Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.3 4.3bsd-beta 6/6/85; site decwrl.DEC.COM Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!decwrl!dec-rhea!dec-yogi!marks From: marks@yogi.DEC Newsgroups: net.kids Subject: Newborn advice for two novices Message-ID: <283@decwrl.DEC.COM> Date: Mon, 6-Jan-86 13:05:55 EST Article-I.D.: decwrl.283 Posted: Mon Jan 6 13:05:55 1986 Date-Received: Tue, 7-Jan-86 06:59:39 EST Sender: daemon@decwrl.DEC.COM Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation Lines: 124 Dear Two Novices: Having raised two kids (both of them were born in April, by the way, and you will find it's a terrific time of year to bring a baby into the world), I hope my insights as a mom of older kids who is looking back will be of help. Just let me say, when your baby is born, common sense will guide you in cases where you are inexperienced. Babies are small humans and should be treated as such... >I am going to breastfeed, however, don't I need a bottle >for water or juice? Depends on if you will be home with the baby or going back to work and leaving the baby in some kind of daycare situation. I breastfed my daughter, and she never in her life had a baby bottle in her mouth. A baby will do well on breast milk alone for approximately 6 months, give or take. This makes life extremely simple, which is a boon for a new parent. After that, you can start introducing solids (my daughter liked to suck on chicken bones at 6 months, which I found out when she grabbed one off my plate at the dinner table, where I was nursing her). What they may be depends on your lifestyle, your pediatrician's recommendations, and what your baby likes. I recommend you read The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, published by La Leche League, Intl. And for heaven's sake, don't listen to rumors (you'll hear many on this subject; 98% are not true). >Should I get a baby carriage or >a stroller? When my babies were younger, I preferred a carriage. Since your baby will be born in the spring, you will probably get a lot of use out of this. For older babies and toddlers (7 - 8 months and older), I think a stroller is more convenient. How about one of those nifty convertible jobs? Rather expensive, but I think worth the investment. >Are disposable diapers better than cloth ones >both for baby's skin and economically? For my son I used cloth, for my daughter disposable. They say cloth is better for skin, but I never found any difference, as long as you don't leave them on for inordinately long periods. In terms of mom's time, disposable are much preferable. Some like a diaper service, but I always preferred to use the disposable kind and not have a big bin of dirty diapers around until they were picked up. A good way to judge is to sign up with a service for a couple of weeks and see if you like it, then try the disposables and compare. In the end, the choice is up to you, your lifestyle, and your baby's bottom. >What kind of carseat >do most parents recommend for the first few years of life? In my day, the only safe ones were made by General Motors. I believe this has changed radically. Ask around. Check Consumer Reports, generally a very reliable source. >What about pacifiers? Nuk seems to be the best. I had one pacifier baby, and one who never used a pacifier. Pacifiers are generally considered healthier than thumbs (many breastfed babies don't need them at all). Supposedly, Nuk does the least damage to developing teeth and gums. >Bibs, and other clothing? Some babies drool, others never do. Breastfed babies tend to spit up less than bottle fed ones, and the spit up is less offensive in breastfed babies. I found sometimes that a receiving blanket over my shoulder was more useful than a bib on the baby. Bibs are cheap -- try it out and see if you like it. As for clothes, go by yourself and how you are feeling. If you feel cold and put on a sweater, put a sweater on the baby. If it is 80 degrees, let the baby wear only a diaper with a light blanket to sleep. The little nightgowns with the drawstring bottoms were extremely versatile when my kids were little. I also never put stiff shoes on them until they had learned how to walk -- could never see the purpose. There are some great corduroy booties that were built to stay on and protected tender feet. Try not to get carried away and purchase too many newborn size clothes. Babies grow like crazy, and you will find you have to go out and buy an entire new wardrobe. I bought little undershirts way too big. They were like tents at first, but soon they fit perfectly. >Toiletries? The array is staggering. I wasn't crazy about powder -- too many articles about how the particles could damage lungs. I cleaned with baby lotion each time I changed the diaper. This was good for preventing diaper rash. I used Desitin when a rash did come (smelly, but it really works). I used baby shampoo, but took precautions not to get it in their eyes anyway, and because someone had given it to me I used baby bath liquid, which was nice and mild. Baby oil is good for cradle cap if your baby is so afflicted (many are). Also, don't neglect yourself. One of the symptoms of breastfeeding in the beginning is soreness and tenderness. Hydrous lanolin is great for this -- you have to request it from your pharmacist. It has no additives or perfumes, so it doesn't bother the baby at all, and it protects your skin from all that sucking and heals it very nicely. Finally, remember that although this is serious business, the best thing you can do for yourselves and your baby is to HAVE FUN! The months of infancy go by like a flash, and you will realize later that these are really the least complicated times. Little kids have little problems and big kids have big problems. Enjoy your baby and good luck! A Boston Mom