Baby Archives - Painter Mommy

Baby Bounty – 7 Essentials That Should Always Be In Your Diaper Bag

December 10, 2020 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

Packing a diaper bag is something you should only need to do once. From there, it’s a simple matter of keeping your supplies topped and adding anything you might require for a particular trip. It’s important to work with the basics that everyone needs but also add in the unique items that your baby might benefit from.

To help you perfect the packing process, here are seven essentials that should always be in your diaper bag:

Nappy Rash Cream

Nappy rash cream serves more than one purpose. There’s the obvious – it soothes sore skin affected by a nappy rash – but it serves a few other purposes too. The zinc oxide contained in creams like Sudocrem nappy rash cream can cool hot skin, making it a decent after-sun ointment if you don’t have any soothing aftersun gel handy. It’s also effective as an emergency sunscreen on young skin if you don’t have an alternative nearby.

Nappies

It goes without saying, but it’s surprisingly easy to overlook. You always need a few spare diapers/nappies in your diaper bag, so pack a few more than you believe you might need. The rising trend of organic cloth diapers (often made from organic cotton or bamboo) calls for a few waterproof bags too. There’s nothing as frustrating as trying to transport wet reusable nappies, so these bags will be lifesavers.

A Change Of Clothes

Young babies tend to spit up quite often as they haven’t quite developed the ability to keep everything down. While this is generally normal (except in diagnosed cases of reflux), it calls for some preparation ahead of time. Keep a fresh change of clothes handy in your diaper bag. Even for older babies, the possibility of spilling on themselves remains an ever-present risk, so a change of clothes is always useful.

A Burp Cloth

A burp cloth is usually made from some sort of toweling and it’s a useful tool for cleaning vomit, spilled beverages, and food mess. A burp cloth dipped in water also serves as a useful wipe for cleaning faces and hands, when needed.

A Blanket Or Comfort Toy

Each child has their own comfort item. A blanket is common as the fleece material is so soft and soothing. Children also sometimes have a particular toy they’ve bonded with. It’s imperative to include this in your diaper bag – weaning a child from their beloved comfort item doesn’t need to happen until they’re older.

A Bottle Of Water

Water is essential for all life on Earth, and it’s also essential for your diaper bag. Whether you need to quench your thirst or use it as lubrication with which to clean a dirty face, water is always useful to have on hand.

Baby Wipes

Baby wipes are gentle enough for use on young and sensitive skin but tough enough to remove dirt and a good number of germs too. Always opt for baby wipes as opposed to regular wet wipes as the latter are not designed for use on young children. They contain harsh ingredients, so it’s not uncommon for them to cause rashes if applied to baby skin.

Fill your diaper bag with the seven essentials above, and you’ll be armed and ready to handle any situations that may arise with your little one. Parents of children with allergies or other special needs can complete the bag with the medical supplies and other specific accessories needed.

The Shame Game – 4 Ridiculous Things New Moms Are Shamed For (And Why It Should Stop)

August 24, 2020 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

The parenting community is divided on many issues, making it difficult for parents to know whether or not they are making good choices for their children. Here are four ridiculous things new moms are shamed for, and why it should stop:

Choosing To Breastfeed Or Formula Feed

Of all of the controversies that currently plague the world of new mamas, this is probably the hottest debate – breast vs. formula. So many people dogmatically insist that “breast is best” and the underlying tone implies that if you really love your baby, you will do whatever it takes to provide breast milk. Though breast might be the natural method, at the end of the day, what matters is ensuring a child is fed.

On the other side of the debate, moms who opt for infant formula often categorize breastfeeding moms as judgemental and self-righteous by default. This can lead to them judging moms who breastfeed in public or continue to breastfeed when their baby is a toddler. The truth is, none of the judgement on either side of the debate is helping anyone.

Choosing To Stay At Home Or Go Back To Work

Stay home, or return to work? There’s such a horribly skewed perception of both working moms and stay-at-home moms. Setting aside the practical aspect – many moms need to work in order to support the family – there’s also the question of choice. You can’t pour from an empty cup, and what fills one mom’s cup might empty another’s.

One mom might find the idea of working and raising children overwhelming. Another mom might need to maintain her identity outside of the dirty diapers and laundry. The best mom is the mom whose needs are met. No-one gets to decide for another what her needs might be.

How They Gave Birth

Does natural birth automatically better qualify a mom? One would think that in this day and age, we can see past something like the way in which a baby arrived in the world. C-section rates have risen across the globe, and while many of them are not necessary, the truth is that it’s no-one else’s business. While many people are happy to share interesting tales of their birth, it’s an incredibly intimate process that is deeply personal. The only appropriate response to hearing another’s birth story is compassion, you never know if a mother is deeply grieving over the fact that she didn’t get the birth she wanted.

Choosing A Vegan Lifestyle

Vegan moms have heard it all – “your breastmilk won’t have enough protein,” “you won’t be able to recover your strength after giving birth,” “you won’t have the energy to care for your child.” The truth is that any group of people that restricts certain foods will be populated by those who are doing it properly and those who aren’t.

Unfortunately, many vegans are nutrient-deficient simply because they don’t eat a balance of healthy foods. This can happen whether you are vegan or not. Moms should have the freedom to rebuild their strength and enter motherhood following the eating plan that makes them feel empowered and able to be the best mom possible, without judgment.

The natural conclusion that flows from these debates is that you should be the mom you want to be. Frustrating though it may be, you will face criticism regardless of what you do. Both sides to any argument have some valid points, but also some potentially negative outcomes. When you follow your heart, it’s easier to embrace the effects of your decisions.

Top 10 Tips For Introducing Solid Food to Your Baby

September 3, 2019 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

Starting your baby on solid food is an exciting yet intimidating milestone. Baby food is mostly mashed up food, how difficult can it be? It is a bit more elaborate than that. You are essentially teaching your baby how to eat. That’s right, babies have to learn how to chew and swallow. And their body is becoming accustomed to digesting something other than breastmilk and formula.

Typically, 5 to 6 months is the ideal age to introduce solid food to a baby’s diet. This is when a baby can sit with support and has neck and head control. However, you shouldn’t rush feeding solids; duly consult your pediatrician to learn the right time to begin.

We have put together some helpful tips to help you embark on this tricky new phase.

Start slow

Eating food is an entirely new experience for your child. Taking that into account, try to space out introducing a new food by 2-3 days. Not only will this allow your baby to familiarise with different tastes and textures, but it’s also easier to detect any allergies or intolerances.

Usually, symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea or rashes appear within a few hours of eating. In such cases, consult a physician immediately.

Take your time

Even adults need time to get accustomed to a new cuisine. Similarly, your baby will start enjoying solids only after a few tries. It takes 10 or more tries before your baby will accept a new food.

So don’t throw in the towel if your baby initially rejects the food. Keep trying with gaps in between or mix it with something your baby already enjoys.

Don’t shy away from the variety

The assortment of baby food available will truly astonish you. You can start with simple foods such as apple sauce, rice cereal, mashed bananas and pureed squash and then move on to complex items.

Alternating between different foods will keep your baby interested, and something will certainly strike his/her fancy! You can get everything from apple cereal to pureed meat on BritSuperstore.

Seasoning is fine

Of course, at first, you should start with completely bland food. But eventually, there is no harm in introducing some seasoning into the mix. A bit of salt, cinnamon or cumin is perfectly fine.

Meat is fine too

Baby food isn’t just limited to fruits and vegetables. You can add pureed beef or chicken to your baby’s diet. Eating meat ensures proper intake of iron and zinc, which are important nutrients for growth and development.

Veggies before fruit

Though there is no solid evidence that a baby would prefer fruits over vegetables, it’s better to stay on the safer side. It’s recommended to start vegetables before fruits as the baby isn’t used to the sweetness of fruits.

Avoid sugar and other additives

Carefully read the label and reviews before purchasing any baby food. Stay clear of added sugars and preservatives. Thickening agents such as flour and starch are a big no-no. They are difficult to digest and lack nutrients. Also, avoid highly salted food.

Get organic food

Organic food is highly nutritious and safe. Look for organic baby food with no added preservatives or sugars. If you are unable to find affordable, organic baby food, you can always get organic ingredients and make it at home.

Focus on solids

When you are introducing new foods, keep it limited to solids. Avoid overly sugary juices that promise nutrients and vitamins. These just add unnecessary sugars and preservatives to a baby’s diet.

Use a spoon

Though food pouches are quite convenient for feeding, they don’t actually teach your baby how to eat. Whether you are feeding from a jar or a pouch, use a spoon.

In conclusion, learning how to eat and enjoy food takes time, so be patient. If you are confused about anything, it’s always advisable to reach out to a doctor.

How To Calculate Your Due Date And How Many Weeks Pregnant You Are

April 16, 2019 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

In ancient Egypt, the Egyptians used a woman’s urine to establish if she was pregnant or not. They would urinate on certain grains and if the grains germinated, the woman knew she was pregnant. Imagine having to wait a few days for the result. Fortunately for us, times have changed, now we simply pee on a plastic stick and we have the results in a matter of minutes.

When you do find out that you’re pregnant, one of the greatest joys is knowing exactly when to expect your baby’s appearance into the world. This gives you a sense of control so that you can plan everything in advance and prepare yourself for your little one’s arrival.

Continue reading to find out how to calculate your due date so you can be prepared for your little one’s grand entrance into the world.

Using Dates

Most women are not 100% sure when they ovulated or when conception took place. To help in ascertaining the due date, science has made it quite easy. Your due date or EDD, Estimated Date of Delivery, is calculated by adding 280 days or 40 weeks to the first day of a woman’s last menstrual period. This might seem a bit odd because you were not pregnant on the first day of your period, but this helps the medical field to calculate your due date as precisely as they can. You can, therefore, take the date of your last period and use a diary and start adding 280 days to find your due date.

Ultrasound

Another way to calculate your EDD and therefore how many weeks pregnant you are is by asking your doctor to do an ultrasound. This is done in the first trimester, and the earlier the better. This is because the measurements provided in the first trimester are the most accurate estimation of your baby’s age because all fetuses tend to develop at the same rate.

The doctor will measure the baby from one end to the other, also known as the crown-rump length (CRL). Due to decades of research on many embryos and their crown-rump length measurements, the doctor will be able to give you a precise due date. Determining the EDD is generally not done this way in the second and third trimester because babies development rates are different in these gestation periods.

Due Date Calculator

But what if you can’t get to your doctor just yet and you really want to know your due date and how many weeks pregnant you are? Then, the due date calculator is the easiest way to calculate your due date. There are loads of apps and websites that you can use. All you have to do is enter the first day of your last period date and it automatically calculates your due date.

These handy tools use Naegele’s rule. This rule states that if you add one year from the date of your last menstrual period and subtract 3 months and add 7 days to that date, it will give an accurate due date. But instead of you having to figure it out, it does it for you automatically.

Accuracy

Very few babies are born on their projected due dates. They either make their appearance a few weeks before or a few weeks after the EDD. There are some other factors which may influence your due date, for example, if progesterone levels climbed more slowly in the first weeks of gestation, the baby can take longer to come. Also, the longer the embryo took to implant, the longer the gestation period.

Basically, the baby’s development rate causes late or early birth. In other words, the baby will come when he/she is good and ready. Think of it this way. Parenthood is a great way to work on the patience aspect of our personalities. Baby is just giving you a sneak peek of what’s coming.

It’s All Good

Whether your baby is early or late, try not to fixate on that date. Rather start daydreaming of the birthday parties, hugs, and kisses that you will share with your baby. And enjoy your pregnancy. It really is a miracle from heaven. You were chosen to be this baby’s mother and you are going to be a great one!

An Overview Of Formula Milk And How It Can Benefit Your Family

February 19, 2019 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

It is an exciting time to be a new parent – exciting but also harrowing when it comes to deciding the best way to do just about everything. With regards to feeding your child and ensuring their growth and development, it can be difficult to get the best information. There are many conflicting opinions over concepts such as formula milk and it can be difficult to know what to do!

Naturally, there are a variety of opinions on this matter but it is always best to know the facts of the matter. Some people swear by the ‘breast is best’ rule when it comes to feeding their child but formula milk should not be overlooked as it has a lot of benefits to offer.

Let’s take a closer look at formula milk and how it can be of benefit for your family.

Formula Milk Helps Progressive Parenting

If you are looking to establish a more equal parenting regime in your household, formula feeding your child can help to ensure that no one parent is the primary caregiver. In our contemporary society, formula milk can provide a great option for progressive parents who want to ensure that each parent has equal responsibilities with the newborn. In the long run, this can also lead to more balanced family dynamics when your child is older.

Formula Milk Is Convenient For New Mothers

While it can sometimes be looked down upon by your breastfeeding friends, pay this no mind. Formula feeding can provide a higher degree of convenience and freedom for new mothers. After giving birth, new mothers should be able to take advantage of alternating breastfeeding with formula feeding to give themselves a break. It can be easier for both your bodily health but also on your mental health. You can also eat and drink whatever you would like, as it will not affect the newborn.

For working mothers, formula feeding can also provide a number of real benefits. While it is completely natural, contemporary breastfeeding usually requires mothers to carry a lot of equipment with them. By formula feeding, you can cut down on this hassle and settle into the convenience of simply using a bottle.

Formula milk also has the fantastic advantage of being easily quantifiable; that is, you can measure the amount of nutrition that your newborn is getting. On the other hand, breastfeeding can create some ambiguity in knowing if your baby is being adequately fed or not.

Formula Milk Makes For A Healthy Family

Thankfully, formula milk offers a nutritious alternative to natural milk. Better yet, it often contains vitamins and minerals that are absent from breastmilk. Substances such as vitamin D and the fatty acid DHA are essential for the healthy development of your child. Both are commonly found in formula milk.

It is important to read the labels on any formula products that your baby will be consuming to ensure that they are getting what they need. This can even promote a healthier environment for the rest of your family with regard to nutrition awareness. If you want to ensure that your whole family – especially your newborn – is healthy, then certainly consider formula milk as a viable option.

The Benefits Of Formula Milk Are Many

Choosing to use formula milk instead of breastfeeding carries with it a number of real benefits – for you, your newborn, and your family. While it is not always an easy choice to make, in light of polarizing cultural and even political views, no one should be shamed for choosing formula. Whatever you decide to do with your newborn, make sure that your entire household is on track to be healthy and happy.