Daycare Tips You Need Before the 1st Week

Together with

"The influence of a mother in the lives of her children is beyond calculation."

-James E. Faust

Rise and shine, Mamas! Friday's here and it's more exciting than the time your kiddo slept through the night.

Today’s Mommy scoop:

• Daycare tips

• Band-Aids on outlets?

• Nuggets made easy: recipe

• Super cute DIY: Backpack Tags

Make your nights as serene as your baby's — Sijo

Mom’s Field Guide

Daycare Tips: From an Infant Room Teacher

Buckle up, moms, as we delve into the uproarious rollercoaster that is daycare prep!

From mastering bottle gymnastics to enduring your baby's first Academy Award-worthy performance in separation anxiety.

Bottle Boot Camp 

Infant Room teacher Kristy Barnhill suggests setting up a consistent feeding schedule before your grand return to the workforce.

Remember, a baby's tummy clock is more reliable than your 9-5 alarm!

The ambiance matters, too. If your tyke is used to quiet, zen-like feeding sessions, noisy daycare rooms could be jarring.

Don't worry though - they've typically got the backup plan of a calmer, quieter area.

And if your baby seems to be campaigning against the bottle itself, try different brands or flows of nipples. Your sanity might thank you.

Crib Chronicles 

Turns out, even babies have a preferred 'sleep number' and it might just be your loving arms.

But state laws and SIDS prevention mean cribs are non-negotiable at daycare.

To soften the blow of the crib transition, practice makes perfect. Consistent crib offerings are key, along with soothing assistance. 

Mommies' Tears vs Babies' Cheers 

Contrary to the usual storyline, it's the moms who usually shed more tears during the daycare drop-off.

Barnhill suggests starting half-days at daycare during your final week of maternity leave for a smoother shift to the new routine.

Battling the Baby Boom 

For babies, it's the hubbub and excitement of the infant room that can feel overwhelming.

For parents, it's the tearing away from their tiny tot that clinches the heartstrings.

But fear not!

There are a few remedies, like…

• Live-streaming webcams

• Lunchtime visits

• Phone check-ins to get a scoop on your baby's day

These should offer you some much-needed peace of mind. 🙂 

Be Prepared

Don't forget to label your baby's belongings - because with eight babies in one room, it can easily turn into an unintentional swap meet!

Lastly, brace yourself for the daycare debut of ‘Germs: The Musical’.

It's a rite of passage, they say. Your little one might catch a cold, and yes, so might you.

But with mental preparation and a solid team spirit, you'll all weather it together.

Takeaway

Remember, no one knows your baby better than you do, but your daycare team is there to make this transition as smooth and joyful as possible.

So take a deep breath, arm yourself with a spare onesie and a sense of humor, and get ready to embrace this new adventure!

Keep reading here.

Together with Sijo

Bedtime Bliss: Because Moms Deserve a Great Sleep Too

Ever wished for bedtime to be as peaceful as a sleeping babe? Try Sijo!

Engineered for unparalleled comfort and cooling, their sleep goods are like a gentle night-time lullaby for tired moms​.

And, how about their adorably stylish slumber nightsuits? You'd love them.

Turn your 'goodnight' into 'great night' with Sijo.

Mom Hack

Use Band-Aids to cover outlets while traveling

Mom Hack

Here's a handy use for those wallet-stored Band-Aids from a couple of newsletters back.

When you're traveling, use them to cover outlets. 

No need to bother friends or hotel staff.

Pop a Band-Aid on the outlet, and those tiny exploring fingers are safe!

Mom’s Menu

Homemade Nuggets in No Time

Do your kiddos go wild for chicken nuggets, but you're not so thrilled about those questionable ingredients on the box?

Well, worry no more because we've got an easy, yummy solution: homemade chicken nuggets!

They’re simple to make and you get to control what goes in them!

Ingredients:

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into chunks

• 1/4 cup old fashioned oats (also known as 5 minute oats)

• 1/4 teaspoon dried parsley

• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder

• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

• 3/4 cup panko bread crumbs

• 1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese

Simple Steps:

1. Heat Up: Preheat your oven to 375° F. It's getting hot in here, but not 'hide and seek in the laundry pile' hot!

2. Whiz It: Pop your chicken chunks, oats, and seasonings into a food processor. Whizz until the chicken is finely chopped and everything is nicely mixed.

3. Coating Craze: Pour the bread crumbs and parmesan cheese into a shallow bowl or onto a plate. Stir them together like a conversation about why we don’t draw on the walls.

4. Shape Shifters: With damp hands, roll about 1 tablespoon of your chicken mixture into a nugget shape. Press them gently into the breadcrumb mixture to coat them.

5. Bake Away: Arrange your nuggets on a greased cooling rack over a foil-lined baking sheet. Give them a light spray with cooking oil, then bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden. If you’re after that extra golden glow, pop them under the broiler for 2 minutes after cooking.

Wrap-up

Voila! Crispy, tender homemade chicken nuggets with zero mystery ingredients.

And guess what?

You can even freeze these babies for up to 4 months.

Simply place the coated, raw nuggets on a parchment-lined baking sheet, freeze for an hour, then bag them up.

Just add 2 minutes to the cooking time when you're ready to eat.

Oh, and if you're a proud owner of an air fryer, you can air fry these nuggets at 400°F for 8-10 minutes until they're golden brown.

Keep reading here.

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Daily DIY

Backpack Tags

Personalized backpack tags will make school bags stand out.

Your kids can craft these charms for their bags or as gifts for friends.

The tutorial is here.

Mom’s Choice

This product revolutionizes sandwich-making, allowing moms to create fun, crust-free sandwiches.

It's a favorite because it makes meal prep easier and more enjoyable for both moms and kids.

Sandwich Cutter and Sealer

Game

Parenting Quiz

What's a typical first word for most babies? (Answer below)

A) No

B) Mama

C) Dada

D) Bye

E) "Espresso, please"

Mom’s Meme 🤣

Answer

B) Mama