There are a dozen beautiful and effective ways to personalize any baby gift and the results change a gift into something truly special.

A gift can be personalized by location: sticker on the bottom, embossed on the side, stitched across the top. It can display the baby’s name, the parents’ or grandparents’ names, or that of the giver.

The baby gift can even be decorated with a personally meaningful phrase, logo or photo. The text can be selected by the giver or conceived by the gift’s designer. A logo can be designed by a professional or by the one who picks out the gift. A photo can be selected from a wide range of stock images or supplied and incorporated into the baby gift.

Personalization transforms an impersonal gift into a keepsake that will be treasured forever. It offers a reminder of joyous occasions and provides incentive to hand the gift down from one generation to the next. Monogramming can add a name to cloth items. Printing can personalize any item that will absorb ink.

A Slumber Bear, for example, makes for a great gift. Children love the soft, teddy bear design and parents feel safe knowing the gift is sturdy and made from good materials. Later in life both parent and former young one can look back on the baby shower or first birthday or other occasion when the gift was received. Personalizing the gift makes that memory all the sweeter.

A Dilly the Duck cashmere booster pillow provides the perfect opportunity to stitch on the baby’s name. In later years that gift will evolve from a cherished nursery item to a memento of those tender years. Years after it has been given both parties can remember back to the many happy moments spent reading a story while the young one’s head rested on it.

Those tales themselves can be personalized in the form of a Fairy Tale book that carries all manner of individual markings. For stories written by the parents, they can be signed with the author’s name. For the child’s favorite tale, he or she can sign the book. The gift giver can sign the book and print the name of the recipient. All these methods and more turn a simple storybook into a treasured memento from childhood.

Birth plates provide an excellent chance to paint the baby’s name across the rim or on the bottom. It can be given in infancy and retained as a keepsake long after. The best option is to print the baby’s name, birth date and weight along the rim to commemorate the birth of that special person who entered life on that day.

Personalize the baby gift and you’ll turn a pleasant object into something unique that will be collected and given again generation after generation.

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Quick quiz: what is more memorable than the baby’s first birthday? That’s too easy! The answer is: nothing. The first year is so full of new experiences for parent and child that little later can compare.

Lightning fast growth, learning new things every day, developing those early habits that persist for a lifetime, offering every cute expression imaginable… The list is endless. Challenges and joys abound every hour of the newborns life and the first birthday is the perfect occasion on which to celebrate them all.

The occasion that marks the end of that first year is something that will be remembered for a lifetime. How can you find a gift that will do full justice to that?

There’s the common t-shirt, of course. But turn an expected first birthday gift into a special joy for giver, baby and parent by selecting the most fun design. Baby boy or girl will look great in this t-shirt covered with colorful balloons and cake. The smiling child on the front offers a preview of the expressions on the faces of all concerned once the box is opened.

What more fun, practical first birthday gift could you imagine than a motorcycle or sports car bank? Made of stylish, durable pewter it’s both a lovely decorative item and a practical toy. With handlebars or a steering wheel that turns and rubber wheels that spin, it will be seen on the nursery floor in no time. But it looks equally good sitting on the shelf where it can hold a dozen small coins or folded bills.

The little ones will need a step stool to reach those toys on the shelf. They could also use a rest after playing with them. The combination steppy stool/chair is the perfect solution. Made of sturdy wood and personalized with the child’s name, it’s practical and stylish. It’s 12″ high by 12 1/2″ wide and 6 1/2″ deep with a seat that measures 5 1/2″. That’s the perfect size for the nursery and the hinges make it easy to tuck away.

Make the baby feel part of the fun when you’re off to the gym or store with their very own personalized sport or duffel bag. They come in a half-dozen different themes, including sports, flowers, butterflies and princess. Colorful and made of sturdy canvas with a polyester lining, they’re practical and lovely. At 15″ long and 7″ in diameter, they make for a great extra bag in which to carry all the baby’s things.

Back home, don’t forget about those plush toys that make for ideal gifts. Skipper the Cowboy Dog or his pal Bojo are just waiting to come out of the toy box. They’ll sit quietly on the little wooden chair while your baby instructs them in the rules of the game in language you can only guess at.

Maybe the young one will have a head for business, who knows? You can start them off with a 5-piece soft briefcase set that holds lots of toys. With a squeaky calculator and a squeezable cell phone, they’ll feel right at home in the office.

Commemorate the occasion with a pewter photo album sporting a fun teddy bear logo. It’s the perfect means of storing all those pictures you took at the first birthday party. See that one there where the baby’s eyes light up after opening your gift…?

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Maybe you were thinking that baby shower cakes were just a tasty dessert served at the party… Well, that’s certainly one kind. But there’s a different kind of baby shower ‘cake’, one that is filled with all sorts of useful gifts for the about-to-be mom.

One of the most popular choices in this area is a gift that really does resemble a multi-tiered wedding cake. But rather than being made of sugar and flour and eggs, it’s constructed from the one thing a new mom can never have too much of: diapers.

These clever and decorative baby shower cakes make for the perfect gift for the occasion. Everyone thinks of giving diapers to the expectant mother, and she will certainly use them. But giving them in this form turns a needed but mundane gift into an opportunity for laughter for the guests and the guest of honor.

Piled high and covered with decorative items that really do make it look like the genuine article, these diaper cakes are fun and practical. The recipient can peel them off one at a time as needed. Like eating a wedding cake that will last for days or weeks, the gift provides its own storage bin.

The same design idea has been used successfully for lots of other baby shower gifts, though. The faux wedding cake can be filled with all sorts of toys for the baby, gifts for the about-to-be mother and father, and lots more.

It isn’t only diapers, after all, that the happy couple will need soon. Baby powder, lotion, baby oil, ointment and many similar hygiene products are common items in the nursery. At 32 inches high, you’ll find these cakes hold plenty of these necessities. Booties, terry cloth towels, a baby cap and several other clothing items are part of the package, too.

Even the smaller 2-tier baby shower cakes can offer dozens of highly valued gifts. As a centerpiece for the baby shower table, it makes a great decoration. Peel off the outer layers and enjoy the rattle, teething ring, pacifier and more that will definitely get used. Open it up and find socks, a manicure set, brush and comb, and other equally useful presents.

Some baby shower cakes may contain only decorative items, but those too will be highly appreciated by the guest of honor at the baby shower. Ceramic baby blocks, silk roses and more set on a scalloped silver platter make this a gift that won’t be shoved in the closet after the party. You’ll find the blocks decorating the shelf in the baby’s room and the silk roses on the mantle, while the silver platter livens up the table on special occasions.

Take a look at the bear baby cake and you may not be able to resist. Chock full of gifts – like undershirts, hats, hooded towel and more – they’re topped by a stuffed teddy bear that is sure to become the baby’s favorite for a long time.

Check out the full line of baby shower cakes and amaze yourself with all the creative options. And, oh, don’t forget to order the real thing for the party while you’re at it…

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How many more toys does the little one need? Before you answer, consider that toys do much more than entertain. They educate, stimulate the development of perception and cognition, and may help build muscle strength and control. And, of course, amusement shouldn’t be scoffed at, either. A happy baby is a healthy baby.

The range of educational toys that also entertain little ones is endless. Baby Einstein books are everywhere. Others encourage exploring shapes and sounds. That musical toy that you hear as just a noisemaker is actually helping the baby associate a chosen movement with the creation of a particular sound.

Fitting shaped blocks through the right size hole may seem like just a game. But at the same time the baby is amusing him or herself it’s learning that some things fit and others don’t. That ability connects later to learning the alphabet and words where some things ‘fit’ and others don’t.

Don’t overlook the need for a sheer physical outlet, as well. As any parent can testify, babies have lots of energy that just can’t be suppressed. They touch, they explore, they push and prod. That’s helping them develop muscle control, fine-tuning hand and eye coordination, and more. It’s also a sheer joy for the little ones to see what happens when they bat that mobile to make it squawk and spin.

Even dolls are more than just ‘playthings’. If they talk, the baby is learning about human sounds and what they mean. If they’re dressing the doll, the baby learns in a different way how some things fit and others don’t. They also learn that some things can break or tear. Valuable lessons while they enjoy the process.

Don’t forget that all those toys have to have a place to live.

Toy chests come in a range of styles that can blend right in with any nursery decor or childhood interest. The little farmhouse toy chest can be populated with farm animals that remind them of the petting zoo. A stylish mahogany or beechwood chest is perfect for that rich-looking design you spent months imagining during pregnancy.

Develop your child’s interest in baseball at an early age, while you integrate the toy chest into the rest of the furniture and decorations. Or, select the princess carriage toy chest and turn a mundane storage box into a wonderland full of treasures. Choose the circus design and watch your child’s delight in animals grow starting right from those early months.

Education, development and sheer fun are all part of contemporary toy and toy chest collections. Made of durable materials that are safe and stylish, the baby won’t be the only one who is happy with the choices.

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Parents often arrive home from the hospital a day or two after a birth exhausted. But that quickly passes. The urge to take your newborn to visit grandparents and others will soon become very strong. Then there are the inevitable pediatrician visits for exams, vaccinations and other medical events. While minimizing travel during the first three months is desirable, whenever you choose to travel with your newborn there are a few things to keep in mind.

Traveling with your baby can seem like planning a 13th century caravan across the desert. There are a thousand things, it seems, to consider. But with modern transportation, communication and baby-friendly facilities in so many places, it’s really not that bad.

Naturally, you won’t forget to bring the basic supplies. You’ll want a supply of diapers, diaper rash cream and a bag for soiled diapers. You should bring some teething gel and infant paracetamol for pain relief on the road. Newborns should not be given aspirin. Petroleum jelly is a must. Sunscreen is helpful for those circumstances where you can’t keep the sun entirely off. Babies have very sensitive skin.

You’ll want a good bonnet and the ability to layer clothing for changes in temperature. That change can be from an air-conditioned car to the hot sun at grandmother’s house. Or, it can equally be from the heated car to a house that is a little chilly for the newborn. Be prepared for either eventuality.

Avoid traveling by air for the first year whenever possible. This isn’t just a courtesy to the other passengers. Pressurized cabins, recycled air, pressure changes from takeoff and landing, and other issues represent a stress to your baby’s system. Breastfeeding mothers will find it hard to find privacy at feeding time and both parent and onlooker can be made uncomfortable.

For auto travel, you’ll need a good child safety seat, one that is specifically designed for infants. It should be rear facing and be installed in the back seat. An air bag that deploys in the front seat can cause serious harm, both from direct impact and the hard jerk to a baby’s neck. Always take the time to secure the car seat properly.

However you travel, food and drink are essential bring-alongs. Babies get hungry on an internal schedule that is not synchronized with parental convenience. Telling them to ‘wait until we get there’ is not an option, as it is with older children. The ability to breastfeed conveniently and safely is best. For those on formula, having some means of warming formula is good. Special warmers are available that plug into the cigarette lighter socket.

The ability to perform a diaper change on the road is another must. The alternative isn’t merely discomfort, but a bad smell for you and increased likelihood of diaper rash for the infant. A portable changing station or pad will make that chore much easier.

Newborns are much more susceptible to germs than older children, since their immune systems are still developing. Keeping exposure at a minimum is important. Avoid having every family member and friend breath on or touch the newborn. Insist that only those with clean hands and no colds get close.

Sure, there are lots of challenges to face when traveling with a newborn. But, like that 13th century caravan, it can be an adventure!

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Shop for baby carriers today and you’ll find a large range of slings, backpack-style and similar fabric-based devices that are great for taking the baby anywhere. They have all kinds of benefits. But they’re all designed to ease carrying the child on the body. Still, the more traditional shell design retains its value as it improves technologically.

A shell carrier resembles a car seat in having a sturdy molded plastic form. Many car seats are actually convertible to a shell-style baby carrier. It’s padded to keep the baby immobile and safe from injury. That safety factor is typically enhanced by having an integrated restraint system.

Safety is always the first consideration in any carrier, of course. That’s ensured by the shape and manufacturing process that creates a shell that can withstand considerable shocks. That is, after all, one of the reasons the design is almost universally used in car seats.

The padding is thick and comfortable, spread over all the sections the baby’s body might come into contact with. It’s tear-resistant and secured with extremely strong snaps, rivets or other attachments to make sure it stays in place and lasts a long time.

At the same time, padding is available in a hundred different styles. They run the gamut from ballerina themes, rocket ships and sea shells, to just an abstract color scheme. In short, there is padding that reflects every individual taste or interest.

The restraint systems are modeled after those used in car seats, where they perform a similar service. Usually Y-shaped, fabric belts strap across the chest from each shoulder and are joined by a third belt that threads through the legs. The meeting place is a set of plastic buckles that are nearly indestructible and won’t come loose accidentally.

Even with the rise of fabric backpack or tummy pack carriers, shell carriers still have plenty to recommend them.

There are times when parents need a break from carrying the baby close to them. The sling style offers many values, but at times it isn’t practical. Parents get back injuries that require a different method of transporting the baby to the doctor or store. Sometimes, older friends or grandparents are asked to take the baby and they may not be strong enough to carry the baby in the sling style carriers.

But even beyond any health issues, there are times when it’s an advantage to be able to put the baby down on a table or grass. That’s simply not possible with sling or backpack-style carriers. It’s also a simple task to attach a canopy to a shell carrier to keep sun off the baby. Sling carriers sometimes have a fabric piece to cover the baby’s head, but those make contact and can lead to overheating in some situations.

Both styles have strong benefits and parents on the go will want to have at least one of each type.

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While the fetus is developing, it gets all its needed nutrients from the mother through the umbilical cord. This includes compounds that help the baby’s immune system to protect it from harm. But even after birth the baby’s immune system is still not fully mature. Fortunately, nature has cleverly developed a solution. The added help it needs it gets in part from colostrum and milk via breastfeeding.

During the first few days of the baby’s life, the mother’s breast forms and delivers colostrum. This is a thin, whitish or yellowish fluid that comes through the nipple, just as milk does. It is rich with fats, carbohydrates, white blood cells and other compounds that both nourish and provide immune system protection.

Colostrum contains proteins, most especially immunoglobulins, a type of antibody. These antibodies are one of the body’s foremost weapons against invading bacteria, fungi, viruses and other disease causing organisms. Among other benefits, the antibodies from colostrum coat the GI (gastrointestinal) tract and help prevent bacteria in the gut from entering the bloodstream. The colostrum also contains numerous macrophages, small cells that envelop and carry away disease causing germs.

At the same time, the breastfed baby receives the best nutrition possible. Nature has evolved breast milk to contain everything the newborn needs.

Fats, for example, which adults strive so hard to minimize, are essential for the proper development of the nervous system. They help regulate the hormone system, too.

Carbohydrates are the body’s energy source. They’re another category of food calories that dieting adults will often try to keep down. But babies should never be put on a diet. Breast milk is rich in carbohydrates of just the right type and amount to help them develop in an optimal way.

Numerous studies have shown that breastfeeding is highly beneficial for babies. Most strongly suggest that breastfed babies have a better head start in life than those who are only bottle fed. The rate of infectious disease is lower among newborns who are breastfed. The odds of infant diabetes are lower  according to some studies. Breastfed babies see fewer hospital and doctor visits.

But breastfeeding is also good for the mother.

When a mother doesn’t breastfeed, she may experience an uncomfortable sensation in the breast. Artificial pumping to extract the milk is usually required. Breastfeeding eliminates the need to do so. Some may wish to use a pump anyway, in order to have a store of mother’s milk available.

The bonding that takes place between mother and newborn during breastfeeding may be hard to measure medically. But the benefits are observable and real. This quiet time between mother and child are good for both.

Some reliable studies suggest that breastfeeding also helps lower the odds of ovarian and breast cancers. Breastfeeding also delays the return of ovulation and menstruation. That gives the recovering mother a break from having to deal with periods during a very busy time of life. At the same time, it reduces the odds of another pregnancy right away.

Give your newborn the best possible start in life by breastfeeding. Give yourself the benefits as well. Nature has evolved this excellent method for optimizing the health of mother and child. Take advantage of all it has to offer.

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It’s often said, with a hint of nostalgia, that life in the past was simpler. Probably true. But simpler isn’t always better. Modern technology has developed a range of feeding products that makes the baby’s mealtime safer, more convenient and even stylish.

Feeding dishes alone have seen an evolution from the past that amounts to a revolution.

One simple modification of a standard bowl results in a brim that catches food. Looking like an upside down baseball cap, this clever dish will make clean up a lot easier while it minimizes wasted food. Get the type with a suction cup on the bottom and rest assured that no bowl will ever get spilled at mealtime again.

Warming dishes have seen similar advances. Some allow hot water to be poured into the base, then the top snaps on to keep food warm and separated into separate compartments. Others can rest in a warming plate that is electrically heated. Perfectly safe, either of these options lets busy parents keep food ready to eat through brief distractions.

Speaking of warming devices, how about those modern bottle warmers? Available in a hundred different styles, they allow for a range of temperatures. Many offer a safety mechanism that will sense excess heat and turn off before the bottle gets too hot. A combination of sturdy plastic and rust-proof metal means they’ll last for years.

For women who breastfeed there exists an equally diverse range of products to make feeding safer and more convenient than ever. Breast pump kits can be placed in specially-designed pockets in a bag that makes pumping easy to do on the go. Special comfort bras allow for easy access and practically eliminate the need for any cleanup.

Sterilizing kits for bottles, breast pumps and more are both inexpensive and effective today. Some resemble bottle warmers, but provide a high setting. Others are in the form of a microwave steam cooker, similar to autoclaves used by hospitals in the past. All provide that extra measure of assurance that gives parents greater peace of mind.

The traditional high chair has been modernized, as well. Once upon a time a flimsy, cold tin shelf attached to a rickety frame. Now, high chairs are practically indestructible, while they are infinitely more stylish.

Some models are rich-looking cherry wood that can compete well with the most elegant dining table. Others are made of extremely durable plastic that still manage to look just as stylish. All are made with ultra-sturdy frames and multiple conveniences. One style offers a pedestal base that is so wide it’s nearly impossible to tip over by babies who like to rock sideways during meal time.

A safe, simple locking mechanism makes it impossible for the tray to be lifted up, spilling food and (yikes!) maybe the baby onto the floor. Similar locking mechanisms are integrated into the wheels on the base that provide security for that convenience feature.

Check out the new feeding products and find out how much easier mealtime can be and, in a certain sense, simpler too.

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It’s common knowledge that human pregnancy lasts nine months. But that figure is really just an average. While the official figure is pegged at 266 days, it’s still widely recognized that a normal gestation may be anywhere from 1-2 weeks less or more than that.

One of the reasons is that it’s difficult in most cases to know the exact day on which conception occurred. So, the number of days until birth is usually calculated using the last menstrual period. An equally important reason is simply the fact of individual variation. It’s perfectly normal and healthy for a gestation to last 260 days or 270.

But as that distance from the average grows greater, the potential for certain problems increases. In particular, a birth that takes place three weeks or more prior to the full gestation period represents increasing risk of developmental problems for the newborn.

The earliest survival from premature birth on record is roughly 21 weeks. But even 24-26 weeks carries with it substantial likelihood of problems. These cover an underdeveloped brain and nervous system, inadequate lung development and others. These all may result in difficulties immediately after birth and later in life.

Some consequences may be as serious as mental retardation. Others are much more manageable, such as lower surfactant in the lung tissue, which can lead to Respiratory Distress Syndrome. The former requires lifelong care for the child. The latter, thanks to modern medicine, can often be compensated for by a simple treatment.

Any of these (and many other) issues are, of course, heavily dependent on just how premature the newborn is. There are individual factors as well. Some babies who are 3-4 weeks early may do just fine with normal neonatal care. Others will require more extensive assistance and longer term professional treatment.

But, there are many things that parents can do to help their newborn during those early, sometimes trying weeks and months.

Prevention is the first line of defense. To whatever degree possible, and consistent with the health of mother and child, premature birth can be delayed. ‘Whatever possible’ is getting better and better as medical practice improves. Everything from a better diet to lowered stress and full bed rest to courses of glucocorticoids to stimulate development of the fetus are possible.

Early treatment in the hospital is frequently very high caliber. Premature babies may have a breathing tube, heart and blood pressure monitors, careful temperature control, frequent in-person visits from nurses and other care to ensure their well-being. Once babies can breath normally on their own, regulate and maintain a stable body temperature, breastfeed or bottle feed normally, and gain weight steadily they’ll be ready to go home.

Managing certain neurologic disorders such as Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) and Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) that may result from premature birth are outside the scope of this article. Seek professional advice. But there are less serious conditions that can be dealt with by parents, with advice from the obstetrician.

Infections are more common in ‘preemies’, owing in part to their even more immature immune system than that of the usual newborn. But extra care to avoid disease causing organisms takes only vigilance. Dietary supplements that help boost the immune system can be safe and effective, if provided under professional care. Too many are just placebos and some are potentially harmful. The literature is vast and regrettably there are unfounded claims made sometimes.

Apnea – episodes of stopped breathing, especially during sleep – can occur. Extra vigilance can be provided for by a baby sound-and-video monitoring system. Jaundice, a yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes due to improper liver function or bile duct blockage, is easy to spot. It results from a buildup of bilirubin in the bloodstream. Usually it’s harmless. Special lights are available to help treat the condition. Exposure to sunlight can help, but it carries risks. Again, when in doubt, call your doctor.

Parents can help themselves and their child by getting rest and getting educated. Establish a milk supply. Get assistance from friends and family members for those first critical weeks or months. Keep careful records of the baby’s progress. Try to keep the stress level down as much as possible.

Today, except in the most extreme cases, premature birth is much less a problem than in generations past. Many highly accomplished individuals (such as Charles Darwin and Albert Einstein) were born prematurely. Some say they never stop overcompensating!

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Think a baby hamper is just a functional item? Think again. Sure, a good hamper needs to do the job. But it can (and should) add safety, convenience and style to the list of attributes.

Every parent knows that babies can go through more clothing in a week than the average teenager getting ready for a date. The pile just keeps growing until there’s time to do something about it. Which, for nannies and parents alike, is always in very short supply!

To keep the room odor-free, the clothes safely away from pets, and add a bit of style to the nursery, a good hamper is indispensable.

But what is a ‘good’ hamper?

Strength of materials is first in line. A good hamper needs to resist the pressure it will get as clothes are stuffed in. It needs to stand up to bumps from busy parents and rowdy dogs. It needs to remain upright even when a tired mom or dad can’t. A good fabric blend can provide that feature, especially when supported by a modern, ultra-sturdy frame.

Safety is a major factor, too. Here, that means no sharp edges, protruding screw heads and other harmful items. But, above all that means the hamper should be easy to keep free of germs. When the baby gets that inevitable cold you want to be able to isolate and destroy those germs to prevent the virus from spreading. That can be accomplished in several ways. Some styles allow for easy wiping or spraying with a disinfectant. Others have removable linings that can washed in hot water and mild bleach.

That requirement is increased many fold when dealing with soiled diapers. You can’t always toss them immediately or rush to the washing machine with every change. Temporary storage is a must. But keeping odors at bay and germs isolated is tougher with diapers than any other item of baby clothing. A good diaper hamper solves that problem.

At the same time, there’s no reason to neglect style.

The hamper is one more item that sits in the room, often in a very visible location since it helps to have the container within easy reach. Getting one that matches the rest of the furniture in the nursery or baby’s room adds to the overall look of the room.

Fortunately, that value is easy to achieve, thanks to the enormous range of options available today.

Looking for a baby theme, say dragons or baseball or fairies or trucks or alligators or….? The list is endless. Maybe you’ve decided on the circus-themed toy chest or changing table and want the hamper to fit right in. You’ll easily find one to match. Maybe you’ve decided to go for the elegant look of wicker or a hardwood, say cherry or oak. A hamper made of the same material, covered with a gingham or brushed cotton blend is also an option.

A hamper in every conceivable material and style, to suit any individual preference, is just a few clicks away.

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