Maria Cummings is a devoted parent, wife and expert author on family matters and parenting. She is devoted to helping parents and to childrens organizations and activities. Maria is also the Sales Manager for Bustling Baby, LLC - a company focused on making parenting easier and offers many products to make life with baby easier, such as convertible car seats
You know it is possible to help reduce the amount of disposable diaper waste in landfills by using cloth diapers, but you are nervous about how to wash them. This is a common concern being raised by many young mothers who were raised with disposable diapers. You may be surprised...
You will be surprised at how different the "ideal" travel accommodations are for you once you have a child. 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...
I am finally able to say the words I have known I was destined to say, my baby is going to have a baby. She is thirty-nine years old, and this will be her first child. I'm so looking forward to this grandchild that I can hardly remember being this excited even when I was preparing to give birth to my daughter! I found myself perplexed during this joyous time - just what is an appropriate baby gift for a grandparent to give!
As people are beginning to understand how their behavior alters the planet, ecological consciousness is becoming a popular trend. Children are taught by their parents the importance of the environment as well as the interaction between themselves and their surroundings. Taking some simple measures in your home will instill in...
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. Depending...
You know it is possible to help reduce the amount of disposable diaper waste in landfills by using cloth diapers, but you are nervous about how to wash them. Many of today's young mothers were raised with disposable diapers and have this same concern. Cleaning cloth diapers is not as hard, or as gross, as you might think.
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.
During pregnancy, many people ask new parents a lot of questions - would you like a girl or boy? What color eyes do you hope she has? Do you think he'll have freckles? All valid questions, but what it comes down to for most parents? The two arms and two...
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?
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...
Bringing your little bundle of joy home from the hospital is a big event and can also be a little scary. But it is just a matter of being well prepared and then keeping alert to any signs that your newborn is having any problems. If any symptoms occur, call...
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...
From birth until approximately almost one year of age, your baby will not distinguish between himself and you. When he does start to understand that he is a separate person from you, he will realize that you can actually leave him and he can be alone. It is during this...
If you are having your first baby, you are most likely going to want to look around at other children the same age and compare your own child's progress to what other children can and cannot do. Having a general idea of what the usual development milestones are will be...
Travel systems can often be the best choice for a new parent who has a baby. Travel systems allow you to have a carrier and a stroller, allowing you to move the baby in any way you want. It saves the parents the cost of purchasing each individual piece. Some...
Baby shower games are a big part of a baby shower. They are good for livening up the party. First, it's a good idea let everyone introduce herself and say whether she is a friend or family member of the mother. You can play an icebreaker game to help your...
Though it is possible for your baby to be allergic to a certain food, the supposed food allergy is many times something else. About six percent of younger children in the United States have a food allergy. When your baby is allergic to a food his immune system goes to...
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...
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...
Bringing your little bundle of joy home from the hospital is a big event and can also be a little scary. But it is just a matter of being well prepared and then keeping alert to any signs that your newborn is having any problems. If any symptoms occur, call...
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...
You know it is possible to help reduce the amount of disposable diaper waste in landfills by using cloth diapers, but you are nervous about how to wash them. Many of today's young mothers were raised with disposable diapers and have this same concern. Cleaning cloth diapers is not as hard, or as gross, as you might think.
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...
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. Depending...
One thing that keeps most people awake at night, once they have decided to have a baby, is deciding on a name for their baby. These days, you can find out whether you are having a boy or a girl well before your baby is born, so you have plenty...
Baby ring slings are a versatile, fun and easy-to-use baby carrier that allows you to go anywhere with your baby snuggled up closely to you. Ring slings are the best known type of sling carrier and are generally the lowest cost option. Though some styles of ring slings can be...
As people are beginning to understand how their behavior alters the planet, ecological consciousness is becoming a popular trend. Children are taught by their parents the importance of the environment as well as the interaction between themselves and their surroundings. Taking some simple measures in your home will instill in...
Having a baby is a big event in your life. Have you thought about how it will affect your dog or cat? Since this will be a big, disruptive event in your dog or cat's life, it is best to prepare your pet for what is to come. Your pet...
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...

