New mom to be needs some questions answered

[SydSim]

Don't get a breast pump until you see how nursing goes in the hospital. If things are going well, and you only want to pump occasionally, then a heavy-duty pump isn't necessary. A small battery/plus Medela type is fine. If there are nursing difficulties, you may want to invest in something with a little more power (Medela Pump In Style) to make sure that you maintain milk production during this time of difficulty.

Best advice - listen to everyone's advice, smile, say thanks, mix it all together and take out only the things that make you feel comfortable. So many patients ask me what I did with my baby - I rarely tell them. I give them many different choices and tell them to choose what they feel comfortable with.

I do give advice based on my 23 years of maternity experience though. If you are physically able to, nurse as soon as possible, as often as needed and room in at all times. If nursing is going fine, don't give anything else - the more the baby nurses in the beginning, the quicker your mature milk will come in. It can be tiring for the first few days, then things tend to calm down.

If you start them off being swaddled from day one, they will continue to love it and sleep better in between feedings. Placing them in the crib/bassinet in between feedings from the beginning also helps them to be better sleepers.

Never think that dad is "helping" you. If you are nursing, he burps and changes diapers - from the beginning. Many of my patients don't want to bother their husbands with that stuff - then they resent if later on when they are exhausted. He surely doesn't ask "Honey, could you help me out by breastfeeding the baby?", so you shouldn't ask him to change a diaper.

If you find that breastfeeding isn't your thing, try your best to not let anyone make you feel guilty about that. I support my patients in whatever they choose to do - just make sure that the decision is yours - not DH's or MIL's.

Ok, I'm done

 

[rparmfamily]

Hi,

I'm going to be a new mom in the next couple of months and I have some questions for you experienced parents. I have read quite a few books but nothing beats some experienced advice so I have a couple questions right now but may post more if I can think of any.

1) How long does an infant need to wear mittins or outfits with cuffs for?

2) I have a bassinett for the bedroom to have the baby in but was wondering what was best when I am hanging out in the living room. I have a Baby swing and a playmat either of those good for a newborn or should I lug the bassinett out every day? Can I use the playmat and use the baby sleep wedge or do you think I should use the swing and get a head support for the baby to use in the swing?

3) I heard that baby's can go thru alot of outfits during the day but was wondering if this sounded ok. Can I put the baby in an outfit in the morning and not change it until the next morning unless it gets dirty or messed up. Basically do I need to put the baby in a new outfit to sleep in if what he is wearing is clean and comfortable enough to sleep in?

I know these may be minor questions but just something I thought about. Any advice you can offer is greatly appreciated. It may help with thinking of more questions not covered in mom to be books.

Congratulations!!!! I have a new-ish (LOL) DD, born in June so I'm still in the depths of infant care LOL!

1. I put those silly mits on #1 and #2, then with #3 read somewhere about how you really shouldn't, as they just spent 9 months comforting themselves inutero with their fingers/hands/fists so it's good to let them have them. Keep their nails clipped, and if they so scratch themselves (happens!) it heals very quickly. #3 was a more content baby and I think it helped she could suck on her fingers, in fact, if she started getting upset and couldn't be nursed right way (in car,etc) I could help her find her fist/fingers and she's suck and that would calm her.

2. I have 2 packnplays, one in our bedroom (she naps in it, sleeps with us) and one downstairs that I put her in when I need to put her somewhere safe so that the dog doesn't jump on her,etc. Otherwise it doesn't matter if you just put the baby on the playmat to nap,etc. I usually nursed mine, and they fell asleep on the Boppy in my lap and I just held them when they were tiny.

3. I don't change my baby's clothes into something new everyday/night. Like in the daytime I'd put a onesie and knit pants on her and if she didn't get a bath (only a few times a week) she'd just sleep in it if it was clean. Now that she crawls, she does get changed day/night because she gets doghair on her.

 

[rparmfamily]

I do give advice based on my 23 years of maternity experience though. If you are physically able to, nurse as soon as possible, as often as needed and room in at all times. If nursing is going fine, don't give anything else - the more the baby nurses in the beginning, the quicker your mature milk will come in. It can be tiring for the first few days, then things tend to calm down.

If you start them off being swaddled from day one, they will continue to love it and sleep better in between feedings. Placing them in the crib/bassinet in between feedings from the beginning also helps them to be better sleepers.

Never think that dad is "helping" you. If you are nursing, he burps and changes diapers - from the beginning. Many of my patients don't want to bother their husbands with that stuff - then they resent if later on when they are exhausted. He surely doesn't ask "Honey, could you help me out by breastfeeding the baby?", so you shouldn't ask him to change a diaper.

Excellent advise!!!!! The baby will "clusterfeed" probably in the hospital, the 2nd day after they are born. They will probably nurse ALL night long, it is so exhausting but essential. Send the baby to the nursery between nursings if you are getting wiped out but make sure they know to send him/her immediately for feedings and zero bottles. You NEED the baby at breast constantly the first few days (that's why it's called on demand, newborns seem to nurse every 15 mins LOL) because you need your milk to come in, usually within the first week after the baby is born. DOn't worry about the baby getting hungry, they are fine, just keep putting baby to breast.

Also know who you can call if things get rough. I'm an experience mom and nurser and I still have had issues sometimes. Things will seem frantic and chaotic sometimes and you'll be upset and stressed so it's good to have the number to your local LaLeche League leader and a lacation consultant (prob from the hospital.)

Good luck!

 

[SydSim]

Here is anouther question.

What was in your hospital suitcase?

I have been reading checklists online but wanted to know what you packed and ended up using and not using.

Nightgowns, nursing bras (in case you are still in the hospital when your milk comes in), slippers, undies in your size and your normal toiletries. My hospital used to give disposable undies, but they were always too small. A man must have made them Check with the hospital to see what they provide for the baby - mine gives shirts, blankets, wipes and diapers. Some bring their own pillows and boppys.

 

[ahutton]

For a simple hand pump I HIGHLY recommend the Avent pump. I used it exclusively (while working full time) for the first 5 months, then I got a Medela PIS for Xmas.

I had GREAT luck with the Avent hand pump, it worked better for me than the mechanical ones ever did. I guess because it was less stressful, more relaxed. For $50 it lasted me through both my DDs, and if I hadn't given it away it would have lasted through DS too. I went back to work when the girls were 8 weeks old, and used that pump at work too and was able to supply them exclusively for the first six months. Since you'll be a SAHM, I would guess you will only use that periodically, like when your DH is doing a feeding. The mechanical one would seem to be to be overkill.

We never used mittens, the kids only scratched themselves lightly a couple times and we kept the nails trimmed.

Our kids slept in their cribs at night from about 2 weeks old, when I was able to get up and down without too much distress. The exception being DD#2, as she had reflux and could only sleep comfortably in the swing until we got her on the right meds. From then on she slept in the crib too. And I didn't use a monitor either, as trust me when they wake up hungry at night, you will hear them.

I liked gowns too, or blanket sleepers for cold weather sleeping. I did usually change the kids for bed, as those were easier to change them in during the night. Otherwise we used onsies and footed pajamas unless there was a really good reason to wear something else until the kids were a few months old. I even picked up a couple outfits that were footed pajamas that were a little "nicer" for days out when I didn't want to get the kids dressed up but we were going visiting. For summer they make the most awesome ones that are one piece t-shirt and shorts, with snaps in the legs. Once I discovered those the kids wore those until they were 2!

 

[ahutton]

Here is anouther question.

What was in your hospital suitcase?

I have been reading checklists online but wanted to know what you packed and ended up using and not using.

We packed the "what to expect" packing list the first time - use almost none of it.

For the 2nd and 3rd kids I used:

Nursing pajamas
Nursing bra
Loose, comfortable undies - maternity ones after c-section as the band hurt too much
Bathrooms supplies to take a nice long, shower with good shower gel, shampoo, etc as the first night I sweat out all the fluids they gave me. EEK!
Nursing pillow
Loose fitting jogging suit with a tank or t-shirt - it felt GREAT to be clean and dressed
Scrunchies to pull up my hair because without a lot of tools it isn't pretty
Toothbrush
Toothpaste (I brushed in labor after stomach trouble)

 

[phillmolly]

I was put in the hospital three and 1/2 weeks early, I went in for a routine checkup and ended up being admitted due to preeclampsia. All I had with me was the clothes I was wearing, I didn't even have a bag packed at home! I sent DH home with a very small list,

My tolietries
lip balm, I am addicted plus it is super nice to have!
A pillow
outfit for the baby, (which didn't fit anyways since he was so small)
CAMERA!!!
cell phone charger
nintendo DS

umm, I think that was about it, everything else the hospital provided.

Also remember that you will be coming home with so much more stuff than what you take in with you, gifts, flowers, baby stuff, ect. I think my DH had to make two or three trips to the car the day we left.

Good Luck to you!!!

 

[Ohiodislover]

Pack your favorite beverage. Be it whatever soda or whatever. The hospital supply left something to be desired.

And your favorite comfort food. You will be famished after pushing. Mine was a KFC chicken potpie-LOL