Hello to everyone who visits this blog. Up until now, the posts have been informative articles relating to products we sell on our online store. Starting today, we are going to begin using this blog as a personal diary for family, friends and anyone else who is interested. We will keep you updated on our life as well and fun facts, good recipes, products reviews, handy household tips and anything else that we think is interesting.
First of all, I will introduce myself. My name is Janet and I am 26 years old. I married one of the very best and now we have a beautiful son.
Last year (2009) was very interesting for us. We moved into a brand new house in March, had our son in May, my husband went back to school in September, and we started working on our online store in December.
It has taken quite a while to get it up and running but we are determined and hopeful that it will help us get through the next couple of years while Matt is in school. Thank you to everyone who has supported us so far. We hope that we can continue to provide all of your baby bedroom needs.
Monday
Take Prenatal Classes...
After hearing many mixed opinions about prenatal classes, we decided to try them and hoped that we weren’t wasting our time. We heard that you sit on the floor and practice breathing for 2 days straight. We also heard that the classes were full of people asking stupid questions the whole time. Okay, so maybe that happens. Probably the most awkward moment in our class was when we were going around the room saying our names and due dates and one mom-to-be burst out crying when it came to her turn. No one knew where to look or why she was even crying. After she was done, she laughed and said it was normal and she had even done it while ordering at a restaurant. Hormones do crazy things – and make for some awkward moments.
Other than that, we had a great experience. We went to the Ottawa General Hospital and our instructor was awesome. She went over so many important things with us. I felt like I was fairly prepared for the delivery. I had read a lot and had witnessed my nephew’s birth. We went to classes more for my husband’s sake than anything else.
I didn’t think that I had learned anything new until we were sitting in triage and it all came back to me. No one can prepare enough for labour. You cannot imagine what it is going to feel like until you are right in the heat of it. The instructor went through all kinds of coping strategies for both of the partners and we sure used them to our advantage.
It was my husband who used more skills than I did, and in turn, I benefitted most from our prenatal class experience. He was right beside me the entire time, full of encouragement. At times when it was really tough, he would look me in the eyes and convince me to focus and breathe and remind me that our little boy was almost here. The classes had a ton of video footage of women moaning and groaning in labour. I think they prepared him for the worst. After he saw the videos, he realized how much support a women needs while going through such a painful experience.
After the delivery was over with, the nurses asked if we had taken classes because they were so impressed by him. In fact, he left to get our bags from the car and they told me that he was one of the best coaches they had ever seen. I won’t give all the credit to prenatal classes, but they did help.
Labour and delivery is not all about the mom. The dad endures a lot and will have a much better experience if he knows his role during this process. Dad's don’t experience the physical pain or the hormonal roller coasters but personally, I would not have been able to go through labour without my husband. Women are running on adrenaline and are in massive amounts of pain so we don’t think about anything else. I clearly remember him telling me that he needed to use the bathroom and I pleaded with him to stay because I couldn’t have a contraction without him. I can only imagine how starving hungry and dead tired he was when the baby arrived at 6am. He stuck by me the whole time and had nothing but encouragement and comfort for me.
Luckily for both of us, it was the prenatal classes that prepared us for what to expect. They taught us to have a plan and discuss it together so we both knew what we wanted. Sometimes the professionals just do things that we perhaps don’t want them to do, or maybe they don’t explain things without us asking. It gave us a lot of comfort and a sense of control over what was happening. We knew what to expect and felt very confident during the whole process.
If you are debating about taking classes, I would highly recommend it.
Other than that, we had a great experience. We went to the Ottawa General Hospital and our instructor was awesome. She went over so many important things with us. I felt like I was fairly prepared for the delivery. I had read a lot and had witnessed my nephew’s birth. We went to classes more for my husband’s sake than anything else.
I didn’t think that I had learned anything new until we were sitting in triage and it all came back to me. No one can prepare enough for labour. You cannot imagine what it is going to feel like until you are right in the heat of it. The instructor went through all kinds of coping strategies for both of the partners and we sure used them to our advantage.
It was my husband who used more skills than I did, and in turn, I benefitted most from our prenatal class experience. He was right beside me the entire time, full of encouragement. At times when it was really tough, he would look me in the eyes and convince me to focus and breathe and remind me that our little boy was almost here. The classes had a ton of video footage of women moaning and groaning in labour. I think they prepared him for the worst. After he saw the videos, he realized how much support a women needs while going through such a painful experience.
After the delivery was over with, the nurses asked if we had taken classes because they were so impressed by him. In fact, he left to get our bags from the car and they told me that he was one of the best coaches they had ever seen. I won’t give all the credit to prenatal classes, but they did help.
Labour and delivery is not all about the mom. The dad endures a lot and will have a much better experience if he knows his role during this process. Dad's don’t experience the physical pain or the hormonal roller coasters but personally, I would not have been able to go through labour without my husband. Women are running on adrenaline and are in massive amounts of pain so we don’t think about anything else. I clearly remember him telling me that he needed to use the bathroom and I pleaded with him to stay because I couldn’t have a contraction without him. I can only imagine how starving hungry and dead tired he was when the baby arrived at 6am. He stuck by me the whole time and had nothing but encouragement and comfort for me.
Luckily for both of us, it was the prenatal classes that prepared us for what to expect. They taught us to have a plan and discuss it together so we both knew what we wanted. Sometimes the professionals just do things that we perhaps don’t want them to do, or maybe they don’t explain things without us asking. It gave us a lot of comfort and a sense of control over what was happening. We knew what to expect and felt very confident during the whole process.
If you are debating about taking classes, I would highly recommend it.
Friday
How to Deal with a Crying Baby
A crying baby is one of the most disturbing sounds for most people. It is a desperate cry for help and unfortunately, it’s hard to know what they are asking for. With time, parents will learn how to interpret the cries and will discover the comforting techniques that work best for your baby.
Crying is a developmental function for an infant. All babies need to cry. It enables them to release tension and is their way of communicating sensations such as hunger, fear, cold and discomfort. It is also a way for them to express their desire for physical contact.
Many parents believe that their baby has “colic”. It is an overused term and is incorrectly used as a diagnosis rather than behavior. All babies cry to varying degrees from insignificant fussiness to persistent screaming. All babies have fussy times or even fussy days. This does not mean that they are colicky.
Doctors will consider a baby colicky is they cry continuously for three or more hours every day. They will usually cry at the same time every day. They often bring their knees up to their abdomen, are very rigid and they pass a lot of gas. While most newborns can be calmed by holding or rocking them, nothing seems to calm a colicky baby for more than a few minutes at a time.
Colic has been reported for generations and there is no relation to gender, culture, social class or whether there were complications during the pregnancy.
It is comforting to know that colicky infants are otherwise healthy. They are often very alert and active, they have no issue with weight gain and colic shows no long term effects.
The people who suffer the most from colic are the parents of the fussy baby. It is important to remember that the parent has not done anything to cause this and it will get better at the baby gets older. It is not uncommon for parents to doubt their abilities. Other common feelings are tension, exhaustion, frustration, guilt, overwhelmed, desire to hurt the baby, desire to run away and isolation.
Here are some tips to help parents maintain control during this difficult time:
- Put in earplugs and take a shower for 15 minutes.
- Exercise or yoga helps relieve tension and frustration.
- Try to go outside on a daily basis. Fresh air will be good for both of you and most babies like riding in the stroller.
- Ask for help from friends and family. Have someone watch the baby while you nap or do something for yourself. Ask someone to help you with your housework. People will be happy to help in whatever way they can.
- Do one thing for yourself every day.
- Try to sleep when your baby sleeps.
Here are some tips on ways to soothe your crying baby.
- Hold the baby close while walking or rocking.
- Turn on something noisy with a constant sound (vacuum, hairdryer, fan)
- Try talking or singing
- Play music – repeating tunes is said to have a calming effect.
- Babies like to suck – offer a nipple, finger or pacifier.
- Lay baby on their tummy across your lap and gently massage their back.
- Gently massage their abdomen or feet.
- Lay them on their back and pump their legs upward toward their abdomen. This will help with gassy pains.
- Rock the baby in a swing or rocking chair.
- Give the baby a warm bath.
- Put a ticking clock close to the baby
- Wrap the baby tightly in a blanket.
- Give the baby the recommended amount of Gripe Water (available at the drugstore). Put their pacifier in immediately after they swallow it.
- Do not give pain killers unless the baby has a fever or you have discussed it with your doctor/pharmacist.
Dr. Harvey Karp is the author of The Happiest Baby on the Block.
He suggests the 5 S’s to calm a crying baby.
1 – Swaddle: Wrap the baby snugly with their arms tucked inside.
2 – Side/Stomach: Lay baby on their left side or on their stomach either in your arms or under close supervision. The back is still the safest position for sleeping.
3 – Shushing: Say sh-sh-sh loudly near the baby’s ear. It mimics the sound that baby hears in the womb.
4 – Swinging: Start with a fast and gentle bounce and gradually move into a swinging motion as the baby calms down.
5 – Sucking: Offer a nipple, finger or pacifier.
Dealing with a fussy baby is very tiring and draining. Remember that it will get better with time. As your baby gets older, both you and baby will learn how to communicate and this will ease the frustration.
You have a lot of smiles and cuddles to look forward to. This difficult time is only for a matter of months. You have a lifetime to enjoy being a parent.
Crying is a developmental function for an infant. All babies need to cry. It enables them to release tension and is their way of communicating sensations such as hunger, fear, cold and discomfort. It is also a way for them to express their desire for physical contact.
Many parents believe that their baby has “colic”. It is an overused term and is incorrectly used as a diagnosis rather than behavior. All babies cry to varying degrees from insignificant fussiness to persistent screaming. All babies have fussy times or even fussy days. This does not mean that they are colicky.
Doctors will consider a baby colicky is they cry continuously for three or more hours every day. They will usually cry at the same time every day. They often bring their knees up to their abdomen, are very rigid and they pass a lot of gas. While most newborns can be calmed by holding or rocking them, nothing seems to calm a colicky baby for more than a few minutes at a time.
Colic has been reported for generations and there is no relation to gender, culture, social class or whether there were complications during the pregnancy.
It is comforting to know that colicky infants are otherwise healthy. They are often very alert and active, they have no issue with weight gain and colic shows no long term effects.
The people who suffer the most from colic are the parents of the fussy baby. It is important to remember that the parent has not done anything to cause this and it will get better at the baby gets older. It is not uncommon for parents to doubt their abilities. Other common feelings are tension, exhaustion, frustration, guilt, overwhelmed, desire to hurt the baby, desire to run away and isolation.
Here are some tips to help parents maintain control during this difficult time:
- Put in earplugs and take a shower for 15 minutes.
- Exercise or yoga helps relieve tension and frustration.
- Try to go outside on a daily basis. Fresh air will be good for both of you and most babies like riding in the stroller.
- Ask for help from friends and family. Have someone watch the baby while you nap or do something for yourself. Ask someone to help you with your housework. People will be happy to help in whatever way they can.
- Do one thing for yourself every day.
- Try to sleep when your baby sleeps.
Here are some tips on ways to soothe your crying baby.
- Hold the baby close while walking or rocking.
- Turn on something noisy with a constant sound (vacuum, hairdryer, fan)
- Try talking or singing
- Play music – repeating tunes is said to have a calming effect.
- Babies like to suck – offer a nipple, finger or pacifier.
- Lay baby on their tummy across your lap and gently massage their back.
- Gently massage their abdomen or feet.
- Lay them on their back and pump their legs upward toward their abdomen. This will help with gassy pains.
- Rock the baby in a swing or rocking chair.
- Give the baby a warm bath.
- Put a ticking clock close to the baby
- Wrap the baby tightly in a blanket.
- Give the baby the recommended amount of Gripe Water (available at the drugstore). Put their pacifier in immediately after they swallow it.
- Do not give pain killers unless the baby has a fever or you have discussed it with your doctor/pharmacist.
Dr. Harvey Karp is the author of The Happiest Baby on the Block.
He suggests the 5 S’s to calm a crying baby.
1 – Swaddle: Wrap the baby snugly with their arms tucked inside.
2 – Side/Stomach: Lay baby on their left side or on their stomach either in your arms or under close supervision. The back is still the safest position for sleeping.
3 – Shushing: Say sh-sh-sh loudly near the baby’s ear. It mimics the sound that baby hears in the womb.
4 – Swinging: Start with a fast and gentle bounce and gradually move into a swinging motion as the baby calms down.
5 – Sucking: Offer a nipple, finger or pacifier.
Dealing with a fussy baby is very tiring and draining. Remember that it will get better with time. As your baby gets older, both you and baby will learn how to communicate and this will ease the frustration.
You have a lot of smiles and cuddles to look forward to. This difficult time is only for a matter of months. You have a lifetime to enjoy being a parent.
Monday
"Protect Your Baby, Protect Your Crib" - CribWrap Rail Covers by Trend Lab
The concept of the convertible crib is one of the greatest ideas when it comes to baby furniture. Buy a quality product one time and you are set until your child is ready to move out. This convertible crib starts as a crib, converts to a toddler bed, and finally, a double bed with a headboard and footboard. Most convertible cribs look great and are built with solid wood. They are built to last and will endure just about anything.
The problem is, a practical brain thinks of all the things that could possibly go wrong. This piece of furniture, like every other piece of furniture, will not escape the bite marks, crayons, scratches and handprints. How will it look when it finally does become a double bed?
Trend Lab has found the most brilliant answer. They have a line of products called CribWrap Rail Covers. Their slogan is, "Protect Your Baby, Protect Your Crib".
These rail covers are lightly padded fabric that can be wrapped around the crib rails to protect them. They have a waterproof layer and they are machine washable. They come in 51" and 27" lengths.
There are various colours and patterns to match your nursery decor.
Not only will they protect the crib, they will also protect your teething baby from paint chips or wood splinters.
Along with their practical purpose, rail covers look great too. They add a nice finishing touch to your perfectly decorated nursery. Many people like the look of bumper pads but choose not to use them for safety reasons. CribWrap Rail Covers are a great alternative.
They are an inexpensive way to protect your crib so you can get the full benefit of your investment.
The problem is, a practical brain thinks of all the things that could possibly go wrong. This piece of furniture, like every other piece of furniture, will not escape the bite marks, crayons, scratches and handprints. How will it look when it finally does become a double bed?
Trend Lab has found the most brilliant answer. They have a line of products called CribWrap Rail Covers. Their slogan is, "Protect Your Baby, Protect Your Crib".
These rail covers are lightly padded fabric that can be wrapped around the crib rails to protect them. They have a waterproof layer and they are machine washable. They come in 51" and 27" lengths.
There are various colours and patterns to match your nursery decor.
Not only will they protect the crib, they will also protect your teething baby from paint chips or wood splinters.
Along with their practical purpose, rail covers look great too. They add a nice finishing touch to your perfectly decorated nursery. Many people like the look of bumper pads but choose not to use them for safety reasons. CribWrap Rail Covers are a great alternative.
They are an inexpensive way to protect your crib so you can get the full benefit of your investment.
Thursday
Finding the Balance
Before my new baby was born, I had ideas of how I wanted things to go. I didn't want to get cabin fever and I didn't want to be a paranoid parent. I’ve been around enough babies to know that they don't need to be held every moment of the day and they will not suffer later in life if they have to cry themselves to sleep once in a while.
I was in for a reality check when we brought our son home. My mothering instinct kicked into overdrive and I became extremely in tune with ever little whimper and squirm. A baby has been an emotional and physical part of the mother for at least nine months. It is no wonder that we are so protective of these tiny, innocent babies. It is even strange to see them wrapped in a baby blanket sleeping in their bassinet. You will wonder how they got there—it is almost unfathomable.
Before we had him, I read Secrets of the Baby Whisperer by Tracey Hogg. I highly recommend it to new parents. There are some things that I don't totally agree with but we used it as a guideline and I truly believe it was a big part of why we have such an adaptable child today.
Her theory is to start as you wish to continue. For example, if your newborn sleeps in your bed, chances are good that when he or she becomes a toddler, (s)he will still be sleeping in your bed.
She really believes in teaching your infant independence. Every child has the ability to soothe themselves. If you pick them up every time they squirm, they never have the opportunity to soothe themselves.
I had a really hard time with this at first. I remember the first day that we got home from the hospital. My husband told me to go take a nap and he would stay with our baby while he napped in his bassinet. I went up into my room and started bawling. I needed to be close to my baby. I felt like I was missing something or maybe I felt like I had abandoned him. I wanted to lie with my newborn baby right beside me. My husband reminded me that we were going to try this technique and let our baby learn independence. It sounds like a great theory to read about but it was so hard to do. We agreed to settle on middle ground. He told me that he would bring the baby in an hour, after I had some much-needed sleep.
Everyone has to find their own balance but I like to see it from both sides. I agree with this author that children latch on to habits extremely quickly, whether we intended them to or not. I also see it from a mother’s perspective. Everything that happens to us for the first weeks after birth revolves around the baby. It's only natural to be close to your baby. I personally decided that I wasn't going to worry about setting habits until he was 6-8 weeks old. We used her techniques for some things like soothing him with our voice but we certainly did not start him off in his own bedroom. I just enjoyed holding and "spoiling" him as much as possible while he was still so teeny-tiny. It was around two months that we started using more Baby Whisperer techniques. He has adapted just fine. I decided that I didn't want to waste those few precious weeks on trying to "teach" him something.
I was so afraid of getting cabin fever after a few days. Looking back on it I realize how dumb that was. I don't think I napped more than five times in the first 3 months. I tried to have something to do every single day. That wasn't so hard to do between having visitors and doctor appointments. If I didn't have anything to do, I would go for a walk or talk on the phone. I wish I had listened to my body and taken care of it. I struggled with keeping my milk supply up and I now realize that it was because I was always on the go. No, you cannot crawl into a hole when you have a baby. You will get overwhelmed and baby blues will get the better of you, but listen to your body. You will feel so much better if you have a good balance of baby time, sleep and social time. Those are about the only things that should matter to you in the first few weeks.
When babies are around three months old, most mothers have found this delicate balance and begin to feel like themselves again.
I was in for a reality check when we brought our son home. My mothering instinct kicked into overdrive and I became extremely in tune with ever little whimper and squirm. A baby has been an emotional and physical part of the mother for at least nine months. It is no wonder that we are so protective of these tiny, innocent babies. It is even strange to see them wrapped in a baby blanket sleeping in their bassinet. You will wonder how they got there—it is almost unfathomable.
Before we had him, I read Secrets of the Baby Whisperer by Tracey Hogg. I highly recommend it to new parents. There are some things that I don't totally agree with but we used it as a guideline and I truly believe it was a big part of why we have such an adaptable child today.
Her theory is to start as you wish to continue. For example, if your newborn sleeps in your bed, chances are good that when he or she becomes a toddler, (s)he will still be sleeping in your bed.
She really believes in teaching your infant independence. Every child has the ability to soothe themselves. If you pick them up every time they squirm, they never have the opportunity to soothe themselves.
I had a really hard time with this at first. I remember the first day that we got home from the hospital. My husband told me to go take a nap and he would stay with our baby while he napped in his bassinet. I went up into my room and started bawling. I needed to be close to my baby. I felt like I was missing something or maybe I felt like I had abandoned him. I wanted to lie with my newborn baby right beside me. My husband reminded me that we were going to try this technique and let our baby learn independence. It sounds like a great theory to read about but it was so hard to do. We agreed to settle on middle ground. He told me that he would bring the baby in an hour, after I had some much-needed sleep.
Everyone has to find their own balance but I like to see it from both sides. I agree with this author that children latch on to habits extremely quickly, whether we intended them to or not. I also see it from a mother’s perspective. Everything that happens to us for the first weeks after birth revolves around the baby. It's only natural to be close to your baby. I personally decided that I wasn't going to worry about setting habits until he was 6-8 weeks old. We used her techniques for some things like soothing him with our voice but we certainly did not start him off in his own bedroom. I just enjoyed holding and "spoiling" him as much as possible while he was still so teeny-tiny. It was around two months that we started using more Baby Whisperer techniques. He has adapted just fine. I decided that I didn't want to waste those few precious weeks on trying to "teach" him something.
I was so afraid of getting cabin fever after a few days. Looking back on it I realize how dumb that was. I don't think I napped more than five times in the first 3 months. I tried to have something to do every single day. That wasn't so hard to do between having visitors and doctor appointments. If I didn't have anything to do, I would go for a walk or talk on the phone. I wish I had listened to my body and taken care of it. I struggled with keeping my milk supply up and I now realize that it was because I was always on the go. No, you cannot crawl into a hole when you have a baby. You will get overwhelmed and baby blues will get the better of you, but listen to your body. You will feel so much better if you have a good balance of baby time, sleep and social time. Those are about the only things that should matter to you in the first few weeks.
When babies are around three months old, most mothers have found this delicate balance and begin to feel like themselves again.
Tuesday
Breaking Night Time Habits
We expect to wake up in the night with our newborn baby. There is a certain novelty about the bonding time we spend while the rest of the world is asleep. Reality will soon strike and sleep quickly comes to the top of our priority list.
I saw the doctor when my baby was 8 months old. She told me that the only reason a baby this age does not sleep through the night is because of a bad routine habit. I decided that we needed to find a way to break this night time routine. I was reluctant at first because his crying tore my heart out. I felt like he thought I had abandoned him but then I came across a method that really worked for us.
When your baby cries, go into the bedroom and pat their chest or try the pacifier. If neither works, pick them up until they stop crying. As soon as baby settles, lay them back down and walk out of the room. Obviously, baby starts crying again. The first day, wait 2-3 minutes and do the exact same thing over again and again. The next day, bump it up to every 5 minutes. Over the next 4-5 days, work your way up to 15 minutes. The trick is consistency. Don’t go into the room after 10 minutes one time and 5 minutes the next. Use the same routine every time you go into the room. If you want to quietly whisper to them, say the same short sentence and perhaps repeat it a few times. Babies love routine. Routine is where they feel security because they know what to expect. When they feel secure, they can learn to trust and will soon be able to soothe themselves back to sleep.
Don’t leave them for longer than 15 minutes, especially if they are really crying. If they are just whimpering or talking, it might be okay to leave them until they go back to sleep. Personally, I don’t think I ever made it to 15 minutes. My baby would scream for about 5 minutes and then start to quiet down. By 15 minutes, he was usually asleep, if not just talking or whining.
As with all parenting tips, use your discretion. If your baby is trying to tell you something, of course you need to respond. Perhaps they have a fever or want their diaper changed. If they are waking up at the same time as they normally do, or if they settle down as soon as you pick them up, chances are good that there is nothing wrong. Use your parent-instinct but don’t give in just because you feel sorry for your baby. You are helping them learn to soothe themselves and feel secure on their own.
I found that this really worked for us because it is a transition for the parents and the baby. The first few times it was really hard to listen to my baby cry. I set myself a timer otherwise 45 seconds felt like 5 minutes. It gets easier as the days go on and your baby will get used to it as well. You might even try this routine for nap time.
Our 8 month old baby was sleeping through the night in one week. It is so worthwhile to be consistent and dedicate one week to this.
Our son is now 16 months and loves his crib. When he is tired, we can lay him down and he will go to sleep. Sometimes in the afternoon, he doesn’t want to sleep but needs some quiet time. He will sit in his bed and look at books or play with his toys for a good hour. When he wakes up in the morning, he plays until we go get him. We think that he is well adjusted because of his routine. His crib is a secure and peaceful place for him, not lonely or scary. He can trust that we have not left him. If a child does not learn a routine, they will always question what will happen next.
My only regret is that we did not start this routine sooner.
I saw the doctor when my baby was 8 months old. She told me that the only reason a baby this age does not sleep through the night is because of a bad routine habit. I decided that we needed to find a way to break this night time routine. I was reluctant at first because his crying tore my heart out. I felt like he thought I had abandoned him but then I came across a method that really worked for us.
When your baby cries, go into the bedroom and pat their chest or try the pacifier. If neither works, pick them up until they stop crying. As soon as baby settles, lay them back down and walk out of the room. Obviously, baby starts crying again. The first day, wait 2-3 minutes and do the exact same thing over again and again. The next day, bump it up to every 5 minutes. Over the next 4-5 days, work your way up to 15 minutes. The trick is consistency. Don’t go into the room after 10 minutes one time and 5 minutes the next. Use the same routine every time you go into the room. If you want to quietly whisper to them, say the same short sentence and perhaps repeat it a few times. Babies love routine. Routine is where they feel security because they know what to expect. When they feel secure, they can learn to trust and will soon be able to soothe themselves back to sleep.
Don’t leave them for longer than 15 minutes, especially if they are really crying. If they are just whimpering or talking, it might be okay to leave them until they go back to sleep. Personally, I don’t think I ever made it to 15 minutes. My baby would scream for about 5 minutes and then start to quiet down. By 15 minutes, he was usually asleep, if not just talking or whining.
As with all parenting tips, use your discretion. If your baby is trying to tell you something, of course you need to respond. Perhaps they have a fever or want their diaper changed. If they are waking up at the same time as they normally do, or if they settle down as soon as you pick them up, chances are good that there is nothing wrong. Use your parent-instinct but don’t give in just because you feel sorry for your baby. You are helping them learn to soothe themselves and feel secure on their own.
I found that this really worked for us because it is a transition for the parents and the baby. The first few times it was really hard to listen to my baby cry. I set myself a timer otherwise 45 seconds felt like 5 minutes. It gets easier as the days go on and your baby will get used to it as well. You might even try this routine for nap time.
Our 8 month old baby was sleeping through the night in one week. It is so worthwhile to be consistent and dedicate one week to this.
Our son is now 16 months and loves his crib. When he is tired, we can lay him down and he will go to sleep. Sometimes in the afternoon, he doesn’t want to sleep but needs some quiet time. He will sit in his bed and look at books or play with his toys for a good hour. When he wakes up in the morning, he plays until we go get him. We think that he is well adjusted because of his routine. His crib is a secure and peaceful place for him, not lonely or scary. He can trust that we have not left him. If a child does not learn a routine, they will always question what will happen next.
My only regret is that we did not start this routine sooner.
It's all in the Diaper Bag
The baby is adorable; the outfit straight off the trendiest rack; the car seat is the safest money can buy… All ready for a great outing with baby! Then you ask each other, “what about the change of clothes? What about a snack? What about diapers, and bottles, and blankets, and changing pad, and medicine, and… Thankfully the solution to all those parental worries comes in all shapes and sizes and looks genuinely chic.
Yes, it’s the diaper bag. Diaper bags were once used as functioning items—they held all those necessary items. Lately, the lowly diaper bags stock has been rising, thanks in part to pregnant celebrities and parental stars. Instead of a drab old bag that screams, “I’ve got a snot nosed kid,” there are a myriad of diaper bags that say, “I’m a parent, I’ve got it covered, and I look good doing it.” But looks aren’t everything…
On the inside, once we’ve ‘ooh-ed’ and ‘ahh-ed’ over that diaper bag-that-looks-like-a-trendy-Armani-handbag, it is evident that the simple bag has evolved. No longer is there a cavernous uni-space where your child’s diaper rash cream (that exhorts “Do not ingest”) rubs shoulders with your child’s favorite snacks. There are pockets for diapers, pouches for wipes, places for food, nooks for phones, and crannies for mom’s wallet. Lest we forget, there is also that extra handy changing pad slot for when your precious little child fills his or her drawers right at the wrong moment and wants it off NOW!
A downfall of scientifically engineered diaper bags and all its pockets is the propensity to stockpile out of date items. You may think you have 4 extra diapers, but they won’t help if they are size 2 and your child tots around in sneakers and size 6 Huggies. Other items that find semi-permanent homes are emergency outfits and blankets. Babies grow out of those outfits so quickly and blankets should be washed if they are being used on occasion. The lesson one should take from this—check diaper bags monthly for dirty laundry, stale cracker crumbs, and the occasional emergency diaper changes wrapped in those handy plastic bags.
Here are a few tips to keeping diapers bags organized.
Leave a sealed package of wipes in the diaper bag. Wipes kept in those cases that everyone has in their regular diaper bags will dry out. Ziploc bags work really well—the wipes will stay moist.
Snacks, snacks and more snacks. Preferably something that won’t spoil—gold fish, cheerios, raisins and granola bars to name a few. Packing snacks in Tupperware containers is perfect because they won’t leak and it keeps things from getting smashed around in your diaper bag.
Disposable changing pads are great if you are in a public place. You can just throw it away rather than inviting all kinds of germs into your diaper bags.
Always have a spare blanket in your diaper bag. They are great for the late night sleepy drive home or when baby has made an emergency mess. They are also great when you need to prop something up, keep the sun out or wipe up a bottle leak. It’s amazing how many uses you can find for a simple cotton blanket.
Keep an extra pacifier in your diaper bag. Ziplocs or pacifier pods are great for keeping it lint-free. Also consider some Tylenol, rash cream, sunscreen, hand sanitizer and a few plastic bags. You don’t want to put dirty diapers or dirty clothes directly into your diaper bags.
You may look trendy to others judging your diaper bag. What matters more is how you feel when this stylish accessory contains everything you need to feel like a prepared and capable parent.
Yes, it’s the diaper bag. Diaper bags were once used as functioning items—they held all those necessary items. Lately, the lowly diaper bags stock has been rising, thanks in part to pregnant celebrities and parental stars. Instead of a drab old bag that screams, “I’ve got a snot nosed kid,” there are a myriad of diaper bags that say, “I’m a parent, I’ve got it covered, and I look good doing it.” But looks aren’t everything…
On the inside, once we’ve ‘ooh-ed’ and ‘ahh-ed’ over that diaper bag-that-looks-like-a-trendy-Armani-handbag, it is evident that the simple bag has evolved. No longer is there a cavernous uni-space where your child’s diaper rash cream (that exhorts “Do not ingest”) rubs shoulders with your child’s favorite snacks. There are pockets for diapers, pouches for wipes, places for food, nooks for phones, and crannies for mom’s wallet. Lest we forget, there is also that extra handy changing pad slot for when your precious little child fills his or her drawers right at the wrong moment and wants it off NOW!
A downfall of scientifically engineered diaper bags and all its pockets is the propensity to stockpile out of date items. You may think you have 4 extra diapers, but they won’t help if they are size 2 and your child tots around in sneakers and size 6 Huggies. Other items that find semi-permanent homes are emergency outfits and blankets. Babies grow out of those outfits so quickly and blankets should be washed if they are being used on occasion. The lesson one should take from this—check diaper bags monthly for dirty laundry, stale cracker crumbs, and the occasional emergency diaper changes wrapped in those handy plastic bags.
Here are a few tips to keeping diapers bags organized.
Leave a sealed package of wipes in the diaper bag. Wipes kept in those cases that everyone has in their regular diaper bags will dry out. Ziploc bags work really well—the wipes will stay moist.
Snacks, snacks and more snacks. Preferably something that won’t spoil—gold fish, cheerios, raisins and granola bars to name a few. Packing snacks in Tupperware containers is perfect because they won’t leak and it keeps things from getting smashed around in your diaper bag.
Disposable changing pads are great if you are in a public place. You can just throw it away rather than inviting all kinds of germs into your diaper bags.
Always have a spare blanket in your diaper bag. They are great for the late night sleepy drive home or when baby has made an emergency mess. They are also great when you need to prop something up, keep the sun out or wipe up a bottle leak. It’s amazing how many uses you can find for a simple cotton blanket.
Keep an extra pacifier in your diaper bag. Ziplocs or pacifier pods are great for keeping it lint-free. Also consider some Tylenol, rash cream, sunscreen, hand sanitizer and a few plastic bags. You don’t want to put dirty diapers or dirty clothes directly into your diaper bags.
You may look trendy to others judging your diaper bag. What matters more is how you feel when this stylish accessory contains everything you need to feel like a prepared and capable parent.
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