Bringing Home Baby

My guess is that the gift stores in baby hospitals aren't fully feeling pains of the recession. Balloons and flowers seem to be popping up all over my neighborhood as the storks keep dropping off bundles of joy. Passing through the decorated doors and helium inflated pacifiers is parenthood's equivalent of the newlywed tradition of the groom carrying the bride over the threshold.

When we brought home our first baby, there was very little hoopla. I asked my mom to take a picture of my new and improved family outside of our house. Had I not made the request, I am pretty sure we would have no evidence of her "coming home." With my son, however, we were greeted with balloons, flowers and a mini paparazzi on our front steps. I don't know what the difference was the second time around, but I'm thinking I should have another baby just to see what kind of "welcome home" is in store for number three!

Did you experience this?

One of my friends recently welcomed her second child. Wary of how her son would accept the newborn, she came up with a genius plan that I plan on using.

When an older child comes up to the hospital to meet his new sibling for the first time, have the infant waiting in the nursery with all of the other babies. Then when your first born arrives, you and your spouse can walk him down to the bevy of babies and ask him to pick one out. Obviously you guide him to his actual kin, but it is a rather sweet and thoughtful way of including him in the process. Another tip — you might want to mention that the package is non-refundable.
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No one misses sleep like a new mother. While it's nearly impossible to understand the shut eye impacting changes a newborn brings, it's important to be prepared. Here are a few hints on how to deal with sleepless nights during the first few weeks.

• Plan ahead while pregnant. Deep clean the house, organize the cupboards and stock the pantry so you can focus on caring for your infant instead of wasting energy on these other tasks when you get home.
• Take advantage of the hospital's nursery and sleep as much as you can while you have nurses to tend to your tot.
• Pump and let your partner take on one or a few of your child's feedings so you can grab longer stretches of shut eye.
• Soak in a warm tub to relax and hop in the shower to revive. Sometimes feeling refreshed can trick heavy eyelids into opening.
• Don't keep tabs on the clock. You might feel less tired when you aren't aware of how lil sleep you are getting.
• Stay positive. The sleep deprivation eventually ends. Remind yourself that being tired comes with the miracle of being a mother.

Souce

Mommy Dearest,

I'm seven months pregnant and my mother-in-law just called to ask how long my husband and I would like her to stay after the baby is born. Since she lives in a different state, she plans on flying in for the delivery and then helping us get situated at home.

While I love her good intentions, but would prefer if we ease into life as new parents as a couple. I don't want to hurt her feelings, but think three will be a crowd in our small house when I'm bonding with my infant. What should I do?

— Pregnant and Perplexed

To see Mommy Dearest's response, read more

Many couples are parents to pets before they have a human child. Before you bring baby home to meet her furry sibling, there are things you can do to prep the animal for the newest addition.

To see the list of things to do, read more