tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23740018.post1471628475880978597..comments2023-09-23T04:53:23.472-03:00Comments on Under the Mad Hat: Assive welcome hereMadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416585771017767796noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23740018.post-61775786820550963882011-01-18T05:39:10.344-04:002011-01-18T05:39:10.344-04:00I love your Assvice! Wonderful :-)I love your Assvice! Wonderful :-)An Article A Dayhttp://eleulaonline.com/blog/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23740018.post-28222473579845167142009-03-06T16:29:00.000-04:002009-03-06T16:29:00.000-04:00HiThis is not advice for the newborn's parents, it...Hi<BR/><BR/>This is not advice for the newborn's parents, it's more for after the child get's old enough to understand - usually about 6 - 8 months later. Often the most loving word you can say to your child/children is NO. <BR/><BR/>My name is Bev and I am a grandmother hoping to become a GG (great grandmother) in the not too distant future. I wrote and illustrated a book entitled Wool E. Woola. You can see the first 16 pages of this charming children’s book if you visit www.moonbowpress.com . This is a very small publishing house. My friend Larry and I do it all except for the printing. We have a great, local, Made in America printing firm do that. <BR/><BR/>If you wish to purchase Wool E. Woola or the note cards created by Larry or me, also shown on site, follow the directions. However, since money is so tight today for all of us, I would be happy to help you sell Wool E. Woola books or the note cards from your home or, to help your kid’s school, your church or wherever use Wool E. or the stationery for fund raisers or, if you have a friend who is having financial problems at this time, your friend. If you or others do wish to sell them, contact me or have them contact me at moonbowpress@aol.com and I will email information about how to go about doing so and how much money can be earned per book or pack of cards that is proportionate to the numbers of either sold.<BR/><BR/>If you do not want to either buy or sell Wool E. Woola books, I would appreciate if you would still forward this information to your friends. <BR/><BR/>Thank you,<BR/><BR/>BevAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23740018.post-77488628728472874002009-03-06T13:17:00.000-04:002009-03-06T13:17:00.000-04:00Trust your intuition.Trust your intuition.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23740018.post-34303843034702485262009-03-06T11:40:00.000-04:002009-03-06T11:40:00.000-04:00how about she might absolutely hate her life somet...how about she might absolutely hate her life sometimes and how that is absolutely OK and it will pass, all of it will pass and she'll feel normal again. we promise.<BR/><BR/> ps. i love youGirlplustwohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07056576921114387218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23740018.post-53393386990202256572009-03-06T10:44:00.000-04:002009-03-06T10:44:00.000-04:00Bravo Auntie!! What a great list, it makes me wis...Bravo Auntie!! What a great list, it makes me wish that someone had written a similar list for me. That said, I have one thing to add...Trust yourself. No one loves that little babe as much as you and your partner. The two of you will know what is best in spite of what anyone else might say. Enjoy the journey.a li'l bit squishyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10552498869881201504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23740018.post-28918751811480257192009-03-06T10:34:00.000-04:002009-03-06T10:34:00.000-04:00I second Mad, especially on the part of getting he...I second Mad, especially on the part of getting help. When you wonder whether your problem is big enough to ask an expert? Go ask. Then ask again.<BR/><BR/>Remember that parental philosophies are many and they change all the time. For everything you do there will be someone telling you that is wrong. Don't listen.<BR/><BR/>It is possible to function without sleep for months but I'd rather recommend getting someone to take a walk with the baby (even if said baby is crying at the moment) and get a nap or two.<BR/><BR/>The things I said the most when my son was a baby:<BR/><BR/>- No, he isn't hungry he just had something.<BR/><BR/>- No, he won't suffocate in the sling.<BR/><BR/>- No, the sling isn't bad for his back.<BR/><BR/>- No, he wouldn't cry less if I gave him formula.<BR/><BR/>Also I give you permission to hit anybody on the nose who says the baby days are the best and you should savor them while they last. It might be true but it doesn't help a bit.<BR/><BR/>Also I'd advise everyone to co-sleep so that the getting up is less tedious, and to have a spare bedroom so that the one not breastfeeding might get a bit of sleep.<BR/><BR/>The best thing anybody told me before I had a child was a friend who said she took one look at her newborn daughter and knew that she could do this. You might be worrying all the time if what you're doing is right but in the end if you're loving your baby (eventually), keeping it fed, warm, and reasonably clean, and cuddle it that's all it will need.Susannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14220769941216066968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23740018.post-7235044801479217912009-03-05T22:27:00.000-04:002009-03-05T22:27:00.000-04:00Do you live in Ontario? I do: get a midwife. Mi...Do you live in Ontario? I do: get a midwife. Mine was great, such a help, and I never had to do that awful fasting glucose thing, because, well, I'm not sick, I'm pregnant! Treated me like a grownup, but made me feel safe.<BR/><BR/>The first couple of days are bad: you'll come home from the hospital, and all the baby will do is sleep, and you'll want to wake up. At 11pm, it won't go to sleep and you won't know what to do, and you'll be calculating how many more nights of this you will have before it turns 18 and moves out.<BR/><BR/>Some babies cry a lot, even if you do attachment parenting. It's not your fault. It's okay to wear earplugh when your baby won't stop yelling. You will probably feel mad and guilty. That's okay: the baby doesn't notice. You will all get through it.<BR/><BR/>It turns out okay. My daughter is two and a half and we love her more than anything. But right after she was born? We weren't sure if we could do it. Really. <BR/><BR/>I'll never forget, though, her little monkey toes, her big eyes, her gummy chomp. There are good memories in there too!Mimihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10812707312289852258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23740018.post-69024975909513975622009-03-05T22:14:00.000-04:002009-03-05T22:14:00.000-04:00I just remembered something else, via my sister - ...I just remembered something else, via my sister - when doctors say "sleeping through the night" it actually means five consecutive hours of sleep, not eight or ten. So when some beyotch at the grocery store tries to tell you her infant went to bed every night at 6pm and didn't wake until 8am the next morning, she is lying. <BR/><BR/>As you were. ;)Hannahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15855682469727450176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23740018.post-14671725028153340482009-03-05T21:56:00.000-04:002009-03-05T21:56:00.000-04:00Wow, congratulations!!1. You will be more tired th...Wow, congratulations!!<BR/><BR/>1. You will be more tired than you ever thought possible. More tired than after pulling a week of all-nighters for end-of-term, and then spending the weekend partying to celebrate. More tired than staying up for a week before closing a major business deal, or filing for an IPO, or any other thing else. <BR/><BR/>2. Epidurals don't always give 100% pain relief, but they can help a lot. If you have a drug-free birth, it's nice to be able to walk around right away. I've done both, I prefer the drugs, but hey - both times I had beautiful, healthy babies and that's what counts.<BR/><BR/>3. Breastfeeding - one good thing to know: It may hurt. A lot. Anything sucking on your skin for hours every day will hurt. It doesn't matter if the latch is good, bad or perfect. DS's latch didn't change from his first time to the last time, when he was 13 months old. I had lots of fussy help from LaLeche and other very well-meaning people, but his latch was fine from the beginning. I just had to get used to it. <BR/><BR/>4. Breastfeeding: Another good thing to know: Some babies like to nurse for 5 minutes at a time. Others take an hour. It's okay - just let it happen. Those same lactation consultants tried to tell me to limit it to 20 minutes per breast. We were both unhappy until I decided to take as much time as we needed - and that usually more than an hour per feed for the first few months. And you know what? It was fine - it was nice to just sit or lie there and hold the baby. I was tired. See #1. <BR/><BR/>5. Breastfeeding: Another thing to know: Supplementing with formula will not dry up your milk supply, cause nipple confusion, poison your baby or otherwise end the world. It will allow your partner to feed the baby (and enjoy that bonding) and free you up sometimes. <BR/><BR/>6. During my first pregnancy, an ultrasound turned up something worrisome. We suddenly had a high-risk pregnancy. Thanks to the Canadian health system, we had excellent care. I learned 2 things - first, it's important to retain as much control as you can - ask questions, do research, challenge assumptions, and ultimately, listen to my inner voice, because DH and I had to make the final decisions, not the medical personnel. Second, you can do everything right as a parent, and still have no control over the outcome. <BR/><BR/>We were very lucky to have a healthy baby, but I learned the hard way, before he was born, that I had to be at peace with doing the best I could for him - nourish him, provide a good learning environment, love him. After that, his life is out of my hands. The best thing I can do is to prepare him to be capable and independent. <BR/><BR/>7. Trust your baby actually knows what s/he wants. Trust yourself that you will be able to give it to her/him. And if it isn't perfect, doesn't exactly match your own vision, or a marketing image, or all the well-meaning advice you will get - that's okay. It will still be wonderful and miraculous. You will all be fine.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23740018.post-17987956657126061652009-03-05T15:45:00.000-04:002009-03-05T15:45:00.000-04:00I have to delurk to add to this excellent advice.T...I have to delurk to add to this excellent advice.<BR/><BR/>The thing I wish I had known earlier: some babies don't sleep as well as others. In some cases, there is not a darn thing the parents can do about this. If you happen to get one of these babies, you are not a bad parent. Try everything that seems right to you to help that baby learn to sleep better. If something works- great! If nothing works, and your baby seems happy and healthy with the sleep he/she is getting, adjust your attitude. The baby doesn't have a sleep problem- YOU do. Stop trying to figure out how to "make" a baby sleep (impossible). Start trying to figure out how to get you and your partner enough sleep to function given your baby's sleep pattern. And know that it will pass, and you will get some decent sleep again.<BR/><BR/>Oh, and I agree about the cook ahead and freeze advice. Except- don't make it all cheesy stuff, because some babies are sensitive to cow's milk protein in breastmilk, and will get screaming gas attacks if you eat cheese. And then all your nice frozen meals will have to sit in the freezer until the baby is about 6 months old. If you get one of these babies, and still want to breastfeed you'll get through the dairy restrictions OK, too. <BR/><BR/>In fact, you'll get through just about anything life with a baby throws at you, and a year or so later, you will look back and be amazed.<BR/><BR/>Congratulations, and good luck!Cloudhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09317847285050447789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23740018.post-40146473429705712782009-03-05T14:30:00.000-04:002009-03-05T14:30:00.000-04:001. Let people help you. If they offer to come and ...1. Let people help you. If they offer to come and clean your house, don't be proud, let them. If they want to bring you food? Hell yes! I had a friend bring me over groceries when I was encouraged and weeping in a corner with my first born. It was entirely lovely to suddenly have food to eat without any effort.<BR/><BR/>2. Don't stress about getting the baby on a schedule. Does your newborn take every nap on you? Doesn't matter. They won't do it forever and one day you will crave a baby sleeping on you like that. Same goes for not letting them nurse on demand because you don't want to become a human pacifier. Newborn babies nurse. It's what they do. They can't do it too often, it soothes them and, assuming all is going well and it isn't painful for you, it allows you to sit and relax and stroke their beautiful little heads. <BR/><BR/>3. You may be surprised at how much you resent your husband when the baby's demands feel all encompassing. You also may feel touched out from the experience of having another human dependent on you. Despite what I said above about having a newborn on you being lovely, I am saying that from a place three years away from having a newborn. At the time, it can be exhausting. It's okay. You will like your husband again later. :)Janethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00567374243896229606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23740018.post-32694607330604446332009-03-05T14:25:00.000-04:002009-03-05T14:25:00.000-04:00Wow, I wish I'd had your Aunt Mad and all her comm...Wow, I wish I'd had your Aunt Mad and all her commenters around 13 years ago when my first was born.<BR/>Here's what I remember:<BR/><BR/>--All mothers feel guilt that somehow they are failing by not doing x. (the x differs from mother to mother) Somehow realizing this helped me tremendously. You're doing great. Cut yourself some slack. <BR/><BR/>--Ignore all the scary birth stories that complete strangers will want to share with you (example: with my first I was in hard labour 38 hours and then they did a c-section but it got infected, etc etc) Whatever. I have HAPPY birth stories and I would love to share them with you. Listen to happy birth stories only and remember--the goal is delivery, not being a super woman. <BR/><BR/>--It only gets easier. I was at my most tired in late pregnancy. After the baby was born, I was happy and amazed to discover that yes, life was still a blur of exhaustion, but for me at least it wasn't as deep. <BR/><BR/>Good luck and congratulations!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23740018.post-52181828510407286562009-03-05T13:44:00.000-04:002009-03-05T13:44:00.000-04:00Oh goodness, such a great topic, and I'm going to ...Oh goodness, such a great topic, and I'm going to be rude and dump in my comments without reading those above mine. (tsk tsk)<BR/><BR/>1. The beginning is SO hard. But it is NOT like this forever. It's different and shocking and there is no way you can prepare for it -- but real life does reassert itself eventually.<BR/><BR/>2. Ask for help if you need it. Little things (make me a sandwich) or big things (I'm in trouble and I don't know what to do), whatever it is don't hesitate to ask those closest to you for help, assvice, or just ask them to hold the baby while you sleep for an hour.<BR/><BR/>3. Midwifes are wonderful and worth their weight in gold. <BR/><BR/>4. Most of the awful things you read/hear about when you're pregnant won't happen. Try to worry only about real things, not things that might happen.<BR/><BR/>5. Write down scraps of daily life and little milestones, even just a few words on your kitchen calendar, and takes tonnes of photos. You'll be surprised at how quickly it changes, and how soon you'll forget.<BR/><BR/>(Writing this makes me a little sad... after three beautiful boys, a part of me would do it all again in a heartbeat.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23740018.post-35743118631246383362009-03-05T12:59:00.000-04:002009-03-05T12:59:00.000-04:00Oh yeah, someone said that when choosing a name, t...Oh yeah, someone said that when choosing a name, try it on for size by yelling the full name out the back door ten times in a row. If you still like it, keep it on the list.Janethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02190489990653412687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23740018.post-79178648367341779392009-03-05T12:57:00.000-04:002009-03-05T12:57:00.000-04:00I feel very redundant trying to say anything here....I feel very redundant trying to say anything here. But Mad knows I will anyway. :) Feel free to edit, Mad, I may get carried away. (What, me? NEVER!)<BR/><BR/>1. Vicki Iovine's "Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy." I think that's the title. She's had 4 kids. Very funny, very honest.<BR/><BR/>2. Expect everyone you encounter to ferret out the absolute most god-awful pregnancy and birth stories they ever heard (usually NOT experienced by them). I spent most of the 9 months open-mouthed in horror. <BR/><BR/>3. If you are in pain and can't breathe during labor, get the epidural. You are no less of a woman. God invented that thing for a reason.<BR/>There are some side effects to the epidural, one is a hideous headache, which I didn't get, and another is overall hideous itching, which I did. Totally worth it.<BR/>And if they finally decide the baby isn't coming out and want to do a c-section, that's OK too. Do not let anyone tell you it's a bad thing. You still gave birth to that baby! <BR/><BR/>HOWEVER - someone else mentioned that "discharge" after birth? Yeah, that's not discharge, it's a flood and will last forever. Or 6 weeks, give or take a week. And you'll do it even with a c-section, so you're not getting out of anything there. It's normal. They don't tell you what to expect, but when you call the doctor's office in horror thinking you're dying, they'll tell you THEN that it's perfectly normal.<BR/><BR/>4. Breastfeeding can be hard. Sure, it's natural, but that doesn't make it necessarily simple. It's definitely a learned technique. The La Leche League made me feel like a complete and total idiotic shit. I finally got hold of a kind and compassionate lactation consultant at the doctor's office who informed me that she'd never seen a baby act like mine did. So it WASN"T MY FAULT!!! :) Breastfeeding is totally worth it, but I didn't enjoy it. Even with my second one, who nursed effortlessly about 5 hours after he was born. Most people do, so again, I felt like a total loser until I was talking with a friend of mine whom I see as the quintessential earth mother and found out she hated it as well. I was so relieved. It did not help me bond with the baby either time. I did it for 18 months with the first one, until she gave up on her own, and 16 months with the second one, when I had to wean him in order to go on RA medication. I'll be perfectly happy if no one ever touches my boobs ever again. (The Mountain Man, who was a great cheerleader for breastfeeding, is not as happy with the final results.)<BR/><BR/>5. Now that I've rendered you open-mouthed with horror (and I didn't even tell you my birth story!), let me assure you by saying it's the greatest thing I ever did in my life. I was 41 when I had the first one. I'm not saying it's easy. It's also the hardest work I ever did, but it's the most rewarding. You will not love every minute. You will cry a lot, mainly because you feel like you haven't slept in months. (You haven't.) LET PEOPLE HELP YOU. Ignore the ones who come in to your house and preach about what you are doing wrong. Lock the door on them. Let in the ones who bring you tea and cookies and clean your kitchen and do your laundry for you. <BR/><BR/>Give the baby to the daddy early and often. Daddy can do everything except nurse (and even then, he can feed a bottle of formula or expressed milk.)<BR/><BR/>6. Speaking of the daddy, let him do things his way, unless he asks for help. If the diaper is upside down, so be it. Babies don't keep diapers on more than 30 minutes anyway. I've been known to change one only to have the baby poop in the new one before I got it fastened properly. Don't criticize the way he does things, unless he's honest-to-god endangering the baby, because he will give up trying and let you do all of it all by yourself. You do NOT want that!<BR/><BR/>7. I loved our Baby Bjorn, which was borrowed. I never carried the baby in the carseat, primarily because I could barely lift it. They both loved the bjorn. I had a sling but never could get the hang of adjusting it to where the rings didn't rest painfully on my shoulder bone. And the Queen would have no part of it, anyway.<BR/><BR/>8. Someone else said avoid buying all the stuff. We got a bunch of stuff as gifts that we never ever used, but people got railroaded by Babies R Us and other companies into thinking we "needed" various plastic items of dubious utility.<BR/><BR/>It's a grand adventure, and you'll be great at it. Good luck!Janethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02190489990653412687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23740018.post-76167950555275796372009-03-05T12:25:00.000-04:002009-03-05T12:25:00.000-04:00This is great, Mad! Lots of good stuff. Your niece...This is great, Mad! Lots of good stuff. Your niece is older than me by a year! <BR/><BR/>My biggest piece of advice is listen to your own instincts. You'll know a lot more than you think you will. If you ever feel that something isn't right with your child's health or development, speak up. You know your baby/child better than anyone and for a good long time you are the only voice he or she will have. This was probably the hardest lesson for me to learn, but it was also the most important.<BR/><BR/>Also, EVERYONE has strong opinions about parenting, breast vs bottle, cosleep vs sleep training, and so forth. I've learned that very seldom is there a single RIGHT way to parent, you have to find what works for you and your children, not what works for someone else.Kylahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03311014761113076785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23740018.post-70732094391280691162009-03-05T02:32:00.000-04:002009-03-05T02:32:00.000-04:00That is pretty comprehensive. I'd just add: you ma...That is pretty comprehensive. <BR/><BR/>I'd just add: you may not like your child every moment at any point along the way. You love them, but but you can love them while hating them and not be a bad person. <BR/><BR/>That thing about asking for help - wow is it important. Even if you are really bad at asking for help, your life will be so much better if you do. <BR/><BR/>Oh, and sleep when the baby sleeps. Screw cleaning, screw cooking, screw whatever else NEEDS to be done. Sleep is more important. Remember that lack of sleep is a form of torture. Do not impose it on yourself, you'll have enough of that pain anyway.nonlineargirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05414675024101618604noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23740018.post-80925903043194455392009-03-05T01:52:00.000-04:002009-03-05T01:52:00.000-04:001. You know it all. Never place the advice on som...1. You know it all. Never place the advice on someone who has been in the company of your baby for 5minutes over you or your partner.<BR/><BR/>2. Forget SB -- name the baby Magellan!<BR/><BR/>3. Auntie Susie is right, especially #8mo-wohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10934156423936866994noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23740018.post-25405678748776544072009-03-04T23:42:00.000-04:002009-03-04T23:42:00.000-04:00Brilliant advice, Mad. Here's what I wish someone...Brilliant advice, Mad. <BR/><BR/>Here's what I wish someone had told me. Or, perhaps beat me over the head about until I heard it...<BR/><BR/>-- Secretly crying in the shower everyday and believing that your baby hates you is not abnormal. But it is something that should be discussed and treated.<BR/><BR/>-- Co-sleep. Co-sleep. Co-sleep. <BR/><BR/>-- Nurse on the side lying down. Everything else is too hard until you're a pro.<BR/><BR/>-- You're not a pro nurser until about month 3. It's a good 12 weeks of work to get there, but it's worth it.<BR/><BR/>-- You're the Mommy. Trust that. Believe in yourself. It's all in there if you let yourself listen.<BR/><BR/>CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!!!Cold Spaghettihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12669806898733425815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23740018.post-15211411271081855252009-03-04T21:46:00.000-04:002009-03-04T21:46:00.000-04:00Congrats! Such good advice already. I'll add a few...Congrats! Such good advice already. I'll add a few things:<BR/><BR/>1) Try really hard at the breastfeeding. It's so worth it. Line up support from a Lactation consultant BEFORE you have the baby, so you can call them on short notice if you need to.<BR/>2) Invest in a good baby carrier. No, Baby Bjorn and Snugglie are not good baby carriers. Google these few and go from there: Baby Hawk, Didymos, Moby wrap. <BR/>3) Even if you are not planning on sharing your bed with your baby, do some research on how to do it safely, beforehand. You may change your mind in the middle of some long, long night, and this is not a good time to decide if your mattress is too soft, or your blankets too numerous and heavy.<BR/>4) Learn to nurse lying on your side!!<BR/>5) Listen to your heart and your baby. You have mam instincts for a reason, follow them.<BR/>6) Children are spoiled by things, NOT by love. Hold your infant, carry your baby, hug your toddler, tell your teenager you love them - it will not damage them or make them overly dependent.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23740018.post-16369079195512722302009-03-04T21:19:00.000-04:002009-03-04T21:19:00.000-04:00What an amazing bunch of comments... the only thin...What an amazing bunch of comments... the only thing I'd add is selective listening. Ha! Not to these. These are great. I'm talking about the nosy neighbours and overbearing relatives, people who make reaching statements (or judgements) on one school of thought or another. Shake 'em off, follow your gut. Except when it's trusted friends and strangers on the internet.sweetsalty katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15822876211091242851noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23740018.post-20366232037893183372009-03-04T19:31:00.000-04:002009-03-04T19:31:00.000-04:00Oh these are great! My two cents:I had a great exp...Oh these are great! My two cents:<BR/><BR/>I had a great experience with a doula, even though I had midwives. I would do that combination again in a heartbeat.<BR/><BR/>Read parenting books if they help, but if they make you feel bad, stop. Nobody knows your kid better than you. <BR/><BR/>Make sure you have a friend or family member (or several) you can call at the drop of a hat to come and hold the baby so you can eat/shower/insert necessary bodily function here on rough days. Set it up in advance that you might do that, so you don't feel stupid. (I didn't do this, and had a number of days when I wished i had someone like that.)<BR/><BR/>I also second the cooking and freezing in advance.<BR/><BR/>If you're planning to try breastfeeding, put lansinoh in the hospital bag (or whatever - buy it when you're pregnant).<BR/><BR/>Breastfeeding is literally a full-time job in the early days, even when everything is fine. Even if everything goes swimmingly in that department, it's still f-ing hard, and it's ok to admit that. Being the sole source of food for the most important creature you've ever been in the presence of is heavy shit.<BR/><BR/>Congratulations!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23740018.post-30367400739266355562009-03-04T18:32:00.000-04:002009-03-04T18:32:00.000-04:00How exciting! Congratulations to all.How exciting! Congratulations to all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23740018.post-30226780689968804252009-03-04T16:32:00.000-04:002009-03-04T16:32:00.000-04:00Most baby accessories are completely optional.Babi...Most baby accessories are completely optional.<BR/><BR/>Babies don't care about colors or coordination where outfits are concerned.<BR/><BR/>TV is not evil. It's a way to shower regularly when the baby becomes a boddler.<BR/><BR/>Breastfeeding is good, but don't overwhelm yourself with a long term goal. Say "I'm going to do this for six weeks" and then when six weeks comes set a new goal of two or three months. Every time you reach a goal and see how things are going (usually better than you expected) set another one. Becoming a long-term breastfeeder is a matter of setting manageable goals and being flexible. (I nursed my daughter until she was four and a half. Really didn't think in those first weeks I had that kind of an earth mother lurking in me).<BR/><BR/>Avoid baby advice books and parenting magazines because you probably know parents personally who are smarter.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23740018.post-63437280625144134482009-03-04T15:34:00.000-04:002009-03-04T15:34:00.000-04:00Congrats. and oh... what hasn't already been said...Congrats. and oh... what hasn't already been said? I'll echo the sentiments of find a community of moms, educate yourself BUT know that you and your child have a unique relationship and so make the choices that are right for you both, when you get the chance, do something non baby related that you love- don't feel guilty about, enjoy it!, as for all that baby stuff, less IS more, and get it USED when you can. Borrow and buy used and then pass on to someone else. Babies in footie pajamas are the cutest things ever. Amen to the whole birth plan thing your aunt said. I recommend Dr. Sear's The Birth Book. Take LOTS of pictures. Get a good camera NOW. I wish, wish, wish I had had a better camera when my daughter was a babe, and had taken better pictures. Get a good camera now and practice with it. Look at other people's baby pictures and see what you like.painted maypolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06446625015003854710noreply@blogger.com