This Blog has a New Home!

We've redesigned our website and moved our blog over to its new home at http://www.alongcomesababy.com/blog/

Please join us there where we will be posting all of our updates, sales and special event information!

It's an Earth Day SALEabration!

Celebrate our environment on Wednesday, April 22, with our Earth Day sale! Save 20% off all ORGANIC items in-store and online.

We carry a wide array of organic products such as:

• Sheets and blankets
• Swaddle blankets
• Clothing
• Mattresses
• Mattress pads
• Changing pads
• Crib bedding sets
• Cloth diapers
• Ergo baby carrier
• Peanut Shell slings
• Toys

When shopping online, use coupon code ORGANIC20. Discount applies to in-stock organic items only, and does not apply to sale items.

Browse our on-line selection of organic items now, but remember -- the sale is April 22nd only! http://alongcomesababy.com/store/browse_products.php?Category=-22

An Easter Egg Hunt... for Savings!

When you make a purchase at Along Comes a Baby on Easter Sunday, April 12th, we will let you choose and open an egg from our Easter basket. Our eggs are stuffed with goodies, such as:

• 10% off that day's purchase
• 20% off that day's purchase
  
• $10 gift certificate good for a future purchase
  
• $25 gift certificate good for a future purchase
  
• Discounts on First Impressions Prenatal Ultrasounds
  
• Jellybeans

... and many more!

The fine print: One egg per customer. Once your purchase has been rung up, you can choose an egg. Once your egg has been opened, you cannot add or remove purchase items. Percentage discounts do not apply to clearance or already discounted items. Gift certificates for a future purchase can be used on or after April 13th, 2009.

Car Seat Safety Class

Join us at the store on Thursday, April 16th at 6:30 pm for a class on car seat safety, led by certified car seat technician Melissa Wefer. Come learn about different types and features of car seats, rules for when a child can ride in a particular seat configuration or type, and ask all of your car seat safety questions.

This event is FREE, but pre-registration is required. Space is limited, so please reserve early. RSVPs accepted through April 13.

Call (360) 671-5523, stop in to the store, or contact us via email to reserve your spot.

Potty Time!

When and how do you potty train your child? It's a common parenting question, and one that has no one answer. Each child is different, and you will be learning along with your child what's right for him.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) offers some basic guidelines to help you get started:

• A child under the age of 12 months has no bowel or bladder control.
• Between the ages of 12 to 18 months, they will have very little bowel or bladder control.
• Between the ages of 18 to 24 months, many children will show signs of being ready.
• Some children will not be ready until 30 months or older.

Suggested readiness signs to watch for are:

• Your child stays dry for 2 or more hours at a time, or wakes up from naps with a dry diaper.
• Your child's bowel movements have become regular and predictable.
• You see signs such as facial expressions, words, posture or hiding prior to your child urinating or having a bowel movement.
• Your child can follow simple instructions, can walk to and from the bathroom, and can help get undressed.
• Your child seems uncomfortable once their diaper is dirty, they ask to be changed, ask to use the potty, or asks to wear grown-up underwear.

In addition to letting your child give you cues as to his readiness to train, there are certain situations that may impede your child's ability to potty train, such as the impending or recent arrival of a baby, a move, or a recent or suddent illness or death in the family. If you've already begin training when one of these situtions occurs, let your child guide you, and if he begins to regress or show other setback in training, do not pressure him. You can always take a break and try again in a few weeks or months.

Once you've taken the plunge and are ready to train, there's even more to consider:

• Potty Talk. You'll want to figure out how you're going to describe your child's body parts and eliminations. Experts recommend using proper terms that are least likely to offend, confuse or embarrass your child (or you, when you're in he middle of the grocery store and a rather loud potty announcement is made from your little trainer!).


• Potty Chair. A child-size potty is not necessary, but it's easier for little ones to sit on, sit comfortably, and fosters a sense of accomplishment when they can do it themselves.


• Praise! There will be many setbacks along the way. In the beginning, you will find your child comes to you after they've already gone. Do not punish or scold them -- praise them for letting you know, and encourage them to try to tell you before they go so they can use their big kid potty.


• Create a Habit. Try to make routine trips to the potty to get your child used to the idea and the process. Praise him for his efforts, even if they are not completely successful. Some parents even set a timer to remind them (or the child) that it's time to visit the potty again.


• Training Pants. Some parents like to jump right in with training pants, while others like to wait until they've acheived a modicum of potty training success before making the switch. Whenever you decide to take the plunge, make it a special time for your child as they are really becoming a "big kid"!

An important thing to remember as well, from the AAP: "Keep in mind, most children achieve bowel control and daytime urine control by 3 to 4 years of age. Even after your child is able to stay dry during the day, it may take months or years before he achieves the same success at night. Most girls and more than 75% of boys will be able to stay dry at night after 5 years of age."

Potty training can take time, and pressuring your child before they are ready will generally only slow the process. Likewise, punishing a child for accidents or mistakes may lead to setbacks. So, look for the signs, praise, praise, praise your child, and try not to get discouraged. If you need to, put the potty away, and try again in a couple of weeks. Each child will train at their own pace, and with your love and guidance, it will be a rewarding and exciting time for both of you.

Now that you're ready to take the plunge, stop by your favorite Bellingham baby store or shop online for all of your potty training needs!

	Baby Bjorn Potty Chair (Available in several colors) Check Colors, Pricing and Availability >>
	Boon Potty Bench Check Pricing and Availability >>
	Mommys Helper Cushie Step-Up Padded Potty Seat with Step Stool Check Pricing and Availability >>
	Potette Potty On the Go (Available in several colors) Check Colors, Pricing and Availability >>
	Once Upon a Potty (Training DVDs, books and more for boys or girls) Check Products, Pricing and Availability >>
	Training Pants (Many styles, sizes and colors) Check Styles, Colors, Pricing and Availability >>

Muslin Baby Wraps

Your favorite Bellingham baby store now carries a selection of Aden + Anais muslin baby wraps. Aden + Anais wraps are made of soft, breathable muslin fabric to create an air flow for baby's comfort. Generously sized (47" x 47"), these wraps are the ultimate for swaddling your little one, and they come in beautiful prints! We offer 4-packs or individual blankets.



Stop by the store to see and feel them, or browse our online selection.

A Happy Teething Baby!

Have you got a teething little one? If so, come check out one of our newest products, the Raz Baby Raz-Berry Teethers!

With no Bisphenol-A (BPA), Phthalates or PVC, the bumpy texture of the Raz-Berry soothes baby's sore gums. Can be used at room temperature or frozen for additional soothing.

Available in blue or red!

From the manufacturer:

Healthier - No Bisphenol-A, Pthalates or PVC.

• Gently massages and cool's baby's tender gums.
• Bumpy texture aids in teething process.
• Hands-Free teether - Soothes baby's gums while they play.
• Stimulating Multi-Texture can be frozen for EXTRA soothing comfort.
• Non-toxic 100% Food Grade Silicone. Safe and durable.