February 2008
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Vol 1, Issue 5
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Baby Hugs
Monthly Newsletter |
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| Dear asit, |
We continue to scour the markets and trade shows for the latest in specialty lines and items; and we always welcome your input. If you see something that we don't carry, please let us know and we'll be happy to research it for you.
We are also proud of our reputation in the community. Our business continues to grow, no small feat in the competitive marketplace of today... and we must take the time to thank all of our customers who have made our business a success.
Please click on our coupon at the bottom for great savings.
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Potty Training Tips
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 We continue our series on potty training with these tips. The best tip for child potty training is to make sure your child is ready to cooperate with you when it comes to potty training. Your job will be a lot easier, if your child is as ready as you are to potty train.
If your child has started potty training and is not taking the chance to go on the offensive about it on his/her own, you are going to have to help him to ease into it. there are some things that you can do, so here are some ideas to consider to help him make progress towards getting the process started:. You can start by asking yourself these questions:
Am I the one who is reminding him/her to go potty or is he/she reminding me? Remember, that the ultimate goal is to have the child be responsible for doing all the work such as going to the toilet, going potty and then finishing the process.
Are his/her pants big enough to make the training process a simple one or does he need my help to pull pants off? If the child needs your help, you must try loose-fitting pants.
Have I confused him/her by being inconsistent with the rules?
basically if you have to help your child pull down his pants and at other times make him do it this could be a problem.
Are you changing the order of things he should do and confusing the child? You have to be consistent with the steps of the process so there's not confusion.
Do you need to offer better rewards all of the time to reignite interest? If this sounds like you then it is possible that you need to change the rewards. For example, instead of treats, would your child like a chart that he/she can put stickers on to see how many times he goes to the bathroom?
Maybe he would be motivated by getting a special treat if he is dry all day or all week just to keep the reward system fresh. Sometimes we stop giving rewards and the child loses their early motivation.
If he is forgetting to run to the toilet, get the child to practice.
The way I like to do practices is a lot like sports in that if they look like they need to go potty or they have wet or pooped in their pants, take hold of him and help them run to the toilet.
If they already had an accident, clean up and get them cleaned up as quickly as possible.
A practice is where you take the child to the place where he/she had the accident and then offer some support and not a criticism to the child and ask them to show you how to use the potty.
Next you will help them run quickly to the toilet, pull their pants down and get on the toilet. Then you have to remember to congratulate them. The key to this is for you to make it fun so they are encouraged that they can actually do it. Sometimes, it may seem like a punishment to the child. If this is the case, then it should only occur once or twice. You are going to have to do some practices at neutral times as well, when they are not thinking about going potty, so that they'll learn how to shift from what they're doing to quickly and make it to the toilet. That is why you have to make it fun, have a race, and include the entire family and then everyone can get the rewards together.
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Garlic-Rosemary Roasted Chicken & Vegetables.
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 Rosemary is one of the oldest known herbs in recorded history. This recipe will take you back with a taste from the Mediterranean.
4 servings
Ingredients:
4 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
1 medium zucchini, sliced lengthwise in 1/2-in. strips, then into 1-in. pieces
1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 yellow bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 medium onion, cut into 8 wedges
1 tablespoon olive oil
6 cloves garlic, sliced
4 sprigs fresh rosemary
Directions:
Preheat oven to 450°F. Wash hands. Combine zucchini, peppers and onion in large bowl. Drizzle with oil; toss to coat.
Place chicken and vegetables in jelly roll pan. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper, if desired. Sprinkle garlic over chicken and vegetables. Place 1 sprig rosemary on each chicken breast; press lightly to flatten rosemary against chicken. Wash hands.
Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until vegetables are tender and chicken is done (internal temp 170°F).
Tips: Serve chicken and vegetables with crusty French bread. Refrigerate leftovers.
Calories: 319 Total Fat: 7g Protein: 56g Carbohydrate: 6g Cholesterol: 136mg Sodium: 421mg
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Causes of Diaper Rash
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 Causes
Diaper rash can be traced to a number of causes, including:
Irritation from stool and urine. Prolonged exposure to urine or feces can irritate a baby's sensitive skin. Your baby may be more prone to diaper rash if he or she is experiencing frequent bowel movements, because feces are more irritating than urine.
Introduction of new foods. As babies start to eat solid foods, generally when they're between 4 and 12 months old, the content of their stool changes, increasing the likelihood of diaper rash. Changes in your baby's diet can also increase the frequency of stools, which can lead to diaper rash. If you're breast-feeding, your baby may develop diaper rash in response to something you've eaten, such as tomato-based foods.
Irritation from a new product. Disposable wipes, a new brand of disposable diaper, or a detergent, bleach or fabric softener used to launder cloth diapers can all irritate your baby's delicate bottom. Other substances that can add to the problem include ingredients found in some baby lotions, powders and oils.
Bacterial or yeast (fungi) infection. What begins as a simple skin infection may spread to the surrounding region. The area covered by a diaper - buttocks, thighs and genitals - is especially vulnerable to this tendency because it's warm and moist, making a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and yeast. These rashes generally start within the creases of the skin, and there may be red dots scattered around the creases.
Sensitive skin. Babies with skin conditions, such as atopic dermatitis or eczema, may be more likely to develop diaper rashes. However, the irritated skin of atopic dermatitis and eczema commonly affects more than just the diaper area.
Chafing or rubbing. Tightfitting diapers or clothing that rubs against the skin can lead to a rash.
Use of antibiotics. Antibiotics kill bacteria - both bad and good. Without the right balance of good bacteria, however, yeast infections can occur. This can happen when babies take antibiotics or when mothers, who are breast-feeding their infants, are taking antibiotics.
When to seek medical advice
Diaper rash is usually easily treated and improves within several days after starting home treatment. If your baby's skin doesn't improve after a few days of home treatment with over-the-counter ointment and more frequent diaper changes, talk to your doctor. Sometimes, diaper rash leads to secondary infections that may require prescription medications. Have your child examined if the rash is severe, worsens despite home treatment or occurs along with any of the following:
- A rash that extends beyond the diaper area
- Rashes that don't respond to home treatment
Treatment
The best treatment for diaper rash is to keep your baby's skin as clean and dry as possible. If your baby's diaper rash persists during home treatment, your doctor may prescribe an antifungal cream or possibly a mild hydrocortisone cream. Diaper rashes usually require several days to improve and can continue for weeks. If the rash persists despite prescription treatment, your doctor may recommend that your baby see a dermatologist.
Use creams with steroids only if your baby's pediatrician or dermatologist recommends them - strong steroids or frequent use can lead to additional problems.
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Take a 'Babymoon' - The Travel Industries answer to New and Expecting Parents
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Pregnant? Uncomfortable and miserable? Grumpy and emotional? The travel industry is finally catching on that pregnant women need to get away. Plan a babymoon vacation.
Some people think pregnancy is the worst time to travel, as you suffer from any number of discomforts and indiginities. In reality, this is the perfect time to indulge in the new trend of "babymoons."
What is a babymoon?
A babymoon is a vacation taken while pregnant or, sometimes, for new parents. The idea is to let the pregnant woman and the new dad be pampered, live it up (minus the alcohol) and, in general, enjoy the last moment of peace, quiet and adults-only entertainment of their lives. It is a hot new trend and there has been quite a bit of babymoon buzz. In fact, even Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes took a babymoon. Flickr even has a section of pictures tagged babymoon.
Can I babymoon while pregnant?
Ultimately, this is a question for your doctor. High-risk pregnancies and women pregnant with multiples likely face special restrictions against babymoons. In most cases, you can travel while pregnant and it is perfectly safe. It is usually not recommended to travel late in pregnancy, in case you go into preterm labor.
The main thing is to do your homework first. Check with your doctor. Check with the airline or cruise line (many ban pregnant travel past a certain gestational age). Also see tips on travel during pregnancy.
When to babymoon
Pregnany is never very predictable, but the best time to travel is likely the second trimester. Hopefully, mom's nausea will have passed, but the largesse and discomfort of the third trimester will be in the future.
If you have a good babysitter (and can stand to be away from baby), sometime about six weeks to three months after baby is born can be a nice time for a babymoon. It can be wonderful and refreshing for mom and dad to even get a long weekend without waking throughout the night.
Babymoon destinations and ideas
You need not go far from home for a great babymoon destination. Even a spa resort hotel in your own town is great for a weekend getaway.
Although you certainly can travel far for your babymoon (as long as doctor approves), I recommend sticking closer to home. Find someplace that is a short 1-3 hour drive, train ride or flight away, if possible.
Babymoon DOs and DON'Ts
Don't bring your old tennis shoes or walking shoes. They probably won't fit (especially after a little walking, when your feet are sure to swell).
Do drink loads and loads of water during travel and while sightseeing. Your body and babies need for more hydration than normal.
Don't plan too ambitious an itinerary. Keep it flexible and easy-going. You will likely want to rest often.
Why you should babymoon
This may be the last chance you, as a couple, have to be just a couple for a while. Take advantage of this rare time to rediscover each other.
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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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