I think every pregnant woman fears those dreadful stretch marks! I know that I did. There are some factors other than being pregnant that contribute to getting stretch marks. These things include genetics, rate of weight gain, size of baby, etc. Here is some information about stretch marks and a few tips to help prevent them!
What is a stretch mark? It is a small, depressed streak in the skin. It usually appears in the abdomen during pregnancy. It usually comes in the later stages of pregnancy. It happens because the belly is rapidly expanding to make room for a growing baby.
How will you know if you will get them? There is no real way to predict this. If your mom or sister got them, research shows you will have a greater chance in getting them. Some research also shows that younger moms, especially teen moms, are more likely to get them. You are also more likely to get them if your skin stretches rapidly during pregnancy and if it stretches a lot. Therefore, if you gain a lot of weight and gain it quickly, you are more likely to get them. Also, if you are carrying multiples, a large baby, or have a lot of amniotic fluid, you are more likely to get them.
How can you prevent them? Research says there is not much you can do. They recommend not gaining anymore than 25-35 pounds throughout the entire pregnancy. If you do this, this will help your belly not get to large to quickly. However, if you are having multiples this is kind of hard to prevent. There is no research that creams or oils help. However, I do believe they help some. I used Queen Helene Cocoa Butter Lotion and I thought it helped! It smells good and lasted for my whole pregnancy. I actually have about 1/2 a bottle left. I also used Palmer's Cocoa Butter for Pregnancy towards the end of pregnancy and after. I used these everyday. They seemed to help me! I even used it on my legs on previous stretch marks from cheerleading in high school and college. It did help reduce those. I do not believe lotions can eliminate stretch marks, but I do believe they can help!
Do stretch marks go away? They will probably never go away. The good news is they will probably fade 6-12 months after pregnancy! The texture will stay the same. The color may lighten as well.
Can you get rid of stretch marks? You cannot get rid of stretch marks entirely. A dermatologist can give you suggestions or a treatment plan to help them if you want to go that route. Topical medications can be prescribed to help with them. Make sure any topical medications you get and use during pregnancy or breastfeeding are safe to use. There are some that are not safe, like Retin-A. There are options like laser treatments, but that is a cost you will likely have to take upon yourself since this is a cosmetic issue.
I hope this helps you in preventing stretch marks or helps reduce any stretch marks you get. Again, I believe lotions and creams help to a degree, but other factors are involved as well. If you do get them, realize it is okay. Many women have them and you have a beautiful baby in turn for having those! You are still as beautiful as before!
Until next time!
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Monday, March 25, 2013
So Many Bottles!
There are many, many bottles to choose from. There are also many, many opinions on which one is best. I will tell you what worked for us and give some reviews on some as well. Whether you breastfeed or formula feed, I suggest you have at least a few bottles around!
We got several types of bottles at showers. We ended up trying a few. We ended up liking and using the Playtex Ventaire bottles.
We really liked these bottles. Their patent claims that they have proven that these bottles prevent colic, gas, and spit-up. I will say this, Brody had no colic, hardly any gas, and not much spit-up. I believe the bottles helped this a lot. However, I do think that some babies are more prone to these things no matter what bottle you use. The angle in the bottle also promotes a semi upright feeding position. This position is recommended by pediatricians to help prevent ear infections. Brody never had an ear infection while using bottles. Again, I think the bottles did help but I do not think that the bottles were the only reason he never got an ear infection. Playtex is also the #1 recommended bottle brand by pediatricians according to this study. These bottles are also reasonably priced.
Now, here is the tricky part. These bottles worked great for us, but they may not for your baby. I think that it is good to go with bottles that you know have worked for others, but you may have to use a bottle that is not necessarily the "popular" bottle because it works best for your baby.
Here is a bottle review. This review proves my theory. Playtex Ventaire is #16 on their list but worked great for us. It is not necessarily the "new and improved" bottle, but Brody did great with it! However, it is always good to look at reviews and look at different aspects of the bottle. You want to look at the things that are important to you in a bottle to help you choose which one to get. Things that may be important would be the following: price, eco friendly, bottle containter (plastic, glass, metal, etc.), functionality, transition ability from bottle to sippy, effect on your baby's tummy (does it cause air bubbles, etc.), materials in it (always get at least BPA free), nipple materials, dishwasher safe or not, how heavy it is, how easy it is to use, etc. If you are breastfeeding and pumping, you may want to get a bottle that has drop-ins. This is an easier transition from bag to bottle for your breast milk. For this review, Tommee Tippee and Comotomo are #2 and #3. I have had friends use these and love them. They seem to be great bottles but I have never used them so I cannot speak from experience.
Here are two good reviews for you to read and study if you want to learn more about the different types of bottles. It explains the different types of bottles and list pros and cons. It also gives you brands of the different types of bottles. Review 1 and Review 2.
The best thing to do is to get a few different types of bottles that you like and that fit what you want in a bottle. Do not buy a ton because your baby may not like that particular bottle. Then you can experiment with the few that you have and go buy more once you know which bottle works best for your baby. Your pediatrician may also have some suggestions so ask them their opinion as well!
Good luck! If you have any questions or want more information, please email me! Don't forget to email me any topics you want me to blog about too!
Until next time!
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
"Crying It Out"
Many parents have heard of the "cry it out" method. It is the method where you let your baby cry it out when you put them to bed or if they wake up in the middle of the night to put themselves back to sleep. It is to teach them to self soothe. Here's what we experienced with it and how it worked for us.
When Brody got to about 4 months of age, we started thinking about bed times and nap times. Up until this point I had held him to put him to sleep. And I held him a lot! I loved it and cherished it. However, we did not want him to become a baby, toddler, child who had to be rocked or have someone with him when he went to sleep. We wanted him to be able to put himself to sleep if we needed or wanted him to. So, we researched and asked around. We were told many times to try the "cry it out" method. Our pediatrician even recommended it. So, at about 6 months of age we decided to try it. We did not try it earlier because we felt like he was just a little too young for it before that. Ask your pediatrician what age they suggest you try this if you are going to.
I remember we decided to try it the first time on a Friday night. We wanted to have the weekend if it went awful. We put him down at bedtime with no swaddling, no blankets, no rocking, and just his paci. He did not like it at all! He screamed the second we left the room. Let me tell you now, this is not for the weenies! It was so hard listening to him cry! I kept asking Aaron, "Do you think I should just go get him?" He would say no, it's only been a minute, he will be fine. After about 30 minutes straight of screaming, he began to calm down. We had to turn the television up because it became hard for both of us to hear him crying. However, we knew we had to in order for this to work. He began just having a few seconds of screaming at a time and would quit. Then, after about 1 hour, he had put himself to sleep. He slept the whole night.
Night two went a little better. He still screamed, but within about 30 minutes he had put himself to sleep. We dealt with the screaming before he would go to sleep for about 1 week. After a week, he had learned it was not so bad and he would put himself to sleep. After that, we had a little boy who could now go to sleep on his own.
We also applied this to middle of the night and nap time. If he woke up crying in the middle of the night, I would check him and make sure everything was okay. I made sure he was full, dry, and no fever. If everything was okay, I would leave and let him put himself back to sleep. Again, this was NOT easy. It is very hard hearing your baby cry knowing they will stop if you just pick them up. If you know everything is okay, I suggest turning the monitor off for a little while until they go back to sleep. Either set an alarm for a little while and turn it back on when the alarm goes off, or just wait a little while and check to see if he is calm and turn it back on. They will be okay! It is hard, but worth it!
When Brody got older and got used to putting himself back to sleep, I stopped going in right when he would cry. He would see me and it would make it worse. So, my rule was if he cried more than 15 or 20 minutes I would go in to check on him. I did this because usually if he just was upset about waking up and crying, he would put himself back to sleep within 15-20 minutes. If he cried longer than that, I knew something was probably wrong. I can also tell the difference between a "something is wrong" cry and a "I want to be held" cry.
After many nights of hearing cries and letting him cry it out at bed time and in the middle of the night, we now have a little boy who we can lay down at nap time or bed time and he puts himself to sleep. He also stays quiet in the morning until we come and get him. He knows that we decide when he gets out of bed. He does not decide this. It is not because of his personality, it is because we taught him how.
Now, do I still get up and hold him sometimes when he just wants to be held? Of course. Do I still rock him to sleep sometimes? Of course. In fact, I rock him about 10 minutes every night. If he falls asleep, great. If not, great. But I am enjoying his age and the ability to be able to rock him. I did not start doing this until I knew he would not cry if I laid him down awake. It is good for you and your baby for them to be able to put themselves to sleep. It also helps when they are older and they are in daycare or kindergarten taking naps.
So, do I think "crying it out" works? Yes, I do. But, you do have to be consistent and you have to actually let them cry! It is not easy but it does work and I think it is a good method to use. Will your baby have it down in a week like mine? I don't know. Maybe, but maybe not. We still had to work on it for a while after that initial week to get where we are now. As long as you are consistent, I think it will work! Good luck!
Until next time!
When Brody got to about 4 months of age, we started thinking about bed times and nap times. Up until this point I had held him to put him to sleep. And I held him a lot! I loved it and cherished it. However, we did not want him to become a baby, toddler, child who had to be rocked or have someone with him when he went to sleep. We wanted him to be able to put himself to sleep if we needed or wanted him to. So, we researched and asked around. We were told many times to try the "cry it out" method. Our pediatrician even recommended it. So, at about 6 months of age we decided to try it. We did not try it earlier because we felt like he was just a little too young for it before that. Ask your pediatrician what age they suggest you try this if you are going to.
I remember we decided to try it the first time on a Friday night. We wanted to have the weekend if it went awful. We put him down at bedtime with no swaddling, no blankets, no rocking, and just his paci. He did not like it at all! He screamed the second we left the room. Let me tell you now, this is not for the weenies! It was so hard listening to him cry! I kept asking Aaron, "Do you think I should just go get him?" He would say no, it's only been a minute, he will be fine. After about 30 minutes straight of screaming, he began to calm down. We had to turn the television up because it became hard for both of us to hear him crying. However, we knew we had to in order for this to work. He began just having a few seconds of screaming at a time and would quit. Then, after about 1 hour, he had put himself to sleep. He slept the whole night.
Night two went a little better. He still screamed, but within about 30 minutes he had put himself to sleep. We dealt with the screaming before he would go to sleep for about 1 week. After a week, he had learned it was not so bad and he would put himself to sleep. After that, we had a little boy who could now go to sleep on his own.
We also applied this to middle of the night and nap time. If he woke up crying in the middle of the night, I would check him and make sure everything was okay. I made sure he was full, dry, and no fever. If everything was okay, I would leave and let him put himself back to sleep. Again, this was NOT easy. It is very hard hearing your baby cry knowing they will stop if you just pick them up. If you know everything is okay, I suggest turning the monitor off for a little while until they go back to sleep. Either set an alarm for a little while and turn it back on when the alarm goes off, or just wait a little while and check to see if he is calm and turn it back on. They will be okay! It is hard, but worth it!
When Brody got older and got used to putting himself back to sleep, I stopped going in right when he would cry. He would see me and it would make it worse. So, my rule was if he cried more than 15 or 20 minutes I would go in to check on him. I did this because usually if he just was upset about waking up and crying, he would put himself back to sleep within 15-20 minutes. If he cried longer than that, I knew something was probably wrong. I can also tell the difference between a "something is wrong" cry and a "I want to be held" cry.
After many nights of hearing cries and letting him cry it out at bed time and in the middle of the night, we now have a little boy who we can lay down at nap time or bed time and he puts himself to sleep. He also stays quiet in the morning until we come and get him. He knows that we decide when he gets out of bed. He does not decide this. It is not because of his personality, it is because we taught him how.
Now, do I still get up and hold him sometimes when he just wants to be held? Of course. Do I still rock him to sleep sometimes? Of course. In fact, I rock him about 10 minutes every night. If he falls asleep, great. If not, great. But I am enjoying his age and the ability to be able to rock him. I did not start doing this until I knew he would not cry if I laid him down awake. It is good for you and your baby for them to be able to put themselves to sleep. It also helps when they are older and they are in daycare or kindergarten taking naps.
So, do I think "crying it out" works? Yes, I do. But, you do have to be consistent and you have to actually let them cry! It is not easy but it does work and I think it is a good method to use. Will your baby have it down in a week like mine? I don't know. Maybe, but maybe not. We still had to work on it for a while after that initial week to get where we are now. As long as you are consistent, I think it will work! Good luck!
Until next time!
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Must Do's for Pregnant Mommies!
Being pregnant can be overwhelming! So much goes through your mind. How will I pay for this baby, which room should they go in, what hospital should I have the baby at, can I take care of another human being, what doctor do I go to, etc? The list goes on! Here is a list of some beginning items to take off your list!
1) Find an OBGYN that you either know and trust or with good reviews. Do your research. Ask around. You want someone who listens, who is cautious, and with a good reputation. They will be taking care of YOUR life along with your baby's life! Its very important. Now is also the time to decide if you would like to have your baby with a mid-wife instead of an OBGYN. I have heard very good things about this experience. However, you need to weigh the pros and cons of both.
2) Going along with #1, you need to find a doctor fairly soon but not immediately. Most doctors want to see you around 8 weeks gestation. Many women find out at about 4-5 weeks gestation that they are pregnant. So, you have around 3-4 weeks. Call and tell them you are pregnant and you need to make an appointment. They will fix you up and tell you when to come in!
3) Figure out your insurance. If you have insurance, call them and talk to them so you have a good understanding of how all billing will take place during the pregnancy. Understand what will be expected of you to pay upfront and what they take care. If you do not have insurance, call the hospital and talk to someone there. They have options for you to pay out of pocket. These are usually pretty reasonable prices.
4) Decide with the baby's father when your announcement will come. I know this seems silly, but you need to be on the same page about when you will tell people, how you will tell them, and who you will tell at what point. It is hard to wait to tell people, but I suggest waiting until you are 12 weeks gestation to tell everyone. We told our family and very close friends before this, but it did not go "Facebook official" until 12 weeks. I did this and it was not too bad. Despite the days I had to walk away from a group of friends or I was going to explode with the news! At 12 weeks gestation the risk for miscarriage drops. My husband and I personally did not want to have to explain and talk about a miscarriage to everyone if it happened. While this was our position, I do know some people who tell before 12 weeks knowing the risk of miscarriage. They feel like they would like the support of others if that did happen. It is based on you and what you are comfortable with. Just be on the same page!
5) Begin your prenatal vitamins if you have not already started them. Your doctor may want you to take other vitamins as well, like DHA, but you will most certainly need prenatals. You can begin those before you see your doctor. These are very important for you and your baby! Take them daily.
6) Being eating healthy and exercising. Make sure you put healthy things in your body, especially if morning sickness is hitting you. Both you and your baby need lots of healthy nourishment. Cut out caffeine. You can have small amounts throughout the week. You just do not want cans of coke or mugs of coffee a day. Water is your best option! If you do not already exercise, just begin with brisk walking daily. If you already exercise, continue your exercise as you do. However, if your body begins hurting or not feeling right, see a doctor. Your body is more apt to injuries while pregnant.
7) Begin praying for your baby. Pray daily for your baby and their development and yourself as you carry them. This will make more of a difference than you know! It will also give you peace of mind!
There are many more things to do, but this is a great start!
Have a great day Mommy-to-be!
1) Find an OBGYN that you either know and trust or with good reviews. Do your research. Ask around. You want someone who listens, who is cautious, and with a good reputation. They will be taking care of YOUR life along with your baby's life! Its very important. Now is also the time to decide if you would like to have your baby with a mid-wife instead of an OBGYN. I have heard very good things about this experience. However, you need to weigh the pros and cons of both.
2) Going along with #1, you need to find a doctor fairly soon but not immediately. Most doctors want to see you around 8 weeks gestation. Many women find out at about 4-5 weeks gestation that they are pregnant. So, you have around 3-4 weeks. Call and tell them you are pregnant and you need to make an appointment. They will fix you up and tell you when to come in!
3) Figure out your insurance. If you have insurance, call them and talk to them so you have a good understanding of how all billing will take place during the pregnancy. Understand what will be expected of you to pay upfront and what they take care. If you do not have insurance, call the hospital and talk to someone there. They have options for you to pay out of pocket. These are usually pretty reasonable prices.
4) Decide with the baby's father when your announcement will come. I know this seems silly, but you need to be on the same page about when you will tell people, how you will tell them, and who you will tell at what point. It is hard to wait to tell people, but I suggest waiting until you are 12 weeks gestation to tell everyone. We told our family and very close friends before this, but it did not go "Facebook official" until 12 weeks. I did this and it was not too bad. Despite the days I had to walk away from a group of friends or I was going to explode with the news! At 12 weeks gestation the risk for miscarriage drops. My husband and I personally did not want to have to explain and talk about a miscarriage to everyone if it happened. While this was our position, I do know some people who tell before 12 weeks knowing the risk of miscarriage. They feel like they would like the support of others if that did happen. It is based on you and what you are comfortable with. Just be on the same page!
5) Begin your prenatal vitamins if you have not already started them. Your doctor may want you to take other vitamins as well, like DHA, but you will most certainly need prenatals. You can begin those before you see your doctor. These are very important for you and your baby! Take them daily.
6) Being eating healthy and exercising. Make sure you put healthy things in your body, especially if morning sickness is hitting you. Both you and your baby need lots of healthy nourishment. Cut out caffeine. You can have small amounts throughout the week. You just do not want cans of coke or mugs of coffee a day. Water is your best option! If you do not already exercise, just begin with brisk walking daily. If you already exercise, continue your exercise as you do. However, if your body begins hurting or not feeling right, see a doctor. Your body is more apt to injuries while pregnant.
7) Begin praying for your baby. Pray daily for your baby and their development and yourself as you carry them. This will make more of a difference than you know! It will also give you peace of mind!
There are many more things to do, but this is a great start!
Have a great day Mommy-to-be!
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Your Hospital Stay
Oh, the hospital. I don't know about you, but when I hear the word hospital I cringe a little bit. Something about it just makes me nervous and uneasy. When I think "hospital", I think very sick. It is something you dread. But lucky for you, having a baby is actually an exciting reason to go to the hospital!! There a few things that I learned in my hospital stay with Brody that I would like to share!
1) Get to know your nurse when she comes in. Ask questions and tell her about yourself so she can get to know you a little bit better. She will be getting up close and personal with you so it is good to at least know a little bit about each other. Plus, she will be helping you through one of the most amazing experiences of your life and you want to remember her. I remember my nurse. Her name was Gladys. She was a God send and so wonderful!!! She was the most perfect nurse for me. I remember Aaron, my husband, could not be with my for the epidural. I was really nervous about getting it. Gladys came in front of me as I had to arch my back and held me. She kept telling me it was going to be okay. Seriously, such a great woman! She did not have to do that. I was in labor so long that they had to switch rotations and Gladys had to leave. It broke my heart. But I told her to find me someone she trusted and that she thought was good. After only 12 hours of knowing this lady, I trusted her imensly. I believe it was because our first interactions were very good.
2) Ask questions along the way. If they want to do something or check on something with you, ask what they are doing any why. If they tell you and you don't understand, ask them to explain it. You are not a nurse or doctor. You are not expected to know all the details of what is going on. It is totally fine to ask questions. They are there to walk you through and explain it. You need to know what is going on with you and your baby the whole time. Ask them to be honest and open with you about everything. It will help you stay calm if you know what is happening with your body and your baby's body.
3) Do the best you can. Sometimes our body or our baby's body doesn't adjust to the situation like they should. I remember I was terrified of a C-section. My body was not progressing on it's own and the nurses were actually helping my body dilate each time they checked me (talk about ouch!). So I got an epidural to try and help my body relax. Progression was still slow. I remember thinking "Oh no, I'll have to get a C-section!" My body finally progressed and I was able to deliver naturally which was my preference. However, had my body not progressed and I needed a C-section, then I would have done it. If that is what would have been best for my baby and myself, I would not have thought twice. Just because you have a C-section, it doesn't mean you are any less of a mommy since you did not have the baby "naturally". Its ok! You did the best thing for you and for your baby and that is being a GREAT mommy! However you choose to, or have to, have your baby is okay!
4) Send the baby to the nursery at night. Having a baby is one of the most traumatic events that will happen to your body. It is exhausting to your body as well. You need rest!! I know it is hard and you just want to stare at and hold your new bundle, but girl - let those nurses handle it the first few nights. Because here's the deal, you're it once you take that sweet baby home! When your baby cries at 2 am, YOU have to get up. Getting up with your baby is great and it is a bonding time, but it does get tiring! Plus, the nurses know exactly what to look for in newborns and can detect signs of danger. They will also not be sleeping so there will be an eye on your baby ALL night. If your baby was in your room, you would be sleeping and there would not be an eye on your baby all night. Take advantage of it. Also, sleep in a little in the mornings at the hospital. Trust me - you will be glad you did and wish you could do it again about week 3 at home when you are more tired that you ever knew you could be. **Note: I think it is totally fine to have your baby in your room if you want to! I just think that it is wise to take advantage of the sleep and someone watching your baby at night while you can! Just think about it. Whatever you decide is okay!
5) Enjoy visitors. However, it is your baby and you call the shots honey! You get to decide who holds the baby and when. If you do not want anyone holding your baby that is fine too! It is YOUR baby. Do not feel bad about any of your decisions. You are doing what you think is best for your baby and that is ok! Ask visitors to be healthy if they come and ask them to wash their hands when they enter the room. You need those around your baby to be germ free. Especially if your baby is born in flu season. It is okay to be a little obsessive about this. Newborns who get the flu or other sickness could get very sick or die from it.
6) Take lots of pictures and videos! You will want to remember this time. Take your journal that I talked about in this blog and write about your experiences! Enjoy it! It is one of the greatest miracles you will ever be a part of! I remember leaving the hospital saying "That was so fun! I cannot wait to do it again!" Obviously the pain was not fun, but bringing a new life into this world was just amazing and that was the fun part!
Good luck and enjoy your new little addition!
Until next time!
1) Get to know your nurse when she comes in. Ask questions and tell her about yourself so she can get to know you a little bit better. She will be getting up close and personal with you so it is good to at least know a little bit about each other. Plus, she will be helping you through one of the most amazing experiences of your life and you want to remember her. I remember my nurse. Her name was Gladys. She was a God send and so wonderful!!! She was the most perfect nurse for me. I remember Aaron, my husband, could not be with my for the epidural. I was really nervous about getting it. Gladys came in front of me as I had to arch my back and held me. She kept telling me it was going to be okay. Seriously, such a great woman! She did not have to do that. I was in labor so long that they had to switch rotations and Gladys had to leave. It broke my heart. But I told her to find me someone she trusted and that she thought was good. After only 12 hours of knowing this lady, I trusted her imensly. I believe it was because our first interactions were very good.
2) Ask questions along the way. If they want to do something or check on something with you, ask what they are doing any why. If they tell you and you don't understand, ask them to explain it. You are not a nurse or doctor. You are not expected to know all the details of what is going on. It is totally fine to ask questions. They are there to walk you through and explain it. You need to know what is going on with you and your baby the whole time. Ask them to be honest and open with you about everything. It will help you stay calm if you know what is happening with your body and your baby's body.
3) Do the best you can. Sometimes our body or our baby's body doesn't adjust to the situation like they should. I remember I was terrified of a C-section. My body was not progressing on it's own and the nurses were actually helping my body dilate each time they checked me (talk about ouch!). So I got an epidural to try and help my body relax. Progression was still slow. I remember thinking "Oh no, I'll have to get a C-section!" My body finally progressed and I was able to deliver naturally which was my preference. However, had my body not progressed and I needed a C-section, then I would have done it. If that is what would have been best for my baby and myself, I would not have thought twice. Just because you have a C-section, it doesn't mean you are any less of a mommy since you did not have the baby "naturally". Its ok! You did the best thing for you and for your baby and that is being a GREAT mommy! However you choose to, or have to, have your baby is okay!
4) Send the baby to the nursery at night. Having a baby is one of the most traumatic events that will happen to your body. It is exhausting to your body as well. You need rest!! I know it is hard and you just want to stare at and hold your new bundle, but girl - let those nurses handle it the first few nights. Because here's the deal, you're it once you take that sweet baby home! When your baby cries at 2 am, YOU have to get up. Getting up with your baby is great and it is a bonding time, but it does get tiring! Plus, the nurses know exactly what to look for in newborns and can detect signs of danger. They will also not be sleeping so there will be an eye on your baby ALL night. If your baby was in your room, you would be sleeping and there would not be an eye on your baby all night. Take advantage of it. Also, sleep in a little in the mornings at the hospital. Trust me - you will be glad you did and wish you could do it again about week 3 at home when you are more tired that you ever knew you could be. **Note: I think it is totally fine to have your baby in your room if you want to! I just think that it is wise to take advantage of the sleep and someone watching your baby at night while you can! Just think about it. Whatever you decide is okay!
5) Enjoy visitors. However, it is your baby and you call the shots honey! You get to decide who holds the baby and when. If you do not want anyone holding your baby that is fine too! It is YOUR baby. Do not feel bad about any of your decisions. You are doing what you think is best for your baby and that is ok! Ask visitors to be healthy if they come and ask them to wash their hands when they enter the room. You need those around your baby to be germ free. Especially if your baby is born in flu season. It is okay to be a little obsessive about this. Newborns who get the flu or other sickness could get very sick or die from it.
6) Take lots of pictures and videos! You will want to remember this time. Take your journal that I talked about in this blog and write about your experiences! Enjoy it! It is one of the greatest miracles you will ever be a part of! I remember leaving the hospital saying "That was so fun! I cannot wait to do it again!" Obviously the pain was not fun, but bringing a new life into this world was just amazing and that was the fun part!
Good luck and enjoy your new little addition!
Until next time!
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Temperatures: How high is too high?
Fevers are SCARY!! So much can be wrong or go wrong when your little ones fever spikes! Here are some general guidelines to know what to do and when to take your baby in if they have a fever.
1) If your baby is 3 months or younger, they are considered to have a fever at 100.4 degrees. If they get a fever of 100.4, call your doctor immediately. A fever this high in a baby that small can be very dangerous. Be aware that it is likely they will want you to go to the ER with your baby. They need to make sure everything is okay and that they don't have an infection. DO NOT give a baby under 3 months Tylenol without talking to your pediatrician first. This can alter their fever and give false indication of what the real problem is.
2) If your baby is 3 months or older, they are considered to have a fever at 101 degrees. The concern is more about how your baby is acting. If they are acting sick, most definitely take them in. If they are not acting sick but have a fever, use your judgement. There have been several times that Brody has had a 103 fever and we did not take him in. He was acting like he didn't feel good, but we felt like we could at least regulate the fever with Tylenol and Ibuprofen (after 6 months of age) for a night and see if he got any better. Sometimes he was better the next day and sometimes we were headed to the doctor. You do not need to wake your baby in the middle of the night just to give them medicine. I would go in and check on Brody to make sure he was not on fire with fever, but did not wake him up if he was not any hotter than when he went to bed. If they wake up and you want to give them more, you can if it has been long enough. If your child over 3 months and gives any signs of stiff neck, bad headache, seizure, sore throat, ear pain, foul smelling urine, burning with urination, is lethargic, or you just feel something is not right, call your pediatrician.
3) If your child is 3-6 months old, use only Tylenol (Acetaminophen). If they are older than 6 months, you can use Ibuprofen. Always talk to your doctor before the first time you use either. If your child has a fever that is above 102 and you cannot get it down and maintained at 102 or lower for at least 3 hours, I would call your doctor or go to the ER if it is after hours. To maintain the fever, give your baby Tylenol every 4 hours or Ibuprofen every 6. If your child is of age (at least 6 months), Ibuprofen is the best to use. It is a better fever reducer and pain reliever. It can only be given every 6 hours. If your child cannot wait until the next dosage, you can give them Tylenol as well. They can be given at the same time. If you do this, make sure you write the times down so that you give the second dose of both medicines at the right time. Be aware that Ibuprofen can cause some stomach aches and diarrhea so just be mindful of that and the amount of dosages you are giving your baby. NEVER use ASPIRIN to treat a child's fever. If your child cannot keep down the Tylenol, Feverall is a rectal acetaminophen that can be given.
4) The most accurate reading of temperature, especially in infants younger than 3 months, is rectally. They have thermometers that take the temperature in less than 5 seconds. Armpits, mouths, and foreheads are ways to take temperature as well, but they not as accurate. If you can, take it rectally. It won't hurt them. If you take it rectally, obviously make sure that thermometer is only used rectally.
5) Here's how you take a temperature rectally.
Step 1: Lubricate the end of the thermometer with a water-soluable lubrication.
Step 2: Lay the baby face down across your lap. Make sure to support their head. You make also lay them flat on a changing table.
Step 3: Press your palm of one hand firmly on your baby's lower back and hold them still.
Step 4: Use your other hand and insert the lubricated thermometer through their anal opening (about 1/2 inch to 1 inch - the thermometer usually has a ring around it that shows you how far to insert the thermometer). If you feel any resistance at all, do not push the thermometer in any farther.
Step 5: Steady the thermometer with on hand and cup your baby's bottom with the other.
Step 6: Wait until it beeps and remove slowly. Make sure you write down the time and temperature.
6) Comfort: A way to try and comfort your child is by giving them a lukewarm sponge bath for 10-20 minutes. Do this every 2 hours as you need to. Evidence shows it doesn't reduce fever but may help comfort your baby.
7) Giving your baby the right dosage of medicine is essential!!! Make sure you do Tylenol every 4 hours and Ibuprofen every 6 hours. I have listed the dosage amounts below.
Tylenol: 15 mg per kg per dose or 7mg per pound per dose (2.2 lbs = 1 kg)
Infant's Acetaminophen Concentrated drops: 80mg/0.8mL (found on box)
12-17 pounds (6-11 months): Give 1 dropperful or about 0.8mL
18-23 pounds (12-23 months): 1.5 dropperful (1.2 mL)
24-35 pounds (2-3 years): 2 dropperfuls (1.6 mL)
36-47 pounds (4-5 years): 3 dropperfuls (2.4 mL)
Children's AcetaminophenSuspension Liquid: 160mg/5mL (found on box)
Ibuprofen: 10mg per kg dose or 4.5 mg per pound per dose.
Infant's Ibuprofen Concentrated drops: 50mg/1.25mL (found on box)
Here is a picture of an Infant's Ibuprofen box to show you were the dosage is listed. Below the words Ibuprofen Oral Suspension you will see 50mg per 1.25 mL. Those are the numbers you are looking for on a box to know your dosage.
1) If your baby is 3 months or younger, they are considered to have a fever at 100.4 degrees. If they get a fever of 100.4, call your doctor immediately. A fever this high in a baby that small can be very dangerous. Be aware that it is likely they will want you to go to the ER with your baby. They need to make sure everything is okay and that they don't have an infection. DO NOT give a baby under 3 months Tylenol without talking to your pediatrician first. This can alter their fever and give false indication of what the real problem is.
2) If your baby is 3 months or older, they are considered to have a fever at 101 degrees. The concern is more about how your baby is acting. If they are acting sick, most definitely take them in. If they are not acting sick but have a fever, use your judgement. There have been several times that Brody has had a 103 fever and we did not take him in. He was acting like he didn't feel good, but we felt like we could at least regulate the fever with Tylenol and Ibuprofen (after 6 months of age) for a night and see if he got any better. Sometimes he was better the next day and sometimes we were headed to the doctor. You do not need to wake your baby in the middle of the night just to give them medicine. I would go in and check on Brody to make sure he was not on fire with fever, but did not wake him up if he was not any hotter than when he went to bed. If they wake up and you want to give them more, you can if it has been long enough. If your child over 3 months and gives any signs of stiff neck, bad headache, seizure, sore throat, ear pain, foul smelling urine, burning with urination, is lethargic, or you just feel something is not right, call your pediatrician.
3) If your child is 3-6 months old, use only Tylenol (Acetaminophen). If they are older than 6 months, you can use Ibuprofen. Always talk to your doctor before the first time you use either. If your child has a fever that is above 102 and you cannot get it down and maintained at 102 or lower for at least 3 hours, I would call your doctor or go to the ER if it is after hours. To maintain the fever, give your baby Tylenol every 4 hours or Ibuprofen every 6. If your child is of age (at least 6 months), Ibuprofen is the best to use. It is a better fever reducer and pain reliever. It can only be given every 6 hours. If your child cannot wait until the next dosage, you can give them Tylenol as well. They can be given at the same time. If you do this, make sure you write the times down so that you give the second dose of both medicines at the right time. Be aware that Ibuprofen can cause some stomach aches and diarrhea so just be mindful of that and the amount of dosages you are giving your baby. NEVER use ASPIRIN to treat a child's fever. If your child cannot keep down the Tylenol, Feverall is a rectal acetaminophen that can be given.
4) The most accurate reading of temperature, especially in infants younger than 3 months, is rectally. They have thermometers that take the temperature in less than 5 seconds. Armpits, mouths, and foreheads are ways to take temperature as well, but they not as accurate. If you can, take it rectally. It won't hurt them. If you take it rectally, obviously make sure that thermometer is only used rectally.
5) Here's how you take a temperature rectally.
Step 1: Lubricate the end of the thermometer with a water-soluable lubrication.
Step 2: Lay the baby face down across your lap. Make sure to support their head. You make also lay them flat on a changing table.
Step 3: Press your palm of one hand firmly on your baby's lower back and hold them still.
Step 4: Use your other hand and insert the lubricated thermometer through their anal opening (about 1/2 inch to 1 inch - the thermometer usually has a ring around it that shows you how far to insert the thermometer). If you feel any resistance at all, do not push the thermometer in any farther.
Step 5: Steady the thermometer with on hand and cup your baby's bottom with the other.
Step 6: Wait until it beeps and remove slowly. Make sure you write down the time and temperature.
6) Comfort: A way to try and comfort your child is by giving them a lukewarm sponge bath for 10-20 minutes. Do this every 2 hours as you need to. Evidence shows it doesn't reduce fever but may help comfort your baby.
7) Giving your baby the right dosage of medicine is essential!!! Make sure you do Tylenol every 4 hours and Ibuprofen every 6 hours. I have listed the dosage amounts below.
Tylenol: 15 mg per kg per dose or 7mg per pound per dose (2.2 lbs = 1 kg)
Infant's Acetaminophen Concentrated drops: 80mg/0.8mL (found on box)
12-17 pounds (6-11 months): Give 1 dropperful or about 0.8mL
18-23 pounds (12-23 months): 1.5 dropperful (1.2 mL)
24-35 pounds (2-3 years): 2 dropperfuls (1.6 mL)
36-47 pounds (4-5 years): 3 dropperfuls (2.4 mL)
Children's AcetaminophenSuspension Liquid: 160mg/5mL (found on box)
12-17 pounds (6-11 months): .5 teaspoon
18-23 pounds (12-23 months): 0.75 teaspoon
24-35 pounds (2-3 years): 1 teaspoon
36-47 pounds (4-5 years): 1.5 teaspoons
Ibuprofen: 10mg per kg dose or 4.5 mg per pound per dose.
Infant's Ibuprofen Concentrated drops: 50mg/1.25mL (found on box)
12-17 pounds (6-11 months): 1 dropperful (1.25mL)
18-23 pounds (12-23 months): 1.5 dropperful (1.875 mL)
24-35 pounds (2-3 years): 2 dropperfuls (2.5 mL)
36-47 pounds (4-5 years): 3 dropperfuls (3.75 mL)
Children's Ibuprofen Suspension drops: 100mg/5mL
12-17 pounds (6-11 months): 0.5 teaspoon
18-23 pounds (12-23 months): 0.75 teaspoon
24-35 pounds (2-3 years): 1 teaspoon
36-47 pounds (4-5 years): 1.5 teaspoons
Here is a picture of an Infant's Ibuprofen box to show you were the dosage is listed. Below the words Ibuprofen Oral Suspension you will see 50mg per 1.25 mL. Those are the numbers you are looking for on a box to know your dosage.
*Do not take Acetaminophen (Tylenol) more than 5 times in 24 hours.
*Do not take Ibuprofen more than 4 times in 24 hours.
*Always check your medicine box and with your doctor before administering medication to your child.
Hope this helps and you can get that yucky fever down! Good luck!
Until next time!
Monday, March 11, 2013
Diapers - Which ones to choose!
So, which diaper do you choose? This is a great question. There are so many out there!!!
All I can tell you is my experience. I will tell you what worked for Brody and what didn't work. I will also give a few reviews. Also keep in mind, diapers fit different according to gender as well. This was my experience with a boy.
Newborn: Up to 10 pounds. We used Pampers Newborn Swaddlers. We LOVED these. They have a little cut out for the umbilical cord so you don't have to worry about messing with folding the diaper down to keep it from touch the cord. Here's the deal girls, the cord gets kind of gross. That thing gets crusty and dry and you don't want to touch it and you are not supposed to let diapers cover it anyway. These diapers also have a line that changes color when it is wet. Heaven!! At 2 a.m. when you are feeding that baby, it is so nice to just look at that line and see if sweet baby is wet or not.
Size 1 diapers: 8-14 pounds. We dried several different brands of diapers for this size. We tried Pampers, Wal-Mart brand, Target brand, and Huggies brand. We got a lot of diapers in different brands at showers and decided to keep the different brands and try them all to see which one worked the best for Brody. For this size, we decided to go with Pampers again. Brody would often "pee out of" the other diapers. They did not hold well. He would often end up with wet or poopy clothes because they did not hold well. If he ended up with wet and poopy diapers, chances were I ended up with wet and poopy clothes. So, not only did I want him dry, I was tired of walking around smelling like pee and poop and changing 5 times a day. We also noticed Wal-Mart and Target brands were very rough. Plus, I just love that little line that tells you if your baby is wet!
Size 2 diapers: 12 - 18 pounds. We lived in Houston at the time and decided to try Babies-R-Us brand since there is a huge one there. We actually really liked them. They did not leak and were soft. We ended up using these for a while. They were cheaper and did the job!
Size 3-4 diapers: Size 3 is 16-28 pounds and size 4 is 22-37 pounds. We went back to Pampers. Pampers has Pampers Cruisers. When they are starting to become more mobile, these diapers are great! They don't leak. They actually hold a lot!! They move with your baby. They stay snug around their legs too. They are a little more expensive, but it is worth it to have clean clothes and a clean baby!
Cloth diapers: For all you clothies out there or wanna be clothies, I don't have much experience with cloth diapers. I think cloth diapers are a GREAT way to save money. However, I could not get my husband over the thought of having to rinse out poop from a diaper. Maybe by baby #2 I will get him on board and we can try them. I have heard fabulous things!! Although we did not use them, I did a little research on them before my husband vetoed that idea. I found that these were good semi-cloth diapers. I say semi-cloth because the outside of the diaper is cloth but you have disposable inserts. This is kind of a mix between disposable and cloth diapers. For all cloth diapers, I found OsoCozy diapers had good reviews and seemed very affordable.
Fitting your diapers correctly: Fitting a diaper properly can be tough. You don't want them to by too loose, but you also don't want them to be too tight. Being too loose or too tight can cause leaks. Make sure the diapers fit well around your baby's leg. You don't want it to leave indentions, but you do want them to fit tightly. You want them to fit well around the waist as well. This can be tough if your baby has chunky thighs. I would have them a little tighter on the thighs to fit the waist, especially if you have a boy. You don't want them leaking out of the top. If they are pretty tight on your baby and you are still having leaks, I suggest to try going up one size. They are probably just too small.
Extra: We use Huggies sensitive wipes for Brody because he has a sensitive tush! They work great. And P.S. - you don't need a wipe warmer. Their bottoms are just fine with a room temperature wipe! Spend your money on something else that is more needed!
A few reviews:
According to Consumer Search, Pampers are the number one diapers to get.
http://www.consumersearch.com/diapers
According to many mommies polled, they like Pampers for boys and girls, and Huggies for girls.
If you google it, many individual people say Pampers are the best. I personally have to agree! But remember, every baby is different! Do what works for your baby!
Happy Diaper Shopping!
All I can tell you is my experience. I will tell you what worked for Brody and what didn't work. I will also give a few reviews. Also keep in mind, diapers fit different according to gender as well. This was my experience with a boy.
Newborn: Up to 10 pounds. We used Pampers Newborn Swaddlers. We LOVED these. They have a little cut out for the umbilical cord so you don't have to worry about messing with folding the diaper down to keep it from touch the cord. Here's the deal girls, the cord gets kind of gross. That thing gets crusty and dry and you don't want to touch it and you are not supposed to let diapers cover it anyway. These diapers also have a line that changes color when it is wet. Heaven!! At 2 a.m. when you are feeding that baby, it is so nice to just look at that line and see if sweet baby is wet or not.
Size 1 diapers: 8-14 pounds. We dried several different brands of diapers for this size. We tried Pampers, Wal-Mart brand, Target brand, and Huggies brand. We got a lot of diapers in different brands at showers and decided to keep the different brands and try them all to see which one worked the best for Brody. For this size, we decided to go with Pampers again. Brody would often "pee out of" the other diapers. They did not hold well. He would often end up with wet or poopy clothes because they did not hold well. If he ended up with wet and poopy diapers, chances were I ended up with wet and poopy clothes. So, not only did I want him dry, I was tired of walking around smelling like pee and poop and changing 5 times a day. We also noticed Wal-Mart and Target brands were very rough. Plus, I just love that little line that tells you if your baby is wet!
Size 2 diapers: 12 - 18 pounds. We lived in Houston at the time and decided to try Babies-R-Us brand since there is a huge one there. We actually really liked them. They did not leak and were soft. We ended up using these for a while. They were cheaper and did the job!
Size 3-4 diapers: Size 3 is 16-28 pounds and size 4 is 22-37 pounds. We went back to Pampers. Pampers has Pampers Cruisers. When they are starting to become more mobile, these diapers are great! They don't leak. They actually hold a lot!! They move with your baby. They stay snug around their legs too. They are a little more expensive, but it is worth it to have clean clothes and a clean baby!
Cloth diapers: For all you clothies out there or wanna be clothies, I don't have much experience with cloth diapers. I think cloth diapers are a GREAT way to save money. However, I could not get my husband over the thought of having to rinse out poop from a diaper. Maybe by baby #2 I will get him on board and we can try them. I have heard fabulous things!! Although we did not use them, I did a little research on them before my husband vetoed that idea. I found that these were good semi-cloth diapers. I say semi-cloth because the outside of the diaper is cloth but you have disposable inserts. This is kind of a mix between disposable and cloth diapers. For all cloth diapers, I found OsoCozy diapers had good reviews and seemed very affordable.
Fitting your diapers correctly: Fitting a diaper properly can be tough. You don't want them to by too loose, but you also don't want them to be too tight. Being too loose or too tight can cause leaks. Make sure the diapers fit well around your baby's leg. You don't want it to leave indentions, but you do want them to fit tightly. You want them to fit well around the waist as well. This can be tough if your baby has chunky thighs. I would have them a little tighter on the thighs to fit the waist, especially if you have a boy. You don't want them leaking out of the top. If they are pretty tight on your baby and you are still having leaks, I suggest to try going up one size. They are probably just too small.
Extra: We use Huggies sensitive wipes for Brody because he has a sensitive tush! They work great. And P.S. - you don't need a wipe warmer. Their bottoms are just fine with a room temperature wipe! Spend your money on something else that is more needed!
A few reviews:
According to Consumer Search, Pampers are the number one diapers to get.
http://www.consumersearch.com/diapers
According to many mommies polled, they like Pampers for boys and girls, and Huggies for girls.
If you google it, many individual people say Pampers are the best. I personally have to agree! But remember, every baby is different! Do what works for your baby!
Happy Diaper Shopping!
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Diaper Rash Remedies
I have had this question and heard this question very often - Do you know any diaper rash remedies?
Brody did not really have diaper rashes until he was about a year old. We used the common diaper rash cream. We heard Boudreaux's Butt Paste was good so we decided to try that! We really liked it!
You can also put a cap-full of bleach in their bath water to help as well. *** Just make sure you are extra careful to keep water out of their eyes and mouth! See a doctor if you feel some bleach water may have gotten in their eyes or mouth and could harm them. Bleach in the water will help dry out the yeast.
Brody did not really have diaper rashes until he was about a year old. We used the common diaper rash cream. We heard Boudreaux's Butt Paste was good so we decided to try that! We really liked it!
It worked for the slight redness Brody would get. But then he started getting worse diaper rashes once he got older. The Boudreaux's Butt Paste just was not really cutting it. We then heard about Bag Balm.
Yes, if you look closely you see a cow on the side. Yes, it is made for cow utters. BUT, it worked wonders! It is thick and does not take much at all!! (Side note: It is good for cuts, dry skin, bites, etc. as well! It is perfectly safe to use on babies and yourself.) You can get this at Wal-Mart but you have to ask for it at the pharmacy counter. They keep it behind the counter. You do not have to have a prescription to get it. If they do not have it, ask them to order it for you. It is free to get it ordered and it comes to the store within a few days. When treating a baby with a diaper rash, change them often and try to keep the area dry. Apply cream every diaper change. You can also dry a little baking soda in their bath water to help dry out the area.
These are the best remedies, in by opinion, for diaper rash. But, you need to make sure you child actually has a diaper rash. They may actually have a yeast infection if the diaper rash creams are not working. This happened to us. Brody's bottom was very red and neither one of these creams were helping AT ALL. So, we contacted a few of our doctor friends and we realized he actually had a yeast infection. Yes, babies can get a yeast infection. Kind of weird, I know. It can come from breast milk if you are on an anti-biotic, come after thrush, come if your baby has been on an anti-biotic, etc. It can also happen if their diapers are not changed often enough.
A yeast infection on your baby will have a beefy, red color. Their bottom will have slightly raised borders which are called "satellite" lesions. Their skin could also become scaly. You can also tell because your diaper rash cream will not do anything to help the rash. Yeast usually tends to hang on longer than diaper rashes. You can google "yeast infections on baby bottoms" and see some pictures to see if it resembles what your baby has. Just remember, it is google and you never know what you might get in addition to what you are looking for! Be cautious. So, what is the treatment?
To treat a yeast infection for your baby, you will need Lotrimin (jock itch cream), Triple Anti-biotic cream, and diaper rash cream or Bag Balm. You will want to make sure you keep their bottom as dry as possible. Change them as soon as you notice they are wet or dirty. Do not use wipes. If they are just wet, pat their bottom with a wet wash cloth to clean them. Here is the good part. Are you ready? If they are poopy you need to rinse them off. Yuck! I know. We went to the kitchen sink to use the sprayer every time Brody was poopy. It was the easiest and quickest way to do this. Then I had to bleach the sink after each time we "sprayed" him down. It was kind of a hassle, but it works! Do not use wipes if you can help it. Once you are done cleaning them, pat them dry with a clean, dry wash cloth. If you can, let them be "free" (naked) a little while before putting a diaper back on them.
After they are cleaned off, you want to put the Lotrimin cream on, then Triple Anti-Biotic cream, then Bag Balm (or diaper rash cream). Layer them one on top of the other and use all three every diaper change. Do this for 10 days. You should start to see a difference after a few days. If they still have a rash and it is not getting better after 10 days, take them to the doctor.
Use these in this order: (off brands work for the first two)
You can also put a cap-full of bleach in their bath water to help as well. *** Just make sure you are extra careful to keep water out of their eyes and mouth! See a doctor if you feel some bleach water may have gotten in their eyes or mouth and could harm them. Bleach in the water will help dry out the yeast.
Hope this helps with ways to help treat diaper rash and yeast infection. And to tell the difference!
Until next time!
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Hospital Bags
The great question - What should I take to the hospital? Here are 12 essentials that I think you need in your bag and in your baby's bag.
Your bag:
1) Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, contacts, glasses, shampoo, razor, etc.
2) Comfortable clothes. You want to be comfortable. You are not going to feel like getting "cute" and all fixed up. You will be resting in bed most of the time anyway. Bring granny panties for sure! Girlfriend - ain't nobody trying to wear any other types of panties after a baby!
3) If you're nursing, bring nursing bras and nursing shirts. You can bring nursing pads for your bra but you do not need a lot. Your milk will likely not come in until you get home. The hospital will have nipple shields if you need them as well.
4) Journal, Bible (if you are a believer), baby book to put footprints in
5) Camera and Video Camera
6) Chargers for phone and cameras
7) Pregnancy pillow if you have one. Although your belly will be smaller, it still helps you sleep so much better.
8) Boppy or nursing pillow. Even if you are not nursing this is helpful to hold the baby while feeding
9) Flip flops and robe for shower
10) House shoes or warm socks
11) Blanket
12) Make-Up: You may or may not want to use it but at least you will have it!
Baby's Bag:
1) A few newborn diapers. You won't need a ton because the hospital will have some.
2) A few outfits. Again, the hospital will have some clothes they put them in. However, they are not the cutest things. You will only be there a few days if all goes well so 2-4 outfits is plenty. If you want the hospital to take newborn pictures (most hospitals send a photographer in and it is your choice), then bring an outfit for that. Pick out a coming home outfit you want your baby to wear on their big ride home!
3) A paci if you want your little one to learn how to use it. The hospital will have one and your baby likely won't use it at the hospital but you can have it just in case.
4) Lotion for your baby
5) Brush: Your baby may have lots of hair!
6) Blanket for baby
7) Beanie/hat or bows for the baby. Again, the hospital will give you a beanie but you may want a cute one or cute bows.
8) Baby socks
9) Baby mittens to cover hands so they dont scratch themselves
10) Baby clippers. You can have the nurses clip their nails before you go home if you're not comfortable doing it.
11) Bottles and formula if you are formula feeding.
12) If you are expecting a boy, bring Q-tips, Vasaline, and gauze if you are planning to circumcise him. The hospital will give you a small amount but just in case!
Don't forget your carseat!! This is a must. You cannot leave the hospital with your baby without it!
Don't forget anything special that you want to take that means a lot to you and/or special for the baby.
You will do great! Good luck!
Your bag:
1) Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, contacts, glasses, shampoo, razor, etc.
2) Comfortable clothes. You want to be comfortable. You are not going to feel like getting "cute" and all fixed up. You will be resting in bed most of the time anyway. Bring granny panties for sure! Girlfriend - ain't nobody trying to wear any other types of panties after a baby!
3) If you're nursing, bring nursing bras and nursing shirts. You can bring nursing pads for your bra but you do not need a lot. Your milk will likely not come in until you get home. The hospital will have nipple shields if you need them as well.
4) Journal, Bible (if you are a believer), baby book to put footprints in
5) Camera and Video Camera
6) Chargers for phone and cameras
7) Pregnancy pillow if you have one. Although your belly will be smaller, it still helps you sleep so much better.
8) Boppy or nursing pillow. Even if you are not nursing this is helpful to hold the baby while feeding
9) Flip flops and robe for shower
10) House shoes or warm socks
11) Blanket
12) Make-Up: You may or may not want to use it but at least you will have it!
Baby's Bag:
1) A few newborn diapers. You won't need a ton because the hospital will have some.
2) A few outfits. Again, the hospital will have some clothes they put them in. However, they are not the cutest things. You will only be there a few days if all goes well so 2-4 outfits is plenty. If you want the hospital to take newborn pictures (most hospitals send a photographer in and it is your choice), then bring an outfit for that. Pick out a coming home outfit you want your baby to wear on their big ride home!
3) A paci if you want your little one to learn how to use it. The hospital will have one and your baby likely won't use it at the hospital but you can have it just in case.
4) Lotion for your baby
5) Brush: Your baby may have lots of hair!
6) Blanket for baby
7) Beanie/hat or bows for the baby. Again, the hospital will give you a beanie but you may want a cute one or cute bows.
8) Baby socks
9) Baby mittens to cover hands so they dont scratch themselves
10) Baby clippers. You can have the nurses clip their nails before you go home if you're not comfortable doing it.
11) Bottles and formula if you are formula feeding.
12) If you are expecting a boy, bring Q-tips, Vasaline, and gauze if you are planning to circumcise him. The hospital will give you a small amount but just in case!
Don't forget your carseat!! This is a must. You cannot leave the hospital with your baby without it!
Don't forget anything special that you want to take that means a lot to you and/or special for the baby.
You will do great! Good luck!
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