Keep your Babies Skin Healthy! by Roxanne Kelly

There are many baby skincare products available all claiming to keep our baby’s skin as soft as the day he or she was born. IN the womb the baby is coated in a waxy substance called vernix, but once born the vernix comes away with essential washing as the baby grows. The P.H level of a baby’s skin is almost perfect, yet an adult’s skin is more acidic therefore making the ph level higher. The skincare products keep the baby’s skin as moisturized as possible without any harsh perfumes and chemicals that some products created for adults contain. The products differ in ingredients but the main thing all these products have in common is that they are made with your baby’s delicate skincare needs in mind.
The Arbonne baby skincare range is formulated in Switzerland at the Arbonne institute of research and development. All the baby products are P.H correct (5.5) and are made from plants and herbs blended with science. The products are formulated without mineral oil which can affect the skins function and also without dyes or chemical fragrances, which are well known to cause allergic reactions in sensitive skin, such as that of a baby. None of the products are tested on animals; they are tested on humans who are closely watched by a dermatologist. Products in the Arbonne range include the ABC (Arbonne baby care herbal diaper rash cream, body oil and hair and body wash, also available are sets which work out cheaper than buying the products one item at a time.

The Johnson’s baby skincare range has been around since 1890. The first product was the Johnson’s baby talc, which still today has the same fragrance. Johnson’s is the largest manufacturer of healthcare products. The well known no more tears formula is as kind to baby’s skin and eyes as pure water. The nighttime range has been clinically proven to help babies fall asleep and once asleep they will get a better nights sleep, meaning you will too. The nighttime products include the bedtime bath, and bedtime lotions formulated from a blend of gentle ingredients and soothing aromas such as lavender (known for its relaxing properties).

The Playtex baby skincare range is better known as Baby magic. It has been around since 1951 and the well-known fragrance remains the same. The Playtex baby skincare range is hypoallergenic. The complete body wash is enriched with Aloe. The range replenishes moisture and provides a delicate soft scent. There many products include the Baby Magic body lotion, Baby Magic baby powder. Also available is the calming range with lavender.

Huggies are well known for the nappies they have been making for many years but hey also have a baby skincare range too. The Huggies wipes came in 1996 but realizing that every baby’s skin is different they also introduced extra sensitive wipes in 2005. The Huggies skincare range is made to suit all types of skin and there are different variations to choose form such as the extra sensitive, normal or dry giving you the right amount of moisturizing and care whatever the type of skin your baby has. The bath time range comes in lavender and chamomile, which is great for bedtime. Recently the Huggies baby skincare range also introduced disposable washcloths, which are much more hygienic than flannels as they can be thrown away. The Huggies nappy range is Hydrogen bleached not chlorine bleached so is therefore much kinder on the skin, which is important when a baby spends the first few years in a nappy most of the time.

The Burts Bees Baby skincare range has been creating products for babies for over 10 years. The whole company has been going since 1989. ALL products are 100% natural with the Burts Bees Company hoping to become the greenest personal care company on earth. The Burts Bees baby skincare range contains no chemical preservatives, dyes or sudsing agents. The Burts Bees baby skincare range includes the Baby bee diaper ointment, which contains vitamin E, zinc oxide and beeswax to create a natural barrier to keep unwanted moisture out yet keep the skin under the barrier moisturized. The bubble bath is tear free and contains plant based nourishing soy to wash baby’s delicate skin without irritation and also has glycerin added to moisturize, along with vanilla to help calm the baby.

About the Author
The main difference between an adults and babies skin is the ph level. IN babies it is almost perfect (5.5) where as an adults skin is more acidic having a higher ph. Baby skincare products are tailored to meet the needs of baby skin and are made to promote comfort and strength as the skin grows and matures. To keep the baby’s skin soft it needs to be moisturized and kept as near to the ph level as it had when the baby was born.

How Switching to Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs Can Save You Money by Beverly Saltonstall

As more and more people are realizing that one individual can make a difference with pollution, the “Green Movement” is spreading.
The problem is that with all the media hype, most people think it’s too hard a job to go green. In truth, there are literally thousands of easy ways to go green. One of the most cost efficient and easiest ways to go green is to switch from incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL’s).

History of Early Compact Fluorescent Bulbs

Not many people realize that fluorescent light bulbs have been around since the 1800’s. In the 1970’s, General Electric improved the design, but found it was too expensive to build factories to mass produce the bulbs. The use of these bulbs was generally limited to office buildings, garages and under the kitchen cabinets.

In addition, the light they gave off was not of the quality we expected from an incandescent light bulb. The shape also restricted their use to a fixture that would allow the use of a long tubular bulb. They could not be easily used in table lamps, desk lamps or floor lamps.

Another factor that limited their use was that they often flickered and made an annoying humming noise.

In recent years, all that has changed. Improvements in the bulbs, especially with the development of the electronic ballast, have eliminated most of the negative features that made them less popular in the past.

The Pros of Compact Fluorescent Lamp, (CFL’S)

Listed here are some of the positive reasons to switch to CFL’s:

1. CFL’s now are shaped to fit nearly all our light fixtures.

2. The light they give off is comparable to traditional light bulbs.

3. They use 75-80% less electricity then traditional light bulbs.

4. A 60w standard bulb can be replaced with a 13-15w CFL Bulb to give the same amount of light.

5. The CFL bulbs last ten times longer. The average life span of a CFL is ten times longer than that of a standard light bulb.

6. It is estimated that using one CFL bulb will keep one half a ton of carbon dioxide from being dumped into the atmosphere over the life of that bulb.

7. The CFL bulb is less hot to touch, so is easier to change if it had been lit.

8. There will be eight less incandescent light bulbs that find their way into landfills if CFL’s are used.

9. CFL’s now come in many designs and can be used for many different applications.

10. The installation of CFL’s can earn a discount with some utility companies.

The Cons of Modern Compact Fluorescent Bulbs, (CFL’S)

As with anything, there are some negative features to these bulbs that should be taken into consideration when you decide to make the switch.

1. CFL’s have a higher initial cost.

2. CFL’s do not work well in places where the light is switched on and off frequently. The life span of the bulb is reduced in these situations.

3. Special bulbs are needed for dimmer switches, as not all CFL’s can be used in dimmer switches. Again the life of the bulb will be shortened.

4. Some timer mechanisms are incompatible with CFL’s.

5. Not all bulbs are suitable for outdoor use. Low temperatures may reduce light levels.

6. CFL’s contain a small amount of mercury which is toxic. Mercury vapor can be released if the bulb is broken.

7. Bulbs of inferior quality are showing up on the store shelves and may not be of high quality and will not last as long.

Despite the negatives, CFL’s have become extremely popular in the last several years.

Benefits of CFL’s

Replacing one 60 watt standard bulb with a 15-w CFL will save you more than $40 in electricity costs over the life of the bulb if you use it 6 hours a day. Add to that less trips to the store, and less money spent on replacement bulbs, the savings are significant.

Multiply that times the number of light bulbs you have in your home and you could realize a significant savings in both money and energy consumption.

Some states require that burned out CFL’s be disposed of at a hazardous waste facility (the preferred method of disposal) while most municipalities allow them to be disposed of in regular trash. Stores like Home Depot and Ikea are offering easy recycling for CFL’s.

CFL’s do contain a small amount of mercury and opponents to these bulb cite that as a major drawback. You just need to remember that these type bulbs should never be incinerated. This will disperse the mercury into the atmosphere.

Conclusion

The benefits of CFL’s have become evident in terms of the amount of energy saved and the amount of green house gasses that are not being pumped into the atmosphere. If everyone in the US used CFL’s we could retire 90 average size power plants.

In an effort to reduce greenhouse gasses, Australia and Canada have already banned the use of incandescent bulbs and the United States has passed legislation that is phasing out the manufacture of incandescent light bulbs and will ban them entirely by the year 2012.

Replacing energy-hogging incandescent bulbs with energy-saving fluorescents (CFLs) is a simple, effective way to slow the rate of global climate change while saving money. It’s good for the environment, it’s economical, it’s efficient, and it’s easy.

About the Author
Beverly Saltonstall is an environmental writer who cares deeply about the environment. She writes articles that raise awareness about the serious pollution we all face. A visit to her website, http://pollutionwebsite , will give an in depth look at the many types of pollution that is affecting our planet. For a free report “Simple Steps You Can Take to Reduce Pollution” simple log on to http://pollutionwebsite.com/freereport .

Parenting Tips for Child Behavior Problems by Jayne Harris

While there are many joys involved in parenting, most parents find dealing with bad child behavior a less enjoyable challenge.Most parents learn from experience and making mistakes how important it is to be consistent when dealing with child behavior problems. Parents discover that the combination of consistency and following through with consequences for bad child behavior is the most effective strategy.
To be effective in handling child behavior problems, it is important for both parents to agree on the discipline strategy. Both parents need to be involved so that they are both on the same page and apply consequences consistently in similar situations.

The best plan is for both parents to sit down with their children and outline the rules and expectations for good child behavior and make sure that the consequences for violating those rules is clearly understood by their children. Both parents should agree that the intended consequences for any occurrence of bad child behavior is fair, and that they apply it consistently in the firm and calm manner. If parents disagree concerning the best way to deal with their children’s bad behavior is best to discuss this when the children are not present.

When children sense discord, they often attempt to manipulate the situation to their advantage. Children learn very quickly how to play one parent off against the other, and this should be avoided.

It is important for parents to “practice what they preach” when it comes to teaching their children good child’s behavior.. Primarily children learn by watching rather than listening. Most learning is “caught rather than taught” which is why it is important for parents to be both in agreement about how they will deal with child behavior problems.

when frustrated by their children’s bad behavior, it can be easy for parents to get into the habit of screaming at them to be quiet or spanking them for hitting someone. Unfortunately parents discover that this behavior is copied and is considered as “acceptable behavior” by their children. For this reason, demonstrating a good example of acceptable behavior by parents is important. Therefore to avoid this situation, parents need to discuss ahead of time what is an appropriate parental response to inappropriate child behavior, and use it consistently in disciplining their children. For example using a “time out” technique when bad child behavior occurs is more appropriate and effective than the use of spanking.

Parents also need to be aware that child discipline strategies that work now, may not work later as the child matures. Some situations may require a different approach and so parents need to be sensitive to know when rules should be modified or abolished altogether, and when consequences need to be adjusted.

About the Author
Jayne Harris offers parenting tips for parents dealing with child behavior problems

7 Necessities You Should Have Before Your Baby Comes Home by Ann Mweu

With the many equipments in the baby shops nowadays, its very hard and confusing to chose the right ones. To help you make the right choice of the most necessary ones, here are some basic to have in hand ready by the time your baby arrives home.
1. -A crib that meets all the safety specification. New crib usually meets this specification but if you’re looking at used cribs, make sure they also meet the same. 2. -A crib mattress that is firm and covered with a material that can be easy cleaned. If this material is made of plastic or other nonabsorbent materials, place a thick fabric pad on top of it. 3. - Use crib bumpers to keep your baby from hitting her head on the crib bars. Make sure this bumpers are tired to the crib railing using all the strings, do not use pillow in a newborn crib, they are potentially dangerous. Remove the bumper when the baby starts to stand to avoid the baby using them to climb out of the crib. 4. -Bedding for the crib including a flannel-backed, waterproof mattress cover and two or more bed filter sheets. 5. - A changing table that meets all safety specifications, the table should be placed on a carpet or padded mat and against a wall and not the window to avoid the baby falling down. Table can also have shelves to hold diapers, pins and other changing equipment within reach but away from the baby. 6. - If you are going to wash your own diapers, you will need a second pail so you can separate wet from soiled ones, and have clean and dry ones for the baby to keep using. 7. -A large plastic washtub or basin for the baby only. Always make sure the bathing area is very clean prior to bathing your baby.

10 Crib Hazard you can prevent by observing the following Guidelines. 1. If you purchase a new mattress, remove and destroy all plastic wrapping material that comes with it. 2. As soon as your baby can sit, lower the mattress of the crib to the level where the baby can’t fall out either by leaning against the side or by pulling themselves over it. 3. Be sure to lock the latch that holds the side of the crib up tightly so the baby can not accidentally release it. 4. The mattress should fit snugly so that your baby cannot slip in to the crack between it and the crib. 5. Periodically, check the crib to be sure there are no rough edges or sharp points on the metal parts and no splinters or cracks in the wood. 6. Use a crib bumper when you baby is an infant, the padding should go round the crib and secured well with at least six straps or ties. 7. As soon as your baby can pull to a standing position, remove the crib bumpers. Toys, pillows as well as the stuffed animals that are large enough to be used as a step to climb out of the crib. 8. If you hang a mobile over your baby’s crib, be sure it is securely attached and hang it high enough out of the reach from the baby. Remove it when the baby starts to sit. 9. Cribs gyms should be removed as soon as your infant can get up on all fours because the baby can fall on to the gym and become strangled. 10. To prevent the most serious of falls, dont ever place the crib any child bed beside a window.

For more information visit http://www.businessinfocenter.co.cc

About the Author
Concerned about the baby’s safety and comfort

Children’s Bike Races for June - Great Outdoors Month by Richard McDuff

June is Great Outdoors Month and it is time to get the children outdoors and to get them to burn off some of that excess energy. Bike races are a fun and can be great time for everybody. Maybe you can find other adults and children in the neighborhood that would like to get involved in these bike races. I remember as a child, I would race the local kids all the time.

It is also an opportunity to teach children basic bicycle maintenance and safety. Make sure that you have a tire gauge around and that you teach each child how to use it as they check their tires. Tires should have the maximum tire pressure on the side of the tire.

Teach the children how to check their brakes, make sure that the both sides of the brake come in contact with the tire, when applied. While they may not be able to fix the bicycle brakes, they should be able to see whether the brakes need to be changed or maybe the cable needs to be tightened or replaced. Make sure that every child has a helmet, not only does this cut down on head injuries, most states have laws that all children under a certain age must wear a helmet. Even adults should wear a helmet, to cut down on head injuries.

These little bike races can also be an opportunity to teach children basic hand signals. I am always amazed at how many young adults do not know basic hand signals. These can save your children’s life if the driver of a vehicle knows what the young cyclist’s intentions. Your state government has some great bike safety brochures so that as grownup you can freshen up on bike safety. Even though I have ridden a bike for years, I always find something new in these safety brochures. You can also hand the brochures out to the children before the races.

I have found that a round robin racing format is the best with children. You can control the number of children that are riding at any one time. You do not want them bunching together and colliding with one another.

You will also need to use your imagination when you give out the prizes, the winner, second place, the best sportsperson, etc. Everyone should leave with a feeling of success. They are not in a professional competition, the key to the little Bike races are to teach bike safety and maintenance and to get them out into the outdoors. Make June the Great Outdoor Month a great time for your children.

About the Author
Richard McDuff blogs about fitness and bicycles. You will find his main bicycle blog at Bike to Work and For Fitness. Bikes are a great source of excercise for everyone, no matter what age. He has set up a bike website for Bikes for Children.