sam, Author at babybay

Infant Sleeping Guidelines

Posted on February 10, 2021August 24, 2021 by sam

It brings a sigh of relief to Mom and Dad when this peaceful moment occurs. Naturally, all parents want to have their infant fall into a deep sound sleep, because a baby that gets the required sleep is less likely to be a pool of crying eyes afterwards.

Creating the right sleep environment for infants and using recommended sleep guidelines from health professionals can make all the difference to both the parents and the infant’s well being. When parents follow proper sleep guidelines for infants, it can lessen the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

To help young parents, we’ve collected these helpful tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics to check to see if you’re helping your infant’s sleeping practices. We hope so!

Sleeping guidelines for infants

Babies should sleep on firm, flat sleep surfaces. We recommend the original babybay bedside co-sleeper to start out with when you arrive home with your infant. You can then convert this sleeper into a bassinet as your baby grows.

Babies under 12 months old should be carefully placed on their back to sleep for naps. The AAP notes that your baby can be left in a side or front position, if your baby is already able to roll from the back-lying position to the side or stomach.

The AAP strongly discourages bed-sharing habits for infants under a year old with parents. But we definitely recommend letting your baby sleep in the same room, and alongside your bed in a baby bed.

Try not to let your babies sleep with any kind of soft pillows, plush toy animals, comforters, blankets or extra bedding parts until at least a year and a half old. Just a baby in a onesie often works best.

Keep the baby’s crib or bassinet within reaching distance of the parent bed. This helps to comfort the baby or breastfeed without having to stand up and walk over to a crib.

These are just a few of the highlighted guidelines recommended by the AAP for the safety of your child. It’s important that your baby sleeps on the back for a more restful sleep. And that’s why we think that our babybay is the right baby bed sleeper to have the whole family sleep better!

From Bedside Sleeper to Bassinet

Posted on February 3, 2021August 31, 2021 by sam

But now you – Mom – are ready to find a new use for your sleeper. You’d love to use your sleeper and turn it into a freestanding baby bassinet. This may become an enclosed space for your darling little one to simply hang out near you, or nap nearby, during the day or evening.

Well, you can have this, if you already have a bedside sleeper. This wooden guard rail pictured below is all you need to keep your lil’ guy or gal purring happily near you. We call it the Bassinet Conversion Kit, and you can order it separately as an accessory to your babybay bedside sleeper.

When you’re ready to make this move, it’s simple to convert your babybay bedside sleeper into a bassinet. Simply order our bassinet conversion kit to convert your babybay from a bedside sleeper to a standalone bassinet.

The protective wooden guard rail fits onto the open side of your bedside sleeper. It uses wooden locking clips, so it’s able to withstand any holding and pulling by your baby.

The picture below on the left shows the bedside sleeper with the wooden guard rail being attached. And the image on the right shows you the enclosed space your baby will be in. It’s a win-win for both the baby and the parents.

Using the guard rail to enclose the sleeper and turn it into a convertible bassinet for your baby can help gently move your baby away from the parental bed and further toward naptime sleeping independence after a few months. When that particular independent sleep time period happens is up to the parents to decide, of course. But when the time is right, having the guard rail to convert your sleeper into a bassinet will give you the assurance you need to know your baby always sleeps safely.

It’s easy to add the babybay bassinet conversion kit wooden guard rail to your existing babybay bedside sleeper. Simply add it to your cart on our shopping page, order it, and we’ll ship it to you quickly. Order a bassinet conversion guard rail today, and have relief on seeing your baby sleeping peacefully during the day or night.

How to Get Your Best Sleep After C-Section

Posted on January 13, 2021December 29, 2022 by sam

Newborns can be a challenge to care for on a normal day. But when you’re recovering from major abdominal surgery while also trying to unlock the secret to getting quality sleep after a c-section (not always an easy task!) and also trying to spend all the extra minutes of your day showing love to your new little one…

Well, it can feel like a lot to handle at once.

Your doctor should have provided specific care information to help you through your healing process. But even with this care info in hand, there isn’t a foolproof handbook on how to make it all work.

So if getting enough rest while taking care of your baby and taking care of yourself is feeling like a lot to take on, let us make things a little easier by delivering our top wish-our-doctors-had-told-us-this tips for getting sleep during c-section recovery.

We’re about to break down:

How planning ahead can make it easier to drift into dreamland
What c-section sleep position will be most comfortable while speeding your recovery time
How to use a bedside bassinet to nighttime nurse and comfort your little one with ease
How to calm your mind and drift to dreamland by blocking out distractions
Why prioritizing self-care is the most important thing you can do for your little one

Planning the Days Ahead to Make Sleeping After C-Section Easier

It’s so easy to spend all day, every day staring into your newborn’s eyes and counting their fingers and toes. But there’s a reason why “rest when your baby rests” is some of the most-shared parent advice out there (you might even be sick of hearing it by now!).

This is helpful advice for sleep-deprived new parents in general, but as your body recovers from the c-section it becomes even more important to make rest a priority.

(Remember: a cesarean section is major abdominal surgery that requires some healing time, even if 1 in 3 babies in the US are born this way.)

Get Family, Friends, or a Doula to Lend a Helping Hand

If you have a partner at home, plan for them to take over diaper change duty or meal preparation tasks so that you can get some extra time for shuteye when you need it most.

If you are alone with your baby or struggling to find time to rest, ask friends and family for assistance, or consider hiring a postpartum doula to spend time with you and your baby in the early stages.

Keep in mind that these early days sleeping with your newborn baby are just a small part of your journey. The better you take care of yourself during these days, the faster your cesarean section recovery can happen. But don’t feel pressured to rush toward recovery — the more you let yourself heal, the quicker your body will recover.

Prioritize a Healthy Mindset

Making a conscious effort to take care of yourself while caring for (and bonding with!) your newborn will help ease your exhaustion and get you back to feeling like yourself.

It will also help you maintain a healthy mindset, which is the key to turning all those early moments with your newborn baby into quality bonding time.

If you begin to feel depressed, feel negative emotional changes, or feel in a constant state of fatigue beyond the first couple of weeks after your cesarean section, you may be experiencing postpartum depression.

In these cases, reach out to your health care professionals for help and get an assessment of your situation (because even with the best support network on the planet, we could all use a little support from our care team too!).

How to Sleep After C-Section: Best Positions and Tips

Prioritize Your Comfort While Sleeping with Your Newborn

There’s not one universally comfortable position to help you get sleep after a cesarean section. It may take some trial and error (and some extra pillows!) to find a position that will help you relax without pain.

Some commonly-loved sleeping positions after a c-section include:

On your back
On your side
In a recliner
With an elevated upper body

Take your time and try out different arrangements to see what works. Make sure you carefully move between positions and try not to strain or overexert yourself while getting in to (or out of) your bed or recliner. Your main goal is to rest comfortably and reduce any stress on the incision site — keeping that goal in mind can help.

Sleeping On Your Back After C-Section

According to the Specialty Surgery Center, the best sleeping position after C-section (and most surgeries in general!) is on your back. In most cases, sleeping on your back may be the best option to relieve any pressure on your incision. Try placing a pillow under your knees or sometimes a smaller pillow for your neck to find a balance that works for you.

If you’re sleeping on your back, it is very important not to sit up directly from this position. Rolling to your side and using your arms to help you sit up will protect your recovering abdominal muscles.

The University of Washington Medical Center recommends the “logroll” method to get yourself out of bed (this will make you more comfortable while also protecting your abdominal muscles).

To perform the log-roll:

Before you move your feet off the bed, roll onto your side with your knees bent
Move your feet off the bed, using your arms to push your body up to a sitting position
Try to keep your abdomen relaxed
Sit on the side of the bed before you stand up

Sleeping on Your Side

Sleeping on your left side aids in optimum blood flow, which is great for your recovering body.

You may still need that full-body pregnancy pillow around to support your belly and hips. But whether you go with or without extra cushioning, this well-loved c-section sleep position might make it easier for you to get into and out of bed.

Many new moms find the side-lying position is the most comfortable breastfeeding position while recovering from a c-section.

If you do decide to breastfeed with your baby in this position, make sure to keep your baby safe and move them out of your bed before you fall asleep. Or choose to use a bedside bassinet that lets you easily breastfeed and comfort your little one without having to leave your bed or aggravate your healing by reaching over crib bars.

Sleeping In a Recliner

If you’re breastfeeding, you may already be spending a lot of time in the recliner.

Similar to sleeping on your back in bed, resting in a
recliner can be an option that takes pressure off your abdomen and makes resting more comfortable.

Depending on the style of your chair, you may have a foot rest attached or a separate ottoman. Try out different adjustments, or supplement your cushions with small pillows or a rolled-up blanket to get things just right.

Recliners don’t offer quite the same quality of rest as sleeping in your bed, but this can be a great option for an afternoon nap or just a few minutes of shut-eye to recharge.

Sleeping with an Elevated Upper Body

A study published in the journal CHEST found that sleeping at a 45-degree angle helps you breathe easier, without interfering with the quality or duration of your sleep. That’s why doctors will often recommend this position for postpartum mothers at risk for obstructive sleep apnea.

But even if obstructive sleep apnea isn’t a concern for you, this position can make your sleep more peaceful by helping you get your breathing pattern get into a comfortable flow.

If you have a wedge pillow handy, you can try to use it to elevate the entire upper body. If there isn’t a wedge pillow around, you can still get the same benefits with a carefully arranged pile of pillows.

For even more support, you can prop pillows under your knees and use the log-roll method (cited above) to get out of bed with ease.

Beyond Your C-Section Sleep Position: Getting Better Sleep with a Bedside Bassinet

Many moms who start out with a more traditional crib setup switch over to a bedside bassinet or bedside co-sleeper as they recover from a c-section. That’s because reaching over crib bars or getting out of bed to nurse or care for your little one can be uncomfortable as your body heals.

To limit the stress on your body — while also comfortably nurturing your little one all night long — you can try setting up a safe and secure bedside bassinet by your bed so that your baby remains easily within reach.

This will minimize the number of times you have to get out of bed during the night while giving your healing abdomen a much-needed rest.

How to Block out Distractions for Better Sleep

It’s a story that every parent is familiar with: Your baby is finally ready for a nap. But just as you start to doze off bedside them…they start waking up.

Getting into a restful mindset and falling asleep as quickly as possible can be a struggle on a normal day, but when the stress of staying on your baby’s schedule gets added to that — well, it can make it near impossible to get rest.

Consider keeping an eye mask nearby to block out some light as you rest during the day. Then plan some unplugged rest time away from your electronics to help to disconnect and mentally recharge. Turn off your notifications if possible, or set your device away from you so you’re not tempted to pick it up during your dedicated rest time.

Why You Should Stay Focused on Self-Care

It’s totally normal to want to focus all your extra attention on being with your newborn during their first weeks. But after a c-section, making room for your own recovery and health also needs to be a priority.

Remember that by taking care of yourself, you’re taking care of your family.

Your body has gone through some amazing changes in the last nine months, and there are more changes ahead as your hormones and body recover from giving birth. You may experience a roller coaster of emotions during this time, which is absolutely normal.

As long as you give your body and mind the rest and recovery it needs (by prioritizing your need for sleep after c-section), you’ll be back to feeling like yourself in no time — with plenty of energy to enjoy every minute with your loved ones.

Designing a Minimal Nursery: Top Dos and Don’ts

Posted on December 30, 2020November 21, 2022 by sam

Preparing parents choose to run full-force towards the minimal nursery aesthetic for plenty of reasons that are unique to them. Whether a neutral color palette just speaks to your tastes, or you’re working with the kind of limited space that makes “sticking to just the essentials” the natural next move, minimalist nursery decor can offer a relaxing backdrop to your baby’s sweet Z’s while also leaving you in love with your design.

If you’re in the planning stages of your minimalist nursery design process, we’ve got just the decor tips and much-needed next steps to set you down the path toward the perfect calming nursery space.

Nursery Decor DO: Start with a Minimalist Nursery List

There are endless baby products, store aisles, and nursery furniture choices to choose from when looking to fill your little nursery to perfectly suit your baby’s comfort.

But getting lost in all that baby product noise is the quickest way to lose track of the minimal nursery aesthetic you love—while also buying dozens of expensive and supposedly “must-have” gadgets and doodads that you’ll regret spending money on down the road.

That’s why we’re all about breaking your essentials down before you even begin shopping (especially when minimalism is your goal).

Though things like bodysuits and a diaper bag should be on your “buy before baby comes” list, there are a few can’t forget! nursery and furniture pieces that are essential for even the most devoted minimalist.

Our favorite essential nursery furniture pieces include:

A made-for-them space for your baby to sleep and nap comfortably
Well-fitted and hypoallergenic bedding sets to keep your little one nice and snug
A comfortable-for-you bed or nursery chair that will make soothing and breastfeeding easier
A dresser or storage space to hide away all those essential baby products
A changing table alternative for maximizing the use of your space

Stick to your nursery list as much as you can (to save money, make your nursery look cohesive, and avoid splurge purchases that you’ll regret buying down the road!). But also don’t forget the power of buying a design piece or two that’s just there to make you happy and bring your personal flair to the space.

Minimalism isn’t about giving up on the design pieces that make you happy—it’s about making sure each design piece you choose has a place and point in your nursery and home.

Nursery Decor DON’T: Don’t Buy Without First Exploring Your Options

Long gone are the days when a traditional big, bulky, and expensive crib was the only way to go.

These days, there are safer, more secure, and more comfortable ways to help your baby sleep peacefully through the night. Ones that aren’t just more comfortable for them—but lead to longer and more restful nights of sleep for you too.

More and more parents (and parents-to-be!) are choosing to save money and space by using an all-in-one sleeper and bedside bassinet that lets you keep your baby close during the first few months of life. These options make it even easier to nighttime nurse and care for your baby’s every cry, without adding extra dust-gathering and expensive pieces of furniture to the mix.

These all-in-one options (like the longtime parent-loved babybay bedside sleeper that easily converts into a bedside bassinet) help you follow American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations for keeping your baby extra-close during their first 6 months, while freeing up space in your nursery that can be better used for playing and cuddling.

Options like a bedside sleeper also take away all the pressure to perfect the comfort of your minimal nursery space, since you can easily nighttime nurse and offer cuddles and care without leaving your own soft and comfy sheets.

Nursery Decor DO: Multi-Purpose Minimalist Nursery Furniture for the Win

The marketing of different baby products might be designed to convince you that you need this, and this, and this to design a nursery your baby will love, but don’t let all that noise hold you back.

There’s no reason to buy minimalist nursery furniture that only has one use.

Sure, you need a place to change your baby. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you need a changing table.

Instead of spending extra money and using up all your space with minimalist modern nursery pieces that only have one purpose, try adding a changing pad to the top of a dresser, or filling a portable basket with diaper supplies and having a roll-up mat around for a quick change on any surface.

By avoiding items that will only be useful for a short time (and looking for items that can fill multiple needs), you’ll not only stay away from breaking the budget—you’ll invest in furniture pieces that can adapt and grow right alongside your child.

Nursery Decor DON’T: Don’t Ignore the Importance of Going All-Natural In Your Minimal Nursery

Minimalism and sustainability often go hand-in-hand. (Why? Because by choosing more natural materials and only buying what you need, you’re supporting the planet and reducing waste!)

But even if you’re choosing minimalism mostly because you like the style, you’ll still benefit from the many ways that minimalist nursery choices support your baby’s safety and security.

Makers like babybay (the team behind some of the most parent-loved bedside sleepers on the market) write sustainability into their mission statement by designing all-natural sleeping spaces made of 100% ethically-sourced beechwood.

And while this natural beechwood offers a non-toxic and non-hazardous place for your little one to catch their dream-filled Z’s (compare that to traditional crib models, which are made with toxic glues and varnishes), these models are as cute as they are practical and safe.

You can choose from a neutral range of colors that blend in beautifully to whatever minimalist color palette you choose, while experiencing the peace of mind that comes from knowing that safety isn’t being sacrificed for style.

What to Do With All Your Nursery Design Dos and Don’ts

Building a minimalist modern nursery doesn’t have to feel like a chore, and filling your space with furniture pieces that will bring your little one comfort—while also bringing joy to you!—doesn’t have to break your budget or leave you sacrificing other things on your nursery wishlist.

All it takes is a little bit of planning to build the minimal nursery of your dreams, one that is perfectly multi-functional, perfectly eco-friendly, and best yet—perfectly designed for you.

Author: sam