Jennifer - posted on 04/27/2009 ( 25 moms have responded )
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This are just a few things I wrote down following the birth of my first child, Jackson. I wish someone had told me some of these things when I was pregnant, so I thought I would share my information with you. If any other moms have anything to add please let me know. Hope this helps. Good luck ;o)
Info:
Baby goes through 8-10 diapers a day, so plan on stocking up prior to giving birth because you will not feel like going to the store.
When you are buying clothes buy 3-6 months or bigger because when people get you gifts it is primarily newborn or 0-3 month sizes.
Do not buy Equate baby wipes, they will give your child diaper rash.
Target brand wipes are the best and least expensive.
Wal-Mart brand diapers are terrible, your child will leak through the diapers easily.
My personal favorite diapers is Pampers Swaddlers, but Huggies is next in my opinion.
The hospital will give you a nasal aspirator, underarm thermomator, diaper bag, and infant hat. (Genesis East)
Using an emery board in the beginning is the easiest way to trim baby's nails, I was (still am) nervous about cutting his little fingers.
Vaseline can be used for diaper rash or dry skin (per doctor recommendation) and is also used in the case of a male circumcision..
When/if your water breaks it is not a big gush like in the movies, but more of a constant shower until you deliver.
Rubbing alcohol is used to help dry up the umbilical cord and for cleaning of the belly button.
Aquaphor is great for clearing up dry skin patches, or "baby pimples" that may occur.
Jackson generally goes through a baby wipe refill each week, so keep that in mind when you go shopping prior/after baby.
Sex, nipple stimulation, spicy foods, masturbation, caster oil are all known to induce labor if you get desperate. Do not do any of this options until you are at least 37 weeks along. At that time you are considered to be full-term, prior to this date you may run of the risk of your child's lungs not being fully developed.
Keep at least one large storage container to store clothing your child grows out of. They grow quickly, and if you plan on having more children this will be necessary to keep yourself organized.
I wouldn't waste your money on toys, you will get a lot of toys are Christmas and other holidays.
Get a bouncy chair/swing, I consider it a necessity.
Keep a blog/calendar updated with new and exciting things that happen in your baby's life. It is a lot easier to jot something down than dig out the baby book and write it in, etc. You child will change quickly.
If you are planning on nursing make sure to be well hydrated because if you don't you will not build up a sufficient milk supply, and you will have painful bowel movements.
It is normal to not have a bowel movement for 1-3 days after a vaginal delivery. Your body doesn't want to go through that pain again, and bowel movements and labor are similar (although not exactly, but the best way to describe it to someone who has not gone through it). You can take a stool softener or a mild laxative.
Your child can not sleep with any stuffed animals or blankets near his/her face because of possible suffocation. This also reduces the chance of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
Jackson only sleeps with a blanket swaddled next to him, that he can not easily get out of, or move to his face.
If your child wants to be held all the time, even when sleeping, a bobby pillow is great to give the child the illusion of being held. Only use when you are able to watch infant constantly.
However you sleep in the hospital is what the baby will get used to. I slept with the t.v. on and the lights low, so when I got home (for the first few days) Jackson would only fall asleep with the lights on low and the t.v. going. Oddly enough, he preferred Fox News Channel....we are raising a little republican from the beginning.
In order for your child to become accustomed to your "scent" you and your husband should use only soap/shampoo with very little scent. This allows you both to bond, and he/she will be able to tell the difference between Mom/Dad and "strangers". This is especially important if you choose to breast feed.
Buy cloth diapers for your burb cloths. They are much more absorbent. Target (I know for sure) has colorful ones, rather than just white.
When you are creating your registry try to stick primarily with the things that you need, not the things that you want. Because you will probably get more the things that you want, and then you will will to go out and buy the things you need yourself. It's more fun to buy the stuff that you want anyway.
You will get some pads from the hospital, but it will not be enough to last the entire time you will need them. So, stock up prior to delivery.
You will bleed for several weeks after a vaginal delivery, I was bleeding for just over 4 weeks.
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