Nursery Organization Tips from Baby Industry Pros

Jessica was recently featured in an article written by Redfin, a nationwide leader in real estate on nursery organization and design. Redfin interviewed professional organizers, newborn photographers, nursery designers and Doulas to gather must-read tips for new parents. Find Jessica’s tip and 20 other nursery ideas in that article here: https://www.redfin.com/blog/how-to-create-and-organize-a-nursery-21-expert-tips-for-a-safe-functional-and-adorable-space/

For even more ideas on how to organize baby things in different areas of the house, take a look back at one of our older blog posts written by Jessica when she was living life with her own new baby!

Fall Postpartum Meal Train Idea

One of our favorite foods to make for Postpartum clients is a hearty soup. This one checks all of the boxes for healing from birth, breastfeeding and Fall comfort foods. It’s packed with protein, fiber, and bone broth for hydration, with a little kick of spice because we are in Texas after all. To add a sweet treat for a family bringing their babies home this week, I also pulled out my favorite “Lactation Bites” recipe to deliver with their Meal Train Chicken Chili Soup. 

The bulk of our evidence for well-known galactagogues (foods for lactation) is anecdotal, but we really like the idea of adding variety to your diet and incorporating protein wherever you can, even in desserts. If you have concerns about your milk supply, definitely reach out to your healthcare provider or an IBCLC. These treats are safe for everyone over the age of 1 to enjoy (it is not recommended to feed honey to infants under 1 due to the risk of bacteria that adults are better equipped to fight off), no lactation necessary ;)

If you are curious about Meal Trains or other ways to support friends and family as they welcome their bundles of joy home, reach out to one of our Postpartum Doulas for tips and tricks!

Jessie Fisher’s Chicken Chili Soup

3-4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, cut into 1” pieces

1 Medium Onion, chopped

1 Green Bell Pepper, seeded and diced

1 tsp Garlic Powder

2 T Cumin

2 T Chili Powder

2 Cans Diced Tomatoes (with green chilis if you want some spice), undrained

3-6 Cups Chicken Stock (homemade bone broth is best)*

16oz Bag of Frozen Sweet Corn

2 Yellow Squash chopped

2 Zucchini chopped

2 Cans Kidney Beans drained and rinsed

2 Cans Ranch Style Beans

1. Spray a skillet with cooking spray and brown the chicken pieces- they don’t have to cook all the way through, but should be completely browned on the outside. Once browned, transfer to a stock pot with the onion, bell pepper, seasonings, diced tomatoes and chicken stock. Bring to a boil, then simmer for one hour. 

2. Add the frozen corn and bring back to a simmer for another hour. 

3. Add the squash and zucchini and bring to a boil for ten minutes. Add the beans and simmer long enough to heat them. 

4. Serve with cornbread, avocado or taco toppings. 

*I like to use a rotisserie chicken and vegetables to make an all day pot of bone broth on Sundays. The chicken meat goes into soup or casseroles and I use the bones and vegetable scraps from carrots, celery and onion I keep in the freezer to add to water, salt, garlic and other spices for broth. 

“Lactation Bites”

2 Cups Old Fashioned Oats

½ Cup Ground or Milled Flaxseed

3 T Brewer’s Yeast

1 Cup Peanut Butter or Almond Butter

½ Cup Raw Local Honey

1 t Vanilla

½ Cup Dark or Semisweet Chocolate Chips

1. Mix all ingredients together, in order, in a large mixing bowl with a wooden spoon (it might help to spray the spoon with cooking spray). Wear food prep gloves to form the mixture into small balls. Set in the fridge to firm up on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet or in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 weeks.

5 Tips for Your First Outing With a New Baby

Pregnancy and birth are (barely) behind you and you’re adjusting to life with a newborn at home. Maybe you’ve found your daily routine or you’re still trying to figure out how to do life with this needy, adorable baby bird. At some point, most new parents just need out of the house and they’re ready to take the new baby on their first big outing. These tips will help to make that adventure a little less stressful.

1.     Pack the diaper bag the night before.

Make sure you have plenty of diapers, wipes and clean clothes. In the early months, 2-3 changes of clothes for the baby aren’t a bad idea. If you’re bottle feeding, take enough formula or breast milk for the feedings you’ll need, and maybe one extra. If you’re breastfeeding and like to use a cover, pack that too. I always kept a change of clothes for myself in my car too, because babies don’t care about your “I’m going out in public and want to look human” outfit.

2.     Make it a low-pressure outing.

Try to choose something that doesn’t require getting out of the house by certain time. Give yourself plenty of time to get ready and to get the baby ready, allowing for surprise diapers, long feedings or an unexpected bath. A walk through downtown McKinney with lunch at Spoons Cafe or even just a quick trip to Target can be enough.

3.     Practice using your stroller or baby carrier at home first.

I’ll never forget struggling with a brand-new jogging stroller in a parking lot, while snow (yes, in Texas) hit me in the face and the baby cried in her car seat. Take your stroller on a practice walk around the house or down the street. Learn how to fold it, strap the baby in and where to put your things. If you plan to wear your baby, practice using your carrier at home so you’re a pro with it when you’re out in public. We really like the ease of Lille carriers and they’re not bad on your lower back either.

4.     Be mindful of germs, especially during flu season.

Be sure to ask your baby’s pediatrician if they are healthy enough to go out in public just yet. You can wear your baby and tuck their hands in, to keep well-meaning strangers from touching them, or use an open-top car seat cover like this one, since it can double as a nursing cover and is breathable. Wash your hands often and wipe down shopping cart handles.

5.     Treat yourself while you’re out.

Go find something that makes you happy. Grab your favorite coffee from Snug on the Square, a cup of that great soup at Harvest or a new lipstick if that’s your thing. Getting out and about with a new baby is hard work sometimes, so reward yourself. If you want to make it even easier on yourself, take your postpartum doula with you. She can help you feel confident, hold the baby while you shop and make sure you’re taken care of while you take care of your little one.

Where was your first outing with your new baby?