Are you a fan of Anne Geddes? If you are a mother of an infant I am guessing you most likely are. Photographers all over the U.S are trying to emulate the gifted photography style of Anne Geddes. You know what I’m talking about, the cute little babies, especially sweet little preemies, inside of flower pots, etc. What mom wouldn’t want their little baby in one of these photos? Well, I would be lying if I said this comes at a very inexpensive price but if the truth be told, this kind of professional photography runs pretty steep.

Would you ever consider whipping out your camera and doing your own? Believe it or not this can be done and at a much cheaper price. Just call this the Anne Geddes knock off version. At this point you may be thinking; “how can this be done?” Well, if you are also a fan of Photoshop then keep reading. Your talents in Photoshop will turn your photos into something truly amazing.

There are two ways you can turn your photos into something as seen by Anne Geddes:

1. You can dress your sweet baby up in adorable costumes and use your own creative props.
2. Or, you can use your Photoshop smarts and recreate a scene from Anne Geddes.

Seems like two great options doesn’t it? Whichever option you choose, I am sure you will get absolutely darling results. Your friends and family will most definitely want to share in the fun as well. And don’t be surprised if they beg you for multiple photos.

How about you? Have you ever gotten your baby’s photo done by someone like Anne Geddes? Maybe you have gotten creative and created your own Anne Geddes scenes? Please share with us your experiences, we would love to hear from you.

Source: Digital Camera Photography News

Image: Free Digital Photos

Infant swings versus baby bouncers

For many parents deciding between what they actually need and what they simply want be a challenge, especially when it comes to products for their baby. One great example of this can be seen when comparing an infant swing to an infant bouncer.

The truth is, there is absolutely no need to purchase both of these products.  They have a limited lifespan of usefulness and they serve the same purpose. But with a little research, you can easily decide which one make more sense for your home, your needs, and your infant.

The Case for the Infant Swing

Pros: Often have more features than baby bouncers, great for infants who are soothed by the motion of a rocking chair, larger and more stable than a traditional baby bouncer

Cons: More expensive than baby bouncers, not as portable, take up more space

The Case for the Baby Bouncer:

Pros: Portability – take it with you on short trips or even just to go outside, less expensive than baby swings, smaller than a swing so easier to fit into apartments

Cons: Can have stability concerns because it is smaller and lighter, not as many features on the inexpensive models, limited range of motion

More factors to consider

Both baby bouncers and infant swings have height, weight, and sometimes even age restrictions. They are generally not meant for use by babies who are too young to support their own head, so there is a limited window of time when a baby can use these products. If you still are not sure which one is right for your baby, talk to other moms to see if you can try their swing or bouncer. If your infant loves their swing or bouncer, you will have a clear indication of which will work best.

Alternatives to boring baby bouncers

While baby bouncers are a popular soothing aid that many parents rely on, not everyone is sold on the idea of a traditional baby bouncer.

Luckily, the market for baby products is one that consistently evolves to meet the needs and desires of parents, so there are several alternative available to traditional baby bouncers that you can use to help soothe your infant, including other baby bouncer models, infant swings, and exercise or bouncing balls.

3 alternatives to baby bouncers:

- Mobile baby centers. The traditional baby bouncer model is a stationary one that is portable and can sit on the floor. However, for some parents, there are concerns about the sturdiness or stability of this model, or they simply do not find it to be effective for soothing their child. For these parents, there are different types of mobile baby centers that allow the baby to push him or herself around a room for added stimulation, or mounted on a door for greater stability.

- Infant swings. A great alterative to a bouncer, some infants prefer the motion of swinging over bouncing. These are larger, bulkier, and heavier than bouncers, but it sure is nice to simply wind it up and let baby swing.

- Bouncing or exercise ball. For parents who are tired of purchasing products that their child will not be able to use in only a few months, an exercise or bouncing ball much like the ones you can find at the gym might be the bouncing solution for your baby. Products like the Bounce a Bye Baby are useful before, during, and after pregnancy, making them a better investment than a bouncer that will be quickly outgrown. Mother and fathers can sit on the ball and use it to bounce the baby, giving the same sensation as a traditional bouncer.

The weather is heating up, and in many places, this is a great reason to get outside! As adults, we love the warmer weather, so it seems natural to want to share this with our infants.

3 “Can’t Miss” ideas for having a great time this summer with your baby:

• Blowing bubbles. Babies love bubbles, and since soapy bubbles can get sticky, this is an activity that is easier to enjoy when it can be done outside. Depending on the age of your little one, he or she might not be able to master blowing the bubbles on their own, but you will be able to bring big smile to their faces by blowing them gently and letting the baby touch and pop them.
• Get wet. Nothing feels as good as the water on a summer day, but this is something best done carefully with a baby. Babies don’t enjoy being splashed in the face, though, so be gentle when playing with a sprinkler or splashing in a pool. Drowning is also a major danger for little ones, so be very careful!
• Take a hike. Not literally, of course – a long hike could be more than a new parent and infant can handle. Taking a walk to run errands or just for fun is a great way to get outside and expose the little one to new sights. As the infant gets a little older, you can also work on developing a larger vocabulary as you identify new animals, objects, and places together.

Don’t forget a healthy dose of common sense

Everyone loves getting out and going during the summer. However, as babies are more sensitive to heat and sun exposure, make sure to temper outdoor activities with lots of shade and rest.

Use your parental instincts and make sure not to “over do” when it comes to being outdoors, especially with young infants.

Summer is definitely here and most of us are taking every opportunity to get outside and take enjoy the sunshine and warm weather. For those with young children and infants, this is a great time to do new activities together as a family.

However, there are some safety concerns unique to summer, so it is a good idea to review these to make sure that you are keeping your little ones safe.

Sun safety

Babies are much more sensitive to sun exposure than adults or even children, so babies under six months should not be in the sunlight if possible. Putting sunscreen on a child this young is also not advised on a regular basis but can be done if there is no other option.

Hydration

As the temperatures go up, it is easier to get dehydrated. You will want to drink more water, but babies under six months should not be given water. They will probably want to feed more often to compensate for the loss of fluids, so you may want to speak to your doctor about how to adjust accordingly. After six months, small amounts of water along with juicy fruit are a great way to keep him or her hydrated!

Water safety

This is the biggest safety concern for infants and toddlers. There is no substitute for parental supervision near the water, but here are some other things to keep in mind:

• Buy a hard-sided splashy pool rather than an inflatable one
• A flotation device is not the same as a safety one. Use Coast Guard approved devices only.
• Do not allow a child in a kiddie pool if he or she is under 1 year of age.

With these tips, you are on your way to a great summer with your baby!

When the weather is warm, it can be hard to encourage your little ones to get outside. After all, who wants to walk into a wall of humidity and heat when the air conditioning and couch are available indoors? However, getting your kids active is a great goal to set this summer.

Make time for fun part of their daily routine

With so much free time, this is the perfect opportunity to work on developing habits that your child will be able to maintain for the rest of their lives.

Make fitness and healthy living fun by incorporating games. It is easy to forget that what you are doing is actually good for you if you are having a good time and competing against friends. During the warm months, it’s a good idea to involve water in the games because it is something that the kids can’t do during the rest of the year and it will keep them cooler despite the heat.

Here are some ideas for fun water games you can play this summer with your kids:

Marco Polo – with one child being “it,” keeping his or her eyes closed, and calling out “Marco,” the other kids respond with “Polo” and try not to be tagged. Once tagged, the next child becomes “it.”

Treasure Hunt – throw coins or other sinkable objects into the deep end of the pool and the older kids can compete to see who can collect the most.

Water Limbo – using a hose instead of a traditional limbo stick, the rest of the game stays the same. See how low you can go!

Summer is approaching, and that means that parents will have more unscheduled time with their children. Without school taking up the majority of the day, children have the freedom to pursue any number of activities. For many families, summer day or sleep away camps are a great way to fill that time and broaden the horizons of the children.

However, this may not be a viable option this summer, which means that parents will be looking for innovative ways to keep their kids occupied. At Luna Lullaby, we believe in a healthy and balanced lifestyle, so we encourage kids to get off the couch, away from the computer or television, and get outside this summer!

3 Ways to Get Out and Have Summer Fun!

#1 – Go Swimming

It’s hot outside, which means it’s a great time to get in the water. Swimming burns more calories than other types of cardiovascular exercise, so it’s a great way to get in shape while staying cool.

#2 – Go Biking

Some people do not enjoy being in the pool, and even those who love the water may look forward to a way to shake things up and do something new. The great thing about biking is that you can travel greater distances than running or walking, so it is easy to make a day trip out of your physical activity.

#3 – Just go play

It seems obvious enough, but having fun is a great way to stay active. With longer hours of sunlight during summer months, it’s a great time to get some kids from the neighborhood and start a game of freeze tag or capture the flag.