What I Wish I’d Known Then – My List For Next Time
I welcome myself and you readers back to the Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog Carnival of Breastfeeding! Please visit the other participants listed at the end of this post.
My pregnancy, birth, and infancy experience with Sara Ellen was wonderful. There are however, a few things I wish I had known and that I hope to put into action for our next child. I wish I had known then:
~That meeting skin to skin right after birth would have helped breastfeeding get started sooner, and maybe more easily.
~That I could have used a different position instead of accepting an episiotomy so I wouldn’t have to hurt for a year after! It was difficult enough moving from my side to my back with help so it seemed I couldn’t have moved, but I think having a lot of help to get somewhere more gravitationally helpful would have been worthwhile.
~That sling carriers should not have hardwear on them. The weight is enough on the shoulder without extra buckles and strings, etc. And that it would be helpful to learn all the possible positions.
~That the ERGO baby carrier keeps little growing legs from dangling. Wearing a Baby Bjorn and walking upstairs while they stretched was a challenge.
~That Motherwear empire waist nursing tops would make it easier to nurse, especially while using a carrier. I found the layers of front-only or all-around tops to be tricky to separate.
~That sitting up a little was preferable for my baby to see the world in her stroller bassinet or pack ‘n play. She hated to be lain down unless were together. That was ok when we napped together but having a bouncy seat from the beginning would have been nice.
~That a stroller seat should sit up more and the awning should stay taught so as to actually give cover to baby. Kiddapotamus covers are handy. And that using a stroller with a removable bassinet takes up lots of space.
~That I should have attempted to brush her teeth earlier. We may have avoided some cavities.
~That Robeez leather slippers could keep tiny socks on tiny feet.
~I wish we’d had a baby towel like the Stay Dry Bath Apron. Maneuvering a tiny, slippery baby into a towel is tricky.
~That while a purse works just fine instead of a diaper bag, leaving diapers, wipes, and extra clothes loose makes them harder to get out. The JJ Cole diaper pod is nice but I’d like the Ju Ju Be bags next.
~That a comfy rocking chair would be nice. I really want the Dream Rocker from Pottery Barn Kids.
~That a king size bed is best for co-sleeping as a family but safety rails aren’t made for them so I think the baby is safest in the middle. That’s the only solution I’ve found other than putting the bed by the wall, which I hate (climbing out or scooting through small spaces).
~That the progestin-only/mini-pill would make my periods come back even later (around 20 mo) and make them harder to track month to month. I still don’t know what form of contraception would be best for me.
If there is anything you’ve learned, as a mother or father, and would like to share, please leave a comment.
Don’t forget to check out the links to the other posts from the Carnival of Breastfeeding:
“What I Wish I’d Known Back Then About Breastfeeding,” by Christina at Massachusetts Friends of Midwives
Whozat and Shrike’s “If I’d Know Then”
The Starr Family Blog – I Wish I Would Have Known
You don’t have to grin and bear it by Melodie at Breastfeeding Moms Unite!
bloggin’ for better births – What I Wish I Would Have Known About Breastfeeding
Three Girl Pile Up – 4 things I wish I’d known about breastfeeding
Happy Bambino – What I wish I’d known then… that it wasn’t up to me alone
My World Edenwild – What I Wish I’d Known Then: A Poem
Hobo Mama — “AP Principle #2: What I wish I’d known when I started breastfeeding”
The Milk Mama: When breastfeeding begins badly, and what I should have done about it
Breastfeeding: Wish I’d Heard More Good Things! by Fancy Pancakes
Breastfeeding Mums: 15 Breastfeeding Facts I Wish I’d Known as a First Time Breastfeeding Mum
Fighting Off Frumpy – When Breastfeeding Feels Wrong
Breastfeeding 1-2-3 – Trust Yourself and Your Body
I think that the “things” we think of as going with babies can really get in the way, but most importantly – that skin to skin. It took me lots of babies to figure it out.
I’m with you on the king size bed! We finally put our extra twin next to the queen, but I’d still rather have a king size. But we put it next to the wall because he nurses and rolls…and I want to be able to nurse on either side!
What a great list! My baby is only 7 mo old, so I can learn a lot from you.
I really relate to the stupid episiotomy. I accepted it because I was exhausted after almost 3 hours of pushing- I was finding myself wishing for an emergency c-section, so I figured the episiotomy was a lesser evil, but damn if it doesn’t bug me still today. I think it was an OK decision, because the baby popped right out (and he was covered in meconium, which could have been bad, but was fine), but the episiotomy spot still feels… well, not good at all.
I also love the Ergo, and will look into those Motherwear tops, as I can’t seem to find any nursing tops I like except my Bravado nursing tanks… and for the Northeast winters, those alone can’t quite cut it!
I gotta find some Robeez, and I too wish I’d registered for a rocker… wish list for baby #2 when he or she becomes more than a gleam in my eye and a scheme in my head.
Birth control… so even the mini-pill didn’t work for you? I don’t want baby #2 QUITE yet, but am afraid to go on that and decrease my milk supply just before I go back to work… afraid I’m setting myself up for getting pregnant sooner than I want, when I have not even recovered from this baby’s birth yet. Oh well. Maybe that’s how it goes.
Yes, skin-to-skin, as immediately after birth as possible, is so important. If you didn’t get the chance to do this and are having some breastfeeding difficulties, getting into a tub naked with your baby works wonders!
Lisa C. – When mine was first born I did nurse in bed but I thought my daughter had to be on the same side as that breast so I was roll her over to my other side. Then I realized she could take either breast from one side. That might be influenced by my size.
F.P. – my episiotomy site was painful or uncomfortable until my daughter was a year old. I believe it was partially due to my own physical reactions, perhaps something I should have tried alleviating topically. If you don’t get nursing tops, you can also try camis under long sleeve shirts. The mini-pill worked, I didn’t get pregnant even though I occasionally took it late or didn’t take it when we were separated for weeks at a time for travel. It made my period less predictable and I felt pregnancy symptoms when I stopped for good. I’m thinking I might go back to the diaphragm (like before my 1st) so I can tell when my cycle starts naturally and then maybe try NFP.
I’m so glad I read this – I was just thinking to myself that I NEED a nice nursing top … and I love the look of empire waists.
Going to check them out right now!
Wow, this is a wealth of great information! I, too, wish I had known so much – and it can be a waste of time and money experimenting with childrens’ products and whatnot when you’re having your first.
Some things we just can’t control, though, and I think we all have some thoughts to an extent, like that, about our birth/breastfeeding experiences.
I’ve never seen the Ju Ju Be and I’m loving it! Thank you for some great ideas!