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After Baby

FREE Baby Stuff (over $500 worth of baby+new mom stuff for free!)

April 14, 2020 by Jenni Madsen Leave a Comment

Hey new momma- check out this list of free baby stuff for expecting mothers 🙂

This is LEGIT. All these deals are from a company called Mother’s Lounge. They offer baby items for FREE in order to get you to BUY more of their other stuff- great marketing tactic but it means you get to clean up on some sweet deals-

WIN!

All of this baby stuff is free- you just pay the shipping!

Check out the list to find something for yourself momma or a gift for a new mom or baby❤

I COULDN’T BELIEVE IT WHEN I SAW YOU COULD ACTUALLY GET OVER $500 WORTH OF BABY STUFF… FOR FREE!

I ordered a Car Seat Canopy for my first baby… it cost $12 for shipping. That’s it! And it’s the same for the rest of the stuff listed below.

OKAY, OKAY… HOW DO I GET MY HANDS ON THESE FREEBIES?

All you need is the coupon code NEWMOMMA20. Apply that code at checkout and you are sailing away with some free goodies momma!

  • Nursing Pillow (my number one breastfeeding tool for brand new mommas) free at www.nursingpillow.com ($40)
  • Baby Sling for hands free carrying at www.hotslings.com ($40)
  • Car Seat Canopy (these come in so many cute designs and patterns and have a soft minky under side) free at www.carseatcanopy.com ($50)
  • Nursing Cover for breastfeeding (I used this a lot with my first baby- not so much my 2nd and 3rd but great for brand new mommies) at www.uddercovers.com ($35)
  • Milk Bands (discreet bracelet to help you keep track of which side you breastfed last) free at www.milkbands.com ($35)
  • Belly Band (the only thing I won’t go without while pregnant) free at www.bellybuttonband.com ($40)
  • Baby Leggings (these keep your babies knees from getting scratched up and bruised from crawling) at www.babyleggings.com ($50)
  • 10 Reusable Breast Pads at www.breastpads.com ($35)
  • Ruffle Buns free at www.rufflebuns.com ($60)
  • Babsy Books free at www.babsybooks.com ($40)
  • Eskimo Kids (these are the cutest animal toques) at www.eskimokids.com ($35)
  • Pregnancy Pillow (not free but $50 off!) at www.pregnancypillow.com
  • Little Wanderers (you should be able to get 2 pairs of shoes) free at www.littlewanderers.com ($60)
  • Custom Pacifiers (get your baby’s name or a cute picture on the pacifier) www.custompacifiers.com ($30)
  • Custom Snappie free at www.customsnappies.com ($50)

ENJOY YOUR FREE BABY STUFF!

Share the code NEWMOMMA20 with your friends and family so they can score some awesome deals too! Good luck on your motherhood journey❤

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:

  • No BS Hospital Bag Checklist
  • Signs Labor Is 24-48 Hours Away
  • How To Lose Weight While Breastfeeding (without losing your supply)
  • Does Your Messy House Control You? Here’s What To Do

FREE BABY STUFF FOR NEW MOMS

free baby stuff 2020/legit free baby stuff for expecting mothers/free baby stuff for new moms

Filed Under: After Baby

Woodland Nursery Decor: Ideas For A Woodsy Baby Room

April 7, 2020 by Jenni Madsen Leave a Comment

WOODLAND NURSERY IDEAS

This post contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosure at the bottom of the page.

If you’ve been searching for rustic woodland nursery decor- you’ve come to the right place! There’s something so comforting, so calming and beautiful about the woodland decor style for baby rooms. The misty mountains or pine trees, woodland creatures and calming nature colors.

Whether you’re looking for a boy, girl or something neutral, there’s sure to be something that catches your eye for your little ones room!

Don’t miss these FREEBIES if you’re pregnant or have a new baby ❤

(use the code NEWMOMMA20 to grab any of the following for free)

NURSING PILLOW

NURSING COVER

10 BREAST PADS

PREGNANCY PILLOW (this one is $50 off- use the code MORESLEEP50)

I’ve broken the post down into sections for your baby’s nursery room:

  • Decor
  • Bedding
  • Decals
  • Accessories

Please click on the images to view them!

Woodsy Nursery Decor

Every room needs to be completed with decor- your baby’s nursery is no different! Most of these items are handmade and have that natural feel to them. Perfect for gender neutral baby rooms!

woodland nursery accessories
Evergreen Trees from Cherelle Lynn
woodsy nursery
Mama Bear and Baby Bear from SchneidersWoodworks
woodland nursery
Handmade Tree Mobile from The Urban Hedgehog
woodland nursery theme
Rustic Wooden Arrows from Cherry Tree Gallery
neutral woodland nursery
Black and White Woodland Animal Prints from l’amour fou
woodland animal nursery
Fully Customizable Bear Sign from Wildcomb Designs
Misty Mountain Garland from Final Touch Nursery
Feather Dreamcatcher from Thrifty Treasures

Woodland Nursery Bedding

These rustic woodland nursery bedding sets will give you some ideas for the perfect woodsy baby room you’d love to create! Most are gender neutral so if you don’t know the gender yet, no worries.

Woodland Bedding Set from Sweet JoJo Designs
Woodland Trail Forest Bedding from The Peanut Shell
Gender Neutral Brown Woodland Bedding from Giggle Six Baby
Woodland Friends Bedding Set from Sweet JoJo Designs

Woodland Nursery Wall Decals

Decals are the best! They’re easy to put on yourself, relatively cheap and when it comes time to take them off because you want to change the rooms theme- so easy! These decals all feature trees, birds, mountains, deer and foxes. They would compliment any woodland room!

Tranquil Woodland Wall Decal from Cherry Creek Decals
Tree Wall Decals from Lilin Momo
Birch Trees + Fox and Friends Woodland Wall Decal from Moto Moms
Misty Mountains with Deer from Lucky Walls
Foxy Lady Woodland Wall Decor From Ash and Olive Co.
Woodsy Wall Decal from Homy Vinyl

Woodland Nursery Accessories

Accessories tie any room together and give it the finishing touches. Imagine these rustic, calming colors and themes in your little ones room.

Baby Bear Pillow from Deanna’s Sewing
Plaid Changing Pad from Harriet Bee
Rustic Laundry Hamper from Loon Peak
Handwoven Faux Fur Rug From House of Hamptons
Mountain Bookends from Hometown Fox Designs
Tree Trunk Lamp from Millwood Pines
Rustic Change Table from Delta Children
Baby Changing Basket from Roohami

Did you find any super cute woodland decor nursery ideas? Good luck with creating a beautiful space for your new baby!

LOOKING FOR MORE BABY IDEAS?

  • Baby Shower Gift Ideas (under $10!)
  • Baby Must Haves (for newborns)
  • No Bullshit Hospital Bag Checklist
  • Best Gifts For New Moms In The Hospital

WOODLAND NURSERY IDEAS

woodland nursery decor/rustic woodland nursery decor

Filed Under: After Baby

5 Tips For New Dads For After Baby Is Born

April 6, 2020 by Jenni Madsen Leave a Comment

This is a guest post by Cameryn Vonbargen from Multitasking Motherhood. Here she shares her top tips for new dads after baby is born.

Having a baby is one of the most magical experiences a couple will encounter in their lifetime. There is a long list of things new parents must do to prepare for baby before delivery. They can become so busy that they forget to prepare for what life will be like after baby!

It is no surprise that new mothers will shoulder much of the responsibility in caring for baby after they arrive. What does that leave dad to do?

New dads can become jealous of the bond mom and baby develop quickly. Mom has already had months and months to bond with baby by growing him or her during pregnancy! Dad doesn’t have that opportunity to truly connect with baby before delivery.

Dads can also become lost in their new role and the unknown of where they belong in the family now.

It had always been just the two of you.

Now, mom only has time for baby.

Many people think of the postpartum time as being the hardest on mom. While it is no lie that it can be an isolating time for mom, it can be just as much so for dad!

We spend so much time focusing on new moms that we forget we also need to give postpartum tips for new dads!

When new parents don’t realize this, it can take a toll on their marriage! The needs of both mom and dad are pushed to the side because all efforts are placed on caring for the needs of baby.

It can be difficult to remain friends with your spouse in this time and enjoy your journey through parenthood together. Nothing will completely prepare a new parent for life with a newborn. However, there are things both parents can do to not only get through the first year with baby, but to thrive during it!

So, here are 10 tips to help new dads transition into parenthood and keep their marriage strong after baby!

Bottle Feed Baby

Whether you have decided to provide baby with breast milk or formula, dad can still have an active role in feeding baby! If mom finds that she is burnt out or exhausted from caring for baby, prepare a bottle with formula or pumped breast milk and give her a break.

Allowing mom a break will be huge for her! Learning how to be a mom is tiring. She is most likely living her life in 2-3 hour increments before having to feed baby again! This doesn’t even account for the numerous other activities she finds herself doing a day to care for this little one.

Any and all needs that mom has, are out the window.

By helping mom out, you both will enjoy parenting more. Plus, you will get quality time with baby!

By doing this for mom, you are showing her that you care about her and recognize how hard she is working to be the best mom she can be.

RELATED: Breastfeeding Essentials For First Time Moms

Participate In Bath Time

Like above, participating in bath time with baby helps mom out tremendously! It allows her a little bit of time to take a much-deserved break.

My husband typically gets home from work and goes straight to the bathroom to give our son his bath. This gives me enough time to sit down, relax, and eat some dinner before putting baby to bed!

It is one of the only meals that I get to eat by myself. While I love my son dearly, I enjoy every moment of it and I’m highly appreciative that my husband takes this time to help.

RELATED: Why You Shouldn’t Be A SAHM

Adjust Any Expectations

You simply can’t have any expectations about how things will be when baby arrives.

Every parent dreams of the day that they will have their baby and what it will be like. I promise you that it will be everything and nothing like you imagined at the same time.

Whether it is the expectation of baby sleeping through the night or returning to your normal sex life as soon as mom is cleared, the expectation most likely won’t be met.

Baby’s needs must be met first. Let me tell you, they have their own schedule.

And their schedule means no schedule.

At least in the first few weeks of life, the demands of baby will outweigh any plans that you and mom have. You have to allow some flexibility in the beginning of your journey through parenthood. Expectations of baby or your partner are only going to get in the way of fostering a positive experience!

RELATED: No Fluff Newborn Must Haves

Communicate With Each Other

This is one of the most important tips for new dads and moms! There are numerous ways that you can communicate with your partner during this time that are crucial to maintaining the strength of your marriage.

First, make sure to check in with each other constantly. Things can change in the drop of a hat with a newborn. This is even more true when you add postpartum hormones on top of it all.

Both mom and dad are going to have needs and challenges that the other can help with. Staying connected and continuously checking in with one another will ensure that these needs and challenges are addressed!

Second, express your gratitude with any chance you get.

Simply saying thank you to your partner, even for the smallest things, will go a long way in communicating how important they are to you.

With both parents being tired from the continuous care and adjustments that come with baby, allowing time to express how important each of you are to the other is one of the most important ways to strengthen your marriage after baby!

RELATED: 8 Colic Remedies (that actually work!)

Remember Who Came First

Finally, the most important thing that you can do for your partner is to consistently remember who came first. That is, your spouse.

Your spouse was the first love of your life. You loved them long before the introduction of this little being into your lives.

While there is no love quite like the love of a parent, the love in a marriage is just as important.

Even though much of your time is now spent caring for baby, don’t forget that it is still important to make time for one another.

Don’t forget your first love.

Ultimately, there are great changes that come with being a parent. Both motherhood and fatherhood are unlike any other role you will have in life.

The first year of baby’s life can be overwhelming and new parents will often find themselves at a loss not only when it comes to baby’s care, but also their marriage. This is why there are so many tips for new dads and moms for after baby!

Before you know it, it will all be over. That is why it is as important as ever to work on strengthening your marriage so it is still standing in the end.

At one time, it was just the two of you. There will be another time when it is just the two of you.

Make your marriage a priority during this time. By doing so, you will be making your family a priority too.

Author Bio:

Cameryn Vonbargen is a full-time student and stay-at-home mother who runs her blog Multitasking Motherhood. She has her degree in psychology and will soon have a second degree in nursing. She has a passion for writing about mental health, pregnancy, parenting, and marriage to help other moms with experiences similar to her own.

She hopes to add a real take on issues that aren’t talked about openly or deeply enough concerning the roles women assume in the journey to motherhood and marriage.

Visit her at http://www.multitaskingmotherhood.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/902541040178855/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/multitaskingmotherhood/

Filed Under: Postpartum

What To Do If Your Baby Has Colic

April 5, 2020 by Jenni Madsen 4 Comments

When my son was born, the first 5 days after were like a sweet dream. We got a couple good sleeps, woke up to blissful sunshine, went for walks and thought- wow, having a second baby is EASY!

WHAT A JOKE.

What a sick joke.

The evening on day 6 was sheer hell. He started screaming right when we were all going to bed at 9pm and didn’t stop till 1am.

We did EVERYTHING we could think of but nothing would stop the horrific screaming of our newborn baby.

It really didn’t help that I was an emotional wreck and had a two year old daughter to contend with.

We thought it would end.

We PRAYED it would end.

And then we got seriously desperate because this went on

EVERY SINGLE NIGHT

for 6 weeks.

WHAT IS COLIC?

Colic is when a baby (between 3 weeks and 3 months) cries, sometimes for hours, no matter what you do. Doctors will diagnose colic when a baby cries for more than 3 hours a day, more than 3 days a week for at least 3 weeks in a row.

WHAT COLIC IS NOT AND WHEN TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR:

if your baby

  • has diarrhea
  • has poor weight gain
  • is vomiting
  • is screaming/crying only around feeding
  • has signs of allergy
  • seems listless and pale

If your baby has colic, my heart goes out to you.

There is a dark place in parenting that people don’t talk about.

A dark place where you have actually considered throwing your baby across the room, a place where you come face to face with things inside yourself that are unspeakable.

The main take away from this is that you come face to face with these things and find out you are strong as hell. They don’t break you, they make you.

We’ve all been there as mothers and fathers, it’s important to know that.

Here are some things you can do if your baby has colic:

This post contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosure at the bottom of the page.

TRY A PROBIOTIC

Wait, what?!

Yes, probiotics can reduce the amount of crying by 3 hours a day, if you’re lucky. Or at least significantly reduce the crying time, which I still consider lucky.

We were absolutely flabbergasted at using a probiotic. It didn’t completely stop my son’s crying but it did take it down a lot lower than 3 hours.

These are the probiotic drops we used that are recommended for babies. They were developed in Sweden specifically for babies with colic.

TRY SKIN TO SKIN

When things got desperate I would-

  • strip myself to pants, no shirt
  • strip my baby to only a diaper
  • wrap him skin to skin and bounce/sway/rock like my life depended on it

This is the type of wrap I used with all 3 babies in the first couple months of life and have never looked back!

With my 3rd baby, I was gifted a skin to skin shirt specifically for newborns. This may be significantly faster and easier than a wrap but please note that I did not try this with my colicky baby.

 

GO FOR A WALK/DRIVE

It sounds obvious but sometimes you are so deep into the crying and screaming that you forget about doing obvious things (at least, I did).

Throw the baby in a wrap, go outside for a walk or put them in the car and just drive. Turn some music on. You never know what may soothe your sweet baby.

 

AVOID CERTAIN FOODS/DRINKS

These being:

  • coffee 
  • spicy foods
  • alcohol
  • dairy- this could potentially be an allergy as opposed to the above mentioned which may just upset your baby’s tummy. Be aware of dairy allergies. 

Eliminate these foods or drinks one at a time to try to figure out if your baby is upset by what you are consuming.

 

WHITE NOISE

If you’re thrifty, turn on a fan or stand next to the dryer when it’s on.

We bought this white noise machine and haven’t looked back because we use it for the older kids in their room now. It helps them stay asleep and sleep longer in the mornings!

TRY A BABY MASSAGE

Start when your baby is quiet but alert, not sleepy. You can massage almost all parts of their body, some areas you may get a better response than others:

  • head and face
  • chest
  • tummy 
  • arms
  • back
  • legs

 

RUN A WARM BATH

After the first baby, we donated the baby bath. I found it easier to run a bath (test the water temperature on your wrist or elbow where the skin is more sensitive) and get right in with my babies.

It makes for great bonding time too!

Being able to gently hold them and swim them through the warm water is a very helpful distraction when they won’t stop crying.

The warm water is very relaxing and you can sing to them while they (hopefully) calm down.

TAKE SWADDLING SERIOUSLY

Babies spend 9 months in extremely tight quarters. They are squished up, warm and used to listening to your heart beat.

Being born is a bit of a rude awakening!

They are pushed out into a much colder atmosphere, have their butts wiped with cold cloths or wipes and are forced into clothes that aren’t nearly as warm or comforting as the womb.

If you think of it like this, no wonder babies get colicky.

Swaddling reduces over stimulation and mimics how the baby would feel in the womb. It also helps them to feel less out of control.

We used these swaddling blankets because they are made of muslin which is breathable and soft on the skin.

TRY THIS TECHNIQUE

KNOW THAT IT’S NOT YOUR FAULT

This is something that is easy for people to say to you but difficult for you to accept as the truth.

You are sleep deprived, stuck in a tunnel with no light visible at the end. You feel like a shit parent, because isn’t this the one thing you are supposed to be able to do- make your baby stop crying?

Babies have their own agenda.

Being born is a pretty crazy business, for all parties involved.

Colic will end.

It really, truly will end.

And when it does, you will be a stronger person for it. Parents aren’t given enough credit for the never ending job we do.

Getting through the day and keeping your kids alive is a FEAT.

Keeping them alive while being screamed at for hours on end (sometimes with another child to contend with) is a galldang MIRACLE.

If you need help in this critical time, try calling the Parents Helpline (1-855-427-2736). They are non-judgmental and there to help you through whatever you are going through.

But I know you got this ❤

Does or did your baby have colic? Let me know if you have any other tried and true remedies in the comments for other parents going through the same thing!

Filed Under: Postpartum

How To Lose Weight While Breastfeeding (safely and without affecting your milk supply!)

April 2, 2020 by Jenni Madsen Leave a Comment

Losing Weight While Breastfeeding

This post contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosure at the bottom of the page.

Having a baby is seriously intense. Your body completely changes, your life kind of turns upside down and on top of that you just want to lose some damn weight after feeling like a house for so long ?

When I had my first baby, so many people told me that breastfeeding was magical because the baby weight would “melt off.”

Well…. 6 months came and went but the baby weight sure as hell didn’t. Something that helped me lose weight quickly after subsequent births was finding this protein powder. I use it as a whole meal for breakfast or as a snack in the afternoon and it helps to keep me feeling full so I don’t just constantly eat all day. It’s the tastiest protein powder I’ve ever tried and made specifically for breastfeeding moms- you can check it out here.

Here’s something we all need to understand though-

You GREW a HUMAN for NINE MONTHS. Give yourself a grace period of NINE MONTHS. Please! It’s better for your mental health. 

I’m not saying you shouldn’t care or try to be healthy before nine months is up- I’m saying, 9 months is a long time to grow a baby and you need that time to get back to ‘normal.’ Grace is what you need momma. 

How Many Calories Does Breastfeeding Burn?

Breastfeeding your baby and producing milk burns calories. The actual amount depends on your baby’s age, how often you’re breastfeeding and how much milk your body is producing.

On average, breastfeeding can burn up to 500 calories.

Source

How Much Weight Can You Lose While Breastfeeding?

You can lose around a pound every 1-2 weeks if you are taking in the recommended calories and breastfeeding exclusively. 

I don’t think this worked for me because I was NOT counting calories or exercising for the first 6 months after my first baby was born- I was just expecting that breastfeeding in itself would make me lose weight.

If you want to lose weight while breastfeeding safely, you need to figure out how many calories you need for your BMI and make sure you are not losing weight too quickly. 

Most moms can safely lose 1.5lbs a week without affecting milk supply. Slow and steady wins the race!

Again, your weight gain happened gradually and you need to lose it gradually, not all at once!

What Is A Good Breastfeeding Diet To Lose Weight?

A good diet- isn’t a ‘diet’ at all. What you eat should be a lifestyle and you should never feel boxed in by your ‘diet.’

As long as you’re consuming mostly healthy and whole foods (not processed) you can have some junk here and there and you won’t die. 

The reason I started to eat plant based foods was strictly for my health- I wanted to feel good and lose weight, which I did!

This is the guide I try to follow as much as I can. I still treat myself to some plant based junk food when I feel like it. There is a plant based version of pretty much any meat/dairy products now so I’ve never once felt deprived and there seems to be more and more everyday!

When I started eating this way and took up running- that’s when the weight melted off. I literally remember running ‘out’ of my clothes- they started to fall off as I lost weight!

RELATED: How To Start Running (as a new mom)

Best Foods To Boost Milk Supply (+6 to avoid)

These foods can help you produce more breast milk and some also encourage weight loss:

  • Oatmeal
  • Spinach 
  • Brewer’s Yeast
  • Garlic 
  • Fenugreek
  • Apricots
  • Sesame Seeds

Foods To Avoid While Breastfeeding

  • Alcohol– it’s best to generally avoid it but according to the CDC “up to one drink per day” is totally fine.
  • Excess caffeine– Medela has an article that states a small amount of caffeine per day is totally fine, just don’t over do it!
  • Fish– eating fish in moderation is okay but you want to be careful of how much and what kind. Mercury found in fish passes through breast milk to your baby so be aware of that.
  • Peppermint, parsley and sage– for some reason, these herbs can decrease your milk supply. You don’t need to avoid them completely but be mind of dishes that have large amounts or drinking a lot of peppermint tea.

RELATED: Yummy Lactation Boosting Recipes

Will I Lose Weight After I Stop Breastfeeding?

Some women do and some women don’t. The reason why you might not lose weight after breastfeeding is because you are used to consuming extra calories to fuel milk production.

If you stop breastfeeding but keep consuming those extra calories, you might end up gaining a bit of weight.

The reason you might lose weight is because your body isn’t retaining as much water and your breasts shrink down!

What’s The Fastest Way To Lose Weight While Breastfeeding?

1. Eat a balanced diet with whole foods

It’s tempting to try to find something that promises to make you drop weight quickly. Unfortunately- that’s just not healthy for anyone, but especially for breastfeeding moms.

By eating a balanced diet with whole foods, you are nourishing your body and you will lose weight. Be patient and remind yourself how fortunate you are that you are ABLE to access and eat fresh and healthy foods!

2. Drink lots of water

It almost seems counterintuitive to guzzle water but this truly helps you lose weight. It’s especially helpful if you try to drink a glass of water before eating- hunger pangs and thirst pangs are identical.

Try drinking water to see if you’re actually just thirsty!

3. Eat smaller meals throughout the day with protein rich snacks

I mentioned this protein powder earlier- it truly is amazing and it was made FOR breastfeeding moms! I either drink it as breakfast (plain shaken with water or blended up with ice, a small bit of spinach, almond milk and a banana) or as a snack at some point in the day. It helps to kill sugar cravings, has milk boosting ingredients and keeps you feeling full!

Eating a small handful of nuts, a bit of hummus and veggies, a piece of whole wheat toast with some peanut butter- all great snacks to give you clean energy and keep you feeling full!

4. Exercise safely

Start slowly if you haven’t exercised before. Build up a good fitness base before going too hard! I love to run and that’s pretty much free- you just need running shoes and the courage to get out the door.

When it’s winter and too cold to run I use the BeachBody on Demand app. You can sign up for a free trial here.

At first I was embarrassed about it- now? I LOVE it and tell everyone about it simply because you can do everything from home with minimal equipment.

They have something for everyone:

  • 21 Day Fix- get fit in 21 days!
  • Morning Meltdown- commit to 100 days of workouts (only 30 minutes or less a day)
  • Insanity- cardio based total body conditioning (only body weight required)
  • Liift 4- get into shape with weight lifting and HIIT workouts in just 4 days/week
  • Core de Force- MMA style workouts to have feeling strong and empowered

Start with the free 2 week trial to find something you like.

The important thing is that you find something you love! Don’t force yourself to lift weights if it makes you want to die of boredom- do something that brings you joy.

(On the other side of that- sometimes it takes time for something to bring you joy as you learn a new skill. If you’ve never run or lifted weights before, it might suck at first until you get good at it.)

5. Don’t be hard on yourself

When you are stressing out and being hard on yourself- it will be harder to lose weight. Push yourself with realistic goals but don’t stress every day if you’re not seeing drastic results- the results are there but they take time to be noticed.

6. Don’t weigh yourself every day

Weigh yourself once a week or once every two weeks. Even once a month! Weighing yourself every day is pointless- our weight fluctuates day to day- sometimes by 1-3 POUNDS! So weighing yourself every day is not an accurate representation of how you’re doing.

RELATED: How To Exercise At Home (when you have small kids)

Every Mom’s Weight Loss Journey Is Different

They say comparison is the thief of joy. And it’s so so true.

Don’t look at pictures of other moms who ‘bounced back’ right away. Don’t compare yourself to celebrities who went down to their pre pregnancy size 2 hours after giving birth.

Seriously, I’m giving you permission to mute notifications or unfollow any social media accounts that make you feel like garbage.

The only person you need to worry about is yourself. You can DO THIS!

More Breastfeeding Articles You May Like:

  • Breastfeeding Must Haves For New Moms
  • 10 Realistic Breastfeeding Tips
  • How To Boost Your Milk Supply
  • Lactation Boosting Recipes

BREASTFEEDING DIET FOR NEW MOMS

Filed Under: Breastfeeding

Should You Co-Sleep With Your Baby?

March 17, 2020 by Jenni Madsen 8 Comments

Co-sleeping is somewhat of a taboo in our society. I remember telling people that I co-slept with our baby in bed with us and getting reactions like ‘you’ll never get them out, you don’t want them to become too attached, they’ll never learn to sleep on their own.’ Which I think is slightly absurd. Being attached to your baby is so important, for them and for you. They grow up and they certainly grow out of your bed. So I stopped worrying about it and just soaked up the time I had with my babies in bed with me. If you feel like sleep training is for you, I’m not here to judge. It’s not for me personally! Here are some reasons why co-sleeping is a great way to go…

This post contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosure at the bottom of the page.

CO SLEEPING WILL STRENGTHEN THE MOTHER/BABY BOND

Being close to your baby and learning to read each others sleeping cues, skin to skin and more chances to breastfeed throughout the night can significantly increase the bond between the two of you. There are studies suggesting that the extra breastfeeding through the night build up more antibodies that help reduce infant illness. Snuggling them through the night, hearing their sweet little sounds and waking up to the cutest baby smiles is priceless. 

THERE’S NO NEED TO FULLY WAKE YOURSELF/THE BABY TO FEED

This is huge! When I brought my first daughter home I just assumed that you got up, picked the baby up and sat in some sort of nursing chair for any night time feeds. This didn’t last long before I realized that nursing side lying without turning lights on and waking both of us up was the absolute BEST. I noticed I was actually getting sleep! With a newborn!

No having to spend x amount of time getting them back to sleep, putting them down like they’re a live bomb and trying to sneak out while praying to the baby sleep gods that they’ll stay asleep.

NO NEED TO GET UP TO CHECK ON THEM- THEY ARE RIGHT BESIDE YOU

Are they breathing? What if they rolled over? What if a blanket covered their face? Oh shit, I better run and check. No more mama. Your brand new, sweet, helpless (oh, so helpless) baby is right next to you. You won’t be waking up like a bolt of lightening hit you wondering any of these things. You’ll be sleeping away and if you do wake up, able to glance down and reassure yourself.

IT GOES AGAINST OUR ANIMAL INSTINCT TO HAVE OUR BABIES AWAY FROM US

I’ve never really understood how it became normal to have your baby sleep away from you, sometimes in a whole separate room. Before the invention of cribs, humans did what all other mammals do with their vulnerable babies- slept with them. Having your baby next to you allows you to do things that are instinctual- kissing your baby while subconsciously gauging their temperature, listening to their breathing and being right next to them and able to help if they become ill.

Being intoxicated, extremely over tired or on medication that can dull your senses are reasons not to co-sleep. In normal circumstances there is no reason you shouldn’t sleep with your baby in bed.

IT’S THAT MUCH MORE TIME BEING CLOSE TO THEM

Having my children sleep with me is one thing I know I won’t regret when they’re older. They are out of your bed so fast anyway, and it’s so special to sleep with your child. Your child will want their own ‘big kid’ bed soon enough, especially if they have siblings they will be room sharing with.

It’s considered normal now for a child to sleep alone, be put into a car seat, moved into a stroller and then into a crib or bassinet for nap times. We need to hold our children and be close to them as much as possible. You will never get that time back with your children and it’s so important. I look at sleeping with them as this extra special time that will be gone. Enjoy co-sleeping while it lasts!

CO-SLEEPING CAN HELP WHEN YOU HIT SLEEP REGRESSION

Although co-sleeping won’t magically solve all of your problems (was I coming across that way?), it can help when you hit the ‘dreaded’ sleep regression. I put dreaded in quotes because even though it SUCKS, your baby is going through some pretty amazing milestones. They might be able to crawl, walk, or even tell you something with words after it’s over, soooo, it is kinda’ awesome.

Being right next to your baby while they are going through a sleep regression is good because a) They might be soothed just by being next to you, able to breastfeed on demand and smell you. b) Even if they are NOT soothed by those things I just mentioned, at least you are close to your bed and can do the crazy things I did to not have to stand there for hours like a zombie (like doing that weird sitting in bed while rocking the baby or sleep sitting up if that’s what soothes them.)

If sleep regression has you literally ready to keel over, Carly over at Mommy on Purpose has some amazing advice on sleep regression I recommend checking out!

YOU DON’T NEED TO BUY A CRIB

This one is kind of a joke, I did buy a crib- for my 3rd baby no less! I started to think maybe I’d try sleep training. It’s been great for storing laundry and miscellaneous baby items! When we got back from the hospital, I looked at my tiny baby, looked at the crib and laughed my head off.

THERE ARE SOME DOWNSIDES…

Not many, but some. It is hard to get out of bed without waking the baby. I’ve found it usually happens in phases. For a while nothing can wake them and then they’ll suddenly be awakened by any movement or sound (or thought) you have while getting up. But it doesn’t last.

Spit up in the beginning is real. If you have your baby in bed, they will spit up and it will get on your sheets. This also doesn’t last too long and to me the extra laundry is worth it! (Update! My baby is now 6 weeks old and the spit up has already gone waaaaayyy down!)

My husband either puts the other kids to bed and sneaks out or he stays with them. This can be hard for spending time/the night together. Make sure the two of you are completely on the same page. My husband and I talk about it often and always express our needs, whether that is spending time together or… time together ?

BE AT PEACE WITH YOUR DECISION

Decide what you want fairly early on. It’s hard to get them out of your bed if they are used to it. That’s what I struggle with sometimes. It’s easy to wish that you had sleep trained them when the going gets rough but please realize that it does not last, there will be ups and downs like all things and this too shall pass. 

Do you co-sleep with your children or are you in the process of deciding? Let me know in the comments!

Filed Under: Postpartum

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