You can have the luck of the Irish and pass it on when you give an Irish baby gift. A whole range of items give delight to giver and recipient.

Every baby needs a guardian angel and there’s no better choice than the Irish Guardian Angel doll. Echoing the low, green hills of Ireland, this lovely doll stands a wee six inches. But its small size holds a big heart that will keep your child safe and happy whenever it’s near. Dressed in a delicate white lace gown, its smiling hand-painted porcelain face brings joy to young and old.

To keep the wee youngin’ warm is simplicity itself, darlin’, with a bodysuit made from 100% cotton. Sporting a four-leafed clover it reminds the older generation of the homeland while it brings comfort to the new. Sturdy snaps keep it snug for babies up to 9 months old. With one of these on hand it won’t be just the baby who is lucky.

Don’t forget who offers the finest keepsakes, either. More heirlooms hail from Ireland than anywhere else. Or, did the man in the pub say ‘hair brooms’? Well, no matter. The fork and spoon set will prove the point even to the most skeptical.

Housed in a box that is itself a keepsake, they’re accompanied by a white satin keeper that is as lovely as the sunrise over the lake near Dublin. The poem inside will tell you all about the history of the fork and spoon keepsake tradition.

Don’t forget that gift for the baby shower while you’re about it, Auntie Colleen. A white cotton corsage sporting a four-leafed clover at the heart may be just the thing. The Irish mum will wear this beauty during the party and treasure it forever after.

Surrounded by a delicate lace and housed in a gift box that echoes its origins, this baby shower gift will be passed down from generation to generation. The package is tied up with a green satin bow that makes it the perfect offering to the expectant mom.

While you’re thinkin’ of it, what better choice for the baby than a bib? Practical, lovely and always appreciated, this linen and lace cover makes for a great keepsake as well. Shamrock applique accents give it a look that is unmistakably Irish. Beautifully packaged and tied up with a green satin ribbon, this heirloom will be among the most treasured of gifts long after the baby is grown.

No matter the heritage of giver or recipient, anyone will fall in love with these baby gifts. After all, when it comes to passion, there’s a bit of the Irish in everyone.

Tags: Irish Baby Gifts

Baby Showers are always full of fun. They’re fun to plan, fun to hold and deliver great memories for a lifetime. Nothing shows that so much as baby shower favors. Selecting favors for the party is a great pleasure. The looks on the faces of the guests and the about-to-be Mom are priceless. The memories these little keepsakes invoke last for years afterward.

Fortunately, there are dozens of different favors that fulfill those goals to a ‘T’.

Favors with a hint of humor are always appreciated by everyone present. The “She’ll Soon See Her Feet Again” flip-flop pedicure set is a good case in point. Designed in pink and black they look great.

A “World’s Gratest Mom” cheese grater is another great example of fun and function in a single gift. Clever, useful and very attractive, these small gifts will look and work ‘grate’ in the kitchen. Housed in a clear container topped with an organza bow, they always inspire lots of “oohs” and “awws”.

Looking for another item for the kitchen that will lend beauty and function for a long time? Teapot timers are always a favorite favor. Made of shiny chrome and topped with perfectly fitting plastic parts, they make for a great decoration. They also deliver years of useful service. Add the “Baby is Brewing” package they come in and you’ve got a great gift with a sense of humor.

While you’re in the kitchen, you might find that the “Baby Chick” salt and pepper shakers suit your fancy. These decorative spice holders come in an “About to Hatch” box that signals the occasion for the gift. Later, they’ll be proudly displayed on the counter or table where they’re within easy reach to perform their useful role in cooking or dining.

Maybe you’d like to start Mom and Baby off in the right direction. The “Li’l Saver” piggy bank is the perfect choice for that purpose. Decorative, yet large enough to hold dozens of coins or bills, it’s a great choice for the baby shower. Wrapped in a delightful black polka dotted white bow, it will bring on smiles from the guests and the guest of honor.

Votive holders are always a great idea, too. Very stylish, they’ll hold delicately scented candles that will burn for hours. At the same time, they produce a light that creates the kind of gentle mood much appreciated by women with a young one on the way. They can be personalized in several ways, either with a sticker on the bottom or via a logo on the side, or even by being etched with the name of the upcoming arrival.

If you’re planning a meal as part of the party, don’t forget to select some great placecard holders. The “Celebrate Baaby” lamb items will fit right in with the theme. Fun, decorative and functional, they also make great keepsakes.

Tags: Baby Shower Favors

It’s always hard to think of a great gift for a baby shower. But a baby blanket can be just the ticket to earning the “most popular gift” award at the party. With a range of clever and original designs available, you can’t go wrong here.

But, what could be more ordinary than a baby blanket, you say? Used for thousands of years to swath a baby and provide needed warmth, it’s hard to imagine anyone coming up with a new idea in this area. Guess again. Baby blankets have entered whole new heights of fun, creativity and usefulness.

“Pigs In a Blanket” is just one example that combines a clever design with a practical gift. This two-piece gift set will generate lots of “oohs” and “awws” when the expectant mom opens the decorative gift box. The box is a delightful vintage container topped with an organza bow.

Inside is a plush blanket that can be embossed with a lovely phrase or even personalized. It’s wrapped around an even lovelier teddy bear-style pig that will soon become the baby’s favorite. Made from stain-resistant polyester and tough construction, it may very well be handed down to the next generation.

The gift also comes with a children’s story book rhyme designed in a similar style to complement the other two items. “This Little Piggy” printed on the back was never so much fun. The five little piggies dancing on the front agree.

Just as fun is the JoJo Giraffe toy that comes with its own special blanket inside a keepsake box. At 20 inches tall it will sit proudly in the corner until the baby can no longer resist playing with it… which will take about three seconds. With his arms and legs wrapped around a colorful keepsake box done in similar style, JoJo is a perfect toy.

The blanket that comes with the gift adds immeasurably to the delight that both mom and baby will receive from this lovely item. Easily personalized with the baby’s name, the sunny yellow fleece is warm and soothing. Embossed with a likeness of JoJo, baby will keep it close when JoJo is resting on the shelf. At 30 inches by 40 inches, it is ample size for a baby blanket or decorative bed cover.

Even baby blankets that are standalone items can make for perfect gifts. The Maddie’s Meadow is a great example. Colorfully decorated with butterflies and flowers on a background of pink, it’s very inviting. The gift box carries the same theme, with fluffy pink clouds and bright green grass that will remind mom of the joys of Spring. Personalization is easily accomplished thanks to the generous satin border surrounding the soft fleece.

Consider the 9-piece layette set and you can give enough blankets and toys to fill a nursery shelf. Booties snuggle next to a baby blanket that matches the design of the three keepsake hat boxes. Years later your ‘baby’ will thank you for keeping this lovely gift long after the baby shower.

Tags: Baby Blanket

Among the highest goals for any parent is the safety of their child. One of the key elements in that plan is selecting the right safety seat for the car. Here are a few things to look for when trying to find that perfect model.

The first considerations are age and weight. Infants under age one should be provided with a safety seat specifically tailored to their size. It should also be rear facing and not intended for use by older babies.

Those older than one but less than four will weigh on average between 20-40 lbs. They’re also, of course, taller than infants and the older they are the taller. That opens up the possibility of a forward-facing car seat, which is a little more convenient for parents. It should be still installed in the back seat, though.

Convenience doesn’t have to be sacrificed for any of these goals, of course. Many models are convertible. That is, they can be turned from a rear-facing position to forward-facing with a few simple movements. Still, keep in mind the correct age and weight characteristics.

As an aside, there’s a difference between an infant seat and an infant car seat. The former is just a baby carrier that can be placed in the car, on the floor or table at home. A car seat is specifically designed to be used in the car.

Fortunately, clever designers have blurred the line between the two. Many models are available that do, indeed, allow strapping the child safely into the car. It can then be unbuckled and used as a carrier.

Since it is to be used in the car, though, it will be important that it satisfies certain criteria. A 5-point harness attachment design is key. This allows parents to use the car’s safety restraining belt to attach the car seat at the hips, shoulders and between the legs. That provides a very stable, secure platform.

It’s helpful to have an overhead shield, too. These are padded covers that rotate down over the child. A variation is the T-shield, a padded T-shaped section that attaches to the shoulder straps.

Look for models with a tether at the top that can be attached from the top of the child’s car seat to an anchor point in the car. That adds extra safety. Some have a system called LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children). This eliminates the need to use the car’s safety belts which, after all, were designed for larger children and adults. The car seat attaches, instead, entirely to the anchors. Vehicles made after Sep, 2002 all have these systems.

Other attributes of a good car safety seat can involve convenience for the parent and comfort for the child.

Children come naturally in different shapes. Like the adults they will become, some are slender, others more rounded. Some are a little longer or taller. That means they all fit a little differently in the seat.

A car safety seat that makes it easy to safely and securely add or remove padding, blankets and more provides additional comfort and safety. At the same time, parents have to spend less time adjusting the seat to make a good fit. That’s a win-win situation for both. Some even have integrated travel vests that can be buckled around the child.

That same double-theme of safety and convenience is carried on by seat designs that make it easy to insert and adjust the restraining straps. Parents are busy folk and it’s easy to succumb to the temptation to take a short cut. But no one wants to sacrifice safety. A design that requires only a few seconds to install or move the seat satisfies all those needs.

Tags: Newborns Safety Seat

Skin care and grooming aren’t just for adults. They’re equally important for babies. Infant pimples aren’t typically something requiring treatment, unlike the adult variety. Left alone, they usually go away safely all on their own. But there are a variety of products that are highly useful for keeping that all-important aspect of your baby’s health in tune.

Skin is the body’s first line of defense against infection. Keeping it flexible, well moisturized and free from germs is the first step to optimal baby health. Johnson’s makes a whole line of products that cover wipes, moisturizer and more. Aveeno also has very high quality products. Both make kits that are the perfect baby shower gift.

Preventing and treating diaper rash is high on any parent’s list. Here, too, there are a number of fine products that are safe, gentle and effective. One product goes by the amusing name of Butt Paste. Despite the crude but humorous brand name, it really does work. Triple Paste is another product that provides excellent results for this unfortunate skin condition.

Dusting powder has a use beyond preventing diaper rash. It can provide a smooth, hypo-allergenic barrier to germs while it keeps skin soft and flexible. It helps prevent irritation and reduces moisture, which eliminates the medium for skin fungi to grow.

Parents today recognize a wider range of possible skin issues than generations past. Sunblock, for example, has become a standard part of every kit. Even with excellent clothing and stroller canopies, there are lots of opportunities for UV to harm delicate baby skin. Sunblock that is safe and effective is an addition to the skin care arsenal that every parent will appreciate.

Hair shampoo is another product that goes beyond the function that the name describes. Certainly it’s possible for a baby’s hair to become oily or dirty. But the scalp is the key to health in this area. Adult shampoos are just too strong and not balanced for a baby. Baby shampoos come in a range of formulae today that are safe and keep the scalp in top condition. They smell good, too!

Eczema and other common childhood skin conditions are much easier to keep under control these days, thanks to a range of specially formulated creams. One cause of this mild disease is an imbalance in skin lipids. A good cream can help replace them, making the condition either less likely or healing skin faster when it does occur.

Healing ointment is another tried and true product for treating dry, patchy skin. That type of skin isn’t just unpleasant for the baby, which would be bad enough. It leads to skin cracking that breaks the body’s defensive barrier. Keeping it flexible and smooth will provide symptom relief while it prevents more serious conditions. Inflammations can be successfully treated with ease.

Stock up on a line of skin care and grooming products and your baby will be healthier and happier. And so will you.

Tags: Skin Care and Grooming

Like any newly popular practice, the benefits of infant massage can be overstated. Critical, professional studies have found little evidence that infant massage helps treat dermatitis, colic or asthma, for example. But claims for other benefits are well founded.

Newborns are exactly that: newly born. Their first experiences of the world are many and diverse. Stimuli impinge on them from all angles and processing all these perceptions is a normal part of development. Parents can help that development in numerous ways, one of which involves touch.

Common experience and professional studies agree that babies are naturally exploratory. Reaching out, grabbing, turning over and other touch-based sensory experiences are a common part of that process. All these experiences help develop their faculties. Integrated with new sights and sounds, babies quickly learn to correlate a vast range of phenomena.

Infant massage takes that process one step further.

Touching a baby in the form of gentle kneading provides instances of awareness between caregiver and newborn. It represents security and the knowledge that the caregiver is close by to meet their needs. Even though the infant can’t describe the value of this practice, they are aware of it at their own level.

That bond is amplified and solidified by and during infant massage. The regular, careful pressure reduces infant stress and reassures them. At the same time, the parent is participating in that two-way bonding activity, so he or she benefits as well.

While those highly beneficial values are being created and enjoyed, certain physiological changes are taking place during infant massage episodes. Gradually and slowly, neurological development is being stimulated. The relaxation that occurs helps the immune system as a result of reduced stress. Non-verbal communication helps the process along.

Naturally, all these benefits depend on taking the proper care to perform an infant massage correctly. Avoiding excess pressure on somewhat fragile muscles and bones is only the beginning.

Setting aside a time when the parent can provide a massage in a relaxed atmosphere is important. Babies sense when a parent is tense and rushed. Just before the baby’s normal final bedtime (and the parent’s) is a good time, though not the only one.

Keeping the baby at the right temperature is important, too. Babies can easily become too warm or chilled. Their hormonal systems are still adjusting and ‘learning’ to regulate body temperature in response to external conditions. One way to help is to keep the room comfortably warm and free of drafts. Most massages are done with little or no baby clothing. Take that into account. Also, ensure your own hands are warm before beginning.

A dimmed room, but one that still allows the newborn to see the parent, is beneficial. Baby eyesight is limited both in the ability to see in low light and in distance.

Fifteen minutes per day is plenty. While infant massage is no magic cure, it does promote bonding, relaxation, mental and physical stimulation, and overall well-being for your newborn - and you.

Tags: Benefits of Infant Massage

Grandparents today would never have thought a day would arrive when bathing the baby was fun. But modern technology has transformed what used to be a chore into a joy.

Newborns don’t require, and generally should not have, anything more than a sponge bath. But after the first few months, especially when the child can sit up and hold its head erect, baths are great. Baby gear manufacturers have responded by offering a hundred different items that make it not just easy, but actually a lot of fun for both parent and child.

Bath tubs themselves have evolved to a high art thanks to high science. Some are form-fitted and tilted to provide an easy and relaxing experience while ensuring safety. They can’t be tipped over, provide drains to prevent water from filling them up and are made to be practically indestructible. They’re sturdy enough for an adult to stand on them.

Tub baths are popular. These are like large plastic buckets with seats that allow the baby to sit up during the bath without tipping over. They’re the ultimate in safety and convenience. Inserts that make the bath just the right size are another modern innovation. Seats that sit in the tub come in every possible size and shape.

Bath screens or gates are another option that provide convenience and security. They fit into the tub, dividing it into a section for keeping the baby away from the tub spout. No more worrying about the little one hitting or changing the controls.

Naturally, the number of items you have to use during the bath is ten times what you would expect. But there are never enough places to put them in a standard adult bath tub. Put them on the edge and you’ll knock them over. Place them on the floor and they will invariably get spilled or knocked away.

Technology to the rescue!

Soap and shampoo holders are only the beginning. Need a place to put that sponge or washcloth? It’s right there. How about a small shelf or holder to cup the baby oil, skin treatments, Q-tips, cotton balls, fingernail clippers and the five dozen other things you use regularly.

But you know bath time is also play time. Even infants splash and explore. They’re learning to use their muscles and their minds. Everything is a new experience full of wonder. What better way to couple hygiene with fun and development than a whole range of bath toys?

Sure, you could stop at the traditional rubber ducky. But there’s so much more that can amuse and delight the baby in a bath. That’s more than just keeping them entertained, too. It keeps them occupied so you can do what you have to, while bath time becomes something they want to do. Laughter rather than crying. Doesn’t that sound good?

The available options today are endless. There are bath seats with integrated plastic horns. You could stock the bath with safe rubberized blocks to learn about shapes and textures. A purple dinosaur bath mitt is useful for you and fun for them. Toy boats, puzzles or even waterproof books are all great ways to make it a fun and educational time.

Now the baby’s bath can be a great time for bonding, learning and enjoyment, as well as hygiene.

Tags: Bath Time

Before you begin to care for your newborn’s umbilical cord, nature is already doing that for you. Through this attachment a mother is supplying her baby with all the nutrients it requires during the critical gestation period. Then, when birth occurs, doctors care for it by clamping, snipping and tying. But the baby feels no pain, since nature has provided a lack of pain-sensitive nerve fibers in the cord.

Now it’s your turn.

After birth, the newborn’s umbilical cord may change color. It can alter from green to brown to black. Not to worry! This is all part of the natural process as the cord dries out in preparation for falling off. This typically takes about 1-2 weeks.

During those days the only care needed is to keep the area clean and avoid bumping the cord.

The section around the navel is comprised of sensitive skin. Just press on your own navel even as an adult and you’ll see. It takes only modest pressure to feel discomfort. Babies are, naturally, a little more tender. No need to be paranoid, just cautious.

Keeping the cord area clean will help prevent infection. The skin is the body’s first line of defense against disease. It provides a physical barrier against bacteria, viruses, fungi and other organisms that are seen as ‘foreign invaders’ that provoke the immune system into a response.

But a baby’s immune system is still under considerable development for the first year. It doesn’t yet have all the normal complement of antibodies to counteract common germs. So, keeping the area flexible and free of dirt will help prevent those germs from getting inside.

It’s rarely necessary to swab the area with alcohol. In fact, a contemporary study suggests that this is mildly counterproductive. While not actively harmful, the cord will likely drop off a couple of days sooner if left alone.

But, babies are babies and the area can attract dirt, food and a host of other things. Again, not to worry! A little gentle wipe with a soft, wet cloth will do the trick. Sterile water is often all that’s required.

When a little more thorough cleansing power is needed, mild and well-diluted antibacterial soap with a soft cotton cloth can do a perfect job. Avoid ordinary washcloths if they become stiff and a little harsh after they’re no longer brand new.

If moisture gets trapped where it won’t dry out within a few minutes the lowest setting of the hair dryer can help. Make sure the air doesn’t get hot. A baby’s skin is very sensitive.

Avoid covering the stump with the diaper. Also, keep it folded down far enough so that the top ridge doesn’t push or bend the cord as the baby is moved around or picked up. Be sure to change soiled diapers right away to keep the area dry and free from possible infectious agents.

A sponge bath is best during this period. In theory it’s possible to use a tub filled below the navel. But babies will get tilted, slip and other movements will likely occur that splash the area with soapy water. A little drip from a sponge bath isn’t a disaster, but keeping water to a minimum is best.

Never succumb to the temptation to give the stump any assistance in falling off. It will do so naturally at the right time all on its own. Tugging can tear the skin and produce pain and possible infection.

Tags: Umbilical Cord Care

In generations past, choosing a baby bed was a simple affair. Most people simply made do with whatever was available. That might be one from a previous child, a generous gift from a neighbor or even a hastily improvised affair from a dresser drawer.

Fortunately, today, the choices are as diverse as the babies themselves. But that introduces another challenge - selecting a good crib from all the options. That’s not a bad problem to have!

Since 1974 all cribs and mattresses have been required to conform to certain safety codes. But some pre-1974 models could still be around, donated by a charitable neighbor or family member looking to save you money. Examine them carefully to ensure they meet certain criteria covered by the regulations.

Among those safety rules are the need for crib slats no wider than 2 3/8 inches to prevent babies from getting a head caught between the bars. They should also be sturdy enough that older babies can’t bend or break them. Some have a top rail that is covered in safe material usually a type of strong plastic that won’t come off in chunks, since babies may stand up and chew on it.

The crib overall should be equally sturdy and the mattress support particularly so. One way to check is to examine the rails underneath the mattress. One along the center is good, two is better. The cross-members should be strong and spaced no more than a foot apart.

The crib mattress itself will usually be either an inner spring design or foam of some type.

Inner spring mattresses are great for adults, but they have pros and cons for babies. They provide good support, but babies are so much smaller that the factors aren’t quite the same, even when the coils are spaced closer together. They also tend to bend away from the crib perimeter, creating a gap that can trap a foot or hand.

Foam mattresses are either ordinary foam latex or the newer heat-sensitive, memory foam type, such as Tempur-Pedic styles. Either works well, but the memory foam crib mattresses will be a little more expensive. That extra cost may well be worth it, since memory foam creates a slow-adjusting and secure mattress.

Regular foam latex makes bouncing easier, making it a little more likely that the baby will bounce a chin or chest onto the top rail. One way to prevent that is simply to get a crib with rails tall enough to make it nearly impossible for the baby to jump high enough to injure itself.

Convenience is an important factor for parents looking for a good baby crib, too. Crib railing often has a mechanism to release the front panel, either by a foot-pedal or a hand lever, or sometimes both. Some require both operations simultaneously to lower the odds of accidents.

Last, but far from unimportant for the majority of parents, the crib should be attractive and fit in with the overall room decor. The baby may not care, but it’s perfectly reasonable for parents and visitors to do so!

Tags: Choose Baby's Crib

Few things can add up to trouble as quickly as a newborn with sleep problems.

Sleep deprivation is at least as serious for infants as it is for adults. The underlying causes remain an area of active investigation, but scientists believe they’ve identified several key ones, and some possible solutions.

Causes

Sleep deprivation occurs for any cause that prevents adequate quantity of sleep. Infants vary considerably in how much that is, with the amount changing for the first year. A one month old will need as much as 16 hours, sleeping off and on all day and night. From 6-9 months the number decreases to about 14, with the nighttime taking over about 3/4 of the total.

Quality of sleep counts, too. Several different sleep disorders can decrease it.

Nightmares, night terrors and other conditions are foremost examples. Nightmares are familiar to adults. Night terrors differ in that children are generally able to fall back asleep right away. The key neurological difference is that night terrors occur during deep sleep, nightmares during the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) portion of the cycle.

Sleep apnea is a different type of sleep disorder, one in which breathing stops. In some cases the underlying neurological reasons are still unclear. In others, it’s simply the result of enlarged tonsils or adenoids, a sub-category called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). In either case, the episodes are invariably short. Still, they interrupt the normal sleep cycle and can lead to lack of restful sleep.

Psychological issues may be at the root of some cases of newborn sleep difficulties, though this is likely more common in older babies of 9 months to about 3 years old. Separation anxiety, in which the child fears being away from the parent, can lead to a form of infant stress that interferes with the ability to sleep.

Treatments

Nightmares or night terrors may be the result of tension in the home, but they’re just as often mysterious. Closeness and reassurance can go a long way toward helping the newborn fall back to sleep quickly.

Apnea that results from obstructions can be treated surgically, if the physician counsels that it is warranted. Typical pre-surgery evaluation includes careful monitoring of brain waves using an EEG and eye and chin movements. For this and other types of apnea, monitoring systems are available that will alert the parent when breathing stops for more than a few seconds. Gentle waking, followed by reassurance will let the child resume breathing and fall quickly back to sleep.

Separation anxiety is more difficult to detect, but easier to treat. Simple closeness, perhaps even co-sleeping, may be enough. Attachment bonding is desirable to let the infant know someone is close by to meet their needs at all times, even though they obviously aren’t consciously aware of the need.

Avoid creating sleep problems by not feeding solid foods before infants are ready. For the first six months breast milk or formula is all they need. Also, avoid juice or milk near bed time after about 3 months of age, and don’t feed in order to induce sleep. A full tummy doesn’t necessarily lend itself to restful sleep. Instead, associate sleeping with positives by providing closeness, a pacifier, a stuffed toy or other safe object.

Summary

At bottom, parents need to be realistic. Individual babies vary widely in how long they sleep through the night normally, especially in the first six months. And, in almost all cases, even the most restless child will grow out of any sleep problem with time.

Tags: Newborn Sleeping Problems and Solutions