@DuchessOfCambridge I found my pediatrician in the 3rd trimester, but had started asking around at about 20 weeks so that I could get an idea of who people liked in our area and figure out who insurance covered just start researching whenever you have some free time and I would try to choose by around 30 weeks so you don't have to worry about it close to the due date.
@safinn21 We had both, but we really didn't need the bouncer and I won't be doing that again. For us, the swing was a must. I think the 2 in 1 swings that vibrate are a great idea.
@safinn21 We had both and used both for DD1 and DD2. You don't need both but it's very convenient to have both. Especially if your living room area and the nursery are on separate floors. Swings are usually bulky and aren't very fun to move around and bouncers are nice to have if you need to do dishes or shower or something like that. You can get bouncers for fairly cheap, 20 or 30 dollars so I think it's worth the investment.
@DuchessOfCambridge I would start looking in the 3rd tri. Some pediatricians have a limit as to how many patients they'll take, so some have waiting lists and others will just take you. If you have any concerns about vaccinations (delayed schedule) or breastfeeding (finding a bf-friendly doctor) than you'll want to ask around about that, too. We see a dr at a practice that has 5 docs, which is great if you have an emergency and have to get it and your regular doc isn't available. Usually you need to pre-register at the pediatrician before the baby is born and give your due date and all you and your s/o's info, as well as insurance info. You'll also have to give your pediatrician's name at the hospital when you go to give birth so they can send the records to them.
Question for STMs: At how many weeks gestation did you have your anatomy scan? I feel like in the past my doc hasn't wanted to do it before 20 weeks, but I see 18-22 online.
My husband is out of town for 2 weeks around that time, so it will either have to be done at 18w6d or wait until 21w3d. Obviously I'll ask at my next appointment, but the thought of waiting an extra week or more makes me so sad!! ETA: I'll do whatever is best to see all of baby's systems functioning. I recognize that is the primary goal of the AS;) Just impatient to know when we'll be able to do it so I'm fishing from you guys!
I was 18 and change for my son, I'll be 20 +2 for Anna
~Mom to an amazing Jan 2011 boy~ ~EDD Nov 18, 2017 with my IUI success story~
Thanks everyone! I was worried it would be something like YOU SHOULD HAVE MADE YOUR FIRST APPOINTMENT TEN YEARS AGO like day care was haha. We'll likely use a pediatrician at the hospital DH and I go to for primary care and where this LO will be born. Bonus: they require patients to be vaccinated! I will hold off on contacting any of them until third tri/will talk to my OB about that There is only one "newborn specialist" but it's a guy and I don't think I can/want to talk BFing things with a man. Lots of lady doctors available though!
@safinn21 We had both and used both for DD1 and DD2. You don't need both but it's very convenient to have both. Especially if your living room area and the nursery are on separate floors. Swings are usually bulky and aren't very fun to move around and bouncers are nice to have if you need to do dishes or shower or something like that. You can get bouncers for fairly cheap, 20 or 30 dollars so I think it's worth the investment.
This. I liked having some kind of seating in each room we spent a lot of time in. Buying secondhand helps with this, we had two swings and a bouncy seat
~Mom to an amazing Jan 2011 boy~ ~EDD Nov 18, 2017 with my IUI success story~
Poor second child. I'll try to remember to give Aidan's ped a heads up if we're in there again before November. Otherwise they already have all our info and I'll call them when she's born.
~Mom to an amazing Jan 2011 boy~ ~EDD Nov 18, 2017 with my IUI success story~
@pawcall that's the nice thing about the 2nd kid...you don't have to worry about searching for a ped! I'll tell mine in Sept. when we're there for DS's 2 year check-up lol.
@safinn21 We had both and used both for DD1 and DD2. You don't need both but it's very convenient to have both. Especially if your living room area and the nursery are on separate floors. Swings are usually bulky and aren't very fun to move around and bouncers are nice to have if you need to do dishes or shower or something like that. You can get bouncers for fairly cheap, 20 or 30 dollars so I think it's worth the investment.
This. Our swing stayed in the living room and the bouncer went to the other rooms with us - playroom, bathroom while I showered, etc.
Our swing stayed out and we moved either the rock n play or the bouncer from room to room. I had both because they were hand me downs, but either of those are a good option. (Just realized I honestly can't remember what we loaned out/sold. I think we kept the RnP.. If that's all we have left, that will be just fine.
@safinn21 I didn't either...I assumed I could just let the baby be in the crib for 5-10 min. Now I feel like I'm going to be the worst mom.
If DS wasn't asleep, he would cry if I left the room without him at the beginning. And sometimes it just didn't work out to shower during nap time. So I'd bring his RnP into the bathroom. He usually still cried but at least I could keep an eye on the crying lol
But! The crib is a safe place and if you need to leave for 5-10 minutes for a shower or your sanity, whatever, that doesn't make you a bad mom. You'll find what works for you.
@safinn21 For both my kids the swing was completely necessary. If it didn't put them to sleep they both were completely content in it, so I could do anything and know they're safe and happy.
Don't worry! You will figure out what works for you and your baby quickly. It could be that you have a content little guy or girl, who will happily chill in the crib for the length of a shower.
DS loooooooved to be in the bouncer while I showered, he went to sleep every time since it was warm with lots of white noise. It worked out great for us. Now with an almost 3 year old I'm sure life won't be that easy, but it was nice to have a swing in the living room and a bouncer upstairs so I had somewhere to put him on each floor.
I had my anatomy scan at 20 weeks for both of my previous pregnancies. This one is scheduled the same.
I like a bouncer and a swing for all the reasons mentioned. The swing is stationary. Not all babies like them but if they do, it can be a nap lifesaver. The bouncer is easily movable and provides a nice seat so yiu can cook clean shower give your arms a break etc.
with my first I didn't buy either right away, but about a month in, decided we need a bouncer. We got the basic cheapest one from babies r us. About 3 months in, we got a swing. I like the Fischer price snug a whatever animal - we have the bunny. Good thing about the next baby is getting to reuse all these things!
I just figured I get up with and go to bed with hubby that we'll groom on a tag team basis or while bibs sleeping . Seems easy enough to take the monitor where can hear or rely on partner. Hell be home in the first 6 weeks at least so time to work out a schedule. My showers are under 5 min unless washing my hair which is just once a week I can do it on the weekend when he is around . I don't think we planned on a bouncer . I don't even know what a swing is ... we aren't big commercial consumers still haven't bought anything for the baby yet
We used both. The swing stayed in the living room (and the we had one in our room too for when o was getting dressed). We had the mamarlo and fisher price one and we sold the mamaroo because my son didn't care for it st all. We had the Fischer price rainforest bouncer. It lights up and makes noises and was perfect for distracting him while I showered!
downstairs we had the Rock n play for the first few months, we would move that from room to room. Then we used the Fischer Price sit me up when he could almost sit, and I'd put that on the counter top while I was cooking and he'd be happy. When he was older he used the jumparoo to play around in.
I've got a hand me down swing and a bouncer so I'm going to keep both but if I were buying or registering I think I'd wait until after I meet baby. Some kids don't like bouncing or rocking
I got hand me downs of all that stuff too and the only thing we ended up getting a lot of use out of was the swing, so I'm glad I didn't buy new. But who knows, this one might be the total opposite. I'll probably do a lot more baby wearing this time.
@DuchessOfCambridge My cat was older and in bad health when baby was born, so he mostly kept his distance from the loud new creature. I imagine a younger cat might have a different response. Has your cat been around kids before?
@ooodalollly my cat will have turned 1 a few months before baby comes. He's been around a 3 year old cousin of mine and did not enjoy it but that's because she was excited to see him and squealed extremely loudly in his ears and that scared him. He was fine around a much quieter 4 year old. He hasn't been around any other children or any babies.
@DuchessOfCambridge in my experience most animals tend to see the children and their humans. Even if they don't like them at first as the child gets older they are more into them. At the beginning I would imagine a 1 year old cat would just be very curious
There will probably be an adjustment period where your cat tries to figure out what a baby is and get used to the new smells and sounds. But as long as your cat is normally friendly, he will eventually warm up to him/her.
Awesome, good to know! I have never actually had a cat long term before owning this one (my mom hated animals in her clean home, but we fostered a cat for a bit) so I'm not sure of everything to expect with a new family member! He is generally super friendly though and we snuggle him so much that he knows not to bite or scratch even if he doesn't like that he's being held. He does whine like an actual child though
@DuchessOfCambridge I've made an appointment with my vet to discuss how best to prepare my dog for the baby. Maybe your vet would have some tips for you too?
It makes me really sad to see pets rehomed because of new babies. With the exception of the pet causing the baby harm (that can't be avoided by simply being a responsible parent and pet owner). I was asked so many times while I was pregnant with my first if/when I was getting rid of my pets. I worked for a vet clinic! My pets were here first and I made a lifetime commitment to them. Of course my kid comes first, but there was no reason they couldn't coexist. A little patience and understanding of your pet's point of view during the adjustment period goes a long way. Never force interaction and always watch for signs that your pet is uncomfortable and allow them their space. @DuchessOfCambridge None of this is directed at you, just a soap box of mine.
@ooodalollly no offense taken, we are not getting rid of our cat We even turned down a few apartment buildings because no pets and now pay $50/month rent for the stinking cute little jerk. I could really only see getting rid of him if my kid was allergic or if he was aggressive towards him/her to the point where I was worried about it. Hopefully none of that happens because I'm obsessed with him!
We had to rehome one of our animals after the baby was born. Both dogs were fine (one moped quite a bit the week after we got home from the hospital but ultimately adjusted fine). One of the cats adjusted fine. The other cat was given to a coworker about a month ago. She quit using the litter box after we brought the baby home. We did everything possible to avoid it but she was destroying our home. I get weekly updates from the coworker and she is absolutely thriving at their house. It hurt my heart to rehome her but sometimes it is unavoidable
@av2323 I get that too. With bathroom stuff, I would do my best to try to fix it with whatever hormone therapy or vet visits but at the end of the day, you just can't have cat pee all over your house. That must have been so so hard for you to give her up, I'm sure you miss her every day
I would use coconut oil, or something inexpensive. When I was pregnant with my first, I bought EVERY stretch mark cream and still got stretch marks. Dr. says it's genetic and just my skin type.
Re: FTM Questions for STMs+ 5/9
~EDD Nov 18, 2017 with my IUI success story~
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~EDD Nov 18, 2017 with my IUI success story~
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~EDD Nov 18, 2017 with my IUI success story~
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But! The crib is a safe place and if you need to leave for 5-10 minutes for a shower or your sanity, whatever, that doesn't make you a bad mom. You'll find what works for you.
I like a bouncer and a swing for all the reasons mentioned. The swing is stationary. Not all babies like them but if they do, it can be a nap lifesaver. The bouncer is easily movable and provides a nice seat so yiu can cook clean shower give your arms a break etc.
with my first I didn't buy either right away, but about a month in, decided we need a bouncer. We got the basic cheapest one from babies r us. About 3 months in, we got a swing. I like the Fischer price snug a whatever animal - we have the bunny. Good thing about the next baby is getting to reuse all these things!
I don't think we planned on a bouncer . I don't even know what a swing is ... we aren't big commercial consumers still haven't bought anything for the baby yet
downstairs we had the Rock n play for the first few months, we would move that from room to room. Then we used the Fischer Price sit me up when he could almost sit, and I'd put that on the counter top while I was cooking and he'd be happy. When he was older he used the jumparoo to play around in.