Helpful Hints

These are the tips I've collected for Pregnancy that I wish someone had told me. Some we've all heard, but not listened to... but mostly they're just about the little things that would have been nice to have known and will help next time go more smoothly.

PREGNANCY:

-Get a lot of rest
-Remember that the first trimester is the most important for baby’s development
-DON’T buy maternity clothes that you can’t breastfeed in. (if you plan on breastfeeding) Make sure the shirts/tops/dresses have buttons or low/stretchy V-necks- or else you’ll have to buy a whole new wardrobe after the baby is born! May as well get double use out of the maternity clothes.
-One day when you have the energy, go through you closet and separate out the things you can nurse in later- it is easier now then when you’re holding a newborn and leaking milk all over.
-If you buy nursing nightgowns (nice to have a couple- especially nice at the hospital
when on your second [or third] day being able to wash your face and put on something that isn’t a hospital gown will feel Really good) buy darker colored ones because when your milk leaks (which it will) it stains the heck out of anything white or light colored. The first few days, your pre-milk/colostrums is dark yellow… you’ll have dull yellow sunny side up sploches over both breasts- and then your father in law stops by to visit…
-Collect free samples at your classes, the OB and through the mail
-Read all you can, but be aware that much of the stuff is printed by the baby industry/formula manufacturers etc. so be wary of breastfeeding info printed by formula companies etc.
-Sign up at Pampers.com and all other formula and diaper websites (Similac, verybestbaby.com, huggies, babycenter.com, babiesrus, Enfamil etc.). Coupons, coupons, coupons- free diaper bags and free samples! Yay! They come in the mail and are great. Even if you don’t use the formula, you get great articles, coupons, and can give the formula to a friend or day-care center.