When I had my first child, I packed ALL THE THINGS for the hospital. It was a little crazy. How many did I use? Only a fraction. But you know something, it didn’t really matter that I only used a small percentage of what I packed in my hospital bag. That’s because just knowing I…
How I Got Pregnant with PCOS: My Fertility Tips
I always knew I wanted a baby. And, like many other hopeful mamas, I had been careful up to that point. I always assumed I could have a baby, because both my mother and grandmother had gotten pregnant easily. Then my sister had a sweet little baby and baby-making urge kicked into high gear. I…
Baby’s Motor Development: What to Expect the First Year
Your baby’s motor skills develop in sequence – that is, usually, from head to foot. Hence, your baby’s ability to co-ordinate her head and arms will usually come before she can co-ordinate her feet and legs. What is often unknown is that the development also occurs from the middle of the body first – so…
15 Ways to Heal Faster After a C-Section Birth
My son was born by emergency C-section after 36 hours of labor in the hospital. (I know, right?) I had hoped for a vaginal birth, but instead got a Caesarean section… and healthy baby boy! And so it goes. But as I hadn’t planned on the C-section, that meant I also hadn’t prepared for how…
5 Signs Your Baby is Ready for Solid Food
Generally, your baby will get most of her nutrition from breast milk or a formula until the age of about 4 to 6 months. This chapter will help you learn what types of foods to introduce into your baby’s diet at a certain key stage of her development. The information here should only be a…
Baby Sleep: Tips and Tricks for Getting Your Newborn to Sleep
I remember those early months of sleep deprivation. My baby slept for little bits at a time, during which time I would rush around trying to get things done. This was a huge mistake. I learned I needed to let baby sleep be a guide for my own sleep. Eventually, we settled into a sleep…
Breastfeeding Diet: What’s Best for You and Baby
You were so careful about what you ate (or didn’t eat) while you were pregnant. If you’re breastfeeding your baby, it’s not time to relax your vigilance yet. What you eat is what your baby eats, so it’s important that you’re putting good nutrition into your body and supports both of you. So let’s talk…
Bringing Baby Home: What to Expect the First Weeks
I thought I was SO prepared. I did everything right during my pregnancy, had a healthy baby, and I was ready to rock it at home. But within just two days of being home, I was on the phone to my pediatrician in desperation. Bringing baby home was anything but easy for me! Your first…
Pregnancy Pain Management: What You Need to Know
Having a baby is the most beautiful and wonderful experience a woman can have. It shouldn’t be marred by the pain that pregnancy and childbirth causes, but it’s an unfortunate reality. There are all kinds of ways you can manage pain while pregnant or having a baby – some are medical in nature and others…