Top 10 things we're GLAD we did (no particular order):
#1 Not following crazy Chinese superstitions regarding postpartum care. Please see below:
"Chinese Postpartum Care
Chinese mothers too enjoy a special period known as “confinement” to help them recuperate. The period is usually 30 days although some families extend it to 45 or even 60 days, depending on their financial state. During this period, a caregiver called a “confinement lady” is employed to attend to all the needs of the mother and baby. Poorer families may request the help of older female relatives for the job.
The confinement lady is responsible for preparing special baths with herbs; cooking food rich in herbs, especially ginger; carrying out day-to-day housework and even taking care of the infant at night. She also makes sure that the mother observes all the taboos during this time – no hair washing, no showering with regular tap water, no frequent hand washing, no eating fresh and raw fruits and even no venturing out of the house!"
Isn't that ridiculous! Confinement to the home would have driven me insane...we've ventured out for walks, grocery shopping, trips to the mall, eating out and a wedding. If I was confined to the home I would definitely go crazy. I've fought my mother on this...she has decided that having a crazy daughter caring for her only grandson is not favourable...she has given up trying to keep me caged in.
I must say that having my mother help us out during the week has been a blessing! It's nice to have someone else around when the husband is at work...and bringing us food every day is nice too! Thank goodness for mom and my uncle who owns a restaurant! =)
Not washing hair? Not bathing? Can you imagine that! Especially after labour etc? What were my people thinking...basic hygiene dude!
#2 Splurging on a double electric breast pump
Once upon a time I considered only using a hand pump to express milk...in the hospital we were happy to use the single electric pump...but now that we have a double electric pump we have seen the light! Life is too short...time is of the essence with a small infant...having a double pump has saved us a lot of time! Well worth the money! The husband does the night feedings and we have extra milk to freeze and store for later as well (who knows how long this milk factory can keep going...) We have also invested in a contraption that holds the pump in place, freeing up the hands during pumping...well worth the investment as well!
#3 Buying baby things ahead of time bit by bit.
I love shopping. I love planning ahead. I love investing money in better quality things that last longer/work better rather than getting things just because the price is right. We were able to buy some nicer things because we spread out all of our purchases over a long period of time.
We started shopping for baby items well before we planned on having Baby S. Baby furniture, stroller, clothes were all purchased over the last couple of years. I must say it helps financially to break up the shopping over time...babies are expensive creatures...it's nice to have little purchases here and there rather than one whopping bill all at once.
There was some worry about "jinxing" our chances of being able to have a baby...you know...buying things ahead of time only to find out that you might have trouble...but it all ended up working out fine...no jinxing after all and we are blessed with our little son! =)
#4 Mountain Buggy Stroller and Carry Cot
We are extremely happy with the stroller that we chose! It's very maneuverable and it suits our needs perfectly (it'll be great on the muddy rugby field sidelines)! We purchased the carry cot to use for the first few months and we can't imagine life without it! It's great for newborns when you're out and about because they lay flat (babies should not be in car seats for long periods of time--see link below for details...hence us opting not just plopping a car seat onto a stroller.) We use the carry cot as a bassinet at home...Baby S has been sleeping in this since we got home from the hospital.
Info on why newborns should not be left in car seats for long periods of time:
#5 Aden and Anais Muslin Receiving Blankets
I bought these muslin receiving blankets a while back and they have been fantastic! For anyone that is having a summer baby...these receiving blankets are a must have! Because of the weave of the fabric they are super breathable and they keep Baby S warm without making him stuffy and sweaty. They are also HUGE and can be folded to suit your needs. A bit pricey...but well worth the money.
#6 Having the husband partake in feeding the baby.
The husband is in charge of night time feedings. I am up at every feeding as well...I'm just pumping instead. It's been great to have dad bond with the baby during feeding time. I also welcome the break from feeding (feeding 8 times a day is exhausting--especially since Baby S usually takes up to an hour to finish! ) We are happy that Baby S is able to switch from bottle feeding to breastfeeding without any problems...this means he doesn't have to be attached to me 24/7 and can be left with other caretakers if needs be. Am taking names for babysitters now... =)
#7 Using cloth washcloths as wipes instead of using disposable wipes.
We are planning on using cloth diapers for Baby S...he's just too small at the moment...we'll start once the sizing is right.
We have been using washcloths and water as wipes instead of using the disposable wipes (however we do use the disposable wipes when we are out of the house...it's just less hassle when you're on the road.) This has worked out well! Our decision to do so is based on the environment (less waste by reusing washcloths), finances (cheaper to reuse washcloths than to buy disposable wipes), and health (using only water is better than using wipes with various chemicals and additives.) Hopefully the cloth diapers will work out just as well!
#8 Taking pain relief drugs during labour.
I cannot stress this enough: they don't give out trophies for enduring labour pain! Why put yourself through it? The prospects of not taking the pain meds and being exhausted after the delivery while suffering through the pain does not seem to be a good idea to me. Being rested enough to take care of the newborn was important to me. I was a happy camper after the morphine and the epidural...Baby S had no side effects from it...nor did I. Some people are afraid of the epidural needle going in their back...honestly...the pain associated with that is NOTHING compared to the pain of contractions.
#9 My Brest Friend breastfeeding pillow
Funny name...yes. Looks ridiculous...yes. Useful...absolutely! This is a pillow that wraps around the body to help support the weight of the baby during breastfeeding. It helps a lot especially since I had a c-section. It takes close to an hour to feed...so anything to take some of the weight is super handy!
#10 Getting a PVR.
I love watching TV. I was raised on TV.
With our crazy hours now it's tough to watch any show at any given time. Enter the PVR...recording shows ahead of time...skipping commercials...watching them whenever I want...what a beautiful thing...
#11 Buying and using the Snoogle body pillow.
http://www.toysrus.ca/product/index.jsp?productId=2691303
The Snoogle pillow has made sleep wonderful! Joe and Casey love it too and I have to fight them for it! I still use it now...LOVE IT! It's a body pillow that provides back support and keeps you sleeping on your side (moms to be should sleep on their left side). Best investment ever...been sleeping like a baby since this pillow! We no longer have to have 6 different pillows and cushions wedged everywhere at bedtime!
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