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!
oops - I misspoke. I meant to say I heard that GERBER ran too small. haha my bad. I will edit my original post.
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.
Do you live close to any colleges/universities? They have job boards where you can find one, or several, baby-sitters. iWork in higher Ed so that's what I'm planning to do when we need some help.
I second the Carter onesies lasting for awhile size wise. DD still wears 18 mo onesies from carters even though she NEEDS 2T in the other clothes. The 24 month onesies are huge on her.
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.
@rae1 oooh okay. Gotcha. Yep, got a onesie at Disney land for Carson, and even the 18 month one was almost too small on him, and he wasn't even 12 months! Dislike the quality of Gerber as well. Too rigid around the trim. Even dislike their sleepers. And the carter's sleepers and one siesta stretch outward too, so even if you have a chubby baby they are great. Also, when you have a squirmy baby, the last thing you want to do is match up snaps and try to snap up a sleeper, I definately prefer zippies.
@oheliza44 i wouldn't interview for occasional babysitters and occasional nannies until the baby is here because situations always change with babysitters and nannies. Do you have a local MOMS chapter? My local MOMS chapter has a running list of babysitters and regular babysitter meet and greets. My local fb moms group also has a running list of sitters, too.
@Twinkiedoll yes to the list of local in-home and center childcare providers - and make sure to follow up every interview with a search on their CPS records!
Re: Childcare - We were lucky enough that my sister's mother-in-law watches kids in her home. We sent DS there at 7 weeks, and he loved it. Of course it's not an official day care, so there is no "teacher," or "curriculum," but he got to play with friends and cousin, and she loved him like a grandbaby. We will do the same with this LO. DS now attends a nursery school instead, but he was there for two years, one year full-time, and the second year part-time (When DH stopped working to go out on disability, we had to keep DS home some of the time to handle the financial strain.)
Re: Clothes - Gerber is awful. Disney, Gymboree, Children's Place, Babies 'r Us brand Koala Baby, and Kohl's brand Jumping Beans all run smaller than Carter's, which I personally like because DS is small for his age. For me, Carter's is the "standard," and I've never been disappointed. I feel like their clothes are the most true to size for an average kid. Their zip-up jammies are my favorite for winter, and everything else can suck it lol. I found Osh Kosh and sports brands (Nike, Adidas, etc.) to be a little big. Also, this is my experience with boy's clothes...girls may be different.
@CarsonsMommy I like them, but I found them expensive. I basically just go to Kohl's at the end of every season and buy DS one of everything in Jumping Bean, and then stock up on Carter's jammies. Gotta love those Kohl's coupons.
@chiquita928 have you tried Ross? I just saw a a bunch of sets of five carter's onesies for 5 or 8 dollars a set. I wished I knew what the baby is. But I find really good baby stuff at Ross all the time.
Re: clothes - we love Burt's Bees! We had a 9 lb baby who stayed in the 98th percentile for length and 75th percentile for weight. I did not feel as if I was buying new clothes all the time. Our son had sensitive skin too so the 100% cotton was a must. The only downside is that their clothes are very plain and generally not cutesy - and come in basically 3 colors with few exceptions lol! I didn't mind though... Gap clothes are also good size wise for big babies. I'm not a big fan of Carters - I think they are just okay - they do tend to run on the larger side though as previously mentioned.
@oheliza44 we didn't interview for nannies until DS was here (and almost 3 months since I was on maternity leave). As a profession, their situation tends to change so frequently that it would be hard to nail someone down for just occasional care.
@caribbeanmama I like Gap, too...forgot about them. I do find them pricey unless I get the outlet stuff, though. I will say that, having a skinny kid, Gap and Osh Kosh are my favorites for jeans. They have that inside belt thing. Otherwise my 3 year old would only wear sweatpants! Lol.
Edited bc I can't mobile bump without seeming illiterate.
@chiquita928 Did a double take on your post. I live near Wilkes Barre. Anyways, Ross is very much like TJ Maxx but MUCH cheaper. I never shop TJ but I shop Ross all the time. They had a few baby things there, but it wasn't an insane selection in WB so I wouldn't suggest making the trip if you were at all considering it. It really isn't worth it from that from far.
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)
A friend suggested that I get disposable underwear for after baby comes. Does anyone know where I could buy some, and how many do I need? Are they only useful for a few days, or is it best to use them the entire time I'll bleed after baby?
Im not a big fan of wearing underwear in general, haha, but I'm guessing twmpons will not be an option for a while. Thanks!
@JulyBaby17 I don't know about disposable underwear, but I do know you can't wear a tampon until you have your last post-natal check up at 6 weeks. I'm guessing at that time your doctor will tell you if you have healed enough to return to using tampons. To be honest, I just can't seem to keep my underwear from getting stained during my periods, so I'm used to not only having stained ones, but I'm used to throwing them out pretty routinely and buying new ones. I would not wear nice ones as long as you are still shedding lochia. So if you don't have any "throw away" underwear for after birth, then I would go buy something like a pack of cheap hanes to wear for after.
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)
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.
If you already have daycare set up for the day, some daycare workers moonlight and will babysit. I worked at a DC in HS/college and was asked to babysit once in a while. It was nice because I already knew the kids, and the parents already trusted me.
But, we did tour one daycare that the handbook said if you asked someone to babysit (or nanny) you had to pay the center a finders fee- even if it was just a few nights a year. So I'd check on the rules on that.
***** 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**
This may make me sound like a pushover, but how did y'all bring up updated vaccinations with your family? I was talking to my mom this morning and she told me she told my father they needed to get the flu shot next year because they'd be around the baby a lot, which I appreciated. It sounded like my dad hemmed and hawed a bit. He's not anti-medicine by any means, just normally healthy as a horse so my guess is he doesn't see the need. How far should we go in this? I know the advice is "anyone who will have close contact with the baby" but do you really talk vaccines to all of your friends?
This may make me sound like a pushover, but how did y'all bring up updated vaccinations with your family? I was talking to my mom this morning and she told me she told my father they needed to get the flu shot next year because they'd be around the baby a lot, which I appreciated. It sounded like my dad hemmed and hawed a bit. He's not anti-medicine by any means, just normally healthy as a horse so my guess is he doesn't see the need. How far should we go in this? I know the advice is "anyone who will have close contact with the baby" but do you really talk vaccines to all of your friends?
Anyone who will be spending significant time with the baby should get the TDAP before baby is born. It's good for a long time, so any of your friends who have had kids within the last decade will be fine. But your H and baby's grandparents should get the shot. There's plenty of info out there about the risks of pertussis that you can use when you ask. It's important for your dad to realize he can transmit it to the baby without catching it himself. So it doesn't matter how healthy he thinks he is.
@JulyBaby17 If you are giving birth at a hospital, you can ask them for extra mesh underwear to take home. They're super weird looking but I used those in the beginning so that I wouldn't ruin my own.
I don't know about you, but with how crappy I felt after my CS, it made me feel better about myself to wear pretty panties with lace trimming . I bought the low cut cheekies (I usually wear thongs, so less of a shock for me), and they held the extra absorbing pad in place just fine. Each brand of pad fits every woman differently, but I always prefer playtex anything and never bled through, but I bought black cotton panties just incase I did.
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)
@theweevee I exclusively pumped from months 4-14 so I may not be as big of a help in terms of establishing supply in the early days, etc but for long term sustainability I can answer any question you have!
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.
@dancegurl1118. Awesome! So didn't you find it manageable? What type of time commitment did you have to make for pumping? Pumps you recommend? Any tips?
@theweevee I kept a very strict schedule of every 3 hours for the first 10 months of her life. Except overnight...but she was sleeping through the night early on so that didn't effect my supply. I pumped 6 times a day, rain or shine, no excuses. I had 4 sets of pump parts, used 1 per day and kept them in a ziplock bag in the fridge in between the 6 uses (no washing in between those uses). I either put DD in her bumbo, high chair, or somewhere else until she became more mobile and then I just dealt with her roaming around. I knew how much she was taking per day and usually froze 5-10oz a day. I liked the NUK breastmilk bags the best, I had issues with leaking with many of the other brands. The cost was high though, $18 for 100 on amazon prime. I responded really well to the pump and had no issues with supply but that was nothing I did besides strictly sticking to my schedule. I work as a nurse and really don't get a break but I was an asshole about pumping. No excuses, I had to feed my child. Pumping is a labor of love. It's terrible, not a second of it is enjoyable.
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.
@JulyBaby17 I agree with the mesh underwear at the hospital. I got a few to take home and used those for the first few heavy days. They were tight because they also help keep your belly feeling together, so it held the pad right in place.
Thank you all for your answers to my throw away undies. What about the post partum belly bands? I've seen several advertised. Will they really help my belly go back down after baby? Any particular brand?
I am supposed to do the quad screen test today but all the labs are closed due to the weather. Tomorrow I'll be 17 weeks along. My obgyn says I'm supposed to go by 17. The Internet says 18 or even 20. She wasn't answering my calls... But do you think I can do it tomorrow? I'm still waiting to see if she calls me back but in the meantime wondered if anyone knows about this stuff.
I am supposed to do the quad screen test today but all the labs are closed due to the weather. Tomorrow I'll be 17 weeks along. My obgyn says I'm supposed to go by 17. The Internet says 18 or even 20. She wasn't answering my calls... But do you think I can do it tomorrow? I'm still waiting to see if she calls me back but in the meantime wondered if anyone knows about this stuff.
I doubt one day will make a difference. I think you'll be fine.
I had the same question today! @JulyBaby17. Has anyone ever gotten their "tummy binded" and does it help? Does it get your hips back in place ?
Your body will go back on its own, and once the relaxin leaves your body, everything tightens back up hips wise. Everytime you breastfeed after birth, you will have contractions and your uterus will go back to size on its own. The only thing I have to say about this is that the hospital gave me a binder post c section, and it REALLY helped to ease the pain and keep light pressure on the incision. I doesn't really help you to get back into shape, if that's what you're asking. Girdle and corset "shaping" doesn't actually get you more fit or help with fat loss, however it can move your organs around to give you more of a defined waist shape, which really isn't healthy.
My mom looked at me like I was crazy for not binding my breasts when I finally stopped breastfeeding (she is from new zealand). I told her it wasn't necessary and refused to do it just to make her happy. To each their own.
Re: Big Thread for Dumb Questions 1/31
my happy boy
Do you have a local MOMS chapter? My local MOMS chapter has a running list of babysitters and regular babysitter meet and greets. My local fb moms group also has a running list of sitters, too.
Re: Clothes - Gerber is awful. Disney, Gymboree, Children's Place, Babies 'r Us brand Koala Baby, and Kohl's brand Jumping Beans all run smaller than Carter's, which I personally like because DS is small for his age. For me, Carter's is the "standard," and I've never been disappointed. I feel like their clothes are the most true to size for an average kid. Their zip-up jammies are my favorite for winter, and everything else can suck it lol. I found Osh Kosh and sports brands (Nike, Adidas, etc.) to be a little big. Also, this is my experience with boy's clothes...girls may be different.
Edited for typos
ETA: I just looked. The closest one is an hour and a half from me.
Where is the closest?
I typically look for them when I travel for work, although baby stuff has never been on my radar!
Highly monitored internet and no cell service in the office, so I'm postin' and ghostin' while I'm workin'
@oheliza44 we didn't interview for nannies until DS was here (and almost 3 months since I was on maternity leave). As a profession, their situation tends to change so frequently that it would be hard to nail someone down for just occasional care.
Edited bc I can't mobile bump without seeming illiterate.
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)
Highly monitored internet and no cell service in the office, so I'm postin' and ghostin' while I'm workin'
Im not a big fan of wearing underwear in general, haha, but I'm guessing twmpons will not be an option for a while. Thanks!
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)
But, we did tour one daycare that the handbook said if you asked someone to babysit (or nanny) you had to pay the center a finders fee- even if it was just a few nights a year. So I'd check on the rules on that.
-m/c at 11w2d due to partial molar 2008 -m/c #2 2009
Beautiful daughter born February 2011
**Ultimate TTCALer 2009**
I don't know about you, but with how crappy I felt after my CS, it made me feel better about myself to wear pretty panties with lace trimming . I bought the low cut cheekies (I usually wear thongs, so less of a shock for me), and they held the extra absorbing pad in place just fine. Each brand of pad fits every woman differently, but I always prefer playtex anything and never bled through, but I bought black cotton panties just incase I did.
And here is a link from parents.com on who needs to get vaccinated for what to be around baby. I'm going to send both of these to the grandparents and great grandparents so our baby gets the benefit of herd immunity. https://www.parents.com/health/vaccines/vaccination-types/vaccines-parents-and-grandparents-need/
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)
My mom looked at me like I was crazy for not binding my breasts when I finally stopped breastfeeding (she is from new zealand). I told her it wasn't necessary and refused to do it just to make her happy. To each their own.