Stupid Questions Thread

sking72

Question: do you leave the tags on baby clothes? Or do they irritate and scratch baby?

Twirple

@Skiing72 I never removed tags from any baby clothing, and I never heard one word of complaint from DS.

(Never saw any irritation from the tags either.)

sking72

FTM so I have no experience, but the advice given to me was "don't let the baby change your life"
Obviously babies change certain aspects, but you shouldn't stop doing things for the reason of "I can't, I have a baby" meaning going out to eat, camping, seeing friends etc.

BiggerinRealLife

Ok, I'm 30 weeks. When they're saying baby is a cucumber and 15-16 inches, are they still talking head to rump or head to toe now?

Mamamonzo

Omfg the exercise ball is amazing! I knew we had one and finally went looking for it! So worth the 25 minutes I spent swearing at it while pumping it up!

mrsB68

I think it's an English cucumber...so very long. Although I don't know these fruits and vegetables never seem to make sense.

I'd also be curious about the diaper bag! I know I'm going to forget something and have to send my DHA out for it. To which I hope he returns with some sushi too...

SoulTermination

sking72 said: FTM so I have no experience, but the advice given to me was "don't let the baby change your life" Obviously babies change certain aspects, but you shouldn't stop doing things for the reason of "I can't, I have a baby" meaning going out to eat, camping, seeing friends etc.

I agree with this kind of thing, though I was rather upset at a couple who brought their newborn to the 4th of July fireworks in our old town.  Where everyone was clustered on the other side of the river, we weren't all that far from the campground park where they were being shot off, and even the tamer booms were pretty loud, nevermind the ones that are actually supposed to be ridiculously loud.  Baby started screaming maybe about a third of the way through. =/  I can understand wanting to get out and see the fireworks, but to me something like that is just way too loud for their little ears. T_T I felt so bad for that baby.

ETA formatting, since the quote box mysteriously disappeared. O.o

avidkeo

ColleenSwerb said:

Ok, I'm 30 weeks. When they're saying baby is a cucumber and 15-16 inches, are they still talking head to rump or head to tie now?

I can't figure it out. Cucumber makes no sense to me.

Surely its head to toe!!! My book changed from crown to rump to crown to toe at about 20-22 weeks I think  - otherwise a watermelon is looking VERY big with legs attached!

spano41

ColleenSwerb said:

P&B715 said:

Another ? I don't think we have gone over this: we've covered hospital bag for preparing,but I don't think we've covered diaper bag, what all do I need in it for hospital/taking baby home from hospital?? FTM here!

It REALLY depends on what your hospital provides. I don't need a single friggen thing

We are just bringing an outfit and a diaper or two plus bottles and a breast pump but we have a special feeding situation. You probably don't need diapers but our hospital cloth diapers so they don't provide them. I would ask what they recommend you bring when you are on your tour.

MrsMeatball41

The size of a coconut one confuses me? Like are we shrinking now lol

JNova78

ColleenSwerb said:

Before I had a kid, we were out to dinner one night and I saw a baby probably a week or two old at a nearby table and did NOT understand wtf they were doing there. Bitty baby, tons of strangers, it was winter so full on cold and flu season. It seemed really dumb.

Now? Forget it, I wouldn't even blink an eye. Now I understand that life doesn't stop when you have a baby. Now I understand that holy shit if I don't get out of the house I'm going to scream. Now I understand that bitty babies make so little noise and are generally easy to please (pop em on a boob! Done!). Now I would tell your friend she's being ridiculous and that unless that baby was screaming and the mother wasn't doing it, it's mere existence was nothing to get all worked up over.

I have a 2 year old. This baby will be out and about ASAP.

This makes total sense, but my stupid question is how does this work, in practice? I'll be a FTM and nervous about breastfeeding in general (and know I won't be comfortable in public right away) until I get the hang of it. I've read that babies eat every two hours. True? I'm envisioning feeding her and then rushing out to grocery shop or eat out with a mental countdown of a two hour time limit. My husband and I really don't want to change that much about our routine - we want to incorporate baby into that routine. Just wondering how hard or practical that is for the first few weeks.

nikki912

My first time BF in public was the perfect situation to break me in. We were eating out a week after he was born and he just started screaming uncontrollably. We hadn't even gotten our food yet so It's not like I could just rush through dinner and get out of there. So I pulled out my cover and put baby on the boob. He was quiet and happy instantly and I was forced to face my fear. It was uncomfortable for me for a few minutes- but so much better than the alternative. It just got easier and easier.

You'll be okay- I hate to say force yourself and you'll get over it- but hats what I did, and I got over it. Good luck!

yellowjellybeans

Apologies if this has been covered. I skimmed the 12 pages on my phone but wasn't sure if it was mentioned. During middle of the night feedings, do you un-swaddle baby so he's in nothing but diapers when you breast feed? So it's more free and skin-2-skin, then change diaper and re-swaddle? Or do you just feed them as is and put them back to sleep swaddled?

nikki912

Every baby is different but we would change diaper first, then feed with clothes on, then swaddle and put back in bed. Sometimes baby would poop after a feeding and we would have to change again.

As far as skin to skin- I would during the day at the beginning but didn't bother with night feedings or at all after a month or two.

sking72

@soultermination: oh my gosh! I refuse to even take my dogs to fireworks because of the loud noises, if I considered taking my baby I would definitely have baby ear protection! Poor thing

AcaAwkward

Re: Babies Eating Out & About -- as Colleen said, you just make it work. I nursed in restaurants at the table waiting for food, I nursed in the car in the middle of an afternoon running errands -- you might feel a little awkward at first, but it'll become commonplace and you'll get good at it if you just do it! And for shorter outings, you just time it between feedings (even then, you might very well find yourself needing to nurse or feed).

Re: Not Changing Your Life for Baby... I mean, yes and no? Don't give up your entire life and all your personal interests, but there are some things that are probably going to have to give. Sure, you can take a newborn practically anywhere, but when you start getting into things like sleeping and eating schedules, you're going to have to put your kid's needs above yours sometimes. DD naps at 12:30 and goes to sleep by 7:30. We don't fuck with those times for more than 30 minutes. If there's something we really want to do that would put us elsewhere at those times, we get a sitter. Otherwise, we skip out. Kids just aren't always going to fit neatly into your old life.

Re: Diaper bag at hospital. Figure out what your hospital provides. We needed nothing and went home with at least 2 packs of dipes and wipes, among other goodies.

snmetz7

sking72 said:

@soultermination: oh my gosh! I refuse to even take my dogs to fireworks because of the loud noises, if I considered taking my baby I would definitely have baby ear protection! Poor thing

Evidently my mother took me to see my first fireworks at a little over a month (I'm an April 30th baby) and supposedly I did fine and was just in awe.

I don't think that I will be following her lead on that one though.

Sisimama10

ColleenSwerb said:

P&B715 said:

Another ? I don't think we have gone over this: we've covered hospital bag for preparing,but I don't think we've covered diaper bag, what all do I need in it for hospital/taking baby home from hospital?? FTM here!

It REALLY depends on what your hospital provides. I don't need a single friggen thing

Same. My hospital provides everything but the baby. All I have packed for him is his take home outfit.

Sisimama10

nikki912 said:

Every baby is different but we would change diaper first, then feed with clothes on, then swaddle and put back in bed. Sometimes baby would poop after a feeding and we would have to change again.

As far as skin to skin- I would during the day at the beginning but didn't bother with night feedings or at all after a month or two.

Agreed! Change diaper first for sure otherwise you will just wake sleepy milk coma baby back up.

Twirple

yellowjellybeans said:

Apologies if this has been covered. I skimmed the 12 pages on my phone but wasn't sure if it was mentioned. During middle of the night feedings, do you un-swaddle baby so he's in nothing but diapers when you breast feed? So it's more free and skin-2-skin, then change diaper and re-swaddle? Or do you just feed them as is and put them back to sleep swaddled?

I would also change DS first and then leave him unswaddled to nurse.  This would also help if he got sleepy, so that you can move their arm or leg, or tickle them under the chin to wake them up.

fourthnlast

yellowjellybeans said:

Apologies if this has been covered. I skimmed the 12 pages on my phone but wasn't sure if it was mentioned. During middle of the night feedings, do you un-swaddle baby so he's in nothing but diapers when you breast feed? So it's more free and skin-2-skin, then change diaper and re-swaddle? Or do you just feed them as is and put them back to sleep swaddled?

What worked best for us was when baby woke up to eat, change diaper, re-swaddle and then feed back to sleep. In the hospital, there were a few times we had to undress him and un-swaddle to eat because he kept falling asleep after 30 seconds of eating.

nikki912

That's true- if it's really early on or baby has trouble gaining weight and you have to wake to feed baby getting them undressed and doing skin to skin helps wake them and get them to eat.

ksulli

I always changed after, the nursing got her digestive system going and she'd poo while eating without fail.

snowclouds

mrsB68 said:

New stupid Q...a friend of mine just texted me appalled that a newborn was at the movies. I didn't we what was wrong with that as it was a daytime pg movie. At what age can you take baby out? I was going to wait a couple weeks but that's about it!

We have Mommy & Baby movie times every week at our theatres here.  They dim the lights, but still leave most of them on and lower the sound on the movie.  There's also a microwave, toys, bottle warmer and change table provided.  I loved it because I don't have to feel bad if I need to bounce baby on the side or if he was being fussy since everyone there had babies.  Maybe look to see if there's a program like this in your area.

Onelovelyginger

Hi ladies! Dumb question here. But what should I sleep in in the hospital after birth? I plan to have a vaginal birth and didn't know if I should wear something like a nursing nightgown in case they need to check my lady bits for some reason during the night? I don't want to have to take pants off. Like when can I just wear sweatpants or whatever. Right off the bat? After the first night? Not at all while in the hospital? I'm just a huge planner and don't want to be stuck wearing a hospital gown or something. I don't mind getting my own stuff ruined.

snmetz7

MrsStanton87 said:

P&B715 said:

Another ? I don't think we have gone over this: we've covered hospital bag for preparing,but I don't think we've covered diaper bag, what all do I need in it for hospital/taking baby home from hospital?? FTM here!

I found this on Pinterest and will use this as my packing guide:

If you plan on using the tub or shower to labor you may want to add swim suit for dad

Sisimama10

Onelovelyginger said:

Hi ladies! Dumb question here. But what should I sleep in in the hospital after birth? I plan to have a vaginal birth and didn't know if I should wear something like a nursing nightgown in case they need to check my lady bits for some reason during the night? I don't want to have to take pants off. Like when can I just wear sweatpants or whatever. Right off the bat? After the first night? Not at all while in the hospital? I'm just a huge planner and don't want to be stuck wearing a hospital gown or something. I don't mind getting my own stuff ruined.

They kept me in the gown the first night and then I was able to wear my regular clothes. I slept in yoga pants a t-shirt aka what I normally sleep in.

thomas930

Melody*W* said:

I have a stupid question for STM or anyone in the know: how much smaller is you belly after popping the bebe out?  Same size?  Slightly smaller? Way big because it's pissed off and traumatized?
I'm just curious, I've seen the videos and they make it look like the uterus shrinks and the stomach is smaller within hours of giving birth.

I typically look about 4-6 months pregnant when I leave the hospital...its just squishy instead of firm

ksulli

Melody*W* said:

I have a stupid question for STM or anyone in the know: how much smaller is you belly after popping the bebe out?  Same size?  Slightly smaller? Way big because it's pissed off and traumatized?
I'm just curious, I've seen the videos and they make it look like the uterus shrinks and the stomach is smaller within hours of giving birth.

I found a pic of myself the day we came home (about 50hrs after delivery) and I looked about 4 mos pregnant. For me it went down quick from there- I was on the beach 3w later in a bikini (still thanking my mom's genes for that magical trick).

Did you see the princess Kate pictures when they were discharged? Those were pretty reasonable expectations if you started pregnancy small & gained healthy weight IMO.

jgreig83

LuckySquare said:

I have a stupid question for STM or anyone in the know: how much smaller is you belly after popping the bebe out?  Same size?  Slightly smaller? Way big because it's pissed off and traumatized?
I'm just curious, I've seen the videos and they make it look like the uterus shrinks and the stomach is smaller within hours of giving birth.

Most people still look around 6 months pregnant, but replace firm bump with smushy, deflated tummy.

Lovely!!!

AcaAwkward

^^^ what they said... 6ish months pregnant but with a super squishy belly. Ugggg that part blows.

fourthnlast

LuckySquare said:

We always changed the diaper before a feeding to avoid stimulating him after he was in his milk coma. But like others have said, sometimes eating makes them poo, so you just have to go with the flow. For stimulation while feeding, we had a cool wet rag or tickled him, but this was while he was jaundiced. I thought the cool rag was cruel, but he was super lethargic while undergoing his light treatments and touches and tickles didn't always work.

We had to do that too with the cool rag- he was admitted to the ped's unit for jaundice treatment...it was not fun and something I hope to avoid this time!

fourthnlast

Onelovelyginger said:

Hi ladies! Dumb question here. But what should I sleep in in the hospital after birth? I plan to have a vaginal birth and didn't know if I should wear something like a nursing nightgown in case they need to check my lady bits for some reason during the night? I don't want to have to take pants off. Like when can I just wear sweatpants or whatever. Right off the bat? After the first night? Not at all while in the hospital? I'm just a huge planner and don't want to be stuck wearing a hospital gown or something. I don't mind getting my own stuff ruined.

Not sure about vaginal deliveries, but after my c-sections I was able to put pants on under my gown after the first 24 hours or so.

fourthnlast

MrsStanton87 said:

P&B715 said:

Another ? I don't think we have gone over this: we've covered hospital bag for preparing,but I don't think we've covered diaper bag, what all do I need in it for hospital/taking baby home from hospital?? FTM here!

I found this on Pinterest and will use this as my packing guide:

You honestly don't need that much for the baby. They provide clothes, blankets, diapers, creams, nursing pads, nipple cream, etc. The only thing I'm bringing for the baby is something to come home in.

MamaFantastic

maybe it's just me, but i majorly rolled my eyes at the inclusion of a hair straightener in the "what to pack" list.  having pretty hair was the last thing on my mind when i was immediately post-partum.

again, i'm a big time hair slacker, so it very well may be a normal thing for others.  definitely not for me, though!!

to add to the list - lotion and lip balm!  and your own pillow.  i was so glad i had my comfy familiar pillow for sleeping.  also, snacks for night nursing sessions.  i am a big snacker, so i was munching on things all throughout my labor too.  i also preferred having my own water bottle from home.

snmetz7

MamaFantastic said:

maybe it's just me, but i majorly rolled my eyes at the inclusion of a hair straightener in the "what to pack" list.  having pretty hair was the last thing on my mind when i was immediately post-partum.

again, i'm a big time hair slacker, so it very well may be a normal thing for others.  definitely not for me, though!!

to add to the list - lotion and lip balm!  and your own pillow.  i was so glad i had my comfy familiar pillow for sleeping.  also, snacks for night nursing sessions.  i am a big snacker, so i was munching on things all throughout my labor too.  i also preferred having my own water bottle from home.

ha me too along with make up. but maybe it is because I never wear make up.
My hospital allows no snacks or drinks while in labor so those are not on our "to pack" list (not even water!) For afterwards in recovery I'd prefer their mega awesome water bottles to anything I have at home.

Sisimama10

Melody*W* said:

I have a stupid question for STM or anyone in the know: how much smaller is you belly after popping the bebe out?  Same size?  Slightly smaller? Way big because it's pissed off and traumatized?
I'm just curious, I've seen the videos and they make it look like the uterus shrinks and the stomach is smaller within hours of giving birth.

I looked about 20 weeks/ 4-5 months a couple hours after delivery.

snowbound

I agree with bringing your own pillow. My hospital actually provides a list of things for mom to being and two personal pillows is on that list. I was happy to see that because if their pillows are anything like the ones in their ultrasounds rooms, I'd be screwed. Might as well give me a piece of paper to lay my head on.

beautifulstr13

ColleenSwerb said:

@dani+California - we do that here. The insurance pays for all the supplies, and for sanitary reasons they can not reuse ANYTHING from one family to the next. So we take home the remaining diapers, wipes, creams, etc.

We did this too. The day we left we just opened the closet and took what we thought we needed. Scored some extra mesh panties doing that!

Sisimama10

Our hospital provides everything for baby. Diapers and wipes until they leave, nose sucker, hairbrush, little tub, onesies/hat, blankets, binkies, formula, bottles, breastpump, tubing/shields/membranes that you can take home for your pump if it's the same, etc. Definitely find out what yours provides, it could save you bringing so much unnecessary stuff.