Valentine’s Day is about love and all kinds of red/pink/white stuff. Although Baby has no idea about Valentine’s Day, you still can get something special for her. Here are some suggestions,

Baby’s First Valentine’s Day Baby Infant Short Sleeve Bodysuit Creeper

Valentine Hearts Baby Clothing Set

Bella Daniella PettiSkirt Valentines Red

Bonnie Baby Flocked Hearts Organza Skirt With Stripe Knit Bodice

Red Crochet Headband with White Daisy Flower Clip and Red Rhinestone

Angel Dear Unisex-baby Newborn Holiday Coverall

Bonnie Baby-Girls Infant Colorblock Knit Capri Set

Carter’s Dribble Happy Bib – Mommy’s Valentine

It would be fun to dress up your little one on Valentine’s Day.  Enjoy!

Newborns usually stores sufficient Vitamin D in her body if the mother takes good care of herself during pregnancy, such as getting good exposure to sunlight, eating Vitamin D rich food, taking multivitamin supplements.

Once a baby is 3-4 weeks old, it is recommended to give her Vitamin D supplement especially if you live in the northern climate because of limited sunlight. Baby needs at least half hour sunlight each day to maintain her Vitamin D level. In other words, sunlight is the most effective way for baby to boost her Vitamin D level.

However, for the first six months, baby’s skin is extremely delicate. It is very dangerous if you keep a young infant under the direct sun because too much sun exposure may damage her soft skin.  Although sunscreen cream may keep baby relatively safe under the sun, it prevents the rays that helps her skin to produce sufficient Vitamin D for herself.

Many pediatricians suggest giving Vitamin D drops for breastfed babies in the first year. You should place one drop on your nipple right before nursing and let baby suck on it for at least 30 seconds every day.  Sunshine D Drops is one of the best Vitamin D supplement for breastfed babies.

Once baby gets older that can go out for sunbathing every day, and her stomach is ok for majority of Vitamin D rich foods (fish, fortified milk, egg and butter), you may stop giving her Vitamin D because too much Vitamin D may cause problems on her lung or heart due to excessive absorption of calcium. The chart from Interior Health gives detail information on Vitamin D rich foods.

For more information, please read “All babies and toddlers need Vitamin D”

Swaddling keeps a newborn snuggling together and is considered as one of the important techniques to sooth a newborn. It not only gives newborns warm and comfy feelings but also a sense of security.

Benefits of swaddling a newborn include:

• To help her sleep longer: new babies are used to the tight feeling in mother’s womb. When they are being wrapped, movement of their arms and legs are kept to minimum which can make them feel safe and secure;
• Stop excessive crying:  when newborn being wrapped, her sense of safety may  decrease her frequency of crying;
• Reduce chances of scratching her face: babies’ nails grow very fast and can be sharp. It is suggested to wear mitten while baby is sleeping. For newborn, swaddling can prevent her scratching her faces during sleep time.

When your baby is crying, always check if she is hungry or have a wet/dirty diaper. Some babies do not like to be swaddled. You may try to swaddle her a little bit looser. Or maybe try using the wrap baby carrier.  Every baby is different, and she needs time to adjust her new environment. You just have to try different things to make her feel warm and secure in the first few weeks.

You can use a blanket to swaddle your baby. Or use the swaddle/sleepsack package such as SwaddleMe or sleepsack swaddle.

Although swaddling is a great way to sooth a baby, you should stop it after baby becomes one month of age; and also it is not suggested to swaddle a newborn all day long; otherwise, it may interfere baby’s movement and delay her development. Swaddling your newborn during her bedtime and unswaddle her when she is awake.

Never swaddle your baby in a hot room because overheating may cause SIDS. Room temperature around 21 Celsius or 70 Fahrenheit is recommend.

If your baby cannot go to sleep without swaddling after one month, try swaddle her loosely first, then with her one arm out for few times, after that let her both arms out. If she sleeps ok with her arms out, it means she probably does not need to be swaddled anymore.

It may take you few weeks or months to choose a good stroller. You may also need more than one stroller down the road. Once you have decided on which type of stroller you need, the next step is to do research on stroller price, fabric and features.

Depend on your budget, high priced strollers usually have higher quality and extra features.  It is essential to check out whether the stroller fabric is easy to remove for washing. Always consider how long you plan to use the stroller because some umbrella strollers are made for toddlers; on the other hand, some have adjustable seat that can use from newborn to toddler age.

Make sure do your research and test drive different brands of strollers in stores. There is no perfect stroller, but only a stroller that suits your lifestyle.

Mother’s milk production normally will increase rapidly 3-5 days after delivery for about 3-5 weeks, or until milk supply is established.  It is common to have engorgement in the first couple weeks because once your first milk colostrum changes to mature milk, your body has to adjust with baby’s needs. The principle is: the more you feed your baby the more milk you will produce.

With engorgement, mother’s breasts usually become hard and swelling along with discomfort and pains. Some mothers may have light fever. However, as long as you breastfeed baby frequently, it will eventually go away after few days.  Try to express some milk before the next nursing session because it can help to soften the areola; otherwise, baby may have difficult time to latch on a firm breast.

Here are some tips on relieve engorgement pain:

• Hand express breast milk between feedings: push the breast area behind the nipple slowly and gently;
• Use breast pump: Medela offers many types of quality breast pumps. When use breast pump to relieve pain, never pump for more than three minutes each breast; as it will stimulate your milk production that may worsen your engorgement;
• Use ice pack or frozen cabbage leaves can relieve discomfort of engorgement;
• Once express some breast milk before feeding, massage breasts gently for about 30-60 seconds, it helps to soften the breast.

In addition, with engorgement, your milk flow maybe too fast for a newborn to swallow which can cause her to gag or sometimes push your breast away. In order to cope flow rate of your breast milk with baby, make sure allowing baby to take many breaks as she wants to during one nursing session.  Hand-express or pump out some breast milk prior to nursing. This will not only soften your areola but also slow down the initial breast milk flow.

When you feel you may not be able to breastfeed your baby due to engorgement, make sure talk to your doctor or lactation consultant for help.

Nevertheless, breastfeeding should not be painful or discomfort. It is actually a very enjoyable bonding process between you and your baby.

Sore/Painful/Bleeding/Cracked Nipples

Normally, nipples started to be sensitive during the last trimester of your pregnancy. The sensitivity will gradually become stronger and stronger, but it will disappear normally after the first week of delivery.  In the first few days of breastfeeding, it is very common to feel sore once baby latches on your nipple. However, it will only last for about one minute maximum and you will slowly feel less and less sore, and then eventually disappears after a few minutes.

On the other hand, if baby latches on in a wrong way, such as she only takes a small portion of the area behind your nipple into her mouth; you probably will feel painful throughout a nursing session and it may cause you nipple crack, blister or bruise. More severely, you may develop a breast infection to some degree.

There are many ways of preventing and treating sore nipples including:

• Use lukewarm water clean your nipple before and after each nursing session, then express some breast milk and place it on the nipples. Let them air dry before put on your nursing bra;
• Apply some nipple cream after each nursing session, Lansinoh and Purelan 100 are the best creams in healing injured nipples;
• Use nipple shields (everyone is different, some people may not like the feeling of wearing a pair of shields)
• Assess whether your baby’s latching-on position is correct.

Mastitis

Mastitis is generally caused by infection. Breastfeeding mothers who have mastitis typically have a hard, red and swollen area of one breast and likely get a fever (38-39.5 ºC).

Consult your doctor immediately if you notice you may have mastitis. Your doctor may prescribe you some antibiotics for about one to two weeks. Your infections unlikely will pass to your baby; however, she may have severe diarrhea. In this case, change your baby’s diaper frequently in order to prevent diaper rash. Meanwhile, mothers can also take some probiotic supplement because it may help curing baby’s diarrhea.

Here is a good article on “Breastfeeding and Sore Nipples” by Dr. Verity Livingstone.

Here are some tips to prevent and maybe cure baby eczema:

• Place baby beside the window for half hour, twice a day. Sunlight may help preventing eczema flare ups, but never under direct sunlight;
• Apply eczema therapy cream every morning and every night or as needed. Aveeno eczema care cream works really well on relieving baby’s dry skin. It is natural and fragrance free.
• Use lukewarm cloth to gently wipe baby’s face every morning and night, as well as wipe her mouth area after each feeding, then apply baby lotion. Never let her face becomes dry;
• Do not bath baby every day, twice a week is recommended. But rinse her bum before she goes to sleep every night or after each poo to avoid diaper rash;
• When bathing baby, make sure water is lukewarm and use mild baby wash, such as Aveeno soothing relief creamy wash and Johnson’s head-to-toe foaming baby wash;
• Avoid using harsh detergents on baby’s clothing;
• Clothing your baby in 100% cotton. Use 100% cotton sleeping bag and 100% cotton bedding;
• Avoid applying perfume and cologne when you are with baby;
• Do not smoke in the house. Always keep baby in smoke free environment;
• If you are breastfeeding, try not to eat citrus fruits and spicy foods;
• Never overheat your baby. Dress her appropriate at home and outside;
• In order to prevent baby scratching her eczema area, make sure you cut baby’s nails on a regular basis. Have her wear mittens while she is sleeping;
• Open window to allow fresh air in every morning.  In northern climate, it is essential to have a humidifier and air purifier in baby’s room and her activity areas (one of the best air purifiers with humidifying function is Sharp Plasmacluster. It can be used for up to 254 square foot room. Although this machine is a bit pricy, it is a great investment for your baby as well as for your family’s health and well-being.

Baby eczema usually goes away in few weeks. However, it may come back. Every baby is different. There is no magical cure for baby eczema. You probably have tried many creams on your baby, but nothing work well. Your pediatrician may recommend a steroid cream if your baby’s eczema is getting worse. However, apply steroid cream as instructed. If you notice her skin is getting better, apply it just once a day or maybe even every other day because steroid cream may cause thinning of your baby’s delicate skin.

Do not be desperate, just be patient, and try following our suggestions. Your baby’s eczema will eventually disappear.

Carters has great selections of Santa outfit. They are 100% cotton, very comfortable, and babies absolutely love it.

Carters Unisex-Baby Newborn I Love Santa Three Piece Dress Set

ONLY USD $9.47.  It was USD $27 before Christmas 2011. Amazing price!!

Carters Unisex-Baby Newborn Rudolph Raindeer Velour Jacket And Pant Set

ONLY USD $11.14. It was USD $33 before Christmas 2011.

Carters Unisex-Baby Newborn Snowflake Three Piece Dress Set

ONLY USD $8.52. It was USD $27 before Christmas 2011. This is the best deal ever!

Rising Star Baby-girls Newborn Ballet Socks

ONLY USD $3.99!!!! What a great deal!

Little Me Baby-Girls Newborn Faux Suede Boot Socks With Faux Fur Lining and Bow — 9-12 months

USD $18.22, Although it is only about 30% off from its original price, for babies from 9-12 months, they would love to wear a pair of comfy bootie when they are crawling or trying to walk by herself.

Hello Kitty by BabyLegs Pinkie Legwarmers, Pink/White, 0-3 Months

ONLY USD $5.74  More than 50% off !! If you are a Hello Kitty fan, this is a great deal!

If you are ok with thrift stores, you may have luck to find some great brand name baby clothes for just under USD $5.00. However, if you want to buy brand new stuff for your newborn or looking for a shower gift or gift for your one month old niece or nephew, January usually is the best month for shopping! You can find tons of designer baby clothing on a great discount because many retailers need to clear out their overstocked inventories after the busiest holiday shopping season.

Many people love to shop online at home because of the convenience. Here are some great deals on January that we’d like to share with everyone.

Luvable Friends 6-Piece Layette Set
This cute set was USD $19.99 originally; it is only USD$12.99 now.  100% cotton.  What a deal!

Hudson Baby 4-Piece Little Doggie Layette Set
This little doggie set is just USD$9.99. 50% off from its original price. 100% cotton. Great gift for baby boy.

Almost all of the Rare Editions baby girl dresses are 70%-75% off this month, these dresses are great outfit when you take your baby girl to a party, wedding or maybe just family or friends gatherings.

Rare Editions Baby Baby-Girls Infant Velvet Flocked Dress
Only USD $16.74, it was USD $63 before Christmas 2011.

Rare Editions Baby Baby-Girls Infant Velvet Embroidered Dress
Only USD $16.48, it was USD$62 before Christmas 2011.


 

Rare Editions Baby Baby-Girls Infant Embroidered Wire Hem Dress
Only USD $17.13, it was USD $50 before Christmas 2011.

We will post more good deals tomorrow.  To be continued…

No matter what is on your baby’s menu, jar food or homemade baby food, the texture of your baby’s first foods should be super easy to digest, super smooth and unlikely to cause any allergic reactions.

There are three best foods for baby to start with.

First, rice cereal, as we mentioned in our previous post, rice cereal is considered as the best human food for baby to start with. If you like to make it from scratch, here is the recipe for Home-Made Baby Rice Cereal.

Second, root vegetables such as sweet potato or yam and carrot, or butternut squash. These veggies have naturally sweet flavor. Their texture tends to be very smooth once are pureed.

Third, digestible fruits such as apple, pear, banana and avocado. If you make your own baby food, in the beginning, it is recommended to steam apple or pear for about 5-8 minutes, and then puree it with its juice together, add some water if needed. Banana and avocado have to be very ripe and soft since they do not require cooking.

Always remember to give your baby new food one at a time for 2-4 days because you have to make sure your baby is not allergic to the new food. In addition, never sweeten and add salt into baby’s food, because your baby may just want sweet food later on if you tempt baby with sugar in the beginning, and salt is harmful to baby’s kidneys.