a daunting task...and it is! There's an easier way. I'm referring to online shopping.

How to Pick the Best Online Baby Store

There are some truly amazing baby stores online that have everything you need for your baby in one spot, there for the picking, with just the click of a mouse. When searching for an online baby store it's recommended to pick a store that offers well known brands like Graco, DaVinci, Argington, Gerber, Safety 1st, Serta and any others that you recognize. You might also want to search for the terms organic or hypoallergenic if you're into a "green" nursery decor.

Next, check to see if the baby stores on your short list have every type of item you'll need such as: baby furniture, baby gear, baby clothes, baby toys, baby safety and health products and nursery accessories because it will definitely save you time if you get everything you need from one place. Then, if shopping on a budget, you might want to check for low shipping costs or special deals available in the baby store's clearance section.

Once you've narrowed down your list of baby stores, then it's time to pick a winner. If your top two stores meet all the previous requirements then you might consider checking their BBB grades and spending a few minutes on each site to see how easy their online store is to navigate. Also make sure they offer a few ways to contact Customer Service, such as email, phone or live chat, if you have questions. Once you've made your choice, then it's time to go shopping!

Creating your Baby Store Shopping List

Below are some suggestions of items you should put on your shopping list before surfing the net. You might even want to add some of these to your baby shower gift suggestions, so you're sure to have everything you need when you bring your baby home for the first time.

1. Baby Crib
2. Changing Table
3. Dresser
4. Glider or Rocker
5. Diaper Stacker
6. Mobile
7. Bouncer
8. Car Seat
9. Stroller
10. Baby Clothes
11. Diaper Bag
12. Diapers and Wipes
13. Baby Bathtub
14. Bibs and Bottles
15. Crib Bedding
16. Pack N Play
17. Baby socks and hats
18. Baby nightgown or sleepsack
19. Baby Toys
20. Baby ointments
21. Diaper Pail
22. Safety products, monitor, safety gates
23. High Chair

"Few!" Now that's a long list, but believe it or not you will need all of those things and then some! Babies are small, but their needs are huge, so make sure to be ready by getting all the necessities.

It's Time to Shop

When you're ready to shop, get online, head to your favorite baby store and start with baby furniture and work your way down. Looking for nursery sets is the easiest way to get a furniture combo that offers everything needed in the nursery. You might also want to check out the Best Sellers list to see what other parents are buying. This could help you narrow down your options. As for baby gear, you might want to go with a popular brand like Graco or any other well know company. Visit the brand page for your chosen Manufacturer and select items from their product list such as: stroller, car seat, pack n play, high chair, swing, activity center, diaper pail and even baby safety items like monitors.

Check Out

Once you've selected all of your items and have checked out, make sure you look at the shipping time, so you know when to expect your items to arrive. It's always smart to order baby furniture and baby gear in advance, so you're completely prepared for that special day. The best part about shopping at online baby stores is that it will take you around the same time to shop and buy all your baby items as it did to read this article!

Kim Proulx, a Certified Parent Coach, believes that parenting should be fun from the start, so she's adamant about helping people find the best baby stores online that have everything that they and their baby will need, so that baby and parents will have a more stress-free life.

Baby Reflux

Understanding Baby Reflux

By Erline Herman

Baby reflux refers to that condition in which babies throw out milk or food because of having a weak stomach valve reacting with stomach acid. Normally, the food or milk goes up the throat and is vomited out by the baby.

Sometimes, silent reflux also happens. Silent reflux is a condition often misdiagnosed or unnoticed. The baby experiences the symptoms mentioned above, except for vomiting. In some cases, babies find it more difficult to endure silent reflux. You may see your baby while feeding suddenly taking a deep swallow. It appears like a gulp that suddenly ends your baby crying out. When this happens, it is possible that the baby is swallowing back whatever has gone up on his or her throat. The situation is very difficult to babies. If you think your baby is suffering from silent baby reflux, you may take your baby to a doctor and explain your observations. If the situation of your kid seems very alarming, some tests may be done.

Normally, baby reflux begins when the baby if about 5 weeks old. This is because your baby starts consuming more milk. Common signs or reflux include screaming and fussing while being fed. They also tend to arch their backs when they are fed. Some other signs include gulping while feeding then screaming. Parents can also observe excessive drooling or sudden signs of being unhappy when laid flat.

While the situation could be common for babies under a certain age bracket, you need to see a doctor to confirm the condition and to solve the baby's uneasiness. Babies with mild reflux may be recommended to change the baby formula they are taking (if bottle feeding). Often, baby formulas that are thicker and easier to digest can help babies prevent reflux easier. For babies who are breast fed, a certain infant medication could be prescribed by the doctors. Baby reflux can be solved if you consult your doctor immediately.

Reflux may not appear too often once the baby gets introduced with solid foods. At the end of your baby's first year, reflux may rarely happen. Below are some practical tips for parents to help them avoid baby reflux as much as possible:

Do not overfeed your baby, and make sure that the baby is properly winded. Parents may just opt to feed their babies little but often. This helps them easily digest the food that they eat.
After feeding, make sure your baby is kept upright for at least 30 minutes. Avoid lying your baby flat that can trigger reflux, which can make the milk goes up the throat of the baby.
If your baby unfortunately slept right after eating, you should under more pillows to your baby. Sleeping with the baby's head higher can prevent reflux on the part of the baby.

Reflux is a very hard situation for babies. If makes them feel very uncomfortable, aside from the fact that their food intake goes to waste. Apply the tips mentioned above to help your baby prevent reflux.

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