by Mindy Belcher | Jul 22, 2015 | Helpful Hints
If you’re looking for a child photographer to do portraits near Cascades VA then you’ve come to the right place!
The baby arrives and before you can blink it is time to start thinking about babyproofing the house. This definitely needs to be done before your little ones starts to crawl. Once the baby is mobile then there are all kinds of dangers that need to be avoided. Planning ahead while you are still pregnant gives you a headstart and saves a lot of last minute scrambling.
Here is some great advice from Babyproofing Essentials from Mom.me.
Baby Gates-putting these up controls where your baby how far your baby can travel so you can keep him in your line of vision at all times.
Outlets-all of these should be covered
Table Corners– Either make or buy foam cushions to protect baby from any sharp edges.
Bathroom Sinks and Cleaning Supplies – All cabinets containing dangerous household chemicals should be secured that the baby can not access it.
Dressers-need to be secured to the wall to avoid it fall on your toddler.
Toxic plants-Plants can be very dangerous for babies as they love to put things in their mouth. Leaves, stems and berries can cause serious harm to the infant.
Here is a list of toxic plants
- Philodendron
- Pothos
- Arrowhead Plant
- Calla, Easter, Rubrum, Tiger, Day, Peace and Asian Lilies
- Dieffenbachia
- Oleander
- Caladium
- Mother-in-Law’s Tongue
- Ivy
Toilet lock – A child can drown in just an inch or two of water. Better to be safe than sorry.
Oven Lock- Keeping baby safe from dangerous heat and burns
Garbage-Have a secure way of keeping garbage out of baby’s hands and mouth.
Door stops and holders-Keep those little fingers from getting pinched or hurt.
Windows-cords from blinds or curtains can be hazard to baby. Protect windows with cord winders and screen guards. If at all possible keep windows closed around the baby.
One other very important safeguard is the baby’s crib. Once the baby can pull himself up, move the mattress to the lowest position. Also take out any objects from the crib that the baby could use to step on to try and make the great escape!!! Doing a few safety things will keep you sane and keep the baby safe!
Ever After Baby Portraits is comprised of Mindy and Joriana Belcher, a mother-daughter photography team located in Northern Virginia. They specialize in candid, emotional and artistic images.
Family means everything and capturing those precious moments to preserve forever will mean family heirlooms for you to share for years to come.
Best,
Mindy & Joriana – Contact Us!
View Our Portfolio | View Products | Ever After Baby Portraits |
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by Mindy Belcher | Jul 14, 2015 | Helpful Hints
Northern Virginia photographers located near Brambleton VA is great to search for a family photographer.
For women who are going to give birth for the first time, the thought of going into labor and delivering a baby can be extremely overwhelming. There are certain things you can do prior to the delivery time to help you both physically and mentally understand what is going to happen when the time comes.
How To Make Labor And Delivery Easier: 5 Tips | Girls Gone Strong gives you an overview of techniques to use so you can prepare and feel more relaxed.
1). Managing Your Emotions
Your emotional state is definitely connected to how you are able to respond to the physical feelings you experience. It is important to feel comfortable in your own space and be able to go through the labor process at your own pace. Having a good support system of people around you to help you focus on your body and be more relaxed.
2). Breathing Your Baby Down
Breathing is essential to birthing. It helps to manage the pain to get you through the labor process.
INHALE BREATH:
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by Mindy Belcher | Jul 7, 2015 | Helpful Hints
If you’re looking for a professional photographer near Broadlands VA then the best newborn photographer is here.
Summer is here! The heat, humidity and strong rays from the sun can affect your baby. It is important to take precautions to protect your child, especially babies that are less than six months old who should never be exposed to direct sunlight. After six months, keep children away from the strong rays as much as possible. Wearing a hat, sunglasses and using an umbrella on the stroller is a good start.
Here are some other useful tips from Summertime Safety For Baby by The Bump.
Using sunscreen, babies under six months normally should not wear sunscreen. If you are going to all day trip to the beach you may want to use sunscreeen. Make sure to bathe the baby afterwards. Once baby is old enough, look for sunscreen with inorganic filters (like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide), which may be less irritating to baby’s skin and eyes.
Look for clothing that has built in UV protection which will help with sun protection.
If you are using a pool in your yard, make sure to empty it every night. Any water could cause danger for your baby. Learning CPR is important when you have a child around water as another saftey measure.
If you are near water always keep your baby within arms reach.
Using insect repellent on babies only after they are over two months old per the American Academy of Pediatrics. Check the labels to make sure that there is NEVER MORE than 30% DEET or picaridin concentration. Oil of lemon eucalyptus shouldn’t be used on kids under three years. If you pick a natural repellent, look for age restrictions printed on the bottle.
When you do apply repellent, do so sparingly, and only on exposed skin. Don’t put it on hands, areas around the eyes and mouth, or any irritated skin or wounds. If you’re spraying, do it outside and away from food. Once you’re back inside, use soap and water to wash away the repellent.
Avoid areas that attract bugs, including open foods, blooming gardens and stagnant water.
Having a picnic or barbecue outdoors. Don’t let the food sit outside for more than two hours, or if the temp is over 90°F, one hour. Also, try packing the picnic the night before and refrigerating it — this way, it’ll stay cold longer once outside.
Check out the playground before you let the little one play. Any metal equipment — especially slides — can really heat up under the sun.
Ever After Baby Portraits is comprised of Mindy and Joriana Belcher, a mother-daughter photography team located in Northern Virginia. They specialize in candid, emotional and artistic images.
Family means everything and capturing those precious moments to preserve forever will mean family heirlooms for you to share for years to come.
Best,
Mindy & Joriana – Contact Us!
View Our Portfolio | View Products | Ever After Baby Portraits |
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by Mindy Belcher | Jun 30, 2015 | Helpful Hints
If you are looking for pictures of babies then our studio located near Ashburn VA is the best place to see adorable photography.
Are you anxious about where to go with your baby on your first vacation? With a new little one there are many factors to consider into where you will go and how you will get there.
Here are some helpful hints to find the perfect spot for your new family from The Best Baby-Friendly Vacation Spots (And Where Not to Go) – Family – Parenting.
A cruise is a viable choice. It may sound crazy but selecting the right cruise is a great to enjoy the outdoors without a lot of the hassle. You can go out for a few hours and return to your room for a break when needed. Some cruise lines are very baby friendly where you can order diapers, wipes and other necessary items ahead of time so you don’t have to pack these things. There are loads of activities on the ship so you can be entertained without having to go very far from your room.
If you are a beach person then renting a beach house within driving distance from your home is a fun trip. The benefits of you will save money by groceries versus eating out and having to take the baby with you. You can also pack as much as you need for the baby. You can make the trip a family affair by inviting other family members to join you.
If you want to treat yourself a stay at a luxury resort is a good choice. A lot of the resorts have meals and activities included so everything is there so you don’t have to leave the resort. Most resorts do provide for infants with baby proofing items for your room or having a nanny you can hire if you want some alone time with your partner.
A visit to the new grandparents is good trip for the first time. A welcome treat for Grandma and Grandpa to bond with their new addition to the family. You can bring everything you need and is more economical with not spending money on hotel or meals.
Camping is not the best option as it will be a lot of work and not have a lot of relaxation time in this setting.
Ever After Baby Portraits is comprised of Mindy and Joriana Belcher, a mother-daughter photography team located in Northern Virginia. They specialize in candid, emotional and artistic images.
Family means everything and capturing those precious moments to preserve forever will mean family heirlooms for you to share for years to come.
Best,
Mindy & Joriana – Contact Us!
View Our Portfolio | View Products | Ever After Baby Portraits |
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by Mindy Belcher | Jun 15, 2015 | Helpful Hints
If you’re looking for a baby photographer in the Sterling VA area then you’ve come to the right place for professional pictures.
When you are expecting it is normal to be anxious and excited. If you own a pet then you will have concerns as how your pet will get along with the new addition to the family. There are some steps you can take to prepare ahead of time before the baby’s arrival.
Here are some guidelines from Pets and the New Baby: What’s Safe, How to Prepare to help you with this transition in your life.
When you begin to bring in baby items and furniture to set up your nursery the pet may realize that something is changing and you need to be aware of your pet’s needs. For dogs it might be wise to have a CD of baby noises to expose them to the sounds and also to new scents like baby lotions etc. It is best to have your pet gradually become use to the idea that a new baby is coming.
Decisions regarding whether the pet will be allowed in the baby’s room should be made ahead of time. If you are not going to allow the pet in the nursery then use safety gates or screen doors so the pet you can see and hear the activity and not be left out. Pets do need time to adjust to the baby gates.
A new routine will need to be created as you will not have as much time to spend with your pet once the newborn is here. When you go on walks with your dog while you are pregnant, take along your new baby stroller and place a doll in it. This will teach the dog that there will be a new person going along as part of the process.
Make a plan on who will care for your pet when you are in the hospital when you have the baby and after you come for the first few days. Ask a friend or relative who is reliable to help you out with this so the pet’s routine is not too disrupted. When coming home from the hospital after the birth, it is a good idea to let someone else carry the baby inside. That way you can greet your pet to help keep a calm environment. After the baby is at home, spend a few moments with your pet letting them know you care.
When your baby and pet are in the same room you need to be present to supervise the situation as babies make sudden movements which might frighten your pet.
Ever After Baby Portraits is comprised of Mindy and Joriana Belcher, a mother-daughter photography team located in Northern Virginia. They specialize in candid, emotional and artistic images.
Family means everything and capturing those precious moments to preserve forever will mean family heirlooms for you to share for years to come.
Best,
Mindy & Joriana – Contact Us!
View Our Portfolio | View Products | Ever After Baby Portraits |
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by Mindy Belcher | Jun 9, 2015 | Helpful Hints
If you’re looking for maternity photos near Loudoun VA then you’ve come to the right place for professional photos.
If you are going to be a parent for the first time, it can be overwhelming to have a new person to take care of twenty four hours a day. Here are some facts from 10 Things to Know About Newborns to prepare you and give you a headstart on what is coming.
After the baby’s arrival into the world, their head may be a little smooshed from the trip through the birth canal. Puffy faces and eyes that are often shut can happen. It will not be long before this disappears.
Smiling or cooing will not appear until your baby is about six weeks. So something to definitely look forward to on those long nights during the first few weeks.
Sponge baths for baby until the umbilical cord falls off. If the cord is kept dry it will fall off faster usually within two weeks. It the cords gets wet just pat it dry. After the cord falls off there might be a little bleeding which is normal.
New moms and dads may be nervous about the soft spot which is the opening in the skull which allowed the baby to come out of the birth canal. It’s okay to touch the soft spot and baby’s hair near it,” says Tanya Remer Altmann, MD, pediatrician and author of Mommy Calls. The spot may pulsate because it’s directly over blood vessels covering the brain.
Worried about if your baby is eating enough! The weight of the baby is the best way to tell. Your newborn will lose about 5 to 8 percent of the birthweight in the first week but should gain it back in the second week.
Dry skin is very common for the newborn. You don’t have to do anything about it but if you want to purchase a lotion the new best kind is the hypoallergenic baby lotion that is fragrance free. Diaper rash and baby acne may appear. The acne might last for a few months according to Laura Jana, MD, pediatrician and coauthor of Heading Home With Your Newborn.
You can go out in the world and live your life. Just use common sense when traveling with your newborn. Keep the baby out of the sun and don’t be around people who are sick. It is best for visitors to wash their hands before handling the newborn.
Crying is how baby communicate whether they are hungry, need to be changed or want mommy and daddy to hold them. In time you will know what your baby needs and what the crying means.
Sleep will feel like a luxury. Since the baby eats every two to three hours you will not get a lot of sleep. By 3 months, most babies can sleep for six to eight hours. Meanwhile try to get your baby on a day and night schedule.
If you become stressed and exhausted, realize this time will go very quickly. Make sure to take lots of photos and write down the special moments so you can reflect on those memories as your baby grows and changes so quickly.
Ever After Baby Portraits is comprised of Mindy and Joriana Belcher, a mother-daughter photography team located in Northern Virginia. They specialize in candid, emotional and artistic images.
Family means everything and capturing those precious moments to preserve forever will mean family heirlooms for you to share for years to come.
Best,
Mindy & Joriana – Contact Us!
View Our Portfolio | View Products | Ever After Baby Portraits |
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