Using this kind of book is a tradition, and most moms and mommies-to-be want to pick the right one. While there are many baby milestone books in the market today, here are my favorites. 

Mama’s Choice for the Best Baby Milestone Books in 2026

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I’ll start strong by introducing the overall best, the KeaBabies First Years. I love this baby milestone book’s minimalistic look, with its gender-neutral color scheme and cute hand-drawn animal characters. It is suitable for any modern family type, such as families with LGBT parents, adoptive parents, or single parents.

It has a size of 9.3″ by 9.3″ and weighs 1.5 pounds. I like the Keepsake Envelope that comes with this book. Mommies can store little things like a lock of hair from their baby’s first haircut or hospital bands. To make the journal more personalized, it has extra pages at the back where you can write a letter to your baby’s future self.

The book has 90 pages that each have specific prompts that let you remember any milestones and firsts. KeaBabies First Years Journal also has specific areas for all the major holidays and every season. With this baby milestone book, you can capture your baby’s first time at the beach or their first thanksgiving.

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The second baby milestone book on my list is The Baby Memory Book by Paper Peony Press. It has 98 pages, enough to store memories from year one to year five. The journal gives me a classic feel with its hardcover and stunning flax-colored linen cover complete with gold foil text.

Every first is a momentous occasion, but your little one’s first birthday tops them all. The publishing company that made this baby milestone book allotted a significant area for your baby’s first birthday celebration. You can put their photo of them eating their cake or opening their presents.

You can also save the candle from their cake in a keepsake envelope at the back of the book. The book also has an area where you can put your baby’s family, so they’ll know their heritage. Lastly, you can put unforgettable quotes or funny things your kid might say in a section of this book.

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By far, Baby’s Book by Peter Pauper Press has the cutest designs on the list. However, it would not be up in your alley if you want a more gender-neutral or masculine color scheme. This baby milestone book’s floral design and pink color are more suited for parents with baby girls.

This journal also has the most number of pages on the list, totaling 112 pages. The book’s last page was left blank so that parents can write a sweet note for their baby. There are also cute yet inspirational quotes scattered across the book to add to the design.

The company behind this book used acid-free papers so you can have well-preserved photos. It is also significant, around 8.5 inches by 11 inches, giving parents ample space to write about their child. Moreover, I like how you can personalize this baby milestone book’s front cover with a photo of your baby.

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This baby milestone book is well-suited for families with LGBT parents or single parents. Moreover, if you don’t want an ordinary envelope to store keepsakes, this one’s for you. The Little Growers Baby Memory Book has a keepsake box spacious enough to hold any trinket you may want to put.

Its memory book contains 58 printed pages with prompts like birthdays, the first day of school, and the first holidays. It also has ten blank pages so parents can write anything under the sun. The book comes with five plastic photo pages that can fit 20 4″x6″ photos as a bonus.

The Little Growers Baby Memory Book comes with 30 milestone stickers that you can put on your child’s shirt. The stickers can vary from ‘Just born!’ to milestones like the kid’s first haircut. The book also comes with a no-mess inkpad so you can imprint your child’s feet and hands. This baby milestone book is more expensive than most of its competitors due to its components.

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If you’re not the journaling or scrapbooking kind of mom, this baby milestone book is for you. The My Tiny Adventures Book already did the designing part, and you only need to put the photos. However, the images need to be 6″x4″ so they can fit into the outlines. It has a beautiful gender-neutral design that will suit all the modern and traditional family structures.

The book is straightforward to use as the pages are labeled accordingly. Most of the pages are for the milestones and firsts. However, there are other significant pages in this book. For one, there is a page delegated for the story of how you found out you were having a baby.

Like most baby milestone books out there, this one has a keepsake envelope where you can store mementos. It also has 28 stickers that will surely cover every milestone and firsts of your little one.

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Let’s round up our list of the best baby memory books with another minimalist book. It comes in four different colors: teal, gray, light blue, and pale pink. I like the gray one because it’s a genderless color, and it works well with any family type. You need to operate your fingers to the bone if you want to make it colorful. 

You can put a 3″x3″ photo of your baby and their hand or footprint on the front cover. To mark your child’s handprints or footprints, it comes with a clean-touch ink pad. The ink pad can accommodate hands and feet up to 2.25” wide x 3.5” long. 

You can easily document everything; from the moment you knew you were pregnant up to your baby’s fifth birthday. The book has 50 pages labeled so it can guide the parents every step of the way. With its minimalistic look, the book is rather bare inside.

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How to Compile the Perfect Baby Milestone Book

Teenagers sometimes are too shy or embarrassed when their parents let their friends see their baby milestone books. However, kidding aside, knowing how to find and create the best baby milestone book is essential. Without a guide, picking the right one will become a tedious task, and you may end up with the wrong one.

You need to assess what you need. Do you need a journal with a big container for your child’s keepsakes or only a small one? Do you want a milestone book with colorful designs or a simpler one? Ask yourself if you need many pages or only a few of them. These questions are necessary to assess what journal you’re going to pick.

As to the content of your baby milestone book, it is highly advisable to put anything valuable. From the ultrasound photos up to your baby’s first haircut, put anything you deemed memorable. Keep in mind not to overcrowd pages of the book and label every image you put.

Frequently Asked Questions About Baby Milestone Books

Q: What if a page in the baby milestone book is not relevant to my family type?

A: You can tear the page if it is not relevant to your family. Another option is to paste a piece of decorative paper over the page and decorate it. This way, you would not have to tear the page and save the other side of the page.

Q: What if I need more pages?

A: Most baby milestone books have extra pages at the end for cute letters to your child. In some instances, you can remove these additional pages and put them wherever in the book.

Q: What should I put in the baby milestone book?

A: You can practically put anything memorable in the book. Watch this video as it provides a good overview of the things you may want to put in the book:

See how she even put the photos of her growing tummy in the baby milestone book!

Q: How should I store this kind of book?

A: As this book is a precious memento, you need to keep it in a secured place. Store it in a dry place where you can get it hassle-free. Please do not put it near windows to avoid any photos from deteriorating due to sunlight.

Final Thoughts on Finding the Best Baby Milestone Book

Finding the perfect baby milestone book is a challenging task. Take time to check all of them and see what fits your needs. It’s like buying a house; you need to check the features first before signing anything. You need to know if it has the things you need (extra pages or a cute layout) before getting it.

As for me, the KeaBabies First Years is the best baby milestone book out there. The KeaBabies First Years milestone book covers every milestone and every first of your little one. It also has pages explicitly made for every major holiday and season. Lastly, it has an envelope to store precious things like a lock of hair or your baby’s hospital band.

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Full-time moms struggle with finding the time and flexibility to work. Many moms that I know personally love being a stay-at-home mom, but they also want to have the opportunity to indulge in some form of work that’ll help with the finances. So, here are some of the most effective and easiest side hustles to start up now!

Why Choose a Side Hustle? 

The main reason you’d choose a job classified as a side hustle is the characteristics that it possesses. 

Side hustles:

• Are flexible
• It can be done from the comfort of your own home
• Offer a variety in terms of what you choose.
• Offer good income once established.

Beyond that, establishing a side hustle has become easier than ever thanks primarily to the wealth of tools, tips, and resources available. This includes gig-work platforms such as Upwork, tax tools such as Taxcaster, Google Sheets for invoicing, and everything in between.

Best Side Hustles for Moms 

1. Sell Things You Don’t Want Online 

This side hustle is great for moms who’ve been looking to get rid of some old things around the house. Doesn’t cleaning suddenly become more appealing when you can make a little money as a result?

Yes, and yes! 

Declutter your house over the weekend and get rid of everything that you don’t need or want. 

You can sell these unwanted items on different platforms like:

• eBay
• GumTree
• Craigslist
• Poshmark

Just create an account and add your banking details. You’ll have your own page with ads for the stuff you want to sell. You can make a lot of money by selling old things, and you don’t have to invest any money to start this business up!

2. Start a Blog and Monetize It 

This is a flexible side hustle that you can pick up quickly. The beauty of blogging is that you can write about ANYTHING! Do you love to cook, and want to have a good blog where you share recipes, talk about disasters in the kitchen, give pointers to those wanting to learn how to cook? That’s an excellent idea for a blog that can be done on your schedule.

Steps to start a profitable blog:

• Identify what you want to write about (What’s your niche?)
• Choose a good domain name and purchase it (Namecheap is an excellent option because it’s, well, cheap)
• Set up your blog (Lyrical Host is a good option)
• Get a fast and reliable theme.

Lastly, you’ll just want to write as much as you can so that you can start monetizing with ads like Adsense (very basic for beginners) and affiliate marketing (like Amazon).

That’s it! 

3. Become a Freelance Writer 

This hustle is similar to the one above in that it involves writing, but it’s different because it’s not so specific. Becoming a Freelance Writer means that you can choose to take specific writing jobs about a wide variety of topics. One huge difference, though, is that you do get paid instantly, unlike with blogging. 

This is another excellent option for moms who are busy but who stay at home. 

Here are a few examples of what type of writing you can do as a freelancer:

• Copywriting
• Content writing
• Editing and Proofreading
• Tech writing 
• Resume writing 

You can find a ton of freelancing jobs on websites like People Per Hour, Upwork, and  Fiverr. Joining is completely free!

The pay does fluctuate, but you can charge higher rates per project as you gain more experience.

4. Start an ECommerce Store 

A flexible option for stay at home moms (SAHM) to make cash is to start an online business, an ECommerce store.

You may have to do a little research to learn about dropshipping, and then you’ll be able to create a store and promote your brand on Shopify. You don’t have to sell products that you created, and you can purchase from the manufacturer and sell the items yourself. 

This type of selling is private labeling. This basically means that you consult with the manufacturer and request that they produce the product, and you can change and adjust what you want. As the retailer, you can dictate the specifics like what goes into a package, how it’s packed, how the label will look, etc. The next step is to pay for production, and the product will be shipped to you.

Another form of production is white labeling; this is when you, as the retailer, can’t alter the product. The manufacturer’s logo will be removed and replaced with yours.

5. Work as a Virtual Assistant 

At a time like this, there’s a huge demand for virtual assistants. Business owners need a lot of services, from scheduling to reserving, making phone calls, sending emails, and more on their behalf.

Earn up to $32 an hour (or more!) depending on which services you offer and your client’s needs. It’s super flexible as you can complete many of the tasks on your own time if they’re relatively simple. 

Mom’s from all walks of life can take a shot at this side hustle whether they’re looking for full-time work or part-time. 

You’ll pretty much just be doing technical and administrative tasks for an individual or a business. 

Here are a few other tasks you can expect to have as a virtual assistant:

• Travel bookings
• Follow-up with clients
• Reminders for appointments, meetings, etc.
• Bookkeeping
• Making purchases online for the business

Pinterest is a huge platform that seeks VA’s; check them out ASAP if you’re interested in learning more or finding a position! There are lots of opportunities for virtual assistant positions that you can find online. Pinterest is a great marketplace!

6. Start a Catering Business 

Are you a great cook? Why not make it into your own business?

If you’re a busy mom, you may want to start small and see what it becomes. Offering catering services for small events is a great way to spread the word about your company and gain more clients. There are a lot of working families that miss out on home-cooked meals and would pay handsomely for someone to help them out. 

From the comfort of your own kitchen, you can begin something great! Figure out your specialty and go from there.

There are some considerations for this side hustle, though, as it is a little less flexible than the other suggestions. 

You have to be on time to deliver the food.

You’ll likely need a permit and a license from your stage to operate this business.

Food can get pretty expensive, so be careful in the beginning stages when you’re still trying to establish yourself. 

7. Fill Out Surveys Online 

This is amongst the most straightforward and most flexible side hustles that a mom can get to earn a little extra money. And I really do mean a little extra. This is more of something you can do if you’re trying to find your Starbucks addiction. 

Joining survey sites offers you the ability to answer questions for companies typically looking for consumer feedback and interests. You may get around 0.50 to $5 for a few minutes of work, but you won’t have hundreds of surveys available daily. 

Join as many sites as you can to give yourself the best opportunity to revive survey invitations and make as much cash as you can, with the payout usually being on a monthly basis. 

Here are some of the best survey sites to join:

• Swagbucks
• SurveyJunkie
• MyPoints
• Rewards

8. Start a Photography Service

Photography is a booming business for many, and SAHMs are beginning to join the party! If you’re an outstanding photographer that wants to showcase her skills, especially if you have the experience, you should definitely market your services. 

If you don’t have much experience, a good starting spot is to begin taking photos of friends and family for a meager fee or maybe even throw in some freebies just to get the exposure. School functions, birthday parties, graduations, they’re all significant events to capture and post to your website as they’re popular occasions that call for a photographer. 

Go for it!

9. Organize Parties

I feel like moms are just great at organizing parties. I could be wrong, but I’m probably not! 

Event planning is enjoyable and profitable and allows you to show off your creativity. You have the freedom to do things as you want. Again, the services are flexible because you can choose what you offer based on how much spare time you have and your availability to have meetings with the client.

You can expect to be the developer of the decorations, invitations, food, specialty pieces, and more. It all depends on how involved you want to be as the party planner. Create a website or use your social media account to get the word out about your skills.

10. Become a Social Media Manager 

If you enjoy surfing social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, etc., you may really enjoy becoming a Social Media Manager. You already know the platforms’ ins and outs, so it won’t be so much different from what you’re already accustomed to. 

Earn some extra cash by managing someone else’s account! You would plan and monitor the content, calendar, and strategy on someone else’s media account.

Here are the duties:

• Be the overseer of the company’s social media accounts.
• Design and implement their marketing strategies
• Consistent upload content
• Be prompt to respond with and engage with prospects.

If you have good organization skills and you like social media, you should definitely give this side hustle a try.

Wrap Up 

There are literally tons of side hustles that you can choose from as a stay-at-home mom. These are just some of the options that we think are really interesting, have the capacity to make good money, and have really flexible hours. 

One really fun and exciting side hustle is to become a YouTube personality, showcasing your skills like this mamma does here. You can even bring the kiddos in on this one! 

Finding the right side hustle to suit your lifestyle may be a bit of trial and error, but there’s so much available I have no doubt that you’ll find the perfect fit. Good luck!

These baby floats help your child learn to kick, splash – and eventually, swim. They make pool time fun for both parents and littles.

Mama’s Choices for the Best Baby Floats in 2026

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The SwimWays Baby Spring Float has an adorable octopus that turns 360 degrees around to confront kids. Its arms hold toys children can contact and enact, including a squeaker, clatter, stacking rings, and delicate touch star.

Likewise, it has kid security valves, double air chambers, and a protected internal spring, which gives more remarkable water steadiness. The removable overhang has network sides and offers UPF 50+ sun protection. More importantly, this product folds easily for capacity and transport in the additional helpful case. It’s an extraordinary pool coast for movement!

Overall, the SwimWays Baby Spring Float is the ultimate baby float that helps you introduce your baby to the water. Not only will it keep them happy and comfortable, but it also gives you some satisfaction and contentment.

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The LAYCOL Inflatable Baby Float accompanies a breathable and removable UPF50+ sunshade to shield an infant’s skin away from the sun, enjoying mid-year anytime, anywhere. Your baby can also go for some backstroke and breaststroke with its various clasp method and ergonomic style.

One of its best highlights is its solid sealed PVC material, making it 100% protected and non-toxic, friendly to your child’s skin. Likewise, it guarantees multi-fold safety protection, keeping your baby set up to avoid forward overturning, flip over, or sliding out; safety is consistently the first.

In general, the LAYCOL Inflatable Baby Float offers a combination of safety and comfort for your baby’s first swimming experience. Nothing else beats its extra sunlight protection and ergonomic style.

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The SwimSchool Splash and Play have an offbeat bannerfish design that brings the delights of water to your child. It keeps infants upstanding to reach and play with toys in an open-network play zone effortlessly. 

A fabric canopy highlighting a multi-position plastic pivot offers a 120-degree scope of shade to shield your baby from the sun’s harmful beams. This removable shade provides UPF 50+ sun assurance.

Its double air chambers and safety seat gives stable lightness in the water. This fantastic product has adjustable safety seat lifts and makes sure that your baby is in a steady sitting position in the water! 

For the most part, this SwimSchool Splash and Play are highly recommended for babies 6-24 months old, who are fond of splashing and playing in the pool under the sun. Who cares about the heat of sunlight if you have a canopy that offers sun protection? I bet you don’t!

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The V Convey Mambo Baby Float is produced using an amazingly light pearl foam, so it never should be expanded, and you’ll never need to stress over breaks. It consists of a delicate swim material for your little one’s solace. This swim ring is not inflatable, but you can choose from three tones for baby boys and girls.

Moreover, the swim ring’s flexibility allows infants aged three months to one year to glide in the backstroke position, while kids as long as two years can coast in the breaststroke position. 

It includes a customizable bridle to shield your baby from slipping while in the water. The saddle has clasps that fit a speedy delivery button and non-slip links for added genuine feelings of serenity.

Generally, this V Convey Mambo Baby Float is worth the trade-off between never having to inflate and worrying about leaks. It is the best choice for guardians who need an issue-free float to use in their pool at home or even their bathtub.

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With Parner Pool Float, your child’s little body will be occupied with a great turnpike. Swimming with a buoy is a delicate exercise that works the entire body, empowering your infant’s muscle, lung, and heart advancement. 

When your baby is skimming in the water, they have the opportunity to develop and improve independence while enjoying. Their mind is enrolling the material vibe of water and its obstruction, which empowers neurological turn of events. The more your child thinks carefully and muscles, the more grounded they will develop.

This product allows two swim ways, and a standard 40° height helps the infant prepare an expert swimming stance. The drag rope can free your hands when the baby is swimming. Hence, you have no reason to hold the infant the whole time, making family water exercises all the more fun.

All in all, the Parner Pool Float is well made that includes 360-degree protection for added security. It’s a great swim ring for young children at an entirely reasonable price.

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During the time spent figuring out how to swim, the Easyva Baby Swimming Float allows your child to have a sense of safety and lets them begin to look all starry-eyed at swimming. Its security seat can assist children with learning to swim quicker.  Keep your infant safe while playing. When expanding, kindly fill the little air chamber with gas first and fill the enormous air chamber with gas. 

Summer is coming, and when grown-ups go to the pool to swim, the infant additionally needs to go into the water to feel relaxed. This swimming ring can guarantee your child’s security, keep them from being damaged or lose their solidarity in the leg, and better ensure them.

Altogether, the Easyva Baby Swimming Float is utilized best in pools, outdoor exercises, parties, kindergarten play. With this product, you can help your baby learn to swim faster through its safety seats.

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How to Assemble Baby Floats

Baby floats come in different sizes, shapes, and features. Most of them offer extra protection for your babies. However, you cannot fully benefit from the protection they provide if you will not assemble them correctly. I cannot boil down all the steps to build the different types of baby floats, but learning the primary ways is essential.

To utilize the baby float well, you need to inflate it by pinching the valve to open the airway. Manually blow air into it. You need to make sure that the air is just enough. 

After using it, you need to deflate the float by pinching the valve again. Press down the float to release air. Now, it is ready for storage!

Frequently Asked Questions About Baby Floats

Q: When can a baby start swimming?

A: Your baby can start swimming as early as straight from birth. However, you need to ensure that they are medically fit for it.

Q: Are neck floats harmful to babies?

A: Experts say that neck floats impose potential dangers for babies swimming. It can put a strain on the neck and cause further injuries.

Q: Can guardians leave babies when the babies have floats?

A: No. Baby floats are not life-vests; hence, you need to look out for your baby even if the baby float provides 360-degree protection.

Final Thoughts on Finding the Best Baby Floats

Baby floats are handy in introducing your baby to the water. With these products, you don’t have to carry your infants throughout the day; you can have fun, too! Enjoy the summer heat and let your child relax and enjoy the water. 

Above all the baby floats available in the market, the SwimWays Baby Spring Float is our top choice. Aside from its float, the product also has a built-in play area that the kids will love.

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No products found.

Here’s the good news: with a child, the possibilities for conversation are unlimited. You can ask them about all kinds of things related to life, dreams, playtime, imagination, and even their future. Don’t second guess everything you say to them, and don’t try to control the conversation. If a child gets excited about the topic, let them talk.

How do I Know Where to Begin?

As I said, you can ask a child about anything. However, there are specific categories of questions you can glance at to get general ideas. A question can be a learning opportunity for both you and the child, as well as a chance to have fun.

Remember to ask these questions as they naturally arise. If a child feels as though you are interrogating them, they might not answer completely, or they won’t want to answer at all. Use these questions to get to know a child, whether it’s your own, a family member’s, or a daycare kiddo.

What’s most important is that they think and imagine and not get hung up on giving the perfect answer.

1. Questions to Improve Family Relationships

It is vital that a child feels included in their family: that they are listened to, their feelings are validated, and they have a say in the house’s rules. Asking your child questions lets them know that you are taking them seriously and that their input and voice in family matters is essential.

Use these questions to see what’s working in your family and how perhaps things might improve. While it is good to see where there might be kinks in family function, it’s better to keep the conversation light and open to all suggestions.

1. If you could make up any rule for the house, what would it be?
2. What do you like best about your family members?
3. Do you think the consequences for bad behavior are fair?
4. What activities do you think we should do as a family?
5. What activities should we do more of as a family?
6. What is your favorite family memory?
7. What is your favorite activity we do as a family?
8. If you could give a perfect gift to each family member, what would you give them?
9. What chores would you be willing to do around the house?

2. Questions for Inspiring Imagination

Developing imagination and creative thinking is one of the most important things you can do for your child. It not only entertains your child but teaches them vital skills without them realizing it.

You can ask these questions while you play games with your child or even when sitting still enjoying the moment. 

1. If your stuffed animals could speak, what do you think they would say?
2. If you were the king/queen of your kingdom, what would you name it?
3. If you could be any animal, what would you want to be?
4. What superpower would you want to have?
5. What pictures come to mind when you think of specific colors?
6. If you had a fairy godmother, what would be your first wish?
7. If you could go inside any movie or book, which would it be?
8. If you could have any animal, real or imaginary, which would you choose for a pet?

3. Questions for Inspiring Kindness

Your child may already have a kind disposition, but it’s always interesting to hear how they would react in given situations. More importantly, it’s essential to teach children to look out for others and help when they can. Kindness is one thing, but having the courage to step in and do the right thing is another entirely.

1. Have you recently seen someone getting teased or treated with unkindness?
2. For what reasons would this person be teased or mistreated?
3. How do you think people who get teased feel?
4. How would you stand up for someone getting bullied?
5. What are some ways that you can help someone in need?
6. How can you show kindness to someone who is not being kind to others?
7. If a new kid came to school, how could you make them feel welcome?
8. Why is it important to not talk about playdates or birthday parties in front of people who could not attend?
9. What are some ways you might help your family around the house?
10. If you were the teacher in a classroom, and no one was listening to you, how would you get their attention?

4. Questions About School

You are not there with your child at school, so you can take chances to learn more about their environment. You can use these questions to supplement what you learn from the occasional parent-teacher conference and helping with homework.

1. What is your favorite subject? Least favorite?
2. What do you like most about your teacher?
3. What is your favorite playground game?
4. Do you prefer to play games by yourself or with friends?
5. Do you have a favorite school supply? 
6. Who do you consider your best friend?
7. What qualities do you look for in a friend?
8. What would you change about your school’s lunch menu?
9. Do you think you are a good friend? Why?
10. What’s something that you want to learn in school?

5. Questions for Building a Strong Mind

Kids encounter many new things each day, and sometimes they need help to process all that new information. It might be hard sometimes, so really take the time to listen to them. You can ask them these questions in light of something strange or uncomfortable happening to them or remind them that they have the power to overcome fear, anger, or embarrassment.

You can also use these questions to teach your children that their fears are usually not as bad as they think. Teaching children to deal effectively with anxiety and overcoming fear will do wonders for mental growth and health.

1. How often do you feel scared, angry, or embarrassed?
2. When you start to feel those emotions, what is the first thing you want to do?
3. When your thoughts become angry, what can you tell yourself to work through those thoughts?
4. What can you say to yourself to face your fears?
5. What is your favorite place in the world? Can you go there when you feel scared or angry?
6. What do you like doing that makes you the happiest?
7. What were the consequences of the worst mistake you’ve ever made?
8. Were the consequences of your worst mistake as bad as you feared?
9. Do you know the difference between rational and irrational fears?

6. Questions for Thinking Ahead

It’s a cliche question to ask a child what their day was like. It might be a little more fun to ask about how they imagine the future. Kids have plenty of time before they grow up, so you can ask them to imagine careers, families, traveling, etc. Such questions not only inspire imagination, but they might also inspire ambition.

1. What do you want to be when you grow up?
2. Do you think you’ll want a family someday?
3. Where do you think you’ll want to live? In a house? An apartment? A trailer home or RV?
4. Would you prefer to live in a big city or the quiet countryside?
5. What would you like to accomplish someday?
6. What cities or countries do you want to travel to?
7. Where do you think you’d like to live when you grow up?
8. At what age do you think a person becomes an adult? Why?

7. Questions about Role Models and Personal Values

Every child deserves to have a role model: someone they can look up to when they feel lost or uninspired. You can ask your child about who they admire and why. Their answers can provide a lot of insight into your child’s values and the wonderful person they could become.

1. Do you have a favorite character from a movie, book, TV show, comic book, etc.?
2. Why do you love this character?
3. What do you think is the most important quality in a person?
4. What makes someone a role model for you?
5. Which real-life figure would you want to have lunch with? What would you like to eat with them?
6. If you were a teacher, what lesson would you want to teach people the most?
7. If you could make up one rule that everyone in the world had to follow, what would it be?
8. What would you change about yourself to become a better person?
9. What was an instance where you had to learn a lesson “the hard way”?

8. Questions to Inspire Positivity

As children grow up, they’re going to see that many things in the world are not so good. They’ll need tools to counter the not-so-good things they encounter personally or in the news. That’s not to say that you should teach your child to ignore the bad entirely, but recognize that the positive things are worth celebrating.

You can also use these questions to teach your child about gratitude. Learning to not take things for granted and recognize the good in every day will prove a valuable tool.

1. What is one good thing that happened to you today?
2. How did that one good thing make you feel?
3. What is at least one thing that you are grateful for today?
4. What is at least one thing that always makes you laugh or smile?
5. What is a song that you enjoy singing along to?
6. What are some things that we might not like but are essential to have? (Rain, sadness, dentist visits, etc.)
7. What are some things that you get to do but maybe others cannot?
8. What is the hardest part about being a kid?
9. What are some things you have done that you’re proud of?

9. Questions for Just Being Silly

Sometimes you can ask questions for the sake of being silly and imaginative. Maybe you and your kid can crack jokes together or come up with something funny or wild.

1. What are a couple of funny jokes you can tell me?
2. What’s the funniest thing you’ve seen this week?
3. How would you describe a perfect day in your life?
4. If you could change your name, which would you choose?
5. If you were invisible for one day, what would you do?
6. If you could travel back in time, when would you go?
7. If you grew up to be famous, what would you be famous for?
8. Who would you switch bodies with for one day?
9. How would the world be different if animals could speak?

10. Questions about Holidays and Traditions

If you’re getting to know a child, it’s always fun to ask about their holiday traditions. Maybe they can describe something that your own family can try, or explain a holiday you didn’t know much about before.

1. Are there any special holidays you celebrate?
2. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
3. What do you look forward to the most when the holiday comes?
4. Do you wear any unique holiday clothes?
5. Do you or your family like to do fun, silly things for the holiday?
6. Do you have a favorite holiday decoration?
7. Do you have a holiday food or drink recipe you could teach me?
8. Do you know the story behind your holiday? If so, could you tell me about it?
9. If you could invent a holiday, what would it be?

Final Thoughts

If you think of any questions that are not on this list, go ahead and ask them. This list is just a starting point for all the things you can ask a child. Who knows: the child might have fun and interesting questions for you to answer in return.

Again, remember that these questions should open a positive and fun conversation with a child. Don’t try to force the conversation and press for answers. Allow the conversation to flow and see what the child can teach you.

If you are trying to decide on a powerful and strong boy name, consider these options that portray strength in either meaning or through the vibes they give off.

Let’s go ahead and look at some of the best strong boy names you can choose from!

Top Strong Boy Names

Here we will break down in alphabetical order some of the top strong boy names and what makes them powerful. 

Abraham

The name Abraham is a new of Hebrew origin that means “Father of Nations.” Abraham is extremely classic and is still used a lot today due to its biblical and historical references. 

Alessandro

The name Alessandro is a more exotic version of the common boy’s name, Alexander. The name is of Italian origin and translates literally to mean “defending men.”

Alexander

Alexander is a boy’s name that has been in the top choices for names since the early 1990s. It is a Greek name that means “defending men.”

Andrew

Meaning “strong and manly,” Andrew is an extremely popular name for boys. It is of Greek origin and remains popular due to its ability to take on many masculine nicknames, such as Andy or Drew.

Apollo

Apollo is a Greek boy’s name that means “destroyer,” making it very strong and powerful. The name has historical and biblical references, making it appealing to parents looking for strong boy’s names.

Archer

The name Archer is English and means “bowman.” The name increased in popularity after the Hunger Games franchise emerged, making it a more common choice among parents. 

Augustus

This Latin name meaning “great or magnificent,” is a unique and strong name for a boy. It is different enough to make a statement while still holding power. 

Blaze

Blaze is an English word that means “fire.” It is a unique way to give your little boy a strong and powerful name that people will remember. 

Caesar

Caesar was the name of one of the most powerful Romans to exist, so it is a top option for those looking to shake things up with a strong boy’s name. 

Conrad

The name Conrad is of German origin and means “brave counsel.” Not only does the name embody strength, but it also gives off powerful connotations of high intelligence. 

Cyrus

The name Cryus is Persian and directly translates to mean “sun.” There have been many influential leaders named Cyrus throughout history, making this a strong option. 

Eric

Eric is an Old Norse name that means “eternal ruler.” The name Eric has been in the top rankings of boy’s names for decades because of its strength and classic nature. 

Ethan

The name Ethan is Hebrew and means “strong and firm.” Ethan is another boy’s name that has been popular for quite a long time because it is strong, powerful, and classic. 

Everett/Everitt

This German name meaning “brave boar,” is a unique option for a strong boy’s name. It can be used as a boy’s name or a girl’s name, which many parents find appealing. 

Finley

The name Finley is Irish and Scottish and means “fair-haired hero.” Finley has grown in popularity in recent years as famous couples began giving the name to their children. 

Gabriel

Gabriel or Gabe is a Hebrew name that translates to “God is my strength.” With the religious references in this name, it is both strong and powerful. 

George

The name George has been around for a long time. It is a Greek name that means “farmer.” Over the years, George has been rising again with its roots in British royalty. 

Griffin

Griffin’s Welsh name means “strong lord,” making it a bold and strong boy’s name. In recent years the name Griffin has risen in popularity and is beginning to emerge at the top of the charts. 

Isaac

The name Isaac translates to “laughter” and is of Hebrew origins. This biblical name is classic and has remained popular throughout the years. 

James

Another classic name, James, means “supplanter” in Hebrew. It is a name that has been around for a very long time and does not appear to be going anywhere anytime soon. 

John

The name John means “God is gracious” and is of Hebrew origins. It is one of the strong boy’s names that has remained common over the years due to its ties in the biblical world. 

Joseph

Joseph is a Hebrew name that means “Jehovah increases.” It is both strong and powerful, and as James and John have been a top boy’s name for a very long time. 

Liam

The shortened form of the name William means “resolute protection.” Liam has become popular over the years because of its Irish nature and powerful sensibilities. 

Mason

Mason is an English name that means “stoneworker.” It has been a popular boy’s name for a long time and is even beginning to break into the realm of girl’s names. 

Max

Max is German and English and means “greatest.” It is no wonder that a name that means greatest is at the top of the strongest boy names. 

Michael

Michael is a biblical name of Hebrew origin that means “ who is like God.” For about fifty years, Michael was the number one name for boys and has remained popular since. 

Napoleon

The Greek name Napoleon meaning “ lion of the new city,” is a strong name for a boy due to its ties in both modern media and history. 

Theodore

Theodore is a Greek name that means “gift of God.” The name has a long line of historical references and has remained popular among celebrities and other influencers. 

Thor

A Norse name meaning “thunder,” Thor has grown in popularity in recent years thanks to mainstream media and its strong ties to the God of thunder. 

Victor

Victor is another name that has been around for a while. It is a Latin name that means “conqueror.” It is a strong boy’s name and holds classic references. 

William

William is an English name that means “resolute protection.” For over 400 years, the name remained second to John in popularity until it began to slow down. Since then, it has remained a top choice for strong and classic boy names. 

Conclusion

Hopefully, some of these strong and bold boy’s names were able to spark some inspiration. You can never go wrong with classics or unique choices when choosing a name for your little one. 

I think we can all agree with that!

Something is appealing about the innocence and newness of a baby. However, certain features like hair may not be as prominent when they are very young as you would like.

In most pregnancies, hair starts to develop around the fourteenth week of gestation, but this is not always the case. When they are born, some babies have eyelashes that are visible while other babies do not. So this begs the question, when do babies get eyelashes?

Eyelashes Grow in the Womb

In most cases, newborn eyelashes and eyebrows will grow while the baby is in the womb. They usually begin to grow between 14 and 20 weeks of gestation. This does not mean that you will be able to see the hair easily, though. A lot of times, the hair on babies is very fine and challenging to see. 

For example, when a baby is born, they may not appear to have hair on their heads or face. Some babies are born with very fine hair where their eyebrows will eventually be, but it is almost impossible to see. 

There are also babies born with peach fuzz on their heads that you may not easily see. Eyelashes can sometimes grow in this exact same way. 

Are Babies Always Born with Eyelashes?

There are some instances where babies are simply born without hair at all. Some just come out with no hair on their heads and no eyelashes. This is usually due to a hormonal imbalance in the womb that can delay hair growth. 

In other instances, the hair follicles are just simply not ready to grow yet. Eyelashes will show up eventually, though, so don’t worry too much if your newborn is born without them. 

Due Dates May Impact Hair Growth

Babies born prematurely are much more likely to take a bit longer to grow eyelashes than babies born on time because they were born before they were really ‘ready’. 

If a baby is born around 30 weeks or earlier, they have not had as much time as other babies to grow eyelashes. With preemies, it is essential to give them some extra time to get caught up. They will grow in eventually, likely in line with what your original due date was. 

Give Eyelashes Time to Grow

You shouldn’t worry too much if your baby’s eyelashes take some time to become visible. Avoid putting products on them that claim to make eyelashes grow faster and fuller, as those can be harmful to a baby of any age. Nature and time are the best options for healthy babies in almost every case!

But it is possible that trauma and injury may be preventing your baby’s eyelashes from growing. Try to protect their eyes and faces from heat or anything that can cause burns, as these injuries can permanently damage your baby’s eyelashes and eyebrows. Babies love to grab anything they can reach, so things like candles and other hot objects can be very appealing to them. 

Overall, health and genetics are the most critical factors in how your baby’s eyelashes grow. If you have a family with thick eyelashes, then your baby likely will grow thick ones as well. Proper nutrition is essential regardless, but eating right does help lashes and eyebrows grow well!

Please Don’t Trim Your Baby’s Eyelashes!

For some reason, it has been circulating that cutting eyelashes helps them grow longer and faster. This has made many mothers consider whether they should cut their baby’s eyelashes to help them grow. This idea comes from the recommendation to cut dead ends off of your hair to make it grow faster and thicker.

But unlike the hair on your head, eyelashes do not have dead ends that require trimming in order to grow long and healthy. 

Not only is it unsafe to attempt to cut your baby’s eyelashes as you can poke them in the eye or scratch their eyelid, but it’s also an ineffective and pointless practice. In time, eyelashes regrow on their own, but trimming doesn’t make the growth happen faster.

When Do Eyelashes Stop Growing?

Eyelashes generally grow in a similar fashion as the hair on our heads. The difference is that eyelashes tend to fall out after three months, where head hair takes about three years to fall out. 

If your eyelashes are not falling out and replenishing, there may be an internal issue going on that needs to be addressed. The same applies to babies as well, because their little bodies are always growing and developing.

Over time, eyelashes, like other body hair, begin to thin and fall off. As people get older, their hair becomes thinner. Hair loss usually starts around fifty years of age but varies based on the person, so your baby should not be experiencing thinning of their hair or eyelashes. 

If this is happening, evaluate the products you use to wash the baby as certain chemicals can cause hair to thin out. After that, check with your pediatrician for advice!

Beautiful Lashes Ahead?

It is important to realize that your baby’s eyelashes will usually depend on genetics at the end of the day. If everyone in your family has short eyelashes, the baby likely will as well. This is the same for those with long eyelashes. 

Remember that eyelashes are usually there; they just appear very fine and almost invisible to the naked eye. Just because you do not see them, it does not mean they are not there. Give it some time. 

Though newborn babies with thick, long eyelashes are stunning, they will not always be born this way. Babies born without eyelashes or with short eyelashes are just as beautiful. If your baby is a little behind in the development of their eyelashes, give them some time to become fuller, and remember that you have very little control over the role of genetics. 

Various names are derived from biblical stories or even from ancient times that have significant meanings in various cultures. Many names are translated through a variety of cultures and are used for both boys and girls.

Babies bring so much happiness and joy into our lives. This joy radiates like the sun and gives us life and purpose! 

Based on this, why not give your sweet, beautiful, radiating child a name that shows just how bright they really are? Here are 15 inspiring names that mean sun, with choices for both boys and girls.

Sun-Inspired Names for Boys

These boys’ names trace their roots to ancient times, named after individuals who have solidified themselves in history as some of the world’s most powerful men. If you are expecting a boy, you can’t go wrong with these sunny names.

Aidan

This is one of my personal favorites, as Aidan is derived from Irish Gaelic and is pronounced “Aodhan, which translates to “born of fire,” and refers to the Celtic god of the sun. Aidan is also the name of an Irish saint renowned for his kindness and generosity towards everyone he met. 

Aidan is a very popular name and ranked in the top 100 baby names on the US Social Security list for more than 15 years. 

Kiran

This name traces its roots back to India and means “ray of light.” You will like this name because it is gender-neutral and can be given to any baby. This traditional Hindu name has experienced an increase in popularity throughout the world, most notably in various western countries. There are a variety of different similar names, such as the Irish Kieran and Karen. 

Samson

Samson has Hebrew roots and is the biblical name for the sun. In biblical times, Samson was a judge in ancient Israel who led the Israelites against the Philistines that rebelled against Delilah. For families who are religious, the name can be meaningful both definition-wise and spiritually speaking.

Elio

Elio is Spanish for “the sun” and traces its roots back to the ancient Roman name Aelius and the Greek sun-god Helios. Elio seems to be one of the up and coming baby names for boys. In addition to being more widely used in the U.S., we found out that Elio is also increasingly popular in France. 

Cyrus

Cyrus is Persian for “the sun” and is popular with middle eastern descent, as Cyrus the Great was who founded the Persian Empire in 550 BC. The name Cyrus has gained popularity in recent years and has been on the rise in the United States since the dawn of the 21st century. 

Eleodoro

Eledoro’s roots can be traced back to Spain and Greece and mean “gift from the sun”. In Greece Eleodoro or Heliodoros is known as the sun god. Although this name isn’t the most popular name for a baby boy, you will love it for its uniqueness and distinct meaning.

Blaze

Other than sounding cool, Blaze is Latin for “fire.” This name for boys has been increasing since the beginning of the 21st century and continues to gain popularity. The name is derived from French and Latin. 

Blaze is a well-known saint that is known as the saint of healing throat ailments. We even found out that Saint Blaze was actually known to cure a herd of cattle and other animals at one time! This unique name is sure to stand out and make a statement, and you will enjoy its distinctive nature.

Sunny Names for Girls 

These are some of the best girl names that mean sun. They emit strength, independence, and radiance, which is everything you want your little girls to be! 

Alina

The name Alina traces its roots to a Greek origin and means “light.” The name is also represented as “independent,” “strong,” and “ambitious.” This name is meant to give off the impression of positivity and brightness. We thought this one was worth mentioning, as its popularity has increased throughout the 21st century, especially in the United States.

Ellen

Ellen, which means “sun ray or shining light” and traces its roots back to Greece, means “torch” in Greek. You can find many famous Ellens, such as Ellen Degeneres, in Hollywood making this one of the most well-known names for the sun. Although the name has significantly declined in popularity throughout the late 20th and early 21st century, you may still want to consider this beautiful name for your child.

Phoebe

Phoebe, meaning “bright and radiant,” is of Greek descent and is a biblical name in the new testament. We decided to include Phoebe in our list, as the name has seen an increase since the beginning of the 21st century, and its usage continues to increase. 

Lucy 

Lucy’s origins can be traced back to its Latin roots and means “light.” It is a variation of the Roman version of the name “Lucia”, and was a saint. Lucy gained popularity throughout the United Kingdom; however, the name later crossed the pond over to the United States. The name has gained popularity in the United States since the 1970s, and continues to be a top pick for many baby girls. 

Elaine

Elaine means “shining light” and is actually the Scottish form of Helen. Elaine has been used in a variety of folklore, such as the story of Sir Lancelot falling in love with a woman named Elaine in the riveting Arthurian story. This name was prevalent in the 20th century; however, its popularity has decreased in recent years.

Helen

Helen means “sun ray” or “shining light” and has been one of the most popular girl names, dating back to ancient times. Helen was the goddess that was the center of the trojan war and has cemented its place in history as a name that emits strength, intelligence, and the unparalleled beauty that could start a war. 

Marisol

The name Marisol often reminds you of the sun and summertime It’s no coincidence that this name rhymes with the word “parasol” and has the Latin root word sol (sun) in its spelling. The name is used in various cultures and is often recognized as one of Spain’s most common names. If your baby girl was born in the summertime, you should strongly consider Marisol.

Kyra

Derived from the male Roman name Kyros, and derived by the Greek and Egyptian name Ka or “like the sun,” Kyra is a fairly popular name in the United States, although its use has declined in recent years. 

Conclusion

The names we mentioned in this list emit strength, courage, independence, and unshakable confidence. They are cemented in history as some of the most noteworthy names that ever existed. No matter what you decide to name your little bundle of joy, we know they will provide you with all the radiance of the sun!

These toys teach children to experiment during play, which helps them develop fundamental skills like hand-eye coordination, object permanence, and more.

Elite Montessori Object Permanence Box

Mama’s Choice – Best Overall

Elite’s object permanence box teaches our babies several different skills at once, making it our top choice overall. Made from durable plywood, you can choose between a red ball and a wooden-colored ball with which your baby can play. 

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What I Love:

• Baby only has to drop the ball in the hole and watch it roll out
• Precise hand movements develop hand, finger, and wrist control
• Babies want to experiment with larger and smaller objects
• Specifically made for babies who put everything in their mouths

Babies drop things all the time, and this ball will roll away, prompting your child to go after it and bring it back, stimulating their curiosity and helping them learn to scoot and crawl. 

One concern for many parents is how many things their babies will try to put in their mouths. This toy comes with a ball specifically made for that, so you can confidently let your child play for as long as they want. 

With so many ways to play, your baby should enjoy playtime while learning necessary motor skills.

Toys Rain Rush Dexterity Toy

Mama’s Choice – Best Budget

Let’s be real. We don’t always have the money for expensive toys, even Montessori toys. Take comfort, though; we did find an outstanding toy for moms on a budget that still teaches babies essential skills.

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What I Love:

• Inexpensive but well-made with smooth wood and rounded edges
• Dual-function; baby can rattle the marbles or roll across the floor
• All paints and varnishes are safe for your entire family
• Lightweight so babies can easily play
• Similar idea to a rain stick

If you’re a mom on a budget with a baby that’s ready to start scooting or even crawling, rest assured that you don’t need to settle for lesser-quality Montessori toys. This one stimulates your baby’s natural sense of curiosity, as well as introducing them to colors, and teaching them hand-eye coordination, all in an affordable package.

Your baby can also turn it on its side and roll it away, and then scoot or crawl after it. With smooth edges and baby-safe finishes, your baby gets a quality toy from a company with over 100 years’ experience.

A portion of B. Toys’ sales goes to WE.org, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering our younger generations.

Mushie Stacking Cups

Mama’s Choice – Best Bath Toy

Fewer places are better for playtime than bath time. Babies love splashing around and playing with the suds. When they have a learning toy to play with, bath time becomes more productive.

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What I Love:

• Stacking cups create the foundation for fine motor skills
• This toy also helps babies with language skills
• Muted colors are good for babies and moms alike
• Tiny fingers can’t get stuck in the cups’ holes
• Holes are shaped differently from one another

Bath toys are among the most popular toys for babies and toddlers alike. Bath time is bonding time, so what better time to play and work on the skills your baby can learn with these stacking cups? 

The softer colors are also calming and can help your baby wind down for sleep even as they play. 

You and your baby can use these cups to build sand castles, too!

How To Choose the Best Montessori Toys for Babies

Generally, Montessori toys are all great learning toys, but we moms need to be certain we’re buying age-appropriate toys that will do what they promise. The best Montessori toys for babies are durable, safe, and simple, in addition to delivering on their promises. 

As moms, we should all be well aware of hazards involving children’s toys, so when we look for something that’s “safe,” it shouldn’t have harsh chemicals in it, use breakable materials, or contain parts small enough for our babies to swallow.

If you can, find toys that are free of BPA, phthalates, and PVC. Wooden toys with rounded edges are the best.

3 Important Factors to Consider When Choosing Montessori Toys

What are the main factors to look at when you’re trying to decide on Montessori toys? Your baby deserves the very best, so there are a few key things to consider. Knowing what these are will not only help you choose the best toys for your baby, but it will also make your shopping easier. 

1. Look for simple toys. Montessori is built around simplicity that assists your baby’s natural development. Remember, they’re learning to make sense of their world, and they do best with easily organized information.

2. Limit the number of toys you buy and that you already have. The more toys babies have, the more likely they are to lose interest quickly. Since Montessori is a learning method, you want them to maintain as much interest as possible.

3. Buy toys that use natural materials whenever possible. Since your baby is learning about the world around them, toys made from wood or metal are often superior to plastic toys. However, plastic toys work well for bath time and water play.

Other Montessori Toys You Might Consider

Our babies are all different, so they’ll show interest in different toys early on. They may show different learning preferences, too. Besides the three toys above, here are some other Montessori toys you might want to look at.

Litand Soft Stacking Blocks for Bath

Another bath toy, Litand’s soft stacking blocks for bath time has 12 blocks with shapes, textures, numbers, and letters. Your baby doesn’t just begin developing the skills that come with learning to stack objects, but they also learn to alphabetize, count, and match things to one another.

These blocks make a squeaking sound when your baby squeezes them, too, and are soft enough to serve as a teething tool.

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What I love:

• Food-grade silicone makes them safe for babies to chew
• Babies grow into them quickly and take a long time to grow out of them
• Squeaky sound sparks babies’ natural curiosity
• Different learning elements exist on each side of the blocks

What’s Meh:

• The squeaky sound can attract the family dog
• They don’t always stack as tightly as expected

These come in muted colors, so your eyes don’t start to burn from the stark primaries most children’s toys use. While babies learn primary colors first, they can expand their understanding of colors with toys like these. 

Litand works to provide quality Montessori toys for babies and toddlers that teach a wide variety of skills. They’re a solid brand if you choose to go the Montessori route for learning.

Give your baby a set of blocks that can help them grow without the worry of harm. 

Cutie Pie Montessori Rolling Drum

This is a simpler version of the rolling dexterity toy we listed above. The five brightly-colored balls inside make a pleasant rattle for curious babies while they roll it away from them.

As moms, we sometimes find it hard to get our babies to scoot and crawl across the floor regularly. They lose interest unless they have a reason to move. This toy gives them a reason.

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What I love:

• Uses unfinished wood and non-toxic paint for safety
• Excellent size for a baby’s hands
• Rattling sound further encourages your baby to crawl
• Builds early motor skills

What’s Meh:

• Unfinished wood isn’t always smooth
• Difficult to sanitize fully

You don’t want your baby learning how to throw this because someone could get hurt. However, it rolls wonderfully, and curious babies will scoot and crawl after it.

When they get a little older, they can lift and shake it in addition to making it rattle by rolling it across the house. Its lack of finish on the wood and non-toxic paint make it safe even if your baby likes putting things in their mouth.

This kind of toy is perfect for Montessori learning.

Promise Babe Baby Rattle

Baby rattles are one of the oldest toys available, but these days, you have a choice between many different versions of rattles for your little one. 

Promise Babe’s baby rattles come in shapes and colors specifically designed to stimulate your baby’s auditory and visual processing skills. Their wooden construction provides a somewhat muted rattle, helping to avoid scaring your baby with its noise (and helping to prevent all of us from getting headaches!).

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What I love:

• Shaped specifically for baby fingers
• Montessori teachings inspired each of these rattles
• Each piece makes a different sound
• Straightforward toy so even the youngest babies can play

What’s Meh:

• Can’t wash with soap and water, wipe down with damp cloth only to clean
• Must be used with parental supervision

These come in beautiful pastel colors that help your baby begin learning colors beyond stark primaries. The shapes on each rattle further help your child develop their visual skills, and the sounds pique their curiosity and stimulate their hearing. 

These rattlers can also act as teethers, although you should watch for signs of wear and replace them as soon as you notice any. 

Promise Babe’s toys are all handmade with quality and care in mind.

Closing Thoughts

Montessori toys for babies simplify the early learning process and optimize the things your baby learns early on, putting several different foundations in place at once on which they can build as they get older.

We moms simply don’t have the time to try and figure out which learning toys are best, which is one reason going with the Montessori learning method can work so well. Remember that you’ll need to buy new toys as your child gets older, but they’ll have the fundamental skills they need when they graduate to big-kid toys.

It’s more than normal to be concerned about impending fatherhood, especially the first few months. That’s why I’ve made this New Dad Survival Guide, which will help you through some of the biggest challenges and concerns when raising a newborn.

Getting Enough Sleep

Having a baby means accepting a lack of sleep, at least for a few months. Newborns spend much of their time asleep, but they can wake up in the middle of the night, needing to be cared for, especially for feedings. If you’re friends with other parents, you’ve probably heard all kinds of stories about how sleep-deprived they were. 

While you won’t get a perfect night’s sleep initially, you also shouldn’t sacrifice your health and sanity. Set yourself up for success by unwinding as best you can before bedtime. Relax with a cup of tea and a book. Make sure your bedroom and your baby’s room (if sleeping in separate rooms) are clean and relaxing. Ambient sounds, such as from a white noise machine, could help your baby feel a lot more relaxed and sleep longer. 

Keep their cribs uncluttered and make sure their sleepwear fits well and is comfy. Avoid doing anything too stimulating with them as the day winds down. This can help them better understand that nighttime is meant for relaxation. 

It’s also better to have one rested parent than two sleep-deprived ones. Take turns with your partner, letting them snooze while you handle the unexpected wake-up calls. If they’re the one who gave birth, letting them chill is the least you can do. This can also be a great way to bond one-on-one with your baby.

Sleep deprivation is typical with a newborn, but it’s not something to take lightly. Don’t use over-the-counter medications and caffeine as a substitute for actual sleep. Get rest when you can, such as taking a nap during the day while your partner takes care of the baby. Continue eating well and keep up with healthy, fulfilling activities like reading and exercising.  

The first few nights are difficult, but it gets easier with time. Eventually, you can just wake up to the sound of your baby crying like it’s an alarm clock. After about four months, you can start sleep training, teaching your baby how to fall asleep on their own. When they start sleeping through the night or at least for longer stretches, you can brim with pride and sigh with relief at the sleep you’ll catch up on. 

Diaper Changes

If your baby isn’t sleeping, they’re pooping. Sometimes, they’re doing both. Like with sleep, they make this hardest on you at first. They’ll typically need changes every couple of hours, and the output can be overwhelming. However, the more you do it, the less it will faze you. Remember: it takes a real parent to change a diaper. 

The first week of poop may take you by surprise. A newborn’s initial stools are meconium. These are black and resemble tar. Over time, they’ll develop more normal bowel movements. Keep in mind that the texture should be quite soft. It’s also worth knowing that babies can go days without pooping. This isn’t a big deal, necessarily. Talk to your pediatrician if their poop is bloody or an unfamiliar color, such as white or black (post-meconium). 

Depending on how you’re feeding your baby, they should be having bowel movements at certain frequencies. This is at least every three days for breast-fed babies and at least every five days for formula-fed babies. Ask sooner than that if you feel the urge. It’s better to be reassured than to be left panicking in uncertainty.

You don’t have to rush to change your baby’s diaper as soon as it’s wet or dirty. To be on the safe side, you should wait a few minutes, just to make sure they’ve gotten everything out. This lets you avoid having to change them right after getting them in a clean diaper. 

A used diaper is uncomfortable for a baby. Make the changing process comfortable for them by giving them a soft changing pad and handling them gently. Hold up their legs carefully as you remove their old diaper. 

Wipe them gently but thoroughly and place the wipes into the diaper before taping it up and disposing of it. Apply cream after you’ve positioned them into their new diaper. Once they’re all changed, wash up and get the station set up for their next diaper change. 

When changing a diaper, it’s not uncommon to be sprayed with a sudden shower. To protect you and the room, try using their old diaper as a shield. Accidents are bound to happen, though, and it’s nothing to sweat. Also, know that some messes are more than wipes can handle. Put your baby in a bath if you’re dealing with an especially tough situation. 

Diaper changes are necessary and another way to bond with your baby. Talk them through the process. Even if they can’t understand what you’re saying, they should still enjoy hearing your voice. You can also just sing gently to them to help create a more relaxing environment. It’s not exactly the most fun part of being a dad, but it can still be a rewarding experience. Before you know it, you’ll have changed thousands of diapers, and they’ll be potty-trained. 

Dealing with Crying

Imagine if you knew nothing but comfort. Then, you’re suddenly thrust into a world of noise, strange sights, and giant monsters. You don’t have any way to express yourself verbally. The best you can do is a high-pitched wail. 

Suffice to say, when a newborn cries, there’s a reason for it. As a new dad, deciphering the cry and figuring out how to calm your baby is tough. It can feel a little like someone throwing a Rubik’s Cube and telling you to solve it with a blindfold on. 

Some solutions are easy. You check their diaper, feed them, or burp them, and it’s all taken care of. Other times, they might just be fussy and need to be rocked gently. Don’t beat yourself up if you can’t figure it out right away.

Don’t worry if you can’t figure it out at all. Focus on helping your baby feel better. Give them a pacifier if that works for them, though be aware of the risks. Bring them closer to you and talk or sing to them in a soothing manner. 

Movement can also help calm your baby down. A motorized swing or cradle can keep them calm while giving you a break. Be careful about not letting them fall asleep inside these devices, however. This can lead to them needing movement to fall asleep. Taking them for a car ride can also work wonders. This also helps you get out of the confines of your home. 

A crying newborn longs for the comfort and familiarity of the womb. You can replicate this by playing white noise sounds, including running the vacuum cleaner. Some bassinets replicate the feeling of being safe inside the womb. Over time, with your love and patience, they can see that the real world isn’t all that scary, especially not with you around.

Managing Stress/Mood

When someone asks you about fatherhood, you might respond with something like, “It’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” However, the feelings can be complicated. Even if you’re beaming with joy at your creation and spending time with them, it’s very easy to feel stressed. You’ll be juggling multiple balls at once between taking care of your baby, going to work, and maintaining your relationship with your partner. 

Stress doesn’t go away by ignoring it or covering it up with unhealthy activities, like drinking. If you need some time to yourself, don’t keep it to yourself. Talk to your partner about it and find ways to address it while also being there for your baby. Just because you’re stressed, it doesn’t mean you can shirk your parental responsibilities.

Having a baby can teach you to rethink your priorities. You can only focus on so many things in one day. Given the choice, why would you doom-scroll through social media when you could concentrate on getting to know your adorable baby better? By letting go of stressors, you can reduce their influence over you.

Sometimes, it’s a lot more complicated than just needing to reduce distractions. Postpartum depression can affect fathers as well as mothers. Be sure to share any prolonged negative feelings you’ve been experiencing. As a father, you need to be there for your child. For that to be possible, you also need to be there for yourself.

Bonding

Every moment you have with your baby is a time to bond. Embrace this, and things can be a lot more special. You can also help them to develop a stronger trust in you. Whenever you can, find ways to extend your bond with your baby.

Talk to them often and mix it up. Tell them about your day in a silly voice. This can also help you shake off some of the chaos of the day. Plus, you’ll help them to form their language skills.  

Physical contact is another important form of bonding. Skin-to-skin touching is important for fathers as well as mothers. It can help relegate your baby’s heartbeat and help them sleep better. 

It can also make you a lot more relaxed, able to attend to your baby more easily. Have your baby lay on your chest in just a diaper with your shirt off. Feel the rise and fall of your stomach as you breathe in and out. Notice how your baby responds and see how good it feels for you.   

Don’t despair if you don’t feel a connection right away. Some new dads feel instantly attached to their little ones, but others need more time. You’re getting to know your baby, but they’re getting to know the world as well as you. Together, you can learn how to make it through this crazy but rewarding new experience.

Conclusion

Being a new dad teaches you a lot about yourself in a fairly short timespan. There will be hiccups and other slip-ups, but these are easy to recover from. Focus on keeping your baby safe and attended-to.

Remember that through it all, you’re watching them grow up and helping them along the way. Savor these moments and the different milestones they meet. They really do grow up so fast, and the best way to slow it down is by being an active presence in their lives from the very start. 

Sometimes, you might find yourself dreaming about the day you become a mother months before it happens. You might already be pregnant, or you might have dreams out of the blue at the weirdest times and places. At times, these dreams may have clarity, while other times they don’t. 

Several experts, such as Lauri Loewenberg (Dream Expert to the Stars) say these dreams represent new goals or a new start in life. 

From one mother to another, I’m here to tell you that dreaming about birth is an everyday thing for all of us. While the circumstances of how often they occur may differ from person to person, there are meanings behind them. Once you understand these unsettling dreams, you might find that they don’t happen as often.

Meanings Behind Birth Dreams

Dreams are so abstract that we might not understand what we see or feel in our subconscious. Even if you aren’t pregnant, you can still dream about giving birth. The impact we feel from these dreams may differ from person to person, but they may share similar symbolism or meaning. 

Thinking About New Life Changes

One possible meaning behind birth dreams circles back to an expecting mother having new responsibilities or changes in your life. Sometimes, these feelings of change are positive, while some might feel negative pressure. If you’re worried about this experience, you may be more prone to having nightmares about the fear of childbirth or having pregnancy complications.

New mothers who worry about their new responsibility as a parent might manifest in dreams where they forget or misplace their babies. 

If you’re not pregnant, you can still experience these dreams if you’re experiencing new events in your life, such as a new career path, relationship, or interest.

Dreaming About How Well Your Birth Goes

If you dream about having a difficult birth, you might be facing internal conflict about achieving your goals. Having a baby might take time away from your other interests or goals, so you may need to find a balance to keep yourself from becoming overwhelmed. On the opposite end, dreaming about an easy birth might be a sign of success and happiness.

Concern About Your Baby’s Health

If you happen to have dreams about giving birth to an animal or monster, you might be fearful of your baby’s health. I know it’s easy for mothers to worry about their kids’ health and well-being — I do it all the time! But these dreams can also indicate that you have fears about your life changing as you become a parent.

If you’re stressing about your baby’s health (or someone else you care for, if you’re not pregnant or a mama yet) and are in a negative state of mind, you’re more likely to dream about them crying. If not, you might have control or satisfaction in your life, and dream about your baby being happy to see you.

Dreams Related to Your Body’s Changes

Some of the dreams you have may also correlate with how your body changes during your pregnancy. For example, if you have dreams related to water, you might be aware of your body’s amniotic fluid growth and the connection to your womb. Your body’s increased hormone production can also play a role in the dreams you have.

Dreaming About Birth While Pregnant

This one might not be so strange: dreaming about giving birth while you’re pregnant is actually pretty normal. Here are a few causes for these types of birth dreams.

Hormone Production

Typically, your body will produce greater levels of certain hormones during pregnancy, including hCG, hPL, estrogen, and progesterone. As your hormones rage, you’re more prone to experiencing impacts on your emotional and cognitive function. The more extreme these levels are, the more likely you’ll experience dreaming about birth.

Depending on which trimester you are during your pregnancy, you might experience these physical, emotional, and psychological effects from your hormones and feel drained. 

If you’re feeling nervous from a dream about your future children, it might be a sign that your body’s hormones are increasing your stress levels.

Stress and Anxiety

Becoming a mom puts a lot of pressure on many people and could affect how they process and think about the future. Pregnancy is a stressful time for some and affects their state of being. Many people may cope with their anxiety better than others but are still prone to having these dreams.

Anxiety may branch from your feelings about your maternal responsibility. These dreams might develop into nightmares about stuff happening to you or your baby and are quite common for pregnant and postpartum mothers.  

Some people feel that their dreams might predict the future, but in most cases, I think it’s related to stress interfering with your logical thinking. When I was having my first kid, my stress made me have nightmares about being stuck in a pit full of kids.

Sleep Pattern Disruptions

Another possible cause of your dreams about birth is the disruption of your sleep patterns. As your body goes through changes before giving birth, it might function in unpredictable ways. While you may find yourself getting more sleep during your pregnancy, you may feel less pleasant when you do because of the taxing exhaustion you have throughout the day.

Examples of sleep pattern changes include sleeping at different time intervals, being unable to sleep, and waking up throughout the night to vomit or urinate. If you experience any of these, it will affect your REM and how often you dream. 

Who Should I Reach Out To If My Dreams Get Too Extreme?

As you experience dreaming about birth, you might find it challenging trying to cope with them. You can seek out several outlets if you feel that these vivid dreams might affect your well-being. I recommend talking to a family member, friend, partner, or therapist if you feel overwhelmed about the intensity of your birth dreams.

If you continue having issues sleeping, try contacting your doctor for a solution that benefits you and your family (and any baby on board). They might have suggestions on ways to keep your sleep patterns balanced and uninterrupted. 

You can also keep a dream journal to write down the dreams you can vividly remember. Reflecting on the dreams and their commonalities may offer some insight!

Dream On?

Dreaming about giving birth or just being pregnant can be unsettling if you’re not expecting It can be even more frustrating if you don’t plan to have kids or you aren’t ready for a second or subsequent pregnancy! 

The good news is that pregnancy dreams don’t necessarily mean you’re pregnant — but they do indicate that there’s something in your life you need to address. Spending some time exploring your feelings can help you figure out just why you’re having these weird dreams and may even help alleviate them.