These are just a few tips and ideas to keep in mind if your getting ready to have your little bundle of joy.
1. Sleep. You wont be looked at as a bad mother if you ask the nurses to take the baby during the night so you can get a few precious hours of sleep. They will wake you up when she needs fed (if breast feeding) and care for her in any other way they may need. You have to remember what you just put your body through. You deserve and need rest. You have lots of sleepless nights ahead.
2. Speak up to the nurse's. If you feel that something is wrong with either you or your baby you need to tell someone. If its truly bothering you speak up and make sure you are HEARD. Don't let them brush you off just because they are busy. I wanted to breast feed my child, but was having some trouble. I told the nurse's when I first arrived at the hospital I was going to want to see the lactation lady for help when Paige was born. Thinking this heads up would help them schedule a time for her to see me. The first morning there I again asked to see the lactation expert. I was told she was very busy but she would try. In the mean time the nurse tried to "help me". The second day at the hospital I told them again, My breast/nipples were really tender at this point (which I knew meant she wasn't latching on right) and again the nurses "helped" and said they would try to get the lactation lady in to see me. When I finally did get some time with her (very rushed time) she basically said I was too sore, and yes my child was not latching on correctly. But that I need to take a break for a few days and try when I wasn't so tender. I never was able to get her to latch on correctly. And I left the hospital pretty frustrated. Also make your preferences known too. If you do not want your child to have a pacifier tell them.
3. Speak up to your friends/family. You want to share your bundle of joy to the world, but you also just want a moment of piece with your new little family. Often people get so caught up in the excitement of the new baby they don't realize that you perhaps too might want to hold your baby! Dont be afraid to kick people out and just take a moment to be with your baby. I choose to not have anyone in our delivery room except my boyfriend. This was the very first moments of our life together with this baby. We are the people that matter most at the exact moment. I think it helps bond you to go through that together as a family. We allowed everyone in soon enough to see the baby, but that moment was just for us. We also made sure to have time alone just the 3 of us in the days to come.
4. Take everything. Im not saying to steal everything. And I do recommend asking a nurse first, but most hospitals have a policy where when you leave you can take everything that cant be washed or sanitized. This means you can take the diapers they have in the changing table, Snot sucker (Guard this with your life! You might even see if they will give you an extra one to take home too, these ones work 100% better than any one you can buy. Trust me) "Diapers/pads" (the ones for you, as gross as it is you will be needing these for at least the first few days) If your like me and tried breast feeding and borrowed a pump they may even give you the tubes and attachments needed to use the pump. Yep, those are yours to take too (the pump has to be returned of course). And if bottle feeding, any formula they may have left in the room. Sometimes the bottles can be taken as well- again just ask. In addition you can also usually take the newborn beany as a memento, but not the blankets.
5. In the weeks leading up to your due date make sure you take the time to strap the base of the carseat into the car so its ready to go. I also put the seat in my trunk so it would be on hand and ready. Pack your over night bag and leave it by the door ( I also just put this in my trunk so it was there waiting) When packing your bag there are a few things to consider. You will NOT be fitting into your size 2 jeans when you leave the hospital (and if you do, mothers everywhere hate you) many women opt to take sweats to wear home. I took a maternity dress and flip flops. It takes up little space and you dont look like a total bum when leaving. You also sadly, will not be wearing cute, sassy underwear when you leave. Pack the granny panties. Entertainment, a book or laptop will come in handy for both you and the daddy. A camera, and of course baby clothes and blanket. The hospital may provide shampoo and such but lets face it, it usually sucks so bring your own bathroom kit.
6. Enjoy, try not to stress too much. there is plenty of time for that later.
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