Being the Emotional Rock

Pregnancy brings a ton of emotions for both partners. Dads can be the solid support by actively listening, offering reassurance, and being understanding. Little things like showing excitement about the baby, affection, and endless patience during mood swings make a difference.

Book Prenatal Classes & Learn Together

Getting informed about pregnancy can strengthen the bond between couples.  Hop online or call and research prenatal classes in your area to find out the details. These classes book quickly, so check the dates and confirm with the mother-to-be; she’ll melt in admiration as you share your research and take this off her to-do list.

Sharing this knowledge not only preps dads for what’s coming but also builds teamwork and understanding. If you read a book or something interesting about baby, share this with her!

Household tasks: change the bedding!

From chores to running errands, dads can ease the load for their pregnant partners. Simple stuff like cooking healthy meals, doing laundry, and keeping the house in order greatly reduces stress and gives mom-to-be a chance to rest and focus on herself.

Think of the most challenging tasks she typically does and take those off her list. For example, changing the bedding can be a very difficult, cumbersome task—everyone knows that, and it’s even harder when pregnant and exhausted! Everyone also knows how much better you sleep on fresh, cool, clean sheets. Your partner is probably more exhausted than ever, so it’s time to step in and help.

Attend Appointments – Including All Directions and Parking!

Attending prenatal check-ups and ultrasound scans is a fantastic way for dads to connect with the pregnancy journey. It shows unity and gives dads the chance to ask questions, bond with the healthcare provider, and get updates about the baby firsthand. If possible, don’t miss these appointments!

Take on the role of figuring out where exactly to go, how to get there and the best place to park. Remember the doctors name, have health cards ready and bring a notebook/pen.

Encouraging Self-Care

Encouraging self-care is crucial during pregnancy. Instead of nagging about healthy habits like exercise and good nutrition, offering support and avoiding unsolicited advice is better. You can help your partner feel pampered by offering massages, setting up a relaxing bath, or getting her an extra pillow as her body changes.

Make Healthy Habits Simple for Her

To ensure she stays hydrated, you can prepare jugs of water with lemon wedges and keep them easily accessible for her. Additionally, consider cooking some of her favorite meals or providing her favorite cut veggies as a snack when she’s too tired to prepare them herself.

Bonding with the Baby

Pregnancy is the perfect time for dads to start bonding with their unborn child. Talking to the baby, feeling kicks, and showing your excitement are all meaningful ways to establish that connection early on. Planning for the baby’s arrival together, like setting up the nursery, also amps the excitement.

Treat your mother-to-be with a special gift for baby. It shows you’re excited and have been thinking about them Here are some adorable Baby Labels – as dad, you likely know the baby’s gender and name, you can be the first to surprise her with a custom gift.

We love the idea of the Baby Name Labels to surprise her with a practical and thoughtful gift.

Rolling with the Punches

Every pregnancy is different, and dads can show their support by being flexible and adaptable. This could mean adjusting schedules, giving extra help when needed, or being ready for unexpected birth plan changes. A willingness to adapt shows commitment and readiness to tackle parenting together.

Be the One to Set Expectations with Friends and Family

As the big day approaches, step up and be the head of communication. Get into the habit early of politely telling friends and family that you’ll let them know as soon as something happens, rather than them constantly asking or nagging your wife about “any news.”

Get the Party Started!

From the first ultrasound to baby showers and beyond, dads can actively participate in celebrating all the milestones along the way. Your mother-to-be has likely planned all the nursery details and decor, the birth plan, color palettes or themes, photos, etc. Help her out by showing genuine enthusiasm and ask her what tasks you can assist with (always ask; don’t take too much of this on yourself; she’s got it all planned, after all)

Being There, Completely

Above all, being physically and emotionally present is the most valuable gift dads can offer during pregnancy. Showing up, being involved, and demonstrating unwavering love and support create a nurturing environment so both partners can thrive as they prepare to welcome their new addition to the family.

Dads greatly impact the pregnancy experience by being supportive, involved, and attentive to their partner’s needs. By embracing this role with love and dedication, dads strengthen their relationship with their partners and can lay the groundwork for a positive and connected start to parenthood together.

Ok mamas, this is a great post to forward along to the men in your life!
Interested in your baby’s birth month – find your month here!

The post Practical Ways Dads Can Be Supportive During Pregnancy appeared first on The Mabelhood.

The personality of the new parents.

If mom is the sentimental type, you may look at a more traditional gift or keepsake. If she’s the fashionista Instagram mom, cute matching outfits will be loved. The more practical moms (raises hand) might rather have everyone pitch in for a good stroller, a baby carrier, or even cases of diapers!  

Never underestimate the gift of help!

As a mom of six, the more children I had, the less actual “gifts” I wanted. The best “presents” were people taking my toddlers and pre-schoolers to the park to let me have some time alone with the baby. My friend recently had triplets and I set up a meal train. A meal was dropped to her house every night for three months. She said having dinner served during that newborn phase with triplets was like a wish come true.

Think beyond the infant stage.
 
Parents sometimes forget to think beyond the baby phase. Infants are tiny for about FIVE MINUTES! Think about what products and clothing items you might want when they are 18 months old. Investigate what friends with older babies and children are using. Often parents are overwhelmed with gifts for the first 6 months, but after that find themselves without the essentials they need.

Your own go-to’s

Moms make the best recommendations! I know some of my favourite products came at the advice of other moms in my village. If you have a go-to item, you can’t live without buy it for a new mom and let them know how much you love yours! I recently purchased a Stokke Tripp Trapp Chair for a new mom. My kids STILL use theirs as tweens and teens!  

Stay safe by buying a gift from into one of these safe categories: 

• Essentials

Curate a baby medicine kit, lots of new parents overlook simple drug store items that will be a lifesaver in those first couple of months. Fill a basket or storage container with essential items like a baby thermometer, vapor rub, baby sunscreen, Vaseline, baby powder, nasal aspirator, teething medicine, wipes, and liquid vitamin drops. 

• Personalized

If the new parents already know the name of their child, gift them with these fun personalized rainbow crayons. These can act as décor in the nursery at first, and then when the child is ready to start using them. And of course, baby will be going to daycare in the blink of an eye, so Mabel’s Labels is a must have.

• Unique 

It’s never too early to start sharing the love of reading with child. Fill a basket with books from a variety of topics. These can vary from fairy tales, poetry, science to social justice, and the classics like Goodnight Moon and The Giving Tree. A very special book I recently discovered is Words of Wonder which is perfect for new parent and baby. In each book, write a note to the baby with words of encouragement or life advice that relate to the book’s message. These books will help fill the shelves of their first library, and they will also act as words of encouragement and wisdom as the little one grows up.  

And most importantly…

Whatever gift I give, I insist that mom just thank me verbally and NOT send a “thank you” card. Letting a tired new mom off the hook for some of the traditional etiquette is a gift in itself. Above all, I support mama taking time for a nap instead of writing “thank you” cards!  Let me know your perfect baby shower gift! 

You can never go wrong with this Baby Shower Label Gift Pack!

The post The Perfect Baby Shower Gift: What to Consider appeared first on The Mabelhood.

Parents are planning to make the perfect announcement well ahead of time. But it can be hard to know what to say, when, and how to say it. Especially within a few hours of birth – you’re feeling overwhelmed and probably exhausted, so you’re probably not feeling very creative. With social media, it has never been easier to announce your baby’s arrival – but you still need to make it perfect! 

The etiquette around birth announcements on social media is a little wishy-washy, so we want to ensure you share the news flawlessly. Here is a list of birth announcement ideas, captions and etiquette.

We must keep in mind multi-generations who may not be on social media and respect their role (nobody wants grandma to find out after the neighbours down the street).  

Etiquette Tips for sharing the news
 

1. Always announce to immediate family first, with a phone call. This is respectful to the members of your family who will play a key role in babies’ life. If these members aren’t at the birth, it’s a good rule to make sure they receive a phone call – before ANY other announcements have been made. Some things in life require a call, not a text, and this is one of them.  
2. Dads and partners- never share the news online without talking with your partner and getting their approval.
3. NEVER share a picture of a new mom that she hasn’t approved of!

Etiquette Tip if you’re not the parents:

Never share photos without permission.   With sharing on social media becoming such second nature to everyone, it’s hard to forget that not everyone shares online. Many parents are choosing to keep their kids off social media, which needs to be respected. Parents are being highly cautious about what they share, as well as the privacy settings of their accounts. So, while they may share a photo of their baby online- it isn’t an invitation for you to do the same. Your connections are not their connections, and they don’t know your privacy settings unless you get permission; never share photos online, even if the parents already have.   

What if things don’t go as planned?

This can happen, and it’s never planned and always catches parents off-guard. A NICU stay can occur if the baby arrives early or has some complications. It can be a tricky area to navigate when it comes to announcing. Nobody can tell you the best etiquette here, it’s too personal, and each story is different. Some people post the birth announcement with a note stating they look forward to bringing the baby home. Other families announce the baby’s arrival the day they “graduate” from the NICU. Whatever the situation- only you will know what is best for you and your family.  

What we can stress: If you are not the parents, no matter how excited you are, do not post or share the information. It’s very poor taste. Instead, please speak with the parents, and follow their lead. 

Choosing a photo:  

Another BIG consideration is the photo! It’s the first thing people will see! We LOVE the idea of this Wooden Baby Name Announcement – it’s the perfect and simplistic way to introduce your baby to the world. You can pre-order the plaque and include it into your diaper bag. It’s a super simple way of creating a cute welcome photo!

CAPTION SAMPLES:

Planning for your birth announcement is a good idea after birth- you’re probably exhausted and not thinking straight. You don’t want this announcement not to be as perfect as your new bundle of joy! Here are some cute and clever ways to announce your baby’s name or gender.  

Traditional announcement:

Our little bundle of joy has arrived! Sarah & Tim Parker and big brother Taylor are ecstatic to welcome little Lincoln Ryan into the world!
Born on the 12th of April 2023
8 pounds, 4 ounces
20 inches   

 Social Media Captions: 

•  With so much love and pride, we present our [daughter/son]
• …And Baby Makes Three. Welcoming [name] 
• Over the moon! 
• They’ve arrived! Welcome [baby name]!
• Love at first sight is REAL! Meet baby [name].
• [He/She] was totally worth the wait.
• They were right. There is no feeling in the world like this.  
•  Who will they grow up to be? We’re not sure; we’ll wait and see!
• It is hard to believe our family is complete! Proudly welcoming [Name], a new baby for you all to meet.
• Our family grew by ten little toes.
• Everything in our life got a lot sweeter.  
• Announcing the birth of our baby, [name].
• We’re so proud to introduce [name], born [date]
• We are so happy to announce we are the proud parents of an adorable little girl/boy.
• We’ve officially become a family. Meet baby [name].
• A beauty was born into this world. She’s the sweetest little girl.
• A new adventure has arrived with the birth of our little girl.
• Hip, hip, hooray. Our little girl was born today.  
•  Welcome to the world, baby [name]!
• Meet the new love in our lives, [name].
• The wait is finally over! We’re thrilled to welcome [name].
• Hello, world! Introducing our bundle of joy [baby name].
• On [birth date], we were blessed with the arrival of [name].
• Dreams do come true! 
• On [birth date], we were blessed with the arrival of baby [name].
• It’s official! [name] arrived on [birthdate].
• Hello, my name is [name].
• [Parents’ names] welcome the newest addition to the family, [baby name].
• [He’s/She’s/They’re] are here at last! 
• Beautiful and sweet. Our little girl, soon you will meet.   
•  “Dreams do come true! Meet [name]”
• The cutest little girl stole my heart today.
•  “[Older child’s name] would like to announce [his/he] new little [sister/brother]. Introducing [name]
• The family tree gained another branch.
• Two new feet are making sweet footprints on our hearts.
• Filling our hearts with smiles and giggles. 
•  Can you believe the time has come? Welcome, our sweet little son.
• We no longer must wait. They are here; it’s time to celebrate!
• Help us welcome our sweet new addition. Baby [name] has arrived.
• We’ve finally entered parenthood! [baby name] came into the world today.
• For all the things my hands have held, the best by far is you.
  

The post Birth Announcement Ideas, Captions, and Etiquette appeared first on The Mabelhood.

If your budget allows for the nice-to-haves, they’ll make your life a little easier. But if you’re making these purchases on a budget, you’ll manage fine with these must-have baby items.

Here is a FREE printable version of the list below.

Must-have:
Bassinet or crib
Crib mattress
Mattress protector
Bedding
Baby Monitor (unnecessary for smaller houses and apartments)

Nice to haves/Makes a great gift
Bassinet (nice to have, but your baby will outgrow it in a hot minute)
Humidifier
Rocking chair
Mobile and fancy décor (makes a great gift- people love to purchase pretty items!)

Don’t bother:
Crib bumpers – They’ve proven themselves to be dangerous, and they’re useless, your baby will be fine.

Changing table – Once baby is rolling it’s safest to change on the floor or your bed, plus it’s easier to not be committed to one room for changing. Get yourself multiple changing pads and leave them around the house – you can change on the couch, the floor, or wherever is most convenient.

DIAPER CHANGING:

Must-haves:
Diapers (2 packs to begin)
Healing/diaper rash ointment
Changing pad (or towel)
Wipes and washcloths (10)

Nice to haves/Makes a great gift
Diaper pail

Don’t bother:
Pee teepee
Wipes warmer (even the Queen of England never had a wipes warmer. Your baby will be fine)

CLOTHING:

Must-haves:
Onesies (7 or more)
Rompers (2-4)
Pyjamas/sleeping gowns (7 or more)
Sun hat

Weather dependent:
Wool hat
Mittens
Snowsuit
Car seat cover

Nice to haves/Makes a great gift
Scratch-proof mittens (this is the type of item that you only buy once you realize whether you need it or not)
Shirt & pants/shorts sets/ cute dresses

Don’t bother:
Baby clothing hangers – you’ll likely just be folding and putting into a drawer, so as a newborn, don’t bother with the teeny tiny hangers.
Socks – Ok, maaaybe 1 or 2 pairs, but most baby clothing has feet. Socks don’t stay on and good luck finding them. If you do buy socks- make sure they all match, because you don’t want to waste your time matching pair.

BATHING:

Must-haves:
washcloths (5 or 6)
Baby soap and shampoo
baby brush (if babe has hair!)
Nail clippers or file

Nice to haves/Makes a great gift
Infant tub
Hooded towels

Don’t bother:
Baby powder (why do they even make this still?)

OUT AND ABOUT:

Must-haves:
Name Labels– because nobody wants a germy mix-up! Plus, you picked such a great name, show it off!
Baby car seat
Stroller
Baby carrier/sling
Diaper bag

Nice to haves/Makes a great gift
Insulated milk carrier (otherwise, just use lunch bag and some ice packs)

BABY and MAMA CARE:

Must-haves:
Infant playmat
Pacifiers (and these!)
Thermometer
Nasal aspirator (this seems like you don’t need it- until you do)
Infant medicine (just a few basics to cover you until you can see a doctor: saline spray, infant pain meds, ointments)

Nice to haves/Makes a great gift
Nursing pillow
Swing or vibrating/ rocking seat

FEEDING:

This list will change for everyone, some babies may need a nipple guard, some mamas might want to supplement. Here is a basic idea of what you need to be with, but your list may grow as your feeding needs change and you and baby find your own groove.

Must-haves for breastfed babies:
Burp cloths (6 or more)
Breast milk storage bags
Breast pump
Nursing bra

Must-haves for bottle fed babies:
Baby bottles (8 or more)
Bottle cleaning brush or a dishwasher basket
Formula (for a month)
Cotton bibs (6 or more)
Milk storage bags (if using expressed milk)
Baby bottle labels

Nice to haves/Makes a great gift for bottle fed babies:
Bottle sterilizer
Bottle warmer

Feeding is the most difficult to buy for, it’s best to get your journey started knowing you’ll need to make some runs to the store to try a new product or get what you need. Don’t stress about the feeding list, it’s going to change, and you can’t plan ahead for it.

Here is a great read if you’re struggling with baby bottles!

If you’ve read through the list, you’re likely feeling overwhelmed, well, welcome to parenthood! Kidding aside, this is a suggested list, everyone’s situation and priorities are different, and you’ll ease into what works best for you and your family. Regardless of what you buy – one thing is certain; parenthood will bring you many ups and downs, but the ups will be the moments you remember and cherish forever.

The post Baby Registry: Must-have’s vs Nice to Have’s (and what makes a great gift!)     appeared first on The Mabelhood.

I scoured dozens YouTube videos and blogs posts before having my first baby for lists of what to pack in a hospital bag and we ended up bringing two huge duffel bags to the hospital of stuff I was told I would “need”. The reality? Those bags sat completely untouched the whole time we were there. So, when I had my second baby, I packed one small little gym bag with JUST the essentials. It was easy to transport and easy to unpack once I was home again.

I’m not a high-maintenance gal. When I have a baby, I leave the hospital in my adult diaper and sweatpants. I am not putting on makeup or doing my hair. I am not accessorizing. I am not dressing the baby in a cute and well-planned outfit or having a hospital room photo shoot. I am not bringing my own hospital gown (why do people do that?) and I am not having someone come to bank my baby’s cord blood or encapsulate my placenta. Truthfully, after the births of both my children, I needed very few things. The hospital provided most of the medical necessities and if something came up that I unexpectedly needed. My husband could just hop in the car and go get it.

So, if you’re a low-key gal like me, read on for a realistic hospital bag list that comes straight from experience.

My Bare-Minimum Must Haves:

Huge, super-comfortable underwear – Buy a pack of soft, cotton granny panties. They do not need to be cute. Bring 2 or 3 pairs in case you need them, but you’ll probably spend all your time in the AMAZING diapers they provide to you during your stay.

Large pads (The biggest you can find) – I suggest bringing a handful, but I only ever used these when it was time to go home.

1 to 2 outfits for the baby and 1 pair baby socks – My babies always stayed unclothed while we were at the hospital. We were either doing skin-to-skin or they were swaddled. I only ever dressed them when it was time to go home. Keep the outfits simple and soft. The umbilical cord will likely stain the onesie and it’s hard to get their delicate tiny bodies into anything too complicated anyways. The hospital will give you a cute little knitted hat for going home.

Warm blanket for baby – To my last point. Don’t bother with sweaters or layers. Just bring a cozy blanket to wrap over them when you head home.

Comfortable pants and loose shirt or sweater – No Kate Middleton exit happening here. You’ll want something loose and soft for your sore, diapered bottom and your now rock-hard, swollen breasts.

Bathrobe – I loved having this for labour when I got chilly and for resting in the hospital bed once the baby was born. Some people bring pajamas, but I just stay in the hospital gown.

Cell phone charger– EASILY FORGOTTEN!

Cell phone and wallet – Obviously.

Camera (if you use one) – Otherwise just have your cell phone ready to go.

Warm socks or slippers – Hospitals are cold and you’ll want something on your feet when you’re doing laps during labour.

Diapers – You really only need a few just in case. The hospital will have diapers for your baby while you’re there.

Baby Soap- Why bring face wash, body wash, shampoo, conditioner AND wash for the baby? I didn’t even shower in the hospital either time! if you DO decide to scrub up, baby soap smells great, is super gentle and multi-purpose. You can use it to give the baby a bath of you want to (although the hospital will provide soap for that, too)

Hair tie/brush – This was the extent of my hospital beauty routine. I brushed out my post-labour rat’s nest and put my hair up out of my face.

Comfortable, roomy sports bra or nursing bra – As your milk comes in your breasts will change in size and believe me, you won’t want to be squeezing them into an underwire bra.

Lip balm – Your lips can get super dry from all that pushing and controlled breathing!

And that’s it! That should have you covered for what you really NEED. Some people bring things like a breast pump, makeup, snacks, music, a blow dryer, a pillow, books, etc, but I didn’t miss any of those items and if I had, it would have been easy enough to have someone go grab them for me. Happy packing!

The post The Low-Key Gal’s Guide to Packing a Hospital Bag appeared first on The Mabelhood.

There are so many positive things associated with babies born in May. Not only do they get to share a birthday month with Mom’s special month, but babies born in May are also known for having great physical and mental health. In fact, research from the University of Columbia shows people born in May have the lowest disease risk compared to those born in any other month. How cool is that? 

So, mamas and mamas-to-be of May babies, here are 6 cool facts about little ones born in May!

They’re born lucky

Apparently, babies born in May are more likely to have good luck. A study done in the UK showed that May is the luckiest month to be born in, while October is the unluckiest month. I find this amusing because my mother was born in May, and my father in October. I can honestly say that when it comes to luck on scratch tickets, prize draws, and winning at the casino…it’s all Mom (Sorry, Dad!)

It’s a royal birth month

Like April, May is also a royal birthday month. While Queen Elizabeth II was born in April, her great-great grandmother, Queen Victoria, was born on May 24, 1819. In addition to Queen Victoria, those born in May also share a birthday month with quite the line-up of other big names! The Rock, George Clooney, Audrey Hepburn, Adele, Bono, Tina Fey, Cher, George Lucas, Clint Eastwood and Idina Menzel are all celebrating birthdays in May.

They have a great star sign

Babies born in May are either Taurus or Gemini – two signs that have a lot going for them! Birthdays between May 1^st and 20^th fall under Taurus and are known to be smart, ambitious, and trustworthy. May babies born from May 21^st on are Geminis, and are said to be more passionate and dynamic.

Their birth stone is gorgeous (and rare)

If you ask me, those born in May have the prettiest of all the birthstones. Green is my favourite colour and I definitely wish my birthstone was the Emerald. It’s such a gorgeous colour! According to the American Gem Society, Emeralds are associated with foresight, good fortune, and youth. The Emerald is also the rarest of the birthstones.

They tend to be smaller

Babies born in May are smaller! According to studies, babies with the lowest birth weights are typically born in May. It’s apparently due to the lower amounts of vitamin D they receive in the womb during a winter pregnancy. I don’t have a May baby, but I have a September baby who would have soaked up loads of vitamin D throughout the summer and he was just over 11lbs! Sounds like there’s definitely some truth to this. Here’s to hoping the smaller baby size means a slightly easier delivery for all you mamas out there!

They might be night owls

This might not be good news for those expecting a May baby, but studies show those born in May like to stay up late. Apparently, your season of birth has an effect on sleep preferences and those born in May tend to go to bed later than those born in other months, like December or February.

I’m a big fan of the month of May. As I said, I don’t have any May babies and I’m not a May baby myself, but I’ve always just loved the feeling that the month brings. The weather warms up, people seem genuinely happier, and there are so many fun things to celebrate. If you have a May baby at home or you’re expecting a May baby, share what you love about it in the comments below. Happy May! 

Check out all months here! 

The post 6 Cool Facts About May Babies appeared first on The Mabelhood.