The internet can be so helpful, but also so harmful as we are raising kids. I made a rule that I would NEVER google any pregnancy symptoms, and I stuck with it! When I finally gave birth I knew that there would be times I had a question I needed answered.
I quickly realized all information out there is not created equal.
But there are some fabulous resources out there to help you and answer questions you might have. Here are some of my favorites – some I still reference and others that were crucial in those early days!
For Sleep – Taking Cara Babies
See my full review HERE but I would recommend one of her online classes to every parent. She helped us create solid routines and know how to instill good habits in our daughter. We now have a great napper and baby who sleeps 12 hours at night. Her blog has amazing advice too!
For Nursing – Kelly Mom
When you’re beginning nursing it is hard to know what’s normal. Kelly Mom is a site run by an IBCLC and has medical-quality advice. It was my go-to in those early weeks for what to expect. It also has great advice on solids and so much more. Definitely bookmark this if you’re nursing!
For Solids – Feeding Littles
We decided to do Baby Led Weaning (BLW) with our daughter and there is SO MUCH bad information out there. (Short explanation – we never did purees and instead fed her “table food” – prepared in a safe texture – from day one) I wanted safe, concrete advice for how to start her on solids when she was developmentally ready. We waited til 6 months, I took this class online, and she has been a great eater ever since. Now I make one meal and we eat together – which was our goal as parents!
They also has helped us really institute the division of responsibility in eating with our daughter – we pick what to serve and when, she picks what she eats and how much. That’s it.
I give her food and she either eats it or not! That has removed all meal time pressure to “fill her up” or make her eat something. We are NOT a part of the clean plate club and I hope that instills in her a healthy relationship with food. As a side note, I also think Feeding Littles has helped my own eating and let me listen to my own hunger signs. If I’m hungry, I eat! If I’m not hungry, I don’t. My hunger goes up and down a lot – I was ravenous those early days of nursing – and that’s totally normal.
For Products – Lucie’s List
Seriously sign up for her email list NOW. It is SO hilarious and I loved getting her weekly emails when pregnant! She has honest honest honest reviews on products and what you really need for a baby. Short answer – you don’t need much. BUT I researched a ton of what we wanted here before buying!
For Medical Questions – Healthy Children
Honestly, I never google anything medical for my daughter. Because I live with a doctor 🙂 And our pediatrician is a close friend so anything he doesn’t know, we text her! BUT when I have had a quick question and he is gone, I always use the American Academy of Pediatrics site. This site has real medical information from DOCTORS and can be trusted!
So this list isn’t very extensive because there aren’t a ton of trustworthy places online. Lots of things are written by randoms – like me! – who you shouldn’t depend on for medical advice. But you will have questions, and if you do, the above sites can really help you out.
Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash
