@SarahDarah333- Looks nice! Is the material on the changing pad a bit plasticy? Ours is kind of vinyl feeling and was SUPER easy to wipe down when little man peed during changes or if a poo-splosion snuck out of the diaper.
I dk if or where this has been brought up before, but could I get some opinions on gliders? This has been the toughest thing to nail down on our registry. We are either experiencing too stiff of gliders or I have read reviews that they start to squeak all of the time after a few months of use. We would much prefer one with an ottoman with it. Thank you!
You're going to be spending a lot of time in it, so I would recommend the kind that is similar to an arm chair/ recliner. We registered and we're gifted a traditional glider when I was pregnant with DS 1 and while ours is good and comfortable, that is probably the one thing I would change if I could.
@Sbrown721 We also got a traditional glider and I really wished I had gotten one with the option to rock as well. Rocking motion worked much better for getting my daughter to sleep. This time around, we'll be selling the glider and getting a rocker
I had a rocking chair and it squeaked and popped so bad. I finally got mad enough and went to the furniture store and bought a big, horribly ugly Lazy Boy and I'm in LOVE! I decided I don't care what it looks like, I just want comfort! It's also nice that it reclines
@AnnaS930 Yea it's got a plasticy feel to it- It'll be nice and easy to wipe down! I just wasn't sure if we should add the padding on top of it. It felt like it had some padding to it as it was, but as a FTM I am clueless!
@jhems776 no experience but I've heard that it's a pain to clean and not worth it. We have the FP whale tub which was cheap, easy to clean and lasted until my daughter was big enough to sit up on her own in the tub/sink.
@jhems776- Agreed with the other two. We used a plastic tub that had a little plastic sling-like insert that we could take out and use in the kitchen sink (which was useful for immediately post-partum when he was tiny and I didn't want to be bent over at the bathtub). I should actually say that we USE a plastic tub because we're coming up on 18 months and little man still uses his baby tub.. for some reason he's willing to stay seated in there but stands if in the big tub... it also saves tons of water compared to what it would take to get a similar depth (even just a few inches) in the whole tub and keeps him up really high so I'm not fully bent over. Win-win-win!
We used the plastic Fisher Price tub that has a newborn sling that snaps in. Once DS outgrew the newborn sling, he screamed having to sit in the plastic tub. Using advice from my old BMB, we (usually DH) would just hop into the regular tub and hold DS. They both had a lot of fun bathing that way that it continued until DS was between 12 and 15 months. Now DS takes a bath without anyone in the tub with him.
@MrsVoorhees- it's scary that I use Michael Scott/Office quotes often enough that I don't even remember where they come from when I use them. But yes, win-win-win, Michael gets to win too for mediating conflict. He's my idol.
@jhems776 we registered or the Angelcare bath support. I'm hoping it will get us to the stage where baby can sit up in the tub on his or her own. I didn't like the idea of filling a plastic tub within the tub and having to empty that heavy thing.
@jhems776 we registered or the Angelcare bath support. I'm hoping it will get us to the stage where baby can sit up in the tub on his or her own. I didn't like the idea of filling a plastic tub within the tub and having to empty that heavy thing.
We have this exact tub and loved it. Used it from a few weeks old to give wash cloth baths until she was probably 13-14 months and started trying to get out of it. It never got moldy or anything and was easy to towel off in between uses. It seemed comfy for her. We plan to re use for this little one!
I just put a towel in the sink because I wanted to limit the amount of plastic crap in my house. It worked out fine, I just threw the towel in the wash with the rest of the day's laundry. We have a big kitchen sink so we were able to get away with this for about 6 months.
@PoodleDoodleOoo I think that will definitely work. The tub we have has a plug in the bottom, so I just pull the plug and it drains as we walk out, no lifting. Emmett also uses the guest bath so we leave it in the tub unless we have company, probably wouldn't want something so large if putting in and out daily
Since LO is due at the beginning of September, our weather in CA can go both ways - either sweltering hot or kind of chilly. I'll have to pack short sleeve onesies and zip up/kimono style long ones..
P.S. Went back 4-5 pages. Did my due diligence right? Haha.
@frogdog06 I didn't go too crazy because I didn't feel like I needed much. For baby, just a going home outfit which was zip up pyjamas, a hat and blanket for over her in the car seat. (It was March in PA and snowed the day we took her home.) For me, just a couple changes of comfy clothes and toiletries. Same for my husband. Don't forget cell phone and camera chargers!
@jhems776 we had that exact flower tub and loved it. We could use it in the kitchen sink and i didn't need to bend over. To dry, we just hung it on the line. If it got icky, it goes right in the washer. It was nice bc he was a June baby so it would dry quick outside. Also, you don't bathe them daily (at least I didn't) bc their skin dries out so quick.
Down the road, we eventually bought a plastic tub at a garage sale. I've heard of people using plastic laundry baskets and that working just as well.
Advice for bathtime: we used to plug in a space heater for about 10 minutes before bathing DS when he was tiny. I feel like it made bathtime more comfortable.
Since LO is due at the beginning of September, our weather in CA can go both ways - either sweltering hot or kind of chilly. I'll have to pack short sleeve onesies and zip up/kimono style long ones..
P.S. Went back 4-5 pages. Did my due diligence right? Haha.
The list is a bit much. Although it did include some helpful and often forgotten things that do come in handy (like the notebook and pen) you don't NEED a robe, your towel, your pillow etc. And bringing pads, stool softeners, and diapers is totally unnecessary. That will all be provided at the hospital. Stroller is also uneccessary. It's not the worst to have, but if your partner can carry somethig roughly 8 lb heavier than your car seat, you'll manage to make it to the parking lot.
I would add to the list fancy shampoo and your makeup. I felt so gross after having a baby, and treating myself to expensive shampoo and putting on my make up helped me cope with the fact that I looked/felt like I'd been hit by a bus.....
People tend to act like they're packing for a month long transcontinental trip to the desert. You will be laid up but your partner and other family will not be. Presumably you're delivering some place you're located fairly close to. Someone will be able to run home and pick up your slippers if you forgot them, or run to the drug store for some Chapstick.
@MrsVoorhees I used a free one I got from https://m.nursingpillow.com I'll most likely be using it this time around or maybe I'll go for another free one since I got a coupon from motherhood maternity
@jhems776- my house gets wicked dry with the heat on in the winter, we used it quite a bit with baby #1 because he got congested often, and the cool mist helped keep things moist in his nose so he could breathe a little easier. We still use it from time to time if he's coughing on the dry air at night
@MrsVoorheesI used and love the My Brest Friend nursing pillow with DD. I had a boppy, too, but just couldn't get comfortable with it - it would slide away of me if I didn't hold it tight to my body - and who has time to do that when you're trying to get an infant to latch? The My Brest Friend was fantastic because it wrapped all the way around me and buckled, with an adjustable velcro strap. It has a flat top (versus the roundness of the boppy) that kept DD from rolling one way or the other when resting on it. It has an attached pocket which was great in the early days for lanolin, etc and eventually became a perfect phone holder. It provided great stability in any seated position - cross-legged in bed, upright in a rocker/recliner, etc. I used it for every single at home feeding for the entire 14 months I bf'ed.
@JennM205 that sounds perfect!! My boppy slid away too and would make me so mad because that's the last thing I wanted to deal with while trying to latch a newborn. Totally getting one, thank you!
@jhems776 it's helpful for when baby has a cold. I have a daycare baby so colds seem to last all winter.
This. I have never used one for myself, but we turn it on every time DD has a cold/congestion. They're cheap and easy to come by so we didn't buy one until she needed it. Probably will do the same this time.
@mom2adoodle- I did kegels when I thought of it, but certainly not on a strict regimen or anything. Every once and a while I'd stop my pee mid-stream a few times.. that kind of thing. I haven't had any signs of a weak pelvic floor (pregnancy #2 and have never snissed, or trickled or anything). All seemed to go well without really doing them last time. This time I do an exercise routine a few times a week and there are some squats that go up to a tip-toe after that kinda forces me into a kegel, and some deep squat breathing that has me kegel.. I won't do more than that.
Any ST+ Moms taking a refresher birthing class at the hospital? (Ours has one specifically that's geared towards women who already have children - not as intense as the full class for FTMs.) I can't decide...part of me feels like if I go, it'll all be redundant and I'll walk away not learning anything new. But another part of me thinks that even going and hearing I already know everything I need to know will give me some peace of mind. What do you guys think?
@mom2adoodle An OB friend told me squats seem to be better than kegels for strengthening because most people don't do kegels correctly.
ETA: I would much rather do squats than kegels since it would at least help my legs and butt too!
This could explain it - I am a huge believer in squats. I did them consistently with my last and was doing pretty well up until the last few weeks with this one. Will start them up again.. love doing monthly squat challenges, keeps it interesting ticking days off the calendar!
@JennM205 It hasn't even been two years since I gave birth, and we did a 7 week course last time, so I have no intention of doing the refresher class. I'm considering looking into a Hypnobabies or Bradley's method class incase something happens and the epi isn't possible/doesn't work this time. But even with that, I may just get some books and hope for the best. If you think it'll make you feel better, though, I say go for it.
Re: Ask a BTDT mom
I saw this online and it looks sooo adorable! But is it practical and how long would I use it?
https://m.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12268558&gclid=CNq1gIaGis0CFVclgQod-qwE9w&camp=PLAPPCG-_-PID11578048:BRUS&cagpspn=plab_11578048&eESource=CAPLA_DF:12268558:TRUS
https://m.target.com/p/munchkin-white-hot-inflatable-duck-safety-baby-bath-tub/-/A-10209874?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=PLA_Baby+Shopping&adgroup=SC_Baby_Top+Performers&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=m&location=9025124&gclid=CMml4tiGis0CFUI9gQodw-oNAA&gclsrc=aw.ds
it. It never got moldy or anything and was easy to towel off in between uses. It seemed comfy for her. We plan to re use for this little one!
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/27/hospital-checklist-for-having-a-baby_n_4905694.html Seems to have way too much stuff. And I've gotten some input from my girlfriends, but there seems to be quite a bit to pack still.
Since LO is due at the beginning of September, our weather in CA can go both ways - either sweltering hot or kind of chilly. I'll have to pack short sleeve onesies and zip up/kimono style long ones..
P.S. Went back 4-5 pages. Did my due diligence right? Haha.
Down the road, we eventually bought a plastic tub at a garage sale. I've heard of people using plastic laundry baskets and that working just as well.
I would add to the list fancy shampoo and your makeup. I felt so gross after having a baby, and treating myself to expensive shampoo and putting on my make up helped me cope with the fact that I looked/felt like I'd been hit by a bus.....
People tend to act like they're packing for a month long transcontinental trip to the desert. You will be laid up but your partner and other family will not be. Presumably you're delivering some place you're located fairly close to. Someone will be able to run home and pick up your slippers if you forgot them, or run to the drug store for some Chapstick.
How many of you felt kegels truly helped your pelvic floor post birth?
Do you regret not doing them if you didn't?
ETA: I would much rather do squats than kegels since it would at least help my legs and butt too!