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Baby is Coming, Are you ready?
by: David Kunstek

It has been a long pregnancy. You are probably tired and feeling worn more often then not. But, are you prepared for baby's arrival? Do you have all the baby clothes, baby furniture and bedding that you need? Perhaps you aren't even sure what you need to have? Not to worry, even if you didn't have a baby shower to help you prepare, you can find all the items you need for baby right under your nose!

One of the biggest worries when a mom to be is preparing for baby is the baby's room. Having the proper baby furniture and bedding is essential. But, what do you need and what isn't necessary? Sure, it's nice to have a whole room designed to a nursery theme with crib, rocker, bassinet, and changing table. But, all of those products aren't necessary and in fact, baby isn't going to care what she gets her diaper changed on. Changing tables are one thing that can be eliminated as well as the bassinet. Cribs and baby bedding are made to support any size baby from a newborn to a toddler. So, while these products are great to have, don't worry if you don't have them.

As for baby clothing, you will want to pamper baby for sure with cute outfits, little booties, and hats. But, the truth of the matter is, during the beginning months of baby's life, he or she won't have too many big outings to go to. In fact, mom and baby will probably spend a lot of their time resting up for the next feeding in the middle of the night. Again, yes it is great to have a dresser full of cuteness, but reality is, a few cute outfits will do just as well. Now, you should not short yourself on onesies and sleepers. Baby will spend most of his or her day in these and will more then likely need a few per day depending on how much baby decides to spit up. Don't forget the diapers! Having several burping clothes and blankets will also help.

Does all this discourage you? Every parent wants to give their child the best every step of the way. But, having the best furniture and clothing isn't going to help baby in any way. If you really want to find some or all of these items but don't have a large budget to work with, you do have other options. The most obvious of these is to ask family and friends for hand me downs. More then likely, they will be happy to lend you the items they no longer need. Or, if someone is asking you what you need, don't be afraid to tell them what you would like to have. Also, search around garage sales and thrift shops. You can clean and repaint just about anything you find. Saving money this way will help with the ever demanding diaper fund you will have to have!

About the Author

Written by David Kunstek, webmaster and author of http://www.baby-stuff.us. This article may be reproduced as long as a Live link back to http://www.baby-stuff.us is present on the web page.

Baby Name Trends: From Classic to Hip
by: Alli Ross

Goodbye Bertha, Hello Kaitlyn! The top baby names of today break with tradition and follow-up on new trends. Because choosing the perfect name can be a daunting task, many informative web sites have been launched with parents in mind.

A name is central to a child's earliest sense of identity. It's often the first word he or she learns to read and write. Naming trends of today are defined by celebrities, literary classics, and even name brands. Look no further than your favorite book, car, or brand for baby name ideas. Names like "Armani", "Del Monte", "Infiniti", "Celica", "Chevy", and "Lexus" are increasing in popularity.

Unisex names are another trend that is gaining steam. Parents are using names such as Jordan, Madison, Devon, Bailey, Parker, and Logan on boys and girls. However, when naming a baby, parents must consider if it invites potential teasing. Boys are often targeted more heavily than girls.

Want to add a twist to your baby's name? Another naming trend includes spelling classical names untraditionally. There are usually at least five different ways to spell any name. This way, you can add variety to a classical favorite.

You could also use a name inspired by nature. Examples for boys include Ashton, Avery, Birch, Bradley, Grant, Holden, Landon, Logan, or Wesley. For girls you could use Beverly, Brooke, Erica, Hayley, Lauren, Lillian, or Olivia.

Want a crafty name? Bailey, Baker, Carter, Cooper, Foster, Mason, Porter, and Turner may be more your style. However, you can’t go wrong with the following chart-topping baby names, whether you prefer the 1900's or the 1990's.

Names of the 1900's:

Boys: John, William, James, Charles and Robert
Girls: Mary, Helen, Elizabeth, Marie, and Alice

Names of the 1990's:

Boys: Michael, Christopher, Joshua, Jacob, Andrew, David, and Tyler
Girls: Ahley, Emily, Sarah, Amanda, Taylor, Megan, Kayla, and Nicole

Best of luck. ; )

About the Author

GranMamma is the webmaster at the Baby Names Box - http://www.babynamebox.com - Where you can explore over 6,000 baby names and their meanings. Read articles on parenting, family, home and gardening. Be sure to say hi to GranMamma!

8 Simple Tips for Taking Great Baby Photos
by: Criss White

Taking pictures of your new baby is a great way to preserve life long memories.Baby pictures can also make great postcards, keepsakes, or baby shower gifts.

Here are some simple tips to get great baby pictures:

1) Avoid bright light - Babies are especially sensitive to bright light including harsh sunlight and flash photography. If possible, try to take photos during the day when flash photography is not necessary. You can also use lamps to create lighting.

2) Take pictures from different distances - Try to take pictures from different distances. Most people like to take close-up pictures, but pictures that are too close can be blurry and out of focus. By taking several pictures from different distances, you can keep the ones that are the best.

3) Be aware of your baby's mood - Try not to start a photo session when your baby is cranky or crying. If your baby is in a bad mood, then wait awhile until he or she is better rested or calmed. You will get better pictures when your baby is in good spirits.

4) Use a high quality camera and film - This tip may seem simple, but is worth saying. Using high quality cameras and film can make a big difference in the quality of the photo, especially if you are creating photo gifts or favors.

5) Get rid of any distractions - Make sure there are not too many distractions when taking pictures. Anything that moves or makes noise, like the TV, should be turned off is possible. Having too many people around can also be distracting for the baby.

6) Take multiple shots - Taking different shots is a good idea for any type of photography, particularly if you are making photo gifts. Sometimes it is hard to tell if a shot will turn out good until it is actually produced, so get those extra shots just in case.

7) Background - Make sure that there is not too much distracting stuff in the background. The focus should be on the baby, so plain backgrounds usually work best.

8) Other people - Try taking pictures of the baby with other people as well, including you. A baby will interact with other people and these interactions captured on film can make great keepsakes.

About the Author - Criss White is a professional web writer on baby and
new mother topics for baby and pregnancy websites. For baby shower picture frames,
go to Baby Picture
Frames - Favors (http://www.mybabyshowerfavors.com/pictureframes.htm) and
Unique Baby Shower Favors
(http://www.mybabyshowerfavors.com/unique.htm).

A Baby Is Born With Several Reflexes
by: Tony Luck

A Baby's Reflexes..

A baby is born with certain reflexes to protect them during the first few weeks. These reflexes will disappear after a few weeks and be replaced with voluntary movement during baby's development.

Doctors will check these reflexes to ensure his central nervous system is working correctly.

Walking Reflex

If you hold baby in an upright position with his feet touching the floor, his legs will seem to be trying to walk. This reflex will last for about 3-4 weeks, and he won't actually walk until he is around 12 months.

Crawling Reflex

Place baby on his stomach and he will take up a crawling position with his bottom in the air and his legs bent. This lasts for about two months when he will then be able to lie flat.

Search Reflex

Touch baby's cheek with your finger or breast and he will turn towards the source and open his mouth in search of food. This reflex will last for about 12 weeks.

Grasp Reflex

Place your finger in the palm of baby's hand and he will grasp it. This involuntary movement will persist for about 3 months.

Sucking Reflex

Put your (clean) finger in baby's mouth and he will suck on it. This reflex ensures he will be able to feed.

Diving Reflex

If baby is placed in water - either during a water birth or in a swimming pool - his throat will close so that he does not swallow the water. This means that baby will not drown if born in water, and he will also be a natural swimmer. This reflex will last for about 2 months, or longer if you take him swimming.

Babinski's Reflex

Stroke the sole of baby's foot and his big toe will curl up and the other toes will spread out. This lasts for about two years.

About the Author

Tony Luck who runs a site with advice for moms-to-be and new moms, including the fascinating chinese pregnancy calendar which is supposed to tell you whether the baby you are expecting will be a boy or girl, and a conception chart to tell you when baby is expected.

A Man and His Baby
by: Ieuan Dolby

When a couple steps forth with a baby in tow everything in life is stable and normal. People hold open doors, hard shopkeepers “chuck” and go all gooey before catching themselves and generally life is an easy ride. But gentlemen, when he who dares to step-out with a baby in tow (minus the wife) life becomes a series of obstacles that never ceases to surprise.

I don’t mean a trip to the corner shop, “no siree”! I mean a fully-fledged trip into town, pram, milk bottles and spare nappies to boot! Small things are immediately noticeable, like that hard and mean-looking grocer down the road! When my wife goes in to his establishment he goes all gooey, in fact he doesn’t notice me at all; just talks to my wife and son and ignores me as if I was the invisible man. But walking in to his shop with only my son, an apple to buy before the days outing ahead and he became meaner and harder. In fact he noticed me for the first time, glared at me as if I had just stolen the kid and was on the run and said “hope that’s not for the little one”! I felt like saying what’s it got to do with you mate but ……………on the bus the driver who suggested that I sit near the front instead of upstairs was nearly out of his seat and taking the part of usher before realizing that this was not really in his job description!

Somehow some basic human instinct suggests that ‘man’ is neither capable nor fit to look after a baby! This instinct immediately raises the hairs on the backs of people’s necks, images of disaster loom in their minds and unseen forces push them forwards to offer help. They do not see a happy and carefree father pushing his laughing baby along in the pram, they see a harried father who is at his wits end and who is desperate for help. They see a tormented and unwilling baby, screaming and kicking in desperation, a father who is pulling his hair out and desperately looking around for somebody to just show him what to do.

Once in town and in the department store I headed straight for the baby changing room! Same routine as always except minus one cog – the wife! I did what I had done so many times before whilst my wife had sat down to read a magazine. Well, the plan was the same as all those times before, make the milk give my son the bottle, lay him down on the nappy changing “thingy”, change his nappy, etc! I did not even get as far as the hot water dispenser! One mum, before I had even entered the room stopped me in my tracks and in a very serious way informed me that the seat belt on the pram was not fastened. One has to be polite in situations like these; I myself planning ahead as always had removed the seat belt just then in preparation for lifting my son out of it once inside the baby room. I did not know of the golden rule that one cannot unfasten the seat belt until well inside closed doors!

Inside the room, some mystical being ran around the room telling all of the mums that a ‘father-alone’ was out and about! Upon entering heads swiveled in my direction, a series of forces pushing bodies towards me and unwanted advice started to escape from mouths. Once past I could hear whisperings, stories being generated and past on; a fictional myth growing in reality to become truth in mind! I shut myself off, warded off the numerous hands that where heading towards my sons cheeks like locusts, barged through with forced smiles and “no thanks”, and managed to get to the water machine. I smiled politely to the lady who showed me how to press the button for hot water, grimaced when told that the milk I had made was too hot (how did she know?) and nearly barked when asked “is the wife in not well dear”!

These kindly mums, whose husbands obviously knew nothing about how to change a nappy or feed a baby his milk, had my son crying within five minutes. He doesn’t like attention in the form of searching hands. He especially doesn’t like getting his cheek pinched or chin chucked! I felt like shouting “give him air” or wading in with elbows to rescue him but they were all so well-meaning, these poor mums! Needless to say that as my sons screaming and bawling intensified to maximum pitch the mums turned to me as one as if to say “look at the poor man, doesn’t know how to look after his baby”.

Naturally as they confirmed their belief that I was totally inept and useless, wandering hands gained purpose and started to lift my baby out of the pram to offer him comfort – my son hates strangers holding him! Well, I made a run for it, I grabbed the baby in mid-air, swiveled the pram around on a sixpence, closed my eyes tight and charged for the door, throwing aside mothers like pins at the bowling alley!

I went to the men’s toilet to change my son’s nappy! At least in the sanctity within, nobody talked to me, no advice was freely given and no insects to ward off. Naturally, looks of sympathy and confusion were issued freely, stories would abound later as husbands rushed to tell their wives about the “poor sad man with the baby” – but who cares, just don’t talk to me about it.

I suppose all is not so bad! A new dimension opened up, one that it would be best if my wife knew nothing about! I have never in my life had so many young ladies (ones who wouldn’t know what the inside of a baby changing room looked like) surrounding me; albeit they were cooing at my son but ……… something about single men with babies must be an attraction. Anyway, I always enjoyed their reaction when saying loudly, “ah, here’s my wife coming now”, the desertion was abrupt and complete! I know how to handle that one; it’s the rest that bothers me!

About the Author

Author and Webmaster of Seamania. As a Chief Engineer in the Merchant Navy he has sailed the world for fifteen years. Now living in Taiwan he writes about cultures across the globe and life as he sees it.

Alternative Baby Clothing
by: Mark Freeman

Whoever coined the phrase that there is nothing new under the sun was clearly not expecting to see the latest trend in clothing for infants and toddlers. The members of the punk rock generation of the ‘80s are the parents of today and it seems that a good number of them chose to go the way of Peter Pan and simply refused to grow up. That is the only viable explanation for the aforementioned baby clothing trend: "alternative" baby wear. Parents are now able to dress their little Joeys and Siouxsies in all manner of punk-rock and biker inspired clothing designed to make even the most anti-social and anarchistic parents say, "Isn't he a cute little punk?"

Available at various specialty shops and a number of online retailers, these clothing items intended for infants and toddlers consist primarily of Tee shirts bearing slogans like "If you can read this… THE BIB FELL OFF!" and "Little Punker" colored in the requisite blacks, reds, and hot pinks. Many of these articles hail from the UK and are available in the US by mail order only. The panhandling punks of yesteryear must have a bit of cash saved up, however, at a UK site called The Rally Shack the aforementioned "bib" slogan shirt as well as a hot pink tee adorned with a pattern of skulls and crossbones that might look more fitting donning the chest of John Lydon or Iggy Pop sells for £10.00 (about $18.00 US) and is available in 6, 18, and 24 month sizes. Eighteen bucks is a pretty hefty price for a baby tee that is going to be spit up on and outgrown, but, with the number of these sites in business, there must be a market. A few other offerings follow.

The Kids Window

This UK based site offer US, UK, European, and world versions and sells traditional and alternative baby clothes. Of particular interest are the "Jolly Roger" skull and crossbones tees, "Head Banger" tees and "hoodies" bearing both legends and slogans. Prices range from about £12.00 to £16.99 (about $22.00-$31.00 US). Yes, your 6 month old can wear a hoodie! Just like Eminem!

Lucky L'il Devil

This American site has got to be seen to be believed. It offers everything you could want to turn your baby or toddler into a little hoodlum all under one convenient roof. In addition to the rock and pop culture inspired Tee shirts (personal favorites include the Betty Page tee, the Ramones homage tee that reads "Hey, Ho, Let's Go," and the disturbingly humorous tee reading "333 – Halfway to Hell"), Lucky L'il Devil offers full outfits like apron dresses and leggings that bear images like the female silhouette familiar to truckers everywhere and slogan "Daddy Drinks Because I Cry." Prices range from $17.00-$18.00 for tee shirts, $34.00-$36.00 for apron dresses, and $17.00 for leggings.

About The Author:
This article provided courtesy of http://www.baby-announcement-guide.net

Baby crib bedding and accessories
by: Marilyn Willoughby

A must for every nursery is fun and functional baby crib bedding. We have selections for every taste and designs that will create a pleasant and interesting environment for both infant and parents. Baby crib bedding comes in a variety of fabrics and with prices that will suit every budget.

Most newborns start their life sleeping in one of the many varieties of bassinet or cot before graduating to a baby crib. You will want him or her to be warm and comfortable and surrounded by an attractive and contemporary baby crib bedding design. Keep your baby warm in fleece in the winter and cool as a breeze in cotton in the summer.

There are as many different themes as there are color schemes and fabrics. Select from cartoon and Disney characters or pick nature, pastoral or seasonal designs. We have baby crib bedding designs for everyone.

Baby crib bedding sets the tone for the whole nursery.

About the author:

Marilyn Willoughby is a successful author and publisher of http://www.great-baby-products.com An online resource for buying great baby products and a provider of important baby safety tips.

www.great-baby-products.com

Baby Expense: What To Do When Baby
by: Adriana Copaceanu

As you probably know, baby expense should be high on your list of things to plan for, before the baby comes. There is no cheap way to have and raise a baby: it takes sweat, work, lots of cash, patience, and more to have a happy, healthy baby. Some studies suggest that you will spend anywhere between $150,000 and $200,000 for your kids by the time they are 18 years old, not including private schools, special lessons, or college.

But if you waited until you had enough money, time and energy to have your baby, you would probably end up without any children. Here you*ll find a few ways to ease the finances, so that you can enjoy your new bundle of joy.

1. Get health assistance - if you don*t have health insurance, and can*t afford it, doctor*s bills can ad up really easy. But there are options out there for people just like you. This baby expense will probably be one of your biggest, so don*t be afraid to ask for assistance if your family needs it.

2. Breastfeed your baby, if possible. It*s free, it*s convenient, and it might help against breast cancer. It*s recommended as being the best form of nutrition for baby.

If you can*t breastfeed, don*t feel guilty. Try to apply for WIC (Women , Infants, and Children): http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic , a program designed to help middle and low income families with educational resources and food. You can also save money by buying formula in bulk, clipping coupons, and accepting free samples whenever they are offered. This is a baby expense you can*t do without.

3. Diapers - Some diapers are better than others, but most are basically the same. Store brand disposable diapers can be just as good as the name brand, for several dollars less than their name brand counterparts. You can save even more, if you use cloth diapers instead of disposable. As with breastfeeding, it*s a little more work involved, but well worth it.

4. Diaper Rash Prevention - instead of taking action after your baby got a diaper rash, prevent it with a drop of olive oil applied to their bottom every time you change their diaper: it works wonders (you should check with your doctor first).

5. Baby food - When it comes to baby food, a blender is your best friend: it will help you keep this baby expense at its lowest. Not only is it much cheaper, but it*s so much healthier! Save the little baby food jars for quick trips, or special occasions, and give your baby pureed food made by you. You can cook a week*s supply on the weekend, put the blended vegetables in the ice cube tray, for a few hours, and then place them in a freezer bag. Depending on your baby*s appetite and age, you can microwave one, two or three cubes before meal time. It*s quick, healthy and inexpensive.

6. Clothing - There is no need to buy expensive designer clothing for you little one. Do you think anyone will really notice that your baby is wearing Tommy Hilfiger? Babies look cute in anything: don*t waste your money! You can get most of your baby clothing at yard sales or second-hand stores.

7. Toys - they are big business, but you don*t have to feel pressured to get the latest and most expensive models. My kids were happy with everyday items as their toys: empty shampoo bottles (make sure they are cleaned and rinsed very well before handing them to your baby), plastic bowls, plastic containers from food products (margarine, sour cream , etc.) that they could stack up, etc. Also, buy some toys that will help with your baby*s development, are durable, and are age appropriate: a baby expense worth the money.

8. Wills - Get a will or update your old will. Name a guardian for your child and the trustee of your child*s inheritance (often but not always the same person). Without a will, the court will name these individuals and also split up your assets in accordance with state law which may not be the way you would wish. Please don*t try to avoid this baby expense: your kid*s future might depend on it. A simple will that includes a trust for minor children costs between $150 and $250.

Here are links to some great baby resources:

- generic brand wholesale diapers

( http://www.diapers-4-less.com/private-label-diapers.htm )

- baby formula: free samples and coupons

( http://www.freestuff-for-babies.com/babyformula.html )

Adriana Copaceanu is a work at home mom of 2, and the

Baby gift ideas
by: sravan kumar reddy

A new arrival in the family ushers in immeasurable joy and happiness. It is a special occasion not only for the respective mother and father, but also for the entire family and their friends. Celebrate this joyous occasion with style. Go in for classy yet useful baby gifts for the newborn. A few tips are listed below that my help you choose the ideal baby gifts for some one you love and care about.

# Baby beds with a number of tiny pillows in different shapes. A baby bed is very useful because babies soil the bed frequently and to have a spare one always helps.

# Soft toys. Cuddly teddy bears and dolls keep the infant company. They also create a cozy atmosphere, making the baby feel very comfortable.

# Baby wraps and blankets. Baby skin is very soft. Keeping this in mind always buy soft wraparounds for the baby. The wraps should not have any kind of buckles or buttons as this may hurt the baby.

# Baby clothes. Again keep in mind the sensitive skin of the newborn. Loose and soft clothes are always the best. Remember to avoid buttoned or buckled apparel.

# Woolens. Sweaters woven from the finest wool only should be considered for gifting purposes. This also applies to caps, hoods and socks.

# Body suits are considered ideal as they cover the baby from head to toe without the help of drawstrings and buttons. Also they are easy to handle when in a body suit.

# Baby Gifts can also include diaper sets. Though some may consider it a bit impolite, the fact is that they are very useful to the parents who never seem to have enough of them.

# Beautiful baby baskets are one way of gifting more than one item at a time. You can put in various articles that will come in handy for the baby as well as the mother.

# Baby milk bottles. If the mother is breast-feeding the newborn, these will be useful only after six to seven months.

# Pacifiers, rattlers, piggy banks and chimes are among other items that are appropriate for the occasion.

# Shower items form a very important part of baby gifts. Shower tubs, shower toys, soaps and oils come under this category. Moms can be gifted shower aprons as well as baby shower invitation cards.

# For babies in the crawling stage, ideal gifts include rocking chairs and horses.

# Even at this stage it is advisable to gift soft toys as there is a chance toddlers may hurt themselves with hard toys.

# Such toys may include soft stacking rings, clutch cubes and balls.

# Items like play sets, figure books, alphabet blocks and fitting blocks and puzzle name stools can be gifted to babies over one year.

# It is better if chocolates and other goodies accompany gifts. This gives twice the joy to the baby.

A wide range of baby gifts awaits you online. So what are you waiting for? Happy clicking.

About the Author

For further details visit India gifts

Raising Children is a Big Job: How Parents Can Get Support
by: ARA

(ARA) - Do you know anyone who would buy a new car, drive it day in and day out and never bother to fill the gas tank, change the oil, or rotate the tires? And when it broke down, leave it by the side of the road to go off and look for another vehicle?

Most people see a new car as an investment that is worth the time and energy it takes to keep it clean and shiny and in good repair. They know that taking good care of their car will help them avoid costly repairs in the future and extend the life and value of their purchase.

It is time to care for parents as well as we care for a new SUV, to do more than wait for parents and families to break down, leave them by the side of the road, and then, go off to look for a replacement.

Parents are the single most important influence in their children’s lives. But even the most involved, caring, informed parent doesn’t raise a child alone. Many of the supports parents need will require communities to act giving parents help with the essential resources so they can do their jobs day in and day out while others will require a better understanding of parents and their concerns.

In a 2002 poll of parents, Building Strong Families, “A majority of parents surveyed are going it alone in the vital and challenging task of raising children and teenagers. Most say they don’t often turn to their extended family friends, and community resources for support in parenting.”

That’s why we must begin to create parenting rich communities that focus on parenting as a lifelong occupation, one that evolves constantly with the changing needs of the child, family priorities, career concerns, and the quality of life within the community.

A parenting-rich community values families and the role of parents and caregivers. It supports parents and caregivers from all backgrounds, raising children of all ages from infancy through young adulthood. When asked what they need to do a great job as parents, parents indicate a desire for affordable housing in safe neighborhoods, good schools and adults they can trust with their children. In a parenting-rich community, resources, information, support and public awareness about parenting are so abundant and so widely accepted that all parents and caregivers have easy access to the help they need to raise their children successfully.

In a parenting-rich community, policy makers and community leaders understand, value and support the needs of parents. Public policy decisions on such topics as economic development, zoning, education and social, recreational and cultural services are made with an understanding of their effects on parents and their parenting role. Supporting parents in the wonderful, difficult and challenging task of raising children is essential to social and economic well being.

There is a wealth of information out there that will help communities understand what parents need and how they can build these supports. The next best step is to consolidate this information into easy-to-use tools that are available in every community to guide anyone looking for ways to improve the ability and stability of parents so that their children can thrive.

It is time to fill the tank, check the oil and rotate the tires for the members of our neighborhoods who run 24 hours a day: parents.

For more information on CWLA and on its national initiative Creating Parenting-Rich Communities, visit www.cwla.org or call (202) 638-2952.

Courtesy of ARA Content

About the author:

Courtesy of ARA Content

Homemade Baby Food
by: Suzanne Doyle-Ingram

You may be thinking, "My baby is still just a tiny newborn - why would I be thinking about making baby food?” But, you will soon find that time flies and it's not long before your beautiful newborn is ready for real food.

When I was pregnant, if you had told me that I would be making my baby's food by hand one day, I would have laughed my head off! Never could I have predicted that I would be advocating making your own baby food. I was a career driven, professional woman who believed that Gerber was best doing those sorts of things.

But it really is so EASY to make your baby's food, and you save tons of money, and best of all, you know what goes into it! That is the key for me. How do you really know what goes into store-bought baby food? You must be very trusting, to just accept (and hope) that the "professionals" are doing what they're supposed to be doing, and taking all the precautions they are supposed to be taking.

Baby food is really not complicated; for the most part it is one fruit or vegetable or sometimes two. When you are cooking dinner, boil up a few extra carrots. When they are cooled, use one of those Braun hand blenders (they cost about $20) and blend up those five or ten carrots with some of the water that they were boiled in. THERE! You've just made baby food. And it took you about 45 seconds. And, you know those carrots are just carrots. Jars of baby food carrots that you buy are actually mostly water. There's a tiny bit of carrot mixed in, but they are whipped so much with so much water, that really they are hardly even nutritious by the time baby is eating them.

Now, you may be wondering what to do with those carrots. You spoon them into an ice cube tray. Each bit is about two ounces. Any time you want to give some to your baby, just pop one out and microwave it, or leave it in the fridge to thaw.

Other foods to cook for your baby include:
Zucchini (and other) squash - wash and cut into small pieces. Boil or steam for about 10 minutes. Puree and freeze just like the carrot example.
Potato - peel and cut into cubes. Boil and mash with some water.
Green beans - scrub beans well and cut off both ends of the beans. Follow instructions for zucchini.
Peas - Use frozen peas or fresh peas, not canned. Canned peas may have too much sodium. You can boil and then mash with a fork. Add water or breast milk to make a smooth consistency.
Sweet potato - Pierce it with a fork and then microwave just like a potato, or cook in the oven for about an hour. These are so very nutritious for your baby!
Apples - All babies like apples, don't they? Wash and peel two or three apples and then cut into smallish pieces. Boil or steam -- do not add any sugar or cinnamon! -- and then puree just like the carrots.

So there you have some easy ways to make homemade baby food for your baby. It really is very easy, and when you make big batches and freeze them, it's even easier. You always have fresh, healthy baby food on hand, that you know how was made and what went into it. No one will take better care of your baby than you will!

About the author:
Suzanne Doyle-Ingram is the mother of two daughters, Hana and Alexa, and married to her best friend James, who is a stay-at-home dad and educational game developer (and he makes a mean grilled chicken!). Visit her website at http://www.pregnancy-leads-to-new-babies.com