Tips for Taking Your Baby Outside

Want to take your baby outside, but have no idea what to take or how to do it in the least stressful manner possible? Having a baby changes everything about the way you do things. Simple trips to the grocery store now require more planning and thought. And- gasp!- you now have to take not just a purse or wallet, but a diaper bag too!

Parenthood requires complete preparation for just about any situation. Regardless of the activities planned, all it takes is a little preparation and a few safety precautions, and you can take baby with you anywhere.

The first important thing about taking baby outside is to make sure you have a diaper bag specifically for outside. In your "outside" diaper bag, you'll need sunscreen, infant-safe insect repellent spray or wipes, some sort of large blanket or towel to spread on the ground for baby to play on, plenty of toys for baby (so he/she doesn't try to eat dirt, grass or bugs!), and plenty of water for baby to stay hydrated.

If your baby takes formula, then it's a good idea to put formula in it's own separate container and have a bottle of water to mix formula with. I suggest taking formula in powdered form, it's not as heat/cold sensitive, and won't spoil like ready to eat or concentrated liquid formula will. If you must take already mixed, ready to eat, or concentrated liquid formula- put it in a small cooler with plenty of ice in it, to keep it cold and keep it from spoiling.

Always take at least two extra clean outfits for your baby- just in case. And it's a great idea to take a jacket or sweater along for baby, just in case it gets cool while you're out and about. If you are going to be near water, swimming or on a boat, make sure you have a life-jacket for baby as well, and make sure he/she is wearing it at all times near the water.

A stroller is a wonderful companion when taking baby outside. Depending on where you are going and what kind of activities you are doing- you may need either a small, light-weight "umbrella" stroller or you may need a heavy-duty, all-terrain "jogging" stroller. A stroller with storage space underneath or behind baby's seat can really help take a load off of your back and shoulders. Make sure you have a canopy or umbrella on the stroller to protect baby from sunlight, or put a hat on him/her.

Other things to include in your "outside" diaper bag are; small disposable bags to seal dirty diapers in, hand sanitizer, and a first-aid kit that contains bandages, antibiotic ointment, insect-bite relief spray or ointment, Tylenol for fever or pain, and infant allergy medication. It's better to be prepared than be sorry!

Make sure, no matter what time of year you take baby outside- that baby is properly dressed for the weather and protected from the elements. Avoid exposing your baby to direct sunlight for too long, low temperatures for extended periods of time, and avoid taking your baby outside if he/she has severe allergies, is sick, or has recently been sick.

All precautions aside, taking your baby outside and doing outside activities with him/her provides a great bonding experience for you both. You'll both benefit from fresh air and outdoor activities. If you start some good hobbies and experiences now, you'll enjoy them for many years to come as your baby gets older.

How to Go to the Mall with Your Baby

A Survival Guide for New Moms

So your baby is six months old already (when did that happen?) and you haven't yet been to the mall. Not the strip mall with the boring supermarket and flower store, but the mall mall, one of those enclosed chicken pens which make America a great place to live in. You stopped going when you were eight months pregnant because you found you were spending more time in the bathroom than in DSW. Plus, it wasn't as if you could fit into anything that wasn't in Mimi's Maternity!

Once baby came along, you restricted your car trips due to the heavy volume of desperate crying in the backseat. Furloughs to the grocery store, pharmacy or doctor became your daily adventures: lock the car seat into it's base, hop into driver's seat, wait for high pitched cry. Sing at the top of your lungs. Say silly baby nothings. Get to the store. Take baby out of car seat once she starts wailing. Hold baby in one arm, push shopping cart with other. Crash into aisle corners and oblivious shoppers.

After six months, you say enough is enough. Yo u need some new clothes, now that the extra 10 lbs seem to be hanging around for another while, and you won't let baby win. You are the boss of her, after all. Who made you, huh, huh? Who did? Who carried you for 9 months and suffered after a c-section? Who doesn't get enough sleep or see other adults? Nobody puts mommy in a corner!

You change into nice adult clothes and nurse baby as a precautionary measure. You have a baby carrier but decide not to bring it to the mall- it won't work if you have to try on those fabulous new clothes. You cram the Peg Perego stroller (ebay, okay?) into the trunk , strap baby into the car seat and commence your twenty minute journey into the unknown.

Once finally parked at the mall, you gauge baby's mood and notice she' ssmiling at you and waving her hands and feet. Great, she's in a good mood! You transfer her to the stroller and are swallowed by the large sliding doors of the mall.

Once you've located the elevators and gone up a floor, baby has already started to whine. She's a homebody, you see. How dare you pull her from her familiar, cozy environment and drag her into this den of debauchery! You hunt for your cellphone in your purse, desperate for some comforting words from your husband. Nothing doing, you've left your cellphone at home. Genius.

You find a public phone, walking with the baby in one arm, stroller being pushed by the free hand. Sounds familiar? Hah! You drop a quarter and dial. What, they want another quarter? Oops. Times sure have changed. Why do they still have these devices, anyhow? You decide to locate Macy's and beg your way into a fitting room. You do just that, limping across the mall, and a very nice lady let's you use a fitting room to nurse. It is nice and wide and easily accommodates your stroller.

After you're done nursing, baby lies happily in the stoller playing with her toys and blabbering and cooing while you quickly hunt for a nice skirt to wear to your cousin's wedding. You try on a few of them, settle on the only one that fits (it's a small! but in your previous life you would have fit into an extra small...), pay up and head to H&M. Mediocre quality, nice European fit, great prices. You grab some stuff that's on sale while holding a rebelling baby. In the fitting room, you let her scream in the carriage while you try the clothes on at the speed of light. Once out of the store, it's time to find some shoes.

At Spring they have some amazing shoes at low, low sale prices. At this point, baby is near hysterical so you try the shoes on, one at a time, while holding her. Great fun! You grab one pair (must go back for more! more shoes, gimme, gimme!) and head downstairs towards the door to the great outside.

You bundle baby up amidst cries of protest, settle her in the stroller and fly across the parking lot to your car. Load your meager purchases, strap baby in, cram stroller in back, rev up. Baby cries, turn radio to static channel (104.1 in the NY area), drive home. Get home, notice that baby is asleep. You contemplate driving around for another hour to let her sleep. She never, ever sleeps. Gas is too constly, you gently lift her and walk into our house.

Baby's First Outing

So, you've recently had a baby and motherhood is great. All of those hours you've spent, with your little one provided some priceless bonding time. But how long can a mother entertain those precious coos and babbles before a much needed break is in order?

Maybe dinner at a nice restaurant is what you need but then you realize rich foods are the last thing that your post pregnancy body needs! How about a movie?

There are plenty of great films that you'd love to watch and the time out of the house wouldn't hurt. There's just one problem....no babysitter. Fear not; take your little one with you. Try some of these simple tips and you may be pleasantly surprised!

1. Feed your baby well before leaving home, a nice feeding similar to a before bedtime feeding will put your baby on the train to sleepy town.

2. Dress your baby in comfortable clothing. Leave the fancy, paint the town in baby pastels clothing at home. Easy wear bedtime or lounge clothing works perfect!

3. Carry extra milk bottles, plenty of diapers and a pacifier because you don't want to be caught out without either one of these necessities.

4. Sit at the end of the row, near the exit; if you need to make a quick exit with baby, avoid climbing and possibly falling over other moviegoers.

5. Unless your baby enjoys resting in their car seat, hold your baby; nothing soothes baby like being close to momma.

6. Never take a sick baby to the movies.

7. Bring another adult along, if at all possible because two hands are better than one or in this case, four hands are better than two!

8. Pick your movies wisely. Super loud action packed and extremely violent movies may not be a good idea. You may want to stir clear of those three hour-long films as well.

9. Matinee, matinee, matinee. This is the perfect time of day for mommy moviegoers! Join other moms with younger babies and watch your movie without those feelings of guilt if your little one begins to cry.

10. Enjoy the outing with your baby and watch for cues. Sometimes, no matter how hard you try nothing will work and it's time to go.

Some AMC theaters offer movie camp during the summer. Every Tuesday they show a popular kid movie for only a dollar, that's a great deal!

Check your local theater for special offers and programs. Remember, no one knows your baby better than you. Make sure you're equipped with the things he enjoys, make sure he is comfortable, sit back and enjoy the show!

Hotslings Fitted Pouch Baby Sling Review

I purchased my Hotslings Fitted Pouch Sling through an online auction website for approximately $25. It retails for approximately $40 from various retailers.

PRODUCT DESIGN

The Hotslings Fitted Pouch Sling is basically a tube of fabric with some light padding at one end. The tube can be folded in half to create a pouch. It is worn over the adult's shoulder and across the body. The baby rests in the pouch created by the fold.

The fabric used for the Hotslings Fitted Pouch Sling has a slight stretch to it, similar to that in stretch denim jeans. It's not exactly elastic, but it does have some "give." There is a wide variety of fabric patterns available, including specialty fabrics such as organic or reversible. This makes it easy for anyone to find a pattern that fits their personal style and preferences. My Hotslings Fitted Pouch Sling is a basic unisex striped pattern, but I hope to someday obtain a floral patterned Hotslings, too.

EASE OF USE

The Hotslings Fitted Pouch Sling is the easiest carrier I've ever used! It was my first experience with a fitted pouch, although I'm experienced with the typical standard commercial baby carrier that uses straps and buckles to carry the baby on your front or back.

To use the Hotslings Fitted Pouch Sling, I simply fold it in half, slip it over my head and on my shoulder, and slide my baby into the pouch. It's that simple! There are no buckles, no straps and no ties.

It did take a few tries to get my baby comfortably situated on the Hotslings Fitted Pouch Sling. Since it was my first time with one, I had to practice a few times to learn the best way to slide my baby into the pouch. But after only a few practice tries, I was able to put on the sling and get my baby securely seated within a matter of seconds!

BENEFITS

The benefits of the Hotslings Fitted Pouch Sling are numerous. This sling can be used to carry your baby in a variety of positions. A newborn or very small infant can be snuggled down into the pouch on the front of your body. An older infant can sit more upright in the pouch. A baby or toddler can be carried on your hip while seated in the pouch. The manufacturer even says a toddler can be carried on your back, but I am not certain that I would feel my child was secure in this position.

The Hotslings has some slight padding on one side of the pouch, thus giving your child some extra comfort in the hip carry position. The padding prevents the fabric of the pouch from cutting into the back of your child's legs.

Because the Hotslings Fitted Pouch Sling is simply a tube of fabric, it can be folded up to a small size-much smaller than the standard baby carrier with buckles and straps. In fact, I often roll up my Hotslings and slip it into the side of my diaper bag. This allows me to have it ready to go for spontaneous or unexpected errands.

The biggest benefit of the Hotslings Fitted Pouch Sling is its ease of use. If I'm running into a store to pick up "just a few things," I don't want to wrestle with a stroller. Nor do I want to deal with all the buckles and straps on my standard baby carrier. Instead, I can just slip on the Hotslings Fitted Pouch Sling and my baby can comfortably and safely ride on my hip while I have both hands free to pick items from the shelves and pay the cashier. (Note: I do sometimes need to keep one hand on my child to stabilize, especially if I'm bending down or leaning over.)

The Hotslings Fitted Pouch Sling is safe for newborns up to children who are 35 pounds, so you can get a lot of use from this sling.

MY RECOMMENDATION

Even at full price, I believe the Hotslings Fitted Pouch Sling is a worthwhile purchase for mommies who want a simple and convenient way to carry their baby. Sure, a larger carrier is going to be more comfortable for hours and hours of walking. But for short trips and everyday carrying, it doesn't get any easier than the Hotslings Fitted Pouch Sling.

Sun Safety Tips for Your Baby

With all of summer's fun outdoor activities to enjoy, there is no doubt you'll be spending plenty of time in the sun with your baby. It is extremely important that you protect your baby from the sun's harsh rays. Baby skin is very sensitive and burns much more easily than adult skin. Babies need to be protected from the sun differently than adults, as well. Here are some tips to enjoy the sunny weather while keeping your baby safe.

Sun block. Yes, the use of sun block may seem like a no brainer. There are some important basics you need to know, however. First of all, always buy a sun block that is specifically formulated for babies. Not only will this sun block have a higher SPF (at least 50), it also will contain ingredients that are safe for sensitive baby skin. Also, you need to replace baby sun block once a year. Even though adult sun block may be effective for two years or longer, you do not want to take any risks when dealing with your precious little one.

Scalp protection. Many babies and toddlers are either mostly bald, or have very thin, fine hair. These little ones need their sensitive scalps to be well protected from the sun. There are sun blocks available that are specifically designed to protect scalps. These will cause your baby's hair to get pretty greasy, but they do work. Another great option is to put a hat on your baby. A hat with a fairly wide brim, and possibly even some neck protection, is great for blocking the scalp, and also for shielding the face from the sun's harmful rays.

Reapply frequently and always wash off. Your baby's sun block needs to be replied very frequently, particularly on sensitive areas such as the face. It is important, however, that after all of this reapplication that you also bathe your baby thoroughly after spending time in the sun. The layers of greasy sun block need to be washed away from your baby's sensitive skin.

Apply ALL over. Even if your baby will be wearing clothing while outdoors, it is a good idea to apply the sun block while she is naked. Putting sun block all over insures that a hiked up shorts leg, or an askew bathing suit, doesn't end up exposing an untreated area of skin to ultraviolet light. Also, don't forget the often missed areas of your baby's skin such as the lips, ears, and feet.

Even short trips count. Even if you think you are just going to take a quick walk with your baby, apply sun block. Even very small amounts of sun exposure can damage skin, especially sensitive baby skin. Always apply sun block and complete the other necessary precautions if your baby is going to be spending any time at all in the sun.

Keep sun block everywhere. It is a great idea to keep sun block in your car, your diaper bag, your stroller, and your purse. This keeps you from ever getting caught somewhere without it. Also, be sure to send along sun block to your child's daycare or grandma's house. Making sure that everyone who deals with your child knows how important using sun block is will keep your baby protected everywhere he goes.

The summer sun is wonderful to play under, but without proper precautions it can be so harmful. Try these tips to keep your baby safe during the fun summer months.

Keeping an Allergic Baby Well During a Trip

If you have a baby in your family that has allergy problems, you probably feel a little hesitant about traveling with the child. Venturing too far away from home and your doctor probably puts some stress on you. But if you do some careful planning, there is not reason that you cannot travel comfortably with your baby. Discussed below are things that you can do to help your baby.

Notify your pediatrician that you will be taking a trip. Discuss the trip with you doctor and ask him to make some recommendations concerning over the counter medications, minor flare ups and what you should do if the child should have an allergic reaction. He will probably be able to offer some valuable advice and also some information about locations on where to go for help along the way.

Take the baby's bed with you if you can. If you go this route, get it in enough time that the child can use to it before you leave. The point here is that the baby is familiar with their sleeping surroundings, thus making them more comfortable on the journey. You must try and keep things as familiar for the child as you can. This will make the baby's journey, and yours, much easier.

Keep in mind what you use to wash the baby's clothes. If it is some sort of hypoallergenic soap then be sure and take some along. You do not want to take any chances while you are away from home.

Make sure that you take extra clothes with you for your baby. This may be very obvious but if your child needs certain clothes to avoid the allergies, this is a very important issue. If you forget to do this you will be frantically looking for clothes for him while you are vacationing.

Do not forget the toys when you travel. You want to keep the baby as comfortable as possible. Remember, the more comfortable the baby is, the more you will enjoy the trip. So take some of the baby's favorite toys. In fact, you may want to take two of some of them in case something gets left behind at a hotel.

It is not a bad idea to take a small air purifier with you. It does not have to be a large heavy one, but it should be powerful enough to take care of things like pet dander, airborne pollutants, and dust and mold. If you do not already have such a device, you will want to acquire it well before leaving on your trip so that you can try it out for a bit before leaving.

The more comfortable you make the baby, the more it seems like home to him or her. And the more comfortable the baby is, the more comfortable you are. The more comfortable you are, the more you enjoy the trip.

Tags: #baby, #clothing, #out #sick #comfortable, #sun

Articles created by Julie Michael, Elisa Nova, April Smith, Morgan Vermeil, Emily Harmon, Linda Elliott