December 2007
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Vol 1, Issue 3
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Baby Hugs
Monthly Newsletter |
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This months top sellers for Baby Hugs have been the following:
1. Hot Slings
2. Phil and Teds Strollers
3. Wheely Bug
4. Around the Tree Train Set
Hot Slings
Hotslings pouches are an innovative design that combine fashion with function. Just because you are a mom (or dad) now doesn't mean you will be stuck with bears, bunnies, blue plaid and pink gingham. Nor will you be stuck with a front pack that only is good for your baby's first few months while it pulls mercilessly on your upper back.
Features & Benefits
- Sleek, one-piece fitted design.
- Fashion fabrics in today's colors and styles.
- Easy to use! No snaps, rings, buckles or fuss.
- Many sizes for a precise fit.
- Wide shoulder that spreads evenly across your back.
- Original sleek leg padding design to minimize cutting into tender knees.
- Extremely compact. Folds down to nothing in your diaper bag or purse.
- Promotes bonding, breastfeeding, closeness and trust.
- Calms fussy babies with swaddling effect.
- Hands free.
- Live your life with a calm, close, attached, happy baby.
- 3-5 carrying positions.
- Great for newborns up until the toddler stage.
- Easy care. Machine wash, hang dry.
- Made in USA under fair labor conditions.
- Stop carrying that heavy car seat bucket! Be the envy of the playground!
Buy one now! Collect them all!
Phil & Ted Strollers
Last Thursday night phil&teds won Creative and Design Exporter of the year at the 2007 New Zealand Export Awards for the second year in a row.
"We've been growing faster than a Russian male bodybuilder's breasts," said Campbell Gower, chief cook and bottle washer, on accepting the award.
phil&teds achievements over the last year include growth in export revenue by 5 times over their 2005 figure, the successful launch of 10 new products, expansion into 1800 stores worldwide, 18 new export markets, 27 lost bags, 10 new people, 4 blown coffee machines and now 1 more New Zealand Export Award!
It's been hard work but more importantly a lot of fun. From Newtown to New York, quirky and irreverent phil&teds has created an international brand of desire that helps parents to continue to live a dynamic lifestyle with children in tow.
phil&teds have unique products in 6 parenting categories now: push, sleep, feed, carry, drive, adapt. These unique products include the only travel cot in the world that's lighter than the baby, car seats, clip-on highchairs, the world's original and only inline™ buggy and related matching accessories.
"So now we've got 45 fantastically designed products, with 10 brand spanking new ones this year alone."
What apple is to computers, phil&teds is to baby goods.
So because everyone keeps doing it, phil&teds is happy designing it here, making it there, and selling it everywhere.
Visit www.philandteds.com for more information
Wheely Bug
The distinctive shape of the Original Wheely Bug is very user friendly. The bright and friendly design is an instant attraction to girls and boys alike. They go backwards, forwards, sideways, and round and round. Children don't get stuck against obstacles like some other ride on toys. Wheely Bugs help promote gross motor skills and balance like no other toy.
Wheely Bug bodies have a padded layer of sponge which is covered with a tough layer of polyurethane leatheroid and can be easily wiped clean. They are great to use on smooth level floors and ideal for indoors.
The castors are rated at 30kg each giving a total safe working load of 120kg! The base is made from plantation grown poplar plywood and has distinctive rounded contours. The "feelers" are made with stainless steel spring and have an internal limiter cord to resist pull out. The handle is aluminum so it won't rust. All in all, Wheely Bugs are constructed for years of fun; and can become heirloom.
Around the Tree Train Set
Put the Lionel Electric Train Set under your tree and start a new holiday tradition.
On board these Lionel toy trains, an elf chases a reindeer; boxcar plays 12 Christmas carols. The Lionel Christmas Train includes 4-4-2 steam locomotive and tender, boxcar, gondola, caboose, three straight and eight curved track sections, terminal section, CW-80 transformer, and smoke fluid. Some assembly required. 40"Wx60"L track layout.
Freight Train Expansion Kit turns any Lionel train into a Christmas special. Includes flatcar with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, reefer, searchlight car, lube and maintenance kit, three trees, and four straight track sections. Some assembly required. Expands layout to 50"Wx70"L.
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Essential items for your hospital bag for child birth.
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You've probably realised by now that doing as much preparation as possible prior to giving birth can help you feel more relaxed. Packing a hospital bag in preparation for your birth is a necessary part of this pre-birth preparation.
We have included as much detail as possible and there are items that you may wish to discard or add to the list. For obvious reasons it would be better to select darker rather than light clothing. Here's the essentials.
- Toiletry Bag -Shampoo,
conditioner, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, deodorant,
moisturiser, cleaning wipes, lip balm and some make up. Some amount of
make up may help you feel more comfortable when visitors arrive.
- 2 x Sponges -One small sponge for sips of water and sponging your face and a larger one for sponging you down. Some women prefer to take a water spray for cooling down during labor.
- Towels x 2 -Fairly obvious what these are for!
- Two or three clean nightgowns -Pick a dark color and select a front opening style.
- Underwear -Plenty of pairs of underwear, socks and your nursing bras.
- Dressing Gown and slippers
- Something to wear during labor -Most opt for a large comfortable t-shirt (better than a hospital gown) and a hair bobble.
- Ear plugs -May enable you to get some sleep with noise at hospital.
- Mobile/Money/Phone Card - Obviously, so you can make some calls.
- Anti-constipation tablets -Constipation is uncomfortable but it will be painful if you have had stitches.
- Books/Music -Things to keep you occupied in hospital
- A warm loose fitting cardigan or similar In case you get cold while in hospital.
- Camera and film - To take pictures of course!
- Clothes to wear home - Unfortunately normally still your maternity clothes.
- Breast pads -You'll soon discover that breast milk doesn't just flow at feeding time, especially early on.
- Rubber ring -Child's inflatable swimming ring aid. May be more comfortable to sit on if you have stitches.
- Glucose tablets - For that extra energy
- A tennis ball in a sock -Can help with alleviating back pain during labor
- Clothes/diapers For Your Baby -Sleep suits, vests, scratch mittens, diapers, diaper cream, and blankets. Make sure your partner has the car seat ready to bring you from his car.
It's unlikely that you'll need anything else if use this list. The only other thing to remember to bring with you is your birth plan, which you may wish to also pack in this bag.
Good luck and happy parenting!
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Potty Training Tips
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 We continue our series on potty training with these fun tips to try and make the training easier for you and your child.
It is hard trying to figure out when is the right time to potty train your child. Most children are usually ready for potty training between the ages of 18 to 24 months. During the whole potty training process, parents should always try to keep their sense of humors about them and keep things upbeat, making potty training a fun time for the child. Here are a couple of tips to get you started on potty training:
* Use a Drink and Wet Doll to demonstrate to your child how to go to the potty. After you pour water into the doll's mouth, you can have your child walk the doll to the potty chair, pull the doll's underwear down, seat it on the potty and watch the doll "pee". This is a good visual aid to motivate your child to do the same.
* Give your child a lot of fluids so that he has to go to the potty more often. The more often he goes, the quicker the child will be potty trained, and the more he will be trained to hold it in.
* If your child looks like she wants to go, then take the child to the potty every thirty minutes or so until he pees.
* If the child does not urinate right away, have him remain seated on the potty for a couple of minutes and maybe read a book together until he is ready to pee. You could also try placing his feet in warm water or turning on the faucet to encourage him to pee.
* Have your child look at learning aids such as books, videos and DVDs as they are an educational and fun introduction to potty training.
* Play games such as the blue and yellow make green game. Put some drops of blue food coloring into the toilet water, have your child urinate and he will see the water turn green much to the child's delight.
* Drop a couple of cheerios cereal into the toilet water and have your child aim and pee at them.
* Use charts and stickers to positively encourage and reinforce the habit. You can give stickers to your child for going to the potty, sitting on the potty, peeing successfully into the potty, or for been accident-free
* Use potty training toys such as musical potty chairs that play tunes when your child uses the potty, or potty training watches that vibrate at a set time to remind your child that it's potty time.
* Get rid of the diapers and put toilet training pants on your child for easier toilet training.
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Medical Care for your Newborn - Part One
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 By the time you hold your new baby in your arms for the first time, chances are you have already chosen one of the most important people in his or her early life - a doctor. You and your baby will probably visit the doctor more often during the first year than at any other time.
You may have had a prenatal visit with your baby's doctor-to-be to discuss some specifics, such as when he or she will see your newborn for the first time, office hours and on-call hours, who fills in for your doctor when he or she is out of the office, and how the office handles after-hours emergencies. You may have also learned your child's doctor's views on certain issues.
In this way, you've begun to forge a relationship with your baby's doctor that should last through the bumps, bruises, and midnight fevers to come.
What Will Happen Right After Birth?
Depending on your desires and the rules of the hospital or birth center where your baby is delivered, his or her first exam will either take place in the nursery or at your side:
Weight, length, and head circumference will be measured.
Temperature will be taken, and his or her breathing and heart rate will be measured.
The doctor or nurse will monitor the color of his or her skin and his or her activity.
Special eye drops will be given to ward off infection.
A shot of vitamin K will be given to prevent the possibility of bleeding.
Your baby will be given his or her first bath, and the umbilical cord stump will be cleaned. Most hospitals and birthing centers provide personal instructions (and sometimes videos) to new parents that cover feeding, bathing, and other important aspects of newborn care.
When Will We See the Doctor?
The hospital or birth center where you deliver will notify your child's doctor of your baby's birth. If you have had any medical problems during pregnancy, if any medical problems for your baby are suspected, or if you are having a c-section, a pediatrician or your baby's doctor will be alerted about the impending birth in order to be standing by to take care of the baby.
The doctor you have chosen for your newborn will probably give your baby a full physical examination within 24 hours of birth. You and your child's doctor will have the chance to talk about your new baby and the many aspects of parenting. This is also a good opportunity to ask any questions you have about your new baby's care. Find out when the doctor would like to see your newborn again. Most healthy newborns are routinely examined at the doctor's office when they are about one to two weeks old.
Next Issue - What happens at the first office visit?
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Zucchini Bread for the Holiday Season
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MAKES 18 SLICES
Ingredients
6 egg whites
1/4 cup canola oil
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups all-purpose (plain) flour
1 1/4 cups whole-wheat (whole-meal) flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 cups shredded zucchini
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 1/2 cups crushed, unsweetened pineapple
1/2 cup raisins
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 F. Lightly coat two 9-by-5-inch loaf pans with cooking spray.
In a large bowl, add the egg whites, canola oil, applesauce, sugar and vanilla. Using an electric mixer, beat the mixture on low speed until thick and foamy.
In a small bowl, stir together the flours. Set 1/2 cup aside. Add the baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon to the small bowl of flour.
Add the flour mixture to the egg white mixture and using the electric mixer on medium speed, beat until well blended. Add the zucchini, walnuts, pineapple and raisins and stir until combined. Adjust consistency of the batter with the remaining 1/2 cup flour, adding 1 tablespoon at a time. The batter should be thick and not runny.
Pour 1/2 of the batter into each prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaves comes out clean, about 50 minutes. Let the bread cool in the pans on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Turn the loaves out of the pans onto the rack and let cool completely. Cut each loaf into 9 1-inch slices and serve.
Nutritional Analysis(per serving)Serving size: 1 slice
Calories 173 Cholesterol 0 mg
Protein 4 g Sodium 104 mg
Carbohydrate 25 g Fiber 2 g
Total fat 5 g Potassium 173 mg
Saturated fat 0.5 g Calcium 24 mg
Monounsaturated fat 2 g
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Choosing audio books for children
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 Audio books for children compose a high percentage of the material available in the music book industry. By building a large audio library with music books for children, you can benefit both you and your children. They can be educational for your children in an entertaining way.
Audio books for children also help kids expand their imagination in ways that television and video games can not. With internet technology, you can get a wide selection of music books for children in just a matter of minutes.
Audio books for children are a great learning tool that children will undoubtedly enjoy. Kids who are not avid readers will still gain some of the advantages of reading by listening to an exciting music book.
They can also learn other skills that reading alone may not offer, such as listening skills. In addition, if your child has difficulty reading, an audio book can help them hone their reading skills by following along with the narration while having the book in front of them.
Audio books for children are ideal in that they have many of the same benefits that reading provides. By listening to an audio book, children can acquire a larger vocabulary and increase their imagination skills. Listening to a book also stimulates reading in that once a child has listened to how exciting a book can actually be, they are more likely to pick up one of their favorite books and read it.
A child music book is also a great idea for children as a bedtime story. Although it is no substitute for a parent reading a story to the child, the right selection can provide a calming atmosphere in a way that the parent might not be able to do at times.
For parents who want to evaluate what music books for children can do for their family, several websites are dedicated to helping them make informed decisions. For instance, childrensroom is a website that parents can go to where they can read reviews of books and audio books to help them make the best choice for their family.
Finally, when a parent decides on a child music book for their children to listen to, they should take into consideration some other specifics. For instance, listening to the book beforehand will help a parent decide if the book is age appropriate for their child. Is it too scary for them? Will they understand the story? Are the issues too mature or not mature enough to hold their interest? These are all questions a parent should ask before allowing their child to listen to the book.
In a society where television and video games are the norm in a typical household, music books for children are an exciting and educational alternative. While entertaining, audio books for children also provide excitement that helps to expand a child's imagination and enhance their listening skills.
With the popularity of the internet, parents have quick and easy access to a variety of titles that their children will be sure to enjoy.
Make sure you check with the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) for any Toy Recalls. The link is provided in this newsletter.
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We hope you enjoyed reading this issue. We appreciate and encourage any comments or questions.
We look forward to serving you.
Sincerely,
Your Friends at Baby Hugs
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