5 Reasons For Preparing Your Own Baby Food
by: Nancy Miller
Are you unsure whether you should make your own baby food at home or just buy
it from the store? If so, then take a look at these five good reasons for doing
it yourself - they may help you make up your mind...
1. Home-made Baby Food is Healthier and More Nutritious
Commercial baby foods contain additional fat, salt, sugar, fillers or other
ingredients that are completely unnecessary (and often inappropriate) to your
baby's diet. These additives are an attempt to add flavor, texture and bulk
to poor-quality products. They contribute nothing at all to your baby's health
or well-being. By preparing the food yourself, you can be sure that your baby
is getting exactly what his/her little body needs - and nothing that it doesn't.
2. You're in Control
By preparing your baby's food yourself, you know exactly what your baby is
eating. When you prepare an apple sauce, you know he/she is getting fresh, pure
apple and all the goodness it contains. However, when you buy apple-sauce at
the store, you'd almost need a degree in nutrition just to decipher the list
of ingredients.
3. It's Easy to Make Your Own Baby Food
Once you get started cooking for your baby, you'll quickly realize just how
easy it is. All you need is a food blender and some fresh ingredients to quickly
prepare healthy, tasty, home-made meals for your little one. Furthermore, by
making large amounts of his/her favorite meals in advance, and then freezing
them for later, you'll be able to serve up delicious, healthy meals in minutes
-- every day of the week.
4. It's Much Cheaper
The prices that baby food manufacturers charge for their products is nothing
short of scandalous and are in no way justifiable. The reason they can charge
so much is because they've conditioned most parents to believe that they have
no choice but to buy from them. By preparing your baby's food yourself, you
can avoid being a victim of this daylight robbery, and find yourself with extra
cash to spend on all those other things that a growing baby needs.
5. It's Very Gratifying
Watching your baby enjoy the meal you've just prepared for him/her is already
a very gratifying experience. On top of that, however, you have the satisfaction
and pride of knowing that you're giving your child the gift of a healthy and
nutritious diet - and saving yourself money as well.
And finally...
If all that weren't enough, here's another great reason to do it yourself:
home-made baby food is much tastier than any commercial product. Delicious food
is one of life's great pleasures and your baby deserves to enjoy the rich flavor
and texture of real home cooking just as much as you or I. After all, none of
us would enjoy eating 'TV Dinners' morning, noon and night - and that goes for
your baby too!
So, don't put it off. Get started today. Your baby will thank you for it in
more ways than one.
About The Author
Nancy Miller is author of "How to Make Your Own Healthy Baby Food"
and a full-time working mom. Find more tips and advice on making baby
food at http://www.healthy-baby-food.com
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The Seven Feng Shui Fundamentals for Children's Bedrooms
by: Kathryn Weber
Feng shui is a very popular and intriguing concept in home design today. In
addition to the life benefits it provides, it also offers a roadmap, so to speak,
of not just how to decorate... but why. In short, it offers you, the homeowner,
design with purpose. For a child's room this purposeful design is especially
important. Feng shui gives parents a guide for decorating your children's bedrooms, and
perhaps more importantly, a reason for adding particular elements -- something
standard decorating practices don't always offer. What does that mean exactly?
Well, when it comes to a child's bedroom, feng shui dictates everything from
correct bed alignment, proper bedroom choice, essential decorating and design
elements, i.e., do's and don'ts (no vicious animals, etc.) for a child's room,
even how to influence the child to be studious and well-behaved -- all things
most parents would appreciate knowing. The purpose of feng shui in a child’s bedroom is the same as every parent’s
objective in decorating their children’s rooms: to create a healthy, happy
environment that fosters education, good health, happy relationships with parents
and siblings, and respect for parents. Children and parents can enjoy success
and healthy relationships if the environment supports them. Naturally, children must feel safe, secure, and cared for to thrive. By putting
interest and effort into your child’s room, you are showing your child
that you believe the child’s space, and therefore, your child, is important.
The tips presented here are some of the fundamentals of feng shui for children.
1.Place a happy picture of the parents in the children’s rooms.
This subtly exerts the authority and prominence of the parents as heads of the
household. It is also one of the quickest and most effective ways to bring a
problem child into line. 2.Align the child’s bed to the widest part of the room.
Make sure your child can see the door from his or her bed easily, but is not
in direct line of the door. Your child should also not share a wall with a toilet
or see a toilet or bathroom from the bed as this can cause health problems.
Bunk beds are not advised. If possible, try to have a separate bedroom for
each child. If this isn’t possible, there are lots of decorative ways
to create division and privacy within a room. 3.Create a space for study and accomplishments.
Having a dedicated space, including a desk and lamp where your child can study,
demonstrates to your child the importance you place on education and your child’s
educational achievement. If this has been a source of problems, make the study
position in the NE corner of the bedroom. Also make a place on a south wall,
if possible, of your child’s accomplishments. Doing so reinforces that
you are proud of your child’s efforts. Display drawings, crafts, awards,
trophies, ribbons, or other special items, such as tests with good scores or
letters from teachers. Place items here that have brought special recognition.
4.Make the child’s room a healthy place. Water pictures, aquariums, or
sounds of water that can be heard from the bedroom can create an unhealthy environment
and may even lead to respiratory ailments. This is especially important if the
child has any health problems, particularly asthma.
A Step-By-Step Plan to a Healthy Pregnancy
by: Nicky Pilkington
Having a baby is an exciting moment. However, the nine months leading up to
the experience can be a bit unnerving. Most women worry throughout their pregnancy
about the health of their baby. To alleviate the stress and worry that often
creep up during pregnancy, plan instead to have a healthy pregnancy and you
can rest assured that you have done your very best to have a healthy baby. 1. Get in Shape Early. When you find out that you’re pregnant is not
the time to start a new diet or exercise program. If you are planning to become
pregnant, make sure you are at a healthy weight and in the best physical activity.
Doing this will help you during your pregnancy and can help you to have a problem-free
delivery. If your pregnancy is unexpected and you aren’t in the best shape
possible, don’t worry about it. It is possible to have a healthy baby
while limiting the amount of excess weight that you gain. Eating plenty of fruit
and vegetables will give your baby the nourishment it needs while helping you
to limit the amount of weight you gain. 2. Your Baby is What You Eat. Your baby depends on the lifeline that you and
they share to grow properly. Following a diet that includes all the major food
groups is probably the simplest approach to a healthy diet. You may discover
your appetite changing during the course of your pregnancy. This is common and
shouldn’t alarm you if you have unusual food cravings. It is quite acceptable
to enjoy “bad” food once in a while, as long as you limit how frequently
you indulge in these foods. Since some nutrients aren’t abundant in most
foods, doctors often recommend that pregnant women begin taking vitamin formulas
designed specifically for them. 3. Exercise regularly. While a rigorous exercise program is unsuitable when
you are pregnant, it is a good idea to try and get some exercise every day.
Many women are nervous about doing anything that may harm their baby. Walking
on a daily basis is beneficial for your health as well as for your baby. Before
you begin any exercise program, you should first discuss your plans with your
doctor. 4. Avoid the big no-nos. If you follow only one step in this plan for a healthy
pregnancy, avoid the big no-nos: don’t drink, smoke, or take drugs (this
includes medications that your doctor has not approved). There are many debates
about how these habits can affect your baby. The very fact that it is slightly
possible to cause injury to your baby should be enough for you to avoid indulging
in any of them during your pregnancy. The use of caffeine during pregnancy is
debatable. You should discuss this with your doctor if you normally consume
coffee, tea, or soda on a regular basis. 5. Pamper Yourself. Pregnancy is a special time and people will treat you with
more attention. You should relish in this time because soon things will return
to normal! Don’t forget to give yourself special attention. Remember,
if you’re stressed your baby will feel stressed too. One of the most important
things you can do to pamper yourself is to get sufficient rest. If before you
were pregnant you spent days burning the midnight oil, you need to make sure
you have this habit licked before you become pregnant.
About The Author
Nicky Pilkington
You can find additional information about preparing for pregnancy by
visiting pregnancy-step-by-step.org. nicky@pilkster.com
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Baby Cold Symptoms and How to Give Care
by: Leroy Chan
Remember how miserable you felt when you last had a cold? Can you imagine what
your baby must feel when he experiences a cold for the first time? Viruses are responsible for causing colds. Infected people spread the viruses
when they sneeze or cough nearby healthy people. The virus gets into the nose
and throat where it multiplies. What Are The Symptoms? When your baby has a cold, there will be a number of symptoms. He will be sneezing
and have a runny nose. He may have a sore throat and it may be difficult for
him to swallow. His glands may become swollen. He may not feel like eating much and he could become irritable. A cough may
develop. He may get a slight fever or have a body temperature of 101 to 102
degrees Fahrenheit. When to Seek Medical Advice If your baby is three months old or less and has cold like symptoms, you should
contact a pediatrician immediately. Cold like symptoms in a baby three months
old or less are misleading and could lead to a serious ailment. On the other hand, if your child is more than three months old you should contact
a doctor if you notice that he is breathing loudly and his nostrils expand out
with each breath. His nails or lips are becoming blue. His mucus is thick, runny
and green. He has a cough that hasn’t gone a way for more than a week.
His ears ache. His temperature is more than 102 degrees Fahrenheit. He has become
more drowsy or grouchy. How to Care For Your Baby Medical experts tell us there is no cure for the common cold. However, there
are ways to alleviate the miserable symptoms your baby undergoes. Make sure he gets plenty of rest and extra fluids. If he has a fever, give
him acetaminophen or if he’s older that six months he may take ibuprofen
(but don’t give it to your baby if he is dehydrated or continuously vomiting).
Baby Car Seats Safety - Frequently Asked Questions
by: Martin Smith
In this article you will be provided with information about baby car seats
and keeping your baby safe while in the car. There are tips for buying new and
used baby car seats. Answers to some of the most asked questions about car seats
are provided as well. Q. What is the best baby car seat? The best car seat is the one that matches your baby’s size and weight.
It also fits properly in your car and is easily installed. Q. What types of baby car seats are available? There are several types of baby car seats such as infant seats, front facing
car seats, and convertible seats. There are also combination seats (can face
front or rear), booster seats and integrated car seats. With each type of seat
there are variations. Q. Is a five-point harness or a shield safest for my baby? A five point harness gives your child the greatest protection because it holds
your baby tighter in the seat in the event of a crash. A T-Shield or over-the-head
restraint allows too much room or can get in the way of chubby tummies and legs.
The stalk of the T-Shield can cause serious injury to your baby. Q. How can I find out how to safely install my baby’s car seat? All car seats (except most second hand seats) come with printed directions.
If after reading the directions you still are not sure how to properly install
it. You can call or email the manufacturer. Some police stations and hospitals
have assistance programsas well. Q. Is there a correct way to secure my child in the baby car seat? Yes, there is a correct way in which to secure your child in his car seat.
How you secure your baby in the car seat will likely depend on the age and size
of your baby. For children under a year of age they should be placed in rear-facing
seats in the centerof the rear seat. Older children can sit facing front and
their seat are generally placed behind the driver or passenger in order to utilize
the shoulder/lap belts. Q. What is LATCH? LATCH refers to Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children. It is a baby car seat
installation system. The lower hooks are attached between the bottom of the
back of the seat and seat itself. The tether piece is a strap made of seat belt
material with a clip that secures forward facing baby car seats and prevents
excessive movement of the baby’s head in crashes. Q. What is a Tether? The tether is a strap made of seat belt material with a clip. It attaches to
the clips on the seat and secures front facing baby car seats. In a crash it
prevents excessive movement of the seat and the baby’s head, reducing
the severity of injuries. Q. How can I tell when my child is ready to use car seat belts without a booster
seat? Your child will be ready for using the car safety restraint system when s/he
can sitall the way back in the seat and the knees can bend comfortably over
the edge of the seat. The belt crosses the shoulder between the neck and the
arm and the lap belt is low and touches the thighs. Your child must be able
to remain seated the whole trip.
A Rich and Holy Tradition of Celebrity Baby Names The practice of giving off-beat and unusual names to celebrity babies isn't a recent trend by any stretch of the human imagination, More than three decades ago, singer composer Frank Zappa shocked everyone by naming his daughter Moon Unit Zappa. Moon later grew up to be a mover and shaker in her own right with hits like Valley Girl and others. More recent examples include Jermaine Jackson, Michael Jackson's elder brother, who named his baby Jermajesty, and actor, skateboarder and photographer, Jason Lee who named his baby Pilot Inspektor.
Probing questions like "what does my name mean" or "what does my last name mean" are obviously not restricted to celebrity children. Even you have the right to know. Although whether or not your name has a meaning may have more to do with your ethnic heritage and cultural background, it really doesn't hurt to either ask or research the issue because many baby name meanings are not obvious at first glance. In the Hindu naming tradition for example, chances are about 99.5% that your name means something and may be derived from Sanskrit, India's ancient language. On the other hand, its meaning may be known only to those who are familiar with the language because, like Latin, Sanskrit isn't used anywhere in India for conversational purposes.
Many norman and Anglo-Saxon names have no meaning and even if they do, the meaning may be more legendary than derived through etimology. In China, baby names take on clearly defined meanings and often tend to reflect virtues and traits that are worthy of emulation. As is the case with baby names in these cultures, the names of babies can have religious connotations in many parts of the world thus assuming added significance.
Direct Response to the Million Dollar Baby Name Meaning Question Let us spring ahead for a moment instead of falling behind and assume that you are now a parent and have a child who wakes up one fine morning and pops the question, "what does my name mean?" Your response should be as natural as can be. it is very likely that you researched baby name meanings when you researched baby names for your son or daughter. In that case the answer will be forthcoming instantly. If that is not the case and given the remote possibility that you do not know the meaning of your child's name, simply buy time. Say that you need a day to come up with your baby name�s meaning and share it as soon as Almighty Google has shared it with you. You can also use the vast resources of our website www.Babynology.com and arrive at the correct answer.
Either way, any questions regarding your baby's name (after all a baby is always a baby no matter how old he or she is) such as "what does my name mean" or "what does my last name mean" should be addressed by you and your significant other accurately and in a timely fashion. If there is an anecdote behind your baby's name, share it. If there is a family connection with a grand dad or grand mom, reveal it. Discussions about baby names once the children are old enough to understand is always productive and instills in them not only a sense of confidence but also goes a long way to help the family come closer and bond together.
The birth of a baby is a cause of celebration for parents all across the globe. Different cultures honor the arrival of a newborn in different ways and each is unique in its own right. Here are some of the traditions associated with baby naming ceremonies around the world.
Christians generally don't have a separate baby naming ceremony. Many Christians combine the baby's naming ceremony along with the Christening of the baby. This allows all close family and friends to be present for both important occasions.
Some Christians prefer to have a separate baby naming ceremony as a special occasion to welcome their child. Such a ceremony is generally held at home since it is not religious in nature. It follows a pattern very similar to that of co-ed baby showers. The parents often make a speech to welcome the baby into the world or read passages that depict how they feel.
The Japanese baby naming ceremony is traditionally held on the seventh day after the baby's birth. A baby is given a first name and a last name with no middle name. The name is usually written in kanji or Chinese characters, which can have multiple pronunciations.
Infant Jewish girls undergo the Zeved Habat ceremony and boys the Berit Milah ceremony. The Zeved Habat is generally held at home or privately in a synagogue. The ceremony is led by the Rabbi. The mother offers thanks, the Song of Songs (from the Jewish prayer book) is recited and the name giving prayer is said. A priestly blessing may also be bestowed upon the baby. The Berit Milah is the naming and circumcision ceremony for Jewish boys along with a lavish feast for all guests.
For Hindus, the Namkaran or naming ceremony is often commemorated with a havan (sacred fire) on the 12 th day after the baby's birth. The baby's father whispers the name into the baby's ears and then announces it to the world. The baby's name is also written in the Janam patri (Hindu astrological document). The Janam patri name should begin with a letter given by the pundit based on the time and place of birth of the baby. This name is used for all future sacred rites observed for and by the baby. Many families now have two names for the baby ? one is the Janam patri name and the other the legal name as on the birth certificate. In some Hindu communities the father's sister is given the honor of naming the little one.
While it is popular and respectful in European and American cultures to name the baby after a parent or grandparent, most Asians cultures would frown upon that. The simple reason being that in most Asian cultures one does not take the name of one's elders. Hence to name your son or daughter after your parent means you would continually be calling out your parent's first name. That's considered a sign of disrespect and hence a big no-no.
In Sierra Leone , a baby is named only after the umbilical cord has dropped off. Prior to that it is believed that the baby does not yet have an identity of its own. During the ceremony the baby's hair is shaved off and the paternal aunt offers chewed kola nut and pepper to the baby from her own mouth. This is to wish the baby a long and brave life.
Most parents starts discussing baby names as soon as they find out that the stork's going to be paying a visit soon. From pinning down their favorite boy and girl names to arguing late into the night about which one is the best every parent invariably has more than one favorite. The thought that your precious baby is probably going to be called this for life makes it even more difficult to make a choice. So is there any scientific way to go about selecting the best name for your baby? It's no science for sure. However, here are 5 things to definitely keep in mind when selecting a name for your baby!
- How Does The Name Sound?
This is definitely the most important factor. When you say the name aloud does it have a pleasing sound? Choose a name and say it repeatedly. Call it out loud and see if it appeals to you and your spouse. Also, call out the first name along with your last name. Now if your last name is ?Weiss' then naming your baby boy ?Seth' or ?Ross' would make it: Seth Weiss or Ross Weiss! Not so pleasing is it? An Adam Weiss on the other hand has a nicer ring to it!
- What Does The Name Mean?
Once you select a name that you and your spouse really like, go ahead and find out what it means. Often the nicest sounding names have extremely unpleasant meanings or means nothing at all. While some parents are ok with that, others may not be. Also, it is really nice to grow up knowing your name means something lovely like a little girl named ?Dew' or a boy named ?Michael'.
- Is It Appropriate To The Baby's Gender?
Again, while unisex clothes and unisex everything has become really popular, are you sure you really want a unisex name for your baby? Let your baby's name reflect his or her gender. While some names are genuinely acceptable for both and often we use nicknames for our children that could belong to either gender, a baby's proper name must be suitable to its gender. Having a boy's name for a girl or vice versa can make things very difficult for your child during the early school years.
- Is The Name Trendy And Currently Popular? Not Too Popular Is It?
Another thing to keep in mind when naming your baby is whether the name is currently popular and trendy or not? Names like Calista and Leonardo are of all the rage, thanks to Ally McBeal - the hit TV series and Titanic - the movie. Many parents continue to prefer using Biblical names like John and Mary for their children.
However, often it pays not to follow the bandwagon. You could look hard and find a really unique name for your little angel. Just make sure its not so unique as to be made fun of!
- Tradition Has Value
Lastly, there's a lot to be said for tradition. Naming the baby as per ?numerology' or even for the ancestors can have a positive impact on the baby's future. Even if you take these astrological signs with a pinch of salt? a little bit of extra luck never hurt anyone!
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