Should I Swaddle My Baby?

If you have a baby you know that they love to be swaddled.  If you have not yet had your baby then count on keeping that little one swaddled to keep them happy!  When your baby is in the womb it is held snuggly and securely at all times, and so that is what a baby loves when they come into the world!

Swaddling a baby cannot always be the easiest task.  If you have a squirmy baby the task of keeping your little one swaddled can be quite the challenge.  I recently came across a product that I thought was genius!  It is called "woombie" and it is like a little sack that holds your baby really tight.  It has a zipper on the front and a zipper protector.  Of course it is warm and snuggly for your sweet bundle of joy!

If you have trouble swaddling your baby, or just want to make it a lot easier than check out this product.  This would also make a wonderful baby gift, especially for the "new" mother.   You can get a discounted price on a woombie by clicking on my "items for sale" page.

My Baby Is Teething, What Should I do?

Teething can be a very tough time for you and your baby.  Your little baby that was so sweet for so long has now changed into a crying, drooling, aching mess.  They feel terrible and you feel lost on what to try next.  We have all been through this and it can be really tough.  You just want your little one to feel better.  Well don't worry.  I have some tricks for you to try along with one spectacular product

There are a couple of things you can do to help your baby get through this tough time and all of them are pretty simple.

• Cold wet washcloth: this one works wonders.  Babies absolutely love this for the texture as well as the soothing coolness of the rag.
• Teething ring or pacifier:  This one is pretty obvious as it is a product specifically for teething.  My kids never really liked them, but you can give it a try.
• Rub your finger on their gums:  Some babies like to have you rub their gums or simply chew on  your finger (or theirs).  Be warned though some babies seriously hate this.
• Frozen bagel or teething biscuit: If your baby is holding foods and putting them to their mouth you can try this one, however watch them very carefully as you don't want them to choke on a small piece of it.
• Cold carrot:  This one is good because generally they cannot get pieces off of it.

So you get the basic idea from the starter ideas above, however you may need to try a few of them before you determine what your baby likes best.

So onto our super product.  I did not discover this product until I already had a couple of kids, and wish I had found it sooner. It is called Hylands Homeopathic Teething Tablets and they are incredible!  They are these tiny white pills, and you put a few along your babies gum line.  The pills dissolve pretty quickly along with your babies pain.  All I can say is that they truly are a lifesaver.

The only draw back is that they are a little tricky to find.  I know that Wal-Mart carried them for awhile but I'm not sure if they still do.  The box is small and since it is not a big brand they either put it way up high or way down low, you will just have to look.  You can also get it online using the link above.  You can find more information about their whole line of products at www.hylands.com.

Great Birthday Gift For A First Birthday

A first birthday is such a fun celebration!  Finding the perfect gift for that birthday boy or girl can be a little challenging.  There is the classic baby doll for a girl or a truck for that sweet little boy, but how many of those toys will they get?  You want a toy that they will love forever, one that will grow with them and that they will get so much enjoyment out of, but what is that gift.  You don't want something that will break easily or won't hold up to the test of time.
Well I have the perfect solution for that first birthday!  Wooden Blocks!  I know it seems so simple but stay with me.  Most classic wooden blocks are colorful, have letters and shapes on them, and are stackable.  Stacking blocks develops your child's cognitive skills which is important for a growing brain.  Letters and colors are also great learning tools. 
Blocks can be used to simply stack, or you can use them to build grand castles!  Your child will have to use their imagination again and again when it comes to playing with blocks.  Of course we all want our child to develop a wonderful imagination.
I can honestly say that through all of the toys we have had in our home the blocks are a staple.  They get played with again and again.  They are perfect for all ages, and I know it will be the toy I keep around for my grandkids!

What Baby Wash should I use?

Have you ever been at the store and looked at the vast amount of baby wash products on the shelf?  All of them really do the same job, but yet there are so many!
I have been washing babies for 12 years and I will tell you that my absolute favorite is Baby Magic.  The scent of this baby wash is just heavenly!  All baby wash products tend to smell good, but Baby Magic tops them all. 

If you have a shower to attend soon or a baby gift to buy, I would definitely recommend baby magic products.  Not all stores carry it, so it may be one of those products you get online, but it will be well worth it!

Should I use a Pacifier?

Should I use a Pacifier?  This is a common question that comes up for all moms whether you are new or seasoned!  You may have a mother in law or friend telling you how she never had to use a pacifier for her kids, eluding to the fact that you would be a terrible mom if you used one.  Those same people tell you all the wives tales that the child will end up with buck teeth, or they will never talk normally.  Well I say hogwash.  From my experience as a mother to seven children none of that is true!
A pacifier is designed to soothe your baby when they are upset, and that is exactly what they do!  You should not feel bad about using a pacifier, in fact I would encourage it!  I have used a pacifier with most of my children, I have one finger sucker(whole different conversation!) and all of the children have been just fine. 

A pacifier can be such a lifesaver!  Say for instance when you are in church and the baby is screaming, but not hungry, or at the grocery story and you just have one more thing to get and the baby is fussy.  These are the times a pacifier comes in mighty handy.

I will admit that sometimes getting rid of the pacifier can be a bit difficult but that is the only draw back I have found!

In my opinion the best pacifier on the market that works for most children is the NUK classic pacifier.  I have found through hundreds of pacifiers, and I mean hundreds, that this one takes the cake every time.  It's shape works well for the babies mouth and even when they are newborns they are able to keep it in their mouth!

NUK 2 Pack Classic Silicone BPA Free Fashion Pacifier, Size 2, Colors May Vary