Baby Care

Archive for the ‘Baby Clothes’ Category

At first you may be nervous about dressing your baby and trying to support him while manipulating the garments. Dressing will become easier with practice, so just be gentle and patient.

You should always dress and undress a young baby on a nonskid flat surface, as this allows you to keep both hands free – a changing pad is ideal. Your baby is very likely to cry as you take off his clothes. This is because young babies hate the feel of the air on their naked bodies; they like to feel snug and secure. It’s not because you’re hurting him, so don’t get flustered by it.

It is all too easy to spend a lot of money on baby clothes – especially as there is a tendency for manufacturers at the cheaper end of the market to guarantee itself a profit by spending less themselves on making the clothes.  Finding the right material for baby clothes is very important.  Although human beings have made great advances in manufacturing over time, the fact is that synthetic fabrics – though cheaper than cotton – are not as kind to the human skin. If you want to be kind to your baby – who will, it is certain, have softer skin than yours – it is important to buy baby clothes made of cotton, or wool.

Synthetic fabrics are known to be harsh on the skin, and also have a tendency to be more allergenic than natural fabrics due to the chemicals used to make them. The processes used to turn natural ingredients into natural fabrics require a little bit more work, and less chemicals, so they will be more expensive.  But set next to the medical bills which can result from a child’s reaction to cheaper fabrics, it could be said that the more natural fabrics you clothe them in are an investment.

The right mix to go for, then, is clothes in a natural fabric which are dyed in a relatively gentle way to be brightly colored. It is well known that children react well to bright colors as a visual stimulus, and consequently they will be happier in such clothes.

Also, it is proven that synthetic fabric is highly flammable as opposed to cotton.  It is highly recommended by professionals that a child sleeps in cotton material as opposed to any other in case of a fire.  Although all materials burn, it has been proven that materials other than cotton burn faster and therefore can be very harmful to a child.

Who would have thought that choosing the right material for your baby’s clothes could mean a matter of life or death or lesser degree of burns?

It is believed that a small child takes all your free time and a young mother often does not have time for herself, her beloved husband, household activities.
Recently in our country there were special backpacks for carrying the child. They are also called “kangaroo”. You can freely go about your business without leaving the baby alone. This backpack is very convenient for walking, when it is impossible to take a stroller, and especially for home use.

Basic rules
At first glance it seems that this situation is terribly inconvenient and even dangerous for kids. In fact, it is not. The child is in limbo that does not give an extra load on the spine.
In the West, several generations grew up in the backpacks. And, incidentally, they do not suffer from curvature of the spine.
In order not to cause harm to the baby, it is necessary to observe a few simple rules.
“Kangaroo” must comply with the child’s age.
The child must be held tightly to her mother, not a talker.
Belts should not rub baby’s skin.
You need constantly to check the reliability of the bindings.

Carring
There are several ways of carrying the child in “kangaroo”. Everything depends on the age of the child and what you are going to do.
Face. This method is suitable for very small children, during most of the time sleep. In this position, the baby will see your face and hear the heartbeat.
Back. When a baby is a little older, it will be much more interesting to look at the sides, than cling to your chest.
Face-to-back. In such situation it is much more convenient and safe to cook, iron, and do other household activities. Of course, in order to put the baby on your back, you need a certain skill.
Back to back. Personally, I like this method best. By using “kangaroo” in this way I could, without any distractions, sit at the computer.

How to choose a “kangaroo”?
From 0 to 3 months
These models are designed for newborns who are not yet able to hold their own head. These kangaroos are quite strong with a high back.
From 3 months to a year
They are smaller and have a soft back. They provide child with a freedom of movements.
Multifunctional from birth to a year
This kind of “kangaroos” are suitable both a newborn and older children. These models are sufficiently dense back with a detachable or folding top.
When purchasing you must pay attention to the following details.
Width of belts. They must be sufficiently broad and dense. Otherwise, under the weight of the baby belts will slide and rub your back.

Fasteners.
Fasteners must be fitted in such a way so that you yourself have to unbutton them.
The presence of pocket. Some models are equipped with a special pocket on the outside of the back. It is possible to put a pacifier, napkin, rattle, everything that should always be at hand.
Possibility of regulation. Kid grows very quickly; you constantly have to adjust the straps. Adjusting straps should not take much time, because you will perform this process several times a day. Length of the belt depends on the amount of clothing on you, and from where you will be wearing a baby – front or rear. These elements must be small and do not rub the skin.
Material. It is better to give preference to easily washable fabrics.
Kids constantly regurgitate, and you have to regularly wash “kangaroo”.
By the way, fathers can also carry children in “kangaroos”. Many men really like it.

Advantages
Kid is constantly pressed to her mother and feels safe.
Child sees much more than lying in bed and it contributes to his/her development.
Mother will always have a great posture.
This is a good way to lose weight after giving birth.
Mother’s hands are free, and she can take care of business.

Disadvantages

The older the child, the greater the load on the mother’s back.
You must move with extreme carefulness.
When the baby is hungry, he begins to get nervous, because he is very close to the breasts, but cannot reach them.

The problem of choosing shoes for your child, as a rule, becomes urgent after the first 6 months of his/her life.
Therefore, children’s shoes can be roughly divided into two main categories: for children who haven’t started walking yet, and for those who have already made the first steps. Of course, shoes for each of the periods are somewhat different. But there are some general requirements you should consider when you buy shoes for children:

1. The sole of shoes must be strong, uneven and elastic. Take the shoes in hands and bend it several times. If the sole is made from cardboard then it’s not worth buying these shoes. Generally, small children need a small heel for walking!

2. Try to choose for the child, especially in the early years of his/her life, boots with adhesive tape. Generally, shoes, fitted with a latch – buckles, lacing, pin, and even buttons are not convenient for the baby. Shoes with adhesive tape have undeniable advantages; your child can easily to learn to wear and remove his/her boots, shoes or sneakers.

3. Pay attention to the back part of the shoes – it should be thick. It is better if it is slightly thicker than other parts of shoes. This will provide enhanced protection for the feet of your baby.

4. Pay attention to the material from which the shoes are made.
The best for choice are natural materials – genuine leather, and fabrics. Check the material of the internal parts of shoes! The idea of genuine leather disappears, if they have synthetic insole!

Can you distinguish artificial leather? With modern technology manufacturing synthetic leather, and some artificial materials are not under the force of each manufacturer.

The easiest way to determine the material from which the footwear (footwear elements) is made is to look at a special sticker on the shoe with graphic signs. Such labels are mandatory for manufacturers and importers of footwear of the EU countries. Labels indicate what type of material is used in making soles, lining and top boots.

If the shoes do not have such labels, there are several ways that will help you to distinguish artificial leather, but some of them in connection with the development of new technologies have become obsolete. For example, it was thought that leather is the only material that does not burn, so the first aircraft cabins were covered with natural leather. But this method can not be used when buying shoes; in addition, modern artificial leather has many common features with genuine leather. There is a composition, which gives to artificial leather the smell of genuine leather.

Here are several methods of determining the genuine leather:

• When putting the shoes on the inner surface of the palm of your hand for about ten seconds, the leather gets warm and begins to warm your hands and give a nice warm feeling, while the artificial leather remains cold.

• The bended edge of the leather is more rounded, but the leathery has a bit flat edges, and usually natural leather is thicker than artificial leather.

• Press a part of the shoes with a finger. When pressing you will notice that small creases or wrinkles appear, and then these wrinkles disappear. This is a sure sign of genuine leather.

• Leather can be defined, if we look at its cross-section. Artificial leather tends to have a textile, or polyamide base. And finally, you can drop a usual water on the leather (if allowed when shopping). Genuine leather absorbs moisture and becomes darker, but artificial leather remains unchanged.

5. Pay attention to the manufacturer. But be careful as a well-known brand is not yet a guarantee that you bought a good pair of shoes. In addition, the well-known brands are often counterfeited.

6. Insoles can be normal, anatomic (in proper shoes), and orthopedic – with a large instep-raiser. The choice of instep-raiser , its presence or absence is determined by an orthopedic doctor. Anatomical shoes do not hurt any child.

There is no need to confuse the orthopedic and prophylactic shoes. Prevention or anatomic shoes take the form of the feet, and create comfort while walking. Orthopedic shoes are needed in order to cure a violation of the locomotor system or prevent its development. Manufacturers of anatomic shoes often call it an orthopedic. This orthopedic shoes are sewed by individual plaster molds.

I urge you not to save when buying shoes for children, especially for children who have problems with feet. And do not take second-hand shoes, as they already repeat the shape of their previous owner’s feet, and they will be inconvenient for your child.

Since the tests for pregnancy have yielded positive results, future parents, especially mothers, begin to look for glamorous clothes for their unborn children.
Clothing for newborns can be purchased in a set, which will likely have a blanket for baby. But as not all clothes are used equally often, it is better to save up and buy a few interchangeable things. Usually parents buy some jackets, sliders (pants with straps), bonnet (hats), and coveralls.
The clothes should be easily removed and dressed; the child should feel free in movements. It should be noted that babies badly own their own bodies, and will not be able to change position or show that the clothes are inconvenient.
The first clothes of the newborn should be very simple, without buttons and bows which are suitable for older children. It is necessary to draw attention to the choice of materials, color, and do not forget about the washing features of clothes.

Material

Newborn clothes should be made from good natural fabrics that are suitable for child’s gentle skin. For example, cashmere, cotton, linen. The most suitable material for kids is fine cotton jersey. It does not limit movements, as well as is hygienic. Rough, even natural materials (corduroy or denim) can rub the child’s skin.

Should the clothes be big?

Sometimes parents, wishing to save, buy bigger clothes, believing that the child will wear them longer. Of course, you need to cloth the child, so that clothing does not embarrass his/her movements, but at the same time they should not be too large, otherwise the baby can get out of it. In hot weather, he/she will feel comfortable in shorts and socks (which, unfortunately, most children quickly learn taking off). In cooler weather, the clothes can be warmer, as the parents seek a compromise between convenience for the movements and the number and thickness of clothing. Nowadays, there are a lot of new solutions and fabrics to clothe the child, which are not only warm but also convenient.

How to avoid wrong size?

Clothes for babies should be selected for its growth and age. In general, the clothes should have information about age and height. The average height of 3 to 6 month babies is 60-68 cm, 6 to 9 months is 68-74 cm, while 9 to 12 months is 74-80 cm.

Washing

When washing, machine or hand, parents always need to follow the instructions, and then all children’s belongings will maintain their color, shape and structure of the original fabric for a long time.
It is advisable not to use powders with biomaterials; they can irritate the skin of the child. Now there are a number of detergents and mitigations for children’s clothing, which do not cause allergies. Clothes should be well dried and pressed, only then it can be worn again.
Do not forget that babies in their first year of life quickly discolor their clothing. Decorative details make the process of washing, ironing clothes difficult, demanding much effort and care that is often burdensome for young mothers.

Details

Pockets are usually convenient, but for older children. Newborns have nothing to put in them. They can even have dangerous elements: beads, buttons that a child can tear off and swallow.

Psychology of color selection

When creating garments for babies designers take into account advice of doctors and psychologists. It’s usually recommended to choose clothes of delicate pastel shades. The combination of bright, saturated color is extremely harmful to the eyes and the nervous system of the newborn. Especially dangerous is the combination of red and white colors. Therefore, many designers of clothing for toddlers prefer cream-beige and coffee-sand tones.

Beginning from a year, parents already need to think about the development of the child’s taste. Therefore, you need to be even more attentive with a choice of color combinations of clothes for your baby.
Each weather has its clothes

When the room temperature is above 22 degrees the child may be in a thin cotton underwear. With each subsequent lowering of temperature by 2-3 degrees should be added a new layer of clothing.

Thus, with 21 degrees there should be a fine linen, and q lightweight cotton dress on your child. At 17-20 degrees – cotton linens, a thick flannel or a knitted dress with long sleeves, as well as wool socks. At 15-16 degrees put on a cotton underwear, a light cotton dress, or a semi-woolen suit with long sleeves, and woolen socks.

Care items
You need to take care of baby’s daily hygiene procedures. To ensure that this is comfortable both for you and for your child, you must have all the necessary items.

• Baby bath chair and bath (when the child starts to sit)
• Thermometer for measuring water temperature.
• Thermometer for measuring air temperature
• Rattles and rings  for teeth
• Cotton sticks (with limiters)
• Comb hair brush (for small children)
• Scissors with blunt ends

Baby Care Products
In order to take care for a child you need toiletries, made specifically for children. They are safe for baby’s tender skin, do not cause irritation of mucous membranes and allergic reactions on the skin, and provide thorough care.

• Baby soap
• Children’s cream
• Baby oil
• Child Protective cream, baby cosmetic milk
• Children shampoo
• Children Bath Bubbles
• Wet wipes
• Sanitary napkins impregnated with oil
• Powder

Child kit
You also need to have medical supplies. You must buy all in advance in order to use it at the right moment.

• Manganese
• Sterile and non-sterile bandage, sterile cotton wool
• Brilliant green (antiseptic)
• Bactericidal plaster
• Hydrogen peroxide 3%
• Suction
• Enema: size-1 (2-3 pieces), one of them, with cut off pears, can be used as a vapor tube
• Thermometer for measuring body temperature (preferably electronic)
• Polyvinyl chloride film or a special children’s oilcloth

Clothes
Buy clothes for your child in sufficient quantities, but not to buy anything extra – the child grows too fast, and many things will change.

• Warm diaper – 4-5 pc.
• Cold diaper – 4-5 pc.
• Warm loose jacket – 3-4 pc.
• Cold loose jacket – 2-3 pc.
• Night cap – 2 pc.
• Warm Hat – 1 pc.
• Sliders – 5sht.
• Light Overall – 3 pc.
• Cloth for walking – light and warm – 3 pc.
• Panties, T-shirt, t-shirts, body – few sets.
• Bib – 2 pcs.
• Apron for feeding from polyvinyl chloride – 2 pcs.
• Socks – 4 pairs.
• Boots.
• Mittens for the smallest (without fingers) anti-scratching
• Overalls for walking – 1 pc.
• Bedding – 2 sets.
• Towel for swimming – 2 pcs.
• A warm woolen blanket – 1 pc.
• Blanket flannelette – 1 pc.
• Sleeping bag or envelope – 1 pc.

Necessary items
All that you buy for your child must be the most convenient and reliable.

• Baby bed with a hard mattress
• Pram (with removable basket, handles on the sides and rear, with the rain, with umbrella or sun visor)
• Swaddling table
• Closet or chest of drawers for child’s clothes
• Arena
• Children’s chair for feeding
• Backpack “kangaroo”
• Infant car seat
• Means to protect the child from the modern life