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Baby Care and Pregnancy
Out of Town Trips with Your Baby
Out of Town Trips With Your Baby
Do you know or remember how it’s like to feel carsick? You helplessly rolled out the window as your mom gave you words of comfort, and your dad looking for a place where you can spew out all the digested food. If you are terribly sensitive to motion, your child may also experience the same thing. You must find ways to make your trip more pleasant so that you save yourself from all the extra hassle.
What you need to realize is that oxygen is very important at this point. Crack that window of your car open so you take away some of that queasy feeling. Stop every now and then to rest. While this makes your trip longer, it is also just as essential. As a parent, patience is a key factor. Stopping gives your little tot a chance to walk around and inhale some of that fresh air.
They may also get hungry along the way. This can actually pose some problems because this means that they actually will have something to throw up along the way. But these are children, and they need all the nutrition to help them grow and stay strong. When it comes to food, you have to give in to this basic need. Just make sure to avoid fast food because a greasy meal before or during a road trip usually spells disaster. Prepare some healthy sandwiches, crackers, and vegetable sticks instead. Don’t forget to make them drink water constantly so that they can hydrate themselves.
Distraction is also a very essential strategy at this point. On the way to your destination, think of games you could play. Avoid making them read books. This only aggravates the situation. While they are young, provide them with puppets and stuffed animals to play with. You could also take advantage of the circumstances and play color games with them. For instance, count as many red (or any other color) cars you see on the road. Prepare a list of songs for that long drive to the mountains or the beach. Sing to them and make up actions to the lyrics. Soon, you’ll see them looking at you with a fascinated look on their face.
Bring them medicine, though, just in case they do get sick. Bring the chewable version. Or, if they are too young to chew, ask your pediatrician what you could mix with their milk bottle. Most of the time, they will eventually fall asleep and get the rest that they so need. You need to take note of the over-the-counter medication to make that long ride barf-free. Just be careful about giving them anti-nausea drugs. Avoid scopolamine at all costs because while they are effective, these are meant for only adults. The side effects can be extremely dangerous to the young ones.
Most importantly, never ever smoke. A child who is prone to motion sickness will be especially sensitive to cigarette smoke. This is the same for perfume and exhaust smoke from trucks and buses. Make sure to keep the fumes out and check the vents in your car. Once the pollution has cleared, only then can you roll down the window.
Your Babys First Trip
Your Baby's First Trip
Traveling by land, sea, or air can be such a hassle when you have a baby to worry about. But then again, this doesn’t have to be an unbearable experience. You can actually tackle these travel woes with ease. But before anything else, you need to know that an infant needs a lot of attention and special care. Taking him along on a long trip can even make the situation more stressful. But for instances where you and your family would need to take a road trip or a plane ride, preparation plays a key role to a more pleasant vacation.
Primarily, is it really necessary to take your baby with you? Consider the length of the trip because hours on the road and the place are going could be difficult for your baby. You may even feel frustrated at times. Just think of the feeding sessions and irregular sleeping schedules. Your baby may not experience difficulty with the change of schedule, but you may be the one who ends up exhausted and harassed. There is actually no hard and fast rule on when babies may travel. They’ve already experienced a hint of it when you brought them home from the hospital. When you do plan to be on the road a lot, it is necessary that you have a predictable schedule to go by. This significantly helps you manage things better.
Before you head off to a certain destination, take your child to the pediatrician to ensure that he has a clean bill of health. It is important that you consult your pediatrician before making major decisions that may affect your child’s rest. Also make it a point to get them immunized at the soonest possible time. Watch out for diarrhea and flu because these are the most common diseases that children acquire when traveling. You have unclean drinking water from unknown sources and unsanitary health practices to contend with. Prepare a medical kit as well. Ask your doctor which medications you must bring along such as paracetamol and decongestant. A baby with colds will find it almost unbearable to deal with ear popping when a plane takes off and lands. Also make sure that you have enough water with you to avoid dehydration caused by dry air. This will make them feel sluggish. You also need to hydrate just as often if you are still breastfeeding. Lack of water may affect your breast milk supply.
When you’re on the road, pack the necessary materials. You need to put his safety on the top of your priority list. Car seats should pass the international standards. You have to strap your baby in five positions with a strap over each shoulder and the others on each side of the leg, between it, and around the hips. For comfort and convenience, let your baby sit back and relax. Seat pads give a soft cushion that makes the long drive still cozy. With the right one, you can lull him to a sound sleep. Besides, putting him on your lap is not only unsafe and prohibited by law, it can also be tedious on the adult after several hours.
What’s Best To Pack On A Trip With Your Baby?
If you’re a parent who loves to travel, you need to be smart about what you bring especially, if you have your little angel with you. Always bring a stroller so that you don’t end up carrying your baby all throughout. A car seat will also help make your baby feel more at ease during feeding and nap times. Airlines and travel agents actually work hand-in-hand to ensure that convenience and safety for all the passengers. They also pay particular attention to those with infants.
What Should You Pack On A Trip With Your Baby?
If you’ve arranged the vacation with your travel agent, check about the provisions they offer to help make you and your baby comfortable during the flight. Ask beforehand if they will allow you to bring car seats, strollers, and carriers onboard the aircraft. Parents with an infant are usually given specific seat designations, especially if you have a bassinet along. Some will even provide you with what you need. Moreover, attendants prioritize families with small children to board and deplane ahead of everyone else. Ask to be seated by the window or upfront because you will have more room for movement here. By bus or boat, however, you will have to ask the company to give you a comfortable seat with ample space.
Remember, try not to be such a packrat. In your hand-carry bag, set aside at least two sets of extra clothes to keep them clean, comfortable, and in good spirits. Spit-ups and spills mean a wet baby, and when they’re wet, they become cranky and listless. Pack an extra set for yourself as well in case you get hit by the accident. The nice part about traveling nowadays is that some airlines provide diapers and milk formula provided that you give them the advice ahead of time. If traveling by air, ask the flight attendant to refrigerate your breast or formula milk and vitamins.
Breastfeeding mommies can actually store their milk in a cooler with ice and declare it as hand-carry baggage upon checking in the other pieces of luggage. However, the allowable amount of liquid to be brought on board should only be enough for the baby’s consumption for the duration of the trip. But if you’re traveling by land or sea, use pre-measured formula milk containers and feeding bottles filled with distilled or mineral water in case your child gets hungry at an unexpected hour.
The point here is to always plan ahead and pack enough. Avoid carrying too many bags with you so that you leave your arms free to do other things while you hold on to your precious cargo. More importantly, be sure that you are always ready for emergencies so that you can enjoy the rest of the trip with your family and friends. Your priority right now is to keep you and your baby comfortable as much as possible. You also can’t be annoyed at your lack of preparation because you won’t be able to know what they need once they get fussy. The more prepared you are, the better your chances to remain calm and collected.
Britax Frontier 85 Combination Booster Car Seat, Rushmore
publisher: Britax USA
ASIN: B0038W0JI0
EAN: 0652182063795
sales rank: 39
price: $204.95 (new)
Featuring an innovative design and industry-leading technology, the Britax Frontier 85 Combination Booster Seat (Rushmore) keeps your child safe and secure during car trips. Offering True Side Impact Protection and a patented, energy-absorbing Versa-Tether, this seat is engineered to grow with you child. The Frontier 85 accommodates children starting at 2 years old and 25 pounds up to 85 pounds when used as a forward-facing harnessed seat, and 40 to 120 pounds when used as a booster seat.
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 The high weight capacity allows your child to remain in a 5-point harness up to 85 pounds, or in booster mode to 120 pounds. View larger. |
 When used in booster mode, the Frontier 85 is compatible with the Britax SecureGuard Clip (sold separately). View larger. |
 Available in these color combinations. View larger. |
True Side Impact Protection for Advanced Security
The Frontier 85 Combination Booster Seat is ideal for parents concerned with providing proper safety and posture-support for their children during car rides. Offering True Side Impact Protection, this seat delivers superior protection if you happen to face an unexpected side-impact accident.
If such an event takes place, the solid head support and deep side walls work efficiently to distribute forces, shield the child from vehicle intrusion, contain the head and body, and keep the head, neck, and spine aligned to limit injury.
Superior 360-Degree Protection Features
The Frontier 85 features an advanced, industry-leading design for crash force management and absorption. The patented Versa-Tether system provides a staged-release tether webbing that securely anchors the top of the child seat to your vehicle at two points to minimize forward movement in the event of a sudden stop.
The energy-absorbing base is designed to absorb impact forces, while the foam lining provides additional support. In addition, the Harness Ultra Guard System (HUGS) reduces forward head movement and offers increased protection for your child.
The Frontier 85 is also compatible with the SecureGuard feature. The optional SecureGuard clip holds the lap portion of the safety belt in place, preventing submarining–when the child slides under the lap belt–and reducing the risk of any abdominal injury.
Adaptable to Your Growing Child
The tangle-free, five-point harness allows for 10 harness-height positions–up to an industry-leading 20 inches in shoulder harness height–and three buckle positions for a snug, comfortable fit, even as your child grows. You can also adjust the head restraint with one hand using the quick-adjust lever and easily change the harness shoulder height without disassembling the entire harness. Plus, the convenient front harness adjuster allows you to loosen or tighten the harness system easily.
The booster seat can be used in the forward-facing harnessed position for children a minimum of two years old, weighing 25 to 85 pounds, the highest capacity in five-point harness systems. As a belt-positioning booster seat, the seat is suited for children from 40 to 120 pounds.
Easy-to-Install
The Frontier 85 allows for quick, easy installation with lower LATCH connectors, compatible with most current vehicles. The premium, push-button system provides a tight, secure fit and makes it simple to install or remove the seat.Your child will appreciate the armrests that provide a natural place to rest his or her arms along with the dual cup holders designed to hold reusable water bottles or snack containers.
Soft, Durable Material with Comfort Foam
The plush, premium cover set with underlying comfort foam makes for a comfortable ride, even during long car trips.
Made from soft, durable materials, the booster seat’s cover is easy to remove from the shell for cleaning and is available in a selection of distinctive patterns, including Rushmore, Red Rock, Canyon, and Pink Sky.
This combination booster seat is backed by a limited one-year warranty.
What’s in the Box
One Britax Frontier 85 Combination Booster Seat and manual.
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Choosing A Baby Stroller
You come home from the doctor and relish on the fact that he just told you that you’re going to be a mommy. Finally, a new member to your family! The next nine months will be the most exciting time in your life. You go to your doctor, take all the necessary vitamins, and set up the nursery. Life can’t get any better. You go to the hospital and bring home the little one. You don’t want to leave their side. So, you enjoy the leave you’ve taken from work as much as you can. But, reality soon sets in. You have responsibilities to fulfill, and as much as you want to stay home, you need to get into the car and do some errands. If you choose to take your child with you everywhere you go, then you may as well have a good baby stroller.
There are a lot of crucial decisions from your end. While there may be times when you can actually get a nanny to watch over your little one, budget constraints force you to have them by your side even when you go out to get the grocery. Well, motherhood wasn’t exactly what you expected. In fact, things are a lot harder than they seem. Right now, you have another big responsibility on your child. Your baby’s wellbeing and safety is of utmost importance. You just can’t expect to carry your baby with you, especially when you’re out for practically the entire day. The weight could strain your arms. Moreover, you also just can’t get any kind of stroller. While there are cheaper brands out there, you have to think about what’s easier for you right now. You won’t be able to accomplish much if you have to worry about all that extra weight. And at a certain point, your child will get fussy and irritable.
You then need to make plans on how to get around. You’ll most likely be hauling several bags as you go from place to place. By the end of it, you’re more exhausted than ever. Now, you no longer look forward to trips. Your best option right now would be to invest in a good brand of baby stroller. There are actually several products you can consider: Maclaren, Peg Perego, Phil and Ted’s, and Graco. These are the best ones out in the market, and you always need to think about safety and comfort. Just consider yourself lucky because these different brands offer strollers of different price range. The two aspects that’ll make things easier for you will be technology and engineering. A well-designed stroller can easily be folded up and is extremely lightweight. Getting out of the car will no longer be a hassle!
You also have to consider the storage space. Longer trips require more space for diaper bags and milk bottles. You child is bound to get dirty around snack time, and when he needs a change, you can just grab that bag from under the seat. By getting a well-designed stroller, your trips will definitely be a lot more convenient. As for safety, make sure that the seat will have harnesses in them. Test these out and make sure they’re not too tight for your baby. Pretty soon, you’ll look forward to taking them everywhere you go!
Baby Jogger 2011 City Select Single Stroller, Onyx
publisher: Baby Jogger
ASIN: B004A910UG
EAN: 0745146812604
sales rank: 2781
price: $449.00 (new)
The City Select by Baby Jogger is a one-of-a-kind; multi-functional stroller that allows parents to mix and match seats, bassinets, and car seats to customize their stroller. The City Select starts with a single capacity stroller but expands to a double by using a unique patented attachment method (second seat and conversion kits sold separately). As your family grows, simply snap on a second seat and you’re ready to take on the town in stylish convenience.
First Trips with Your Tots
Image by Jenny Lee Silver via Flickr
If the thought of taking your toddler on a trip somewhere fills your mind with dread, think again. With careful planning and preparation, it can be an amazingly rewarding experience. This is the first time for them to see the world outside your home. If you let fear rule your decision, you’re denying them of the chance to learn about the world that they live in. It is your job to help them grow, and one of the best ways to widening knowledge is through travelling. While they are too young to take care of themselves, it is simply up to you to decide where to go.
The first thing you should consider is the temperature of the place you are going to. Avoid environments that are too hot, too cold, or too wet. The ideal temperature for a toddler is tepid. If you’re still not sure where to head off to, the beach is always the best bet. Children enjoy the ocean and take to splashing on the shore. Just make sure that you bring sunscreen so that they are kept protected from the harmful UV rays of the sun. A good time for swimming is either early morning or late afternoon. Remember, no matter how much protection you slather on their skin, the sun is at its strongest at noon. Avoid it if and when you can so that you won’t need to worry about sunburn at the end of the day.
Moreover, babies invariably get bored during long trips. Fill the day before with a list of several activities so they’re more likely to sleep. In case they stay awake, have a book or an interactive toy in your bag so that you keep them occupied. If you travel by train, let your child look out the window to see the sights. If you’re on a plane, choose a travel time that fits right in their normal sleeping patterns. Have a music player within reach should they want constant noise. This could even be your chance to engender a love for music. Never count on an airline to feed toddlers to their taste. Pack your own food just in case they don’t like the food that is being served.
Toddlers can also be fussy about the sleeping arrangements during the ride. Bring their favorite pillow so that they won’t feel too far away from home. A cuddly toy helps too. You may find yourself bringing a lot of luggage just to make the trip easier for them, but this is a small sacrifice compared to the experience they will have at the end of the trip.
You also have to consider how you can manage to squeeze in some rest time. As the parent, it is important that you get a chance to recuperate and recharge your batteries. Remember, it won’t be much of a vacation if you’re constantly grumpy. You need to stay happy to make your little one happy. Consider bringing help so you can share with the duties. Nonetheless, you are the parent. This is a time for you to bond with them, not with another person. The good news is that most resorts offer daycare centers. Your child is kept entertained for a couple of hours while you do other things.
Britax Marathon 70 Convertible Car Seat (Current Version), Onyx
publisher: Britax
ASIN: B005UBCHEG
EAN: 0652182070588
sales rank: 23
price: $215.99 (new)
The Britax Marathon 70 convertible car seat is designed for children rear facing from 5 to 40 pounds and forward facing from 1 year and 20 lbs up to 70 pounds. The Marathon 70 achieves revolutionary head safety through the use of Britax SafeCell Technology, integrated steel bars, and versa-tether that work together to minimize head excursion and reduce the risk of head injury during a frontal impact. The Marathon 70 also incorporates Britax side impact protection, offers a no-rethread and quick-adjust five-point harness, multiple buckle and recline adjustments, and an easy access cover and access to belt paths from the front of the seat. A head and body pillow is provided for comfort.
