first, the "what you need" list

things you need for a newborn

1- one birthing class, one book about childcare with more pictures than text

2- babyshowers are lifesavers- get as involved in the planning of it as you can- if you don't already have one in the making, lemme know, because i'm dying to commune with other mothers and mothers-to-be

3- at least 9 onesies- there will be times when you'll want to cut them off instead of pulling them over your baby's head

4- one package of newborn pampers (has a notch for the umbilical cord) and one package of size one storebrand diapers, one package of wipes with no perfume or alcohol (newborns are sensitive to fragrances, and you'll start out using cloths before wipes)

we are in love with those disposable peewee changing pads- they're waterproof, so if she pees while we're changing her, we can just pick it up and throw it away and the mess is all gone

5- uhhhhhhmmmmm if you can- a diaper genie- otherwise a trashcan with a lid

6- a temporary or full sized crib or someplace to sleep the baby when you and your husband want the bed to yourselves

7- a monitor, depending on your housing situation

8- an evenflo bottle starter set (compatible with pumps, if you use one), a big pot for boiling/ sanitizing bottles, starter nipples (if they don't already have holes, make them- there is nothing worse than trying to feed a hysterically hungry baby with a closed nipple in the middle of the night

9- if you plan to be away or want to share feedings with your husband, and you're breastfeeding, get an electric breastpump. i'm working full time, and i couldn't imagine not having it- if you'll be at home, wait on this. some women never pump. nursing bras if you're breastfeeding (cheaper and the milk comes in anyway- may as well use it)
lansinoh disposable nursing pads and lanolin (for leakage and nipple soreness), softshells to keep nipples from scraping up against bras when they're sore

ABOUT THE LACTATION CONSULTANT::::: 5 minutes with a woman who has breastfed before will save you the $150 and the stress!!!!!!!!!!!!!

- have some formula on hand, either way- either a a supplement or a regular food. we got a ton of formula for free at the prenatal classes

10- one long sleeved button up the legs otfit for each day of the week or more, depending on how often you want to do laundry (two weeks is preferable). one snowsuit for going out in this weather. 1-2 pairs of socks. one "layette gown" (open at the bottom for quick pull up and diaper change- some babies take to these better than others, depending on their activity level- ours didn't take to them at all because she's so active
what size? start with 0-3 months. ours is about to grow out of these clothes at about 2 months old, but she is also very tall

baby detergent- don't believe the hype- i was using it and soon discovered my husband wasn't- and we couldn't tell the difference

11- one pacifier- don't buy more till you know if your baby likes them

12- 2 bibs for bottle feedings

13- bath-tub, baby wash/shampoo, nail cutters, nose-cleaning bulb, thermometer

14- a good mobile and a play gym- both can be lifesavers. they say that once babies get used to swinging they can't sleep otherwise, so we stayed away from that-

15- 2 or 3 books or when you start to feel guilty for not reading to your baby

16- if you're in the money, buy one of those rocking chairs. if you're not, sit in them wenever you go shopping to relieve your legs and stresses

2nd, the pressure on the pelvic bone:
in the last month or two of your pregnancy the baby starts to descend further into your pelvis, creating some discomfort. for the last month of my pregnancy i felt lik my pelvis would break.

i was upset, toward the end of my pregnancy, that tehre were no references on early labor. i had regular contractions for about 3 weeks before i was induced. i wish i would have known that was possible, so i could have relaxed about it instead of feeling like i was about to give birth at any moment- prelabor can be a bitch, but, in my case, after all that i had a very short active labor and only pushed for 10 minutes-


there ya go, summa my newfound wisdom.....

oh yeh- and make sure you're maximizing your cuddle time with your husband now- it helps INFINATELY


==**peace**==

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