First Three Months

Well, my baby is almost three months old now and I have learned a few things. If you are going to give birth at the hospital, you only need a few things. One, a robe and slippers along with items to shower with. After you give birth the hospital provides you with huge pad underwear so you really only need what you're going to wear home. Be prepared to bleed like you had a major period for what feels like one month straight. Maybe even expect major constipation for about a month after as well. You might want to prepare to feel like a stinky old lady for a while but this too shall pass. When your baby starts to breast feed, know that it takes about three days for your milk supply to come in. That's when it starts to feel a bit more natural but for the first three days be prepared to exit your own mind as much as humanly possible. Remember that these days provide the baby with what is referred to as "liquid gold" so it's worth the moments that feel like agony. Once the baby starts latching on and enjoying meals, it is so fun to know that your own body is capable of producing milk like that. "Do the best you can, with what you have, where you are." I was given a gift box of disposable breast pads and I am so thankful. These pads are as helpful as disposable diapers and should be changed almost as much. You don't really need to start using them until after the first three days when your milk actually comes in. Get some storage bags for your breast milk so you have plenty of room in the fridge and freezer for storing the milk (store in fridge for about 24 hours, then move the bag to the freezer). Also, period pads are very necessary because, like I said, it will feel like a major period for weeks. Be prepared to be bothered throughout the days and nights while you're in the hospital. It's for good reasons and will help you to feel grateful when you get home. Epidural for me was in question until I felt the labor pains for an hour straight. After my epidural was administered it was like a whole new experience. My body was still doing the work it takes for labor but I could actually enjoy the process while keeping my mind in a good place. Then, wuala! Your baby is in your arms and you're like, "What do we do now?". Keep an open mind and heart and do what is best for you and your baby. Your baby feeds off of your energy (sometimes literally) so try to be at peace. The first few days we had him in Newborn size diapers and then moved him into size one. The first week or so we washed him with cloths we brought home from the hospital with pure water (place the pure water on cloths and gently wipe). After that, we moved into using regular wipes. Also, A&D was and still is something we use very frequently to keep his diaper area clean and comfortable (gently wipe a bit of A&D ointment on his or her bottom with a clean finger). If wipes are too harsh for the baby skin, try washing his or her bottom... in the sink with fairly warm water. If you have a boy who has been circumcised, once the circumcision heals, make sure you gently pull back the skin on his penis and clean it well (sometimes they build up a sort of residue that can cause an infection if not cleaned). If you have a girl, make sure you are wiping or cleaning her from front to back (sometimes if wiped the other way around, a yeast infection could occur). Be prepared to not do jack for the first three months, then if you actually do something you'll be really happy with yourself. And if you don't, you'll just feel normal. Take pictures and observe the infinite wisdom your baby holds. Try to enjoy every moment as much as possible. Don't be too hard on yourself if you sometimes feel like you're in a monkey cage with a baby monkey and other monkeys trying to throw poop at you. ;) It's normal. Appropriate questions and comments are welcome. Be Blessed, Suzie Sateri