There’s just one problem: your baby won’t nap. 

Maybe you’ve tried creating a routine or teaching him to self-soothe. Maybe that even worked for a while. But now it seems like he won’t sleep for anything and you’re starting to wonder what you’re doing wrong.

As a mom of two, I feel your pain! My girls have spent the better part of their lives on a steady sleep routine and we’ve still experienced long, frustrating periods of terrible (and non-existent) naps. 

Today we’re going over some common but sneaky nap-busters that your baby could be experiencing. Better yet, we’re going to talk about how you can fix these sleep issues quickly so you both can get the rest you need.

5 Reasons Why Your Baby Won’t Nap (And How to Fix It)

Overtiredness

You’d think infants would sleep better when they’re exhausted, but often the opposite is true. In fact, overtiredness is the destroyer of long, restorative naps. 

When your baby passes his ideal sleep window, cortisol runs through his body like a shot of espresso. This jolt of energy makes him less likely to fall asleep and much more susceptible to early wakings. 

If your baby is extremely cranky before nap time and he only sleeps for about 45 minutes, overtiredness could be the problem. 

When your baby’s body is filled with cortisol it will take a while for him to switch gears. Your job is to convince his body to relax, produce melatonin, and go to sleep. 

Positive naptime cues are an excellent way to do this. Take him to his sleeping area and dim the lights. Verbalize that it’s naptime. Begin whatever naptime ritual you’d usually do to help calm him down, but expect to spend more time doing it.

The best way to get an overtired baby to sleep is to avoid it altogether. Become familiar with your baby’s sleep cues and get him to bed before he becomes exhausted.

Below are a few of the most common sleep cues (or signs of an overtired baby) to get you started:

• Pulling ears
• Yawning
• Red eyes
• Staring into space
• Jerky movements
• Crying
• Abnormal clinginess

Developmental Leaps

When your baby is learning a new skill, he’s not interested in sleeping. I mean, why sleep when you can practice rolling over?

 If your baby won’t nap all of a sudden, take a moment to think about what he’s doing while he’s awake. Sleep interruptions are especially common for babies that are learning active skills, like sitting up, standing, rolling over, or walking. 

Sometimes there’s nothing you can do but wait out these little interruptions. You can try to lay your baby down in his crib, but there’s a good chance that he’ll hop right back up. Once your baby has mastered his new ability, his sleep will naturally get better. 

Having said that, you absolutely can help him along by encouraging him to practice during playtime. The quicker he learns, the faster he’ll get back to sleep! 

Swaddling

Wait, isn’t swaddling supposed to help your baby sleep? Yes, but hear me out! 

According to recent studies, swaddling can help your little one sleep longer and more restfully. It stifles his startle reflex and creates a womb-like environment that makes him feel secure and warm. 

Having said that, when a baby is uncomfortable or continuously breaks his swaddle, swaddling can actually interrupt sleep.

Many babies fuss after they’re swaddled, but does yours refuse to settle? If he falls asleep, will his little arm or leg breakthrough? If so, you might want to try a different swaddle.

Like adults, babies have unique preferences. 

For example, my first daughter hated any kind of leg movement. I had to invest in a swaddle that weighed down her legs and hands. My second daughter couldn’t care less about her legs, but she’d scream if her arms escaped from her sides.

Alternatively, if your baby is starting to roll, it might be time to ditch the swaddle and try out a sleep sack. Sleepsacks allow for more limb freedom and are much safer for active babies.

Experiment a little and see if a different swaddle helps when your baby won’t nap.

Too Much Light in the Nursery

Some babies require a dark, cozy space to sleep. Others need a pitch-black cave. 

If your baby is not taking naps during the afternoon hours (or whenever the sun is at its brightest in the nursery), it might be time to invest in some 100% blackout shades.

This was the case for my youngest. She refused to nap in our room where a sliver of sunshine crept between the blinds. Once she relocated to her blacked-out nursery, her sleep improved dramatically.

The quickest way to determine if the nursery is too bright is “the hand test.” When you’re in your baby’s room, make the space as dark as you possibly can. Raise your hand in front of you. If you can still see your hand, it’s not dark enough.

Trapped Gas or Reflux

If your baby wakes from his nap with a high-pitched scream, sometimes trapped gas or reflux can be the culprit. Reflux is particularly nasty for newborns, who possess underdeveloped esophagus sphincters and have less time between feedings and naps.  Reflux can also occur when air bubbles disturb his stomach.

On the other hand, if your baby is waking from his naps with an arched back, clenched fists, and inconsolable screaming, he may be suffering from trapped gas. If your baby won’t burp, try rotating his legs (just like he’s on a bicycle) or administering a dose of infant simethicone drops to minimize the bubbles before bed.

While every baby suffers from gas from time to time, keep in mind that constant gas or reflux can be a sign of an underlying issue. It wouldn’t hurt to check in with your pediatrician to rule out things like GERD, allergies, or breastfeeding issues.

I know it’s easier said than done, but try not to despair when your baby won’t nap. Sometimes babies go through phases where they fight sleep. Even the most experienced moms suffer through awful nap periods! 

Still, keep in mind these common nap-busters since they are so easy to overlook. Hopefully, this post illuminated what could possibly be disturbing your baby’s naps and gave you some fresh solutions. Good luck!

***

GUEST POST

Erin loves helping new and expecting moms have the best motherhood experience they possibly can. At her blog, Blunders in Babyland, you’ll find the practical tips, baby gear reviews, and new mom advice you need to raise your baby confidently.

Ana @ Mommy's Bundle

Ana, a mom to three rambunctious little boys, has supported hundreds of thousands of women throughout their pregnancy and motherhood journey since 2012 as a blogger and maternal health advocate at MommysBundle.com.

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The post Baby Won’t Nap? Do This to Get Them to Sleep appeared first on Mommy's Bundle.

This is a sponsored post for Keababies. All opinions are my own.

Why the backpack style is one of the best diaper bags

Whether you’re looking for a diaper bag for boys or a diaper bag for girls, one thing is certain, we all want something that gets the job done — carries all of the things we need for baby and works for our lifestyle.

These days one of the best diaper bags on the market for parents is the backpack diaper bag style. You may have seen these all over the place now and there’s a reason they are growing in popularity.

Why should I use a diaper bag backpack?

Let’s get straight to the point: Diaper bags are HEAVY. Traveling with a baby, whether for doctor appointments or everyday errands means packing lots of essentials for the trip. Babies need diapers, wipes, ointments, change of clothes, bottles, bib, blanket, and maybe a teether or two.

But you are most likely also packing essentials for mommy/daddy too — a water bottle, snack, hand-sanitizer, your phone.

All this adds to the weight of your diaper bag…and weight on your shoulders.

A diaper bag backpack helps distribute the weight more evenly on your shoulders and back — alleviating a lot of the aches and pains parents feel from the imbalance.

Plus, in this day and age, living through a pandemic, most moms are trying to get out of the house for fresh air more. This means more walks and hikes.

A diaper bag backpack is easier to travel with because it doesn’t hang off one shoulder AND works great for both mom and dad!

What the best diaper bags have in common?

Obviously, you want to choose a diaper bag that meets your lifestyle needs too. This means finding a bag that includes the following features:

• Ample storage space – Enough space to carry all baby/parents need
• Quality material – Fabric that is easy to clean and able to withstand wear and tear
• Separate compartments – An organized system to quickly find what you need
• Comfortable – Something that is easy to carry around
• Your style – A baby diaper bag that you actually like aesthetically
• Within your budget – An affordable price-point that doesn’t break the bank

Keababies Diaper Bag Backpack

I recently had a chance to check out a baby bag from Keababies — the explorer diaper backpack to be exact. This is just one of the many diaper bags the brand sells in a variety of styles.

A quality diaper bag

My first impression of the bag was quite positive — it looks much like many of the high-end diaper bags on the market (without the high price tag). The bag is comparable to either the Skip Hop diaper bag or Kate Spade diaper bag.

The Keababies diaper backpack is made of quality, sturdy oxford fabric made to last. It is water-resistant and scratch-free — both essentials when we are dealing with the spills and leakage that comes with mom life.

Versatile & comfortable diaper backpack

The versatile design of the Keababies backpack bag takes comfort into account with the cushioned back support. Because as parents, we know diaper bags get heavy — the extra cushion takes the load off your shoulders and back when you need relief from the aching effects of carrying a baby.

It’s also a bag that can be used by BOTH parents — the colors are gender neutral (navy, black and gray)…so no need to add a diaper bag for mom + diaper bag for dad on your baby registry! This one works well for either!

And for those moments you just don’t need a backpack, just use the two stroller hooks. It makes it easy to attach to your stroller for hands-free traveling! Plus, if you’ve been looking for a breastfeeding diaper bag, this one doesn’t get in the way so you can latch baby to the breast or bottle on the go!

A multi-functional diaper bag

Finally one of the biggest reasons, the Keababies diaper backpack might be worth adding to your list of favorite bags, is due to its functionality.

The diaper backpack features 17 storage pockets (6 with zipper compartments) — so really a place for everything!

You have a main storage space room for the big things like clothes, blankets, ointments, diapers, and wipes (and if feels bigger than most bags)!

Along the sides, there are elastic slots for holding a bottle for baby and a bottle for mommy. There’s even a separate area on the backside with a changing mat — with space to store a couple of diapers and a small wipe pack for easy access when you’re in a pinch.

One of my favorite compartments is the inside cushion space for a laptop!! A super thoughtful design for the modern parent.

If you’re on a budget, but still want to find a quality diaper bag that meets the needs of today’s busy parent, the Keababies diaper bag backpack is a great option!

You can check out the array of diaper bags directly on their website.

Ana @ Mommy's Bundle

Ana, a mom to three rambunctious little boys, has supported hundreds of thousands of women throughout their pregnancy and motherhood journey since 2012 as a blogger and maternal health advocate at MommysBundle.com.

mommysbundle.com

The post The Diaper Bag Backpack: Why Moms Are All Over It appeared first on Mommy's Bundle.

Newly pregnant? Congrats! This is an exciting time in your motherhood journey!

Now, what’s next?

Once you find out you’re pregnant and growing another human inside, the excitement and joy can quickly be followed by anxiety and uncertainty.

Because as an expecting mama, so many worries naturally follow:

How should I prepare for labor? What should I be doing or not be doing during pregnancy? What do I REALLY need to survive pregnancy and the postpartum time period?

These days, we are bombarded with information and choices. The amount of choices may actually add to the overwhelm. Options are good, but too many of them often leads to indecision and uncertainty. Because how do we make the best choices from the hundreds of options?

This is where pregnancy subscription boxes come in to play — helping to reduce the confusion and anxiety new and expecting moms face early on.

Wumblekin is one solution that stands out from the rest. The pregnancy and postpartum box brand, provides essentials to empower moms with confidence and evidence-based care. Taking them from panicked to prepared through pregnancy and the postpartum recovery period.

Below are three of the top reasons Wumblekin Pregnancy & Postpartum Boxes are a great gift option to reduce pregnancy anxieties for the new and expecting mom.

Evidence-Based Pregnancy Boxes Curated by Experts

Wumblekin pregnancy and postpartum boxes aren’t just randomly thrown together. Each item is carefully selected by a team of mom maternity experts to help you make informed decisions for yourself and baby. Because choosing products based on facts and not just opinions is essential.

The team who chooses the must-have new mom products is a panel of experts: OB/GYN, midwife, nurse, pediatrician, mental health therapist and more!

Whether it’s a pregnancy box, birth box or postpartum box, each product included is there to meet the stage of your changing body and emotional needs.

Plus, with each pregnancy and postpartum box, comes an educational booklet — helping you know what to expect and focus on to better manage each stage. Tons of helpful science-based recommendations in bite-size pieces to reduce the overwhelm!

Subscription Boxes Prepare Moms at an Affordable Rate

Another top reason Wumblekin makes a great gift idea for the pregnant mama? The bundle of items helps prepare her for all those pain points along her pregnancy and motherhood journey, without having to break the bank. Because we all know baby gear and mama essentials can add up.

Whether you sign up for a bundle of boxes the moment you get that positive pregnancy test, or just invest in one —  $49.99 pregnancy box, you’re saving between 34% and 60% across the board. 

Plus, you can get an additional 15% off using the code BUNDLE15 at checkout HERE.

Pregnancy & Postpartum Essentials for Each Trimester

As we move along in our pregnancy, it’s clear we require different needs to support our bodies and growing babies wherever we are in the journey.

Pregnancy Box for 1st Trimester

During the first trimester the majority of expecting moms experience morning sickness and nausea, their waistline starts to expand and hydration becomes essential.

So Wumblekin’s 1st trimester pregnancy box takes all these needs into consideration.

The first trimester pregnancy box includes:

• Organic Sweet BlackBerry Ginger Tummy Drops
• Expecting You Keepsake Pregnancy Journal
• Bellaband Maternity Band
• All-Natural Belly Butter
• Eco-friendly Water Bottle

These pregnancy essentials help mom-to-be alleviate morning sickness and stay hydrated every day, maximize comfort and easily adapt her current wardrobe to maternity-friendly clothes.

The essentials also encourages moms to keep track of this transformative experience documenting their pregnancy journey.

See the 1st Trimester Pregnancy Box and use code BUNDLE15 to save MORE!

All are items carefully curated by a team of mom experts who understand the struggles each trimester brings.

Pregnancy Box for 2nd Trimester

The second trimester, also known as the honeymoon phase, is a time most moms start to experience the pregnancy glow, with reduced nausea and more energy. This is typically the most enjoyable time for moms-to-be — and a time she deserves to be pampered as her belly continues to grow.

Wumblekin’s 2nd-trimester pregnancy box includes items mom can use to take good care of herself:

• Mother Loving Potions Charcoal Facial Soap
• ThermaCare Back Pain Therapy HeatWraps
• Crane Personal Travel Humidifier
• Skinergy Low Compression Socks
• The Snuggle is Real Newborn Size Onesie
• Usborne Books Baby’s Very First Little Library

I had a chance to take a close look at the goodies in the second trimester box, and as a mom of three, I can attest to the necessity of each!

As an expecting mom, I remember all too well the effects of dry air on my skin — bloody noses, dry, itchy skin and winter colds were the norm. Having a little humidifier to take on the go is really a must throughout your pregnancy (plus you’ll need one for when baby arrives too!).

I also really appreciate the back pain heat wrap, as a chronic back-pain sufferer and mama who knows the reality of body aches and pain the further along you are in your pregnancy journey. The compression socks are another comfort measure to help alleviate many of the swelling, joint pain and other physical discomforts pregnancy brings.

The newborn onesie and baby books are adorable extras to help you cherish those early days with baby — for snuggles, first photos and connecting to baby through reading!

All of these items purchased separately amount to over $85 — but purchasing through Wumblekin helps moms save big time! 

See the 2nd Trimester Pregnancy Box

Pregnancy Box for 3rd Trimester

As we waddle through the last few months of pregnancy with physical discomforts more apparent, the focus moves on nesting or preparing for the arrival of our bundle of joy.

Wumblekin’s 3rd-trimester pregnancy box features items to help us get comfortable and feel ready to soothe a newborn baby:

• Halo 100% Cotton SleepSack Swaddle
• Earth Mama Third Trimester Tea
• Custom Wumblekin Mug
• Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow, Anti-Colic 5 oz. Bottle
• Roll Model Massage Therapy Balls
• Dr. Brown’s HappyPaci Silicone Pacifier

Again, the pregnancy box suites the needs of the mom where she’s at and at whopping savings when purchased as a box rather than separately.

But beyond pregnancy, Wumblekin also understands that preparing for motherhood doesn’t end there. Birth and life after birth are equally important — and a time that moms’ may need the most support. That’s why they also created a Postpartum Gift Box and Labor and Delivery Box.

You can see the postpartum box in action on my Instagram page where I”ll be taking a closer look!

Don’t forget to use code BUNDLE15 to save even more on Wumblekin’s Pregnancy Boxes + Postpartum Boxes

Ana @ Mommy's Bundle

Ana, a mom to three rambunctious little boys, has supported hundreds of thousands of women throughout their pregnancy and motherhood journey since 2012 as a blogger and maternal health advocate at MommysBundle.com.

mommysbundle.com

The post Pregnancy & Postpartum Gift Boxes: 3 Ways to Alleviate Anxiety as a New Mom appeared first on Mommy's Bundle.

Let’s face it. The aftermath of life as a new mom can blindside even the best of us. We spend so much time caring for our pregnant bodies and preparing for birth but rarely do we prepare for the transition to motherhood postpartum.

Usually, any preparation for life as a new mom centers on baby. The baby clothes, the baby gear, the hundreds of diapers and essentials they require those early days.

READ MORE: Pregnancy & Postpartum Gift Box

Of course, many of these things are necessary for baby care, but they don’t take into consideration mommy care or the things a new mom actually needs to survive the physical and mental challenges life after birth can bring her.

So what does a new mom actually need for herself during that fragile time during postpartum recovery?

Below we break down the postpartum essentials for each stage in her recovery period.

Postpartum Mom Gifts: Practical Things She’ll Need and Want

Along any stage of the way, one of the TOP things experienced moms said they wished they personally had post-partum, was simply a NEW MOM CLASS, just like they did for labor/birth to educate and support them during the motherhood struggles.

A newborn sleep prep course, a breastfeeding course, a baby care course, or even just a postpartum 101 course to set expectations are all some of the best gift ideas for new moms.

Another resource she may want to check out during those early days is Postpartum.net online support and resources for moms struggling with Baby Blues, PPD and other mental health issues.

Gift Ideas for New Moms 0-6 Weeks Postpartum

The first six weeks after birth is traditionally what we think of as the postpartum period. It’s a time of critical care for physical recovery, due to the bleeding, soreness and healing a new mom undergoes.

This is the time period where a postpartum essentials list comes in handy. But most new moms won’t know exactly what they’ll need for this recovery period until they are actually in the thick of things, so planning ahead will help her know what to expect.

A postpartum gift basket to help mom survive the first six weeks after birth, can include the following items:

• A postpartum care kit or peri bottle by FridaMom (a popular choice among moms polled)
• Loose-fitting clothing like these maternity leggings, cozy jogger pants (code: BUNDLE50 for 50% off) or soft pajamas and maternity robes
• Fuzzy, warm, non-slip socks (or these clever “if you can read this…” socks)
• Easy-access tops, nursing bras, and nipple pads — check out the Everything Bra by Bodily (super comfy and great for ALL stages of feeding)
• Organic creams moms love for sore nipples or the popular Haakaa for the breastfeeding mom
• A reliable water-bottle to keep her hydrated throughout the day/night
• Healthy homemade meals or a MealTrain (I WISH I had this one)
• One-handed snacks and goodies (this was a TOP pick among moms!)
• A small mom-approved night-light for middle of the night feedings
• Baby record or milestone book for mom to treasure and remember the special moments
• Sound machine to help baby AND mom sleep well
• Extra pain meds to add to her medicine cabinet
• And a postpartum doula to help with mom care and baby care (such an AMAZING option that most moms only consider after the fact!)

Check out suggestions HERE to get more gift ideas for new moms in the full postpartum period.

And you can make things easier, by having a mom-to-be send you her Amazon wish-list. This way you can put together a postpartum care package to include EXACTLY what she wants and needs following her specific type of birth and recovery.

Gift Ideas for New Moms 3-6 Months Postpartum

After about 3 months of navigating postpartum life, both mom and baby may start developing more of a routine, with new struggles emerging.

This is the time period where baby typically sleeps less during the day, but also experiences sleep regressions and cluster feeds. At the same time, mom’s postpartum hair loss peaks, ideals of motherhood may fill her mind and her body confidence may drop. She may even return back to the work force, while still being susceptible to postpartum depression.

All of this contributes to an exhausted mother, both physically and emotionally.

So postpartum gifts should center around ways to help her manage time during the day, find emotional support and take better care of her physical health.

When asked about new mom gift ideas, moms on Instagram had a variety of helpful suggestions listed below:

• Gift cards to Starbucks, Target, Amazon or anywhere the mom can shop for herself
• A good coffee machine to survive the exhaustion
• A mani/pedi or spa-at-home kit including an undereye healing mask
• A basket of snacks to fill her breastfeeding or postpartum hunger
• An easy-to-use baby wrap to help her multi-task at home, cook a meal or keep her sanity with a colicky baby
• A mom support group where she can meet new friends (Peanut is a great app for this!)
• Soft scrunchies, detangling sprays and creams to deal with the hair mess and loss
• A heatless curling set from Kitsch can help her add some volume and better manage postpartum hair issues without the hair damage many other styling tools cause
• Useful new mom books you don’t often hear about like Moms on Call, Shit No One Tells You

Check-in with the new mom to see what she is struggling with most and then pick a few items from the above list to create a postpartum gift basket to drop off.

Gift Ideas for Moms 6 Months+ Postpartum

While most people aren’t aware, a mom with a baby 6 months-year is still a mom in the postpartum period, it is just a delayed stage.

During this time most of the initial struggles and concerns like healing and pain management have been resolved, but other issues may linger including pelvic floor issues, baby weight, finding time for personal hobbies, and maintaining a sense of identity outside of motherhood.

Gifts for moms in the 6 month+ period should consider these ongoing needs.

One of the BEST gift ideas for a postpartum mom during this phase is getting some ME TIME for self-care.

So having a babysitter to free up her time is a major help! It can be more of a challenge this season in the middle of a pandemic, but if it’s what she really needs follow the safety cautions like social distancing, mask-wearing and getting tested to make sure you are well enough to provide child-care and provide some time for her own passions.

In addition, gift cards for date night, meals, wine and wine tumblers are also super helpful gifts for the overwhelmed mom who just needs a break and wants to unwind.

Another nice new mom gift idea is a family photoshoot — unlike the newborn photos, photos taken when baby is a little older and when mom feels more like herself again is a great way to lift her spirits.

And finally, one of the lesser thought of but super helpful gifts a mom in the postpartum time could really use is a specialist to troubleshoot her ongoing concerns. Whether she’s dealing with pelvic floor pains from a vaginal birth, gas and a mommy pooch or just needs a professional to talk to.

A physical therapist, post-natal fitness coach, maternal mental health therapist or mom-to-mom support group can really be the most helpful gift during the delayed postpartum time period.

If (and-only-if) she specifically tells you she is looking for a fitness program for postpartum moms, check out the Postpartum Guides. These downloadable pdf designed by fitness experts walks mamas through what to do just after birth through 8 months postpartum. The guide includes breathing exercises to help the core and pelvic floor heal to diastasis recti safe exercise to help heal and lose the mommy pooch.

Use code: MOMMYSBUN10 to save $10 off the price HERE.

Remember to take into account the new moms birth plan, experience and motherhood style when choosing gift ideas.

However you decide to treat a new mom, a thoughtful gift specifically taking into account her postpartum and self-care needs will be truly appreciated, during what is often a major life transition.

***

Ana @ Mommy's Bundle

Ana, a mom to three rambunctious little boys, has supported hundreds of thousands of women throughout their pregnancy and motherhood journey since 2012 as a blogger and maternal health advocate at MommysBundle.com.

mommysbundle.com

The post The Best Postpartum Gifts for the New Mom appeared first on Mommy's Bundle.

If you’re looking for more tips to care for your postpartum hair and skin, keep reading to find useful tips on what to expect!

Postpartum Hair and Skincare Tips for New Moms

Care for Your Hair

During pregnancy, you’ve probably noticed positive changes to your hair. The reason? Your body produces higher estrogen levels, which directly affects the state of your locks. During this time, it’s not uncommon for you to see little to no hair loss and an increase in hair growth, but what happens post-delivery?

What to Expect:

Unfortunately, the drop in hormone levels during postpartum can affect over 60% of your hair, leading to what we know as postpartum hair loss.

Luckily, it may not be as bad as you think.

When you’re pregnant, the increased estrogen levels prevent your hair from shedding as much as it usually would. So, while you may feel as though you’re losing a lot of hair during this time, it only feels that way because your hair is making up the lost time.

Don’t worry; you’re not going bald!

How to Help:

Even though you’re unable to prevent postpartum hair loss, you can still control how bad it gets. First, consider a new haircut as it can provide you with many surprising benefits. Giving your hair a fresh start can be just what it needs to begin to mend. Layers, for example, can bring life and fullness back into your hair, or a bold chop can remove all the dead ends.

Be extra cautious about the tools you’re using on your hair. Rough brushing can create unnecessary damage and cause more hair to fall out (I recommend a wet brush or organic detangler to manage instead). And avoid the heat styling as much as possible to protect the integrity of your hair.

Nourishment is key in bringing your hair back to life. Between your diet, supplements, and hair products, there are ways to give your hair the extra TLC it is craving. A variety of fruits, vegetables, and proteins might be one of the best ways to ensure your entire body is receiving what it needs to repair itself. Foods specific to improving hair health are dark, leafy greens, sweet potatoes, and carrots, eggs, as well as fish. Additionally, supplements such as vitamins B, C, and E are excellent options for promoting hair growth.

Finally, don’t forget to treat yourself throughout this process, as well! Hair masks can be immensely beneficial to repairing your hair and provide you with a time to kick back and relax while using one. Whether you DIY or just buy your own hair mask, take the time to give your hair extra nourishment — it will leave your locks healthy for the long-run.

Revamp Your Skincare Routine

Along with your hair changes, you may also experience a difference in your skin while pregnant. During your pregnancy, you may have received compliments that you were “glowing.” This is common for many women due to increased hormones, blood flow, and oil in the skin. Of course, this can change postpartum and might bring you additional changes to your skin, some of which can feel less than ideal.

What to Expect:

A few changes you can expect to see are acne, melasma, and stretch marks. In most cases, acne is caused by inflammation in the skin’s oil glands and can be aggravated by the hormonal changes your body experiences. These hormonal fluctuations can lead to increased sebum production and ultimately clogged pores. Typically, you will see acne develop along the neck and lower area of the face showing as red, raised bumps.

Melasma, also known as “the mask of pregnancy,” causes pigmentation due to increased production of melanin. This is on account of a combination of both genetics and hormonal changes, in addition to exposure to UV radiation. It receives its nickname since it tends to appear in patches along the cheeks, forehead, temples, bridge of the nose, upper lips, and jawline.

Ninety percent of pregnant women will experience stretch marks. This skin condition is a form of scarring that can often show as red or purple marks that are caused by the stretching and tearing of cfollagen and elastin fibers in the skin. While most women can expect to see stretch marks along the belly, thighs, hips, or breasts, it ultimately depends on your genetic makeup and your age.

How to Help:

Finding solutions that work for you and your skin concerns don’t have to be complicated. In terms of acne, it’s essential that you have a consistent skincare routine in place to help clear, repair, and moisturize your skin. If you feel that your acne is problematic or tough to treat, consider speaking with a dermatologist to find an acne treatment with an active ingredient such as niacinamide. This ingredient can help to fight acne-causing bacteria, reduce inflammation, and prevent future breakouts.

Melasma, in some cases, can fade away on its own. If you feel that yours is more stubborn, you can speak to your doctor for solutions. Common treatments for melasma include creams with hydroquinone, a chemical peel, microdermabrasion, or even laser treatments to lighten dark patches. You should also consider limiting sun exposure and introducing a strict sun care routine in your day-to-day.

As mentioned before, the severity of your stretch marks can depend on your genetic predisposition as well as your age. You may see them slowly disappear on their own, but if that’s not the case, some products can help minimize the appearance of stretch marks. By taking steps to help your stretch marks, you will also provide additional care for your skin, leaving you with a healthy and radiant glow.

Take Time for Yourself

With the experience of childbirth, a lot of changes occur to your body. While hair and skin issues are just a few, it’s important to address and care for your wellness as a whole. Caring for a new baby is hard work, so find time in your day for yourself as well. Hydrate as much as you can to fuel your body and flush out impurities (remember, water has immense perks for the skin!) And include a variety of activities whenever possible — gentle exercise, journaling, or even napping as your baby sleeps, can be beneficial in your postpartum recovery. These activities can help to clear your mind, reduce stress, and also boost your mood and energy levels at a time you need it most.

Ana @ Mommy's Bundle

Ana, a mom to three rambunctious little boys, has supported hundreds of thousands of women throughout their pregnancy and motherhood journey since 2012 as a blogger and maternal health advocate at MommysBundle.com.

mommysbundle.com

The post Postpartum Hair and Skincare: Tips to Help the New Mom Feel Good appeared first on Mommy's Bundle.

Most expecting moms prepare as much as they can for bringing a baby into this world. They take labor and delivery classes, they set up a baby registry to stock up on essential newborn must-haves and they research all about things to expect while expecting.

But rarely do they prepare for the aftermath as a new mom recovering at home with a newborn baby — especially how to take care of themselves — postpartum body and mind included.

This was exactly my story when I brought home my first baby after a four-day c-section recovery in the hospital.

But I was lucky to have my mom around to help for the first couple weeks that followed. She was much-needed support for cooking, cleaning, and looking after me. Every time I finished feeding baby, she insisted I take some time to shower, nap, or eat. Even when I thought I could do it myself, she would reach for my arms to help me stand without straining, adjust the pillows around me and remind me to take it easy.

In short, she was my personal doula…and what I needed most during those early days home as a first-time mom. Because when it was time for her to go I realized just how lost I would have been without her help….

Why You Need to Have a Postpartum Plan Ready

Today more than ever, moms are understanding why preparing in advance for life after baby is critical to their family’s overall well-being. The first few weeks home with a newborn are eye-opening.

With a postpartum plan, you can better manage stress and anxiety that might follow, especially when you’re no longer in the care of nurses and doctors at the hospital. Because we all know without a caregiver at our side, things aren’t so easy. 

A little planning will help you feel confident about recovery next steps once you are home with a newborn baby.

And then an extended plan sets you up for long-term success the following months when your back-up or full-time help at home is gone (think: your spouse going back to work or your mom/doula away).

This extended postpartum time is just as critical to prepare for, as it is a time you will be alone, and thus most vulnerable to things like postpartum anxiety or depression.

Grab the FREE Postpartum Starter Plan to help you during this fragile recovery time.

Tips to Prepare for Postpartum Recovery

So while baby’s due date is approaching, make sure you address all of the major areas within your postpartum plan. Below are a few ideas to get you started!

Find a support network

The most important part of setting up a plan for postpartum recovery is finding support.

Will your partner be around to care for you? Do you have family coming to help? Or will you have to hire outside support?

Figuring out who will be there to take care of you, is the first step.

Because as baby’s main caregiver — feeding, changing and rocking through the exhaustion — you cannot neglect your own self-care plan. Your new role will include daily care of your postpartum body, taking it easy, washing and nourishing yourself to ensure you are strong enough for your new motherly role.

If you do one thing, remember to make arrangements for the first few weeks back home for a smooth transition.

Prepare meals in advance

I felt very lucky to have my mom with me for a couple of weeks postpartum — along with support, it meant I didn’t have to stress much about meal prep or cooking. One less thing I had to worry about!

But when it was time for her to head home, reality struck: I was still in this exhausted new mom / postpartum period left to figure things out alone.

So most of the time, when I was hungry, I just grabbed whatever packaged snacks were in the pantry or whatever was quickest to make so I could get back to baby. And as a breastfeeding mama, with a ravenous new appetite, those pb&j sandwiches just weren’t cutting it.

That’s why I strongly recommended new moms prepare meals in advance.

Because your help won’t be there forever. And when you’re still recovering, going on little to no sleep, and hungry, it’s critical to have healthy food options ready to go.

I will admit, I struggled with finding healthy options initially in my postpartum season — often having to eat the processed prepacked muffin, granola bars, cracker, snacks in the pantry.

Here are a few great options for making healthy food choices postpartum:

• Grocery delivery
  • You won’t be able to drive for some time, as you recover from birth anyway, but the last thing you’ll want do is go grocery shopping. Get groceries delivered with a service like InstaCart or Peapod.

• Freezer Meals
  • Prep meals in advance and freeze them. This usually works best for dinner meals, but you can also do this for pasta, casseroles to make for lunch.
• Healthy, prepped snacks
  • Have a readily available stash of fruits and veggies. Bananas and oranges are great no-prep options loaded with potassium and Vit C to fuel up. For the fruits that need to be prepped (strawberries, melons, peppers), cut them up to munch on or add to smoothies!
  • Also, think about small portions you can throw into a salad for extra protein — cheese, eggs etc.
  • Stock up on healthy granola bars — not the overly processed types because the extra sugar that will keep you up when it’s time to rest.
• Meal Train
  • I wish I knew about meal trains during my pregnancies — it was only recently that I discovered this as a real system families use. The basic idea is that friends and family, sign up to cook and deliver a meal of your choice to help you ease into your new mom role — such a kind gesture!

Have a plan for the division of labor

Surely you won’t be expected to do much after actually going through labor, right?!

That’s what we all deserve. But the truth is unless you have extended help at home, you’re eventually going to have to deal with household duties…ahem, laundry. Because newborn babies go through clothes, bibs, and blankets so fast!

You can use this simple postpartum template to start planning ahead and have an action plan for managing household duties — whether you decide to hire help or split household duties with your partner, make sure you talk about it beforehand so you aren’t worrying about the little things when the baby arrives.

I will say, that if anyone is asking what you’ll need most (in your baby registry) request Visa/Amex gift cards you can use towards a cleaning service. My mother-in-law paid for a cleaning lady when we had our first baby and it was a huge help!

Don’t Neglect Your Mental Health

One of the often-overlooked areas of postpartum recovery is mom’s mental health. It’s an area that doesn’t get much attention unless there is a clear history of issues.

But as a new mom, it’s natural to experience a range of emotions — you just brought a new creature into the world which is sure to leave you hormonal. While you experience profound joy with your new baby, it’s natural to also feel a bit of overwhelm, anxiety, and even sadness from time-to-time.

It’s when these feelings persist for weeks on end or even months and bring you to a negative place that you have to take seek further help. Those are red flags to look out for.

So it’s important to have healthy mental breaks to turn to for when you need to recharge. Things that can provide you a sense of normalcy and reassurance like:

• Fresh air
• Walks around the neighborhood
• Journaling
• Music
• Friends or family to talk to

Think about how you can take care of your mental health when filling out your postpartum plan.

Other things to consider

One last thing to consider as you prepare for postpartum is child care.

This is a must if you have more than one child — make arrangements for help those first couple of months.

Will you have a mother’s helper or sitter? Will your older child be going to nursery school? 

Line up help for when you need to get out of the house, have a date night, or just catch up on sleep.

Keep all this in mind as you build your postpartum plan.

So as you prepare for the arrival of your bundle of joy, remember to also take the time to plan out exactly how you will care for yourself with a new baby at home. When you do this, you’ll find this new chapter in your life to be a more manageable positive experience.

Don’t forget to grab your FREE postpartum plan — to help make your time home with baby easier than ever!

Ana @ Mommy's Bundle

Ana, a mom to three rambunctious little boys, has supported hundreds of thousands of women throughout their pregnancy and motherhood journey since 2012 as a blogger and maternal health advocate at MommysBundle.com.

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The post How to Prepare for Postpartum During Your Pregnancy appeared first on Mommy's Bundle.

The recent days and weeks have been challenging for everyone, but might especially feel like a big punch in the gut to new moms everywhere.

Why the pandemic is HARD for new moms

The postpartum recovery period (typically seen as the first 6-8 weeks after birth) can generally feel like an isolating time for new moms. This is the time when a mom is taking it easy indoors as she heals and spends time with her new baby. Usually, she has a support person there to assist.

If you’re going through this and following the recommended guidelines from most doctors, you’ve kept the baby away from large crowds or groups for several weeks or even months. You may have even missed out on get-togethers with friends and family.

In many cultures, it’s normal for new mothers to be in this period of confinement for up to 40 days.

You’ve sacrificed your sanity, feeding a crying baby on demand like a milk machine. You’ve lived in a blur of sleepless days and nights. You’ve given your postpartum body time to heal, all while managing a whirlwind of emotions — from pure bliss to postpartum depression.

It can be a very emotionally trying and socially isolating time.

But now during a global pandemic, just when you feel ready and comfortable enough to take your baby out of the house, you’re told to stay at home…

and INDEFINITELY. 

Visiting family, meeting up with mommy groups or simply venturing out to normalcy must take a long pause.

Saying it’s a tough time is an understatement.

This has, of course, contributed to feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and even more depression.

And it hurts.

But as much as it does, it’s something that must be done to get everyone safely through this time.

And it makes you feel stuck even more.

If you’re home with a baby, you might fall into one of the categories below:

• It’s you, baby, and your partner
• It’s you, baby, your other children, and partner
• Or it’s just you and a baby/babies

And that last one is the MOST difficult situation to manage. 

Maybe your spouse needs to go out each day for essential work, leaving this time to “stay at home and bond with family” feel really unfair. Because at a time when you need the MOST help in your life, you have to go at it alone.

So what can you do when you are feeling lonely as a new mom and need help?

What you need to focus on FIRST as a lonely, overwhelmed mom

Try not to lose hope or become despaired. There is still a way to overcome these feelings and manage your mental health.

And it all truly starts with your mindset. 

For a while, I always thought that just meant being positive…and all this nonsensical talk. It sounded hopeful but felt impractical when you needed immediate solutions. 

But the truth is, if you can’t change the way you see things, you will not change your experience.

“The mind can make a heaven out of hell or a hell out of heaven.” – John Milton

Let that sink in.

For as tough and isolating as being home alone is, if you find a way to see the positives in it, you start to be able to cope with the hand of cards you’ve been dealt with.

• Stuck at home with a baby then becomes -> being there for major milestones
• Surrounded by wild kids means –> embracing the chaos and silliness with little ones
• Trapped at home for months means –> keeping your family and friends safe
• Alone and without help can still become –> learning to adjust and grow stronger in the process

Perspective can really change everything.

The Best Ways to Overcome New Mom Loneliness at Home

Now let’s talk about more specific ideas to help you stop feeling so lonely at home.

Join an online support group

You may already be a part of numerous Facebook groups for pregnancy or local events, but now more than ever do you need to seek comfort in a new mom support groups close to you.

When choosing a support group it may be overwhelming with all the options — there are some groups with tens of thousands of members…all over the country. I would recommend starting local whenever possible — do a search for “New Moms of [Insert Town Name]” to get started. This will provide a much more intimate experience with moms who are in or around you and is a plus for later when you are finally able to get out of the house and connect in person.

If that doesn’t lend too many options, do a wider search for “new moms” — keeping in mind that you can narrow your criteria most of the time. Example “new moms with twins” or “new moms nursing group” can provide a more narrow, targeted result.

You can also opt to join our own Mom Village community to get started and provide positivity during this unprecedented time.

Connect with others virtually

This is an ideal option to catch up with family and friends you already know. And in today’s day and age you have an abundance of options — Facebook, Zoom, Google Hangouts — are the most popular video platforms to connect with.

They may not be physically there with you, but that face-to-face connection time definitely can be so comforting during hard times.

Take classes online

While these zoom calls are suddenly all the rage, did you know about the plethora of online support classes available for moms everywhere?? Classes provide a little educational distraction to take your mind off the loneliness.

The options range from everything between labor and delivery prep to postpartum and mental health support. Plus most of these online classes come at a fraction of in-person cost.

Below are some of my top picks based on the recommendations of many:

• Birth It Up – online birth preparation class for moms looking to go the natural route
• Birth It Up 2 – online birth preparation class for moms looking to get an epidural
• Milkology – affordable online breastfeeding education classes that set you up with the basics whether your a new breastfeeding mom, exclusive pumper or mom heading back to work

Get out of the house

While you may feel stuck at home during these stay-at-home orders, that doesn’t mean you can’t step outside for fresh air. Of course, you want to stay away from crowds, public spaces and keep your 6 ft distance on daily walks. But you can still step out of the house for a change of scenery and to maintain your sanity.

Studies have shown the wonders getting outdoors into nature can do for all. A Harvard Medical study found a strong connection between time spent in nature and reduced stress, anxiety and depression.

The reasoning? According to Dr. J. Strauss, focusing on nature helps to “distract your mind from negative thinking, so your thoughts become less filled with worry.”

The research is clear.

Find a way to take a nature walk with your babies — strap them to you in a trusted carrier or break out the stroller. Even a few minutes outside appreciating life has the power to change your mentality and fill you with a sense of peace and happiness.

Everything you need to overcome feeling lonely at home.

Ana @ Mommy's Bundle

Ana, a mom to three rambunctious little boys, has supported hundreds of thousands of women throughout their pregnancy and motherhood journey since 2012 as a blogger and maternal health advocate at MommysBundle.com.

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The post How to Survive the New Mom Loneliness When You’re Stuck At Home appeared first on Mommy's Bundle.

To a new mom, it may come as a bit of shock when your baby won’t stop crying throughout the day.

For some reason, we think a fed, changed, or tired baby should be calm and even ready to fall asleep.

When our babies fuss the second we place them in a crib and try to tip-toe away, it can be exhausting. Then when the fussing turns into incessant cries, we naturally feel stressed and frustrated.

As a new mom, you want to find time to do things around the house as well as take care of yourself. But a baby who won’t stop crying can really affect your sanity when you’ve exhausted all efforts.

Why you should expect your new baby to cry…often.

We sometimes can have this illusion of what life will be like with a baby — quiet, peaceful moments of snuggling and heavenly coos as we tiptoe away from a sleeping baby. Because all baby’s due is eat and sleep right?

So, it can come as a bit of a shock that crying in infancy is typical.

Because crying is communication for babies. It’s how they communicate a need. It’s up to us to figure out what those needs are of course…but babies can start to cry more at around 2 weeks old, with crying peaking at around 2 months. Many babies also cry in the afternoons and evenings.

So when we stress and worry about why our newborn is crying so much, rest assured it usually is very normal.

Reasons babies cry

Do you know the biggest reasons your baby is crying? I wrote a post a few years ago, outlining the very top reasons for crying to help other new moms decipher those incessant cries. Because as hard as we try, we don’t always get it right.

I remember several times with my first baby boy, thinking he was just hungry…when in reality, I learned that he was crying due to gas issues or simply being overtired. It really opened my eyes and helped me avoid feeling like a complete failure when I was exhausting all of my efforts to soothe him.

If most of baby’s basic needs have been met, colic could also be a culprit and you should talk to your pediatrician further.

How to Stay Calm When Baby Won’t Stop Crying

If you’re worried about how to handle your baby when they won’t stop crying or appear colicky, these tips to help you keep your cool are a great start.

Start to Learn the Cries

Over time you’ll start to decipher the different cries to better understand what they actually mean. These cries will sound slightly different based on hunger, exhaustion or some other need. While every baby sounds the same to you now, you’ll start to learn what your baby’s non-stop crying is about as you continue forward being a new mom.

Breathe

During that first year of new motherhood, your hormones are trying to get back to normal. This means it’s completely possible that your crying baby makes you feel like lashing out in anger. But yelling or screaming isn’t going to solve anything and it will probably startle your baby more.

To stay calm with a crying baby, try to breathe through those feelings, assuring yourself that it’s simply hormones making you feel this way. A simple, slow countdown from 10 to 1 can work wonders in the heat of the moment.

Rock Your Baby

Consider having a rocking chair or glider in your home. When your baby won’t stop crying you can pick them up, cuddle them and rock gently in the rocker. I absolutely loved my rocker for times like these  — I still own to this day (7 years old!). This rhythm may help calm your baby down and it will help you remain calm during this process of trying to get your baby to stop crying. Just be certain that you don’t fall asleep rocking your baby.

Play Music

Music therapy is something that many people are starting to use to help stay calm and focused in other areas of life. Music therapy can work really well at helping you to stay calm when a baby won’t stop crying. Have a playlist ready for those restless nights so that you can have music in your ears while dealing with your fussy baby. The music can help you stay calm, and if you play it out loud it may help soothe your baby to sleep too.

Step Away

One of the BEST tips recommended to me as a new mom when you’re baby won’t stop crying and you’re ready to pull out your hair is to simply step away for a few minutes.

Make sure you’re baby is in a safe spot, in their crib without blankets or toys and close the door.

It’s OKAY to do this.

Even though it may pull at your heartstrings or feel terrible, a few minutes to regain your cool before handling a crying baby is so important. A pediatrician gave me an excellent piece of advice about stepping away from a crying baby for a few minutes.

He said, “No baby ever died from too much crying.”

As harsh as it may sound, it is quite true. You never want to harm an innocent child from stress or lack of self-care for mom. Take a minute when you need to. Your baby will be fine, if safely in their crib while you regain your composure.


This Too Shall Pass

Lastly, if you truly want to try another way to stay calm when baby cries then you must remind yourself that this will pass. This phase in motherhood doesn’t last forever. Keep your cool, try some of the recommendations I shared above and continue staying focused on the fact that this is just a phase that your baby is going through. In time they’ll learn to self-soothe and the endless crying will cease.

Remember, a baby who continuously cries could be experiencing a developmental change. The excess crying may just be part of the process.

On the other hand, a baby may simply want to be held and close to you — remember your body was the source of comfort to them for the last 9 months in utero! And some babies simply want more cuddles than other babies. They’ll continue to cry until picked up and cuddled.

So it’s okay if you pick them up…but it’s also okay to let them cry it out for a few minutes (I’m not a big proponent of the cry-it-out method, but from years of dealing with crying babies, I understand how important it is to find a balance).

Read: Top Reasons Babies Cry + Easy Solutions to Soothe

The biggest thing to remember when your baby won’t stop crying is that they’re trying to communicate a need with you. And although figuring out what that need is can be rather stressful for a new mom, it’s a great reminder that your little one isn’t doing this to stress you out.

I hope these tips for dealing with a crying baby remind you that you are not alone and are a good mom. If you’re still feeling worn out from dealing with a baby who won’t stop crying, there’s nothing wrong with calling a friend, family member or your partner in to help a little with your baby so that you can get some much-needed rest. Because it really does take a village.

Ana @ Mommy's Bundle

Ana, a mom to three rambunctious little boys, has supported hundreds of thousands of women throughout their pregnancy and motherhood journey since 2012 as a blogger and maternal health advocate at MommysBundle.com.

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The post Baby Won’t Stop Crying? Here’s What You Need to Do to Stay Calm! appeared first on Mommy's Bundle.

Follow these tips to take care of yourself and learn to sleep more with a newborn baby.

The importance of postpartum care

We’ve all heard stories about the tragedies that can happen in early motherhood. They’ve been circulating time and time again.

• A sleep-deprived mom forgets her new baby in the car…only to discover the horrible mistake she’s made hours later.
• Baby’s unfortunate fall to the floor after an exhausted nursing mom, fell asleep with baby in arms.
• Postpartum depression that kicks in when mom is in and out of sleep for days, feeling like this stage will never end.

These are seriously unfortunate effects of sleep-deprivation. And they are the reality of things that can often occur during the very fragile stage after birth.

That’s why getting as much sleep as we can postpartum is so very important in a new mothers wellness routine. After birth, we don’t always feel like ourselves…our bodies are very different, a flood of hormones take over, we experience memory issues and we have an incredible responsibility of caring for a new creature before us. But taking care of yourself as much as you take care of baby is crucial, or your physical and mental health suffer.

Yes, there are many challenges to sleep more when we have a new baby, but making it a priority over housework and to-do lists is a must. Below we’ve outlined some practical ways to get more sleep into your routine!

How to get more sleep as a new mom

Sleep when the baby sleeps

I know, I know. I just hated this advice as a first-time mom. This sounds like one of those impossible sleep-deprived mom tips that just nobody can abide by. You have children to care for, meals to cook, a house to clean, errands to run, and never-ending to-do lists to tackle.

But the truth is, you have to prioritize your health, and that means sleeping when the time comes.

Read: How to Get Your Baby and Toddler to Nap at the Same Time

So take advantage of nap time. Even if it means a 20-minute power nap here and there. That can make all the difference, some days. For now, the chores and non-urgent to-do’s will have to wait. Your sleep is more important than the tiny stuff. Prioritizing mommy’s sleep means you’ll be that much better equipped to handle screaming babies in the middle of the night and diaper blowouts.

Train baby to sleep

It’s no doubt sleep-training baby is a super controversial topic. Some argue that forcing a newborn baby to sleep is just unnatural and often detrimental to their developmental needs, while others argue it’s not only possible but a must for new parents to keep their sanity those early weeks.

While I can see the validity in either side, I’ll be honest: sleep-training our spanking new baby was never a thought that crossed my mind. I felt that if baby was waking throughout the night, it was because he was truly hungry and needing food and comfort from mommy. However, once he was a few months old, I realized helping baby get on a schedule was a must. That’s why if at all possible, I recommend getting baby on your schedule so he or she eats more during the day, less at night, naps less an less throughout the day and more at night. Eventually their circadian  rhythms will be in sync with day/night and on a much more amenable schedule, so everyone can sleep well.

Involve others as much as possible

If those dishes and errands are really getting to you, involve someone else. Maybe that’s your husband, your sister, or your mother-in-law. They can handle some things you need done while you make sure you stay healthy by getting enough postpartum sleep.

And if you have a toddler and older kids to care for at the same time, asking someone to babysit while you get some sleep might be the best thing you need. Even if it means hiring help — because the best time to invest in extra hands (and your health) is when actually need it.

Don’t try to do everything alone, super mama. You know that saying “It takes a village to raise a child.”? It’s so absolutely true. Just try it. Ask for help so you can get those extra hours of sleep mama! (And if you’re looking for your village, you can start here.)

Don’t rely on caffeinated products

You can’t force your body to power through the early days by coffee alone. And those sugary drinks and snacks will just make you crash and burn shortly after. Focus instead on healthy fruits, veggies and hydration, because they’ll make it easier for you to fall asleep when the time comes at night.

I know as a busy, new mom with little free time, it’s easy to snack on the go and often make unhealthy meal choices just for the sake of getting anything to eat. But choose wisely, grab a yogurt, granola bar, green smoothie and salad when you’re fueling up for the day and getting ready to sleep at night.

Go to bed earlier at night

This one might be a hard one to swallow, but listen carefully: GO TO SLEEP EARLY AT NIGHT. As a new mom, trying to take advantage of that precious time when baby is sleeping at night, I did everything and anything I needed…besides of course sleeping. I thought I could someone catch-up with the crazy schedule and still catch a few zzzs once my chores were done. However, the truth is you really need to try to rest when baby does at night, even if it’s earlier than your used to…because baby will wake up again at some point. If you’ve been following his schedule, you’ll be better able to deal with the frequent wakings, if you’re also doing the frequent napping.

This one may seem like the most obvious, but oftentimes you’re so sleep deprived, it’s overlooked! Get the postpartum sleep you need and get yourself to bed earlier.

As trite as it sounds, self-care for new moms really does come down to the basic heath tips we’ve heard for years but overlook. Eating well, hydrating and most importantly sleeping. Because the proof is in the pudding: getting more sleep has shown time and time again to improve mood, productivity, happiness and your ability to handle stressful situations. You owe it to yourself and your babies. Get some zzzs tonight.

Want more on early motherhood?

• Must-Have Baby Items for New Moms to Survive the First Few Months
• The Best Gift Ideas for the Expectant or New Mom
• Stop the New Mom Overwhelm with a Simple Tool

Ana @ Mommy's Bundle

Ana, a mom to three rambunctious little boys, has supported hundreds of thousands of women throughout their pregnancy and motherhood journey since 2012 as a blogger and maternal health advocate at MommysBundle.com.

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The post How to Get More Sleep With a New Baby at Home appeared first on Mommy's Bundle.

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The blur of the first few days with a new baby were sprinkled with sleep exhaustion and pain meds. Nurses waking me up every 2-4 hours to check vitals, administer medication and bring baby back and forth to the nursery.

I drifted in and out of sleep, wondering how I was going to survive those first few weeks once alone at home without the assistance of the hospital staff.

Groggy and slow to move, I pressed the bed remote so I could sit up and adjust the pillows behind me. My wounds were fresh and the healing process would take time. But the moment the nurse wheeled in my new baby, the endorphins kicked in. Nothing mattered, except the new creature beside me.

Motherhood at it’s best.

I read back baby’s id numbers to the nurse and then came the questions – simple questions – but it took a minute for me to catch on. My brain had so much to process. There was a lot on my mind with a new baby entering the world.

When Mommy Brain Kicks In

If you feel like the pregnancy-brain you experienced over the past 9 months hasn’t disappeared, you’re not alone. Many experts argue that the upheaval of hormones after birth and sleep-deprivation contribute to the forgetfulness that often accompanies the early years of motherhood. Then it’s just called mom brain.

After being sent home, new moms have a very big learning curve of taking care of a newborn and providing for their every need: alleviate baby’s incessant cries, feed baby around the clock, change baby often, keep baby safe and alive. It tends to deplete your brain cells sometimes.

And boy was I feeling that pretty early on in motherhood.

How to Keep Track of Baby’s Feedings

I remember the nurse placing a sheet of paper on my tray so I could log all baby’s diapers and feeding intervals.

Start time. End time. Which breast I nursed on last. Stool counts. Increasing diapers each day.

Ensuring baby was meeting daily wet and soiled diaper goals was a good indicator of how much food he was taking in. Diaper counts and body weight are a few things that the hospital team uses to determine if baby is getting enough milk and taking in vital nutrients so he could work on getting back to that birth weight.

Although filling in the info was something I didn’t always think was important, it helped tremendously to avoid that new mom overwhelm or “mommy brain” that happens to many of us.

In fact, I didn’t realize how much keeping a track like this could be my sanity saver!

Benefits of a Baby Log or Journal

Jotting down diaper counts or the total number of ounces baby consumes each day is a great way to free up space in your mind to ease the mental overload that happens when you keep everything in your head. Once you get things out of your head and onto paper, you can focus on more important things like, skin-to-skin contact and bonding with baby.

Another huge benefit of tracking baby’s feedings, is that it makes patient-to-doctor communication much easier. You’ll be meeting with pediatricians quite often for the first couple of months. When examining baby, they’ll be sure to ask how much baby is eating and pooping. It’ll make life a lot easier, if you can quickly refer to your notes to make sure you have all the details correct.

I remember vividly, how my conversations with the doctor would go.

How much is he eating a day?

Um I think…well it feels like he’s nursing all day…but I guess…

On average every two hours? Every three?

Yeah. I think so.

How many diapers? What color?

Hmm. Like every couple hours, I think.

Yes, mommy brain striking hard!

Let’s just say I would have helped me answer a bit more confidently if I kept better track early on!

These little details will give the doctor a better idea of how often baby is feeding, if he is getting enough milk and whether or not he needs to be examined for any ailments or deficiencies.

Trust me, you don’t want to be running any unnecessary tests on your precious newborn!

The Simple Breastfeeding Tracker Tool

After my first few mishaps as a first-time mom, I knew I needed to create something similar to what I was given in that hospital stay. Something simple enough for moms to reference on a daily basis, that they could easily access to record quick baby notes like what time baby fed at, which breast baby last nursed on and whether baby was fussy or happy after a feeding.

This breastfeeding tracker was the simple answer. It’s a one-sheeter that mom can hang in the nursery or bedroom and quickly use to record everything about baby’s feeding without having to rummage through notebooks or navigate to a specific app, wait for it to load, and search for the appropriate notes area.

This simple solution will lead to a less overwhelmed mom and a little more organization.

And then of course, you can start bidding adieu to mommy brain a little more each day!!

Want more on Motherhood?

• Sanity Saving Baby Hacks for New Moms
• Mommy & Me Yoga Activity for New Moms
• Things New Moms Should Never Leave Home Without

Ana @ Mommy's Bundle

Ana, a mom to three rambunctious little boys, has supported hundreds of thousands of women throughout their pregnancy and motherhood journey since 2012 as a blogger and maternal health advocate at MommysBundle.com.

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