Stupid Question Sunday

breezybee

I've got a couple:
Do babies sleep in swaddles as newborns, or do you put them in a sleep sack right away?  I think swaddles, but I just want to confirm...
and
how many onesies should you register for?  

sjis

@breezybee it all depends on the baby. There are some easy zip-up swaddles that are great which will calm and quiet baby for sleep. The traditional muslin swaddles are a pain especially after a lack of sleep and it's 4am. But, some babies like to have their arms out and sleep better that way. 

I wouldn't register for too many, maybe one or two if at all. If you're having a shower people tend to give a ton of clothes. 

breezybee

Ok thanks. I'm obviously finishing up my registry. Oy, I'm at thermometers now. The thought of taking my babies temp rectally is very unsettling to me lol. But I've heard the ear/forehead thermometers aren't always accurate.

tamaraaaa

After the first week you will be so unfazed by poop and buttholes that taking a rectal temp won't even cause you to bat an eye.  Wait til your kid is constipated and you are trying to pull poop out...  You'll re-evaluate your level of sanity at least 10 times.

jlemons-2

I never took DD temp rectally and probably won't with this one either. When she was in NICU, they told me under her arm was just fine unless there was a reason to be worried. 

acgonzalez22

With DS, I took his temp rectally the first 6 months then under the arm after that. With all the poop and spit up, you truly won't bat an eye taking a rectal temp. 

failuretofly

If I was legitimately worried about a fever, I could not be satisfied that I had an accurate temp unless I did it rectally, while baby is under 1 month (or maybe 3 if I'm really worried). But that's my nursing training coming through. After 3 months, I would do under the arm. 

don't worry about registering for clothes, at all, in my opinion. People will buy them for you regardless!

MJDsquared

I wasn't going to register for clothes since we already have plenty and I know my mom and MIL are chomping at the bit to find out the sex to buy even more, plus I know we'll get tons gifted at the shower/otherwise... But I was going to register for sleep sacks. Would people buy us sleep sacks off-registry? I anticipate needing to return some stuff no matter what, so I'd probably be able to just exchange for some, but I'm just wondering.

cait5413

@breezybee We used the Swaddle me swaddles (zip up and velcro--zip up are easier at first) and then Halo sleep sacks with the velcro-able swaddle arms and then the sleep sacks without the velcro flaps. Most babies like being swaddled, but not all, and some ninja babies will break out of virtually any swaddle anyway. But the zip up or velcro ones are pretty easy to use. You can use a blanket to swaddle, but it takes some practice and is easier for baby to break out of. I just bought a Halo sleep sack with the velcro flaps on zulily in infant size because the ones we had for DD are all the lightweight ones (August birthday) and I wanted a fleece one for this December babe!

Also, I have never taken DD's temp rectally. Usually under the arm. We do have a forehead thermometer (advertised everywhere! so accurate!), but all docs ask for the under arm temp, which is usually lower, so it's kind of useless at this age EXCEPT that sometimes she fights the thermometer under her arm and I can always get the reading on her forehead--and if it says 102, she has a fever. The arm temp just usually won't read quite as high. It's when she's borderline feverish that the under arm or rectal temp is really necessary. 

Tennis11785

I added some sleep slacks and swaddlers that velcro/are easy to use to my registry, just because I know they are something I want to try.  I figured at minimum it can serve as another lower-cost item for people who need flexibility in choices.  

breezybee

Yeah, I've got halo Velcro sleep sacks, regular halo sleep sacks, regular muslin swaddles, and Velcro swaddles. Lol. I'm going to have swaddles and blankets coming out of my ears, but I've got twins coming, so I'm sure I'll use them all at some point. I love those Aden and Anais Muslin swaddles, since they can be used for everything!  Nursing covers, playmates, car seat covers, swaddles, etc. love them. And they're so cute!
Also, the poop/butthole thig doesn't bother me - it's the putting a thermometer in another humans butt!  I'll handle it like a pro I'm sure, but it still makes me cringe for now. 

failuretofly

@MJDsquared I think it's a good idea to put sleep sacks on your registry! I didn't and I was so glad an experienced mom gifted me one because DS was over swaddles way earlier than I anticipated, so having one on hand was great! The only thing is, they are sized similar to clothes, and unless you have a strict temperature controlled house, you'll want the weight of them to be in line with the season AND baby's current weight/height. So I would only register for 0-6 month size ones in the winter weight, then you can upgrade the weight/size as baby grows/needs it.

tmk0325

I too and a bit worried about PPD, two 1.5 year olds and a newborn all home from December - March... We live in WI where it is freezing and gross in the winter. Oh and we currently are in a tiny 750 sq ft apartment.  

dkizz82

breezybee said:

I've got a couple:
Do babies sleep in swaddles as newborns, or do you put them in a sleep sack right away?  I think swaddles, but I just want to confirm...
and
how many onesies should you register for?  

We slept on swaddles until she could bust out then moved to sleep sacks. We didn't use a lot of onesies, but had like 20 sleepers. We went through many a day 

dkizz82

@tmk0325 o was depressed with DD1 and it was July. My only escape was outside. I'm dreading December. 

failuretofly

I'm with @dkizz82 -  sleepers are life with a newborn! I'm pretty sure DS didn't wear anything other than sleepers until he was a month old!

Tennis11785

I mentioned the sleep sacks to my mom, and she got so concerned that we weren't going to use sleepers (she didn't get that they are a replacement for a blanket and the baby can wear clothes in the sack).  I quickly reassured her that sleepers will be a frequent flyer in our house.  It's going to be winter and I don't want to have to worry about finding socks to keep her feet warm!  One piece suits for the win! 

mrsorigami

tmk0325 said:

I too and a bit worried about PPD, two 1.5 year olds and a newborn all home from December - March... We live in WI where it is freezing and gross in the winter. Oh and we currently are in a tiny 750 sq ft apartment.  

I always get sad after the holidays are over.  It is so cold, dark, and quiet.  The last few years I have made a special wall in my house that has a variety of photos and other things framed and hanging, that I strung up clear lights on and keep them lit after the holidays are over and until I feel it is the right time to take the lights down.  I think last year I had them up through February.  It just made me happy and felt at peace every time I saw it.  I used to always get sad for some reason putting all of the decorations and such away after the holidays ended..but now I do this one thing with these simple clear lights and it helps me a lot.  Sounds very random but it has helped me.  I think it will definitely help me this time around too.

I know this is completely different than dealing with a newborn and two 1.5 year olds at the same time.  Make sure to take the time to do something for yourself, no matter how small or simple it is.  And if you experience PPD you know so many of us here will be a great support system, your dr will be helping you, and all of the other great resources that are now available for PPD moms.  

darkfyre

@mrsorigami I Love the lights idea! I think I may do that with my mantle. So much fun. 

TigerCakes

I'm a second time mom, but I have a question about breast feeding.  So I know it can take a few days for your milk to come in.  My DS was in a NICU and was fed by feeding tube for the several days.  Until my milk came in on day 3-4 I know they were giving him formula.  However, if you are exclusively breast feeding what is the baby eating those first few days? Is it just the colostrum (not sure how to spell that)?

dkizz82

@TigerCakes yep just colostrum. My nurse would come and squeeze the crap out of my nipples and get tons out and then try to latch her. She didn't latch well so we fed it to her with a spoon (I know that sounds odd-just Kinda dripped into her mouth). She wasn't able to get enough though and her blood sugar dropped and she was jaundice so we supplemented with formula until my milk came in and I pumped. 

failuretofly

@TigerCakes yup, colostrum. It really helps get baby's bowels moving too since it's a natural laxative. We did the same as @dkizz82 with spoon feeding whenever we had a hard time latching to give DS some energy to keep trying and finally get latched. Those first 24 hours can be rough trying to learn to latch and worrying about them getting enough, but I never had an issue. DS was back to his birth weight at 4 days old. 

cait5413

@TigerCakes Colostrum is all they need at first, unless there is some health issue. Babies stomachs are very tiny when they are born, so they can only take in small amounts at a time. Kellymom has some great info online.

peachy13

awesome info about swaddle and sleep sacks. Where do newborns sleep in their first few weeks of life? A rock n play in my bedroom? Their crib? Somewhere else?

Marley629

@peachy13 totally your choice.  They do recommend rooming in for the 1st year as a SIDS prevention but that's totally up to what works for you family. For DS1, he would not sleep flat at all, and I wanted him in our room initially so he slept in rock and play for 1st 6 months until he could sit up by himself. Then we transitioned him to nursery in his crib.  With this LO, I'm hoping he will sleep in the top part of pack and play for awhile or if he has similiar issues as DS, back to rock and play it is. 

Tennis11785

@peachy13 - So the American Academy of Pediatrics say the baby should sleep in the same room as the parents for a while. I think their current recommendation is a full year, but I know MANY people don't do it for the full year.  

We're planning on using the pack n play in our bedroom as an option.  We will also have a queen sized guest bed in our nursery, so I'm sure there will also be nights that we put the baby in the crib and sleep over there.  And I'm sure there will be some nights where my H sleeps in the master room and I sleep in the nursery - especially once he's back at work.  

cait5413

We kept DD in our room in a pack n play for only the first month or so, then put her in her crib. There are pros and. cons to both approaches. If you are breastfeeding it is easier to keep baby close at first. I have heard of some moms sleeping on a mattress in baby room rather than having the baby in the parent's room. 

jlemons-2

DD slept in my room in the top part of the pack and play until 3 1/2 months. I would have kept her longer but she outgrew the pack n play because it was the space saver kind. 

KathrynJ088

I can't imagine sleeping in a completely separate room than DH, but know it's quite common to preserve the working one's sleep. The crib is in our room since we're not doing a nursery, so I guess we'll see how that plays out.

MJDsquared

Looking at birth announcements on other BMBs, I noticed a few of them wearing just plain white Halo swaddler sleep sacks with a giant logo on the front. I feel like the ones you buy just have the small logo (the "back is best" one) so I'm wondering...does the hospital provide that for baby to sleep in while they're at the hospital?

Going along with that (this part seems so stupid that I had to Google "hospital bag checklist" before asking, lol) do you need to bring onesies for baby to wear while in the hospital? The checklist I found (from TB) said to just bring a going home outfit and seasonal wear (coat/hat if it's cold, etc.) so I'm wondering if the hospital provides that stuff like they provide you with a hospital gown?

TigerCakes

@MJDsquared My son was in the NICU, but they provided all of his clothes.  We did not get to keep them though.  We were also welcome to bring our own for him to wear, but I was worried about them getting mixed in with the hospital's clothes if we weren't there when the nurses changed shifts.  This time around I plan to bring clothes for the baby assuming all goes well and she is staying in my room.

darkfyre

With DS they provided long sleeve Gerber kimono shirts that we kept. I think he wore son home and we took a second. They are my favorite and one of the few items I am buying this time.

anewadventure

@MJDsquared  your hospital should have some form of clothing, usually a kimono style shirt because of the umbilical cord stump. they're not for keeping, though. that's why you technically just need the going-home-outfit (and a spare or two, for inevitable explosions)

MJDsquared

@TigerCakes @anewadventure I figured you didn't get to keep them, which is why I mentioned 'like a hospital gown.' But I'm glad my guess was pretty accurate! Thank you for answering!

@darkfyre That's interesting that you got to keep yours. Did they include a crazy charge for that (I know in the hospital they charge tons for even a Tylenol or something) or is it just your hospital's policy?

whiska

This feels like a stupid question so, has anyone else been having trouble getting in the mindset of your male partner being "dad" or "daddy"?  I don't know why but this is tripping me up 

When I talk to the baby alone I have no problem being like, "oh your dad is so smart!" But when H is there it just seems weird. Maybe because it's just been me and him for 16 years and these are totally new roles? 

NME44

anewadventure said:

@MJDsquared  your hospital should have some form of clothing, usually a kimono style shirt because of the umbilical cord stump. they're not for keeping, though. that's why you technically just need the going-home-outfit (and a spare or two, for inevitable explosions)

The pink blanket I bought to use with my daughter in the hospital still has the faintest meconium stain on it...

cait5413

@MJDsquared Our hospital did not use sleep sacks. The nurses are expert swaddlers with that iconic blue and pink striped blanket. DD was dressed in a t-shirt and diaper the whole time she was there (maybe this baby will get long sleeves since it is December). I think we brought one or two of them home. No idea if they charged us. 

MJDsquared

@whiska I haven't thought about it much, but now that I do, it's totally weird. Then again, thinking of myself as mom or mommy is also weird!

elcd458

@whiska @MJDsquared It's not so weird for me or DH to call each other mom or dad now, but when anyone else says it, I can't stand it.  My own dad said "Hey, mama!" to me when we visited my parents a few weeks ago and it made me want to jump out of my skin. I yelled at him and made him swear he'd never call me any version of mom ever again. 

mrsorigami

@whiska Yep!  It is still a little weird to me and my first child is 4.  When talking to her we call her dad "dada or dad" and when he talks to her they call me "mama", but DH and I do not call each other anything besides our first names.  

Growing up my dad always called my mom "mother" in front of all of us kids, even when talking to her, so maybe I just found it weird.  I don't really know how to explain it, haha!  But DH and I were also together for several years before kids came into the picture so maybe that is it.  Plus I am not really a fan of "daddy" or "mommy."  Not really sure why.  I also dislike it when other people call me any sort of mom name.