Bumpers: Do benefits outweigh risk?

    Decorating your newborn's nursery can be one of the most exciting things when welcoming a new little one into your life. Mommies like to "nest" and get ready for their little one. The nursery happens to be one of the first things mommies usually start doing, at least in their head.

    I loved decorating my son's bedroom. I remember looking for hours and hours at different sites and bedding and trying to decide what to use. It was a bit overwhelming. After I finally decided on the bedding, style, patterns, etc., I asked my husband the all famous question, "Should we get a bumper?" Of course he said, "I don't know. If you want to, then get it." Ha! It was not a matter of money, design, or style, it was a matter of whether or not it would be safe for my baby.

This was the bedding I decided on. Contemporary yet not to "babyish". 19 months later, I still love it!

     I knew the general consensus was that bumpers were not safe. I decided to research a little and see what was out there. I usually go to the American Academy of Pediatrics website. It is a very trusted and used website by doctors. They recommend that infants do not sleep with a bumper.

   I then decided to ask my pediatrician. He said absolutely not to have any type of bumper in our bed. We had already bought the mesh type of bumper because I thought that surely that would be okay. It was breathable unlike other bumpers made to be like "pillows". I mean breathable is good right? Wrong! They can still cause the same effects as pillow type bumpers.

This is the mesh bumper that we got and put in Brody's bed before visiting our pediatrician.

This is our first house with Brody's crib and mesh bumper. This was before we decided to take it out.

This is our house now with Brody's crib and no bumper at all. Not a huge difference in the look.

     So after talking to our pediatrician and the recommendation from AAP, we decided to not do a bumper. According to both, the benefits outweigh the risk. Here is why:

• A baby will not likely be able to hit the rails hard enough to hurt.
• The first few months of life they will be swaddled anyway and won't be able to roll around.
• It is much better for a baby to have a small bruise if they do bump themselves rather than die from suffocation.
• The worst that can happen without a bumper is a bump or bruise and possibly getting a leg or arm in between rails (which can be pulled out easily).
• The worst that can happen with a bumper is death.

     This was a no brainer for us. We did not want to risk Brody getting stuck in the bumper and not being able to breath. It helped me rest easier knowing that was not a possibility. His leg has gotten stuck 1 time in the rails in the entire 19 months that he has been using his crib. It doesn't happen to often. It didn't even leave a bruise. Don't get me wrong, I think cribs with bumpers are much cuter than those without, but we didn't want to risk it.

     I do know people who do use bumpers and have with every child. Their children are happy and healthy and the bumpers did not harm them.  I also know of people who use a bumper while their baby is still being swaddled. Once their baby can move more freely on their own while they sleep, they then remove the bumper. I am not saying that your baby WILL die if you use a bumper. Many don't. But many also have. It was not worth the risk to us. That is a decision you will have to make for you and your baby. Does the benefit outweigh the risk?

Until next time,



Breastfeeding vs. Formula Feeding

     This is the daunting question that many new mommies face. Will I breastfeed or formula feed? Let me say right off that whatever you choose is okay. Do not feel guilty by choosing one or the other. You should choose what is best for you and your baby.

 

     I personally really wanted to breastfeed. The decision was not hard for me. I did research and found that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusively breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life and breastfeeding while introducing other foods for the first year of life. So this is what I did. It was a very neat experience for me. It was not always easy or convenient, but I am so glad I did it. However, my cousin hated the thought of breastfeeding and did not even try. Neither of us were right or wrong, just different.

 

     When deciding whether to breastfeed or formula feed, you need to look at the pros and cons of both for you and your baby. Take into account any health issue that you as a mommy may have that may not be compatible with breastfeeding. I decided to do some research and create a list of pros and cons for breastfeeding and formula feeding. I hope it helps you in making your decision. Remember, these are general pros and cons of most babies, but some may not be true with your baby. Every baby is different.

 

Breastfeeding Pros	Breastfeeding Cons
Breast milk helps your baby fight infections better because your antibodies are given to your baby	Time consuming
Breast milk helps your baby’s development	You are the only one who can feed the baby unless you pump
Breast milk is said to help your baby have less learning and behavior issues	Pumping can be a hassle, time consuming, and painful
Helps with skin problems	It takes a lot of energy and can make mom tired
Less colic	It can create anxiety or frustration for you and the baby if it is not going well
Easier to digest	Sometimes mommies can get mastitis or engorgement, and it can be painful
Helps protect against SIDS, cancer, and other illnesses/diseases/viruses, as well as asthma, obesity, and allergies	For working mommies, it can be difficult to find time/places to pump while at work
Helps your baby's heart	You have to be cautious of medications and food you put into your body because your baby will receive them through your milk
It has all the essential nutrients your baby needs in the perfect amounts	You often need a private place to feed your baby
It is FREE and always available!	It can be hard to determine how much milk your baby is receiving
It helps you lose your baby weight
Convenient, especially during the night
It creates a unique bond between mom and baby
Less spit-up
Helps protect mom against some cancers
It may delay your menstrual cycle from coming so quickly after birth
Your body compensates to produce the amount of milk your baby needs by how much they are eating

 

 

 

Formula Feeding Pros	Breastfeeding Cons
Formula has lots of good ingredients to help your baby	Formula does not have all the nutrients that breast milk does
Others can feed your baby at any time	More colic, gas, and spit-up
Mommies can eat and take whatever medications they want/need	It is expensive
More flexibility and easier for working mommies	Your baby will not receive your antibodies and have protection against some viruses/illnesses and diseases (SIDS, asthma, allergies, common colds, etc.)
You don’t have to have a private place to feed your baby	Late night feedings are more difficult because you have to prepare the bottle
You know how much milk your baby is receiving	Some babies are allergic to formulas and you have to switch between several different kinds to find the right one
	Not as easy to digest as breast milk
	Your baby will not get the bonus breast milk nutrients that help with heart development, learning and behavior development, skin issues, etc.

 

     You have to decide what the most important things are to you. Here are a few important things to consider: nutrients your baby receives, antibodies your baby receives, protection your baby receives, money, time, availability, ease, and how each will effect you and your baby. Again, neither choice is right or wrong. They are just different and they each offer something different to you and your baby. You decide which is better for you.

 

     If you are choosing to or have to formula feed, Enfamil is rated #1 among pediatricians. I would recommend speaking to your personal pediatrician as well to see what they recommend for your baby. Remember, you may have to try several kinds depending on your baby and their needs.

     If you choose to nurse, there are some awesome cover-ups out there! Check out the Nursing Cover Boutique! They have some great options. This one is my favorite one!

 

This is a nursing cover, changing pad, pillow, and wipes case all in one!

 

     If you try nursing and it just doesn't work for whatever reason, don't beat your self up about it. Sometimes that happens and you did the best you could! If you are not ready to give up yet, try setting up an appointment with a lactation consultant in your area to see if they can help in any way. If your production is low, there are things you can drink to enhance milk production. One that is coming out soon is Tia and Tamra's new product. It is natural and safe for you to use and taste great! Check it out on their website. It is called Milky!

 

     If I had to recommend one over the other I would recommend breastfeeding if you can. The benefits outweigh the cons. I also believe there are better benefits in breast milk versus formula. However, remember that this is your choice and that you have the right to do whichever you think is best for you and your baby. Don't let anyone else tell you otherwise! Good luck!

 

Until next time,

6 Tips for Traveling with a Baby

       Traveling is one of the best experiences in my opinion. I wish I could travel more than I do, but I absolutely love it when I get the chance to! Once I had a baby, traveling took on a whole new meaning! It meant more bags, more planning, and more money! Here are a few tips in helping your trip run a little smoother!

1) Plan where you want to go and go!
Don't let having a baby with you deter your destination. Once you know where you are going you can research different hotels that are baby friendly. You can also research places to go and things to do that are fun for the whole family! It takes a little more planning but it is definately possible!

2) Call ahead.
If you are staying with/near a family or friend call ahead. See if they have any essential items that you dont have to bring with you. A few essential items would be a pack and play and car seat. It makes it much easier to not have to bring these items. If you are flying and they have a car seat you are going to use, have them check the expiration date and make sure that they bring it with them!

                   

3) If you are flying, take a bag with essentials only.

You don't want to tote a huge back through the airport. In this bag you should have bottle, nursing cover (if your breastfeeding exclusively), diapers, wipes, burp cloth, paci, blanket, a few small toys, hand sanitzer, and a few small snacks if your baby is old enough. I also recommending putting your wallet in the diaper bag so you just have 1 bag in the airport. Pack your purse in your suitcase!

4) Bring your car seat/stroller.

Obviously you probably won't forget this if are driving, but if you are flying it tends to get left behind. The airport has covers for your car seat to help it from getting ruined that you can request when you check your luggage. You can do the same for your stroller. The bags are somewhat thin and protect mainly against scratches and small holes. If you want something sturdier, they have bags/luggage you can buy for carseats. You can also do a gate check for your stroller if you want to take it with you through the airport. I do recommend this for airports, however, I recommend small strollers if you do this.

                         

 Luggage and Bag Covers for Car Seats

5) Have transportation at your destination ready to go before you leave on your trip. This applies mainly to flying, but you also need to make sure you have reliable transportation if you are driving.

6) Make a list of everything you need.

I like to start making my list about 1 week before I leave. Inevitably, I always leave something off my list and forget it. So, if I have a week to make the list I am more likely to get everything on it that I need because I can add to it as I think of things. Double and triple check that you have everything you need before going! To save some space on diapers and wipes, check out Diapers.com. They will deliver straight to your destination!

7) Get a travel agent if you need help planning your destination. Check out Mix and Match Travel Agency to help you plan your trip!

Here's a few pictures from our first travels!

Brody's 1st car trip from Houston to OKC.

        Brody's 1st airplane trip from Houston to Jacksonville, FL

         

Our family in Florida

Thanks for reading! I hope your trip goes a little smoother now!

Until next time,

Milestones: Month 3

Your baby should be starting to get a lot bigger! They should also start noticing you more and things around them more. By now, you should be able to start getting a schedule down for your baby. This will create more rest for the both of you! This month they will be meeting more milestones! Here are general milestones for month 3.

1) Your baby's spastic/jerky movements should be very minimal or gone by now. Their movements will start to become more smooth.

2) They should have good head support. When you hold them up, they should be able to hold their head on their own and have good neck strength. I would recommend keeping your hand behind their head during this just in case they have a head bobble.

3) You should start to see early signs of hand-eye coordination. Your baby’s hands should be able to open and shut, come together, swipe at colorful dangling toys, briefly grab a toy or rattle, and go straight into their mouth. Make sure you keep things clean and an eye on what goes in their mouth to try and help prevent some sickness.

4) During this month your baby's nervous system is maturing very much. This will allow for more milk to be in them and to hopefully sleep for longer periods of time! Yahoo! Get some much needed sleep mommy! They should be able to go for 6-7 hours.

5) Start letting your baby cry it out just a little. This is whatI mean: that you should not go to your baby's crib the instant they cry. Many times they will cry and go back to sleep quickly. If you go to their crib the instant they cry, they cannot learn to put themselves back to sleep. By doing this, it is also teaching them that night time is for sleeping only. They should also be taking several 1 1/2 - 2 hour naps daily.

6) Your baby's hearing and vision is much better by now. They like bright colored objects and to look at your face. So smile and talk to them often!

7) Your baby should start smiling more. They no longer communicate mainly through crying at this age. If your baby cries more than 1 hour a day, see your pediatrician. They should start smiling at you more often! They will also make more noises, coos, sounds, etc. Talk to them and tell them what you are doing. They may not understand the words but this is helping their development of speech.

8) Call your pediatrician if your baby is not doing any following: responding to noises, following people or objects with his/her eyes, smiling, reaching for objects.

Again, remember that not all babies reach milestones at the exact same time. Call your doctor if you are concerned and they can assess them to determine if there is a problem or not. These are general milestones.

Thanks for reading and until next time,

Taking Care of Your Toddlers Teeth

Once your child starts getting teeth, it is important to start taking good care of them! Even though they may only have a few, you still want to make sure they are healthy. Tooth decay in babies and toddlers is harmful because this can cause their teeth to fall out early. If this happens, their other teeth can move in and not allow the adult tooth in that place to grow in. It can also cause infections and cause your baby to become seriously ill. Here are a few tips on tooth care for toddlers (ages 1-3).

1) The American Academy of Pediatrics suggest that you get an infant toothbrush and clean your babies gums after every feeding with water and the brush. Brush your baby's gums gently with the soft bristle toothbrush or a wet wash cloth. They suggest this from birth until they get their first teeth.

2) Once your child gets a few teeth, get infant toothpaste and an infant toothbrush (you can use this until they are 2). This often fits on your finger and has bristles on the end. You need to only use about a pea size of toothpaste on the brush. Brush their teeth and gums for 15-20 seconds twice a day.Do it in the morning and after dinner. Ask your doctor if your baby is getting enough fluoride as well. They may have you change toothpaste if your baby is not.

3) Make sure you brush your child's teeth on the inside and outside. Also, brush their gums on the inside and outside as well. This helps gets rid of bacteria. Try to brush their tongue if you can as well. You do not need to go far back on their tongue, but just brush back and forth a few times.

4) Limit the amount of juice your child drinks. If they do drink juice, dilute it with water so they are not getting as much. Try to limit it to one total cup of juice per day.

5) Once your child can spit, teach them to swish some water and spit it out after brushing.

6) Once your child is old enough, start teaching them how to brush their own teeth. A good way to teach them is to brush your teeth at the same time.

7) The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that you take your child to see a dentist between 12 and 24 months old. We took Brody at 18 months. He hated it, but our dentist was great and it was quick! If you are in the Northwest Arkansas area, Dr. Caple is a great pediatric dentist.

8) If your child has bad sucking habits, talk to your pediatrician or dentist about this to see if it is effecting their teeth.

9) Once your child hits 2, get them a children's toothbrush and start having them practice brushing their teeth on their own. After they are done, you should probably brush them as well to make sure they are clean. Brush twice daily.

10) Start having your 2 year old use fluroide toothpaste. However, make sure you teach them not to swallow it. Swallowing too much fluroide toothpaste can cause white or brown spots on their adult teeth.

11) Start flossing your child's teeth. You can actually start doing this as soon as two teeth are touching in their mouth, but most dentist don't recommend it until at least age 2. Talk to your dentist about when to start doing this.

12) Have a yearly dental check-up done for your child.

Keep those teeth healthy and clean!

Thanks for reading and until next time,

Milestones: Month 2

Your baby will be growing and developing so much the next few months! Their brain is working overtime with all the new things they are learning. They are also getting much stronger. Here are the general milestones for month 2 in a baby's life.

1) Your baby's limbs should still be stretching and loosening up. They still won't be fully stretched out yet.

2) Your baby should be able to lift their head to a 45 degree angle by now. Last month, they were just starting to lift their head, so they should be getting stronger. However, their head will still be a bit wobbly while sitting up.

3) Your baby should "twitch" less. During the first two months of life, your baby has very jerky movements that may look like a twitch. This is normal. About month 2, they should be doing this less and be less jerky.

4) Your baby should start "batting" at objects in front of them, along with the swiping motion from last month. They should still be able to hold an object in their hand for a brief amount of time if you place it there.

5) Your baby's sucking reflex will still stay pretty strong this month. You may notice this by them sucking a lot of their hands, pacifier, objects, etc. This is normal and good.

6) Your baby is still not quite ready to sleep all the way through the night yet. However, you can do long stretches of 6-7 hours. Make sure you put them on their back, swaddled, with nothing in the crib. This will help prevent SIDS.

7) Your baby can now see up to 18 inches away. You still need to be close but not quite as close. They should be able to see you pretty well while feeding! Remember to practice moving objects in front of their eyes and having them follow it. This helps with sight and coordination.

8) Your baby's hearing is improving this month. Talk to them, play music, read to them, engage their ears. This will help improve their hearing as well.

9) Your baby will still improve on cooing, smiling, and noises. Remember, their way of communicating now most often is crying. Just make sure you talk to them and engage in them. It will help soothe them. It will also encourage them and help them to start forming their own sounds similar to yours.

Remember, these are general milestones and not all babies will reach these milestones at the exact same time. If you are concerned about your baby and a milestone, consult your pediatrician and they can assess your baby to see if it is an issue or not.

Thanks for reading and until next time,

Milestones: Month 1

Happy 1 month to your baby and happy 1 month of being a mommy! Hasn't this month flown by?? Your baby will be doing a lot more than just eating, pooping, and sleeping this month! Here are the major milestones for your 1 month old baby.

1) Mobiles and high contrast patterns should start to catch your baby's attention more. You can help with this milestone by having a mobile or a play gym/mat like this for them to play on. They can look at hanging toys, kick toys,swipe at toys, etc. They helps them listen and watch things. They won't begin grabbing yet, but you can pass things in front of their eyes to help them develop following objects.

2) Your baby will start to discover their extremities. They should discover their hands and feet. You can help with this milestone by playing with their hands and feet and showing them to your baby. However, make sure you keep these extremities warm when you are not playing because they can get cold easily.

3) Your baby should start to make "baby talk" or noises. They will likely coo, maybe laugh, grunt, gurgle, etc. When they do make these noises, make them back at them and "baby talk".

4)  Your baby should raise their head and chest when lying on their stomach (about week 5). You can help them accomplish this milestone by doing tummy time with them. Tummy time can be just a few minutes at a time.

5) Your baby should start sleeping for lengthier times now. About 5/6 weeks of age, you can let them sleep for 4-6 hour stretches. AMEN!! Get some sleep sister!

6) Your baby should be staying awake a little longer during the day now. During this time, play with them and that includes music. Play lullabies, play your music, sing to them, whatever you like. They will likely practice moving their arms and legs during this and practice "baby talk". If they seem agitated at all, take a break from music. They do not need it all of the time.

7) Your baby should start showing you more facial expressions! They will likely move their eyebrows, smile, purse their lips, etc. They should also start smiling at the sound of your voice. Talk about melt your heart!

8) Your baby should have their hands almost all the way open by now. Your baby cannot quite reach out for object just yet. However, they may bat at objects. They should also be able to hold an object if you place it in their hands.

9) If your baby is just quite and alert, its okay. They are learning and exploring a new world! Their brain will grow about 5 centimeters in the first 3 months of life. Use these opportunities to talk to your baby and let them explore new things. Use other opportunities like bath time, tummy time, etc. to let them look around and take it all in.

10) By about week 7, your baby should be able to track things with their eyes. Pass objects in front of your baby's eyes, and they should be able to track it somewhat. However, it won't be smooth yet.


Remember, every baby is different. They may be ahead of a milestone or a little behind and that is okay. These are general milestones put out there. If you are concerned, consult your pediatrician and they can assess your baby to see if it is an issue or not.

Thanks for reading and until next time!

Milestones: Newborn

As a new mommy, I was always checking on Brody and whether or not he was meeting the "milestones". There are specific and general milestones that doctors look for in babies and children, but remember if your child doesn't meet them exactly at the time it says to, it is okay. Just watch for the major milestones and make sure your child hits those. Also, if your child is not meeting a milestone and is behind by months, just run it by your doctor. With all that said, here are the milestones for your newborn baby!

1) Uncurl: After about 10 days your baby should start to "uncurl". Meaning their legs and arms will start to stretch out and not stay in the fetal position as much. However, they won't uncurl all the way for a while. **Note: Being a photographer as well, if you want newborn pictures, it is best to do within the first 10 days while they still tend to curl up. It makes for great pictures!

2) Sight: Your baby should start looking around more. Remember, babies are born nearsighted and can only see about 8-15 inches away from their face. They like looking at your eyebrows, hairline, and moving mouth. Your baby will start getting more interested in eye-to-eye contact. They like to see your face over patterns. However, if you show them patterns, they like black and white ones.

3) Sounds: Your baby's hearing should be developed. They should start turning their eyes or head towards your voice or noises.

4) Head: Your baby should be able to lift their head briefly and turn it to the side when they are on their stomach. Remember though, when upright they need support.

5) Movement: Your baby should be able to lift their hand to their mouth. Their moves will be jerky and that is normal. That will resolve itself.

What can you do to help development?
1) The number one thing is to spoil that baby! You heard me right. Cuddle and love on your baby! You need to learn each other! At this age, you cannot hold your baby "too much".  You also need to learn your babies signals of hungry, tired, wet, etc.

2) Talk and sing to your baby. This will help them know your voice and give brain stimulation.

3) Tummy Time. You can start this when your baby is about 2 weeks old. You do not need to do tons of time for this, but 5 minutes a couple times a day is good for the baby. Also encourage your baby to reach for things while on their tummy.

4) Take your baby outside and give them sunshine. You both need to get outside. This will get you out of the house and some exercise and will be good for your baby. They need fresh air too!

5) Make close eye contact with your baby when you talk, sing, laugh, play, and read with your baby. Play simple games like peek-a-boo with your baby.

6) Read to your baby. Yes, they can't understand. However, studies show that reading from a young age helps development.

RED FLAGS:
1) Your baby feeds slowly or doesn't suck well.
2) Your baby does not focus their eyes or watch things move that are nearby.
3) Your baby does not respond to loud sounds.
4) Your baby does not react to bright lights.
5) Your baby is very stiff or very floppy.
6) Your baby is not eating well.

If you notice any of these, bring it to the attention of your doctor. It may be nothing, but let them examine your baby to determine that.

Good luck with your newborn!

Thanks for reading and until next time!

A Few Tips for More Sleep

     One thing you learn very quickly when you become a mommy is that sleep is not something you get very much of! If you get 2+ hours in a row you are excited! I remember after about a week of severe sleep deprivation I was wondering when Brody would sleep longer. Here are some important facts and tips to help your baby stretch sleeping.

1) Swaddle your baby. Your baby will sleep more soundly if they feel like they did when they were in your womb not long ago. This also keeps them from flailing their arms and waking themselves up. Plus swaddling a baby helps prevent SIDS. Just make sure the swaddle you use is thin in material so your baby does not overheat.

2) Let them sleep. There are many opinions on how long to let your baby sleep before waking them up. For a full-term baby, you can let them sleep up to 4 hours (starting week 2) before waking them up to eat. A four hour stretch for you and your baby is healthy and good! It will also help your baby be hungrier and hopefully eat better and quicker. And let's face it, that really only means 2 to 2 1/2 for you after you get the baby back to sleep and then you fall asleep yourself!

3) Make sure your baby gets very full after each feeding. Babies, especially newborns, are very likely to fall asleep while eating. They are likely to fall asleep before they are actually full. Try to keep them awake until they have had a full feeding (at least 20 minutes on each side for newborns). Use wet wash cloths on their face or undress them to keep them awake. Otherwise they will snack and be awake again shortly after you finish.

4) Ask your doctor when you can start stretching it out. You can usually start at about month one (if your baby is healthy and growing like they should), but sometimes it is closer to month 2. When you are cleared to do this, let the baby sleep until they wake up to eat. Do 1-3 before bed and after the feeding to try and ensure they sleep.

Hope this helps you and your baby get some sleep!!

Thanks for reading and until next time!

Taking Care of Yourself After Having A Baby

Although it is important to put a lot of time and effort into taking great care of your newborn, it is essential you do the same for yourself. You need to be healthy in order to take good care of your baby. Here are some good ways to help you achieve this!

1. Get all your supplies that you will need after having a baby BEFORE you have the baby. Having them ready to go helps reduce stress. You will need the following items:

• Large Maxi pads (For your really long period after the baby is born!)
• Comfortable underwear
• Comfortable clothes 
• Disposable Nursing Pads (You only need these if you are breastfeeding. To see the kind I used, check out this post. They are under "Feeding Items".) 
  

  

  
  
• Multiple Nursing Bras (I would also get "sleeping" nursing bras. It helps from "spilling" everywhere!) 
• Nipple Cream (Your nipples will feel like they are going to fall off! To see the kind I used, check out this post. It is under "Feeding Items".)
  

  

  
  
• Gatorade and lots of it! 
• Toiletry items (shampoo, razors, soap, toothpaste, etc.)

If you had a C-Section:

• Gauze or sanitary pad (Helps keep out germs and moisture)
• Ice pack (Helps reduce swelling)
• Scar treatment like Mederma or Aloe Vera

2. Get lots of rest. When the baby sleeps, you sleep! It is okay if all the laundry isn't done or if the house is a little messy. You just took your body through one of the most traumatic things that could happen to it. It needs rest to recover. If you had a C-Section, you especially need to take it very easy for healing of your incision. Sleep is the best medicine!

3. Eat well. Get lots of nutrients! This is especially important if you are nursing. If you are nursing, your body will actually need more calories than when you were pregnant. Your baby is literally sucking all of the nutrients and calories out of your body. Lots of fruits, vegetables, and proteins are important!

4. See your doctor if you notice anything unusual. If you notice you start to bleed more than you were, if you start feeling a lot worse than you were, if you are feeling depressed, or concerned for any reason, at least call your doctor and let them know. They will likely want to see you.

5. Get outside of the house. I do not think you should take your newborn to really crowded areas and expose them to tons of germs. I do think you need to go on walks outside, make a quick run to the grocery store, sit on your back porch, etc. Sitting in your house all day, every day can quickly lead to post-partum depression. Have the baby's daddy watch him/her for an hour while you go get a pedicure. Just let yourself get out for a little bit each day.

6. Exercise. Right after you have a baby you need to exercise lightly. Short walks, a little while on the treadmill, etc. You do not need to do any strenuous exercise until the doctor clears you. However, light, short walks are great and make you feel great!

7. Drink plenty of fluids. This is very important for all mothers, but it is especially important for nursing mothers. Again, the baby will be taking much of your nutrients. You can become dehydrated very quickly. If you get dehydrated it will make you sick and can also decrease your milk flow.

8. Cherish the time with your baby. Enjoy them this small! They grow up super quick! Enjoy cuddling with them and watching them sleep. Document this time in life!

9. Don't feel stressed or pressure to show people your baby or get back to doing things. You need to show your baby off when you are comfortable. You also need to get back to doing things like church, hanging out with friends, etc. when you are ready. Not when everyone else says you should.

10. Let dad take some responsibility. As a new mommy, it is hard to not feel like you should do all the work for the new baby. I mean, you are the mommy right!? And that is what mommies do! Right?! Although it is not bad to want to do everything and not miss out, sometimes you need a breather. Let dad take some feedings if/when he can, change some diapers, take some night shifts, etc. Plus, he will enjoy that bonding time with his new son/daughter. You need rest and you cannot do it all. And that is okay!!

I hope this helps your transition from hospital to home and to motherhood (of 1, 2, 3 or however many) a little bit easier!

Thank you for reading and until next time!