Uncategorized Archives | Joyful Messes

How to Sleep Better: Parents’ Guide to Healthy Sleep

In a survey done by Sleep Junkie, nearly 70 percent of the respondents were getting their recommended 7+ hours of sleep per night just prior to becoming parents. Fast forward to these same people having a baby — and only 10 percent of them were hitting that number of hours. In the first year of parenting, the majority of moms and dads were falling short of sleep by approximately three hours every night. And it’s not just parents of newborns who lose sleep. Everything from kids getting sick to dealing with teenage rebellion can mean sleepless nights for worried moms and dads. Unavoidably, being a parent entails some sleepless nights. But is losing sleep really one of the sacrifices that parents have to make constantly? Parenting is challenging enough as it is, and being sleep-deprived can only make it more difficult. To be happy and healthy, kids need happy and…

Healthy Kids

5 Ways to Instill Good Dental Habits in Your Child

Raising a kid is perhaps one of the hardest jobs in the world. At the same time, it is also the most satisfying, especially if you see your child healthy and happy. Among others, one of the most difficult parts of being a parent is getting your child to develop a dental hygiene routine. A task as simple as toothbrushing can end up being a nightmare! If you are clueless about how to help your child build a better habit for oral health, we’ve got you. Keep reading and learn from the tips we’ll be sharing. Help Your Child Develop Good Dental Habits With These Five Tips From keeping toddlers entertained to teaching kids to become more responsible, parents have a long list of seemingly endless tasks. Below, however, we will focus on making sure that your child grows up prioritizing oral health. Go to the Dentist Early On …

Mom Hacks

10 Photography Tips to Capture Great Photos of Your Kids

As a parent, there’s nothing more precious to you than your children. And there’s something about children that just makes you want to capture every moment. Maybe it’s because they grow up so quickly, or maybe it’s the knowledge that these fleeting moments will never come again. Whatever the reason, capturing great photos of your kids is important – and not just for preserving memories. Photos can also be a great way to show off your little ones to family and friends or to create beautiful cards and keepsakes. Taking those pictures can be a lot of fun, but it can also be challenging. How do you get them to smile for the camera? How do you avoid getting a blurry photo? Read further to learn 10 photography tips that will help you take fantastic photos of your kids! Get down on their level Get down on their level.…

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding Twins: Tips to Increase Your Milk Supply

If you’re a breastfeeding mom of twins, you know that it can be a little more challenging than breastfeeding a single baby. Not only do you have to worry about producing enough milk for both babies, but you also have to make sure that they are getting the right amount of nutrition. Let’s discuss some tips to help increase your milk supply and make breastfeeding twins a little bit easier! How to know if your breast milk supply is low When breastfeeding twins, it is important to make sure that your breast milk supply is adequate. One way to tell if your milk supply is low is by checking the frequency and amount of wet diapers your babies have. If they are not having at least six wet diapers per day (or more), then it is likely that your breast milk supply is not enough. Another sign that your milk…

Motherhood

How To Deal With Postpartum Hair Loss

You’re so excited about your new baby, and currently enjoying adapting to life with your bundle of joy, and boom! You notice that a handful of your hair seems to come off anytime you shower, or run a comb through your beautiful locks. Not only that, you’ve even noticed it is the same shocking reality for the hair in other parts of your body. This is the beauty challenge every new mom around the world faces, so, don’t worry mama, you’re not alone in this. For the most part, experts say that postpartum hair loss is absolutely normal and temporary, even though it seems like you are creeping very close to baldness with each passing day. Hair loss after childbirth is called Postpartum hair loss, and it is just hair loss related to childbirth. It is caused by a quick hormonal shift, caused by a sharp drop in…

Milk Supply

Top 5 Blenders for Breast Milk Boosting Smoothies

Breastfeeding is not always as easy as it seems. Some mothers find themselves with a low breast milk supply, which can make breastfeeding difficult. Talks of having to supplement with formula when you really want to breastfeed exclusively can be frustrating. But you’re here because you’re not giving up just yet! There are smoothies that can help boost your milk supply, thankfully! Smoothies are very easy to whip up, made with natural ingredients, and delicious too! Though smoothies are not the sole solution to your problem, it can definitely help! In this blog, we recommend blenders that we found to be the best for this purpose. Whether you’re looking for a high-end blender or one that is more budget-friendly, we have you covered. Benefits of smoothies for breastfeeding mothers Smoothies are an easy way to get important vitamins and minerals into your diet. When you’re breastfeeding, you need more…

Fit Pregnancy

Tips for Getting Great Sleep While Pregnant

When you are pregnant, it is such a joy to feel the little life growing inside of you, picking out baby names, and thinking about nursery decor. One of the parts of pregnancy that isn’t so joyful is the difficulty in finding just the right sleeping position as your tummy gets bigger week by week. Between the changes in your body and hormones and the excitement of preparing for the arrival of your little one, sometimes getting good solid sleep while pregnant can be a challenge! Thankfully, there are many tips and tricks to help you catch those elusive z’s during this important stage of life. Sleep Hygiene One of the easiest ways to ensure you are getting enough GOOD sleep is to develop good sleep hygiene habits and a relaxing bedtime routine. Sleep hygiene refers to things such as how late in the day you have caffeine…

Food & Recipes

Simple Brunch Ideas for All Ages

Spring is almost here! This means the season for brunches is upon us and, what better way to kick it off than with a family-style brunch with your loved ones enjoying food everyone will be certain to love! Brunch is traditionally a meal between the late morning and early afternoon and can consist of anything from french toast to sliders. Creating a simple yet tasty and aesthetically pleasing spread for your get together has never been easier! The key is to create a menu that has foods everyone will enjoy yet doesn’t put a huge stress on you. Items that can be made the day before are good to include as that will leave less for you to make the day of. Here are some ideas that will cater to all ages from the little ones to the grandparents! Fast and Sweet When it comes to sweet brunch…

Baby Goods

How To Get Your Home Ready For Baby

I know what’s going through your mind right now. The beautiful home you’ve put your blood, sweat, and tears into now looks like a field of landmines and you’re about to throw everything in the trash! Stop… time out… HOLD UP! Baby proofing your home IS necessary, but before you wrap everything in bubble wrap, let’s start with some simpler things. Registry List A baby registry is your first step in preparing for the new addition to your family. “Are you registered anywhere?” is one of the first questions you’ll be asked once you get to showing that baby bump, so this will answer that very quickly! Most major retailers have a recommended list of things to get for your baby and that’s a great place to start. Consider purchasing an armoire to store things in until you’re ready to start putting everything together and in place. Many new…

Mom Life

Introducing Baby to Your Pets

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,…