Bright Ideas | Practical Stuff
Morning sickness and prenatal vitamins
Is morning sickness getting you down? Try taking your prenatal vitamins last thing at night. They get absorbed overnight which means all side effects will be gone come morning.
Don't lend out your ears
All the well-meant advice you'll receive can lead to information overload and leave you confused. Find a routine or child care method that makes sense to you, something you believe in and stick to it, no matter what advice you receive from your aunt, mother or best friend!
Homemade black and white mobile for visual stimulation
Infants prefer looking at highly contrasted patterns and shapes. Make your own mobile decorated with large geometrical black and white patterns. You can use a paper plate: Paint the centre black and white and hang dangly little black and white objects from it. Easy to make and just as easy to change.
Creative cooking
If your baby or toddler won't eat vegetables, you may have to resort to playing "Hide the Veggies". Make a dish with layers such as cottage pie or lasagna and hide the finely chopped veggies between the layers. Blend the carrots (or any other veggies) and mix it with the mash. No mess, no fuss!
Homemade iced tea for your busy bee
Add about 200ml of pure fruit juice (no sugar added) to 1L of weak rooibos tea and keep it in your fridge. This is a easy and healthy way of making your own iced tea and your older baby and toddler will love this refreshing drink!
Treat your baby the natural way
If your baby is crying frequently and seem to be in digestive discomfort most of the day, try Sister Lilian's Chamomilla D6 remedy. Not only will it calm and soothe your baby, but it treats colic-like symptoms as well as teething/ear pain.
Eucalyptus to chase the mozzies away
A few drops of eucalyptus oil on a cotton bud in baby's cot will keep the mozzies at bay and ensure your little one has a peaceful night.
A nursery that will bring a smile to your face
If your baby room has tiles or a wooden floor, add some baby shampoo to the water when cleaning the floor. It will make the whole room smell divinely baby-ish!
Reflux sleeping tip
If your baby suffers from reflux, chances are that you are not getting much sleep! Prop her mattress up so that her head is elevated. Place a rolled-up blanket at the bottom of the cot to stop her from sliding down.
Relief for engorged breasts
Breast milk is the absolute best you can give your baby. If you are struggling with engorged breasts, you can relieve the swelling by applying ice/cold packs or fresh (green) cabbage leaves to your breasts.