The Musical Melodies bouncer from Bright Starts is a must have for any new mom.

Sturdy, flexible, and colorful, this bouncer helps improve motor skills in very small infants and has three adjustable seating variations to grow with your child as their skills and interests develop.

The chair has a great number of things you can use to change it so that the experience does not get boring for your infant, and offers a great deal of flexibility and re-use which any thrifty family will love. Built-in toy clips allow you to change out, add and re-arrange toys on the overhead hang bar to keep your baby’s attention and keep this great product fun.

The base of the chair also has a music function that plays a variety of different kids’ songs at a number of volumes, as well as a seperate vibrate function which is great for gassy or fussy newborns.

The Musical Melodies bouncer chair from Bright Stars is of the most affordable and practical bouncers out there averaging about twenty dollars in most of your neighborhood markets. You can get this great chair at Walmart, Target, Kmart, Babies R Us, and Toys R Us to name a few. Chair allows safety and security for babies 6lbs all the way up to 25 pounds and makes a great hang out spot for play, movie watching or general family time.

Help your infant develop their motor skills and have fun doing it! This chair is a must!

As the weather heats up, so does diaper rash and yeast infections.

Infants are more vulnerable to diaper rash in the summer. Heat, humidity and perspiration all can aggravate sensitive bottoms.

Diaper rash is a red, spotty inflamed rash. To prevent it change your child’s diapers frequently and let baby go diaper-free for 15 or 20 minutes. A brief sun bath in a sunbeam can also help. If its too late to prevent it use a squirt bottle with water to cleanse the area and avoid scented baby wipes. Be gentle and apply a diaper ointment that contains zinc oxide. This type of product soothes the skin and protects it from getting too moist. A very light dusting of unscented talc or even corn starch is also good after the ointment is applied. If the rash does not go away, talk to your doctor or if the rash includes blisters or pus-filled bumps you child might have a yeast infection or even a staph infection.

Candida (yeast infection) normally lives on our skins and usually does not cause a problem. But in the hot months of summer, children in diapers are targets for yeast infections. This rash is also red and usually bumpy. It can itch, burn and ooze a clear liquid. A child on antibiotics may also be more susceptible because these medications kill the good bacteria that keeps yeast in check. The rash is usually found in the skin folds of the diaper area and baby girls are slightly more likely to have a yeast infection. For treatment you can try an over-the-counter antifungal treatment such as Lamisil or Lotrimin AF but a call to your pediatrician is best.

I’ll never forget having a play date with a fellow teacher’s two year old. We thought it would be fun to let the little girls play while we relaxed and chatted. I was floored to see her lower kitchen cupboards covered in sight words, letters and common nouns. Actually many of her household furnishings were labeled too with a flash card and the name of the object. Her two year old happily lead me through the house reading each one to me as my child examined the lint between her toes.

While there are some children who read very young, others just don’t “get it” until they are a little older. I personally don’t believe in pushing a very young child to read but there are some common sense things you CAN do to get them interested in reading.

Two and three year olds aren’t ready to sit down and learn letters and words but you can help them develop their oral language skills. Encourage them to talk about a story you’ve read together. Expand their experiences and vocabulary. Do fun activities together and talk about them. Sing and count things together. Make up silly rhymes.

Four year olds will begin showing more interest in print. But even that is an individual thing. Cash in on teachable moments! Teach them sounds, letters and numbers when they show an interest. If you want to excite him, teach him to read and write his name. He will be more interested in this word than any other. Next move on to Dad or Mom or a siblings name.

The most important thing you can do is read to your child. This builds language skills and keeps their curiosity alive. Give them age appropriate learning toys but don’t discount building blocks, leggos or puzzles.

Even though more is expected now days out of preschoolers and kindergartners, as long as you encourage them and help them to progress at their own speed you will find them enjoying a variety of print in no time.

Do you have a picky eater?  A new study found that babies ate more vegetables after about eight days of tasting them.  Offer small amounts of a new food several times so your child gets use to the taste.  Model good eating habits.  Let your child see you enjoying your spinach and Brussels sprouts.  This same study found that breast-fed babies accepted fruits and veggies when their moms regularly ate them.

Yep, they cry and sometimes they cry a lot!  Caring for a fussy baby can be frustrating and can leave even the most self-confident parent feeling alone. 

Babies cry to communicate-they have to cry because there is no other way for a baby to talk.  They cry to tell you they hungry or thirty, uncomfortable, ill, bored, tired, scared or even lonely.  Some babies cry before bed or nap time just because they are very tired.  Sometimes they may be teething, have gas or colic but sometimes the answer is as simple as a diaper change or being picked up and cuddled.  It’s normal for babies to cry sometimes and some people even think it’s good for them.

Here’s some ideas on How to Calm a Crying Baby:

Check first for any physical needs-is the baby hungry, thirsty, need to be burped, too hot or too cold or is the diaper wet or dirty.

Check for signs of illness or fever.  If you think your baby is sick, seek medical attention immediately.

Try rocking the baby or hold the baby close and sway or bounce him.

Sing or talk to the baby in a soothing voice.

Gently rub or stroke the baby’s back, chest, head or tummy.

Offer a pacifier or try to distract the baby with a favorite or even new toy.

Swaddle the baby with a soft blanket

Turn on some music or any noise-even a vacuum cleaner or clothes dryer might work.

Take the baby for ride outside in a stroller or drive her around in a car seat. 

Try each of these things for a few minutes or a combination of a few together.  If nothing seems to work, it is OK to leave the baby in a safe place (like a crib) and take time to calm down yourself.   Just leave the room and perhaps shut the door.  Take a few deep breaths and relax.  Call a friend or a family member for support or help.  Remember it’s entirely normal for a baby to cry and it’s entirely normal to feel frustrated that you can’t comfort her immediately.