Unique Girl Gifts

It’s that time of year again when we spend more time outdoors.  Here’s a great article I found on About.com about summer safety tips for your baby.  We at Simply4Girls.com hope you and your family have a safe and fun summer.

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Summer Safety for Your Baby

Summertime ushers in many new opportunities for you and your baby, but with it comes a different set of safety precautions. Don’t let fear of injury keep you and your little one pent up indoors this season. Heeding the following safety tips will allow you to confidently enjoy summer outings together.

Be Mindful of Sun Exposure:
Because infants have rather thin skin, they are much more susceptible to sunburn. Babies under six months old should not be exposed to direct sunlight and should only be given minimal amounts of sunscreen if absolutely necessary. Older babies may enjoy short periods in the sunlight and should be generously lathered in sunscreen. Shades, parasols, and large brimmed hats can further provide protection from the sun.

Keep Your Baby Well-Hydrated:
You should expect that your baby will need to drink more frequently when the weather is warm, but it may not be wise to give him water. Unless recommended by a doctor, the American Academy of Pediatrics discourages giving water to babies less than six months old even in hot climates. Nursing moms can expect their baby to feed more frequently to replace lost fluids, and doctors of formula fed babies may offer individualized suggestions for the baby. To help babies who have reached their sixth month stay hydrated, small amounts of water, in addition to juicy fruits, can be offered.

Follow Water Safety Guidelines:
In the time that it takes for you to dash inside to grab a cell phone off the counter, your baby could drown in that pool that only contains a few inches of water. Simply never leave your child out of your eyesight or out of arms’ reach when near water. If you both are enjoying a trip to a pool or a large body of water, only trust approved floatation devices and keep infants who cannot lift their head to a 90 degree angle out of the water all together.

Consider Proper Air Circulation When Transporting Your Baby:
During hot weather, temperatures in parked vehicles can nearly double within a matter of 15 minutes. Never leave your baby in a vehicle, even for a minute, even if the windows are open. Furthermore, be cautious of keeping your child seated in a car seat carrier or held in a front carrier made of thick material. The limited air circulation and heavy padding can cause excessive heat and poor ventilation.

Watch Out for Insects, Spiders, and Other Creepy Crawlies:
The best way to prevent bug bites is to keep your baby out of these critters’ popular hangout spots. Bees love clover, flowers, and the like. Mosquitoes hunker down in standing water, and deer ticks consider brushy areas an inviting home. For added protection, you might want to consider draping insect netting over your stroller or carrier, and applying an insect repellent with low concentrations of DEET to your baby’s clothes if he is older than 6 months. Avoid placing the repellent on his hands to prevent ingestion.

Grill Safely:
It wouldn’t be summertime without picnics, barbeques, and hibachi grills. Undoubtedly, your baby will find the flicker of the fire fascinating, so be certain that you always position yourself between your baby and your grill. Be mindful that coals can stay hot for quite some time. Douse them thoroughly in water when the party is over.

Don’t Forget Indoor Summer Safety Precautions:
Your child is not necessarily just as safe indoors in the summer as he was during cooler months. Consider the danger that open doors and windows may pose to your little one. Window guards can be installed that allow windows to be open without fear of the baby pushing out the screen and tumbling out. Additionally, be sure to lock your screen doors to keep your newly toddling toddler from making a hasty exit

Scan the Area for Potential Dangers:
Whenever you are transitioning to a new environment, always take a wizened look about the setting. Simply being aware of potential dangers can reduce the chance of risk to your infant.

It’s easy to create a gift basket for a new baby. You just need to pick out tiny clothes, adorable stuffed animals, awesome toys and a decorative basket to hold it all.  Regardless of your budget or creative ability, you can make the perfect gift basket.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Basket (size will depend on how many items you have to fill the basket)
• Ribbons
• Shredded paper for filling
• Cellophane gift wrap
• Greeting card
• Items to fill basket, such as Baby Clothes, Baby Sleeper Suits, Baby Lotion, Baby Wash, Pacifier, Disposable Diapers, Lullaby CD or Tape, Gift Certificate, Infant/toddler Toys, Stuffed Animals, etc.

Choosing the Gifts and Basket:

1. Pick a basket style. Your choices include those with one handle, with two side handles or without handles. Make certain the basket is large enough to hold the gifts you have selected.
2. Decide on the color of the basket by choosing one that complements the baby’s room decor. If in doubt, choose a neutral color by selecting a natural wicker basket.
3. Use shredded paper filling to make the gifts fit snugly in the basket.
4. Buy a cute greeting card for a newborn.

Packing the Basket:

1. Put a layer of shredded paper filling on the bottom of the basket.
2. Place the gifts vertically or horizontally in the basket, as space allows, pushing the filling between gifts to ensure a very snug fit. Cover some of the gifts completely with the filling to create mini surprises when the basket is unpacked.
3. Place the basket in the center of a large piece of clear or tinted cellophane gift wrap. You may need two pieces of the wrap to completely cover a large basket.
4. Bring all sides of the wrap up to a few inches above the top of the basket. Secure the wrap by tying it with a long, colorful ribbon.
5. Tape your greeting card onto the wrap.

What should be in my diaper bag? This is a question all my moms face, especially first-time moms. So what exactly should you put in your diaper bag? I found some great ideas on About.com that I thought would be helpful to my blog readers. Of course, if you’re looking for a diaper bag, be sure to check out our selection of boutique-style diaper bags.

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What Should Be in My Diaper Bag?

Here are some items you can pack in the diaper bag to make sure you’re prepared for whatever may come up when you’re out and about. Remember, some items may vary depending on whether you are breastfeeding or bottlefeeding and whether your child is eating solid foods.

Diapering and Clothing

- 6-8 diapers, depending on how long your outing is going to be
- travel-sized container of wipes
- changing pad
- diaper rash ointment
- 2 changes of clothing
- ziplock bags for soiled clothing and diaper disposal
- hat(s) appropriate for shade or warmth

Feeding

- bottles, if formula feeding
- cans of formula or containers of pre-measured formula
- burp cloths
- bottled water for you (and baby if using powdered or concentrated formula)
- jarred food and spoons
- portable snacks for you
- 2-3 bibs

Toys and Soothing Items

- 2 blankets
- pacifiers
- comfort toys
- teething rings
- small, durable books (board books work great)

Safety and Emergencies

- band-aids
- hand sanitizer
- antibiotic ointment
- cell phone
- tissues
- sunblock
- fever reducer/pain reliever
- $20 bill and some quarters

Diaper Packing Tips

- Pack plenty of diapers. You’ll want one for about every two hours you plan to be out. Pack a few extra in case of diarrhea.

- When choosing a blanket, keep the weather conditions in mind.

- If you have a habit of forgetting keys, pack an extra set in the diaper bag to keep with you. This is also good if you have a car that auto-locks when the driver’s door shuts. You may have grabbed the bag and not the baby, yet, so you can still get him out of the car.

- If you know your child has allergies, keep a liquid antihistamine in the bag. If allergies are severe, you might want to get a prescription for an Epi-pen to keep in the bag at all times.

- You never know when you’re going to want to snap a shot of a precious moment, so keep a disposable camera in the bag. This is also good in case you are in a fender bender, you can take pictures of the damage on the spot.

- If you formula feed, you may not use powdered formula. It is one of the most convenient types to carry in a diaper bag, however, since before it’s mixed it doesn’t require refrigeration or ice packs and it can still be used after the can is opened. Just measure the powdered amount in a clean, empty bottle and pack a few bottled waters to mix when you’re ready.

Diaper Cakes have become quite popular the last few years. If you’re interested in knowing more about them, you’ll enjoy this information I found on Plan-the-perfect-baby-shower.com. At Simply 4 Girls, we also carry diaper cakes. Click here to take a look at our selection.

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What is a Diaper Cake anyway?
A diaper cake is a wonderfully creative gift for an expectant mother. It is a collection of diapers (either disposable or cloth) rolled and stacked together to resemble a traditional tiered cake. There can be 1, 2, 3 or more tiers. The tiers of diaper cakes are also garnished with baby care items such as bibs, pacifiers, baby socks, bottles, toys, and more.

Why are they becoming so popular?
Diaper cakes are becoming quite popular for several reasons:

• They are original and creative. They give your baby shower gift a personal touch.

• They are so useful and helpful to the expectant mother. She will use every single “ingredient” on the diaper cake.

• Baby shower hostesses love them because they are a cute and impressive centerpiece for the party.

• They can be decorated to match any theme you want.

• They are a great gift at the hospital, at a baby shower, after an adoption, or anytime before or after a new baby arrives.

The Social Security Administration announced on May 10, 2008 the most popular baby names for 2007.

Although the name Elvis was not in the top 10, it did rise 85 spots. The SSA noted, “It is further proof that Elvis is not dead.” Miley is new to the girls’ list this year, entering fairly high at number 278, attributable to the popularity of teen sensation Miley Cyrus.

See if you can guess which names are most popular.

Boys:

1. Jacob

2. Michael

3. Ethan

4. Joshua

5. Daniel

6. Christopher

7. Anthony

8. William

9. Matthew

10. Andrew

Girls:

1. Emily

2. Isabella

3. Emma

4. Ava

5. Madison

6. Sophia

7. Olivia

8. Abigail

9. Hannah

10. Elizabeth

Emily has topped the list since 1996. Jacob has done so since 1999. Elizabeth returns to the top ten after a two year absence. In addition to a list of the 1,000 most popular boys’ and girls’ names for 2007, Jacob and Joshua are again the most popular twin’s names.

For reasons likely to puzzle baby name experts around the world, American parents have become infatuated by names, particularly for their sons, that rhyme with the word “maiden.” These names for boys include: Jayden (No. 18); Aiden (No. 27); Aidan (No. 54); Jaden (No. 76); Caden (No. 92); Kaden (No. 98); Ayden (No.102); Braden (No.156); Cayden (No.175); Jaiden (No.191); Kaiden (No. 220); Aden (No. 264); Caiden (No. 286); Braeden (No. 325); Braydon (No. 361); Jaydon (No. 415); Jadon (No. 423); Braiden (No. 529); Zayden (No. 588); Jaeden (No. 593); Aydan (No. 598); Bradyn (No. 629); Kadin (No. 657); Jadyn (No. 696); Kaeden (No. 701); Jaydin (No. 757); Braedon (No. 805); Aidyn (No. 818); Haiden (No. 820); Jaidyn (No. 841); Kadyn (No. 878); Jaydan (No. 887); Raiden (No. 931); and Adin (No. 983). This startling trend was present, but less pronounced, with girls names: Jayden (No. 172); Jadyn (No. 319); Jaden (No. 335); Jaiden (No. 429); Kayden (No. 507); and Jaidyn (No. 561).

Experts also may be surprised by the extent to which American parents are naming their daughters after spiritual and philosophical concepts. One of the most popular names for girls (rising this year to number 31) is Nevaeh, which is “Heaven” spelled backwards. The variant Neveah came in this year at number 891 and Heaven is number 263. Also represented were: Destiny (No. 41); Trinity (No. 72); Serenity (No. 126); Harmony (No. 315); Miracle (No. 461); Charity (No. 673); Journey (No. 692); Destini (No. 914); and Essence (No. 930). Cutting against this trend was Armani (No. 971).