Today’s Tip - Start weaning your newborn into their own room and crib once they sleep through the night

It seems so much easier to keep your baby close at all times, and to bring them into bed with you to cuddle when they just won’t go to sleep on their own. It’ll make it ten times harder later on when you want them to break the habit and finally move out of your space. Co-sleeping and keeping your infant in your bedroom is great when they need hourly attention, but once they start staying down for the whole night, it’s time to train them to sleep on their own.

Here’s a good article on getting your newborn to sleep

Parenting, Sleep, Routine

Today’s tip - A dimmer switch or lamp in the baby’s room is great for establishing routine

Have it bright when you want him up and playing. Have it dim when its time to relax and go to bed. Being able to control the light level in the room has been pretty helpful for us. Sometimes before I even begin rocking him, all I have to do is turn down the lights and my newborn already has heavy eyelids. Then, when he finally grows up and moves out, you can use the dimmer switch for mood lighting. Though it is quite a ways off.

Parenting, Room, Light, Light

Today’s Tip - Do chores when they’re small and manageable, but don’t beat yourself up if things slip

When I was a kid, my mom did laundry nearly every day. I didn’t understand it until I had my own baby. Between his laundry, our laundry, the dishes, the dog hair and the litter box, we’ve got our hands full. The trick is to take five minutes here, five minutes there every day to keep things managable. That way you don’t have a littany of chores to do, which can feel overwhelming.

That being said, if things slip, don’t feel bad. Rather, take a hot bath, relax for an hour, or just close your eyes. (If your infant needs constant attention or won’t nap, have someone else give you a break). It’ll help you cope and leave you feeling a little refreshed and ready to tackle the chores.

Parenting, Chores, Housework

Today’s Tip - When breastfeeding, keep your hair tied back and necklaces off

THis tip comes from my wife, who’s got tired of constantly pulling her hair back from her face and of having our son grabbing onto her necklaces. Sometimes her hair would fall down in his face and he’d try to root in the direction of her hair, which only complicates feeding time.

Parenting, Breastfeeding

Today’s Tip - Set up a fund for your child as early as possible

Even if junior doesn’t head off to be the big man on campus, it’d still be nice to have money around for his wedding, first house, graduation, etc. Or, if he opts to not go to college, toss the money in a Roth IRA and get his retirement well on its way. Or, buy yourself a boat!

There are many financial choices out there, and if you’re new to investing, don’t hesitate to talk to an advisor to get a feel for your options. If you pick a fund with stable, steady growth, the earlier you start, the better. The interest you earn will begin to compound itself, and the benefits of compounding only grow over time. Check out this article at MSN Money

Parenting, Finance, Investing, College

Today’s Tip - Burp your baby for every ounce he eats, or when you switch breasts.

Infants don’t like to be filled with air, and they can get pretty fussy when they are. That’s why its a good idea to burp your baby every ounce if you’re bottle feeding, or when you switch breasts if you’re breastfeeding. You’ll keep the air from building up inside them, and keep them more comfortable. And a comfortable baby is a happy baby.

Parenting, Breastfeeding, Bottle, Feeding

Today’s Tip - Music, lights, massage and other stimulus can help calm your baby down.

It’s bound to happen. Our first happened today…our baby had a fit of crying that food, diaper change and comfort couldn’t fix. He went on and on and on, and finally I turned on some of Count Basic, followed by The Postal Service, and he calmed down. In talking to a couple other parents today, it sounds like most babies have fits like this, so be forewarned, and be sure to have a full arsenal of infant calming techniques like music or massage to battle the inconsolable cry.

Parenting, Cry

Today’s Tip - It’s OK to donate or sell the shower gifts you won’t use.

There’s no sense in keeping the twenty stuffed animals or nine blankets you received between the shower and the birth of your infant. A newborn can’t sleep with anything in the crib anyway because of the danger of SIDs, so you may as well just keep a handful of the multiples you have. There are always worthy charities like the Salvation Army or United Way that will take donations, but if you’re looking to make a buck, there are plenty of buyers out there on ebay.

Parenting, Charity, Donate

Today’s Tip - Feed your baby an ounce an hour as a general rule of thumb

Babies don’t usually overeat, so if you’re worried about him getting too much, its probably a fear you can put to rest. If your baby is eating less and not gaining weight, you should definitely contact your pediatrician. Sometimes your baby will eat one ounce every three hours, and other times he’ll down seven ounces at a feeding. Be in tune with your infant and give him what he needs - if there’s a problem with the amount he’ll let you know by demanding more with a cry or demanding you stop by refusing to suck.

Parenting, Nutrition, Breastfeeding

Today’s Tip - Base feedings, sleep and diaper changes around baby’s schedule, not yours (in the beginning)

While there are plenty of rules and regulations on when you should feed your infant, when he should sleep, etc., there’s no better indicator of what he needs, when he needs it, than him. In the beginning, forcing him to go hours at night between feedings is just going to stress him, and you out.

So for the first month or so, set a loose routine of feeding every 2-3 hours, diaper changes whenever he wants, and do your nightly bedtime routine, but understand that it can and will fluctuate. By setting a loose routine, you’ll be laying the foundation for when it becomes more solidified later. By being flexible, your baby comes to know he can rely on you and you’ll have to deal with less hour long crying sessions because you’re a slave to the schedule.

Parenting, Routine, Schedule