How To Make A Diaper Cake

diaper-cake

I recently hosted a diaper shower for a friend. While I had never done this, I’ve had other friends host these types of parties and they are such a hit. Second and third time moms tend to love them because they don’t really need more stuff. Rather, they need the essentials like diapers and wipes. So, how do you make a diaper cake? It’s a lot easier than I would have thought. I’ve posted my picture (to the right) and it only took about 20 minutes!

There are two main ways to make a diaper cake:

  • Rolling Method. This is where you roll each individual diaper and attach it with a rubber band. I found this to be a little more difficult and time consuming. Also, moms will have to unroll each diaper as they use it.
    • MAKE SURE YOU GET ALL WHITE DIAPERS OR ONES WITH A FUN PATTERN.
    • FORM THE TOP OF THE DIAPER CAKE. ROLL UP A DIAPER, STARTING AT THE “OPEN” TOP END. WRAP A RUBBER BAND AROUND THE ROLLED DIAPER TO STOP IT FROM UNROLLING. THIS DIAPER WILL FORM THE CENTER OF THE LAYER.
    • ROLL UP AND SECURE SEVEN MORE DIAPERS. PLACE THEM AROUND THE CENTER DIAPER (OR BABY BOTTLE) SO THAT THEY ARE ALL EVENLY SPACED. KEEP THEM TOGETHER BY PLACING A LARGE RUBBER BAND AROUND ALL OF THE DIAPERS.
    • CREATE CENTERPIECE FOR THE MIDDLE LAYER. REPEAT STEPS ABOVE, BUT THIS TIME ROLL UP 15 MORE DIAPERS AND PLACE THEM AROUND THE CENTERPIECE. SECURE THEM WITH A LARGE RUBBER BAND.
    • CREATE BOTTOM PIECE OF THE CAKE BY REPEATING THE STEPS ABOVE, BUT USING 30 DIAPERS THIS TIME. SECURE THEM WITH A LARGE RUBBER BAND.
    • DECORATE THE CAKE WITH RIBBON AND TOYS.
    • GET STEP-BY-STEP DIRECTIONS WITH PICTURES.
  • Pan Method. This method does not require you to roll and rubber band each individual diaper. Plus it looks just as nice as the rolling method and takes a quarter of the time.
    • START WITH THREE DIFFERENT SIZED POTS OR PANS.
    • BEGIN TO MAKE THE BOTTOM LAYER OF YOUR DIAPER CAKE BY TAKING THE LARGEST PAN AND PLACING STACKS OF DIAPERS ONE NEXT TO EACH OTHER. TRY TO PACK THEM CLOSE TOGETHER, AND AT THE END YOU SHOULD HAVE A COMPACT CIRCULAR SHAPE WITH THE DIAPERS FORMING A SPIRAL.
    • SECURE THE DIAPERS TOGETHER WHILE THEY’RE STILL IN THE PAN.
    • REMOVE THE LAYER OF DIAPERS FROM THE PAN.
    • REPEAT TWO MORE TIMES WITH SMALLER PANS.
    • STACK ALL THE LAYERS THAT YOU’VE MADE ACCORDING TO SIZE, STARTING WITH THE LARGEST LAYER ON THE BOTTOM.
    • DECORATE THE CAKE WITH RIBBON AND TOYS.
    •  GET STEP-BY-STEP DIRECTIONS WITH PICTURES.

If mom doesn’t already have a BabyPlus system. This is another great item to bring to a shower. I’ve never met a mom who doesn’t love theirs!

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Finished Lesson #9

finished-lesson9

The picture above shows me finishing up lesson #9! I’ve already started on lesson #10 and seem to breezing through that one too. It is just amazing to know how fast time is going by. I have around 2 months left and it seems like she will be here before we know it.

Many of my friends have seen me using BabyPlus and have asked what it is and why I’m using. I let them know that BabyPlusis a series of audio lessons that are specifically tailored to every stage of infant growth in the womb. These lessons consist of natural sounds similar to the comforting rhythm of the mother’s heartbeat. As your child grows during the prenatal development stages, the lessons also change slightly and evolve. Basically, it’s a great way to give your baby a head start. I also let them know about the benefits:

BabyPlus® parents report babies at birth and infancy:

  •     Are more relaxed & alert at birth
  •     More readily nurse
  •     Display increased ability to self-soothe
  •     Are more interactive & responsive

And later in life demonstrate:

  •     Earlier developmental milestones
  •     Longer attention spans
  •     Improved school readiness
  •     Strong learning skills

Have questions? Email us at customerservice@babyplus.com or leave a comment below.

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Lesson #8

lesson8

I just finished lesson #8 last week and am already on lesson #9. It is exciting, and nerve-wrecking, to see how fast the time is going by. I feel like the second half of this pregnancy is going much faster than the first half. For anyone out there who has not shared their news yet, it seems like that was the longest part of my pregnancy. After 20 weeks, time has just flown so fasten your seat belts and get ready for time to fly! If you take a look back at some of my past posts, you can see this how this incredible journey has gone for me so far.

I feel great and am so thankful for such a healthy pregnancy. I’m also grateful for all the benefits my baby girl is receiving from BabyPlus including:

  •     Are more relaxed & alert at birth
  •     More readily nurse
  •     Display increased ability to self-soothe
  •     Are more interactive & responsive

If you have questions, feel free to leave a comment or send me an email.

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Lesson #7

Last week, I finished lesson #7 of BabyPlus and am already flying through lesson #8. It’s amazing to see how much bigger I’m getting each week. A few things I’ve noticed while using BabyPlus over the last few weeks:

  • It just gets more soothing with each use. In fact, it almost puts me to sleep each time.
  • My baby girl loves it! Besides walking and consuming cold foods or beverages, this is something that gets her excited and on the move. It’s so fun to feel her move around when wearing BabyPlus!
  • The cat might like it even more than the baby…as you can see from this picture. The second he sees me start to put it on, he’s on my lap ready to begin!

I’ll keep you posted as I approach the half way mark with my lessons! Have questions about my experience or just want to know more? Feel free to leave a comment or email me!

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Sharing Your Pregnancy News

Sharing the news of your pregnancy can be one of the most exciting times! Some people decide to tell right away, while others might want to wait a few weeks. However you decide to do it, let it be unique to you. Need some ideas on how you should share your news? Here’s a few creative ways we’ve seen:

 

  • Take a photo with you and your partner’s shoes with a pair of baby shoes in between
  • Promote your pet or other child(ren) to big brother(s) or big sister(s).
  • Hold up a jar of Prego Pasta Sauce and snap a selfie.
  • Get a cute shot of you and your partner pulling a bun out of the oven.
  • Simply announce that your having a baby and post the ultrasound photo.

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There are so many ways to do it, Looking for more ways? Visit happyhomefairy.com for some ideas.

BabyPlus wants to know how you told your loved ones you were pregnant! Share with us!

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Last Day Of Lesson #4

last-day-of-lesson4

I can’t believe it’s my last day of using lesson #4 and that I’ll be moving onto lesson #5 already! I’m just about 26 weeks now (the picture to the right is from about two weeks ago, so I’ve grown a bit since then) and time is flying by. While I’m nervous about what’s to come, changes in schedule, work/life balance, marriage, etc., I’m also excited about this new life and our precious baby girl. I can’t wait to see her face for the first time. Moreover, I can’t wait to see my husband hold our daughter and see him as a dad!

I’m also excited to see all the benefits that BabyPlus has had on our girl. I know that she’ll see the following benefits:

  • More relaxed & alert at birth
  • More readily nurse
  • Display increased ability to self-soothe
  • More interactive & responsive

If you aren’t familiar with BabyPlus, learn more at BabyPlus.com.

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Just Started Lesson #2

just-started-lesson2

As I close in on the half way point in my pregnancy, I started using the second lesson of BabyPlus. I’ve noticed a few things in the past couple of weeks:

  • I really enjoy my relaxation time using BabyPlus. It gives me an hour to put my feet up and bond with my baby girl.
  • The soothing sounds of BabyPlus not only put me to sleep, but the cat seems to enjoy it too!
  • My husband is a drummer and really loves hearing the steady beat of the BabyPlus system. He’s secretly hoping our girl takes after him and plays the drums.
  • I can’t wait to meet my BabyPlus baby for the first time and see all the wonderful benefits BabyPlus has had on her!

I’d love to hear from you! Post your photos and comments on the blog our BabyPlus social media: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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First Week Of Babyplus

first-week

Yesterday, I opened up my very own BabyPlus prenatal system for the first time. I was so excited to try it out and I’m already loving it! I see a lot of questions from people on the website, Facebook and Twitter pages, but found that the directions are pretty clear. Just follow these 5 easy steps:

1. Using the online lesson calendar, calculate the number of days to use each lesson.

2. Adjust strap of BabyPlus pouch to a comfortable size and fasten the buckle. 

3. Position the pouch above your abdomen.

4. Place your BabyPlus player in the pouch and select the correct lesson.  The volume is preset at a precise and safe level. 

5. The player will shut off automatically after one hour once your lesson is complete. 

first-week2

A few helpful notes:

  • The calendar will show you exactly how many days you need to do each lesson. I was 18 weeks when I started, so I do each lesson for 9 days.
  • I’m fairly petite at 5’4″ and 107lbs (pre-pregnancy), 118lbs (at 18 weeks) and the belt was a little loose, but sitting down it worked just fine. By 20 weeks pregnant, the belt is definitely tight enough and I’ll probably have to loosen it soon:)
  • Don’t worry about the volume, it’s perfect for the baby.
  • Enjoy your time using BabyPlus, it’s a great way to bond while baby is in the womb.
  • Be warned, BabyPlus is very soothing and might put you to sleep:)

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Cord Blood Banking/Donation

Before your baby is even born, the umbilical cord serves as his or her (or their) lifeline. Did you know that after your baby is born, that lifeline can give hope to others? When patients with leukemia, lymphoma or other life-threatening diseases need a transplant, cord blood can be an option and a life saver. How does it work? It starts with parents donating their baby’s cord blood to one of several cord blood banking centers. Then, the doctor will look for a donor or a cord blood unit with a tissue type that matches their patient. If they’re a close match, that patient can receive the cord blood.baby-love-1208286-m

Cord blood donation is completely safe for you and your baby. No blood is taken from your baby. It’s only taken from the umbilical cord after your baby is born. Additionally, your labor and delivery will not be affected. Today, 18% of transplant patients receive cord blood that was generously donated to a public cord blood bank.

Parents may also choose to store their baby’s cord blood. While donating cord blood is usually free, storing cord blood can come with certain costs. But, you’ll want to be sure to check as each state and banking center is different. Learn more at these websites:

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Foods To Skip During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is an incredible gift. And, it’s our job as moms to ensure that our babies are getting the healthy nutrients they need. It’s also important to keep them protected by avoiding certain foods that are not considered safe during pregnancy. We’ve compiled a list of off-limits-foods for you:sushi-roll-1345449-m

  • Alcohol. Currently, there is no known safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy. Therefore, it’s recommended that you avoid it all together.
  • Raw meat. This includes seafood and shellfish, and undercook beef and poultry. So, sorry ladies, no medium-rare steaks or sushi for nine months.
  • Deli meat. Deli meats have been known to contain listeria, which can cause miscarriage. While the risk is very low, it’s just safe to stay away from it for now.
  • Fish with mercury. These include swordfish, shark, mackerel and tile fish.
  • Smoked fish. Again, these can be contaminated with listeria, so it’s best to avoid smoked fish.
  • Raw eggs. Raw eggs or any foods that contain raw eggs should be avoided because of the potential exposure to salmonella.
  • Soft cheeses. You’ll need to steer clear of brie, camembert, roquefort, feta, gorgonzola and mexican style cheeses that include queso blanco and queso fresco, unless they clearly state that they are made from pasteurized milk. All soft non-imported cheeses made with pasteurized milk are safe to eat.
  • Caffeine. As a general rule, caffeine should be limited to fewer than 200 mg per day during pregnancy.

As a final note, be sure to wash all fruits and veggies before consuming them. We hope this helps and that you don’t crave any of these yummy foods until after baby arrives.

Learn more about BabyPlus at babyplus.com.

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