by Lyn Lomasi; Owner & Ordained Shaman at Intent-sive Nature & Brand Shamans Content Community

There are many methods for getting children to sleep. They all work in different ways. My daughter actually inspired me to invent this method. It may have been done before, but if it has, I sure haven't heard of it. If I had, it just may have helped avoid some sleepless and restless nights prior to the idea. My hope is that my experience will help other parents get their children off to sleep and dreaming peacefully at night.

One night, my (then) four-year-old daughter was very restless at nap time. I knew she was tired, but she just could not sit still. Call it normal child restlessness or the urge to avoid sleep at all costs - who knows? Whatever the reason, I knew I had to do something about it.

First, I tried reading her favorite Dr. Seuss book "Fox In Socks", which was generally a nap time favorite. However, after the story was over she was still fidgeting and she also did so throughout the entire story. I wondered what to do next. "Hmm", I thought to myself. I then tried gently massaging her neck and shoulders, which tends to help on days like this. Nothing.

I was forced to think deeper and get more creative. I had it! I laid down beside her and whispered softly in her ear "Close your eyes and pretend you're a pretty butterfly flying high in the sky." She smiled. And closed her eyes. Success! It worked. Within mere seconds, she was fast asleep.

Since that day I used the same technique on all of the children many times, with success (until they got old enough that they didn’t want or need it). Each time, I would give them something new to think about. It became somewhat of a game. They’d eagerly await their nightly or nap time suggestion with a look of anticipation on their innocent little faces. Despite the regularity, the looks on their faces were priceless each and every time.

I noticed that the suggestive thoughts helped them sleep more soundly. Did they dream them? Did they give them peace? I can't say for sure, but I know that once they had their thought, my kids always slept without tossing and turning and would wake rested and cheerful for the day to begin. They would also drift off to sleep extra fast, seemingly eager to picture the thoughts in their heads.

*I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network

by Lyn Lomasi; Owner of Intent-sive Nature & Brand Shamans Content Community

Baby Eczema can be either mild or serious. From natural to prescription remedies, treatment options are varied. Here are some of the most common ways to treat baby eczema, as well as a few tips and tricks I learned in dealing with baby eczema in more than one of my kids. Learn how to treat baby eczema and turn your back on it forever, with tips from a mom who knows the pain all too well.

What is Baby Eczema?

Eczema, also referred to as atopic dermatitis, is a skin eruption that can cause mild to very severe symptoms, like redness, raised skin, and itchiness. Many times it afflicts those with asthma or allergies, but it can occur in anyone. The exact cause is unknown. Baby eczema is that which occurs in infants. Because babies already have sensitive skin, this can be a delicate issue to deal with. Some infants can even get cracked, bleeding, or even yellow and infected skin, due to eczema.

What Can You do to Treat Baby Eczema?

There are many ways to treat baby eczema. Keeping the skin clean and moisturized is key. Fragrance free lotions and creams may be a recommended first step. There are over the counter creams, such as cortisone cream, to help treat itching. However, frequent use of those can actually cause further damage to the skin. The doctor may also prescribe an ointment or cream to treat the eczema or an antihistamine to help control the itching.

What Worked for My Baby's Eczema?

Each child is different, as far as how they react, as well as which treatments worked. Here are a few of the treatments that worked best for us. I have more than one child who was prone to eczema flare-ups as a baby. Even the doctor-recommended lotions and creams that were fragrance free would irritate the eczema, rather than helping, in our case.

Original A+D Ointment - I decided to try the A+D ointment one day after asking the pediatrician. To my surprise, the A+D ointment started working fairly quickly. I noticed results the same day and began using the ointment every day. After that, flare-ups started occurring less and less and eventually cleared for good. The same thing happened in three cases, so I definitely recommend talking to a doctor about the A+D ointment.

Medline Remedy Olivamine Clear-aid Skin Protectant - One of my babies would break out very easily and her eczema rashes didn’t respond to anything until we tried the Medline Remedy Olivamine Clear-aid Skin Protectant. This was recommended by NICU nurses for our preemie baby’s diaper rashes. But we liked it a lot and started using it for all skin irritations in multiple kids. It turns out that any time there’s a rash, dry skin, or other skin irritation, this cleans it up quickly, sometimes in just a few minutes, which is like a miracle, compared to other treatments that take days or months. With the kids this was tried on, flare-ups only seem to occur when they're accidentally exposed to an allergen. Other than those instances, after using this on every flare, it hasn't come back at all.

Homemade Intent-sive Healing Baby Balm - Once we better learned what worked and didn't on everyone's sensitive skin, we decided to invent our own healing balm with all natural ingredients. While the above methods worked, we found the homemade healing baby balm was not only clearing up outbreaks, but it was making the skin healthier day by day. Not only is everyone's skin glowing now, but all outbreaks have completely stopped, even when they are accidentally exposed to things that made them break out previously.

When Should You Call a Doctor for Baby Eczema?

A properly licensed pediatrician or family practice doctor should always be contacted if you suspect that your baby has eczema or notice any other rashes or skin irritations. Treatment options should also be discussed with a doctor. If you hear about a product or treatment option that your child's pediatrician has not mentioned, discuss it with him or her before trying it on the child's baby eczema.

Extra Tips for Treating Baby Eczema

>>>>MORE ECZEMA ARTICLES>>>>

*Note that the author is not a licensed medical professional. This is intended for informational purposes only, as individual results may vary. Always contact a licensed medical professional for health matters.

Sources:
Personal experience
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/eczema/DS00986

by Lyn Lomasi; Owner of Intent-sive Nature & Brand Shamans Content Community

Prevention is the best method to solve the problem of baby stains on clothing. However, sometimes accidents still will happen. Such is routine when there are children around. To prevent baby accidents or spills, try using flat fold cloth diapers as shoulder and lap covers when handling the baby. This will help prevent spit up and other baby stains. It also is a smart idea to not wear your best clothing when feeding the baby. When prevention fails, parents need to know how to remove stains from clothing, be it the baby's clothing or their own. Here are my best tips on how to remove baby stains from clothing.

How To Remove Baby Stains From Clothing

Act Quickly

Act quickly when it comes to baby stains. The quicker you remove baby stains from clothing, the better the results. Most baby food stains are going to be food-based, even the worst ones, so think in terms of getting out food stains.

First Steps for Removing Baby Stains From Clothing

To remove baby stains from clothing, first use a Huggies baby wipe to wipe it away while it's still wet. You can also use a wet cloth or oil-free homemade baby wipes. If there is any stain remaining, you can lightly dab on either some eco-friendly fragrance & dye-free dish soap or hydrogen peroxide and lightly rub the solution in with a Huggies baby wipe.

Hydrogen Peroxide and Tougher Baby Stains

Hydrogen peroxide works best for tougher stains and also is only good to use on white clothing. It has a very effective bleaching effect, so do not use it on colors. On colors, instead use the liquid laundry soap.

Removing Baby Stains Completely

Once you have applied the hydrogen peroxide or soap, to remove baby stains from clothing completely, fill a sink with warm water and swish the stained item around with the soap or hydrogen peroxide still there. If necessary, also lightly rub the stain. Apply more soap or hydrogen peroxide as necessary, rinsing until the stain is gone. Do not scrub the clothing too hard or it may get ruined. Gentle scrubbing is best. Rinse the baby clothing out. If this process did not remove the baby stains from the clothing, repeat the process.

Finishing Steps to Remove Baby Stains from Clothing

Once you have gone through the steps to remove baby stains from clothing, hang the clothing to dry. Sometimes a lighter version of the stain may still be there once dry. Do not put the clothing in the dryer again until the clothing has dried and you can see that the entire stain is removed. The dryer can set the stain in. If you have already done this, you may have to work extra hard with a combination of all three scrubbing ingredients to remove baby stains from clothing.

Why This Method Works for Removing Baby Stains From Clothing

The reason the hydrogen peroxide works to remove baby stains is because its bubbling action pulls out residue that might get under the surface. Laundry soap works is because, well, it's designed for dirty laundry. Liquid dish soap can remove baby stains from clothing because it is designed to remove food stains. Again, most baby stains are related to food, including those that come out the other end. It is, after all, food waste processed by the body.

*For more baby and parenting tips, please click the subscribe button to the right and check out our other sections as well.

Source: Purely Personal Experience

by Lyn Lomasi; Co-owner of Brand Shamans & Write W.A.V.E. Media

Finding safe toys for babies and toddlers has gotten harder, with so many recalls happening. However, there are still many toys that are safe for children as birthday and Christmas gifts or for everyday use. Here are 10 toys for babies and toddlers that have been tested for safety. The toys listed below come from companies who have stated that all of their toys meet or exceed the requirements for toy safety, so with that statement in mind, feel free to browse  other toys made by the same companies.

*As with any toy, these toys do not replace the need for parental supervision. Accidents can happen, even with the best safety ratings. Always use caution and always supervise your baby or toddler.

**The author is a part of the Amazon Associates Program. This means she earns a small portion of sales generated from clicking on the links in this post and uses it to provide for her family. Said partnership did not influence the opinions on these products. See our full Disclosure Policy for more information.

With motherhood comes joys, laughter...and baby weight. With my first child, all the pregnancy weight practically disappeared the day I gave birth. Within a week, the remaining 10 pounds melted off easily. It was almost the same with the second. However, when I got to my 3rd and 4th (and then my 5th and 6th), that was not the case. I had my kids all in sets of two (They are 20 & 19, 14 & 13, and then I have two more under 2), so that added to the baby weight problem. Here’s how I used creativity to lose baby weight from pregnancy and how you can too!

No Time For The Gym? No Problem

Because I have a pretty full schedule as a homeschooling mom who also owns a home-based business along with my life partner, there was no way to be sure I could keep regular gym appointments without going crazy. That left me with a decision. It was either ditch one of the kids' activities, sacrifice some work time, or get creative. I chose to get creative.

Adding To The Existing Routine

Using creativity to lose baby weight may have been the most effective plan for me. Why? It was super-easy to stick to my plan. What I did was add a little exercise to many different daily routines of motherhood. Parenting is a full time job, so there were many things I could add to. Let me explain.

Intensifying Daily Walks With Baby (Or Babies)

Daily walks are a part of our family’s routine, so there was one way to lose baby weight. Just walking (for me) was probably not going to do it, since it is something my body is already accustomed to. I wanted to add more. Since baby number three and four were so close in age, I used a double stroller. That got me thinking. That double stroller was sort of hard to push in certain situations. So, we started taking walks uphill to increase the workout. The slopes put more of the weight of the stroller in my control, making the walk more intense. I did the same thing with baby 5 and 6 and it’s working again!

Stroller Maneuvers That Help Baby Also Help Mom

Another way I used creativity to lose baby weight include workouts involved different maneuvers with the stroller whenever the baby (or babies) wanted to be rocked to sleep in the stroller. This worked out arms, abs, and legs. I later found out that there was an actual workout built around the baby stroller. Based on my experience, I could see that working out. I’ve invented a ton of my own stroller workouts, but there are stroller exercise programs and guides you can purchase for a low fee if you don’t feel like being that inventive. Fitdeck Exercise Playing Cards have illustrated stroller exercise guides.

Meal Prep Workouts

When in the kitchen doing dishes and preparing meals, you can do small things like countertop pushups. Place your hands palm down on the edge of the countertop and extend your legs straight back. You will basically be doing angled pushups against the counter. Opening and closing cabinets is another good one. Do a few sets of ten on each side (rotating in between) to workout your arms.

Your Baby Makes a Great Weight Set

Yes, really. Babies enjoy playing with their moms. Try making motions with your baby that he or she enjoys, such as raising him or her up high slowly and then back down slowly. This works out your arms and gives baby some entertainment too. There are many motions like this that will help you both.

Breastfeed

If you are able to and it is practical for your family, breastfeeding actually helps shed those tummy pounds. This is one of the body’s built-in mechanisms for regulating itself after a baby is born. Some moms can’t breastfeed the usual way, but are able to pump. If this is you, pumping should also work similarly, if you are able to do it. If you are unable to breastfeed for whatever reason, be it medical or otherwise, don’t feel bad. Not everyone can do it. As long as your baby is eating, be it breast milk or formula, you’re still doing it right. There are plenty more creative exercises to help out you and baby.

Think Up Your Own Creative Exercises

There actually are many moments during motherhood that can be added to for promoting weight loss. Motherhood in itself really is a workout. For some, like during the infancy of my first two kids, that alone will be enough to shed off those pounds. But, if you have a hard time losing weight or this is not your first birth, I highly recommend adding to normal routine for quick loss of baby weight. Just don't forget to check with your doctor first.

by Lyn Lomasi; Co-owner of Brand Shamans & Write W.A.V.E. Media

If you just found out you’re pregnant, you may be thinking about when to tell others. Some people base this on when the baby bump starts emerging. So, when does pregnancy show?

When Do First-Time Moms Start To Show?

Many people who are pregnant for the first time will start to show very early on, some as early as 4-12 weeks. But this isn’t true for everyone. So, don't worry if you’re a first-time mom and you don’t show until later. In my personal experience, I actually didn’t show very much until further into the pregnancy and there wasn’t any cause for concern.

When Do Experienced Moms Show?

Those who have had previous pregnancies sometimes don’t sport a visible baby bump until late in the first trimester or even the second. If you’ve had previous pregnancies and your pregnancy shows early, this doesn’t necessarily indicate anything bad. We’re all different. I actually showed early on in all my pregnancies, except the first.

What If I’m Not Average?

Unless your doctor has a concern, then you shouldn’t either. Everyone is different, based on many factors. One woman may gain a lot of weight in the beginning, while another may gain more toward the end. When your pregnancy shows doesn’t necessarily say anything about how healthy your baby is or isn’t.

So, When Does Pregnancy Show?

As you can see, when pregnancy shows can vary greatly. Be prepared with bigger clothes early on. But don’t alarm yourself unnecessarily if you don’t follow the same pattern as someone else. Your OB or midwife will guide you and examine you, as well as inform you if there are any concerns.

If you’re about to give birth to or adopt a new baby, you may be wondering about infant care. One common question is how many newborn diapers do I need?

How Many Newborn Diapers Do I Need?

Each baby is different, as far as how many diapers are used during the newborn stage. On average, most babies use about 8-12 newborn diapers per day.

How Many Newborn Diapers Should I Buy?

You will use the same amount of diapers per day, whether you are using disposable diapers or cloth diapers. However, with cloth diapers, you can reuse them. So the number you buy will be lower. If you’re using cloth diapers, plan on how many to buy according to how often you can launder the cloth diapers. If you’re using disposable, you of course cannot reuse them, so you will need to buy enough for every use.

Number of Disposable Newborn Diapers to Buy

If you’re like me, you’d rather have a few too many than not enough. So, it’s a good idea to plan on buying enough for at least 12 diapers per day per newborn baby. Depending on your payment schedule, you can stock up accordingly. For instance, if you get paid weekly and want to buy a week’s worth of diapers each time, you would buy a package that has at least 84 diapers or multiple packages that add up to at least that amount.

How Many Disposable Diaper Wipes Do I Need?

Every baby is different. However, with the wipes, you can plan on using at least one for every wet diaper, at least 2-4 for every soiled diaper, and others here and there for wiping hands and faces and other messes. On average, we usually go through at least one refill pack per week per child (about 144 wipes, give or take, depending on brand). Some babies will use more and some less.

Number of Cloth Newborn Diapers to Buy

With cloth diapers as mentioned above, you need to have enough for 8-12 changes per day. If you can wash the cloth diapers daily, 12 diapers may be enough to start with. But if you need to last longer, get enough for the number of days you think will accommodate your laundering schedule. If you can only launder them once per week, you need 80-100 cloth diapers. And don't forget liners. You need the same number of liners as you have diapers because they each need their own. To cut down on space and spending, we like to hand wash each cloth diaper directly after use and hang them to dry on a hanging dry rack.

How Many Cloth Diaper Wipes Do I Need?

Again, this depends on how often you can do laundry. Because cloth wipes are thicker, you may use a few less than disposable. So, plan according to this factor, as well as your laundry schedule. Remember that you can also hand wash these and hang to dry to make sure you always have enough on hand.

Extra Tips

• Don't stock up too much on disposables because babies grow fast.
• If using cloth diapers, choose adjustable sizes to avoid having to replace them often.
• Don’t wait for the last minute to buy diapers. It may cause a rash or an undiapered baby.