Ask a STM+ Week of 7/25

adorebella

@thepax89 In my own experience I found Owen rarely got sick at preschool but when he was in daycare he was sick alllll the time. It may have been particular to our preschool but I think that because it was 2hrs/day and just for fun if the kids were at all sick they stayed at home. Whereas if they're in daycare when their parents are needing to be at work they may go in with germs and colds out of necessity. 

But since she's 2 and preschool is out of the question anyway what about small play dates with friends her age? Does she have kids she likes to hang out with (or more importantly moms you like to hang out with)? Maybe structuring some play dates will break up your week even if they're just in your home or theirs. 

LJ623

Okay, I asked this one of the first weeks and I believe it got buried in the thread...has anyone used Laughing Gas during labor?

 My hospital offers it now and I've never had a bad experience with it at the dentist's office, so I'm hoping to use it to maybe delay an epidural (or not have an epidural at all...?).  Any experiences?

edited to correct having used it at the dentist's office! Words are hard lol

LastMango

@sherrera92 I drove up until my due date with no problem. 

sldp123

@Knottie1432834683 even if you don't get a travel system stroller, you can get a snap and go frame stroller that you can use with the infant seat. Then once they outgrow the infant seat, you would need to get a new stroller because the frame is just that, a frame. It can't be used alone.

I think that is my plan for the twins. A frame to use with the infant seats in the beginning, then splurge on a nice jogging/umbrella stroller for later. Anyone have any opinions on that for twins? @TinaBelcher did you end up going with the Mountain Buggy Duet? Will it be your only stroller? I found one on my local CL for $350 and I'm thinking about getting it and buying the car seat adapters for the infant seats. Then it might be all I need?

sldp123

@sherrera92 I drove until delivery with my son with no problems, although I delivered at 36 weeks. I haven't heard of any restrictions on driving up until delivery though. Although I have wondered how I will fit behind the wheel when I get to 36+ weeks with twins, haha.

sweetyjenj

@LJ623 I second this question!!! My hospital now allows Laughing Gas as an option, but it's still new and they even said it's in "testing" period. I've seen documentaries about the use of "new" things and sometimes they don't realize bad side effects until years later. Anyone else know more about this or have used it themselves?? Is it a good option?? If I can use this to dull the pain and not need an epi, that would be great!

karaelaine1991

sweetyjenj said:

@LJ623 I second this question!!! My hospital now allows Laughing Gas as an option, but it's still new and they even said it's in "testing" period. I've seen documentaries about the use of "new" things and sometimes they don't realize bad side effects until years later. Anyone else know more about this or have used it themselves?? Is it a good option?? If I can use this to dull the pain and not need an epi, that would be great!

I really wanted to use this after reading about it in Ina May's Guide to Childbirth! It's pretty new to the US but according to the book it's been common in Europe for a while now, and I'm pretty sure her book was published at least 10 years ago (read it during my pregnancy with DD). Unfortunately it was not an option at my hospital, which ended up not being a problem because that epidural was seriously the best thing ever for me, so I have no personal experience, but I do highly recommend that book because it has lots of great info about that and other stuff! Be warned that it is definitely very highly in favor of nonmedicated birth with a midwife, which is totally fine, but she's writing with a bias. I still found it to be informative and super helpful even though I gave birth in a hospital with an OB and an epidural.

ETA wanted to tag @LJ623 so she sees this feedback too!

Becid24

I loved my travel system and used it for years. I used it with the infant seat until they outgrew the seat then the actual stroller until they were about 4. They have the best & biggest basket holds so Much. Kids can sleep or just chill in the seat. I hate the cheap umbrella stroller and don't own one. We are taller people and they aren't tall enough so you have to lean down and push. They also are not comfortable for baby and don't support littler babies. My kids were bigger taller kids and just weren't comfortable in them. I bought a bob jogging stroller after the travel stroller and it was a perfect transition for us. The big wheels lush so nice with bigger kids and we love it. 

ElleMF728

@ThePax89 We do classes once a week at The Little Gym.  There are no issues and a ton of moms bring their smaller babies.  The newborns usually just nap in their carriers for 40 minutes while the big kids play.  The older babies usually just crawl around.  

PP's had some good suggestions.  Tunnels, tents and forts are big hits inside during the winter.  DS1 also loved it when I brought his water table into the kitchen.  I just cleaned it up with beach towels.  

BriannaE129129

This may seem like a dumb question... but I'm confused on the difference between a travel system vs a stroller I that also has adapters for a car seat. Is that the same thing? The Nuna that i want (pictured below) has the regular all terrain stroller and then you can snap the car seat in like the first picture. I have such a hard time deciding!

adorebella

@BriannaE129129 The main difference is for the technical "travel system" you're buying the stroller and car seat as a package deal. It's typically a stroller with a non-removable seat that the car seat can also go on. It's a bit heavier/clunkier because the seat doesn't come off, whereas for yours the seat come off essentially making it similar to a car seat + stroller frame in the beginning months. 

BriannaE129129

@adorebella thank you for the clarification! I've been researching strollers for months but every time I hear people's opinions I think of other options and pros/cons. So many choices! 

adorebella

@BriannaE129129 I went the car seat + stroller frame route then to a nice umbrella type stroller later. I can't really justify an expensive stroller for #2 but that Nuna you posted would totally be it if I could!

Wholesome

Hey, that Nuna looks similar to my Mountain Buggy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSfZ6Xhvecc&feature=share

KRB22

@BriannaE129129 I love that stroller too! I'm also pretty sure we're going to get the Nuna infant seat, and I love how easy it is to use with the stroller. I'm just on the fence because the stroller frame is on the heavier side (even with the seat removed), and I'm not sure if it will be a huge pain to get in and out of the car all the time. 

FWIW Nuna makes another, similar stroller, the Tavo, that allows for clipping the infant seat on without removing the main stroller seat, so that combo is probably like a more typical travel system. 

So what category are convertible strollers like the Nuna, Uppababy, etc in? 

hayhay2501

Hey ladies! I have a question I'd love some advice on. I'm the bridesmaid in a wedding next June, so when baby is around 5 months old. I need to order my bridesmaid dress now and have NO idea what size to order.

How long can I expect it to take my body to bounce back? Will a size up from my pre baby size be safe? I know every body adjust differently but any advice would be awesome!

ceclarlinetlo

Not a STM but I would probably order a size or two larger than my pre pregnancy size and just get it altered closet to the wedding. It's way easier to take in than to let out. 

nolemomma14

I was a bridesmaid 9 months after DS was born and we ordered the dresses 5 months after he was born. At the 5 month point I was barely a size bigger than pre pregnancy. So I ordered the bigger size and ended up getting it taken in just a bit before the wedding. I was slightly overweight when I get pregnant. 

BriannaE129129

@adorebella #1 for me so I don't feel as guilty. If no one buys it for us I will definitely be getting it for myself, love the clean lines of all their products. 

@KRB22 I get what you mean but I find it odd because the car seat is crazy light!  I'm obsessed with their IVVI stroller with the carry cot attachment but spending $500 on the Mixx is enough... the Ivvi I just can't justify but it is beautiful!

susykat77

@Wholesome I LOVE that stroller! Did you get the bassinet as well. I am a huge proponent of allowing babies to lay flat...

*Question* I am trying to find a rugged 3 wheel stroller that will lay flat into a bassinet but also transition into sitting upright (without changing out the seat to the bassinet) Any suggestions?

TinaBelcher

susykat77 said:

*Question* I am trying to find a rugged 3 wheel stroller that will lay flat into a bassinet but also transition into sitting upright (without changing out the seat to the bassinet) Any suggestions?

3 wheels + flat lay I'm really not sure... We're getting the mountain buggy duet (I know there's a singleton version) and those seats lay nearly flat but not quite bassinet style, it has 4 wheels but they're bigger and rubber... Baby jogger city select does the flat lay beautifully but isn't the most rugged with it's smaller plastic wheels... 

Wholesome

@susykat77 I didn't get the carry cot.  I got the adapter to use my non-mountain buggy car seat on top of the stroller (you don't have to take the stroller seat off of you don't want to, the adapter fits over the existing stroller seat).  The adapter is pretty much two latches that fit on the frame and to put the infant car seat on top, you click it in place and use the seat buckle and you're done.  It was easier to use than my travel system

ETA
also, the stroller seat lays flat but I didn't use it until he had head control and was rolling, etc.

susykat77

 @TinaBelcher The struggle is real. I want it all, in one stroller but I think I am going to have to settle somewhere   We are being gifted a very used Thule Chariot Cougar (and will get the infant insert for cross country skiing ect in Jan/Feb) so maybe the Baby jogger city select will work for me after all...

KRB22

@BriannaE129129 I know, that's what sold me on the Nuna car seat! I'm really lacking in upper body strength so the fact that it's lighter than most other seats while still being safe is a huge plus. I was surprised the Mixx is so heavy - I compared it in store to the uppababy Cruz and there was a noticeable difference in weight. Agree about the Ivvi, too, but it's just too pricy to justify. And, the Mixx seat goes flat and converts to a pseudo bassinet, so technically it can be used from birth like that - no need for the separate carry cot. 

Wholesome

When I'm on long runs, my son usually goes to sleep.  I usually pause for a couple seconds and make the stroller lie completely flat (by loosening the back belt) so he can sleep more comfortably and then kick my butt back in gear.  

Wholesome

It has a storage space below but since I don't use it for normal outings, I don't put diaper bag stuff down there.  I use it to store the rain cover, sun cover and sleeping bag so I can use them if I need on the go.

MaryNog

karaelaine1991 said:

I really wanted to use this after reading about it in Ina May's Guide to Childbirth! It's pretty new to the US but according to the book it's been common in Europe for a while now, and I'm pretty sure her book was published at least 10 years ago (read it during my pregnancy with DD). Unfortunately it was not an option at my hospital, which ended up not being a problem because that epidural was seriously the best thing ever for me, so I have no personal experience, but I do highly recommend that book because it has lots of great info about that and other stuff! Be warned that it is definitely very highly in favor of nonmedicated birth with a midwife, which is totally fine, but she's writing with a bias. I still found it to be informative and super helpful even though I gave birth in a hospital with an OB and an epidural.

ETA wanted to tag @LJ623 so she sees this feedback too!

Ok this is totally ridiculous, but when I first read your comment I thought you were taking about Ina GARTEN (ie Barefoot Contessa). I was imagining "how did she gain all the information about childbirth?" Anyway, sorry to interrupt 

stumptownmama

@susykat77 see if the babyjogger city mini gt fits your criteria. I have it and love it. It has three all terrain wheels and can lay flat or nearly flat. My daughter hated when i tried to lay her flat so we never used that feature. I bought an adapter to use with my Britax infant seat. It folds up and out with one hand and is pretty small compared to other strollers. 

Dinozaur

Have any of you done Bradley Method, and if so, did it help? We're thinking about taking a class, my OB highly advised a class outside of the hospital if I'm wanting to try natural, and Bradley seemed to fit what I'm wanting out of it. Just wanted some other opinions on it (or any other class you've taken).

scgirl6113

@Dinozaur my DH and I  did the 12 wk Bradley course. It was amazing and super helpful. Since DH had no clue what to expect with child birth (I didn't either but knew more than him) it really helped. The method was awesome and I can't say enough good things about it. I ended up needing an induction because of a problem but there is no way I could have labored for as long as I did without those techniques! We ended up with a C section because of a complication but even so DH and I both agree that the course was invaluable to us! 

LastMango

@hayhay87 Yes, every body is different so take this for what it's worth. I'm not sure if you plan to breastfeed, but for me, breast feeding caused me to drop weight like crazy. At 5 months PP I was a size smaller than I was pre-pregnancy. Not saying this is what happens to everyone but it does happen to a lot. I would probably order whatever size I was pre-preg but as PPs have stated, may be safer to order up and take in if needed. That really is a tough one! 

katesmama0706

@marynog when I started hearing about that book my brain went to the barefoot contessa too haha

Carly79

@Dinozaur We did the 12 week Bradley method and I strongly recommend it. I loved how much it incorporated the support person and really helped to level set our expectations.

hayhay2501

@LastMango thanks! I've heard breastfeeding can really help take the weight off. I plan on breastfeeding for six months at least so I'll still be doing so at the wedding. Ive actually recruited my sister to stay in a hotel room at the venue (which is in the middle of nowhere) with the baby so I can run back and feed/ deal with any emergencies. Stressful having to plan all this now!

I've ordered a size up and will just see!! Fingers crossed 

Wholesome

I lost some weight breastfeeding but it was mostly because I had to change my diet.  My son would spit up a lot if I ate dairy, cheese.  He'd also cry and pop on and off the nipple in frustration whenever I had spicy food... I ate a lot of oatmeal, soups, salads and sandwiches.  Oatmeal helps increase your milk supply so I had to wean off of that because I had an oversupply issue - too much fore milk makes babies gassy.

Wholesome

You'll find yourself planning around your boobs - it's so weird.  I've sat around in full workout gear until my son was hungry, just so I could be "freshly squeezed" before running.  Hahaha

ThePax89

I also lost a butt ton of weight breastfeeding. I think part of the weight loss comes from not being able to eat at the beginning because a 7 lb mass is dangling off of your boob at all times. 

scgirl6113

I don't want to be the downer for those hoping BFing will make them drop weight because it totally could but it doesn't happen for everyone. I am included in those...so not fun! I always held onto a tire around my middle while BFing and its gone away immediately after I stopped. This happened with both my kids. 

Eta: typo

Wholesome

Thanks for sharing.  Nothing worse than filling someone with a false reality.  It really does depend on the person.

stumptownmama

I lost weight slowly but steadily with breastfeeding. By 9 months I was back to prepregnancy weight. By 12-15 months I was ten pounds lighter than prepregnancy. I am in the process of weaning right now at 21 months.