Maria Cummings

Letting my mother care for my baby for an overnight visit was intended to provide me rest. I had never been away from my daughter for any length of time in her short four month old lifetime. For over a month, my mother had been asking to keep her for an overnight visit, and I could not put it off any longer. Preparing everything to get her to grandma's house made me feel like I needed a vacation. Add to all that the discomfort of being away from my daughter for the first time.

Why did the staff let me leave the hospital with this helpless little creature? These were the thoughts I had the day baby and I came home from the hospital. Newborns are so different than the cute, chubby babies I had babysat for long ago - and this baby was totally my responsibility! The realization hit me all at once - I was the parent and was supposed to have all the answers. Apparently there was no secret "confidence booster switch" which was flipped into the ON position after giving birth.

Having children traveling with you will alter your concept of the perfect travel accommodations. Before becoming a parent, you wanted a room that was in the middle of the action because you were there to party; now, you have a tiny tot to care for and if he’s not happy and satisfied, you certainly aren’t going to have much of a vacation. When traveling with an infant, what are the key considerations to help you find the best hotel accommodations?

The worldwide movement to being more environmentally conscious is an increasing trend. The importance of the environment and how to be aware of the ramifications of our actions is instilled in our youth by their parents. A few simple steps at home will develop an understanding of personal action and environmental awareness in your child. Instilling earth-friendly ideas and behaviors in your children helps make these steps part of their day to day lives.

Several pediatric studies have found that wearing your baby offers important benefits to your baby’s mental, emotional, and physical development. Parents can realize the best possible developmental benefits for their children using any type of baby carrier. Selecting a baby carrier can be a daunting task for many parents. Like everything else for your family, the type of carrier that you choose will be unique to your body and needs.

As your baby’s birth approaches, you may find yourself so caught up in the homecoming event that you may overlook items you need to help make your baby’s arrival home as smooth as possible. To avoid this hiccup, it is a great idea to slowly purchase required products before your due date so you can make sure you have everything you need and you have time to procure any missed items.

If you're like me, and most other parents, one of the most exciting times for you is when your baby learns to crawl. It's a big milestone that most of us try our best to capture on camera. But is there a way that you can help your baby learn...

Mei Tai carriers are soft, unstructured baby carriers that allow caregivers a convenient way to carry or "wear" their infants and toddlers. The Mei Tai is an Asian-style carrier, based on the carriers first seen hundreds years ago where mothers wrapped their baby in a large scrap of cloth, then...

Some people prefer to carry their babies in baby carriers, while others prefer the convenience of strollers in order to get around with their children. There are some people who prefer both, however. Many parents purchase both a separate baby carrier with a handle, and a stroller, since they think...

The Eddie Bauer High Back Booster Seat is one of the newest additions to the Eddie Bauer collection of baby gear. When you are looking for comfort and safety, this booster seat is one of the best on the market. It will keep your child safe from their toddler years...