How Do I Get Pregnant

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How is it possible the staff has let me leave the hospital with such a helpless little creature? I had these thoughts on the day I brought my baby home. My newborn seemed so different than those chubby babies I had babysat - and I was totally responsible for her health and well being! It had finally hit me; I was the parent, the one who magically has all the answers. Apparently there was no secret “confidence booster switch” which was flipped into the ON position after giving birth. Could I do this? It did not seem possible I could be as capable as she? The panic began to set in.

I found that placing my baby into the car seat was quite a feat. We had bought the best baby travel system we could find. The convenience of having an infant seat that fit perfectly in my car or stroller was wonderful. The previously perfect infant seat seemed to have grown to huge proportions once our new baby was lost in it! Wasn’t she safer in my arms than alone in a car seat! Logic and my husband managed to convince me to let go. Since they have limited muscle control, newborns end up scrunched down into one corner of their car seat. My husband calls it the “amoeba” stage. You should purchase some padded support for those first few weeks of amoeba life.

Once we were home, I struggled with needing to rest and wanting to be with our baby. Plus, she seemed constantly hungry. It was quite challenging to find a place in our home for nursing while we were both learning the process. Most moms find they need to try several positions before finding the one or two which work best. Some people use ring slings, fabric carriers that allow you to carry the baby around with you. If adjusted correctly, it can be a great way to position the baby for nursing. I preferred to use my ring sling as a convenient hands-free carrier. Both baby and I found we preferred the rocking chair for nursing.

My baby needed changing every time she ate and often times in between her meals. It seems that newborns can put out an impressive amount. I had chosen to use Fuzzi Bunz cloth diapers. The adjustable elastic really helped in the learning stage for me and my baby. Some interesting diapering issues arise from a a “liquid only” diet.” Most of the biggest diaper issues occurred in the first week. Be prepared for the unexpected is the motto you will live by! No matter how good the cloth diapers were, they only worked as well as my attempts to fasten them. Of course they will not work at all if you do not fasten them quickly enough!

Although that first day home is daunting, it is the start of an amazing new chapter. Adaptability is the key to the first months. Your abilities will be constantly tested. I constantly called on all my resources, pretending to be as capable and in control as my mother. One day I realized she had probably been pretending as well - that day I realized I was a parent too.

Technorati Tags: baby, family, first day, hospital, infant, Maternity, newborn, parent, parenting

As your baby’s birth approaches, you may find yourself so caught up in the homecoming event that you may overlook items you need to help make your baby’s arrival home as smooth as possible. To avoid this hiccup, it is a great idea to slowly purchase required products before your due date so you can make sure you have everything you need and you have time to procure any missed items. There are some essential items which will assure you and your baby have an easy hospital-to-home transition.

First and foremost, have a rear-facing car seat. Your baby will not be allowed to leave the hospital without one. It is not necessary to immediately have a stroller to bring your baby home though you may want to consider looking into baby travel systems which provide the required infant car seat and also a stroller which you’ll later need.

Not often realized by many parents are the benefits to the close-contact bonding of wearing your infant. Research has shown that the use of baby wrap and sling-style carriers that keep baby close to mom or dad offer many benefits to the baby’s development. Though not critical to the arrival day, these types of carriers are great to use right from the beginning.

You’ll need a place for your baby to sleep when he or she arrives home. A crib or bassinet and a couple of sets of bedding will be needed. As a bassinet provides a more compact space to which newborns are accustomed and a crib offers roomier for mobility baby’s growth, many parents decide to purchase both a crib and a bassinet for their baby. In several weeks to a few months, after your infant has become more acquainted with the outside world, he or she can more comfortably sleep in the crib.

Receiving blankets are excellent for swaddling your baby, as newborns have a difficult time regulating their body temperature. They also come in handy when there’s spit-up after a burping. Tightly wrapping your infant in a receiving blanket offers a comforting sleep during nighttime sleeping or mid-day naps.

Many infants appear to have a near-constant hunger, especially in the first days and nights, so being prepared for proper feeding is crucial. Many of the items you’ll need for feeding are largely dependent upon your decision of formula or breast feeding. In either case, you’ll need some basic items such as bibs, burping cloths and bottles – even with breastfeeding, many mom’s like to store some breast milk for future feedings or letting dad enjoy some feeding time with baby.If you’ll be formula feeding, you need to have a several weeks of formula before your baby’s arrival home. If choosing to breastfeed, you should consider the convenience of a breast pump and nursing pads to comfort sensitive nipples.

For your baby’s arrival, you’ll also need to have plenty of diapers at home. You may find yourself going through as many as 10-12 diaper changes each day. You will have to decide whether to use disposable or cloth diapers. Disposable diapers generally offer the easiest use but will add up to much more money during the course of diapering. One-size cloth diapers are also easy to purchase and use, but you’ll also need diaper inserts with them. Wether cloth or disposable diapering, you’ll need to have an abundance of baby wipes, a changing table or pad, baby powder, and diaper rash cream.

Basic baby health care items your child will be important to have upon arriving home. A newborn or infant first aid kit, which includes a nasal aspirator, thermometer, and toenail clippers, among other things, is one such item. For baby’s first bath, make sure you have an infant tub, hooded bath towels, tearless shampoo, and baby lotion.

Though baby toys can be extremely fun to pick out, generally, your baby won’t need many toys during the first couple of months, but there are a few worth having upon arrival. Toys that stimulate baby’s senses are invaluable. It’s never too early to start stimulating development. Baby can find much enjoyment and comfort through the soothing songs and sounds of a soft toy or mobile.

By covering all of the essentials, you and your baby will find the transition home enjoyable. With a proper understanding as to what’s important for baby’s first few weeks at home, you’ll be able to better plan his or her arrival and reduce your stress. Most of all, remember that this is a very special time for your whole family so, even if you do overlook something, don’t let the “little things” get in the way of enjoying this time with your new baby.

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