10/2017: Twins confirmed with TTTS at 22 weeks. 10/10/17 Twin B passed after in utero placenta surgery 11/2/17 Twin A & B born 11/26/17: Twin A passed after 24 days fighting in the NICU Benched 6 months BFP: 6/28/18 MC:7/16/18 BO BFP: 10/2/18 EDD 6/15/18
@midwestbaby being this is our second and we're team green we got a lot of diapers and wipes and a few other necessities! We really only need diapers for an August baby anyway! #teamnoclothes
One thing I do have ready.... My snack bag. I've got my favorite popcorn, peanut butter, chocolate covered berries and a handful of other items in it for the days we are in the hospital and I want a late night snack.
We hired someone to do a deep cleaning last week and will probably have her continue to clean 2x/mo for the next few months at least. Just one less thing for me to deal with and it makes me feel better when I look around. I don't care about things being perfect for baby for fear of germs. I just don't want to add it to my growing list of projects. Plus my ILs are staying at our house with DD while we are in the hospital for a few days (RCS) and always take it upon themselves to reorganize things if it's even slightly messy, which drives me cray cray.
I still haven't done the things I planned to do on my last day off. I did however sterilize bottles, nipples, and breast pump parts tonight. I'm working the next 4 days, so unless I get something done before or after work on those days.. I'm pretty sure nothing else is getting done. I do need hubby to put up drywall on our bedroom ceiling though, since the tiles fell on us as we tried to sleep a few nights ago!
I'm such a slacker I have no intention of "sterilizing" anything. I'll wash things with soap and water but that's about it.
I just started packing my hospital bag today. Dug DS's Soothie pacis out of the basement and just rinsed them under water. Hey, they were in a Ziploc bag, they're fine.
I had pizza for breakfast, nachos for lunch, and a caesar salad and ice cream for dinner. I promise I will get this baby some decent nutrients tomorrow.
Ok so thank you cards for shower are still not done but sometime this week...
DH goes, "you're worried about getting them done yet I find you on my laptop cropping out that lady's face onto a mucus at 2 in the morning?"
He clearly doesn't get my priorities...nor know who Fran is!
(Side note: He asked me who Fran was and I legit told him she's from a meme but I just named her to respond to drive by posts).
I love everything about this post.
And I also never sterilized any bottles. Although it won't make a difference now, is the idea bacteria-based? (Does it make me an even bigger slacker that I never read about this and don't know why I should have done it? Probably.)
I sterilized stuff that was given to me. My cousin gave me a Medela PISA and a ton of extras that she had been storing in her attic for like 2 years. Otherwise, if it was brand new stuff, I wouldn't have bothered. And I'll probably never bother sterilizing the stuff again.
This thread described me to a "T." When my water broke at 37w5d, I didn't have the hospital bags packed, newborn clothes washed, nursery organized, freezer meals done, etc. Thank God for DH who is an expert packer (military) and my parents who helped us immensely the first week of DS's life. On the plus side, the carseat was already installed in the car.
I've stopped nesting... I make lists now for DH to do during the weekend... if baby isn't here yet. I pretty much force myself to go to work... oh and this morning I spilled tea all over me... my chest... my bump and my pants... so I will be walking around stained all day... great! as if I didn't stand out enough
Our pediatrician told me soap and hot water is enough. She said that when you sterilize (by boiling), it breaks down the materials that the nipples are made with. I am not sure about other sterilizing methods.
Still a lot to be done. I am not even sure I know where my pumping bottles are at! I've got a few baby bottles in the cabinet that need to be washed. I need to get the pacifiers down and clean them too.
We didn't do any major sterilization with DD and she was fine. I just plan on washing the bottles in warm, soapy water at some point.
I'm also so thankful I received a ton of hand me downs from friends for this baby because that means the clothes are already washed. I haven't washed a single new item that has been purchased for this baby. I'm hoping MIL will do that when she comes to visit because she is super concerned with that kind of thing. It is a perfect job for her.
@texasmama2014 I feel the same way lol. I don't rinse our dd's pacifier if it falls on the floor at home or even out in the grass. Out in public, like at stores and high traffic places I do though. My MIL gets really irritated because I let dd crawl around at the doctor's office and play with the toys there. They don't have anything she can actually pick up and put in her mouth, just wall toys and the learning boxes and stuff like that.
I feel like I am a germ freak (which is ironic given my profession) and I'm not sterilizing anything. Just hot soapy water over here and that fun little grass drying rack in this house. Also I just realized I haven't washed any of my bottle stuff, meh. Do I really need to at this point when I want to give breastfeeding a whirl? Also my stupid insurance company won't send me my pump until after baby is born...not sure what all needs to be "cleaned" with that either.
*TW Spoiler*
DD: Aug '16
10/2017: Twins confirmed with TTTS at 22 weeks. 10/10/17 Twin B passed after in utero placenta surgery 11/2/17 Twin A & B born 11/26/17: Twin A passed after 24 days fighting in the NICU Benched 6 months BFP: 6/28/18 MC:7/16/18 BO BFP: 10/2/18 EDD 6/15/18
@texasmama2014 I feel the same way lol. I don't rinse our dd's pacifier if it falls on the floor at home or even out in the grass. Out in public, like at stores and high traffic places I do though. My MIL gets really irritated because I let dd crawl around at the doctor's office and play with the toys there. They don't have anything she can actually pick up and put in her mouth, just wall toys and the learning boxes and stuff like that.
I'm pretty relaxed in the "natural immunity" club as well. The only thing I make sure of is making people use hand sanitizer or wash their hands before holding my newborn. And I do that through a few months old. People are disgusting, so while I will "wash" a pacifier off by putting in my mouth and then giving it back to baby I don't like letting people hold baby without cleaning first. Especially my inlaws, they're not too big on cleanliness.
@Lynnlove28 I definitely do the "wash" by putting the paci in my own mouth! I actually do not use hand sanitizer what so ever. I would rather DD be exposed to some bacteria than potentially getting the alcohol in her mouth and killing the bacteria in her gut... I'm probably paranoid on the opposite end!
I'm also in the anti-hand sanitizer camp. I think it is over-used and is a major contributor in resistant strain bugs. Hot regular soap hand washing is what I plan on asking anyone to do who wants to hold our daughter.
*TW Spoiler*
DD: Aug '16
10/2017: Twins confirmed with TTTS at 22 weeks. 10/10/17 Twin B passed after in utero placenta surgery 11/2/17 Twin A & B born 11/26/17: Twin A passed after 24 days fighting in the NICU Benched 6 months BFP: 6/28/18 MC:7/16/18 BO BFP: 10/2/18 EDD 6/15/18
It just occurred to me that I have researched nothing about pumping/bottle feeding. I plan to breastfeed and stick to that exclusively at the start, and then after a few weeks start pumping so that DH can help out with feedings once in a while. So I've done zero research on sterilizing bottles, proper storage of milk, etc. It's just such a boring topic, but I guess I'd better get up to speed. Especially just in case breastfeeding doesn't work well early on and I have to supplement!
@Snaps816 That's exactly my situation too. I started researching when to start pumping yesterday because I would like DH to be able to feed her as well. They say around 3-4 weeks? My pump is still sitting in the box, but I'm glad to hear I can pretty much just wash it. I was gifted baby safe dish soap so I plan on just using that and hot water. Same for bottles. They are still sitting in the box and I plan to just clean them before I use them. We also don't have a large freezer so I'm concerned about space for saving milk. But I keep thinking I can worry about this in a month or two?
@Snaps816@Hannah0726 I hope that this doesn't happen to you guys, but it happened to us, so I just want to give you a heads up.
I planned on exclusively breastfeeding and did nothing with any pump parts, etc. Baby came and was feeding fine and weight was good. Then something went weird, his latch got really small (I think because I had an overproduction problem and he was clamping down to slow the flow), my nipples bled and blistered, he stopped gaining weight, and within one week of being born, the pediatrician said, "you need to pump and bottle feed around the clock or give formula--he isn't getting enough from your breast."
We pumped and bottle fed every hour for two days until he stabilized. I wish that I had had my shit together for pumping since I was already hormonally imbalanced and that turned me into a bit of a wreck since I was scared and unprepared after thinking "I'll just breastfeed and figure the rest out later." My hormones were pretty crazy though, so maybe that won't be the case for you. FX!
All is back on track now, but long story short, I wish I'd been ready--I cried for like 24 hours straight and DH hardly knew what to do with me.. So better safe than sorry, I guess? I'd recommend getting pumping materials set up just in case breastfeeding doesn't go perfectly.
@entropicallyfavored I guess I better get moving! My pump and bottles aren't here yet (I ordered them last week) but I can at least start educating myself and DH.
Yes I would read up on. With my first, I didn't and then I had cracked nipples and needed to pump so I could heal (even though BFing was going great). I had no idea what to do! But thanks to Google it all worked out. Even print out a hand BM storage guidelines for your fridge.
@entropicallyfavored You're right. I still have about two weeks till my due date so I don't really have an excuse not to be ready just in case. Thanks for the advice!
Yep, my baby ended up having jaundice the day after we came home from the hospital, and I had to pump and give a bottle after he nursed to get him to eat more at once so he would poop, and to help him gain weight. For sure make sure you know how to use your pump before baby comes home
Yep, my baby ended up having jaundice the day after we came home from the hospital, and I had to pump and give a bottle after he nursed to get him to eat more at once so he would poop, and to help him gain weight. For sure make sure you know how to use your pump before baby comes home
I wish our insurance let us have our pump beforehand, but they won't issue it until baby is born. So stupid. Just what I want to do, figure out a pump with a newborn...grrr. You would think insurance through a hospital would be great. Not so much.
*TW Spoiler*
DD: Aug '16
10/2017: Twins confirmed with TTTS at 22 weeks. 10/10/17 Twin B passed after in utero placenta surgery 11/2/17 Twin A & B born 11/26/17: Twin A passed after 24 days fighting in the NICU Benched 6 months BFP: 6/28/18 MC:7/16/18 BO BFP: 10/2/18 EDD 6/15/18
@midwestbaby same thing happened to me when I had ds1. I just had to wing it, but the nurses did help me with it in the hospital before we left. Maybe look up your pump online and read the manual? Mine was pretty short and easy to understand
Tip for those who can't get their pump before baby is born.
The medela harmony is about $30 and works amazingly for occasional use. I went through 2 with DD. Its just a manual hand held pump but for things like nights out and short trips away from baby its awesome.
The hospital I delivered my first dd in provided the hospital grade pumps for rent until I got a pump. They taught me how to use it and even set everything up so I wouldn't have to do anything when I got home except use it. I think it was either $30 or $45 for the month. My insurance covered it.
I have accomplished so little at work today. Especially since lunch -- the company had a "goodbye" lunch for me today (my last day is Thursday but more people are in the office today) and I ate myself into a food coma. I keep having moments of guilt/panic about getting things done and then remembering, "oh yeah, I am quitting this place."
Re: The slacker thread.
DD: Aug '16
10/2017: Twins confirmed with TTTS at 22 weeks.
10/10/17 Twin B passed after in utero placenta surgery
11/2/17 Twin A & B born
11/26/17: Twin A passed after 24 days fighting in the NICU
Benched 6 months
BFP: 6/28/18 MC:7/16/18 BO
BFP: 10/2/18 EDD 6/15/18
Baby #2: Emmeline Grey - August 2016
Baby #3: BFP 9/7/18 | EDD 05/24/19
and @tisunge602
I'm not even taking my new pump out of the box until I have to. And all those bottles I saved, I'll clean them when I need them. Zero energy.
(I wish I was sleeping well, btw)
edited for grammar, because clearly I need more sleep.
DH goes, "you're worried about getting them done yet I find you on my laptop cropping out that lady's face onto a mucus at 2 in the morning?"
He clearly doesn't get my priorities...nor know who Fran is!
(Side note: He asked me who Fran was and I legit told him she's from a meme but I just named her to respond to drive by posts).
And I also never sterilized any bottles. Although it won't make a difference now, is the idea bacteria-based? (Does it make me an even bigger slacker that I never read about this and don't know why I should have done it? Probably.)
as if I didn't stand out enough
Still a lot to be done. I am not even sure I know where my pumping bottles are at! I've got a few baby bottles in the cabinet that need to be washed. I need to get the pacifiers down and clean them too.
I'm also so thankful I received a ton of hand me downs from friends for this baby because that means the clothes are already washed. I haven't washed a single new item that has been purchased for this baby. I'm hoping MIL will do that when she comes to visit because she is super concerned with that kind of thing. It is a perfect job for her.
DD: Aug '16
10/2017: Twins confirmed with TTTS at 22 weeks.
10/10/17 Twin B passed after in utero placenta surgery
11/2/17 Twin A & B born
11/26/17: Twin A passed after 24 days fighting in the NICU
Benched 6 months
BFP: 6/28/18 MC:7/16/18 BO
BFP: 10/2/18 EDD 6/15/18
DD: Aug '16
10/2017: Twins confirmed with TTTS at 22 weeks.
10/10/17 Twin B passed after in utero placenta surgery
11/2/17 Twin A & B born
11/26/17: Twin A passed after 24 days fighting in the NICU
Benched 6 months
BFP: 6/28/18 MC:7/16/18 BO
BFP: 10/2/18 EDD 6/15/18
I planned on exclusively breastfeeding and did nothing with any pump parts, etc. Baby came and was feeding fine and weight was good. Then something went weird, his latch got really small (I think because I had an overproduction problem and he was clamping down to slow the flow), my nipples bled and blistered, he stopped gaining weight, and within one week of being born, the pediatrician said, "you need to pump and bottle feed around the clock or give formula--he isn't getting enough from your breast."
We pumped and bottle fed every hour for two days until he stabilized. I wish that I had had my shit together for pumping since I was already hormonally imbalanced and that turned me into a bit of a wreck since I was scared and unprepared after thinking "I'll just breastfeed and figure the rest out later." My hormones were pretty crazy though, so maybe that won't be the case for you. FX!
All is back on track now, but long story short, I wish I'd been ready--I cried for like 24 hours straight and DH hardly knew what to do with me.. So better safe than sorry, I guess? I'd recommend getting pumping materials set up just in case breastfeeding doesn't go perfectly.
Yes I would read up on. With my first, I didn't and then I had cracked nipples and needed to pump so I could heal (even though BFing was going great). I had no idea what to do! But thanks to Google it all worked out. Even print out a hand BM storage guidelines for your fridge.
DD: Aug '16
10/2017: Twins confirmed with TTTS at 22 weeks.
10/10/17 Twin B passed after in utero placenta surgery
11/2/17 Twin A & B born
11/26/17: Twin A passed after 24 days fighting in the NICU
Benched 6 months
BFP: 6/28/18 MC:7/16/18 BO
BFP: 10/2/18 EDD 6/15/18
The medela harmony is about $30 and works amazingly for occasional use. I went through 2 with DD. Its just a manual hand held pump but for things like nights out and short trips away from baby its awesome.
https://www.amazon.com/Medela-Harmony-Manual-Breast-Pump/dp/B0006HBS1M
I just ordered one with Walmart Gift cards for a little less than the amazon one.
The hospital I delivered my first dd in provided the hospital grade pumps for rent until I got a pump. They taught me how to use it and even set everything up so I wouldn't have to do anything when I got home except use it. I think it was either $30 or $45 for the month. My insurance covered it.