Babies Blog

Many parents enjoy playing music for their unborn child. So does your prenatal baby hear the songs you are playing for them? Researchers in Hungary believe that the answer is a resounding YES. From Mozart to Metallica your baby does indeed hear what you are playing.

What Your Baby Hears & How It Could Help Doctors

Apparently, even at such a young age your child’s brain has the ability to register rhythmic patterns. Changes in beat and melody are all picked up by your baby even when fast asleep, and they do it automatically. This is all according to a recently released study by The Hungarian Academy of Sciences, coordinated by Dr. Susan Denham, of Plymouth University. When researchers conducted their experiment they could tell whether or not the unborn baby was able to recognize when key beats were missing by observing changes in brain activity.

Why is this good news? Among other things, the ability to recognize musical beats and patterns could help doctors to diagnose potential cognitive disorders in babies before they are born. This type of careful prenatal screening and diagnosis could allow doctors to treat potential developmental issues early on before your baby is even born. Dr Denham also believes that by exposing your child to music at this stage of life will make your toddler more perceptive of rhythmic speech patterns that will assist in developing language skills.

This study seems to validate something that many parents felt they already knew about early childhood development. So sing to your unborn child and play them lots of beautiful music. They are definitely listening to the world around them and what better world than one filled with music!

Where To Find More Info

If you would like to find out more information related to this study you may want to visit the University Of Plymouth page on this prenatal study.

Now for the most ridiculous item of the day. You may want to wear a helmet to the next baby shower you attend. The Salt Lake Tribune is reporting that a husband and wife are being charged for their part in a fight at a baby shower that left one woman unconscious. The woman, 40 years old, attacked another woman, a neighbor, with a shovel while the attacker’s 35 year old husband grabbed a shotgun out of his truck and swung it at the crowd. Both have been charged by police with third-degree felony aggravated assault. The husband has also been charged with resisting arrest.

Unbelievable, you just can’t make this stuff up. This woman is lucky she is only being charged with aggravated assault and not attempted murder (which she probably should be).

According to an eFlux Media article by Alice Carver on autism , The National Institute on Mental Health or NIHM has decided not to move forward with an autism study that proposed mercury in children’s vaccines was a cause of autism. The main goal of the proposed study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a controversial treatment called Chelation Therapy.

Read the main article from eFlux and the Wikipedia article I linked above for more info.

Let’s find out how indispensable the furniture baby changing table is and how having a convenient place to change dirty diapers is essential. You will, of course, also want a contoured changing pad to use with the changing station. Now where to put it? This spot could be in baby’s nursery, it could be in one of your bathrooms, it could even be in the corner of the living room. Just pick a place that is convenient and easily accessible. Let’s face it, babies always need changing; and what many parents decide is that having a dedicated piece of furniture for changing baby is not only a good option, it’s a requirement.

Why do I need a diaper table or a combo changing table dresser that’s main use is to change my baby’s diapers? Well, let’s look at some of the benefits:

The Three C’s:

1.) Convenience

Diaper stations are very convenient, especially the combo changing table dresser designs. When baby needs to have a diaper changed it’s VERY convenient to have everything you need available to you in one location. Baby wipes - they’re in there. Baby powder - it’s in there. Fresh diaper - of course it’s in there! Diaper disposal - it’s in there or right beside there. And of course the obvious: the perfect changing surface for changing baby into his/her clean diaper. Fast and easy.

2.) Consistency

The furniture baby changing table will help bring Consistency and organization to the dirty diaper routine. Everyone knows right where we are going when baby needs get cleaned up. No we are not going to change baby on the kitchen counter. No we are not going to change baby on the bathroom vanity top. No we will not even change baby on the TV room coffee table! We will go to the same spot in the house each time baby needs to be changed. Mommy knows where we are going. Daddy knows where we are going. Baby knows where we are going. Consistency

3.) Cleanliness

Your diaper station, along with the contoured changing pad on top that you set baby on (preferably with a removable cover), makes the whole process of changing your toddler neater not to mention keeping the house cleaner and less cluttered. Also because you have everything you need at your fingertips it is quick and easy to keep baby as clean and comfortable as possible.

What Are My Options For Diaper Changing Furniture?

Now that we have gone over some of the benefits of having the changing station let’s look at some of the different options and manufactures. I will start on the high end of the scale and work down to more moderately priced items:

Jonti-Craft Diaper Changer Combos

The diaper changer combos from Jonti-Craft are incredible. As far as a furniture baby changing table goes, these are the Cadillac of diaper stations. Jonti-Craft has over 30 different styles and arrangements you may pick from which include different setups, colors and stain options. They certainly are not cheap, however with the additional storage and convenient features that they provide you will wonder how you ever did without.

DaVinci Diaper Changer Furniture

Offering many different combo changing table dresser styles, DaVinci is a brand people trust. There are over 15 different models available, some non dresser styles, with all being under $300 and some even below $100. DaVinci has a great name in baby furniture and you know that you are buying a high quality product that will last for generations.

Stork Craft Baby Changing Tables

Stork Craft offers a line of diaper stations that are affordable, beautiful and provide the perfect base for the contoured changing pad. You have 13 stations to choose from offering many different stained and natural finishes as well solid color styles also. These classic wood changers are a great addition to any nursery.

Badger Basket Corner Changers

Badger Basket makes unique, economic baby furniture including corner stations like the one pictured. They also offer more traditional styles of changers, all of them quite stylish and moderately priced. Have a look.

Wrapping Up

What I have listed above are my favorite picks for changing furniture. Didn’t find what you were looking for? Have a look here at more than 300 different changer table types available, including wrought iron changers as well as other baby chic and more modern options. Hopefully you are able to find something you like that suits you needs as well as your homes decor.

Looking for some more info? Babies Own Room has a great article that touches on safety considerations when choosing a changing table, and check out Curtis and Kristina Callaway’s site with videos that show how much their little guy loves his changing table.

Looking for some free sewing projects related to baby? I have you covered. I have put together a list of projects most with patterns and one or two without that are all free(if they don’t include a pattern you shouldn’t need it anyway). Take a look and hopefully you will find something that will interest you. All of the links will take you directly to the page that has the free sewing project details. Enjoy.

Burp Cloths

You will love this baby burping cloth pattern and instructions from Newconceptions.com. Very well laid out sewing pattern and instructions. Easy to follow.

Jill has a great tutorial for making cute burp cloths for baby. A printable pattern is included on the page, although she notes that it is not to scale (you could always resize it if need be).

Bibs And More Bibs!

Poopockets.com has an excellent page for with three different bib patterns and projects details for baby. The patterns provided are fantastic and very detailed. There instructions are great and easy to follow.

There is an adorable bib project on Martha Stewart’s site you can’t help but love. This includes the bib pattern and instructions as well as a helpful video. Be sure and read the comments at the bottom of the page as apparently there is one step missing from the main directions (it’s nothing big, just read the first comment).

Barbara Hutcheson has a neat design that uses ordinary dish towels with patterns on them to make some cute tea towel bibs. You don’t really need a pattern for this one, just follow the directions and it’s pretty easy.

Diapers And Wipes Cases

Jan Andrea’s diaper case pattern is apparently popular enough to have people copying it and selling it on eBay. Go and view the original pattern and instructions (it really is fantastic!) and give Jan here due credit.

Here is another very useful item from Jan Andrea that she calls the Breastfeeder’s Diaper Bag/Purse. This sewing project also includes very detailed and easy to follow patterns and instructions. Jan created this design because she was looking for a bag (diaper or otherwise) that was smaller than the ordinary baby bag yet had more pockets for things like mommy’s personal items. Give it a look, it’s great for those short outings!

Newborn Sleepers

Touchinglittlelives.org has a great sleeper for your infant complete with detailed patterns that you may download for free. It is just adorable, you’ll love it.

I know I said free at the top of the article and all of the references that I provided so far are 100% FREE thanks to the great people that have provided them on the sites that I have linked to. Here is another resource that might be of interest to you if you are looking for more ideas for sewing patterns for baby.

Please feel free to leave a comment and include a link to your favorite sewing patterns for baby, please make sure it is free.

Support pillows provide assistance for mommy and baby in more ways than one. By design, these types of pillows help with baby’s development as well as saving you from painful back, arm and neck muscle strains. Infant pillow supports are usually designed in a u-shape however there are many different types, shapes and uses. The typical u-shaped design provides support for your toddler’s neck and head while wrapping around mommy’s waist.

You can find a great selection of infant pillow supports here including all of the most popular brands, such as Boppy, as well as less expensive alternatives. All of the different pillow types I describe below are available there.

Here are some of the different uses and types of infant support pillows:

Support For Baby While Nursing

There have been ergonomic studies done showing that the support provided by nursing pillows can dramatically reduce the stress on your arms and neck as well as your shoulders. An infant support pillow can be invaluable to you wether bottle feeding or nursing. So how do they work? Typically the pillow sits on mommy’s lap with baby supported by the pillow. Most feeding positions are compatible with these types of pillows and mothers that use them swear by them.

Assisting With Baby’s Development

With the help of a pillow for support baby can practice sitting while having a comforting cushion for a safety net. These types of pillow supports are great for helping baby to develop lower muscles and coordination so that they can learn to sit on their own. Baby can turn, move around and reach for things without fear of falling and injury.

Total Support Pillows

The snuggly cushion design allows your toddler the freedom to move around while being completely supported. This type of cushion will encourage body awareness development in your infant through the position taken by their body while being supported by this style pillow.

Convertible Infant Pillows

Some of the support pillows available are not restricted to a single shape and are able to provide even more functionality by transforming into different shapes for different situations. An example of this type of pillow is the Leachco Back’n Shape Support Pillow. This style gives support to mommy both during and after pregnancy. Also it can function as a nursing pillow.

Rose C. Foster’s Weblog has a great article titled ‘Baby Care Nursing Pillows: A True Must-Have For Moms’. Rose has some really helpful info to share on pillow support while nursing.

We are always looking for different craft activities for baby. Toddlers loves to play and it can be a challenge to fine the right craft activities to keep them entertained. We have found that printable crafts are a great way satisfy baby’s appetite for learning and play.

Making cutouts with safety scissors as well as crayon drawings and projects using glue will help to get your toddler ready for school. Do activities that involve pouring as well. Pouring helps your baby to develop coordination skills that will help them develop their writing skills later on.

You can find some fantastic printable toddler crafts here. Take a look at the printable craft activites for your toddler at that link and I am sure you will find something that both you and baby can enjoy together.

If you want some more info visit Healthy Pregnancy’s blog post on toddler crafts and activities. They have some great ideas for fun and exciting things to do with baby when their bored.

Finding the right curriculum for infants and baby can be difficult to say the least. The best lessons are those that are geared towards your child’s developement during their second year. Ideally you want to keep everything fun and only do learning projects when your toddler wants to.

When we have been looking for age appropriate learning material for our child the best material we have come across are the toddler lesson plans found here. Take a look through the list, read the reviews and decide what books and curriculum you feel is best for your toddler.

You may find some of the information in this article on Wings Of Ink useful about how television might inhibit toddler learning.

Let us know your opinion.

No not really! It is so cute though, I had to post it.

It even looks as though the little guy has his left hand ready to squeeze the Resusci Barbie Doll’s nose. LOL, gotta love it.

On a serious note, if you have an infant and do not know how to perform CPR on your child you should visit this page on CPR for a baby less than 1 year old. A video demonstration is also provided.

Welcome, we hope that you will find this a usefull and informative blog on topics that are all about baby. We welcome your feedback and look forward to chatting with everyone in the comments section.