Dumb Questions

PinkLillyLover

These may be dumb questions but I don't know the answer so I'm going to ask anyway.  Anyone else have any dumb questions?

1).  Can newborns wear onesies right away or do you need to wait till their stump falls off?  

2).  What should you wear home from the hospital after delivery?

3).  When should you start engaging your newborn with infant toys?

Soap1

PinkLillyLover said:

These may be dumb questions but I don't know the answer so I'm going to ask anyway.  Anyone else have any dumb questions?

1).  Can newborns wear onesies right away or do you need to wait till their stump falls off?  

2).  What should you wear home from the hospital after delivery?

3).  When should you start engaging your newborn with infant toys?

1) Yes
2) Whatever you want, but think maternity/comfort.  I wore maternity jeans and a comfy shirt.
3) Whenever you want, but they won't really interact with toys until 3 months or so.  And even then they're just as happy playing with an empty bottle or a towel.

gfam23

I'll start with #1 and #2:

1) Yes. Not a problem at all.

2) Whatever you want, bearing in mind that you will probably be in at least a little pain, will have a pad and possibly (probably) hospital underwear to contend with, and you'll still have a 5-6 month belly. So whatever would make you most comfortable in those circumstances! You will also like
have at least a little swelling in your feet, so you may want to bring some easy slippers/flip flops just in case normal shoes give you any trouble. Some moms like to wear maxi skirts or dresses. Me personally, I'll wear yoga pants or looser stretch pants, a nursing tank (I've been living in them lately because I can get away with going braless and all my bras hurt right now), and a looser
top, cardigan, or sweatshirt over that. Go for comfort!

slwprincess

1.  First, let's be clear on the definition of a onesie:

This is a onesie- also called a "bodysuit"

This is a footed sleeper:

Personally, I don't use onesies until later on.  First b/c yes, it might be too tight around the cord stump.  But mostly b/c I hate pulling them on over their tiny heads!

2.  I wear whatever maternity clothes I wore in.  Usually maternity yoga pants with a nursing tank and a zip up fleece over that.  Or heck, I'll wear jammies.  

3.  Toys are kind of pointless for the first few weeks.  Eventually you will notice baby is more alert and looking around.  That's typically when I start tummy time and stuff like that.

inluv4life2

Good questions!!

Can I ask one, too? The Rock N Play bassinet was not around with DD, we just used a PNP. But we were gifted a RNP bassinet (the flat one) this time around. Does it need a sheet? I can't find one to buy which makes me think no.

iwubrory

slwprincess said:

1.  First, let's be clear on the definition of a onesie:

This is a onesie- also called a "bodysuit"

This is a footed sleeper:

Personally, I don't use onesies until later on.  First b/c yes, it might be too tight around the cord stump.  But mostly b/c I hate pulling them on over their tiny heads!

2.  I wear whatever maternity clothes I wore in.  Usually maternity yoga pants with a nursing tank and a zip up fleece over that.  Or heck, I'll wear jammies.  

3.  Toys are kind of pointless for the first few weeks.  Eventually you will notice baby is more alert and looking around.  That's typically when I start tummy time and stuff like that.

I have to agree with slwprincess, as I usually do, with all of the above. I am also big on using long sleeve side snap shirts under a sleeper or outfit at first too. They're so much easier than trying to get a little newborn head through the hole in a shirt.

slwprincess

BlueDot818 said:

@inluv4life2 no you dont need a sheet, but if you really want to use something I've heard a pillowcase does the trick!

Can I ask a question too? 

1. How often do you bath a NB? 

2. How do you bath them before the stump falls off? 

1.  At most, every other day.  Their skin is delicate and gets dried out easily.  

2.  I lay a full size bath towel, folded in half, on the kitchen counter next to the sink (or one of those big sponge things).  I use a warm washcloth to give them a sponge bath.

PinkLillyLover

Thank you so much, ladies!  Yes, I was referring to onesies/bodysuits.  It seemed like they would rub against the stump.  I have onesies ready for little one but most of the clothes/outfits are like they pictured sleeper so I think I'll be good.  

We also have a good collection of toys and books for baby.  When do people clip those toys on car seats/strollers? I'm thinking after a couple of weeks.

@Bluedot:  I believe you're suppose to bath a newborn every 3-4 days.  I have been watching youtube videos on how to give sponge baths (what you'll need to do before the stump falls off and until circumcision heals).

slwprincess

slwprincess said:

BlueDot818 said:

@inluv4life2 no you dont need a sheet, but if you really want to use something I've heard a pillowcase does the trick!

Can I ask a question too? 

1. How often do you bath a NB? 

2. How do you bath them before the stump falls off? 

1.  At most, every other day.  Their skin is delicate and gets dried out easily.  

2.  I lay a full size bath towel, folded in half, on the kitchen counter next to the sink (or one of those big sponge things).  I use a warm washcloth to give them a sponge bath.

Oh and I also wanted to add that as a TTM, I hate bathtime.  HATE IT for newborns, HATE IT for big kids.  It just sucks and I swear, I like winter b/c they don't get so sweaty and I go a few days before they have to have a bath.  I am sincerely praying that this baby is bald b/c my first 2 had a ton of hair and it got greasy everyday and I had to wash their hair daily or else it just looked gross.  IMO, babies don't get that dirty (assuming you are cleaning them properly during diaper changes) so less is more in this department.

inluv4life2

@inluv4life2 no you dont need a sheet, but if you really want to use something I've heard a pillowcase does the trick!

Can I ask a question too? 

1. How often do you bath a NB? 

2. How do you bath them before the stump falls off? 

 

THANK YOU!

Akrani

Piggybacking off this thread with a couple of my own:

1) Once you start putting onesies on LO, is this something they wear under everything like an undershirt/underwear, only during winter months as an extra layer, etc?

2) Also, if you're putting them in Sleep Sack's or footed sleepers, what do they wear underneath?

Thanks!  

Soap1

Akrani said:

Piggybacking off this thread with a couple of my own:

1) Once you start putting onesies on LO, is this something they wear under everything like an undershirt/underwear, only during winter months as an extra layer, etc?

2) Also, if you're putting them in Sleep Sack's or footed sleepers, what do they wear underneath?

Thanks!  

1) I just left my babies in just onesies 90% of the time, nothing on top.  Blanket if they were cold, or little coat if we were going out in the cold.

2) I didn't put anything underneath footed sleepers.  I didn't start using sleep sacks until we were out of the swaddling stage, maybe 5 weeks old or so, and then it was a sleeper under the sleep sack.

ETA that I live in West Texas, so while we do get teens and 20s weather, we almost never get below zero, so that affects my "layering" answer

BecksHRN

Found this the other day! How they give baths in the NICU (if LO is healthy enough) Something to think about!

https://infantconnections.com/better-bathtime/

slwprincess

Beachbumm2214 said:

@inluv4life2 when I took baby prep classes they said to only bath the LO once a week. I think ill be doing it more than that. My questions: do I really need PNP sheets? do the nurses change the first diapers or do we? How long do us ladies do skin to skin before letting SO hold LO?

Yes to the PNP sheets.  You can't wash the cover on the mattress and babies will puke on it.  Plus, I always take my own when we travel- use the hotel PNP but put my own sheet on it.

Nurse will probably show DH once but then its on you ;-)

My babies are all c/s.  They had me doing skin to skin and BF in recovery for about an hour before we moved up to my room.  DH held her some in there too but once we got up to my room, I passed out and he got all the snuggles to himself.

iwubrory

BlueDot818 said:

1. Does anyone wipe down LO before skin to skin? Or is LO given right to me? (I feel like I sound horrible asking that!)

@BlueDot818 My hospital gives a few different options. 1. Give baby to you straight away with no wiping at all. 2. Baby gets a light wiping and is then put on your chest. 3. Baby is cleaned off completely then given to you.

I elected for #2 with DS and it was amazing how quickly they wiped him and put him on my chest. They seriously did it as they were in the process of bringing him up to my chest, so I don't think it was more than a few seconds slower than it would have been if they just plopped him up there all gooey. There was cord cutting in there somewhere too, not sure where... talk about a blur. I just remember how quickly he was on my chest and actually pretty dang clean.

ziggy903

@beachbumm2214 i would take over diaper changes ASAP if I were you. I didn't have much experience and we watched the nurses a couple times and then started taking over. Granted, we've got a whole extra process, but I feel much more prepared for when he comes home now.

slwprincess

Akrani said:

Piggybacking off this thread with a couple of my own:

1) Once you start putting onesies on LO, is this something they wear under everything like an undershirt/underwear, only during winter months as an extra layer, etc?

2) Also, if you're putting them in Sleep Sack's or footed sleepers, what do they wear underneath?

Thanks!  

1.  This is going to depend on where you live, I think.  I live in GA so not really super cold climate here.  I never really put an extra layer on myself so I wouldn't put one on my kids either.  When we go visit DH's family in WI, yes... we add the extra layer.  Also, my babies will also be in an infant seat when we are out and about which can get quite warm and you can always add blankets if needed after they are buckled in.  

2.  With sleep sacks, I only use cotton ones- I think the fleece ones are WAY too hot for GA even in winter.  In the winter, they wear cotton footy sleepers underneath the sleep sack.  In the summer they wear a long sleeve onesie- no pants under the sleep sack.  Again, think about what you are comfortable sleeping in... and then you are under a blanket.  Baby should be similar.

Akrani

Thanks ladies! I live in Chicago so we're dealing with sub-zero temps especially around the time she's supposed to make her arrival. We got NB sleep sack swaddles & swaddle blankets. I'm always cold (even during pregnancy) so DH jokes that LO is going to overheat if I dress her based on my comfort level! haha 

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

Btwilhelm

BlueDot818 said:

1. Does anyone wipe down LO before skin to skin? Or is LO given right to me? (I feel like I sound horrible asking that!)

I would ask your OB about this one. We were going over my birth plan a few weeks ago and it came up. Apparently at my hospital it is standard practice now to let the cord stop pulsing before cutting it. So they put the baby on you and wipe up a little, but the baby is still attached to you, the cord, and the placenta.

Btwilhelm

I have a dumb question.

How soon after delivery will they let me shower?

(I'm sure I won't care since I'll be obsessing over my new baby but I'm just curious. )

PinkLillyLover

It's nice knowing I'm not the only one who had questions.  

versed

Btwilhelm said:

I have a dumb question. How soon after delivery will they let me shower? (I'm sure I won't care since I'll be obsessing over my new baby but I'm just curious. )

We have 2 hrs in the L&D room before moving to maternity wing. I could take a shower as soon as I wanted. I chose to do about an hour of skin-to-skin with family coming in about 45min in. After I was done skin-to-skin, they took DS2 to be weighed/vaccinated/APGAR scored, etc. I showered then and came out in time for his first bath. 

nebraska84

@Btwilhelm After DS I didn't take a shower until the next day, he was born at 4 pm. I had a catheder (sp) until the next morning. Like a PP said, after delivery you have a certain amount of time before you are allowed to get up and move. I'd say once you have been cleared to walk about you could take a shower.

 

Btwilhelm said:

I have a dumb question. How soon after delivery will they let me shower? (I'm sure I won't care since I'll be obsessing over my new baby but I'm just curious. )

notreal2

Mevaroo said:

I had my last two c-sections pretty early in the morning and was able to get up at take a shower by late that evening/night. I don't know how soon if you're delivering vaginally, but I would imagine it's a bit sooner than with a c-section.

I had a reaction to the drugs I got for the c-section, so I wasn't able to shower until the doctor cleared me and it was still only 24 hours after labour.

theseaword

Just wanted to echo what a pp said. You don't need to put onesies on over the head. I never do. The shoulder flaps are structured to widen so you can put on from below. Obviously not all onesies, but like 80% of them do this.

micaelasmakeup

Shower: with DD, DH left with her to bathe etc (which is not the same as room in babies) but during that time I had my own nurse that helped me go to the bathroom (as the epi wore off) and she cleaned me up. It's a pretty messy business.
I was moved to a recovery room and Dd and DH were back. We had vistors and ate. Then everyone left and DH held DD while I took a real shower in my room. It's was heaven. DD delivered at 4:50, shower by 11pm?

Beachbumm2214 said:

Another one for me: I'm getting the Medela advanced double breast pump through insurance.

1) do most of the breast milk storage bags work for any pump?

2) can I use any bottles I want?

They only let me order it 30 days prior to my due date (which is today). Idk how long it'll take to come. My shower is tomorrow and we plan on finishing our registries on Sunday. So without physically having the pump I feel clueless.

& putting onesies on feet first is good to know!

Any bags will work. I ordered my pump on Tuesday, I got UPS confirmation it will be here Monday.

slwprincess

would you say that it is necessary for the baby to wear something under the sleepsack? A couple of mine seem kind of heavy for San Diego, but I would hate to not use them- they are so cute! I was kind of just thinking diaper underneath. Does anyone do that? I am a FTM and don't know what I am doing, LOL. I love this thread!

golfergirl08- Yes, I would personally put something on under the sleep sack but I guess you don't really HAVE too.  My thing is that most of them don't have sleeves- so I think baby's arms would get cold during the night.  If yours has sleeves then no, you really don't need anything else.

ziggy903

Beachbumm2214 said:

Another one for me: I'm getting the Medela advanced double breast pump through insurance.

1) do most of the breast milk storage bags work for any pump?

2) can I use any bottles I want?

They only let me order it 30 days prior to my due date (which is today). Idk how long it'll take to come. My shower is tomorrow and we plan on finishing our registries on Sunday. So without physically having the pump I feel clueless.

& putting onesies on feet first is good to know!

For both questions- as far as I know, yes. The pump comes with some bottles but I've been using sterile ones from the hospital. Also, a friend of mine has the PISA pump and prefers to use lanisoh brand bags. So I assume anything goes.

iwubrory

Beachbumm2214 said:

Another one for me: I'm getting the Medela advanced double breast pump through insurance. 1) do most of the breast milk storage bags work for any pump? 2) can I use any bottles I want? They only let me order it 30 days prior to my due date (which is today). Idk how long it'll take to come. My shower is tomorrow and we plan on finishing our registries on Sunday. So without physically having the pump I feel clueless. & putting onesies on feet first is good to know!

@Beachbumm2214  1. You can use any bags. Medela has an attachment to use with their bags so that you can pump directly into the bags but I always had trouble attaching them and detatching them was even worse. Plus, IMO, the Medela bags royally suck. I'd go with Lansinoh. I used them three times a day for about a year without any problems. I pumped into bottles then dumped into the bags because I wanted an accurate measurement of what I pumped. Using the measurements on the bags was never accurate for me.

2. You can use any bottles you want to feed LO but I'm not sure if all bottles will screw onto the breastshield/connectors of the pump. I know my Dr. Brown bottles screwed on just fine.

versed

@blscholl1645 - bottles come with newborn nipples, and you would buy replacements to increase the flow. However, my BF baby used newborn nipples for the full year he used bottles.

iwubrory

@blscholl1645 The type of nipple is usually labeled on the bottom of the nipple around the outside ring (if that makes sense). If you go to the bottle aisle at BRU, Target, etc. you'll see lots of nipples and the packages are labled with the flow.

My breastfed DS used low flow nipples for a very long time but that was really only because I forgot about moving him up to other levels.

shellbell3845

NextVerseUnknown said:

@blscholl1645 - bottles come with newborn nipples, and you would buy replacements to increase the flow. However, my BF baby used newborn nipples for the full year he used bottles.

Not all bottles come with newborn nipples. I was gifted a larger size bottle, and it came with a faster flow nipple. The little bottles did come with slow flow nipples.

Soap1

shellbell3845 said:

@blscholl1645 - bottles come with newborn nipples, and you would buy replacements to increase the flow. However, my BF baby used newborn nipples for the full year he used bottles.

Not all bottles come with newborn nipples. I was gifted a larger size bottle, and it came with a faster flow nipple. The little bottles did come with slow flow nipples.

This.

slwprincess

ziggy903 said:

Another one for me: I'm getting the Medela advanced double breast pump through insurance. 1) do most of the breast milk storage bags work for any pump? 2) can I use any bottles I want? They only let me order it 30 days prior to my due date (which is today). Idk how long it'll take to come. My shower is tomorrow and we plan on finishing our registries on Sunday. So without physically having the pump I feel clueless. & putting onesies on feet first is good to know!

For both questions- as far as I know, yes. The pump comes with some bottles but I've been using sterile ones from the hospital. Also, a friend of mine has the PISA pump and prefers to use lanisoh brand bags. So I assume anything goes.

Actually, no, not all bottles will fit the breast pump.  Usually, you need the skinny bottles- not the ones meant for babies who nurse (stupid, I know).  For example, Avent bottles will not fit onto my Ameda pump and I don't think they will fit the Medela either.  Of course, I just always pumped into the bottles that came with it and then transferred it to a bag or one of my bottles for feeding.  

As for storage bags, you can use whatever but you will find that not all are created equal.  I definitely preferred the lansinoh bags.  I found that the Medela ones leaked.  

slwprincess

vshumway said:

For those having the baby sleep in the PnP. Are they sleeping in the bassinet part or the rocking seat part? I guess I has originally thought the rocking set part while attached to the PnP but now I am not sure.

I'm gonna need to see a picture/link of your particular PNP to answer this one.  I'm not sure what rocking seat part you are talking about?

slwprincess

Btwilhelm said:

I have a dumb question. How soon after delivery will they let me shower? (I'm sure I won't care since I'll be obsessing over my new baby but I'm just curious. )

I've only had c/s but for that, you have to be completely unhooked (catheter out and usually IV out too although I think I remember hanging my IV bag up in the shower for one so not sure?).  Anyway, with DD, she was born at 7 am and I didn't get to shower until the next day :-(  It really does make you feel so much better though so I advocate taking a shower as soon as they will allow.

MamaAllison

blscholl1645 said:

Soap1 said:

shellbell3845 said:

NextVerseUnknown said:

@blscholl1645 - bottles come with newborn nipples, and you would buy replacements to increase the flow. However, my BF baby used newborn nipples for the full year he used bottles.

Not all bottles come with newborn nipples. I was gifted a larger size bottle, and it came with a faster flow nipple. The little bottles did come with slow flow nipples.

This.

Is there a way to tell which kind you have?

If you hold the bottle with the nipple upside down, nothing should leak out if it is a newborn/slow flow nipple. If drops come out it will be too easy for baby to get the milk and they may develop a preference for bottle over breast.

ziggy903

slwprincess said:

ziggy903 said:

Beachbumm2214 said:

Another one for me: I'm getting the Medela advanced double breast pump through insurance.

1) do most of the breast milk storage bags work for any pump?

2) can I use any bottles I want?

They only let me order it 30 days prior to my due date (which is today). Idk how long it'll take to come. My shower is tomorrow and we plan on finishing our registries on Sunday. So without physically having the pump I feel clueless.

& putting onesies on feet first is good to know!

For both questions- as far as I know, yes. The pump comes with some bottles but I've been using sterile ones from the hospital. Also, a friend of mine has the PISA pump and prefers to use lanisoh brand bags. So I assume anything goes.

Actually, no, not all bottles will fit the breast pump.  Usually, you need the skinny bottles- not the ones meant for babies who nurse (stupid, I know).  For example, Avent bottles will not fit onto my Ameda pump and I don't think they will fit the Medela either.  Of course, I just always pumped into the bottles that came with it and then transferred it to a bag or one of my bottles for feeding.  

As for storage bags, you can use whatever but you will find that not all are created equal.  I definitely preferred the lansinoh bags.  I found that the Medela ones leaked.  

Oh. Good to know!

shellbell3845

blscholl1645 said:

Soap1 said:

shellbell3845 said:

NextVerseUnknown said:

@blscholl1645 - bottles come with newborn nipples, and you would buy replacements to increase the flow. However, my BF baby used newborn nipples for the full year he used bottles.

Not all bottles come with newborn nipples. I was gifted a larger size bottle, and it came with a faster flow nipple. The little bottles did come with slow flow nipples.

This.

Is there a way to tell which kind you have?

Are your bottles still in the box? That's how I figured it out. The box small bottles had a symbol that meant slow flow. The box of big bottles had a different symbol. I only noticed because the symbols were different colors. That caught my eye and I investigated further.

MissDemeanor

I'm planning on EBF and will be staying at home with LO for at least the first year. I'm wondering if I should buy a breast pump now anyway, or just wait to see if I need it? Some Of my friends mentioned that they were able to just get away with a manual pump for the few times they needed it, so I don't want to drop $400 if I won't use it much. But I don't want to have to send clueless boyfriend out to buy me one either. Advice?