Description

Mother to be Ereka Vetrini talks about how she feels bringing home her new born baby. She also talks to an experienced doula about what she needs in the house for the baby.

Transcript

Ereka Vetrini: In just a few weeks, I will be bringing home my first new born and it's amazing how such a little thing needs so much stuff. Being a first time parent, I have got to admit, I am feeling a little bit nervous. So I have called on the help of a certified Labor and Postpartum Doula, Barbara Ryan. Hopefully, she will help me prepare for those first few crazy weeks. Barbara, thank you so much for being here. You are the total expert, how many families have you visited? Barbara Ryan: I've been in hundreds of homes over the last 8 years as a Postpartum Doula. Ereka Vetrini: And you are a nurse too, you were a nurse? Barbara Ryan: Yes, I was. Ereka Vetrini: Can we start going through the products that I will need for those first few weeks? Barbara Ryan: Absolutely. Ereka Vetrini: And maybe we can start with just is that mom stuff first? Is that okay? Barbara Ryan: Sure, we'll start with the things that you are going to need. When you come home, you are definitely going to want to have for yourself a nursing pillow if you plan on nursing. Ereka Vetrini: Yes, for sure. That's what I think I am going to be doing and obviously things change God forbids something goes wrong, but, yeah! I think so. Ok, so let's confront now how about bottles and stuff like that, because I know now the whole pushes BPA and that's all you can really get. Is that where we want to be? Barbara Ryan: Absolutely, absolutely and there are tons on the market today, of course all from glass to different products and they are all PDA free today, it's mandatory. Ereka Vetrini: I have my bras, this is actually mine right here, it's my breast feeding bra. Barbara Ryan: Yes. And you should have several because you want to wash them everyday because you want to watch out for them getting dirty because milk will spill on to them, you will leak and so you want to have several different bras. You also want to have a night bra and a day bra. Ereka Vetrini: Do I have to purchase them right away because I hear you don't really know what size you are going to be until you are actually start to produce milk. Barbara Ryan: That's correct. So you definitely want to wait and see. You definitely want to have at least one to two bras on hand when you come home because sometimes it's hard to get out those first few days and weeks and then this way once your breast gets of the size of they are, Ereka Vetrini: Then you can change. Barbara Ryan: Then go, you can change. Ereka Vetrini: Great. Now of course everyone has said that breast feeding is not always easy, you know it supposed to be easy. Barbara Ryan: Absolutely. Ereka Vetrini: And there is a lot of sort of soreness. Are there things that I need that I can use to kind of protect myself? Barbara Ryan: Sure, there are different nipple creams on the markets. This one is very popular and there are some natural forms, there are all different products out there. Ereka Vetrini: Okay. And should I be concerned if I put this on, can my baby breast feed directly after -- really? Barbara Ryan: Yes, you have to read the labels, and mostly all babies can breast feed on them, but I would definitely check on the labels. Ereka Vetrini: Okay, that's good to know. Barbara Ryan: Also your breast milk works as a wonderful lubricant for your breast. You squeeze a little bit it out after the baby has nursed, rub it on, let them air dry and it's just as good as this. Ereka Vetrini: So then, this should be used in extreme circumstances? Barbara Ryan: It can be used for regular daily use as well. Ereka Vetrini: Okay, I like the whole natural thing. I think that works. Barbara Ryan: Absolutely, and it works wonderfully. Ereka Vetrini: Let's go start with clothes because this is a little overwhelming to me. I am like reading about all the different sizes I need and I kind of don't know where to begin. How many, let's say 0-3 months should I have? Barbara Ryan: Well, let's start with onesies and kimonos. You should probably have about, I would say about a weeks worth, may be 7-10 kimonos. Would you like this? There are ones with snaps, these are really great for the belly button and when the court is still presence. This way it doesn't rub on there and cause any irritation. Ereka Vetrini: So this is because I don't have any of these yet. Everything I have is a full on onesie, so you suggest having the ones that are snapped or kimono style. Barbara Ryan: Correct, for the first, at least into the belly button falls off and the court and that can take up to 10 days, sometimes 2 weeks, but most babies are fallen of within the first week. Ereka Vetrini: Okay, so we have got our wraps and then these are onesies? Barbara Ryan: These are onesies and these are greats to keeping the baby warm, their tummies are sticking out a lot, so that you'd have little pants on or something, and this will keep them warm and depending on the season, long sleeve or short sleeve. Ereka Vetrini: Okay. Now hats, I see you have them laid out here. Do you wear in the house too? Barbara Ryan: You do, they loose most of the heat from their heads. So especially in cooler months, you want their heads to be warm and especially in the house, especially the first few weeks. Ereka Vetrini: Okay, sounds good. And then for bathing, I see you have a ton of stuff here foe bathing. Barbara Ryan: You would definitely want some washed clothes, sponges-creed and some hooded towels. A thermometer is very important. You're going to need two thermometers. You need a rectal and a regular thermometer. Ereka Vetrini: Right. Barbara Ryan: They will teach you to how to put the thermometer under the baby's arm to get a temperature. But if you are concerned that your baby has a temperature, your pediatrician is going to want a rectal temperature. They don't go by this, they want that. So it's important to learn how to do that. You can ask in the hospital, the nurses to assist you with that. Ereka Vetrini: The one thing that I always hear about that I am actually concerned about is some silly, nail clipping. It's the silliest thing and you think it wouldn't be a big deal, but they are so little and they are moving all the time. Barbara Ryan: Absolutely and also when they are first have born their nails are actually caught to the bottom -- underneath of their nails to skin. So that's why a lot of babies get cuts from new moms trying to cut their nail. Ereka Vetrini: Okay, Diapers, I see you have a few different kinds here. Barbara Ryan: We have cloth and we have disposable. The cloths are greats, they come with these covers, they are great for the environment and then these are regular disposable. Cost wise, I think these probably turn out to be a little bit less expensive than disposable and of course these are better with fitting environment, but each has whatever they choose to do. Ereka Vetrini: okay, so it's basically a family preference? Barbara Ryan: Absolutely. Ereka Vetrini: And a time preference in I'm assuming. Barbara Ryan: It is. Ereka Vetrini: Yeah. Barbara Ryan: You are going to need some burp cloths, some bibs, receiving blankets and regular blankets. These are great for swaddling your baby. Ereka Vetrini: When do you use the blankets because I thought we're wearing a lot to put those in the cribs? Barbara Ryan: You are not supposed to put them in the cribs. These are great for when you are going out in a carriage to cover their legs or when you are sitting in a bouncy seat or in a swing. And make sure you keep it below their chest, very low, closer to their belly button area and wrap it tight around them because if they are kicking on them, it can fly onto their face. Ereka Vetrini: That's important. Okay. Barbara Ryan: Definitely. Ereka Vetrini: Good to know. Barbara Ryan: Some Tylenol is good to have on has on hand just in case of an emergency and if in the night baby has a fever or if you are immunizing your child to have this on hand if your baby is upset from the shots. Ereka Vetrini: And what is the temperature that's worth can be concerned about? Barbara Ryan: Anything over rectally 100.4. Ereka Vetrini: Okay. Good to know. So Barbara, I do want to ask you about the bedding situation because you hear so much about sits. Barbara Ryan: Absolutely. Ereka Vetrini: What is your feeling on the positioner and everything else? Barbara Ryan: I think everything here that you have is great. As long as these are attached, the bumpers really nice and tight, that's great. The positioner is wonderful, you want to make sure you baby's head is really up high in here and you want to make sure these sit low below their chest. Ereka Vetrini: Okay. Barbara Ryan: You're going to swaddle your baby at night. You can do it arms in or arms out. Most babies prefer to be swaddle with arms in, it makes them feel like they are back in your stomach again. Ereka Vetrini: It's really nice. Barbara Ryan: Yeah, really nice tight feeling exactly. Ereka Vetrini: Thank you so much for this education. I feel like it can be a little overwhelming at first and you will definitely help me relax a bit. Barbara Ryan: Great! I'm glad. Ereka Vetrini: So now I feel like I can get the relief, the first two weeks. Barbara Ryan: Absolutely. Call me anytime. Ereka Vetrini: I will.