One of the most memorable moments in any person’s life is the day that they bring
their little miracle, in the form of a newborn baby, home for the very first time.

While they’re planning for that momentous occasion, there is a lot of planning that
goes into place, including prepping the nursery. Now, this doesn’t just include which
color should go on the walls or the patchwork quilt that you want to put on the crib. There
are some other things outside of all of the interior designing that is just as much, if not
more, important.

If you’re preparing a nursery for the arrival of your newborn, here is a checklist to
keep in mind.

What the Crib Needs

After assembling the crib, the first thing that you should do is test it for safety.
Some people like the sentiment of an older (or passed down) crib, but being that safety
regulations change so often, it’s really best to go with one that’s no more than a couple
of years old. Make sure that the slats can fit no more than the width of a soda can
between them and that the crib’s mattress can get no more than two fingers between the
edge of the mattress and the sides of the crib. It’s a good idea to have both a mattress
pad and waterproof cover that fits snuggly onto the mattress and also make sure that
you have at least two different bedding sets. You’re going to need them.

Run Down the List of Other “Must Have” Supplies

When you’re having a baby shower, seemingly [Read more…]

As a new mother to be, it is important to take the time to make decisions before your new arrival is born. For example, breastfeeding mothers will want to begin nursing as soon as the baby is born to ensure a good milk supply from birth. There are several decisions to make before your new baby is born that will play an important role in the days, weeks, and even years to come after the birth of your new family member.

Cord Blood Banking

Researching umbilical cord banking benefits is also important, especially if you have a family history of disease or illness related to stem cells. Today, stem cells from umbilical cords can be stored privately or donated to a hospital or public cord bank for others to use. Private cord blood banking allows you to save the stem cells for your family, while donation allows public access to the cells by those who need them. Cord blood banking can be a little expensive. Families with a history of diseases that require stem cells to treat may want to consider choosing private banking for their umbilical cord blood, regardless of the cost, to provide protection for the child over the course of their lifetime.

Breastfeeding Your Baby

One decision that all mothers need to make is whether or not to breastfeed. Breastfeeding is largely considered healthier for baby since your own milk supply contains the proper nutrients [Read more…]