Has anyone used any of the baby tracking apps for recording feedings, diapers and what not? Is there one you would recommend or did you not find them useful?
I used baby day book for the first few weeks. I liked the app. I just never remembered to log everything so for me it wasn't very useful. You can track feedings, naps, diaper changes, growth and a few other things.
Anyone else dilated? I'm 35 weeks and found out I'm 2 cm dilated already, I was 2 cm dilated at 35 weeks with my son and I had him 5 days later. Just curious if being dilated this early means you'll have them early
@myriamc96 I'm getting checked at my appt today. I'm almost 36 weeks. With my daughter, I was 2 cm dilated 36-38 weeks and 3 cm 39-40 weeks. She came right on her due date.
@laufisch I used an app sort of. I had really good intentions with it but found I forgot to log more often than I logged.
@myriamc96 I haven't been checked yet this pregnancy but with my first I was 3 cm at 34 weeks, and 3 1/2 or 4 depending on who was checking me at 36 and stayed that way until I was induced at 38 +3 weeks. Dilating early is kinda moot as far as how soon you'll deliver. Some women dilate super early and go past term, some women won't be dilated at all then have their baby that day. However, having your own babies earlier does tend to increase your risk of having your other babies early so you may go early this time too because your son was earlier.
@laufisch I can't remember which one I used last time but like others, I forgot more than I actually logged and eventually just said screw it.
@myriamc96 I was dilated to 2cm at 36 weeks with my first and she came after her due date. I'm 2cm this time as well but not putting much stock in it. You can walk around dilated for weeks. When you had your first child is a much better indicator of when you'll have your second, etc.
@laufisch I didn't use an app with either of my first 2 girls. I just wrote it down or kept track of the clock. Also I kinda just feed when the baby needed it not on a strict schedule. It's a little hectic in the first couple of weeks but you get into a rhythm with your baby and it gets better.
I used an app, but I forget what it was. I mostly used it to remember which side I had nursed on last so I could start on that side for the next feeding.
With my first I was not dilated or effaced when I was induced at 40+2. With my second (11.5 months later) I walked around at 3cm and 59-80% effaced for 2-3 weeks and was induced at 39+1.
What types of activities do you really need to track, and is there a good way to do it that's convenient and easy? Like I heard an idea of using a special hair tie that you put on the wrist of the side you last fed on, so the next time you feed you know where to start...that sounds easy enough. Or maybe a paper chart hung in the nursery or something? Though I'll probably not always feed in the nursery. App sounds pleasant enough, but I'm not sure.
@sweetyjenj I didn't feel like I really had to track anything. I think the hair tie thing is a good idea until you get a supply established but I found once my supply was established baby either ate off both sides and emptied both or I could just tell which side was fuller and that was the side I started on. I know some moms like to keep track of how many wet and dirty diapers their babies have or how often and how long baby ate but to me it just seemed like as long as baby was content all that tracking did was just stress me out more.
I never tracked anything. DS ate pretty regular and I had no trouble telling which breast I used last--it usually ended up being both as he grew. One of mine was a lower performer than the other (I'm looking at you lefty) so I would normally start there then switch.
This time around I did buy a milk saver to put on my non-feeding breast. I feel like I lost some valuable milk by not catching it.
Team Blue ~ Jan. 20 DS born 9/4/12 MMC July 2015 MMC January 2016
I liked using the trackers for a few weeks because I was so sleepy that I couldn't stay awake during feedings unless I was staring at my bright phone! haha I had a c-section and those pain med's made me extra tired. I fell asleep nursing sitting up a few times and baby wasn't even on the boob...lol
Ok I really need to get a double stroller what have you others bought have you liked it ?
I just bought this. I haven't used it yet obviously but I'm so in love with it...the seats can be easily changed to faced different directions of even lay flat.
What have you all done when you go home from the hospital? Do you have family come straight over? Or do you wait a while? My in-laws went home with my sister in law when they got discharged and they filmed the whole thing (they're videographers) and I'm sure they will want to do the same for me but I'm just not sure if I want them to. I'm also afraid if they don't I'll wish we had that footage to look back on one day.
How long do you think is reasonable to wait to take baby out? I'm a STM but my older DS was born in June, so I was taking him out within the first week. But this is my first experience with winter babies, plus I'm older and wiser? haha, so I'm more concerned about it now.
We have some relatives that we really want to meet the babies, but these are not people who can come to us. Like DH's 96yo great-grandmother, my 88yo grandfather, and DH's grandfather who is in very poor health (not contagious). I don't want to take the babies out in the bitter cold weather during cold and flu season, but at the same time we would be crushed if we missed out on having our grandparents meet them while they still can. That probably sounds terrible, but we are talking about old and sick people, so nothing is guaranteed.
DS: June 2008 Married: July 2015 BFP: 5/20/16 | EDD: 1/28/17 | Twin boys born 1/16/17
@shlecka with DS, when we went home, it was just us. I just wanted to get us, the dogs and the baby settled. This time I may not mind help, since I'll have DS there, but I don't know if my sister will be able to stay that long. If not, it's no big deal.
Team Blue ~ Jan. 20 DS born 9/4/12 MMC July 2015 MMC January 2016
@sldp123 We followed the guidelines our pedi gave us and waited until 4 weeks to take DD out in "public." This was based mostly on getting her first round of shots in. She was born in October so beginning of flu season. I'll probably do the same with this one, especially considering the time of year.
@shlecka When we went home it was just us. DH took two weeks off work to bond and get a routine. Then when he went back to work, my mom came down for a week to help me a little more. We'll do the same this time around. Those first couple days home are rough and chaotic and extra visitors were not on my list of favorite things!
With DD family came over the day we came home and we went out to visit family and out shopping and the like when she was a week old. But she was born in July. This time I see us staying home in our own cocoon with no visitors and no going out a lot longer just because it'll be cold, and it's cold and flu season.
With DD we my MIL had people at her house and we went there for everyone to meet her when she was about a month old. I expect we'll do something similar this time. It was really nice and convenient (they live 10 minutes away) without the pressure of having to clean and entertain. Otherwise, my parents came to visit but stayed at a hotel so they weren't there 24/7
I come from a large family so I had most of them come to the hospital to see baby and then they stopped by with their kids after we got home so my nieces and nephews could meet the baby. I'm expecting the same thing this time but I've already started warning people that if they have any cold aymptoms or allergy symptoms I want them to wait to visit. It's gonna be hard enough having my 3 older children at home bringing colds home from school I don't need people bringing it in on purpose.
@mjschenk I bought the city select with two seats.
@shlecka When we first got home, nobody came over. My mom did come sleep over at 9:30, but I barely consider her a guest. No actual visitors for a few days. Make sure they bring you food.
@sldp123 I don't think there is a right amount of time. I had a funeral to attend at 6 days pp and was told by my doctor and the pedi that we could only go if nobody touched me and if the baby didn't leave the carrier. It was very crowded with family who had never met my newborn and it was flu season. If nobody is going to touch the baby, I wouldn't worry.
@sldp123 I would ask your pediatrician for recommendations, but for some contrast from others, I've been told I should take LO out for at least half an hour every morning and afternoon, even in the middle of winter. Fresh air is life over here (people open the windows at the office for 10 minutes at a time throughout the day even if it's below freezing to get "frische Luft"- drives me nuts), so I know my doctor wouldn't hesitate to have me take LO fresh from the hospital outside in order to visit people.
Any STM+ get cold sores/fever blisters? I have had two come out over the last month and I am nervous about having one when Cletus the Fetus comes? What do you do (other than not kissing them) to keep from giving them to the new baby?
@ceclarlinetlo In my experience, I was just born with the virus like my mom has. It doesn't transfer the same way as genital herpes. You either have the virus or you don't. My dad has never had a fever blister and neither has my sister. Nor my husband. But I get them from time to time and so does my mom. She and I were the only ones who had to watch out drinking or eating after one another when one of us had one.
@ceclarlinetlo I don't have any experience, since I don't get them myself, but I would think that there really isn't much to do except avoid kissing the baby and washing hands before touching the baby if you manage to touch the sore. Side note that it sounds like you're aware of but some may not be: cold sores are beyond dangerous for babies, especially in their first few weeks of life.
Did anyone use a Pack n Play with a different mattress? I got one (which was recommended in the Baby Bargains book and had good online reviews)but am paranoid about it because I can fit my fingers in the gap between the mattress and the mesh walls of the PnP.
@marynog we use the mattress that came with our pack n play but I think if I tried I could probably fit a finger or two between the mattress and the sides.
@marynog we use the mattress that came with our pack n play but I think if I tried I could probably fit a finger or two between the mattress and the sides.
Did you use it in addition to the crib, or did your daughter sleep in the PnP exclusively? We wanted to use the PnP for the first few months because it's easier to move around.
At my appointment today my doctor mentioned stripping (?) my membranes next week...I would be 39 weeks...can anyone tell me why she would do this? In all of my "omg this is getting real" thoughts I forgot to ask her why!
At my appointment today my doctor mentioned stripping (?) my membranes next week...I would be 39 weeks...can anyone tell me why she would do this? In all of my "omg this is getting real" thoughts I forgot to ask her why!
It can be very effective, but can also be very uncomfortable!
At my appointment today my doctor mentioned stripping (?) my membranes next week...I would be 39 weeks...can anyone tell me why she would do this? In all of my "omg this is getting real" thoughts I forgot to ask her why!
It can be very effective, but can also be very uncomfortable!
Yep! I went into labor with DS1 same night after having it done. However, it was pretty uncomfortable and kinda painful.
Re: Ask a STM+ Week of 12/12
@myriamc96 I haven't been checked yet this pregnancy but with my first I was 3 cm at 34 weeks, and 3 1/2 or 4 depending on who was checking me at 36 and stayed that way until I was induced at 38 +3 weeks. Dilating early is kinda moot as far as how soon you'll deliver. Some women dilate super early and go past term, some women won't be dilated at all then have their baby that day. However, having your own babies earlier does tend to increase your risk of having your other babies early so you may go early this time too because your son was earlier.
@myriamc96 I was dilated to 2cm at 36 weeks with my first and she came after her due date. I'm 2cm this time as well but not putting much stock in it. You can walk around dilated for weeks. When you had your first child is a much better indicator of when you'll have your second, etc.
With my first I was not dilated or effaced when I was induced at 40+2. With my second (11.5 months later) I walked around at 3cm and 59-80% effaced for 2-3 weeks and was induced at 39+1.
Married: 8/11/2007
DD: Born 2/3/17
BFP#2: 5/3, EDD 1/10/19
I know some moms like to keep track of how many wet and dirty diapers their babies have or how often and how long baby ate but to me it just seemed like as long as baby was content all that tracking did was just stress me out more.
This time around I did buy a milk saver to put on my non-feeding breast. I feel like I lost some valuable milk by not catching it.
Team Blue ~ Jan. 20
DS born 9/4/12
MMC July 2015
MMC January 2016
We have some relatives that we really want to meet the babies, but these are not people who can come to us. Like DH's 96yo great-grandmother, my 88yo grandfather, and DH's grandfather who is in very poor health (not contagious). I don't want to take the babies out in the bitter cold weather during cold and flu season, but at the same time we would be crushed if we missed out on having our grandparents meet them while they still can. That probably sounds terrible, but we are talking about old and sick people, so nothing is guaranteed.
Married: July 2015
BFP: 5/20/16 | EDD: 1/28/17 | Twin boys born 1/16/17
Team Blue ~ Jan. 20
DS born 9/4/12
MMC July 2015
MMC January 2016
@shlecka When we went home it was just us. DH took two weeks off work to bond and get a routine. Then when he went back to work, my mom came down for a week to help me a little more. We'll do the same this time around. Those first couple days home are rough and chaotic and extra visitors were not on my list of favorite things!
@shlecka When we first got home, nobody came over. My mom did come sleep over at 9:30, but I barely consider her a guest. No actual visitors for a few days. Make sure they bring you food.
@sldp123 I don't think there is a right amount of time. I had a funeral to attend at 6 days pp and was told by my doctor and the pedi that we could only go if nobody touched me and if the baby didn't leave the carrier. It was very crowded with family who had never met my newborn and it was flu season. If nobody is going to touch the baby, I wouldn't worry.
BFP1 12/24/14 - EDD 09/07/15 (D/C 8w1d)
BFP2 6/12/15 - EDD 2/22/16 (D/C 10w3d)
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Diagnoses and Treatments
PCOS (myo-inositol, excercize)
Indeterminant levels of APS IgM antibodies (baby aspirin)
Sub-septate uterus (hysteroscopic septoplasty 12/18/15)
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BFP3 05/02/16 EDD 01/09/17 DS born 01/05/17
BFP4 01/28/19 EDD 10/?/19 🤞🙏
Side note that it sounds like you're aware of but some may not be: cold sores are beyond dangerous for babies, especially in their first few weeks of life.