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Baby Swaddle

• A tight swaddle inhibits your baby’s startle reflex by gently restricting arm and leg movement.
• Avoid heavy, stiff blankets that can cause your baby to overheat or affect her natural breathing pattern.
• Your baby’s swaddle should be tight.
• A swaddle is as simple as three tucks and a fold.

Interviewing a Nanny

• Always do a face-to-face interview and contact all references.
• Ask the caregiver about age-specific activities to gauge their experience.
• Ask scenario questions to determine if the caregiver has the common sense you need.
• When checking references, be sure to ask specific questions about conflict that arose and how the caregiver handled feedback.
• Only hire a caregiver who agrees to a trial day before hiring.

Nanny Facts

• Decide on the qualifications and/or education you require the nanny to have.
• Because you can deduct room and board expenses, a live-in nanny may have less take-home pay than a live-out.
• Any nanny who is caring for a baby or toddler should have current First Aid and CPR training.
• Personally interview each nanny and ask specific, scenario-type questions (“What would you do if…?”)
• Have your nanny come to your home for a paid trial day.

First-born Jealousy

• Teach your toddler how to play with the baby in the same way you teach him anything else: talk to him, demonstrate, guide and encourage.
• Don't blame everything on the new baby–be careful not to say things like: "We can't go to the park because the baby's sleeping."
• Acknowledge your toddler's unspoken feelings by saying things like: "Things sure have changed with the new baby here. It's going to take us all some time to get used to this." When your child knows you understand his feelings, he'll have less need to act up to get your attention.
• Say extra I love yous, increase your daily dose of hugs and find time to read a book or play a game. Temporary behavior problems are normal and can be eased with an extra dose of time and attention.

Managing Multiples

• More women are having multiples–the number of twin births in the U.S. increased 74% from 1980 to 2000, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.
• The best thing you can do is get support from other moms of multiples. Check out multiplebirthsfamilies.com or multiplebirthscanada.org, which includes a list of local support groups in Canada.
• Consider hiring a doula or baby nurse for those early days when you're still recovering after the babies are born.
• Young teen and pre-teen neighbors can be great helpers and can entertain a baby or two while you do laundry or organize dinner.
• If friends and family ask how they can help, be specific. If you need help grocery shopping or an extra pair of hands at bath time, say so.