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We try to allow SuperBoy exposure to lots of different opportunities to develop his motor skills, gross and fine. That means following blogs like Play At Home Mom–a fabulous resource for outside of the box learning in a hands on fashion for kiddos. One of SuperBoy’s favorite skill games is “BEANS!” Black beans are so easy to find, and fun fun fun for little ones. Just keep an eye on them because toddlers can put things into their mouth very quickly. Just use your household measuring cups and containers. Tupperware and yogurt containers go a long way. SuperBoy loves to fill measuring cups and then dump them into larger containers. He likes to stack the measuring cups into each other, smallest to largest. And when…
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What do I need at the hospital or birth center? What don’t I need? I’m no expert with a mere two births under my belt (what does that phrase mean, anyway??), but here are my suggestions based on common wisdom and my experience. *Don’t forget your doula!! 1) Clothing. No, it is not a nudist colony. Yes, bringing your own clothing means you don’t have to wear the world’s worst outfits: hospital gowns. And have you seen their “nursing” gowns? They are hospital gowns with two slits for your breasts. Um, skin-to-skin, anyone? How can your baby optimize his latch when he can’t smell your milk through all the bleached cotton? Bring: cotton robe (maybe 2) ((I got one at Target for not much–not full-length))…
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Even people who don’t like their mother, need their mother when they have a baby. Truly. If you’re thinking to yourself, “but really, I just want to snuggle with my partner & babe. My mom will constantly be interrupting our peaceful new family”–you’ve clearly never had a newborn. There’s nothing more peaceful and simultaneously less peaceful than a newborn. *Caveat: if your mom isn’t super helpful to begin with, and you really don’t want to share new baby time with anyone, disregard all of this advice and just gaze at my adorable little SweetPea’s photo. People think that if they have a loving and supportive partner, they don’t need their mother. The two are not mutually exclusive. Consider the following facts that support Mother’s presence–qualifications…
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Surely you’ve heard the phrase “skin-to-skin” contact with your newborn. You haven’t? You’re not alone. I was 7 months along with our first before someone mentioned it to me in passing. Skin-to-what? And now my daughter is almost three weeks old and hasn’t worn clothing except for when she had to leave the house. She’s always wrapped up in a blanket or on one of our chests for skin-to-skin! Refrain from separating your child from you, especially when he or she is snoozing. Just keep close to the little one! It’s wonderful for both of you. This scientifically proven method of bonding with your newborn child is both beautiful and bio-meta-physically powerful. It is when you put your newborn on your chest as close to…
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What’s best for healing and adjusting to a new family member? Take care of your body, rest, relax as much as you can, and snuggle with your baby. A midwife friend of mine calls the first few weeks a period of “lying in” wherein you do as little as you can around the house, leave the scurrying and worrying to your family and friends who come to help, and just bond with your new family member. Be as present as you can! Here are a few things that have helped me acclimate to a new child, and recover faster. 1) Soak in the tub. Sitz bath, tub, whatever you’ve got. Just soaking for 8-15 minutes in a warm water tub will greatly aid in postpartum…
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Wear your baby! I’ve written about different carriers before, here, but having a new baby again reminds me that the initial hassle of getting a sling or wrap on is worth it. Your babe is close to you, your hands are free, and you can immediately comfort or tend to her without worrying about crossing the kitchen. Best of all, it carries her close to your heart, breath, and helps her through what they call “the fourth trimester” or the first three months of life which are a sort of continuation of life in the womb. Read a very thorough article on wearing your baby over at the UK publication Green Parent (here). It gives an overview of traditions of baby wearing internationally along with…
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