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Baby

must-have essentials
BabyKids

10 Must-Have Essentials For Every New Mom

by Guest Post
written by Guest Post

I remember when my firstborn son arrived. I was full of excitement and anticipation. I thought I was totally prepared. But I was wrong.

My mother-in-law had helped to outfit my waiting baby nursery with lots of borrowed and used items.

  • Crib? Check!
  • Change table? Check!
  • Rocking chair? Check!
  • Bedding for the crib? Check!
  • Towels? Check!
  • Sleepers? Check!
  • Car seat? Check!
  • Newborn diapers? Double check!

However, once my son arrived at a very healthy nine pounds (those newborn sized diapers were quickly replaced with size one diapers!), I realized that all those things weren’t that important. There were things I desperately needed but didn’t have!

must-have essentials

Beyond The Crib

Being a new mom has a steep learning curve and if you don’t have an experienced and supportive partner, mother, or friend by your side, motherhood can be completely overwhelming.

This article will help you out. Although I can’t be there to make you supper and help you latch your frantic newborn going through another growth spurt, I can offer you a list of things that will help make your new-mom-life a little easier.

1. The Travel System

I already mentioned the car seat but it’s worth mentioning that a car seat stroller combination, aka. The Travel System, is money well spent! Especially in the early days where you don’t want to wake up baby to move him or her from the car seat to the stroller, it’s great to have a car seat that clicks securely into a set of wheels. Look for a stroller that collapses easily and is light enough for you to carry with one hand.

 

2. White Noise Machine

Many of us assume that babies need complete silence to sleep. However, a mother’s womb is a noisy place and the baby is exposed to a lot of sounds before they’re born. So sometimes you’ll find that babies sleep better when they’re in a noisier environment, especially if you didn’t spend your pregnancy in seclusion.

When you’re looking at white noise machines, two features to look for are:

  • easy portability, because inevitably you will be spending a night away from home. And having the same white noise machine in the background when you’re away is comforting.
  • and a night light that you can turn off manually or on a timer.

 

3. Breastfeeding Pillow

It goes without saying that you want a breastfeeding pillow that is comfortable and will make breastfeeding less stressful on your body. If you’re feeding your little one hunched over, you’ll end up with sore shoulders and a tight neck. What you might not think about when you shop for a pillow is to look for one that you can take with you. A lot of breastfeeding pillows are large and cumbersome. But an inflatable travel breastfeeding pillow will support you wherever you go while folding up flat when you don’t need it.

 

4. Baby Swing

One of the best baby items I borrowed as a new mom was a baby swing! There were times when my baby got cranky and I was exhausted, so putting him in the swing was often a lifesaver. Swings have evolved over the years. You can now buy swagged-out swings that support newborns properly. They often come with toy bars and mobiles, have different reclining positions, different speeds, and even different sounds and songs! I promise that a good swing is a purchase that you will not regret!

 

5. Thermometer

A good thermometer is another great thing to have on hand when you have a baby at home. Thermometers today now come in a variety of options.

  • ear thermometers – most accurate for children over 1 year of age.
  • forehead thermometers – a reliable reading which is suitable for children over 3 months of age.
  • rectal thermometers – the most reliable temperature measure at any age.
  • armpit thermometers – the least accurate option but still better than nothing.

Many of these thermometers come in any combination of these four. However, a rectal thermometer should only have one use. My recommendation is to buy a thermometer that has the quickest reading and that you are most comfortable using. If you don’t want to use a rectal thermometer, your best option is to go with a forehead thermometer.

 

6. Diaper cream

It’s rare that a baby escapes the diapering phase of his or her life without developing a diaper rash. It’s always good to have a high quality diaper rash cream on hand. Look for a cream that is zinc based. Zinc oxide forms an extremely effective barrier that protects baby’s sensitive skin from the inevitable wetness that collects in their diaper. Diaper creams range in the amount of zinc oxide they contain and unless your baby has extremely rash-prone skin, you can start off with a cream that is between 10 and 20% zinc oxide.

 

7. Diaper bag

If you haven’t bought a diaper bag already, something to keep in mind as you shop will be the fact that this bag will probably double as your purse for the next three or more years. Over the years, I went through several different diaper bags. My favourite diaper bag looked like a messenger bag that I could sling over my shoulder. My husband appreciated the fact that it was solid black so he wasn’t running around with a very feminine or babyish looking bag on him. One note: if the diaper bag you purchase doesn’t come with a change pad, get one!

 

8. Receiving Blankets

I admit, you’re probably not surprised to see receiving blankets on a list of 10 essential items for new moms, but I do have a suggestion to make. When you’re shopping for receiving blankets, look for blankets that are not only soft and durable but also multipurpose:

  • you can use them as a burp cloth,
  • you can use them as a breastfeeding cover,
  • and they’re big enough to swaddle your baby in.

A receiving blanket that can cover all these jobs is a receiving blanket that you and your child will love forever!

 

9. High Protein Snacks

All right, Mama. This list isn’t just about your baby. I’ve also thought about you! I know you’re going to be up during the night and you’re probably going to get quite hungry, especially if you’re breastfeeding. Load up on high protein snacks, such as beef jerky, protein bars, and trail mix. In the fridge, keep yogurt and other quick foods on hand such as pre-washed and cut veggies and hummus. A tall glass of milk or chocolate milk can also fill you up when you don’t have time to prepare yourself a full meal. Whatever works for you, have plenty of quick snacks and meals in your cupboards and fridge before delivery day arrives.

 

10. A Bra

Whether or not you choose to breastfeed, you’ll need a good fitting bra after baby arrives. If you are breastfeeding, it’s best to go shopping for a nursing bra a few days after your milk has come in, about one week after baby arrives. Avoiding underwire is the safest way to go. If you do not nurse, avoid binding your breasts. Rather, wear the most comfortable bra you can and use ice and cold cabbage leaves to reduce the swelling.

 

BONUS!

A quick tip for moms out there who plan on breastfeeding. Get Lansinoh nipple cream before baby arrives. Even the best latching babies can leave you feeling red and raw within the first week. As your nipples adjust and you and your baby get better at latching and positioning, the discomfort will go away. In the meantime, take good care of your breasts by wearing a proper fitting bra and using nipple cream that is safe for baby.

I hope you got some useful ideas out of my list of 10 essential items for a new mom. Motherhood is exciting and scary but you’ll learn a lot and your life will never be the same.

 

 

Author Bio:

Sophia Nguyen is the founder of “Healthy Baby Happy Earth” website. She is a blogger, and she loves writing about babies and helping the parents by providing only the most useful information. She has just published a new post on her site. Follow her on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram

 

must-have essentials

 

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baby sleep tips
BabyKidsToddler

Simple Tips to Improve Your Child’s Sleep

by Guest Post
written by Guest Post

As a pediatric sleep expert I often get asked what the “secret” is to getting a baby to sleep through the night: “Isn’t there any ONE magic tip you can give me?” and for that I answer: Of course, there is no ONE secret. Teaching a child healthy sleep habits is a combination of lots of different things and each children is different. Each family and parenting style is different. You get the idea.

But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t some tricks! There are some tips that if you follow you will see improvement. I am not saying that your baby will sleep through the night or that your toddler won’t run to your room at 3 a.m., but if you follow this tips you definitely will see things changing for the best!

baby sleep tips

1. Watch The Waking Hours

One of the BIGGEST enemies of sleep, especially for babies and toddlers, is overtiredness. And many parents are surprised to learn just how soon their children get overtired!

Here’s a quick guide to how long your child should be awake between naps during the day:

Newborns (0-12 weeks): 45 minutes of awake time

3-5 months: 1.5-2 hours of awake time

6-8 months: 2-3 hours of awake time

9-12 months: 3-4 hours of awake time

13 months to 2.5 years: 5-6 hours of awake time

If you make sure that your child is put down for naps BEFORE they get overtired, you’ll find that they fall asleep more easily at naptime. AND that they are more relaxed at bedtime! Hurray!!!

2. Have A Predictable (And A Little Boring) Bedtime Routine

Babies and toddlers love predictable routines. And a predictable bedtime routine (lasting no longer than 30 minutes) is a great way to let your child know when the time for sleep is coming.

A typical bedtime routine might look something like this:

– bath (5 minutes)

– put on pajamas (5 minutes)

– nursing or bottle (10 minutes)

– read a story or sing some songs (10 minutes)

Make sure that this routine is the same every single time. Remember, you want bedtime to be as predictable as possible for your child! After your bedtime routine is complete, be boring. Lots of children will try to “drag out” bedtime by playing games, throwing toys out of the crib, standing up, etc. Don’t participate. If your child has thrown their blanket or favorite stuffed toy out of the crib, calmly return the item without saying a word. Be boring, and the games shouldn’t last too long!

 

3. Feed AFTER Naps, Not Before

For a lot of babies and toddlers, the single biggest reason they don’t sleep well has to do with a feeding-sleep association. In other words, your child has “linked” the ideas of feeding and sleeping. They think that they need a bottle or nursing BEFORE they can fall asleep.By feeding right after naptime,  instead of before,  you can help your child break this feeding-sleep association.

NOTE: This strategy should only be used before naps, not before putting your child to bed for the night. (A full tummy is needed to make sure your child doesn’t wake up hungry during the night!)

 

4. Same Place, Same Time

Like I said before our children love predictability so it is a great idea to have your child sleep in the same place, at the same time, every day. This means that nap time should happen in the same place as nighttime sleep, rather than in carseats, strollers, your lap at the coffee shop…

I am not telling you to follow a rigid schedule or to never go visit grandma again, but as much as possible, stick to it, specially when you start. For many parents, simply changing WHERE their child naps during the day causes a big improvement in the length and quality of nighttime sleep (bonus points if it is a really dark room with white noise).

When you are putting your child to sleep for the night, it’s a good idea to make sure that they fall asleep where you want them to stay asleep. In other words, if your child falls asleep in your arms on the couch and then wakes up during the night in a completely different place (like their crib), chances are they’ll be surprised,  and start crying to let you know about it!

 

5. Wait To Go In

This is probably my most precious tip: wait a bit before going in to check in your baby. When your child wakes up during the night, or during a nap and starts crying or fussing, try to wait a specific length of time before going in to check on them. The first day you try this, I recommend waiting exactly one minute before going in to check on your child. On the second day, wait two minutes. Three minutes on the third day, and so on.

Why?

Well, everyone (babies and toddlers included) will wake up briefly at the end of each 45-minute “sleep cycle.” Most adults wake so briefly that we don’t even remember it in the morning. But children who haven’t learned to fall asleep independently need a little longer. It will give your child the opportunity to get themselves back to sleep without your help. And once your child has learned this skill, you’re home free!

 

About Pachi Parra

Pediatric Sleep Consultant Pachi Parra has been working with children and parents for the last 3 years as a professional nanny and seeing how many sleepless families are out there, she decided to take her children care career to a new level and help this families to, with a gentle and simple approach and good support, teach their children to sleep well.

Pachi was personally trained by Dana Obleman, the creator of The Sleep Sense TM Program, whose methods have been used worldwide by more than 30,000 families to solve their children’s sleep problems. This program stresses the importance of teaching the children hot to soothe themselves into a deep, restful sleep. Her goal is to help families to be happier and healthier one sleep at time educating and empowering parents in the best ways to guide their children into good sleep habits.

If your baby doesn’t sleep well she can help! Just go to her Facebook Page and schedule a free Evaluation call to know how she can help you.

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/pachiconsultant.com

Website: www.pachiconsultant.com

baby sleep tips

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Healthy Rusks Teething Biscuits
BabyFood

8 Nutritious Teething Biscuit Recipes

by Jordyn Smith
written by Jordyn Smith

Teething biscuits are an absolute life saver for stressed parents and teething toddlers everywhere. The little cracker-cookie hybrids are super delicious and get softer over time, giving your little one some much needed relief from the pain of growing new teeth. Teething biscuits can pretty much be found in any grocery store you visit, that being said, it’s always more fun to make things yourself. If your child is picky, has specific allergies, or you just want to be sure that everything going in their bodies is actually good for them, these teething biscuit recipes are absolutely perfect!

Teething Biscuit recipes

Source: superhealthykids.com

1. Healthy Homemade Teething Biscuits

These homemade teething biscuits are about as simple as simple gets. They consist only of rolled oats, a banana, and a bit of coconut oil. Completely natural and cooked up in only a few minutes, these biscuits are delicious without being too sweet and a perfectly healthy snack for teething little ones.

Visit Super Healthy Kids to more great recipes for health-conscious and food sensitive families.

Healthy Rusks Teething Biscuits

Source: mykidslickthebowl.com

2. Healthy Baby Teething Biscuits

Filled with plenty of sweet potato, oats, and chamomile tea, these teething biscuits help soothe your little one in more ways than one. While the biscuits take 25 minutes in the oven, the prep only requires about 10 minutes of your time. Making this recipe something that you can easily whip up on a lazy afternoon.

My Kids Lick The Bowl is full of nutritious recipes and downright adorable food puns.

Teething Biscuit recipes

Source: wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com

3. Banana Breadstick Teething Biscuits

These biscuits are like the teething-friendly version of banana bread. The recipe has plenty of bananas and other delicious, kid-safe ingredients and take very little time to turn into the most adorably helpful breadsticks ever.

Head over to Wholesome BabyFood to find more healthy baby food recipes.

Teething Biscuit recipes

Source: popsugar.com

4. Apple Cinnamon Teething Biscuits

Achy gums have officially met their match with these apple cinnamon teething biscuits. Mixing together a winning combination of wheat flour, applesauce, molasses, and water, you can create these extremely simple but still effective biscuits.

See more great recipes in addition to celebrity news and relatable mom content at POPSUGAR.

Teething Biscuit recipes

Source: mommygonehealthy.com

5. Baby Rice Cereal Teething Biscuits

One of the best things about teething biscuits is how similar they are to regular cookies, which means you can play around with shapes and designs, making them even more fun to eat. Most of the ingredients in this recipe are probably already somewhere in the back of your cabinets. While you may have to go out and buy a bit of baby rice cereal, everything else in this recipe is simple, natural, and delicious.

Find great product reviews and mom tips at Mommy Gone Healthy.

Teething Biscuit recipes

Source: mamanatural.com

6. Natural “Real Food” Teething Biscuits

Feel secure in the fact that your child can relieve a little of their pain without sacrificing high-quality food. These all-natural teething biscuits use steel cut oats for texture, coconut oil for a bit of moisture, and pure maple syrup to help sweeten things up a little. They are also easily customized by adding a few differing ingredients to change the flavor, texture, and color.

Head over to Mama Natural to find tips on making healthy parenting, pregnancy, and family life choices.

Teething Biscuit recipes

Source: nationalpeanutboard.org

7. Peanut Butter Teething Biscuits

Who doesn’t love peanut butter cookies? These teething biscuits are just like your favorite cookie recipe only a lot chunkier, way healthier, and specifically meant to keep your little one satisfied. In a recipe curated by the National Peanut Board, these biscuits are super easy and fun to make.

Find more cool peanut-based recipes at National Peanut Board.

Teething Biscuit recipes

Source: smartnutrition.ca

8. Homemade Baby Cookies

These homemade treats are a little more like traditional cookies than the other teething biscuits on this list, but they all suit the same purpose. In addition to being super comforting for little ones, these cookies are made with all-natural ingredients and contain nutrients like iron that benefit your kids in plenty of ways.

Learn how to make nutritious recipes for your family at Smart Nutrition.

Teething Biscuit recipes

Jordyn Smith

Jordyn Smith

A city girl currently living it up in the south with my little family. I love baking, hoarding makeup, and daydreaming. If I'm not writing, I'm probably trying to think up weird pizza recipes or watching Property Brothers.
Jordyn Smith

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sleep through the night
Baby

Why I Stopped Feeling Guilty About My Baby Not Sleeping Through The Night

by Ellice Vargas
written by Ellice Vargas

“Is he sleeping through the night?” A sentence many parents dread to hear. Sometimes getting your baby to sleep through the night feels like a lofty and unattainable goal.

sleep through the night

When my daughter was a baby I struggled every night before bed, terrified that we would never sleep again, and we would be in a constant state of sleep deprivation. What was killing me more than the actual lack of sleep was the feeling of failure. It did not help that society, doctors, and especially other moms, were telling me my baby should be sleeping through the night by now. I felt like a failure because I couldn’t “fix” the issue. My baby wasn’t sleeping well and surely that meant I was a terrible mother. I was told that if I let my bay cry it out I was causing her life long trauma, but if I co-slept and nursed her to sleep through the night she would never learn to be independent. I cannot count how many nights I would lie awake crying at 3:00am because I felt lost and overwhelmed by the “right way” to get my baby to sleep; emotionally drained from spending hours and hours researching what to do and trying method after method.

There didn’t seem to be a good time to start sleep training. Between colds, teething and out of country travel there always seemed to be something disturbing her sleep. I was told to treasure those 2am feeds, but in all honesty, I was overcome by fear and failure to truly take those moments in.

Fast forward three years, and after my second baby was born those feelings started to rear their ugly head again. What happens if he never sleeps? (Even though I have a perfect and sweetly sleeping three year old in the room next to me). Why can’t I get it right? Maybe I am doing something wrong? Maybe if I had the perfect schedule like other moms tell me, or bottle fed instead of nursed?

I could feel myself starting to slip in to panic mode with the same old feelings of frustration and failure rising to the surface. After talking to a close friend I realized it wasn’t the lack of sleep that was overwhelming me (although yes, tiredness is real). I quit apologizing for the fact my baby doesn’t sleep, quit feeling bad about myself, quit feeling bad for my husband (we are in this together after all), and quit feeling bad when I tell people, “no, in fact my baby isn’t sleeping through the night.” And thats ok.

I may not have perfect sleep, but my baby is happy and healthy. I realized that although my baby may not be a perfect sleeper, it does not determine what kind of parent I am. The lack of sleep is not a measurement to be used to assess whether I am a good mother. We are just what we need to be for each other, even if that means we spend a lot more time together in the middle of the night than I prefer. I know one day I’ll miss it.

 

sleep through the night

Ellice Vargas

Ellice Vargas

I'm a British gal and mama to one sweet daughter. I love a good DIY project, interior design and photography. When I'm not writing for Life As Mama, I'm traveling as much as I can with my little family and filling up my camera roll with snapshots of our life.
Ellice Vargas

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baby led weaning
BabyKids

9 Fantastic Food Ideas For Baby Led Weaning

by Ellice Vargas
written by Ellice Vargas

So you have decided to take a leap into baby led weaning, and you are so excited to experience those “firsts” with your baby. You’ve probably done your research on what baby led weaning is and how to do it (check out these handy tips on Life As Mama here) but maybe you are at a loss on what foods to prepare for your baby. Here are 9 finger food options for your babe to try.

baby led weaning

1. Diced Cooked Sweet Potato

Sweet Potato is great first food as you can cook it until soft and easily mashed between your fingers, but can be picked up by your baby who is still mastering their pincher grip.

2. Bananas

These are great because it means you can also take baby led weaning on the go easily. Bananas are slippery for little fingers, so try cutting the skin off half way down the banana leaving a “handle” on the bottom for your baby to hold and revealing the fruit on top for your baby to sample.

3. Avocado

Avocado is a great first food because it’s full of good fats for your baby. Again it’s difficult for the baby to hold at first because it’s so slippery so try leaving the skin on the slices you cut until they get the hang of it.

4. Steamed Broccoli Florets

High in vitamin C this vegetable is great for your baby. The stalks are easy to pick up and hold, and the soft tree-like top have a great texture to introduce to your baby.

5. Cucumber Strips

Cucumbers are not just a great BLW food, but also perfect for your baby’s sore teething gums. The seedy part in the center is especially good because it’s so soft and babies can easily mash it up even without very many teeth.

6. Cooked Apple Slices

Cut thin slices of apple and cook until soft enough for your baby to gum. Remember to cut the slices long enough for the baby to hold and chew on and not in large chunks that can be a choking hazard.

7. Toast Slices

Stuck for a breakfast idea? Surprisingly you can start toast right away by cutting it into long finger strips for your baby to pick up. How much they will eat and how much will just become a drool-y mess is debatable but thats all part of the BLW fun. You can even spread cream cheese or jelly to introduce more flavors.

8. Pre-loaded Spoon of Yoghurt

Spoon feeding isn’t technically BLW, however if you pre-load the spoon for your baby to feed themselves it’s totally ok. Thick creamy yogurt is a great way to start introducing the spoon to your little one.

9. Pre-loaded Spoon of Apple Sauce

Another messy but good option is apple sauce. You can skip the baby pureed kind and go straight for the more texture sauce. Load it on a spoon and let your baby have a go at feeding themselves. You may want to take cover when your baby is first leaning to use a spoon as they make an excellent catapult.

 

baby led weaning

 

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getting baby dressed
Baby

5 Simple Tips On Getting Your Baby Dressed

by Ellice Vargas
written by Ellice Vargas

The time has come that you can finally pull out all those cute tiny clothes you’ve been collecting (or hoarding). No doubt you have been planning these outfits for months, and can’t wait to dress your sweet baby bundle. Except, why didn’t anyone warn you that you might break a sweat trying to get those tiny legs and arms into those cute little outfits? Turns out, not all babies liked getting dressed and might put up quite the fight. Here are some tips to save your sanity while styling your babe.

getting your baby dressed

1. Stick To Easy Fastenings

While some outfits are particularly cute, are they really worth the hassle if they have tons of buttons or snaps on the back? Who even decided it was a good idea to put fasteners on the back of baby clothes? Stick to simple easy to put on items and stretchy fabrics. Zip up pajamas are especially helpful because they take no time at all to put on your squirmy infant.

2. Diaper Snaps

If you can’t open it from the bottom for easy diaper changing, leave it at the store. I promise you will thank me when you are on your twentieth diaper change of the day. Sure that romper is cute, but you don’t really want to be pulling it on and off all day long.

3. Avoid Outfit Changes

We all know that babies will blow through clothes quicker then you can wash them, but there are a few ways you can prevent that from happening as much as possible. Using a bib during feedings will stop any unnecessary milk from getting on their clothes, and when your baby starts to teeth keeping a bib on will help soak up all that drool. If you start to notice diaper blow outs happening regularly, it might be time to up the diaper size.

4. Distraction

It’s never to early to distract with a silly song, or gentle tickle. Soon cooing and talking will replace the fussy crying and you can make a game out of getting dressed. Keep a paci or rattle handy in case you need some extra distraction.

5. Mom Hacks

It won’t take long before you figure out some mom-hacks of your own to make dressing your little love easier. Whether it is stretching out the necklines before you slip them on, or gently holding onto their hand and you slip their sleeves on soon you will have mastered the knack of getting your baby dressed. Just in time for them to start trying some new tricks they have learnt, like rolling over or crawling.

 

getting your baby dressed

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kid-friendly places
BabyFunKidsToddler

7 Kid-Friendly Places To Go When You Have A Toddler And Newborn

by Ellice Vargas
written by Ellice Vargas

Since becoming a Mom of two, my biggest struggle is managing to keep my toddler occupied while juggling a newborn. I am a firm believer that it’s ok for our kids to get bored. I know it helps stimulate their imagination and creative play, not to mention help teaches them independence. But I also know they need to get out of the house and burn off some energy once in a while. Sometimes the idea of leaving the house when you are still trying to keep every dressed, fed and alive can prove very intimidating. Even my beloved Target hasn’t had the pleasure of my weekly visits, (for which my husband and bank account are eternally thankful). One of the hardest part about those early newborn days is the cabin fever that builds up when all you do is feed, rock and burp. Throw a toddler in the mix and it’s a like living in the middle of a tornado. Here are my top places I like to go to get out of the house but are actually surprisingly easy with both a baby and a toddler.

kid-friendly places

1. The Park

The park is especially helpful if your toddler is a little bit older and can climb up and down by themselves. Of course I have to keep a close eye on my 3 year old because she can be crazy (just being honest), but for the most part I hover nearby with the baby in the carrier or stroller, happily content when my toddler has a blast. The other thing I love about the park is there is always other Moms around so it turns into a social activity for us too!

2. Walking Trails

Find your local walking trail where your toddler can run and chase without needing to watch for cars and roads right next to them, especially if you are living in a city like me. Getting out into nature will give you the breather you need and the extra bonus is your toddler will be occupied and wont need you in order to keep busy and have fun.

3. Fast Food Play Areas

Even though this makes the germaphobe in me freak out, much like the park, this is an ideal place to go when your toddler is slightly older and doesn’t need constant lifting and holding. You can keep a close eye on them while holding you new babe and at the same time grab a quick bite to eat. Most fast food restaurants offer a healthier options so it doesn’t mean you have to chow down on the fries each visit. But if you do, we won’t tell.

4. IKEA

What mom doesn’t love to browse IKEA from time to time? Taking a toddler to IKEA is a different matter entirely though. However, if you have potty trained toddlers who fit the height requirements, you can leave your child at IKEA’s Småland supervised play area for one hour, or 90 minutes if you are a IKEA family member, while you shop. I can’t think of anything better then shopping with a little baby snuggled up in your wrap or carrier while you toddler is otherwise occupied. Bliss!

5. Library

Most libraries offer “mommy and me” reading sessions that your toddler will be sure to love. This is perfect when you need to get out of the house, but the weather doesn’t permit being outside. Plus it encourages your kid to love reading and opens them up to a ton more books you may not have at home. Even if your local library doesn’t offer any classes, this is still a great place to take your kiddos when your going stir crazy at home and need a chance of pace.

6. Kid-Friendly Museums

Lot’s of museums have kid friendly exhibits, but there are also specific kid museums which you might be able to find close to you with a quick google search. I love this option, not only is this entertaining for your toddler, it is also educational. Many of these places have easy stroller access and some even have family or nursing rooms which is perfect when you have a tiny tot in tow.

7. Kids Classes

Gymboree and other similar places have tons of amazing classes for your kiddos to attend. These are wonderful because you get to hang out and watch your toddler have a blast with the other kids and the instructors, and at the same time get some extra snuggles in with your baby while you have two hands.

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separation anxiety
BabyKids

6 Helpful Tips To Manage Your Kids’ Separation Anxiety

by Ellice Vargas
written by Ellice Vargas

Separation anxiety is a normal stage of development for babies (and let’s be honest, older kids as well), and how each baby deals with it varies greatly. Some kids breeze through this phase without a second thought, while other babies find it very difficult to be separated from Mom and Dad. This stage can also be very overwhelming for the parents. Whether you just need a little break from your stage-5 clinger, or mama needs to head back to work, or it’s simply that you want your baby to bond to close family and friends, there are many ways to your baby work through this new developmental leap.

separation anxiety

1. Warm Them Up

Before dropping your little one off for an all-day play date with their grandparents, start with smaller increments of time. Start with an hour here and there to run errands and work up to longer periods of time. Your kiddo needs to get used to you leaving, and also the fact that you always come back to get them. If you are hiring a new caregiver, you can also prepare your baby with some warm up time before heading back to work after the summer or maternity leave.

2. Say Goodbye Properly

It might feel easiest to sneak out while your babe isn’t looking, but this certainly wont help with their separation issues. Instead of mama vanishing into thin air, a proper goodbye will ensure your little one know you are leaving, and in time, realize you are also coming back. A quick kiss and hug and “goodbye, see you soon, I love you” will suffice- no need to draw it out.

3. Stick To Your Guns

Of course if it’s work your heading to, turning back and grabbing your baby and canceling your plans isn’t an option. But if it’s a hair appointment or something else that has you dropping your baby off with a caregiver, don’t throw the plans out of the window at the first sign of a fuss. Your baby will probably have stopped crying before you’ve even reached your destination and turned their attention to something else.

4. Stay Positive

Remember, our children look to us for comfort. So if mama is having a melt down, then it will do nothing to ease their anxiety. Stay positive and remind them how much fun they are going to have with their caregiver. If it’s too hard to hold it together then consider having your partner or someone else handle the drop off.

5. Keep Encouraging Independence

If you little one is old enough to move around independently, keep encouraging their independence by letting them move around from room to room (safely) without you hovering. This is the start to them being comfortable without you being right by their side. If they want to be held all the time, encourage them crawl or walk by turning it into a game of chase, or “I’m going to get you.” These simple steps will help encourage them to function without you always being next to them.

6. Remember It’s A Phase

While this stage can be very draining for us as parents, remember it is just a phase. It is something you will, and can, work through together. Another way of looking at it, is that you have a strong and healthy bond with your baby! Keep on mama, and don’t give up!

Ellice Vargas

Ellice Vargas

I'm a British gal and mama to one sweet daughter. I love a good DIY project, interior design and photography. When I'm not writing for Life As Mama, I'm traveling as much as I can with my little family and filling up my camera roll with snapshots of our life.
Ellice Vargas

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play with your newborn
BabyKids

6 Ways To Interact and Play With Your Newborn

by Ellice Vargas
written by Ellice Vargas

Play may not be the first word that comes to mind when you think of your brand new babe, but surprisingly enough, it’s never to early to initiate interaction and even play time with your little one. In the first few months you will notice they are taking leaps and bounds everyday, and changing before your very eyes. You may feel like those silly noises you are doing are just that, silly. But when you get that first gummy smile or giggle from your sweet baby it will be worth it. If you are stuck on how to add some fun into your everyday routine, here are some tips on how to play with your newborn.

play with your newborn

1. Touch

As if I even need to tell you to snuggle that gorgeous new baby of yours. But I don’t mean just cuddles, I mean sensory touch. Like tickling the bottom on their feet, or giving them a soft blanket to feel. Help let your baby explore the world by feeling and experiencing different textures and shapes. Even if they aren’t holding onto things yet, teach them how to grab by giving them your finger, they will naturally start to reach and hold into things as they grow.

play with your newborn

2. Talk

Babies love to hear you talk. Even before they can coo back they love the face to face interaction. But you don’t always have to be looking them in the eye in order to talk. As you go about your day talk to them about what you see what your doing, before you know it they will be “talking” right back at you.

play with your newborn

3. Sing

It’s never too early to start singing lullabies to your sweet one. You can even incorporate hand motions to give them more to look at as they watch and learn. You’ll be surprised how quickly they will respond as they hear and see familiar sounds and actions done by you everyday.

play with your newborn

4. Read Out Loud

Start those bedtime stories early. Just like talking, reading out loud helps your baby get used to your voice and exposes them to a wide range of vocabulary early. You can start with some of those cute baby books your have displayed in your nursery, or you can even read your own books to them.

play with your newborn

5.  Tummy Time

Of course this doesn’t always seem like fun and games if your little one isn’t a fan of tummy time, but this is a great time for you to be able to play and encourage your baby as they grow. If you need tips on helping your baby with tummy time, check out this post here.

play with your newborn

6. Rattles + Toys

Once your baby starts to track movement with their eyes, you will find they will be more interested in those adorable rattle and small toys you’ve been dying to pull out. Gently shake the toy in front of their face and move it back and forth as they follow it with their eyes. Right around this time you will notice they will start becoming more interactive to games like peek-a-boo.

 

Ellice Vargas

Ellice Vargas

I'm a British gal and mama to one sweet daughter. I love a good DIY project, interior design and photography. When I'm not writing for Life As Mama, I'm traveling as much as I can with my little family and filling up my camera roll with snapshots of our life.
Ellice Vargas

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1st birthday party
BabyTips & Ideas

ONE Of A Kind 1st Birthday Party Theme Ideas

by Leena Kollar
written by Leena Kollar

A baby’s first birthday is such a bittersweet event. I actually cried when my firstborn’s first birthday arrived. I felt like he was officially not a baby anymore. Since the first birthday is usually the milestone that marks the first taste of cake for baby, the realization that my little one was entering non-baby land hit me hard as he smashed the pieces of cake across his face. And while I was so excited to celebrate his first year, I wished it would have slowed down afterward. (It doesn’t. It just gets worse.)

One way to handle the sadness that can come with your child’s first birthday is to throw a party with a really cute theme. There are tons of great ideas out there, but these are so fitting for baby’s first birthday celebration.

1st birthday partysource: Brio Photography via Catch My Party

1. Winter ONEderland

A popular theme for winter babies on their first birthday is “Winter ONEderland.” You can have lots of fun with this theme, doing snowflake shaped foods, incorporating snowballs and using light, wintry colors for your decor.

Head over to Catch My Party for some great Winter ONEderland birthday decorating and menu item ideas.

1st birthday partysource: Clay Williams/Alex Nirenberg via Spaceships and Laser Beams

2. Wild ONE

Is your rugrat a wild little thing? A zoo animal or safari theme party would be so adorable! You could get some animal shaped cookie cutters to make cookies or other animal shaped treats, and serve “jungle juice.” If your baby does a smash cake, you could make a banner or decorate a party hat to say “Wild ONE.”

Find more animal party inspiration over at Spaceships and Laser Beams.

1st birthday partysource: The Chickabug Blog

3. ONEderful Waves

There are many ways you could roll (no pun intended) with this theme. Really, anything associated with water would work. Beach elements, nautical decor or sea creatures could all tie into a “ONEderful Waves” party. Some parents like to do an “Under The Sea” theme, which is always fun for kids. Whichever angle you go with, it’s sure to be ONEderful!

Stop by The Chickabug Blog for some super cool H20 birthday party ideas.

1st birthday partysource: White Spark Photography via Little Big Company

4. How The West Was ONE

Yeehaw! Got a little cowboy or cowgirl? Take this twist on a classic movie theme and turn it into a rootin’, tootin’ good time! Dress your birthday kid up in a cowboy hat, boots and a bandana, and serve classic western foods. Barbecue sandwiches, baked beans, and bread rolls are sure to please, and a wildly western cake design can be the icing (literally) on top.

Take a look at Little Big Company for more ways to celebrate like a gun totin’ outlaw.

1st birthday partysource: Make it Cozee

5. ONE Fish, Two Fish

While this theme could be used for a single child, I think it would be super cute for twins celebrating their first birthday. You could expand on the whole Dr. Seuss idea, and dress the two kids up as Thing 1 and Thing 2. I mean, how adorable would that be? If you wanted to stay in the “ONE Fish, Two Fish zone, you could serve goldfish crackers and use food coloring to make red and blue foods to represent the red fish and the blue fish.

Find more ways to throw a Dr. Seuss inspired party at Make it Cozee.

1st birthday partysource: Girl About Columbus

6. Home ONE

Not only is “Home ONE” a cute little play on words, it’s also what little kids often sound like when they say “home run.” If you’re a baseball fan or have a tot who you hope will grow to be interested in baseball someday, this theme knocks it out of the park. Use baseballs for table centerpieces, serve chips or dip out of a baseball glove and serve peanuts and cracker jacks as snacks.

See more baseball birthday party fun at Girl About Columbus.

Leena Kollar

Leena Kollar

Contributing Writer at Life As Mama
I'm a wife, mother and everything else associated with domestic life. I can often be found hiding from my kids to sneak treats (especially ice cream). I love rainbows and naps, and I find any excuse to go to Target. When I actually make it out of the house in real clothes, I document my outfits on my fashion blog, Leather & Lip Gloss. My love for fashion also inspired me to start my own comprehensive style website, The Style Spectrum.
Leena Kollar
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