Turn Off Your Flash
Have your blinds open giving a lot of extra light to the area that your baby plays in the most. Have your baby set up close to a window that the light shines on your baby at approximately a 45 degree angle. Keep in mind that the time of day will determine the amount of sunlight coming in the window. Experiment at different times of the day to find the right light with your view finder, and to determine how much extra light you will need to leave on in your house.

Get Close-up Shots
Use a telephoto lens or stand directly in front of the baby’s hands, face or feet to get an extreme close-up. Don’t always try to get full body shots, shoot for that precious close up shot that will get the twinkle in your baby’s eye. Get down on the babies level and you will be able to catch some of the most precious facial moments that you won’t get from up above your baby. It is definitely possible to capture your baby’s personality on film so take advantage of it. Get pictures of all the different facial expressions, including when your baby is crying or mad.

Variety
Most people tend to take most of our photos horizontally. Try some vertical or angled shots as well. This can help fill in those empty spots in your scrapbook and will give a whole different look to your picture.

Remove Distractions
Keep your backgrounds simple and free of distractions. If you use a blanket to add texture, be sure that it is a simple color and that it doesn’t take away from your babies face. Don’t use a heavily patterned background that will take the attention away from your baby.

Black & White
Experiment with black and white pictures to give your baby a different look. Even sepia shots can give a great, old timey look to a special photo. Take pictures with toys in different formats.

Review Your Photos
When you look at your photos you will see what needs to be improved and you can work on those areas on future pictures. You will see what techniques worked out great, and what techniques didn’t deliver the picture that you were looking for.

These techniques are good for both digital and regular cameras. Remember that everyday your baby is going to be doing things that you will want to get a picture of so be prepared! In twenty years, you will be glad you were.

With this in mind, be sure that you keep your camera in a convenient location and that whenever it is not being used it is in that location. This will mean that you won’t lose those special moments while searching for your camera. Believe me I have lost plenty of great “Kodak” moments searching for the camera (this is especially true if older siblings and children are involved in those perfect picture moments that are so very rare). While I am by no means advocating total structure and rigidity in your life, the camera is a special tool that you will want convenient throughout most of your little one’s childhood.

When it comes to baby photos, there is absolutely nothing wrong with point and shoot photography. You can get the beautiful pictures you desire without having so many bells and whistles on your camera that you have difficulties figuring out which button actually snaps the shot. Believe me, I’ve been there when it comes to cameras and the simplest cameras in the hands of the untrained provide far superior results than a fully loaded camera with countless bells and whistles if you don’t know how to properly use them. Find a camera that you are confident of your abilities to use and let that be your camera. Beyond that my only real recommendation is digital if you can afford the investment as they provide you with the most options for sharing photos and not paying for the photos you aren’t happy with. Even more than that however, I’m an instant gratification kind of girl after waiting 9 months to see my baby’s beautiful face I don’t want to wait one hour let alone a few days for processing. Most of the digital cameras of today offer you the option of viewing your shot immediately.

Sneak attacks work best when attempting to capture those tender moments. Camera shy adults will shy away, turn away, or grimace and camera hogs will send out their cheesiest grins and poses. Sneak attacks allow for a more natural setting and a much more beautiful, unstaged baby photo that will look great in your baby photo album.

All in all, the most important things when it comes to capturing those tender baby moments in pictures is to take the photo of baby and whomever else may be included without either being aware, with a camera that you are comfortable with and can place your hands on before the moment is lost. There will be many moments that are special throughout your baby’s life so don’t despair of the moment passes before it is captured on film or disc. Just remember to keep a vigilant eye out for opportunities and seize them when they appear.

If you are wondering how you can take better baby pictures then you will want to follow some of the great advice you will find below.

1. Pay attention to your lighting. Whenever possible use natural lighting for your photographs but be careful that you do not have shadows overpowering your little one’s sweet smile. The right lighting can make a good picture phenomenal at the same time it can also ruin a perfect photo opportunity. If you have a digital camera with really good quality photo editing software and a firm knowledge of how to use that to your advantage lighting is still important but not as critically important. The truth is that very few of us have that benefit in our corner so it is better to err on the side of abundant natural lighting whenever possible.
2. Make sure your baby is comfortable. Believe it or not this often gets overlooked in the process. If your baby has a wet or dirty diaper he is much less likely to be cooperative when it comes to giving those elusive smiles. The same holds true for days after vaccinations or when teething. You also want to avoid taking photos around your baby’s traditional naptime as this tends to be a time when your baby is trying to settle down according to his routine and photos may prove to be disturbing. Choose your photo moments carefully in order to insure a happy baby.
3. Whenever possible try to choose your background. There are times when a great picture simply presents itself and you would be crazy not to take it. However, there are other times when choosing the right background will insure that the focus remains on your beautiful baby rather than getting lost in busy things going on in the back. The simpler the background for your baby photos, the better.
4. Take plenty of photos so that you can go through and weed out those you aren’t pleased with. You may just find that there are times when you hit the jackpot with that one special shot. This is especially easy if you are fortunate enough to have a digital camera as you have essentially unlimited mulligans when it comes to baby pictures.
5. Take photos at the level of your little one rather than looking down on him through the camera lens. This will make you seem less threatening and the prospect of your being behind the camera far less intimidating to your little one. Also remember to interact with your baby during this process so that he will respond to your voice and act accordingly.

While these five tips may not tell you how to take the perfect baby pictures every single time they offer practical advice that is a great place for any photographer to begin when it comes to taking pictures of baby.

The truth of the matter is that you can put a few tips of the pros into place when it comes to taking a cute baby picture of your very own. The first thing you need to remember and keep in mind is that you simply must keep your poses age appropriate. For younger babies, aged newborn to about 3 months, there really isn’t much you can do other than prop them in the pose you desire or hold them for those perfectly sweet photos.

Once your baby has reached the milestone of holding his or her head up on her own you will find that there are a few more options when it comes to creating great baby poses. Having your baby push up with a blanket over his or her head can create some poignant picture poses while also recording this small milestone in your baby’s development. Once your baby can sit you are open to a whole new world of photo ops and posing options. Some of my favorites include washtubs and rubber ducks, splashing in wading pools, literally sitting in a bucket of balls—use your imagination and things that your baby enjoys for more natural looking posing possibilities. The problem with posing at this point is that your baby is more mobile than ever, which spells disaster for most planned poses. At this stage I seriously recommend a camera that can take shots of a baby on the move.

From the time your baby has reached a state of mobility whether it be rolling over, crawling, or walking you will constantly need to be aware of the fact that every pose is subject to baby approval. This means that a good many of them will not last very long. The truth of the matter is however, that once your baby has begun moving and developing a personality of his or her own, you will find that he creates plenty of poses that are most definitely photo worthy of his own volition. In fact, I would be willing to bet that most of those pictures that win baby photo contests are natural rather than contrived poses.

When it comes to your baby there are so many things you will have to worry about over the course of his or her life. Don’t waste your worrying over taking the ‘perfect’ picture or finding the ‘perfect’ pose. Your baby will provide you with some brilliant poses of his own during the course of his life if you are looking out for them.

One of the most exciting events an expecting mother looks forward to is celebrating her baby shower.

Deciding to Throw a Baby Shower
Baby showers are often thrown by a friend or family member. Formal tradition dictates that someone other than a family member throws the baby shower, but this certainly does not have to be the case and many modern women go against the grain and welcome any offers from family willing to throw a party on their and baby’s behalf.

Preparing Ahead of Time: The First Critical Steps
Planning and throwing a shower can be a cumbersome task if you go into in unprepared. It certainly does not have to be however, if you keep a few things in mind.

One of the most important considerations is planning where and when the baby shower will take place. The majority of baby showers are held before mom gives birth, but this is not always the case and certainly does not have to be. Some mothers are superstitious and prefer to have the baby shower after birth, to ensure the happy and healthy delivery of their newborn. Be sure if you are planning the happy event to check in with mom to be to ensure you plan it at a time that is comfortable for her.

Most showers are held in someone’s home other than that of the new mom. Typically the person throwing the baby shower hosts the party at their house or at an alternate location such as a park or reception hall.

Invitation List
The next step in planning a shower is figuring out who to invite. The guest list should be the responsibility of the guest of honor. Letting mom develop the invitation list will ensure that no one gets left out.

Most parties held are women-only parties, though this trend is rapidly changing. As fathers continue to become more involved in the planning for new babies, many couples are starting to hold co-ed parties that invite couples. Be sure to check in again with the guest of honor to ensure that the theme of the party matches her preferences.

Themes and Thrills
Deciding on a theme isn’t necessary, but can add fun and excitement to the party. The theme of the party for an expectant parent who is having a boy baby might be something as simple as a color, such as “green”. Guests might be encouraged to bring gifts that correspond with the nursery room theme as well. Many parents for example, design baby’s room with a certain theme in mind such as ducks. Guests might consider brining items that match this idea. Even the cake and decorations can be designed to incorporate a selected topic or idea.

No baby shower would be complete without incorporating a few fun games. Deciding on games doesn’t require a degree in rocket science. One popular and traditional game involves having everyone get together in a circle and write down one piece of advice for the mom to be. Another one might have everyone right down one prediction for the new baby’s future. These cards can be collected at the end of the party and stored in baby’s memory book for review at a later date, providing a wonderful memento for mommy to be and baby.

Though it is not required, some hosts provide gag gifts for anyone participating in a game. This can be a fun way to allow mom and guests enjoy the gift giving bonanza.

One last tip to consider prior to throwing the party is finding out where an expectant mom is registered. Including this information on the invitation or having it available to give out to guests will truly help mom receive special gifts that will match her preferences for baby’s first year. One of the reasons for throwing a shower is to help new parents collect much needed items for baby’s first year.

About The Author
Adriana Copaceanu provides people with creative gift ideas that don’t blow the bank. Gift Baskets for Baby to Birthday and Beyond, are just some gift ideas you’ll find at her site: www.abcgiftsandbaskets.com Want regular reminders on gift-giving? Sign up for her free monthly newsletter at www.abcgiftsandbaskets.com/gift-news-signup.htm.

Avocados are the most practical “go anywhere, eat anywhere” food. They do not need to be cooked, require no refrigeration, they come with their own carrying case and even have a built-in serving bowl! So next time you and your baby are on the go, drop an avocado and a spoon in your diaper bag and you are all set!

The handiest method for preparing an avocado is to cut the pear-shaped fruit in half length-wise with a sharp knife so that you cut in to and all around the pit; then rotate and pull the two halves apart. Remove the pit. With the knife, gently make a cross-hatch pattern throughout the halved fruit while the skin is attached, then use a spoon to separate the flesh from the shell by scooping the soft, ripe fruit gently. The skin becomes the serving bowl.

Yummy, quick, sweet treat
Spread some avocado right on a graham cracker. For an older toddler, add a few raisins and make “Ants on the grass!”

Age to introduce: About 9 months

About the avocado
The avocado is a fruit that tastes more like a vegetable with a smooth consistency and a rich, nutty flavor. It is one of the world’s few fruits that contain fat. Fortunately, most of the great tasting fat is the good monounsaturated variety. Along with a healthy dose of fat, the avocado is densely packed with plenty of nutrients.

The avocado is proudly recognized as having the highest fiber content of any fruit, it contains 60 percent more potassium than a banana, and it is the highest fruit source of vitamin E — and that is just the beginning!

Studies have shown that nutrients in avocados can help slow the aging process, lower cholesterol levels, fight heart disease and fight eye diseases; such as cataracts and macular degeneration. They can help protect against birth defects during pregnancy. They also contain cancer-protecting nutrients, especially for prostate cancer.

Avocados ripen off the tree, which is why they can arrive at your market somewhat hard. There are many different varieties of avocados with different shades of green skin and smooth to bumpy skin texture. All varieties of avocados taste great! No matter the variety, ripe avocados should yield to gentle pressure.

About the Authors
Cheryl Tallman and Joan Ahlers are the mothers of five children and founders of Fresh Baby. The Fresh Baby concept is simple — When you make it yourself, you know it’s better. Along with developing products for parents to get actively involved in making healthy food choices for their children from the first bite of food; they also publish Fresh Ideas, a free, monthly newsletter that provides healthy eating ideas for the whole family.