Acelleron Medical Products

Tag: pregnancy

  • 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! 

  • Decorating Your Nursery

    Decorating Your Nursery

    Your little bundle of joy is almost here! If you’re not feeling the onset of nesting yet, it will hit soon. Arm yourself with the right knowledge on how to decorate your nursery to avoid overdoing the décor, creating an inefficient layout, or painting your nursery’s walls with a color that doesn’t connect with your baby’s items.

    Where Do I Start?

    You may be asking yourself: where do I even start with decorating? From furniture, to color/themes, to layout, creating your dream nursery can seem like a tall task. However, if you prioritize the order of your to-do list, you will be rewarded with a great end result.

    1. Look for Inspiration: Find inspiration in photographs/art, outfits, rooms, and landscapes to see what color palettes you’re pulled to. Create a Pinterest or cut-and-paste mood board, focusing on broad concepts such as color, style, and theme to narrow down your design choices. As you move forward, reference your mood board to remain consistent and on theme with your design and decoration.
    2. Purchase Major Furniture: When starting to shop for furniture, stick to the bigger items: your crib (make sure it fits CPSC safety standards), dresser/changing table, and glider for nursing. Test out having the furniture setup in different arrangements within the room to get a visualization of how the space will look certain ways. This will help you decide which layout you prefer best for both aesthetics and functionality. The design you choose will help you decide your focal point, what bedding to buy, accent choices, and more.
    3. Pick Your Focal Point: Your focal point will serve as the subject and anchor of your nursery’s design. Parents typically choose to have their crib as the focal point, since there are many ways to pull in attention, such as with bedding, the color of the crib, or a bed skirt for a traditional feel. However, you can make any item your focal point. Whether you want to add a fun rug, a trendy nursing chair, or a pop of color with your dresser/changing table, that’s up to you and your designer eye!
    4. Choose Décor: You have your color palette/theme, your major furniture pieces, and your focal point, now it’s time for the fun part: décor. Stick to the 60-30-10 rule with your color palette, having one primary color, and two accent colors. Feature your color palette throughout the room with wall decals, prints, pillows, throws, and any other decorative items you feel fit your room’s vibe.
    5. Pick Your Paint or Wallpaper: It’s time for the finishing touch- the walls! Whether you choose to paint your walls or cover them with wallpaper, make sure your nursery’s walls are washable. If you are painting your walls, use a good quality, VOC-free paint and ensure the room has adequate ventilation. You are going to want to air the room as long as possible so all potentially harmful air toxins can escape.

    Picking Your Wall Color:

    When you enter a paint store or search for wallpaper, you are met with what seems like millions of options, and it can be overwhelming. Narrowing in on the color and how you think would best fit your nursery is essential. Look to your bedding, rug, or wall art to set the precedent for the color(s) of the wall.

    Consider the size of the space and where natural light hits when covering your walls. Bolder colors are a great option for an accent wall, dark colors are useful when applied to a single wall to add depth, and lighter colors are a go-to for making the room appear bigger and brighter. Remember to start small when painting. Use swatches to ensure you like how the color appears when dry, as well as throughout different times of the day when lighting may hit it differently.

    Think long-term when choosing your color; painting/covering your walls is a timely and pricey task. A sophisticated color scheme is a great choice if you expect to stick with this color as your child grows up. Here are some different paths you can take with the coloring of your room:

    • Current and Trendy: Navy and coral, a cool minty green, or a rich, neutral shade with accent walls are popular choices for nurseries nowadays.
    • Classic and Traditional: Consider pinks and purples for a girly vibe, and blues and greens for a boyish vibe. If your baby’s gender is unknown, yellow and gray are popular gender-neutral picks.
    • All-inclusive: Don’t feel like your color(s)/theme has to fit a gender stereotype, popular colors nowadays, no matter the gender, include (but are not limited to): grassy green, soft neutral pink, eggshell blue, violet-gray, and mellow yellow.

    Remember: Functionality is Key

    Whether your baby’s room is large or small, you’re going to be using every bit of space possible. It’s important to incorporate functional storage to avoid clutter. To maximize storage, purchase furniture pieces with built in drawers or cabinets, such as a crib with a trundle. Also, think vertically: use walls for shelving. Many parents find that incorporating wall-mounted shelves in safe locations around the room can help maximize storage and double as fun decoration. We recommend never installing shelves above areas where baby will be, such as the changing table or the crib, in order to keep baby safe from a potential falling item.

    When it comes to the layout of your room, many parents’ number one tip is to make sure anything and everything you may need is within easy reach. Whether you’re at your changing table and need wipes, or you’re at your nursing chair and need a burp cloth, make sure the items you need are well stocked and located closely, according to the area’s typical use. For the changing table, we recommend having a hamper and diaper pail on either side, stocking your hanging shelf or top drawer with diapers, wipes, lotion, and other changing needs, and having toys nearby to keep baby entertained while you’re changing his/her diaper. Near your nursing chair, have a small nightstand or end table to place your breastfeeding needs, such as water for yourself, a burp cloth for baby, and anything else you may need to easily reach for.

    Remember, decorating your nursery should be fun! There’s absolutely no pressure to have the perfect room for your baby. Decorate the nursery how you want it; realistically, your baby won’t care, only you will. You’re going to be spending a lot of time in this space, so make sure it’s an atmosphere you enjoy and feel comfortable and relaxed in.

    To learn more about how you can prepare for the arrival of your little one, check out other posts on our Blog.

     

    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!