Who doesn’t love a fun little ice cream party?

Celebrations seem to lean towards what sweet treats and this next birthday we are dishing out creamy Velvet ice cream!

Max, MamatheFox’s youngest child, is turning 6! Can you believe it? We sure can’t.

Max is not a big cake or cupcake guy, but ice cream is one of his favorite treats.  This birthday we are enjoying Velvet Ice Cream as his sweet treat.

Velvet Ice Cream is an Ohio brand with homemade roots.  Since 1914, Velvet Ice Cream has been family owned and operated in Utica, OH.  Their premium craft ice cream, with it’s signature velvety texture, has grown to be a staple in homes throughout central Ohio and across the region (OH, KY, WV, MI, IN).

MamatheFox was able to use the Store Locator “Where To Buy” tool on the Velvet website. Search your zip to see where you can find Velvet by you.

They have unique and classic flavor options. Banana Cream Pie, Buckeye Classic, Campfire S’mores, Elephant Ear, Fresh Strawberry, Raspberry Fudge Cordial, Cookies and Cream and so many more.

Velvet was started in In 1914 by Joseph Dager who immigrated from Lebanon via Ellis Island to Ohio. He began making ice cream in the basement of a confectionery in three flavors: chocolate, vanilla and strawberry. After just two years, the company produced 200 gallons of ice cream a month and the creamy, velvety texture of the ice cream inspired the name: Velvet Ice Cream. After thirty years of leadership, Joe passed the torch to the fourth generation, his daughters Luconda and Joanne Dager. He is still very much a part of the heart and soul of Velvet Ice Cream as he serves as Chairman of the Board.

Velvet is such a sought after ice cream line that they went the extra mile to make their ice cream available for corporate uses. Schools and business cafeterias can now stock and sell Velvet Ice Cream. With single serving cups, soft serve, ice cream sandwiches and other products for mass consumption.

Head over to your local retailer and try out Velvet, you will not be disappointed.

It seems like nowadays, everyone wants to achieve a rustic look in their home – especially in the kitchen. One way to do that is by installing antique-looking ceiling tiles. But, the project might seem intimidating if you don’t necessarily have a background in home improvement. 

So, are ceiling tiles really worth it to give your kitchen a farmhouse feel? Or, should you focus your attention on decor, instead? 

Let’s look at some of the benefits of ceiling tiles, so you can make the decision based on your needs, budget, and skill level. 

Pixabay

They Will Boost Your Home’s Value

Whether you plan on selling your home in the future or you just want to upgrade it for yourself, adding ceiling tiles is a quick and easy way to boost its value. 

They add to the overall aesthetic appeal to the home. And, if you choose tiles that are “on-trend,” it will even add more value since people are looking for certain styles and environments when they’re seeking out homes. 

They Are “Soundproof”

Okay, ceiling tiles aren’t completely soundproof. But, they will certainly help to block out lot of excess noise, which can create a homier, cozier environment within your house. Whether you want them in your kitchen or in other rooms within the house, they can keep a lot of sound from traveling around. That can be especially helpful if you have kids at home!

They’re Inexpensive

As far as home upgrades go, ceiling tiles are actually a pretty cheap and effective way to make a drastic difference to a room. They’re also very easy to replace if they ever get stained, chipped, or you just eventually want a different look. So, as far as decor goes, they’re one of the most cost-effective ways to upgrade your space. 

They Save Energy – and Money!

Ceiling tiles work as insulation for the home, which can not only keep you and your family warmer, but it can help to trim down your energy bills. Most heat in a home is lost through the ceiling and roof. By putting a barrier between the rising heat and the roof, more of that heat will stay trapped inside, so your furnace won’t have to kick on as much. Keep track of the savings you see on your utility bills. It won’t take long before the tiles pay for themselves!

They Hide Wires

If you have a lot of wires or conduits on your ceiling, tiles are a great way to hide them while still allowing them to be useful. Additionally, if you just have an old ceiling that just doesn’t stand out or look good, tiles can give it a quick and effective “facelift” without a lot of work involved. 

The bottom line? If you’ve been considering ceiling tiles for a while now, it’s good to know some of these benefits. You can achieve that rustic, farmhouse look you’ve been wanting in a very short amount of time, and it’s a great DIY project to tackle that shouldn’t take more than a weekend to accomplish. 

Moving your loved one into a home can be an extremely hard decision to make. It can be an uncomfortable one too, as both parties may have separate opinions on the matter. This can potentially cause some serious arguments and falling out. If this is the case, choosing the right nursing home is going to be incredibly important. This is both for your loved one and their transition, and for your own peace of mind as well.

There are thousands of nursing homes though, and they really do range when it comes to quality. From the excellent to the just outright awful. Knowing which one to pick can be incredibly hard.

So how do you choose the right one?

Well, you need to find a checklist that works for you. If you haven’t got one already. Here are some things you should be looking for.

First and foremost, you are going to want to check that they have both Medicare and Medicaid certified, as this is crucial. When it comes to learning about Medicare certification, it’s a good idea to acquaint yourself with more about Medicare part B and part A and the surrounding medical coverage it provides, as well as the details specifically pertaining to nursing homes. It is also very important to make sure they are licensed by the relevant state.

Next, you should probably check that they have a bed in a nice spot for your loved one and that if they need any special services, these will be provided at no additional cost, for example, respirators or other medical apparatus.

Another good thing to look at is the distance from the loved ones family and friends. It does not matter how great the home is if it is two hours away. You and your loved one’s friends are going to want to visit after all. We suggest anything up to a 40-minute drive away is the sweet spot.

When it comes to the management of the home, you want one that is going to be upfront about any additional fees. They also need to be highly rated on the medicare.gov. They should always be actively improving and training their staff as well as maintaining a high level of quality care. By law, they have to show you the latest inspection sheet carried out by a federal or state agency, so ask to see it. In addition, the nursing home should have a proper workflow wherein they employ the use of patient whiteboards to track their patient progress and to get the information about the personnel assigned to the patient. The home should also have a great safeguarding policy. They should be able to tell you what they are doing to prevent abuse, be upfront about the issue, and what they would do to deal with an abuse case.

The home should be within a good distance of a hospital, and there should be a thorough plan for transporting patients there, especially in the case of an emergency. The staff should also be kind, professional and polite. They should address the residents by their names and should have a warm manner. Also, they should have enough experience in this field to care for the elderly. For example, during physical therapy for seniors, the nursing home should be adequately prepared to have enough staff and therapists to assist them.

Lastly, the home should be a nice environment. There should be good lighting, the place should be clean and the furniture should be soft, yet sturdy. There should be family quiet areas and the noise level should be pleasant.

If you find a home that can answer all the questions above in a manner that pleases you, you have probably found a great potential new home for your loved one.

Who is Kindred Clothing Co.

When MamatheFox finds a small shop run by a power house mom, we just have to jump right in and support!

Kindred Clothing Co. is a design studio and boutique, as well as the headquarters for their premier line Little & Lively.

The dream was built when the owner, Carmen West, started making her daughter’s clothes due to frustration in finding locally-made baby leggings that fit cloth diapers!

I know all our Fluff Love Mamas can relate!

A family making clothes for families led to the beautiful name The Kindred Clothing Co. ‘Kindred’ literally means family; it was a perfect way to encompass their passion and heart for all families! Each article of clothing is styled and designed for taking on life with littles. Clothes made for messes, snuggles, games, errands, school, and every other adventure a family faces.

Ethically Made

Carmen’s goal as a family focused business was to honor and uphold the principles and philosophy they had as a family, that meant being an ethical and transparent business. They designed a system to source materials from ethical factories, manufacture locally, set narrow price margins, and manage resources efficiently.

They live in the same community as their headquarters location and sewing facilities. The owners take pride in seeing how The Kindred Clothing Co. is enhancing and bringing life to the community they love so dearly.

Seasonal Fabrics, Same Style

One of my favorite elements of Little & Lively is their changing of seasonal fabrics but continual simplistic design of clothes.

We’ve all done it, at least I know all of our kids have…

We find a shirt, dress, leggings, or pullover that fits perfectly. We wear it until it embarrassingly becomes apparent it is loved. Then we return to our favorite store to buy said article of clothing, and its gone.

Little & Lively design clothes that are minimalist and classic. The cuts and shape of each of their pieces are timeless and leave you feeling confident and true to self. So when your family becomes obsessed with their most perfectly designed leggings, you don’t have to fear. Little & Lively stay tried and true to their designs but spice it up with new fabrics each season.

Throughout the year new collections of prints, patterns, florals, and solids are released, sparking a whole new love for modern fashion and style. Their fabrics beautifully reflect the moody hues of the season as well as what is trending in today’s market. We are greatly anticipating the Spring Collection inspired by the colorful Latin cultures of Central and South America!

The newest collection drops 10am (PST), February 6 so mark your calendars! 

So when your daughter insists on only wearing the Little & Lively Daphne dress, you can fill her closet with a collection of stylish prints and colors! Then when a growth spurt hits, you size up and indulge in the next season’s collection of fabrics.

Our thoughts on Little & Lively Collection

There are so many things to love about the Little & Lively collection!

The first think I noticed when we opened our box of Little & Lively clothes was how soft the fabric was! Made with a blend of bamboo, cotton, and spandex the fabric is welcoming to any little who prefers to run around in their birthday suit. My son who would prefer to live life in his pajamas, was happy to wear his new pullover. He immediately  commented how cozy he felt and I immediately commented on how stylish and put together he looked.

Both of my boys rocked a graphic and inspiration design from the Little & Lively Courageous Creatives Fall Winter Collection. Just like their fabrics change so does their pressed graphic designs; some of which are created by a local artist. I am not one for letting my kids wear text on their clothing, so it was a big deal for me to happily choose not one, but two, text shirts! I just loved the simplistic, universal, and modern presentation of their graphic attire.

“Explore More” perfectly depicted my rambunctious, nonstop, curious 4 year old.

“Wonderfully Made” was for our son who we just recently adopted because yeah, he is wonderfully and perfectly made!

However, my son is not modeling his shirt due to sizing. My adorable nephew was a great stand in model for our review pictures. It seemed like all the clothing ran on the bigger side. The Wonderfully Made T-shirt is a size 1T-2T and my nephew is a very average sized 2 year old. My sister and I both agreed it was still a tad too big.

I do however think some of their clothing is meant to look over sized and styled as baggy. Long cozy sweaters or scrunched up cardigan sleeves are adorable paired with fitted leggings. So just be sure to check out their size charts before ordering.

My daughter, also feeling cozy, was too adorable in her ruffle-sleeved shirt and floral leggings. At a recent party she got endless compliments on her outfit including:

“I don’t love ruffles but her shirt has just the perfect amount. I need one in my size”

She put to test the durability of Little & Lively when she ate chili and then chocolate dessert at the party. Her shirt was black so I can’t completely attest to staining, but to me it seemed like her clothes washed easily and came out looking new while still feeling as soft as ever!

It was love at first sight when it came to Little & Lively leggings. Made with the same gentle bamboo blend fabric, these leggings were a hit! The best part is their baby leggings (0-24m) feature a “pitched” waist band that is higher in the back than the front to offer ample room for diapers!

And yes mamas, they didn’t forget about you! They make leggings all the way to women XL.

Little & Lively actually sell clothes for the whole family!

They design clothes for men, women, children, and infants; ranging in sizes from mens XL all the way to newborns! They also include accessories, hats, beanies, swimwear, and bonnets. Almost all their fabrics and pieces overlap into each collection making family coordination simple! Mom’s and daughters can wear matching dresses, dads and sons can have matching pullovers, or everyone can be wearing the same fabric in a variety of pieces!

This will not be the last time Little & Lively dress our family! With Little & Lively, my husband can be happy he doesn’t have to sacrifice his style, if you can even call that, to match the family. The boys are happy because their clothes are comfortable and durable and let them explore and create.

My daughter takes delight in feeling pretty and feminine while having staple wardrobe pieces that can be bought again. I am relieved because everyone looks put together and not begging to change the second we get dressed.

And the world is happier because another company is delivering style and creativity while still upholding ethical and quality business principles.

I call that a Win! Win! Win!

So don’t forget to mark your calendar for February 6, and dress your family in Little & Lively’s newest collection! 

Get Connected with Little & Lively.

One of the best things about living in the modern world is that the level of healthcare is so high. We’re prone to take many conveniences of modern life for granted, but this is perhaps the positive aspect that is overlooked the most. If you had been born in, say, 1700, then you’d have to contend with many more illnesses and diseases than you do now, and when you did fall ill, you may have been subjected to treatments that would not be allowed today. Additionally, we have so much technology at our fingertips that they couldn’t have even dreamt of 100 years ago, let alone 300. With artificial intelligence and health analytics now being the way forward, it’s hard to imagine what a life without advanced medical care would have been like.

And it’s not as if healthcare organizations have just advanced to a certain standard, and then stopped. They carry on developing and improving, in order to offer the best care possible. In fact, just recently, essential healthcare programs such as Medicaid and Medi-cal (check out some of the medical benefits here) have made it possible for people who come from low-income families to receive vital healthcare that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to get. Even the thought of there once being a time that this wasn’t possible is disheartening, and we should be glad that services and healthcare professionals are continuing to make advancements when it comes to the services that are being offered to the wider community.

Thanks to technology, healthcare is now more reliable than ever. We can be confident when we go into hospital that we’re going to come back out again cured of whatever illness or injury we were suffering from. This is partly due to the high reliability of management software nowadays, helping operations to run smoothly. Gone are the days of faxes and pagers – everything is run on one centralised system, keeping everyone up to date and in the right place.

Another way they do this is through benchmarking. This is the process of establishing standards and then comparing those standards with other hospitals and healthcare practices across the country. This can help a healthcare organization to determine where they’re excelling, where they’re falling behind, and what they’re not doing at all.

There are many benchmark parameters used, but the five most important are probably ones relating to the treatment of heart attack patients, emergency department care, and overall hospital performance. Hospitals like the Cardiovascular Group and similar others who are into heart care tend to be looking at these benchmarking parameters as the use of these parameters can help hospitals to become more efficient with their care and improves the standard of care for patients.

Of course, in order for this process to work well, there needs to be reliable data and interpretation of this data. To learn more about the process, check out the infographic from USC below.

Infographic Design by USC USC

Pexels

You may be at a point in your life where your kids are a little older, and you’re ready to now focus on yourself and your goals. One of your objectives may be to give more time and attention to your career in the upcoming years.

It’s going to take hard work and dedication to get ahead in your career and advance to new levels of success. You can’t sit back, hoping and wishing that an opportunity will fall in your lap. Instead, be proactive and use these tips to help you beat out the competition and make sure you get noticed at your workplace.

Discover Your Passion

You’re more likely to get far in your career when you love what you’re doing. Therefore, it’s worth taking the time to figure out your true passion in life and how you want to spend your days. It might be working with kids or finding a job that will require you to problem-solve regularly. You can advance your career when you can pinpoint what’s going to make you feel excited to get out of bed each morning. For example, if you are an outgoing individual with strong interpersonal skills, you might want to consider careers in pr. The more you’re able to apply your skills and strengths and challenge yourself, the more engaged you’ll be in your role and motivated you’ll be to push yourself.

Learn to Earn More

Another tip to help you advance your career is to learn ways for how you can earn more. For instance, if nursing is your passion, then you can apply for programs at a school such as Regis College and understand ways for how you can earn a better salary and increase your earnings. Get ahead in your role by pursuing further education and certifications, gaining experience over the years, and getting better at negotiating what you think you should be earning. Knowledge is power, and the more of it you have in your particular field or industry, the greater respect you’ll gain and more job opportunities that will come your way. Gaining knowledge and educating yourself by acquiring new skills is always a good option to level up your career. This could be accomplished through classes or certifications that might help you in strengthening or elevating your skills. For example, if you work in IT, signing up for Microsoft Certification Exams (such as an az-104 exam), could improve your insight into the tech sector.

Set Goals & Track Your Accomplishments

It’s essential to always be improving your skills and abilities in your field if you’re serious about reaching new levels of success. Advance your career by continuously setting new goals you want to achieve. Never settle for mediocre and avoid getting too comfortable in one role or place at work. Not only come up with new goals but then track your accomplishments yourself so you can make others aware of what you’re doing to help the company progress. Take these notes with you to your performance review meetings and make sure your boss is aware of all the hard work you’re doing. Instead of waiting for people to assign you responsibilities, take the initiative to find the gaps, and come up with solutions to everyday problems you and your team members are facing.

Go Above & Beyond at Work

When your job becomes easy or mundane is usually the same time you become bored or disengaged in what you’re doing at work. Therefore, it’s in your best interest to go above and beyond at your job and step outside your comfort zone regularly. To earn a promotion, you’re going to have to take on new responsibilities that may not be in your job description and realm of knowledge. You can’t be afraid to make mistakes and do more than what your superiors expect of you. You can advance your career by volunteering to lead challenging projects or raising your hand when your boss is looking for someone to work with a difficult client.

Network

You never know who you’ll meet that’s going to be able to help you advance your career. Continue to build your network of contacts throughout your professional life, so there are people you can turn to in times of need, or to discuss business over a cup of coffee. It may also be helpful to find a mentor or work with someone like ApexCareerServices.com to get some career advice from and depend on to guide you in finding more success in your industry. Stay in touch with those you meet and try to give back to others when they need help with their careers as well.

Be Patient & Keep Your Options Open

Being able to advance your career isn’t going to happen overnight and will take time. Remain patient and continue to take care of and look out for yourself throughout your journey and avoid letting obstacles that arise get you down. Gain as much experience as you can over the years and remind yourself how far you’ve come whenever you’re feeling frustrated or defeated. Keep an open mind because sometimes getting ahead means changing jobs, switching companies, or finding a new career path altogether. Maybe start a business, if you have any product ideas. You can approach a business consultant for advice and make use of trade show displays to market your product. You never know when an appealing opportunity will present itself, so stay flexible and receptive to new ideas and options that come your way.

Speak to Your Boss

If you’re happy in your job and with your career overall, then all it may take to get ahead is to have a conversation with your boss. Let him or her know that you like what you do but have the desire to take on a higher level and more challenging role in the future. Come up with a game plan together for how you can get from one place to the next in a timely fashion. They may have ideas and feedback for you that you haven’t thought of or previously considered. Show an interest in your job and career, and those you work with will likely be receptive to helping you meet your professional goals.

Conclusion

It’s never too late to make a change or give yourself another chance when it comes to your career. Apply these tips, and you’ll likely find success when it comes to advancing your career and improving your skillset. There may be roadblocks and struggles along the way. It’s good practice to view these instances as learning opportunities instead of allowing them to define you or determine your future. What’s most important at the end of the day is that you enjoy what you’re doing and are proud of the work you’re producing.

The Gulf of Mexico is surrounded by extraordinary beauty and adventure on all sides. The coastline encompasses five US states and five states in Mexico, and offers up a dazzling array of beaches, landscapes, and cultures, perfect for a summer vacation. While a trip of this kind might not be possible with a single person planning it, a luxury travel guide or an expert in the field would be able to help you witness the beauty of this resplendent holiday destination.

That said, in some cases, people love going so much that they’ll consider getting a timeshare. However, make sure you know what you are getting into and beware of Mexico timeshare scams. If you are not using it much and are finding it hard to keep up with payments meaning that when you do go away your vacation is not as fun because of the worry, you may want to look into timeshare exit companies to see how they can help you with this. Your vacation should be enjoyed at these amazing spots, so do the best thing for your family.

One of the best ways to see the Gulf of Mexico is in comfort and style on a cruise from Tampa. Enjoy the luxuries on board, and take the chance to see as much of this wonderful coastline as you can. We’ve pulled together some of our favorite spots, on both sides of the border, to make the perfect summer vacation itinerary. Read on, then pack your bags and start planning your holiday today!

New Orleans

The Big Easy is often overlooked as a cruise destination, tucked away on the Mississippi and Lake Pontchartrain, but it is a fantastic first stop on a Gulf of Mexico trip. From the gorgeous architecture and immense nightlife of the French Quarter, to rocking jazz and blues on Frenchmen Street, to mouth-watering flavours and epic Deep South history in the Garden District, New Orleans is an exceptional holiday destination full of extraordinary sights and bursting with cool, under-the-radar experiences.

Coastal Bend

The Great Coastal Bend in Texas is one of the prime vacationing spots for winter tourists from the rest of the US (known locally as ‘snowbirds’). This delightful stretch of coastline includes arts and culture in Corpus Christi, the gorgeous sun-drenched beaches of North Padre, and unbeatable sports fishing from Port Aransas. Stretching all the way from Port Lavaca to Brownsville, there are an almost unlimited array of excellent spots to stop and explore, and awesome sights to see everywhere you turn.

Heroica Veracruz

Veracruz is a world away from the nightlife of Corpus Christi and the debauchery of New Orleans. This sleepy Mexican city is loaded with faded grandeur and glorious Spanish colonial architecture, and is the perfect place for travelers looking for a slower pace of life. Beaches up and down the Veracruz coast are picturesque, flanked by waving palms and beautiful sand dunes, while the city itself offers a delightful taste of Latin life, culture, food and music. Further inland, Pico de Orizaba National Park boasts the highest volcano in Mexico, and is well worth a trip.

Cancun

Cancun might be best known as the Spring Break capital, but this buzzing city straddling the Gulf and the Caribbean is popular for a reason. With some of the best beaches in the world, and hospitality to match, Cancun’s jumping nightlife, luxury resorts, unbelievable reefs for diving and snorkeling and even an underwater museum means there is something for every sort of traveler. Surrounded by lush jungle, Mayan ruins at every turn, and deep, mysterious sinkholes known as cenotes, it would be unthinkable not to extend your summer vacation here with further exploration of the Yucatan peninsula.

When you have a loved one returning home from military service, your sense of pride is almost overwhelming. You’re going to want to ensure that their return home is one that is filled with joy and happiness. However, it’s important to remember, that a job in the military is a little different from your average 9-5. It’s a fully immersive role and a completely different way of life that’s difficult to understand or comprehend unless you have also served in the military.

Therefore, your loved one may have mixed feelings about their return home and it’s worth bearing in mind that their time in the military may have changed them both physically and mentally.

Emotions will be running high, so the best course of action is to ensure that there is plenty of support, understanding and love waiting for them. It will hopefully make the transition easier for both of you.

Read on for 4 ways you can help a loved one who is returning from military service.

Ensure they’re receiving their entitlements

The world of VA benefits and compensation for those returning from service with an injury or a disability is not an easy system to navigate. It’s confusing and frustrating, to say the least. Check out this VA disability rating calculator if you’re looking for some straightforward information. The system is frustratingly complicated, however, and it’s important that despite the frustrations of your loved one, you help them seek the advice they need and in turn receive the money they are entitled to after years of service. Don’t let them feel discouraged. There is always help out there, whether it be in the form of employee disability insurance for their next job or even just a support network for coping mechanisms after some undoubtedly traumatic events. You could start off by finding the right legal counsel for their disability claims – firms that can help them understand and receive the right compensation. Legal offices similar to Wagners Law Firm (or others in the same field of work) could prove useful in your endeavour to help your loved one.

Look for signs of mental stress

If your loved one has suffered an injury or has been exposed to conflict during their deployment then the possibility of their mental health being affected is likely. At this stage, you need to be vigilant and be watchful of signs that they could be struggling. Don’t push them into describing how they feel or even pressure them into admitting they’re having difficulties. Just try to be there for them and when they do reach out to you, help them. Additionally, if you think they might have developed mental disabilities like PTSD, you can also suggest recovery assistance facilities like ndis recovery coach or rehab to help them recover from the trauma. They might not heal completely, but could gain enough confidence to live a seemingly normal life.

Don’t pressure them

Life in the military is regimented and uniquely different from the life you lead back home. Therefore, you must help your loved one adjust in their own time and don’t put pressure on them to do or be something they’re not. They may struggle to find a job straight away, so it’s important not to make them feel guilty and support them through the process instead. Progress may be slow, but any assistance you can give will be appreciated. Offer advice on creating a resume or writing cover letters and encourage them every step of the way. It also might be possible that they suffered from an injury during their military time that led to a permanent disability. In such a situation, you might think that taking assistance from some disability home care might be beneficial for them. Still, you must give them the space to make this decision themselves and not pressurize them to accept things before they are ready.

Acceptance

It’s important to accept that things may be different from how you remember them. Your loved one may have changed both physically and emotionally during their time in the military. What’s important is rebuilding your connection and supporting them in any way you can now that they’re back home.

Photo by Pixabay from Pexels

Did you just have a baby? First of all, congratulations! An exciting milestone, you have many happy years ahead with your little one. Now is the time, however, to follow the right postpartum care to ensure that you are healthy – both mentally and physically. So much has changed within your body, so it’s important that you adjust to motherhood in the best ways possible.

It is, of course, a learning curve – and something that every new mom will do differently. Therefore, you should try to not put too much pressure on yourself. You’ll make a fantastic mother, no matter what. But to get off on the best foot, you need to look after yourself.

To help with this process, here are 7 postpartum tips that you can use:

• Rest Well and Relish the Experience of Becoming a Mother.

It’s no secret that throughout the first few weeks and months sleep might seem like a thing of the past – you most likely won’t enjoy 8 hours of solid sleep until your baby reaches the age of 1.

But as a new mom, it’s very important that you can get as much rest as possible to help cope with the fatigue and tiredness. Of course, you’ll still have to get up every 3 hours or so to feed and comfort your newborn. But when your baby sleeps, try and get some rest too when you can.

Chances are if you and your partner don’t get enough rest, you’ll become overwhelmed by the exhaustion and tensions can grow in your relationship. To help prevent this from happening, try and do the following:

• Split the responsibility between yourself, your partner and family members. Although you’re the mom, you need support throughout the first few weeks and months so that you can get enough sleep to function properly.
• Keep the baby close to you throughout the night (in a co-sleeping cot or similar) so that you don’t have to walk too far throughout the night.
• Try to limit the number of social events in the first few weeks or so, this will be exhausting for you and the baby.

In addition, while you may wish to get adequate sleep, you may also discuss the idea of family photography Portland or wherever you reside. For new parents, the first few months after the baby’s birth are incredibly special. And given that it has taken you nine months to feel that way, you might want to record it so you can remember it forever.
 

• Exercise

When your doctor says that it’s alright to start exercising again, it’s time to get out and enjoy the fresh air! Of course, this activity shouldn’t be too strenuous – you don’t want to damage your body or anything. In fact, your body might already be suffering from damage caused by labor and childbirth. If you think you might be dealing with symptoms of Diastasis Recti, you can learn more about diastasis recti symptoms here.
But a simple walk in the fresh air in your neighborhood will help to increase your energy levels, clear your mind and give you a break from the four walls of your home.

• Discover The Power of Magnesium

Magnesium is important postpartum – but many people don’t know the benefits that come with it or how you can take it. Not only can magnesium help with frustrating issues such as breastfeeding aversion, but it can also help to treat postpartum preeclampsia and postpartum depression. The most common way to safely take it, is by using topical application – such as a body lotion.

• Eat Healthy

After you’ve given birth, it’s vital that you eat healthily. Ensuring that you have all of the key nutrients and avoid coffee and alcohol, if you’re breastfeeding, your baby too will be healthier. You can also promote healing after birth by increasing your intake of whole gains, protein, fruits and vegetables – as well as increasing the amount of fluid that you drink.

• Ask For Help When You Need It

As mentioned above, postpartum can be a very stressful time filled with exhaustion and getting used to this new stage in your life. Which is why it’s so vital that you ask for help along the way when you need it. Pregnancy is never easy, but the changes that occur after the birth can be even more difficult.

If you need some support, don’t be afraid to ask for it – that’s what family and friends are there for after all. Everyone needs a helping hand from time to time, even if it’s just for the little things such as putting on a wash, cleaning the house or looking after your newborn for an hour or so when you catch up on some sleep. You don’t want to feel overwhelmed and stressed. So practice some self-care and ease the amount of responsibility you have.

• Purchase Postpartum Clothes

Throughout your pregnancy, you would have bought tons of maternity clothes. But you might not have thought about what you would wear after the baby was born. Postpartum clothes are items of clothing that you feel comfortable in, in the few weeks or months after your little one is born.

It’s no secret that your body will change throughout this time, so it’s worth investing in some key items – whether that be flowy dresses or loose fitting jeans that you feel like yourself in.

• Join A Group For New Moms

No one knows the struggles and emotions that you’re feeling as a new mom better than other moms. Which is why it’s a good idea to join a support group specifically for new mothers. Discussing what you feel and how your

coping with someone that’s going through the same thing will help you to clear your mind and realize that you’re not the only one going through it.

Final Thoughts

So, there you go! Those are 7 postpartum tips that you can use as a new mom. However, you need to keep in mind that every new mom is different. And what works for one new mom, might not work for another. It’s a stage in life that no one can be truly prepared for. No matter how organized you might feel, there are certain things that will change throughout the next few months as you adjust to motherhood.

Pregnancy is undeniably a stage in life that everyone copes with differently. But if you go into this next stage feeling as though you have the right support and that you’re doing the best thing for both yourself and your baby, you’ll feel a lot better about the process.

The United States faced rising maternal mortality rates between the years 2000 and 2015. While global MMR numbers have been declining, the US is one of the 6 countries that is seeing a slight increase in MMR.

So is this a concern for your pregnancy, or are these isolated cases?

What leads to maternal mortality?

In terms of actual conditions that affected maternal mortality, hemorrhage, infections and cardiovascular and coronary conditions are among the biggest leading causes of pregnancy-related deaths.

These conditions are most often caused by a lack of access to care for all women. For instance, uninsured or underinsured pregnant women are often subjected to low-quality care. There is also a lack of education about contraception and pregnancy health in general for all women. When combined, these factors increase the rate of MMR in the United States.

So what can be done?

Reducing the chances of maternal mortality

There are two big factors that help to reduce the chances of maternal mortality. The first is to seek a complete health evaluation from your doctor to address chronic health issues before you become pregnant. Secondly, it’s vital that you practice good hygiene and monitor your health closely to deal with issues such as infection that can be prevented. Lastly, taking good care of your health, such as eating well and avoiding alcohol, can contribute to a successful and health pregnancy.

Below, we’ve added an infographic that explains the rise in maternal mortality rates in the United States in great deal. We highly recommend that you look through the infographic if you are pregnant or plan to have a child in the near future to avoid any potential complications.

Infographic: Bradley University