As parents, we often find ourselves marvelling at how quickly our little ones grow. One day, they're nestled securely in their capsule and before we know it, they're moving on to a convertible car seat.
If you're planning to store a capsule for a future sibling, you’ll want to ensure it remains in excellent condition, ready to protect your next bub. One of the main concerns during storage is preventing mould, which can be harmful to your baby's health and damaging to the car seat.
Also, be aware that car seats do have an expiration date. Check this before packing the seat away.
Here are some storage tips to help keep a capsule clean and mould-free:
1. First Step - Clean Thoroughly
Before you even think about storing the car seat, it’s crucial to clean it thoroughly. Mould thrives in dirty, damp environments, so you want to ensure the seat is as clean as possible.
Remove Fabric Covers
: Start by removing any fabric covers, cushions, and padding that can be taken off. Many of these can be machine-washed. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for your seat.
Wipe Down
You can spot-clean your harness and straps with warm water and a non-abrasive cloth (ensure you follow your instruction manual for advice as some manufacturers allow the use of soapy warm water).
Vacuum
Pay close attention to crevices that can accumulate crumbs, sand and dirt.
Dry Completely
: After washing, make sure that every part of the seat is completely dry before storage. Leaving any moisture behind is an invitation for mould growth. Some drying time in the sun is great as ultraviolet light is a natural disinfectant.
Where you store the car seat is as important as how you clean it.
Cool, Dry Place
: The storage area should be cool and dry. Avoid basements, garages, or attics if they’re prone to humidity, which can encourage mould growth. A closet or spare room inside your home, where temperatures are more regulated, is ideal.
Elevated Position
: Store the car seat off the ground to avoid potential contact with dampness.
Packaging
: Seal the seat in a plastic bag and then in a cardboard box for protective storage. If you’ve kept the original box the seat came in, that’s ideal. Ensure you have all the pieces together including the manual, any infant inserts and even the car seat adapters for your stroller. However you may want to store the fabric covers separately in the linen cupboard if you have one.
3. Check Periodically
It’s a good idea to regularly check on the car seat during storage to make sure there’s no exposure to damp or pests.
4. Pre-Use Inspection
Before you use the car seat for your next child, inspect it thoroughly. Check for any signs of damage, mould, or mildew. Give it another clean if necessary, and ensure that all components are still in good working order.
Final Thoughts
Storing a capsule car seat between children can save you money and reduce waste, but it requires careful cleaning and storage to keep it in top condition. Don’t forget to get it out of storage and do that pre-use check nice and early so you have everything sorted well before the new bub arrives.
Bringing a new baby home is one of life’s most beautiful - and exhausting - adventures. In this blog, Family Sleep & Wellness Coach, Lauren Moran from Little Dreamers, shares her expert advice on newborn sleep in the fourth trimester. With a warm, realistic approach, she helps parents feel empowered, informed, and supported through those early weeks, offering practical tips for creating a nurturing sleep environment and caring for yourself, too.
Newborns and Sleep
By Lauren Moran from Little Dreamers
https://www.littledreamers.co.nz/
Instagram: @little.dreamers.nz
Congratulations parents! Whether this is your first or fourth bubba in your beautiful family, there is so much that can still feel overwhelming (or it’s a memory you’ve blanked out from last time!), but we are here to reassure you in those early days.
Also known as the fourth trimester, those first 12 weeks following birth while trying to navigate your baby’s feeding and sleeping patterns can be quite the whirlwind. This blog is designed to help empower you, educate you, and normalise newborn sleep so that you feel confident to understand and support your little love.
Let’s start this journey with “there is no such thing as bad habits when it comes to supporting your baby”. Yes, you heard that right! No such thing. Forget what social media, society or family/friends tell you. You do what works best for you and your family. There may come a time when those ways no longer work for you, which is totally fine, and we can change that. As you step into this new season remember you are nothing short of amazing and your little one is lucky to have you.
Sleep is not only a necessity for your baby, but also you! We all need it. Sleep enables the body to repair itself, replenish those energy levels and regulate brain functions. When I have had more sleep, I feel like a better person showing up for myself and my family. It positively impacts our emotional and physical well-being too.
So what can you expect in that fourth trimester?
It is a busy, yet wonderful whirlwind of events that can bring about so much change both physically and emotionally. Feeling like you need to just cry? Go for it! Don’t know why? Many of us don’t! Your littlest love is adapting to life earthside and you are recovering from growing them and bringing them into this world. Offering love, care and comfort is exactly what’s needed for you both.
With emotions running at an all-time high, it is important to focus on yourself too. I vividly remember my post-natal midwife coming for her first appointment and the first thing she said was that she was there for me. As a first-time mum I was slightly confused as I thought she would be looking at my daughter and making sure she was okay – and she did just that, but also had her focus on me. It is incredibly important to prioritise self-care during this time. That fourth trimester can be so overwhelming so making sure you prioritise your own body and mind will be key. It certainly may come with a feeling of guilt, just know that these are all very normal feelings & thoughts. Self-care is a necessity, not a luxury, for you both.
So what can you focus on in the early days in terms of sleep? Let’s start with sleep environment. Laying some healthy foundations from the get go will not only aid in easier settling but also support your baby to stay asleep and get those much needed zzzz onboard:
● Darkness - When our little one enters a dark room, their bodies start to produce melatonin (sleepy hormone). This hormone is produced in the pineal gland and fluctuates throughout the day and night. Ensuring a dark sleep space will help your baby flood themselves with sleep hormones and support settling and restorative sleep periods.
● White noise - This is a fantastic tool to use within their first 18m of life. It replicates those sounds heard in the womb, which in those early days bring them safety and comfort. It can also drown out any noises outside the bedroom that might startle or wake them. It also creates a consistent sleep environment and positive sleep association for them when building on your sleep shaping.
● Temperature - Keep the room a good temperature so that your little one isn’t too hot or too cold. Check this guide on dressing your little one depending on the temperature of the room. The temperature often drops around 3 or 4am and can often be a reason our little ones wake around this time.
Feel like you’ve nailed the above and bubs still doesn’t want to sleep in their cot/bassinet? We get it. And this is totally normal and expected – it’s different! Embrace those newborn snugs, strap your little one to you, be nap trapped, find a good series to watch, feed them to sleep, rock them, pat them, and swap out with the support around you if you need to. Your smell, heartbeat, skin feel and voice is their safe place of comfort (and of course it would be!). Spend those first couple of months getting to know your little one and understanding those hungry cues, tired cues and awake windows. Newborns won’t be able to settle themselves consistently until closer to 4 months old so contact and assisted naps will be your best friend. Your little one will rely on you to support them and assist them in getting to sleep. Setting up the right sleep environment will be key when you’re ready to begin supporting them in their own sleep space. Start one step at a time.
Awake windows and tired cues
Are they under tired, overtired or just hungry? Understanding these windows and cues will be key in having a more settled baby and parent! In those early days you will find those awake times are mostly spent feeding with a small gap at the end for a burp or eye-to-eye contact with you. An awake time is from the moment your baby wakes through to the moment they are sleeping again.
Awake Windows in those first four months can look like:
0-3 weeks: 45 – 60 minutes 3-6 weeks: 1 – 1:15 hour 6-9 weeks: 1:15 – 1.5 hours 9-12 weeks: 1.5 hours 12-16 weeks: 1.5 – 2 hours
Once your little one is nearing 4 months old you can look at a basic routine rather than awake windows. Our 4-7 month routine guide is perfect for this.
You will see that awake windows get longer as our little people’s sleep needs change and this will depend on baby’s age, time of day and whether they are going through a nap transition. In those first 6-8 weeks it is normal to see a later bedtime as our little one’s circadian rhythms don’t mature until closer to 4 months of age (meaning that they don’t understand the difference between day and night) and they may be cluster feeding to get those calories in before bedtime.
Being proactive and offering sleep before they get overtired is a great win. They are signs your little one is letting you know it is time to start winding down and getting ready for some sleep before they become overstimulated and enter a state of hyperarousal. Let’s have a look at some tired cues to watch out for:
● Clenching hands into a fist ● Pulling at their ears or hair ● Jerky or shaking movements ● Yawning ● Rubbing eyes ● Vacant look/staring into space ● Quieter/less chatty ● Grizzling ● Sucking thumb/hand
Feeding and partner involvement
Whether you’re choosing to breastfeed, bottle feed, formula feed or mixed feeding, it’s a journey! During those first 2-3 months your little one will look to feed whenever they can. This is what is commonly known as ‘on-demand feeding’. And it is just as it sounds – feeding your baby when they are showing signs of being hungry. What does this look like?
● Feeding every 2-3 hours (time starts from the start of a feed) can encourage them to consume more calories during the day and can reflect in longer overnight stretches of sleep ● Feeding on demand will help to establish breastmilk supply (if breastfeeding) ● If bottle feeding, follow their cues as volumes of milk will change as their needs change
Babies are really great calorie regulators so you don’t need to worry about over-feeding them. In those first 4 months your little one will feed frequently which can be very time consuming. They still have little tummies so the capacity to stay full for long isn’t quite there, and they may wake frequently to feed.
How can non-breastfeeding partners support routine and settling?
Research now shows that a non-breastfeeding partner’s role in supporting breastfeeding and home routine can be a game-changer! Figuring out how to tackle the day and night time as a dynamic duo can help your breastfeeding partner to feel more rested, and help you as the non-breastfeeding partner to feel actively involved in your little one's care. As we got into the thick of feeding with our second, my husband inspired me with how he showed me he was there with me through this:
● Dinner preparation & cooking ● Getting the bath ready for child 1 & 2 ● Supporting the wind down routine ● Doing the initial settling for bed after a top up feed ● Burping the baby ● Changing nappy in between feeds ● Turning the night light on overnight
Don’t underestimate the power of a small act of support in those early days. We have a whole blog around partner support that is a great read!
However you choose to support your littlest love earthside is nothing short of amazing. There is no wrong way to support them and if what you’re doing is working for you, then great! Don’t change a thing! Remember that there are no bad habits when it comes to loving, settling and reassuring YOUR little one. You are doing what works for you that is calming, comforting and reassuring to them. Babies can build on these and rely on them as associations to go to sleep get back to sleep but rest assured, these can be changed if they are no longer working for you in the future.
Creating a gift registry takes the guesswork out of gifting for you and your loved ones. While the journey of pregnancy can come with plenty of challenges, ticking off your shopping list doesn't need to be one of them.
Pregnancy and the postpartum period are times of incredible change, physically, emotionally, and mentally. You’ve entered a brand-new chapter in your life, one filled with love, learning, and sometimes, a little chaos. Your body is adjusting, your hormones are shifting, your routine is changing, and now there’s a tiny person who depends entirely on you.
With such big changes, it’s completely natural to feel overwhelmed at times. These experiences can take a toll on your mental health, no matter how “small” the changes may seem. But one thing is certain, you’re not the first, and you’re not alone.
Mood Swings
Mood swings are incredibly common during pregnancy, postpartum, and even during menstruation. They happen when emotions change quickly or feel more intense than usual. While hormones play a big part in this, mood swings can also stem from things like lack of sleep, changes in routine, or neglecting your own needs.It’s important to care for yourself through these transitions so they feel a little smoother.
Ways to Support Yourself During Mood Swings
Take a walk to clear your mind. Fresh air and gentle movement can work wonders. If your baby has arrived, bring them along so you can both enjoy the change of scenery.
Seek support from loved ones. Whether you need someone to talk to, help with the baby, or just company over a cup of tea, reaching out makes a huge difference. Connection is one of the strongest protectors of mental health.
Create a little “you” space. It could be a cozy corner, a seat by a window, or a sunny spot outside. A quiet place to pause, breathe, and gather your thoughts can bring you back to centre.
Keep up with small acts of self-care. Taking a shower can feel like a luxury with a newborn, but it truly helps. Products like the Nuna Leaf Grow can be a lifesaver, let your baby gently sway while you take a few minutes to refresh. Do your skincare routine, put on a face mask, or spend 10 minutes doing a hobby you love. Even short moments of care help your mind reset. Remember, no matter what you are feeling, your emotions are valid. If your moods are starting to affect your daily life, please reach out to your doctor, midwife, or a mental health professional. Your wellbeing matters deeply, both for you and for your new little family.
Understanding Anxiety
Anxiety has been part of human life since our earliest ancestors. In prehistoric times, it was a survival mechanism helping people stay alert to dangers like predators or the risk of being left out of their group. This “fight, flight, or freeze” response kept them safe.Today, we don’t face the same physical threats, but our brains still use the same alarm system. Instead of warning us about predators, anxiety now shows up in moments like worrying about parenting, work, or social situations, times when it may feel overwhelming or out of place.
Feeling anxious during pregnancy is completely normal. The “what ifs” and the doubts about being a good parent can feel heavy and persistent. Many people experience this, but it’s still something that’s often under-recognised.
There’s an important difference between feeling anxious and living with anxiety. Feeling anxious is a temporary and natural response; anxiety, on the other hand, is ongoing and can impact your daily life and wellbeing.
Common Symptoms of Anxiety
Excessive worry about your baby’s health, birth, or your ability to parent
Physical symptoms like sweating, shortness of breath, or difficulty sleeping
Intrusive or distressing thoughts about your baby
Irritability, restlessness, or difficulty focusing
These symptoms can affect sleep, appetite, and how you function day to day, sometimes even making it harder to bond with your baby.
If your anxiety feels overwhelming, please reach out for support. You do not need to face this alone.
Support in Aotearoa New Zealand
Anxiety NZ: Call 0800 ANXIETY (0800 269 4389) or visit anxiety.org.nz
PADA - Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Aotearoa: pada.nz for help specific to pregnancy, birth, and early parenting
Need to Talk? Text or call 1737 anytime for free, confidential counselling; 1737.org.nz
For Māori whānau, resources like Te Whare Tapa Whā and Whānau Ora offer holistic, culturally grounded support; visit manamokopuna.org.nz.
For Pasifika families, PADA offers programmes such as Tama'ita'i Toa, and you can also explore stories like Sela’s Project: A Mother’s Cry at mentalhealth.org.nz.
Reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness. Help is available, and you deserve support.
Postpartum Depression (PPD)
After giving birth, some people experience postpartum depression (PPD) or anxiety, sometimes weeks, months, or even years after their baby arrives. It’s something that has existed throughout human history, yet it’s still under-researched and often misunderstood.If you’re experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety, please know this is not your fault. These feelings do not define your worth or your ability to be a good parent.
Common Symptoms of PPD
Persistent low or flat mood
Frequent irritability or loss of interest in usual activities
Changes in appetite or sleep
Constant fatigue
Trouble concentrating or making decisions
Some parents may also experience distressing intrusive thoughts about their baby. These can feel terrifying or shameful, but having these thoughts does not mean you want to harm your child. They are a symptom of your mental health, not a reflection of who you are.
If you’re struggling with these thoughts or any of the symptoms above, please reach out for help. You are not alone, and there is care available to support both you and your baby. In Aotearoa, you can find support and information through Healthify NZ’s Postnatal Depression.
Finding Your Balance Again
While pregnancy and postpartum can bring moments of uncertainty and emotional ups and downs, they also bring incredible growth, connection, and love. You are learning new things about yourself every single day, how strong you are, how deeply you can care, and how resilient the human heart can be.
Remember, there will be good days and harder ones, but none of them define you as a parent. The difficult moments will pass, and with time, support, and self-compassion, things will start to feel lighter again.
Be gentle with yourself. You are doing one of the most important and beautiful things in the world: nurturing life, both your baby’s and your own.
Take each day as it comes, celebrate the little victories, and remind yourself often: you’ve got this.
Two Nomad's Ultimate Mat is used for the ultimate protection of your car's seat using individual panels of high density foam. These mats have been designed to protect upholstery from marks and indentations caused by child car seats.
Keep an eye on your little one while driving with the Two Nomads Baby View Mirror. Designed specifically for rear facing infants, this back seat mirror gives you a clear view of your baby at all times, helping you drive with confidence and peace of mind.
The mirror features a larger surface and extra-wide convex lens, giving 50% more viewing area so you won’t miss a thing. With adjustable 360-degree movement, you can position it perfectly for any car seat setup, while the all-new lock-tight mechanism keeps it securely in place.
From your newborn’s very first ride home to their toddler adventures and beyond, the Nuna RAVA Car Seat in Caviar colour grows with your child, supporting them from newborn up to 29 kg.
Combining premium style, effortless safety, and everyday practicality, it features an all steel frame and energy absorbing foam for unmatched protection. The no-rethread harness and 10 position recline adjust as your child grows, while soft, moisture wicking fabrics, built in ventilation, and dual cup holders keep them comfortable on every journey.
Installation is simple and the smart design even fits three across in most full-sized vehicles!
