Baby Tip #14

Traveling with Baby.

Its been brought to my attention how hard it can be to travel with a baby, so I dug in the back on my memory and followed up with minimal research and I've come to realize that it is in fact extremely hard to travel with baby IF you are unprepared. So in today's post I plan on helping you be more prepared for your next trip out with baby or just a little refresher on traveling with a little one. There are many little items that you might not realize you'll need while away from home and when in need of that item while you are out you'll find yourself in quite a situation. Having a diaper bag already packed and often refilled is the best solution to this never, or rarely, ever happening.

For daily use, find yourself a great diaper bag, something sturdy, with lots of pockets for organizing, and something thats easy to wash...and stylish of course. :) Within the diaper bag you'll need to remember to pack a few important items. Here's a starter list, maybe you'll add personalized items once you and baby have a routine down or once baby has that special something to calm her down...

Diapers. Always have diapers in the bag, maybe you're only running to the store and won't be gone long, but you NEVER know when baby might have an accident. Having a half dozen in the bag at all times should be plenty for daily errands.

Wipes. You'll need a travel size wipe container or a bag of wipes in your bag at all times. You'll need these for diaper changes and also once baby starts eating and needing hands and face wiped off. These are a must, just like diapers.

Change of Clothes. There's always a chance for a "blow out" and you never want to be stuck in a situation where you have nothing but the dirty clothes for baby to wear. Having a change of clothes available just in case something were to happen is a good idea. Be sure to update your diaper bag outfit as baby grows.

Ziploc Baggie. Along with the possibilty of the "blow out" you'll want something to put the soiled clothes in until you are home and able to clean them or until you are near a trash can to dispose of them. This can also come in handy for dirty diapers when you aren't close to a trash can.

Bottles. Having a bottle in the diaper bag is nice even if you are feeding baby before you head out. There's always that chance that your trip away from home lasts longer than intended. So having a bottle with you and ready if needed is great, packing 2 is a good idea as well.

Formula. Food. Depending on the age of your baby, you'll want to be sure to travel with formula, food, snacks, and possibly juice. Travel size snacks and juices for older babies and travel containers for formula in the measured out amounts is great for on-the-go.

Pacifier. If you're baby loves pacifiers, be sure to have a couple in the diaper bag, you never know when baby will decide to spit the one they have in their mouth out and it lands on the ground...you'll need an extra...or a few extra.

Rash cream/ointment. For diaper changes you may want to travel with rash cream handy.

Purell. Since diaper changing can be on-the-go and not in a normal setting, having a sanitizer available to clean your hands is a good idea since you might not have water and soap close by.

Burp Clothes/Blankets. If you have a feeding time while you are out on your errands you'll want to have a burp cloth or blanket available for any spit up or accidents. Having one in the bag and ready is a great idea. And if not being used for feeding, it would be good to have it available if there ends up being a breeze while out.

Toys/Teether/Rattle. Having something to entertain baby so she/he isn't bored in the stroller while you're doing what you need to do on your errands is definitely recommended. It'll also help the car ride go smoother and a bit quieter. Anything that you know baby likes while she's at home is good to take out. Something familiar and fun.

Its a good idea to buy all these items for the diaper bag only. Have extras in the other areas around the house. This is a checklist for items needed on the daily outings, I'll post more about extended traveling tomorrow. Stay tuned for more!! And if you have any questions or concerns please let me know.

September Drawing Results.

Congratulations CHRISTINA SIMON!!!!!

You have won the free onesie/tshirt drawing for September!!!

Now you get to decide what you'd like on it! The color and also the size and I'll have it made and in the mail within the next week. Get back with me soon so I can get it to you quickly!!!

For October we have a great personalized gift that is very popular, Name Frame. A framed first or last name to have in the living room or in a child's room adds a great personalized touch. A friend of mine got me into these and they are GREAT! Great gifts, great additions, and trendy.

Here's one I finished recently that is a little different than what I normally do, each letter here is framed individually and then hung either straight across, arched, or alternating up and down. This one in particular will probably hang over the crib or changing table in Jacob's bedroom.

I have a variety of letters to chose from and have been taking a bunch of new ones, living in the LA area where there are an abundant of neat letters on signs and graffiti give me lots to take.

The one that I'll be offering for the drawing can either be like this one, above, or either in a larger frame with matte outlining the letters. You'll have your choice. To be entered in this drawing you'll have to do more than follow. Add a comment to this post offering a topic you'd like discussed on the site.

Thanks for your participation and interest!!!! And good luck in October's drawing!

Drawing.

Just a reminder...

Friday I will do the drawing for the free tshirt/onesie so if you haven't signed up to follow yet and want in the drawing sign up by Thursday! Also enter your name twice if you add a friend to follow the blog.

A few things regarding the tshirt/onesis...

1. chose style.

tshirt can be either long sleeve, short sleeve or tank top (your choice) and onesie can be long sleeve, short sleeve or tank top as well.

2. chose size.

3. chose color.

any color you'd like. i'll find whatever color you are wanting your little one to wear this fall or next spring, whenever you'd like.

4. chose phrase.

on the front or on the back personalize with baby's first name or last name or make a tshirt for baby's first birthday or second birthday with the number one on the front and their name on the back. you let me know what you're wanting and i'll see what i can do. one symbol or word on front and one on back maximum.

I hope I draw your name so I can make something special for your little one!! Be ready for next months drawing!!! I'll post it when I've drawn the winner.

gracie girl tank with crystal accents and miss bunny on the front.

Baby Tip #13

Highchairs.

Highchairs can be tough to find...you want something somewhat stylish but also practical. And those two criteria are tough to find in one highchair. They tend to be stylish but not comfortable or hard to clean, etc. Or easy to clean and big and clunky looking. There's one that I love, and I feel it covers both bases of being practical and stylish. Its a bit on the "modern" side of the baby world and I tend to be more traditional, but mixing the two in this sense is a good idea. This certain one is super easy to clean! The cushion, where baby sits, doesn't have seams so food and crums and yucky-ness doesn't get stuck. You can take a cloth to the whole thing and be done. The tray removes completely for easy cleaning to dump excess food in the trash or put it in the sink to wash away stickiness.


If you have any other great suggestions for moms, comment about them to help them out. :o)



http://www.bel-bambini.com/

Baby Tip #12

New Site.

I found this the other day. It has great deals on it each day. There are some really great deals!

http://www.babysteals.com/

I think you can find something for you and your little one. Each day there is something new. Be sure to check it out early or else the item will be sold out!! Not fun. Good luck with your deal shopping!

Stevi. NV Photography. Kansas. http://nvphotoedge.blogspot.com/.

Baby Tip #10

Organizing Baby in the Kitchen.

When baby shows up there aren't many items that go into feeding time for the little one. Bottles, formula, warmer, and water. In just a few months, though, you'll be overwhelmed with all the advances baby will make in his/her daily eating routine. Introducing new flavors, new textures, and eventually solids. You'll have spoons, bowls, sippy cups, along with the items from the beginning, bottles and formula.

I recommend from the beginning designate one of your cabinets or a large portion of a cabinet just for baby items. The things you'll need will quickly add up and soon enough they will be bursting out of the cabinet unless you are already prepared for the quantity. Lets take a look at some options for the items you'll need once baby gets here....

Bottles.

Sippy cups.

Bowls.

Spoons.

Bibs.

Burp cloth.

Formula.

Food.

Finger food.

Face wipes.

High chair.

These are the things that you will need during a feeding...varies depending on age, of course. They will all start to take over your kitchen. Have a good sized space set aside in the beginning so that its organized and ready for easy storage whenever you buy something new and when its ready to be put away have it in a spot you can get into easily.

Cooper.

Drawing.

For the month of September I'm doing a drawer for the personalized onesie/tshirt. I'd like to give you all another chance to get your name in the drawing again, more chances to win the better right??!

So here's my proposition: If you get one of your friends to sign up to follow the blog, you will get your name entered one more time per friend you have following.

Thanks for following the blog and thanks for your support. Message me when your friend signs up to follow so I know which friend is yours!

Good luck!!!!

Linley Brek. my favorite 4 year old.

Baby Tip #9

Organizing Baby's Nursery.


There's one thing you can definitely have prepared before baby shows up that will help you for the long run, and that is having the nursery set up and ORGANIZED! Organization will keep you from having to search for things when you're in a hurry and will allow your daily routine with baby to go smoothly. There are lots of ways to stay organized but initially lets just set the room up and give everything a spot. You'll want certain items within arms length for different times of your day with baby. I'll start from the beginning of the day til the end. Organizing for baby also means giving baby's kitchen items a special place of their own in the cabinets. Let's start with some good basics to have before bringing in the baby items...


You'll want a solid, safe changing table. You will use this piece of furniture every day, you should make sure its a good purchase and something that is sturdy and built well. I personally like this one from pottery barn, its a classic look that has lots of organization possibilities. You're also going to find that baskets are a great way to keep all those little items together and organized. Here are a few that I think are great sizes and great prices. baskets with liners. baskets with built-in dividers. baskets for toys.


Next you'll want to organize the closet and the first step in a neat closet is good hangers. I recommend a wooden hanger like this one. You could also get the ones with the pant hooks on them for easy access to the full outfit. Also for the closet you might want to get the size markers, so that you can see what size is in what area of the closet. Seperate the 0-3 months from 3-6 and so on.


I would also search for something to store baby's books. If you don't have many right now and you think you won't need much room for them, think again. Books is one thing you will acquire many of over the next few months and years. Find a good organizer for books. And having one place for books is a great way to keep them all together. I like this one from potterybarn.


And finally a crib that has an option for extra storage is always great. You can never have too much storage space and you can never be too organized. So starting with all the extra space to begin with will only help you in the long run to remain organized and keep things in their own spot. This is a great one that offers a drawer under the mattress, great for extra sheets and thick blankies!




Berkely. NV Photography. Kansas. http://www.nvphotoedge.blogspot.com/

Baby Tip #8

Nanny vs. Daycare.

This is a subject dear to my heart, only for the obvious fact of me being a nanny for so many years. However there are a lot of factors to consider when it comes to the sake of your very own child's daily routine and who will care for him/her while you are not able to. Its not that easy to decide either. Lets look at the various issues for each option.

Nanny. Pros.
Nannying allows your child a one-on-one interaction with someone who you have interviewed over a process of questions and conversations and is someone you feel comfortable and happy with. You basically pick the perfect nanny for your baby and baby's needs. A nanny is one person who relays information to you about how baby did that day. Allows you to have the same person interacting with your child each day and knowing the progress he/she has made and needs to make. A nanny comes to baby's home (in most cases) and is simply taking Mom/Dad's place while they are gone. The nanny adjusts her day to create baby's day as similar to how it would be if Mom/Dad were there.


Daycare. Pros.
Daycares have a new setting for baby, giving him/her the opportunity to feel comfortable in environmentss outside of home. They, too, can be put through an interviewing process so that you can pick the best one to meet your needs. Daycares usually have a handful of children ranging in age which gives baby a chance to see other boys/girls his/her age doing new things, saying new things, and someone to play with at his/her level. In some cases daycares aren't as expensive as having a personal nanny. Its easier to fulfill long term situations with a daycare service.


Nanny. Cons.
If something happens with nanny (sick, out of town, special occasion, etc) you have to find back up. Having a personal nanny can be pricier than daycares. It can be tough to find trust in someone to come into your home while you're gone. Nannies are hard to find for a long term (2+ years) position.


Daycare. Cons.
You don't have one-on-one attention for your baby, he/she will usually be sharing time with a couple other children. Daycares are away from your home, so baby wouldn't be in the comfort of his/her home. When it comes to workers in daycares, baby might have a different care taker on different days of the week, might not be as consistant as having a nanny. Some daycares have set schedules already in place for the babies they watch, so babies schedule will be based off of the daycare employees rather than your own.

Overall there is no wrong or right choice to be made here, there are pros and cons in both situations and its simply what works best for you and your baby. Do your research about the options in your area. Weigh out the pros and cons that the specific locations have/don't have and also the local nannies pros and cons. A few helpful sites that I am familiar with and can offer to you to assist you in your search are nannies4hire.com and metrodaycare.com. I hope these help. Please post or email questions and concerns if you have any.


Berkley. NV Photography. Kansas. http://nvphotoedge.blogspot.com/