Acelleron Medical Products

Category: Parenting

  • How to Manage Sleepless Nights – Parenting as a Team

    How to Manage Sleepless Nights – Parenting as a Team

    After bath-time is over, lullabies have been sung, and everyone has said “goodnight Moon,” it’s time for some well-deserved sleep. Just as you’re settling in to bed next to your already sleeping partner, your baby (who was sleeping soundly just moments before) begins crying. The early newborn nights are challenging, and the sleepless nights can take a big toll on the whole family, especially when there isn’t a clear plan in place for what happens next.

    We’ve compiled our best tips.

    Take Turns with the Night Shift

    Establish an alternating pattern for which parent will get the night shift and write down the agreed schedule on your calendar. For example, one of you is responsible for Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, while the other person is responsible for Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. When on call, you are responsible for feeding, changing, and getting the baby back to sleep for that night. This strategy will allow the other person to sleep through the night since he/she will not be on call. The premise here is that it is easier to get through a night of limited/no sleep if you know the next night will be your turn to sleep. Be aware that if you are nursing, you may need to adapt this plan in the early weeks. It’s important to note that for the healthy term baby, pumping is not recommended until the breastfeeding/milk supply is well established, or there is a medical indication to do so – usually, this is around 3 to 4 weeks post birth. In this scenario, we recommend that on mom’s day “off” dad will get baby from their crib and bring him/her to mom, allowing her to nurse in bed. Once baby is done nursing, dad can change baby, rock him/her to sleep, and put the little one back into their crib. When mom’s milk supply is established, dad should be able to feed baby with expressed milk that mom has pumped before going to bed. Parents who do this swear by the approach.

    Split the Night into Shifts

    Another approach is to split the night into two shifts One parent takes the first few hours, and the second parent takes the later hours. For example, the early parent takes care of all the wake-ups that occur from 9 PM to 2 AM. The second parent takes wake ups calls from 2 AM to 7 AM. The schedule will vary based on your schedule, and you might decide to switch off who gets the early vs the late shift. The main point is that each parent is guaranteed some number of hours when he/she will get some quality sleeping.

    With both options assigning shifts, it’s important to be as specific as possible when devising the schedule. It’s also important to work these decisions before the baby arrives, as it can be very difficult to make calm, rational decisions when one or both parents are sleep-deprived.

    Sleep When You Can

    Take a nap when your baby falls asleep. It might feel like there is an endless list of things to do, but taking care of yourself IS a priority. Getting those extra zzz’s will allow you to be more productive and present, so set the chores aside when your little one falls asleep and take that much-needed rest.

    When both you and your partner are home, take turns spending one-on-one time with your baby so that one of you can get some alone time. While your partner reads to your baby, go to a separate room in the house and silence your phone. Sleep, read, watch TV, or do whatever you need to re-energize. For extreme luxury, consider investing in noise cancelling headphones to truly escape any chaos. 

    Communicate Openly and Be Easy on Each Other

    Schedules and priorities shift with a newborn, and it can feel like you and your partner aren’t on the same page. Be open about how you’re feeling and discuss decisions frequently with each other. Having a baby is a significant event and you need to know that you and your partner can lean on each other for support. Everyone forgets things and makes mistakes, so be easy on each other. When you’re sleep-deprived or just need a break, politely ask your partner if he/she can take the baby for an hour so that you can rest. Be willing to make compromises and allow for space and time for your partner to rest as well.

    Accept Help

    Accepting help can be one of the hardest things to do, but trust that people want to help you and spend time with your newborn. Your friends and family will find joy in helping with chores as they get to be a part of the beginning of your newborn’s life. Learn to be a flexible and allow grandparents some one-on-one time with your baby so that you and your partner can sleep.

    Consider hiring a babysitter or night nanny to help you get some extra rest. Relax knowing your newborn is in the hands of a professional, while you and your partner can both get the sleep you desperately need.

    Whether this is your first or your fourth child, getting through those newborn sleepless nights is difficult for every parent. Trust that you and your partner are doing everything you can for each other and for your newborn. Ask for help and support from your partner, family, or friends when you need it, and be sure to make sleep a priority, as this will benefit both you and your baby.

     

    This post contains affiliate link(s). If you buy something through one of those links, you won’t pay a penny more, but we will get a small commission. These affiliate links help our business continue to provide the best services possible. Thanks!

  • Preparing Your Children For a Sibling

    Preparing Your Children For a Sibling

    When your first child was born, all of the attention was on your sweet newborn. With no other child competing for your affection, you were able to focus on your baby’s needs and learned tactics to maneuver through the challenges that came with being a new parent. Now, with another baby on the way, it’s time to prepare the family for the new baby. Your children are about to become older siblings to a new brother or sister, and this can be a big responsibility for them.

    A new sibling can be very exciting for children. There’s the possibility of having a new playmate and being the “big kid” in the family. However, when the novelty of a new baby wears off, older siblings may become clingy to parents and jealous of the attention that their little sibling receives.

    There’s no way to predict exactly how a child will act when there’s a new baby, so it’s recommended to prepare the older siblings as best as you can. Communicate openly and in age-appropriate ways so that your children are as ready as they can be for their roles as big brothers or sisters.

    Read a Book Together

    Reading is a great bonding activity for parents and children and can help communicate what it is like to be an older sibling. A book about a new baby brother or sister can help children begin to understand what they can expect with a new baby in the home. The story and lessons can also aid in getting the conversation started with your child. Some favorite books are:

    Build the Connection Between Your Child and Baby

    By involving your children in the preparation of the arrival of your new one (and allowing them to be “big helpers” as a big sister or big brother), they will feel more connected to their new sister or brother. Allow the kids to help paint the baby’s room, pick out clothes, or come to the doctor with you to hear the baby’s heartbeat. Play pretend with a baby doll so that your child can practice holding and interacting with a baby. One of the best ways to foster a personal connection with the baby is to have your child pick out a toy or other gift that your little one can give to the baby when he or she arrives. (Be sure to have a gift ready for the older sibling from the baby as well!)

    Make All Big Changes Before Baby Arrives

    There are going to be a lot of significant changes with the arrival of your new baby, so if there are any planned transitions coming up, do them now. If your child is ready to be potty-trained, weaned off a binky, or transitioned to a big-kid bed, it’s best to start the process before the baby arrives, for the comfort of your child (and your sanity).

    Remind Your Child About His/Her Importance

    Your child’s life is about to change and that can be scary and confusing. It’s important to remind children that by being who they are, they’re an extremely important part of the family. Praise your children for their unique, positive qualities and point out their contributions so that they can understand their value. Remark how each person in the family contributes something special and how important it is to have each person as a part of the family.

    While you and your partner are preparing for the new baby, it’s important to remember that your older children’s lives are about to change as well. If your children are old enough to understand, speak to them about the reality of a new baby (crying, feeding, attention), and be sure to include the exciting parts of having a new sibling as well. The more you allow your children to be involved in preparing for the arrival of the new baby, and the more you communicate with them about the big changes, the more prepared they will be as incredible older brothers and sisters.

    This post contains affiliate link(s). If you buy something through one of those links, you won’t pay a penny more, but we will get a small commission. These affiliate links help our business continue to provide the best services possible. Thanks! 

  • Top Ten Must-Do’s Before Baby Arrives

    Top Ten Must-Do’s Before Baby Arrives

    Having a baby on the way is exciting, but it can have you wondering how your life is about to change and what you need to do to prepare for your newborn. With so many books, articles, and experts giving advice about everything that needs to be done before the baby arrives, it can be overwhelming.  As long as you complete these ten must-do’s, you’ll make things easier for yourself and family when your much-anticipated baby finally comes home.

    1. Make a Clear Plan for the Kids

    If you already have children, you’ll want to be sure that they’re being looked after while you’re in the hospital. If you feel comfortable doing so, ask a family member or friend to stay in your home with your children. If your children will be staying at a neighbor’s home, friend’s house, or somewhere other than their own home, make sure to have clothing, toiletries, and any overnight essentials packed in advance. (You could even pack a surprise toy or snack to make them feel extra special.) Make sure you communicate with your children and let them know that they will be staying with someone for a short time, so that they are not surprised and act out.

    2. Set a Plan for the Pets

    If someone will be staying at your home while you’re in the hospital, be sure to leave them with clear instructions on how to care for your pets. Depending on the needs of the pet, you may be able to ask a neighbor or friend to visit your home to play with, walk, or feed your pet. Otherwise, be sure to find a person or kennel that you trust and provide instructions on caring for your beloved pets in advance. You may even ask that the pet be taken care of for a few extra days, so that you and your newborn can settle in before introducing your pets to the new baby.

    3. Pick a Pediatrician

    Your baby’s pediatrician will play an important role over the coming years of your baby’s development. Make sure you are spending the time to research your options. Ask for recommendations from family and friends, and check out reviews of pediatricians on Healthgrades and Vitals. Schedule an introductory meeting with the pediatricians you are considering and feel comfortable asking questions. Avoid any pediatrician who is dismissive or with whom you have bad chemistry. Selecting a good pediatrician before the baby is born will pay dividends later.

    4. Stock the Pantry and Freezer

    The more you can do in advance, the less you’ll have to worry about when the baby comes home. Food is something you will certainly need, but preparing a gourmet dinner may be out of the question for a period of time. To make things easier, get your food delivered by AmazonFresh and start preparing frozen meals 3-4 weeks in advance of the expected due date. Search Pinterest for inspiration and look for recipes of meals that reheat easily such as lasagna, fajitas, and casseroles. Load up the pantry with easy snacks such as granola bars and crackers, and foods that are simple to prepare such as canned soup and cereal. You may even find that family and friends will want to help by bringing meals over for you and your family, and (as long as they are decent cooks) you should absolutely accept.

    5. Set Up Cleaning Services

    Once your baby comes home, you’re not going to have the time or energy you might think you were going to have to do household chores. Setting up a temporary cleaning service to help around the house will take a heavy burden off of you and allow you to spend valuable time with your precious new baby, without needing to worry about everything that needs to get done. With a stockpile of laundry, dishes, and general cleaning, you will be glad to have someone help out.

    6. Look into Meal Delivery Services

    Even if you stocked up the pantry and hired a cleaning service to help around the house, you may find yourself needing a little something more than that granola bar for dinner. Even if you typically love to cook, with a new baby, you’ll be glad to take a break from it for a while. Subscribing to a meal delivery service will ensure that you are able to get nutritious meals on the table. You won’t need to worry about grocery shopping and can spend more time focusing on you and your baby’s needs. Many meal delivery services such as HelloFresh, Sun Basket, Plated, and Martha & Marley Spoon, offer meal options that take 30 minutes or less to prepare.

    7. Get the Carpets Cleaned

    When is the last time you had your carpets cleaned? If it wasn’t in the last 12 months, it’s time to get a professional in to remove the dangerous particles that could be embedded in the carpet fibers. Your little one is going to roll around and eventually crawl on those carpets, so it’s best to have freshly cleaned carpets for his or her arrival home. (You’ll also feel more comfortable if you place your baby on a soothing mat on freshly cleaned carpet.)

    8. Do a Test Run to the Hospital

    When you start to go into labor, you will want to know exactly where to go and what to do. Figure out how you will get to the hospital, the amount of time it will take to get there, and you may even want to look-up a backup route in case of unexpected traffic or construction that could cause delays. When you get to the hospital, be sure to understand exactly where you need to go, including parking and where you will be admitted (building, floor, etc.). Understand the check-in procedure as best as you can in advance so that there are no questions or delays when the baby is ready.

    9. Have the Car Ready

    Having your car in tip-top shape, loaded with essentials, is going to make your life a lot easier when the baby arrives. If you’ve never installed a car seat before, head to a local fire or police station for assistance to ensure that the seat is installed properly and your baby will be safe. Have any needed maintenance done on the car and get a check-up to make sure that your car is running well. Take this time to also clean out and vacuum the car, as finding time to do this when the baby arrives will be difficult. Stock up the car with baby essentials, and maybe even an extra nursing and diaper bag, so that you will know that you have everything you need when on-the-go. (Check out this super cute breast pump bag and bundle by Sarah Wells!)

    10. Stock up on Essentials

    Toilet paper, paper towels, and laundry detergent are just some of the items you should have on hand before the baby arrives. Load up on extras of anything your family uses regularly that don’t expire quickly (shampoo, hand soap, dish soap, etc.). For those days when doing dishes seems impossible, you may want to have paper plates and plastic utensils on-hand to make cleanup a cinch. To save even more time, order low-priced items through Amazon Prime Pantry for seamless delivery and the opportunity for subscriptions so you don’t need to worry about reordering!  

    Completing these 10 to-do items will give you less to worry about when the time comes to meet your new baby. Remember that you don’t have to do all of these on your own – ask for help from your partner, family, or friends, and accept help when it is offered. Congratulations and enjoy getting ready for your new baby!

     

    This post contains affiliate link(s). If you buy something through one of those links, you won’t pay a penny more, but we will get a small commission. These affiliate links help our business continue to provide the best services possible. Thanks!