When trying to learn how to keep your baby happy and healthy, it is vital to remember that your baby will feed off your energy, so when you are happy, they will be overall happier. Remember — your happiness matters. Here are some tips to help you both stay healthy and happy.

Make the best decisions for your baby.

You know what is best for you and your baby. You decide if you will stay home or go back to work, breastfeed or formula feed, use cloth diapers or disposable diapers, start with fruits or start with vegetables. Despite everyone telling you what is best for you and your baby, only you know what the right answer is for both of you. When you decide what you want to do, research what you need to make it most comfortable for you. For example, if you will be primarily breastfeeding, buy yourself a comfortable nursing pillow so that you can enjoy that time with your little one. If you are going to pump, invest in a high-quality pumping bra like the ones carried by Simple Wishes. Buying a good pumping bra will make pumping much easier and more convenient. There are so many uncomfortable things about pumping, your pumping bra shouldn’t be one of them. If you are strictly going to bottle feed, find bottles that will help reduce air consumption. Less air means less spit-up.

Get more exercise regularly.

Both you and your baby need exercise, fresh air, and sunshine. You will feel better while bonding with your baby. You will both sleep better and feel be healthier overall and more alert thanks to adequate amounts of sun and fresh air. Walk with your baby every day. If you don’t live somewhere where you can walk outside year-round, find indoor places where you can walk. While you won’t be getting all the fresh air and sunshine, the exercise will still help both of you. Read up on jogging stroller comparisons, and invest in a comfortable and reliable jogging stroller. If you aren’t jogging just yet or never plan to jog, jogging strollers are more comfortable to maneuver and walk with on uneven surfaces like trails or bumpy sidewalks. An active parent is a happier parent, so consider a jogging stroller, which can make being active more convenient for you.

Follow health recommendations

In your baby’s first year, you may feel overwhelmed by the multitude of doctor’s appointments needed. However, many things do need testing. For example, a newborn hearing screening is vital because it is highly challenging to detect a hearing problem in a newborn otherwise. The sooner a hearing problem is diagnosed, the sooner corrective actions and ears intervention services can be implemented to ensure your baby develops the speaking skills they will need throughout life. Hearing Health USA is committed to everyone living their best life, which includes communicating with others clearly and effectively. They take your baby’s hearing health very seriously and have clinics throughout the country.

Don’t forget about your mental health.

First-time mothers often suffer from postpartum depression, anxiety, fear, guilt, exhaustion, and a variety of other contributors to mental health problems. Having a child is no small feat, and mothers often think that they should feel nothing but joy. The reality is you may feel a combination of positive and negative emotions that change frequently. Take care of yourself, and it will directly contribute to the health and happiness of your baby. Find people to talk to, see a therapist, tell your doctor how you feel, take breaks, and ask for help. This advice may sound easier said than done, but your mental health is critical so don’t take it lightly.

Fortunately, you don’t have to spend every weekend cleaning and working on your home. With the right maintenance, you can limit your work to a few hours each week. Follows these five easy steps to keep your house in shape.

1. Clean the exterior of your house.

Your house might be spotless on the inside, but if it looks dirty and neglected on the outside that won’t make a great impression on passersby and can even lead to serious damage. Along with basic yard maintenance and landscaping, make sure you remember to clean your home’s physical exterior.

Make sure you watch the exterior of your windows at least monthly and look into pressure washing your house seasonally. Regular house washing will prevent build-up of grime, making it easier to clean your home and help you identify mold and moisture problems before they become severe.

2. Catch problems early on.

Houses do not heal themselves and problems that you have will not magically go away. In fact, they are likely to get much worse if they are ignored. As a homeowner, one of the best ways to save money is to catch problems early on and stay alert to any warning signs your home exhibits.

For example, if your shower is taking a long time to drain or your sinks are making strange noises and unpleasant odors, you may need to call a plumber. If you live in Georgia, calling an Atlanta drain repair company when these symptoms arise can prevent a major plumbing emergency. There are also reputable drain repair in Johns Creek, GA companies that you can use when you need a plumber fast. Don’t skimp on fixing that sewer line since issues in your drain line or sewer line can cause major issues that will be expensive to fix later on. When it comes to homeownership, an ounce of prevention is always worth a pound of cure.

3. Clean a little bit each day.

Have you ever looked around your house and wondered how it got so messy? There are dishes stacked up, the floor is dirty, and there is grime in the bathrooms. When your home looks like this, it can take hours to clean it – which is both frustrating and exhausting.

Instead of waiting for your house to get dirty, clean a little each day. Wipe down your countertops so the food particles don’t stick. Take out the trash before it starts to smell and overflows. If you set aside 30 minutes each day for cleaning, your home will never get overwhelmingly dirty.

4. Practice decluttering techniques.

The longer you live in one place, the more clutter you are likely to have accumulated. Gifts, impulse buys, and home decorations can build up and make it seem like your house is smaller. During your spring cleaning and fall cleaning each year, go through your home and collect items you want to donate. You can also invest in storage containers to better organize your items. Decluttering will make your home look better and can motivate you to clean.

5. Invest in quality repairs.

There’s an old adage for homeowners that says, “you can buy it cheap or you can buy it once.” This means that low-budget fixes are more likely to break, causing you frustration and making you spend more in the long-run.

If you need to repair something in your home, make sure you are fully addressing the problem instead of going with a temporary solution. You can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing that the issue is fully resolved and move on to other activities.

Keeping your home well-maintained will give you a sense of pride in where you live. It will also help you save money because the problems you catch won’t get out of hand.

Listed below are tips first-time homeowners can follow for some of the most important maintenance jobs.

Keep Your AC System in Good Condition

When major appliances like the air conditioning and heating system malfunction, there can be catastrophic effects. These systems may malfunction when they don’t receive the thorough cleaning they deserve. The lack of cleaning could lead to homeowners and residents experiencing breathing problems and other health issues caused by fungi or bacteria growing among uncleared air conditioners and old filters. A central air conditioner may cause dust, mold, dander, and more to circulate in the air and cause contamination and sickness.

Homeowners must have their air conditioner and HVAC unit repaired and replaced regularly. Leave repair services and the installation of a new air conditioner to the professionals. High-quality AC replacements done by skilled technicians like those at Direct Air Conditioning, LLC, can improve a new home’s indoor air quality. The professionals and HVAC technicians at this Miami AC repair company have years of experience providing excellent AC repairs and AC installation.

Update Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

A working smoke detector and alarm can alert you and your family about a fire outbreak. Carbon monoxide detectors are necessary, too, to prevent danger and poisoning, as this toxic gas is odorless and colorless. Properly functioning detectors and alarms give residents the chance to deal with the situation as safely as possible. In addition to performing maintenance on sensors often, establish and practice emergency evacuation plans with your family.

Make Sure Your Plumbing Stays in Working Order

Internal pipes and fixtures also need attention. Watch for signs of exposed pipes and plumbing issues. Clogged drains and low water pressure may be indicative of a leak or debris buildup. Furthermore, water damage, mold, raised or broken floor tiles, water-stained rugs, backed up toilets, sinks, showers, and tubs that drain slowly or not are common signs of a cast iron pipe drainage system that isn’t functioning correctly.

Homeowners should get the pipes under the kitchen and bathroom sinks and fixtures inspected for water damage and corrosion. A professional plumbing company—such as Advanced Plumbing Technology—can provide high-quality sewage and cast iron pipe repairs homeowners need.

These specialists use robust equipment and technology to show homeowners the current condition of the pipes that run under their homes, safely and quickly evaluate the damage, and provide affordable solutions to enhance outdated plumbing into a modern, efficient plumbing system.

Freshen Up the Exterior Paint

Attractive paint on your house adds curb appeal to your property. Improved curb appeal can increase your home’s value. Maintaining the way your house looks outside by pressure washing away grime, dirt, and mold and adding fresh paint can make it look clean and new while allowing it to stand out in the neighborhood.

Give Your Driveway the Sealing It Needs

Depending on your climate, the ground may experience freezing during harsh winter months and thawing as spring arrives. These seasonal changes cause the ground—and your pavement—to expand and contract. The environmental conditions your pavement undergoes may cause cracks that can give weeds a place to grow and stubbornly ruin your driveway. Consider resealing the driveway every year to three years.

The maintenance needs to complete around the house can be overwhelming to new homeowners. It can be beneficial to create a list of essential maintenance jobs and how often you should do them. Keeping track of such duties can help your household look good and run at its best.

Find a reputable transport company.

When planning your long-distance move, the first step is to find a reliable vehicle transport company. You’ll want someone you can trust to drive safely and take care of your belongings for the long haul, and it can be tricky to find the right people for the job. If you’re not sure where to start, consider using a free online auto transport company directory to search for auto transport companies in your area.

There are several reputable auto transport companies to choose from, so it’s important to base your decision on availability and cost. Before making the decision, make sure the company is licensed and insured for interstate moves and has good online reviews.

Consider your budget.

There are multiple factors that affect the total cost to transport a car. For small vans, pickup trucks, and SUVs, average car shipping costs range from $800 to $1,070 for a New York to California move. If you’re moving during the off-season winter months, expect to hit the lower end of the range. On the other hand, if you’re moving in the summer, expect to spend more.

Check your insurance.

Although most reputable auto transport companies carry insurance, be sure to ask for a physical copy to ensure the policy is current. If the auto transport company doesn’t clearly list their insurance information, contact the company to verify what is and what isn’t covered by their insurance.

Before the move, contact your car insurance company to determine whether your vehicle is covered during transport. If your existing insurance policy doesn’t cover transport, your insurance company may offer supplemental coverage. It’s also important to keep in mind that some insurance providers require advance documentation from your auto transport company.

Prepare your vehicle for transport.

To ensure your transport goes as smoothly as possible, prepare your vehicle before the move. While the transport company you work with will provide the specifics that you need to do before pick-up, it’s also a good idea to empty your car, remove your valuables, and check your tires, battery, and fuel gauge.

To be safe, you should also inspect your vehicle for existing damage and photograph the vehicle from all angles. If your vehicle incurs any damage on the road, you’ll have enough evidence to seek reimbursement.

Lease a vehicle storage unit.

If you’re still searching for a new home, consider leasing a vehicle storage unit to keep your vehicle safe during your search. In addition to cars, vehicle storage units can also store motorcycles, jet skis, automobiles, trucks, boats, and RVs.

Before leasing a vehicle storage unit, it’s essential to choose a reputable storage facility. Storage facilities offer a range of options to store and protect your vehicle, ranging from a dedicated parking spot and covered parking spaces to fully enclosed storage units. If your budget allows for it, a fully enclosed vehicle storage space offers the most protection for your vehicle, with complete enclosure and a padlocked roll-up door.

Moving is notoriously stressful. If you’re just starting the search, the real estate brokers at Ashe County Real Estate can help you navigate the moving process and find your dream home. As a leading real estate company in North Carolina, Ashe County Real Estate specializes in mountain properties, retirement homes, and log cabins. To make your move as stress-free as possible, reach out to the experts at Ashe County Real Estate for more information on Blue Ridge Mountains NC property listings and other moving assistance.

Road trips are excellent for bonding with your family and making memories that will last you a lifetime. So, are you and your crew road-ready? Continue reading to learn what items are must-haves for your journey.

1. Comfortable Travel Clothes

One of the most important things to remember to bring with you on your road trip is clothes that you won’t want to rip off after a few hours on the road. You need to dress for the journey.

When packing for your trip, be sure that you pack clothes that are breathable and will allow you to move around comfortably. Heavy, thick materials are a huge no-no.

If you’re planning on going on a pre-road trip shopping run, then shop with comfort in mind. The perfect place to find the right gear for your journey is an online store like Chico’s. They have comfortable travel clothing for women at prices that are affordable for all budgets.

2. Car Charger and Map

What’s a road trip without a map? Sure, you probably have all kinds of travel apps on your phone, and those will certainly come in handy. But, there’s nothing quite like drawing your route on a map and trekking your way across the country the way your family used to when you were a kid. You can find roadmaps at most major retailers and travel centers.

Another essential for your expedition is your car charger. You don’t want to be in the middle of nowhere without any juice in your phone and no way to charge your phone. If you end up on the road with a dead phone and no charger, then you will kick yourself.

In fact, don’t just bring yours—make sure your kids have their devices and chargers as well. Screen addiction is a real thing, but if tablets and smartphones keep the kids from shouting, “Are we there yet?” every time they see an exit, then it may be a noble sacrifice.

3. Gas Can, Car Jack, Tools, and RV Owner’s Manual

When you hit the road, you need to be ready for the possibility that your RV could run into trouble. Be sure that you have a full gas can in case you run out of fuel on the road. You also need to make sure that you have at least one spare tire and the tools to change a tire if you need to.

Also, before you hit the road, you need to make sure that your RV is covered in case you have a problem bigger than you can handle. While it may go without saying, you need to make sure that your RV insurance is in good standing.

Also, if your RV is no longer under warranty, then you need to rectify that before hitting the road. Search on a site like Today’s Best Company to find the best RV warranty for your budget and needs. RV repairs are expensive, and you don’t want to have to come out of pocket for repairs on top of your other road trip expenses.

4. Plenty of Road Snacks

Another thing you need to bring for your trip is plenty of tasty snacks for the road. If you stop at a restaurant every time your crew gets hungry, then you’re going to burn through your budget as quickly as you’re burning gas. Save your self some time and money by stocking up on treats the whole family enjoys.

5. Your Best RV Attitude

The most important element of your road trip is a positive attitude. You’re going to spend a lot of time on the road, and tensions can rise after being cooped up in a vehicle for too long.

The key is to remember that your purpose in taking a road trip is for you and your family to enjoy each other’s company and see the country together. Don’t let trivial frustrations put a damper on your adventure. See you on the road!