SHOW MOM HOW

SHOW

MOM HOW
THE HANDBOOK FOR THE BRAND-NEW MOM SARAH HINES STEPHENS

prepare
pregnancy planning
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 know when youre ready get ready to get pregnant eat right to conceive follow your fertility get in position to conceive try for a boy try for a girl understand conception recognize signs of pregnancy share the news eat right for two soar as a super mom-to-be track baby development read a sonogram manage mor ning sickness minimize swelling ease aches and pains avoid indigestion sleep comfortably stretch out in cat-cow pose flex in cobbler pose feel good in pigeon pose feature your bump keep your bump under wraps make a 40-week plan understand an epidural set up a water birth deliver by cesarean section 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 have a hypnobirth avoid unwanted touching do it while pregnant feel sexy in your new shape pamper yourself mellow out with meditation connect with your unbor n baby read babys movements read your bump divine gender celebrate your belly cast your belly prep the nursery stock up for baby tie a no-sew blanket decorate a nursery with stencils baby-proof your home induce labor naturally induce labor with acupressure pack a bag for labor deliver a baby in a taxi bond after birth read newbor n markings dress baby for homecoming hold a new baby stimulate your newbor n heal at home plant a placenta

baby care

fun and games

57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64

nurture
hold a hopi sunrise blessing celebrate an orthodox baptism have a red egg and ginger party perfor m a yoruba blessing stage a hindu naming ritual name baby the egyptian way ready your troops keep visits safe and sweet 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 introduce baby to your pet make a birth announcement swaddle an infant set up a nursing station breast-feed a newborn position baby for breast-feeding nurse on the go pump at work

73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85

ease engorgement treat a blocked duct heal cracked nipples bottle-feed a baby war m a bottle burp a baby change a diaper pack a diaper bag handle diaper disasters soothe a crying infant massage a colicky newbor n cut teething pain freeze a teething treat

86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98

wind down for bedtime troubleshoot sleeping issues fake a clean house do yoga with your baby gently massage your baby care for the cord sponge-bathe an infant bathe a baby take babys temperature trim babys nails clean babys gums treat cradle cap prevent diaper rash

99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110

soup up your stroller work out in a park blend up mushy food manage mealtime freeze baby food feed finger foods eat out with baby take a car trip stock your trunk for trips travel by air take care of yourself soothe with aromatherapy

play
111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 make baby laugh stimulate early vision play with your baby roll up a boo-boo bunny tackle tummy time promote sitting up encourage rolling over strengthen with elbow stands support a wheelbar row make a texture tag blanket use a texture tag blanket play hide-and-seek play peekaboo play patty-cake shake things up move to the music help baby crawl encourage walking spot movement milestones 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 distract baby at the store entertain baby in an audience keep baby calm in a long line put baby to work at the office make a banana octopus cut a puzzle sandwich engage babys senses share a park playdate make messy art make a tiny handprint paint under plastic wrap paint with water sew a cute hooded towel have bathtime fun play itsy-bitsy spider make a baby-sock puppet put on a puppet show read with your baby build language skills 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 lear n animal signs take a spring stroll have fun in the summer sun fall into autumn adventure go for a winter wander make housework fun play airplane bounce baby on your lap build a boxcar build, crash, kick, and roll take great baby pictures capture the moments swing with a retro baby mosh with a punk baby go green with an eco baby chill out with a hippie baby tur n sleeves into pants celebrate the big one

a note from sarah

Prepare all you want (#25), but as the mother of two I can assure you that nobody is ever really ready to have a baby (#1). The second you reveal you are pregnant (#10), people will offer unsolicited advice. Sometimes this can be a great thing (#55). Other times, not so much (#30). Here is my best piece of advice: trust your instincts. From the moment you hear your babys heartbeat (#14), feel

79

change a diaper

10

share the news

her move inside you (#36), or gaze into her eyes for the

first time (#50), nobody will know your baby (or your body) like you do. You are your own parenting expert. So listen to your feelings (#34), roll up your sleeves (#79), ask for help if you need it (#63), and dont forget to enjoy the ride (#106)!

63

ready your troops

SARAH is a mother, childrens author, and gardening instructor who has built her share of cardboard boxcars (#157) and enjoyed some serious bathtime frolic (#143). After attending eight births (#48, #26) and giving birth twice (#29), she still cant quite get over the fact that we all arrive in this manner. Though her kids are now school-age, Sarah can still play a mean game of peekaboo (#123) and handle whatever life throws her way (#81). She would like to thank her momtourage and the best baby-daddy in Oakland for everything, always.

build a boxcar

157

have bathtime fun

143

pack a bag for labor

48

have a hypnobirth

29

play peekaboo

123

handle diaper disasters

81

how to use this book

In the pages that follow, virtually every piece of essential infor mation is presented graphically. In most cases the pictures do, indeed, tell the whole story. In some cases though, youll need a little extra infor mation to get it done right. Heres how we present those facts.

43

tie a no-sew blanket

make a texture tag blanket
3 ft (1 m)

120

4 in (10 cm) 4 in (10 cm)

4 ft (1.2 m)

in (1.25 cm)

Cut two pieces of fleece.

Stack them.

Cut a square at each cor ner.

Position ruler.

Cut to create fringe.

Cut fringe on all sides.

Knot every other fringe pair.

Flip; knot remaining pairs.

44

decorate a nursery with stencils

paper towel

Clean the surface.

Position the stencil.

Secure with painters tape.

Pour paint into tray.

Dip brush tip into paint.

Dab to remove excess.

Apply paint over stencil.

Remove stencil; let wall dry.

For your safety and your babys, always paint in a well-ventilated area and use low VOC paint.

MEASUREMENTS When measurements matter, find them right in the box.

2c (475 ml) 3 ft (1 m)

MORE INFORMATION Follow the * symbol to lear n more about the how and why of the given step.

ICON GUIDE Throughout the book, handy icons show you just how its done. Here are the icons youll encounter.
Check out the timer to lear n how much time a relatively short task takes. The calendar shows how many days, weeks, or months an activity requires. Look to the ther mometer to lear n the temperature needed for a given action.

TOOLS Everything youll need to perfor m an activity appears in the toolbars. Having a hard time deciphering an item? Tur n to the tools glossary in the back of the book.

23
min

Repeat the depicted action the designated number of times.

Phewfumes! Open a window before perfor ming this activity. Just how hot, you ask? Cook over low, medium, or high heat, respectively.

CROSS-REFERENCES When one thing just leads to another, well point it out. Follow the links for related or interesting infor mation.
make a texture tag blanket

SAFETY NOTES When doing the ac tivities in this book, always take care to ensure that you and your child are safe. Keep these guidelines in mind:
During and after pregnancy, consult a physician before attempting any activity involving physical exer tion, or whenever your condition could impair or limit your ability to engage in an activity. Do not leave your child unattended, even for a brief moment, during any activity. Be particularly cautious when participating in any activity involving water because of the risk of drowning. Keep small items, such as coins and candy, out of babys reach. An item smaller than 1 inches (4.5 cm), such as a latex balloon or piece of paper, is a choking hazard. A good rule of thumb: if it can fit through a toilet paper roll, it is not safe for play. Also make sure that any string is no longer than 7 inches (18 cm). Never leave your baby unattended with ribbons or strings, as they could pose a str angulation hazard.

120

ZOOMS These little circles zoom in on a steps important details, or depict the steps crucial donts.

Before tr ying an ac tivity, assess whether its appropriate for your childs level of development. Use writing and crafts materials that are nontoxic and have been approved for your childs age. See #45 for tips on making your home safer for baby; for example, remove crib mobiles once your baby can push up onto hands and knees.

All infor mation in this book has been carefully researched and fact-checked. However, the publisher makes no war ranty, express or implied, that the infor mation is appropriate for every (or any!) individual, situation, or purpose, and assumes no responsibility for er rors or omissions. You assume the risk and full responsibility for all your actions, and the publishers will not be held responsible for any loss or damage of any sort, whether consequential, incidental, special, or otherwise that may result from the infor mation presented. Just between us, though, youre probably safe making a blanket (#43).