A soon-to-be-mommy contacted me yesterday. She wants to have maternity photos taken of her before she gives birth. She has been doing her research, but the photographers in Rome are just too expensive for her budget. So she contacts me asking if I can help. And I can. Wanna know how? Well, not only do I know some great maternity and baby photographers, but I have personal relationships with them. They know that I bring them business, and so they give my clients discounts. Huge discounts. I do all the bartering, figuring out location, prices, dates, and packages and all the mom or dad has to do is bring the belly or the baby!

Here are a couple of me, horribly taken by my mom with a terrible camera, the day I went into labor. Wish I had hired a professional!

I love lists! Love Love Love. I am a lister! I wish I had come up with this list on my own, but I didn’t.  I took it from Best for Babes and in my experience, it holds very true!. I am currently working on other lists, though, which will be available in September. Enjoy, for now…

If you’ve walked into the baby gear section of store, you already know there is a lot to choose from. So many things that promise you will need them, so many that swear that they will make your life so much easier. Standing in a box store holding the little UPC gun to make your baby registry, or an empty shopping cart ready to fill with new baby gear can feel pretty overwhelming as you try to decide what is a waste of money, and what might actually make a difference in your life.

As breastfeeding is becoming more of a niche market, as we push the ability to be visible rather than ‘out of sight, out of mind’, companies meet that by creating many products geared specifically at nursing moms as well.

So what do you need? Or more specifically, what do you really not need?

1. “Just In Case” formula and bottles

A lot of women plan on breastfeeding exclusively, but have been scared into thinking they won’t have enough milk before they’ve even been able to try, so they have some formula and bottles on their registry ‘just in case.’ Babe, believe in yourself. That’s like trying a new complicated recipe for dinner, but having a bag of take-out on the counter ‘just in case.’ Give yourself the chance, and don’t mentally sabotage yourself into already preparing to fail. Lastly, if it’s there, most women will use it, because in times of worry, doubt, or stress, it will call it’s name loudly from wherever you’ve stashed it. So ban it from your home unless it truly is needed, and you fully understand how to balance the two.

2. Nipple shields or an SNS

Again, don’t preemptively decide you will need help. Leave gear like this to your trained lactation consultant to help you acquire and use properly if you end up needing it. Nipple shields, especially, can cause a whole slew of issues if not used under direction of a trained pro. (An SNS is a Supplemental Nursing System like the Lact-Aid, used for supplementing breast milk or formula at the breast, as baby nurses. We recommend working with an IBCLC in situations where a supplemental nursing system is necessary.)

3. Timers and Logs

While a mom who is very concerned about baby’s eating might want to make a simple tally of dirty and wet diapers, generally things that try to time or track breastfeeding aren’t going to do much but worry you — “If he eating too much?” “Is she not eating enough?” Remember just to watch your baby. It doesn’t matter if the baby feeding app says your baby is eating more frequently than usual today or has been nursing for a lot longer than the app deems necessary for one meal — if your baby wants to eat, feed them.

4. Nursing Covers and Shawls

To cover or not to cover, that is the question… isn’t it? While there are plenty of new mothers who like to use a cover in the newborn days when latch can still take a little time and effort, there are also many moms who feel perfectly comfortable lifting up or buttoning down their shirt. The important thing here is to only use a cover if you feel that you want to. Don’t feel pressured to use one, as there are many ways to nurse without one and many of them are just as (if not more!) discrete than a big cover. (And likewise, if you feel comfortable using a cover, never let anyone tell you that covering is akin to being ashamed of breastfeeding — it’s not!)

5. A Pump

If you’re not planning on working, really consider if a pump is even necessary. When a new mom is nervous about her supply, she’ll sometimes think she needs to pump after every nursing session (and sometimes, before, too!). This can lead to a slew of problems, including a massive oversupply.  (Which might sound good in theory, but in practice, it can be really tough on baby and mom.) If you have to go back to work or are pumping in the early days due to special circumstances (preemies, for instance), make sure you buy a quality pump that is right for your situation. A small manual pump will be the bane of a full-time working mom’s existence (most working moms prefer double-electric pumps), so tailor your pump to your pumping needs, which might include not having a pump at all. (Some Babes -even full-time working mamas- forego the pump all together and use hand expression!)

Of course, every unique situation requires unique things. You may have some reason why this isn’t applicable to you, and I’m sure many of you have your own things to add that you absolutely didn’t need (but thought or were convinced you did!). Be very aware of things that could cause you problems or even sabotage your own belief in yourself from the get-go. One of the benefits of breastfeeding is that barring issues, often you don’t need anything special at all!

Spotted at Sushisen! I stayed away from sushi restaurants when I was pregnant because I didn’t think I would find anything to eat, since raw fish is a no-no. But low and behold…Soba Ramen is good for pregnancy and for creating healthy breastmilk! Whowuddaknown?

One thing is for sure: babies should not have any added salt or sugar in their diets! Yes, salt helps absorb water, but we have enough sodium in our breastmilk or formula milk for that. However, have one look at ANY of the pre-made baby food on the shelves here in Italy (and probably elsewhere, but I have only been a mom in Rome) and you will see that some of the main ingredients are salt, sugar, and other fillers that really aren’t needed.

So what is a health conscious mom (with not enough time on her hands to even eat herself) to do? I’ll tell you, I will tell you because it saved my life. I am very lazy and even I can handle this! Buy a Avent Baby Food Steamer and Blender from Amazon.co.uk!

In Italy we have lots of fresh, seasonal fruits and veggies and making homemade baby food has never been easier. You can steam and blend in 10 minutes all the while only dirtying one appliance!

Gabriel is currently loving what I call Summer’s Hide the Veggies with Lots of Fruits:

1 carrot

1 zucchini

5 figs

2 bananas

First chop and steam the vegetables

Next, chop the fruit and place it fresh (not cooked) in the blender.

Blend.

Serve some, freeze the rest. Makes at least 4-5 servings.

I just signed a partnership with The Perfect Bun Bakery (aka CO2) for awesome deals and discounts on their delicious (trust me, I had a sampling) cakes, cupcakes, cookies, salty treats, and more! They are now an official caterer of La Tua Baby Planner!

Want a taste of true heaven? Visit them at Piazza del Paradiso (coincidence? I think not!) just on the outskirts of Campo de Fiori. 

I can accompany you to all your doctor appointments and serve as a translator or I can help you find an English language doctor that you are comfortable with!

You may have longed for a hot summer last year but now you’re pregnant, you’re praying for rain. Here are some ideas which may help you to cope with the heat.

• Buy a spray bottle and fill it with water. Spritz it on your face regularly to cool you down. You could also try Magicool spray which has cooling agents mixed with water - some pregnant mums swear by it.

• Put a gel eye mask in the fridge or freezer and put it on whenever you feel you need to cool down. You may look silly but who cares?

• If you’ve got a footspa, fill with cool water and use it. If you’ve already got children, use their paddling pool.

• Buy a mini battery-operated fan and carry it with you everywhere.

• Get a very big hat with a wide brim to keep your head out of the sun.

• Keep your bedroom as cool as possible. Use a fan, open the windows and keep the curtains drawn all day. 

• Drink lots and lots of water throughout the day – keep a small bottle with you at all times to avoid dehydration.

• Don’t even think about sunbathing or sitting in the sun – stay in the shade.

• Run your wrists under a cold tap to cool your pulse points, use a cool wet flannel on your forehead and back of your neck – this should help to cool you down quickly.

Your baby will sleep most comfortably in a room heated to between 16 degrees C and 20 degrees C. However, during hot periods the temperature in your baby’s room may be hotter than this.

Here are 10 quick tips for keeping your baby cool and comfortable while he sleeps:

• Remove unnecessary bedding. The Department of Health (UK Department of Health 2009) recommends that a baby wearing a nappy, vest or sleepsuit will only need a sheet as bedding if the temperature in his room is 24 degrees C or above.


• If he is still hot, he could sleep his vest or even just his nappy.


• Remove any padding around his cot to allow the air to circulate.


• Open windows in several rooms to create a through breeze.


• Fans are useful, but do not direct them at your baby. Turn the fan on before your baby’s bedtime to allow the room time to cool down.


• Hang wet towels over chairs or windows to cool the air. The evaporating water causes cooling.


• If you use a waterproof sheet, consider removing it while the weather is hot or cover it with several layers of tightly wrapped cotton sheets to absorb perspiration.


• Keep curtains drawn during the day to prevent the sun from heating up the room.


• Don’t forget to keep a careful eye on him if he falls asleep in his pram. Prams can be hot and airless.


• Never leave your baby sleeping in his car seat in the car. Even with the windows open temperatures inside a parked car can rise frighteningly quickly.

Just in! Signed deals with the following brands carrying nursery and child bedroom designs: Morettti Compact, Colombini, Lube Camerettte and Volpi. Now you know who to contact to design that nursery or child’s room!

The answer is yes! I have established discounts with caterers, furniture stores, and more! Plus I trim the fat off the “to buy” list by showing you what you really need. 

Click the link above to read an article from the Money section of U.S. News.