Best Baby Shower Gifts: Our Top 10 Picks

If you’re heading to a baby shower and trying to find a great gift for the mom-to-be we’ve got a few ideas. While it’s always nice to get something for the expectant mom of her registry of choice, something a little personal makes a great gift too. This can be in addition to some of her wanted items or you can create a unique basket of goodies yourself! Finding just the right gift might be a little hard, but we have a few ideas to get you started.

1. Guess How Much I Love You

This book was first published in 1994 and is one of the sweetest stories. Big and Little Nutbrown Hare share such a love for one another, much like the new mommy-to-be and her little one will share as well.

2. Robeez

No matter the season these cute little shoes will be a big hit! With styles for boys and girls you’re bound to find the cutest little shoes for your friend’s baby. Best of all, they have a variety of sizes. What a cute addition to an outfit or two and–whala!–your baby gift is complete!

3. Bouncy Seat

Many first time moms think they can live without a baby bouncy seat or a swing and then when the baby arrives and they are sleep deprived they’re wishing they had one–or both! If the mom-to-be doesn’t have a bouncer on her registry or if it has not been purchased yet, get it! She’ll be thanking you later! We love this one from Fisher Price. It plays songs, vibrates, lights up…All the bells and whistles! ($59, amazon.com)

4. Lucy Socks

These cute socks speak for themselves! So super cute. The mom-to-be will love putting her little girl’s feet into these! ($26, uncommongoods.com)

5. Dr. Suess Gift Basket

These super cute Dr. Suess bath towels are cute for either gender. Create a gift basket by adding some bath toys and a couple of Dr. Suess book for the newborn’s book collection. (pottery barn kids)

6. Toy Cars

Many moms don’t think about registering for smaller items, like toys. These cars are a great gift for moms expecting baby boys. They are easy to hold and come in bright, vibrant colors. (12.95, land of nod)

7. Clifford the Big Red Dog Ring Stacker

Who doesn’t love Clifford the Big Red Dog? A favorite for years, and sure to be for years to come, this toy is soft, safe and great for baby boys or girls. Again, the book lovers in us say to add a Clifford book or two to complete your gift. (9.99, amazon.com)

8. Beach Romper

Is the mom-to-be expecting a summertime baby? These beach rompers are cute for those warm beach days and can be personalized with the baby’s name! (19.95, personalizationmall.com)

9. OXO Tot 4-piece Feeding Set

Babies always need bibs and bottles so why not add this to your gift of feeding essentials? This feeding set is perfect for mom to use as baby gets older and then great for baby once they begin self-feeding. ($20, amazon.com)

10. Sophie the Giraffe

This teether has been around for over 50 years and is a favorite of both babies and their mommas! Make this giraffe an addition to some great things on the mom-to-be’s registry like burp cloths, diapers, pacifiers, bottles…The possibilities are endless! (under $20, amazon.com)

Our Best Tips to Soothe a Crying Baby

New moms, or not-so-new-moms, who might be dealing with extra fussy or colicky babies help is on the way! Do not despair. There are some things you can try to help your baby calm down when all they seem to be doing is crying, screaming and, well, crying and screaming.

1. Try the 5 S’s

If you haven’t seen the Happiest Baby on the Block DVD then pick up, rent it, or borrow it from a friend. It goes into the detail about the five S’s: sucking, swaddling, swinging, side-lying, and shushing. All these S’s are great “tools” to use when your baby goes into can’t-stop-crying-mode.

Sucking-If you baby isn’t a thumb sucker and isn’t feeding time, try a paci. It works best after you tried one of the other S’s and if your baby will take the paci you might luck up and get a napping baby!

Swaddling-You might think you’re wrapping your baby too tightly, but this little cocoon helps baby feel warm, snug, and secure. Not only that, but it keeps their little limbs from twitching thus from waking them while their asleep.

Side-lying-Your baby spent most of its time lying this way in the womb so it’s only natural that your baby will be most comfortable being held and carried in this position.

Shushing- A “shhhhh” sound mimics the whooshing noises your little one heard in your womb for nearly 9 months. Make the sound yourself or use some white noise.

Swinging-The constant motion of swinging is very soothing to a fussy baby. Don’t reinvent the wheel! There are some great swings on the market and they WILL save your life some days. When all else fails your baby may decide to only nap in the swing on some days. Invest in one (or two!) different swings.

2. Get Into a Good Sleep Routine

It never fails-a colicky baby is usually a poor sleeper. Establish a good daytime routine of eating, playing, and napping. Then, also create a nice bedtime schedule too. Before the last bottle or feeding of the day give your baby a nice warm bath. Then rub them down with lotion, read a book, rock him for a few minutes and then feed them for the night. They may not sleep well, but at least they will go to bed a little more relaxed.

3. Cut out Dairy Products

Most women don’t want to hear “no more ice cream” but it has been shown that reducing or completely cutting out dairy products from your diet if you are breastfeeding can reduce or even take away colic symptoms.

4. Check for Reflux

Sometimes a really fussy baby might not really be colicky after all. If you’ve tried everything and your baby still has had little relief there could something else going on. Many newborns experience reflux. Check with your pediatrician for ways help your baby get some relief. Medications can be prescribed and you can also try different formulas (if you are formula feeding).

5. Head Outdoors

Visit a park, sit on your front porch or back deck, or walk in your neighborhood for a few minutes. A little fresh air can help calm your nerves-and baby’s!

6. Take 5

When you’ve tried everything and it hasn’t worked and you need 5 or 10 minutes to yourself to shower or have a cup of coffee it’s okay to leave baby alone in their swing or crib to cry it out so you can a few minutes to yourself. If the crying is more than you can take try using your few minutes to take a shower or listening to your iPod so you can’t hear the crying as loudly.

New Mom Must-Have Items

If you’re experiencing pregnancy for the first time, you’re probably going through a lot of “first” moments-first bouts of morning sickness, feeling those first kicks, and soon being a mom for the first time. As the time draws closer to your due date, you might be wondering if you are truly prepared for baby. There are millions of gadgets and baby gear items to chose from when you register for the first time and it can be very overwhelming. What are the things you can’t do without? We’ve got a list of must-have items to make sure you are ready for your bundle of joy!

1. Boppy Pillow

If you are going to be breastfeeding, a Boppy Pillow is a must! It offers comfort for baby and support for you so your back isn’t aching for days. It comes in one standard size and a variety of patterned slip covers are available. Not to mention the Boppy makes a great little support seat for baby once he/she starts sitting up or a pillow you can use with baby during tummy time.

2. Fisher Price Space Saver High Chair

There are oodles of high chairs on the market and all of them are equally bulky. If you are low on space or if you just want to save some room in general the Fisher Price Space Saver High Chair is the one for you. It attaches securely to your kitchen chair, the cover is removable for easy cleaning, and the tray is dishwasher safe. Need we say more?

3. Graco Snug Ride Carseat

The Graco Sung Ride is a great, lightweight carseat. Again, it is offered in a variety of colors. It fits baby up to 32 lbs. so your child can stay rear-facing past their first birthday

4. Born Free Bottles

There is are lots of major reason we love these bottles! They are easy to clean, don’t have too many parts, and really do help reduce gas.  They come in two sizes, 5 oz. and 9 oz., so you won’t be changing bottles sizes too much. Born Free also offers all kinds of nipple sizes so your little one will always get just the right flow.

5. Snack Trap

While you baby won’t use these right away, we suggest registering for them anyway. The Snack Trap will save you from lots of spills once your little one can self feed. They are easy for little hands to handle and come with lids so snack won’t go stale.

6. Jeep Universal Car Seat Carrier Stroller

This is a great stroller for the price ($69.99) and it is compatible with many carseats. Here is a list of seats that will work with this stroller:

• Cosco Designer 22 Series
• Cosco First Ride DX
• Evenflo Discovery
• Graco Safe Seat
• Graco Snug Ride Series
• Maxi-Cosi Mico
• Peg Prego Primo Viaggio SIP
• Safety 1st Designer 22
• Safety 1st Starter

We love this stroller because it is an affordable option when compared to the “combo systems”. You can easily put this on your baby registry and, since it is at an affordable price point, someone will most likely purchase the item. Later, you can decide on a better lightweight stroller for when your little one is sitting up a bit better.

7. Fisher Price Space Saver Swing and Seat – Luv U Zoo

This is a NEW baby gear item that just debuted this month. We love the pattern because it is great for boys and girls. Best of all this is a swing and seat all in one! As mentioned in the description on the Babies R Us website, “The Fisher-Price Luv U Zoo Space Saver Swing & Seat is the smallest size swing in the market offers two great formats in one space saving product. The swing includes a stationary positioner for easy and secure conversion to an infant seat. Additionally, convenient parent handles provide easy portability for mom. The product includes a machine washable pad, vibration and a removable toy bar. Music and sfx can be used in both modes and the swing offers five variable speeds. This swing comes with a sweet momma and baby rhino mobile and new Luv U Zoo styling in both the soft pad and the music.”

What’s not to like?!

8. HALO SleepSack Swaddle

We really like the HALO SleepSack Swaddle because it is another great two-in-one product. If want to swaddle your baby great but, if you don’t, you can simply detach the swaddle wrap feature and you will be left with just the zip-up sleepsack. You’ll be swaddling baby quite a bit and receiving blankets are great for swaddling but the HALO Velcros and is very secure, so baby will be less likely to unswaddle on their own.

All products can be found on Babiesrus.com or any Babies R Us location. All images courtesy of Babies R Us.

Am I Pregnant? Sure Signs That a Baby is on the Way!

Think you might be pregnant? If it is too early to take a pregnancy test and you think you might be pregnant, look for some of these signs.

1. Sore Breasts: This is a tell-tale sign and will usually appear within the first few weeks of pregnancy. Your breasts may feel sore or heavier than usual.

2. Cramping: It may feel as though Aunt Flow is knocking on your hormonal door, but it is just your uterus stretching and therefore causing some period-like cramping.

3. Spotting: Many women mistake early pregnancy spotting for a period. If your period seems lighter and shorter than usual, take a pregnancy to see if your “period” actually means pregnancy.

4. Extreme Fatigue: Okay, we all know tired, BUT if all you can think about is a nap, and isn’t even 9am, you might be pregnant. Tiredness is a big symptom of the first trimester.

5. Nausea: Certain smells turning your stomache? Can’t eat your favotite snack? Nausea is a sure sign that you are pregnant. Morning sickeness plagues about 85%of pregnant women.

6. Bloating and Constipation: Can’t zip your favorite pair of jeans? Bloating may be the cause. While this sympton is also a characteristic of PMS, it can be a major side effect of pregnancy.

7. Peeing more often: Getting up at all hours of the night to tee tee can also be a sign that you are pregnant. Your kindneys kick into high gear when you conceive and this can also be a problem near the end of pregnancy as well.

8. Headaches: Increased blood volume and hormone changes can trigger lots of headaches during the first trimester.

9. Mood Swings: Hormomes are raging and added fatigue can cause a lot of moodiness. If you notice that some things are bothering more than before, take a pregnancy test.

10. Increased Basal Body Temperature: Charting your BBT can usual help you tell when you ovulate. However, if your BBT stays elevated this is a good sign that there is a bun in the oven.

While many of these symptons mimic PMS, it can be hard to tell if you are acutally pregnant. If you think you are pregnant and have not had a period in 40 days, take a home pregnancy test. You know your body best and will be the best doctor when it comes to knowing if some things are not adding up.

New Mom Challenges

If you are a new mom, you are probably thinking your newborn is as perfect as they come. All new moms want to do the best for their baby, but you should always go into knowing that their will be struggles and mistakes made along the way. Here are some of the things you may be coping with if you are a new mom. No worries-it will all come together as you get into the swing of things!

• You Struggle with Breastfeeding: If breastfeeding isn’t going as well as you thought it would, do not suffer alone. Use your resources. Many labor and delivery wards offer lacatation consultants.These are trained professionals who will be happy to evaluate the things you are struggling with. Often times they will even do home visits so they can see firsthand the things you are struggling with. Give yourself a goal of sticking it out for a least a month, but if at the end of four weeks you are still struggling consider switching to formula. Formula fed babies do just as well in the real world!
• Your Husband Becomes Your Worst Enemy: Okay, so you thought having a baby would bring you closer together, but instead you are ready to hit him with a bat and divorce has crossed your mind more than once. The first thing to do is realize that your spouse is doing the best they can. Most men feel an immediate need to become the absolute best provider financially for their family when baby comes. To relieve some of the stress, get hubby involved with the little one. Let him take a night feeding duty so you can catch up on sleep or ask him to do the laundry once a week. Taking over small tasks around the house can make all the difference.
• You Feel Fat: You may not be shedding the left over baby weight quickly and that’s okay. Most of the extra padding and fat is needed to give you some energy for breastfeeding, so that is a good thing. Hitting your old workout routine is not recommended until after 6 weeks post partum, 8 weeks if you had a c-section. So until you can return to your old workout schedule, enjoy the first few weeks with your newborn.
• You Feel the Need to be Perfect: All moms feel pressure to do their very best, but especially new moms, but the idea that your house should be spotless, your kids should always be happy and you should be showered and ready for an outing at any moment is just not realistic. Don’t feel guilty about popping the baby in his bouncy seat for an hour or two so you eat lunch, take a shower, or check your email.

Are you pregnant?

Are you wondering if you could be expecting? There are many signs and symptoms of pregnancy. If you are hoping to be pregnant, unfortunately many signs can mimic PMS. It is very important that you know your body and it’s quirks. This can be key during the “two week wait” (the time between conception and your next expected period). Of course, we all know a home pregnancy test is the best way to find out. But, in the mean time, let your mind wonder with these symptoms and see if any of them match up to how you are feeling:

1. Breast Tenderness: This is a tell-tale sign of pregnancy, however it can also be a PMS symptom for most women. Usually, most expectant mother’s don’t recognize this symptom until about 6-8 weeks into their pregnancy. So it may not be an early sign for everyone.
2. Cramps: You may feel cramps that are very similar to your premenstrual cramping, however, this cramping is a a sign of implantation and uterine stretching.
3. Spotting: This is not a symptom for all women, but some women will experience light spotting as if they were going to start a period. This is also a sign of implantation and can be as tiny as a needle point or larger. If you experience heavy bleeding is probably a sign that your period is going to start or a sign of something for serious if the bleeding occurs for longer than expected.
4. Tiredness: Sure, every woman, working or not, experiences some fatigue during her cycle. But, if you can only think about the next time you get to take a nap while a work or can’t keep up with your daily activities, it could be a sign that there is a baby on board.
5. Nausea: Most pregnant women do not feel morning sickness until 6 weeks of pregnancy or later. However, some women do get to feel the joys of this symptom early on.
6. Bloating: Your increased hormones can cause a little extra pooch in your tummy. This can also happen with your period, but once your period begins, your notice your bloating decreases. Not the case with a bun in the oven!
7. Frequent Urination: Getting up during the night to tinkle? This is your body’s way of kicking your kidneys into gear and is a sign that you might be pregnant.
8. Headaches: These occur early on due to hormonal changes and increased blood flow. As you progress in your progress this symptom should disappear.
9. Constipation: This potty problem can rear it’s ugly head even before you test positive. Your digestive track is slowing down, so you will have a decrease in your bowel movements. Try fiber supplements and a high fiber diet.
10. Mood Swings: While a visit from Aunt Flo can trigger this symptom too, don’t be surprised if it is also a sign you are pregnant. Increased hormones, fatigue, bloating, cramping…You will have good reason to wake up on the wrong side of the bed some days!

Of course, these are not the only signs you could be expecting nor will all women have these symptoms. Signs and symptoms will vary. SharpMoms suggests testing with a home pregnancy test on or after Day 40 of your cycle if your period is not present by then. Still no period or positive test after Day 40? Check with your OBGYN for a blood pregnancy test and other testing to see why your period may be a no-show.

Registry Checklist

Going through pregnancy can be a very exciting, yet overwhelming experience.  Every new mother has worries and one thing that shouldn’t be a stress is registering for baby items. Whether you choose a large store such as Target or Babies R Us or a local boutique, registering for your baby should be a fun, carefree experience. SharpMoms suggests taking a good friend (maybe one with a little expertise) or your own Mother to help you on your registering journey. To help you out, we’ve created a no-nonsense list of baby essentials. Be sure to print it out before you hit the stores!

Baby Care/Diapering

• Lotions and Baby Wash
• Diapers (newborns and Size 1)
• Wipes
• Safety Swabs
• Alcohol Swabs
• Cotton Swabs
• First Aid Kit to-go
• Pacifiers

Baby Gear

• Most new parents choose an infant travel system. This works well because you recieve a stroller, carseat, and base all in one package. However, some carseats and strollers are sold seperately. In that case you will need to register for a base, carseat (they come with one base already), and stroller.
• Umbrella stroller-for quick outings and vacations
• Car Seat Savers/Grabbers-These are like mats that fit under the carseat to protect your actual car seat.
• Play Yard or Pack N Play
• Playmat or Playgym
• Bumbo seat and playtray
• Exersaucer or entertainer
• High Chair

Bath and Potty

• Hooded towel
• Washcloths
• Infant bathtub or seat/sling
• Bath thermometer
• Spout cover
• Bath toys
• Burp Cloths-SharpMoms suggests using Gerber Pre-folded cloth diapers

Clothing

• Kiddopatamus SwaddleMe (small and large)
• Halo SleepSack (small, medium, and large)
• Pack of long-sleeved onsies with turn-cuff sleeve
• 1-2 Sleepers
• Pack of newborn socks

Nursery Gear

• Crib (you may also need teething rails if the crib you select does not come with them)
• Rocker or Glider
• Changing Table
• Bookshelf
• Toy Box
• Dresser
• Nightstand
• Curtains
• Diaper Stacker
• Diaper Pail or Diaper Genie
• Changing Pad
• Changing Pad Covers
• Mattress
• 1-2 Fitted Sheets
• Crib Bedding Sets (don’t forget accessories such as a wastebasket or picture frames)
• Mobile
• Ultimate sheet saver
• Recieving blankets
• Plush blanket
• Baby monitor

Feeding

• Many expectant mother’s opt to breastfeed as long as possible. You may want to register for a breast pump, nursing bra pads, breastmilk storage containers as well as drop in bags for bottles. If you choose to bottlefeed there are many brands to choose from. SharpMoms sugggests Avent or Dr. Brown’s. Don’t forget to register for a starter kit as well as extra nipples in various sizes.
• Infant and toddler spoons
• Sippy Cups
• Plates
• Bowls

This is SharpMoms essential list to get you started on your registering adventure. Don’t forget to add on things that you like and a few toys for baby as well! Many stores have a lot of choose from, so don’t let this list restrict you!