So I went into pregnancy, birth, and parenthood trying to go with the "less is more" approach to the unbelievable amount of stuff that one traversing these life stages can quickly accumulate. Oh, the stuff. I've still tried to be pretty rational and not fall for every marketing ploy imaginable trying to play on parents' fears that we're not doing what's best for our babies by buying their stuff.
But I do like a few things in the baby-related world. And I'd recommend them to soon-to-be parents.
So here are some of those, in no particular order. Today's items are united by a dairy theme.
1. Waterproof mattress cover. For YOUR bed. Because goodness knows that the second you pull baby into bed for a little sleepy nursing session, you're bound to end up with milk, spit, pee, and all other bodily fluids trying to find a way to soak into your nice comfy mattress and stay there forever. We have one cover but I think we might spring for a second because there have been more than a few late-night cover washings to get it back on the bed again so we can sleep. (I'm always a fan of using chux in a pinch, and I recommend that you buy a pack for all pre-, peri-, and post- partum needs, but the re-usability of the mattress protector is awesome.)
2. A good breast pump. Yes, they're expensive. I more than lucked out in that department. But if you are going to be pumping at all, do yourself a favor on this one. In a pinch, I do use the freebie hand pump (um, seriously overpriced there) that the hospital gave me, but I think breastfeeding would have been much more difficult if I didn't have a good pump to use in the early days when the Mouse wouldn't eat. And now that daycare is approaching, I can't say enough good things about being able to pump and be done in 15 minutes flat.
3. It has a ridiculous name, but it's seriously the best: The My Brest Friend pillow. I don't need it as much anymore, and I'm only 5 months into parenting so it seems weird to encourage spending $40 for a short-lived product, but I would have paid three times that for all the use it got early on. I pretty much wore it constantly as E and I were figuring out how to feed. Really, really, really worth it.
4. The services of a calm, knowledgeable, patient, encouraging lactation consultant. Because, good grief, if you're going to nurse your bambino it sure does help to get help. Most people I know unfortunately didn't grow up seeing breastfeeding happen and our first real experience with it is when we're holding our new baby, delirious, trying to make it work. Sometimes it comes easy, sometimes not. Now everyone talks about the LC's at the hospitals, who are often overworked and underpaid and therefore rushed and perhaps not as sensitive as they could be (I say this having met only two or three). But if you don't like the first LC you find, try try again. There will be one out there who can give you and your baby the time and support that you need. And it will make a world of difference. Seriously. I have a note from our LC taped in Evelyn's baby book. It still brings tears to my eyes and all it says is "Keep doing what you're doing. Good work!" It was like my first A+ in breastfeeding.
5. Some salve. It's all I've needed and I'm afraid my addiction to it rivals my cravings for the ol' Beeswax Lip Balm. It's intense.
Okay, so that's my five favorite nursing mom items. Nothing too fancy.
So, I recommend that you go forth and confidently commit to breastfeeding. If I can do it, you can too.
But I do like a few things in the baby-related world. And I'd recommend them to soon-to-be parents.
So here are some of those, in no particular order. Today's items are united by a dairy theme.
1. Waterproof mattress cover. For YOUR bed. Because goodness knows that the second you pull baby into bed for a little sleepy nursing session, you're bound to end up with milk, spit, pee, and all other bodily fluids trying to find a way to soak into your nice comfy mattress and stay there forever. We have one cover but I think we might spring for a second because there have been more than a few late-night cover washings to get it back on the bed again so we can sleep. (I'm always a fan of using chux in a pinch, and I recommend that you buy a pack for all pre-, peri-, and post- partum needs, but the re-usability of the mattress protector is awesome.)
2. A good breast pump. Yes, they're expensive. I more than lucked out in that department. But if you are going to be pumping at all, do yourself a favor on this one. In a pinch, I do use the freebie hand pump (um, seriously overpriced there) that the hospital gave me, but I think breastfeeding would have been much more difficult if I didn't have a good pump to use in the early days when the Mouse wouldn't eat. And now that daycare is approaching, I can't say enough good things about being able to pump and be done in 15 minutes flat.
3. It has a ridiculous name, but it's seriously the best: The My Brest Friend pillow. I don't need it as much anymore, and I'm only 5 months into parenting so it seems weird to encourage spending $40 for a short-lived product, but I would have paid three times that for all the use it got early on. I pretty much wore it constantly as E and I were figuring out how to feed. Really, really, really worth it.
4. The services of a calm, knowledgeable, patient, encouraging lactation consultant. Because, good grief, if you're going to nurse your bambino it sure does help to get help. Most people I know unfortunately didn't grow up seeing breastfeeding happen and our first real experience with it is when we're holding our new baby, delirious, trying to make it work. Sometimes it comes easy, sometimes not. Now everyone talks about the LC's at the hospitals, who are often overworked and underpaid and therefore rushed and perhaps not as sensitive as they could be (I say this having met only two or three). But if you don't like the first LC you find, try try again. There will be one out there who can give you and your baby the time and support that you need. And it will make a world of difference. Seriously. I have a note from our LC taped in Evelyn's baby book. It still brings tears to my eyes and all it says is "Keep doing what you're doing. Good work!" It was like my first A+ in breastfeeding.
5. Some salve. It's all I've needed and I'm afraid my addiction to it rivals my cravings for the ol' Beeswax Lip Balm. It's intense.
Okay, so that's my five favorite nursing mom items. Nothing too fancy.
So, I recommend that you go forth and confidently commit to breastfeeding. If I can do it, you can too.
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-Flit