Category

Motherhood

Category

It is almost time for your new baby to arrive!  You have the nursery set up, the closet and dresser full of tiny clothes, and the changing table is stocked with diapers and wipes.  You also have an adorable and curious pet!  When you are already a pet parent, having a baby will not only be a big change for you as a couple, but will also be a big change for your pet.  Introducing your baby to your pets is a big deal! Here are a few tips and tricks to preparing your pet for the exciting day you bring your newborn home. Animals have a much more keen sense of smell than humans.  Let your pet sniff your baby bump and teach them to be gentle and calm while saying your baby’s name or the word “baby”.  Just as you train a dog to sit, lay down, or…

As parents, we often get so completely wrapped up in our children that we forget to be kind to ourselves. And sure, that’s completely understandable – but it leaves us feeling tired, overspent, and often inadequate.  Let’s explore why it’s so important to be kind to yourself as a parent and how to practice that kindness every day.  Improve Your Mental and Physical Health  Being kind to ourselves has been shown to improve both our physical and our mental health. At times of heightened stress, self-love is crucial. It’s what empowers us to cope better with the situation at hand.  On the other hand, when we think self-deprecating thoughts, we become the one thing standing between ourselves and contentment. Feel More Energized  Being overly critical of your actions, thoughts, or emotions drains your energy. As a parent, you will already have less energy available as usual. If you…

Won’t it be absolutely fantastic to go on a real adventure for your Baby Moon? (You know, like a honeymoon, only this is a getaway for couples who are now expecting their first child together.)  I mean, you have just discovered how often your body is going to change during this entire pregnancy, right? Plus, who knows how long it will be before you are comfortable leaving your baby for a couple’s getaway.  For your convenience, we have put together some ideas to help you get started with your planning, as well as a few essential things to consider while making preparations for your Babymoon. When planning your Babymoon, a few things can impact your travel choices and what activities you will prepare.  Keep in mind that along with the excitement of pregnancy often comes morning sickness!  Usually, morning sickness will decrease or even disappear sometime around the third…

Your precious baby is growing before your eyes, and you know the time is nearing to introduce them to something other than breastmilk or formula.  While this is a significant milestone for every baby, it can be stressful for the parents!  What foods to start with, how to introduce them, and when exactly to start are essential things to consider.  You may have been hearing about this not-so-new trend called “Baby-Led Weaning” and are wondering what exactly it is.  When you hear this phrase and hear that it often starts around six months old, you may be wondering why wean your sweet baby so early?  Baby-led weaning isn’t referring to weaning your infant off breastmilk or formula.  It simply refers to beginning to introduce solids on your infant’s readiness schedule instead of baby cereal or jarred baby food.   How To Know If Your Baby Is Ready One of the…

A new parent’s first year is quite a ride. There are new experiences, new people, and new responsibilities. For many new moms, the experience is compounded by a number of new and unexpected symptoms, including new and frequent mood swings, irritability, and low energy. However, when do you know it’s normal, and it’s not a postpartum disorder? There are many misconceptions and myths surrounding postpartum psychiatric disorders. Many women have a difficult time accepting that they need to seek help with their symptoms. Others are frightened by the idea of medication, thinking they will turn into a zombie, lose their identity and ability to get things done. Others still think that once they have a baby, they will never be able to have a meaningful relationship again. Postpartum psychosis is the medical term for a condition that can affect some mothers after childbirth. It is a serious mental health issue…

From the sea to the jungle, there are endless ideas out there for choosing a theme for and designing your new baby’s nursery.  It’s easy to become overwhelmed and even go into massive debt!  To keep you from drowning in the sea of cuteness overload and madness of ALL. The. Things, here is a list of 8 themes that are sure to create a serene, relaxing environment for your little one’s first room! Cartoon Characters Yup, you read that right!  We all know that the classic woodland themes of Winnie-the-Pooh and Peter Rabbit have been popular for many years. Oh, but how times DO change! Disney magic has brought us the oceanic themes of Finding Nemo and Moana, breaking the trends we grew up knowing. We also can’t leave out the ever-growing list of Disney princesses and Minnie Mouse!  The classics are still there for us with Precious…

Although tiny humans are quite demanding, having a newborn doesn’t mean that you are locked down until they walk and talk! With a few lifestyle changes, you can get that breather you need to keep you from drowning your sorrows in chocolate covered everything! Don’t base what freedom is for you by the trends and fads of today’s motherhood world, either! You’ll end up thinking that your baby is a ball and chain and not a bundle of joy. Here are a few things to think about when working to regain or maintain your freedom: Let people help you! In these challenging times, this can be tough; however, if you HAVE help, USE IT! Those who are offering don’t see you as the burden that they think you are to them. Whether it’s uninterrupted shower time, a nap, or unaccompanied trip to the grocery store, take what they…

It’s vital to eat well-balanced meals at any time, but it’s more important when you’re pregnant. Some meals and beverages may raise your and your baby’s risk of injury during pregnancy. When it seems like there are so many foods to avoid during pregnancy, it might be intimidating, but there are still plenty of foods you can consume while pregnant.  Some meals must be cooked or prepared in a specific way, while others should be avoided entirely. As your baby’s developing body requires certain nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, therefore you must follow a pregnancy diet chart with the doctor’s guidance. While most meals are acceptable to eat while pregnant, there are several items to avoid. Foods to Avoid While Pregnant Raw Meat: Due to the risk of coliform bacteria, toxoplasmosis, and salmonella infection, uncooked shellfish, rare or undercooked beef, and undercooked poultry should be avoided during pregnancy.  At home, whole slices…

It is almost time to greet your new baby, and as an expectant mom you are trying to make sure you have everything packed. Is your hospital bag ready for the baby’s day of delivery? You want to be sure it is by the door and ready to go when those contractions hit! How can you be sure you have not missed something? (Pregnancy brain is a real thing, you know!) So what are the items that are obvious, and what are the things that you might get to the hospital and say, “Oh, I wish I had thought to pack that!”? Let’s take a look! Be sure to read to the end to find your free packing list! Clothes When it comes time to deliver your baby, whether it is natural or by C-section, there are certain items you will want to have with you. Some of the most…

Coming home, now what? The day has finally arrived to bring your sweet newborn home!  You have the nursery decorated and well stocked with diapers, wipes, and more adorable tiny clothes than your baby will likely manage to wear before he or she outgrows them.  You have read all the parenting books, made a million and one lists, and checked them all off, and now you are ready to take care of your darling baby.  So what exactly do you need to do to take care of a newborn?  I mean, they just eat, sleep, potty, repeat right??  While this is the basic description of a newborn’s activities, there is more you can do than just change diapers, feed, and burp them! Constant Care The obvious doctor appointments begin as early as two or three days after you bring your baby home, immunizations if you are choosing to have your…