Modern Day Baby Nurseries

Bringing home baby is a big deal, especially when its Mom's first baby. Of course Mom wants a nursery that will be functional, warm, cozy, and CUTE. But usually Moms go overboard on making the Nursery look like exactly that...a Nursery. It becomes a problem when time flies before your very eyes and Baby is now a fast growing pre-teen, who wants a room makeover. So what do Mom's suggest as a resolution? What can new Moms do to prevent designing this room a second or third time in the future?

Well it is really quite simple...Design the nursery in a broad aspect. Use colors that are gender specific but also neutral so that the room goes with the rest of the house. For example, Girls' nurseries are usually painted pink, but is it for certain that she'll LOVE pink as she gets older? It depends. So why not be on the safe side? Use neutral tones geared towards femininity but use pink accessories to highlight your nursery. Bedding is a easy way to do so as well as lamps and figurines. Use pink picture frames or pillows to accent the rocking chair. Simple little things that can be changed over time, can save loads of time, energy and MONEY.

Some parents have already gone ahead and painted their nurseries colors that will probably habitat that room for many years to come, so how can Mom temporarily decorate her new baby's nursery without making it worse?? Well BabyVision suggests Wall Decals. They're perfect for any room and any wall! Plus Moms who want to lean towards neutral wall colors, can use these decals to brighten up the room and add some flare to the design. They're totally safe for Baby and so adorable too!

Personalize them as well!!

Baby Bath Time Safety Tips

1. Prepare everything you'll need for Baby's bath time.

Create a checklist:

A. Hooded Towel F. Bath Toys

B. Baby Bath Tub G. Lotion

C. Wash Cloth H. Diaper

D. Shampoo for Babies I. Wipes

E. Baby Body Wash J. Clean Clothes

2. Fill your baby's tub to an appropriate level and always check the water's temperature. It shouldn't be too hot or too cold. Warm water is best for baby.

3. If you're bathing Baby in the bathroom, try closing the door to keep in the warmth so they don't get the shivers after bath time. Its even recommended that you turn the thermostat up a couple of notches, just during bath time.

4. Keep everything you'll need after the bath right in the room where you'll be bathing your baby. That means a towel, diaper, wipes, lotion and clean clothes.

5. NEVER EVER EVER leave Baby unattended!!!! Always keep an eye on your baby while bathing, don't leave for a phone call, the front doorbell or for any other reason! Babies can drown or hurt themselves in a spilt second, so don't EVER chance it.

6. Make sure that when you take your baby out of the tub, that you have a good grip or else Baby can slip out of your hands.

7. Make sure that you have a flat and secure surface to put your baby onto afterwards. Wrap baby up in a hooded towel and pat dry.

8. Lightly lather Baby up in some sweet smelling lotion and quickly dress your baby with cozy clean clothes .

9. Most importantly...ALWAYS MAKE BATH TIME FUN FOR YOU AND YOUR BABY!

Babymallonline.com has great bath time specials! Towels, bath toys, washcloths, robes, and bath tubs made just for BABY! Click the link below to check them out!

Blog inspired by: http://www.planningfamily.com/babies/baby-care/bath-time-safety/

What Moms Should Know About Pacifiers

Pacifiers can be extremely useful to parents, especially when Baby is crying and becoming irritable. Moms know that pacifiers often save the day, especially when Mom is busy and can't feed Baby right away. They also help Baby go right to sleep when they're cranky or aren't feeling well. Yes Pacifiers seem to be made just for Mom's convenience but are they?

Studies show that Pacifier use can reduce the chances of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and also stimulates Baby to produce saliva which ultimately may reduce chances that Baby will experience acid reflux also commonly known as Heart Burn. Saliva is a natural digestive aid and intestinal lubricant.

Pacifiers also have their cons, within reason of course. Pacifier use should always be supervised and should be kept to a minimum with some babies. Some children tend to rely on them as they get older and can lead to dental issues later on. Its also seen to lead to ear infections, although this is rarely heard of. If pacifiers are used too soon, some babies have trouble adjusting to nursing and cause irritability on both ends.

The best advice for Moms? Do your research and consult with a pediatrician before use. Each baby is different ad therefore usage amongst them will also vary. Always make sure your decisions are SAFE for Baby but also convenient for Mom.

Want to know more? Check these pages out!

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pacifiers/PR00067

More info on preventing SIDS : http://www.idph.state.il.us/sids/sids_factsheet.htm

http://www.newstimes.com/health/article/Serotonin-may-be-the-key-to-SIDS-879571.php

Check out our Pacifiers and other great safety products!

https://www.babymallonline.com/catalog/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Pacifier&osCsid=d3eb3df5c74f1dc1c7585e2cdd1832df&x=0&y=0&search_in_description=1

Christmas Portraits Gone Wrong? Tips on How to Get Great Baby Poses!

Have a new addition to the family this year and don't know how to get your baby to sit still for the family portrait? Stressed that the holiday cards will be a disaster this year from fidgety kids? No worries! BabyMallOnline is here to help. We've researched all the tips and have summarized them all up for you. Mom, you can breathe now...

• First and foremost make sure that you have the perfect outfit picked out for baby, an outfit made for an angel but made for smiles. Make sure that your baby is comfortable, you're going to need multiple shots to ensure a picture perfect moment and therefore you'll be in the studio for more than a few minutes.
• Make sure everyone is well rested, that includes you and baby. You don't want a cranky face to end the year with and Moms certainly don't want to bring out their frustrations on the photographer or worse, on Baby.
• Be sure to pick out a good photographer. Most photographers who specialize in family portraits are great with kids and know exactly what to do to get baby's attention and get great pictures. If you can select a professional, Mom shouldn't have any worries.
• If Mom is deciding to take her own family pictures this holiday, make sure to have a focal point for baby. One toy is sufficient, as you don't want to distract baby from their pose.
• Think of the photo shoot as a game so that baby will have fun and won't be scared. A newly boughten feather duster is popular amongst photographers. They tickle baby for a few seconds, snatch it back, and "POP"! The result?...An angelic smile and a perfect holiday card to send to the family.
• Make sure to stay close to your baby during the photo shoot. Some children need to see their parents when in a new environment and especially when dealing with new people.
• After all is said and done, praise baby and reward them with a new toy or healthy snack.

There are several other ways to create perfect holiday photos. Technology has allowed Moms to use different shots to create one perfect one, using software such as photoshop or drugstore kodak kiosks allows the family be silly and fun through all the photos and Mom can still send grandma the picture she wants.

Want more tips? Check these links out..

http://www.digitalcamerainfo.com/content/Surviving-Studio-Photos-with-the-Kids.htm

http://baby.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Baby's_First_Christmas_Picture

Need Holiday Portrait Ideas? Check out this Youtube video..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLFgCRmLTqA&feature=related

We've got Holiday outfits for baby!

https://www.babymallonline.com/catalog/holiday.php?osCsid=ltjhsilgjqb62rmdfbnh9u7id2

New Mommies Beware of "Mommy Thumb"

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703350104575653223648778294.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Mommy Thumb

Mommy thumb also known as De Quervains Tendinitis affects between "one quarter and one half of new mothers". It's caused by constant lifting and even more so when lifting children under the armpits or what's known as the "L-shape" hand form. As many cribs have been modified to be lowered for safety purposes, many mothers are forced to now apply more pressure and weight onto their hands when lifting their children. Symptoms often include pain on the thumb side of the wrist, sporadic aches throughout the hand and in many cases pain that can reach all the way up to the forearm. Some mothers experience these pains during pregnancy which could be a result of swelling which then adds pressure to the already stressed tendons, making the pain quite noticeable. Doctors also think that with smart phones and the age of texting, this pain is not just contributed by "heavy" children and frequent lifting. "Mommy thumb" affects two tendons in the hand, the abductor pollicis longus and the extensor pollicis extensor. These tendons are used to move the thumb seperate from the rest of the hand, such as moving the thumb up to the ceiling when hands are flat on the table. This condition is preventable as well as treatable.

Prevention

New moms are advised to do the following in order to ensure overall hand comfort and a pain free feeding:

• Controlled Hand Exercises to Create Active Tolerance - Your hands have muscles too! Runners stretch their legs before running, Mommies should stretch their hands before grabbing!
• Use Different Grabbing Techniques - Using different ways to pick up your child will help equal out the pressure and stress on certain joints and muscles all over your body. (For example: Try scooping your child up by placing the palms of your hands under the back of baby and resting baby's torso and legs on your forearms.
• Give Your Arm a Break! - Try using a pillow under baby's head while feeding to alleviate some of the pressure on your forearm and your hands.

Treatment

Treatments vary according to severity and is why Mommies should speak to their doctors about any medications and treatments.

• Ice and OTC Anti-inflammatory Drugs- may reduce some of the swelling but often times does not make the pain go completely away.
• Fitted Splints- can help Moms to keep their thumbs from making any painful movements and can also help reduce pressure on the tendons. Often Moms have to use this as well as steroid injections to get rid of the condition.
• Steroid Injections- If two shots don't help talk to your doctor about surgery, "too many injections can weaken the tendons to the point of rupture". We definitely don't want that for our new Mommies!
• Hand Surgery- Is the last resort treatment and usually helps 4 out of every 5 people who get it. Some experience hand problems even after surgery so make sure its right for you and your condition.

Want to learn more??

Check out this simple video on Mommy Thumb on Youtube.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaCq_Sk7-Pk

BabyMallOnline.com has great products for New Mommies and the New Baby! We care for your little star!

Check out our Baby Bottles for Baby's and Mommy's comfort :

BabyMallOnline.com Introduces RoomMates Wall Decor

BabyMallOnline.com, a leading online baby products retailer, has added several RoomMates wall decals to the wide variety of baby products already available on the site.

These stickers are removable, repositionable and reusable wall decals for fast, easy, fun and non-commital decorating. They are prefect to liven up plain walls, and complement a variety of cute bedding sets available on babymallonline.com. These decals can be used to decorate nearly any smooth surface.

These decals are very easy to use: just peel and stick! Babymallonline.com has a variety of designs available, which offer simple, worry-free decorating for babies and kids.

To check out the RoomMates wall decals on Babymallonline.com, go to: https://www.babymallonline.com/catalog/wall_decor.php

Donor Milk May Lack Nutrients For Preemies

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40459216/ns/health/

Breast milk helps protect premature babies from potentially fatal complications, but sometimes mothers of preemies are unable to produce breast milk because their body is not ready at that stage to produce milk, or the stress of having a premature baby might make them unable to produce milk.

Preemie babies are often fed with donated breast milk, meant to supplement what the mother provides. But a new study shows that donor milk may lack key nutrients. Researchers found that donated breast milk did not contain enough of a fatty acid that tiny babies need for their developing nervous systems, and also lacked amino acids, the building blocks of proteins.

One good thing that the researchers found is that pasteurizing donor milk - needed to kill any lingering microbes, which could be deadly to preemies with developing immune systems - did not affect any nutrients, suggesting this step doesn't strip donor milk of what preemies need.

Dr. Hawley Montgomery-Downs, who was not involved in the study, said women's bodies have an amazing capacity to adapt to their babies' requirements. "The woman is producing milk for her baby that is just right for the baby at that age," said Montgomery-Downs. Milk expressed for a normal-term baby may simply be somewhat inadequate for a preemie's higher nutritional needs, she explained.

Researchers are currently investigating whether adding protein powder to donor milk boosts the amino acid content. But when it comes to DHA, it's not as simple as just supplementing donor samples, since the extra fatty acid could displace the balance of other nutrients.

Instead, her team is testing whether asking moms to eat more DHA from sources such as fish, algae and eggs of chicken fed extra DHA, improves the fatty acid content of their breast milk.

Tips For A Cleaner Diaper Change

http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/germ-fighting-guide-10/healthy-diapering

Diaper changes are one of the least enjoyable parts of being a new parent. Below are some tips to make this process as clean as possible and limit the spread of germs.

• Choose a good location. If possible, a changing station in the bathroom is your best option because you are close to the sink. Wherever you change your baby, always do it in the same spot to avoid spreading germs all over your house.

• Be prepared. Always start a diaper change with everything you need, so you don't have to jump up in the middle of the change and open a cabinet or grab something, potentially spreading germs.

• Wipe carefully. With a girl, always wipe from front to back. With a boy, always put a clothing over his penis to prevent a spray of urine during a diaper change.

• Roll up the diaper carefully. If you can roll up the diaper and reseal the adhesive tabs, you'll have a ball that's more or less germ-free on the outside.

• Get a diaper pail. Special diaper pails like the Diaper Champ, Diaper Dekor, and Diaper Genie, can be helpful in controlling the smell, and can also help reduce the spread of germs and keeping kid's hands away from dirty diapers.

• Use distractions. Keep a couple toys up on the changing table that you can use to divert your baby's attention when he or she is squirming during a change.

• Double check. Flailing hands and feet have a tendency to land in poop. After your baby is changed, but before he or she is dressed, make sure that he's still clean.

• Wash baby's hands. This is a good idea whether or not you've seen your baby touch anything gross.

• Wash your own hands right away. If you're not near a sink, you can use alcohol-based gel, just make sure to keep the bottle out of the baby's reach.

Also remember to clean and disinfect the changing area and diaper pad cover regularly.

WiFi 3G Turns Your iPhone Into A Baby Monitor

http://www.fastcompany.com/1707195/wifi-baby-3g-turns-your-iphone-into-a-baby-monitor

A family-owned start-up called WiFi Baby has come out with a way to turn your iPhone, iPad, or other device into a baby monitor. This way you can keep an eye on your little one no matter how far away you are, and you avoid the static of many traditional monitors.

This device, which costs $279, is a camera that also acts as a computer, offering password protected connection to any enabled device. You just have to download compatible apps - MultiLive or Baby Monitor HD - and you can watch your baby on your iPhone or Droid. The camera streams HD video and audio, and even has motion-detection and night vision too.

What To Do When Your Baby Has A Fever

http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/crying-colic-9/temperature-fever

A fever in the first few months of a baby's life is particularly worrying because an infant's immature immune system is not as effective in fighting off infections as it will be after 3 or 4 months of living outside the womb. For this reason, it is very important to learn how to correctly take your baby's temperature and understand what signifies a true fever.

Doctors say that a baby has a fever if the temperature rises to 38C (100.4F), or above. Taking your baby's temperature a few times when he or she is well will help you learn what their normal temperature is.

Fever can be cause by dehydration or over-bundling with clothes in a relatively warm environment. A good general rule is to dress your baby in just one more layer of clothing than you feel comfortable in.

Most commonly, fever is caused by an infection. The body's immune system sends a chemical message to the brain's temperature center instructing it to increase heat in the body. This is because some bacteria and viruses don't like the higher temperature and are then more easily destroyed by the immune system. Also, the higher body temperature helps the body to ward off the infection. In this way, a fever lets us know that an infection may be brewing and helps to fight off the infection.

Any fever in the first few months could indicate a significant infection requiring immediate attention. All children under two months old with a true fever need a medical evaluation.

Even if your baby doesn't have a temperature high enough to be called a fever, if he or she appears to be sick in any way - irritability, listlessness, lethargy, poor feeding, respiratory distress, rash, vomiting, diarrhea, etc., you should contact your doctor.