I am doing a registry and had some questions about some things my book says I need.
Did you use any of these things? Should they be put on the registry? What do you think?
1) Bottle sterilizer -- Can't you just put the bottles in the dish washer and that be enough or do I need one?
2) Diapers -- My book says put them on the registry, but should I? We are all thinking this is gonna be a big baby and I am not sure what size he'll need. Bro. Sutton was almost 12lbs and because of the diabetes, the doctors are thinking that Braden is going to be pretty big too.
3)Bottles -- OK , I know the obvious, but I want to breastfeed (Ooh, I said breast. Please don't call my Overseer again, we've kept him busy this year!) I have no idea what kind of bottles to get for pumping and saving. What kind of bottles are the best for breastfeeding and do you use different kinds for juice and formula if I have to go that route? (I am taking a class later this month, but need to know now.)
4) What if there are things that people can get cheaper at other stores than the ones on your registry? I don't get care where they come from. I just used the registry to give people an idea of what we could use. Dollar General is fine with me. I did use 3 stores and comparison shopped between them, but I don't care if someone buys a "bumbo" at a yard sale as long as it is clean, safe, and blue. LOL! Do people assume that you don't mind or do they think you want them to go to only those places. I feel so uncomfortable in this role. We are just grateful that people think of us and want to help us out. We are just now getting over the shock that we are having a baby and now we are going into shock over how much a baby needs!!!!!! Have you seen the price of diapers? I considered cloth, but we are on the go so much, I just don't think they'd work.
5) What are some things you got that you just couldn't live without?
6) Thank You Notes -- Do you give them as you get gifts? We have been getting things throughout the pregnancy or do you wait until the baby is born? Some people give us things often and I am thinking instead of sending ten Thank You Notes to the same person, that I would wait until the baby is born and send them one then?
If any of you other expectant moms have questions you'd like to ask please feel free to add or if you put them on your blog, let me know so I can write them down in my little mommy instruction book!
Saturday, May 16, 2009
A Couple of Questions About Babies.
Posted by Netty at 7:58 AM
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14 comments:
1) I didn't use a bottle sterilizer. I washed the bottles in very hot, soapy water, then rinsed in very hot water. A bottle brush is very helpful. Do not stick your bottle nipples in the dishwasher or the microwave because it breaks them down really fast.
2) Since you are concerned about Braden being a big baby, put the larger sized diapers on your registry...you will go through a lot of diapers and it is a blessing to have lots of them. You could always buy what he needs initially.
3) Jeremy and Heather used some really cool bottles for Lilli. Don't know what kind they are, but I'll find out. It really did cut down on the air that Lilli took in while taking her bottle. We used the same bottles for formula, juice and water.
4) Just let everyone know that what is listed on your registry is what you need, not that you want them to buy it from that particular store, if they can find it cheaper else where, then by all means do so.
5) Burp rags (actually very thin diapers that you had to fold and they worked really well...didn't stain like other cloths), onesies and receiving blankets.
6) I did my thank you notes after baby showers and as I received gifts from people who didn't live close by and I knew that it was a one-time gift. Do what works best for you.
Now...you've heard from an "old school" mom...time to hear from the younger moms. Products have changed a lot since my boys were babies.
Breastfeeding: I would seriously recommend getting with a La Leche League group. There's experienced and inexperienced breastfeeding moms there. They will be able to answer all of your questions and give you different perspectives. Expectant moms go too and they would be glad to help! I was very comfortable there. I also have a couple of their books I will give you. The best thing you can do is be informed now rather than trying to figure it out then (plus you would not believe all the bad advice you can get!). My problem was I just don't make near enough milk, though I did everything right.
Anyway, I say all that to say, that you probably won't want to use a bottle in the beginning, because it is easier for babies to get the milk from a bottle, if they have it at first, they usually won't nurse properly afterwards. After you get a good routine going, then you should be able to switch back and forth. BUT just in case, there is a special bottle called the Haberman Feeder that actually makes them have to work to get the milk out in a very similar way to how they nurse. So that will help with what they call nipple confusion (ooh, I said nipple. If you get in trouble then I'll be in trouble with you!). It's from Medela and their containers work with the pump so you can pump directly into them, store in them, and feed with them.
But after awhile, I don't think it matters what bottle you have. We liked the Nuk ones because of the hole to keep the air out, and they're cute. Go shopping and read the packages and find out which one you like best. I have heard the Dr. Brown's are good for the air reasons too.
You don't need a bottle sanitizer unless there is something especially wrong with the baby. They used to tell you to boil water for formula too. If everything is normal then there's no need to do anything with the baby's bottles that you wouldn't do with your own drinking cups.
Diapers: Wal-Mart Parent's Choice are the cheapest and work just as well (maybe better... Pampers always left grainy goo behind.). People bought us size 2 diapers, and that was nice because although our babies didn't fit in to them for awhile, we had them when they did fit. If Braden is big then he will be able to wear them sooner but you won't risk them being too small if you get newborn or even size 1. (although I would get some newborn size just in case!).
My mom used cloth diapers but that was back when disposables were HORRID plastic huge bulky nightmares. Disposables are so nice now, that it's not worth it to me to have to rinse them out in the toilet and pay the water to wash them, and they are expensive to start out with, you have to buy enough to not have to wash them constantly just to keep them in diapers. Not to mention deal with diaper pins! But to each his own. I think the cost evens out, if you buy Walmart. Target is comparable too. Kroger has specials.
I think that some people will buy you new because they want to, not because they think that you HAVE to have it new. People who will give you used things, are mothers like me who know what to look for and love passing on a good deal. :-)
Things I couldn't live without: My jjcole microfleece bundle me carrier cover with the blanket that zips on. SO nice to not have to deal with a heavy coat in the winter and work straps over the coat. My bobby baby swing. My Mamma's Milk sling. My bouncy seat. Huggies wipes (the one thing I AHVE to have brand name!! The other wipes just DON'T cut it!). I have discovered that you don't really HAVE to have all the gadgets they sell... but if you see something that really catches your eye and sounds totally cool, get it or you will wonder forever if it would have made your life easier. I almost bought a wipe warmer but never did. I just warmed them in my hands first but Sara didn't care for that much.
Thank you notes... I am a very very bad bad person in this area. A verbal thanks when it is given, or a note on facebook, seems like good enough for me! Thank you notes have always seemed kind of pretentious to me... I thanked you when I got it, why do I need to thank you again? Although I have appreciated thank you notes when I have received them! I'm bad about p's and q's that way, I'd rather just be myself and thank people in my own way than have to worry about Emily Post. But that's just me.
I didn't intend for this to be this long! Oh well. You'll probably get lots of different answers... don't panic. You will find what works best for you and Bobby and Braden as you go along... it's not that hard. You just do what comes naturally and don't stress about if you're doing it right or have the right equipment. :-)
Rachel did an excellent job of offering suggestions. I want to second the motion on a La Leche League group. I was stuck away off up here in Alaska away from family and I ran in to a La Leche League lady quite by providence. That made a world of difference in my attitude and thoughts. Very well worth checking out. God knows what we need, even better than we know.
Love you.
1. No
2. Yes
3. No idea
4. I think they'll probably choose from your list and buy at their favorite store.
5. We had a car travel bed, it was the greatest! That was of course before carseats were required. Oops sorry I'm making you sound old.lol
6. A heartfelt thank you should be enough, unless someone lives away or does something extraordinary. How would you know everyone's address?
By the way, bet that book you're writing is something else, I'd like to read it sometime!lol
Thanks for all your ideas! I love it!
Believe me I am not stressing, but was curious. Thanks again!
1) Never needed a bottle sterilizer. If you feel like your bottle may be getting dingy or you're worried about hard to clean places, just boil everything in a big pot. Works just as well. I would definitely get a bottle brush as Sis Tammi suggested. You won't be able to clean down into the bottle if you don't.
2)My girls were not preemies but wore preemie sizes. I wouldn't worry about it. If you get diapers that are too small, most places are good about letting you trade out for another size as long as the package isn't open.
3)I always used plain bottles with the brown newborn size nipples. I think you can get a 3 pack at walmart for a couple of dollars Because it's so easy for them to latch on to the tiny nipple, they hardly get any air. Usually the reason behind getting so much air is because the parent wants to remove the bottle several times during a feeding to burp. This isn't neccessary. I would wait until they were half way through and then burp them. As they got older, I would let them finish the whole bottle before burping them. You will know when they need burping because they will grunt or curl up. Sometimes you can attempt to burp them TOO much and cause additional problems. I used the same bottles for everything. Although, if you pump, usually the pump will come with it's own bottles.
4)I always like shopping at Baby Depot in Burlington Coat Factory. They have really good prices on their clothes, blankets, bottles, pacifiers, etc. Walmart is going to be the best place for wipes and diapers or Sam's, if you want to buy in bulk. If you haven't already, you should register at huggies and pampers because they are good about sending coupons. White Cloud is my favorite off brand of diapers but you will find anything to beat the quality of huggies. I think White Cloud will be okay until the baby starts sleeping through the night and then the off brands don't really hold all the urine one child can relieve in an entire night AND TRUST ME, you're not always going to want to wake your child up to change their diaper in the middle of the night just to prevent leaking. :)
5)I didn't have one of these for Kailee but I wish I did. Madelynn loved her's and slept in it for hours. It makes them feel secure and still in your womb. http://www.babiesrus.com/search/index.jsp?s=D-ReviewRating-TRUS&sr=1&f=Taxonomy%2FTRUS%2F2254197&kw=kiddopotamus&origkw=kiddopotamus&kwCatId=&pg=1&camp=PPC:297640911
I always buy pamper's sensitive wipes. Kailee has super sensitive skin so I have to be very careful what I use on her. They don't stink like most wipes and they're soft.
Aveeno baby wash.
Mam pacifiers.
6)Do what you want! :)
Alot of things are trial and error. To each his own. :) A book won't be able to help you with that but it's definitely good to know what to ask about!
Looks like you got lots of good advice. I am like you when it comes to the registry thing.People like it bacause it gives them an idea, I just don't want ppl to think they have to get THAT specific thing. It was a hard thing when I got married too.
I just try to put the cheaper things on there. I don't feel so bad then :o)
I had some of the same questions you had, so these comments helped me. Fortunatly my sister is a midwife and has helped a TON.
YOu got good advice.
In my experience La Leche people were militant...ALL or nothing. Guess what, your baby will not be deformed for life if you allow forumula to touch their lips. :)
If the La Leche person you are getting advice from is militant, find another one....if you can ;) They are hard to get rid of.
Fortunately I had my grandmother's advice.
After a routine and you are not so sore any more...yep, you'll be sore and will want to give up....hang in there....THEN use your milk in a bottle so your husband can have the joy of feeding and bonding with your son also.
You CAN also use both your own milk AND as they get older some formula occasionally also. If you get the baby used to both...Grandmas can keep a can of powdered formula in her fridge, so if you need a night out, an emergency situation...then there won't be any problem.
1. No. Dishwasher is fine. If it breaks down in the dw.. they are cheap. Replace it.
2. Either way you can return them but even if you don't put them on there people will get you some. Just be prepared to return them.
3. I never liked LLL. I did it on my own fine. They stressed me and made it harder. I wouldn't worry about pumping and bottles until you get going good on breastfeeding. You wont get enough milk or a chance to pump until a few months in.
4. Forget cloth.. that is a wet nasty mess to wash constantly. Parent's Choice are really good. If you buy a big box of them it is less traumatic. lol I never look at registries! :P
5. Destin butt cream, mam pacifiers, cloth diapers for spit up, you can never have enough onesies, a good small pillow to put under your arm when you hold the baby, and an extra hand. :P
6. Just say it and mean it and get busy with the baby. :D
Bonus- Humidifier is a MAJOR need in this area!!!!! Whenever it gets warm during the day and then dry and cool at night at season changes your baby will get the croup. You will NEED a humidifier for that!
Want some more advice? I'll try not to give too much.
I used sanitizer bags for my nursing pump supplies about once every 2 weeks, but I don't think they are absolutly needed. Boiling hot water has been used for hundreds of years and saves money. I also had a feature on my DW that had a sanitizing feature.
I love the pamper swaddlers diapers to start out with and then went with the pamper diaper dry. I've never had any problems with them, have very little leak, only when I didn't change them quick enough, but you are having a boy, may be different... I tried a walmart brand that I used with the twins, but with Kaylee hated them. Someone got me LUVS, and I didn't like them either, lots of leaks and poop up the back. I never have liked Huggies, their leak protection is leak disaster and there's no diaper absorbing stuff up the back for pee or poop. Always had wettness to change & poopy outfits with those diapers. REGISTER for diapers! If baby grows out of them, you can exchange for a larger size. $20 a box - lots of money saved! Even if you get a brand you don't think you'll use, you can exchange it too.
I used playtex nursers, but baby will probably take what he learns on. I used same type of bottle for both milk and juice.
Registry - ppl don't alway follow them, they still get you what they want to get you. You have a good mind set, take what you get and be grateful. You can alway exchange.
My must haves...
-Nasel asperater - 3 of them. One for the car seat, one for the diaper bag and one for the crib/babyroom. The twins were bad to spit up and it come up both mouth & nose. Suction is need fast to clean the liquid out so baby can breath. When baby is choking, you don't care that you just inserted the asperater in the nose first and then the mouth... he'll survive better if he can breath and having one in hands reach and knowing where it's at instead of having to search for it will ease your mind more.
- I also use pads for them to lay on. I'm not sure exactly what they are called but they are thicker than a burp cloth and a bit stiffer. They are about a 10x13 in size and it saved me from having to change the baby crib sheet everyday from the baby burping up in the bed. A thick diaper cloth will work fairly well too. It was nice to just change this pad out where the baby rested their head.
-hand sanatizer to keep germs away!!! Avoid RSV! Common cold to us is deathly sick to a baby.
-vaperizer with VICKS that mixes in the water. It's more expensive, but works better than the stuff that is not mixed with water.
-baby wash
-I like huggie or parent choice diaper wipes. huggies are a little thinker, parent choice stays together for me and are much cheaper, pampers are thin and feel slimmy to me. you'll end up finding what you like best.
-travel play pen/portable bed. a must when traveling like we do a lot for convention and visiting family.
-a bumbo seat, looks like you are registering for one. Just avoid feeding carrots & sweet potatoes while baby is sitting in it. I made the mistake of doing so with the twins and it stained it. Then I went to clean it with bleach water after every attempt to clean it with other agents and bleached it. Not good.
-receiving blankets
-lots of sleep!!! when baby is sleeping! I found out I produced more milk the more rest I got.
It's funny how easy it is to get by with very little.
And thank you notes... I tried to do before baby came. It will be easier for you than it was for me after baby comes since my first were twins then the second pregnancy I had two 3 year olds along with a newborn and now, even harder. But you will still be tired from being up every 2 to 3 hours, at first, during the night to feed baby. Do what you can before baby comes and what you need to do after baby comes. I ended up finding about 20 cards I had made out after the babies came and never put in an envelope to mail. Ended up after 3 years sending an email out to thank those who I had written a card to. ha. I think MOST people understand after baby comes if they don't get a thank you card. If they don't, they should understand!!! A verbal thank you works for me!
Good luck and have lots of fun. It's crazy how mother nature comes right in and you do just fine through research. Many suggestions and advice will be given, but only mother and baby can figure out what works best for them.
Hello Sister Annette,
Good evening Sister Annette, I attempted to comment on your blog, I do not have a blog account so I do not know if my comment will appear or not. I decided I would just send my two cents to you this way.
God Bless.
It looks as though you are getting a lot of good advice.
There were a couple of musts for me when my children were babies.
*Plenty of onsies and socks. Those two items were essential in our everyday lives.
*Cloth diapers for burp rags. You really can not have too many of those, when you are finished with them, they make wonderful cleaning rags.
*Receiving blankets - they are not too thick, yet do a great job of keeping your little one comforted when you are out or at home. I still use them for the little ones I watch.
And finally, I realize you are a bit busy getting ready for your little man to arrive, however, I tried to send out thank you's in response to the gifts received and I included a picture of our new baby in them. People always appreciated seeing the new bundle of joy.
God Bless and I am Praying for a Healthy Delivery.
Sister Marcy Doerfler
Thank you! Some great advice!
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