Tips For Mom
Baby Proofing Your Home
Should be done before your baby can crawl or walk. Get down on your hands and knees – at baby level – to see your home through your baby’s eyes. Outlets, cords, electrical wires, houseplants, trashcans and unstable furniture that your baby can pull over all pose risks. Your sales associate can walk you through the different options to help you in all areas of baby safety. You’ll probably be surprised at how many solutions there are to different hazards and how a simple, small investment can help prevent a major disaster. Many parents register for safety items before their baby is born, making sure that buying these all-important products doesn’t get put to the side once the baby arrives. You’ve probably heard it a million times, but they do grow up fast. Some forethought in this arena will pay off in the long run, making your life easier and your child’s life safer in the long run..
Common Safety Practices
Cribs
Choose a firm mattress and use
a crib sheet that fits tightly around the
mattress corners. Space between
the
mattress and crib side should be no more
than the width of two fingers. Crib slats
should be spaced no more than 2 3/8” apart
to keep your baby’s head or other body
parts from getting caught.
Changing Tables or Dressers
Changing tables and dressers make excellent utility pieces, with their room for storage of baby’s needed items. If using a changing table use one withstraps to restrain your baby, but don’t rely on them exclusively. Never turn your back on your baby or leave her even for a second when she is on the changing table, or in the tub for that matter. If using a dresser, make sure you purchase a changing pad with straps and fasteners that will attach to the back of the dresser to ensure stability or use a non-skid pad that prevents movement.
Pregnancy is a Time of Enormous Change
Eat Healthy
Continue healthy eating patterns but remember pregnant women need an extra 300 calories a day for the baby’s health. Fruits, vegetables, wholegrain, calcium-rich foods and lean cuts of meat are important. Fish and shellfish are generally considered healthy foods, rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. But some (swordfish, tilefish, king mackerel, shark or raw and uncooked fish or shellfish) should be avoided due to high mercury levels which can affect your baby’s developing brain. Average healthy weight gain is 25-35 pounds.
Sleep and Exercise
Try to get 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night throughout your pregnancy. Your body is working extra hard and needs the rest.
Regular exercise will help keep dwindling energy levels up. Many types of exercise may be safe during pregnancy. Low-impact exercise is best and most comfortable for you. Walking is an excellent example. Remember to drink lots of water and take lots of breaks. Avoid activities where you can get kicked such as kickboxing or soccer or where you can fall like horseback riding or skiing. Your physician is an important part of your pregnancy and is a partner in helping you stay healthy throughout. Talk to your doctor about what’s right for you in terms of diet and exercise and how you can best take care of yourself and your baby over the coming months. In the end, the amazing process your body will go through during pregnancy will be well worth it when you meet your beautiful new baby.