The Facts About SIDS

What is SIDS All About?

There isn’t a ton of factual information related to SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), since many occurrences have remained mysterious. Yet, there are several professionals and medical experts who have drawn a number of conclusions regarding this problem.

According to them, SIDS can likely take place when the baby has reached 2 to 4 months of age, with more occurrences of it usually being around the winter. Babies who have been sleeping while on their stomachs have died from such a syndrome too.

Ethnicities may also have a part to play, although it cannot be a guaranteed assumption. This is merely based on statistics that African American and American Indian babies have died because of SIDS more than white babies.

The Possible Preventive Measures against SIDS

Despite a lack of information on what truly causes this to happen, there are a lot of professionals in the world of science and medicine who have provided many good recommendations as far as proper nursing and baby management practices go. Below are some of what they’ve advised in order to reduce the risk of SIDS happening.

• It is essential that parents ensure that their babies are sleeping on their backs at all times. This may have something to do with proper circulation of oxygen in the body, since sleeping on the stomach may make it difficult for babies to breathe.
• Parents should make sure that the crib is free from loose or fluffy bedding, and that small toys should be removed. There is a a chance, after all, that some very small parts from these toys may end up being swallowed by the baby, thus causing very risky complications in breathing. That is why choosing the right crib mattress is very important.
• It is also important for parents to make sure that their baby’s heads are free of obstructions. They shouldn’t be wearing baby bonnets or have pillows over them, since they’re pretty helpless when asleep and may not be getting enough breathing space at all.

SIDS is a very common occurrence nowadays, and it is every parent’s responsibility to make sure that their babies are kept safe and free from such risks. What do you think about SIDS? Share your thoughts with other readers by getting in touch with the SaveARanch team.

What Do I Need for My Baby’s Room?

Having a baby is definitely one of the biggest responsibilities that moms to be face. Aside from preparing their bodies for the child birth, moms to be also need to prepare their baby’s room. The thing is, planning on a baby room might be a bit hard for moms to plan especially for first time moms.

Decorating a baby’s room can be a lot of fun but for first time mommies, it might also be tough since they would need to make tons of decisions. This includes the color of the paint, the specific room theme and what stuffs to put in it. To learn more on how to go about it, here are some tips to consider:

Where Should You Get the Stuff?

The first thing to consider is where to get the baby stuff from. Choosing the furniture as well as the decorations is something that soon to be parents need to find out about. There are a lot of shops that offer baby stuff so people need to make sure that they find the perfect place to get these stuffs for their baby’s room. Look for quality furniture that is sold for free to save money for some other things.

What’s the Theme?

Choosing what theme to have on your baby’s room is also something that people need to consider. Parents might want to check out the internet to find the best theme that they could use for their baby’s room. There are also tons of options that people need to make sure that they find the best theme for their baby’s so as to make the room lovelier.

Safety First

You also need to make sure that your fixtures are child friendly. If you wish to use the room when your baby grown older, get items that can literally grow with your child; crib mattresses are included in this list too. There are actually a lot of home depots that sell these things so be sure to check the baby corner for amazing child friendly furniture.

The Windows

It is also important to have a wide window so as to give light to the room. Have a safe window installed and be sure to put some safety precautions to be able to make sure that the child is safe at all times.

Lighting

Parents should also consider the lighting of the room. It should match the pain in the room so you might want to talk with a room decorator to help out fixing the room.

These are some of the things that people need to consider if they want to make sure that they would be able to have the best room for their baby’s. You might also consider reading the internet because it offers tons of tips for parents to check.

Want to share some tips on how to decorate the nursery? We’d love to hear from you, send us and email today.

How to Welcome Your Little Bundle Without Costing a Bundle

Baby on the Way!

Isn’t it exciting to welcome a new member to the family? From the day everyone finds out a baby is on the way, to those days of cramming for last minute baby shopping, and to that big day when the little one finally arrives — every step is literally something really memorable.

Who Doesn’t Love Baby Shopping?

Isn’t shopping for the little one fun to do? Getting the nursery decorated, buying clothes, toys, and many more. Then again, getting baby’s necessities also means spending money for it. In a recent survey conducted in the U.S., 3 out of 5 mothers-to-be reveal that they actually would love to shop for their babies but then they find it impractical to splurge so much on baby products that would only be used for a short period since babies grow very fast.

Welcoming the Little Bundle Without the Cost of a Bundle

There are actually ways that you can prepare all of baby’s needs without breaking the bank. Here are a couple of ways on how you can welcome your little bundle without the cost of a bundle:

1. Sign-up with a Gift Registry

When a friend or someone in the family is expecting a baby, people typically give the parents-to-be gifts for the little one. To really benefit from the gifts you will get, sign up with a gift registry. This way, you can be sure that you can really use what you will receive. Signing up with a gift registry also lessens the possibility of getting more than enough of one item and getting things that you actually do not need (e.g. you surely don’t need more than one crib mattress or stroller).

Gift registries are also very useful especially if you are going to have a baby shower. If you’re signed up with a gift registry, it will be easier for guests to buy gifts and you can surely receive what you want.

2. Join a Mom’s Community or Group

In some places, there are mommy clubs or groups. By joining these, not only can you swap or get parenting tips and tricks, you can even get baby items too.

3. Schedule Shopping

Naturally, you will run broke if you buy everything you need all at once. On top of that, you will surely be at the losing end if you’re an impulsive shopper. It’s highly advised to schedule your shopping in such manner that you do it bit by bit so it won’t be harsh on your pocket. Moreover, if you know you’re an impulsive shopper, stay away from the mall or simply just carry enough money when you go to the mall so you won’t be tempted to shop.

4. Know the Difference Between “Need” and “Want”

There is a huge difference between a “need” and a “want”. If you know the difference between the two, and you know how to control yourself, you do not have anything to worry about.

5. Welcome “Hand-Me-Downs”

There is nothing wrong to welcome “hand-me-downs”; it’s very practical since babies grow up very fast. If family and friends give you hand-me-downs, do not hesitate to accept them.

Bottom Line: Be Practical!

Parents surely want the best for their babies. Then again, remember to be a smart shopper at the same time– stick with the essentials because babies grow up fast.

Want to share some tips on how to save big on baby items? We’d love to hear from you, send us and email today.

Do You Have the New Mommy and Daddy Syndrome?

The “New Mommy and Daddy Syndrome”

New moms and dads are over protective of their little ones. Funny as it may seem, but new parents are often “paranoid” when it comes to their baby’s health when they shouldn’t be in the first place. Baby’s cant talk obviously, and they are too little to voice out what they are feeling; that is why new parents panic whenever their little one is behaving “out of the ordinary.”

New parents often have that so-called “new mommy and daddy syndrome”. What is this? No it’s not a disorder or anything, it’s just simply a way to describe how new parents make a fuss of even the tiniest things that don’t necessarily even matter. Examples of which is panicking when the baby keeps crying no matter what you do, panicking when the baby doesn’t burp after feeding, and so on. But of course, there is really nothing wrong if you’re just being very cautious even when buying crib mattresses, and the like.

When to Panic and Not to Panic

The “new mommy and daddy syndrome” is quite normal. Then again, you should snap out of it and instead of panicking, you should know how to handle whatever situations comes your way. Here are a couple of situations where you should and shouldn’t be alarmed.

Disposition

You will know when a child isn’t really feeling well because you’ll notice that in his or her overall disposition. If the baby isn’t his or her “usual self”, then something might be wrong. Though something might be wrong, do not panic yet. If the baby has fever, you may go ahead and give him or her Tylenol or another brand of acetaminophen. But of course, make sure that whatever you give him or her as “first aid” is fit for his or her age and you’ve previously gotten the okay for the medication from your medical provider.

Unusual Crying Behavior

Crying is normal for babies. Then again, if it’s unusual, that might be alarming. When little ones feel seriously ill, they tend to cry more than often and whatever you do, they just won’t stop. So when your baby cries, try to calm him or her down — maybe he/she’s just hungry, uncomfy, etc. But when you’ve done everything and the crying won’t stop, it is time to get professional help.

Appetite and Bowel Movements

A baby’s appetite and bowel movement varies. Therefore, parents should not freak out when the baby doesn’t eat or “go” during the usual time. But of course, if the baby doesn’t eat that much for the day, or doesn’t “go” for more than 24 hours, now that could be alarming.

Fever

Little babies are vulnerable to fever. Usually, this just means that their body is fighting off the bad bacteria. Then again, if the fever doesn’t subside within 24 hours amidst the fact you gave infant Tylenol around the clock, then it’s time to head to the doctor.

Should You Go to the Doctor?

Sometimes parents panic and rush to the doctor and they just get sent home with the same usual prescription of acetaminophen, etc. Then again, as they say it is always to be better safe than sorry. It is also wise to ask your doctor for advice on what to do during typical cases like when the baby has fever, has a tummy ache, etc. so that you can have the basics that you need for your bundle of joy in your medicine cabinet.

Do you have the “new mom and dad syndrome”? Have you experienced this when your baby was little? Share your stories with us, we’re pretty sure new moms and dads out there would love to hear it!

5 “Brain-Builders” for Kids

Every parent wants what’s best for the child. That’ why parents go through a lot fuss to get their little ones the best crib mattresses, toys, and so on.  This is also why most parents start “molding” their kids at a very young age. Thus, it is not out of the ordinary for moms and dads to be looking for things or activities that can help in their baby’s development.

During baby’s first year, it is important to introduce certain activities that can help during the developmental stages of the child. Quoting famous educational consultant and author, Gaye Grunlond: “The smallest humans learn best through play.” This does not necessarily mean shelling out a lot of money to purchase expensive and classy educational toys.

Wooden Blocks

Wooden blocks are a classic; kids can get mesmerized and entertained by these for quite a long time. Generally speaking, playing with blocks fosters in experimentation — it teaches the kids to experiment and come up and test whatever hypothesis they can come across while playing the blocks.

Pretend Play

Pretend play is always a good venue to put the child’s creativity and imagination to the test. Pretend play such as pretend cooking, or playing house, is one of the best ways to develop a child’s pre-literacy skills.

Shovel and Bucket

A shovel and bucket are also two toys that kids have been playing with ever since. Playing with a bucket a in shovel can help develop the child’s motor skills — balance and coordination. Moreover, playing with these toys in sand boxes or water can also help the child find out the difference between liquid and solid, and it can also introduce the child to different textures.

Ball

Kids love balls — they get excitement just from rolling it, catching it, bouncing it, and so on. Through playing with a ball, a child can develop his or her experimental and motor skills. It is recommended to give a child bright-colored balls to play with. But of course, make sure that the balls you pick are child-friendly. Take note that during the early years, children go through an oral stage and they simply just put anything they can get their hands on in their mouths.

Hide and Seek or Peek-A-Boo

Now this is something that literally, the only price tag is your time. If you want to bond with your child, play a game of hide and seek with him or her. Through this game, the child can learn a lot of things, like independence for once. Apart from that, children can also learn how to count, follow the rules, to be patient, and not to mention socialize when he or she plays hide and seek with other children.

Why Children Need to Play

Playtime is important to a child; parents should understand that too. Through play, a child can:

• Develop intrapersonal skills
• Build relationships
• Practice responsibilities
• Recognize his or her talents and interests
• Strengthen academic skills

Child experts have always been emphasizing the importance of playtime in a child’s development and learning during his or her early years.  As what very famous scientist Albert Einstein says: “PLAY is the highest form of research”. This just simply means that the best way for a child to learn is through play.

Do you have any playtime stories to share? We’d like to hear about it, send us an email and share your stories with other parents too!

10 Out of This World Beliefs About Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a very trying and stressful time for both the mother and the father. While it may be very exciting to prepare and welcome a new addition to the family, it can still be a very scary situation particularly if it is the first pregnancy. Because of this high state of anxiety, many cultures around the world actually developed all kinds of beliefs and superstitions just to alleviate the nervousness and anxiety of women.

Here are the top ten pregnancy beliefs that are continued to be believed by many individuals all over the globe. These beliefs are definitely out of this world!

Rain or snow on your wedding day will result to many babies (Italy)

Many cultures view rain or snow as a blessing. This is the main reason why Italians view rain as blessings from God. As such, people are actually very happy when it rains during a wedding. The bride especially. This is why many weddings continue to be scheduled during the rainy season in Italy.

Place a baby boy on the lap of a bride on her wedding day and she will get many sons (Turkey)

Babies are very lucky. Many cultures around the world believe that babies have special powers. This is why newlywed brides in Turkey are given male babies to cradle on her wedding day. This will help increase the chances of the bride having many sons of her own.

If you tie two bottles of champagne together on the wedding day, the bride and groom will celebrate the birth of their son on their first wedding anniversary (Russia)

This is a belief that is very unique in Russia. At every wedding the bride and groom are given two bottles of champaign that are tied together. This will result to the couple having a baby right away. By the time their first wedding anniversary arrives, they now have a baby boy.

Barren women are prohibited to attend weddings because the bride might get barren too (India)

Barren women are considered as unlucky. This is most especially true to married women who continue to be childless even if they have been married for a very long time. These women are pariah during weddings. This is because people think that if they are near barren women, they might get some of her unluckiness.

Pregnant women should never scratch their stomachs because it results to stretch marks (Philippines)

There are many women who are obsessed with stretch marks. They find stretch marks as ugly and unsightly. This is the main reason why Philippine women will believe anything just to get them out of stretch marks. This includes ignoring the itch in their stomachs. They do not want to scratch the itch because they believe that scratching results to ugly and unsightly stretch marks.

Pregnant women should avoid the bathtub, the swimming pool or the beach because it might drown the baby (Philippines)

Pregnant women in the Philippines would never go into the swimming pool or the beach because they are afraid that their baby will be drowned. They do this even if they know that their babies are floating in liquid in their bellies. This is why you rarely see pregnant women in the Philippines swimming in the pool or going to the beach.

Tight fitting clothes will result to mentally retarded children (Portugal)

This is one very funny belief coming from Portugal. Women believe that tight fitting clothes cut off the circulation to their stomach and this can result to mentally retarded children. This is the main reason why they often wear very loose clothing during their pregnancy.

Pregnant women should not wear a ring because it will result to the umbilical cord wrapped around a baby’s neck (Eskimos)

Eskimo women will never wear rings during their pregnancy. This is because they are afraid that their babies will choke on their own umbilical cord.

Sitting cross legged will result to a very difficult time during labor (Bulgaria)

Bulgarian women do not like to sit cross legged because they think that they will end up with difficult labor.

Crawling under the belly of a baby elephant results to an easy labor and a strong baby (Thailand)

This is definitely one of the most over the top pregnancy beliefs. Thai women would crawl under the belly of a baby elephant to have an easier time giving birth and have strong babies. They do this even if they know that the baby elephant may sit on them.

These are just ten of the hundreds of other out of this world beliefs about pregnancy. Apart from out of this world, there are actually beliefs that are the exact opposite of reality (e.g. exercising during pregnancy, etc.).

Do you know any other odd beliefs about pregnancy? Share it with us, send the SaveARanch.org team an email.

11 Top Questions and Answers About Breast Feeding

Most mothers these days consider nursing their kids until 2 years old because it is the best way for their babies to develop immunity. It is always advised by doctors that nursing kids from birth up to 2 years is a great bonding for mothers and babies so if you are planning to have a baby anytime soon, be sure to consider this fact. In case you want to learn more about nursing your babies, here are some FAQs About breast feeding:

How often do you need to breastfeed?

For newborn babies, you should bear in mind to nurse them for about 8- 12 times a day during the first month of your baby. Studies show that frequent breastfeeding will help you stimulate milk production. If you want to make sure that you would have enough milk, then make sure to consider doing this.

How do you store breast milk?

You can refrigerate your milk or you can also freeze it. Make sure that you store it in a clean bottle that is sealed properly to ensure the milk’s freshness. You can also buy nursing bags. Make sure that you put a number or date on the bottles or nursing bags so you would know which ones to use first.

Why is breastfeeding important?

Breastfeeding is important because babies are immune to everything their mothers are. Breast milk is known to give babies all the immunities they need until they would be able to develop their own immunity. To make sure that you baby is strong and not sickly, then you should try giving him or her breast milk until she or he reaches two years old.

Take a Look at this Great Video Discussing Breastfeeding’s Importance

For how long do you need to breastfeed?

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), it is highly recommended that breastfeeding should be done for at least 12 months, and thereafter for as long as the mother still has milk. The World Health Organization also recommends continuing breastfeeding up to 2 years of age or beyond.

Is it safe to smoke while breastfeeding?

Mothers who smoke should refrain from smoking when breastfeeding. It may not be proven that nicotine has adverse effects on the developing baby, it would be best to make sure that you just quit smoking to avoid further problems.

Are cold medications safe for women who are breastfeeding?

To make sure that your cold medication is safe to take, try asking your doctor. You do not want to risk anything by taking un-prescribed medications so might as well consult your doctor regarding the proper medications to treat your colds.

Is drinking caffeinated beverages safe?

Yes as long as you do it in moderation. Caffeine may get into your breast milk if you do it regularly so to make sure that your milk would not be contaminated with caffeine, make sure that you refrain from drinking caffeinated beverages regularly.

Are anti-depressants safe for breastfeeding mothers?

Yes, it is even advised for mothers to make sure that they take anti-depressants to cure post-partum depression. Make sure that you ask prescription from your doctors regarding the appropriate dosage of anti-depressants.

Is it safe to breastfeed even if I have breast implants?

The answer would depend if your milk ducts were affected when you had your implants on. In case you plan to get implants, make sure to look for a surgery that would not affect your milk ducts so you can safely breastfeed.

How would you know if your child gets enough breast milk?

You would know when your child gets enough if the baby grows easily. You might need to measure your child’s height and weight your baby so you would surely know if breastfeeding is doing your baby any good.

Is it okay to breastfeed even if I have twins?

No matter how many kids you have, breastfeeding is okay and even advised to help your kids develop a healthy immune system.

These are some of the FAQs about breast feeding. Make sure that you check out these common questions and answers so you would be able to easily find out whether or not breastfeeding is good for your babies. You may also look for some other tips on how you could breast feed your kids properly. Speaking of breastfeeding, one of the best ways to ensure that your baby has a steady supply of breast milk is by using a breast pump. Be sure to check out the breast pump reviewson our site.

Pregnancy Secrets Revealed: Ways to Get a Good Night’s Sleep

Pregnancy is one of the hardest parts in the lives of women. This is because pregnant women experience a lot of changes in their bodies brought about by hormonal imbalance. They also need to make sure that they are careful about everything so they would not have problems with their pregnancy.

One of the things that most women have a hard time with during their pregnancy is for them to have a good night sleep. Because of this, there are a lot of pregnancy pillows available to help pregnant women have a good night sleep. Getting a pregnancy pillow is one of the common things that most women consider however, there are some other things that can help an expecting mom get a good night’s sleep. Here are a couple of them:

The Perfect Sleeping Position

The first thing that you need to do is to make sure that you find the perfect position when sleeping. You have to understand that while your belly grows bigger; your pelvis also grows wider in order to accommodate the baby inside your belly. This is when a good pillow helps since you need something to provide you with support as your body changes. Your changing body must be supported properly to make sure that you are comfortable and avoid tossing and turning all night.

If you have your chosen pregnancy pillow, you can certainly tuck a pillow behind your back to help you stay on your side and in order to make sure that you take some pressure off your hip. There are a lot of maternity pillows for you to choose from to provide you comfortable, less cumbersome, and less likely to end up on the floor in the middle of the night when you are sleeping.

Free Yourself From Stress

Make sure to be stress free at all times. One of the things that could give you a hard time during pregnancy is if you are stressed which is why you need to make sure that you de stress before sleeping. This would help you have a good night sleep. You might want to do some pre-bedtime rituals first to help you relax your body or lie on your favorite pregnancy pillow. You might want to take a warm shower, warm bath or lie on your tub with warm water in it for a few minutes to help you relax properly.

Clear Your Mind

“Switch off” your mind when you are about to sleep. You have to make sure that you are tired and about to doze off so you can certainly sleep well. Make sure that you have to be tired but not too much since it might affect your pregnancy. Avoid lifting heavy objects as well. Avoid thinking about your to do list since you have plenty of time to deal with it the next day and just focus on sleeping as of the moment.

Scheduling Naps

If you feel sleepy in the afternoon, it is important that you only do short naps using your pregnancy pillow and as much as possible, you time your naps so you would not be well rested in the afternoon. This would make sure that you would still have a good night sleep in the evening.

Everything Off

If you are already about to sleep, never consider turning on your gadgets to help you go to sleep since it would not help at all. It will just keep you awake since you might be into something that you are watching or playing. Your computers and television sets are mentally stimulating and it is something that you would like to avoid so you could get some good night sleep.

Say No to Anything with Caffeine

Be sure to avoid drinking or taking any caffeinated beverages or foods. If you are a coffee drinker, you need to quit drinking coffee not only to help you sleep fast and easily but also to protect your baby since caffeine is not good for pregnant women. Try drinking warm milk instead especially before sleeping since it helps a lot.

Choose the Food You Eat

The food that you eat before sleeping would also play an important role in giving you that good night sleep. Avoid having heavy meals since it might interrupt you when sleeping especially if you have to move your bowel in the middle of the night. Go for light meals since based on some research, this is something that pregnant women need to have. You should consider having some crackers, chopped vegies, some fruit and protein and be sure to eat foods that are low in calories.

How Can You Get a Good Night’s Sleep?

From a certain survey, 7 out of 10 pregnant women say that they use specialty full body pregnancy pillows to help them get a good night’s sleep. But apart from these special pillows, some women also have other bedtime rituals like drinking warm milk or listening to classical music. How about you? What are some of your tips for getting a good night sleep? Submit your best tips to the Save A Ranch community by using the contact us form.

The ABC’s of Shopping For A Crib Mattress

Buying the right crib mattress is extremely important. The reason is, infants spend at least 70% of their life on them and as they become toddlers, they’ spend 50% of their time on these mattresses too.

Generally speaking, there are four different types of crib mattresses that are certified by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. These are: foam, spring interior, natural fiber, and hypo allergenic.

Each type has its own set of unique features and functions. Thus if you want to purchase the right the mattress, you ought to get a crib mattress that can meet your baby’s needs.

 The Crib Mattress Shopping A-B-C

One of the best ways to find the best crib mattress is to read through crib mattress reviews. However, before you get to that step, you also need to keep these ABC’s of baby mattress shopping in mind:

 A – Always Have Safety as First Priority.

Babies are very delicate and they need to have a crib mattress that’s safe. Regardless of your budget, see to it that what you will purchase meets the current safety standards. It is recommended to have a firm mattress to avoid SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) as young babies cannot lift their heads yet and they have a tendency to get smothered.

The basic way to tell if the mattress is firm enough for a newborn baby is to gauge it to your own comfort — if the mattress is something that you personally find too comfortable, then that’s not firm enough yet.

 B – Be Very Particular on the Materials

Never forget to find out what materials are used in the layers and other parts of the mattress. Also check if there are certain chemicals or preservatives used in its manufacturing. You should opt for a mattress made of hypoallergenic materials.

These days, hypoallergenic foam mattresses are recommended. Apart from being hypoallergenic, another reason is that foam mattresses are more durable and they’re safer in the sense that you won’t experience any possibility of having the spring sticking out of the layers.

The Sealy Soybean foam-core crib mattress and the Sealy Baby Ultra Rest mattress are ideal examples hypoallergenic crib mattress that’s are known to be both reliable and safe in terms of materials used.

 C – Choose the Right Size

As required by the U.S. Consumer Products Commission, full-sized crib mattresses should be not less than 27 and 1/4 inches in width, and not less than 51 and 5/9 inches in length. As a rule of thumb, if you can fit two of your fingers between the mattress and the side of the crib or crib rail, that means your mattress is small for your crib.

We hope you have found find these tips useful in identifying the right mattress for your little angel. Once you do, be sure to return and submit your feedback and reviews to the SaveARanch.org team and community.

Team Contributor: Mariah Evans