• Honorable Mentions. The honorable mentions in the Top Overall Product Category are the Jumperoo, Baby Einstein Exersaucer, and Butt Paste brand diaper rash cream. The next category polled was Favorite "Make Life Easier" Product. Though some products already mentioned were listed, there were still some new favorites that emerged as the clear winners.
• Pacifier. The old stand-by was by and large the new mom favorite. Newborns have a real need to suck as a way of comforting themselves. A pacifier provides this perfectly and is a product that has really stood the test of time!
• Clorox Anywhere Hard Surface Daily Sanitizing Spray. This product does the important job of sanitizing items, and is completely safe to use around your baby. The cleaner works well for baby toys, high chair trays, stroller parts, diaper pails, and anything else that comes in contact with your baby, especially that which comes in contact with your baby's mouth!
• Medela Quick Steam Clean Bags. These little bags provide sterilization to items such as breast pump parts, pacifiers, and bottle nipples. The best part? All you need is some water and a microwave. Just rinse off the items and place them in the bag with the appropriate amount of water. Then place in the microwave for a few minutes. The bags, which can be used up to 20 times each, create a perfect steam sterilization environment. They are quick and easy and especially convenient when you can't boil water to do the typical sterilization method.
  • Honorable Mentions. The honorable mentions in the Favorite "Make Life Easier" Product are the Avent Steam Sterilizer, Pack 'N Play, and baby slings. The third item for the poll was Favorite Baby Brand. Many brands can be trusted across the board. Knowing what brands are worth paying extra for, or what inexpensive brands are actually really great, will help you know where to spend and where to save your money.
• Baby Einstein. Baby Einstein is best known for educational toys which feature bright colors, classical music, and are quite often bilingual. These products are great for newborns and older babies, stand up well to lots of use, and aren't particularly expensive.The bright colors are also a welcome change from the typical baby pastels.
• Fisher Price. A classic choice for toys, Fisher Price made the list. As a choice for affordable, primary colored toys of all shapes and sizes, Fisher Price always performs well. Their products are safe, durable, and have been around a long time.
• Baby Trend. This generally economical brand makes products ranging from strollers to backpacks, high chairs, and play yards. A well known product by Baby Trend is the Diaper Champ, diaper disposal system. The moms polled agreed that Baby Trend is an overall great brand.
  • Honorable Mentions. The honorable mentions in the Favorite Baby Brand Category are Graco, Leap Frog, and Infantino.

The final item listed on the poll was Favorite Clothing Brand. Being a new mom, you'll want to buy plenty of clothes for your cute little guy or gal. You will find that some clothes last longer than others, some fit better than others, and some are just generally a better buy than others. Here are the results of the final poll question.

• Old Navy. More than any other brand or product mentioned on the entire poll, Old Navy was an overwhelming favorite. The clothing was mentioned as being inexpensive and well constructed. It washes well and fits well, according to pollsters.
• Carters. This brand, found in most department stores and even some discount stores, was also quite a favorite. Carters has been making baby clothing for a long time and features adorable designs, many holiday choices, and lasting quality.
• Gymboree. The final choice in the clothing category is a pricier one. Gymboree made the list for having adorable, unique clothes which are well made. Reserve your choices from Gymboree for special occasions, since they tend to be rather pricey.
  • Honorable Mentions. The honorable mentions in the Favorite Clothing Brand are Children's Place and Baby Gap.

Now that you've read what other new moms feel are the best products out there for babies, you can make an informed decision about what your purchases will be for your own little sweetie.

Article by Emily Harmon.

Tags: #baby #babies #moms #top #products #2018 #children #favorite #clothing #toys

Top 10 Must Have Baby Products

As you begin your journey into parent hood, there are a few must have items that you cannot pass up. These items will help to get you started and the best part of all is that they can be found at your nearest baby store or stores that carry baby products. These items are items that every parent should have for their new baby.

In purchasing baby products, you should never purchase second hand items from someone else. This is something that a lot of people often do and it can put your child at danger. You really don't know what kind of condition that something is in until you try it out for yourself. There are a lot of regulations that have been set on items such as cribs. These regulations are there for a reason and buying a used product might be cheap but it does not mean that it is always safe. There are a lot of places where you can find the standards and regulations for many baby products.

A word of advice is to always watch the walls and bulletin boards at places like Wal-Mart and the Baby Depot, a lot of these places will put new regulations on their walls and they will also put items that have been recalled by the manufactures so that you can be warned of products that have a defect in them. There are many stores that also offer a free newsletter that will keep you up to date on these products so that you can have a piece of mind when purchasing products.

1. You should purchase a crib that meets all safety standards. There are many places that you can purchase a crib. My favorite cribs are those that can transform into a toddlers bed and then into a twin bed. These can come in handy and save you money later on. You can also buy a crib that matches everything else in the room so that you don't have to keep hunting for matching items.

2. Car seats. All though I recommend that you buy an infant car seat at first, there are also car seats that are reversible. No matter which one that you purchase, buy a swaddle that lays in the car seat. The swaddles come in different colors, sizes, and have many different name that they are called. This will also help to protect the babies head when driving down the road and it will comfort the baby because it puts it in a tighter fit.

3. A baby monitor. This is more of a luxury item but it is also good to have. Keep in mind that babies may not make a sound when they are choking so you will still need to check on them. A baby monitor is also a great thing to have when the child becomes a toddler and sleeps in their own room, it will offer a comfort of knowing that they are safe.

4. Blankets and lots of them. I don't know how many blankets that I had went through with my first child. I used them for everything from cuddling the baby, to spit rags. Blankets will become dirty fast with all the spitting up and messy diapers that they have. A lot of babies go through a stage of having loose runny stools and especially if they are breastfed. The runny stools are bound to get on their blankets. I remember counting the blankets that I used in one day, I stopped counting at ten because I thought that this was enough to say that you need at least twenty-five of them, at the least.

5. A good baby bathe. I do not recommend giving a child a bath without one. Children can become slippery when they are wet and slip right out of your hands. If you purchase on of these, do not leave your child unattended in them, just like a regular bath tub it is still not safe for you to do.

6. A stroller can save you a lot of headache. There are a number of strollers that are meant for babies and some of these come with a car seat attached to them. I like these except that I have found that the slightest bump can put the stroller in an awkward position. Word of advice is to always look out for dangers and make sure that the car seat is fastened all the way into the stroller.

7. A baby medicine kit. This is a huge one for parents and you should always have some sort of medicine kit even after your children get older. The medicine kit will usually come with things like thermometers, measuring utensils, Tylenol, and other commonly used medicine. These are specially designed for infants. Before using any of the products inside of the medicine kit, you should always consult your babies doctor to make sure that you should give it to them. Some times a cough, might be more than a cough.

8. Gas relief can be a life saver. These gas drops are safe enough to give to your infant after each feeding and yet they are strong enough to help your little one. Babies can not burp on their own and sometimes all the burping in the world is not working, gas relief drops can help your child to relieve themselves and make a cranky gassy baby into a loving one once again.

9. Purchasing a baby book is such a wonderful thing to have. A baby book can save all the memories of the child and will even help you out with the doctors visits or if there is an emergency that requires medical treatment. In most baby books there are places to write down the babies shot records and a place to write down the first time that they did certain things. This can help when your babies doctor is measuring your child's milestones.

10. A finger print kit. If you don't have one of these already, I recommend that you go and get one. It is a shame to say that so many children are taken from their homes or injured. The finger print kit will save you a lot of time because you will have your child's finger prints on hand in the even that something like this were to ever happen. I would also recommend that you keep an up to date photo, allergies that the child might have, a hair sample pull-in out from the root, a baby tooth, a list of surgeries, a list of important documents and where they are so that in the event that something happens, you will have all of this on hand.

Ideas by R.D. Hayes.

Top 5 Baby Carriers for Active Moms

Being a mom is a full-time job, and there are times when you just need to get your hands free. Baby carriers are great. They allow you to complete chores, take care of other children, exercise, and even hike!

They are also a lot more convenient then pushing around a heavy, bulky stroller everywhere. There are many options available as far as baby carriers go. I have reviewed five of the best.

1. Baby Bjorn Synergy - My husband is a huge fan of the Bjorn carrier. He would never wear a wrap or a sling in public, but he likes the way the Bjorn looks. The Bjorn Synergy has great support for your back and shoulders. It is very comfortable to carry, and a noticeable improvement from the original Bjorn. The Bjorn is made of a mesh material so it is lightweight and breathable so you and your baby don't get too hot. It has good head and neck support for a younger baby who is facing inward, and the support can be folded down for baby who is facing outward. It is very easy to put on, take off, and remove a sleeping baby from.

2. Moby Wrap - I was uneasy about putting my baby in a wrap at first. I just felt like I might not wrap it tight enough and my baby would fall to the ground. My friend told me that her sister had a Moby Wrap. I looked it up, and it looked pretty secure to me. I decided to give it a try, and I fell in love! It takes a little time to get used to tying it on, but once you've figured it out it isn't hard at all. It goes over both shoulders and covers your back so you are supported very well, and there isn't any back pain. It's lightweight and a good option for having your hands free to do chores around the house. You can position baby in a variety of ways, but he feels very safe and secure. This wrap comes in many colors, and it looks very stylish.

3. Ergo Baby Carrier - This is quite possibly the most comfortable baby carrier there is. The baby held in a seated position which results from weight being distributed between his hips and thighs. This makes the baby feel safe and nestled, and it's good for his spine. For parents, the carrier features thick padding around the waist and on the shoulders. It evenly distributes baby's weight and creates almost no pressure or strain for the adult. It is great for bigger babies or when you need to carry your baby for long periods of time. It has a sleeping hood attached so baby can feel safe and secure during nap time. It comes in a variety of colors and patterns so there are lots of options.

4. Ellaroo Mei Hip Baby Carrier - This hip carrier is a great carrier for older babies who can hold their heads up well. It is very easy to get on and off. It puts all of baby's weight on your hips instead of your back and shoulders. It has a think waist and shoulder strap. It provides a lot of direct contact with baby, which helps with bonding. The carrier is made of cotton so it's breathable and comfortable for you and baby.

5. Evenflo's 3 in 1 Snugli By My Side - This carrier has a fully padded seat for baby so it's very comfortable. It also has a padded backrest and head support. Baby can be carried on your hip, face in, or face out. It provides a lot of convenience for parents. It has a cup holder and a storage pocket to hold various items such as keys, diapers, etc. It also has rings that you can attach toys or pacifiers to. This carrier has a waist band for support in addition to a thick shoulder strap to provide comfort for you. The best thing about this carrier is the low price. It is very affordable compared to most other baby carriers.

Hopefully this guide will make it easy for you to choose the baby carrier that suits you best.

Thank you, Kelsey Jones, for these great tips!

#baby #carriers #active #moms

14 Ways to Save Money on Baby

Having a baby and being able to afford things for him or her can be a pretty hard task if you don't have a really good amount of money to spend. Here are 14 ideas that I have found very helpful.

1. Think about it first! - Make a list of what you will definitely need first. Some necessary products include:

Either cloth diapers or disposable diapers are a necessity, some onesies, pants, shorts, socks, shoes, warm clothes for colder seasons, washcloths or baby wipes, bedding for the baby, a boppy pillow is a great helper for nursing mothers or to sit an older baby, a stroller, car seat is a must, and any other things you decide you really need.

2. Baby shower - Even if no one offers to have one for you, you can make one yourself and invite people you know. Yes, a lot of people are doing that these days! It's not selfish! You are being smart because you are doing this for your baby.

3. Talk to other mommies and daddies - If you have relatives or friends that are parents, chances are that they may have baby clothes and products stored away that they are willing to part with. It is highly unlikely that they will charge you, so that they can clear up a bit of extra room in storage.

4. Buy things early - It is very helpful to buy things at least a month or two before baby is born and buy clothing in different sizes. It is a good idea to get some items that are unisex, if you do not know the gender for sure, or just in case baby ends up being a different gender than expected...Babies come in all different sizes and shapes. Sometimes a baby will never fit into everything that you buy because they tend to grow pretty fast. If you are afraid that things might not fit, or baby never uses item, then keep tags on, or in its case so you might be able to return them later. If you can't return them, you can always sell them or give them to another needy parent.

5. Thrift stores and flea markets - Many people hesitate to buy things from thrift stores because they do not know who or what the previous owners were like. But for those of you who don't mind, it can prove to be a great option. I do it every weekend or two. I have found socks for a quarter, shoes, brand new packs of diapers, brand new clothes with the tags still on them, working baby monitors, blankets and so much more. I just make sure that I wash everything that I buy really well before I let my baby use them.

6. Yard sales - Once again for those of you that don't mind reusing items, yard sales can also save you a lot of money. Some will even sell you a whole box full of clothes for a cheap price.

7. eBay and other auction sites - You can find almost anything on ebay. I have been lucky to find a lot of good baby products and clothing on ebay. Everything that I have purchased was at a great price, came right away, and in new or gently used condition. I love this site!

8. Walmart and Target - These stores often have tons of baby items at an affordable price, especially when they have holiday sales.

9. Classified section - If you get the newspaper, you can almost always find affordable products in this section.

10. breast feed - I am not saying that you have to and I am not going to argue if someone decides not to, but it does help you save a lot of money. You don't have to worry about buying bottles or very expensive formula. It is always available and easily accessible.

11. Breastmilk - Not all moms do this, but breast milk has been known to have very good uses. So save some in the freezer! You'd be surprised at how quickly you can have a whole freezer full with just a few minutes to pump each day. In the hospital that I was in, the nurses told us that it is even good for diaper rash, cuts, scrapes, eye infections, and in place of baby powder and lotion due to its skin softening properties. When my son was born, he had constant watering in his eyes and I was told to literally squirt a few drops in his eyes everyday and they would heal. Yes, I was a bit skeptical at first, but it really worked in less than a week.

12. Coupons - You can find these in magazines, online, at the store, and in neighbor's mailboxes (just kidding) Even if you only save a few cents, it will add up in the end. Believe me, a few cents can go a long way sometimes.

13. Samples and freebies - You can find these all over the internet and receive them in the mail within a few days or a few weeks. Many of these samples do last a while. They are also a great way to try things out without having to spend a lot of money and not wanting to keep the product.

14. Save - It is a great idea to save some, if not all of the products for future use, especially if you plan on having another child. Even for those of you who swear up and down that you WILL NOT have another baby...sometimes you might change your mind or have an unexpected surprise.

Ok, well, I hope that you new parents or returning parents find this information useful. Yes, I am sure that these are not the only ways to save money for baby, but they are all of the ones that I personally have tried.

Tags: #baby_pillow, #baby, #pillow, #monitors #diapers #shower #mom #dad #buy #early #things #stores #markets #coupons #yard #sales #milk #save #money By LILITH~

15 Ways to Soothe a Crying Baby

As a mother of three boys, I've heard a lot of crying. I've heard so much crying that I've wondered how someone so tiny can put out such a loud sound for such a long period of time. I've soothed and loved my children when they've cried, trying everything that I could think of to get them to quiet down and quit crying. If you've had a hard time thinking of ways to soothe your baby, this article will give you 15 ways that you can soothe your child.

15 Ways to Soothe a Crying Baby #1: Figure out why they are crying

If your baby is crying, the first thing you should do is to see if you can figure out why they are crying. Does your baby need a diaper change? Are they hungry? Need to be burped? Often it's simply one of those and the tears will fade when you address the problem.

15 Ways to Soothe a Crying Baby #2: Simply hold them against your body

Your baby may simply need to feel your body against theirs. Lay on your bed or your couch and have your baby set on top of you. Lovingly rub their back as you hold them against you.

15 Ways to Soothe a Crying Baby #3: Drive around the block

If you are at your wits end, try taking your baby for a drive around the block. Buckle them in their car seat and see if the movement from the car will help calm them down.

15 Ways to Soothe a Crying Baby #4: Washing Machine Method

Several of my friends swear by this method. Start your washing machine and put it on the spin cycle. Buckle your baby in their car seat and place them on top of the washer. The vibrations from the washing machine may soothe them. You'll have to stay right by the washing machine while your baby is on it because you don't want the vibrations to bounce your baby off!

15 Ways to Soothe a Crying Baby #5: Use the Stroller

Put your baby in the stroller in your home and push your baby around your living room or sit on the couch and rock your baby back and forth in the stroller to try to calm them down.

15 Ways to Soothe a Crying Baby #6: Ask someone else to hold them

Sometimes all a baby needs is change. If you're going crazy because your baby won't stop crying and you don't know what to do for your child, they may be sensing that you're upset, which in turn makes them more upset. Ask your significant other or a friend to give your baby a cuddle and see if it helps.

15 Ways to Soothe a Crying Baby #7: Give them their favorite blanket or pacifier

Your baby may be upset because their pacifier has fallen or their favorite blanket is not in their site. Give them one of their favorite items to see if the crying will subside.

15 Ways to Soothe a Crying Baby #8: Sing a Song

Music often calms babies. When my kids were younger, two of them loved it when I sang them a song and they would calm right down (one of my children though, hated it when I sang while he was upset and got more upset. If this happens to you, quit singing asap)!

15 Ways to Soothe a Crying Baby #9: Put them in a baby swing

A baby swing was one of my favorite things when my kids were young. The swinging back and forth motion can have a very soothing effect on your children.

15 Ways to Soothe a Crying Baby #10: Rock them

If you have a rocking chair, trying rocking your crying child. If you don't have a chair, you can sit on the couch and rock your body back and forth.

15 Ways to Soothe a Crying Baby #11: Go into a different room

Sometimes a baby may need to be in a different room, especially if the room they were in is filled with loud noises and people. Take them to a quiet area so they can calm down.

15 Ways to Soothe a Crying Baby #12: Warm bath

A warm bath may be what your baby needs to help relax and quit crying. There are baby bath products like body wash and bubble bath that are designed to help calm down babies. Look for Johnson's Lavender scented items to get that effect.

15 Ways to Soothe a Crying Baby #13: Talk to your baby in a calm voice

If your baby is crying uncontrollably, try to talk to them in a calm, soothing voice. No matter how much or how loud they cry, use the same loving tone of voice.

15 Ways to Soothe a Crying Baby #14: Play Music

Have you noticed that music can help calm you down when you're upset? Well it can have the same effect on your baby. Play some kids music or classical to try to get them to calm down. Try to avoid loud music like rock when trying to soothe your baby. They may like that kind of music other times but it's not usually what an infant wants to hear when they're really upset.

15 Ways to Soothe a Crying Baby #15: Dance

Movement is often a way to help soothe a crying baby. Dance a little dance around the room, holding your baby close to your body as you do it.

Make Baby Night Nursing Easy

Because the newborn baby's biological clock hasn't established yet, they may wake you frequently during the night. And baby's crying and screaming can make new parents very exhausted. Most of the new parents are struggling with the night nursing issue. In fact, if new parents can prepare baby's night necessaries in advance and have knowledge of how to respond to baby's sudden events, night nursing could be easier.

If you are struggling with the night nursing issue, here has some tips and advices from experienced parents may help.

Some experienced parents give me the inspiration to write down these useful night nursing tips.

Knowing the possible events may occur during the night nursing:

1, Baby is hunger or thirst

2, Baby suppress urine or has damp diaper or bed

3, Baby feels too hot or too cold

4, Baby is bitten by the mosquito or other insects

5, Bad sleeping position causes difficult breathing

6, Sudden sickness

Controlling the temperature to create good sleep environment

1. Window: Open the window to get some fresh air, and then close it before sleep.

2. Crib: Don't set crib under the window or the air conditioner.

3. Clothes and bedding: Don't let your baby go to sleep naked even in the hot summer, protect the baby's belly with some light baby blankets. Depending on the temperature, put on light-weight cotton sleeper or heavy fleece sleeper.

4. Air conditioner: The wind direction should not toward baby's bed and as far as possible. Adjust the air conditioner to the natural wind mode or breeze status during the sleep.

Preparing baby night necessaries in advance

1, Feeding supplies: Breast milk feeding is more convenient. Lying down is ideal for night feedings; when baby is small, you may need to lay her on a pillow so the baby can reach your nipple. Or you may store expressed milk in the refrigerator. This will free you from feeling tired down by breast-feeding, and allow your baby to be fed by your partner if you feel really tired.

If your baby drinks formulas, you need prepare 1-2 ready-to-feed bottles, milk power, and hot & cold water. Don't put these supplies too far away from you. After feeding the baby, give them some warm water to drink to keep their mouth clean.

2, Diapers and beddings: Changing diapers during the night will keep baby dry and comfortable. Make sure your baby don't sleep on the damp bedding, if bedding gets wet, you must change it. So always keep some clean diapers and bedding set aside.

3, Clothes: Vomiting milk will make baby clothes dirty and wet, so always prepare two sets of clean baby clothes ready for current season.

4, Comfort supplies: Soft toys, rattles, latex nipples, or music can calm down the baby, and provide comfort for the baby. You may prepare some comfort supplies for the night. If baby's crying, these comfort supplies can be very useful.

5, Paper towel: You will need paper towels during the night before and after feeding or changing, so be prepared.

6, Common drugs and thermometer: You need prepare drugs for insect bitten. If you baby keep crying all the time, and have red flash on the cheek, take the temperature. Sometimes you need rash to the hospital, so always prepare some hospital necessary supplies in advance for both the baby and yourself. Put them aside.

Tags: #crying, #baby, #bath, #products, #swing

Articles by: Shannon Wilson, Camber Lea