Baby Clubs = Big $$
No doubt about it, babies are expensive. If you’re looking for a way to make your budget support truckloads of diapers and mountains of formula, check out the following baby clubs.
Rewards”R”Us ~ Get valuable savings, member-only perks and a lot of other great benefits at Toys”R”us and Babies”R”us. Sign up for membership online or in store and get a FREE membership card. Then for every dollar you spend, you’ll rack up rewards. Click here for more info…
Publix Baby Club ~ From the time you learn you’re expecting until your child turns two years old, the Publix Baby Club has a bundle of good things for you and your little one. You will receive helpful newsletters and great coupons specifically timed to coincide with your baby’s ever-changing needs. Plus, as a FREE gift, first-time parents will receive the American Academy of Pediatrics’ complete guide to raising a child, “Caring for Your Baby and Young Child”—a $20 value. It’s full of invaluable medical and child-rearing advice from birth to age five. You’ll turn to it time and time again. Click here for more info…
Low Serotonin levels cause SIDS
February 4, 2010 by cbowman
Filed under Community News, Kids' Health, Newborns
At last! Researchers may have solved the mystery of what causes some babies die of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Levels of serotonin, which regulate a baby’s sleep, heart rate and breathing, were 26 percent lower in the brainstems of babies who died of SIDS than in those of babies who died of other causes, the study says.
Serotonin normally helps babies respond to high carbon-dioxide levels during sleep by helping them wake up and shift their head position to get fresh air.
Currently, there is no test to determine which infants may be at risk for SIDS. To avoid the risk of SIDS, parents should make sure that babies can breathe uninhibited during sleep: Place babies on their backs to avoid their rolling over, don’t over-bundle the baby, and don’t leave loose bedding or stuffed toys in the crib.
To read the rest of this article, click here…
Going “Green” with Cloth Diapers
Contributed by Virginia King.
Yes, believe it or not, cloth diapers are a great alternative to disposable.
Unlike the white leaky diapers held together by safety pins that your grandmother used, today’s cloth diapers have improved in design. With a little research, you can find a brand that actually fits your baby and doesn’t leak. Plus they come in cute fabrics and colors. Not only cost effective, they are a great choice for moms wanting to “go green.”
With so much variety out there now compared to 30 years ago, there is a cloth diaper for every size baby (from the skinny minny to the chunky monkey). The different types include:
- Flat fold diapers
- Pre-fold diapers
- Contoured diapers
- Fitted diapers
- Pocket diapers
- All-in-one diapers
While some cloth diapers can be bought and used as is, others require inserts or waterproof covers to make the diaper the best it can be. Ideally, a mother should buy one diaper from each type and, if possible, also buy several different brands within that type to find the best fit and protection for her baby.
I used Pocket Diapers with my son Aaron. In particular, I used the “Fuzzi Bunz” brand. In my case, I had to buy inserts to stuff into the pocket. Some websites call the inserts “accessories,” but they are not optional like we think of accessories. Without the inserts, Aarons’ diapers would have leaked for sure.
For a breakdown of the cost of cloth versus disposables, click here. For a comparison between the different types of cloth diapers, click here.
Other good websites include:
Fan Use Linked to Lower Risk of SIDS
Your baby’s sleeping environment matters!
A recent study, published in October’s Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, suggests that by improving the air circulation in your baby’s room, you can reduce the risk of sudden infant death (SIDS).
SIDS is the sudden death of an otherwise healthy infant that can’t be explained. It usually occurs while the infant is sleeping.
While putting your infant to sleep on her back is the best advice, using a fan to circulate air in your nursery also helps to lower the risk of SIDS. Other recommendations include using a firm mattress, removing toys and pillows from cribs, offering a pacifier during sleep times, and keeping infants from getting too warm.
