Entrepreneur In Training

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=50135408n (60 minutes- Born good? Babies help unlock the origins of morality 11/18/12)

wedge shaped pillow (for third trimester sleeping)
Breastfriend (a special pillow for breastfeeding)
Glider Chair (yes you really do need this for breastfeeding)
Moby Wrap (perfect for newborns- bit of a learning curve on HOW to wrap)
exercise ball at least 65" (can be used for gentle exercise, labor, and bouncing baby)

Things that I did that I am very glad I did: What-Why

Got a Doula- helped with natural labor and to inform us about choices
Did natural labor- was amazing experience, baby was super alert, and my recovery was very rapid
Took pre/post-natal pictures- such a special time it is neat to have really good pictures
Kept baby stuff to a minimum- there are sooo many things you CAN get it is overwhelming...but you only NEED a few things.
Were strategic about what shots/drops/procedures etc we had done in the hospital- much of the "standard offering" is not the "best" for every baby....but it is "best" on aggregate for the USA population when you take into account all socio-economic and education levels across the population.
Decided to breastfeed- everything I am reading discusses all the advantages to the baby
Took a new parent/childbirth class- learned a ton!
Had "family only" time after baby was born (just mom/dad/baby)- gave us an opportunity to learn how to do things the way we wanted without feeling judged (had friends/family help by doing mealtrain)
Got massages/reflexology post-pardem - I was sore from birth/breastfeeding so it was great to work it out and also was good to have an hour without the baby.

Things that I didn't do that I wish I would have:

attend a class on breastfeeding or read the breastfeeding book BEFORE baby was born (I had no clue what was going on/what to do!)
take a probiotic after the birth (because I had taken antibiotics during labor)
buy a breastfriend and a glider (necessities for breastfeeding comfortably)

Things that came as a surprise:

that I was strong enough to have a natural labor
how much back-labor hurts
engorgement/challenge of breastfeeding
how many burp cloths/blankets we get dirty in a day (we do a load everyday now)
that the lack of sleep wasn't THAT big of a deal (people oversold this)
that my hormones went nuts and I was in love with everything/everyone (people undersold this....granted this is exacerbated by lack of sleep....it is kinda the exact opposite of baby blues...)
how much fun being a mom is!

Wednesday, April 10, 2013