You may be looking for the perfect designation for your new little infant or you may just be interested in names in general.

A good baby names book can provide great information and interesting details about common and not-so-common names for babies. Following is what you can expect to find in a great baby names book.

The first thing you would expect to discover when opening the pages in such a publication would be names for babies. However, a really good baby names book will have the different entries organized and easily accessible for the reader. The better publications will take a simple but organized approach.

A good baby names book will have a specific section dedicated to a specific subject.

This helps the reader narrow the search. I have seen this type of book arranged just by alphabetical order but this can be overwhelming to the reader who is trying to find a designation that has meaning and sentimental ties.

Of course, just about every baby names book will be arranged in alphabetical order for ease of use. However, there are different approaches to organizing the names for babies as well. A good publication will take care to help the reader access the necessary information quickly and effectively.

Aside from placing the words in alphabetical order, organizing the book according to gender is also a no-brainer. If you are looking for a boy’s name you simply go to the boy’s section and follow the names in alphabetical order. No problem.

But what if you are looking for something more?

You may have a heritage that you would like to celebrate. Maybe you want to choose a designation for your child that has a specific meaning. Many parents want more than a nice sounding name for their babies. They want to choose a meaningful word to associate with their child.

Today’s best baby names book will offer more information than you would have previously expected from earlier publications. You can find the origin of the name, the different spellings as well as the history of the names for babies. You will still have to do a lot of searching but you can find all the details in just one place.

We found our daughter’s name in a baby names book and I was thrilled that I found the origin of the name as well as the history behind it as well. The baby names book provides the meaning of the designation as well. You are sure to find more than just names in one of the newer publications.

While on my last vacation, I got some of the rudest glares from onlookers.

The worst I received was a lady who shook her head in dismay and continued walking. Apparently, she and some others were offended at the fact that my toddling toddler was walking next to me attached to a baby leash. I didn't feel it was their right to pass judgment for my choices but apparently they deemed it necessary. I used to be one of those people who glared at parents who had a baby leash attached to their child. I thought it was horrible.

Then, I became a parent and discovered just how easily and quickly your child can disappear from sight.

Not only can children wander off in a split second, but someone could grab them and flee in a moment as well. Once I was a parent, I could not enjoy taking my child shopping as much as I could have. I was constantly making sure that she was within my reach at all times and making myself aware of the people around me as well. I found that I was spending more time being concerned and paranoid than being productive. I was shopping in a baby store one afternoon and saw a baby leash. I suddenly remembered how I'd felt about seeing parents using them and was shocked at the fact that I was now contemplating purchasing one. Five minutes later, I was standing in line with a baby leash in my hand. I wasn't sure if I should be upset with myself or not.

I was almost embarrassed to use it the first time but my best friend and I decided we needed to run some errands and we'd see how my daughter would react to it.

Surprisingly, it didn't even faze her. It did faze onlookers but I convinced myself that if they had a problem with me wanting my child to be safe at all times in public, then that was their problem. My daughter actually rather enjoyed the baby leash because it gave her something to hang onto that was attached to me. She didn't seem to be as clingy as she could be at times. I managed to get much more accomplished because I knew that she would not be able to wander as far as she had been able to previously.

The baby leash was attractive and safe for both of us.

It provided some entertainment for her and peace of mind for me. I do not use the baby leash constantly. I tend to only bring the baby leash out when I know that we will be in a busy environment or a new place. I know that if she's attached to me, it will make both of us feel more secure. So, the next time you want to glare at me for having my child on a baby leash, remember that I love her enough to put her on one.

editor's note: We are getting a baby leash for our energetic 15 month son.

There are so many choices available in baby boy birth announcements that making a decision on the right one for your newborn may be a little confusing.

You can put hours into sorting through the different designs and products on the market but if you do a little planning ahead of time you may make a decision in no time at all.

The first thing you want to consider is the general style you want to present.

You can choose from traditional baby boy birth announcements or you can find great new innovations in theme and design. Consider your family’s overall personality when deciding which theme to choose.

Some families take pride in presenting traditional values and decorum when it comes to this type of communication.

These families prefer classic baby boy birth announcements that have soft blue colors or clean black and white designs. One classic design is the ever loveable baby’s feet sticking out from a soft blue blanket.

Sports and baby boy birth announcements go hand in hand for many of us.

Sports enthusiasts have a lot of choices in design and style with this favorite theme. You can choose from a number of sports including football, baseball and even hockey. These baby boy birth announcements are great for a casual vehicle of communication.

Other families like to convey a sense of humor and levity in the baby boy birth announcements.

There are plenty of options for these individuals. One of my favorite designs involves a sports theme as well. There are baby boy birth announcements that are designed to look like the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine. The child’s picture and his details are the headline and cover photo on these adorable prints.

There are still a lot of other options available, too. Many parents opt for a modern style and look to their baby boy birth announcements. Most of these designs have interesting, clean lines and innovative color combinations. A popular combination of unusual colors includes blues and browns that are unique as well as attractive.

Many families choose character baby boy birth announcements in a variety of styles and themes.

The adorable little drawings add interest and general cuteness to the theme. Artists spend a lot of hours developing just the right designs that appeal to a wide range of tastes in these baby announcements.

No matter your taste or style you are sure to find many baby boy birth announcements that reflect your family’s personality.

Any parent will tell you that babies and sleeping do not go hand-in-hand.

This may come as a surprise to many expecting parents but it is true. We commonly think that all little babies do is sleep, eat and soil diapers. Nothing could be further from the truth.

It may seem as if the 18 hours of sleep that the newborn is getting slips right through your fingers. That is because it does. There are two major components to babies and sleeping. There is, of course, the infant’s rest. There is also your rest as well. It is important to approach these two separate entities as a whole.

When you approach babies and sleeping as a paired activity you look at the entire situation differently. If you can, try to sleep when the baby rests. This is much more difficult than it seems considering the little one’s unique patterns. However, it is worth the effort.

When I gave birth to my daughter I thought that I knew everything there was to know about babies and sleeping. I was terribly wrong. After reading everything I could about the subject there was no preparing me for the obstacle of trying to rest with a newborn.

I was thrilled that my daughter was born in the afternoon. I thought that I would get a lot of sleep in the hospital during my overnight stay. This did not happen the way that I planned. The nurse brought my little girl to me for feedings every two hours.

Of course, I expected this because I had read every article about babies and sleeping that I could before the big day. What I didn’t expect was that I could not get to sleep. I wanted my daughter in the room with me at all times and when she was taken back to the nursery I was left tossing and turning and crying.

There was lots of crying because I had post partum depression. This obstacle makes babies and sleeping two very difficult challenges. I was so overwhelmed that I couldn’t stop crying. I also could not get to sleep. I didn’t feel like the happy new mother that I expected to be.

Things got better after we got home but I did not sleep for a few days. There is a balance between babies and sleeping that I could not seem to grasp. The suggestion that I sleep when the baby naps was wonderful. I highly recommend that any new mom does the same.

A woman who suspects that she may be pregnant will often purchase an over the counter pregnancy test.

Pregnancy tests are available in many different brands, with single or multiple tests per package. Most of them require the user to urinate on a stick or in a cup, but a few test with a drop of blood instead. Some have a digital readout, and others will show a plus sign or double line in the event that it detects enough pregnancy hormone to determine a pregnancy.

Some pregnancy tests are “early” pregnancy tests. That means that they are designed to detect a small enough amount of the pregnancy hormone to determine if a woman is pregnant as early as the first day of a missed period, or even a day or two before the period is due.

The fine print on the boxes will tell you that 65% of pregnant women had a positive result when tested two days before the period was due, and the percentage increased with each passing day. These are usually accurate, but the most accurate results are achieved after the period was expected. A woman will not get a false positive in most cases, but a negative result will occur if there is not enough pregnancy hormone detectable yet, even if the pregnancy is positive.

The highest level of pregnancy hormone is found in first-morning urine.

That is the best time to use a pregnancy test strip. Most of the kind a woman urinates on need to be saturated with urine in order to work properly. Therefore, be sure to hold the stick in the urine stream for 3 good seconds or more.

It takes about 5 minutes for the urine to travel down the strip and the results to be indicated. The stick must be read within 10 minutes, or it may indicate a positive result after 10 minutes, even if the result is actually negative. Positive results that show up within the first 10 minutes may be very faint. This would happen if it is early, and the pregnancy hormone is just barely detected. Even a faint result is a positive result. The woman can confirm the positive by taking another test a day or two later to see a darker line appear.

Pregnancy tests are very accurate when used correctly.

But, remember, they must be used at the right time of the month. Too early, and a false negative result will occur, due to the need for the pregnancy hormone to be present in a high enough quantity for the stick to measure. If the menstrual period is two weeks late, and the pregnancy test is still negative, an appointment with the doctor might be indicated.

If you are pregnant, you should call your doctor and make an appointment. The first pregnancy appointment is usually at around 12 weeks of pregnancy, in order to be able to hear the baby’s heartbeat.

Birth announcements are traditional bearers of good news.

Babies bring such joy to a couple’s life and choosing the right one isn’t always an easy task. Many couples who are expecting a baby choose to find out if the baby is a boy or a girl in advance. My husband and I chose not to find out our baby’s sex in advance. We did not know whether to order baby boy announcements or baby girl announcements.

I did not want to wait until after we had the baby to buy the cards because I wasn’t sure what to expect after giving birth. I didn’t want to risk taking too long to send the joyful news to our friends and family. Fortunately, there are blank birth announcements available to those of us who like surprises.

The blank birth announcements are every bit as attractive as the boy and girl announcements and they are the same quality as well. These cards can be ordered online and there are many available to consider. The blank birth announcements do not have the traditional blue or pink details, but you can opt to purchase the cards in other colors that are appropriate for a baby.

I chose white for the cards, but I did have my eye on a blank birth announcement that was adorned with many different pastel colors. This colorful card was supposed to be appropriate for boys and girls, but I decided to opt for the white because the pastel colors seemed too feminine.

I was sure that I was having a baby boy. I was wrong.

I almost bought cards to introduce our little bundle of joy that were a beautiful pale blue. I did fall in love with those blue cards but I’m glad that I held back. The cards had a pair of adorable, bare baby feet and I just couldn’t resist the cute scene. I was glad to find out that the same design was available with a white background on blank birth announcements.

I was able to have my favorite design that captured the spirit of the joyful occasion while still keeping the mystery of whether we were having a boy or a girl. The benefit of having the blank birth announcements is that you have a little time to get to know the baby before writing the news on the cards.

I loved being able to tell friends and family that our daughter has a firm grip and pink skin. If I had written the announcements while I was still carrying her, I wouldn’t have included those valuable details. I will choose blank birth announcements for our next child. We will be ready for anything.

I have two sister-in-laws who really test my ability to deal with people who are clinically insane.

Both of these ladies are currently pregnant which really pushes the emotional envelop of the extended family unit. Even the thrill of hearing an unborn baby’s heart beat using the popular Bebe Sounds product has become a reason for drama and general unrest in this very hormonal, unbalanced family.

Sister-in-law number one is a healthy, voluptuous woman who is very pregnant and a little rotund. I mean this in the nicest way possible. Sister-in-law number two is basically a runway model who looks like she swallowed a tennis ball. Needless to say, sister-in-law number two gets on everyone’s last nerve.

Since my rotund sister-in-law has been pregnant a whole month longer than skinny sister number two, I decided to lend her my Bebe Sounds heart monitor so she could hear her baby’s heartbeat. I did so with the warning that she may not be able to hear anything.

This warning comes from experience. I could hear everything through the Bebe Sounds heart monitor except for the baby’s heart. I heard the traffic running up and down my street. I heard my neighbor’s washer and dryer running but I heard not one trace of the baby’s heart beating using the Bebe Sounds monitor.

There is good reason for this. I lived in a noisy apartment in a noisy neighborhood next to a loud woman who had two loud teenagers. The Bebe Sounds monitor instructs users to go to a very quiet place when using the device.

My very hormonal heavy-set sister-in-law had no luck with Bebe Sounds, either. She tried using the monitor in dead silence to no avail. Her aggravation led me to instruct her to simply throw the thing away. We had to have gotten a dysfunctional model but I didn’t have the receipt or the energy to get another Bebe Sounds monitor. I just thought it would be best to let the whole thing go.

Skinny sister-in-law number two calls me. It usually means she wants something when she picks up the phone. This conversation was no exception. She wanted the Bebe Sounds heart monitor.

When I told her that we threw it away, she shrieked in disgust. I went on to explain that we bought a defective Bebe Sounds monitor but I couldn’t return it. Sister-in-law number two replied, “It probably didn’t work because you two have all that extra fat. The vibrations just couldn’t get through.”

She went on to explain how she would not have that problem.

I went on to explain that I would contact my chubby sister-in-law and the three of us could discuss the whole thing together. Sister-in-law number two passed on the Bebe Sounds discussion.

One of the newest trends in communication with babies is using baby sign language.

Many parents are using sign language to facilitate communication with their little ones and it has proven to be very effective. Babies and toddlers are very limited in their ability to tell others what they want and need. Using baby sign language is an effective way to help a little one process language.

Baby sign language helps reduce the number of tantrums that a toddler has.

Many times, a toddler will become extremely frustrated when he is unable to tell others what he needs. He does not have the skills required to articulate his wants and needs through speech.

Gestures are much easier for a baby to use and the gestures do not have to match the American Sign Language designated signs for objects and activities. A baby can use a waving gesture to ask for a cookie. As long as his caretakers know what the gesture means, it works.

Parents can begin using baby sign language through modeling. Sign language is very visual and it is easier for a baby to remember than spoken words. The baby begins to connect the spoken word with the gesture and with the object or activity very quickly. My daughter does not use sign language yet, but she understands signs for the words “more, want, help, ball, play” and “eat” on sight. Gradually, she will begin to imitate the baby sign language and finally she will use the words.

My daughter does not like when I use hand-over-hand prompts to help her use sign language and many babies won’t. They need to observe the gestures and pick them up gradually. Baby sign language should not be forced and it should not be structured. The best approach to using sign language for babies is to connect the words with the signs and with the object or activity.

One of the most popular signs to teach first is “more” because it is very easy for a baby to understand. If you are swinging a baby in a swing, take a moment to stop swinging and sign “more” before continuing the activity. It is not necessary to require the baby to use sign language. Modeling the signs is a great way to introduce them. The baby will eventually begin using the sign language on his own as he learns to imitate.

Once the little one begins to use baby sign language, you will find that he also begins to articulate the words associated with the signs.

Make it fun.

Involve activities and things that the baby loves and you will have a great start on building your child’s communication skills. Baby sign language is the first step to developing good communication skills, and in turn, good behavior.

Baby Crying 101

Communication - that's what a baby's crying is for.

This sweet thing that suddenly turn into a fit of tears is just craving for your sweeter attention. All cultures in the world nod to this pattern all infants are accustomed to.

A baby cries the most during his or her first three months. Though the amount of crying steadily increase, the crying time period may vary from an hour to most of the day and this could still be considered within normal range. Like, whoah, right? Babies are also known as howling tear factories.

Some thought that a baby cries more during the afternoon accounting it to the anxiousness of the mother or the stressed mood of the father after going home from work. But the most accepted assumption now is that babies have this automatic screening ability they use to shut off all the noise that may stimulate some response from them so they could get enough rest. But in the long run, this filter weakens and totally disappears during the approximate age of six weeks. This, then, make a baby very sensitive to the external factors such as noise, movements, etc. And these generally elicit a reaction from a baby and how best could he or she respond but only through crying.

There are many reasons why a baby succumbs to crying. Deciphering these reasons is the major feat a parent must surmount. Here are some of the things your sweetsome baby is making you understand through crying.

Hunger

Yes, your attention-hungry baby is craving to let you know that his tummy is grumbling. This is the most common reason for a baby to cry, especially, during his early months. The pattern of the hunger howl could be characterized as being persistent, demanding and almost rhythmical. But that rhythm is not at any rate close to becoming musical, of course.


Boredom

What can I say? Aren't these babies just plain spoiled?
Crying because of boredom, errr, I'd find that a bit more twisted or weird if it's with an adult that is. But babies are really built like this. Crying is their way of telling you, "Hey get me a life here!" Aside from attention and food, consequently, babies need a lot of stimulation. And when they don't get this, there you get your waaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!!! The trick is to pick the baby up and play with him. This move may be frowned upon by some because of its amounting to spoiling the baby. But it is important to know that stimulation is also one of the major necessities of an infant and it won't hurt to provide him with some while in his growing age. This boredom cry is said to be also rhythmical and full of sobs and moans.

Discomfort

Pain is another precursor of the baby's crying. Who won't cry when in pain, right? Babies are not Major Paynes to endure the most excruciating discomfort they could undergo. They are little, vulnerable beings that need to be attended to when injured or when in an inconvenient situation. This cry could be more persistent, louder and more demanding. Shrieking and screaming, those are words that better describe the crying pattern roused by pain.

Another cause may be disturbance; surely, howling will proceed just when they're about to sleep or are already fast asleep and suddenly gets surprised by some noise, or movement.

An illness that causes discomfort to a baby may also be the reason for a baby's bursting into fit of tears.

"What do we name the baby?"

One of the first challenges that new parents face is choosing a name for their new baby.

This may sound like no-brainer and something low on the list of priorities, when faced with the seemingly daunting world of parenthood. Even so, choosing baby names can be very time-consuming, frustrating and even a source of consternation for new parents.

There are so many things to consider when selecting the perfect name for your child. Many parents don't have a clue about where to begin and feel completely overwhelmed. The best place to start is with a list. Both parents should take a few minutes and jot down the first ten baby names that come to mind that they would deem suitable for the new baby. It's not as difficult as it sounds - it's actually surprising, how many unique and quality names have been stored in your memory, just as you go through your every day life.

Make sure that you list names for both boys and girls, unless you already know the sex of your baby.

Once the lists are complete, both parents should sit down and eliminate any names that either parent objects to. Even if only a couple of names remain between the two lists, this is a good start.

The next step, after this brainstorming session, is to define some agreed upon parameters for your baby names. Think about and discuss your preferences for cultural backgrounds, family names and number of syllables. You can also narrow it down to include only names starting with specific letters. Make sure that you keep plenty of paper handy and be aware when you are out and about. Listen for potential names when you're in the grocery store, listening to the radio and walking through a park. You'll be surprised at how tuned in you become.

Make sure to use the Internet when hunting for baby names.

So much of the work is already done for you. Using any search engine, type in the phrase 'baby names' and a huge amount of websites will appear, handling all facets of the subject. You can narrow down your search any way you wish. There are even forums where you can browse other people's name ideas and post your own to get unbiased feedback as you work through your choices.

As you start to narrow down your list, pay special attention to the potential for teasing. Think of any negative words that may rhyme with or sound like the names you are considering. Also, look out for undesirable letter combinations formed by the initials of any baby names that have made it on your list.

Try writing out the names that you come up with and make sure to say them out loud, to ensure that they roll of the tongue with ease. Again, be aware of any similarities to negative words or phrases that may be formed by certain name combinations.

It is also a good idea, to ask friends and family for their thoughts and ideas. But beware! Your parents are from another generation and they may be stuck in a rut when it comes to good baby name choices. Too, siblings can be very opinionated and may try to take over the naming process.

Just remember, that getting opinions on your baby names can be helpful, but at the end of the day, what you name your baby is up to you and your partner. You have the final say! If certain people have an aversion to a name that is high on your list, stick to your guns! Once people get to know your baby and form an affectionate bond, you will find that they quickly forget any negative connotation they may have had with the name, and come to love the baby, name and all!!

So remember, choosing a name for your baby is a big job, but it can be a lot of fun and it's a good way to get your mind off the aches and pains that come with pregnancy. Going over baby names is something you can do with your partner, and it allows them to play an active role in the baby's life even before the actual birth.

So rather than waiting to the last minute, take the time to go through the process, and you'll be sure to select a name that is perfect for your baby and lasts a lifetime!


We hope this helps You!


Babies then Grown-Ups
welcome Your feedback.

So you're one month pregnant..

Technically when most people think of a pregnant woman, they think of someone who is bloated, out of shape and is trundling along with a swollen belly.

But little do they realize that that visual spectacle of pregnancy is restricted to the last few months. Or even the last month. Most women who are in the early stages of pregnancy are not even visually distinguishable from several other women who walk around. And this is especially so in the case of women who are 1 month pregnant.

Women who are 1 month pregnant don’t look any different from other women. Sure they feel different. In fact, one of the first signs that they are pregnant is indicated to them by the way they feel. A missed period is universally accepted as an indication that a woman is pregnant. But when a woman is 1 month pregnant, a missed period does not feel any different than when she misses her period due to other, extraneous causes like stress or an unhealthy lifestyle.

A woman who is 1 month pregnant however has some symptoms like nausea, weakness etc. But these are not mandatory issues for all women who are 1 month pregnant. In fact, some women may not have any of these symptoms at all.

Some of the other things that women who are 1 month pregnant face include a sudden dislike (or in some cases, like) for otherwise familiar foods. Some women start hating their morning dose of coffee and begin vomiting if they force themselves to have it. Other women suddenly find that they are unable to enjoy a glass of wine or other alcohol. This is especially so in the case of foods that are pungent or have strong flavors. But most women who in the early stages of their pregnancy, as early as 1 month pregnant, show some or all of these signs. This would be a good time to realize that they are pregnant. And to take the necessary steps to ensure a healthy yet balanced diet.

But a constant complaint that all women who are 1 month pregnant have is that they are forced to make umpteen number of visits to the loo! For most of them, it is more of an embarrassment as they find themselves taking more than the usual toilet breaks. And especially in the early months of the pregnancy, when the bulge is as yet invisible, they might seem to be shirking work or being rather incontinent! But a vast majority of women, especially those who are 1 month pregnant, face this problem.

So, you just found out you're pregnant, congratulations!

How far along are you? How do you measure that? Well, it all depends on how well you kept track of your cycle. Health care providers and OBGYNs count pregnancy from the first day of your last menstrual period.

That would make you approximately 4-5 weeks pregnant by the time your next period is late, around the time you took your home pregnancy test. Gee, that went fast, right?

But, you have not technically been pregnant that long! You're most likely 2 weeks pregnant, if measured by the actual date of ovulation and conception. The pregnancy really began when your egg was fertilized, 10-14 days ago.

When a woman conceives, it is within a 24-48 hour window either before or after ovulation occurs. This is usually around day 14-18 of a woman's cycle. But let's go back to the beginning of this cycle. You're 2 weeks pregnant, so when did your cycle start?

The first cycle day is the first day of the menstrual period. It may last 5-7 days.

Then, in another week, the ovaries prepare to release an egg. Ovulation typically occurs between day 14 and 18 of that cycle. If there is sperm at the top of the fallopian tube waiting for the release of the egg, (sperm can survive for up to 5 days), the egg could be fertilized. It takes another 6-8 days for a fertilized egg to implant in the uterus. Then, the hormones are released that will cause the body's temperature to be higher than usual and create a warm, protective environment for the fertilized egg. These hormones can be detected about 10-14 days after ovulation and fertilization. So, do the math, you are 2 weeks pregnant counting from the date of conception.

However, because most women don't keep track of when they have ovulated, OBGYNs count from the first day of the last menstrual period, assuming that a woman's cycle is normally about 4 weeks. That, however, is a broad generalization because women's cycles vary greatly from that average. So, if you know the approximate average length of your cycles, you can better adjust the time frame for your pregnancy. If you have a 5-week cycle typically, then you would say that you are 4 weeks pregnant, even though it has been 5 weeks since your period began, in order to be more accurate with the way your OB will measure your pregnancy.

Pregnancy is approximately 40 weeks in length, counting 4 weeks since your last period started, but not taking into account a woman who has longer cycles than 4 weeks. So, if your period was just late, consider yourself 4 weeks pregnant rather than 5, and add time to account for how long you waited to test after your period was due. Congratulations! You are 2 weeks pregnant! But, tell your ob that you're 4 weeks pregnant (or more)!