Do I Need Baby Laundry Detergent?

As you prepare for pregnancy, chances are you are washing tons of cute little baby clothes, baby sheets, towels and blankets. And experts and pregnancy books always tell you to take care (and spend the extra money) to use baby laundry detergents such as Dreft, so that you don’t risk bothering your baby’s skin once he or she is born.

Truth is, your newborn will have very, very sensitive skin. They will likely get all sorts of little rashes, and skin peeling and difficulties with their delicate skin in the first few weeks after birth. And yes, some of that can be attributed to using harsh detergents to wash their clothes and blankets in. In fact, anything that comes in contact with your baby’s skin has the potential to cause a break out (including your own clothing) as they work to develop anti-bodies.

That being said, some of the amazingly smelling baby laundry detergents are super expensive! And you will be doing a lot of laundry once the baby arrives. While there is nothing that beats the smell of baby laundry detergent, you do have other options.

The key is to look for hypoallergenic, perfume and dye free laundry detergents. Many stores today even sell organic laundry detergents or detergents that are made for sensitive skin. Obviously, the baby detergents are not perfume free, because they smell like clean babies. So even though they may have fewer chemicals than your traditional detergent, you can actually find products that are purer than those.

One of the benefits to choosing a non-baby but sensitive skin laundry detergent, aside from the price difference, is that you can wash all of your household laundry together. And, many of the traditional baby detergents do not do well at getting out the typical organic stains on your baby’s clothes while other detergents do. In fact, for organic stains such as spit-up or bile, you might want to get a pre-treatment sold in the laundry detergent that is for biological stains.

Most often, the recommendations for washing your baby’s clothes in perfume and dye free detergents expire around the age of 6 months. But many moms switch back to regular detergents earlier. When you do switch back, just keep a careful eye on your baby’s skin to make sure that they don’t have any allergic reactions to the detergent.

All in all, the smell of freshly washed clothes in baby detergent is definitely one of the perks to pregnancy and having a newborn in the house. However, it is not always a necessity – and you may find other options that wash your clothes better. As long as your baby seems to handle the washing detergent, then there really is no need in spending triple the price for exclusive baby detergents.

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

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 2017. All rights reserved.

Can I Paint the Nursery While Pregnant?

For many expectant mothers, preparing the nursery is a rite of passage. Nesting – as some may call it – begins with conception as you try to recraft and recreate your world to make it perfect for the baby. There will be a lot of shopping trips, baby proofing, rearranging of furniture, and sprucing up to prepare for your baby. And, for some, there is the nursery.

For many women, the question arises of “Can I paint the nursery while pregnant?” After all, you cannot bring a baby home to a nursery that is blah, right? But then again, as a pregnant women you know firsthand and have likely heard from well meaning friends and family that some things are just not safe for pregnant women.  Is painting one of those things?

According to the CDC, latex or water based paints pose no reproductive risks. Additionally, the short term exposure to paint fumes during pregnancy is generally considered safe.  The key here is short term exposure. The greatest risk of any harm to your growing baby seems to be in the first trimester. Beyond that, most experts don’t see a problem with pregnant women painting.

That being said, you need to consider other things. It is not just the paint fumes that you should worry about. For one thing, you should be cautious with ladders, because your balance is definitely not what it used to be. Secondly, you want to try and avoid getting yourself in precarious positions, especially late in pregnancy, that could cause injury. And, while the paint fumes may not be dangerous, they may be a quick trigger for a pregnancy headache, migraine or nausea. Most of all, avoid becoming fatigued or overdoing it.

Experts also suggest that you don’t handle any decorating products, such as spray paints, that include solvents.

If you feel like you want to be a part of the nursery decorating process, then by all means dive in and let your creative juices flow. Just be careful and try not to push yourself too hard.  Allow other folks to paint the ceilings, stay off ladders, and of course make sure that the room is well ventilated while you are in there. If you get tired, take a break. You should also avoid eating while painting to decrease the risk that you may ingest some of the chemicals in paint.

On the other hand, if you just aren’t up for the challenge of painting the nursery – this is a good time to enlist the help of all the family members and friends who are just dying to help you. Don’t worry, your baby won’t know who painted their bedroom!

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

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 2017. All rights reserved.

Where Will My Baby Sleep?

It may seem that choosing a place for your infant to sleep is a given.  After all, isn’t that what the crib you bought is for?  The truth is that during the first few months of life, your baby will be calmer and sleep better if they are in a womb-like environment and closer to YOU. This is where a bassinet, cradle or baby Moses basket comes into play. Leave the big crib in the nursery and find one of the hundreds of adorable baby bassinets to keep your baby in close quarters.  Many have traditional handles perfect for toting baby from one room to the next without waking them. And the best part is you can keep your baby in the bedroom with you so you will be sure you will hear every sound and sniffle your baby makes during the night.

According to experts, a baby basket or bassinet in the room WITH YOU is safer than bed-sharing. It will help you sleep soundly at night, as well, because you will feel more relaxed. If you are planning to breastfeed, getting to your baby quickly helps them ease back to sleep more efficiently (Which also means you can get back to sleep more quickly).

When looking for a baby basket or bassinet, the key is to find one that is both sturdy and easy to clean. Make sure that the mattress is removable and well-fitted, and that you can find tight fitting sheets for the mattress. Some of the baby baskets or bassinets have legs or wheels which mean that you can transport them around the house without waking the baby. Even though your baby will not be rolling over or moving much in the very beginning – you want to make sure the walls are high enough to provide safety to your baby. Keep in mind babies can use their reflexes to scoot their bodies around in sleep; so, you may notice your baby against the side of the bassinet after a short while (which is why you should be sure to never leave your baby unattended on an adult bed or couch.)

Certainly, you will need that beautiful crib in the nursery at some point. There will come a day in the next few months where the nursery will be alive with the sounds of a baby. What most new parents don’t realize, however, is that leaving the baby in the nursery, even with a baby monitor, causes a lot of stress and many trips up and down throughout the night, especially in the first few weeks after birth. If you haven’t had your shower yet, check out a bassinet or Moses basket, and put it on your list. Even though it will only be useful for a very short time, it will definitely make your life easier.

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

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 2017. All rights reserved.