Are you a parent who is thinking about sending your Brookline infant or toddler to a daycare program? If so, here are some tips for evaluating daycare programs in Brookline–whether it’s a preschool in Brookline, Brookline family daycare, or Brookline daycare center.

1. Choose a Licensed Facility.

An important consideration for many parents when choosing a preschool in Brookline, Brookline family daycare facility, or Brookline daycare center for their Brookline infant is whether it is licensed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. While licensing is not mandatory, it may give parents peace of mind knowing that the day care in Brookline they have chosen meets certain standards of quality.

2. Programs and Policies

Call the teacher or director of the Brookline daycare center or preschool in Brookline that you are interested in and ask about the focus of their program. Is it mostly free play or is there some organized curriculum such as practicing writing letters or their names, drawing pictures, or learning shapes and colors? Parents looking at day care in Brookline should also find out what the hours of operation are, when school holidays occur, and whether there is an after school program (if you need one).

3. Schedule a Visit

Prospective parents should schedule a day to visit the classroom and facilities of the Brookline preschool or Brookline daycare center they are considering. In addition to talking to the teacher and staff members, take a look at the physical premises. Is the building or home well maintained? Are the bathrooms, floors or carpets clean and the classroom area neat and tidy? Is the outdoor play area safe and secure? Does each child have a cubby or place for her personal belongings? If you have doubts, you might want to make a surprise unannounced visit.

4. Staff Members

Observe how the staff or childcare provider interact with the children. Does she seem fully engaged with the children? Is she warm and caring, taking a personal interest in each student? Does she have any teaching certifications or experience at another day care in Brookline? Consider how the provider’s style of interaction would fit with your child’s personality and needs.

5. Activities and Learning

Talk to the teacher and observe what educational materials are used. Find out if there is a set routine or if the curriculum scheduling is flexible. If there is an educational focus to the program, then classroom materials should be up to date and age appropriate.

If everything appears satisfactory, you may have found just the right facility for day care in Brookline for your child.

Jane Bartlett
http://www.articlesbase.com/parenting-articles/tips-for-evaluating-daycare-programs-696159.html

Is white an ok color for baby bedding or are colored sheets/blankets best?

of course, if your worried about spit up stains then I suggest laying receiving blankets down right where the baby sleeps, so if anything leaks (hah), you just have to pick up the small receiving blankey and throw it in the wash instead of the entire sheet set . white works when you use my technique:-)

good luck

Hand, foot, mouth disease is a strangely named disease that sounds archaic, like something out of the middle Ages. But don’t worry, it is a simple viral infection that is not dangerous and is quite common in infants and children. It presents with fever and blister-like sores in the mouth and a rash over the skin. Hand, Foot and Mouth disease is sometimes confused with Hoof and Mouth disease, but they are unrelated.

Conventional medicine has nothing to offer in the way of treatment for this disease, only medicaments loaded with side effects to subdue symptoms. In natural medicine, we avoid this antiquated method of medicine in lieu of remedies that benefit the sufferer, not add to suffering at a later date from side effects.

The worst part of this disease is the pain experienced in the mouth from the sores. And the best method of treating the ulcers is with Calendula and Myrrh directly on the mouth sores. Both herbs, in an alcohol base, can be found in health food stores. Although we don’t want an infant or child to ingest alcohol, these are not swallowed. The formula is as follows: 10 drops each of myrrh and calendula in 4 ounces or more of water. If the sores in the mouth are in an older child, then the mixture should be swished in the mouth like mouth wash and spit out. The herbs are not dangerous, only the alcohol is a concern. For a younger child or infant, place the mixture in a bowl and soak a clean, flannel cloth in it, then dab on the sores.

Nothing should be put on the rash. My rule of thumb is that nothing should EVER be applied to the skin unless it is 100% edible. For example, butter without salt, olive oil, coconut oil, plain yogurt are all acceptable salves to soothe and soften the skin.

Hand, foot and mouth disease is often accompanied by fever. Fever should rarely be treated. In natural medicine and homeopathy, we view fever in an acute illness such as this as an opportunity to cook off the virus. In other words, any attempt to “relieve” a child from fever is an opportunity lost. Surprisingly, we needn’t interfere as much as modern medicine would have us believe. Generally, the only concern around fever is that a child can dehydrate rapidly. To avoid this, simply keep him hydrated with plenty of water, un-pasteurized milk, freshly made juice, popsicles that are made from fresh juice and the like.

In short, just say “no” to drugs. Instead, use your common sense, mother’s intuition and simple tried and true methods of a more intelligent life style and Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease will be one more notch on your belt of success without meds.

Joette Calabrese

I’ve heard that the regular crib bumpers aren’t necessarily good if baby were to put it’s face against it and have a hard time breathing, as well as those big and bulky crib comforters that come in sets being too much material for the baby. If this is correct, wouldn’t it make more sense to just buy a breathable crib bumper and maybe a blanket the weight of a receiving blanket and some sleepers? And of course sheets as well. But how many sheets should I buy?

I only used sheets and sleepers for my daughter for the longest time! You don’t need all that junk right away, especially since most people will tell you it’s dangerous anyways. I got bumper pads only recently for my daughter since she pokes her arms and legs through the crib bars and gets caught ALL THE TIME, but she is old enough and strong enough to turn away from the corners. I also keep a blanket underneath her now, but it is tucked in so that she doesn’t get tangled in it.

It is common knowledge that smoking is dangerous for your health. Smoking has also been proven to be fatal to your baby – this fact can never be overly emphasized.

Smoking is an obvious risk factor for baby colic. Studies imply that pregnant women who smoke 10-15 cigarettes a day are more likely to have give birth to infants with ailments, including baby colic. The possibility of such health risk is increased by as much as 50% as compared to women who do not smoke during pregnancy.

Baby colic is a condition that is evident in children 3-months old and below. Even as early as one week after childbirth, babies can show signs of baby colic. Symptoms would include irritability and long hours of crying you could notice a pattern in infants suffering from it. If they cry for hours for more than three days in a span of one week, and if such pattern goes on for more than three weeks, then your baby is suffering from baby colic. Although there is no known cause for such condition, medical experts attest that smoking poses a great risk for infant colic.

An adult who does not smoke would have a coughing fit once exposed in a room where people smokes excessively so you could imagine a three-month old child in the exact situation. The effects would be more adverse and more serious. Studies suggest that maternal smoking have an adverse effect in your child’s gastrointestinal tract. Smoking can aggravate your baby’s respiratory passageways and may disrupt airflow. If this happens, it is most likely that an infant would suffer from colic.

To prove the argument that smoking can trigger colic, a study was conducted in Denmark where 1800 women where invited to be observed. They were asked about their smoking habits and lifestyle. Researchers conduct a check-up during the 16th week, 30th week and 8 months after they gave birth. Thirty percent of these women are smokers. The study concluded that 11% of the children are diagnosed with colic.

The most sensible thing to do if you want to prevent your child from suffering such an ailment is to simply quit smoking. If you can’t totally eliminate your craving to puff a cigarette, then do so in some place away from your child. This simple sacrifice is not just for the sake of child’s health, it can do you good as well. Smoking is never good for anyone.

Jason Rickard
http://www.articlesbase.com/advice-articles/how-smoking-increases-the-risk-of-infant-colic-53439.html

I have a brand new 4 piece baby girl crib bedding set. I purchased it for 190.00, I know I won’t get that much for it, I’m just hung on how much I should sell it for.

Thanks
Yes it is unused. Still in package!

Depends who makes it, what it looks like, etc. I paid over $600 for my bedding, but it was perfect and I don’t regret it. If your bedding was absolutely exactly what I was looking for, and I couldn’t find it anywhere else, I’d pay you full price. If it’s common, Babies R’ Us crap, I’d probably be willing to spend about 1/2 of retail.

Having to raise a baby can be quite expensive once you factor in costs such as food, clothes, toys and other miscellaneous items. So even saving money on infant jogging strollers can go a long way as you can use the funds for other things. Here are 3 tips to getting discount prices on top brand name strollers from Baby Trend to Schwinn.

1. Take advantage of clearance items at department stores

Each year new models of jogging strollers get released which means that department stores will need to room for newer inventory. This can easily translate into savings for you by taking advantage of items that go on clearance and shopping towards the end of the year. Most stores will be more than happy to negotiate with you as they need to find a way to quickly get rid of old inventory anyway.

2. Purchase online for comparison shopping

Other places to find discount prices include shopping at online retail stores and even auction sites so you can compare prices on a wide selection. This allows you to easily determine the best prices available without ever having to leave your home. Be sure to do your research ahead of time as it helps a great deal to know exactly what type and model you want.

3. Check local classified ads

One final place to find top brand name strollers at affordable prices are by checking your local classified ads. While a majority of the items are likely to be used, you can still save a great deal of money but be sure that the product is still in good condition. Going through local sellers also allows you to connect with families in your area that share similar interests.

Saving a little money here and there on baby accessories can be extremely beneficial as you can use the additional funds for other necessities. Being patient while shopping is important as you never know when you’ll come across an item at an excellent price.

Rachel Adams
http://www.articlesbase.com/babies-articles/infant-jogging-strollers-3-ways-to-get-discount-prices-1152685.html

So first baby, and of course baby shower. I tried going to The Children’s Place and asking they do baby registry but they don’t. Also to do the whole registry thing do we have to pay for anything? We know nothing about baby showers, and baby registry. So a step by step advice would be great. Like when we should do it and how we should do it.thanks!

Oooh I love this stuff! I just threw my little sis a baby shower for her first baby and have walkes her through the whole process. So, you should start your registry sometime after the 5and a half month pregnancy mark. the three best places to go( and i recommend registering at all three, I’ll tell ya why below) first and most important go to Babys R Us because they have the most expansive selection, pretty much anything you can think of go to the front desk and they will walk you through the process of how to do it, give you some free samples, shower invites, and little cards that you put in the invites to tell guests where you are registered. Register for all the things you could need here except for clothes(styles are always changing and they may not be in stock by the time your guests shop, also you could notate in the registry that "clothes and gift cards are welcome") and also i would not register for any items like big furniture cuz it is way pricier than the other two places that i’ll mention. second is target, they usually have a nice baby selection with some cute stylish items at good prices, here register for everything you don’t mind extra of and the things you might not have cared for or couldn’t find at Babys R Us. scan(they will give you handheld scanners at all these places to scan and register your items) a cute bedding set with all the coordinates, diapers in numerous sizes(not too many newborn cuz you’ll end up with too many too small diapers that your baby won’t be in long)lots of size1,2,3’s,and wipes(at all 3 places add diapers and wipes cuz you cannot have too many). bottles, onsies,socks, packaged basic clothes like tshirts, ect. It doesnt matter if you have some duplicate items at all three places because since you’re registered its very easy to return and trade for things you may not have received at your shower.Here or the next place is where you want to check out the furniture selection(carseat/carrier,highchair,bassinette,changing table, swing,bouncy seat, crib, dresser, the big carseat for after your baby outgrows the carrier(unless you pick one newborn to like 50lbs),stroller(the 3 in one with the stroller,carseat,and carseat base that all attaches together is a nice bargain),crib mattress,bathtub, ect)anything you think you might need and want to register for do so at one of the last two places.pick your theme or the styles you like.I personally put all my big stuff at one place after i found the theme i liked. So thelast place to register is Walmart. they have a great selection,wonderful prices for your guests and you are bound to get lots of items that you need and like off that registry. Here just go for it and put everything you could think of needing on there. Okay so to recap: Babys R us first, everything you might need,especially things that are not so common, no big furniture, no clothes. than go to target and pick everything you couldn’t find or did’nt care for at BabysRUs.double some things that you need lots of or don’t mind extras of,especially if you love a theme there.def, do diapers and wipes at all 3 places & things like baby detergent,baby laundry stain spray, lotion,ect. if you like furniture or big baby items there go for it.third go to walmart, go for broke, duplicate things off the other registries and pick any special items you like. Remember that these are essentially wish lists and only suggestions for people and it lets them know what you like and need. Have fun with it and pretend that if money were no object all the things you would pick and want for your baby. who cares how much you have on your registries because as i said they are merely ideas and it gives people lots to choose from. print copies of each registry as you go and open them because you can refer to them after your shower for items you may have liked but didn’t receive and you can use your gift cards if you get some to go get the items yourself.so when you are all done take the little card from BabysRUs that says you are registered there and before you give them to the hosts or whomever does your invites write "also registered at Target and Walmart" on each little card. remember at each place you can add notes at the bottom so when people print them out they’ll see things like"it’s a girl/boy" ,"gift cards and clothes welcome", "theme of winnie the pooh(ect.)’, "nursery colors in ____ & _____" .Right after the shower inventory all your gifts and take back the items you don’t want or wish to trade or got too many of(my sis got three baby tubs even though she only registered for one at one place!it’s bound to happen!)andspend any gift cards on things you still need. So i hope i helped. you asked for step by step and i tried to be detailed for you(: Good luck to you and your sweet baby to be.

Cerebral palsy is a neurological disease that is characterized by low or non-coordination of muscles to body movements. The disease is caused by a partial or total damage to the brain during the early stages of life. There are instances that infants that are not yet born, those still inside the womb may acquire such disease when proper care of the mother is not done.

The word cerebral is a term used by medical people to talk about the brain. The word is an adjective of cerebrum, a part of the brain that is responsible from sending neurons to the muscles. It is the one that lets human move. The term palsy on the other hand, means posture or movement disorder. Summing up the two terms and their meaning, one can arrive at one concrete meaning. Cerebral palsy based on the analogy is a disorder or imbalance in the muscle movement due to low or non-coordination of the brain.

Because the disease mostly develops during the early stages of life, the primary victims of such disease or disorder are the infants. When an infant experiences difficulty in breathing, in suckling or can bowel easily during first weeks of child birth, the same must be carefully observed. The following biological process involves the movement of the muscle. If those processes respond negatively there is a higher possibility that the child has cerebral palsy.

Infants are generally not easy to take care of. They have no natural communicating device except their baby cries. Cerebral palsied infants need extra care due to their low or non-reaction of the brain. Here are some tips to be done in proper caring for a cerebral palsied infant:

• Do not be intimidated or be shy in asking your paediatrician for the proper care of your child. There are special treatments that must be done to affect infants but you need to know it through your paediatrician. Since cerebral palsy is directly connected to body movements and the brain, there are brain and muscle therapies that are needed to be done but with the supervision or upon the prescription of professional practitioners.

• Be sensitive to your baby’s movements or reactions. Infants affected by cerebral palsy may cry often due to inability to physically react to brain. You must not take your child’s needs for granted.

• Treat your baby the normal way. Play with him. It is very important to have time for your child when you can bond with him. Psychologically, it will help your child.

Cerebral palsied infants are no ordinary babies but need to be regarded as normal. Special care and attention is needed. You can have them treated fully or at least partially.

Low Jeremy
http://www.articlesbase.com/advertising-articles/proper-care-of-a-cerebral-palsied-infant-56036.html

Preparation for Pregnancy

I can imagine that you are probably thinking about having a baby at this time (that is why you are reading this article, isn’t it?). As a mother I can tell you right away that pregnancy is a very exciting time in a woman’s life. But it can also be a time filled with questions and concerns. You may ask, “Why it is important to be ready for pregnancy?” and, “What is the big reason for doing this?” Well, read on to find out. Conception occurs about 2 weeks before your period is due. That means that you may be more than 3 weeks pregnant and not even know that you’re pregnant! This is important because your baby is most sensitive to harm in the period from two to eight weeks after conception. This is when your baby’s facial features and organs, such as the heart and kidneys, begin to form. Anything that you eat, drink, smoke or are exposed to can affect your baby. That’s why it’s best to start acting as if you’re pregnant before you are sure that you have conceived, if you have been trying to get pregnant.

Your First Visit to Your Doctor about a Pregnancy?

It is better to see your doctor when you’re just thinking about getting pregnant. You can talk about your diet, bowel habits, lifestyle, weight control and any concerns that you have. Try to visit your doctor in the year before you want to get pregnant. A thorough physical examination performed at this time may reveal unknown factors in your health that might have a significant effect on your ability to fall pregnant or successfully carry a child through to birth. High blood pressure, diabetes, back disease and gynecological problems are examples of some that can be found. A Pap smear test should be performed if you are due for one. A blood test for, and a check of your family history of, Rubella (German measles) infection will be arranged and a vaccination given if necessary. You and your partner (father-to-be) will be asked about your medical history because that is very important for the progress of your pregnancy and your future baby. Some medical problems, including genetic diseases such as Cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anemia, run in the family. These problems aren’t caused by anything you do. Talk with your doctor about your risk factors and whether screening tests are needed. If you are over 35 years of age, a talk with your doctor is highly recommended. You’ll both also have the chance to ask your doctor any questions you may have at this exciting time. Conception, when life begins, is a miraculous process. Today, we know more than we ever have about its wondrous ways, but many aspects still remain a challenging mystery. Once fertilized, the egg has seven days to get down the fallopian tube, enter the cavity of the uterus and burrow into the lining so that it is covered by nutrient-rich blood of its mother. This is probably the most hazardous journey any of us will ever take. Failing to complete the trip leads to certain death. To begin the trip, but be delayed means either death or an ectopic pregnancy. Getting to the uterus too quickly probably also results in failure and death. Even if this developing new person makes it to the stage of implantation into the lining of the uterus, 50% will miscarry in the very early stages.

Shettles’s System to Increase The Odds of Having a Boy or a Girl in Your Favor.

What can you do to improve your chances of having a girl next time, if you already have two sons and you want to have a girl? Is there any way to increase the odds in your favor of having a boy or a girl? There is no simple way in which the sex of a child can be guaranteed, but the following system (known as Shettle’s System) may help. Using this system is free; it absolutely does not cost you any money, only your determination and desire. At best, this system increases the chances of a child of a particular sex from 50% to 75%. It is definitely NOT a guarantee of success, but it is currently the most well-known method for influencing gender without the use of medical procedures. The method is based on the premise that men produce two types of sperm, the X (female) and Y (male). The Y sperms are smaller and more delicate, but faster, than the X sperms (which are bigger, tougher and slower), the system is based on providing an environment which is more likely to help the type of sperm that matches your preference to get to the egg first.

There are 6 basic recommendations to follow:

1) Timing – the most critical aspect of the Shettle’s method is to time when you have intercourse. The closer to ovulation that you have sex, the better your chances of having a boy, because ovulation provides the most optimal time for conceiving, and male sperm are faster. If you have intercourse about 3 days prior to ovulation, you may maximize the chances for the slower but tougher female sperm, which are able to survive until the egg appears.

2) The pH of the woman’s tract is also important. A more alkaline environment is generally favorable to fertility and, therefore, favors the quicker, but more delicate, male sperm. For a girl, a douche of very diluted water and vinegar is done just before intercourse. For a boy, a douche of very diluted water and baking soda just before intercourse is indicated.

3) A woman’s tract is more acidic, the closer to the entrance of the vagina that the measurement is taken. Therefore, intercourse with shallow penetration may favor the conception of a girl, and intercourse with deeper penetration is believed to favor a boy being the result.

4) Orgasms in females produce a hormone which makes their vaginal tract more alkaline and therefore more favorable for boys.

5) A high sperm count favors boys. To increase sperm count, Shettle’s method recommends that you abstain from intercourse for up to three to four days before ovulation. Also, men should wear boxers rather than tight underpants. To reduce the sperm count, men should take a hot bath just before intercourse and couples should have as much intercourse as possible until 3 days before ovulation.

6) Drinking a cup of coffee just prior to intercourse tends to favor a boy.

To sum up all of the above:

To Increase the Chance of Having a Girl:

Use a vaginal douche, consisting of 20 ml white vinegar in 500 ml of water, ten minutes before having sex. Have sex frequently in the seven to ten days before you ovulate. Have no sex from one day before ovulation until ten days after ovulation. Your partner should ejaculate just inside the vagina, and not deeply inside. Your partner should withdraw immediately after ejaculation. It is better for the woman not to have an orgasm.

To Increase the Chance of Having a Boy:

Ten minutes before sex, use a vaginal douche consisting of 5 g of baking soda in 500 mg of water. Have no sex from the end of your period until the day ovulation occurs. Have sex twice daily from the day of ovulation until four days afterward. Your partner should ejaculate deep inside the vagina. Your partner should withdraw immediately after ejaculation. It is better for woman to have an orgasm; ideally just before ejaculation.

Good luck!

Symptoms of Early Pregnancy

These are some of the first signs of impending motherhood. You may experience all, some, or none of these symptoms during the early stages of your pregnancy:

1 )Tender, swollen breasts: If you’re pregnant, your breasts will probably become increasingly tender to the touch, similar to the way they feel before your period. A tingling sensation will be felt in the nipples. Once your body grows accustomed to the hormone surge, the pain will subside.

2) Darkening of your areolas: If the skin around your nipples gets darker and the small lubricating glands become more prominent with small bumps appearing, you may have successfully conceived. But, this may also signal a hormonal imbalance that is unrelated to pregnancy or be a left-over effect from a previous pregnancy. It can even be related to the consumption of oral contraceptive pills.

3) Frequent urination: Once the embryo implants and begins producing the hormone ‘human chorionic gonadotropin’ (HCG), pregnant women start to urinate more frequently. This settles down after the twelfth week. But, later in pregnancy, the increased size of the womb puts more pressure on the bladder and frequent urination occurs again.

4) Dark patches on forehead and cheeks: These patches are caused by hormonal changes that affect the pigment cells in the skin (they are called ‘chloasma’). Such changes may be also be a side-effect of the contraceptive pills. The navel and a line down the center of the woman’s belly may also darken. These pigment changes fade somewhat after the pregnancy but those areas will probably always remain darker than before.

5) Food cravings: Food cravings can, sometimes, be a sign of pregnancy. Don’t rely on them as a sure symptom (it may be all in your head, or even a sign that your body is low on a particular nutrient), but if the cravings are accompanied by some of the other symptoms on this list, the chance is that you are pregnant.

6) Implantation bleeding or cramping: You may experience implantation spotting, a slight staining of a pink or brown color, as well as some cramping about eight days after ovulation. You might also see some spotting around the time you expect your period; this is caused by the egg burrowing into the endometrial lining. 7) Fatigue: High levels of the hormone progesterone can make you feel tired; as if you’ve run a marathon, when all you’ve done is to put in a day at the office. Tiredness is a hallmark of early pregnancy, though probably not a sure symptom on its own.
Morning sickness: Normally, morning sickness won’t hit you until a few weeks after conception. A lucky few escape it altogether. But, you may begin feeling nauseated and queasy as early as a couple of days following conception. This may not just occur in the morning; pregnancy-related nausea can be a problem morning, noon, or night. You may also notice that your sense of taste changes. Some women say they have a metallic taste in their mouth, others that they cannot stand the taste of coffee, tea or a food they usually like.

9) Your basal body temperature stays high: You will notice this only if you’ve been charting your basal body temperature. If your basal body temperature has stayed above the cover line for 18 days in a row, you’re probably pregnant. Basal body temperature is your temperature taken the first thing every the morning before you get up, usually about 6 a.m. It is important to keep taking it at the same time. The temperature can be taken orally, vaginally or rectally – just stay with the same method for the entire cycle. On the picture, you can see the graph of basal temperature taken during one cycle. It shows the effect of an ovulation; the temperature rise in the middle of cycle. If you are pregnant, the temperature rise should last for 18 days in a row.

10) A missed period: This is the surest sign of pregnancy in a woman of childbearing age who usually has regular periods. If you’re usually pretty regular and your period is late, it’s worth trying a home pregnancy test.

11) A positive home pregnancy test: Now, you should make an appointment with your doctor to confirm the good news.

Congratulations!

What every WOMAN needs to know about this precious time we call PREGNANCY, you can visit: http://www.visionones.com/salespages/sp_pregnancy.htm

Linda Jap
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/precious-time-call-pregnancy-133297.html