Jacinda Layman
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Preparing for life after pregnancy- Part 2: Tried and true mommy must haves

2/14/2016

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                     I remember feeling overwhelmed as I  walked with my husband through Babies R' Us with the  registry   scanner in my hand.  I had no idea what to  choose.  Looking back, I wish I  would have had a mom with me who had a couple small children and who was in the know about the latest baby items.  There were different items that I wound up with that I quickly found out DID NOT WORK!  I remember a baby carrier that by the time my little man was just a few months old, I had knots in my shoulders.  Then there was the  small flannel receiving blankets that we had swaddled our baby dolls with in the baby care class we took. But why wouldn't my new baby stay swaddled in them??? A couple babies later and some pointers  from other moms, and I finally know a little about what works and what doesn't. There are so many products and so many new items coming  out every day, this post could be never ending. I am going to stick with just a few items here and items that are meant for the newborn. 

1) Swaddlers
             While newborn babies may no longer have the safe  reassuring   comfort of their mothers womb,  swaddling them is often just the trick to calm a new little one.  But when the moment your little one moves, it loosens or you cant quite get it to tuck around their little feet, trying to swaddle your baby can become a frustration. There are two different swaddlers that I use and have loved.  One of these is  Aden and Anais  muslin swaddlers.  These swaddlers are both breathable and durable.  The great thing about these is their size.  They are large enough that they stay nicely tucked when swaddling along with being used for a stroller cover, burp cloth, and nursing cover.  They also make an easy swaddler which is wonderful for those little ones that love to be swaddled but have impressive escape skills! While these light weight blankets may be a little on the pricey side. I can assure you, they are well worth the cost! But be sure to check out your local TJ Max or  Marshall's as they often come up at a discounted price at these retail stores.
            
                 My other favorite is the
Halo Sleep Sack.
When I discovered these as a new mom, I bought them in every size and especially loved the fact that they even made sleep sacks for my older baby so that he did not have multiple loose blankets in his crib. 

2)Rock N Play sleeper
PictureEnjoying her rocking sleeper and Aden & Anais Bamboo Swaddle Blanket.
​                            With  my first I thought a pack n play with an adjustable  bottom was the best  thing for co-sleeping (we co -slept in the same room), but honestly they are big and a pain to move around. Don't get me wrong,  pack n' plays  are great, but when it comes to 0-6 months,  rock n' play sleepers  are the best.  There are a couple of brands that offer  a product like this. I  personally love the  cradling   design  of  INGENUITY Rocking Sleeper Deluxe .  The other features I love about  this sleeper are  the soft washable textiles (we all know blow out are bound to happen), light weight design and  the fact you  disassemble  for easy storage or travel.  

3)Baby Carriers
                      I tend to be kind of a "whatever is a good deal" kind of  mom.  Especially when we were new in our parenting years when money was tight. Whatever I could find used or cheap was great for me! I learned that in the way of baby carries, cheap was not always a good thing.  I had two different ones I tried and by the time my son was just 4 months old, my shoulders were in desperate need of a massage! It wasn't until my little guy was 6 months old and we were taking a trip back to Tennessee that I borrowed an Ergo baby carrier from a  friend.  I wore it constantly on our trip and never once did my shoulders suffer. I then purchased one myself and my son rode in it until he was two and a half!  And he was a big kid! There is also a snazzy little newborn insert for when your baby is very tiny.   Also, I am very excited about that  Ergo just came out with the Ergo 360 which features  side carry and front carry with the baby facing out, which the traditional Ergo did not do.  Usually carriers that face out are not good for baby because of the risks of hip dysplasia. However, Ergo designed the carrier to have an ergonomic seat for baby in this position, which is great.  The ergo is a great investment that is  going to stick with you through the newborn stage and into the first couple years.  

​                  Another carrier I want to feature is the  Moby wrap.  This wrap is going to be amazing for  the newborn and early baby months but probably wont be something you will use when your baby gets heavier.  The wrap is stretch and soft and you can wear it at home without a shirt for lots of skin to skin.  If baby wearing is something that interest you, check back later this year! We will have a guest blogger that is a total expert in baby wearing! 

These are just a few of my faves. Clearly a lot more is needed for your new baby. When it comes time to do your baby shower  registry, don't make the mistake I did! Take another mom with you that has little ones and has tested some items out!  If you are already a  mom what are some of your favorite tried and true baby items?  
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Sensory Play for Infants (0-6 months)

2/4/2016

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Sensory play is such a critical part of brain development.  Babies and children learn best and retain the most information when their senses are engaged. Sensory play develops cognitive skills such as; problem solving and decision making,  fine motor skills like tying shoes and turning the pages in a book,  and even  social and emotional skills. The neurological pathways are better developed in babies and children  when they are given the opportunity to investigate different materials using there senses.  Sensory play can involve  any of the 5 senses, with the most common being touch. In preschool and toddler years, we see activities like rice tables, finger painting, water beads, and so much more! But how in the world do we stimulate tiny babies in this way? I want to give you three simple, doable, inexpensive and realistic activities  for sensory play with your little one who is 6  months and younger. 


Massage
I don't know about you, but I LOVE a good massage! And believe me, your little one will too.  The benefits of baby massage are so never ending! It can help promote better sleep, bonding to parents,  boost the immune system, improves circulation and so much more. Also, infant massage can be done at any age! Yep, from your tiny little newborn baby to your teenager. I have been massaging our boys since tiny babies and they still want their massages! You don't need to be a massage expert to do this with your little one. The first step is HEAT UP THE ROOM! Your baby will not relax and enjoy if it is cold. Now create a comfy place for her to lay  along with getting some nourishing oil such as Jojoba oil or coconut oil to massage her with.  Massaging is quite easy with infants. Using a gentle touch, cup your little ones  thigh in the palm of your hand. With your other hand softly stroke her thigh and go downward to the foot making a circular motion with your hands and encompassing the whole leg.  You can do this for each part of her body.  Let her tell you how much and for how long she wants to be massaged. This is something you can do every day. Make it part of your routine. Right before bedtime is a great time to sing to your sweetheart while relaxing her body with a massage.

Water play
Not only can water play be done in the tub, but it is also wonderful for tummy time. Especially once your baby is lifting his head. Fill a baking sheet with a little warm water and maybe put a few floating toys on it to explore.  Put your little one on their tummy on a blanket with the baking sheet in front of them. Let them splash around  and explore the warm water on the sheet. So simple, so free, so fun! Just make sure you don't walk away from them as water can of course be dangerous when babies are left alone. 
 
Sensory bottles and bags
You can fill up small water bottles or  zip lock bags  with all sorts of materials for your baby to look at, hear and touch. In water bottles, things like buttons, colored water with glitter and small toys, pom poms, or any thing you can think of that is fun to look at and maybe makes a fun rattle noise as well. Zip lock bags are especially fun because they can be touched and squeezed. My personal favorites in zip lock bags are shaving cream and hair gel. I always tape, double bag, and supervise.  
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Once your little can sit up, the ideas are endless! At this age the key is just making sure that what they are playing with it is safe to go in their little mouths. Try things like potato flakes, cooked  spaghetti noodles,  pudding, and so much more! Have you tried any sensory play with your baby or children? What has been your favorite? We would love to hear your ideas!
Picture
Sensory bag filled with shaving cream is great fun for infants.
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    Jacinda is a DONA certified birth doula serving women in El Dorado county and surrounding areas.

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