Your Infant Resource to Help
Savor (and Survive!) the First Year

You have successfully passed the test of pregnancy
and delivered a beautiful prize: your infant.

Your body has worked over-time. For months you have waddled around. You have gone out in public in sweats and without a smidgen of makeup.

You have made your husband make brownies at midnight. You have cried over commercials.

You have labored. And now it's over.

And there she lies, snuggled in your arms, looking more perfect and beautiful than any other baby on earth. Didn't the doctor assure you that yours was, by far, the most adorable he had ever delivered?

The hospital stay shoots by, and you're nervously loading your infant into his car seat for the first time. The car ride home is exciting, yet apprehensive.

Can you really do this on your own? Without the nurses and nighttime nursery at your beck and call?

Yes.

Let me say it again. Emphatically. YES.

I can remember, after the birth of my first child, calling my mother in tears. (She lives over 4 hours away.) I was exhausted. Overwhelmed. Lauren was crying (again), and I was clueless.

Shouldn't I know all this? Everyone else seemed to have the mom-thing down pat. What was wrong with me?

Diapering had been a disaster. (There's actually a right way to diaper! Who knew?!) Breastfeeding had been a challenge. How did I go from heading-to-law-school to crying on the steps?

And that was the present. Looking down the path of infant-dom, I saw nothing but mountains. Baby food? Babyproofing?

In hindsight, it's amazing my mother didn't laugh at my outright hysteria (it was the hormones...promise...). Instead, she shared two secrets that have gotten me through the gambit of emotions that make up mom-hood.

And these are the secrets on motherhood
that I would share with you.

Become the Expert...It's Easy

First, remember what a miracle your baby truly is. Your infant could only come from you. What an advantage this gives you! You are certainly a big step closer to being more of an expert on your baby than I am!

The more time you spend with her...the more you get to know her.

The more you know her...the more you understand her.

The more you understand her...the better you'll be able to parent and guide her.

Motherhood is a Journey

Secondly, understand that motherhood is a skill. It's a journey you take...one day at a time. It's not a destination you arrive at. You learn how to be a mother. (Which means, sadly, it's possible to not learn to be a mother.)

Pay attention. Pick it up as you go. Ask questions. Read books. Watch veterans. Get on-the-job training.

...which brings us to the
Essential Infant Resource

When my second (Elena) was born in 2007, I panicked. It had been over 3 years since Lauren was an infant, and I suddenly realized that I had completely forgotton everything. This website was my re-education.

I started researching. I started writing. And...ta-da! The Essential Infant Resource was born.

It's now been over 3 years since then, and I'm re-learning again. Isabella Rose was born on December 11th, 2009. And I'm re-reading my own articles!

So let me ask you...

Do you feel utterly helpless to care for the utterly helpless?
Are you too exhausted to read all 832 pages of What to Expect the First Year?
Has it been a while since your last baby and you're feeling a bit rusty?

The Essential Infant Resource offers interesting (hopefully entertaining) articles geared towards attacking that learning curve. It's information shared by moms around the globe to moms around the globe.

I hope you browse around a while. You can read more about my story, or drop me a line.

many blessings,

Heather Signature

P.S. If you want to join my circle of friends, sign up for my newsletter The Merry Mother or get updates through my blog.

P.P.S. I've added a slideshow of my daughters just for fun. Lauren (6), Elena (3) and Isabella (6 weeks) I hope you enjoy it!

Information...Information...Information

Search the Encyclopedia of...Breastfeeding

Start with the feature article, "Top 5 Baby Nursing Myths Exposed". This article will help you start your baby nursing adventure on the right foot (breast??) by discovering the truth behind the 5 most popular newborn nursing myths.

Not the nursing tips you're looking for? Search through the other breastfeeding articles here.

Search the Encyclopedia of...Newborn Issues

Start with the feature article, "Basics of Newborn Baby Care: Getting Started". This article discussed the emotional and physical adjustments you'll need to make as you anticipate (or celebrate!) the arrival of your little bundle of joy.

Not the newborn information you need right now? Search through the other newborn articles here.

Search the Encyclopedia of...Teething

The best place to start getting information on teething is to start with the feature article, "Teething Babies: Your Go-To Survival Guide". This article will share a few basic teething facts and then point you to other articles that will answer your specific teething questions.

Search the Encyclopedia of...Infant Milestones

Start with the feature article, "Infant Milestones to Mark". This article educates you on what your baby's current development should look like and what future behavior you can look forward to.

Looking for a specific infant milestone? Search through the other infant milestone articles here.

Search the Encyclopedia of...Baby Health

Start with the feature article, "Addressing Baby Health Concerns". This article discusses how to set up your at-home doctor's office and tips on finding the perfect pediatrician. (This article is currently in progress.)

Not the baby health information you were searching for? Search through these other baby health and wellness articles.

Search the Encyclopedia of...Diapers

Start with the feature article, "Tips on Changing Diapers". This article provides simple and easy tips to changing diapers efficiently and effectively.

Looking for something different in diapering? Search through these other diaper-related articles.

Search the Encyclopedia of...Balancing Baby and Home

Start with the feature article, "Strategies to Save Money: 4 Practical Tips for New Parents". This article gives some practical pointers to saving money in tough times.

Learn how I saved $98 on my monthly grocery bill and read some practical sanity-saving tips to meal planning in these other articles on balancing responsibilities and motherhood easily and efficiently.

Search the Encyclopedia of...C-Section Recovery

Start with the feature article, "After Your Cesarean Baby Delivery". This article offers some basic information about cesareans and how to get started on the road to recovery.

Looking for specific cesarean recovery help? Search through these other c-section recovery helps.

Search the Encyclopedia of...Babyproofing

Start with the feature article, "Top 10 Infant Safety Issues in Your Home". This article addresses each room of your home and the things you can do to keep your baby safe inside it.

Wanting more precise safety information? Search through these other infant safety articles.

Still Searching?

Can't stay awake long enough to read all 832 pages of What to Expect The First Year? Search and find instant answers.

A Slideshow of My Girls

Here's an 8-page mini-scrapbook of my three precious girls for you to enjoy. Lauren is 6, Elena is 3, and Isabella is 6 weeks old. I hope you enjoy them!