Bring out the performer in your little one with the Fisher Price Little Superstar Sing-Along Stage. Your child will enjoy grooving to fun songs with the “magical” microphone and pretend musical instruments. Designed for children ages six months and older, this toy provides several developmental benefits, such as encouraging motor skill development and problem-solving skills, and provides visual and auditory stimulation.

From 6 months of age and up the stage is just the right height to sit and play.

Each mode offers just enough difficulty for your little one to be challenged and have fun at the same time. View larger.

Flashing Lights and Fun Music
The Sing-Along Stage features five fun songs for you and your baby to sing along with. It’s easy and fun for your baby to play with: Just shake the “magical” microphone to start the music! While the music plays, your child will delight in the four dancing spotlights, the pop-up audience of friendly smiling fans, and the big picture mirror to watch him or herself groove. Four musical instruments sit along the bottom of the stage: Baby just presses the horn, the xylophone, the drum, or the guitar to hear them play. You and your child will have great fun singing and dancing together with all of the songs!

Different Stages to Grow with Baby
The Sing-Along Stage includes two levels of advancement for babies and toddlers. Each mode offers just enough difficulty for your little one to be challenged and have fun at the same time. For babies from 6 months of age, the stage is just the right height to sit and play. He or she can discover how to shake the microphone to make a song play! Your baby can also learn how to press each musical instrument to hear it play a solo, learning to differentiate between the different sounds. Musical lyrics are provided for you to sing along with the songs, providing quality interactive time with your baby. As your child gets older, he or she can stand, dance, and groove with the magical microphone while the music plays. In this more advanced secondary mode, the toy allows your child to get creative with the music. Start the song by pressing the button. Shake the microphone to add voice. Press each instrument to add their sounds to the song. This toy requires three AA batteries, which are included in the package. Adult assembly is necessary and requires a Phillips screwdriver (not included).

What’s in the Box
1 Fisher Price Little Superstar Sing-Along Stage, play microphone, and 3 AA batteries.

Product Description
A symphony of music, lights and melodies rewards your baby’s movements through two modes of interactive play. In Mode 1, your little one can hear songs by activating one of four instruments. Instruments include a drum, mini xylophone, trombone and guitar. In Mode 2, baby is encouraged to “play” the instruments and shake the magical microphone for musical sounds and a dazzling light show. Requires 3 “AA” batteries (included). Measures 12″L x 16″W x 19.5″H.

Click the link below for a video

http://www.amazon.com/gp/mpd/permalink/m1G33RKOKKAS83

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Entertain your baby in the tub and bath time becomes a joy rather than a chore. Luckily, that’s easy to do with the huge variety of bath toys for babies on the market today.

Sure, we’ve all seen the classic rubber ducky. And they’ll be around generations from now. But how about a pelican instead? Squirt the Pelican is both a toy and a game in one. He’s colorful and when you shoot water into his mouth it fills up a bucket under his beak. Get it full and watch Squirt tip over and squawk. Great fun!

What better place to introduce sailing than the tub? Get a whole fleet of colorful, floating sailboats.[amtap amazon: asin=B0017ZVP2E] Baby will enjoy playing with them while you secretly teach all about different colors and shapes. Great for eye-hand coordination, they’re also an ocean of fun in the bath. Less than 5 inches in size, you can fit half a dozen in the tub with ease.

Kids love to draw, even from a very young age. Even an 18-month old will enjoy Tadoodles Washable Bath Crayons. In the shape of a dog, pig and elephant, these fun creatures turn bath time into a creative experience. Twist the base and watch a crayon pop up. Anything your child draws washes right off. And the little animals float, making them a fun toy for the bath, too.

More creative fun is in store with the 3-in-1 Music Island. Pick up the fish handle and set it down in the tub for a big band bath time. Start the music off with the octopus jingle shaker. Let them bang away on the drum or tap the xylophone and ring out the tub tunes. You’ll laugh as much as the baby does. Comes with music sheets, too, so you can teach while they enjoy.

Want to let the baby explore playing an instrument? There are lots of choices. The Tub Tunes Water Trumpet is unbreakable plastic and makes real music. Or check out any of the five colorful Water Flutes available and watch your baby explore music while having loads of fun. Fill them with water to produce different notes. Comes with waterproof music sheets to make learning fun.

Squeeze a farm animal in the tub and watch the water squirt from a cow, lamb, pig, chicken or horse. Great for developing hand muscles, teaching cause and effect, and just having a grand time in the tub. They contain no harmful compounds and come in lots of colors for maximum fun.

Check out theb Rub-a-Dub Dinosaur Island Bath Activity Kit.
Soft, imaginative fun for the tub! Float the colorful dinosaurs on little islands in the water. The pieces adhere to the tub walls, too. Includes bag for drip-dry storage.

Maybe your baby will be a writer someday. Get them started off right while they have tons of fun in the tub. Squeezable over-sized pens let them write on the tub with safe, easy-to-clean-off goo. Baby can draw, make a word or just doodle and learn while they entertain themselves… and you, too!

Bath time can be fun and educational. Just don’t forget to bathe the baby!

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Any parent knows without being told that babies have a lot of energy. They may sleep a lot of the day. (If you’re lucky!) But when they are awake, they’re really awake. Most parents describe it as having an ‘Off’ switch and an ‘On’ switch, with no grades in between. Rather than fight nature, take advantage of it. Buy an activity gym.

Activity gyms offer the chance to work off that energy in a dozen ways. They provide several different ’stations’ to exercise eye-hand coordination, build arm and leg strength, and - most importantly - exercise that developing mind.

Strength and coordination aren’t just for teen or adult jocks. Babies are developing fast. Their bones are hardening and their young muscles are growing to help them grip, stand and swivel. All those basic movements and many more are essential to good physical health. Even apart from muscular development, that activity helps keep all their organ systems in good shape, just as it does for adults.

At the same time, a good activity gym is a great learning toy. With knobs to twist, mobiles to move, wheels to turn and other features the baby is learning to distinguish and manipulate. That helps the mind recognize differences between, say, a push-pull and a rotation. They’re also learning different shapes and colors. All those are clues to how things behave in the world they are so eagerly exploring.

Picture, for example, a 5-in-1 adjustable gym.

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Stage 1 has colorful toys to bat and a motion activated kick pad. Great for eye-hand coordination and observing how things move when they’re manipulated. Stage 2 offers electronic lights and sounds operated by push buttons. That’s an outstanding way to develop sight and hearing, and to grow the mind when it associates movement with them. Stage 3 has a stand up bar that is ideal for those just learning to stand. Safe and practical.

But it’s Stage 4 and Stage 5 that offer something really unique. Here, the baby will find a play table that provides art projects, games and an easel. All are really safe and help the baby develop that latent artistic ability. Even for future athletes that’s incredibly important. Recognizing colors, manipulating shapes and more is tremendously helpful for developing the senses.

A Kicks and Drive gym can be of great help and great fun for your baby in other ways. With a steering wheel to turn, they learn how to make a basic movement that will benefit them right away and forever. Hanging mobiles entertain while they provide shapes to distinguish. Rollers offer still another type of movement that brings a smile as it helps that young mind grow.

Even something as relatively simple as an Animal Friends Musical Gym can be a big value to a little baby (and parent!). With a safe, comfortable pad decorated with cartoon animals, the baby feels good while they experience and explore. Dangling stuffed multi-colored animals amuse the little one while they offer a chance to make them move.

The values of activity gyms for growing babies are many and more important than you might have suspected. Entertainment and learning and exercise all work in coordination to aid your baby’s growth in every dimension.

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Among the highest goals for any parent is the safety of their child. One of the key elements in that plan is selecting the right safety seat for the car. Here are a few things to look for when trying to find that perfect model.

The first considerations are age and weight. Infants under age one should be provided with a safety seat specifically tailored to their size. It should also be rear facing and not intended for use by older babies.

Those older than one but less than four will weigh on average between 20-40 lbs. They’re also, of course, taller than infants and the older they are the taller. That opens up the possibility of a forward-facing car seat, which is a little more convenient for parents. It should be still installed in the back seat, though.

Convenience doesn’t have to be sacrificed for any of these goals, of course. Many models are convertible. That is, they can be turned from a rear-facing position to forward-facing with a few simple movements. Still, keep in mind the correct age and weight characteristics.

As an aside, there’s a difference between an infant seat and an infant car seat. The former is just a baby carrier that can be placed in the car, on the floor or table at home. A car seat is specifically designed to be used in the car.

Fortunately, clever designers have blurred the line between the two. Many models are available that do, indeed, allow strapping the child safely into the car. It can then be unbuckled and used as a carrier.

Since it is to be used in the car, though, it will be important that it satisfies certain criteria. A 5-point harness attachment design is key. This allows parents to use the car’s safety restraining belt to attach the car seat at the hips, shoulders and between the legs. That provides a very stable, secure platform.

It’s helpful to have an overhead shield, too. These are padded covers that rotate down over the child. A variation is the T-shield, a padded T-shaped section that attaches to the shoulder straps.

Look for models with a tether at the top that can be attached from the top of the child’s car seat to an anchor point in the car. That adds extra safety. Some have a system called LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children). This eliminates the need to use the car’s safety belts which, after all, were designed for larger children and adults. The car seat attaches, instead, entirely to the anchors. Vehicles made after Sep, 2002 all have these systems.

Other attributes of a good car safety seat can involve convenience for the parent and comfort for the child.

Children come naturally in different shapes. Like the adults they will become, some are slender, others more rounded. Some are a little longer or taller. That means they all fit a little differently in the seat.

A car safety seat that makes it easy to safely and securely add or remove padding, blankets and more provides additional comfort and safety. At the same time, parents have to spend less time adjusting the seat to make a good fit. That’s a win-win situation for both. Some even have integrated travel vests that can be buckled around the child.

That same double-theme of safety and convenience is carried on by seat designs that make it easy to insert and adjust the restraining straps. Parents are busy folk and it’s easy to succumb to the temptation to take a short cut. But no one wants to sacrifice safety. A design that requires only a few seconds to install or move the seat satisfies all those needs.

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The causes of colic remain an area of active research. But parents don’t need to wait for a full answer from science to treat this common bowel pain that induces so much crying.

Some newborns’ symptoms are eased by changing their positions. Rolling the infant on its side especially followed by pressing it up against the mother’s abdomen has worked for many distressed children and parents.

Sounds in general may be one of the most popular methods for treating colic.

The sound of ocean waves has settled more than one colicky baby. Some studies suggest it emulates the environment in the womb. Until the final answer is validated, experience continues to favor this method as one which works.

Even certain artificial sounds can serve as a distraction and, possibly, a (temporary) cure. While anecdotal, many parents report that the sound of a vacuum cleaner causes their baby’s symptoms to disappear. This may be because the noise is startling, making them forget their painful stomach. Or, it may help the child release gas or even produce hormonal changes. Not fully scientific, but well worth a try.

Even white noise has proved beneficial in many households. The static from a TV set, or the general noise provided by special CDs can help. It may be that the method simply helps lower stress.

It would seem that babies have little reason to experience stress. But everything is new and adapting to it takes effort. While this isn’t the same as adult stress, a calming atmosphere does reduce the odds of acid reflux and other physical circumstances that can be related to colic.

Music can be an important means to applying this method. Music does indeed have charms to sooth the savage breast, as the poet says. A gentle Chopin Piano Etude or a pleasing Vivaldi piece are recommended by music experts. Some studies also provide evidence that it helps young minds develop, too. But a lilting nursery tune isn’t just for the Irish, either.

The connection between colic and sound or music cure is unclear, but the technique gets a lot of ‘votes’ from real experts: real parents!

Certain foods or drink may be beneficial, too.

Check with your doctor first, but small amounts of herbal tea has been known to help some babies’ colic symptoms. Never give strong teas to a newborn. But gentle green or dilute peppermint tea may be helpful, if approved by your physician. They’re also good for the immune system.

Some physicians say that altering the formula or method of feeding for bottle fed babies can help reduce colic. Babies sometimes get too much air in the stomach, which promotes colic. Here again, be guided by your doctor’s advice. But colic may be caused, at least in part, by abdominal gas so there can be something to this.

A whole range of health issues can be addressed by breastfeeding. While there is no sure cure for colic, proper breastfeeding can help reduce gas and definitely does provide antibodies to stave off diseases. Some stomach bacteria are helpful, but others give off gases that can cause upset.

Last, but far from least, let time be your healer.

Patience, per se, won’t cure colic. But it is nevertheless beneficial to both parent and child. Since the condition tends to occur within a few weeks of birth, but goes away spontaneously after a few months, waiting is one valid form of treatment. At the same time, ample patience will help parents keep their sanity during this trying time.

Time really does heal. Some newborns never get colic. But virtually all who do will see it disappear after a few months at most. If the symptoms persist longer, see your physician for a diagnosis that may reveal a different condition, such as lactose intolerance.

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Filed under: Newborn Care, Acid Reflux, Active Research, Bowel Pain, Children And Parents, Chopin Piano, Colicky Baby, Distressed Children, Final Answer, Hormonal Changes, Method Music, Music Experts, Newborns, Ocean Waves, Physical Circumstances, Savage Breast, Tv Set, Vacuum Cleaner, Vivaldi, White Noise, Womb | Post a comment

Before you begin to care for your newborn’s umbilical cord, nature is already doing that for you. Through this attachment a mother is supplying her baby with all the nutrients it requires during the critical gestation period. Then, when birth occurs, doctors care for it by clamping, snipping and tying. But the baby feels no pain, since nature has provided a lack of pain-sensitive nerve fibers in the cord.

Now it’s your turn.

After birth, the newborn’s umbilical cord may change color. It can alter from green to brown to black. Not to worry! This is all part of the natural process as the cord dries out in preparation for falling off. This typically takes about 1-2 weeks.

During those days the only care needed is to keep the area clean and avoid bumping the cord.

The section around the navel is comprised of sensitive skin. Just press on your own navel even as an adult and you’ll see. It takes only modest pressure to feel discomfort. Babies are, naturally, a little more tender. No need to be paranoid, just cautious.

Keeping the cord area clean will help prevent infection. The skin is the body’s first line of defense against disease. It provides a physical barrier against bacteria, viruses, fungi and other organisms that are seen as ‘foreign invaders’ that provoke the immune system into a response.

But a baby’s immune system is still under considerable development for the first year. It doesn’t yet have all the normal complement of antibodies to counteract common germs. So, keeping the area flexible and free of dirt will help prevent those germs from getting inside.

It’s rarely necessary to swab the area with alcohol. In fact, a contemporary study suggests that this is mildly counterproductive. While not actively harmful, the cord will likely drop off a couple of days sooner if left alone.

But, babies are babies and the area can attract dirt, food and a host of other things. Again, not to worry! A little gentle wipe with a soft, wet cloth will do the trick. Sterile water is often all that’s required.

When a little more thorough cleansing power is needed, mild and well-diluted antibacterial soap with a soft cotton cloth can do a perfect job. Avoid ordinary washcloths if they become stiff and a little harsh after they’re no longer brand new.

If moisture gets trapped where it won’t dry out within a few minutes the lowest setting of the hair dryer can help. Make sure the air doesn’t get hot. A baby’s skin is very sensitive.

Avoid covering the stump with the diaper. Also, keep it folded down far enough so that the top ridge doesn’t push or bend the cord as the baby is moved around or picked up. Be sure to change soiled diapers right away to keep the area dry and free from possible infectious agents.

A sponge bath is best during this period. In theory it’s possible to use a tub filled below the navel. But babies will get tilted, slip and other movements will likely occur that splash the area with soapy water. A little drip from a sponge bath isn’t a disaster, but keeping water to a minimum is best.

Never succumb to the temptation to give the stump any assistance in falling off. It will do so naturally at the right time all on its own. Tugging can tear the skin and produce pain and possible infection.

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Babies and pets can be a delightful combination. But sometimes they only mix well if a few precautions are observed. Tragically, in other cases, they don’t go well together at all. A few simple guidelines can help bring harmony in any case.

The first, and one obvious to anyone, is to ensure everyone’s safety. That means both baby and pet. Newborns are the most precious thing in the world to parents, and rightfully so. But the family pet is beloved as well. Keeping them both safe is imperative.

Fortunately, that only requires a little forethought and some preparation. Dogs large and small, of course, will need to be monitored and perhaps restrained, depending on breed and individual character.

Some will see the new little one as prey. Others are merely curious. Either situation can lead to harm to the child. When first introducing the dog to the baby, ensure the dog is controlled with a sturdy leash. Kneel down to the level of both baby and pet. Keep an arm wrapped around the dog’s chest to prevent lunging. Keep the muzzle at least a foot away.

Sniffing without physical contact is ok. Licking, while not toxic, is not recommended at this stage. A baby’s immune system is still maturing. Even though dog saliva contains special antibodies that protect them, they do pick up things that shouldn’t come in contact with the child’s skin. Some children are allergic to the proteins in pet saliva.

Cats can be harder to control. They’re more likely to be fearful or to playfully lash out with a claw-extended paw. They also slip off a standard leash a little easier. When acclimating them to this interesting new thing in the house, use a chest harness to ensure complete control.

Naturally, neither should ever be left in areas where the two can come into contact unsupervised. That will require a little creativity. Dog barriers, high cribs and other preparations can keep almost all dogs at bay. Cats are more difficult, but ensuring they don’t have access to the baby’s room is possible. It does require vigilance, though.

Of course, in a small percentage of cases, the baby will actually be allergic to pet dander. Official figures vary, but the total population of allergy sufferers is about 10%, only a small portion of which are allergic to dander. Also, of that 10%, only a very small portion are infants. So, the overall odds are very low.

In those cases, just as with adults, avoiding contact is best. Many parents won’t want to remove a loved pet from the household entirely. The situation is not an unresolvable dilemma, though. Very little pet dander remains airborne for long. Frequent washing of bedding and a once-per-month wash of the pet can help a lot.

Of course, the situation is far from all negative or worrisome. Pets and babies can have a wonderful bond of the sort that exists with other family members and the pet. A caged pet bird or lizard can be just as much a delight for a baby as for anyone else. Many dogs have actually rescued babies from dangerous situations, either directly or by alerting an adult.

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Most babies will get some degree of diaper rash during the first year or two. Newborns are particularly prone to acquiring this red, inflamed area on the buttocks, thighs or genitals. Also, the skin itself may be warmer than normal. Fortunately, treating it at home is often simplicity itself.

Anything which irritates the skin can cause diaper rash. A baby’s skin is very sensitive. Still, there are a few common causes.

Long exposure to urine and feces is one example. Pure urine is not infectious. But it mixes readily with organisms, providing them with a growing medium. Bacteria are often found in feces, as a normal part of the body’s disposal of potentially harmful ‘invaders’.

One organism in particular accounts for a large number of diaper rash cases: yeast. This common fungus grows well in moist, warm environments, such as soiled diapers. Even when waste isn’t present, excessive humidity in the air encourages moisture under the diaper. That condition is especially likely in skin folds that trap moisture.

Other causes are possible, as well.

A change in diet can increase stool production, which increases the time the baby’s skin is exposed to it. Ironically, even a new cleansing product can cause diaper rash. Though rarely the cause, thanks to considerable testing, some babies are sensitive to certain products. A new detergent or fabric softener, or even a new disposable wipe, can irritate the skin.

And, not least, some babies are simply more sensitive than others to potential irritants. Tight diapers that are perfect for one will chafe another.

Home treatment is all that’s required in the overwhelming majority of cases of diaper rash.

In most cases, simply cleaning your baby gently but thoroughly will provide the right environment for time to do the rest. Changing diapers promptly and often will help prevent any instance or reoccurrence. Rinsing with warm water during a change to remove all trace of urine and feces is a good idea.

There’s rarely a need for swabbing with alcohol and it can often be counterproductive. It tends to dry the skin excessively. Patting with a soft towel followed by air drying is best. Allow the area to dry thoroughly before fitting the baby with a new diaper.

For babies that tend to develop diaper rash, avoid diapers or outer pants that have elastic bands that tighten against the legs. This blocks air flow that helps to