Shopping for children

 What Does My New Baby Really Need? A Guide To Shopping For Your New Baby What is it do I really need to buy for my new baby? While writing my latest book found at www.CareForMyBaby.com I found that this is a question a lot of new moms must ask themselves. Having a new baby is a huge expense, and it is hard to stay on budget when you see all of the cute outfits in the stores. While all of the tiny things are really tempting to buy, please keep in mind that babies grow really fast. One of the biggest mistakes that new parents make is over shopping for clothes. Keep in mind that you will probably keep baby in for a lot of those first few months, so cute outfits with shoes and hats that match may not be worn. Plus if you are going to have a baby shower you will receive a lot of cute outfits fit for your little bundle of joy. Below is a list of things that I put together as a guide for you to use while doing your shopping. Remember to do your shopping after your baby shower this way you will only buy what you need. Health and Safety digital thermometer nasal aspirator infant acetaminophen drops baby monitor night light Baby Care Products baby shampoo/baby wash diaper cream baby nail clippers or safety scissors baby oil/lotion baby brush and comb a couple of pacifiers (even if you don’t plan to use!) Layette and Diapering newborn diapers/cloth diapers/wraps or set up diaper service baby wipes and/or extra baby washcloths diaper pail burp cloths or extra cloth diapers gowns/kimonos or newborn sleepers (4-6) receiving blankets (4-6) swaddling blankets (2-3) crib blanket or quilt newborn socks or booties (4-6 pair) newborn cap (1-2) hooded bath towels and wash cloth 4-6 T-shirts or all-in-ones 1-2 sweaters or bunting (depending upon season) Baby Equipment baby carrier (sling, wrap or pack carrier) infant seat (have to bring it to the hospital!) stroller or carriage bouncer seat or swing diaper bag Furniture and Accessories co-sleeper/bassinet/cradle or crib mattress, waterproof pads, at least two sheets and other bedding changing table or other safe changing area mobile for the crib and/or changing area changing pad and 2 covers Nursing Necessities nursing pillow washable or disposable nursing pads rental, electric or manual breast pump and storage bottles or bags if you plan to pump milk feeding bottles (2-4 4 oz to start), nipples, and bottle brush if you plan to use bottles Below you will find a short list of things new moms will need to have on hand. New Mother Care Sitz bath herbs big box of extra-long maxi pads for locc hia nursing nightgown or comfy cotton pajamas small tube of modified lanolin or other product to soothe sore nipples nursing bras (1-2 comfy nursing bras plus a sleep bra to take to the hospital — you can get more when your milk comes in, in case your size changes) Other Good Ideas pick out birth announcements (address envelopes before baby comes, if possible) make a Belly Cast to remember this amazing time! Also a good thing to know is that some of these accessories and gadgets are fun to have. Some of them even help make your life easier. However these are not must haves, all your baby really needs is your love and affection and your baby will grow and flourish. Remember you must have a car seat for baby, because the hospital will not let you leave without it! Plus you want to protect your little miracle in any way possible. Relax and enjoy this time with your precious baby because this time will never return. Hire a doula for assistance or arrange for friends and family to bring meals or come help you out at home after the birth (with a good friend to coordinate). This way you can spend even more time just worrying about the baby, while someone else worries about YOU!

If you’re looking for the perfect gift for the parents-to-be, nothing comes close to the gift of a wearable baby. In the past, you could only take your baby with you in a stroller or pram or hold her in your arms. All that changed with the introduction of the soft baby carrier, a way to carry your baby and still leave your arms and hands free for other things. Wearable babies are not a concept new to this culture. Native American women carried their babies on papoose boards on their backs, or tucked close against their bodies with a swath of deerskin. In many countries, babies are tucked into sling carriers – pleated lengths of cloth that tie over one shoulder and support the baby against the opposite hip. There’s little doubt in anyone’s mind that babies who are ‘snugli’d’ are happier and more comfortable with being put down when it’s time to put them down. Snugly, the name brand soft baby carrier that’s now distributed by Evenflo, brought the concept of the wearable baby back into popularity about 25 years ago. That was just about the time that my oldest daughter was born, and the idea of having her close to my heart fit so perfectly with all my beliefs about raising children that I had to have one. I ended up making one of my own using a pattern that was passed down from mother to mother in my La Leche League group because they weren't easy to find at the time. I can attest first-hand to the advantages of the wearable baby. My Snugly was more than a way to carry my daughter. It was her soother. On afternoons when nothing would soothe her fussing, I’d tuck her into the Snugly where the warmth of my body and the rhythm of my movements calmed and reassured her. I learned to take advantage of the Snugly – I wore my baby while vacuuming the carpet, while walking to the store, while hiking through Purgatory Chasm. In winter, I wore her in her Snugly, cozy against my chest and simply buttoned my coat over the both of us together. When she was old enough to sit up by herself, I slipped it around to the back, and she rode it piggyback style – while her baby brother took her place in a new Snugly against my chest. Snugly now makes a full range of soft and framed carriers for babies, to fit newborns to 18 months old. They’re available in a variety of patterns and colors, in winter weight and summer weight, and with varying degrees of padding. You can buy a Snugly at any Toys R Us, Kmart, Walmart or any one of dozens of other stores. While it might not technically be baby clothes, a Snugly is easily the most important thing your baby can wear.

unique baby gift basket could be a special way to show new parents that how much you care. Earlier, it was a tradition to give flowers or plants as congratulation gifts for new born babies and even today flowers are accepted but to present a baby gift basket filled with new items could be a more exciting alternative. You can present a baby gift basket upon several occasions such as baby shower gifts, congratulation gifts, baptism gifts, christening gifts, baby naming ceremony gifts or for the first birthday of the baby. In spite of any of these occasions, a gift basket shall be highly appreciated with a lasting impression. So if you too wish to give a perfect gift then why to waste your time searching aimlessly through stores or wait in queues when you can save yourself with all the trouble just by sending a gift basket. There are many online companies that take your quick and convenient order thereby proving you all the comfort at your own home. Gift baskets come in a wide variety of size and price ranges that makes them ideal for any budget because most of them range from $25 for a small simple basket to a few 100 dollars for more extravagant basket. If you are looking for an original baby gift basket then you will be surprised with number of options available from different themes and styles. You also hold the opportunity to add a personal touch the gift basket and showing your won creativity if you put together your own gift basket and deliver it yourself. This could also be much rewarding. Many stores even have baby gift registries where the expectant parents can easily register and make a list of whatever they need for the baby. Creating your own customized baby gift registries could be exciting for expectant mothers. Gift registries are the expectant mothers wish list whereby they can register whatever their heart desires. Using baby registry is a great way for friends and family to provide expectant parent what they want and need for their new ones. A huge benefit of a gift registry is that it is easy to find something within your price range.

 As most of you know, a baby’s skin is considerably more sensitive than the average adult.  For that reason, it is vitally important that you use natural skin care products for your child.  Many skin care products contain chemicals and fragrances that can irritate your new baby’s skin.  By knowing which products to avoid, and which products you should use, you can ensure that your little one grows up with healthy beautiful skin.

 Weleda Diaper Care Cream is by far one of the best products we have found to date.  Weleda was established back in 1921 by physicians and pharmacists under the guidance of Dr.  R Str.  The main ingredients in their diaper care cream are almond oil, calendula flower, chamomile flower, lanolin, and lavender oil.  These ingredients are contained in a base of zinc oxide.  This product provides highly effective treatment for painful diaper rash.  It is truly one-of-a-kind.

 Lavera Baby Toothpaste is yet another excellent product, with absolutely no harmful ingredients.  Sugar, phosphate, and fluoride are all absent from it. It is made with all natural silica, which is very effective at cleaning your baby’s new teeth.  This toothpaste is also ideal for helping your growing child with learning to brush his or her own teeth, as it is safe to swallow.  This product is also certified organic.

 Dr.  Hauschka’s Sunscreen Spray for Children is an incredible product.  It has an SPF of 20, and is ideal for day-to-day use.  The wonderful thing about this sunscreen is that it is colored, and allows one to see exactly where it has been applied.  It has a pure and natural composition, and is safe for use on all skin types.  It is also water resistant, so parents can relax knowing their children have the best sun protection on the beach or in the water.  Furthermore, the plant-based nutrients moisturize your little one’s skin while the sun dries it out.

 Lavera Baby Shampoo will transform bath time with your baby into an oasis of fun.  As with other products from this excellent company, Lavera Baby Shampoo is comprised of all natural ingredients such as organic almond and wheat extract.  This tear-free shampoo is perfect for your baby’s sensitive skin, as it helps to maintain the natural moisture balance of your baby’s skin.  This gentle, mild-foaming shampoo is perfect for children and adults alike.

 Regardless of the products you have chosen to use with your children, it cannot hurt to learn more about the other products that are available on the market.  While many companies advertise their products as natural, most of them cannot be considered truly natural.  The products mentioned above are just a few of the excellent products we have discovered and had the pleasure to use.  We hope you check them out for yourself.

Nobody told you how much lighter your wallet would soon become when you brought your new baby home from the hospital. Between diapers, formula, clothes, and toys, it is amazing how something to small can cost so much.  Take advantage of the following tips to help you save money on the things you buy for your baby.

 Order things online and take advantage of coupon codes.  Lets face it, your baby needs a lot of accessories and that can add up to big bucks, but you can save substantially by shopping online.  Buying things online for your baby has lots of advantages.  With literally millions of products to choose from, shopping on the internet can give you options for items that your local store doesnt carry.  Many sites offer free shipping and often you dont have to pay tax on your online purchase which means that you could conceivably get an item online for less money than it would cost you to buy it in the store.  In an effort to capitalize on the online market, many retailers offer lower prices online than they do in-person. The best secret to saving money online is online coupon codes.  Upon checkout, you simply input a code when prompted and the amount of the coupon will automatically be deducted of the total of your purchase.  If you use a coupon code for 20 % off of an item that can add up to huge savings if you are purchasing something big like a crib or a stroller.

 Use coupons when you shop in retail stores.  Coupons aren't just for groceries.  You can save a lot of money on things like bed linens, car seats, strollers, and toys by looking for coupons in the newspaper for particular stores. Many retailers print coupons in their Sunday flier, so scan them closely and watch the savings add up.  Often these coupons are for a percentage off your purchase, rather than for specific products, so you can save a lot of money if you use if for a big purchase like furniture.  Dont forget to check online for printable coupons from your favorite stores.  It is always a bonus to find a coupon for a store you planned to shop at anyway.

 Dont wait for coupons to come to you.  You dont have to rely solely on the Sunday paper for baby related coupons.  Write to the manufacturers of the products you use and tell them what you like about their products.  You will be surprised at the amount of coupons they will usually send you.  Often they will even send you vouchers for free products.  Dont just write to the manufacturers of products like baby food or formula.  Contact companies that sell diapers, lotions, shampoos, baby wipes, or toys.  Make a list of everything you buy for your baby by looking in your pantry, bathroom, and baby's room. Then write to those companies and soon you will be saving a fortune on products you already know and love.  You can also call the toll free number on the back of the products you use and ask the operator if they have any coupons available.  Manufacturers love to give coupons because if they give you a coupon, they know you will buy their product.  Most people never think to ask, so all of those coupons just sit there unused.

 There are so many things that babies require, and all of those things cost a lot of money. Use coupons to cut your expenses everywhere you can.  It pays to save as much money as possible now, because before you know it, your little darling will grow up and it will be time to start thinking about college tuition.