Newborns can't really play with many toys just yet and sometimes it's hard to keep them occupied for just a few minutes so you can clean, cook , even go to the bathroom ! I was using my baby sling while I did everything. And even though it works quite well because then you are hands free, my back and shoulders started to really feel the strain. And for me, it is a little hard to get him in and out so having to change him became a pain. The only thing we had to put him in besides his cradle was a swing and he was quickly getting bored and irritated with it.
So another Babies R Us trip we went ! And we picked out the perfect play mat for our active baby. Liam is a kicker- he was in the womb too- and so we found a playmat that has a piano on the end so baby can kick it and play music with his feet ! There is also the typical bar above his head with toys he can grab and shake and the best one- a mirror ! He loves looking at himself in the mirror and "talks" to it all the time.
Now he stays busy playing for up to 30 minutes ! Smiling and cooing and getting a good workout too ! He usually needs a nap afterwards so I can somewhat plan my day now. This playmat has given me the freedom to get some stuff done around the house, catch up on some reading and the best part- my baby loves it and I love watching him play in it !
Fisher-Price Discover 'N Grow Kick and Play Piano Gym $54.99
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11835073
When the department stores and magazines and baby stores give you that checklist of "necessities" to buy for your new baby, there are some things that you really don't need, some things you do, and a few things that are just convenient to have.
One thing that I saw on a checklist that I thought was ridiculous and not necessary was a baby wipe warmer. "I'm sure my baby will survive with cold wipes..." is what went through my mind. But guess what I was out buying at Babies R Us just a few days after Liam was born? Yep. A stupid wipe warmer ! I learned fast that cold wipes were no big deal during the day, but in the middle of the night, would you want YOUR behind wiped with a cold wipe? Not so much. It was much easier using a warm wipe that my baby barely noticed at 3 a.m. And a plus : they actually are decently priced!
The one I have is called the Prince Lionheart Premium Wipe Warmer
It's $30 at Babies R Us
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3557338
this would make a great baby shower gift too !!
In all my baby books and online baby articles that I read, they all said that it was very important to wash all baby clothes, blankets, sheets, hats, socks, etc. with baby laundry detergent before you bring baby home from the hospital. So, that's what I did !
Unfortunately, however, we recieved more 0-3 month clothes than my baby could ever possibly wear. And since I washed all the clothes as I got them, all tags were cut off. He has been growing out of clothes before he even gets a chance to wear them once !
My advice : Only wash about 5 outfits before baby comes home! That way for at least 5 days after coming home from the hospital you won't have to do any laundry. But really, newborns aren't very messy and you don't really have to change them every single day. Then you can take the tags off and wash clothes as you need them.
While I was pregnant and spending hours pouring over all my baby books, There was one thing that never concerned me. I had all the confidence in the world that I would have no issues breastfeeding. All I have ever heard was how "breast was best" and why wouldn't I breastfeed? It's FREE! But not everything goes according to plan (as I found out very soon during delivery when I ended up recieving an epidural when I "planned" on delivering naturally.) My sweet baby boy did not want to latch on. I went to the classes, I read the books, I even did an online class ! I had "perfect technique" says all the nurses and lactation consultants that were in the hospital. But my little guy did not want anything to do with my breast. When he would momentarily latch, he would suck so hard and pull his top lip in, so that I was instantly bruising, cracking, and eventually bleeding. I was so frustrated and stressed out that I couldn't feed my baby. And because he had jaundice, they had to give him a couple ounces of formula which absolutely broke my heart.
The first thing I want to talk about is something I was not prepared for after having my baby. There are just some things that are not really mentioned in all those baby books I read. On top of a momma pouch, bags under my eyes from the sleepless nights, and trying to adjust to my new body, life, and baby... comes ACNE. (bum bum buuum)
I started to get acne in my 3rd trimester but it was not anything I couldn't cover up with makeup. I have never had acne or any problems with skin before pregnancy. It got so bad after having Liam that it was making me lose all self confidence I had left and I didn't want to leave the apartment. It also started to hurt because it was so irritated and inflamed. I searched online all day long looking for remedies, mainly for natural home remedies like lemon scrubs and honey face masks. I tried so many different types of cleansers, scrubs and acne gels and lotions, what ended up happening is that my skin got so irritated by all these different products, it got extremely dry and the acne got WORSE!
