Parenting the 2nd time- Some things I Had Forgotten and Some New Things Learned

Its only been two years, but I had already forgotten so much from having Charlie. 

I had forgotten the value of:

1. A good swaddle blanket or product that eases swaddling like the one Second Chances and Leila mentioned.  My ha.lo sleep sack swaddle is great, but one of them had a zipper break relatively early which is frustrating.  Kiddopot.omas makes one too (spelling may be off).  I did order the Miracle Bl.anket Leila mentioned so happy about that.

2. A sleep positioner to help them stay on their backs while sleeping (to reduce the risk of SIDs).  It also helps them feel snug and secure and holds the swaddle blanket in place.  I use an angled one when there is congestion, they just ate, suffer from reflux, etc so they are propped up a bit.

3. One piece feetie pjs with zippers and a tab that protects the neck from the zipper. Carte.rs makes them, but they can be hard to find in smaller sizes.  I like to have a few pairs of fleece ones and a few pairs of thinner ones often called "sleep and plays".  The zipper part is KEY.  Most babies hate their diaper changed when they are new and scream.  In the night, you are trying to do it as fast as possible in as low light as possible so they will go back to sleep after feeding and diaper, and zippers really help speed up that process.  To this day, my dh can't properly button the pjs-it can be seriously confusing for anyone on many of those sets.

4. Having enough newborn outfits.  I forgot how much laundry there is.  With Charlie, I tried to skimp and not have many newborn outfits since they grow quickly (by the way, Ger.ber brand run super small so their newborn size really only fits preemies).  But...I didn't realize that peeing out is so common, especially with boys (it can go way up the back of their pjs even if you "point it down!"-which isn't easy at this age!).  It is hard to diaper a crying wiggly baby with their legs curled up.  Add to that a fresh belly button and, in our case, circumcision, and it took me awhile to get the hang of it (and its my second time).  When I had Charlie, I had to do a load of laundry a day-everything he owned.  He would pee through layers so blankets and pjs and the changing pad cover and sleep sack...I finally bought more clothing to wash less, but it is better to know this ahead of time.

5. Diapers with wetness indicator and notch out for belly.  Pampers make these (turquoise package-swaddler.s sensitive-NOT the yellow package so dont' even open them).  Hug.gies makes them too and their package better indicates that they have both features. When they are very little, you can hardly tell they even wet, but doctors like you to count how many a day to see if they are on track.  Plus it is easier to just peak to see if the line changes color.

6. A good nose sucker :)  Take the one from the hospital.  You paid for it and the ones in the stores are not as good.  Hopefully it will be awhile before you use it!

7. Help.  Do not refuse help!  Meals are the best gift to give and receive as a new mother.  Nursing, if you do it, makes you so hungry for good homemade food but you have no time to cook!  Remember, that while taking care of a newborn, please have someone there to take care of you!  Giving birth is no easy feet.  There is medicine to take around the clock until you are better (at least tyl and ibupro.fen).  There is a routine to maintain everytime you go to the bathroom (which is a lot!).  I had a small episotomy and I don't know what is specific to that but I had to line heavy pads with tu.cks pads and spray the area with a numbing spray and rinse with a water bottle... You are extra hungry and thirsty if nursing, not to mention tired (I average about four hours of sleep each day right now and that is broken into two to three different chunks!).  There is laundry...you get the picture.  Baby isn't the only patient in the hospital being taken care of and you need care once you go home too.  Take it as easy as possible and remind yourself that the first week home is the hardest and it isn't always that hard.

8. Pillows to build up around you if nursing so baby comes to you and not you to baby (which will hurt your back!)  I love my boppy pillow and use it for tons of things.

A new item I have learned the value of is:

9. Me.dela or Lan.sinoh Hydrogel pads (called soothies in some brands) and a tube of lanolin for sore nipples when nursing begins (which stains shirts so be aware!).  The cooling pads I just discovered and they are amazing!  Nursing hurts, even if youa re doing it right, in the beginning. A good rule of thumb is that if you have them latched on well, it should stop hurting in about 20 seconds so just take a deep breath and say a Hail Mary!

I hope this helps out to hear this and know what to expect.  I am looking forward to hearing all the birth stories of new moms and what items you find you can't live without. 

P.S. Email me if you want my little chart I made that helps me document feeding times, side, amount of wet and bm diapers, etc.  It really helps to know what they are doing so you can talk to the doctor about progress, concerns, and start to get a feel for you little one.

Is he a proud new brother or what?!  His enthusiasm is so amazing to see!