You may be looking forward to the sunny summer months, but are you stocked on all the warm weather essentials? Before you reach for just any tube of sunscreen, check out the ingredient list. Too often, parents think their kids are protected from the sun when really they’re not. Just slathering on sunscreen and sending your kids out to play isn’t enough.

To start with, experts recommend that infants under 6 months should avoid the sun. Since this isn’t always possible, make sure small infants have the necessary gear, including sun hats with SPF protection.

When choosing sunscreen, most parents make the mistake of selecting a kid’s brand with a high SPF. Surprisingly, there’s not a big difference between kid and adult products. Instead, the differences lie in the ingredients.

Always choose products that are physical; made with minerals instead of chemicals. The sunscreen should be made with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These minerals sit on top of the skin and start working immediately.

Chemical-based products on the other hand, require 30 minutes to absorb into the skin and start acting. Plus, since these ingredients leech into the skin, they are more likely to cause allergic reactions or skin irritations.

Sunscreens that contain either zinc oxide or titanium dioxide will protect against UVA and UVB rays. And, you don’t need to buy anything over an SPF 30. These products contain more chemicals and are not necessary. Instead, stick to SPF 15 or 30 and don’t go out of your way to buy kid’s products; adult ones are just as good.

Looking for recommendations? Try Coppertone Water Babies Pure and Simple formula that contains zinc oxide and comes with a moderate price tag. Other products are offered from the natural brands of Badger or Loving Naturals.

Don’t forget to replenish your sunscreen supply, as they’re no longer effective after one year.

Image c/o The Fun Times Guide

The first night home from the hospital you may place your baby in a bassinet within the safety of your own room to stay close to them for nursing purposes, and other reasons. I know that for all my sweet babies I had them sleep in a bassinet for the first 6-8 weeks, then I transitioned them into their crib, located in their own bedroom (providing you have a separate bedroom for your baby).

This can be a challenging transition, especially if your baby was a preemie. If your baby was or is a preemie you may find yourself keeping them in a bassinet a little bit longer.

Some parents do without a crib and just use a bassinet until they are too big or before it becomes unsafe. Bassinets are not as sturdy as cribs so it’s important to know the risks of a bassinet vs a sturdy crib. Let’s look at the cons of a bassinet and the benefits of a crib.

Cons of a bassinet

- Though a bassinet is cheaper than a crib, your baby will outgrow it and then you will end up having to purchase a crib.

- When a baby begins to roll over the bassinet can become a safety hazard. The bassinet can tip over, especially when they start to pull themselves up in it.

- The comfort level is far less than a crib mattress. Bassinets only contain thin pads.

- A bassinet is meant to be portable and lightweight. Anything can happen so it’s important to examine the durability between a crib and a bassinet.

Benefits of a crib

- The swinging or gliding motion of a crib can calm and soothe a fussy baby.

- Your baby has a lot more space than that of a bassinet which means it’s cozier.

- A crib can still be placed next to a parent’s bed, taking into account the size of the crib and the master bedroom.

The only cons of cribs that I see are:

- They are not transportable

- They cost more

Hopefully this gives you a better idea and understanding of the differences between a crib and a bassinet. How about you – which do you prefer, or do you use both in time? We would love to hear from you.

Source: www.ehow.com

Image: Wikimedia Commons

When it comes to swaddling your baby there are proper ways of doing it without harming your baby or not getting the proper results.  How does one properly swaddle a baby?  The tips below will help you and give you a better understanding of how and why all the while answering any questions you have regarding the subject.

Swaddling Tips

- You want to choose the right blanket.  Believe it or not all blankets are not created equal when it comes to swaddling your precious newborn or preemie.  The blanket should be in the shape of a square as well as light weight and flexible.  You don’t want your baby to overheat, risking SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).  It is definitely important to NOT use thick blankets.

- Get good at swaddling!  How can you achieve this? Practice, Practice, and Practice.  I know it sounds very basic, but in all reality if you want to get good at anything you must practice, and this includes swaddling your new baby. Just don’t give up. Swaddling is a very soothing practice for your baby as it simulates the womb that they grew accustomed to for 9 months.

- Don’t wrap the legs too tight.  You want the blanket to be secure in the arms but allowing them to move their legs freely when needed.

I know that in the beginning as a mom I wanted to give up on swaddling but once I got that extra practice it was a piece of cake.  Check out Luna Lullaby’s video on swaddling for a better understanding.

Source: ehow

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Even if they are called baby-safe, are Q-tips really truly safe for such tiny little ears? I know that with my babies I was always skeptical about the idea of sticking a Q-tip into their ears.

Here is what I found regarding these products. What you may have thought about Q-tips, you may want to think again. According to Family Webicine, “Q-tips are weapons of ear destruction.” Why? Well believe it or not, these products were not made to be stuck directly inside the ear. They are to clean the outer part of the ear. So why do we think it necessary to shove them into ears? Makes you wonder, doesn’t it? Why are we using Q-tips improperly?

Here is what the Q-tips website says:

“Q-Tips cotton swabs have more cotton at the tip* than any other swab, making them the safest, softest and gentlest tool you can use for family care. They also provide the ultimate precision, making them the perfect tool for uses outside your ear.”

Oops! So we are only supposed to use them on the outside. Well, this definitely explains why so many people end up with Q-tip injuries, they are using them wrong! So let’s think about this in detail. If we are using them on our babies incorrectly, we are risking harming our sweet babies. It definitely pays to read statements on all products because you never know what you are missing. To be honest all these years I thought Q-tips were for cleaning inside the ears. Boy was I misinformed as a child! Do you know the correct uses for Q-tips?

So I guess to answer my own question: they are only safe if they are used directly outside of the ear. No, they are not safe to use directly inside of the ear. Hopefully this information has given you some sort of revelation about Q-tips, as it did me.

Source: WebMd

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Baby monitors are often one of the first items on a parent’s wishlist. But are they necessary? No, they are not.

Baby monitors are designed for reassurance and peace of mind. Some parents find themselves using monitors for a few short months, while others use them well into their child’s toddler years.

For me, I use a baby monitor but still find myself checking on my little one throughout her naps. Audio monitors simply pick up sound (and a little bit of movement), but if your child is a deep sleeper, you won’t hear much of anything. A video monitor on the other hand, shows your child sleeping, which can have added reassurance for deep sleepers.

Video monitors are much more expensive and are in the $150-$200 price range. If you choose to turn the picture off, you can use the monitor just like an audio monitor that has LED lights that react to the baby’s noise. Audio monitors are more economical and cost between $30 and $50. There are some monitors that can be placed underneath your child’s mattress, and an alarm will sound if movement or breathing isn’t detected for 15 seconds.

Since baby monitors aren’t a necessity, many moms depend on their 3rd ear that kicks in, and they know when their baby is up from a nap or having trouble sleeping without the use of a monitor. If you do choose to use a monitor, it’s up to you to choose when to stop. There is no right or wrong, although experts do recommend that around 6-12 months is a good time to stop relying on audio and video monitors.

Not only will this help you sleep better, but it may help your baby sleep better if you’re not rushing to him or her at every whimper. Once an infant reaches 12 months, the risk for SIDS is gone as well, giving parents more encouragement that their little one will be okay during sleep.

Image c/o: iggybiggyrentals.com

Many parents start their infants with a gentle laundry detergent in the first few weeks of life. Yet parents often find that these gentle detergents don’t cut it after a while. Sometimes they are too gentle to remove tough stains such as spit up and baby food. Fortunately, baby detergents aren’t necessary for little ones, no matter how young they may be.

If you’re unsure of whether it’s time to make to the switch, start off by tossing one or two articles of your baby’s clothing in with the rest of the laundry. Make sure you choose clothing that your baby wears against the skin as well, such as onesies or cotton pants.

If your little one shows no reaction – itchiness, red skin – then you’re in the clear! It’s actually quite uncommon that children have allergies to the dyes and fragrances in detergents, so this reaction is unlikely. Also, consider that your infant is being held by you, rubbing up against your own clothes that are washed in regular detergent. No reaction to this is also a great sign.

If you want to err on the side of caution, you can still use a gentle detergent for your child while cutting out the cost of expensive baby detergents. Many companies offer free and clear detergents that have no dyes or fragrances added to them. They’re no more expensive than regular detergents and can be used for the whole family.

What if your child has eczema? This is a common skin condition that includes dry patches of skin that are itchy. They often occur on the elbows and knees. If your child has the skin condition, stick to free and clear detergents (or baby ones) for the first year. The chemicals in the detergent can cause further irritation.

Image c/o frugalvillage.com

Pacifiers are great tools in the early months when all your baby needs is some artificial soothing. But as your child passes the yearly mark and soon has preschool (and maybe even kindergarten) lingering in his or her future, it’s time to break the habit.

Experts agree that having a pacifier during the first year of life reduces the risk of SIDS, but after your child turns one, there’s no real reason to have one. Of course, many parents don’t cross this path until their child turns two and for the rest of us…well, we all know Suri Cruise.

We have tried-and-tested (with success we may add) methods that real parents have used to get rid of their kids’ binkies. Find a method that will work for you and your tot – without the tears!

1. The Balloon Fairy. Tie your child’s pacifiers to balloons and let him or her release them to the “Balloon Fairy.” It’s a neat exercise that your child can take part in, watching the binkies soar up to the sky. When they get there, tell your child that the fairy will give the pacifiers to a new baby.

2. The New Kid in Town. Instead of your child dreaming up a scenario, let your little one actually give the pacifiers to a new cousin or sibling (if there’s not too much jealousy). That way, your child can see how his or her pacifiers are thriving with their new owner.

3. A Sour Taste. This method isn’t quite as sincere, but it gets the job done. Talk to your pediatrician or pharmacist about a safe but gross tasting substance that can be placed on the bulb of the binky. (Note: Some parents have suggested chile pepper.)

4. Snip, Snip. Pacifiers are gratifying to kids because they allow for sucking. With this method, you take away the sucking ability by snipping off the tip of the bulb. There’s nothing for kids to suck on and they’ll lose interest quickly. Just remember to use caution, as you don’t want any small pieces to fall off into your kid’s mouth.

5. Slow and Steady. Sometimes, the sudden onset of losing a best friend can be too much for a child to handle. Instead, gradually take the pacifier away by restricting it in certain places. Many preschoolers deal just fine with using a binky at night only.

For some parents, letting nature take its course is the best solution. Your child can wean him or herself when it’s time, and there are no tears to deal with in the meantime. However, it’s important to note that using the pacifier for too long can have potential health risks, as studies show that kids who use pacifiers have more ear infections and can develop mouth and teeth problems.

Image c/o parents.com

When it comes to cleaning baby bottles, a simple washing with hot water and dish soap is just not enough. Plastic bottles are a breeding ground for viruses and bacteria so it is important to sterilize the bottles properly. It is especially important to sterilize the bottles right after purchasing them and before use.

How to Sterilize baby bottles

1. Gather the bottles, caps, nipples, and pacifiers together to prepare for sterilizing.

2. Wash the items with hot water and soap.

3. Fill a pot with water and place on the stove. Turn the heat on high until boiling point.

4. Carefully place all bottle parts into the boiling water. Do not submerge more than the pot can handle. The water may bubble over.

5. Keep the bottle and items in boiling water for five minutes.

6. Take the bottle and its parts out of the pot of water with tongs or anything that may help you to avoid burning yourself.

7. Set items on a dish rack to air dry or dry them with a paper towel.

For more information on sterilizing baby bottles, check out baby basics on babyzone.com.

Image: Wikimedia Commons