Ask a STM week 1/23

disneybaby84

Another week with more questions for second and third time moms

npaulie

I've noticed a lot of people saying they're having growth scans and scans to measure fluid as you get towards the end. I had my 20 week AS, but my hospital said they don't scan again unless an odd measurement or symptom shows up. Has anyone else experienced this? Is it important enough that anyone would recommend paying out of pocket for one as the end gets closer?

kjd291

@npaulie it's the norm to NOT have extra scan after 20wks unless there is an issue that your provider wants to follow up on.
A lot of these extra scans are very overly cautious--for example--the OB that signs of on all my midwives patients said I should get one at 34(ish) weeks to check on growth. But I talked with my midwife and we agreed that measuring fundal height was a perfectly fine way to make sure growth was on track and only IF that measurement was off would we schedule another US.  
Just my personal opinion: I think they are WAY overdone and unnecessary. If you are having a non-high risk pregnancy with no complications, there is no reason you should need to go have another one.

CanadianintheSouth

@npaulie If all is well then my dr won't do an extra ultrasound past 20 weeks. My fundal height increased so much within a 3 week time period that I was scheduled for a growth scan to check everything and had that last week (turns out the baby is now measuring 2 weeks ahead so they are keeping an eye out and will give me another scan in a couple weeks). In my opinion no scan is a good thing because it means everything is right on track  

Burrberrymum

I will also not be getting another ultrasound. My anatomy scan was the last one. Like @kjd291 said as long as fundal height is measuring on track and no other concerns there isn't a huge point in doing another ultrasound. With my OB I did have a third trimester "growth" scan but my midwife doesn't do this which I'm completely ok with. If for whatever reason they can't feel is baby is breech or not then they will do a quick ultrasound to confirm babies position. 

datalover13

I won't be having any more this time, with my first son I was measuring behind 3 weeks so they did a growth scan around 32 weeks, and then once I passed my due date I had a biophysical profile to check on him and make sure he was all good breathing and all that.

wintersong

npaulie said:

I've noticed a lot of people saying they're having growth scans and scans to measure fluid as you get towards the end. I had my 20 week AS, but my hospital said they don't scan again unless an odd measurement or symptom shows up. Has anyone else experienced this? Is it important enough that anyone would recommend paying out of pocket for one as the end gets closer?

As others have said, the norm is one us. People get others if something is weird, such as a uterine measurement being too big or small.

Spartanrd4

So if the crib mattress is waterproof- is a mattress pad really necessary? Also same for the bassinet, do I need a mattress pad for that too? I also saw liners to put on top of the changing pad cover to keep it from getting soiled but have seen mixed reviews. Just don't want to buy things that I don't need! 

wintersong

Spartanrd4 said:

So if the crib mattress is waterproof- is a mattress pad really necessary? Also same for the bassinet, do I need a mattress pad for that too? I also saw liners to put on top of the changing pad cover to keep it from getting soiled but have seen mixed reviews. Just don't want to buy things that I don't need! 

Yes yes yes. Washing a mattress is no fun. Although as for a changing pad I never used a table at all, just a towel and flannel receiving blanket on my bed. 

Seriously, double layer those mofos. You don't even need a fitted waterproof pad, just a waterproof flannel pad in a rectangle shape works. I layer it like flannel pad, sheet, flannel pad, sheet. Middle of the night blow out? No prob, just pull off the top two layers and bed is good to go. 

kiyamurph

Spartanrd4 said:

So if the crib mattress is waterproof- is a mattress pad really necessary? Also same for the bassinet, do I need a mattress pad for that too? I also saw liners to put on top of the changing pad cover to keep it from getting soiled but have seen mixed reviews. Just don't want to buy things that I don't need! 

Yes, and also a mattress pad can add a layer of softness. I personally hate sleeping on a bed without a mattress pad and I feel like having a layer between the sheet and mattress makes a difference comfort wise. 

ETA: I've never seen a liner for a changing pad cover, but I would think that would be unnecessary. We still use the changing pad everyday for after bath time and getting dressed in the morning, but when my little guy was an infant and there would be a blow out, I would just simply wash the changing pad cover. Pretty much all changing pads are waterproof and they're very easy to wipe down if anything soaks through the cover. 

direwolfmini

This is going to sound like a really dumb question, but bear with me...

How did you decide what items would go in your LO's dresser and what would be hanging in the closet? I have an 8 drawer dresser and I can't decide what to put in it...

C25

@direwolfmini here's my strange closet/dresser logic  

in the dresser drawers:
socks, white onesises and sleeping sacks
newborn clothes 
0-3 clothes

in dresser shelves-
blankets
swaddles and wraps 

in closet-
bigger clothes(move to dresser as they grow)
coats (stay in closet)
dress clothes (stay in closet) 

i also have 4 wire drawers as part of this dresser contraption (hard to explain) but in those I have headbands in one, shoes in one, chew toys in one, and hats in another 

Hope that helps!
*edit to say-this is my third and this method has worked for the first two. They now have bigger dressers with undies, socks, pajamas, pants and shirts but future/bigger clothes, dress clothes and coats all go in the closet still. 

motherofdragons-2

@direwolfmini

Same predicament! Ive got a six drawer dresser that i plan to put babys accessories and clothes in on one side and then toddler jammies in the other, then as she gets older I'll hang her dresses and such and keep onesies, pants etc in the drawers. But I would say a good rule of thumb is- clothes that get worn often should be in the dresser and holiday stuff, nice clothes, jackets, sweaters, etc, hung up! 

korpisar

@direwolfmini agree with @C25 100%

direwolfmini

@C25 @silverbulletband Good strategies! I'm going to play around with it tonight! Thanks!

CanadianintheSouth

Spartanrd4 said:

So if the crib mattress is waterproof- is a mattress pad really necessary? Also same for the bassinet, do I need a mattress pad for that too? I also saw liners to put on top of the changing pad cover to keep it from getting soiled but have seen mixed reviews. Just don't want to buy things that I don't need! 

I'm going to go against the grain and say no it's not necessary. I have two mattress pads that I never used because it was way easier to wipe down the mattress then have another thing to have to throw in the wash. 

I used the changing pad covers every single day! They were invaluable for me. I have these: https://www.target.com/p/munchkin-3pk-waterproof-changing-pad-liners/-/A-14323622

So basically I used what would make me have the least amount of laundry in case of an accident (which I found to be more frequent on the changing table than in the crib). I would change DD before a feeding during the middle of the night, so she never really peed through during the night. 

Cbeanz

I'm old (AMA) so from 36 weeks on I get a bio physical profile every week. But otherwise yeah only anatomy scan at 20 weeks unless there's an issue.

mtmama2

I had anatomy scan at 20wks and OB will do a quick check at 36wks to check position but I think that's it

wintersong

direwolfmini said:

This is going to sound like a really dumb question, but bear with me...

How did you decide what items would go in your LO's dresser and what would be hanging in the closet? I have an 8 drawer dresser and I can't decide what to put in it...

My breakdown that has no basis in science:
- matching outfits and dresses hanging
- all other clothes and diapers and such in baskets (our "dresser"(
- blankets in bin from target

disneybaby84

Any STM's used care.com to find a babysitter and care to share experience?

Phil413

@direwolfmini When she was really little it seemed that the clothes were so tiny I could fit an entire sized wardrobe in one drawer. We have one of those 3 drawer combo dresser things with the cabinet on the side. So I had the size that fits, say, 0-3 in the top drawer, then 3-6 in the middle, and 9 month at the bottom. When she grew out of it suddenly like they tend to do, I just moved everything up a drawer. Dress clothes and jackets went in the closet. I have a shoe organizer on the inside of her closet for socks, undershirts, hats, mittens, etc. In the cabinet side we kept towels, burp cloths, swaddle blankets, etc.

mtmama2

I organized baby's dresser using these tips! @direwolfmini

https://www.twotwentyone.net/nursery-dresser-organization/

shines721

@Spartanrd4 I actually did use a changing pad liner and still do - I bought the Boppy brand and they have held up relatively well (just not for the dryer) and it was a purchase that I made for all of my expecting friends. It was great in the heat of a blowout to put my son on that and then just peel off his clothes and that and not have to worry about changing the whole changing pad cover. 

direwolfmini

Thank you everyone for the dresser tips! @SienaC That is the EXACT dresser I bought, AND I love rolling clothes (that's how i store my tank tops), I've bookmarked for later!

Now I just have to gather up the energy to go to IKEA for the drawer organizers... 

DrillSergeantCat

Just got the dresser set up this weekend. It's got 9 drawers.

Top row:
Jammies               Socks & Mittens             empty for now

Middle row:
NB & 0-3 mth clothes      Bigger clothes         empty for now

Bottom row:
Sheets                   Towels                          empty for now

Diapers and diapering needs will be in a basket on the dresser as is the changing pad.

Her closet is full of coats and yarn so I'm going to have to figure out somewhere to put diapers to store. 

RunBooRun

Middle of the night feedings:

I know that you usually feed and change them. But what order do you recommend? Do you change and then feed? Feed and then change? Feed from one side, change, then feed from the other side?

I see issues with all these scenarios (I know I'm overthinking it). Changing first = screaming, hungry baby. Changing after = waking the baby up again. I've also heard that breast fed babies poop pretty quickly after eating, so do you wait for that and then change them?

Seriously overthinking here! Help!

kjd291

@RunBooRun you'll figure out what works best for you real quick! don't worry

For the newborn days: i personally did one side - change - other side.  Because baby would be content and fall asleep mid feed, so waking babe back up by getting naked worked well and got the diaper change done--then would be awake to offer the other side, and eat enough to fall back asleep. 

motherofdragons-2

@RunBooRun honestly in my experience there has been no possible way to predict a night time feeding routine, it all depends on when your baby has a movement and how many movements. With my first, she pooped constantly so I changed, fed, changed again. With my second, if he wasn't poopy upon waking I would feed on one side, change and then finish the feeding. Baby needs to be fully awake to eat anyway so changing beforehand is sometimes helpful for that but if they're not dirty upon waking I would say feed first then change after giving their body a chance to do its thing after eating. It all depends on your babe! you'll figure out their schedule pretty quickly haha

jenny0228

@npaulie not adding anything new here really, but I will get more ultrasounds because I'm AMA also - it's a standard at my OB practice to do a growth US around 28 weeks for AMA patients, then like @Cbeanz said, I will also have more monitoring as I get closer.

kiyamurph

@RunBooRun In those early days, my little guy would poop while on the boob and it was to the point where it was predictable. So yeah, you'll figure out real quick what order to do everything in. Just realize that newborns are little pooping machines. I didn't realize this going in and I would get my son's diaper changed, put him on the boob, and then he'd let a massive poo go where it would go up the back. Yellow mustardy poop at 3am is just loads of fun. Also after a little while, a breastfed baby can go up to 10 days without pooping since they utilize all of the nutrients in the milk and they have very little waste, so don't freak out! My husband thought baby was constipated after 3 days of not pooping and he was ready to call the doctor. I had to show him literature explaining the metabolized breast milk thing and that they can go a while without pooping, because of course he couldn't just take my freaking word for it. Anyway, I know that wasn't part of your question, but just wanted to throw that out there since it can freak people out in the beginning.

datalover13

@RunBooRun Bottle/formula feeding here, so in our case it was easier to change while the bottle was warming up, and then he'd fall back asleep while eating. In case there are any other FF moms out there!

Gators&BoSox

i had to be induced last time so never had to track contractions... anyone able to recommend a super simple yet effective app for this momma who avoids most technology ? lol

DrillSergeantCat

Gators&BoSox said:

i had to be induced last time so never had to track contractions... anyone able to recommend a super simple yet effective app for this momma who avoids most technology ? lol

I use an app called Full Term. You just hit start when it starts and stop when it stops. It calculates everything for you.

kjd291

I also downloaded full term. Haven't used it yet. But seems straightforward 

Gators&BoSox

thanks guys! 

wintersong

disneybaby84 said:

Any STM's used care.com to find a babysitter and care to share experience?

My sister found her home care jobs through care.com. She is awesome. The other nurses who cover the other shifts are terrible (found the same way). This does not give me a very good impression of care.com.

wintersong

kjd291 said:

@RunBooRun you'll figure out what works best for you real quick! don't worry

For the newborn days: i personally did one side - change - other side.  Because baby would be content and fall asleep mid feed, so waking babe back up by getting naked worked well and got the diaper change done--then would be awake to offer the other side, and eat enough to fall back asleep. 

Yes I did this too! Because newborns are way sleepy and be wouldn't get a good feed in otherwise. 

Bf babies can pretty much have a bm every darn time they eat. 

disneybaby84

@longliveregina i worked home health, i would never use care.com for elder care. I meant babysitting an infant.

wintersong

disneybaby84 said:

@longliveregina i worked home health, i would never use care.com for elder care. I meant babysitting an infant.

She's an LPN who works with terminally ill kids.  

disneybaby84

@longliveregina ohhhhh. so sorry.

wintersong

disneybaby84 said:

@longliveregina ohhhhh. so sorry.

I have no idea how she does it! She's one tough and loving lady.