new baby

First Time Mom Tips from a Mom of Three

November 22, 2017 by Kathryn 13 Comments

Being a first time mom can be overwhelming, especially in the first year! From post-partum recovery, to adjusting to a new sleep schedule (or lack thereof!), to learning to recognize your baby’s cries and wants, the first year is a struggle for even the strongest of women. To help make baby’s first year a memorable one for you and baby, these three tips may get you through the first milestones with ease:

Take a Postnatal Vitamin

Most new moms walk around in a state of exhaustion. Eating well can be tough when caring for a newborn, so taking a postnatal vitamin can fill in any nutritional gaps and help give you and baby what you need when nursing. First Response Prenatal & Postnatal Gummy Multivitamins are a go-to. They come in an easy to take gummy format – perfect for pregnancy and beyond to provide calcium and other essential nutrients, like B vitamins and folate. [Read more…]

Treat a New Little One to Personalized Baby Gifts from Stuck On You-Giveaway

November 13, 2017 by Kathryn 51 Comments

When I was a child, I didn’t have much luck finding personalized items. I love the non-traditional spelling of my name, but it did mean that the racks of personalized pencils, mugs and magnets in malls never had an item that said “Kathryn.” Perhaps because of that, I am a sucker for personalized products.

And though my new baby Cormac has an uncommon name as well, I know that he’ll never have the same problem I did! The Internet has given me all kinds of ways of creating custom products personalized just as I want. And one of my very favourite personalizing companies, Stuck On You, recently let me create Cormac’s very first personalized baby gifts!

[Read more…]

Five Essential Gift Ideas for New Babies

November 10, 2017 by Kathryn 37 Comments

With Cormac in the house, I’ve been having a blast discovering some new baby essentials that I never knew I needed. Products have changed a lot since my older two boys were babies, and stocking my house with the best of them has been so much fun. If you’re in search of gift ideas for new babies, or just want to check out some fun new products for your little one, these five items are sure to be a hit.

Baby Butz Cream

This diaper cream is the ultimate in protecting my baby’s delicate skin and preventing diaper rash. Putting it on is a bit of a trick…this stuff is sticky! But just a bit is enough to ensure my baby’s skin is protected from irritation. And once it’s on, it works all day to keep Cormac’s bottom feeling comfortable. Plus, Baby Butz Cream is 100% natural! [Read more…]

Having a Baby? Always Say Yes to These Offers of Help!

May 18, 2017 by Kathryn 5 Comments

This post is part of the YummyMummyClub.ca and NUK Canada Simply Natural #SimplyNatural sponsored program. I received compensation as a thank you for my participation. This post reflects my personal opinion about the information provided by the sponsors.

As the oldest of five children, I had plenty of exposure to babies…and the work that they can create! I still remember helping my mom with things like changing diapers, walking my siblings in a stroller and even babysitting in the later years. So, when my oldest son was born, I felt pretty confident in my ability to take care of him. Then I realized just how exhausting motherhood really is!

I still remember my earliest inexperienced moments of feeling like I needed to do everything, especially right after my baby was born. My mom came to visit and help for about a week after I’d given birth, and rather than accepting the help that was offered, I spent most of my time foolishly tiring myself out making sure the house was clean and meals were cooked so her visit would be pleasant! Luckily, I learned quickly that motherhood is much easier with a little help from family and friends. And now that I’m just two months away from the birth of my third son, I’m ready and willing to accept all the help that’s offered. Getting ready to become a mother for the first time? Make sure you always say, “Yes!” if people offer to help with any of these things!

Feeding the Baby

There’s no decision more personal than that of figuring out how to feed your newborn, but no matter what option is best for you and your little one, there are ways that your family and friends can help and support you! I was determined to breastfeed my babies, but I hadn’t expected it to be so challenging to figure out initially. My nipples cracked and bled, and I spent the first few days wiping away tears as I nursed. Of course, I wasn’t sure if I was doing something wrong, or if breastfeeding would get easier. A good latch? Milk coming in? What did that mean? Asking my mom and other adult friends for advice was invaluable and helped me persevere until I’d become a breastfeeding pro. [Read more…]

How To Save Money When You Create a Child’s Nursery

February 10, 2017 by Kathryn 2 Comments

Welcoming a new baby into your home is a special time. So chances are that you want to try to create the best nursery ever for your bundle of joy. While this is completely understandable, it’s not financially achievable for many people. After all, the decorations and furniture in a nursery soon become obsolete as a child grows. And spending too much initially means less to spend on clothing, books, toys and more as the months go by.

The good news is that you can still create a dreamy nursery for your baby without spending an excessive amount of money. Here are a few tips on how to do that!

Be Realistic About What You Can Spend

One of the biggest factors that can cause overspending when designing a nursery is not having a set budget beforehand. It’s a bad idea to just jump online or head to the store and start making purchases. Sit down and work out how much money you can realistically afford to spend on creating the nursery. [Read more…]