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

smboswell1 · October 2014

Good to know!!! I never knew that. Thanks ladies!

hellosweety18 · October 2014

We were having issues keeping DS's chubby roles dry (neck, arms, thighs etc. etc. he was a seriously chubby kid) so when I talked to my doctor about it her suggestion was to use baby powder, but be carful. We would slowly (to avoid the poof of powder) pour it into our hand away from him and then out it in his roles from our hand.
Just an option if any if you guys have a rough time with the chub chub like we did!

mockingjay1 · October 2014

Does a baby need a playmat and jumperoo? I am aware he won't use them right now, but are those things helpful/recommended? I just don't want to waste money on things that aren't needed, but if they are good for baby developmentally I am all for it.

Also, I bought tide all free and gentle detergent to wash all baby's stuff in... I assume you shouldn't use fabric softener/dryer sheets? I don't really know. So clueless when it comes to this stuff.

Maelara · October 2014

@dmo1371‌ I think that a playmat is pretty essential for babies learning to bat at/play. We had a jumparoo but only because N loved to jump so much!! Also, I always use dryer sheets but not fabric softener.

linabean55 · October 2014

I just bought this today! Nordstrom has them on sale 20% off!!! Score!

jlove253 · October 2014

@linabean55‌ what did you buy? I'm intrigued now!

Carebella · October 2014

I bought a pack of dryer balls called Woolzies. (https://woolzies.com) I'd been using Bounce scent free sheets but between reading that they can still have chemicals and that the dryer balls are better for CDing, I decided to make the switch. I got a six pack for $24 at Home Goods.

Edit to tag @dmo1371‌

mander82 · October 2014

I never heard of vitamin D for breastfed babies, or that baby powder was a bad thing!!!
How do I not know this stuff???!!!

Lol.....now I am wondering what other important things I am unaware of. I am such a noob.

mommymeg143 · October 2014

I remember when my brother was little and would get a diaper change...my mom and grandma would POUR powder in his diaper. Enough to make a cloud of powder. Haha...no wonder they say it's bad for baby's lungs.

mockingjay1 · October 2014

Maelara said:

@dmo1371‌ I think that a playmat is pretty essential for babies learning to bat at/play. We had a jumparoo but only because N loved to jump so much!! Also, I always use dryer sheets but not fabric softener.

Thanks! I ordered both with my completion discount last night, so I was hoping I was making a good purchase. I about had a heart attack when I saw how much money I was spending at once on the rest of the stuff we "need" (some necessary, some ideal to have).

MrsG1019 · October 2014

Are humidifiers a must? A girlfriend with 2 kids insisted it needs to be at the top of my "still need to buy" list cuz she says all newborns sound like little warthogs when they sleep cuz of amniotic fluid clearing out of their lungs or something -- and the humidifier is the only thing that helps? I've never heard that before prior to her mentioning it.. Anyone care to chime in with any advice or experience?

missnacholover · October 2014

Is there a vitamin BF moms should take? Should we continue with prenatals or just switch to a multi?

jess123456 · October 2014

Ok here is my silly question:

What types of first aid/health related supplies should we have on hand for our baby? We don't have a thermometer so obviously need that but what about other things like gripe water, the nose thingy (that mechanism that sucks the boogers out) etc.? Thanks!

abbyful · October 2014

missnacholover said:
Is there a vitamin BF moms should take? Should we continue with prenatals or just switch to a multi?

I was told to keep taking my prenatal vitamins. I've been taking them for about 3 years straight now (started before TTC DS, and have stayed on them since). I will just stay on them until I'm done breastfeeding my last kid (we may have 1 more after this baby).

abbyful · October 2014

MrsG1019 said:
Are humidifiers a must? A girlfriend with 2 kids insisted it needs to be at the top of my "still need to buy" list cuz she says all newborns sound like little warthogs when they sleep cuz of amniotic fluid clearing out of their lungs or something -- and the humidifier is the only thing that helps? I've never heard that before prior to her mentioning it.. Anyone care to chime in with any advice or experience?

We never used it as an everyday thing. But it's good to have. We only use it when kiddo is sick, does helps a lot with congestion.

jess123456 said:
Ok here is my silly question:

What types of first aid/health related supplies should we have on hand for our baby? We don't have a thermometer so obviously need that but what about other things like gripe water, the nose thingy (that mechanism that sucks the boogers out) etc.? Thanks!

Thermometer, booger sucker, Tylenol, saline nasal spray.
Never used gripe water with DS, but some people swear by it.

missnacholover · October 2014

Thanks @aeandjb and @abbyful - I will continue with the prenatals!

Carebella · October 2014

@jess123456‌ I used Lucie's List for my guide on what to pick up for health and safety.

See the last section "Baby Meds"

https://www.lucieslist.com/baby-registry-basics/this-that/#babyMEDS

Cici3913 · October 2014

Does the reflux go away right after baby is born or does it take a while?

jj0313 · October 2014

What's the deal with baby gowns? Do you just put them in them for easier access to the diaper??

mommymeg143 · October 2014

jj0313 said:
What's the deal with baby gowns? Do you just put them in them for easier access to the diaper??

Yep. I've kept a lot of babies whose moms swore by them. They really are easier, especially if the umbilical cord is still attached because they don't fit snugly to the tummy like onesies do.

abbyful · October 2014

jj0313 said:
What's the deal with baby gowns? Do you just put them in them for easier access to the diaper??

Yes, and they are awesome! In fact, that's what my hospital keeps all the newborns in.

jj0313 · October 2014

Thanks, gals!

mockingjay1 · October 2014

runnershan said:

At my baby basics class last night the instructor mentioned that she used unpetrolum jelly on her babies in their fat folds (neck, legs, etc.) after bath time to help prevent the area being rubbed raw from milk or other things getting lodged in there. She mentioned coconut oil would work as well. Has anyone done this? I didn't think about until I got home last night but will that block the pores on LO's skin and cause baby acne?

I don't really know what unpetroleum jelly is, but keeping fat rolls (especially the neck) clean and dry is the best thing you can do. Applying any ointments (if that's what unpetroleum is) would do the opposite and put you at a higher risk for a yeast infection or skin breakdown due to moisture. I would just make sure when you give your baby a bath to wash and dry the fat rolls well.

minibean16 · October 2014

mommymeg143 said:

jj0313 said:
What's the deal with baby gowns? Do you just put them in them for easier access to the diaper??
Yep. I've kept a lot of babies whose moms swore by them. They really are easier, especially if the umbilical cord is still attached because they don't fit snugly to the tummy like onesies do.

---

You've kept a lot of babies? This sounds ominous.

mommymeg143 · October 2014

minibean16 said:

mommymeg143 said:

jj0313 said:
What's the deal with baby gowns? Do you just put them in them for easier access to the diaper??
Yep. I've kept a lot of babies whose moms swore by them. They really are easier, especially if the umbilical cord is still attached because they don't fit snugly to the tummy like onesies do.
---

You've kept a lot of babies? This sounds ominous.

I promise I gave them all back.

lizzielu82 · October 2014

Ok, this one just came up as DH and I were working on our hospital bags.

How many nights should we prepare to be there for? I know, on average, most people are covered for 2 days after the birth but that the labor itself could take longer.

Just curious to see how many days you ladies are planning for.

abbyful · October 2014

Emnob28 said:
I should have asked my hospital this but I keep forgetting. What does the baby wear while we are staying in the hospital? They have a nursery but the majority of the time she will be in my room with me. Do I have to bring outfits for her for every day or does the hospital provide gowns of sorts for her?

It depends on the hospital. At my hospital, babies must be dressed in the clothes provided by the hospital, they don't allow you to dress baby in anything else until it's time to leave. (The clothes provided by the hospital are infant gowns (not hospital-y looking ones, they were colorful Gerber infant gowns), hats, and swaddle blankets.)

Jan1214 · October 2014

Anyone have any strong opinions on brands of wipes? I've heard that it doesn't matter, so I was just going to go with the costco brand because they were on sale. Then I read some reviews, and apparently they made some changes and now people hate them. - Just looking for some advice before I stock up.

abbyful · October 2014

Jan1214 said:
Anyone have any strong opinions on brands of wipes? I've heard that it doesn't matter, so I was just going to go with the costco brand because they were on sale. Then I read some reviews, and apparently they made some changes and now people hate them. - Just looking for some advice before I stock up.

Target Up&Up brand!

IMO, they are way better than Huggies or Pampers wipes, and cheaper too! (I've never tried Costco brand.)

mander82 · October 2014

Packing my hospital bag, everyone says to pack comfy clothes.

I have 2 pair of jammie pants that fit me comfortably right now. One is plain blue and one is Tinkerbell.....lol. I planned to take the plain blue ones, but they are my favorite.....will they get ruined? Is this a bad idea?

Are pants in general a bad idea? Do they typically leave your crotch alone after you are all stitched up ? Or do they need easy access to it ?

AnnieRoo13 · October 2014

This is probably a dumb question, but I was thinking about it last night and thought I would ask.

When LO is swaddled and wakes up in the night, do you unswaddle them to feed? I have read that you don't have to change them everytime they wake up in the night so I wasn't sure if they needed to be unswaddled if you're not changing them.

kayd8 · October 2014

This probably could be asked a few places, but when packing your hospital bag, what kind of bag do you use? I'm currently using an overnight bag with handles, but I'm wondering if I should switch to a small suitcase with wheels? That might also be easier, since the top can flip open, whereas I have to take everything out of the overnight bag to access or see stuff.

mander82 · October 2014

kayd8 said:

This probably could be asked a few places, but when packing your hospital bag, what kind of bag do you use? I'm currently using an overnight bag with handles, but I'm wondering if I should switch to a small suitcase with wheels? That might also be easier, since the top can flip open, whereas I have to take everything out of the overnight bag to access or see stuff.

************stuck in box************

I am just using a regular duffel bag. It has handles, and an over the shoulder strap. I can fit my stuff, DH's stuff, and babies stuff in it. That way we'll only have one bag. I plan on taking the Boppy pillow with us, but leaving it in the car. Not sure I will need/want it in the hospital, but I want to be able to sit on it for the ride home.

One with wheels might be nice if you have that much stuff to take. Maybe you have a small one, but the ones we have are way too big for a hospital bag.

maebee87 · October 2014

What is better in your opinion disposable breast pads or washable ones?

Carebella · October 2014

@maebee87‌ I've seen reviews where some people loved one and others loved the opposite. Personally I lean towards reusable for cost and to be green but had to be picky about materials due to skin sensitivities. I'm trying the Bamboobies based off reviews and recommendations. I'd suggest reading through some of the reviews for both disposable and reusable ones to see it any of the issues with one resonate more with you. And I'm sure we have some STM's that will be happy to chime in with what's worked for them!

MissN06 · October 2014

Up to what size did you cut tags off of clothes and wash them? I'm debating on newborn sizes because what if she doesn't fit in them when she arrives but I want a few things ready just in case. I'm so torn and feel that this should be easy and my hormones are making it hard.

meeshybee · October 2014

MissN06 said:

Up to what size did you cut tags off of clothes and wash them? I'm debating on newborn sizes because what if she doesn't fit in them when she arrives but I want a few things ready just in case. I'm so torn and feel that this should be easy and my hormones are making it hard.

I have prepped all my NB through 3 mo's. If you're worried about NB being too small, I would only wash a handful of plain outfits in that size - just enough to last a couple days. You can always wash more or special outfits later.