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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Think about your child’s age and level of understanding. If you’ve got a four year old, now is not the time to take out medical charts and extensive textbooks. A simple answer will do. To a small child, this question bears no more weight than, “Why is the sky blue?” So don’t feel like you have to give a scientific explanation. Here are some things you could say:

• Babies come from God. They are his special gift to moms and dads.
• Babies come to moms and dads when they love each other very much.
• It’s a mystery. Isn’t it amazing that babies grow in a mommy’s tummy and then one day they’re born?
• A baby is a sibling gift - a play mate, and a best friend.

Chances are these responses will be enough to satisfy your small child. If it’s not enough and your child persists in asking, you can say something like:

• A baby is half mommy and half daddy. See how you have brown eyes? They are just like daddy’s. See how your hair is curly? It’s just like mine.
• Sometimes babies are born into a family and sometimes they are adopted. We are going to have our own little baby who will look like us because she grew in my belly, but the Randalls down the road have adopted a baby. Nice people can choose to bring a baby into their homes if they aren’t going to have one of their own.
• God is the only one who can make a baby. He has special powers and he creates a new human being where there wasn’t one before. He’s awesome, isn’t He?

If you have an older child, gauge just how much information will be right. If you have a fourth grader, it’s probably still not appropriate to get out the charts and diagrams. You can be more direct about your conversation, but don’t list body parts and internal organs. You may puzzle your child and leave them more confused than they were before. For an older child, you can simply say:

“Babies come from mommy and daddy when they love each other. Mommy and daddy loved each other and we made you. Now we want to make another baby to share our love with and grow our family. Won’t it be fun to have a brother or sister?”

There may be additional questions. Try to answer them in a way that makes both you and your child comfortable. Remember, she’s just curious. So treat every question with great care and don’t dismiss her questions as a nuisance or unimportant.

For older children, you can seek out books that are appropriate for their ages. Chances are they will have gotten some of the information from school health classes, but they are looking to you for your version to see if it lines up. Many books will show photos of a baby in the womb that they will think are really cool. Start there.

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If your child did the biting, you’re going to have to step in and be a strong parental influence. If it’s a young child, you need to figure out if he is teething. Teething can hurt sometimes so much that the child just wants to bite something to make the pain go away. It’s a natural reaction to the pain. You need to do everything you can to reduce the child’s pain including using teething rings that you can freeze (so they cool the gums) and if a doctor advises you, a pain reducer like Anbesol.

Whether your child is teething or older and bit for no reason, you must have the child apologize at once for the bite. Have him apologize to the child he has hurt. If the child is too young to understand, also have him apologize to the parents of the hurt child. It will make everyone feel like at least you addressed the problem. If it happens at a party, you may want to leave immediately after the apology to show everyone how seriously you have taken the situation. If you stay, you may give the impression that it wasn’t such a big deal and the incident may happen again.

When you return home, you need to speak to your child in a firm voice. Be strong, but don’t yell. It won’t help the child understand what he has done any better if you say it in a loud voice. Resist the urge to lay down a huge punishment without talking about things first. Older children can understand what they have done better than younger children, so determine the punishment by age. If a fight over a beloved baby teddy bear or other toy caused the attack, the toy should be removed for a time to show the child you mean business. You can return the toy to the child when the incident has passed and you feel he understands what he did wrong.

A teething child often can’t control his impulse to bite, so deal with it accordingly. But an older child of the age of reason does have control over his actions. Sit him down and ask him if something is bothering him. It may have been a one-shot deal where he wanted to see if he could get away with biting, or he may have acted rashly over a prized object he wanted.

Many times a bite happens once and then never again. If you notice your child has bitten someone (including you) more than once, it’s time to seek help. Ask your pediatrician what to do and what could be causing the behavior. Sometimes children under stress will act out by biting. A child who continually bites needs help, not a spanking. Don’t treat a violent behavior with more violence. It will only make the situation worse. Instead, seek professional advice.

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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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What is a Digital Album?

First, we should define what a digital album is. There are really two ways you can think about digital photo albums.

OPTION 1: One is a printed album you create from digital photos. You can have this made online for you through a company like Snapfish.com or mixbook.com. You simply upload your photos and design the book using the website’s templates. The printed book then gets mailed to you at home. This would be done instead of the traditional photos in baby picture frames.

OPTION 2: The second way to think about digital photo albums is an online group of photos that are available for family and friends to browse online. You can add to it and remove pictures at any time. It’s actually a virtual album. You send out an email and let friends know where to go to access your album.

Gather Your Photos

You can create your digital album with existing printed photos that you scan into your computer, or you can use photos from your digital camera that are uploaded into your computer. You can also use a combination of these options to create your album just how you want it.  Be sure that the photos you use are clear and in focus. What you upload is what you get, so select only the best images. You can often crop your photos online, but you won’t be able to remedy an out of focus or imperfect image.

For Option 1: The Printed Album

It’s easy to have a digital photo album created and printed for you. You simply log into your preferred website, like Snapfish.com or mixbook.com, and upload your photos. There are backgrounds to choose from and templates in which to place your digital photos. You can add captions to your pictures, and you also will choose the size of your finished album. Add as many photos as you like. The template you’ve chosen will show you where to click and drag your photos. Once you are satisfied with your online preview of the layout of the book, you’ll want to go to the checkout area and order it. Book prices can run anywhere from $5 on up, depending on the site and the size of your album. You may get a quantity discount for ordering multiple copies at the same time. Once your order is placed, you simply enter your credit card information and wait for your album to arrive in the mail.

For Option 2: The Online Album

Sharing your photos with family and friends online is also very easy. You do many of the same things as for a printed album, but there’s no printed product. You upload your photos onto the same type of photo-sharing sites, like Snapfish.com or Kodak.com. Then, you go to a special area called “Share” that allows you to place all your photos together, along with different backgrounds. It’s much like a digital scrapbook. Or you can just display them all without using any backgrounds. The sharing comes in when you enter the email addresses of your family and friends. They’ll receive an email invitation to view your photos, and they can also leave comments on your pictures.  It’s an easy and fun way to share photos with your loved ones, and it’s free!

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If you’ve got the Favorite Wars going on in your home, there are some things you can do before you blow your top.  First, you want to take a good look at yourself and see if perhaps you and your husband are unequally treating your children. Does one excel at sports (very important to Dad) while another excels at school (very important to mom)? This could create an unconsciously, ever so faint inequality in how parents treat the child who does not have the desired qualities among their top talents. If you find you are playing favorites, you can modify your behavior.

Treat children the same, but different. Sounds impossible, right? If you have children who aren’t twins, they are at different developmental stages based on their differing ages. You can’t treat a two year old and a five year old the same way when you’re trying to discipline them. Each child must be reached at their own level. A tantrum from a two year old may get a time out while the same tantrum from a five year old may lose him his TV privileges for the night. This can lead to children feeling like they are unfairly punished. It’s your job as a parent to get the point across that both kids are being disciplined in a way that matches their age. You might say, “Johnny’s only two right now, so he gets a time out. When Johnny’s a big boy like you, Mike, he’ll lose his TV too if he acts out.” This may not eliminate the rivalry, but it will give your older one something to go back and think about.

If you have smaller siblings who are not at the age of reason, you can spend quality time alone with each of them to show them they are special. Mom might take Judy to the salon with her for manicures, while Bella stays home and plays games with Dad. Then another day Bella gets to go shopping with mom while Judy goes for ice cream with Dad. If each child feels valued, they will be less likely to act up because they think they’re not getting enough attention.

For the smallest tots who grab toys from another small tot or pull hair, the best you can do is keep them separated at times of flare up. You will still want to instruct them that their behavior is not acceptable, but remember, small children will normally have a bit of jealousy for their favorite toys or sibling gifts and won’t know how to share for some years yet. Make plenty of toys available and redirect the offending child into another fun activity. In a few minutes, the whole thing will be forgotten.

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3D Kits

Many online and crafting stores sell kits that allow you to cast baby’s handprint or footprint in plaster of Paris. The basic idea is that you place baby’s hand into the gel that comes with the kit, make an impression, then remove baby’s hand. Now you’ve created a mold. Fill the mold with plaster of Paris and allow to dry. When dry, remove the gel mold and you’ll have a perfectly formed 3-dimensional handprint. You can do the same with footprints. The process itself is very easy. However, you may have a challenge getting baby to stay still long enough for you to make the impression in the gel. It may be a good idea to wait until baby is asleep, then gently place their hand or foot into the mold. Be sure to wash all residue from the gel off baby’s delicate skin.

Flat Impressions

Many companies sell kits that allow you to place baby’s hand or foot in clay or plaster of Paris to make an impression. These kits come with a tin and you usually pour the plaster mixture in and then gently press baby’s hand or foot in. These can be fun and quick to do. They also make nice thank you gifts to people who’ve given baby gifts or attended your baby shower. If you don’t want to purchase a kit, you can easily create the impression yourself.

Mix up some powdered plaster of Paris yourself and pour into a decorative tin. Dip baby’s hand or foot in and allow to dry. The whole process takes just a few minutes and you can save a considerable amount doing it on your own. If you do decide to purchase a kit, you can choose from many options for the final product from teddy bear frames to decorative flowers. Some kits also come with several imprint tins so you can keep a record of baby’s growing prints over a year or two years.

Ink Prints

Another nice way to take an impression of baby’s hands and feet is to use a non-toxic ink pad and some nice paper. Wait until baby is calm, then place her hand or foot onto the ink pad. When you are sure the ink covers the entire surface, gently place the foot or hand on the paper. You can create greeting cards or frame the images. You can even copy the prints onto iron on paper and make t-shirts or bags with the images. You can give them as very special holiday or birthday gifts to aunts, uncles and grandparents.

Etched Glass

Many stores sell kits that will allow you to have baby’s footprint or handprint etched onto glass to create a memorable frame or other decorative item. For this type of product you would make an ink stamped impression of baby’s hands or feet and mail the print to the company doing the etching. They will mail you back a frame with your baby’s prints etched into glass.

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While experts always have differing opinions about everything, they do agree that most babies can start to understand sign language at about six months of age. The main concern is that baby must be able to keep eye contact with you. She also must have control over her hand movements in order to participate. Every baby is unique, so if you have a baby who is making eye contact and able to wave hello and goodbye on her own at five months, go for it. Judge readiness by your own baby, not a textbook example.

What are the benefits of sign language? Well, obviously if you have a non-hearing child and a hearing child, they would eventually be able to communicate with each other. But also, if you want baby to be able to communicate earlier with you—whether she hears or not—sign language can be a good way to get that flow of communication going. She’ll be more apt to tell you in signs what she wants even before she can verbalize it in words.

Young children have an amazing capacity for learning languages. Sing language is no exception. The teacher needs to be consistent, however. If you find you are pulled in twenty different directions and won’t be able to devote enough time to sitting with baby and teaching her signs, you may want to join a group that meets weekly for a baby and me type signing class. Then you can reinforce during the week instead of having the entire job on your shoulders when you’re already busy. There are lots of videos and books out there to help, these are great ideas to put into baby gift baskets as well.

By no means should you feel pressured to teach your baby to sign. It’s something you should enjoy doing and should not be undertaken to keep up with anyone else. Babies have grown up fine for centuries without signing and yours will too. Think of it as an extra bonus that you’re bestowing on your baby—an infant gift of language she can use now and into the future—not a requirement of babyhood.

It’s never too early and never too late to teach signing. If you want to start your infant early and keep at it, definitely give it a try. Just remember, most babies won’t sign back until around six months. So don’t get frustrated if you don’t see any progress for a while. Baby may be taking it all in and one day she’ll surprise you when she makes a sign for hungry when she wants lunch.

It can be very rewarding to have a sign language communication going between you and your baby. Get the whole household involved as this will not only make everyone feel included, but it will give baby extra practice throughout the day.

There are entire companies and web sites devoted to teaching babies to sign. Start looking for a resource you like. Learn the basic signs yourself and then begin pointing to objects and signing their name. Baby will get the hang of it and so will you. It’s fun, educational and exciting to sign with baby. If you’re up for the challenge, you’ll see big rewards in the near future.

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• All babies are different. What works for one mom may not work for you. So, take any advice you get from well-meaning friends and relatives with that in mind.
• You know your baby best. Is she waking up because she’s hungry? Plan to feed her just before nap time, but know that baby’s tiny stomach can only hold so much formula, so she’s going to wake again next time she’s hungry. As she grows over the next weeks, her stomach capacity is growing too, so she’ll be able to sleep for longer periods at a stretch.
• It stands to reason that if you want baby to sleep through the night, keep her up more during the day. This works to a point. A very young newborn will sleep more than she’s awake. Slowly, this will even out and she will stay up more during daylight hours. For now, though, she doesn’t know the difference between day and night. She just wakes up when she’s hungry or wet or uncomfortable.
• Try to plan to put your baby down for naps at the same time each day. You’ll start to help her set a rhythm for sleeping and waking. While it’s not always going to be foolproof, you will get some satisfaction in knowing that you are creating a routine. Plan to feed and then freshly diaper your baby before her nap time. She’ll come to think of feeding time as a happy time right before she gets to drift off to sleep. Of course, as she grows older, she won’t need to sleep right after eating, but since babies eat every four hours or so, she’s going to need to sleep after many of her feedings.
• Baby’s room should be a comfortable temperature—not too hot or too cold. The lighting should be minimal so that her eyes don’t have to strain against a glaring lamp. Keep shades down if you can or close curtains. During the night, a nightlight is enough light for you to see in and baby will calm down with less distractions from lights. Try not to put an overhead fixture right over baby’s crib. Remember, baby will be lying on her back looking up, and you don’t want her staring into a light bulb.
• Always, always, always put your baby on her back to sleep. The SIDS Foundation (informing parents about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) recommends always putting your baby “Back to Sleep.” Unless your baby has a medical condition that you need to check with your pediatrician about or if she is a preemie, it’s generally agreed that face up is the way to place baby down for a nap.
• Remove all distractions and safety hazards from baby’s crib. Her crib should be a safe haven. No baby blankets or pillows should be used in a crib as they can cause suffocation. Baby doesn’t need them anyway. Dress baby in comfortable clothing that will not pinch or bind her so she can get a good rest.
• If baby is happily fed, diapered and dressed, and has a well-prepared crib to sleep in, there’s no reason you can’t start a nap schedule. Gradually, by putting her down to sleep at the same time every day (say 10am, 1pm, 4pm and so on) she’ll eventually get the hang of this sleeping thing.
• Recognize that baby is still going to get up during the night even if she has been awake during much of the day. Babies wake when they are hungry, wet, or uncomfortable. It’s not uncommon for a baby to wake several times during the night even if she’s had a few naps during the day.
• Each baby will determine her own sleeping schedule. Take comfort in the fact that eventually babies do sleep through the night, and you will once again know what a full night’s sleep feels like.

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What is a convertible crib? It’s a crib that is able to grow with your child. It starts out as a standard crib, often with a trundle storage drawer underneath. Then, as your child grows, it converts to a toddler bed. Anyone who has shopped for a toddler bed knows that they are usually poor quality plastic with very few choices available. With the convertible crib, you change a few screws, move a few bars and you’ve got yourself a brand new toddler bed that perfectly matches the decor you already had. And you don’t have to outlay any more cash or spend time shopping for a toddler bed.

But that’s not all a convertible crib does. After your toddler has lovingly used the toddler bed configuration, it converts to a day bed. All with a few quick switches. This allows you to keep the same room decor and have a place for your growing preschooler to sleep. She’ll love holding her baby blanket watching her toddler bed turn into a big girl bed. And you’ve not only gotten another bed out of your investment, but you’re also taking up the same amount of space the crib and toddler bed did. No need to rearrange the room or figure out how to get a bed into the existing layout. Just reconfigure with all the same pieces and you’re ready to go.

Because you’re using the existing parts and pieces, most convertible cribs reconfigure to include a safety rail for your toddler. Then, when the daybed configuration comes into play, the mattress is low enough for your growing youngster to climb in and out of by herself.

Some models of convertible cribs offer a fourth configuration. The headboard and footboard are existing pieces of the set and you add a single mattress. Now you’ve really got a bed that can grow with your child from birth to college.

The convertible crib is an ingenious invention. It saves resources, money, shopping time, and room. It’s a new parent’s dream come true. Your child will love watching as her bed magically takes shape to a new and fascinating piece of furniture. You can use your existing linens and mattress too.

You may invest a little more for a convertible crib than for a standard one-use-only crib. But it’s very little at that. For the quality construction and amazing reuse of the parts, you’re getting a good 20 or so years out of one piece of baby furniture. When the standard crib has had to be moved out of the nursery in other households to bring in a new bed, you’ll still be using your old favorite piece of furniture quite happily.

Modern parents have many more choices than parents of even just one generation back. Now, parents can spend their money on other baby necessities or sock it away for a rainy day. The convertible crib makes baby’s bed from newborn to first or second grader a delightful part of the decor.

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