Parenting advice – It’s unavoidable. It starts as soon as anyone realizes you’re pregnant. And it just never stops. It comes from everyone – your mother, your doctor, your best friend, the woman behind you in the grocery queue, the mailman, the bank teller.

While everyone means well and some of their knowledge is useful, sometimes the tales they have to tell are not only outdated but could be dangerous, as well. Bad baby advice that you definitely should not follow includes:

• Don’t pick your baby up every time he cries or you’ll spoil him. You can’t spoil a baby. A young baby doesn’t have the mental capacity to manipulate you, and only has immediate needs that you can fulfill by picking him up when he signals he needs you.

• Dip your baby’s pacifier in honey and sugar to get her to take it and help her sleep. Or to help get rid of hiccups. The added calories aren’t necessary, and the honey could contain dangerous botulism spores that could harm baby. And there’s absolutely no scientific evidence behind these claims.

• Bite your baby’s nails instead of cutting them. Aside from the yuck factor, the practice of biting your baby’s nails could cause small skin tears that when exposed to your saliva could become infected.

• Rub baby’s gums with whiskey to relieve teething pain. Or give baby a little rum to help him sleep. Well, a drunken baby may surely sleep, but the alcohol might also harm his immature liver and brain.

• Put cereal in baby’s bottle to help him sleep through the night. Babies aren’t meant to have any solids until about 4 to 6 months of age. Before that, his digestive system just isn’t mature enough.

• Never let your baby fall asleep at the breast (Or in your arms. Or in his seat, stroller, swing, etc.) or he will never be able to fall asleep on his own. This advice is sometimes impossible. The hormones released during feeding make baby sleepy, as does the motion of movement. Sleep is a developmental milestone that all humans can eventually accomplish on their own.

• Your emotions could poison your breastmilk. It’s true that a major stressor can impact your milk supply, you’re not going to pass anger, depression, sadness, etc. on to your baby through your breastmilk. If you are suffering with depression, though, it’s important to be treated – your parenting and your interactions with your baby could suffer.

• You can never eat ___ when breastfeeding. And if you have even a whiff of alcohol you should pump and dump. Breastfeeding moms can enjoy whatever foods they like – including the occasional alcoholic beverage – without impacting their breastfeeding babies, if timed correctly. Only rarely are babies allergic to something in their moms’ diets.

• If your baby bites you – or your toddler bites a playmate – bite him back. Biting a baby back only reinforces the exact behavior you want to stop. And it could be seen as abuse by some.

• Never take your baby out on a cold day. Cold air doesn’t cause colds – germs do – so if you’d like to be outside, just bundle baby up and go.

While these seem like antiquated tales, moms today still hear this advice. If you’re not sure what to do in certain situations or if someone’s advice seems iffy, do some research. Most importantly, follow your intuition. If the advice doesn’t seem credible, find another solution.

Written by Michelle, childbirth instructor, lactation consultant, and mother to 4 busy kids

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice.  All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

You wake feeling a little nauseous. As the day goes on, you feel fatigued. You’re pretty sure you’ve got a fever, but haven’t been able to stop and take your temperature. By the afternoon, it’s the inevitable truth – you’re sick. Now what?

While we’d like to imagine equality in our own families, the truth for most moms is that they do the disproportionate share of childcare and housework. So when mom gets sick, the whole family unravels a little.

But when you’re sick, you need to take care of yourself, and make some temporary changes until you’re feeling better.

• Rest! Fatigue makes mothering next to impossible. If you have a baby or toddler who is still napping, sleep when they sleep. If your baby is young enough, you may get away with spending the entire day in bed napping and nursing. If he or she is home, let your partner care for the children while you rest. Your body needs to heal, and sleep is one of the best ways to do so.

• Try home remedies: Saline nose drops, chicken soup, a humidifier … try whatever you have on hand that doesn’t take too much work.

• Stay hydrated and eat what you can: Dehydration and hunger make fatigue even worse. Sip broths or electrolyte replenishing drinks (especially if you’ve been vomiting) and nibble on bland foods (remember the BRAT diet for illness: bananas, rice, applesauce, toast).

• Use caution with medications if you’re breastfeeding: Depending on the severity of your symptoms and the type of illness, you may want to take over the counter medications, or your doctor may prescribe medications to treat your illness. Check with a lactation consultant or your baby’s doctor to make sure any drugs you take (including herbs) are safe for a breastfeeding baby. Even if you’re not breastfeeding, you’ll want to know if a medication is going to make you sleepy – which could really impact your childcare abilities.

• Ask for help: Don’t be afraid to call for reinforcements. If your partner can take the day off from work, great. Or ask family or friends to substitute for you for a day.

• Do the bare minimum to get through the day: Spend the day on the couch, and let the kids play or watch TV nearby. Gate them into the same room if you need to.

• Let it go: Whether it’s the housekeeping, the amount of time your children are spending in front of a screen, or the complete lack of nutritional balance in their meals, let it all go for a day until you’re feeling better.

If you’re a breastfeeding mom, you may wonder if it’s acceptable to nurse your baby when you’re sick. If you’re up to it, then by all means keep breastfeeding. Your body started making antibodies to the illness likely before you even realized you were sick. And these immunities are passed to your baby through breastmilk. Sometimes the nursing baby is the only one in the family who doesn’t get sick! Sometimes when a mom is very ill, her milk supply drops. With frequent nursing after you’re feeling better, your milk supply should rebound.

Cover your cough, no kissing your baby, and be sure to wash your hands often to avoid spreading germs to your children or your partner.

What tips do you have for getting through an illness when you’re trying to care for others?

Written by Michelle, childbirth instructor, lactation consultant, and mother to 4 busy kids

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice.  All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

It’s never too early to start thinking about cultivating a love of reading. But how can you do this with the little bundle all swaddled in a blanket in the cradle?

Read to your baby. Even if you’re reading the New York Times to your newborn, he will not only enjoy hearing your voice, but will learn about sounds and patterns of sounds. Change the inflection of your voice, and read with feeling.

Tell your baby stories. You don’t need to be an expert storyteller or to know every detail of a fairy tale. Simply use your imagination and tell your baby a tale. Even if you’re talking about grocery shopping or changing his diaper, your baby will attend to the changes in your voice and will expand his vocabulary.

Your very young baby will prefer faces to any other pictures, so choose books accordingly. Consider books with textures and bright colors. As your reading, change the inflection of your voice, or make different voices for the different characters.

Make reading routine. Read a book or two to your child before nap time or bedtime every day. Be sure to follow your baby’s cues for when he’s had enough, though. Make sure your children see you reading, too! Children will imitate what they see you doing regularly.

Once your baby can start to handle books on his own, make sure he has lots of board books he can play with. He may chew the edges and not really understand going from start to finish, but the more you read the books out loud with baby in your lap, the more familiar he will become with a routine. After a while, try skipping a page of his favorite book, and you’ll see that he has already memorized it!

As your baby gets older, be sure to keep lots of books at baby-level (not on a high shelf). Allowing your baby to manipulate and play with books, in addition to reading books to him, will set him on a path to the love of the written word.

Take your baby to the library. Often the children’s department will have programs for different age levels. Ask a librarian for book recommendations, and tell your baby all about the wonders found behind a library’s doors.

Literacy is about more than just reading words on the page. Understanding conversation and context are also part of the equation. Every interaction you have with your baby – from birth on – helps baby to read signals around him, from body language to feelings to vocabulary and more.

Written by Michelle, childbirth instructor, lactation consultant, and mother to 4 busy kids

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice.  All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Essential oils are everywhere – it seems like every day I read on social media about how great they are. And moms often want to know if specific oils can increase their breastmilk supply, or make their babies less fussy.

Essential oils are the distillation or extraction of oils from plants. They can be used for a number of purposes, one of which is for health and wellness. But just because these oils are derived from the natural world doesn’t necessarily make them safe for use on your baby.

Several factors influence the safety of essential oils, including the quality of the manufacturing process, the chemical composition of the oil itself, and how the oil will be used. For example, if an oil is a known skin irritant but you’re going to use it in a massage oil, you may want to think again. Some essential oils are known skin or mucous membrane irritants, while other can cause sensitivity to the sun. Knowing exactly which oil you’re using, and all of it’s properties, will help you make safe choices for your baby.

Additionally dosages will differ, and will often depend on the age of the person for whom the oil is meant. Babies and young children can be more sensitive to essential oils than adults and some essential oils should be completely avoided for them.

Because there isn’t enough research about the use of essential oils during pregnancy, most experts recommend avoiding using them during the first 3 months of pregnancy due to the possibility transfer to the fetus causing harm. The following essential oils should be avoided altogether during pregnancy: wormwood, rue, oak moss, Lavandula stoechas, camphor, parsley seed, sage, and hyssop.

Some moms may hear that certain essential oils can help with breastmilk production or breast problems. While there is some anecdotal evidence that essential oils can help, there is no scientific evidence as to safety. Experts believe that topical application is unlikely to have an adverse effect on baby unless the oil is applied to the breast, areola or nipple (where baby might ingest it). If a mother uses an essential oil on the breast, she should wash before feeding.

Babies have sensitive skin, and their body’s systems are all immature – so babies won’t react the same way to essential oil as adults. So using caution with essential oils is, well, essential.

Tips for using essential oils safely with your family include:

• Keep in mind that herbal products are not regulated, and the potency and purity can vary from product to product.
• Herbs – and essential oils – can have interactions with other herbs and with medications.
• If using an essential oil on baby’s skin, always use a ‘carrier oil’ and do a patch test to be sure baby doesn’t have an allergic reaction.
• Know what an allergic reaction might look like so you can seek help if your child has one.
• Work with an aromatherapist, naturopath or holistic practitioner to determine the best essential oils for your own baby.

Use of essential oils shouldn’t be a replacement for a visit to the healthcare provider if your baby is sick. Do your research and get to know which oils are recommended for which purposes so you can make informed decisions.

Written by Michelle, childbirth instructor, lactation consultant, and mother to 4 busy kids

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice.  All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Like unsolicited advice, old wives’ tales and superstitions seem to surround birth and babies. You may give birth on a lucky day of the week, or when the stars are in alignment. Or your baby may have poor luck being born under a certain sign or during a particular year. In fact, one tale holds that Thursday has a single lucky hour, just before sunrise, for birth (so maybe you can plan ahead for that the next time you go into labor).

Do you have a lucky baby? What other superstitions could shape your baby’s temperament and fortune?

Born in the caul
From ancient times to modern, if a baby is born within an intact amniotic sac, he is thought to have good luck. In the past sailors paid large sums for a caul (amniotic sac) as a protective charm against drowning. Caulbearers (those born in the caul) are thought to be natural healers as well as insightful thinkers.

Birthmarks
Some cultures believe touching a birthmark confers luck. Location and shape seem to matter a great deal when it comes to the meaning of a birthmark. For instance, one tale suggests that a mark on baby’s right arm signals future wealth, but a mark on the left arm signals poverty. A birthmark in the middle of the chest indicates luck and prosperity. A birthmark in the shape of a heart, cross or star means luck and maybe even religious enlightenment. Some see birthmarks as gifts or wishes. Strangely, others see them as marks of evil.

What’s in a name?
In some parts of the world, people use names like “stinky pig” and “dog fart” for newborns to confuse evil spirits and steer them away from the baby. Even calling baby by different names is enough to keep evil at bay in other cultures.

Fashion forward
To avoid bad luck, don’t pull clothes over your baby’s head. In the middle ages, it was thought to be bad luck to dress baby at all. Irish legend says to dress a baby boy as a girl to keep the devil away. In Scottish legend, babies are protected by wrapping them in dad’s clothes and later by passing the child three times through mom’s petticoats. Bad luck abounds for those who wash baby’s first diaper or hang diapers to dry in the moonlight.

Follow directions
Never carry a baby downstairs when first taking him out into the world. Go upstairs first to ensure your baby’s prosperity and rise in life. Or consider saying an Irish prayer as protection against evil spirits and sorrows while holding baby up to the south wind.

Personal hygiene
Don’t cut baby’s nails or wash his hands before 12 months unless you’d like to invite ill luck, though you might bring good luck by spitting on baby or rubbing his head with money.

Weaning
Some traditions suggest babies should only be weaned in May, August, November or January and always at the full moon (as if there isn’t enough misinformation out there about breastfeeding). Others say it’s bad luck to wean a baby in early Spring.

Have you heard any of these tales? What’s your baby’s destiny?

Written by Michelle, childbirth instructor, lactation consultant, and mother to 4 busy kids

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

According to experts, breastmilk is all your baby needs for the first six months of life. From age 6 months to age 12 months, solids should be an experiment in taste and texture, while breastmilk remains the main source of baby’s calories.

Is my baby ready for solids?

You baby may be ready for solids if:

• He can sit on his own
• He has lost the tongue thrust reflex (he doesn’t immediately push food out of his mouth with his tongue)
• He has developed the “pincer grasp” (the ability to pick up small object with his thumb and forefinger)
• He is no longer satisfied even with more frequent breastfeeding

You may notice that your baby watches food move from your plate to your mouth, and he may reach for food anytime you have a meal or snack. You might even see him making chewing motions in imitation of you eating!

Many healthcare providers recommend starting with baby cereal and moving on to fruits and vegetables, then finally adding meat. But, there’s no reason to go in this order, especially if your baby is 6 months or older when starting solids.

When you start solids, offer them one or two times a day, while continuing to breastfeed on demand. Nurse your baby before feeding solids so that you can keep up your milk supply. You can slowly increase the amount of solids your baby gets over the next few months, but breastfeeding should still remain the main source of nourishment.

Feed only one type of food for several days, watching for any type of allergic reaction. If baby does fine with that food, add another. If your baby refuses the foods you’re trying to feed him, consider finger foods instead. If he’s still not interested, wait a week or so and try again.

Does my baby need water?

Exclusively breastfed babies don’t need extra water, even when it’s hot outside. Once your baby is no longer exclusively breastfeeding, though, you may want to give him a few sips of expressed breastmilk or water with solids to keep his digestive system working well. Most babies who continue to breastfeed on demand while solids are being introduced do not need extra fluids.

When can I start a sippy cup?

Around age 6 months, you can start teaching baby to use a cup. Give only few sips of water a couple of times a day (no more than 2 ounces in 24 hours). Don’t expect him to gulp down full glasses of fluids, or to be very neat about it. It’s mainly an experience in learning how to manipulate a cup. Sometimes older babies and toddlers prefer a straw to a cup. Many babies aren’t interested in a cup until closer to 12 months old.

Written by Michelle, childbirth instructor, lactation consultant, and mother to 4 busy kids

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice.  All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Breastmilk is all your baby needs for the first six months. Many healthcare providers recommend starting with packaged baby cereal – mixed with expressed breastmilk, water or juice – as your baby’s first solid food. They then suggest trying vegetables, fruits, and finally meats. Researchers, however, say that if your baby is older than 6 months when you start solids, the order you introduce them is of little consequence.

Once your baby is ready to start solids, though, consider introducing these first foods:

Bananas: Banana’s sweetness and smooth consistency make it a great first food. Plus, it doesn’t need to be cooked for baby. Simply mash a very ripe banana with a fork and offer small spoonfuls (or fingertip-fulls).

Avocados: Ripe avovados can be mashed and fed to baby uncooked, too. Packed with vitamins an minerals, as well as healthy fats, avocados make a great nutrient-dense addition to baby’s diet.

Sweet Potatoes: Bake and mash a sweet potato, adding a little expressed breastmilk or water to achieve the right consistency. Sweet potatoes are a great source of vitamin B6. If you cook the potato in the microwave, be sure to check for hot spots before feeding to baby.

Pears: Shred or mash a ripe pear, or puree it like applesauce. Pears have a mild flavor along with lots of vitamins A and C.

Carrots: steam carrots or cut well-cooked carrots into bite sized pieces. High in vitamin A and beta carotene, carrots contribute to healthy vision. Avoid raw carrots, though, as they are a choking hazard.

You don’t necessarily need to puree baby’s first foods. As long as they are soft, your baby is able to sit on his own, and has lost the tongue thrust reflex, he should do fine with small pieces of well-cooked, soft, mashed foods.

If your baby is interested in feeding himself, you can provide teething biscuits and O-shaped cereals occasionally and with supervision.

You may still hear advice that you need to introduce vegetables before fruits or your baby will always expect sweet tastes. Because human milk is sweet and baby’s tongue has a high proportion of sweet taste buds, it’s not surprising that baby might favor fruits. Try sweet vegetables – like sweet potatoes or carrots. Be persistent if your baby refuses vegetables. Your baby will learn to like many foods when you keep offering them.

What are your baby’s favorite first foods?

Written by Michelle, childbirth instructor, lactation consultant, and mother to 4 busy kids

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice.  All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

One of the great things about breastfeeding is that you typically don’t need lots of stuff in order to do it. Your baby and your own body – that’s all you really need. No bottles, formula, looking for water, mixing, warming, cleaning. Breastmilk is sterile, always ready and at just the right temperature. This makes breastfed babies very portable, and makes traveling with one pretty simple (at least the feeding part).

No matter how you’re traveling, be sure to wear comfortable clothes. Two-piece outfits – so you can easily lift your top to nurse – are essential. You might even want to invest in a couple of nursing tops to help you feel comfortable. A cardigan or other layering, like a scarf, can give you some added privacy if you’re shy about nursing in public.

If you’re flying:

• Pack extra clothes and diapers in your carryon just in case your luggage is delayed (this is true whether your baby is breastfed or not!)
• Pack extra water for yourself – airplanes can be pretty dry and you don’t want to get dehydrated.
• Nursing your baby as your plane is taking off and as it’s landing can help relieve some of the discomfort your baby may feel with the pressure change.
• Carrying baby in a sling or wrap is helpful in crowded airports (though you’ll need a car seat for on the plane).
• Window seats may give a little more privacy and bulkhead seats offer more legroom – so you may want to consider that when booking your flight.
• You may want to talk to the flight attendants as you’re boarding – just to let them know you plan of feeding your baby in flight – and check the airline’s policies ahead of your trip.

If you’re traveling by car:

• Plan for plenty of stops to feed and change baby.
• Find a place to safely stop before removing him from his car seat. As much as you may want to try maneuvering yourself to nurse him while your partner continues driving, it’s essential to take the extra time to stop.
• You might consider planning long stretches of driving during the night or during baby’s regular nap times.
• The motion of the car may lull baby to sleep – if your baby is very young, you may need to stop to wake baby to nurse.

It’s not unusual for baby’s schedule to change when traveling. All the excitement, overstimulation, and schedule disruption may take some adaptation on your part. Don’t forget babies get jet lagged, too. Allow extra time for adjustments.

Pay attention to your own hunger and thirst cues, as well as your need for rest. Allow plenty of time to get from one place to another – traveling with children always takes more time than you think it will.

Written by Michelle, childbirth instructor, lactation consultant, and mother to 4 busy kids

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice.  All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Latch, unlatch. Latch again, pull off, look around, latch again. Suck a couple times. Hear a sound and stop. Try to turn his head with the breast still in his mouth. Sound like your baby?

Between age two months and six months, and again between eight and ten months, babies tend to become more distractible – even when nursing. Babies are starting to notice more of their world, and are interested in every little sight and sound. While this is a developmental milestone and a sign that your baby’s brain is growing by leaps and bounds, it can be pretty annoying when breastfeeding.

If you find that your baby gets easily distracted when nursing, you may want to …

Find a quiet place: Going to a quiet, darkened room helps some babies concentrate on nursing, and block out any outside distraction. Whisper or talk in a soft voice, if you talk at all.

Wear a nursing necklace: If your baby likes to fidget while nursing, you might consider wearing a ‘nursing necklace’ that he can look at and manipulate with his hand while he’s feeding. Try a long necklace with big colorful beads.

Take advantage of white noise and motion: Try nursing while standing and swaying, or think about putting baby in a sling and walking around while your feeding him. White noise may block out any auditory distractions if your baby is especially prone to stopping at every little sound.

Don’t take it personally: Some moms think this start and stop feeding is a sign that baby no longer wants her. But it’s simply a sign that baby is starting to recognize he is separate from her, while still safe in her sphere of physical and emotional protection.

If your baby tends to pull away without letting go of your nipple, you may need to be vigilant so you can break the suction with your finger before baby gets too far. Some moms find that nursing in a sling or using the football (or clutch) hold keeps their baby from being able to pull away like this (and gives mom a little more control over baby’s movements).

Most moms say their baby was the most distracted between four and five months of age. Keep in mind that just because your baby is distracted while nursing, it doesn’t necessarily mean she’s weaning (especially if she’s younger than a year). Babies younger than age one typically do not self-wean. They still need the calories of breastmilk. If your baby is starting to nurse less because she’s busy checking out her world, you may want to consciously offer the breast more often during the day and get in as many nighttime feedings as you can (when the stimulation from the outside world is very limited).

What tricks do you have for breastfeeding the distractible baby?

Written by Michelle, childbirth instructor, lactation consultant, and mother to 4 busy kids

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice.  All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

It seemed fun when you were pregnant and registering for all that cute baby gear. But now it seems like baby clothes, toys and miscellaneous kid paraphernalia take up every nook and cranny in your house. What can you do to get a hold on organizing all the stuff you’ve accumulated?

Start with the idea that everything needs to have a place, so that there’s a place for everything. Then choose an organization system that best matches your space, your needs, and your own personality.

• Invest in drawer dividers for baby’s dresser: Having a way to separate socks from onesies from pajamas is essential. You can even make your own by cutting down boxes that were destined for the trash (think boxes from cereal or pasta).
• Add some sort of shelving to your child’s room: Not just for books, shelving will give you a place to organize toys, clothes and other baby supplies. Make sure these are secure and out of reach so baby can’t pull items off.
• Baskets and bins: If you have shelving, you want to have a way to store things on the shelf. Baskets and bins of all sorts can keep everything in its place. Buy some larger baskets – the kind that can sit on the floor – for larger items.
• Organize clothes by size: Different sizes in different drawers might help. Or buying some hanging tags to help you keep clothes in the closet divided. If you have lots of clothes that your baby won’t fit for a while, consider packing those away in a bin or box. Switch out clothes with the change of seasons, and have a place for the clothes baby has outgrown.
• Rotate toys: Pack away any toys your baby isn’t ready for yet, and keep a small stash in baskets around the house. This is, of course, easier for young babies. For older babies and toddlers, having a large bin or basket in which to quickly clean up is a great way to help you child learn where toys belong. Toy bin is overflowing? Time to get rid of some.
• Make the most of every space: Place hooks on the wall or the side of a dresser or changing table (removable adhesive hooks are great for this). Don’t forget the back of the door! Shoe pockets are great for storing small items. Under the crib is lots of storage space – you might even add a skirt to the crib to hide the bins!
• When deciding on larger storage pieces, like shelving, make sure it will grow with your child. You’ll be surprised how fast your baby moves from rattles to building block to action figures and Legos.
• Become a labeler: You’ll always know what’s in the mystery bin that got pushed into the far corner of the closet.
• Don’t have a closet? Consider a freestanding armoire, or adapt a bookcase by removing a shelf and adding a hanging bar, even a shelf on the wall with an attached bar could give you a place to hang a few outfits.

What methods have you found for organizing all your baby stuff?

Written by Michelle, childbirth instructor, lactation consultant, and mother to 4 busy kids

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Let’s face it – all mothers work. Women don’t make the decision to return-to-work or to stay-at-home lightly. And neither choice is right or wrong – it all depends on your family’s needs. You’re the best judge of what’s right for you.

If you’re on the fence about returning to work, here are some points to consider:

• Your finances: First and foremost, can your budget adjust to a decrease in income for your family? If you want to stay home and just can’t figure out how to do it, sit down and take a good look at where all of your money goes each month. See if there are ways to make changes that would make staying at home an option.

• Childcare choices: Consider the cost of childcare when working on your budget. Will your working cause you to spend more than you make, effectively negating your salary? Are there waiting lists at the day care you most want to use? Would it be less cost to employ someone in your home? Do you have a flexible job that will let you bring baby along for the first few months?

• Work options: Does your employer offer telecommuting, so you can work at least part of your hours from home? Could you return to work part time rather than full time? Is job sharing (where two people split the hours and duties for one job) an option? Is your employer willing to let you work flexible hours (four nine-hour days, for example, with three days off each week)?

• Career advancement: How will not working affect your advancement in your profession? Some women consider “sequencing,” dropping out of the paid workforce while their children are young, and re-entering later when the demands of motherhood are less.

• Breastfeeding: Many women successfully combine working and breastfeeding. But consider what you will need in order to do this. Do you have a breast pump? Have you considered where and when you will pump at work? Have you discussed it with your supervisor ahead of your maternity leave, or is this a topic you still need to broach?

While some women are able to take a long paid maternity leave, the reality in the US is that most mothers are back to work very soon after the birth of their baby. And for some families, this is just fine. Maybe before the birth, you had every intention to return to your job; but now that your baby is here, you can’t imagine leaving him every day. Or maybe your job’s demands aren’t compatible with having a family, and you need to either find a different position or stay home. Or maybe you decided even before birth that you wanted to stay at home. Whatever your situation, the decision-making needs to be planned for your family’s well being.

How did you decide whether or not to return to work outside the home?

Written by Michelle, childbirth instructor, lactation consultant, and mother to 4 busy kids 

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice.  All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

We’ve all seen them – the perfect pictures of a cocooned baby on a beautifully crocheted blanket with just the right lighting. Then when we try to take that picture at home, we come up a bit short of the artistic image we expected. Aside from hiring a professional photographer, what can you do to beautifully capture your precious little one?

Photographers have the following tips for photographing your baby at home:

Safety is paramount: Make sure any props you use are sturdy and clean. No leaving baby laying on a table or fluffy pillow. If baby will be undressed, make sure the room is warm.

Pay close attention to lighting: Natural light makes for the best photos, so set your shot up near a large window to take advantage of lots of daylight. This is especially helpful for making the most of those hospital pictures that capture the first days of baby’s life.

Keep extra supplies on hand: Diapers, wipes and blankets are helpful. Be sure baby is fed and comfortable before starting, and take breaks if baby gets fussy.

Let the baby stand out: Choose a neutral color palate for your background (black, white, grey, beige) and keep props to the minimum. The baby should be the focus of the images.

Use angles to your advantage: Try taking pictures from above – which limits distractions in the background and is typically a flattering angle. Don’t move the baby, move yourself. Take pictures from all different angles, walking around baby and snapping as you go. Consider tilting the camera for an artsy image.

Consider a macro lens or setting: To get the best images of those tiny fingers and toes, choose the correct settings on your camera to bring out the detail.

For the fussy baby: Consider images where mom is holding baby (even if the backdrop is draped over mom’s body!). Play some white noise or classical music to keep the mood calm. If baby is too fussy, end the photo session and try again another time.

Get to know your camera before the photoshoot. A top-of-the-line camera won’t do you any good if you don’t know how to use it. Learn how to change the settings to capture the best lighting. Play around with modes – portrait, action, landscape, shutter speed, etc. Learn what focal length and aperture are, and try shooting manually with your camera.

As your baby grows into a toddler and young child, some of the same rules apply, but you may be trying to shoot pictures of a moving target. Tips for capturing images of your older child include: Get down to their level (rather than always taking pictures from your taller perspective), give them something to hold or something to do, or ask them to copy your facial expressions.

Candid shots are always fun, too. Don’t always focus on the portrait sessions.

The best advice, though, is to stay in the moment. Sometimes being the constant family photographer – for holidays, birthday parties, and vacations – keeps you from living the experience. So, at least once in a while, put the camera away and join in the fun.

Written by Michelle, childbirth instructor, lactation consultant, and mother to 4 busy kids

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice.  All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.