Gentle Ventures : babycare

Nursery Necessities Defined by Item

Nancy Hamm — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 23:30:00 GMT

I have tried to format this information and it will not format the way I want. If you would like the original please email me. I thought it was important to get this information out.

NEWBORN NECESSITIES EXPLAINED

DIAPERING

Changing Table or Changing Area - It will be helpful to have one changing station upstairs and one downstairs, if you live in a two-story house.

Diapers - We would recommend buying a total of about 100 Size Newborn (Size N) diapers, as these go up to 10 pounds and will be a good start for most families. We also suggest buying at least 200 of the size 1 diapers, which go up to 14 pounds. 200 diapers will last you about 2-3 weeks for one baby. If your baby is premature, Huggies has preemie diapers (Size P) for babies up to 6 pounds.

Diaper Pail - None of those fancy diaper pails really keep the odor of dirty diapers from smelling up the room. You're best off to buy a plain, small trash can with a "flip-top" lid and empty it on a daily basis. If you really want an upscale diaper pail, we would suggest the Diaper Champ because you can use regular trash bags in it. Some of the others require special bags, which are an added expense and not easy to replace if you run out of them.

Changing table pads - These are small, square waterproof pads that measure about 12x12. You put them on top of the changing table pad, directly under the baby. This way, in case there is an accident during a changing or if it's a particularly messy changing, you only have to throw the small pad into the dirty clothes and you don't have to remove the entire changing table pad cover! You could also get the disposable kind.

BATHING/HYGIENE

Nail clippers - get a good set that has a large, bulbous end to make grasping them easier for you. There are a few choices on the market, ranging from standard issue to cutesy (looks like a bee or ladybug). Use the clippers that have the magnifying glass. Don't bother with baby nail scissors; they're hard to use. Also, be sure and get some baby emery boards; they're less stressful than clippers!

Nasal Aspirator - Although you will probably receive one of these from the hospital, please buy one anyway. This can be a lifesaving tool during the first few weeks. Be sure and get the large, bulb syringe type (they're usually blue but sometimes green or white), that come apart for cleaning, not the tiny nasal one.Saline drops - This is especially important if your baby is a preemie or is born during the winter months.

Mylicon drops or Gripe Water - It is valuable to have one of these on hand. We prefer a more natural product, Gripe Water. Mylicon drops are commonly used but they are chemical based and we do not recommend them. Personally I would suggest you get colic calm or colic ease both available on the INTERNET http://www.coliccalm.com/ or http://www.colicease.com/

Thermometer - Get a rectal 10-second reading thermometer with over insertion gauge; ear thermometers aren't accurate; thermometers without stoppers are stressful. You'll also need a tube of Vaseline or KY Jelly and some thermometer covers

Bathtub - If you are going to use a bath tub get something cheap and basic. The main thing is that it has a drain in the bottom of it. We do not recommend the folding bathtubs because water leaks out of them at the "folding points." I always bathe in the sink and will be happy to show you a 'no cry' method of bathing.

Infant towels - It's worth the money to purchase high quality, thick, terry cloth baby towels. In the beginning however it is much easier to use a cheap thin bath towel or the baby can get lost in the towel.

Infant wash cloths - We really prefer the thin, cheap ones! We don't usually use a wash cloth to bathe the baby, but more to just wring water over him/her or to put it on his tummy and pour water over it. However, these wash cloths do come in handy for lots of other uses such as covering a penis during diaper changes and using in place of baby wipes for bad rashes.

Liquid baby soap - Go natural with anything you put on the baby's skin. We recommend Avalon, Aubrey's, Burt's Bees, or Healthy Timez. We do recommend getting a pump bottle because it's easier to pump something with one hand when you're holding the baby with the other hand.

FEEDING

Formula - Even if you plan to breastfeed, you should have some formula on hand in case you need to supplement. Your pediatrician or hospital will make their recommendation, but keep in mind that their choices are often based on the formula reps who give them samples. We really like Nestle Good Start, but make sure it is without DHA/ARA, which is also known as Lipil. There are also some great Organic formulas without DHA/ARA. DHA and ARA are found in *** milk, and most formula companies are now putting them into their formula, reporting that they promote brain and eye development. However, some babies who were on a Lipil (DHA/ARA) formula had reflux, ranging from mild to severe, and showed remarkable improvement when taken off the Lipil formula. These ingredients are so new that the American Academy of Pediatrics will not take a stand in support of them!Also please be very wary of SOY based formula's. I would be happy to send you the latest research on Soy, it is scary. You do not want your child on Soy.

Bottles - We prefer glass bottles or any bottle that is BAP free and PVC free. We have not preference to bottle brands as we find they are basically all the same. No bottle prevents gas or spit up.

Bottle Warmer -I do not recommend bottle warmers. Babies will take bottles any way you present it to them. Room temperature is the best and easiest way to go. You could just prepare bottles as you go, in which case you can use room temperature purified or better yet distilled water and you have no need for a bottle warmer. This is especially easy with multiples.

Bottle/Nipple brush - If you are using Playtex disposable bottles, you will only need a nipple brush and not a bottle brush.

Bottle sterilizer - This isn't necessary if you plan to use your dishwasher to wash and sterilize your bottles. However, if you plan to wash bottles by hand, the Avent sterilizer is the most convenient sterilizer we've found.

Bottle drying rack. This comes in very handy. We like The First Years 2-in-1 Drying Rack. You can also buy the sterilizer bags which are very handy and covenant.

Burp cloths - Your best bet is to buy a package of regular cloth diapers to use as burp cloths. We have seen these used later as security blankets, which is nice because if one gets dirty, it is easily and quickly replaced. No having to wait for the blankie to come out of the dryer!Bibs - Many babies dribble a lot when they eat, and formula stains everything it touches. If your baby takes formula, please have at least a dozen very small bibs that Velcro or snap closed (not tie).

CLOTHING AND BEDDING

Clothing: You should wash and store at least 4 gowns, 4 onesies, 4 pairs of socks, 4 swaddling blankets, and one crib sheet BEFORE your baby is born so that they will be ready to use when baby arrives home. You should not wash all of the baby clothes that you have received because you might need to return some things. Between pooping and spitting up, it is not uncommon for the baby to go through 3 or 4 outfits the first night home from the hospital.You should have about 25%, 0-3 months and 75%, 3-6 months clothes. However, if you are expecting multiples or your baby arrives prematurely, you should have about 50%, 0-3 months and 50%, 3-6 months. For very tiny preemies, you will want a few preemie outfits, but they do grow out of these very quickly.

Monitor: BabySense V - Infant Movement Monitor -The simplest and most reliable monitor available, the Babysense^TM V is comprised of two very sensitive sensor pads which are placed under the baby's mattress, and a high speed microprocessor control unit. The control unit alerts you with a loud alarm if it does not detect any movement for 20 seconds or if it detects less then 10 micro-movements per minute. Even the slightest body motions are registered as movement. http://www.babysafeus.com/

Newborn gowns - This is a must for all newborns, especially at night. You don't want to be fumbling around with snaps in the middle of the night when baby is crying on the changing table. And even during the day, gowns are much easier than any other clothing item because babies need about 12 diaper changes a day for the first few weeks. Try to find gowns with elastic at the bottom rather than a drawstring, and only buy size 0-3 months or size N (newborn). By the time they are big enough to wear something bigger, you'll be tired of seeing them in gowns!

Sleepers (long sleeves and long legs) while these do keep your baby warm, you will mainly want to use these during the day because of all the snaps. Look for the ones that snap or zip all the way to the feet so you don't have to ‘stuff' the baby's feet into the sleeper. (Child Time has the one's that zip from neck to feet and they have them in "preemie" as well.)Socks - These are only necessary during the cold months or if you keep your house pretty chilly during the summer.

Newborn hats - You really only need this if your baby is premature. They have a difficult time regulating their body temperature, so a hat helps keep them warm in the first few weeks.

Receiving blankets - This is a MUST HAVE item. PLEASE allow us to guide you here. The receiving blankets you find at most baby stores or in baby departments are not conducive to swaddling. They are too small and will not keep your baby swaddled past about 7 pounds. We recommend that you buy at least six (6) swaddling blankets. The thermal weave large blankets work very well for swaddling, Baby's R Us and Target carry the thermal weave blankets. They provide the stretch needed for a tight swaddle. You can order large 45 x 45 blankets from me. The Miracle Blankets work great also and are the preferred blankets http://www.miracleblankets.com/. There are a lot of darling receiving blankets on the market that are kind of fancy. These nicer blankets are fine for wrapping around baby when you want to show him/her off, but they will not swaddle him/her. (I can't stress enough about swaddling your newborn baby!) J Sleep sack - You will not need this until baby is at least a few months old, so don't buy it until you need it; just be prepared for it. The baby can be swaddled for the first few months. The sleep sack zips up the front and has no arms. It is a safe alternative to a blanket when you need to keep baby warm at night.

Crib sheets - Have at least 3 sheets per crib. You'll need one on the bed, one in the closet, and there is bound to always be one in the laundry. We don't recommend the jersey sheets (they feel like a T-shirt) or anything that is too inexpensive, as these types of sheets don't fit the crib very well and the babies can pull at them easily. Your sheets should be relatively plain, with a design that is not too busy. Some babies are very visually stimulated, and busy designs make for more challenging sleep training. A note about co-bedding multiples: I think its fine to co-bed your babies for the first 4 weeks or possibly a bit longer if they're preemies, but after that, they will begin to disturb each other and wake each other up, so they should be in separate cribs.

Crib sheet savers - These should be called life savers! Changing crib sheets is a gymnastic event so get at least 3 sheet savers. They are removed easily if baby spits up on them. These are terry cloth pads that tie onto the crib. Don't get the plain, waterproof pads for the bed because baby can accidentally grab them and get them stuck around his face.Crib bumpers - We don't recommend putting a bumper pad in baby's crib. They pose a safety risk and don't allow air to circulate well. Babies can wiggle themselves into the bumper and then get stuck there and can't breathe. If you absolutely must have the bumper, it should be removed when the baby is 12 weeks old and possibly before

.Mobile - Mobiles are tricky. On one hand, they are a great source of visual and auditory stimulation for your baby, and can provide a few minutes of entertainment in the morning or any time you are in the nursery with your baby and he is wide awake. On the other hand, his crib is a place for your baby to sleep, and you certainly do not want to offer any kind of stimulation when you are training him to understand this. Our favorite mobile is the Symphony-in-motion. Once mounted onto the crib, it has a swivel arm that allows it to be turned away from baby so it is out of his range of vision during sleep times. It plays music from Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven. Classical music has been proven to increase brain development. Music begins to play at the push of a button rather than a wind-up box, which is very noisy. Music plays for 15 minutes, and once sleep trained, he/she enjoyed listening to the music as they fall asleep.

LAUNDRY

Detergent - I recommend that you start out using Dreft detergent and stain remover (Zout by the Queen of Clean) since many babies have sensitive skin, and regular detergents can cause them to break out. As your first box of Dreft nears empty, you can try using regular detergent on Baby's clothes, if you wish. If there is no reaction, you can discontinue the use of the Dreft.

Small sock bag - As you know, washers and dryers are sock eaters, and they really seem to love baby socks, so I recommend buying a small sock bag to use when washing baby socks.

GADGETS & FURNITURE

Chair - a necessity. As with receiving blankets, PLEASE allow us to guide you here. You need a stuffed glider with a relatively high back (so you can lay your head back) and an ottoman that is stationary and does not glide. Fussy, colicky babies respond well to rocking motion, so you really need a gliding chair. This chair should be where you feed your baby at least during the night hours, if not every feeding. This chair should be very comfortable for you because you will be spending lots of time in it. In fact, there will likely be nights when you have to hold your baby and sleep in it. Make sure that the ottoman is large and is as tall as the seat of the chair so that when your legs are on it, they are straight out and not at an angle. There are regular gliders that are a popular option because the gliding motion is so comfortable. Please do not let these chairs fool you; they are not very comfortable when you are holding a fussy or hungry baby. You really need something large and stuffed. If you have a recliner, it will work, but preference is to have a chair in the baby's room if space allows. We strongly advise against regular rockers because they tend to move, and you find yourself constantly having to put them back in their place. Also, they are very uncomfortable. If I were on a budget, this is where I would spend the bulk of our money.

Small table - a necessity. You will need a small table to put beside the chair in the nursery. The table should be large enough to house a small lamp, a clock, maybe a picture frame, and a bottle (for while you're burping the baby).

Night light - Something with an actual bulb in it as opposed to the "glowing" night lights. I do not recommend purchasing a nursery lamp because they simply put out entirely too much light. However, if you must have a lamp, you will want a 7.5 watt bulb. They can be a challenge to find, but I have seen them at Wal-Mart, Target, and drug stores such as Walgreens. After the first 4 weeks, it is important for Baby to associate his own crib and a dark room with sleep, and a lamp is just too bright. The night light needs to be bright enough and near enough to the changing table so that it enables you to see what you are doing without turning on any other lights. You will also need a night light for any areas where you (or I) will be at night, such as hallways, bathrooms, kitchens, master bedroom (if Baby is in there with you), etc.

Carrying pack - These are very handy when you are out and about, and it is vital if you have triplets! I recommend the Baby Bjorn Standard carrier. It is high-quality and easy to use. Slings are fine, but they're awkward until you get used to them. Snugli brand is okay, but it is more difficult to use than the Baby Bjorn.

Crib - This is something you should either buy new or borrow from someone who has had their baby within the last few years. Safety standards have changed on cribs, so the newer the better. Slats should be no more than 2 3/8" apart. Paint should not be lead based. Side rails should have a plastic teething guard. There should be no cut out areas on the headboard or footboard. For more crib safety standards, see http://www.nsc.org/library/facts/cribtips.htm.

Changing table - There are some changing tables on the market today that have a raised shelf at one end. These are beautiful but they're not very functional because as your baby grows, the changing table will not be long enough to accommodate his legs, and he will end up kicking that raised shelf (and anything that is on it!) I prefer a changing table that has drawers as opposed to the ones that are open with just two or three shelves underneath, but anything will do, of course.

Baby Monitor - a necessity. I recommend Baby Quiet Sounds by Summer. If you have twins, once your babies are in separate cribs, you'll need 2 monitors.

Pacifiers - All babies have a strong sucking reflex, so please have a few pacifiers on hand to help him/her through fussy periods and those times when he needs non-nutritive sucking. Although lactation consultants may tell you not to give a pacifier to a nursing baby during the first few weeks, we have never had a client have a problem with this. Many lactation consultants believe that you should act as the pacifier, should your baby need to suck. The hospital may give you whatever your baby used while he was there. Many hospitals are using the Soothie brand of pacifiers, which are just wonderful and are what I recommend. You can purchase them at Wal-Mart, Target or on line. If you do not choose to use a Soothie, for safety reasons, please choose a pacifier that is of a one-piece design. At least one pacifier should be boiled for 5 minutes, air dried, and stored in an airtight container before Baby is born.Our general philosophy is not to use a pacifier unless absolutely necessary as they can get addicted to them and breaking the addiction is hard and you do not want to be putting the pacifier in their mouth every time they spit it out.

Bassinet - We believe that a baby should begin sleeping in his/her own crib in his own room the very first night he/she is home. If you really want to use a bassinet, we won't insist otherwise, but remember that the longer you use it, the more difficult it will be for baby to learn to sleep in his own crib.

Bouncy seat - a necessity. You can get one that does or does not vibrate, but a bouncy seat is a great seat for baby during his awake time.Swing - After the first few weeks, a swing is another great place for baby during his awake time. It is not important that you have this item for the first 4 weeks. If your house is very large or is 2 or more stories, you may want more than one swing

.Feeding pillow (Boppy pillow) - a necessity. Boppy pillows are very versatile, and they make feeding so much more comfortable for you. We recommend that you get the Boppy Luxe. The cover is removable and is made of fleece and very soft on the skin! If you are breastfeeding a singleton, there is a product called My *** Friend, which is wonderful. You'll have to find it on line; we haven't seen it in any stores. And if you are nursing twins, we recommend the EZ to Nurse Twins Foam Nursing and Bottle Pillow. This pillow is expensive (nearly $70), and it's not great for bottle feeders, so we only recommend it if money is not an issue or if you are certain that you will be nursing for many weeks to come.

White noise machine - a necessity. Please find a white noise machine that plays WHITE NOISE we do not use waves, or birds or heartbeat. Make sure the machine does not turn off after a specified amount of time. We want the machine on all night. Make sure it has the volume control. We use loud. Homeric makes a great machine. You do not need the clock or radio with it, just the basic machine. Walmart carries the Conair brand which works great for under $15.Nursery clock - a necessity. Whether you are nursing or bottle feeding, you will need to know what time it is when you start and finish each feeding. Unless it is a wall mounted clock, please get something that lights up in the dark.

Nancy Hamm cncs: Owner Exclusively Baby Nurses and The Baby Nurse Directory. Nancy is also the Managing Director of the NCSA (Newborn Care Specialist Association) Nancy has 18 years of experience working with newborns and parents. Nancy teaches others how to care for newborn to 12 weeks. Nancy's first love is caring for newborns and the education of parents. She can be reached at 602-412-8497 or my email

What is a Newborn Care Specialist - Newborn Help Defined

Nancy Hamm — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 13:15:00 GMT

Please feel free to contact Nancy at 602-263-1003 or check out her website at www.exclusivelybabynurses.org for agency help or www.exclusivelynewborns.com for personal help.

There are many misconceptions on the differences between a Night Nanny, a Baby Nurse, a Doula and a Newborn Care Specialist. I would like to take this opportunity to define these differences. Night Nanny is a person who comes into your home at night and cares for your baby. She takes her instruction from the parents and is generally not educated in newborn techniques nor can she give updated advice on the care of newborns. She will generally charge accordingly. Usually $10 - $18 hour. Baby Nurse is an RN or LPN. She will generally come into the home when the newborn has medical issues that cannot be tended to by a Newborn Care Specialist. She will assist the parents in a serious medical situation and the newborn will generally need around the clock medical attention. A Baby Nurse can also be a Newborn Care Specialist but must be trained more extensively in practical newborn care. A Baby Nurse will charge one half to two times more than a Newborn Care Specialist. She will generally charge $30 - $50 an hour. Doula is sometimes called a Mother’s Mother. She may be a Post Partum Doula or she could be a Pregnancy Doula. A Pregnancy/Birth Doula will assist the Mother throughout her entire pregnancy and birth. Her job will be complete at the birth. A Post Partum Doula takes over where the Birth Doula leaves off. She will follow the Mother home and assist her with *** feeding and she will tend to the Mother’s needs. She will not tend to the baby unless the Mother specifically requests that she do this. She is not educated in newborn issues to the same extent as the Newborn Care Specialist as her job is the Mother. She will generally charge by the job. Certified Newborn Care Specialist is exactly what the name denotes. She is a specialist in newborn care from birth to 12 weeks (adjusted age). She is more educated in that specific age than a Baby Nurse. Although a Baby Nurse is more experienced in the medical aspects, she will not have the practical experience of the Certified Newborn Care Specialist. A skilled and certified Newborn Care Specialist will have well-rounded knowledge in formula and breastfeeding, understand how to effectively set up a routine that fits the family's lifestyle, be able to interpret and adequately respond to a baby's needs, establish healthy sleep habits, know about diaper rashes, circumcision care, reflux, colic, swaddling, soothing techniques and how to effectively set up the family for success. She will be experienced in preemies, multiples and special needs babies. She will generally come in for one week to three months relieving Mom at night and educating the parents while she is there. Most Newborn Care Specialists are also available for day duty, around the clock or as a consultant. Her goal to work herself "out" of a job by the time the baby is 3 months old and typically sleeping through the night.
There is so much to know about babies and a Newborn Care Specialist is a person who is ‘in the know'.
I would strongly suggest that you make sure the Newborn Care Specialist/Baby Nurse you hire is certified by a qualified agent. Those ladies will carry the initials CNCS (Certified Newborn Care Specialists) behind their name. Many ladies call themselves Newborn Care Specialists/ Baby Nurses but not all are qualified to be doing that job.

Preventing Mommy Meltdowns – what Mommy should know before the baby comes home.

Nancy Hamm — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 20:47:00 GMT

You walked out of your OB’s office, you were pregnant and so excited. After 9 months you were looking forward to the time when you were able to get back to your “normal” life. You had the baby shower and went on line to get everything you thought you needed. You knew exactly what to do; you read all the books and even went to a great baby basics class. You were ready.

Finally the baby arrives. It is at that point you realize you are now responsible for this new life and surprisingly, the baby is not very appreciative. The hospital staff helped you care for the infant for the first couple of days but now you are home and all your baby does is sleep, eat, poop and cry. You are sleep deprived from the on-going feedings; day and night, night and day. The baby continually demands your attention. You are either feeding, changing or rocking your sweet little one. Your husband is helping as much as he can or he has shut down and is seeking refuge in work. Your hormones are raging, your breasts are sore and you have not slept in days. You can’t remember the last time you showered or even had a good meal. Everyone told you this was suppose to be wonderful. There has to be an easier way.

Drugs probably sound really good right about now! If you find that you need a little medical help with drugs, don’t feel embarrassed. Your OBGN can be very helpful in these times. Don’t be afraid to talk to him and express your fears and concerns.

Please know that you are not alone. Believe it or not, all mothers go through the same feelings of being overwhelmed. I have had desperate mommies confess to me “At this point, I don’t even like my baby.” My heart goes out to them. I know they love their baby, but I also know they are sleep deprived and desperate.

Be prepared, really prepared. Talk to mom’s who have recently gone through this. Join a Mom’s group. Accept suggestions and support from them.

Consistency and scheduling are the two most important things you can do in this process.

Being a Newborn Care Specialist, I talk to new mommies everyday about this issue. Here are some of the suggestions I’ve give them:

Babies need to be on a schedule. Babies thrive on schedules and so do you. You feed them every 3 hours during the day and let them wake up by themselves at night. Bottle feeding should take approximately 20 – 30 minutes and about 30 – 40 min. if breastfeeding. There are acceptable ways to do this and it is extremely important for you to learn how.

Heating the bottles is not necessary. It is possible to prepare a bottle in under 30 seconds so when baby is crying, you are not wasting precious time using a bottle warmer or other means to warm a bottle.

You only have to sterilize bottles when you bring the bottles home from the store. The dishwasher is a great cleaning mechanism after that.

Know how to properly swaddle. This is extremely important. A properly swaddled baby will sleep longer and more peacefully. How great is that!

There is a very workable schedule that will allow you to get a 5 - 6 hours stretch of sleep every night. Learn what that is.

Have a recommended Lactation Specialist on call if you are breastfeeding. Breastfeeding should never cause cracked or bleeding nipples. I would also recommend that you rent a hospital grade *** pump as soon as the baby is born.

Have a non DHA/ARA formula on hand, even if you are going to be entirely breastfeeding. Doing this will take off the extreme pressure of “what if I cannot produce enough for my baby?” or of making a midnight run to the store for formula while a baby is crying with hunger and won’t latch on.

The last thing I would suggest is that if you can afford to hire someone to help you during the night so you can get a good night sleep, you should do that. If you get a good night sleep, you can handle anything during the day.

Having a new addition to the family is manageable. Yes, the first couple of months can be extremely difficult, but with the proper tools and knowledge, you will be able to navigate those times with confidence.

Contact Nancy at 602-263-1003 or email her at nancy@exclusivelybabynurses.com mention this article.