Leo and Jen: A Blog

A family in Raleigh, NC and random things they do

Parental Prep

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by

Jennifer Suarez
in

No one tells you all the stuff you now have to think about and do now that you’re expecting. Maybe it seems obvious to everyone else, but  I was surprised to learn I’m supposed to find a pediatrician, like, yesterday.

I’m feeling guilty as I write this because Leo thinks I’m sounding surly when people are offering advice. I promise, if you offer advice, I’m not trying to be surly, stubborn, argumentative or anything other than grateful. But there’s so much of it!

And here’s the thing: I won’t remember half of it. Pregnancy brain is only part of it. Tips for toddlers are getting shoved into the “later” file as I figure out pregnancy, delivery, diapers, breastfeeding class, getting some exercise and eating my vegetables each day, working, planning maternity leave, trying to figure out how to return to work, planning a few fall events (life must go on!) and more. Plus, your advice may be well meaning, but maybe I can’t afford the thing you suggest. Or maybe I’ve heard conflicting advice from someone else, which means I’ll have to research that a bit before deciding.

So, keep the advice coming. But let’s do this in stages. So for now, focus it on:

  • Pregnancy – Six months to go! Anything to know about surviving is good.
  • Preparation – What can I do now to make life easier come February 27?

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Comments

3 responses to “Parental Prep”

  1. Lucy Avatar
    Lucy

    Be as surly as you want and don’t feel guilty, that’s, my advice 🙂

    Reply
  2. Tia Avatar
    Tia

    Feeling overwhelmed is part of being pregnant for the first time. Everyday there is something new you feel, something new someone tells you/warns you about, some new question that pops into your mind, and on and on. Jen, this is totally normal, you are okay and you will be a great mom. Everything will work out and when Tiberius makes his/her entrance, you will be as ready as you can be. Plus, a very important thing to remember, you have a great support team behind you. It’s been a long time since I felt these emotions, however, having just gone through it with Hailey, I can tell you that it does get scary at times, but we women were “built” for this and our bodies and brains can handle it all. You, will be great! So enjoy your pregnancy because it is a very special part of being a woman. The mom part is a day by day learning process and it does come naturally. I will let Hailey tell you what you must have, what things have been absolute “Godsends” and which just take up space. Have you started your “baby wish list” on Amazon? Love you guys.

    Reply
  3. Hailey Avatar
    Hailey

    Oh so much to say!! Starting with the pediatrician, don’t stress. I would ask friends or anyone you meet with little ones, what they think of their pediatrician. We chose one that came highly recommended, visited him, thought he was great…until we started going with Madison and then decided we weren’t so in love. His office was so busy, I thought it had become to much of a business. I think we didn’t realize how busy he was b/c we met him during the school year when the office was quiet. Also they have specific times for pregnant moms to come in. When Madison was born, summer was in full swing and the waiting room was a zoo! We switched when she was around 4 months. We LOVE our new dr. She has a separate entrance and waiting room for well babies under 2. This is key! Find a dr with waiting rooms that are separate or at least divided. When the baby is first born you don’t want kids coughing or even breathing on your child. I literally watched in horror as one kid vomited in front of my stroller and the staff took forever to clean it. That was the last visit with the old dr. Also, when you visit the dr before baby comes, ask if they do hospital visits. Not all drs have privileges at all the hospitals. The hospital will not let baby go home without a well check by a pediatrician. So the NICU checked Madison. No problem, right? Yeah, the insurance didn’t think so. We were surprised when that bill arrived and realized the insurance didn’t pay for that check. I’m not saying to not choose the dr b/c of that but at least you’re prepared that you may get billed.

    Preparation….work on your registry with someone who has experience. I went with a friend who had a baby recently. Then I changed it several times. Don’t believe all the hype with every product. Don’t get a bassinet. If anything, get a fisher price rock n play. A friend told me about it after Madison was having trouble sleeping. Best thing ever! It folds easily so you can use it when moving from room to room or visiting other peoples houses. Baby feels cozy and you’ll feel relief having baby nearby.

    Don’t get a Diaper Genie. I use just a regular bathroom trash can with a lever to step on to open the lid. You don’t want a huge trash can collecting baby poop and pee. It smells fast. My friend got maggots in her diaper genie. Twice.

    I wasn’t sure I wanted a wiper warmer but a friend gave me his and I love it. No one wants a cold wipe down in the middle of the night. I also have a sound machine with a timer and light projector that Madison loves. She’s gotten used to it (I use the rain sound) so when I travel, it goes with us and Madison doesn’t freak about sleeping in a strange room.

    Don’t buy a lot of bottles. Buy the one you think you might like then wait to test it out before getting more. Madison hated the one I first bought (Avent) but loves Dr. Brown’s which to my dismay seems to have a thousand parts (not really) when I have to wash them.

    Don’t go crazy buying clothes…you’ll get a lot through gifts. Grandmas can’t resist.

    We didn’t get a baby monitor. Instead we bought a security monitor…Foscam through Amazon. Awesome reviews. You can log into the baby’s room from the Internet or use an app. Therefore you can look in when you’re away from home. You can’t do that with the normal baby monitors. We have the app on our iPhones and iPad. You don’t need the mattress sensor (AngelCare). I returned our sensor b/c our mattress was too thick but with our awesome monitor, I realized we didn’t need a sensor. Plus if you forget to turn it off everytime you go i to change or feed baby, the alarm goes off…who wants that in the middle of the night when you’re groggy.

    Like I said, so much to say. But now it’s Madison’s bed time so I have to go back to Mommy duties. Ask me anything! Oh, I joined a private baby group on Facebook where all the moms were due at the same time. We all are still in the group and it’s nice to constantly have a bunch of moms to ask for advice or vent to in the middle of the night when baby wants to party or as baby goes through the various growing stages.

    Reply

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