Caring for your newborn during the first few weeks at home can be overwhelming, especially for new moms. Before your baby's delivery, make arrangements for a family member or neighbor to help you for a couple of weeks with light housekeeping & laundry, caring for your other children, preparing meals, and running errands.

Some tips to help you during your first week home with your baby include:

1. Rest while your baby is sleeping! It is tempting to use this time to get things done, but resist this temptation, knowing that your body needs rest for your physical and emotional health.

2. Set out a casserole in the morning, that you have stored in the freezer, to thaw & cook for dinner. Enjoy left overs for lunch the next day!

2. Get outside for fresh air and sunshine, with your baby snuggled in a baby sling, whether it be a short stroll around the block, or time in your backyard or patio.

3. Drink plenty of water each day to stay hydrated. The Institute of Medicine recommends that women who breast-feed consume about 13 cups of fluids a day.

4. Watch your baby for signs of jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), or other concerns, and call the pediatrician for advice.

5. Take time to bond with your baby, making sure to include daddy, too!

 
Written by: Shelley Scheibel, RN, BSN

References:
http://kidshealth.org/parent/pregnancy_center/newborn_care/guide_parents.html#
http://www.babycenter.com/0_first-24-hours-at-home-with-your-baby_10345806.bc
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/water/NU00283/NSECTIONGROUP=2
http://kidshealth.org/parent/pregnancy_center/newborn_care/jaundice.htm


   

                                     Stylish Nursing Clothes for the Modern Breastfeeding Mom!

The modern maternity clothes of today include many options for pregnant and nursing moms, like nursing tops, nursing dresses, and nursing pajamas. In the past, maternity fashions were very limited and nursing clothes were not readily available.

I still remember the inconvenience and embarrassment of trying to breastfeed my newborn in public over twenty years ago. I would work myself into a frenzy, searching for a place of privacy to breastfeed, either retreating to my car in the parking lot or sitting on a commode in a public restroom! Even if I threw a blanket over my shoulder for privacy, it was difficult to not expose my post-preggo belly and rolls during the process of nursing my newborn.

Today, there are many stylish nursing clothes available for breastfeeding moms that are creatively designed for easy nursing access. Although they tend to be more expensive than regular maternity clothes, consider that most of them can be worn during your entire pregnancy and beyond since they have a discrete nursing design. When purchasing nursing clothes, remember to invest in a few comfortable and good quality nursing bras that can be worn during your pregnancy and beyond, too.


By adding nursing clothes to your maternity wardrobe now, you will be ready to nurse your baby with confidence, when ever & where ever you decide to go!