According to the Department of Agriculture, on average, parents can expect to dish out nearly $300,000 from the time a baby is born until he or she reaches the age of 17. Compare this figure to just nine years ago in 2000 when experts calculated the 17-year expense of a child at $165,000.

The first year of a baby’s life can quickly add up to nearly $12,000 in expenses including babysitters, food, clothes, and the infant’s share of transportation, utilities, and housing.

The good news is there are ways to save while providing for your baby. The following five tips are designed to keep money in your pocket without compromising the life you envision for your child.

Secondhand Doesn’t Mean Second-rate
Think twice before you decline hand-me-down items offered by friends and family – especially when they are for your baby. Infants tend to grow so fast and have very little time actually do damage to their clothing. Sure some clothes are lost to inevitable food stains. But overall, the clothing isn’t worn out.

Even better, if someone offers you clothes in styles you aren’t fond of or clothes for a different gender, sort through the items, keep what you want and take the rest to your local second hand store that will trade you cash or store credit for the items.

Also, don’t be afraid to explore the aisles of local second hand stores (or online auction sites such as eBay). Keep in mind there are hidden treasures waiting for you to find them. Ask the store cashier when they usually put new merchandise out and make it a point to be at the store during this time so you have first pick of quality clothes for a less expensive price.

Keep It SimpleMost stores would like for you to believe that you need an assortment of products to properly care for your child. This is not the case. If you have a car seat, crib, diapers and milk for your baby, the rest can wait.

Don’t Fill The Toy Box
It’s easy to lavish our babies with fun and exciting toys, but the truth is your baby’s favorite toy is most likely you or a caregiver. Your baby doesn’t need all those other items and while it would be nice to provide such toys, it isn’t necessary.

Opt For Breast Milk
According to Consumer Report, parents spend nearly $2,000 on formula per baby each year. While some women have medical reasons that prevent them from providing their child with breast milk, most do not. Consider either breast feeding your child or pumping your breast milk to bottle-feed.

Sign Up For Coupons
There are plenty of manufactures out their who would love to send you coupons and welcome kits (that include free samples) for you and your child. Don’t be shy. Sign up to receive your free gifts.

Whatever your decision may be, it is important to keep in mind your child with live and carry the name that you have chosen for the rest of his/her life. Careful thought and consideration is definitely in order.

Below are some pointers that you may want to consider when choosing the name of your baby:
• List down the names you are considering and say it out loud along with the surname to test how it sounds.
• Will the name fit the baby?
• Will the shortened version of the name or nickname be desirable?
• Don’t forget to also check out the initials of the name, just in case it will sound naughty or crude.
• Double check on the spelling. Most parents register incorrect spelling of their baby’s name which will sentence your child to a lifetime of spelling alterations.
• Consider if your baby’s name may be in conflict with the name of any family member or the initials.
• Is the name difficult to pronounce?
• Is your baby named after a celebrity? Consider its impact on peoples’ thoughts and perception.

Choosing Names for Twins
It’s overwhelming enough to choose a name with thousands upon thousands to choose from, but will choosing names for twins double the trouble? Well, not necessarily. Here are some suggestions and ideas for naming twins to get you started:
• Use anagrams. Example: Reva and Vera, Mary and Myra, Ira and Ria
• Use synonyms. Example: Dahlia and Daisy, Camellia and Heather
• Reverse names. Example: Nadia and Aidan’

A Name That Grows
Some parents may not know it, but their toddler will soon grow to become a boy or girl and eventually into a man or woman. It is therefore very important to choose a name that your child will grow up with. For example, while Buffy may sound like an adorable name for a three year old tyke, it may not be such a great pick for a thirty year old lawyer, right?
For people who are considering on naming their child after a friend, proceed with more caution. It may turn out to be quite embarrassing to explain how your child ended up with the name of your friend turned enemy.

But before you do raid the malls with loads of baby stuff you plan to buy before the arrival of the baby, it is important to know the essential baby products that you should be on your list. Take a cue for some veteran mothers share the essential products that your baby would need to ensure optimum safety and comfort.

Car Seat - this gear is simply a must for traveling your baby from point A to point B or even if you don’t intend to take the baby out by car. Most hospitals today ensure that a car seat is available before agreeing to release the infant and the month. It is also a government regulation to use a car seat when traveling with an infant.

Baby Carrier – carrying a baby around can b a tiresome business. A good front or back carrier is important to help you carry your baby around with more ease. It will free up your hands at the same time promote more physical closeness between the baby and the parent.

Baby Stroller – A sturdy stroller becomes highly useful as a safety mechanism when bringing the baby for a walk. Strollers have breaks to help you maneuver even uneven terrains and an adjustable hood to protect the baby from direct sunlight.
Diaper Changing Station – a portable changing station becomes a convenient way to change your baby’s diaper both at home and away.

Soft Baby Toys – let’s admit it, you cannot expect your bundle of joy will not be always on his/her best behavior at all times. Make sure to bring along his/her favorite toys to keep them entertained and preoccupied when the need arises as well as help improve their motor skills.

Baby Wipes – aside from wiping poops and urine, baby wipes becomes handy in cleaning and wiping just about any accidental spills and dirt. Most healthcare providers advice to use unscented baby wipes to avoid skin irritation to sensitive baby skin.

There is no question why there are so many numerous drugs and prescriptions on the marketplace. Each disease, infection, or challenge requires a different kind of treatment in order to correctly solve what is wrong. The same holds true when treating yeast infections with your infant. Every case is different which makes it all the more important you understand how to appropriately care for your infant.

One of the most commonly found yeast infections with infants is typically thought to be a diaper rash. Yeast feeds off of moist areas which is exactly what you will find in any baby's diaper. For this reason, it is important you keep your baby's skin as dry as possible.

You can do this by using a liner that will help wick away moisture from the skin. After all, it can be difficult to know every second when your baby has gone to the bathroom. An alternative recommendation is to place your baby on an open diaper when they are sleeping so their skin can air dry. The more time your infant's skin has to air dry the better off they are.

Another kind of yeast infection that is common with babies is thrush. Thrush is an oral form of yeast infection that is found in the mouth. This is one of the most common reasons infants do not want to drink formula or breast feed. If you begin to notice a change in their eating and drinking habits you are going to want to get this checked out.

Oral thrush with babies is typically seen as white unpleasant patches on the tongue and gums. As the mother breast feeds, the yeast infection will many times show as sore or cracked nipples. The best way to go about treating yeast infections that are oral is to visit a health care provider.

No matter what type of yeast infection you are treating, make sure you stay away from using creams with boric acid, phenols or methyl salicylate unless it is recommended by your health care provider. The reason for this is because the doses that are placed in these creams can be detrimental to a small infant. Health care providers will in general prescribe these types of creams if the baby will be under their supervision.

It is valuable you understand how to go about treating yeast infections with your infant accurately. There is not a single method that will work every time being that there are several another kinds of infections and numerous places the infection can arise. For this reason, take the time to investigate and learn about yeast infections so you can treat your child the best way possible.

To cure yeast infection please visit: http://www.cureyeastreview.com and http://www.CenterforHealthControl.com

Felix Babanao-Frankson

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Felix_Babanao-Frankson
http://EzineArticles.com/?Treat-Yeast-Infection-With-Your-Infant-Correctly&id=2648363

Causes

The causes of constipation in infants and toddlers include:

* Change from breast milk to formulas
* Insufficient intake of fluid
* Low fiber diet
* Metabolic disorders
* Cow's milk or any other ingredient in the child's food
* Certain medications

Symptoms

Here are some symptoms of constipation seen in young children:

* No bowel movement in three days
* Stool is hard and looks like small pebbles or is large in diameter
* Gas formation in the stomach
* Pain and discomfort with passage of stool
* Leakage of liquid stool into the child's underwear or diaper

You should call the doctor immediately if the following are noted:

* Blood in the baby's stool
* Stomach ache
* Fever
* Vomiting
* Constipation despite 3 days of home care

Treatment

The following methods may be used to reduce constipation:

* For infants older than six months, a high-fiber diet can be introduced. Increase the child's intake of barley, oatmeal, vegetables especially peas, fruit, and other foods that are rich in fiber.
* For infants between four to six months, drinking 2-4 ounces of water or diluted fresh fruit juices day may work.
* Avoid honey, infant mineral oil, cow's milk, and syrup.
* Remember also that a BRAT diet (Banana, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast), which is good for diarrhea, has a worsening effect for constipation.

If nothing works, it is important to consult your doctor immediately.

Paul Banas is a founder of GreatDad.com. He writes articles on parenting styles, parenting, pregnancy and dads, parenting tips, baby names, pregnancy symptoms and many more topics related to dads.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=P._Banas

Author: C.L. Hendricks

Are you going to be hiring a baby sitter and have been wondering exactly what to look for? That’s a question that many experienced parents have already sorted out for themselves. We asked a group of parents to identify what they considered the most important criteria for choosing a person to watch their children. While there were a few standard answers, there were a number of specifics that each parent considered important.

The top 7 criteria for selecting a baby sitter by these parents were that a baby sitter needs to be:

* Patient

* Responsible

* Mature

* Trustworthy

* Reliable

* Experienced with children, preferably of a similar age to your child

* Respectful of the parent’s wishes and instructions

Here are some other specific qualifications that some parents considered absolutely vital when considering hiring a baby sitter.

* Many schools have baby sitting courses, and present a certificate to children who complete the course. Ask the sitter if they have taken the course, and ask to see the certificate.

* One of the ways in which I evaluate a baby sitter is by his/her appearance. If they are neat and clean, I get the sense that they care about things.

* Babysitters should know CPR and always know the poison control number to call in the case of an emergency.

* They should be at least 16 so they could get the baby to the hospital in the case of an emergency.

* Look for someone who truly loves children and who engages them properly and plays with them.

* Look for someone with good judgment and who knows how to set boundaries.

* Look for a person who has good local references/recommendations from a close friend.

Parents need to trust their gut. If something doesn’t feel right then do not even consider hiring that person to watch your children. Some parents include the children in the interview process, because children often have a better insight into the sincerity of adults.

Don’t hesitate to do a background check, especially if the sitter is an adult. Often your local police department will be able to perform such a screen, and even do a federal check to look for any criminal history.

When hiring a baby sitter be sure to check out all references. These are your children so it is up to you to do everything within your power to protect them in your absence. Some parents even make a point of installing a nanny cam as an extra measure of security.

About the Author:

C.L. Hendricks is a "jill-of-all-trades" and an expert in some. She writes on a variety of subjects for several websites, including InvitingSmiles and Survival Homestead, to name a few.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Hiring a Baby Sitter

So you are a new parent? Congratulations! Welcoming a new child into a family is an exciting, thrilling time. It can be scary, too, of course. And rightly so. No where else in life will you experience the rollercoaster of life more than in the game of parenting. I know because I have four children and have been parenting for more than two decades. What words of wisdom for new parents can I offer you? Well, if I was to start all over with my kids, I'd want to know that there is an art and a science to the skill of raising a child.

The Art of Parenting.

This is the heart of your parenting. You love your child. You want the very best for him. You envision years of happy times together. This is all good! The feelings and desires you have for your family will motivate you when times get tough. And you can be certain, times will get tough. It's simply the nature of the beast.

You can establish strong heart bonds with your child by intentionally cultivating the relationship with her. Starting as a baby, spend time with your little one. As one who has been there, done that, I can assure you there is no substitute for time spent with your child.

Get to know this new human. Figure out her personality, her quirks, her talents, her frustrations. This will do several things for both of you as your child grows.

* Allow you to be the person she trusts. Your tender knowledge of her will prove your trustworthiness to her time and time again. She will know you are the person she can come to, anytime, with anything. This will be invaluable all through her young life, and especially as she travels through the teen years.

* Give you knowledge that will help you guide her through the pitfalls she must traverse. Instead of wringing your hands and worrying, you will be in a much better position to take positive action as necessary. Remember, you cannot control your child, but you do have tremendous influence over her as her parent.

* Cause you to deepen your love for your child. Whenever you deepen a relationship, the result is a tighter bond. Yes, I'll admit this is why you will hurt at times over your child. But deepening your love for your family is what will enable you to make the necessary sacrifices to care for them in the ways they will need.

No one said parenting is easy. But it can be extremely rewarding.

The Science of Parenting.

This is the head or thinking side of your parenting. This is where you apply all the skills you use in other areas of your life to improve yourself as a parent.

For example, you probably had some sort of education to be trained in your current job or career. Perhaps it took you years to learn your career skills. Perhaps it was simply a matter of on-the-job training. Whatever it was, you knew there was a learning curve involved. You may have continuing education requirements for your career, as well.

Thoughtful wisdom in parenting dictates there is also a learning curve. This is definitely an on-the-job type of training, but you needn't feel overwhelmed. Parenting is the most popular career field on the planet. There is no shortage of books, seminars, classes, and mentors available to you concerning this topic.

Like any career, you'll need to do a little research to determine which voices to listen to. I recommend making a list of all the parents you know who are raising their children in ways in which you respect. These are the voices to begin to listen to.

Be flexible in your parenting. What works in one season of your family's life may not work as well in another. And what works beautifully with one child may fail miserably with another child. As you maneuver through the science of parenting, let your heart (art) be your guide. I am a firm believer that no one knows a child the way that child's parent does. As you listen to other parents and learn through parenting resources, listen with your heart. Will this material work in my family? Could I adapt it to work more specifically for my family's situation? Feel free to try parenting ideas and make adjustments over time. Very few ideas will work the first time, but many ideas will be invaluable over the long haul.

The last bit of wisdom for new parents I'd like to offer is this: give yourself a break. If you are loving your child and working to learn what you can about the parenting game, you are probably doing a wonderful job. Kids are flexible and can stand up to most of our mistakes. Have a humble and grateful heart and be determined to do whatever you need to do as a parent and you'll do great.

About the Author:
Colleen Langenfeld has been parenting for over 27 years and helps other moms enjoy mothering more at http://www.paintedgold.com . Visit her website and grab more words of wisdom for new parents today.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Words of Wisdom For New Parents - The Art

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You will probably need to free up your schedule to allot ample time to clear your doubts and apprehensions during the initial stages of your pregnancy as well as knowing what to expect on the next few months. If possible, it would also be advisable to invite your partner to the doctor’s consultation.

During the first meeting, the doctor will be able to give you the expected delivery of the baby. This estimation of the date is also important for careful evaluation of the monthly growth of the fetus. For women with irregular menstrual cycles, doctors usually recommend ultrasound scans to derive a clearer picture with regard to the expect date of delivery. Mothers will also be asked to record the height, weight as well as the blood pressure to have a reliable assessment of the mother’s health. In some cases, PAP tests may be required to screen for cervical cancer.

On the prenatal visits, blood tests are also conducted to screen for certain diseases such as the following:

• Mumps
• Measles
• Rubella
• Syphilis
• HIV
• Kidney disorders
• Diabetes

Apart from these tests, the doctor will ask you about you lifestyle and eating habits and may ask you to make the appropriate changes to accommodate your pregnancy.

What to expect in future visits

After your first prenatal visit, you may need to see your doctor every four weeks or so until the 28th week of pregnancy, after which you will need to see each other more often. In addition to these checkups, you may also want ensure possible screening methods to ensure normal development of the baby. The important key here is to discuss these options to your doctor and seek expert advice.

A sonogram or ultrasound will also be conducted between 18 to 200 weeks. You will also be advised to take multivitamins that contains iron and folate to ensure you are getting enough nutrients in your diet. If you have questions, be sure to list it down and ask your doctor about your concerns for your next visit.

As your pregnancy progresses, you will eventually discuss your birth plan. Here are some possible issues that you may need to work out with your doctor:

• Who will she or he work with you throughout your pregnancy?
• Where will the baby be delivered?
• Who will be on call if in case your doctor will be on vacation?
• In case of emergencies, who will attend to you?
• What prenatal education does he or she recommends?

Breastfeeding is widely accepted as the best food for infants and by far the most natural. Breast milk is known to contain the essential nutrients as well as the antibodies that can perfectly match the nutritional requirements of a growing infant.

Its composition can effectively help in reducing the incidents of diarrhea, digestive upsets and constipation. So if you are planning on breastfeeding your child, here are some valuable pointers you need to know.

Before the baby is born

Most women do not know that the preparation for breastfeeding actually starts even before the baby is born. While we all know that breast milk is natural, this does not necessarily mean it’s easy.

An important part of preparation for breastfeeding comes even before your baby is born. Breastfeeding is, of course, completely natural – this does not, however, mean that it is necessarily easy. Almost all women can breastfeed, as long as they get good advice and good support. It would be good to enroll on antenatal classes for proper guidance in breastfeeding. Good quality breast shells are also necessary investment to help air the nipples.

Starting out

In most cases, breast milk may not come in until a few days after delivery, so mothers need not worry if the baby doesn’t seem to be taking much in. Please bear in mind that it is perfectly normal for babies to lose about 10% of their body weight during the first few days. Some mothers experience anxiety over the fact that they are not producing enough milk. However, on the first few days, babies are actually drinking colostrums that contain high calorie content and vital antibodies to ward off infections.

Perfect Positioning

First time mothers should also know that while their babies instinctively know how to suck, they do not know how to latch on properly – which is a skill that should be taught. The proper way to do this is to gently stroke the nipple down from her nose until the baby’s mouth opens and sucks on the nipple, head pointing upwards towards the roof. This may require several tries to get it right.

Pillows can also be a good support when feeding the baby. Hold your baby with one hand at the back of the neck or head to adjust him/her to the right angle. As soon as the baby has successfully latched on, start counting from one to ten. If it becomes painful, then there may be something wrong, since breastfeeding should not be uncomfortable.

This Video will show you proper BREASTFEEDING POSITIONS: