The Best Uses of a Video Baby Monitor

For any parent, nothing is more important than the welfare of his or her child. Especially when the child is still an infant, he cannot do things on his own, more specifically, defend himself against anything that may harm him; thus, a parent would always want to make certain that his child is safe and comfortable all the time.

One of the wonders of technology is that it makes possible for us to do two things at the same time. Take for example watching over your child while doing the laundry, talking on the phone, preparing dinner or doing any other activity. How do you do it then? It's simple with a video baby monitor. This device allows you to remotely look after your baby as he sleeps or plays with his toys. It's very helpful and convenient nowadays to have a video baby monitor as it helps you keep an eye on what your baby does or listen to what he says, whether he's calling for you or is crying because he is wet, sleepy or hungry.

Through a video baby monitor, you never miss a moment checking out your baby while you work on something else in another room in your house. You need not pay for a nanny to watch over your child as he sleeps and you need not worry going away from your baby because you have another important thing to attend to--all you need is a video baby monitor.

Features

A video baby monitor device features a simplex radio transmitter and receiver system. This system includes a microphone, which is positioned near you baby so it can pick up sounds that your baby is making, and a receiver (with a speaker), which you can carry around the house with you. Many video baby monitors nowadays have self-filtering microphones for superior sound clarity.

The video baby monitor also features digital cameras placed near your baby and a lightweight colored LCD or black and white screen that simultaneously displays video of your baby's activities. The monitor may look like a wireless phone with display screen or a small portable TV.

Hand held video baby monitor may also be available with a belt clip or a flip stand so you can conveniently carry it around or place it on top of your desk. More advanced models have added features like movement sensors and vibrating alert on the receiver.

Powering a video baby monitor are batteries that are usually rechargeable. A good video baby monitor battery can last up to ten hours. The transmitter, however, may need to be plugged into a socket.

Frequency

Frequency used by video baby monitors varies. It can be as low as 40 MHz, 900 MHz or even 2.4 GHz. The higher the frequency, the clearer the video and sound is and the wider the range is. Since a video baby monitor uses a wireless transmission system, it is possible that the transmission can be picked up by another user, so most new models nowadays have features that let the user choose bands.

Duplex Video Baby Monitor

This type of video baby monitor has transceivers that let you communicate with your baby. It's called duplex video baby monitor because of its 2-way sound monitoring system.

Dave Poon is an accomplished writer who specializes in the latest in babies and toddles. For more information regarding video baby monitor, please drop by at http://baby.answerwisely.com

Baby Bedding Information For Your All Your Nursery Furniture

When you choose a baby bedding, choose the one which can guarantee optimum baby bedding safety and coziness to your baby. The best fabric for the baby would be 100 percent cotton. Below are descriptions of the different types of nursery bedding for each type of furniture.

Crib Bedding:
Until the baby is one or one and a half years old, the crib is its ideal bed. Cribs are of many different types, but they all need to be strong and durable. You could choose a standard crib, or go for a more expensive one such as a convertible or portable crib which would be ideal for traveling. It is best to always choose a crib from a reputable company.

Bassinet bedding:
Bassinets are suitable for the baby for the first 3 or 4 months. A perfect bassinet will have a soft cuddly mattress, a small little pillow and a blanket. A bassinet should be made of soft material with preferably the color blending with the baby's room.

Cradle bedding:
Cradles have a lovely rocking motion which makes sure that the baby gets a sound sleep. Light colored cradles are preferred by parents because they look nice and you can notice when they get wet.

Baby blankets:
Baby blankets should be of soft material and must be non toxic. Today there are many types of blankets to choose from that will be soft, smooth, and pleasant smelling with attractive and eye pleasing colors.

Bedding for the baby could be different for a boy or a girl. They could be gender neutral as well. The color combination and the cute looking cartoons are common to both the gender.

Normally for the girls, the baby bedding is replete with shades of pink, light blue and purples. A baby girl's bed is laid out like a princess. A baby boy's bed is sport oriented. You could see baby bedding for boys themed around superheroes, WWE personalities or baseball stars. The colors tend to be darker and bolder for boys.

As pointed out above, it is not a hard and fast rule for the baby bedding to be in a certain set of preferences for baby boys and girls. In fact you will see a lot of neutral nursery bedding themes with regard to cartoons like Disney or Popeye characters or cute animations.

The kids are too small to understand the difference about having gender specific cartoons and animals and they are attracted to anything which pleases their eyes and make them smile. It is just that when they get a little older, little boys would feel a little awkward having his bed done in pinks and pastels.

When baby girls grow older, their beds could have blinds with the curtains hanging on rods above. This gives the bed somewhat a princess bed kind of appearance. Not that the girls would be complaining!

Bedding is one interesting avenue where there are a lot of options in store for the parent from choosing the kind and texture of sheets, the choice of colors and baby bedding patterns.

While purchasing a baby bed it is up to you if you choose a gender neutral baby bed or something which would make her feel like a princess or make him feel like a superhero.

Handling Your Infant's Diaper Rash

It is very common among babies to have a diaper rash. This rash usually occurs if the baby's hygiene is not well taken care of. If your baby's diaper area is red and irritated and the skin is a bit warm when you touch it, then it is a clear sign that your baby has got a diaper rash. This rash can be of a mild version which has small prickly spots on the affected area, or can either be of an extensive version which has multiple red bumps that spreads across the baby's thighs and stomach. A diaper rash can cause your baby to feel a slight pain especially when you clean or wipe the baby's bottom. But, do not worry and/or panic if your baby has a diaper rash. You can treat it at home very easily without seeing a doctor.

The first and foremost thing, after recognizing that your baby has a diaper rash, for a quick treatment is to make sure that you change your baby's diapers regularly. Because most of the problems start when your baby's soft skin is exposed to wetness for quite a long time, therefore, changing diapers frequently will help reduce your baby's diaper rash and heal it quickly. For best results one should change the baby's diaper as soon as it gets wet.

Another mistake that gives rise to the irritation problem is that you might be using diapers that are small and tight. Therefore, to get rid of the diaper rash you must try bigger diapers. This will give your baby's skin some space to breathe and the diaper rash will be healed quickly. Another way of dealing with a diaper rash is to use a soft cloth dipped in warm water while cleaning your baby's bottom. This will do a much better job than the usual baby wipes readily available in the market. Using a soft cloth damped in warm water will give comfort to your baby while cleaning her/him and will allow the rash to heal quickly as compared to using wipes. But make sure that you rinse the soft cloth before and after using it as it will help in soothing the irriation quickly.

After you have cleaned your baby's bottom you need to apply a diaper rash ointment on her bottom before putting on a new diaper. After applying the ointment, use a powder on the affected area so that your baby's bottom is dry and smooth. It would be perfect if you let your baby's bottom dry completely in the air and then apply the ointment and powder, before you put on a fresh diaper because the air will react and as a result the rash will heal quickly. If, even after following the above mentioned steps your baby's diaper rash is not healed and hasn't disappeared then you might need to consult a pediatrician as now their rash might've turned into a more serious yeast infection and will need serious medical care.

First time parents may think they are doing something wrong in most cases. This is very common problem and can be fixed. Making sure your infant stays healthy is really all that matters.

Baby Sleeping Problems

I know how frustrating it must be for you getting your lovely little baby to sleep and stay asleep all night. You see, you are not alone with this problem. Lots of other people also have this problem. But this piece will provide you with workable ways to ensure your lovely little baby sleeps and stays asleep all night.

First things first, babies don't cry and stay awake all night just for the fun of it. In most cases something is wrong that prevents them from sleeping at night. The solution is to find what that is and make your baby comfortable. This is closely related to the "cause and effect" philosophy which says for every effect there is a cause. So, for your baby to remain awake at night crying (which is the effect), there certainly is a cause!

Find what the "cause" is and solve it, then the "effect" will also be solved! Below are some of the "causes" why babies stay awake crying at night and how you can solve them so that your baby can sleep and stay asleep all night: Wet nappies can keep babies awake at night: When your baby's nappies are wet, this can keep him or her awake at night. Ensure the nappies are dry at night. Better still, use the kinds of nappies that can hold liquid all night long without being wet and uncomfortable for the baby.

Hunger can keep babies awake at night: Even adults will find it difficult to sleep at night, let alone babies. Make it a habit to feed your baby well before you put him or her to sleep at night; this will help ensure he or she remains asleep all night:

Ill-health or general discomfort can keep babies awake at night: Imagine how uncomfortable you will feel if you are sick or just uncomfortable. Babies feel worse when they are ill. Check your baby's temperature and see if he or she is feeling ill. You see, when babies are ill, hungry or wet, they can't tell anyone. The best way they feel they should express their discomfort is by crying and crying and crying.

Finally, whenever you notice that your baby won't sleep at night, look closely to see if any of the above "causes" are responsible, then do as I have advised above to take care of the cause so that the "effect" will be a sound and long sleep all night long.

Sex Techniques For Couples - Get Wet Together

Learning new sex techniques for couples is a vital element in becoming a better and more proficient lover. Becoming a better lover is something everyone, men and women, should continually strive to achieve. There is more than enough information available to last a lifetime. Some people are more shy than others when it comes to discussing sex but one sex technique for couples that everyone can enjoy is a shower or bath together.

First off you want to ensure that the mood is set for a romantic, love filled night. Go out for a nice romantic dinner, a stroll at sunset or whatever else you and your partner would find romantic. Once home, offer your lady or man a glass of wine or something else to help them relax. While they are relaxing, slip into the bathroom, put on some romantic music, light a bunch of candles and start running the bath of shower.

Now, go and fetch your partner and bring them into the beautiful and romantic setting you have created. Slowly undress each other, enjoy the sight of one another, kiss each other often and then get into the water. Continue the kissing while slowly washing every part of each other.

Some gentle petting is highly encouraged at this point, just remember your goal is not to finish here but to build each others level of excitement. Continue this for as long as you want and when you reach the point, thanks to one of the easiest sex techniques for couples, of being ready to dry each other off it is time to enjoy some of the best sex of your life.

Breastfeeding - Helpful Tips

You and your newborn are home at last. Your journey together has begun, and one of the first decisions you have made is to breast feed.

Hopefully your nurse midwife, obstetrician, or breast feeding consultant answered your questions and concerns about breast feeding before you left the hospital, but it never hurts to have a refresher. Below are the most important things to remember about breast feeding.

1) Breast feed on demand.
Feed your baby on demand whenever she is hungry. Typically that will be every 2 to 3 hours, or about 8 to 12 feedings in a 24-hour period. You will know that your infant is getting enough milk if she produces 6 to 8 wet diapers and at least 3 yellow stools by 3 to 5 days of life.

2) Look for signs of hunger.
Observe your baby for signs of hunger such as lip smacking, opening of the mouth, or hand-to-mouth motion. Also, if you notice that your infant's eyes are moving underneath the eyelids, that signifies that she is in a light sleep state and might be ready to be fed.

3) Position comfortably.
Position your infant facing you at the level of your breast. Placing a pillow underneath your baby might help in achieving the most comfortable position.

4) Switch sides.
The most intense milk flow takes place during the first 7 to 10 minutes of breast feeding. Therefore your infant should feed about 10 minutes per breast at each feeding.

5) Supply is determined by demand.
The more your baby nurses, the more milk will be produced. Should you end up with surplus of milk, you can safely freeze it for later use.

Should Parents Require Older Children, Adolescents, Or Teens to Wear Diapers For Bed-Wetting? Part 1

I've heard parents say that it's okay if an older child, adolescent, or teenager doesn't want to wear diapers to bed provided they take care of the wet clothes and bedding but I think that sends the wrong message. I think it sends the message that it's okay to be unsanitary. As mentioned previously it's unsanitary and unhealthy (not to mention uncomfortable) to lie all night in wet sheets and clothing. The following analogy might help. If a youngster has a cut you would have them put on a band-aid in order to prevent blood from getting on their clothes and on other stuff in the house in addition for sanitary reasons. Wearing a diaper to bed should be viewed no differently-the diaper is a band-aid for a bladder control problem. Or if the youngster was going to go out in the rain the parents would see to it that they wear a raincoat or use an umbrella to keep the child from getting wet. All of them are waterproof and all of them serve the function of keeping the individual from getting wet.

The bottom line is that people do not like getting wet and take the appropriate precautions to prevent that from happening. Setting aside concerns of being unsanitary and uncomfortable for the moment, even if the child or teen did offer to wash their own sheets and garments it should be mentioned to them that it is much more time consuming and a lot more work to wash a whole bunch of wet sheets, blankets, and pajamas than to wash the wet diapers and plastic pants.

Right now I'd like to touch on the following. Many parents might be wondering if they should require their older child, adolescent, or teen to wear diapers to bed if all methods to cure the bed-wetting have failed and they leak through the pull-ups or "Goodnites". The consensus seems to be that the child or teen should be involved in the selection of what type of garments to wear to bed. While I agree with this theory in principle, in practice it might not work out all the time. The reasoning behind this theory is that by letting the child or teen be involved in the decision making process they will feel more in control of the situation thereby improving their self-esteem which in turn will make them feel less embarrassed.

Many children, adolescents, and teenagers feel babyish about bed-wetting and a large number of people feel that by forcing them to wear diapers to bed you are taking the decision about how to deal with the bed-wetting out of their hands thereby making them feel even more like a baby. I can certainly understand this point of view but in many situations parents make decisions for their older child or teenager that are in their best interests but they don't like. Wearing glasses and braces are just two things that come to mind. If it were up to the youngster they wouldn't wear glasses and braces at all. Is it such a stretch to apply the same reasoning to the use of diapers to manage bed-wetting? Besides I would think it would be less embarrassing and stressful for the child or teenager to wear diapers to bed than wear glasses or braces-after all since the diapers are worn only at night their friends won't notice them whereas with the glasses or braces they will.

While it is good to grant children and teenagers more autonomy as they get older in order for them to be a more confident and responsible adult there are certain types of knowledge that only come with experience. Choosing an appropriate incontinence product is one of them-there's a lot of trial and error involved in choosing an incontinence product that works well. There are many factors involved in choosing an appropriate incontinence product-the type and level of incontinence, whether your incontinence is during the day, night, or both, how absorbent the product is and how effectively it protects the individual, how durable a product is, a person's budget, how discreet the products are, how certain products effect an individual's skin, whether or not a person has the time and/or desire to wash diapers and plastic pants, etc. While adults have the capability to weigh these decisions and are able to make a sound choice in the matter, many children and teens don't have the maturity, knowledge, experience, and ability to make an informed choice in this situation. Their decision about what type of incontinence product to wear to bed will be influenced by what they perceive the image of diapers to be rather than how well the product keeps them dry at night.

Drink Coasters in Party Decorating

A gentle trepidation creeps across your home. It's the night of the party. All of your friends are coming. They'll be there, in your house, quietly watching, taking in the details, looking around, and judging. While at the same time, their very presence will help to speed the forces of entropy, bringing about the greater degradation of your native space.

The answer? Drink coasters. It may seem a bit ridiculous but these handy little accessories can actually go a long way towards improving, and protecting, the beauty and elegance of your home environment.

First you have to consider the mundane use of these accessories. The nature of the coaster is to function as a layer of protection, standing in between the ravages of a wet, jagged beverage, and the soft perfection of your surfaces.

The more people you have in the home, the more drinks you'll end up serving. As a good host food and beverage will flow, however with every plate and cup that goes out into the environment, there is a potential for scratches, spills and stains. Coasters are the first line of defense against these disasters.

When throwing a party you have a choice. You can have the coasters already prominently displayed in the environment when guests arrive. This can be done by having the holder and set on display in a highly visible space, or by having the actual pieces spread throughout the home. On the other hand you can keep the coasters off to the side of the beverage area. Then when a drink is poured or served, either by you or by the guest themselves, a coaster can be taken one at a time.

Having the coasters in the environment is great because you won't have to push people to use them. They'll see the pieces, and know rather quickly what is expected of them. However keeping them in a central location makes it easier for you to suggest that guests take advantage of these accessories. The choice is one you should make based on your own social preferences.

The other benefit of drink coasters is their decorative value. These tiny accessories can come in just about any shape, size, or color. They also are available in a wide variety of materials including stone, steel, hardwood, tin, copper, and thatch. Finally, you can also often find them printed with a variety of images, as vast as the imagination can conceive of.

This allows you to choose coasters which are seasonal or holiday specific, or even to create a theme throughout the house using these attractive little pieces. The idea is that there are such a vast array of coaster types out there, that you can use them to set the mood for an entire room.

You should be careful not to underestimate the decorating potential of these pieces. Even though they are small in stature, they are also numerous, which allows them to spread out throughout a space, casting a decorative net over the room.

Coasters are a powerful party decorating tool, both because of their functional capacities, and their decorative uses. This dual nature is what makes these pieces an invaluable piece of the party puzzle.

Home Cleaning Tips for the New Mom

Congratulations! You're a new mom. This is a very exciting time. It can also be pretty frustrating when it comes to house cleaning. There is so much to be done, and there seems so little time for you to be able to do it now! The great thing is that there are simple things you can do throughout the day to help you keep your home clean. Here are some great home cleaning tips for the new mom:

o One of the best things you can do as a new mom is take a nap when your baby takes a nap. Don't make the common mistake that most new moms do and clean up while your baby is napping - unless you feel that you simply don't need rest. Instead of doing this, clean up when your baby is awake and satisfied! You can place him or her in the swing, playpen, bouncer, etc., and get some home cleaning accomplished!

o When you're a new mom, things can start to clutter your home quite easily. One way to avoid this is to designate a spot for everything. Invest in some baskets that you can use to keep clutter to a minimum. In the nursery, these come in handy to put the baby's essentials in and keep things off of the counters, dressers, and table tops. A small pail or diaper Genie works well in the nursery for instantaneous disposal of soiled diapers. As it fills, you can take it out with the rest of the garbage.

o You should try to avoid harsh chemicals in your home cleaning supplies at this time for obvious reasons, but there are some great alternative cleaners you can utilize. Vinegar is a wonderful all-purpose cleaner. Use half vinegar and half water in a spray bottle to wipe down counters, tables, changing tables, and any other surface that needs regular cleaning. It also removes odors quite well. Another great odor remover is citrus fruit. If you find that your surfaces hold odors, cut an orange or lemon in half and rub it all over the entire surface. Allow it to sit for a few minutes, and then wipe it off with a wet cloth to get rid of stickiness.

o As you are going throughout your day, take a few minutes to clean several times can be a lot easier than trying to take a few hours each day to clean. Since you have limited time, this works out well. For example, when you're waiting for a bottle to heat, gather all dirty dishes from the rooms and place them in the dishwasher to start. As you're cooking dinner, throw a load of clothes in the washer and fold any that need to be put away. When you get out of the shower, make sure that all dirty clothes are in the hamper, the clutter in the bathroom is minimal and the surfaces are clean. You can even give the toilet a quick scrub and wipe down and spray the shower with self-cleaning spray.

Being a new mom can bring you some unique time challenges, but using the tips and ideas above can help you overcome them. Perhaps the most important tip you can ever get is to remember that everyone needs help once in a while! Don't underestimate the joy of letting Dad take the baby for a while, or a doting aunt, grandma, or friend! This way, you'll get a bit of a break and be refreshed for when your bundle of joy gets back.

Figuring Out Your Child's Fever

Fever is the number one reason that children are taken to hospital emergency rooms. This is not surprising. Fevers are frequent in childhood, and they are often frightening to both parent and child. What follows is a set of questions and answers written to address that fear and to help parents know what to do when their child is hot.

Q: WHAT IS A FEVER?

A: A fever is a body temperature that is higher than normal ( 98.6 F or 37 C) as measured by a thermometer in Fahrenheit or Centrigrade degrees. Although they can help children to fight infections, fevers can also be uncomfortable and worrisome-depending on how high they climb and how old the child happens to be.

Q: HOW WILL I KNOW THAT MY CHILD HAS A FEVER?

A: Children with fever will feel hot and show certain changes in their behavior depending on their age. Newborns will be either fussier or sleepier than usual-or both; they will refuse the breast or bottle; and they are apt to have fewer, drier diapers than normal. Older babies and toddlers will be cranky, "clingy", and less energetic than usual. They will have no appetite but will seem especially thirsty. Finally, toddlers will either be quite listless and sleepy or very irritable and have difficulty falling asleep. Older children, over age 2, will be whiny and tired, will ask for drinks, and sometimes will complain of having chills or "hurting all over." If you note any of these changes in your child, no matter how old he is, it is smart to take his temperature.

Q: HOW DO I TAKE A TEMPERATURE?

A: There are so many different kinds of thermometer readily available for purchase at drug stores that it can be confusing to know which is best and for what age child. It might be smart to check with your pediatrician about her favorites especially since she knows your family well. Having said that, there are some tricks to choosing thermometers and to taking temperatures, as noted below:

o Best for Babies: A Rectal Temp
o Rinse your thermometer with cool water and then put petroleum jelly on the tip;
o With the baby on his tummy, put the thermometer into his rectum about one inch;
o Keep one hand on his back and the other holding the thermometer in place until it beeps.
o Expect your baby to cry but know that you are not hurting him; it is uncomfortable for him but not painful.

o Best for Preschoolers: An Axillary Temp
o Place the thermometer tip in your child's armpit and hold his arm next to his body until the beep.
o Axillary temps are usually about a degree cooler than rectal.

o Best for Big Kids: An Oral Temp
o Keep your child from drinking anything hot or cold for 20 minutes;
o Rinse the oral thermometer in cold water;
o Place its tip under your child's tongue until the beep.

If you take your child's temperature and then decide to call the doctor, make sure to explain what kind of thermometer you used. This will eliminate some of the confusion that sometimes arises about the reliability or meaning of a temperature reading. Also, please note that ear, pacifier and band-aid strip thermometers are not considered reliable for home use. Temporal artery thermometers are being developed, are expensive, and are still considered controversial.

Q: HOW CAN I HELP MY CHILD FEEL BETTER?

A: Fevers do not need to be treated, but children do. If your child is uncomfortable with his fever-feeling achy or having chills-then there are several tips to help him feel better.

o Give him medicine.
o Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) are highly recommended. Avoid aspirin, cold or cough medicine.
o Because Advil, Motrin and Tylenol come in many forms (like liquids or chewables) and many strengths, check with the pharmacist about the best choice and dose for your child. Generic medicines are fine and cheaper than "brands."
o Rectal suppositories are very helpful if your child is vomiting. Your pharmacist will have these behind his counter.
o Ibuprofen should not be used in children younger than 6 months or in dehydrated children.

o Give him a bath after giving him medicine as above.
o This is suggested for children with very high fevers and/or previous seizures with fever.
o The bath should be its usual warmth or slightly cooler, not frigid. Your child is not a polar bear!
o Do not add alcohol to the bath: alcohol can cause coma.
o Water evaporating from the skin cools your child. Gently wet (and rewet) his back and head with a washcloth to bring down his fever as he plays.

o Keep him cool.
o Dress him in a t-shirt or summer pajamas.
o Take the extra blankets off his bed.
o Make sure his room is cool.

o Give him extra drinks
o Fever increases your child's need for liquid.
o He is getting enough to drink if he urinates normally (wets his diapers well) and has lots of tears.

Many parents respond to their child's complaint that he feels cold by bundling him up, forgetting that his primary problem is fever. But he is already too hot! If your child has a fever, it is better to pretend that it is a hot summer day: water play, cool clothes and cool drinks will help bring down his fever.

Q: WHEN SHOULD I WORRY ABOUT A FEVER?

A: There are excellent pediatric guidelines about fever and when to worry as noted below. Call your pediatrician if:

o Your child's fever is over 100.4ºF (38ºC) and he is less than 3 months old;
o Your child's fever is over 102ºF (39ºC) and he is less than 2 years old;
o Your child's fever is over 104ºF (40ºC) and he is over 2 years old.

If you are worried about your child-even if his fever is lower than that listed above--please err on the side of calling for advice. Trust your instinct.

Q: WHEN SHOULD I CALL THE DOCTOR?

A: In addition to calling the pediatrician because your child has a fever in the "worrisome" range described above, it is necessary to call if your child has:

o Even a low- grade fever if he has a chronic disease like sickle cell anemia, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, neutropenia, or if he is on steroids;
o Severe pain anywhere, a stiff neck, persistent vomiting or diarrhea, or a new purplish rash;
o Difficulty breathing or blue nail beds or lips;
o A seizure (rhythmic motion of his extremities that you cannot stop);
o Unusual sleepiness or fussiness even after his fever goes down;
o An illness without fever for a few days and then a new fever;
o "Just something wrong" that worries you, especially if he is a newborn.

Q: WHAT WILL THE DOCTOR DO? WILL SHE GIVE ANTIBIOTICS?

A: Of course what the doctor will do depends to some extent on what your child has in addition to his fever. If your child has a worrisome fever for his age, the doctor will talk to you both and examine your child. She will consider ordering tests (like blood work or a urine culture). She may hospitalize him if your child is either very young or appears very sick.

The doctor will give your child antibiotics if she has diagnosed a bacterial infection like strep throat or pneumonia. She will not give him antibiotics for viral infections like colds or the flu. The fact that a child has a fever does not mean that he should be treated with antibiotics!

Q: WHEN MAY MY CHILD RETURN TO DAYCARE OR SCHOOL?

A: Most children with fever do not feel well, and many of them are contagious. Your child should not go back to daycare or school until:

o He has had no fever for 24 hours after stopping acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
o He is acting like himself again.

If you are unsure about when your child may return to school, check with your pediatrician. She will give you excellent advice based on experience with your child.

Fevers and childhood go together like peanut butter and jelly-- except that no one likes fevers. Because everyone eventually gets them, it is best to be prepared. Have an appropriate thermometer and medicine on hand so that, if your child gets his first fever in the middle of the night, you will be ready to offer the comfort and care he needs.

The purpose of this article is to educate. While every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy, its content should not be construed as definitive medical advice and is not a substitute for the professional judgment of your child's health care provider in diagnosing and treating illness. Because each child's health care needs are unique and because medical knowledge is always evolving, please consult a qualified health care professional to obtain the most current recommendations appropriate to your child's medical care. Neither the author nor the publisher shall be liable for any outcome or damages resulting from reliance upon the content of this publication.

MOTRIN® is a registered trademark of Johnson & Johnson. TYLENOL® is a registered trademark of The Tylenol Company. ADVIL® is a registered trademark of Wyeth. No association, affiliation or endorsement of this article or its contents by the referenced companies is intended or implied.

Ten Must Haves in Your Diaper Bag

A diaper bag is just a pretty bag unless you fill it with basic baby necessities. Once you fill up that diaper bag with basic baby necessities, it is no longer just a pretty bag anymore. This pretty bag that you are carrying transforms into a survival kit for parents and caregivers for when you take with them on any outing. Anywhere that your baby goes, a diaper bag should go. You always want to be prepared. These are some things to help you transform your diaper bag into a survival kit:

1- Diapers: Obviously you should always have diapers in your diaper bag. I would recommend at least 6. However, depending on how long you are going to be gone you may want to pack more.

2- Baby Wipes: Of course you will also need baby wipes to change the babies diaper. They also serve a dual purpose. You can use them to wipe the baby's hands when there is no sink available, and even to clean the baby's face after eating.

3- Vaseline/ Baby Powder: Or whatever it is you use in the baby's diaper the help keep the baby dry and prevent diaper rash.

4- Travel changing mat: You never know where you will have to change your baby. And a lot of parents and caregivers do not want to just plop the baby down on a public changing table without having a mat down first.

5- Bottles and/ or food: Include a few bottles with formula, and if necessary some water to mix the formula (if you use the powder kind). If you baby is on solids, you may want to pack some baby food, utensils and snacks such as cheerios. Also, you should pack a sippy cup.

6- Bibs: When you have to feed your baby outside of the house you should have bibs available so that the outfit does not get wet or messy.

7- Clothing: You should always, always carry one or two alternate outfits. There are going to be times, even when you go out that your baby takes a massive poop. You know them poops that fill up the baby's diaper so much. Then it goes up the baby's back and out of the corners of the diapers. Always carry at least one extra outfit.

8- Toys: For entertainment purposes. There are going to be times that your baby gets irritated. It will make the day more pleasant if you pack a few small toys for your baby.

9- Small Blanket: In case it gets too cold or you are in a place that is air conditioned and your baby gets a chill. You should always have a blanket available to make your child comfortable in cold places.

10- Pacifier: If your baby uses a pacifier you may want to pack and extra one or two in the diaper bag. They get lost very easily. So try and have extras.

Above are the basics that you should include in your diaper bag. As time goes by some things will be less needed or more needed. Always be sure to change the diapers and clothes in the bag as your baby grows. Now you have a basic survival kit for your daily outing with your baby.

Potty Training My Toddler

How To Potty Train a Toddler. Top 5 ways of knowing if your child is ready for that big step. One of the most frightening things about being a new parent is figuring out when a child is ready for the "next stage in life". When are they ready to stop drinking from a bottle, or when should they attempt to feed themselves or when should a parent start potty training? These changes were quite frightening for me because as I read many expert opinions about the subject and the consequences associated with doing something wrong, you have no choice but to be scared of messing up so bad that your child will have to deal with the consequences forever.

I'm here to tell you to relax. The wonderful thing about most of these stages, they are part of nature and most of the time nature will prevail despite our short falls. The best advice for new parents is to follow the signs that nature provide.

The top 5 signs that signal you that your child maybe ready for potty training are as follows:

1) Your child stay dry for longer period of time
2) Your child wakes up dry often in the morning
3) Your child starts dressing herself/himself
4) Your child let you know they need changing or if they are wet
5) Your child show interest in wearing big kids underpants

These signs tell you that this is a great time to make an attempt at potty training. Now it is important to remember in all the different stages in your child's life, the most important ways to influence change is through consistency and serving as the role model.

When beginning to potty train my daughter, I first took her to the store to select the "Big Girl" underpants to serve as her motivation. I selected to begin this process at a time when I was home on leave from work with her and when we would have very little distractions from our schedule.

The next day, I introduced her to the potty. We started our day on the potty. During that day, every time I went, my daughter sat on the potty. The second day, I put on the Big girl underpants on her for an hour and I move the potty to the family room where we spend most of our day. Every 30 minutes I would have her sit on the potty. This would go on for several days, until she finally goes on her own. I celebrated with her, but not excessively. I wanted her to know that this was a great thing but also a normal part of life.

Like I mentioned before, relax if your child resist at first. Eventually, your child will come around. You will not have an 18 year old in diapers. It will happen in due time. Be patient, relax, stay consistent and motivated.

Consider Cloth Diapers - A Healthier Choice For Baby Bottoms

The evolving of cloth diapers has been amazing and I'm sure equally a bit much to absorb for any first time mom or dad considering the option cloth diapers. This also applies to non-first time parents who are simply considering changing from disposables to cloth diapers. Many moms have taken a liking to prefer pre-fold diapers -- these are diapers already folded with an outer cover and also a thicker middle layer for absorption. These covers can be snapped, Velcro-ed, pulled on etc. Most are made of a fabric that breathes better than plastic, but is waterproof.

In addition to pre-folds, there are all-in-one diapers (AIO), pocket diapers; one size fits birth to potty time diapers, and many other options that come in incredible variety of colors, styles, and patterns. With so many to choose from these days, the experience of cloth diapers can be fun and stylish at the same time. It's worth taking a stab at the experience.

Now to give a few of my thoughts on the pros and cons of cloth diapering. The bad news first.

Cons:

More Time - Unless you using all-in-one diapers exclusively it does take more time at every diaper change to change the baby using cloth diapers. This can be difficult when your child is fussy, if you're in a hurry, if your child is sick; other children want your attention, etc.

Babysitters - Many, whether relatives, friends or just your child care provider, don't like to mess with cloth diapers. Although more expensive, you can buy a few all-in-one diapers (AIO) to make it more convenient for your sitter. But again, they're a little more expensive than the other diaper choices. But you'll still feel better about using cloth diapers as opposed to disposables.

Going out - They take up more room in diaper back and it's annoying at times to tote around if you're shopping, visiting, or simply running a quick errand with your baby. In addition you need a wet bag to store the dirty diapers in because unlike disposables, you're not just throwing these away.

Along with this is the fact of the smell. As children get older, their smells get stronger and it's very evident during diaper changes. It can be a turn off if you're out and have to tote around a stinky cloth diaper. You'll need a smell proof wet bag until you return home to wash them or until you get to a place to rinse them off.

Now the good news.

Pros:

Before you fret, just know there's also an upside to this. It's great when you don't have to go out in the middle of the night or in the most inconvenient time to buy disposable diapers because you've run out. The cloth diapering is much more economical (just like breastfeeding, you save money in the long run using cloth diapers) and its eco-friendly. You can just throw them in the washing machine, dry, and then you're back in business. Also, with society trying to move past being wasteful, you won't just be using something once and throwing it in the trash. With cloth diapers, you'll actually be recycling.

These eco-friendly diapers are healthier especially if they're made of cotton or hemp for the inner layer. This lessens the frequency of irritation and other issues for your child.

Another priceless benefit is that many cloth diapers have been designed by work at home moms rather than huge companies. These "mom developed" diapers are based on their own experiences in what worked best for the needs of their own children. How's that for research and development.

With all that said, why not consider trying cloth diapers. They're a healthy baby choice and your baby's bum will be glad you did. Happy parenting.

How to Use Cloth Diaper Without Hassles

Many parents want to use cloth diapers but think that it's too difficult. It is much easier to grab a disposable diaper and then toss it away when it's soiled. However, it is possible to minimize the hassles of using cloth diapers. Here are some ideas for how to cloth diaper more easily:

Use a diaper service.

If you don't want to even think about what kind of cloth diapers to use, much less wash and dry them, a diaper service is for you. With a diaper service, you receive a week's worth of clean diapers as well as a diaper pail. Just put the dirty diapers in the diaper pail until the new set of clean diapers arrives one week later. This is the easiest way to cloth diaper.

Use disposable diapers sometimes.

Cloth diapering isn't an all or nothing affair. If you find it too difficult to use cloth diapers at night or when you're out of the house, then use disposable diapers at those times. You'll still be minimizing your family's contribution to land fills, as well as your baby's exposure to the chemicals in disposable diapers.

Organize your supplies.

Set up a diaper changing station in convenient areas of your house. At least one upstairs and one downstairs would be ideal. In each changing station, make sure you have a diaper pail, fresh diapers, baby wipes or washcloths (I use spray bottles and washcloths instead of wipes), hand sanitizer, diaper rash cream, diaper covers and whatever else you use whenever changing your baby's diaper. Have a place nearby to air wet diaper covers. A mug tree or wall hooks are great for this.

Make your cloth diapers ready to go.

Fold and arrange the cloth diapers so that they're ready to go with each diaper change. If you use pocket diapers, stuff them with diaper liners as soon as you take them out of the dryer. Stack them up in a diaper stacker, just as you would disposable diapers. Then when you're changing baby's diaper, you just grab one and go.

Use the dry pail method.

Place wet and soiled diapers in a dry pail; don't put water in it. The wet pail method is messy, stinky and potentially dangerous. Small children can drown in even a few inches of water. Besides, the dry pail method is much more hygienic. Sprinkle the bottom of the pail with some baking soda, to cut on odors. Cover the pail and your room won't stink.

Cloth diapering doesn't have to be complicated or burdensome. With a little planning and organization, it can be quite pleasant and almost as convenient as disposable diapers. Give it a try and you'll soon come up with your own way of how to cloth diaper more conveniently.

Potty Training (Signs of Readiness)

Before starting potty training with your child, watch for signs of readiness for training. Trying to toilet train a child too early may prove to be futile and a waste of time. A child who is forced to try to comply may experience a sense of failure (so do the parents).

General Signs of Readiness

o Demonstrates initiative behavior
o Dislikes wet or dirty diapers
o Able to pull elastic waist pants up and down
o Is aware of the "need to go" and shows it by facial expression or by telling you.
o Is anxious to please you
o Asks to use the potty chair or adult toilet

Preparatory Steps

o Take your child into the bathroom with you. It helps if brothers and fathers set an example for boys, mothers and sisters for girls. Siblings are often delightful to be role models.
o Make a point to change diaper in the bathroom as it will associate the process with the place.
o Talk about the advantages of being trained; the pleasure of being clean and dry, no more diaper rash and no more interruptions for diaper changing.
o Let your child practice putting and taking off the training pants by himself.
o Have a potty chair handy on which the child may sit on (even with the clothes on), perhaps while you are in the bathroom yourself. It is to let your child get familiar with the equipment. Let your child try flushing the toilet for you, to help him or her get used to the noise it makes and avoid possible fear later on.
o Start off by reading "potty" books to your child. Many good ones are available.

Visit http://www.mybabybathroom.com for more information on baby bathing tips and potty training tips.