Pregnacy and Newborn Facts

Here is a google presentation on some facts I gathered for a class I taught on motherhood. I say "facts" because all this information can be found in my favorite sources:

-Babycenter.com

-Whattoexpect.com (or the book "What to Expect When Expecting")

(I highly recommend watching this...)
-Dr. Harvey Karp's "The Happiest Baby on the Block"

(I highly recommend reading this...)
-Kim Clark's "The Sleep Lady's Good Night Sleep Tight"


When pondering upon what to teach I felt strongly to focus on the area of life that my friends and I are in, which is either before pregnancy, pregnant, or currently have a baby! Then I thought about all the things I wish I would have known, especially when I got pregnant and even more so when I had a newborn! Hopefully these facts can educate you a bit and you can have some fun learning!

If you are viewing this presentation on a phone, scroll down to the very bottom of the screen and click "View web version" (instead of Mobile version). This way you can see the full presentation screen.

If you would like to download this, feel free to email me at britjessop@gmail.com

DIY vs. BUY

Has anyone else noticed that sometimes DIY is not the cheapest option out there? Have you ever found yourself buying all the materials for one project and then later realizing that you actually just spent more money (not to mention time) trying to DIY rather than just buying!?

So in regards to baby things, here is a list (and their accompanying how-to site if there is one) on what was better for me personally to DIY and what was better for me to BUY.

*Note - All the items under BUY can still be DIY! Depending on your talent and materials available in the area it may work out better to DIY, let me know!*

DIY

DIY Wubbanub - This can really help your baby have an easier time finding his/her own binky! Choose your own binky and stuffed animal, put a glob of hot glue on the back of a binky and stick it onto the face of any stuffy!

DIY Double Swaddle aka Secret Swaddle - The outside blanket can be any swaddle blanket or wrap (we use our muslin ones). The inner blanket is any double/triple folded receiving blanket. Weave the folded receiving blanket around arms and behind the back, then swaddle baby. More info http://styleberryblog.com/the-secret-swaddle-my-sleep-solution

DIY Baby head wraps - Use your old stretchy shirts or thrifted shirts or even 1/6 yard of jersey material. When you're making something this small you don't have to pay a fortune on yardage. Pinterest "baby head wraps" because I have too many links to list!

DIY Felt - There is so much you can do with felt, it's a personal favorite of mine and a go to for customized baby shower gifts! You're really only spending pennies to purchase felt.  Hot glue it on headbands and beanies or stitch it to a onesie!

DIY Free White Noise App "Relax Melodies" - I love this app so much! There is an actual oscillating fan, vacuum, humming, white noise, wind, birds, and music box sounds (and so much more!) The best thing about this app is that you can turn off your screen and it will keep playing (uses only about 30% battery life in 12 hours of playing!) Take it anywhere with you!

DIY Refurbished Chair - find a cheap chair and dress it up!
http://britjessop.blogspot.com/2015/02/diy-chair-cover.html

DIY Baby Closet (especially for those tight on space) - We ended up screwing a wooden dowel so it would hold more weight, but feel free to use a tension rod. http://britjessop.blogspot.com/2014/09/small-space-baby-closet-bookshelf-to.html

DIY Dollar Store Storage bins (put them in closet or under changing table) - Have you been down the dollar store bin aisle lately? Bins like these you could easily cover with contact paper or fabric or even spray paint to match your nursery.
http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2013/04/reader-space-pretty-place-to-play.html

DIY Baby Announcement (Walmart photo print) - I took a screen shot of a fancy card I made on an online announcement site and had it print out as a regular 4x6 print at Walmart (I love their matte finish photos). http://photos.walmart.com/walmart/welcome 

DIY Freezer Burritos - It's one thing to feed your baby but another thing to feed yourself and your husband (and other kiddos). I like to add brown rice to mine, feel free to add meat as well! Perfect for a grab and go lunch for your husband and a quick lunch for yourself!

http://moneysavingmom.com/2012/09/lunchbox-freezer-cooking-bean-cheese-burritos-day-1.html#_a5y_p=990227

BUY

BUY Muslin Swaddle blankets - Might as well buy it, since muslin fabric is hard to find. It's super versitile, drape over car seat, burp rag if needs be or a nursing cover (nice because the fabric is breathable). They wash up beautifully.

BUY Moby Wrap - Jersey fabric can be super expensive to DIY. The last DIY wrap I searched called for 5 yards and the cheapest Jersey material I could find was $17.00 a yard! 

BUY Disposable Diapers and wipes - I admire those who do washable! Did you know buying in store (not online) Walmart brand diapers (ParentsChoice)  are generally 50% cheaper than brand diapers? *Some parents have to try multiple brands if their baby's skin is sensitive... What works for me may not always work for others and that's ok!*

BUY Tissues - We use these way more than burp clothes because we strategically place multiple boxes around the house. 

BUY Desitin - This works wonders for our  baby (again, your baby's skin could be different, some may need to DIY an organic paste) but we've  never had a full out Diaper rash and I think it's due to the fact that we use this as a preventative measure if we notice a little redness coming.

BUY Disposable Nursing Pads - Eventually you might get to the point were you find time to wash your DIY pads or DIY diapers etc... But for me the first few weeks was all about disposables.

BUY paper plates/ plastic cups/utesils - There was no way I was going to DIY those dishes the first week! This may have been one of the best gifts I received prior to having my baby!

Hospital Bags and What to Expect from the Hospital

This post is a bit different than your usual hospital bag post because I will be adding some c-section things to the Hospital Bag list in case you have an emergency c-section like I did! Further down this post I will also share what you can expect from Hospitals, specifically the Madison Memorial Hospital in Rexburg and what items and services they provide. 

Okay! Now on to the Hospital Bags!

Mom's Bag:

• Easy slip on shoes (there's no way you want to/can bend over especially with c-section)
• Headband/hair tie (you don't have to but you don't want your hair distracting you)
• Socks (2-3 pair if c-section stay)
• Underwear (2-3 if c-section stay, high waist so band does not rest on c-section incision)
• Comfy departure outfit (again, think about choosing pants that hit around belly button to avoid pressure on the incision)
• Robe (if you have c-section, you'll want something quick and easy to throw on to walk the halls)
• Travel sized shampoo/conditioner (2-1 is nice)
• Travel size body-wash
• Face wipes/face wash (wipes are a quick and easy bedside freshen up!)
• Toothpaste and toothbrush (pack a new one, you don't want to get there and realize you left it home on the bathroom counter, or you do bring it but leave it at the hospital)
• Makeup (personal preference, you don't have to but there will be a camera crew offering to take newborn pictures of you and your baby!)
• Deodorant
• Kotex Security Maxi Pads (seriously the softest and cushiest, sitting on a pillow, I prefer without wings)
• Chapstick (during labor/delivery you are breathing super hard and your lips will feel it the next day!)
• Chapstick (yes it's on here twice, you don't want to lose it!)
• Lanolin (for nipples but I used it as Chapstick as well because I kept misplacing mine?!)
• Nursing pillow (nice to have, but you can ask for extra pillows if you don't have one)
• Mints (if you're expecting visitors and hugs and kisses!)
• Medea nipple shield (backup if nursing is painful or baby has hard time latching) find at Walmart, Target, Toys R Us, see my breastfeeding essentials post for more info http://britjessop.blogspot.com/2015/01/breastfeeding-essentials-top-10.html

Baby's Bag:

• Baby mittens (those hands go crazy with their new found freedom!)
• Cute blanket for pics (but they do have blankets there)
• Departure outfit (they strongly encourage skin to skin, your baby will more than likely not be dressed a lot while there)
• Car seat (they won't let you and baby leave the hospital without one)
• Newborn diapers (just in case they have stopped providing diapers and wipes since I've been there!)
• Wipes (just in case)
• Bum cream (we like Desitin)
• Binky (this depends on you, if there's a certain style you want or if you don't want your baby to use one at all, the nurses might give one to baby if you don't specify with them first)

Dad's Bag:

• Camera/phone
• Chargers for camera/phone
• Change of clothes (2-3 pairs if staying multiple days for c-section)
• Toothbrush/paste
• Deodorant 

What to Expect from Madison Memorial Hospital in Rexburg, Idaho:

Take note that you can bring more clothes to wear during your stay but honestly the hospital gowns are so convienant because you're constantly nursing and having your baby skin to skin that I didn't find myself wearing much else during my three day stay. Except when some photographers came in, then I did put a shirt on... over my gown haha. Also when walking the halls after surgery (prescribed by the nurses) I found it easier to have slip on shoes (i.e. slippers, crocs, flats, etc) and a robe. The showers are clean at this hospital so no need for shower shoes, unless you still feel wary about it. The showers even have a red heat light which is so nice! The shower also has some soap in it... not sure if it was shampoo, body wash or hand soap? (Might be a good idea to bring your own) Feel free to combine mom and baby's bag or Dad and baby's bag, or whatever gets you there with less bags to carry! (I preferred backpacks because it doesn't require any hands). No need to pack snacks because they have a free Dad's snack bar! I also had my husband snag me some snacks too! Unless of course you have to bring a big bag of dried mangos from Costco... I thought about it. A camera crew will be coming around at some point and offer to take pictures of your newborn, it's kind of nice to get pictures so soon but pretty pricey on the other hand... You've also probably heard about the celebratory meal that the new mom and dad get, it's pretty delicious, I had chicken cordon bleu and chocolate cake! There will be some DVD's about taking baby home that you will be required to watch before you leave. There is a lactation consultant who will visit you, but if you're struggling, demand to see her sooner! If you have an epidural they will place massaging casts over your legs while you are in bed, so as to increase circulation. Last but certainly not least, if you have a c-section, after surgery you will be hooked up to a catheter for the first 24hrs (I had no idea they would be doing this), so as to not strain yourself by getting up to use the bathroom, take advantage of this and drink drink drink.

Now I'll take a few lines to go over what this hospital in particular gives you... This way you can know what not to pack and what you can ask for if they forget to give you something. There are a few things that they won't give you unless you request it and I will list those below as well...

What they give you:

• A pack of newborn diapers
• A few baby wipes
• Halo swaddle wrap (fleece)
• Big water bottle with straw
• Small baby bath bin and sponge/brush 
• Disposable underwear
• Pads (there are different pads for c-Section to accommodate the extra bleeding, they are huge!)
• Numbing spray 
• Squeeze bottle (to cleanse perineal area with warm water)

Things Upon Request:

• Stool softeners (ask from the get go, you want that first bowel movement to be easy and comfortable down there!)
• Binky/pacifier
• Lanolin (which is a safe hydrating nipple cream)
• Ice pack diapers (diapers filled with ice, they work wonderfully)
• More disposable underwear
• More pads
• Manual hand pump
• Benadryl (if you itch from epidural)
• Extra pillows 
• Extra blankets

Specific to C-section, Upon Request:

• Ask for multiple disposable underwear (since you are there longer)
• Extras of those huge underwear pads (on top of the usual post birth bleeding you will get extra blood drainage from the incision)
• Syringe with infant formula *if you need (c-section milk "can tend" to come in a few days late... and baby needs to eat something!)
• Support brace belt (A MUST FOR C-SECTION, prevents you from flexing your abs too much, helps you transition out of bed, etc. Seriously, I challenge you right now to try getting up from laying down in bed without flexing your abs one bit, harder than you think! Also try laughing and sneezing without flexing... Dang you funny husband)
• *** ASK DR/NURSE about a liquid diet for the first 24hrs (trust me, you do not want a bowel movement for as long as possible. I'm forever grateful to my Dr. for prescribing this because not all Dr's do this anymore! Your abs should not be pushing/straining one bit, the stitches are extremely sensitive at this point)***

Pregnancy Stretch Marks - Prevention and Remedy

The Esthetician in me finally speaks out! Stretch marks. You either get them or you don't. Rumor is that genetics play a big role in it, but I beg to differ... Let me tell you something, I have them but my Mom ain't got squat (sorry for the shout out Mom!) I will just tell you now that there is no super cure to stretch marks either (ok yes, there is a series of laser procedures which will remove them but that is out of the question, good grief I'm a college student!) 

                                

The fact of the matter is this: the prevention I will mention will "lessen" stretch marks and the remedy I mention is to "fade" them... I have never fully gotten rid of them (and yes I've been dealing with stretch marks since my teen years, waaaay before the added pregnancy stretch marks). Battle wounds right?! Hold my head high right?! Maybe you too are also one of those women who sinks into despair whenever a fellow pregnant lady or fellow Mom says "I haven't got any stretch marks." ... They have no idea...

ANYWAYS, enough chat, here's the deal, 

1. Water - Skin needs moisture, the more the better. Water is an easy YES when it comes to skin care in general. The more water content skin has, the easier the skin can stretch without strain (aka stretch marks).

2. CeraVe Intensive Stretch Mark Cream - This is my holy grail. After trying expensive collagen and elastin lotions, greasy bio oil and chocolatey cocoa butter, I wanted something that absorbed fast and had no stickiness to it... Or chocolate dessert smell to it... This was it, it has hyaluronic acid in it which binds moisture to the skin for long periods of time and absorbs into the skin extremely fast! The price is better then the other products too. There is a light smell to it, but untraceable to those standing close by. This cream needs to be applied at LEAST 2 times a day, I repeat - the more moisturized your skin is the more easily it can stretch without being strained/stretched! Apply morning and night (or more) and especially right after bath/showers when your pores have been opened up and will absorb better! My skin felt so soft with this too, bonus! It has faded my stretch marks better than any product I've tried, the key though is consistency, do not skip an application, start applying in the second trimester or even the first! I'm still using it and probably will for a long time!

Find it at Walmart, Walgreens, etc.

3. PreNatals - It's true, vitamins are wonderful for the skin. No need to go crazy and take extra supplements on the side this time though. Prenatals are double, even triple the amount of the normal dosage, so needless to say your skin will be getting extra benefits too.

4. Bathe - Bathing is completely different then a shower and more necessary in this case. Sit and soak in the tub, let your skin actually get a chance to literally soak up some water! Shoot for 3-7 times a week. This will ensure a deep penetration of the cream you will be applying afterwards as well. But let's not forget what we put in the bath water...

5. St. Ives Oatmeal and Shea Butter Body Wash - Pour some of the wash into the running bath water and enjoy a bubble bath! In esthetic school colloidal oatmeal masks were applied to patients with the driest of skin, thus suggesting it's highly moisturizing properties. Oatmeal also has a calming and soothing effect on irrated and/or sensitive skin as well. Feel free to even sprinkle some actual oats in the water too!

Breastfeeding Essentials. Top 10. (Especially for new Moms!)

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to breastfeeding. I had envisioned breastfeeding to be simple and satisfying as it is portrayed in the media. For a lot of women it probably does come easy, but I created this list because it didn’t come easily to me. I thought I had prepared myself months prior by attending classes and reading book after book. What I really needed was an experienced Mom to sit me down and say, “Here’s what you need in case things don’t go as you plan.” I hope I can be that Mom now and share with you the products I have found to be essential for breastfeeding.

1. Water. Plenty of it! As much as you can muster! I think you all know that more water = more milk!

2. Medela Contact Nipple Shield. Maybe I was just one of the select few who experienced pain from breastfeeding in the first week? Blisters and all... This helped ALOT. It created a barrier while the nipple could heal and toughen up. It also helped with feedings at first because when my milk came in I had plenty of it, enough that my baby would gag! These shields control the flow to baby's pace and allows your milk to adjust to baby's needs. The lactation consultants will never tell you that, I love them dearly but don't let them sway you otherwise. A shield was also mandatory when I was engorged and my baby had a hard time latching to the stiffness! We were able to wean off well in no time too (I'll cover how that happened in another post). Pack one just in case is what I say! It'll save you and baby some tears if things don't go the way you plan. Pay close attention to the sizing, you'll want to measure the diameter of your own nipple. Medium size is 24mm, anything smaller is size Small. Any doubts, amazon has good reviews!

Find here: (also at Walmart)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000067PQ0/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?qid=1420935082&sr=8-4&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70

More info here:

http://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/products/583/contact-nipple-shields#!Overview

3. Disposable Breast Pads. It can be a messy situation to get the hang of breast feeding, seriously, leaking at baby crying, after unlatching, during showers etc... Plus a good tip is to lather up the pad with some lanolin during that first week (see #8). About day three you'll be really glad you can just throw these away instead of washing them!

Find it here: (also Walmart, Target, etc)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002TLU5JO/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1420937730&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SY200_QL40&dpPl=1&dpID=41N65AEjJSL&ref=plSrch

4. Walgreens Infant Gas Relief Drops. We went through a lot of different brands of gas drops and this one was our favorite, she liked the flavor of it what can I say. Also the syringe and bottle are the best, just tip the bottle upside down and insert the syringe and pull down. And yes I did taste all the others... This one tastes like vanilla pudding (the others were yucky fruity flavor). Any gas drop out there is basically the ingredient simethicone and what simethicone does is bind all the small bubbles to make a big bubble, so it is easier and quicker for baby to pass. Do not underestimate how much time is spent burping a baby! We liked giving it to our baby before feeding, the directions say after feeding or as often as your pediatrician recommends. 

Find it here: 

http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/walgreens-infant-gas-relief-drop/ID=prod6127341-product

5. Medela Double Breast Pump. This day and age is great you guys. I admit that pumping is a bit awkward at first but the sooner you get over that the sooner you realize the many possibilities available. I pumped at first because I got engorged and plugged. I produced more than my baby was eating and I needed to drain, BAD. It just so turned out that pumping turned out to be quite the blessing for my husband because that meant he could feed our baby a pumped bottle at night time to help me out. The husbands REALLY want to help us and bond with the baby ladies, please let them! Also, don't freak out at the word "bottle", your baby will still latch fine if you're breastfeeding throughout the day, they are smart! I'm in the category of having them know both ways of eating (Side note, the "Sleep Lady" author Kim West said that she fed both her breastfed babies formula at night because it takes longer to digest, thus helping them to sleep longer and get them used to it in case something ever happened to her and/or her milk supply!) It would make the transition easier on the baby for sure, so would having a freezer full of pumped breastmilk! You never know what could happen!) Medicaid covers a breast pump completely. They do run expensive otherwise though... Maybe see if a friend has one to borrow BUT please buy all new bottles and tubes etc. 

Find it here: (also at Walmart)

http://www.amazon.com/Medela-Pump-Style-Advanced-Breast/dp/B004HWXCJS

6. Health-O-Meter Grow With Me Baby and Toddler Scale. I'd say this is the most reassuring breastfeeding device ever! Having this little scale (it really is pretty small) you can do weighed feedings. So you simply weigh your baby before you feed, then breastfeed, then weigh again and viola, you can see how much they drank! I literally went berserk before I had this wondering if my baby was getting enough or getting too little... This scale is heaven sent and on sale at amazon (also heaven sent). The scale also converts into a toddler scale by removing the infant tray. Plus is has a zero out feature and shows two decimal places over.

Find it here:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0009MFUZE/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1420944762&sr=1-2&pi=AC_SX200_QL40&dpPl=1&dpID=31W6Q2F4QML&ref=plSrch

7. Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags. Simple enough, if you are pumping and have extra, freeze it! Follow the rule of 4. Freshly pumped breastmilk can be set out on a counter for 4 hours, in the fridge for 4 days and in the freezer for 4 months. Do not however take refrigerated breastmilk and put in the freezer. *Only freeze freshly pumped breastmilk*. Let it freeze lying flat and once frozen you can store it much easier!

Find it here: (also at Walmart)

http://www.amazon.com/Lansinoh-Breastmilk-Storage-Bags-Count/dp/B006XISCNA

8. Lansinoh Lanolin Cream. You are going to want this for sure during your first week at least. Your nipples "may" get dry, cracked and blistered... And hurt... Sorry ladies it's the truth, aren't you glad I'm telling you though?! Not everyone experiences this but have it on hand just in case ok? It has the consistency of Vaseline but it does no harm to the baby. So right after a feeding apply liberally to the nipples (and apply breast pad over if desired). Fun tip, since this was always by my side I used it as Chapstick as well and loved it!

Find it here: (also at Walmart)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005MI648C/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1420945332&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX200_QL40&dpPl=1&dpID=41%2BpYqQxGvL&ref=plSrch

9. Dr. Browns BPA Free Baby Bottles. Just trust me when I say we've tried other bottles... Save you and your baby the frustration of trying out new bottle after new bottle and just stick with this one! The parts inside this bottle make it so the air bubbles get sucked out before they go into your baby's mouth. You literally cannot see any bubbles in the milk while your baby is drinking, whereas all the other bottles you could see bubbles plain as day. Sure the little parts will get frustrating to wash every time, but grab a bottle brush and a nice drying rack and it'll all be worth it.

Find it here: (also at Walmart)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B006VOJ8LG/ref=mp_s_a_1_9?qid=1420945875&sr=8-9&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70

10. Prenatals. Any brand will do, I just posted the chewy kinds because I know a few women who's stomachs couldn't handle the regular kinds, no fault to them. If that is you please don't skip out on them, try these instead. This will insure your baby is getting proper nutrition especially in that first week when there is so much going on you may forget to eat a meal! 

Find it: pretty much anywhere!

Thought I'd add one more! (Not pictured though)

11. Nursing Bra. I don't really have a "favorite" because I currently have a few different ones and there are so many I still want to try BUT I do know they come quite in handy when feeding or pumping. Don't begin to think that you don't need one... I hear Target has some nice ones!