Can we start another 'clueless FTM' question thread?

PeytonEliMama

Do you stain treat clothes as you take them off LO (like in his room give a little spray) or when you're going to wash them? I feel like I will forget to check for stains / spots if I'm dumping in the washer but if I put stain treatment in his room I can just spray when they come off of him? Is that silly?

I stain treat right before washing, using Fels Naptha (bar) soap.  If you haven't heard of it or tried it, that stuff is amazing. 

lalaith50

Blonderedhead781 said:

Thanks so much everyone for weighing in on the Boppy! I have definitely started to rethink not getting one. We have a consignment store about 15 mins away. I may go check them out this weekend and see how much they charge for a used one.

I just got a My Brest Friend nursing pillow at a children's consignment shop for $7, and then I saw another one at another shop for $8! Not quite as multi-purpose as the boppy, but I've heard people who use them for nursing say they prefer the MBF.

katykatykaty

lalaith50 said:

Blonderedhead781 said:

Thanks so much everyone for weighing in on the Boppy! I have definitely started to rethink not getting one. We have a consignment store about 15 mins away. I may go check them out this weekend and see how much they charge for a used one.

I just got a My Brest Friend nursing pillow at a children's consignment shop for $7, and then I saw another one at another shop for $8! Not quite as multi-purpose as the boppy, but I've heard people who use them for nursing say they prefer the MBF.

Yeah, I love the Boppy for using to prop up LO, but I much prefer the My Brest Friend for nursing.  I have both (actually I have 2 of both )) and use them for different things.

dancer7889

Laura8388 said:

Oh and often, I'll be all cleaned up then have to use ANOTHER wipe when I realize he has poop on his heels. He always has to bend his knees and pull his feet up and get it in his poo. Don't know how I never notice him doing it.

She always has socks on and I change her socks often bc of this!

And good to hear that I'm not crazy only using one wipe. I don't really care about usage bc I have more than enough cloth ones but dh just seems to think I'm leaving her dirty when i use only one.

LaurenAsh23

scooter028 said:

Regarding the birthing balls, I've seen them at Five Below for a few bucks and at TJ Maxx pretty often.  I also hear they're good for bouncing while holding baby, although I can't testify to that.

can also use them for tummy time once baby is here, and ab workouts, squats...definitely won't go to waste

VineyardMel

katykatykaty said:

clo1982 said:

katykatykaty said:

dancer7889 said:

My secret to getting the aspirator to work is to use the Nose Frida instead.    It works so much better!

I need to bite the bullet and try this! I keep hearing about how gross it is but it still just kind of gives me the shivers!

 

@springbaby03, I think quite a few ladies on here (@katykatykaty may be one if I remember right?) didn't have any type of band/binding after a c/s. I never had anything like that, just a gauze type thing over the incision which I'm guessing was to keep it from snagging on clothes. @katy, did you ask about it at your appointment? I plan to tomorrow, but am curious if you got feedback.

@clo1982 My next appointment isn't until Monday, so I haven't had a chance to ask about it yet.  Let me know what you hear, and I'll do the same.  I'm delivering at a different hospital this time, so I thought maybe it was more of a hospital thing than a doctor thing and that I'd get to try one this time. 

@clo1982 and @katykatykaty--With my last c/s I asked my OB in advance to prescribe the binder for me, and then I asked the nurse the first day. I don't know if ultimately needed a script or not, but I wanted to be sure. It was not something they just offered.

PerkyErky

Something I learned and once I learned it I was all "That makes so much sense!" Is that onesies are made to fit over baby's larger head, but also can be pulled down the body if there is a poop explosion. That way you don't have to pull a poopy onesie over their head. It is one of the reasons they have the shoulders made the way they are.

ProudMommy030614

LaurenAsh23 said:

I have one, hope it hasn't been asked yet, I haven't finished reading the whole thread.

I always just thought, if you go into labor, you go into the hospital. Now the more I've read it seems like you should call your dr first? Is this true?

I have a history of having my babies super freaky fast and my hospital is 45 min away. My doctor said if I feel it's time try to call while on the way to the hospital. She would rather send me home for it being false labor than have H deliver our LO

sparklr10

Ok I've tried to look up information on this and haven't had much luck.....I'm aware of all the arguments about u/s being significantly off on estimated weight/size of baby. But what if my doctor says that my LOs head is measuring big. Like big to the point that most women can't birth a head 1/2 cm bigger than this and I have 4 1/2 weeks to go. Has anyone been thru this? It seems like a skull measurement would be more accurate in a u/s than the computer calculating a weight from a bunch of random measurements.

He scheduled me for another u/s at 37 wks to check again and see where we are at that point. I'd be happy to hear opinions and/or if anyone knows of any studies done?!?!?!

erinsullivan427

sparklr10 said:

Ok I've tried to look up information on this and haven't had much luck.....I'm aware of all the arguments about u/s being significantly off on estimated weight/size of baby. But what if my doctor says that my LOs head is measuring big. Like big to the point that most women can't birth a head 1/2 cm bigger than this and I have 4 1/2 weeks to go. Has anyone been thru this? It seems like a skull measurement would be more accurate in a u/s than the computer calculating a weight from a bunch of random measurements.

He scheduled me for another u/s at 37 wks to check again and see where we are at that point. I'd be happy to hear opinions and/or if anyone knows of any studies done?!?!?!

Is the whole body measuring big or just the head? I'm not sure if this might be a similar situation but our baby is 50th % except the head is 95%. My doctor and the tech keep saying it's because it's really round and it won't be freakishly large or anything. I work in neurosurgery and babies are definitely born with abnormally huge heads, but it's usually due to a problem that they would have caught already that you would definitely be aware of.

sparklr10

erinsullivan427 said:

Ok I've tried to look up information on this and haven't had much luck.....I'm aware of all the arguments about u/s being significantly off on estimated weight/size of baby. But what if my doctor says that my LOs head is measuring big. Like big to the point that most women can't birth a head 1/2 cm bigger than this and I have 4 1/2 weeks to go. Has anyone been thru this? It seems like a skull measurement would be more accurate in a u/s than the computer calculating a weight from a bunch of random measurements.

He scheduled me for another u/s at 37 wks to check again and see where we are at that point. I'd be happy to hear opinions and/or if anyone knows of any studies done?!?!?!

Is the whole body measuring big or just the head? I'm not sure if this might be a similar situation but our baby is 50th % except the head is 95%. My doctor and the tech keep saying it's because it's really round and it won't be freakishly large or anything. I work in neurosurgery and babies are definitely born with abnormally huge heads, but it's usually due to a problem that they would have caught already that you would definitely be aware of.

If I remember right he said the head was measuring like 2 weeks ahead of schedule, abdomen was exactly on for my EDD and leg measurement was 1 1/2 weeks ahead. I didn't ask too many questions since he scheduled the u/s at 37 weeks so I don't know percentiles or anything like that. And all my tests have come back normal for everything (from the beginning of pregnancy till now).

LaurenAsh23

erinsullivan427 said:

Ok I've tried to look up information on this and haven't had much luck.....I'm aware of all the arguments about u/s being significantly off on estimated weight/size of baby. But what if my doctor says that my LOs head is measuring big. Like big to the point that most women can't birth a head 1/2 cm bigger than this and I have 4 1/2 weeks to go. Has anyone been thru this? It seems like a skull measurement would be more accurate in a u/s than the computer calculating a weight from a bunch of random measurements.

He scheduled me for another u/s at 37 wks to check again and see where we are at that point. I'd be happy to hear opinions and/or if anyone knows of any studies done?!?!?!

Is the whole body measuring big or just the head? I'm not sure if this might be a similar situation but our baby is 50th % except the head is 95%. My doctor and the tech keep saying it's because it's really round and it won't be freakishly large or anything. I work in neurosurgery and babies are definitely born with abnormally huge heads, but it's usually due to a problem that they would have caught already that you would definitely be aware of.

If I remember right he said the head was measuring like 2 weeks ahead of schedule, abdomen was exactly on for my EDD and leg measurement was 1 1/2 weeks ahead. I didn't ask too many questions since he scheduled the u/s at 37 weeks so I don't know percentiles or anything like that. And all my tests have come back normal for everything (from the beginning of pregnancy till now).

At my last u/s they said they head was measuring 4 weeks ahead!! When I freaked out the tech reassured me that those measurements can be way off and not to worry. So if your dr or the tech didn't seem worried....I wouldn't be either.

sparklr10

@laurenash23 Thanks! I'll just try not worry till the next appt then

WoodShopGirl

Ok, so this is a stupid one. Is there any difference between an exercise ball and a birthing ball? I have an exercise ball and would assume it will work in the hospital rather than having to buy something additional.

LaurenAsh23

WoodShopGirl said:

Ok, so this is a stupid one. Is there any difference between an exercise ball and a birthing ball? I have an exercise ball and would assume it will work in the hospital rather than having to buy something additional.

same thing IMO

snappyK

@erinsullivan427 - at my last appt (32 weeks) the OB did an ultrasound that said baby's head was measuring at 38 weeks. She didn't seem to notice until my husband pointed out that the due date the machine was in like a minute. Then she said Oh, yeah, that sounds off. Let's try that again! She re measured and it was showing 34 weeks. So, a four week week measurement difference from one minute to the next. That's how accurate those things are.

kaking78

WoodShopGirl said:

Ok, so this is a stupid one. Is there any difference between an exercise ball and a birthing ball? I have an exercise ball and would assume it will work in the hospital rather than having to buy something additional.

About $60, according to my L&D instructor.  Otherwise nothing.

sebullows

Got another bathing question. We received "bathing wipes" as a shower gift. I have never heard of them. The package is a little bigger than a regular wipe package so idk if they're just extra large baby wipes or what. My question is, when do you use bathing wipes? Can they be used in replace of a sponge bath for the first few weeks? If not, I don't understand the purpose other than having extra large wipes?

legallyginger

I'm confused about the LATCH system- I've always heard the middle seat is the safest for a carseat, but it seems like lots of cars only have the LATCH on the side seats.

So which is better- putting it in with the latch system on the passenger side or putting it in the middle with the seatbelt?

Rita092010

legallyginger said:

I'm confused about the LATCH system- I've always heard the middle seat is the safest for a carseat, but it seems like lots of cars only have the LATCH on the side seats. So which is better- putting it in with the latch system on the passenger side or putting it in the middle with the seatbelt?

Middle with seatbelt as long as you can get a good install (normally you can). LATCH is nifty but not necessarily "safer" as most believe.

Rita092010

addisonsmom22 said:

I have two.

Not sure if I want to put LO in the pack n play or the rock n sleep in my bedroom at night for the first couple of months. Anyone have a specific preference? 

Also, do I need a BUMBO? Everyone keeps telling me to get a bumbo but I am not sure if I need it right this minute or if I can wait. 

We never had a BUMBO with DS…it can certainly wait and it is definitely an item to get second hand.  They don't use them all that long and if your baby has chubby legs, they often won't fit well without being uncomfortable.

ProudMommy030614

I never used the latch thingy in my car, we always kept LO in the center on the back seat.

We never had a bumbo and probably won't with this LO either.

VineyardMel

sparklr10 said:

Ok I've tried to look up information on this and haven't had much luck.....I'm aware of all the arguments about u/s being significantly off on estimated weight/size of baby. But what if my doctor says that my LOs head is measuring big. Like big to the point that most women can't birth a head 1/2 cm bigger than this and I have 4 1/2 weeks to go. Has anyone been thru this? It seems like a skull measurement would be more accurate in a u/s than the computer calculating a weight from a bunch of random measurements.

He scheduled me for another u/s at 37 wks to check again and see where we are at that point. I'd be happy to hear opinions and/or if anyone knows of any studies done?!?!?!

This is a really tricky one. You'll get a much better picture at your 37wk u/s and can look closely at shoulder and abdomen measurements, too. I know there are a lot of people who are very anti-c/s for size, but I do think that if the measurements (not weight estimates) are significantly large and your OB recommends a c/s it's definitely something to consider. (And I might ask for a second u/s with a second sonographer just to minimize errors with the measurements). I expect to get flamed for this, but I really believe that just because your body CAN deliver a very large baby doesn't always mean that it SHOULD. First and foremost you want to avoid any potential issues to baby, but I am also a big fan of my vagina and I believe my OB when she said that my C/S saved my future sex life. That is certainly not to say that all women who deliver large babies vaginally have long term pain issues (or that you're exempt from the same issues if you deliver a smaller baby), but I do think that if you trust your OB it's worth talking through all of the issues at hand and trusting what the recommend for you. My OB is a good friend and she has told me some horror stories and I trust that she had all of my interests at heart. All of that said, I already had to have a c/s due to a complication from a previous surgery (but she was clear that she would have recommended it for me based on baby's size). 

Oh--and even though DD had a ginormous head in-utero (and was born a little over 10lbs), she doesn't have an abnormally large head now.

VineyardMel

Rita092010 said:

legallyginger said:

I'm confused about the LATCH system- I've always heard the middle seat is the safest for a carseat, but it seems like lots of cars only have the LATCH on the side seats. So which is better- putting it in with the latch system on the passenger side or putting it in the middle with the seatbelt?

Middle with seatbelt as long as you can get a good install (normally you can). LATCH is nifty but not necessarily "safer" as most believe.

This.

VineyardMel

addisonsmom22 said:

Also, do I need a BUMBO? Everyone keeps telling me to get a bumbo but I am not sure if I need it right this minute or if I can wait. 

We got the Summer Super Seat. It's the same concept but the leg openings are a lot larger (necessary for my chunky monkey), it has a cool tray with toys, and it converts to a booster seat later (oh and it's less expensive). It wasn't her favorite thing ever, but it was nice to have another station to rotate her through, and now we use the booster a lot.

laurendom

Super late to this - (stupid work getting in the way). Let me see if I can remember after reading all that and weigh in!

Swaddles- I always did arms down in the beginning. Never heard about the legs, but did hear that you don't want to wrap too tight around the hip area. I swaddled all the time because DD had a crazy moro reflex and we lived by the 5 S's just to get her to sleep most of the time.

Wipes - I use Earth's best wipes, I liked that they are chlorine free, don't dry out, rarely rip and had no issues (but pampers sensitive are my next choice).

Boppy/Bumbo- love the boppy, yes you can use a pillow, but I used it for BFing, tummy time, just propping baby up for a little. Bumbo, we used early on for feeding with the tray, DD was tiny and even with the high chair straps at the tightest she would slump or get out of the straps.  I didn't use it much for just sitting for no reason.

Carseat - we did passenger side because the middle had a slight hump. But LATCH is not safer than seatbelt, it's just easier. We got a new car a few months ago and I didn't really investigate to see how we will handle 2 car seats. 

I guess I have a STM question - I didn't think about until now, it doesn't matter if you have car seats set up as passenger side and center, does it?

I do not have a favorite nursing top, interested to see what others say.

jh&kh

I love our Bumbo, but got it as a shower gift. It was helpful to have somewhere for baby to be propped up and works great as a travel high chair with the tray! It's what I brought for vacations!

VineyardMel

DisneyAddict1 said:

laurendom said:

I guess I have a STM question - I didn't think about until now, it doesn't matter if you have car seats set up as passenger side and center, does it?

We can use the middle seat for LATCH but with 2 carseats they don't fit safely so we have to do one on each side. So DS1 will remain behind the passenger side and DS2 will go behind the driver's side. I would check the manual for your car to see what they recommend as the safest option for your car.

Same for us--we ended up needing to put one on each side. After WAY overthinking it I put DD behind the driver and the new baby behind the passenger. I decided that as I was going to the car I could snap in the little on the passenger side and then get DD secured on my side before I got in. I'm hoping it won't be too long before DD can climb in on the passenger side and climb up in to her seat so I just have to make sure she's all secured before I hop in. We'll have to see how it all works out in reality and if I leave them like that or switch sides.

SouthernMs

PerkyErky said:

Something I learned and once I learned it I was all "That makes so much sense!" Is that onesies are made to fit over baby's larger head, but also can be pulled down the body if there is a poop explosion. That way you don't have to pull a poopy onesie over their head. It is one of the reasons they have the shoulders made the way they are.

WHOA.  You just blew my mind.

PerkyErky

SouthernMs said:

PerkyErky said:

Something I learned and once I learned it I was all "That makes so much sense!" Is that onesies are made to fit over baby's larger head, but also can be pulled down the body if there is a poop explosion. That way you don't have to pull a poopy onesie over their head. It is one of the reasons they have the shoulders made the way they are.

WHOA.  You just blew my mind.


Happy to help! It changed my world when I found out!

akb1125

Jt7dreamz said:

Is anyone else's lo punching and kicking so much and so often it hurts and makes you scream or gasp aloud? In the last day my little chiclet (her nickname) has been playing karate kid or something. All these kicks under my ribs and punches to the vag and bladder. I asked doc if baby could ever move too much or when to be concerned. He just said active baby! Am I to assume she will be active outside as well???

Yup! He has definitely gotten alot stronger!

SomersIsles

Jt7dreamz said:

Is anyone else's lo punching and kicking so much and so often it hurts and makes you scream or gasp aloud? In the last day my little chiclet (her nickname) has been playing karate kid or something. All these kicks under my ribs and punches to the vag and bladder. I asked doc if baby could ever move too much or when to be concerned. He just said active baby! Am I to assume she will be active outside as well???

Just today while walking around I had to stop because LO's punches and kicks were so ferocious it would take my breath away!  At one point it felt like he was trying to climb out through my belly button and when that didn't work he aimed for my waist.  On top of that whenever he moves a lot, it also feels like he's stabbing my straight in the vag with a knife.  Good times...

ProudMommy030614

DisneyAddict1 said:

Jt7dreamz said:

Is anyone else's lo punching and kicking so much and so often it hurts and makes you scream or gasp aloud? In the last day my little chiclet (her nickname) has been playing karate kid or something. All these kicks under my ribs and punches to the vag and bladder. I asked doc if baby could ever move too much or when to be concerned. He just said active baby! Am I to assume she will be active outside as well???

Yes to all! DS1 was a very active baby always doing something, including having the hiccups and he has stayed that way :-)


It was true with my ds1 he goes non stop! Ds2 was a lazy baby and he is an even lazier 8 year old, but such a mammas boy. This LO is super active and I just keep thinking that H and I are in for it!!!

iheartbooks

I know you typically aren't allowed to eat during labor? What about drinking water? Or eating more "liquidy" type foods, like jello or something?

gwentyler

I think it depends on your doctor. I know the midwives who deliver at my hospital let their patients eat jello/popsicles/etc. but the OBs generally don't (water & ice only).

lnvane00

Have any of you put down anything under your sheets or whatever just in case your water breaks in bed? If so, what did you use?

Kewii

Something of an odd question...

I'm making a few different freezer meals for when baby first comes home. I've read that for the first few months, breastfeeding moms shouldn't have anything spicy or it can upset baby's tummy.  Does that mean I should leave out any chili powder/cayenne pepper/etc from any freezer meal I make?

Rita092010

Kewii said:

Something of an odd question...

I'm making a few different freezer meals for when baby first comes home. I've read that for the first few months, breastfeeding moms shouldn't have anything spicy or it can upset baby's tummy.  Does that mean I should leave out any chili powder/cayenne pepper/etc from any freezer meal I make?

I would eat food as you like it!  Check out this website, it has great breastfeeding advice: https://kellymom.com/nutrition/mothers-diet/mom-foods/

ProudMommy030614

Rita092010 said:

Kewii said:

Something of an odd question...

I'm making a few different freezer meals for when baby first comes home. I've read that for the first few months, breastfeeding moms shouldn't have anything spicy or it can upset baby's tummy.  Does that mean I should leave out any chili powder/cayenne pepper/etc from any freezer meal I make?

I would eat food as you like it!  Check out this website, it has great breastfeeding advice: https://kellymom.com/nutrition/mothers-diet/mom-foods/

When I bf ds2 I didn't leave any of that out. After I ate and than nursed I would just see I'd ds would have any problems and go from there. Every baby is different.

lalaith50

lnvane00 said:

Have any of you put down anything under your sheets or whatever just in case your water breaks in bed? If so, what did you use?

I just got this. But read the reviews; it's not loud and crinkly, but it is really thin and not "absorbent" so you're going to want something else also, like a towel or mattress pad to absorb a big gush so it doesn't run down the side of your bed. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A2G9VFM/