Sunday, September 30, 2018

Top 5 Best Baby Carrier Cover | 2018 Reviews

Top 5 Best Baby Carrier Cover | 2018 Reviews

Winter is coming, says the motto of the House Stark. It is meant to remind the people to be in constant vigilance for whatever might be coming ahead and, for parents living in the present times, it could also be a literal warning. Going around with a baby or having a vacation with a toddler during the winter months is not something to be taken lightly, after all.

Among the most important things that parents in countries with four seasons is finding a way to keep their babies warm even if they are out for the day. Jackets are effective to use but they can also be bulky and minimizes the warm contact of bodies between a parent and a child. Thankfully, the baby carrier cover is here to the rescue.

How do you look for the right baby carrier covers for you and your little one? It all depends on many factors.

For example, it might depend on the season and average temperature in your place. If you do not really get a decent amount of snow but still experience chilly winds, a lighter fabric that can still keep you warm might be a good choice. If snow and rain are issues, go for baby covers that can resist water so you and your little one will not get soaked through.

You might also want to consider the flexibility that these winter covers have. Some parents love those that can be used whether on a front carry or a back carry. There are also covers that can be used not just on a baby carrier but can also double as a car seat cover or even a grocery cart cover. Cool, right?

Now, if you’re ready, we’ve come up with a list of the top 5 best baby carrier covers for you to choose from.​

Quick Comparison Table

Bebamour Universal Hoodie All-Season Carrier Cover

BabyBjorn Cover for Baby Carrier

Mommy’s Joy NurseMe Infant Carrier Cover

Stretchy 4-in-1 Carseat Canopy | Nursing Cover

Cozy Cover

Bebamour Universal Hoodie All-Season Carrier Cover
BabyBjorn Cover for Baby Carrier
Mommy’s Joy NurseMe Infant Carrier Cover
Stretchy 4-in-1 Carseat Canopy | Nursing Cover
Cozy Cover

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

10.6 ounces

13 ounces

6.2 ounces

11 ounces

13.6 ounces

Bebamour Universal Hoodie All-Season Carrier Cover

Bebamour Universal Hoodie All-Season Carrier Cover

Baby wearing moms, rejoice, here is the best infant carrier cover that you and your baby can use!

It can be tricky to find a universal hoodie, especially one that can be used during all seasons, which is why we give a double – and even triple – thumbs-up to this product. Why do we love it so much? Let us count the ways.

For starters, it fits all types and sizes of baby carriers and can be used for infants and up to five years old (if you can still carry them, that is). This carrier cover will keep them warm, dry, clean and well-covered even when you are out on the streets. Whether you love carrying your baby in front or at the back really does not matter because this cover can be used either way.

However, things do not just end there. Aside from being a carrier cover, it can also be used for other purposes including as a stroller cover, a poncho, a nursing cover and many other things. The hat in this baby carrier winter cover can be detached through its zipper and buckle so when it starts to get a little warmer, they can be taken off. The carrier cover’s front also comes with a pocket to put in essentials for both parent and kiddo but they also work great as a hand warmer.

A few things to note, though: although this baby carrier cover is made with water repellant materials, it is not recommended to stay out for long during a rainy day or whenever there is access to water as it is not good for the baby. Moms will also rejoice that this cover can be machine washed but it is still recommended to wash it by hand to help protect and lengthen the life of its attachments. Just do occasional spot cleaning instead.

There is no doubt, this baby carrier cover is right at the top of our list!​

Details of the Bebamour Universal Hoodie All-Season Carrier Cover

Weight

10.6 ounces

Dimensions

33.9 x 1.2 x 19.7 inches

Color

Green (Coffee Brown), Red, Yellow, Dark Purple

BabyBjorn Cover for Baby Carrier

BabyBjorn Cover for Baby Carrier

Are you looking for the best baby carrier winter cover especially since the snowy days is just a few months away? Look no further because we have just the perfect product for you to check.

The Baby bjorn carrier cover is everything that you are looking for in a carrier cover and more. For starters, it is made from polyester as well as fleece to help it water repellant and windproof. After all, it is these situations that we want our little ones to be protected from, right? Using this when going out especially during the winter months will help keep your babies safe, warm and dry without you having to don a lot of bulky and heavy accessories.

This baby carrier cover is lightweight and flexible so you do not have to worry when it comes to switching your baby’s position. Whether they are facing forward or facing you, it works perfectly in keeping them warm and covered. No need to worry about getting yet another product for yet another position your child is in.

Perhaps our only main gripe about using this product is that it can take a while and lots of trial and error for one to get the perfect fit. Sadly, the instructions were not of much help but when you do figure it out, things become much easier and comfortable for everyone. It even stays roomy inside so your baby won’t feel cramped inside and you still have some room for an extra blanket to make them feel snug.

There might also be some difficulty in trying to use this on another carrier as it uses loops that go on around the buckles in a Baby Bjorn carrier. Perhaps a workaround can be done instead.We certainly love that this comes lined with fleece but the fact that there are a few glitches around made us decide to put this one on second spot.

Details of the BabyBjorn Cover for Baby Carrier

Weight

13 ounces

Dimensions

11.9 x 5.3 x 3.1 inches

Color

Black

Mommy’s Joy NurseMe Infant Carrier Cover

Mommy’s Joy NurseMe Infant Carrier Cover

If you are looking for flexible and multiuse baby carrier covers, you should definitely look into adding this product into your list. It is super functional that it can be used in five different ways and maybe even more, depending on where your imagination takes you.

So, what is so great about this cover for baby carrier? Well, for starters, it can be used as a nursing cover and can fit you and a toddler without a problem. It may even fit a slightly older kid if needed. This stretchy fabric can be used all throughout the year as it is made from 95% rayon and 5% spandex. Whether you are planning to use it to keep your kiddos protected from the sun, rain, germs, wind, dust, cold and even some mild snow or rain, it works quite well!

Another reason we love using this product is that they are huge enough to be used as a cover for an infant car seat so your sleeping infant can stay warm and protected even when you are carrying them outside in harsher conditions. Yet another great feature which we have not seen in other similar products is that they are huge enough to be converted into a stroller cover. If the canopy is just not enough to give them full protection then you can definitely use this one. Or, if your toddler gets cold inside the car, it can also be used as a car seat blanket. You do not have to worry about it falling because you can wrap it around the seat so they stay secured.

Perhaps the biggest drawback to using these types of multifunctional products is that they tend to look great only in pictures but not so much in real life. Busy moms might find it hard to set this up for every type of situation they are in so if they could master at least one function, that is already a big step. For this reason, it goes to the middle position in our list.

Details of the Mommy’s Joy NurseMe Infant Carrier Cover

Weight

6.2 ounces

Dimensions

7.9 x 7.9 x 1.4 inches

Color

Black/White

Stretchy 4-in-1 Carseat Canopy | Nursing Cover

Stretchy 4-in-1 Carseat Canopy | Nursing Cover

If you are looking for a fashionable and flexible baby carrier covers, you should definitely look into this new product that is taking the world of baby products by storm.

What is so great about this product? Well, for starters, it looks really cool and fashionable so regardless of how you use it, you will definitely feel proud using it. Whether you are just a babywearing parent or a breastfeeding mom, you will certainly love using this product every single day.

This product, which can also be used as a carseat canopy, is made from soft and non-scratchy fabric and can be used all throughout the year. No matter what season it is, it will keep your baby safe, warm and germ-free. This will help you protect them from germs, the weather, the cold, the wind and even strangers without making things complicated for you.

But, what we even like more about this product is that it can be used in many different ways. It works quite well as a nursing cover so you can also double it as a carrier cover even if you are not currently breastfeeding. Another way to use it would be to cover those infant car seats in case you are transporting them from one point to another outside the house. It can also be used as a shopping grocery cart cover, perfect for moms who are scared of germs. And lastly, when they are not in use, they can be used as an infinity scarf for the fashionable mama. Sounds cool, right?

While the fabric is made from soft and breathable material, parents do not have to worry as it certainly keeps the wind out. This might not be great for use when there is water involved but, as previously mentioned, it might be best to just keep the baby indoors when that happens.

Perhaps this cover will feel a little too crowded to use on older kids and setup also takes time but we will still place this on fourth spot since it looks really beautiful.​

Details of the Stretchy 4-in-1 Carseat Canopy | Nursing Cover

Weight

11 ounces

Dimensions

28 x 24 x 0.2 inches

Color

Vintage Navy Floral, Grey Arrow, Pink Floral

Cozy Cover

Cozy Cover

Although this isn’t exactly a carrier cover, we still included this in the list for moms of infants who are looking for a cover to keep their babies warm during the winter months. We have included two infant car seat winter covers but when it comes to protection against cold temperatures and even snow and rain, nothing definitely beats this cozy cover for babies.

Why should you consider getting this product for your baby’s car seat? Obviously, it offers the best protection for them. Did we mention that it is made from 100% microfleece with soft inner fleece? That means that it provides the best protection from harsh elements but without you having to lug bulky stuff around.

Another reason why we like this product is that it comes with dual zippers so you can access your baby easily or the child safety straps at the bottom. There are simply times when you do not need to open the whole thing lest you expose your baby to the cold, right? There is also a hole at the top for the baby’s head but if they have to be 100% protected from the elements, there is also a flap that you can use to close it. Don’t worry, it does not seal shut so your baby can still breathe comfortably inside. Just make sure to only use it when transporting the infant car seat outside and only in the harshest of weather conditions.

If you are putting the infant car seat into a stroller, this product also makes for a great winter stroller cover. You do not have to buy additional accessories for it because its backless design allows you to fit it with just about any model of car seat and stroller. Sounds cool, no?

In some infant car seats, the cover’s face hold also tends to be located much higher instead of around the face so it is hard to see the baby and makes many parents worried. We definitely love the fleece but we will have to put this one down the bottom of our list.

Details of the Cozy Cover

Weight

13.6 ounces

Dimensions

9 x 8.4 x 3.4 inches

Color

Beige, Black, Black Quilt, Blue Plaid, Charcoal, Jungle, Pink, Beige Quilt, Lightweight Grey, Pink Quilt, Pink Zebra

Conclusion

We never really thought baby products were this complicated until we became parents, right? Who knew covers for baby carriers were still necessary? We hope this list of the best carrier covers will help you decide on one that you and your baby can comfortably use. Remember that even though these products help keep the baby warm and protected, nothing still beats staying indoors so don’t force going outside with a little one unless really necessary.

If you do have to, make sure that you go for a product that is not a hassle to use and set up even by yourself. Comfort still beats looks anytime. Happy shopping!​

The post Top 5 Best Baby Carrier Cover | 2018 Reviews appeared first on ParentsNeed.

Infographic: A Week by Week Guide to Pregnancy

Pregnancy is such a wonderful time of life. Whether you’re a Mum/Dad to be, an expectant Grandparent or just interested in pregnancy then this week by week guide to pregnancy is for you! We’ve detailed highlights of each week of pregnancy into this guide, we hope you really enjoy reading through each week and enjoy the miracle of pregnancy.

Infographic providing a Week by Week Guide to Pregnancy

Feel free to embed our infographic to your site using the code below:

Month 1 – Weeks 1 to 4

Month 1 is all about establishing the pregnancy. It’s a time of preparation for both the Mother and Baby.

  • Week 1 – Massive changes in your body, time to prepare just in case you’re pregnant!
    • Nutrition supplements – Now is the time to take supplements like Folic Acid
    • Rapid growth – The rate of growth is faster in week one than at any other stage
    • Sex decided – The sex of your baby is already decided, even at this early stage
  • Week 2 – Rapid changes again, time to plan and prepare for a healthy pregnancy
    • Healthy living – Stock up on fruit and vegetables, quit smoking if you can!  
    • Hormones – Your body is producing all the hormones needed for the pregnancy
    • Major organs – All the major organs are already beginning to form
  • Week 3 – Growth & travel, baby now a Blatocyst – there is much power in this bundle
    • Ball of cells – Baby to be is a ball of unrecognisable cells but growing constantly
    • Implantation – The Blatocyst travels from the fallopian tube to the uterus
    • PMS symptoms – Normal symptoms like sore boobs and cramps may arise
  • Week 4 – Development is at pace, take a pregnancy test, you may begin to feel pregnant
    • Development – Brains, central nervous / circulatory systems & heart all develop
    • Measurements – The size of a sesame seed, length is 0.13cm, weight is 0.11g
    • Pregnancy Test – Taking a pregnancy test now will confirm you are pregnant

Week 4 is the time to take a pregnancy test if you suspect you are pregnant

Month 2 – Weeks 5 to 8

In month 2 Baby will develop significantly (e.g. limbs and organs), due to hormonal changes Mom is likely to experience morning sickness and other pregnancy symptoms.

  • Week 5 – Into month 2 you will experience pregnancy symptoms, baby is growing rapidly
    • Heartbeat – It may be possible to view a heartbeat in scans for the first time
    • Limbs – In week 5 limbs will start to develop for the first time
    • Tadpole – Your baby will currently look like a very small tadpole at this stage
  • Week 6 – All babies vital organs are in place, watch your health and diet at this stage
    • Cleavage – Your cleavage size will have noticeably grown in readiness for baby
    • Diet – Change your diet to aid morning sickness & also for a healthy pregnancy
    • Hormonal – Hormones will be “kicking in”, exhaustion & morning sickness follow
  • Week 7 – Avoid illnesses wherever possible at this key time, baby brain rapidly develops
    • Avoid illnesses – Be sensible avoid illnesses, particularly rubella and parvovirus
    • Brain development – Baby brain develops, 100+ brain cells a minute created
    • Embryo – Your baby is still an embryo but will rapidly transform into a little person
  • Week 8 – Lips, eyelids, nose, fingers/toes visible on foetus, morning sickness continues
    • Foetus – At week 8 your baby is officially called a foetus!
    • Measurements – The size of a raspberry, length is 1.5cm, weight is 1g
    • Webbed fingers and toes – All fingers and toes are developed, but are webbed

Month 3 – Weeks 9 to 13

During month 3, Baby is developing rapidly and will start to become active, exercise and activity is important for Mom at a time where sickness reduces and hunger increases.

  • Week 9 – Baby has definite human features, heartbeat audible, fatigue usually an issue
    • Heartbeat audible – An ultrasound in week 9 should detect the baby heartbeat
    • Jelly baby – Your baby resembles a jelly baby! and is continuing to grow rapidly
    • Loo trips – Trips to the loo will increase at this stage, this is completely normal
  • Week 10 – Baby features rapidly develop, heart formed, Mother’s tummy starts to show
    • Hair – The foetus will have a fuzzy hair covering their body
    • Heart – The heart is fully formed & beats 2-3 times faster than Mother’s heart rate
    • Nails – The foetus will be developing nails. Fingers & toes are no longer webbed
  • Week 11 – Babies features develop more (e.g. facial), sickness eases & hunger rises
    • Hunger – Mom often becomes hungry and needs to eat more to feed baby!
    • Straightening – Babies torso straightens, creating more human-like appearance
    • Wriggling – Baby will wriggle a lot and even do somersaults inside the womb!
  • Week 12 – Baby is moving a lot, time for a first scan, the first trimester ends
    • Dating scan – Many Mothers have their first scan during week 12
    • First trimester end – Well done, the end of the first trimester has been reached!
    • Measurements – The size of a lime, length is 5.8cm, weight is 14.4g
  • Week 13Second trimester begins, baby gets active, development of kidneys & lungs
    • Baby functions – Baby has some party tricks – burping, swallowing, yawning, etc.
    • Exercise – Exercise is a great idea now, try swimming, dancing, yoga, etc.
    • Kidneys and lungs – The kidneys are functional, baby breathes for the first time

Month 4 – Weeks 14 to 17

Baby is adding lots of functions this month, (e.g. fingerprints, sexual organs, limb mobility, etc.) Mothers may experience new pregnancy symptoms such as dental issues and blocked noses, food cravings may develop as well as an insatiable appetite.

  • Week 14 – Sexual organs in place, fingerprints visible, pregnancy gathers momentum
    • Fingerprints – Babies own unique fingerprints are all in place and unique to them
    • Nasal blockages – Mothers may have blocked noses due to extra blood supply
    • Sperm & Eggs – Baby boys have sperm production ability, girls have ovaries
  • Week 15 – Food cravings, babies recognise voices & flavours, dental care may arise
    • Dental – Mouth changes in pregnancy, bleeds & gum inflammation may arise
    • Food cravings – It’s around now that food cravings (e.g. coal, sweets) may set in
    • Linea Nigra – Dark outline around the “baby bump” may develop in some women
  • Week 16 – Baby continues to form, as limbs and joints are developed baby gets mobile
    • Eyes working – Babies eyes are working now, as well as other muscles too
    • Limbs & joints – All limbs and joints are fully formed, baby actively uses them!
    • Measurements – The size of an avocado, length is 11.9cm, weight is 103.8g
  • Week 17 – Baby is growing at pace & practising for birth, gaining more function everyday
    • Wriggling – Although week 21 is more common, some Mothers feel wriggles now
    • Growing appetite – Queasy days are over, most Mothers can’t eat enough now
    • Sucking and swallowing – Baby is practising sucking and swallowing even now

Month 5 – Weeks 18 to 21

Month 5 sees the 20-week scan as the baby continues to develop and “pile on” weight. Mothers are likely to experience “aches and pains” due to the growing size of baby who is very active during this month.

  • Week 18 – Baby is very active with lots of room / mobility, babies sex identifiable in scan
    • 50% – There is a 50% survival rate if baby is born premature during week 18
    • Baby very active – Baby is kicking and very active at this stage
    • Sex identifiable – Most scans are in week 20, but babies sex could be known now
  • Week 19 – Hair on baby scalp grows, baby piles on weight, Mother may have heartburn
    • Heartburn/indigestion – Mother may begin to experience heartburn & indigestion
    • Piling on weight – Baby starts to pile on weight “big style” from now onwards
    • Vernix Caseosa – Baby covered in this fluid protecting skin from amniotic fluid
  • Week 20 – 20-week scan is exciting, Mother may ache more, and baby continues to grow!
    • 20 week scans – Many Mothers have a 20-week scan and find out Babies sex!
    • Aches & pains – Mothers may have aches due to abdominal stretching
    • Measurements – The size of a pomegranate, length is 26cm, weight is 303.1g
  • Week 21 – Babies taste buds are developing, time to book ante natal classes
    • Ante Natal classes – It’s a good time to book/start to attend ante natal classes
    • Baby tastes – Baby will be able to taste foods via amniotic fluid
    • Movement – In first pregnancies, movement is often felt first during week 21

A 20 weeks pregnancy scan picture

Month 6 – Weeks 22 to 26

In month 6, Baby is really piling on the weight this month and developing the senses they will need for the outside world. Mothers will experience new symptoms such as ankle swelling and stretch marks but all these challenges will be worth it in the end! 

  • Week 22 – Baby senses grow (e.g. sound & light), Mother may struggle with ankles/feet
    • Ankles and feet – At this stage ankles and feet may begin to become swollen
    • Light / dark recognition – Babies sense light, even though it’s dark in the womb
    • Voice recognition – Babies are known to respond to voices at week 22
  • Week 23 – Baby gains weight rapidly from now on, Mothers may suffer back discomfort
    • Back ache – For many Mothers back ache may set in from around week 23
    • Rapid weight gain – Baby gains weight rapidly, doubling weight in next 4 weeks
    • Stretch marks – From now on stretch marks will become more prominent
  • Week 24 – Baby has a high chance of survival if born now, babies lung maturing steadily
    • Measurements – The size of a coconut, length is 30.5cm, weight is 630.5g
    • Pregnant belly button – Many pregnant Mother’s belly button pops out from now
    • Viable – If born now a baby is considered viable with a high chance of survival
  • Week 25 – Baby is preparing to breathe air, babies enjoy sounds outside the womb
    • Enjoy Mothers voice – Babies enjoy Mothers voice, speak and read to Baby!
    • Haemorrhoids & constipation – From now on especially rectal issues may occur
    • Lungs & nostrils – This week nostrils open / lungs mature in readiness to breathe
  • Week 26 – Breathing practice is all-important to baby, the second trimester now ends
    • Baby opens eyes – For the first time baby opens eyes from around week 26
    • Breathing – Baby get ready for life out of the womb by practicing breathing air
    • Second trimester end – Well done, the end of the second trimester has been reached!

Month 7 – Weeks 27 to 30

Month 7 sees the third trimester; baby continues to add weight and is practising for life outside of the womb. For Mothers it’s important to keep fit and take rest wherever possible practising breathing and attending ante natal classes is important too.

  • Week 27 – The third trimester begins, Mothers needs to ensure they keep fit & healthy
    • Breathing exercises – “Mom to be” should practise breathing exercises for birth
    • Hiccups – Expect to experience baby hiccups especially from now, this is normal
    • Keep fit – Mothers will get hungry but should balance food intake with exercise
  • Week 28 – Baby continues to gain weight, babies heartbeat is especially strong now
    • Baby heartbeat – Partner may hear baby heartbeat by placing ear on belly
    • Measurements – The size of an aubergine, length is 38.1cm, weight is 1038.7g
    • Rapid weight gains continue – Every week now, baby gains weight rapidly
  • Week 29 – Babies will shed downy hair, Mothers can count babies kicks easily this week
    • Counting baby’s kicks – It is fun to count babies kicks which are now all too clear!
    • Downy hair loss – Baby sheds downy hair loss around week 29
    • Rest – It’s important for “Mom to be” to get as much rest as she can
  • Week 30 – Baby is preparing for life out of the womb, Mother needs to plan for the birth
    • Amniotic fluid levels – The levels of amniotic fluids will reduce over coming weeks
    • Baby brain growth – Babies brain grows which is needed for life out of the womb
    • Bone marrow – Baby starts making their own red blood cells via bone marrow

Month 8 – Weeks 31 to 34

Month 8 and baby is readying for delivery, babies bones will be hardening and Baby will be developing a layer of fat ready for outside the womb. It’s an important time for Mothers to rest and take exercise whilst also planning for the delivery.

  • Week 31 – Mothers can expect Braxton Hicks contractions now, baby prepares for birth
    • Baby brain senses – Baby is working overtime to develop his five senses for birth
    • Braxton Hicks – Expect Braxton Hicks contractions from around week 31
    • Heartburn – Heartbeat/indigestion can occur now, seek medical advice if an issue
  • Week 32 – Baby gets into birth position anytime now and also adds weight rapidly
    • Positioning – There’s little room, baby will take delivery position in weeks 32-38
    • Measurements – The size of an pineapple, length is 43.3cm, weight is 1728.2g
    • Opaque skin – Baby skin is now opaque and not transparent as it once was
  • Week 33 – Mom needs to rest, babies bones will harden & immune systems will develop
    • Bones hardening – Babies bones will begin to harden in readiness for birth
    • Immune system – Baby is developing an immune system from Mom’s antibodies
    • Rest & exercise – Mother should get as much rest & light exercise as possible
  • Week 34 – Baby is readying for birth, lungs are mature and baby continues to add weight
    • Developed lungs – Most babies born in week 34 will have fully developed lungs
    • Fingernails & toenails – Finger and toe nails will be completely ready
    • Slowdown myth – Babies appear to be slower, it’s due to a lack of room to move!

Month 9 – Weeks 35 to 40

Month 9, it’s not long to go now until your bundle of joy arrives! Baby is fully formed and readying for birth. Mothers need to prepare for birth and as in month 8 take as much rest as possible.

  • Week 35 – Baby is fully formed & birth-ready, Mother should ensure birth plans are clear
    • Fully formed – Baby is fully formed by now and just gaining weight at this stage
    • Premature? – A week 35 baby is premature but would fare well out of the womb
    • Soft skull – Baby will be born with a soft skull to aid the birthing process
  • Week 36 – Baby is likely to be engaged by now, Mother/Baby are readying for delivery
    • Baby drops – When baby “drops” both eating and breathing will become easier
    • Circulation & Immunity – Blood flow / immunity systems are ready for birth
    • Engaged position – Most babies are now in the engaged position, ready for birth
  • Week 37 – A baby is now full-term, baby may still have a little lanugo hair, and birth is near!
    • Breast milk – Breast milk antibodies will help develop the immunity system further
    • Full-term – A baby at week 37 is considered full-term and can be born anytime
    • Measurements – The size of a butternut squash, length 49.5cm, weight 8g
  • Week 38 – 40 – Patience is the word! Mom should rest and prepare, Baby is ready
    • Cervix – The Cervix will dilate up to 10 centimetres at the time of delivery
    • Perineal Massage – Consider a self-applied perineal massage to ready for birth
    • Rest – “Mom to be” can’t get enough rest ahead of the big day ahead

Conclusion

Well there we are, we’ve now finished our week by week guide to the 40 weeks of pregnancy. For further reading you may like to visit the following link. We hope very much that you’ve enjoy reading this guide as much as we did writing it. We wish you all the very best with a safe pregnancy and delivery.

Image Credits: Tips Times Admin, Daquella Manera and D Nisbet

The post Infographic: A Week by Week Guide to Pregnancy appeared first on ParentsNeed.

Saturday, September 29, 2018

How to Deal with Toddler Temper Tantrums

How to Deal with Toddler Temper Tantrums

It could have started out as a wonderful day. You wake up in the morning, the sun is shining through your bedroom window, and you got a beautiful kid to cook breakfast for. Everything goes well. Your toddler absolutely loved that flapjacks you made him. You tell him to go get ready as you will go grocery shopping today. He happily obliges. You get to the grocery store and your tot is all kinds of excited about it. You breeze through aisle 1. Five quick minutes later, you find yourself in aisle 3, standing over your inconsolable toddler who is a ball of rage, throwing a fit on the floor. What in heaven’s name happened?

One minute your child seems happy and content, the next he’s become all sorts of dissatisfied, thrashing around like a Tasmanian. Some call these incidents as unfortunate episodes. Let’s call them temper tantrums. Temper tantrums are part of your everyday reality when you have a toddler at home. And, no, it’s not just happening to you. It happens to the best of us.

Understanding Toddler Temper Tantrums

Have you ever been ambushed by a temper tantrum? How to stop temper tantrums? As you try to hold back your tears of frustration and hide the embarrassment of being unable to control your screaming toddler, you must have thought at least once that you are at fault. Maybe the thought that your child is becoming a bad boy or girl has even crossed your mind. Well, stop. Temper tantrums are neither your nor your child’s fault. According to studies, these temper outbursts are actually a normal biological response of toddlers to anger and frustration.

The term, “the terrible twos”, have not been coined for nothing. Temper tantrums often begin when the child is two years of age. Your child, however, can start throwing a fit as early as 12 months and may continue well until his fourth birthday.

To help you understand more about temper tantrums, let’s try to discuss the science behind your child’s outbursts. There is a part of the brain called the prefrontal cortex. It is a part of the brain which is responsible for regulating our emotions. It serves to control our social behavior. It is the last to develop among the other areas of the brain. In fact, the prefrontal cortex will only have begun to mature when a child is four years of age. This is the reason why your toddler is still emotionally and socially immature. They are hardwired to misbehave.

How to Deal with Toddler Temper Tantrums

The next time they throw a fit, you now know that their underdeveloped prefrontal cortex is to blame for all the flailing and irrational displays of emotion. Not you. Nor your child. It’s all science. And, well, magic. You see, children tend to think magically, instead of logically. Do not expect more from them. They are meant to be irrational. It is how they learn, eventually. Ordinary events that make sense to us seem ten times confusing to them. Confusion often leads to stress. They do not understand that having one too many candy bars is bad for them; they just know candy bars are delicious and that they want more. They are unable to rationalize why they can’t play with the grocery items along aisle 3; they just think they are all colorful and attractive. Imagine not being able to say what you mean or communicate what you want. That’s how your toddler feels like most of the time. For them, your ordinary surrounding is a big and scary world.​

Common Triggers for Toddler Temper Tantrums

A temper tantrum is a child’s response to frustration and stress. Add to that the fact they can’t exactly express themselves and you’re sure to have your little bawling rebel come at you. Here are some of the common things that can cause a child to feel stressed or frustrated and eventually turn into toddler tantrums and hitting:

  • Having the inability to communicate with words what he is feeling
  • Having a need to get his way or assert independence
  • Having a feeling of lack of control over his situation
  • Hunger, boredom, overstimulation or fatigue

How to Prevent Toddler Temper Tantrums

Most temper tantrums are inevitable, but some may be prevented. There are things that you can do in order to take control over situations that are otherwise beyond you. Here are some tips on how to prevent temper tantrums:

Get familiar with your child’s personality.​

Get to know your child and how well he reacts to keeping a schedule. Some kids respond better when they know what to expect during the course of the day. Having regular naptimes, mealtimes and bedtimes may help lessen your child’s stress. Some children, on the other hand, dread routine and enjoy spontaneity. Work with your child’s personality to avoid getting him unnecessarily upset over simple things.

Prevent your child from getting hungry, fatigued, bored or overstimulated.

Avoid setting a hectic schedule, otherwise, your child will end up tired and fatigued. Avoid letting him participate in demanding activities just before naptime. Your child will be too stimulated to sleep. Always have a healthy snack ready, especially if you will be going out for the day. To prevent him from getting bored, keep him busy with his favorite toy or book.

How to Deal with Toddler Temper Tantrums

Lessen the need to point out limitations.

Kids get confused and stressed if you constantly have to cry out his limitations, like saying, “No, don’t touch that!” or “No, don’t go there!”. It may make them feel like they’re doing something wrong or bad. All you’re really concerned about is his safety, but they don’t understand that. By childproofing your home, you may avoid having to sound like an uptight mom who won’t let her child experience anything. This way, clear limits are set and you don’t even have to say them out loud.

Provide him an amount of independence.

You can do this by presenting him with simple choices. Make him choose between cereal or fruit yoghurt for breakfast. Ask him which shirt he’d like to wear for the day; the blue or the red one? Letting your child choose lets him feel that he’s in control.

Avoid saying, “maybe”.

“Maybe” sounds confusing to a toddler. In his understanding, you are saying yes. When he doesn’t get what you said he maybe could have, he gets stressed and angry. Say what you mean, whether it’s a yes or no. Negotiating a compromise is also more helpful than leading your child on.

What to Do When the Inevitable Temper Tantrum Happens

There is absolutely no way of telling it. Your child can melt down anytime, anywhere. Once a temper tantrum is full blown, all you can do is cope and deal with it. With the right timing and attitude, however, you may do some things to help you tame your little Tasmanian. Here are a few strategies on how to deal with toddler temper tantrums:

Engage your child in a game.

Encourage your child to play a game with you. This especially works when you are in places that can involve a lot of waiting, like in the airport or on a long road trip. Playing a game with your child will distract him from the thing that might be distressing him. It is also a great way to show him that you’re giving him some attention. Sometimes a tantrum is merely a way for your child to cry for attention.

Induce laughter.

Laughing is always a good idea. You know how they say laughter is the best medicine? Well, laughter can be the cure to a temper tantrum as well. Feel-good hormones are released whenever you laugh. Making your child break into fits of laughter will help curb the stress that’s making him want to throw fits of rage. It is generally easy to make a toddler laugh. Just do silly things like using a banana as a phone or making funny animal sounds.

Speak with a gentle and soft voice.

Do not attempt to out-yell your child when he’s bawling and screaming. Stay calm and don’t lose your cool. Of course that is easier said than done, especially when you’re faced with a not so pretty sight, your toddler kicking and screaming on the floor. You may even start to panic once he starts holding his breath as a sign of protest. This is a normal tantrum move. Remember that your toddler is taken by his emotions during a tantrum. His reasoning skills are shut down. He will only respond negatively if you yell at him. He may only become more defiant and aggressive. Speak softly. Talking in a calm voice will help soothe your child as well as keep you both relaxed. Children can easily pick up from the tone of our voice so if your child hears the tension in yours, he may only get amped up even more. The best way to do it is to whisper to him in a calm and gentle voice, while looking at him lovingly in the eyes. This will most likely make him want to quiet down to figure out what you are saying.

Ignore your toddler.

While you definitely want your toddler to stop his fussing, you don’t want him to get used to being tended to whenever he throws a fit; Otherwise he will think that it is the right way to get attention. If you feel like your child’s outburst is more of an act than a true distress call, try ignoring him. That is as long as he is not doing anything that could be harmful to himself or to other people. Try humming or singing loudly while he carries on so you could get the message across him.

How to Deal with Toddler Temper Tantrums

Hold your ground.

Try your best not to give in to the unreasonable demands of your toddler during a temper tantrum. It isn’t just you who will lose when you give in. So will your child. Remember that most demands of a tantrum are not based on logical reason. Giving in just to stop your child’s tantrum will only reinforce the outburst. It sends your child the wrong message that throwing a fit will get him what he wants, no matter how irrational he may be. This will only worsen future conflicts. No matter how long the episode may last, stand your ground. Do away with worrying what others think if you happen to be in a public place. Experienced parents have been there, they will understand. Be firm with your child and calmly repeat to him what he needs to learn, like a rule about eating sweets for example. Consistency is important so as not to confuse your child in the future.

Take your child some place safe.

It is important to keep your child from doing something that could harm himself, or other people for that matter. When your child starts hitting people or throwing things, it is best to hold your child and bring him somewhere safe. You could bring him to his bedroom and stay there until he has calmed down. Calmly explain to him why he’s staying there. If you are in a public place, like in a restaurant, leave with your child until he has quieted down to avoid disrupting other people’s peace. Soothe him by holding him close. A loving touch can always get through any anger or frustration, both yours and your child’s. Hugging your child tightly will almost always do the trick.

Avoid resorting to physical punishment.

Physical punishment may be risky especially when your emotions get the better of you. It is never really a good idea. You yourself might lose control, which could prove to be dangerous. You will not only end up hurting your child physically, but you may also end up hurting him emotionally as well. Remember that emotional scars heal a whole lot slower than physical scars. You want your child to compose himself and behave accordingly because he loves you, not because he is afraid of you.

When to talk to your child’s doctor

It is best to consult with your child’s doctor when your child’s tantrums:

  • Occur more than two times a day
  • Are accompanied by intense feelings of anger or sadness
  • Are often followed by aggression, and sleeping and eating disorder
  • Occur regularly beyond the age of 4

The post How to Deal with Toddler Temper Tantrums appeared first on ParentsNeed.

Top 5 Best Curling Irons | 2018 Reviews

Top 5 Best Curling Irons | 2018 Reviews

“I LOVE YOUR CURLS!” Hearing this from others will really make our day! It’s as if we have done everything right, even just with one aspect of our life.

The curls used to adorn the heads of our 1950’s and 1960’s counterparts and it looked girly, and nothing less than fashionable. Remember Audrey Hepburn in Sabrina with her pixie cut, and slightly curled bangs? Or, in the time machine of a series that is Downton Abbey where curls were set, hatted an adorned? The ancient civilization left a clue that they were sporting curls through the sculptures, and busts that were made to some of their famous people’s likeness. Oh! the lavish curls. But as fashion changed and evolved so as the trends in hair.

We could remember vividly a portion on the timeline where straight and sleek hair made it to the posters while natural curls are tucked away, or placed in a bun. However, recent revolution towards self-expression encouraged the natural hair to be flaunted and celebrated. This paved the way for curls of all kinds to be done and with it came tools for curling revered.

Hair straighteners are to stubborn curls as curling irons is to straight, bodiless hair. To pump up that look of flat hair, we love to get our hands on the tools that will get the job done by surprising us how fabulous curls could be.

Looking for the best curling iron and best curling wand is half the battle. Choosing to buy a curling product tool must be made after equipping yourself with basic knowledge on what works best for you. Here is a list of some recommended curling irons that we love, and hope you will too:​

Quick Comparison Table

Amika Digital Titanium Glide Curler Iron

Infiniti Pro by Conair Nano Tourmaline Curling Iron

Remington CI9538 Digital Ceramic Curling Wand

BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron

Revlon Perfect Heat 1-1/2 inch Curling Iron

Amika Digital Titanium Glide Curler Iron
Infiniti Pro by Conair Nano Tourmaline Ceramic Curling Iron
Remington CI9538 T|Studio Salon Collection Pearl Digital Ceramic Curling Wand
BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron
Revlon Perfect Heat 1-1/2inch Curling Iron

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

1.6 pounds

1.1 pounds

0.55 pounds

1.1 pounds

1 pound

450°F

400°F

410°F

450°F

400°F

Amika Digital Titanium Glide Curler Iron

Amika Digital Titanium Glide Curler Iron

The glide curling iron option is actually Amika’s clipless curling iron rod which makes creating soft curls fast and easy. This is also referred to as a curling wand, and is the best curling iron for fine hair. Its difference from the typical curling iron is the absence of the clip that holds the hair against the rod for a stronger press and more heat. The absence of the clip makes it possible to let long locks be wrapped around continuously without the hassle of having the clip on the way. Even without the clip to secure the locks around the wand, the even distribution of heat throughout the wand ensures great results.

The Amika curler is easy to use with its adjustable temperature from 170°F - 450°F displayed on a little screen found right on the handle. Ionic energy is released which seals the cuticle for shiny, voluminous hair.

If you want a more modern curl type, the Amika Curler will ensure puffy, bouncy result in comparison to the flat soft curls the typical curling iron makes. The shape of the barrel will also give you a more natural-curl look. This is due to its shape where the curls are bigger at the roots and the locks get smaller and curlier as it reaches the tips. Nowadays, we love to have the effortless look that is fresher and more versatile for every outfit and occasion. Another trendy look that seems to go to the ‘timeless-look’ list is the beach waves. The Amika curler could definitely add that cute and feminine scrunchiness to flat, straight hair. This goes perfect for the short bob that everyone would like to try. Those with long manes could also benefit from some wavy look as well, even if they want their hair done up to a pony tail. Needless to say, almost all hair style and type could do some tweaking using this straightforward digital curler from Amika.

Why we love this? It is simple, easy to use, and has that pretty look that is hip and feminine. The Amika Digital Titanium Glide Curler Iron Opliphica is a very good choice for those who want to have their first curling iron experience.

Details of the Amika Digital Titanium Glide Curler Iron

Weight

1.6 pounds

Features

Infrared heat technology and clip-free

Dimension

6 x 2.5 x 12 inches

Maximum Heating Capacity

450°F

Heat Settings

Digital adjustable temperature control

Infiniti Pro by Conair Nano Tourmaline Ceramic Curling Iron

Infiniti Pro by Conair Nano Tourmaline Ceramic Curling Iron

The curler with the clamp/clip is a tough-looking type of curler that we may all be familiar with. Some of us may have an unconscious trauma of using this type of curler because of its history of burning, tugging and, eventually, breaking the hair. But not all clipped iron curlers are created equal. Tools nowadays are being created with better materials to help us be fab but not worried with the damage the heat styling is bringing about to our locks. The Infiniti Pro by Conair is a fast-heating and easy to use curling iron that features a Tourmaline Ceramic material for a damage-free styling and could be called the professional curling iron on this list.

We know the risk we are taking when using the bare metal curlers that tends to tug hair to breakage. Good thing this is a has-been with the birth of ceramic hair tools. The Infiniti Pro did not stop in ceramic; it is also made up of Tourmaline for a more gentle treatment to your hair while exposing it to inevitable heat. And as the hair tends to produce frizz as we glide the rod through, ions are being released from the rod prevents frizz for a smoother look.

Temperature setting could be set gradually and monitored in an LED display. The lowest temperature is 310°F and could be put to a maximum of 400°F for thicker batches of locks. The iron heats up within 30 seconds and its heat recovery could maintain the temperature for a constant supply of heat all throughout styling duration.

Convenience in styling is also a feature with the swivel cord that will let you stay in one place while still being able to style the whole crown. In any case, some users might find the switch buttons to be in a rather inconvenient place on the handle where the thumb could accidentally press it unknowingly, which made it our second best choice.​

Easy to use and could be set and monitored easily - these are basically the things that we are looking for in a tool that will accompany us on our daily battle of changing our looks to a fluffier crown. With the promise of a smoother glide to prevent damage and the ion technology for a frizz-free look, Infiniti Pro by Conair is a curler worth the try.

Details of the Infiniti Pro by Conair Nano Tourmaline Ceramic Curling Iron

Weight

1.1 pounds

Features

Nano technology; extra smooth tourmaline ceramic surface

Dimension

6 x 2.6 x 15.2 inches

Maximum Heating Capacity

400°F

Heat Settings

5 Heat settings and LCD display

Remington CI9538 T|Studio Salon Collection Pearl Digital Ceramic Curling Wand

Remington CI9538 T|Studio Salon Collection Pearl Digital Ceramic Curling Wand

Presence of pearl in certain products makes it instantly an exquisite creation especially, with beauty products. Facial cremes with pearl promises a fine, white glow while shampoo with this ingredient claims for a lustrous finish. Would it be the same when pearl is incorporated to our favorite curling iron?

The Remington CI9538 T is a ceramic curling iron with pearl that helps you get a very smooth glide through the hair. If a tourmaline ceramic promises this, the ceramic pearl will be a notch, if not a couple of notches, higher on the smooth-glide zone.

The curler is a 15-inch tool from tip to swivel cord bottom and half of that length is for the actual curler. This could accommodate good portions of hair at a time which is a time-saver in grooming. It also comes with a heat resistant glove for protection while styling. It heats up within 30 seconds and an hour auto shut off for safety measures in case the tool is left turned on while you are in a hurry, is a good feature.

We love the cone-shaped curler that defines the curls and gives it body. The clip-free design gives fluffier and looser curls which give that more natural look instead of the tightly pressed flat curls. Having no clip on the way of wrapping the locks around the barrel ensures a very easy styling which is what we like in our daily routine or quick touch-up.

This looker has the gentleness of the pearl and ceramic in a baby pink color that is very feminine. Heats up in a quick 30 second window and could heat up to 410°F for a salon quality result. Just heat it up, grab a hair, wrap it around the barrel, and hold for a couple of seconds, voila! Good-looking curls to add freshness on your usual every day look. The tool does the job in a straight forward way and eliminates our worry for damage caused by heat due to its hair care features worth the try. The only problem is that because of the length it could be difficult to curl longer hair and the power button also gets in the way of your curling hand, so you might accidentally switch it off.

Details of the Remington CI9538 T|Studio Salon Collection Pearl Digital Ceramic Curling Wand

Weight

8.8 ounces (0.55 pounds)

Features

Ceramic coating with Pearl for the smoothest glide in the market

Dimension

12.9 x 1.9 x 2.1 inches

Maximum Heating Capacity

410°F

Heat Settings

Digital adjustable temperature control

BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron

BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron

Some like it loose, while some like it textured and pressed. The BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron could do your hair both and has the capacity to give you the pressed, shiny curls. The On and Off switch is found on the side of the handle while the temperature adjustment know is on the opposite side. You could easily adjust the temperature to your liking with a quick click on the temperature knob. Give it around 30 seconds, and the temperature will adjust to your desired heat and maintained on the titanium barrel. You can see heat evenly distributed by looking at the result right after the first glide. The clamp secures the locks around the barrel making it easier for you to hold the hair in place instead of pressing them with you finger tips.

The design of the curler makes it very user-friendly where the handle is easy to grip and wouldn’t give you the cramps from holding it for very long with your arms raised as you style. It also comes with a tolerable length of cord; with 8-feet of freedom connecting your tool to the plug, there is so much room to let you style the whole head of hair. Also, the cord is attached to the iron in a swivel so moving it around will be of no fuss.

Basically, we like that it is easy to use and saves us from the worry of redoing the hair due to uneven press. The key is to always make sure we have sectioned the hair properly and curls in portions that are even in order to get an even result. The tools could only do so much that we feed it but doing its job to straighten those bangs or turn our mane to a crowning glory is a result surely achievable. The BaBylissPRO is fun to use and will be worth the investment.

It is our 4th choice because the clamp could use a little tightening, and the absence of an automatic shutdown feature is a safety issue.

Details of the BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron

Weight

1.1 pounds

Features

Created with Nano Titanium irons for textured curls

Dimension

15.5 x 2.2 x 3.2 inches

Maximum Heating Capacity

450°F

Heat Settings

50 Heat settings

Revlon Perfect Heat 1-1/2 inch Curling Iron

Revlon Perfect Heat 1-1/2inch Curling Iron

This is the lightest curling iron (with clip) on this list but, definitely, not the least in terms of feature and quality. The Revlon Perfect Heat curling iron has a bit of what we already mentioned on the previous products - ceramic, tourmaline and Ionic technology. All 3 makes up a curling iron that ensures smooth glide and helps prevent hair damage from heat styling. If you are going for the big bodied curls, this is the best curling iron to use. The tool not only looks sturdy but is very durable with its large barrel curling iron. Holding it is easy with the grip that is molded for comfort and is not too bulky; thanks to the slight curve that minimizes its diameter at the upper portion of the handle. The iron heats in a quick 1 minute and able to maintain a temperature of up to 400°F.

It is good to note that the cord length is no more than 6 feet long. It is connected with the iron by a swivel so you could still move it around without tangling it. What we could note here is to not pick a socket that is very far away from where you will need to set up and curl.

Aside from using it to its full potential with the clip, you may also want to use it as a curling wand by just wrapping the hair around and over the barrel with the clip included. This will give a more relaxed and casual set of waves perfect for that regular day outdoors with a new look to boot. On the other hand, if you use the clip and try rolling the barrel up to mid-length, this will give a more classy set of curls with your locks in spirals.

The Revlon Perfect Heat curler works as a basic curler and does not boast extraordinary features that may make you fall off your seat, but it sure does the job of a reliable curling iron. Most importantly, the ceramic and tourmaline material removes the worry of hair damage with the Ion technology working with it in protecting hair against excessive dryness. This curling iron has no extra frills of unnecessary features but sees to it that it could be a weapon of choice when we need those nice waves to spice up our look.

Details of the BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron

Weight

1 pound

Features

1 inch barrel for larger curls

Dimension

3 x 6 x 15 inches

Maximum Heating Capacity

400°F

Heat Settings

30 Heat settings

Conclusion

Changing our look is fun. It is often done to give us that boost we need for a rather usual day. Needless to say, tweaking our style and appearance sometimes makes all the difference. When dealt with the very important question, “what do I want my hair to look like today?”, the answer seems to be a no-brainer: Curl it! Either the casual waves for a stroll at the mall with friends, the spiral curls for an enchanting look with your new red dress or, a more bodied crown to top the ensemble that you usually wear. You could never go wrong with curls. On the other side of the balance is hair care which is something we want our curling iron to offer.

Finding the best type of curling iron is a task that is not so hard to do given the options that we now have. Not to mention the help our fellow females freely given through various video and written reviews. Good thing that manufacturers nowadays have the same thing in consideration and, as the options broaden, the better the quality of the options we have in store. Gone are the days that we settle for cheap curling irons just to have the tool that is supposed to do the quick and easy styling. Our list of top rated curling irons will provide you enough options no matter what hair type you are dealing with.

The post Top 5 Best Curling Irons | 2018 Reviews appeared first on ParentsNeed.