Yay, summer finally is here! Your little one at last can wave bye-bye to bulky sweaters and happily greet the swing sets, beach blanket naps and sunshine that await in the days ahead.
Summertime delights aside, however, this season brings with it some serious safety concerns for babies and small children. Here’s how to keep your kids safe during the summer months—without missing a moment of fun in the sun!
You’ve probably bought many gifts for the man in your life—anniversary gifts, Valentine’s Day gifts, birthday gifts. But there’s something really special about choosing that first Father’s Day gift. It’s a great opportunity to say, “I love you,” “thank you,” and “our baby is so lucky to have you for a dad,” all rolled into one.
It’s nearly impossible to flip through a parenting magazine without seeing handfuls of ads about products that contain DHA, or docosahexaenoic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid that occurs naturally in breast milk and is believed to support healthy brain development. DHA is used to fortify formula, infant cereals, yogurts and other forms of nutrition; it’s also available as a supplement for moms and babies. And, DHA is widely used for toddlers and older children whose brains, of course, are still growing and developing every day.
There are so many baby lotions out there—so how do you choose which one is right for your bundle of joy? When you browse through the extensive and ever-growing selection of sweet-smelling baby skincare products, you can feel like you’re slip-sliding away into a land where everything sounds like it’s the “best choice” for your baby. But the truth is, some products are better options than others, especially if your little one has sensitive skin or you’re concerned about artificial scents and ingredients.
If you tell a non-parent that you’re on the market for laundry products for your baby, you’ll likely get a blank stare. Why would baby clothing need different treatment than grown-up clothing? Once you’ve dealt with baby laundry, though, you know what makes it “special”:
Oh how babies love the beach! The wind tickles their tiny toes and makes them giggle; the sand is fun to sift through with chubby little hands; the ocean is a source of endless mystery and amusement. Not so amusing, however, is a baby with a sunburn. Not only can a burn cause temporary discomfort, but the damage to tender skin also can have long-term repercussions, and repeated burns can result in lesions and even skin cancer.
Who doesn’t love a mani-pedi every now and then, or maybe even a facial or massage? Once you become a mom, though, expensive spa sessions often become a distant memory. Who has time for “me” time when what you really need is to catch up on sleep! And even if you’re one of the few, enviably well-rested mamas out there, you might not have so much disposable income to spend on these kinds of indulgences, what with diapers, baby food and college savings account contributions draining your funds.
