Choosing The Most Suitable Baby Stroller For Your Child

When it comes to baby accessories, one of the most important things that parents should buy is a baby stroller. This is for the obvious fact that strollers are a convenient way of bringing your baby along when you go out on a grocery, shopping, or even when you want to take a walk in the park. Both parents and their babies benefit from strollers. For babies, they are treated to a smooth and comfortable ride when you take them outdoors. For parents, they will be able to save extra energy because they don't have to carry the baby in their arms.

This brings us to the next question: how do you choose the right baby stroller? There are many products being sold in the market. You can check out their display when you walk inside a baby store or baby section inside a mall. There are so many to choose from, and picking one can be a daunting task. It all boils down to these following important elements: the age of your baby, your lifestyle, your design preferences, how many can fit in, and of course, the price.

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You can check out the many available reviews of baby stroller online to have a visual idea of which ones to pick. But to start off, let me give you a quick guide on how to choose the right baby stroller based on the above mentioned factors.

Choosing The Most Suitable Baby Stroller For Your Child

Stroller Frame - this is ideal for babies who are less than a year old. You can attach the stroller frame to an infant carrier. This is beneficial for mothers who have undergone C-section as this is lightweight, comfortable, and easy to handle.

Prams - these are the ones that have a fully reclining seat so that your baby can lie down every time he or she wants to. There are custom-made prams where you can easily adjust the seat so that your baby can sit up while you stroll along outdoors.

Single Strollers - these standard stroller is equipped with durable materials that will last long. It also includes a seat that can be fully reclined so your baby can enjoy maximum comfort. While these capacity strollers come in various designs, they can otherwise accommodate your child from infant to toddler.

Multi-capacity Strollers - these strollers come in double or triple seats that you can easily adjust according to your liking.

Lightweight Strollers - these types of strollers are suitable for children who are at least a year old. When it comes to functionality, the seat cannot be fully reclined. The lack of functionality however, makes up for its price. Lightweight strollers are the best if you're not looking for baby equipment fanfare.

All Terrain Jogging Strollers - as the name implies, these durable strollers are perfect for parents who have an active lifestyle. Whether you want to take a walk in the park or jog in a bumpy terrain, they are created to serve these purposes.

Baby strollers offer safety and convenience. With all the many choices out there, it is important to choose which ones suit your situation. To make it easier, follow the above mentioned tips or you can check out other baby stroller reviews online.

Choosing The Most Suitable Baby Stroller For Your Child

Visit strollergy.com to read in-depth reviews of baby strollers and other relevant information to guide you in your buying decision.

Juggling Pregnancy And Your Job

When you're pregnant, it's a full-time job on its own.

You are navigating through major physical and emotional changes while trying to find the time to fit in medical tests, doctor's appointments, childbirth classes - and many stops in between to use the nearest restroom.

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The problem is, you can't focus solely on your pregnancy each day. You also have to somehow fit in work, too, even with the growing demands that arise with pregnancy. If you're healthy, you will likely be able to continue to work while pregnant, right up until delivery.

Juggling Pregnancy And Your Job

There are ways to make your job easier while you're expecting. Here are some ideas to think about:

Be safe and comfortable. Your safety and comfort if you are working while pregnant is important. If you're experiencing a normal, healthy pregnancy and you're employed in a safe environment, you should be able to remain working until you go into labor. This is often a big financial concern for many working expectant mothers.

During the first trimester, you may suffer from extreme fatigue and nausea at work, which can be embarrassing. Keep in mind for most women the nausea will subside by the second trimester and you'll likely regain much of your energy back. The third trimester you'll begin to get tired more easily and it may be a good idea to use some of the sick or vacation time you've been holding on to if you need to.

It's always good to be cautious while pregnant. Don't do any heavy lifting and avoid any strenuous activities. If you have a desk job, it may not be a problem, but if you're on your feet much of your day, it's a good idea to talk to your supervisor and to arrange if you can spend less time on your feet.

Becoming pregnant will change your priorities. It'll also mean you'll have to make changes in your job schedule to accommodate the various doctor appointments and medical tests that you'll need to leave for while pregnant.

Try to schedule your doctor appointments at the start or even before your workday begins, if possible, since you may become too tired to go to appointments in the afternoons or after work. If you must leave your job to go to a doctor's appointment, make sure to tell your boss in advance, and keep a record of your appointments, just in case someone questions where you are going. If you need to, ask your doctor to give you a note that verifies your appointments and give these notes to your boss or someone in human resources at your company if it becomes a problem.

You are going to have good days and bad days while pregnant and working. You may find yourself energetic and happy, then a difficult conversation minutes later will cause you to burst into tears. It's important to try to stay calm and act professional on the job, even when those pregnancy hormones seem to have taken over.

In order to ensure your working life goes smoothly, take care of yourself. Get plenty of sleep, eat healthy meals and look your best. Don't take on too big of a workload; it will only cause you more stress. If you're feeling unorganized due to a foggy pregnancy brain, try to make lists to help you remember.

If your coworkers are willing to help you out when you're feeling under the weather, take them up on their offers. If you are feeling overwhelmed at your job, take a short walk or a trip to the restroom to collect your thoughts and keep your emotions in check.

Remember, being pregnant is a marathon, not a sprint. Try not to be too hard on yourself.

Juggling Pregnancy And Your Job

For your free "Healthy Birth Booklet-6 Steps to a Safer Birth" filled with six simple steps that support and guide your decisions for a safer and healthier birth, both for you and your baby, visit the link below.
http://www.birthclassathome.com the website for on-line childbirth classes
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader should contact a licensed medical professional regarding their own condition.

Baby Gender Predictor

Using Morning Sickness as a Baby Gender Predictor.

Women who have bad morning sickness during pregnancy are more likely to have girls than boys. This was found to be the case by scientists at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden. The study of women who were pregnant found that out of the women affected with severe morning sickness 44 percent conceived boys compared to the 56 per cent who conceived girls.

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The research found that women carrying girls have a higher level of a hormone which is called human chorionic gonadotropin, this can cause morning sickness.

Baby Gender Predictor

Smoking as a Baby Gender Predictor

There was a study performed in Scandinavia which looked into parents who smoked. The study found that if couples smoked it would lower their chances of conceiving a boy.

It was discovered that (Y) male sperm are more sensitive when introduced to a smoking environment than the (X) girl sperm.

Using Physical characteristics as a Baby Gender Predictor

A study was done at Liverpool University which looked at the length of couples fingers! It was found that couples who both have long ring fingers have a greater chance of having a boy. Long ring fingers is an indication that there is a higher than average testosterone levels.

Another study in New Zealand at the Auckland University found that assertive women are more prone to conceiving a boy (80 per cent). Assertive women have higher levels of testosterone.

Family situation as a Baby Gender Predictor

A study performed by the US National Bureau of Economic Research discovered that couples who were living together or married before conception were slightly more prone to conceiving a boy than those who did not.

A theory for this may be that (Y) male sperm are not as boisterous as the (Y) female sperm. The male sperm need more nurturing and caring for during pregnancy to survive. Therefore, a woman in a solid relationship may be better equipped to care for her child more during pregnancy.

Careers as a Baby Gender Predictor

A survey performed at the London School of Economics discovered that women with more 'masculine' jobs, such as engineering had a greater chance of conceiving a boy while women with a more caring or 'feminine' career, such as nursing or teaching, were more likely to conceive a girl.

Folk lore theory as a Baby Gender Predictor

There are a few mathematical theories according to folk lore. The more popular one combines the mother's age when conception took place with the month number (for example: May is 5, for fifth month on the calendar) she conceived.

If the resulting number is even, then the baby is a boy, while odd indicates a girl.

The Old Wives' Tales as a Baby Gender Predictor

There are so many old wives tales out there. Here are just a few: More likey to be carrying a boy if carrying the baby low, craving protein or salty food, have dry skin and be more prone to headaches.

On the other hand women are more likely to be carrying a girl if they crave sweet foods, carry high, suffer with mood swings, have dull hair during pregnancy.

Baby Gender Predictor

For more information on a baby gender test and to help you choose the gender of your baby visit my Baby Gender lens and to visit my blog, Mom Is Blogging [http://momisblogging.com/]

Of course I almost forgot the good old hair test as a Baby Gender Predictor

The hair test is a very old wive tale (a common one). A wedding ring needs to be tied to a strand of the mother's hair and then suspended over her bump.

Then if the ring moves in circles it indicates the women is carrying a boy. Whereas, if it sways from side to side, this indicates the woman is carrying a girl.

Hayley Hewitt (mother of 2 angels sent from heaven)

What Are You Waiting For, Baby?

Let's face it - we all play "the waiting game" or perhaps more often, the "waiting game" plays with us! If we added up all the downtime spent while waiting, whether for an important call or a train or to hit the lottery, how many more hours in the day would there be to do something else - something undoubtedly more important than waiting?! Can it be said that often what we consider waiting or anticipating is really a disguise for procrastination?

The important call may or may not ever come; the train will pull in sooner or later; and hitting the lottery is, at best, highly unlikely. But most of us have joined the ranks of the instantaneous gratification camp, surrounded by reminders of what time it is... on our computers, cell phones, wrist watches, home and office clocks... and even by location of the sunrise, while waiting for summer. Unfortunately, all this time-watching and waiting doesn't produce any pronto result. It only wastes more time! Just like the saying "Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans", have we forgotten about living the moment we are in right now?

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Well, there are times when putting something off because we are waiting for something else to happen first is valid, like waiting for a deposit to the bank account so you can pay your bills. But what to do if what you're waiting for can't be rushed or forced... like waiting for a baby to arrive? Since this baby is due soon, what needed to happen first has, indeed, already happened. There is no instant gratification, and Mother Nature doesn't operate on the mindset of procrastination, so there isn't anything you can do... except patiently wait for the baby's arrival into our world.

What Are You Waiting For, Baby?

In the beginning, the approximate nine months seem so far into the future. Amazingly, however, the days and months pass by quickly while other events take place... doctor appointments, purchasing the necessities, sonograms, the baby shower and, of course, the ever-growing belly. There was no waiting for a name to be decided upon for this little one, nor any procrastination in preparing for all the essentials - a crib, a changing table, swing, playpen, bottle warmer, diaper pail, high chair... and, the best part of it... the absolutely adorable clothes, blankets, socks and hats, toys and baby gift baskets overflowing with fun and useful things for the little person! Fortunately, nobody said we had to wait to start buying the cute stuff... which proved tremendously helpful with "enjoying the moment"!

Until eight months ago, I wasn't waiting to be a grandmother. I believed, and still do, that everything that is meant to be will be. And in its own sweet time. But now I am very much waiting for this grand baby, and I know this is all I am able to do. Growing up, my mother would always say to my sisters and me that "anything worthwhile is worth waiting for", and there couldn't possibly be a more exciting and worthwhile occurrence to await. So, I say take your time, baby, we will all be here waiting for you with open arms when it is your time to end our wait!

What Are You Waiting For, Baby?

Joyce Galle, Author

In the meantime, if you are waiting for a baby or grand baby and searching for the perfect shower or newborn gift, go to [http://TheBoutiqueBaby.com], where you will find a delightful array of charming and practical baby gifts for the special angel in your world! You will find everything from adorable baby clothes, plush baby blankets, a large assortment of baby gift baskets, baby rocking chairs and step stools, baby jewelry, and so much more! For an extra special touch, personalization is available on many of these items, as is complimentary gift wrap. Check it out!

Tips to Get Free Baby Products

It goes without saying that a baby is a bundle of joy. The babies are harbingers of happiness. But they are also expensive. As parents you would have to compromise on many things and expenses to make your baby comfortable and happy. There times when you will have to live in a shoestring budget because the expenditure on diapers and baby food will be high. Whether it is your first baby or the fourth one, there are many programs and companies that offer many free baby products. Let's take a look at the tips on how to get free baby products.

Tips to Get Free Baby Products

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Get a new email account - There are many online sites that offer free coupons for new mothers and their babies. They would also send their promotional letters and brochures to your email address. To avoid the clutter and spam in your regular email id, its better to create another email account. Use this account for all the online programs.

Tips to Get Free Baby Products

Your doctor's place- You can ask your gynaecologist/obstrecian about the freebies. The manufacturers of baby products leave a lot of stuff with the doctors such as baby cream samples, free subscription coupons to parenting magazines, diapers and many more.

Enrol for various programs - There are many programs in which the pregnant women can enroll. Some of the programs give away free diaper bags filled with freebies, a travel bag for your hospital stay, pregnancy journals and many more. There are a few programs which give away products at a very minimal cost.

Signup in various websites that sell baby-products - Many baby products manufacturing companies are throwing freebies as samples to attract potential customers. You should take advantage of the schemes provided by these companies. It is just not about free baby products. There are offers and freebies for mom-to-be.

Check your email account and mailbox regularly - If you have subscribed with many programs, when your due dates gets closer, there are companies that will offer baby care books, diapers and creams at discounted rates. You might even get offers from reputed portrait studios for you and the newborn.

There are many local mom and pop shops that offers freebies on baby products to their regular customers. You should not shy away from such offers. Remember, if you are planning to use disposable diapers they would actually leave a big hole in your monthly expense. However, use the disposable diapers and baby creams and lotions that would suit the skin of your child.

Tips to Get Free Baby Products

A blogger with http://everydayyardsale.com/blog/

How to Prepare Your Relationship for a New Baby

When there's a new baby on the way, expectant parents tend to spend a boat-load of time preparing for the baby, and even preparing to be new parents; which is great! However, it's also really important to prepare for how this little bundle of joy is going to affect your relationship.

Trust me, it isn't all sunshine, rainbows, and pacifiers; it's hard work! Preparing your relationship for this huge tide shift should be just as important as preparing for the baby, and if you do so in advance, you just might find that you'll have more focus as new parents once the baby comes.

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Sleep Now & Enjoy It

How to Prepare Your Relationship for a New Baby

As expectant parents you should just go ahead and revel in the delight of sleep, because it will be in short supply once you make the transition into being new parents. Enjoy that you get to sleep together-at the same time-and start discussing how this will change, how you will handle it, and how important it will be that both of you have it. This kind of mental preparation and pre-planning will keep any arguments about who gets more sleep, or who should get more sleep, out of your relationship once baby gets here.

Go Ahead & Pre-Discuss "Taking Breaks from Baby"

New Parents tend to feel like they're being bad parents when they inevitably need a break from the baby. Dump the guilt! Everyone needs a break!

Discuss this now and set up a game plan for keeping each other sane, and for nipping any "burn outs" in the bud before they occur. Plan on once a week dates -a meal together, a movie, just time alone. Ask family to babysit, or find a good babysitter. You only need a couple of hours away to breathe new life into your relationship.

Hey Mom-He's the Dad, Not a "Third Wheel"

New moms can get very focused on their child and understandably so. This becomes a problem when dad starts to feel left out of the "cool kids" crowd. Being aware, as a new mom, can prevent hurt feelings before they happen.

I'm a New Mom-Not a Sex-kitten!

For new moms, it's very normal for you to not feel as frisky as you did pre-baby. You're sleep-deprived and at someone's beck and call 24/7. Expectant parents should expect your sex life to take a hit for at least 6 months after baby arrives. It's very simple: expect it! You can make it easier on each other by relating with thoughtfulness, touch, hug, hold hands, even if it doesn't lead to sex. Plan those intimate times -yes- put them in your calendar. Get a babysitter and spend time alone.

Everyone Suddenly Has an Opinion

As new parents, expect family, friends, and even co-workers, to come out of the woodwork armed and ready with a slew of parenting advice. Trust your own instincts and make your own decisions. That isn't to say that you shouldn't be open to advice and listen to guidance, but only you know what's right for your family.

Share the Work Load-Compromise & Problem Solve Together

Expectant parents should strategize and plan ahead! Right now, you know exactly what kind of jobs you have, how much work around the house needs to be done, especially if you already have other children. You know who's getting up to breastfeed in the middle of the night. So, discuss a game plan. Make a schedule, assign duties, and make it a joint effort that both of you can agree upon-be willing to make compromises! Studies show that when dads are involved, new moms suffer less from depression.

Be Flexible and Lower Your Expectations!

Hey guys, you're new parents! Congratulations! This is a wonderful thing for, and a challenge to, your relationship. Adversity and challenges are going to come up, sure, but if you can be flexible and lower your expectations of each other, you'll be able to revel in the bliss, charm, and magic of being new parents.

As new parents,don't get bogged down by worries about the transition to come. With a bit of foresight and give and take, you'll be able to handle any changes that come your way!

How to Prepare Your Relationship for a New Baby

For advice on how to create a safe and healthy birth, go to http://www.birthclassathome.com and get information, advice, and online childbirth classes. Just for visiting, you can download a Free "Healthy Birth Booklet-6 Steps to a Safer Birth"!

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader should contact a licensed medical professional regarding their own condition.

Sleep Little Baby - Hypnotic Sales Techniques You Can Use Now

I'm a big fan of hypnotic sales techniques. Admittedly it's not everyone's cup of tea but if your intentions are sound, your morals solid and you're trustworthy, then why not since it speeds up the selling process.

After all, your customer's attention spans are so tiny now, anything we can do to shorten the cycle, the better.

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To understand hypnotic selling, you want to be aware of the manner in which it works. Bombard the conscious mind with normal things - language, words, conversation, visual images - you know the usual selling stuff. This occupies the conscious mind.

Sleep Little Baby - Hypnotic Sales Techniques You Can Use Now

Meanwhile you slip in commands through the back door right into the back of their mind, so they don't have time to process them through the front door, which changes things, believe me.

There's nothing better than to settle down to watch a modern cartoon movie. On holiday this year I watched Puss in Boots, fantastic film and full of double entendres. You know these kinds of film appeal to children and adults alike because they have two simultaneous messages - one for the child and one for the adult. Many lines have two meanings but only one meaning is picked up by the viewers - hopefully the right one for them.

In the same way, that's how we sell hypnotically. Double meanings in our language.

Let me show you some techniques to spring forward your hypnotic selling.

Trance

The best way to bombard the conscious mind is to put the customer into a low level trance. Think glued in front of Downton Abbey when the best bit happens. Not Derren Brown on the big stage - that's for hypnotists, we're just doing low trancing.

Voice

Whatever your voice sounds like now, change it. Make it deep and slow. That's it, simple. Deepen it one notch on the octave scale and slow down - a lot.

Relax them

Use trance based language liberally in your speaking. Trance words will put the customer into a mild trance. Some words which bring on a trance:

• Imagine - is a great one because you can use this use this easily in your words "imagine what it'll feel like in 2 months' time". "I'd like you to imagine waking up in the morning knowing that your investments are growing in value"


• Sleepy words such as - relax, unwind, calm down, slow down, loosen up, settle down, rest assured... zzzz. If you suggest sleep, then people will act and go into trance.

Encourage them

"That's it... that's right... it is within your budget"

Take control

Give the customer instructions, tell them what they should be doing. Show them where to sit down, say what you want them to think, you'll be amazed how receptive they will be.

Agree with them all the way

Use agreement language, after all, everyone likes to be right but then add your point.

"I agree with you on that one... and I would add also... "

"Yes you're right, that's right... another angle is... "

Pink

Wear pink if you can. A pink tie, blouse, shirt. Pink is known to have soporific qualities. It's to do with us becoming accustomed to a pink sunset and sunrise which has anchored warm, relaxing, safe feelings in us since time began.

Take action

As always you have to do something. Let me help you do this because you'd like a neat plan wouldn't you since this will help you begin hypnotic selling yet remain full of morals and integrity as I only show those people these little secrets. Have fun.

Oh, I almost forgot, take one a day and bring it into your selling for that day, the next day, use another. Practice until it becomes second nature and don't start dangling a clock-watch or encouraging people to stare into your eyes - that's nonsense.

Sleep Little Baby - Hypnotic Sales Techniques You Can Use Now

Paul is an international speaker, sales trainer, author and coach based in the UK. His expertise and experience is in selling and sales coaching, his books and articles focus on rapport selling which puts the customer at the heart of the sale. Visit his website http://www.archertraining.co.uk/Sales_tips.htm to sign up for his Weekly Sales and Coaching Tips or visit his blog at http://www.paularcher.com where you'll find his unique style of weekly blog posts for you to enjoy. paul@paularcher.com

Plan The Baby You Want

In the recent years the gender selection of a future child has become a major topic. According to a recent poll 87% of all women interviewed had already decided on whether they wanted a boy or girl. The rest did not seem overly concerned what came their way.

In the old days a subject of this nature would hardly qualify as a topic at any discussion. Families were large and people were more religious. Amidst half a dozen children, an additional boy or a girl hardly made a difference to the arrangements in the family. "More the merrier" and a "happy clan" was all that mattered. Professional opportunities were limited and people were content to take things as they came.

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Times are different now. People want good things in life and for most parents, two children is enough. For others, the choice could be driven by economic circumstances. Times are hard, education is more expensive and both parents need to work. This makes it hard on them to look after larger families.

Plan The Baby You Want

The choice of a boy or a girl is partially influenced by the environment the parents grew up in. Either one may have had their share of brothers and sisters, or sadly, no one of the opposite sex within the siblings.

Yet young parents are often shy and hesitant about whether they should really plan their baby boy or girl. At this stage it would be wise to remember that there is no breach of ethics involved. The entire program is based on teaching you when it is the right time to conceive, and how best to go about it. By just making a few small adjustments to diet, routine, and timing, thousands of people utilizing these techniques have successfully given birth to the baby they always wanted. This, happily, changed their lives forever.

To view it objectively, gender selection is your ability to choose a girl or a boy before you get pregnant by using some natural methods to assist you in favoring the odds towards the sex of the baby you select.

Some parents pretend they don't care. "Thank God we have children" is a flattering thought when compared with the unfortunate couples who have none. But let them be honest about the times they have secretly wondered what it would have been to have a boy and a girl instead of two boys or girls.

For generations, families all over the world have displayed remarkable curiosity over the sex of the baby to be born, and quite vocal about whether it was a boy or girl they wanted. Over 50 years ago, this prompted an American physician, Dr. Landrum Shettles to embark on a life long mission to discover, naturally, a method which would eventually leave the choice of a baby boy or girl with the parents. Working alone, and with medical advancement still in a state of infancy, the pioneering doctor came up with this remarkable discovery which was later termed as the "Shettles Method".

Notwithstanding the controversy and the criticism, which is inevitable in such cases, he labored on to achieve a success rate of 80% or higher. His method is highlighted in his best selling book "How to Choose the Sex of your Baby".

On the other hand, Alicia Pennington, author of the popular "Prince or Princess" series was a midwife for a number of years during which she developed and almost perfected her own method of gender selection. It would be safe to assume that with the progress in medical science, and her on the job experience, she greatly improved on the Shettles Method to claim a remarkable 94% success rate.

This guide has helped thousands of families all around the world. Yet, it is in the nature of things that nothing is guaranteed. So let the skeptics, like everyone else take their chances. At worst, you can still end up being the happy parent of a healthy, bouncing baby.

Plan The Baby You Want

Capt. R.P.Bhalla is a retired airline captain and an expert in social affairs. He writes exclusively on Family, Health and Money matters.
http://delightedparents.com

Oh, Baby, Baby, What a Nursery!

Baby, Babe, Bebe, infant, wee one, no matter how you say it, it equals love.

Their eyes, their fingers...and oh, those cheeks! Who can resist the chance to cradle a baby in their arms?

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When you realize that one of these precious cherubs is about to come into your life, one of the first projects that pops into your head is 'the nursery' and that is only the beginning. As parents, it is only natural to want to provide safe and warm surroundings for our most precious gift.

Oh, Baby, Baby, What a Nursery!

Where do you start? Well this is an easy one, you'll need to assess your available square footage and how close you will be for those late night feedings. The next step is to make sure there is some form of natural lighting, preferably at least one window so that the baby does not get their days and nights mixed up so easily.

Colors

Paint color is probably one the first things you will need to address. When selecting a color palette remember that you will be looking at it as well...and, for awhile! It is nice if the paint color compliments the overall temperature of the paint colors in the rest of your home. For example, if you are choosing a pink and the rest of your home is in a warm (yellow base) color palette, then select a pink that has a warm or perfectly neutral base as well. Try to stay away from a cool (blue base) pink within a warmer home palette. It works the same when selecting a wall color to add to an already cool color home palette, make certain that this nursery color has a blue or neutral base as well. This should not be a difficult task for your paint store to help you with.

It is also very important to ask for a paint with a low VOC level. The VOCs are volatile organic compounds that are found in many paints.

Storage

Another nursery element to consider is closet space. The traditional closet would certainly be a bonus, but not a necessity; armoires and dressers could also fit the bill. If you do have a closet, a nice way to save space in the nursery is to install hip height (or so) dressers/cabinets. Put as many that will fit (depth and width wise) in the closet for all of the baby's clothing and accessories. Before you do this make sure to remove the closet doors and store them in an attic or basement for those teen years to come!

On top of the built in cabinets you can add a fitted changing cushion and trim the unit in a short spindle molding of sorts to keep the changing cushion from sliding off. The clothing bar is still above in the closet where it is usually hung. Make certain to part the clothing from one side to the other so that it doesn't hang in the baby's face while being changed. Now that you have recovered your floor space from dressers and changing tables you might want to use this space for a rocker, play area or possibly a twin/day bed. Keeping up to date with possible recalls on your baby's crib and mattress is very important, these items are constantly being reviewed.

Fabrics & Accessories

Will you know the sex of your baby? This can be a great help when selecting your color palette and fabrics. If you won't or do not want to know the baby's sex, there are many different color choices that are certainly appropriate for both.

You can keep accessories to a minimum at first, then add to your design once the baby arrives. Remember that there is plenty of time to add an additional gender driven color after the baby arrives with fabrics or trims. Selecting additional boy/girl accessories (and putting them aside) before the baby comes, will allow you to effortlessly fold them into your existing nursery project and it can also allow more time for you and your little one to get to know each other.

Fabric and patterns is a logical next step or you may have chosen them first and pulled your wall color from them. You may have already fallen for a specific pattern or theme in ready made crib and window treatments, or you may have something else in mind, possibly in the direction of custom design. Either way, make certain that the crib attire is done in washable fabrics. If having the crib attire custom made, check that all of the fabric has been pre-washed and dried before any fabrication takes place. This will prevent it from shrinking the first time you wash it, so it will continue to fit the crib. Cottons are always a safe bet.

A good rule of thumb is to start with three patterns and two solids when selecting a pattern scheme. Start with a large scale (feature) print, next is your medium pattern and alas, a small scale dot or check pattern type for the third in your selection. The two solids should have something to do with the colors either in your three fabric patterns and/or your wall colors.

Accessories can be the icing on your cake! Have fun, and make sure that what you are selecting is lead free and hung securely. There must be no chance of danger to the baby of the wall items falling into the crib, or these items being pulled down by the baby as they learn to stand and tug.

Shelving in pairs always carries a creative impact as does grouping children's art or mirrors.
Remember, just because the baby is tiny, doesn't mean that the wall accessories have to be tiny as well. I see this happen often when people try to display items on nursery walls. They have large wall spaces and tiny little letters, shelves or framed pieces that are lost in the room. Remember people, scale, scale, scale! The accessories for the walls need to compliment the scale of the room, not the baby's weight on the scale.

Lighting

Lighting is often overlooked in a child's room. I always try to bring ceiling lighting into the nursery theme/design while making selections. Be it a girly girl chandelier or a ships wheel ceiling fixture for a sailboat theme, its nice to plan your lighting pattern from top to bottom. My second lighting selection would be table top or nightstand height lighting and last should be a night light to brighten up your walking path in the late evenings to and from the crib. A dimmer switch on the ceiling light helps to not wake the baby when you hit the wall switch entering the room. Ceiling fans are thought to be a bad choice around young babies, so if a fan is needed, try a floor standing oscillating style.

When selecting floor coverings (in a perfect world) the healthiest way to go would be hardwoods with an area rug. Hard surface flooring lessens the chance of allergies and is easier to maintain. Make certain that the dimensions of the area rug you select are large enough for you all to get down on the floor and play together. A quilt over the area rug while playing will be easy to throw in the wash if there are any accidents.

Trying to complete this project two to three months before the baby's arrival gives you optimum time to relax and enjoy the nursery yourselves. You will ponder what color his hair may be (if any at all) or who's smile she'll have while you sit in a rocker admiring the outcome of your beautiful nursery project!

Oh, Baby, Baby, What a Nursery!

Sandra Lyke has been in the interior design business for fifteen years working with clients from coast to coast in North America. Her inspiration comes from her travels around the world as well as the unique needs of her clientele. Sandra works closely on every project large and small from home renovations and commercial design to color palette and accessory selection.

You can contact and find out more about Sandra Lyke and her designs by going to http://www.sandralykeinteriors.com

Baby Blanket Knitting Projects - Standard Baby Blanket Sizes

So, you're ready to knit your first baby blanket. You've oohed and aah-ed over pictures of sweet, soft, and comfy blankets that are perfect to snuggle a sweet little baby. You've walked the aisles of your favorite yarn store and felt every pastel yarn there is, testing the softness. You've fantasized about holding your precious bundle in a blanket you handcrafted with your own two hands or you've basked in the admiration you'll receive as your friend opens your gift at the next baby shower.

Then reality hits. You have an idea of the perfect hand-knit blanket but a few 'minor details' are missing -- like what size this blanket should be. This is a good question and unless you have a great deal of experience with knitting or babies or both, you're probably at a loss as to what to do next.

Baby

Blanket Sizes

Baby Blanket Knitting Projects - Standard Baby Blanket Sizes

When it comes to baby blankets, there are three main sizes -- crib blankets, swaddling blankets, and receiving blankets. You may not have known it, but each of these has a specific purpose.

· Crib Blankets -- These blankets do exactly what the name says -- they are for the crib. Think of this blanket as a bedspread for the baby crib. This blanket is usually around 36" x 52" and while it's perfect for making the crib look nice and keeping an older baby warm at night, it is too big to swaddle a small baby. If you want to knit a blanket to decorate the baby's room, this is it.

· Swaddling Blankets -- This blanket is the small blanket you use when the baby first comes home from the hospital. Usually lightweight, it is about 30" square and is perfect to wrap tightly around a baby to give them that 'in the womb' feeling. This is a good blanket to swaddle a baby and give her a sense of security when putting her down for a nap.

· Receiving Blankets -- If you want to get the most use possible, knit a blanket, knit a receiving blanket that is 34" x 36" is perfect. This size is works best because it's small enough to snuggle a small baby but also perfect for the baby to carry around when he reaches toddler age. This size works great in baby carriers and car seats and is pretty much an all-purpose blanket.

Now that you know the standard sizes, all you have to do is decide on the baby blanket that best suits your needs. Once you've made that decision, choose your favorite pattern, buy your yarn and get those knitting needles clicking.

Baby Blanket Knitting Projects - Standard Baby Blanket Sizes

For more tips to help you knit the perfect baby blanket and free baby blanket knitting patterns to get you started, visit http://www.KnittingforCharity.org.