The pregnancy represents a magical moment for each woman, especially since there are a lot of changes in her body during this time. Everything starts changing pretty much, so if you’re reading this because you’re pregnant or you plan on being pregnant anytime soon, you must know some really important facts. This is the right place for you to be, so, by all means, you should keep reading, as you’re guaranteed to learn a lot from this article.

One of the most important things to keep in mind is that during your pregnancy, you will have a huge increase in your hormones and you will also have your body in a continuous process of changing. This is because the baby will keep growing, and you’ll have to experience this amazing journey for nine months. There are some things you should respect during these nine months too: you are expected to do some things in order to have your pregnancy going really smooth (for example relating more, eating healthier), and you’re forbidden from doing things which could have a negative impact on your pregnancy, such as smoking, drinking alcohol or taking drugs.

There are specific things which you’re expected to do during your trimesters as well, so we will now take a look at them:

During your first trimester

Making sure that you’re actually pregnant

It’s always a good idea to make sure that you’re really pregnant, to begin with. While there may be some signs you might notice, you should always do all the proper testing. There are some known home tests which work out really well, and you should probably repeat them at least twice, in order to make sure that they’re accurate enough. Nobody wants to start preparations for pregnancy as long as they’re not actually pregnant, so you should make sure you don’t get this wrong.

Choose your healthcare provider carefully

Chances are, you might know a doctor already who’s trustable enough, or at least you know a friend or family member who can help you out find one. It’s always better if you or someone close to you had prior experience with a doctor because you can probably trust him or her. However, if you do not know anyone, then you should, by all means, start searching for one by now. Looking it up on the internet and talking to people is a great way to start this.

Make your doctor appointment

You are expected to know which doctor you prefer by now. Once that is fixed, then you should make an appointment, in order to make sure that your pregnancy is going well. This step is extremely important because doctors are able to detect problems as early as the first trimester, so you shouldn’t take too long until you go to your appointment.

Quit smoking and drinking alcohol

This is very, very important for all women who are pregnant. During your pregnancy, it’s absolutely forbidden to consume alcohol or to smoke. These things can have a huge negative impact on your pregnancy, and your baby can be seriously affected. There are many diseases which can be acquired during the pregnancy by the baby if the mother doesn’t respect these simple rules, so you should definitely keep this in mind.

Don’t consume too much caffeine

There have been a lot of studies lately indicating that increased amounts of caffeine are usually related to major problems during the pregnancy, including miscarriage. The limit of your daily intake of caffeine shouldn’t exceed 250 mg per day, which means about one cup of coffee each day.

Eat as healthy as you can

While it is expected that you might experience nausea during your first trimester, which can make having a proper diet pretty difficult, you should still try your best to eat healthy. This means close to no fast food if possible, or at least not too often, and more fruits and vegetables.

Try to sleep/relax more

It is also expected that during this first trimester you’re going to be exhausted most of the time. You shouldn’t push yourself too much, instead, try to relax more and to sleep more. While this might make you feel like an old person at first, it’s something normal for your pregnancy, so there’s nothing wrong with taking some more time off that usually and relaxing more.

Continue on next page...

---

During your second trimester

Exercising is a good idea

You definitely shouldn’t make excuses that you cannot exercise because of your pregnancy. As a matter of fact, it’s actually recommended for pregnant women to exercise, and you should probably try to find a special gym for this. There are many such places all around your city probably, and they have special programs which are indicated for you to follow. So stop making excuses, and start exercising as soon as possible!

Shopping for your baby’s clothes

You might think that it’s too early to start shopping for your baby’s clothes, but it’s really not. As soon as you know the sex of your baby, you’re ready to start shopping. The earlier, the better. This will give you enough time to find really cute clothes, and it will also give you enough time to visit more stores, which means you’ll have more options to choose from.

Start thinking about a name for your baby

This is usually a pretty tough decision for you and your partner. Choosing the name for your baby isn’t that simple, and that is exactly why you should start at least thinking about it. You are probably not going to decide it during the second trimester of your pregnancy, but later on just before your delivery, but having enough time to think really well about this is a great idea. You surely don’t want to rush such a decision. Plus, you should also have enough time to get used to your baby’s name once it is chosen, so, by all means, do start thinking as early as possible about it.

Find out the sex of your baby

While some parents prefer not knowing the sex of their baby in order to have a surprise during the time he or she is born, it’s still probably a great idea to find this out early on, during the second trimester. As you’re probably aware already, you can find this out when you have your regular doctor appointment. This can help you start thinking about a name for your baby, as well as start preparing the room and clothes for him or her.

During your third trimester

Choose your baby’s doctor

By now, you should already know very well which doctor is going to handle your pregnancy. It’s most likely going to be the same one as the one you had your appointments with so far. However, you should now also start considering the best options you have for a doctor, once your baby is born.

Prepare a safe place where your baby’s going to sleep

Regardless if you plan on fixing a room for your baby, or you want him/her to be in your room for a while, it’s probably a good idea to start preparing it by now. You definitely don’t want to come back home from the hospital and start panicking because your baby has nowhere to sleep. It’s also not really advised to have him sleep in the same bed as you for the first few months. You can instead, for example, fix a bed for him next to yours, in your bedroom. This would also help you monitor him easier, and be there if he needs you.

In conclusion, there are many factors which you should take into consideration for each of the trimesters of your pregnancy. You should definitely take a good look at this topic and read it carefully because it gives really good advice, especially for parents with no prior experience.

Subscribe to our mailing list and LIKE US on Facebook to receive more tips and insights on pregnancy and parenting!

Every mama who has to (or wants to!) return to work after giving birth knows exactly how many more days she has left at home with baby. Don't make things worse by making an insensitive comment about her maternity leave.

No matter how much a woman might love her job, having a baby makes it hard to head back to the office. Before you comment on your friend, sister, or cousin's maternity leave, read this first. Your "helpful" comment or question just might be the opposite.

 

1. " Aren't you dreading going back to work? "

Maybe she is, maybe she isn't, but either way this isn't something a hormonal mother with a fixed amount of time off from work wants to hear. In the former case, it's an unwanted reminder, and in the latter, it's just plain awkward. And either way, it presses our mom-guilt button!

2. " Oh, you're putting the baby in daycare? "

Not everyone has the luxury of having a helper or help from their in-laws. If daycare isn't for you, great! But remember: No new parents make their childcare decisions lightly, so please respect our choices.

3. " Do you have to go back to work? " 

Again, this is an awkward question with a no-win answer. If the answer is yes, Mom is forced to divulge financial info she'd probably rather not, and if the answer is no, you just judged her big time.

4. " If you don't need to work, why would you? " 

Not all women who return to work need to—some simply like their jobs. Please don't make a new mom feel bad and like she's not putting her baby first by choosing to have a career.

5. " Other countries get a full year for maternity leave! " 

Rest assured, every mom on maternity leave is well aware of how her country compares to others in terms of time off. Most new mamas would jump at the chance to spend their baby's first year with them, knowing they had a job to which they could return. Unfortunately, that's just not a reality for most working parents right now. 

6. " You're going to be so tired. "
Typically, yes, women are much more tired when they return to work after having a baby. But they're also a lot of other things, too—creative, fresh with a new perspective, more compassionate. 

7. " You're still planning to breastfeed? Pumping is such a pain! "

True—but anything that helps us feed Baby on our terms is a good thing!

8. " You're barely going to have any time with the baby. "

Please do not say this to a mother who's on maternity leave. Or to any mother who's working. Just...no.

9. " I could have never left my baby when she was that young. "

Ouch! This could be the worst thing to say to a hormonal, sleep-deprived woman who just gave birth and who will "leave" her baby when she's "that young." Remember, every parent makes the childcare decision that's best for their family. Let's judge less, and respect more.

 

 

Subscribe to our mailing list and LIKE US on Facebook for more insights on parenting!

 

Article was originally posted on parents.com

There have been several research studies on whether or not to make your baby co-sleep with you. Read this MomJunction post to know if co-sleeping is safe for the baby and if they will benefit from this practice.

What Is Co-Sleeping With Baby?

Co-sleeping, also referred to as sleep-sharing, means to share a bed with your child. In simple words, co-sleeping is a newborn, baby or a child sleeping with one or both the parents. The different ways of co-sleeping are:

1. Family bed or bed sharing: Where one or both the parents sleep with the child in the same bed.

2. Different beds same room: Here, the baby sleeps in a crib or bassinet, or in the same room an arm’s away from the parents’ reach.

3. Sidecar arrangement: The crib is attached to one side of the bed, next to the mother. This side can be removed or lowered so that it is easy to breastfeed the baby. You will also get commercial sidebar or co-sleeper cribs in the market.

4. Baby welcomed when needed: The child is made to sleep in her bedroom and is taken when needed. Parents usually welcome their babies followed by a night waking.

Benefits Of Co-Sleeping With Your Baby

Though co-sleeping may not suit every family, its advantages may benefit your family.

1. Research studies reveal babies are at a lower risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) when they sleep in the same room as parents.

2. It improves the sleep time for both mother and baby. There is no need for you to wake up, get up from the bed and go to the baby to feed or comfort her.

3. You will face fewer bedtime hassles.

4. Your baby, if she is a toddler, feels secure and warm beside you.

5. Breastfeeding during night time is easier.

6. It will decrease the chances of nighttime separation anxiety.

7. The sleep pattern of both the mother and the baby syncs and enables comfortable nursing.

8. A fussy child can sleep better in the night.

9. A baby can fall asleep soon, and get back to sleep quickly if she wakes up in the middle of the night.

10. It will be a great feeling to wake up next to a smiling and beautiful baby.

11. Infants go through several feelings such the warm touch of the mother, her movement, smell and comfort that would help in their overall development.
12. You will be able to monitor the baby well during illnesses.
13. You develop an attachment with the baby.

14. Suits families with lesser space at home.

15. Helps working mothers spend more time with their babies while sleeping, and gain a sense of intimacy.

16. There are no chances of the child falling from the bed.

17. Sleep-sharing offers a safer environment for children, helping them develop confidence.

18. Not only the mothers but also the fathers will enjoy co-sleeping with their children, as it leads to a great bonding time.

When there are so many benefits of co-sleeping, why do some families have their babies sleep separately?

Disadvantages Of Co-Sleeping With Your Baby:

Some parents do not choose to co-sleep with their babies due to some potential risks:

• The baby can get strangulated or suffocated due to a lack of enough space.

• Co-sleeping is known to promote unhealthy dependency on the parents.

• Some mothers complain of not being able to sleep as the constant or sudden movement of the child disturbs their sleep pattern.

• Co-sleeping can be risky if the parents have certain infectious health conditions.

• Co-sleeping should not be practiced if the parent is under any heavy medication or therapy.

• If either or both the parents have a habit of smoking, drug or alcohol abuse, then co-sleeping is known to pose severe health risks.

• Once the baby is used to sleep with the parents, it will be difficult for her to sleep independently at a later point.

• Conditions like separation, divorce or death of any parent could leave the child in a deeply disturbing situation.

• The couple may be deprived of intimacy.

Continue on next page...

---

Is Co-Sleeping With Your Baby Safe?

According to a research study, around 74% of the SIDS cases occurred in infants, aged up to four months, co-sleeping with their parents. However, the study did not take into account the smoking, drug, and drinking habits in parents.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) discourages parents from sharing the bed with their babies.

If you choose to co-sleep with your baby, you should follow safety guidelines to avoid fatalities.

Tips For Safe Co-Sleeping With Baby:

When you want your baby to sleep with you, make sure you are following these safety measures:

1. Make baby sleep on her back:

Sleeping on the back lowers the risk of SIDS. If you have to nurse her while lying on the bed, and your baby is on the side, try to get her on the back after she finishes feeding.

2. Have an ideal sleep surface:

The mattress has to be firm with tightly placed bed sheets on it. Place one pillow, and a cotton blanket that does not fall over the baby’s face. Do not use a cushiony bed cover or sheepskins. Put your baby slightly higher on the bed, and you sleep a bit lower than her.

3. Check the conditions around:

There have been cases of infants being squeezed between the mattress and a wall or furniture. Place your bed away from side furniture, walls, tables, etc., and there should be no gaps. An ideal place for the bed is the center of the room.

4. Say no to smoking and drinking:

Do not indulge in smoking when you are co-sleeping with your baby. Also, alcohol and drugs will make you less responsive, and you cannot attend to your baby. The same applies to your partner.

5. Keep it warm, not hot:

Co-sleeping can increase your baby’s body temperature. Leave her head uncovered to avoid a raise in the body temperature.

6. Dress up well:

Dress your baby in a proper night dress. For warmth, dress her in layers. Long sleeve dresses, footie pants, and sleep sacks could help. In summers, make her wear lighter clothes.

7. Manage feedings:

Make a consistent plan to regularize the feedings. Initially, feed your little one at regular intervals, and gradually shorten the feedings by a minute or so. You can also ask your partner to walk your baby around the room to soothe her instead of feeding as the baby could wake up more frequently when she is co-sleeping with you.

8. Buy a big bed:

If co-sleeping is a routine in your home, consider buying a bigger bed. The more space you will have in bed, the better will be your sleep.

9. Do not co-sleep on an armchair or a sofa:

They are the most dangerous places that can make you fall asleep with the baby. Your little one could get squeezed in between the cushions or between you and the sides.

10. C position when sleeping:

Lie on one side facing your little one, and curl around her. Keep your lower arm over the baby’s head and bring your knees to her feet. Do not keep any pillows near the baby’s head. This is also the best position for nursing, as your baby’s lying level along your breasts can help her take the feed correctly.

Subscribe to our mailing list and LIKE US for more updates on all things related to your pregnancy! 

Article was originally posted on Momjunction 

It’s no secret that parents are tired. But just how much sleep you’ve lost caring for newborns and toddlers?

If you’ve ever wondered exactly how much sleep you’ve lost as a parent, you don’t have to wonder anymore: There’s a calculator for that. 

The brainchild of British interiors specialist Hillarys, The Lost Sleep Calculator For Parents allows parents to find out exactly how much shut-eye they’ve lost over the years as a result of their darling children.

But the fun — or sobbing over your lost sleep — doesn’t stop there. The tool also reveals tongue-in-cheek statistics, such as how many parents have cradled the family cat instead of their baby due to tiredness, how many have left the house wearing odd shoes and also how many have put their mobile phone in the fridge whilst sleep deprived.

Tanya Irons, spokesperson for Hillarys, says: “Whether you think you’re losing a little or a lot of sleep, this tool is a great way to find out just how much. No matter whether you’ve lost months or years of sleep though, I’m sure everyone will agree that they are worth it.”

 

Like Pregnancy & Baby on Facebook for more useful tips and information on pregnancy and parenthood!

 

Article was first published on New Parents

Image credit: The Spruce

Parenthood is a rewarding journey, yet it can be an equally overwhelming emotional and physical roller-coaster ride as well. We totally understand what you’re going through. Yes, all parents go through it, you’re not alone!

We’ve formed various Facebook Parenting Groups for you to seek comfort, guidance and advice from mothers across Singapore. Join us and post whatever is on your mind. 

For mothers and pregnant mothers in 2018: https://www.facebook.com/groups/718508728251746/

For mothers and pregnant mothers in 2017: https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=2017%20SG%20Mummys

For parents who have started or intending to start feeding your baby solid food: https://www.facebook.com/groups/838400419606348/

For parents with children from the age of 6 – 12 years old: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sgkidsworld/

We look forward to welcoming you to our strong and supportive mummy tribe!

Get the latest articles on all things pregnancy and baby! Subscribe to our mailing list and like us on Facebook!

Image credit: Flickr

Okay, this is something we all definitely love doing – going on a holiday! Seeing new sights, eating yummy food, and taking in fresh experiences, and those things (probably with the exception of eating yummy food) are what we want our kids to experience as well.

One of the first steps that we’ll take after deciding on where to travel to is choosing an airline to fly there on! There’s always a chance that your kids, or someone else’s kids will be acting out on the flight, and for those long-haul flights, it can be both mentally and physically draining.

Sometimes, situations that make baby into a bawling mess can’t be avoided (e.g. air pressure, a gassy tummy), but there are airlines that are trained and equipped to help you handle a bit of that strain.

We’ve come up with a list of 5 baby and kid friendly airlines that give your little ones the VIP treatment through baby kits, meals, diapers, and even feeding bottles!

Here they are in alphabetical order:

Image credit: Cathay Pacific

1. Cathay Pacific

One of the more low-key but established airlines, Cathay provides the essentials to care for babies. A bassinet can be requested for when you’re buying your tickets – it can hold up to a weight of 12kg, but they’ve stated on their website that infants 6 months and above might feel uncomfortable sitting in it.

Breastfeeding is allowed for all phases of flight, and the use of electric breast pumps is allowed after the announcement that electronic devices are able to be switched on. Each of their aircrafts also has at least 2 bathrooms with changing tables in them.

Due to hygiene reasons, they won’t be able to reheat or chill your personal food items. However, if you wish to warm up your milk, they’ll be happy to provide a container of hot water!

To refrigerate your expressed milk, remember to bring a cool bag or vacuum flask and ask the flight attendants to help store them.

For parents with from 3 to 6 years old, they’ll provide a fun little kids pack filled with activity books and games for them to entertain themselves with.

Click here for more info on travelling with children on Cathay Pacific.

Image credit: Emirates

2. Emirates

First things first, parents with infants and toddlers will get to skip the long queues to check-in – they have a dedicated family check-in desk just for you! This friendly gesture extends to boarding as well, allowing your family to get settled in on the plane first.

Bassinets (that can hold up to a weight of 11kg) and baby kits with wet wipes and nappies, can be requested. The bathrooms onboard are equipped with changing tables, and their flight staff are usually helpful towards parents with infants and toddlers.

For infants younger than 2 years, they can sit on your lap with a special seatbelt extension that’ll be given to you. For those who are above 2 years, you’ll have to get a child’s fare for them and they’ll have their own seat, or you can bring a baby car seat that fits their .

You’ll also enjoy an extra 10kg as check-in baggage, regardless of cabin class, and a 5kg carry-on/cabin baggage for your inflight infant necessities. If there’s space onboard the plane, you can also stow a collapsible stroller with you – however, if there’s no space, your stroller will have to be checked-in.

Infants and toddlers can snuggle a soft-toy to sleep, and when they’re awake, they’ll get some colouring pencils for a colouring book! For older kids, kids packs can be requested for them, containing fun and educational materials with activities and games, and maybe even a travel journal for them to fill!

Click here for more info on travelling with children on Emirates.

Continue reading on page 2 for more baby-friendly airlines...

---

Image credit: Etihad Airways

3. Etihad Airways

Etihad’s a bit more pricey, but the service they provide for families is top-notch. The service that stands out the most is their Flying Nanny – these staff have been specially trained in Norland College (a United Kingdoms approved childcare college) to understand child psychology, and help keep kids entertained on flights!

These nannies have activity packs on hand, and know how to do arts & crafts and origami, hand puppets, face-painting, and even magic tricks! They’ll help you out the best they can in order to give you a better holiday experience.

Baby bassinets can be requested for during booking, and is on a first-come, first-served basis. They can hold a weight of up to 10kg and are for little ones who are younger than 10 months old.

Baby and child meals should also be requested for during booking or 24 hours before departure, or your child won’t be able to enjoy their colourful meals!

Click here for more info on travelling with children on Etihad Airways.

Image credit: Qantas Airways

4. Qantas Airways

They’ve been in the air since 1920, and they’re a reliable and experienced airline. Their family-friendly services are also reliable, starting with pre-boarding – families with young children get to board first and settle down.

Infants (under 2 years) have no carry-on baggage allowance, so you can bring their food and nappies in addition to your own carry-on baggage allowance. Children (2 years and above) have the same carry-on baggage allowance as adults.

If a bassinet is required, you should notify them when booking your tickets as they’re subject to availability. Their bassinets can hold up to 11kg in weight.

For older kids (3-6 years), Qantas has a special Joey Club kids kit that’ll keep them entertained! They have Etch-a-Sketch and an activity booklet, and on selected international flights, children can get exclusive Joey Club socks too!

For food options, meals for your children should be requested for when making your booking. While their flights have a range of baby food, you should bring your own baby food that you know your little one will enjoy.

Click here for more info on travelling with children on Qantas.

Image credit: Singapore Airlines

5. Singapore Airlines

Our very own Singapore Airlines does pretty good in the family-friendly department, with lots of offerings for babies, toddlers, and young children. You’ll get priority boarding with your young children to help you settle in before the other passengers get onboard.

The inflight staff are also trained to help you and your children out – they know how to carry and tend to your babies to give you a much needed break. A bassinet can also be requested for when booking your tickets, and it can support up to 14kg of weight (though their bassinet sizes and weight limits vary by aircraft).

Baby amenities such as disposable bibs, feeding bottles, and wet wipes are available, but they recommend you to bring your own as they’re limited in supply and may not be the ones that baby is used to.

For your own amenities, infant food, and breastmilk, you can bring up to a total of 6kg – that’s in addition to your own 7kg free baggage allowance! The plane’s chillers have limited space and their temperature isn’t able to be controlled, so please put your breastmilk in a small cooler bag with ice packs to help with keeping it chill.

Travel packs are also available for children under 12, with their themes and items changing every 4 months. Inflight entertainment gives your older children the opportunity to have multiplayer games with other kids on board, and even has a language learning program to teach simple words and phrases of the country you’re flying to.

During meals, your children will be served first, and if they need your help to be fed, one parent will be served first and the other later. Baby and children meals are pretty healthy, with lower sugar content and for those between 1 to 2 years old, they even provide a post-weaning meal that’s easy to chew and digest!

Click here for more info on travelling with children on Singapore Airlines.

Recommended article: Checklist For Baby Carry-On Flight Items

Get the latest articles on all things pregnancy and baby! Subscribe to our mailing list and like us on Facebook!

Image credit: Fotolia

One problem that many parents in Singapore face after their confinement period ends – finding the best means of taking care of their baby while they’re back to work. In a perfect world, mum or dad would be able to stay home and create more memories and experiences with their little ones as they grow up, but in the hustle and bustle of Singapore, securing their careers is what’ll secure their child’s future.

So, in order to help you out, we’ll be doing some quick comparisons on the types of child care options that parents have access to in Singapore.

Preschools

Pros

• Socialisation – your child will be exposed to their peers, and they’ll learn how to make friends and play with others, building much needed social skills from a younger age.
• Education – apart from building social skills, they’ll also be building their minds and motor skills through the preschool’s learning programme. There are a whole lot of different preschools that offer a variety of teaching methods.
• Professional Care – teachers there are certified to be teaching and taking care of your little ones.
• Subsidies – you’ll be able to claim childcare subsidies from the government to help out financially. Most preschools lets you use your child’s CDA too.

Cons

• Location – if the location for your chosen childcare is far off, it’ll be difficult to drop your child off before work and then pick them up after work. What’s more, if travelling there is an inconvenience, both you and your child won’t be happy about waking up in the morning!
• Late Penalty Fees – somewhat related to the location, as well as your office hours. If you’re prone to doing overtime, be prepared to pay penalties for picking up your child late.
• Divided Attention – yes, the teachers are all qualified individuals, but they won’t be able to dedicate themselves solely to your child. Standard ratio is 1 teacher to 5 babies. However, this ratio varies with each childcare.
• Sickness – lots of kids in a small area plus a still undeveloped immune system equals a higher chance for kids to fall sick. You’ll have to take urgent leave to care for your child, and they’ll only be able to return to the preschool after they’ve recovered.

Continue reading on page 2 for the pros and cons of foreign domestic workers...

---

Foreign Domestic Workers

Pros

• Household Chores – taking care of the household chores is something that’ll free up a lot of time; time that can be spent bonding and playing with your child.
• Cooking – like the household chores, having your helper do the cooking is something that saves you time.
• Almost Always There – barring off and sick days for your helper, they’ll be around to help take care of your kid, even on the weekends.

Cons

• Trust – it’s definitely difficult to entrust your child to a stranger who might not know how to take care of an infant. Even though there are stories about amazing helpers who are more than happy to take care of the entire family, there are an equal amount of horror tales about how badly the helpers take care of children.
• Infant Care Training – on that note, if you wish to get your helper certified to take care of infants, you’ll have to pay for them to attend a short course.
• Lack of Focus – taking care of a child, doing household chores, buying groceries, and cooking are definitely a lot of things to handle, and the helper might not be able to do a thorough job on all of them.
• Language Barrier – communication isn’t that big an issue nowadays, but it still comes up once in a while, and if you have to give special instructions, it might take more time for you to ensure that they understand what not to give your child.
• Expense – a domestic helper around the house is a big help, but they’re expensive to hire and have other expenses other than their salary – medical fees when they’re sick, extra food and transport expenses, etc. 
• Lesser interaction with peers -- unlike a preschool, your child won’t be interacting with their peers and could suffer from anxiety as they progress into kindergarten. 

Continue reading on page 3 for the pros and cons of a nanny...

---

Nanny

Pros

• Experience – nannies usually have a lot of experience with taking care of kids, and they’ll know the ins-and-outs of babysitting and childcare. As another plus, some nannies have experience working as nurses or as preschool teachers and will be able to handle medical situations (should they arise) and a bit of education.
• Personalised Care – your child will have a strictly one-on-one care with a nanny, and that means a lot. They’ll be able to pay attention to the needs and wants of your child and could form closer bonds to them than preschools or helpers. With your child not being in a preschool, they’ll be less exposed to germs and viruses, which could mean they fall sick less often.
• Flexibility – they’re definitely less strict when discussing the hours where your child will be in their care as compared to preschools, and depending on what your needs are, they can do ad hoc babysitting too.

Most parents in Singapore often engage a nanny through recommendation from others. If you’re looking for a nanny through an agency, list out your expectations and requirements for a nanny that you’re looking for and they’ll be able to narrow down your search.

Cons

• Travel Time – like preschools, you’ll have to drop off and pick up your child on a daily basis. Getting a nanny that lives not too far away from you might not be the easiest thing to do as well.
• Different Values – your opinions on how a child should be brought up might clash with the nanny’s own opinions.
• Off Days – nannies are also only human, and they’ll want to go on holidays too, but they’ll usually update you in advance for any trips that they’re planning. However, if they fall sick, you’ll probably have to take urgent leave to take care of your child or go through a mad rush to find a replacement.
• Lower Social Skills – unlike a preschool, your child won’t be interacting with their peers and could suffer from that as they progress into primary school.
• Cost – Nanny fees are generally high (maybe even more than childcare and hiring a domestic helper).

Continue reading on page 4 for the pros and cons of your relatives...

---

Your Parents / In-Laws / Relatives

Pros

• Costs – it’s usually a lot cheaper when you’re having your own parents take care of your child!
• Family Bonding – grannies and grandpas usually have a lot of time on their hands, and would love to help take care of their own grandkids. Plus it’ll be good for your kids to interact with and get to know their grandparents more.
• Trust – they’re family, and they raised us, so we’ll have the ease of mind to place our own kids in their hands.
• More Time For You – for those who live with or close to their parents, they’ll have much more time to prepare for work and not be in a rush to drop off their kids. Our parents can also help to provide proper meals for our kids and might also help out with household chores.

Cons

• Lower Social Skills – similar to nannies and helpers, the lack of interaction with peers could be an issue as they grow older.
• Discipline Issues – grandparents usually dote on their grandkids as it’s all because of love, but this could lead to them growing up spoilt! They might not discipline our kids harshly, or even at all!
• Discontentment Between Mum & Dad – it happens quite often, as the mummy or daddy might have some issues with how their children are taken care of by their grandparents. Both speaking out and keeping quiet could lead to resentments. In the case of speaking out, the grandparents could feel hurt because of what was said, and in the case of keeping quiet, there might be arguments between husband and wife because of how the situation was handled. Have an open talk with your parents about how you wish to have your child be taken care of, and bring up any issues that they may have.
• Education – it’s not likely that grandparents will give our little ones education that’s in line with the primary school curriculum, unless they’re ex-educators themselves!

One of the more common combinations that we usually see is Preschool and Parents/In-laws or Helpers. For half-day preschools, we usually drop our kids off at the preschool in the mornings while our parents or helpers will be the ones who pick them up in the afternoons, and then they’ll take care of them until we’re done with work.

Doing this allows our children to interact with their peers and socialise, provides them with some early childhood education, and lets their grandparents bond with them too!

For parents who decided on hiring a foreign helper, most choose to plant cameras in shared areas to ease the trust issues till they are fully convinced to entrust their baby to them.

It is a difficult choice to make, but whichever decision you make, remember, it’s for the best of your baby!

Get the latest articles on all things pregnancy and baby! Subscribe to our mailing list and like us on Facebook!

Image credit: Flightcentre

We know that going on a trip with baby is definitely an experience for us parents, with all the preparation needed to make sure baby’s well taken care of. You're set for a great holiday if you have a smooth and fuss-free flight!

Thankfully, a lot of airlines understand our situation and allow extra baggage just for the amenities of our little ones!

Here’s a quick list of essentials that you should bring as carry-on for baby:

• Diapers – at least one per hour of flight, and then a few more extra just in case. The younger they are, the more you need!*
• Changing pads – get the disposable ones for when you’re doing diaper changes*
• Washable or disposable bibs*
• Wet Wipes (LOTS OF THESE)*
• Regular tissue paper
• Disinfecting hand lotion
• Sweater or jacket as it will get cold onboard
• 2 or 3 sets of clothes for baby when they get dirty
• At least 1 set of clothes for you when YOU get dirty
• Plastic/wet bags to hold dirty clothes
• Baby skincare items in tiny travel-sized bottles – moisturiser, diaper rash cream
• Food for baby – breastmilk should be placed in a cooler bag with something to help keep it chill
• Water bottle for the toddlers
• Disposable bottles and teats – you won’t be able to disinfect their bottles onboard a plane, so it might be better to get disposable ones*
• For babies on formula - milk powder packed in individual milk powder bags and a flask with hot water 
• Breast pump and other essentials that you need for pumping
• Items to help comfort baby – their favourite toys, blankie, and pacifiers

* Some airlines provide these items onboard. Do check with the flight attendants!

Tips

• If you’re bringing along a stroller, you can choose to check it in at the check-in counter or at the boarding gate. You’ll be given a big plastic bag to place your stroller in and you can collect it at the odd-sized baggage collection once you’ve reached your destination.
• Use Ziploc bags to help keep your items separate, and make sure you label them with what’s inside
• Ziploc/vacuum-sealed bags can also be used to keep space to a minimum for clothing items and diapers – leave a bit of the Ziploc bag open and sit on the bag to push out all the remaining air, then close it up
• Keep the essentials within your reach and easily accessible. Last thing you want is to turn your bag inside out searching for her pacifier!
• If possible, ask for the front seats with bigger leg space. You’ll appreciate it, trust us!
• If you need weaning meals for your baby, remember to request for it online beforehand. There might not be extra sets prepared onboard.

Here’s to hoping your holiday with baby will be a good one, mummies and daddies! Safe travels!

Get the latest articles on all things pregnancy and baby! Subscribe to our mailing list and like us on Facebook!

Image credit: Pinterest

Whether it’s for the baby’s full month or when you’re visiting mummy in the hospital, here are some practical gift ideas that aren’t chicken essence, heavy/bulky baskets of fruit, or a gift card with a funny-lame joke in it.

Let this be a reference for you when you’re looking for gift ideas, or refer your friends here as a hint on what they can get for you!

1. Diapers

This is definitely one item that parents will need a lot of, and will find really useful! Best to check with them first on which brand to buy – they’ll know their preferred brand and whether baby has any allergies to a specific brand.

Getting them a box or two of the diapers will be something that’s appreciated!

2. Baby Wet Wipes

Similar to diapers, wet wipes are another MUST-HAVE newborn essential and there can never be too much of it. I remember receiving a whole carton of wet wipes during my child’s full month party and I didn’t have to worry about running out for a good 4 months. Gift a carton (or 2!) of wet wipes and I’m pretty sure they will be eternally grateful for that. 

3. Baby Shower Gift Baskets

Both beautiful and practical, try to keep to a centralised theme for your gift baskets – start their library out with a few baby storybooks, get them prepped for bathtime with shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion and a soft towel, or natural essential oils to apply on baby!

4. Lactation Cookies/Tea

Every new mom will definitely go through an emotional rollercoaster when it comes to breastfeeding their baby for the first time. Always worrying if she is producing enough milk and desperately trying to find a milk booster to increase her supply. If you know mummy is determined to breastfeed, why not gift her a lactation hamper! Fill it up with lactation cookies, tea and even some healthy nuts!

5. Digital Thermometer

Another practical yet often overlooked item is a baby thermometer. Consider getting the digital ‘no-touch’ forehead ones that are suitable for newborn onwards. This gift will be the longest item parents will use for, from newborn to primary school and beyond. They can even use it for their second child and for themselves!

6. Baby Essentials

While baby essentials are important to have, you might want to check with the parents if they have already bought them. New parents are often very anxious (or kaisu) and will check these items off their ‘to-buy’ list in the early months of pregnancy. Best is to prearrange with them to avoid any duplicates!   

Gather a few friends and cost-share on a bigger ticket item – something that parents won’t bare to splurge on. 

Here are some baby essentials that will make a great gift:

• Strollers (maybe a travel sized one or those that can be used as a car seat and stroller)
• Carriers
• Baby monitor system
• Play mat
• UV Sterilizer
• Baby rocker (how about something that is automatic!)

7. Baby Grooming Kit

Probably something that will not cross the minds of new parents is a good set of grooming kit for baby. Get those with these few important tools (anything more will be a bonus) – baby-safe nail clipper, nose pump (nasal aspirators or bulb syringe) for when baby’s nose gets stuffed up, hair brush or comb because some babies are just born with a TONNE of hair. 

8. Bonus Gift Idea: Angpao / Gift Vouchers

You’ll never go wrong with giving cash that parents can use for their own needs! If you’re considering gift vouchers, try places like supermarkets or shopping mall vouchers.

 

Get the latest articles on all things pregnancy and baby! Subscribe to our mailing list and like us on Facebook!