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Potty training is a difficult time and frustrating time period. The key to success is ensuring your child is ready and having patience. Potty training is complex and can be difficult. Many children struggle with it and learning styles can be different for each child. Knowing when to start potty training, tips and tricks, and setbacks you can expect, make it easier to deal with the struggles of potty training. When to start potty training Many parents are very eager to start the potty training journey, but while you may be ready that doesn’t mean your child is. Not only does your child need the necessary motor skills but they will also need proper communication skills. In general, children are ready to begin potty training around 2-3 years of age. Many times they will begin to show signs that they are ready to start potty training on their own. For example, they may begin to show interest in the toilet, they may start to tell you or communicate to you when they have to go to the bathroom, and they may come to you to change their diaper soon after they have gone in it. The best way to determine if your child is ready is to ask yourself the following questions? Is your child able to travel to and get onto the toilet? Can your child pull their pants up and down by themselves? Do they understand directions? Are they able to communicate their need to use the restroom? Can your child hold it for more than a couple of hours? Do they seem interested in potty training? If your child can do most or all of the above then they are probably ready to begin potty training. If they cannot do most or any of the above then they are probably not ready to begin potty training. In addition to your child, you need to be prepared for potty training as well. You will need to have the time and patience to deal with the ups and downs of potty training. In addition, you will need to prepare yourself for accidents and setbacks. Potty training is not easy and quick, it takes a while and can be mentally draining. Make sure you are ready to deal with it. Steps for potty training Once you have determined that you are ready to begin potty training, there are a few steps to take before you begin the actual training. Build up positive bathroom associations. Let them come into the restroom with you and see what you are doing. Toddlers are naturally curious and they like to imitate what they see. If you demonstrate to them how to use the restroom, properly wipe, and flush the toilet they will likely want to imitate you. Get them excited about potty training. Your toddler has to want to use the restroom on their own. To do this many parents go with them to the store and let them pick out their “big boy/girl underwear.” This gives them an incentive to want to use the restroom properly so they can wear their new underwear. You will need to get the necessary equipment. Some children prefer their own smaller potty to go in, while others prefer to use the big potty right away. For training potties, make sure they are stable and durable so that they won’t tip over by accident. For adult potties, you can get a small seat attachment that makes it easier for them to sit on. Start to make the connection. You have probably become very attuned to your child’s tells. When they begin to show signs that they need to use the restroom, or that they have used the restroom, ask them if they need to use the bathroom. If they haven’t gone yet you can guide them to the potty and encourage them to use it. If they have already gone you should still bring them to the toilet and encourage them to use it again. This will link the need to go to the bathroom with the act of sitting on the toilet. Tips for potty training Potty training is hard, but thankfully parents all over have been sharing their tips for potty training. We compiled a list of the best potty training tips we could find. This list of tips can help your child learn to use the bathroom faster. Switch to Pull-Ups. Pull-ups are a mix between diapers and underwear. They make it easy for your child to pull up and down and use the restroom when they need to, but they also make it easy for you to clean up if they end up having an accident. Keep them motivated to use the bathroom. Praise your child when they successfully use the restroom and tell them what a “big boy/girl” they are when they do. This positive reinforcement makes them more willing and excited to use the restroom. Giving them another motivation can also help them want to use the restroom. Some parents choose to create a bathroom calendar. On the calendar, the child gets a sticker every time they use the restroom successfully. This can motivate them to use the bathroom. Teach them to listen to their body. Some children have a hard time recognizing and acting on their bathroom urges. In order to make them be more cognizant of their body, you can have a time period during the day that they are naked. This naked time encourages them to recognize the signs their body is giving them before they have an accident. Make sure that you have a potty nearby during this time, and that you are on hardwood, or a cleanable, surface should they have an accident. In addition, you can ask throughout the day if they are dry or not. If they are dry, give them a high five or a hug, but if they are not dry don’t punish them. Be patient and don’t fight them. Potty training typically takes several weeks of practice to master. And even after they have seemingly mastered it they may still have the occasional accident. Don’t worry if they do it is a normal and natural part of the training process. Setbacks are completely normal, but if your child is actively fighting you or they do not want to work on potty training do not force them. Forcing a child or toddler to do something they don’t want to do can actually lead to more problems. Give them the space to do it themselves and then come back to them once they are more ready to participate. Key Takeaways Potty training is a long and hard journey. It can seem daunting and overwhelming at first, but success is all about waiting until they are ready and having patience. When your child starts to demonstrate signs that they are ready to start potty training start slowly and work your way towards the goal. This can take a long time and a lot of patience, but you will be successful. Make sure you are ready for the journey too by investing in some comfortable underwear and leggings. Not only will these keep you comfortable and ready to take on the day but it can also encourage your child to imitate your actions. If you have a pair of underwear that you are excited to wear, and leggings that are easy to pull down your child will see this and want that too. Invest in yourself with Bellefit’s postpartum garments.

Diaper bags--a necessity for any parent who is out and about. Your diaper bag is your portable nursery filled with all of the day-to-day essentials of raising a baby. You don’t want to leave the house without one but you also need to take the time to figure out what is essential for your diaper bag and what you can leave at home. Thankfully, parents have struggled for years figuring out this balance and we have collected all their advice into one place. In this article, we will list all the essentials for your diaper bag. Choosing a Diaper Bag Choosing a diaper bag is much more complicated than many people initially think it to be. You want to choose a bag that is a good enough size to hold everything you need but is not too cumbersome. Some parents choose to go with a duffel bag when going on longer trips and have a smaller bag for short trips. Whatever type of bag you choose it is the contents of that bag that make the difference. In today’s day and age, diaper bags can be fashionable and discrete. No more giant, multiple pockets, canvas bags bursting at the seams with diapers. There are multiple trendy options that look cute and are functional. Many parents choose to go with a backpack-style bag. This makes it easy to carry around, gives you plenty of room, and is easy for either parent to wear. What do you need from your diaper bag? In addition to the style of bag that you want, you also need to be mindful of what you need from your diaper bag. Are you going to use it for a few hours at the store? Are you going to use it on a cross-country flight? Do you need it for a toddler? All of these things need to be taken into consideration before choosing a diaper bag. Some parents have multiple diaper bag options at the ready and choose one that is most suited to their needs at that time. This can be too complicated for some people so they may choose to only use one diaper bag. Having a long and detailed list of essentials for your diaper bag can help you determine what type of bag you will need. Essentials for Your Diaper Bag There are multiple categories that you will need to consider when packing a diaper bag. You have the necessary diapers and changing essentials, food, clothes, medicine, extra items, toys, and the essentials for mom. For each category, we will break down the absolute necessities. Diapers and Changing Needs For this category the essentials for your diaper bag are Diapers - To calculate how many you will need to pack try doing one for every two hours you will be out. Then take a few extras just in case. Pack of baby wipes - An absolute necessity for your baby’s butt, your hands, and to wipe everything down in a public space. If you can’t fit a whole pack in your bag bring a few in a plastic bag but make sure they remain moist. Changing pad - Most diaper bags come with a changing pad, but if you need a large one, or don’t like the one that it comes with you can always get a different one. You will need a changing pad for areas where you need to change in public. This limits messes and keeps your baby clean and off of dirty public surfaces. Diaper cream - Travel size tubes are available for most diaper cream brands. Bag for dirty diapers - Bringing a bunch of plastic bags is beneficial for multiple reasons. You can put dirty diapers in them and you can put dirty clothes in them in case of accidents. This keeps the dirty separate from the clean and makes sure your bag doesn’t stink. Hand sanitizer - You never know where some stuff has been. Food and Clothes Food and clothes essentials for your diaper bag include Extra outfits - You never know what the day is going to bring so having an extra outfit (or two) is always a good idea. Light blanket/Nursing cover - To cover yourself while nursing or to cover the baby carrier/stroller in the sun. Snacks - You don’t want a hungry baby/toddler so having a few light snacks is beneficial. Burp cloth - For any messes that come with feeding a baby/toddler. Bottle/Sippy Cup with milk, water, or formula - Depending on how long you are out you will want to plan accordingly. For toddlers make sure you have some water or juice on hand for them to enjoy throughout the day so they don’t get dehydrated. Medicine and Extra Items For longer outings, it is a good idea to pack some medicinal essentials in your diaper bag. Travel first aid kit - make sure this includes band-aids, baby-safe pain relievers, antibiotic ointments, and a thermometer. Pacifier - To soothe a crying or fussy baby. Teethers - Particularly if your baby is going through the teething stage. Sunscreen/Bug Spray - Depending on the time of year and the weather this is essential. Toys - Particularly if you have a toddler this is necessary to keep them from fussing. This could be a small book for you to read, a stuffed animal (or a security toy), or a rattle. Essentials for the Parent Not only do you have to put all of your baby’s things in the diaper bag, but you also have to fit your stuff in there too. This should include anything you would normally put into a wallet or purse. For breastfeeding moms, you should also pack yourself an extra shirt (for leakage), breast pads, and other necessities for nursing. This can include a nursing bra just like the one that Bellefit has. It is comfortable, lightweight, and has an easy to clip down strap which makes feedings quick and hassle-free. Try one of our nursing bras today and see what a difference it can make in your routine. Key Essentials for Your Diaper Bag This list of essentials for your diaper bag can seem daunting at first, but many of these things can be left in your diaper bag. Before you head out just double check that everything you need is there and you are all set to go. This includes all of your diapers, clothes, wipes, sanitary stuff, food/water, personal effects, and nursing needs. We hope this has been a helpful list of things to pack and essentials for your diaper bag. Are there other essentials you would add to this list? Write them in the comments below!

Balancing breastfeeding and pumping can seem like a daunting task and many mothers may not even consider it an option. However, breastfeeding and pumping is a great way to ensure that your baby is getting the nutrients from your breastmilk even when they can’t breastfeed. You may not want to but you will have to eventually spend time away from your newborn. In order to make this transition easy and tantrum-free, you will have to balance breastfeeding and pumping. Why Balancing Breastfeeding and Pumping is Important While you may be enjoying your time as a mother and you may never want to spend a moment apart you will eventually have to do it. If you are planning on breastfeeding spending time away from your baby can seem like it is not an option. Eventually, you will have to go back to work (if you work in an office), or go on a date, or visit with friends; and your baby will need to be fed while you’re away. Creating a stockpile of breastmilk during this time is a great way to have time to yourself without worrying about your baby being fed. It can also help make transitioning to a bottle much easier. Establishing a Good Milk Supply Breastmilk is created on a supply and demand basis. Your body will produce the amount of milk that your baby needs. Because of this, many women do not think they even have enough milk to create a milk supply. However, adding pumping to your already established breastfeeding schedule can be done. The first step in establishing a good milk supply is establishing a breastfeeding routine first. Most doctors recommend taking the first 2-3 weeks to establish a breastfeeding routine with your baby before introducing pumping to your routine. Once you have a good milk supply and routine set, then you can begin to introduce pumping. The first few days of pumping probably won’t get you a lot of milk, but don’t get discouraged. Your body needs to adjust to this new demand and it will provide the supply for it. Soon you will be filling all the bags/bottles that you need. Tips for How to Balance Breastfeeding And Pumping Many women find it difficult to create a good routine and are worried about making sure their baby has enough breastmilk. Don’t worry, these tips will help you balance breastfeeding and pumping. Feed on Demand In order to properly balance breastfeeding and pumping you will need to continue with your current breastfeeding schedule. That means feeding your baby as much as they need, as often as they need. This may change as they grow, but make sure to put your baby’s hunger above your pumping. Pump in the Morning The best time to pump is in the morning right after you wake up. Your body has had time to refill the milk supply and you will likely have quite a bit to give. Many women find that they are able to get the most milk in the morning after waking up. If you are worried about not having enough of a milk supply to last the day after pumping in the morning--try pumping after each feeding. Pump after Feeding After your baby has finished nursing you will want to wait about 10-15 minutes before pumping. This gives your body time to replenish the milk supply a little bit. Because your baby nurses multiple times a day, pumping after feeding is the way that many women choose to go. Make sure that when you pump after feeding you are using a double breast pump. Pumping each breast at the same time helps to establish your milk supply more than pumping one breast at a time. It can also save you time. Pump while Feeding Some women prefer to pump while they are breastfeeding. This essentially means that while the baby is nursing one breast you are pumping the other breast. It can be a little bit awkward to get the positioning at first, but some women find it to be helpful. Stay Hydrated While your breast milk supply is not determined by your hydration level it is still important. Your body needs a little extra hydration while you are breastfeeding. If you are dehydrated you can become lethargic, tired, and feel sick. This can influence your desire and will to pump so make sure you stay on top of your water intake. Avoid Stress Your stress levels greatly influence your milk supply. If you are too stressed your body will begin to lessen your milk supply which can lead to even more stress which can lead to less milk supply etc. Don’t get yourself into a vicious cycle, try to avoid stress as much as possible. Don’t Overdo It Take it easy. Your body is amazing--it created a baby and it is now providing food for that baby. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt. Breastfeeding can take a variety of tolls on your body. Your breasts can become engorged, they can leak, you can get chafed nipples, the list goes on. Don’t overdo it in the name of an excess milk supply. If you are hurting, if you are not feeling mentally up for it, don’t push yourself. You have already done so much for your baby you can take a break. Key Takeaways to Balance Breastfeeding and Pumping Balancing breastfeeding and pumping is not an easy task. It can seem daunting, if not impossible, at first--but it is possible. After establishing a milk supply and breastfeeding schedule introduce pumping into it. This will slowly increase the demand for your breastmilk which will slowly increase the supply. Staying hydrated, monitoring your anxiety, avoiding stress, and checking in on yourself are the best ways to balance your breastfeeding and pumping routine. Make sure you aren’t overdoing it at any point with breastfeeding. Your body is going through a lot of changes and breastfeeding can be painful and taxing. Try using one of Bellefit’s nursing bras to stay comfortable and stress-free while nursing. Comfortable enough to fall asleep in, made with 100% cotton, and with an easy-access clip, our nursing bra takes the hassle out of midnight feeds. Try one today!

There is lots of conflicting information out there about water intake during breastfeeding. And you may have even had someone mention drinking lots of water if your milk supply is low, but that is not the case. In this article, we will discuss hydration and its relationship with your milk supply. We detail what to drink, how much, what to avoid, and how to know you are dehydrated. Hydration and Milk Supply As you begin to breastfeed you may notice that you tend to get more thirsty throughout the day. This is a completely normal reaction. This is your body’s way of ensuring you are properly hydrated. When you breastfeed, your body releases oxytocin, this indicates to your brain that you are thirsty and makes sure that you are drinking enough water. Contrary to popular belief, hydration doesn’t increase your milk supply, and dehydration really doesn’t inhibit it either. Studies have shown that dehydrated mothers are still able to produce enough milk for their babies. That doesn’t mean it is ok to dehydrate yourself, it just means that you shouldn’t worry too much about your milk supply. While hydration and milk supply are not necessarily linked - your body does need a different amount of water intake during breastfeeding. While you are breastfeeding you need to intake about 100 oz of water a day. The average human needs about 64 oz a day, but your body needs a little bit more in order to help produce milk. If you drink less than this amount, your body will take water from other areas of your body in order to continue milk production. So, while your milk will not be affected, you and your body definitely will. Signs of Dehydration If you do not have enough water intake during breastfeeding, you will end up dehydrated, and trust me that is not a fun thing to be. Most of the time your body will let you know if it is beginning to become dehydrated. The two main indicators of dehydration are thirst and dark urine. These beginning stages are warning signs that you need to drink more water, but if you don’t pay attention things can get worse. Other signs of dehydration include: Chapped lips Headache Fatigue dry/itchy skin Lack of energy Moodiness Nausea Constipation If things become super severe you may even puke or pass out. In those cases, it is likely that you will need to go to the hospital to get hydrated again. Don’t Over-Hydrate While you definitely don’t want to become dehydrated, over-hydrating can actually be more detrimental. When you drink too much water, your body will need a place to expel the excess water. When your body has too much water it will attempt to restore the electrolyte balance in your body by diverting water to your urine. This can actually prevent water from going to your breasts and deplete your milk supply. How to Get Enough Water Intake During Breastfeeding The best way to check if you are getting enough water is to check your pee. If it is slightly yellow or colorless then you are getting enough water. If it is dark yellow then you need more water. Now, getting enough water throughout the day can be difficult, but you don’t need to chug a gallon of water to ensure you are getting enough. Your water supply can come from other fluids that you drink throughout the day. Lots of women get bored with water after drinking it for a while, so don’t feel like you need to only drink water. Any sort of sugar-free and caffeine-free drink should be good for you to drink. This includes milk, decaffeinated tea/coffee, fruit/veggie-infused water, fruits, vegetables, and soup. In fact, about 20% of our water intake comes from the foods we eat. So, be sure to stock up on those water-dense fruits and veggies. Tips For Water Intake During Breastfeeding It can be difficult to get enough water every day if you are not used to drinking water on a regular basis. So, here are a few tips that can help you maintain your water intake during breastfeeding. Drink a glass of water every time you are nursing Have a water bottle everywhere you go - in the car, in your purse, in the gym, on the side table. Have it readily available. Time your water intake - set an alarm so that you remember you have to drink a certain amount of water by the time the alarm goes off. Download a water intake app on your phone. One of my favorite apps is Plant Nanny! Every time you drink a glass of water you give your plant a drink. Soon your plant will grow and you will have a small menagerie of plants on your app. It is like a fun game to remind you to drink water and take care of your virtual plant. Drinks to Avoid While Breastfeeding There are a few main drinks you should try to avoid while you are breastfeeding. They are caffeinated beverages, soda, juice, and alcohol. Sugary and caffeinated drinks can prevent your body from being able to hold onto hydration. They can act as a diuretic and make you use the restroom more frequently than you should. Caffeine can also end up in your milk supply and go to your baby - which can lead to a restless baby and no sleep for you. Alcohol in moderation (and with approval from your doctor) is ok to have occasionally, but not all the time. One beer or glass of wine will not be the end of the world but stop after that. If you are craving a soda or a fruity drink, try finding carbonated water and infusing it with fruit. You can also add a sprinkle of sugar if you need to, but don’t add too much sugar. Main Takeaways of Water Intake During Breastfeeding Contrary to popular belief water intake and milk supply is not that correlated. Chugging as much water as possible will not increase your milk supply and not drinking any water will not decrease it. Your body needs a little bit more water than normal to ensure you are properly hydrated and your milk supply is good, but don’t go overboard. Drinking too much water can be detrimental, and drinking sugary and caffeinated beverages can cause other problems. The best way to stay hydrated is to drink when you are thirsty and until your pee is light yellow or colorless. Breastfeeding and nursing can be difficult, but thankfully it can be made easier with Bellefit’s nursing bra. This nursing bra has an easy clip that allows you to unhook your bra and give your baby the nutrition they need quickly. It is soft and comfortable and can easily be worn to sleep. Try out our nursing bra and other postpartum garments today!

There are many things people will say are newborn “essentials,” but what is really essential? Having a baby is expensive and you don’t want to waste your money on something that you don’t absolutely need – especially if you are on a tight budget. Don’t worry, we put together a list of essential and non-essential (but helpful) items for your newborn. Newborn Wardrobe Essentials There are so many different styles and types of clothes for newborns that it can be a little overwhelming. When dressing a newborn it is important to buy clothes that will be a little loose-fitting around their belly area because they still have a sensitive umbilical cord that you have to be careful with. These are a few items that are essential for your newborn wardrobe. Onesies – short sleeve or long sleeved shirts/pants – for when you are going out Socks – to keep their feet warm Pajamas – many people choose to use a one-piece footed sleeper with zippers. This makes it easy to put them in and keep them warm all night. Try to use nightgowns until the umbilical cord falls off. Newborn Hats – sun hats help to keep your baby’s delicate skin out of the sun until you can start to use sunscreen; and beanies are essential to keep their heads warm in the winter. Warm Clothes such as jackets, leggings, beanies, socks, and a bunting suit are necessary if your due date is in one of the cooler months. Laundry Detergent – because over their sensitive skin, babies need a gentle laundry detergent specifically for their clothes. Helpful in your Newborn Wardrobe No-scratch mittens – one thing you may not know about babies is just how sharp their little nails are. And because they still have not gotten control over their limbs they can easily scratch themselves or you. You can either maintain their nails and make sure they don’t grow too long, or you can buy them some no-scratch mittens to keep their nails from digging into their skin. Nursery Newborn Essentials These nursery newborn essentials are a must have if your baby is sleeping in a crib. Crib/Cradle Firm/flat mattress Fitted sheets – you will want only fitted sheets in the crib with them because blankets can increase the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). You can keep them warm by putting them in a footed sleeper, or swaddling them. If you are planning on co-sleeping you will need: Bassinet Waterproof Pads – so that any accidents don’t make a mess in your bed Mother putting baby to sleep No matter what type of sleeping situation you are planning on doing, you will need: A Changing Area – this can be as simple as a blanket that you lay on the floor or a pad on a dresser; or it can be getting a changing table. Whatever fits your lifestyle and budget. Place to Feed – this can be a rocking chair or a glider, or you can decide to just use your couch. 2-3 Blankets – these can also function as burping cloths or swaddlers Non-Essential/Helpful Nursery Needs Baby Monitor – this can be incredibly helpful if you have a large house and are planning on having your baby in a separate room. Humidifier – babies go from being in the womb to being in a completely different environment. Their lungs are not used to air, so it can make them more comfortable if you use a humidifier to add moisture in the air. White Noise Machine – similar to the humidifier, when a baby is in the uterus they hear everything through a barrier, so adding a white noise machine can mimic this sensation and ease their sleep. Swaddle – Many mothers swear by swaddling. So if you are interested in swaddling your baby, think about investing in a few swaddlers. Newborn Diapering Essentials If you plan on using cloth/re-usable diapers you will need: 6-8 Cloth/reusable Diapers Snaps/Velcro/Safety Pins – to secure the diaper If you plan on using disposable diapers you will need: 2-3 big boxes of newborn size diapers No matter what type of diaper you plan to use you will need: Baby Wipes Diaper Cream or some other sort of diaper product to prevent a rash Helpful Diaper Products Diaper Bag – to hold all of your diapers and diaper products when you go out of the house. Diaper Pail – this is essentially a trashcan used specifically for diapers, it holds all of the dirty diapers and prevents any smells from getting out. Many women use these to prevent their house from smelling and to prevent them from making too many trips to the trash can. Bath Newborn Essentials A few newborn essentials for the bath include: Baby Bathtub – they cannot go into a normal bathtub on their own. Baby Shampoo and Body Wash Hooded Towels Washcloths Bath Non-Essentials Hairbrush – to keep their hair from getting tangled after being washed. Lotion – to keep their skin from drying out. Feeding NewbornEssentials Some mothers choose to breastfeed and other mothers choose to feed their baby formula. If you plan to give you baby formula you will need: Baby Bottles and Nipples Bottle Brush – to clean all the small crevices and hard-to-reach areas of the bottle A couple months supply of formula If you are planning on breastfeeding you will need: Breast Pump – so you can keep a supply of your milk available for others to feed to you baby. Milk Storage Bags – This is a popular alternative to putting your breast milk in bottles. It makes it easier to keep your breastmilk for a longer period of time, and allows you to put it in the freezer. Nursing Pads – Nursing mothers constantly have to deal with milk leakage so nursing pads prevent this from leaking onto your shirt. Nipple Cream – To help with chafed or sore nipples that come from breastfeeding. Non-Essential Feeding Products Bibs/Burp Cloths – these cloths prevent your baby from puking on you or your clothes. Nursing Pillow – A nursing pillow makes it much easier to feed your baby because it props their head up so you don’t have to. Nursing Bra – A nursing bra, like the one available on Bellefit, allows you to easily unclip your bra and breastfeed – particularly at night when you are half asleep. Bottle Warmer – to make the formula a good temperature. Babies like their milk to be body temperature because it keeps them calm and comfortable. You can always warm it up in the microwave, but you run the risk of making it too warm and heating up a plastic bottle can sometimes be dangerous. Bottle Sterilizer – In between feeds the bottles will need to be washed and sterilized to make sure no germs are on the bottles. You can always try to hand wash them or you can even put them in the top rack of the dishwasher if you want. Health Newborn Essentials Babies are a lot of work, and their health is very delicate in the early stages of their life. These are the newborn essentials you will need to make sure they remain happy and healthy. Nail Clippers – keep you baby from scratching themselves with nail clippers or a nail file. Thermometer – to monitor their temperature. Petroleum Jelly/Gauze – for circumcision care First Aid Kit – with baby medication in case of a fever or a cold. Helpful Health Products Cradle Cap Brush – some babies develop a case of cradle cap in their infancy. This brush can help to brush off some of the flakes that develop from the condition. Pacifiers – a pacifier is used to simulate the nursing feeling which is very soothing to a baby. This can help to calm them down and soothe their crying. Bulb Syringe – to suck out mucus that may get stuck in their nose. Newborn Essentials Baby Gear Stroller Car Seat Carrier or Sling – some strollers will come with carriers that can detach from the stroller. Helpful Newborn Gear Play Mat Mobile – to put over their cradle or bassinet Night Light Sun Shade – for in the car Postpartum Self-Care After you have given birth to your baby the last thing you will be thinking about is your own well-being, but your health is just as important. You want to get back to feeling your best and that is where Bellefit can help. We know that all you want is to be comfortable and we have all the best postpartum garments around. From leggings to undies you will be covered and comfortable. Check out Bellefit today! We hope this list of newborn essentials has made you to-buy list a little bit easier. Feel free to comment on any other products that made your life easier!

If you have read up on labor and delivery, you may have come across the term “breech baby”. What is a breech baby? It is when the baby is positioned with its feet down near the cervix instead of the head. This can occur throughout the entire pregnancy, but as you move closer to your delivery date this can pose problems. In this article we want to give you all the information you need to know in order to be prepared. What is a Breech Baby? As your baby grows, they will constantly be moving around in your uterus. And most of the time this isn’t a problem, we all need to adjust ourselves and get comfortable. But as you move closer to your due date, their moving around can cause them to get into some interesting positions. This can be a cause for concern in some cases, particularly when your baby’s head is not near the birthing canal. Between the 32nd and 37th weeks of your pregnancy your baby should be moving into a position to prepare for birth. Their head should move towards the birthing canal, and their feet should be in the opposite direction towards the top of your uterus. If a baby doesn’t properly move into place, they can be born feet-first. And this can cause harm to the baby. Possible Complications with a Breech Baby Due to the nature of labor, the best position for a baby to be in for vaginal birth is with the head towards the cervix. The head is the baby’s largest part of their body, and is the most difficult to get out of the birthing canal. If the feet come out first, it becomes more difficult for the baby’s head to come out, because the birthing canal has not opened up wide enough. Another potential problem occurs when the umbilical cord prolapses. This means that the umbilical cord is being squeezed, cutting off the baby’s oxygen and blood supply. This can cause birth defects. Babies are more likely to be breech if: They are premature There is more than one baby (twins, etc.) There is an abnormal level of amniotic fluid The mother’s uterus is shaped abnormally While these complications are serious, there are many ways you can try to move them into the correct position. Can you change a Breech Baby position? As you attend your check-ups and doctors appointments, your doctor will be checking to make sure your baby isn’t breeched. In the early stages of your pregnancy, a breech baby is not a problem. The closer you come to your due date the more likely your doctor is to suggest measures to change the baby’s position. Non-Medical methods to change position Acupuncture – This form of Chinese medicine involves placing tiny needles at several pressure points on the body. When stimulated this can relax the uterus, causing the baby to shift position. Chiropractic Care – A chiropractor adjusts your posture and alignment to ensure that your hips and pelvis are aligned. This will relieve pressure off of the uterus, which can promote the baby to turn. Child’s Pose – Another technique uses gravity as a way to persuade the baby to turn. One option is to rest in the yoga pose known as child’s pose for 10-15 minutes a day. Pelvic tilt – Another option that uses gravity is known as a pelvic tilt. The mother rests on her back with her knees up and her feet on the ground. Then she lifts her hips up off the ground into a bridge position. The mother is supposed to maintain this pose for 15-20 minutes. Some women find this pose difficult to maintain and use an ironing board and a couch for some extra stability. They lean the ironing board against the couch and lie on it with their feet on the couch. Music – Some babies are very fond of music. If you have noticed your baby move in the past when you play music, this might be a good option for you. Play music in the area when you want their head, and some babies will move their head to hear the music better. Temperature – Similarly, some babies are very sensitive to temperature. By placing a warm cloth at the bottom of your stomach and a cold cloth at the top, your baby may be enticed to move toward the warmth. Medical methods to change position If these non-medical methods are not working for you, your doctor may suggest the use of a procedure known as External Cephalic Version (ECV). An ECV is typically had at around 37 weeks of pregnancy. It is a non-invasive procedure where the physician will apply pressure to your stomach in various areas to push the baby into the proper position. Some doctors choose to use an ultrasound also to make sure they can see the baby move into the correct position, while also monitoring their heart rate. This procedure is non-invasive, but it can be painful. Some doctors choose to administer some medication before the procedure to relax your muscles and reduce discomfort. C-Section for Breech Baby Sometimes, no matter what you or your doctor do, your baby will not move out of the breech position. In these cases most physicians will recommend a c-section delivery. While some breech babies are ok to be delivered through a vaginal birth, a c-section is the safer option. A clinical study conducted and published in Lancet found that a “Planned caesarean section is better than planned vaginal birth for the term fetus in the breech presentation.” C-Section Recovery If this happens to be the case, the baby will be safely delivered, but your recovery time may be much longer. A c-section involves a large incision across your abdomen that takes a while to heal. Movement becomes difficult and the stress of caring for your newborn is only added on top of that. Thankfully, Bellefit has developed a line of postpartum girdles that help you heal faster and help you feel more confident. These postpartum girdles were designed with all women in mind. They come in many different sizes, shades, and types. Buy one online today and find out how so many women have healed faster and with less pain.

Breastfeeding is one of the most natural and beautiful parts of motherhood. Sometimes, it can feel anything but. It can be incredibly difficult and hard on the mom if the baby is having a difficult time latching on. Don’t worry, we put together a little guide to help your baby latch on and get the nourishment they need. Preparing for Breastfeeding The best way to ease your pain and make sure your baby is being fed is to practice. Practicing is difficult when your baby hasn’t come yet, and you have no way of knowing if you are doing it “right.” In order to properly prepare to breastfeed, many women choose to take breastfeeding classes. These classes are facilitated by mothers and physicians who can help you learn the proper techniques and tricks to pain-free breastfeeding. In addition, once the baby has come, you can also hire a lactation consultant. There are often lactation consultants right in hospitals, so they are easily accessible for new moms. If you feel your baby is not latching properly after the first day or two, try contacting a lactation consultant. They will guide you and your baby through the process in a hands-on manner. What is Latching? Latching is the key for you and your baby. Your breasts produce milk on an “as-needed” basis. Essentially this means that the more your baby drinks, the more milk you will produce. If your baby does not get a good enough latch your body will not provide enough milk and then the baby won’t get enough food. With a proper latch your baby will get enough food, and you will produce enough milk. This ensures that the baby gets enough nourishment and that mom is not in pain. In order to get a good latch, it is essential that you know what latch means. When a baby latches it means that they are stimulating the milk glands enough that the milk is coming out. How do they do this? Through the suckling motion on the nipple and aereola. That’s right, they need to suckle on the areola and the nipple, not just the nipple. While the milk actually comes out of the nipple, the glands that produce milk are right under the areola. So if the baby is just sucking on the nipple nothing is going to come out. Think about it, why do the areolas get so dark when you move closer to your due date? It’s because baby’s are not born knowing how to breastfeed. Biology designed your areolas are a visual cue (like a bullseye) so your baby will know to close their mouth around the entire area and not just the nipple. Signs Baby Isn’t Latching Correctly So how exactly do you know that the baby has latched on to the nipple and the areola? A proper latch has the baby’s chin and nose touching your breast. Your baby will also have their lips around your entire areola instead of just the nipple. Once the baby has found a good latch they will begin the suck, swallow, breathe rhythm naturally. If you feel nipple pain it is likely because your baby is chewing on your nipple. In addition, if you hear soft “clicking noises” your baby is likely sucking in air from your nipple. Essentially, according to What to Expect “If your baby is fussing, chewing, rooting and gaping, turning red, or making clicking sounds, chances baby’s getting a mouthful of boob and air instead of milk.” How to Get Baby to Latch If you are having trouble getting the baby to latch onto the entire areola, make sure to re-latch the baby. Don’t just allow them to suckle on the nipple alone. Not only will this frustrate them, but this can cause you pain in the end. To get the baby to relatch stick your finger in the corner of their mouth to release the air pressure. This will cause your baby to let go, so you can try guiding them again. In order to get your baby to latch you will need to: Position your baby in a good nursing position Hold your breast with your thumb above your areola and your pointer-finger at the bottom of your areola Squish the breast a little to make sure it is puckered for them to grasp Bring your baby’s face towards your breast, and rub your nipple against their mouth Once they widely open their mouth gently guide your breast into their mouth If they do not get it the first time, detach them and relatch them until they can get a good latch. Tips to Help with Latching Latching is essential, but it can be difficult for some baby’s to get the hang of it. The proper position is a great way to aid your baby’s latching. Sometimes it is hard for them to understand what they are supposed to do, so making sure they understand the task at hand by creating the proper position is a great tip. You want to make sure you and your baby are comfortable at all times during the breastfeeding process. One of the most comfortable ways to do this is with a breastfeeding pillow. These pillows are donut shaped and are designed to go around your stomach. You lay the baby on the pillow and it props their head up towards your breast. This makes it super comfortable and easy for both mom and baby. Another great way to ensure a smooth breastfeeding process is with a nursing bra. Nursing bras are an easy way to stay supported and make sure your baby has easy access when hungry. The fabric that holds your breast in place can be clipped up to support your breasts. Or it can be clipped down so your nipple and areola are visible. Your Postpartum Body You went through a lot of changes while pregnant, and unfortunately those changes aren’t done just yet. Along with breastfeeding can come breast tenderness, as well as muscle aches in your back, wrists, and shoulders. These can all be helped with a little attention to your posture and positioning while feeding. You can also ease back pain and abdominal pain with a Bellefit postpartum girdle. These compression garments help ease pain by creating a light compression that lessens any pain. When you use a postpartum girdle you not only help pain, but you can get back to feeling your confident self once again. We hope this has been helpful for you to learn how to get a baby to latch.

According to a UNICEF analysis, nearly 90 million children under 1 year old live in countries where their fathers aren't entitled by law to even a single day of paternity leave. While the United States government doesn't support paid national paternity leave, more and more companies are offering paid parental leave for fathers too. There are many benefits to taking paternity leave both within the workplace and with families. For one, offering family leave to both genders is a leap towards breaking down traditional gender stereotypes that hold back women's careers. It also increases employee satisfaction and allows working fathers to be more present with their children. Still, with these apparent benefits and more companies offering paternity leave than ever before, some men feel pressure against accepting paid paternity leave. There are traditional workplace cultures in the US that still punish the family man — new dads have been fired, demoted, or passed on for career opportunities for prioritizing their families. In this article, we'll uncover the long-lasting benefits of paternity leave both at home and within organizations. Table Of Contents "> Workplaces That Offer Paid Paternity Leave Have A More Positive Organizational Culture Paternity Leave Gives Fathers Time To Bond With Newborn Fathers Who Take Paternity Leave Are Less Likely To Get Divorced A Swedish Study Concludes Paid Paternity Leave Increases Both Spousal Earnings Tips for Making Paternity Leave Work For Your Family Find Out Your Company's Paternity Leave Policy And Save Early Family Leave Is Not A Vacation Work Out A Schedule With Your Family Encourage Your Partner To Talk To Other Dads Most Importantly, Don't Forget To Take Care Of Yourself And Trust The Recovery Process Workplaces That Offer Paid Paternity Leave Have A More Positive Organizational Culture If your company offers paid paternity leave, claim it. When only women are offered paid parental leave to care for their new baby, it pushes men and women further into traditional gender roles — men as breadwinners and women as the family care-takers. This makes it less likely for women to advance in their careers when they're left to pick up the duties at home. Offering leave benefits to both expecting mothers and fathers creates a lasting positive impact on the business by increasing job loyalty and satisfaction which in turn, trends with increased productivity and employee morale. Paternity Leave Gives Fathers Time To Bond With Newborn Nurture a strong bond with your newborn by taking paternity leave. The newborn phase (up to two months old) of a child's life is a critical bonding time with parents. According to the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWNONN), when fathers delay bonding with their children, they risk altering their long-term course of parental involvement through to childhood. Fathers with increased time to bond with their newborn, thanks to paternity pay, experience less stress and feel more confident stepping into their role as a father. Studies show there are many benefits to the development of children when fathers are present. A strong father-child bond can help boost mental development and increase emotional stability. Fathers Who Take Paternity Leave Are Less Likely To Get Divorced You can stay at home and help the new mom deal with pregnancy and even post-pregnancy stress. The female postpartum recovery is no walk in the park. On top of recovering from vaginal or c-section deliveries, new moms are now adjusting to life with a newborn with drastic lifestyle changes and new responsibilities. No matter what the Instagram moms show you, this isn't always a glamorous life, and it can cause a lot of insecurity and stress for new moms. In a recent paper looking at the lasting benefits of fathers who take paternity leave — even short periods of paternity leave —are less likely to go through a divorce as children reach school age. This is likely due to the fact that present fathers take a lot of the strain out of the new duties of parenthood by splitting household chores and quality time with infants. This paid family leave period, helps set a positive tone for couples' new lives together with their children. A Swedish Study Concludes Paid Paternity Leave Increases Both Spousal Earnings Interesting Swedish study proposes family leave increases household earnings over time Unfortunately, it's true that the United States is the only industrialized country without paid parental leave. The Swedish government has implemented a more family-centric approach and grants both parents up to 480 days of paid parental leave (each parent has a right to 90 of those days exclusively) at about 80% of their salary. An economic study found that the impact of granting fathers the ability to take leave from work without financial strain, increases both partners' earnings over time. Sweden is also a leader in female labor participation among advanced economies, and it's attributed to the encouragement of fathers to take paternity leave. Tips for Making Paternity Leave Work For Your Family Start preparing for your paternity leave as soon as possible. Find Out Your Company's Paternity Leave Policy And Save Early As we've mentioned earlier, not all companies grant benefits for paternity leave. Reach out to the human resources department to learn about your company's policies for paid family leave. Once you've figured out your paternity leave pay, you may need to adjust your budget and save to accommodate your family's upcoming expenses — most paternity leave benefits won't cover 100% of your salary. Even if your employer doesn't offer paid leave for new fathers. You may qualify for The Family Medical Leave Act (FLMA), which provides some employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid family leave. There are a lot of requirements needed in order to qualify for this, but if you do, by now you should understand the many benefits of taking paternity leave. Family Leave Is Not A Vacation Sorry to burst your bubble if you were under the impression that "paternal leave" is code for vacation — it's not. Both parents find adjusting to a newborn baby to be a highly stressful period. It'll take team-work from both parties, patience, a lot of towels, and coffee (for dad) to survive the newborn phase — but trust us when we say the tears and all the hard work is worth the most rewarding experience of parenthood. Work Out A Schedule With Your Family As each family and circumstance is unique, consider establishing a household schedule of who will be taking leave and when. Some parents choose to take time off together, while others will stagger their leave to prolong the time before parents will need to pay for childcare. Encourage Your Partner To Talk To Other Dads Reach out to other parents and ask them about their paternity leave experience. You can find a lot of support from friends and families who may have undergone similar situations and can offer you their insight to the experience. It's important for fathers to stand up for themselves and make the importance of paid paternity leave known to their employers. Your paternity leave can help the new mom go back to work while you take care of the newborn. Most Importantly, Don't Forget To Take Care Of Yourself And Trust The Recovery Process Yes, there is an overwhelming amount of new factors to consider when bringing new life into the world. With your partner committing to spend more time with the family, you can rest assured that both you and your baby will be well taken care of as you adjust to your new life together. One of the best investments for a mom's postpartum recovery is hands-down the Bellefit postpartum girdles and corsets. They're more than flattering shape-wear underwear — these garments are designed for the post-pregnancy body. They're FDA-approved and offer medical-grade compression to support speedy and comfortable healing. Bellefit® Postpartum Girdles & Corsets – Medical-Grade, FDA-Registered, Doctor-Recommended since 2008. With a high-quality postpartum girdle, you can get back to your regular exercise, household duties, and even feel comfortable at work sooner. The compression hugs the belly in to provide support your core and back, easing muscle strain while at the same time, slimming your figure. Our mission is to provide real support and confidence to moms after giving birth, and these postpartum girdles that are designed to do just that — giving you one less thing to worry about. How did you help your partner to take his paternity leave? Our readers would love to benefit from your experiences by getting some more insights as to why dads should take paternity leave. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cosnBs0Ko2M

When you take your adorable baby home from the hospital, don't expect to get a newborn baby instruction manual. Just as every individual is unique in their own way, you can anticipate having unusual experiences raising your babies, but they will be some of the fondest memories. There are, however, a list of common weird occurrences that can happen in the first several weeks of bringing home your baby. We've compiled a list of 10 adorably weird things about newborn babies you can come to expect as a new mother, and we have some tips for you at the end of the article on surviving the first few weeks of the newborn phase. The newborn phase (from birth up to two months of age) is stranger than you can possibly imagine. The baby's body is developing at such a rapid rate and is constantly adjusting to its new environment. As a new mom, you'll be carefully anticipating your baby's needs and some of the odd happenings can even worry you. We'll guide you through what's completely normal and when you should seek medical advice in this article. Let's jump into the list of 10 strange, yet endearing happenings during your baby's first stage of life to help you better prepare for these moments with your family. The newborn phase in every baby’s life is weirder than you imagine. Their bodies are developing at a rapid rate and you may not even notice just how remarkable life is for them because you haven’t been an infant for a long time. Table Of Contents "> 1. The Cradle Cap Will Disappear On Its Own 2. Explosive Poops 3. Your Baby Has Boobs 4. Your Baby Makes Strange Noises 5. Achoo — Babies Sneeze A Lot 6. Newborns Are Clumsy 7. Your Adorable Baby Has A Weird Head-Shape 8. Your Baby's Eyes Are Crossed 9. Your Baby Has Abnormal-Looking Genitals 10. Babies Belch And Fart A Lot Tips For Surviving The Newborn Phase As A New Mom Get Enough Sleep Balance Your Hormones Take Some Alone Time Wear A High-Quality Postpartum Girdle 1. The Cradle Cap Will Disappear On Its Own The cradle cap is the crusty, scaly patches on your newborn baby's scalp around the hairline. While it may appear unsightly and a cause for concern, cradle caps are harmless, for the most part, and will eventually disappear on its own within a few months. You can help speed up the healing process by brushing your baby's hair and scalp with a soft baby brush after bathing to loosen up the dead skin. And to help with the dryness and itching, you can rub baby oil to the affected area. For severe cases of cradle cap, you can ask your doctor for a medicated lotion, but as we said, this condition should clear up on its own and often doesn't require any medication. 2. Explosive Poops Don't let the temporary poop explosion scare you! It will give you something to laugh about later on! Once in a while, your adorable baby might scare you with an unusually large, explosive bowel movement that breaks the boundaries of the diaper — oozing up the back and down chubby legs. These moments are the kinds of images you can't unsee, but I promise they make for hilarious stories later on. It's completely normal for massive poops to happen. Here are newborn stool situations for when you should contact the doctor for concern: Experiences continued diarrhea Red or black stools (may indicate internal bleeding) Your baby doesn't poop for more than three days Stools are hard and pebbly Stools are watery with mucus Stool color is chalky 3. Your Baby Has Boobs Your newborn might sport some cleavage. It's normal for newborn girls and boys to have lumps under the nipples. This strange baby boobs situation are due to hormones. In your womb, your baby is exposed to your body chemistry. The fluctuation of hormones that enlarges your breasts and prepares them for breastfeeding can also affect your baby's chest. Not to worry, though, you'll notice their chest returning to normal in no time as the hormones run their course and balance out in the the baby's body. Don't squeeze or massage your new born's breast to speed up the process. Doing so may cause infections if you rupture tissue. 4. Your Baby Makes Strange Noises Pay close attention to what their bodies are doing and when so you can uncover the mystery that is your newborn child. Babies are very vocal and will be making a lot of unusual noises. We'll go through a few common sounds your baby may make to help you decipher what they may need. Gurgling: This is caused by air passing through the baby's saliva or refluxed milk. It can also come from the belly as a result of digestion. Snorting: Your newborn baby is adjusting to breathing air. Snorts and grunts can happen because babies breathe through their noses, where there is sometimes a buildup of mucus. Because babies don't know how to blow their nose when it's congested, you need to clear out the mucus with a nasal bulb. Grunting: Newborn grunting is usually related to digestion. However, if your baby is grunting often (with every breath) it may be a sign of distress, and you should contact your doctor. Hiccups: Hiccups are perfectly normal and can arise from swallowing air while breastfeeding. Burping your baby can be helpful to ease hiccups — but if that doesn't do the trick, the hiccups will go away on their own, and it shouldn't interfere with eating or sleeping. 5. Achoo — Babies Sneeze A Lot Aren't sneezing babies the cutest? These tiny sneezes are indeed adorable, and you don't need to worry — your newborn sneezing isn't a sign of illness. Babies are extra sensitive to their environments, and it's just their way of clearing their nasal passage of fluff, dust, milk, and mucus. 6. Newborns Are Clumsy Babies are still figuring out how to use their equipment Your adorable baby has clumsy, involuntary movements because they simply don't have muscle control — but most of the time, this is perfectly okay. These movements are responses to sensations they're feeling in their muscles and your baby is learning how to coordinate movements. When there is a cause for concern is when the baby stiffens suddenly with an arched back and the head will bend forward. The eyes can also roll to the back of the head. Though sometimes this can look subtle, these jerky movements are a sign of an infantile spasm, and you should seek treatment immediately. 7. Your Adorable Baby Has A Weird Head-Shape You'll get used to the odd shaped head sooner than you thought. Noggins seldom seem normal on newborns. Babies' heads are soft and malleable to allow them to move through the birth canal and to accommodate a rapidly growing brain. Once your baby's hair starts growing in thicker, you'll soon forget how strange their head shape appeared. 8. Your Baby's Eyes Are Crossed Your baby will soon learn how to gaze back into your eyes Criss-cross applesauce. Newborn babies tend to look cross-eyed. Sometimes, babies can be born with extra folds of skin around the inner corners of their eyes, giving them that cross-eyed appearance. For the majority of babies, the cross-eyed look is simply due to the fact they don't yet have control over the muscles around the eyes and can't focus on what they're looking at. By 3 or 4 months old, your baby's eyes will naturally straighten out. 9. Your Baby Has Abnormal-Looking Genitals Your child's private parts may look strange due to inflammation. It's nothing to lose sleep over in most cases. Unless your baby winces or cries out in pain when you change their diaper, you shouldn't worry. 10. Babies Belch And Fart A Lot Gassy but cute! Burping is a result of your baby swallowing air from feeding or crying. Burping is simply the body's way of releasing gas buildup. As for the farting, your baby is learning how to digest food while the digestive muscles are still developing; this can cause your baby to produce more gas. To relieve your gassy baby, you can burp your baby mid-feedings as well as after feedings to help rid excess air swallowed. There are also infant gas drops that you add to milk bottles to help reduce infant gassiness. And you can encourage more tummy time to put gentle pressure on the belly to relieve gas. This newborn period, as stress-full as it can be, will be over before you know it. And you'll find yourself reminiscing about your baby's tiny size and weird quirks. As promised, we want to equip you new moms with some helpful advice for surviving a newborn baby. Tips For Surviving The Newborn Phase As A New Mom These tips will focus on your health and wellbeing as a new mother. Oftentimes, moms will get so carried away worrying about every coo and gurgle their baby makes, while completely ignoring their self-care needs. Prioritizing your health is a benefit to the whole family. Get Enough Sleep If you're wondering how to balance your hormones after pregnancy, sleep is part of your answer. There is a relationship with the sleep-wake cycle and hormone secretion, especially in women. Bringing a newborn baby home will inevitably mean a disruption in your sleep cycle. Sleep hygiene is foundational to your overall health. While you might not realistically get the shut-eye you need throughout the night, you can catch up on naps in the day when your baby sleeps. And don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it, so you can catch a few hours of sleep — it's not a luxury, it's a requirement. Balance Your Hormones Balancing your hormonal changes after pregnancy can be massive article all on its own, but we'll briefly touch on ways you get bring your hormones back to baseline. The pregnancy hormones are responsible for the many psychical and psychological changes you experience carrying your baby, delivering your baby, and during recovery. Progesterone is at an all-time high during pregnancy. This hormone relaxes your joints and ligaments to accomodate your growing baby, but once you deliver your newborn, it almost immediately drops and another hormone, prolactin is more prominently noticed. Prolactin is responsible for milk production, and some research suggests it to affect dopamine levels (happiness hormone). Prolactin may be the reason to blame for low energy levels, moodiness, raised anxiety, and a slow metabolism after your baby arrives. There are many factors that go into balancing your hormones naturally, which the other tips in this section will also help to address. Essentially, you primarily want to focus on: Stress management (take alone time, sleep well, exercise) Heal your gut (eat healthy, well-balanced meals) Balance your blood sugar (avoid carb-heavy, sugary, processed foods that spike your blood sugar) Take vitamins to balance estrogen, liver function, and energy levels Take Some Alone Time Don't feel guilty about "me-time." Taking time for yourself will make you a better mom and will improve your relationship with your baby and the people around you. This will also require some extra help to look after the baby either from your partner or other family members — but hey, it takes a village to raise a child, right? Remember, you don't have to jump into motherhood all on your own and it's perfectly okay to accept the help when offered. Use this me-time to go out for a walk, visit a spa, exercise, or run errands on your own to regenerate yourself. Wear A High-Quality Postpartum Girdle Make your postpartum recovery a priority. One of the best investments for ensuring a speedy, comfortable postpartum recovery is a Bellefit girdle or corset. You can start wearing a post-pregnancy girdle hours after delivery, and there are styles that suit vaginal and c-section deliveries. While the transitional period between delivery and getting back to your pre-pregnancy body is notoriously difficult, you can make it easier on yourself with the right recovery strategy. A doctor recommended and FDA-approved girdle has medical-grade compression to provide you with abdominal and back support, reduce swelling, and help you feel more confident in your clothes. Bellefit Postpartum Girdles & Corsets - Medical-Grade, FDA Registered, Recommended Since 2008. Available in 8 Styles as well as Plus Sizes. This means you get back to your daily routines sooner, start exercising sooner, and keep up with your rapidly growing newborn baby. Bellefit has the largest collection of post-pregnancy recovery girdles and corsets styles from sizes XS – 3XL. Many moms find it helpful to purchase two girdle sizes — one for right after delivery, when swelling is at its peak. This will typically the larger size. When your swelling has reduced, and you start to lose weight, you'll switch to the size down to help stretch the benefits of compression therapy around your midsection for even greater weight loss support. What's the one thing about your newborn that surprised you the most? Let all the new mommies come together to celebrate their most cherished moments with their newborn!

If you suffer a serious fall while pregnant, it’s important that you immediately get checked out at the hospital. Falling isn’t only of great concern for the elderly. It poses dangerous threats to pregnant women and their unborn children, too. Table Of Contents Most falls are Nothing to Worry About Signs that a Fall is More Serious than You Thought it was You can Prevent Falls When Pregnant by Being Mindful of Your Actions Practice Good Posture to Prevent Falling while Pregnant Prepare for the Worst by Carrying Your Phone with You at All Times That way, if there are any complications, they can be addressed before they worsen and cause harm to you or your baby. A serious fall when you are pregnant can cause you to miscarry the child. Read this list to get an idea of what to do if you’ve fallen while you’re pregnant. Most falls are Nothing to Worry About Determine the severity of your injuries after falling down in pregnancy. Your body is built to be tough, especially while pregnant. There is enough amniotic fluid, membranes, and muscles in the uterus to keep the fetus safe. A fall may occur because your feet are swollen or because you’re feeling dizzy due to getting up from a seated position too quickly. Be mindful of how and where you fall when pregnant because that can determine the severity of your injuries. Signs that a Fall is More Serious than You Thought it was If the pain exists even after a few hours of fall, something could be serious! There are signs you may experience following a fall that could be mild to severe in intensity. For example, if you feel uncomfortable, have pain that exists more than a few hours, don’t feel your baby moving like you once did, notice bleeding from your vagina or experience premature contractions, it’s time to contact your primary care physician right away. They’ll want to perform an ultrasound to make sure that you and your baby are ok. You can Prevent Falls When Pregnant by Being Mindful of Your Actions Investing in good shoes can provide better support to your feet. Some of the ways you can prevent falling while pregnant is by investing in shoes that cradle and support your feet. Look for ones with non-slip soles. You may also want to install handrails where you don’t currently have them, take the elevator whenever possible, and move slowly. That way, your feet don’t get out from under you and cause you to fall. Practice Good Posture to Prevent Falling while Pregnant Practicing good postures during your pregnancy help you balance your body better. You can prevent muscle cramping and tingling sensations in your feet by practicing good posture while pregnant. This will minimize the likelihood of you falling during your pregnancy. Wearing Bellefit prenatal support undergarments gives you the support that you need to stay on your feet without losing your balance. Our Prenatal Support Panty is designed to take the strain off your abdomen and lower back. It helps to distribute the excess weight you’ve gained more evenly. Prepare for the Worst by Carrying Your Phone with You at All Times Keep your phone with you so you can call for help whenever required. Falling while pregnant can be terrifying. It can result in you having a miscarriage or hurting the baby in other ways if it is severe in nature. Being prepared to seek medical help if you do fall is vital to you and your baby’s health and safety. Make sure that you always have a phone with you in the event you fall while you’re alone. You can call 9-1-1 for further assistance if it happens and have no way of getting up on the ground or floor. Even post pregnancy, you should remain attentive enough so as not to fall down. It may cause severe injuries depending on the impact of your fall. Sometime, bad clothing or weak body support post-pregnancy may be the sole reason. Full body recovery as it was pre-pregnancy will take time, use of right clothes and support, exercises and good care. Bellefit® Postpartum Girdles & Corsets – Medical-Grade, FDA-Registered, Doctor-Recommended since 2008. Many women fall while pregnant, YouTuber Taylor Kellie vlogged about her experience. Do you know someone who has gone through a fall while pregnant? We would be glad to hear back what they did to deal with it. Was it a minor injury or a major one?

Among the many milestones in your baby’s life worth celebrating, your baby's first words are music to your ears. You’ll want to capture their babbling throughout their earliest stages of life because you know that you’ll soon hear words you can recognize such as “Momma,” “Dadda,” and “Baba.” Having them try to express themselves in a way that doesn’t involve crying is something you’ll cherish and want to record on audio or video so you can show them once they’re older. Table Of Contents "> Babies Start to Speak Between 9 and 14 Months of Age How to Encourage your Baby to Speak! Babies Learn to Say No Very Soon Document Your Baby's First Words Be Your Best Self, so They Can Too! Use this list to refer to whenever you’re expecting to hear your baby’s first words. It gives you an idea when to expect your child to speak as well as ideas on ways to encourage them to speak more than just baby talk. Babies Start to Speak Between 9 and 14 Months of Age When do babies say their first words? You’ll hear them making sounds prior to saying their first words. They’re mimicking the sounds that they hear in their environment until they’ve reached about eight months in age. That’s when they start trying to formulate their first words. You’ll hear them say very simple words between nine months and fourteen months of age. How to Encourage your Baby to Speak! Your encouragement can help your baby saying first words quite early. If you want to foster a love for communication in your child, there are things you can do. For example, speaking slowly, clearly, and enunciating words helps them become familiar with the sounds you make. Stating that things belong to a specific person such as Mommy, Daddy, Sissy or Brother helps, too. They start to learn the names of the people they spend time with. You can also read books to them at an early age and watch age-appropriate TV shows that focus on vocabulary, singing, and repetition. It’s among the easiest ways that children learn. They love the sing-songy sound of words being strung together and it helps them remember what they’ve heard better. Babies Learn to Say No Very Soon You baby will take your head off, once they start speaking. Once your child starts learning more and more vocabulary, they’re likely to talk your head off. In fact, you’ll have a hard time believing that they didn’t speak. In fact, sometimes you’ll wish they never learned the word “No,” because it will quickly be their way of expressing defiance or disagreement with what you’ve asked from them. Document Your Baby's First Words Enjoy the first words of your child, even if you can't make out any meaning. Your baby’s first words may sound a little less like gibberish. It’s a milestone worth documenting no matter how you look at it. Even if they say “Daddy,” before they say “Mommy,” it’s worth recording and sharing with others because it’s quite the feat. Your little one will have plenty more to say in the upcoming months, so get ready for it! Sharing how your child is developing with family and friends is easy thanks to social media and the Internet. You can quickly press record on your smartphone and document the first time your child says different words or phrases. The people closest to you will delight in being part of you and your baby’s journey to becoming a well-spoken toddler. Be Your Best Self, so They Can Too! Encouraging your baby to start talking at the right age requires your attention, time and focus. After all, as a new mom you are going through many physical and mental transformations post delivery. Being a new mom can be stressful and overwhelming. A postpartum girdle or corset can help you get back to focusing on your new baby, while speeding up your recovery. The compression can help reduce swelling and provide back support that is much needed after labor. Invest in a postpartum girdle today to make sure you are taking care of yourself while taking care of them too. Bellefit® Postpartum Girdles & Corsets – Medical-Grade, FDA-Registered, Doctor-Recommended since 2008. If you have been one of those proud moms, who helped their baby speak out their first words easily at the right age, we would love to hear back. Let us know some of the tricks and tips you used yourself.

Newborns grow by leaps and bounds into infancy. In fact, you’ll have a hard time believing that your tiny little baby is now reaching toddler stage. So, how do you know if your child is at a healthy weight? Are there concerns that come with your baby being underweight or slightly overweight? Know some of the best methods about how much weight should baby gain! Table Of Contents What is the Average Birth Weight for Newborns? How to Closely Monitor Your Baby’s Weight Gain? Keep Track of Your Baby’s Weight Gain While Monitoring Your Weight Loss Take Care of Yourself This guide provides insight on the subject of monitoring your baby’s weight gain after you’ve given birth. That way, you know exactly how your child compares to other children of a similar age. What is the Average Birth Weight for Newborns? How much weight should a newborn gain? The average birth weight for newborn babies depends on a couple of factors. The first is the nutrition the infant received while in the womb. The second is whether or not the child was a twin, triplet or quadruplet. Multiples play a role in the overall health of the children because the babies are sharing a space and nutrition. If a baby is carried to full-term which is 38 to 40 weeks, they usually weigh six to nine pounds. If they are born prematurely, they likely will weigh significantly less because they haven’t had as much time to grow and develop. Babies also lose some weight during their first weeks of life. It’s not unusual to see a bottle-fed baby losing 5 percent of their birth weight. Breastfed babies lose up to ten percent of their birth weight right after they are born. How to Closely Monitor Your Baby’s Weight Gain? You can monitor your baby's weight even without the scale. Using a scale is the easiest way to know your baby’s weight. If you don’t have one available, you can ask for their weight in pounds at the time of their next doctor’s appointment. You can also note how many times they are wetting and soiling their diapers. On average, you should be changing your baby’s wet diaper five to seven times a day. Soiled diapers occur less frequently with three to four diaper changes a day being the norm. You’ll know that your baby is getting enough hydration and nutrition based on the number of times they relieve themselves daily. You don't always need a measuring scale to monitor your baby's weight. Another way to know that your child is gaining weight is to note how satiated they are once they’ve been fed. Babies love to eat and need a lot of nutrition in their earliest stages of life to grow and develop into healthy toddlers. Because they can’t walk or move yet, they aren’t burning as many calories as they will when they’re mobile. You should notice a difference in the way your baby’s body looks and how heavy they feel once they do start putting on weight. If you have concerns about your child’s weight gain, let your paediatrician know so they can monitor the baby closely. They’ll be able to give you sound medical advice on what to do to encourage better eating habits or more movement once the child does start crawling or walking. Keep Track of Your Baby’s Weight Gain While Monitoring Your Weight Loss Monitor your own weight post delivery of your child. Monitor your baby’s weight gain right away. That way, you know how well they are and if they’re getting adequate nutrition. By keeping close track of your baby’s weight, you’ll be able to identify any potential problems your child has as they grow and develop. Take Care of Yourself Your body changes a lot after giving birth, and sometimes this can lead to feelings of low self-confidence and frustration. You can take care of yourself by ensuring that you feel confident and beautiful. It's important to care for your new family member, but don't forget to take care of yourself too. Bellefit's postpartum girdles and corsets can help you feel more in charge of your own body, and can speed the recovery process. With our design, you can look and feel your best in no time, and when you feel your best - so does your baby. Bellefit® Postpartum Girdles & Corsets – Medical-Grade, FDA-Registered, Doctor-Recommended since 2008. All the new moms would love to learn from your experiences and learning regarding the babies and weight gain. Let us hear back from you too! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEYrWAepqzQ