@BusyZee thanks! I'm thinking about maybe doing bulk smoothies with almond milk like you said. I can always throw in a scoop of protein powder for the extra boost.
I was doing chia seed pudding with almond milk and it was fine for a while, but now the texture is a bit iffy for me. I'm very cautious with dairy milk because I tend to have bad stomach afterwards. Always had a problem with milk, but it's more noticeable now in pregnancy lol. I used to eat Greek yogurt all the time, but I started developing issues with it too.
Anything to help give me some kind of boost or fullness in the morning will help a lot.
@cielaw89 I think you need to watch vitamin levels. I think it's vitamin A that can be dangerous if you have to much in pregnancy. Don't quote me on that, but check into it.
@cielaw89 I don't know if this will help at all, but I eat a protein packed bagel (10g per bagel), and when I'm actually feeling good enough I would add hummus to it for even more protein. You could also add a nut butter to really pack it up. Bagels should be tame enough to eat even with m/s. As for protein powders, I don't really use them personally, but I'm sure there are some out there without soy. Both because soy can be an allergen and because some people just don't like eating soy.
P.S. The bagels I get are Alvarado Street Bagels, they are multi grain, although honestly don't taste like it, and they come frozen. I can get them at Wegmans, but they are almost definitely at all health food stores as long as they are available in your area.
Hubby and Me Friends since 2008 Started dating: July 1st, 2013 Engaged: July 1st, 2014 Married: July 1st, 2016 R born: July 8th, 2017 N born: June 30th, 2019 Baby #3 Due: July 7th, 2022 (maybe I only ovulate in October XD)
How many newborn-sized clothes should I buy before baby is born? We are finding out the sex next Wednesday (if baby cooperates) and I already am itching to go crazy buying all the clothes. But I've heard not to buy a bunch of newborn sized beforehand. What's a good balance of sizes to have already stocked up when baby comes?
@kat0607 it's hard to plan because some babies can be 6 lbs, others 8.5 lbs. Unless you have a 9 lb baby they will be in newborn for some time. Definitely leave the tags on most of the newborn clothes so that you can exchange or return them if needed! Some companies like Burt's Bees make 0-3 instead of just newborn which I personally felt fit her for a longer time. I really didn't buy any newborn clothes and my daughter was 7.5 lbs and I felt that she had nothing to wear but plain onesies. Others with different sized babies may have good input.
Tl:dr my daughter was 7.5 lbs and I felt I didn't have enough newborn clothes for her because she was in them for a month or so.
TTC: 1/2014
BFP: 9/24
EDD: 6/8/2015
Sorry for the poor man's siggy...ticker won't load regardless of how many tips I read.
For STMs+, did you have family stay with you right after the birth? How did it go? Do you plan to do things differently this time? My parents live around 5 hours away, and have offered to come help us out after the birth (most likely staying with us, but we could probably convince them to stay with my aunt an hour away). Part of me wants some time just with DH and the baby to figure out what we're doing and adjust to being a family of 3. Part of me thinks I'm being stupid and naive, and I should accept any help that's offered. If it makes a difference, DH and I will both have parental leave, so I won't be on my own either way.
My mom and FIL came the first week or so when my DD was born. One stayed with a friend, and the other a hotel. It was nice because they could come help and visit during the day- but it was just DH and I in the evenings. My mom did all the cooking and cleaning which was great. She left each night after washing and putting away all the dinner dishes
Now we live near family (5-10 minutes from my parents, FIL, and my sister) and they all plan on coming and helping during the day and leaving us alone in the evenings. I think that situation worked out great, because we still got time to ourselves, and all the help we would have wanted is during the day anyways. I just hope they don't all come over every day all day all of them at the same time- that might be overwhelming.
***** TTCAL/Forever Buddy to Cour10e****** -m/c at 11w2d due to partial molar 2008 -m/c #2 2009 Beautiful daughter born February 2011 **Ultimate TTCALer 2009**
@kat0607 it's hard to plan because some babies can be 6 lbs, others 8.5 lbs. Unless you have a 9 lb baby they will be in newborn for some time. Definitely leave the tags on most of the newborn clothes so that you can exchange or return them if needed! Some companies like Burt's Bees make 0-3 instead of just newborn which I personally felt fit her for a longer time. I really didn't buy any newborn clothes and my daughter was 7.5 lbs and I felt that she had nothing to wear but plain onesies. Others with different sized babies may have good input.
Tl:dr my daughter was 7.5 lbs and I felt I didn't have enough newborn clothes for her because she was in them for a month or so.
Agree - My DDs were in the newborn size for really only a few weeks, and I got much more use out of 3 month clothes. But also it was my experience that visitors at the hospital and that first week home or so brought me a lot of newborn size clothes. So remember you may get a few outfits as gifts too. If you are buying cute outfits, I would buy the 3-6 month size, since they won't be in newborns that long and most of that time is spent at home, getting covered in poop anyway.
@kat0607 I'm not getting anything for newborns except for those gowns that they recommend for when they still have the umbilical cord attached. I got 4 of them. Otherwise, I have 10 onsies for 0-3 months, and 3 sleepers. I'm going to be doing laundry about every two days in the beginning for diapers anyways, so I figured this was plenty to stock up on. I also hate the idea of having way too many clothes and the baby never even really getting to wear them because they grow so darn fast. That was what I decided on based on research and recs from my MIL. I also registered for the same numbers for 3-6 and 6-9 months, so I will be stocked for awhile on clothes. This way, I don't have to worry about not having clothes if the baby grows super fast (like my DH did). Definitely if you buy anything newborn, keep the tag on. If the baby comes out at 9-10 pounds, and stays there, the newborn clothes might not fit. This is why I didn't really bother with the newborn size. I would rather baby wear something a little big for 1-2 weeks, or be a diaper clad only baby (since it'll be July) for a week or two than to waste a bunch of money on a tiny little size. But that's just me and my $0.02.
Edit: I forgot to add this
So my own BDQ, is it too controlly/wrong/otherwise will not be taken well if I intentionally stagger people coming to meet the baby for the first time? I just don't want to be inundated with visitors, especially all at once, I'm worried about baby catching a bunch of illnesses if too many people are around (yes slightly paranoid) and I mostly don't want to be handing my baby over all day long. I have help lined up from my MIL and mom, but I trust them and don't mind not being showered/hair being a disaster/breastfeeding problems in front of them. Ideally, I would have only grandparents day one (so my mom and dad and MIL, plus possibly my FIL and SMIL but they live two hours away, so that will depend on timing) the two GGM day two, and then no one else for at least a week. Ideally a month, but I'm not sure I'm winning that battle. Also hoping to space out the sets as much as possible. Am I overthinking it?
Hubby and Me Friends since 2008 Started dating: July 1st, 2013 Engaged: July 1st, 2014 Married: July 1st, 2016 R born: July 8th, 2017 N born: June 30th, 2019 Baby #3 Due: July 7th, 2022 (maybe I only ovulate in October XD)
@kat0607 My son was under 6 lbs. He wore newborn for 2 months. I didn't wash any clothes until it was time to use them, though, bc babies grow at all different paces and you just don't know the size and season you'll need until they're there. I had my mom do a load of laundry for me when I was still in the hospital.
@kerils My sister staggered visitors, and it was really obnoxious to those visiting, but they respected her wishes. She was really glad she did it. She basically told people when they could come. I was "the more the merrier," and it worked for me. It's all about your personality.
As I look ahead to nursing bras: what happens to your boobs after you give birth, if you're breastfeeding? Do they stay the same size or get a little bigger/smaller? Basically, if I buy bras third trimester, will they still fit?
TTC #1: 4/16 BFP #1: 5/16 MMC at 8 weeks: 6/16 BFP #2: 10/16 Sweet baby boy arrived 7/7/17!
@leilac FTM, but from what I can tell your breasts will get bigger, at least when your milk comes in. Once that situation works out, I think they go back to how they were during pregnancy. STM+ input?
Hubby and Me Friends since 2008 Started dating: July 1st, 2013 Engaged: July 1st, 2014 Married: July 1st, 2016 R born: July 8th, 2017 N born: June 30th, 2019 Baby #3 Due: July 7th, 2022 (maybe I only ovulate in October XD)
@leliac It's one of those "it depends" things. There's no telling what size nursing bra you'll need for the long haul until about a month after your milk comes in. Some people grow than normalize. Some people grow and ever shrink again. Some people end up with smaller breasts than they started with. My recommendation is to buy a few nursing tanks and sleep bras (the kind that come in S/M/L) and one good nursing bra in your size. As your breasts change, replace the good nursing bra as needed.
@leilac my boobs were about 2 cup sizes bigger for a good 12-16 weeks, then regulated more after that - but were always bigger. Until I stopped BF and then they deflated like sad balloons.
TTC: 1/2014
BFP: 9/24
EDD: 6/8/2015
Sorry for the poor man's siggy...ticker won't load regardless of how many tips I read.
How many newborn-sized clothes should I buy before baby is born? We are finding out the sex next Wednesday (if baby cooperates) and I already am itching to go crazy buying all the clothes. But I've heard not to buy a bunch of newborn sized beforehand. What's a good balance of sizes to have already stocked up when baby comes?
It's really hard to say. I hardly bought any clothes before DS was born. We got tons as gifts and hand-me-downs, and after he was born my inlaws kept buying stuff for him. For a summer baby, you really won't need much. My advice would be to get 1-2 packs of plain white onesies, some of the "gown" style outfits, a couple sleepers, and anything else that is so cute you just have to have it. Then reassess after baby is born.
@kat0607 I had the same question and luckily was able to ask a mom of a new born at my last OBGYN visit. The new born was fairly healthy though (absolutely adorable I can't wait!) and the mother said that it depends on the brand of clothes. She said never buy gap clothes new born size they are tiny and it's always Better to have them in bigger comfy clothes than small ones. If you really want a cute coming home outfit maybe you could buy one but from what I gathered from our conversation and the above comments, it's best to buy bigger clothes.
Iv stopped looking for new born, im going to buy 3-6 months and also compare sizes to other stores.
im going to buy a bunch of gowns though, I got them for my nephew and niece and that's all they wore for the first few months and it was so convenient to change them and they also look super cute in them.
@leilac - I agree with the comments above. While breastfeeding, I was at least a cup size bigger. When I stopped they shriveled up to pre-pregnancy size.
@kerils people will talk and they will talk regardless. If your not comfortable with people popping by, no one should feel compelled to come to your house when you don't even want them there. If they don't respect your choices then you don't need to respect theirs either.
For my sister I arranged three days in which everyone came and it was not only fun but it was less stressful for my sister. You will be pumping, breast feeding, napping, I think you can ask people to come in a particular window that's the least they can do for you. Luckily itl be the summer there will be less snotty people, fingers crossed!
we did had some crazies who would pop by for dinner and lunch like we had nothing better to do than to entertain them.
@cielaw89 the MFM who did my anatomy scan said no to protein shakes. He said that growing babies don't need that much protein and there are too many of other vitamins in them (like a PP said). I can't remember for sure, but I think he said a better ratio was 50% carbs, 25% fat and 25% protein. He recommended Ensure or Boost. I drink carnation instant breakfast (because I drank them pre-pregnancy) but will probably switch to Boost or Ensure once I run out of that.
About the newborn clothes, I had lots of carters newborn onesies, my son was born 7 lbs 10 oz and was in carters newborn until he was 3 months old. And he was not a slow grower, they just stretched with him. I HIGHLY recommend carters. Very stretchy, and they have expandable shoulders. Don't like gerber or gap, too small and don't grow with baby.
Protein smoothies: Definitely okay as long as followed with a lot of water to help break down the protein for easier digestion. I have a protein smoothie 5 days a week with 20g of protein and a veggie boost.
Newborn clothes: DD was 7lbs when born and stayed in newborn clothes for over a month. I felt like I didn't have anything cute for her to wear until she fit into 0-3 and 3-6 months. She wore a lot of cotton sleepers in her first days.
We got a ton of hand me downs and the usual amount of NB clothing gifts. I probably had 15 onesies and 10 sleepers between NB and 0-3 months and it was not too many sleepers (although I could have had fewer onesies and been 100% fine). He wore sleepers a lot at first and sometimes got changed pretty frequently. I was doing laundry every 2 or 3 days and was glad not to be running out of clean options in the meantime.
I didn't stagger visitors intentionally but I did request that people text me or my husband before coming to the hospital. That way we were able to say "we have another guest right now; in an hour would be great" or "So and so is sleeping. I'll let you know when we're all up." That worked well for us and I think most visitors would prefer not to have to share their baby time with others!
@leilac my boobs literally turned into porn star boobs at the beginning. It was terrifying. Then as my supply evened out, they were kinda normal again. They wouldn't even feel like they were filled with milk. And well now they're just massive again. It's a never ending cycle.
As for NB clothes my son was in them for about..a month and he was 9lbs at birth. It's super hard to tell. He also has short legs and a short torso, that's why I think they fit him longer.
@Rae1 I thought about Ensures and the Carnation breakfast drinks. My mom drinks the carnation drinks all the time, so I've had them too. I definitely don't want anything with too much protein, I just need that little bit of filler in the mornings.
@alcrimmins I figured protein shakes would require plenty of water to help break it down. I wouldn't be drinking them all the time either. Just the days I work (which right now is only 2-3 days a week due to no subbing positions right now).
i see my OB next Monday, so I'll be sure to ask her too. I definitely love all the suggestions though!! Thank you!
Thank you so much for the idea! I feel better having several things to consider. This gives me quite a few things to watch for and ideas for using some of what I already have! The link for the pants is great too! The confirmation from you experiences in having been there @optbaby2017 is especially reassuring. I am in Indiana, so I doubt things are too much different.
@leilac I started out a 32A - the pregnancy got me to a D. Immediately following birth and for a couple weeks - they were balloons! (As a member of the itty bitty committee I loved this lol!). Once my supply was established - I settled to a DD. Within a year they deflated as I continued nursing whomp whomp.... That's the thing about the nursing bras - they can accommodate some variation - I only bought one and took it with me to the hospital. Uhm I cannot imagine someone starting out with bigger boobs!
About the newborn clothes, I had lots of carters newborn onesies, my son was born 7 lbs 10 oz and was in carters newborn until he was 3 months old. And he was not a slow grower, they just stretched with him. I HIGHLY recommend carters. Very stretchy, and they have expandable shoulders. Don't like gerber or gap, too small and don't grow with baby.
Yep - I have also heard that Gerber (edited to change name) newborn onesies run really small and not to buy because baby will likely grow out of them super fast.
Question regarding non-business hour childcare. Any tips for finding quality babysitters or a nanny service for night and weekend coverage? Especially for infants? We have daycare figured out (thank god) but already know of a few dates where we'll need a sitter. Unfortunately, we have no family near us and while we have a very close network of friends, I would like avoid asking them unless it is an absolute emergency. For those who went with a nanny service, did you interview before the baby was born? I am not sure if that is necessary since we aren't doing full-time care.
Question regarding non-business hour childcare. Any tips for finding quality babysitters or a nanny service for night and weekend coverage? Especially for infants? We have daycare figured out (thank god) but already know of a few dates where we'll need a sitter. Unfortunately, we have no family near us and while we have a very close network of friends, I would like avoid asking them unless it is an absolute emergency. For those who went with a nanny service, did you interview before the baby was born? I am not sure if that is necessary since we aren't doing full-time care.
Care.com. I already signed up and will probably use it if we decide to do in home PT care. If you plan to use it soon after baby is born, I would interview before LO comes.
Re: Newborn clothes (or any size really) - Unless you have a giant baby there is a good chance they will fit NB for a couple of weeks at least. There are babies that are on the edge and could wear either shortly after birth but for the most part a few NB outfits won't be wasted. DS was born 8lbs 2oz and ended up in NB for a month or 2 and 3 months for a few months then shot through 6 months what seemed like overnight. Also a sizing tip - when you see 0-3 months or 3-6 months the size is essentially the larger number they just use a range because babies aren't the same size and it's their attempt at accuracy. Some brands (like Carters) have very little consistency in their clothing sizes so don't assume because your baby is in 3 months and it says 3 months that it will fit. I bought 3 fleece sleepers in the same size for DS and there was an inch and a half difference in length between the longest and shortest.
I'm on mobile so I'm having trouble tagging everyone but thank you everyone for your responses RE: newborn clothes!! I am not anticipating a huge baby, but I guess time will tell. I like the idea of buying all the cute outfits in 0-3 month size or bigger! I certainly won't be dressing a newborn in a full outfit every single day, especially a cute one that's going to get ruined quickly. Thank you all!!
I'm kind of interested to see what kind of clothes everyone is planning to buy or has bought..and other baby items.. do we have a thread for that or is that too private ?
@BusyZee I think we sort of had a thread for that awhile ago, but I'm sure it's super buried now. You can always make a new one!
Hubby and Me Friends since 2008 Started dating: July 1st, 2013 Engaged: July 1st, 2014 Married: July 1st, 2016 R born: July 8th, 2017 N born: June 30th, 2019 Baby #3 Due: July 7th, 2022 (maybe I only ovulate in October XD)
I actually had a meltdown last night about trying to figure out full time childcare. I got so overwhelmed.
Working moms who needed outside childcare, what did you do when you first went back to work? Nannies are so expensive but I'm worried about putting a three month old in a group daycare. At what age did you put your LO into group daycare? What did you do until then?
How did you choose your nanny/home daycare/group daycare? I know about care.com but was wondering if there are any resources.
I actually had a meltdown last night about trying to figure out full time childcare. I got so overwhelmed.
Working moms who needed outside childcare, what did you do when you first went back to work? Nannies are so expensive but I'm worried about putting a three month old in a group daycare. At what age did you put your LO into group daycare? What did you do until then?
How did you choose your nanny/home daycare/group daycare? I know about care.com but was wondering if there are any resources.
We just recently started a spreadsheet with a bunch of information. We listed each day care in our area, cost, infant teacher to child ratio, hours, etc. Once we narrow it down based on those, we will do walk-throughs or 'interviews' (not sure what we call it lol) and decide from there. We will probably also interview a few nannies at the same time and decided between the two (nanny vs daycare). We will only need PT care because my mom and two sisters live within a half mile and will probably each watch the LO for a day each, so that narrows our daycare options. We will start using daycare as soon as I have to go back to work (probably 3 months).
I like care.com because you can access background checks and reviews from other families.
@Twinkiedoll DS1 went into a home-based daycare at 8 weeks. We found her because our county keeps an online database of licensed care providors and their inspection records. It let us sort by age range, languages spoken, hours, etc.
DS2 went in at 13 weeks because he was a preemie and a bit immunocompromised. Both boys did great in a group setting. The other kids loved them and they had plenty of attention.
Now that they're school aged, I'm finding they're both more resilient to the common cruds than their peers who were more isolated as infants. (Anecdotal)
I actually had a meltdown last night about trying to figure out full time childcare. I got so overwhelmed.
Working moms who needed outside childcare, what did you do when you first went back to work? Nannies are so expensive but I'm worried about putting a three month old in a group daycare. At what age did you put your LO into group daycare? What did you do until then?
How did you choose your nanny/home daycare/group daycare? I know about care.com but was wondering if there are any resources.
We started DS at a daycare center at 10 weeks. We've had a great experience with this particular center, and I wouldn't do anything differently. We recently moved, so we're switching to a different center, but I think we'll be just as impressed with them. This baby will start DC at 6 weeks.
Visit a few daycares. See what it's like. In my state, the legal ratio is one teacher to 5 babies I think, and a lot of schools do 1:4 in order to be competitive. The center we chose never had more than 8 babies at a time, and most of the time it was more like 6 babies with 2 teachers. Plus assistants that came in to help at feeding times, and the director liked to stop in just to hold the babies. I never felt like my kid didn't get enough attention.
However, we toured a handful of places before we chose this one, and they weren't all that great.
@cielaw89 I'm on Plexus and my OB approved what I'm taking. At my 16 week appt I took the package for protein shakes and I was okay to drink it. You have to watch vitamin A percentage, Plexus I think has 19g of vitamin A. I don't drink them everyday but my OB approved me drinking it.
About the newborn clothes, I had lots of carters newborn onesies, my son was born 7 lbs 10 oz and was in carters newborn until he was 3 months old. And he was not a slow grower, they just stretched with him. I HIGHLY recommend carters. Very stretchy, and they have expandable shoulders. Don't like gerber or gap, too small and don't grow with baby.
Yep - I have also heard that carters newborn onesies run really small and not to buy because baby will likely grow out of them super fast.
No, I am not sure how that was misread. I meant they were more stretchy and great with my son, not that they were too small. I love carters newborn, and will but at least 10 to 12 newborn carters one siesta for this one. Carters is not to be confused with "just one you made By Carters" they tend to be cheaper and a little less quality. Tip- stretch them lengthwise before you put them on baby when baby starts to grow. Highly recommend carters newborn and carters all sizes!
Re: Newborn clothes (or any size really) - Unless you have a giant baby there is a good chance they will fit NB for a couple of weeks at least. There are babies that are on the edge and could wear either shortly after birth but for the most part a few NB outfits won't be wasted. DS was born 8lbs 2oz and ended up in NB for a month or 2 and 3 months for a few months then shot through 6 months what seemed like overnight. Also a sizing tip - when you see 0-3 months or 3-6 months the size is essentially the larger number they just use a range because babies aren't the same size and it's their attempt at accuracy. Some brands (like Carters) have very little consistency in their clothing sizes so don't assume because your baby is in 3 months and it says 3 months that it will fit. I bought 3 fleece sleepers in the same size for DS and there was an inch and a half difference in length between the longest and shortest.
Also pay attention as to whether the sleepers are Carters or the Just One you Made by Carters. The second one runs longer than the first, and the first one's materials are usually better.
Re: Big Thread for Dumb Questions 1/31
I was doing chia seed pudding with almond milk and it was fine for a while, but now the texture is a bit iffy for me. I'm very cautious with dairy milk because I tend to have bad stomach afterwards. Always had a problem with milk, but it's more noticeable now in pregnancy lol. I used to eat Greek yogurt all the time, but I started developing issues with it too.
Anything to help give me some kind of boost or fullness in the morning will help a lot.
P.S. The bagels I get are Alvarado Street Bagels, they are multi grain, although honestly don't taste like it, and they come frozen. I can get them at Wegmans, but they are almost definitely at all health food stores as long as they are available in your area.
Friends since 2008
Started dating: July 1st, 2013
Engaged: July 1st, 2014
Married: July 1st, 2016
R born: July 8th, 2017
N born: June 30th, 2019
Baby #3 Due: July 7th, 2022
(maybe I only ovulate in October XD)
Tl:dr my daughter was 7.5 lbs and I felt I didn't have enough newborn clothes for her because she was in them for a month or so.
Now we live near family (5-10 minutes from my parents, FIL, and my sister) and they all plan on coming and helping during the day and leaving us alone in the evenings. I think that situation worked out great, because we still got time to ourselves, and all the help we would have wanted is during the day anyways. I just hope they don't all come over every day all day all of them at the same time- that might be overwhelming.
-m/c at 11w2d due to partial molar 2008 -m/c #2 2009
Beautiful daughter born February 2011
**Ultimate TTCALer 2009**
Edit: I forgot to add this
So my own BDQ, is it too controlly/wrong/otherwise will not be taken well if I intentionally stagger people coming to meet the baby for the first time? I just don't want to be inundated with visitors, especially all at once, I'm worried about baby catching a bunch of illnesses if too many people are around (yes slightly paranoid) and I mostly don't want to be handing my baby over all day long. I have help lined up from my MIL and mom, but I trust them and don't mind not being showered/hair being a disaster/breastfeeding problems in front of them. Ideally, I would have only grandparents day one (so my mom and dad and MIL, plus possibly my FIL and SMIL but they live two hours away, so that will depend on timing) the two GGM day two, and then no one else for at least a week. Ideally a month, but I'm not sure I'm winning that battle. Also hoping to space out the sets as much as possible. Am I overthinking it?
Friends since 2008
Started dating: July 1st, 2013
Engaged: July 1st, 2014
Married: July 1st, 2016
R born: July 8th, 2017
N born: June 30th, 2019
Baby #3 Due: July 7th, 2022
(maybe I only ovulate in October XD)
@kerils My sister staggered visitors, and it was really obnoxious to those visiting, but they respected her wishes. She was really glad she did it. She basically told people when they could come. I was "the more the merrier," and it worked for me. It's all about your personality.
BFP #1: 5/16
MMC at 8 weeks: 6/16
BFP #2: 10/16
Sweet baby boy arrived 7/7/17!
Friends since 2008
Started dating: July 1st, 2013
Engaged: July 1st, 2014
Married: July 1st, 2016
R born: July 8th, 2017
N born: June 30th, 2019
Baby #3 Due: July 7th, 2022
(maybe I only ovulate in October XD)
DS1 - 7/2011, DD 12/2012, DS2 - 4/2014, MMC - 12/2015
Iv stopped looking for new born, im going to buy 3-6 months and also compare sizes to other stores.
im going to buy a bunch of gowns though, I got them for my nephew and niece and that's all they wore for the first few months and it was so convenient to change them and they also look super cute in them.
For my sister I arranged three days in which everyone came and it was not only fun but it was less stressful for my sister. You will be pumping, breast feeding, napping, I think you can ask people to come in a particular window that's the least they can do for you. Luckily itl be the summer there will be less snotty people, fingers crossed!
we did had some crazies who would pop by for dinner and lunch like we had nothing better to do than to entertain them.
Newborn clothes: DD was 7lbs when born and stayed in newborn clothes for over a month. I felt like I didn't have anything cute for her to wear until she fit into 0-3 and 3-6 months. She wore a lot of cotton sleepers in her first days.
I didn't stagger visitors intentionally but I did request that people text me or my husband before coming to the hospital. That way we were able to say "we have another guest right now; in an hour would be great" or "So and so is sleeping. I'll let you know when we're all up." That worked well for us and I think most visitors would prefer not to have to share their baby time with others!
As for NB clothes my son was in them for about..a month and he was 9lbs at birth. It's super hard to tell. He also has short legs and a short torso, that's why I think they fit him longer.
@alcrimmins I figured protein shakes would require plenty of water to help break it down. I wouldn't be drinking them all the time either. Just the days I work (which right now is only 2-3 days a week due to no subbing positions right now).
i see my OB next Monday, so I'll be sure to ask her too. I definitely love all the suggestions though!! Thank you!
Thank you so much for the idea! I feel better having several things to consider. This gives me quite a few things to watch for and ideas for using some of what I already have! The link for the pants is great too! The confirmation from you experiences in having been there @optbaby2017 is especially reassuring. I am in Indiana, so I doubt things are too much different.
Also a sizing tip - when you see 0-3 months or 3-6 months the size is essentially the larger number they just use a range because babies aren't the same size and it's their attempt at accuracy. Some brands (like Carters) have very little consistency in their clothing sizes so don't assume because your baby is in 3 months and it says 3 months that it will fit. I bought 3 fleece sleepers in the same size for DS and there was an inch and a half difference in length between the longest and shortest.
Friends since 2008
Started dating: July 1st, 2013
Engaged: July 1st, 2014
Married: July 1st, 2016
R born: July 8th, 2017
N born: June 30th, 2019
Baby #3 Due: July 7th, 2022
(maybe I only ovulate in October XD)
Working moms who needed outside childcare, what did you do when you first went back to work? Nannies are so expensive but I'm worried about putting a three month old in a group daycare. At what age did you put your LO into group daycare? What did you do until then?
How did you choose your nanny/home daycare/group daycare? I know about care.com but was wondering if there are any resources.
I like care.com because you can access background checks and reviews from other families.
DS2 went in at 13 weeks because he was a preemie and a bit immunocompromised. Both boys did great in a group setting. The other kids loved them and they had plenty of attention.
Now that they're school aged, I'm finding they're both more resilient to the common cruds than their peers who were more isolated as infants. (Anecdotal)
DS1 - 7/2011, DD 12/2012, DS2 - 4/2014, MMC - 12/2015
Visit a few daycares. See what it's like. In my state, the legal ratio is one teacher to 5 babies I think, and a lot of schools do 1:4 in order to be competitive. The center we chose never had more than 8 babies at a time, and most of the time it was more like 6 babies with 2 teachers. Plus assistants that came in to help at feeding times, and the director liked to stop in just to hold the babies. I never felt like my kid didn't get enough attention.
However, we toured a handful of places before we chose this one, and they weren't all that great.
Also pay attention as to whether the sleepers are Carters or the Just One you Made by Carters. The second one runs longer than the first, and the first one's materials are usually better.