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  • Pregnancy can go without troubling morning sickness

    Pregnancy can go without troubling morning sickness

    Pregnancy is a blissful condition, and motherhood is one of the most beautiful experiences in every woman’s life, but the fact is that it goes together with some not so pleasant aspect. Morning sickness is one of them.

Baby

Practical Tips Every New Mom Needs To Understand Baby’s Milestones

October 31, 2024 by • Pregnancy & Birth, Todler • Tags: Baby’s Milestones, Practical Tips Every New Mom Needs To Understand Baby’s Milestones • 0 Comments

Introduction

First of all, congratulations! You’re a new mother now! The early weeks and months of your newborn are filled with many milestones you’d want to be there to capture. The changes come swift, but so does the happiness.

It’s hard to admire the scenery in the roller coaster ride of motherhood, but with every issue met, it’s important to know you aren’t alone. The fourth trimester has its pitfalls and possibilities, challenges and promises. 

Together with other mothers like yourself, let’s get you a map guide of tips and advice including a supportive midwife or birth doula to assist you in navigating your child’s first year on this earth. An exciting journey full of hope, love, and growth awaits!

Milestone Tips for New Moms During Baby’s First Year

It’s quite thrilling to bring home a newborn, but it is equal parts overwhelming as well. Your new normal as a child caretaker brings new experiences as the baby grows up. The first year of development is quite special and filled with milestones that thrill many new parents.

This article was designed to give every new mama pertinent advice and insights to make this journey much smoother and less filled with unnecessarily or avoidable difficulties.

You can also go about things on a trial-and-error basis, but isn’t it better make fewer errors, trials, and tribulations? In any case, it’s time to know baby signals, helping the infant grow, setting up healthy habits, and making the home safe, loving, and baby-proofed. 

1. Learning the Sleep Patterns of the Newborn

The first few days of existence of a newborn baby out of the womb is acclimatization to life without the womb. The child now has to eat on its own rather than share what the mother eats. It’s around this time too that their sleep patterns seem random chance and unpredictable. 

As the inexperienced parent, don’t forget the tiny stomach of your new baby. Thusly, they need to eat often instead of just three times a day, leading to them waking you up many times nightly for food.

It’s important to feed your child as needed as a nursing mother. They help your baby gain weight well and build your milk supply for them. 

To lower SIDS risk while also ensuring safe sleep, always put your baby on their back when they’re sleeping for both naps and for nightly deep sleep.

You should have a bedtime routine even with the presence of your newborn. This can assist said newborn in understanding when it’s time to sleep. The crib should be set up simply. Avoid putting toys, pillows, and blankets in it to ensure the sleeping environment is perfectly plain and safe. 

2. The Art of Changing Diapers

Taking care of babies requires you to master the art of changing diapers. You should get used to it quickly with practice in the early weeks. You can pick between cloth diapers that you can reuse or disposable diapers that will fill up your garbage bags (so buy of those too). 

Regardless of diaper type, it’s important to change them often. This keeps your child comfortable and lowers their risk for diaper rash.

You should check to ensure you have all the tools and paraphernalia prepared for diaper changing. You should have the following baby products on hand:

  • Baby wipes
  • Clean diapers
  • Barrier cream
  • Diaper rash cream 
  • Nearby trashcan for diaper disposal
  • Changing mat or designated changing area
  • Nearby exclusive laundry hamper for unclean cloth diapers

As the diaper is changed, clean the baby’s area gently. You can use a soft cloth or air-drying on the skin to dry it out. Using a barrier cream can defend the infant’s sensitive skin from irritation and moisture.

3. Understanding the Crying Baby

New mothers can tell over time that babies have different cries for different needs. Their cries are hard to decode at first, but as your bonds deepen and you get to know each other better, maternal instincts kick in to decipher what each cry means.

For the baby, crying is their only way to alert the mother if they’re uncomfortable, hungry, need their diaper changed, or simply wants to cuddle.

When choosing the best baby and postpartum essentials, listen to the needs of your baby and let that guide your choice. During the early days of the newborn stage, it’s normal for the baby to cry quite often.

Crying a lot is the baby’s way of getting used to being outside the womb and communicating with Mommy by the sounds they make.

When a baby cries, first check their basic needs. Are they hungry? Or do they need a diaper change? If you have no issues on those two things, try giving them a pacifier instead to pacify them as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics or AAP.

The other ways to sooth your baby is by your presence, touch, and voice. Talk to the child in a calming manner. It’s okay if you’re figuring out things as you go. Trust your instincts and rest assured that both you and your baby are figuring things out together.

4. Your Feeding Choices for Baby

During the first week and early months of your baby, feeding them is quite special and essential. You can feed your child through breastfeeding if you have the time and opportunity to do so or do formula feeding if, for example, you’re a working mom.

Each method comes with their own pros and cons you should be aware of to ensure the nourishment of your child when push comes to shove.

There are a number of health benefits to breastfeeding for not just your baby but also for you, the new mother. However, it can be tricky to do. It might be wise to have a milk powder formula on hand in case you have lactation issues on top of consulting with a lactation consultant.

The consultant can serve as your guide on how to hold the baby while breastfeeding and solving any other logistical issues when all is said and done.

If you wish to use formula instead for convenience or even a mix of both breastfeeding and bottle feeding, you can buy many safe and healthy cow’s milk choices for the needs of the child.

Consult your pediatrician as well for the best results. The both of you can work in tandem to find the best formula choices for your baby’s daily nourishment.

5. Witnessing Baby’s First Smile and Emotional Growth

You’ll experience many special moments during those first few weeks as a new family. One of the best milestones is your child’s first smile. This sweetest of your bonding moments shows better than words that your baby is starting to grow emotionally.

The smile indicates the newborn is now interacting with the world around them. While we’re at it, make sure to make eye contact with your baby often. When they gurgle and coo, respond with excitement and love.

Your watchful gaze, touch, and voice all assist in building a strong bond and base for their well-being and emotion. If you’re a pet owner, cuddle with your baby like you would with your fur baby. 

Read, sing, or talk to your infant from the early days onward. This will teach your child to learn sounds from what they hear. Such actions will also support their language skills as they mature.

6. Make Your Baby’s Muscles Stronger with “Tummy Time”

Your baby won’t find “tummy time” fun in the beginning. However, it’s another key part of their development. It’s an activity that assists in strengthening their shoulder, back, and neck muscles.

To start with tummy time, first place the infant in a play mat or soft blanket. It’s recommended that the session be done after they’ve bathed in warm water. Get down on their level and make eye contact or use toys to catch the baby’s attention. 

If your baby feels uncomfortable, you can also place them on your chest while lying on your back to get them to do the tummy time pose there. You can even support the infant’s chest with a rolled-up towel or a tummy time pillow you can buy online.

The baby also benefits in terms of healthily developing their motor skills. The sessions for tummy time should be short, just a few minutes done multiple times every day. 

Once your baby truly starts developing their muscles with tummy time, you can start extending every session. Regular repetition of tummy time is what makes it effective. Add it to your baby’s routine to watch them develop ASAP.

7. Recognize Your Baby’s Early Senses and Stimulate Them

Right after birth, the infant will begin developing their five senses. Now that they’re out of the womb, they’ll come across the world’s sights, sounds, smells, and textures full of wonder and curiosity. This is only natural, since everything is new to them. 

At first, the infant’s vision will be unclear, but they will recognize patterns and bright colors. Help boost your child’s senses with playtime. 

For example, play soft music and show then bright-colored toys. Allow them to (safely) explore different textures by touching their hands with yours or different gentle fabrics. Stimulation is the first step towards their development of most of their five senses.

Always watch your baby when they’re playing. Pick infant-safe toys with no choking hazards. Encourage sensory play because it’s a great method for helping newborns, learn, grow, and develop their sight, hearing, and touch.

8. Milestones in Language Development and Baby’s First Words

One of the biggest milestones of the child’s first year is their first word or words. A new parent would definitely want that recorded somehow on their phone via video for posterity. They want to capture the memory of the child saying their first words for sure.

In the first few months, the infant isn’t likely to speak or form whole words. However, this period is special in terms of their language development. Don’t forget that infants start communicating with coos, gurgles, and cries already.

The next step to cries and other baby noises is speaking like Mommy and/or Daddy. The first step is coos before speaking actual words in the parents’ Mother Tongue (so to speak).

Encourage infant language development by talking to the child often. Talking and eye contact is the mother’s way of acknowledging those coos, gurgles, and cries anyway. Talk to them like you’re having a conversation.

You can also read to them out loud and watch as they attempt to copy your words like a copycat. They’ll say the words without comprehending them at first, but eventually realization will dawn on them as their language evolves.

Buy children’s books or picture books for your child. You can also buy baby books with different textures that assist with the development of their sense of touch. Such choices will help capture the child’s attention and make reading fun for them.

9. Safety First When It Comes to Baby-Proofing the Home

As the baby develops their mobility, it’s your priority to create a safe home environment for them to explore without exposing themselves to risk and harm.

According to the CDC, this means as a parent that you should babyproof your home, which in other words means making the hazards of the home inaccessible to your curious, naïve child. 

Many potential hazards may come your child’s way as they go crawling around. Don’t be embarrassed about getting down on all fours and exploring the nooks and crannies of your home to see where your child could explore and hurt themselves.

See the world from your child’s perspective to identify risky areas and objects. Make sure your pills are in babyproofed containers that you need to push and twist to open. Put away all the small objects that pose as choking hazards.

Secure furniture from tipping, like putting rubber tips on chair and table legs to make them hard for baby to push or accidentally bump. Put away al your breakable vases in safer locations, like upstairs or inside closed closets. 

Here’s a quick checklist of things to watch out for:

  • Furniture: Secure your furniture to prevent them from tipping over.
  • Electric Outlets: Install outlet covers to prevent accidental infant electrocution.
  • Stairs: Install safety gates to prevent the child from falling over the stairs.
  • Choking Hazards: Put away all small objects in out-of-reach drawers and cabinets.
  • Car Safety for Infants: Install a rear-facing car seat to make it easier for infants to ride. 

10. Your Friendly Pediatrician: Checkups and Baby Vaccinations

Make sure your child is perfectly healthy by ensuring they attend pediatrician (baby doctor) visits religiously. Such healthcare professionals keep an eye out for your infant’s health, growth, and development.

These pediatric checkups serve as your opportunity to ask for tips on baby healthcare and rearing directly from a professional. You can even share any worries and concerns with them as you get informed of what you’re doing right and what else you need to do.

You should also keep up with the vaccination track record of your child in their first year. This will help you prevent common childhood diseases, from polio (which has been making a comeback) to chicken pox to measles. 

During every visit, the doctor will monitor height and weight in order to check if your baby is meeting development milestones by the week or month. Ask the doctor about any health issues your infant might have.

Before the visit, list down the questions and topics you wish to discuss with the good doctor. Prepping yourself will assist you in getting the most out of your baby doctor’s visit.

11. Introducing Solids as Your Baby’s First Foods

Cow’s milk or human breast milk does the job in giving your child their nutrients right out of the womb in drink and food form. However, there will come a time when you’ll have to introduce solid foods to their diet. 

Consult your pediatrician for more details regarding this. Usually, solid foods are introduced within six months. As a new mother, you’ll discover the taste preferences of your baby by instinct and trial and error. You’ll introduce them to so many textures and flavors to choose from.

Begin by giving your baby pureed foods from the grocery or DIY pureed with your purifier but using only one ingredient. They can be vegetables or fruits.

Check for any sensitivities or allergies to certain foods. You can gradually add more different foods as your baby acclimates themselves to eating solids. Make sure they’re suitable to the age of your baby and are easy to eat.

The time for experiencing new tastes and sensations by food exploration is now. Expect things to be messy at first. Patience is a virtue you should learn. Enjoy your child diving into solid foods regardless.

12. Cultivating the Sleep, Eat, and Play Routine

One way to assist in the development of your child is structure and order. Allow them to develop a steady routine to greatly help in not only their maturity but your peace of mind since all humans are creatures of habit.

Patterns and routines also help tremendously in setting your baby (and yourself) at ease with security and order. Your family members will be thankful for having a scheduled baby routine.

As your infant matures, establish clear patterns for when to sleep, eat, and play. Let your child learn these patterns and anticipate them. This will also make it easier for you to decipher their nonverbal communication since you’re now both on the same page.

Watch your baby’s signals when they’re hungry or sleepy. You’ll be establishing the pattern based on your baby’s needs. Set regular nap times, feedings, and play times. 

Be a little flexible, but also mostly establish structure and habit formation with your routine to lead to big improvements on child discipline and peacefulness. They’re also less likely to cry excessively as both you recognize and anticipate their routine.

Don’t forget that your baby requires acclimatization to the new routine even if it is based on when they’re hungry and their own sleeping patterns. Have patience and be consistent with your actions. Pay attention to your baby’s reactions and adjust the schedule thusly. 

13. Preparing for Baby Mobility from Rolling Over to Sitting Up

At six months old, you’ll start seeing some exciting developments on your baby’s gross motor skills or mobility. All that tummy time training has prepared your baby for this moment!

Your child could even reach early milestones, like the ability to roll over by themselves. They can also grab toys or start sitting up on their own without your assistance or support. Assist their development by creating a fun and safe place for them to explore their mobility.

Put their toys out of reach to encourage them to stretch their limbs more or outright move forward instead of just staying put on their crib or baby bed. 

It’ll be a joy watching them finally start crawling for their toys or even for you as they joyfully demand some cuddle time with Mommy. Crawling is a big step towards them moving on their own two feet by walking. 

Don’t forget that each baby develops at their own pace, so be patient. It’s completely normal for a child to learn to crawl sooner or later. Either way is fine.

14. The Excitement of the Baby Standing and Taking Their First Steps

A flood of emotions may overcome you as your infant baby goes from shaky steps while holding onto their crib or the couch to taking their first steps as a full-blown six-month-old toddler.

They’ve moved from crawling to you joyfully to walking to you on wobbly Bambi legs, excited to move around like Mommy does. The baby’s first steps are undoubtedly one of the proudest moments for parents, showcasing the child’s development as they start bravely exploring the world around them.

These moments used to be called Kodak Moments, but now they’re certainly worth more than a snapshot but instead whole phone videos! It’s certainly a special time for celebration.

Once you’ve baby-proofed your home, you can feel more at ease in helping your baby start the fun journey towards independent mobility. Of course, you don’t want your child to become too free or mobile, but them going from laying down to crawling to walking is quite inevitable.

Don’t forget to acknowledge and praise them for this important achievement, because this helps them build confidence on their ability to walk. They can only get better with practice.

To support your child’s milestone, create a safe space for them to practice. Aside from having a babyproofed home, you can get lower tables, stools, and furniture they can lean on without tipping them over to aid in their walking.

Babies falling and spilling over as they learn to stand and walk is a normal part of the learning experience. They learn by trial and error as well as through the encouragement of their parents.

Be there for them for every literal step of the way as your formerly helpless infant finally becomes a toddler who can walk on their own two feet.

15. Encourage Baby Movement from Crawling to Walking

Remember, before they can walk, they need to learn how to craw first. Just as before they can run, they need to know how to walk first.

Observe and react in accordance to how your child develops their motor skills. First, they’ll move by rolling around and using their limbs to crawl towards you.

The next big milestone aside from your baby talking is, of course, walking upright on their own two feet just like Mommy and Daddy. Get your camera phone or video app ready when that happens!

This big achievement should be observed every step of the way to avoid missing it, because these kids really do grow up so fast. Also, it’s important to remember that every baby moves at their own pace.

Babyproofing the home ensures that the child has many chances to move and explore without worrying about risk. Let them do this in a fun and safe place where all the outlets have covers and all the crawlspaces have been sealed away to remove risk from their tiny little adventures.

Conclusion

You’ll be faced with important moments and a deluge of feelings as you navigate through your infant’s first year. This is when you’re supposed to learn how to change the baby’s diapers and support the emotional growth of the child.

Every step towards the child’s development will be special. Don’t forget that every baby is an individual. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, trust your maternal instincts, and enjoy the journey.

By learning things like understanding the baby’s cries, adjusting to their sleep patterns, and supporting their language development, you’ll help build a strong base for their future development from puberty onwards. It’s crucial to also observe safety and routines as well as regular visits to the pediatrician.

Treasure every one of the baby’s firsts, like first laugh, first word, and first step towards walking or running. The bight future of the child is dependent on your love and care.

Welcome both troubles and celebrations with grace. By doing this, you’ll do an awesome job as a new mother!

Frequently Asked Questions

For New Mothers, What’s the Most Difficult Part of the Baby’s First Year?

Sleep deprivation as you have to feed the baby regularly due to their tiny tummies. Many new mothers also have to deal with breastfeeding challenges while also trying to decode their baby’s cries. Is the baby hungry or does their diaper need changing?

During the first year, it’s naturally challenging to acclimate the baby to a routine. Motherhood is overwhelming, but this is a common human experience shared by every new mother. 

How Can a Mother Stimulate Her Baby’s Development in Their First Year?

Curiously enough, fun playtime activities can help the baby grow. Don’t deprive them of playing and toys because these all help engage their senses. 

Playing with your child also assists you in developing a bond with your baby. Create a supportive, caring safe space for your infant to enjoy and explore new experiences in their first year of living.

What are the Signs that The Baby Can Now Eat Baby Food?

A six-month old infant should be ready to try out solid foods after months of breastfeeding and/or bottle-feeding with milk formula. Signs they might have to start eating without milk (not necessarily weaning time yet) is having good head control and showing interest with your “adult” food.

Your child can also get to eat some baby food once they’re able to sit up without assistance. This is a crucial step towards their nutrition, self-feeding, and maturation. 

When Should You Start Reading to Your Baby at Bedtime?

You can read storybooks and fairy tales to your baby as a newborn, actually. At first, they obviously won’t understand the words yet. However, hearing your soothing voice and having a bonding moment with books should help instill a love for reading in them down the line.

Reading early on also supports language development in the infant, making your mother tongue or the language/s used at your home easier for them as they grow up while you and your child grow closer together.

Are You Pregnant

Six Signs That You Are Pregnant [Infographic]

February 24, 2017 by • My Blog, Parenting, Pregnancy & Birth • 0 Comments

 

If you have already kids, you might be somewhat familiar with the symptoms or signs of being pregnant. Some women, though, do not know the symptoms are getting some of them surprised with the expectancy. Here is an infographic that shows the symptoms when expecting.

 

  1. Swollen and Tender Breasts

Don’t fret if your bra doesn’t seem to fit your chest or if you noticed you became busty. And sometimes that is not a sign of puberty but, rather, to a greater extent – pregnancy. Better change your tight clothing to loose ones. And also, be more careful not to bump your “enlarged” breasts.Swollen and Tender Breasts

  1. Morning Sickness

When pregnant, women experience nausea – something that triggers vomiting or having a feeling of the unsettled stomach. It’s called morning sickness because it actually occurs in the morning, but of course, nausea can ruin an entire day of a woman’s life.Morning Sickness

 

  1. Mood Swings

In the early stage of pregnancy (usually the first trimester), an expectant woman can have major mood swings. Laughing now, then later they cry. Yes, it’s weird. It is because of the tragic increase of the progesterone – a hormone that prepares the body for pregnancy.Mood Swings

 

  1. Insomnia

Pregnant women will have trouble sleeping or resting. It is because the body is always working to prepare the body for the upcoming baby. So, even if a pregnant woman sits all day or just watching Netflix, they feel they have had a 40-km triathlon. That’s exasperating!Insomnia

 

  1. Cravings

Pregnant women crave for food (and sometimes, weird food). Well, they might be relatively hungry, but most probably, it’s the hormones asking for weird food. A pregnant woman may also instantly hate a food or beverage she used to LOVE before.Cravings

 

  1. Bathroom Visit

The growing uterus just keeps on telling your bladder to visit the bathroom. So, don’t be puzzled about your body always wanting to go to the comfort room. Deal with it, you’re pregnant! So, always keep your body hydrated by drinking lots of fluids.Bathroom Visit

 

Those are the symptoms when you are pregnant. Quite not sure about your body? You can use Pregnancy Test Kits to ensure expectancy. It may also best to visit an OB-Gyne Clinic. You know your body much then your spouse. So, it is always you who can tell if there is strange happening in your body. You might want to check for baby cribs as preparation. Read our next post.

Visit the full infographic at this link.

What Not to Buy for Your Baby

What Not to Buy for Your Baby

February 14, 2017 by • My Blog • 1 Comment

Having a newborn in the house is such an exciting time in every parent’s life. As a new parent, you probably can’t wait to shop for your baby needs. However, before you rush to the mall, you should sit down, research, and identify what products you should avoid buying.

Be mindful that not all products are safe for your child. Just because they are sold in the store means every item is suitable for your baby. It is unfortunate, but some products may possibly cause serious injuries to your precious one. This is why it is important to research each product first before taking it from the shelf.

Here are some baby products that we highly recommend to avoid.

Drop-Side Crib

A drop-side crib is designed to give you a convenient way to access to your child. You don’t have to put much effort and bend over to reach your child. It is built with one or two sides that slide down for easy access.

Why it is dangerous:

This type of crib has been linked to numerous deaths in the past few years which became the reason why the US Consumer Product Safety Commission ordered a recall. The drop-side feature may possibly suffocate or strangle your baby. The alternative is to use a crib with fixed sides or a convertible crib with simple and sturdy structure.

Infant Bath Seats

Infant bath seats are designed to place your baby in a sitting position while bathing them. This provides you with assistance so you can quickly and conveniently wash your child.

Why it is dangerous:

There have been reports of incidents and deaths related to this product. Bath seats can accidentally tip and fall over to the water causing your baby to drown especially if left unattended. It is safer to use a sturdy plastic bathtub for your baby and never leave them unattended even for just one second.

Sling Carriers

What Not to Buy for your Baby

Sling carriers can suffocate the baby

A sling carrier allows you to keep your child close to your body. It is similar to carrying a bag, however, in this case, you are carrying your baby. It may offer you a peace of mind knowing that your child is safe, but in reality, it is giving you a false sense of security.

Why it is dangerous:

There have been reports of injuries including severe fractures, contusions, and even death. The most common cause is when the child falls from the carrier, while in some cases, the baby gets suffocated inside the carrier. Some sling carriers are not robust and durable enough to carry a child. More about the dangers of sling carriers can be read in Mayo Clinic.

Walkers

Walkers help train your baby to stand and walk on their own. Although this may be a helpful tool in your child’s development, it may also pause as a danger to your baby. Your child can accidentally slide and fall on the stairs.

Why it is dangerous:

Some walkers may be built with safety features like rubber friction strips to help stop the walker if the wheels go over the edge. However, these pieces may easily come off and wear out quickly. The best alternative is to put your baby in a walking activity area so they can learn to stand and walk safely without the help of any device.

Bumbo Seats

What Not to Buy Bumbo Seat

Kids using Bumbo seats may fall over.

Bumbo seats are manufactured in various colors and designs to assist and train your baby to sit in an upright position. They can learn to lean, arch, and even rock front and back.

 Why it is dangerous:

On the downside, while your child learns different seating positions, they may also have the tendency to fall off the chair. There have been numerous incidents linked to this matter especially since Bumbo seats have a high tendency to tip over. It is better to use a bouncer seat or a stationary seat to prevent a fall.

 

 

Top 5 Picks of the Best Baby Cribs

Top 5 Picks of the Best Baby Cribs

December 2, 2016 by • 04 • Tags: baby, Best Cribs, Convertible Cribs • 2 Comments

A crib is the safest place for your baby. Some parents opt to use a cradle or a bassinet for their newborn but investing in a crib is highly recommended. It is safe and comfortable as well, not to mention practical.

Buying a new crib, especially for the first time, is a big step for parents. You sure have no idea what type of crib to look for especially since there are a lot of products available in the market. There are certainly a lot of colors, designs, styles, materials, and functions to choose from. Baby Center has provided practical guidelines that may help you, as a parent, on buying the perfect crib for your kid.

When choosing a crib, be sure to get a piece that has above average safety features. A Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association or JPMA-certified product is highly recommended. After all, the safety feature is the most important factor when choosing a crib.

You won’t have to constantly check-up on your baby while you are cooking in the kitchen. Instead, it will give you a peace of mind. So invest well and choose the right product.

Here are some of the best cribs mom’s recommend:

  • Baby Cache Heritage Lifetime Convertible Crib

baby-cache-heritage This crib is produced from solid mahogany wood which makes it sturdy and long-lasting, plus the elegant design makes it look premium. This convertible crib can accommodate newborns up to three years old and can even last up to ten years old with the use of conversion kits. It converts from a crib to a bassinet, toddler bed, daybed or a full-sized bed using conversion kits which are sold separately.

 

This crib is a great buy because you can definitely use it for your next baby and the following after. It is best to purchase the conversion kits at the same time since the manufacturer sometimes modifies the finish.

 

  • Pottery Barn Kendall Low-Profile Fixed Gate Crib

This crib is designed with excellent craftsmanship and is manufactured with little side panels. It is suitable for newborn babies until they become a toddler. In this case, the crib can be converted into a toddler bed.

The side rails measures 4 inches below the height of standard cribs. This allows you to quickly reach and access your baby without having to stretch or tiptoe. It can be turned from a crib to a toddler bed using a conversion kit which can be purchased separately.

  • Delta Children Canton 4-in-1 Crib

 

This is another great pick especially since it can be converted from a crib to a toddler bed, daybed, or full-size bed with conversion rails sold separately. The Delta crib is produced from robust and durable wood material. This crib is suitable for babies up to 35 inches in height and 50 pounds heavy. It can be changed to either a toddler bed, daybed, or full-size bed.

 

  • Dream On Me Violet 7-in-1 Convertible LifeStyle Crib

 

dream-onThis crib is made from solid wood and comes in fun colors including natural, black, cherry, royal blue, white, violet, and espresso. It is equipped with a 4-position mattress support system. This crib can be converted to a toddler bed and daybed including 2 set-up options for both twin bed and full bed. The bed and conversion kit can be purchased separately.

 

Among other cribs, the Dream On Me offers the most conversion. It is produced using non-toxic finishing and is lead-free.

 

 

  • Da Vinci 4-in-1 Convertible Crib

 This crib is a popular choice due to its safety feature and affordability. It is made of non-toxic finish and meets the JPMA safety standards. This crib is designed with a lower rail for easier reach and comes with a 4-level mattress support. This crib, the same with other modern crib models, can be converted to a toddler bed, daybed, and full-sized bed.

 

10 Incredible Facts About Babies That Will Blow Your Mind

10 Incredible Facts About Babies That Will Blow Your Mind

December 1, 2016 by • 04 • Tags: amazing, baby, facts, inforgraphic • 0 Comments

With their cute face, little fingers, and adorable body, you would not think babies to be very superior in their own ways. Infants have skills and talents that they keep hidden for some time. But, apparently, they have failed to retain the secret.

Here’s a quick fact from this infographic from infrographicspedia:

headingIf a new baby is born in every 0.25 seconds, that means there are 24,192 newborn infants per week! And oh, keep the awe for yourself and prepare yourself as we reveal the 10 marvelous facts about babies:

You’ve been deceived by your child.

If you hear your infant crying, well, you’ve just been fooled.  Infants not older than three weeks cannot shed a tear – not just yet. What you hear from them is either holler or scream. And hearing them scream does not necessarily mean they are in trouble, but it is their natural way of calling your attention.

ifg2Babies are decisive

Babies are pretty straightforward and strong-minded. How? They can firmly decline or reject something with no guilt. For instance, if the baby turns head when you spoon food which means they have had enough.

Newborn babies have extra 96 bonesifg3

Babies have 300 bones while adults only have 206 bones. Does that mean human are growing abnormally? No. That’s just how the bone works. The 96 other bones soon combine to form stronger bone necessary for the growing body. So, you don’t have to worry about your baby losing these extra bones.

ifg4Infants can recognize their mom

Newborn babies, even with tiny eyes, can identify their mother. This is no surprise. Remember, the child has lived in the mother’s womb for 9 months, and in that period, the baby’s been ‘downloading’ the maternal instinct which includes the mother’s smell and voice. That said, a child can actively recognize its mother.

Strong and mightyifg5

They may look gentle and vulnerable, but no. Studies show that babies are stronger than animals. Babies have the same strength with an Ox. So beware not to be kicked by your infant, or you’ll get bruises.

ifg6Babies urinate 72 times a day

As the infographic revealed, newborn babies pee every 20 minutes. Doing the math, babies urinate up to 72 times per day. A baby’s bladder can hold 15mL of fluid, which means a baby can release up to 1080mL of urine per day.ifg7

Infants are geniuses!

Though yet unable to speak, babies have their own way of ‘saying’ or expressing their emotions. Their hand gestures can show different emotions such as happiness, anxiety, or excitement. They can also recognize facial expressions like smiles and laughs – and they are capable of giving it back.

ifg8They literally do not know what salt tastes like

Not until their kidneys are completely developed, babies cannot recognize the salty taste. They can only start enjoying salty food until they are 4 months old.

And again, babies have much than us.

Newborn babies have 10,000 taste buds. A person has 10,000 taste buds too, except that ifg9only half of it actually works. This leaves the 5,000 taste buds on adult tongue useless.

Babies do not have kneecaps

Without kneecaps, the knee is vulnerable but not for the babies. Newborn babies do not have kneecaps. What they have is a growing cartilage that acts as a kneecap. So, never fear to let your child crawl to explore the floor.ifg10

Foods Pregnant Women Should Avoid

Foods Pregnant Women Should Avoid

November 21, 2016 by • Healthy Living • Tags: alcoholic beverages, avoid, foods, pregnant women • 0 Comments

When you are pregnant, you have to stay healthy in every way possible. You should break the habits you once had before becoming a mom. Breaking your habit may be tedious especially when it comes to your diet. Making sure your food is healthy for you and the baby is not always easy. To stay in proper nourishment, you have to avoid the food that may risk the life of your child. Here are some of the food you should not eat as an expectant.Eating Healthy on Pregnancy

 

Avoid Undercooked Eggs

Eggs are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and protein. They offer a lot of silver linings for pregnant women only if they are cooked thoroughly. Under-cooked eggs like sunny-side-ups and other food groups with raw eggs like mayonnaise, Caesar’s dressing, and eggnogs are hazardous as they contain salmonella bacteria that harm the health of the bun in the oven.

 

Liver

Pregnant women need vitamin A. It is vital for the early growth, and it helps repair tissues after labor. Vitamin A can be found in veggies, fruits, meat, and dairy products. However, too much Vitamin A can cause congenital disabilities on the baby. Beef liver provides Vitamin A that is more than enough; hence, avoiding it while in pregnancy is a wise decision.

 

Alcoholic Beverages

Alcoholic beverages are said to harm the baby while on pregnancy, but supporting evidence were not yet presented. However, there is also no proven facts that it won’t hurt the baby. In a nutshell, avoiding alcoholic beverages is an intelligent act of prevention from Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.Pregnant Should Say No to Alcohol

 

Coffee

The intake of coffee while in pregnancy has been a serious topic in the health industry. Coffee, as an indulging beverage, is said to cause danger to the baby because of the caffeine. Don’t worry; you do not have to sober about it. Experts still approve drinking of one to two cups of coffee each day. Drinking too much coffee can lead to miscarriage. Tea with caffeine must also be drunk with limitations.

 

While on pregnancy, you have to keep in mind that you are eating for two. Healthy nourishment on your trimesters can result in a healthy baby. Have a regular consultation with your physician and discuss the diet that concerns you.

 

pregnancy-apps

Best Pregnancy Mobile Apps for Expecting Moms

October 19, 2016 by • Pregnancy & Birth • Tags: pregnancy apps, pregnant women, women mobile apps • 1 Comment

Becoming a first-time mom is one of the most exciting moments in a woman’s life. With today’s technology, there are many kinds of apps that can help guide you through your pregnancy. Gone are the days where you need to rely on pregnancy books or your other moms to help you step by step.
Now, all you need is a smartphone and an internet connection to access thousands of information at your disposal. Whatever info you need, all you need to do is ask Google and you’ll get your answer within seconds. Whether you are using an Android or an iOS device, there are numerous apps that are customized for pregnant women.

Each app may have different features but some have similar functions. Either way, these apps can make your life easier and more organized during your nine months. Here are 10 of the best apps for expectant moms.

babybump1. BabyBump Pregnancy Pro – This app acts like a journal to help record your weight, size of your bump, mood, cravings, thoughts, and other important details. It has a library of baby names you can choose from plus you can customize your birth plan. This app provides you with tips and updates on your weekly pregnancy development.

BabyBump has a community forum where you can interact with fellow expecting moms and share experiences with each other. It also has a baby kick counter, contraction timer, and online shop.

2. Sprout Pregnancy – Sprout helps you stay organized while educating you about the changes in your body as well as the development of your baby. It tracks every stage of your pregnancy. There are different sections that provide doctor’s advice, tips on what to expect, and a journal to keep track of your progress. Also included is a checklist for your hospital bag.

3. Pregnancy++ – This app displays photographic images of real fetuses that represent every week of your pregnancy including the development of your fetus through a 2D or 3D ultrasound scan and computer animation. The Pregnancy++ is highly recommended by pediatricians due to its up-to-date information.

4. My Pregnancy Today – It covers a wide range and a little bit of everything. This app has a community forum, baby development monitor, and a contraction tracker. If you want to ask anything related to pregnancy, labor, and baby supplies, the My Pregnancy Today can help answer your questions.

5. mPregnancy – This is the first pregnancy app for iPhone users that caters to expecting fathers. It describes what’s happening inside your belly in a tone that men can understand. For example, your baby’s dimension is compared to the size of a football.

This way men can easily relate to the jargons. It also features a countdown for your due date and tips on how the soon-to-be-dad can help the expectant mom.

6. I’m Expecting – The home page displays adorable photos of babies. This app keeps track of your pregnancy weight, baby bump, and symptoms. It features daily and weekly updates on your baby’s development. The community forum allows you to interact with other moms where you can post questions and reach out to other users.

babynames7. Baby Names – If you are thinking of what to name your baby then this app is definitely for you. This app has thousands of names that you can sort by gender, origin or popularity. Each suggested name comes with a historical fact and meaning as well as the pronunciation.

8. Totally Pregnant – This app allows you to personalize your experience once you input your due date. It has 3D videos of your baby’s development, informative videos, pregnancy articles, links to baby stores and healthcare services. It also features a Q&A with experts. Totally Pregnant can be used by hospitals who want to promote and sell their services to pregnant women.

9. Glow Nurture – The Glow Nature app is designed to support expectant mothers. It monitors your health and you can interact with other pregnant moms with the same due date. A planner keeps your appointments in check so you won’t miss out on your check-up.

10. MommyMeds – The MommyMeds is more of a reference app where you can easily search for medicines using the brand name or a barcode scanner. You can quickly identify the drug information in relation to pregnant or breastfeeding moms.

So-What Things Pregnant Women Can Do

So-What Things Pregnant Women Can Do

October 4, 2016 by • Pregnancy & Birth • Tags: birth, pregnancy, pregnant women • 0 Comments

“Aren’t you pregnant?” – Many gravid women have been asked by this question when they do things folks think expectant women should be afraid of doing. Several ladies think their everyday norms would be greatly changed when they conceive; which is one of the sundry reasons why some are afraid of getting pregnant.

This paradox must be uprooted in our minds. Ethically trues as it can be, things go somehow different for a pregnant woman since her daily activities are already engaged with her little darling on her tummy. But there are still numerous wonderful things a pregnant woman can do for a healthy pre-natal care.

Getting Physical with Madonna

pregnant_excerciseExercising is no doubt beneficial for everyone. It enhances our system and makes us more physically healthier. Physical activities are even more vital during pregnancy for women as it cast out prenatal profits.

In the annual meeting of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) in San Diego, researcher Melissa Hauge, MD, a clinical assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Kansas School of Medicine, says “pregnant women are still afraid exercise is going to hurt their child.” This founding has been presented by Hauge after conducting a survey in 90 women. She found out most of the regular exercisers thought exercising – and even walking – can be hazardous.

This ice was broken by ACOG when they issued an opinion of exercise during pregnancy. Unless OK-ed by their personal doctors, a pregnant woman can take physical fitness programs moderately for 30 minutes, says ACOG. However, of course, activities that may compromise the child such as actions with high risk of falling, interaction sports, and scuba diving should never be done.

Run The World

A working pregnant woman – so what? Yes, you can be a working mom – a money making woman with kicking little one on the tummy. Talk to your personal consultant to give you wise counsel whether working is practical or not. It mostly depends on the type and longevity of the work. However, working in front of your computer isn’t thought to be hazardous for your child.

Fear No Your Privilege

Pregnant women have the powerful privilege no one can ever argue with. This power, if not well manage, can be used abusively or coherently.

“I need to rest up.” – Five words that can easily manipulate things and no one can ever argue with that, even Superman. This privilege can help you escape in-law visits, boring work hours, or you can just say it when you feel like napping. Never fear excusing yourself, you know you’ll always win.

Continue The Love Saga

pregnany_loveMany believe that love-making during pregnancy can cause miscarriage and other harm for the child. Does it? Miscarriage usually occurs when fetus isn’t developing normally. Additionally, a developing baby is well protected by the amniotic fluid in your uterus and strong muscles around it, thus sexual activity is generally not an issue.

Frankly to say, some are not really afraid of having intercourse during pregnancy but they are rather influenced by their unstable emotions due to hormonal fluctuations, fatigue, nausea, and breast tenderness that lowers the sexual craving. This is usually normal.

Intercourse is a normal process in relationships. You hypocrite, never say you’ll never yearn for it. It does not only give pleasure but also a lot of prenatal benefits: it strengthens the muscles in the pelvic floor which will give you an easier labor, it reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, it prepares you for labor, improves self-esteem, and makes connections stronger.

Goodbye Fear!

You see, being pregnant is not so bad. There are things you shouldn’t fear doing and more things you’ll get to enjoy with no hesitations. So the next time someone questions you for doing amazing things – so what?

recipe

Sally Bee’s Awesome Heart Healthy Cookbook

July 13, 2016 by • Recipe • 1 Comment

recipeAs a mom, I am always looking for recipes that are healthy and tasty.  Looking out for the health of my children is always a top priority and it is sometimes easy to forget my own health.  The following story is a little reminder of why we all need to make sure that we are taking care of ourselves as moms.

At the age of 36, Sally Bee suffered three major heart attacks in the space of a week and the doctors called her husband so he could say goodbye before she died. She had never smoked, didn’t drink and was fit and healthy. Sally Bee’s story of survival and recovery from her heart attacks are nothing short of a miracle. Baby-step by baby-step, Sally defied all the odds and, five years later, is vital and healthy.

The most important thing for Sally during her recovery (thinking she wouldn’t live for much longer) was sitting down and eating with her family every night. To save her heart, Sally needed to eat healthily but her kids didn’t want just salads and seeds, so she began creating new recipes that they’d all enjoy, including versions of comforting classics and delicious desserts.

Sally Bee believes that her miraculous survival is due to her appetizing and achievable healthy eating plan, which she and her whole family enjoy. She has written a cookbook, THE SECRET INGREDIENT (Sterling, June 15, 2010;).

We have posted some of them below and the recipes are easy, affordable and YUMMY!!!

Get cooking everyone.

BBQ Fruit Skewers

Chicken Chilli Burgers

Spicy Couscous

Chicken Risotto Parcel

We all know the principles of eating a healthy diet, but actually translating that knowledge into an easy and affordable meal can be a challenge. THE SECRET INGREDIENT has recipes that the whole family will enjoy including Chili Con Healthy, Healthiest-Ever Lasagna, Ratatouille Chicken Tray Bake and BBQ Fruit Skewers with Ice Cream.

recipeThroughout her book, Sally tells her inspirational story and gives encouragement and support for changing your eating habits, and those of your children, without feeling deprived and in a way that works for life. She’s living proof.

Sally’s self-published edition of THE SECRET INGREDIENT went to #1 on Amazon UK’s food and drink best-seller list. She sold out her stock in a matter of weeks, including selling 12 copies to the White House. Sally is now an internationally best-selling author and has been invited to visit the White House in June 2010.

I consider her an example of a woman who has triumphed and conquered and wanted to share her inspirational story with all of our readers who triumph and conquer every day.

Please give us your opinions of the recipes. Do you love them as much as we did?

Toilet Training

Toilet Training Your Toddler

July 13, 2016 by • Toilet Traning • 0 Comments

There are so many different and effective methods of toilet training your child. As time (and months) ticked by, I remember looking at my mother in despair when my child refused to use the toilet. After not listening to her for well over a year something changed…I finally heard what she was saying. She had told me time and time again that this would not go on forever. My child wanted to use the toilet. It is part of every child’s normal development. It will happen when my child is ready. Forcing the issue will only MAKE it an issue. Patience was required and I would be rewarded. And Mom you were right. It took some patience but now we are diaper free. The moment that I stopped pushing, my child started on the journey to Pottyland.

Toilet TrainingHere is the technique that I found effective.

WORDS: Choose the language that you are going to use with your child. Are you going to say “pee” or “wee wee”? Whatever you choose make sure that you stick to these terms and use them during the entire toilet training process.

WATCH: Children learn by watching. Let your child watch you go to the washroom and talk about it with them while you are on the toilet. It might seem awkward but you are doing your child a wonderful service by teaching them that both Mommy and Daddy use the toilet too.

REWARD: You don’t need to reward with anything more than positive reinforcement. It can go miles. Have a mini celebration every time your child uses the toilet.

If you hit a roadblock, try out some special treats if the child reaches a goal of your choice. My child refused to go #2 on the toilet; he was actually terrified of it. I decided that bribery may work to get him over this developing phobia (I know, I know). One day when we were playing he mentioned a specific toy and talked about longingly. Instead of saying, “Let’s write that down for your Birthday or Santa!” I decided to say the following, “I am going to buy that toy for you. You can play with it every time you poop on the toilet. If you stop pooping on the toilet, I am going to put it away until you poop on the toilet again. What do you think of that?”. My child looked at me and quickly asked me when I was getting the toy…Later that day I escaped to get the toy and my child went poop on the toilet the moment I walked in the front door. We have never looked back.

This strategy might not work for everyone but I sure hope that it does.

READINESS:

Try not to force your child to toilet train. They will get to a stage of development where it is something that they are going to want to do naturally and on their own. Read books and look for DVDs about toilet training. Talk about it with them so that they know that going to the toilet is always an option. Try and peak their interest.

Toilet TrainingThere is no perfect time for toilet training. If you have a specific target that you have to meet, like your daycare won’t accept toddlers in diapers, you will have to work a little harder to make your child fit your schedule. Talk to your daycare about flexibility in their timing. A lot of daycares don’t want to force a child into something that they are not ready for because it only leads to setbacks down the road. Some children are just not ready to train when others are. There is nothing wrong with that and the child should never be made to feel guilty or shamed, and neither should you.

NO SHAME:

Children crave attention. Attention can come in the form of positive or negative reinforcement. Praise your child for a job well done and the child will seek that praise by repeating the task. If an accident occurs or if there is a setback to diapers, choose not to shame your child. Just go with the flow. By removing a reaction you remove the benefit(or attention) from the action. Give your child a chance to figure this out on their own with your loving guidance, not a heavy hand.

Good Luck!

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