Useful tips

*Before I had my daughter I read somewhere a good tip that I used. Many people lay their baby in the crib for a nap and make the whole house quite down…not a good idea. Those are the babies that wake when the littlest thing makes a peep. I’m not saying go out and bang pots and pans, but you can still watch TV, talk or clean. I think my mom must have done that and that is why I cannot sleep through any noise!
A picture is worth a thousand words, so why not make your baby his/her own picture book with photos of familiar faces? Both of my kids spent countless hours looking through their own book. I didn’t mind they got a lot of wear and tear because I used copies for them. Each page was laminated and then put on a binder ring that easily (for an adult) opened & closed; it was fastened to their stroller, shopping cart seat and many other places. Speaking of – do not let your child stand on the back of a shopping cart. My nephew did this, he and the cart flipped over and for a few scary moments he was out cold.

Baby Items You Have to Have

Great things to have – a Boppy pillow. These pillows are universal with so many uses. They are even comfortable for mom to rest her head in! If you are having a baby in a colder month a diaper wipe warmer comes in handy. While pregnant with my first, who was due in January and being in Florida, I laughed when I saw a warmer at the store. Well the week she was born the temperatures dipped into the 30’s and stayed that way for days. We soon purchased the warmer and used it many other times. Read up on them for safety and information. Black & White toys – yes it’s true that newborns respond to them better than all the fun colorful ones we buy. After seeing my daughter stare intently at a black & white picture we had, I went out and found a few cheap small toys. She would focus on them and track it if we moved them around. Diaper Genie – unless you do not mind the smell of used diapers. Of course the older the baby gets the more you go through the refills just make sure you buy the correct ones.

Boppy Pillow

Welcome Sibling

More than One – things to help prepare the older child
Before my son was born I took my daughter to pick out a present for the baby – she chose “Swinger” a Ty Pillow Buddy. We put it in a cute baby bag and kept it at her Grandmom’s because we knew that is where she would go when we went to the hospital. I also had a gift for her from the “baby”. She was thrilled that her new brother gave her a present too. I packed snacks & things for her to do because she was 3 ½ at the time and I knew she could become bored at the hospital quickly.
*When our son was born we called our daughter first. Then she got to share the news with everyone. Some family members brought her to the hospital. When they arrived we asked that everyone wait outside of the room while she met her brother. Once she was ready to introduce him then everyone else got to meet him.

Baby Ideas

Time goes by so fast when you become a parent and soon your little infant is no longer little. Before those moments are gone makes some keepsakes. Use nontoxic washable tempera paint to make a print of the baby’s foot. While the baby is in a seat paint the foot with a roller or sponge, then press firmly onto a piece of card stock and let dry. Oh yeah…don’t forget to wash off the babies foot. Also another easy thing to do is trace the baby’s hand from time to time, date it and use it on a scrapbook page.
A fun safe activity for toddlers indoors on a rainy day is to stack paper cups, like Dixie cups, in pyramids. Usually you get at least 50 in a box, which can make a pretty high structure and if they fall no one gets hurt.

Heading to the Hospital

Hospital tips – what to bring
Aside from the typical clothing & baby items don’t forget: List of phone numbers of all family members – you would be surprised at what you forget once that baby comes, cash – you may need it for a dad snack, a few diapers for the baby, the car seat, batteries as a back up for your camera, a disposable camera – just in case you forget your own this way at least you will have one, a nice nightgown, sports bra and good socks.
Tip – try the car seat before the baby arrives. Buckle it in, and then take it out so you are familiar with it.