Baby Needs a New Pair of Shoes

Baby’s first Nike’s may be absolutely adorable, but are they necessary? According to most experts – and not just modern ones but for at least the last thirty years – babies don’t need shoes till they’re up and walking around. Even at that point, it’s good for the little tikes to get in lots of barefoot time so they get used to their balance and how their little toesies work.

Still, by the time they’re spending more time on their feet than on their knees, it’s time to get them into a pair of shoes, if for no other reason than to protect those feet from stubbed toes and other injuries. So, what sort of shoes should you wrap those precious feet in?

Certainly NOT the old-fashioned hard-soled leather lace-up shoes that were meant to ‘train’ baby feet to grow properly. Pediatricians recommend soft shoes that move with baby’s feet. The soles should be non-skid to prevent falls, but flexible enough that they bend as baby steps out on his own. Skip the high-tops, unless they’re flexible enough to bend with baby’s ankles and feet. Choose natural materials that breathe to keep feet from sweating and becoming uncomfortable.

The proper fit for baby’s first shoes is also important. They shouldn’t bind or chafe anywhere, so shop when you’ve got plenty of time to let the little one walk around the store wearing the shoes you’re thinking of buying. Slip a pinkie in at the heel while baby is standing – there should be enough room between the shoe and the munchkin’s heel to allow your pinkie or a pencil to slip in easily. Also tie and untie the shoes a couple of times – if you choose lace-up shoes – to make sure that the laces are long enough to tie easily. Laces aren’t a necessity, though. The experts are about evenly divided on whether tie shoes or Velcro are better, with no clear-cut ‘best’. Choose whichever you like best. Laced shoes are a lot more likely to be left on – but Velcro encourages independence because it’s so much easier to master.

Besides picking a time for your shopping trip when you have time to let your baby walk around a bit, time your visit to the shoe store for after a nap, when the little one is well-rested. Keep in mind, too, that baby’s feet swell a little in the late afternoon, just like yours do. Shop later in the day to make sure that you get shoes that will fit at all times of the day.

As your baby grows and gets more active, check the fit of his shoes at least once a month. You can plan on buying new shoes about every three-to-six months just due to average growth, but also be prepared to replace shoes if they’re worn, the soles are cracked or they have holes in them.

And if you have your heart set on Baby’s First Nikes? Shop around – you’re sure to find them.

Making Your Baby’s Clothes Last!

Making Your Baby’s Clothes Last!

As any mother with a young child will tell you, babies grow very quickly. So for new mothers, making the most out of baby clothes is of the utmost importance. So what do you do when those onesies just don’t quite snap anymore? How do you get an extra month out of those jeans that are a little too short for the winter months?

The great thing about onesies, is that they’re a very workable cotton
fabric, and there really isn’t any hemming necessary to turn a couple of onesies that fit at five months into a couple of shirts that fit at
eight months. Simply cut them off right at the leg holes, and gently pull the material around the edges so that it rolls a tiny bit. This way there are no exposed threads for baby to pull at or chew on. The same can apply to footsie pajamas. By simply snipping off the feet, you can easily get another month’s wear out of the sleepwear.

Adding extra buttons to overalls or snappy shirts makes them naturally
grow with your child.  Perhaps one of the best investments a new mother
can make is in a mid-priced sewing machine. This makes alterations and
additions a breeze, and gives you a new hobby for when baby naps (Just
make sure there is enough wall between you and the crib so that the
whirring of the machine doesn’t make undue stress for you!)

Things like adding extra material to the bottom of a dress or skirt can
be done in just minutes, as can letting out the hem of a pair of jeans
or overalls. Buying clothes initially that are mid-priced and made of
a cotton material with a lot of elastic and snaps makes transitions that
much easier. Shoes are always going to be a problem, but buying a
canvas sneaker in the spring can convert into a mule for summer wear, as long as the baby is not walking yet. Socks without built in heels is key—that way the baby can grow a little bit longer in the socks. Also, even though socks with ducks and elephants are cute, sticking to a plain color can help extend the life of individual socks if one gets lost. In the summer a grey or white sock is less likely to irritate a sweaty baby’s sensitive skin because they don’t contain dyes.

Think of ways that you would extend the life of your own clothes.
T-shirts that come three to a pack can easily be downgraded to rags or dust cloths. Jeans and pants that have become worn or are too short can be cut and hemmed for summer shorts. Sweaters can become blankies. Things like first outfits and special occasion’s clothes can be put into a special chest to pass on to your child for when they have children of their own. For the most part, making baby clothes last, laundering aside, is about ingenuity and personality. Learn the basics of stitching and hemming and let the designer in you shine through!

Organizing Your Purse

Juggling work, family and personal life on the go can get hectic and cluttered. Your purse can be your saving grace at times. So why shouldn’t it be better organised?

Being organised means you are ready for the next thing, the next event, the next emergency, the next appointment. I have found that if my purse is a mess, I am a mess. And since there is never a big enough purse for all that I THINK I need to carry with me at all times, the size of the purse constrains what you can pack…which can be a good thing.

If you are tired of digging around in your purse, briefcase, or backpack for your glasses, wallet, or MP3 player, then check out the Purseket. This organising tool can transform your purse from a “black hole” to an organiser’s dream. Their website is www.purseket.com.

With this insert, everything has a home in your purse and it makes changing purses a snap!

One of the biggest clutterers of our purses is paper and receipts. So carry an envelope or dedicate a pocket to keep only receipts, coupons and lists from getting damaged in your purse. It will help you find things much faster.

Purses with several outside pockets are also very helpful in keeping organised daily. I keep one left outside pocket dedicated to my phone and one side outside pocket for my mints. I use these two almost hourly when I’m out and about meeting appointments and clients, so finding them in the same place helps me not get sidetracked searching.

Another tip to de-clutter your purse is weekly maintenance, maybe while you are watching TV. Stuff creeps in all the time so every week: bags often because stuff creeps in.

• Remove garbage
• Toss useless stuff
• Put things away
• Replace what is used up
• Pick out the loose change at the bottom

If you would like your purse and purses streamlined, and would like the assistance of a professional organiser, call Little Miss Efficiency Organising Services and Consulting for a consultation at 702.673.0624 or info@littlemissefficiency.com.  Connect socially http://facebook.com/littlemissefficiency or http://Twitter.com/lmefficiency.

Written by Wendy A. Miller, CEO and Founder of Little Miss Efficiency Organising Services and Consulting, http://www.littlemissefficiency.com, 702.673.0624. COPYRIGHT: This article may not be reprinted or quoted anywhere without written permission. This email is protected by copyright. Copying of this article – or of any works presented or recommended by Wendy A. Miller – is strictly prohibited. These works may not be reprinted in any form on any website, blog, book, e-book, or any other form without the express written permission of Wendy A. Miller. All Rights Reserved.