by : Yulia Yunus

baby keepsake gifts

Baby keepsake gifts is very special for a mother because these gift can be display around the house and will remind her of precious memory when her child was a baby.  Baby keepsake gifts can also be given to the baby when he or she grow up as a family heirloom.

There are so many baby keepsake gifts available in the market, some of them can be used to help parents in daily life such as blanket, clothing or toys and another one is purposely design to hold memory throughout the years and treasured for a lifetime like picture frames, scrapbook or curl box set.  Most of those baby keepsake gifts can be personalized to make it much more special and uniqe as a personalized keepsake.

As a traditional baby keepsake gifts, you can choose something made of silver like rattles, baby spoon or lockets that engraved with baby’s name or birthday.  Or you can get very creative by making custom photo calendar with photo of mom during pregnancy, baby shower and the baby in her or his first year.

If you still not sure which baby keepsake gifts to choose, you can search for ideas, tips and guide online.  I am sure you can get the perfect  keepsake gifts that you’re looking for.  You may also consider to buy the baby keepsake gifts from online store because online store can offer various choices and sometime with cheaper price than local shop.  Since this baby keepsakes will be keep for a long time,  don’t forget to check for the quality of the baby keepsake gift.

You may want to check out my other guide on :  Colic Baby

By : Yulia Yunus

Baby Trend Jogging Stroller

Baby trend jogging stroller have been found in almost all suburban neighborhoods across the country. However, finding the right stroller could make all the difference in how much you enjoy your morning run.

Important feature of baby trend jogging stroller is the ability to unlock the pivoting front wheel in order to pilot around tight corners or better maneuver at the aisles in shopping malls etc. Back in jogging mode merely engage the wheel back into a straight position. Your child will have a comfy ride, no matter what surface you are jogging on.

Jogging strollers are certainly not a necessity for most new parents. The point of a baby trend jogging stroller is to add stability and support for the baby during a fast or bumpy ride. They are ideal for “off-road” trails and also light running or jogging. It will accommodate children up to 50 pounds. This baby trend jogging stroller is easy to fold and unfold, and the tires are simple to inflate.

Since baby trend jogging stroller is a jogging stroller a fixed front wheel is a must, thereby providing straight and easy tracking while running with the stroller.

Overall, most parents felt that the folding mechanism on the baby trend jogging stroller was quite easy to use, although one parent reported that over time, the mechanics of the stroller made folding increasingly more difficult to the point that the entire stroller eventually became impossible to fold.

Even parents who hated their baby trend jogging stroller were forced to concede that their children loved the comfy seating and oversized footrest provided. As a jogging stroller, the comfort of the driver is paramount and although 85 % of parents were quite comfortable pushing the baby trend jogging stroller.

Just thought you may be interested in reading this guide: Glass Baby Bottles and Personalized Baby Blankets

By : Yulia Yunus

Baby Food Grinder

Baby food grinder is one of important tool for every mother who always wanted to provide healthy food for their baby.  With homemade baby food, you can prevent your baby consuming additive and preservative that usually found in ready made baby food at store.

Sometimes a working mother prefer to buy jarred or can baby food because they don’t have enough time to make it by themself, when in fact  it doesn’t take much time or complicated process to make your own baby food as long as you have the right tool such as baby food grinder.

Fruits like bananas, apples and pears are the best choice for your baby first food, and you may want to choose fresh ingredients for a better nutrition.  It is wise to avoid food that can cause an allergic reaction in a baby such as strawberries, wheat, peanuts or egg whites. Another recommend fruits are potatoes, peaches, sweet potatoes, plum, brown rice or butternut squash.

Before you put the fruit in baby food grinder, wash it thoroughly to get rid of the dirt or chemical residue and steam or boil it in saucepan. To retain natural mineral and vitamin from the fruits you can choose steaming rather than boiling.

Next process is spoon the baby food into ice cube trays, cover with plactic wrap and freeze it.  After frozen, remove from the tray and keep the baby food in labeled freezer bag. Now you have a healthy and nutritious baby food supply for a week with cheaper price.

For a better result make sure that you purchase baby food grinders or food processor from a reputable company

Check out my other article: Twin Strollers and Maclaren Volo Stroller

By Yulia Yunus

Colic Baby

What is colic baby?

Colic baby is a condition which infants feel abdominal pain and cry for no apparent reason during a specific time of the day. It’s a temporary condition that usually experienced by a three weeks old baby and will disappear when the baby was 3 or 4 months, the term may be different  for each baby.  Colic baby is more common in bottle-fed baby than breast-fed baby.

Some people said colic baby is part of the process of growth in infants and you must allow nature to take its course. But for a parents especially the new one, it’s so hard to see their baby going through this phase without doing anything.

Maybe there is no cure for colic baby medically but there is something you can do to ease the pain.

What is the cause of colic?

A lot of research has been done to find the cause and the cure of colic baby, but they still can’t find the real cause of colic because it may be vary for each baby.

The most common theory of what cause colic baby is the undeveloped digestive system that can make accumulation of gas in their intestines which can’t be released.  For bottle-fed baby, the cause can be from holes on the used nipples that allowing air came into stomach when the baby sucked on the nipples for milk.

While for breast-fed baby, colic in babies can cause by mothers who eat gas producing food and consuming product that contain unsafe chemicals which trigger off allergies or allergen-containing food, and passed on to a baby through breast-milk.

Another theory for causing colic baby are lactose intolerance or intolerance to powder milk or cow’s milk.  Baby with mother who smokes during pregnancy or after birth has more chance to get colic baby.

How to prevent it?

There are no surefire way on how to prevent colic baby but here are some tips that can help you to reduce it.

1. If you are breastfed mother, you must limiting from eating gas producing foods like beans, cabbage, onions, caffeine, spicy foods or dairy product, and you must consult with your doctor for adding calcium supplement while you’re nursing.  However, there is only limited evidence that non-dairy breast milk are effective at reducing colic baby
2. If you are bottle-fed your baby, you must regulary inspect the nipples for stretched holes.
3. Be carefull when holding your baby during feeding to avoid baby taking an air from the bottle.
4. Don’t put down your baby after feeding without burp-in him previously. Hold your baby in standing position and rub their back and make sure all gas is gone.
5. If your baby lactose intolerant, you can use soy formula, but you MUST consult it with your doctor beforehand

What is the symptom?

Colic baby can be diagnosed by their behaviour. Here are few symptom you must be aware that can help you to recognize if your baby is suffering from colic baby or not.

1. Your baby crying in the specific time of the night or day, non-stop for 3 hours or more, in three times a week for almost a month
2. The crying is different with small whimper or normal crying. it’s loud and have a great deal of strength.
3. Your baby is crouching and pulling his knees close to abdominal like squeezing motion
4. His fists is clenched, his back is arched and swinging arms and legs. The feet and hand may become slightly colder.
5. The stomach feels hard or belly bloating and distended due to gas in the stomach.
6. Usually happen in the evening or late night

It is also usefull to make a journal and write down your baby’s behaviour during the crying and rule out other reason for crying like sleepy, hunger or need to change the diaper.  If there is fever, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody stool, it can indicate of more serious digestive problem and need urgent medical attention.

What should parent do for remedy or cure?

Since the cause of colic baby haven’t be found, there are no cures available for this condition. But there are something you can do to ease your baby pain.

Treatment for colic baby can be different for each baby, you must try and see which one are suitable to soothe your baby and help him going through this phase.

1. Be Patient and Don’t Panic.  Armed yourself with usefull information about colic baby from medical book, parents who has been through with colic baby, parent magazine or internet.  If you know in advance what you’re going through than you can be prepare and it can help you and your baby going through this condition. Baby will sense their parents feelings, if you’re panic, unsure, tense or stress, it can make the colic worse but if you’re calm and confident, then your baby will feel safe and secure which will help to reduce his discomfort
2. Hold your baby and get moving. Hold your baby in upright position close to your body, the warmth of your body will help to release the gas in your baby abdomen. You can also singing, rocking your baby gently and keep moving to make him relax. Some parent even take their colic baby for a car ride because the engine sound and the moving motion seem to calm and make their baby sleep.  It may take time until his discomfort subside, so you can use sling and take turn to hold your baby.
3. Touching and Massage.  Another babies colic remeday that you can try is touching and massage. Baby massage especially on the stomach can help relieve the gas and make him relax. Move his legs up and down gently and give warm application around his tummy. Lay your baby on his tummy across your lap and rub his back.
4. Swaddling your baby.  Swaddling your baby nice and tight to make him feel secure like in his mother womb.  Make sure to find the right techniques for swaddling from book or internet or you can use swaddling blankets.  But if your baby don’t like it, don’t force them.
5. Playing white noise and vibrations. According to Dr. Harvey Karp, in his book The happiest Baby on the Block, white noise can soothing a baby’s cry.  You can try this method with household appliances such as washing mechine, vacuum cleaner, dishwasher or hair dryer.  If this method is work out then you can buy the white noise cd or download it from internet.
6. Medication.  When all of above method is unsuccesfull you can try medicine like simethicone, mylicon drops, colic tablets, gripe water, peppermint, fennel or ginger for your baby.  Whatever medicine that you choose, you MUST consult with your pediatrician, before giving it to your baby and don’t forget to read dosage instructions carefully.
7. Take a break.  Having baby colic can be stressing for new mother, you should take a break once in a while to help you calm yourself. Make a list of your family, friend or babysitter that you can trust and willing to babysit your baby for awhile.

When your baby take a nap in the day, it is recommended for you to take a nap as well to minimize your sleep deprivation.

Colic in babies is a temporary condition  and nobody knows the cause or the cure of it.  Always Consult with your doctor for treatment that suitable for your baby. A  better preparation can help you going through this phase.  Don’t give your baby treatment or medicine that you can’t be sure about and always look for a second opinion.

You may want to check out my other guide on: Baby Travel Systems and Maclaren Volo Stroller

By : Yulia Yunus

Personalized baby blankets is one of choices you can give for a newborn because blankets is quite important in baby’s life. Baby love blankets for cuddle, sometime it can make him feel secure and can be treasured for a long time.

There are so many type and style of personalized baby blankets available in the market with various purpose, design, pattern, texture, colors, size, material and price from different brands.  Since blanket will be use for a long time, it is essential to choose a good quality blanket and embroidery with easy to wash material to prevent tear and worn out after few time washings

Type and Style

A swaddling blanket is most suitable for newborn baby because it can recreate womb-like feeling.  It is also has neck support and some even have velcro straps for security.  This type of blanket usually made of flannels which is washing machine-friendly and very effective to calming colic baby. Ask for detail instruction on how to use it correctly if you choose this blanket as your personalized baby blankets.

Taggy blanket is a blanket with a lot of colorful tag around the edge so your baby can rub and explore it with their little finger which is also perfect for tactile stimulation. The size of taggy blanket is smaller than conventional blanket.

Another type of personalized embroidered baby blanket is conventional baby blankets with hood or without hood and also have satin trim or lace trim.

Personalized baby blankets made from wool or fleece are best choice If you live in a cold climate, because it can keep the baby  warm and comfortable.

How to personalized a baby blanket ?

Baby blanket can be personalized by adding personal value to the blanket such as printed baby’s name, date of birth, embroidered monograms, heartfelt quotes or even nursery rhymes.

If you want to give the personalized fleece baby blanket at baby shower before the baby comes, it may be safer to knit or embroidered cute saying or famous quotes only since we didn’t know when the baby will be born and parents might change the name at the last moment.

Where to get personalized baby blankets ?

There are online or local store that offer personalized services like embroidery with minimal fee or even free if you buy the blanket from them. Since it takes time to make personalized baby blanket then it’s wise if you order 2 or 3 week in advance. Or if you know how to knit, it is best if you do it yourself because handmade blanket will be more appreciated by the parents.

I wrote another guide you may be interested in reading:  Cheap Baby Cribs and Quinny Stroller

By : Yulia Yunus

Glass Baby Bottles

Glass baby bottles has become primary choice for a mother recently. Since certain research shown that plastic bottle contain BPA and can cause several dengerous health problem, the concern parent began to restrain the use of plastic bottles and switch to glass baby bottles such as evenflo glass baby bottles.

There is so many baby bottles with various material, types, feature and sizes in the market. You must choose wisely based on priority and what is best for your baby. The variety of bottle material available in the market are glass, plastic, silicon and stainless steel. Every material have their own pros and cons.

Glass baby bottles are saver than plastic bottles because it won’t release any dengerous chemical if you pour hot water into the bottle or if you boil it in hot water for sterilization. Glass can keep warm milk longer than plastic and will not leave any bad odor like soap or bad smell of rotten milk. Glass baby bottles also eco-friendly, can be recycled and easier to clean.

The negative side of glass baby bottles is heavier, breakable and more expensive. Eventhough it was made of thicker glass than dining glass, there is still possibility of breaking or cracked which can be dengerous if small shards of glass came into the milk. The weight of the glass can also be difficult for babies to learn of self-feed.

Below are tips on how to use glass baby bottles safely :

1. Do not leave the baby alone when drinking from glass baby bottles.
2. Check the baby bottles regulary for sign of damage.
3. Do not change temperature drastically from hot to cool and vice versa because it can cracked the bottle due to extreme changes in the temperature.
4. Do not heat baby formula in microwave. Heat baby formula in non-teflon pot and pour it into the bottle when it’s warm enough.

Cleaning Glass Baby bottles

What ever baby bottles you choose, you must take same effort for cleanning and sanitizing, albeit some material are easier to clean than the others. Check the label if there is washing instruction. Basic tools to clean glass baby bottles are soap, hot water and special brush for bottles and nipples.

In order to prevent bad odor that clung to glass baby feeding bottles you must clean it immediately after use or at least get rid of the remaining milk and rinse with warm water. You still have to do this procedures whether you clean the bottles by hand or dishwashers. Put the bottles in soapy warm water than brush it gently with special brush to remove the bacteria but not scrape off the plastic if you choose to use plastic bottles. Than rinse off and dry it.

It’s highly recommended to sterilize glass baby bottles or the plastic bottles for a better sanitation especially for newborn. The process itself is very simple, you can boil baby glass bottle and nipples in the pot for five minutes than dry it with towel or air-drying. Do not boil more than 5 minutes for plastic bottles because it can ruined the shape of the bottles and can leak toxic. You can also use a sterilizing machine for practical reasons.

Choosing the right baby bottles and clean it properly will ensuring the health of your precious baby.

You may want to check out my other guide on: Baby Travel Systems and Crib Mobiles

By Yulia Yunus

Maclaren Volo Stroller

Maclaren volo stroller is one of recommended stroller for taller parents. Its high foam grip and ergonomic handles is back-saver for taller parents since they don’t have to bending to push the stroller. The simple design and high standard of safety, quality and style meets the needs of busy parents.

Maclaren volo stroller or maclaren volo umbrella stroller is made of strong aluminum that makes it lightweight and durable. One of features from Maclaren volo umbrella stroller is lockable swivel wheels and locking brake mechanism in the wheels that makes it easier to steer, you can even use one hand for turning in a corners or tight space.

The storage basket is enough for you to keep baby supplies while the seat of this stroller only have single position with removable mesh seat which is great in hot weather and easy to clean. It’s also have adjustable 5 point harness for the safety of your baby. But the lack of reclining capabilities makes Maclaren volo stroller is sometimes not recommended for long journeys.

As an umbrella-style stroller, maclaren volo stroller is collapsable and compact. You can fold it with one hand in five seconds and comes with a shoulder strap for carrying the stroller when not in use. All of this feature makes this stroller is suitable for travelling in subway, train or airplane.

Maclaren volo stroller doesn’t come with rain cover, sun shade or seat liner. You can buy it separately with additional cost around $50 to $65.

However if you are looking for more complete feature or traditional non-mesh seat you can try another model in their line such as Maclaren Techno XT or Maclaren Triumph stroller

I wrote another guide you may be interested in reading: Crib Mobiles

By Yulia Yunus

Quinny Stroller

Quinny stroller produced by dutch based manufacture that has been in this industry for several years. Quinny known for its inovation, stylish design and reliable technology. Currently quinny stroller has three model ; quinny buzz 3, quinny buzz 4 and quinny zapp stroller. Quinny buzz 3 and quinny buzz 4 have almost the same functions and features except for the front wheel where quinny buzz 3 are closer than quinny buzz 4.

Comfortability

Quinny stroller have large seat and pre-foamed cushions that can be reversed with 3 recline position when the seat facing forward and 2 recline position when the seat facing backward. When the seat recline to almost horizontal position, the baby’s legs still in sitting position. Therefore quinny stroller can not be use by baby under 6 months for this purpose you will need a carrycot that you can buy separately.

The handle are adjustable with 4 different positions to accomodate parents who have a longer stride. And one hand unfold gas machine added convenience in the use of quinny stroller.

Safety

The rear wheels of stroller are air filled and have good suspension that very useful in rough terrain. While the front wheel are swivel wheel that very good in manuever but can be locked easily. To ensure the safety of your baby, quinny strollers has brakes, bumper bar and 5 point harness.

Compactability

Quinny stroller are easy to carried because its made of lightweight aluminum and can be fold compactly. For storage Quinny buzz has buzz box that can be hangs down below are quite useful to carry baby’s diaper, purse, etc .

Accessories

The Buzz series comes with rainshield, a bug net, sun canopy, car seat converter, wheel pump, and the Buzz Box (storage bag). Other accessories that you can purchase separatly are washable footmuff and cup holder. Colors variaty of quinny stroller are strawberry, green apple, gold or black.

To help you choose the right quinny stroller, you can look for other quinny stroller reviews.

By : Yulia Yunus

Cheap Baby Cribs

Cheap baby cribs are better alternative than used baby crib for parents on budget. Why? Security is a major factor in choosing a cheap baby cribs for your baby because they will spend much time there, to sleep or play. While buying used baby crib can be dangerous for your baby since it might not meet today safety standard.

Currently a lot of retailers offering various brands of baby crib with affordable price without sacrificing the minimum safety standard. One of the benefit of buying new baby cribs, even the cheap one is its warranty. So if there is something wrong with your cheap baby cribs, the manufacturer will repair or even replace it with a new one.

Before buying cheap baby cribs, make a list of features that you need from the crib and set your budget. This will help you to determining the choice. Seek as much information as you can about cheap baby cribs from internet, parenting magazines or your friend and family who has experiance in this matter.

One of good way to find cheap baby crib are by looking for discontinued models. When manufacture releasing new model, usually they will give great discount for the older model to clearance the stock. It is wise if you choose a simple and classic model as it can be a timeless design.

Buying convertible baby crib is a good investment and great saving on a long run. There are two types of convertible crib : lifetime and 3 in 1. The 3 in 1 type can be convert from crib to toddler bed and day bed. While lifetime type can also converted to full size bed beside toddler bed and day bed. Make sure the converting proces is easy and don’t need to use a special tool.

By : Yulia Yunus

Crib Mobiles

Crib mobiles is one of the tools that you can use to stimulate your baby’s sense in the first year, because newborns haven’t developed their five sense perfectly such as sense of visual, hearing, touch, smell and taste. The good thing about baby mobile is that it can be entertaining as well as educating. Several research indicate that the use of primary senses in baby’s earlier month will help in their further development.

Crib mobiles is design with various shapes, texture, and most of all colorful which can rotate slowly. Some mobile even have pleasant sound. High contrast and solid color with different shape from the object that hanging on a baby mobile will help to stimulate baby’s sense of vision. While different texture from paper or cloth will stimulate the sense of touch, the sound from the crib mobiles will help develop the sense of hearing . Besides helping to stimulate primary sense, crib mobile can also help in physical development as baby move his head and neck to following the object or using his hand to touch it.

In order to prevent your baby getting bored or losing interest on crib mobiles, don’t forget to continuously change the object in the mobile with different shapes, texture and color. There are so many baby crib mobiles on the market with a choice of various sensory stimulation and fascinating movements.

You can also create your own crib mobiles with the help of colored paper, coat hangers, tape and any baby-safe object like rattles, blocks, teething rings or stuffed animal with a mixture of color, pattern, shape and texture to hang on the mobile. Make sure the baby crib mobiles is tied safely, balances and adjustable.

Another tips you may be interested in reading : Triple Stroller and Twin Stroller