The newest app for parents is WebMD Baby. It is free and probably the most useful app you can find as a concerned parent.  Currently the app is only available for Apple devices, but later this year an Android version will be released. 

WebMD Baby is intended to offer parents guidance and counsel on all health-related issues with their child.  There are nearly 400 articles, 600 tips, and 70 videos offered, and did I mention they are all free?!  This free app can be considered a complete replacement for Baby Connect, which is said to be the best mobile assistant for new parents and is $5 on Android and Apple devices. 

The app is unique as it offers daily and weekly information to assist parents in their understanding of a child’s development during the first year.  Oh, and did I mention it does not have those annoying advertisements displayed on every page?

Along with a timeline for managing sleeping, feeding, and growth schedules, WebMD Baby also has a section called “Baby Book” where you can record and store notes, videos, and pictures of your child’s precious moments and store them in your device’s photo storage. 

Overall, it is a great app to keep you and your family informed and your baby healthy.

Take a look at their list of names that are still considered “forbidden” and see if you agree:

• Cain
• Lucifer
• Jezebel
• Judas
• Mary
• Benedict
• Bridget
• Sambo
• Adolf
• Princess
• Cohen
• Dick

Now that it is a new year you might be wondering, what are the latest and greatest names that will be at the forefront of most popular names for 2012? Well, here are 12 baby naming trends to look out for this year:

Baby Naming Trends for 2012:

• POPULAR but CREATIVE: So the number 1 girls’ name Isabella gives rise to stylistically-related choices Arabella and Annabelle and Olivia, the top name in Britain, spawns spelling variation Alivia. Emma and Emily promote brother name Emmett.
• FIERCE: Names like Bear, Fox, Wolf, Falcon, Hawk, Lionel; and then there are the perhaps-even-fiercer names like Breaker, Ranger, and Wilder.
• “WEST”-ERN: West, Weston, and Wesley, along with Western-sounding names fit for a new generation of ‘lil cowboys: Wylie and Wyatt, Cole and Colt, Zane and Shane, and even Maverick.
• HEROIC: Monroe, Landry (as in football coach Tom), Gatsby (as in fictional hero The Great), and Palin (yes, as in her).
• VOWEL ‘A’: Fresh A names such as, Acacia, Ada, Anais, Annelise, Anouk, Aria, Athena, Aurelia, and Azalea for girls, and Alistair, Ambrose, Aragon, Archer, Arthur, Augustus, and Axel for boys.
• CONSONANT ‘M’: For girls, Maeve, Magdalena, Maisie, Marguerite, Marlo/Marlowe, May, Mila, Millie, and Minnie, and for boys, Magnus, Micah, Miller, Milo, and Montgomery.
• ADJECTIVES: True, Noble, Brave, Strong, Loyal, Loving, Sunny, Golden, Royal, Happy.
• COMEBACKS: Betty was so hot for so long that it felt like one of those names that might never come back, but we think Betty’s time has finally come.
• NEW CONNECTORS: Gone are the old one-syllable middle names like Ann and Lee and Lynn, and in their place are….new one-syllable names such as May and Wren and Bee.
• ARLO: today’s Arlo inspiration is more contemporary but even more unlikely: The gun-toting, pot-dealing grandpa Arlo Givens on television’s Justified.
• -LEY: we suspect a trend toward tacking an -ley onto the end of a wide range of first syllables and calling it a name — Brinley, Kinley, Finley, endlessly –
• VINTAGE –IE: Nicknames that end in ie – Lottie and Hattie, Addie and Nellie are up for a comeback.

Start with a neutral colored wall, maybe a light tan or light gray and decorate with white, brown and gray pieces of furniture. A vintage looking light fixture, changing table and crib add to the sophisticated look.

Love this theme but want to add in some color? Use toys to create pops of bright colors.

Such a lovely room.

Links: 1. Via Pinterest 2. Haru Paper Celebration 3. West Elm 4.West Elm 5. Down Home Amy 6. VivaTerra.com 7. Petit Tresor 8.Winter Water Factory

While Kendall Stewardson was preparing to give birth to nearly 14 pound baby Asher in Iowa, a woman in Los Angeles named Haydee Ibarra was preparing to leave the LAC Medical Center with the third smallest baby born in the world, according to Global Birth Registry figures.  Haydee’s baby was born 16 weeks early last August and weighed only 9.5 ounces at birth.  She spent the last 5 months in the neonatal intensive care unit and was finally able to go home last month. 

Interestingly, statistics say that only one tenth of one percent of all newborns weight more than 11 pounds at birth. The average birth weight of an American baby is 7.5 pounds.  According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the heaviest baby to have ever been born weighed 23 pounds, 12 ounces and was 30 inches long.  He was born to Canadian mom, Anna Bates, in 1879, but unfortunately died just 11 hours after birth.  The heaviest surviving baby was born in Aversa, Italy in 1955 and weighed 22 pounds, 8 ounces.  The lightest baby ever recorded to have been born and survive was Rumaisa Rahaman, born in Chicago in 2004.  Rumaisa was 9 inches long and weighed under 8 ounces at birth. 

These rare cases of abnormally large or incredibly small babies that are born and survive remind us to be thankful for the doctors that help facilitate these miraculous births. 

No matter how great the pain, there is no pain too great to bear for a mother to bring a new life into this world. However, I am almost positive that Kendall Stewardson would happily choose not to experience the natural birth of a 14 pound baby again, or at least anytime in the near future!

Decorate with lots of soft but colorful flowers, and have a dessert bar full of treats along with goodie bag for guests to fill and take home. Use vintage dishes to add a fun spin on traditional plates and bowls.

And for the birthday girl, let her wear a crown of flowers and set up an area for mini photo shoot to capture all the smiles from the day.

So sweet, right?

Links: 1. Invite via Babble 2.Flower Pouf via Life Life in Lime 3. Cupcakes via Hostess with the Mostess 4. Cake via Kara’s Party Ideas 5.Crown via Stella and Livi 6. Goodie Bags via Plum Pretty Sugar 7. Plates via Allemaal Kleurtjes 8. Hanging Flower Balls via Fine Stationary

Tea Party:

If your expecting friend loves an excuse to get dressed up, a tea party is the perfect theme for her shower. Use white tablecloths, vintage china, and fresh flower arrangements to set the mood. Ask all of the guests to come dressed up- and you could make it even more fun by asking everyone to speak only in British accents during the shower!  Have tea and sparkling water to drink, and prepare scones, fresh fruit, salad, and other fancy hors d’oeuvres to eat.  Your friend will never forget this special gathering and you can guarantee she and her friends will be talking about the shower for a long time to come.

All About Mom:

For those of you who are wondering how to make a shower unique for a friend who is having her second, third, or even fourth child, you should consider a “mommy shower” theme.  This not only is a wonderful way for the expecting Mom to be pampered, but also provides her with very practical gifts that will make her life a little easier.  Instead of buying baby gifts (that she probably already has an abundance of), tell the guests to bring gifts centered around pampering Mom- like comfy clothes, lotion and perfume gift sets, candles, gift certificates, etc.  She will be so appreciative and all of her friends will delight in the fact that she can take time to care for herself before the new baby comes.

All Things Green:

And I don’t mean the color! Although, a color-themed baby shower is also a great idea; what I am talking about here is green, Eco-friendly, Earth loving-care-share.  If the expecting Mom is Earth conscious, and all about re-duce, re-use, and re-cycle, then this is the shower theme for her.  Start this Eco-shower by using recycled paper invitations, and invite the guests to bring “second-hand” gifts for the mommy-to-be.  Ask them to wrap their gifts with recycled materials such as brown bags or newspaper.  There should be no hint of plastic at this shower, so glasses, plates, and silverware only, please! And have a compost bin handy and ready for all fruit refuse, and food scraps.

Books for Baby and Mommy Too:

A Book Shower is a great idea for your expecting friend who loves to read- and can still appreciate the value of a physical, paper-back book in our time of e-books, kindles, and the like.  Invite guests to bring books; whether they are old favorites ready to be passed on, or new ones for mom and baby to enjoy. Incorporate a fairytale theme or garden party theme with your shower and decorate accordingly.  With libraries closing all over the country and the digitalization of nearly all information, books might become a thing of the past. This shower will “download” your friend, and her child, with enough books to last a lifetime!

Yummy for Her Tummy:

If your special friend and mom-to-be is having all sorts of crazy cravings during her pregnancy, then take advantage of this shower theme! This is your chance to overwhelm the mom-to-be with all of the sweet, salty, crunchy, gooey foods she and her baby can’t seem to get enough of.  Ask all of the guests to bring a sweet treat that Mom is sure to love, and also invite them to make their favorite cooked, freezable dish so that Mom will have an abundant supply of food for whenever it may be needed.  This is especially important if your friend is having a difficult time moving around or getting up and around during this time in her pregnancy.  She will be so grateful for the quick and easy snack and meal options thanks to you and all of her wonderful friends and family.

There are wonderful tips on the internet as to how to make arrangements and pack for your vacation.  Here is a traveling checklist from Baby Zone to assist you in preparing for your trip.

Now I will offer you some advice on what to expect after you have made all the preparations and are ready to be on your merry way.

At the Airport:

If you know that you will be traveling alone with your baby, or if there might be an instance where you will have to manage the entire luggage by yourself, you should see about getting an Escort Pass.  Some airlines allow these passes for a spouse or other helper to assist you with carrying your luggage all the way to your gate.

Security:

Be sure to arrive to the airport extra early in order to provide ample time for the security checkpoint. It is safe to say that you will not be treated any differently because you are traveling with an infant, so have all of your items in plastic bags and ready for inspection.  Read up on the TSA guidelines ahead of time for traveling with formula, breast milk, or juice.  If you are traveling with a carrier for your child, be prepared to remove him or her and send the carrier, sling, or stroller through the X-ray machine.  You are legally permitted to opt out of the X-ray machine if you do not want to subject you or your baby to the harmful radiation that is emitted from the machine. (If you don’t know about these harmful, cancer causing machines please read this) 

Boarding the Plane:

Most airlines will permit you to board early if you are traveling with a child. If possible, purchase a ticket for your child so he or she can have their own seat. It is much safer and will be more comfortable for you and your child, especially if your flight is particularly long. Find out if your airline offers 50% off the ticket price for young children.

If you are travelling with a stroller, get a tag for it so you can check it at the gate before you board the plane. You will be able to pick it up in the same spot at your arrival destination.

On the Plane:

Prepare to have a bottle or pacifier for your baby during the take-off and landing. The change in cabin pressure at those times can be painful for your child and can cause extreme discomfort.  

Babies under 6 months will most likely sleep on the plane. If your child is older, be sure to bring an age-appropriate toy and a teething ring for when your child gets fussy during the flight. You could also bring a baby sling to walk with your baby up and down the aisles. 

Nursing is convenient and easy to do during your flight. Consider bringing an extra pillow to support your baby and a blanket for extra privacy. You can book a window seat in advance if you would like additional privacy. 

Most planes have fold-down changing tables in the bathroom, but if your baby is small enough you may be able to change him or her in your seat. Remember to bring extra plastic bags to dispose of the smelly diaper.

Now take this advice from Parenting.com as to how to best manage with your infant once you arrive to your vacation destination.

Strategic Unpacking

Do it immediately.

Designate a baby-changing station.

Create a play space…

…and a kitchen.

Napping Smarts:

•          Start walking

•          Wear your baby

•          Go for a scenic drive

•          Take turns nap-sitting

Easier Bedtimes:

•          Do some trial runs

•          Give it a few days

•          Book the right room(s)

•          Stick to the routine

•          Get adjusted

Meals on Wheels

Breakfast in Bed

Nurse wherever you feel comfortable

Eat early

Now, go enjoy your vacation and be confident that everything will go smoothly and according to plan. The last thing you want is to let the stress of traveling with your infant ruin your trip. Embrace the moment and this time in your child’s life and gain timeless memories while you have the chance!

Today’s boy’s room theme is airplanes with a palatte of blues, reds and creams – a perfect color scheme and room theme that is versatile through out his childhood.

Fun accents like an airplane mobile, a propeller ceiling fan and metal letters spelling out the word FLY on the wall tie this adorable room all together.

The airplane swing is adorable, isn’t it?

Links: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

• Forty-five states, the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands have laws that specifically allow women to breastfeed in any public or private location.
• Twenty-eight states, the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands exempt breastfeeding from public indecency laws
• Twenty-four states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have laws related to breastfeeding in the workplace.
• Twelve states and Puerto Rico exempt breastfeeding mothers from jury duty.
• Five states and Puerto Rico have implemented or encouraged the development of a breastfeeding awareness education campaign.

Here you can read more about laws related to breastfeeding and unique laws specific to your state.

However, there are certain circumstances and rare occasions when a mother may be harassed for breastfeeding in public and those moms are entitled to speak out and take action.  That is exactly what Houston mother, Michelle Hickman, chose to do.  Earlier last year Hickman claims she was harassed by Target staff when she found a quiet space in the store to breastfeed her infant.  She says it was humiliating and she wants to “make a stand in support of nursing in public so this doesn’t happen again.”

Subsequently, Hickman planned an international “nurse-in” which was held at all Target locations on December 28. Here is some live footage of the moms who took part in the breastfeeding flash mob that was held at the Houston Target.   

There are also laws in place to protect women and their right to breastfeed at work. As part of Obama’s health care reform legislation, employers are federally mandated to provide nursing mothers with breaks and a place to pump.

Fact Sheet #73: Break Time for Nursing Mothers under the FLSA

“[Employers are required to provide] reasonable break time for an employee to express breast milk for her nursing child for 1 year after the child’s birth … [as well as] a place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view and free from intrusion from coworkers and the public.”

Some companies that have already been cited for breaking this law according to the Department of Labor are:

• Dollar General
• Dillard’s
• Starbucks
• McDonalds

It is a positive sign to see an increase in awareness and greater emphasis placed on women’s rights related to breastfeeding.  Hopefully the increased awareness will influence future moms and their decision to breastfeed, and reinforce the message that breast is best!

“Avery was taken to St. John’s Hospital-Lebanon late last week after appearing lethargic and displaying what his family said were signs of a stomach ache. He was later moved to St. John’s Hospital-Springfield, and preliminary tests showed that he had contracted a rare bacterial infection, Cronobacter sakazakii, the newspaper reported. He died Sunday after being removed from life support.”

You can read more about the news story here.  Even though Wal-Mart subsequently pulled the batch of the powdered formula from more than 3,000 of its stores nationwide, the story got me thinking about why we should choose to breastfeed our infants over formula feed.  The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American Medical Association (AMA), American Dietetic Association (ADA), and the World Health Organization (WHO) all recommend breastfeeding as the best choice for all infants.  These organizations say the first 6 months of an infant’s life they should be breastfed exclusively, and they encourage breastfeeding for at least 12 months or longer, if possible.  The decision to breastfeed and for how long to breastfeed is a very personal choice, and while there may be certain medical considerations that limit the ability of a mother to breastfeed her infant, here are some of the top advantages to breastfeeding over formula feeding.

1. Infection-fighting

A nursing mother has special antibodies that her body produces for the purpose of passing them on to her baby. These antibodies are important for the baby’s immune system and protect the baby from certain viruses and diseases. It is said that breastfed babies contract fewer illnesses and have fewer hospitalizations than formula fed babies.

2. Nutrition and ease of digestion

There are vital minerals and vitamins present in breast milk that a newborn requires for nutritional health.  The attempted duplication of the natural ingredients of breast milk is being done by baby formula manufacturers everywhere. But how can you trust that your baby is getting all their nutritional needs met when the more complex substances of breast milk are too difficult for manufacturing, or have not yet been identified? The components of a mother’s breast milk are lactose, protein (whey and casein), and fat; which all run easily through the young digestive system of a newborn.  It is known that breast-fed babies have fewer instances of diarrhea and constipation.

3. Cost

Breast milk is the only food we can produce with our own bodies, as humans, so it is completely free.  Alternatively, the cost of baby formula certainly adds up.  In addition, with the many antibodies and vitamins that the breast fed baby gets, there will undoubtedly be fewer trips to the doctor which means fewer hospital bills, and less money spent on prescriptions and over the counter medications.

4. Taste

Breast milk will taste differently depending upon what the nursing mother has eaten.  This will allow the baby to be introduced to different flavors and tastes right from the start.  This could also deepen the connection between the mother and baby by allowing the mother to identify which foods she can eat that the baby likes and reacts positively to when nursing, and which foods the baby reacts negatively to that she can avoid.

5. Convenience

A nursing mother can be active and on the run without having to worry about preparing a bottle whenever her baby becomes hungry.  Breast milk is fresh and easily available whenever, wherever mom may be.

6. IQ

Studies suggest that children who were exclusively breastfed have higher IQs than children who were formula fed.

7. Contact

The skin-to-skin contact between a nursing mother and baby is like no other.  It is safe to say that an emotional connection is made during this special time in a baby’s life, and not to mention, the mother’s life.

8. Beneficial for Mom

In addition to the emotional satisfaction that breastfeeding brings the mother, studies show that breastfeeding helps lower the risk of diseases like breast cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.  It may also help decrease the risk of uterine and ovarian cancer in nursing mothers.