Electronic Baby Toys And DVDs For Today’s Child

As time goes by, we move more and more into an age where advances in technological use have become the norm. Computers, DVDs, TVs, Video Games and the like are utilized more than ever before. And in this age, our children are also learning to get the hang of this ‘new-fangled’ technology faster than we did! Most child experts do not condone exposing children to these gadgets early on, but parents have different ideas! They go all out to buy the best in electronic toys for their kids. Why is this?

Simple! A parent wants his child to have the latest stimulation and education gadgets for the young mind. Different from toys which only keep the baby happy, electronic baby toys enhance the imagination of the babies and develop their minds! After all, learning should be an interesting process! Also, amusing your child with these toys is much easier with all the special effects available today. So you really can have the best of both worlds!

Sesame Street was one of the pioneers of this whole concept. Sesame Street’s colorful and fun-loving characters form an exciting platform for both education as well as amusement. Their adventures enable children to exercise their imaginations as well as learn along with Elmo and his friends! Even today, Elmo remains a favorite electronic baby toy of every child in the Western World.

Many parents use video as a technique to occupy their babies while they take a short break. While video can be used as an amusement feature for the baby, it should not be taken to excess! Television and video can be used to start off the learning process at a very young age. A DVD for babies has a full cacophony of sounds, kaleidoscope of colors and colorful dancing creatures having awesome adventures that babies would never get to experience otherwise!

Electronic toys promote learning. Young babies at eighteen months start grabbing the concept of counting. A baby will sense and tell you that one and one make two ones! However, at this age, the concept of numbers is alien, and begins to develop later. A DVD is therefore an ideal way to promote this knowledge. This DVD will also work in exercising their imaginations and serve to entertain them to no end!

However, electronics and videos have a larger role in your baby’s life than simple education. They actively stimulate the imagination, enhance mental capabilities and encourage exploration of the world around the baby. Apart from DVDs, video players and computers also act as stimulation tools to encourage the child by using both sensory as well as emotional education and fun!

By giving your child electronic toys, you are actively giving him an interaction tool which stimulates and develops touch, sight and hearing capabilities of the baby. They encourage color differentiation, sound differentiation, pressure distinction and comparison of other aspects of the baby’s world. Babies also learn, albeit unknowingly, about the concept of cause and effect. These are the most basic skills which are the starting point of informal learning.

Babies tend to observe and imitate characters that are fascinating and wondrous to them. Elmo, Thomas the Train and even Barney are favorites who encourage your baby to learn his ABCs. What parent will not want their child to learn through fun and entertainment? This is where DVDs and Videos come into the picture! Where is Elmo? Why, he’s right here on this DVD!

Your baby needs the best and most exciting start in life. And electronic toys such as baby DVDs are just the way to provide it!

Toys Can Be Educational and Stimulating, Too

Every new baby and young child seems to have more than his fair share of toys these days. However, each and every toy will offer specific education or development opportunities for the little one. Every child has his or her favorite toys in tow wherever they go, leading to personality and healthy development every parent enjoys witnessing.

Baby gear stock should always consist of educational toys that are also entertaining. Toy lines such as Baby Einstein products are designed with little ones’ senses in mind, with large and boldly colored objects to look at and play with. Books, blocks and noisemakers all contribute to good motor function and muscle development, as well as association behaviors.

The old-fashioned game consisting of various shapes of blocks to push through matching holes is actually still a great toy for any baby. Although he is amusing himself and learning to play alone at times, he’s also learning that not every block will fit in each hole. Learning this shape and size association contributes to later abilities that allow him to recite the alphabet and develop short sentences.

Baby gear that contributes to muscle development and control is also vital to baby’s growth periods. They have a ton of energy to get rid of, and sometimes mom and dad are too tired to continue playing! This is where a bouncer or walker equipped with a mobile or noisemaker is ideal. It keeps him satisfied and occupied while you take a rest, and is still encouraging healthy brain and physical development.

Dolls, though they seem like a simple toy, are also advantageous. Models which talk or produce human-like sounds teach baby about communication and help to develop his or her expression mechanisms. Dressing a baby doll also teaches young children about shape and size, and can lead to him or her learning to dress themselves.

After completing the baby gear collection with a wide range of educational and stimulating toys, it’s time to create a place to store them all. Leaving toys spread throughout the house can lead to germ-infested playthings that get put into baby’s mouth, as well as create a safety hazard for every member of the family.

Toy chests may be a new baby gear item or an old family heirloom, and can always be personalized or found in a coordinating design to compliment the nursery and home décor. Animal lovers like the farmhouse toy chest, which also works great in old farmhouses or country homes. Little animals that fill the chest teach baby about different types of animals, and educational games can allow them to learn about different sound associations.

Other themes such as baseball or princess designs are also available for storing toys, but perhaps mom and dad had a different idea for the chest. Rich hardwoods with a customized finish not only are sturdy and ready to be handed down to the next generation someday, but can also compliment the home’s interior and be used for other things after baby has grown.

Stylish Diaper Changing Tables are the Ideal Baby Gear Investment

We can’t always keep our babies at home, and this makes it inevitable that we have to change them in public at some point. Carrying a portable changer or finding an equipped bathroom is usually the way to go in this case; however, at home you’ll want to ensure you have the best baby gear for times such as this.

Diaper changing tables are fast becoming just as stylish as any other piece of furniture in the house, are safe for baby, and unbelievably handy during changing time.

Classic diaper changing tables have three-levels for plenty of diaper and other baby gear storage, and are usually made of hardwood like oak or maple.

Modern influences on classic design lead to tables that incorporate such things as integrated bracing. Just like lattice work, this greatly increases the steadiness of the table, making your baby safer. Materials used to construct the tables are pressure-treated and finished to match virtually any nursery décor or theme.

Making a fashion statement with your new changing table makes it an affair that you both enjoy and love to look at. Future generations will benefit from your choices in quality baby gear as well, so consider this when looking for a new piece of baby furniture.

The latest styles in home storage options always include baskets and drawers to hide unbecoming necessities. If this is the case in your nursery, look for a diaper changing table that contains drawers instead of shelves for storing diapers and other changing supplies.

This type of table will also allow for many years of use, as it can easily become a dresser for the young one when he becomes a little older. When choosing the just-right finish on your new table, ensure it is non-toxic for baby as well.

Perhaps you’re a little short on wall space in the nursery. If this is the case for you, look for one of the new corner diaper changing tables designed to maximize space in smaller rooms. Ample amounts of changing space are implemented into these tables, but allow you to use other areas of the room for all of those larger baby gear items you need to store.

After choosing the changing table, you’ll need to pay special attention to the changing pad. Removable covers make them washable and interchangeable, and are designed to match any one of a thousand different decorative themes.

Peter rabbit baby gear themes are very popular, especially for parents who choose not to find out the baby’s sex prior to birth. Other changing pad covers are designed to match jeep baby gear, rock & roll baby gear, Winnie the Pooh baby gear, and even Tampa Bay Rays baby gear. Also find the matching portable pad to carry your chosen décor away from home, too.

If you’re shopping for twin baby gear, you might want to consider investing in two corner-style changing tables, or perhaps several different changing pads to complement your new piece of stylish furniture.

Deciding Whether to Host a Surprise Baby Shower

Baby showers are a great way to socialize, congratulate and celebrate with the expectant mother and father. Traditionally, these parties are held in the mother’s honor to bring friends and family members together to help her get ready for the coming baby and changes, and most first-time moms will most likely expect a shower at some point.

This may present a problem when deciding whether to throw a surprise baby shower and risk making her feel as if no one is having a party for her. Regardless, the mother’s personality and personal preferences will need to be considered before making this decision. Not all mothers are suited for a surprise baby shower party, so keep this in mind.

That being said, as the host of the party, it truly is your decision to make. You should know the mother well enough to determine if she will enjoy a surprise baby shower or not. You’ll also know what types of activities, baby shower themes, decorations and menu items she’ll most likely prefer.

Another consideration should be whether the mother can physically handle a surprise baby shower. If she is having a high-risk pregnancy or experiencing difficulty, it may be best to stick with a planned party she is fully aware of and involved in the planning process.

If you decide to throw her a surprise baby shower, a little extra planning may be in order. The advantage is that she will never need to worry about her own baby shower, and you’ll simply have the pleasure of treating her like a queen for a day.

First, recruit another close friend or family member of the mother to plan an activity with her on the planned day of the event. This should keep her from suspecting anything, and the co-conspirator can ensure that she arrives at the surprise baby shower.

The guest list should also be checked with both a close friend and family member of the mother to ensure everyone is included that should be. Also, all guests should be informed of the surprise baby shower so as not to ruin it later! Cars should always be parked far away from the party location. Also remember that planning a surprise baby shower for a second or third pregnancy will be easier to handle, as mom most likely won’t even be expecting one!

There are some instances where a surprise baby shower should not be planned. If you know the mother at all, you should know whether she’s the type that would enjoy a surprise or not. Some just simply don’t like to be surprised, and want to know of everything, so keep her personality in mind.

If the baby’s deliver date is impending, it may not be a great idea to plan a surprise baby shower, either. These are best planned for at least 2 months before the expected due date, in case of an early delivery or any last-minute complications.

Shopping Ideas for Baby Shower Gifts

Everyone loves shopping for baby shower gifts, as it gives the opportunity to ‘awww’ at all the cute and tiny necessities for a new baby. Although we’d love to give the expectant mom every little thing we find, there are ways to purchase baby shower gifts that she really needs and wants.

It is absolutely acceptable to ask the mother-to-be if she has any specific baby shower gifts she would like to receive. Another great source is the host of the baby shower – this will prevent a shy mother from feeling embarrassed if she feels she may seem presumptuous. This also allows her to be truly surprised on the day of her celebration.

There are plenty of baby gear stores that offer baby shower gift registries. You may also simply look online at a few of the major ones to see if the mother’s name is located there. This way, you don’t need to ask the host about the existence of one unless you can’t find it yourself.

These registries have an entire list of baby shower gifts that the mother picked out herself, and typically incorporate a general theme or color palette that appeals to her. A variety of price levels allows even the most modest budget to find something that mom needs and will love!

The gifts are also typically grouped together by department – say, bath time or clothing items. This way, if you are particularly keen on finding a specific type of gift, you’ll know which area to look in.

Each item has a corresponding UPC number listed on the tag, as well as a description. Remember that if you ever have a problem locating these items that you can always ask an associate in the store. Another option may simply be to shop for the baby shower gift through the online store; this way, there’s no searching – you simply click the picture of what you want, and choose to have it shipped or kept for an in-store pickup.

Baby shower gift registries do prevent the possibility of duplicate gifts and additional time and effort on the mother’s part to exchange anything she doesn’t like. Of course, guests may feel this is an impersonal way to choose a baby shower gift, and want to give mother and baby something a little more unique.

Engraved and personalized gifts are especially unique, and perfect for baby showers held after the birth. This allows for including the birth date, length and weight, and full name of baby for a special keepsake memoir.

As a host, simply planning and putting on the baby shower is considered a gift in itself. This is perhaps one of the most elaborate and costly baby shower gifts that exist. However, a baby shower corsage for the guest of honor is a great little touch that can be added for just a few dollars. Coordinate the corsage with other floral arrangements used at the baby shower, or simply choose her favorite color or flower.

Planning the Menu for a Baby Shower Party

Regardless of the type of party you’re planning, food, beverages and cake are perhaps one of the most important parts of the process. When planning a baby shower, you’ll need to consider how to create the ideal baby shower cake for the occasion, as well as regular menu items for a luncheon or afternoon snack.

Feeding guests is an ideal way to let them mingle and socialize, and catch up with the expectant mother. Often, the simpler the menu the better – it needn’t be extremely complicated and stressful, but even simple food can be presented in such a way to wow everyone involved.

Most baby showers will typically include things like finger foods and sandwiches, or a buffet-style menu. The key is to choose foods that are easy to prepare and serve, as well as eat. In other words, don’t plan on serving the most elaborate dish or something that requires a lot of silverware and plates for the guests!

Costs also need to be controlled, so consider this while planning the menu. Also, keep the time of day the baby shower will be held in mind – this will affect how large the menu should be. You can also arrange for a ‘pot luck’ menu, asking each guest to bring their favorite dish; this lowers your individual costs as the host, and prevents major clean-up after!

When meeting with the expectant mom in the early planning stages, ask for her input on possible menu items. This will help you determine the required budget, as well as any items that can be prepared and frozen way ahead of time.

Beverages should generally be non-alcoholic. This will prevent any overindulgence on the guests’ behalf, but virtually any drink can be fun and festive. Consider standards like bottled water, iced tea or lemonade, but add a bowl of colorful and fruity punch to go with the serving of the cake.

Soda or flavored water can also be considered, and coffee and decaffeinated choices should be provided. Any of these beverage choices can be purchased at sale prices far ahead of the baby shower date.

Don’t forget that the baby shower cake will be the center of attention on the menu. Sheet cakes are the easiest to serve and tend to be the least expensive, and can be decorated with a wide variety of appropriate baby theme items. If you prefer a more indulgent cake, consider a tiered creation that is more formal and can offer several different flavors.

You can look online for several photos of baby shower cakes, or can visit several local bakeries to inquire about special offers and designs available. Most bakeries will only need a week or two of advance notice to prepare the baby shower cake for pickup, unless you require a very unique design or flavor.

Remember to try to coordinate the baby shower cake design with the theme of the party, or a more elaborate cake may serve as the basis for the surrounding decorations. The simpler your food and beverage menu, the more of your budget can be allotted toward the creation of a truly unique baby shower cake that will impress both mother and guests alike!

Finding the Perfect Baby Shower Invitations

Baby showers are a very special occasion, and it’s important to choose just the right baby shower invites to formally request the presence of everyone on the guest list. Written baby shower invitations are appropriate, but there may be instances where printed baby shower invitations or e-mailed invites may suit the situation better.

Of course, in the case of a surprise shower and interest in avoiding the expectant mother discovering any evidence of the planning, you may also simply invite guests via a quick and personal phone call.

You may choose to custom-order baby shower invitations in the case that there is a specific baby shower theme you want to incorporate. Of course, you may find cheap baby shower invitations or simply print some from online sources, as well.

There are a few things you should ensure the baby shower invites include, no matter which type you use. You should include the most detailed information possible about the baby shower party, including the fact that you are celebrating the birth of a child. Always include the mother’s name, the full name of the host, necessary dates and times of both the party and RSVP deadlines, and the location.

You may also want to include general directions to the location of the baby shower from the nearest major road to aid guests in finding it efficiently. If you choose to exclude children from the celebration, you’ll need to state this in the baby shower invitations.

Some hosts receive mixed reviews about whether the baby shower theme or gift registry information should also be included in the baby shower invites. Another option is to always allow guests to call or e-mail to inquire about this information. This prevents the guest from feeling pressured to buy a gift, but if they feel it is appropriate can inquire as to where they should shop.

Any of this information should only be given when asked, and not simply with every RSVP call or e-mail received. These proper etiquette guidelines ensure that no guest will be offended and even in the most formal gatherings no one will feel as if the host was rude or presumptuous in any way.

The proposed timeline for sending baby shower invitations is also a point in question. Generally, the most notice you can give the guests, the better. Conversely, if you give them too much time they may forget. Most hosts will mail the baby shower invites 4 to 6 weeks before the shower date – this is sufficient for even out of town guests to plan accordingly.

If for some reason you are running on a tighter schedule, a 2 to 3 week minimum should be allowed for mailing invitations. This should still allow some time for guests to shop for baby shower gifts, adjust their schedules and travel, and RSVP to give you a final head count.

Of course, if you have not heard from every guest by a week before the party, pick up the phone and call them personally. Even after receiving a final guest count, you should still allow for a few last-minute guests that perhaps simply lost the invite or did not have time to RSVP.

Deciding Who to Invite to a Baby Shower

Obviously, friends and family will be included on a baby shower guest list. This party is planned in honor of the expectant mother, and these guests will be important for her to have in attendance on her special day.

As the host of the baby shower party, you’ll need to consult the mom well ahead of time to determine how many people, as well as who she would like to invite. This will help to determine your budget and the size of venue you’ll need to accommodate everyone, as well as whether she wants co-workers or old classmates there, too.

You want to ensure that everyone she’d like to be there is at least sent an invitation, and unwanted guests are left off of the final list. Although a larger list means more expenses, it’s best to foot the extra dollars to include everyone she wants there, so don’t limit the number of people she can invite to her own baby shower. Most mothers will realize the costs involved, and show you the same respect by not inviting a hundred people.

However, if you’re planning a surprise baby shower, there are a few general guidelines to follow when coming up with a guest list. Of course, her closest family members and friends will need to be included. Your list will also be affected by whether someone else is having a baby shower for the expectant mother.

If co-workers are planning a baby shower party, you may not need to include them on your list. If a side of her family lives far away and holds a baby shower for her there, you may be able to exclude them and only include family and friends that are located nearby.

It’s also very popular today to plan a co-ed or couples baby shower so the men can be involved, too. If appropriate baby shower décor and activities are planned, all are able to have a wonderful time. This type of baby shower may be planned as more of an informal barbecue or picnic get-together as well. These types of baby showers are typically acceptable in a more casual style, and allows for even a pitch-in type of menu.

Men love to eat, and the more variety there is available, the more they’ll enjoy themselves. You may also consider planning a separate activity for the men to partake in while the women watch the guest of honor open her gifts.

Some special considerations may also cause questions about your proposed guest list. As a celebration of a new life being brought into the world, there may be question about whether to include an individual or couple who recently lost a child/pregnancy, or have been unable to conceive their own much-wanted children.

The simple way to answer this is with a resounding ‘yes!’. It will be up to them to decide whether to attend, but it’s simply rude not to at least include them on the guest list to share in the mother’s special baby shower celebrations.

Ideas for Unique Games to Play at a Baby Shower

Everyone loves a great baby shower – guests are able to socialize and visit with old friends and distant family, eat great food, play unique baby shower games, and watch the expectant mom open all of her baby shower gifts. If you’re planning the party, it’s a good estimate that it will last for 2 to 3 hours; you’ll need to have plenty of activities planned for the guests to prevent any embarrassing lulls in the pace of the shower.

When planning a baby shower, remember that as everyone arrives they’ll want to say hello and talk with all the other guests and expectant mom. Allow for some time to socialize and catch up with everyone before moving on to the food.

The menu does not need to be elaborate or formal, but a few munchies or finger foods are ideal for snacking. The time of day that the baby shower is planned for will largely determine the type of foods you offer the guests. However, the cake will usually be reserved for the end of the party, so everyone has a photo opportunity of the mom cutting her cake.

Baby shower games are always fun, and this is a great way to make your baby shower party unique and unlike any other. Just about any game that exists can be altered to be appropriate for a baby shower, or to fit the mother’s personality and the expected baby.

You should plan on at least a few different games to sufficiently keep the guests active and busy. These baby shower games should be planned at least a few weeks in advance to ensure you have plenty of supplies for all the guests expected. Door prizes also need to be purchased or collected for winners of each game, too.

One classic baby shower game is where everyone attempts to guess how big the expectant mom’s belly is with a roll of toilet paper. Another game idea is to fill a bottle with candy of some sort or cotton swabs (to be given to mother afterward, of course), and have everyone guess the number of them in the bottle.

Baby bingo is another unique baby shower game, as well as baby tic-tac-toe, and pin the pacifier on the baby. Free printable baby shower games are typically found online, and you may find some other unique baby shower game ideas on forums or dedicated websites.

Instead of games, you may also plan an activity. This may include the group making a special and personalized item for the expectant mother, and could involve everyone in making a scrapbook, quilt, or video documentary. Another idea is having everyone write a personalized message to mother and baby in an ‘advice book’ as an activity or simply as the guests arrive in the door.

If you’re planning a couples or men and women baby shower, make sure the baby shower games and activities will cater to the entire group. You may also simply want to plan the baby shower party as a group get-together, like a barbecue outdoors in the park or an ideal backyard.

How to Choose the Perfect Baby Shower Theme

If you’re hosting the baby shower party for the expectant mother, an important part of the planning process is to decide whether to implement a baby shower theme, and how to determine the best theme ideas for the event. Color schemes, whether you’re planning a boy baby shower or girl baby shower, and input from the mother will most likely help in determining the type of theme you’ll use.

It’s best to meet with the mother well ahead of time and ask if she would like a themed baby shower, or which themes she may be incorporating into the nursery. She may have a specific idea of a theme she’d like to use, or at least give you ideas to come up with your own.

Obviously, a surprise baby shower will not afford you this convenience. However, looking at her gift registry to get an idea of colors and themes she likes for the baby may give you a great starting point. As the host, you should already know the mother well enough to understand her personality and general likes and dislikes.

First, you must decide what type of shower you’ll be having. Will it be formal or informal? Are the guests women only, or will men be included? If you’re having a co-ed or couples shower, remember that many decorations and themes the women may find “cute” will not be as appealing to male guests necessarily.

However, if the baby shower party is to be for girls only, your choices in baby shower themes is literally endless. If you know the sex of the baby, this will give you further information to use in this planning process. Also remember that you shouldn’t choose a theme that will be extremely difficult to coordinate or find decorations and games for, either.

You may consider a prince or princess baby shower theme, Disney character themes, animals, nursery rhymes, angels, rubber ducks, sports, holidays, celebrities, special twin themes, or baby apparel and supplies themes.

Your chosen baby shower theme should be approved by the mother-to-be if the party is not planned as a surprise. Other themes may include a ‘Safety Shower’ where all gifts are aimed toward keeping baby and child safe, or a ‘Pamper Mommy’ shower that centers around comforting the mom during delivery and during the stressful first months of her new schedule.

Mothers expecting their second or third child may not require as many standard gifts, as she may already own several of them. In this case, you can be a little more creative in your choice of themes, and reduce the pressure for guests to bring big and expensive gifts. A scrapbook may be an ideal personalized gift, where every guest offers a special message or idea for different pages to be included. This also creates a great activity during the baby shower party.

With a little creativity and input from the mother, virtually any baby shower theme can be planned for. Considering the guest list, plans for the baby, and time and money involved, it’s easy to create a fun day of socialization and celebration that everyone can enjoy.

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