From the moment you bring your precious infant home, his or her (or their!) room will become a special place for you and your child. Even if you keep your baby in your bedroom at night for the first few settling-in months, you’ll probably use the baby’s room for ch­anging diapers and other everyday tasks. The sooner you and your child feel comfortable in the nursery, the better. (Yes, you need to feel at home in the baby’s room, too, as you’ll be spending a lot of hours there!)

Once you’ve got the crib, comfy chair, changing table, and optional extra bed in place, the rest is child’s play. If your family includes older ­children who share baby’s room, their needs will obviously dictate a lot of the furnishings and accessories. If the room is for the baby only, you may be tempted to go for broke with decorative treatments. There’s no harm in doing this as long as you avoid items with small parts or cords, but you don’t have to spend a fortune on special effects. Babies can’t really see details or pick out the nuances of color until they’re six months old or so. Until then, bold patterns in black and white serve much better to stimulate their eyes and brains.

If your taste tends toward the lively and modern, a baby’s room in black and white with red accents may be just the ticket. If not, however, you can provide short-term toys and board books that stimulate baby just as well and decorate in a way that better suits your style.

1. Buy storage-friendly furniture
Get a crib with drawers underneath or buy a crib skirt and some under-bed boxes, which are great for stashing all those excess diapers and wipes. Still short on storage? Consider a cube system like the IKEA Expedit, which can grow with your tot and be outfitted with drawers and doors to hold toys and books on the bottom. Plus, you can stash clothes they’re growing into or growing out of on the top.

2. Trick out your closet
Use every inch of space already available in your nursery by maximizing your closet’s storage. Little outfits are short, so double your closet space easily using a double-hang closet rod on one side. Then use a portion of your closet to create flexible shelving by adding a sweater bag. Both can be found at The Container Store.

3. Containerize everything
Find attractive open bins for the shelves of your changing table and give each bin a specific category. Inside your closet you’ll want to use clear, stackable containers so you can see exactly what’s there. Label them with size and season. For example, seeing “12-month, summer clothes” is a lot more helpful than having to take down a huge bin of hand-me-downs from the top shelf and then having to dig through. Important: Whatever you do, skip the toy bin! It just becomes a repository for all the tiny pieces, and ends up with stuff on top of it, so your child will never be able to open it to retrieve those stuffed animals anyway.

4. Go vertical
Have a small nursery? No problem! Utilize your vertical space — backs of doors and even the walls are often overlooked areas. Have excess toiletries or tiny shoes? Put an over-the-door shoe bag with clear pockets on the inside of your closet door so that you can compartmentalize all the small stuff and keep it from cluttering up your surfaces. Stick the thermometer in the top row right next to the Infants’ Tylenol, so next time your baby has a fever in the middle of the night you know exactly how to find it (and it’ll be too high for them to reach as they grow!). Have a ton of pictures or other keepsakes to display? Don’t clutter your dresser — hang floating shelves on the wall to show off your treasures. It will look intentional instead of haphazard, and once your child is more mobile, he won’t be able to destroy them so easily.

5. Toss the junk
Having a baby often means you’re showered with gifts. But that doesn’t mean you have to keep and love everything Cousin Gertrude gave you! Take a picture of your kiddo wearing the item or playing with it, write her a thank-you note and put it in the outbound pile. As a parent you need to constantly manage both the inflow and outflow of stuff in your space, so dedicate a bag or two for things that are no longer in active use, and once they are full, get them out. Store the items that you love that make the cut for a future child, but pass others along to a mommy friend with different taste or donate them. Swimming in excess samples from the hospital? Stash a few in your diaper bag, use up the ones you love and toss the rest! You don’t need random stuff you’ll rarely use.

There is something instinctive about seeing a newborn baby, with his soft skin, and wanting to pick him up and cuddle him. Follow your instinct because cuddling with your baby has a range of benefits. A newborn adjusting to life outside the room enjoys cuddling as a comfort measure. An infant bonds with his parents through cuddling.

It may come as no surprise to parents, but cuddling your baby provides them with social benefits for years afterwards, according to scientists.

They found a clear link between love and attention in the early years and healthy emotional responses in later life.
Even if they are then smothered with love as toddlers, it can be very difficult to repair the damage.Children who have been deprived of physical contact as babies have lower levels of social-bonding hormones, the researchers found.

The research, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, looked at hormones called oxytocin and arginine vasopressin.

Both play a role in response to stress and social bonding, with levels typically rising after the subject has been comforted with human contact.

Cuddle me, I love you……

There are many ways to cuddle your baby.  First and foremost holding and loving your baby is most important. Swaddling, bathing, massaging, rocking while singing lullabies, and anything that is interactive with your baby that consists of soothing human touch and connection.

Breastfeeding is like a hike through the woods: Natural, but not always simple. In fact, it can be challenging, breathtaking, and full of the unexpected.

The hormones can be intense

Oxytocin:

This powerful hormone is responsible for breast milk “letting down,” or moving to the front of the breasts. And it also happens to be the same chemical released in the brain when a person falls in love, says Laura Viehmann, assistant professor of pediatrics at Brown University and spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatricians. No wonder you couldn’t care less about all that spit-up and poop! You’re too busy swooning.

Breastfeeding helps (some) women lose their pregnancy weight

The nursing weight-loss plan doesn’t work for everyone. Some moms find their metabolism slowing to a frustrating crawl. “I nursed my son for 27 months
In fact, in a poll of BabyCenter moms, 40 percent say breastfeeding didn’t help them drop pounds while 60 percent say it did. Interesting….. and it didn’t help me lose weight. Then I lost 15 pounds within about two weeks after weaning,” one mom reports.

Your breast milk is perfectly tailored to your baby

Imagine if every single time you were hungry, you were served a delectable, satisfying meal that contained the perfect balance of electrolytes, fats, and nutrients for your body at that particular time. Amazingly, your breast milk gives your baby exactly what she needs immunologically as well.  The components of the milk shift so that it always complements whatever antibodies the baby is low on at that particular time. This is why breastfeeding can actually keep your baby from getting sick. Welcome to your baby’s world!

Nursing Pillows help make this experience a more relaxed and comfortable one!

Stress is a part of life. We all endure it, most on an everyday basis. For pregnant women, stress is typically increased due to hormone levels associated with pregnancy. You may find yourself in a state of depression or worry – this is perfectly normal. However, if the depression becomes overwhelming, you should seek professional help immediately.

The most common fear for pregnant women is that something is, or will be, wrong with the baby. Most babies are born without complications. Doctors have very advanced method of testing for birth defects or disorders before the baby is even born. Also, when it comes down to the big day you need to remember – you are surrounded by professionals. If you are worried about labor pains, do some research. Read books and articles on different relaxation techniques. Talk to your physician or midwife about different pain management alternatives. Another common fear in expectant mothers is losing your dignity while in labor. This is because you are imagining yourself spread wide open in front of a room full of strangers — relax. They are not new to this. Many doctors and midwives have delivered thousands of babies, you aren’t any different from the rest.

There are several things you can do to take the stress off of your back. The main thing is to speak up. Talk to other mothers and listen to their embarrassing stories. This will likely make you feel more comfortable. Listen to their impressions, fears, sensations, pains – anything you have a question about, just ask.

How much water should I drink while I’m pregnant?

Most adults know that they should be drinking a certain amount of water each day to promote better health, but many women are confused as to how or even if this requirement changes when they are pregnant. Getting enough water each day is as important, if not more important, while pregnant as it is for everyone else.

Pregnant women should get at least 64 ounces of water a day, more if they are moderately active, live in warm clients, notice they are thirsty after that much water, or are sweating more than they do when not pregnant.

Water is important during pregnancy for many reasons, including the following:

-         It is an essential component of blood, which is the way that your body transports nutrients to the baby while he or she is in the womb

-         Water helps to prevent bladder infections which are more common during pregnancy

-         It can alleviate constipation and hemorrhoids, both of which are also common problems during pregnancy

-         It prevents dehydration which is particularly important during the third trimester as dehydration can trigger premature labor during this period of your pregnancy

-         Fluids are necessary to support the increased volume of blood during pregnancy. By the seventh month, your blood volume will be double what it normally is.

-         It may reduce stretch marks and minimize dry skin.

-         Sufficient water allows the kidneys to function properly, and they are under a great deal of stress while you are pregnant.

Learn more

Make sure that you are getting enough water each day, it’s important for you and for the baby!  Read more tips for having a healthy pregnancy by visiting our website.

Nearing the halfway mark of pregnancy

To those who have not been pregnant, twenty weeks might seem like an arbitrary marker. However, to those who have been pregnant or close to someone during her pregnancy, twenty weeks is an important marker – at this point, your pregnancy is halfway done.

You are halfway to the day that you will be able to hold your baby in your arms, and you will notice significant changes in your body and the baby. At this point, you can expect any or all of the following:

-         Weight loss will continue at a steady rate, usually one to two pounds each week

-         Sleeping may become more difficult as your weight gain becomes more pronounced

-         You will be more aware of the baby and his or her movements because they have reached a point in their development where they are bigger and in motion more often

-         Your skin may become dry and itchy as it stretches to accommodate the weight gain, especially in your abdominal region. Lotions and drinking more water can help.

-         Your nails are probably stronger and your hair may be longer and thicker.

-         You may see some swelling of your ankles and feet. This is normal and probably due to retaining more water.

-         Heartburn and indigestion will continue to be an issue, but morning sickness should have stopped by this point.

-         You may sweat more than usual as a result of both the weight gain and a more active thyroid gland.

A few things you can expect early on

Pregnancy is an exciting time, but it is also one that is full of uncertainty. No two women are alike, and no two pregnancies are the same, so you may be worried about what you should expect early in your pregnancy.

No one can tell you exactly what will happen over the next nine months, but some of the things you may experience in the first few months of pregnancy include:

-         Morning sickness. Nausea at this time in your pregnancy is caused by the release of hCG, human chorionic gonadotropin. This nausea is commonly referred to as morning sickness, but you may experience it at any time of the day. The good news is that it usually subsides by the end of the first trimester as hCG production slows.

-         Cravings and aversions. You may desire certain foods that you normally don’t care for, or you may find yourself avoiding old favorites. Your senses are heightened at this time, so these changes in appetite are normal and should not be a source of concern.

-         Mood swings. The hormonal changes that occur during your pregnancy can cause you to feel happy one moment and anxious the next or suddenly weepy. This, too, is completely normal.

-         Fatigue. Many women feel very tired during these first few months. Try to get as much rest as your body needs to stay healthy, even if you need to start napping or going to bed earlier than usual.

For many women, especially those who are trying to get pregnant, a common question is what are some early signs of pregnancy? As each pregnancy and every woman is different and unique, there are many potential indicators that you might be pregnant.

However, as many of these can be explained in ways other than pregnancy, it is important to consider this list in light of your own health history.

A few early signs you may be pregnant include:

-         Exhaustion, tiredness, and fatigue. One of the first signs that women point to as indications that they were pregnant is feeling much more tired than usual.

-         Mood swings. The dramatic changes in hormones, production of new hormones, and fluctuations in these chemicals that occur during pregnancy are similar to those that were experienced during puberty. Women often feel weepy unexpectedly or go from very happy to extremely anxious quickly when they are pregnant. If you are experiencing unusually strong mood swings, it may be a sign of your pregnancy.

-         Changes in your breasts. Women often notice that their breast look larger and feel heavier when they are pregnant. This swelling can also make them more sensitive. These changes can be explained by pregnancy as your body begins to prepare the ducts and glands to produce milk. However, this can also be a normal part of your menstrual cycle, so it is important to consider both explanations. Additionally, some women notice that their areolas have darkened after becoming pregnant.

For the more obvious signs of pregnancy, look to the second post on this topic, or visit our website to read our full article on early signs of pregnancy.

Is there any such thing as normal?

When it comes to life, there is an old saying that goes “there’s no such thing as normal”. You could say that the same thing applies to pregnancy, and that’s one of the many good reasons why books like “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” are so popular.

Pregnancy can be a time of great apprehension and nervousness, especially for women who are pregnant for the first time. After all, this period is a time of great changes and an experience unlike any other, so what should you expect from pregnancy as you go into it?

A few things you can expect during pregnancy:

• Weight gain. Although this is fairly obvious, the pattern of weight gain may not be what you would expect. Most women do not gain a great deal of weight during their first trimester, and some may even lose weight during the first few weeks. However, by the start of the second trimester you will probably gain 1-2 pounds each week for a total of 25 to 35 pounds.
• Hormonal changes. Hormones are your body’s way of telling your body what to do to support the pregnancy, but they can also cause dramatic emotional swings. Do not feel like something is wrong with you if you go from happy to anxious and back again quickly; this is a normal reaction to the hormones you are producing.
• Physical changes. You will notice a huge range of physical symptoms although they vary from one woman to another. Common symptoms include heartburn, constipation, stretch marks, swollen and/or tender breasts, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and nausea.

Not sure, ask your doctor

No one can tell you exactly what to expect while you are pregnant, because each pregnancy is unique. And if you have any concerns about what is normal, make sure to ask your doctor.

Bigger and better than expected

This week we received another review back from a blogger reviewing one of our products. And this time it was the team at Macaroni Kid, a popular mom blog from York PA, that tested out our Soothing Swaddle Blanket.

We’re pleased to report that they were especially impressed with the size of the blankets – which are over 3 feet long and much longer than many competitor blankets.  And even though they had experience with swaddling their children, they found great value in the instructional DVD that comes with the 3 packs.

Here’s a sample from their review:

That was always a problem that I had with my other swaddling blankets, they never seemed big enough. Along with these extra large blankets comes a DVD with step-by-step demos on how to swaddle your baby. Even after having a child and learning how to swaddle her, I found this helpful for future use and with the larger blankets I know it will be much easier!

> Read the full review from Macaroni Kid