Originally Posted By LVBelle OK, less than two months to go and I'm starting to get a bit nervous. What advice can ya'll throw my way? I also thought this might be a good topic to post specific questions us new mommies have. For example, today I got it into my head that I must wash all baby clothes and reorganize Jacob's dresser. Should I organize by type of clothing (onesies in one drawer, sleepers in another etc.) or should I sort by size? I don't have a ton of room to work with. Whatever system I use it needs to be easy enough for my organizationally challenged husband to use and keep it too! So, please, help us new mommies out!
Originally Posted By mele Just know that in a few months, you're going to just be happy if all of the laundry is done, let alone folded and put away. ;-) I was never very organized so I don't have many tips. I did try to keep the larger sized clothing stored in a different area. If the baby can't wear them, there's no need to have them taking up space. (I get kind of panicky when there is "too much" stuff around.) I'm really into keeping things organized by using square or rectangular-shaped baskets. They look so nice on a shelf instead stacked or piled into a huge box.
Originally Posted By Ursula I would sort by outfit and size. This way, you have an easy change of clothes at hand and sizes stay together so that as the boy grows, you can easily rotate out the out-grown items. I loved Dreft when I was a nannysitter. My girly-girl was allergic to regular detergent except for this one brand, it it really got out the burples.
Originally Posted By Disneymom443 When my kids were little ones, I tried to keep everything in arms reach. Diapers, baby wipes and powder. Their clothes were in order of size and t-shirts, onesies. Now for my husband I would leave out the clothes for the day, or they would only get a new diaper.
Originally Posted By RangerPooh On our changing table I had diapers stacked on one half of the drawer with onsies stored in the other. The onsies were then stored (some in zipplock like bags...we did a bunch of traveling so it was easier for me to grab and go when packing) according to white or colored. Clothes to be hung were then placed in order of size. On the other shelves I had the wipes overstock (the wipes sat on the table in the warmer), and two baskets. One had receiving blankets and burp rags, the other powder, rash cream, themometers, nail clippers, tylenol, and all kinds of free samples. As for advice... Burp rags- buy inexpensive cloth diapers. They work great and can later be used as cleaning rags. Plus they can easily be tossed without worrying about throwing away $$. Boppy's- great for breastfeeding or for keeping baby proped up while napping in your lap. Later they can use them at naptime. Late Nights and baby shifts- Charlie and I took shifts, generally they went from the time the baby went to bed until 2:30am and then 1:30- 5:30am and then who ever was up (usually me) picked it up again. Shifts helped to save our sanity! Plus I learned how to sleep in my rocker with Caolyn cuddled up against me on her Boppy. AND I also learned that Nick at Nite can be a new parents best friend!!!! Bottle liners- if you have the Playtex nurser system bottles you don't ahve to buy the Playtex brand liners (or formed cup liners). Instead WalMart carries their own brand that is half the price and works just as good. Plus you don't ahve to separate them like the Playtex ones. This is nice on long nights. Thermometers- always have more than one on hand. We were always losing ours. Desitin- works wonders on a diaper rash I learned that for the first 5 months that I shouldn't buy too many diapers at once. Caolyn only wore Newborn for maybe 3 weeks, Size 1 for 1 month, size 2 for 1 month, and size 3 for about 9. We're now on size 4. So while stocking up is great you might wnat to keep the receipts to make exchanges later on. Baby Formula- sign up for both Enfamile and Similac. They will send you good coupons each month (the $10, $5, and $4 are the best) as well as free samples. ALso stock up early when the coupons are more frequent. Don't be afraid to try the store brand either as long as it has the same components. Pacifiers- if you chose to use them see..try a variety to see what your son likes the best. Then stock up as they are easily lost. Same goes for pacifier clips. I always had one in my purse and a min. of 2 in the diaper bag. Wipe Warmer- always unplug if you will be gone for the weekend. Otherwise they can dry out and stop working properly.
Originally Posted By RangerPooh I know that this was a long list but I hope that some of these suggestions are helpful. K.
Originally Posted By sherrytodd My advice is if you have bought the book, "What to Expect the First Year" throw it away. LOL All it will do is make you neurotic. Enjoy that little on every second you have, they really aren't babies for very long and it goes by way too fast. Read, read, read to your little one. You'll start a love for reading that will stick with them. Remember that every child is different and don't try to judge your child by what the books say or what the neighbors kid does. When the 500th stranger has walked up to you and offered you unasked for advice on how to raise your child, just grit your teeth and smile and continue on with what you're doing because you'll be a wonderful mommy. (Oh and my son is 8 and I still use clothe diapers for cleaning rags)
Originally Posted By mele I always thought cloth diapers made a great hankerchief when your poor nose is too sore to use tissue. Gross but true. LOL Oh, I also had to fold up cloth diapers and wear them in my nursing bra because those tiny little circle things didn't help me at all. It was embarrassing and not attractive at all but it worked. Hm, perhaps I've said too much...
Originally Posted By Kimrue The only advice I have is pay attention to your "mother's instinct" and don't worry about what others think. So many people in your life will mean well, and try to give you so much advice to the point that you'll feel overwhelmed and end up in tears and feeling like a failure. Listen to your heart when it comes to your baby. If your mother in law is insisting that you're burping the baby incorrectly or aunt tilly is freaking out because the baby is only wearing one blanket. Just politely smile and say "I got it, don't worry"...Be confident and keep telling yourself that you've carried your baby for 9 months and you know him better than anyone....your mommy feelings will kick in and tell you what to do that is best for YOUR baby. Enjoy him, you only experience your first born once, no matter how many babies you have..
Originally Posted By ajnhollysmommy if Dad is sitting watching TV give him the baby and walk away, Take a bath or go for a walk around the block. Also never tell dad what you think he is doing wrong because then you will end up with 24 hr baby duty - I hang all of Hollys clothes- in age order. the only clothes that I dont hang are her onsies and pjs. I hang outfits together so that it is easy to grab when needed.
Originally Posted By tiggerdis_ My husband is "clothes challenged". If it was in my son's dresser, then it must fit him. Therefore, I had to keep everything that wasn't his present size. Other than that, I kept onesies, jammies and socks in one drawer, shirts in another, and pants in a third. That's it. I agree though that if dad is watching tv, use the time for yourself.
Originally Posted By RangerPooh I agree with ajnhollysmommy, pairing outfits helps with dressing. I hung up each of caolyns outfits on a hanger. This helped when Charlie (or anyone else) dressed her. Sigh, I was so organized in those days. I agree with the other posters, don't be afraid to just walk away leaving the baby with your DH. Sometimes you just need a break.
Originally Posted By LVBelle Wow, thanks for all of the great advice! I'll have to print all of these out or something. Ya'll tock!
Originally Posted By TomSawyer I don't know anything about your relationship with your husband, but start working now to get ready for the stresses that having a baby will bring. No matter how strong your marriage is, there are some things about parenting that really can add a lot of tension and stress. Negotiate now. Talk about your expectations for what things will be like. How are you going to split night time feedings and changes? Or day time feedings on days when you are both home? What about dinner - is the person staying home with the baby expected to cook dinner, too, or are you going to split that between you? Laundry? House cleaning? Even if one of you has done something all the time before, it's time to talk about it again. And talk about your expectations for discipline and for bedtimes and dietary choices. One of the things that really adds stress to a relationship is when you both have a different unspoken expectation of how things are supposed to go. Just talk it out, and be willing to keep re-negotiating as things change. (In our house: We take turns cooking dinner. Who ever isn't cooking is playing with the kid. We sit together and eat as a family, every night. After Anna's bath, the one who cooked dinner reads to her and does her bedtime routine while the other washes dishes and cleans. We take turns getting up in the middle of the night, but that doesn't happen much anymore. One of us gets to sleep in on Saturday, the other gets to sleep in on Sunday.) You need to nurture your relationship with your spouse, even though you might be tired or more focused on the baby. You need time together - not just romantic time, but time to sit on the couch and watch a movie together or even to work in the yard or do dishes. Time to talk to each other. That's one of the many benefits of a regular bedtime. One more thing - learn how to swaddle. The baby will feel much more secure and comfortable if he or she is swaddled for naps and bedtime, at least for the first three months.
Originally Posted By m2 I guess my advice would be when someone offers to help let them. When your mother-in-law offers to do the laundry let her and don't feel guilty about it. When mom offers to watch the baby, let her and take your nap or shower or just sit and stare at nothing if that's what you need. I agree with trust your instincts no matter how silly it may seem. You will be the best mother you can be no matter how you do it. Don't expect or put more on yourself than you need to.... just do the best that you can and ask for help when you need it. And boy do I agree with Tom Sawyer. Maybe if my ex and I had this kind of discussion before things would have turned out differently. I kind of doubt it but maybe.
Originally Posted By bloona dont worry about mess, dont try to be super human, especially in the first few weeks, sleep when you can, when they sleep ,dont try to get jobs done, sleep too!!! Buy a baby sling, theyre fantastic and you can even get some jobs done with them in it!! Also the rate of colic is much much lower apparently for babies carried in slings. Mind your back though with one! I agree that you only need clothes that fit at that time in an easy to get place, the others will just get in the way . Nursing bras are expensive and you dont really need one, I breastfed for 3 years (faint!) and ordinary bras pull down easily enough, but DONT WEAR AN UNDER WIRE ONE though when breastfeeding as it can increase your chances of getting blocked milk ducts ( been there ,done that, had mastitis twice....OUCH) Follow guidelines for sleep safety. "feet to foot" is an important rule. (Im guessing its not just in the Uk they tell you this) so they cant snuggle down under the blankets, and always on their backs. But dont panic once they begin to be able to roll over, if theyve managed to roll over in the first place, it means they can usually manage to roll back if they like. My son used to sleep at the top of his cot, on his tummy, with his bottom up in the air and his face squashed into the matress, I used to stress out every time he got himself into that position! We had a vetalated matress, but I still wondered how he could breath right. Oh and the most important rule is "enjoy" ,its an amazing time. Each day they achieve something new, each day they make you smile, often they'll make you cry or worry or feel so tired you could fall over ! but these feelings are nothing to the emmense love and pride you feel. Youve created a new little person! Amazing isnt it? Going to go hug my two amazing little people now. x
Originally Posted By RangerPooh Somthing else that I thought of regarding feeding your baby. Whether you decide to bottle feed (with breast milk or formula) or breast feed your baby don't let anyone put you down for your decision. Whichever you decide to do is fine and doesn't make you a better or worse person for your decision. I took some slack because I was unable to do so (constant clogged milk ducts, plus my milk reserves dried up VERY fast, and the baby wasn't too interested in it). One person even hinted that I was an unfit mother for it. Comments can hurt but I reminded myself that Charlie and I made the decision to formula feed Caolyn together. We actually did sit down and talk about using a bottle after I was having problem after problem. In the end it was the best solution. We were able to share feedings and could let her be watched by others. So remember the decisions that you make are based on what you two decide and no one should criticize you for that. ~*~*~*~*~*~ Bloona mentions that use of a baby sling. Those are nice, but as Caolyn was a bigger baby it was heavy. Instead we used our Snugglie pack and carried Caolyn everywhere in it. we wore it while shopping, cleaning, doing homework, eating, yardwork, etc. It was an inexpensive purchase but one that we got more than our monies worth!
Originally Posted By ajnhollysmommy ^^^ agree about the choice of breastfeeding or not. I thought that it was going to be natural... not so! Since Andrew was adopted I had grand ideas about breastfeeding Holly. At a month early she did not have the same thought. She did not want to work for her food. Even with the Breastfeeding Consultants sitting with us at the NICU she did not want any part of it. They pushed and pushed- even shoving Hollys head into me and holding it there with force. I then looked at the lady and said I will be bottle feeding- pumped for a month and then cryed for a couple of days feeling like a bad mommy. She has done wonderful on formula
Originally Posted By bloona I agree too on that one, a few of my friends have felt the same when not being able to breastfeed, and one decided with the second child she wouldnt try at all because she felt so bad not being able to with the first. I really struggled with my eldest at first, and he was mixed fed in the end ,which produces extremely strange poops!!! My second son must have known what he was doing though somehow and took to it easily. lol . His fav food is curry and rice by the way, I wonder if thats because I ate so much of it whilst breastfeeding?? Oooooooh dont eat sprouts if breastfeeding! Big no no.
Originally Posted By DVC_dad <<< Just know that in a few months, you're going to just be happy if all of the laundry is done, let alone folded and put away. ;-) >>> Never have more wise words been posted.
