New Dad? Here’s How To Take The Load Off The Mother

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In those early days of your baby’s life, it can feel like the guy is being sidelined somewhat. Naturally, the mothers spend more time with the baby, and they do things that men can’t naturally do, like breastfeed! But, it’s important for the dad to be there as much as they can, in an emotional sense, but also, we need to be there to take the load off when it all gets a bit too much. So, are there some things you can do to help?

Keep On Top Of The Housework

The kitchen will be an absolute garbage tip, so if there isn’t much you can do by way of helping out with the baby at the very start, at least do what you can to keep the dishes from piling high. It’s impossible to do everything in these early days as far as cleaning is concerned, but a cursory clean will help make things that little bit easier.

Be Nurturing

She isn’t going to feel like she’s doing a good job, and yes, hormones are a big reason for this, but if you’re not being nurturing and supporting enough, then it’s going to fuel the fire. Instead, be reassuring, and be positive. Remember, she’s been through such a hard time with the birth, that she hasn’t had a mental break, so a few kind words is always going to help.

Try To Create Happy Memories

She might feel so zombified that the simplest of tasks can feel like an arduous trial, so take it upon yourself to get as many pictures as possible, and create a lot of happy moments that you can both look back on years from now. Even something like a maternity photography session could help to crystallize this perfect moment, even if it doesn’t feel so perfect right now due to tiredness. The first few months or so are going to be a blur, which is why it’s so important for you to learn to cherish these moments, and if you struggle yourself, then try to create these moments so you can all benefit.

Be Ready To Drop Everything

Yes, you might have had it in your head that you were going to the gym, but if something happens, and she gets very upset, you need to be prepared to drop everything in order to be with her and your baby. You might want to spend as much time as possible with your baby and your partner in those first few months, but there could be a point where you feel that there’s not much you can do, so the temptation to go out rears its head. If you do decide to go out by yourself, be aware that this might not materialize. This means you have to be ready to swoop in and comfort the mother, or provide an extra helping hand, because the baby won’t sleep again.

It’s hard work, especially if you’re not one of those hands-on dads, but you need to be as supportive and helpful as possible. And so, by taking the load off whenever it’s feasible, this is going to help your partner and your baby, but make you feel like you’re doing something worthwhile too.

This post is a collaborative effort by St. Louis Dad.

Smooth Out Skin Irritations

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If you have sensitive skin, you might find that your skin could flare up at any minute. Sometimes, this can be very unpredictable, and there can be no way of knowing when a red rash is going to flair up. This can be very annoying for every guy as it’s quite a common problem. Don’t want to raid your girlfriend or wife’s collection of skincare products just yet? I don’t blame you! Here are some other things that should help you smooth out any skin irritations.

Wear Natural Materials

One reason why you are suffering from all kinds of skin irritations is that your clothes are aggravating them. This is usually the case with clothes that have been made with man-made materials and fibers, such as nylon and polyester. These can prevent the skin from breathing, which can affect its temperature control. You might find that wearing these types of materials results in a heat rash developing. So, instead try and wear clothes that are made from cotton or other natural fibers.

Watch Your Watches

Do you always develop a red rash under your watch strap? That will probably be a heat rash and, like in the point above regarding clothes, they usually occur with watched that are made from synthetic materials. This is very often a problem for those guys who wear Fitbits or Apple watches all the time, as the standard straps are plastic. However, if you buy replacement bands for Apple watch or a Fitbit, you should be able to find some that are made from natural materials. These will be much better for your skin.

Remove Allergens From The Home

If you think that your skin problems are the result of some allergies, you might want to try and remove possible allergens from your home. For instance, it’s a good idea to switch any duvets that contain duck or goose feathers with some that are made from entirely synthetic materials. You should also go the doctors if you keep getting a rash and have a dog or a cat in your home – you could be allergic to them!

Go Easy When Shaving

Some guys like to feel super smooth after they’ve shaved, which is completely understandable. However, when you do shave, you need to make sure that you aren’t going too hard on your skin as this could result in some irritation and rashes. When you do shave, make sure you never do so dry. Your skin needs to be wet and you should use a shaving cream. That way, the razor will glide over your skin a lot better and you will find that you don’t cut yourself so often. It’s also a good idea to moisturize once you have shaved to keep your skin silky smooth!

Skin irritations and rashes can be very annoying and frustrating. Thankfully, all of the tips above should help you bring an end to any redness you’ve been trying to deal with. If not, you should book an appointment with your doctor, to rule out anything serious.

This post is a collaborative effort by St. Louis Dad.

Creating A Calm, Soothing Sanctuary For Your Child

Sleep is essential for good health. Whether you’re an adult or you’re a child growing at a rate of knots, your body needs sleep to recover. The environment in which you doze plays a major role in the quality of sleep, and this is why it’s so important to design a space that makes you feel calm and relaxed. If you have a little one moving into their nursery from your bedroom or you’re redecorating your tot’s room, here are some tips to help you create a soothing sanctuary.

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Choosing the right colors

Colors can have a significant impact on our mood. Some shades make us feel energetic and lively while others have a calming effect. In the bedroom, it’s always best to opt for shades that are proven to make you feel relaxed. Choose soft tones, neutral shades or pastels, rather than bright colors or clashing prints and patterns. If you’ve got plain walls, and you’re keen to add color, use wall art, soft furnishings and accessories like bookends and floor cushions. For inspiration, check out sites like https://www.pinterest.com/explore/babies-rooms/.

Setting the temperature

Most of us find it difficult to sleep when it’s too hot or freezing cold. When you’re designing your baby’s nursery or your toddler’s bedroom, bear the temperature in mind. You can use a thermometer to monitor the temperature and adjust the thermostat. If you tend to use the heating a lot and the air is dry, it may be worth investing in a humidifier to add moisture. Humidifiers can facilitate breathing and hydrate your baby’s skin. If you’d like to read reviews, take a look at https://wholovesbabies.com/honeywell-germ-free-cool-mist-humidifier-hcm350-review/. If the room is too cold, avoid layering blankets, duvets and sheets. It’s much safer for babies to snooze in sleep bags. This way, there’s no risk of the baby getting tangled up in sheets or overheating. Ideally, the temperature of the nursery should be 16-20 degrees.

Lighting

Lighting sets the tone of the room. In the bedroom, you want your child to be able to unwind and chill out, so opt for soft lighting or fit a dimmer switch. If the light is bright or harsh, this will make it difficult to switch off. If your child doesn’t like sleeping with all the lights off, invest in a nightlight that will provide low-level lighting.

Encouraging relaxation

If you’re working on plans for a new nursery or child’s bedroom, it’s wise to try and promote relaxation. You can do this by using textured throws, rugs and floor cushions to create a cozy feel, setting up a calm zone with books and beanbags and keeping technology out of the room. Some children also like to listen to soothing music when they’re getting ready for bed. If you have a home speaker system, you can put a playlist on and then control it from the room you’re in using your phone or a remote control.

Every parent wants their child to sleep well. There are many factors that affect sleep, but one of the most important is the sleeping environment. If you’re designing a new room, hopefully, this guide will help you create a heavenly haven for your little one.

This post is a collaborative effort by St. Louis Dad.

How To Teach An Old Dog New Tricks

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There is a phrase that everyone knows about that says that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. But oh how wrong that statement is. Sure, it may be a little more difficult as they get older, but it doesn’t mean they’re incapable of learning things. Dogs are highly intelligent creatures, this is why so many emergency services use them. They work alongside the police to sniff out illegal substances, while finding people and catching them if they run. Some medical hospitals use them to sniff out cancer in humans, identifying if it’s in the body, and where. And they are even prescribed to people who aren’t able to manage for themselves, whether that be because they’re anxious or depressed, or suffer from a disability which means they are unable to do certain things by themselves due to being blind or deaf. So as you can see, if they weren’t super smart, they would never be doing the line of work that they do.

Dogs are there for us no matter what, that’s what makes them a man’s best friend. They manage to give us a new found confidence that we may have thought we lost. They stand by our side through the thick and thin. They make us laugh when we feel like crying. And they encourage us to be a better person.

So what about when it comes to teaching them things later on in life?

Here’s how you can ensure that you do it correctly.

Make sure they’re healthy.

If you have a dog that isn’t in full health whether that be due to an ear infection or worms, you can’t expect them to give you their full attention because they are already preoccupied with other niggling issues. Take fleas, for example, these are a very common nuisance that gets into your pups fur and breeds and breeds until they are covered in the little things. They then bite and feed on their blood, which becomes extremely irritating for your dog causing them to scratch, so much so that they end up pulling out patches of fur. In order to control this and kill off any eggs and crawlers, you’ll need Advecta that is made specifically to treat these horrible pests. Once you know that your dog is well, then you can start your training.

 

Make sure you’re patient.

You need to ensure that you are always calm and relaxed when going to start part of your training. There are times where you may think that you’re making progress, and then for some reason, your dog will do something wrong or forget, and you will feel like you’re taking a step back. However frustrating this may be, you need to keep your composure and not take it out on your pup. You need to know that they’re trying their best, and we all make mistakes. Patience is your best friend here, and your dog will pick up on it straight away. If you start to get annoyed, then stop the process, because your dog will sense the shift in your energy and will become anxious which will just make things worse.

 

Make sure it’s short.

When your dog is very young, you can train them for quite a long time before they get disinterested and you have to stop. But when they’re older, they will be a little slower, both physically and possibly mentally, so you shouldn’t push them too much otherwise it will all become a waste of time. Choose one command or trick, and focus on repeating that for five minutes. Do this once or twice a day, every day, until the command has been understood and they know what they’re doing. Then and only then, should you move onto the next things.

 

Make sure you praise them.

Every dog needs to be praised when they do something you’re happy about, otherwise they will never know when they’ve done something right. You need to give them a big fuss and cuddle and be vocal about it. They know when you’re pleased because your voice is in a higher pitch and it sounds playful, as a pose to being monotone like when you’re putting out commands. As well as doing this, you should always have a treat at hand. It can be anything as long as you know they really like them. Make sure you only give them a little bit though because the idea is to leave them wanting more. Then if there is any left over at the end you can give them to your dog and end the session.

 

Make sure the environment is empty.

If you’re going to be using a room in your home for training, like the living room, for example, make sure the area is clean and there are no distractions lying around like toys. If your dog is surrounded by other things that they like to do or play with, then they will find it very difficult to focus, even when they really want to. So if you know there is too much going on, move somewhere else. You also want to make sure that there are no noises coming from the tv or radio that can intervene with your dog’s listening. So turn everything off, clean up all the clutter, and make yourself the only thing of interest to your pup.
And there you have it. If you make an effort to follow all of these rules, then your older companion should be learning new things within no time. It may not happen overnight – but it might! There is no reason that they shouldn’t be able to pick up something new straight away if they want to. It’s just down to you to ensure that you go about it the right way. Make it fun and interesting. Believe it or not – dogs like to learn – it’s enjoyable for them, especially because they have your undivided attention during the process, and that’s what most of your furry friends pine after.

This post is a collaborative effort by St. Louis Dad.