Tag Archives: Baby

Baby Picture Taking Tips

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on March 27, 2015 under Everything Baby | Be the First to Comment

You know the ones. The sweet pictures of a sleeping infant posed adorably. Oftentimes in the buff. So precious. But they’re always lying on top of something, right? And how will that item fare if that cute little one decides now is the right time to relieve themselves?

The answer is: underpads! Or chux, as their also known. They can still be used when the baby is lying on a fluffy white blanket: just put the underpad underneath the blanket to save the bed or floor underneath.

When taking shots with the diaper on the baby, our best advice is to make sure the diaper fits. During a photo session, you don’t want to see a loose diaper or one that’s just too tight. Not sure which size your baby is at the moment? Order a few samples from TotalHomeCareSupplies.com and you’ll always have the right size at hand.

The above is also a good idea for taking photos of your baby or toddler with clothes on – a poorly-fitting diaper will look bunchy under clothes. And a diaper that fits well is one of the best ways to prevent leaks!

Also, when trying to get the perfect shot, keep in mind that many pictures of very tiny babies are Photoshopped. If you’re looking at a too-sweet picture of a tiny baby that’s holding their head up, and you’re wondering, “how is that possible at that age?” – it’s probably not! The photographer will use the parents to hold an infant’s head or body, and then Photoshop the parent out. So don’t worry! All photos of your little one are perfect – because they are.

Preparing Your Child for a New Sibling

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on October 3, 2014 under Everything Baby | Be the First to Comment

How you prepare your child for their first sibling depends a lot the age of your (soon-to-be) eldest child. But there are a few universal tactics that can help ease the transition.

Keep their routine the same
No matter their age, your child will not appreciate the baby interrupting their life. You and your spouse will expect all the changes, but you can’t expect a child to do the same. So keep the ups and downs to a minimum. Keep their schedule as consistent as possible. Anything that does need to change (room switching and the like) should be done well in advance so it is not associated with the new baby. And if they’re going to stay with relatives or friends when the new baby actually shows up, have them try that a few weeks in advance, so the stress of something different doesn’t come at the same time as the new baby.

Take their lead
They don’t need to be as excited as the new baby as you and the rest of the family. They might be happy about it, they might express fear, they might express both depending on the time of day. If they want to talk about the baby or help you prepare, involve them. But if they’re doing their own thing, don’t use baby prep as a way to get them excited. Make sure they know what you’re doing when you’re preparing for the baby, and if they’re interested, they’ll find you.

Get them used to babies
If you have a big family, or lots of friends with infants, this may not be an issue. But if your child generally spends their time with children their age or older than them, seek out some babies. Visit a friend with an infant and ask to hold the child, while your child is watching. Make sure the environment is safe and that your child isn’t being ignored while you look at the baby. Now can be a great time to ask questions of your child, or of the infant’s parent. Having multiple confirmations about how things will go after the baby comes from several different adults will help solidify positive ideas about the baby in your child’s head.

We wish you much luck with the new little one, and invite you to check out our TotalHomeCareBaby.com store to see what products and deals are available.

How to Dress Your Baby for All Types of Weather

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on September 17, 2014 under Everything Baby | Be the First to Comment

Sure, you generally know what you’re going to wear for each season and the types of days within those seasons. But suddenly there’s another human who’s relying on you to make those decisions for them. What to do?

There are a few basic rules to follow when it comes to dressing your newborn and, later, your baby. We won’t lecture you about fashion (that’s totally up to you), but after reading this, you should know how to keep your baby comfortable and safe.

In the colder months, add another layer of clothing to your baby than you yourself are wearing. So if it’s a pants and sweater day, make sure your baby has a jacket when you leave the house. A blanket is also fine as an extra layer. You can make sure your little one is warm enough by touching their chest or the back of their neck. Their extremities are always going to be a little cooler than the rest of them, so don’t base your judgment on them.

In the warmer months, make sure they’re cool by keeping them in loose-fitting, natural fibers. Don’t feel the need to add the extra layer if it’s quite hot, but it’s always a good idea to keep a light jacket around. You never know how intense air conditioning is going to be. Watch out for heat rash, and always make sure they have a hat to cover their face (we know, some babies can’t stand hats, but keep trying!).

Lastly, be sure to adapt quickly when bringing your baby to a place with a different temperature. As soon as you arrive home or to day care or even a quick trip to the mall, adjust their outfit. Overheating a baby can be dangerous to their health. So watch out for any signs of overheating, like fussiness or a rash.

When it’s just you and your baby on warm afternoon, there’s nothing wrong with just letting them hang out in their diaper. No clothes to irritate them and nothing in your way when giving them tummy raspberries!

What’s your favorite baby outfit accessory? Let us know in the comments.

Baby Sleep Tips

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on September 5, 2014 under Everything Baby | Be the First to Comment

Getting your child to sleep is one thing. Getting your child to sleep when you want them to sleep is another. Check out these tips to help get your baby to fall (and stay) asleep!

Massage
You probably know from experience just how relaxing massages can be. So why not give one to your baby? A short massage (ten to fifteen minutes) can reassure your child and help them drift into the land of nod. This is an activity many fathers like to participate in, since it can create a bond, just as breastfeeding does. For some babies, thought, massages can stimulate rather than relax. Which type of baby do you have?

Make sure they’re dry
Having the correct overnight diaper on your baby can make all the difference. A diaper leak could possibly wake them up. Cuties Diapers feature an ultra-absorbent core that whisks the wetness away and keeps your baby feeling dry. Having an ultra-absorbent diaper also means less diaper changes are necessary in the middle of the night, meaning you don’t run the risk of waking them up during a change. However, if they have a bowel movement, it is necessary to change them.

Create a schedule
It’s hard to keep a schedule that’s consistent when there’s more than one person caring for the baby, but it will help. If possible, keep nap times and bedtime consistent (at least within a half hour, or so) and you may find your little one is ready to go down.

Know you’re different
What worked for your niece may not work for your baby. Your baby may not want to give up two naps when they’re a year and a half. If a white noise machine doesn’t seem to be helping, don’t be afraid to drop it. Maybe it will work for your baby later. Just be flexible and you’ll eventually find what works for you and your baby.