Newborn Baby

Writing a Letter to a Newborn Child  

Writing a personal letter to a newly born child is an excellent method to note down occurrences or sentiments that happen throughout the first few months of a baby’s life. Such letters can turn into treasured mementos and keepsakes when a baby grows up to become an adult. 

The Notion

The concept of writing a personal letter is not a modern concept, but it has evolved with the modern everyday use of technology. Besides utilizing a pen and paper to write, people are able to use the Internet to record their thoughts. Published messages on the Internet can be made public or private or have restricted access, such as password protected messages that only selected family members have access to. The idea of writing a letter to a new born child might seem peculiar to you. If this is the case, then the following content will give you a better understanding of the motives people have to write letters and will also give you some tips and pointers on how to make the most of the letter writing experience. 

Why and Who?

There are no restrictions as to who should or can write the letter to the baby, as long as one cares and loves the baby and the family. Usually the ones who write such letters are the parents of the child, but other family members can and often do as well. These people can be the child’s grandparents, older brothers and sisters and other relatives and friends of the family. For many parents, writing a letter to the newborn child is not a substitute for the conventional baby books as a way to document the experience, but it enhances the experience of early parenthood. People participate and get involved in this practice for various reasons such as:

• To record the events that happened during and right after birth of the baby.
• To help them answer questions older children might have about their own infancy.
• To keep a record of the first few months of a baby’s life.
• To share with other family members, the thoughts, sentiments and major events in the baby’s life.
• To express significant personal details as a souvenir for children
• To let the baby’s older brothers and sisters to introduce themselves.

Tips for Scripting a Letter:

It may seem like writing a letter to a newborn is a simple task. However, the task does require some planning before you proceed with it. If you want to create a significant letter for the newborn to read when he or she grows older, the tips mentioned in the subsequent sections may aid you in getting started on your writing project. 

Tone

The tone that you should use in your writing can be a difficult area of the letter writing process. You want the letter targeted to the newborn child, but it can be difficult for an adult to leave out information or knowledge that is specific to adults. Some people may choose to pick a tone that is intimate and personal, where as others may prefer a light hearted tone for a letter that is to be read by a child while he or she is still quite young. Think about when you would like the child to read the letter and accordingly you can choose the tone and the contents of the letter.

Do Not Worry About Mistakes
One of the things about penning a letter to a newborn is that you have lots of time before the child will be old enough to read and understand the letter. This means you can afford to write the letter as thoughts and ideas come to you, and then later you can work on fixing or editing it, or you could even start all over again if you wish. The point is not to worry too much about mistakes your letter may contain, as you write it, because they can be fixed later. 

Topics

There are no rules as to what you should write about. However, given that there are so many topics you could potentially write about, it may be difficult for you to decide on what exactly to write about or how to get started. If you find it difficult to come up with a topic for the letter, check out the ideas below.

• Some of favorite memories of the experience
• The strengths and habits of the baby
• Description of baby expressions, gestures, mannerisms
• Baby milestones
• Sleeping and Eating Habits
• Special times shared with baby
• Current events
• Your feelings towards the baby
• Your aspirations for baby

You can write more than one letter to a baby and these would make a great gift later in life. Some parents publish blog posts to share with other Internet users. These blog entries can be printed and used inside scrapbooks.

Newborn Babies are precious and will melt hearts all around.  No matter the number of kids you already have, a newborn will always bring something new.  Stay on top of your baby's needs with this blog.


Your New Baby - 9 Ways to Save Money on Newborns

Suppose it's child #1, the most perfect baby in the world. Of course you buy the very best for your newborn - brand name diapers, scientifically designed baby bottles, professionally done pictures. Of course you take your precious bundle of joy to the doctor for every sniffle, every hiccup, every imperfection.

Now suppose it's child #9. You buy generic diapers, generic medicine, generic beans. Your child is lucky to have a snapshot on your cell phone - if it's not broken. You're an expert on saving money on child care - and could probably write today's entry yourself.

Save money starting with child #1 with the following tips:

1. Diaper rash. Prevention is the key. Keep your baby dry. Prolonged contact with urine or feces can cause a chemical irritation or burn. Some children are more susceptible - use a thick layer of Desitin (zinc oxide) as a barrier cream. If your baby has taken an antibiotic and isn't prone to recurrent diaper rashes, a yeast diaper rash is extremely likely, and can be treated with OTC Lotrimin or other anti-fungal cream for about $5. Only if the rash persists is a trip to the doctor necessary.

2. Cradle cap is a thick, waxy build-up of dead skin debris that occurs primarily on the scalp in the first several months life. Brushing the scales free with a baby brush and baby shampoo is often effective. If needed OTC Nizoral 1% medicated shampoo can be purchased for under $20. Only rarely would a trip to the doctor be necessary for this condition. If you're a first time mother, ask an experienced relative or neighbor first.

3. Infant formula. Buy a store-brand for a 50% savings - up to $600 a year. All U.S. infant formula is mandated by the FDA to have the same nutrient density.

4. Vaccines. Government-run health facilities can purchase vaccines from the manufacturers for about 30% less than private doctors can. Go to your local health department to save at least $100 on baby shots the first year.

5. Well-child visits. Local health departments and WIC clinics often provide this service for free. Call and ask! Save hundreds of dollars on office visits.

6. WIC. This program for Women, Infants, and Children provides free food for at-risk mothers, infants, and children up to age 4. Monthly packages include milk, juice, eggs, bread, cereal and peanut butter. http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/benefitsandservices/foodpkgallowances.HTM

7. Breast-feeding. It's better for your baby; it's better for you. Just think - every calorie your baby eats, is a calorie you lose! Choose breast-feeding and save $1000. WIC has a special breast-feeding promotion as well. Check out their website at:http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/Breastfeeding/breastfeedingmainpage.HTM

8. Colds. If a baby under 4 months gets the sniffles, a visit to your doctor is a good idea. For older babies, treat at home or at least ask before scheduling an appointment - an office visit is rarely necessary. The average child, especially one in day care, can expect to have a cold every month or two! Save at least $100 a year by treating colds at home.

9. Baby acne. The best treatment is usually none at all! With time the condition will clear on its own. Creams and other treatments may irritate the skin or clog the pores. Just leave the skin alone and eventually the acne will fade away.

With the money you save hire a babysitter for a night out. Parents need a break, too, and you don't want to spend your savings on a mental health professional!

Copyright 2010 Cynthia J. Koelker, M.D.

To read more about common medical problems visit: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert_bio=Cynthia_Koelker

The Basics of Infant Care
Having a baby is one of the most beautiful things that could happen in a parent's life. Yet, it is also challenging. Raising your newborn child is not easy. It takes a lot of effort and patience to nurture your child until he or she reaches the stage of complete development. Though some of the time this task can be quite challenging, the joys certainly outweigh any negatives. Here are some suggestions for successful baby nurturing:


1. Feeding
Breast milk is recommended for the first year of a newborn's life. This is to give the baby the optimum sustenance to grow and progress. Generally speaking, the newborn child should be breastfed about 8 to 10 times a day during the baby's first few weeks. As a parent, it is necessary that you know when your baby is getting the proper nourishment needed. Some indications that your baby is feeding well is when he or she is having four or more wet diapers a day or having bowel movements 3 times or more a day.


2. Sleep
Don't be surprised if your newborn child spends the majority of their time sleeping. It is common for infants to sleep most of the time, around 12 to 20 hours a day. When putting your baby to rest, it is advised by most doctors that you put your baby on his/her back, on a firm mattress. During cold weather, it is best that you dress your baby with warm pajamas to keep him warm rather than using a bedspread.


3. Bowel movements
Determining if your newborn child is having a bowel movement is easy. It is usually apparent when he starts to become quite hard to please, his face turns red, and he starts to cry and tends to move his legs. It is natural for newborn babies to pass a lot of gas so don't be surprised if this happens often. If your baby is breastfeeding, it is quite normal that he will pass stools a couple of times a day. On the other hand, babies that are formula fed do not pass stools quite as frequently. Should you ever see any signs of blood in the stool of your baby, immediately give your baby's physician a call.


4. Dressing your newborn
Providing your baby with the proper clothing is very important. Keep in mind that you should use clothing that is comfortable and appropriate. During cold season, you should clothe your baby with knit caps and booties. Though parents often want their baby to look fashionable, it is better not to overdress your newborn. Babies struggle to regulate their body temperature and therefore rely on layers of clothing to stay the right temperature.



5. Baby's day out
Taking out your newborn child can be fun. However, you need to consider when and where you can take your baby. Limit outings to nice days. It is important to keep your baby away from people with colds or any other form of illness. Also, avoid direct sunlight for this may harm your baby's skin. In addition, avoid taking your baby to crowded places while your baby is only a couple of months old.


To sum it up, proper nurturing of your newborn child is a rewarding experience. You're not only able to personally attend to your child's needs, but you also get to enjoy quality time where you and your baby can bond together.