As many people know, bumper pads are not recommended. The main reason is that they are thought to increase the risk of SIDS. They can also lead to entanglement, entrapment, strangulation, and suffocation. Historically bumper pads were used because the slats on cribs were wide enough for infants to stick their heads through. Crib design standards have changed dramatically since then, but the traditional bumper pads have stuck around.
Clearly the risks of bumper pads outweigh the benefits and, therefore, I do not have bumper pads in my daughter's crib even though her bedding set did come with them. The biggest problem I am currently having due to the absence of bumper pads, however, is my daughter very regularly sticks her arms and legs through the slats and gets stuck. She is still too young to be able to get out on her own so she screams until we come and rescue her. I can't tell you how scary it is to be woken in the night by a baby who is screaming because there is genuinely something wrong! My heart practically leaps out of my chest and one of these days I am going to seriously injure myself dashing to her room in the dark!
Health Canada reports that "serious injury is not likely when a child puts his or her arms and legs through the crib slats. The baby will either remove their arm or leg from the slats if possible, or make enough noise to alert a parent for help."
This is good to know, but does nothing to solve the problem. Apparently there are new mesh bumper pads on the market that are much safer. They are not nearly as nice looking, but they are safe. Had I known this arm/leg getting stuck thing was going to be an issue and of the existence of such a product, I may have considered purchasing mesh bumper pads in the first place. If you are in the process of setting up a nursery, this might be something to consider.
By the way, I am still searching for a creative way to make use of the bumper pads that came with my daughter's bedding. One cute idea that I came across was to cut the sections apart and sew them together into a soft book. I might give this a try and I will post pictures if it is a success.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Pacifier Use vs. Thumb Sucking
There are several very hotly debated parenting issues out there, one of them being the thumb-sucking vs. pacifier use debate. I personally chose to go the thumb-sucking route and, therefore, this post will come across as biased toward thumb-sucking. That being said, if you have decided to go the pacifier route, I don't think that you made the wrong decision and by posting on this topic I am by no means trying to suggest that.
The Research
Both the World Health Organization and the United Nation's Children's Fund are but two organizations that strongly discourage the use of pacifiers because it is perceived that their use leads to early weaning in breastfed babies. There are numerous studies that support this perception which suggest that pacifier use is associated with fewer and shorter feeds and a shorter duration of breastfeeding, but that the same correlations are not found for thumb-sucking.
More recently, research has begun to suggest that rather than pacifier use being the cause of early weaning, it is a marker for breastfeeding problems or a reduced motivation to breastfeed. Generally speaking, mothers who introduce pacifiers tended to be those that breastfeed less often and experienced breastfeeding problems rather than pacifier use being the cause.
Although research now suggests that pacifier use does not cause early weaning, there are a number of other factors to consider when making the decision of which to use.
Which is easier to give up?
There are those that believe getting rid of the pacifier is easier because you are in control and can simply throw the pacifier away whereas the same can not be done with a thumb which is in the baby's control.
There are others (like myself) that believe giving up the thumb will naturally occur as long as a baby's sucking needs are appropriately met during early infancy.
Being a new mom, I have no experience with either situation. It will be interesting to see if and when my daughter naturally gives up her thumb.
The Pros and Cons (Okay, so there are only cons for the pacifier...LOL!)
Pacifiers
Pacifiers can be beneficial for getting through the period of time when babies experience an intense need to suck. Around the 2 month mark, my daughter had a week where she seemed to want to suck around the clock. I tried to nurse her as often as she wanted, but I started to feel like a human pacifier. It was pretty intense and my husband and I debated giving her a pacifier at this time. It was tough to get though the week without it, but when the week was over, the intense need to suck seemed to disappear.
Pacifiers can also be a sanity saver with very colicky babies when you need a break from the crying or when flying to help baby's ears to pop.
But...
Pacifiers used at bedtime to put baby to sleep can interfere with baby learning to fall asleep on his/her own. In addition, sleep could be interrupted if the pacifier falls out in the night and baby can't fall back asleep without it (unless you are planning on getting up to put it back in).
It has been found that infants that use a pacifier long-term (into toddler hood) are more likely to have ear infections and develop misaligned teeth than those that are not given one.
I also personally dislike the way a pacifier looks in a baby's mouth. When we do give my daughter a pacifier when we fly, she doesn't even look like my baby.
The Thumb
The thumb is always there when baby needs it and can easily be taken out when baby wants to communicate. Enough said, I honestly can't think of any disadvantages.
I don't think using a pacifier occasionally is a bad thing. If you do go the pacifier route, make sure you use it in moderation, only when baby really seems to need it and don't offer it past the 6 month mark to prevent dependence. Please don't become one of those parents that puts in the pacifier at the slightest hint of fussiness rather than consoling and trying to figure out what is actually wrong with baby and don't use it to put baby to sleep instead of cuddling. Your baby needs you, not a substitute.
The Research
Both the World Health Organization and the United Nation's Children's Fund are but two organizations that strongly discourage the use of pacifiers because it is perceived that their use leads to early weaning in breastfed babies. There are numerous studies that support this perception which suggest that pacifier use is associated with fewer and shorter feeds and a shorter duration of breastfeeding, but that the same correlations are not found for thumb-sucking.
More recently, research has begun to suggest that rather than pacifier use being the cause of early weaning, it is a marker for breastfeeding problems or a reduced motivation to breastfeed. Generally speaking, mothers who introduce pacifiers tended to be those that breastfeed less often and experienced breastfeeding problems rather than pacifier use being the cause.
Although research now suggests that pacifier use does not cause early weaning, there are a number of other factors to consider when making the decision of which to use.
Which is easier to give up?
There are those that believe getting rid of the pacifier is easier because you are in control and can simply throw the pacifier away whereas the same can not be done with a thumb which is in the baby's control.
There are others (like myself) that believe giving up the thumb will naturally occur as long as a baby's sucking needs are appropriately met during early infancy.
Being a new mom, I have no experience with either situation. It will be interesting to see if and when my daughter naturally gives up her thumb.
The Pros and Cons (Okay, so there are only cons for the pacifier...LOL!)
Pacifiers
Pacifiers can be beneficial for getting through the period of time when babies experience an intense need to suck. Around the 2 month mark, my daughter had a week where she seemed to want to suck around the clock. I tried to nurse her as often as she wanted, but I started to feel like a human pacifier. It was pretty intense and my husband and I debated giving her a pacifier at this time. It was tough to get though the week without it, but when the week was over, the intense need to suck seemed to disappear.
Pacifiers can also be a sanity saver with very colicky babies when you need a break from the crying or when flying to help baby's ears to pop.
But...
Pacifiers used at bedtime to put baby to sleep can interfere with baby learning to fall asleep on his/her own. In addition, sleep could be interrupted if the pacifier falls out in the night and baby can't fall back asleep without it (unless you are planning on getting up to put it back in).
It has been found that infants that use a pacifier long-term (into toddler hood) are more likely to have ear infections and develop misaligned teeth than those that are not given one.
I also personally dislike the way a pacifier looks in a baby's mouth. When we do give my daughter a pacifier when we fly, she doesn't even look like my baby.
The Thumb
The thumb is always there when baby needs it and can easily be taken out when baby wants to communicate. Enough said, I honestly can't think of any disadvantages.
I don't think using a pacifier occasionally is a bad thing. If you do go the pacifier route, make sure you use it in moderation, only when baby really seems to need it and don't offer it past the 6 month mark to prevent dependence. Please don't become one of those parents that puts in the pacifier at the slightest hint of fussiness rather than consoling and trying to figure out what is actually wrong with baby and don't use it to put baby to sleep instead of cuddling. Your baby needs you, not a substitute.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
The Early Days of Breastfeeding
There a several myths out there regarding things you can do to get your nipples ready for breastfeeding. Myths are exactly what they are. There is nothing you can or need to do to get your nipples ready for breastfeeding. The only recommended steps are:
1) Wear a supportive bra (nursing or otherwise) without underwire. Bras with underwire have been known to lead to plugged milk ducts and breast infections. I personally found any bra with underwire to be very uncomfortable in the last months of pregnancy anyway and could not imagine having worn one in the early weeks of breastfeeding. I found cotton nursing bras without any bells and whistles to be the most comfortable. As I mentioned in an earlier post, you may want to buy at least one nursing bra ahead of time. It is generally safe to buy one towards the end of your pregnancy because your breast size will not significantly change any more. You will eventually need more than one, but you can hold off buying more until you decided which ones you like.
2) Avoid washing your nipples with soap when you are in the shower as this can dry them out.
That's it! There isn't anything else you can/should do.
One of the most important things you can do to get ready for breastfeeding is educate yourself about what to expect and what is normal and abnormal. The more educated you are, the more enjoyable your breastfeeding experience will be. I highly recommend the book The Nursing Mother's Companion by Kathleen Huggins.
It is also a good idea to attend a prenatal breastfeeding class. I did a lot of reading beforehand so I didn't really learn anything new from the class, but they provide you will a ton of resources in your community that you can access of you have any questions or problems.
Breastfeeding can be one the most amazing experiences of your life. The bond that it creates between you and your baby is incredibly rewarding. I have had a wonderful experience and absolutely love it. That being said, breastfeeding is by no means easy and it requires a huge commitment on your part.
The first few days are particularly hard. Initially, just getting baby to latch on properly is a big challenge. Although babies are born with the rooting reflex, both you and your baby have to learn how to breastfeed. The nurses in the hospital should help you with this because it is really difficult to manage holding your newborn baby and getting him or her to latch on to your nipple all at the same time (I would recommend a Boppy pillow). Don't get frustrated because after only a few nursing, things start to get easier.
As a side note, make sure you let the nurses know that you want to breastfeed for the first time as soon as possible after giving birth. Infants are usually incredibly eager to suck within the first two hours after birth and this is a perfect time to get the learning ball rolling. Studies have shown that the longer you wait, the less successful breastfeeding will be. Also be sure to avoid giving your baby a pacifier in the early days of nursing. This can lead to all kinds of nursing problems such as latching problems and early weaning and ear infections down the road (more on pacifier use later).
Until your milk comes in (generally 3-4 days postpartum), your baby will be drinking colostrum. This is thick and yellow and it is the most important substance you will ever feed your baby. It provides your newborn with all kinds of antibodies, prevents bacteria from entering baby's intestines, stimulates baby's bowels and can reduce jaundice just to name a few of the benefits. It may not seem like your newborn is eating very much, but know that a newborn's stomach is very small and they are getting what they need.
Newborn babies need anywhere from 10 to 45 minutes to complete a feeding. There is a lot of misinformation out there about this topic. Do not restrict your nursing time. Many people believe this helps to reduce nipple soreness, but that is not the case. Sore nipples are caused by improper positioning. There is no truth to the myth that it takes the a certain amount of time for the breast to empty either. You should let your baby nurse for as long as he/she wants. Not doing so will frustrate your baby and can lead to more engorgement down the road. When your baby is finished, he or she will let you know by letting go of your nipple. This is the absolute best way to end a feeding. If you do need to break the suction for some reason, make sure you do it properly by sliding your baby finger into the corner of your baby's mouth until you hear the release. You will be amazed at how strong the latch can be and if you don't break suction properly it will hurt!
Until your milk comes, your newborn will be nursing very frequently. At a minimum you should make sure you are nursing at least 8 times in a 24 hour period. The general rule of thumb is don't let your baby go more than 3 hours between feedings during the day and more than 4 hours during the night. This means you may have to wake your baby if he or she is very sleepy which newborns tend to be in the early days. When your milk comes in it is very important to make sure you are nursing every couple of hours to ensure a good milk supply. When your milk comes in, be prepared. This can be an rough 24-48 hour period. More on that in my next post!
1) Wear a supportive bra (nursing or otherwise) without underwire. Bras with underwire have been known to lead to plugged milk ducts and breast infections. I personally found any bra with underwire to be very uncomfortable in the last months of pregnancy anyway and could not imagine having worn one in the early weeks of breastfeeding. I found cotton nursing bras without any bells and whistles to be the most comfortable. As I mentioned in an earlier post, you may want to buy at least one nursing bra ahead of time. It is generally safe to buy one towards the end of your pregnancy because your breast size will not significantly change any more. You will eventually need more than one, but you can hold off buying more until you decided which ones you like.
2) Avoid washing your nipples with soap when you are in the shower as this can dry them out.
That's it! There isn't anything else you can/should do.
One of the most important things you can do to get ready for breastfeeding is educate yourself about what to expect and what is normal and abnormal. The more educated you are, the more enjoyable your breastfeeding experience will be. I highly recommend the book The Nursing Mother's Companion by Kathleen Huggins.
It is also a good idea to attend a prenatal breastfeeding class. I did a lot of reading beforehand so I didn't really learn anything new from the class, but they provide you will a ton of resources in your community that you can access of you have any questions or problems.
Breastfeeding can be one the most amazing experiences of your life. The bond that it creates between you and your baby is incredibly rewarding. I have had a wonderful experience and absolutely love it. That being said, breastfeeding is by no means easy and it requires a huge commitment on your part.
The first few days are particularly hard. Initially, just getting baby to latch on properly is a big challenge. Although babies are born with the rooting reflex, both you and your baby have to learn how to breastfeed. The nurses in the hospital should help you with this because it is really difficult to manage holding your newborn baby and getting him or her to latch on to your nipple all at the same time (I would recommend a Boppy pillow). Don't get frustrated because after only a few nursing, things start to get easier.
As a side note, make sure you let the nurses know that you want to breastfeed for the first time as soon as possible after giving birth. Infants are usually incredibly eager to suck within the first two hours after birth and this is a perfect time to get the learning ball rolling. Studies have shown that the longer you wait, the less successful breastfeeding will be. Also be sure to avoid giving your baby a pacifier in the early days of nursing. This can lead to all kinds of nursing problems such as latching problems and early weaning and ear infections down the road (more on pacifier use later).
Until your milk comes in (generally 3-4 days postpartum), your baby will be drinking colostrum. This is thick and yellow and it is the most important substance you will ever feed your baby. It provides your newborn with all kinds of antibodies, prevents bacteria from entering baby's intestines, stimulates baby's bowels and can reduce jaundice just to name a few of the benefits. It may not seem like your newborn is eating very much, but know that a newborn's stomach is very small and they are getting what they need.
Newborn babies need anywhere from 10 to 45 minutes to complete a feeding. There is a lot of misinformation out there about this topic. Do not restrict your nursing time. Many people believe this helps to reduce nipple soreness, but that is not the case. Sore nipples are caused by improper positioning. There is no truth to the myth that it takes the a certain amount of time for the breast to empty either. You should let your baby nurse for as long as he/she wants. Not doing so will frustrate your baby and can lead to more engorgement down the road. When your baby is finished, he or she will let you know by letting go of your nipple. This is the absolute best way to end a feeding. If you do need to break the suction for some reason, make sure you do it properly by sliding your baby finger into the corner of your baby's mouth until you hear the release. You will be amazed at how strong the latch can be and if you don't break suction properly it will hurt!
Until your milk comes, your newborn will be nursing very frequently. At a minimum you should make sure you are nursing at least 8 times in a 24 hour period. The general rule of thumb is don't let your baby go more than 3 hours between feedings during the day and more than 4 hours during the night. This means you may have to wake your baby if he or she is very sleepy which newborns tend to be in the early days. When your milk comes in it is very important to make sure you are nursing every couple of hours to ensure a good milk supply. When your milk comes in, be prepared. This can be an rough 24-48 hour period. More on that in my next post!
Friday, May 28, 2010
The Challenge: Finding time to have a shower!
I am sure that all new moms will agree that finding time to have a shower is a challenge.
In the early months, I didn't feel comfortable jumping in the shower while my daughter was sleeping because I never really knew how long she was going to sleep for and I didn't want her lying there crying until I got out. Our bathroom is right beside my daughter's nursery and I was also worried that the noise would wake her up after I had finally got her to sleep.
When I asked for advice, almost every single mom that I talked to told me to just put her in her bouncy chair outside of the bathroom door where I could still see her. What a great idea! Now my advice to every new mom is - invest in a bouncy chair and turn shower time into a fun game of Peek-A-Boo.
BUT...
The bouncy chair worked great until recently because now my 5 month old daughter is too big and strong for her bouncy chair. Now what?
She can't crawl yet so my new plan is to put her on her playmat within sight while I take a shower. This might work for a few months, but when she starts to crawl I have no idea what I am going to do with her!
She is a much more consistent napper and I know roughly how long she is going to sleep for so I suppose I could start to take showers while she is sleeping. I am also far less worried about her lying there crying because she doesn't usually wake up that way anymore. For the most part, she is perfectly content lying in her crib awake for a short time.
I guess this is where a playpen or pack-and-play comes in handy. We never invested in one because they are incredibly expensive and I didn't think we would get enough use out of it to make it worth the money. I don't think having it just for the purpose of taking a shower justifies the expense.
Anyway, I guess I will just have to continue to come up with creative ideas for taking a shower!
Happy Showering!
In the early months, I didn't feel comfortable jumping in the shower while my daughter was sleeping because I never really knew how long she was going to sleep for and I didn't want her lying there crying until I got out. Our bathroom is right beside my daughter's nursery and I was also worried that the noise would wake her up after I had finally got her to sleep.
When I asked for advice, almost every single mom that I talked to told me to just put her in her bouncy chair outside of the bathroom door where I could still see her. What a great idea! Now my advice to every new mom is - invest in a bouncy chair and turn shower time into a fun game of Peek-A-Boo.
BUT...
The bouncy chair worked great until recently because now my 5 month old daughter is too big and strong for her bouncy chair. Now what?
She can't crawl yet so my new plan is to put her on her playmat within sight while I take a shower. This might work for a few months, but when she starts to crawl I have no idea what I am going to do with her!
She is a much more consistent napper and I know roughly how long she is going to sleep for so I suppose I could start to take showers while she is sleeping. I am also far less worried about her lying there crying because she doesn't usually wake up that way anymore. For the most part, she is perfectly content lying in her crib awake for a short time.
I guess this is where a playpen or pack-and-play comes in handy. We never invested in one because they are incredibly expensive and I didn't think we would get enough use out of it to make it worth the money. I don't think having it just for the purpose of taking a shower justifies the expense.
Anyway, I guess I will just have to continue to come up with creative ideas for taking a shower!
Happy Showering!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Getting ready to start solid food!
The countdown is on! We are only a few short weeks away from the big day...the day Lilah starts solid food! I am very excited about the big event.
This past weekend, I did some on-line shopping for the supplies that we are going to need. Any day now, infant spoons, bowls, sippy cups, ice cube trays with lids, and snack containers will be arriving at my door! Yes, I do get excited about the little things in life.
I plan on making all of Lilah's baby food and I can't wait to get started. My mom gave me a great book, The Healthy Baby Meal Planner - Mom-Tested, Child-Approved Recipes for Your Baby and Toddler. It was written by a woman named Annabel Karmel. She is a mother of 3 and has written 16 bestselling books on cooking for babies so she knows what she is talking about (www.annabelkarmel.com). The book has a very thorough introduction that talks about the best first foods, nutritional requirements, allergies, and preparing baby foods. Chapters on first-stage weaning (the 6th month), second-stage weaning (7-9 months), feeding your 9-12 month old, and feeding your toddler follow. There are over 200 recipes in the book as well. The thing I love about the book the most is that it includes meal planners (The First Tastes Meal Planner and The First Tastes Accepted Meal Planner). Our debut foods are going to include rice cereal, carrots, sweet potatoes, pears, apples, and butternut squash! SO EXCITING!
Now, if only Lilah could be as excited about this as I am!
This past weekend, I did some on-line shopping for the supplies that we are going to need. Any day now, infant spoons, bowls, sippy cups, ice cube trays with lids, and snack containers will be arriving at my door! Yes, I do get excited about the little things in life.
I plan on making all of Lilah's baby food and I can't wait to get started. My mom gave me a great book, The Healthy Baby Meal Planner - Mom-Tested, Child-Approved Recipes for Your Baby and Toddler. It was written by a woman named Annabel Karmel. She is a mother of 3 and has written 16 bestselling books on cooking for babies so she knows what she is talking about (www.annabelkarmel.com). The book has a very thorough introduction that talks about the best first foods, nutritional requirements, allergies, and preparing baby foods. Chapters on first-stage weaning (the 6th month), second-stage weaning (7-9 months), feeding your 9-12 month old, and feeding your toddler follow. There are over 200 recipes in the book as well. The thing I love about the book the most is that it includes meal planners (The First Tastes Meal Planner and The First Tastes Accepted Meal Planner). Our debut foods are going to include rice cereal, carrots, sweet potatoes, pears, apples, and butternut squash! SO EXCITING!
Now, if only Lilah could be as excited about this as I am!
Mastering the Art of Mommyhood - Revamped
When I started this blog just over a month ago, my plan was to share my experiences as a new mom in chronological order starting with my pregnancy. However, it seems like my daughter is doing something different everyday and I am learning new things about being a mom daily (and about being a Blogger). Although I would like to think I will be able to remember everything that happens until the time comes to write about it a few months down the road, the reality is I can barely remember what day of the week it is never mind the little things that happen everyday. Therefore, I have decided to revamp my blog both in looks and content. I will continue to talk about my past experiences, but I would like my blog to track my day-to-day experiences as well. Several people have expressed an interest in hearing more about breastfeeding and I have a lot to share on the topic so don't fret, I will be returning to the subject! And, if there are any other topics that you would like me to talk about, just let me know!
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Breastfeeding: Books & Breastpumps
Here we go...BREASTFEEDING! I am going to start out talking about books and breastpumps!
Books
I would highly recommend getting a copy of The Nursing Mother's Companion. I love this book! It is not preachy about breastfeeding the way books written by hard-core advocates can be. Rather, it recognizes that everyone's situation is different and that some mother's go back to work and some father's want to play a role in feeding. This book has answered every single question about breastfeeding that I have had to this day. It is very comprehensive and talks about everything from preparing for breastfeeding through to breastfeeding into the toddler years. I can't say enough good things about this book!
Breastpumps
Due to the nature of my job, I was only able to stay home with my daughter for 6 weeks before I had to return to work part-time. Therefore, a breastpump was absolutely necessary for me. I bought the Medela Pump in Style Advanced ($280.00 US). This is a daily use breastpump designed for mothers who pump several times a day. I really like this breastpump and would highly recommend it if you are going to be pumping regularly.
If you are only going to be pumping occasionally, I would recommend looking into a less expensive occasional use breastpump (manual, $35.00 US or electric, $150.00 US) to save yourself some money.
Even if you don't plan on pumping at all, I would consider buying an occasional use breastpump because there are situations in which you may want it.
For example, I used it on many occasions when my breasts were particularly engorged and my daughter was just not eating enough to give me relief. If you want your partner to be able to play a role in feeding, you are going to need a pump. Although I have not had this problem, I know some mothers need to pump in advance of feeding to get their milk flowing if it takes a long time to let down and/or baby is having trouble.
If you do decide to buy a breastpump, you will need storage bags if you plan of freezing your milk for later use. Everything else that I needed came with my breastpump (tubes, breastsheilds, cooler bag with ice pack, 4 - 5 oz bottles, lids, and wide-base slow flow nipples). Check the model you are considering to see of there are any additional supplies you might need.
A side note - the wide-based slow flow nipples and Medela bottles where the only nipples and bottles we could get my daughter to accept. We tried Playtex Ventaire and Gerber bottles and she refused both. Make sure you have a variety of nipple and bottle types on hand if you are going to try to get your baby to take a bottle because this can make a big difference in whether you are successful or not.
Stay tuned for more on breastfeeding and let me know if you have any questions!
Books
I would highly recommend getting a copy of The Nursing Mother's Companion. I love this book! It is not preachy about breastfeeding the way books written by hard-core advocates can be. Rather, it recognizes that everyone's situation is different and that some mother's go back to work and some father's want to play a role in feeding. This book has answered every single question about breastfeeding that I have had to this day. It is very comprehensive and talks about everything from preparing for breastfeeding through to breastfeeding into the toddler years. I can't say enough good things about this book!
Breastpumps
Due to the nature of my job, I was only able to stay home with my daughter for 6 weeks before I had to return to work part-time. Therefore, a breastpump was absolutely necessary for me. I bought the Medela Pump in Style Advanced ($280.00 US). This is a daily use breastpump designed for mothers who pump several times a day. I really like this breastpump and would highly recommend it if you are going to be pumping regularly.
If you are only going to be pumping occasionally, I would recommend looking into a less expensive occasional use breastpump (manual, $35.00 US or electric, $150.00 US) to save yourself some money.
Even if you don't plan on pumping at all, I would consider buying an occasional use breastpump because there are situations in which you may want it.
For example, I used it on many occasions when my breasts were particularly engorged and my daughter was just not eating enough to give me relief. If you want your partner to be able to play a role in feeding, you are going to need a pump. Although I have not had this problem, I know some mothers need to pump in advance of feeding to get their milk flowing if it takes a long time to let down and/or baby is having trouble.
If you do decide to buy a breastpump, you will need storage bags if you plan of freezing your milk for later use. Everything else that I needed came with my breastpump (tubes, breastsheilds, cooler bag with ice pack, 4 - 5 oz bottles, lids, and wide-base slow flow nipples). Check the model you are considering to see of there are any additional supplies you might need.
A side note - the wide-based slow flow nipples and Medela bottles where the only nipples and bottles we could get my daughter to accept. We tried Playtex Ventaire and Gerber bottles and she refused both. Make sure you have a variety of nipple and bottle types on hand if you are going to try to get your baby to take a bottle because this can make a big difference in whether you are successful or not.
Stay tuned for more on breastfeeding and let me know if you have any questions!
Monday, May 17, 2010
Getting Ready for Baby...The Little Things, Part 2
A note on diapers...In my last post, I talked a little bit about my experience with diapers. After posting, I was given some feedback from a few friends about their experiences. I had questioned whether Huggies diapers might be better for boys and in fact a friend of mine told me that she has found this to be the case. She passed along a cute little quote "Hug a boy, pamper a girl." Another mom noted that she has always used Huggies with her girls (3) and hasn't had any problems. I would definitely recommend when buying diapers for your new baby, to get a package of each until you decide which you prefer.
Now, on to more about getting ready for baby! Again, these are my personal preferences. There are so many options out there and you need to choose what is best for you and your baby! I am sure there are things that I am forgetting to mention so if you have questions about anything, feel free to comment!
Clothes
If you are going to buy clothes ahead of time, don't get a lot of newborn stuff. Babies grow incredibly fast! My daughter was 7.12 pounds when she was born and she had outgrown her newborn clothes within 3 weeks.
Don't spend a lot of money on "outfits" either. As you can imagine, it is a challenge dressing a tiny little baby and the less fuss you have to deal with, the better. Socks, shoes, booties, hats and bibs are cute, but not necessary. I have a million bibs and have not used a single one to this day. I will start using them when my daughter starts teething and eating, but up to now there really has been no need. She didn't start wearing socks or shoes until she started wearing pants around the 1 month mark. She did wear booties and a hat on a couple of occasions, but you really don't need more than one of each. When they are in sleepers, they don't need any of that extra stuff.
Sleepers are the way to go! My daughter lived exclusively in sleepers for the first month or so. Make sure you get sleepers with snaps (down both legs) rather than zippers. Zippers may seem like they would be easier, but they only unzip down one leg which can make getting the other leg out rather difficult. There is the risk of getting baby's delicate skin pinched in the zipper and you have to unzip the whole sleeper to change a diaper rather than just the snaps around the legs which means more cold air can get at baby.
I started dressing my daughter in pants and onsies when she got a little bigger and that is now our standard outfit for everyday. Cute outfits are nice for special occasions, but if you are going to be chumming around the house most of the time, you want baby to be comfortable.
If you have a girl, you might be tempted to buy some cute little dresses, but let me tell you, dresses are a pain in the ass! You have to constantly pull them down. We wear dresses on special occasions, but that is it! When she can walk, dresses will be much easier to manage!
You are also going to need clothing for outdoors. My daughter was born in the winter so we had to buy a one piece snowsuit for her to wear. A hat and mittens are also essential for winter babies! A few light sweaters or sweatshirts (with hoods) are all that you really need once the weather starts to warm up.
I would also highly recommend a few pairs of the little mittens that can be worn to prevent scratching. I recently read that these are no longer recommended because babies need to be able to 'feel' their world. These people have obviously forgotten how difficult it is to cut a newborn baby's fingernails! My daughter wore mittens every time she slept for the first few months until it became easier for me to cut her nails and she does not seem to have suffered any adverse consequences. Of course, it is important to take them off when baby is awake when baby will actually be 'feeling' their world, but putting them on for sleeping is essential unless you want a baby with a scratched up little face!
Bedding
Start with a crib mattress pad that has a plastic backing to protect your mattress and to provide a little more cushioning to the bed. You will need at least a couple of fitted cotton crib sheets so that you have one to swap out in case of spit-up or diaper leaks (you will also need these items for the bassinet). Be sure to get a few soft cotton blankets and at least one good sized cotton blanket that can be used for swaddling. We used a hand-knit blanket for swaddling for the first couple of months and then transitioned to a sleep-sac and soft blanket. A sleep-sac is great because you don't have to worry about baby getting cold if they happen to kick of their blanket. I didn't use receiving blankets at all for swaddling rather I used them for burp cloths, but regardless of what you use them for your should get half a dozen or so.
Getting the crib ready is really exciting (even though baby won't be using to for a few months if you are going the bassinet route). Everyone wants to get a cute crib set that includes a comforter, bed skirt, fitted sheet and bumper pads. The truth is that bumper pads are not recommended because they put baby at risk of suffocation and you won't use the comforter while baby is actually in the crib (it ends up being more for looks). The crib skirt and sheet, however, are nice to have. If you do buy a set (or someone buys it for you), you can use the comforter as a play blanket so that you get use out of it and there are alternative ways to make use of the bumper pads (I am in the process of trying to find a creative way to use the bumper pads that came with my daughter's crib bedding...there are several suggestions online, I will keep you posted on this.)
Toys
My daughter didn't really get into her toys until she was about 4 months of age and even then, there were only a few that she preferred to grab and hold on to. Soft toys that make noise and have color contrast are good for the early months. Chewable toys are good as they get a little older and want to put everything into their mouths. Board books and a few baby CDs are great to have as well!
We have a playmat that she has really enjoyed, but now that she is 5 months old, she has become less interested in it. She started using her activity jumper as soon as she was strong enough and could touch the ground in it and she loves it now! We don't have a Jolly Jumper, but I know a lot of people like them. We have a Bumbo chair, but my daughter is not a fan of sitting in it. It actually forces them to sit quite awkwardly and I recently heard mumblings about them not being good for their posture. We used a swing for the few few weeks, but then my daughter decided that she did not like the cradled position that it forced her to lie in. We also have a bouncy chair which is awesome to have so that you can take a shower once in awhile! A Boppy pillow is great for sitting baby in before he/she can sit up an his/her own (as well as for breastfeeding in the early days).
It is recommended regardless of what jumper/activity center you have, that babies are put in them for only short periods of time. The best way for a baby to develop is to just play on a regular blanket. Lots of tummy time is really important!
A few other things you might want to consider...
For the nursery...
*A diaper pail of some kind. We have a Diaper Genie II and it is great! I was originally just going to use a garbage can in the nursery, but I am super glad I went the diaper pail route. It keeps the odor contained and you can put a lot of diapers in it before it needs to be changed (many more than in a small garbage pail).
*Get some baby hangers for items that are better hung than folded.
*A rocking chair in the nursery is wonderful! It is great for rocking baby to sleep when they are really young and for story time as they get older.
For travel...
*Sun shields for your car windows are really great for keeping the sun out of baby's eyes when you are travelling.
*A mirror that can be mounted on the back seat so you can glance at baby while you are driving is also essential.
*A diaper bag for travelling is a no-brainer. My diaper bag goes with me wherever I go. It doubles as my purse now with a section devoted to my things.
*Little pads to cover the car seat straps are nice so that the straps are not against baby's delicate skin. I also use these on the straps in the stroller.
*We do not have a pack-and-play, but if you are going to be doing a lot of travelling with baby and baby is going to need a place to sleep, you might want to invest in one. They are very expensive so spend the cash only if you are going to get a lot of use out if it.
*A carrier is a great investment. You are not always going to want or be able to take a stroller wherever you go. It is also nice to just be able to take a walk with baby in the carrier rather than the stroller. I currently use a Fisher Price carrier that we were given, but if I was to invest in one, I would get the Baby Bjorn Sport carrier.
For everyday...
*You absolutely need some baby nail clippers. I had both the regular clippers that are similar to adult clippers and the ones with a larger handle. After using both, I have found the regular clippers to be much easier to use and handle.
*You will also need to have on hand a soft brush (and comb for longer hair), a digital thermometer (for the armpit is easiest), a nasal aspirator, baby oil (for cleaning little nooks and crannies and for cradle cap), infant Tylenol (for after those nasty immunizations), Vitamin D drops (babies should be given these every day while they are exclusively breastfed unless they are exposed to at least 5-10 minutes of sunshine everyday), and Gripe Water (to soothe a colicky baby or just to soothe cramps or hiccups).
In my next post, I am going to start talking about the topic that everyone has been waiting for...BREASTFEEDING! Stay tuned!
Now, on to more about getting ready for baby! Again, these are my personal preferences. There are so many options out there and you need to choose what is best for you and your baby! I am sure there are things that I am forgetting to mention so if you have questions about anything, feel free to comment!
Clothes
If you are going to buy clothes ahead of time, don't get a lot of newborn stuff. Babies grow incredibly fast! My daughter was 7.12 pounds when she was born and she had outgrown her newborn clothes within 3 weeks.
Don't spend a lot of money on "outfits" either. As you can imagine, it is a challenge dressing a tiny little baby and the less fuss you have to deal with, the better. Socks, shoes, booties, hats and bibs are cute, but not necessary. I have a million bibs and have not used a single one to this day. I will start using them when my daughter starts teething and eating, but up to now there really has been no need. She didn't start wearing socks or shoes until she started wearing pants around the 1 month mark. She did wear booties and a hat on a couple of occasions, but you really don't need more than one of each. When they are in sleepers, they don't need any of that extra stuff.
Sleepers are the way to go! My daughter lived exclusively in sleepers for the first month or so. Make sure you get sleepers with snaps (down both legs) rather than zippers. Zippers may seem like they would be easier, but they only unzip down one leg which can make getting the other leg out rather difficult. There is the risk of getting baby's delicate skin pinched in the zipper and you have to unzip the whole sleeper to change a diaper rather than just the snaps around the legs which means more cold air can get at baby.
I started dressing my daughter in pants and onsies when she got a little bigger and that is now our standard outfit for everyday. Cute outfits are nice for special occasions, but if you are going to be chumming around the house most of the time, you want baby to be comfortable.
If you have a girl, you might be tempted to buy some cute little dresses, but let me tell you, dresses are a pain in the ass! You have to constantly pull them down. We wear dresses on special occasions, but that is it! When she can walk, dresses will be much easier to manage!
You are also going to need clothing for outdoors. My daughter was born in the winter so we had to buy a one piece snowsuit for her to wear. A hat and mittens are also essential for winter babies! A few light sweaters or sweatshirts (with hoods) are all that you really need once the weather starts to warm up.
I would also highly recommend a few pairs of the little mittens that can be worn to prevent scratching. I recently read that these are no longer recommended because babies need to be able to 'feel' their world. These people have obviously forgotten how difficult it is to cut a newborn baby's fingernails! My daughter wore mittens every time she slept for the first few months until it became easier for me to cut her nails and she does not seem to have suffered any adverse consequences. Of course, it is important to take them off when baby is awake when baby will actually be 'feeling' their world, but putting them on for sleeping is essential unless you want a baby with a scratched up little face!
Bedding
Start with a crib mattress pad that has a plastic backing to protect your mattress and to provide a little more cushioning to the bed. You will need at least a couple of fitted cotton crib sheets so that you have one to swap out in case of spit-up or diaper leaks (you will also need these items for the bassinet). Be sure to get a few soft cotton blankets and at least one good sized cotton blanket that can be used for swaddling. We used a hand-knit blanket for swaddling for the first couple of months and then transitioned to a sleep-sac and soft blanket. A sleep-sac is great because you don't have to worry about baby getting cold if they happen to kick of their blanket. I didn't use receiving blankets at all for swaddling rather I used them for burp cloths, but regardless of what you use them for your should get half a dozen or so.
Getting the crib ready is really exciting (even though baby won't be using to for a few months if you are going the bassinet route). Everyone wants to get a cute crib set that includes a comforter, bed skirt, fitted sheet and bumper pads. The truth is that bumper pads are not recommended because they put baby at risk of suffocation and you won't use the comforter while baby is actually in the crib (it ends up being more for looks). The crib skirt and sheet, however, are nice to have. If you do buy a set (or someone buys it for you), you can use the comforter as a play blanket so that you get use out of it and there are alternative ways to make use of the bumper pads (I am in the process of trying to find a creative way to use the bumper pads that came with my daughter's crib bedding...there are several suggestions online, I will keep you posted on this.)
Toys
My daughter didn't really get into her toys until she was about 4 months of age and even then, there were only a few that she preferred to grab and hold on to. Soft toys that make noise and have color contrast are good for the early months. Chewable toys are good as they get a little older and want to put everything into their mouths. Board books and a few baby CDs are great to have as well!
We have a playmat that she has really enjoyed, but now that she is 5 months old, she has become less interested in it. She started using her activity jumper as soon as she was strong enough and could touch the ground in it and she loves it now! We don't have a Jolly Jumper, but I know a lot of people like them. We have a Bumbo chair, but my daughter is not a fan of sitting in it. It actually forces them to sit quite awkwardly and I recently heard mumblings about them not being good for their posture. We used a swing for the few few weeks, but then my daughter decided that she did not like the cradled position that it forced her to lie in. We also have a bouncy chair which is awesome to have so that you can take a shower once in awhile! A Boppy pillow is great for sitting baby in before he/she can sit up an his/her own (as well as for breastfeeding in the early days).
It is recommended regardless of what jumper/activity center you have, that babies are put in them for only short periods of time. The best way for a baby to develop is to just play on a regular blanket. Lots of tummy time is really important!
A few other things you might want to consider...
For the nursery...
*A diaper pail of some kind. We have a Diaper Genie II and it is great! I was originally just going to use a garbage can in the nursery, but I am super glad I went the diaper pail route. It keeps the odor contained and you can put a lot of diapers in it before it needs to be changed (many more than in a small garbage pail).
*Get some baby hangers for items that are better hung than folded.
*A rocking chair in the nursery is wonderful! It is great for rocking baby to sleep when they are really young and for story time as they get older.
For travel...
*Sun shields for your car windows are really great for keeping the sun out of baby's eyes when you are travelling.
*A mirror that can be mounted on the back seat so you can glance at baby while you are driving is also essential.
*A diaper bag for travelling is a no-brainer. My diaper bag goes with me wherever I go. It doubles as my purse now with a section devoted to my things.
*Little pads to cover the car seat straps are nice so that the straps are not against baby's delicate skin. I also use these on the straps in the stroller.
*We do not have a pack-and-play, but if you are going to be doing a lot of travelling with baby and baby is going to need a place to sleep, you might want to invest in one. They are very expensive so spend the cash only if you are going to get a lot of use out if it.
*A carrier is a great investment. You are not always going to want or be able to take a stroller wherever you go. It is also nice to just be able to take a walk with baby in the carrier rather than the stroller. I currently use a Fisher Price carrier that we were given, but if I was to invest in one, I would get the Baby Bjorn Sport carrier.
For everyday...
*You absolutely need some baby nail clippers. I had both the regular clippers that are similar to adult clippers and the ones with a larger handle. After using both, I have found the regular clippers to be much easier to use and handle.
*You will also need to have on hand a soft brush (and comb for longer hair), a digital thermometer (for the armpit is easiest), a nasal aspirator, baby oil (for cleaning little nooks and crannies and for cradle cap), infant Tylenol (for after those nasty immunizations), Vitamin D drops (babies should be given these every day while they are exclusively breastfed unless they are exposed to at least 5-10 minutes of sunshine everyday), and Gripe Water (to soothe a colicky baby or just to soothe cramps or hiccups).
In my next post, I am going to start talking about the topic that everyone has been waiting for...BREASTFEEDING! Stay tuned!
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Getting Ready for Baby...The Little Things, Part 1
In an earlier post I talked about all of the larger items that are nice/you need to have for baby. Now, I am going to start talking about the smaller items that are nice/you need to have for baby. Of course, these are my personal preferences. There are thousands of products out there and you need to use what is right for you and your baby.
My first piece of advice for everyone is don't go overboard buying stuff for baby ahead of time (especially if you are going to be having a baby shower). There are a few things that you will need to have on hand before baby arrives, but hold off on that shopping spree until you start trying things out to find out what you like and don't like.
Diapers:
Diapers are an excellent example of this. We had both Pampers Swaddlers Newborn and Huggies Newborn diapers on hand before our daughter arrived. It did not take long for us to realize that Huggies were not the brand for us! They leaked almost every time poop was involved and newborns poop a lot so you can imagine how quickly the laundry was piling up! Huggies may be better for boys or better as babies get older, but they certainly did not cut it in the beginning. We have since found out that there is a large group of anti-Huggies parents out there so you might want to save yourself the trouble and stick with Pampers (I don't know from personal experience, but I have heard that the same goes for no-name brands of diapers as well).
Cloth diapers are also an option. We live in an apartment with a washing machine, but no dryer so I knew right away that cloth diapers were not going to work for us. I have also talked to parents that did a lot of research on the cloth vs. disposable debate and discovered that when you take into account the laundry detergent that pollutes the water, the water necessary for washing the diapers and the power needed to run the machines, there ends up being very little difference in the environmental impact.
Cleaning That Little Bum:
In addition to diapers, you need to decide what you are going to use to clean baby's bottom. My personal preference is baby washcloths rinsed in warm water. Washcloths are washable and, therefore, reduce the amount of garbage you are creating. They are also free of whatever chemicals are put into wipes. I do also use wipes when I don't make that stop at the sink before the diaper change and when are away from home, but I find that my daughter starts to get a rash after a few diapers changes using wipes. Again, I prefer Pampers wipes to any other brand (I have tried Huggies and no-name) because they are much softer than the others. We were given a wipes warmer as a shower gift which my husband and I initially thought was silly and unnecessary, but I have since changed my mind. It is not only great because it keeps the wipes warm, but it also keep them moist. There are washcloth warmers on the market that work the same as wipe warmers and had I known this earlier, I would have registered for one of these instead. If you are going to go the washcloth route, just make sure you buy a couple of dozen so that you don't have to do a load of laundry every other day!
Protect That Bum!
When it comes to the 'stuff' that I apply my daughter's bottom, I do the same thing that my mom did when we were kids and just stick with good old Vaseline. If it looks like a rash might be coming on, I nip it in the bud by applying a little Penatene cream and that it it! When the weather starts to get really warm and humid, I may splash a little baby powder on there as well, but the Vaseline has been working great up to this point to protect her little bum!
And Don't Forget...
If you are going to go the changing table route, make sure you have a swap out change pad cover in case of 'accidents' (which happen fairly regularly).
Bath Time!
I started out using a baby bath tub, but I didn't like it at all. I found it very hard to hold and wash baby at the same time and the tub itself was very slippery. I started using a bath chair after the first week which made bathing my daughter MUCH easier. I didn't have to worry about her sliding all over the place and had both of my hands free for washing. I also actually climb into the bathtub when I bath my daughter. I have been doing this since we started using the bath chair. I prefer it to leaning over the edge of the tub and I think she does too. Not only does it makes bathing her easier, it makes it a fun, bonding activity.
I prefer Aveeno products for all of my bath soaps, suds and creams. I find that Aveeno products are just gentler on the skin. I especially like the lavender scented suds and creams that help to calm baby before bedtime.
And Don't Forget...
Buy a couple of hooded towels and a few washcloths that are used only for bathing (as opposed to diaper changes). A few rubber duckies are nice to have a baby gets older. My daughter is 5 months now and is just starting to play with her rubber duckie in the bath.
In my next post, I will continue talking about The Little Things like clothes, bedding and toys so stay tuned!
My first piece of advice for everyone is don't go overboard buying stuff for baby ahead of time (especially if you are going to be having a baby shower). There are a few things that you will need to have on hand before baby arrives, but hold off on that shopping spree until you start trying things out to find out what you like and don't like.
Diapers:
Diapers are an excellent example of this. We had both Pampers Swaddlers Newborn and Huggies Newborn diapers on hand before our daughter arrived. It did not take long for us to realize that Huggies were not the brand for us! They leaked almost every time poop was involved and newborns poop a lot so you can imagine how quickly the laundry was piling up! Huggies may be better for boys or better as babies get older, but they certainly did not cut it in the beginning. We have since found out that there is a large group of anti-Huggies parents out there so you might want to save yourself the trouble and stick with Pampers (I don't know from personal experience, but I have heard that the same goes for no-name brands of diapers as well).
Cloth diapers are also an option. We live in an apartment with a washing machine, but no dryer so I knew right away that cloth diapers were not going to work for us. I have also talked to parents that did a lot of research on the cloth vs. disposable debate and discovered that when you take into account the laundry detergent that pollutes the water, the water necessary for washing the diapers and the power needed to run the machines, there ends up being very little difference in the environmental impact.
Cleaning That Little Bum:
In addition to diapers, you need to decide what you are going to use to clean baby's bottom. My personal preference is baby washcloths rinsed in warm water. Washcloths are washable and, therefore, reduce the amount of garbage you are creating. They are also free of whatever chemicals are put into wipes. I do also use wipes when I don't make that stop at the sink before the diaper change and when are away from home, but I find that my daughter starts to get a rash after a few diapers changes using wipes. Again, I prefer Pampers wipes to any other brand (I have tried Huggies and no-name) because they are much softer than the others. We were given a wipes warmer as a shower gift which my husband and I initially thought was silly and unnecessary, but I have since changed my mind. It is not only great because it keeps the wipes warm, but it also keep them moist. There are washcloth warmers on the market that work the same as wipe warmers and had I known this earlier, I would have registered for one of these instead. If you are going to go the washcloth route, just make sure you buy a couple of dozen so that you don't have to do a load of laundry every other day!
Protect That Bum!
When it comes to the 'stuff' that I apply my daughter's bottom, I do the same thing that my mom did when we were kids and just stick with good old Vaseline. If it looks like a rash might be coming on, I nip it in the bud by applying a little Penatene cream and that it it! When the weather starts to get really warm and humid, I may splash a little baby powder on there as well, but the Vaseline has been working great up to this point to protect her little bum!
And Don't Forget...
If you are going to go the changing table route, make sure you have a swap out change pad cover in case of 'accidents' (which happen fairly regularly).
Bath Time!
I started out using a baby bath tub, but I didn't like it at all. I found it very hard to hold and wash baby at the same time and the tub itself was very slippery. I started using a bath chair after the first week which made bathing my daughter MUCH easier. I didn't have to worry about her sliding all over the place and had both of my hands free for washing. I also actually climb into the bathtub when I bath my daughter. I have been doing this since we started using the bath chair. I prefer it to leaning over the edge of the tub and I think she does too. Not only does it makes bathing her easier, it makes it a fun, bonding activity.
I prefer Aveeno products for all of my bath soaps, suds and creams. I find that Aveeno products are just gentler on the skin. I especially like the lavender scented suds and creams that help to calm baby before bedtime.
And Don't Forget...
Buy a couple of hooded towels and a few washcloths that are used only for bathing (as opposed to diaper changes). A few rubber duckies are nice to have a baby gets older. My daughter is 5 months now and is just starting to play with her rubber duckie in the bath.
In my next post, I will continue talking about The Little Things like clothes, bedding and toys so stay tuned!
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Leaving the Hospital...The Scariest Car Ride of My Life!
I could not WAIT to leave the hospital! I stayed for the mandatory 24 hours and then I got the heck out of there. Part of the reason I wanted to leave so quickly was because my daughter was born on December 23rd which meant that we were not able to leave the hospital until Christmas Eve and I really wanted to be home and with my family for Christmas. Even under different circumstances, I still would have left as soon as I did. The food is awful, the beds are incredibly uncomfortable and the bathrooms are not the nicest. If you have support at home, I would highly recommend going to the comfort of your own home as soon as you can!
Give yourself time to actually get out of the hospital. It took a lot longer to leave than we expected. There are security procedures that have to be followed before you are allowed to walk out of the door with your baby which are all well and good because it ensures that some random stranger can't just walk away with your baby, but they take FOREVER! By the time everything was said and done, my daughter wanted to nurse again which delayed leaving even more (for good reason). About an hour passed between the time we decided we wanted to leave and when we actually walked out of the door...and boy, was that SCARY!
Prepare yourself, that first car ride with your brand new baby is TERRIFYING!
Newborn babies are SO tiny and the car seats are SO big that it looks like the seat is going to swallow them up! Tightening that seat belt so that it is snug against their little body is no fun either. I was so afraid I was going to pull it too tight and hurt my little one. No one really tells you how snug the belts should be. A good rule of thumb is that the belts should be sung enough that you can't pinch the shoulder straps and get a hold of the belt. Too make sure it is not too tight, you should also be able to comfortably slide a couple of fingers under the chest plate. I can't stress enough how important it is that you tighten those belts properly. If you are ever in an accident, your baby should move as one with the seat rather then being able to be jostled around within it. Keep that in mind when you are feeling bad about buckling them in and pulling those straps tight!
Our 30 minute drive home took us more like 45 minutes because my husband was driving so incredibly cautiously! We laugh about it now when we look back on that night, but at the time we were both terrified. Our daughter started to cry shortly after we pulled out of the hospital parking lot and cried for most of the drive. She was so new and tiny and all I wanted to do was get her out of that seat and cuddle her. It was the longest car ride of my life!
We finally made it home around midnight to see Christmas Day arrive. I really wanted to be home for Christmas to be with my family, but I honestly don't remember any of it because I was so incredibly exhausted. I do vaguely remember opening gifts and eating brunch, but more importantly, my baby was home and I was comfortable and that was all that really mattered.
Give yourself time to actually get out of the hospital. It took a lot longer to leave than we expected. There are security procedures that have to be followed before you are allowed to walk out of the door with your baby which are all well and good because it ensures that some random stranger can't just walk away with your baby, but they take FOREVER! By the time everything was said and done, my daughter wanted to nurse again which delayed leaving even more (for good reason). About an hour passed between the time we decided we wanted to leave and when we actually walked out of the door...and boy, was that SCARY!
Prepare yourself, that first car ride with your brand new baby is TERRIFYING!
Newborn babies are SO tiny and the car seats are SO big that it looks like the seat is going to swallow them up! Tightening that seat belt so that it is snug against their little body is no fun either. I was so afraid I was going to pull it too tight and hurt my little one. No one really tells you how snug the belts should be. A good rule of thumb is that the belts should be sung enough that you can't pinch the shoulder straps and get a hold of the belt. Too make sure it is not too tight, you should also be able to comfortably slide a couple of fingers under the chest plate. I can't stress enough how important it is that you tighten those belts properly. If you are ever in an accident, your baby should move as one with the seat rather then being able to be jostled around within it. Keep that in mind when you are feeling bad about buckling them in and pulling those straps tight!
Our 30 minute drive home took us more like 45 minutes because my husband was driving so incredibly cautiously! We laugh about it now when we look back on that night, but at the time we were both terrified. Our daughter started to cry shortly after we pulled out of the hospital parking lot and cried for most of the drive. She was so new and tiny and all I wanted to do was get her out of that seat and cuddle her. It was the longest car ride of my life!
We finally made it home around midnight to see Christmas Day arrive. I really wanted to be home for Christmas to be with my family, but I honestly don't remember any of it because I was so incredibly exhausted. I do vaguely remember opening gifts and eating brunch, but more importantly, my baby was home and I was comfortable and that was all that really mattered.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Labor & Delivery
Giving birth to my daughter was an incredible experience. It was an intensely personal journey as well as a powerful bonding experience for my husband and I. My mom was also present for my labor and delivery and it was a wonderful bonding experience for her and I as well. It is impossible to describe in words what it is like to bring a baby into the world and so I am not even going to attempt to do it. However, I would like to share some things that might help you to prepare for the big day.
Let's start with the labor bag!
Pregnancy books list an overwhelming number of things that you 'need' to pack in your labor bag. I diligently packed most of the things on these lists and ended up using very few of them! The situation might have been very different had we gone in planning to have an epidural, but as my plan was to go naturally we didn't need any of the distraction items that are suggested. I packed a deck of cards, a book to read, and a book of crossword puzzles to do. Looking back, I was crazy to think that I would have time for any of these things. I was consumed with managing the contractions and couldn't think (and didn't want to think) about anything else. I guess if I was doing it again, I would pack these things because you never know what could happen and maybe when you have an epidural, you have time for these things.
Bring whatever you think you are going to need to get you through your labor. Plenty of things are suggested for helping with labor...tennis balls, lotions, massage oils, focal points. The only thing I ended up using was the cd that my husband put together of instrumental music. I didn't think I would want it, but ended up listening to it over and over for hours! Bring food and drink for your husband. Unless you have two people in the room like I did, your husband is not going to be able to leave the room to get food and he is going to be HUNGRY! It is a lot of work coaching someone through hours of contractions! If you are going to have access to a bath or shower, bring your husband's bathing suit. And last, but not least...BRING YOUR CAMERA!
You will want to pack toiletries. Bring the things you need to have a shower, brush your teeth and make yourself look and feel like a human! You won't be in the mood to do much of anything with your hair and face, but you will want to at least be able to make yourself feel a little pretty after everything you have been through! Bring your most comfortable maternity clothes. You will be wearing maternity clothes for a few weeks after delivery and during your first few days post-partum, you are going to want to be as comfortable as possible. Some books suggest bringing your own nightgown to labor in if you would rather not use what the hospital provides. This is great if you never want to be able to wear that nightgown again! Labor and delivery are messy things and you do not want to be wearing your own clothes! Make sure you also bring a super comfortable nursing bra! You are going to be sore for a few days while your breasts adjust to their new role and you are going to want the most comfortable bra you can find. Cotton with no underwire is my recommendation. If you buy them towards the end of your pregnancy, you should be fine as far as fit. If you are worried, only buy one beforehand and get a few more afterward.
There are a few other things that you are going to want to pack for afterward. This is where things get a little messy. If you don't want to know what you will have to deal with after the delivery, don't read this section of my post. Again, this is all based on a normal, vaginal delivery. You are going to need super huge pads (long and very absorbent). The hospital should provide you with a few of these, but bring some more just in case. Buy at least one package of the longest, most absorbent pads you can get your hands on! I am not kidding! Being naive, I bought a package of regular sized maxi pads. I did use them, but not for several days afterward. You are also going to want to buy some hemorrhoid ointment and Tuck's pads and the hospital should provide you with a squirt bottle for you to use to clean yourself after you go to the bathroom (you won't be using toilet paper for awhile). Just a heads-up, you will be wearing pads and pantyliners for quite some time after delivery so it won't hurt to buy a couple of packages of the very absorbent and long pads, regular pads and pantyliners so you have them on hand.
Finally, there are also several things that you need to pack for your baby. A no-brainer is a car seat. You won't be able to leave the hospital without one. If you have a Boppy pillow (which I highly recommend), bring it to the hospital. Breastfeeding is really hard at first and the pillow will help you to support baby while you get the hang of positioning him or her. Make sure you also pack nipple cream. I personally like Lansinoh. Bring a couple of newborn sleepers (with snaps, not zippers). You can pack other clothes if you choose, but sleepers are super easy to get on and off which you (and baby) are going to want. The hospital may provide a few diapers, but you should also bring some of your own. You will want some Vaseline for that tender little behind (you really don't need any of the products out there designed for baby's bum)! You should bring a blanket for bringing baby home and you may need to bring a few other items depending on the weather.
Happy Packing!
Let's start with the labor bag!
Pregnancy books list an overwhelming number of things that you 'need' to pack in your labor bag. I diligently packed most of the things on these lists and ended up using very few of them! The situation might have been very different had we gone in planning to have an epidural, but as my plan was to go naturally we didn't need any of the distraction items that are suggested. I packed a deck of cards, a book to read, and a book of crossword puzzles to do. Looking back, I was crazy to think that I would have time for any of these things. I was consumed with managing the contractions and couldn't think (and didn't want to think) about anything else. I guess if I was doing it again, I would pack these things because you never know what could happen and maybe when you have an epidural, you have time for these things.
Bring whatever you think you are going to need to get you through your labor. Plenty of things are suggested for helping with labor...tennis balls, lotions, massage oils, focal points. The only thing I ended up using was the cd that my husband put together of instrumental music. I didn't think I would want it, but ended up listening to it over and over for hours! Bring food and drink for your husband. Unless you have two people in the room like I did, your husband is not going to be able to leave the room to get food and he is going to be HUNGRY! It is a lot of work coaching someone through hours of contractions! If you are going to have access to a bath or shower, bring your husband's bathing suit. And last, but not least...BRING YOUR CAMERA!
You will want to pack toiletries. Bring the things you need to have a shower, brush your teeth and make yourself look and feel like a human! You won't be in the mood to do much of anything with your hair and face, but you will want to at least be able to make yourself feel a little pretty after everything you have been through! Bring your most comfortable maternity clothes. You will be wearing maternity clothes for a few weeks after delivery and during your first few days post-partum, you are going to want to be as comfortable as possible. Some books suggest bringing your own nightgown to labor in if you would rather not use what the hospital provides. This is great if you never want to be able to wear that nightgown again! Labor and delivery are messy things and you do not want to be wearing your own clothes! Make sure you also bring a super comfortable nursing bra! You are going to be sore for a few days while your breasts adjust to their new role and you are going to want the most comfortable bra you can find. Cotton with no underwire is my recommendation. If you buy them towards the end of your pregnancy, you should be fine as far as fit. If you are worried, only buy one beforehand and get a few more afterward.
There are a few other things that you are going to want to pack for afterward. This is where things get a little messy. If you don't want to know what you will have to deal with after the delivery, don't read this section of my post. Again, this is all based on a normal, vaginal delivery. You are going to need super huge pads (long and very absorbent). The hospital should provide you with a few of these, but bring some more just in case. Buy at least one package of the longest, most absorbent pads you can get your hands on! I am not kidding! Being naive, I bought a package of regular sized maxi pads. I did use them, but not for several days afterward. You are also going to want to buy some hemorrhoid ointment and Tuck's pads and the hospital should provide you with a squirt bottle for you to use to clean yourself after you go to the bathroom (you won't be using toilet paper for awhile). Just a heads-up, you will be wearing pads and pantyliners for quite some time after delivery so it won't hurt to buy a couple of packages of the very absorbent and long pads, regular pads and pantyliners so you have them on hand.
Finally, there are also several things that you need to pack for your baby. A no-brainer is a car seat. You won't be able to leave the hospital without one. If you have a Boppy pillow (which I highly recommend), bring it to the hospital. Breastfeeding is really hard at first and the pillow will help you to support baby while you get the hang of positioning him or her. Make sure you also pack nipple cream. I personally like Lansinoh. Bring a couple of newborn sleepers (with snaps, not zippers). You can pack other clothes if you choose, but sleepers are super easy to get on and off which you (and baby) are going to want. The hospital may provide a few diapers, but you should also bring some of your own. You will want some Vaseline for that tender little behind (you really don't need any of the products out there designed for baby's bum)! You should bring a blanket for bringing baby home and you may need to bring a few other items depending on the weather.
Happy Packing!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Getting Ready for Baby...The Big Decisions
One of the most exciting things you get to do while waiting for baby to arrive is prepare the nursery! Although this is very exciting, it can also be a slightly stressful experience because pregnancy books list about a million things that you "need" (never mind the selection that is out there). I hope to ease some of this stress by sharing what we actually "needed". I am going to start by talking about the big ticket items and will get to everything else in a later post.
The Crib
Picking the right crib was a daunting task! There are an overwhelming number of cribs out there. Narrow your search right away by eliminating all drop side cribs. I suspect it is not going to be very long before drop side cribs are no longer available on the market. The trend away from drop side cribs had started when I was shopping due the many recalls that included this kind of crib. In fact, Consumer Reports now recommends non-drop side cribs. You may think that non-drop side cribs make it difficult to get baby in and out, but that is not the case at all. An added bonus is that you don't have to worry about waking that sleeping baby by raising the noisy side. We ended up choosing the Graco Victoria crib and are very happy with it (I am a huge fan of everything Graco)! Don't worry if you don't have a crib by the time baby arrives because you won't need it for a few months. Be sure you do have a bassinet!
The Bassinet
I would highly recommend putting your baby in a bassinet in your bedroom for the first few months (We switched to the crib at 3 months because our little one had outgrown the bassinet. If I could have kept her in there forever, I totally would have. It was a really hard transition for me...more on that later). If you are breastfeeding, this will make your life so much easier because your baby is within arms reach. If you are a worrier like me, you will feel much better if you can see and hear your baby. I don't have any advice to give on buying a bassinet because we used the same bassinet that I slept in when I was a baby initially and then a bassinet we borrowed from friends.
A Baby Monitor
A baby monitor is a wonderful thing for peace of mind! We live in a small two bedroom apartment so you might think we wouldn't need one, but I am so glad we have it! The Angelcare monitor is amazing because it comes with a sensor pad that goes underneath the crib or bassinet mattress to monitor breathing. If your baby stops breathing, an alarm will sound to let you know there is a problem. Even while our baby was sleeping in the bassinet right beside me, I used the monitor for this. Later when baby is in his or her own room, it can monitor sound and temperature as well. Overall, it is a great monitor and I would highly recommend it.
The Change Table
Save your back and get a change table. Some people will tell you that you don't need a change table because you can change baby anywhere. While this is true especially after you have been changing diapers for a few weeks, your back with thank you if you have a change table that you can use. You body will be sore enough after delivery and while your body adjusts to carrying around and infant, you don't need to add more strain. We bought our change table at Ikea and it is great because the top comes off and it can be used as a regular dresser. It anchors into the wall as well so there is no fear of it tipping over as baby grows and becomes more active.
The Car Seat & Stroller
Again, I am a huge fan of Graco everything so my car seat and stroller are Graco as well. We bought the Graco Metrolite Travel System in Utopia (Utopia is no longer available because they are always coming out with new models and new fabrics). This system is great and the car seat can be used until your baby is 32 pounds. People might tell you that you don't want a car seat that holds baby until 32 pounds because you won't be able to lift it after awhile, but the truth is I don't think that really matters. For the first few months, we did carry the car seat in and out of the car, but now that our baby is getting older, we just leave the car seat in the car and carry her in and out...much easier!
Interesting side story...
I am a Canadian living in the U.S. and because we have Canadian tags on our car, we are required by law to have a car seat that meets Canadian regulations. My husband and I initially purchased our car seat and stroller at our local Babies'R'Us and thought that we would be fine because the car seat and stroller looked EXACTLY like the Graco version sold in Canada. We later found out that all car seats purchased in Canada have a sticker on them that indicate they meet Canadian standards and without that sticker, it was possible that we could have our car seat confiscated when we crossed the border. Luckily, Babies'R'Us took our travel system back and we bought the same system in Canada (for A LOT more money). Interestingly, there are quite a few differences in the stroller which make the Canadian version totally worth the money! Anyway, back to the car seat...
Make sure you have your car seat well in advance because you never know when you are going to need it. Have it installed and inspected, they are not easy to install!
The Highchair
This is another thing that you don't need to worry about right away. We did start using ours fairly early (shortly after our little one was able to hold her head up, to get her used to sitting at the table with us). As you might expect, we have a Graco highchair. It was given to us so I am not sure which model it is, but it is nice because the legs collapse together and it can be stored out of the way.
Hope this helps!
The Crib
Picking the right crib was a daunting task! There are an overwhelming number of cribs out there. Narrow your search right away by eliminating all drop side cribs. I suspect it is not going to be very long before drop side cribs are no longer available on the market. The trend away from drop side cribs had started when I was shopping due the many recalls that included this kind of crib. In fact, Consumer Reports now recommends non-drop side cribs. You may think that non-drop side cribs make it difficult to get baby in and out, but that is not the case at all. An added bonus is that you don't have to worry about waking that sleeping baby by raising the noisy side. We ended up choosing the Graco Victoria crib and are very happy with it (I am a huge fan of everything Graco)! Don't worry if you don't have a crib by the time baby arrives because you won't need it for a few months. Be sure you do have a bassinet!
The Bassinet
I would highly recommend putting your baby in a bassinet in your bedroom for the first few months (We switched to the crib at 3 months because our little one had outgrown the bassinet. If I could have kept her in there forever, I totally would have. It was a really hard transition for me...more on that later). If you are breastfeeding, this will make your life so much easier because your baby is within arms reach. If you are a worrier like me, you will feel much better if you can see and hear your baby. I don't have any advice to give on buying a bassinet because we used the same bassinet that I slept in when I was a baby initially and then a bassinet we borrowed from friends.
A Baby Monitor
A baby monitor is a wonderful thing for peace of mind! We live in a small two bedroom apartment so you might think we wouldn't need one, but I am so glad we have it! The Angelcare monitor is amazing because it comes with a sensor pad that goes underneath the crib or bassinet mattress to monitor breathing. If your baby stops breathing, an alarm will sound to let you know there is a problem. Even while our baby was sleeping in the bassinet right beside me, I used the monitor for this. Later when baby is in his or her own room, it can monitor sound and temperature as well. Overall, it is a great monitor and I would highly recommend it.
The Change Table
Save your back and get a change table. Some people will tell you that you don't need a change table because you can change baby anywhere. While this is true especially after you have been changing diapers for a few weeks, your back with thank you if you have a change table that you can use. You body will be sore enough after delivery and while your body adjusts to carrying around and infant, you don't need to add more strain. We bought our change table at Ikea and it is great because the top comes off and it can be used as a regular dresser. It anchors into the wall as well so there is no fear of it tipping over as baby grows and becomes more active.
The Car Seat & Stroller
Again, I am a huge fan of Graco everything so my car seat and stroller are Graco as well. We bought the Graco Metrolite Travel System in Utopia (Utopia is no longer available because they are always coming out with new models and new fabrics). This system is great and the car seat can be used until your baby is 32 pounds. People might tell you that you don't want a car seat that holds baby until 32 pounds because you won't be able to lift it after awhile, but the truth is I don't think that really matters. For the first few months, we did carry the car seat in and out of the car, but now that our baby is getting older, we just leave the car seat in the car and carry her in and out...much easier!
Interesting side story...
I am a Canadian living in the U.S. and because we have Canadian tags on our car, we are required by law to have a car seat that meets Canadian regulations. My husband and I initially purchased our car seat and stroller at our local Babies'R'Us and thought that we would be fine because the car seat and stroller looked EXACTLY like the Graco version sold in Canada. We later found out that all car seats purchased in Canada have a sticker on them that indicate they meet Canadian standards and without that sticker, it was possible that we could have our car seat confiscated when we crossed the border. Luckily, Babies'R'Us took our travel system back and we bought the same system in Canada (for A LOT more money). Interestingly, there are quite a few differences in the stroller which make the Canadian version totally worth the money! Anyway, back to the car seat...
Make sure you have your car seat well in advance because you never know when you are going to need it. Have it installed and inspected, they are not easy to install!
The Highchair
This is another thing that you don't need to worry about right away. We did start using ours fairly early (shortly after our little one was able to hold her head up, to get her used to sitting at the table with us). As you might expect, we have a Graco highchair. It was given to us so I am not sure which model it is, but it is nice because the legs collapse together and it can be stored out of the way.
Hope this helps!
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