Things to do before the baby arrives part 1

You're pregnant! Congratulations! You've probably got a million things going through your mind. Where is the baby going to sleep? To breastfeed or not? How can I get rid of these awful stretch marks? Should I start looking into colleges and modeling agencies? I can't help you with the last one, but here are a few basic things to do before your baby arrives.

Make sure the pantry and freezer are stocked. You might want to find some recipes you can make and freeze for those days when you're too exhausted to cook. From what I've heard, that's every day! Get plenty of “hand-foods” such as fruits, cereal bars and bottled drinks because there's a good chance that at least one of your hands will be occupied at any given point in time.

Learn what you can about babies in general. You're definitely going to get a lot of advice from all sides, some of which doesn't apply to your child. It helps to find one or two people in addition to your doctor you can go to with any questions, as well as asking for recommendations of helpful books or websites.

Baby-proof the house. Invest in covers for all power outlets, gates for the doors and stairs and safety latches for the cabinets. Keep all cords out of reach and put blunt padding on any sharp corners. It might seem too early to think of things like this, but time with babies passes very quickly! Also, my friend found baby gates helpful for keeping the dog out of the baby's room.

Buy and install a car seat. Do not use a car seat that has already been in an accident because it will not be as effective. Get a new rear-facing seat and learn how to properly install it in the backseat of your car. NEVER install a rear-facing seat in the front.

On a similar tip, start seeking out new cribs, mattresses and changing tables. Hand-me-downs are not recommended for these either. Get the baby's room ready ahead of time.

If you don't already have them, start getting clothing of various sizes. Hand-me-downs are usually fine. I suggest not getting a whole lot of things in “newborn” sizes because of how fast babies grow. Also, remember that the sizes of baby clothes are usually inaccurate-a lot of 6-month-olds are in 9-month clothes, 9-month-olds in 12-month clothes, etc. Don't feel you have to spend a lot of money on J. Crew or Baby Gap clothes to impress anyone because babies don't do much other than sleep anyway.

What *To* Put On Your Baby Registry

Our friend Jacklyn gave us ideas about what not to put on a baby registry. But what should you ask for? What kinds of things do you need to put on your registry? Here are some ideas.

Overall, I'd say putting anything you're going to need help paying for on your registry is a good rule of thumb. You don't want to put a lot of expensive things you don't really need on the list (tuxedo from Baby Gap, anyone?), but babies aren't cheap. Since most of us don't have piles of cash lying around, the help will be appreciated.

Cribs. In a previous article, I explored whether or not secondhand cribs are safe for your baby. The verdict was mixed, but leaned strongly toward “no”. If you need a new crib, feel free to put one on your registry. These can be very expensive, so a few people may go in on one together. You could also put crib mattresses on the list, since one size does not fit all.

Portable cribs aka “Pack and Play” are also good things to register for, since you will definitely need them if you are going to travel.

Car seats. Car seats are another thing that shouldn't be bought or used secondhand. Like bicycle helmets, car seats are designed for one accident. It might look fine, but sometimes internal parts that affect the structure and safety of the seat can be damaged, making it less likely to fully protect your child. Many parents like the car seats that have a detachable “carrier” that can be used to transport an infant. Others will ask for convertible child seats that can be re-arranged to suit your child as he grows older. For more information on car seats, check out http://www.babycenter.com/0_buying-guides-infant-car-seats-convertible-car-seats-and-boo_10310502.bc.

Infants will always need a rear-facing seat.

Rockers or gliders. These are chairs you can sit in while breastfeeding or generally holding your baby that allow you to move back and forth, creating a motion that tends to soothe infants. They can be very helpful in getting your baby to sleep. Baby swings are also good for this.

Strollers. These are essentials any time you take your baby out of the house. The exact type of stroller you need will greatly depend on where you live, what you will be using it for (shopping vs. jogging) and how many children you will be carrying. Some strollers are set up to accommodate your baby's car-seat carrier to reduce the amount of “jostling” your baby experiences between settings. Some can be adjusted as your child grows older, and still others carry multiple babies at a time. For more information on strollers, check out http://www.babycenter.com/0_how-to-buy-a-stroller_1427.bc.

Changing tables. You might not necessarily need a table specifically for changing your baby, but it's a good thing to have. If you find one that doubles as a dresser, you can use it in your child's room for years. Even if you don't get a table, though, you will need changing pads that can securely attach to whichever surface you are using. Whichever option you choose, make sure it has straps that are strong enough to accommodate a squirming baby.

These are just a few of the items belong on every baby registry. For more suggestions, visit http://www.babycenter.com/102_baby-registry_10378735.bc.

What Baby Items Should Always Be Bought New?

In this post,, I went over some things that can be bought second-hand or re-used with a new baby. As much as we all love to save money, here are a few things that should always be bought new.

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-Pacifiers and bottle nipples should be bought new for each baby because sometimes the materials they are made of can break down over time and pose a possible choking risk. You can, however, re-use bottles.

-Car seats. Like bicycle helmets, the 'inner structure' that makes a car seat safe is damaged when a car is hit or the air bag is deployed. They look fine, but they're really only meant for 'single-accident' use. Plus, car seats have been subject to fairly-regular recalls and have an 'expiration date' after which they're not safe, even with the same baby. It's really better to buy them new or put them on your registry.

-It's not a 'baby product' per se, but always buy breast pumps new for 'sterilization' reasons. The way these pumps are made make it impossible to rid of the germs that can be passed on from mother to baby, or even mother to mother. Do not share a breast pump with anyone.

-Cribs. Cribs shouldn't be reused for the same reasons as car seats-there might be loose or damaged parts, chipped paint or over-stressed hardware that you can't see right away. Also, the safety standards have changed quite a bit in recent years, so older cribs might not meet that criteria. For instance, the bars might be too far apart, a problem that has prompted a recall on older cribs.

-Crib mattresses. Whether or not it's okay to re-use or buy a second-hand crib mattress depends on who you ask. The majority of the articles I've read says it's's better to get a new one each time to ensure the right fit for the crib and to protect your baby from anything 'undesirable' the previous owner left behind. This can go for using a mattress for your second baby, but it definitely goes for mattresses bought second-hand. While it is true that all mattresses-crib or otherwise-have to be thoroughly cleaned and steamed before being sold second-hand, you can't always rely on that. Like I said with cribs, mattresses are recalled regularly as standards change. When in doubt, get a new one.

We all want what is best for our little ones, even if we have to spend a bit more than we'd like to. Our babies are worth it.
For more information, visit http://www.livestrong.com/article/202515-things-you-should-buy-new-for-a-second-baby/.

How To get Your Newborn On A Schedule

Becoming a parent for the first time is a tricky situation. You are overly excited to have this brand new person in your life, but constantly trying to figure out to live with them. Living with a new baby is a full time job. Learning how to get your newborn on a schedule is something every new parent must go through.

All new babies must have a new way of living that is productive and works for the whole family. If you work during the evenings, then you will have to create a whole new way of life for your family to run smoothly. For the rest of the world, you must pay careful attention to how often your baby needs to eat during the day. If it is every three hours or four hours, then allot for those times to be waking up at night to feed your son or daughter. Babies cannot survive very long without a food supply, they have tiny little tummies that will need constant feeding. This every few hours works for them for the first few weeks or months. Set an alarm if you feel that is necessary to get all of your baby's feedings in, but in most cases parents allow the baby to tell them when he or she is hungry. Your baby may do very well right from the beginning and only need to get up once per night for a bottle, so sometimes letting them help you get into the routine of what they will need is best.

Another tip for getting your baby on a schedule is to make sure they are clean and dry. Babies are excellent at crying to alert you that they need something. They will wake you up at night just to have their diapers changed, so save yourself the baby alarm at three in the morning, and change them right before you put them to bed. Clear any items from their cribs that may be harmful for them, such as stuffed toys or excessive blankets. They can suffocate or even wrap themselves in them in get injured.

How the room appears to the baby will also set the tone for the evening. If it is cold where you live, ensure your newborn is nice and snug all evening. Place him in a sleeper that keeps his feet warm as newborns have trouble keeping their own temperatures. If he or she uses a pacifier, then give them that as well. As the baby gets older, you will have more freedom to leave other items in their cribs for them to entertain themselves should they wake up in the middle of the night. As newborns, you have to use your own judgment to get through the first few weeks, be patient it will come to be a very easy life once the baby gets used to you and their new home!