Let’s face it, no matter how much you love your baby, there are very few mums who would list night feeds as one of their favourite things especially in Winter.  Here are a few tips to make breastfeeding at night during Winter easier.

1. Plan ahead where you will breastfeed. This allows you to prepare the area so that it is as comfortable as possible when you need to use it.  If you are for instance planning to breastfeed sitting in a chair, you could leave a soft pillow for yourself, breastfeeding pillow such as the Milk Bar by Fertile Mind and a blanket at the chair so that you do not have to search around for them in the middle of the night.  If you co-sleep with your baby or have access to a bed where you can lie down whilst breastfeeding, you can ensure it is moved firmly against a wall or has a safety rail attached so that your baby will be safe from rolling off the bed should you perhaps fall asleep while breastfeeding.
2. Invest in a night light, it is more gentle on your eyes, will help your baby get to sleep again more easily than bright lights and will mean that you can see where you are going rather than felling your way in the dark.
3. If your heater has an automatic timer and you know more or less when your baby will wake to breastfeed you could set the heater to start warming the room up half an hour or so ahead of time.
4. Consider getting a sleep bra that is comfortable, loose fitting and free from hooks or clips. Kyrawear makes a great sleep bra very basic, very comfortable.  All you need to do is move aside one of the cups so there is no need to do and undo clips.
5. Consider getting specialised pajamas that will allow you to access your breasts without exposing you back and tummy.   This is especially useful if you do not co-sleep with your baby and will be breastfeeding out of bed.  However, even if you are breastfeeding in bed it is more cozy and warm not to have to lift your top up.
6. Breastfeeding at night can be more snug and warm for your baby if you have a blanket handy with which to cover him as well. I personally love the Grobag sleeping bags as they allow you to simply pick up your baby for a breastfeed and put him/her down again without having to pay attention to tucking in.
7. If you find yourself getting hungry or thirsty when breastfeeding at night, place a healthy snack and a glass of water within easy reach of where you will be breastfeeding so that it is ready when you need it.
8. If you can, make sure you get to bed early, to ensure you are able to deal with waking up to breastfeed at night as well as possible.
9. Agree with your partner to occasionally bring the baby to you for night feeds so that you do not need to get out of bed.
10. Remind yourself that your baby will not be breastfeeding at night forever and that you will again one day get a full night’s sleep!

Tracey Campbell owns Nursingwear, an online shop specialising in stylish breastfeeding clothes.

By : Ajeet Khurana

Most toddlers go nuts over plush toys. When my brother was three, he went everywhere with what looked to me like an over-weight cat a missing eye. It went with him to the backyard; it was with him watching his favorite shows on TV; it accompanied us for meals at the dining table; and finally cuddled up with his toddler owner to sleep. I think it was my brother’s security blanket — a friend for all seasons. So when I had to pick up a gift for my best friend’s two year old daughter’s second birthday, it was a no-brainer. I would get her a plush toy!
However, now comes the tough part. How do you go about getting that perfect plush toy for a kid that has just barely developed taste buds, let alone preferences? Well, I suppose, this is where the cuteness factor comes in. Pick a toy that makes you go “Oh! How adorable!” But bear in mind factors such as: Is the child afraid of dogs? Would she want to hug a rabbit with a hard plastic guitar?
If you ask me, it is best to get a plush toy that looks and feels simple. If you are buying a plush toy for a toddler, rest assured that he or she will be extremely happy with a traditional teddy bear or an elephant that is as soft as one can get. The softer the toy, the more likely will the toddler be to shower it with loads of love and affection.
Of course, you must look out for a plush toy of good quality. This would include comparing the material of different plush toys, assessing the quality of the stitching, and making sure that the eyes, nose and other parts of the toy are not loose. Toddlers are especially prone to swallowing anything they see. You would not want to gift a choking hazard would you?
Even after having gone through this process of finding the best plush toys, there is no guarantee that the plush toy that you are gifting will be a big hit with the toddler. As it is, giving gifts is a difficult art to master. The difficulty level gets multiplied several times over when the receiver of the gift is two or three years old. But take comfort in the thought that even if you did not gift the kid a toy that he would take everywhere, at least you have finally experienced the complicated process of getting a gift for a toddler.

Author Resource:- Ajeet Khurana is a web enthusiast and an author. He recommends: Plush Toys, Event Management and Tattoos.

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By : Amy Nutt
As parents and educators, it can be a challenge to find educational toys kids enjoy playing with. A great educational toy needs to achieve that perfect balance between being fun to play with and educational at the same time. Toy manufacturers try to come up with enjoyable and educational electronic toys, as well as more traditional toys. But the big question is, are any of these toys they successful?
The fact is, there are so many different kinds of toys out there that it can be hard to decide which is right for your child. Not to mention the fact that each child has their own personality, interests, and strengths. With all this is mind, how can you really find educational toys kids will enjoy playing with?
Let Them Test the Toy
It is important that you let your child test the toy out in the store first, especially if the educational toy is expensive. What happens if you buy an educational toy and then they don’t like it? You may or may not be able to return it at that point. You can save yourself time and money by finding a store that has a good policy about letting children try before they buy.
Read Reviews and Ask Others
Another good way to find toys that kids enjoy playing with is to read reviews and ask other parents what their children like. There are certain toys that have an almost universal appeal. If you find several parents who rave about a certain product, it will likely work for your child. However, it is still a good idea to have them test it.
Work With their Personality
Another key thing to understand when looking for the right educational toys for your child is to find toys that fit with their personality. For example, if you know that your child does not typically enjoy electronic toys, chances are they still won’t like the latest educational electronic toy even if several parents rave about it.
Test their Limits
Children like to be challenged. A great toy or game will challenge them in such a way that will build their self esteem and keep them interested. The right electronic game, for example, will build the challenge into the game. You win the game by learning new skills. The right toy will balance those two goals.
If you want to find educational toys that your kids will enjoy playing with, the best thing to do is have them test it out. Just because a toy will help them learn does not mean that they won’t have fun with it.

Author Resource:- Mastermind Educational Toys is a Canadian online toy store that offers educational toys and games for infants, children and teens. http://www.mastermindtoys.com/

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by Tash Hughes of Word Constructions

Babysitting clubs are a great way to get out of the house without having to spend a fortune or worry about who is with your children. But what if there isn’t one near your home?

Well, why not set one up yourself?

All you really need is a great of like-minded parents and a system to work on.
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