Women's Interests

Bringing home a brand-new baby is often a stressful and tiresome time for new mothers. Babies are extremely needy, especially in their first few weeks of life, and the new mum needs to have this time with her baby to bond and care for it. As a friend or family member, there is a lot that you can do to help a new mum. Basically anything that you can do to save her time and energy will be a blessing for her, and the following are a few ideas.

Photo: ailatan

Food Comes First

No new mum should ever have to worry about what’s for supper, so if you only do one thing, then making food and bringing it to her should be it. All you have to do is whip up a few quick meals that can be frozen and easily thawed, such as a casserole, pizza or soup, and label them accordingly. Showing up once in a while with fresh baking or a picnic basket filled with other goodies is also ideal, or you can pick up a few fresh fruits and veggies from the farmer’s market to save her a trip to the shops. Read more… »

There is nothing more exciting than having a new baby on the way. The anticipation, the debates over names, the guessing whether you will have a beautiful little boy or girl, all make this period one of the most amazing experiences of your life. And preparing for the baby to arrive is a bonus that will really amp up the excitement levels and make the arrival of your new little family member even more highly anticipated.

Photo: Conor Keller

After heading out or online and filling your baby wardrobe with gorgeous maternity wear, filling the new supplies closet with enough diapers to last for weeks and reading all the baby books you can find, it’s time to get out of the organisational phase and into the joys of nesting — creating a beautiful haven for you and your baby. Your baby nursery can be one of the most amazing decorating jobs you ever undertake in your house — because it invites rather than deters the adventurer, the fairytale lover and the child inside who craves bright colours and big pictures. Read more… »

No matter how careful you are when raising a child, unfortunately, we are human, and there could be a moment or two where they go unwatched. Unexpected accidents happen as frequently as hidden dangers are prevalent. This is why preparing your home for your child’s safety is so important. It’s especially crucial in the nursery, because that is your baby’s safe haven. As a child grows, they become more curious and begin to explore. Household items that seem harmless can become a fatal plaything for your baby.

It’s hard to imagine that something as simple as window treatments could be a threat, but the dangling cords on blinds and shades can be very attractive to babies. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports “about once a month, a child between 7 months and 10 years old dies from window cord strangulation”. Read more… »

One of my closest friends has just announced that she is expecting her first child after many years of wanting and waiting. I am so delighted for her naturally, and it has made me think about all the wonderful things there are to look forward to with a new baby. Nostalgia-tinted memories have come flooding back to me of tiny baby clothes, prams and the joy of creating a nursery.

Photo: Gonzalo Merat

These days you don’t have to decorate in pale pink, blue or yellow you can choose from a much wider range of options. If you don’t find out the sex of the baby before they are born then it is safest to go for something which isn’t a gamble – there would be nothing worse than a baby boy in a fairy-themed room for example, Granddad would never forgive you. Read more… »