Hey Mommies, May I Pick Your Brains?
February 6, 2008
EDIT: Contest closes Wednesday, February 13th at Midnight, E.S.T.
My sister-in-law is about to have her first baby (a girl - yay!) and while she is very well read, and an intelligent woman with lots of support, I thought it would be cool to give her some advice the books don’t offer.
I was pretty honest with her about the first 3 weeks of breastfeeding being a challenge: the pain, the secret of nipple cream, and the fact that baby and mom are both in a learning curve. I told her the cotton, washable breast pads win out over the disposable ones that shift and keep the nipple too moist, inviting moisture.
I told her about Parent Hacks. (Hi Asha!)
Not wanting to overwhelm her with bossy tidbits that helped, I thought it would be cool if instead you shared some of your best tips.
As an incentive to you, I am going to give away $50 via Paypal to a random tipper.
The Rules? One tip per comment, enter as many times as you like. Now go forth and comment!
February 7th, 2008 at 12:03 am
Well, I didn’t READ this in a book:
NO ONE told me that you would bleed for the whole month right after birth! So My tip is to stock up on heavy duty sanitary pads!!
mrs mogul’s last blog post..Three things I share with you today
February 7th, 2008 at 12:39 am
Start the lanolin on your nipples now! I didn’t realize you had to start beforehand. I waited until I had the baby and it was too darn late.
MammaLoves’s last blog post..Come, Witness My Failure
February 7th, 2008 at 12:44 am
Keep an emergency kit in your trunk. Diapers, wipes, butt balm, a change of clothes for baby and an extra shirt for you, an extra baby blanket and trash bags.
That way you don’t have to drag a diaper bag with you everywhere–especially if you’re just going out for a short time.
I can’t tell you how many times that saved me, and how many times I wished I’d had it before I figured it out.
MammaLoves’s last blog post..Come, Witness My Failure
February 7th, 2008 at 12:52 am
Great idea Karen!
Slip warm tea bags in your bra if you get dry, cracked nipples. The tannic acid is very soothing and healing
slackermommy’s last blog post..Crazy weather and breathing problems
February 7th, 2008 at 12:53 am
Have gas drops on hand. They will be a Godsend when the baby is inconsolable with a gas bubble.
slackermommy’s last blog post..Crazy weather and breathing problems
February 7th, 2008 at 12:56 am
People will IMMEDIATELY start asking you if “she slept through the night”. Nobody bothered to tell me that “through the night” meant 5-6hrs. I assumed that Ladybug would start sleeping 8hrs at a time pretty quickly after she was born. Damn was I wrong! Don’t expect your little one to sleep that long at a time and be super happy when you get 4 or more hours at a stretch!
Christy’s last blog post..I feel so famous!
February 7th, 2008 at 1:55 am
You need a Boppy pillow. It’s the c-shaped pillow that you put around your waist for your infant to rest on.
It takes SO MUCH STRAIN off of your shoulders and back and you will need it. It puts tons of strain on those muscles and it is also really useful in other way. (Like propping them up).
Loralee’s last blog post..Sideblog:Cache Valley Bloggity Lunch
February 7th, 2008 at 1:56 am
I should clarify, that it’s for use when breastfeeding. (Duh)
Loralee’s last blog post..Sideblog:Cache Valley Bloggity Lunch
February 7th, 2008 at 8:11 am
Forget all of the crap you’ve read, smile and nod your head toward anyone offering advice and do whatever works for you. Never, not for one second forget THIS IS YOUR BABY you get to decide.
February 7th, 2008 at 8:29 am
Whatever you’re feeling, other people have felt the same way, no matter what they say. And if whatever you’re feeling is negative, (like, say, the urge to leave the baby on the sidewalk with your recycling on garbage day) that’s ok. It doesn’t make you a bad mommy (well - unless you actually DO put the baby on the sidewalk!). Everyone has days like that.
Shannon’s last blog post..unsaid
February 7th, 2008 at 9:45 am
Forget the heavy travel system. Buy the removable car seat and base, and then go pick out a nice, durable, light stroller. I finally did this for baby number 3 and although my muscles were great by then, I could have saved myself a lot of time and effort and trunk room!!
Chris’s last blog post..Have a Heart…
February 7th, 2008 at 9:48 am
Remember that everyone means well when they give you advice and ‘just want to help.’ They want to be the knight in shinning armor for you and help you solve your new mommy issues.
As annoying as it is, just smile and sing something silly in your head.
You are the parent, you can do this, it is a natural instinct. Just trust yourself and call the people who managed to keep their own alive for help when you need it
Chris’s last blog post..Have a Heart…
February 7th, 2008 at 10:01 am
Learn to trust your instinct. The lactation specialist HATED that I was using a nipple shield, but I would drown the poor child if I didn’t! Not to mention that um, that area of my anatomy isn’t huge and there wasn’t much to latch onto
I used the shield for quite a while. Even up to about 3 months, I used it in the morning just because I would be so engorged. You know if your baby is getting enough to eat - you just have to trust yourself that you know.
Stacey’s last blog post..The big day
February 7th, 2008 at 10:16 am
Remember this:
“She’ll be fine”.
She’ll get bruises and bumps and rashes (which, ok, the rashes you should have checked out).
She’ll eat dirt.
You’ll walk in the kitchen one day and find her on top of the counter.
She’ll throw a tantrum or bite a fellow child or refuse to sleep through the night for the first two years even though EVERYONE ELSE’S BABY DOES IT! And you’ll worry that this is all a sign that she’s going to grow up to be [insert ominous outcome here].
She’ll be fine.
Miss Britt’s last blog post..Yes, I’m A Sellout
February 7th, 2008 at 11:37 am
That it is okay to cry if you need to. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Everyone needs an extra set of hands in the beginning.
Don’t try to do it all.
Shash’s last blog post..Mah Closet, Let Me Show it to You
February 7th, 2008 at 11:45 am
Let her know that although it doesn’t happen all the time, sometimes a baby girl can pass some blood a couple of days after being born and that it’s shocking but normal, and a side effect of the mother’s hormones. I had read about it once but totally forgot and had to make a freaked out phone call to the maternity ward when I went to change her diaper (she was three days old) and it was full of blood. Cripes, that was scary until they told me it was perfectly okay.
My second never had that happen.
sherry’s last blog post..Catching up
February 7th, 2008 at 11:47 am
You can go ahead and buy overpriced wipes in stores but I only ever bought them to keep in the diaper bag for times we went out. At home I used those little baby washcloths and took some spare receiving blankets to cut into squares as well. They worked better than the commercial wipes and you’ll be doing so much laundry anyway that tossing some cloths into the wash is no big deal.
sherry’s last blog post..Catching up
February 7th, 2008 at 11:49 am
Last one, and the one I find most important - trust yourself and your instincts. You may not always know what the hell you’re doing, but if your gut is telling you something, listen to it instead of listening to the eight billion people who will give you their opinion. Someone is bound to tell you not to sleep with your baby, that you should sleep with your baby, that you’re too paranoid about this or that, whatever. Your gut instinct will tell you what to do.
sherry’s last blog post..Catching up
February 7th, 2008 at 11:55 am
I only knew this because my mom experienced it with either me or my sister - little baby girls can have a period when they are born. Don’t be freaked out if there is blood in the baby’s diaper for the first few days. They have lots of your hormones running through their tiny little bodies.
February 7th, 2008 at 11:56 am
Oh, and definitely take all help offered. If someone wants to bring you dinner - let them! If someone wants to run to the store to buy you nipple shields - let them!
February 7th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
For if the diaper keeps leaking even on the first pee (or other):
There are these little… what would you call them… gussets? around the inside of the leg part of the diaper. If you pull those up and flip them out, they hold against tiny thighs a lot better. I still do this for my 2 yo, and we have rarely had leaks.
February 7th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
The sanitary pads are great for those few weeks after the birth, but you should give your skin a break once in a while from having to be in contact with the synthetic material. What worked beautifully for me was cloth diapers- the cheap, old-fashioned, need to use a pin kind. I sat on those for a few hours each day instead of always using the pads. You can throw them in the wash with hydrogen peroxide and use them as rags later.
February 7th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Don’t get dressed to go anywhere until AFTER you’ve fed, burped and changed the baby. I’m sure you’re carrying an extra outfit or two for baby, but I always packed at least an extra shirt for myself to keep in the car. I was sitting in the middle of a restaurant one day when my daughter had a blowout poop and it leaked through her diaper, outfit, and right onto me!
Lisa’s last blog post..Toto, I’ve got a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore!
February 7th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Don’t be proud. If you mother-in-law offers to do you laundry, LET HER.
Sarah, Goon Squad Sarah’s last blog post..Another SATGS PSA: On DayQuil
February 7th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Remember this: eventually that baby will sleep througg the night.
Sarah, Goon Squad Sarah’s last blog post..Another SATGS PSA: On DayQuil
February 7th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
I don’t have any advice to offer (yet) because I am expecting my first child in May. I just wanted to say thanks for this post because I need all the advice I can get!!!
-Amy
Amy’s last blog post..You Make My Day Award
February 7th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Breatfeeding hurts for the first six weeks. If you can make it through that past it gets really really easy. It even feels good.
Sarah, Goon Squad Sarah’s last blog post..Another SATGS PSA: On DayQuil
February 7th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
it’s okay to let them cry sometimes.
you know…so you can, um, pee.
ali’s last blog post..a conversation
February 7th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
When weaning, when your boobs turn into giant, rock-hard…uh, rocks, cabbage leaves really help with the pain and the swelling and the rock-ness.
mamatulip’s last blog post..To sleep, perchance to dream
February 7th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
The squirt bottle with warm water will be your friend.
February 7th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
If you need to, sit on a doughnut. Don’t be embarrassed and suffer unnecessarily.
February 7th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Some may argue, but the mesh panties from the hospital are a godsend.
February 7th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
It’s alright to cry when your baby won’t stop crying. No one is going to tell you you’re weak if you break down and it will make you feel SO much better.
And sitz baths are your friend in those first few weeks after delivery.
Chicky Chicky Baby’s last blog post..The Fisher King and his wonky liver
February 7th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
You definitely need to know that it’s okay for the baby to cry. Hell, I had twins and I quickly learned that if I tried to cater to their every whimper I’d go (more) insane. This is especially important when it comes time to train them for bedtime. That sucker is GONNA cry, no matter how you approach it. But that’s all right. Eventually, they learn that all will be okay…you WILL be there when they wake up again.
Karl’s last blog post..Confusion Lasts at Least 8 Years
February 7th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
A boppy pillow works great as a donut for the first days after birth.
February 7th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Buy more bibs and burp rags than you think you could even use…cause trust me, there will be 4/5 bib/burp rag days ahead. Better to have them when you need them then to have to run out to get more.
February 7th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Don’t feel bad about laying bibs/burp rags out to dry and reusing them. If you washed them everytime they got soaked with drool or had a little spit up on them you would be washing them twice a day.
February 7th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
I’m with Divrchk on this one. Ask for EXTRA mesh panties while you are still in the hospital. That way, you don’t have to worry about dirtying up your undies until you are a little “less leaky”.
If you end up with a C-Section, DEFINITELY beg, plead and bribe for extra panties to take home with you. You will be much happier with them than trying to get into any other type of panties.
Christy’s last blog post..I feel so famous!
February 7th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
So many good pieces of advice given over the years, and WAY to many that suck.
Best piece of breasfeeding advice given to me with my second child was that if I really wanted to breastfeed - that I should stick it out until they were finished 4 months old because by that time it would be so sceond nature to both mommy and baby that it would be WAY easier than bottles…..I did quite before 4 months with my first and did stick it out until the 4th month was finished with my second and it was true for her and my 3rd and 4th babies….adn they’ve all presented different challenges, but by that time we had a system down and it rocked. They all nursed for 12-15 months.
February 7th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
The more rest(sitting down relaxing) you ACTUALLY do in the first 6 weeks post pardum, the faster you will heal resulting in less “flow” for less amount of time.
Patti’s last blog post..an Update
February 7th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
When others offer to help out - TAKE IT! Seriously, don’t try to be supermom….if fact write out a list of things that need doig and when someone offers - show them the list and let them pick something….less stress for you trying to come up with something that you hope is not too bothersome for them to do.
Patti’s last blog post..an Update
February 7th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Sleep when your baby sleeps….if you end up having more, you will not be able to do this one very often as it’s a miracle if two or more kids go down at the same time. You will feel SO MUCH BETTER if you are able to get some extra sleep. I didn’t do this, and regret every moment that i could have slept and didn’t…Tiredness is a BAD, Bad thing…makes you crazy.
Patti’s last blog post..an Update
February 7th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Let other “less important” things (house cleaning, laundry, meetings, etc) slip by….as long as you are relishing every moment with your baby. You will never get this time with them again, and it goes by way too quickly. My biggest regret with my first was that I was too busy to stop and slow down and enjoy every little thing and moment, and now that time is gone. I can still enjoy her now, but I didn’t fully appreciate what I had when she was my only one and that infant time….Relish every moment.
Patti’s last blog post..an Update
February 7th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
Tell her that if, by any chance, she is physically unable to breastfeed (and despite what La Leche says, there are women who CANNOT produce enough milk to sustain their babies, no matter how hard they try) — DO NOT FEEL GUILTY. As long as the baby gets what little colostrum there is, she is protected. And while breast is best, today’s formulas are NOT BAD. (They are certainly better than starving your child because you don’t want to resort to formula.)
Also — anyone who tries to tell her that if she bottle feeds, she and her child will NEVER BOND is full of shit.
Donna’s last blog post..I Scheduled a Conference — NOW What?
February 7th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Your sister-n-law can receive all the advice in the world and during the course of the first few weeks or months she will keep all this advice in mind. Once she becomes comfortable in her new role as Mommy she’ll fall into her own natural routine and create her own ideas of how things should be done.
Until then all she needs to concentrate on is loving her baby girl and making sure the little Angel that God has given her has everything she needs to strive and grow … Love, attention, food, a dry bottom, and lots of hugs, cuddles, and kisses.
Linda’s last blog post..Sharing some Blog Love
February 7th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
The wool breast pads are way better than the cotton ones, they are a bit bigger, so it doesn’t look like you are wearing the bottoms of styrofoam cups in your bra and have lanolin “built in”. I bought 2 sets so I could wear one and wash one. During the winter months they were snuggly warm and helped wick away icky milky sweat during summer.
February 7th, 2008 at 11:02 pm
She may find herself depressed and having fleeting thoughts of “what have I got myself into?”, and that’s totally normal! No one told me I’d have those thoughts, and I felt like the worst mother for occasionally wishing for my old life. Most of us feel that way at least once, and it’s OK.
Oh, and the other big piece of advice: put two sets of sheets on the crib mattress: a mattress pad, a sheet, then another pad and another sheet. Then when the baby spits up or leaks through her diaper onto the sheet in the middle of the night, you can pull off the first set and already have another set on and waiting to go. Saves a lot of time and sleep.
Christina’s last blog post..A Turning Point
February 8th, 2008 at 12:46 am
BE SURE TO RUB BABY OIL ON YOUR BELLY EVERY DAY TO AVOID THOSE DREADED STREGHT MARKS
February 8th, 2008 at 12:48 am
my best advice for EVERYTHING child-related:
“this too shall pass.”
janet’s last blog post..It’s the little things that make up the big things
February 8th, 2008 at 1:08 am
Here’s something they rarely tell you before it happens(although I did find out beforehand in our Bradley class): Some time during the first year - it was at 7 months for me the first time, second time I was too busy to notice - YOUR HAIR WILL START FALLING OUT. It seems freaky even if you know it’s coming, and it seems like you will surely be bald if it keeps up, but it’s just the extra hair you didn’t know you were growing during pregnancy falling out. The hair loss is normal and you won’t go bald.
Violet the Verbose’s last blog post..All Is Well
February 8th, 2008 at 1:14 am
And by the way, Miss Sugarpants (in the British sense of the word “pants,” apparently), I am in awe of your ability to choose exactly the right picture for your title. Hee hee hee! Do you think that baby giraffe’s brain will be enough to sustain its mama, or does she have to eat other little baby giraffe’s brains at the same time to make a full meal?
Violet the Verbose’s last blog post..All Is Well
February 8th, 2008 at 11:39 am
Tell her to get some alone time. Dear god you need it.
It’s a saving grace for not only your sanity but I think marriage.
It’s hard but she needs to.
Christie’s last blog post..The good, the bad, and the supa-craftEEE!
February 8th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
That advice to “sleep when the baby sleeps”? TAKE IT. For at least the first month. Your sleeping schedule will be completely screwed up anyway, so forget email or TV or trying to read a magazine, just lay the heck DOWN right after the baby goes to sleep.
Elizabeth’s last blog post..There’s no doubt she’ll be a Girl Mogul
February 8th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
She may not instantly love motherhood,a nd it will be nothing like A Baby Story, but that that is normal, and nothing to be ashamed of.
http://www.suburbanoblivion.com/2007/01/18/what-you-dont-expect-when-you-are-expecting/
Suburban Oblivion’s last blog post..Fighting the Frump, Mardi Gras Edition (Ball Update w/pic)
February 8th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
my advice is this; try not to hold your baby on your lap as though they are standing (while too young). My doctor and some of my friend’s doctors have told me (and them) that in doing this (since the baby’s legs and bones are still so limber and brittle) you could actually force the bones outward during growth (bow-leg and so forth). Never rush to get the baby leaning and walking with things (such as putting them in any sort of walking device when they are less than 8 months). In time they will accomplish this themselves.
Everybody wants to be able to say that their baby was walking by 10 to ll months and as great as that is, most people force their kids to walk (not by fault but more by eagerness to watch them grow) so by putting them in these devices (walkers, jumping buddies and others)remember that it may be wise just to let them get to that point on their own…(it will happen faster than you want). It’s cute to see them stand on tip-toes at an early age but it does have its down falls. I am not saying that everyone will have these issues, but it is safer to let your baby build strength with running motion while laying on their back (and you could assist with that). There are many ways to strengthen your babys growth and muscles while they lay on their back or tummy. They don’t need to be put to stand too soon.
Sorry about the long drawn out explanation…being a mom does that to you sometimes.
February 8th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Sniff your babies newborn smell and let that smell etch itself into your brain…it goes away too quickly.
Congratulations and good luck.
Jennifer’s last blog post..Goodnight Little Girl
February 8th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Paint one wall of her bedroom black and white checker board, since baby’s are best stimulated by those two shades. It’ll get her brain working at an early age.
It’s true, research has proven it.
Sarcastica’s last blog post..Not a Princess; there is no Prince.
February 8th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
stock up on DVDs. They’re a god-send when you spend hour on hour trying to breastfeed. Once you get it down so you have a hand free, it’s great to have a stack of books and magazines to occupy your time.
AbsolutelyBananas’s last blog post..Sometimes spiders make mommies act funny
February 8th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
make sure the nursery has
1) a nightlight
2) a COMFORTABLE chair (preferably where you can rest your head)
3) a fan. The white noise is awesome for masking sounds whil baby is sleeping.
AbsolutelyBananas’s last blog post..Sometimes spiders make mommies act funny
February 8th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Get your hair done before you have the baby. Who knows when you’ll have another chance, plus you might actually LIKE some of those in-the-hospital-newborn-babe-in-arms pics.
AbsolutelyBananas’s last blog post..Sometimes spiders make mommies act funny
February 8th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
the pain doesn’t stop when the baby comes out. I wish someone had warned ME!
AbsolutelyBananas’s last blog post..Sometimes spiders make mommies act funny
February 8th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
We live in the same town (well I live in St. T) and I had twins in August so I have some hospital specific advice if she’s having them at Vic:
- you must bring your own diapers, hospital only provides 6 (unless you get a nice nurse), they use pampers swaddlers
- they will not give you mesh panties upstairs, keep the ones from birthing centre and rinse them out
- bring your own pads or double up on hospital provided ones
- if you end up having to use formula ask for some to take home, and some of the tiny bottles they have, hospital uses similac advanced
- if dad is staying the night ask for a cot the second you get up stairs, they only have a few
- bring flip flops to wear in the shower
- if your taking tylenol 3s ask for ib profin to go with it, some nurses give it to you automatically and some don’t
- the baby stays in your room but the nurses will watch them if you want to get some sleep
February 8th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
General Advice:
- sleepers with the feet (while very cute) didn’t work out for us, both my boys alternatively got their foot stuck up the leg because the foot was too loose to growing out of the outfit too fast because they legs where too short - we perfer sleepers with open feet and socks - Old Navy is a great place for this and they are 30% off right now, I was there this morning
- We use vasaline at every diaper change and penaten after every poop and have never had a diaper rash yet
- get lots of bibs, you go through them like crazy once they start teething (a must all the time or their shirt will be soaked)
- have thermometer and infant tylenol on hand
- if baby is crying uncontrollably or spitting up a lot or arching their back they may have reflux, and lot of babies do, don’t assume babies just spit up a lot
- if you think something is wrong then something IS wrong, trust your instincts
- I thought a bassinet was useless because you only use it for a few weeks but it turned into a godsend to have beside the bed so I wasn’t standing up every 5 minutes (could use a pack and play beside the bed too)
- do not buy very many (if any) newborn size clothes, they grow out of them way too fast, your baby may be size 0-3 at birth and will probably be size 3 - 6 long before 3 months
February 8th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
From a daycare owner, I give you this:
Throw out every brand of diaper cream you’ve ever known, read about, or owned and purchase one tiny 4 ounce jar of Resinol and all your worries will go away!
February 8th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
And now I give you what to do if and when you need something on top of the Resinol to keep overnight wetness away from your baby…..
I give you…
Aquafor or maybe it is Aquaphor - but it is more like 20 bucks for a really large jar of it.
February 8th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
The Poo had a hard time every night between five and seven - still does. we call it the witching hour. When she was little, I had her in the bath by 6 p.m. every single night. The docs will tell you not to bathe an infant every night, but that warm water is so soothing to them. This bath became an important linchpin in our evening routine, which I highly recommend you begin ASAP. It helps ease into a bedtime routine. We always put her down fed and sleepy, but AWAKE. This is key. They need to learn how to sleep by themselves. Don’t let them fall asleep in your arms.
All I have to say is, the kid slept through the night at two months exactly. It was like my brain was released from prison.
Good luck!
Mrs. Chicken’s last blog post..The Haircut
February 9th, 2008 at 12:37 am
Remember to laugh your way through a lot of the strange things your body will do. We women are machines. But it seems unfair some of the stuff that goes on. The hormones alone will make you wonder who took over your mind. But they will go away!
My best advice is take a break and go for coffee a walk, whatever you like to do. One hour(no bebe)… with your hubby and stay connected. Your baby will need a strong mommy and daddy team.
February 9th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
Do whatever feels right about breastfeeding. If you love it and you want to do it for 2 years, then do it. If it isn’t working for you, then don’t feel guilty about having tried and then stopped. There are too many things in life to make you feel guilty and you shouldn’t feel that way about feeding your baby. Don’t worry about what other people say.
June Celver’s last blog post..Adding insult to injury
February 9th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Buy the elastic bottomed nightgowns. Sometimes they are draw stringed. Either way, they are amazingly convenient–especially in the middle of a sleep deprived night.
June Clever’s last blog post..Adding insult to injury
February 9th, 2008 at 10:45 pm
One of my twins had trouble pooping when first born, put 1 TB of molasses in 4 OZ formula and tada!!
Sandra’s last blog post..Coming Along
February 10th, 2008 at 12:34 am
I say go with the flow…. Advice is great, but nobody knows your baby or YOU better than you do….
And, ENJOY!!!
OH, re gifts: return all clothes other than sleepers and onesies that are size 0-3 months!!!
haley-o’s last blog post..And, the WINNER IS?..
February 10th, 2008 at 12:36 am
I didn’t mean regift, by the way!!! i meant re as in REGARDING! one hand typing, baby on boob right now — hey great bumper sticker: baby on BOOB!!! …don’t worry, I’ll be alright…!
haley-o’s last blog post..And, the WINNER IS?..
February 10th, 2008 at 1:41 am
Regular breast massage to stimulate milk production before and right after giving birth works wonders!
Goodluck to you and enjoy!
grace’s last blog post..Bloggy Giveaways - What I got
February 10th, 2008 at 1:43 am
VERY IMPT: Sleep when the baby sleeps! Don’t bother with the messy house. That’s where husbands take over (at least for a while).
mom to p’s last blog post..Aloha Friday #13
February 10th, 2008 at 11:07 am
Be comfortable with your decisions and trust your instincts. I had a miserable time in the hospital because the nurses and lactation consultants were rude and condescending to me and my breastfeeding skills. I finally started lying to the staff about how often and long he nursed just to get them to shut up. When I got home, things clicked and then we got on the road to a great breastfeeding relationship. I had to be confident in myself in order to lie like that, but I knew it was all going to be ok.
alli’s last blog post..Self Portrait Sunday: On being a handler
February 10th, 2008 at 11:39 am
Early on, leave the house and do something nice for yourself, leaving the baby in the care of your partner. No mothers in law to help, just the baby and your partner. It’s amazing how many (usually fathers) want to parent but feel like they don’t “know how” and quickly default into “helping.” If your partner has some equal responsibility for diapering, feeding, sleeping then life will be MUCH EASIER and feel more balanced. Plus they’ll feel more bonded to the bambino - bonding happens in as many of the hard moments as the fun easy ones. And if you’re out of the house you can be taking care of yourself and you won’t be tempted to rush in and rescue your partner when you hear the diapers falling onto the floor while the baby is squalling….
February 10th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
* learn to nurse lying down
* get a sling and use it, your baby will be infinitely happier snuggled up to you
mamaloo’s last blog post..Out Of The Mouths Of Babes #588
February 10th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
You can put the baby down on the floor or other safe surface, even if they scream, long enough to go to the bathroom, get dressed, etc. It’s not as long as it seems, and they will be fine!
February 10th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Also, after the first couple of weeks, (or earlier if you are up to it),try to leave the house every day, even if it’s just to go to the pharmacy or walk around the block, you feel so much more like a person that way!
February 10th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Be prepared for the one size fits all mesh underwear the hospital provides. I thought my friend was joking when she told me about them. But alas, no.
Have some comfy clothes that you like. You’ll sleep in them, wear them out and then wonder the last time you changed your clothes
February 10th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
If your mommy instincts are telling you there’s something funny going on, listen to them. My son had a weird leg rash (the doctor prescribed a cortisone cream), colic-like symptoms, but not full-blown colic, and NEVER slept through the night. He would also have screaming fits if I had a bit too much dairy in a meal. Finally, I gave him yogurt at 8 months old, and he vomited and got hives. Finally, the doctor said that he had allergies. I should have trusted my instincts from the beginning, and gone off dairy a lot sooner.
Gladys’s last blog post..How to make chocolate lollipops
February 10th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Our household rule is: whatever gets everyone the most sleep. If that means that baby sleeps with you, then that’s what happens. Every baby has a personality, and that determines how much or how little contact they need with you. Some babies NEED to be held while others have more placid personalities and can calm themselves a lot more easily. Again, trust your own instincts, not everyone else’s advice.
Gladys’s last blog post..How to make chocolate lollipops
February 10th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
It’s impossible to spoil a baby.
Conversely, no baby ever died of crying.
February 10th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
When you get to those days where nothing on your to-do list has gotten done, and you have no idea where the past 4 hours went, and you’re not sure when the last time you ate was, and you feel like you’ve somehow managed to do absolutely nothing ALL day…just ask yourself one question: “Does my child feel loved?” If you can say yes, then nothing else matters.
Euphrasie’s last blog post..Relatives over the Holidays
February 10th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
It is okay to call your baby’s doctor at home.
Euphrasie’s last blog post..Relatives over the Holidays
February 10th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Before baby arrives, make some dinners that you can put in the freezer. It will save lots of despair, panic, and sanity later when people stop offering to bring something over.
Euphrasie’s last blog post..Relatives over the Holidays
February 10th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Have a birth plan…but be prepared to ditch it when you actually get to the hospital.
You can plan to have natural birth and be screaming for drugs later. You can plan for an epidural and have things move too fast to get one. You can plan to go with the flow and panic when you have to get a C-section.
Plans are nice, but anything that gets the baby here safely is okay.
Euphrasie’s last blog post..Relatives over the Holidays
February 10th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Have someone look over the birth certificate for you before you turn it in. You may be really tired and/or drugged up after the birth, and you don’t want to pay fees afterward when you find you’ve written your name on the line for the doctor’s name or the baby’s name on the line for Daddy’s occupation.
Euphrasie’s last blog post..Relatives over the Holidays
February 10th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Tide to Go pens will be your friend. Put one or two in the diaper bag.
Euphrasie’s last blog post..Relatives over the Holidays
February 10th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
If you get hungry in the hospital, you don’t have to wait for them to bring trays around. There should be a fridge and snack area you can raid for extra custards, juices, peanut butter and crackers…
Euphrasie’s last blog post..Relatives over the Holidays
February 10th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Bring some receiving blankets to the hospital for positioning the baby in the carseat. I’ve never been able to get the straps tight enough for a brand new baby, and the nurses won’t let you leave until the baby passes a carseat check. Roll the blankets up in long tubes. Fold two in half to put on either side of the baby, and wrap a third between baby’s legs around the center latch.
Euphrasie’s last blog post..Relatives over the Holidays
February 10th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Take the free stuff. The hospital most likely won’t let you keep any of the blankets/washcloths/linens, but hats, combs, vaseline tubes, pacifiers, extra diapers, alcohol wipes, sanitary pads, nursing cream samples, peri bottles, etc. should all be fair game. Check with a nurse to find out what you can keep, and take it all!
Euphrasie’s last blog post..Relatives over the Holidays
February 10th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
Practice saying YES … once the baby arrives you will benefit from having practice accepting help and being able to ask for help when you need! The sooner you get over “not wanting to be a bother” the better!
February 10th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
The easiest and most versatile breatfeeding clothes are faux wrap tops! I have them in long sleeve and short sleeves in every color of the rainbow. Underneath I wear the breastfeeding camisoles from Target. I also love many colors offered from Glamourmom, but they are twice as much. Wear this top with skirts, shorts, jeans, whatever. They are good all the time.
February 10th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Get yourself a sling. They are very versitile and comfortable and make breastfeeding in public very discreet. I even use mine as a leash for my 2 yr old in a pinch. You can buy them from la leche league or if you or someone you know sews, you can very easily find free instructions to make one online.
February 10th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
One thing to take home from the hospital, the bulb syringes they use when the baby is first born to clean up the babies airway. They will have extra ones still in the package in the room. Take home as many as you can, They will come in handy whenever the baby has a stuffed up nose until baby is able to blow her own nose. After each use, rinse well with soapy water.
February 10th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
When breastfeeding at night, you will most likely leak a little on the bed. Buy a waterproof bed mat to sleep on top of. (The kind used for potty training kids)
February 10th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
I haven’t read all of the comments yet so hopefully I am not giving repeat advice.
I just had my fourth baby and I didn’t realize it was normal to stop bleeding for a week or two and then start up heavily again. I stopped around three weeks and then started again after about 8 days. Bled for another five days, stopped again for over a week and then started again for another week and a half. I was still lightly bleeding 7 weeks post partum and the doctor said it was fine. Even with baby four there are surprises!
Also, the belly bands that are great use during pregnancy are just as great afterwards. I used them to hide the panel on my maternity pants because my regular pants didn’t fit. Then I used them when I could get my regular pants on, but not buttoned. Now I use them to help hide my poochy belly that needs another few thousand sit-ups before it doesn’t show. Here is my blog post about the bands when I was pregnant:
http://whim.nordquist.org/?p=91 (sorry, can’t figure out how to hyperlink)
Kim N’s last blog post..Tales Of An Eavesdropper
February 10th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
The Kangaroo Korner pouch saved me. I tried other baby slings and front pouch carriers, but this one is the absolute best. Baby doesn’t even know someone isn’t holding them. You just tuck them right in they curl up and drift off to sleep.
February 11th, 2008 at 12:21 am
Get your baby used to noise in the house. Let the baby nap near the TV while it’s on, talk in a normal voice around the baby while she is sleeping. Don’t tell visitors to be quiet while the baby is sleeping, let them talk normally. Your baby will get so used to this! Both our kids learned to sleep through the dog barking, doorbell ringng,phone ringing, TV noise etc…