Real Parent Stories with Jess

To begin with, tell us a little more about who you are, where you're from and the age of your little one(s)? 

My name is Jess from a tiny town called Tullibigeal and I have my baby boy, 4 month old Darcy.

What were your very first thoughts after your baby was born? 

Wow! I have a baby! This tiny baby is depending on me for ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING! It's all on me.

Did you settle quickly into a routine with your baby? 

If so, do you think it worked well for you? It took about 6 weeks before we started to get into a bit of a routine which before then I thought how the hell am I ever going to get me and the baby into any sort of routine but he did it himself. Started going to bed at the same time and so we were able to prepare our evenings as he was doing basically the same thing every night. It was so good to finally have a bit of order in the house.

How soon after your baby was born did you begin to swaddle your baby? 

Straight away! On advice from paediatrician he was always swaddled. Once he was about 2 weeks old he would just get his hands out from the swaddle so even though I only had size M Love To Dream™ I put him in them and from 3 months we transitioned to arms out.

How did you come to know about LOVE TO DREAM™? 

Friends with older babies have used them so I had seen them using them and I received one at my baby shower and bought one more myself.

Do you feel like using the LOVE TO DREAM™ range of products has made a positive impact on you and your baby's sleep? 

Absolutely. The ARMS UP™ position made all the difference.

What is the one thing you wish you'd known before you became a parent? 

How hard those first six weeks and learning to breastfeed is.

Three words to describe life before parenthood and three to describe life post-parenthood? 

Spontaneous independent rested. After; tiring, joyous, caring.

What is the one piece of advice you'd like to offer new parents or parents-to-be? 

Prepare yourselves and your home for the first six weeks where your usually tidy ordered home will be a whirlwind. Cook meals for the freezer prepare to not leave the house and ask for help for your own sanity.

What are the top 5 essential items every new parent should have ready to go when baby arrives? 

A LOVE TO DREAM SWADDLE UP™ of course as so many babies seem to get out of a wrap. Well prepared change table, have everything ready to go nappies wipes nappy bags. The baby's sleeping area either cot or bassinet and have spare sheets. If breastfeeding some nipple shields, rite aid gel pads and nipple cream. You have no idea how sore and painful it can be. Be ready yourself to give everything else up to put all your attention and care into the baby, you really don't realise how much looking after they take.