I had a doctor appointment last Friday and I'm happy to report that Chase is healthy and growing and definitely a boy! I have an awesome doctor and he does an ultrasound every time I go. It is so amazing to see my little boy and how much he's grown and changed since that first ultrasound when he was just a little peanut with a heartbeat. This was also the fourth ultrasound confirming he's really a boy, although my doctor told me to leave the tags on everything until after he's born, occasionally there are surprises!
I'm especially grateful for my healthy baby after spending so much time on the Labor and Delivery floor at Utah Valley Hospital. Most of the babies there are healthy and fine, but there are occasional sad cases when a baby dies, or difficult deliveries that would scare any expectant mom. After witnessing a particularly intense delivery yesterday I had to remind myself that this was 1. not the norm and 2. that is exactly the reason I chose a doctor I totally trust. I still found myself awake at 2am slightly worried about the well-being of my little boy. I think Chase knows his mom is a worrier, during especially difficult days he kicks ALL DAY LONG. I love it, he's just reminding me that he's doing okay in there.
And now a request to all you moms out there: I have hit that point where I want to be totally prepared for this little baby to come. I've made a long list of things we need and we are slowly checking them off. Here is my question to you- What baby related items do you love? What items are completely essential? What items are nice to have, but not really needed? What stuff did you wish you hadn't spent the money on? Are there any specific brands you love?
I totally appreciate any input! I love hearing what other moms have used and liked!
I'm so glad he is healthy and a he! Whenever a baby is born healthy and free of complications, it is a miracle.
ReplyDeleteIf you plan on nursing, you'll want lanolin ointment. It is a must when you are starting out. And when it comes to burp rags, cute is nice, but you want absorbency. Trust me! I ended up using the white pre-folded cloth diapers. They soak up spit up like nothing else!
Must haves: I second the Lanolin and white cloth diapers. Also I love our SwaddleMe (although Ethan is Houdini and breaks out of most swaddles) and sleep positioner. Other things I didn't think of but need were: bottle drying rack (even if you're breastfeeding you'll want to at least dry the pump parts and you probably will use a bottle at least a little bit), bottle brush, and movies/tv that you can watch while you nurse! It's how I stay up at night :)
ReplyDeleteI'd also suggest a bouncer. It's hard to tell if your baby will like a bouncer and/or swing or nothing, but babies usually like the bouncer. Plus, it's easy to transport around the house. I get paranoid when I can't see Ethan right there.
That's all I can think of at the moment; I'm sure we've talked about lots of things and will continue :) Good luck!
Yay! So glad he's still a boy! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I totally thought you wrote "warrior" instead of "worrier." Had to re-read that sentence a couple of times!
Okay, here are my things...
Essential: BIG swaddling blankets. Target sells some big flannel ones in the Circo brand, I think. My babies grew out of the regular little swaddling blankets before they were ready to not be swaddled. Little nightgowns for when he's brand new. You will be changing his diaper about 20 times a day and will not want to be fussing with snaps for the first couple of weeks. A bouncer, a swing, baby sleep sack (great when it gets cold at night and you worry your baby will get uncovered and/or strangled by blankets. I swear by them!
Nice to have: A bumbo chair. A wipe warmer - sounds so fancy and unnecessary, but if your baby is half asleep in the middle of the night either before or after a feeding and you wipe them with a freezing cold wipe, trust me, they will wake RIGHT up!
Waste of $: parenting books - there is so much info online, I hardly ever crack open all these books we bought or were given. Also, my boppy pillow. Never thought it was very comfortable and have heard that "My Breast Friend" is a much better nursing pillow. Since I'm not much of a nurser, I never invested in that one though.
Brands I love: for newborn diapers - Pampers Swaddlers all the way; diaper ointment - A&D is the BEST. If you ever have to do formula, my kids have been much less gassy with Enfamil. Soothie pacifiers.
Hope that helps! I'm so excited for you!!!
Man, you could get so much gear for a baby! There is an endless array of items out there! Here's what I would suggest investing in:
ReplyDelete-Some kind of breast pump, even if you are nursing exclusively. I have the Medela hand pump and still use it
-breast pads: Lansinoh is THE BEST
-bouncy seat
-Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child book
-I wouldn't get a travel system. Just get a snap n' go for the car seat. After 7 months of researching strollers, I finally got the baby jogger city mini for my main stroller and I LOVE it!
-diaper ointment with the highest zinc oxide percentage. Desitin creamy has 41% I think and it works GREAT
-long sleeved onsies with the hand covers
There's more but Scott is making me come to bed! I'm so excited for you- you are going to LOVE having a precious little baby boy!
It's funny because everyone has their own opinions and experiences so take this with a grain of salt and the best/hardest thing about parenthood is that nobody else really knows what they are doing either and it is all on-job-training. You figure it out though and find what works best for you and your baby.
ReplyDelete-I loved the Boppy for nursing. I used it every time for a while, but once she got bigger I never used it and it has been stored away every since.
-Kyla scratched her face a ton so I had to have either clothes that covered her hands or little hand mittens on her at all times.
-I didn't get a diaper changing stand because we didn't have room and it seemed like a waste of money to me. Nate randomly bought a fold out changing mat at Babies R Us one night and it has been our best friend ever since. Kyla loved it and I didn't have a problem with changing her on the floor at all. Plus I never had to worry about her rolling off and falling.
-I agree with the snap n go stroller and then get a lighter stroller that is easier to cart around when they grow. Cheaper and easier.
-Kyla loved her bouncer, but her gigantic entertainment jumper set was kind of a waste (luckily it was a shower gift).
-Lansinoh breast pads are the best.
-We were given a little decorative mirror that goes in your car so you can see your baby in their seat that faces backward. I thought it was silly and totally unnecessary (and maybe it is) but I LOVE that thing and so does Kyla. It is so great to be able to see them and help them while still in the front seat. Kyla likes it now because she can see us in it and it keeps her happy and entertained while we drive.
-Last, if you have trouble nursing right at first (by that I mean after you leave the hospital thinking you have it down and then you get home and your milk comes in and you don't have any nurses to help you anymore) I highly recommend the silicon shields. They saved me. I was worried that it would be a nightmare to teach Kyla how to stop using them after a few weeks but it wasn't bad at all. They are kind of a hassle to sterilize and all, but it was the only thing that helped when my milk came in and Kyla and I were freaking out. :)
And my advice is to read things to educate yourself with options, but ultimately do what feels best for you and your little guy and don't stress, you will be great!
Oh, I love hearing about baby Chase! And we will definitely talk more in-depth next week about baby stuff, but I loved the boppy for nursing, and a bouncer. Neither of my boys really cared for swings, but they both loved the bouncer . . . therefore I loved the bouncer :).
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