How to bath your newborn!

Sponge baths

For the first week or so, until your baby's umbilical cord stump falls off and the area heals, it's best to stick to sponge baths with a lukewarm, moistened washcloth. Wash his/her face and hands frequently, and thoroughly clean his genital area after each diaper change.

Tub baths

After the umbilical cord stump dries up, falls off, and the area heals, you can start giving your newborn tub baths. While a baby is tiny, it makes the most sense to use the kitchen sink or a small plastic baby tub instead of a standard tub.

Although some parents bathe their babies every day for the sheer pleasure of it, until a baby is crawling around and getting into messes, a bath isn't really necessary more than once or twice a week. When you do bathe your newborn, you may find it a little scary at first. Handling a wiggling, wet, and soapy little creature takes practice and confidence, so stay calm and maintain a good grip on him/her.

Some babies find the warm water very soothing. If this is the case with your baby, let him linger. Others cry through the whole bath — that's when you'll want to get him in and out. Keeping the bathing room warm can help.

Bath safety

• Never leave your baby unsupervised, even for a minute. If the doorbell or phone rings and you feel you must answer it, scoop him up in a towel and take him with you.

• Never put your baby into a tub when the water is still running (the water temperature could change or the depth could become too high).

• Set your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. A child can get third-degree burns in less than a minute at 140 degrees.

• Never leave your child unattended. (Yes, it's so important we listed it twice). A child can drown in less than an inch of water — and in less than 60 seconds.

How to give your baby a bath

1. Gather all necessary bath supplies, and lay out a towel, a clean diaper, and clothes.

2. Fill the tub with 2 to 3 inches of water that feels warm but not hot, about 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius).

3. Bring your baby to the bath area and undress him completely. (TIP: If your baby cries through every bath, leave the diaper on at first. It can give him an increased sense of security in the water.)

4. Gradually slip your baby into the tub feet first, using one hand to support his neck and head. Pour cupfuls of bath water over him regularly during the bath so he doesn't get too cold.

5. Use mild soap and use it sparingly (too much dries out your baby's skin), as you wash him with your hand or a washcloth from top to bottom, front and back. Wash his scalp with a wet, soapy cloth. Use moistened cotton balls (no soap) to clean his eyes and face. If dried mucus has collected in the corners of your baby's nostrils or eyes, dab it several times to soften it before you wipe it out. As for your baby's genitals, a routine washing is all that's needed.

6. Rinse your baby thoroughly with cupfuls of water and wipe him down with a clean washcloth. Then lift him out of the tub with one hand supporting his neck and head and the other hand supporting his bottom, with your fingers around one thigh (babies are slippery when wet).

7. Wrap your baby in a hooded towel and pat him dry. If his skin is still peeling from birth, you can apply a mild baby lotion after his bath, but this is generally dead skin that needs to come off anyway, not dry skin. Then diaper him, dress him, and give him a kiss on his sweet-smelling head.

~ Courtesy of Baby Center

10 steps to avoid wasting time!

The following are a few time wasters you can avoid when working from your home office:

1. Procrastination & Excuses
- If you don’t start then you can’t finish. By continuing to reach your goals & objectives it will allow you to work toward them. If you put things off, then you’ll never accomplish what it is you set out too gain. Never make things more than they are. Don’t wait for the last minute… ACT now!

2. Rushing
- Try not to do everything at once or wait until the last minute. Create a list of what must be done and the time it takes to do it. Always schedule and plan ahead but allow for the unexpected. Avoid the costly mistakes and oversights of rushing. Do it right the first time. Slow down and take your time. Most of all relax!

3. Running Errands & Traveling
- Again, plan ahead. Arrange your tasks in order of importance and needs. Combine your tasks and trips. Don’t waste time making duplicate or unnecessary trips. Know what you need and who has it and find a good time to get it. Make sure to notify them, so they can be prepared and you don’t have to wait. Time is of the essence.

4 Paperwork, Reports & Memos
- Have a purpose for writing. Keep it short and sweet. Get to the point immediately with clear words. Keep everything where it can be easily located and used. Spell check your work before sending it out. Continually purge that which is of no use to you.

5. Meetings
- Schedule meetings carefully. Ask yourself what’s covered, the purpose, subject and scope. Find out the date, location, length, type, attendees. Prepare everyone ahead of time.

6. Telephone, Mail & E-mail
- Define your purpose and what you want to accomplish, why are you calling/writing? Who are you addressing? Prepare a brief marketing script, practice before calling or writing. Take and return calls/mail when it’s convenient for you. Give out your phone number and business address only to those you want contacting you. Don’t waste time. When you accomplish your objectives, hang up and move on to the next call, mail or e-mail.

7. Computer
- Back it up. Prepare yourself for crashes. Plan ahead the purpose for using a computer. Know what you need and where to get it. Limit your time online, get what you need and log off. The computer is a productive tool, but only when used wisely.

8. Planning & Decision Making
- Gather the facts. Weigh both sides. Plan it out in detail ahead of time. Combine tasks. Delegate. Prioritize. Decide and get the job done!

9. Television
- Are you an informed viewer or couch potato? Determine what’s really important to you. Videotape or watch it in rerun. Do other things, be a self-starter, find a hobby, start a business, exercise, read a book. The important thing is to be productive.

10. Know when to say NO & YES
- Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Be honest with people and yourself. Use time wisely. If you can’t fit something into your schedule, don’t accept it. Say yes only when you truly know it can be done and say no when you know you cannot.

- Avoid wasting time by giving yourself plenty of time. Relax when you need to. Understand what must be done. Build the right habits. Always schedule your day. Prioritize on importance and need. Use technology but don’t get bogged down with it. Gather all facts before starting your tasks. Make informed decisions. Tie up loose ends. Continue to implement your action plan. Know what your own “time wasters” are and avoid them. Most of all don’t procrastinate.

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Roasted jalapeno and citrus salsa!

INGREDIENTS

2 roasted jalapeño chiles, peeled, seeded, and diced
Grated zest of 1 orange
3 oranges, peeled and cut into segments
1 grapefruit, peeled and cut into segments
l lemon, peeled and cut into segments
1 lime, peeled and cut into segments
2 tbsp. soybean oil
Kosher salt to taste
1 tbsp. sugar
1 tbsp. green-onion tops, diagonally cut 1/4 inch

PREPARATION

In large bowl combine chiles, orange zest, and citrus segments. Stir in oil, salt, and sugar. Let sit about 20 minutes, then stir in green onions and serve. Or cover and refrigerate up to 3 days. Return to room temperature and stir in green onions just before serving. Makes about 2 cups.

~Courtesy of Latina Magazine!