As my second son approaches his eighth birthday, I can’t help but think about how much has changed since he was a newborn…and how different raising my new baby is going to be! From technology in nurseries to new trends in parenting, a lot has changed in a decade. Yet some things, thankfully, will always stay the same. Here are some of my observations:
What Has Changed:
When I was caring for my eldest son, radio frequency baby monitors were the beginning and the end of technology for babies. Now, the sky’s the limit! I love my new video baby monitor that allows me to check on my little one using my smartphone. That’s just the start of the connectivity available for parents and their little ones. There are Bluetooth enabled swings and bouncy seats, toys with downloadable music playlists, and even apps that help encourage baby’s musical and intellectual development while in the womb! One of my favorites is called Nuryl.
What Has Stayed The Same:
What has stayed the same despite any technological advances in products is the desire to keep our babies happy and healthy. So, while technology may help us stay “connected”, nothing beats the power of physical touch to help your baby feel safe and secure.
What Has Changed:
When my boys were younger, there was a limited selection of baby skin care products to choose from. But over the last 10 years, more and more niche products started to make an appearance. From products made with organic ingredients to those specially made for sensitive skin, I’m so happy to have discovered the Cetaphil Baby skin care line. The Washes and Moisturizers are safe, gentle and they help nourish the skin’s moisture barrier and it protects baby’s skin against dryness. They're also free of parabens, colourants, and mineral oil (all things you want to steer clear of!). Not only are these products great for baby, I’ve also been using them on myself. The Moisturizing Oil was my favourite for my growing belly while I was pregnant and now I use it on my little one while I gently massage him before bedtime. Massage is an amazing way to promote sleep and relaxation. Better sleep for baby means better sleep for me!
What Has Stayed the Same:
Constantly finding ways to save time in my household will never change. Diapering has come a long way. From cloths to disposables, there are so many choices for parents. Cloth diapers could be a cost-effective and environmentally friendly choice. But, being a busy mom of 3, I’ve decided to stay with disposable diapers. Quality time will always be at a premium with my kids.
What Has Changed:
As babies, when my boys woke up in the middle of the night, I generally brought them to bed with me so they could be nursed back to sleep and so I could sleep as well. As far as I knew, there was no real controversy about the practice; it was simply what worked best for me and my family. Now, it’s known as co-sleeping and there are people that are both passionately in favour of the practice and those that are strongly opposed. Whether you choose to practice extended breastfeeding, use a hands-on supervised style, or adopt a laid-back free-range parenting style with age-appropriate freedoms, finding a community of like-minded parents is easier than ever!
What Has Stayed The Same:
The best thing about parenting is that there really is no right or wrong way to raise a child. There are plenty of options and no shortage of opinions. When it comes to my preferences, I tend to favour skincare products that contain natural ingredients, I’m a supporter of free-range parenting, and I’m a big supporter of the importance of breastfeeding. In the end, being able to look at our children knowing that we did our best to raise them is all that really matters.
Even though I’ve been through the joys and tribulations of parenthood, my new baby is always teaching me something new. Fortunately, I know I can fall back on the tried and true. I will always believe that being a loving parent is the most important part of successfully raising a child. And that’s something that I’m confident I have figured out!
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