I came across this article and thought it was worthy of sharing. Most of the information seemed obvious to me, but a few things did surprise me. For example, it said:

Do not use massage oils, petroleum jelly or other moisturisers

In the hot summer months, it is safer to avoid massage oils as they can cause prickly heat or infantile eczema if not washed off properly. However, if you would like to continue massaging the baby in summers too, you could switch to olive oil or coconut oil, traditionally referred to as cooling oils. Ensure that it is washed off completely and not left on your baby’s skin. Also avoid excessive use of moisturisers and lotions on your baby.

Good to jot down some notes on how to better protect your baby this summer during the hot weather. Keep cool and stay healthy.

Everyone loves music, right? But when it comes to your own children, are you more choosy about what you pick for them to listen to? I know many Moms and/or Dads, especially with their first baby love to choose music that is classic, such as famous nursery rhymes, classical music such as the greats, Beethoven, Mozart or Brahm’s Lullaby, so this CD that I reviewed is also a GREAT collection for babies and parents alike.

Carousel Dreams-A collection of Lullabies, produced by MoonDreams Music, Inc. was created by two Moms (and friends) who wanted to record beautiful music and inspire their own children.

A little background/info on the producer and the ones who wrote the words to the songs:

Susan Moss: A talented artist who sang all the vocals on this recording and wrote the lyrics to the following songs: Starlight Lullaby, Little Sleeping Angel & Night Song.

Donna Martin: A talented lyricist wrote the following songs on this compilation, Carousel Dreams, Twinkling Stars Above & Angel Blue Eyes.  There were of course, many other talented individuals who contributed to the making of this terrific CD, they include engineers, musicians as well as artists. It is truly a wonderful CD! I am not sure who enjoyed listening to it more, my 2 year old daughter or myself!

The music is so diverse, which made the listening all the more enjoyable! The catchy tunes made me sing along each time I play the CD. It is so soothing and melodious that it almost transforms you to a different world and time. It is truly “dream like”. You will definitely enjoy listening to it even after your little ones fall fast asleep.

The CD has also won several prestigious awards such as:

Parent’s Choice Summer 2003 Silver Award

iParenting Media Award

NAPPA 2003 Honor Award

To learn more about these awards, you can click on the following link and follow the URL instructions:

http://www.moondreamsmusic.com/frameset2.htm

This CD makes a terrific gift for anyone who loves music and any parent or baby/toddler will enjoy it for many years to come…you can also check out their gift set combinations on their site. 

“CAROUSEL DREAMS - A COLLECTION OF LULLABIES” has a great site all about the CD and other information. Check it out. Also, stay tuned, when we reach 22 fans on Facebook, we will be doing a giveaway…so stay tuned and check back here or on Facebook for more details when we reach or exceed our goal.

Ciao for now!

StartingOutSmall, LLC.

www.startingoutsmall.com

info@startingoutsmall.com Email us if you have any other further questions, comments or concerns. We appreciate your emails.

We all know about games for babies, toddlers and children, but what about “eye games for babies”?

Let me introduce you to a very unique concept created by a very talented individual named Cheryl Postrozny. She is the artist, designer and creator of Baby of Mind, an independent publishing company focused on providing innovative visual aids in the form of image books and wall art for babies 0-3 years old.  The two products I had to review was a “stroller book” and an “eye games for babies” book. The books are primarily geared for babies between the ages of 0-24 months, though depending on your child, he/she may enjoy it well beyond that age range. In fact, when my older two children saw the accompanying video on the website for the “stroller” book, they LOVED it, especially my son, who is 8 years old.

The books by Baby Of Mind were created “with the intent for baby to discover more details as their eyes develop and grow. They are not just black and white, but contain additional colors in both similar and varying shades and values allowing for baby to discover more with each passing day”.

Eye Games for baby book: An accordian-fold book to delight any baby, geared for ages 0-24 months, though the early months are ideal because at birth, a baby’s vision is not fully developed, therefore, those first four months are a great time to introduce this book.

Baby’s First Stroller book: Designed to entertain a baby during the early months of his/her life while their vision is still developing.

Since my youngest child was already passed 2, I decided to give the two books to two separate Mom’s for their respective babies to test out. I happen to have given them to 2 first time moms. Here is what they thought:

“My baby seemed to really enjoy the book and looked at it for a while. As a mother, I liked the concept and all the dimensions.”

“The book does seem to capture my baby’s interest when I first show him the cover picture, and each time I show him a different image, he does look at it for a couple of seconds I think that is pretty good considering he is only 3 months old”.

These books are a nice addition to any new parents book/toy collection. It stimulates your baby’s brain and gets their eyes to focus on different visually appealing graphics, which is really what very young ones need; Infants would be more satisfied looking at graphic images and patterns as opposed to a simple picture book of blocks and balls. Additionally, they were created with the intent for baby to discover more details as their eyes develop and grow.

What I personally liked was that the creator of Baby of Mind worked with numerous individuals, an infant eye specialist, an expert in early childhood, an artist, a talented graphic designer, and most importantly - BABIES! The images found in these books were developed, designed and re-designed until they felt it was just right.

These are also excellent tools for resources for parents or specialists in the fields of occupational therapy, vision therapists and the like.

If you would like more information about Baby of Mind or their books/videos, please email the owner, Cheryl Postrozny at:babyofmind@hotmail.com

Or if you can’t wait and want to order any of their wonderful books now, you can do so by clicking the following URL at their Etsy shop.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/babyofmind?ref=seller_info

Are you searching for that really truly special gift for a very close friend who had a baby in the last year or so? Or, even better for a close family member’s toddler? This is it! A great and practical gift. What is it you ask?

A Pillow and Blanket Set by Baby Dry Goods. They are high quality well made and beautiful products. This set is a pillow and blanket that fits together neatly and can be easily carried to a friend or family member’s house. It is excellent to use in a car, for a nap and super to bring or leave at Grandma’s house.

We have them in the following two colors:

Heron Design:

Taffy Pink Design:

Now toddler boys and girls can get their much needed Rest and Relaxation in style. 35.5″ × 37.75″ blanket folds up and stores inside sewn-in pocket on back side of the child-sized 16″ × 12″ pillow. It is a nap mat and pillow all rolled up in one; perfect for car trips, day care, grandma’s house, and anything else creative little minds can think up!

NEW PRODUCTS: Pacimals:

We have another new and wonderful product now that is getting wide recognition.  They are the perfect solution for babies or toddlers who use pacifiers but are too young to put it back in their mouth if it falls out. Check out our great designs:

Ford the Frog                                    Hallie the Hippo

Janet the Giraffe                                  Zaire the Zebra

They are priced right too, only $18.95 and they come in an adorable packaging and with a pacifier attachment.

All are handmade of the softest plush available and filled with light, squeezable stuffing—perfect for baby’s hugs and little fingers.

Best of all for mom, all Pacimals are machine-washable and dryer-safe.

Each plush pacimal arrives ready to soothe and complete with one clear naturally-shaped silicone pacifier.  You and YOUR baby will be so happy you discovered this.

We will have our products at a boutique in Teaneck on September 19th, Sunday, so stay tuned for more details to follow.

Rebecca Barkai/CEO

www.startingoutsmall.com

info@startingoutsmall.com