11.17.2010

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!



23 comments:

Karen said...

Thank you so much for taking the time to post this! Everyone has been telling me not to bother with the newborn outfits because they grow so fast. However you confirmed what I was thinking. Every newborn I've encountered pees through everything. Who wants to be doing laundry every single day when they are sleep deprived? Not this girl!

BTW. Your boys are just adorable!

Chasing said...

Don't want to bum you out or anything, but the sleep positioners were recalled. Sorry :-( Just thought you would like to know.
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm227575.htm

Sew said...

Seriously, is Charlie the happiest child on the block! I'm thinking that is a good thing to keep you moving through the sleep deprivation.....

Everything else, I'm winging! hahahahaha

I had a brother and a nephew die of sids...I'm not convinced it can be prevented....

Lauren @ Magnify the Lord with Me said...

SO PRECIOUS!!!!! Glad to hear you're settling in so well!!!!

Karey said...

Oh my goodness, thank you for this! You totally made me realize that we are WAY understocked on newborn clothes/pajamas. Not sure what I was thinking (although Clara never, ever peed through things, so maybe that's what I was thinking? Still no excuse for having only 3 outfits and 2 pajamas! Ahh!). Now if I could just go to the store.. Good thing I have help on the way.

And your boys are SO cute!!

By the way, I didn't get an email from you yet. Did you send it to allyouwhohope?

Second Chances said...

I have to agree, get lots of newborn outfits! They need them. And the soothing nipple cream is very nice too.

And yes, the positioners are a no-no now. I bought one and then returned it because they're not recommended anymore. Who can keep up?! And my doc told me to swaddle him below the shoulders so that the fabric isn't near his face.

Gosh, your boys are so adorable! Love Charlie's proud big brother smiles!

Second Chances said...

Oh, and you can put a thin pillow or towel under one side of the mattress to prop it up if you want. We did that for awhile in the beginning. Don't make the mistake we made of putting him too high up and then he rolled down to the other side of the crib! Not good.

Oh, and Childrens place has great footed zipper jammies with the snap over the zipper. I love those! You're right, they're the best!

Oh, and Dominic has the same crib sheet as your AJ!

Sew said...

how many outfits do I need? I have those gown things....

Second Chances said...

Those gowns are great too! I would say plan on them wearing at least 2-3 per day, so if you do laundry every 3 days, that's at least 9 outfits. I just noticed children's place has them on sale for like $6! They're called stretchies.

Joy Beyond the Cross said...

I love the list. I hope I can get to use it someday! The pics are amazing - both boys look so cute. Congratulations! :)

Kaitlin @ More Like Mary said...

Thanks for this post! He's adorable!

E said...

So happy for you!! Congrats!! Two beautiful babes! God is good. I also love the positer, Ella still uses it!

Leila@LittleCatholicBubble said...

Holey moley, I just used a sleep positioner for my baby just a few months ago! They are already recalled? Such a quick turn of events.

I am so glad you are swaddling! The Miracle Blanket is my one true love (besides Dean)!

some how, some way, some day said...

Your boys are so adorable! Glad to see you are doing well, if tired. My friend folds the diaper down in front (inside) and that has helped her son from wetting through everything. Personally, I have no experience with NB diapers but I know it worked for her. Thanks for the list! Hoping to need it soon!

WheelbarrowRider said...

Thanks, evceryone! I loved hearing your additions and obviously, no, I had no idea the positioners were recalled so THANK YOU! Sew, I agree that they know very little re SIDs. I am so sorry to hear ab out your family members. I think gowns are good b/c easy to change as well, but I don't own any. I go with thick pj and thin swaddle or thin pj and thick swaddle. Amy said girls pee out less than boys, I guess I have no experience so that didn't occur to me. :)

Amazing Life said...

I loved this post and just now making the time to let you know that I appreciate all of the reminders of what I knew was important and what I desperately want at the shower! We need more zipper nb sleepers so I hope that is something we receive. I do have a few and we have lots of baby gowns. Praise God!!

I really love the idea of the positioner - so rotten about the recall.

Thanks for the reminder of them peeing through many outfits, I guess I was in a bit of denial about that one :)

Thankfully, Leila sent us a miracle blanket. I have a feeling I might need to order another one!!

Brenda said...

Man, you are RIGHT about the Gerber stuff already being small, then shrinking really bad!

I'm about to do this a second time....I need more on your list to remind me!

I did get a Miracle Blanket this go round. I gave up on swaddling b/c I had crappy receiving blankets that just didn't do the job.

And I LOVE the Lansinoh ointment so I'll have to check out the soothies too. That stuff was a mess, but a lifesaver!

And I stocked up my freezer this time too:)

They are so cute! Enjoy and good sleeping to you!

Beth said...

I'm trying a miracle blanket this time too!

I don't recall John Paul ever peeing through anything! I think I only have a few newborn outfits... but we have several gowns and stuff. I may be sending Ken to the store when he's born, you never know ;)

He is so sweet and Charlie looks SO happy! It just gets better too! :)

Awaiting a Child of God:) said...

Thanks for this! I have a folder on my comp called "Baby stuff" and am saving this post. I'm hoping to go back and be able to read through it one day!

mrsblondies said...

Thanks for all the hints. The pictures of Charlie and Anthony are adorable.

Angela said...

Oh boy, the pictures are just adorable! And I love the little bear outfit! But let me just ask a question on #4 since this baby will be my first experience with a boy baby :) You really have to umm..."position" them down below when you are putting on a diaper so they don't pee out??? I had no idea! These are important things to know! :) I'm gonna need all your baby boy tips!

Percolating Petals said...

Belated congrats!! And our babies have the same exact birthday!! How cool is that??

Ditto for the newborn sleepers. We had to make a Ta.rget run because the 0-3 size was too big.

tge said...

I am bookmarking this in my baby folder! Seriously, you can't get better advice than this.