If you’re getting a jump-start on decorating your baby’s nursery before its arrival, one of the first things you’ll want to tackle is the paint job.  Although completely DIY, painting a room is no small feat (and, in my expert opinion, should be Dad’s job – of course supervised by Mom). 

Here are a few of the Lullabelly team’s tips for properly painting the nursery:

Mom, Sit This One Out! – Fight your urge to nest and put the paintbrush down.  You could get hurt painting and it’s not safe for you to be inhaling fumes.  When the room is being painted, try to stay out of the house and open up windows while the walls dry. Come in every so often to show your support, compliment your husband, and catch any mishaps before they turn into big messes. (IDEA! Use this time to enjoy brisk walks while you and your baby listen to your playlist on your Lullabelly musical belt.)

Use Safe(r) for Baby Paint – Aren’t we lucky that we live in a time where paint manufactures offer low or no volatile organic compound (VOC) paints?  These paints emit little or no fumes, reducing health risks to mom and baby.  Look for these types of paints when choosing a paint brand.

Decide on Cool Colors – Can’t decide which color to use.  Here are a few ideas: 

            Green – This is the first color baby can see and it’s gender neutral.

            Orange – The latest in nursery trends, this color is warm and comforting.

            Blue – Got a boy bun in your oven? Go with blue, which is soothing for baby.

            Yellow – Also gender neutral, yellow can be stimulating, so try a toned down version for baby’s room. 

                             Try pairing it with gray for a really modern look.

Create Sheen and Shine – High gloss, low gloss, no gloss? Paint finishes can be overwhelming, but try paint with an eggshell finish.  It has a low sheen and is known for being more durable than flat paint.  It’s easier to wash (when your baby’s mess isn’t just contained to the changing table – trust us, you’ll find poop in the strangest of places) and is more resistant to scuff marks.

Have any tips for painting the baby’s nursery? We’d love to hear them so share away in our comments section!

No matter how much you prepare (take classes, write up a birth plan, visualize your ideal birth), labor can be filled with surprises.  And even though your significant other has promised to be by your side and support you through the blessed event, sometimes a couple can benefit from hiring a doula.

A doula is a non-medical support person used to assist women and families during labor and sometimes the post-partum period. 

Here are a few reasons why a doula may be worth your while:

Reason #1: They won’t pass out on you! 

Does your S.O. faint at the sight of blood?  Or maybe they become a “Nervous Nancy” when the needles come out.  A doula has participated in hundreds of births and will remain calm and supportive throughout the entire childbirth process.  Plus, labor and delivery nurses are busy updating charts, talking to doctors and monitoring your baby and other patients.  A doula will stay focused on you and only you.

Reason #2: A Faster Labor?

Studies show that doula-assisted labors are 25 percent shorter labors on average.  Doesn’t that sound nice?  Doula-assisted moms are also less likely to receive an epidural, forceps, or a Caesarean.  If you are looking for a natural childbirth experience, using a doula might just be the way to go.

Reason #3: They Come With SWAG!

Doulas bring a whole bag of tricks and goodies along with them to help keep mom calm and relaxed – scented oils, ice packs, heating pads, music, birthing balls, etc.  Doulas also know which labor positions are most effective for relieving pain and increasing effectiveness.  Think of a doula like your very own Mary Poppins!

As “Birth” Day nears, you should take time to assess if you’ll have the support you need during labor.  You may just find having a seasoned pro, such as doula, on hand will help you achieve the type of labor and delivery you are looking for. Let us know how it goes too!

We’ve all heard the truism that you only turn 16 once. You only turn 18 once. You only turn 32 once. But, of all the ages, you really only turn 1 once. The first birthday is a special time for parents, family members and friends to reflect on the past year that the little ball of joy has been in their lives and to make memories that they will share with the birthday boy or birthday girl in the future.

If you’re struggling to think of how to make your baby’s first birthday as special as the occasion demands, here are a few tips.

Guest List

The first birthday should be shared between the parents, family members and close friends of the family. Don’t stress out about whether or not to invite your coworkers, church group, college roommate or the person who makes your coffee every morning. Stick with close friends of the family and the immediate family members. Inviting other babies is not necessary but if one of your friends or family members happens to have a baby, encourage them to bring their child. A good rule of thumb for figuring an acceptable number of children to invite is to take the age that your child is turning — in this case one — and add one to that number. So two babies should be the max number of tiny guests at the party. Otherwise your child might feel overwhelmed.

Menu

I’ve heard some parents wonder aloud if their child can handle cake on their first birthday. Unless your child has an allergy that would keep them from being able to digest it, cake should be fine. If you’re looking to keep things healthy, try making mini carrot cupcakes or bran muffins with icing and sprinkles on them.

Activities

Your child probably hasn’t mastered the finer points of pin the tail on the donkey so allow them to play with their favorite toys and, of course, leave time for them to be held by all their friends and family members. For the older guests, make a station for birthday cards. Your child will be able to open a card from their first birthday each year. This is a great way to commemorate the first birthday.

Melissa is a guest blogger who likes to write about party planning and how to throw the perfect themed birthday party using Mario Bros party supplies. 

Swollen feet and ankles, also known as “cankles,” are very common during pregnancy.  I remember the first time I experienced pregnancy-induced cankles.  We had a wedding to attend in the middle of summer in the heart of South Carolina.  I got off the plane and poof – my calves, ankles and feet ballooned to twice their size. 

When you are pregnant, the circulation in your legs can be strained, which can cause swelling.

If you are experiencing the dreaded cankle, try these tips to stave off swelling:

-       Don’t wear anything tight.  Keep clothing loose and avoid tight fitting shoes and boots.

-       Get up and move.  If you are sitting at a desk all day or taking a long flight, get up and move every hour.  Try rotating your ankles, flexing your feet and wiggling your toes to keep blood flowing.

-       Prop up your tootsies.  Elevate your legs and feet with a pillow when you are resting.

-       Drink plenty of H2O.  Guzzle down water as much as you can to stay hydrated and minimize sodium intake.

Remember, the longer you sit without moving, the worse swelling can get.  Movement is the key to a cankle-less pregnancy!

About the Contributor: Amy G. is the mom to a beautiful baby girl and pregnant with baby #2 (due January 2012). She is a regular contributor to The Belly Blog, a blog for pregnant women and is sponsored by Lullabelly, a prenatal musical belt.

Today I’m 10 days shy of my due date.  To say I’m anxious is an understatement.  I can’t sleep at night and it has nothing to do with being uncomfortable, hot or having a kicking, full-term baby inside of me.

I’m just so excited about meeting my little girl and so totally nervous about labor and delivery.  These are, of course, all very normal feelings for a 38-week pregnant woman.

This is my second baby, so I’m not the blissfully ignorant first-time mama I once was.  I know what’s going to happen (to an extent, as each delivery is different) and so I have a very pre-conceived notion of how all this will go down.

With my first baby, my water randomly popped (literally!) at 10:30 p.m.  seven days before my actual due date.  So now every night around 10:30 p.m. I begin to wait for my water to break.  And I wait, and I wait, and I wait.  But nothing happens.

My little family is in a holding pattern.  We don’t want to make too many plans.  My husband is afraid to commit to any business meetings or events.  I don’t want to schedule too many playdates for my oldest daughter.  And I take my own commitments day by day. Sure I could go to the store tomorrow, but better go now…  just in case.

Because I’m a second time mom and had a vaginal delivery the first time around, the doctors have offered me the option of scheduling an induction.  It sounds like a rather convenient way to have a baby (I’d be able to arrange childcare for my oldest, there would be no middle of the night drive to the hospital, I’d get to choose my daughter’s birthday and maybe even get a mani/pedi prior).  But when it comes down to it, I’d rather let my baby decide when she’s ready to come into the world…. well, as long as she’s on-time. I can’t promise I won’t change my mind when I’m five days past my due date!

And that, my preggo friends, is what you call “the waiting for baby game.”

About the Contributor: Amy G. is the mom to a beautiful baby girl and pregnant with baby #2 (due January 2012). She is a regular contributor to The Belly Blog, a blog for pregnant women and is sponsored by Lullabelly, a prenatal musical belt.

When I had my first child, my husband and I went a bit overboard decorating her nursery.  We were first-time parents-to-be and wanted the best for our little bambino.

We set out to a high-end, organic baby boutique and got totally up-sold on our furniture.  Of course my daughter now has a very beautiful room.  However, we thought she would be out of her crib by the time we had number two and rationalized that we would be able to use the pricey furniture twice. 

Number two is on the way. My daughter isn’t old enough for a big girl bed. Now we have to buy another crib and more furniture to outfit our second nursery.  This time around, we were smarter and more economical – we will not be up-sold!

Here are a few tricks on how to find low-cost yet fabulous nursery furniture – take it from one who knows!

Determine Your Budget Ahead of Time: Before you run to the nearest Pottery Barn Kids or local baby boutique, set a budget for your furniture. Figure out what you are willing to spend before you decorate.  And if you fall in love with that designer crib, do some online comparison-shopping.  Cribs come in all different designs and prices and you can probably find a similar design at a lower price point.

Less is More: Pick out a few key pieces that you absolutely need in the nursery when you bring baby home.  A solid crib, changing table, glider, diaper pail and book shelf should do the trick.  Once you bring baby home you can figure out what you need as you go along so you don’t overspend on the wrong items.

Reuse: Instead of buying all new furniture, take inventory of old furniture to see what can be used in your nursery.  An old dresser can be refinished and outfitted with new handles to make the perfect dresser/changing table combo.  A comfy chair can be re-stuffed and re-upholstered and used as a glider.  Maybe there are some old keepsakes in your family that can be passed down.  Don’t forget to shop flea markets and garage sales for great finds too (just not the crib – so much has changed in crib safety that you shouldn’t buy a crib manufactured before June 2011).

Skip the “Baby Baby” Items: Lambs, butterflies and teddy bears are all sweet and cute. However, if you pick accent items and décor that are solid colors, your nursery design will grow with your child instead of your child outgrowing it first. Stick with classic colors and designs – you can’t go wrong!

Safety Comes First: Be sure to do your homework and don’t try to price cut where baby’s safety should be a priority.  Look for products that address concerns such as SIDS and antibacterial protection.  Also stick to safety guidelines when it comes to putting items such as pillows, blankets and stuffed animals in baby’s bed. And that pesky bumper, you don’t need that safety hazard in your crib. Skip it!

If you keep these tips in mind while shopping, you’ll outfit an adorable-yet-practical nursery within your family’s budget. Good luck!

About the Contributor: Amy G. is the mom to a beautiful baby girl and pregnant with baby #2 (due January 2012). She is a regular contributor to The Belly Blog, a blog for pregnant women and is sponsored by Lullabelly, a prenatal musical belt.

You’ve heard that singing to your newborn baby has many benefits, but did you know that singing to your baby during pregnancy is something you should definitely do too?

Don’t worry if you’re not the next American Idol, baby doesn’t mind if you can’t carry a tune.  All that matters is that baby is exposed to and hears your voice on a continuous basis. Here’s why: 

Soothing Sounds

The sound of your voice is calming to baby (and singing is especially soothing).  Talking and singing to your bump is also a great way to bond with baby and how baby will get to know you before life outside the womb.

Plus, music has been shown to help infants fall asleep faster. If baby is kicking up a storm, start crooning away to settle them down. Or after they arrive, bust out a little ditty after that 3 A.M. feeding when you’re ready to go back to sleep.

Brain Development

There is also a ton of research that suggests that music benefits the developing brain. KidsHealth.org says that “children who grow up hearing music, singing songs and moving to the beat are enjoying a rich sensory environment.” This means that while kids are having a blast rocking out, their brains are growing!

So start dedicating some tunes to your womb – simple nursery rhymes, the latest top 40 hit, religious songs and prayers – anything will do.  Your Lullabelly pregnancy music belt will help you set the playlist on occasion too!

Or if popular music isn’t you’re thing, make up your own song and continue to sing it to your child as they grow.  The important thing is that baby hears your voice before its born and after. Doing so will ensure you create a special bond between you and your little one forever.

Are you expecting a little one in 2012?! If yes, congrats! 

Whether this is your first baby or fourth, one of the top questions you’ll surly be asked is, “Do you have a name picked out?”

Well, do you?

The name game can be the most fun or most challenging part of having a baby (depending on who you ask).   Parents-to-be want to find the perfect moniker to bestow on their little bundle.

If you’re looking for some help, Nameberry.com has created a list of 12 popular name trends for 2012.  The list includes a mix of uniquely-spelled traditional names, old-standbys and some new ones with a “heroic” twist.

Here are some hot categories to get you inspired:

Modern Heroes – Think about your favorite superhero, character from a book, movie, sports professional or maybe a hero in your real life.  You don’t have to stick to the first name, surnames make great first names too. The possibilities here are endless.

Same But Different – Some names are popular for a reason.  Often it’s because they are well liked by a wide range of parents and are significant of current events (Isabella and Jacob). You may love a popular baby name, but still want your child to stand out from the pack. So put your own spin on it. You can mix it up with a creative way to spell the name – “Ashley” becomes “Ashli”, or put a slight variation on it – “Emma” becomes “Emmaline.”

Oldies But Goodies – Thought you’d never see the day when Betty, Henry and May would be stylish again? Well, it’s time to turn to the glamour and simplicity of old Hollywood where traditional names are now hip and oh-so-retro-cool too!

Want to read more about 2012 name trends? Click here!

You lie in bed awake at night thinking about it.  You’ve heard stories and wonder if it’s just a myth.  You think it would be mortifying if it happened to you.  As your due date draws closer you may have more anxiety about it then actually giving birth.

What are we talking about?  You know it, pooping during delivery.

Not everyone experiences it, but yes, poop happens. Before delivery, your body has to get into “delivery” mode and that sometimes means cleaning out your bowels.

If it does happen to you know this…

• It’s not unexpected and your doctor and labor and delivery nurse have seen it happen (a lot) before

• There won’t be that much and it will get wiped away quickly – you may not even know about it and they may not even tell you.

• When you’re in the moment, you won’t even care that you did it and you might not even know it happened.

If you are really concerned about it:

• Give it the old college try and head to the bathroom while you’re in early labor to try and empty your bowels.

• Don’t invite anyone into the delivery room that you are not comfortable letting it “all hang out” in front of.

• Talk to your doctor. They will help you understand why it happens and calm your nerves about if it does. Your doctor will know best!

Remember, if you do go #2 on D-day, life will go on and the memory will be short-lived once you have that beautiful baby in your arms. 

I just came back from lunch where I spilled or dropped food five times on myself.  Before pregnancy, I was clean as a whistle at every meal.  As an eight month pregnant lady, I’m a food catching mess!

Throughout the day, I am dropping or knocking things over constantly and having to bend over to pick things up or clean up my own accidents regularly.  I can’t remember dear friends names or come up with words to express how I’m feeling.  Oh and I have to set reminders on my iPhone to make sure I do simple tasks around the house (Did you run dishwasher? Did you fold laundry?).

Yes, it’s true, I have a serious case of pregnancy brain.  This is when pregnant women feel scattered during pregnancy.  Typically organized women (such as myself) feel completely out of sorts.  It’s driving me mad!

Are you feeling the same way? Are you concerned that your brain will be a complete blob once baby arrives?

Well, studies show that a new mom’s brain actually grows after pregnancy!  The areas of the brain that drive nurturing instincts expand after the first few months of birth.  The result is that your mind is more primed for the demands of motherhood, such as feeding and responding to cries. 

Oh, and the more in love mom is with her baby, the bigger the surge in brain volume.  Scientists believe that this surge in brain growth motivates mom to take care of her baby and feel happy and rewarded by doing so.

Enough about that, now where did I put my keys?

About the Contributor: Amy G. is the mom to a beautiful baby girl and pregnant with baby #2 (due January 2012). She is a regular contributor to The Belly Blog, a blog for pregnant women and is sponsored by Lullabelly, a prenatal musical belt.