Baby Summer Safety Guide

There you two are at the park, coated in sunblock, fully hydrated, enjoying the clouds and the birds and the swings when a bee sticks his behind in your sweetie's chubby thigh and ruins it all. So how do you keep your baby safe on the beach, at the park, and in your own backyard?

This guide provides tips so you can sidestep the season's safety traps, and find out what to do if any bees (or jellyfish or sand throwers) try to cross your path.

Baby crazy: How did a nation become obsessed with Shiloh, Suri?

Celebrity babies are hot.

With bidding for exclusive photos of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's unborn twins reaching a reported $15 million, gossip magazines running the latest news on their daughter Shiloh's potty training and temper tantrums (Nanny tells all!), People granting cover-story status to new moms ranging from the famously thin (Nicole Richie) to the downright obscure ("Full House's" Jodie Sweetin), we're a nation on a first-name basis with the offspring of the rich and famous.

All of which raises an obvious question: Why? Why do we suddenly care so much about the blankets-and-binkies set?

Full article...

Today's fathers are choosing to be more involved with their children

Dad, you've always been great. But now, you're so much better. The proof is in the amount of time you spend with your kids.

The typical dad devotes 6.5 hours per week to his kids, according to a University of Maryland study. That's still not as much as mom's 13 hours, but it's more than double the time fathers spent with children 30 years ago.

Obviously, much of this societal shift comes from the proliferation of dual-income households. Dad isn't the breadwinner like he was a few decades ago, so duties are split. In addition, three times as many dads stay at home than they did a decade ago. That number still has room to grow: A University of Missouri-St. Louis study found that 25 percent of married women out-earn their husbands.

Full article.....

Kids' clothes straight from the runway

Los Angeles kids are dressing more like parents these days as celebrity small pints set the fashion. In the last few years, the obsession with dressing little kids like Dogtown skaters, Malibu moms and even Upper East Side socialites has hit a new, Suri-high level.

More clothing companies than ever are producing what the rag trade refers to as mini-me clothes on every price level.

American designers are turning out Lilliputian renditions of clothes that sail down the runway each season. European design houses that have a long tradition of producing children's clothes are paying more attention to their kids wear lines. of just churning out jumpers in Burberry checks or Missoni waves, they're making children's clothes that look like grown-up togs in teeny-tiny sizes.

Read the full article by clicking here.

Visit ZaraBella.com to see the latest designer baby clothes!

Baby Bucks

In a climate where everything from box office hits to traffic stops makes headlines in blogs, newspapers and celebrity weeklies, it comes as no surprise that the more substantial life events of an A-lister -- say, the birth of a baby -- constitutes news.

Time and again, the if-you-build-it-they-will-come approach to covering the birth of celebrities' babies has worked, but why? While there are some fans who might rush to an online baby registry and buy a token of congratulations, history proves that far more people will rush to a newsstand and part with a few hard-earned dollars so they may catch a glimpse of Celebrity X's little miracle.

Full article.

10 Best Towns for Families

When Americans choose an area to live in, most of us yearn for the same things: fewer crowds; less concrete and hassles; more serenity, nature, and neighbors we can count on. That's why Family Circle singled out these small cities, where living costs, commute times, and crime rates are low, and the educational and cultural scenes are way above average. In all of them, moms and dads are stepping up to help their children thrive; they volunteer in schools, coach sports teams, and keep bike trails clean. As the people in these top towns will tell you, life is good. And if your community isn't among the winners, read on to learn ways you can make it warmer and friendlier.

Here are the results of Family Circle's extensive research: Perfect places to call home.

Is it possible to train for the perfect birth?

A growing number of mothers-to-be are choosing to be active throughout their pregnancies, undergoing sometimes punishing regimes in a quest for the perfect - quick and easy - birth. The move is supported by doctors - this year medical charity The King's Fund claimed half of all maternal deaths in childbirth involved women who are overweight or obese.

But can exclusion diets, protein counting, self-hypnosis and strict gym plans guarantee moms-to-be a pain-free labor?

This article interviews three women who went into training for motherhood to describe their pregnancy and then reveal whether the birth went to plan.

Packing Smart for Famiy Trips This Summer

Starting June 15 -- just when we're taking off on long-planned vacations -- American Airlines will charge $15 each way for the first checked bag and $25 each way for the second checked bag, assuming you are flying domestically on a discounted ticket and are not a top-level frequent flier. So what's the good news? First, we do have summer and time with the kids to look forward to. We've got plenty of ammunition now for why our teenage daughter can't bring every pair of sandals she owns on vacation this summer, and why the 4-year-old can't bring his entire collection of dinosaurs, including the big ones.

We're all going to have to pack smarter -- even the kids. Read the full article!

Baby Steps: Get Ready for Walking

Walking is a baby's first big, well, step into toddlerhood. While those thrilling moments may still be a few weeks or months away, you can help him prepare for the big day. "Children love push toys because they allow them to move around in a way they couldn't before," says Tanya Remer Altmann, M.D., a pediatrician in Los Angeles. "Plus, they can help your prewalker find his balance."

Check out more reasons why push toys are a perfect match for your little one right now.

Celebrities and their baby business

Most expectant parents, concerned about the possibility of a miscarriage, wait until after the first three months of pregnancy to share the news with family and friends. But discretion is nearly impossible for those in the media spotlight.

In late December, Nicole Kidman, who had a miscarriage during her marriage to Tom Cruise, denied that she is expecting a baby with husband Keith Urban -- only to confirm it a week later. Jennifer Lopez, who welcomed twins with husband Marc Anthony in February, announced she was pregnant in November following denials by the couple.

Even so, attempts by celebrities to keep their pregnancies private doesn't stop celebrity magazines and gossip Web sites from issuing reports to the contrary.

Read the full article....

Parents juggle kids' wants, needs

Parents in all income brackets have the shaky economy on their minds, but in this spendy era of the $900 baby stroller and the ultra-birthday party, are they resisting the urge to splurge on their kids? Many acknowledge there's a blur between "necessities" and "luxuries" for their young ones as prices soar for everything from gas to milk. Indeed, some parents will always be able to afford designer-wear for toddlers and fancy cell phones for grade-schoolers, but more average earners are considering scaling back.
More...

Hey, baby

There are many factors to consider when naming your baby: family history, unfortunate nicknames that could result and, perhaps most important, what celebrity comes to mind when people hear the name.

Which got us wondering: Does a celebrity's popularity affect how many babies are named after him or her? To find out, we looked at a few years' worth of statistics from the Social Security Administration database -- which ranks the most popular baby names, from 1 to 1,000.

Here are some of the notable ups and downs.

Forget cutesy -- decor for baby grows up

Oh, baby, baby, baby.

Forget the cutesy teddy bears, and ditch the washed-out pinks and barely blues. Nurseries are going chic.

Matchy-match newborn nursery themes are being replaced with more modern and sophisticated motifs, while traditional pastels have morphed into bold brights and geometric patterns.

And parents-to-be, once obsessed with making the space perfect for a baby, are now opting to create a longer-term decor, one that not only blends with the rest of the house but also will be suitable as their newborn grows into toddlerhood and beyond.

Read more by clicking here.

The 2008 Golden Pacifier Awards

Every year Babytalk honors the newsmakers who look out for the little people -- babies, that is!From hands-on Hollywood dads to marathon moms, see who Babytalk thinks deserves a standing ovation.

Then, let us know what you think by voting for your favorites and telling us who we left out. (Self-nominations are welcome!)

Read more!

Celebrity Kids' Clothes: What Celebrity Kids are Wearing

Ah, the fabulous lives of celebrities and their kids. Celebrities are notorious for dropping large amounts of money on themselves, but they also spend lots and lots of money on their children. Celebrity kids have wardrobes packed with designer labels and funky, fun mini-fashions. Some of the outfits that these kids wear may cost more than your monthly car payment, but not all of these famous kids' fashions are over-the-top expensive. Some online boutiques are selling mid-priced items that are fun, fashionable, and affordable, so any kid can be dressed like a celebrity kid.

Full article....

Kiddie couture: Baby clothing is growing up

Designers of women's wear are increasingly turning their attention to the youngest consumers, one retail sector that hasn't hit a wall. Retailers say parents often want brands they wear themselves -- or wish they wore. When it comes to baby, apparently nothing is too extravagant. Sales of clothing for children younger than 3 spiked by 11.3 percent last year, while apparel sales overall rose only 2.9 percent, according to NPD Group, a market research company in Port Washington, N.Y.

Click here to read the full article.

Check out ZaraBella’s extensive selection of designer baby clothes.

8 Ways to Be a Better Parent

You want to be the kind of parent who takes the time to instill in your child good manners, habits, and behavior. But how? And with controlled chaos ruling the day, every day, when?

Relax: Good parenting happens in real time, on the spot, and in the moment. The trick is recognizing those moments when your actions and reactions can help your child learn and grow in the best possible ways. Here's help from top parenting experts -- and a few real moms.

Celebrity baby showers are going high-end

Last December, Jennifer Lopez tailored a wish list with local baby shop Petit Tresor that would make Santa squirm. A $3,495 enameled Silver Cross Balmoral stroller topped her registry, along with a $289 suede play mat and $349 cashmere outfits. Jessica Alba -- like Isla Fisher, Christina Aguilera and Naomi Watts -- all registered at ultra-chic Bel Bambini in West Hollywood for the $249.99 Svan high chair. What do high-end registries mean for the rest of us?

Read the full article...

What To Pack In Your Hospital Bag?

You’re in the final stretch, with only a few weeks to go before your due date. Now’s the time to pack a bag for all the essentials you’ll need during labor and after your baby is born.

This article by the Bumble Collection presents a list to help you remember everything you’ll need. It’s a good idea to have your bags packed by the time you are about 36 weeks pregnant, so that you’re not rushing around in early labor trying to get everything done then!

Hospitals vary in their policies about what you are allowed to bring with you when you have your baby. You may want to take a few items from home, such as your own pillows or cushions, to make the environment more personal and less clinical.

So, what to pack? Read on...

Star Moms' Weight-Loss Secrets

When it comes to losing weight after having a baby, most celebrities don't mess around. Blink and you may miss the time it takes many famous new moms to make the transition from bulging baby bump to red carpet ready.

That can be frustrating for the typical woman to watch. After all, she may not have quite the same resources available to the stars but wants just as badly to reclaim her body.

If you're a new mom eager to get in shape again, experts say there are a few things you can learn from the stars. While not all of their methods are worth mimicking, many are tried and true and could help you achieve notable results.

Full article....