Child Care Reflections

Posts Tagged ‘Special’

Special Time With your Baby

The Importance Of Play

As well as being a parent, you are your baby’s playmate, this is especially true in his first year, when he may not have had much opportunity to interact with other children. Every game you play with him is magical, and every lesson becomes worth learning, so time spent in games, no matter how simple, ensures that your baby is avidly learning and acquiring skills. Don’t underestimate how important play is to your baby, it’s his full time job a job that requires great concentration and expenditure of energy. It’s harder than most adult work because everything is new and fresh lessons are learned all the time. These lessons, however are made easier and are more fun if he can enjoy them with his favorite playmates his parents.

Why Play Is Essential

* Your baby investigates his world through play.

* It stimulates and excites him and is the best use of his time.

* For the first few years of his life, it is the only way he learns.

* It is an integral part of his physical and mental development.

Getting The Most Out Of Play

Make the time to join in activities with your baby and encourage him in play that will stimulate his development.

Investing time

Formal play isn’t necessary, but some planning does reap dividends. Try to make playa part of your morning, evening, and weekend routine so that your baby is getting at least an hour of playtime in total from both of you each day. A baby has a very short attention span, so don’t expect him to sit playing happily while you cook dinner. Fifteen minutes invested in playing with your baby before you begin a task will pay off, if you only give him five minutes of your time, he’s more likely to become attention seeking when you’re busy doing something else.

Stimulating development

Babies start acquiring skills from the very moment of birth. These mental and physical milestones emerge at particular stages as your baby’s brain and body develops. It follows that these are optimum moments for you to introduce games that encourage particular skills to flourish, so make sure you vary the activities that you play with your baby, for example, physical games encourage mobility; singing helps to develop speech playing with toys, such as building blocks, helps your baby to become more dexterous.

Mother

Remember play doesn’t have to involve toys, often, just being with you is fun for your baby.

What you can do

* When you get home, make a habit of picking your baby up right away and holding him as you walk around doing things.

* Exaggerate your pleasure at seeing him, talk to him, make eye contact, laugh a lot, play little jokes, and enjoy each other.

* Try to spend 10 to 15 uninterrupted minutes playing with your baby each evening.

* Read the paper or a book together so that you both relax. Read out items and show your baby pictures to involve him.

* If you’re really tired, take a bath together. A skin to skin soak is good for both of you.

An Hour A Day

An hour spent playing with your baby each day is rewarding and fulfilling for all of you. A baby who gets the undivided attention of his parents for an hour a day acquires self esteem and self confidence and becomes a generous, loving, and well adjusted child. It doesn’t have to be a solid hour in fact, your baby won’t concentrate for this long, it could be two half hours or four quarter hours as long as he has all your attention.

Maximizing Your Time

If you work full time, try to take advantage of any spare moments you have to spend time with your baby. It helps if you’re organized and can prioritize. If you’re both in high pressured jobs, it’s easy to let work take over and work an extra hour at the beginning or end of the day, but this hour is invaluable time you could be spending with your baby.

Weekends

Don’t bring work home with you, if it’s not there, you can’t do it, which means you can spend time with your baby without feeling guilty. Try to get out as a family at least one day each weekend, if you’re in the house, you’re more likely to get distracted with other things. Keep to your baby’s weekly routine as much as possible at around nine months, he’ll begin to understand that certain things happen at certain times.

Mornings

Most babies do wake up early so use this opportunity to spend time together. If you don’t have time to play, sing and talk to your baby as you change and dress him, and sit down to breakfast with him.

Evenings

Working full time will make you tired in the evenings. Try to establish some sort of routine for when you get home because as well as having time with your baby, it’s important that you both have time to your selves and time together as a couple.

Leave work on time

Try to leave work on time. It’s unfair on your partner and the baby if either one of you is always home late. Don’t take advantage of your caregiver an extra hour in the evening is a lot when she’s been taking care of the baby all day.

Divide the chores

One of you should cook and the other do the dishes so that you both have time to spend with your baby.

Choose relaxing activities

It will be difficult to get your baby to bed if he’s very excited. Read or sing to him to calm him down before you put him to bed. Father

Your baby will look forward to your coming home in the evenings. Shower him with attention and show him how special he is.

What you can do

* Develop a special routine for when you get home from work. It could just be holding out your arms for your baby to walk or crawl to you, or picking him up immediately, walking around with him, and telling him about your day.

* Try to find time each evening to spend 10 or 15 minutes playing a game.

* If you read the paper in the evening, read to your baby and give him some paper to crumple.

* You and your baby can relax with a bath together before getting him ready for bed.

* If you don’t have much time on weekday mornings, try to make time to dress him and give him breakfast on weekends.

Time Saving Tips

To give yourself more time with your baby in evenings.

* Try to prepare some week day meals at the weekend.

* Record any early evening TV programs and watch them once your baby has gone to bed.

* Save any long telephone calls until after your baby’s bed time.

* Eat mid afternoon sometimes so that it’s possible for you to wait later for your evening meal.

Show the Baby That He is Special With Personalized Baby Gifts

People all over the world must have got tired of the usual gift items available in the market. No wonder they have come up with ideas like customized gifts. Having a gift customized or personalized adds your own touch of creativity that every product lacks. This is the good side of having an item customized. It partly becomes you.

If you have newborn, well this year is his first Christmas. This Christmas ought to be extra special for him. Every parent is proud to have a baby added in the family. So to make it memorable, gift givers must give their share. Not by buying expensive gifts. A simple gift like a baby photo frame is enough. To make it super special, have it personalized by requesting for the baby’s name to be placed in front and embossed. A good photo frame contains several slots of different sizes for pictures. This is inexpensive, and you need to add just a little for customization. See? Simple yet out of ordinary and absolutely personal. The parents would love to have one of these. And the baby, well, it may take years before he becomes appreciative of it, but surely he will treasure it as he grows old.

If you have the time, you can use photos snapped during the occasion and insert them into the photo frame you bought. Pictures of proud parents, baby with whacky cousins and happy grandparents all add to the personalization of you gift.

A must-have of every baby is a hooded towel. It can be bought in a package along with baby bath gear. But some are available individually. You can buy one and have the baby’s name embroidered. Better yet, add a little message of yours for the baby. Or how about adding beads and crystals designed as flowers?

One of the adorable personalized baby gifts is a baby blanket. A little baby blanket offers security and comfort to the baby as he sleeps. Have his name embroidered on it. Parents commonly would love to have one for their baby, so why not give it to them?

The baby can never have enough baby bibs. No matter how many bibs he has, if you make your baby bib more special, then it will be everybody’s favorite. Embroider a message like “Mama’s boy” or “Daddy’s little girl”. Surely, this bib will be part of the household more than any bibs on earth. It’s a little exaggerated, but you know what I mean.

Since there are so many ideas for customization, there will be no way you will get the same gift as the others. Parents, as soon as they open the baby gifts, will express an overwhelming gratitude. Babies on the other hand, will not appreciate any of it yet unless it is a toy. But as he grows up, he will come to realize that you, apart from his parents, treasure him the most because of all the efforts you have exerted to give him a unique gift. Therefore, he will mark you as a special person too.

“Win My Maternity Wardrobe” As my husband and I began remodeling our house, I tackled cleaning out some closets and the attic and came across my beloved maternity clothes. As I held up the different pieces I was flooded with memories of when they served as my wardrobe staples during my two pregnancies. I decided it is time to liberate them from hiding and pass them on to a mommy-to-be looking for some fabulous outfits to wear during this special time in her life. I am of the mindset that pregnant women have enough going on with their bodies that they shouldn’t have to wear frumpy clothes for nine months, so I bought outfits that are well made and have a classic look. I worked through both of my pregnancies as a marketing director, and it was important to me to maintain a professional image. I felt confident and put-together wearing these clothes to the office every day. The wardrobe consists of a complete set of spring/summer/fall maternity wear, sizes medium to large, with both work appropriate and casual pants, skirts, shorts, and an adorable red maternity bathing suit. Everything is in great condition. EBay and Craig’s List are a bit too impersonal for me, plus, I didn’t want to sell each item off piece by piece, so I decided to have a fun contest and give women the opportunity to win my entire maternity wardrobe…free! So here it is….the “Win My Maternity Wardrobe” contest. • Send me an email telling me about you and your baby-to-be. I’m not looking for an essay …

Choosing baby gifts – special effort for gift givers

Buying gift products is always special for new born babies and requires serious planning. You can celebrate your happiness both with the new mom as well as her child. There are plentiful items you can choose to satisfy their need. Starting from toiletries, bath toys, clothes, shower, feeding sets and skin care products for the kid to scented candles, spa products, and pampered gift products for mother, everything can be a surprising treat. Baby cakes, gift basket, baby blanket, Teddy’s gift with floral design are highly appreciated by all.

For gift giver it is necessary to consider mother’s personal preferences and suggestions from experienced person. New busy mom would like to have organic and natural gifts that are soft, smooth and comfortable for her baby in general. If you have baby or experience with babies then it is easier to do a smart purchase. For fascinating new born necessities buy personalized baby present. If you know baby’s name, gender or birth date then decorate the gift items. Diaper bag, embroidered blanket, wall portrait incorporated with baby’s name, clothes lined with cartoon figures can be excellent option to choose from. Designer Baby accessories always carry warm effect for near and dear ones. Gifts with emotional touch and personal care can be more delighting if selection is appropriate and need based. Any gift products should have its utility value with pleasing imprints.

Baby gift registry is another choice you can be suggested by new mother. This is to guide gift givers for making right choices. It is always safe to purchase from their preference list. You can also present gift cards for the stores that contain baby gift registry. Mother can use the card to purchase the necessary items that no one has gifted perhaps. If mom did not order for gift registry earlier, obviously she is going to be gifted with repetitive items. Because guests may not know what others are buying or mother already has. Returning duplicate present is also very much troublesome with a gift receipt. And you won’t like to see your gift being returned instead of being used by the baby.

New baby needs are plentiful and you can’t have any limit for best choice. Before you plan to create a list of gift products, do a quick analysis on few factors:

•    Do you want the baby to use your gift regularly or occasionally?
•    What could be its total span of use for e.g. 6 months or more?
•    Do you have idea on the products that mother is using already?
•    Do you want to make your present a big surprise?
•    Does your gift will have more utility benefit or recreational value?
•    Do you feel presenting a very personalized product that would satisfy everyone with special effect?
•    Are you comfortable with dropping into the baby gift stores or purchasing online would hold well?

If you are an amateur and confused of buying baby gifts, then simply order for a bunch of pink roses. Give a bright smile with your gift in front of the baby. It is going to be reciprocated to you for sure.

Baby Ferrets and The Special Care They Need

As with any pet it is an exciting event to help newborns along their path to maturity.   Ferrets are no exception and provide lots of rewards when a few simple rules are followed.  The jill or female ferret should not be handled during the delivery process.  They are endowed by nature with the capability to handle the process, in fact touching the mother during birthing could cause the jill to harm the newborns.  The new ferret litter will contain seven to eight baby ferrets known as kits and they are born blind, bald pink in color.  At about twenty days the kit’s eyes will begin to open and their complexion will begin to darken.  They can be weaned away from their mothers at the age of six weeks but they will still need lots of care an attention to insure they reach maturity in a healthy and happy state.

In the beginning during those first six weeks the new kits will devote their time to growing, sleeping and eating and they will be inseparable from their mother.  At the age of six weeks they will begin their own lives and it is time for them to make a visit to the veterinarian where they will receive their first vaccinations.  This is also the time for them to be de-scented and neutered if they are not slated to be in a breeding program.

Feeding the rookie ferrets requires care.  Their diet is very important to them in maintaining a happy and healthy life.  In the event you bought a baby ferret it is imperative to learn what the kit had been fed in the past because if changes are to made in the diet it must be done gradually.  If you plan to use the same brand of ferret food it should be warmed up in water and softened prior to feeding the kit.  If you plan to change brands of food, do it a little at the time.  In the beginning mix the two types going heavy on the old brand and then slowly taper off with the old and in with the new.

Where do you find ferret food?  There are several sources with the most preferable being your local pet supply store.  Not only are the foods available but usually you can get good advice on the care and feeding of ferrets at the same time and place.  If you do not have suitable pet stores nearby the internet offers a plethora of choices and selections.  The overriding factor to take in to consideration when selecting feed for baby ferrets is that it should be meat based with a minimum of 20% fat and 35% protein. Foods with poultry fats is good for them because it contains the essential fatty acids.

Ferrets of all ages including baby ferrets need large cages with lots of play space that allow them to scurry about as they are engineered to do by mother nature.  The cage should be kept as clean as possible.  A smooth plastic floor will assist in this effort.  Ironically, despite the fact that they are very active while awake they tend to sleep up to twenty hours per day so sleeping arrangements are also something to thing about.  Their sleeping space should be a cozy little corner with lots of soft padding that can be easily shaded from lots of light.  Since they also like to chew on things the cage should be free of these hazards.

More Baby Feeding Articles

Baby Shower Ideas Making The Mother To Be Special

The ancient Egyptian’s were the first to celebrate the birth of a new child where friend and family brought gifts to the mother and new child and these gifts were mostly handmade acknowledging this blessed event. Here are some inexpensive baby shower ideas. 

The idea behind a baby shower is to give the parents gifts that are needed for the new baby. Let’s start off with parents that are having their second or third baby one would encourage guests to bring gifts that would make the mother’s life easier for instance homemade dinners that can be frozen or even babysitting vouchers. 

A baby shower should be given at least a month prior to the baby’s birth. A baby shower takes a lot of planning and one has to start off by consulting the parent to be firstly and the planner also needs to take the mothers personality and style into consideration making the baby shower enjoyable and a great success. One can also plan a baby shower after the baby is born making the gifts sex specific especially jewelry which can have the babies name engraved on it. 

To save money you can design your own invitations cards around the baby shower ideas more fun and more personal or you can also buy inexpensive baby socks and use them as invitations whereby you insert the theme and information into the sock. 

Some really good baby shower ideas are decorating baby shirts and bibs by using fabric paints and creating your own personal print or message on them. One can also buy an inexpensive basket and fill the basket with baby products and then wrap it in cellophane wrapping. Baby socks or little shoes can also be filled with chocolates or small biscuits. 

Baby bottles can also be filled with sweets and chocolates and can be used as a centrepiece and add lots of balloons around the room as well. You can also take small brown paper packed and fill them with small cakes and biscuits and tie them up with ribbons. One can also take netting and cut them into squares and fill them with chocolates and tie them up with ribbons with a thank you card attached which can be given to the guests. 

Other baby shower ideas that are nice for the mother to be are gift carriers filled with bath salts and candles as well as little soaps making mom feel special as well. If one is creative there are endless baby shower ideas which can be created making it a memorable day.

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Designer Baby Gift Ideas – A Special Gift For A Special Occasion

There’s no question that, where clothing is concerned, you get what you pay for and I recall the beautiful baby designer clothes available for my child with the fondest of memories, and if I was going to a special occasion of any sort, I would always buy a designer baby gift and an extra special outfit.

Special events such as a baby shower or christening deserve a special baby gift and giving a designer baby gift such as baby clothing is a great choice, but not just any old clothing – we are talking baby designer clothing. Let’s face it, we all know how many times a baby has to be changed during the day so you know that whatever you choose will be needed and is going to be used. There are options, of course, to give a really special designer baby gift and there are some rather exquisite items you could opt for so let’s take a look at some gift ideas…

Baby All-In-Ones and Starter Gift Sets: Such designers as Burberry, Armani, Dior and D&G all do fabulous baby starter clothes and gifts that would be ideal for a baby shower and christening. Dolce & Gabbana have created a superb luxurious gift set that would be great for the little designer toddler, consisting of a white bathrobe and super little baby slippers. The set is made from soft towelling and is just so lovely and cute for snuggling up in after a bath or swimming. Both the gown and matching slippers are embroidered with ‘D&G’ and come in an attractive designer gift box.

Baby  Nests: Chloe and Dior offer a beautiful choice of luxury cashmere blend chunky knit sleeping nests for baby. All are fully lined with white cotton which is detachable and fastens at the sides and up the hood with pearly buttons. ‘Chloe’ is subtly embroidered on the cotton trim on the front. They come in a choice of baby girl or boy colours and are ideal to pop into a Moses basket, pram or carrycot to keep the little one snug, safe and warm. These are quality baby sleeping nests so this kind of designer baby gift will be loved by the new mum.

Bodysuit Sets: Armani do some super bodysuit sets for the new baby. Presented in an organza gift bag, each body is decorated with the iconic eagle motif with boy or girl colour trims and prints.

Baby Shawls: A personalised designer wool shawl is a beautiful gift for new mum to wrap around her new baby. With a wide choice of sizes and colours and ready gift-wrapped, this is another first class designer baby gift idea.

Designer Nappy Changing Bag: These make for excellent gifts, are practical and always well received. D&G, Armani and Diaper Dude offer a full range of all different sizes, colours and the choice of one for mum or dad…one of the most popular being the StorkSak Diaper Bag carried by Angelina Jolie. Once you have a baby, they go everywhere with you and, as these nappy changing bags hold just about everything a new mum could need including a changing mat if you so choose, they are a superb choice of gift.

Regina singing “Hallelujah”, a cover of the Leonard Cohen song, at the 2005 Jewish Heritage Festival in NYC. To download this fan recording and more of Regina’s live-only music and non-album songs, check out www.RespektOnline.com — Well, I heard there was a secret chord That David played, and it pleased the Lord But you don’t really care for music, do ya Well, it goes like this the fourth, the fifth The minor fall and the major lift The baffled king composing Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah Well, your faith was strong, but you needed proof You saw her bathing on the roof Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew ya And she tied you to her kitchen chair And she broke your throne and she cut your hair And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah Well, baby, I’ve been here before I’ve seen this room and I’ve walked this floor You know, I used to live alone before I knew ya And I’ve seen your flag on the marble arch And love is not a victory march It’s a cold and it’s a broken Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah Well, there was a time when you let me know What’s really going on below But now you never show that to me, do ya But remember when I moved in you And the holy dove was moving too And every breath we drew was Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah Well, maybe there is a God above But all I’ve ever learned from love Was how to shoot somebody who outdrew ya And it’s …

A Special Time: Baby Gift Baskets

If you have children you know what a special time in your life it was when you were expecting your upcoming new bundle of joy.  The few weeks before baby’s arrival are filled with anticipation and maybe even a little nervousness.   Hopefully at your baby shower you stocked up on all the gifts you will need to provide care for your little one.  Weren’t the baby gift baskets great?  The diaper pail that was creatively filled with baby essentials was the perfect gift; and the baby bath tub filled with bath items was darling.  Baby gift baskets make great gifts because each one is unique.  

Welcoming Home Baby: Baby Gift Baskets

When you bring a new baby home for the first time, you want to be sure to have everything in order before the new mom arrives.  It is stressful enough just to be a new mom, let alone having her worry about the things that you now stand in need of.  Baby gift baskets provide the perfect combination of great gift and practicality.  When my first baby was born, I received a few different baby gift baskets.  Each was unique and wonderful.  It was a fun way to receive every day items like baby soap, diapers, washcloths, and small toys.  

Pampering Mom: Baby Gift Baskets

The next time you attend a baby shower do not forget to shower the expectant mom!  So many times we focus on the upcoming arrival of the baby and forget about some of the last minute needs of an expectant mom.  Baby gift baskets do not have to contain only gifts for baby.  How about selecting baby gift baskets that pamper mom?  Perhaps a small basket containing massage oils, scented candles, and relaxing herbal teas is just what she could use right now.  Although it is fun to create baby gift baskets full of cute baby items, don’t forget Mom!

Unique and Personalized: Baby Gift Baskets

Baby gift baskets make a great gift- and who doesn’t love shopping for a new baby?  It is such a fun and exciting time in a family’s life to welcome a new baby.  The next time you find yourself needing to give a gift, consider baby gift baskets.  There are many companies online that carry already made baskets, or you have the opportunity or customize your own.  You can personalize the basket with the baby’s name or even the colors that will be in his or her nursery.  You are only limited by your imagination when it comes to baby gift baskets.

Janet Carey covers Jeff Buckley’s “Hallelujah”. RATE COMMENT SUBSCRIBE lyrics: i heard there was a secret chord that david played and it pleased the lord but you don’t really care for music, do you well it goes like this the fourth, the fifth the minor fall and the major lift the baffled king composing hallelujah hallelujah… well your faith was strong but you needed proof you saw her bathing on the roof her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you she tied you to her kitchen chair she broke your throne and she cut your hair and from your lips she drew the hallelujah hallelujah… baby i’ve been here before i’ve seen this room and i’ve walked this floor i used to live alone before i knew you i’ve seen your flag on the marble arch but love is not a victory march it’s a cold and it’s a broken hallelujah hallelujah… well there was a time when you let me know what’s really going on below but now you never show that to me do you but remember when i moved in you and the holy dove was moving too and every breath we drew was hallelujah well, maybe there’s a god above but all i’ve ever learned from love was how to shoot somebody who outdrew you it’s not a cry that you hear at night it’s not somebody who’s seen the light it’s a cold and it’s a broken hallelujah hallelujah…

More Bathing Your Baby Articles

Making Bath Time Special

Bath time is the perfect opportunity for parents and children to really get to know each other and spend quality time together.

How you view “bath time” is up to you. Many parents choose to treat it as a chore and dread the evenings – as do their children. In many homes, bath time is about as boring as brushing teeth. You, however, can choose to turn bath time into something special, which both you and your child will look forward to every day. For a child, bath time should be a transition between the noisy, busy world of day and the peaceful, cosy world of bed. With very little effort on your part you can make it a magic time for both of you.

How do you inject some magic into bath time? Firstly, by prioritizing it. Fix a time for baths that works around meals, cooking, welcoming home your spouse, making evening telephone calls and relaxing – and establish that time for both you and your child. If the phone rings, leave the answer machine to pick it up. Try to do a quick tidy-up with your child before bath time, so that you aren’t faced with a horrible mess afterwards – that way it becomes a transition between day and evening for you too. Make sure that you set aside enough time so that you aren’t rushing and nagging your child to hurry.

Now, to make bath time fun! Here are some suggestions for adding magic.

Bubbles:
Have an assortment of bubble baths suitable for your child. As long as you don’t choose anything too harsh, you don’t have to stick to children’s products, which can have very unnatural scents and colors. Include basic baby bubble bath and some therapeutic bath salts for energetic, sporty days. Display your different bottles and make a show of choosing which bubbles you will use each night. Perhaps if your child has been helpful tidying up, they can choose?

Essential Oils:
Two drops of lavender or chamomile essential oil (no more!) added to the bath and stirred in well will soothe and calm a fractious child after a long day. For variation, and to be sure that the oil disperses well, you can also add the drops to a cup of milk before adding to the bath. We sometimes use an unscented mild bubble bath with the essential oil.

Candle light for special occasions:
This is obviously only suitable for well-supervised bath times – but kids really do love the atmosphere of a candle lit bath. We would suggest that candles are lit only when the children are in the bath, and are extinguished before they climb out to be completely safe.

Warm towels and pyjamas:
Especially pampering in the winter months, children love to get out of the bath into a warmed towel and pyjamas! Little touches make all the difference.

Poetry night:
In our household, every Friday night bath time was poetry night. We chose Friday night because we often had other children round to play on a Friday afternoon and that meant that our kids were often over-tired and irritable when it came to bath time. We found suitable poetry in the library and on the internet, stored any printed pages in plastic file folders to keep them splash proof, and tried to introduce an interesting variety of poems to the kids. In reality, we read the same favorite poems over and over again!

Bath toys:
Rotate bath toys ruthlessly so that there is always something interesting to play with! Every so often you can raid the kitchen for suitable implements too – children love playing with sieves, whisks, measuring cups and jugs. Our kids would play endlessly with a plastic funnel, plastic bottles (some with holes punched in them) and a couple of plastic jugs. If you don’t want to use your own kitchen equipment, you can find these things very cheaply at garage sales and dollar stores. A plastic colander doubles as an excellent storage basket.

Fun foam toys:
You can buy fun foam shapes in buckets, or you can buy the foam at the craft store and cut your own shapes. Perhaps you could change your shapes to match holidays and seasons – flowers for spring and summer, Christmas trees at Christmas, bunnies and eggs at Easter? There are many possible learning activities too: cut pieces to teach colours, shapes, numbers or the alphabet, and practice matching, grouping, sorting, ordering and so on.

Shaving foam sculpture:
Squirt a few large blobs of shaving foam onto the side of bath or into your child’s hands (warn him to keep it away from his eyes) and let his imagination take over!

Music and story tapes:
Bath time is a good opportunity to introduce music of all kinds or to listen to a special story on tape or CD.

Blowing bubbles:
For a special treat, bring some bubble blowing mixture into the bathroom. Make sure that it doesn’t get into anyone’s eyes!

Colorful baths:
A few drops of food coloring will transform the bath into something exotic! Try orange or green at Halloween, red or green at Christmas, red for Valentine’s Day and so on. Keep the bottle well out of children’s reach!

Language night:
A friend used bath time once a week as “language night”, teaching her kids French by listening to French tapes and singing French songs. She decorated the room with small colorful posters, made by cutting up old exercise books or printing pages off the net and laminating them, which she stuck around the bath with sticky-tack. Any bath toys used that night were objects that could be named in French (plastic vegetables from her child’s shop, plastic boy and girl dolls, and so on).

Finally, remember that in a few short years the whole ritual of bath time will be long gone and your children will be old enough to shower or bath on their own – resisting any attempt from you to interfere! Have you noticed how eagerly a grandmother runs her grandchild’s bath and splashes and plays for much longer than necessary? If you asked her she would tell you to make the most of bath time while you can. Whatever you do now to make bath times magic will be repaid a thousand times in memories for you and your children in the future!

Related Bathing Your Baby Articles

Baby Gifts for the Special Baby in Your Life

Baby gifts have an innate quality about them to put a smile on the little one’s face. Baby Gifts may be of different types depending on the place, culture and occasion. Baby clothes, toys, items of utility and a baby gifts basket are the well known examples.

Baby gifts are classified into different gifting categories. Ideal baby gifts for varied set of occasions are discussed below:

Baby shower baby gifts:
Baby showers are events much looked forward to, by expectant mothers and close family members. Baby showers in India are traditional events where the would-be mother is blessed and showered with gifts. Although gifting baby gifts is not a common phenomenon in India, in the west, almost all baby shower gifts comprise utility items for the baby soon to be born. Cribs, bouncers, baby blankets and much more are included in this category.

New born baby gifts:
Baby multi gift pack comprising clothes, baby products and a fine assortment of baby care items make up this category of baby gifts.

First birthday baby gifts:
As the baby turns one, there are myriad gifting options for the little one. Not only is he more active now but is also learning new things. First birthday gifts may include learning toys, bath toys, personalized gifts, baby pillow taking shape of fruits or other attractive items and exclusive baby gift baskets. In addition to this, exclusive toys from Fischer price and Funskool make ideal gifts for a one year old.

There are several other gifts for a baby which need not necessarily be gifted on any particular occasion. An articulately arranged gift basket comprising exquisite gifts or items of utility make thoughtful baby gifts. Customized gifts are truly special as they add a personal touch to the whole process of gifting. Personalized pillows, baby blankets, feeding bottle or cup as the little one grows are ideal gifts for a baby.

Crib ornaments with a learning element like fairy tale figurines or alphabetical curios may seem ideal for a one year old. While choosing appropriate gifts for a baby, take care to choose items of utility over embellishments as items that make the baby learn are by far the most resourceful.

Baby gifts need not always be expensive as it is the though the matters. So take time to choose or get baby gifts (customized) so they not only look special but also make the baby feel truly loved and indeed very special.

Baby Gift Ideas For Special Occasions

Everybody loves to receive gifts, especially during special events or occasions. Whether it is a birthday or Christmas day, everyone deserves something that can make them remember the celebrated occasion. And you don’t want to forget giving your baby a gift, although this little darling can’t appreciate it yet, but the important thing is the thought behind your gift. Choosing a present for your infant is quite an easy task. While this infants can’t understand that much, you may just give those items that are practical and safe to use. Popular gift ideas for babies are:

Clothings

Baby clothings are one of the most popular gift items that most people choose to give for babies. The fact that they are very useful, these items can make a very stylish gifts too. General clothings include bibs, socks, gowns, hats, one-piece bodysuits, shirts and mittens. Also, to protect infants from unwanted change of weather you may consider sweaters, blanket sleepers, snowsuits, and warm blankets. These items of clothing comes with different styles, designs and themes. You may present themed gift of clothings during your baby’s birthday where you decided to have a themed birthday party celebration.

Toys

Most people opt for toys to give for children. While these toys are children’s best fun companion, you would want it to be extra special by making sure of its harmless features. Some toys can be very dangerous, that’s why you have to take precautionary measure of choosing a less dangerous type. For infants, its inappropriate to give large, hard and bulky toys. You may consider toy teether, soft stuff toys and the like. However, make sure to choose hypo-allergenic items to shield the baby from allergies.

Baby Foods and Supplies

Consider this very practical gift option for your little one. Food products and supplies are very essential for your baby’s growth. Theses food products are made from healthy and pure natural recipes that can make a safe and healthy meal for babies. Also, feeding supply materials can complete your gift basket. You can also make your own recipe for this feeding gift idea at home. Search for different sites on the Internet that can give you different compilations of recipes to please your baby’s tastes.

Any event that you want to give gifts to everyone, especially for your little one is such an amazing way to show how they are special to you. Other options for items designed for babies are furniture, photo frames and other decors, gift baskets and others. If creative and unique baby stuff is what you want, you may consider personalized baby gifts. From clothes, toys, to furnitures and decors. You’ll be able to have your little one’s name or initials on each item. Just remember, always settle with organic items if you want a safe and healthy lifestyle for your little one. Don’t settle for less, it can be harmful. Try to research some parenting guides that can give you important ideas on how to locate specialty stores that offer baby’s food and supplies.

This here is my pet turtle Oslo enjoying some tasty shrimp reptotreat. Quite a happy turtle I’d say. Song is Nostrand by Ratatat
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