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Navigating Life as a New Mom—and Away from the City

Contributed by Suburban Jungle Realty Group. Suburban Jungle Realty Group has offices in NYC, L.A., Miami, Chicago and San Francisco.

Being a first- (or second- or third-) time mom is, hands down, tough. But in the city you’ve got some unique benefits that other moms don’t. There’s the 24-hour Duane Reade on the corner where you can, and do, grab diapers, wipes, milk, baby food and countless other goodies for you and your little one at literally any hour of the day. There’s the stroller group at the park, the mom’s group down the block, and the playroom in your building. And, of course, if you can’t or don’t have time to track it down, you can have it delivered with a quick click, and that “it” could be anything from breast pump parts to loaner strollers to tonight’s dinner.

So, yes, being an urban mom has plenty of perks. Not only is ours an all-access city, but through its 24/7 pace and proximity both moms and babies have plenty of opportunities to mix, mingle and make new friends almost every day. What happens, though, when that same city duo finds themselves in the ‘burbs, miles from a 24-hour drugstore and void of takeout anything? We’ve been there and we get it. Here are some tips from urban to suburban mamas to help you both navigate and love life in the ‘burbs. Because in NYC you might have the new mom world at your fingertips, but in suburbia you’ve got the space, pace and day-to-day lifestyle you’ve always dreamed about. All you have to do is make your new town your own. And that’s where Suburban Jungle Realty Group comes in! Read on for some of our pro tips.

Congratulations! You are expecting twins. So now what do you do?!

Contributed by Shannon O’Reilly-Fearn. Shannon is a mom to identical twin girls and the Founder of Twin Love Concierge – the USA’s only twin exclusive maternity and parenting consultancy.

Finding out you are expecting twins is a blessing and a shock rolled into one. Your initial reaction of ‘wow, we are having TWO babies’ will likely be followed quickly by ‘HOW are we going to do it?!’ You are not alone – these are the initial, confused feelings of ALL expecting parents of multiples.

Preparation is essential. As a mom to identical twin girls I’ve learned firsthand how important it is to be ready for twins. Unlike singletons you can’t just hope everything falls into place, because it doesn’t. Here are my five key points to keep in mind when preparing for your new babies: 

Safe Slumber: Tips on setting up a safe nursery

Contributed by Wee Sleep Solutions: Certified Infant and Child Sleep Consultants

You recently learned that you’re expecting! Congratulations! One of the most exciting things to do when preparing for a baby is setting up and decorating the nursery.  As sleep consultants, we want to ensure all of our little ones are as safe as possible at all times, especially when we put them to sleep.  So here are some of our top tips and reminders for a sound and safe slumber for all of your babies.

Five Things to Look For When Hiring a Nanny or Babysitter

By Lynn Perkins, CEO and co-founder of UrbanSitter.com

Finding and hiring the right babysitter can be unnerving for parents. While we’d all like to leave our kids in the kind and capable hands of Mary Poppins, the reality is that you’re not going to find a babysitter or nanny who “has it all.”

Take time to think about the skills, characteristics and “extras” that are most important to you, your spouse and your kids. Set up a formal interview with the caregiver, or try a “working interview,” where you can get tasks done at home while the babysitter or nanny watches your kids for the first time.

Here are a few things to look for when you decide on a new nanny or babysitter:

Protect Your Baby's Sensitive Skin from the Hot Summer Sun

Contributed by Tara Hilton, a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant who specializes in the care of infants.

You love your little one and want to him/her safe, so it only makes sense that you want to protect your baby from the summer sun.

Did you know that children who experience just one bad sunburn have a twofold risk of developing melanoma later in life? Protection from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation should begin early and continue throughout one’s lifetime.

Children under age two years have more sensitive skin that offers minimal protection against harmful ultraviolet radiation, allowing skin damage to occur within minutes of exposure to direct sunlight. Such damage can occur as early as a baby’s very first summer.

But don’t have to worry, you can take some simple steps to keep your baby safe.

Best Start for Breastfeeding Success

Contributed by Elina S. Arulraj, MSPT, IBCLC

Elina leads a weekly breastfeeding support group at the Yummy Mummy Store in NYC every Tuesday at 11:30.

Breastfeeding your baby is a different experience for every new or seasoned mom. What works for one mom and baby duo may not for another. For many moms, breastfeeding starts off without a hitch or very little difficulty so it is best not to psych yourself up beforehand!

The best advice I can give to all new mothers is to nest in with your new little one as soon as possible after birth. Do a lot of skin to skin with your baby on your chest which helps both of you to get back in sync with each other after a delivery or c-section.

Feed your baby frequently the first few days in the hospital and if it hurts get help as soon as you can to get the baby latched on deeply and avoid complications down the road.

Try to catch the baby when they demonstrate early hunger signs such as rooting, placing their fingers/hands in their mouth or making cooing sounds. Crying is a late feeding cue and it is always harder to latch a baby properly when they are too hungry or upset.

Take note of the time the baby starts feeding but try to pay attention to baby’s active sucking more than the clock!

What should I pack in my hospital bag?

Contributed by Fern Drillings, RN, MSN, certified childbirth educator and infant/child CPR instructor
To learn more about Fern and the classes she offers, visit: http://www.ferndrillings.com
The following are some suggestions for things that you might want with you in the hospital. Be sure to separate labor supplies from those things used after the baby is born. Try to be packed and ready to go at least 4 weeks before you are due, so there is no last-minute rush.

Check out Care.com's article on How to Breastfeed Your Baby featuring comments from our very own Amanda Cole.

Check out Stoller Traffic's article on how the right breast pump makes all the difference. Amanda Cole shares some guidance on choosing the best pump for your needs, and the scoop on how to get yours covered by insurance. 

Stroller Traffic's The Right Pump Makes All The Difference

Check out Pregnancy and Newborn Magazine's The Lactation Diet article featuring comments from our very own Amanda Cole.