TIPS For the moms-to-be

The new moms and BTDT (been there done that) moms,
Lets start a little 'reminders' and 'pointers' list for the moms to be... (even though I still feel like I need them myself !)

Like things they CANNOT forget to bring to the hospital or tips on what to do, what NOT to do while prego... etc...

I'll start with a few...

*Take lots of prego pictures of yourself ! Your baby will wanna see them years from now !
*Get a pedicure once a month, you deserve it !
*I didnt listen to this one, and I should have - get all the rest now that you CAN !

...I'll think of some more.......

Anna - this is a good idea!


Here's some that I knew and some that I learned the hard way:

* Get ALL the REST you can NOW!!! This is so important!

* Take time off (if you work) before your due date, if possible.

* Have a support system (for when you bring the baby home) worked out ahead of time.

* Make sure to have some clean bottles, sterilized nipples and formula on hand when you first get home. Even if you plan to BF, this will ensure you can still feed your baby if BFing doesn't go as planned.

* Don't buy too many newborn clothes. Depending on the size of your baby at birth, many things will go unused.

* Don't buy too many diapers. You never know which size or brand will work better for your baby.

* Pick a bottle type to start, but don't buy too many until you see how your child feeds with it. If he/she has problems with the bottle you chose, you can try something different and then stock up on more when you finally find one that suits your baby.

* Don't think that YOU have to be the one to do EVERYTHING for your new baby. Let Dad help - you'll be so glad you did - especially when you're ready to go out again. You won't have to worry that Dad can't handle the baby on his own!

* Allow yourself to ask for help.

* Leave the cleaning to someone else for the first couple of weeks. Just rest.

one more..

I may have mentioned this already in a previous post, but I will mention it again, because I wish I would have listened when I was given this advice:

*If you do plan to breastfeed, go to a LLL meeting near you (or go to several, they are usually once a month) go while you are prego, before the baby comes.. Get educated on what can happen the first few weeks of BFing (and how to avoid it!) -by this I mean the pain, soreness, discomfort, etc.. (doesnt happen to all women, but looks like it happens to the majority). Listen to the details on how to position the baby, how to tell if you have a good latch, etc..
Get to know the LLL leaders and this way you will have one that you know and feel comfortable with by the time the baby is born and you will have that great support system from day 1. (and if she would come to the hospital to help you, that would be even better !! - hey ya never know ! They ARE obsessive about it !)

They also have a great book called The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding


TUMMY PATS !

May I suggest something...I hate when down the line you realize you bought something that was such a total waste of money..

If you are using Avent bottles,(i'm sure other bottles also come in different sizes) DON'T BUY the 4oz AND the 9oz ones. I would suggest only getting the bigger ones. My son has 'outgrown' the 4oz bottles in the past few weeks (by the end of the first month! and I have like 5 of them !
I never thought of this beforehand..and i'm really annoyed at why they even sell them ! (cha-ching)..
I could have been using bigger ones and just filling them to 4oz... what a marketing scam...

I have been meaning to post some thoughts but I can't get them all together so i will just post as I think of things


Here's one:

Don't be so quick to throw out boxes (and of course receipts) until you know you are absolutely keeping something. I have found that BRU & Buy Buy Baby are great about taking things back that don't work for you but you have to have the packaging. i.e., if you get a baby monitor that doesn't work b/c it interferes with your cordless phone or neighbor's monitor.


Good one Anna - definitely skip the 4 oz bottles - ridiculous!


Another thing: You hear that it's good to have everything washed and waiting for baby but don't be so quick to wash all the clothes you have or get as gifts, especially the bigger sized clothes. Of course have some things ready for when you get home from the hospital but your baby might not be that size in the season you think - or you may end up finding that some baby clothes styles are not worth the hassle to get on baby.

One more thing: If you have a boy, you must always, always cover the penis with something when you lay him down for a changing!! Otherwise you will have the pleasure of him peeing on you, himself, the wall...We always have a washcloth on hand in the changing area to do the cover up.

Elizabeth, I always make sure to do the coverup also!
Last week, as I was wiping him, he continued to poop, it was the FUNNIEST THING as I watched and cleaned as it came out. Then as a topper, he finishes off with a fountain spraying !! LOL.
I got an image of being at EPCOT watching the fireworks! the way it shot right up like a little fountain...

My 3yr old neice and I laughed SO HARDDD !!

LOL! We too, have the washcloth permanently on hand in the changing area...LOL!


Anna - wanted to add re: the 4 oz. bottles...don't fret over them...after the baby 'outgrows' his formula or breast milk feedings the 4oz. sizes, they really become GREAT for the slow flow nipples used to drink water!
There, I just made them worth the money you spent on them!! LOL!

Edited to add - 4 oz of JUICE, too! Also, the smaller sized bottles are easier for the baby to hold on their own...Paul can just about hold his 4oz water bottle on his own now, and I am thankful!