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10 Tips for Sleeping Like a Baby While Pregnant

When you’re expecting and not sleeping well, it’s hard to find the energy to prepare for the demands of new motherhood. Whether you’re suffering from leg cramps or raging nighttime heartburn, say goodbye to restless nights with these ten helpful tips.

1. Exercise Daily

Studies show that moderate, low impact exercise for at least 30 minutes a day may aid sleep. Try walking, yoga, Pilates, and swimming.

2. Establish a Calming Nighttime Routine

Incorporate activities into your after-dinner routine that promote relaxation. Reading, writing, and listening to soothing music are great options. If your partner is willing to help, massage works wonders to aid sleep.

3. Unplug

Onscreen programming and content is stimulating. Let your mind take a break at the end of a long day and turn the television and computer off at least an hour before bedtime.

4. You Can Never Have Enough Pillows

Don’t be shy about gathering as many pillows as you need to get yourself into a comfortable position. If you’re suffering from heartburn or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), use a pillow to elevate your upper body to relieve symptoms. Pillows between your legs, behind your back, and under your belly may help alleviate the pressure and aches that are ruining your sleep.

5. Alternate Sides

Sleeping on your left side is preferable for both you and the baby, but it’s impractical to attempt to confine yourself to just one position for the whole night. Go ahead and sleep on your right side. Just remember to stay off your back!

6. Keep Cool

Go ahead, let in the cool air! Several studies have found that the optimal temperature for sleep is around 60 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Lower the thermostat (or open a window) in your bedroom and use blankets to regulate your body temperature.

7. Snack Before Bed

To ward off nausea and prevent dips in blood sugar, try eating a small, nutrient-rich snack before bedtime.

8. Reduce Fluid Consumption after 7:00 p.m.

Stay hydrated throughout the day and lessen fluid consumption after a certain time in the evening. You won’t eliminate your nighttime bathroom visits completely, but it should certainly help.

9. Eat Right

Throughout the day, focus on healthy eating. Lose the spicy and fried foods that are likely to trigger heartburn and other gastrointestinal upsets that could keep you up at night.

10. Talk to Someone

Understandably, expectant moms have a lot on their minds. If you find yourself having a hard time settling into sleep because of anxiety, try taking some time out during the day to talk to someone about your worries. Getting your thoughts out in the open with your partner, a friend, or even a therapist can help your mind slow down at night to aid sleep.

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5 Tips for Sending Baby Shower Invitations

A baby shower is a fun and meaningful way to celebrate a new addition to the family. Sending out baby shower invitations is often one of the first steps you take when planning a shower. Here are some helpful tips for sending invitations for an upcoming baby shower:

• Guest List: Organize your guest list with the parents-to-be in order to make sure that you don’t forget to send baby shower invitations to anyone important. Usually, they will want friends and family to attend and sometimes some co-workers as well. Gather the guests’ addresses or email addresses depending on how you plan to send out the baby shower invites.

• Ladies Only or Mixed: Decide ahead of time if you want just women to attend the event or if you want to host a “Jack and Jill” baby shower. If you decide to invite both men and women, make sure the baby shower invitation wording makes it clear that everyone is invited.

• Timing: A baby shower is typically held 6-8 weeks before the baby’s due date. Choose the date of the event with the mommy-to-be to make sure the date of the shower works for her and does not conflict with any of her doctor appointments. Also, be sure to send out the baby shower invites far enough in advance (4-6 weeks out) so that everyone can plan to attend.

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• Invitation Design: If you have a theme for the shower, like rubber duckies or monkeys, you can often find cute invitations that match the theme. You don't always need a theme for a baby shower, so if you don't have one, there are plenty of adorable baby shower invitations from which to choose. Storks, peas-in-a-pod, rattles, strollers, and moms-to-be are popular shower invitation designs.

• Wording: Select appropriate baby shower wording for the invitations. Inspirational quotes, rhyming words, and cute phrases are all perfect for baby shower invitations. You should also explicitly state on the invitations important things like if the shower is a surprise, if guests should bring gifts, directions to the party, etc.

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