Before our son came along early this year my partner and I enjoyed traveling cross country not for anything in particular, we just liked to be out and about seeing new things.

Since our baby has come along it hasn’t stopped us, just made us plan more and be quite a bit more organized. No more just jumping in the car on a weekend and going…

So if you are like us or a planning a holiday, visiting family or friends cross country these tips might help you on your first cross-country journey.

My 5 tips -

1. Frequent stopping.
When it was just the two of us we could drive for as long as we wanted without stopping. Now that we have a child we have found it best to stop every three hours or so to give him some fresh air, play time and a break from staring at the back seat. Plus it’s usually feeding time by then. And we usually stop for about an hour at a time.

2. Toys, toys toys… I have a bag packed that I keep in the car with me that has some of his favorite toys as well as some new cheap toys that I have brought that he has never seen before, that way he has something new to look at and keep him occupied.. If that doesn’t work then he has his old favorites to fall back on…

3. Keep another bag packed in car, not in boot that contains -
Nappies, snacks, bottle, water, juice, wipes, books, spare clothes and anything else that you can think of.. Gosh just one wee child and so much to take!!

4. If you are planning to stay away overnight or for a few days. Organize what motels/hotels you will be staying at and ask what they offer in the way of cots/portacots for babies or better yet buy your own. One I plan to purchase very shortly is Baby Bjorn Travel Crib Light. It’s lightweight, easy to pack, very quick to set up and can be used from birth to 3 years.
That way you are guaranteed to have somewhere for your little one to sleep whether you are with family or staying at motels.

5. If there are two of you and your baby starts to fuss, one of you hop in the back seat and interact with your child for awhile… This is something we do often… I’m sure it must get lonely in the back, especially since he is in a rear facing seat and will be for quite sometime to come.

And one more sneaky tip – Have loads of different CD’s in the car… Babies and children love to hear you sing!

Happy Travels

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It is no secret that having an infant is incredibly expensive and only gets more expensive as the children grow older. When parents-to-be find out that they are pregnant they want to ensure that their child has everything imaginable for their nursery. Unfortunately this is not always financially feasible so it is important that parents pick and choose what they buy with caution as to not overspend or buy inexpensive, but unsafe items to save money.

There are a few items that every family should purchase for their new child to make certain that their child is coming home to a prepared home. While some of these items may seem expensive, some of them are also inexpensive and you can purchase cheaper brands or find them discounted online.

The first item that a parent should purchase is a crib or a bassinet, while there are pros and cons to both of these items the decision is ultimately up to what is best for the parents and their baby. It is important that a crib or bassinet be bought new as used cribs can be broken down from years of use. The one time that a parent isn’t constantly watching their newborn is when it is sleeping, so a reliable and safe crib should be purchased to ensure safety.

A parent should also own a high chair to make feeding time easier. In the early months of life a parent will more than likely hold the child for feedings but as they get older feeding a child in a high chair is much easier and safe than feeding at a table built for adults. When purchasing a high chair it is important to find a modern one made out of durable, and easy to clean plastic. If a used high chair is bought parents must make sure that the chair has not been recalled and that none of the plastic is cracked or broken with sharp edges.

Finally an excellent item for any household with a new infant to have is a baby swing. There are times when a parent is unable to hold a child and an infant swing is an alternative that will keep the child safe. The swing will not only keep an infant safe but it will also be an enjoyable and soothing activity for the infant. Infant swings may be purchased use as long as they are thoroughly inspected and well-built.

Obviously, this list does not cover every piece of baby furniture that parents will need for bringing home baby, but it is a start. While shopping parents should purchase only the safest and most reliable items for their child. If unsure parents may turn to consumer reviews for products they are considering purchasing.

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When a baby cries, there is usually a reason for it and it is the parents’ job to try and figure out what they want. It is not easy to raise a child and when their only form of communication is through crying, the job is only made that much harder. Or it can be made easier with the help of the Dunstan Baby Language system.

Just like how you would need to adapt to have a new baby in your life, as a parent you’re also going to have to adapt to your baby’s crying because you’re going to have to be dealing with it for a few months. At least until your child can start talking. Crying is a form of communication and although it may sound all the same, there are actually different tones and sounds to it if you know what to listen out for. That is what the Dunstan Baby Language system aims to do.

The Dunstan Baby Language system will help teach parents, especially the first timers, how to identify the five most basic sounds that a baby will make for its five most basic needs. The only five things that are going to be important to your baby are feeding time, the need to pass wind, the need to be burped, the feeling of discomfort and the feeling of discomfort, and they will be crying when anyone of these five needs are not met.

The Dunstan Baby Language system will teach you how to identify which crying sound is associated to what need, because each sound has a different need attached to it. For example, the sound your baby will make when it needs to be fed will be different from the sound that it makes if it is uncomfortable.

When you know how to identify these sounds using the Dunstan Baby Language system, you’ll be able to meet their needs much faster and not only will they be happier as a result, but you as parents will be much happier too because you won’t have to run around merely guessing what your baby wants anymore!

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Parents, there is finally a wooden high chair that is affordable, safe, and grows with your child. The Keekaroo Height Right wooden high chair is fully adjustable, accommodating children from six months of age into their teenage years. This attractive, eco-friendly wooden high chair is certified to the latest JPMA standards for safety and comes in an attractive natural finish, made from 100% non-toxic materials. The accessories listed below can help you get the most out of your Keekaroo Height Right wooden high chair.

Infant Insert – The infant insert is a must-have accessory for infants just learning to sit on their own. The soft-to-the-touch insert adds comfort and security, with higher sides for stability and a pommel to prevent your baby from slipping. The Keekaroo high chair infant insert is waterproof and wipes clean easily; the latex-free material is peel- and tear-resistant, as well. The infant insert comes with a three-point safety harness, as well as the straps needed to attach it securely to the Height Right wooden high chair, and it is available in Aqua, Cherry, Chocolate, Key Lime and Lavender.

Tray – For feeding time or creative play, the wooden high chair tray can be easily installed on the Keekaroo Height Right wooden high chair. Keep your toddler safe while he learns to self-feed or plays while you work in the kitchen. The locking safety latch keeps the tray in place and provides extra support for infants who can sit well on their own, helping them to maintain correct posture. The raised lip around the rim of the tray prevents messy spills, and the non-toxic finish can be easily cleaned with warm water.

Comfort Cushion Set – Now, you can add comfort to safety with the comfort cushion set, designed for children who can sit up unassisted. Manufactured from non-latex, anti-microbial material that is easy to clean up after meals, the comfort cushions are filled with soft foam that lets each child find the most comfortable position. The back rest and seat pad can be purchased together or separately and come in five attractive colors, including Chocolate, Cherry, Aqua, Lavender and Key Lime.

Baby Grab Rail – When younger infants are seated away from the table, the baby grab rail provides extra support and safety for your little ones. The safety latching system is adjustable in and out and offers trunk support for smaller children who can sit on their own, but need some assistance. The baby grab rail is designed to stay where you put it, yet can be easily disengaged when you are ready to take baby out of her Keekaroo Height Right wooden high chair.

The Keekaroo Height Right adjustable chair is the perfect option for parents who want a safe and attractive seating option that will last for years to come. Crafted from attractive hardwood, this sturdy chair is fully adjustable to fit children of any age. These accessories add functionality and comfort that will grow along with your child.

You can find all these great Keekaroo products, at affordable prices at www.akidplace.com. Look for great deals on everything you need for your new baby or toddler – free shipping available on many items.
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Since it is your first-time to care for your baby, you definitely need to get hold of all the useful feeding tips you can muster. For starters, take a crack at learning some of the basics of feeding your newborn.

Bottle Feeding

If you choose to feed your newborn with bottled milk, make sure that you prepare everything you need in advance. Just not so far ahead, though, because feeding your little one with spoiled milk is definitely a big “no-no” in parenting.

Remember to have the bottled formula or breast milk at the temperature your baby can tolerate. This can range from lukewarm to room temperature. It is also important to avoid using the microwave for heating the milk up. Doing so will produce hotspots that can injure your baby even if you’ve already checked the liquid’s temperature.

When feeding time comes, hold your baby on your lap while supporting his or her head in the bend of your arm. Try to switch sides from time to time, as you would when breastfeeding, so as to supply ample stimulation on both hemispheres of the brain.

Place the bottle nipple into the baby’s mouth as soon as he or she turns to root. See to it that the nipple is filled with milk as the baby has a tendency to gulp down too much air from a half-filled nipple. To terminate a feeding session, simply remove the bottle from your baby’s mouth.

Breastfeeding

One good thing about breastfeeding is the fact that you”re not required to prepare the milk or warm the feeding bottle in advance. Plus, you can pick out any position you want to nurse in. The appropriate feeding positions, however, may vary according to the baby’s age, the time of day, and your level of comfort.

Many mothers make use of the cradle hold when breastfeeding. This well-liked feeding position requires you to sit upright and hold your little one like a cradle. In addition, it also allows you to cuddle your baby with one hand, and move or support your breast with the other. Regardless of what nursing position you choose, don’t forget to acquire some support. A nursing pillow or any regular cushion will certainly make it easier for you to hold the baby up and to prevent neck or back strain. When it comes to baby placement, an excellent latch is one of the most vital parts of a comfortable feeding session. Your little bundle of joy should be chin-to-breast and belly-to-belly with you.

To ensure that the feeding is going well, check if the baby’s lips are flared around your breast. You may also pull his or her lower lip down a little to see if the tongue is coiled around the areola. You can also hear the baby swallow or notice his or her ears wiggling during active feeding. In case you need to change sides or if the feeding session has to end, simply slide a finger in one corner of the baby’s mouth to tenderly interrupt the suction.

Needless to say, first-time parents are not really expected to impeccably perform the feeding process the first time around. So try to be patient and give yourself a break every now and then. Keeping a positive outlook on parenting and taking advantage of all the available ‘my first baby” resources will also help you a lot.

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