So just like when you register for a wedding (or at least when I registered for my bridal shower) there isn't really a real mom's go-to guide that answered all of my questions about what I need or don't need for baby. I ended up with some crap I'm not sure I'll use just like my b-shower. So I read all the books (BabyWise, Baby Bargains, What to Expect, etc) and along with the help of my sisters and friends who are moms I thought I put together a pretty good registry. Also, I was bound and determined to be a "good mom" and have my baby only sleep in the crib from day one, only have him wear the best clothes among other things that are escaping my mind right now.
Two weeks in there are a few things I wish I would have known more about. I'm convinced that the lists that people write for the sites and books listed above HAVE to have corporate partnerships. They have to- because some of that garbage is either astronomically expensive or not made for real babies to use. So, here are the things that I LOVE two weeks out.
Let's start with the hospital stay:
At the birthing center, my room had a jacuzzi. Even though most modest behaviors went out the window, for some reason I wanted to have my bathing suit top on (even though I was narked otherwise.) Target has a whole slew of them.
Also, in the event that you need to make a quick exit to the hospital a dress you can slip on quickly does wonders. This also doubles as a nice going home dress. Also Target.
I only read in one place (and I can't find it now) that most water DOES NOT BREAK on it's own- in fact, the number that I saw was only 10% of water breaks on its own. My water was broken for me. BUT, in case you're one of the lucky ones, think about a water proof pad. When Lauren went into labor and stayed at HUP for a few days, she tossed me one of these hospital grade bad boys in the event we have to transport me sans bag of waters to save the seats in the car. If you have more than a 30 second commute- a towel won't work. You can get disposable ones and they double as bed covers when you come home if you're still overflowing a pad for a few days (please consider this, I've changed my sheets from personal and baby leaking more in the past two weeks than I have in three months.)
Tucks medicated pads. Can I get an AMEN!? About ten years ago, I hoped that I would NEVER have to wear another pad again in my life. I hate them. I prefer tampons. Everything about pads is gross to me. So now, when things aren't allowed to go in the place where the baby came out for another four weeks, tampons are a no-no. But you need something to keep it cool around your lady bits. Because your bits sting and are sore...then when healing settles in, it gets itchy. GET TUCKS. Make yourself a nice open-faced Always with Wings and Dry Weave, Preparation H, Tucks open faced sammy in your pants and have a seat.
We all know about the Pack N Play by Graco, right? It's awesome. Will serves as Maks's and future Kurpel babies' beds for naps and summer vaycay for years to come. I was nearly belligerent insisting that Maks would not sleep in a bassinet. I thought I knew something other people didn't He would be able to handle it- my kid's going to sleep right through the night!! Well...guess what? I'm SURE he can sleep right through the night (or up to five hours) without needing me...but I can't. I check on him at least three times a night- more if he's being squeaky. So on the way home from the hospital, we picked up this little number. Folds up just like the regular Pack N Play. And if things continue to go as planned, Maks should be in his crib by month two. But for now, Mama needs to see her baby.
Next topic: Swaddling is hard. But not with these bad boys. Aden and Anais have a line of muslin blankets. They are A#1 when it comes to swaddling. They're HUGE. And they stretch. And swaddling isn't that easy. I received these as a gift and NEVER would've bought them for myself- but consider it. They rule. Similar story goes far a Rene Rofe blanket- I can't find it online but it's AWESOME.
Diapers: if you're breastfeeding and get yourself into the poo/pee counting in the first few days of life, get the Pamper's Sensitive. They have a strip in the front that changes green when it's wet. Otherwise, breastfeeding sites suggest you put six sheets of toilet paper in the front of the diaper to see if they've wet the diaper. Are you effing kidding? No thanks. Gimme the green strip.
Hmm- Boppy is good for letting baby rest/sit in but My Brest Friend is WAY better for breast feeding- the strap is the bomb and saves your back a bit.
Let's see- here's a list of things NOT TO DO. Don't brew beer with Splenda. Even if you do the conversion correctly, it doesn't work. AND CERTAINLY DO NOT let a Splenda beer be your first postpartum beer. If you're a glutton for punishment like me, I have about12 quarts left of the stuff so giddy up.
I think this is all for now.
Two weeks in there are a few things I wish I would have known more about. I'm convinced that the lists that people write for the sites and books listed above HAVE to have corporate partnerships. They have to- because some of that garbage is either astronomically expensive or not made for real babies to use. So, here are the things that I LOVE two weeks out.
Let's start with the hospital stay:
At the birthing center, my room had a jacuzzi. Even though most modest behaviors went out the window, for some reason I wanted to have my bathing suit top on (even though I was narked otherwise.) Target has a whole slew of them.
Also, in the event that you need to make a quick exit to the hospital a dress you can slip on quickly does wonders. This also doubles as a nice going home dress. Also Target.
I only read in one place (and I can't find it now) that most water DOES NOT BREAK on it's own- in fact, the number that I saw was only 10% of water breaks on its own. My water was broken for me. BUT, in case you're one of the lucky ones, think about a water proof pad. When Lauren went into labor and stayed at HUP for a few days, she tossed me one of these hospital grade bad boys in the event we have to transport me sans bag of waters to save the seats in the car. If you have more than a 30 second commute- a towel won't work. You can get disposable ones and they double as bed covers when you come home if you're still overflowing a pad for a few days (please consider this, I've changed my sheets from personal and baby leaking more in the past two weeks than I have in three months.)
Tucks medicated pads. Can I get an AMEN!? About ten years ago, I hoped that I would NEVER have to wear another pad again in my life. I hate them. I prefer tampons. Everything about pads is gross to me. So now, when things aren't allowed to go in the place where the baby came out for another four weeks, tampons are a no-no. But you need something to keep it cool around your lady bits. Because your bits sting and are sore...then when healing settles in, it gets itchy. GET TUCKS. Make yourself a nice open-faced Always with Wings and Dry Weave, Preparation H, Tucks open faced sammy in your pants and have a seat.
We all know about the Pack N Play by Graco, right? It's awesome. Will serves as Maks's and future Kurpel babies' beds for naps and summer vaycay for years to come. I was nearly belligerent insisting that Maks would not sleep in a bassinet. I thought I knew something other people didn't He would be able to handle it- my kid's going to sleep right through the night!! Well...guess what? I'm SURE he can sleep right through the night (or up to five hours) without needing me...but I can't. I check on him at least three times a night- more if he's being squeaky. So on the way home from the hospital, we picked up this little number. Folds up just like the regular Pack N Play. And if things continue to go as planned, Maks should be in his crib by month two. But for now, Mama needs to see her baby.
Next topic: Swaddling is hard. But not with these bad boys. Aden and Anais have a line of muslin blankets. They are A#1 when it comes to swaddling. They're HUGE. And they stretch. And swaddling isn't that easy. I received these as a gift and NEVER would've bought them for myself- but consider it. They rule. Similar story goes far a Rene Rofe blanket- I can't find it online but it's AWESOME.
Diapers: if you're breastfeeding and get yourself into the poo/pee counting in the first few days of life, get the Pamper's Sensitive. They have a strip in the front that changes green when it's wet. Otherwise, breastfeeding sites suggest you put six sheets of toilet paper in the front of the diaper to see if they've wet the diaper. Are you effing kidding? No thanks. Gimme the green strip.
Hmm- Boppy is good for letting baby rest/sit in but My Brest Friend is WAY better for breast feeding- the strap is the bomb and saves your back a bit.
Let's see- here's a list of things NOT TO DO. Don't brew beer with Splenda. Even if you do the conversion correctly, it doesn't work. AND CERTAINLY DO NOT let a Splenda beer be your first postpartum beer. If you're a glutton for punishment like me, I have about12 quarts left of the stuff so giddy up.
I think this is all for now.
Comments
the one thing that sucks about the bassinet feature on the pack & play is that it only goes up to 15 lbs. fine for most babies but for giants who are 16 lbs by 3 months it basically forced us to put him in his crib.