fabiochiu/medium-articles huggingface dataset:
Baby Boy
By: Tim Varner
Tags: Family, Baby, Poetry, Love, Life

Our newest baby boy

His name is Nolan Crue

I hope he feels our anticipation

As he joins our family glue

Through a nine-month-long journey

We save, we plan, we buy

We are dying for the moment

We can hold this little guy

And to my little one I say:

“I am so excited son

To bring you into this craze-filled life

With the power you’ll encompass

You’ll succeed with little to no strife

The lessons you’ll be taught

And the mistakes that you will make

Will further your development

And benefit Earth’s sake

I am mesmerized with love

As the first time I met your mom

We will guide you through life’s challenges

And never steer you wrong”

Nolan Crue

I cherish you

And the life that you will bring

You and your siblings

Will awaken the world

And cause the sad to sing
Baby on a Budget
By: Kylie Tull
Tags: Life Lessons, Parenting, Baby, Life, Family

5 quick tips for new parents to save money on baby expenses

Photo by Damir Spanic on Unsplash

Finding out that you are expecting is one of the most exciting times in a person’s life. The anticipation of a new baby’s arrival brings joy and wonder, and it can be so much fun to begin shopping for baby products and equipment to fill a nursery.

One only needs to take a trip to Kmart to see the huge variety of baby products on sale, and it can be tempting to purchase far more than is actually necessary for a new baby. I have listed my five favorite suggestions for minimizing a new baby's expense for the frugal family who prefers to keep new baby expenses to a minimum.

Cloth nappies or diapers. With the introduction of modern cloth nappies, these have never been easier to use. After an initial expenditure to build up a good ‘stash,’ you will save loads of dollars on the disposable variety and reduce your contribution to landfill at the same time. Over the course of four babies, we saved so much money by choosing this option. Make your own baby foods. It’s easy and healthier for your baby. Homemade baby foods won't have the nasty chemicals and preservatives that store-bought baby foods have and actually taste way better. We used a blender to create baby foods for our first two children, but for our second two children discovered baby led weaning and found this worked even better (if you can deal with the mess). Don’t be afraid to buy used. Obviously, safety items such as car seats are best purchased new, however so many other items can be purchased used. Since baby equipment is used for such a short period of time, you can pick up near new goods that are in perfect condition but a fraction of new products' price. Take advantage of the free activities your community has on offer. Many public libraries offer free storytime sessions, and baby bounce playgroups that are fun for your child and provide an opportunity to connect with other mothers. Think before you buy. There are so many baby contraptions out there that are unnecessary and no longer recommended for use with babies in many cases. Baby walkers, jumpers, and babysitting supports are just a few of the items you don’t need for your baby. This type of equipment can actually be damaging for your baby’s developing bones and muscles by forcing them into positions that they are not yet ready for. Also, I am a big fan of a good quality baby carrier, but please avoid the ‘crotch dangler’ kind of carriers that do not adequately support the baby’s legs. For more information about baby equipment and safety, check out this website:

14 Secretly Dangerous Baby Products That Every Parent Needs To Avoid — HealthyWay

Why not check out my Facebook and Instagram pages, titled The Write Book.

https://www.instagram.com/the_write_book/

https://m.facebook.com/livelovereadwrite/?ref=content_filter
5 Surprising Uses for Baby Wipes
By: Rose Bak
Tags: Cleaning, Life Lessons, Tips, Baby, Home

Did you know that baby wipes aren’t just for wiping tiny butts? They have a myriad of uses for adults too. These pre-moistened disposable cloths can be your secret weapon for household chores. Here are five great ways to use baby wipes in your day-to-day life:

Quick bathroom cleaner

Baby wipes make daily freshening of your bathroom a snap. They are a great tool to keep things tidy between cleanings. Keep a package on the back of the toilet or under the sink where they are handy. Once a day, use the baby wipe to clean any gunk that’s gathered in the sink or along the counters. Use another sheet to wipe down the toilet seat and lid.

2. Degreasing

Grease can be one of the hardest things to clean, but baby wipes are a great way to easily remove grease streaks. Use a wipe to clean your bike or exercise equipment, clean your hands after checking your oil, or pick up leaks after greasing your hinges or other things around the house. Baby wipes also work well on removing grease from fabric.

3. Personal care

Baby wipes can be used to freshen up sweaty areas after a workout, catch nail polish drips, remove eye make-up, and to clean up after you dye your hair. Bring baby wipes to the beach to make removing sand from your skin a snap.

4. Dusting

Use baby wipes to dust shelves, the top of your ceiling fan blades, or the leaves of your house plants. They have the right amount of tackiness to pick up what you need without leaving a residue behind.

5. Removing fingerprints

Use baby wipes to clean fingerprints and dirty smudges from light fixtures, appliances, walls, doors, toys, remote controls, and any place grubby fingers touch. They are a great non-toxic way to clean almost any surface in your house.

What are your favorite uses for baby wipes?
7 Things I’m Learning from My Newborn
By: Micah Underwood
Tags: Newborn, Motherhood, Parenting, Baby

For occasional ramblings about pregnancy, parenting, and life in general, follow me here on Medium. For cat and baby pictures, follow me on Instagram.
Baby at Thanksgiving
By: Connie Mcclung
Tags: Poem, Family, Baby, Holidays, Thanksgiving

Artist: Connie McClung

I am always warm, and sometimes wet.

My father holds me in big hands, high above the ground.

Tall men walk around me, and one holds me.

The other tall man keeps his distance; a smaller man sits nearby.

Women also hold me, one brittle and dry, emanating vast love like perfume,

Two are rounder, softer, hotter,

I feel drowsy when I lie against them.

They are not the main woman, the mother,

Who is smaller, spare but soft enough,

With a quick voice and wide smile, and milk.

I see blurry interesting things.

Shadows spinning in circles,

Brights and darks.

I hear murmurs, animal pants and grunts,

A few sharp barks and shouts.

Sometimes my body jerks in startlement, but I am not afraid.
Invisible Life
By: Rita Duponty
Tags: Poems And Stories, Poem, Baby, Miscarriage, Life

The Unborn

Photo by Alicia Petresc on Unsplash

Although you couldn’t see me,

you never questioned that I was

there. Consumed by my future

became your daily care.

The first trimester began

with a bang. All your plans you

rearranged.

You made me so happy,

that first day you kicked in gear —

you resolved to be good and

stay away from the beer.

Not an easy task to do,

since it was during your

relapse I came to you.



My teardrops flowed

as I saw you suffer so,

as your panic attacks

increased and the doctor

said your pills had to go.

As if that wasn’t enough, you

came down with an awful flu.

I asked God, oh! What are we

to do?

Echoes of your voice rang in my

ears, as you toyed with names

I might take through the years.

For a few minutes I even heard talk

of a marathon run. It sounded

like you missed out on a lot of fun.

There was no question your

commitment was great.

You were willing to marry my

father, and yes, love forsake.

I am sorry I left so quickly,

without saying goodbye —

you had no control or reason

why.

If we would have met,

I surely would have said

Thanks for trying —

You gave me your very best!

With flying colors,

You passed my test!

Goodbye Mom…

© Rita Duponty

(Originally published on my web site, Tidbits for Healthy Living)
My Problem With Mando
By: Gal Mux
Tags: Baby, Babies And Young Children, Disney Plus, Star Wars, The Mandalorian

Photo by Jimmy Nguyen on Unsplash

My Problem With Mando

The adventures of this bounty hunter that gets hired to deliver a bounty but changes his mind after meeting his end of the deal and getting attached to the bounty.

Now he is traveling planets trying to bring the bounty -a baby Yoda- back to its own kind.

Look, the little green thing is as cute as a button. He makes the cutest sounds that could melt the hardest of hearts. The way he blinks and opens his eyes in wonderment moving his bigger than his head ears is too adorable.

And the Mandalorian takes good care of this cute little thing. He protects him. He carries him wherever he needs to go and makes sure he is always by his side.

And if he is occupied, he always ensures that someone he trusts is looking after the cute baby.

He also puts up with his little baby shenanigans and makes sure he cleans up the little guy’s messes.

But he does just the bare minimum in my opinion. Only what is expected of him to fulfil his role.

He doesn’t play with the cute little thing. He doesn’t tickle the baby and tell him he is a good boy. He doesn’t pinch his cute little cheeks and tickle his toes, he doesn’t give him warm hugs and tell him everything is going to be ok.

Only once so far has he asked him if he is ok!

I would melt like butter if he did all these things.

But I guess the Mando is too occupied or too macho to get into all that…

And that’s my problem with Mando.
Infertility At The Holidays Is A Living Hell
By: Mariah Hammond
Tags: Parenting, Infertility, Baby

Photo by Anthony Tran on Unsplash

As a person who has tried to have a baby for nearly a decade, I can say that this time of year is a living hell and I know I’m not alone. Countless infertility treatments, nine years of disappointment, and three chemical pregnancies have cast a dark cloud over “the most wonderful time of the year.”

My husband and I thought for sure by now we would be watching little ones knock on doors to trick-or-treat or bask in their amazement of Santa’s magic, bake cookies for the big guy on Christmas Eve, and watch them tear into presents under the tree. Each little Elsa or Paw Patrol character that walks up your driveway on Halloween raises the baby fever and as they turn to walk back to their mom on the sidewalk, you’re reminded that it’s not you. You see parents frustrated as their kid has a meltdown because they don’t like their Batman mask. The parent gets short with them, rolls their eyes, and leaves in a huff. I’d give anything to be the mom in the middle of that public meltdown.

You hope that this will be the Thanksgiving that you can finally shock your family with something like, “We’re thankful for our newest addition, due ____.”

It’s not this Thanksgiving or the eight Thanksgivings before.

As each holiday approaches, you see other couples — your friends and family-announcing their pregnancies on Facebook and Instagram. They’re always so happy, rightfully so, and you want to be happy too, but each picture cuts a little deeper to your core than the last. You’re happy for them but devastated for yourself. Jealous, guilty, sad, angry, thrilled… it’s a lot that hits you in one massive wave.

Perhaps one of the hardest parts of it all is that as babies are born in your family, you’ll find that you’re often cast aside this time of year. Your parents want to be with their new grandbabies, your aunts and uncles want to be with theirs. Everybody jets out of town to be with them or fills their calendar so full of pageants and family trips that you’re left alone to piece together any plans that resemble a happy holiday. It’s bad enough watching others live the dream you’ve mercilessly clenched onto, but it’s even worse to be left in the dust entirely.

My heart hurts. For me, for my husband, and for anyone else who can relate right now. Here’s to hoping for a Christmas miracle for all of us.
Dirty Sheets Make Babies Healthier
By: Tara Fernandez
Tags: Health, Science, Microbiome, Baby, Home

Microbiologists have established that the development of infants’ immune systems is intricately linked to the diversity of microorganisms they come into contact with as they grow. Exposure to more types of microbial life in infancy can actually be beneficial, building up more immune resistance and protecting against infections and allergies. A new study published in the journal Microbiome has revealed another piece in this incredibly complex puzzle — how “dirty” a baby’s bed is can influence the development of their microbiomes.

“We are well aware that microorganisms living within us are important for our health, with regards to asthma and allergies for example, but also for human diseases such as diabetes [type 2] and obesity.”

This work, led by Søren J. Sørensen, a biology professor at the University of Copenhagen, saw scientists analyzing bed dust and respiratory samples from almost 600 infants. The aim was to see if microorganisms in bed dust correlated in any way with the bacteria present in the microbiomes of their respiratory tracts.

“We see a correlation between the bacteria we find in bed dust and those we find in the children. While they are not the same bacteria, it is an interesting discovery that suggests that these bacteria affect each other. It may prove to have an impact on reducing asthma and allergy risks in later years,” said Sørensen.

“We are well aware that microorganisms living within us are important for our health, with regards to asthma and allergies for example, but also for human diseases such as diabetes [type 2] and obesity. But to get better at treating these diseases, we need to understand the processes by which microorganisms emerge during our earliest stages of life. And, it seems that the bed plays a role,” adds Sørensen.

Indeed, the dust samples from the babies’ beds had a total of almost 1000 different types of bacteria and fungi. According to the researchers, the samples taken from homes in a rural setting had much higher levels of microbes as compared to those in more urban areas.

“Previous studies inform us that city-dwellers have less diverse gut flora than people who live in more rural settings. This is typically attributed to their spending greater amounts of time outdoors and having more contact with nature. Our studies demonstrate that changes in bacterial flora in bed dust can be an important reason for this difference as well,” said Sørensen.

In future studies, the team plans to trace whether the bacterial flora in bedding is directly related to the onset of asthma, allergies, and autoimmune diseases.
Cribsheet: A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting, from Birth to Preschool
By: Father Of Five
Tags: Pregnant, Parenting, Babies, Pregnancy, Book Review

I have to admit that I love this approach to parenting, as although looking at data doesn’t sound very touchy feely, it’s what I do in my day job.

I look after some software products, and in this role it’s all about the data. It’s how we prioritise what to build, what to get rid of, and what things are driving our business forwards.

There was a business writer called W Edwards Deming and he said “Without data, you are just another person with an opinion” and there is an awful lot of opinion out there in the pregnancy arena.

Forums and Facebook groups are full of opinionated people, willing to share their thoughts, based on their own experiences, but individual experience does not equal collective knowledge.

If 99 out of a hundred people die when driving off a cliff, and you happen to speak to the 1 person who didn’t, it doesn’t mean that you should follow their lead.

It’s this that Oster seeks to overcome, with her data driven findings.

In an interview with Scientific American, Oster was asked “A big source of parenting conflict seems to be disagreements between, say, what your doctor tells you to do and what your mother-in-law tells you. Has a lot of the evidence on parenting changed recently?” to which she replied:

With some of these things, we have learned more and evidence has evolved. Back-sleeping is a good example, where better evidence came in and we found out the recommendation to put your kid on its stomach to sleep was wrong. I think it’s hard when it changes in such a short time, in a generation. It can be hard to convince, say, your mother that the things she was told were not right. Saying, “that way of parenting is wrong,” or “you put your kid at risk,” is a hard thing for people to hear. That’s why there’s resistance to change among people who parented in one way 30 years ago.

And this is where Oster’s findings help change opinion, by rooting parenting in knowledge and evidence.

Parents used to be told to rub their week-old teeny tiny babies with oil to clean them, and during the middle ages we used to give babies beer to drink. It’s evidence that brought us into a more enlightened age, and the enlightenment continues.
What If Parenting Didn’t Have So Many Rules?
By: Emily Russell
Tags: Parents, Newborn, Parenting, Babies, Motherhood

Milestones. Sleep length. Arm length. Head circumference.

Have you checked your head circumference in the last decade?

Becoming a parent is one of the most extreme changes to happen in your life. One day you are walking around only worried about what you are doing, the next you are completely responsible for another human being who is doing all sorts of things you do not understand. Then there is the recovery for your body after putting it through hell to get them here, and the incredible grace you require for yourself in order to feel some sense of confidence in this unpredictable and confusing time.

Added to all that are all these rules that everybody tells you exist!

Did you know that if your baby sleeps for 3.26 hours each day at specific intervals, and gets 12 hours of uninterrupted sleep at night, they will grow to be the next John Mayer?

It’s amazing really, that somebody managed to figure that out. All we have to do is follow these simple rules and everything will work out.

What the heck did humans do for the thousands of years before science told us how to raise a human?

What is that thing that tells you when to eat food?

What is the part of you that feels sleepy?

What about the part of you that can take care of a small human, even without any education on it?

Could it be that we can in fact, function without somebody telling us what to do? Without having some sort of inferiority complex when your kid is different than another kid.

I do not have a grown child to show how it should all go down. Heck I’ve only been in this game for ten and half mo- oh shit, did I remember to turn the monitor back on? Gulp, okay turning on…. Please be asleep, please be asleep, please be asleep….ahhhhhhhhhhhhh, blessed silence.

Anyways… it is not a formula. I believe that because life is so much more fun that way. It becomes lighter and I can enjoy my baby because I’m not trying to make her conform to all these crazy ideas. I can laugh a little bit to myself when she’s crying because I know it’s going to be okay, and sometimes babies cry over spilled milk. I can laugh when my boob is leaking everywhere and I’m just trying to do a normal human thing and have a coffee.

I suppose the rules were created to help us. I think they only help us when some part of you sighs with relief when you read about it. Because on some deep level, you already knew it, you just needed to hear it from somebody else. If instead it makes you want to cry because your baby is never going to be like that, and you are a failure and you are never going to get any sleep…. It is not a good rule.

Babies are crazy and confusing. So are grown up babies. Let’s leave them a little space to be who they need to be eh?
World children’s day.
Tags: Motherhood, World Childrens Day, Life, Baby

World children’s day. Every child is precious until you don’t want it. Confused? Abortion. The lawful yet unlawful offspring I chose to rid of. It definitely was not my best decision but it was a choice I had to make for my well being. My mental well being, knowing I could not carry such a precious gift when I, myself could not come to terms with life. A photo of my sonogram is safely tucked away in my drawer of simple things including my tasbeeh, a hidden incomplete notebook and polaroids of my adolescence. Funny how this pregnancy still is etched into my mind yet remains very far from my heart. I still feel numb and can’t really figure out my feelings towards a child that warmed up my womb for 3 months. I was so clueless, imagine. I went through a whole ramadan carrying a baby who listened to the beautiful ayah’s of the Qur’an, day and night. I still wonder if my baby, if kept alive, would grow to love the same chapters recited to it while it was in the womb. My sister and many other mother’s mention how their baby’s memorize the Qur’an faster because of the familiar sounds inside the womb. Subhan’allah. Maybe that child wouldn’t have been a burden afterall, as Allah eases ways for us we cannot know of. Or maybe… I will leave this question for Allah in my dua’a. Many leafs fall and wilt from the tree of life, and many regrow on the tree of life. I can only imagine when another tiny leaf falls right into my lap. My womb. My sacred body is loved. I choose to treasure it. I choose to cherish it. I think of dates as Mary peace be upon her had consumed in times of her contractions with Jesus peace be upon him. The strength she received from Allah swt. The strength that I received to make my choice. The choice Allah gave me. Tayyebeh’s choice. Suspended in motion, I look at my ceiling above and let the sleep take over me.

اللهم باسمك أموت وأحيا‏

With Your name, O Allah, I die and I live.
Connected By Love
By: Anna Riley
Tags: Seasons, Baby, Grandmother, Mothers And Daughters, Love

Photo by Roman Kraft on Unsplash

How did I get here?

Perhaps, I walked with a smooth, carefree trust,

or was led by a precise, clear direction.

At times, I may have stood at a stance,

for the inevitable battles, some lost, some won.
Asha
By: David Rudder
Tags: Poetry On Medium, Baby, Golden Retriever, Poetry, Energy

Asha

Asha and her toy baby dog!

She’s young and sweet

and oh so fleet

of foot gusto and flair

her golden hair’s so beautiful people stop and stare.

She’s a grand golden retriever retrieves almost anything at all

a toy or her wee baby pup

a stick or bouncing ball.

She’s a pooch who’ll smooch for a morsel

and return for a second helping

wagging her tail and smiling

yip, yip yapping and yelping.

On a walk she’ll often stalk

and seek something to retrieve

her energies’ incredible

too much to believe.

She always has an appetite

and her dinner just disappears

then she raises up her silken ears

alert to all that she hears.

She’s a wonderful companion

and listens when we call

she gives us unconditional love

and can also drive us up the wall.

She is a great companion

and the very best friend

Asha she’s a smasher

with her, excitement has no end.

And when I was a baby dog!

©

David Rudder

15th November 2020

Thanks for reading.
Pro-Life Advocate Embraces Abortion Following Ugly-Ass Baby Sighting
By: The Ludicrous Times
Tags: Satire, Baby, Abortion, Humor, Baby Boomers

File photo.

BARTLETT, IL — For over 30 years, Martin Watts has staunchly opposed safe and legal abortions. Known by friends and family as a firm one-issue voter, Watts has spent the better part of his adult life with no opinion on the economy, foreign policy, or existential threats to human life like climate change, instead focusing his time, energy, and disability stipend on combating the godless socialism which he feels comes part-and-parcel with autonomous vaginas.

“I always thought of it as kind of like a monster movie,” says Watts. “‘They’re comin’ to eat your babies.’ Of course, they don’t really eat the babies. Well… the Democrats do.”

Yet, despite his multifaceted stance on the issue, a recent development seems to have shaken Watts to his core.

“I went to the market to buy some distilled water so the government microbe machines couldn’t get into my brain… That’s when I heard — I guess it’s fair to say ‘it’s call.’”

From the next aisle, Watts heard the sound of a giggling baby. He approached the noise with the intention of cooing and tickling as if he knew the child. Then he saw it.

“I may have lost my ‘cool’,” chuckles Watts, a man who answers the telephone “Watt’s up?”

Witnesses say Watts screamed “kill it” and hurled his walking cane at the young family from the end cap. Though the cane did no harm to any of the shoppers — thanks in large part to the poor aim that got Watts out of the Vietnam conflict — a pickle display was knocked to the floor.

“Normally, I would have thought, ‘I bet the degenerates will love this’ — because you can use pickles as a sex toy — but I knew something had changed deep within me when I was preoccupied by how damn ugly that baby was. I would have called on God for help, but, at that moment, I knew He’d died years ago. Or however many months ago that baby was born.”

Following this traumatic encounter, Watts has not only cancelled plans to scream obscenities toward pregnant teenagers at his nearest Planned Parenthood, he no longer cites a just and loving deity as justification for the public execution of medical professionals.

“Think of what those poor bastards have seen,” says Watts. “If I had to face a hundred hair holes spewing blood-soaked nightmares every day, I’d become some sort of… unhinged nut.”

Asked if he would support professional medical staff facilitating abortions in the future, Watts replied in the affirmative, “at least until Quality Control gets off their ass”(?)

At press time, the parents of the child in question declined to exploit their offspring with gruesome family photos, even in exchange for several American dollars.
Baby Poop: Info on Types, Colors, and What it all Means
By: Chelsea Skaggs
Tags: New Mom, Baby Products, Newborn, Baby, Baby Care

Whether it’s the first diaper change or the 100th, you want to know what the color, consistency and smell of your infant’s poop means. As a parent, you will talk about poop more than you ever thought possible. Normal baby poop comes in different colors, sizes, frequencies and smells.

Credit: @zulily

Newborn Poop

Baby’s first poop will come out like tar. You will notice it is thick and sticky. This is called meconium. Meconium is the baby’s first bowel movement and the passing of what was ingested in the womb. Meconium is made up of mucus, amniotic fluid, tissue and lanugo (the body hair a baby sheds while in utero). This newborn poop will last for the first couple of days of your baby’s life. As your baby starts to drink more breastmilk or formula, the poop will change color and consistency.

Read the full article here: https://blog.zulily.com/2020/10/27/all-about-baby-poop-information-on-baby-poop-types-colors-and-what-it-all-means/?tid=33645753_zcvp2
Meet Autumn, the baby born on a Kelligrews porch
By: Tony Cowger
Tags: News, Baby, Birthday, Happiness, Home

“The newest member of the Coffin family in Kelligrews recently made a memorable entrance into the world, arriving in a whirlwind before the family could even consider trying to make it out their front door.

Jason Coffin was asleep around 2:45 a.m. Wednesday when his wife, Sarina, woke him up, saying her water had just broken.

‘She said, “I’m not going to make it to the hospital,” and I said, “What do you mean?”’ he said.

It wasn’t her first pregnancy, and Sarina meant just that.

‘I’ve had some quick deliveries, so I knew as soon as my water broke, we didn’t have much time,’ she told CBC Radio’s St. John’s Morning Show on Monday.

Making the most of their few minutes, the couple called 911. About 10 minutes later, a group of first responders were at the front door, urging Sarina to get on a stretcher.

‘I told them there was no time,’ she said.

Sarina felt strong contractions signalling her baby was close, and tried to stay calm.

‘I knew if I panicked it wasn’t going to help the situation,’ she said.

The delivery only took a few minutes, and the Coffins never made it out the front door.

‘I got down on the floor of the porch, and that was it,’ said Sarina.

‘It wasn’t the most ideal place. I was worried about the whole COVID protocols, and how I was going to labour with a mask on, but looking back now, I find that funny because a hospital bed would’ve been nice.’”

View the whole story here; https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/baby-born-kelligrews-porch-1.5794889
It’s Never Too Late
By: Reuben Salsa
Tags: 50 Words, Salsa, The Bad Influence, Baby, Family

50-WORD MICROFICTION

It’s Never Too Late

Photo by Peter Oslanec on Unsplash

I collapsed crying tears of joy into the arms of my wife.

We both lay there sobbing in a hug. Kissing and holding each other tightly. After so many years wiping away the tears of several miscarriages…finally welcomed our first child into the world.

“Better late than never” I thought.
Treat Your Baby’s Skin The Natural Way With These Remedies
By: Fleur Wilson S Daily Health
Tags: Smooth Skin, Health, Baby, Natural, Pregnancy

Photo by Colin Maynard on Unsplash

If you’re a parent, you’re probably already aware of how sensitive a baby’s skin can be. While many baby products say they’re better for baby’s skin, they can still contain chemicals that can irritate your child making them uncomfortable and irritable.

Natural skin care products contain fewer harsh chemicals and are more soothing for gentle cleansing and moisturizing.

Natural skin care products have gotten a lot of attention in the past few years. We are finally realizing that slathering ourselves in chemicals might not be the best idea. And if those chemicals are harmful to adult skin imagine how harmful they may be for baby’s skin.

With a little research you may be able to find some natural skin care product brands that are completely natural and appropriate for your baby. However, if you don’t trust your baby’s sensitive skin to even natural store-bought products, then you can make your own skin care items.

Here are a few quick tips and recipes to get you started put you can find plenty more on natural parenting websites.

For a great dry skin remedy, use your food processor to grind up plain oatmeal into a fine powder. Dissolve in a warm bath to moisturize your child’s skin and relieve itching from various causes including dry skin and chicken pox.

Olive oil makes a great natural moisturizer for your baby’s sensitive skin. Just massage in for a healing remedy. You can also use it as a diaper cream to help with painful rashes.

Instead of expensive diaper powders, use plain cornstarch instead. Not only is it inexpensive, it’s a lot safer and less irritating to sensitive skin.

Don’t stop with powders and creams, you can make your own baby wipes too! Start by cutting a roll of paper towels in half to make them a convenient size. You can then put the towels in bowl of premixed natural solution. While there are hundreds of possibilities, you can start by trying 2 cups water mixed with about a quarter cup of aloe vera gel and a few drops of tea tree oil. Once you’ve thoroughly soaked the wipes, keep them fresh by recycling an old baby wipe container.

Also keep in mind that babies don’t really need many products — natural or not. To avoid baby’s skin from drying out too much don’t bathe him or her every day. Instead use a soft cotton cloth with a little warm water to clean between fingers, toes, underarms, etc. Dry the skin thoroughly to avoid drying out.

By not over bathing you baby you shouldn’t have the need for moisturizer. In the case that you may you can simply use a little natural oil as mentioned above. When it comes to healthy baby skin, less is more. That coupled with a few natural solutions as listed her is all you really need to keep your baby’s skin healthy and natural.
Why we should stop asking little girls to think of baby names
By: Liwithoute
Tags: Toys, Personal Development, Lifestyle, Adulthood, Baby

Why we should stop asking little girls to think of baby names

Even without cute doll appellations, when the time comes, she will find a way to think of a cute baby name.

Lou, Eli. “Babies & teddies.” 2001. JPEG file.

I was 4 and certain of what I wanted to name my baby girl, and that my baby boy would be named Daniel. Until years later when my cousin stole the name Daniel. Anyways. I was hooked the moment I received my first baby, I bathed her, fed her, put her to sleep, I took her everywhere.

“she was everything real in a world of make-believe.” — Atticus

And yes, I wanted to experiment with gymnastics like my gymnastics barbie, and have a title like my Doctor barbie, I wanted to help others like my firefighter barbie, I wanted to wear suits like my business executive barbie, but it was the baby who needed more attention. I pretended to go to work, and take my baby with me.

You see the baby wasn’t as independent as the others, the baby needed to be held all the time.

My parents bought me several barbies, I loved the dolls and the brand, but it was the baby that truly had my attention.
Please Don’t Wake Me Up
By: Bhavna Narula
Tags: Female Infanticide, Baby, Poetry, Short Read, Feminism

Hi there, my name is Angel

and I am only two days old.

Sorry about the way I am sleeping

but my mom purposely made me sleep that way.

She didn't want people to know I was a girl,

which I really don't understand why.

I just heard her talking about ‘female infanticide’

and that she would never let that happen to me.

I don’t even know what that means,

but I am sure it's something really bad.

So, if you find me super cute,

then promise not to wake me up.

Because I heard they woke my neighbor’s baby girl,

only to put her to sleep forever.

And as you know I am on a secret mission,

I need to live to free the world from this evil forever.
How To Help Babies Suffering From Acid Reflux?
By: Fleur Wilson S Daily Health
Tags: Acid Reflux, Health, Babies, Heartburn

Photo by Minnie Zhou on Unsplash

Acid reflux occurs in about 50 percent of all babies. That’s almost half. The reason for this is that the babies’ lower esophageal sphincter is not fully developed and strong enough to keep the stomach acids in the stomach. Usually this problem will go away once the baby grows older. By the time babies turn one year old or 18 months, the symptoms will subside on their own.

However, for the time being when they are young, watching them suffer from acid reflux can be a heart wrenching experience. Furthermore, babies can only communicate by crying so it becomes much more difficult to know if your baby has acid reflux.

So how do you know if your baby has acid reflux?

One very common indicator is that your baby will vomit after every feed. This is known as “spitting up”. You may notice that the baby will not want to eat because it fears the pain. They may be young but they are intelligent. If your baby avoids eating, struggles by arching its back to avoid eating, your baby might have acid reflux. In some cases, the baby does not gain weight. If the baby’s stools contain blood, that is another indicator. So is vomit that is green or brown.

All these are symptoms of acid reflux.

The severity of the acid reflux will dictate the treatment. Mild cases are easily handled but chronic acid reflux must be looked at by a pediatrician.

One good tip parents can follow is to keep the baby upright for about 30 to 45 minutes after feeding. Just like adults, when a baby’s stomach is full, the chances of the stomach acids spilling out are higher. By keeping the baby upright, you will prevent this from happening.

When burping the baby, try and sit him or her on your lap and burp them. Do not put them on your shoulder and pat the back. Your shoulder will press up against their tummy and place pressure on the stomach. This will cause the acids to rise. It’s simple things like these that many parents should be aware of and will go a long way towards easing their baby’s suffering.

It can be exasperating dealing with a baby that has acid reflux because it will usually not sleep well and cries a lot. Since the baby will wake up several times a night, it can be very draining on the parents who have to constantly tend to it. Rest assured that these tiring times will pass. Do not feel that you are helpless while your baby suffers. This is part and parcel of their development.

As the baby ages, the problem will disappear and you will have a happy and healthy child. In chronic cases, some medication will be required. However, even in these cases, as the baby grows up, it will be able to better communicate and you can implement some rules to keep acid reflux at bay. Acid reflux is not a life threatening problem and can be kept at bay with good habits and a few sensible tips.
A Review of Nested Bean
Tags: Swaddles, Baby Products, Parenting, Baby, Baby Sleep

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.​

Nested Bean products are scientifically proven to calm a baby. Their products mimic a parent’s touch when their weighted pads are activated. These bean bags on each side makes it feel as if your children is being held. They guarantee that your baby will sleep better in 1–3 nights

Nested Bean’s Zen sleepwear comes in five different products:

ZEN ONE™ CLASSIC is gently weighted to mimic the pressure of your embrace, and is designed to adapt to every sleep style, providing continuous comfort as baby grows.

ZEN FOOTIE PJ™ | Gives older babies more range of movement during sleep | Shop Footies

ZEN BODYSUIT CLASSIC echoes your reassuring touch on baby’s chest, so your little one always feels comforted and secure, like in your embrace!

ZEN SACK™ | Helps babies from 3–24 months sleep calmly through the night | Shop Sacks

ZEN SWADDLE® | Keeps newborns comfy and cozy for the first 3 months | Shop Swaddles

Mothers who have used this product have attested that the products are very calming to their babies. Once wrapped in the swaddle, the babies would immediately settle.

The best aspect was how it calmed her [our daughter] when she was upset and would easily put her to sleep with it on.

Not only do the parents love the products, but daycares do as well. Moms and Dads reported to buying two of them. One for daycare and one for the house. One mom said that daycare describes Nested Bean as a “miracle worker” for when babies get fussy.

Our daughter literally slept through the night with the Zen Swaddle from about 3 weeks on. Napped very well in it too. We would only do one feeding a night if she woke up.

Nest Bean products are safe, durable, affordable and machine washable. They are definitely something you want to add to your baby registry today. You will be getting the rest and sleep you deserve in no time and then you will be able to wake up to a happier, healthier, and well-rested baby too! Order yours today!

https://linktr.ee/LaurenBarrettWrites

My name is Lauren, and I was born in New Jersey, grew up in West Virginia, went to college in Pennsylvania, and now live and work in North Carolina. I’m a high school teacher of the deaf and hard-of-hearing by day, a cross country coach by the afternoon, a writer by night, and a full time mom to an amazing toddler. I love my faith, running, watching baseball, chocolate, scrapbooking, pretending I would actually do well on the Amazing Race, re-watching The Office, listening to Bobby Bones, and helping out all moms.

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Reviewing the Snoo
Tags: Baby Products, Parenting, Baby, Baby Sleep, Parenting Advice

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own

What is the Snoo?

The Snoo is a smart sleeper bassinet designed by Harvey Karp’s Happiest Baby company. It combines three of the 5 S’s — safe swaddling, gentle swinging, and a white noise shushing sound — to replicate the calming sensations of the womb. It guarantees a good night’s sleep for you and your baby.

I first read about the Snoo in Harvey Karp’s book, “ Happiest Baby on the Block,” and instantly was intrigued and in awe of such a product.

However, to shop and buy a Snoo it will run you $1, 395. To rent it costs $129 a month. Is there a price on sleep?

Should I Get One?

I hemmed and hawed over whether I should get one, but I decided to wait to see how my son slept with the 5 S’s on their own. The Snoo was too costly for me to justify splurging on a sleeping device if my son already slept well.

My son ended up sleeping well with the 5 S’s and advice from sleep expert Cara Dumaplin of TakingCaraBabies. Although in a moment of weakness, I almost purchased the rent option in the middle of the night after two sleepless nights with my son. He ended up sleeping well the next night and pretty much from there on out.

What Other People Say?

I ended up having a friend find one for half price on Facebook Market Place, and she purchased it for her baby.

She loves it and says it definitely provides her family with the extra sleep they need.

Her son LOVES the gentle rocking motion!

The swaddles have holes for the arms if your baby doesn’t want his arms pinned down in the swaddle, and the swaddles keep the babies on their backs, for a good night of safe sleeping.

She definitely recommends this product to all parents. The science behind it is proven, and when a baby and the parents get sleep, everyone is happier.

She gives it 8/10 stars.

Lauren Barrett

My name is Lauren, and I was born in New Jersey, grew up in West Virginia, went to college in Pennsylvania, and now live and work in North Carolina. I’m a high school teacher of the deaf and hard-of-hearing by day, a cross country coach by the afternoon, a writer by night, and a full time mom to an amazing toddler. I love my faith, running, watching baseball, chocolate, scrapbooking, pretending I would actually do well on the Amazing Race, re-watching The Office, listening to Bobby Bones, and helping out all moms.

​

https://linktr.ee/LaurenBarrettWrites
Gearing up for Life: The First 7 Days of the Immune System
By: Tara Fernandez
Tags: Science, Medicine, Babies, Immunology, Motherhood

The mother’s placenta serves as a shield for the developing fetus inside the womb, protecting it from the constant barrage of environmental pathogens and foreign bodies. This immunological bubble bursts as soon as the baby is born, when they are thrust into a world teeming with potentially pathogenic bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. How does the newborn’s immune system kick start its natural defense mechanisms so quickly in the first few days?

A team of researchers at Boston Children’s Hospital put these complex immune dynamics under the microscope, looking for key innate immunological events occurring in the first week of life. The scientists took advantage of a biobank of infant blood plasma from babies born in West Africa and Papua New Guinea. Samples included blood taken from the first, third, and seventh day after birth, allowing them to track physiological changes during this critical time period.

As soon as babies are born, there is a surge of immune markers in the blood consistent with an acute inflammatory response. The next wave of immune events is controlled by the complement cascade: a part of the immune system that orchestrates the clearance of microbes and damaged cells via antibodies and phagocytic cells. The research team also observed that maternal antibodies being transmitted to the baby steadily decline as the baby’s own complement pathway is activated.

This discovery is particularly significant given the prevalence of life-threatening infections early in life especially in developing countries where infections are responsible for 700,000 deaths a year in children under five.

“Having a better understanding of the immune system at the beginning of life will be pivotal for the development of precision vaccines for the newborns, which is one of the major goals of the Precision Vaccines Program at Boston Children’s Hospital” said Dr. Hanno Steen, lead author of the study published in Frontiers in Immunology.

Sources:Frontiers in Immunology, Technology Networks.
A Review of The Hatch for Baby Sleep
Tags: Sound Machine, Baby Products, Parenting, Baby, Baby Sleep

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.

What is the Hatch?

The Hatch is a sound machine controlled through your smart phone.

It has eleven different sounds to choose from and ten different colors to chose from.

Parents can program when sounds can come on and turn off.

Should I Get One?

The product guarantees better sleep with its soft light and white noise. It also grows with your child.

I originally opted for a cheaper sound machine, but my mom recommended the Hatch to me after someone recommended it to her. I’m so glad that I made the switch.

The Hatch has been amazing. According to Harvey Karp’s 5’s, babies need loud shushing in the first 3 months and even beyond to replicate the sounds of the womb.

Inside the uterus is loud. There is noise 24/7.

Then, one day, your cute little baby is plucked from its comfortable, cozy home and expected to sleep in utter silence in the picture-perfect, gigantic nursery you created. No way! Imagine how terrifying.

Get a sound machine and turn it on for bedtime and naps.

When nighttime feedings were decreasing and we were aiming for that all-night stretch, we would feel dismayed when our son would start to wake and whine.

Then, we learned to try pausing first, followed by turning up the sound machine without even leaving our bed (phone-controlled sound machine for the win).

Worked. Like. A. Charm. Our son was back to sleep in no time, and we could breathe a sigh of relief.

The Hatch also plays an important role with bedtime and daytime routine. We have a getting ready for bed sound (water) and color (pink) and a naptime sound (lullaby) and color (pink) and then a bedtime and naptime sound (wind) and color (orange).

Our son has been conditioned when he hears those sounds that he knows it’s time to get ready for nap or bed and soon go to sleep.

We are still using our Hatch at 21 months and plan to even use it longer.

​When our son gets older, we will use our Hatch for quiet time. The controlled lights will let him know when quiet time is finished (perhaps a green light) and when he has to stay quietly in his room (perhaps a green light).

The lights will also tell him when it is time to get up and get Mommy and Daddy.

​The Hatch is easily one of my favorite products as a mom. I give it 10/10 stars.

Buy a portable sound machine for traveling.

https://linktr.ee/LaurenBarrettWrites

Lauren Barrett

My name is Lauren, and I was born in New Jersey, grew up in West Virginia, went to college in Pennsylvania, and now live and work in North Carolina. I’m a high school teacher of the deaf and hard-of-hearing by day, a cross country coach by the afternoon, a writer by night, and a full time mom to an amazing toddler. I love my faith, running, watching baseball, chocolate, scrapbooking, pretending I would actually do well on the Amazing Race, re-watching The Office, listening to Bobby Bones, and helping out all moms.

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