MY BABY IS TEETHING! HELP! Now that your baby is 5 months old or so, teething may just possibly take over your life. Don't worry this will also pass. However in the meantime, here are some signs and tips to help you get through this stage:

The 1st signs of teething are usually bulging gums, drooling, fussing, biting, and night waking. Your baby may possibly have other symptoms as well; Diarrhea, low grade fever, rash.

Here are a few things you can use: teething rings (frozen), Popsicles, Cold spoons,
Frozen washcloth. Anything cold on your babies gum will give you both a little break.

You can also use medications such as Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen. Teething gels can also make baby feel better. However, be careful to only use a small amount directly on the gums. Too much can make your babies tongue and lips numb. This is not going to help!

All this just when you thought it was safe to get in the water or should I say bed. Just take a deep breath. You and your baby will make it through. When nothing else seems to be working, stepping outside for 5 minutes or even just 2 may be the best tip of any.

KEEPING BABY SAFE :) From infancy to toddler age and beyond, there are many things at home that can be dangerous to baby. Most accidents and injuries will occur at home. This is where your baby spends most of her/his time. Your baby is growing and changing every minute. Each milestone present new challenges for parents; baby lifting her/his head, rolling over, crawling and before you know it off running.

For infancy, here are a few tips!

-Never leave your infant alone on a bed or couch even if baby has not rolled over yet. To your surprise, your baby will find ways to move around.
-The Baby Bouncy Seat - The bouncy seat should ALWAYS be place on the floor. Your baby even infant CAN bounce the seat right off a countertop, bed or couch, a potential visit to the ER.
-Your baby's crib should never be set to the highest setting. Again, you will not know when or how your baby will start maneuvering him or herself.
-Keep small objects out of baby's reach even things such as cotton balls, Q-Tips, etc; a potential chocking hazard. Rule of thumb, use a toilet paper roll; if the object can fix through the roll it is hazardous.

Now here are a few tips for babies! The best way to keep your baby safe is to get on his/her level and look around.

-Outlet covers; to cover unused outlets and outlets being used
-Door knob covers; especially basement doors, bathroom doors, and exterior doors
-Cabinet locks – make sure to lock all bathroom and kitchen cabinets
-Remove any furniture or items that can turn over on baby
-Vacuum daily to keep floors clear of dangers
-Remove pet food and water; even in the smallest amount of water is hazardous

These are just a few tips to help you keep your baby safe. However, Even as we take every precaution to keep our babies safe, accidents will and still do happen. Enrolling in an infant first aid and CPR class will help you know how to handle a medical emergency.

What are our children learning or "losing"? We have definitely created a fast pace world for our children to live in. It is like a freight train barreling down the tracks. If you haven't entered this phase of parenting yet, please take note.

We start our day by rushing our children out the door and off to school. We then turn around to send them off to dance, soccer, football, etc… either before or after fitting in their required homework. Eating microwavable foods or fast food as the main stay of nutrition and the main question is why?

As parents, we have an uncontrollable desire for our children to be as successful as the next child. If Suzy is taking dance, soccer, horseback and piano lessons then my child has to as well. If I don't, I have failed as a parent. This is a very sad reality. The lesson we teach is that life successes are solely defined by how many and how much. We are fostering a life of unhealthy competitiveness, relentless drive, and a level of stress that will in the end be harmful. We all want our children to be happy successful children and then adults. Ask yourself, Is this the way to get there.

Teach your children to stop and look around them. Teach how to work hard and how to relax. To Appreciate the small things as well as the big ones. Teach them to take time to be just who they are - not the soccer star or football star.

"Let Them Be Little" is the title of my favorite song. Have we lost that ability?

WELCOME HOME - Baby's Home Now... You have just brought your new bundle of joy home from the hospital. It can definitely be a little intimidating. You are probably staring at your new tiny addition and saying "What should I do?" But you will be FINE.

So now, your new baby has been feed, burped and her/his diaper has been changed. Your baby is going off to sleep... shh NO! Please, Please, Please... DON'T turn off the TV and the Radio. Don't pull all the shades in the house. Don't tippy- toe around.

TALKing , LAUGHing , LIVing - The sounds of the world.

These sounds are all going to be comforting for your baby. Your baby heard all of these sounds before she/he was born. It will be baby’s way of knowing you’re there.

REMEMBER Babies WILL sleep and then not but stopping everything around your baby doesn't mean your baby will sleep longer. It may just mean the opposite!