Over the 4th of July weekend, Lil B, hubby and I, headed to Long Beach, NY to spend some much needed R&R with friends and family. I am not a beach person (I am still finding sand in my slippers), but since having my son, I have become “Mrs Adventurous” and love seeing things through my son’s eyes.  But mind you, even though sharing this experience was pure joy it was a far cry from just hanging out my with friends.  So take note when bringing your baby to the beach, you need to be particular cautious, especially with those rays of sunshine.

So here are a few tips to keep in mind when going the beach with your baby.

Tip 1: Cover up!  a summer hat, sunscreen (SPF 50), beach umbrella also with a SPF of 50 are must haves when exposing your ‘Lil one to the sun.

Tip 2: With all the beach gear needed to occupy your ‘Lil one plus these; towel, change of clothes, diapers, wipes, beach blanket and a small portable beach chair, I recommend just using one bag for everything.  Moms, I know this sounds like a lot, but your back will thank you in the end.

Tip 3: Get his feet wet!  ‘Lil B was not happy when the “cool” ocean water touch his toes, but by the third or forth lap up and down the beach he soon began to open up and didn’t mind it. Also, don’t forget to protect his tiny feet with water shoes.


Tip 4: Occupy them!  Toys and more toys!

Tip 5: Snack it up.  A hungry baby is not a happy baby so use a soft sided cooler, like PACK IT (Amazon, $19.99), to carry storage for your milk, fruit and water.

Tip 6: Don’t even bother bringing a magazine or book cause you won’t read it.  You’ll be watching your baby like a hawk.  By applying and reapplying sunscreen, checking his diaper and building sand castles. And besides that’s just one extra thing not to bring.

Tip 7: Don’t forget to drink plenty of water!

Tip 8: You’ll need wheels on the beach.  With all the accessories needed for you and your baby, make sure you take a proper stroller (preferably a jogging stroller) or even a beach cart (ie Nantucket Beach Buggy), to carry everything back and forth to/from the car. With the heavy and hot sand this can slow things down or even cause back injury when you have to carry all the beach gear plus your baby so with a cart things can be simple as 1-2-3!

Tip 9: Above all, just HAVE FUN!

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If you are a lover of reality TV – like me – then this video is something that you can not pass up!  I have seen it a few times now ’cause its just plain classic!

Countess LuAnn de Lesseps from the Real Housewives of New York has come out with a new music video to her single ‘Chic C’est La Vie’.  Kelly Bensimon and Jill Zarin are her sidekicks in this vid.

The video was shot at The Borgota hotel and casino in Atlantic City where LuAnn, Jill and Kelly run around having way too much fun. “What a fabulous hotel,” LuAnn tells me, “and in Jersey … who would have known! It’s beautiful.” (ouch, digg!)

Enjoy!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_GHgQ9PSII&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]
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As a nursing mama, it was hard finding the most appropriate spot in public to feed my newborn or even debating if a cover up was even necessary in those hot summer months.  Well, hiding in public restrooms or fitting rooms can be a thing of the past, thanks to The Milk Truck.  Its a “mobile breastfeeding unit” who are in urgent need to feed their lil ones.  

Babies should be able to eat anywhere. And everywhere.

Listen to what the creator, Jill Miller has to say about this in-your-face mobile.    

Through July 27, Miller is raising money for The Milk Truck, which is slated to be part of the 2011 Pittsburgh Biennial art exhibition before touring Pittsburgh and beyond.

Thanks Jill for this fantastic idea!

You would also like: 10 reasons why I loved breastfeeding  or see the breastfeeding doll

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If your newborn is colicky, overtired or just need to feel “snug like a bug in a rug” a swaddle is your baby’s best friend, next to your womb. So, if you are looking for the perfect wrap for your ‘lil peanut, then look no further.

As a new mom, I’ve tried them all and just ended tossing them all away after my newborn would escape from it.  Come the morning, I would wake up to find one of his legs or arms sticking out from an opening,  I soon feared the risk of SIDS and tossed them all away.  But not until when my friends over at BabyBonkie Swaddle sent me a sample for a product review, I was completely sold.  And you know me, I wouldn’t be spreading the love for just any product.

The Baby Bonkie is safe to use and swaddles your ‘lil one in three easy steps.  It comes in a variety of thicknesses (you wouldn’t believe how soft the lining is), POSH patterns (just for you fashionable moms) with no room for escaping. And come the winter time or if your room is a little chilly, try the lined Baby Bonkie…see, so many options for you to try.

I gave it a test run on my 2 month old nephew and he absolutely loved it. His mom use it throughout the night and said that it was one his (and hers) best nights ever.  The Baby Bonkie is the first I have seen that is truly able to accommodate a baby from newborn (7 pounds) to 5 months of age.

If you are interested in buying a Baby Bonkie, it can bought at stores around the county in addition to Nordstrom’s, Saks’s, and Barney’s, etc. or via http://www.babybonkie.com.

And because I love YOU, my readers, I am giving away one (1) swaddle to the lucky winner (selected randomly)!  This is one giveaway that you must not pass up!

All you need to do is leave a comment on this post, how easy is that?! Plus you get another entry for tweeting about it – make sure you include @mommyposh with a mention of this giveaway and you’ll be in the running! That’s two ways of winning this must-have item.

Closing for entries is midnight on July 15th.  Good luck!

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UPDATE: Congrats to Misty Massie the winner of  this prize pack!  

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Just when we thought we heard the last of her, Nadya Suleman, 36 aka Octomom lashes out in a recent interview with InTouch magazine saying “I hate babies, they disgust me” she continues by saying “My older six are animals, getting more and more out of control, because I have no time to properly discipline them.”

Guess we know what her kids are getting her for Mother’s Day next year? um, nada, nothing….

After giving birth to eight babies in January 2009, the mom of 14 admitted to the magazine that her dream of once having a large family has since died. “I have no money to pay for the children’s school, food or the mortgage,” she reveals. “The only way I can cope is to lock myself in the bathroom and cry. Sometimes I sit there for hours and even eat my lunch sitting on the toilet floor—anything to get peace and quiet. Some days I have thoughts about killing myself. I cannot cope.” She adds: “I absolutely wish I had not had them.”

Do you feel sorry for her? or do you think her kids should be taken away from here?

For more Octomom dets, pick up this week’s copy of InTouch, on newsstand now.

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