Few subjects are as hotly debated among parenting experts and pediatricians as the practice of bed sharing with infants. While many attachment parenting gurus sing the praises of co-sleeping, it’s important for new parents to make fully informed decisions about the sleeping arrangement they choose for their new bundle of joy. These are 10 of the reasons why you may want to think twice before entering into a bed sharing arrangement with your new infant.

• You’re Not Breastfeeding – The most common reason for parents to opt for a bed sharing arrangement is in order to practice breastfeeding on demand. Breastfeeding certainly doesn’t reduce the chances of overlying or accidental suffocation, but choosing to share a bed when you’ll be forced to get up in order to prepare formula does nothing to mitigate sleep deprivation during Baby’s first few months of life.
• You Drink Alcohol, Even Socially – One of the most common factors in cases of suffocation or overlying was the consumption of alcohol before sleeping. If you or your partner drinks at all, even socially, it’s simply not safe to run the risk of sharing a bed when you’ve been imbibing.
• You Plan to Have Pillows or Blankets on Your Bed – The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies be placed on their backs to sleep, in cribs that do not contain plush blankets, fluffy pillows or toys that could present a risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Because your bed will almost certainly contain pillows and blankets, you might want to give the practice of bed sharing a second thought.
• You’re a Smoker – A study published in the SLEEP journal showed a correlation between maternal cigarette smoking and an increased risk for SIDS due to an association between maternal smoking and an alteration in the infant arousal process. The authors of that study suggested that maternal sleeping was the greatest modifiable risk factor for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, replacing even stomach sleep positions. Because bed sharing has also been associated with infant mortality, it’s wise to forgo the arrangement altogether if Mommy is a smoker.
• You Share Your Bed With Older Children – The more bodies in your bed, the higher the likelihood of someone accidentally rolling over onto a vulnerable newborn that’s also sharing the space. If you have older children that still sleep in your bed, sharing is far from an ideal arrangement.
• You Plan to Transition to a Crib Later – Some babies have a more difficult time transitioning to a crib in their own rooms after a lifetime of bed sharing with Mom and Dad. The transition may be relatively smoother when your baby reaches six months of age, but can get more difficult to successfully make at a later age.
• Your Baby Was Premature – Premature babies are also at a higher risk of SIDS than most, which means that bed sharing only introduces another factor that could increase that risk as well. Stacking risky behavior on top of a non-controllable factor can definitely be construed as reckless.
• Your Bed is Elevated – Even if you never roll over onto your child, there’s never an incidence of suffocation or SIDS and your baby never becomes wedged between the mattress and a headboard or wall, most beds are still high enough off the ground to present a risk of serious injury should your infant roll off of the bed.
• Your Bedroom Can Accommodate a Crib – Non-elective bed sharing happens when financial circumstances or severe space constraints force parents to share a bed with their new baby and has been linked to an increased risk of infant mortality in a study sponsored by the University of Notre Dame. If you do have room for a crib and are not forced by circumstance to share a bed with your new baby, it’s better to err on the side of caution by room sharing without sharing a bed.
• You Want Your Bedroom to Be a Calming Retreat – While the American Academy of Pediatrics does recommend room sharing, there are still plenty of parents that opt to put Baby to sleep in her own room. If you have any desire to create an environment in which your bedroom is a reprieve from the demands of parenting, sharing a bed with your new baby is not the way to make those dreams a reality.

The American Academy of Pediatrics does recommend room sharing, but not the practice of sleeping in the family bed. The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission has also ordered the recall of some devices intended to place infants alongside an adult bed for easy access, so be sure that you carefully research any products before purchasing them. Remember that co-sleeping doesn’t necessarily mean sharing the same bed, as the term is generally used to describe an arrangement in which newborns and infants sleep in a crib or bassinette placed in their parents’ bedrooms.

Breastfeeding your baby provides her with the most complete form of nutrition available and exposes her to antibodies that can decrease her risk of contracting some illnesses. Breast milk is such a valuable commodity that it’s often referred to as “liquid gold,” and is even banked in some communities so that babies whose mothers aren’t capable of breastfeeding can still receive the nutrition they need. The World Health Organization recommends that babies be breastfed exclusively for the first year of life, but what’s a mom to do when she plans to return to work at the end of her scheduled maternity leave? Convincing a breastfed baby to take a bottle can be a challenge for even the most experienced caregiver, but it’s not impossible. These tips can help you get your child accustomed to accepting sustenance from a bottle so that she’s well fed when Nanny’s in charge.

Start Early

While attachment parenting guru Dr. Sears does suggest that babies under four weeks of age not be introduced to bottle feeding to avoid nipple confusion, he also asserts that introducing a bottle around two weeks before Mom’s scheduled return to work can ease the transition. Slowly integrating bottle feeding in the weeks leading up to your return doesn’t have to mean that you’re switching to expressed milk exclusively, either. As long as you’re alternating between the breast and the bottle with only one or two bottle feedings per day, she should be able to adapt to both methods.

Practice With Dad

Watching Mom bond with the new baby and be exclusively responsible for feeding can be a bit frustrating for a new dad who feels that he’s been sidelined when it comes to the care of his child. When you start introducing bottle feeding in preparation for your return to work and the employment of a nanny, let Dad take the reins with bottles. Not only will this help your baby become accustomed to the idea of being fed by someone other than Mom, but also give the two of them time to bond as well.

Mimic Mom’s Scent

Draping a shirt that smells like Mom over the shoulder of someone else doing the bottle feeding can have good results when it comes to helping a breastfed baby take a bottle. The Palo Alto Medical Foundation suggests this method, asserting that some babies will find the scent of Mom to be comforting enough to encourage successful bottle feeding in her absence.

Make Mom Leave the Room

Bottle feeding a breastfed baby is typically more difficult if Mom is in the room, as it reminds a baby that her mother is nearby and that there is a breast available. Getting Mom to leave the room during bottle feeding sessions might help them to be more productive, and is especially important if it’s almost time for her return to work.

Experiment With Positioning

Just as every adult is different and each has their own set of individual likes and dislikes, so are babies. Some may prefer to be fed from a bottle while sitting upright or even facing away from a caregiver, while others respond better to the traditional cradle hold with plenty of skin contact and interaction that mimics the breastfeeding experience to a degree. Be prepared to try variable positioning to find what your baby responds to best.

Don’t Wait Until Baby is Extremely Hungry

Attempting to introduce a new experience or help an infant master an unfamiliar skill when she’s desperately hungry isn’t likely to have successful results. The feeling of being hungry is frustrating enough, and being unfamiliar with the sensation of feeding in a different way will only exacerbate that anxiety. Rather than waiting until a baby is extremely hungry in hopes that she’ll latch onto any form of sustenance available, try to bottle feed her when she’s feeling a bit more secure and content.

Choose Your Nipples Carefully

Silicone nipples designed for premature babies are recommended by the La Leche League for breastfed babies in preparation for a nursing mother’s return to work, but there are a variety of options on the market. As with positioning, every baby will have their own individual preferences. Try to have a variety of nipples on hand, and don’t be discouraged if one doesn’t seem to work out well. Baby’s refusal of one nipple doesn’t necessarily mean that he won’t accept a bottle at all; it just may require a bit more experimentation to find the one that he likes.

Becoming a parent is an exciting moment in your life, but it also a hectic one. There are so many questions to answer that entire sections of bookstores are dedicated to the demystification of pregnancy and early childhood; still, it’s not always easy to understand every aspect of parenting a newborn. Your baby’s first well child visit is a great opportunity to ask her pediatrician all of the questions that have been plaguing you, and to get a personal response instead of impersonal information printed in a book. These are ten of the questions that you should ask your pediatrician at your baby’s first checkup, along with any others that may be plaguing you.

1. “How Can We Reduce the Risk of SIDS?” – Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is relatively rare, but it’s a heartbreaking situation that you should be well-informed about in order to mitigate the risk. Speaking with your pediatrician about the best practices and accepted methods of doing so is essential to her health, and something that should be addressed as early as possible.
2. “What Should I Know About Umbilical Cord Care?” – That little stump left over from your child’s umbilical cord can be a confusing thing to deal with, and your pediatrician can help you to understand it more thoroughly. While the labor and delivery nurses will almost always give you a crash course in umbilical cord care before you leave the hospital, it’s easy to lose track of those tips in the onslaught of advice and information you’re given. Approaching the subject with your pediatrician can make it a bit less confusing.
3. “Is Our Feeding Routine an Effective One?” – Whether you’re breastfeeding or you opted for formula, you’ll need to keep track of your feeding times, the duration of each session and how much your child takes at every feeding so that you can ask your pediatrician for verification that your routine is working out properly.
4. “Can You Recommend a Lactation Consultant?” – Breastfeeding is recommended by the World Health Organization as the exclusive source of nutrition for your child’s first year of life, but that doesn’t mean that it’s always easy. Because your pediatrician is focused on the care of your child more than the care of her parents, it’s wise to ask for a lactation consultant recommendation if you’re having difficulty breastfeeding.
5. “Should I Wake My Baby For Feedings?” – Even in the earliest days of your child’s life, you want her to sleep as much as possible so you can get a bit of rest as well. Still, it’s difficult to know whether or not you should wake her for a scheduled feeding. Your pediatrician can give you answers to questions related to sleeping and feeding, helping you to make an informed decision.
6. “How Many Diapers Should We Be Using?” – There’s a reason why the hospital staff kept track of your newborn’s diaper changes: they can be a valuable source of information. Quizzing your baby’s doctor about the expected frequency of diaper changes can help you both determine whether or not everything is progressing as expected.
7. “When Should We Give Her a Bath?” – When your child gets older, she’ll discover a talent for getting filthy that defies imagination. During early infancy, however, it’s not always clear when she needs a bath. Rather than bathing her too frequently and running the risk of drying out or irritating delicate skin, you may want to discuss the matter with her doctor.
8. “Can You Explain Your Recommended Immunization Schedule?” – Some parents opt to forgo immunization altogether, but vaccination is one of the most reliable ways to prevent the spread of infectious disease and lower your child’s risk of contracting dangerous illnesses. Discussing the matter with your pediatrician at length is recommended before you decide to skip them altogether.
9. “Do You Provide On-Call Care, and Is Your Practice Reachable After Hours?” – There will be times in your baby’s life that she’s sick enough to require care after hours, but not so sick that a trip to the emergency room is justified. For this very reason, most pediatricians offer after-hours services and on-call care, and you’ll need to know how to obtain that help when it’s needed.
10. “What Will Happen If You’re Not Available?” – Doctors and nurses go on vacation just like anyone else, and they also deal with personal emergencies that can remove them from the office. In larger pediatric practices, you will probably be seen by another doctor within the practice if an appointment or illness happens when your regular pediatrician is unavailable. Being prepared for this situation in advance can make it less stressful for you, and may provide you with the opportunity to meet the other pediatricians within the practice as a formality.

Making a list of questions for your pediatrician, including these and any others you may have, can help to keep you on track during the appointment so that nothing is forgotten. Don’t hesitate to pursue information you don’t have; a good pediatrician will never make you feel rushed or like a burden for taking up his time with parenting questions.

When you enter into a romantic relationship with someone, you aren’t just inviting a new person into your life, you’re inviting his family, too. Not everyone gets along with their significant other’s parents though, and if you reach a stage where you start referring to your husband’s family as “the dreaded in-laws,” then you know you have a problem. Cranky, overbearing or pushy in-laws can put considerable strain on a relationship, and while you can try to avoid your in-laws, that inevitably just creates more problems. The best option when dealing with cranky in-laws is to face the problem as a couple. These 30 blogs will help you understand why your in-laws are so cranky, and what you can do to deal with the situation.

Understanding Cranky People

The first step towards creating a harmonious relationship with your in-laws is learning what makes them cranky. In-laws are no more predisposed towards crankiness than anyone else. There are psychological triggers involved; all of which are easily overcome with the right approach and attitude. These five blogs delve into the minds of the cranky, angry and confrontational and provide you with invaluable insight into the psyche of your grumpy in-laws.

• Controlling Angry People
• 7 Mistaken Assumptions Angry People Make
• How to Deal with Conflict and Cranky People
• What causes Anger?  What makes a person angry?
• 10 Ways to Deal with Negative or Difficult People

Preparing for a Stress-Free Visit

There is much that you can do to prepare for visiting in-laws before they arrive so that everything goes as smoothly as possible. By making sure that you are completely stress-free in anticipation of your in-laws’ arrival, you can set the tone and atmosphere for the visit. Every relationship is a two-way street, which means you bear equal responsibility for making an effort. In these five blogs you will find expert tips on preparing for visiting in-laws.

• Why I’m not cranky this Thanksgiving
• 5 Tips For Dealing With Your In-Laws
• Exercises That Kill Stress
• Preparing for Your Mother-in-Law’s Holiday Visit!
• Stress Exercises

Advice Column Tips

Sometimes just getting things off your chest can go a long way towards relieving the frustration of dealing with in-laws. Communicating your feelings with your partner is important too, without letting anger or resentment rule over the discussion. It is also good to know that you’re not alone and that others have had similar experiences with their own in-laws. These five blogs contain first-hand accounts, tips and advice from people who have dealt with cranky in-laws.

• Come as you are, as you were, as I want you to be
• Help! I’m Fighting An In-Law Battle On My Own!
• Your In-Law Survival Guide
• Page advice: Dealing with in-laws
• Disliking Your In-Laws

General In-Law Tips

Problems with in-laws can involve any member of your partner’s family. Remember, you did not get to choose who your in-laws are, nor did they get to choose you. There is a very good chance that you will have conflicts with at least one person in your partner’s family, so it’s best to know how to deal with any situation. These five blogs provide general advice on dealing with cranky in-laws; whether it’s your mother-in-law, sister-in-law or your partner’s second cousin, twice removed.

• Family Squabbles and Cranky Relatives
• Short Ramblings of a Daughter-in-Law
• How to Deal with a Mother-In-Law That Drives You Crazy
• The Trouble With In-Laws: Holiday Edition
• Surviving the In-Laws

Pushy Parents and Grandparents

Parents and grandparents are the most likely in-laws to become cranky; which usually results from you or your partner not doing things their way. They may have the best intentions in the world, but if it is causing problems in your relationship, it’s time to set the record straight. Remember, this is a very sensitive situation, so read these five blogs for tips on how to approach pushy parents and grandparents.

• When In-Laws Feel More Like Outlaws
• How Do I Deal With My Pushy, Controlling, Negative In-Laws?
• Managing Your Mother-In-Law: How to Have a Healthy Relationship
• When Grandma’s a Little Overbearing
• Dealing with Toxic Grandparents

Vacationing In-Laws

A flying visit is one thing, but when you are spending an extended period of time with your in-laws, relationships can become quite strained. You can survive vacationing with your in-laws; you just need the right tools and tips to get you through. These five blogs will help you make the most of your holidays, without worrying about those cranky in-laws.

• 10 Ways to Survive the Next Visit With Your Mother-In-Law
• Five Survival Tips for Visiting In-Laws (or Out-Laws) Over the Holidays
• Don’t Roll Your Eyes: Making the In-Laws into Family
• Dividing the Holidays
• Dreading the in-laws on Thanksgiving

Pregnancy is both a wonderful and challenging time in a woman’s life. From the planning stage right through to the day of delivery, tracking your baby’s progress becomes a labor of love. You will want to know what your baby looks like, how he is coping and whether you are doing everything right to keep him safe and well nourished. Equipping your iPhone with the best tools to guide you through your pregnancy is a good place to start. These ten apps from the iTunes store are perfect for helping moms track every stage of pregnancy.

1. What to Expect – From the authors of the book that has been dubbed “the pregnancy bible of America” comes the free app, “What to Expect when you’re Expecting.” You can accurately calculate your due date, track your baby’s progress week-by-week, and set a countdown to your due date. The app is an extension of the huge community of expectant and new moms at the What to Expect website.
2. Pregnancy Sprout Lite – Whether you are expecting your first, second or tenth baby, this free app is an extremely useful tool. Expectant moms can use Sprout to plan doctor visits, record symptoms and create a hospital bag checklist. The app also has a number of other features, including the ability to create a list of useful comments and advice from the “Doctor Says” section of the app.
3. ExpectingBaby by Enfamil – This free app from Enfamil is packed full of features that will take you through every stage of your pregnancy. ExpectingBaby comes with a built-in countdown timer, weekly developmental facts and intelligent checklists to help you stay organized throughout your pregnancy. When you begin experiencing contractions, the app will help you keep time, as well as allow you to contact friends and family with a quick notification feature. If you should find yourself too far away from your chosen hospital, use the app’s integrated map tool to find the closest alternative.
4. Pilates for Pregnancy – Complete – The main purpose of this $9.99 app is keeping mom fit and well during all stages of her pregnancy. Pilates for Pregnancy is broken up into three stages, which reflect the exercise needs of expectant moms according to trimester. Although this app focuses on pregnancy fitness, there are also a number of other features, including a pregnancy planner, photo album and journey.
5. My Pregnancy Today – Encapsulating the knowledge of their own Medical Advisory Board and that of a 25 million strong community of moms, Baby Center has released this magnificent free app. You can track your baby’s progress with images, checklists and videos, monitor your calorie count and manage all your appointments with one easy to use interface.
6. WebMD Pregnancy – Expectant moms can put many of their pregnancy concerns to rest with this free app from WebMD. With over 600 articles that deal with nutrition, common pregnancy conditions, symptoms and concerns, the app essentially has the answer before you ask the questions. There is also a customizable “ask my doctor” feature, which provides you with a list of common questions that you can take to each doctor appointment.
7. Pregnancy Health – This no-frills, free app acts as an aide to expectant moms who are concerned about pregnancy and baby-associated health risks. Every health-related topic is covered, including cesarean section, child birth, diabetes and postpartum care. The app uses a customized search engine, which returns results specific to pregnancy and healthcare.
8. Baby Names – There are over 60,000 boys’ and girls’ names available on this free app, which are searchable by name, meaning or popularity. You can learn practically everything you need to know about each name on the list, including origins, pronunciation and popularity ranking.
9. Pregnancy Food No-No’s – One aspect of pregnancy that often causes confusion is what mom can and cannot eat. The simple, free app “Pregnancy Food No-No’s” is a comprehensive guide to the foods you need to avoid. The app is broken down into easy to navigate categories according to common food groups.
10. Pregnancy Handbook FREE – If you’re a bookworm and expecting mom, this is a free app that you’ll want to have on your iPhone. There are 12 chapters in all in the Pregnancy Handbook, with familiar eBook functionality that allows you to easily navigate and mark chapters. This app is both an enjoyable read and comprehensive reference tool for prospective and pregnant moms.

Planning your child’s first birthday party is a big deal.  While it’s unlikely that your child will remember anything about the day, the pictures from this momentous occasion will last a lifetime.  So much happens during a baby’s first year, and your “baby” graduates into a toddler around his first birthday. As you start to plan the party, take into consideration different themes that you enjoy and that reflect your baby’s growing personality. Once you decide on a theme, you can order or make your invitations.  Then, gather some decorations that build on the theme and decide where and how you are going to use them.  The next thing to focus on is food.  Decide whether you want to make the food yourself or purchase it ahead of time. Lastly, you might think about party favors that you can send home with your guests so they can remember the day.  For help with these steps, check out these 25 blog entries.

Theme

When deciding on a theme, there are a couple of options to consider.  You can tie the theme to the birthday child by looking at his nursery theme, what toys he likes to play with or what his favorite food is.  Another option is to pick a theme that makes you happy.  The birthday boy won’t remember this day anyway, so you are doing this as much for you as you are for him.  If he loves cookies, throw him a milk and cookie party. If he loves to play with a rubber ducky in the bathtub, throw him a rubber ducky bubble party.  Take a look at these five blog posts for more help with figuring out a theme.

• How to Organize a First Birthday Party at the Beach
• Your Baby is One, 8 Popular 1^st Birthday Party Themes to Choose From
• 5 Themes for Your Baby’s 1st Birthday
• Plan an Affordable First Birthday Party
• Monkey Themed 1st Birthday Party

Invitations

Choosing an invitation for a first birthday can be as easy as going to the party store and picking from the selection they have, but there are so many more interesting ways to create an invitation.  You can make invitations that reflect the theme or you can order personalized ones online.  Another trend with first birthday invitations is to include photos of the birthday boy every month of his first year of life.  If you have these pictures, you can create an invitation like that and give everyone that’s invited a keepsake.  For more ideas on invitations, glance through these five blog articles.

• How to Make Your Own Party Invitations (1st Birthday)
• How to Throw a Cupcake-Themed First Birthday Party
• Caroline’s First Birthday… Party Planning Time!!
• 1^st Birthday Photo Invitations to Create Memories
• Girls First Birthday Invitation

Decorations

Decorations help create a certain feeling for the party. Do you want the party to be pink and girly? Then go with fluffy pink decorations!  If you have a theme, try to tie the decorations in with it so that your theme carries through everything you do.  You will find plenty of inspiration for creating the perfect decorations when you look through these five blog posts.

• Jackson’s Mickey Mouse Themed First Birthday Party (Decorations)
• Jackson’s First Birthday Party—A Vintage Fiesta!
• First Birthday Party Decorations
• Will’s 1^st Birthday! Party Décor…
• Avery & Landon: First Birthday Party

Food

If you like to cook, then you can make the food for the party yourself. If you find that too overwhelming, consider cooking part of it and buying the rest.  Sometimes it’s hard to tie the food into a theme, but if you can it will add a fun detail to the party.  If the theme is about monkeys, then have a banana flavored cupcake.  Sometimes you can rename the food something funny to tie in with the theme and create a crafty label telling everyone what they are about to eat.  Food can be as easy or as complicated as you want to make it, so take a look at these five blog entries for more ideas.

• Our Little Cutie Pie: Clara’s First Birthday
• Cassidy’s First Birthday Party…
• Our Cheeky Monkey’s First Birthday Party
• Little Marbles’ First Birthday
• A Vintage Circus First Birthday Party

Party Favors

While party favors aren’t absolutely necessary, they do give you an opportunity to thank your guests for joining in the celebration. Something as simple as a decorated cookie in a cellophane bag tied with a ribbon can make a sweet party favor.  Kids at this age aren’t expecting bags of toys, so don’t feel like you have to go that direction with a first birthday party.

• First Birthday: Planning Décor and Favor Bags
• First Birthday Party
• {Craft & Stylish} Construction First Birthday Party
• Sofia the First Birthday Party
• Party Invitations & Party Favors

Sleep deprivation affects parents and babies alike. Teaching your baby to self-soothe can make the difference between waking refreshed in the morning and reluctantly dragging yourself out of bed to make it through one more day. Some parents may be wary of the process of self-soothing because it can seem heartless, yet when done properly, parents and baby both benefit.

Realize that Self-Soothing is a Necessary Skill

When your baby learns to self-soothe, you both have easier rest periods and will be more content. For the most part, parents of self-soothers report that their infants are better sleepers than those who are not. Many parents observe that their children quietly play, hum or mumble until they fall asleep. They also notice that their kids spend more time in the crib than being held during the night.

For those babies that haven’t yet learned to self soothe, life can be exhausting for the entire family. When a child wakes up in the middle of the night and doesn’t need to eat, the diaper is dry and generally everything is fine, but she still can’t get back to sleep, parents and siblings suffer along with the crying infant. Teaching a baby to self-soothe isn’t essential to the baby’s health and well-being, or yours, but it may make life considerably easier. When she’s older, however, your child will need to know how to self-soothe so that she’s able to fall asleep independently.

Research Self-Soothing

It may help to know that in a research study led by University of Philadelphia professor of psychology Marsha Weinraub, most of the 1,200 children studied who had trouble sleeping tended to be breast-fed boys. She determined after the study that it was advisable to leave babies alone at naptime or bedtime in order for them to learn how to self-soothe, even if they ended up crying for a while. She found that the crying has no lasting negative effects on the children.

This supports earlier research done by pediatric sleep specialist Jodi Mindell, PhD. She also advises allowing babies to cry it out in order to learn to self soothe. For Dr. Mindell, research came before motherhood, so when she gave birth to her first child people were curious about her experience and wondered if she would stand by her theories. In fact, regarding her findings and book – “Sleeping though the Night: How infants, Toddlers and Their Parents Can Get a Good Night’s Sleep” (Harper and Collins 1997) she is quoted as saying, “Having a baby myself just reinforced how accurate they are.” Even though the first few times may be difficult for parents and babies, Weinraub believes that allowing an infant to get back to sleep without nursing or being held is essential if parents expect for their child to sleep through the night. If the child is over nine months, she especially believes that it’s time to let baby figure out how to self-soothe. As long as you know that your baby is safe and that everything is okay, allowing him to get back to sleep without parental help may actually be the best thing.

Have Age-Appropriate Expectations

According to an article from the National Institute of Health, some infants will begin self-soothing behaviors around 4-6 months of age. Not many studies have been done on self-soothing, but of the ones that have been done, it seems as though not all babies develop self-soothing skills within the first year. For those who are able to do it, the practice increases as the baby grows older.

Tips for Encouraging Self-Soothing

Self-soothing will go much more smoothly when the infant knows that all of her needs are going to be met. Your baby needs to develop a strong sense of security, knowing that she will be taken care of and that you will be there when she needs you. Spending time interacting with your baby and establishing a routine will help her feel secure because she will know what to expect.

Realize that it may take a while before your baby learns how to self-soothe. This means there will be crying involved, and as a nurturing parent you will most likely feel the urge to run to your child’s aid and provide comfort. Resist the urge, and allow your baby to work it out by herself. As long as she’s not wearing a dirty diaper, feeling hunger or suffering from an illness, your child will eventually learn that you do not need to be there to help her get to sleep.

Establish a regular bedtime and do your best to stick with it. This will get baby in sync with natural rhythms for sleeping. Soon you will find that your baby naturally becomes sleepy when that time comes around.

Comforting routines will prepare the baby for sleep time and send her signals to start self-soothing. A warm bath, a story and a few quiet minutes together are examples of bedtime routines. Some parents have certain music that they play to signal bedtime. If you choose music, remember to make sure it is soft and soothing, not loud or exciting. Put your baby to bed while she’s still awake but beginning to become drowsy. She may latch on to a favorite blanket or toy for security. This is often part of the process. You will still provide comfort for your baby from time to time, for example when you are traveling or when you are away from home.

Keep in mind that learning to self-soothe is a process that requires fortitude and a strong sense of commitment, and that some babies learn it easier than others. If you can stick it out during the initial phases, you and your child will be much happier and much more rested in the end.

There are many occasions in a child’s life that will call for gift-giving and celebrations, the first of which is her baptism. Symbolizing absolution from original sin and entry into the religious faith of her family, baptism is an important milestone in a child’s life and is often the first opportunity for her extended family and close family friends to meet her. As a result, it’s customary to commemorate the occasion with a gift. For such an intensely personal occasion, a personalized gift may be more appropriate than a generic one. These are ten of the best personalized baptismal gifts to celebrate the birth and christening of a new life.

1. Bibles – Baptism is a ceremony that spans several denominations, but is almost solely within the realm of Christianity. What better gift to commemorate a child’s acceptance into the fold than the Word of God? Smaller New Testament bibles and larger, more comprehensive ones alike can be stamped on the cover with any information you’d like, including the child’s name, her birth date or the date of her baptism. To make the gift even more personal, write a short blessing on the flyleaf that she can read when she gets older.
2. Embroidered Blankets – You don’t have to be handy with a needle and thread to gift an embroidered blanket for a baby’s baptism; local and online retailers alike may offer it as an additional service after purchasing a blanket, or may offer embroidery for a higher price on items that were not purchased in-house. The child’s name or even just her initials will make for a beautiful, cuddly keepsake.
3. Engraved Baby Cups – Christening cups have been a popular gift to commemorate the baptism or christening of a baby boy since the Victorian era, though the roots of the tradition may extend much farther into history. Regardless of the historical implications, an engraved christening cup is a wonderful gift if you’d like to take a more traditional route.
4. Savings Bonds – The parents of the baby that’s being baptized are likely to have a staggering amount of baby gear after the baby shower and birth of their little bundle of joy. Rather than adding to the mound of tchotckes, why not show your investment in the child’s life my making a literal investment? Savings bonds are a gift that will be truly appreciated by the child as she gets older, and serve a practical purpose in addition to the sentimental gesture.
5. Jewelry – Baptism jewelry is particularly popular among those of the Catholic faith, and is easily customized by the addition of a child’s birthstone or an engraving of her initials. Crosses, saints’ medals and guardian angels are popular choices.
6. Crosses – There are crosses that dangle from a necklace, and larger ones that can be placed prominently on a nursery wall as a symbol of both faith and your affection for the child being baptized. Crosses can be hand-painted to include a baby’s initials, her name or even her birth information.
7. Personalized Story Books – Personalized story books aren’t difficult to find, but they still tend to be an unexpected and unique gift choice. Some companies specializing in personalized books offer religiously-themed stories in keeping with the baptismal theme, and your special little one will be thrilled to recognize his own name in a bedtime story as he gets a bit older.
8. Photo Frames – High-quality photo frames, especially those made of precious metals, make an elegant and classy baptismal gift that can be engraved with any information you’d like. Commemorate the day of Baby’s birth, her baptism or create an heirloom item she can cherish throughout her life by choosing a pattern that will age along with her and also includes her name or initials.
9. Keepsake Boxes – Whether they’re used as jewelry boxes or to hold special mementos, a keepsake box painted, carved or engraved with the name of the guest of honor can be perfect baptism gifts.
10. Christening Pillows – These decorative pillows aren’t safe for Baby to rest her head on or use in a crib, but they do make beautiful gifts that commemorate her birth and entry to the faith. For added practicality, look for a pillow with a removable cover that can be embroidered with her name and details, as the pillow will need to be cleaned over the years.

Depending on your faith and your role in the child’s life, your gift may need to be a bit more elaborate. Godparents, for instance, may want to make a larger gesture as a symbol of their investment in the life of their new godchild.

No matter what lengths you go to in order to prepare for your baby, as a new mom you’re going to have a lot of questions. This is a natural part of becoming a mommy, and a healthy approach to your new responsibilities, too. As you explore and discover all the wonderful, fun, frustrating and sometimes frightening aspects of being a mom, you may feel overwhelmed. These 30 parenting blogs for moms of newborns deal with different aspects of motherhood and can help you make sense of this new adventure.

Baby’s First Weeks

The first weeks with your baby will present you with challenges that you can’t imagine. The only way to truly prepare for what’s ahead is with first-hand experience. You will, like millions of mommies before you, learn as you go along. You’ll make mistakes and may even unfairly label yourself a bad mother. However, where there’s a will there’s a way – or a number of ways, if you take your cue from these five expert parenting bloggers.

• Hellobee
• Utah Baby Blog
• Boos Baby Talk
• The Southern Belle {Boy Mom}
• The Baby Blog

Coping with Feeding Time

Feeding time is a steep learning curve for almost every new mom. No two babies take to feeding the same way, regardless of whether you decide to breast or bottle feed. This time in your baby’s life is an excellent time for mom and baby to bond, so take the time to enjoy the experience and time you spend with your newborn. What’s important is finding a feeding schedule and method that works for you and your baby. These five bloggers write on topics that cover feeding babies, with each presenting a unique perspective to fit every mom’s preference.

• Kelly Mom: Breastfeeding
• Breastfeeding Basics
• Fearless Formula Feeder
• French Food Baby
• Spoon Fed Baby

General Baby Care & Communication

The subject of baby care is one that cannot be addressed in a single topic. While some parenting bloggers concentrate on specific subjects, others provide information on the broader topics of child care. There is no one “right way” to take care of your baby; however, there are a number of best practices that will keep your baby fit and in good health. These five blogs are essential reads when it comes to taking care of your newborn and finding tips that will help you cope with every situation.

• Baby Care Blog
• Cheryl’s Child Care Blog
• Amelio
• Baby Bonding
• Totsy Blog

Natural Mommy Bloggers

Every mom has her own ideas and preferences for how she wants to raise her baby. Sometimes traditional parenting bloggers do not cater to every mom, however. Some moms, for instance, prefer to take a more natural approach to motherhood. This can include everything from natural feeding to making your own clothes and cleaning products. If you are interested in being an eco-friendly, natural mommy, then these five bloggers are just what you’ve been looking for.

• It’s a Big Baby World
• Naturally Attached
• Free Spirit Mama
• Elisabeth M Stone
• Peace Love Organic Mom

Products for Mom & Baby

Finding the right products for both you and your baby can be a trying experience. There are so many products to choose from, and you just don’t know if they are right for you until you try them out. The trouble is that baby related products are expensive, so you don’t want to needlessly throw away your cash. These five bloggers make a living out of finding the best products for baby and new mom.

• The Wise Baby
• Baby Gizmos Blog
• Buy Modern Baby
• Stork Land & Kids Too
• BabyCCino Blog

Decorating Baby’s Room

When your newborn baby arrives you may get the urge to decorate your entire home in the style of a nursery. However, there is no reason that your baby’s décor should take over every room in your home. With that being said, you can make sure that your baby’s room is a warm, comfortable environment, full of vibrant colors, beautiful bedding, and exquisite furnishings. With advice from these five expert decorating bloggers, who specialize in all things baby related, you can create a living space that suits the entire family.

• Baby Space
• Lay Baby Lay
• Spearmint Baby
• Chic & Cheap Nursery
• On to Baby

It is believed that swaddling babies began in the paleolithic era, though the New Testament holds the most famous account of swaddling in its recording of the birth of Jesus. The practice continued through the ages unquestioned until the 1500’s. At that time, a Swiss surgeon by the name of Felix Wurtz challenged the practice, stating that he did not see the use of it and that the tight bindings caused discomfort to the child. It was not until scientists of the 17^th century criticized swaddling that it began to fall out of favor, but modern parents are beginning to adopt the practice again as indications showing that swaddled babies may sleep more soundly on their backs than their unswaddled counterparts are rising. Because the American Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommends that babies sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, it may be a smart move to swaddle your little one so that she gets a safe, restful sleep. Parents love swaddling because it can help babies sleep longer, but here are some of the reasons why the little ones love it as well.

1. Swaddling Can Make Babies More Calm – Swaddling babies often seems to calm them down, even when their fussiness knows no bounds. When newborns get fussy even though they’ve been fed and their diapers are dry, often wrapping them snugly in a receiving blank or swaddling wrap will cause them to settle down after a short while.
2. They May Sleep More Soundly – Medical information clearinghouse WebMD has published the findings of a sleep study conducted in 2005 that indicated that swaddled infants sleeping on their backs seemed to have a better quality of deep sleep.
3. Swaddled Babies Get More Sleep – When an infant is swaddled he is more likely to sleep longer, in addition to getting a better quality of sleep overall. In Brussels, Belgium research was conducted at the University Children’s Hospital that showed that infants between six and 16 weeks of age who were swaddled and in the supine position slept longer. This is good news for parents.
4. Reflexive Actions May Not Wake Them Up – Newborns experience a phenomena called the Moro reflex. This happens when they feel a sudden loss of support. They abruptly extend their arms, bring them back in and then cry. Swaddling an infant prevents this unexpected feeling of instability, and keeps her from waking herself up. This reflex occurs somewhat frequently when a baby is in the supine position, which also happens to be the safest sleeping position for infants. Swaddling can prevent the reflex from waking a newborn in a safe, supine position.
5. Swaddling Mitigates SIDS Risks – In 2007, a meta-analysis of research on swaddling was conducted by the Journal of Pediatrics. The study found that there was a reduction in the SIDS rate for babies who were swaddled and placed in the supine position for sleeping. It is assumed that swaddling prevents the baby from turning over and sleeping in the prone position, which has a higher incidence of SIDS.
6. Their Faces Are Protected – Another good reason for swaddling is that, when done correctly, the baby will not be able to inadvertently cover his face with anything. SIDS is also linked to accidental covering of the head in newborns. Proper swaddling can prevent this from happening.
7. Swaddling Recreates the Sensations of Mother’s Womb – Your baby has just spent nine months in a small, cozy space. Now, she’s been thrust into a rather cold, bright and noisy world where everything is unfamiliar. Researchers cited by the Mayo Clinic have found that swaddling may simulate the feeling of being in the womb, since the baby is snuggly wrapped and her movement is slightly inhibited.
8. Swaddling Helps Babies Establish a Sleep Schedule – Some infants get droopy-eyed and ready to go to sleep when the swaddling process begins because they’ve learned to associate being swaddled with resting. When the swaddling ritual is instituted before going to sleep, she may become accustomed to the idea that nap time has arrived.
9. Swaddling Can Feel Like Cuddling – Touch is vital to an infant’s normal development and babies thrive on being cuddled. Unfortunately, it’s just not practical to remain in constant, cuddly contact with your baby. To a certain extent, swaddling your baby imitates cuddling, and therefore can be a soothing and comforting alternative.
10. Parents are Happier and More Alert – There is a saying, “When Mama’s happy, everybody’s happy.” Swaddling your baby means he is more content and sleeps better and for longer stretches of time. That means you get more restful sleep yourself, and well rested parents are better able to meet the needs of their babies to keep them happy and healthy.

Swaddling can help your baby sleep better, be more comfortable and may even reduce the risk of SIDS. Improper swaddling techniques, however, can actually lead to hip problems later in life. The International Hip Dysplasia Institute recommends that parents learn to properly swaddle infants in a manner that will not inhibit hip movement or put their child at risk for hip dysplasia as she gets older.