I suppose some of you thought I was gone forever. That is not the case. I have been preoccupied. We have one son graduating from medical school in May. Supporting him, as he gets closer to graduation, requires more travel than I had anticipated. The good news is he is our last child in school of any kind.

I have also been preoccupied with relocating. My wife and I are moving into a new phase in life. She is retiring from the education profession. We are grandparent to four boys ages seven-months to five-years. We have decided to move closer to them and spend more time with them and we found there is lots of things to give attention to once you decide to move.

Recently, we have had visits by our grandsons as well as made visits to be with them. The time I spent with my grandsons served to remind me of how quickly our babies grow into school age children. Parent, grandparent, guardians, godparent and other who are concerned with their children’s mental and social development must constantly study their children and stay aware of each child’s level of development and modify the child’s environment to keep them challenged and interested in properly developing in the way that is right for him/her.  This may include changing the toys they play with, the book you read to them, the room decoration, television shows, the recreational activities and other things that influence their thinking. My observation is that this is most important in the child’s early years.

The relocation will not have any impact on our online business, BabyStoreGiftShop.Com, a pre-selected inventory of quality baby gift for all occasions in a baby’s life. The only change will be the address and the improvements we will be making to better serve our customers.

Spring is less than two months away and we will want to get out doors more. Many will want to introduce their new baby or grandbaby to the outdoors experience and the idea of fitness. An excellent way to do that is to allow your baby to witness or share in the experience with you.  They will learn more about this lifestyle from what they see you do than what you tell them now or later. 

A well-designed sturdy built baby bike trailer, baby stroller, baby jogger (sometimes call a baby jogger stroller), provides this kind or opportunity for you and your baby.  You can join the many physical fitness-minded moms and dads who take their baby or babies with them during their pleasure walk or bike ride. You can also join those who get their exercise walking, jogging and/or riding their bike.

The baby stroller, baby jogger, and baby bike trailer can be a parent’s best friends. However, to avoid, trouble and inconvenience you must pick the right ones. So, think about how you want to use the stroller, jogger or trailer first and then look for a model that best fits your life and your baby. As always, your baby safety is the biggest concern.  I wrote blogs at www.babystoregiftshop.blogspot.com on October 3^rd and December 22, 2006 providing tips on buying a stroller. You might benefit by reading them. An earlier blog (December 2, 2006) on this site address choosing a baby bike trailer.

For other articles addressing how to make wise purchases for your baby, see the Article page at www.babystoregiftshop.com.

With all the controversy about infant car seats of late, I thought I would provide some insight into how to choose the right car seat for your baby.  In all my research, I have found Consumer Reports to be my best source of information.  There is no guesswork involved since their reports are based on expert studies.  The few times they have been known to make a mistake, they have been quick to respond and make any necessary corrections. The following tips are based on Buying Advice from Consumer Reports.

If you are a new parent, an infant car seat should be high on your list of things to buy. If you already have your baby’s car seat, you are concern that it is completely safe for your baby. You will have to have one to bring your baby home from the hospital. Normally hospitals and birthing centers won’t let you leave by car with your new baby unless you have one. All states require kids up to 4 years of age ride in a car seat; some require booster seats for older children. Therefore, you will need an infant car seat for every future car trip with your baby. 

I believe you want the car seat that is safest and most comfortable for your baby. You will find a number of car seat types to choose from as you satisfy that requirement.

1. Infant seats. They are rear-facing seats for babies up to 22 pounds. Infants can recline at an angle that doesn’t interfere with breathing and protects them best in a crash. The price will normally range from $30 to $180.00
2. Travel systems. You get an infant car seat and a stroller all in one.  It will normally range in price from $40.00 (Frame only) to $400.00.
3. Convertible seats. The child faces rearward as an infant, then toward the front of the vehicle as a toddler. The price normally ranges from $50.00 to $290.00.
4. Toddler/booster seats. Looks like a large version of convertible seats. These front-facing seats are used with an internal harness for toddlers 20 to 40 pounds.
5. Booster seats. For children weighing 40 to 80 pounds. (A very tall child may begin using a booster seat at 30 pounds.)
6. Built-in seats. Some automakers offer on select cars and minivans an integrated, forward-facing child seat that has a harness and accommodates toddlers weighing more than 20 pounds. There are also some booster-seat versions.

When choosing an infant car seat, start with an infant seat for a newborn and when your baby height and/or weight exceed the recommendation for the infant seat, move up to a convertible seat in the rear-facing orientation until the height and/or weight limits in that mode. Then use the convertible seat front facing until your toddler reaches the next height and weight limits. Finally, use a booster seat until your child is tall enough to use the car’s safety belts, usually that is when your child is at least 57 inches.  

1. Make sure the seat is compatible with your car.

   1. Check the fit of any models you’re considering in your own car.

   2. Place similar-looking models side by side to compare features.

   3. Place your child in the seat, to get a sense of the ease of buckling and unbuckling.

   4. If possible, bring the floor model to your car for a mock installation.

   5. Be aware that some vehicle seats are too short, indented, or excessively sloped to allow a good fit of a child car seat.

   6. If you’re considering a convertible car seat, try the floor model in both the rear- and front-facing positions.

   7. Check out the harness release button in the rear-facing position; in some models it may be too low to reach comfortably.

   8. If you’re thinking about a travel system, check to be sure that it fits in your trunk or vehicle cargo area.

   9. If the store won’t let you take the seat out to your car to try it, make sure you can return any car seat you buy–or go to another store.

2. Insist on new.

   1. Don’t buy or borrow a secondhand car seat if you can avoid it. A used seat may have been in a crash or recalled. The manufacturer’s instructions may be missing.

   2. If, for some reason, you must use a secondhand seat, avoid those with an unknown history or that are older than six years. In the world of car seats, a six-year-old model is a relic–and risky.

   3. You’ll also want to avoid recalled models. 

3. Send in the registration card.

   1. The manufacturer should notify you if the car seat is recalled. You can also sign up for the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s e-mail subscription list at www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.asp. Updated recall information will be sent directly to your e-mail in-box.  

4. Check the store’s return policy.

   1. If you’re not happy with a particular car seat for whatever reason, it’s important to know that you can return it and try again with another model.

   2. Be aware that a badly soiled or damaged seat may not be exchanged. 

The complete report by Consumer Reports may be viewed by clicking here, Buyers Advice   

We at BabyStoreGiftShop.Com will continue to provide you information that “ Make shopping for babies simple.”  For information on other baby gear such as carriers, high chairs, strollers, joggers, and bike trailers, visit www.babystoregiftshop.com .

A baby shower is a special occurrence in the life of every new mom and her baby. When done correctly, it can be one of the most exiting times the new mother shares with her friends and relatives. If you are planning to have a baby shower for a friend or a relative you maybe able to use a few helpful hints.  

Don’t be overly concerned with what your baby shower gift should be. There are many items that are very essential during a baby’s early life. The baby shower is the ideal place for expectant parents to get the things that their baby needs. They include diapers, baby soap, baby powder, baby oil, baby blankets, baby shampoo, soft hairbrush etc. All of the items can be found in a carefully chosen baby gift basket. You can always make additions to your purchased baby gift basket to personalize it or have it meet your specifications.  

Don’t be overly concern about when to have the shower. They are usually held before the baby’s birth. But, it is OK to hold it afterwards. The time of day is normally during the afternoon or a luncheon. Since most people work during weekdays, it is better to hold the party on the weekend.   

There are no strict rules for conducting a baby shower. You will want to: 

1. Send baby shower invitations to let the invitees know the time and venue of the shower. Send them out at least two weeks before the shower date. 
2.  You may want to choosing a theme since it will help you decide on things like the location of the party, who to invite, type of decorations, food and drinks etc. 
3. Decide on a formal or informal shower. A formal baby shower will be more elegant, likely without games. An informal baby shower allows you to have games, baby shower favors and the like. 
4. Some of the popular baby shower ideas are listed here. You may want to choose one or use the list to stimulate your thinking when choosing your own theme. 
   1.  A tea party – This type of baby shower doesn’t leave much room for games, it’s a more upscale and elegant baby shower theme.
   2. The pampering shower – This is the type of baby shower where the guests pamper the mother-to-be. 
   3. A frozen shower – This is a way to host a baby shower for the mom who already has everything she needs for the new baby.
   4.  A diaper-full shower – This one is for the expectant mother who already has the high chair, playpens and bottles they need.
   5. The book party – Books are a big part of a child’s life, even as a newborn. For this type of shower each guest brings a favorite book.

Your guest will often choose to select a baby shower gift that is consistent with the theme you choose. For example they may bring frozen dinners to a “frozen shower” for the new mom and dad for use during those first busy months of their new baby’s life. 

Good luck with your baby shower. You will be able to get more detail about the various types of baby shower by doing a search on Goggle or visiting BabyStoreGiftShop.Com at www.babystoregiftshop.com.

Today, all we see advertised are the so-called ‘smart toys’ including video games, remote controlled pets and other toy systems. However, the more traditional toy such as the baby puzzle, spinning wooden alphabet, and sorting wheels offer the child and parent greater value for their money. Some child psychologists are supporting this opinion. They are saying the traditional toys are more fun and stimulating more creativity than their high-tech rivals.

In addition to having more fun and stimulating more creativity than their high-tech rivals, the traditional wooden toys are:

·        Normally much less expensive

·        Much more durable than the modern plastic toy

·        Usually has no need for batteries

·        Less capable of breaking than the modern plastic toy

·        Can often be passed down to the next generation

·        Few sharp edges and therefore safer

·        They offer a more environmentally friendly alternative to plastic toys

·        They are far easier for little hands to manipulate promoting independence skills.

Many of the modern high tech toys encourage the child to play alone and entertain him or herself. Entertainment is fine, but entertainment and mental stimulation is much better. Toys such as the Turn and Learn, spinning wooden alphabet and numbers at www.babystoregiftshop.com, includes cute images on each block that spins and the free-standing wooden frame offers tots hours of fun and exploration in play & learning. They also encourage your youngster to develop hand-eye co-ordination, fine motor skills, problem solving skills, spatial awareness, number concepts as well as awareness of number sequencing. Your youngster gets a real sense of ownership, which will encourage them to use the toy and to treat it with respect and care.

Because babies are so delicate and susceptible to injuries you must think of your babies’ safety constantly until they are able to think of their own safety. We are approaching the gift-giving season. Many babies will be getting new baby cribs and other will get used baby cribs that family members have saved. Unfortunately, given the right situation most baby product can be unsafe, and baby cribs are no exception. The purpose of this article is to share with you a few ideas that can help you increase your baby’s safety while he/she enjoys his/her new cribs. 

Your baby will likely be left unattended in his/her baby crib from time to time. Therefore, it’s important that it be as safe as possible and that you have followed all safety regulations. The following guidelines are to help you ensure the optimum safety for your babies while they sleep or play in their cribs:

1. Previously used baby cribs are not recommended. So, think twice before getting one. If you do get one, check the safety commission’s guidelines and verify that the crib was not recalled. Check for possible safety hazards, such as lead paint and worn parts.
2. Buying a baby crib new is the recommended way to ensure you get one that has the correct specifications to meet all safety standards. Send in the registration card that comes with your new crib in case there is a manufacturer recall or a need for warranty service.
3. Keep away from baby cribs with headboard cut outs or other decoration. It is easy for a baby to get their head stuck or scrape themselves on them. Also beware of decorative posts or other additions.
4. If your baby crib has wheels, ensure that at least two of them have brakes you can lock when you need to.
5. Verify that your baby crib rails meet specifications. The crib rails must have at least 26 in. between the raised crib rails and the top of the crib mattress; at least 9 in. between lowered crib rails and the top of the mattress; and rail slats that are 2 3/8 in. apart.
6. Verify that your baby crib mattress meets specifications. The mattress should be fire-safe; fit tightly on the crib with less than two finger widths of space between mattress and crib; have squared corners and no sharp edges or rough services; and that the mattress is firm for optimal support.
7. See that your baby crib’s supports are strong and sturdy. Normally, single drop sides are usually more stable than double-drop sides, and metal supports are often much sturdier than wood.

Hopefully these guidelines will make your experience with your baby crib safer and more enjoyable. To see a pre-selected inventory of quality baby cribs, gifts and other baby furniture go to www.babystoregiftshop.com

When making out your gift list, are you ever concern that the recipient may not appreciate your gifts? Do you sometime think your gift may be stored away and never used or passed on to someone else because the recipient has no use for it? I think most of us have had these questions at one time or the other. But, it was Christmas, birthday, anniversary or some other special occasion and we felt we had to give something. So we took a shot in the dark and picked what we would want if we were in the recipient’s place.  

Choosing the right gift for another person is not a simple task. You can never be sure the recipient will like the gift you buy for them unless they tell you what to buy or you are close enough to them to know their situation that well. So, when you aren’t sure, giving gift certificates can be a great option to consider.   

Internet technology has made it simple, easy and quick to give gifts online. BabyStoreGiftShop.Com is an example of how easy and simple it is to give baby gifts for all occasions in a baby’s life. With three clicks of your mouse you can find pre-selected quality gifts. BabyStoreGiftShop.Com also offers gift certificates that can be used to purchase any item in the online store. A simple search of the website will produce many online stores with any product you may want to give.  Online retail stores not only make it simple to access these gift certificates through their web sites, they also make it very easy for your recipients to redeem them online. This works especially well when you may have family members or very close friends out of town and you don’t see them often. 

A gift certificate from a store with a large inventory of pre-selected quality gift items will give the recipient the best option to choose from many quality gift items the one he or she likes most. These are many choices and options available when you give gift certificates. You don’t have to worry about your gift being stored away for years or passed on to someone else because the recipient couldn’t use it. You don’t have to worry about your gift being returned and you don’t have to worry about the recipient not appreciating your gift. The end result is the recipients are happy that they received what they wanted for the occasion and you are happy because your gift made the recipients happy.

With a baby bike trailer, your baby can share your bike rides securely buckled in a metal frame trailer. Your baby is kept comfortable in an enclosed compartment protected from the weather as well as from road debris. They get to sit relaxed and be entertained by the view of outside world. Usually there is space for a couple of toys. If you love biking and want to spend more time with your baby, you will love your baby bike trailer and your baby will most likely love the bike trailer.

The following is a few tips to make your experience with your baby and new baby bike trailer more enjoyable:

1.      A baby bike trailer must have three- or five-point harness seatbelts. A seatbelt across the lap will not protect your baby’s face from smashing into the trailer cover during an abrupt stop. Before every ride make sure to strap your child in securely

2.      The trailer’s tires should be large rubber tires filled with air, similar to bicycle tires.

1. Look for a baby bike trailer with a ball and socket joint where the bike and trailer meet — this prevents the trailer from tipping over if the bike does.

4.      “Before you put your baby in a bike trailer, she must be able to sit up steadily, and she needs to have a helmet that fits properly,” says Howard Reinstein, a pediatrician in Encino, California, and spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

5.      All babies riding in a bike trailer must wear a bicycle helmet. When you choose a helmet for your child, look for a label that says it meets Snell, ANSI, or CPSC safety requirements. The League of American Bicyclists also suggests that you bring your child into a specialty bike shop where a salesperson can help you find a helmet that fits properly. The helmet should fit snugly.

1. Your child might be less likely to resist wearing a helmet if you let her choose a color that she likes.

7.      Make sure your child knows that your policy is “no helmet, no bike ride” — and prove the rule by following it yourself. Wearing helmets can protect you and your baby from serious injuries.

8.      Most trailers have a weight limit up to 100 pounds, easily accommodating two toddlers up to the age of 3 or one child up to the age of 5 or 6.

9.      Check if the trailer has extra space. Some trailers feature a separated storage space with enough room for baby supplies, or even a few bags of groceries. Extra items stored in the trailer with your toddler may pose a safety hazard.

10.  Consider a baby bike trailers made in bright, vibrant colors; many have strips of reflective fabric for maximum visibility. Adding reflectors, streamers, rear red lights, and other attention-attracting devices and accessories can increase the visibility of your trailer. These accessories are available at any cycling or sports equipment store.

11.  The baby bike trailer is designed for a toddler’s safety, and should be used exactly as recommended by the manufacturer.

12.  Your baby bike trailer can also be used to carry groceries and other cargo when your baby is not with you.

13.  Make sure your baby is protected from the wheels while the bike is in motion.

14.  Make sure the trailer lie close to the ground with a wide wheelbase, so the center of gravity is low and stable?

I hope you will find these tips useful and that they help you and your baby have many enjoyable outdoor hours together. You will find a pre-selected inventory of quality baby bike trailers at BabyStoreGiftShop.Com.  A final tip: Always ride on the right side of the road, traveling in the same direction as the traffic in that lane. Almost one fourth of bicycle-car collisions happen when bikers ride against the traffic, according to the AAP. 

The Christmas season is the most wonderful time of the year. For almost any child receiving toys is the leading reason. We at BabyStoreGiftShop.Com want to help you ensure your family experiences the anticipated joy of this wonderful season.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and AARP joined forces to warn all gift givers about the five toy hazards that can take all the fun out of any celebration. BabyStoreGiftShop.Com is contributing to that effort to make sure toy shoppers are aware of this year’s top toy safety tips and to help reduce injuries and deaths that will steal your Christmas joy.

CPSC Top Safe Shopping Tips for this year:

1. Magnets – For children under age six, avoid building sets with small magnets. If swallowed, serious injuries and/or death can occur.
2. Small Parts – For children younger than age three, avoid toys with small parts, which can cause choking.
3. Ride-on Toys – Riding toys, skateboards and in-line skates go fast and falls could be deadly. Helmets and safety gear should be sized to fit.
4. Projectile Toys – Projectile toys such as air rockets, darts and slingshots are for older children. Improper use of these toys can result in serious eye injuries.
5. Chargers and Adapters – Charging batteries should be supervised by adults. Chargers and adapters can pose thermal burn hazards to children.

CPSC also recommends using the following tips to help choose appropriate toys for children:

1. Be a label reader. Look for toy labels that give age and safety recommendations and use that information as a guide.
2. Select toys to suit the age, abilities, skills and interest level of the intended child. Look for sturdy construction, such as tightly secured eyes, noses and other potential small parts.
3. For all children under 8, avoid toys that have sharp edges and points.

Once the gifts are open:

1. Immediately discard plastic wrappings on toys before they become dangerous play things.
2. Keep toys appropriate for older children away from younger siblings or neighbors.

Thanks to the CPSC and AARP for making these tips available to us. The more you know about and do to prevent harm to the babies and small children in your life the more you will enjoy your holidays. Have a Merry Christmas.

An inventory of pre-selected, safe quality toys is featured at BabyStoreGiftShop.Com. They include: The stacking train, Hammer Peg, Pop Up Toy, Airplane, Fire Engine, Truck, Sorting Wheel and more

Now that your new baby has arrived or is to arrive soon you will need a place for him/her to lie down. Eventhough holding your new baby all the time is a tempting idea, the baby will need to lie down 24/7 for the first few months and that makes it a bad idea. The obvious solution is a bassinet, cradle or a crib. Considering the baby’s safety and your cost, deciding which to buy and which make the most sense can be a challenge.  

Gregg Hall, an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida provides the following contrast for bassinettes, cradles and cribs.  

“Bassinettes are small, often egg shaped bed that has tall sides, a skinny mattress, and sits on a wheeled stand. To keep the legs and wheels from showing, a bassinette is often decorated with lacy skirts, ribbons, and bows. The basket portion of the bassinette is usually large enough to hold nothing more than the infant and a few blankets. 

Cradles are similar in size to a bassinette. A cradle is often on a wooden stand that allows the wooden bed portion to rock slowly with manipulation from an adult. Cradles tend to bring about images of handmade wood cradles, roaring fires, and days of old. Many cradles are handed down from generation to generation. Cradles have low edges, so they are not recommended to any infant that is able to freely move around. There is a danger of an infant rolling against the edge of the cradle and causing it to tip over.

 The best choice for any infant is a crib. Cribs are bigger and have extremely tall sides. One side of the crib drops down so that a parent can gently place the infant into the bed while sleeping. Then the side is easily raised back up. Cribs offer two height settings for mattresses. The higher setting is for infants, and then the lower setting is for babies who are able to stand with assistance. This keeps a baby from being able to fall over the edge of the crib rail.”  For more on Gregg Hall, go to http://www.shop4blankets.com. 

A few weeks ago, on October 16, 2006, I posted a blog titled Selecting Your Baby’s Crib (http://www.babystoregiftshop.blogspot.com). You will find some valuable suggestion there. To see a pre-select inventory of quality cribs go to www.babystoregiftshop.com.