The Baby List - Your Titties and Their Substitutes - the First Three Months

Everyone knows about breastfeeding in theory.  "The breast is best!!" yes thank Mother Goose.  The votes are in and have been tabulated.  These are the points For breastfeeding taken from the Breast Feeding Association of Australia (yes, our breasts have their own association, that's where they were those nights when your husband couldn't find them):-

1. breastfeeding protects your baby from illness and infection
2. provides the correct food for your growing baby
3. aids the development of your baby's eyesight, speech and intelligence
4. promotes a special loving bond between mother and baby (until they get teeth and you have to rethink the whole bonding thing)

And here's the threatening bit....If you DON'T Breastfeed your baby they:

• have a higher risk of cot death
• have an increased likelihood of allergy
• cost more money - you need to buy expensive infant formulas and feeding equipment. Non-breastfed babies are more likely to fall ill, costing more to the family and the community in medical bills (there's a cheerful thought)
• are less environmentally friendly - in terms of fuel, energy and resources needed for artificial feeding (personally I think have babies full stop is not very environmentally friendly - the amount of Methane they contribute to the world is second only to the cow, who may I add also drinks milk...)

Well in all seriousness, breastfeeding 'can be' a wonderful experience when it works, it gives your bubba a fantastic start in life, and may I add is THE MOST CONVENIENT food you will ever have to carry with you.  Cost efficient, always warm and ready to go!

Don't let the old ducks fool ya - it is NOT the most natural thing in the world for most women.  It is awkward, uncomfortable, weird and lord does it hurt a lot of people.

I had an awesome pre-birth educator named Julia Clarke who gave me the most invaluable piece of breastfeeding advice.

She said that THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER IS ATTACHMENT.  THE ATTACHMENT HAS TO BE RIGHT.  IT SHOULDN'T HURT, IT SHOULDN'T BE UNCOMFORTABLE AND IF IT IS, SLIDE YOUR LITTLE FINGER IN THE SIDE OF THEIR MOUTH AND BREAK SUCTION AND TRY AGAIN.  DO IT AS MANY TIMES AS YOU HAVE TO UNTIL IT IS COMFORTABLE.  IF YOU DON'T, THAT IS WHEN YOU END UP WITH CRACKED NIPPLES ETC ETC.

Paying absolute attention to this advice has led to successful breastfeeding of two children with no cracked nipple, mastitis or any other complication.  And my advice is make sure you do it every time, even from the first feed.  You'll be a pro in no time. 

So that brings us to the stuff for feeding.... (yes there is stuff for EVERYTHING).

Fertile Minds Milk Bar Breastfeeding Pillow

The Breastfeeding Pillow

The breastfeeding pillow is gods gift to woman (that and chocolate).  If you're asking what do I need this pillow for?  Or can't I just use a normal pillow?  The answer is yes you can just use a normal pillow (or three).  The breastfeeding pillow is a firm, extra high profile pillow that is curvy in shape so that it hugs your body.  

The idea is that you can place the baby on your breast, (attaching properly of course) and lay your arm and the baby on top of the pillow, helping your posture, and the stress on your arms, back, neck and shoulders is relieved.  Doesn't that sound good?

Note to J: Don't worry about buying this, please borrow mine, it works a treat.

There are many many models on the market as everyone tries to cash in on this new necessity.  THIS IS NOT A PLACE TO SPEND MONEY as all these pillows work the same.  The one pictured to the left is very popular, it is Fertile Minds Milk Bar and retails for around $65.  It is really nice looking and comfy and has the great added feature of the zip of cover, which means if there's ever and little 'accidents' on the pillow it is easy fixed. 

Note: This is a great item to take to hospital with you if you have space!

Stuff Cabbage Leaves in your bra!

Cabbage

Yes I said cabbage.  Between day 1 and 3 you will experience "engorgement" that is, your breast will go into factory line production of milk overdrive.  You see they've been waiting all your life for this chance and now they have it.

Apparently engorgement is VERY painful and your breasts are as hard as rocks, so to ease the pain, send someone out for a cabbage and put it in the refrigerator.  After each feed you can apply cold cabbage leaves to ease engorgement, bruise them slightly before applying.

The other thing that is good is a hot shower and just gently massage the engorged glands with your finger until the pain eases.  But, women for thousands of years have used cabbage leaves.

Here's a good information page on the different techniques of uses of cabbage leaves in engorgement.

Bottles

If you are breastfeeding I recommend that you only buy two for first 3 months.  You only need the small ones 120mls.  My personal favourite brand is Avent.  Avent has a great feeding system and I've used them for both babies.  There is a valve system that allows air to flow back into the bottle, so I found it reduced the amount of gas that ended up in the babies tummy.

the beautiful glass WeeGo Baby Bottles

In my attempt to be as chemical free as possible I attempted to go back to glass bottles with my last baby.  I love these glass Weego Baby Bottles that I purchased from Ecobabe.  They have these great Silicone covers that are in all these cool different shades.  

I love the concept of them, I just could get used to the bottle not having a valve that releases air back into the bottle, I tried out a few different teats and it still didn't work to my satisfaction.  So I went back to the trusty Avent bottles, yes they are plastic, but they're now BPA free and my babies drank easier from them.

Note to J: I have these for you, you just have to buys the teats (which should be replaced regularly anyway).

To Be Continued....

The Baby List - Medical - the First Three Months

There is a bunch of random stuff that you need or may need that you never think of (at least I never did).
I thought I would split it up, if you stock up on this stuff little by little, you won't notice the money seeping away.

The infa red thermometer ***Spend Money Here*** These are worth their weight in gold, all the Mommas in the neighbourhood borrow mine.  This allows you to take temperatures instantly without having to struggle or wake the sleeping cherub.  Get it!!

Why? Babies get fevers all the time for no apparent reason, they're just out of sorts, and you have to keep a close eye on it because fevers can be very serious in a small infant.  I never knew how many viruses were floating around until I had children.

The Braun seems to be the most popular model, and can be purchased from your local chemist for around $100.  Mine was about $60 and the brand is Microlife, it is Swiss design and was also from my local chemist.  I love it, and wish I had bought this straight away instead of the dodgy little digital thing I had.

Panadol for infants.  You don't know when you'll need it, just keep it in the cupboard, as you would rather have it than not.

Finger Nail Scissors or clippers for infants.  Pack this one in your hospital bag.  Both my girls were born with extra long fingernail and you know how babies love to scratch themselves.

Humidifier - this one is purely incase of illness.  If bubba gets a cold, you MUST have a humidifier.  When you can't give them medication, this is a life saver and helps clear their nose and their chest.  You can even ad a few drops of oil (Eucalyptus/thyme) to a small reserve which warms the oil.

I purchased mine from my chemist and still use it today.  A REALLY good buy!!  My brand is 'Hippo', but I've seen smaller cuter ones around.

Fess Little Noses - this is another one for the chemist.  There are a couple of brands on the market, but they are disgusting and fantastic little contraptions/extractors that allows you to suck the snot out of your little cherubs nose... (Hey its preferential to the formerly used sucking it into your mouth technique - not joking).  Get it from your chemist and add it to your medicine cabinet.  About $12 I think.

A word on monitors.
Breathing Monitors and baby monitors may be great, I've never used them, thank god, I think it would've just made me even MORE obsessive about whether the baby was still breathing.  Very good idea if you have an upstairs downstairs.  And they cost lots of money...I'd rather eat pizza.

The Baby List - Clothing - the First Three Months

You asked me how much of everything you need (clothing) so here's the list.  For lookers on, keep in mind this is a Spring Baby.

• 6 x Short Sleeve all-in-one singlets Cotton Bonds (these are the ones that do up under the crotch, these are better on babies as they don't ride up.
• 3 x Cotton Vest Singlets (depending on how hot it is, you may not need these at all)
• 3 x Cotton Pyjamas (jumpsuits are best, bonds have cute ones, or cotton on)
• 3 x Warmer Jumpsuits like the bonds wondersuit (ugly but awesome)
• Other stuff for the day, dresses on baby girls are totally impractical, photo ops only
• 1 or 2 light cardigans, think layers according to weather.
• 2 x tiny baby bibs - David Jones usually stock them, they're specially for newborns
• 1 x hat - Pumpkin Patch and David Jones are the only places I've found that actually stock hats small enough for an absolute newborn.  Newbies need a hat whenever they're outside as they loose alot of heat through their head and their body temperature is not yet regulated.  Take off the hat as soon as you get inside though.
• 3 pairs of socks - I recommend the new bonds stay put socks, at least they stay put.

This is really all you need, but keep in mind, before the baby comes get all that stuff in size 000 and size 00.  The 000 will swim on the baby at first, but trust me, that will only last a week tops.

For the first couple of months all a baby does is sleep and eat, so clothing is not dirtied much unless you have a gastric baby who throws up all the time, in which case you'll just get used to getting puked on....good luck with that.

The Body Pillow. It's Better than a Man (for some things)

The Body Pillow, it doesn't grope complain or snore!

See here the body pillow, the maternity pillow, the long pillow, the tube pillow.... whatever you like to call it, you MUST have one for the mid to later era of pregnancy.

When sleep becomes difficult and for some impossible, this lovely long lady, is better than anything you've slammed between your legs lately.  "Hug it tight and sleep all night - the body pillow"... (wry smile)

The body pillow retails for around $89.95 (ouch) on classy sites like Urban Baby with the pillowcase setting you back another $39.95.  I found a cheaper version at Holy Sheet, I'm not sure what it is retailing for at present, but check it out first.

JEALOUSY ALERT: WARNING PARTNERS WILL ENVY THE WAY YOU SNUGGLE, CUDDLE, CARESS AND DROOL INTO THE PILLOW, HISSY FITS AND TANTRUMS AND LOSS OF SELF ESTEEM MAY FOLLOW.  SOLUTION...BUY HIM/HER ONE TWO, AND HAVE YOUR FACE LASER PRINTED ONTO THE PILLOW CASE.

Note to J:  I have a body pillow and two cases, if you would like to borrow it speak up, its been well loved by me and others, but it still does a stirling job and doesn't cost a cent.

New Underwear NOW!! - this is your permission slip

From around five months of pregnancy the uncomfortable becomes palpable rather than subtle, its that time....NEW UNDIES!!  First pregnancy I thought that of course I can get through with normal underpants...no my dear, don't even bother.

G Strings become...not so practical or comfortable.  But, there are fantastic maternity undies out there, and with so many Momma businesses out there there are heaps of comfortable and practical options.

Motherhood Low Slung Knickers (Comfy)

I was in the USA last time I was pregnant so I just went to Motherhood.  You can go to Destination Maternity and buy maternity wear anywhere in the world.  The undies I got was a multipack of cotton hip huggers see here...

The other question you may have as your boobies expand (or not) may be, isn't it stupid to by a nursing bra at this early stage??  Answer is: No.  If you're going to buy a bra you might as well make it one you can keep using.

Criteria for bras is that they are to have no underwire, not that the pro booby Mommas don't want you to have a sexy upper profile, but that the underwire sits on top of many of the mammary glands and can help create blockages and damage tissue.  Saying that it is not a life or death decision, but the no underwire is 'comfy' a theme you will become very fond of in this journey.

Due to the limited range of Maternity Underwear that can be found in department stores in Sydney, I shop online at Zodee.com they have HUGE range of maternity underwear, when I had my first bubba there was only a few, in the last three years there has been a welcome explosion of Maternity Labels, and they are fashionable and sexy!! Love them.  Here are my picks:

Bendon Maternity Nursing Bra

BENDON
Great brand, this is the Bendon Lingerie Maternity Nursing Bra. It comes in standard colours (white, skin tone, black).  This is a dainty pretty little nursing/maternity bra.  More suited for smaller cup sizes as it is not very supportive bra for a larger cup size.  Very light and sexy feeling though.

Elle Macpherson Maternelle 

ELLE MACPHERSON INTIMATES
The all time favourite and MOST COMFORTABLE BRA - Elle Macpherson's Maternelle Maternity Bra.  This bra comes in four colours white, black, pink and lilac.  It has no seams to run across your nipple and annoy the hell out of you.  This bra is awesome, I've never met a Momma that didn't love this bra.

This is a must for every Momma to be... (you can get this one at Myer and David Jones).

There are some other beautiful styles from Elle Macpherson.  Very sensual and lovely for a smaller cup size.  Perfect for you my pretty girl :-)

HOTMILK
Awesome brand.  Beautiful underwear, really great fabrics and designs, not the standard run of the mill.  Very often on sale as well.  I found heaps of it a Tradesecret a store near me that sells excess stock.
I bought a bra and undie set from them last bubba.  I still wear the french knickers today.  I really liked them.  The only criticism I had was the lace used started pilling after several washes.

New Beginnings U Grow Bra

THE NIGHT BRA - NEW BEGINNINGS
Oh, yes, more of the fun of nursing, you need to wear a bra at night time (unless you want to sleep with a towel on your chest - which may become an option).  You want a bra that feels like its not there, New Beginnings was my solution.  I had the feeding bra, which was awesome just enough to hold the nursing pads on, and was great to get you through engorgement (when the milk first comes in).

Special mention to Loveable, who do fantastic well priced and increasingly stylish maternity bras, Bonds have recently started there 'Bumps' range.  I had a singlet of theirs which was great, but, their bras and such are aimed more at a smaller cup size, so I never used them... check it out!


SIZING
Generally speaking a woman goes up one to two sizes during pregnancy/nursing.  The best guide that I've heard is fit yourself comfortably around the band, and in the cups you should be able to fit one hand as well as your breast, that way you know you have room to expand when the milk comes in.

HOW MUCH UNDERWEAR DO I NEED?
Well you know how many undies you need in a normal week, but keep in mind you are (shut your ears boys) bleeding like you have your period for up to six weeks after birthing, so keep those ugly briefs you were going to throw out for this 'special' time.

Bras, I recommend you have at least three and a night bra, this will get you by for sure.  Remember, it is only for a short time, don't spend a fortune, but to spend enough to make yourself happy.  It's the least you can do when you feel festy!

Where to spend the most money....

There is always a mountain of products out there for children and babies, all of them claiming to be VERY important, trust me, on the whole they're not.

The most important things for you to invest in are:

• The pram 
• The Nappy Bag
• The Cot
• Your Underwear

And that's about it.  I'll expand on what you should spend said money on later.