Newbie Playdate...Post Your Silly Questions Here!!

mommymeg143 · October 2014

It's a new month which means we need a new silly question thread!! Post away, ladies. Remember...no question is too silly/stupid to post here.

Unless you're showing us your mucus plug...ain't nobody got time for that.

mommymeg143 · October 2014

1) Emmy has a lot of frilly, lace, tutu, what have you clothes. (SHOCKING...I know). Do I need to wash those too? I'm afraid if I wash them in the washing machine, it will ruin them and if I hand wash them...I will leave the soap residue on the clothes which will more than likely irrate her skin. What should I do?

2) My face is SO swollen. I look like a chipmunk. So much so that people are making comments about it. "You're only showing in your stomach and face!!" "Your face has definitely gotten alot bigger this week." "Have you been crying...your face is puffy". My stupid question is...Is this normal? I'm really not swelling anywhere else but my face.

missnacholover · October 2014

mommymeg143 said:

1) Emmy has a lot of frilly, lace, tutu, what have you clothes. (SHOCKING...I know). Do I need to wash those too? I'm afraid if I wash them in the washing machine, it will ruin them and if I hand wash them...I will leave the soap residue on the clothes which will more than likely irrate her skin. What should I do?

2) My face is SO swollen. I look like a chipmunk. So much so that people are making comments about it. "You're only showing in your stomach and face!!" "Your face has definitely gotten alot bigger this week." "Have you been crying...your face is puffy". My stupid question is...Is this normal? I'm really not swelling anywhere else but my face.

I think that a swollen face could be a sign of Pre-E. How is your BP?

mommymeg143 · October 2014

CatLady22 said:

mommymeg143 said:

1) Emmy has a lot of frilly, lace, tutu, what have you clothes. (SHOCKING...I know). Do I need to wash those too? I'm afraid if I wash them in the washing machine, it will ruin them and if I hand wash them...I will leave the soap residue on the clothes which will more than likely irrate her skin. What should I do?

2) My face is SO swollen. I look like a chipmunk. So much so that people are making comments about it. "You're only showing in your stomach and face!!" "Your face has definitely gotten alot bigger this week." "Have you been crying...your face is puffy". My stupid question is...Is this normal? I'm really not swelling anywhere else but my face.
I'm wondering about #1 as well. I have 2 handmade hats that I have no idea whether I should wash or not. I know eventually they will get dirty and I will be too scared to wash them, even by hand.

Are they crocheted? My mom handmade her a lot of blankets, hats, sweaters, etc... I was wondering if I needed to wash those too. Thank you for bringing that up!

AnnieRoo13 · October 2014

CatLady22 said:

mommymeg143 said:

1) Emmy has a lot of frilly, lace, tutu, what have you clothes. (SHOCKING...I know). Do I need to wash those too? I'm afraid if I wash them in the washing machine, it will ruin them and if I hand wash them...I will leave the soap residue on the clothes which will more than likely irrate her skin. What should I do?

2) My face is SO swollen. I look like a chipmunk. So much so that people are making comments about it. "You're only showing in your stomach and face!!" "Your face has definitely gotten alot bigger this week." "Have you been crying...your face is puffy". My stupid question is...Is this normal? I'm really not swelling anywhere else but my face.

I'm wondering about #1 as well. I have 2 handmade hats that I have no idea whether I should wash or not. I know eventually they will get dirty and I will be too scared to wash them, even by hand.

In regards to the handmade hats, are they knit/crochet? You can most definitely wash them. If you know the person that made them, ask them if the yarn they used needs any special care. If you don't know them/can't find out- I wash all of my handknits in one of those mesh bags on the delicate setting of my washing machine in Tide Free and Clear detergent. Do not put them in the dryer. Take them out of the bag after washing, reshape and lay them flat to dry.

If you don't want to put them in the washing machine at all, you can use some light detergent (even dishwashing liquid) and wash them in the sink. I have knit for years and almost always wash my handknits in the washing machine and I have yet to ruin anything!

mommymeg143 · October 2014

Thank you @AnnieRoo13!

marajay6 · October 2014

mommymeg143 said:

1) Emmy has a lot of frilly, lace, tutu, what have you clothes. (SHOCKING...I know). Do I need to wash those too? I'm afraid if I wash them in the washing machine, it will ruin them and if I hand wash them...I will leave the soap residue on the clothes which will more than likely irrate her skin. What should I do?

2) My face is SO swollen. I look like a chipmunk. So much so that people are making comments about it. "You're only showing in your stomach and face!!" "Your face has definitely gotten alot bigger this week." "Have you been crying...your face is puffy". My stupid question is...Is this normal? I'm really not swelling anywhere else but my face.

For number 2 - I have known women who get really puffy faces while pregnant and seem alright. It happened to one of my coworkers. It was at the time that they were forcing people to update their picture on their badge - she was not very happy that they made her update hers. But it is still something to talk to your doctor about.

MuchlyGen · October 2014

My philosophy with laundry has pretty much been "if it can't survive being washed with the rest, it deserves what it gets." I'm not willing to do much to protect our clothes. Not high enough priority to save time on. I'll pull things out to air dry so they don't shrink, but if it's going to get destroyed in the regular cycle with my regular load, then tragically, it's not meant for my family.

(This is both because I'm too lazy to fuss with special laundry loads, and also because I /know/ that the day will come where I miss something and it's going to go through the laundry load anyways, and I'd rather not have gotten attached to it if it's going to be destroyed)

Jatpa003 · October 2014

Ok so I have really been putting this off for a long time but I really need to go nursing bra shopping... I live in Canada and am not sure where to get large bras? (40G maybe larger now) I have only one right now but it's getting tight AND it has underwire. I hate Bra shopping and know that if I plan on breast feeding I need one without underwire. Any suggestions would be great.

ssstephanie214 · October 2014

1. I have this handwash detergent called Soak that doesn't need extra rinse, I'm obsessed with it for lingerie and loose knits and the bottle says gentle enough for baby clothes.

2. If it's not medical, from what I know it's genetic. I knew a girl whose face swelled up in her last two months of pregnancy (she really didn't look herself esp. her nose) and said it happens to all the women in her family. Unpleasant, no real explanation, I'm sorry.

My dumb question is hijacked from an @Econosaurus‌ post in the wtf thread: nobody (doctors) told me about mild menstrual crampy feelings...i noticed for the first time today.....what is it where do they come from whyyyyyy

lizzielu82 · October 2014

Thanks for posting this @mommymeg143!

I was told today that my LO has a pretty sizable head. I'm now seriously worried it won't be able to come out. Anyone else had a big-headed baby and is there still hope for trying to go for a vaginal birth?

mander82 · October 2014

For the frilly clothes, I woudl use the delicate cycle on the washing machine and hang dry. If they can't survive that, then they aren't worth keeping! lol....

So I have noticed recently that my stomach will get an all over tightening feeling.....could that possibly be BH, or is it more likely just baby stretching out and pushing out on my stomach ?

Not sure if BH are always painful or uncomfortable, of if they could be totally painless ? I have no pain or uncomfortableness .....just super tight feeling like maybe its just baby pushing his rump outward ?

:-/

lizzielu82 · October 2014

OLJ1010 said:

@lizzielu82‌ don't get too stressed! Not to sound freaky, but they're very moldable and meant to be squished (think: conehead). My son had/has a massive head (thanks DH). He looked like an alien when he was a newborn. In fact, he still looks that way- skinny, lanky body with a big head (off the % charts) ) I had some tearing, but he came out no problem!

Thanks this makes me feel better! Although tearing sounds scary - was it all that bad?

My SIL had what she refers to as a "4th degree tear" which I have no idea what it means (was too afraid to ask) and it sounds like not exactly the ideal post-birth situation.

SweetMelissa5 · October 2014

MuchlyGen said:

My philosophy with laundry has pretty much been "if it can't survive being washed with the rest, it deserves what it gets."

This is exactly how I feel too!

Jatpa003 said:

Ok so I have really been putting this off for a long time but I really need to go nursing bra shopping... I live in Canada and am not sure where to get large bras? (40G maybe larger now) I have only one right now but it's getting tight AND it has underwire. I hate Bra shopping and know that if I plan on breast feeding I need one without underwire. Any suggestions would be great.

I don't know if you have Lane Bryant in Canada (or maybe you could just order online, but I personally don't like doing that for bras unless returns are easy), but they have larger sizes (I bought several 42H bras there before I got pregnant, so they should have whatever size you need). Also, I don't know of any reasons you can't breastfeed if you have underwire in your bras; even my nursing bras have always had underwire, so you should be fine.

lizzielu82 said:

Thanks for posting this @mommymeg143!

I was told today that my LO has a pretty sizable head. I'm now seriously worried it won't be able to come out. Anyone else had a big-headed baby and is there still hope for trying to go for a vaginal birth?

My kids have all had big heads, and only my oldest wasn't vaginal, so it's definitely doable, but I do actually think that his head was the problem (but he really does have a huge head, not just kind of big for his age; he's always been off the charts or in the 90+ percentile in head circumference).

fyreandblood · October 2014

Oh damn, i just posted a contraction question as a new thread that should have been stuck in here. Sorry ladies, didnt see this until after i posted!

lizzielu82 · October 2014

Econosaurus said:

lizzielu82 said:

OLJ1010 said:

@lizzielu82‌ don't get too stressed! Not to sound freaky, but they're very moldable and meant to be squished (think: conehead). My son had/has a massive head (thanks DH). He looked like an alien when he was a newborn. In fact, he still looks that way- skinny, lanky body with a big head (off the % charts) ) I had some tearing, but he came out no problem!

Thanks this makes me feel better! Although tearing sounds scary - was it all that bad?

My SIL had what she refers to as a "4th degree tear" which I have no idea what it means (was too afraid to ask) and it sounds like not exactly the ideal post-birth situation.

A 4th degree is the fancy name for my favorite gross word "vajanus".

Omg I don't know if I should laugh or cry at the thought of that

)

(

absolutelymaybe · October 2014

Hahah @lizzielu82 - thanks for posting that question. I'm not likely going to be a candidate for a vaginal birth, but it does make me a little nervous that my son's head has been measuring so big. I keep thinking what if the babies flip and we are able to go for it?

Also random but related to head size: My MIL told DH last night our son is going to look more like my side of the family since, according to her, Caucasian babies have bigger heads than Hispanic babies. I really hope he comes out looking just like DH to prove her wrong (sadly, I have a feeling, just judging from his face shape, she's probably right).

Cici3913 · October 2014

I've been getting these weird spasm wave like cramps in my lower back in the mornings while I'm driving to work. They only happen a couple times in the morning and then they stop....does anyone know what that could be?

FishyMom · October 2014

lizzielu82 said:

Thanks for posting this @mommymeg143!

I was told today that my LO has a pretty sizable head. I'm now seriously worried it won't be able to come out. Anyone else had a big-headed baby and is there still hope for trying to go for a vaginal birth?

So much this! When I went thru my birth class they told us about CPD I am now terrified that is going to be me!

My question is about birthing plans. In my class on Saturday they showed us one and it was just a written bullet point of what the mother wanted.. but the instructor said that you should be careful how you word stuff so that they dont offend... anyone know where I can see more examples? I have done a little googling and have not been impressed with what I have found.

jlove253 · October 2014

OLJ1010 said:
@lizzielu82‌ don't get too stressed! Not to sound freaky, but they're very moldable and meant to be squished (think: conehead). My son had/has a massive head (thanks DH). He looked like an alien when he was a newborn. In fact, he still looks that way- skinny, lanky body with a big head (off the % charts) ) I had some tearing, but he came out no problem!

I could have written this same this about my dd. She wasn't quite so alien headed, but she started out with a head at the very top of the growth charts and then slowly made her own curve above all the others. I had an episiotomy to help her out, but I healed really smoothly. She also was 9lb when born but then thinned out because she got sick as an infant (long story not relevant here

). You can do it mamas with big headed babies!

lizzielu82 · October 2014

HisGirlFriday929 said:

KatieKarasin said:

Jatpa003 said:

Ok so I have really been putting this off for a long time but I really need to go nursing bra shopping... I live in Canada and am not sure where to get large bras? (40G maybe larger now) I have only one right now but it's getting tight AND it has underwire. I hate Bra shopping and know that if I plan on breast feeding I need one without underwire. Any suggestions would be great.

I never found comfortable nursing bras with DD. I just bought a new one though and it is amazing! The company is called Cake Lingerie and the bra is the Cotton Candy style. AMAZING. I got an XL and it was plenty big for me.

I've heard good things about Cake. I'm going to order one. I ordered one from Bravado & I like it, but I should have gotten a large so it's a bit snug.

I second Cake and ordered a few of their sports bra type bras to start with since I don't know what my size will be once I get my bigger milk boobies.

MuchlyGen · October 2014

@lizzielu82‌ Big heads are totally birthable! My boys have some jumbo sized melons, and I had them both vaginally, at home. As a PP said their heads can mold INCREDIBLY, and your body is making a hormone called relaxin that softens cartilage and makes thugs more stretchable and flexy, allowing your pelvis to expand.

@AeandJb‌ I can totally see why your moms story would make you nervous, but usually a head not beig able to descend has less to do with pelvic or head size and a lot more to do with positioning, unless the mom has something like rickets. So don't fret too much!

lizzielu82 · October 2014

Thanks ladies! I feel a lot better and am just going to hope that LO comes out like this…

sweetbabyrahe · October 2014

@AeandJb‌ I never leaked while pregnant with DS and haven't yet with this LO. I successfully bf DS for a year. Size changes and leaking are so variable.

Also I didn't do a birth plan with DS and probably won't this time, but I didn't have a lot of specific wants. I wanted to be able to move around as much as possible while laboring, I had no plans to go natural but just wait as long as possible, skin to skin directly after, and bf only asap. Teto though

Kristil2014 · October 2014

@Jatpa003‌ Cake bras are awesome. I am sure they have a guide to help you size on their website. They do have some larger sizes, so you should start there. (Make sure you choose the their Canadian site, our you have to work with thei Australian sizes.)

minibean16 · October 2014

@Jatpa003 We have a store in our mall here called "Changes" that is just larger sizes. If you're okay with online, there's a store in Langley (BC) that does do online shipping called "Forever Yours Lingerie." I get all my bras there -- you could at least look at their site and get some good brand names.

minibean16 · October 2014

To start: My blood pressure and my blood sugar are good, so this isn't related to those issues. Yet today, I had an incredible dizzy spell to the point that I had to sit with my had between my knees to avoid passing out. I looked online, and the general response is, "Yeah, it happens...'

Has this happened to anyone else? LO is kicking away, and I feel better now, but I was super pale and blood was just not going to my brain. What's wrong with me?

jj0313 · October 2014

Question I've felt too dumb to ask:

Are BHs tied to a sooner birth? I've felt nada and find myself wondering if there is any chance that means I'm going to go past my due date.

sweetbabyrahe · October 2014

@jj0313 I don't think it necessarily means anything. I don't remember feeling any BH with DS and he came at 38w exactly. I have only had a handful this time, but I have heard they are more common with second+ births

mander82 · October 2014

minibean16 said:
To start: My blood pressure and my blood sugar are good, so this isn't related to those issues. Yet today, I had an incredible dizzy spell to the point that I had to sit with my had between my knees to avoid passing out. I looked online, and the general response is, "Yeah, it happens...'

Has this happened to anyone else? LO is kicking away, and I feel better now, but I was super pale and blood was just not going to my brain. What's wrong with me?

I have been there. Normally accompanied by shortness of breath. I have to sit down and catch my breath.....I also have an inhaler I can use if I need to.

MuchlyGen · October 2014

@jj0313 I believe that pretty much all pregnant women have BH, but not everyone feels them! You're more likely to feel them more and more with each subsequent pregnancy. Some people feel them a lot, some never notice them at all! Either way, it's no indication of when you'll go into labor.

Jatpa003 · October 2014

flutterbuggie said:
So I have heard something about giving vitamin d to baby. What kind of vitamin d do you give them? Is there a specific baby brand?

From what I have heard (please correct me if I am wrong) it just needs to be liquid, no specific brand and it's usually only used if you are EBF as many formulas include it. (Don't remember what your choice is) also I have heard that if mom consumes enough you may or may not need it for baby. I would check with your OB/ lactation consultant as to the newest research.

sweetbabyrahe · October 2014

@flutterbuggie‌ our pedi wrote a prescription for a liquid vitamin d with DS and I mixed it in his daycare bottles

abbyful · October 2014

flutterbuggie said:
So I have heard something about giving vitamin d to baby. What kind of vitamin d do you give them? Is there a specific baby brand?

Carlson and DDrops are 2 brands of baby vitamin D. I like those brands because the dose is 1 drop. Just get baby to take 1 drop sometime during the day. (In a bottle, put a drop on your nipple before feeding, put a drop on the binky, whatever works for you.)

Another option: You can take ~5,000 IU of vitamin D yourself and then your breastmilk will have the appropriate amount for baby.

lizzielu82 · October 2014

minibean16 said:

To start: My blood pressure and my blood sugar are good, so this isn't related to those issues. Yet today, I had an incredible dizzy spell to the point that I had to sit with my had between my knees to avoid passing out. I looked online, and the general response is, "Yeah, it happens...'

Has this happened to anyone else? LO is kicking away, and I feel better now, but I was super pale and blood was just not going to my brain. What's wrong with me?

I've had this happen to me, too! I've read that it could have something to do with new hormone surges in the 3rd Tri. But I'm sure there could be a lot of other reasons for it, too.

smboswell1 · October 2014

So when can you start using diaper powder?? The little girl I nanny had an upset tummy today and she still smelled after I changed her diaper. I needed powder but couldn't find any! Are newborns able to have powdered booties?!

abbyful · October 2014

smboswell1 said:
So when can you start using diaper powder?? The little girl I nanny had an upset tummy today and she still smelled after I changed her diaper. I needed powder but couldn't find any! Are newborns able to have powdered booties?!

The American Academy of Pediatrics (and therefore also my take-home instructions from the hospital and my pediatrician) says not to use baby powder.

DS is 2, I've never used baby powder on him and never felt it was needed either.

PandaCon · October 2014

smboswell1 said:

So when can you start using diaper powder?? The little girl I nanny had an upset tummy today and she still smelled after I changed her diaper. I needed powder but couldn't find any! Are newborns able to have powdered booties?!

I never used baby powder. From what I read, the powder can affect babies (and your) lungs. I just made sure to wipe really well and let air dry for a few moments.

https://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA401185/How-Bad-Is-Baby-Powder.html

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