It can be very expensive to build an entire wardrobe for a new baby without careful planning ahead of time. Another major challenge associated with baby clothing is the speed at which the baby will grow. Fortunately there is a simple solution for both of these dilemmas. Do a little bit of shopping around for favorite styles, and then purchase multiples in different colors of all larger sizes. The baby will grow into and out of each of them before you know it! Planning ahead and having wardrobe basics ready for the next two years will ease a lot of stress along the way as the baby grows.

Some of the best brands for quality and inexpensive infant apparel are Rabbit Skins, Bella, and Apples & Oranges. A lot of the products of these three brands are soft and breathable 100% cotton so the baby is comfortable. Most styles are available in standard sizes such as 3-6 months, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, and 24 months, to cover the first two years. Certain styles are available in wide varieties of colors. The Rabbit Skins 3401 short sleeve t-shirt comes in twenty-five colors, so it is perfect to stock up with multiples.

Two more important basics for a baby’s wardrobe are the creeper and the romper. A creeper is also commonly called a onesie.  The shirt essentially extends past the diaper and it closes with snaps or buttons between the legs. Creepers are very useful because they can be worn as an entire outfit, or worn with pants, shorts, or a skirt for a more complete look. Creepers can be found as basic short sleeve tops, or as other varieties like the Bella 103, a long sleeve thermal creeper. Rompers on the other hand have pant legs attached. The fabric is longer and has more buttons or snaps to attach the front and back. All rompers, like the Apples & Oranges KA120, are perfect for wear either around the house or outside the home.

Another way to expand your baby’s wardrobe is by adding embellishment to some of the shirts and onesies. Embroidery, iron-ons, and special fabric paints are all perfect ways to dress up some of these closet staples for even more variety.

So leave the bulk of the fancy outfit buying to excited relatives and friends, and plan ahead by stocking up on the basics in various styles and colors. This is a guaranteed way to de-stress about building any baby’s wardrobe!

This guest post is written by Patricia Rafferty from Shirtsinbulk.com

**Pursuit Of Love Series**

I have been meaning to write multiple times the past month and a half, I have even started about 5 new articles but just didn’t get the chance to finish them.

A lot of my work craziness has died down and thought this would be a good time to write. Not just for that reason but also for another reason…

I have been seeing this girl for about a month now and things have been pretty good.

 What Did You Just Say?!

Now every time I saw her I thought things went great and it sure seemed like she had a great time as well. The past week she felt a little more distant which I knew something was going on. So I asked her if she was into this relationship and that it didn’t seem like she was into it except for when we were in person(only saw each other once a week). She calls me about 4 hours later and tells me that there is just “something” not clicking. After she said that I basically just stopped listening and I knew this was not good. We said our goodbyes and that was that. I wasn’t about to try and argue or defend or plead with her that she wasn’t making the right decision.

 The Question I Keep Asking Myself

Even before this happened when friends asked me if I liked her, I didn’t really know what to say. I would something like this ” I like her don’t get me wrong but I don’t know”. I guess the question I kept asking myself while seeing her was if I was going to marry her, could I spend the rest of my life with her (Should I even be asking myself these questions so early on in a relationship)?

I don’t think I could really see myself marrying her but I kept telling myself it was early on, I didn’t really know her that well and just to see what happens. Well she ended things before I could really figure that one out.

The question I am asking myself is if I am EVER going to find someone! Just kidding… Kind of that is… But the real question I am asking myself is when do you know that this is the person I could marry? Is there a feeling, is it over time? I guess I am just confused because I don’t think I have ever come close to that with a girl. I have thought about marriage with certain girls, but I have never felt confident in marrying someone. Shouldn’t you feel confident in wanting to marry that person?

I am waiting for this moment in time when it is almost an “ah hah” moment with a girl…. Am I waiting for something that will never come?

Kids love Valentine’s Day. It’s an opportunity for them to eat sweets and give their friends Valentine’s Day cards. If your son or daughter has been extra well behaved recently, you might want to throw him or her a party for Valentine’s Day. Throwing a Valentine’s Day party at your house can be a great opportunity for your child to relax and have fun with friends. Things tend to pick up during the second half of the school year for kids. That’s usually when their teachers start giving them more homework and tests to help prepare them for standardized tests in the spring. So, why not reward your child for working so hard? Here are a few ideas to help you plan the perfect Valentine’s Day party:

1. Make sure you let everyone know about the party at least a week in advance. February is a short month and it’s easy for parents and kids to fill up their schedules, leaving little time for recreation. Giving your prospective party guests a heads up will help you ensure that enough people come to the shindig.

2. Plan out some activities for the party. Kids generally have more fun and get in less trouble if everything’s planned out. You might want to have strawberry ice cream with toppings for them to choose from.  Or you might want to have the kids make their own Valentine’s Day cards. Just pick activities you know the kids will like that are related to Valentine’s Day.

3. Prepare for broken hearts. Kids of all ages have crushes. You might have a kid or two at the party that has a crush on another child at the party. If they feel as though their feelings aren’t reciprocated, they may pout or even cry. It’s best to mentally prepare yourself for having to redirect them, so the energy of the whole group doesn’t take a turn for the worst.

4. As with any party for children, you should make sure you have the contact information of all of the party guests’ parents. One of the children may eat too much chocolate, start to feel sick, and need to go home early. Or one of the kids may trip and fall or get some kind of mysterious rash. It may be a hassle to get the contact information of all the parents, especially if you don’t know all of them well. However, it’s always better to be safe rather than sorry.

So, make your child feel special this Valentine’s Day, and throw him/her a party. Prepare and plan accordingly, and the party will be a hit!

Author’s Bio: Lisa is a mom, writer, and party planner. Right now, she’s interested in the latest children’s party trends, such as Super Mario Bros party supplies.

I just wanted to pass this information along to our readers because WTE has been great to BBA and our readers. One of their partners TopDentist.com is having a HUGE  giveaway…

You have a chance to win a trip to New York City plus 1 guest.

All you have to do is go to this link  Top Dentist.com
1. Tell them what makes you smile

2. Upload a picture of you or your kid

And that is it and you will be entered in the drawing!

The word pacifier comes from the word pacify and to pacify means to appease or to soothe something. So it’s no wonder that babies crave and hang on to their pacifiers for relief. But before you pop your baby’s pacifier in, here are a few things to consider before doing so:

Dental Problems:

Long term use of a pacifier can have an effect on your baby’s dental growth and progression. The way your baby sucks on a pacifier could affect their bite and the shape of their mouth causing crooked or protruding teeth. Some parents put sweet and sugary things on the pacifier for their baby; doing so could cause bad gums and tooth decay.

Dependency:

Starting your baby on a pacifier to soothe their crying is a huge mistake in the long run. It will be very, very hard for you to wean your baby of their pacifier. If you stick a pacifier in your baby’s mouth every time they cry, they will associate feeling better with sucking on a pacifier, thus leading to a hard time getting them to break that habit. If you choose to use a pacifier, be prepared for lots of tears and screams.

Interfere Breast Feeding:

Babies naturally find that sucking is soothing and comfortable for them, it’s a natural reflux. Sucking on a pacifier versus sucking on nipple is completely different. Your baby is comfortable sucking on a pacifier and when making the switch to a breast nipple can really upset your child. Your baby’s sensitivity to change will make it hard for them to breast feed because of the pacifier.

Ear Infections:

Because of the way your child is sucking and the frequency could increase your baby’s odds of getting a middle ear infection. With all the pressure that is used when your baby sucks, that pressure could affect the ear canal. A very painful and expensive sickness for baby and parent.

Delay Speaking:

Babies learn to speak within the first two years of their lives. The first several months are spent using their tongue and moving their lips to make noises. Then as they get older, noises start forming and eventually babbling. This is the process of talking and if your baby has a pacifier in his or her mouth constantly, they are unable to start using their tongue and mouth for babbles, your baby could possibly start speaking later.

Allowing your baby to have a pacifier is up to you. There are some benefits as well, but long term consequences are possible if used. Do your homework and speak with your doctor.

Author Bio

Nancy Parker was a professional nanny and she loves to write about wide range of subjects like health, Parenting, Child Care, Babysitting, nanny background check tips etc. You can reach her @ nancy.parker015 @ gmail.com

Practicing the right behavior is an important part of our being and this need to be imbibed in our kids from the very beginning. When you initiate your kid’s presence in a play group or take him or her along to a social gathering, it’s important that the child knows how to behave well. To train the kid about the same, parents have to work out ways for managing inevitable issues. Chalking out clear policies will improve these issues and will also get you the support from other parents. Here are ways to resolve issues while reasoning out the problematic areas.

1. Separation

Separation however short can be a tough thing to handle for most kids. There are many incidents wherein the parents have to leave the kid alone for a short duration of time. The best way to keep the kid comfortable is by leaving the kid with a patient and supportive adult who can willingly take care of the child in your absence. Listening to what the kid has to say is very important. This is a medium of reassurance for the little one.

Even the infants need someone with whom they can talk. The child should know where the parent is going and also about the time that the parent will take to return. This lets the little one understand the situation and environment better. If the child cries, console him with love and care.

2. Aggressive Behavior

Aggression is very common in kids. Incidents linked to pushing, biting and maltreating other kids are generally seen amongst children groups. The reason behind such a behavior is that the kids don’t know how much closeness or roughness is too much. Kids grow intensive, behavior wise when blocked with tension or fear. Stopping them before they take an ugly step can help prevent the thoughtless move and the negative feelings associated with it.

As a parent one has to maintain a keen eye on the kid’s aggressive behavior. Intervening and stopping the kid right on time is really necessary. Let the child cry hard so that the venting process can come in play. Don’t blame the kid since this will create a difference. Be gentle yet firm when dealing with this matter. Immediate action is required so don’t give a momentary blind eye to the situation. Let the child speak up or take on a long crying session with you since this can mellow down their tension and consequently aggression too.

3. Withdrawn Behavior

Some kids are introvert. They play alone, stay alone and are more of invisible. Such children require gentle treatment and invitation to socialize with other kids. Give them the time they need. Don’t be pushy. Gently nudge the child towards group activities. Listen to what the kid has to say if he or she becomes too scared. Listening and talking helps. Kind listening will keep the introvert kid closely linked to you. Make ample use of eye contact, reassurance and warmth when dealing with such kids.

4. Squabbles Over Possession

Throwing a tantrum over the favorite doll or a treat is common amongst kids. Here the parents need to assure the child that the situation is simple and can be worked out. The policy for infants involve the parents lending the over demanding kid a patient ear, listening out the grief and urgency that the child has to reflect as an expression. Reassure the baby that his or her demand will be met when the other kid has had his or her share. The policy of reassurance is great for such situations.

Expose the kid to a variety of situations that require social linking. Notice and implement the policies that will help the kid grow into a great adult. Don’t turn aggressive when the kid takes on the tantrum mode. Instead listen and speak up. Help the child understand and grow guilt free.

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About the author: Kate is blogger by profession. She loves writing on luxury and designer baby clothes. Beside this, she is fond of books. Recently she shared an article on herb garden for her blog Gardeningclan.com.

“Shy / reserved” or “spontaneous/ social” are common tags with which society often labels kids. Without doubt, most parents today would want their kids to be labeled as the latter. They’d like their kids to be the first ones with hands waving in the air to ask or answer questions, to sing lively loud songs and to participate in events. Kids, who are shy, are treated like; it is something shameful, and their parents often apologize for their shyness. But psychology elaborates that “shyness” in children is not bad at all! Of course the child could be shy in a healthy way, which will be elaborated later.

Whatever may be the case, if you have decided to get rid of the “shy person” in your child, you have decided to give your child more to life. Shyness often robs kids of opportunities, that, the world offers. Therefore it is important and convenient if you catch them young, as shyness often increases with age. The following pointers will be of great help in your endeavor to rid your child of shyness.

1. Get To Know Your Shy Child Better

Spend time in getting to know the nature of the shyness in your kid. This is a crucial step as this will guide you on to the next. Is he/she shy when it comes to mixing with new people? Participating in the classroom? Making phone calls? Participating in a recital or even just singing a song somewhere? Try to identify why they act shy. Understand that they act so due to certain situations or emotions they hold. Above all, respect the fact that all kids are unique. Some may have trouble bonding with others. Yet others have non- verbal learning disabilities or they may have a personality that suffers from high anxiety. Ask them what they feel about a particular activity and why they do not seem into it. Hug your child and hold him/her close. Just this small gesture will open most of them up and they’d tell you what is in their mind. It is important to be calm and pleasant with them. The harsher or the more impolite you are the more withdrawn your child will become. Try to find solutions to the problems which encourage them to be withdrawn.

2. Implement Solutions

If your kid is shy at school and not at home, it implies that the child is either not interested or is finding it uncomfortable in the school atmosphere. The first thing you can do in this case is to meet the teachers and ask for feedback/ solutions. Pay regular visits to them and also visit your child at school. It often boosts up a child’s esteem when their parents come to visit their kindergarten or elementary classes. If your child lacks interest in the classroom or work, then make arrangements to have a piece of the child’s interest in the classroom. For example, if your child likes shells, then talk to the teacher so that your child can do an informal talk on his/ her shell collection. Some shells could even be kept in the classroom.

3. Be A Role Model

Children first learn from their parents and try to emulate their behavior. That means they’d do things the same way you do! If you are a shy person, the chances of your kid being shy are pretty high! So, behave in ways you want your kids to pick up. If you don’t want your kid to be shy, then don’t be shy yourself! If you are indeed a shy person then what you can do is to make an effort. Tell your kids about the efforts made and teach them social gestures and manners. They will learn from it. The earlier you teach them, the better it is!

4. Help Your Child Identify Talents and Manage Emotions

Identify the activities your child loves to do. Encourage and appreciate those activities and provide platforms for your child to explore his/ her abilities. Every week, give the opportunity for him/ her to do something new. This way, they can identify new talents and can inculcate passions early in life. A child who has identified at least a few talents will have a lot more self esteem than one who hasn’t identified any. As a parent, ask your child regularly about school and what they feel. Give them their space and always ensure they are in safe custody.

A healthy level of shyness will include sufficient eye contact made by the child, a very peaceful mind and other traits like slow in mixing with people and not singing very loudly. If the child displays “shyness” without making eye contact at all, or if they always seem to be disturbed or violent in actions, then it is time for professional help. While shyness is not a bad thing, see to it that it does not rob your child or the windows life offers.

About The Author: Kate is a blogger by profession. She is fond of writing, reading and travelling. Recently she has done a research on symptoms of breast cancer. These days she is busy writing an article on Baby gear for her blog Parentingclan.

Babies grow up quickly. As they leave behind the milk, they begin to eat cereal and baby foods. It’s not long before they have outgrown even that and are looking for more substantial foods that have texture and can, of course, be played with. What’s the fun of eating if you can’t play with your food?

It’s time for finger foods!

Self-Feeding Baby Eating Stage

Junior can’t be a baby forever. He has to grow up and tend to himself eventually. This begins with eating. When he gets to the self-feeding stage, he wants a little control over what goes in his mouth and when. Eating is very important to a child so this logically is where that self-control starts.

Think about it! Do you like getting something that looks like strange colored pudding with a variety of taste and no texture always being shoved in your mouth whether you liked it or not? NO! You want to explore. Junior wants to explore the culinary worlds.

At this stage of your baby’s life, he is learning how to control his hands. It’s not all about eating. It is about learning to use his hands and use them well. We take for granted how to use fingers and have complete control over where our fingers go and do. Junior is just learning that. You continuing to feed him with your own hand actually prevents him from learning valuable motor skills.

This is an important part of his growth and should not be taken lightly but with fun.

The Best Finger Foods

As stated above with steak, not every “finger food” is good for Junior. Remember that this is something new to him. Look at his little hands. They are pudgy and small. They are awkward. He needs foods that are easy to handle yet can challenge him.

Here’s what you’re looking for:

1. Is it soft enough to be eaten without needing teeth? Keep in mind that baby might a tooth or two, but that is all. They need food to gum. Examples: baby peas, oat cereal, small pieces of cheese (though not too much), pieces of soft bread, small pieces of fresh fruit without skin, scrambled eggs, small pastas. You get the picture.
2. Can it easily be picked up with the fingers? He can’t use utensils very well now. He only has his fingers. Mashed potatoes are not eatable finger food. It is a play with your food art source. Cut up anything like a banana into little pieces he can grip. Not too little! But not so big that he will choke on it as he shoves the whole thing in his mouth.
3. How easily can he get choked on it? You don’t want foods that can choke your baby. You want ones that his mouth will turn into much quickly. Crackers might not be ones you think of, but they are soft and usually begin to break down as they enter the mouth. By the time he finishes exploring the weird texture of it, the cracker is mush.

Dangerous Foods

There are many foods out there that are small, can be cut up, and Junior can handle very well. That doesn’t mean they are good for him. Think of yourself. How often have you put food in your mouth and found that you forgot how to eat properly and began to cough and choke? And you’re the experienced adult!

Some foods pose a choking hazard such as popcorn. It is small and fun to eat but it has kernels in them that can easily get in the wrong passage. Been there and done that! You don’t want Junior having to go through that.

Many foods present allergy problems. Nuts are great finger-foods but can cause choking and life-threatening allergy potential. Until you know your child is not allergic to nuts, avoid them.

Skin on fruits and vegetables should be avoided. Yes, the grapes are soft and easy to pick up but their skin is so flexible that it can shimmy down the wrong pipe and cause lots of problems.

The Right Eating Environment

As they begin to venture into the finger-food stage, make sure they are  sitting in a comfortable high chair like Graco 4 in 1 high chair or a type of booster seat so Junior is sitting like the adult he is growing up to be and can easily use his hands. He needs to be focused on the eating and not on playing with toys. Never leave a baby unattended in either one of these seats. They need to be sturdy, safe, and comfortable.

Future Eating Stages

As the baby’s teeth come in and they develop better motor control, you can expand these food ideas into the nuts, the popcorn, and the grapes. They aren’t banned forever but until Junior can handle them. Baby steps are needed in all parts of their lives.

Laura Cecil, mama to three kids, created livesnet.com where shares her reviews and parenting experience with her friends. Whether she’s writing her reviews, sharing her tips or just telling her stories as a single mom on her site,she just want to take care of her kids better and help parents live better with their loves. Please visit her site and read her latest review on her love stroller Uppa Baby Vista 2011.

For expecting and first-time parents, preparing for the birth of the new arrival can be overwhelming. Just one visit to the nearest baby superstore can be a stressful experience for many new parents. Walking down row after row of cribs, high chairs, baby clothes, diapers, bottles, and strollers prompt many to think, ‘Wow! How can a baby so little need so much stuff?’ to be followed by, ‘How are we going to be able to afford all this?’ Fortunately, parents-to-be can find affordable baby gear and clothing and outfit their baby in style if they are willing to do a little deal searching and learn some bargain hunting tricks.

Clearance Sales

The first trick to find almost any type of baby gear on a budget is by taking advantage of clearance sales. Most large retailers have clearance sales at least twice a year, typically at the beginning of the year, (when stores mark down leftover holiday stock) and late summer (to make space for fall and winter inventory). Clearance sales are a wonderful way for expectant parents to buy affordable clothing at a significant savings, putting it away for the next season. Large baby gear, such as strollers, high chairs, and play yards can also be found on clearance when next year’s models arrive in the stores. Even online retailers participate in end of season clearance sales, so if you live in a more remote area you can still take advantage of clearance deals!

Couponing

Another fabulous way to save money on baby items is by using coupons, which can be found in the local Sunday newspaper as well as online. Common coupons for baby items include diapers, wipes, baby food and formula. Large baby retailers also mail out store coupons occasionally for baby furniture, gear, and clothing. By using the coupons to purchase the item when it is on sale, shoppers can maximize their savings.

Freebies

Websites that help new parents find freebies and very cheap baby items can be very helpful in finding deals on things that babies need. These websites often list all the manufacturers that send free samples, coupons and other gifts to parents who sign up for their mailing lists. Obstetricians also give out gifts such as diaper bags and free formula from formula companies. Free samples of diapers, wipes, and cleansers are very convenient to have on hand, and are often just the perfect size to stash in a diaper bag.

By following these few simple shopping tricks, new parents will be on their way to finding all the baby gear their newborn needs, without breaking their budget.

Dressing a baby can be a wonderful bonding experience: face to face, mother and baby, sharing a quiet moment.  On the other hand, it could be a wrestling match in which a parent tries to put trousers or tights on a wriggling baby quite determined to crawl away.  Many a tear of frustration has been shed on both sides.

Most parents have found dressing their baby stressful at some point.  This usually happens when a sleepy newborn transforms from a compliant, passive baby to a wriggly and stubborn protester with a mind of his own.

Baby clothes can become a minefield.  Tiny pairs of trousers can suddenly become a battle of wills.  Never mind doing the poppers up, there isn’t even a leg in the leg hole yet.  Worse still, once a baby can see that their actions are having an effect on their mother or father, it suddenly becomes even more fun and they often redouble their efforts to escape.

So what can be done to make dressing fun?  First take away the stress and fear.  Once a parent can relax, a baby picks up on this lightened mood and may relax themselves.  Make life easy.  Baby clothes need not be a struggle. There is no reason why a baby cannot wear all in one clothes all day long. Why keep the one-piece clothing to bedtime? There are many one-piece day outfits now available with just one quick row of poppers to manage.

Secondly, a parent often fears that their bundle of joy could hurt themselves with their flailing and determination to escape.  There is always a danger that a baby could fall on the floor or just crawl away into danger, half undressed.

The first thing to do is change them somewhere safe.  Many parents are turning to portable changing stations.  These are rigid changing mats with a padded soft mat for the baby and raised sides to stop baby rolling off.  The changing station can clip on anywhere, from the top of a bath to a chest of drawers.  Some parents have one upstairs and one downstairs.  They can be stored away on their side between uses.  It is important to remember to never leave a baby unattended whilst on a changing mat.  With the firm base of the changing station

offering resistance, the baby feels secure and cannot roll away from under a firm pair of hands.  Stress levels are lowered as a parent now knows they can be firm without fear of their child hurting themselves.

It is very useful to always keep an object of distraction near the dressing area.  A rattle, a hair brush, maracas, or a favourite small doll are all ideal for this purpose.  Keep one set of items near at all times, perhaps one set upstairs and one set downstairs.  In an emergency, car keys or house keys can offer a welcome distraction.  Another technique is using every child’s favourite form of entertainment: their mum or dad.  A child has known his or her parent’s face since birth and it is always their favourite sight as a baby.  Pulling faces, singing songs, and games such as “Peep-o” are all perennial favourites.  Even if a song is old and familiar, sing it in a different accent or change familiar words to silly words or noises instead.  The surprise element will amuse a baby, who will hopefully be too immersed in the company to try and wriggle away from getting dressed.

If you have easy wear outfits, a safe place to dress and change, and a small cache of amusements to hand, getting a little one into those cute baby clothes need not be a battle.