Category: Baby

Vacationing With the Baby: A Family Vacation Checklist for New Parents

Once you have a baby, your life will never be the same! However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t still enjoy some of the things you cherished in your pre-parenthood years. 

If you’re itching to get out of the house and take the family on an adventure, you’ll be glad to know that traveling with a baby isn’t as hard as you might think! You’ll just need to do some extra planning to make sure that everything goes smoothly.

The following vacation checklist will help ensure that you have everything you need to enjoy your next adventure.

Carry-On Bag

If you’re flying, you’ll want to make sure you pack a carry-on bag with everything you need. However, don’t forget that you’ll also need to make sure not to pack anything that’s prohibited on a plane. Also, keep liquids in a plastic bag and store it near the top of your carry-on bag so they can easily inspect it.

Even if you’re driving, keeping certain items in an easy-to-reach bag that’s separate from your luggage will make your life much easier. Here’s what you’ll want to pack:

  • Baby food and utensils
  • Bottles and nipples
  • Baby formula
  • Blankets (two or three)
  • Bibs (at least two)
  • Clothing (two separate outfits)
  • Diapers (one for every hour of travel time, plus two extra)
  • Diaper changing pad
  • Formula/breastmilk/juice
  • Gallon-sized storage bags (at least three – for wet or dirty clothes and used diapers)
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Pacifiers (at least two extras)
  • Toys (a few quiet items to keep your baby entertained)
  • Wipes

It’s also a good idea to pack a medical kit. Include a thermometer, gas drops, ear drops, pain reliever, fever reducer, and a first aid kit).

Equipment

The equipment you’ll need will depend a lot on your planned destination. If you’re staying with friends or family, you might be able to borrow some of the things you need. However, other destinations like family vacations dude ranches, amusement parks, and hotels, will require some extra packing. Still, you may want to check and see if your accommodations offer baby equipment rentals.

Whether you bring it with you or get it when you arrive, you’ll likely need all of the following:

  • Car seat
  • Stroller
  • Crib and/or Pack ‘n Play
  • Baby carrier and/or sling
  • Baby monitor
  • Breast pump

A week or so before your trip, it’s also a good idea to pay attention to the things you regularly use for your baby. If you come across something that’s not already on the list, consider adding it. This will ensure that you and your baby are as comfortable as possible during your trip.

Keep Your Vacation Checklist Handy

Ask any parent and they’ll let you know that forgetting to pack a critical item can be a disaster when traveling with a baby. Protect yourself from this misery by keeping our vacation checklist hand and referring to it before every trip.

Before you go, take a few minutes to scroll through some more of our blog posts. We have lots of information to help you plan the perfect family vacation and save money while you’re doing it!

7 Baby Gadgets Every New Mom Needs

Welcoming a new baby into the home is a heartwarming experience. A new baby brings joy, excitement, and lots of love for their family. Without the right baby gadgets, however, your new baby could end up bringing messes, tears, and lots of sleepless nights. 

Although you might experience all of these no matter what type of gadgets you have, having the best baby gadgets could save you from a few of these here or there. Whether you’re creating your registry, are already a new mom, or an experienced mom interested in the latest baby gadgets, you’ll want to continue reading below.

Here’s everything you need to know about the new baby gadgets available for you!

1. Baby Hip Carrier

Once your baby becomes a bit older and is reaching the sitting stages, you’ll begin to carry her on your hip. This is a practical way to hold your baby once old enough because it places most of the weight on your hip. Although this method works well, your arm and hip will eventually become tired. 

Thankfully, there’s a gadget to solve that problem. The baby hip carrier is a carrier that straps around your waist. There’s a seat that then rests on top of your hip. 

It creates the perfect resting place for your baby’s bum. It also makes holding your baby much easier and gives your arm and hip a bit of a break. 

2. The Right Baby Monitor

Baby monitors are ideal for many moms, especially when the nursery is a good distance from the bedroom. Finding the right monitor can be a challenge, though. With so many different brands and models to choose from, how will you know what’s right for you?

There are monitors that only monitor the sounds made by your baby, ones with video, and ones with both. Think about the features you need most and be sure to find one that’ll meet your criteria. There’s even a video baby monitor that can monitor two babies at once using a split-screen!

Monitors are great ways to keep an eye and ear on your baby when in another room cleaning, sleeping, or something else while the baby’s napping. 

3. Net Food Feeders

Once your baby starts to eat more solids, you’ll want to offer them new things to try. When you’re eating, your baby will most likely want to try the food you have. Unfortunately, not all foods are safe to give your baby.

When you have something you want your baby to try but want to ensure they can safely nibble on it, give it to them in a net food feeder. The mesh net holds the food item in place and the baby can then grab the handle for easy holding. Your baby can then nibble and suck on a piece of fresh fruit, for example, without worrying they’ll bit off too big a piece.

4. Electric Formula Mixer

Getting the perfect formula consistency doesn’t happen every time you make a bottle. Sometimes, there are clumps of formula left in the bottle, especially when making those late-night feedings. To make bottle-making a sinch, grab yourself an electric formula mixer. 

Place the right combination of water and formula into the mixer and simply press a button to begin mixing. The final result is a well-blended bottle your baby will love.

5. Puppet Toothbrush

Because babies don’t have teeth or only have a few of them, it can be easy to forget about their oral hygiene. A baby puppet toothbrush is a great addition to your baby gadget collection. You can find baby toothbrushes in all sorts of fun puppet designs.

These puppets allow you to place your finger in them and then use your finger inside the soft brush to gently scrub their gums and teeth. Even if your baby doesn’t have teeth yet, it’s still good oral care to brush their gums each morning and night to rid them of formula or milk. 

6. Flexible Bottles 

When planning a day out on the town, you’ll need to pack enough bottles to last your baby throughout the entire day. Bottles, formula, toys, diapers, wipes, and all your other baby items can take up space in the diaper bag quickly. To save some room, pack a few flexible silicone bottles with you.

These bottles can roll up, fold, and turn completely inside out for easy storing and cleaning. They also make holding the bottle easier for your baby once she gets old enough to do so. 

7. Bottle Warmer

Babies who drink breast milk will need a bottle warmer more than anyone. Many moms who breastfeed will pump milk and place it in the fridge or freezer for storing purposes. When it comes time to feed the baby, they’ll then need to remove the bags and warm them. 

Some babies just prefer warm bottles whether it’s breastmilk or not. Warming the bottles can take time forcing your baby to wait for their feeding. A bottle warmer is the perfect way to ensure all your baby’s bottles are warmed and ready in little time!

Which Baby Gadgets Do You Need?

Which of these baby gadgets listed above caught your eye the most? Are you in need of a few or all of these gadgets? Be sure to do your research and find the gadgets best suited for you and your baby.

With these gadgets in hand, mom and baby will both be happy and healthy!

Are you interested in more posts on family and relationship topics? Visit regularly for more. 

7 Newborn Baby Necessities Every New Mom Needs

Did you know that more than 140 million babies are born around the world every single year? And many of these babies create a new mom as well!

If you’re among those new moms, congratulations!

You’re probably feeling a whole range of emotions, from excitement to stress. There are so many things to do before the baby arrives. Well, we’re here to help you cross at least one thing off your list – your new baby necessities!

Listed below are 7 of the most important baby supplies you should put on your registry or purchase yourself. Once you have everything on this list, you can approach your due date with confidence, knowing you have everything that your baby will need in his or her first days.

Let’s get started!

1. Car Seat

A car seat is the first thing on this baby supplies list for a reason. Not because you’ll be taking your newborn everywhere you go necessarily, but because you won’t be able to leave the hospital without one!

That’s right, you must have a car seat and it must be properly installed before you can take your baby home. Now, for a newborn, you’ll need an infant car seat. These are always rear-facing and most can easily snap in and out of the base, making it a portable baby seat as well.

This makes it perfect for when your baby falls asleep in the car! Instead of waking him up to bring him inside, you can take the entire seat in with you.

2. Bottles and Accessories

Bottles are a must for any new mom, whether you plan to breastfeed or not. Many mothers have to supplement their own milk with formula. But even if you don’t, it’s always a good idea to use your breast pump or haakaa to create a backup supply that you can store in bottles in the fridge.

You shouldn’t be the only one waking up to feed the baby in the middle of the night, after all! Plus, with a supply of milk and bottles, you and your partner can leave baby with a grandparent and take a night off every now and then.

Along with bottles, a breast pump, and a haakaa, you’ll need a bottle brush to clean them thoroughly after each use. You might not want to commit to a certain brand at first. Buy a few and find out which your baby prefers, then invest in more of that brand.

3. Bassinet or Crib

Your baby probably won’t be sleeping in their own room at first – not to mention there might not be much sleep happening at all! Nevertheless, you need to buy a bassinet or crib for your baby to sleep in until they graduate to their own room.

Bassinets are easier, as they’re smaller and can be moved from room to room if needed. You can also find co-sleepers that attach to the side of your bed, allowing you to have the experience of sleeping right next to your baby while keeping them safe in their own space.

4. Baby Carrier

Yes, you can use your car seat as a baby carrier for short distances, but you’ll also need something that you can carry your baby in for long stretches of time. Look for something that will allow you to have your hands free while holding your baby, such as a ring sling or a wrap.

There are also more structured baby-wearing options available on the market. These have a similar appearance to a backpack rather than a piece of cloth. Cloth carriers tend to be more comfortable, but you should pick whatever feels right for you.  

5. Stroller

Along with your car seat and baby carrier, you’ll need a stroller to take your baby for those calming walks around the neighborhood in the evening. Consider strollers when car seat shopping, as many car seats can be snapped into a stroller as well.

Some strollers are convertible and can be adjusted as your baby grows. They might be a bigger investment upfront but can save you money in the long run when you don’t have to purchase a second stroller. Your baby will need a traditional upright stroller when they’re able to sit up on their own. 

6. Baby Clothes

One of the most fun baby supplies for newborns is clothes. If you’re itching to fill your baby’s closet with miniature clothing, we don’t blame you! But while baby clothes are a necessity, remember that your baby will only be a newborn for so long.

In actuality, many babies are born too tall for newborn clothes! Instead of filling their closet or dresser with newborn clothes, buy a variety of sizes. Get some newborn, plenty of 0-3 months, and even some 3-6 months to start with.

7. Diapers

Diapers are a newborn baby necessity. However, as with baby clothes, it’s important to keep sizes in mind when you’re shopping. You’ll likely need some newborn diapers, but don’t stockpile them, you’ll only end up with a mountain of diapers you can’t use.

Instead, buy a box or two of newborn diapers (you can always get more!), a few boxes of size 1, and plenty of sizes 2 and 3. 

Use These Newborn Essentials to Be the Best New Mom You Can Be

Being a new mom is one of the most exciting times of a person’s life – savor every moment!

Going into the process can feel overwhelming, as there’s no handbook for being a parent, but with the right tools and your mother’s intuition on your side, you’ll be a natural.

For more great tips on being a new parent, take a look at our blog!

Prenatal Stretches: 5 Stretches to Help You Have an Easier Delivery

You wouldn’t try rock climbing without training first. Nor would you compete in a triathlon without months and months of rigorous workouts. We say all this to point out that you should prepare for giving birth the way you would prepare for other activities.

You may not have all of the time in the world to prepare because you may have a job or other children to take care of. However, stretching during pregnancy can prepare you to give birth in ways that you never imagined.

Your body is about to do the most miraculous thing that you have ever seen in your life. Take time each day to do these 5 stretches and you’ll be grateful that you took the time to do them.

Stretching During Pregnancy

Exercising and stretching helps your body to become stronger over time. And it prepares your body to carry out strenuous tasks, one of them being labor. Not only is stretching beneficial before you give birth it also helps after you give birth.

Making it easier to return to your pre-pregnancy weight!

Child’s Pose

This pose is a common yoga pose and helps to ease possible discomfort and lengthen the pelvic floor. The way to do it is first by kneeling on your knees on the floor. Next, lean forward and slowly stretch your arms out in front of your body.

Work on your breathing and allow your body to relax as you do so. As your stomach grows over time you will need to place your knees further apart to make the poss comfortable.

If you’re prone to sweaty palms try out one of the best yoga mats for sweaty hands and feet.

Deep Squats

Squats are exceptionally beneficial to the birthing process as they help to relax and lengthen the pelvic floor muscles. Squats also help to stretch the perineum, which can reduce the risk of tearing during labor.

First, stand with your legs shoulder-width apart and then lower yourself into a squat as little as you can go. Repeat this exercise while keeping your hands clasped together in front of your chest.

Cat to Cow Pose

As pregnancy progresses back, pain becomes a common symptom. The cat to cow pose helps to alleviate lower back pain. To do this pose, place your hands and knees on the floor.

Then as you inhale, roll your chin to your chest and raise your back to the ceiling. Then exhale and bring your stomach to the floor while slowly raising your head to the sky.

Perineal Bulges

Doing perineal bulges help train you to breathe, which is a common issue during active labor. When you hold your breath during labor, it can decrease the amount of oxygen that the baby is receiving through the placenta.

In order to do bulges properly, sit on a towel, and focus on moving your tailbone slowly away from your pelvic bone. This exercise should only be practice in the last 3 weeks of pregnancy.

Perineal Massages

The purpose of the perineal massage is to help lengthen and stretch the perineum. This is to prevent tearing during the laboring process.

To massage, the perineal, take a warm shower, or hold a warm compress to the area. Massage the perineum for 10 minutes every other day.

Labor Time

If you do your best to stretch daily or a couple of times a week it can help the labor process run smoothly. Labor is different for everyone, but these stretches will help your body to prepare for any and everything that comes your way in the delivery room.

If you want to know more about stretching during pregnancy or other pregnancy information, visit our blog! 

Why Every Caring and Loving Mom Should Keep a Baby Journal

The U.S. won’t win any awards for work-life balance any time soon. Even the most well-meaning parents find themselves daydreaming about work while spending ‘quality’ time with their kids.

Combat your workaholic nature by spending more time active with family projects. Check out these reasons why every new mother should start a baby journal for their child. 

You Don’t Have Time

Working moms will never find enough time to be the perfect mom and the perfect employee. There are moments you’ll miss when trying to find the right balance between work and parenting.

Keep a baby journal with you in the office to mark important occasions you can’t experience first hand. Spending time updating the baby journal can’t replace actual time with your child, but it does allow you to stay involved with your child’s memories while you’re away from home.

Keeping a baby journal doesn’t have to be a solo sport. 

Use the daily reports from your child’s caregivers, texts or email messages as references when creating a journal. If you have a nanny, ask them to take pictures to mark occasions as they happen. 

You Can’t Remember Anything

The way pregnancy affects memory can be cruel. In an effort to empower women, myths arose that challenged the idea that your memory is any different while pregnant and after.

This is an unfortunate myth because it can leave you thinking your mind still has the same infinite powers after childbirth as it did before childbirth. Forgetting the date your child got his first tooth isn’t a sign of a lower IQ, but that the brain is overloaded with new stimuli.

Studies show that sleep loss, breastfeeding, and new responsibilities can all scramble the brain making it impossible for some moms to keep up with every detail of parenting. A baby journal keeps up with the important memories for you.

In a few years, when you are pitching green beans as a delicious dinner option, you can reveal photos of your child’s first mashed veggie encounter to support your claim.

You Want a Legacy

Baby journals are the bible of your child’s childhood.  Don’t rely on memory to keep these sacred records alive. 

You are bound to have sections of the journal that don’t seem to fit your lifestyle or situation. Feel free to either skip these pages or opt for custom booklet printing after designing your own baby journal. 

Printing a custom journal is great for starting your family legacy. You can create sections specific to your family’s culture and traditions.

This turns your baby journal into a keepsake that becomes a vital part of history. It can be handed down over generations to preserve family stories. 

You Need Stress Relief

Meditation isn’t for everyone. The idea of sitting still to release stress might only bring up the urge to check your email or replay a conversation in your head you had with a client at work.

Give your brain a break from the stresses of work-life by putting together your baby journal each week. Scrapbooking is about layering moments in your life to tell a complete story.

Use your creativity to style each page according to the theme. Clip art, stickers or markers push the artistic boundaries for your baby journal.

Objects like hospital wristbands are great to include in your baby journal but too many bulky items or decorations will make it difficult for the book to close when you’re done.

Books that won’t close become a storage issue and are more likely to have items fall out. If you have a family heirloom you want to be associated with your child’s birth, take a photo of the heirloom and add it to the book instead of the original, irreplaceable item. 

You Want a Healthy Baby

The doctor’s office is one place where answers about your baby need to be accurate. Your doctor can’t track your baby’s progress without your help.

Make sure there is a section in your baby journal for notes on your baby’s daily activities. In the event your baby breaks out in a rash or starts losing sleep, knowing the baby’s recent foods or activity changes will help you find the problem faster. 

You also won’t feel foolish making up answers to questions about bowel movement frequency when you actually have no idea the last time you changed a poopy diaper. 

The doctor can also help ease any of your developmental worries if you have a baby journal on hand. Developmental milestones will differ from child to child but there’s a general range your child should fall within.

The baby journal shows the doctor important details that can help them determine whether or not your child is on track. Tracking developmental milestones can also give you hope for the future.

It might be time to start the official countdown to your child eating solid food or sleeping through the night. With a baby journal, you unleash the doctor’s superpower of making predictions about the baby’s behavior in the next few months.  

You Have the World’s Cutest Baby

Proud moms sometimes have no other reason to keep a baby journal except the knowledge they have the world’s cutest baby. Show off your baby when friends and relatives come to visit. 

Bring along your baby journal to holiday dinners to keep your aging grandparents in the loop on new teeth, favorite foods, and toys. Baby journals help extended family members get to know your child while sharing the intense cuteness you get to experience every day. 

Time to Start a Baby Journal

Baby journaling isn’t a part-time sport. Keep a baby journal that offers lots of flexibility in the way you store information and memories. 

These details help keep your child healthy and give your family memories to cherish for decades to come. For more information and lifestyle tips, check our blog for updates. 

The Most Fashionable Clothes For Your Baby Girl

Your little girl is full of life, but her wardrobe not so much. You try to find the most fashionable baby girl clothes for her, but if you’re honest with yourself – it can be overwhelming. 

From comparing products and prices to keeping up with the latest fashion trends, you might be left wondering, “where do I start?“.

Below, you’ll find advice on how to shop for baby clothes without breaking the bank. Plus, you’ll find some tips on the latest fashion trends for little girls. 

Start with the Basics 

First things first when shopping for baby clothes: buy what you need. 

As a parent, you know exactly what events are coming up on your calendar. Maybe you need a birthday party dress, or perhaps you need some play clothes.

By shopping for what you need, you will not only save money, but you can invest in cute girl clothes she will wear all the time. 

Utilize the Same Baby Girl Clothes 

Kids are constantly growing out of their clothes. One of the best ways you can make the most of your baby girl’s clothes is by buying outfits she can grow into.

Two trendy clothing items that are comfortable and functional are leggings and girls cardigans

The best part about leggings is that they are stretchy and can be used in many different ways. Likewise, cardigans can be bought in a few sizes up while still looking normal and leaving room for them to grow into.  

Leggings and cardigans are also ideal because you can mix and match them any way you like. You can throw leggings under a dress or wear just as pants. In the same way, cardigans can be thrown over practically anything and can be used to dress up or down. 

Either way, you can’t go wrong!

Keeping up with Fashion Trends

It can be tough to keep up with fashionable clothes – especially when you’re looking for comfort and convenience too.

Aside from making sure there are no sharp zippers, itchy fabrics, or tags – you can have fun when shopping for your baby girl.

You can never go wrong by dressing your baby in wild patterns with bright pops of color. Throw in a bow, a cardigan, or some booties, and you’re the trendiest mom on the block. 

Another quick and easy way you can keep up with the latest trends is by searching “baby girl fashion” on Pinterest

Go Forth and Shop

Now that you know everything you need to about shopping for baby girl clothes – you can go out and shop till you drop. 

Just remember to stick to your budget by only buying what you need, invest in comfortable and functional clothes like leggings and cardigans, and of course, don’t forget to keep it trendy with bright colors and patterns. 

If you enjoyed this article, check out our other blogs posts on frugal living, fashion, and family life.

 

6 Ways to Find Out the Pregnancy Gender at 8 Weeks

Congratulations! You’re about to have a baby!

Although it can seem extremely scary, you’re in good company. In fact, 130 million babies are born each year, meaning you’ve got at least 130 million other parents anxiously awaiting their new little bundle.

There are so many things to think about when you’re pregnant that you might feel overwhelmed. Some parents don’t feel they can begin really shopping and decorating until they find out during the pregnancy the gender of their baby.

While some parents-to-be opt not to find out their new baby’s gender, others can’t wait to know. But most have to wait until 16 to 20 weeks in the pregnancy so that the ultrasound tech can see the fetus’ genitals.

But what happens if you want to know earlier than that? Are there any reliable ways to find out the baby’s gender as early as 8 weeks in?

In this blog post, we’ll walk you through how to find out your child’s gender as soon as humanly possible.

When During the Pregnancy the Gender Develops

Before we go over some of the ways you can tell a baby’s gender before 16 to 20-week scan, let’s discuss when the baby actually develops a gender.

You may or may not be aware that until several weeks into the pregnancy, all babies look the same no matter their gender. However, the child’s gender is set in stone from the moment of conception. The mother’s egg carries an X chromosome. The father’s sperm carries either an X or Y chromosome, which means the baby’s sex is the man’s “responsibility.”

If the egg meets a sperm carrying an X chromosome, the baby is a female. If the egg meets a sperm with a Y chromosome, the baby is male. But until the 7th week of pregnancy, your baby’s genitals do not exist, and instead, there is what is called a “genital ridge.” From week 7 to week 12, the baby begins to develop the genitals of their assigned sex.

Boys, for instance, do not develop a penis until week 9.

So, now that we know the inner workings of when the gender begins to “show,” are there ways to tell the baby’s gender before the scan? Yes.

We’ll move on to discuss some accurate ways and a few folklore methods.

Scientifically Accurate Ways to Determine the Baby’s Gender at 8 Weeks

During your pregnancy, you’ll probably hear a lot of wives’ tales and folklore about whether you’re carrying a boy or a girl. These likely stem from the fact that most parents weren’t able to find out the gender of their baby, unless the child was being tested for genetic abnormalities, until the last few decades.

But, thankfully, times have changed, and there are ways you can have your future baby’s gender accurately predicted at just 8 weeks.

Here are some of them:

1. Blood Test

An early gender blood test isn’t routine, but parents can turn to private companies to learn to the sex of their babies very early on in the pregnancy.

This test looks at the fetal cellular material that gets released in the mother’s bloodstream and is an accurate way to determine your child’s sex at this stage.

2. Amniocentesis

Amniocentesis is a way for doctors to determine if your child has fetal infections or any type of chromosomal abnormality. It can also predict the gender of the baby much earlier than scans, as it can help determine if the child has an abnormality related to their gender.

This procedure is done by inserting a needle into the sac through the mother’s abdomen and taking a sample of amniotic fluid for analysis.

While gender can be determined this way, most doctors would not agree to perform one for gender detection alone. For those who have to have this test to ensure the health of their baby, it’s simply a perk.

3. Chorionic Villus Sampling

Chorionic villus sampling, or CVS, is another way to accurately determine your child’s gender. But, like amniocentesis, it is only done if the doctor believes your child is at risk of a genetic or chromosomal abnormality.

This procedure involves taking a sample of the placenta tissue. Doctors can perform it through the vagina, or through the abdomen, the way amniocentesis is performed.

This test can take place as early as 8 weeks into the pregnancy.

Non-Scientific Ways to Guess Your Child’s Gender

While the three options listed above are the only way to tell if you’re having a boy or girl prior to your 16 to 20-week scan, wives’ tales and folklore abound to help parents-to-be guess their child’s gender. These are by no means scientifically accurate, but some people find them fun.

1. Your Stress Level Before Pregnancy

While science has seen a higher rate of stress correlated with conceiving a girl, it isn’t a fool-proof method. But some folks equate being stressed at the time of conception with having a girl.

2. Having a Craving for Salt

An old wives’ tale states that if you crave salt, you’re more likely to have a boy. However, most pregnant women have cravings, but it mostly relates to the baby’s nutrition requirements.

3. How You’re Carrying

It’s a popular theory that if you’re carrying your baby high, you’ll give birth to a girl, whereas if you carrying your baby low, you’ll give birth to a boy. In reality, the shape of your stomach isn’t really determined by the sex, but many hold fast to this belief.

Determining Your Child’s Sex

Most parents don’t mind what sex they will be having, as long as the baby is healthy. But with modern technology, you determine earlier in the pregnancy the gender of your child.

Check out the rest of our website for more content for parents, and parents-to-be, looking to save a little bit of cash!