Grantly Dick says and I quote “A newborn baby has only three demands, respectively are warmth in the arms of the mother, food from her breasts, and security in the knowledge of her presence. This is what your child gets from you all in the simple act of breastfeeding him or her. It is a proven natural health plan sustainable for every newborn child. The experience of breastfeeding is a therapeutic one for both the mother and child.

Your child gets natural antibodies from this to serve as his or her immunity until his or her own immune system is fully developed, and also does your risk of breast and ovarian cancer becomes reduced. The benefits of breast milk to your child is synonymous with life itself. And to let you in another secret; every new mom goes to every length to get back in shape after pregnancy. Well, I am pleased to inform you that breastfeeding your child helps reduce these excess calories gained.

No one was born with the skills of breastfeeding, we all learned as at when due and this piece would focus on the most important tip of all necessary to kick-start this process in a much easier state “COMFORT”.

Getting comfortable is the first and most important tip of all when breastfeeding your child. It is a way of life and the only way to embrace it is to pick a position and setup that defines comfort for you and the baby. Breastfeeding is a way of life and anything you do that does not resonate comfort implies you are doing it all wrong.  

• Learn to hold your baby properly. This description is aimed at giving you comfort. As a new mom, you need to know the three positions you can take when breastfeeding your baby. The first, most important and well-known position is widely known as the cradle hold. This position requires you to hold your baby laterally across your abdomen, placing one hand as support beneath his or her head and the other serving as the chair/cushion beneath his or her bottom. This position requires you as the mother to be in a comfortable sitting position. The second position is known as the football hold. This position requires you to place your baby beside you with him facing up and laterally. Lay him on your arms and guide his head to your breast. You need to be in a comfortable sitting position as well. The last and my very personal best is known as the lying down hold. This positioning requires you to lay your baby next to you in bed; facing you. Make sure his mouth is at the same elevation with your nipple or just slightly lower. Bring his mouth close to your nipple with one hand while the other hand rests on the back of his neck.

• Proper latching. Proper latching is important in order for you to be comfortable as well as your baby. A deep latch is necessary in order for your baby to feed properly. Make sure his mouth covers as much areola as he can, with the nipple pushing as far back as possible in your baby’s mouth. Place your baby’s nose close to your nipple and not his mouth. This will allow him to lift his mouth close to your nipple and latch on deeply. Make sure you place your baby’s stomach at the same level as your stomach in order to get comfortable. This step would allow your baby to latch properly.
• Do not encourage the use of bottle until your baby is comfortable with your nipples, in order not to confuse your baby. Don’t offer water to your breastfeeding newborn; breast milk has everything he or she needs. It is more than sufficient to take care of his or her entire needs.
• Use pillows as support for your baby to get breast high in order to enable sucking. You as the mother also need to take care of your positioning when breastfeeding. A mother with back pain becomes a grumpy mom. Bring your baby close to your breast and not the breast close to the baby. Be prepared to breastfeed for about 8-12 times every day because your baby will be hungry at all times. Every two hours or whenever your baby cries, be ready to breastfeed your baby. Guide your baby to your nipple by rubbing his cheek with your finger till he is able to turn to your breast.
• Don’t dictate how fast your baby should suck or how much milk your baby should take, let him or her determine that.
• For the first few weeks, most newborns have the need to be fed every two to three hours round-the-clock. Be observant and try to note early signs of hunger, such as stirring, restlessness, sucking motions and lip movements.
• Always stay close to your baby at night. It’s best to allow your newborn sleep in your room but not in your bed. Adult beds are unhealthy for infants. A baby can be trapped in the space between the mattress and the bed frame, or the space between the mattress and the wall; which would lead to suffocation. A baby can be accidentally smothered if you roll over and cover the baby’s nose and mouth. You should remember it is for your comfort and that of your baby. You get to sleep comfortably in your bed without having to be cautious of you rolling over him or her.
• Healthy eating. Above all, you need to feed properly in order to lactate enough for your baby. You wouldn’t want a robust baby with the mother looking sickly. Your choice of food will reflect on your baby. Never forget the importance of staying hydrated. If you eat healthily and forget to stay hydrated, it can result in you losing all your milk. If that happens, how do you help your child?

These tips will help facilitate your comfort and that of your baby.

The post Breastfeeding Tips For New Moms appeared first on Mom Blog Society.

It’s a huge privilege to get to choose the name of your child. But, it can also feel like a lot of pressure. After all, your child will be carrying this name with them for the rest of their lives.

So, how do you make sure you choose a name that you won’t end up regretting? We’ve got you covered with these six tips that will help prevent baby name remorse.

1.  Do Your Research

A name is much more than just a collection of sounds. Names have context socially, historically, and culturally.

For example, let’s say you love the name Mila. Do some research and you will quickly find out it’s the name of a very famous actress! Many people, in fact, end up going with famous celebrity names, and oftentimes without realizing it. You can learn about this trend in this blog post here.

Maybe you love the idea of your child being associated with a famous person, or maybe you hate it. It’s all personal preference. The point is, you don’t want to choose a name only to find out later that it’s always associated with something else.

2. Don’t Tell Everyone

While the prospect of revealing a name may seem exciting, just remember that everyone is going to have an opinion on the name you choose.

At the end of the day, it’s the opinion of you and your partner that matters the most. Therefore, if you’ve made a definite decision about a name, it may be a good idea to not tell anyone until the baby is born.

3. Test it Out

If you’ve got a name you love, but are still a little hesitant about, don’t be afraid to test it out.

In order to do this, take a day off from your own name and use your baby’s name instead. For example, when you go to the coffee shop, give the barista the baby name instead of your own.

Do this in several situations and see what the reaction is. If you are met with utter confusion on the spelling or with mispronunciation, you’ll want to keep that in mind. Maybe you’re willing to sacrifice the uniqueness of a name for convenience sake, or maybe you’re not.

4.  Don’t Wait Til the Last Minute

Oftentimes, parents have this idealistic view that the right baby name will just come to the moment’s after the child is born.

And while this does happen sometimes, it’s rare and you shouldn’t bank on it. Plus, falling in love with a name in advance is a part of the fun and allows some time for the name to grow on you if you were at first hesitant.

5. Focus on the Positive

If you have several names you love, it can be easy to nitpick and talk yourself out them just to narrow down the list.

Don’t do this. Instead, focus on what you love about each name. This will help turn your worries and doubts about each name into excitement and confidence.

6. Go With Your Gut

At the end of the day, the best way to prevent baby name remorse is to go with your gut.

Shut out the noises and opinions of others and focus on your own opinions and what you love. Don’t worry about the name you choose is a little too creative, or a little too popular, or a little too this or that. If you love it, that’s all that matters!

The post 6 Tips to Avoid Baby Name Remorse appeared first on Mom Blog Society.

5 Important Gifts You Can Give

1. Diapers: As you probably know babies go through an unbelievable amount of diapers.  You can either purchase newborn diapers or possibly gift certificates to get diapers since they will change sizes quickly.  If you want to purchase diapers you can get a variety of sizes from Little Toes. Moms get plenty of diapers at baby showers but have likely never received bamboo diapers. These will show you care about the health of the baby and the environment so they’re a great gift. You can also get them for low prices when bought in bulk. Not only will you be able to save, but the supply will also last longer. To read more about them, visit MyMomShops. They review a whole range of diapers and baby toys
2. Diaper Bag:  Sometimes the Mom to be will put what diaper bag she wants on her registry.  Never fear if she does, as Moms can always use more than one.  Either they get dirty and need to be washed, or they just get worn out. And often Dad, Grandma or another caregiver might need his/her own diaper bag. So, a diaper bag is always a welcomed gift.
3. Socks: Get 3 pairs of socks in each incremental size: 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months.  Mom will appreciate the variety of sizes and the baby will have socks to keep their feet warm.
   
4. For the working or Mom on the go, you can get diaper changing sets which include:
   (1) Natural Bamboo Baby Diaper, size small (6.6-17.6 lbs. / 3-8 kg)
   (2) Natural Diaper Rash Cream Packet (5 ml/each)
   (1) Bamboo Natural Baby Wipes Packet (10 wipes)
   (1) Biodegradable Hand Sanitizing Wipe
   (1) Disposable Diaper Changing Pad
   You can purchase a few of these to go with a diaper bag as a gift, as any mother loves a diaper bag full of goodies.  The benefit of the changing set is the mom has everything she needs in one bag, so she doesn’t have to lug the entire diaper bag everywhere she goes. She can store one in each parent’s car, in grandparents’ cars and other similar places in case of emergency. And ready-made kits are hard to come by. Many moms try to make their own, but in a hurry, the changing sets will be appreciated. Plus, keeping a changing set in the car or at one stored in the car
5. Hire a maid: I know you probably think I am crazy but if a couple friends went in together and hired a maid even for 2 cleanings. I know the new Mom would really appreciate it.  Or once they are feeling better and can get out of the house, having a maid come to tidy up will be a very appreciated gift.

Sign up for Little Toes by Products on the Go ‘Insider Guest Registry’

The post 5 Important Gifts to Give for a Baby Shower appeared first on Mom Blog Society.

Whether you have children that are likely to get hold of your devices, you have small hands yourself or you simply put your gear through the rigors of daily life or rugged athletic pursuits, you need gear, devices, and gadgets that are up to the task at hand, no matter how small those hands may be.

If you have been repeatedly frustrated, disappointed or flat-out devastated by devices that aren’t the right fit for your overloaded hands, take a look at three extra-tough options that, even if they don’t fit your hands perfectly, can take an occasional drop, bump or dip.

1. Bring Your Best Flash Drive

Sometimes leaving your laptop at home makes good sense when you know you will have easy access to a computer at your destination. However, like most of us, you need your files once you arrive. Just think of how light your bag will be! But have you ever tried to hold onto these things? Even though they are small, fitting easily into small hands, it is still tricky keeping them safe from the elements or simple drops.

Meet the handy and hands-friendly Corsair Flash Survivor flash drive, which offers incredibly rugged protection for your crucial files that you need at your fingertips. Encased in an anodized aircraft-grade aluminum housing, this flash drive is also waterproof to 200 meters.

2. Pick Up an Indomitable Smartphone

Today’s smartphones are often our lifeline to work, family, social functions and much more, so it is essential that we keep them up, running and fully functional. The trick is finding a brand, model and focus on the perfect combination of durability, function, and a fun, attractive and friendly design.

The Samsung Galaxy S8 may tick all the boxes to fill your sharp and durable smartphone needs, starting with its beautiful construction and brilliant 5.8″ display on the world’s first Infinity Screen. Enjoy the personal security of facial recognition that locks and unlocks with a single look. If you frequently find yourself precariously close to water, never fear, the Samsung Galaxy S8 has an IP68 water-resistance rating to keep your mobile safe from splashes, dunks, and dribbles.

3. Get a Solid Grip on a Rough and Tumble Phablet

You may need something extra tough for trips to the construction site and other spots where you may need to get a bit more down and dirty. The Panasonic Toughpad FZ-X1 is too small to be considered a tablet at 5″, but it is more than a smartphone. Either way, this hybrid piece that fits neatly into just about any size hands is true to its name, as it can easily survive a 10-foot fall onto concrete. The price tag on this device is just as steep, starting at $1,799, but if your work takes you to perilous places, it may be the right fit.

These technology offerings and others can help keep your gear in perfect working order, long past the warranty expiration.

The post Extra-Tough Tech That Stays Safe in Little Hands appeared first on Mom Blog Society.

The Rh blood group system involves 50 different blood group proteins and the five most important ones are D, C, c, E, and e. When Rhesus tests are performed on an individual, it determines whether the D antigen is present on the surface of the red blood cells or not and this is indicated by stating that the person is either Rh positive or negative. The presence or absence of the D antigen on the surface of the red blood cells depends on the individual’s parents since the protein is inherited and around 85 percent of humans are Rh positive.

History of Rhesus

The Rhesus blood type was discovered in 1937 and named after the Rhesus monkey. The reason for this was because serum containing the antigens of the Rhesus blood group was produced by rabbits that were immunized with the blood of a Rhesus macaque.2

Clinical implications

In certain situations, a Rh incompatibility between individuals may result in a medical condition known as hemolytic disease of the newborn or Rhesus disease where the red blood cells in the bloodstream of the fetus are damaged due to antibodies attacking the surfaces of the cells.3 During a pregnancy, the expectant mother is tested at her ante-natal examination to determine what her Rh status is.

The mother is Rh negative

In this case, the father of the child is also tested and one of two scenarios occurs.

• If the father is Rh-negative, then the fetus will also be D antigen negative and there won’t be any incompatibility issues.
• If the father is Rh positive, then there is a chance that the fetus will also be Rh positive. What this means is that when the mother and fetus’ blood come into contact with each other, the maternal blood will recognise the fetus blood as foreign (because there’s no D antigen on the surface of the red blood cells) and the maternal immune system will start to produce antibodies known as IgG anti-D antibodies which attack the D antigens and this results in damage to the red blood cells of the fetus. The baby from the woman’s first pregnancy won’t really be affected because maternal and fetal blood only comes into contact with each other during childbirth, whether it’s a normal vaginal delivery or via Caesarean section. The time of exposure is therefore limited and no damage to the baby’s red blood cells occurs. Rhesus disease will be an issue in the proceeding pregnancies though because the mother has the anti-D antibodies circulating in her bloodstream and this will come into contact with the next fetus and cause damage to its red blood cells.

The mother is Rh positive

• Since most people are Rh positive the father won’t routinely be tested. If he is and the result is Rh positive then the fetus will also be Rhesus positive.

• If the father is Rh-negative, there is a chance that the fetus will also be Rh negative. This scenario isn’t as problematic as the aforementioned issue because when there is contact between the mother and baby’s blood, the child’s immune system will produce the IgG anti-D antibodies. However, this won’t matter because the mother and child’s blood doesn’t come into contact again after childbirth. Where this scenario may be problematic is if the child is female, as she has the potential to become pregnant later on in life, and she has circulating anti-D antibodies that may affect her fetus if it’s Rh positive.

Nowadays though, if there’s a Rh incompatibility issue where the mother is Rh negative, an IgG anti-D vaccine is administered to the mother during and after the pregnancy to prevent her immune system from producing the antibodies. Make sure you follow the right test. At Xpertdox you can find best doctors or hospitals for treating any rare disease.

References

1. Dean L. Blood Groups and Red Cell Antigens [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Center for Biotechnology Information (US); 2005. Chapter 7, The Rh blood group. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2269/

2.  Landsteiner, K.; Weiner, A. (1940). “An Agglutinable Factor in Human Blood Recognized by Immune Sera for Rhesus Blood”. Exp Biol Med. 43 (1): 223. doi:10.3181/00379727-43-11151.

3. Dean L. Blood Groups and Red Cell Antigens [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Center for Biotechnology Information (US); 2005. Chapter 4, Hemolytic disease of the newborn. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2266/

The post What is the Rhesus Blood Group? appeared first on Mom Blog Society.

The Mother’s Actual Heartbeat is the Baby’s Lullaby

It is a proven fact that baby’s sleep better when they are close to their Mommy.  Since that is what they have heard for the past 9 months while inside their Mommy’s tummy.  So what better way to help a baby sleep outside of the womb (other than holding them all the time), than to have a Lubby Dubby Doll.  

About Lubby Dubby Dolls

The Lubby Dubby Dolls are able to record and replay your own heartbeat so that your baby can sleep longer as well as fall asleep faster.  It is the next best thing to the actual womb-like experience.  Lubby Dubby Dolls’ patent-pending SoundBox not only provides better sleep for your baby but also for yourself!

ATTENTION:

To reduce potential risk to SIDS, babies younger than 12 months are not recommended to sleep with Tokki or other stuffed animals laying in the crib. Instead, we recommend using the knot behind Tokki to hang Tokki on the side of a crib when not under adult supervision.

Even older children will love their Lubby Dubby Doll. It is a comfort with or without using the heartbeat.

The post Lubby Dubby Dolls Perfect for Your Baby to Sleep With appeared first on Mom Blog Society.

Some parents will ignore clipping baby’s nails while others probably cut the nails because they recognize that nails can scratch their baby face and this is a perfect place for growing many germs, bacteria, and viruses. Well, all parents need to do is that knowing how to trim baby’s nails safely.

#1 – Take their hands at your eye level  

Take baby’s nails with a board are the easiest and safest method to cut their nails. However, you should spend much time to undertake. Furthermore, you should be careful to get their nails under the clipper.

Select a suitable board for infants is quite important as it influences on their skin. For example, you should not choose a metal nail sheet as it might be too solid for their skin.

#2 – Choose the right time to cut their nails

The best times to trim baby’s nails are when they are sleeping and after bathing as their nails are softer and you enable to easily cut.

Please keep in mind that you should clipper their nails when they have a deep sleep. If not, you can cut their skin as well when they are awake or they do not have a good sleep.

#3 – Use an available infant nail clipper

You should keep a baby nail clipper firmly first. It is quite difficult to control the clipper as it is smaller than the adult clipper.

Before trimming, you could ask for help from another person to support you keep baby’s hand if you are not confident to trim baby’s nails by yourself while you clip. Find a great position that supports you easily reach the nail-cutting task.

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After that, you should slowly push the fingertip back from the nail to increase space for the clipper. By doing this, the clipper cannot cut to their skin.

For toenails, you could trim their nails straightly through the shape of each toenail. You continue to keep one hand or a foot while clipping another one. Do not forget to use a nail file to file some rough edges gently after clipping.  

#4 – Clip their nails in the light space

Never clip their nails in the darkroom or in the low-light space as you probably cut their fingers, toes, and skin!

On the flip side, you can wear glasses to see their nails and the beginning points clearly before cutting.

#5 – Avoid biting their nails

Some people think that baby nails are soft enough to bite instead of using a nail clipper. However, you should avoid this method as many germs and bacteria probably live in their hands and their nails. At the same time, they also have microbes and these will transfer to your mouth.

What’s more, biting their nails can cause injury to their toes and fingers. Sometimes, you might get a wound in these positions.

#6 – Make them do not pay attention to the trimming process

In case you clip their nails when they are awake, then you should try to amuse them. You can sing a favorite song and let them pay attention to their loved toys are a great idea to distract them while clipping.

Moreover, you enable to talk to them and make a joke are also incredible methods that many parents apply.

#7 – Solve the “cutting their skin” issue

In case you cut their skin and have a wound, you should use a sterile gauze pad to cover the wound to stop the bleeding. Then, you need to add the antibiotic cream to the wound and evade using bandages as they feel uncomfortable.

Sometimes, they can take their entire hands to their mouth, so you should not bandage the wound.

Additionally, you must not take their wound finger to your mouth to bleed the injury because this will make many microbes for both of you.  

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Final Words

Clipping baby nails is a daunting task indeed for your baby; especially when they often get their whole hands to the mouth. Your baby can wear the gloves to avoid this frequency and prevent their nails ought to scratch their face, eyes, and skin.

However, you also need to trim their nails regularly to decrease various microbes in their hands and toes. Please carry in mind that you should not use an adult clipper or use a scissor to clip their nails as you probably cut their skin and the whole finger or toe as well. After using an infant nail clipper, you need to store it in a drawer or a safe place.  

Author Bio 

My name is Kristi and I’m a mother of 3 beautiful angels. I am also the founder of Intelligentmother.com. This blog was created in order to share my personal experiences in baby care and general health care for pregnant women. You can find many interesting insights on my blog and several problems solved! 

The post 7 Safety Tips to Cut Baby’s Nails Easily appeared first on Mom Blog Society.

• Viyet has been your baby for so long…and now you’re having one! How has your workflow changed — if at all — since finding out that you’ll be a mom? Have you had to shift some of your duties off your plate — and if so, what has been the biggest challenge/hardest to let go of?

Luckily I have had a pretty easy pregnancy so far (knock on wood), so I haven’t had to change too much yet, but I am sure that will be a different story once the baby arrives. I have noticed that I get tired more easily, so evening commitments like design events or dinners with local influencers are harder to swing these days (especially without wine…).

• On that same note, how have you approached your schedule (especially in regards to travel) in light of being a mom-to-be? What changes have you made?

I have been trying my best to keep up with my normal schedule of traveling 1-2x per month to meet new investors or attend speaking engagements throughout my pregnancy. However, now that I am in my third trimester, I am going to try my best to keep local and do more phone calls versus in-person meetings. Airplane seats are feeling pretty cramped these days.

• Speaking of travel: What travel essentials do you recommend for other moms-to-be/new moms?

I have been using Bio Oil religiously in an attempt to avoid stretch marks. This travel-size version is now a permanent fixture in my toiletry bag. I also love these molded sleep masks that block out any sliver of light. I need all the help I can get when it comes to sleeping on planes.

• As a CEO, you are constantly meeting with venture capital firms and investors. How do you balance the time commitment these meetings entail, along with keeping stress in check?

When we are in fundraising mode, that has to be my first priority, so I try to let go of as much operational day-to-day as I can during that period. Otherwise, it is impossible to balance both moving investors along in the process with the daily needs of the business. I am fortunate that we have an incredibly talented executive team who are fully capable of running things while I focus on bringing in the money, so that goes a long way towards mitigating the stress.

• Has becoming a new mom given you new insight into how you run your business — whether it’s something like improving work-life balance as far as your own schedule goes, or if it’s thinking about expanding more into the designer children’s furniture realm (and asking your curators to seek out these pieces from consignors)?

It has definitely given me a better perspective. Minor setbacks or issues don’t get to me as much as they used to. It’s nice to have the constant reminder kicking in my stomach that relationships, family, and knowing that you did your best at the end of the day are all that truly matter.

• Your personal style has always been flawless! Are there any brands/designers that you’ve counted on during your pregnancy? And has your approach to fashion/beauty changed during your pregnancy?

Hatch has been a lifesaver, especially for everyday work clothes. For investor meetings when I need to look a bit more polished, I’ve found that this amazing sheath dresses from MM.LaFleur stretch enough to fit me even now that I am in my seventh month, even though they are not actually maternity. I’ve also learned layering is the key to feeling somewhat put together when nothing seems to fit, particularly a sharp blazer over maternity jeans from Frame or Citizens of Humanity. And I am investing a lot more in shoes since they are the one item I know will still fit post-baby.

• What advice do you have for other moms/moms-to-be who are also CEOs, or running their own business?

Oh boy, ask me in January when I am back from maternity leave!

• Has running Viyet — and seeing all the great accessories and furniture that come in on a weekly basis — impacted your approach to nursery design?

Seeing firsthand what maintains value in the secondary market has changed my outlook on design in general. For example, investing in quality upholstery is so important and really makes the difference when it comes to resale value down the road. For our nursery, we splurged on a gorgeous glider that we know will last for years and will hold its value when it’s time to move on. At the same time, we were able to keep our budget in check with a less expensive crib and lighting, which are items that tend to have lower resale potential.

• What has been your favorite Viyet purchase so far?

That’s a tough one — I’ve found so many gems over the years. I’d say the greatest single bargain I found is our Baker sofa. It was well loved by its previous owner but still had great bones, so we were able to purchase it for a steal at $900. We reupholstered it in a great durable linen, and it looks brand new!

About Elizabeth Brown

Elizabeth is the Chief Executive Officer of Viyet, a New York-based e-commerce startup in the
interior design space specializing in consignment services for pre-owned designer furniture and
accessories. Elizabeth brings a wide range of e-commerce and early-stage operating experience to
Viyet. Most recently, Elizabeth was an early team member at innovative e-retailer, Poppin, where
she was the Director of Corporate Development. Prior to Poppin, Elizabeth led business intelligence
at luxury wine e-commerce site Lot18 after beginning her career in investment banking at Credit
Suisse. She holds a BA from Wofford College and an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

The post A Baby On The Way: How Viyet’s CEO Elizabeth Brown Prepares For First Time Motherhood appeared first on Mom Blog Society.

There is a lot to think about in the months leading up to your wee one’s arrival.

It is easy to get overwhelmed with all of the product options, blogs, and books claiming.  From prams to poopy nappies, a lot of the learning will happen on the job after the baby is born. With that said, there are certainly ways you can prepare yourself for the big arrival.

As a mother of a toddler with another bundle due in a couple of months, I have put a lot of thought into advice I wish I had before becoming a mother.  Read on for 6 ways to get ready to welcome your baby into the world.

1) Gear

If your head is spinning trying to pick out a pram and the seemingly endless accessories that go with it, you are not alone.  Don’t feel your only choice is heading to your nearest overwhelming baby store only to be upsold the latest and most expensive brand.

There a lot of online brands that offer high-quality, affordable and stylish baby gear.  My favorite is Baby Monsters, an Australian brand offering really practical and stylish baby swag.

2) Nursery

Getting your dream nursery together is a rite of passage into parenting.

While your efforts may go into painting perfect pink bows or blue airplanes, don’t forget to address the practical side of a nursery.  Ask friends and other mums what they use most in the nursery, what are the must haves, what ends up getting in the way.  

Remember your newborn is not going to have an opinion about what their room looks like.  But you will surely be impacted if there is a messy nappy disaster and you put the wipes on the other side of the room.  

3) Advice

Mums of all ages love giving advice to those still sporting the baby bump.

From your old Auntie Marge to a stranger on the street, be prepared for unsolicited advice.  This outpouring of support and guidance is a blessing and a curse.  Prepare for parenthood by taking all the advice with a grain of salt, and not taking any of it to heart.  Your little one will be different and unique, and you can piece together all that wild advice into the perfect fit as you get to know your baby.

4) Don’t forget you

You hear it all the time “get sleep now”.  But seriously, get sleep now and take really good care of yourself during pregnancy!  The last thing you want is to head into labor and delivery exhausted.  By the time your due date arrives, you want to be well-rested, refreshed, and ready to take on some of the most mentally and physically exhausting moments of your life.  So seriously, tuck in and enjoy that bed of yours.

5) Schedule dates

In the first few months of having a baby sometimes it can be hard to put any effort or energy into your marriage or partnership.  All focus is on the baby, which will fill you both with new amounts of joy you can’t even imagine.  But I always tell my friends about to have a baby that they should schedule fun dates with their partner during pregnancy.  Go to the movies.  Make a reservation at that fancy restaurant you have been dying to try.  Take a mini holiday just the two of you.  

6) Make food plans

Preparing healthy meals with a newborn is no easy task.

There are a couple ways to prepare to ensure you are eating a lot and eating well.  One is to prepare and freeze food ahead of time.  Casseroles, sauces and other meals that freeze well will be a welcome sight at the end of a long day with a newborn.

The second way is to ask a friend to organize a dinner delivery schedule.

Friends and family always want to know how to help, and bringing dinner is the perfect gift.  Don’t say no when people are trying to help!

Rarely do you meet a mum-to-be that feels totally prepared to enter the wild ride of motherhood.  While there is no perfect way to prepare for the big day, there are certainly ways to organize and be as ready as you can be.  Hopefully, the six tips above are a good start and ease the stress of where to start.  The biggest advice of all, enjoy the ride.  From the first contraction to the day you bring your wee one home, savor each moment.

The post Preparing For Parenthood 6 Ways to Get Ready For Your New Baby’s Arrival appeared first on Mom Blog Society.

About POLLY PINEAPPLE

Polly Pineapple is a teething toy that has a multi-texture and is all natural.  It will help soothe your child’s gums during all stages of teething.  For each Polly Pineapple that is purchased a donation will be made to a leading natural hunger nonprofit that will feed a hungry Amerian child for an entire week.  That is 21 meals!

About  gnomgnoms

A family run, family owned business, gnomgnoms was established in 2015 with a dual purpose.  

They wanted to develop a new teething product with a variety of unique attributes that made it better than those already on the market.  Then they wanted to combine their 85 years of combined parenting experience, 125 years of work experience combined as nurses, technology entrepreneurs, sales women, biomedical engineers, social media experts, lawyers and consultants to tie it all together with their intellectual curiosity.  Together they hold 4 MBAs, 1 ID, 1 MA and 1 MPP.  They also share a passion to make sure all kids grow up healthy and happy which made the Childhood hunger cause a no brainer.  This is how Polly Pineapple was born!

So I asked Polly Pineapple what she was made of.  I am assuming with a name of Polly that she is a girl. Her answers were very interesting!

• My soft and comforting rubber design boasts various textures that provide relief to your child through all stages of the teething process
• I have a big personality but am small enough in size so that your child can easily play with me
• My crown and feet can be used to help soothe hard to reach back molars while my nubby fruit body and smooth hands are perfect for front teeth
• I am pretty darn adorable, don’t you think?  Your child will love my friendly smile and open arms
• You can use my built-in loop to secure me to your child’s stroller or carrier so that I am always within reach and don’t get lost; your child can also use it for easy grasping
• My pineapple shape will help familiarize your child with healthy fruits and vegetables
• I am made from 100% natural rubber, which means I am free of dangerous chemicals like BPA, PVC, and phthalates
• I am hand painted, so each one is unique and just a little bit different
• Since I am decorated with food grade paint, your baby is free to safely teeth and chew with abandon
• I have been certified to conform to U.S. and Canadian safety regulations according to the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act and Consumer Product Safety Commission
• Designed in the USA, made in Sri Lanka  -taken from their website.

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