If you have recently found out that you are pregnant, you are probably experiencing a wide range of emotions right now. Feelings of excitement one minute to apprehension the next can make it difficult to focus on the things that you may want or need to do during your pregnancy. To make it easier for you, we’ve put together a list of some of the things you should do when you find out you are pregnant.
Contact your doctor
If you have taken a test and know that you are in the early stages of pregnancy, you don’t need to contact your doctor straight away, but it’s a good idea to get in touch with them at some point. They will do some routine checks and arrange for the necessary 12-week scan to take place.
Making a list of any questions you might have for your G.P will help to put your mind at rest and alleviate any concerns you may have.
Globally, approximately 130 million new babies are born each year. There are several reasons you may be considering having a child. Some people feel pressured to do so by their parents. Others enjoy children and want to focus on raising a family. Whatever your reasons for considering expanding your family, there are some essential things to consider to ensure you’re ready for a new baby.
When your little one first gets on the move, it’s time to start thinking about baby proofing their environment to make sure that your home is a safe place for them, and to give your family some peace of mind. A few small changes can make a big difference to how “baby proof” your home is, and it’s worth re-checking now and then as they grow, as baby gets bigger and develops more skills suddenly they are able to reach into places that they couldn’t yesterday!
Here are a few pointers to check for when baby proofing your home.
Congratulations on your new baby! There are so many things to think about when it comes to preparing your home, and we’ve collected a list of what we think is top priority. The following items are our top picks to bring home before the baby arrives:
Guest content from Lucy Wolfe, leading Sleep Consultant, Founder of Sleep Matters, author of The Baby Sleep Solution and expert at The Baby Show
Don’t worry about “bad habits”
Try not to worry about what you feel or have been told are “bad habits” – there is no such thing in the early days. Your task is to ensure that your baby feels loved, safe and secure, and that their needs are met lovingly and without delay. Despite some on lookers reporting that you will spoil your baby, the reverse is actually true. These early months are about bonding and laying a foundation for an unconditional loving relationship that will be enduring. The less you resist this dynamic, the faster the need to be held all the time will evolve into your baby feeling more robust and confident to lay down or sleep without as much input.
Dr. Joanna Helcké, pregnancy and postnatal fitness expert and expert at The Baby Show, has shared these tips to help you navigate the issues of exercise during pregnancy. Here are a few common mistakes to look out for, to help stay at your healthiest during this time!
With the recent outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), people have used their imaginations to continue to acknowledge the special moments in their lives. One of the most important celebrations is being pregnant. Unfortunately, during this pandemic, many countries are in lockdown or under quarantine. Current in Australia, there are recommendations to social distance and not gather in large numbers. Being pregnant, you may feel uneasy being around others so we have put together a guide on how you can hold an online or virtual baby shower.
What is a virtual baby shower
A virtual baby shower is where you celebrate the upcoming birth of a baby. This would take place online rather than in person. People are able to log in to the online baby shower from all around the world. They can participate in games and watch the presents being opened and celebrate with the expectant mum to be.
Set the time and date by e-invites
Just like any normal baby shower, it’s best to schedule a date and time that will suit as many people as possible. You will be able to invite friends and family from around the world. A great e-invite solution is paperless post.
Virtual Venue
No need to book a hall or premises for your baby shower venue as you have everything you need at your fingertips. There is a large selection of virtual venues to choose from which include Skype, Zoom, Google Hangouts and Facebook. Choose the one you are most comfortable using as you may have to train a few people on the ins and outs of the chosen software. The best thing about the virtual venue is that clean-up is minimal.
Care package
If possible, plan well in advance send the guests a care package with everything they need for the online baby shower. This can be everything from materials they will need to play the games, basic decorations or a thank you for coming gift. If you are running short of time you may need to compile a list and email through with the e-invite.
Gift registry and shopping ideas
One of the most exciting things about celebrating a baby shower is buying a baby shower gift for the mum to be. This shower doesn’t have to be any different and with a variety of online baby shops throughout Australia, there is something for everyone! You may want to purchase a baby gift card or set up a gift registry. When it comes to online shopping your choices are endless.
Getting ready for a new arrival to the family is one of the most exciting times of your life. But before they welcome little one to the world, families will face numerous decisions that will affect their child’s future even before it is born – from deciding on the perfect name, to choosing a paediatrician and making their birth plan.
One decision that has been added to the list for expectant parents is whether they should save their baby’s umbilical cord blood. According to recent statistics published by the BBC, more parents are choosing private cord blood banking than ever before, with a whopping 60% increase in cord blood collection and storage in the UK between 2014 and 2018. This number is expected to continue rising over the coming years as more families are increasingly recognising the benefits of their baby’s umbilical cord.
But what is cord blood? How does cord blood banking work? And what exactly are the benefits of saving cord blood?
I’ve teamed up with Cells4Life, the UK’s leading cord blood bank, to answer all of your cord blood banking questions and to help make one decision on your long list easier.
Weaning is one of the most exciting stages in every baby’s development, where they can start to play a bigger part of the family as they get stuck in at mealtimes, and learn the useful skills and movements that come with eating and feeding yourself.
While lots of us might have been used to the old spoon-as-a-helicopter routine when we were growing up, baby-led weaning has been taking the lead in recent years, giving your babies a chance to play and discover food themselves.
Those first steps at getting to grips with meal-time can seem a little daunting, but by paying attention to a few key things, you can make weaning fun and stress-free activity.
Everyone wants to get the best sleep possible. As adults, we know that getting enough sleep is important to properly functioning in our daily lives. Babies need their sleep even more. Their minds and bodies are rapidly growing and developing, so sleep helps them recharge and refresh. Not to mention that when a baby is getting sound sleep, the parents are sleeping deeply, too.
As a parent, you know the tribulations of trying to get your baby on a regular sleep pattern. You might be able to catch some shut-eye while the baby is asleep, but if they are tossing and turning, waking up often, or not falling asleep quickly, it can drive you crazy. What you may not know, however, is how foods can factor into your baby’s quality of sleep. We want our babies to eat the best possible food to help them stay healthy. There are even foods that can help with sleep. As fruit is a great food choice for babies, here are the best five fruits that can help baby sleep better.
