Mommy-Relief

How to Keep Your Baby Safe in the Summer

With summertime right around the corner, it’s time to plan family outings and adventures. If you have a young baby, take a look at the following newborn care tips for summer:

Hydration

Young babies who are under 6 months of age should be given plenty of breast milk or formula to help them stay hydrated throughout the warmer months of summer. Babies who are over 6 months of age can have both milk and water to help them maintain adequate fluid levels. Keep in mind that the heat of summer increases sweat production, which in turn can lead to dehydration. Symptoms of dehydration include skin that is warm to the touch, an accelerated breathing rate, and restlessness.

Clothing

Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing made of natural fibers can help your baby stay cool and comfortable in hot weather. Remember that the type of attire you pick for yourself is often what you should pick for your infant. Select light-colored items with long sleeves and pant legs, plus a broad brimmed hat, to keep your baby’s delicate skin protected from the sun’s rays.

Heat Protection

Your baby’s ability to sweat is not yet fully developed, so your baby can quickly overheat in poorly ventilated or hot areas. In fact, a child’s body can overheat 3 to 5 times more quickly than an adult’s. Summer days are often hottest between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., so stay inside with your baby during this time. Limit outside playtime to the cooler mornings and late afternoons. Your baby should never sit inside a hot car for any length of time, even if you are with him or her.

While you are adapting to caring for a newborn, the experienced and kind support of a nanny can be extremely helpful. You can depend on the expert care of the doulas at Mommy-Relief. Learn more about our newborn care services by calling (703) 537-5179.

Should You Hire a Doula for Daytime or Nighttime?

In the days following the birth of your child, you may begin to wonder when you’ll ever have time to sleep again. While you want to provide your baby with constant care, sleep deprivation and new parenthood are forces to be reckoned with. A doula can help with some of these challenges by offering daytime or nighttime newborn care services.

Daytime Doula Care

Even mothers who are lucky enough to have babies who sleep well through the night can find it challenging to adjust to their newborn’s schedule. During the day feeding, changing, and napping are constant.  This may leave a new mother with little time for anything else. If you’re falling behind on necessary tasks, such as cleaning, paying bills, and keeping appointments, turn to a postpartum doula for help. A doula can assist you by taking care of your baby's needs while you check things off of your to-do list. In addition, a doula can answer parenting questions, provide tips on breast feeding, and assist with recovery after childbirth.

Nighttime Doula Care

Getting a full night’s sleep may be your deepest desire after the birth of your baby. A nighttime doula is the perfect solution. Whether it’s once a week or every night, a nighttime doula will ensure that your baby is cared for throughout the night while you get a better night’s sleep. Bottle-fed babies will be fed, changed, and put back to bed. Breast-fed babies will be brought to their mother to nurse, then changed and brought back to bed by the doula.

The experienced, professional doulas at Mommy-Relief are available for daytime, nighttime, and date night shifts. Our goal is to help ease you and your spouse into a comfortable life with your newborn baby. To learn more about the newborn care and baby services available from Mommy-Relief, please call (703) 537-5179.

Mother's Day Gift Guide from Etsy

You have one week to get your mother's day gift (May 13, 2012). Click here to see our 12 great picks from Etsy.

Fiesta Time! Cinco de Mayo Ideas

Cinco de Mayo is here! (Any excuse for chips and queso is good with us). Here are some delicious links for your fiesta foods:

Try this colorful salsa guacamole.

Spice things up with these cheese and bacon jalapenos or some spicy taquitos.

Serve the whole family these healthy black bean quesadillas. 

Top it all off with one of these tempting margaritas. 

Sound Advice: "Momma Always Said..."

We are beyond excited to be part of "Listen to Your Mother"!  This national series showcases local writers from participating communities.  

May 6th from 2:00 to 3:30 pm is the first "Listen to Your Mother" in DC.  Are you going to be there? We will be! Learn more about the lineup of speakers and ticket information on the website for "Listen to Your Mother".