Meet Laura Hunter and Jennifer Walker, of Moms on Call, two infant care experts. They answers your three most frequently asked questions.

1. How do you get babies to sleep through the night?
· Tight swaddle, white noise up loud, boring sleep environment, great nighttime routine that begins with a relaxing bath, darkness in the babies room, keeping the middle of the night feeding BORING and in their room up to 2 1/2 months of age (then we drop the middle of the night feeding all together). Then some daytime tips like no naps lasting longer than 2 hours.

2. Is it realistic to expect babies to sleep through the night?
· Yes, babies need long stretches of sleep as they are growing organs, bones and smooth muscle at a phenomenal rate. By about 3 months of age, babies can be sleeping 9-12 hours a night.

3. What makes you different than other baby specialists?
· At Moms on Call we have simply been there. We have 8 children and we have brought home preemies, 9 pound babies a week overdue and multiples. We are also pediatric nurses with 20 years combined experience that helps us to know what parents are worried about and what they need to know about their babies. We take into account that  many parents are dealing with more than one child in the household and we address reality. We are not extreme in our methods and we like to support parents as they make choices.

For more information & to contact Moms On Call visit their website: www.momsoncall.com.

You can also purchase their book & swaddle set from us by clicking here.

When mom and I were brainstorming the design of our store we knew we wanted a unique entryway that would tease our clients about the experience inside. The idea for the animal topiaries were inspired by other topiary forms we had seen on various travel excursions. The topiary shapes were easy to decide on: The “b” in b braithwaite stands for babies, bunnies and bears- so the obvious choices were a bear and a bunny. Now that we’d decided what we wanted, the next step was to have them made.

We found two wonderful Atlanta sculptors were up for the task- now we had to direct them on how we wanted the topiaries to look. It didn’t take long to find our inspiration: stuffed animals of course! We scoured stores and trade shows for the perfect bear and bunny. We were specific on the topiaries having sweet faces, and we wanted the bunny to have big floppy ears. Weeks later, our search was over! Believe it or not, we found our bunny in an upscale New York drugstore. It was perfect! Well-proportioned, a sweet smushy face and big ears we could position any way we wanted.

So if you’re looking for the perfect bunny for your little one’s Easter basket, look no further.. we’ll always have here!:

We’re in the last month now! I’ve got a final list of to-do’s I need to complete, but I feel confident that if our little guy decided to come early we’d be ready. I wanted to focus this week’s posting on the must-have essentials I’ve brought home so far, outside of the stroller and car seat I mentioned in the last posting.

Before I share my list with you, remember that I’ve selected these based on what I think will be best-suited for our family. My biggest piece of advice to any new family is to remember that every family, and baby, is different. It is important to consider your lifestyle and product preferences when selecting the essentials for your own home. While advice from friends and family is always welcome, we always urge our parents to consider the needs of their own family and to make your product selections with those considerations in mind.

Kissy Kissy Signature Collection: these clothes are the perfect basics for every day life. We’ll be changing little guy’s clothes a lot and I want to have a wide variety of outfits that are lightweight, easy to get off and on, and inexpensive.

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Maclaren Bouncer: A bouncy seat is one of my favorite must-haves for new parents. A bouncy seat offers parents an easily portable and lightweight baby seat that can be moved from room to room. We have a small house, so I selected the Maclaren based on it’s smaller size- I needed one that was small enough to fit in our bathroom and kitchen for those times I needed to free up my hands but still have little guy nearby.

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Bottles: I’ve chosen two types of bottles to try- Medela (which will work with the Medela pump I have) and Dr. Browns. Remember, your little one will have a preference on bottles and nipples so start with a small selection from two different brands. Once you’ve found what works best then you can add to your selection.

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Swaddle Blankets: I’ve brought home three different types of swaddle blankets. Swaddle blankets are great for use outside of just swaddling so we like to suggest bringing home a variety of styles. I’ve chosen to bring home a miracle blanket (a must have for little ones that have the habit of breaking their swaddle and waking themselves up), the swaddle design do-it-yourself swaddlers (great for swaddling as well as covering up or a playmat on the floor) and the Aden & Anais muslin swaddles (since our little one who will be swaddled during the warmer months their light-weight material make them ideal for us)

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Changing Needs: Keep it simple with your changing station. I’ve brought home a changing pad with three white chenille changing pad covers-(I prefer the white because they are bleachable, and the chenille provide a super soft area for baby’s little bum). I am waiting on some new baskets coming in store soon to hold all the necessary changing essentials such as cream, diaper and wipes.

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Itzbeen timer: Who can remember anything after having a baby- I know I’ll be overwhelmed and we hope to create some sort of schedule, so the Itzbeen timer is perfect. A handheld device that easily keeps track of how long it’s been since we fed the baby, how long since they last slept, the time since the last changing- there’s even a reminder for which side you last nursed on.

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Mobi cam Monitor: We will put little one in his crib from the beginning so I know I want a monitor to keep a watchful eye! I love the mobicam for two reasons- it’s digital (so no worries about seeing any neighbors) and it has a great picture quality.

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Bathtime essentials: We’ve chosen the whale tub infant-toddler bath tub. I like that it can be placed inside our tub while keeping little one supported from infant until the toddler years. There’s no right or wrong answer with towels and washcloths, so my husband and I both selected a few that we liked.

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Baby Bjorn Synergy Carrier: I love the baby bjorn synergy carrier- not only does it keep little one close while having my hands free, but it’s light weight material and back support make it a comfortable option as well. Even better, it provides me the option with our baby facing us when he’s little and facing outwards when he’s older and more curious about his surroundings.

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Two books: Moms on Call and The Baby Whisperer Solves all Your Problems: Like many parents I’ve been reading to prepare myself for what’s to come. I have found these two books to be the most helpful in terms of sleeping solutions, soothing techniques and the list of necessities for the house. I’ve earmarked the pages I’ve found most helpful and am sure they’ll be referenced often.

As often as you can!  But… if your budget doesn’t allow every month of your child’s first 18 years, my favorites ages to photograph are when you’re expecting, the newborn age, at 7 months (or right when they’re starting to sit up comfortably on their own), the 1 year milestone, then following up at 18 months, 2 years, 3 years, 4 years, and so on….

The biggest changes occur naturally within the first year, so it’s important to plan ahead and schedule a professional sitting.  You’ll be amazed when looking back at the images and seeing resemblances, similarities, and growing personalities.  Later generations will treasure these images as well.

b • braithwaite

As the owner of a baby store and a first-time expecting mom, the number one comment I hear most frequently is “You’ll be the best mommy because you’re so well prepared.” Yes, I am extremely lucky because in terms of picking a stroller or highchair, or choosing which car seat is right, I’ve spent 6 years doing homework on those items so my choices will come easy. On the other hand, I am not prepared for the same concerns other expecting parents have about becoming a new parent: late-night feedings, sleep-less nights, diaper changes, and the anxiety of being responsible for a tiny person’s well-being.

Like our clients, I have made lists and started preparing our house for what’s to come. I thought I’d take the next 10 weeks to share with you what is on my list and which products we’ve chosen for our new little one. I hope you’ll find these postings to be helpful as well as amusing- understanding that I am like most expecting-moms- in a nesting phase that makes me over-analyze which tylenol to pick for the baby’s medecine cabinet (and let’s be honest, I probably don’t need that but for now it makes me feel more prepared so I’ve bought two bottles instead of just one!)

With 10 weeks to go, I would have told any of our clients that they should have ordered their furniture and chosen their car seat and stroller by now. Any decorative changes they are making to the room should be near complete: painting, rug purchases, etc. They should have also registered and decided on whether they’ll use a night nurse or not. So here’s where we are with our list:

• registered- we’ll, no. I mean really- how uncomfortable for our friends and family- am I supposed to register at my own store?! although it would be a great way to increase our sales!
• ordered furniture- almost! our crib is assembled, our other furniture items have been designed and ordered (custom b braithwaite pieces soon to be available). We still need to decide on a chair, but I’ll probably figure that out in the next week or two. We’ll share pictures soon!

• decorative changes- in progress- we have carpeting and window blinds that should be installed in the next few weeks
• night nurse- With a tiny house, we’ve elected not to use a night nurse (we may be regretting this in ten weeks!) But the very first thing we did arrange, before worrying about the nursery or anything else, was hiring Moms On Call. Moms on Call is made up of two pediatric nurse-moms with over 20 years of combined pediatric experience.  They offer in home (or over the phone) consultations that guide new parents through proper infant care techniques such as how to swaddle, giving a bath, and most importantly walking us through the steps of establishing a nighttime routine in the hopes of getting little one to sleep through the night sooner.
• car seat & stroller- deciding on a car seat and stroller was easy- I would be happy with any of the strollers we sell in our store to be honest but I wanted to be sure we had a stroller for two different types of activities: I wanted something compact and lightweight, that would hold a car seat, and be perfect for everyday errands and on the go activities. My husband wanted to make sure we had a durable stroller for outdoor activities, long walks around the park and trips to the playground in our neighborhood. So we’ve chosen the Peg Si Stroller and Peg Perego Viaggio Car seat- this is a great combination for my lightweight, on-the-go needs. And we’ll also have the Bob Revolution stroller- built for lots of outdoor activity. The Peg  Perego Car seat and Stroller are home, and ready to go! The Bob will come soon.
• basic necessities: I took advantage of our Christmas holiday to go to Target for the basic necessities we don’t sell at b braithwaite. The experience made me appreciate the anxiety our own clients feel when shopping for all their nursery and gear needs- with so many selections how the heck was I supposed to know what to buy! With a list in hand from Moms On Call, and my sister (a mother of 3 on the phone with me) I loaded up on the medecine cabinet supplies recommended by Moms On Call, as well as our first supply of diapers (one small set of Pampers newborn swaddlers, and one set of Pampers size 1) and some other great finds I’ll share with you in an upcoming post.

So with 10 weeks to go, I’m prepared with the basics. I tell all of our moms the same thing: when your little one comes the three things you need are a place for them to sleep, a car seat and diapers- everything else is bonus. Well, for that we’re covered!

by Sarah Baker, MS,PT, OCS/ Owner of Inspire Health

The beginning of a New Year will instinctually activate your inner fitness buff.  But when you are in your first, second or third trimester of pregnancy, how do you safely capitalize on this urge to burn calories and tone arms and buns?

First Trimester:

If you’ve been regularly physically active and your MD has cleared you to continue your current exercise program, there isn’t any need to make any drastic changes due to your pregnancy.  But you may find that nausea or fatigue makes getting to the gym or getting out for your normal walk/run challenging.  Do your best to continue your program in full or modified (less intense) form, but listen to your body.  Now is not the time to start putting the “no pain, no gain” mentality into practice. Consider adding a mind-body exercise form like pre-natal yoga.

If you did not regularly exercise prior to becoming pregnant, starting an aggressive fitness program now is not advised. But check with your MD to see if you can implement a moderate walking program or participate in prenatal yoga or water aerobics.

Second Trimester:

You should not be doing any exercise lying flat on your back at this point.  Make sure you are staying hydrated. Keep a water bottle with you and be sure to sip on it throughout your work-out.  As your belly grows and you begin to feel the aches and pains of pregnancy you may enjoy and feel the benefit of gentle stretching.

Third Trimester:

Ok, so by now you are feeling like a graceful movement is impossible.  But nobody is noticing because they are admiring your adorable belly.   Be careful to watch your balance and eliminate any exercise or activity where you are at risk of falling.  Your center of gravity has changed due to your growing bambino and you are going to be a little clumsier. Try taking your daily walk in waist or chest high water, you’ll be amazed at how good the buoyant forcesof the water can feel.  And remember if you are past your due date…..a good long walk can get things started!

To learn more about Inspire Health,
please visit: http://www.inspireatlanta.com/

Choosing how to diaper your baby is one of the first decisions a new parent must make.  In this post, we’ll share basic descriptions of your options to give you a good idea of the pros and cons of each.

Disposable diapers.  Most people choose disposable diapers for their convenience.  You just take it out of the package and put it on – no dealing with the rinsing, washing, wraps, and pins required for cloth diapers.  Disposable diapers wick away moisture, so skin doesn’t stay wet.  However, disposable diapers typically aren’t considered the most environmentally-friendly or  pocketbook-friendly choice, as they tend to be the most expensive diapering option.  Some companies are now making organic or “natural” disposable diapers, which are free of chlorine, toxins, allergens, fragrance or latex.

Cloth diapers. These diapers are reusable, chemical-free, and allow caregivers to know when a diaper has been soiled, enabling them to change the diaper in a timely fashion.  They have covers and liners, which you rinse after they’re soiled and can then wash in your laundry machines.  The inconvenience factor of cloth diapers mostly comes from the problems that arise when you take baby out of the house.  If you’re not going to have a washer and dryer available, things could get messy.  If you’re interested in learning more about cloth diapers, this blog post offers a look at the different systems available.

Both disposable and cloth diapers are completely safe for your baby if you are changing them regularly and not neglecting cleanliness and hygiene.

What are your thoughts on the disposable vs. cloth debate?

Post was compiled using information from 1, 2, 3, 4.

Surfing the web, we found several posts that had tips regarding different aspects of baby-rearing.  So to start your week, here are 16 tips from three different sources.  Click on the links for more in-depth descriptions of these tips.

Tips for making bedtime easier:

1. Set limitations and be firm.
2. Establish a bedtime routine and stick to it.
3. Adapt to growth.
4. Offer incentives.
5. Give the ultimate reward.

How to make homemade baby food even better for baby:

1. Add wheat germ to meals.
2. Add blackstrap molasses to sweeeten fruit purees or oatmeal.
3. Flax can be added to just about any meal.
4. Use the who grain varieties of foods.
5. Add a handful of cheese to boost calcium and make veggies more interesting.

For help with potty training:

1. Look to see if your child shows an interest in the potty.  Telling you he has “to go” is a big step.
2. Accidents happen.  Encourage progress and move on in a positive direction to keep the potty training on track.
3. Have your child sit on his potty before naps and before leaving the house or leaving your destination to return home.
4. Use prizes and rewards charts to make the process fun.  You could also try reading a story while your child sits on the potty.
5. For boys, play the “aiming game” by putting Fruit Loops in the toilet as targets.
6. Take a portable potty seat on the road with you to make it easier for your child to “go” when you’re on the go.

In this video, the founder and owner of b braithwaite, Chaffee Braithwaite Heilman, discusses the inspiration for the store and its unique aesthetic. Enjoy!

My favorite is the second photo.  I can’t believe the deer is letting the cat climb on him like that!