Wow, I wish someone would have told me...

[Keepercjr]

- Write up a birth plan and discuss it with your OB before you go into labor. Take copies with you to the hospital

- Take chapstick in your hospital bag

- You can REFUSE any procedure they want to do on you or your newborn - it is your right

- don't be bullied into an induction or c-section - let your baby come when they're ready

- Even if your hospital has a no food policy - if you want to eat, eat. I did even though I got a lecture from the nurse (it was a measly banana!)

- Going along with the above (no food policy) when you go into labor, eat a healthy easily digestible meal at home right before going to the hospital

- Want to repeat from PP - stay home AS LONG AS POSSIBLE. The longer you stay home the less you will have to fight for what you want (or don't want) done

- I agree - definitely cosleep

- say NO to an episiotomy unless it is a medical emergency to get the baby out ASAP

- Hire a DOULA - she may be the best investment you make

- Push on your hands and kness or squatting - it opens up your pelvic outlet up to 30% more than lying on your back

- Do your research before you go into labor about the risks and benefits to common interventions such as epidurals and narcotic pain relief. The hospital's idea of informed consent IS NOT informed consent. And I mean really research it.

- Only push when you want - ask them not to "count to 10" or scream "PUSH!" at you.

- Tell the staff that you want some uninterrupted time with your newborn as soon as they are born. They can do their stuff (like bath) later.

- If your baby needs to warm up, do it on your bare chest with a blanket over the 2 of you.

- Low blood sugar babies should nurse right away to avoid a bottle of sugar water. Colostrum is just fine for bringing up blood sugar

- Don't let them take your newborn from your sight at all

- Tell them NO BOTTLES

- Decline the Hep B vaccine in the hospital - your newborn is not going to contract Hep B and if you really want them to have the shot, do it when they're older

- Also decline the Vit K shot - babies are born with low levels of Vit K for a reason. If you really want them to have vit K ask for the oral doses.

- Ask to see a LC ASAP after baby is born. Don't just trust the advice of the nurses. The "breastfeeding friendly" advice my cousin got was to give her baby a bottle which ultimately sabotaged her dream of exclusively breastfeeding her daughter (she nursed her till over 2 but always supplemented - her confidence was shot)

- Don't be a superwoman - do nothing but take care of your baby the first few weeks. All I did was nurse, eat and sleep and I loved it.

- Get a sling! I didn't want to put my son down at all and the sling made this possible by still being able to hold him while we were out. He got the benefits of being held all the time and I got to carry him hands free and breastfeed him on the go.

- Do some research and get a GOOD sling (probably will have to buy it online). The slings they sell in target and babies R us SUCK! (except that some targets are now selling hotslings and those are good slings).

- Skip a baby bjorn. You'll find they're uncomfortable once baby gets a little bigger and if you do some research online you'll see that they're not good for a baby's developing spine

- Throw away or donate ALL of the free formula that was sent or given to you before your baby arrives. You don't want that temptation sitting there in the house calling your name at 3 am when you're having a rough night.

- get a manual hand pump before baby arrives so you can relieve some of the engorgement you may experience when your milk comes in. Only express enough to get you comfortable or to let baby latch on better.

- Breastfeeding every hour or even more frequently is normal. Don't buy into the thought process of "she just ate 30 minutes ago, she can't possibly be hungry again".

- It is OK to nurse, rock, cuddle, etc, to sleep and don't let anyone tell you that you are creating a bad habit. Smoking is a bad habit. Nursing to sleep is not.

- DON'T READ BABYWISE - that book (and the author) is dangerous and bad, bad, bad. Look up www.ezzo.info if you don't believe me

- Educate yourself about all the vaccines they want to give your baby - you have the right to decline any of them or delay them till your baby/child is older.

 

[Keepercjr]

- Write up a birth plan and discuss it with your OB before you go into labor. Take copies with you to the hospital

- Take chapstick in your hospital bag

- You can REFUSE any procedure they want to do on you or your newborn - it is your right

- don't be bullied into an induction or c-section - let your baby come when they're ready

- Even if your hospital has a no food policy - if you want to eat, eat. I did even though I got a lecture from the nurse (it was a measly banana!)

- Going along with the above (no food policy) when you go into labor, eat a healthy easily digestible meal at home right before going to the hospital

- Want to repeat from PP - stay home AS LONG AS POSSIBLE. The longer you stay home the less you will have to fight for what you want (or don't want) done

- I agree - definitely cosleep

- say NO to an episiotomy unless it is a medical emergency to get the baby out ASAP

- Hire a DOULA - she may be the best investment you make

- Push on your hands and kness or squatting - it opens up your pelvic outlet up to 30% more than lying on your back

- Do your research before you go into labor about the risks and benefits to common interventions such as epidurals and narcotic pain relief. The hospital's idea of informed consent IS NOT informed consent. And I mean really research it.

- Only push when you want - ask them not to "count to 10" or scream "PUSH!" at you.

- Tell the staff that you want some uninterrupted time with your newborn as soon as they are born. They can do their stuff (like bath) later.

- If your baby needs to warm up, do it on your bare chest with a blanket over the 2 of you.

- Low blood sugar babies should nurse right away to avoid a bottle of sugar water. Colostrum is just fine for bringing up blood sugar

- Don't let them take your newborn from your sight at all

- Tell them NO BOTTLES

- Decline the Hep B vaccine in the hospital - your newborn is not going to contract Hep B and if you really want them to have the shot, do it when they're older

- Also decline the Vit K shot - babies are born with low levels of Vit K for a reason. If you really want them to have vit K ask for the oral doses.

- Ask to see a LC ASAP after baby is born. Don't just trust the advice of the nurses. The "breastfeeding friendly" advice my cousin got was to give her baby a bottle which ultimately sabotaged her dream of exclusively breastfeeding her daughter (she nursed her till over 2 but always supplemented - her confidence was shot)

- Don't be a superwoman - do nothing but take care of your baby the first few weeks. All I did was nurse, eat and sleep and I loved it.

- Get a sling! I didn't want to put my son down at all and the sling made this possible by still being able to hold him while we were out. He got the benefits of being held all the time and I got to carry him hands free and breastfeed him on the go.

- Do some research and get a GOOD sling (probably will have to buy it online). The slings they sell in target and babies R us SUCK! (except that some targets are now selling hotslings and those are good slings).

- Skip a baby bjorn. You'll find they're uncomfortable once baby gets a little bigger and if you do some research online you'll see that they're not good for a baby's developing spine

- Throw away or donate ALL of the free formula that was sent or given to you before your baby arrives. You don't want that temptation sitting there in the house calling your name at 3 am when you're having a rough night.

- get a manual hand pump before baby arrives so you can relieve some of the engorgement you may experience when your milk comes in. Only express enough to get you comfortable or to let baby latch on better.

- Breastfeeding every hour or even more frequently is normal. Don't buy into the thought process of "she just ate 30 minutes ago, she can't possibly be hungry again".

- It is OK to nurse, rock, cuddle, etc, to sleep and don't let anyone tell you that you are creating a bad habit. Smoking is a bad habit. Nursing to sleep is not.

- DON'T READ BABYWISE - that book (and the author) is dangerous and bad, bad, bad. Look up www.ezzo.info if you don't believe me

- Educate yourself about all the vaccines they want to give your baby - you have the right to decline any of them or delay them till your baby/child is older.

 

[Keepercjr]

- Write up a birth plan and discuss it with your OB before you go into labor. Take copies with you to the hospital

- Take chapstick in your hospital bag

- You can REFUSE any procedure they want to do on you or your newborn - it is your right

- don't be bullied into an induction or c-section - let your baby come when they're ready

- Even if your hospital has a no food policy - if you want to eat, eat. I did even though I got a lecture from the nurse (it was a measly banana!)

- Going along with the above (no food policy) when you go into labor, eat a healthy easily digestible meal at home right before going to the hospital

- Want to repeat from PP - stay home AS LONG AS POSSIBLE. The longer you stay home the less you will have to fight for what you want (or don't want) done

- I agree - definitely cosleep

- say NO to an episiotomy unless it is a medical emergency to get the baby out ASAP

- Hire a DOULA - she may be the best investment you make

- Push on your hands and kness or squatting - it opens up your pelvic outlet up to 30% more than lying on your back

- Do your research before you go into labor about the risks and benefits to common interventions such as epidurals and narcotic pain relief. The hospital's idea of informed consent IS NOT informed consent. And I mean really research it.

- Only push when you want - ask them not to "count to 10" or scream "PUSH!" at you.

- Tell the staff that you want some uninterrupted time with your newborn as soon as they are born. They can do their stuff (like bath) later.

- If your baby needs to warm up, do it on your bare chest with a blanket over the 2 of you.

- Low blood sugar babies should nurse right away to avoid a bottle of sugar water. Colostrum is just fine for bringing up blood sugar

- Don't let them take your newborn from your sight at all

- Tell them NO BOTTLES

- Decline the Hep B vaccine in the hospital - your newborn is not going to contract Hep B and if you really want them to have the shot, do it when they're older

- Also decline the Vit K shot - babies are born with low levels of Vit K for a reason. If you really want them to have vit K ask for the oral doses.

- Ask to see a LC ASAP after baby is born. Don't just trust the advice of the nurses. The "breastfeeding friendly" advice my cousin got was to give her baby a bottle which ultimately sabotaged her dream of exclusively breastfeeding her daughter (she nursed her till over 2 but always supplemented - her confidence was shot)

- Don't be a superwoman - do nothing but take care of your baby the first few weeks. All I did was nurse, eat and sleep and I loved it.

- Get a sling! I didn't want to put my son down at all and the sling made this possible by still being able to hold him while we were out. He got the benefits of being held all the time and I got to carry him hands free and breastfeed him on the go.

- Do some research and get a GOOD sling (probably will have to buy it online). The slings they sell in target and babies R us SUCK! (except that some targets are now selling hotslings and those are good slings).

- Skip a baby bjorn. You'll find they're uncomfortable once baby gets a little bigger and if you do some research online you'll see that they're not good for a baby's developing spine

- Throw away or donate ALL of the free formula that was sent or given to you before your baby arrives. You don't want that temptation sitting there in the house calling your name at 3 am when you're having a rough night.

- get a manual hand pump before baby arrives so you can relieve some of the engorgement you may experience when your milk comes in. Only express enough to get you comfortable or to let baby latch on better.

- Breastfeeding every hour or even more frequently is normal. Don't buy into the thought process of "she just ate 30 minutes ago, she can't possibly be hungry again".

- It is OK to nurse, rock, cuddle, etc, to sleep and don't let anyone tell you that you are creating a bad habit. Smoking is a bad habit. Nursing to sleep is not.

- DON'T READ BABYWISE - that book (and the author) is dangerous and bad, bad, bad. Look up www.ezzo.info if you don't believe me

- Educate yourself about all the vaccines they want to give your baby - you have the right to decline any of them or delay them till your baby/child is older.

 

[Keepercjr]

- Write up a birth plan and discuss it with your OB before you go into labor. Take copies with you to the hospital

- Take chapstick in your hospital bag

- You can REFUSE any procedure they want to do on you or your newborn - it is your right

- don't be bullied into an induction or c-section - let your baby come when they're ready

- Even if your hospital has a no food policy - if you want to eat, eat. I did even though I got a lecture from the nurse (it was a measly banana!)

- Going along with the above (no food policy) when you go into labor, eat a healthy easily digestible meal at home right before going to the hospital

- Want to repeat from PP - stay home AS LONG AS POSSIBLE. The longer you stay home the less you will have to fight for what you want (or don't want) done

- I agree - definitely cosleep

- say NO to an episiotomy unless it is a medical emergency to get the baby out ASAP

- Hire a DOULA - she may be the best investment you make

- Push on your hands and kness or squatting - it opens up your pelvic outlet up to 30% more than lying on your back

- Do your research before you go into labor about the risks and benefits to common interventions such as epidurals and narcotic pain relief. The hospital's idea of informed consent IS NOT informed consent. And I mean really research it.

- Only push when you want - ask them not to "count to 10" or scream "PUSH!" at you.

- Tell the staff that you want some uninterrupted time with your newborn as soon as they are born. They can do their stuff (like bath) later.

- If your baby needs to warm up, do it on your bare chest with a blanket over the 2 of you.

- Low blood sugar babies should nurse right away to avoid a bottle of sugar water. Colostrum is just fine for bringing up blood sugar

- Don't let them take your newborn from your sight at all

- Tell them NO BOTTLES

- Decline the Hep B vaccine in the hospital - your newborn is not going to contract Hep B and if you really want them to have the shot, do it when they're older

- Also decline the Vit K shot - babies are born with low levels of Vit K for a reason. If you really want them to have vit K ask for the oral doses.

- Ask to see a LC ASAP after baby is born. Don't just trust the advice of the nurses. The "breastfeeding friendly" advice my cousin got was to give her baby a bottle which ultimately sabotaged her dream of exclusively breastfeeding her daughter (she nursed her till over 2 but always supplemented - her confidence was shot)

- Don't be a superwoman - do nothing but take care of your baby the first few weeks. All I did was nurse, eat and sleep and I loved it.

- Get a sling! I didn't want to put my son down at all and the sling made this possible by still being able to hold him while we were out. He got the benefits of being held all the time and I got to carry him hands free and breastfeed him on the go.

- Do some research and get a GOOD sling (probably will have to buy it online). The slings they sell in target and babies R us SUCK! (except that some targets are now selling hotslings and those are good slings).

- Skip a baby bjorn. You'll find they're uncomfortable once baby gets a little bigger and if you do some research online you'll see that they're not good for a baby's developing spine

- Throw away or donate ALL of the free formula that was sent or given to you before your baby arrives. You don't want that temptation sitting there in the house calling your name at 3 am when you're having a rough night.

- get a manual hand pump before baby arrives so you can relieve some of the engorgement you may experience when your milk comes in. Only express enough to get you comfortable or to let baby latch on better.

- Breastfeeding every hour or even more frequently is normal. Don't buy into the thought process of "she just ate 30 minutes ago, she can't possibly be hungry again".

- It is OK to nurse, rock, cuddle, etc, to sleep and don't let anyone tell you that you are creating a bad habit. Smoking is a bad habit. Nursing to sleep is not.

- DON'T READ BABYWISE - that book (and the author) is dangerous and bad, bad, bad. Look up www.ezzo.info if you don't believe me

- Educate yourself about all the vaccines they want to give your baby - you have the right to decline any of them or delay them till your baby/child is older.

 

[Keepercjr]

- Write up a birth plan and discuss it with your OB before you go into labor. Take copies with you to the hospital

- Take chapstick in your hospital bag

- You can REFUSE any procedure they want to do on you or your newborn - it is your right

- don't be bullied into an induction or c-section - let your baby come when they're ready

- Even if your hospital has a no food policy - if you want to eat, eat. I did even though I got a lecture from the nurse (it was a measly banana!)

- Going along with the above (no food policy) when you go into labor, eat a healthy easily digestible meal at home right before going to the hospital

- Want to repeat from PP - stay home AS LONG AS POSSIBLE. The longer you stay home the less you will have to fight for what you want (or don't want) done

- I agree - definitely cosleep

- say NO to an episiotomy unless it is a medical emergency to get the baby out ASAP

- Hire a DOULA - she may be the best investment you make

- Push on your hands and kness or squatting - it opens up your pelvic outlet up to 30% more than lying on your back

- Do your research before you go into labor about the risks and benefits to common interventions such as epidurals and narcotic pain relief. The hospital's idea of informed consent IS NOT informed consent. And I mean really research it.

- Only push when you want - ask them not to "count to 10" or scream "PUSH!" at you.

- Tell the staff that you want some uninterrupted time with your newborn as soon as they are born. They can do their stuff (like bath) later.

- If your baby needs to warm up, do it on your bare chest with a blanket over the 2 of you.

- Low blood sugar babies should nurse right away to avoid a bottle of sugar water. Colostrum is just fine for bringing up blood sugar

- Don't let them take your newborn from your sight at all

- Tell them NO BOTTLES

- Decline the Hep B vaccine in the hospital - your newborn is not going to contract Hep B and if you really want them to have the shot, do it when they're older

- Also decline the Vit K shot - babies are born with low levels of Vit K for a reason. If you really want them to have vit K ask for the oral doses.

- Ask to see a LC ASAP after baby is born. Don't just trust the advice of the nurses. The "breastfeeding friendly" advice my cousin got was to give her baby a bottle which ultimately sabotaged her dream of exclusively breastfeeding her daughter (she nursed her till over 2 but always supplemented - her confidence was shot)

- Don't be a superwoman - do nothing but take care of your baby the first few weeks. All I did was nurse, eat and sleep and I loved it.

- Get a sling! I didn't want to put my son down at all and the sling made this possible by still being able to hold him while we were out. He got the benefits of being held all the time and I got to carry him hands free and breastfeed him on the go.

- Do some research and get a GOOD sling (probably will have to buy it online). The slings they sell in target and babies R us SUCK! (except that some targets are now selling hotslings and those are good slings).

- Skip a baby bjorn. You'll find they're uncomfortable once baby gets a little bigger and if you do some research online you'll see that they're not good for a baby's developing spine

- Throw away or donate ALL of the free formula that was sent or given to you before your baby arrives. You don't want that temptation sitting there in the house calling your name at 3 am when you're having a rough night.

- get a manual hand pump before baby arrives so you can relieve some of the engorgement you may experience when your milk comes in. Only express enough to get you comfortable or to let baby latch on better.

- Breastfeeding every hour or even more frequently is normal. Don't buy into the thought process of "she just ate 30 minutes ago, she can't possibly be hungry again".

- It is OK to nurse, rock, cuddle, etc, to sleep and don't let anyone tell you that you are creating a bad habit. Smoking is a bad habit. Nursing to sleep is not.

- DON'T READ BABYWISE - that book (and the author) is dangerous and bad, bad, bad. Look up www.ezzo.info if you don't believe me

- Educate yourself about all the vaccines they want to give your baby - you have the right to decline any of them or delay them till your baby/child is older.

 

[wanderlost]

oh Caroline reminded me: askdrsears.com is the place for late night worries. Dr. Sears in the shiznit <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">

 

[wanderlost]

oh Caroline reminded me: askdrsears.com is the place for late night worries. Dr. Sears in the shiznit <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">

 

[wanderlost]

oh Caroline reminded me: askdrsears.com is the place for late night worries. Dr. Sears in the shiznit <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">

 

[wanderlost]

oh Caroline reminded me: askdrsears.com is the place for late night worries. Dr. Sears in the shiznit <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">

 

[wanderlost]

oh Caroline reminded me: askdrsears.com is the place for late night worries. Dr. Sears in the shiznit <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">

 

[tara]

* Don't feel guilty about supplementing with formula. Not every woman feels the need to breastfeed 100% and that's OK!

* Breastfeeding decreases natural vaginal lubrication. Stock up on the lube for postpartum sex. I couldn't have sex comfortably for 6 months without the lube (that's how long I breastfed) I actually went back to the OB 8 weeks postpartum to have him check things out down there for me, as I was sure something was wrong. And I had a c-section, so nothing got stretched or torn. It was just lack of lube, but that was new to me.

*Know when you want to wean breastfeeding, and plan in advance. I discountinued one feeding every week, so it took 8 weeks to stop completely. I had zero discomfort with this method and never leaked after the last feeding.

* Don't be afraid to ask for help. The offers may pour in, and instead of having someone hold baby for you, have your family do your laundry, cook, clean, run errands. Make a list of your favorite brands of foods and weekly grocery shopping keep it on the kitchen counter. That way when someone comes for a visit and asks what they can do to help, hand them the list.

*Have photos taken as a family, and especially with mom and baby(ies). I know I'm always behind the camera, so I missed out on being in a lot of photos with the babies.

*Enjoy, Enjoy, Enjoy this time with your newborn. Keep a journal and write down your daily routines as it will all become a blur weeks/months/years later. And it changes so fast!

*If you're using formula, don't be afraid to ask for samples at your OB's office, at the hospital and at the pediatrician's office. These small cans are also great for the diaper bag. Formula is expensive and I found many of the generic brands are IDENTICAL, just a different label. (Wal Mart, Target, Bright Beginnings and Home Best are all the same. I'm sure there's more. But I found out of these 4 "brands" Wal Mart was cheapest.)

I know there's more. But that's a good start. Great thread!

 

[tara]

* Don't feel guilty about supplementing with formula. Not every woman feels the need to breastfeed 100% and that's OK!

* Breastfeeding decreases natural vaginal lubrication. Stock up on the lube for postpartum sex. I couldn't have sex comfortably for 6 months without the lube (that's how long I breastfed) I actually went back to the OB 8 weeks postpartum to have him check things out down there for me, as I was sure something was wrong. And I had a c-section, so nothing got stretched or torn. It was just lack of lube, but that was new to me.

*Know when you want to wean breastfeeding, and plan in advance. I discountinued one feeding every week, so it took 8 weeks to stop completely. I had zero discomfort with this method and never leaked after the last feeding.

* Don't be afraid to ask for help. The offers may pour in, and instead of having someone hold baby for you, have your family do your laundry, cook, clean, run errands. Make a list of your favorite brands of foods and weekly grocery shopping keep it on the kitchen counter. That way when someone comes for a visit and asks what they can do to help, hand them the list.

*Have photos taken as a family, and especially with mom and baby(ies). I know I'm always behind the camera, so I missed out on being in a lot of photos with the babies.

*Enjoy, Enjoy, Enjoy this time with your newborn. Keep a journal and write down your daily routines as it will all become a blur weeks/months/years later. And it changes so fast!

*If you're using formula, don't be afraid to ask for samples at your OB's office, at the hospital and at the pediatrician's office. These small cans are also great for the diaper bag. Formula is expensive and I found many of the generic brands are IDENTICAL, just a different label. (Wal Mart, Target, Bright Beginnings and Home Best are all the same. I'm sure there's more. But I found out of these 4 "brands" Wal Mart was cheapest.)

I know there's more. But that's a good start. Great thread!

 

[tara]

* Don't feel guilty about supplementing with formula. Not every woman feels the need to breastfeed 100% and that's OK!

* Breastfeeding decreases natural vaginal lubrication. Stock up on the lube for postpartum sex. I couldn't have sex comfortably for 6 months without the lube (that's how long I breastfed) I actually went back to the OB 8 weeks postpartum to have him check things out down there for me, as I was sure something was wrong. And I had a c-section, so nothing got stretched or torn. It was just lack of lube, but that was new to me.

*Know when you want to wean breastfeeding, and plan in advance. I discountinued one feeding every week, so it took 8 weeks to stop completely. I had zero discomfort with this method and never leaked after the last feeding.

* Don't be afraid to ask for help. The offers may pour in, and instead of having someone hold baby for you, have your family do your laundry, cook, clean, run errands. Make a list of your favorite brands of foods and weekly grocery shopping keep it on the kitchen counter. That way when someone comes for a visit and asks what they can do to help, hand them the list.

*Have photos taken as a family, and especially with mom and baby(ies). I know I'm always behind the camera, so I missed out on being in a lot of photos with the babies.

*Enjoy, Enjoy, Enjoy this time with your newborn. Keep a journal and write down your daily routines as it will all become a blur weeks/months/years later. And it changes so fast!

*If you're using formula, don't be afraid to ask for samples at your OB's office, at the hospital and at the pediatrician's office. These small cans are also great for the diaper bag. Formula is expensive and I found many of the generic brands are IDENTICAL, just a different label. (Wal Mart, Target, Bright Beginnings and Home Best are all the same. I'm sure there's more. But I found out of these 4 "brands" Wal Mart was cheapest.)

I know there's more. But that's a good start. Great thread!

 

[tara]

* Don't feel guilty about supplementing with formula. Not every woman feels the need to breastfeed 100% and that's OK!

* Breastfeeding decreases natural vaginal lubrication. Stock up on the lube for postpartum sex. I couldn't have sex comfortably for 6 months without the lube (that's how long I breastfed) I actually went back to the OB 8 weeks postpartum to have him check things out down there for me, as I was sure something was wrong. And I had a c-section, so nothing got stretched or torn. It was just lack of lube, but that was new to me.

*Know when you want to wean breastfeeding, and plan in advance. I discountinued one feeding every week, so it took 8 weeks to stop completely. I had zero discomfort with this method and never leaked after the last feeding.

* Don't be afraid to ask for help. The offers may pour in, and instead of having someone hold baby for you, have your family do your laundry, cook, clean, run errands. Make a list of your favorite brands of foods and weekly grocery shopping keep it on the kitchen counter. That way when someone comes for a visit and asks what they can do to help, hand them the list.

*Have photos taken as a family, and especially with mom and baby(ies). I know I'm always behind the camera, so I missed out on being in a lot of photos with the babies.

*Enjoy, Enjoy, Enjoy this time with your newborn. Keep a journal and write down your daily routines as it will all become a blur weeks/months/years later. And it changes so fast!

*If you're using formula, don't be afraid to ask for samples at your OB's office, at the hospital and at the pediatrician's office. These small cans are also great for the diaper bag. Formula is expensive and I found many of the generic brands are IDENTICAL, just a different label. (Wal Mart, Target, Bright Beginnings and Home Best are all the same. I'm sure there's more. But I found out of these 4 "brands" Wal Mart was cheapest.)

I know there's more. But that's a good start. Great thread!

 

[tara]

* Don't feel guilty about supplementing with formula. Not every woman feels the need to breastfeed 100% and that's OK!

* Breastfeeding decreases natural vaginal lubrication. Stock up on the lube for postpartum sex. I couldn't have sex comfortably for 6 months without the lube (that's how long I breastfed) I actually went back to the OB 8 weeks postpartum to have him check things out down there for me, as I was sure something was wrong. And I had a c-section, so nothing got stretched or torn. It was just lack of lube, but that was new to me.

*Know when you want to wean breastfeeding, and plan in advance. I discountinued one feeding every week, so it took 8 weeks to stop completely. I had zero discomfort with this method and never leaked after the last feeding.

* Don't be afraid to ask for help. The offers may pour in, and instead of having someone hold baby for you, have your family do your laundry, cook, clean, run errands. Make a list of your favorite brands of foods and weekly grocery shopping keep it on the kitchen counter. That way when someone comes for a visit and asks what they can do to help, hand them the list.

*Have photos taken as a family, and especially with mom and baby(ies). I know I'm always behind the camera, so I missed out on being in a lot of photos with the babies.

*Enjoy, Enjoy, Enjoy this time with your newborn. Keep a journal and write down your daily routines as it will all become a blur weeks/months/years later. And it changes so fast!

*If you're using formula, don't be afraid to ask for samples at your OB's office, at the hospital and at the pediatrician's office. These small cans are also great for the diaper bag. Formula is expensive and I found many of the generic brands are IDENTICAL, just a different label. (Wal Mart, Target, Bright Beginnings and Home Best are all the same. I'm sure there's more. But I found out of these 4 "brands" Wal Mart was cheapest.)

I know there's more. But that's a good start. Great thread!

 

[Ratatosk]

Require all people who want to hold the baby to wash their hands. May seem silly and a common sense issue you just never know. People visiting at the hospital probably touched elevator buttons, door knobs, handrails... Ditto with people coming to your home who may have stopped off at the store, etc. before coming over to visit.

Also, I'd assumed from reading all the literature from the doctor's office that I'd be able to wander around while in labor. Unfortunately, I had to have internal monitors -- and don't ask me WHY because there was a real lack of communication assume it was because when my water broke it was tinted green and they thought DS stooled in the womb --- so a trip to the bathroom was a major production.

 

[Ratatosk]

Require all people who want to hold the baby to wash their hands. May seem silly and a common sense issue you just never know. People visiting at the hospital probably touched elevator buttons, door knobs, handrails... Ditto with people coming to your home who may have stopped off at the store, etc. before coming over to visit.

Also, I'd assumed from reading all the literature from the doctor's office that I'd be able to wander around while in labor. Unfortunately, I had to have internal monitors -- and don't ask me WHY because there was a real lack of communication assume it was because when my water broke it was tinted green and they thought DS stooled in the womb --- so a trip to the bathroom was a major production.

 

[Ratatosk]

Require all people who want to hold the baby to wash their hands. May seem silly and a common sense issue you just never know. People visiting at the hospital probably touched elevator buttons, door knobs, handrails... Ditto with people coming to your home who may have stopped off at the store, etc. before coming over to visit.

Also, I'd assumed from reading all the literature from the doctor's office that I'd be able to wander around while in labor. Unfortunately, I had to have internal monitors -- and don't ask me WHY because there was a real lack of communication assume it was because when my water broke it was tinted green and they thought DS stooled in the womb --- so a trip to the bathroom was a major production.

 

[Ratatosk]

Require all people who want to hold the baby to wash their hands. May seem silly and a common sense issue you just never know. People visiting at the hospital probably touched elevator buttons, door knobs, handrails... Ditto with people coming to your home who may have stopped off at the store, etc. before coming over to visit.

Also, I'd assumed from reading all the literature from the doctor's office that I'd be able to wander around while in labor. Unfortunately, I had to have internal monitors -- and don't ask me WHY because there was a real lack of communication assume it was because when my water broke it was tinted green and they thought DS stooled in the womb --- so a trip to the bathroom was a major production.

 

[Ratatosk]

Require all people who want to hold the baby to wash their hands. May seem silly and a common sense issue you just never know. People visiting at the hospital probably touched elevator buttons, door knobs, handrails... Ditto with people coming to your home who may have stopped off at the store, etc. before coming over to visit.

Also, I'd assumed from reading all the literature from the doctor's office that I'd be able to wander around while in labor. Unfortunately, I had to have internal monitors -- and don't ask me WHY because there was a real lack of communication assume it was because when my water broke it was tinted green and they thought DS stooled in the womb --- so a trip to the bathroom was a major production.