Photo by Kekka
I started this blog when HB was a few months old. My sisters and friends who had babies after me were constantly asking me baby-related questions. Being an efficiency freak, I thought that starting a blog was the perfect solution. I could answer the question once and send everyone a link. There was also a purely selfish aspect -- I also wanted to document what we did for HB so that we could remember for baby #2. I have a terrible memory, so I knew that I wouldn't remember if it wasn't written down. Two-and-a-half years later, AB is now 9 months old, and the advice that I've written for myself has been given a second go-round with some good results.
This post rounds up all my newborn baby advice.
Before you have your baby, you should decide how you want to give birth. Please know that you do not need drugs to have a baby.
If you want to know what to pack for the hospital, see my Hospital Pack List.
About three months before the baby is born, you can start reading from my list of Newborn Reference Books. If you are only going to read one book, it should be the Baby Whisperer
. However, if you can also get through The Happiest Baby on the Block
and Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child
, you will be all set! Hint: you only have to read the chapters pertaining to the first three months. Anything you read for beyond 3 months, you will not remember anyway. You will have time to read the rest on an as-needed basis.Next, you will want to get everything all set up for you baby. I tried to keep my gear to a bare minimum. Here is my comprehensive Newborn Gear List.
You will also want to Organize Your Nursery.
When you bring you baby home, you will quickly wonder, "Will my baby ever sleep?!?". Please be assured that they eventually will, but the key is to getting them on a good routine.
Use Organized Mommy's Baby Log (free PDF download) to keep track of everything baby-related in a compact graphical format. This will let you monitor and modify your baby's routine to suit their needs. Sleep routines change rapidly in the first year. So, please read about sleep routines in the first year.
Speaking of sleeping, remember to use a fan in the baby's room.
Another favorite topic of conversation among parents is baby poop. (Yes, it's really that fascinating!) To cope with the hundreds of diapers you will change, please see my diapering tips.
As your little one grows, they will inevitably outgrow enough gear to cover a land-fill. Keep track of it all with my tips on tracking baby gear weight/height limits.
Hopefully, you will have an angel baby, like HB. But, if you get a colicky guy, like AB, there's hope for you yet! Run, don't walk, to my post on what to do if you baby has colic.
If you are going to be traveling to show off your little one to family and friends, please see my series on traveling with your baby.
Finally, for those of you who will be returning to work, here are some tips on returning to work and pumping milk.
For you experienced moms out there, what invaluable piece of advice would you like to pass on? For you soon-to-be moms, what are you most worried about? For you new moms, what are you struggling with? Please share in the comments.
Josie, thanks for the great links, and or your all of your fantastically helpful posts!
ReplyDeletePlease note, though, that the above Hospital Pack List link is directed to your Diapering Tips post.
@Krys - thanks for pointing that out! It's been fixed.
ReplyDeleteHi, about 3 months into baby no 1 (yes it took me a long time to figure it out) i realised that it was a good idea to ALWAYS sterilise the breastpump and bottles before I went to bed. Far too often she would sleep longer than my breasts expected and I would need to express a bit, only to be taking the pump from the microwave and waving it about (whilst burning my fingers) to get it cool enough to consider using it!
ReplyDeleteThanks for updating, Josie - that's a GREAT post!!
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate the guidance I'm receiving through your posts. I'm due in just a few weeks, and this particular post couldn't have come at a better time for me.
I also love your series on traveling with babies. I'll be flying with a 2.5 month old to visit my 90 y.o. grandmother, and will be referring back to your blog often as we prepare for that trip.
@Lisa - great tip! All of us have cursed while half-groggily washing bottles and pumps in the middle of the night. Anything you can do to streamline the middle-of-the-night wake-ups is well worth it!
ReplyDelete@Krys - I'm so glad this post reached you at just the right time. Best of luck with everything!
I put together a similar post to remind myself of all my "efficiency" preparations. Hope you'll check it out at
ReplyDeletehttp://justplainjoy.blogspot.com/2009/01/making-your-home-haven-15-ways-to.html
@Joy - I love your list! Thanks for linking it in.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to add a few items to your newborn list as the mama of a 3 year old and 5 month old:
ReplyDeleteNosefrida snot sucker. It's disgusting, but it works extremely well to get the junk out of baby noses, way, way better than the bulb syringe. I give them to every new mom now because they're that awesome.
Also, a pacifier leash to clip the paci to the clothes. No more lost pacis, no more pacis chucked out of the cart at the store. Fantastic.
Zip-up footie pajamas are awesome year round. Quick for diaper changes, no need for tiny socks that just fall off. My kids have both lived in these. Way easier than snaps when you're sleep deprived!
Robeez style shoes keep the socks on when babies wear real clothes, and are flexible soled, which is ideal for new baby feet.
And finally, the Universal Crib Sheet. It snaps on top of the decorative sheet and is waterproof, so you can just rip it off after a diaper blowout and still have the bed made without wrestling with the mattress.
Meals in the freezer are fantastic to have on hand, too.
@Chicky Mama - thanks for the really fantastic suggestions! Footie pajamas are the way to go. We dressed our babies in them nearly exclusively from age 0-3mo.
ReplyDeleteRobeez style shoes - Yes! Target has a great generic brand that are only $10 and just as good.
I had not heard of the Universal crib sheet. Sounds like a great time saver!