Happy Father's Day

“Any man can be a Father but it takes someone special to be a dad.” — Anne Geddes

Social Baby Naming With Baby Ballot

Choosing the right name for your baby can be a tricky thing. You want a name that’s unconventional, but not peculiar. You want a name that’s traditional, but not completely out of fashion. You want something that resonates, goes well with the last name, and appeals to both your friends and your family. Parents have their own personal motivations when it comes down to naming a child. Some of them prefer Biblical names, some love the names of The Sixties, and sometimes it’s as simple as liking names starting with J.

While there have been thousands of books written about baby names, and you can currently browse almost as many websites offering various lists, all of these resources only offer plain information about origins, meanings, pronunciation, etymology, and other facts that are interesting to read, but in their great passivity are unable to help with the final decision.

Belly Ballot, a social media baby naming website, makes baby naming fun. Social baby naming is a new, truly amazing phenomenon that opens the door to a more interactive, creative and fun way to find the perfect name for your child. People around you, your friends and family, they are all given the chance to be a part of the decision process. Social baby naming has many advantages compared to relying on a book or a typical name webpage. It is easily accessible to anyone with an Internet connection, via Facebook, Twitter or Instagram; it integrates voices from all over the world, be it your family living in Europe or a complete a complete stranger from Australia; and it generates new names and new ideas you would originally never think of yourself.

On top of all the fun interacting with your social media friends, there’s always a chance for the soon-to-be moms to win a prize. The latest, most exciting prize that women on Belly Ballot went crazy about was a Juju Band. Thousands of moms searched through different baby names, created their ballots and according to their comments, they couldn’t wait to win this great helper to relieve the baby’s colic symptoms and abdominal pain. And it is that easy – all you need to do is to create your ballot, get the most votes, and the prize is yours!

 

25 Ways To Handle The Stress Of A New Baby

 

 Written By Gossip Moms
 

"It's not just the actual time and effort involved in caring for this tiny creature that makes it so tough to find time for yourself," says psychologist and mom Pamela Freundl Kirst. "There's also an instinctually based psychological drive called primary maternal occupation that focuses your life on the relationship with your infant. Appreciating this can help you find ways to nurture and care for yourself directly."

Making the Transition

One minute, you’re child-free, and the next your life is 12 diapers a day, cuddles, cries, coos, and a fuzzy memory of what life was like BB -- Before Baby. It might be a shock to the system, but having a few basic guidelines can help ease your mind.

1. Establish a Parental Plan

Gold recommends parents discuss how they will address a wide range of issues. How are you going to handle visiting in-laws? Who's going to get up in the middle of the night? And how does each of you feel about letting a baby cry?

"Once you get on the same page physically, emotionally, and philosophically," Gold says, "things will be smoother." But, she says, "you must do it before chronic sleep deprivation and physical and emotional exhaustion set in."

2. Postpone Energy-Draining Projects

"I would warn that extreme demands like marathon training should be put on hold by both parents until after the baby's first year," one mom, who requested anonymity, says.

"The combination of new baby and his training schedule did not mix well. I did a lot of single parenting, felt lost as a new mom, and had no time for taking care of my own exercise needs post-pregnancy. It takes time to adjust. And if that adjustment is not a team effort, it can cause tension that will impact the whole family for years to come."

3. Plan for Baby's Arrival -- Now

Before the baby is born, create a schedule of day care drop-offs and pick-ups, planned down time, and date nights. "It sets the pattern for the next 18 years of schedule juggling," one mom says.

 

Making the Transition continued...

4. Stay Flexible

The first year of a new baby's life requires a huge level of adaptation on the part of parents, Kirst says. "Let your baby teach you about structure, flexibility, and creative problem-solving," she says. "Babies are life-altering in the challenges they present. Learning to respond and adapt to the issues babies bring to your life can be life-enhancing. You learn to think on your feet."

5. Keep a Log

Gold suggests writing down baby's feeding, sleeping, and crying habits. It will help you identify patterns and give you a record you can use for instructing caregivers.

6. Rethink Priorities

Jennifer Shu, pediatrician and co-author of Heading Home With Your Newborn, says to "only put on your (regular) to-do list tasks that absolutely have to get done." How do you know what kind of task to put on that list? Shu says, "If it doesn't get done, your family's health, safety, and well-being would be at risk. Outsource things that you dread doing -- yard work, grocery shopping, laundry -- or that can be done just as well by someone else."Singer  seconds that notion, saying, "They'll appreciate helping and you'll appreciate the break."

7. Farm Out Meals

Sign up for a meal delivery service for the first year or even the first month if financially feasible. Prepared meals are nutritionally balanced, healthy, and tasty, and they provide variety. They also eliminate the need for grocery shopping, menu planning, and cooking. Likewise, stock up on takeout menus.

8. Try a Little TLC

"Get hugs from your partner when you can," Karen Deerester, owner of Family Time Coaching & Consulting, says. "Fall into grown-up arms when you're exhausted and overwhelmed. You're entitled to a whole year to rebalance your family around the baby."

9. Leverage the Internet

Online forums provide a sanity check for new parents, but beware of information overload.  Parents need to keep in mind that not everything they read is reliable or a good fit for their family.

10. Stay Connected to Your Partner

Shoshana Bennett is a clinical psychologist and author of Postpartum Depression for Dummies. She says dates every other week "like clockwork" can keep a relationship ticking. Mom can slip out of sweats and into silk to aid in the transition. "One ground rule," she says, is "you are only allowed to talk about the baby for the first 10 minutes."

11. Beware the Risks of Comparing

Resist the urge to "compare and despair" when it comes to your baby and anyone else's.

12. Find the Humor

Making sure to laugh is mom Karen Deerester's strategy. "Laugh a lot," she says. "Imagine you are in a sitcom."

Managing Sleep Deprivation

It's not that you want to stay awake. It's just that in a large part of that first year, sleep is a rare commodity.

Managing Sleep Deprivation continued...

13. Sleep When Baby Sleeps

Sleeping when the baby sleeps is time-tested advice, and it works. Bennett says, "Sleep is a medical necessity even for new moms." Sleep is also an important way to guard against postpartum depression.

"When one parent is up, the other one should be sleeping," Bennett says. The one on duty can sleep with the baby; the other one in a separate part of the home with a white noise machine and earplugs. Even nursing mothers can protect their brain chemistry from crashing as long as they get a few uninterrupted hours of sleep each night."

14. Don't Be a Super Hero

"It's tempting to try to take on the Super Mom role, insisting on doing everything for the baby from diapering to handling pediatrician's appointments," Singer says. "But you wind up exhausted, which won't help the baby -- or you."

Neal Patrick, father of two and a vice president of marketing, says he and his wife survived the first year with the use of a "night nurse" a few times a week. "Our first baby did not sleep well through the night, causing us to be completely sleep deprived. When the second child was almost due, we were able to find a pair of RNs who needed some extra money." The nurses each took one night a week where they stayed overnight with the Patricks. "They 'owned' the monitor and we were able to sleep with it turned off in our room. This one thing allowed us to feel refreshed in the morning -- at least for two days -- and able to keep up with two little ones!"

15. Let It Go -- Without Guilt

Babies don't notice dirty dishes in the sink or laundry piled high. Let things slide in exchange for taking a break or catching some ZZZs. "Teach the baby to draw in the dust on the shelves,"  Paula Polman, a mom and business owner in Edmonton, Canada, says.

16. Try a 'Baby Burrito'

A baby burrito is a special way to wrap a baby in a blanket so he or she feels more secure and may sleep better. You can find instructions for how to do it online.

17. Address Baby's Sleep Issues Sooner Rather Than Later

Singer says to work with your pediatrician to get baby to sleep through the night. "Get a good book on sleep techniques and get started on getting your nights back."

18. Rotate Night Duty

"I waited until I was 38 to get married and then had two boys back to back," Lisa McDonald, director of marketing for George Washington University Hospital, says. "I work full time and my husband is home with the boys and also a consultant. The first time around, we took shifts throughout the night, one of us getting up for the 2 a.m. feeding and the other for the 4:30 a.m. feeding. We were both sleep deprived and cranky all the time."

The second time around, she says, they got smarter. "We rotated the nights of the week. One took Monday night and the other took Tuesday night. In this way, one of us always got a good night's sleep. Then, if the opportunity presented itself to take the boys out of the house the next day, the parent who did the 'night shift' might even work in a nap."

Working In a Workout

Everyone knows exercise is good for stress. But just exactly how do you manage to get a good workout, when you've got so much to do taking care of a baby?

19. Rethink Your Routine

Fitness expert Kathy Smith, creator of the exercise DVD Tummy Trimmers, is the mother of two daughters. "The first year is very disruptive to your schedule," Smith says. "It's physically and emotionally demanding. It's really a time to nurture the baby and yourself, not to add the extra burden of getting back into shape."

Smith says new moms can "think outside the box." You can do pelvic or isometric exercises while you cook or abdominal contractions while you nurse. "A pre-dinner walk with spouse and baby," she says, "sets the tone as a family for a lifetime of exercise."

20. Exercise With Baby

It seems counterintuitive, but when you're dead tired, exercise can boost your energy. Try Mommy and Me swim or yoga classes. Get outside into the sunshine -- a guaranteed mood enhancer. Take your baby for a walk or a run in the jog stroller or on a hike with a front pack. Just always protect your baby from the sun’s harmful rays.

21. Work Out In Short Bursts

Daniel Iverson, a dad and personal trainer, says you can stretch or do squats when you are diapering your baby -- up to 10 times daily -- for a fitness boost. "When the child is old enough to see you, you can do squats with an overhead 'baby' press. As the baby gets heavier, your muscles adapt to lifting the progressively heavier child. It's like dumbbells that grow."

22. Spread Your Workouts Throughout the Day

Smith points out, "Exercise is cumulative. So 10 minutes in the morning, 10 minutes in the afternoon, and 10 minutes at night add up and boost metabolism." She recommends strapping baby into a front pack and jumping on the stationary bike or treadmill. "The motion often puts baby to sleep -- an added bonus."

23. Exercise in the Evening

Jennifer Walker, RN, co-author of The Moms on Call Guide to Basic Baby Care, likes evening exercise. "Babies have a certain amount of energy that they have to expend before settling down for that long stretch of nighttime sleep. In the inevitable evening fussy time, take them on a stroll or exercise with them."

24. Find a Gym With Child Care

Many places accept babies as young as 12 weeks; the sooner you go, the more comfortable you and baby will be in that environment.

25. Maintain Perspective

Remember, this phase will pass -- all too quickly as most parents attest. Donald Martelli, a father and vice president of a public relations firm, says, "Have patience; the joys of having children far outweigh the stresses."

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Juju Band Announces The New Year Newborn Baby Contest

 

 

No purchase necessary to enter or win.

 Eligiblity: 

 The contest is open to pregnant women and their families in the USA. Entrants must have internet access to enter competition.  Any member of the family may enter including grandparents, parents, siblings, children and other relatives may enter the competition. Winners must appear in Juju Band Media.

 Employees of Juju Band and their families may not enter the contest.

 How To Enter:

You may enter by sending a video from your phone or by other means to jujubandbaby@gmail.com explaining what is  your  favorite family tradition.  No word count necessary.

The Juju Band Baby Shower Pack is the perfect gift for expectant parents at holiday time or for baby showers. Gift Set B contains: blanket, comforter, bib and baby band. The band is used for 2 different purposes. First, it is used on the newborn as a shield to protect the navel from constant contact of diapers and clothing. This helps reduce the likelihood of irritation and infection. Secondly, the Infant band helps to relieve colic and soothe fussy babies. The snug fit calms and comforts even the most finicky infants. Its design is simple and made to accommodate even the busiest of parents! Families from all cultures have discovered the benefits of Juju Band. Juju Band Baby products are made from the highest quality cotton materials in the U.S.A . Give the gift of tradition to your family or friends and try the Juju Band. Gift Set B retails at $53.00

Deadline for Entry will be on December 15, 2013 at 11:00 PM Pacific Standard Time.  Winner will be announced on January 1^st, 2014.

Visit http://jujuband.com for details on Juju Band.

Juju Band Just Released Their New Baby Wellness Band Styles For Fall

 Juju Band just released their new styles for fall.

 Care for your baby this fall with style while you eat, drink and be merry. No need to stay home. The Juju Band lets you easily manage your baby’s gas in style which is good news for breastfeeding moms.  The new designs are made for the up-coming season. Get yours at http://jujuband.com

 Fall Orange

Thanksgiving Gobble

 

10 Reasons Why Prince William & Kate Middleton Use a Royal Juju Band

Photos Courtesy of

uk.omg.yahoo & The New York Times

 

1. The Juju Band protects the navel from diaper rubbing against the cord.

2. Less likelihood of infection.

3. No mess on the royal clothes.

4. No wetness when the royal weenie accidentally sprays during diaper changes.

5. Assurance of a better belly button.

6. Preparedness for colic, should the occasion present itself. Like insurance, only different.

7. No allergies or skin irritation from herbal colic binder inserts.

8. No binding elastic.

9.  Made of breathable material.

10. Because they are royally good parents.

Disclaimer: We only posted this because we were jealous of TMZ-only, I’m NOT a lawyer.

http://jujuband.com

Read About Juju Band's New Spring Collection On Redeeming Childbirth

http://redeemingchildbirth.com/spotlight-on-the-juju-band/

 

 

 

Enter To Win: The Juju Band ‘I Love My Grandma’ Giveaway

Enter the Juju Band ‘I Love Grandma’ Giveaway! To win this great prize simply email us with your name, address and phone number and tell us that you would like to win, to jujuband.concepts@gmail.com. Winners will be drawn at random.

 

Grandmothers all over the world have used the Juju Band, passing this tradition on through many generations. We bring the Juju Band tradition from our family and pass it on to yours. Enjoy!

Closing date April 1^st, 2013. TERMS AND CONDITIONS 1. This competition is open to all readers (aged 18 or over) resident in the USA, except employees and associates of Juju Band. 2. No cash alternative to the prize is offered.

 

 About Juju Band:

 

The Juju Band is used for 2 different purposes.

 First, it is used on the newborn as a shield to protect the navel from wetness and constant contact of diapers and clothing. This helps reduce the likelihood of irritation and infection in the first weeks until the navel cord falls off.

 

 Secondly, the Infant band helps to relieve colic and soothe fussy babies. The snug fit calms and comforts even the most finicky infants. Its design is simple and made to accommodate even the busiest of parents! Families from all cultures have discovered the benefits of Juju Band. Juju Band Baby products are made from the highest quality cotton materials in the U.S.A. Sold at http://sears.com. For more information visit http://www.jujuband.com

 

 

 

Juju Band Feature In Children's Retail Today

 

 

Janet Muniz featured Juju Band in this week’s Children’s Retail Today.

 http://childrensretailtoday.com/2012/12/13/juju-band

 

 

 

 

 

Juju Band Helps Fight Cancer

 Juju Band  has just released their new Pink Ribbon pattern. Help fight Breast Cancer and help your baby's colic at the same time. http://jujuband.com