baby Archives - Serendipity Mommy

Obstacles Signify Whether Something Is Worth Fighting For: 5 Toughest Challenges You May Face When Expecting a Baby

December 14, 2018 by Mandy

Regardless of the struggles that she goes through, every woman will tell you that having her child was the best experience of her life. The same woman will also tell you that there were some challenges to face when expecting a baby, especially when it was time for delivery. Here are 5 of the toughest challenges you face when expecting a baby.

Water Breaking

There are plenty of misconceptions about water breaking that you will need to understand better. Here are the most common misconceptions:

Unlike every movie with a pregnancy, your water might not break all at once and splatter all over the floor. It is apt to be more like a slow, uncontrollable urination.
Your water might not break. Your doctor might have to break the amniotic sac at the time of delivery.
Just because your water breaks does not mean that you have to immediately rush to the hospital for instant delivery; another Hollywood misconception.

Contractions

Many women describe delivery like pushing a watermelon through something the size of a lemon. For some delivery is extremely challenging, but most agree that contractions are the very worst of the pain. It might be an exaggeration to say that contractions are like menstrual cramps times one hundred, but it gives you a pretty good picture of what to expect.

Contractions are an important part of your body’s final preparations for delivery. The timing of contractions will help you know whether or not you are in false labor or what stage of true labor you are in. To understand more explore these tips on how to time contractions.

Nausea During Labor

It is quite common for women to experience nausea and even vomit during labor. The myriad of hormonal changes that your body is going through during the labor and delivery process is the cause of this and it is something for which you should be prepared. Being able to recover from it and focus on breathing and other instructions is important, so try not to allow this to distract you.

Episiotomy

The cutting of the perineum or episiotomy is a common practice that many doctors use to help provide more space for delivery. Some women do not feel it due to adrenaline or a powerful epidural, but they will probably be very aware of the stitching and itching that will follow, mostly because that part occurs after delivery when you want everyone to leave you alone and let you be with your new baby.

Delivering the Placenta

Another challenge you face after delivery is delivering the placenta. This is not nearly as challenging as delivering your baby, but it is another task that needs to be performed after you think it’s all over. Some women have absolutely no problem pushing it right out, but it can be a challenge for others.

Conclusion

There are plenty of challenges to go through during pregnancy and some of the toughest come around delivery time. As difficult as these challenges are, going through them is what allows you to bring a new life into the world. Do not be worried about these challenges, but be prepared to face them with the expectation of holding your new baby in your arms.

What to Look for When Buying your First Baby Jumper

May 10, 2018 by Mandy

If you’re looking for a baby jumper, you’ll want to choose one that fits your needs and that happens to be tailored to ease up your life a bit with the baby.

With that being said, there’s a ton of options to choose from when it comes to shopping for the perfect baby jumper. There are three main types of baby jumpers on the market: stationary, activity and doorway jumpers. These three jumpers are design to keep the baby active and free up your arms to do other necessary things that need to be done while the baby is in view.

Stationary jumpers are stationed in one spot. Your baby will spend most of the time bouncing in this type of baby jumper. Activity jumpers are somewhat similar to a stationary jumper but it has an array of toys for the baby to play with as well, so the baby could choose to either jump or simply play. Lastly, doorway jumpers are designed to hang in the doorway with a clamp at one end of the bungee allowing for a secure grip to the doorway. They are perfect for families who don’t have a lot of available floor space. They are also portable and handy for families who love being away from home (we have even seen these adhered to trees during picnics).

Below are the different features to look for when considering buying a baby jumper for your precious little one.

Comfortable Seats

Without a doubt, all baby jumpers come with a seat for baby to sit in. Look for a baby jumper that has seats with adjustable height mechanisms, removable seats (so you can wash them) and seats that are lined with padding for extra comfort.

Safety

Despite the model of jumper you choose to buy, it is best to make sure that the jumper has multiple straps to suspend the seat. Having 2 or more straps will make sure that the baby is secure in the baby jumper as they bounce up and down. Avoiding jumpers with a single strap will reduce the risk of injury to the baby from their instability. Single strap jumpers will likely swing the baby from left to right and make it uncomfortable for the baby especially on their little legs and feet.

The right weight requirements

Depending on the model of baby jumper, the weight allowance may vary on different models. However, when you’re picking a baby jumper for your baby it should be suitable to sustain the weight of your baby. It is best to make sure to weigh your baby and check the weight requirements for the baby jumper as this will help you pick a jumper that will be more durable.

Entertainment

Having toys that will engage the baby while they bounce up and down are great to keep their interest. Toys with different animated sounds and flashing lights are the perfect solutions for a baby jumper and will ensure that the baby is well entertained as they spend time in the jumper. You can read more about the entertainment benefits of baby jumpers by clicking here.

Adjustability and storage

Buying a jumper with adjustable heights will allow you to adjust it to the right height as your baby grows. So ensure that the jumper has at least 3 or more height adjustment settings. Another important feature to look out for is to find out how easy the jumper is to store away, or how portable they are to take with you on your holidays.

Researching the different models that are on the market will help you to purchase a jumper that is well-suitable for your baby, your home and your own needs. Hopefully the guidelines above will help you to choose a safe jumper that your baby will thoroughly enjoy. Click here to find some more awesome baby-related articles.

Author Bio:

Alice is from Chicago, Illinois in the U.S. She is a proud mommy of three beautiful children, including a little 6-month-old munchkin! She knows how hard it can be to find the right gear and toys for a baby (and how expensive it can be!). So she want to help you by giving you the newest and latest info on her favorite toy: the baby jumper! Read more about her passion for this baby toy on her website ‘The Best Baby Jumper’.

How to Choose the Best Baby Play Gym for Your Child

April 24, 2018 by Mandy

Do you want to provide your baby with the ideal environment to develop and thrive? If so, here’s how to choose the best baby play gym available.

Motor and cognitive skill development begin the moment your baby leaves the womb. As they enter the world, their senses are constantly being stimulated.

Babies soon learn how to move their head around, lock eyes with mom and dad, laugh, smile, and play. They start to develop teeth, crawl, and grab things too.

During these stages of growth, it’s crucial to have a baby play gym for your child. The right play gym can further promote sensory development, as a supplement to their daily interactions with the world around them. But, not all baby play gyms are made alike.

Here’s how to find the right one for your child.

Are the Toys Easy to Detach and Clean?

You child’s baby play gym is something they’re going to be using every day. They will crawl all over it, put toys in their mouth, and maybe have an uh-oh or two while playing, as well.

As such, you need to make sure the toys and mat are easy to clean! Think about the material everything in the gym set is made with. What can you wash with ease, and what will you have to soak and scrub to make sure it’s clean?

Also, always opt for a baby play mat rather than a chair or a cushion. Not only is the mat easier to clean, but it can be more supportive for your baby. When he or she is on the ground, rather than on a cushion or in a chair, they’re better able to feel shifts in their body and learn how to move the head, arms, and legs around.

Can You Take the Baby Play Gym Anywhere You Go?

Another thing to consider is where you plan to put the baby’s play area. Even if you and your little one tend to spend most of your days in the living room or their baby room, it’s still best to have a baby play gym you can easily move around.

This gives you plenty of options for where to play in the home. More so, a play gym that is easy to pack and carry can go with you to grandma’s house, to drop off at daycare, and on any short weekend trips, you’re planning to take.

The baby play gym then offers comfort and consistency, wherever your little one goes.

What Skills Are Being Stimulated?

As you’re deciding between the play gym with more toys or the one that’s easier to carry, consider this: which one best promotes healthy physical and mental growth?

That is always the best option to go with. At the end of the day, this is the main purpose of all baby play gyms! You want to choose something that will help your baby with everything from head motions to crawling, from color differentiation to recognizing sounds and movements.

The more a play gym does this – safely and effectively – the better.

Growing up and Learning New Things

The play gym you choose for your child helps them take an important step in their development.

But, this is just the beginning! There is so much more for them to learn as they go through school, make friends, play sports and venture into the arts, and grow up.

One thing will always be constant, though – your role in their life. Throughout all the lessons a child learns, they will always be looking to you for guidance. That’s a big comfort, but also a big responsibility.

For simple, easy-to-remember ways to be a good role model, click here.

How to Survive Your Baby’s Sleep Schedule

April 7, 2018 by Mandy

All moms know that a baby’s sleep schedule rarely matches up with your own. Here are some tips to help you survive and adjust to a new baby’s sleeping pattern.

A bundle of joy doesn’t seem so joyous when it’s keeping you awake at 3 am.

The average new mom gets less than 4 hours sleep per night. But despite how universal the experience is, moms often feel isolated and unable to cope with their situation.

That’s why we’ve put together a few tips below that will help you cope with baby’s sleep schedule.

Manage Your Mood

It may sound easier said than done, but managing your mood will carry you through these difficult months.

We think of our moods as arising directly from triggering events. But the truth is, our mood is at the mercy of a dozen factors ranging from tiredness to hunger.

That’s why it’s important to see your mood from the outside if you want to manage it.

Acknowledge that you’re irritable today because of a poor night’s sleep, for instance. Step away from the feeling and look at the logic–that way, you’re more likely to control your emotions.

Keeping yourself healthy will also help your mood stay in check. Eat right, get exercise, and go outside. The less negative mood impactors you have, the more energy you’ll have to cope.

Some babies will experience 4 or 8 month sleep regression. Figuring out your coping strategies now can prepare you for the comeback later.

Change Your Schedule

Motherhood is often a wake-up call in more ways than one. Accepting your life has changed rather than fighting it is a valuable state of mind to adopt.

Adjusting your sleeping pattern can help ensure you’re not as burned out by baby’s sleeping schedule. That likely means going to bed earlier so you can maximize the amount of time you have to build that precious sleep into your day.

If your baby has a preferred time of day to sleep, try leaning into that. Adapt yourself to sleep during those times, too.

Get used to living in short bursts of time, but don’t try to cram activities. Each time you get a break, sort out the things you need to do–one at a time.

Ask for Help

Isolation is one of the biggest struggles new mothers face. But many moms feel they’re being bad parents if they don’t figure out how to do things by themselves.

Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help. You don’t have to do everything alone.

Speak to your partner or your family. Even if you’re not asking for favors, talking about your feelings can still offer a huge outlet.

You’ll often end up surprised at the support people are willing to offer you. Motherhood is one of the most difficult things you’ll ever face. Overcoming your pride and accepting help is a large part of that.

Surviving Baby’s Sleep Schedule

These are just a few tips that should help you survive baby’s sleep schedule. But no matter how bad things get, don’t forget that this isn’t forever. Your baby will soon develop proper sleeping habits, and you’ll learn to appreciate sleep all over again.

Are you a new mother looking for more advice? Be sure to follow our blog.

Top 10 Tips to Choose the Best Baby Formula

April 2, 2018 by Mandy

Choosing the right formula for your baby is very important, but it’s hard with so many options. Here are 10 tips to choose the best baby formula.

Your little bundle of joy is your world. Of course, you want to give her the best baby formula around.

During your baby’s first six months of life, she needs formula to develop properly. With the right formula, you set the stage for her to experience easy digestion, healthy growth, brain development and protection from sickness.

However, with so many options on the market, how do you know which one to choose? Here are 10 tips for choosing the best baby formula for your little munchkin.

Let’s dig in!

1. The Best Baby Formula May Be Cow’s Milk

It’s best to start with a regular cow’s milk-based formula when it’s time to feed your newborn for the first time. The majority of babies will tolerate this type of formula quite well.

Why cow’s milk? Because it’s typically the least expensive formula. Plus, they have variations designed to help babies who are fussy or have digestive issues.

2. Formula for Baby with Cow’s Milk Allergy

But what if your child is allergic to cow’s milk?

No need to worry. Extensively hydrolyzed formula is made specifically for children in your baby’s situation.

This is essentially a cow’s milk-based formula in which the majority of the symptom-causing proteins have been broken down using enzymes.

3. Soy Milk

An alternative to extensively hydrolyzed formula for a baby with a cow’s milk allergy is soy milk.

Soy milk can certainly come in handy if your baby develops a rash or is especially gassy after using cow’s milk. However, soy milk has also sparked some controversy due to concerns that too much consumption of soy may have unwanted hormone-like impacts.

Still, if you speak with your pediatrician about soy milk and receive the green light to use it for your child, it may be the best option for your child come feeding time.

4. Formula for Baby with Both Cow’s Milk and Soy Milk Allergy

If your child ends up being diagnosed with an allergy to both cow’s milk and soy milk, there’s yet another option on the market that will make mealtime easier for her. It’s called amino acid formula.

Free amino acids — the most basic protein source around — won’t trigger an annoying allergic reaction by your baby’s immune system. It’s for this reason that amino acid formula is tolerated by nearly all babies with a cow’s or soy milk allergy.

5. Lactose-Free Formula

Perhaps your baby’s problem is not a soy or cow’s milk allergy but lactose intolerance.

This condition happens when your child’s body cannot break down the sugar known as lactose. In this situation, your baby’s doctor may recommend switching to a lactose-free baby formula.

And even though this type of formula may be a little more expensive than regular formula, it’s clearly worth it if it helps to alleviate your little one’s gassiness and fussiness.

6. Add-Ins

When on the prowl for the best baby formula, be on the lookout for add-ins, too. By add-ins, we’re referring to the likes of iron, arachidonic acid (ARA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and fatty acids. All of these add-ins are critical for your baby’s development.

Specifically, iron, which is naturally found in breast milk, is critical for proper brain development. Fortunately, even if you’re not feeding your baby breast milk, she can still get plenty of iron with an iron-fortified baby formula.

The other add-ins we mentioned above — fatty acids, ARA and DHA — are also paramount for eye and brain health.

7. Organic Products

When you enter your local supermarket, you may notice quite a few products sporting “organic” labels. And if you’re health conscious, you understandably may get excited. After all, organic foods are free of pesticides and may make your baby more resistant to unwanted allergies.

But did you know that organic formula is also available for your baby? Take, for instance, Formuland Hipp organic formula, which offers the nutrients that your child needs to grow up healthy and strong when he is not being breastfed.

This particular formula is suitable for your child to drink from birth. In addition, the protein levels in this formula match the most up-to-date nutritional research.

With the right organic formula, your child could be well on his way to sleeping better, longer and deeper, as organic products are easier for the body to process. In addition, he may enjoy better reaction times and mental development due to the Omega-3 fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids present in this type of formula.

8. Brand Names

In addition to springing for an organic baby formula, try to stick with brand-name products versus generic products when looking for the best baby formula.

Although brand-name formulas and generic formulas feature similar lists of ingredients, the brand-name companies conduct extensive research on how babies’ brains respond to their formulas — something that generic companies do not do.

So, if you want to save money, feel free to use name-brand powdered formulas rather than ready-to-drink ones. Just stay away from generic formulas.

9. Ages

Be sure to buy a formula that is appropriate for your baby’s age as well.

A newborn formula has a completely different mix of minerals and vitamins than formulas for 6-month-olds or toddlers do. Get the right one to make sure that your child is getting all of the nutrients he needs at each stage of his development.

10. Thickened Formula

Thickened formulas may also come in handy for your cutie-patootie if she struggles with reflux.

Thickened formula may quickly reduce your baby’s volume and frequency of vomiting. However, your child might also require medication if she still feels irritable and refuses to eat due to intense reflux.

How We Can Help

We offer a wide range of tips and information for moms of young children. For instance, we offer pointers on subjects such as going on a vacation with young kiddos or choosing the right summer camp.

We also cover topics such as finance, business, and travel.

Get in touch with us for guidance that will help you to make the best decisions for your child from Day 1.