Author Archives: celebmom

Apr
25

Sunny Days are Here Again: Melissa & Doug will Get you Geared UP!

on April 25, 2012

Melissa and Doug have quite a selection of outdoor toys, perfect for the upcoming summer months. Stay active while spending time with your children as they play outside with their new Sunny Patch toys by Melissa and Doug. Here is one toy from the Sunny Patch line that is worth calling out:

Sunny Patch Bella Butterfly Gardening Set

Sunny Patch is an imaginative world filled with whimsical, adorable characters boys and girls will love.

With its easy-clean handle and lovely colors, keeping the weeds away in style is easy with this durable metal cultivator. Your garden will bloom when your young helper grabs hold of this sturdy metal trowel. This child-size tool features fashionable colors on its easy-clean handle.

Your child will enjoy thinking of new uses every day for this generously sized, plastic cart, perfect for indoor or outdoor use. Assembling with ease, the sturdy wheels and handle make it fun to move favorite toys, games or collections to a different location. With Bella Butterfly decorating the sides, this cart is handy and stylish! Protect young hands and make gardening extra-colorful with these Bella Butterfly gloves. Bright stripes and butterflies add instant beauty to your garden! This product also comes in “Happy Giddy” style, perfect for your little boy or girl!

Log on to BabyAge.com and check out the product features and full line of Melissa & Doug products.

Happy Shopping!

Leave a comment

Posted in Melissa and Doug, Melissa and Doug Toys, Summer, Summer Fun, Sunny Patch

Apr
23

Dressing your newborn baby

on April 23, 2012

You just had a baby and you’re over-protective and worried that something will go wrong one way or another. When all seems like it’s going well, the baby has to be bathed and changed. Phew, the bath went well but changing your newborn has proven impossible. For a child less than 10 lbs, putting the onesie over his head without jamming his neck is your goal and you will be able to do it!

Take a deep breath and relax. Your child is precious but not untouchable. Here are tips to ensure that you make it through the first week of parenting without running away!

1- To avoid dealing with an overdramatic fussy baby, try changing him/her after a feeding. After your baby burps, lay your infant down and slowly begin to undress and redress them. You might find that they are less fussy because they are full.

2- If you are dressing your new baby girl in clothes fit for a doll, reconsider. The best way to dress a newborn is simply and comfortably. Remove the elastic headband with a bow and puffy dress (unless taking a picture or going to a holiday party.)

3- Overdressing your newborn can lead to heat rash. It is a very common mistake made by parents who want their babies bundled wherever they may go. A general rule of thumb: Dressing a baby in one more layer than a comfortably-dressed adult is the way to go to ensure that your baby is comfortable and warm but not hot.

Leave a comment

Posted in Bathing a newborn, Caring for a newborn, Dressing a newborn

Apr
20

Keep your marriage healthy after the arrival of your new addition

on April 20, 2012

The article titled “To Keep Marriage Healthy When Baby Comes, Share Housework,” published in December of 2011 on NPR.org discusses the findings of several researchers who point out the problems that accompany the birth of a new child to first time parents.

From changing a babies diaper to late-night feedings and early morning wake-ups, having a child can put a strain on both parents and their happiness together. With this lack of marital intimacy, professionals now advise that couples seek counseling before the birth of their new additions to know what to and not to do to preserve a healthy relationship.

Being pregnant is a joyous and beautiful experience but once the baby comes, equality must be a part of your vocabulary. According to a survey conducted through the University of Virginia, “more than one third of the 2,870 married couples observed had managed to stay happy through the emotional, physical and financial strains of new parenthood. (NPR.org)”

Of the top five traits that kept the marriage together, the National Marriage Project of the University of Virginia and the Institute for American Values found that sharing housework equally kept both the mother and father in a relationship “very happy.”

Leave a comment

Posted in Expecting a Baby, Happily Married, Healthy Marriage after baby

Apr
18

Time to go to the Doctor: For the First Time!

on April 18, 2012

It is vital to make sure that your child goes to the doctor routinely but when should he/she make their first appearance at the eye doctor and dentist? According to the American Optometric Association, infants as early as 6 months of age should have their first comprehensive eye exam.

Additional eye exams should take place at age three and again between ages five and six or just before entering first grade. School-aged children are recommended to visit the eye doctor for a routine check-up every two years unless advised otherwise by their optometrist.

Children ages 6 months to one year should also visit the dentist. According to Dr. Mac Lee, speaker, author, and health contributor, “Getting a dental exam at this age helps a child build a comfort level with the dentist.” It is also important to check for decay. Baby bottle tooth decay, caused by prolonged contact with almost any liquid other than water, is prominent amongst babies.

An additional dental visit should take place at age two. Acquainting your child with the dentist will result in pain-free annual trips, saving you unnecessary hassle and time. By two years of age, your child should be free of tooth decay and gum disease!

Leave a comment

Posted in First Dental Visit, First Eye Doctor Visit

Tagged , ,

Apr
16

Goodbye cup o’ Joe

on April 16, 2012

If the thought of cutting out the morning “must-have” cup of coffee has you shaking in your boots, consider the healthy alternatives available that will keep you feeling energized throughout the day.

Eating frequent meals and snacks with energy boosting vitamins will keep you wide awake throughout the day. You might also feel better, too! Because you’re pregnant, cutting the caffeine isn’t the only healthy routine you should get into. Taking prenatal vitamins will also help you to stay energized without a caffeine fix!

What else could be good about cutting out the cup of coffee? The money that you save! Any amount of savings is sure to look great in a jar, fund, or savings account. A $3.00 cup of coffee every day for a year may not sound like it would add up to all that much but that’s where you’re wrong. Your total savings will be around $1,092. How’s that for pricey? 

Here are 9 natural ways to boost your energy without the use of the morning brew:

1- Vegetables
2- Whole-grain Cereal
3- 100% fruit juice
4- Fresh/dried fruit
[Eating 2 bananas will give you enough energy to workout for 1.5 hours. They boost you at mid day and their effects will last longer than caffeine!]
5- Nuts
6- Whole-grain pasta
7- Turkey
8- Peanut butter
9- Water

Leave a comment

Posted in health, Save Money, Saving for Baby, Savings

Tagged , ,

Apr
11

Take a bite out of teething

on April 11, 2012

“My child is drooling, biting, sucking, crying, and has a mild temperature. What is wrong with him?”

If your child is showing signs of teething between 4 to 8 months of age, take a deep breath and relax. Although teething can be as painful for you as it is your baby the effects will subside with time.

Pain, pain, go away. Come again another day.

Here are a few tricks that will help your baby feel more comfortable while teething:

• Give your baby a mild pain reliever, labeled for his or her specific age. For example, Tylenol or Ibuprofen might help relieve your baby’s discomfort and should not be given in a larger dose than prescribed. Aspirin is a no-go for any persons younger than 20 because it has been linked to Reye syndrome, a rare but serious disease.

• Use a clean finger or cold teething ring to gently rub your baby’s gum for about 2 minutes at a time. Many babies find this soothing. Putting pressure on the gums reduces the severity of the infants throbbing pain.

Check out this neat concept: Chewable Jewels were crafted by Dr. Bloom Inc., a company that successfully fused safety and style to create its popular chewable jewelry. Dr. Bloom Inc. is proud to be leading the trend in “safe mom” jewelry as well as giving moms practical fashion options. What could be better than a piece of jewelry that looks great and keeps baby happy?

All products are made from FDA approved materials, phthalate free, both waterproof and dishwasher-durable, and are officially endorsed by dentists nationwide. Log on to BabyAge.com to read key features about the Chewable jewels!

Leave a comment

Posted in Chew on This, Chewable Jewels, teethers

Apr
9

How to save while gearing up for your new addition

on April 9, 2012

From grocery shopping to underwear shopping, we are all guilty of overspending one way or another. Whether it was the unnecessary purchase of five new pairs of underwear for 25 dollars from Victoria’s Secret or the extra box of goldfish set specifically at the end of the aisle at two for five a pop, buying more than anticipated is not a crime but it can hurt you in the long run. Here are a few tips that will help you budget your expenses while accommodating your growing belly and appetite!

1.) Clip, Clip, Clip! This should not be the sound of you cutting your old clothing to fit your growing belly but the sound of clipping the Sunday coupons. Grocery stores have daily sales that should not be overlooked. Why pay extra for your newly devised organic diet when you can pay less?

2.) Maternity clothing section: You might find yourself passing your favorite stores at the mall and waddling to the maternity section, but don’t feel down on yourself. Pregnancy is a thing of beauty although it may not feel this way because shopping for comfort is not always the most fashionable route. Put down the skinny jeans and try something new for the next few months. It is important to avoid tight, digging clothing around your midsection. Do not go overboard in purchasing every cute maternity shirt/pant combo you can find, you are only pregnant for nine months. If you can, your best bet is to borrow!

3.) Get insurance if you have not done so already: Having a child is an expense in itself. The medical bills will run you at least five thousand dollars. If receiving insurance is not an option, check to see if local clinics or pharmacies offer discount cards.

Leave a comment

Posted in Save Money, Saving for Baby

Apr
6

Tap or bottled water for infant formula?

on April 6, 2012

Bottled water can be pricey and lack important minerals, whereas tap water can contain dangerous additives—so where is the middle ground? What constitutes as safe?

According to Jay L. Hoecker, M.D. it is still considered safe to use fluoridated tap water to prepare infant formula, though too much exposure to fluoride is not a good thing. Fluoride is present in such things as water, formula, and toothpaste which are all a part of your baby’s daily regimen.

Cdc.gov says it is safe to use fluoridated water for preparing infant formula. Switching between tap and nonfluoridated water such as purified, demineralized, deionized, or distilled from time to time will ensure that your baby will not develop fluorosis. If this is the case, make sure to consult your baby’s doctor who may recommend fluoride supplements as early as 6 months old.

Leave a comment

Posted in Bottled Water, bottles, Fluoride, Tap Water

Apr
5

Baby Shower Games: Fun for Everyone!

on April 5, 2012

For a baby shower to remember, here are a few games that will keep your guests interactive and amused from beginning to end!

1-Baby BINGO: Engage your guests in gift opening with baby BINGO! Fill in the bingo card with gifts on the registry and distribute ONE card to each guest. The first to get BINGO wins a prize!

2-Name that song: Make a playlist of your favorite songs to play during …the shower. Each guest will have to listen for songs containing the word BABY or BABE.

3-Who are you calling baby? See if your guests can make it through the entire shower without speaking the word, “baby.” When guests arrive, give them a pin. If someone says BABY and another guest catches them, they get the pin. At the end, the player with the most pins, wins!

Leave a comment

Posted in Baby Registry, Baby Shower, Baby Shower Games, Shower Games

Apr
4

What to know before you go

on April 4, 2012

On your mark, get set, GO! The race for the best online shopping deals has begun. Time to grab your child’s wish list and log on to BabyAge.com to find a great deal that won’t hurt your wallet. From Little Tikes to Mongoose bikes, here are a few tips to take into consideration before purchasing in stores. 

Five reasons why more people are shopping online:

• Convenience: Shop in the comfort of your home at any time of the day. Most stores close between 9pm and 11pm and do not re-open until 9am. Use that 12-hour gap to your advantage and shop on your time, at your own pace without having to rush around.

• Additional Online (only) Promotions: Many online retailers offer discount coupons and rebates that you could not find in stores. You may also find that stores are rewarding customers who purchase and pay bills online because they have aided in the reduction of paper usage which in turn, saves the company money. 

• Shipping Gifts: Sorry boyfriends, husbands, wives across the world. There is no longer an excuse for not sending a gift for that special occasion. Whether you are purchasing a gift for a birthday, Christmas or an anniversary, online shopping allows you to send the gift you want at a designated time with little to no added stress.

• Price Comparison, made easy: Rather than trucking around the entire store looking for a similar shirt in the same color at a lower price, shop online. If you like a product the site will usually show you a similar item and allow you to compare the prices. It is as easy as 1-2-3.

• Crowds: Okay, you aren’t a hermit but why leave your house if you don’t have to? Shopping should be fun and enjoyable. Avoid being rushed by the impatient shoppers who make shopping a chore and skip the hassle of waiting in line for hours on end.

Leave a comment

Posted in Five Reasons to Shop Online, Online Shopping

Tagged , , , ,