I don't know what to do with a newborn...

MsLindseyLou

I just realized that I really don't have any experience with a newborn.

 my daughter was the in the NICU for 23 days, when she came home her belly button was healed - so baths were no big deal. But now, with the new baby - uh I don't know what to do. I mean I know sponge baths and whatnot...but I'm still a little nervous.

we never got to change her diapers, so meconium will be quite the experience. 

I never got to breastfeed, but I plan on trying to this time. I don't really know what to expect...

 I am really, really excited though, to have a "normal" well I hope "normal" birth experience - where we can take pictures, the baby stays with me, I get to hold her right away and bring her home from the hospital after just a few days - it's going to be so different from last time!

 This is going to be a whole new experience. And even crazier because we have a 2 year old here. 

 so much to think about and not a lot of time left. oh boy!

wish me luck!

mh2t

You will do great.  My DD's cord fell off when she was only three days old, and we hadn't even given her a bath yet.  The meconium was no big deal - just a bit stickier than regular poop.  Breastfeeding hurt a little bit at the beginning, and I was glad that I had Lansinoh cream and breast pads on hand!

la79al

I'm sorry, but I'm LOLing here.  I was terrified about all these things with DD and then everything went super smooth with her.  Now I am terrified that DC#2 will be a boy and I will have to figure out circumcision care.  Belly button is cake.  Sponge baths and then after the cord falls off, make sure to gently clean the belly button area.  At this point, you are probably a diaper pro.  Unless you are using cloth, meconium diapers are really no big deal (I never changed one in the hospital and then got to do all of them the second we got home.  DD lived.).  Breastfeeding for us was easy, but I know for some it's not.  Luckily there are plenty of resources out there to make that as smooth as possible.  Stop worrying and get ready to enjoy your new family member!

craziheazo

You'll do wonderfully!!

DD1's cord fell off at 7 days exactly. Before that (and a few days after too) we just folded some bath towels and would lie her on it. We would wash her that way on the vanity and then wrap her up and wash her hair under the sink. She didn't mind it too much at all.

Meconium is just a lot stickier than normal baby poop. It just takes a few extra wipes to get rid of it all.  You can handle it.

For me with both DDs breastfeeding hurt quite a bit for the first month. Even when I corrected their poor latch (DD1- I had no clue what I was doing and DD2 was a preemie that spent 11 days in the NICU so she wasn't an expert at latching). With DD1 I wanted to quit everyday the first 2 weeks and then it magically got better.  They sell cooling packs for your breasts that helped me a lot. Lansinoh cream, letting my boobs "air dry" and those cooling packs where the only reason I continued to breastfeed.

Good luck

NoBeautyQueen

DD#1 was also in the NICU for DOL#2-7 and then came home on seizure meds which made her extra sleepy. I've also been worried about what it will be like to have a brand new newborn at home, especially with a young toddler. I know everything I learned in newborn class will come back to me ... and if not there's always thebump