Toddler-Proofing

Toddler-Proofing Checklist for Your Home

TEXT SIZE: When your baby started to crawl, you baby-proofed your house. Get ready to “toddler-proof” your home. Your toddler has the ability to open more cabinets, drawers and bottles than before. The last thing you want is to hover or discourage your toddler’s growing independence and discovery. So make sure surroundings are safe and then supervise, but don’t discourage your toddler. Use this check-list to make the safety rounds at your home to make sure your adventurous toddler is safe and sound. Windows: Install window gates to prevent falls. Stairs: Put safety gates across top and bottom of steps. Electric outlets: Plug them with plastic caps. Electric cords: Keep out of reach so a toddler can’t pull lamps and appliances over. Houseplants: Many are poisonous, so hang or place all plants high out of baby’s reach. Tippy furniture: Test for wobbles and remove shaky pieces that could fall on a toddler. Toy boxes: Large ones with heavy lids can injure toddlers. Use shelves or small storage bins instead. Knives and sharp tools: Keep well out of baby’s reach. Needles, pins and small objects: Keep out of reach. Matches and ashtrays: Keep out of reach. Cigarette butts can be fatally toxic if swallowed. Cleaning supplies, laundry products and paints: Many of these are fatally toxic. Keep on a high shelf or locked in a cabinet. Pots on stove: Keep the handles turned toward the wall so they don’t get pulled down on top of anyone. Medicines: Keep in a high locked cabinet. Ask pharmacists for childproof caps. Put emergency numbers near the phone and be sure to include the number of the local Poison Control Center. In case of accidental poisoning, call Poison Control before taking action. Outside the house: Steps: Put safety gates across steep porch steps. Access to the street: Fence in the yard where a toddler plays. Pools: Fence in swimming pools. Don’t leave a toddler unattended near a portable wading pool. Driveway and garage: These are dangerous places for a toddler. The garage is full of hazardous materials and cars come into the driveway without warning. When you visit: Friends and relatives without small children usually do not have toddler-proofed houses–and this includes loving grandparents. So be extra careful when you’re in someone else’s home. Be watchful, while allowing your child the freedom to explore and discover–an important step towards independence. By: Huggies

Recalls!!

Maclaren USA Recalls to Repair Strollers Following Fingertip Amputations

Name of Product: Maclaren Strollers

Units: About one million

Distributor: Maclaren USA, Inc., of South Norwalk, Conn.

Hazard: The stroller's hinge mechanism poses a fingertip amputation and laceration hazard to the child when the consumer is unfolding/opening the stroller.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received 15 reports of children placing their finger in the stroller's hinge mechanism, resulting in 12 reports of fingertip amputations in the United States.

Description: This recall involves all Maclaren single and double umbrella strollers. The word "Maclaren" is printed on the stroller. The affected models included Volo, Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Techno XT, TechnoXLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno and Easy Traveller.

Sold at: Babies"R"Us, Target and other juvenile product and mass merchandise retailers nationwide from 1999 through November 2009 for between $100 and $360.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using these recalled strollers and contact Maclaren USA to receive a free repair kit.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Maclaren USA toll-free at (877) 688-2326 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm's Web site at www.maclaren.us/recall

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled product, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10033.html

The Great Meconium!

We recently had a question from a viewer concerning baby's first poo - the dreaded meconium. This nasty tar-looking bowel movement has often caused some confusion to first time parents.

According to The National Institute of Health, the Meconium is "a thick, sticky, greenish-black substance". It is composed of amniotic fluid, mucus, lanugo (the fine hair that covers baby's body), bile, and cells that have been shed from the skin and the intestinal tract.

"During pregnancy, the baby floats in the amniotic fluid that fills the mother's uterus. This fluid protects the baby while he or she grows and develops. The baby swallows the amniotic fluid, which contains all the other constituents mentioned above. All of the contents other than the amniotic fluid itself are filtered out and remain behind in the intestine while the amniotic fluid is absorbed and re-released into the uterine space when the fetus urinates. This cycle maintains the amniotic fluid in a clear, healthy state during the nine months of pregnancy. This process of recycling the amniotic fluid occurs about every 3 hours."

Below is a picture of my own daughter's meconium poo. (Edited version :D) Being 10 1/2 months old, I'm sure she won't care if I post this.

Ideas to Help Baby Master Gross Motor Skills

Helping Baby Sit On Their Own
1. Help baby sit on a beach ball or firm bolster, holding me around my trunk. Slowly tilt me to one side and then the other to the tun of my favorite song. When I am tilted, pause to see if I'll curve my body to stay upright. As my balance improves, hold me at my hips instead of my tummy. Then at my thighs - but go slow!
2. Sit on the floor with me sitting straddle on one of your legs with my feet flat on the ground. Encourage me to twist to pick up a toy at my side.
3. Provide many opportunities for me to sit without support.
4. Sit opposite me to play "Pat-a-Cake" or ball.
5. Let me play with toys on my toy gym or activity table that is positioned at chest level when I am sitting.
6. Give me medium sized, lightweight objects to hold that require both hands.
7. Hold a toy in front of baby so baby has to reach up to obtain it.
8. To encourage posture: tap and rub base of baby's spine, bounce me gently while I'm sitting on your lap, Tap my shoulderns gently back, hold your hands firmyly but gently around baby's hips and lower back for a few moments.

Help Baby to Crawl
1. When I am playing on my tummy, lift my hip slighly on one side so that baby's hip and knee bend. Help baby keep this posture by giving baby a toy to play with for a minute or two. Hold a toy out in front of baby toward one side so he/she has to reach for it. This can encourage baby to shift their weight.
2. Dress baby in clothes easier to crawl.
3. Place a favorite toy or object one or two feet away from baby while he/she is on his/her tummy. Gently life one hip and help baby bend. Place your other hand on the bottom of baby's foot that is on the bent knee side. Rub baby's hip and gently move baby forward until leg straightens. Repeat on opposite side. Continue until you and baby reach the toy. Be sure to give baby the toy so that baby knows his/her efforts payed off.

Help at Home (c) 1988, 2006 VORT Corporation

Results Are In!

100% of our pollers replied that they take their child/ren to a pediatrician. Thanks for voting!

Recall Notice for Child Restraints!

Lerado is recalling certain miaModa infant child restraints and bases, models Viva and Viva Supreme, Model Nos. 5000 (seat), 5001 (base), 5050 (seat), 5051 (base), 5070 (seat), 5071 (base), 5080 (seat), and 5081 (base). The harness splitter plate located on the rear of the seat has sharp edges which can cut the harness. Also, the base could crack in a crash. In the event of a crash, the child may not be adequately restrained, thereby increasing the risk of injury. Lerado will notify registered owners and offer a full refund. The safety recall is expected to begin during November 2009. Owners may contact Lerado toll-free at 1-877-546-8437.

For more Information, click HERE

Introducing a GiveAway a Day!

Back to Baics with Baby is introducing a Giveaway a Day! Every day I will post information on the side telling my readers about something free they can receive or a contest they can enter. Enjoy! By the way, if you haven't ordered your free baby denim hat, scroll down to find the picture and get it. So Cute!

Another Giveaway I want to tell you about!

Minnesota Mama's is giving away baby stuff:

click HERE to check it out!

Pants I Promised!!

Okay, so I finally got the picture of the pants I made!! Wahoo! So here they are:


Tell me what you think!!



If you want to make the same idea, e-mail me at backtobasicwithbaby@gmail.com and I will tell you what measurements to send me and I will send you the right size pattern and directions!

Beauty Tips for Budget-Minded Busy Moms

Being a mom, it can be tough to find time to still be a woman. Here are some quick beauty tips I have found to help keep you feeling beautiful and sexy.

1. Buy a lip liner that is the same color as your lips and use that. Then put on your lipstick. To help your lipstick last longer, apply it with a lip brush. Then put a tissue over your lips and brush on some baby powder. That will help the color stay on longer and longer.

2. To help emphasize cheek bones, use shimmer eye shadow or clear lip gloss and rub a little bit down your cheek bone starting back by your ear.

3. If you don't have time to put on all your makeup, just throw on mascara and lipstick. It helps you look complete.

Beauty Freebies:

Want to win a HauteLook Shopping Spree? Enter here!
Tyra Banks is giving away over 100 beauty items. You must register with www.tyrashow.com but I think it's worth it. Click HERE to register!

Blogging about a Blog Giveaway

One thing all moms love is free stuff and I am no exception! I will occasionally post information about giveaways from other blogs and soon we will have our own! But for now:

There is a blog encouraging parents to have their children help them prepare meals and to encourage this they are giving away for absolute free some cool Kitchen ware. Click on the link below to enter:

Kids in the Kitchen

I wish all my readers luck!!

Also, for all you Scrapbookers or printed picture people www.seehere.com is having a promotion. Register and use the promo code "prints" at checkout and get 100 prints for free!

And a FREE BABY HAT!!! from Mary's Tailor shop
Click here for your free baby denim hat.

Family Doctor or Pediatrician?

Many parents wonder which is better for their baby and child: a family doctor or a pediatrician?

I myself take my daughter to a Pediatrician. I like the social time with meeting other parents of babies and I feel like the doctor and nurses are more trained in dealing with babies and children. But I also know many who take their children to family doctors, and I would like to know: what's your opinion? Please answer the poll to the right ---------->

and also comment and share with us why you use which one you use or if you don't have children yet, which one you are planning to use and why.

I am excited to read your comments! I hope this is interesting for my readers!

Cute Baby Winner!

Chloe Sarah Whaley! 3 months old! So adorable!



For all those of you who are anxiously wondering how the pajama pants worked out, they turned out pretty great! I'm so excited about it! I want to post pictures but I can't find that blasted cord that connects my camera to the computer. I will post them asap!

Save Money by DIY

One easy way to save money is to sew your own baby clothes. They don't have to perfect since your baby will only wear them for about 3 months at a time. But do you need fabric? There is a blog giveaway at Flitterbugs
for some seriously cute fabric!

If you already have fabric, all you need is a pattern. One of the easiest ways to get a pattern is to go buy a cheap article of clothing (say a onesie or pair of pants) from DI that is super cheap, then un-do the stitches and use that as your pattern.

Today I am going to take my first step of making own baby clothes and making my baby girl some pajama pants. She is running out of good Jammies. I will post my pics here later tonight. (Or maybe tomorrow morning if tonight doesn't work out..)

Baby Contest Reminder!

Don't forget to send your cute baby pictures to backtobasicwithbaby@gmail.com!!

Games for Baby 7-12 months old

7-9 months

Mountain - Build a small mountain out of blankets and pillows with an incline. Put baby on tummy on the slope side, then hide behind the other side. This is great for peekaboo and to help baby master crawling.

Different Textures – Crawling is now the newest fun game for your baby and you can help broaden his world by letting him explore different textures. Lay a welcome mat, bath mat, towel and fleecy blanket in the yard or grassy park area and let him crawl across each surface. Crawl with your baby and describe each surface as you crawl “Rough welcome mat”, “Fuzzy blanket” to help your baby learn the differences.

Clapping– Clapping hands are an absolute delight to your baby and this is a fun game to play together with her. Chant this poem as you move her hands according to the directions in the poem.“Clap, clap, clap your hands, Make a pretty sound.

Clap, clap, clap your hands, Wave them all around.

Clapping on your belly, Clapping on your knee

Clapping is so much fun For Baby and Me!” You can also do pattycake some more.

Voice Games – Telephone games are a favorite baby game and can help your baby learn important verbal and social skills. Talk into the phone and then hand it to him and let him talk. Some cell phones have speaker phone options, or voice recording options that can be a great way for your baby to actually hear your voice talking to him from the phone!

Movement Baby Games – Use a big blow-up beach ball or exercise ball to roll your baby around on (carefully supporting him so he doesn't fall of course). Place him on top on his stomach for fun flying and bouncing games! He will love the bouncing, flying feeling of this movement game. You can chant a poem to your baby.

More Games:

Fisher Price Games

http://baby-todler-play.suite101.com/article.cfm/baby_games_for_seven_nine_months#ixzz0Tw5LPuRF


10-12 Months

Firefly - Get a working flashlight. Using dark or heavy paper, cut out the shape of a bug (like a firefly) and tape it to the lens of the flashlight. Get comfortable in a room and turn out the lights. Then turn on the flashlight and wiggle it to get baby's attention. Then let baby crawl to get the firefly. Move it as soon as baby gets there.

Toe Games – This great baby game idea came from Jackie Silberg's “Games to Play with Babies” and is a fun toe game to play. Sing the following to the tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” and rub or wiggle each toe in turn as you sing through the song.“Rub, rub, toe, toe, rub, rub, toe.

Rub, rub, toe, toe, rub, rub, toe”

Warning: Your baby may enjoy this game so much you will be sick of the song far before he is!

Bath Game – This one uses a small washcloth or sponge for your baby to play with. Let him hold one sponge while you hold another and teach him his body parts, washing himself. Ask your baby, “Do you want to wash your belly?” and then help him wash his belly. Either play matching games by washing his belly first and then encourage him to do the same, or later, ask the question and encourage him to respond correctly on his own.

Sign Language – Baby word games now take on more importance as your baby becomes an expert at communicating her desires and observations about the world around her. Most babies can learn basic words and baby signs by this age and use them with ease. Explore the idea of playing baby sign language games with your baby – always saying the words and doing the motions at the same time. Remember, the more you respond to your baby's communication attempts the quicker she will learn new words.

Daddy & Mommy Jungle Gyms – Lay on the floor on your back and let your baby come and jump on your chest. Try sitting him on your feet and lifting him up into the air. You can hold his chest or arms and he can grasp your legs to make this game safe.

Baby Sounds – Babies love to make noises and explore musical instruments so play lots of music games. Musical instruments can be store bought or homemade but place some “drums” on the floor and show your baby how hitting them can create different sounds! What a fun game! Also make rattles by putting dry rice and beans in a closed container.

Blanket Games – Blanket games can be fun at this age as your baby is confident enough and physical enough to play safely (Newborns should never be left unsupervised with thick comforters or heavy blankets that can smother them in their sleep). Lay on the floor with your baby and cover yourself completely with the blanket. Let your baby find you and shout “Peek-A-Boo” or “Gotcha!” when they uncover you. Then toss the blanket lightly over her and let her uncover herself (you may need to help her the first few times) and watch how delighted she is at this hide-and-seek game.

Singing Baby Games – Another fun bath-time song, this one is to the tune of “Here we Go 'Round the Mulberry Bush” and can be used to clean your baby from head to toe. “This is the way we wash our legs, wash our legs, wash our legs. This is the way we wash our legs to make ourselves so clean.” Repeat the song changing the words with each verse until you've cleaned your baby completely! See additional tips for music and babies.

Read more Games:

http://plantsbulbs.suite101.com/article.cfm/games_for_nine_to_twelve_months#ixzz0Tw5cKDXk

Fisher Price Games

Games to Play with Baby

Here are some fun suggestions for your younger babies. If you have any suggestions I have not listed, please post them in the comment section! And don't forget to e-mail your baby pictures for our cute baby contest!

0-3 Months

1. Make faces at baby. Repetition is key. While baby is watching, move your head side to side, stick out your tongue then blink your eyes and smile.
   
2. UFO's. Find small toys, especially quiet rattles, and have them fly over baby's head. You can have them tickle their tummy.
3. Play Patty cake by clapping baby's hands or feet. "Patty Cake, Patty Cake, Baker's Man. Bake me a cake as fast as you can. Roll it (roll baby's hands/feet) and pat it (pat baby's hands/feet) and mark it with a "B" (draw a "B" in air) then THROW it in the oven with baby in me.
   
4. Dance slow dances with baby carefully supporting head with baby snuggled against your chest. Babies love music.
   
5. Heads Up! With baby on tummy hold a toy slightly above where they can see to encourage baby to raise his/her head. When baby does, be excited! Smile and clap and quietly cheer her/him on.
   
6. Read baby simple stories and sing nursery rhymes.
7. Show baby a rattle and help them to rattle it themselves.
8. Make faces at baby. Give a big grin and say "mommy is happy!" in a high pitched voice. Do other emotions too.

4-6 months

1. This Little Piggy
2. Hold baby's hands and help him/her stand up. Count "one, two, three, UP!" and they will soon learn to stand up when you say "UP".
3. Build a tower out of blocks for baby and let him/her knock them down.
   
4. Head, Shoulders, Knees, & Toes. Even though baby won't be able to play with you, he/she will enjoy watching mommy and daddy be silly.
   
5. Kisses from stuffed animals. Grab a favorite stuffed animal (or any stuffed animal) and while baby is watching, make it slowly walk towards baby and then have it give baby a kiss.

Games for older babies will be posted tomorrow!


http://www.littlekidsgamesonline.com/newborn-babies.html
http://baby-todler-play.suite101.com/article.cfm/baby_games_for_four_to_six_months

Cute Baby Photo Contest

TA-DA!

We are announcing a cute baby picture contest! If you have a cute picture of your baby, e-mail it to backtobasicwithbaby@gmail.com. Please include your information and a little bio about your baby. Brag time! Every Sunday a winner will be picked and Monday morning we will post the winning picture on the blog.

Fine Print: By e-mailing us your picture, you give us permission to publish your photo and use it and publish your name if you include it in the e-mail. If you do not want your real names used, you must say so in the e-mail. If you do not want your real name used and you do not supply an alias, we reserve the right to pick one for you, or to choose to say it is annonymous. I'm excited for this contest! Send your pics!

How Much Food Should My Baby Be Eating??

Solid foods for baby. They sure can shake a parent's world!

When introducing solids, parents sometimes wonder at what age is it appropriate? Most pediatricians agree that solids are good for baby at 4 months old. However, studies have shown that breastfeed babies benefit from nursing exclusively until around 6 months of age. Talk with your spouse and your pediatrician before making a decision.

After introducing solids, babies may want to drink less and many parents wonder which is more important, nutrients from milk or nutrients from food? Well both are important! As long as your baby is growing and developing normally, you are good to go. A good way to make sure your baby is getting enough of both is to start the meal with some milk, then give solids, then finish it off with more milk. This is also helpful if baby is impatiently hungry so they won't reject the solid food as it takes a little longer to feed.

Once baby is regularly eating more and more solid meals, it can get confusing as to whether or not your baby is getting enough to eat. One thing to keep in mind is that a baby will never under-eat or over-eat. However, if they don't eat enough in one sitting because they want to go play, they may be hungrier sooner. Below is a neat guide of daily amounts that I found to helpful: (Amounts below are suggestions only. Check with your pediatrician with any questions or concerns.)

At 6 months
• Up to 100 calories of solids (one medium jar of baby food is approx. 35-50 calories)
  
• 50 to 150 minutes of nursing; 28 to 38 ounces of formula (nursing times are different for every baby due to sucking speed, so judge accordingly :D )
  

At 9 months
• 200 to 300 calories of solids
• 40 to 120 minutes of nursing; 24 to 34 ounces of formula

At 12 months
• 300 to 500 calories of solids

Many mothers continue to breastfeed or give formula to their children after they are a year old so just alter the caloric intake accordingly.

Happy Feeding!

1. http://www.huggieshappybaby.com/info/bow/article.aspx?article_id=11095&_nc=633905290811064996&_nockcheck=true

Baby has the sniffles

It is getting that time of year when colds start going around. I will discuss good tips to protect baby from getting sick and what to do if they catch a nasty bug.

PREVENT:
1. Wash your hands. Make sure anyone who touches your baby washes their hands before playing. An easy way to do this is to keep a bottle of good hand sanitizer in your diaper bag.
2. Stay away from people you know are sick.
3. Don't share cups, utensils, or snacks with baby.

CONGESTION:
1. Give baby plenty of fluids. Breastfeed more often if you are nursing.
2. Use a humidifier in baby's room. If you don't have a humidifier, you can go in the bathroom and shut the door. Then turn on the shower really hot so it creates a steam room. Sit in with your baby a few times a day for 10-15 minutes. NEVER leave baby unattended.
3. Use a bulb syringe to suck out loose mucous.
4. You can also use nose drops. Little Noses is a good brand, but any baby oriented saline drops should work. If you are breastfeeding, you can pump out a little bit of milk and drop that into baby's nose. Then suck out with bulb syringe
5. Keep baby upright or inclined if possible.

HELP BABY SLEEP AT NIGHT
1) At night, you can put a pillow under the baby's mattress to help tilt. (NEVER put pillow in crib with baby)
2) I highly recommend Vick's Baby Rub. You can rub it on baby's chest, back, and neck. It is safe for babies 3 months and older.
3) Use a humidifier in baby's room during night.

CALL PEDIATRICIAN IMMEDIATELY IF:
1) Baby has trouble breathing.
2) Baby refuses to drink anything.
3) Baby becomes increasing less responsive and irritable.
4) Baby coughs up bloody mucous.
5) Baby has a fever ( under 3 months old) or if fever returns after a few days. (Could be sign of ear infection)

Please share any home remedies and suggestions you have!

1. http://www.webmd.com/video/treating-babys-cold

Baby Steps - Stages of Baby's Self-Locomotion

For many infants, the first inclinations of self-locomotion take the form of reaching. While reaching, they may lean forward so much they end up a little further ahead on their tummy. If already on their tummy, they will stretch and point their toes and may even "scoot" forward. At around 3 or 4 months of age, infants begin to successfully master reaching.

At around 8 months of age, infants are able to crawl. For some babies, however, crawling can occur as early as 5 1/2 to 6 months and even be as late as 10 or 11 months. Previously, many researchers have claimed that if an infant does not crawl, it drastically hinders his or her development. But lately, many have retracted that statement. More and more infants are going straight from reaching to walking. Though crawling can be beneficial to some infants, it is certainly not something to be upset about. Research shows that when observed at 18 months, there was no difference in the development of infants who had and who had not crawled on schedule.

Walking independently can be mastered as early as 11 months to as late as 16 months, although for many infants it occurs around 13 to 14 months old. However, many infants around 7 months old or so are able to begin pulling themselves up on furniture and walking with an aide. For a fun game for a 4-10 month old, grab a hold of their hands and let them steer the way. My baby girl just giggles and takes off jogging. (She is currently just over 9 months old)


1. How Children Develop by Siegler, Dloache, Eisenberg. Page 189-190

Welcome!

Hello to all you parents and future parents out there!

I created this blog to share ideas and information about babies. A bit about me:

I am a SAHM (Stay at home mom) with my little girl. She was born Christmas Eve 2008, so she is just over 9 months old right now. I have learned so much her but there is a lot I don't know. This blog is to help me share my research and finding and hopefully to learn more from readers' comments. If there is anything in particular that you want me to find out more about or things you want me to focus on in this blog, let me know!

Thanks!