You have been waiting for this month since the first trimester began and you got your positive pregnancy test! At the end of this month you will be holding your precious baby in your arms. But are you ready for all that labor and delivery will bring?

You have probably had at least one baby shower, or if you already have kids you had several “left over” items you can use for this baby. Before you bring the baby home there are several essentials that you want to make sure you have waiting for you.

Infant/Convertible Car Seat
There are no ifs, ands or buts when it comes to having a car seat to bring your baby home in. If you have your baby in a hospital then you will not be allowed to leave the hospital without having your newborn secured in a car seat.

There are two types of car seats you can buy for your baby. One is an infant car seat. It is specifically designed to hold babies up to approximately 22 pounds and 26 inches, and being portable so you do not have to disturb a sleeping baby to get him out of a car. They are also convenient because you can strap your baby in while in the house and then just lock the car seat in the base.

The other type of car seat you might buy is a convertible car seat. This kind stays in your car all the time, but is designed to face backwards until your babies first birthday, and then sit forwards until your baby is about 40 pounds. Some convertible car seats can hold your baby till they are about 60 pounds.

Supplies
Before you head to the hospital, you should make sure you have your house well stocked on all the supplies you will need when you bring your baby home, so that you do not have to run to the store immediately. Make sure you have plenty of diapers, diaper rash ointment, baby powder, diaper wipes, wash cloths, scratch mitts, and gowns for your baby to sleep in. You will be tired upon arriving home from the hospital so having the supplies close at hand will help save time and save your energy.

A Place for Baby to Sleep
Make sure you have a plan for a place to lay your baby to sleep. There are many choices out there. You may choose to co-sleep with your baby in your bed. If so you might want to buy a sleep positioner to help keep your baby safe. Other choices for sleeping arrangements include a crib, a bassinet or a travel yard. Bassinets are designed to keep your baby close by you and can often be moved throughout the house.

Travel yards are often designed with built in bassinets that can be removed when the baby outgrows the weight limit. Travel yards are nice because not only can they be taken around the house, but they can be packed up and taken to Grandma’s for the day. Some babies will remain in a travel yard until they outgrow it and move into a toddler bed.

The majority of babies are placed in a crib at some point, whether it is when they are first brought home, or when they outgrow a bassinet. The crib is normally the center of a nursery, and can come in many styles and colors. Crib bedding that you pick will lead to the entire design of your nursery.

Baby Bath Tub
You want to make sure when you bring your baby home that you have a safe place to bathe him or her once the umbilical cord falls off. Newborns are too small to be placed in your bath tub and they will need support to keep from falling over. Some people choose to set their baby in a sink. If you choose to use the kitchen sink, you will want an infant bather to set the baby in, so that your baby doesn’t fall over. You can also set the bather up in the bath tub as the baby gets bigger and wash him there. There are several different types of baby bath tubs normally ranging between $10 to $40.

There are probably other products that you will find that you can’t live without once you get your baby home. If you find that you have forgotten something don’t panic. If possible send out a friend or family member to pick up the item for you so that you can concentrate on settling in with your new baby.

By Jill Brennan

You’ve done a lot of the hard work and potty training is now going well. To get things running smoothly you’ve been staying home and it’s been working. You’ve got a good system happening between the two of you and there have been relatively few accidents in recent days. You’re even starting to feel like this potty training thing is no big deal.

You wonder whether maybe it’s time to head out, to move beyond the safety of home. However, you know that potty training at home is very different to potty training in the big wide world but you aren’t sure how different and what to do to prepare yourself and educate your child on what to expect.

Just because it’s new and perhaps a bit intimidating, you can’t stay home forever. No really, you can’t! Of course, it’s tempting to put them in pull ups so you won’t have to worry about any potential accidents. The only problem is that it isn’t really sending your child the right message about the path ahead.

You know that your child can go for at least an hour in between potty visits so if you time it right you might be able to get there and back within the hour. Well, maybe. But bladders, especially children’s bladders, aren’t always like that. You know what it’s like when you get excited or nervous, you need to go to the bathroom more. Your child is like that too, only they can’t hold on like you can. So you may well find that your child needs to go more when they are out, not less.

So what can you do?
1. Explain to your child what will happen when you are out, how it will likely be different from home and any concerns you may have.

2. Get them to go, or at least try to go potty before you leave.

3. Find out where the toilets are as soon as you get wherever you are going and go straight away. It’s much easier doing this calmly before they really need it than in the rush of a sudden urge.

4. If you’re out in public, as you move around always be on the lookout for those tell-tale bathroom signs so you know exactly which direction you should head if you need to.

5. If you don’t have a portable potty with you, try getting your child to sit backwards on a regular toilet – some children find this easier because they have the wall or toilet cistern to hold onto and don’t feel like they are going to fall off the seat on to the floor.

6. Take some spare clothing, a couple of plastic bags, and some baby wipes and paper towels with you in case of accidents.

7. If they have an accident in a shop or restaurant – let the staff know and race to the bathroom with your child. Sure it is embarrassing but you won’t be the first. All you can really do is apologise – quickly – and leave a big tip.

8. If your child has an accident at a friend’s house then it’s your responsibility to clean it up. Best to take your own paper towels so you can quickly spring into action without having to ask for everything and make it a big deal.

9. Don’t forget to take your sense of humour – accidents or not, you’re going to need it. There may be several false alarms with your child wanting to find out what happens when they say the magic trigger word. If you feel this is happening, try not to get upset with them. Instead try praising them for telling you and being so responsible about their potty training, even though you know it’s not easy.

Good luck!

About The Author
Find more information on how to handle potty training road blocks and what other potty training sites won’t tell you, visit Potty Training. There you will find the advice and resources you need to succeed with potty training in the long term.

by Lesley Mattos

Is there anything more exciting than the arrival of a new baby? The instant the parents-to-be find out that they’re expecting, every moment in life takes on an added layer of meaning. Whether it’s thinking of names, planning a nursery or breaking the news to an older brother or sister, it seems that everything is suddenly a special event.

Of course the one thing new babies need the most is love, but the list of supplies and equipment that new parents need to outfit and care for their new arrival is mind-boggling! When trying to decide on a gift it’s easy to get overwhelmed – especially if it’s a couple’s first child. Should you chip in with other friends or family members to get one of those big tickets items like a crib or a deluxe stroller? And if you get clothes, should you get stuff they can use right away, or those great toddler options that are out there?

Here are six other fun and functional baby gift ideas that won’t put a strain on your busy schedule OR your budget:

Baby Album of Firsts
While the pregnancy itself may seem to take an eternity, once the baby is born, time flies by at warp speed! As new parents, they’re going to feel a longing to capture as many of the “firsts” as possible — the baby’s first smile, laugh, roll over, solid food, crawl, word, step, tooth, etc. The list of events is endless, and so will the memories with a baby photo album of firsts. That’s why, as Founder of Adesso Albums I am passionate about helping parents capture the “Now” of their children’s most precious moments.

Bib-a-Day
Okay, we know that once babies start eating “real” food it’s more like a bib-a-minute, but don’t you think that new parents would appreciate a week’s worth of bibs? Check out the choices at your local baby or department or discount store. You can get the same bib in a variety of colors, go for a cute animal theme or get seven bibs that are completely different from one another. Does Dad or Mom have a favorite sport? Check online and you’re sure to have an instant winner with an “official” team bib.

Bundle of Basics
Many essential baby products are small and inexpensive, and combining a whole bunch of them can make a terrific and useful gift. Baby lotion, shampoo, mild soap, diaper rash ointment, Vaseline, washcloths, itsy-bitsy fingernail clippers, a brush and comb set, tub toys, a teething ring — the list goes on and on! You can put the goodies in a pretty basket, a small hamper, or just wrap it all up in a receiving blanket and you’re good to go!

A Heap o’ Wipes
Any experienced parent knows that you can never have too many diaper wipes. So go to your local club/warehouse store and buy the biggest package of baby wipes you can find (go ahead, splurge and buy two). Throw in an economy-sized box or two of diapers, wrap it all up with a big bow, and just like that you’ll have made things easier for harried new parents. It may not be the prettiest present they get, but it’s for sure the most practical!

Baby’s First Book
What was your favorite book when you were growing up? Odds are it was a classic that is still delighting youngsters today. If you still have that book and it’s in good condition you can add a handwritten inscription and you’ll have an instant heirloom. Or pick up a nice, new hardcover edition and add an inscription about what this book has meant to you. Since it will be a while before the baby will be able to appreciate the special book, consider adding a few inexpensive toddler board books that can be enjoyed sooner.

Gift Card
In a rush? Out of ideas? How about getting a gift card that the new parents can use at their local baby or department or discount store? That way you’ll know for sure that they’re getting what they want and need. Or for a sure-to-be-appreciated change of pace, buy a gift certificate for a nice local restaurant and offer to baby-sit one evening so that Mom and Dad can get some quality time for themselves — and make SURE they go!

About the Author
As Founder of Adesso Albums, Lesley Mattos is passionate about helping people all over the world capture the “Now” in life’s most important moments. Of all the ways to welcome a new baby and capture those memories, the Adesso Album is the only baby album keepsake that provides an instant memory in both pictures and words. To create a memory keepsake for every “first” in your child’s life, visit www.adessoalbums.com/baby.html.

Having a baby can be very expensive, and so if you can find ways to cut corners, it’s worth doing. That’s where homemade baby wipes can be of great benefit. Not only do you save money, you can also be more confident what it is that you’re using on your baby’s precious skin. You can be reassured there’s nothing that might cause irritation.

Like baby wipes you purchase in a store, homemade baby wipes are portable and convenient. To make them, start with a roll of paper towels, such as Viva or Bounty. You will also need baby bath liquid, water, and a sturdy plastic container with a lid. I’m sure you can already see how you’re saving money – buying baby wipes costs from $3 to $5 a package. You’re paying for chemicals, fragrance, alcohol or other ingredients that dry the skin, and water. The ingredients listed for homemade baby wipes make two batches of wipes, so you’re only paying around 60 cent per package. Even better, you choose the baby bath liquid, and can therefore use organic or all natural if you wish to.

Firstly, choose a cylindrical plastic container, slightly bigger than a quart container. It needs to be tall enough to hold a roll of paper towels cut in half (so a bit bigger than a roll of toilet paper). Make sure the container’s lid fits tightly. Use a sharp blade to cut an “x” slit in middle of the lid.

Now, cut your roll of paper towel in half using a sharp knife. You will end up with two smaller rolls that look quite similar to rolls of toilet paper. Put one half of the paper towel roll into the container.

Grab a bowl, and mix together 2 cups of water and 2 tablespoons of the baby bath liquid. Pour this mixture into your homemade baby wipes container. Now you can go and make yourself a coffee, as you’ll need to wait about five minutes while the paper towels soak up the bath liquid mixture. Once the five minutes has passed, gently pull the cardboard core out of the middle of the paper towel roll. As you pull the core out, the innermost piece of paper towel should follow it up. Pull the piece of paper towel through the slit you cut in the container’s lid, and put the lid back on.

Now, when you’re ready to use a wipe, just pull the paper towel up through the lid of the container. The paper towel is perforated, so it will tear off easily at the perforation, leaving the next wipe poking through the lid, ready to use when you need it.

The container works well when you’re at home, but homemade baby wipes can also be used when you’re out and about. Pull out the number of baby wipes you’ll need and put them in a zip lock plastic bag. You can then just unzip the bag and take out a wipe when you need one, or you can cut a small hole in the bag to pull through one end of the first wipe, ready for use. In that case you may want to put the whole zip lock bag inside a plastic portable wipes box, both to stop them leaking and protect them from drying out in the air. Now you have portable homemade baby wipes!

Homemade baby wipes are very simple to make, cheap, convenient and much better for your baby’s skin – so make your own today!

About the Author:
Find heaps more great money saving baby ideas at Info About Baby You can sign up for a FREE Baby Tips newsletter at Baby Tips Newsletter. The author’s book about babies is available at Baby’s First Year.

By Michelle Shelton, Parenting Coach

With my first son, Phillip, we had a great Pediatrician from India. This man was very gentle with babies and you could tell when he held a baby that he loved children. When my son was a few days old, this doctor told me something that I had a difficult time grasping at first. He said, “Don’t wipe your baby’s bottom every time you change the diaper.”

This seemed foreign to me. I listened but I walked away thinking he didn’t know what he was talking about. I was under the impression that I was to clean that baby thoroughly every time I changed him. 

Well, I set out to do just what the doctor told me; after all, he was the expert and I was a new mom! I realized somewhere along the line that the doctor was right. The only time I would wipe the baby’s bottom was when he had a bowel movement never when he was wet. Looking back I realized how wise that doctor really was. He understood that the PH of the baby’s skin was the same as the acid in the urine. Rubbing the baby’s sensitive skin 9 or 10 times a day, coupled with the constant PH change was a sure cause of a sore baby bottom. The urine didn’t cause a diaper rash, the wiping did! There was one other culprit that would cause a rash and that was a bowel movement.

With 5 children over several years, I can tell you that diaper rash honestly did not happen at our house. I attribute this to a quick and immediate change with diaper wipes whenever there was a bowel movement and NO wiping baby’s bottom when there wasn’t a bowel movement. Over the years I received many snide comments from on-lookers and well-intentioned friends and family but I would happily report to them that it was the doctor’s orders! What could they say to that?

To wipe or not to wipe must be a personal decision and I will leave you with this bit of “only wiping with bowel movement” information to do with what you will. One more thing though, after years of dealing with doctors, I wish I could tell you that they were all “experts” and that you should always do exactly everything they say, unfortunately, I have not found this to be true. I have found that there are some really good doctors out there and even then you should use your best judgment when dealing you’re your child.

While we are on the subject of baby bottoms and baby wipes, you might want to use this recipe. I made these wipes for over 5 years and always had them on hand. They were easy and saved a lot of money and my husband and I always felt they were just as good as the store brand!

Home Made Baby Wipes
If you go to a second hand store you can pick up an electric knife for about $3 and use it to cut your paper towels in half the short way. I tried other paper towels that were cheaper than Bounty and they would fall apart and mold if you left them in the container, so stick with Bounty for best results.

• ½ Roll of Bounty paper towels
• 1-Cup Water
• 1 TBS baby oil
• 2 TBS baby shampoo or baby bath of your choice
• Rubbermaid cylinder type container or old baby wipe container.

Mix all liquid ingredients in cylinder container. Remove outside plastic and inner cardboard tube from paper towels and place them in the container and put the lid on tight. Flip container over and wait until towels are thoroughly saturated. Pull wipes from middle. Want a printable version of this recipe? Go to: http://www.keys2kids.com/babywipes print.htm

Happy wiping!

© 2003 by Michelle Shelton. All rights reserved

About the Author
Michelle Shelton is an author, parenting coach, parent consultant, acclaimed public speaker, and Arizona Real Estate Agent and parent educator. Michelle is the author of the well known column Life with all these Kids. Visit her web site www.askmichelleshelton.com or contact her at 480-577-8272.

1. Diapers (5 -7 is a fairly safe supply).
2. Wipes
3. Cream (like Desitin, A&D ointment, Vaseline).
4. Baby Powder
5. At least one bottle of juice or milk
6. A few jars of baby food
7. At least one clean outfit
8. A few bibs
9. A few cloth diapers to clean up spit and other spills
10. Items to entertain your baby (rattles, books, toys)
11. Baby thermometer
12. Teething rings
13. Biter biscuits or similar type of crackers
14. Medicine for fevers, colds, related symptoms
15. Any prescription medications
16. Measuring device for medications
17. Baby Nail Clippers
18. Phone number of Baby’s Physician
19. Any stuffed animals or favorite blankets your baby needs to fall asleep
20. Any parenting books you refer to frequently to find answers to unexpected questions

Resource Box – © Danielle Hollister (2004)

About the Author:
Danielle Hollister is the Writing Host at BellaOnline and Publisher of BellaOnline’s Writing Zine To subscribe send email to: bellaonlinewriting-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

By Jennifer Gove

What your baby needs and may not need.

There are so many gadget out on the market, so many cute little out fits, so many baby thing that we think we need, so many we don’t need. Simply Moms offers you a list to get you started and steer you clear of the don’t needs.

Layette
Don’t spend TONS of money on these first little out fits baby will grow really fast and many clothes they may not even get to wear!

Other stuff