Pacifiers for your baby or toddler

Pacifiers are a great tool to help soothe your kids when upset, sick to their stomach with gas or teething. I recommend having them in your purse, diaper bag, car and anything else you carry when you are with your child.

Choosing a pacifier that is right for you baby can be tricky. Here are some important things to look for in pacifier:

• Try and get one that is odorless and tasteless so you don't have any problems with possible allergies.
• Make sure they are vented which will help you ensure that they are properly sterilized with heat and steam.
• Make sure the design of the pacifier does not interfere with your baby's developing mouth.
• Get a pacifier clip like Mud Pie Initial Baby Initial Baby Personalized Pacifier Clip, Letter G that has a sturdy clasp so it cant be pulled off of clothes but make sure that it also won't rip or tear clothes.

When your baby uses a pacifier make sure you wipe their mouth frequently because they may drool, especially when teething, and their little mouths can become chapped due to the excess saliva.

One other accessory you can buy for your child's pacifier is a JJ Cole Pacifier Pod - Cocoa Tree. These pacifier pods are stylish and convenient. You can clip the handle to your purse, belt loop, diaper bag or stroller. They are machine washable so you can sterilize any and all germs. They help keep your baby's pacifier clean and you can also store two pacifiers in the pod so if your baby happens to drop on on the floor you have a back up. Try to wean your kids off pacifiers slowly when they are over 18 months. The earlier you do, the easier it will be on everyone.

Visit One Stop Shop for Kids for pacifiers and accessories for babies and kids!

Author of A Humorous Guide to Being a First Time Mom and Bright and White Brushing Your Teeth Can Be Fun! Both available on Amazon.

First Aid Kits for Parents and Kids

Scrapes, cuts, bumps, bruises and more are fears for parents. No parent ever wants their child or any other child for that matter to get hurt in any way shape or form but in the event that it happens it is always a smart idea to have a first aid kit not only at home but also in your car or diaper bag. You don't have to go out to the store to purchase a ready made kit like the Classy Kid Inc. Boo-Boo Rescue First Aid & Bravery Kit, although they make life a little easier, you can make your own. Items you need or should include in a first aid safety kit are:

• Antiseptic Wipes
• Gauze
• Band-aids (you can use plain or buy some with your child's favorite characters on them like Band-Aid Brand Adhesive Bandages, Dora the Explorer Decorated Bandages, 25-Count Bandages (Pack of 8))
• Wound cleanser
• Tweezers for splinters
• Antibiotic Cream
• Small scissors for cutting gauze or cutting clothes to get to a wound
• Cooling pack for little bumps to the head or burns
• Rubber Gloves

Other items you can include in your kit are bug spray, aspirator, nail clippers, thermometer, diaper rash creams, and wipes. Make sure to keep these items not only handy but also make sure that you periodically check the expiration dates on all of these items so nothing you may use is out of date. Another smart thing for parents to do is to take a CPR class if your children are frequently around water and to also freshen up on all other life saving skills they may need.

Visit http://www.onestopshopforkids.com for everything you need for babies and kids!

Author of A Humorous Guide to Being a First Time Mom and Bright and White Brushing Your Teeth Can Be Fun! Both available on Amazon.

Changing Tables and Their Purpose

When you begin planning your nursery you will definitely need a crib and you will probably want a rocker or glider for all the late night feedings but a necessity is some kind of changing table. These tables are very helpful to mothers and they add elegance and storage to a nursery. A changing table serves the very purpose of its name...a table you use to change your baby's diaper and its clothes.

The tables are also used for the following purposes:

• Changing your baby's diapers
• Changing you baby's clothes
• Storing diaper changing essentials
• Storing your baby's pajamas or blankets
• Showcasing your baby's stuffed animals, picture frames or other keepsakes that help complete the nursery decor.

What you need to look for when buying one for your nursery:

• Make sure that the changing table has a lip on it so the baby sits down on the table and can not roll off the side due to the protective lip.
• Try to buy one that has either shelves or doors so you can use them for storing the items you need to care for your child like diapers, wipes, diaper rash cream, alcohol for the umbilical stump, etc.
• Always use safety straps when changing your baby for extra security since babies like to squirm while getting their diaper changed. If the table does not come with straps make sure to buy a changing pad that comes with them.

Remember NEVER ever leave your kids unattended on a table. Your child could roll off and seriously hurt themselves.

Visit http://www.onestopshopforkids.com/kidschangingtables.html for a great selection changing table for your baby.

Author of A Humorous Guide to Being a First Time Mom and Bright and White Brushing Your Teeth Can Be Fun! Both available on Amazon.