So, you’ve made the wise decision to breastfeed your new baby. What seems to be such a simple process, though, leads to other difficult decisions, such as: what are your feeding options once you return to work, how will your baby eat when left alone with Dad, and how will you handle feedings in public.

The American Academy of Pediatrics currently recommends that breastfeeding continue for one year, and most mothers can breastfeed their baby with this goal in mind by using a breast pump. A breast pump allows a mother to express and store her breast milk for future use. Some women choose to pump exclusively, and do 100% of feedings as breast milk from a bottle. Others pump milk while at work, and baby is bottle fed during the day and breastfed before and after work. Other women choose to pump occasionally for times they know they will be away from baby. Decide which pump to purchase or rent by considering how often you’ll need to pump milk.

Electric pump

If you are the mother of a premature or special needs baby that spends a lengthy time in the hospital, it is likely that your breast pump decision will be made for you. Most hospital lactation consultants recommend the Medela brand electric breast pump. This is the brand that has been used in hospitals for more than 20 years. Most insurance companies will pay for the rental of this institutional-grade pump if it is medically necessary. Most hospital lactation consultants give the manual form of this breast pump to their clients at no charge. The manual pump can be hooked up to the electric pump easily.

The Medela pump is highly efficient because it lets you express both breasts simultaneously, which is a boon for working mothers pumping on their breaks at work. The main disadvantages of this pump are that it is loud and relatively large, the size of a small briefcase. It is also quite expensive, so women usually rent this pump. The pumping mechanism is not a closed system, which means that the milk can be sucked backwards through the tubing and end up in the motor of the pump, causing problems and making sanitizing difficult.

Manual pump

The choice for a majority of pumping mothers is the manual pump. The new designs of many manual pumps allow for nearly as effective output and comfort to the mother, with a smaller size, a more discreet noise level and much more affordable price tag. The Avent Isis breast pump is a favorite among many women. The comfortable silicone breast shield simulates the sucking action of the baby, effectively stimulating let down and allowing for a comfortable and productive pumping session. Many mothers report that the milk output using this pump is equal to that of a hospital-grade electric pump.

The Avent system is also a closed system and is 100% dishwasher safe, or it can be sterilized using a sterilization system manufactured by Avent. Avent also makes one of the most popular lines of bottles and nipples. Evenflo makes electric and manual pumps. Many women report that the suction mechanism is too strong, causing nipple discomfort and discontinuation of use. Other mothers love the system. The electric version has an LCD display that tracks the time and duration of pumping sessions, which could be useful for a mother pumping full time, but is not useful for the average breastfeeding mother.

When choosing a breast pump, do not hesitate to ask other mothers for advice, and also consult a certified lactation consultant, who can lead you to a current effective model. Remember, too, that a breast pump is never as effective as a baby. Your baby will almost always get more milk in an average nursing session than you will get in a pumping session. So do not become alarmed if you pump and get only two ounces of breast milk in a pumping session and fear that that is all your baby gets in a feeding session. Remember that the most effective way to judge feeding sufficiency is output, 6 to 8 wet diapers a day and at least 1 dirty diaper a day.

Enjoy your baby, and congratulations!

There are two primary factors to consider when selecting new crib bedding; the first is functionality, and the second is aesthetics. And, as with all things related to shopping for a new baby, you’ll have so many choices when buying crib bedding that it’s really easy to get overwhelmed. As anyone who has been through it already knows, you can’t let the amount of baby stuff for sale make you crazy! It’s tempting to buy every last thing, but if you get carried away you’ll end up with more baby stuff than you can possibly use.

Have you already selected a decorating motif for the baby’s room? Obviously, safety should be the primary concern when buying a new baby crib bedding set, but it’s nice if the crib looks great too. Then factor your budget into your choice. Some modern crib bedding by leading designers can sell for $200 or more, while chain stores like K-Mart and Walmart offer far more affordable options.

One thing you’ll definitely want to stay far away from is synthetic monkey crib bedding. It doesn’t really matter how much you actually spend, but beware of those no-name crib sets from discount stores—the kind that come in heavy plastic pouches. These can sometimes be made of polyesters or other materials that are less than soft. Make sure that the main fabric is a knit-cotton or flannel. High thread-count cotton is also a good way to make sure that the fabric your baby is sleeping on is soft and non-irritating. Of course, one argument against blowing your budget on the crib bedding is the undeniable fact that babies are messy little things. You’ll be washing this crib bedding a lot and, while you obviously don’t want it to look like a stained mess, you’re probably not going to end up passing it on to your grandkids either. In my experience, crib bedding should be nice but, ultimately, expendable. Save the big money for purchases like the actual crib, toys and food.

You’ll also find yourself confronted with a choice between buying a crib bedding set, or buying the crib bedding in separate pieces. Clearly, choosing the set gets you everything at once. A typical crib bedding set includes the crib bumper pad (a pad that goes around the inner perimeter of the crib, if you’re not familiar with the term yet. These were more common in older, slatted cribs and there is some concern about their safety in modern cribs,) a sheet and a comforter. Some more aesthetically conscious crib bedding sets include a matching crib ruffle, and some include additional accessories like mobiles or plastic mirrors. Don’t get too distracted by those extras though, because you can always buy them separately. If you like the overall design off a set, you might as well go for it. However, keep in made that the comforter will likely be purely decorative at this point since they pose a smothering risk for newborn infants. This means it could be more practical to just buy a crib sheet if that is all you really want.

By the time you’re done looking at baby cribs you’ll probably be asking yourself, “Who doesn’t want to sell me a crib??” You will find a wide array of baby crib choices on the market, ranging from the simple to the elaborate and from the affordable to the expensive. The more you gear up for your new baby, the more you’ll see that there are fundamentally two parts to any baby-related purchases you make: safety and design. First, think about what features you might want for your baby crib. You’ll end up picking between drop side cribs, slatted cribs, wheeled cribs and convertible cribs. Your nursery decorating scheme could also help you narrow down your choices, at least aesthetically.

So let’s take a look at some of the crib features that you’re likely to encounter:

First, we have convertible cribs. These are typically more expensive than dedicated baby cribs and they’ll come with a lot more pieces. With convertible cribs, you’ll be able to turn your baby’s crib into a toddler bed or even a full grownup bed. Generally, however, this takes a lot more work than a pull-out convertible couch, so don’t plan on switching these cribs for just one day. Think of this style of crib as future planning for when baby gets bigger. Then think about how realistic that proposition is, or if you’re more likely to buy a new toddler bed. If you anticipate having more than one baby in the house, you’re probably best off buying a dedicated crib and reusing it.

Next, you’ll need to decide how you feel about drop side cribs. Unless it states otherwise, most baby cribs have fixed sides. When you’re checking out cribs, imagine how you’re going to feel putting the baby in the crib. It might sound silly now, but will you be able to clear the sides of a fixed side crib easily? How tall are you? If not, you’ll probably want to get a crib with at least one drop down side. Also, there are various operating mechanisms that you should consider with an eye towards the practical. Some drop side cribs use variations on a foot pedal, while others use a two-handed set of spring clips. Picture yourself holding the baby and operating the two-handed clips, versus operating the foot pedal. Make your choice based on what you think will work best for you.

And finally, don’t forget to check for safety! The good news is that all cribs sold have to meet minimum US government safety regulations. Still, you might want to be careful when buying no-name or off-brand cribs. Slats should be no more than 2 3/8” apart, which should be a little smaller than your fist. Make sure that your mattress fits tightly into the bottom of the crib, and that there are no decorative cutouts on the headboard or footboard. After taking all of these practical factors into consideration, the rest is up to you and your interior decorating eye!

Decorating the nursery for a new baby can be a fun and rewarding experience for any new parent! It’s a great excuse to re-do an old room and to set the mood for the baby. However, if inspiration doesn’t strike you immediately, you could find the nursery decorating process a bit daunting. Styles range from clean and modern to classic and bright. One nursery style that is currently hot is decorating with Amish furniture, and the centerpiece of any Amish nursery would have to be a solid Amish crib.

There are several prominent Amish furniture retailers located around the US, and all of them seem to carry multiple styles of Amish cribs. Many furniture buyers are turning to Amish furniture craftsman for all kinds of pieces, including cribs, and the Amish’s reputation for quality “Made In the USA” woodwork is catching on all across the country.

Typical Amish cribs are available in a range of woods, including cherry, walnut, oak, maple and hickory. Although these Amish cribs are often available in a many styles, when many people think of an Amish crib they are thinking of what is commonly referred to as a “spindle crib.” These cribs have an “old world” feel to them, and use thin rounded “spindles” inserted vertically in place of wider slats. While the spindles may look delicate, a good Amish furniture house will build a solid piece capable of withstanding any infant. Most furniture houses offer spindle style Amish cribs in both convertible and non-convertible models. Also, these Amish cribs are available with different drop side mechanisms, depending on the buyer’s preference.

Another popular style of solid wood Amish crib is the sleigh crib. These graceful cribs are made up of wide, flat wooden slats. Additionally, the crib posts appear to curve outwards towards the bottom of the crib and then curl at the top, mimicking the form of a traditional winter sleigh. Amish sleigh cribs are available with the same options as the spindle cribs. These sleigh cribs have remained popular because their sleek design means they look great in both traditional and modern nurseries.

Now, putting the irony on hold for a moment, the good news is that Amish cribs are easily available online. Yes, you read that right. Online Amish crib retailers offer competitive prices and good product pictures. However, Amish cribs definitely aren’t cheap; with the average price we found being about $1,400. If you consider that this is a solid, handmade piece of furniture, we actually think that’s a pretty good deal if you can afford it. At the risk of being cheesy, these are the kind of durable cribs you could pass on to your baby one day. Amish cribs are also available from numerous brick-and-mortar locations, and picking one out could be a fun daytrip. Use the internet or ask around at local parenting groups to find an Amish crib retailer near you.

Whether you’re expecting your first baby or your third, finding out that you’re pregnant is always an exciting moment. From this point on, you’ll have to make numerous decisions that affect your new baby, you and the other members of your family.

Money is one of the biggest concerns of new parents. The cost of the first year of an infant’s life can add up to as much as $10,000, depending on your geographic location and other personal factors. And though that amount may seem like a lot, it’s important to remember that the price of things like diapers, formula, clothing, baby wipes and toys can add up quickly! Save as much as possible now—before the baby is born—so you have more savings when your new infant arrives.

But you don’t need to sweat over your finances if you want to save money during this special time of your life. Instead, just avoid some of the common spending traps that new parents face—and utilize a few smart shopping tricks—and you’ll save a bundle of cash before your bundle of joy arrives.

Money-spending trap: Buying new

Many new parents believe that their baby needs new items. But outfitting your infant in brand new clothing, furniture and accessories can easily cost thousands of dollars!

Saving tip: Your infant won’t realize that she’s wearing used onesies or sleeping in a used crib. Buying secondhand at thrift stores or yard sales is a great way to spend less on many big-ticket items.

Hint: Occasionally, infant items get recalled for safety reasons. Before buying any secondhand item, check to make sure the item hasn’t been recalled. Avoid buying used items that may have had their safety compromised because of misuse or accidents, such as car seats, high chairs and strollers.

Money-spending trap: Buying unnecessary items

Do you really need that matching quilt and bumper set? Is a diaper organizer truly necessary? Many new parents go overboard buying items that are completely unneeded.

Saving tip: Browse message boards and online forums—or ask friends and family—which items they found invaluable after the birth of their baby. Most parents are happy to discuss which accessories were essential and which simply collected dust.

Hint: Every infant is different. Some love musical swings, others prefer bouncing chairs. Use the advice of other parents to guide your purchases, but remember that your baby’s reaction might be different.

Money-spending trap: Buying too much for one short period of time

When it comes to spending during pregnancy, many new parents focus too much on the early months. Diapers and clothing meant for newborns will get quickly outgrown. In some cases, larger newborn babies won’t even fit into traditional newborn sizes.

Saving tip: Wait until after your baby shower to purchase any newborn-sized items, since you’ll probably get plenty of tiny clothes and diapers from friends and family. If you must purchase newborn items before your infant arrives, buy just enough to last a week or so. It’s generally unwise—and potentially wasteful—to “stock up” before your baby is born.

Hint: If you get an overload of newborn items at your baby shower, consider exchanging them for a larger size. Your baby will grow quickly, and in no time at all you’ll have a need for those bigger sizes.

Saving money during pregnancy may seem impossible, especially if you’re spending lots of time in maternity and baby stores. But with a little creativity and frugality, you can save a bundle before your baby arrives.

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