Getting around town with your new addition to your family can be challenging. New babies are so little and need special care in the car, in a snugli, or sling. Make sure to support the babies’ head in any situation. For car seats they make car seat head supports that you can throw into the wash. They are well worth the investment for your babies’ comfort and you can find them for under $20.

A sling is a wonderful way to walk around with your little one and keeps them right up against your chest. The sling continues into toddler years. Slings come with diagrams of many different ways to position your baby to toddler in comfort and a sling frees you up to use your hands. A sling supports your posture too. Make sure the support around your back is wide and padded for your comfort.

Other recommendations for you and your baby:

• Take your baby out of the car seat when you are parked. You will be giving your baby air, connection to you and best of all, divesting yourself of 15 pounds that you do not need to carry around. You will get adept at getting your sleeping baby to and from the car without putting unneeded strain on your back.
• Simple umbrella strollers are great to keep in the car for Dads, baby sitters and grandparents too. Find the ones that you can open and lock together with one hand, pushing a button just like a traditional rain umbrella. Make sure it is light- weight and the handles are adjustable.
• If your baby is struggling to sleep, then you might want to look into sleep training. There is nothing worse than sleepless nights, for you or your baby; we’ve all been there.
• A sunshade for your car window is a good idea. These shades are sold by QuikSnap and will help to keep your baby cool and protected on car journeys.
• A large blanket or quilt can be put down anywhere. Keep 2-3 in your car for impromptu park picnics, or play dates.

Remember natural and simple is always best. Follow your health care providers advice when it comes to you and your baby.

Besides your growing baby-belly, your feet may also be getting larger. That is because the pregnancy hormone that loosens the ligaments and joints in your pelvis also loosens the ligaments in your feet, causing your bones to spread. It’s nice to know it’s the hormones and not the extra pounds of baby weight, right?

Here are some supportive ideas to help you as you change:

• Purchase a comfortable walking shoe. It may be a half size or even a whole size larger than you’ve been wearing.
• Slow down, walk more carefully, and avoid pushing yourself to exhaustion.
• Pamper yourself with a pedicure and play with a crazy color of polish. (Look for a non-toxic one )
• Raise your feet above your head for 15 minutes a day.
• This is a time to ask for mommy time from your partner. Ask for a foot massage using Mother’s Special Blend as a massage Oil for those feet, and totally relax.

As your breasts get larger you will need some extra support. You may even grow out of the bra that you bought just last week. That bra will come in handy and will fit again in the future. You will come down in size after breast-feeding and need to be fitted again. The likelihood of a woman’s breast size changing after going through pregnancy and breastfeeding is very high as when women have decided to stop, they may find that their boobs don’t look the way they used to. Some may choose to go to New York City’s plastic surgeon, Dr. Joshua Hyman for a consultancy on what can be done. Sometimes a reduction can help immensely, or a lift procedure. Either way, when the change happens, it may have an impact on your confidence and the clothes that you decide to wear. There are many options that you can consider if you feel uncomfortable with the way your breasts look, like looking at something similar to this breast augmentation in Baltimore as they will be able to offer you options that can help you get your confidence back again. If you decide to have this procedure done, you will definitely need to buy new bras. Some women may find that their breasts return to their normal size so this is also a good time to find help in proper fitting. Many department and specialty stores have trained staff that can help you as you go up and down in size. Don’t buy a lot of bras in any one size, but arrange them in your drawer by sizes so you can find the one that fits today. You could also head on over to sites like Rank & Style for a rundown on the top 10 different strapless bra variations that could offer your breasts extra support while still remaining comfortable, some of the options are also very flexible meaning if your breasts change size in a matter of weeks, it shouldn’t be a problem.

Forgetting things? Know that your elusive memory will improve after the birth of your baby. You are not crazy- this is normal. If you can remember just this one thing you will be ahead of the game.

Here are some suggestions for keeping on track:

• Most of all keeping a sense of humor is key and don’t forget to tell the father and your friends that you need their help. If everyone is asking how he or she can help then this is the time to reach out and let them know that your memory is spotty and gain their support and understanding.

• Recruit your friends to remind you of important things. Have them call you or text you a half hour before important appointments, or set alarms on your phone with the appointments spelled out (don’t think that you will remember what the alarm is about).

• Make lists and put them in your purse, on your bathroom mirror and next to your bed. You can’t have too many reminders at this time.

I have a memory story to share with other moms. I’m a good knitter (cable stitches, and interesting switches of color in my patterns) and overall I like to challenge myself with a complicated design. Well, I selected a very easy baby blanket pattern that I could do in my sleep. And it looked like I did it in my sleep. I ripped it out countless times, dropped stitches and forgot where I was in a simple three-step pattern. I knitted the blanket at least 6 times and it’s still not perfect. But, the love knitted in is infinite and I have the perfect baby. The imperfect baby-blanket is now packed in a box awaiting the next perfect baby.

Let go of perfection in yourself and others, life is more about the small moments that add up to the joy that you can share with your friends and family.

Mother’s Special Blend is a good reminder for scheduling joy. Give yourself permission to pamper yourself and loved ones with Mother’s Special Blend and the simple pleasure of massaging hands, feet, bellies and breasts as you await your perfect baby. Remember natural and simple is always best. Follow your health care providers advice when it comes to you and your baby, they have seen and heard it all so don’t be afraid to ask them questions.

If you are a first-time mom creating a room or part of a room can be overwhelming. Do we need a crib, bassinet, nursing chair, changing table, swing, playpen … and what should we pay for these items? What is the most important?

You might be overwhelmed by the many products available, and your budget could be overwhelmed too! Babies can be expensive, so it’s important to keep an eye on your budget as this can go down quickly. When trying to fund all of these essential things, it might be worth looking for second-hand items. Alternatively, there are ways to try and raise money to give yourself some financial support from friends and family. GoFundMe is one of the most popular methods for raising financial help these days, so it might be worth setting one up if you’re struggling to afford essentials for your child.

When purchasing for the baby, we suggest that you start out small and purchase what you think you need for the first six months. If you have friends that have recently had a baby, ask them for help. They might even loan you a few items to get started.

When I asked a friend what was the most important thing in their baby’s room I was surprised to find that it was not anything for the baby, but a small water dispenser for the nursing mom. I kept it close to the nursing chair and made a concerted effort to drink water as I nursed. Something so simple as easy access to water really helped to make it easier to nurse and to relax and enjoy my baby at the same time.

Another handy item that a different friend suggested was a basket of soft washcloths. It really is the small things that make a difference, not the expensive high-ticket items.

You could also simplify your stash of lotions and soaps – Mother’s Special Blend is all you need to keep your belly and breast skin toned, soft and flexible. It relieves sore, chafed nipples, and is safe for your baby.

Remember, natural and simple is always best. Follow your health care provider’s advice when it comes to you and your baby, they have seen and heard it all, so don’t be afraid to ask them questions.

Before having your baby, you may want to stock up on some breast pads or nursing pads.  Sometimes while nursing, you’ll find that your breasts leak or are moist depending on your frequency of nursing.  Breast pads will keep you more comfortable and dry.  You can find disposable or reusable pads.  They also come in several different shapes and are made of a variety of materials.  You may even want to try a few kinds until you find the ones that are most soft and comfortable to you while also appearing invisible when inserted into your bra.  You should be able to find these at most drugs stores or through many online vendors.  Good luck preparing for your little one to arrive!

Its always good to have something healthy available that can double as a quick breakfast or filling snack.  I recently discovered this muffin recipe and absolutely love it.  It’s packed with energy and the main ingredient is nutrient rich buckwheat flour, which also happens to be gluten free.  Bananas offer a little something sweet, carrots give a little texture, and flax seeds provide your omega-3s.

Check out the recipe here:

http://www.sheletthemeatcake.com/2010/02/m-c-s-buckwheat-muffins/

As you plan for your baby’s due date, consider having a girlfriend or close female relative join you for the delivery.  If you have a friend that has already had a baby, even better – she will know exactly what you are going through and will be able to provide extra TLC.

If you have concerns about this additional attendee, think of the following, and do give some serious consideration to bringing a girlfriend.

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Concern:  Having too many people at the birth will take away from my privacy.

Consideration: Depending on the length of your labor you may be attended to by multiple nurses and the doctor.  Being in the maternity unit is not an entirely “private” experience.

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Concern: This should be a special moment for my husband and I to share.

Consideration:  Yes, having your baby should be a special moment for the two of you to share.  Being in labor can take many hours.  If you have a girlfriend with you, your husband may be able to sneak off for some much needed coffee or a snack.  Husband and girlfriend will probably be more cheery and supportive to you if they can each take an occasional break.  When your baby is finally being born, you can choose to have everyone additional step out of the room so that you are sharing the special moment just with your husband.

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Concern:  Having an extra person at the birth will be more work for me to coordinate.

Consideration:  Any girlfriend or family member that you invite should be a person very close to you.  Talk to them about this idea months in advance.  Discuss how she might best help you.  Perhaps she could give you a foot or hand massage as you have contractions.  Maybe she could think of nice stories to share to help pass the time.  When you go into labor, let your friend shine and help you in any way she thinks of.

Ultimately, having babies is something that only women do.  Having a girlfriend with you during the birth of your baby could give you that needed extra support, and will provide additional love as you bring your baby into the world.