SHOW MOM HOW

SHOW

MOM HOWTHE HANDBOOK FOR THE BRAND-NEW MOMSARAH 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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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

81

29

have bathtime funbuild 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 bookIn 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.

2–3min

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