Why didn’t someone tell me? Help for expectant and new parents for the 1st few weeks

You know the second you tell people you’re expecting people start pouring on the advice. Of course they’re trying to be helpful, but a lot of their “helpful tips” may turn out to be the last kind of wisdom you want. So we’ve started a series we call “Why didn’t someone tell me…?” that includes feedback from other parents who have “been there and wiped that”! From buying a stroller to treating teething, each month we’ll hit on another topic of parenting that you may be wondering about, offering words of wisdom from at least five moms and dads who survived the frustrating maze of parenthood. This month, the topic is the first few days when the baby comes home.

Tip #1: I remember being upset about my daughter crying so much just after being born and not sleeping very long... wanting to feed ALL THE TIME. I was worried that I was spoiling her by going into her room when she cried out. I couldn't let her cry too long but people were telling me to let her cry. I called my mom and she gave me the best advice... she told me to go with my instinct and my heart and to not worry what other people were telling me.

Tip #2: Every mom, on more than one occasion, after a rough day of a baby crying, locks herself in the bathroom and cries for a minute, too. That’s ok for a few minutes. If you feel like this much longer or need help, get it…from a neighbor, a family member, a friend, or a baby nurse if you need it. Just be sure to take care of yourself right along with the baby.

Tip #3: In the first couple of weeks/months, EVERYTHING changes often. Good and bad things. If your baby is a cranky mess and you think you are going to die, give it two weeks, it WILL get better. Conversely, if you brag that your baby is an amazing sleeper at 4 days old, give it two weeks. Hopefully it will continue, but the only thing you can truly count on is that as soon as you think you've gotten it figured out, it all changes.

Tip #4: Do NOT remove price tags from baby clothes until you are putting them on the baby. The kid might outgrow stuff before it's the right season to wear it. Everything is easier to exchange if you still have tags attached.

Tip #5: The days are long but the years are short! And no one accurately relayed to me how tired I would be. I had no idea what sleep deprivation was and by the time I did, I had no coping skills. It's impossible to nap every time the baby sleeps, and even then, that's not enough sleep. I actually had to come up with a schedule with my husband to handle night feedings, etc. It worked!

We hope these tips help make life a little easier for you when your baby arrives, or if he or she is already here, maybe you’ll find some comfort in the suggestions. If you have a “Why didn’t someone tell me …” suggestion, please tell us the next time you’re at the store and we’ll try to include it in a future post.

Kidsline Baby Chef Coming Soon!

At the ABC Kids Expo in Las Vegas in October we were able to get an early glimpse of the new Baby Chef product line from Kidsline. The new line has items dealing with homemade baby food, bottle sterilization and more.

Out of all the products, there two were absolutely mind blowing, including the Ultimate Baby Food Center and the Flawless Formula Maker.

Ultimate Baby Food Center

The Baby Chef Ultimate Baby Food System is designed for busy parents who want to start feeding baby the best. With side by side functionality, parents can prep multiple meals at the same time. Steam, defrost, mix, blend, puree, chop, warm & reheat. It’s 4 appliances in one!

Flawless Formula Maker

No lumps, no clumps, no bubbles – the Baby Chef Flawless Formula Maker by Kidsline is every parent’s feeding dream. It uses advanced technology that preps formula from dry to pure liquid perfection every time. This intelligent machine has highly accurate sensors that detect both how much liquid you’ve added and the temperature of the water you are using. With its touch-activated controls, auto shutoff function, and super silent operation, the Flawless Formula Maker is easy to use and nursery-friendly for midnight feedings. The stainless steel pitcher blends and heats up to 16 ounces, so you can blend or warm up to two 8-ounce feeding bottles at a time.

2011 UppaBaby Vista Strollers

Since the 2010 UppaBaby Vista stroller was such a hit, UppaBaby decided to keep with it for 2011. However, they did release a couple new fashions which have just arrived! The new Slate UppaBaby Vista Cole and Wheat UppaBaby Vista Lindsey both arrived into our warehouse this morning and are now in stock! The Cole Vista has been the most popular of the 2 so far, but we feel Lindsey gorgeous and going to close the gap.

Nook Rocks Again! This time with the Pebble Lite Crib Mattress

We met the great folks at Nook Sleep Systems last year during the ABC Kids Spring Educational show and immediately fell in love with their Nook Pebble Mattress. The Organic Nook Pebble Mattress did not only look cool, but it had some many great features, including:

Breathable design optimizes airflow throughout the mattress.
100% All-natural latex core provides firm support and durability.
Removable and washable outer layer makes clean up easy.
Anti-microbial, anti-mite, water and stain resistant.

We love the Pebble Mattress and so do our customers. However, the $550 price point forces some parents to pass on this amazing crib mattress. This is why we were so excited when we were first introduced to the Pebble Lite at the ABC Kids Expo in Vegas later last year. The Nook Pebble Lite has all the same great features as the original Organic Pebble, with one slight difference in regards to the mattress core. Instead of having a 100% All Natural latex core, the Pebble Lite has a certified non-toxic foam core that provides the firm support that is so essential to your growing baby. Some of you may cringe when you hear the word foam, but unlike most other foam mattresses on the market, Nook uses NO chemical fire retardants. Instead, the new Pebble Lite is wrapped in layer of organic wool. As an added bonus, the Pebble Lite is 2-sided with a firm side for infants and softer side for your growing toddler. Thanks again to Nook Sleep Systems for such an innovative product! The Pebble Lite is available in 3 popular colors: Pebble Lite Blush, Pebble Lite Sea Glass, and Pebble Lite Cloud.

BOB Revolution SE (2011) Strollers Now Available!

The new line of BOB Revolution SE Strollers are finally available and in stock! The 2011 BOB Strollers are a complete redesign of the previous model which has dominated the stroller category for years. A couple highlights of the new models include:

Seat & Harness

Heat press technology visually conveys comfort, redesigned seat back provides increase support. New 5 point harness has increased adjust ability for a more secure fit

Accessory Adapter

This integrated features allows quick and easy installation of the infant car seat adapter and snack tray

Canopy

New Design maintains coverage but has improved function and appearance

The new line of BOB Strollers are now compatible with the Chicco Keyfit Infant Car Seats!

Check out our BOB Strollers page for the full lineup, but here are a few of new Revolution SE strollers that are now in stock!

If you're close by, come in and check out our fabulous BOB display and take the new Revolution SE Strollers for a test drive!