Baby Countdown
Hello friends!
I am back now that I am DONE with student teaching and can totally focus on the next task at hand: the birth of my baby!
So many things are running through my mind when I think about having this baby and feeling totally prepared before he comes. How do I know if I have everything I need? etc. Since I'm in a different and unique situation- giving birth and bringing my baby to a home that's not mine and then having to move weeks later- AH!! It scares me. I know, just relax, I am not alone. I will have the support and help of my husband, mom and mother in law (and many others). It's all going to work out. Somehow.
This is pretty much what we have planned. We will have our apartment in Idaho available to us by December 7th. Once this happens, Roberto will go to Idaho and move our things from storage to the apartment and other things that we can do without(that we have with us here in Utah) until we move in later after the baby's birth. Then once the baby is born and Christmas has come and gone, we will move back to Idaho and get settled into our apartment.
So I want to know what all you beautiful moms out there think. Here are my major concerns:
1. What do I absolutely need to have in order to function with a baby while we are here in Utah?
(I know this could turn into a lengthy list, but I ask this because I haven't been preparing for this baby as most would, with having everything ready in the baby's room for when he comes home, since that's not happening this time. So I need to focus on just the basics and get the extra stuff later when I have a place of my own.)
2. What do I absolutely need to have in my hospital bag?
(With this you could say what you found helpful, what you really used, etc.)
3. I am wanting to breastfeed, what do I need to be ready for that?
(What did you find helpful or necessary)
Anyway, I know that you can never be fully prepared for something as life altering as having a child, and that I could just read up on all this stuff, but its comforting to read what you experienced moms have to say. :) I hope that I can enjoy every part of this experience and feel calm and collected instead of insane.
Can't wait to read what you have to say!
I am back now that I am DONE with student teaching and can totally focus on the next task at hand: the birth of my baby!
So many things are running through my mind when I think about having this baby and feeling totally prepared before he comes. How do I know if I have everything I need? etc. Since I'm in a different and unique situation- giving birth and bringing my baby to a home that's not mine and then having to move weeks later- AH!! It scares me. I know, just relax, I am not alone. I will have the support and help of my husband, mom and mother in law (and many others). It's all going to work out. Somehow.
This is pretty much what we have planned. We will have our apartment in Idaho available to us by December 7th. Once this happens, Roberto will go to Idaho and move our things from storage to the apartment and other things that we can do without(that we have with us here in Utah) until we move in later after the baby's birth. Then once the baby is born and Christmas has come and gone, we will move back to Idaho and get settled into our apartment.
So I want to know what all you beautiful moms out there think. Here are my major concerns:
1. What do I absolutely need to have in order to function with a baby while we are here in Utah?
(I know this could turn into a lengthy list, but I ask this because I haven't been preparing for this baby as most would, with having everything ready in the baby's room for when he comes home, since that's not happening this time. So I need to focus on just the basics and get the extra stuff later when I have a place of my own.)
2. What do I absolutely need to have in my hospital bag?
(With this you could say what you found helpful, what you really used, etc.)
3. I am wanting to breastfeed, what do I need to be ready for that?
(What did you find helpful or necessary)
Anyway, I know that you can never be fully prepared for something as life altering as having a child, and that I could just read up on all this stuff, but its comforting to read what you experienced moms have to say. :) I hope that I can enjoy every part of this experience and feel calm and collected instead of insane.
Can't wait to read what you have to say!
I'm a minimalist, so maybe my list wouldn't be exactly what you're looking for, but I would definitely have a baby bath, pack-and-play, some blankets (if you have a swaddler, bring that!), and some clothes (including little scratch mitts). Remember, you'll mostly be in survival mode for the first few weeks--especially if you're breastfeeding.
ReplyDeleteI didn't take a lot to the hospital either, but DEFINITELY take comfortable pants. I never got that big when I was pregnant, so I thought a normal pair of jeans would work. They did, kind of, but they were really uncomfortable. I should have taken some sweats or yoga pants or something like that.
My only advice for breastfeeding (since I only did it for 4 months and a lot of that was pumped since I had classes) is just be prepared for the pain. Lactation consultants kept telling me in WIC classes things like, "If it hurts, something's wrong." Then, after she was born and actually nursing, I would complain of pain and they would just say, "Oh, that's normal. She's got a great latch, so everything's fine." Pain. Lots of it. For weeks. So, just be ready for it. And keep the Lansinoh lanolin nearby! That is a NECESSITY!
I am so so excited for you!!! I loved this time in my pregnancy. As long as I didn't get hung up on her not coming, I thoroughly enjoyed being pregnant!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I say, allow yourself your questions/concerns. Yes, thousands of women go through childbirth and unique situations all the time. Chances are, you aren't the first woman in your situation. However, this is the first time you have personally been in this situation. I found that when I told myself to stop worrying because women have been doing this for centuries that it didn't help at all. Allowing myself to have my concerns and remember that I'm allowed to because this is my first time, I actually felt better. Do whatever works for you.
As far as equipment goes, the first few weeks - or first month - you really don't need much. Clothes for baby to wear, blankets/swaddles to keep him warm {we absolutely loved our sleep sac and used it every single night - I highly recommend it!}, somewhere for him to sleep {a pack n' play, bassinet, whatever} and basic essentials like baby wash, towel, diapers and wipes will pretty much get you through. Any extra stuff you want he won't really use or need for that first month.
I agree with Mal, take some comfy clothes. I wore Dan's shirts for the first week or so after having Livie and I practically lived in pajama bottoms. Seriously, you'll want to have whatever will make you comfortable. I also liked to have my own soap and lotion and since I'm a makeup person, I liked having makeup to help me feel freshened up while I was there. I also recommend something to help keep you busy during labor - a book, a couple good movies - and something to keep Roberto busy. He'll need that stuff more than you. Once I got my epidural, I slept as much as I could so I didn't use much of my stuff. Dan needed the "busy" stuff more than I did. After delivery, I slept as much was humanly possible and nurses & Livie let me. We hardly used the stuff we took.
{*one suggestion I have - ask them if you can have an extra two or three pair of their disposable underwear to take home. It was one of the best things I did.*}
As far as nursing goes, I had really bad luck with it. My milk never came in like it should have and Livie never nursed very well. I will tell you now, if you have problems with that, I highly recommend Fenu Greek and Blessed Thistle. You can find them at a health food store. Start as soon as you discover a problem and it will help. I just wish I would have learned about that sooner.
Green tea bags do wonders for soreness {we'll never drink it but it was sure helpful!} as do raw cabbage leaves {however, cabbage can diminish milk supply so don't leave them on for more than 10 minutes at a time}; Lansinoh Cream practically saved me; I LOVED my nursing cover; good quality nursing pads are essential {or reusable ones - I have a bunch I rarely used but they were nice}; a pillow or Boppy saved my arm; and lots of good books. I read a ton the first couple of months - I always read while Liv nursed. I also agree with Mal - it will hurt. My jaw hurt after a couple weeks from all the grimacing and teeth clenching. But, like my wonderful sister-in-law told me, just plug through the first month. It does in fact get better! I don't mean that to scare you, but I do wish someone would have told me. I've heard that if you put Lansinoh cream on for a couple weeks before the baby is born that it helps. I don't know 'cuz I didn't do that, but heck, I'd do it next time just to find out! Certainly can't hurt.
I'm giddy with excitement for you! I can't wait to see more posts and meet your little guy!
I'll throw my two cents in, too...
ReplyDelete#1- Necessities? I think just the very basics will do, especially since he won't do much more than sleep, eat and poop.
#2- Your experience at the hospital may be different than what mine was since you'll be at a different hospital, but the first time I was at the hospital, I was shocked that they didn't have any shampoo in the shower. I guess I probably could have asked the nurse if they had some, but I just used the soap and remembered to pack the suds when I had Caleb. I always have intense cravings for chocolate after I have my babies (and for the following weeks, ok, so maybe I always crave chocolate, but I swear they were more intense at the hospital!). I would also suggest having some snacks handy like trail mix or granola bars. I just remember always being hungry! I agree that comfy clothes are necessary for when you come home. And Roberto might appreciate if you have a couple of essentials for him packed away, too! :)
#3- As for nursing, with Nathan, I failed miserably. He was born in the heat of the summer, so when we brought him home, I was so worried that he'd get dehydrated that I gave into my parents prodding to give him some formula. From there, I supplemented a lot, which was out of convenience since he never had a good latch in the first place and because I was in school for the fall. So I gave up after 2 months. But with Caleb, everything has worked great and I'm still successfully breastfeeding (and he's 11 months old).
So my tips:
- Get as much help from the nurses and lactation consultants at the hospital. Don't be shy or embarrassed, it will make life a whole lot easier if they help!
- I agree that Lansinoh cream helps with soreness, although I didn't have to use it for very long. I mostly used it because my nipples were just getting raw from frequent use and it helped to moisturize. I don't think Caleb really liked the taste, so I tried to use it sparingly as well as tried to wipe off any excess before I fed him. Unlike Mallory and Jessica, I didn't really find nursing to be painful. Yes, when my milk came for the first little while it was uncomfortable and did get painful if I waited too long to feed my baby, and yes, my nipples got really sore, but I wouldn't say it was super painful.
- Don't be afraid to tell people you have to go feed your baby. I was with Nathan, but when I had Caleb, I was like "See ya!" and went into the next room to feed him. My absolute favorite nursing cover can be found here:http://theessigmotif.blogspot.com/2009/10/nursing-cover-sample.html. It's basically a long, stretchy skirt that you drape over your shoulders. I love it because it covers me front and back, it's lightweight and it's long enough to tuck under my squirly 11-month old.
- Boppies... I did use one for the first couple of weeks, but I decided it was more of a hinderance than anything because it didn't fit my waist right and it kept sliding out from under Caleb.
- Be open to the idea that the plan may never be what actually happens. So give nursing as much of a try as you can, but don't be too hard on yourself if you have to formula feed. I remember that I felt really guilty with Nathan, but there wasn't much I could do to not give him formula. Just know a lot of moms breastfeed and a lot of moms formula feed, and there is no one "right way" of doing things. That being said, I hope breastfeeding goes well for you!
- Binkies/Pacifiers... A lot of people say that it can cause nipple confusion if you give one to your baby before they're used to the breast. I say whatever! Caleb has had a binkie since birth and it has been a life saver at times! So do what you want to do, but chances are, he'll be fine using one if you want to give him one.
I hope that helps... Sorry it's a novel! :)
I am so excited for you guys!!! Maybe by the time you read this you will have your baby:)
ReplyDelete#1-like above, just food, diapers, and clothes for the baby. We just put Oaklee in a white onesie with the gloves on the hands around the house since she was always in a blanket anyways. I really recommend the tight "waffle" swaddling blankets. They soothe the baby and sometimes they stop crying immeditely after being swaddled!
THe gumdrop pacifier our hospital uses are the best! But I don't know where you are delivering....we promote them at our hospital as long as the baby is breastfeeding well. Then you are not the human pacifier!
#2-I don't know what you will need at your hospital, but if you were in rexburg you would need your own shampoo and conditioner. Everything else I think we have! I also took my nursing cover for the men visitors!
#3-Nursing takes two! If it's hard remember it may not be that you are doing something wrong, it just may be that your baby has to get the hang of it! The main thing is don't get frustrated if you don't get it right away in the hospital! Don't give up! Some people really can't nurse because of the milk supply or anatomy and if so again don't feel like a bad person. It is such a challenge and something you will most likely have to work at. I hope your hospital has nurses and lactation consultants that help but if you have questions you can always call me too! Green tea, gel pads, warm/cold compresses, and lanolin all help to soothe. If you are REALLY sore when feeding you don't have a good latch. Feeding is not a pleasant feeling, but it shouldn't kill to do so. Latch is key! Ask tons of questions and try different positions. Try to get a lactation appt for when your actual milk comes in 3-5 days postpartum. GOOD LUCK!