Mom Recommended » Babies

Nicknames For Girls

Kate — Mon, 04 May 2009 16:36:36 +0000

Some nicknames come naturally from either an abbreviated first name, a personality trait or a memorable incident. And some nicknames are favorites from a parent’s own childhood or just a funny made up word!

Here are some of our favorite cute and funny nicknames for girls:

Angel
Bunny
Cherie
Carebear
Cookie
Honeybee
Honey bun
Honey bunny
Little Miss
Moonlight
Pumpkin
Precious
Princess
Queenie
Sugarbear
Sunlight
Sweetpea

Diaper Bags For Cool Dads

Kate — Sat, 02 May 2009 00:03:33 +0000

Understandably, many guys are not thrilled to be toting around the beautiful diaper bag that is your favorite this week! Outfit him appropriately with a bag that expresses his personal style, or puts all of the basics in a package he won’t be embarrassed by.

We’ve put together a collection of super cool diaper bags that are practical and will have all of the necessities within easy reach the next time your guy decides to takes the kids out for the day.

Diaper Dude burst on the scene after being featured on Oprah. These bags are designed by a dad with dads in mind, with sporty messenger styling and color combinations like camo, black nylon, brown suede and screened with cool asian prints, peace signs and guitars. Each full size bag comes complete with a changing pad, cell phone and key holders and pockets for food, wipies and an elasticized bottle pocket. The size is about 16 inches wide and 14 inches tall and most styles are available for $55 - 60.

The Mini-Dudes ($36) are perfect for quick trips and can be worn around the waist, like a fanny pack, or over the shoulder with the attachable strap. With a large compartment for diapers and wipes, two bottle holders, plus two pockets for snacks and a pacifier or keys, this is great for on the go parents.

The Fleurville DJ Diaper Bag - DJ stands for Diaper Jam and this bag is totally designed with dads in mind, complete with great amenities and a sophisticated style. At $120, this is an investment and one worth making considering both the look and the functionality. The usual diaper pocket and wipes pocket are placed well, along with 2 exterior pockets (one with key carabineer clip), removable bottle holder, changing pad and on the shoulder strap, pockets for sunglasses and a cell phone.

DadGear Backpacks are really diaper bags in disguise - no one will be able to tell it is one, and it’s packed with great features. Dads will love the diaper hammock, multiple pockets for organizing all of the baby stuff, two strategically placed bottle pockets and easy access wipe window. It comes in many designs and colors, we’re showing the Hawaiian style here.

DadGear is designed by dads who were frustrated by the lack of baby accessories designed for men. They have also come up with a revolutionary twist on the traditional diaper bag with their DadGear Cargo Jacket ($92) and Diaper Vest ($81). This is a wearable diaper bag that is totally “hands free”. You can change, feed and play with your baby and no one will ever realize that you’re actually wearing the diaper bag.

Strategically placed pockets hold everything a diaper bag does, and features pockets for wipes, diapers and bottles, along with a large chest pocket for cell phones, keys and your MP3 player. It also comes with a slim design changing pad that’s hidden in a pocket on the back of the vest or jacket.

You can find all DadGear product at their website, DadGear.com

Layette Checklist

Kate — Fri, 01 May 2009 23:42:41 +0000

Our time-tested layette list will help you gather all the basic clothing you’ll need for the first few months of your new little one’s life. We believe in the “buy a little extra in case the laundry basket runneth over” plan.

Coming Home Outfit (1 or 2) Choose something soft, warm and perfect for all of the pictures you’ll be taking.

T-Shirts with Side Snaps (4 - 5) These tees slip on easily over little arms without having to go over the head.

T-Shirts with Snap Crotch (6 - 12) Pick tees with the wide split necks to slip over little heads with ease. Soft, thick cotton bodysuits like the ones from BabyGap wash really well and keep their shape.

Pants (6 - 12) Elastic waist pants are super easy to pull on over diapers

One Piece Outfits (3 - 6) Snap-crotch bodysuits will make sure your little one tops the neighborhood best dressed list.

Nightgowns with elastic bottoms (6 - 12) The stretchy bottoms make it easy to change diapers in the middle of the night.

Socks (10 - 20 pairs) Buy many of the same style at once to help keep matching easy.

Get The Most Out Of Pumping

Kate — Fri, 01 May 2009 23:36:36 +0000

A breast pump is a great solution whether you want to start sharing feedings with your husband or if you want to have a milk supply if you’re going back to work or for when you’re not readily available for nursing.

Using a breast pump for the first few times can be tricky, a little uncomfortable and even slightly embarrassing - especially when your husband breaks into laughter. But you’ll soon master the machine and be the one smiling when he starts to share in the joy of nighttime feedings.

Here’s a list of tips our moms share with new breastfeeding friends:

Follow a routine for your pumping session to condition your body and prepare it to be in the optimal “place” for productive pumping.

Have a picture of your child or visualize him while you’re pumping. It will help start & keep your milk flowing.

Be patient. Just like when you’re nursing, it may take a few initial pumps for the milk to start flowing.

If milk tends to leak out of your pump, lean forward so the fluid is directed towards the center of the milk.

It’s okay to switch breasts while pumping and combine the milk from one sitting.

If you’re pumping during the day, increase your breastfeeding at night and on weekends to keep your milk supply up when you pump.

Eating a healthy diet and getting plenty of rest will help your body stay in shape.

If you hear a whoosing air sound or the suction doesn’t feel as strong as it usually does, check the connections and hoses to make sure they are attached and functioning correctly.

If the pumping is painful, try a gentler setting or switch to a manual pump. The electric pump you’re using may not have enough suction and be stretching out your nipples for too long. Try renting a hospital grade electric pump and see if that helps.

Choose The Sex Of Your Baby

Kate — Fri, 01 May 2009 23:14:46 +0000

One of our very best girlfriends swears by this technique of being able to choose the sex of her babies. So is it just an old wives tale or can you really determine the sex of your next baby based on how and when you have sex? Many of our friends are taking it into consideration!

After meeting with girlfriends who have read books, consulted doctors and - most importantly - compared success notes, we’ve assembled a list of the most common tactics they swear by:

The most important concept is timing your monthly cycle because it is key in helping to plan the sex of your baby. When you have sex during your cycle will depend on whether you want a boy or a girl. It’s a little complicated, here’s the theory behind the timing:

Sperm is made up of X-chromosome (girl) and Y-chromosome (boy) sperm. When X-chromosome sperm fertilize an egg, it results in a girl baby, Y-chromosome sperm result in a boy baby. The “boy” sperms are fast and tend to get to the egg faster, however they also die much more quickly than “girl” sperm.

The closer you have sex to your ovulation date, the better your chances of having a boy. If you have sex 2 Â½ to 3 or more days before ovulation, the majority of “boy” sperm will have died by the time you ovulate, leaving a higher percentage “girl” sperm available when the egg is released and increasing your chance of having a girl.

The pH of a woman’s vagina is also an important factor in planning for a boy or a girl. A more acidic environment, which naturally occurs near the front of the vagina, favors a more conducive environment to “girl” sperm so parents wishing to have a girl should use shallow or missionary-positions. The cervix area of the vagina is more alkaline - more favorable to the “boy” sperm. If you’re trying for a boy, you should use positions that will deposit spearm in this deeper area.

If you want a girl:
Have sex every day from day 1 to day 5, then stop three days before ovulation.
The man should take a hot shower immediately before intercourse.
Women releases a substance at orgasm that will make the environment more alkaline, creating a more favorable environment for the “boy” sperm. If you are trying for a girl, the experts recommend no orgasms!

If you want a boy:
Don’t have sex for 3 - 4 days before you reach your target date (a day or two before ovulation).
Your man should also drink a cup of caffeinated coffee right before sex.
If you have an orgasm, it will make the environment more alkaline, which favors boys.

For more scientific details about choosing the sex of your baby, the book “How To Choose The Sex Of Your Baby” by Dr. Shettles discusses charting cervical mucus, basal body temperature and using ovulation predictor kits.

Infant Car Monitor

Kate — Fri, 01 May 2009 23:14:11 +0000

How many times have you pulled over to check on your child riding in the back seat? This is one of the best video monitors for cars we’ve seen and, over the years as your child is in their rear-facing, then front facing carseats, this video monitor will save you lots of time and reassurance.

The Automobile Monitor from Summer Infant allows you to keep an eye on your baby while driving and the best part is, you can view them without turning around!

The camera on this video monitor attaches to a variety of car headrests and is perfect for rear-facing car seats and children sitting in the third row. It has a 2.5 inch color screen that plugs into your car power outlet and mounts to the dashboard for safe, easy viewing. IT even has night vision, so you can see your children at any time!

At $149, the Automobile Monitor is not cheap, however for 4 or 5 years of safely checking up on your kids while driving, we call it a definite bargain!

Baby Food Recipes

Kate — Fri, 01 May 2009 20:33:58 +0000

We’ve collected the basic recipes for homemade baby food that our moms have been using for years. The best thing about making homemade baby food - besides selecting your own fresh ingredients - is having the creativity to blend flavors and concoct delicious food for your child. Use the basic recipes as a guideline and a starting point and embellish on them to develop a well-rounded menu of healthy, great-tasting homemade baby food.

Make & Take Baby Food Party

If several moms in your group of friends are making homemade baby food for their children, consider having everyone over for a morning devoted to baby food making with the yummy take-home treat of new recipes for your baby to try.

Pureed Fruit Recipe
1/2 cup of cooked fruit
2 - 4 tbl. water
This recipe is perfect for apples, peaches, nectarines, pears, plums, berries and most other fruit. Once cooked, remove skin and seeds. Puree ingredients in a food mill or blender until smooth.

Pureed Vegetable Recipe
1/2 cup of cooked vegetables
2 - 4 tbl. water
Start with sweet potatoes, peas, yellow squash, potatoes and zucchini. Once your baby has enjoyed the vegetables alone and not shown any alergic reactions, try combinations like carrots & peas, or potatoes and green beans. Once cooked, remove skin and seeds. Puree ingredients in a food mill or blender until smooth, using extra liquid to reach a smooth consistency.

Simple Pureed Meat Recipe
1/2 cup of cooked lean meat - chicken, beef, turkey or pork
2 - 4 tbl. water or meat broth
Remove fat, skin and connective tissue from meat and cook slowly in water over low heat. Once cooked, remove skin and seeds. Puree ingredients in a food mill or blender until smooth, using extra liquid to reach a smooth consistency.

No Cooking Required Fruits
Avocado
Bananas
Melons - when your baby is already eating melons raw
Mangos
Cooking Required Fruits and Vegetables
Apples
Apricots
Blueberries
Butternut Squash
Peaches
Pears
Plums
Pumpkin
Raspberry
Strawberries
Sweet Potatoes
Zucchini

Preparing frozen fruits and vegetables for use in homemade baby food
Cook frozen fruits and vegetables thoroughly if you’re planning to use them for homemade babyfood. Once cooked, the previously frozen ingredients can be safely frozen again in the form of pureed baby food.

First Finger Food

Kate — Fri, 01 May 2009 20:27:55 +0000

Keep exposing your baby to new tastes and textures while he is learning to eat finger food. Varying the choices from the standard Cherrios or bananas can require a little more thought, but it’s the perfect time to start introducing nutritious food for a lifetime of healthy eating.

When your baby is just starting to learn to eat table foods, he will be between 6 and 9 months. Begin with softer food that is cut into very small pieces - about the size of a pea. Once he starts to master eating with his hands at between 9 and 12 months, you can move on to firmer foods, still serving them in a small size that he can easily chew. Remember to stay away from foods like popcorn, hot dogs and hard vegetables as they can be a choking hazard.

Here are some serving ideas for finger food to get you started:

Grains
Pancakes
Macaroni and cheese
Muffins
Rice
Crackers
Cherrios or other low sugar cereal
French toast
Teething biscuits
Toast with jam
Rice cakes
Pasta

Fruits and Vegetables
Sliced grapes
Bananas
Cucumber
Broccoli
Asparagus tips
Carrots
Sweet potato
Zucchini
Melon
Berries
Peaches
Pears
Oranges
Apple
Fruit cocktail
Avocado

Dairy
Mozzarella cheese
Shredded cheese (cheddar, colby)

Protein
Ground turkey
Tofu
Eggs