Questions 3.5

Taylor72

questions for this week especially now that we are introducing more littles!

Taylor72

How long do I use an infant tub for? I have no idea where to put it for storage and am just curious how long we will actually use it. 

KirstinH88

@Taylor72 I used ours with DS until he was able to sit up on his own. Then I just filled the regular tub with a little water and watched him carefully during bath time. Although I'm not sure that is what is "recommended." I have no clue what happened to our infant tub, so I'm buying a new one. And it converts to allow for different ages.

ETA: During my search for a new infant tub, I saw some that have hook feature so you can hang it from somewhere in the tub when you are done with it.

Ekzerr

I think we used it for around 9 or 10 months...I would leave it upside down to dry and then store it in her closet

twistsandturnsto2

We just bathed DS in the kitchen sink until he Was too big for that and then bought an inflatable duck travel bath tub that worked well for us. We had NO place to store a tub so we managed to do without. 

kitkat8387

@taylor72 we got this tub which, as @KirstinH88 mentioned, has a hook on it so you can hang in the shower: 

https://www.amazon.com/Skip-Hop-Smart-3-Stage-Bathtub/dp/B01AFQI3J8/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1488749565&sr=8-1&keywords=moby+tub

Haven't actually used it yet but I have it hanging in the shower on a command hook so it's pretty out of the way. I've been using the shower normally and it hasn't gotten in the way or anything. 

Taylor72

thank you guys! we will definitely look into hanging it as that seems to be a pretty good option for us

visualcircus

@Taylor72 We used ours till about 9 months (when DS started climbing out) and put it on the counter. It fit a sling which worked great for the newborn phase until LO could sit up on his own. I store it in the linen closet or just the corner of the bathroom.

My question for those with older kids... how do you handle the phase where almost every pair of pants gets a hole in them? I get that distressed jeans is a look, and I'm not a fan of patching the holes, but do you just buy a gajillion pants to get through this phase where a toddler doesn't mind crawling on concrete and tearing up new holes?

chelle087

@visualcircus I need the answer to the pants question! I am going insane. Prior to Christmas every single pair of DS's pants had a hole in at least one knee. So I bought new pants so that he had a few to wear for the holidays that didn't look like crap. 

Now that we are approaching Easter we are in the same boat. One pair is so bad that I think I might just cut the legs off and make them into shorts. I will probably buy another pair or two so that he can have a nice looking outfit for Easter.

i am hoping that once he starts wearing shorts it will be less comfortable to be on his knees and we can break the habit. 

HappyAnjel

I used DDs tub a long time.. 18+ months.. it was pretty big and had a little shower attachment so was easy to wash her hair with.. we just took out the infant sling part and she could sit with room in it, it kept her toys in reach and saved water. We dried it by leaning it in the tub and then put it in the closet. 

This time around we got the same tub as @kitkat8387 and I like that it hangs to dry and will put it in the bathroom closet on a hook when it's dry.


As for pants.. unfortunately I haven't figured that out and my kid plays hard and still wears the knees out in her pants at 4.5.. I buy jeans or the durable knee leggings from target and sometimes I get a couple extra wears out of those than the thinner ones that don't last more than a day or two of play. Last week I went through her clothes and threw out 12 pairs of pants BC of knee holes. 

cafedisco

We used the infant tub propped in the kitchen sink for about a year and then switched to either just the sink or sometimes the big tub.  I really preferred her being higher up - just makes everything easier.  The infant tubs should fit nicely over a standard double sink.  We tossed ours in the basement in between washes.

My kid never wore holes in her pants - no help there!

MWoodside

We use the little tub until babe is trying to sit up in it. So around 6-7 months. 

mrsstuessy

My child absolutely lost her shit when we tried to give her a bath in the sink. It was kind of funny. She had just been taking her baths in the infant tub in our tub for 5 months and then we went to my parent's house and tried to give her a bath in the sink. She writhed and screamed and tried to claw her way out. We tried a few more times and every time it was the same. I'm sure it was just because she wasn't used to it. I hated bringing a mess into the kitchen so we just did baths in the tub. Around maybe 7 months, when she was very confident at sitting by herself we just put her in the big tub and stored the infant tub. 

HappyAnjel

Also maybe worth a mention we used the infant tub right in our tub once I could bend again (csection) for easy draining and I kept a step stool in the bathroom for me to sit on while bathing her.

pammasu0909

I used the infant tub for at least a year, then transitioned to an inflatable tub for another year.  I liked that they require less water than filling up the big tub, which means less oil use to heat it because I'm stingy

I got a sponge to try with this baby.  Summer infant makes it.  We'll see how that goes.

SnarkasaurusRex

We used the infant tub in the bathtub for about 6 months until he was sitting up really well on his own...he didn't want to be in the little tub anymore after that! We usually just flipped it upside down and left it in the tub...DS is the only one who used that bathroom. With baby girl coming, we'll probably hang a command hook in there to get it out of the way for DS's bath time.

RE: pants - we haven't had an issue with that yet. I do buy the pants with the reinforced knees at Target (I can't remember the actual brand, though). DS isn't much of a crawler outside, so he hasn't put the wear and tear into them as some of your LO's seem to have haha.

SnarkasaurusRex

Double posted, so have a gif!

schef070911

So this weekend I worked on packing our labor and hospital bags.  Labor one is pretty much done, but I have questions about the hospital one.  STM+, how much clothing did you pack for baby other than a going home outfit?  Also, what did you wear in the hospital?  I have a bunch of lounge/yoga pants, but I'm not sure how practical these are if I'm getting checked down below all the time.   I have one nursing tank top but I'm probably going to invest in a few more this week.

mrsstuessy

@schef070911 I think I brought one other sleeper other than the going home outfit, but she didn't end up wearing it. She also had IVs and stuff because of being in the NICU, so she just wore the hospital outfit or was naked the whole time. You really don't need to bring any other clothes for the baby unless you really want to. 
I wore comfy, loose sweatpants and yoga pants during my hospital stay. The hospital gown was nice during labor, but I definitely couldn't wait to take it off after she was born. I wanted to go back to feeling somewhat normal. In my experience they really didn't actually check out my crotch all that much, and they could usually come in when I was getting out of the shower or something so it wasn't a big deal. They press on your belly a lot, at least that first day, but you don't have to take your pants off for that. 
So, as a STM my clothes packing list is --- a couple of pairs of sweatpants, a couple of nursing tanks, a thin robe, nursing sleeping bra and regular nursing bra, socks, flip flops, slippers and some comfy clothes to wear home. 

KirstinH88

@schef070911 I agree much with what @mrsstuessy said already. For DS, I only brought a going home outfit. The rest of the time he just stayed naked in a blanket. For myself, I didn't pack a hospital bag and it all happened so quickly, that I didn't pack myself anything. I was only in the hospital for a short time (admittance to discharge about 30 hours). During my stay, I wore the hospital gown and before I left, I put the clothes that I came with back on. I am planning on preparing a bit more for that though and will be bringing a pair of yoga pants, a nursing bra, and a tank top of some kind for easy nursing. I'm pretty low maintenance and hoping to have a short stay at the hospital again. And flip flops are pretty much on my feet 24/7, but if for some reason I don't have them on my feet while going to the hospital, I'll have DH grab them at some point. I also don't remember them checking out my lady bits but yes, they press on your stomach a lot. Its kind of annoying and uncomfortable, but you don't need to undress for that.

pammasu0909

@schef070911 I only bring a going home outfit.  My hospital provides a kimono shirt while you are there and the baby will be swaddled or doing skin to skin most of the time anyway.

For me, this time around, I'm packing yoga pants and a shirt to go home in, pj pants to hang out in, 2 nursing tanks, 2 nursing bras (probably too many but I leak), and underwear.  I have a robe on the list but I'm undecided about it so far.  I'll wear comfy pants and a zip up hoodie to the hospital.  I feel like they did check my bits occasionally, but it wasn't a big deal to have pants on.  

MWoodside

I just bring the coming home outfit and cloth diapers. Baby wears kimono tee and swaddles provided by hospital. I don't ever wear the hospital gown even during labor so I bring a bikini top (labor in tub), yoga pants, nursing tanks, a layering piece bc hospitals can be chilly, flip flops and a comfy but cute outfit to wear for pics (our hospital offers Bella baby photo session on day one of life).

ebloom3

I brought the going home outfit and that's it. Baby wore a diaper, the little kimono shirt, and blanket (all provided by the hospital). This time, we don't know if it's a boy or girl, so I am bringing a boy onesie (Little Brother) and a girl one (Little Sister) for an announcement picture. I have the coming home outfit in NB and one in 0-3 (DS was 10.3 pounds...he didn't wear NB). I also brought an Easter onesie in case the baby is born just before or on Easter (due date is 4/15). I went way overboard with this one compared to the other two, but he or she is my last baby and I will probably be overboard with everything!

For myself, I bring nursing nightgowns (that can double as a lounge dress, because I know I will have a few visitors). I wore the hospital gown though L&D and then after I showered I switched to the nightgowns. I also brought a few nursing bras (sleeping ones, no underwire) and nursing tanks. I went home in yoga pants and a nursing shirt. I also brought a robe and slippers. I brought cotton undies to wear home (I wore the mesh ones in the hospital). I live 10 minutes from the hospital, so it's pretty easy for DH to run home and grab extra things if I need them.

SnarkasaurusRex

For baby I just brought the going home outfit and a sleeper. Our hospital provides long-sleeve shirts with the hand covers and blankets, so that was what he was wearing the majority of the time there. Check with your hospital and see if they do a newborn photo session; you may want to bring an outfit/shirt for that - I just had DS wear the white shirt for his and will do the same things this time, but I will probably bring an extra bow or something for her in case she and DS look super similar, haha.

For me, I brought a nursing gown and robe. I didn't like being in the hospital gown, so once I was able to be out of it, I was. If you're planning on breastfeeding, make sure it's something that makes the girls easily accessible if it's not something specifically made for nursing. They likely won't check your lady bits too often unless you tear, but they will definitely come and do "uterine massages" (which are awful), so you'll probably want something loose for that - tanks should be good. You may also want to bring a "pantsless" option just in case you wind up with a c-section (though I wore my yoga pants that I came to the hospital in to go home after mine) OR if you want extra room to accommodate those super sexy jumbo pads.

shaunessa

@schef070911
I have a couple of cheap summer type dresses from Walgreens that I'll wear when I have visitors.  They have crazy prints and I don't mind getting them bloody b/c I'll end up throwing them out if I ruin them.  Plus the stretchy fabric on top will make it easier to nurse.  I also plan on taking some grandma cotton undies to go home in.  For LO, just the take home outfit, since the hospital provides a kimono/onesie type thing.

Dannylion24

I'll bring just the going home outfit and maybe one extra onesie/sleeper in case we have a spit up/diaper disaster in the set aside outfit for baby. I'm sure I'll be showing up in yoga pants, a long sleeve tee, and sneakers and am packing an additional pair of comfy pants, sweatshirt, a tank top, bra/undies/socks, robe, flips for shower, and slips for the room as far as clothing and shoes. I'm usually only in the hospital a day or so and we are super close to home. 

schef070911

Thank you all! That's super helpful.

chelle087

I plan on bringing only one outfit for the baby come home in.

As far as clothes for myself goes, I will probably be bringing sweats, or yoga pants (in black so that they can be cleaned up easily if they get bloody). I wore pants with DS and it wasn't an issue.

I will also bring some tanks and probably a zip up hoodie or two.

HappyAnjel

I'm bringing a NB and a 0-3 sleeper in case for baby to come home in otherwise he will likely just be in the shirts the hospital puts him in while we are there. 

For me I am looking for a loose dress to walk around/go home in, a robe, flip flops and night time nursing bras (if I ever find any that fit me and function)

beemaya83

Can someone provide a link to night time nursing bra? 

catem07

@beemaya83https://www.motherhood.com/full-busted-wrap-nursing-sleep-bra/007-90254-006-001.html?dwvar_007-90254-006-001_color=007-90254-01#q=nursing+bra&sz=24&start=25

smoochie041719

@beemaya83  this is the one I got and it's very comfortable but obviously I haven't tried it for the real deal yet since baby isn't here. https://www.kindredbravely.com/collections/nursing-bras/products/french-terry-nursing-sleep-bra

M&Max

Definitely check into if your hospital does photos for baby (pretty sure all or most do) - you may want a cute outfit for some of those pictures.  It wasn't something I thought of for DS but will for this kiddo. 

mylittleirvz

@babyblake042017 & @catem07 - what sizes did you guys order? Currently I am a full 34DD. I have been eyeing the Kindred Bravely one in particular but didn't know if their size chart is accurate or not.

catem07

@mylittleirvz I ordered a large in the ones from motherhood maternity. I liked the kindred bravely but the others were cheaper. I wear a 36D now but pre-pregnancy was a small 36C. 

smoochie041719

@mylittleirvz Their size chart was accurate for me. I'm usually a 36C but currently a 36D so had to order the L Busty, and it fits perfectly. I have the kindred bravely sleep bra and the daily wear bra and like both! I also ordered their push socks that say "baby you're worth it"  , they have several cute options!

ashleym112

@schef070911 agree with everything everyone has mentioned. I wore comfy sweats bc it was the middle of the night, and packed pj's for the entire stay--tank tops for nursing. Once they admit you, they'll put in a gown (at least they did for me) so didn't have to worry about pants being in the way. After delivery, they usually just check your stomach and belly a lot unless there's a need to check below (maybe if you had tearing? Idk, I had a c section so the furthest down they looked was the incision site occasionally). I would just bring what you will be comfortable in, sweats/yoga pants/etc. Comfy socks definitely a must! For LO, we brought 1 going home outfit and a few outfits for pictures. Like @M&Max mentioned, a lot of hospitals do offer to take infant pictures so you may want 1-2 outfits for that. I way overthought this the first time around, those lists they always share on baby sites (including TB haha) always mention more than whats needed. A lot of hospitals provide a lot of things for you now, like mine even has mini hairdryers in the rooms. 

mrsstuessy

@ashleym112 You definitely don't have to wear the gown if you don't want to. I wore it with DD1, not a big deal. But, I think I will be passing this time around. I will be in and out of the birthing tub a lot more and will hopefully give birth in there. So, I will be wearing a sports bra/tank top/and shorts. Obviously the shorts will come off at some point though. And probably the tank top will come off as well. I will mostly just be in my bra in the tub.

rachelmiller03

Has any used a postpartum compression belt? Just curious if they are worth purchasing or not. 

McFarKane

@rachelmiller03 I used one for about 2 months after having my daughter. I was having really bad issues with my lower back the first week and the belt seemed to instantly fix it for me. 

MWoodside

Yes! I used a belly binder after both vaginal births. I preferred the second one, which was a cheap one purchased from the hospital pharmacy that's intended for use post-c/s. Everything feels really loose and weird in the tummy area post-birth so this really helps support and I swear it helped everything go back to place sooner and flatten out.