Oscraps
Help :)
- Thread starter Bamm
- Start date
Peppermint
Well-Known Member
Well, they cry .. a lot. LOL Or at least mine did!
Also he wet through every single outfit he owned within the first 48 hours, because apparently when they're still skinny little newborn chickens their diapers don't seal really well along their legs. So that was a surprise to me.
Although this was all 10 years ago.
Also he wet through every single outfit he owned within the first 48 hours, because apparently when they're still skinny little newborn chickens their diapers don't seal really well along their legs. So that was a surprise to me.
Although this was all 10 years ago.
mythreesons
Well-Known Member
Just enjoy the moments. Even the stinky, spit-up, crying ones. At the same time, KNOW when to ask for help!!! And if someone offers to help, don't turn them down!
And now that my 3rd is 6 mo old (other two 5 and 3 yr) I WISH I would have slept when THEY slept!!! It's only taken me three kids to figure this out. LOL!
Good Luck!
Even the stinky, spit-up, crying ones. At the same time, KNOW when to ask for help!!! And if someone offers to help, don't turn them down! And now that my 3rd is 6 mo old (other two 5 and 3 yr) I WISH I would have slept when THEY slept!!! It's only taken me three kids to figure this out. LOL!
Good Luck!
hondachicc
Well-Known Member
..........uuuhhmmm the biggest surprises are years to come!!!!!
Have the basics on hand....tylenol, gas drops (these will be your best friend and they won't hurt the baby), and diaper rash cream (BUY THE GOOD STUFF...ASK YOUR DR), and never go anywhere without that fabulous little blue sucking bulb they give you at the hospital....YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN YOU WILL NEED IT!!!!!
Have the basics on hand....tylenol, gas drops (these will be your best friend and they won't hurt the baby), and diaper rash cream (BUY THE GOOD STUFF...ASK YOUR DR), and never go anywhere without that fabulous little blue sucking bulb they give you at the hospital....YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN YOU WILL NEED IT!!!!!
Bush Girl
Well-Known Member
Spend this week cooking and filling your freezer with food that you can easily shove in the oven without too much need to prepare anything further. or better still, get someone else to make dishes for you. And if anyone asks how they can help - tell them to cook you something.
I had a C section first time (well, all 3 times, but the first was the most problematic) and I didn't manage to cook a single meal for 8 weeks. My DH went back to work after a fortnight, but had to come home and cook every evening because I wasn't up to it.
Another thing, and this is rather icky, but the books never tell you this. However many towels you've bought for yourself afterwards won't be enough. Buy more. Lots more. It's like all the periods you've been fortunate enough to miss these last 9 months come one after another afterwards.And your other half will just be so embarrassed to have to buy theses!
I had a C section first time (well, all 3 times, but the first was the most problematic) and I didn't manage to cook a single meal for 8 weeks. My DH went back to work after a fortnight, but had to come home and cook every evening because I wasn't up to it.
Another thing, and this is rather icky, but the books never tell you this. However many towels you've bought for yourself afterwards won't be enough. Buy more. Lots more. It's like all the periods you've been fortunate enough to miss these last 9 months come one after another afterwards.And your other half will just be so embarrassed to have to buy theses!
mei74
Well-Known Member
Good luck to you!! All good advice so far.
Yes, sleep whenever the baby is sleeping - try really hard to do this as you will need the rest.
And try not to worry about the stuff that is not getting done around your house - just focus on your recovery and getting to know the baby.
Swaddle, swaddle, swaddle.
Don't read too many child development books - they will make you absolutely crazy!
Yes, sleep whenever the baby is sleeping - try really hard to do this as you will need the rest.
And try not to worry about the stuff that is not getting done around your house - just focus on your recovery and getting to know the baby.
Swaddle, swaddle, swaddle.
Don't read too many child development books - they will make you absolutely crazy!
clarabear
always chatty at the O!!
The first few poops that come out of baby are just like tar and I promise you will not rub your baby's skin off. The worst part is with a little girl you really feel like you are assaulting her. Boys are much easier to clean. For the sticky tar poop (that's the meconium stuff) putting vasoline all over their butt when you change their diaper helps it come off easier.
And I've already told you this but I can't emphasize it enough...limit your baby staring time while in the hospital and try and get some sleep. Try not to stress too much about things...things like baby announcements, folded laundry, perfectly clean houses, etc. It will be there for the rest of your life. Get some rest. And if people offer to help you let them. Oh, and I don't know what your relationship is with your mother but if it is good and she is helping you with your baby...listen to yur mother. She will tell you things different than the books and the doctors but the things she will tell you will make your life easier and help you out. I was so worried about books and doctors and waking my baby up every two hours and stuff like that and I made my life a lot harder. The older women in your life have had babies and know what has worked for them. What they suggest is at least worth a shot. And lastly...if your baby is growing and isn't sickly 3-4 hours or even more sometimes is not necessarily a bad thing. Don't wake them up if this is the first time you are getting a chunk of sleep for the first time in days.
So...that is what I have to offer. But mostly, just relax. Do what feels right and I know you will do great. You are going to feel love like you've never felt before and that will lead you to do everything to the very best of your ability. You'll be great.
And I've already told you this but I can't emphasize it enough...limit your baby staring time while in the hospital and try and get some sleep. Try not to stress too much about things...things like baby announcements, folded laundry, perfectly clean houses, etc. It will be there for the rest of your life. Get some rest. And if people offer to help you let them. Oh, and I don't know what your relationship is with your mother but if it is good and she is helping you with your baby...listen to yur mother. She will tell you things different than the books and the doctors but the things she will tell you will make your life easier and help you out. I was so worried about books and doctors and waking my baby up every two hours and stuff like that and I made my life a lot harder. The older women in your life have had babies and know what has worked for them. What they suggest is at least worth a shot. And lastly...if your baby is growing and isn't sickly 3-4 hours or even more sometimes is not necessarily a bad thing. Don't wake them up if this is the first time you are getting a chunk of sleep for the first time in days.
So...that is what I have to offer. But mostly, just relax. Do what feels right and I know you will do great. You are going to feel love like you've never felt before and that will lead you to do everything to the very best of your ability. You'll be great.
clarabear
always chatty at the O!!
None might even be better. :boom:They will make your head explode.
petey111
Well-Known Member
LOL. I like What to Expect the First Year. Enough info without making you crazy.
And make sure you have at least three crib sheets! I always buy those as baby shower gifts because no one every registers for enough.
Nana's right too with a lot of her advice. Take that blue nose sucker and hang on to it for all it's worth. Teaching a child to blow their nose is a pain in the ass...so keep it until he/she is five or so! LOL The store brand ones stink.
Usually about the time you start to panic that the baby's not doing something on time, he/she will start to do it. It's ok.
And enjoy it. It goes all too quickly.
And make sure you have at least three crib sheets!
I always buy those as baby shower gifts because no one every registers for enough.Nana's right too with a lot of her advice. Take that blue nose sucker and hang on to it for all it's worth. Teaching a child to blow their nose is a pain in the ass...so keep it until he/she is five or so! LOL The store brand ones stink.
Usually about the time you start to panic that the baby's not doing something on time, he/she will start to do it. It's ok.
And enjoy it. It goes all too quickly.
biograffiti
Well-Known Member
Breastfeeding is not as easy as it looks. At least that was true for me.
Trust your instincts.
It's totally normal to check every two seconds to make sure she's really here and that she's breathing.
enjoy - enjoy - enjoy
Be satisfied knowing that you're doing the best you can and your best is good enough
I always went to sleep when she did - even at 7pm (cause I knew she'd keep me up all night LOL)
I have a ton of books, loved reading them too. I like to know what to expect and enjoy hearing opinions, etc. The only book I tossed was "babywise"... I couldn't let my baby cry to sleep, I would much rather be her comfort. I didn't care that she woke up every 2 hours. Needless to say she's 3 yrs old now and still crawls in my bed at least once a week but oh well She won't do that forever and I love to snuggle.
Trust your instincts.
It's totally normal to check every two seconds to make sure she's really here and that she's breathing.
enjoy - enjoy - enjoy
Be satisfied knowing that you're doing the best you can and your best is good enough
I always went to sleep when she did - even at 7pm (cause I knew she'd keep me up all night LOL)
I have a ton of books, loved reading them too. I like to know what to expect and enjoy hearing opinions, etc. The only book I tossed was "babywise"... I couldn't let my baby cry to sleep, I would much rather be her comfort. I didn't care that she woke up every 2 hours. Needless to say she's 3 yrs old now and still crawls in my bed at least once a week but oh well
She won't do that forever and I love to snuggle.
petey111
Well-Known Member
Oh my gosh yes. You are not a bad mother if breastfeeding doesn't work out! Don't feel guilty and bang yourself up over it. That won't help your little one.
And also, don't judge your status as a mother by the ability to keep a hat on your child's head. lol
hondachicc
Well-Known Member
Just thought of this and had to come back and tell you....
If you have a sort of chubby baby......when she gets to be a couple of months old....and REMEMBER this until they start talking and can tell you.....if they are screaming for no reason...don't seem to be sick...not hungry...dry diaper.....CHECK THEIR SOCKS....if they are too tight around those chubby little ankles...they will be miserable and screaming bloody murder.....same for the shoes you put on them!!! Had this happen with my grandaughter one day....we ended up at the DR's office with her because she was screaming horribly and nothing calmed her....she was about 7 or 8 months old....once we got to the Dr's office and they said to take all of her clothes off....we took off the socks and she almost immediately stopped crying and you could see the imprint on her chubby little ankles!! OH TERRIBLE!!!!! Needless to say, she went home barefoot and we were out looking for NEW socks!!!!
If you have a sort of chubby baby......when she gets to be a couple of months old....and REMEMBER this until they start talking and can tell you.....if they are screaming for no reason...don't seem to be sick...not hungry...dry diaper.....CHECK THEIR SOCKS....if they are too tight around those chubby little ankles...they will be miserable and screaming bloody murder.....same for the shoes you put on them!!! Had this happen with my grandaughter one day....we ended up at the DR's office with her because she was screaming horribly and nothing calmed her....she was about 7 or 8 months old....once we got to the Dr's office and they said to take all of her clothes off....we took off the socks and she almost immediately stopped crying and you could see the imprint on her chubby little ankles!! OH TERRIBLE!!!!! Needless to say, she went home barefoot and we were out looking for NEW socks!!!!
Bamm
Well-Known Member
Thank you all so much, I'm getting excited =]
& OMG the best advice I could EVER get hahahahahahahahaha
& OMG the best advice I could EVER get hahahahahahahahaha
LOL
awesome advice. And Sara and Linda hit on mine in their own way. I was going to say that a mom isn't judged by how well they can keep socks on their babies feet!
I don't like to share horror stories, but I had two very very difficult babies. Scott had colic for months. Screamed 24/7 for 6 months, no lie. I was watching a video of him a while back and just hearing him shriek on the TV made all of the hair on my arms/neck stand up and I got a knot in my stomach.
Cait had reflux and screamed as well, but in a different way.
However-- and this is what I bring to the "Experience Table"-- it will pass! Deep breaths, hand the baby off, to someone and if you are really losing it, its ok to put the baby in crib for 10 minutes while you cry in the corner on your own. BTDT!
Ditto to everything else said-- sleep in the hospital as much as possible, babies tend to "wake up" when they get home.
If you can see a lactation specialist in the hospital, do it! If you get home and need more help, La Leche League can be a good resource. Just be up front about what your bf-ing goals are and they won't get too pushy. And BF-ing is a personal decision. if you don't want to, or you want to be 100% attachment parenting-- it is *your* choice!!!
I always suggest to try BF-ing, its easier to stop then it is to start after a few days. And even a few days of BM is better than none.
Also not all babies like the same style nipple- so try to have a few different styles of pacifiers and bottles on hand.
Some babies will not take a paci, others need them.
And last-- *YOU* are the mom, and moms know best. Listen to your gut.
Oh and yeah- babies don't break- they are not as fragile as they look. I mean,-- don't go dropping her, or shaking her, but watch how the nursery nurses will handle them and burp them.
I am sooooo excited!!!! I looove other people's babies!!!!
awesome advice. And Sara and Linda hit on mine in their own way. I was going to say that a mom isn't judged by how well they can keep socks on their babies feet!
I don't like to share horror stories, but I had two very very difficult babies. Scott had colic for months. Screamed 24/7 for 6 months, no lie. I was watching a video of him a while back and just hearing him shriek on the TV made all of the hair on my arms/neck stand up and I got a knot in my stomach.
Cait had reflux and screamed as well, but in a different way.
However-- and this is what I bring to the "Experience Table"-- it will pass! Deep breaths, hand the baby off, to someone and if you are really losing it, its ok to put the baby in crib for 10 minutes while you cry in the corner on your own. BTDT!
Ditto to everything else said-- sleep in the hospital as much as possible, babies tend to "wake up" when they get home.
If you can see a lactation specialist in the hospital, do it! If you get home and need more help, La Leche League can be a good resource. Just be up front about what your bf-ing goals are and they won't get too pushy. And BF-ing is a personal decision. if you don't want to, or you want to be 100% attachment parenting-- it is *your* choice!!!
I always suggest to try BF-ing, its easier to stop then it is to start after a few days. And even a few days of BM is better than none.
Also not all babies like the same style nipple- so try to have a few different styles of pacifiers and bottles on hand.
Some babies will not take a paci, others need them.
And last-- *YOU* are the mom, and moms know best. Listen to your gut.
Oh and yeah- babies don't break- they are not as fragile as they look. I mean,-- don't go dropping her, or shaking her, but watch how the nursery nurses will handle them and burp them.
I am sooooo excited!!!! I looove other people's babies!!!!
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biograffiti
Well-Known Member
ha. ha omg "babies don't break"... I remember when I used to get Ashleigh undressed for her bath and I was so gentle and careful. I was always afraid I was going to rip her little ears right off with the neckline of her onesie LOL.
Bamm
Well-Known Member
Haha! Mario has made a deal with me, he will change all the diapers if I give all the baths. He is TERRIFIED to give the baby a bath.
Bamm
Well-Known Member
Oooook! I don't think so! I need opinions! I just did a little research on the "stripping membranes" process and what it actually does and I found out that first of all it only works for 1 in 4 women, and second - your doc shouldn't do it if you aren't dialated at all and if they do it hurts really really bad.
Should I let him do this when he said my cervix is closed and hard and considering 3 days later he is inducing me anyway??
Should I let him do this when he said my cervix is closed and hard and considering 3 days later he is inducing me anyway??
Kayleigh, I haven't had it done, but I have heard the same- not very fun. Unless there is a need for it to be done, I personally would wait to go into labor on my own. However, you have to make sure that the baby is thriving and not in distress.
Is your dr giving you a choice?
Is your dr giving you a choice?
clarabear
always chatty at the O!!
OKay Kayleigh...here is my opinion about the membrane thing...I would suggest it if you are past due simply because you want to avoid the pitocin. What a lot of people don't realize about pitocin is that it doesn't ease into labor pains. You go directly into labor. 0 labor pains to labor pains pretty quick. I have had it done and it is not comfortable, don't get me wrong. It may or may not work but it could help your body get started. All it does is get your cervix irritated and possibly irritate it into doing its thing. Hopefully it will not be necessary and it is only uncomfortable for a short while. You can always have the doctor check where you are at and then decide what you want him/her to do. If you are not dialated tell him/her no and wait.
I also want to touch on the breast feeding thing. I am a big BF pusher but also know that it is a personal choice. A couple of things, all babies lose weight in the first few days. they go from using no calories to having to keep themselves alive and keeping themselves warm makes them lose a few ounces...up to 10% of their body weight. If the doctors aren't concerned, you shouldn't be either. It takes up to a month for a baby to latch on and you are not a bad mom if your baby has issues. you are also not a bad mom if you need to use a bottle once in a while or if you need to use a nipple guard. I used them for both of my kids and BF both of my kids for a year. Some hospitals are really helpful and some are not. Formula these days are great and there is nothing wrong with bottle feeding. Some hospitals try and make people feel bad for not breast feeding don't let them make you feel bad if you do that either. I just wanted to throw that out there. Do what is right for you.
I also want to touch on the breast feeding thing. I am a big BF pusher but also know that it is a personal choice. A couple of things, all babies lose weight in the first few days. they go from using no calories to having to keep themselves alive and keeping themselves warm makes them lose a few ounces...up to 10% of their body weight. If the doctors aren't concerned, you shouldn't be either. It takes up to a month for a baby to latch on and you are not a bad mom if your baby has issues. you are also not a bad mom if you need to use a bottle once in a while or if you need to use a nipple guard. I used them for both of my kids and BF both of my kids for a year. Some hospitals are really helpful and some are not. Formula these days are great and there is nothing wrong with bottle feeding. Some hospitals try and make people feel bad for not breast feeding don't let them make you feel bad if you do that either. I just wanted to throw that out there. Do what is right for you.
clarabear
always chatty at the O!!
oh and the best way to wake a baby up is to get them naked.
Last thing...my best purchase ever was a red water bottle...sometimes they are with the women's douching products, weird, I know. But when you fill them up with warm water and your baby has gas and you put them on their belly it comforts them, it also helped addie sleep through the night. I laid it on Addie's belly in her swing when she had gas. Amazing results.
Last thing...my best purchase ever was a red water bottle...sometimes they are with the women's douching products, weird, I know. But when you fill them up with warm water and your baby has gas and you put them on their belly it comforts them, it also helped addie sleep through the night. I laid it on Addie's belly in her swing when she had gas. Amazing results.
Bamm
Well-Known Member
As far as the BF is concerned I am ALL FOR IT! I spent weeks looking over product reviews for breast pumps and ended up purchasing one with fantastic reviews that was still within my budget.
I haven't told anyone this but I really want to try and use it to kinda get my nipples ready, is that weird? Everyone tells me the first time I use it or try with the baby that it will hurt so I thought maybe being prepared would be better but I haven't done it because I don't know if you're supposed to do that or not?
Anyways, I know I'm weird. But yes I am all about BF. I want to do it as long as possible.
I haven't told anyone this but I really want to try and use it to kinda get my nipples ready, is that weird? Everyone tells me the first time I use it or try with the baby that it will hurt so I thought maybe being prepared would be better but I haven't done it because I don't know if you're supposed to do that or not?
Anyways, I know I'm weird. But yes I am all about BF. I want to do it as long as possible.
clarabear
always chatty at the O!!
Kayleigh - that is not weird at all. BFing doesn't feel anything like you can ever imagine and anything you can do to get even a little ready for it isn't a bad thing. Feel free to PM me or anyone else you know on here that you feel comfortable with any questions you have about BFing because I guarantee you'll have 1 or a million questions about it. But pump away lady. And please be prepared to be a bit uncomfortable when that milk come in. I swear my milk came in as I walked out the hospital doors with my first. I think God had plans for your milk to not come in right away so that you could practice a little first before you were all engorged.
I am so glad that Clara knows everything. (She really does-- I swear!!)
Another thing you can do it to rub jojoba oil onto the perineum area (good luck reaching it LOL)- it helps to keep the skin there more elastic which is a good thing when it comes to childbirth.
If you want to BF- stick with it-- do whatever you can to not give in to the bottle,no matter how tired you are. Its a lot easier for a baby to suck from a bottle than to nurse and they can get lazy if they have bottles. That is not to say once you are established that you can never pump/use formula, but you want to nurse as exclusively as possible in the beginning. I nursed Scott for almost 10 full months, no formula and lots of pumping. Cait, i only made it one month- but either way-- its all good for them.
If you start worrying or pull your hair out or find that it hurts (it does on occasion, esp in the beginning) post here and we'll talk you through it!
(She really does-- I swear!!)Another thing you can do it to rub jojoba oil onto the perineum area (good luck reaching it LOL)- it helps to keep the skin there more elastic which is a good thing when it comes to childbirth.
If you want to BF- stick with it-- do whatever you can to not give in to the bottle,no matter how tired you are. Its a lot easier for a baby to suck from a bottle than to nurse and they can get lazy if they have bottles. That is not to say once you are established that you can never pump/use formula, but you want to nurse as exclusively as possible in the beginning. I nursed Scott for almost 10 full months, no formula and lots of pumping. Cait, i only made it one month- but either way-- its all good for them.
If you start worrying or pull your hair out or find that it hurts (it does on occasion, esp in the beginning) post here and we'll talk you through it!