All things baby

[sammysam]

OK, so, being a planner...if you're a STM+ what do you plan on doing the same/differently with this one?

Any baby gear you loved and would use again? Anything you hated?

For all FTMs...what do you plan on doing with baby? What are you determined not to do?

Also, any gear you're eyeing or that you already have?

Let's talk babies!!!!

[strawberrykiki]

My hubby works from home but I don’t think he can work and take care of the baby so we will probably be looking into daycare. This is our first baby and we have no idea what we need!! lol I’m a little superstitious about looking at any baby stuff at this point although I can’t wait to!!

[k]

my favorite baby item is our Dohm sound machine. We already have 3 🙈, guess I need to add one of those to the registry.

I also love halo sleep swaddles, triple paste, wipe warmer, our double Bob, my solly wrap and Ergo.

[sammysam]

@amc we never swaddled. DD HATED it so we used sleep sacks from her first night out. It worked well for us. And +1 to not using burp clothes.

I love baby wearing. DD hated her stroller and needed to be on me all the time so she lived in her ergo. I bought one this time that doesn't need an infant insert so I'm excited to use it. I loved the insert too (and so did DD) but it could get a little difficult when I was trying to get her into it in a parking lot.

I STILL bed share with DD. I swore before she was born that I would never bedshare...and she was a magical sleeping unicorn for the first 6 months. Then her crib became the devil and the only way I could get even 5 minutes of sleep is if she slept beside me. So this time I'm going to side car the crib. DD and I sleep on a floor bed so hopefully it will work.

We'll breast feed again until baby is done. DD nursed until she was almost 4.

The only things I want (but don't need) are a glider and a new basinette.

[sammysam]

Jun 11, 2018 9:34:44 GMT -6 k said:

my favorite baby item is our Dohm sound machine. We already have 3 🙈, guess I need to add one of those to the registry.

I also love halo sleep swaddles, triple paste, wipe warmer, our double Bob, my solly wrap and Ergo.

What Ergo do you have? I have the original, the 360, and I got a sport one this time that doesn't need an infant insert. Can't remember what it's called. We used it almost 24 hours a day which is the only reason we have so many:P

[sammysam]

strawberrykiki I totally get it. I'm not buying anything for baby until we pass 24 weeks. But I'll definitely be planning;)

[k]

Jun 11, 2018 10:10:09 GMT -6 sammysam said:

Jun 11, 2018 9:34:44 GMT -6 k said:

my favorite baby item is our Dohm sound machine. We already have 3 🙈, guess I need to add one of those to the registry.

I also love halo sleep swaddles, triple paste, wipe warmer, our double Bob, my solly wrap and Ergo.

What Ergo do you have? I have the original, the 360, and I got a sport one this time that doesn't need an infant insert. Can't remember what it's called. We used it almost 24 hours a day which is the only reason we have so many:P

I have the original one. I never needed the insert with DS2 bc he was a chunk, and DS1 loved the wrap until he was big enough for the Ergo.

[sammysam]

Jun 11, 2018 10:16:31 GMT -6 k said:

Jun 11, 2018 10:10:09 GMT -6 sammysam said:

What Ergo do you have? I have the original, the 360, and I got a sport one this time that doesn't need an infant insert. Can't remember what it's called. We used it almost 24 hours a day which is the only reason we have so many:P

I have the original one. I never needed the insert with DS2 bc he was a chunk, and DS1 loved the wrap until he was big enough for the Ergo.

I was thinking about trying a wrap this time around at least for the first few months.

[redhead610]

This post has reminded me that I should purchase new burp cloths, ha! Ds2 was a "happy spitter". He spit up massive amounts daily. I think in our worst day, I went through 7 burp cloths. So, kid #3 deserves new ones.

Between #1 and #2 I bought a new diaper bag. Hated my first one but love my current one.

I have both a Boba wrap and an Ergo. I really don't like the wrap. I can never get it to fit right and always feel like my baby is going to fall out. So, a few weeks ago when I saw the Ergo infant insert at BRU for $14 on clearance I bought it.

We will need clothes since my first 2 are july/august babies and all my newborn/3 month stuff is summer.

[sammysam]

redhead610 I hate my diaper bag. I'm happy to take any recs you might have!

[Foxy]

We just moved into a new house a couple months ago and we finally decided which room would be the nursery, I was really upset that future LO wouldn't have a play room but we were able to organize so my office would also function as a play room/ craft room AND guest room if needed. We have a day bed w/ trundle in there. It's a huge weight off my shoulders knowing our kid will have a place other then their room they can play. We're doing the NIPT test on Thursday so I should know my results hopefully in the next week or two and the sex of our baby!!! I can't believe it!

[sammysam]

Foxy So exciting!!!! And I agree...playrooms are so good to have!

[Foxy]

So I'm a FTM and I have zero clue about anything and 100 fears. I'm super excited about this baby and very happy, but the unknown is my worst nightmare. So i'm just going to dive right in.

Can any STMs tell me a few things.

What were you most scared about before becoming a mom and how did it turn out. Expectation vs Reality. Can be anything delivery, the at home part, BF, relationship with spouse, anything you're willing to share.

What is the hardest thing about being a mom and how do you cope?

What do you wish you had known?

What is your favorite thing about being a mom? What can I look forward to?

FTMs tell me what you are nervous about and/or excited about

[redhead610]

Jun 11, 2018 11:37:15 GMT -6 sammysam said:

redhead610 I hate my diaper bag. I'm happy to take any recs you might have!

Mine is Orla Kiely for Target - it looks like they aren't making it anymore 😔

[sammysam]

Jun 11, 2018 12:28:39 GMT -6 redhead610 said:

Jun 11, 2018 11:37:15 GMT -6 sammysam said:

redhead610 I hate my diaper bag. I'm happy to take any recs you might have!

Mine is Orla Kiely for Target - it looks like they aren't making it anymore 😔

I have a nice sized Lacoste purse I use and travelled all through Europe with a few times...it's pretty big and easy to carry so I might just try using that to start:/

[sammysam]

Foxy Such good questions!

I will be back to answer these when I get home;)

[sammysam]

Foxy I'll do this in parts:)

But I'll start with the best first.

When your LO wraps their arms around you and tells you that they love you and you're the best mommy in the whole entire world...Gah. You will melt every time. And just looking at their squishy little faces. I am not a baby person by any stretch of the imagination...but watching a little life that you actually created turn into a little person...nothing beats it. Nothing.

[nikkipal]

I’m a little bit hesitant to answer bc “every baby is different,” but...

I hope BF goes as well as it did with DD. She BF until 2y 3m (I weaned bc I had my tonsils out and wanted to take pain meds), and it went really well overall. I also tended to be very attached, and would watch my baby vs watching the clock.

I can’t bedshare, mostly I don’t even sleep with DH. With DD she was in a PNP and RNP by the bed, and transitioned to the crib at 3m. I hope to sidecar the crib this go round. Also, DD didn’t really STTN until 2, so I hope that goes better.

I loved my Boba 4g SSC, so I’ll probably use that again. I may join the Babywearing group so that I can try other things.

I loved cloth diapers, which I used from 6m, but DH isn’t a huge fan. So we’ll see. I’d actually like to try CD from newborn if I can.

I never got any of those Aden + Anais swaddle blankets that folks loved, so I’ll likely try those.

Also considering a standing board for our stroller, since DD will be almost 5 when this one arrives.

[Foxy]

Jun 11, 2018 13:27:50 GMT -6 sammysam said:

Foxy I'll do this in parts:)

But I'll start with the best first.

When your LO wraps their arms around you and tells you that they love you and you're the best mommy in the whole entire world...Gah. You will melt every time. And just looking at their squishy little faces. I am not a baby person by any stretch of the imagination...but watching a little life that you actually created turn into a little person...nothing beats it. Nothing.

I needed to read this 💕

[dashook]

Jun 11, 2018 12:56:00 GMT -6 sammysam said:

Foxy Such good questions!

I will be back to answer these when I get home;)

+1 Foxy!

[sammysam]

Foxy

OK...so before baby I was only concerned with getting her here safely. Scans are so sensitive now that they will pick up all kinds if things that will freak you out. Don't freak out. 99% of the time the issues resolve themselves by birth.

During birth...manage your expectations. We had an insanely long labour followed by an ECS. There is no better or worse way to birth a child. Do what feels right in the moment and makes sure you and your child are safe and healthy.

After...I found the first 6 months HARD. I am NOT a baby person. And again, manage your expectations. I ended up doing things I never thought I would and not doing things I was positive I would. There is no right way to raise or parent a child. Your way is the right way so never let anyone make you feel bad for decisions you make.

Things I wish I knew:

You bleed just as much after a CS as a vaginal birth
Your milk might not come in right away (especially after a CS...mine took 3 months to come in but then we BF'd almost 4 years...and there is nothing wrong with formula)
You could still throw up all through labour
PPA is real...I had it the entire time I was BFing...it was hard to deal with and my fears were totally irrational
You will be worried 100% of the time...I still check DD at least once every night to make sure she is still breathing
You may not feel a bond with your baby right away...the first thing I thought when I saw DD was "she has so many chins..."
Being an older FTM (I was 34) I found the adjustment to parenthood really hard. And lonely. But I wouldn't trade it for the world.
Your H will not understand 90% of what you are feeling/thinking etc.

Parenting is the hardest and most worthwhile thing I have ever done. Which is the only reason I'm trying to do it again.

[TashaLa]

Foxy these are great questions


What were you most scared about before becoming a mom and how did it turn out. Expectation vs Reality.

I was most afraid of knowing what to do. All of my friends who were moms before me made it look effortless. But it’s amazing how you just have all these instincts when the baby comes (you still second guess everything) You learn about baby and baby learns you and you just become this team!

What is the hardest thing about being a mom and how do you cope?

I still find working mom guilt to be so hard!
I value you the success I’ve achieved at work, yet also always feel like I can and should be more at home.

What do you wish you had known?

That pump flanges come in different sizes. I had bad breakdown issues from a wrong sized flange. It’s got so bad I had to stop nursing/pumping way earlier than I had hoped for. Moral of the story-measure your nips

What is your favorite thing about being a mom? What can I look forward to?
Gosh- it’s just the best. These little humans fill your soul like nothing else! I get so unbelievably excited for FTM, it’s like knowing the secret to the best surprise EVER

[Foxy]

Thank you! 💕💕💕 There are just so many unknowns being a FTM. I have so many questions but at the same time I don't even know what to ask. I'm trying to build a picture in my head of it will be like, this is definitely helping. Thank you thank you thank you

[stayingblonde]

Foxy

What were you most scared about before becoming a mom and how did it turn out. Expectation vs Reality.
I have never felt very maternal, and I was really worried that once he was here I wouldn't actually like being a mom at all and that I would resent him for changing my life in such a huge way. I still don't feel very maternal, but I've found that doesn't matter much. I love being his mom even though I don't feel like "a mom", and that's what matters.

What is the hardest thing about being a mom and how do you cope?
I'm a huge introvert, so, honestly, the hardest part for me is that I don't get the alone time I need to recharge. I'm a teacher and then I come home to this little guy who just wants to play with me and love on me, and it's the best. But it's also so draining to me, and sometimes I feel absolutely ragged because I never get to be by msyself and not talk to anyone. R is a night owl and we actually have the same bedtime, so I'm literally never alone, and with #2 coming it's not going to get any better.
Luckily MH understands this about me and he offers up alone time for me, or he happily takes R to do something fun if I tell him I need a few hours. I just have to remember to build that self care time in to my week.

What do you wish you had known?
That there is no one right way to mom. What works for one person/baby doesn't work for another, and there's nothing wrong with that. Don't feel bad about ignoring some/most/all of the advice you get.

What is your favorite thing about being a mom? What can I look forward to?
OMG so much. Like I said, I have never felt very maternal and didn't even know if I wanted kids for the longest time. But it is seriously the best thing I've ever done. Just today in the car he said to me "You're my mommy. You're so pretty. You're my best friend." (He's almost 3) He hugs me and kisses me and tells me how much he loves me and misses me. We have this awesome bond that just fills me with so much joy. You're going to love it.

[stayingblonde]

Oh, I also wish I knew that sometimes the epidural doesn't work. Even after 2x. And you should probably read up on how to do a birth med-free, just in case.

[sammysam]

+1 to what stayingblonde said. I did not want children for the longest time and I'm also an introvert so getting used to having someone with me all the time was tough. I had to hold DD while showering and going to the bathroom for a period of time. I also found it hard to socialize with other parents all the time when out and about. I still mostly keep to myself but I have a few good friends who have kids DD's age so we spend time with them. I'm still not one for striking up conversations with strangers at the park...but for DD's sake I wish I was.

[Foxy]

My H picked up a Bob Flex from kohls that was an online return for $90 last night!! I seriously never thought I'd have one. H is a "let's get what we want but get the best deal, I can live with this since it's cheaper" kind of guy. He makes good money, but it doesn't matter. It's in his bones to shop like this.
This stroller was a once in a life time score. I'm just trying to figure out what car seat to get to go with it. Does anyone have any recommendations. Even better if it is compatible with a Bob. I saw gracco, britax, chicco are all compatible. Any recs for one of these?

[k]

Jun 13, 2018 12:03:18 GMT -6 Foxy said:

My H picked up a Bob Flex from kohls that was an online return for $90 last night!! I seriously never thought I'd have one. H is a "let's get what we want but get the best deal, I can live with this since it's cheaper" kind of guy. He makes good money, but it doesn't matter. It's in his bones to shop like this.
This stroller was a once in a life time score. I'm just trying to figure out what car seat to get to go with it. Does anyone have any recommendations. Even better if it is compatible with a Bob. I saw gracco, britax, chicco are all compatible. Any recs for one of these?

We have a Britax car seat that we use with the Bob stroller. No complaints. If I’m remembering correctly, britax and bob are now the same company?

[Foxy]

Thanks k!
I didn't know they were the same company.

[sammysam]

I wanted a Bob with DD. SO didn't go for it. He is in the camp of not believing any baby gear to be necessary.

I want a stroller with a bassinet attachment this time so I can try to start using it almost immediately. Anyone have any recs for strollers you love?

I already have a universal board attachment for DD so she can ride along behind.