Diapers
- Without a doubt, I have to wholeheartedly sing the praises
of Target-brand diapers (Up & Up). These diapers scared me for the first
few months, because I had been gifted an extensive supply of Pampers diapers,
and in my head, name-brand rules all while off-brand ends up being more of a
Plan B thing. We used Pampers until they ran out, then decided on a whim to tap
into some Up & Up diapers that a friend had passed on to us. As it turns
out, they're AMAZING. Granted they don't have the frills that name-brand
diapers have, like cute designs, wetness indicators or perfumes (not that I
want that, though), but they're absolutely fantastic diapers with no tendency
to leak, and they're half the cost of Pampers. Never again did I buy anything
but Up & Up, nor will I for any future babies we may have.
- I will say, though, if you don't have access to Target or
you prefer name-brand products, I'm inclined to tell you that if I could
accompany a Pampers suggestion with lights and music, I would. They're great
diapers, and more importantly, they're not Huggies.
- Because friends don't let friends buy Huggies-brand
anything. Least of all their diapers. The consensus among anyone I've ever
talked to is the same: do not waste your money on Huggies. They're awful.
Wipes
- Since we're on the note of Huggies, stay away from their
wipes, too. They're like wet paper towel - they'll actually rip. No good.
- Pampers wipes are really fantastic. I got one large pack
of them at one of my baby showers; they're great, quality-wise, and they have a
nice smell if you're into that sort of thing. I thought I was, until my brain
started associating that perfume smell with baby poop and now a whiff of them
makes me want to hurl. Anyway though, that's neither here nor there. So as I
was saying, Pampers offers good quality; the price, though, not awesome. I'm
like a broken record when I say this - Target is where it's at.
- Target's Up & Up wipes. I swear by these wipes. I buy
the unscented ones, so I can't speak for their perfumed ones, but they do the
job well, and the price is fantastic. (And side note: I also use them as makeup
removers. They're gentle on bums AND faces!)
Nursing Pads
These are something you're going to want to love, as they're
going to become an extension of your own body. From the time that my milk came
in, about 4 days after giving birth, I wore nursing pads round the clock, seven
days a week. The only time I didn't have a bra on was when I was in the shower.
You'll figure out your own groove, but for me, it was hard to even make it from
the shower to my clothing without drip-drip-dripping milk down my legs and onto
the floor. So nursing pads were my best friends.
Don't forget that for the most part, when you're nursing
your baby from one boob, the other boob is leaking like crazy; and if your
boobs are full (after an extended period of not feeding, for example), when
your baby starts crying and you're getting settled and getting your boob out,
watch out for spraying. Milk is just going to start shooting out in every which
direction. So, again, nursing pads. You want. You need.
- Having said that, I've tried a few different kinds, and
have pretty much (again), settled on Target brand (is this post sponsored by
Target? No it most certainly is not. I swear.) They're not amazing, but they do
the job well. Their only real downside is that they're kind of lumpy - i.e.
they don't really conform to a boob as well as Johnson brand, for example. So
if you're wearing a thin bra and a thin shirt, it'll be obvious that you've got
a nursing pad in. but they're really absorbent, and they'll keep your boob
relatively dry.
- Johnson brand. I have a love/hate/mostly-hate relationship
with these. I bought a box, really loved the way they conform to my boob
(nobody can tell you're wearing them), but I absolutely hate their absorbency.
They stay damp, and the absorbent gel stuff leaks out! One day I noticed this
weird clear jelly-like stuff on Margot's face, and had no idea what it
was...until I went to change my nursing pads and saw a bunch of it around my
nipple. Awful! I have no idea whether or not she ever ingested any of it, but
suffice it to say I never bought another box, and I was changing nursing pads
very frequently. Invest in these at your own risk.
- Lansinoh brand. These suck. I expected more since they're
name-brand, but their only perk is two sticky patches (to stick them to the
inside of your bra...the others just have one patch). They're stupid because of
a fold down the middle that divides the absorbency into two sections. totally
defeats the purpose, in the name of easier packaging. Not good. Don't bother.
Nursing Bras
Hilariously, I wore a nursing bra with a hoodie overtop for
like, a ridiculous length of time after Margot was born. My sister still laughs
at me for it. I laugh at myself for it. I couldn't wrap my mind around how to
comfortably wear a regular shirt and maintain insta-access to my boobs, so a
zip-down hoodie and jeans was my outfit of choice for months. Because I'm
really trendy like that.
Rather than just being hoodie-clad for months, I recommend a
nursing tank top that you can wear over a nursing bra (or instead of one, if
your boobs can handle that. Mine couldn't.), and underneath a normal shirt if
you're concerned with keeping from exposing your whole torso when nursing. I
don't have a wealth of information here since I went with a Gillian &
O'Malley tank and hated it.
- So as far as nursing bras go, don't have much to say about
these, as i don't own multiple brands. I invested in Bravado brand, and
realized after awhile that they just don't withstand the test of time. I was
really happy with them at first, but I wore out both of the ones I purchased
within about six months or so. These are the ones I bought: Bravado's OriginalNursing Bra (Basic Style), and their Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra. I
preferred the body silk one over the original, because the body silk comes with
inserts, and because the original is a lift-over-your-head one. In the end,
though, neither of them were offering me great support and for future babies
I'll do some more bra-foraging before buying anything else.
Breast Pump
- I own the Medela Harmony. I got this at the recommendation
of a good friend of mine who has used it for all three of her babies, and
swears by it. I also got it because the concept of an electric pump really
creeps me out. Anyway, the Medela Harmony is great.
Breastfeeding
- I really recommend Ina May Gaskin's Guide toBreastfeeding. I read this while I was pregnant, and it's full of fantastic
information that'll get your confidence up, and help you learn methods,
positions, proper latch, etc.
- Whether or not you read that book, know that a proper
latch is VERY important. Do your research. And don't be afraid to break the
latch while you're feeding, time and time again, if you need to. It's worth
getting it right.
- To cope with my nipple pain and to advance healing, I used
Lansinoh-brand lanolin. It's fantastic; get some if you need it. Actually, get
some anyway. Your nipples will thank you.
- If you're being threatened with mastitis due to a blocked
milk duct, address it STAT! I'm not saying this is a hard and fast rule, but
take heart knowing that I was able to avoid mastitis by making a concerted
effort at freeing the duct. Hot compress, nurse your baby with his/her nose
pointing toward the blocked duct, and (this sounds crazy, I know), take a
fine-toothed comb into the shower, lather it and lather your boob with soap,
and comb your boob downward, as though you're combing the block out of the
duct. It WORKS.
- Another good resource for breastfeeding information, aside
from Ina May's book, is Dr. Jack Newman. He's from Toronto, and is a leader in
the field. http://www.breastfeedinginc.ca/
- And, of course, La Leche League - a community of women all
over the world dedicated to providing breastfeeding help, support and resources
to new and seasoned mothers.
Childbirth
- Back to Ina May Gaskin: I can't speak highly enough of her
Guide to Childbirth. Whether you're planning on giving birth naturally, doing
it with the help of drugs, or haven't yet decided, read this book! It will
empower you, and give you everything you need to know about how to work your
way through pregnancy, labor and delivery. It's a fantastic book, and it taught
me virtually everything I know - relief positions, deep breathing, etc. It also
offers tons of birth stories of women who've done it naturally and had really
positive experiences.
- Don't forget the power of your mind once you go into
labour. Pick a focal point that works for you. Have your partner or doula
squeeze your hips, massage your lower back, be a lean-post for you... whatever
you find you're needing in the moment, go with it. Your mind is a powerful
thing, as is your body, and you can really retreat within yourself to help work
through contractions.
- BREATHE. This is number one. Swift breath in your nose
(count to four), slow breath out your mouth (count to eight). Relax every
muscle in your body. Keep your brow un-furrowed. Relax your lower jaw. keep
your shoulders loose. And breathe.
- Take classes! I was never really into this idea since I
did so much reading, and felt like there wasn't a ton I could learn from
classes - and I really didn't want to pay for them. But then I found this group
of doulas in my neighborhood called the Childbirth Collective, and they offered
a free class each week about something different. I got to choose which ones I
wanted to go to, and skip the ones I wasn't interested in. It was a great time
to pick up bits of information here and there, hear again about all the things
I'd read, ask questions, and chat with other expectant mums. The classes can just
be really fun - if only to mingle with other big bellies! and you'll get peace
of mind and confidence out of them.
- One thing that I learned in one of my classes is that
through each of the four stages of labour (early labour, active labour,
transition, pushing), the hormones that your body & brain need to cope and
push forward take about 30 minutes to kick in once each new stage comes about.
So you can be totally in the zone for early labour, then you bump up to active
labour, and there could possibly be a half-hour lag time where you start to
feel overwhelmed. This is where most women give up and feel like they're
defeated. But then the hormones kick in, and suddenly they're back in the zone!
Once during Margot's birth I actively felt ready to throw in the towel and toss
to the wind everything I'd been hoping for with regard to a natural childbirth;
I remembered throughout labour consciously telling myself, "do not say out
loud that you can't do this." Because I didn't want to let the thought in.
It did happen - once! - i said it - but the struggle passed, and on i went.
Just remember you CAN do this! Women have been doing it for a bajillion years.
And once you're done, you'll feel like the most powerful amazon woman there
ever was.
General
- kellymom.com is an AMAZING resource for all things
baby-related. Take advantage! It's a goldmine.
- Hormones. Don't feel bad if you find yourself overwhelmed
in the days and weeks following birth. Postpartum hormones are real and
powerful! And not lasting. So don't worry if you're completely scared, anxious,
overwhelmed, freaked out, confused, happy/sad/happy/sad...post-birth is a crazy
time, but things will regulate, and you will feel normal again. Remember that
as everything does, this too shall pass.
- Your body. Give it a break. It takes TIME to heal. Time.
Time. Time. The body is a powerful thing, but don't overwork it! Stay off your
feet, eat well, drink plenty of water, soak in the tub, and relax. And give
your body what it needs to slowly but surely get back on track.
You're strong and you're powerful. You're superhuman. The end.
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