There is no baby book that tells you the things you learn first hand during your first 2 weeks as parents.
You don't need a crib or even a bassinet. You need a warm chest and supportive arms to cuddle your baby all night long. Co-sleeping is where it is at!
Skip the paper diapers and use cloth! The absorbency and the way the poop doesn't stick to the baby's skin, is priceless. We use about one wipe each diaper change versus the 5 or 6 we were using when we temporarily used the paper diapers for the first few days. CLOTH DIAPERS ARE AMAZING!
Nursery? If you are still stressing about not having your nursery done, don't worry. All you need is your arms, your bed and a couch. You will barely walk into your nursery except to grab clean clothes and more diapers.
A bouncy chair with vibrating movements and a lullaby is the best way to cook dinner or get a bit of a break when you need to do chores. Baby will fall asleep in no time!
As far as Mom-care goes: You will learn to LOVE the big elastic underwear from the hospital. Keep them, wash them and use them! They hold compression on your belly and help with the pain of having to use ice packs and numbing lotion!
That extra weight you gain? It literally pours off of you! I am in pre-pregnancy jeans again! I turn sideways and I'm looking pretty close to where I started. Don't stress those cankles after delivery...they melt away after 3 days post-partum, I never imagined that would happen.
Breastfeeding HURTS! That being said...meet with a lactation consultant. The off-centered latch technique has been a lifesaver for my nipples and I am actually beginning to become okay with nursing him more and more. If you can make it to two weeks, you can make it to six months!
You will cry. You will cry when you look at your baby's precious face and all you can think of is that this moment is to savor. You will never get it back, nor will your little one be this small ever again. Even after a week and a half, Jarek has grown up so much. His face is rounding out and he is maturing. Savor every single second with that baby. Chores and makeup and hair and even getting out of your pj's can wait. Hold that baby and kiss that baby and make sure you enjoy every single second. This baby is our world.
You fear no sleep. And yes, you will have nights of being up every 2 hours. After about a week, you figure out a routine. Check the diaper, feed, cuddle. Repeat every 2hrs. My moment to enjoy? After the 6am feeding session, a nice nap and then putting him down on the bed so I can shower, have breakfast and do some morning chores before the 9am feeding. Jarek sleeps solid from 12-4:30pm with a chance of a nursing session in between. This time is well used for sharing moments with Matty or doing some odd chores like endless laundry or dishes.
Remember that time flies. Things will frustrate you like getting peed on, or changing 3 diapers in a row because he can't stop peeing and pooping. The latch of feeding will make your boobs ACHE! Questioning whether your milk is enough for your little man can drive you nuts. Taking your baby to the hospital for unknown rashes or jaundice will simply just kill you. There is nothing more dreaded than "packing the bag" for the hospital and praying all will be okay. I am beyond blessed to have Matt by my side as we battled a few visits to the pediatrician and hospital. Time will make it be 11 days since your baby entered the world and you won't believe its already been that long. Cherish each SECOND, because these are the moments you will never ever have again with your baby.
Cherish your husband. For all that he does for you and all that he is. I have fallen in love with my husband all over again and deeper than ever because we have a bond and a synergy as we approach parenthood. There are no doubt challenges, but this I know for sure: Love conquers all.
:)
You don't need a crib or even a bassinet. You need a warm chest and supportive arms to cuddle your baby all night long. Co-sleeping is where it is at!
Skip the paper diapers and use cloth! The absorbency and the way the poop doesn't stick to the baby's skin, is priceless. We use about one wipe each diaper change versus the 5 or 6 we were using when we temporarily used the paper diapers for the first few days. CLOTH DIAPERS ARE AMAZING!
Nursery? If you are still stressing about not having your nursery done, don't worry. All you need is your arms, your bed and a couch. You will barely walk into your nursery except to grab clean clothes and more diapers.
A bouncy chair with vibrating movements and a lullaby is the best way to cook dinner or get a bit of a break when you need to do chores. Baby will fall asleep in no time!
As far as Mom-care goes: You will learn to LOVE the big elastic underwear from the hospital. Keep them, wash them and use them! They hold compression on your belly and help with the pain of having to use ice packs and numbing lotion!
That extra weight you gain? It literally pours off of you! I am in pre-pregnancy jeans again! I turn sideways and I'm looking pretty close to where I started. Don't stress those cankles after delivery...they melt away after 3 days post-partum, I never imagined that would happen.
Breastfeeding HURTS! That being said...meet with a lactation consultant. The off-centered latch technique has been a lifesaver for my nipples and I am actually beginning to become okay with nursing him more and more. If you can make it to two weeks, you can make it to six months!
You will cry. You will cry when you look at your baby's precious face and all you can think of is that this moment is to savor. You will never get it back, nor will your little one be this small ever again. Even after a week and a half, Jarek has grown up so much. His face is rounding out and he is maturing. Savor every single second with that baby. Chores and makeup and hair and even getting out of your pj's can wait. Hold that baby and kiss that baby and make sure you enjoy every single second. This baby is our world.
You fear no sleep. And yes, you will have nights of being up every 2 hours. After about a week, you figure out a routine. Check the diaper, feed, cuddle. Repeat every 2hrs. My moment to enjoy? After the 6am feeding session, a nice nap and then putting him down on the bed so I can shower, have breakfast and do some morning chores before the 9am feeding. Jarek sleeps solid from 12-4:30pm with a chance of a nursing session in between. This time is well used for sharing moments with Matty or doing some odd chores like endless laundry or dishes.
Remember that time flies. Things will frustrate you like getting peed on, or changing 3 diapers in a row because he can't stop peeing and pooping. The latch of feeding will make your boobs ACHE! Questioning whether your milk is enough for your little man can drive you nuts. Taking your baby to the hospital for unknown rashes or jaundice will simply just kill you. There is nothing more dreaded than "packing the bag" for the hospital and praying all will be okay. I am beyond blessed to have Matt by my side as we battled a few visits to the pediatrician and hospital. Time will make it be 11 days since your baby entered the world and you won't believe its already been that long. Cherish each SECOND, because these are the moments you will never ever have again with your baby.
Cherish your husband. For all that he does for you and all that he is. I have fallen in love with my husband all over again and deeper than ever because we have a bond and a synergy as we approach parenthood. There are no doubt challenges, but this I know for sure: Love conquers all.
:)