New Contest – Enter to Win!

It’s time for more free stuff again!  This time the giveaway is courtesy of our friend Hollie at Real Moms – Real Views.

The team at the Real Moms blog was interesting in checking out our products for a review, so we sent them a packet of swaddle blankets and a bouncy ball.  And turns out, they loved both!

Here is a sample from their review:

“They are very soft and stretchable. I love that the fabric is very breathable so I can have her swaddled and not have to worry about her over heating. I put them in the washing machine and washed them on cold, then dried them in the dryer on low. They came out and felt just as nice as when they went in.”

Enter to win today!

So if you would like to enter to win, first hop on over to Real Moms Real Views and check out their full review.  You can then read up on their contest instructions and take your chance to win a swaddling blanket pack of your choice – absolutely free!

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!