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One of the most challenging aspects of being a new or first-time parent is the disruption of your sleep schedule. Prior to the arrival of your newborn, nighttime was likely fairly predictable. You probably went to bed at a usual, predictable time, went to sleep, then woke up at a usual/predictable time in the morning.  Change With the arrival of a tiny little human in your home, the nighttime routine will change drastically. Newborns sleep erratically as they adjust to life outside the womb, and they often have their days and nights mixed up. In addition, they have no way to communicate with you other than crying, so any time they experience discomfort or stress of any kind, you will likely hear crying, and this includes during the nighttime and wee morning hours. What used to be a predictable routine for you, starting with your usual bedtime, can now be a wild ride, and a stressful one, too. These hours from late evening to early morning are drastically different now, and you may be reeling from the shock, and feeling ill-equipped to cope.  Coping The first, and most important thing you can do to help yourself stay strong emotionally during this time, is to understand and recognize that these new conditions are normal, and they are temporary. Your expectations are enormously important. Don’t expect the nights to be the same as before, be prepared to ride out these early weeks and months and to adapt to the changes. Life will return to normal and you will establish a routine. Be patient and tell yourself this is just a chapter, not the whole book. Once you have your mindset prepared you are ready to take some action steps towards establishing a routine that benefits baby and you.  Planning The good news is that you can take steps to change the nighttime experience from completely erratic, unpredictable and stressful, to a peaceful, predictable and productive routine. But it’s important to remember that the process will be different for each parent and child, and each baby will adapt to routine at a different pace. Look at establishing a sleep routine as a process, and not a one-time task to cross off your list. When to start? Many experts advise beginning the process of incorporating a sleep routine at the two month mark. Prior to this, your newborn is just not fully adapted to life outside of the womb. How to start? Pay attention, start small, and be prepared. Keep a journal and make notes of sleep and wake times, sleep cues and any other details that might help you. Establish a ‘pre-sleep’ routine, giving your baby a cue that sleep time is coming. Incorporate repetition as often as possible. Sit in the same chair, the same room, do things at the same time for various activities. Baby will become accustomed to patterns, and it will become more predictable and therefore manageable for you both.
Remember to be patient, practice self-care and adjust your mindset. Think of these months as a marathon and not a sprint. Celebrate the small milestones and enjoy this time with your precious little one. Sources https://www.whattoexpect.com/first-year/baby-sleep-schedule.aspx https://familydoctor.org/newborn-sleep-routines/ https://www.healthline.com/health/parenting/baby-sleep-schedule#3-5-months
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It’s time! You’ve reached the final weeks of your pregnancy, and now you’re ready to pack for the hospital. Have you created your birth plan yet? If not, be sure to check out our blog as a handy guide: http://www.pdhc.org/blog/how-to-create-a-birth-plan Experts recommend packing your bag anytime from the 35-38th week, depending on your pregnancy details (ie: if you are a high risk pregnancy or on restriction, pack sooner) Unsure where to start? No sweat, we’ve got you covered. Before you begin, you may find it helpful to reach out to your hospital and find out what they’ll provide and in what quantities, this can save you money and time when packing your bag.  Clothing You want to feel warm and comfortable during your stay at the hospital. Here’s a few things to throw in your bag that will keep you comfy:
 Toiletries
 There you go! With this checklist you’ve got all your bases covered and can feel confident you’ll have what you need throughout your hospital stay. During delivery, the little things can make a big difference, and your comfort is a priority. If there’s something not on this list that you know will make you feel calm, soothed and comfortable, you should definitely add it to your bag! During the last trimester of your pregnancy, you may start to feel worried about all of the different scenarios that happen in the hours leading up to your delivery. There’s one easy way to put those nerves and fears at ease -- creating a birth plan! What’s a birth plan? A birth plan is a guide that tells your medical team what your preferences are before, during and after your baby is born. Some of the details that are typically laid out in a birth plan are pain relief management, postpartum options and newborn care. However, it’s good to keep in mind that you should allow for flexibility, just in case something happens where your healthcare provider has to stray from the plan. Creating a birth plan doesn’t have to be difficult. Most birthing centers or hospitals have readily available brochures about their philosophies and procedures. You can gather your information on these topics during your tour of the facility. During your tour, you can ask questions that will help make your decision on where you feel most comfortable giving birth!  Now you’re ready to start writing your plan! Here are some things to consider as you’re mapping out your successful delivery: Don’t skip putting your name, birthdate and a little bio on the page. I know we learned this lesson in kindergarten, but in order for your medical team to match your plans with you, make sure to not forget your name on every page. Also, you never know if an on-call doctor will end up being the one executing your plan (not to mention all the nurses tending to you and your baby), so you should add a brief paragraph about you, your family and whatever else may be valid or interesting to know. Who’s hanging with you during this process? One of the biggest topics inside a birth plan is who to allow in the delivery room...or who not to allow in the delivery room. Is your partner your support person? Your sister? Do you have a doula? Define these preferences clearly so everyone is well aware.  What are your labor and pain relief plans? If you hang around any “mom” forums, you’re bound to see an argument about what to do with pain while in labor. Do you want a medicated or unmedicated childbirth? If you do, do you have a timeframe on how long you’d like to wait it out? Do they offer nitrous oxide for pain relief? Do you want to move around during labor? Do you have specific birthing tools you’d like to use? (i.e. tubs, birthing stools, showering). What’s your mood? When we think about labor and delivery, we tend to think about a loud, hectic delivery room that we see in the movies. Research actually shows that calming, soothing music can slow pain relief and increase comfort, so many mothers are choosing mood music during their delivery. Do you want soft lighting? Lavender aromatherapy? Don’t forget to add things that may make you feel uncomfortable, too. There are many things you can do to turn up the mood to stay relaxed and calm. Time to give birth! This is the part that can change quickly, but it’s still good to write down your preferences, keeping in mind that sometimes they can change in order to protect you and your baby. Do you want to move around while pushing? What are your feelings on forceps or other instruments used in childbirth? Do you want to delay cutting the cord? Do you want someone else to cut the cord? Newborn care is key. Now that the baby is here, what kind of care do you want for your little one? If you’re having a boy, will he be circumcised? Are you breastfeeding or formula feeding? Do you want to send your baby off to the nursery when they’re sleeping? What other care preferences do you have for your new little one?  Boosting your immune system is more important than ever. Not only is it cold and flu season - but we are in the middle of a pandemic. While taking care of yourself is always important, the current circumstances ask us to draw a little bit more attention to the immune-boosting practices that will help your health. You can take small steps every day to build up your immune system. And if you are pregnant or a new mom, your immune system isn’t the only one you need to worry about! Make sure you are doing what you can to keep your baby healthy, so that they can grow up strong.  Much of the advice will sound like simple common sense, but we know that, as a mom, sometimes these simple things can fall by the wayside because we get so busy! It’s important to be intentional about self care and the food you put into your body. What are some simple ways to boost your immune system, and to keep your child healthy? Let’s take a look! IF YOU ARE PREGNANT:
FOR YOUR BABY:
Staying healthy doesn’t have to be hard. Take proper steps every day to keep yourself operating with a strong immune system. If you experience any symptoms of COVID-19, please get tested and quarantine yourself as is necessary to prevent further spread. See a doctor for direct guidelines and official resources regarding testing and prevention. For all other pregnancy-related health questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. You can reach us by phone at 614.444.4411 (text or call!) or on using the live chat feature. Other blog posts you may like: http://www.pdhc.org/blog Having a newborn is an awe-inspiring experience. Sometimes, you just catch yourself looking at them. Watching them do absolutely nothing. How can one tiny little bundle hold so much love and joy in your heart? How can they also cry so much? And always want to eat? And wake up right when you fall asleep? Along with the joy and love comes stress and sleepless nights, but trust us when we say it is all worth it. Of course, in the meantime, it can be really hard! Here’s how to deal with the stress of being a new mom.  Dads, we didn’t forget about you! Managing New Dad Stress Understand that you can’t do it all Working a full-time or part-time job, taking care of a newborn, handling other responsibilities, and trying to maintain your gym routine? We’d love to make it all happen, but there are only so many hours in the day and there is only so much you can do. Keep it simple and identify the non-negotiable things that are most necessary and focus on those. Start with a list of three - not thirty! - for the day. Give yourself a pass on being ‘perfect’. You wouldn’t judge your friends that way, so don’t be so hard on yourself. Ask for help Ask your loved ones to help you so that you can do the things that bring you joy (and the things that just need to get done, period!). Maybe that means your partner takes care of the baby’s breakfast so that you can go to the gym first thing in the morning. Maybe that means you drop the baby off at your parent’s house for an hour so that you can go grocery shopping alone. And take advantage of all that WE have to offer. Sometimes you need to talk it out, and sometimes you need something more tangible - either way, we’re always here (live chat available: pdhc.org).  Understand that things have changed, and adjust your expectations
Your life looks way different now. Gone are the freedoms of being childless, and here is a tiny human that looks like you, has your DNA, and loves you so much (despite the cries that might make you think otherwise). Everyone runs into challenges with a new addition to the family, but understanding that your life has taken this turn means that you can prepare for it. Don’t put the same pressures on yourself that you did when you were childless, as you have entered into a new phase of life and it’s time to restructure your thinking around that. Having a newborn isn’t easy, but that is your child - having grown inside of you for nine (almost 10!) months and now breathing the same air that you breathe and smiling when they see your face hovering above their crib. So congrats, momma! You’re amazing for taking such great care of them. Practice self-care, even in small doses You may just not feel like yourself these days, and we get it. Your role as a caretaker of this helpless little one can leave very little ‘me time’. That’s normal, but remember to be intentional about taking even 5 minute breaks JUST FOR YOU! Start with baby steps, like listening to a favorite song and doing nothing else, leave that multitasking for later! Do some yoga stretches, watch a funny cat video, try a new nail color...just breathe! Follow our social media for weekly ideas on self-care and remember these little moments help you maintain your sense of self, and sanity. Soon you’ll be able to carve out bigger chunks of time for yourself as you develop a schedule. But for now, steal away even a few moments at a time, just for you. If you need help providing that care for your child, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We offer parenting classes and can provide resources if you are in need. Call or text us anytime! 614.444.4411 Did you know that having a baby is considered one of the most stressful things that can happen in a person’s life? Parenting is hard. Accepting that is the first step! Second, managing the stress that comes with it. That’s where we come in. Did you know that we offer free parenting classes and resources? Click here for more information. Moms are often seen as the superhero parents, but we know that dads do so much work for their little ones! We know you guys are still waking up in the middle of the night, getting the baby ready first thing in the morning, and sharing many of the responsibilities. They say it takes a village, and the dad is the chief. How can we make it easier? Live chat us with questions and concerns. Ask for help We know, asking for help isn’t always what you want to do. But it’s necessary! No one can do it all on their own, and asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of strength! Your family and friends are willing to help, and so are we. That’s why we offer FREE parenting resources to new mothers and fathers! Call us to see what we can do for you, even as far as giving you the things you might need to take care of your new baby! Thanks, Dads, for ALL you do! We are always reachable via call or text at 614.444.4411.  Create a schedule Babies are unpredictable, but setting a schedule is step 1 in figuring things out. To help ease that stressful feeling that everything is out of control, take some steps to bring some predictability to your days. Start to get your child on a regular eating and sleeping schedule when you are able, so that you aren’t constantly waiting for what happens next, but you are prepared for it instead! Allow yourself some leeway: babies are people too, and they won’t always play by the ‘rules’. But developing a predictable routine helps everyone out, even if it allows for flexibility. Schedule fun for yourself Your child needs a schedule, and so do you! Keep yourself sane by scheduling in the things you enjoy. It’s important to make time for the things that make you happy, even though your child is one of those things! Sometimes you need to do something for yourself that you can enjoy alone or with a loved one. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just a bit of time alone so you can focus on YOU! Dads are such an important part of baby’s life, and self-care for dads means the baby will have a rested and refreshed parent.  Ask for help We know, asking for help isn’t always what you want to do. But it’s necessary! No one can do it all on their own, and asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of strength! Your family and friends are willing to help, and so are we. That’s why we offer FREE parenting resources to new mothers and fathers! Call us to see what we can do for you, even as far as giving you the things you might need to take care of your new baby! Thanks, Dads, for ALL you do! We are always reachable via call or text at 614.444.4411.  Buckle up! It’s time to talk about car seat safety. Are you making the right car seat choices for your child? Let’s take a look at the latest recommendations for keeping your child safe in the car. The type of car seat you will need depends on the age of your child. Of course, there is one thing you must do no matter which car seat you have, and that is to make sure it is securely fastened in your car. Some car seats attach to clips inside the seats of the car, which can be tricky to find. Test the car seats security in your car before you place your child inside! In our parenting classes, we go over how to install a car seat securely and correctly. It’s the easiest way to learn! As far as which car seat your child needs, types vary depending on their age and weight. Always read the specifications on your car seat to make sure it is the right size for your child. Infants Infants are recommended to use rear-facing car seats. These have the most protection, as they cradle the infant in the event of a crash, and have a harness that keeps them locked in tight. This type of car seat is designed to move with the child rather than stay rigid so that they experience as little damage as possible to their fragile spines.  This type of seat is usually recommended for infants up to 1 year old, or when they reach the weight limits and grow out of it. When that time comes, they can switch to a convertible car seat. Some parents choose to go with a convertible right from the start. It starts out rear-facing when they are infants, and then converts to forward-facing when your child is big enough. Toddlers Toddlers between the ages of 2-4, or up to 65 pounds, can be in a forward-facing car seat, although it is recommended to keep them rear-facing as long as possible. Many rear-facing car seats convert to a forward-facing position, with a little bit of maneuvering. This type of convertible seat still has a harness that limits forward motion during a crash.  School-Ages Once grown out of the forward-facing car seat, school-aged children graduated to the booster seat! This booster seat makes them feel more like a grown up, but elevates them so that the seatbelt is positioned over the strongest parts of their body. The seatbelt in your car loops over and under the booster seat to put them in the safest position.  All Ages In the car, all ages should be wearing a seatbelt - always! No exceptions. Promote safety for yourself, and your children will follow suit as they continue to grow. While they are young, use the resources we have available to get the right equipment and make the best choices for them.  Keep your kids safe when they are young and they will be strong when they are older. For more information on parenting, please visit http://www.pdhc.org/parenting.html Whether you are pregnant or planning to be, knowing the way your baby is growing is a fascinating thing! Nine months is a long time, but you’ll be amazed how much development happens within that time frame. Here’s a guide to fetal development throughout each trimester. First Trimester  The first trimester is the first 3 months of pregnancy. This begins at conception (when the sperm meets the egg) and goes through week 12. Within the first few weeks a tiny little face will form and the heart will start beating! The heartbeat can be seen and heard during an early ultrasound. The rest of the organs start to form and the baby begins growing within, transitioning from an embryo to a fetus. By the end of month 3, the fingers and toes are fully formed; now all the baby has to do now is grow! Second Trimester  Bring on the movement in trimester number two. The baby will now begin kicking, moving, and growing hair. You’ll be able to tell if it’s a boy or a girl now via ultrasound around 20 weeks. Around the same time the baby starts to hear their first sounds, learning to recognize the sound of your voice! The eyes begin to open and the baby becomes more active, reaching a weight of about 2-4 pounds. Third Trimester  The countdown to birth begins! Of course, you can’t rush it. The baby will come when they are ready, and sometimes it can take even longer than nine months. But during this last trimester, the final developments take place. The baby begins to blink and see, and can distinguish bright lights on the outside. Baby's sense of smell is getting stronger, and they can smell spices mom ate! The lungs strengthen and get ready to breath, and the last bit of weight is gained before they get ready to meet the world! Fourth Trimester - Wait, what??  Baby's birthday is here! For the first three months of baby's life, lots of development still takes place. The brain is learning lots of new things in the outside world. Baby's sight continues to develop, but don't worry, baby can see you! The little brain is absorbing so much - just like a sponge. So much learning takes place as baby continues to develop routines such as sleep, eating and play-time. Bonding with your baby is so much fun during this time!
They say that you are what you eat, and when you’re pregnant, your baby is what you eat too! |
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