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May 2016 Moms
yogahh
member
Because I was too cheap to take any classes....
yogahh
member
With 5 weeks left to go (HOLY CRAP), I am sure I am not the only one freaking out a bit. DH and I opted to forgo birth/lactation/care classes in lieu of saving money (and I figured that I would forget everything anyways), so I am getting my hands on everything I can watch and read to feel somewhat prepared. Watched some breastfeeding videos last week, and reading Ina Mays book on breastfeeding this week for example. If you have any great reads (books, articles, websites), videos, etc to share with the group, please do so!
Re: Because I was too cheap to take any classes....
Is google the wrong answer? Because I have found out more useful information using the internet and The Bump than I did in my classes. I felt it was a waste of time and money... hence the reason I canceled my lactation classes. (They have lactation consultants in the hospital who can help me and teach me what I need to know) Plus they offer appointments with them even after we go home.
With that being said.. the one portion of the class I think every parent should take and know is infant/child CPR. I skipped this class only because I am a nurse and literally just had my refresher course less than a month ago but I feel that is something every parent should know and just pray they never need to use.
@yogahh I also enjoyed "Active Birth" and for postpartum "The Happiest Baby on the Block" has been really eye opening for both DH and me!
Thankfully DH is a PE teacher so he is certified in CPR. But I think that is a GREAT callout for everyone!
I think the fact that you are so active on here makes you better prepared than a lot of the people who took the classes but don't have the day-to-day interactions with people who are going through the same stages of pregnancy. Because of the candid nature of this board (and the "anonymity" of the internet), we have the benefit of asking the embarrassing or uncomfortable questions that a lot of us wouldn't be comfortable asking or discussing in-person during a class. I don't have any good book or video recommendations, but I just wanted to say that you are likely more prepared than you think you are!
Edited because I can't spell today...I need a nap!
The MayoClinic First Year, the Dr. Sears book, The Whole Brained Child, and the No Cry Sleep Solution were among my favorite year 1 books. The authors of The Whole Brained Child have an awesome toddler discipline book too called No-Drama Discipline. I liked the Happiest Baby on the Block pretty well too.
Side note: The Whole Brained Child probably got the most use in our house because of the evidence based writing style, generally non-preachy tone, and the whole-family approach-- there's even a part that tackles parent sleep deprivation.
Eta: I read the Hypnobirthing book, Natural Hospital Birth, and Ina May's book for labor preparation last time.
2.https://themommymyway.com/index.php/2015/09/08/boobie-smoothie-quick-and-healthy-recipe-for-increasing-breast-milk-supply/
3.https://dailymom.com/expect/returning-to-work-and-pumping/
4.https://www.buzzfeed.com/mikespohr/23-lactation-recipes-that-will-boost-your-production-and-tas#.xgoEV9xdY
5.https://www.buzzfeed.com/quaker/life-saving-hacks-for-every-busy-mom?b=1#.xgoEV9xdY
6.https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/65491/moms-can-get-energy
7.https://www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/36-little-hacks-that-will-make-parenting-so-much-easier?sub=2007816_1049880#.rooLzE0bW
8.https://www.growingajeweledrose.com/2012/08/baby-teething-tips-and-remedies.html
I have looked at each one of those and have gotten great ideas for various different things.
Been married since 2009.
Unicornuate Uterus (yes I menstruate glitter)
Several MCs
DD born 2013 (our miracle "you can't have babies" baby!)
The classes so far have been great! Particularly for SO and I as a couple, getting through this together - again, I'm Type-A and he's ... not. So I've read all the books, he ... most definitely hasn't. But at the classes, he could catch up. And since he is a visual learner, it worked out best for him anyway. The main takeaway from the last class we had (last week) was this cool ice cube trick where the nurse gave us each a huge ice cube to hold for a minute at a time, and we had to breathe through it and use coping mechanisms and our partners were told to support us in any way that worked for us. It was great since at the end you were like, Okay, I can hold extremely cold and painful ice in my hand for a minute at a time - and barely noticed it. We can do this birthing thing! They also taught us how to "push" - use your abdominals ladies! (Which has not been covered in most books I've read ...)
As for stuff to watch - Youtube has a million documentaries! Or at least, that's the way it seems ...
Good luck!
I also want to echo what a PP stated, child and infant CPR should be a priority. DH, my mom, my dad, and my 80 year old grandparents all took this class with me. Anyone who could/will be a caregiver should attend because it takes so little to have peace of mind. I would also encourage attending a car seat instalation class or at a minimum, getting your car seat checked by someone certified. Out of 12 couples in our car seat class, DH was the only one to correctly install the seat and that was honestly because the Britax Marathon CT does not leave much opportunity to install it incorrectly.
Birthing from Within by Pam England
The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin (great for Dads/Partners)
Active Birth by Janet Balaskas
The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer
Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn (4th Edition): The Complete Guide by P. Simkin, A. Bolding, A. Keppler, J. Durham, J. Whalley
The Birth Book by William and Martha Sears
The Doula Book by Klaus, Kennel and Klaus
The Baby Book by William and Martha Sears
The Happiest Baby on the Block by Dr. Harvey Karp
Breastfeeding Made Simple by Kathleen Kendall-Tackett Ph.D. IBCLC, Nancy Mohrbacher IBCLC & Jack Newman MD
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by La Leche League
Working and Breastfeeding Made Simple by Nancy Mohrbacher
Yes, they have an hour class in the morning. I plan on taking that!
I should also clarify that I didn't post this just to get advise for myself!!! If anyone else is feeling they need some extra "learning", I hope you found some info on this post as well.
I finished Ina Mays book yesterday. Still not what I was looking for. I think for myself I am just so nervous about making sure she is eating enough, and how to supplement pumping. Sure I will figure it out though!
to insurance) ask if they bring a scale so you can weigh before and after feedings if you're really concerned. But in my limited breastfeeding experience last time it was pretty clear when DS was still hungry. Trust your instincts!
It turned out to be the most valuable thing I did in regards to successfully breastfeeding my baby. They knew this area, the hospital, the policies, the LC's (some even were LC's) and even came out to my house to help hands on when I couldn't make the meetings with a newborn. And were available to help basically all the time via text, e-mail, or whatever. Just super valuable.
https://www.mothering.com/articles/natural-breastfeeding-2/