Saturday, July 13, 2013

Observations of a new mother

I didn't want to post such hum-drum on Silas's dedicated blog, but I did want to note some of the things I have observed in the last month as a new mother:

  • if you get a c-section, the following will help you recover quicker:
    • walk a lot (easy if you have a baby in the NICU)
    • drink lots of fluids
    • drink lots of prune juice - LOTS
    • make sure they are giving you stool softener
    • sleep as much as you can (not easy if you have a baby in the NICU)
  • breastfeeding, pumping, and bottle-feeding
    • breastfeeding really can be challenging
    • spend as much time with lactation consultants as you can
    • it's all about hand expressing in the first few days
    • make sure you're using the right size flanges if you are pumping. This makes a HUGE difference
    • Dr. Brown's bottles are great: less gas
    • if bottle feeding, get an occupational therapist to help - side lying position rocks
    • cloth diaper burp cloths: so awesome and my very favorite
  • MVPs of the layette include:
    • side snap shirts with mitten cuffs
    • gowns with mitten cuffs
    • sleep sacks. Especially this one
What I'm surprised I haven't used:
  • onesies
  • sleepers
  • hats
  • swaddlers

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