Kirsten Metcalf
You spent 9 months (give or take) carrying your baby 24/7. Your baby spent those 9 months safely and snugly against you. It’s not surprising that many babies' favorite way to sleep during the fourth trimester[1] is being held by their mom! Who wouldn’t sleep soundly in the cozy confines of their mom?Your baby being held in a baby carrier is similar to them being held in your arms. It’s warm, cozy and mimics the closeness you and your baby had during your pregnancy. But is it safe for your baby to nap in a baby carrier? Will napping in a carrier create bad sleeping habits? Read on to learn everything you want and need to know about babies sleeping in baby carriers.
1. Is it safe for a baby to sleep in a carrier?
As long as you are using a baby carrier correctly and safely, it should be safe for your baby to nap while you carry them in a carrier. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that babies sleep alone on their backs on a firm, flat surface without any loose blankets,
Who doesn’t love the end of Daylight Saving Time in autumn? Parents of babies, that’s who. While most everyone else in the U.S. enjoys falling back an hour and thus getting an extra hour of sleep, babies have yet to get the memo that they’re supposed to sleep in the next morning.
If you have yet to experience a Daylight Saving Time, whether springing forward or falling back with a baby, then you may be wondering how one little hour can throw off your baby’s sleep schedule. From the personal experiences of mothers everywhere, if your baby isn’t prepared, they can go from a good sleeper to a bad sleeper overnight. Your baby may have a harder time falling asleep or they may start waking up an hour early every morning. Not even a morning and an afternoon caffeine pick-me-up can help you get through those long days and nights. And it can take up to two weeks before your baby is back to their normal sleep schedule.
Sleep matters – for your baby and you! So, if you want to help your baby continue
If you haven’t already learned, babies come with a lot of baggage. Diapers, wipes, toys, clothes, bottles, baby carrier, baby stroller and car seat – it’s like a never-ending packing list if you’re traveling with a baby. Thankfully, airlines understand that flying with kids is hard, which is why they try their best to accommodate families. As such, they allow parents to bring the most necessary baby items along with them – many even for free! So if you’ve been wondering if strollers and other baby gear count as carry-ons or if you can bring formula on the plane, here are the answers to those and other commonly asked questions about flying with a baby.
Emotional Benefits of Getting Outside
Spending time in nature with your baby can strengthen the bond between you. The simple act of holding your baby close, feeling their warmth, and sharing new experiences together can create strong emotional connections. It’s also a wonderful way to reduce stress and improve your mood. When my littles
From snow to sleet to temperatures and winds so ice cold you feel like you can’t breathe, Mother Nature doesn’t really welcome you with warm, open arms this time of year (unless of course you live in Florida, Arizona or Southern California).
Taking your baby outside for a walk in the winter? Your answer is probably, “No thanks!” And I get it. Staying inside your cozy home sipping a cup of hot chocolate while your baby plays with his toys sounds way more appealing than getting everyone all bundled up to go on a 10 minute walk in 40 degree temperatures. But you can’t stay inside all winter long – you’ll go stir crazy!
According to one pediatrician, and I’m sure many others agree with her, “Unless it’s dangerously cold, being outdoors helps infants acclimate to the seasons and the day-and-night cycle, and it often calms fussiness.” Getting exercise plus having a calm baby who may sleep better at night? We parents should all be saying, “Yes, please!”
As long as you follow the proper safety
When prepping for a baby’s arrival, whether you’re a first-time mom or having your third, shopping for must-have new baby items ranks at the top of your to-do list. But it can be overwhelming learning (or remembering) just how many essentials a baby requires during his first year of life and which baby products are best.
From diapering to feeding and everything in between, here are my 13 must-haves for a new baby.
What are the necessities for a newborn baby?
1. Diapers and Wipes
Of course you know diapers and wipes are new baby necessities. But do you know how many you actually need? On average, newborns go through 6-9 diapers a day, and during the newborn stage (first 3 months of life) that equates to 700 or more diapers! Before your baby arrives, make sure you have a good stash of newborn and size 1 diapers, as well as a big box of baby wipes.
If you plan on using cloth diapers, then you want to have enough to get you through at least two days.
2. Multi-purpose Ointment
Sure, you can
Carving pumpkins and going through haunted houses may or may not be your thing, but I think most parents can agree that having a kid makes every holiday better. And Halloween is no exception!
It’s fun to dress up and show off your baby in their Halloween costume. It’s not as fun to do, though, when their stroller hides their costume and all your hard work. So since you’re already taking the stroller, why not dress it up too?
Whether you’re the queen (or king) of DIY or just really excited about your baby’s first Halloween, here are 11 convenient stroller Halloween costume ideas that are as creative as they are cute.
1. Buggy Buccaneer
(Image: linderliving/Instagram)
Yo ho ho and a bottle of milk! Turn your stroller into a pirate ship and pillage around town trick-or-treating for the best candy! Don’t forget to teach your little one to say, “Aaarrgghh!” and “Ahoy, mateys!” for a memorable Halloween night. And make sure ye scallywags keep yer cute captain happy so ye don’t get marooned at
When you’re a parent on the go, a stroller is your best friend. It’s your extra set of hands. It’s basically your mobile command vehicle. You need your stroller to safely hold your child, diaper bag, toys, snacks, sippy cup, mommy’s drink of choice, cell phone and keys. But many strollers can’t do it on their own. They need a little help from their own kind of friends we like to call stroller accessories.
Whether you’re an urban or suburban on-the-go parent, here are some of the best and most useful stroller accessories to make your life out of the house a little easier.
1. Weather Shield
When partly cloudy skies turn to rain showers, a blanket or car seat cover won’t cut it. You’ll need a weather shield to keep your little one dry from rain and protected from the wind and bugs. It’s also a great option to keep your tiny tot safe while out and about in congested cities, stores or doctor’s offices, especially during cold and flu seasons. The Metro+ Stroller comes with a rain and wind cover
One thing I remember about my first pregnancy was having this deep internal need to be prepared for everything. I read books and articles about infant sleep training and breastfeeding. My husband wanted to wing it when putting in the infant car seat, but I wanted to read the manual and watch a video to make sure we installed it right. I talked to all my mom friends to make sure we bought the right baby gear and nursery items. I also read online and asked veteran moms what I should pack in my hospital bag.
So what should you pack in your hospital bag? Are there must-have and just nice-to-have items? When do you need to have your bag ready to go? Let me share with you what I’ve learned after having three babies.
When to Pack a Hospital Bag
Whether your OB has said they think you’ll go into labor early or late, the truth is you never really know when a baby will come (unless you have a scheduled c-section or induction). Recent due date statistics show that 80% of women deliver on time. That
Parenthood brings with it a whole slew of questions to answer and lessons to learn. How do I know what my baby is trying to tell me when she’s crying? When do I transition her from a bassinet next to my bed to a crib in her own room? When do I start feeding her solids?
Another major topic for new parents revolves around their baby’s sleep schedule: Can my baby nap in the stroller? We’ve all been there. You’re out on a stroll and you go to check on your little one and they’re fast asleep. This poses the question as to whether it’s safe for your baby to continue napping in their stroller or not?
The Short Answer? Yes, it’s Safe.
In short, yes- you can let your baby nap in the stroller. There’s no need to be concerned about your baby’s safety if they fall asleep while you’re out on a stroll together. If you have a newborn, it’s preferred that they fall asleep in a bassinet style stroller that allows them to lay flat. But even in a traditional style stroller, an older baby will be safe
Going shopping with a newborn is a major milestone. Leaving the comfortable little nest you’ve made in your home and venturing out into the world with your little one is a huge deal and one that can at times feel overwhelming. But don’t stress it, mama. Take a look at our top tips for shopping with a newborn and get ready to run those errands!
1. Choose the Right Time
One of the main keys to your shopping success with a newborn lies in when you decide to schedule your outing. A newborn’s schedule can be tricky and often vary from day to day, but when possible, try to plan your errands and trips to the grocery store around their naps. A happy, rested baby will definitely make for a more enjoyable shopping trip. Consider which times might work best for your little one and make a tentative plan for when you’ll take off for your errands.
2. Bring Someone With You
At least for the first few times going out with your newborn, having someone accompany you could be a huge help and a major game