|
Now that I've entered the 3rd month of parenting, I've rounded up the top 5 things I'd share with brand new moms - plus 5 must-have things that got me through the first few months!
I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. 
1) Let Go of the To-Do List
Prior to becoming a mom, I based the success of my days on the amount of things I could get accomplished. I jam-packed my schedule from early morning through late evening. I learned very quickly that my baby doesn't care about my to-do list, and I've learned what work and chore-related tasks can wait!
2) Routines are King
Cara Dumaplin from Taking Cara Babies deserves all the credit in the world! We purchased her First 5 Months Bundle, and it's made all the difference in the world! Establishing a good eat-awake-sleep model has really started to pay off! If you haven't checked her out, give her Instagram a peek!
3) Take Help When It's Offered
I didn't do this at first, and I wish that I'd accepted any and all help when it was offered from day one! Little things, like a dinner I didn't have to make, or allowing family to babysit while I got my hair or nails done allowed me to feel more normal. (And that first parents' date night out felt fantastic - even if we were home by 7 pm, LOL!) 
4) Your Relationships Will Change
Everyone always talks about how your relationship with your significant other will change. And it will! This isn't always a bad thing. Seeing my husband become a dad has been one of the best experiences of my life. One thing piece of advice that I was told is that your significant other is not a mind reader. Communicating clearly is key! 
5) Comparison is the Thief of Joy
We've all heard this phrase, but parenthood really highlights this! Whether it's your baby's milestones, your physical appearance, or some super-expensive baby gadget that all of the influencers are showing off...just stop! As long as you and your baby are healthy, happy, and safe - none of the rest matters! Remember that social media is a highlight reel, no one's really sleeping in those early weeks, and we're all just figuring out this parenting thing on the fly! If you feel like you're experiencing postpartum depression, anxiety, or anger, please click here for more resources. 
Top 5 Items I've Been Using Non-Stop!
0 Comments
Whether you’re an expecting parent or traveling with a little one, I’m rounding up the top 10 things to register for or use for baby travel!
I only recommend products that I use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. 
#1 - YogaSleep Hushh Portable Sound Machine
I love this one because it's small and portable, but is a surprisingly effective sound machine! This was one of the first adds to my baby registry. I'll not only be using this in the car and when we're traveling, but this is actually in my hospital bag! It's for both me and the baby to help drown out hospital noise! 
#2 - Stroller Fan
Okay, so this one is also in my hospital bag! In addition to cooling off little ones, this fan is also great for attaching to workout equipment and for attaching to a hospital bed during labor!  
#3 - Stroller Rain Cover
I can't tell you how many times I've seen this in the parks: during a Florida downpour, a family is sprinting across the park in ponchos, and the poor little ones in the stroller are getting soaked! Enter the stroller rain cover. This keeps your little ones, and your belongings, dry! This is the one that I use, which fits most stroller types!  
#4 - Travel Stroller
You probably don't want to travel with your big, bulky stroller. A lightweight stroller like this one is perfect! 
#5 - Petunia Pickle Bottom Bag
It's no secret that I love Petunia Pickle Bottom for the brand's functionality and adorable Disney prints. You really can't go wrong with anything from this collection! It features diaper bags, stroller caddies, overnight bags, packing cubes, and more!
#6 - Baby Carrier
Baby-wearing can be a lifesaver in the parks. This Babybjorn carrier is one of the best ones I've seen! Grab it from Modern Nursery! Another great budget-friendly option is this one from Infantino.   
#7 - Car Mirror
Driving to your destination? This car mirror helps you keep an eye on your little one in the backseat! This is the exact one that I have, too!  
#8 - Portable Changing Pad
This one's great for traveling any distance, whether you're heading on a trip to the mall or traveling across the country. This is also the exact one that I have!  
#9 - Kids Travel Tray
Keep little ones occupied in the car seat and on planes. It's got a secure tablet holder, plenty of pockets for snacks, drinks, and toys, and the top is even a whiteboard surface! It comes in several colors and prints.  
#10 - Portable High Chair
This one's perfect for heading to the beach, grandma's house, or even for a little outdoor barbecue at home! We have this one, and actually store it at my parents' house for when our little one is a bit older! Please note: I wouldn't take this one to Disney or Universal, but it's great for more local travel!  
Are you visiting Walt Disney World while you're expecting? You've come to the right place! (In case you missed it, I'm pregnant!)
I've rounded up the top 10 things that I did for a successful and healthy visit to Walt Disney World during pregnancy! This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. 
1) Talk To Your Doctor
I am not a medical professional. I am a travel advisor & travel blogger sharing my own experiences. Speak to your doctor. Before you travel to Walt Disney World, make sure that you’ve cleared this with your doctor. Explain your method of travel. (Flying, driving, etc.) Ask if you have any restrictions. Stock up on needed medications, make sure that you have your medical insurance information with you, and carefully heed your doctor’s advice. Personally, my doctor didn’t restrict anything, but she did tell me to get up and move once per hour on the plane, and to drink extra water before, during, and after my flights. Which brings me to Tip #2… 2) Hydrate! Like I mentioned, my doctor had me hydrating extra on my travel days. I’ve long been telling readers and clients to hydrate constantly in the parks. (My advice for all folks is to aim for one bottle of water per person, per hour.) In pregnancy, hydrate even more. Drink more water than you've ever drank before. (I always use a water bottle strap to save room in my park bag. I love this one!) One day, early in our trip, I thought that I was staying on top of the water game. I was not. I was hydrating in the same manner that I do on every trip, and I paid the price later that night with some pretty bad nausea. In retrospect, I didn’t hydrate nearly enough. After that, I doubled my water intake, and that problem didn’t arise again.
3) Snack
Oh man, you’re going to have to snack? At Walt Disney World? Regularly, all day long? Bummer… 4) Rest I always advocate for the mid-day break back at your resort. If you’re heading back to your resort, take a nap or just lie down in the cool room. Swim. Just make sure you’re still hydrating! If you’re still in the parks, this brings me to Tip #5… 5) Find the A/C! There are spots to rest, even if you’re in the parks. Take in a show, just so that you can sit back and enjoy the a/c. Find an indoor bench and cool off for a bit. (My rainy day tips actually lists tons of areas where you could sit and cool off for a while!) 
6) Pay Attention to Warnings
Read ride warnings carefully. Signs outside the rides will very clearly state that “expectant mothers should not ride.” That’s you! I know you want to ride your favorite rides. (I get it, trust me!) I know that Rise of the Resistance is the most amazing ride ever, and how rough is Test Track really? Play it safe, sit out on rides with warnings for pregnant mamas, and find a cool spot to wait for the rest of your party if they choose to ride. There are plenty of rides that you can still enjoy, and the ones you have to miss out on now will still be there after your little one arrives. 7) Wear the Right Shoes Wearing the correct gear can make all the difference. Let’s start with your footwear. Comfortable shoes matter on every Disney trip, but they matter even more now! I personally prefer these sandals and these tennis shoes for the parks. If you have a dressier evening planned, wear flats. Now isn’t the time for heels, especially after a long day in the parks!
8) Stay Somewhere Convenient
This means somewhere in walking distance, on the Monorail route, or along the Skyliner route. Like I mentioned above, the mid-day breaks are key, and having to wait for a bus (they don’t always run mid-day like you might think!) is the last thing you’ll feel like doing. Of course, you can always use a ride-share service or Minnie Van, but those cost money, and those costs can add up. Regardless of which Disney Resort you stay at, spring a few extra bucks for a “preferred” room. These are closest to transportation and/or food, and saving those extra steps is extra worth it when it comes to pregnancy exhaustion. I do NOT recommend staying off-site if you’re an expecting mama. Your travel time will more than double, and you’ll be missing out on tons of perks only reserved for on-site folks. Plus, once you factor in paying for parking, travel time, etc., you aren’t saving much money. In fact, most off-site folks end up spending more in the long run.
9) Listen to Your Body
Time to tap into that intuition! Your body will tell you what it needs. If it needs a rest, give it a break. If it needs water, hydrate! (And then hydrate even more, for good measure!) If your body is telling you you need another Mickey pretzel with extra cheese sauce (mine definitely did) then feed it! I will say that having a bit of protein really helped to eliminate my nausea, so if you can factor that into your meals/snacks, go for it! But if all you can stomach is carbs, that’s totally fine, too. Your priority is you and your baby, so keep both of you happy!! 10) Enjoy It! Soak up this time. If this is your first baby, this is a really special time to enjoy a magical trip with just you and your significant other. If you’ve got other little ones, soak up this time as a family before your next little one arrives. You won’t get this experience back again, so take tons of photos, eat all the snacks, and dream about your next trip once your little one arrives! 
Well, the secret's out! My husband and I are expecting our first child, a BOY, in January!
I only recommend products that I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. 
If you follow me on social media, you may have already seen this exciting news.
What I absolutely cannot wait to share are my travel tips for pregnant mamas, Disney-inspired baby items, and of course, travel must-haves for families with babies! I also have tons of tips for visiting Walt Disney World during your first trimester! (Surprise! I was pregnant on our most recent trip in May!) I’ve already paired up with a few amazing and very popular businesses that have allowed me to share discount codes, so keep your eyes peeled for those! Stay tuned for all of the details! 
|
AuthorDanielle Bartlett Categories
All
Archives
October 2023
Search
All
|
RSS Feed