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Selling Your Home with Babies and Kids

Are you thinking about selling your home with young children in tow?  Award-winning realtor and mother of two, Kamber Petty shares her favorite tips to make the process a little less stressful in Selling Your Home with Babies and Kids. Updated for 2022!

Selling Your Home with Babies and Kids
Selling Your Home

Selling Your Home with Babies and Kids

Yes it’s true that the real estate market is hot, but that doesn’t make it any less stressful…especially for parents with young children! These tips can help:

·  Obtain an agent that fits your style.  You need an agent that understands your current situation. Parents of young children need to find a realtor that recognizes that a short and to the point email or text is often the best way to communicate.  An agent is there to serve you, and you need to find one that best serves your family’s needs.

· Set up a plan. Before the home goes on the market, decide on the steps you are going to take to keep the home presentable. How you will handle showings, and secure pets for example.

·  Remember that kids come with lots toys and accessories. Aim to pack up about half of the toys to put in storage.  You were going to have to pack them up when you move anyway, so why not do it now? The kids won’t miss the toys, and it makes tiding up before home showings a lot easier. Plus, the kids will enjoy opening up the boxes when it’s time. 

·  Infants come with lots of gear too!  Buyers are not going to think less of you if there are bassinets, play mats and swings around. Most of the baby gear on the market today can be folded up for easy storage anyway. So as long as they are not blocking walkways or making a room feel cluttered, it’s okay to leave gear out.

·  Scheduled Showings:  Make sure agents can schedule online to see the home. The Listing Agent can set up the showings to give you a 4, 2 or 1-hour notice so you don’t have to scramble to get the home ready.  Create a place to put away items quickly, so that showings can be done on short notice. Even kids as young as toddlers can help pick-up toys to put in a big basket in a family room before an agent arrives with prospective homebuyers. Get the kids involved for sure!

About the Author:

Kamber Petty is a mom to two very active boys and a successful Realtor. Kamber has garnered the NVAR Top Producing Club, Platinum Member Award. When you can’t find her showing homes or meeting clients, you can find her on the baseball field with her two middle school boys.  

Did you know you can write a relevant post too simply by supporting Mission Sleep?! Mission Sleep is our 501c3 nonprofit. We provide care for military & 1st responder families whose newborns arrive when a parent is deployed, wounded or deceased.

529 College Savings

updated, December 27, 2023 – Patricia Roberts is Chief Operating Officer at Gift of College, Inc., and author of Route 529: A Parents Guide to Saving for College. Patricia is on a mission to educate new parents about the value of planning ahead! Opening a 529 college savings account before your newborn arrives, or soon thereafter is something you’ll appreciate for years.

There are several important reasons to start saving for college when your baby is born including: the power of compounding, great tax benefits and making it easy for friends and family to contribute whenever they can.

529 College Savings – Financial Benefits

  • The power of compounding –  The earlier parents can open a college savings account for their child’s future, the more time there will be for even small contributions to compound and grow in value. This means you earn interest on the money initially invested, plus you earn interest on the interest!
  • Tax benefits – Earnings on 529 accounts are not taxed! They are never taxed when withdrawn to pay for a wide range of higher education expenses, well beyond traditional college. Also, 35 states and the District of Columbia offer an annual tax deduction or credit for contributions to 529 college savings plan accounts. 
  • It’s easy for friends and family to contribute. Once an account is opened, parents can invite others to contribute. Rather than giving gifts that are quickly outgrown for birthdays for example, 529 contributions are truly used. Most 529 plans have online tools which enable invitations to be sent by account owners. Creating a circle of support for a child’s education can be a beautiful tradition.  
529 College Savings

How to Get a 529 College Savings Plan Started

Every state offers a 529 plan, but each state is a little different so your first step is to Google your state and “529 plan” together. The plans will include information for you to consider such as:

  • Possible fees related to initial enrollment, annual maintenance or minimum contribution amounts.
  • Tax deductions or credit for contributions available in your state
  • professionally managed 529’s versus plans sold directly from your state to you

You’ll need your baby’s date of birth and Social Security number to start a 529. It’s okay if you need to wait for their social security number, you can start the account yourself and then transfer it. Parents of newborns and infants, especially parents of twins, have a lot on their plates. Establishing a 529 account early in your child’s life creates peace of mind. College is often the most significant investments as a family. Any amount saved will be that much less that a child will need to borrow and repay with interest. 

Baby Tip of the Day!

We’re posting one tip per day on social media so expecting and new parents don’t get information overload! We hope you enjoy Baby Tip of the Day! Experts, you can always send your tips and videos to us too!

What’s Baby Tip of the Day: 2022 – 2023 Edition!

Same concept, one piece of tangible advice every day to make your life easier. What’s different is the inclusion of updated guidelines that have changed since 2020, COVID19 info and even more expert contributors. Our team has provided over 2 million hours of newborn care and education. We’ve shared a LOT of advice during that time, but we’ve also received education about babies, pregnancy and postpartum health. Community leaders, pediatricians, subject matter experts and mental health professionals have all contributed to this project. We’ll detail everyones contributions on social media and here on the blog.

So, every day you’ll see a helpful, actionable tip from our community of experts. Sleep, baby care and the vital subjects you expect to see will be included but less obvious topics such as estate planning, postpartum sexual health and newborn photography will also be shared.

Here’s an example:

The Dreamfeed- In this video, RN Noelle explains how to actually do this later night feed and how “dreamfeeding” can benefit your baby and family. After watching this tip a viewer will be in expert too!

Our goal is the same as it always is- to provide evidence-based advice on the care of newborns and postpartum parents. We’ll post all the tips below and you can follow #BabyTipoftheDay on your social media of choice; Instagram, YouTube, Facebook or Pinterest.

Night Nurse burping newborn baby
Night Nurse caring for Newborn

All the Baby Tips of the Day:

Week 1: News & FAQS – These are based on 2022’s recently updated baby care recommendations.

  • 2/14/22 – Milestones Have Been Updated! : The CDC’s Milestone Tracker – This App keeps track of development from age 2 mos-5 yrs with descriptions of each milestone. Especially good for parents of twins.
  • 2/15/22 – COVID Vax: – Yes, you should get vaccinated if breastfeeding. Here’s a list of data supported studies supporting the recommendation.
  • 2/16/2022 – How to Swaddle: How to Swaddle like a pro!
  • 2/17/2022 – SaferProducts.gov – Just because they sell it, doesn’t mean it’s safe. Beginning in mid-2022, any product marketed for infant sleep must meet a federal safety standard. Til then check out SaferProducts.gov if you’re not sure if your product is safe or not. All the details here: CPSC Incline Sleeper Ban.
  • 2/18/2022 – Sleep Schedule with your Partner – Split the night: the safe way for everyone to get more sleep.

Week 2: Postpartum Mental & Physical Health

  • 2/21/2022 – Affirmations for brand new parents from noted pediatrician Dr. Molly O’Shea.
  • 2/22/2022 – PPD & Baby Blues: Know the Difference . Crucial info for new parents and those who love them.
  • 2/23/2022 – Diastasis Recti – strengthen your core using 360 Canister Breathing
  • 2/24/2022 – Fights that Happen b/t 11p-6a don’t count! – Sleep deprivation will strain you and your partner’s relationship.
  • 2/25/2022 – 4:7:8 breathing and more tips for YOU to sleep if anxiety is keeping you awake.
  • 2/26/2022 – Dads and Depression: Look out for postpartum depression signs in non-birthing partners too because it affects 1 in 10 partners.
Baby Tip of the Day!
The Science of Hugs!

Week 3: Tips for Your First Week Home

  • 2/28/2022 – Baby’s First Bath
  • 3/1/2022- If you’re nursing and it seems like baby is “always on you,” you’re doing it right!
  • 3/2/2022 – Newborns DO breathe differently, however don’t let it worry you because it’s normal for them to have staggered breathing.
  • 3/3/2022 – Newborn sleep in the first few weeks is erratic…the schedule is that there is no schedule.
  • 3/4/2022 – Babies need lots of opportunities to burp…here are 2 burping techniques.

Week 4: Baby Sleep Training

  • 3/7/2022 – Sample Infant Sleep Schedules for 4-6 months 5-6 months and 10-11 months
  • 3/8/2022 – Baby Kryptonite! Easy technique to calm baby via ThePeacefulSleeper.com
  • 3/9/2022 – Do’s and Don’ts of Cry it Out so you can figure out what’s right for your family.
  • 3/10/2022 – The Dreamfeed is one last feed before you go to bed, ensuring that baby is sleeping when you are.
  • 3/11/2022 – The degree of incline is the reason carseats are used but incline sleepers are banned. Learn more: carseats vs incline sleepers

Week 5: Twins & Multiple Kids

  • 3/14/22 – Self-care is great, but did you know it should actually be scheduled to be even more beneficial?
  • 3/15/22 – If you’re like most parents you have a lot of stuff in the front seat, so be sure to secure your phone, water bottle and other items…they can become projectiles in the car.
  • 3/16/22 – Tupperware of water + tear free soap + sponge = easy sensory activity for toddlers!
  • 3/17/22 – Make sure to have toys siblings can play with safely together: books, cardboard blocks, Magic mats and more!
  • 3/18/22- Nope, twins shouldn’t share a crib but you sure can push their cribs together!

Week 6: Everyday Life Tips

  • 3/21/22 – Stay Organized: Washable labels for bottles keep breastmilk dated and organized.
  • 3/22/22 – No Clock Nursing: Chart to ensure baby is eating enough while still allowing natural eat/sleep patterns to emerge.
  • 3/23/22 – 12 Infant Soothing Techniques
  • 3/24/22 – Keep Baby Monitor Apps secure by using difficult passwords, use the firewall and don’t use the default admin account.
  • 3/25/22 – Wondering when to go to the pediatric dentist? Visit the dentist by age 1 or after the first tooth erupts!

Week 7: Be Prepared

  • 3/28/2022 – Did you know you can start a 529 college fund before baby arrives? Do it before you get overwhelmed with everyday tasks You can also accept gifts into the fund!
  • 3/29/2022- Be ready for poison emergencies by downloading the Poison Control app, bookmarking the site and saving the number in your contacts. Make sure grandparents and babysitters do it before caring for baby too!
  • 3/30/2022 – Prepare your pup for baby by letting them meet other babies and kids, having them get used to new furniture and smells and carving out alone time for them each day. More here!
  • 3/31/2022- Secure furniture and televisions *before* baby arrives to prevent tip-overs because babies will start “grabbing” way before they start walking. Here’s how.
  • 4/1/2022 – Don’t forget baby gear in your emergency preps. How to make a 72 hour emergency bag for infants
Pacifiers help newborns and infants take medication
Use a pacifier to dispense liquid meds to baby

Weeks 8 & 9: Did you know?

  • For a more comfortable tummy-time, let baby’s chest rest on a rolled-up towel.
  • Car seat laws were recently updated. Look yours up by state.
  • You can download a Water Watcher tag so there is a designated adult who supervises kids while swimming.
  • You can grow your own veggies using the scraps from your kitchen!
  • When getting breastfeeding established, have adults whose job is to make sure *you* have good food, water and clean clothes because *your* job is feeding baby!
  • Cradle cap is common and resolves on its own.
  • Weaning baby from the breast should not happen cold turkey! You physical and mental health will thank you!
  • A baby can have a beautiful latch and still have tongue tie.
  • Is your baby trying to roll over? If so, it’s time to stop swaddling.You can “wean” the swaddle by allowing one arm out for a few nights, and then both arms!
Certified Newborn Care Provider and postpartum doula advice
Baby Tips from Experts

Must Know: Newborn Care Certificate for Doulas and New Parents

Parents, postpartum doulas and nannies, you now have more options to learn newborn and postpartum care! Not only is there lots of information here in the Resource Center and on our blog, but Newborn Care certificates are now also offered in your home or online. Learn about Must Know: Newborn Care Certificate for Doulas and New Parents here.

Must Know: Newborn Care Certificate for Doulas and New Parents – Classes:

Baby Basics – $100 per hour

Evidence-based baby care education and postpartum support that happens in your home. You can schedule a class before or after baby arrives, and you can have as many family members and caregivers attend as you like! Classes are taught by the Night Nurses (RN) and Certified Night Nannies of Let Mommy Sleep. We’re also here for you after class and encourage ongoing questions and communication via phone, text and email.

What you’ll learn:

  • Breast & bottle feeding, safety, minimizing SIDS risk, diapering, bathing, soothing and getting your infant on an appropriate schedule
  • Nurses perform postpartum mental and physical health assessments
  • Ongoing virtual support. For example, if you have sleep questions when your baby is 4 months old, you can always shoot us a text!
  • We’ll teach you all the how-to’s: how to diaper, swaddle, burp, feed and more
Schedule a class now!
Must Know: Newborn Care Certificate for Doulas and New Parents
Newborn Care and Baby Basics team

Must Know: Newborn Care Certificate for Doulas and New Parents – Newborn & Postpartum Care Online

Online Certificate – $199

Our virtual Newborn Care Academy is available on Teachable.com (https://newborncareacademy.teachable.com) and is usually taken by newborn caregivers. It’s been vetted and updated by Nurses and Pediatricians and uses only primary sources. These classes are the online version of what we teach in the classroom to nanny agencies, Certified Nursing Assistants and home health aides, so they’re appropriate for professional postpartum doulas and night nannies. Once you successfully complete the class, you’ll receive a signed certificate.

For parents, the newborn and postpartum care virtual classes are particularly helpful as they contain videos and opportunities further study. The information is also permanently available across all devices, so you can refer back to the material even after class is finished.

We cover these main topics in the virtual class: Safe Sleep and SIDS, early feeding, how-to videos on swaddling, diaper changes, burping, post-birth care, mental health information and more. You can see the whole curriculum by clicking below:

Newborn and Postpartum Support course curriculum
Newborn and Postpartum Care Online Curriculum
Take an Online Class

For Older Babies- Online Sleep Training Class

Online Class

Once your pediatrician gives the green light that baby is able to sleep long stretches overnight, Let Mommy Sleep we will always help talk through your infant sleep questions at no charge. If you prefer, you can take the sleep training class. It’s free when you use code SLEEP.

The main topics include:

  • Step by Step Instructions to Sleeping Through the Night
  • Age Appropriate Sleep Schedules
  • Troubleshooting Infant Sleep 
  • Safe Sleep and Minimizing the Risk of SIDS
Take the Sleep Training Class

Birthing classes cover what to expect during labor and delivery. We’re here to help you be prepared and confident when you bring your baby home! And nannies can get the most up to date evidence-based education. We’re also here to educate about about the postpartum phase as you transition from hospital to home.

Certified Newborn Care Proivder and happy moms
Newborn Care Classes

360 Canister Breathing

Diastasis recti is a very common result of pregnancy and birth. It means that the space between your left and right belly muscles has widened, and instead of being flat, the belly now sticks out. While it is rarely serious, it is connected to overall postpartum health. Core exercises like 360 canister breathing can help strengthen the abdomen and eliminate or minimize diastatis recti.

360 Canister Breathing – a core workout that helps baby too!

Diastasis Recti and the Pelvic Floor: How They Work Together

Pregnancy puts so much pressure on the belly that sometimes the muscles in front can’t keep their shape. “Diastasis” means separation, and “recti” refers to your abdominal muscles, the rectus abdominis. While not dangerous in most cases, this “postpartum pooch” can cause back pain, pelvic instability or hernia risk. It also can make parents feel uncomfortable or self conscious.

That’s where the pelvic floor comes in. According to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and pelvic health specialists, the core and pelvic floor function as a single unit. When one is weak or overly tense, the other often compensates. Strengthening the deep core muscles through breath-based exercises like 360 Canister Breathing not only supports abdominal healing but also restores the coordination of the diaphragm, pelvic floor and deep abdominals by helping them work together again, restoring balance, core strength, and pressure control.

For more information on maintaining a healthy pelvic floor, visit Pelvic Floor 101: Pregnancy and Postpartum.

What’s 360 Canister Breathing?

By using what we call 360 canister breathing, you can strengthen your pelvic floor. It is named 360 breathing because the goal is for the ribs and torso expand in a 360 degree direction. This means that we’re not just breathing into our chest or our belly, but also expanding into our sides and back.

Here’s How to Do It

  1. On your inhale, expand the belly, ribcage, and pelvic floor evenly.
  2. On your slow exhale, “shhh” your baby by gently lifting the pelvic floor (like a Kegel), drawing your ribs in, and pulling your abdomen in and up.
  3. The “shhh” isn’t just for baby — it helps engage your deep core muscles more fully, amplifying the benefit.

If you find yourself shushing for 15 minutes, that’s a solid core workout and a calming one for your newborn, too.

Why This Matters

When performed regularly, 360 breathing helps:

  • Reconnect your core and pelvic floor after pregnancy
  • Reduce pressure that worsens diastasis
  • Improve posture and stability
  • Support gentle, natural healing during postpartum recovery

You can even integrate this exercise while feeding, soothing, or rocking your baby. Small, consistent practice adds up to a stronger, more stable foundation.

Postpartum mental health is also important in your recovery. If you’d like to learn more about it, please read PPD vs. Baby Blues: Know the Difference

This info was written and reviewed by Kendra Fitzgerald – PCES, TBMM-CES, CPT, and CYT. Co-founder of Devoted Mamas, Kendra is a pregnancy & postpartum corrective exercise specialist and mom of two boys.

360 Canister Breathing
Kendra Fitzgerald
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