February 3, 2014

Tips and Tricks for New Mommies and Daddies-to-Be


// 1 // mattress cover, sheet, mattress cover, sheet. when making the crib do a double layer, that way if there's an accident in the middle of the night you can just strip off the top sheet and mattress cover and voila the bed is already made for you. you'll thank me later i promise :).

// 2 // i hate, HATE, all of those stupid buttons on onesies! if you're off by just one the whole thing turns into a train wreck. one trick that i've found to work is starting with the middle button and working your way out. this will help keep you right on track!

// 3 // use sleep gowns at night. i know it may sound simple, but changing diapers in the middle of the night is already no fun, so make it easier on yourself-put them in a gown! outfits with zero buttons are always a plus in my book :).

// 4 // velcro swaddles. this thing has been a life-saver for us! we've used one for both babies and my mom keeps having to sew it back together because we're using the heck out of it! no more fussing over getting a good swaddle! i mean really, who wants to worry about this at 2 am?! these swaddles do the trick! also, another tip is to velcro the swaddle up when you wash it so it doesn't stick to other items in the laundry.

// 5 // always, i repeat, always carry a burp rag (we prefer cloth diapers) with baby. you never know when you're gonna need one! trust me.

// 6 // have a couple of different "changing stations" in your home. tenley is still sleeping in our room so we have a basket with all the supplies we need (diapers, wipes, lotion, extra pacifiers, diaper rash cream etc) in there and then we also have an area in the living room. this will save you from having to run around looking for things all the time while your baby/babies are screaming at you. i've never experienced this or anything ;).

// 7 // establish a routine early on. tenley has at least one scheduled nap time during the day at 2 pm (during rylan's nap) and we always put her to bed around 9 pm. we do the same things with her every night, i feed her, nick changes her and swaddles her and puts her down with her sound machine (did you know there's an app for that too??) going. she's always awake when we put her down and have read that this is good because it allows the baby to learn to put herself to sleep, but that's up to you.

// 8 // carry an extra change of clothes in your diaper bag. this is self-explanatory i suppose.

// 9 // hand/face wipes for your purse and/or car. i've found this is especially important as your baby gets older. can you say 2 year old messes?!

// 10 // gassy baby?? here's some tips! pumping the legs always seemed to help with ours!

// 11 // need some tunes to soothe your baby that you might actually enjoy as well? check out rockabye baby pandora station!

// 12 // buy gender neutral! i wish i would've thought to do this! baby #1 was a boy and 21 months later baby #2 came along and wouldn't you know it--GIRL! had we not been gifted with or given a decent amount of girl items we would have practically had to start over! we decided that she can make do with a blue bathtub and bumbo though :).

// 13 // let it sink in that all babies are different. what may work for one may not work for another. i had to learn this the hard way. baby #1 super easy, no fuss, but baby #2 was a whole new ball game! so take everyone's advice (cause' you know you're gonna hear it anyway) with a grain of salt and figure out what works for you and your baby.

// 14 // lastly, mommy and daddy-remember that you are a team! give each other some grace and help one another out.

do you have any other tips/tricks? please share in the comments!

5 comments:

  1. Great post!! I need to keep reminding myself that baby #2 could be so much different and possibly so much harder, as Lids was a very easy baby.

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  2. awe man, i should write all of these down. reality is gonna hit in about 4 months.
    -whit

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    1. hey whit here is the link on pinterest so you don't have to write it all down ;) http://www.pinterest.com/pin/32932640999377816

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  3. Ha ha #2, love it! If only I read this 10 months ago: )

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