We are here to help you survive summer with your newborn! As we enter the summer months, you may be planning a family visit or vacation with your little one. Travel with baby is tricky but can be done well and peacefully with the right planning. On the other hand, don’t over think it and don’t over pack. These are surefire ways to make your excursion more stressful than it needs to be. With the right balance of planning and keeping it simple, you can definitely enjoy your summer trip even with a little person in tow.

To get you started, here are 5 simple things you need to travel well with baby:

1. The right expectations. If this is your first child, finding the right expectations will be even more important since you don’t yet know what it’s like to travel with an infant. Expect your baby to have a difficult time adjusting to different environments and a different schedule. Expect that he may be fussy due to lack of sleep or constant activity. Your baby may do very well and react minimally to these adjustments, which will be a pleasant surprise if you keep your expectations in line.

2. A safe place for baby to sleep. If you are visiting family, you may be able to borrow a pack and play or portable crib so you don’t have to travel with one. If this is not the case, there are many very portable sleep environments on the market that you can easily bring on a plane or in the car. The Brica Fold N’ Go Travel Bassinet is a popular option as well as the Summer Infant By Your Side Sleeper Note: These options are for newborns up to approx. 3 months of age. For older babies, a pack and play or crib are best.

3. A lightweight stroller. Since you may have to check your stroller at the gate {if you are flying} or find space for it in the car {if you are driving}, a smaller, lightweight stroller is best when traveling. If baby is still in an infant seat, a car seat carrier is a great option, such as the Baby Trend Snap N Go Universal Infant Car Seat Carrier These lightweight frames fit most car seats and they snap in and out easily for quick transitions. If baby is beyond the “bucket seat” try a light stroller such as the Graco LiteRider Classic Connect Stroller {which also fits some Graco infant seats to create a travel system}. This stroller is portable and includes a nice size basket underneath – which is hard to find in a light stroller yet essential to the traveling family. If you have an older child as well, a “sit and stand” stroller is a must have for travel. I recently switched to the Joovy Caboose Ultralight Stroller and LOVE it. It’s so much more compact than other sit and stand strollers I have tried. Perfect for travel!

4. Portability for your car seat. If you are flying, you will need to bring a car seat with you on the plane – not necessarily for use on the plane {unless you purchased a seat for baby} but to use when you arrive at your destination. If baby is no longer in a “bucket seat” you will need to find a lightweight option that is easy to check with your baggage. Since you likely have a car seat for your baby if he is out of his infant carrier, simply look for accessories to make traveling with that seat a little easier. The Jeep Car Seat Travel Bag is a low cost option for protecting your seat which checking it with baggage.

5. A safe place to be/play. If your baby is becoming more mobile, consider an activity center alternative such as the Kidco Go-Pod Portable Activity Seat to keep him in one place. If baby is too small for this type of seat, a traditional blanket with toys on the floor should do just fine. If you haven’t yet tried baby wearing, a trip is the best time to start. Having baby close while you are hands free is essential while visiting or exploring. The Ergo Baby Carrier is perfect for wearing baby close to your chest, on your hip or back. If you prefer to wear baby in the front, facing out try the classic BABYBJORN Baby Carrier. While many baby toys will stow nicely in your luggage or diaper bag, baby may need more to keep him busy depending on the length of your trip. Don’t forget to pack baby’s favorite books, lovies and rattling toys.

Add in enough diapers, wipes, clothes and food for the length of your stay and you are good to go for baby’s summer excursion. Simple, right? So don’t over think it and don’t over do it. As long as baby has a mama who is prepared for travel adjustments and tools to keep him safe while away from home, you are ready to have wonderful time with your family this summer.

What are some of your favorite tools for traveling with baby?

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My firstborn came as the weather began to grow warm and my second graced us in the dead of summer. No, I didn’t have to worry about flu season or frost bite but I was concerned with keeping my brand new babies safe from sunburn and heat exhaustion. . .not to mention keeping myself cool while I adjusted to life with my blessings.

If you are looking towards the summer months with a newborn in your arms, here are a few ways to ensure you can enjoy the season while keeping your sweet bundle safe and comfortable.

1. Find shade. Your newborn’s skin is very sensitive. Make sure to cover baby up with loose fitting, cool clothing as well as a sun hat. As much as possible, stay in the shade to avoid direct sunlight. Although sunscreen manufactures warn consumers against applying sunscreen to babies under 6 months old, this is more to discourage parents from thinking their baby is OK in direct sunlight. If you absolutely need to be in the sun, apply sunscreen to baby’s exposed skin. Use a sunscreen formulated for babies or sensitive skin. Try some on a small patch of skin before applying liberally to make sure baby doesn’t react to the product. Using a shade umbrella or tent is a great way to keep baby out of the sun while you enjoy the park or the beach.

2. Monitor Baby’s Temperature. If you plan to be outside for a long period of time, make sure to closely monitor your baby’s temperature. One of the best ways to do this is to watch his temperament. Does baby seem happy? Is baby fussing? This probably goes without saying but never, ever leave baby in a hot car for even a minute. Cars can get to very dangerous temperatures in the summer months so baby should only be in the car with an adult and while it is running cool air. Make sure you find a cool place to bring baby from time to time throughout a long day outside.

3. Stay hydrated. While baby is staying hydrated with his regular diet of milk, mama can easily get dehydrated, especially if you are breastfeeding. Be sure to drink plenty of water – perhaps even more than you would normally drink – to keep your body regulated and ready to feed throughout the summer months. Try to exceed the normal recommendation of 64 oz of water per day to keep yourself sufficiently hydrated in the heat.

4. Be travel ready. Since you may be planning a vacation or family visit during the summer months, make sure you are equipped with everything you will need to keep baby comfortable in the car or on an airplane. You will also want to ensure you have a safe and comfortable place for baby to sleep away from home. A pack and play or travel bed work well in these situations. We will talk more specifically about traveling with baby next week in our post 5 Things You Need To Travel Well With Baby.

5. Be Careful In and Near Pools. For baby’s under 2 months old, be cautious when considering pool time. Due to baby’s immature immunity, he will be more sensitive to bacteria that could be lurking in the water. Baby’s skin is also very tender and could react to chlorine pools. Make sure you trust the pool owner to keep the pool clean before bringing your baby in the water. Always hold baby in the water and never wade in waters where you do not have a strong foot hold. Although baby is not yet mobile, always keep him in a secure place outside of the pool and directly near an adult for supervision.

When in doubt, trust your instincts mama. If baby seems uncomfortable, adjust his atmosphere. Trust your heart to know when baby is unsafe. Above all, enjoy these sweet, summer months with your newborn.

What are some of your best tips for surviving summer with a newborn?

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Summer. Moist, hot, sweaty, sticky summer. Everyone’s favorite time of year. Most people look forward to the leisurely days of summer, lounging round the pool. However, yeast thrive in moist, warm environments. As a gynecologist, I know that once the heat hits 80 degrees, the number of patients I see for yeast infections is going to increase exponentially.

Yeast ‘infection’ is a misnomer. Your vagina is an ecosystem of various bacteria and yeast that normally live together in harmony. But when something upsets the balance causing the good bacteria to decrease or the yeast increase, then you get the miserable classic symptoms of a yeast infection: itching, burning and a white thick ‘cottage cheese-esque’ discharge.

Pregnancy, with its increased vaginal discharge and lowered immune system, can predispose you even further to yeast infections. However, following these helpful hints can hopefully keep your Monistat purchases to a minimum.

5. Let Your Vagina Breathe

It’s hot and sweaty. Increased moisture is a part of summer but do what you can to get that moisture away from your body. Wear cotton underwear. Avoid tight fitting clothes in non-breathable fabrics. Use a blow dryer on your lady parts after showering (on cool of course). Sleep naked.

4. Change Your Clothes

Avoid spending an excess amount of time in wet clothes. After working out or swimming, change your clothes right away. Avoid lounging around in a wet swim suit all day.

3. Don’t Douche

There is never a need to douche. Your vagina is a ‘self-cleaning oven.’ Douching merely messes with your ecosystem even further.

2. Just Say, “No!” to Bubble Baths

We all love a nice long soak in the tub with the fragrant smell of bath salts and bubbles, but soaps are not good for the ecosystem either. Soaking in the tub is fine but avoid fragrant bath products if you are prone to yeast infections.

1. Avoid Antibiotics

The biggest disruption of the vaginal ecosystem is antibiotics. Antibiotics kill good bacteria as well as bad. Obviously they can’t always be avoided, but if you do need antibiotics, ask for the one most specific for the condition being treated. While on antibiotics make sure to eat yogurt with probiotics to support healthy bacteria and avoid intake of simple sugars which can make some women more prone to yeast.

Hopefully your summer is yeast free, but if not, remember that over the counter yeast creams are safe in pregnancy.

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I’ve been doing this mom thing for a mere 5 years now {as of next Tuesday}. I don’t know much, but I do know there are a lot of things people should tell you before you become a mom that they just don’t. It seems like prenatal advice is either all good or all bad. You have your grandma telling you how blissful motherhood is {what with it being 50+ years since she brought a baby home} and the woman behind you in line at the grocery store sharing how life will never be the same and you should get some sleep now.

Motherhood is quite a dichotomy of truth. The wonderful thing is, these dual truths can balance themselves out if you let them. One of the most important pieces of wisdom you can walk with into motherhood is to keep your eyes and mind wide open. Not to all of the voices clamoring around you but to the beauty and the pain of motherhood. . .to the bliss and the stress. . .to the overwhelming confusion and sure clarity. Let grace be the bridge between these extremes and you will walk through motherhood with honest peace.

As I thought about this dichotomy of truth, I was reminded of these 10 things no one tells you before you become a mom:

1. You may feel numb, even paralyzed by fear as you adjust to your new role.

2. You will feel more deeply than you’ve ever felt before after opening your heart to your child.

3. If you weren’t a control freak before, you just might become one now.

4. You will need to let a lot of things go – if only to survive the day – and it’s more than OK to do so.

5. You will always feel like you aren’t giving enough.

6. If you walk in the Spirit, what you are giving is not only enough, it’s exactly what your child needs.

7. You will feel like you’ve lost yourself.

8. In reality you may just find out what you are made of.

9. You will compare yourself to every mom you come in contact with and your baby to every other little one around you.

10. There are a million ways to do most things in motherhood and you’ll likely try many of them before finding what works for you and your baby. What works for some may not work for others – do what works for YOU.

What is the most honest advice you received before becoming a mom?

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Breast is best. We all know that.

If we all agree that breastfeeding is so great, then why are only 44% of American women still breastfeeding at 6 months? The most common reason women give for stopping breastfeeding is “low milk supply.” These women do not feel like they are making enough milk for their babies. I was not at all surprised at this statistic. One of the most common breastfeeding questions I get from my patients at their postpartum visit is “How can I increase my milk supply?”

What I found as I researched this topic is that the keys to good supply are also the keys to successful nursing in general.

Frequent Feedings

Establishing a good milk supply is kick started by frequent feedings during the first few weeks of life. A newborn should nurse 8-12 times a day for the first week. By the time he reaches one month old he should be down to 7-9 feedings a day. That first week is extremely challenging, but commitment to regular feedings early on is truly helpful for establishing a plentiful supply.

Monitor Latch

A poor latch can lead to nipple injury, pain, swelling and poor supply. Most nipples are sensitive to breastfeeding initially. Normal breast pain usually lasts for 1-2 minutes as the baby latches then slowly resolves. This pain is usually only noted for the first week postpartum. Nipple pain that is outside this range should prompt a visit with a lactation consultant to help prevent nipple injury. Proper latch techniques are illustrated here.

Know Risk Factors for Late Let-Down

Most women’s milk will come in by day 2 or 3 postpartum, however certain medical conditions can effect the hormonal shifts that cause milk let down. This can lead to delayed milk production for a few days. In these instances you should continue to nurse, but supplementing may be necessary while you wait for your milk to fully come in.

Common conditions that can delay your milk coming in include:

• PCOS
• Pre-eclampsia
• Obesity

Complete Emptying of Breasts

Some babies like to feed frequently enough, they just want to fall asleep in the middle of the feeding, not fully emptying the breast. Encourage your baby to finish each feeding. Common strategies for keeping a baby awake for a full feeding include taking off his clothes or gently rubbing his cheek with a wet cloth. If these strategies don’t work, pump the rest of your milk to fully empty your breast. If you continually have incomplete feedings,  your breasts ‘will learn’ to not produce as much milk.

Breast pumps are now required to be covered by your health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. Contact your insurance company to find out how to obtain one.

Stay Hydrated

Breastfeeding can literally suck every bit of moisture out of your system. Drinking lots of water is crucial. Instead of aiming for a specific amount of water to drink (because you really don’t need another thing to keep up with in your exhausted postpartum state), drink enough so that your urine stays pale yellow.

Eat

A lot of postpartum moms are very concerned with weight loss. While some calorie restriction can be tolerated, an extremely low calorie diet can lead to decreased milk supply. Your body needs 500 calories a day just for breastfeeding. Dropping calorie intake below 1500 will often interfere with supply.

Medications

There is ongoing controversy as to the safety and effectiveness of medications and herbal supplements given to improve milk supply. A trial of supplements should only be used after all other options have been pursued. These are the common supplements given and what we know about them:

Reglan (metoclopramide) is a drug originally prescribed for nausea that has been shown to increase milk supply by up to 15% in some studies, however other studies have shown no effect. Reglan does pass into the milk but the long term effects of the drug on the baby have not been studied. Maternal side effects can include headaches, mood swings and diarrhea.

Motilium (domperidone) is a drug originally used for nausea that has been shown to increase milk supply in some studies but not others. The FDA issued a warning against the use of the drug in 2004, after the IV form was found to be associated with heart attacks. The oral form was also found to cause EKG changes in the baby.

Fenugreek is an herbal supplement that is very widely used despite the lack of any studies to measure its safety or effectiveness. In the US, there is no quality control or regulation of herbal supplements. There is no way to be certain of the exact dose of the supplement you are receiving. Many patients and lactation consultants swear by the effectiveness of this herb, often taken in the form of tea.

Additionally, there are medications that have been associated with decreased milk supply:

• birth control pills containing estrogen
• diuretics
• antihistamines (bendryl, claritin, ect.)
• pseudoephedrine

My heart for writing this post is not only to guide women to breastfeeding success, but also to alleviate the fears of those whose breast milk did not flow as freely as they had hoped. I’ve talked to a lot of women who are desperately searching for a magic potion to improve their supply and help them succeed in breastfeeding. Most of them will eventually try all these strategies and many more. If you have tried these strategies and you are still not able to nurse, then you can rest assured that you have genuinely done all that you can do.

Have you struggled with inadequate milk supply? If so, what did you find helpful?

At the 30 week pregnancy visit, I set aside extra time to review the patient’s birth plan and especially for my first time moms, confirm that they are on the right course to prepare for delivery.

We will go through the list:

 - birthing classes

 - pediatrician

 - breast feeding supplies

Over the years I’ve come to add another suggestion to this visit: Don’t forget that you are actually HAVING A BABY. Not all women, but a significant majority of first time moms spend more time preparing for delivery than motherhood. They can spend hours pouring over nursery plans and preparing for childbirth, but don’t pick up a single baby book until they are in their desperate sleep deprived postpartum state. Most women have ‘been around babies’ their entire life: babysitting, siblings, working in the church nursery. Most feel comfortable changing diapers and holding cuddly newborns. Alternately, other than watching the Baby Story, most have no idea what to expect from the labor/birth experience. However, rarely do I see a mom at her postpartum visit that says things are going exactly as planned and expected.

The truth is that labor is for ONE day but motherhood is for the rest of your life. Obviously, labor is important and you want to prepare, but you want to equally prepare for the trials of the newborn period.

I recommend that my patients attempt to have all their major projects done and their nursery set up by 32 weeks. This gives them a chance to relax the last couple of months of pregnancy when fatigue and swollen feet make their appearance. Reading through the first few chapters of several baby books at around 30-32 weeks is ideal. Study breast feeding strategies, schedules and what normal development is the first few months. You will not remember everything, but you can at least have a frame of reference when you are having a rough postpartum night.

“What baby book do you recommend? ” is a common question I get asked. I usually recommend the “What to Expect Series” but now I’m thrilled to have our book, The Baby Companion: A Faith-Filled Guide for Your Journey through Baby’s First Year to suggest. I have gotten such great feedback from my patients who have enjoyed The Pregnancy Companion, I and now I’m excited to get the follow up book out there.

For all our pregnant ladies, do prepare for delivery and set up your adorable nursery, but don’t forget to prepare for motherhood as well. Get out the baby books, grab your highlighters and sticky notes, and dig in!

What do you think is the most helpful advice you received for preparing to be a new mom?

As a former brand manager, I know it’s unconventional to promote a book by someone else the week yours comes out. I would actually have given my clients quite an earful for doing it. But when I heard about this new book from someone who’s guidance we recommend in ours, I thought, “perfect timing!”

Pediatrician and author of the Happiest Baby series, Dr. Harvey Karp has done it again with another great resource for parents. The Happiest Baby Guide to Great Sleep: Simple Solutions for Kids from Birth to 5 Years is a gently-written, comprehensive resource on all things sleep.

We recommend Dr. Karp’s book in The Baby Companion because his approach is balanced and his delivery of advice is gentle. While Dr. Karp does offer great solutions and promise results, he doesn’t make you feel less-than for not immediately reaching ultimate domination of child sleep habits.

Dr. Karp gives simple solutions backed by the science of sleep and commons sense. From white noise to swaddling, Dr. Karp offers accessible tools for every parent. Having swung the pendulum for my own children between full-on “crying it out” to completely “rocking them to sleep”, I found the information in this book to be a beautiful balance between these two extremes.

I definitely recommend this book as a great companion to our own and especially for moms who are past the stage of babies first year and continue to have sleep challenges with their child. Go order both from Amazon!

Did you have trouble with your baby’s sleep routine? What worked {or didn’t work} for you?

Discalimer: I am participating in a book review campaign with One2One Network. I received this book from Harper Collins for the purposes of reviewing it. I have not received compensation. All opinions stated are my own

We’ve shared our hearts in this space a bit about why we set out to write these companion books. As we look toward the “birth” of our latest book, I find myself constantly re-asking the question, “why?”.

What another baby book?

Why this baby book?

In a culture so consumed by information and the distribution of it, why would we even attempt to add to the noise?

I’m often left feeling deflated, wondering if it was truly worth it to spend hours putting words to page. But then I am reminded of the place I found myself as a new mother. That place that compelled me to share my experiences to encourage others.

The purpose of this book is to lift up and encourage new moms, not tell them how to be a mom. Women were being kick-ass mothers long before any book was ever printed. God put in us an innate ability to function as caregivers and nurturers. We’ve got everything we need to thrive as mothers. It’s all there. We simply need to look deep within ourselves with the help of the Holy Spirit to access that which he’s already given.

This is a picture of the very first thing I ever wrote down as I began to pray about this book almost two years ago. Those three words are not only the foundation of this book, they are the foundation of successful motherhood.

There are many helpful books on the market that will guide you in certain issues you will face with your baby. We even recommend some in the book. But ultimately, we must continuously return to the Source of divine wisdom and strength as we grow in motherhood.

We wrote this book for a few simple reasons.

1. We want mothers of newborns to experience the bliss of their new baby. Every moment, every touch, every scent of their little one is beautiful. If you spend too much time obsessing over how, you’ll miss out on so much.

2. We want mothers to stop comparing themselves to each other. Gather as much information as you can and then seek God for the unique wisdom that is available for you and your baby. Protect your eyes, your ears and your heart from what others say and do. Do not judge and do not let yourself be judged.

3. We believe that motherhood is much more simple than some let on. We’ve made mountains out of mole hills in motherhood. So much of it just.doesn’t.matter. Don’t over think every single decision. Once again, gather information and then seek Godly wisdom.

While we do address medical issues and guidelines in the book, we’ve worked hard to find a balance that allows each mother to determine what is best for her baby and walk away from that decision feeling peace and support.

Our prayer is that this new “movement” of motherhood will resonate with you and that you’ll join us in sharing a message of peace and balance with other moms. The book is coming in a few short weeks and we hope you’ll be around for all of the fun and exciting activities we’ll have here. It all starts with a massive baby bundle giveaway {valued at over $500 and growing daily} April 1-5.

What are some truths you think new moms ought to know? We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences.

{Forgive me for using profanity in this post. I tend to throw out a potty word every now and then when I get super passionate about something. Just goes to show you how serious I am about this!}

Let’s lighten the mood around here!! I’m so excited that Shutterfly is offering the following promotion: Get 10 free 5×7 Flat stationery or 5×7 Folded greeting cards from Shutterfly with promo code SPRINGTHING Offer ends 3.10 this week!

Between now and March 10th, enter code SPRINGTHING at checkout for your free cards. Perfect for Easter greetings, birthday invitations (like the one for my sweet Hope below) or announcements. So what are you waiting for?! Go get your cards!!

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Honestly, circumcisions are not my favorite thing to do. However, with 80% of males in the US currently circumcised, I find myself in the procedure room in the hospital nursery quite frequently. The most recent policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics states,

A circumcision is performed after the pediatrician has examined the baby boy and declared him healthy and confirmed that his plumbing is in working order. This is usually when he’s at least 24 hours old.  In some areas of the country pediatricians perform the circumcision, but at our facility its usually the OB/GYN. After swaddling his arms in a blanket, his legs are fastened to a base so he can’t move. Preventing him from wiggling when we have a scalpel near his peeper is quite important. He sucks on a pacifier dipped in sugar water while a numbing shot is injected in the base of his penis.

Most babies cry when they get the numbing shot, but calm down as the medicine begins to work.  Their discomfort during the procedure seems minimal, but I am always looking for ways to provide more comfort for the wee one. One of the nurses I work with will play music on her phone for the babies during the procedure to help soothe them, which I thought was an an awesome idea. Lately while performing circumcisions, I play the Pandora U2 station. The other day as I was taking the scalpel to the foreskin while singing “Where the Streets Have No Name,”  I began to fret that perhaps these boys are going to all grow up with a subconscious aversion to U2. I don’t know that I want to be responsible for inadvertently biasing them against quality music, so perhaps I will download some lullabies to my phone.

The decision to circumcise or not is often strongly influenced by social factors, but the risks and benefits should be carefully weighed.

Benefits of Circumcision

• Reduced rate of urinary tract infections
• Reduced rate of penis cancer
• Reduced rate of cervical cancer in sexual partners of circumcised men
• Reduced rate of HIV, HPV and herpes (but not gonorrhea, chlamydia or syphilis)
• Easier hygiene for young boys
• Lower rates of transmission of STDs and BV to partners
• Prevents phimosis (foreskin getting painfully swollen and unable to be retracted)

Risks of Circumcision

• Inadequate skin removal, requiring a repeat procedure
• Bleeding
• Injury to penis
• Shaft amputation {just typing that made me cringe}
• Reaction to local anesthesia
• Pain with procedure

Both the benefits and risks of the procedure are tiny. The risk of penis cancer is 1/ 100,000, while the risk of complications from circumcision has been reported to be between 0-.2% in various studies. The decision of whether or not to circumcise your little man is a personal one to made by each family.

I am curious to know what affected your decision to circumcise {or not circumcise} your son: social influences or medical research?