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Mother’s groups not only provide companionship for you are your bundle of joy, but are a great place to share information, learn about motherhood and gain lots of baby and toddler hints and tips.
Whether this is your first baby and you need all the help and advice you can get, or you are a seasoned parent, other mums and dads will always be able to provide you with hints, tips and new ideas to help care for your baby.
Not to mention providing a understanding ear to whinge about your latest parenting dilemma.
Whether this is your first baby and you need all the help and advice you can get, or you are a seasoned parent, other mums and dads will always be able to provide you with hints, tips and new ideas to help care for your baby.
Not to mention providing a understanding ear to whinge about your latest parenting dilemma.
Some hints, tips and advice I have learnt at Mothers’ Group......
Safety from nappy leaks
No matter how well you put that nappy on; there will always be days when you get a leak. To try to cut down on your washing and cleaning, lay a muslin wrap down where ever you put the baby, be it on the floor of her play gym, lying on the bed whilst you fold the washing or on the pillow whilst you are feeding.
Save late night sheet changes.
Try making up both ends of your baby’s cot. That way if it is late and you get wet sheets, you can throw a towel over the wet spot and put your baby to sleep at the other end of the cot which is clean, try and already made. This works up until your baby starts to wiggle and roll upwards.
Introducing your baby to solids
When your baby is first being introduced to solids, try freezing small portions of the food in ice cube trays. This way you can defrost just the right amount.
Try buying small salad dressing containers from the supermarket. Decor makes a range of small tubs that hold around 50ml, and are perfect for small portions of baby food.
When first starting your baby out on rice cereal, try adding a teaspoon of apple or pear puree to their cereal every few days to help prevent constipation, or try giving them a teaspoon of cooled boiled water.
Buy some long handled parfait spoons, they make getting the food out of the bottom of the jars a lot easier.
Use a black marker pen to write the day of the week on the jars when you open them. Baby food only lasts 24 hours, and sometimes it is easy to forget when you opened a jar.
Buy a sheet of clear or decorated plastic from somewhere like spotlight or Clark rubber and place it under the high chair. It will save you time cleaning up your floor after ‘messy’ feed times.
Safety from nappy leaks
No matter how well you put that nappy on; there will always be days when you get a leak. To try to cut down on your washing and cleaning, lay a muslin wrap down where ever you put the baby, be it on the floor of her play gym, lying on the bed whilst you fold the washing or on the pillow whilst you are feeding.
Save late night sheet changes.
Try making up both ends of your baby’s cot. That way if it is late and you get wet sheets, you can throw a towel over the wet spot and put your baby to sleep at the other end of the cot which is clean, try and already made. This works up until your baby starts to wiggle and roll upwards.
Introducing your baby to solids
When your baby is first being introduced to solids, try freezing small portions of the food in ice cube trays. This way you can defrost just the right amount.
Try buying small salad dressing containers from the supermarket. Decor makes a range of small tubs that hold around 50ml, and are perfect for small portions of baby food.
When first starting your baby out on rice cereal, try adding a teaspoon of apple or pear puree to their cereal every few days to help prevent constipation, or try giving them a teaspoon of cooled boiled water.
Buy some long handled parfait spoons, they make getting the food out of the bottom of the jars a lot easier.
Use a black marker pen to write the day of the week on the jars when you open them. Baby food only lasts 24 hours, and sometimes it is easy to forget when you opened a jar.
Buy a sheet of clear or decorated plastic from somewhere like spotlight or Clark rubber and place it under the high chair. It will save you time cleaning up your floor after ‘messy’ feed times.
Nappy bags
Make sure you keep one of everything spare in your nappy bag, including clean clothes; check it regularly so that you don’t get caught out with clothes or nappies that are too small.
If you are carrying your baby whilst out and about, try using a back pack as your nappy bag, that way your hips and arms are free.
Get a bag tag and complete your name, address and phone number. It is easy to put these bags and forget about them when you are busy with baby.
Make sure you keep one of everything spare in your nappy bag, including clean clothes; check it regularly so that you don’t get caught out with clothes or nappies that are too small.
If you are carrying your baby whilst out and about, try using a back pack as your nappy bag, that way your hips and arms are free.
Get a bag tag and complete your name, address and phone number. It is easy to put these bags and forget about them when you are busy with baby.
Change table and Nappy changes
Try setting up a mirror near the table for your baby to look at.
Put a brightly coloured poster on the ceiling.
Hang a mobile.
Try hanging wind chimes, the bells will instantly grab the attention of a baby that is about to roll away.
Keep toys or other distractions nearby.
Keep a roll of paper towel close by, and pop a sheet or two under baby’s bottom as you take the old nappy away. Young babies always seem to pee as soon as you are in the middle of a nappy change.
Buy a sheet of clear or decorated plastic from somewhere like spotlight or Clark rubber and place it under the change table. It will save your carpet should your baby have an ‘accident’ during nappy change.
Cradle Cap
Try rubbing baby or olive oil into your baby’s hair and leaving for at least 20 minutes, preferably over night. Rub your baby’s head with a soft face washer and then shampoo and rinse.
I also found rubbing a mixture of Johnson’s pink baby lotion and sorbelene cream on babies scalp, leaving for 15 minutes and brushing her hair with a baby comb worked really well too.
Umbilical Cord
Try to fold the nappy down to leave the cord exposed, it will dry out and heal quicker in the fresh air.
Use clean water and a cotton bud to clean the cord. Keep away from alcohol based, and other harsh cleaning products.
Breastfeeding
I found those big V shaped boomerang pillows make a great breastfeeding pillow. Just sit in on your lap with the pointed end facing out and lay your baby down to feed. You will have support on both sides.
Always use your little pinkie finger to remove your baby from your breast. If you don’t break the suction you will be sorry. Ouch!
That old wives tale about cold cabbage leaves and engorgement isn’t a wives tale. They really do help.
Nappies
If you are not sure if your baby is ready to go up to the next size, then trying ordering a free sample from the nappy company. One nappy will give you a good indication if you are ready for a size change. Just remember to do it a few weeks out, as it can take a little time to arrive.
To save money on disposables, use the more expensive brands for night time, and the cheaper ones for the day when you are changing your baby more often.
Your newborn doesn’t necessarily have to be changed every two hours at night. Remember once they are sleeping through they will have their nappy on for 12 hours. Just stick a finger in the side of the nappy and check before disturbing your baby too much during night feeds.
Night Lights
Set up a few night lights around the hose, this will help you see during your late night calls, and the dim lighting will help teach your baby the difference between night and day.
Baby Capsules
Try hiring a capsule for around $60 for 6 months. A lot cheaper than buying a capsule for $400
Toys
Toy libraries are a great and cheaper way to keep the toy box fresh and interesting.
Try swapping toys with other mums from your mother’s group every couple of weeks. It is cheaper than buying new toys all the time.
Cutting nails
Try cutting your babies nails when you are breast of bottle feeding them.
Sprinkle baby powder on your hands and then rub the tips of your baby’s fingers through the powder. The powder gets under the baby’s nails and helps you see where to cut.
Try setting up a mirror near the table for your baby to look at.
Put a brightly coloured poster on the ceiling.
Hang a mobile.
Try hanging wind chimes, the bells will instantly grab the attention of a baby that is about to roll away.
Keep toys or other distractions nearby.
Keep a roll of paper towel close by, and pop a sheet or two under baby’s bottom as you take the old nappy away. Young babies always seem to pee as soon as you are in the middle of a nappy change.
Buy a sheet of clear or decorated plastic from somewhere like spotlight or Clark rubber and place it under the change table. It will save your carpet should your baby have an ‘accident’ during nappy change.
Cradle Cap
Try rubbing baby or olive oil into your baby’s hair and leaving for at least 20 minutes, preferably over night. Rub your baby’s head with a soft face washer and then shampoo and rinse.
I also found rubbing a mixture of Johnson’s pink baby lotion and sorbelene cream on babies scalp, leaving for 15 minutes and brushing her hair with a baby comb worked really well too.
Umbilical Cord
Try to fold the nappy down to leave the cord exposed, it will dry out and heal quicker in the fresh air.
Use clean water and a cotton bud to clean the cord. Keep away from alcohol based, and other harsh cleaning products.
Breastfeeding
I found those big V shaped boomerang pillows make a great breastfeeding pillow. Just sit in on your lap with the pointed end facing out and lay your baby down to feed. You will have support on both sides.
Always use your little pinkie finger to remove your baby from your breast. If you don’t break the suction you will be sorry. Ouch!
That old wives tale about cold cabbage leaves and engorgement isn’t a wives tale. They really do help.
Nappies
If you are not sure if your baby is ready to go up to the next size, then trying ordering a free sample from the nappy company. One nappy will give you a good indication if you are ready for a size change. Just remember to do it a few weeks out, as it can take a little time to arrive.
To save money on disposables, use the more expensive brands for night time, and the cheaper ones for the day when you are changing your baby more often.
Your newborn doesn’t necessarily have to be changed every two hours at night. Remember once they are sleeping through they will have their nappy on for 12 hours. Just stick a finger in the side of the nappy and check before disturbing your baby too much during night feeds.
Night Lights
Set up a few night lights around the hose, this will help you see during your late night calls, and the dim lighting will help teach your baby the difference between night and day.
Baby Capsules
Try hiring a capsule for around $60 for 6 months. A lot cheaper than buying a capsule for $400
Toys
Toy libraries are a great and cheaper way to keep the toy box fresh and interesting.
Try swapping toys with other mums from your mother’s group every couple of weeks. It is cheaper than buying new toys all the time.
Cutting nails
Try cutting your babies nails when you are breast of bottle feeding them.
Sprinkle baby powder on your hands and then rub the tips of your baby’s fingers through the powder. The powder gets under the baby’s nails and helps you see where to cut.
Share your hints and tips with us....
Want some crying and settling tips.
Then visit our Crying and Babies page.
Then visit our Crying and Babies page.
What I learnt at Mums Group