by Tanvir | Jun 8, 2025 | Uncategorized
I am pleased to announce that the Pregnant Pauses website blog is up and running.
With this blog, I will be able to provide up-to-the-minute information to keep you in the loop with what is happening with Pregnant Pauses. This will include, but is not limited to, new product information, where I will be next, tips and tricks to help you on your journey…and much more!
I hope you’ll check these pages from time to time since they will be updated regularly. As always, please feel free to contact me with any comments or questions you may have.
Sincerely,
Alan Questel
by Tanvir | Jun 8, 2025 | Uncategorized
Preparing for the Little Arrival by Christine Cohen (www.momlifesavers.com)
preparing for the little arrival
You’re having your first child and the ‘nesting’ instinct hits, and you head out to stock up on baby supplies. Standing in a baby store, you find yourself faced with HUNDREDS of childcare products, along with a kindly salesperson trying to sell you all of them! This can indeed be an overwhelming experience. Here’s a must-have, bare bones list of necessities to have on hand when the baby comes home. Compiled by moms who have been there, this should help streamline your shopping expedition.
For Baby – Clothing
Lots of onesies and sleepers to cut down on laundry.
Gowns are great for quick and easy diaper changes.
Sleep sack (wearable blanket that zippers on and off).
Easy wash and wear cotton outfits with snaps (“fancy” clothing is cute, but not as comfortable for baby).
Diaper Changing
Disposable or cloth diapers.
Changing table pad and washable terry cloth covers.
Disposable wipes or soft cotton face cloths
Diaper cream (Destin, Aquaphor, or A+D ointment).
Vaseline, baby oil.
For circumcision care, use Bacitracin or Vaseline in a tube, and gauze.
Diaper pail – don’t forget a stick up deodorizer affixed inside.
Basket of changing supplies to keep in a different part of the house where you and baby spend a lot of time.
Bathing
Soft & tiny wash cloths.
Soap-free, hypoallergenic baby wash and lotion.
Baby bath tub.
Hooded towels.
Baby powder with corn starch.
Baby Care
Infant nail clippers.
Thermometer.
For umbilical cord care use rubbing alcohol and cotton balls.
Aspirator bulb and saline drops to moisten and clean the nasal passages.
Feeding
Burping cloths.
Lots of bibs.
Nursing supplies.
Bottles – at least six, cleaned and ready to go.
Choose a bottle that you’re sure to stick with, as babies often won’t switch nipples once you start on a certain type.
Method to warm bottles quickly.
Comfortable chair to sit in for feeding – a stool is great for back support.
Side table to hold drinks and supplies.
If you are nursing:
Nursing pillow.
Nursing pads.
Two or more nursing bras and pajamas.
Breast pump.
Breastfeeding reading materials for help, along with phone numbers of people for support.
Nighttime
Crib or co-sleeper beside your bed so baby is nearby.
Waterproof mattress pad.
Bedding for the crib.
Nightlight for feedings and diaper changes and a light with dimmer switch.
Video Monitor.
Equipment
Car seat and stroller.
Changing table at proper height so you won’t strain your back.
Bassinet.
Portable swing.
Good baby book for easy reference.
Charger for phone so you are ready to take videos and photos at any moment.
Extras
Hypoallergenic baby detergent for washing clothes, at least initially.
A pacifier – save the one you get from the hospital.
Thin, stretchy blankets for swaddling.
Flannel receiving blankets or cloth diaper, for swaddling, burping and a million other uses.
Diaper bag stocked with items you need when you’re out and about.
A few infant toys and mobiles.
Cool-mist humidifier.
Relaxing music – small speaker to your iTunes.
Love, patience, support from family and friends!
by Tanvir | Jun 8, 2025 | Uncategorized
Happy Mother’s Day!
(Or, how to handle disappointment and guilt on Mother’s Day)
By Melissa Caddell
Ahh, Mother’s Day! That one day a year moms get to sleep in! And get served breakfast in bed! And feel all honored and pampered!
(If you’re already laughing, I can only assume this isn’t your first child and you know what I’m talking about.)
Before I was a mom, I had this idea about how I thought Mother’s Day went and it mostly involved moms being waited on hand and foot, flowers, meaningful cards and brunch. (Please imagine this with a soft photo filter in place and peaceful music playing.) But sometimes the realities are that Mother’s Day can serve up some less-ideal emotions like disappointment and guilt.
You might experience disappointment because the day—this day you’ve looked forward to claiming as your own!—doesn’t look like you wanted it to. Especially if it’s your first Mother’s Day and if you’re still pregnant. My husband forgot about me on the Mother’s Day that came just 3 weeks before I gave birth to our first child. FORGOT. Or, should I say, didn’t know I counted since the baby wasn’t born yet. The nine months of care and nurturing and doctor’s appointments and not riding the roller coasters or eating soft cheeses hadn’t counted, apparently. Oh, you and I know they counted, but my dear first-time-father partner somehow missed the connection. (He does apologize for this first Mother’s Day snafu pretty much every year. Possibly because I bring it up…?)
The other emotion you might be surprised by on Mother’s Day is guilt. Sure, we want those cards filled with lovely ‘Best Mom’ sentiments, but oftentimes we don’t feel like a ‘Best Mom’. Or even a good mom. Getting little chubby-armed hugs with, ‘You’re the best-mom-in-the world!’ whispered in our ear can feel false. Sometimes all we see is where things are hard or where we feel like we’re failing. Can Mother’s Day be over so we can go back to our regular, non-honored mom life? (Except brunch—we could do that every day!)
Here are a few things you can do to be a mom who enjoys Mother’s Day:
1) Be honest and clear about what you want Mother’s Day to look like. If it’s brunch out, make the reservation. I know, I know—you shouldn’t *have* to do it yourself, but as the mom of the family, you set the emotional tone. And you don’t want your kids talking about how Mother’s Day always sucked because you were in your room, crying. Nothing can disappoint us more than unrealized expectations. Remember to actually share your expectations with your family. They really do want to honor you!
2) Accept the love and honor the people around you want to bestow on you. You may not feel like it, but it is important to them to get to do so. Mother’s Day is a chance for them to pause for a minute and think about the role you play in the day-to-day, oftentimes unglamorous, details of your family’s life. But it’s those everyday things that make a difference to little hands and hearts. No, things aren’t perfect, but no one else can love your family like you can. That is your special gift to them and it makes you the absolute best mom ever–because you adore them and would do anything for them.
So this year, and in all the years in the future, I wish you a Happy Mother’s Day! A day in which you do not fret about unrealized expectations nor refuse the honor your family wants to give you. It’s a day for you to pause and breathe and know that you couldn’t love your family any more than you do and that that’s the best thing they could ever have from you.
by Tanvir | Jun 8, 2025 | Uncategorized
By Melissa Caddell
Looking for some fun ways to celebrate Memorial Day this year? We’ve got tips to make some great family memories that even the littlest family member can enjoy with parades, picnics and patriotism!
Parade!
Nothing says ‘holiday’ like a parade. Most towns have one and they are surprisingly fun for kids (and their adults). Station your family in front of the grandstand if you want to know what all the floats are and to be in the middle of the action. It’s a good way to know what’s going on, but it may be too loud for some babies. If your little one might be overwhelmed by all the noise, consider watching from the end of the parade route where there is less commotion.
Tip: Try to avoid bringing a stroller or wagon—they are hard to maneuver through a crowd. This is a great time to pull out that baby-wearing device you have. Parades can last up to an hour, so be prepared!
Picnic!
Memorial Day is the kick-off to summer for lots of families and, thus, a great time to figure out what nearby parks are good for a family picnic. Think about if your family would do better with a picnic lunch or a picnic dinner, or even breakfast before the parade! (Then naps for everyone afterwards—yay!)
Tips: don’t forget to bring a large picnic blanket to sit on and plenty of wipes. If you’re little one is crawling, consider grabbing an inexpensive blow-up pool to set up with a blanket in the bottom of it on your picnic site. It will keep your crawler contained, but still allow them to be part of the fun. Check Pinterest for fun and easy picnic foods.
If a trek to the park is too much to manage right now, think about a backyard picnic instead! Something as simple as changing location for a meal can make it feel like a special day.
Patriotism!
In honor of Memorial Day, there will be a lot of American flags to point out to your baby. I wouldn’t go into the history of the flag just yet, but it’s a neat way to point out colors and shapes and practice your ‘USA!’ chant. Memorial Day is often considered the start of summer, but it is also a significant day for our nation and for the families that have lost a loved one. It’s a day to celebrate honor and sacrifice and spend with the people you love.
Tips: if you’ve never really celebrated Memorial Day before, it’s a great, low-key holiday to start building
by Tanvir | Jun 8, 2025 | Uncategorized
Birthing Experience Not What You Expected?
I can relate! I thought by my 3rd pregnancy, I was a veteran at having babies. My first two pregnancies were quick and easy. Before my 3rd I even secretly thought I was some kind of baby having super hero.
But I was not. I unexpectedly found myself in real trouble when my 3rd child was entering the world. When my water always broke but didn’t, and the labor came even quicker than with the others,I knew I was not prepared. I skipped Lamaze. I didn’t have a birthing plan. I trusted my natural instinct to have a baby.
Doctors and moms need to remember the birthing experience is not a one size fits all. Having babies at one point in time was a more life threatening thing to do. Moms and babies died during delivery. Recovery was longer. Expectations put on a woman who just gave birth weren’t so ridiculously high, the way they are placed on mothers today. Having a baby puts a lot of strain on an already strained body. Yes we are made for it, but we also take a beating while doing so.
On day 3 postpartum I knew it was going to take months to recover. I hurt like never before. I was even in good shape, ate well, etc. Six months postpartum and I am still healing. I’ve had to take my time. I’ve had to learn,(a few times) my true physical limits, respect them, or further delay my recovery.
With an already long recovery ahead of me, and my family far away, the extra strain on my child’s father was adding extra Mommy guilt within me. I had to accept that for that time I was going to have to limp. I was not going to be able to hold my baby as much as I wanted. Everytime I moved my leg hurt and my hip throbbed. Even sitting down with props and pillows, it felt like a knife was stabbing my leg. I couldn’t sit, stand, or lay down.
I was miserable. I felt so guilty for freaking out in labor, but I smiled and dealt with it the best I could. Long after the normal aches and pains of having a baby, I was still trying to heal my injuries. Injuries that could have been prevented. It got me thinking about moms with chronic illnesses, unable to physically care for their baby, and just how difficult that must be.
I had to accept that I was going to have to keep asking for help. That was the most difficult part for me, asking for help over and over again!
So, was your birthing experience not what you expected? Mine wasn’t. It can leave you with several mixed emotions and feelings. Although I gave it my all, my all fell short. I panicked! I was pushing through my face. I blew blood vessels, chest and leg muscles and dislocated my hip!
Take the time to educate yourself, be it your first or sixth child. What is meant to be joyous can turn ugly real quick, but it doesn’t have to. If possible have a backup helper available, not only for mothers having c sections, but for any woman dealing with the pain of having a baby. All deliveries are different, and no one wants to think they might not bounce right back. Have someone in mind anyway…
Prepare not only for smooth sailing, (epidural, birthing plan, etc) but also have a plan in place for a long labor, for real complications in the delivery, and a shoulder to cry on for when things go wrong… as they sometimes do.
Thankfully I had my Sons Father who was there for me every step of the way. He took on so much and never complained once. He helped me accept that this was an injury, and not a personal reflection of me as a mother.
We take on so much as moms and when I couldn’t do it all, or even get back to my normal speed, I relied on the support from my spouse and friends to keep me from getting down. If you find yourself feeling let down from your birthing experience just remember to reach out. Don’t be ashamed of your injury or illness, and keep doing the best you can every day.
Author of the 2006 release ‘Broken Moms’ and long time mother’s advocate, #LianaPreble currently resides in New York with her fiance and their 2 little ones. A marriage officiant proudly serving the Niagara Falls region by day and #mommy #cakeeater and #winelover by night. Freelance writer, Liana Preble, lianapreble@yahoo.com
by Tanvir | Jun 8, 2025 | Uncategorized
10. I never thought I would let my child have a pacifier for so long. Once teething was a part of our lives so was the paci. At age 3 we were at her pediatricians office for an intervention. Later that night she discovered her thumb. She sure loved her pacifier.
9. Use the t.v. as a babysitter. While Dora is exploring, mommy is showering. It’s amazing how quickly the first weeks of motherhood go by and after trying to make everything perfect and learning how impossible that was. I quietly turned on the television and stole some me time.
8. Allow kids to eat in front of the television. I was so sure I would never ever do this, ha! Just about as sure as I was my child would love her vegetables, which she was fine with never seeing another vegetable. I never factored in how much personality a little one would have! So, I gave in and we ate dinner and watched a movie.
7. Let my baby look anything but dressed and adorable. When the struggle to get dressed becomes too real and staying cozy wins I found myself letting her stay in her comfy clothes more than trying to dress her like a doll. In my mind I would put her hair in pig tails and she would love it. Reality she did not want me to brush her hair, ever. Finally at age 8 she lets me play with her hair. 🙂
6. Wipe my childs face with spit. The first time I did it my daughter called me mama kitty. I thought, this works and I can keep doing this when it needs to be done.
5. Wiping another Childs face with my spit. “My mommy is a kitty!” Oh I never ever thought id need to do this but as a mom with neighbor kids around I always seemed to be nursing a boo boo.
4. Have to deal with a child acting out in a grocery store. Wow. I always thought my kids would never act like that, turns out it wasn’t up to me. Even with all the right conditions, like snacks on hand, my daughter still flipped out when I said no to a cereal I knew she wouldn’t eat.
3. Wear shorts out in public without having shaved in a couple days. OK really more like a few days. 🙂 I’m Italian and all I need to do is listen to a good song and my stubble is back, ha. Sometimes in the throws of motherhood and not getting as many showers as I need I have found myself putting lotion on my legs so the stumble would at least be smoother.
2. Own several pairs of yoga pants. It turns out yoga pants go with everything, especially when you’re tired. Add knee high boots and I look have way decent sporting my little one around.
1. Sound like my Mother. Ugh right?!?
Author of the 2006 release ‘Broken Moms’ and long time mother’s advocate, #LianaPreble currently resides in New York with her fiance and their 2 little ones. A marriage officiant proudly serving the Niagara Falls region by day and #mommy #cakeeater and #winelover by night. Freelance writer, Liana Preble
lianapreble@yahoo.com
