Are You Ready for Another Baby?

The period between the births of your children should be your own decision. If you have one already, you’ve probably been asked about the next one. However, even if you get these questions, only you and your spouse should decide when the right time to be ready for another baby is. But, parents are often not sure if they want it or when. There are different opinions on the age difference between siblings, which often confuses young parents and make them feel pressured. Here are some of the main things you should check to see if you are ready for a new addition to the family.

Having more than one kid is great but are you ready for another baby?

Some useful info on the age difference between siblings

There is a research that has shown some information about different gaps between the first and the second born baby:

·         the smallest gap, being pregnant less than six months after giving birth, carries a certain risk of the baby being premature. The pregnancies that happen up to 17 months after the first baby was born carry smaller amount of risk.

·         a bit longer gap, up to 24 months seems the healthiest for the baby;

·         even longer gap, longer than 5 years, carries the same risks as when the baby is conceived just after a couple of months – the baby can be premature and underweight.

Of course, this information is based on research and doesn’t make a strict rule. Again, the gap is right when parents decide that they are ready for another baby.

Common challenges when another baby comes

Having a child is beautiful yet not that easy. It doesn’t get easier with the second one, either. Some common issues may happen, but you need to act wisely and do everything you can to solve them. Here are some of them:

·         Jealousy – the most common issue when another baby comes is that your first born becomes jealous. First kids can become mad and start crying for no reason. One way to solve this is to start preparing your first born way before the second baby comes. Tell them stories;let them imagine the baby’s looks, etc. Teach your kid how to love the baby even before it comes to your home. The best time to start – when your child asks you “What’s in your stomach, Mom?”

·         sleepless nights – you may be lucky to have kids sleep through the night. However, the first couple of months can be rough with night feedings and the first child waking up. Be sure to get some help, if possible. This way you can focus on the kids and leave the house chores to somebody else.

·         multitasking affect mom’s attention – having to take care of two babies may result in mom’s attention deficit. This may be problematic at first, but later on, it can come out great, as your kids will start taking care of themselves, and stop needing their mom all the time.

·         less time to bond with the baby – when you had your first baby, you focused on bonding and long feedings. This time, it is a bit difficult to do it, because you need to pay attention to both kids almost all the time. The solution – get someone to be with the older child, so you can have some time to keep the baby comfortable and get to know each other.

First-borns are often great bigger brother/sister, but sometimes they are not ready for another baby in the house

Mom’s age

Many moms feel pressured to have another baby because of their age. It’s true that age can affect the possibility to get pregnant, but it’s not the strict rule again. The truth is, if you are 20-something years old, you can be relaxed and prolong it a bit more.

Disagreement between spouses

A common issue about pregnancies is parents disagreeing whether or not they are ready for another baby. If you are both in the same place about this – it’s amazing. However, if you don’t share the same opinion, and one of you doesn’t want to do it just yet, it’s time to talk about it. Talk about the reasons for not being ready for another baby, or even possible fears and issues. Don’t force finding a solution right away, but talk and try to understand each other.

The finances

Another question parents ask when they are wondering whether they are ready for another baby is about finances. Once you think about all the things you need to buy when having a baby, you may start worrying.  Since moms find it difficult to work when another baby comes, the budget may look like a problem. So if you think both parents need to have full-time jobs, consider hiring a nanny, or think about childcare services.

Parents often think that finances also decide if you are ready for another baby

Is your house ready for another baby or you need to move?

A growing family is one of the common reasons why people choose to move. If you don’t have enough space, consider moving into a larger home, so your kids can be comfortable. Be sure to read everything you need to know about housing in New York and find the perfect location for you and your babies. Also, be sure to move before the second baby comes, so you can welcome the baby into the new home and take care of it without stress.

Will move cost a lot?

It doesn’t have to. If you plan everything in advance, you will have a clear idea of your moving costs and you can see where you can save. Just be sure to calculate your moving expenses in advance, so you can prepare the moving budget and avoid unpleasant surprises.

Baby equipment means less space in our home

Having a baby means all the baby equipment will take over the most rooms in the houses – crib, feeding chair, baby closet, toys, etc. Very often, parents need to rearrange their furniture and remove some of the currently unnecessary items. However, you shouldn’t worry about losing some of your favorite things. You don’t need to sell or give them away – you can always find affordable storage units in NY. This way, you can keep your items safe until your baby grows a bit, and makes some room to bring your favorites back.

Your kids deserve the best home, so be sure to find the perfect one before the new baby comes

Conclusion

As you can see, the answer to the famous question “Are you ready for another baby?” depends on each individual couple. The factors are numerous, but at the end of the day, it’s about how you feel. Also, sometimes baby comes without planning, so they bring you joy without you ever going through all these factors and thinking about it over and over again. Be sure to enjoy being a parent and give your kids the most memorable childhood, regardless of the age difference between them.

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Infant Care Learning

Many people may not realize it, but even infants are busy learning about life and emotions. How do they do that and also develop fine and gross motor skills and other fundamental skills that they will need for everyday life?  It happens when those around them cuddle and hug them, talk and sing to them, play music, and read Mother Goose and other stories to them. It is believed that children learn best through playing and being nurtured, so outstanding education programs have been designed on that basis.

image:www.pandahugs.com/infant-care-program

Infants spend their first year learning to feel secure by being loved and constantly learning new things. They can hear and see what is happening and can communicate their needs and interests. They have the ability to see faces around them and objects of different sizes, shapes, and colors. They can tell the different voices of their parents and others. The growth of the baby’s brain is affected by the care and experiences provided to them, and each infant has a different personality or style from all other babies. Amazingly, most infants can do all those things as soon as they are born.

If you are looking for that type of infant care Tampa area to extend the wonderful home care, Panda Hugs is an excellent example of a licensed and regularly inspected daycare that has created a program that is specifically tailored to your young child’s needs for the critical and important elements of discovery and curiosity even at the earliest times of their lives.

At the family-owned-and-operated Panda Hugs, the specialists will be happy to take the time to discuss with you the special services that they offer. You are also welcome to visit their location, tour the facilities, get more details about the child care learning center, and meet their caring professional staff. They have been there for more than 20 years, were one of the very first child care centers in that area, and many of their staff members have been with them for over a dozen years. Their program gives the perfect foundation for a child's lifetime of learning.

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Choosing the Right Newborn Photographer For You

You expect the newest person in your loved ones soon, and also you are likely researching the perfect photographer to capture this amazing section in your history. Your baby will only be this little for a short while, so that it is important to report this time to keep in mind those very small details. Newborn portraits are probably the most important photographs you will ever before have. You can not go back in time and recreate them, so choosing you to definitely tell this tale is very important. Newborn picture taking is unlike some other genera. Your photographer can not only be creating memories to last an eternity, but they may also be caring for your brand-new baby throughout your experience. You want to make certain your child is in the best and safest hands possible. Here are some facts to consider whenever choosing your newborn photographer. Please feel free to contact Ashley with any questions you may have regarding newborn photography, security, posing, and the knowledge in general.

Safety

Choosing a new baby photographer can be an frustrating experience. Particularly when considering every one of the factors that produce the perfect choice. The security of your newborn is the main factor when contemplating your newborn photographer. Once you entrust your baby into another persons biceps and triceps at 5-15 times of life, then you want a person who truly needs into consideration every one of the safeness factors. You have researched the best strollers, child car seats, cribs and even more. Why wouldn’t you prolong the same degree of care when choosing somebody who will handle your child?

Because someone has newborn photography listed on their social media and website does not make sure they are the safest & most qualified person to handle your brand-new baby. For instance, does indeed your photographer use a spotter/assistant for newborn photography sessions? Possessing a spotter present throughout your session is essential to ensuring your baby is safe at all times. Some images the thing is that are complicatedly composited photographs that are manipulated in Photoshop to attain the final result, and if indeed they were attempted by themselves could endanger your baby. I have a tuned assistant at every single studio newborn program. She always has hands and eye on baby to ensure baby is in the safest environment possible.

Experience and Education

Just how much experience, specifically with newborns, does your photographer have? Most of us start somewhere, so I am defiantly not hoping to place down a new newborn photographer (so long as they are simply trained in basic safety). Has your photographer considered workshops/mentorships on safeness, posing, and lighting? How many years have they been photographing newborns? Do the focus on newborns? It is important to note that someone with more experience with newborns will not only produce a top quality of experience and images, but also offers the skills to sooth baby throughout your period, and keep baby calm and comfortable. Just about everyone has been told the horror stories of inexperienced photographer taking on a newborn pondering it’ll be easy. That is an art. It is not simple, and requires a lot of patience, focus on the littlest details, and genuine service in the little life you are trusted with. Please do not be the horror report and take your photographer experience under consideration.

(Ashley has been in person and expertly trained by the best Los Angeles newborn photographer on the planet, and continues to help expand her education every year in newborn portraiture.)

Style

There are many different varieties of newborn photography. It’s important to note what style you are drawn to, what type of session you are feeling preferred with, and a photographer who does it well.

During posed classes your sleeping baby is gently guided into beautiful curled finished posed, snuggly wrapped, and place in cute props. These sessions are usually highly stylized by the photographer depending on the artistic style. For instance, I have a tendency to photograph a more monochromatic style with timeless colors and props verses bright colors and trendy props. This type of session takes a high level of knowledge from the photographer and generally continues 2 to 4 time, and baby should be under 2 weeks of age.

Lifestyle sessions mostly concentrate on the connections and love that family tell their new little one. These sessions are incredibly relaxed, tend to be more lenient with age, and happen in the comfort of your house. 

Ashley is skilled and experienced enough to provide each kind of session.

Timing

One of the key questions asked when arranging newborn portraits is, when is the optimum time to photo baby? Babies increase so fast, so it is important to capture them early.

The first fourteen days of life babies are tiny, squishy, and further sleepy. This is the perfect time to truly have a portrait time done. Ashley typically recommends between 5-14 times old for posed studio room session or more to 4 weeks old for life style periods. Ashley’s preferred a long time is 6-10 days old.

Preparation

An excellent newborn photographer is normally booked months in advance, takes the time to hear your preferences, and walks you through the complete experience. A questionnaire before the session allows the photographer to access know your family better, also to hear your eyesight for your time. She should send details about how to get ready for your procedure, how to dress, and what things to expect from your program. Many of these elements help create a successful newborn procedure.

Budget

The elephant in the room… The price for newborn portraiture may differ greatly. Some what to consider are session duration, where you are, the photographer’s experience, their degree of training, and equipment (including props) employed by the potential photographer.

It’s important to keep in mind that photographer put much more into a time than just the time spent to you. A photographer running a legal business with insurance, plenty of training and other business bills will more often than not become more expensive. When scheduling your period, remember, you get what you pay for.

“Beautiful newborn portraiture is an excellent luxury, which is worth the investment. They are just this little for a time".

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7 Ways To Keep Your Baby Comfortable and Well Rested

The arrival of a new baby is a joyous time, but a baby in the house can also bring about new stress and uncertainty. There is no how-to manual for parents. Many new moms and dads may feel like they've been thrown into the deep end of the pool, particularly when it comes to ensuring their baby's comfort and keeping them calm and relaxed. Babies are notoriously fussy during their first few weeks and months of life, particularly at night, so keeping a new baby comfortable and well rested can sometimes feel like a losing battle. But there are some simple steps you can take to ensure your baby's comfort and overall well-being for an easier parenting experience.

image:pixabay.com/en/baby-birth-child-soft-newborn-718146

1. Provide Skin to Skin Contact

Babies benefit from direct skin contact with their parents. Resting your baby stomach-down on your chest for two to three hours a day can help calm the baby, prevent infections, and improve the baby's breathing. This practice, sometimes referred to as kangaroo care, is also a great bonding opportunity for you and your baby. Kangaroo care was originally designed to help care for premature babies, but has since been shown to have many benefits for any baby. The more time you can spend with your baby making close contact, the better, so you can also follow this method anytime you're holding or soothing your baby.

2. Swaddling Your Baby

Wrapping your baby up snugly in a blanket, also called swaddling, not only helps keep your baby warm and comfortable, but it also limits the startling reflex so your baby will be less likely to be startled awake. You can use virtually any blanket to swaddle your baby. It's important to swaddle your baby safely, so make sure to study up before you attempt it. This easy guide will give you step-by-step instructions on how to safely swaddle your baby. Many hospital maternity wards also offer lessons.

3. Don't React to Crying Too Quickly

Many new parents will instinctually run into their baby's room at the first sound of crying. But many babies rustle or even cry briefly while sleeping without actually waking up. If you wake the baby while still asleep, you'll disrupt their sleep cycle, which can lead to some long, sleepless nights. If you hear your baby rustle or cry in the middle of the night, the best strategy is to wait a moment or two and make sure your baby is actually awake before you offer comfort.

4. Look Out For Teething

Most babies will start teething by age six months. Teething can cause soreness and tenderness in the gums, which can make your baby cranky and irritable. If your baby is drooling, chewing on objects, and has a low fever, teething may be to blame. You can relieve your baby's discomfort by offering a cold washcloth or chilled teething ring, rubbing the baby's gums, and feeding more solid foods that can be gnawed on. Pressure on the gums can help alleviate the pain of teething.

5. Give Your Baby A Massage

Studies show that a gentle massage can help new parents bond with their baby. It's also beneficial to the baby and has been shown to have a calming effect and boosting immune function. A gentle massage while your baby is calm and quiet but not quite ready to fall asleep is a great way to help him/her gently fall to sleep. This is a particularly great strategy for new dads, who often feel cut out of the bonding loop since the mother does the breastfeeding.

6. Use White Noise

Just like adults, babies often respond to the relaxing effects of white noise. A fan placed on a low setting can help soothe your baby to sleep. You can also try a white noise machine or a baby monitor designed to produce white noise. Finally, you can act as your own white noise machine: a gentle "shhhh" sound as you gently rock your baby can have a relaxing effect. There are also many apps that you can download for free to turn your smartphone into a white noise machine. Of course, not all babies will respond to white noise. If white noise seems to be disrupting, rather than helping, your baby, consider other alternatives.

7. Keep the Room Comfortable

A comfortable room makes for a comfortable baby. A good rule of thumb is to keep your baby's room around sixty-eight to seventy-two degrees. Remember, if the room is too warm or too cold for you, it's too warm or cold for your baby. An optimum temperature will make it easier for your baby to fall asleep and stay asleep. Be sure to keep an eye out for signs of overheating like damp hair, flushed cheeks, or rapid breathing. Placing your baby's crib in your room for the first six months of life can help as well. You should also be sure to minimize the number of blankets and layers you put in the crib, particularly in summer months.

A new baby can and should be an exciting time. When it comes to keeping your baby comfortable, there are no sure-fire strategies that will work every time. But supplementing the tips above with cosy cots can help keep your baby comfortable, relaxed, and well-rested. It's no secret that a happy baby means happy parents, and with a little time and effort, both can be achieved.

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