I Need Your Help Everyone!!

E.:

I wish that mother's to be were told that breastfeeding can be challenging and instead of giving up they should get assistance. I wish women would not give up so easily on themselves and their babies. My piece would be giving all mother's to be information on a local lactation consultant.

P., RLC, IBCLC
Pres. Lactation Support Group, Inc
www.lactationsupportgroup.com

I need to preface this by saying that I am NOT male bashing and that you will need to wordsmith the following: I wish I had known that my husband (and almost every husband I know) "could not" hear a crying baby, therefore he did not rush to soothe the baby when he was hungry, wet, etc. It isn't a natural instinct for males. In the beginning I thought I wanted to divorce my husband b/c he was so useless, but once the baby was older and my husband was "trained," everything ran much smoother. I've heard similar comments from about 95% of the mothers I know, so it's a common misconception that husbands will be the perfect father right from the start.

Lots of good advice so far.
One thing my sister told me but I never read anywhere (sorry, a little gross) is that you will need ALOT of maxi-pads for several weeks.
Agreed with others that you don't need to pay attention to the lists of what to bring to the hospital.
For me, as soon as I knew I was going to be going to the hospital, I took a shower at home because it could be days before you can shower and who knows what the hospital shower is like.
Eat something before you go to the hospital because ice chips just don't cut it. I was starving and I remember saying that to the nurse.
Put the baby in the nursery overnight. That is the last quiet sleep you will get for a long time. If the baby is with you, you will have to change it. And the nurses will bring the baby to you if you are nursing.
Don't feel bad to tell friends or family that you need some rest and they have to leave. Nurses will help you do this too.

Sounds like a fun gift. Glad I could share.

I wish someone would have sent me home with a swaddling blanket! I had a baby who just wouldn't sleep for any extended period of time. After a couple weeks of total sleep deprivation I stumbled accross a blanket on babycenter.com. From the minute I wrapped her in there she slept like a dream!

I wish someone would have told me to not pay any attention to the checklists about what to bring to the hospital when delivering. I wish someone would have said to just bring my toiletries and maybe a blanket to cover up the baby on the ride home ~~ that's all (well, car seat of course). You don't need 5 pairs of underwear, you don't need a robe, you don't have time to read, etc. I brought a huge bag of stuff (everything on the checklist) and opened it only to get my toothbrush and hairbrush. Everything else the hospital provides. You don't want to ruin your own stuff! Also, I really wish someone would have told me to bring home a LOT of icepacks from the hospital (for vaginal delivery). They will give them to you ~ you just need to know to ask. People say a bag of peas works just as well and that is just not true.

Best advice I ever received from my friend Libby...

Dress the crib with the following:
mattress then
mattress pad #1 then
sheet #1 then
mattress pad #2 then
sheet #2

That way, when the dear spits/throws up, overflows the diaper or otherwise has to have the sheets changed at 2am when you are SOO exhausted and just want to get the baby back to bed, you pull off the top sheet and mattess pad and poof. instantly made bed.

Even if you only need this once, it is a lifesaver!

I second the breastfeeding comment. I was fortunate to have *great* support from my mom, but I talked to a lot of moms who started supplementing with formula after a few weeks because they thought they didn't have enough milk. Nobody TOLD them that if they fed their baby from both sides and she still was hungry that they could just keep switching back and forth (and back, and forth...) until she was satisfied. Nobody told them that during growth spurts it would feel like all they did was feed their baby all day, but that their milk supply would catch up and things would go back to normal after 2-3 days. And nobody told them that their nipples would be really sore for the first 2 weeks or so, and to use lanolin before they thought they needed it.

Hi E..

I wish someone would have told me about the total lack of sleep for the first couple of months so I could get myself physcially and mentally prepared for that!

For the most part I agree with Amy about what to bring to the hospital, but I did wear my own underwear and clothes. I changed into my own clothes after a couple days because I had a C-Section. Having to stay in the hospital for 5 days, I felt much better when I could wear clothes vs. a hospital gown. Although I didn’t need my robe either, depending if you have a private room or not, you may need it.

I wish I would have remembered to eat before I went to the hospital; I only had a piece of toast in the morning. Depending on how long you’re in labor, it could be a very long time before you can eat. Although most hospitals will give you a Popsicle to help some hunger pains  I had a C-section and wasn’t able to have anything until the next day, and then it was only clear liquids.

Use AD ointment every time you change the baby’s diaper. This has been great advice for me, my daughter is 9 months old and has never had any diaper rash.

Mylicon can do wonders if your baby has gas, a little bit helps them a bunch. Also, make sure to have infant Tylenol on hand just in case you need it.

Take everything in the baby’s basinet when you leave the hospital, you pay for it anyway.

If you have “first baby” pictures done at the hospital, you can put your baby in a cute little outfit instead of the undershirt and blanket the hospital keeps them in.

Have your husband take home flowers or gifts you receive at the hospital before your released. You’ll have your hands full with the baby and items from the hospital as it is.

Practice using your baby seat so you know how to put the baby in when you leave the hospital. My husband (being a new dad and nervous) couldn’t figure out how to loosen the straps to put the babies arm through them.

Teach your husband to “pre-pack” the car. My friend’s husband recommended it to mine, and it works great. He gets everything into the car while I finish getting me and the baby ready. By the time we’re ready to leave, all we have to worry about is the baby. It saves a lot of time and lets people know that we’re leaving so they can say good-by to the baby.

Final Thought- Enjoy every minute, and know that your instincts will be your best guide.