This post was written by JayDee Vykoukal from Mom Blog Life. Becoming a parent is an exciting and joyous experience, but it also comes with challenges. One common challenge that many new parents face is experiencing feelings of sadness and mood changes after their baby is born. With such a huge life change, who wouldn’t […]
After my fourth child was born (via my fourth c-section), I couldn’t have anything to eat at first. It’s the rule right after surgery, even though I hadn’t eaten in almost 24 hours and my gurgly stomach needed something to settle down. But they did let me have some fluids. I remember asking for chocolate
Is a Restricted Diet Necessary When Breastfeeding a Baby with Food Allergies? Read More »
My baby just turned one (sniffle, sniffle)! This is the fourth time we’ve celebrated a first birthday in our family…and it never gets easier. Something about that transition from baby to toddler is so hard for Mama! I think this one is especially hard, knowing it is our last time. I love watching my kids
Low Sugar Gluten-Free Parsnip Cupcakes: Perfect for a First Birthday! Read More »
Is your baby’s colon worth having pretty eyelashes? Would you trade your child’s ability to poop for a pretty smelling shampoo? Let’s make a deal: You get convenient spray sunscreen, your newborn gets bowel surgery. Sound like a plan? This is the trade-off pregnant women using conventional beauty products may be making every day because
As parents, we want to do what’s best for our kids. It’s important to find safe sunscreens for infants under 6 months. Here are the best organic and natural sunscreens for babies. Because of all my work finding the best natural sunscreens for you guys, I get asked a LOT about safe sunscreens for babies
You CAN Put Sunscreen on Babies Safely – Best Choices Here! Read More »
Chill, Mama. That karate chop I busted out on poor Uncle Charlie when he made an attempt to give my first baby a bite of dirt cake at 7 months old? May have been overkill, it turns out. When that little-baby-who-is-now-an-alarmingly-old-kid was born over a decade ago, the recommendation from our pediatrician on introducing first
Don’t Hold Back: Feed the Baby Earlier, Current Research Says Read More »
That moment when I saw a young pregnant mom in a bar drinking a beer (or two or three), long before I was a real food blogger, long before I was a mom myself, and even before I was of drinking age…I gaped in horror. I knew nothing about prenatal nutrition, health, or growing a
The Perfect Birth Won’t Guarantee Healthy Gut Flora for Baby Read More »
It’s hard to believe that this photo was from a whole year ago, last night: Our Gabe is truly overflowing with joy, with more smiles that you can imagine every single day. Just yesterday he climbed right into the lap of a stranger at Bible study and snuggled into her shoulder for 5 minutes, ready
Creamy Carrot Ginger Puree {Homemade Baby Food in a Pouch} Read More »
When my first was born, I was adamant that not only was “breast best,” but that it had to be sufficient, 100%. There was no way my baby could need supplementation, I thought. Breastmilk was nature’s perfect food, and my body was created to produce it for my baby. I cried and cried, wracking sobs,
5 Reasons Your Baby Might Need Probiotics (& isn’t getting them from food) Read More »
Quitters. I hear it all the time, from real-life friends and readers at Kitchen Stewardship®: “I tried that babywearing stuff, but my baby just didn’t like it. It wasn’t worth the fussing, so I just gave up.” Breaks my heart. Those same mamas will often admit their struggles with getting things done around the house,
I hate being wrong. Such a shame it happens SO often. You’d think I’d be used to it by now, but it still stings! When I posted a video recently on Facebook of how I used a ring sling at church to make life easier, I wasn’t really trying to teach anything, but I was
5 Unpopular Reasons to Jump into Babywearing with Both Feet Read More »
In our quest for healthy sleep for the whole family, I told you that finding safe materials for containing the messes was an important piece of the puzzle. Non-toxic waterproof mattress protectors and waterproof mattress pads for changing diapers are an essential in a house with kids – seriously, I don’t know how families managed
Part Two: The Best Natural Waterproof Mattress Protector Read More »
“Back to Sleep,” we were told when our oldest was born in 2005. The pamphlets and posters were everywhere, instructing bleary-eyed parents to place their infants *only* on their backs for sleep, because research had shown that the position decreased Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Your baby, dying in their sleep? What could be more terrifying?
Just this morning I had a cute baby on my lap, typing away, when I heard the telltale putter of a BM in action. It didn’t sound ominous at all, just average size, maybe even on the small end of the spectrum, not too forceful. Still, wise mama that I am, I wasn’t about to
The Only Cloth Diaper I Bothered Buying (BEST Brand Newborn to Toddler!) Read More »
Cloth diapering is a great eco-friendly and potentially budget-saving tactic many parents are embracing, but what about cloth diapering newborns? Are there more pros or cons to using cloth diapers on newborns? Everyone says not to cloth diaper newborns. Now if you’re a super rebellious person, that might be reason enough for ya. But if
5 Reasons You Should Definitely Cloth Diaper Your Newborn Read More »
On day four of Gabe’s life, we found ourselves in the emergency room getting a quick blood test for bilirubin levels. The kid hadn’t had a bowel movement for 40 hours and was looking a little yellow, and since it was a weekend and labs were closed, the ER was our only option to make
Risks and Benefits of the Vitamin K Shot vs. Oral Dose for Newborns Read More »
Two-month-old’s giggles may just cure cancer and create world peace, my husband quipped the other day. We’re in the baby giggles stage now, those amazingly heart-melting “hyuk-hyuks” parents are rewarded with when we smile and laugh with baby, nuzzle his neck with our kisses and tickle his belly. Yes, dear reader, babies do bring joy
Giving Birth at Home: Pros and Cons of our Homebirth Decision Read More »
I sure made you wait a long time for part 2! I would say it’s appropriate because I had to wait to meet this baby, but he was only (barely) a day overdue, so that would be quite the exaggeration. Life (and editorial calendars) march on…but now I’m back! Be sure to start with part
Surprises, Being Wrong and Discovering a Name (Birth Story, Part 2) Read More »
Ah…baby number four. Poor child has almost no chance of having a baby book – maybe a baby folder with a few things tossed haphazardly in it? – but at least, because his mom’s a writer online, he’ll have a very complete record of his own birth story. ‘Cause that’s super important when you’re a
Mac and Cheese and Having a Baby (Birth Story, Part One) Read More »
First time parents quickly realize that suddenly being thrown into THIS new job – no training, no breaks, no going home at the end of the day to decompress and refresh – likely has the steepest learning curve they’ve ever experienced. It can be totally overwhelming just sustaining the new little life, let alone realizing
