First Time Mommy Archives - Mommy's Hangout/Atlanta Mommy Blogger/Jen Williams

When Should Your Child Stop Using a Pram?

January 13, 2020 by Jessica

Do you feel your baby is too old for the pram? Well, it could be true he or she has already outgrown it, and you should be thinking of discarding it. While a stroller makes life all-convenient for every mom, a time comes when you’ve got to put it aside for the sake of little one’s safety.

But when should you stop using a pram?

Just like kids clothes become tiny as the baby grows, so does the pram becomes less useful when the little one reaches a certain age. However, age isn’t the only factor that determines when one should discard the pram, several other factors would require you to do this.

While there isn’t a specific age as to when you should stop using a pushchair, your baby may just tell you it’s time to get them off this special place. As a parent, it’s important to be keen on the child’s development and respond as soon as you notice the signs.

Here are some factors to consider.

Age

In most cases, we don’t have age limits for the use of prams. We have prams for different ages, and, therefore, the age limit may not be so clear. However, most prams can go up to 18 to 24 months, after which, it’s not easy to find ones that suggest age limits of 2 years and beyond. So, we can put it at approximately 24 months, but that’s not the age limit. You can stop using the pram as earlier as you wish.

Height

Children grow at different rates, and you may just realize that your baby has outgrown the stroller as early as 12 months. Usually, taller children are at a disadvantage as there isn’t a stroller made specifically for tall children. So, if you realize that the pram can no longer accommodate your baby’s height, it’s time to throw it away even if the baby is below 18 months.

Weight

When it comes to weight, it might not be so clear to tell if your child is too heavy for the pram. Usually, the minimum weight limit for a pram, according to the safety standards, is 5 pounds. While there isn’t a maximum age requirement, different strollers have varying weight limits. Some may carry up to 30 pounds, while others can go up to 50 lbs. So, check the weight specification for your stroller.

Baby’s Development

It’s important to consider your baby’s development when deciding whether to stop using a stroller or not. Your baby may baby could be 2 already, or looking taller than some of his age mates, but he may not be skilled enough to walk on his own. Therefore, make sure your little one can walk properly without falling too much, before weaning them off the four-wheeled carriage for a baby.

Take time to go through these important points before weaning your baby off the pram.

3 Post-birth Issues New Parents Can’t Forget

October 24, 2019 by Jen

First-time moms are destined to be overwhelmed by all the changes occurring in their lives. Not only is a woman’s body changing in myriad ways, but she needs to make all sorts of changes to her home and lifestyle to accommodate the new human she is bringing into the world — and when someone is juggling so much over the course of several months, some things are sure to fall through the cracks.

Most often, expectant mothers are so focused on the trauma of birth that they struggle to imagine life realistically after the baby is born and make major mistakes in planning their first days and weeks home after the hospital. Yet, new moms should want the period after birth to be as easy and breezy as possible. To that end, here are a few post-birth concerns that new parents are apt to forget.

Baby Introductions

Parents know they want skin-to-skin contact, they know who is cutting the cord, and they know what is happening with the placenta — but what about a few minutes later, when baby is deemed healthy and everyone is desperate for news? It is important to introduce baby to loved ones in a timely manner, so close friends and family start to form bonds with the new bundle of joy. On the other hand, most first-time parents already feel overwhelmed after their first delivery, and it is exhausting to imagine a crowded hospital room with people clamoring to touch and hold baby.

Well before the birth, parents should know who will be in the delivery room, who will be at the hospital and who will be waiting at home to meet baby. It is a good idea to keep the number of people in the room limited to four or less, so neither mom nor baby feels squeezed. Parents who prefer to cherish the first moments with baby shouldn’t feel bad about requesting “no visitors” for the first few days, so they can get accustomed to life with baby and settle into a pattern. Then, they can send out baby announcementsto tell everyone in their lives about the new addition to the family.

Finally, it isn’t just human introductions that are important; household pets should be properly introduced to baby, as well, to prevent misbehavior or dangerous activity. This might require some practice, such as holding a baby doll and establishing boundaries around the nursery and baby toys before the birth. Dogs and cats should be included in family activities, to ensure they are receiving the positive attention they need.

Baby Carriers

In the hustle and bustle before the due date, it is easy to overlook even the most important items for baby — like a car seat. Most hospitals won’t discharge baby unless parents have a car seat to carry baby out. Instead of rushing out and buying whatever newborn car seat they can find, parents should plan ahead and purchase a convertible car seat, which will grow with their baby to ensure protection for years to come.

While the car seat is the most important carrier to have immediately after birth, it probably isn’t the only carrier new parents will need. It’s a good idea to have a stroller on hand, ideally one that is compatible with the car seat to make lugging baby around that much simpler. Finally, most parents will also want some kind of babywearing device, which holds baby close to the body but leaves the parent’s hands free. This can be essential for soothing newborns who need constant contact while getting other chores done, like cooking or cleaning house.

Baby Care

Even if baby is perfectly healthy, they will need to visit the doctor frequently over the course of the next year to receive vaccinations and monitoring for disease. In fact, while some pediatricians have slightly different schedules, baby’s first checkup should occur just three to five days after birth. That means parents need to have a pediatrician lined up well before mom goes into labor; otherwise, they might be stuck with a doctor who doesn’t exactly fit their communication style or expectations for health.

Choosing a pediatrician could be a long process. It’s a good idea to start with doctors who are in the parents’ insurance network. From there, parents should evaluate credentials and experience, investigating how doctors stay up-to-date on medical practices. Most pediatricians offer free visits for new parents who are interested in getting to know their doctor, and parents should take advantage of these to ask questions about methods and style. It’s important to note that there is no ethical option to skip first-year checkups; doing so unreasonably risks the life of the child and potentially weakens the health of the entire community.

Designing the nursery isn’t the beginning and end of preparing for baby. Parents need to think ahead to plan for what baby will actually need when they come — and what their loved ones, their pets, their doctors and everyone else will need, too.

5 things you need for a new baby, and 5 you don’t

July 13, 2015 by Jen

Getting ready for a baby can be overwhelming, to say the least. If you are a first time parent, you may be facing a long list of things for baby and wondering how you are going to fit it all in your house and afford it. The good news is, you really don’t need all that much for a baby. People will tell you that you need loads of gear and clothing, but in reality, babies are pretty simple to care for in the first few months.

Let’s start with the things you absolutely do need for a baby.

Diapers: it doesn’t matter whether you are choosing to cloth diaper or use disposables, the fact is you need diapers for a baby. While considering your options, weight in on your budget and lifestyle, and don’t forget the wipes! You will need those along with the diapers.

A few outfits: You can get by with about 10 outfits for baby. Make some of them sleepers to keep baby warm at night. When they feel swaddled and secure, babies sleep better and are happier.

A car seat: Baby needs to be safe in a car, so you will need a car seat. It’s illegal and unsafe not to have one, so make this one a priority.

A few blankets: You will need to keep baby warm and secure, so grab a couple of swaddling blankets and a few larger ones.

A place for baby to sleep– even if you co-sleep, you will need some place to put baby that is safe. A play pen, crib, bassinet, or swing will give you some safe, hands-free and baby-free time.

These are things that you do NOT need for baby. They are a waste of money.

Baby towels and rags: rags and towels specifically made for babies are a waste of money. Use your own towels and rags and save some money. Plus, they will dry baby off better than the thinner, smaller baby towels.

A stroller: You do not need a stroller. You can carry baby or even use a baby wrap, but strollers are not a necessity.

A changing table: A blanket laid on any flat surface will suffice as a place to change your baby. It is not important to have a specific place to change your baby.

Baby Shoes: They look cute, but for the first few months of a babies life they don’t need shoes. They aren’t walking and most likely will just kick the shoes off. Save the money and buy them practical footwear once they are walking.

Wipe warmer: they seem like a nice idea, but they really take too long to warm wipes and they can dry the wipes out. Skip this gadget and just keep the wipes in a room with a regulated temperature so they are not a shock to your child when you use them.

The benefits of creating a Baby Registry

January 22, 2015 by Jen

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walmart. All opinions are 100% mine.

Motherhood is one of the hardest jobs’ women do in life, but it’s also the most rewarding one. Becoming a mom comes with a lot of responsibilities, a whole new list of wants, needs and most of all, a lot of joy. The truth is a woman becomes a mom as soon as she gets that first positive pregnancy test. It’s like everything changes, and we are instantly in love with our unborn. I can’t explain the feeling in words, but I am sure if you have ever been pregnant you understand. It’s one of the greatest feelings in the world. I have noticed that fathers often don’t understand our connection and bond until the baby is actually here. Sure they are excited, but it’s not the same as what we often feel during pregnancy. As a brand new mom, we spend the whole nine months preparing for our new bundle of joy and trying to make sure everything is perfect. That also includes making sure that our babies have everything they need as soon as we deliver. We spend countless hours trying to find the prefect and safest products for our baby; this sometimes can get overwhelming since there are so many baby products and brands on the market, but with the help of Pampers® and Walmart, you can make sure you are equipped with all the essentials.

At Walmart, you can find all the baby products necessary for your new bundle of joy, but even better; you can find tips from other new moms and the brand they trust, which is Pampers®. To make it easier to ensure you get your entire list of new baby needs, you can register online at Walmart so your friends and family can make sure you have what you need and want. I always tell my friends and family that it’s very important for them to create a baby registry! This ensures that you get what you need and will actually use! This also saves you time in the long run because you’re not having to go exchange gifts, which give you more time to relax before the big day!

I admit sometimes making a baby registry is difficult because you are not sure what you need, and because you want your new baby to be as comfortable as possible, moms often put everything on the list. Trust me this is a big mistake! Take it from someone who has been there and done that! The truth is half of the stuff you think you want or need will never be used and just take up space! That is why Pampers Baby Basics for Any Mom on Walmart.com’s Parent & Baby Center is a great place to start. You will find great advice from other parents on what is actually needed including the Pampers Swaddlers Super Pack. I can’t tell you enough how great it was not having to buy diapers and wipes for the first year! I was blessed with so many things that I actually needed not only during the first few weeks but for the first year. So when creating your baby registry don’t just put things on there that you need for the first few months, think long term like diapers in different sizes, wipes, baby bath, lotions and other items that will actually grow with your baby.

In the comments below please share with me what items you couldn’t live without the first year of your babies life or what gifts you got for your baby shower that was most helpful.

Baby Sleep Myths

November 7, 2014 by Jen

There a number of baby sleep myths people think of, when the topic is about baby’s sleeping habits. This post focuses on clearing some of these myths. To know more, read on…

No nap during the day, better sleep at night

This is a strange myth parents have in their mind. For this, ask yourself one question; if you don’t eat food during the day, will you feel too hungry during nighttime and eat more than what you should? The answer to both of the thoughts presented here is, NO! So, don’t skip daytime naps. It will disturb their schedule and will lead to poor sleep window at night. Possibly, this can have a negative effect, forcing kids to wake up early next morning and be irritated during the day.

Sleep Schedule is not important

You can assume this if you are not willing to make one for your baby. Scheduling anything is good, and when it comes to baby sleep, it is very much the need when they are too young. If you schedule their sleep when they are young, they will learn how and when they should be in bed, as they grow older. So, sleep schedule helps laying groundwork for them.

Infants can sleep for long hours like adults

There is some confusion when we talk about this myth. Some say that if the baby is too tired, they will sleep for long hours. Yes, they sleep for long hours, but they don’t sleep for long hours straight. Children wake up during the nighttime and want someone’s help to get them back to sleep. In case of adults, we know how to get back to sleep if our sleep breaks during the nighttime. However, children don’t know this trick, and they keep looking for someone to hug them and make them fall asleep again. They love to get cozy when their sleep is interrupted at night.

Start solids early and see your baby have sound sleep through the night

If your child is less than six months old, it is suggested that you don’t give them solids. This is because they lack mature digestion. If you give them solids this early, there can be possible issues like food allergies and stomach ache. So, don’t do this mistake. Some parents defend their act saying that it keeps their baby full for longer hours. This should be helpful in letting them have a good night sleep. NO! As noted, this is a myth and can affect your baby negatively. So, refrain yourself from doing anything like this.

Swing, swing, all the time

If your baby is fussy, a moving swing can help him soothe and relax. However, it keeps them in a light sleep and he won’t be able to have a sound sleep. Swings are good and have their uses. It is your substitute, when you are too tired to swing the baby personally. If used effectively, the baby will enjoy the swings and even have a sound sleep. So, if buying a swing is on your mind, check out the best coupon site, chameleonjohn.com for discount coupons for overstock promo code.