Many young couples decide to get a dog to make their new house a home. It is their first step into the world of family life, and often, the dog takes on the role of the child in the family. It seems harmless enough, but can lead to problems when a real baby enters the equation. How will your four-legged friend adapt to the new family dynamic? Will he feel excluded and neglected when Baby starts getting all the attention?
It’s something that can cause real worry – after all, one thing you can’t do is put your new baby at any kind of risk. But with the right preparation and an organized approach, your family of three can become a family of four without drama.
Preparation is key
Let’s be honest, you’re not going to be able to give the dog so much attention when Baby comes along. Dogs are creatures of habit and highly adaptable, so get ready for the change ahead of time. Instead of constantly being around your dog, give him periods of undivided attention, for example going for walks or playing fetch, and then spend more time in a different room so your dog gets used to you having other things to do.
You can also get the dog used to baby noises by playing recordings in the house – you could even start carrying a realistic baby doll that moves and makes sounds. Reward the dog for being calm and well-mannered around the doll.
Bringing baby home
The house will be in uproar for a few days. There will be lots of visitors turning up at all hours, so ensure everyone knows there is a dog in the house. This signage website has a choice of suitable warning signs for your door or front gate. You can get your dog ready for the homecoming by bringing some of baby’s clothes home from the hospital in advance. Remember, dogs use their sense of smell more than anything else, so this will be a more powerful introduction than sights or sounds.
Making the introductions
With the preparations complete, the key to the introductions is to make them as casual as possible. If you make a big performance of showing baby to the dog, your pet will think there is something out of place. If, on the other hand, you behave as if nothing could be more normal than having a screaming baby around the place, your dog will follow your lead. Remember, you are the pack leader, so lead by example!
Watch the body language
Like people, every dog is different, so you can never be 100 percent certain as to how they will react until the moment comes. Watch for any signs of aggression or stress, for example growling, bared teeth, trembling or panting. If the dog does growl, do not punish – a growl is a warning, and if you deter the dog from expressing himself in this way, he might simply go straight to overt aggression next time.
Nine times out of ten, family harmony will ensue, but always take a safety-first approach. Never leave your dog and your baby alone together in those early weeks, and if you have concerns, seek advice from a professional dog behaviorist.
My baby started teething much earlier than all the baby books had said she would. By the first week of the second month, it was undeniable. She had stopped sleeping longer than 15 minutes at a time, she was drooling everywhere, and her gums were so inflamed that she just wanted to chew on everything.
I had no idea what I should do, and everything that had already been suggested to me had failed miserably. I decided to ask an online group that I was apart of because I was desperate, and surely a group full of thousands of moms across the world would have some suggestion that would work for us.
Unfortunately, most of the advice being given was from moms who tried the same things as I did. Teething tablets, teething toys, alternating Motrin and Tylenol. I was beginning to think that my baby was broken, or maybe I was the one who was broken, and we would just live in this never ending loop of desperation and tears for the rest of our lives. She would grow to resent me for not being able to soothe her teething woes, I just knew it.
Once I pulled myself out of that self loathing episode, I became determined to find something that would alleviate some of her discomforts. I googled “alternative teething remedies” and happened upon a crunchy mom blog who talked about Baltic amber teething necklaces. I wouldn’t necessarily classify myself as a “crunchy mom”, but I was definitely willing to try her suggestion if she said it worked!
Baltic amber gets its name from the region it’s found in. Amber is made from the sap of conifer trees that are located near the Baltic sea. The sap is collected and then the resin is separated from the sap and formed into amber stones. The sap found in this region has the highest traces of succinic acid found on the market today.
Succinic acid is the healing component in amber that relieves your headaches, muscle and joint aches, and other ailments caused by inflammation. It’s also renowned for its antioxidant properties, making it the perfect natural vitamin.
Baltic amber works best when it’s worn against skin because your body is able to heat the stone, allowing for the medicinal resins to be pulled through the surface and absorbed into your bloodstream. Once absorbed, it’s as if you took an anti-inflammatory or multivitamin.
I took a look at the website http://balticwonder.com and found that teething necklaces come in a variety of colors, from your light variants like lemonade and honey to your darker colors like cognac and cherry. The color doesn’t mean much unless you’re purchasing a polished bead, in which you would want to buy your necklace in a lighter shade due to the higher traces of succinic acid. The porous surface of the raw bead makes it easier for the oils to seep through it’s surface, and so if you’re buying polished, you would want a stronger bead.
I put the necklace on my daughter soon after it arrived. Within two nights, we had already noticed a difference in her attitude. She was far less cranky and she was sleeping for longer stretches. It also seemed as if her appetite had gone back to normal, whereas before she seemed annoyed by food. I took a look inside her mouth and noticed that her gum inflammation had decreased significantly. I was so thankful!
We kept wearing the necklace and hoped that the improvements would stick around, and they did! We survived the teething maniac phase, all thanks to one mom’s alternative teething remedies! If you’re like I was and overly exhausted, desperate, and looking for something you haven’t tried yet, order yourself a Baltic amber necklace and see what it can do for your family!
Baby eczema is an annoying and irritating skin condition that affects about 15-20% of children. As so many babies suffer some form of this disorder in infancy, it’s usually treated as ‘non-threatening’. However, not dealing with it early on can result in eczema turning chronic and literally ruining your child’s life. Nobody wants this for their child, so the best thing you can do as a parent is use the most effective baby eczema treatments as soon as you notice the symptoms. The good news is, there’s a high chance changing your diet might be the only thing you’ll need to do in order to avert the disaster. In some situations, other forms of treatment may be necessary.
Baby Eczema and Diet: What’s the Connection?
Up to 20% of babies are born with dry and sensitive skin. This is a precursor to baby eczema. In the majority of cases, more severe forms of dermatitis may develop even if you are extremely careful when tending to the newborn’s skin.
The problem with eczema of any kind is that no one knows exactly why it occurs. There is some data to prove that it can run in families as well as be a reaction to allergens, like common chemicals (think washing detergents) or foods. However, the exact mechanism of this condition is unknown. This means we cannot prevent eczema with a 100% guarantee.
Breastfeeding can help protect your baby from eczema.
Breastfeeding mothers should avoid eating tree nuts, peanuts, fish, eggs, and cow’s milk to prevent their baby from developing dermatitis.
It’s currently believed that a baby’s gut health is directly responsible for triggering eczema flares. So, the best treatment is to keep your little one’s tummy healthy. As you are the one feeding them, it’s controlling the quality of food you yourself eat that makes all the difference.
How to Treat Baby Eczema and Sooth Your Child
If your little one does develop baby eczema, do not panic. Starting treatment as soon as you notice skin redness, flaking, and irritation will help stop the progression of the condition.
1. Take a soothing bath every night
Change your regular bath to a soothing bath with aromatherapy oils. Lavender and chamomile oils are the best because they help not only to reduce inflammation, causing your baby discomfort, but they also help relax them and soothe the child to sleep.
Bear in mind that a bath for a baby with eczema should be short and the water should be warm instead of hot. Never use rough washcloths or loofahs when washing your little one. Only the softest materials and towels are acceptable.
2. Moisturize little one’s skin all the time
Baby eczema often develops out of extreme skin dryness, so effective and frequent moisturizing is one of the best treatments. Use only fragrance and dye-free creams. Consider using gel-like products based on water instead of ‘heavy’ baby creams.
3. Keep your baby comfortably cool
Sweating will cause the already existing irritation to get worse and will cause a lot of discomfort to your child. Note that stress is one of the triggers for baby eczema, so you have to avoid it to your best ability.
Wearing clothes made of soft ‘breathing’ fabrics will help. As you can’t do it during the winter, change your baby more often to remove sweaty clothing. In the summer, use cooling compresses to keep your little one comfortable. Placing a cool washcloth on the areas affected by baby eczema for 3-5 minutes will help treatment, as well as soothe the child.
In severe cases of eczema, you and your baby might be prescribed medications, like antihistamines or antifungal drugs. It’s imperative to have your doctor monitor the condition and start extra treatment if the situation becomes severe. This is your best chance of preventing the eczema from turning chronic.
These days, there is a bewildering array of high-tech gadgets that are being advertised as indispensable for parents, so it can be really hard for new mums to sort out flashy gizmos from truly innovative, must-have tech.
Technology has moved on so much in recent years, especially using the internet to integrate into everyday products ( internet of things )
Below are 8 essential gadgets that will make your life a lot easier when you become a parent:
Mimo Smart Baby Breathing & Activity Monitor
Onesies are incredibly cute, but this garment from Mimo truly deserves being called a “smart” garment. The Mimo Smart Baby onesie is a comfortable garment that continuously monitor’s your baby’s breathing, instantly alerting you to any problem via a smart phone app. The Mimo Smart Baby also tracks body position, temperature, and when your baby wakes up. You can monitor all of your baby’s activities remotely from anywhere in the world, and the app keeps a detailed history of all the data for your own use or for sharing with your pediatrician.
iiamo Home Baby Bottle Blue/Green
The iiamo baby bottle is a smart twist on a classic design. The bottle is ergonomically designed for comfort and ease when feeding your baby and is specially engineered to reduce colic. When you place the iiamo bottle on the included base, it safely warms up to six ounces (177 ml) of milk up to 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37 Celsius) in four minutes. Designed in Denmark from 100% BPA-free materials, the iiamo bottle is perfect for feedings throughout the day or during the middle of the night. The iiamo baby bottle can be easily dissembled and cleaned after use.
Calm Knight – Star Projector and White Noise Sound Machine
Probably the best bit of tech that you can have to send your baby off to sleep.
It’s a star projector / night lights with a difference. Not only does it look pretty neat, but it also a star projector, a white noise machine and the best bit is the built in auto-cry detection! How good is that! When your baby or child wakes up in the night, the projector will turn itself on and help soothing the child back to sleep. It automatically turns on when it detects crying from your child and helps them get back to sleep without you having to get out of your nice warm bed.
Baby monitors have been around for a while, but the Withings smart monitor perfectly marries the latest innovations in internet tech with a compact and durable camera. The Withings baby monitor streams live, high-resolution video to any Apple or Android mobile device. The Withings baby monitor also allows you to remotely tilt, pan, and zoom the camera so that you never lose sight of your child, and it comes with a built-in night vision mode that won’t disturb Baby’s sleep.
The Withings monitor also allows you to transmit your voice via the mobile app as well as play lullabies and other soothing sounds. You can also remotely activate a multi-colored night light with the Withings monitor. The monitor also tracks the humidity and temperature in your baby’s room as well as all noises and motion so that you can enjoy peace of mind whether you’re in the next room or halfway across the world.
Philips AVENT Microwave Steam Sterilizer
From one of the leading manufacturers in baby products, the Philips AVENT steam sterilizer lets you quickly and safely sterilize baby bottles, breast pump parts, pacifiers, feeding spoons, cups, and other accessories using your microwave. The AVENT steam sterilizer will kill 99.9% of bacteria after being placed for just two minutes in the microwave, and it will keep the contents sterile for up to 24 hours if the lid remains closed. The AVENT steam sterilizer is made of 100% BPA-free materials and will fit in most microwave ovens.
Tranquil Moments White Noise Sound Machine for Baby
Newborns can be incredibly fussy sleepers, so one of the best natural ways to encourage healthy rest is with this white noise sound machine by Brookstone. The sound machine has six different clinically tested white noise settings to allow you to find the right one for your baby. The sound machine has a Sleep Enhancement button that gradually slows down the sounds to allow your baby to drift off into a peaceful sleep.
Boon Squirt Silicone Baby Food Dispensing Spoon
The concept behind the Boon Squirt is so simple, you’ll probably wonder why no one ever invented it before. A large silicone base is filled with the baby food of your choice which you can then squeeze to dispense exactly the right amount of food into the spoon. The Boon Squirt can be easily used one-handed and comes with a cap for storing uneaten food. The Boon Squirt holds up to three ounces (89 ml) of baby food and is made from 100% BPA-free, PVC-free, and phthalate-free materials.
Summer Infant Pacifier Thermometer
You’ll never have to mess with rectal thermometers ever again with the Summer Infant Pacifier Thermometer. The easy to read display glows green when Baby’s temperature is in a healthy range but will beep and turn red if it indicates a fever. The Summer Infant has both a Fahrenheit and Celsius setting and comes with a protective cover ideal for storage when not in use.
As I’m sure you know, a lot of expectant parents go a little overboard when it comes to buying for their babies. You don’t need a freshly done-up nursery, a massive wardrobe, or enough soft toys to fill a garage. Having said that, there are various necessities that you’ll need to buy and have ready for when your child comes into the world. There are also things you should plan for ahead of baby’s arrival such as who will handle the your newborn photography. If you’re a few months into your first pregnancy, and you’re worried about buying too much or too little, here’s a checklist of baby essentials for any expectant mother.
Jammies
By the time you give birth, you should have around six stretchable sleepers that will cover your baby from their neck to their feet, with snaps around the leg area for easy diaper changing. Sleepers, as the name suggests, are perfect for your baby to sleep in, but they also make great all-round clothes. Just remember that your baby will grow out of these quickly. Try to resist the temptation of buying every cute one you come across! Nightgowns that come with mittens are also a good option for pyjamas, and will keep your baby from scratching him or herself at night. You should also have sleep sacks like the ones from Halo for when the weather gets cold. Just one of these will get you through the first few weeks.
Knit Caps and Winter Wear
If you’re due to have a winter baby, or you happen to live in a particularly cold climate, you should have a knit cap or two along with some general winter wear to keep your baby warm. Knit caps not only look adorable, but will stop too much heat escaping through your baby’s head – where most of our body’s heat is lost. If the winters in your area are very cold, you should also buy a baby snowsuit. Failing this, keeping your baby wrapped in a reasonably thick blanket will do just as well.
Diapers
This is an obvious one, but a lot of new parents grossly underestimate just how many diapers a healthy baby can go through. At any given time, you need to make sure you have at least two packs of disposable diapers, or cloth diapers that will last for two days. Most babies will go through several diapers every day, so keep an eye out for any sales and coupons, and stock up often when using disposable diapers. You also need to make sure you’re buying the right size to avoid the risk of leakage. Having to deal with this in public is unpleasant to say the least! When it’s necessary, use a natural diaper cream, and avoid anything that contains petroleum products. You can find a great recipe for this on Wellness Mama. A good diaper pail can also be handy, just make sure you remember to empty it regularly!
Travel
Naturally, there are going to be times where you need to leave the house with your baby. Get a rear-facing car seat at the very least, as well as some sun-blinds for the windows that will keep the light out of your child’s eyes. You’ll also want a stroller for walking around with your baby. There are a lot of options here, with all kinds of extra features and frills on the market. Don’t be taken in by the marketing hype! All you really need is for the stroller to lie flat to ensure that it’s suitable for a newborn. Having said that, these things aren’t cheap, and you don’t want to buy one that will come apart after just a little use. Start off selecting one through impartial blogs, like these Disney travel system reviews in Babyseats.You’re not going to be using it for that long, but it’s good to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth.
Disposable Wipes, Lots of Them
As cute as they are, babies are extremely messy! Having a stockpile of disposable wipes can be very handy for diaper changes, and for messes away from home. Be sure to keep a decent-sized pack within reach of your changing area, and a second one to keep in your out-and-about diaper bag. Avoid anything fragranced, as this is a waste of money and can be harmful. Remember to only use them after the first week or so as your baby’s skin is very sensitive in this period.
Grooming Things
Keeping your baby’s nails nice and short will prevent him or her from scratching you or themselves. There are many blunt nail clippers that are designed specifically for a newborn’s soft little nails. You should also buy a bottle of baby lotion to rub on your baby’s skin after a bath in order to keep it moist. If you find that your child is prone to eczema or rashes, try switching to an oil containing calendula, or one that’s specifically formulated for these skin conditions.
Medical Tools
Babies are very uncooperative at the doctor’s, and can be hard to deal with when they’re sick at home or they’ve just had some immunizations. However, getting your hands on a few tools can calm any fussy infant. Acetaminophen drops designed for newborns can be great for treating fevers. Just make sure you check with your pediatrician first. A nasal aspirator to help with stuffy noses can also be handy, as it’s hard for babies to breathe through their mouths. Don’t worry about your bundle of joy looking startled when you use it – it doesn’t hurt them at all. A digital baby thermometer can also be helpful.
A Crib and Mattress
You’ll also need to buy a crib and a mattress for your baby, ensuring that it meets all the relevant consumer and safety requirements. There are a lot of different styles available, which can be a little overwhelming. However, a crib on the cheaper end of the spectrum, provided it’s safe for your baby, can be a fine choice, and you’ll be able to fill it with adorable toys and linens.
Baby Blankets
If you’re like most people, baby blankets are going to be the go-to gift from a lot of your friends. With a bit of luck, you’ll never have to spend a penny on one for your own baby! Make sure you have four cushioning blankets to lay your baby on, except for the crib, as this can be a safety hazard. You should also have a few thicker ones to wrap your baby up for outdoor walks or colder weather.
Bottles and Burp Cloths
For the first few weeks of your baby’s life, all they’ll seem to do is sleep and eat. The good news is that they’re not fussy eaters. That comes a bit later, and requires a whole other guide! Keep about four six-ounce and eight-ounce bottles, a bottle brush for cleaning, and just as many bibs. You should also have roughly 12 burp cloths to hand to protect your favorite tops. You can save a little money by using cloth diapers instead. If you’re breastfeeding, you’ll also want to have two nursing bras, a stockpile of pads, as well as a good breast pump so that you can keep some milk in the fridge. If you’re going to be feeding your baby in public, a nursing shawl is also good to have in your bag.
Make sure you have everything on this checklist in time for your baby’s arrival, and you’ll never have to rush out to the store after running into some emergency. While all the gear in the world won’t make parenting a total breeze, these items will certainly make it much easier!
