The decision to circumcise is up to parents. Credit: Nicole Hill, Getty Images
The debate over circumcision heated up when the Centers for Disease Control announced it may recommend circumcising all baby boys, but experts say the decision still rests with parents.
First of all, just what is circumcision? Dr. Rodolfo Sarmiento, a pediatrician on staff at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, Ill., told ParentDish it's an elective procedure done to boys after birth, usually 24 hours after they are delivered. The prepuce, or overlying skin at the tip of the penis, is removed.
The procedure does cause the child pain, so doctors will administer a pain reliever such as Tylenol. Some physicians, Sarmiento says, prefer to give a newborn sugar or a local, topical anesthetic to help with pain control.
Not all parents choose to have their children circumcised, which is why the CDC's announcement caused such a stir. Officials are considering promoting the procedure in the U.S., according to The New York Times, because it may help reduce the spread of H.I.V., the virus that causes AIDS.
Hindu baby names are often inspired by gods and goddesses. Credit: Sam Panthaky, AFP/Getty Images
Selecting a name for a child is one of the most important choices a Hindu parent will make, as Hindus believe baby names help ensure the child will be moral during life and will one day attain immortality.
Babies most often are named after deities, gods, goddesses or holy and revered individuals, or after sacred qualities.
If you are considering a Hindu baby name, either for religious reasons or because the names are simply beautiful, here are the best resources for Hindu baby names lists and ideas:
Indian Hindu Names: This comprehensive website for Hindu baby names includes many sections, including Names of Gods and Goddesses, Indian Baby Names A-Z and Baby Names by Month, Rashi. There also is a page that provides a star chart for parents desiring to name their baby according to the child's birth star. Some examples of names found in this Hindu baby names list are Chandra (moon), Madhuri (sweet) and Sahira (mountain) for girls, and Barindra (ocean), Harit (green) and Padmal (lotus) for boys.
The name Cruz is gaining in popularity thanks, in part, to Cruz Beckham. Credit: Merino Lins Sasha Fab/X17online
Spanish is a Romance language, so it's only natural that Spanish baby names sound beautiful and melodic to American ears. Names including Xavier, Sebastian, Cruz and Joaquin are now popular boy baby names among Hispanic and non-Hispanic parents alike.
And, with nearly 16 percent of the U.S. population being of Hispanic origin, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, more and more parents are looking to honor their heritage, often by picking Spanish baby names.
Some parents looking for unique Spanish baby names may want to pick something that is popular outside of the United States. For example, Santiago is one of the 10 most popular names in Mexico, but only ranks 130th in the United States. Cruz is also poised to become a trendy Spanish baby name. The name currently is ranked 346th in the United States, but it has almost doubled in popularity since 1990. Much of the name's popularity can be attributed to David and Victoria Beckham, who named one of their sons Cruz in 2005.
Keep your baby close and comforted while you're on the go with Serena & Lily's Peacock Market Sling. Even better? It also can help maintain privacy while nursing.
Made from one seamless piece of fabric without buckles, belts or straps, this beautifully-designed sling is easy to wear while keeping your baby snug. And the super-soft 100 percent organic jersey cotton lining is gentle against a baby's delicate skin.
The best part: The vibrant embroidered peacock design makes this sling as gorgeous as it is practical.
Look to Greece and Greek history when choosing baby names for boys. Credit: Corbis
When it comes to choosing a name for a newborn son, many parents consider monikers that are strong and classic. And, among the most popular and timeless boys' names, are those with origins in Greek language, culture, history and mythology.
But many parents often choose these Greek baby names without knowing the roots of their meanings. Here's a quick guide to some of the most popular, and a few less common, Greek baby names for boys.
Alexander: A classic, strong Greek name with roots in Greek culture and history, Alexander means "protector of mankind." The popularity of this name can be traced back to Alexander the Great, the legendary emperor who ruled during the fourth century B.C. Though his reign was brief -- Alexander died when he was only 33 -- his influence in spreading Greek culture throughout the known world lasted for centuries.
Anthony: Another popular Greek boy name, Anthony means "worthy of praise." The name's spelling also is associated with the Greek word "anthos," meaning flower.
A Sikh baby name can honor family traditions. Credit: Corbis
Picking the right baby name is never easy, but with the right resources, Sikh parents can find a name that honors their religious and cultural traditions.
Sikh baby names are uncommon in the United States, so if you're hoping to give your child a Sikh baby name, online resources will help. Here are a few sites to get you started.
About.com: This site offers a comprehensive list of Sikh baby names by letter, and is one of the best resources for understanding how Sikh baby names are selected.
All girls' names end with Kaur, which means princess, and all boys' names end with Singh, meaning lion. This tradition in Sikh baby names was intended to reduce the prejudice in India created on caste-typing based on the family name and to show equality between men and women.
American Eagle's 77Kids line is awesome. Credit: Ae.com
You're a cool daddy or hip mama and you want your baby to sport your same funky fashion sense. But there's one problem: Funky baby clothes often don't come cheap.
Fortunately, there are many options from big-name retailers for parents who want to dress their children in cutting edge funky baby fashions without breaking the bank. Here are a few of our faves.
Target: Known for collaborating with high-end designers to offer clothing at value prices, Target has teamed with Paul Frank to offer a line of funky baby clothes that cost less than $20. Only the coolest babies will be sporting Paul Frank for Targetroyal blue or aluminum zip hoodies featuring the label's iconic monkey design.
Irish baby girl names are as beautiful as the nation's countryside. Credit: Corbis
One does not need to be Irish to appreciate the written and spoken beauty of Irish baby names.
Irish baby girl names, in particular, evoke a certain magical image: of lovely women with flowing hair and luxurious velvet gowns peering out over misty lakes, or empowered warrior queens passionately defending family, home and land.
Irish baby names are a great choice for parents looking to give their child a unique name that is still elegant. According to the Social Security Administration's yearly-published list, many of the top baby girl names are Irish in origin. Here are a few Irish baby girl names with pronunciation and their meanings. Consider these options when naming your upcoming bundle of joy.
Siobhan (pronounced shuh-VAHN) is a feminine form of John and an Irish variant of Joan. It means "God is gracious" or "God is full of grace." Alternative spellings of this Irish baby name include Siobhann, Sioban and Shivon.
A baby's footprint makes for an artful and memorable birth announcement. Credit: Getty
Your family is growing, and everyone is excited to welcome home the new baby. But that doesn't mean the transition won't be without a few bumps along the way.
To keep your older children from feeling left out and left behind, celebrate their new role as big brothers or sisters by sending sibling birth announcements that they help create.
DIY designs: If you prefer something personal, DIY birth announcements are a fun way to involve your older children. Purchase blank white cards and envelopes at craft or scrapbooking stores and ask your child to decorate them with stickers, crayons, finger paint or glitter. Glue on a picture of the new baby to complete the card. These sibling birth announcements won't look professional, but Grandma and Grandpa will appreciate the one-of-a-kind homemade creation.
Handprint cards: Not very artsy? Don't worry about it! Some sibling birth announcements are extremely easy to make. Homemade birth announcements using simple handprints can be lovely and memorable. To make, buy non-toxic finger paint, choosing either pastels (pink and blue) or bright primary colors (red, blue and yellow) and help your older child or children make handprints or footprints on a sheet of white cardstock paper.
Malia Obama, shown with her famous dad, has helped popularize her name. Mandel Ngan, AFP/Getty Images
Thanks to first daughter Malia Obama, Hawaiian baby names are more popular than ever.
But Malia, a Hawaiian form of Mary that means "calm," "peaceful" or "probably," isn't the only interesting and popular Hawaiian name you may consider for your baby girl.
With a few exceptions, Hawaiian-influenced girls' names are more widely used today than boys' names. Still, there are many unique and engaging Hawaiian baby names for parents to consider for their son, as well.
How will you share your pregnancy news? Credit: Getty
You've been keeping it a secret for weeks, but now that you're starting to show, it's time to tell the world that you're pregnant.
But what's the best way? Pregnancy announcements, while unheard of just a few years ago, are a growing trend. In fact, Tiny Prints, an online card store specializing in birth announcements and invitations, has an entire section devoted to pregnancy announcements.
Expectant parents can announce their pregnancy in style with more than 30 different pregnancy announcements available on the site, including "Stork News," "Expecting," "Coming Soon," or "Due Date" cards.
It appears sending pregnancy announcements is gaining in popularity, but what would your grandmother think of this trend, and just what is the proper pregnancy announcement etiquette, anyway?
You may have used a Sophie teether when you were a baby. Credit: Amazon
Developed in France in 1961, Sophie the Giraffe has been a part of babies' lives for more than 40 years.
Made of 100 percent natural rubber from the Hevea tree, this lovable teether from Vulli has a soft feel and a pleasing smell, and is colored with food grade paint. Sophie's bumpy parts help soothe baby's sore gums, and her long legs are just right for reaching back molars.
The perfect teether, Sophie also provides visual stimulation with her contrasting giraffe spots, and keeps baby amused with a happy squeaker sound when squeezed.
Biblical baby girl names can honor religious beliefs. Credit: Getty
What do Mary, Sophie and Rachel have in common with Kristen, Shiloh and Alexandra?
They're all biblical baby names that happen to be popular, as well.
Many parents pick biblical baby names to honor their Christian or Jewish heritage and often, their choices are inspired by a favorite Bible story.
For boys, Jesus is a top baby name in Hispanic communities, and the apostles, evangelists and heroes of the Old Testament often appear on annual top 100 boy baby names lists.
But, even if parents are not religious, there are still good reasons to pick biblical baby names. These names are timeless, since they have been used continuously for thousands of years, and a widely-used baby name such as Matthew or David is a safe choice for parents concerned their child might be teased over an unusual name.
Sure, bottles, blankets and binkies are nice, but baby shower gifts don't have to be bland.
With so many folks shopping off of baby shower gift registries today, parents shouldn't be afraid to consider their own passions and interests when listing the items they want and need. Love hiking, camping, fishing and being outdoors? These are all activities you can enjoy with your baby. Here are some ideas for the best baby shower gifts for outdoorsy parents.
Let the Sun Shine In: Sun protection products are among the best baby shower gifts for parents who plan to spend a lot of time outside with baby. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, and infants can be more sensitive to the sun than adults. It's important to protect their skin by practicing sun safety -- including wearing sunglasses and a sun hat.
Sun protective clothing from Coolibar offers UPF 50 protection from both UVA and UVB rays. Coolibar makes a wide range of infant sun hats, sunglasses and full-coverage sun rompers and swimsuits. For parents who will spend time fishing or romping in the water with their kids, Coolibar's fast-drying Aqua fabric clothes make great baby shower gifts.
Ooh! Do you think that comes in my size? Credit: Brooke Fasani, Corbis
If there's anything more fun than shopping for yourself, it's shopping for your baby. But while some of the designer baby clothes out there are beyond adorable, they're also beyond expensive.
A pair of classic designer shoes that will last you forever -- or a Kate Spade diaper bag -- might be justifiable for an occasional splurge, but a baby outfit that will fit for a few months to a year, tops? Sorry, for must of us, that's simply off the map financially.
But there's no reason your baby's style needs to suffer. Since the wearability window is so short, designer baby clothes often can be found secondhand, but barely worn. And while consignment stores and thrift shops certainly can be treasure troves for local brick-and-mortar shopping, with sale and online consignment sites popping up as fast your your baby's feet seem to be growing, you also can treasure-hunt online for designer baby clothes, both gently used and brand new.
