Having a baby can seem super scary the first time, or even the second time.
Just the idea of it and all the stories we’ve all heard are enough to scare anyone half to death.
But for the most part, childbirth is pretty easy. That’s right.
Sure there’s pain involved but most of the time birthing goes smoothly.
Your instincts will kick in and between that and the medical staff guiding you, you’ll be a birthing warrior with one agenda in mind.
But for now, I know there’s a lot to think about and you may feel worried.
Below is a list of things that will help you feel more prepared and it will really take the fear out of having a baby.
Check it out below!
By the way, this post contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This helps me keep my blog up and running and I only list products that I love and have used myself. Thank you.
How To Reduce Your Fear Of Childbirth
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Taking A Course
Childbirth classes are the absolute most effective way to take the fear out of the experience.
A Labor and Delivery Nurse will tell you exactly what to expect and how to get through the whole ordeal as easily as possible.
If you don’t have time to go to a class you can take one online. It’s convenient and you can take your time or do it in one sitting.
Here’s the best prenatal class online and the first parts of it are totally free! You will learn absolutely everything you need to know and it will help tremendously so make sure you sign up.
A Class is a must and I think the online ones are the best because you can do it whenever you’re ready.
Want FREE BABY STUFF? I have partnered with many companies to give you the best baby freebies online including Nursing Pillow, Pregnancy Pillows, Nursing Covers, Baby Leggings, Baby Clothes and so much more. You can find out how to get your freebies in this post right here.
Set Up A Birth Plan
Setting up a birth plan will help you feel in control of your situation. This is a good thing. You will let the staff know what you expect and your preferences for the birth and your environment.
Reading a book about giving birth will help put your mind at ease. It will give you an idea of exactly what happens and that will make you feel more prepared.
Being fit and ready for birth will go a long way when it comes to making the experience easier.
Fit mamas have shorter and less painful births.
You can take a pregnancy fitness program like the Belly Only Program. This program was created by a fitness expert that specializes in pregnancy so take a look!
Talking to a friend or even your mother about your fears can help tremendously. They will tell you they’ve been there and it all turned out just fine.
Because it will.
You’re Were Made For This
Women are made for giving birth. Your body is a birthing machine. The fact that millions of women that came before you have successfully given birth should bring you some comfort.
Your body will take over and it will do its thing so try not to worry and trust in your body’s natural ability to lead you.
Choose The Right Practitioner Because It Really Matters
Finding the right doctor or midwife will mean so much.
Read reviews and meet them before you decide. Make sure it’s someone who puts you at ease and seems really empathetic.
You’ll want someone who is in line with your beliefs about birth. That way you know you’ll have the right support.
Possibly Consider A Doula
A Doula is someone who can give you added, expert support during pregnancy and childbirth.
Women have been serving others in childbirth for many centuries and have proven that support from another woman has a positive impact on the labor process.
They can help provide emotional and Physical support during the birthing process and many women find their presence invaluable. They often provide pain relief and comfort to the mama in the way of massage, breathing and relaxation techniques and help with positioning.
Having your hospital bag and belongings packed well in advance will lend you some comfort. Knowing you’re ready when it does happen can help keep your mind at ease.
Having a good support system is key inside and outside of the delivery room.
Make sure you surround yourself with friends and family that are willing to listen and comfort you when you have questions before the big day.
But the ones you bring in during labor and delivery matter the most. You’ll likely want your partner and maybe your mama { I Did! } to be present to help and comfort you.
Make sure they know your fears ahead of time and that they have a calm and cool attitude.
If they become a nervous wreck then that will only stress you out more so they need to know to keep their cool no matter what and be a support system for YOU.
Just Breathe
It sounds simple enough. But when we are nervous or absolutely panicked we often hold our breath. This will make you that much more scared and it will make giving birth harder too.
So being conscious of your breath and practicing before the big day is a good idea. You need to really give it some thought and give it a little time each day during the third trimester.
Sit down for at least 10 minutes a day and just take deep breaths and clear your mind. Maybe count as you breathe so you’ll have something specific to do if your stress or fear starts to take over.
The main take away here is to educate yourself with a Prenatal class, Set up a birthing plan, be fit and ready for the big day and have the right support in all four corners.
You’ll feel so much calmer and prepared if you take these simple steps.
I wish you all the luck in the world!
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Albert Einstein said, “The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.”
Maybe you have heard of STEM play recently around your parenting circle. It’s a new philosophy and method on how to teach kids in a well-rounded manner.
STEM is an acronym for “Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math” (also known as STEAM if you include art in there as well and you should).
Way before your child knows how to do math or completes science projects, they begin learning the skills that will lead up to those things, and that’s what STEM Learning is all about.
You can start STEM activities at a very early age too, even young babies will benefit from them.
Learn more about how STEM works below!
By the way, this post contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This helps me keep my blog up and running and I only list products that I love and have used myself. Thank you!
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Bright Hub Education explained each element of STEM very well:
“Science is a way of thinking through experiments, observation, making predictions, asking questions, and deciding how things work.
Technology is a way of doing. With learning tools, kids become inventive, identify problems, and make things work.
Engineering is also a way of doing. A child can solve problems with a variety of materials – they design and create. Little learners build things that work.
Math is a way of measuring. Preschoolers explore shapes, size, volume, and learn about patterns and sequencing.” Bright Hub Education
What are the benefits of STEM learning?
STEM gets kids excited to learn.
STEM is all about curiosity which strengthens the brain.
STEM teaches kids to fail – and that it’s okay!
STEM prepares kids for today’s technology.
STEM fosters creativity and imagination.
STEM promotes independent play – let your child lead and see what they discover on their own.
STEM helps kids relate to the world around them.
STEM helps kids with memory retention.
STEM will better prepare kids for school.
****Want FREE BABY STUFF? I have partnered with many companies to give you the best baby freebies online including Nursing Pillow, Pregnancy Pillows, Nursing Covers, Baby Leggings, Baby Clothes and so much more. You can find out how to get your freebies in this post right here.
STEM learning does not mean a complicated DIY science experiment where you need a ton of time and materials. It can be as simple as going outside in nature with your child.
Ask “What” questions when exploring:
What are those bugs doing?
What shape is that stone?
What is on the tree branch?
What is under that rock?
What do you see in the clouds?
For babies, try to not say “no” often and instead let your baby explore more freely.
For example, our son used to get into this cupboard in the kitchen that was located on the ground level (all the other cabinets had safety locks), but this particular cupboard was filled with old baby bottles, plastic containers, lids, and things like this so we left it unlocked.
Our son LOVED opening this cupboard and taking out everything inside and then he would even climb in the cupboard and play in there (the door was always open).
Yes, it made a huge mess on the kitchen floor, but instead of saying “no,” we allowed him to play and explore. Afterward, I just cleaned it up – no big deal.
This cupboard would keep him entertained for a good 45 minutes! With a baby’s short attention span, this was amazing and proves that STEM activities and toys are more engaging for kids.
For toddlers, STEM gets even more fun when we can talk with our kids, listen to what they have to say, and watch them imagine and figure things out.
“STEM projects for toddlers help children explore a variety of thinking skills that boost both their creativity, logic, space awareness, fine motor skills, and gross motor skills. Toddlers who engage these systems, versus toddlers who largely learn from screens and immobile activities have a huge advantage once they reach school-age.” (Source – Steamsational)
In addition to DIY STEM learning, STEM toys are really important because these are the best toys that will help your child develop and learn instead of just sitting around collecting dust.
Take a minute to think about your child’s top three favorite toys. I bet they are interactive in some way, right?
We just donated two trash bags of toys to our son’s pre-school because we noticed he only played with three main toys:
His cars / hot wheels (he loves to line them up and one by one he looks at each car carefully, it’s really cute. Especially when he says, “Look, Camero!” or “Mama, Hummer!” Also, he sorts all his cars by color in piles)
Building blocks
Lincoln logs
Baby Savers published an amazing list of ideas and activities for parents to refer to when choosing STEM toys:
“Seek out toys that encourage one or more of the following ideas or activities:
Additionally, here are some great tips to follow when introducing your baby / toddler to STEM toys:
Keep it simple.
Avoid technology.
Don’t use battery-operated toys that tend to guide the child on how to play instead of the child exploring and learning on their own.
Avoid teaching.
Make it fun.
Talk together.
Follow your child’s imagination – there’s no right or wrong way!
Switch it up a bit – dad can be cooking and mom can be mowing the lawn.
Here are some really awesome STEM toys for babies and toddlers. You can buy them on AMAZON at a really good price:
***As with any toy, please access whether or not it would be a choking hazard to your baby or toddler depending on their developmental stage.
Rocking Baby Birds 12 Piece Balance Toy – STEM Toy
Rocking Baby Birds is a fun Balancing/learning toy for babies and children by Tender Leaf Toys.
It is part of a vast array of STEM products that we offer to enhance your child’s cognitive function, strategic thinking and problem-solving.
Made of 100% All natural Renewable Resources (Rubberwood), and accented with Non-Toxic water-based paint, this toy is sure to be a favorite of your child for years to come. You can find it here or click on the image below!
CozyBomB Magnetic Wooden Fishing Game Toy for Toddlers
This is a fun and creative take on the old school fishing game we all had as youngsters.
Your little one will love the colorful wooden fish blocks and they will be learning the whole time as well.
You can find this awesome game right here or by clicking on the image below.
Coogam Toddler Fine Motor Skill Toy, Clamp Bee to Hive Matching Game
This little Bee’s nest is such fun for your little one or toddler.
Toddlers under the age of 3 can use fine motor skills to identify colors and shapes.
Preschoolers will improve their hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills development as well as strengthen basic math skills.
Peach Puree is a special surprise for babies who are just trying solids.
It’s fragrant and delicious and it has a tart yet sweet flavor that babies love.
My little ones always loved this particular recipe, it was like a lovely dessert after eating their yummy pureed veggies.
Check out the recipe below and make sure you watch the short video on how it’s made after the quick video advertisement.
Peach Puree Recipe For Your Baby | Recipes For Babies That Are Ready For Solids
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Take 4 Large peaches and cut them up into small chunks.
Add Three tablespoons of ‘ no sugar added ‘ apple juice.
Cook the mixture until very soft.
Then blend until it’s completely smooth.
Let it cool completely then serve.
I hope your baby loves this special treat as much as mine did! If you’re looking for other puree recipes check out this Banana and breastmilk ( Or formula ) recipe too.
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There’s a big difference in surviving and thriving. When it comes to your baby you want her to grow to her fullest potential.
We all want that for our children. There are a few simple things you can do to give your baby the best chance to thrive well and be healthy.
You can help your baby by following the simple steps below.
This post may contain affiliate links at no cost to you.
10 Things Every Baby Needs To Thrive
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Meeting Your Baby’s Healthcare Needs
Two of the things that your baby needs to grow and thrive are energy and good health.
It’s important to stick to your immunization schedule and to take your baby to all scheduled appointments.
Some parents are worried about the risks associated with immunizations, and that’s ok. You shouldn’t blindly follow everything that is ” supposed ” to be done or what they say is necessary.
Talk to your health care professional to help develop the plan that’s right for you and your baby.
****Want Freebies For You And Your Baby? Get $330 Worth Of Gear! I have partnered with many companies to give you the best baby freebies online including Nursing Pillow, Pregnancy Pillows, Nursing Covers, Baby Leggings, Baby Clothes and so much more. You can find out how to get your freebies in this post right here.
Helping Your Baby Sleep
Sleep is important to everyone but especially important to babies.
Sleep allows for brain development that is vital for your child and your baby getting enough quality sleep impacts mental and physical development.
During the deep sleep states, the blood supply to the muscles is increased, energy is restored, tissue growth and repair occur, and important hormones are released for growth and development.
Optimizing your child’s sleep and their sleep environment can be really helpful. Check out this post on helping your baby sleep better.
***Have You taken a prenatal birth course yet? Don’t have time? Here’s the best Premium online birthing course and the first part of it’s totally free! You will learn absolutely everything you need to know and it will help tremendously so make sure you sign up. A Class is a must and I think the online ones are the best. Here’s a free Birth Planner Too!
Feeding Your Baby
Your baby should only be eating breast milk or formula for at least the first six months.
Starting solids too soon can have damaging and long term effects on your child.
Studies show that breastfeeding is best for your child when at all possible.
However both include all of the important nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that your baby needs to develop, so if you need to choose formula, you can certainly feel good about that too.
I also have an email course on Breastfeeding. Check it out below.
Giving Your Child Love
You already know this but it has to be said. The more you touch, talk and play with your child the happier and more well rounded he/she will grow to be.
So give lots of snuggles and attention to your new babe.
Talking to Your Baby
I mentioned this above but it deserves to be said again. Talk to your baby every day.
Research has proven that babies who are talked to have stronger and better-developed language skills than babies who are not talked to.
Sit down and talk to your baby daily. Tell him/her anything that you would want to say to anyone else.
Reading to Your Baby
It is also important that you read to your baby. While your baby will like looking at the colors and graphics that are inside of children’s books, they will also love hearing your voice reading their favorites stories.
Read a great children’s book daily to your babe, even if he/she is still very young.
Or pick up a great classic novel and read that to your infant while you are rocking or feeding her.
Share New Experiences with Your Baby
Allowing your baby to try new things is going to help her to develop and have a well-rounded mindset.
Babies should be able to explore and play freely while also being able to visit new places, see new things, and meeting new people.
Allow Your Baby to Try New Things
The first time that your baby tries anything it is going to be a bit of a challenge.
Instead of hovering over your baby and doing everything for her, you should take the time to allow her to try and do them on her own.
Doing this will help her to develop and learn and it will be a lot more fun for your babe.
Find the Best Childcare
If you can’t stay at home with your baby finding the right caregiver is very important.
When you need to go back to work or just go have some time for yourself, you want to make sure that your baby is well cared for in the best environment.
Finding a place with education in mind, even for little ones will be best. This will give them the opportunity to continue learning new things while away from mama.
You’ll also want to make sure that your child’s caregivers have the nurturing qualities and considerate philosophy that you possess.
Finding a center or provider with cameras that you can view any time online is also a big plus in my opinion. This keeps them on their toes and it’s a crazy world out there. This will give you peace of mind knowing you can check-in at any time and that others will be watching as well.
Having great childcare means that you can rest with ease and know that your baby is being cared for.
Make Sure Mom is Good
Taking care of yourself is also very important if you want your child to grow and develop.
Your child will be healthier when she has a mom that is well cared for and healthy.
This means getting sleep, exercise, and taking personal time to recharge.
Self-care is super important and not all selfish.
You can not be an awesome parent when you’re burning from both ends.
There are so many things you can do for your babe and doing the things I listed above will ensure healthy growth and development.
Good luck to you and your little ones.
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Breastfeeding is a lot of work but it’s also very worth it. I breastfed all three of my babes and it was something I’ll never forget.
The closeness that’s created is like nothing else in this world.
With that being said, there were difficult times and I wish I had known some of the breastfeeding tips and hacks below. I feel like they would have helped a lot.
Check them out to make your breastfeeding journey easier so you can enjoy the good stuff.
By the way, this post contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This helps me keep my blog up and running and I only list products that I love and have used myself. Thank you!
Breastfeeding Tips That Change The Game
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Let’s Talk about how to minimize the pain first then Will Move into Some Other Great Tips!
Use Boobie Ice Packs
There are these perfect little frozen gel packs made especially for breastfeeding mums and they’re a LIFESAVER. You must get these to help soothe the pain and burning you feel when you first start breastfeeding. They often make the difference between continuing or Giving up. Medela Hydro-Gel Breast pads are just what you need. They’re affordable and you get them on Amazon.
You Could Use A Nipple Shield
A Nipple shield will also help you work through the pain in the first couple of weeks. You can use them some of the time when the pain is at it’s worst. You can read more about how these can help here and you can find great nipple shields right here.
Want FREE BABY STUFF?I have partnered with many companies to give you the best baby freebies online including Nursing Pillow, Pregnancy Pillows, Nursing Covers, Baby Leggings, Baby Clothes and so much more. You can find out how to get your freebies in this post right here.
Use A Really Good Nipple Ointment
This is also another must-have. A good nipple ointment will soothe and heal the pain away. You should definitely use something organic and natural because some of this will get in your baby’s mouth and you don’t want anything processed getting into her system. Here’s a great Certified Organic Nipple Ointment That I used myself with my three babes.
Change The Position You Feed Your Baby
It’s good to change the position you feed your baby in often. It will help keep your back from aching and your nipples won’t be as sore because the latch position will change slightly.
Set up an area where you breastfeed that has everything you need on hand. You’ll be sitting there a lot for the first few months and you want everything within arms reach.
Things You may need:
Water for you
nursing pads
burp cloths
a phone, book or magazine
Snacks
A Breastfeeding Pillow
Take A Breastfeeding Course!
Taking a breastfeeding course is a smart idea for any new mama. Milkology is an online Video Course That will teach you everything you need to know about breastfeeding in just a couple hours and it’s only $19! Breastfeeding isn’t as easy as you think and you do need to learn how beforehand. You should definitely check it out here.
Use A Hairband To Remember Which Side You Nursed From Last
It’s easy to forget which breast you fed from first when you’re a tired, sleep-deprived Mama. It’s important you know which breast was first because your babe will drink more milk out of that first one.
In time this can cause an uneven distribution of milk production within the breast. So you need to alternate which one you feed from first each time. Using a hairband on your wrist will help you remember.
Use A Really Good Breastfeeding Pillow
I can’t stress having a Good Breastfeeding Pillow enough. If you don’t have a good one supporting your baby will really pull on your back and cause a lot of strain. This happened to me and I had terrible back pain every time I nursed. Infantino Makes an adjustable one that supports the size of your baby no matter how small or big. It’s the absolute best breastfeeding pillow made. You can see it here.
Do you feel overwhelmed by the idea of breastfeeding? You could speak to a Licensed Lactation Consultant Online. It’s not that expensive and she can really help you breastfeed like a pro right from the start. You can speak to someone at Lactation Link Right Here.
Have Really Good Support For Yourself As Well
You need really good support for yourself too. There’s a Maternity Pillow made just for breastfeeding moms called Back Buddy and I would not Do Without it. It makes nursing so much more comfortable! You Can Find It Here On Amazon.
Wear A Breastfeeding Top For Easy Access
You know you need a nursing bra but there are some great tops that help get the job done easier too.
You may have heard of breastfeeding necklace and wondered what their purpose is… Well, they help grab your babe’s attention. Baby’s often become distracted as they get older and they may pull at your hair or scratch at your skin. The necklace will help them focus and keep them entertained. Here’s a really pretty one.
Use A Sling To Breastfeed
Using a sling to carry your babe in as she gets older is super convenient. You can get stuff done and you can even breastfeed her while walking around. They are usually very discrete too. Having a sling is a must for any busy mama. Trust me. Here’s the best multi-purpose sling that allows plenty of room for breastfeeding.
Use A Pumping Bra
Just like the sling mentioned above, a pumping bra will make your life a whole lot easier. You can pump and move around and do the things you need to do. It looks silly but they work great. Nobody has time to sit around and breastfeed AND pump several times a day for 30 minutes at a time. Anything that allows you to do these things handsfree makes life much easier. This Pumping bra has over 7,000 positive reviews and it’s affordable.
When you first start breastfeeding you’ll leak a lot of milk. These Milk Saving Shells will allow you to gather that extra milk for later. They are really convenient.
Drink Lactation Smoothies
Drinking Yummy smoothies while breastfeeding is satisfying and with the right ingredients, they boost your milk supply and milk nutrients. A really good protein powder that is natural and organic will boost nutrients for both you and your babe. I highly recommend Ora Organics for protein powder and supplements. They are a very pure brand. You can get %10 off just for using my coupon code THISLITTLENEST10.
Use Cabbage To Alleviate Engorgement
Researchers are not sure why but cabbage leaves on the breast can relieve pain, swelling and even reduce engorgement temporarily. So give it a try!
Drink Water!
When you’re breastfeeding, Dehydration can happen quickly. Always remember to drink plenty of fluids but especially water! This will keep you feeling good and strong and it will help keep your milk supply up.
Use Soda Can Boxes To Store Your Milk
Many women cut open a soda can box and put their milk storage bags in them. This is a great idea because otherwise, they end up all over the freezer.
Use Fenugreek To Increase Milk Supply
Using Fenugreek to boost milk supply is a remedy that’s been passed down from generation to generation. The best part? It works! You should definitely try it if you’re having trouble getting a good supply up. Here’s some specially made for nursing mamas.
Take A Course On Pumping
Pumping your breasts is a fine art. Especially if you’re going back to work. Many mamas go back and lose their supply because they don’t know exactly how often to pump or what to do to. There’s a pumping course made by the same Consultant who does Milkology that’s only $19. It’s worth every penny to help preserve that precious supply when your maternity leave is up. You can see the course here.
Get A Nursing Night Light
Using a dimmable light when your baby breastfeeds at night will help keep him sleepy. Even turning on a regular lamp is too bright and may cause him to become wide awake and ready to play. You need a special nursery light and this dimmable LED night light is perfect and comes highly recommended with rave reviews.
Drink Nursing Tea
Drinking tea especially for nursing mums is very beneficial for both you and your babe. Here’s a good one to try.
Turn Breastmilk Into Popsicles For Teethers
When your baby is teething, ice-cold feels good. There’s nothing better than giving them a breastmilk popsicle to help soothe their pain. They’re easy to make with these Nuby Frozen pop trays.
So that’s it! These game-changing breastfeeding tips will make things so much easier for you!
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Hey, I’m Toni and I’m the mama of 3 Little Birds. I love Writing about all Things Mama. Learn more about me here. Grab a Tea or Coffee and come see what you find.
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His cars / hot wheels (he loves to line them up and one by one he looks at each car carefully, it’s really cute. Especially when he says, “Look, Camero!” or “Mama, Hummer!” Also, he sorts all his cars by color in piles)
