Author Archives: A Strategies

1 Thing I Struggle with as a Parent

One Thing I Struggle with as a Parent

I have spoken to several parents and I’ve heard that half co-sleep or room share and the other half has their baby sleep in their room. Ironically, I did an IG story poll and the results showed 50/50.

I’m so curious about baby sleeping habits right now because I’m currently transitioning my little from my room to hers. I would’ve never thought that this would be the hardest parenting task to date. 

From giving birth, I struggled with nursery sleeping. I always battled with my public health side because so much data tells us that co-sleeping is dangerous (below are some resources). My other side loves the advantages of co-sleeping (below are resources for that too). To help ease this battle, I would try to have her sleep in the pack-n-play next to me. Now that she’s grabbing at me and trying to bounce and jump in the middle of the night, it’s a great idea to have her sleep in the crib where she’s more secure. 

We started the process of having her in her room a few weeks ago. I was so surprised because the first 3 days, she rocked it! We would just lay her down and she would be asleep in 10 minutes. It all got worse though. She would notice no one in the room and shriek. We would rock her to sleep or sit in the room but she then got used to us coming to get her and eventually stopped falling asleep unless we were in the room. After several nights of me sitting in a chair more than sleeping, I brought her back with me. Sleep-deprived Anye is scary. It’s been about a week, and I’m ready to give it another go. Today marks day 1 *again but I need help from you all. If you have had a similar situation, how did you get through it? How long did it take? I’ve found that some articles suggested that it could take up to 3 weeks. What techniques did you use to get your baby to fall asleep? Right now I set up the humidifier, a sound machine, and sleep oils (lavender, eucalyptus) What are your baby’s bedtime routine?

  1. Safe Co-Sleeping Guidelines
  2. Myths and Truths about Co-Sleeping
  3. Is sleeping with your baby as dangerous as they say?
  4. Room sharing with your baby may help prevent SIDS—but it means everyone gets less sleep
  5. Why a New Study Says Young Babies Should Sleep in Their Own Rooms
  6. Safe Sleep Tips

My Number 1 Place To Buy Baby Products

Hi readers! 

How’s parenting life going? We’ve been trying to work on an eating and sleeping schedule for Avianna and it’s been a struggle, to say the least. She did start daycare this week and the first day was rough on us. So needless to say, parenting for us lately has been an emotionally trying period. 

What I haven’t been stressing about is making sure Avianna has her necessities like pampers, wipes, and other baby items. My go-to store is Amazon because shipping is so fast and there is plenty of variety to browse. I rarely search for a baby item on Amazon and see it out of stock whereas if I go inside the store, the store will be out of her size or the brand I’m looking for. 

Here are my favorite items to snag off of Amazon.

  • Pampers! I’d like to review pampers at a later time as a video to compare and contrast brands. I love ordering diapers from Amazon. I get the monthly supply of Luvs: https://amzn.to/3sM6OnC  and it’s at my door the next day. If you buy a monthly supply it is usually cheaper than buying in stores too. 
  • For parents’ breastfeeding, I found it helpful to buy breast pump parts and milk storage bags from Amazon. Breastfeeding requires constant replacement of parts because it helps keep your milk supply.  Again, super affordable and also shipped on time. 
  • For parents’ bottle feeding, if you like to change nipple sizes, those can be found on Amazon as well. We’ve switched to formula feeding and I’ve yet to buy formula from Amazon but if anyone has, please drop the link below. 
  • My friend purchased us a diaper pail that has literally saved our lives because I have such a strong sense of smell and by using a pail, I smell nothing, not a single dirty diaper. Amazon offers trash bags to refill the pail. The best part is that these bags are scented. Here is the link: https://amzn.to/3qH2kNb 

I did most of my Christmas shopping for Avi on Amazon as well. In addition to the items above, I am able to get her clothes, shoes, baby wash, eating sets, bottle cleaning sets, and learning toys. Again, my reasoning for buying these items from Amazon is because most of the time the store doesn’t have these items in stock. By purchasing off of Amazon, I’m saving myself time. Are any of you Amazon baby shoppers? If so, what do you like to buy?

amazon shopping selfie

Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links and I may earn a small commission if you click on the link as no extra cost to you.

Pandemic Parenting Continues

Parents- How ya doing? You ok?

I have to check- in because our lives are purely chaotic and non-stop on a regular basis. During this PANDEMIC, let me just say that I am focusing on staying sane. 

With everyone in the house all the time, I’m finding it difficult to get some time away for a mental break.

The pandemic isn’t going anywhere so it’s important that we parents learn ways to take care of our mental health. My biggest struggle right now is keeping my little one busy. She loves to explore and see what she can get into around the house. I’ve probably stopped about 20 times while writing this blog trying to tend to her. I’ve tried to make sure she has a variety of toys to catch her attention but, it doesn’t match up to the pantry or TV stand. On a positive note, I’ve created a morning/night routine that I cling to. In these routines, I’ve made sure to include something self-care related so that my happy hormones are released and my mood is a little better. Triggering your feel-good hormones during stressful times have helped me get through the days that seem impossible.

If you’re unfamiliar with the happy hormones here they are and how to naturally boost them. 

 You feel more stressed, tired throughout the day, or constantly craving unhealthy foods when these hormones are out of whack. I know that you’re thinking, how could we not be feeling stressed with everything going on. I’m telling you though that with workouts built into my day, a little Sarah Jakes Roberts or my go-to music playlist, I am feeling more optimistic about managing my plate. If nothing else, try to build in an hour in your day filled with ways to boost these hormones. Need help? DM me and we can think of some ideas. If you already have these built into your day, I’d love for you to share what you are doing to stay sane.

On a final note… 

Source: AtHomeDad.org

Five Things To Do Right Now To Ease Into Parenthood This Year

five ways for parents to begin the new year

Happy New Year readers! I hope everyone had a relaxing time bringing in the new year. I’m stoked to kick this year off. I have tons and tons of content ideas to share with you. For most of the year, I’ll focus on parenthood content to help ease the transition and troubleshoot. Expect to read about choosing the right diaper for your baby, creating a schedule for your little one, and much more. Today, I’d like to share what I’m doing to begin my year of parenthood hassle-free.

purge your child's old clothing

It’s mind-blowing how fast infants grow out of their clothes. From 5 to 6 months, I spent so much time shuffling through Avianna’s closet looking for clothes she could fit. Let’s just say that she received a new wardrobe for Christmas. One thing I suggest doing at the start of a new year is to review your child’s closet and pack away or donate clothes that they’ve outgrown. I chose to save JUST in case we have another girl in the future. 

sanitize toys

You shouldn’t be unfamiliar with sanitizing or disinfecting after the year we had. Sanitizing toys is and should be a regular household chore but it’s particularly important that you give those toys a deep cleanse. Cleaners that are baby-friendly are emerging and because your child is likely to put their toys in their month, you want to disinfect with something without harsh chemicals such as bleach and ammonia. Here are a couple of favorites. Seventh- Generation Disinfectant Spray: https://amzn.to/3n66LPp and BabyGanics Multi-Surface Cleaner: https://amzn.to/3n4f8e7  

do all of the laundry

Let’s do this dirty laundry, dirty laundry as Kelly Rowland would say. Wash everything! Sheets, pillows, and baby bags. 

organize doctor appointments

If anyone regularly sees a doctor, it’s a parent. Make sure you’re organized with which days work for wellness visits and reschedule if you are foreseeing a conflict. 

focus on one aspect of your child's growth

And last but not least, try to pick one milestone to prioritize that you want your little one to meet. When I think about all of the milestones I’d like to reach with Avianna it’s overwhelming and nothing but pressure.  Instead of focusing on everything you’d like your child to learn, focus on that one thing. For us, we are focusing on having Avianna sleep in her crib in her own room. She’s never done it and usually sleeps next to us in a pack n play or co-sleeps with me. Needless to say, I want my bed back. We started off the new year by having her sleep in her room and she did so well. She only woke up once and it was around 5 in the morning. Two things that helped with this process were her sleep sound machine: https://amzn.to/3o1MfAJ and her humidifier with color night lights:https://amzn.to/3rLvVX7   (I add essential oils as well, try lavender).

I hope these tips help you start your year off with some clarity, cleanliness, and determination to beast mode parenthood. I’d love to hear from you about how you started your year. Did you enjoy what you read? All feedback is welcome.

3 Life-Changing Lessons I Learned in 2020

3 Life-Changing Lessons I Learned in 2020

Can you believe that the year is over in a matter of days? WHAT A YEAR! 2020 definitely has been full of twists and turns. I’m walking away from this year with viewpoints I didn’t imagine. Between having a baby and being quarantined for most of the year, I’ve had to learn to keep sane and push forward. As I reflect on the year, here are the three things I’ve learned that I plan to continue to value as the years continue. 

  1. Don’t undervalue your community

Being a new mom in a pandemic has its pros and cons. I enjoy having space and time to bond with Avianna however, I feel like we are missing out on play dates and family gatherings. I get really stuck some days feeling like we are missing out on so much. I don’t know about you, but my phone screen timed has increased because I’m looking into online mom groups and online shopping (okay, most of it is online shopping). The pandemic has paved the way for moms to connect outside of being in-person. It’s been great being a part of these groups since there is plenty of shared information and experiences. In addition to the mom groups, my loved ones have also figured out how to be supportive without being in-person. There are always kind texts and calls that make the day better.  It’s nice to have people check-in and be there to listen and support. 

  1. Take a moment & pace yourself 

Pandemic or not, having a moment to yourself to restore is essential. It’s hard as heck raising a kid, taking classes, trying to get my pre-prego body back, having sexy time with Diego, working a full-time job, and other responsibilities around the house. I cannot even tell you the last time I slept through an entire night. I’ve had to come to terms that not everything needs to be done in a day. It’s mandatory that I set aside time for myself every day. EVERY SINGLE DAY! Most of the time, I use my time set aside to absolutely do nothing and watch a couple of episodes of my favorite shows. 

  1. Spend Time Doing Something That Interest You

I would really be stir crazy if I didn’t have activities in the week that I enjoy. In the past year, I’ve started to take classes, launched a website, and started a podcast (somewhat).  I never thought I would like taking informatic courses! At first, I struggled to get into the groove of being in school again but now I have a schedule and I’m enjoying the weekly content ways I can use these courses to claim my bag. Aside from classes, creating this blog has been a fun getaway from the pandemic disaster. I’m looking forward to growing my audience and content over the next year. 

Who the hell knows what 2021 will bring. As I see it, we will still face pandemic restrictions while we figure out the new normal for a few months longer. Let’s continue to show gratitude, be humble, and social distance as we roll into 2021. What lessons are you taking with you into the new year? 

Photo by Oleg Zaicev on Pexels.com

‘Tis the Season For An Overloaded Mom

I have tons more respect and kudos for my mom since becoming a mother. She always made sure holidays were on point. Her story is inspiring and a whole blog topic for another day. Before having a child, I didn’t care too much about holidays at my home once I moved out. I would stay in bed, binge watch my favorite shows, and wait to get a plate from my mom’s house. I wasn’t in a serious relationship where holidays were a big deal either, so I just went with the flow.

This year, whew! Between decorating, planning meals, setting the family budget, PLUS planning gifts, and prioritizing covid, it’s been stressful. Is this how all moms feel? Why is the responsibility on us to create the aura during the holiday season? I’m not going to say that I completely hate having most of the responsibility. It’s just a lot to have in order on top of everything else I do. When it’s all said and done, I enjoy the smiles on my family’s faces.

I did a little bit of research about the responsibilities of a mother during the holiday season, and it’s common for moms to feel burnout and stress. Most of what I read centered on the common theme of canceling the idea of a “perfect” holiday and focusing on what is important. I spent hours decorating the tree and Avianna unraveled the garland, several ornaments are missing, and the tree skirt has never been in place for more than 60 seconds. At this point, forget the tree skirt, it’s not vital and the ornaments aren’t important. She’s too young to understand what Christmas is right now, so I begin to ask myself, why put a ton of pressure on myself on decorations when she will think they are her toys. I’ve become way more relaxed about the holiday since having this realization. It’s to the extent where I’m not even sure what we are having for dinner on Christmas ( I REALLY need to figure this out!). To keep sane, I’m focusing more on family time and taking pictures for Avi’s scrapbook.

For all of the moms reading, do you feel a heavier load during the holiday times? Does this get better with experience, and what strategies have you tried to alleviate the stress?

Why You Should Trust Public Health Professionals?

I recently met with two business mentors who gave incredible advice about focusing on a niche and my skills that stand out. It was suggested that I should highlight my background in public health and write content that shows I am a trusted source. I loved the idea and thought I should first write about why people should trust public health professionals. 

Public health focuses on preventing health conditions, saving money, and improving the public’s quality of life. The type of prevention can vary from laws such as wearing your seatbelt in the car, affordable housing and education, safe neighborhoods, and health statistics such as the daily covid-19 cases in your state. Public health efforts are broad but essential to help against developing type 2 diabetes, obesity, and disease outbreaks such as covid-19. Here is a detailed read about the history of public health.

My specific public health education included an additional focus on health disparities or communities who are disadvantaged and experience inequities. Schooling for public health professionals is pretty extensive. Most graduate program curricula involve research-based assignments and hands-on learning. I can’t tell you how many books, articles, and credited websites I’ve read. Most papers were no shorter than 15ish pages (I remember a final project being 40 pages). Public professionals receive training that includes synthesizing information and extracting the most credible resources to help make decisions. Think of public health professionals as the problem- preventers. We love to share information so that you can make informed lifestyle decisions. Public health professionals are essential in communities. They have helped shape some of the greatest inventions. Here are 100 of them.

How I’m Managing My Postpartum Struggles

I hope my readers had a great Thanksgiving day. I took the week off from blogging to focus on family time. Even though I took the week off, I constantly thought about what content to publish next.

This week, I’d like to focus on my postpartum journey and particularly highlight a couple of struggles I’m facing. I’ve made it 7 months with my LO (woohoo). She’s crawling, pulling herself up to stand, loves eating beans and tortillas, and allows me to sleep for about 5ish hours in one stretch. 

I’ve noticed that while I’m learning how to take care of my child, I’ve lost touch with how to take care of myself.

One thing that consistently crosses my mind being postpartum, is the idea of who I was BEFORE having a baby and the things I could accomplish BEFORE baby. I have always had a hustler’s personality and could juggle a ton of tasks at once. Now, it’s just not as easily possible with the shift in my priorities. I’m learning to enjoy everyday and to not think of life as a race.

I also struggle with accepting my postpartum body. I gained about 40lbs during pregnancy and seven months later, I am carrying 35 of those pounds. I wear baggy clothes and just am having a hard time feeling confident. If you knew me a year ago, you know I would radiate confidence so, it’s challenging not to be comfortable and confident with my postpartum body. I spoke with my friends who also have children and, they do such a great job of comforting me and giving me suggestions on changing my thought process. I believe one of them said, “You just birthed a WHOLE human. It is going to take some time”. Putting everything into perspective makes this journey easier to handle. There are a couple of lifestyle changes I am working towards but, ultimately, I am focusing on being gentle towards myself. 

I would love to hear from you because your experiences are inspiring for me when overcoming these difficulties. What did you struggle with after having your baby? Explain how you got through those tough times.

Enjoying Holiday Season During A Pandemic

‘Tis the season for gatherings. Are you going to visit family and friends amidst covid-19?

I think many of us are anxious for a social event and what better way than to enjoy dinner with family you have not saw in months. Covid-19 cases have hit an all time high. By now, you’ve had it or know someone who has had it and have established personal perceptions that influence your decisions related to safety and prevention. This blog isn’t meant to tell you what you should but I’m hoping to help you think about how you celebrate the holiday season.

For my immediate family, we are staying away from large crowds, individuals who have been in gatherings larger than 10 , and people who don’t practice consistent preventive measures such as frequent hand-washing and wearing a mask. I also have concluded that if I have to wear a mask, then I’m not going. We’ve put together a marvelous menu including our favorite foods and have board games and movies ready for the holiday season. At first, I was bummed out about this decision because it’s my little one’s first holiday season but ultimately, I know she will have plenty of opportunities to visit family if we stay isolated this season. I realize not everyone has the same perception when it comes to contracting covid-19 and don’t mind seeing family, friends and going out. I think as long as you do whatever it is you are going to do, be responsible and considerate.

Examples of being responsible during this time are:

  • Wearing a mask
  • Getting a covid-19 test
  • Avoiding large crowds and social distancing when you have to go to the grocery store. Don’t be the person that stands right behind the person in front of you checking out.
  • Staying home if you have been sick (with covid-19 or not).

Now I’m curious, what are your plans for the holiday season? How will you make sure you are at low risk?