Show Mom How (Parenting Magazine): The Handbook for the Brand-New Mom

SHOW MOM HOW
SHOW
MOM HOW
THE HANDBOOK FOR
THE BRAND-NEW MOM
SARAH HINES STEPHENS
hold a hopi sunrise blessing
celebrate an orthodox baptism
have a red egg and ginger party
perfor m a yoruba blessing
stage a hindu naming ritual
name baby the egyptian way
ready your troops
keep visits safe and sweet
introduce baby to your pet
make a birth announcement
swaddle an infant
set up a nursing station
breast-feed a newborn
position baby for breast-feeding
nurse on the go
pump at work
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nurture
know when you’re ready
get ready to get pregnant
eat right to conceive
follow your fertility
get in position to conceive
try for a boy
try for a girl
understand conception
recognize signs of pregnancy
share the news
eat right for two
soar as a super mom-to-be
track baby development
read a sonogram
manage mor ning sickness
minimize swelling
ease aches and pains
avoid indigestion
sleep comfortably
stretch out in cat-cow pose
flex in cobbler pose

feel good in pigeon pose
feature your bump
keep your bump under wraps
make a 40-week plan
understand an epidural
set up a water birth
deliver by cesarean section
have a hypnobirth
avoid unwanted touching
do it while pregnant
feel sexy in your new shape
pamper yourself
mellow out with meditation
connect with your unbor n baby
read baby’s movements
read your bump
divine gender
celebrate your belly
cast your belly
prep the nursery
stock up for baby
tie a no-sew blanket
decorate a nursery with stencils
baby-proof your home
induce labor naturally
induce labor with acupressure
pack a bag for labor
deliver a baby in a taxi
bond after birth
read newbor n markings

dress baby for homecoming
hold a new baby
stimulate your newbor n
heal at home
plant a placenta
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56
prepare
baby care
pregnancy
planning
fun and
games
make baby laugh
stimulate early vision
play with your baby
roll up a boo-boo bunny
tackle tummy time
promote sitting up
encourage rolling over
strengthen with elbow stands
support a wheelbar row
make a texture tag blanket
use a texture tag blanket
play hide-and-seek
play peekaboo
play patty-cake
shake things up
move to the music
help baby crawl
encourage walking
spot movement milestones
distract baby at the store
entertain baby in an audience
keep baby calm in a long line
put baby to work at the office

make a banana octopus
cut a puzzle sandwich
engage baby’s senses
share a park playdate
make messy art
make a tiny handprint
paint under plastic wrap
paint with water
sew a cute hooded towel
have bathtime fun
play itsy-bitsy spider
make a baby-sock puppet
put on a puppet show
read with your baby
build language skills
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play
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ease engorgement
treat a blocked duct
heal cracked nipples
bottle-feed a baby
war m a bottle
burp a baby
change a diaper
pack a diaper bag
handle diaper disasters
soothe a crying infant

massage a colicky newbor n
cut teething pain
freeze a teething treat
wind down for bedtime
troubleshoot sleeping issues
fake a clean house
do yoga with your baby
gently massage your baby
care for the cord
sponge-bathe an infant
bathe a baby
take baby’s temperature
trim baby’s nails
clean baby’s gums
treat cradle cap
prevent diaper rash
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soup up your stroller
work out in a park

blend up mushy food
manage mealtime
freeze baby food
feed finger foods
eat out with baby
take a car trip
stock your trunk for trips
travel by air
take care of yourself
soothe with aromatherapy
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lear n animal signs
take a spring stroll

have fun in the summer sun
fall into autumn adventure
go for a winter wander
make housework fun
play airplane
bounce baby on your lap
build a boxcar
build, crash, kick, and roll
take great baby pictures
capture the moments
swing with a retro baby
mosh with a punk baby
go green with an eco baby
chill out with a hippie baby
tur n sleeves into pants
celebrate the big one
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10
79
Prepare all you want (#25), but as the mother of
two I can assure you that nobody is ever really
ready to have a baby (#1). The second you
reveal you are pregnant (#10), people will offer
unsolicited advice. Sometimes this can be a great
thing (#55). Other times, not so much (#30). Here
is my best piece of advice: trust your instincts. From
the moment you hear your baby’s heartbeat (#14), feel
her move inside you (#36), or gaze into her eyes for the
first time (#50), nobody will know your baby (or your body) like you do. You are
your own parenting expert. So listen to your feelings (#34), roll up

your sleeves (#79), ask for help if you need it (#63), and
don’t forget to enjoy the ride (#106)!
a note from sarah
ready your troops
share the news
change a diaper
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48
123
143
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29
have bathtime fun
build a boxcar
SARAH is a mother, children’s author, and gardening instructor
who has built her share of cardboard boxcars (#157) and
enjoyed some serious bathtime frolic (#143). After attending
eight births (#48, #26) and giving birth twice (#29), she still can’t
quite get over the fact that we all arrive in this manner. Though
her kids are now school-age, Sarah can still play a mean game of
peekaboo (#123) and handle whatever life throws her way
(#81). She would like to thank her momtourage and the best
baby-daddy in Oakland for everything, always.
pack a bag for labor
play peekaboo
handle diaper disasters
have a hypnobirth
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43
44

how to use this book
In the pages that follow, virtually every piece of essential infor mation
is presented graphically. In most cases the pictures do, indeed, tell the
whole story. In some cases though, you’ll need a little extra infor mation
to get it done right. Here’s how we present those facts.
tie a no-sew blanket
decorate a nursery with stencils
Position ruler.
Cut a square at each cor ner.
Stack them.
Cut two pieces of fleece.
Flip; knot remaining pairs.Knot every other fringe pair.Cut fringe on all sides.Cut to create fringe.
Pour paint into tray.
Secure with painter’s tape.
Position the stencil.
Clean the surface.
Remove stencil; let wall dry.
Apply paint over stencil.
Dab to remove excess.
Dip brush tip into paint.
make a texture tag blanket
4 ft (1.2 m)
3 ft
(1 m)
4 in (10 cm)
4 in (10 cm)
½ in (1.25 cm)
MEASUREMENTS When
measurements matter, find
them right in the box.

2 c
(475 ml)
3 ft
(1 m)
MORE INFORMATION Follow
the * symbol to lear n more
about the how and why of the
given step.
For your safety and your baby’s, always paint in
a well-ventilated area and use low VOC paint.
paper
towel
120
ICON GUIDE Throughout the book, handy icons show you just how it’s
done. Here are the icons you’ll encounter.
Check out the timer to lear n
how much time a relatively
short task takes.
2–3
min
SAFETY NOTES When doing the ac tivities in this book, always take care to
ensure that you and your child are safe. Keep these guidelines in mind:
• During and after pregnancy, consult a physician before attempting any activity involving physical
exer tion, or whenever your condition could impair or limit your ability to engage in an activity.
• Do not leave your child unattended, even for a brief moment, during any activity. Be particularly
cautious when participating in any activity involving water because of the risk of drowning.
• Keep small items, such as coins and candy, out of baby’s reach. An item smaller than 1¾ inches
(4.5 cm), such as a latex balloon or piece of paper, is a choking hazard. A good rule of thumb: if
it can fit through a toilet paper roll, it is not safe for play.
• Also make sure that any string is no longer than 7 inches (18 cm). Never leave your baby

unattended with ribbons or strings, as they could pose a str angulation hazard.
• Before tr ying an ac tivity, assess whether it’s appropriate for your child’s level of development.
Use writing and crafts materials that are nontoxic and have been approved for your child’s age.
• See #45 for tips on making your home safer for baby; for example, remove crib mobiles once
your baby can push up onto hands and knees.
All infor mation in this book has been carefully researched and fact-checked. However, the publisher
makes no war ranty, express or implied, that the infor mation is appropriate for every (or any!) individual,
situation, or purpose, and assumes no responsibility for er rors or omissions. You assume the risk and full
responsibility for all your actions, and the publishers will not be held responsible for any loss or damage
of any sort, whether consequential, incidental, special, or otherwise that may result from the infor mation
presented. Just between us, though, you’re probably safe making a blanket (#43).
CROSS-REFERENCES When one
thing just leads to another, we’ll
point it out. Follow the links for
related or interesting infor mation.
The calendar shows how many
days, weeks, or months an
activity requires.
Look to the ther mometer to
lear n the temperature needed
for a given action.
Repeat the depicted action the
designated number of times.
Phew—fumes! Open a
window before perfor ming
this activity.
Just how hot, you ask? Cook
over low, medium, or high
heat, respectively.
TOOLS Everything you’ll need

to perfor m an activity appears
in the toolbars. Having a hard
time deciphering an item? Tur n
to the tools glossary in the
back of the book.
ZOOMS These little circles
zoom in on a step’s important
details, or depict the step’s
crucial “don’ts.”
make a texture tag blanket