For first-time parents in New Orleans, there are many challenges to look forward to. One of those challenges is how to safely bathe your baby when it’s cleaning time. And for an easy, stress free process, a baby bath tub is essential.
While some parents will be tempted to use the sink for their new baby for fear of a bath tub accident, using the sink carries risks as well. Using the sink can also be less hygienic, so it’s important to weigh your options when it comes to caring for your newborn. The safest and best alternative is using a baby bath tub.
One thing that makes bathing a little easier is that babies who are only a few weeks old don’t tend to get very dirty. Besides the potty accidents, food mishaps, and a little baby drool, they stay fairly clean and don’t require much more than a good wash with a little warm water.
This makes bathing a quick process as long as you have the right setup. And while there are ways to bathe your baby safely in the shower or sink, a baby bath tub is fairly inexpensive and will give you peace of mind.
There are many types of baby bath sets available for sale, with some only costing around $20. You can even find cheaper versions by searching online retailers like Amazon or Ebay who sell unused baby bath tubs that may be surplus stock.
Several of these bath tubs are made to fit inside your kitchen sink. Others allow you to securely fit them into full-sized adult bath tubs.
One of the great benefits of using a baby bath tub is that they prevent slippage from your baby, and come with a contoured head rest that allows your child’s head to remain above water level. Most of these tubs also contain a newborn sling and a drain plug.
Each different baby bath tub will have different features, but some include a digital thermometer that helps you set the water to an appropriate temperature, and sidewall drains that will expel dirty water throughout the bath. While these features are a bit pricier, the difference is fairly negligible. And you can compare prices in stores and online to get a good deal.
The first few weeks after giving birth could be very tiring, so it’s important to prepare in advance and buy a baby bath tub along with the necessary accessories that are required to bathe your newborn.
A specialized bath tub will help you avoid the hassle of bending or squatting. It’s also extremely helpful for mothers who have had a Cesarean section, and will also prevent you from wasting water.
There are plenty of bath tubs that are available in the market, but you should consider buying one that’s ideal for your baby. Tubs made out of BPA-free materials are a good choice. Also look for slip-resistant tubs and those equipped with a digital thermometer.
Once your baby crosses 6 months of age, it may be necessary to switch to a larger type of bath tub. Most importantly, make sure you read product reviews online when looking for good variations of baby bath tubs. The most expensive tub may not always be the best one, so do your research well before you make a purchase!
In the end, keeping your baby safe and hygienic is key. Once your weigh your options and decide which type of baby bath tub is right for you, the peace of mind it offers will be well worth the little bit of extra money!
Flu season in New Orleans is in full effect at the moment, and many people are falling prey to it. As a precaution, it’s always a good idea to get a flu shot when flu season begins. However, you can still catch the flu after getting the shot (although your chances become much slimmer and the illness is generally reduced) and some people may forego getting vaccinated. The trick to navigating your way through the flu if unfortunate enough to catch it is minimizing your symptoms and making sure it passes as quickly as possible.
Again, the best way to avoid catching the flu in the first place is to get vaccinated early! Flu shots are fairly cheap and can be given in most drug stores. This will drastically reduce your chances of catching the flu and can help to guard against the more nasty strains of the virus that can change from year to year. Put it on your to-do list once flu season is in effect to help avoid a bout with the flu that can leave you feeling miserable!
If you have recently contracted the flu, a few rules of thumb that are old standbys can go a long way in making sure that you get over it quickly:
One of the big stresses of moving to New Orleans, and a priority of moving anywhere, is finding the right way to move your pet. There are many different options and ways you can go about helping your pet make the transition to your new place, depending on the type of animal you have.
One of the best ways to ensure a safe and easy move for your pet is to hire a pet transport service. While this may not be ideal if you’re moving on a shoe-string budget, the little bit of extra money can go a long way in offering you peace of mind. However, there are a few things you should look for and ask about when choosing the right transport for your pet.
If the transport service’s trip is scheduled to take more than one day, make sure that hotel rest stops are part of their agenda. While some pet transport services may choose to save money by simply pulling the vehicle over at night and having the driver and pet sleep in the vehicle, this is not ideal. A hotel rest stop ensures that the driver is well-rested and will be operating the vehicle safely, after a good night’s sleep! It should also be a priority for any hotel rest stops to include hotels that are pet-friendly so that your pet isn’t left in a vehicle over night. This way, your pet will be able to stretch and sleep comfortably, and won’t be left out in the heat or cold of a vehicle!
Many quality transport services can offer you the option of transporting your pets exclusively in their vehicle. Whether you have multiple pets or only one pet, this should be an option that is available to you when asking around. Making sure that your pet isn’t transported with other animals can help to decrease the stress levels of your pet during an experience that can already be a little frightening for them.
Also, while a quality transport service will require proof of vaccination, making sure that your pet is the only one being transported ensures that your furry friend won’t be exposed to other animals who could carry disease. You can also rest easy knowing that your pet won’t be exposed to any other potentially aggressive animals. Even if another animal hasn’t shown signs of aggression, moving can be a trying experience for pets and can change their behavior. Don’t risk exposing your dog or cat to any other stresses or dangers! Make sure that they can be transported by themselves!
Both dogs and cats need time to stretch and use the bathroom, with dogs needing the added attention of a walk. Find out what the pet transport service’s plan is for this and how often you can expect them to stop to let your pet stretch and use the bathroom. If you have an animal with special needs, it’s imperative that you let them know what these needs are to ensure they can be accommodated.
Make the move a safe and happy one for you and your pet! Do a little homework beforehand, and you’ll find that moving day can be much easier for both of you.
Jefferson Beautification Inc. celebrated its 20th anniversary of Parkway Promenade early this fall and honored 1st Lake Properties for 20 years of service and sponsorship.
Jefferson Beautification, Inc. (JBI) is a non-profit organization formed in 1990 to provide funding for, and promote through education and public awareness, beautification projects on public green spaces in Jefferson Parish. JBI has completed community beautification projects totaling over $1,600,000. These projects are completed in cooperation with government entities, businesses, individuals, civic groups, garden clubs, schools and other non-profit organizations. There have been over 2000 volunteers involved in these projects.
1st Lake Properties Inc. has been a steady contributor to JBI projects especially in areas such as Kenner, Metairie, and River Ridge as these areas are also home to majority of the total 65 apartment locations they offer. 1st Lake Properties plans to continue to help make “Jefferson Parish more beautiful.”
For more information about this organization and projects, visit www.JeffersonBeautification.org.
1st Lake Properties was recently honored as one of New Orleans City Business’ Best Places to work!
To determine which companies would receive this award, City Business used a scoring system which was based on benefits provided by the nominated Employer including salary, health care, paid time off and average length of employment. Also, employees of the nominated companies were asked to be surveyed in order for City Business to gauge the “workplace culture” for the final cut.
Companies included in the top 50 Best Places to Work, 15 in the small company category and 35 in the large, also received accolades for “going above and beyond company benefits” to offer other “intangible perks, such as team-building and morale-boosting programs, receptive executives and fun office activities.”
1st Lake Properties was a newcomer to this honor, along with 13 other companies, with only one company, Zehnder, making the list every year since 2003. Upon making the New Orleans City Business Best Places to Work list, three interviews were scheduled with 1st Lake team members. All spoke about the opportunity for growth, education, and teamwork within the 1st Lake Properties corporate culture. Of the 330 employees, nearly 10% have been with the company over 15 years with the average length of employment at 12 years.
“1st Lake Properties take pride in landscaping the property and updating exteriors and interiors.” said one 1st Lake Properties General Manager. That is really reflective of the whole operation. People have come together at 1st Lake Properties to successfully run an apartment community…not just for the owners, but for the customers.”
The full list of winners will be released in the New Orleans City Business December 16, 2011 issue, along with photographs and company bios.
1st Lake Properties | P. O. Box 73709 | Metairie, LA 70033 | info@1stlake.com
