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3 Tips for Preparing for a Newborn

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Whether you’re becoming a first-time parent, or expanding your family again, preparing for a newborn can be challenging. You may have to do several things around the house to prepare, like get the nursery ready or baby-proof your home. You may also have to look at your current financial habits to determine if there are areas you need to cut back. Whether it’s on regular spending or you’re considering saving money for a new home this financial check-in will be crucial in your preparation.

Consider creating a checklist that can help you make sure you’re on the right track for when the baby comes. The better prepared you are before the baby is born, the more you can relax and enjoy their company when they arrive. Take these tips into consideration while checking items off your list!

1 – Check-In on Your Finances

As you get more excited each day leading up to bringing your baby home, it’s important to make sure that you have all your bases covered financially. Are there areas where you can cut back on spending so you can save to buy new things for the baby? For example, you may consider cutting back on the following items:

  • Streaming Services: Do you pay for Netflix, Hulu, Paramount, etc.? If so, even just cutting back to one streaming platform can save you at least $20/per month.
  • What You Already Have: Instead of going on a coffee run every day, consider making coffee at home!
  • Eating Out: If you order in or go out to eat a couple of times a week, try meal planning to save money on going out.

Saving this extra money will allow you to put it towards the baby’s nursery, clothing, or even hospital expenses.

Plan for Change

Bringing a new baby into the family may mean you have to make a lot of big, life changes to accommodate the little one. For example, if expanding your family causes your current home to become too small, you may consider buying a new home. This process on its own can be costly, so where you can, you’ll want to avoid stressing about buying a new house in the midst of having a baby. Along with many other strategies, financial preparation can help with that.

You’ll need to take into account whether you will be living off of one salary after the baby is born. If that is the case, you’ll need to determine how much you can afford on a house based on your income. You don’t want to put yourself at risk for not being able to afford a new home, pay your bills, and provide for your family. So reassure yourself that you can afford a home that will fit your family’s needs.

2 – Think Ahead When Designing the Nursery

One of the most exciting things about having a baby is designing the nursery. The baby’s room is an area where you and your newborn spend a lot of time together. Creating a separate checklist for the nursery room may help you identify everything you will need or what you already have and may just need to pull out of storage. You’ll want to think about the setup of the room as well in regard to where you want the crib, changing table, and rocking chair to go. For example, you don’t want to place the crib near the door where your baby can easily hear noises throughout the house. You also don’t want to place the crib or changing table under a vent. If a crin is located under a vent, the heat and air conditioning could be blowing directly on the baby, causing them to potentially fuss or become too warm or cold.

If you’re reusing a crib from one of your other kids, it may be best to invest in a newer mattress, and if you are investing in a new mattress, shop with us at Colgate Mattress. Mattress safety is extremely important when it comes to your baby as it affects their quality of sleep. Purchasing a new mattress will also ensure that the mattress is sanitary and you can ensure that it is firm enough for the baby. Since babies should not be sleeping with extra pillows, blankets, or stuffed animals, the mattress should be comfortable for them to lie on without extra support. Babies can’t sleep with extra items in their crib because of the potential for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), so investing in a mattress that is breathable too is crucial. At Colgate Mattress, we can supply you with a variety of crib mattresses that will best fit your needs. Babies tend to roll on their faces while sleeping, so making sure they can breathe while snuggled in their crib is important.

3 – Baby-Proof Your Home

Creating a safe space for your baby is crucial not only for them but for your family as well. Babyproofing your home is an important step as it brings a level of comfort to your baby and family knowing that they won’t have to worry about anything tragic happening. If you’re moving into a new house for example, you may consider babyproofing the home before you move in. This may consist of adding locks on all doors, installing gates around the stairs and in certain areas of the home, or adding window stops to all windows in the house. Taking these steps before moving in will reduce the stress of having to babyproof your home after the baby arrives.

Along with babyproofing your home, there are also safety precautions you should take in addition to standard babyproofing. Make sure that you have smoke detectors in each level of your home and a carbon monoxide detector. Each home should have one, but purchasing extra batteries and detectors to have on hand will also be in your best interest in the event of a fire, leak, or other safety issues.

Preparing for a newborn is such a fun and exciting process, but it can often become overwhelming. Taking these steps and tips into consideration and crossing things off your list will help you to feel ready for when the big day is here. In the meantime, make sure you are enjoying each moment and taking it all in, as it will go by fast. Before you know it, you will be in the nursery room creating memories with your new family member!

 

 

The Pros of White Noise for Baby

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Photo Credit: Baby Dream Machine

Babies are already used to white noise – afterall, the womb can be a noisy place with the reassuring echo of human life. Every day breathing and the beating of your heart, create a comforting sound somewhat akin to the hum of a vacuum.

After arrival, babies often find themselves in a world of hushing and quiet footsteps. All with good intentions, this curated silence can leave them feeling isolated, possibly anxious and inturn can lead to trouble sleeping.

Soothing background sounds help some babies get to sleep faster and stay asleep longer. Here’s what to know about white noise for your baby.

Is white noise okay for babies?

White noise machines create a comfortable, womb-like environment that calms infants. They are meant to be in the background, making it safe for babies from a health perspective. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends using a white noise machine set no louder than 50 decibels (about the sound level of a quiet dishwasher), so use a low volume setting and use a timer to stop playing it once your baby falls asleep. Follow common sense and your instincts – don’t put the noise machine or its cords within your baby’s reach. 

Should I worry about using a white noise machine? 

Some babies don’t like the sound of white noise, so you may have to rely on other ways to get your little one down. Others like it so much that they become dependent and may struggle with sound sleep without white noise in the background.

Buying and using a white noise machine

For safe sleep you do not want to buy anything with sound levels above 50 decibels, so before purchasing a white noise machine be sure you do your homework to ensure your little one’s safety.

White-noise machines are available online. But if you’re on a budget, you can produce white noise by running a fan. You also can pick up a low-cost, white noise-generating app such as White Noise Baby for your smartphone – also a perfect on-the-go option.

Once you’ve purchased your machine, you may have to adjust the volume on your white noise machine in order for it to effectively calm down your crying baby. After your little one has been soothed, adjust the volume to the level of a soft shower.

White noise sounds can be incredibly helpful during the difficult stages of your baby’s life, especially in the first few sleep-challenged months. Still, you don’t want to get into the habit of exposing your child to white noise all night, every night.

Final thoughts 

Babies aren’t born into sound sleep, it’s a skill they develop. A 24/7 white noise machine could get in the way of your baby learning to self-soothe. However, white noise can be a useful tool to help newborns and babies get the quality sleep they need.



Top 3 Tips when Shopping for Baby Products

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By Lauren Mulenos, Colgate Mattress Brand Advocate & Guest Blogger

 

 

So you’ve already made the great decision to go with Colgate for your baby’s crib mattress. If you haven’t taken the plunge yet, here are 4 things to consider when buying a crib mattress and why to go with Colgate. Now what? You still need crib sheets, a crib, and more so, where to begin? You likely picked Colgate for its quality and standards, so it makes sense you’d desire similarly crafted products for everything else. But where to begin? Researching and acquiring baby necessities is like a full-time job; plus, words like “natural” and “nontoxic” aren’t regulated, making it hard to discern what to buy. 

 

First of all, go ahead and buy a couple Eco Cover-Organic Cotton Fitted Crib Mattress Covers to go with your Colgate bed. These are great to put on top of your mattress, before you put on your fitted sheet. Have at least one backup per mattress (I grabbed four total for my twins). This way you can change the sheets immediately without downtime, while the soiled one goes in the wash. After that, let’s get the rest of the nursery outfitted. Here are 3 tips to keep in mind when shopping for baby products, be it anything from cribs to clothes.

 

  • Read the label. I can’t stress this enough. Go to listed materials or fiber contents and see what it says. This will tell you exactly what is used in the product. If it is confusing or doesn’t list them, try reaching out to customer service. Typically if it isn’t listed, that is a red flag and means they don’t actually want you to know. Why not list it otherwise? They have nothing to lose if there isn’t an issue regarding materials! While it is a requirement to list fiber contents on clothing tags, this isn’t the case for all products and even sometimes websites don’t list the details.


  • Go for Natural Materials.* Man-made fibers may be great and are often cheaper, but look for natural fabrics like 100% cotton, 100% hemp, 100% wool. Common man made fibers are rayon, spandex, polyester, etc. There’s nothing inherently wrong with these, but natural fibers tend to be more breathable, have less chemicals, and cause less irritations. Baby skin is so sensitive, anything you can do to help, you should. This also applies to hard goods too. When you’re buying furniture looking for contents like  100% wood without any chemical finishes is best. Avoid plastic where you can.

 

*Once you choose natural fibers, some “nice to have” features are organic (GOTS Certified) and made in the U.S.A. Organic means there are less (harsh) chemicals on the products. Made in America products not only support local companies, but also ensure the highest standards in production since it can be more easily monitored versus overseas. Another call-out that is nice is “no flame retardants”. This has become increasingly important in mattresses (Colgate doesn’t use them!) and car seats.

 

  • Find Greenguard Gold Certified. This is a certification put on by UL, a company that has been around for over 100 years in the safety and security space. When something is Greenguard Gold Certified, it means that it has low chemical emissions, making your home (or wherever the product lives) better to be in. All products have Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which often cause the air in your home to be worse than even the most polluted air outdoors. This is great to look for in all of your nursery furniture! Children’s lungs are so sensitive, and they often put things in their mouth that don’t go there, so these certifications offer a better sense of security and safety. For the record, Colgate is Greenguard Gold Certified AND CertiPUR Us certified safe.

 

Once you know these things, it is a lot easier to find products for your sweet babies. Well, maybe not easier, but at least you know what to rule out! Seek out companies (like Colgate) that implement the standards you desire. Whether they are a brand or retail store, you can often find companies that choose items within your quality level, which take out the guesswork and searching. Some of our favorites are Milk Street Baby, The Tot, and Maisonette. While some places may not carry items based solely on my recommendations above, they often have organic or more nontoxic collections within their product lines. Just look for it and you’ll likely find something in your style and budget. The more you know… Happy shopping!!

 

Lauren Mulenos is an expectant twin mom located in Los Angeles, California with a background in apparel merchandising and production. She runs the lifestyle blog LMents of Style where she discusses everything from fashion to travel, and now baby! You can keep with her and her twins on her Blog, Instagram, and YouTube channel.

Colgate Brand Advocate Program

If you are a blogger, photographer, nursery designer or simply a mom who loves to show off her little ones, please complete this form to be considered for a collaboration.

5 Calming Nursery Colors That Soothe Baby

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What color should I put in the nursery? Will it be too bright or bold? When preparing your new baby’s nursery, one of the big decisions to make is the paint color. Instead of picking traditional pink or blue, more parents are looking for colors that add a splash of style and serenity to baby’s room.

With a little color insight and a can of paint, you can easily transform a bland nursery into a soothing sleep sanctuary. Try one of these five calming nursery colors and let a state of Zen wash over you and your baby.

Soft Greens

Green provides us with an instinctual sense of security that baby will grow and thrive in its presence. Associated with health, healing and well-being, green reduces anxiety. Bonus: Research shows that exposure to the color green may increase concentration and reading ability!

Surround your baby with the nurturing power of mother nature by choosing a light or medium green color such as sage or moss. Blue greens, like mint or seafoam, are also an excellent choice and promote peace and health.

Pale Purples

Associated with wisdom and spirituality, purple combines the calming properties of blue with the nurturing femininity of pink. Lighter shades like lavender and lilac provide the soothing strength of purple without the visual overstimulation that can come from richer options.

Since purple often appears darker than expected, interior painting experts suggest going one shade lighter than the one you’ve got your eye on. Here are 10 purple nursery shades to consider.

Earthy Neutrals

Neutral shades can be great for creating a warm, grounding atmosphere. Gentle, earthy neutrals like light beige, light tan and taupe will ensure your little one feels safe and cozy. Neutrals are easy on baby’s developing eyes, so these shades also help your little dreamer to wind down and sleep.

Complete the earthy theme with nature-inspired nursery essentials. A neutral tone works especially well if you are planning to have more children.

Creamy Whites

To create a soothing, white haven that will instil feelings of serenity and peace, avoid blue whites. Instead, choose creamier shades like soft ivory, vanilla and antique white. Think shabby chic! Add warmth and variation by incorporating rustic, earthy textures like wicker and wood.

Light Grays

As a reflective, calming hue, gray is an excellent backdrop that promotes thought and emotion. It’s a calming color, but be sure to keep things looking cheery by avoiding dark and stormy grays and instead select a light, blue-gray. To add softness, pair with crisp white trim and pretty pastel accents.

A Few More Tips!

Many people choose a paint color based on the colors that are prevalent in the bedding or accessories they have chosen. Whether you select a paint color based on a themed room or decide to keep it simple, select colors that you like too. You will be spending a lot of time here!

Having a hard time deciding on a color? ProjectNursery.com suggests that you visit online paint and hardware stores that offer interactive programs allowing you to upload a photo of your nursery to select different paint colors on the virtual walls.

Choosing the perfect color scheme for a soothing room can be an exciting experience! Relax and enjoy this time in your life and most importantly, have some fun with it.

infant twins sleeping

6 Forgotten Nursery Must-Haves for Twins

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sleeping twins

Are you expecting twins? Designing a nursery for twins will be one of the most fun parts of your twin pregnancy. However, there are a few things you need to prep for your newborn twins that you may not have thought about. Here are a few tips from our friends at Twiniversity, the twin experts.

 

Furniture Anchors

Plan to anchor all furniture to the walls before the twins are even born. Trust me, you will thank me for this! Getting this out of the way before delivery day will allow you to set it and forget it. Once your twins are on the move, it’s one less thing you have to worry about. Be sure to also anchor lower furniture, such as dressers. You’d be amazed how easy it is for two toddlers to pull over furniture when they work together.

 

2-stage Crib Mattress  

Since you’re buying multiples of everything, it pays to get more bang for your buck. Many great crib mattresses are ‘2-stage,’ meaning they can be used from infant to toddler, usually as simply as flipping it over after your baby turns one year old.  Oh, and don’t forget to protect that investment with a crib waterproof mattress cover.

 

Big Diaper Basket

You are about to give birth to two different people. Even if you’re having identical twins, there’s a good chance your twins will have a weight discordance at some point in their first year. Purchase an extra large diaper basket that’s big enough to hold two different sizes of diapers at once, just in case your twins are ever in different sizes for a while.

 

Unobtrusive Lighting

Plan for some lighting in the room that will allow you to navigate their room in the dark while they’re sleeping, but won’t wake them up. A strategically positioned night light should do the trick to make sure you don’t stub your toe on a crib on your way out the door.

 

Two Memento Boxes

You may not always have time to keep a detailed journal of every milestone for each twin, but you will definitely want to save specific mementos, such as hospital bracelets, clothing, coming home outfits, etc. for each child. Make a box for each of them. It may help to keep a shoebox for smaller items within a large plastic bin to hold everything you want to save.

 

Smart Device

Let Alexa keep you company during all of those late nights with your infant twins. Install a smart speaker in their bedroom, such as an Amazon Echo or Google Home. It can play music, answer your questions, and even play games with you while you’re serving the 16th bottle of the day. Even better, ask Alexa to read you, “What To Do When You’re Having Two” by Natalie Diaz, founder and CEO of Twiniversity, the #1 global resource and support network for parents of twins.

 

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For more info on Twiniversity, including daily articles, expecting twins classes, a podcast, and social media giveaways for twin parents, visit Twiniversity.com.

Now reaching over 2 million families a year in over 150 countries, Twiniversity is the largest global resource for all things “twinnie”. With worldwide recognition in her field, Founder Natalie Diaz brings her twin parenting expertise to their online resource, including parent to parent forums, live and online expecting twins classes, social media channels, and her bestselling book “What To Do When You’re Having Two“, the #1 bestseller on Amazon for Twins & Multiples Parenting.

Photo Credit: Jane Goodrich Photography