Parenting & New Baby Advice Blog

Archive for the ‘Child Care’ Category

Every parent wants the best for their baby, and for many, that means opting to use cloth diapers.  Why?  What are the benefits?  One of the biggest is expense: a typical family will save over $2,600 by using cloth over disposable. Many times, family members or friends will sneak cloth diapers into diaper cakes or diaper bags because they're firm believers and it's no wonder why!

The benefits for your child are equally important to saving money: cloth diapered babies tend to have less diaper rash and skin irritation and they will probably be potty-trained before their disposable diaper-wearing peers.

If you are hesitant to use cloth because you fear sticking your baby in the hip with a big diaper pin or you wonder if you'll be able to wrap them correctly in order to prevent leakage, don't worry. Today's cloth diapers are much more parent-friendly and easy to use.

There is no doubt about it: diapering technology has advanced.  While it means drier bums, it can also mean intimidation for new parents.  How do you start?  Which fabric is best?  Do you need liners, doublers, or both?  And what in the world is an AIO or an AI2?

The first step is to learn about the different kinds of cloth diapers.  This isn't your grandma's square of linen anymore; you have incredible options, including:

• All in One (or AIO).  This diaper includes all the parts you need, such as an inner soaker and waterproof cover.  They are relatively easy to use and do not require additional supplies.  Many people consider them just like disposable diapers in terms of ease – the only difference is you wash it instead of throw it away!  On the con side, these take longer to dry and they can cost between $16 and $30.  Remember, though, you can use the same diaper for years.  BumGenius is a highly recommended brand, particularly their organic AIOs.
• All in Two (or AI2).  Because AIOs take so long to dry, AI2s can be a great choice.  They come apart to speed up drying times.  You simply fasten the soaker, or the inner absorbent part of the diaper, to the outer cover.

The downside to both AIOs and AI2s is that they are quite expensive because you have to have enough on hand to last until you do washing next.  Having 10 – 20 $30 diapers is a big upfront expense.  But there are some other options.

• Prefolds. These are the least expensive option.  They look like squares of cloth but have prefold seams to help make diapering a bit easier.  You fold them into a rectangle and put them inside a diaper cover (which are inexpensive and can be reused between changings). You then fasten the cover, and you are done.  You can also skip the cover and fasten the cloth diaper with a Snappi. Prefolds can be used throughout your child's diapered life – and beyond.  They can be used as diapers, liners, and soakers, as well as baby bibs (or mainly burp cloths) when thoroughly cleaned.
• Pocket diapers.  These have a waterproof outer layer and then a layer of suede cloth or microfleece inside.  In between the layers, in the pocket, you can put whatever you want for lining and increase absorbency if you need to.
• Fitted diapers. These have elastic and fasteners built in so you do not need snaps or Snappis. You will need a separate cover.  These are like a combination of prefolds and pockets.

Most parents use a combination of these options.  For instance, they may use prefolds at home and then use AIOs, AI2s, or pocket diapers for going out or when a babysitter or less experienced diaperer is watching the baby.  ClothDiapersMadeEasy has a convenient chart to help you determine how many diapers you need, depending on which option(s) you choose.

The “how” is slightly different with each type of diaper.  AIOs, for instance, work just like regular disposables.  Prefolds are probably the most intimidating at first, but you just need to practice – and invest in a few great covers and a diaper pail with liners. You can find some great video tutorials on YouTube, like the one shown below.

The most important tip is do not be intimidated.  You will soon find that it is easy to use cloth diapers, even prefolds.  You may have some new parent mishaps at first, but everyone does – even those who use disposable diapers!

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When a new baby is on the way, you may start to get a bit overwhelmed about what you actually need and what is just a nice addition to your supplies and furniture. If this is your first baby, you may wonder where to turn for this type of advice. If you're just shopping for a baby gift and don't know the difference, well then keep reading! Either way, it's great information to have.

You definitely need a crib for your baby to sleep in. She’ll probably sleep in the crib until she is about two. But when baby comes home from the hospital, she will be a precious little ball of cuteness. That crib is going to seem so big and maybe her room is down the hall from yours. That’s when a bassinet or Moses basket comes in handy.

A bassinet is going to be your best friend during the first few weeks of baby’s new life. She will sleep in it during the night and also during the day. It’s a secure place to put her down when you have to run to get the phone or if you want to change her diaper quickly without running upstairs. The bassinet is designed to go next to your bed while you are sleeping. The reason for it is so that baby can be near you without being in your bed. It’s not advised to put a small baby in bed with you as she can become entangled in covers. It’s safer to have her near you by the side of the bed.

The bassinet will be right near you so when baby cries during the night, you can get to her quickly. Nighttime feedings are easy when you have baby right there. You can even bring bottles into your room at night filled with sterilized water and keep the powder for the formula all measured out in a plastic container. Mix the bottle and you don’t have to run to the kitchen in the middle of the night. And if you are breastfeeding, you’re already there to feed baby when she cries.

The Moses basket is a different story. They sure are cute. These little woven baby baskets have a liner and are designed to hold baby in a comfortable place when she is tiny. The name of the basket is derived from the type of basket Moses from the Bible may have been placed in when he was floated down the river. The problem with the Moses basket is that it rests on the floor. If you have pets or other children, that’s probably not the safest place for a sleeping baby.

There are some good uses for the Moses basket, however. If you want to go out to eat with a friend, bring along the Moses basket and baby can sleep at your feet in it while you eat. But you can also use your stroller for that as today most come with a car seat that sits on top for this very purpose.

Another use of the Moses basket is in the home while no one but you is around. If you’re going to be doing laundry, baby can sleep in the basket by your side. When in doubt about which to buy, however, it's safe to say go with the bassinet.

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• Choosing a Baby Crib
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When your baby is an infant, the thought of leaving her with anyone is the furthest thing from your mind.  As she grows, and you need to go back to work or just go out and interact with adults, having a trusted, reliable babysitter becomes a necessity.  You cannot leave your children with just anyone, and you cannot leave your children with someone whom you do not trust.  How do you find a sitter who is able to do the job, personable, trustworthy, honest, and who will build a good relationship with your child?

If you have relatives in the area, take advantage.  Most of the time, aunts and uncles love to get their hands on a baby and will gladly watch your little one for a few hours or for the day. It's a gift for new grandma or grandpa to be able to spend time with their precious grandchildren.  If they do it free of charge, so much the better.  If you have a sibling or friend you can rely on, that is another avenue to explore.  You may want to approach the topic of paying them and see what their feelings on the matter are.  You do not want to take advantage of them and alienate a good babysitter.

If you do not have family in the area, word-of -mouth is the best way to find a great babysitter.  Ask your friends, your neighbors, and people in your school or church community with children if they can recommend someone.  You may find that people don’t want to give you their sitter’s name for fear you’ll steal her away when they need her, but most of the time, parents are glad to recommend qualified people to you.

If you’ve just moved to a new area, you may find that your child’s teacher is able to refer you to someone that she knows and trusts.  If you know any high school teachers, ask them if they could recommend several students for the job.  Use your community resources; it is the much more reliable than depending on an ad or interviewing a total stranger.  Other options include calling the Red Cross and getting the names of babysitters who have completed their safety course in your area, advertising at a local college for students who are working in the education or other child-related field, or inquiring about possibilities from your local 4H or Girl Scout troops.   None of this guarantees a perfect baby sitter, so always ask questions and always check references.

Whether you have found someone through friends’ recommendations or by an ad you answered or posted, take the time to interview them thoroughly.  Some people look great on paper but do not handle your children very well.  Ask question after question; you can find lists online of things to ask, and do ask all of them and more.  Gauge the answers in terms of honesty, as well as ability.  Can this person take care of your child, and is she going to treat him well?

When you think you have someone in mind, see how she interacts with your child.  Keep in mind that it may take a while for your child to warm up to her, but watch how she treats him, speaks to him, and see whether she engages him in any way.  Does she offer to play games with him?  Does she ask him questions about school or his hobbies?  Look for someone who is willing to get to know your child.

If you’re still a bit apprehensive, hire her for an evening you are home.  If you’re having a party, for instance, she can keep your child occupied and put him to bed.  This way, she has direct contact with your child and can begin to build a relationship.  At the same time, you’re there in case anything goes wrong or she cannot handle your child.

Leaving your child with a new babysitter is one of the most difficult things a parent has to do.  When you find someone, though, hold on to her! Send her a little thank you gift every now and then to show her she's appreciated. You’ll feel much more comfortable leaving the house, and as importantly, your child will be just as comfortable.

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As parents, we have to make millions of decisions for our children.  Some are mundane, like whether or not to get their hair cut; others are much more important.  What we feed our children is one of the most important; we want them to not only be strong and healthy now but to develop habits that will make them strong and healthy for life.  Making your own baby food for your baby or for food gifts is ideal because you know each and every ingredient that goes into it.  You know you are filling your child up with nutrients and not excess sugar or salt.  And you can save a lot of money!

To make your own baby food, you will need:

• A blender, hand blender, baby food grinder, hand turned food mill, or food processor.  A fork can be a great, convenient substitute for any of these for mashing food for baby.
• Small containers for the food.
• Fresh vegetables, organic fruit, grains, and meats.

Homemade baby food is easy to make.  After thoroughly washing the food, such as carrots, you cook it by steaming or boiling it until it is very tender.  Save some of the water in which you boiled the carrots, and add it to the carrots to help you mash them.  Depending on your baby's age, you can make it very smooth or leave some texture. For younger babies, you can also add a bit of breast milk or prepared formula in place of the water.  As baby grows, you can use less liquid and start making the food have a firmer texture or more chunks.

Grains can be ground in a mill after cooking, and grains like brown rice and quinoa can be used as finger foods for older children.  To make meat dishes, remove fat and skin and cook thoroughly.  Once prepared, the meat can be pureed and mixed with a little liquid for younger babies or cut into very small pieces for older babies.

When serving homemade baby food, make sure it is no warmer than body temperature.  Make sure the foods are evenly cooked by mashing and mixing them thoroughly and testing the temperature first.  This is especially important if you are microwaving foods.

Here are some other tips to keep in mind:

• Prepare food from fresh produce and meat as soon after purchase (or picking) as possible. Freeze them in ice cube trays or specially made trays for this purpose.  After they have frozen, put the cubes into a plastic freezer bag.  Vegetables and fruit will keep for about six months, and meat and poultry will last from one to two months.  This will allow you to make a lot of food at once and then use it as needed.
• Put a small amount of food into a dish for feeding.  Whatever you don't use must be thrown away because your baby's saliva has touched the food and can allow bacteria to grow, so it is good to not eat from the main container.  You can refrigerate leftovers and use within a few days.
• Don't sweeten your homemade baby food with honey, sugar, or corn syrup.  Not only are these unnecessary, they are potentially hazardous for small babies. Honey, for instance, should be avoided until your child is at least one. Salt, too, is unnecessary but other seasonings are fine. Babies can tolerate different seasonings, so feel free to try them.

Start with one food, and as your child shows that he will eat it and that he tolerates it, you can add other foods.  It is a gradual process, but it is one that is giving your child a healthy start in life.

Making your own homemade baby food is great on several levels: not only is it healthier and less expensive, it also introduces your child to the concept of eating the same foods as the rest of the family.  You don't have to open a jar of strained peas for baby while your family eats chicken stir-fry, for instance. You can simply take a few more minutes and prepare healthy, real baby food.  Just skip the corn syrup-based sauces – for baby and for the rest of the family!

Want to read more? Try this article on All About Organic Food.

Even a bad party can be transformed into a good time with the right food!  Food is a crucial component of any party, whether a wedding reception or your child’s first birthday party.  Fortunately, babies and toddlers are a lot less demanding and fussy than their adult party-going counterparts.  Planning a menu for a first birthday party is easy – and relatively mess-free.  What should you include on the menu?

The most important thing to remember when it comes to a first birthday party is that it should be short.  You needn’t serve a five course meal to impress your guests.  Your guest of honor, in fact, will probably be more impressed with the bright balloons, first birthday gifts and gooey, messy cake.  This relieves the pressure of planning a menu.

To keep your little guests happy and fed, try the following toddler-friendly snacks:

• Cheerios.  These are an all-time favorite toddler finger food.  Chances are the adults won’t like picking at them much, but there are plenty of other foods to try.
• Animal crackers or Goldfish.  Fun for everyone, these are a great, minimally-messy choice.
• Apple wedges without the skin.
• Soft cheese cubes.
• Juice boxes.
• Cookies.

This will probably be more than enough to keep your little one satisfied.  You can always set a bowl of chips and dip, veggies, fruits, or candies out on the table or countertop for the adults and older children to enjoy.

If you want to serve a meal, or your party will work best at lunch or dinnertime, serve a meal that your child likes.  Well-cooked noodles are always great, and for the other guests, you can simply add a sauce so you don’t have to make separate meals.  You can also try chicken and steamed vegetables (soft enough for your child), pot pie, or other child-friendly foods.

The cake is the most important food you will serve at your child’s first birthday party.  You can always pick up a cake from your local bakery or a mix from the grocery store.  But if you want to continue the healthy eating habits that your baby has developed, why not try this healthier ice cream cake?

You will need:

• An angel food cake (which has less fat and fewer calories than regular cake)
• ½ gallon of vanilla frozen yogurt
• Fresh strawberries, blueberries, peaches, or bananas
• Sugar to taste

Cut the angel food cake in half and tear one half into small pieces.  Set this aside and slice the other half into thin slices.  You’ll probably have 12 to 14.  Arrange the slices in the bottom of a baking pan lined with wax paper.  Spread the frozen yogurt over the cake.  Try to smooth it as much as possible.  Then press the cake bits into the yogurt.  Cover and put the dish into the freezer.  When it’s time to serve dessert, slice the strawberries (or bananas if you do not want to introduce berries to your child yet).  Cut the dessert into squares and put the fruit on top.  Light a candle, and you have a great dessert.

Planning a child’s birthday party can be stressful, but a one year old is very easy to please.  Give her some finger food, birthday party favors, some balloons and streamers, and a piece of cake, and you have the makings of a great first birthday party.

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