The answer to this question may vary, but typically, most ultrasound technicians can accurately determine the sex of your baby at your “half-way point” ultrasound - most of the time. This falls between 18-22 weeks. By 20 weeks, male and female genitals are noticeably different when viewed via ultrasound if the tech can find them.
Once in a while, ultrasound technicians run into what they call “a shy baby” that may be positioned in such a way that it is difficult to see or accurately predict that baby’s gender. Other babies, however, may put their genitals on proud display as early as the first trimester! Because boy and girl babies look very similar on an ultrasound until around 14 weeks, gender predictions that early aren’t considered to be as accurate - don’t go shopping for pink or blue just yet. (1)
A blood test called NIPT (non-invasive prenatal testing) may be offered around week 10 of pregnancy. This testing analyzes DNA from a quick blood draw to screen for things like Down Syndrome and other genetic conditions. It can also determine the sex of your baby! Pretty accurately, too. This cell-free DNA screening looks for the presence of male genetic material to determine if your baby is a boy or girl.
While these tests aren’t a diagnostic tool nor are they always 100% accurate, especially when it comes to genetic abnormalities, they do offer great insight into the life that you are creating. If you do not wish to know the sex of your baby, let your provider know before taking the NIPT blood draw. Additionally, if you are concerned about certain genetic conditions, speak with your provider about ordering a more extensive NIPT. (2)
From the moment we first hear our baby’s heartbeat on the doppler, that sound sticks with us for ages - almost like the galloping of a gentle horse. As beautiful as that symphony of life sounds, can it really predict a baby's sex? Well, no. This is one (of many!) old wive’s tales surrounding pregnancy and gender of a baby.
The premise of the myth goes like this: if your baby has a heart rate of 140 BPM or higher and it’s a girl, 140 BPM or lower and it’s a boy. Turns out, research does not support this claim. In fact, this myth has been officially busted. In one study published by Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy, sonograms from 966 babies were studied. Long story short, their results showed the opposite of the myth’s claims. It is worth noting though, that the results were very close and there seems to be no correlation whatsoever between heart rate and gender. (3)
Well, whether this is what you want to hear or not, you cannot accurately find out your baby’s sex without some kind of medical tests or imaging - unless you are waiting until their arrival, of course.
You may have heard about gender tests that you can order online, take at home, and send to their lab for testing. Truth be told, the science behind this system is similar to that of an NIPT test: look for the presence of male DNA. The problem is, conditions of your “test area” AKA your bathroom may not be conducive to providing accurate results. Contamination is very possible, even if you are very careful. (4)
You may have also heard claims about determining gender based on how nauseous a woman may be, dangling a ring on a string in front of your belly to see which way it rotates, and even using food cravings to predict gender, and many other old wives' tales. The truth is, none of it is accurate. It could be fun to guess though! (5)
For accurate gender results, it is best to determine the sex of your baby via a method provided by your obGYN, midwife, or care provider.
Some prenatal testing that can be used to predict gender does come with added risk, be sure to speak with your provider for the most accurate information and recommendations. The following tests are invasive and can carry a slight risk of miscarriage.
Chorionic villus sampling (CVS): CVS can be performed between 10-13 weeks and is typically done to detect chromosomal abnormalities. This procedure can be more accurate than an NIPT in detecting things like Down Syndrome, but due to its invasive nature, does carry some risk.
Amniocentesis: Similar to CVS, amniocentesis testing is usually performed between 15-20 weeks by gathering a sample directly from your uterus. This type of testing may only be recommended for expecting mothers who had an abnormal result from their NIPT or if genetic conditions are present in the family. (1)
There are so many uncertainties that come with pregnancy. From things like whether you’re expecting a boy or a girl - to things like whether or not your dinner is going to sit right. Either way, there are some things you can count on after your baby’s arrival.
One of those is - needing more sleep. Shop with Dreamland Baby for sleep solutions in pink, blue, and many other gender neutral prints and colors. Our gently weighted Sleep Sacks, Swaddles, and Transitional Swaddles help your baby fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. You can sleep well knowing that they are sleeping safely with Dreamland Baby.
Before we talk about what symptoms to expect at 36 weeks, we’ll start by saying: there is no “normal” in pregnancy. Every woman is so different and each pregnancy can vary just as much. If this is a subsequent pregnancy for you, you may have realized that this pregnancy hasn’t been exactly the same as your first. However, some symptoms are commonly shared by many expecting mamas at 36 weeks pregnant:
Headaches. For some women who regularly struggle with headaches or migraines, pregnancy could actually alleviate headache symptoms. Most women, though, aren’t so lucky. Headaches are very common throughout pregnancy, especially towards the end. This can be due to a number of factors including fatigue, dehydration, and trouble sleeping (also super common!) Prioritize caring for yourself in an effort to avoid pregnancy headaches. Remember to stick to acetaminophen and avoid ibuprofen for headaches during pregnancy. If you are ever concerned about your headaches, reach out to your provider.
Cramping. This symptom can be very normal, and even expected. It can also be a sign of impending labor at this point in your pregnancy. If your baby was born at 36 weeks, they would be considered premature - let your provider know as soon as possible if cramping feels like contractions.
Bloody show. This goopy, blood tinged glob of vaginal discharge is actually what has helped seal your cervix for the past months. Its dislodging could be a sign that labor is near.
Dizziness. One of the least pleasant common pregnancy symptoms is feeling lightheaded or dizzy. This may be due to cardiovascular changes during pregnancy as your blood volume and heart rate increase. Avoid laying flat on your back this week as the weight from your mid section may restrict blood flow in main veins and contribute to dizziness. (1)
It is very normal to feel increased pressure in your pelvis at 36 weeks pregnant. Why? Your baby is dropping lower into your pelvis in preparation for birth - how exciting! As the one who feels the increased pressure in your pelvis, you may not share the same excitement. On the other hand, you may be relieved to be able to breathe easier this week as your baby scoots away from your rib cage. Many women also experience something called “lighting crotch” this week (you can probably guess why it’s called that). This can also be attributed to your baby descending lower into your pelvis. (1)
As mentioned earlier, a 36 week baby would still be considered premature. Their lungs are still developing this week, so a birth this early could result in NICU time. Call your provider or take a trip to the maternity unit in your hospital if you experience any of the following early signs of labor at 36 weeks pregnant:
Your baby has developed a lot of fat in the past few weeks. This means that things may be feeling more cramped inside your belly. (We’re sure you’ve noticed.) As a result, you may notice a decrease in forceful activity around this time. Even still, you should be able to feel at least 10 little movements every two hours. Babies tend to sleep more when we are moving around, so it may be best to lie down when monitoring fetal movements. (2)
Most babies will assume a head-down position by 36 weeks pregnant. This is the optimal position for a safe and smooth delivery. If your baby is not in the head down position by 36 weeks, your provider may discuss your options this week. C-sections are common for breech babies as a feet first vaginal birth could have complications. While this sounds stressful, breech babies only account for around 3% of births. Babies are typically pretty good at getting cozy in an upside down position before their big debut. (3)
As your pregnancy comes closer to an end, it is important to keep an eye out for premature labor symptoms. Call your provider if you’re ever unsure if what you’re experiencing is “normal” - or not. Birthing a baby at 36 weeks gestation could come with some significant risks including underdeveloped lungs, trouble staying warm, difficulty feeding, and developmental delays later in life. Fortunately, many premature labors can be stopped and in cases when that is not possible, there are advances in medical technology that give your baby a good chance of thriving if they were to be born at 36 weeks pregnant. (4)
There is a light at the end of the tunnel! We know those last weeks can feel like the longest. Once your sweet little one is here, you’ll forget all about the awful pregnancy symptoms you are enduring. Until then, now is the perfect time to start thinking about those baby essentials - like a Dreamland Baby Sleepsack, Swaddle, or Transitional Swaddle. As your baby gets used to life outside the womb, you can count on Dreamland Baby for sleep solutions that mimic the coziness they experienced in utero. Gentle weight from shoulders to toes decreases stress and increases relaxation - so that your baby can fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
This means that 2 weeks pregnant takes place somewhere around the time of conception in most pregnancies. Keep reading to find out how early may be too early to detect a pregnancy and what symptoms to keep an eye out for in the first weeks of pregnancy.
If you’re TTC (trying to conceive), you may begin testing for pregnancy super early in your cycle, hoping to see that BFP (big fat positive.) If you’re testing as early as two weeks after your last period began, you are probably wasting your pregnancy tests.
Ovulation occurs somewhere around day 14 of a menstrual cycle for most women. This means that an egg is being released somewhere around what could be 2 weeks pregnant. Either the egg is fertilized and the pregnancy weeks keep ticking by, or the egg is not fertilized and the ticker restarts with your next cycle. In the event that an egg is fertilized after ovulation, you still would not be able to detect a pregnancy at 2 weeks, even with a blood test.
This doesn’t mean that nothing is happening, though! In fact, your body is hard at work preparing to potentially support a fetus. An increase in progesterone and estrogen prompts the lining of your uterus to thicken enough to host a fertilized egg. Once an egg is fertilized, genetic material begins to combine and your baby’s genetic makeup is determined.
Everything, including the sex of your baby, will be predetermined by the combination of DNA from mom and dad in those early weeks. Somewhere around 72 hours after the sperm meets the egg, the blastocyst (cluster of cells) arrives in your uterus where it will nestle into that extra-thick uterine lining during the following week. (1)
That sounds like a lot is happening during the second week of pregnancy! Many very-newly expecting moms may not feel any different at all during week 2 of pregnancy. Others, however, may notice some physical signs of ovulation or early implantation at this time.
Since you aren’t technically pregnant at 2 weeks pregnant, there aren’t any notable “pregnancy symptoms”, but you may experience the symptoms listed above as a result of ovulation or impending implantation.
If you are actively trying to conceive however, now is a great time to start taking care of yourself as if you were pregnant - since you could be! Eating healthy, avoiding alcohol and cigarettes, and exercising can all help your body prepare to handle the pregnancy symptoms that will be coming (very soon!)
“How soon?”, you might ask. Well, this varies from mom to mom, but many expecting mothers can expect to begin noticing pregnancy symptoms around week 4, or about 2 weeks after conception! (2) For many women, the first signs of pregnancy will include:
It is important to remember that pregnancy symptoms are subjective, and everybody will experience them differently. Some (lucky ones) may not experience any pregnancy symptoms at all.
The severity of symptoms, or lack thereof, are not directly correlated to a healthy or unhealthy pregnancy.
You might drive yourself crazy waiting for pregnancy symptoms to rear their ugly head as you wait to find out if you are in fact with child. The only sure-fire way to determine whether or not you are pregnant is to take a pregnancy test. Most at-home tests are considered accurate by the time a period has been missed. (2)
Symptoms of pregnancy that are less talked about than the above-mentioned include: bloating and gas. I mean, we get why nobody wants to talk about it. Gas and bloating, however unpleasant they may be, are signs that your pregnancy hormones are doing their thing. Try to, um, welcome it.
Like we said, bloated. Many women may wonder “am I showing already!?” in the earliest weeks thanks to bloating due to a slowed digestive system. Rest assured, you won’t “show” in very early pregnancy, but you may still want to bust out the stretchy pants.
The joys of motherhood begin as early as 2 weeks pregnant. It may even be this early that many expecting moms begin to think about what must-have baby gear to add to their registries.
Don’t sleep on Dreamland Baby (sleep with Dreamland Baby).
Our patented CoverCalm® Technology in our Sleep Sacks, Swaddles, and Transition Swaddles provides gentle, evenly distributed weight to naturally reduce stress and improve relaxation through deep touch stimulation. This helps your baby fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
https://www.babycenter.com/pregnancy/week-by-week/2-weeks-pregnant
https://www.babycenter.com/getting-pregnant/how-to-get-pregnant/pregnancy-symptoms_1146468
(1) With so many do’s and don'ts of pregnancy, it can be hard to know every single thing that you’re not supposed to do- or even remember those things that you have heard about. (Hello, pregnancy brain.)
One of those things that may fall into the “who knew” category: whether or not honey is safe during pregnancy. Read on to learn the sweet truth about whether or not pregnant women can eat honey.
You may have heard that honey consumption poses a risk to infants under the age of 1.
This is due to the fact that the sweet, gooey, goodness is actually host to a bacteria, called Clostridium, that could cause infant botulism. Infant botulism can cause lethargy, weakness, constipation, and more.
As infants get older, their digestive systems mature and Clostridium is easily moved through the body with no-harm done. So, what does this mean for pregnant women?
Honey is safe for pregnant women to eat since it is their digestive system that will be processing the sugary substance. (3) Speaking of sugar, although honey is safe for consumption during pregnancy, sugar intake should be limited. Moderation is key. (2)
Not only is honey, when consumed in moderation, safe for pregnant mothers - it actually has some benefits! When honey is eaten “raw”, or unpasteurized, its benefits are impressive to say the least.
Honey can also be used to boost energy levels! We all know (all too well) that pregnancy fatigue is real. Next time it hits hard, try a small spoonful of honey in your tea.
While honey is nutritionally dense in its raw state, packed with vitamins and minerals, pasteurization can kill off some of these nutrient components. There is some debate present whether pasteurized or raw honey is better for pregnant women, but according to the Mayo Clinic, honey in its purest form does not contain the foodborne pathogens that pasteurization typically aims to kill off.
However, unpasteurized cheeses and juices should be avoided during pregnancy because they do contain foodborne pathogens such as salmonella, E. coli, and listeria. (3)
As we mentioned, moderation is key. As is the case with any other sugar, it may not be healthy to overindulge. It is recommended to not exceed 2 tablespoons of honey per day. Excessive consumption of honey can have an impact on weight gain during pregnancy, unhealthy glucose level, and other potential health issues.
While a spoonful of honey here and there is perfectly safe for most pregnant women, there are some groups of pregnant mothers who may need to limit honey consumption even further - or avoid it all together. For example, those with gestational diabetes.
Gestational diabetes is a condition in which women need to limit sugar and carbohydrate intake and it affects up to 10% of expecting mothers. (4) Honey may cause spikes in blood sugar that could be harmful to an unborn baby. However, some research indicates that honey may be better tolerated than simple white sugar for some people with gestational diabetes, but this is not the case for all individuals.
(5) Expecting mothers who struggle with acid reflux and indigestion may also want to avoid honey. While it does have the potential to soothe some gastrointestinal issues, it could make them worse for some pregnant women. (3)
Honey while pregnant = green light. What about when you’re breastfeeding? Also perfectly safe. There is virtually no risk that bacteria present in honey would transfer to your baby via breast milk. The same is true for many foods that were off-the-menu while pregnant! Raw fish, unpasteurized cheese, and undercooked meat no longer pose a risk of harming your baby if consumed, even while breastfeeding.
So put some honey on your goat cheese and grab some sushi mama! Eating honey while breastfeeding is not only safe, but has many benefits! We discussed some of the benefits of honey earlier, but what we didn’t mention was its neurological benefits. Honey can actually help fight off those baby blues, if you have them.
(Which is super normal by the way.)
Plus, the antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals present in honey are more important than ever for your breastfeeding body, it is working hard to produce that liquid gold after all. (6)
As a Mom-founded company, we truly understand the importance of keeping your baby safe. When they’re in utero, it’s up to you to study the do’s and don'ts of pregnancy list and protect your unborn baby. Once they’re born, you can trust us to help keep them safe while they sleep. With safety in design at the forefront of our creative process, you can trust Dreamland Baby sleep solutions for your baby.
We've enlisted the help of medical professionals in the field of sleep, medicine, infant care, and occupational therapy to provide us with their expert guidance and ensure that we continue to deliver safe, effective products that meet the highest quality standards! Knowing that your baby is sound asleep, safely, allows you to get the rest you (desperately) need as well.
Our patented CoverCalm® Technology in our Sleep Sacks, Swaddles, and Transition Swaddles provides gentle, evenly distributed weight to naturally reduce stress and improve relaxation through deep touch stimulation. This helps your baby fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
Fun fact: roughly the first two weeks of pregnancy are in the books before you are even technically pregnant. As strange as it sounds, weeks 1-2 of pregnancy occur before ovulation. Let’s unpack that a little. With each monthly cycle comes a period of time where your body gears up to host a child. Hormones build up while your uterus prepares for pregnancy. Then, one of two things happen: you get pregnant, or you get a period. By the time you were to ovulate and get pregnant, you’re already headed into week 3 of pregnancy. Week 4 is typically when implantation occurs and the beginnings of a placenta starts to form. By the end of week 4, your itty-bitty babe is roughly the size of a poppy seed.
(1)
Thanks to hormones in overdrive as the second month of pregnancy begins, week 5 may be around the time you first discover that you are pregnant. This week is also when your baby’s heart begins to form. It will beat an average of 110 beats per minute by the end of week 5. Week 6 is marked by primitive facial structures such as their eyes, ears, and mouth beginning to form. During week 7-8, your baby develops tiny arm and leg buds with webbed hands and feet. All body systems and major organs are developing rapidly in the second month of pregnancy. While they may resemble a tadpole this month, week 8 holds a pretty big milestone. Your embryo is now a fetus.
(1)
As month 3 begins, those primitive facial structures are beginning to look alot more human-like. Although your baby’s head is still roughly 50% of their total length, all physical features are becoming evident. Limbs, bones, muscles, and organs are developing rapidly this month. Your baby even has tiny teeth and taste buds forming by week 9! Those webbed fingers and toes are gone by week 10 as fingernails and toenails begin to take shape. Before the end of month 3, your baby will be busy drinking amniotic fluid and exploring the world around them. Any risk of miscarriage has dropped drastically by the end of week 12 thanks to all the critical development that has taken place.
(1)
Month 4 of pregnancy is pretty remarkable. Your baby is growing at an impressive speed and you might even begin to feel movement this month, especially if this isn’t your first baby. Your doctor can now hear your little one’s heart beat on a doppler and your bump will soon be apparent, if it isn’t already. Your baby is busy growing too - their skin becomes less translucent and they even begin to develop some hair. By week 14, your baby’s genitals are fully formed and they may be apparent on an ultrasound by week 16. Your baby can hear you this month, too!
(1)
While genitals have been developed for a couple of weeks now, most doctors are confident in predicting the sex of your baby by week 17 or 18. This may be your first opportunity to see your baby on an ultrasound. What you may see is thumb sucking, yawning, and you may even catch a smile if you’re lucky! Your baby’s brain is developing rapidly, including the area that is responsible for sensory development. Fetuses typically weigh about 1 pound by the end of week 20.
(1)
Month 6 is marked by a pretty amazing milestone - viability outside the womb! Babies who are born after the 23rd week of pregnancy stand a chance of survival, thanks to modern medicine. Lungs are fully developed by the end of the fifth month, but not mature enough to work on their own outside of your womb.
(1)
Your baby will really be packing on the pounds this month, literally, pounds. If you were to get an ultrasound this month, you would notice significantly chubbier cheeks. You may also notice that your baby can blink and now has eyelashes. Your baby might weigh as much as 3 pounds by the end of week 28.
(1)
While respiratory and bone development are impressive this month, brain development is in overdrive. You may notice your baby responding to more external stimuli such as bright lights and loud noises. With the exception of their lungs and their brain, all of your baby’s other organs are essentially ready to operate in the world outside of your womb.
(1)
Almost there - your baby is gearing up for birth this month. Your baby will likely be head down and ready to descend by week 33. Their bones continue to harden, with the exception of their skull. This needs to remain soft in order to squeeze through the birth canal. Your baby’s skin is coated in a thick, waxy substance called vernix to protect their skin from birth and its first few days outside of the womb.
(1)
This is it! You could go into labor at any point this month. In fact, anything after 38 weeks is considered full term. You may feel more pressure in your pelvis this month as your baby descends in preparation for their grand arrival. Your baby is growing rapidly at an average of .5 pounds per week this month. Keep an eye out for signs of labor and get ready to snuggle that newborn soon!
(1)
All that growing was exhausting! Once that sweet baby is in your arms, you can count on Dreamland Baby to help you both get the sleep you need from birth and beyond!
First, we’ll start by acknowledging the three categories that poisonous houseplants can be broken into: mildly toxic, moderately toxic, and severely toxic. While this is not a complete list of plants to display with caution, this does include many of the most common toxic houseplants. Side effects of consumption can range in severity accordingly.
Mildly toxic:
Pothos
Spiderplant
Fiddleleaf Fig
Peace Lily
Philodendron
Chinese Evergreen
Side effects of exposure and consumption can include nausea, diarrhea, and mild stomach ache.
Moderately toxic:
Dracaena
Jade Plant
Side effects of exposure and consumption can include more severe gastrointestinal upset and higher probability of vomiting or diarrhea.
Severely toxic:
Cycad Sago Palm
Easter Lily
Side effects of exposure and consumption can include liver failure, seizures, kidney injuries, and severe gastrointestinal irritation.
Its not only our two legged babies that these poisonous houseplants could effect, but our four legged ones as well. In fact, animals may be more sensitive to ill effects of the above houseplants.
(1)
Accidents happen. We do our best to to keep our children free of even the slightest dangers, but the fact is, we can’t possibly keep eyes on them every single second. If your child has consumed some poisonous houseplant, chances are they will be just fine. Nature has kindof a built-in babyproofing when it comes to poisonous houseplants: most of them have a very bitter taste. This usually prevents children and pets from consuming large amounts. Since the most common symptom of poisonous houseplant consumption is gastrointestinal upset, keep your eye out for vomiting, diahrrea, and stomach pain if your little one has ingested a poisonous plant.
(1)
Knowledge is power - and you’re already here learning. That is step one to keeping your child from being exposed to poisonous plants. Step two is removing any that may be toxic from your home if necessary or putting them in places where your child will not be able to reach them. Hanging pots, tall shelves, or in a part of the home that they do not have access to could be the best places to keep toxic houseplants. Keep in mind that plants do not have to be toxic in order to pose a risk. Heavy pots that your child could pull down, hanging pots that could pose an entanglement risk, and plants will rocks or pebbles (everything is a choking hazard once they’re mobile) should all be relocated if necessary, regardless of whether or not they are poisonous. Additionally, keep an eye on the soil of any plant for mold or bug infestations, as these are also common issues with houseplants that could be unhealthy for you and your children.
If your child has ingested part of a poisonous plant, stay calm. Get on the phone with your child’s pediatrician or the local emergency room for the best advice. While you’re making that call, rinse your child’s mouth out with water. Keep the fluids coming so that your child stays hydrated and, hopefully, flushes out any toxins quickly.
If you are unsure whether or not the plant your child has ingested is poisonous, call the National Poison Center at 800-222-1222. They can help you identify the plant that has been consumed and educate you on any potential side effects.
(1)
Absolutely! Just because some plants may be toxic if consumed, doesn’t mean we should avoid them all together. Plants have many positive benefits including the ability to clean the air and create a happier and more relaxing atmosphere. (2) Plants that have been deemed safest around children and pets include: African Violet, Bamboo, Pepperomia, Wandering Jew, Geraniums, Orchids, and Swedish Ivy. (1) A quick trip to your local nursery may give you more comprehensive insight into which plants are safest for your home.
We know how important it is to you to keep your babies safe. Here at Dreamland Baby, we share the same passion for safety. That’s why we have enlisted the help of professionals in the field of sleep, medicine, infant care, and occupational therapy to provide us with their expert guidance and ensure that we continue to deliver safe, effective products that meet the highest quality standards! We partner with these experts in the field and real parents to ensure that our products are not only safe - but effective and comforting as well. Our gently weighted Swaddles, Sleep Sacks, and Transitional Swaddles are made with our patented CoverCalm® Technology for an even distribution of gentle weight from shoulders to toes and activates Deep Touch Stimulation. This gentle weight reduces stress and increases relaxation so that your baby (and you!) can fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
https://www.thedickinsonpress.com/lifestyle/which-houseplants-are-poisonous-to-pets-and-kids
https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-home-guide/benefits-of-indoor-plants#7-benefits
Even if it’s not apparent on the outside yet, your body is changing. Rapidly. Your uterus is around the size of a lemon by week 8 and the placenta is gearing up to attach itself to the walls of your womb. Hormones are on overdrive helping your body prepare for future growth and childbirth. Unfortunately, those hormones can cause a slew of unpleasant symptoms.
Don't worry, not all pregnancy symptoms are bad! “Pregnancy glow” is a real thing - keep your eye out for shinier hair this week.
(2)
Your sweet little fetus is around 16mm ong this week - that’s about the size of a raspberry! Although they haven’t quite taken the shape of a baby yet and still somewhat resemble a tadpole, their head is beginning to uncurl from their chest. The upper part of an 8 week old fetus’s body develops quicker than the lower half, so your baby’s arms are longer than its legs. In fact, their legs are just beginning to grow longer. Knees, thighs, ankles, and toes have yet to develop - but soon! (2) Facial features are becoming more distinct this week and you should now be able to hear baby’s heartbeat with a doppler! (3)
Prenatal care is important, even early on. First trimester prenatal care typically includes going over any medical history, determining a due date, physical exams, and possibly some lab work. Blood tests may be done to confirm blood type, including your Rh status, check for anemia, and check for the presence of any infections. Prenatal genetic screening may also be offered around the 8 week mark. This can be done by a simple blood test and could detect some genetic abnormalities such as Down Syndrome. You may also be asked to provide a urine sample to check for urinary tract infections, which are common in pregnancy. These early appointments are a good time to bring up any concerns you may have about being pregnant, if any. It is important to feel comfortable with your OB GYN or midwife that is seeing you for your regular visits. It is not uncommon to switch providers early on if you feel it is not a good fit.
(4)
If you’re experiencing morning sickness at 8 weeks, you’re not alone. About 70% of expecting moms battle “morning” sickness. Who came up with that name, anyway? This nausea can last all day for some. This lovely pregnancy symptom can be due to hormones, dips in blood sugar, blood pressure fluctuations, or metabolism changes. Nausea can be amplified by stress, anxiety, heat, motion, and even being tired. You may have realized that the smell of certain foods might do it for you too.
Luckily, there are a few things you can do to try and manage morning sickness.
(5)
Your baby is extremely vulnerable at 8 weeks pregnant. All of their major organs and systems are developing rapidly during the first trimester. Exposure to drugs, alcohol, nicotine, and toxic substances could severely impact their quality of life and development. If you consume any of the above, now is the time to quit. (1)
8 weeks pregnant is also a good time to begin a prenatal exercise regimen. Keeping your body fit while you prepare for childbirth will not only make carrying a baby easier, but it can make you feel better too! Talk to your doctor about what exercises are appropriate for each stage of pregnancy.
Eating nutritious foods is also more important now. Don’t think “eating for two”, think “nutrients for two”. Load up on protein, vitamins, and fiber.
Mood swings may feel more like a mood pendulum sometimes - bouncing back and forth between “so happy I could cry” and “why am I crying?”. This is so, so normal. (Thank you hormones). Prioritize self care during this time and lean on your partner or other loved ones for support.
You’ve made it to week 8 of your pregnancy, marked by nausea, mood swings, and gas… Ah, the joys of pregnancy. Only 7 months to go - but don’t blink, it’ll go by faster than you think. Before you know it, you’ll be holding a newborn in your arms thinking about how they used to be a raspberry sized tadpole in your belly. For that newborn stage and beyond, you can count on Dreamland Baby to help your baby get the sleep that they need to grow even bigger.
Before we dive into how to help your baby sleep better through the night without a feeding, let’s talk about other factors that may keep your little one awake at night. (2)
Circadian rhythm: Babies are not born with an internal alarm clock. Circadian rhythm develops over time, usually by 11 weeks old. (3) Until then, try to enjoy those midnight newborn snuggles. Keeping curtains open during the day to let in sunlight and eliminating bright stimuli during night hours may help this development.
Pain or illness: These things would keep anyone awake, but babies may be more prone to lying awake because of pain or illness. Before babies can talk, we (as their caregivers) are left to a cycle of trial and error to figure out how we can help them feel better. Until we get it right, babies lay uncomfortable - and awake.
Developmental milestones: As exciting as new milestones are, such as crawling, standing, and walking - these celebrations can often be accompanied by sleepless nights.
Routine: Appropriate routines for babies will vary by age, but can include things such as wake windows, play time, feeding, and bedtime. A predictable routine can certainly help your baby sleep better at night.
If you’re in that sweet (sleepless) newborn phase and itching to know when your baby might be ready to sleep through the night, this one’s for you. Look out for these signs of readiness: (4)
Age: Surprise, surprise. Age plays a role in sleeping through the night. (Remember that circadian rhythm we talked about?) Most parents can expect their baby to show signs of sleeping longer stretches around 3 months old.
Reduced moro reflexes: Those quick jolts or stretches that babies do that often wake them up right out of their sleep begin to taper off between 3 and 6 months. Until then, Dreamland Baby Swaddles can help keep those reflexes calm while your baby sleeps.
Weight: Many experts agree that once a baby reaches around 13 lbs, they may be ready for longer stretches of sleep.
First off, grab some of Dreamland Baby’s sleep essentials. Our patented CoverCalm® Technology disperses gentle weight from shoulders to toes, promoting deep touch stimulation. This helps babies fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Now that those golden tickets to sleep are in your arsenal, lets go over a few more things that may help:
Bedtime routine: A good bedtime routine will not only be calming and comforting for your baby, but will also include sleep cues that let your baby know it’s time to go to sleep. Keeping this routine predictable is key. Avoid playing, keep your voice calm, and complete tasks such as brushing teeth, wrapping in a swaddle or sleep sack, and turning down the lights.
Watch for the signs: Those adorable eye rubs and long yawns are your cue to begin that bedtime routine. Waiting much longer could result in an overtired and cranky baby.
Pacifier: Many babies like to fall asleep with a pacifier. Not only can they help babies calm down enough to sleep, falling asleep with a pacifier may also reduce the risk of SIDS. (5)
The most important thing is to listen to those parental instincts - yes, we have them and yes, they’re amazing. Most parents can tell the difference between a quick fuss that says “I can put myself back to sleep, just give me a minute” and a cry that says “I need something”. As parents, we run through a mental checklist of what the problem may be so that we can offer the solution that results in everybody going back to sleep. This list often consists of making sure they’re not in pain, checking their diaper, ensuring light and noise is minimal, and feeding if they may be hungry. Don’t jump to offering a breast or bottle if they are developmentally old enough to not require frequent feeds and they have eaten sufficiently throughout the day. Sometimes, just a gentle pat can help then drift back off to Dreamland.
There are several approaches to sleep training. Different methods may work for different babies and it’s important to only do what feels right for you and your family. That way, nobody is traumatized by sleep training. Here are a few of the most popular sleep training methods to help your baby sleep through the night:
Cry it Out: This sleep training method is essentially what it sounds like - allowing your baby to cry themselves to sleep after they have been put down for bed. Some parents choose to respond to cries after a certain amount of time.
Ferber Method: This is similar to cry it out, but uses predetermined intervals that gradually get longer each night. For example, on the first night, parents may respond to their baby’s cries after 2 minutes. On the second night, that may stretch to 3 minutes. Ideally, babies learn to soothe themselves as those intervals of no parental interaction get longer.
Pick up, Put down: This very-responsive, no cry solution for sleep training is self explanatory. Baby cries - you pick them up. Once soothed, you put them down. The key to this method is “drowsy, but awake”. You want to lay your baby down before they are fully asleep to get them used to falling asleep independently. (6)
Babies’ eating needs will change as they grow and for the most developmentally appropriate feeding schedule recommendations, speak with your pediatrician. The key to ensuring that they sleep longer stretches though, is ensuring that your baby goes to sleep with a full belly - but not so full that it hurts to digest.
Keep in mind that regardless of external factors, babies, much like adults, all have their own sleep patterns and preferences. What works for one baby, may not work for another. If you have multiple children, you have probably already discovered that babies like to keep us on our toes. We think we have it figured out - then poof. The next baby is totally different. Even so, one thing that you can always count on is Dreamland Baby.
https://www.babysleepsite.com/night-weaning-2/night-feedings-by-age-when-do-you-night-wean/
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/seven-factors-which-affect-your-babys-sleep-most-tracy-newberry
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6175794/#:~:text=The%20newborn%20infant%20develops%20the%20components%20of%20circadian%20rhythm%20postnatally.&text=A%20rhythm%20of%20cortisol%20develops,genes%20develop%20at%2011%20weeks.
https://blog.getcubo.com/signs-baby-ready-to-sleep-through-the-night/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/baby-sleep/art-20045014
https://www.parents.com/baby/sleep/issues/teach-your-baby-to-sleep-in-just-7-days/#:~:text=Cry%20It%20Out%20Method%3A%20With,a%20certain%20duration%20of%20crying.
Sun & Lace was created by Briana, the founder, when she was looking for cute, neutral shoes for her baby boy. Unable to find what she was looking for, she sewed a pair of slip-on shoes herself that her baby wore everywhere. Like all things, necessity was the mother of invention, and Briana decided to share her shoes with other like-minded mamas by making them available for purchase.
All Sun & Lace items are handcrafted by a small team of women in their Wisconsin studio using custom-made premium leather. Their soft-soled shoes are recommended for proper foot development as babies begin to walk. The neutral colors and premium, sustainable leather allow each item to be passed down from brother to sister and from sister to brother.
Along with being available at sunandlace.com, they are also carried in Nordstrom and baby boutiques across the globe.
Follow Sun & Lace on Instagram @sunandlace]]>Here at Dreamland Baby HQ, nothing makes us happier than to hear our customer’s feedback! That’s why we created our “spotlight” to introduce you to “real” families who can share their unique experiences with our products. If you’d like to be profiled in an upcoming post, email us at hello@dreamlandbabyco.com. We look forward to hearing from you!
Meet Ashley, Ryan & Palmer!
My name is Ashley McAuliff, my boyfriend, Ryan Murphy, and I have a sweet little 4-month-old baby girl named Palmer. We are both full-time college students living as a new young family in Winter Park, Florida. Ryan is also a full-time college athlete playing baseball for Rollins College. Between balancing school, baseball practice/games, and taking care of Palmer, sleep is very important to us. Of course, having a baby in college is unexpected, but we have been showered with so much love and support from all of our friends and family. Having a baby was a love we never could have imagined, but being able to share that joy with each other as best friends is truly the biggest blessing anyone could ever wish for.
Our Dreamland Baby Story
Ryan was watching Shark Tank one night and saw the CEO of Dreamland talk about how there are no weighted blankets for babies on the market. Ironically, my cousin just recently had a baby as well and mentioned her son was sleeping long stretches after purchasing a Dreamland Weighted Sleep Sack, so, of course, I wanted to try it. I purchased your sleep sack and it has been amazing. Palmer loves to be held, so as soon as we wrapped her in her sack, she seemed to feel calm, as if we were hugging her. We noticed she had a calmness during bedtime as well as longer sleep times during nap time and bedtime. We were immediately obsessed.
The Dreamland Difference
When Palmer was born we did a lot of contact naps. She is our first baby, so we had heard doing contact naps is healthy for baby and helps build a connection. I think the amount of contact naps we did during the day led to her having a hard time sleeping in her bassinet at night. I breastfeed Palmer full-time, and with Ryan being gone for classes all day, then a long baseball practice, and just making it home in time for dinner some days I was struggling. With our busy schedule, nighttime and sleep was the only time I had to myself. Palmer would wake up every 2 hours to feed, and after using the sleep sack, we got almost 8-hour stretches. With nights going so well, it has made such a difference in how she naps during the day, giving me an opportunity to get school work done, work out, and accomplish the things I would not normally be able to accomplish being a new mom.
Since purchasing Dreamland Baby’s weighted sleep sack, we noticed a huge shift in her sleep pattern as well as the way she soothes herself to sleep at night, which has made a huge difference for all of us. It takes a huge weight off my shoulders (no pun intended!), not having to hear her struggle to fall asleep at night. She has been able to fall asleep peacefully on her own while wearing her sleep sack.
When I recommend Dreamland Baby to a friend, I tell them ______________
It was the best decision I ever made! Not only does Dreamland give my family a good night's rest, but allows my family to be well rested to spend quality time together during the day. My mom is going to order one for her house so when Palmer comes over, she can sleep better at her house as well.
Thank you for the opportunity to share our story with your customers. I have never felt so good about a baby product before, so if this could help any other new moms, that would make me so happy.
]]>If passed, this Act would guarantee a minimum monthly benefit of $580.
Did you know that:
So, while we fight to pass it this year, we’re participating in an initiative to give $580 to 120 families with the goal of supporting and keeping parents in the workforce. We look forward to introducing you to the family that Dreamland Baby will be supporting soon!
We're championing Paid Leave for All x Glamour's paid leave petition. Your name can make all the difference. We think parents have been pushed around long enough- and it’s time we push back. Together, let’s push harder!
SIGN THE PETITION
https://www.glamour.com/story/paidleaveforall
LEARN MORE ABOUT PARENTS PUSH HARDER
https://www.hibobbie.com/pages/parents-push-harder]]>Therefore, there are many reasons why they might start crying uncontrollably in the middle of the night. Once you’ve ruled out nothing is wrong, you can try simpler solutions like adjusting their environment or using weighted sleep solutions to promote better sleep.
Our weighted sleep solutions naturally reduce stress and increase relaxation through deep stimulation to provide security and comfort. Like a hug, all night long. If you’re dealing with a trying toddler, you might be tired, but hang in there as we help you find your way back to a good night’s sleep again. Here’s what you should know about toddlers crying in the middle of the night.
Truthfully, there are a plethora of reasons your toddler might be struggling to sleep through the night. Waking up crying uncontrollably can leave you both feeling jarred and worried. As a parent, those are not sounds you want to hear in the middle of the night. It’s best to consult your doctor to determine the cause of the crying, but as you brainstorm in the meantime, here are a few ideas:
Some common toddler sleep regression ages are 12 months, 18 months, 2 years old, and 3 years old. Babies can develop at different paces, though, so your experience might look different. Expect sleep regressions to last for a week or two, and commit to staying on track.
Night terrors can startle your baby awake. Night terrors usually happen in preschool or primary-aged children, and most will grow out of them. Some signs or symptoms that your toddler is waking with night terrors include waking with a sudden scream and looking frightened, fast breathing, sweaty with a glassy stare, and some may be unable to be comforted.
There’s little you can do during a night terror episode, but there are ways to keep your toddler safe. If you suspect your toddler is experiencing night terrors, speak to your doctor.
Our babies can go through phases of being extra clingy. For some babies, it seems the phase never ends. For some other babies, the separation anxiety might not surface until they are a bit older.
Some babies start to experience separation anxiety around 2 years of age, which can lead to sleep regressions. Separation anxiety can affect sleep or cause them to wake up crying at any age, though, especially if you’re encouraging them to sleep alone. It’s normal to want to comfort your baby, and parenting styles can vary.
Try offering your baby a gentle touch or boring bedroom visit, but do your best to keep them asleep in their own space.
Two-year molars can be uncomfortable, causing a sleep regression for your baby. Talk to your doctor to determine the best ways to help your baby remain as comfortable as possible to help them get the sleep they need.
When your toddler wakes you in the middle of the night, it can disrupt the entire household. While you might be desperate to get back to sleep, be patient and know your little one won’t be so little for long.
Whatever approach you choose to take, be consistent, especially if it occurs on the regular. For most of us, the goal is to help teach our baby to self-soothe and stay asleep in their own environment.
Dreamland weighted sleep solutions feature CoverCalm® Technology that naturally reduces stress while providing baby with the feeling of comfort and security. It can help baby fall asleep faster, and stay asleep longer, giving the gift of sleep to baby and the entire household.
Our Weighted Dream Sleep Sack is designed for babies up to 36 months. Once your baby has outgrown our weighted swaddles and sleep sacks, graduate to our Weighted Toddler Blanket for toddlers 3+ and 30+ pounds.
Help your baby fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. . . shop Dreamland today!
https://www.parents.com/toddlers-preschoolers/development/behavioral/wacky-toddler-behavior-sudden-crying/
https://www.whattoexpect.com/toddler/behavior/night-waking.aspx
https://takingcarababies.com/toddler-sleep-regression
https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Night_terrors_night_time_wakings/
https://www.whattoexpect.com/toddler/behavior/night-waking.aspx
https://brightestbeginning.com/2-year-old-sleep-regression/#:~:text=At%20around%202%20years%20of,sleep%20regressions%20at%20this%20age.
https://www.healthline.com/health/childrens-health/2-year-old-sleep-regression#:~:text=Many%20toddlers%20are%20just%20getting,sleep%20peacefully%20through%20the%20night.
]]>Most teas are safe to drink during pregnancy, and some can benefit pregnant women. If you’re new to the tea world, it can be overwhelming to choose a tea or a few to try. If you can find teas with benefits during pregnancy that you enjoy, it’s a double win.
Before we dive into types of tea, you should note that there are two kinds of tea - herbal tea and non-herbal tea. Non-herbal teas usually contain caffeine and can be categorized as black, green, and oolong. Herbal teas are usually caffeine-free.
Here are some herbal teas to consider during pregnancy. You might want to check with your doctor before consuming, as everyone’s pregnancy can differ.
There are some things to be mindful of when drinking tea during pregnancy. Let’s review.
When it comes to consuming herbal teas, it’s recommended not to consume herbs in greater amounts than you would find in foods. In addition, there’s a risk of contamination with herbal teas. Two types of herbal teas to avoid are parsley tea and sage tea.
Two types of herbal teas to avoid during pregnancy are parsley tea and sage tea. Parsley tea can increase the chance of miscarriage and impact your baby’s development. Sage tea in concentrated forms has been connected to miscarriage and high blood pressure.
During your first trimester, you should live life as normally as possible, with some exceptions. It’s important to drink plenty of water during the first trimester, and throughout your pregnancy. You may even want to consume an extra glass. If you don’t love water, tea and other water-based beverages can help you achieve water intake goals. During your first trimester, consider rooibos tea, peppermint, or ginger tea. Rooibos tea is rich in antioxidants, and ginger and peppermint tea can help soothe morning sickness.
During pregnancy and after pregnancy, you and your baby’s health is a top concern. While you research what’s best for both of you, you should also lean on your most qualified resource to assist, your doctor. Your doctor can help you determine what’s safe, depending on your specific circumstances. The basics, such as good nutrition and adequate sleep, are at the foundation of a healthy life for you and baby.
As you learn to readjust after pregnancy while learning life with a new baby, sleep might be interrupted. Do your best to find routines that offer adequate sleep for you and baby. Remember, baby has come from a noisy and dark womb, and is adjusting to a great big world. Ensuring they have just the right environment for sleeping can make all the difference.
Try a Dream Sound Machine and Dream Weighted Swaddle to start. Our weighted sleep swaddle is easy to use, simply lay baby down in the swaddle, wrap the swaddle band snugly around them (with arms in or out), and zip up the swaddle.
Our CoverCalm® technology evenly distributes weight from your baby’s shoulders to toes to help naturally reduce stress and increase relaxation. Help your baby adjust to sleeping along effortlessly while knowing they are safe and sleeping sound.
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/is-tea-safe-during-pregnancy#potentially-suitable-teas
https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/is-it-safe/herbal-tea/
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/is-tea-safe-during-pregnancy#potentially-suitable-teas
https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/herbal-teas-during-pregnancy-and-breastfeeding#:~:text=Parsley%20tea%3A%20avoid%20parsley%20tea,miscarriage%20and%20high%20blood%20pressure.
https://wfmchealth.org/maternity-health-care/what-should-you-drink-during-pregnancy/
]]>From getting pregnant to enduring pregnancy and giving birth, there’s much to learn about your body. Read on as we explore hCG and how they can fluctuate during pregnancy.
As we mentioned, pregnancy tests look to test hCG levels to confirm a woman is pregnant. Once a female has conceived (otherwise known as when the sperm and egg meet), hCG is produced and released by your developing placenta. Within about two weeks, hCG levels should be high enough to be detected by a home pregnancy test. Toward the end of your first trimester (1-12 weeks) hCG levels are the highest, and should gradually decline over the pregnancy.
Here are average hCG levels in blood during pregnancy by week:
hCG levels are the highest toward the end of the first trimester. Around 8 -12 weeks, on average, women measure 32,000 - 210,000 µ/L. If hCG levels are higher than normal, this can signify multiples (i.e. twins or triplets).
Alternatively, if hCG levels start to fall drastically, this can be a sign of a miscarriage. For a proper diagnosis, you should consult your doctor, as hCG levels are only a suggestion of what might be going on.
When you conceive, you start with an egg released during ovulation. The egg then meets sperm and fertilizes, also known as conception. When the egg fertilizes, it can then turn into an embryo. Around 8 weeks of pregnancy, the embryo is mature enough to become a fetus.
The embryo can be detected on an ultrasound as early as 6 weeks. To ensure you’re timing is correct, you will want to know the exact date of your last menstrual cycle start. Showing up to your first ultrasound appointment is an exciting feeling, but you don’t want to show up too soon. While sometimes pregnancy comes by surprise, oftentimes it’s planned. Regardless, doctors often ask when the first day of your last menstrual cycle was, so it’s helpful to keep track regularly.
When an egg and sperm meet, the egg can be fertilized and attach to the lining. Just like that, you’re pregnant. Your body will then start to make hCG, typically about 10 days after conception. hCG levels need to be high enough to be detected by a take-home pregnancy test. hCG levels above 25 mIU/mL are considered a positive result for pregnancy. hCG levels between 6 and 25 mIU/mL are a gray area where you might be pregnant, but a retest will likely be needed to confirm pregnancy.
There might be a few signs of rising hCG levels, including:
Sounds familiar, right? These can double as early pregnancy symptoms, too.
If you discover your hCG levels are high at 5 weeks, you will likely find out from your doctor. It’s best to receive an official diagnosis from your doctor, but some explanations can include a molar pregnancy or gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD).
hCG levels should rise the most during the first trimester of pregnancy. If they are not rising at a proper rate, this can signify a miscarriage occurring.
While you might find some methods to check your hCG at home, it’s best to visit your doctor for a professional examination and explanation of results. If you have concerns, your doctor will likely be able to accommodate seeing you more frequently or finding ways to provide you peace of mind.
Finding out you’re pregnant can forever change your life. As you learn about your body, and then about your baby’s body, you start to realize just how amazing humans are. Some may even gain a new appreciation for the importance of the little things like sleep, a proper diet, and overall good health.
Once baby arrives, the sleep department might suffer, but rest assured that Dreamland can help. When your baby enters the world, it emerges from a dark, fluid-filled sac with irreplicable noises and feelings. Just like that, they are exposed to a great big world. As they adjust, they will need just the right sleeping environment to promote better sleep.
Swaddles are often used to help babies sleep as they wrap them snugly to help calm them down and mimic the feeling of the womb. However, swaddles can be difficult to get on just right, and if they are not worn properly, they can be ineffective.
At Dreamland, we offer weighted and non-weighted sleep solutions that are user-friendly and proven to help babies sleep better. In turn, that means parents (and maybe the whole family) sleep better, too.
Our Weighted Dream Swaddle features CoverCalm® technology that evenly distributes baby’s weight from their shoulders to toes. Instantly this works to reduce anxiety and help your baby fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. To dress your baby in our Weighted Dream Swaddle, put them in their coziest pajamas, and lay them on their back with the swaddle back below them.
Tuck their legs into the swaddle and wrap the swaddle band around their upper body, with arms tucked in or out. Zip up the swaddle and let your baby drift off to Dreamland. Designed in collaboration with pediatricians, NICU nurses, and sleep consultants, our weighted sleep solutions are proven to work while keeping your baby safe.
https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=167&contentid=hcg_serum#:~:text=Both%20men%20and%20women%20have,throughout%20the%20first%203%20months.
https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/hcg-levels
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/hcg-levels
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/9704-ultrasound-in-pregnancy
https://www.pampers.com/en-us/pregnancy/prenatal-health-and-wellness/article/hcg-levels
https://americanpregnancy.org/getting-pregnant/hcg-levels/#:~:text=An%20hCG%20level%20of%20less,rise%20to%20confirm%20a%20pregnancy.
https://www.parents.com/pregnancy/my-life/emotions/a-cheat-sheet-to-pregnancy-hormones/
https://www.todaysparent.com/pregnancy/pregnancy-health/hcg-levels/
https://www.healthline.com/health/hcg-levels-miscarriage#:~:text=Likewise%2C%20levels%20that%20aren't,miscarriage%20may%20take%20place%20soon.
]]>The timing of that true baby bump varies from mom to mom. For most women, their bump becomes noticeable to others during the second trimester. Typically, that falls between 16-20 weeks. As the person who is actually trying to squeeze into those pre-pregnancy jeans, you may notice it much sooner than anybody else. It is also not uncommon for baby bumps to not show until much later in the second trimester or even into the third either. A slow-to-show bump is not an indication of an unhealthy pregnancy. Don’t stress if your bump doesn’t pop out as soon as you’d like it to, your doctor will track baby’s growth via ultrasound. When a bump shows truly varies from person to person and depends on baby’s positioning, placenta positioning, individual body frame, number of pregnancies, and more. (1)
Those first few weeks that a bump begins to form may have you feeling a little awkward, especially if you haven’t made your pregnancy public yet. The unbuttoned pants and slightly fuller abdomen may just appear as if you had a pizza party the night before. This phase passes quickly, as your uterus grows rapidly to accommodate your growing baby. Soon, that pizza party bump becomes fuller and more defined, taking on that classic bump shape. This transformation is an exterior reminder of the growing life within.
Oh - you’ll know. Soon after your pre-pregnancy clothes stop fitting the same way, your bump will begin showing. There are other ways of determining whether or not your bump is truly bumping since it can be difficult to decipher from gas or bloating in early pregnancy. If you attend regular prenatal appointments, you may have heard the term “fundal measurements”. This is when your doctor takes a tape measure to measure where the top of your uterus, or your fundus. This can be used to estimate how far along a pregnancy is or to track consistent growth. Either way, once your fundus reaches your belly button, around 20 weeks pregnant, your bump will likely be on proud display. (2)
First, exactly when you begin to show may be subject to interpretation. What may look like a basketball under your shirt to you may be less noticeable to others. It is normal for pregnant mothers to be aware of their growing bellies before the rest of the world is. First time singleton pregnancies can start to show as early as 12 weeks, but likely closer to 16 weeks. This depends on a few factors - including how aware you are of your growing body. (3)
Second pregnancies, however, typically begin to show sooner than a previous pregnancy. Your stomach muscles already know the drill. They may have been left relaxed after your first pregnancy, allowing them to stretch outward with your growing uterus easier - and sooner. Many second time moms begin to show in their first trimester. This isn’t a hard and fast rule since when your bump shows will depend on many factors including weight, position of the uterus, age, and more. (3)
Although it's not impossible, most “bumps” are not true bumps at 8 weeks pregnant. It may be - ahem - gas. Thanks to hormones that are intended to relax your uterus to prepare for growth, your digestive muscles may also relax - causing slower digestion. This can result in gas and bloating. This bloating can begin even before your positive pregnancy test shows those two little lines and may continue until progesterone production tapers off towards the end of the first trimester. (4)
If you’re wondering how soon your bloating may actually turn into a bump - the answer is: it depends. Uterine growth really begins around week 7. (5) This does not mean that by week 7 you will have a noticeable bump, but for those who are very in tune with their bodies or have had previous pregnancies, technically - depending on the many factors that determine when a bump will show - you could begin to show shortly after 7 weeks. For the vast majority of pregnant mothers, their bump will not be visible until around 12-16 weeks, (3) If you’re not quite there yet, enjoy the time you have left in your favorite jeans. You’ll be trading them for stretchy maternity pants soon enough.
You will have a good sense of when your bump is visible to others by the number of hands reaching for your sweet belly. People can’t resist the marvel of new life creation. Can you blame them?
Pregnancy goes by fast. The newborn and infant stages go by even faster - unless you’re not getting enough sleep. Those long nights can make for long days that can make it difficult to soak in those precious moments. In true nesting fashion, you’re probably already brainstorming must-have baby products to get before baby arrives. Don’t sleep on Dreamland Baby. Do sleep because of Dreamland Baby. 96% of parents who have tried our Sleep Essentials for their babies absolutely love them and would recommend them to other parents. The gentle, evenly distributed weight in our sleep sacks, swaddles, and transitional swaddles naturally reduces stress and improves relaxation through deep touch stimulation. As a result, your little one will fall asleep faster, and stay asleep longer.
Like we said, grab the crackers. Nausea is one of the most common early pregnancy symptoms. What’s known as morning sickness (pro-tip: this may occur at any time, day or night), can be due to those lovely pregnancy hormones that are beginning to rise. Not everyone experiences nausea, but in the worst cases, it can be so extreme that it interferes with daily life. Excessive nausea and vomiting could be hyperemesis gravidarum, a serious condition during pregnancy that requires treatment. Thankfully, most pregnant women manage nausea well with plenty of rest, water, and bland foods. Here are some more common early pregnancy symptoms:
(1)
Now that we’ve covered some of the most common (or commonly talked about) pregnancy signs, let’s shed some light on some early pregnancy symptoms that nobody wants to talk about.
(4)
Arguably the most common first pregnancy symptom is: implantation cramping and spotting. Shortly after sperm fertilizes an egg, that egg embeds itself into the uterine wall. Under normal circumstances, when there is no pregnancy, that uterine lining would shed with the next menstrual cycle. Cramping associated with implantation can last anywhere between 1-3 days and could result in some minor bleeding. This early pregnancy symptom can be confused for normal symptoms of your cycle since implantation cramping and implantation spotting may occur around the time your period is due. So, while this is a common first pregnancy symptom, these symptoms don’t necessarily point to the creation of a new life. Cue the dreaded two week wait. After implantation, hCG begins to rise and a pregnancy test should soon be able to tell you that you are pregnant; but it could take up to two weeks or more to build up to a detectable level.
(2)
Most symptoms begin to creep in between 4-6 weeks pregnant. (3) This is because hCG, the pregnancy hormone, along with others like progesterone, are building up in your body. Hormones are often to blame for most early pregnancy symptoms. If these symptoms have you feeling pretty awful, don’t worry, most of them largely subside by the second trimester when the placenta takes over hormone production. Ah, the glorious second trimester - this begins only 14 short weeks after conception. Hang in there!
If you asked a group of mothers what it felt like when they first got pregnant, you would likely get a wide range of answers. On this spectrum, you might hear that some women only experienced a whisper of fatigue as they continued on with life as they know it, largely unphased. You might also hear from women who had to press pause on their life to accommodate for necessary naps or excessive vomiting. There is no “normal” early pregnancy experience. Your lifestyle habits, overall health, diet, and stress levels could, at least in part, influence a more positive early pregnancy. Remember to eat healthy, relax, and get plenty of rest (you are creating a whole entire human after all, that’s hard work!)
In early pregnancy, the only way to know if you are pregnant is by taking a test. Urine pregnancy tests are the most common way that mothers find out that they are with child. Blood tests are also available through your OB-GYN to detect hCG levels, an indication of pregnancy. Your body could be hinting at pregnancy left and right - sore breasts, fatigue, nausea - but the only way to know for sure is by taking a pregnancy test. If anxiety is holding you back from taking a pregnancy test, enlist the support of your partner, a trusted friend, or family member.
Pregnancy is a wild ride - and it can begin right after conception. Always lean on your support system to help you get through early pregnancy all the way to birth and beyond. For more support after baby is born, lean on Dreamland Baby. Our gently weighted sleep solutions are designed with safety - and good sleep - in mind. For your baby and you.
A baby growth chart is a trajectory chart for height, weight, and head circumference. Your baby’s stats will typically be tracked by age range on your pediatrician’s computer at each visit. This serves as a roadmap to your baby’s physical development. The data that your baby’s stats will be compared to is based upon collected data from a large population of babies of all ages in order to determine how your little one measures up against their peers. (2) From this information, your baby will be given percentiles based on where they fall for height or length, weight, and head circumference compared to other babies their age. For example, a baby whose weight falls in the 50th percentile weighs more than 50% of babies their age. Don’t be alarmed if your baby does not fall perfectly in the middle in each category as all babies are different sizes and grow at their own rate. What is most important is that your baby follows their own growth trajectory.
There are only general ranges for how much babies should weigh by age as sex, genetics, nutrition, and overall health can affect a baby’s weight.
Birth |
7.5-7.8 lbs |
2 weeks |
8.4-8.8 lbs |
1.5 months |
9.9-10.8 lbs |
2.5 months |
11.5-12.6 lbs |
3.5 months |
13-14.1 lbs |
4.5 months |
14.1-15.4 lbs |
5.5 months |
15.4-16.8 lbs |
6.5 months |
16.5-18 lbs |
7.5 months |
174.-19 lbs |
8.5 months |
18.3-20.1 lbs |
9.5 months |
19.2-20.9 lbs |
10.5 months |
19.8-21.6 lbs |
11.5 months |
20.7-2.5 lbs |
12.5 months |
21.4-23.1 lbs |
These averages are based upon data from The World Health Organization (WHO). (3)
Healthy babies can still fall outside the scope of these guidelines. The rate at which your baby gains weight will be a key factor when considering their health. Your child’s pediatrician is the best source for information if you are concerned about your baby’s weight.
For infants under the age of 1, there is a formula that can be used to estimate their weight based upon averages for their age. (4) For this formula, kgs will be used instead of lbs. (1kg is approximately 2.2lbs). (5) To get an estimate of a baby’s weight based on their age, take their age in months and add 9, then divide by 2. Here is an example for a 5 month old: 5+9=14. 14/2=7. Therefore, an average weight for a 5 month old may be 7 kgs or 15.4 lbs.
This is just for estimation purposes. There are only a few instances where this formula would be needed and you should always rely on their true weight for medicine dosages and growth tracking purposes.
There is no “normal” percentile for baby growth as each baby develops differently. Anything that falls between the 5th to 95th percentile can be considered normal. (6) Babies may still be healthy if they fall outside this scope and percentiles are truly just one piece of information when determining the health of a baby. What may be more concerning than a very high or very low percentile would be if a baby did not follow their own curve on their growth chart.
Babies come in all shapes and sizes, a baby with a higher percentile for weight may not necessarily have a high percentile in length or height. Research does suggest though, that birth weight can be an indicator of a baby’s anticipated height as an adult. (7)
Height and weight percentiles do not have to match perfectly. It is expected that they be in roughly the same proportion though. (8) Your child’s pediatrician may want to evaluate reasoning for drastically different height and weight percentiles. For example, a baby who falls in the 80th percentile for height may need their nutritional intake monitored more closely if their weight falls in the 5th percentile.
Percentiles alone are not typically concerning for babies. Growth charts are simply one tool out of many that a pediatrician may use when assessing the health of a baby. Your baby may freely follow their own trajectory on the growth chart without any issues, regardless of their percentile.
Yes and no! It is very possible for a small baby to simply just be petite and may always follow a low percentage curve. Many babies with low percentiles do eventually catch up though. Roughly 85% of babies born small for their gestational age usually catch up to a “normal” range by the age of 2. (9)
As parents, there are seemingly a million things we worry about, including how our babies are growing. One thing you shouldn’t have to worry about is: sleep. Not only is sleep key to proper growth and development for your baby, it is also key for you to feel your best. If your baby isn’t sleeping, neither are you. For the best night’s sleep for you and your baby, you can count on Dreamland Baby’s sleep essentials. Our gently weighted Swaddles, Transition Swaddles, and Sleep Sacks are designed with CoverCalm® Technology to provide deep pressure stimulation that helps your baby fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
Whether you’re basking in that pregnancy glow or living off of crackers, there’s no denying that what’s happening within your womb is pretty incredible. It’s also brand new - and if you don’t know what to expect, you’re not alone.
Keep reading to learn more about what to expect in your 10th week of pregnancy.
If you asked a group of mothers how they felt at 10 weeks, you would likely get a wide array of responses. That spectrum may range from not even feeling pregnant to experiencing debilitating nausea. There is no real “normal” as to how great, or how awful, you might feel at 10 weeks pregnant. As hormones shift, there are many symptoms that you may experience at 10 weeks pregnant. Some common symptoms (1) include:
Thanks to the same hormones that cause the above symptoms, you may also start to feel like you’ve boarded an emotional rollercoaster that you can’t get off of. The good news is, after around 10 weeks, the placenta that your body has been working so hard to grow will begin to replace the corpus luteum. (2) This means that hormones should begin to level out a little bit and some of these symptoms may subside. Cue the second trimester glow that everybody talks about.
Along with a myriad of symptoms, there is seemingly an equally long list of do’s and don'ts of pregnancy. As overwhelming as the list of restrictions may be, they are in place to preserve the health of you and your baby. Here are some things you should not do at 10 weeks pregnant:
Do be sure to prioritize your well-being and enlist the help of your support system when needed.
At 10 weeks of pregnancy, it is not likely that you will feel your baby by pressing on your stomach. Early on in pregnancy, your womb is protected by your pelvic bone (5) and makes its way upward week-by-week. Additionally, your baby is so small that any movements would not typically be felt by 10 weeks pregnant - but you may see them on an ultrasound!
Your baby may not feel you rubbing your belly until around 21 weeks pregnant. (6) However, research does show that babies in the womb are likely capable of feeling love, so keep rubbing that belly! (7)
Unfortunately, even vaginal ultrasounds at 10 weeks aren’t likely to provide accurate gender predictions. Many doctors wait until 16-20 week anomaly scans to determine gender, but some doctors may feel comfortable providing parents with a gender prediction around 12 weeks. (8) Accuracy of gender prediction, at any week, depends on baby’s positioning.
While a 10 week scan may not inform you whether to shop pink or blue, you may be able to get a blood test this week! The NIPT (noninvasive prenatal testing test) is a blood test that determines gender and highlights the possibilities of any congenital abnormalities. Typically, by 10 weeks there is enough fetal DNA in your blood to produce accurate results. (9)
While you may begin having trouble squeezing into your skinny jeans around 10 weeks pregnant, others may not notice a difference. At 10 weeks, your uterus is about the size of a large orange, while your baby measures around 30mm from crown to rump (head to butt). (1) This is only as big as a small apricot. While this type of growth in your first trimester of pregnancy is miraculous, you probably won’t be sporting a true bump just yet. Thanks to hormones like progesterone though, you may be feeling (and looking) extra bloated this week. Don’t be alarmed if you’re burping or passing gas more often than normal this week. Ah, the joys of pregnancy.
Growing a human is no small feat. The symptoms, the tests, the restrictions - it’s all exhausting. Add to your “sleep bank” when you can for a more manageable pregnancy. For better sleep after the baby is born, lean on Dreamland Baby. Our gently weighted swaddles, transitions swaddles, and sleep sacks evenly distribute weight to naturally reduce stress and improve relaxation through deep touch stimulation. You can sleep better knowing that your precious bundle is sleeping safely - we've enlisted the help of professionals in the field of sleep, medicine, infant care, and occupational therapy to provide us with their expert guidance and ensure that we continue to deliver safe, effective products that meet the highest quality standards!
Before we dive in, keep in mind that these recommendations are guidelines and not hard and fast rules for every baby. All babies develop and grow at their own pace. Additionally, gestational age at birth may affect feeding frequencies and amounts in the early months. (1)
Newborn: Newborns are frequent feeders. Since their stomachs are very small, they need to eat as often as every two-three hours. This can equate to 8-12 times per 24 hour period. (2)
4-6 months: By the time your baby has outgrown the newborn stage, their stomachs have grown significantly and are able to take in and hold more breastmilk or formular per feeding. As a result, most babies are comfortable with 3-5 hours between each feeding. (2) This usually means more sleep for you (yay!) Some infants start exploring solids before six months, but this shouldn’t affect an eating schedule too much at this age since amounts consumed will be minimal.
6-8 months: This is when things get interesting - and messy. Most pediatricians, including the AAP, recommend introducing solids around six months of age. (3) Because early food introduction will not account for a significant source of nutrition or substance, breastmilk and/or formula feeding schedules may not be impacted initially. That said, breast or bottle/cup feedings between 6-8 months may still frequent every 4-5 hours. (2)
8-12 months: Now that many babies have outgrown their tongue thrust reflex and are becoming pros at eating real food, snacks and meals become an important addition to their eating routines. By 12 months, many babies every couple of hours on a schedule that includes a morning breakfast, morning snack, afternoon lunch, dinner, and breastmilk or formula before they go to bed. Your baby should still consume some breastmilk or formula with solid foods at this age. (4) Small amounts of water may be included as well.
Just as the frequency of feedings can vary between each baby, the amounts may as well. Don’t be alarmed if your baby eats slightly more or less than the following outline - but any significant differences or fluctuations should always be brought up to their pediatrician.
Newborn: Brand new babies have very tiny stomachs and their first few days of life they may only take in .5-3oz of breastmilk or formula per feeding. Towards the end of the newborn stage, it is common for babies to consume up to 6oz. per feeding. (5)
4-6 months: By now, your baby may be drinking up to 8oz. per feeding. (5) Many parents, with their pediatricians approval, start solid food by six months. As babies get used to solids, they likely won’t consume a significant amount per meal. Formula or breastmilk is still their main source of sustenance.
6-8 months: Solids foods will likely account for a larger part of a baby’s diet by 8 months old. They might consume 2-4oz. of purees, cereal, or other very soft foods per meal or snack. Formula or breastmilk should still given, up to 8oz. per feeding. (5)
8-12 months: Progressing to mashed, chopped, or small finger foods, your baby may consume up to one cup of food per meal or snack, along with up to 8oz. of breastmilk or formula per feeding. (6) If that sounds like alot, just wait until their teen years!
When your baby shows signs of readiness to introduce solid foods, such as sitting up unassisted, good head control, and no more tongue thrust reflex, it’s time to invest in a good stain remover and begin their solids journey. First foods must be very, very soft. Things like pureed fruits, vegetables, meats, beans, or iron-fortified cereals are perfect for a new eater. There is no “right or wrong” order of first foods, but it is recommended to refrain from introducing new foods simultaneously in the beginning just incase an allergy presents. (7)
Calculating the amount of baby food your little one consumes is easy - as long as it is offered in measured portions. Most prepackaged baby foods come in standard 2-4oz containers. If you choose to make baby food at home, you can premeasure servings in measuring cups. In the event that your baby doesn’t finish an entire portion, you can estimate how much they consumed based on what is left in their bowl - and how much might be on their bib.
Exactly how long a baby can go between feedings will be dependent on their age, size, preferences, and nutritional needs. Babies may display signs of hunger such as crankiness, searching for breast, smacking lips, or opening and closing their mouth. (8)
There are some foods that babies cant eat that may be more obvious, such as excessive amounts of sugar or raw eggs, but other food items on the “no-no” list may not be as well-known. For example, infants under the age of 1 year old should not have honey due to the risk of botulism. (9) Other things that you should wait before introducing are raw shellfish, whole nuts, rice drinks, or anything with excessive amounts of salt. (9)
Since infant’s digestive systems are still developing, feeding solid foods too soon before bed can be a bad idea. It is best to cut off solid food consumption about one hour before baby’s nap or bed time to ensure that they have plenty of time to digest before laying down. (10)
By the time your baby is ready for two meals per day, they likely won’t have a problem expressing their hunger to you. Many infants eat two meals per day by the age of 9 months old. (11)
By 10-11 months, your baby will likely be ready for 3 meals per day. Don’t forget the snacks! (11)
Knowing the ins-and-outs of feeding your baby can seem daunting at first. Keep in mind that babies are very good at hunger cues, and learning them gets easier with time. When it comes to sleep, however, it’s okay to need a little bit of help. Don’t worry though, we’ve got your back - and theirs, with CoverCalm® technology. Our gently weighted Sleep Essentials naturally reduce stress and improves relaxation through deep touch stimulation. When they sleep better - so can you!
As a parent, ensuring your baby is developing properly is important. You are constantly working to keep them safe, teach them, and offer all the support they need to learn and grow.
Before we go through how to encourage healthy brain development for your baby, let’s start with reviewing all the brain controls.
The brain has four lobes, with the frontal lobes being the largest. The three other lobes are the Occipital Lobes, Parietal Lobes, and Temporal Lobes. Each lobe plays an integral role in how we function as human beings.
The Frontal Lobes control motor skills. The Occipital Lobes enable us to send and receive visual information. The Parietal Lobes interpret signals simultaneously from other parts of the brain to help us give meaning to objects.
The Temporal Lobes are located on the right and left sides of the brain. The right side helps us recognize things such as people “put a face to the name,” and the left side helps us remember verbal information.
While we’ve made brain functioning sound rather simple, it’s extremely complex. To be a great parent, you don’t need to understand the ins and outs of the brain, but you should understand the basics.
You should also listen to teachers, doctors, and other sources of influence and observe your baby to identify areas they may need support. Keep reading as we explore how to encourage brain development in a baby, with proper sleep playing an important role.
There are several ways you can encourage your baby’s brain development. Let’s review.
Physical development for a baby can include milestones such as rolling over, crawling, and walking. It can also include ensuring your baby is the right weight and growing properly. Interacting with your child is one way to ensure they are happy, encouraging them to want to eat and play.
Activities such as tummy time or face time (work on eye contact) should be incorporated into a daily routine when appropriate based on the baby's age to promote physical development.
Rattle or noisy and interactive toys such as jumpers, swings, and mobiles are another way to encourage physical development. The foundation of proper physical development is adequate nutrition and sleep, and a safe environment.
Every baby is different, so it’s important to stay connected with your doctor and other professional resources to ensure you are doing what needs to be done for your baby. To help your baby fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer, try one of our weighted sleep solutions.
Little signs such as sleeping and eating can indicate a happy and healthy baby. With so many stages of baby development, though, it can be hard to know if your baby is developing normally. Here are some milestones to look for in the first six months that can help reassure you that your baby is developing normally.
Remember, babies can develop faster or slower. If you have any concerns, talk to your pediatrician.
Babies might not hold a conversation with you, but they understand more than you think. Naturally, some babies need more interaction and or stimulation. If they do, give it to them. One way to stimulate an intelligent baby is to turn up the baby talk. Pick up on their cues and sounds and react to them. This leads us to our next tip - be attentive. Notice the things your baby is focusing on and leverage them to teach them the world. You can also leverage them to identify support they might need or crave. As your baby transforms into a toddler, you can involve them in household chores or cooking. Keeping them involved can stimulate their brain while boosting their confidence.
Beginning around week 5, a fetus starts developing a brain, but it isn’t until week 6 or 7 that the neural tube closes and the brain separates into three parts. During this time, neurons and synapses begin to develop in the spinal cord. These developments allow the fetus to start making some of their first movements.
There are numerous ways you can support healthy development for your infant. Some ways even involve just having fun with your baby. Three ways you can increase brain development include getting to know your baby, having fun with your baby, and play games with your baby.
Some babies may develop slower than others without explanation. If you feel your baby is experiencing developmental delays, talk to your pediatrician as soon as possible. Some developmental delays can be corrected with proper support and or treatment. Birth defects can also cause developmental delays. Developmental delays may not surface from the getgo so it’s important to monitor your baby’s development continuously.
Hearing is a sense that babies are born with. Around 18 weeks of pregnancy, your baby can start to hear voices outside the womb. Start talking to your baby, and don’t stop. It can literally shape their brain.
Certain foods are known for fueling brain development.
Music can strengthen the development of cognitive and sensory development. Music can also help calm your baby. Double win.
Babies cry, and some cry often. While you may not always be able to comfort them right away, it’s best to avoid letting your baby cry for extended periods. It may impact their neuropsychological development, which can surface around 6 months to 3 years of age. There are varying opinions on this matter, so do your research and make the decisions you feel are best for your baby.
While the brain develops throughout pregnancy, during the third trimester, though, your baby’s brain triples in size. The brain is a vital organ that is important at every stage of development.
There are a few signs that a child might be experiencing developmental delays. Among the more obvious are delays in milestones or trouble with motor skills or movement, such as rolling over, crawling, first words, or a social disconnect. As they get older, you may notice they are withdrawn and disengaged from people and other children. The sooner you can identify potential delays, the sooner you can get your child support to help with delays. Speak up about any concerns with your pediatrician.
Children thrive off love and confidence, among other things. The best thing you can do to have a happy baby is to be attentive to them. Make eye contact and be present. Show them they are loved and help them learn the world. In addition, make sure they are getting plenty of sleep. Help your baby sleep with weighted sleep solutions that work to naturally reduce stress while helping babies feel safe and secure.
Perceptual development is how a child takes in and responds to sensory input. It allows babies to adapt and react to their environment as a response to their senses. Here are some toys that can help with perceptual development.
Infants love toys. Choosing toys that can also promote healthy development can be a double-win.
As you anticipate your baby’s first words, you’re probably trying every trick in the book to lure the words out. Once the first word comes out, it’s off to the races, and the tricks will continue. Here are four ways you can promote language development.
Being a parent is one of life’s greatest gifts. As you witness your baby grow into the person they are meant to be, you may wonder how to support their development along the way.
Remember, development is different from personality. By interacting with your baby and having fun with them, you can promote brain development. Getting to know your baby is critical as well.
Let them guide you. They may not be able to tell you what they need, but soon you will just know. Ensuring your baby gets adequate sleep is important for healthy development.
With frequent sleep regressions, teething, and other sleep interruptions, you and your baby might be running on little sleep. Weighted sleep solutions are proven to naturally reduce stress while promoting better sleep for your baby - and you too.
At Dreamland, our weighted sleep solutions are designed with tired parents in mind. From user-friendly designs to CoverCalm® Technology, our weighted sleep solutions are proven to help babies fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
We pay attention to the details.
Sleep matters. Shop Dreamland today for sleep solutions that work!
]]>Postpartum is the phase after giving birth. Therefore, postpartum exercise is exercise that takes place after giving birth. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy is just as important postpartum as it is during pregnancy. However, the two journeys look different. Pregnancy can take a toll on your pelvic floor, which can impact your bladder control. During pregnancy and postpartum, pelvic floor or kegel exercises can offer benefits. This can be a good place to start your postpartum journey as soon as 24 hours after giving birth, but check with your doctor first. As for returning for a full workout routine or high-impact exercise, you will need to wait until after your 6-week postnatal check-up. If you exercised regularly before and during pregnancy, you may be able to return sooner, but you’ll need to check with your doctor.
There are various factors that can impact when it’s safe to return to exercise. The intensity of the planned exercise can also play a role. Before returning to high-impact postpartum exercises such as power walking or moderate strength training, you should wait until after your 6-week postnatal check-up. Gentle postpartum exercises, such as pelvic floor exercises or walking, may be safe to resume much sooner. Ask your doctor what’s recommended based on the circumstances. If you had complications during delivery, it may take longer to recover and return to exercise.
The timeline for returning to exercise postpartum depends on the intensity of the workout and the circumstances. Once cleared by your doctor, which usually happens around 6-weeks postpartum, you can return to exercise when you feel ready.
When it’s time to return to exercise after having a baby, start slow and let your body rebuild strength. Things may feel different, and there are some exercises you’ll want to avoid, such as intense abdominal exercise or extreme weight lifting.
Postpartum journeys can look different depending on the individual. Working with a professional for personalized advice tailored to your postpartum journey can be beneficial. This might not be an option for everyone, though, and exercise is better than no exercise (as long as it’s safe). Here are some postpartum exercises you might want to try.
If your pregnancy and delivery went smoothly, you might be able to start a low-impact exercise within a few days. Be kind to your body, and don’t push yourself if you don’t feel ready.
The postpartum journey is full of excitement and change. To navigate this time, you’ll need adequate sleep. Before you laugh and think that’s not possible, try our weighted sleep solutions, proven to help babies fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. While waking up every few hours may be unavoidable with a newborn, when it’s time to sleep, you’ll want to make the most of that time for you and your baby.
Our weighted sleep solutions are designed with CoverCalm® Technology that ensures even weight distribution from your baby’s shoulders to toes to naturally reduce stress while giving your baby the feeling of security and comfort. In addition to ensuring your baby is calm and comfortable, you’ll want to set the ambiance.
Dress them in breathable and soft Bamboo Baby Pajamas and turn on the Dream Sound Machine. Turn the lights off and rest up for a new day of postpartum life with a baby.
Discover better sleep for your baby (and you) and expedite your postpartum recovery journey. Shop Dreamland today!
]]>While they are tiny and delicate, handling a newborn isn’t as scary as it seems once you get the hang of it.
The most important thing to remember is to support their head and neck. Whether they are resting on your chest or cradled in your arms, maintain the extra support. Eventually, your baby will be able to support their head and neck, so holding them will become an easier task.
Around 3 months of age, babies gain enough strength to hold their heads at least partially upright, and by about 6 months, they should have full control.
Of course, with babies, things can vary as they each have their own normal. Some babies may develop faster, and others slower.
Understanding developmental milestones can help you ensure your baby is developing on track while ensuring you provide them with the right support.
Here are our best tips for handling newborns because we know that every detail matters when it comes to babies.
Newborn babies are delicate yet durable. When holding them, though, it’s important to support their head and neck since they can’t hold them up on their own yet. Keep one hand under or behind their head and neck and the other hand supporting their bottom. Even when they are rested against your body, you will need to support them with your hands. As you pick up and hold a baby, don’t forget about your own body, too. Maintain good posture and bend your knees to protect your back when picking them up and putting them down. For new parents, it can be intimidating to hold your tiny little baby, but with time, you should become more confident. Be aware and mindful of movements to ensure you don’t put yourself or your baby in a potentially dangerous situation.
Newborn handling 101 – avoid picking a newborn baby up by the armpits. For one, they need support for their head and neck. Second, you risk injuring their arms or shoulders. Once babies develop the strength to support their head and neck and control it on their own, you can pick them up by the armpits, but do so with caution. While babies are tough, you should still be as gentle and careful as possible when handling them.
The number one rule when holding a newborn (0-3 months) is to keep their head and neck supported. With proper support, you can hold your 2-month-old upright. You may want to use your body for additional support. For example, resting their head against your shoulder as you hold them in a seated position pressed against your body. Do what feels best as long as it’s safe for your baby. If you have any questions, always ask your pediatrician.
As your baby gets older, it will be easier to handle them, but they still deserve just as much care and attention. Between 4 and 7 months, most babies are able to support their head and neck, and some can even sit up on their own. When it comes to picking up your 4-month-old, you can slip your hands under their arms and gently lift. If you prefer to scoop them as if they were a little newborn all over again - that is fine, too. Find what’s comfortable, safe, and makes your baby happy.
A baby’s spine is not fully developed yet, so they should not be in a sitting position for extended periods. When holding a newborn, support their head and neck. As they get older, they will be able to support their head and neck, giving you more ways to safely carry them. To promote good posture and support for your baby, consider using a baby carrier.
The freedom to switch up holding positions with your baby makes life easier, but don’t jump the gun. While some babies develop faster than others, most babies aren’t ready to be carried on the hip until around 6 months. Once your baby demonstrates head and neck control, you can start carrying them on your hip. With proper support, such as a hip seat carrier and your hands, you may be able to carry them on your hip sooner. Even newborns can start to feel heavy quickly. Some carriers are safe for newborns and can help alleviate some of the strain that comes with holding them for extended periods. It’s equally important to take care of your body as it is to take care of theirs.
When handling a newborn, there are a few no-nos. When it comes to holding and carrying a newborn baby, the following should be avoided.
Rules change depending on how old and developed the baby is. Until your baby can support their head and neck, the number one rule is to support the head and neck. Keeping your baby safe is always a top priority – even when they’re not a baby anymore.
Keeping your baby happy and safe is a top priority for any parent. With much of a baby’s time spent in their parents’ arms, it’s important to ensure you provide the support they need while also being kind to your own body.
We encourage parents to find products that offer support, which can be delivered in various ways.
From supportive baby carriers to bouncers that keep your baby busy to weighted sleep solutions that help your baby sleep better, there is an overwhelming amount of options on the market.
Read reviews, pay attention to the details, and ask questions. At Dreamland, we deliver a collection of sleep solutions, including our Dream Weighted Sleep Swaddle, Dream Sound Machine, and breathable Bamboo Pajamas with Dream Cuffs.
We know how important the details are, so we focus on them with every product we make. Our mom-created products are designed with safety, quality, and functionality at the forefront.
Help your baby (and you) get the sleep you both deserve. Shop Dreamland today!
]]>Hearing is one of the senses babies are born with that is fully developed. At about 18 weeks, a fetus or unborn baby can start to hear sounds inside the body, and around 27-29 weeks, they can hear outside sounds too. An example of a sound inside the body is the mother’s heartbeat, and an example outside the body is people’s voices. Full-term babies hear about the same as adults. This could explain why we use sound machines shushing noises and other sound mechanisms to calm a newborn baby. We are trying to mimic the noisy womb they’ve grown accustomed to.
By about 7 months, an unborn baby can hear sounds and voices outside the body. While you can’t teach your baby anything until after they are born, you may be able to read them books or sing them songs to help them gain familiarity.
Ensuring your baby’s senses are working properly is important. Most doctors should check the newborn's hearing at or before the one-month milestone following delivery. Post-delivery can be a chaotic time, from coping with the side effects of labor to being blinded by the overwhelming feeling of joy and love. The excitement is only beginning. Most hospitals will screen the baby's hearing before you go home. Before checking out, ask the hospital if hearing has been checked or if you need to return for another visit to check hearing. Hearing tests for babies often just take a few minutes, and the baby doesn’t even need to be awake. If your baby does not pass their initial screening, they may need to be re-tested. If a second test is failed, a full hearing test prior to three months of age may be required.
You don’t have to be a licensed doctor, though, to look for signs of healthy hearing. As you observe your baby at home, use the following developmental milestones to monitor their hearing.
Full-term babies have the same level of hearing as an adult, or they should. If you feel your baby has hearing loss or abnormalities, contact your pediatrician as soon as possible. 1 in 6 babies have early childhood hearing loss. The sooner you can identify hearing loss, the sooner you can start working to correct it.
Some simple ways to stimulate a baby’s hearing are rattles, mobiles with sound, audio books with sounds, and toys. Babies may also enjoy music. Naturally, babies have a sense of curiosity for the sounds of life, too.
The day your baby starts to look at you when you talk to them or smile back is a day you won’t forget. As you eagerly anticipate these milestones, you might be wondering when they are coming. Your baby may recognize your voice before you realize it, though. Around three months, babies can recognize a parent’s voice, and it may even calm them. This means as you lay them down to sleep, talking to them may help them calm down, but they may need physical comfort as well. Our Dream Weighted Swaddle features a gentle weight and CoverCalm® Technology. As your baby is snuggly swaddled the gentle works to naturally reduce stress and increase relaxation. With three ways to wear the swaddle and an easy-to-use swaddle band that simply wraps around the torso, our Dream Weighted Swaddle can make one of your dreams come true - sleep!
Our Dream Weighted Swaddle is designed for babies 0-6 months. When it’s time to transition to a sleep sack, try our Dream Weighted Transition Swaddle or our Dream Weighted Sleep Sack. If you love our designs and quality, but prefer no weight, try our collection of non-weighted sleep solution products for babies. Soon enough, your baby will be able to give you more cues as to what their preferences are. Around six months your baby may react to familiar or new sounds by turning their head or smiling. Around 12 months, your baby should start responding to their name and may even call you by yours. Remember, good sleep promotes healthy development. Prioritize it.
While we hope for a healthy baby, hearing issues are not rare. If your family has a genetic history of hearing issues, you may want to bring this forward at birth. Your pediatrician can connect you with an audiologist or hearing specialist. Some babies experience hearing loss but with proper support, they can develop normal speech and language on a normal timeline. In some cases, babies born with hearing loss do not have any known risk factors. About 1 in 6 babies is born with hearing loss.
Nothing is more important than your baby’s health and safety. Being aware of milestones to pay attention to and things to ask your doctor about, can help you ensure you do everything you can as a parent.
One of our primary jobs as parents is to promote healthy development and care for our babies. Discovering senses and capabilities builds confidence - a rewarding experience to witness. While you may worry about hurting your baby’s delicate little ears, they are more durable than you think. Providing your baby with sonic stimulation can help with auditory development, and potentially even speech later on. Babies come from a rather noisy womb filled with unusual sounds, and they may long for those sounds. By using a Dream Sound Machine and Swaddle you can help your baby find comfort as they transition into this great big world they will grow to love. ]]>Educating yourself is a good starting point in determining what’s normal and what’s not for your baby. If you ever have any concerns though, we encourage you to contact your doctor. From assisting with burping techniques to referring a lactation specialist to help your baby latch, doctors can be the starting point of a wealth of resources to help you and your baby.
Normal spit up should look similar to whatever you just fed them – such as breast milk or formula. After spitting up, your baby should feel some relief, and therefore, they should appear relatively content. They may even want more food. There are some cases of spit up, though, that can raise red flags. If you notice a green or yellow color to spit up, contact your doctor. Additionally, you should contact your doctor if the spit up looks like it has coffee grounds in it. While vomiting is not the same as spitting up, it can be a cause for concern.
Spit up can be the result of overfeeding or feeding too quickly, but that’s not the only driver. Here are some things that can cause your baby to spit up or spit up more.
As we’ve covered, spitting up is normal for a baby. In most cases, spit-up is caused by overfeeding or feeding too fast, swallowing too much air, or too much activity following a feeding. If your baby spits up during or after a feeding, but wants to keep eating, you can continue to feed them. In fact, this is a good sign that spitting up helped your baby find some relief. If you notice your baby spitting up more often, you may want to evaluate the ingredients of formula or dietary habits if you’re breastfeeding.
While babies can spit up and throw up, it’s important to know the difference. Spitting up in babies is a liquid dribble out of the mouth that resembles what they just ate, such as breastmilk or formula. Vomiting or projectile spit up is a more forceful release of stomach contents.
Pacifiers can help calm your baby down, but they are not so helpful in the spit up department. Pacifiers can increase the amount of air a baby ingests. As a result, they may be more likely to spit up after feeding. Bottle-fed babies can also ingest more air if the nipple is clogged or too small. It’s important to make sure your baby is in a comfortable feeding position, and your bottle (if you’re using one) is properly set up.
Life with a baby is far from dull. From spit up to blowouts, the mess seems never to end. Most babies start spitting up after 2-3 weeks following birth, but outgrow it by 12 months of age. As babies start to eat more, they may spit up more. The frequency your baby spits up, and when they outgrow it will depend on their personal development. Some babies will outgrow spitting up a little before or a little after one year.
With spit up most commonly occurring after a feeding, the number of times a baby spits up in a day can vary. Most babies will spit up one or two mouthfuls at a time. If the spit up has turned into a stain, it can look like more spit up than what was actually released. Notice your baby’s patterns, such as the amount and frequency they spit up, to help you determine what’s normal for them. If you have any concerns, consult your doctor.
Spitting up is perfectly normal for babies, even when they get a little older. With feeding often lulling your baby to sleep, you might have some concerns about spit up interfering with sleep. Here at Dreamland, we promote longer, better night’s sleep for parents and babies. Rest assured that your baby should not choke on spit up in their sleep. Naturally, they have ways to prevent spit up from traveling back down their windpipe. So if your baby falls asleep during a feeding and you don’t have the heart to wake them for a burp, let them sleep. Wrap them in their favorite weighted sleep sack or swaddle and let them drift off to dreamland.
Let your sleeping baby, sleep. . . longer and better. Shop Dreamland today!
]]>To help babies sleep, you will need them to feel a sense of security and calmness. Weighted sleep solutions are one way to deliver both of those, and a sound machine is another. When you use the two in combination, you can mimic the sense of security and comfort your baby felt in the womb. At Dreamland, we specialize in sleeping solutions for babies, prioritizing safety and sleep. Understanding your baby's sleep patterns can help you create a routine that works for both of you. Here’s what you should know about newborns and sleeping.
Newborns need sleep, and while they may sleep a majority of the day, they should wake every few hours for a feeding. Most newborns sleep 14-17 hours a day, but some may sleep up to 18-19 hours a day. Breastfed babies may wake more often compared to bottle-fed babies. During the first few months of a newborn's life, it can be tiring as you adjust to waking up every few hours. Hang in there, though, the sleep should get more plentiful soon. While we can’t guarantee when your baby will start sleeping longer stretches, we can offer sleep solutions that can promote a longer night’s sleep. From our Dream Weighted Sleep Swaddle (0-6 months) to Weighted Toddler Blanket, our collection of sleep solutions are designed in collaboration with pediatricians, NICU nurses, and certified sleep consultants, all to help your baby fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
While a sleeping baby can leave us parents rejoicing, when your baby takes an unplanned nap or sleeps longer stretches, the natural parent worries can kick in. Sleep is healthy for newborns, and as your baby gets older, sleep habits will change. By the time a baby is 6 months old, they may start to sleep 10-11 hours at a time. If they do, celebrate. If they don’t, consider finding sleep solutions, such as a weighted sleep sack to help them sleep longer. It’s not uncommon for a baby to rest for more than a few hours at a time. If you are concerned, you can use advanced monitors and other technology to ensure your baby is sleeping safely. Understanding the amount of time per day most babies sleep based on their age can help settle your worry.
Newborns (0-3 months) sleep a majority of the day with wake windows of about 1 to 3 hours at a time. However, all babies are different, so sleep and wake cycles can vary. As your newborn gets older, they can sleep longer stretches and stay up longer stretches.
When your baby is tired, you’ll likely know and probably won’t win the battle of keeping them awake. If you’d like to influence your baby to sleep more during the night and less during the day, there are a few things you can try.
When your baby is sleeping sound, so sound they don’t want to wake for a feeding, you may wonder what to do. After all, waking a sleeping baby can be a dangerous game to play. If your baby is sleeping safely, you can let them sleep through their feeding, or you can wake them up. If you have any concerns about your baby’s food intake or sleeping habits, contact your pediatrician. Sleep and food are both important parts of a baby’s healthy development.
Sleeping habits can vary depending on the baby. While there are general patterns to expect, your baby’s sleeping patterns might vary a bit. During sleep regressions or growth spurts, your baby may crave more sleep as well. A sign that your baby is actually sleeping too much can be if sleeping is interfering with eating, causing your baby to lose weight. If you feel your baby is sleeping too much, let your pediatrician know. If there are no health concerns, appreciate the long stretches of sleep.
If your newborn is sleeping a lot, enjoy the peace. Newborns sleep a lot and don’t know the difference between day and night. Logging your baby’s sleeping times can help you prove just how much they are or aren’t sleeping. If you have concerns, provide your pediatrician with the information or share the concern. If you are experiencing the opposite - your newborn not sleeping enough - you may want to try a weighted sleep solution. You may also encounter a change in your newborn's sleeping patterns, causing them to struggle with sleep. Regardless, our weighted sleep solutions can help your baby fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. From our best-selling weighted sleep solutions to bamboo pajamas, fitted crib sheets, and Dream Sound Machine, at Dreamland we take sleep very seriously. Every detail and every minute of sleep matters to us.
Love sleep? Help you and your baby get more of it. Shop Dreamland today!
]]>As you closely monitor your baby for proper development, you may be wondering how their vision should develop. In doing so, you can identify potential vision issues sooner and take action to help your baby develop faster (or at an appropriate pace). Keep reading as we give you the full vision on when babies can see and how their sight develops.
To make this great big world even scarier, your baby probably only sees objects that are about 8-10 inches from their face from birth to four months. They may start to recognize their caregiver, and if not by vision, they may recognize their voice. Remember, a baby is born with a fully developed sense of hearing. Within the first few weeks of life, babies can start to distinguish shades of color, but it will take a few months before they can truly notice shades of color. They lack the ability to differentiate targets and move their eyes between objects or images, which is why it may seem your baby just stares at you and other objects. Not to burst your bubble that they just didn’t want to take their eyes off you. Around three months of age, a baby can start following moving objects with their eyes which can inspire curiosity. Babies may start reaching for surrounding objects around this same time.
Around 5 months of age, the world starts to make a little more sense to your baby. At this age, babies can start to see in 3-D as they develop depth perception. As their senses begin to develop, they can become more curious. You may notice your baby start to see things and reach for them around five months of age. They may also become more interested in toys or books. While your baby’s vision is not fully developed at five months of age, they are definitely starting to see life more clearly.
Newborns don’t see much and likely don’t see anything clearly. As they adjust to life outside the womb, newborns can be sensitive to bright light. Notice how small their pupils are, a sign that demonstrates their eyes limiting light exposure. Within a few weeks, the retina should develop, which can widen the pupils. By one month, your baby might start to focus on you for short periods, but brightly colored and nearby objects (about 3 feet away) may be more interesting.
A newborn baby sees in black and white, complemented with shades of gray. Around four months old, they start to develop color vision.
Newborns first see in black and white, with shades of gray. Within a few weeks, they can start to distinguish the color red. Around 3-4 months, they can start to recognize more shades of color, such as green, and around 5 months, color recognition will mature more. However, their vision will not be as vivid as an adult’s vision as it’s still developing.
Newborn babies see in black and white, but with time, their eyesight matures. Around 8 weeks of age, babies should be able to differentiate reds and greens as well as light blue and some greens.
While some may advocate against screen time for babies, the literal question here is if they can watch TV at 3 months old. While a 3-month-old may be interested in the TV, it’s probably not because they can fully see and follow the action. Curiosity is more than likely sparked by the noise and bright light coming from the TV.
Can you see in the dark? Depends how dark it is, right? Just like adults, babies need light to be able to actually see things. They may be able to make out some objects, but it depends on what stage of development they are in. Most babies develop depth perception around five to eight months as well as hand-eye-coordination, which can all help them see better in the dark.
Development of eyesight and hand-eye coordination go hand-in-hand. The eyes, muscles, and brain need to learn to work together. Understanding how senses and motor skills develop in babies can help you aid their development. Visual stimulation can help babies develop, including promoting better eyesight and hand-eye coordination. For example, newborn babies can benefit from bold black-and-white images to stimulate the optic nerves. As your baby gets older, visual stimuli can help them learn to see, think, and react. During the first few months it’s important to keep objects close (8-10 inches away) so your baby can try to focus on the objects. Visual stimulation should work to help your baby focus on objects and later on develop motor skills. Visual stimulation can be used to distract your baby during tummy time or when they are bored and fussy. Remember, babies can get bored, too.
To help your baby develop at a healthy pace, you’ll want to ensure they get adequate sleep. You, too, will need adequate sleep to reserve energy for your baby. At Dreamland, we specialize in products that help babies fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. From our best-selling Dream Weighted Swaddle to our Dream Sound Machine, our products work to deliver an unmatched sense of calm to promote a good night’s sleep.
Help your baby close those tired eyes. . . shop Dreamland today!
]]>Spit up is especially common and normal in babies during the first three months of life. After eating, stomach contents can travel back up to the esophagus. This is known as gastroesophageal reflux, infant reflux, or infant acid reflux. About half of all babies experience this.
Breastfed babies may also be prone to spit up caused by ingesting air. When babies are learning to latch on the nipple, they may be more likely to ingest air alongside milk, causing spit up. Once they’ve taken to the latching process, they are less likely to take in air.
So, what changes cause spit up to stop? There’s a muscle between the esophagus and stomach that takes time to mature. Once the muscle matures, it works to keep the stomach contents in place. Until this muscle matures, prepare for the spit up - especially when your baby is full.
Babies spit up the most during the first year of life, with a peak period around 4 months of age. After you bring your baby home, and you don’t experience any spit up, don’t get too excited. Babies usually don’t start spitting up until about 2-3 weeks of age.
Most babies stop spitting up around 12 months, but babies can develop differently. Some faster and some slower.
Spit up and vomiting are different. Spit up is a lighter flow that usually dribbles out of the mouth. When accompanied by a burp, there may be some force behind it. Vomiting, on the other hand, is a more forceful and heavier flow that shoots out of the mouth. If your baby is vomiting or experiencing unusual symptoms alongside spitting up, you should contact your doctor.
While babies can’t talk, they can tell us a lot through their behaviors. As a parent, you may be quick to panic, and rightfully so. The responsibility of taking care of a baby is not one to take lightly. While spitting up is perfectly normal, there are some signs that can raise red flags.
Spit up is a natural reflux, but there are some ways you can reduce spit up. During the first 3 months, babies experience the most spit up, but babies can experience spit up until 12 months of age. The developmental progress of babies can vary, though. While we must appreciate a healthy baby, spit up and all, it can be messy. Here are some tips to help reduce spit up.
Eating too much too fast can cause issues for babies and adults. Breastfed babies should be burped after feeding from one breast. Bottle-fed babies should be burped every 2-3 ounces. Burping a baby helps relieve them of trapped air ingested during feeding. Burping frequently during feeding can help reduce spit up while helping your baby know when they’re full. While full babies might be more prone to spitting up, burping them frequently can help avoid large amounts of spit up at once.
Babies have an immature digestive system so they may spit up after every feeding. While it may be a sign your baby is eating too much too fast, it may also just be their normal. If you aren’t already try burping your baby during the feeding, taking breaks every 2-3 ounces or after each breast. As long as your baby is eating, growing, and gaining weight at a healthy pace, frequent spitting up should not be cause for concern. Remember that spitting up typically dribbles from the mouth whereas vomit comes out of the mouth with force. Know the difference in the event your baby is vomiting on the regular, this may be a different story.
If your baby is willing to eat, feed them. Spit up is normal with babies and may happen during a feeding. With fluid coming out of your baby’s body, they may need to replace it to avoid dehydration. The same applies to a baby vomiting.
Babies should not choke on spit up, even if they’re laying or sleeping on their backs. While you may still have doubts and concerns, know that your baby has natural ways of preventing spit up from going down their windpipe. Laying down or not, babies may cough or gag from spit up causing their face to turn red, this does not mean they are choking.
The recommendation is for babies under one year of age to sleep on their backs. You should not elevate their head in an effort to prevent them from choking on spit up as this may present other hazards. Safety should always be prioritized with your baby. Babies are less likely to wake up when sleeping on their stomachs, but this is not a good thing. In the event something is wrong with your baby or they’re experiencing a lack of air, you want them to wake up and alert you. In addition, babies sleeping on their stomach have less access to fresh air. Leave tummy time for well, tummy time.
Actually, pacifiers can do the opposite. When babies suck on a pacifier they can take in air, which can cause burping and you guessing it, spit up. While this should not eliminate the idea of calming your baby with a pacifier after feeding, it’s worth considering a little entertainment to hold them off. Respectively you should also ensure that nipple holes are open and properly sized. Feeding your baby with a nipple that’s clogged or too small can also cause them to ingest more air which can cause them to spit up.
Spitting up and vomiting are different, but both can be normal for babies. Vomiting usually has more liquid output with more force, while spit up is more of a dribble of liquid. Most babies will spit up once, maybe twice after feeding. There’s no real normal, but if you are concerned about the amount of spit up coming from your baby let your doctor know as soon as possible.
While this is a personal preference, we vote, yes. Keeping a burp cloth nearby can help you prepare for the spit up and clean up. From wiping it off your own clothes or skin to your baby’s, spit up is a little messy, but harmless. Some babies spit up more often than others, so the number of burp clothes that’s appropriate for your household may vary. Think about keeping burp cloths in your diaper bag, near common feeding and sleeping areas for your baby, or even in your pocket. While spit up usually washes out of clothes and materials with a regular machine-wash or cleaning, you’ll want to get rid of the evidence quickly. It may be some time before those clothes actually hit the washing machine. With that being said, it’s also important to check care instructions on baby items such as carriers and swaddles. You’ll want products that are easy to care for and durable to ensure they last you as long as you plan. At Dreamland, all of our sleep sacks, swaddles, and pajamas are machine-washable.
Babies spit up, and while you might be able to reduce occurrences, it’s nearly impossible to prevent it all together. With a baby on your hands you should always be prepared for some spit up. Keep your burp rag handy and stock up on machine washable products you can easily clean after spit up. Burping your baby during feedings is one way to help relieve trapped air which can reduce spit up. While your baby may not want to give the nipple or bottle, gently take them off and try to burp them every 2-3 ounces or after feeding from each breast. If your baby happens to fall asleep while feeding, it’s okay to lay them down for bed without burping. Rest assured, your baby has natural ways to prevent spit up from going down their windpipe while sleeping. Practice safe sleep and lay your baby on their back. To promote a longer, better night’s sleep (that means for you too) dress them in a weighted sleep sack or swaddle. Our weighted sleep sacks and swaddles can naturally reduce stress while giving your baby a sense of security and comfort. The calmer your baby is, the better they can digest their before bed feeding.
]]>During feedings, babies suck in air. Burping helps get rid of excess air swallowed during feeding. Breastfed babies might burp less but should still be burped after feeding. As a parent or caregiver, you’re holding a tremendous responsibility. Remember to give yourself grace, as all you can do is try your best. Sometimes, your baby won’t burp – and that’s ok. If you don’t burp your baby or they just don’t burp, they might spit up (soon) or shift moods to gassy or cranky. Keep reading to learn more about burping your baby and what to expect.
There are different methods you can use to burp your baby. Choose the method that feels and works the best for you. In some cases, you may need to try a few different methods to hear that refreshing little burp you’re working for.
Here are a few methods you can use to burp a baby:
Sometimes, you may try to burp your baby and try with different methods, but still, no burp. It’s possible that your baby does not have to burp so if this is the case, it’s ok to give up and continue feeding or move on to the next part of your routine.
Sometimes, that little burping noise you’re listening closely for doesn’t come. If your baby won’t burp and appears content, it might be ok to continue feeding or move on with your day. However, if your baby is showing signs of trapped air causing discomfort, try to help relieve them. Signs your baby may have trapped wind include arching their back, crying, clenching firsts, and more. If you’ve tried various burping methods and nothing is working, gently lay them on their back and massage their tummy. You can also move their legs back and forth, similar to the motion of riding a bicycle. If this continues as a recurring theme, consult your doctor.
Babies usually show signs of discomfort, which can surface as crankiness, crying, clenched fists, and more. If your baby is showing signs they may have a trapped burp after feeding that’s causing discomfort, you should try to help them. To help them free the trapped burp, switch up burping methods. If needed, try to relieve the trapped air out the other end – taking the approach of relieving gas for your baby.
Babies need to be burped for the first 4-6 months of life. At first, you may be trying to figure out what works best for your baby, including burping methods. In general, there are three main burping positions: sitting, laying, or leaning. The position that’s best will be the one that works the best and feels the best. With a newborn baby, the leaning position can feel the most secure. In the leaning position, your baby will be face-to-face with you, with their chin resting on your shoulder. As you hold them close, you can easily lay your burp rag over your shoulder as you gently pat their back. As your baby gets bigger, it can feel more comfortable to try new burping positions. When handling your baby, you should always prioritize their safety by keeping their head and neck supported, holding them securely, and keeping them out of harm's way.
Newborns are delicate, and burping them can feel wrong – even though it’s right. When burping a newborn, it’s important to ensure the body is properly supported. Burp them for a couple of minutes to see if you hear the winning noise. If needed, switch up the burping position. It should only take a couple of minutes to get your baby to burp, and if they don’t, that’s ok too.
The point of burping a baby is to help air escape that has been sucked in during feeding. Babies that burp less, likely just swallow less air. One burp might be all the air that needs to escape – you’ll need to use your judgment. Burping them at the right times can be helpful, too. Bottle-fed babies should be burped every 2-3 ounces, and breastfed babies should be burped after feeding from one breast.
When air is trapped in your baby, it can cause discomfort. Signs of discomfort can be fussy behavior, squirming, fighting feeding or pulling away, or crying. If you notice signs of discomfort, it can indicate that your baby still has air trapped and needs to be burped. Change up your approach if you’re not shaking loose that little burp you know is stuck in there. Lastly, be patient. Your baby is human and may just need more time to burp. Continue to comfort them and pay attention to their behavior to help you understand what they need. Remember, babies do not always burp after a feeding. If your baby is passing gas, it’s probably a release from an earlier feeding. It takes a while for air bubbles to make their way through the baby’s body and out the other exit.
Sometimes babies don’t want to burp. As a parent or caregiver, this can leave you longing to help them, especially if they’re showing signs of discomfort. After a few minutes of burping your baby, if they don’t burp but appear comfortable, they may just not need to burp. As your baby gets older (4-6 months), they won’t take in as much air while feeding, therefore, they won’t burp as much. If you recognize a pattern that your baby doesn’t burp, but later spits up or struggles with gas pains, you may want to try a little longer to burp after feedings.
Some babies take in less air, and as a result, burp less often. This can make it appear that they are hard to burp. There’s also the chance that your baby just needs more time to digest and burp. The burping technique is important, as is the pressure applied, hand position, and more. When burping your baby, make sure you’re patting them firmly enough with a cupped hand. Work with your doctor or specialist to perfect burping techniques. You can also try switching up the technique from the burping method to how you’re patting or rubbing their back. Switch between patting your baby’s back and rubbing their back (circular motion recommended). If you still have no luck, wait a few minutes and try again.
It happens – babies fall asleep while eating. While you’re probably relieved to see your baby sleeping, you still want to burp them. There’s a chance that you fed your swaddled baby while holding them. If so, you can burp your sleeping baby and lay them down for a restful night’s sleep. If your swaddled baby falls asleep while lying down, you can still burp them, but you’ll probably need to pick them up. Traditional swaddles can require certain techniques to put on and are best for a sleeping baby lying down that will not be moved. Our Dream Swaddle is well. . . a dream. Simply lay your baby on their back and wrap the velcro strap around your baby’s torso. Once secure, zip up the swaddle. Ta-da, your baby is swaddled snugly and ready for a reflex-filled night of sleep. Our durable design makes it easy to pick your baby up and burp them if needed.
In the chaotic day-to-day life with a baby, things don’t always go according to plan. Your baby should be okay if they fall asleep during or after a feeding without burping. It’s possible it may cause increased spit-up, though. Waking a peacefully sleeping baby is something none of us like to do. If your baby has fallen asleep without burping and appears to be comfortable, let them sleep. If this happens repeatedly and you notice signs your baby is uncomfortable, you might want to rethink your strategy.
You know what they say. . . babies sleep and eat. It’s not uncommon for a baby to fall asleep while feeding. At first, you might panic because you didn’t burp your baby. Rest assured, though, that the sleep is likely more beneficial than the burp. If your baby is sleeping comfortably, let them sleep.
Spit up is sometimes associated with a burp, or sometimes it can occur because a baby did not burp. When a baby spits up, their stomach contents surface through its mouth, therefore, it’s different from a burp. When burping your baby, it can be handy to keep a spit rag ready to catch any spit up. Spit up and babies go hand in hand, so be sure the items near your baby are machine-washable. At Dreamland, our weighted and non-weighted sleep aid products are machine washable.
Now that your baby is fed and burped - it’s time for bed. Our weighted swaddles are designed for babies 0-6 months of age. Featuring CoverCalm® technology, our weighted swaddles evenly distribute weight from your baby’s shoulder to toes to naturally reduce stress. Featuring the same technology, we also offer weighted sleep sacks. Some parents may use feeding as a way to calm their baby, and rightfully so. However, feeding near bedtime can result in a sleeping baby. If your baby struggles to calm down, try a weighted sleep product to offer them the sense of security and comfort they crave.
Sleep, food, and burps are part of the recipe for a happy baby. Now that you know more about burping your baby and helping them calm before bed, you can put your new knowledge to the test. Add a weighted sleep sack or swaddle to your sleep arsenal as you lull your baby to sleep like a pro.
]]>Keep reading to learn all about toddler pajamas, including when to make the transition to two pieces, how to check for the best fit, and how many pairs you actually need.
Toddlers come in all shapes and sizes. Luckily, so do toddler pajamas! In order to get the best fit for your tiny tot, it's always wise to refer to a size chart. If you know your child’s approximate height and weight, finding the right size toddler pajamas can be a piece of cake. If your child falls in between sizes, you may get the best bang for your buck by sizing up. That way, the pajamas will fit your toddler for a longer time.
Pajamas designed for toddlers typically range from sizes 2t-5t, but can come in smaller or larger sizes depending on the brand. Our two-piece Toddler Bamboo Pajamas come in sizes 2t, 3t, 4t, and 5t. This broad range generally fits toddlers between 27-42 pounds and 33-43 inches. If your child is outside of those ranges, don’t worry! With sizing available from 0-3 months all the way through a child’s 10, we have comfortable pajamas for them, too.
Aside from the fact that all children grow at different paces, all toddlers can do a lot of growing from 24 months to 36 months. That said, average measurements of a “typical” two-year-old can vary widely.
Additionally, statistics say that boys are typically slightly larger than girls. The average weight for two-year-old girls typically falls between 31.5 to 36 pounds, while two-year-old boys generally weigh between 32 to 37 pounds. The average height for both genders falls between 22-34 pounds.
With an average weight gain of 4-6 pounds a year and growth of 2-3 inches per year, it is possible for your two-year-old to start off in a 2t and up in a 4t before their third birthday. It is also important to consider your child’s individual growth patterns when shopping for pajamas with longevity in mind.
While we always want our children’s clothing to last as long as possible, pajamas that are too small can be uncomfortable. Pajamas that fit properly are not only much more comfortable, but safer too. Tightly fitting pajamas can restrict movement and circulation. Knowing that, it may be tempting to size up toddler pajamas to a size that has a lot of room to grow, but pajamas that are too large can cause issues too such as entanglement or tripping hazards. You should always aim for the “Goldilocks” of pajama sizing, not too small and not too big - just right! The only time you should “size up” in toddler pajamas is if your child is between sizes or if you are saving for future wear.
Kids can wear 2 piece pajamas whenever they fit. This is a milestone that many toddlers reach right around their second birthday. This switch, however, may happen before or after, depending on your toddler’s height and weight as well as preferences. Many parents opt to keep their children in zippered pajamas until they absolutely do not fit anymore. Zippered or one-piece pajamas often feature footies or hand covers to keep little fingers and toes warm during sleep. Having one piece of clothing can just be easier at times. Our Baby Bamboo Pajamas come with revolutionary fold-over DreamCuffs, leaving the option to cover or expose those cute little digits.
While the option can help you make the transition, eventually, you’ll likely end up in 2-piece toddler pajamas such as our Toddler Bamboo Pajamas, starting at a 2t. Many diaper-change-experts (that’s you) prefer the ease of a simple pull of the pants to get nighttime diapers changed in a jiffy. Knowing when to make the switch to two-piece toddler pajamas is all about your preference and what makes your toddler comfortable.
It’s no secret that toddlers are messy. Having extra pajamas in rotation can help cut back on the frequency of laundry loads as well as spare your sanity (a bit). Too many pairs, however, can be a burden to squeeze into those tiny nursery dresser drawers. The sweet spot may fall somewhere between 5-10 pairs of pajamas depending on how often you do laundry as well as how often your toddler typically needs a wardrobe change. (Some kids are messier than others; what can we say?) Ultimately, determining how many pairs of toddler pajamas your family should keep on hand is, again, based on individual preferences.
The transition between baby pajamas and toddler pajamas is a huge milestone. There’s no doubt that seeing your not-so-little baby in a more mature pajama body style will tug on the heartstrings. Hopefully, you feel more confident in making the transition now that we have run through the basics.
With sizing information down, finding the best pajamas for your toddler won’t cost you any sleep when you shop Dreamland Baby. Our moisture-wicking and breathable buttery-soft viscose from bamboo fabric makes the perfect toddler pajamas for year-round comfort. Our proprietary LuxeWeave™ material is stretchy to safely grow with your child, ensuring longevity without the risks of ill-fitting pajamas. Your toddler can wear these alone or with some of our Weighted Sleep Solutions. At Dreamland, we love sleep, and want babies and parents to get more of it. Shop our collection of products that promote a longer, better night’s sleep today.
]]>Ensuring the safety and comfort of your tiny tot can be a lot of pressure, but drawing on expert advice from experienced mom friends, family, and that of the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics), can help with decision-making while navigating this new milestone.
Keep reading to learn more about toddler beds, what kind of bedding may be best, and more.
Toddler beds often have the same dimensions as a crib. In fact, many cribs allow for the possibility of converting from crib to toddler bed with the removal of a front panel - but always check the manual for your baby’s crib before removing parts.
A standard toddler mattress is 28 inches x 52 inches, although some brands vary slightly. This is just enough room for your toddler to stretch comfortably. It is important to note that just as mattress sizes can vary slightly, bed frame sizes can as well. Check specifications for both the intended mattress and frame before making the transition to ensure a nice and snug fit with no gaps.
When choosing bedding for your toddler’s new sleep space, there are some things to consider. If your “big kid” is 2, they may safely sleep with a blanket. The AAP recommends that infants under the age of 1 sleep without any blankets, pillows, bumpers, or any other soft items in their sleep space. While they do not specify exactly when it is safe to introduce those things, most professionals agree that it is safe to give your two-year-old a pillow and blanket provided that they are in a toddler bed and not a crib. This is because a blanket or pillow can get stuck between your little one and the sidewalls, posing suffocation risks. To choose the best bedding, look for breathable fabrics such as cotton or bamboo for both their blanket and sheets. For the best-fitted sheets, check out our Dream Fitted Crib Sheets and our Bamboo Fitted Crib Sheets.
Making the switch to toddler bedding can happen as soon as your little one transitions to their new toddler bed. Comfort items, such as soft blankets, may even help ease that transition. If there are struggles or hesitations when transitioning from a crib to a toddler bed, your child may enjoy picking out colors or prints for their new big kid bed. Most toddlers welcome independence, and they may sleep easier if they love their sleep space.
Toddler bedding is the same size as crib bedding. The differences aren’t in size, but in when it is safe. For the safest sleep, there should never be bedding within the four walls of a crib when your baby is sleeping or unsupervised. That said, toddler bedding should fit a toddler-sized mattress well and be appropriate in weight and breathability for your child. For reference, our Dream Weighted Toddler Blanket measures 36”x48” - the perfect size for a toddler bed.
While sizing is fairly standard for comforters marketed for toddlers, there may be variations between brands. On average, toddler bed comforters fall somewhere around 35”-40” in width and 46”-60” in length. This size leaves enough room for tiny humans to snuggle under comfortably without being overwhelmed by bunches of excess fabric.
Since comforters are a no-go before 12 months, and ideally not until after 18 months, your 2-year-old can sleep with a comforter. It is important to consider the fabric makeup of your 2-year-old’s comforter with safety, softness, and breathability in mind. While SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) risks are very low by the age of two, overheating is still considered a factor. Picking a fabric that is not too heavy or warm for the climate is essential. Our Weighted Blanket can offer toddlers a sense of security similar to a comforter, with a 4-lb weight built-in to naturally reduce anxiety. Made with cozy micro-fleece on one side and a Minky cooling material on the other, our Weighted Blanket promotes a good night’s sleep for toddlers.
Here are some fabrics you may want to avoid for a 2-year-old’s bedding:
Here are fabrics that are perfect for your 2-year-old’s bedding:
Toddlers may sleep with weighted blankets if they meet age, weight, or other requirements specific to the manufacturer. For example, our 4 lb. Dream Weighted Toddler Blanket is safe for toddlers over the age of 3 who are at least 30 lbs.
The transition from infancy to toddlerhood can be filled with loads of questions and concerns but also so much joy. Keeping the above information in mind when transitioning from a crib to a toddler bed can make the switch a breeze. Save the chaos for other milestones - like potty training.
Dreamland has your child’s sleep essentials covered from infancy to toddlerhood - and beyond. Shop online today!]]>