Ask a STM+ Week of 11/28

Kurtni

@JessLeonard23 I guess it depends on how dry your air is, but I know I'll need one. The past week or so since its cooled off  I've woken up with a dry nose and lips, so I'm sure a baby will be more sensitive. I have a EO diffuser too, and the output of mine is not enough to replace a humidifier. 

ThePax89

We have a humidifier, but we only use it when my little one is sick. 

ElleMF728

JessLeonard23 said:

Apologies if this has already come up in another Ask a STM thread, but how necessary are humidifiers to have in your nursery? I live in WV, so winters can be decently harsh/dry, but we do have central heat (instead of radiators). Along the same lines, how many people use essential oil diffusers in their nursery? And could I use an essential oil diffuser AS a humidifier, if I just don't add oil drops, to avoid buying two similar products? 

I feel like this is important to have even if you don't use it all the time.  There are very few things you can do when your little one has a cold and a humidifier is one of those things.  It really helps to make them more comfortable which is important since they can't have medicines or decongestants.  

On another note: DS2 has allergies and RAD so take it for what its worth but when I didn't have the humidifier in his room he woke consistently between 5:30 and 6 am daily.  The day I put it back in there he started sleeping until his normal time of 6:30 or 7 am.  I think that he was just getting too dry and congested and would wake up early.  I am not very familiar with diffusers but I always hesitate to use E.O with children, especially babies. 

tuttobene4

We have a humidifier but usually only use it when DD is sick. Though, I think when she was very small (around 2-6sh months), it was a great white noise and she slept better with it on, sick or not.

tuttobene4

shlecka said:

Can we just recap travel systems again? Which ones do you love, which ones do you hate? And why?

I live in Europe and travel systems are pretty much all there is. The travel systems here are 3 pieces: a travel cot, car seat, and normal toddler seat. I think they are great. I love how sweet little babies look in their travel cot (used until about 3-4 months) and the baby is so much warmer in it than the car seat in the winter. 

If you can find a stroller with a travel cot, I'd highly recommend it!

MaryNog

in our childbirth class today we were told to eat comfort foods during the early phases of labor, before heading to the hospital. Could STM+ moms comment on how realistic this is? Were you guys in the mood to eat? If so, what did you eat? My comfort foods are things like Mac and Cheese, probably not something that sits well on the stomach during labor!

ElleMF728

 MaryNog said:

in our childbirth class today we were told to eat comfort foods during the early phases of labor, before heading to the hospital. Could STM+ moms comment on how realistic this is? Were you guys in the mood to eat? If so, what did you eat? My comfort foods are things like Mac and Cheese, probably not something that sits well on the stomach during labor!

Early stages? Definitely eat.  I don't know about "comfort foods" but I would try to get something in my stomach at the very least.  You have no idea how it is going to go and you may not be eating for quite a long time.  I didn't get to eat for almost 48 hours with DS1 and I was so hungry it was all I could think about by the time I was allowed to have some food. 

I wouldn't try to slam down a huge meal or anything but if you are comfortable enough to have a small meal it might be a good idea to go for it. 

bpcorley

@marynog I am a FTM as well, but in our class we were told to eat something high protein and easy to digest. I remember the teacher giving an example of a turkey sandwich. I, like you, could not imagine eating Mac and cheese even though I love it!!

tuttobene4

If you want to eat in early labor, do it. You will see how you feel. I don't remember being very hungry at all that day.

MamaandNurse

MaryNog said:

in our childbirth class today we were told to eat comfort foods during the early phases of labor, before heading to the hospital. Could STM+ moms comment on how realistic this is? Were you guys in the mood to eat? If so, what did you eat? My comfort foods are things like Mac and Cheese, probably not something that sits well on the stomach during labor!

I tried to eat after my water broke and before we left for the hospital. I threw up within minutes of eating. I  was in labor for 12 hours and didn't think of food once until after baby was out. Then I was absolutely starving.
But when the time comes, at least try to eat something and see what happens.

kaytastic25

@marynog
Don't know about comfort food but yes, eat! my water broke at midnight, I showered, then stopped at McDonalds and at burger and fries on way to hospital. I'm glad I did but it wasn't enough. Almost 30 hours more before I ate. I was so hungry and exhausted it affected me very negatively in so many ways. I'm bringing snacks this time and if they tell me not to eat it I'll tell them to shove it you know where. 

colleenkevin

@marynog I say definitely eat!! I had chicken marsala and noodles at 630pm, delivered my daughter at 430am and was STARVING by the time I ordered breakfast around 8am.

AshleySparkle720

 MaryNog said:

in our childbirth class today we were told to eat comfort foods during the early phases of labor, before heading to the hospital. Could STM+ moms comment on how realistic this is? Were you guys in the mood to eat? If so, what did you eat? My comfort foods are things like Mac and Cheese, probably not something that sits well on the stomach during labor!

I ate SO much before hand and it was so helpful when I wasn't able to eat later because I didn't crash. I had pot roast, carrots, mashed potatoes, green beans, and strawberry shortcake. I was surprised how well my body handled it. That being said I'm sure some people wouldn't be able to handle that big of a meal. I'd maybe just keep some foods that usually are filling and sit well with your stomach.

nolemomma14

I went into labor in the middle of the night and it was 4am when we drove to the hospital. My husband asked if I wanted to stop for food before and I said no, but really wish I would've eaten even a little something. They had me drink 2 orange juices when I got there to get baby moving because he wasn't very active. Drank them, and ended up puking because it was just a bunch of sugar in my empty stomach. DS wasn't born until the afternoon and by the time I was allowed food again it had been 24 hours since I last ate. I was starving! I don't know that I could handle Mac n cheese lol but I will probably try and snack through the early stages of labor this time. Pretzels, crackers, toast with peanut butter. I think stuff like that would be fine for me. 

15caitlin

I wish I would have eaten something before I went in to the hospital the first time. I feel like it would have helped my energy levels. I will definitely eat at least a small meal before I go in this time and will make sure to have snacks for after.

azwildcat62

My doc told me to eat something bland in early stages. 

MaryNog

Thanks for the awesome insight, everyone! Now I'm going to start a "food for labor" list, to sit next to the "pain coping techniques" and "bring to the hospital" lists that we have on the fridge