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Here you can find practical tips, honest experiences, and simple ideas I've learned along my motherhood journey. I hope you find something here that makes your own journey just a little easier.Thanks for stopping by!

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25 Newborn Hacks That Every First Time Mom Should Know

One of the greatest moments in my life was getting to hold my daughter for the first time. Instantly this little person held a piece of my heart and the joy that came from that was indescribable. With all this joy though came some stress. Stress about how I was going to be able to take care of her and be the mom I wanted to be. I found that having support from loved ones and other moms helped relieve this stress. Hopefully, some of these hacks can make the big things a little easier and help you feel more supported along the way. making the big things a little easier.

Sleep Hacks

Sleep is basically non-existent during the newborn stage, so if you can find anything that will give you a few extra minutes of rest, do it!1. Keep a diaper caddy on every floor of your home.
This can save you from trips up and down stairs by keeping essentials nearby.
2. Use a nightlight for overnight feeds.
A dim light can help everyone stay sleepy.
3. Prep nighttime feeding supplies before bed.
Having everything ready makes the nighttime feeds less stressful.
4. Swaddle baby before they get overtired.
It’s easier to settle babies before they get overtired.
5. Learn baby’s early sleep cues.
Watch for yawning, a glazed stare and eye rubbing.

Feeding Hacks

Feeding your baby can be such a special bonding experience but it can be made difficult if you don’t have what you need within reach.6. Keep water and snacks beside your feeding chair.
You're going to get hungry and thirsty, so have these close by.
7. Burp halfway through feeds not just at the end.
This can help reduce fussiness and spit up.
8. Use a nursing cart or feeding station.
This way everything you need is right there ready for you.
9. Keep extra burp cloths everywhere.
When you need one, you need it now.
10. Track feeds in a simple app or notebook.
This saves you from constantly trying to remember.

Diapering Hacks

Changing bums I can’t say is the most exciting part of motherhood, so here are a few simple hacks to make diaper changes easier.11. Open the new diaper before removing the old one.
Being ready with the new diaper can help prevent a mess of pee.
12. Have a change pad under baby for every diaper change.
Keeps baby comfy and helps prevent a mess.
13. Keep spare outfits in multiple rooms.
You’ll go through these quicker than you think.
14. Use diaper cream before irritation occurs.
Preventing irritation helps baby stay comfortable.
15. Stock your diaper bag after every outing.
There’s nothing worse than being out and not having something you need.

Organization Hacks

Organizing is often the last thing on your mind during the newborn days. If you can, though, set up a few simple systems before baby arrives to make your life easier.16. Sort baby clothes by size before baby arrives.
This way you can put aside clothes you don’t need right now.
17. Store outfit sets together.
This saves you time from looking for missing pieces.
18. Use baskets to organize baby essentials.
Gives items a place to live and easy to find.
19. Keep a small laundry basket in the nursery.
Give yourself a place you can throw the dirty clothes.
20. Create a grab-and-go diaper bag station.
For those times that you have to run out the door.

Mom Survival Hacks

Now these hacks are arguably the most difficult to do because of the expectations we put on ourselves. They can, however, relieve some of the mental load and give you more time to enjoy those special moments with your baby.21. Accept help when it’s offered.
If people are offering help, take it, so you can spend more time with your little one.
22. Lower expectations for housework.
Don’t stress about housework. Instead enjoy this time with your little one.
23. Sleep when possible, not only when baby sleeps.
You have to make sure you are taking care of yourself, so that you can take care of baby.
24. Keep easy freezer meals available.
You will be tired and these can be a life saver.
25. Take photos of ordinary moments.
Any picture you take will be a beautiful memory to look back on.

The newborn stage can leave you feeling like a tired zombie, but it goes by quickly. Enjoy the special moments that are only there for a short time. The newborn scrunch. The cuddles. The first smiles. The tiniest clothes. The milk comas and so much more. If you think any of these hacks will be helpful for you, give them a try. Remember that every baby is different, and what matters most is finding what works best for you and your baby.

100 Natured Inspired Names for Baby Boys & Girls

When I was pregnant, I felt that naming my baby was such a precious moment. I always imagined this little person barely able to walk and me calling after them with their name to come back, while they giggled and kept running. At the same time, I also felt the pressure that there is these days to pick the perfect name. It has to be unique but not strange. It has to suit them in every stage of life. It should be easy to pronounce, have a cute nickname and be meaningful. That felt like a lot of criteria to follow.When I thought about it though, I realized what was most important was that my husband and I loved the name. To get inspiration I took to social media and read articles on different names and their meanings. It was important to me that we picked a meaningful name that would suit my little one.One of the categories that I kept coming back to for inspiration was nature inspired names. There is something so sweet and ethereal about the girls' names and the boys' names feel strong and adventurous. Below you will find 50 nature inspired baby girl names and 50 nature inspired baby boy names along with what they symbolize. If you are looking for a name inspired by flowers, trees, animals, seasons or mountains, you are likely to find something here!

Girl’s Names

1. Willow - Grace and resilience
2. Hazel - Wisdom and protection
3. Ivy - Faithfulness and strength
4. Violet - Modesty and beauty
5. Lily - Purity and innocence
6. Daisy - Joy and new beginnings
7. Rose - Love and beauty
8. Iris - Hope and wisdom
9. Poppy - Peace and remembrance
10. Jasmine - Grace and elegance
11. Holly - Protection and hope
12. Autumn - Change and abundance
13. Summer - Warmth and happiness
14. Meadow - Peace and tranquility
15. Aurora - Dawn and new beginnings
16. Wren - Freedom and joy
17. Robin - Brightness and cheerfulness
18. Sylva - Forest and growth
19. Linnea - Beauty and gentleness
20. Fern - Sincerity and resilience
21. Sage - Wisdom and strength
22. Clover - Good luck and hope
23. Magnolia - Dignity and perseverance
24. Marigold - Warmth and creativity
25. Laurel - Victory and honour

26. Primrose - Youth and first love
27. Heather - Admiration and resilience
28. Lavender - Calmness and serenity
29. Dahlia - Grace and inner strength
30. Azalea - Femininity and beauty
31. Blossom - Growth and new beginnings
32. Camellia - Devotion and admiration
33. Skye - Freedom and possibility
34. Sierra - Strength and endurance
35. Coral - Life and protection
36. Pearl - Purity and wisdom
37. Ocean - Strength and endless possibility
38. Rain - Renewal and growth
39. Savannah - Open spaces and freedom
40. Maple - Balance and strength
41. Acacia - Resilience and everlasting love
42. Petunia - Comfort and compassion
43. Lilac - Youth and first love
44. Zinnia - Endurance and lasting friendship
45. Celeste - Heavenly and peaceful
46. Bluebell - Humility and gratitude
47. Ember - Warmth and inner strength
48. Luna - Light and mystery
49. Flora - Blooming and new life
50. Marina - Of the sea and serenity

Boys’ Names

1. River - Freedom and adventure
2. Rowan - Strength and protection
3. Forrest - Nature and growth
4. Ash - Strength and resilience
5. Cedar - Stability and endurance
6. Oakley - Strength and wisdom
7. Brooks - Peace and steady strength
8. Ridge - Strength and determination
9. Kai - Sea and freedom
10. Heath - Open landscapes and resilience
11. Jasper - Strength and treasured value
12. Reed - Flexibility and resilience
13. Wolf - Courage and loyalty
14. Bear - Strength and bravery
15. Hawk - Vision and courage
16. Orion - Adventure and strength
17. Everest - Greatness and perseverance
18. Soren - Strength and dignity
19. Glen - Peace and nature
20. Phoenix - Renewal and resilience
21. Aspen - Growth and resilience
22. Moss - Calmness and grounding
23. Cypress - Endurance and hope
24. Elm - Stability and wisdom
25. Lake - Peace and tranquility

26. Colm - Peace and gentleness
27. Sky - Freedom and possibility
28. Ocean - Strength and endless possibility
29. Cove - Safety and comfort
30. Canyon - Strength and adventure
31. Clay - Grounded and dependable
32. Fox - Cleverness and curiosity
33. Vale - Peace and beauty
34. Ronan - Little seal and adventure
35. Basil - Courage and leadership
36. Briar - Strength and resilience
37. Linden - Protection and compassion
38. Alder - Strength and confidence
39. Aster - Hope and guidance
40. Rye - Simplicity and abundance
41. Falcon - Courage and vision
42. Sterling - Excellence and integrity
43. Arden - Great forest and strength
44. Pine - Longevity and resilience
45. Leo - Courage and leadership
46. Sunny - Joy and optimism
47. Onyx - Strength and protection
48. Lark - Joy and freedom
49. Cliff - Strength and steadfastness
50. Grove - Growth and peace

I believe that choosing your baby’s name is one of the very first gifts that you will give your child. Out of all the names in the world, you get to choose the one that will fit them best. Although the process can feel overwhelming, there are things you can do that might make it easier. Try saying the full name out loud over and over. Write out your baby’s initials. If you have a favourite name, try referring to your baby bump with that name for a while to see how it feels. In the end, take your time - there is no rush. What is most important is that the name feels right for you and your partner. If nature inspired names are your style, I hope you found one you love!

The meanings for the names you see in this post are simplified interpretations based primarily on the origins and symbolism of each name as described by Behind the Name. Meanings of the names can vary depending on language, culture and historical interpretation.Behind the Name. The Etymology and History of First Names. Retrieved from https://www.behindthename.com/

10 Products that Genuinely Made my Newborn Days Easier

When I was pregnant, I spent a lot of time searching online for what I was going to need when my baby arrived. After scrolling through videos, reading articles and talking to other moms, I quickly realized there are SO many products you can buy for you and your newborn. In reality though, there are very few things you actually need. I think it’s helpful to start with the basics and then pick a few extra items you think will make life with your baby easier. The products below are items that I genuinely found helpful for the newborn stage.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.

Burp Cloths

I bought burp cloths because they were an item on every baby list but let me tell you they are a must have! My baby was one that spit up a lot and having one of these within reach was always a lifesaver. I would definitely keep these all over your house, so it is there when you need it.

Baby Wrap Carrier

Taking care of your baby is busy enough on its own but sometimes there are a couple other things that need to get done. A baby carrier helped keep my baby calm, while also giving me the baby cuddles I didn’t want to miss out on. This one specifically I felt kept my baby nice and snug.

Baby Lounger

Both my baby and I loved having a baby lounger. I enjoyed having a comfortable place to put my baby while I did something nearby and could still keep an eye on them. We personally used the Snuggle Me brand, but this one is very similar and a bit more budget friendly.

Diaper Bag

I don’t know how I’d leave the house without some kind of diaper bag. Babies just require so many things and a bag helps to keep it all organized. I found this one specifically was helpful with its abundance of pockets, so I could give everything a place.

Bottle Sterilizer & Dryer

This is an item I don’t necessarily think is a must have but personally I really enjoyed it. Having somewhere for the bottles to go where I knew they were clean and dry made it one less thing I had to worry about.

Dr. Brown Bottles

My baby was exclusively bottle fed and was very picky with what bottle they would take. After going through several different bottles and nipple types, these were the ones that worked for us. Every baby is different, so the bottle that works for yours can be different from mine but these were the ones we liked the most!

Bassinet

I tried a couple bassinets with my baby and this is the one I liked the most. It didn’t seem to take up too much space, I liked how it could maneuver over the bed, and my baby slept well in it.

Diaper Genie

I feel like this is something that is on everyone’s baby registry but if it is not on yours, I’d recommend it. It actually masked the smell of those deadly poops and is easy to change out of the bag.

Sleep Sacks

When swaddled my baby always wanted their arms out, so sleep sacks worked great for us. I also liked the idea that they had their arms free at all times. These sleep sacks felt soft and comfortable, which is exactly what I wanted for my baby.

Play Gym

Putting my baby on the floor to stare at the ceiling seemed incredibly boring to me. I liked this play gym because it gave my baby something to look at and interact with without being overstimulating.

The newborn stage was honestly one of my favorites so far. I was constantly in awe of this tiny person who was somehow a little piece of me. At the same time, this stage was so busy and had a steep learning curve. I felt I had a good amount of knowledge on caring for babies from my experience in life and yet so many things took me by surprise. There are no products that will remove the busyness of this stage but many of them can help make it easier, so you can fully enjoy the little blessing that you have.

About Me

Hi, I’m Emily!I’m a first-time mom who started this blog to share the experiences I’ve had in motherhood with the hope that they’ll be encouraging or helpful to someone else.
Growing up, I always loved to write, and being a mother is the best job I have ever had. I thought I’d put those two things together to create this blog.I quickly learned as a new mom that there is an overwhelming amount of information—and a lot of different opinions—that come your way. When I had my little one, I planned to breastfeed but was unable to, so we switched to formula feeding. Let me tell you, I was shocked at how many different kinds of bottles, nipples, sizes, flows, and formulas there were! It felt overwhelming at first, but through that experience I learned that every baby is different, and you have to choose what is helpful and makes the most sense to you as a mom.Anyway, I’m so excited that you’re here! I hope you find something that encourages you, teaches you something new, or simply reminds you that you’re not alone in this journey.

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