About.com Babys First Year

Share Thanksgiving With Your Baby

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:46:11 +0000

On Thursday ya'all will sit around the table to dine on that bird with all the trimmings, napkins stuck under your chins, and your mouths watering. Instead of popping open that jar of baby food for your little turkey, why not let them enjoy some of those delights as well?

Many of the foods at Thanksgiving can be easily mashed into fresh baby food with the use of a hand-held blender or food grinder. Consider making a turkey-sweet potato concoction or having a little bit of pureed pumpkin.

It really is that easy. I am not kidding you.

If you're in need of a tips to make your own baby food, you may want to check out the following articles to get you started:

How to Puree Meat for Homemade Baby Food

How to Prevent Browning

Pumpkin Apple Oatmeal Breakfast Recipe

Happy Thanksgiving and bon appetit!

Photo � falconreid, http://sxc.hu

Follow Me on Twitter | Follow Me on Facebook Share Thanksgiving With Your Baby originally appeared on About.com Babys First Year on Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 at 08:46:11.

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Keeping Your Sanity While You Travel With Baby

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:39:24 +0000

Thanksgiving is the most traveled holiday of the season (ok, so I didn't look that fact up to be sure, but that's what I heard when waking to the radio this morning). I must say not only am I am glad to stay put this Turkey day, I don't have to do any of the cooking either. Heading to a gracious friend's home to celebrate. Yep, I've got a lot to be thankful for.

For those of you who will be traveling, have you thought about how you will make the trip easier on you and your baby? Traveling with a little one certainly has its challenges, but with a little planning and foresight the burden can be eased. Here are some insights from several other About.com Guides. Check out their words of wisdom.

Before You Travel By Air With Baby General flying advice with a focus on needed baby gear.

Traveling With a Newborn FAQ addressing the health concerns of flying and driving with a newborn baby.

When Flying With a Baby Comprehensive advice on flying with a baby

Packing Baby Clothes and Traveling Don't be overwhelmed while packing.

As you prepare for your holiday travels, what tips can you offer other parents? What are your "do's and don'ts" of traveling with a baby?

Photo credit: xparxy, "at the airport," flickr.com Creative Commons

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Keeping Your Sanity While You Travel With Baby originally appeared on About.com Babys First Year on Monday, November 23rd, 2009 at 08:39:24.

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Britax Car Seats - Worth the Hype?

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:17:28 +0000

Well it looks as though my three year old is about ready to outgrow her convertible car seat. They say time flies, but I think she's riding on some super-sonic speeding jet. Seriously, this comes too quick.

It's seems like just yesterday we were asking the big question "What is the best car seat for our baby?", and here she is on the highest harness height just about ready to bust out of the seat.

When we got her the seat, we looked at several models and finally settled on the Britax Marathon. Now let me be clear, the best car seat is one that is installed properly and used correctly every single time. There isn't necessarily one brand that is better. However, we liked the added safety features put out by Britax. We liked how easy it was to use. We liked that it had higher weight limits.

The big a-ha in all of this - although the car seat restrains children up to 65 lbs, our daughter seems to have outgrown the height requirements before she even hit 40 lbs. While I do stand by Britax, and likely would buy another, I think parents should know that more than likely their child will never make the weight max before outgrowing the harness height (forward facing harness straps should be at or above shoulder height). That 65 lb weight limit is a little misleading. Still a great seat, but it may not last as long as you might think.

Photo credit: Jennifer White

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Britax Car Seats - Worth the Hype? originally appeared on About.com Babys First Year on Thursday, November 19th, 2009 at 21:17:28.

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Give the Gift That Promotes Literacy and Language Development

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:11:26 +0000

Recently, a reader added her 2 cents about what baby gifts are the best to give at Christmas, holidays or other special occasions. She brought out an awesome point that bears repeating. Here's what she said:

"Books. Hands down, my favorite gift to give any child, at any age, is books. I often give a little one a board book and a picture book. That way little hands have their own book to hold while an adult reads from the picture book." - BJacques

I totally agree - especially about board books. Board books are sturdy and hold up well to impatient hands that flip through pages quickly, curious mouths that greedily gum the corners, and little hands that grasp the book covers.

Don't make the mistake of thinking that babies are too young to benefit from books. Even at this young age, you can affect their language development, their understanding of the world. To quote yet another mama, one of whom you might have heard of:

"There are many little ways to enlarge your child's world. Love of books is the best of all." -- Jacqueline Kennedy

So this Christmas as you try and figure out what is the best gift for babies, perhaps you need to stop no further than the nearest book store.

Happy reading!

Photo � Ben McLeod, "early morning reading," flickr.com

Give the Gift That Promotes Literacy and Language Development originally appeared on About.com Babys First Year on Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 11:11:26.

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The Mystery of the Disappearing Baby Socks

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 21:18:34 +0000

Does anyone have any secrets out there on how to keep the mates to baby socks from disappearing in the laundry? Seriously, I have enough trouble keeping my own socks in their sets, let alone eensy-weensy tiny baby socks.

And you want to know the sad thing? I compulsively save all mismatched socks. Today I spent about 2 hours going through a kitchen-sized trash bag of mismatched socks that I've been saving since 1997. While I did manage to match up a few pairs, the bag is still half-full of mateless socks. Tons of little baby socks, especially.

On second thought maybe I need to be soliciting for secrets on liberating oneself of compulsive behaviors instead.

The Mystery of the Disappearing Baby Socks originally appeared on About.com Babys First Year on Saturday, November 14th, 2009 at 21:18:34.

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A Favorite Gift for Babies 3 to 6 Months Old

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:28:20 +0000

Confession. When it comes to buying gifts for babies for Christmas, I tend to always turn to the same gift idea over and over again.

Partly because I am not much of a shopper, much less a cram-into-the-packed-mall-parking-lot-during-the-holidays kind of shopper. I'd really rather not spend a lot of time fussing over what to get either. And partly because I just have some favorite presents for babies. Whether it's because of their practicality, cute factor, or unique design, some gifts seem like a must-have. I like it when shopping decisions are no-brainers.

One of my old stand-bys is the Baby-Ville Roly-Poly Cone Mirror. This toy makes a great gift for babies age 3 to 6 months. The reason that I favor this toy is that it is well-made and developmentally appropriate. It helps entertain babies during their much-needed tummy-time, and the mirror builds on their fascination for staring at faces (even if it is their own reflection).

So what about you - join the discussion and share your best baby gift ideas!

Photo � Manhattan Toy

A Favorite Gift for Babies 3 to 6 Months Old originally appeared on About.com Babys First Year on Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 at 15:28:20.

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Baby's First Letter from Santa

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:55:52 +0000

The holidays are fast descending upon us. It's almost hard for me to believe. Can anyone tell me exactly when did time start moving more quickly?

I think it was the 6 foot tall pink foil Christmas trees at Border's that gave me the jolt to begin thinking about holiday shopping, Christmas cards, and all those other details that come together at Christmas time. Goodness, I've got a ton to do.

I am not sure what is one your own "Holiday To-Do List," but one of those things that you might want to be thinking of is Christmas letter from Santa. I've seen these personalized letters adorning a page in "Baby's First Christmas" scrapbooks or displayed in frames that are brought out to decorate the mantel at Christmas time.

If you're looking for a place that can offer personalized letters, complete with thoughtful details like postmarked from the North Pole, you might want to check out Original Santa Mail. They offer many letter styles for various ages and both genders; all letters are personalized and neatly sent to your child. Additionally, 10% of the profits go to World Vision to help feed hungry children.

A letter from Santa to your baby at his or her first Christmas certainly makes for sweet memories and offers a way to capture the precious time of Baby's First Christmas.

Photo � attack the darkness, http:://www.flickr.com

Baby's First Letter from Santa originally appeared on About.com Babys First Year on Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 09:55:52.

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Baby Proofing Resources

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:17:26 +0000

In my lazy web-wanderings I found myself at a site called Baby Proofing Directory. I found it helpful and thought I'd pass along the link and detail some of the information they can provide.

Keeping your baby safe is undoubtedly important, and you might be feeling a bit overwhelmed at all that needs to be done to baby proof your home. I know in my case, there were many things that I didn't know until I read or heard about a particular home danger.

The Baby Proofing Directory can help you locate a professional who can help you make sure no stone goes unturned in your baby proofing quest. It also offers room-by-room baby proofing sheets that you can check out. I found those to be particularly helpful.

So as you prepare your home to be a safe-haven for your little one, be sure to pass along any resources that can help others in their endeavors too.

Baby Proofing Resources originally appeared on About.com Babys First Year on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 10:17:26.

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The Great Pumpkin and All Its Delicacies

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:40:32 +0000

I love pumpkin. There is nothing more gratifying in the brisk chill of autumn to whip up some pumpkin delights for the family. I've done everything from pumpkin soup to pumpkins rolls to classic pumpkins pies. Pumpkin offers such a warm, filling taste of fall, doesn't it?

In honor of this scrumptious autumnal fruit, I recently wrote several pieces on making pumpkin baby food recipes. No reason to leave your little one out! I included a yummy pumpkin breakfast for baby, basic pumpkin pur�e, and common FAQs about selecting and preparing pumpkin for baby food recipes. I swear I haven't stopped drooling since.

So today is grocery day. I definitely have plans for some pumpkin.

Photo � cheyn021, "Sugar Pumpkins 2," http://flickr.com

The Great Pumpkin and All Its Delicacies originally appeared on About.com Babys First Year on Monday, October 26th, 2009 at 07:40:32.

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Totally Bummed

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:13:08 +0000

Couldn't resist the pun in the title.

I just found out one of my favorite cloth diaper stores, Zannadu, is closing up shop. Joanne is a top-notch WAHM (Work at Home Mom), and I loved doing business with her. I actually took the plunge into cloth after I attended one of her Cloth Diapering Workshops. She taught me the difference between pocket diapers and AIOs, detergents to use and to avoid, and pretty much everything else I needed to know.

So, yeah, I am a little saddened to hear she's closing. Evidently, after 6 years in the business she is retiring. The store will close its cyber-doors on December 31, 2009.

The good news is that between now and then she is offering 20% off nearly everything in her inventory. Great deals to be had, that's for sure.

So thank you to Joanne who got me started on cloth, saved me a bundle of money, and helped me do a little something to protect our environment.

Totally Bummed originally appeared on About.com Babys First Year on Thursday, October 22nd, 2009 at 19:13:08.

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