Lessons I’ve RE-Learned with My Second Child

My daughter is now four months old and she is my second. My older daughter is five years old, so it has been a while since I’ve been through this! Here are the things that I have found most important and helpful:

  • Up until 10 weeks, do whatever you can to get you and the baby as much sleep as you can. Don’t worry about “spoiling” him or creating bad habits at this age! Rest is the most important foundation. That goes for new moms too. Ask for help and take a nap whenever you can.

  • After 10 weeks, start putting the baby down for naps in her crib in a dark room with white noise. Dark rooms make all the difference – I’m a fan of contractor bags and painters tape; it’s not pretty but it’s cheap and easy! Continue reading…

A Sick and Sleepless Baby Really “Sucks!”

A few months ago, I heard about a product that helps clears the mucus from a baby’s nose when she’s congested. Nosefrida The Snotsucker Nasal Aspirator is a Swedish product that has parents suck the mucus through a straw out of the baby’s nostril. GROSS – right?!?

Check out their video of how to use the product: NoseFrida Demo Video

“No way,” I said when I heard about this. “There are limits to my love for my daughters,” I thought! Fast forward to this week and I am a new mom….

Continue reading…

How to Get Sleep with a New Baby

I’m not completely sure why, but most women seem to believe that we have to be able to do everything and do it well. I believe this is even more true as a mom. In preparing for the birth of our second daughter, this came up for me again when my sister suggested that I hire someone to help us with the baby. I balked at the idea – after all, wasn’t I supposed to be able to handle everything? I had done ok with our first (although I admit that I was overtired, overwhelmed, and over-extended). Shouldn’t I be more prepared for number two? Inside though, I was secretly thrilled with the idea that I might actually be able to get some sleep in the first few weeks post-delivery. Continue reading…

A New Mom…Again

I became a mom for the second time a month and 4 days ago – but who’s counting? I had forgotten how hard this part of motherhood is. I’m feeling like I have a human attached to me at all times of day. Our daughter would much rather be held than put down. And I’m tired!

This time around, I am much more aware of our baby’s sleep patterns. I try to encourage her to sleep after being awake for an hour to an hour and a half. I recognize that the “witching hour” that everyone talks about from around 4-8pm is probably an indication that Julia is tired. Continue reading…

Preparing for Baby #2

It’s been 5 years since I’ve had a newborn. It’s amazing how much my husband and I have forgotten!  As I get closer and closer to “d-day,” I’ve been frantically emailing my friends and my sister to make sure I haven’t forgotten what I’ll need. In fact, many of the things I thought I needed have been replaced with newer, better, safer items. It’s pretty amazing how quickly the world of child-rearing changes! Continue reading…

Taming Time Zone Trauma

Traveling anywhere with young children is a challenge. Add crossing time zones into the mix, and many parents feel like they are entering the danger zone. Adults often feel the effects of jet lag when changing as few as two or three zones, so imagine how kids feel! No wonder we get so many panicked questions from parents asking for guidance to help their kids sleep well and adjust to time zone changes. Continue reading…

Travel Sleep Tips: Keep Calm and Carry On

5 tips to keep sleep on track on vacation

Summer is officially here, and for those of us in the US, July 4th means travel for many families. If you have traveled with young children before, you know that it’s likely this adventure will create upheaval with even the best sleepers. Here are a few of our favorite tips to help you keep your kids’ sleep on track when you travel. Continue reading…