Tuesday, September 30, 2008

No Crib, No Problem


We were expecting sometime in June, so we figured ordering a crib in March should give us sufficient time to receive and set it up before our son's arrival. Our crib was coming from Europe so the sales rep said that it should arrive in 8 weeks maximum - plenty of time! Either she was a really 'good' sales person or the manufacturing was really bad - after 8 weeks we called to check up, and found out that it would probably be delayed another few weeks. To make a long story short, my wife was much more efficient in manufacturing and delivering than the crib company.

No worries - we've read and heard that most newborns don't sleep in the crib anyways. So we kind of improvised. We used a pack 'n play (Orange Oak Playard $129.99 Retail) and a changing pad to create a makeshift crib in our bedroom. The changing pad actually works really well because it keeps him from moving left or right - he's safe and secure the whole night. Plus the pack 'n play is easily moveable, so it was great to have him in the same room with us. AND, if we needed to change him, he was waiting and ready right then and there!

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Importance of Proper Car Seat Installation



Make sure that prior to checking in to your hospital that you securely fasten your infant car seat. Call your local police department - they can ensure that it is installed correctly. In Los Angeles there is a department at the CHP that specializes in infant car seat installation. Also, here's a website that gives some great tips on how to install.

One other thing, be sure you know how to safely place and buckle an infant in the car seat. Practice with a stuffed animal or something to make sure you know how to do it properly. The hospital will NOT help you buckle your newborn into the car seat due to liability issues. Kind of unfortunate, but understandable in this litigious day and age.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

My Baby Has Jaundice

After some relief and rest post-delivery, we were eager to wrap things up and finally head on home. Just a couple of things left to do: circumcision and a meeting with the in-house lactation consultant.

I actually witnessed my son get clamped and sliced up...not pretty! Thankfully, there was some local anesthesia and a good old pacificer to keep him occupied. It was a pretty swift surgery, maybe 10 minutes total, but felt much longer, as I cringed in the corner - hands over my eyes but peeking thru like during a horror movie. Finally it was done, they put jellied up gauze over him, and we returned back to our room. If your son is circumcised, you will need to continue to put massive amounts of petroleum jelly on a gauze, to ensure that 'it' doesn't stick - that would hurt.

Interesting note on circumcision - I thought everyone did it, but apparently about 50% do, 50% don't. There are no proven health benefits, it's just preference. My main reason was that I wanted him to 'look like daddy' - so he won't be confused growing up. I guess it was good enough reasoning to shell out the additional $250 cost (not covered by insurance).

Meanwhile, my wife was getting some guidance and advice from the lactation consultant. Definitely recommend asking the hospital for one - while I don't know the details or technicalities, the consultant helps you to know what to expect, how to 'latch' the baby, etc. Ours also gave us some free Medela pump accessories ($50 retail value) - we ended up renting the actual pump from the hospital for a reasonable rate.

Finally, we thought all was well until we found out that our son had jaundice. It sounded like some terminally ill disease, but it's not that bad. But, he had to stay an extra day under some UV lights wearing protective sunglasses, and consume formula milk to help flush it out. Jaundice comes from the French word jaune, meaning yellow. The nurse said back in the day doctors noticed that the babies that lay near a window did not have issues with jaundice while those on the interior did. That was a clue that sun exposure was needed to help the child recover. Thankfully our son did, and we were able to take him home.

Friday, September 26, 2008

Delivery Day Thoughts


It was 5am in the morning and my wife wakes up, "Hunny, I think I peed in bed". We checked the sheets and sure enough there was a damp puddle of liquid around her. Not knowing what it was, she rushed over to the bathroom to let the pee out. "Hunny, it's still leaking and won't stop". That's when we knew, her water had broken.

Now, unlike movies that dramatize delivery and make it seem like it all happens within minutes (latest example being "Knocked Up"), our doctor calmed us and said it is still hours away. So, what did we do? I called in to the office and said that I'm starting my 'leave' early (I lucked out, there was a big meeting that I got out of that day), and my wife and I made some initial preparations for the hospital. We put together our diaper bag and a backpack full of clothes and other essentials, then we headed out for breakfast. Yup, that's right, we had a nice breakfast at the Omelette Parlor in Santa Monica - enjoyed our last decent meal for a few days, and called some family and friends.

A couple hours later after relaxing at home, we noticed that her contractions were being more consistent and closer together. They were about 5 minutes apart before we decided to check into the hospital. We walked in around 2pm.

We notified our doctor who in turn told the hospital to expect us. There was some comfort knowing that once we were there, they had already prepared a room for us. Another comfort was that our child-birthing class instructor (btw recommend taking), who was a practicing nurse, was also there. She was at the end of her shift, but it was still nice to see a familiar face.

Your nurse by the way, has to be your best friend. The doctor doesn't show up until right before delivery, which is hours away. The one who is monitoring you, tending to your needs, and making the decisions for your health and safety, is the nurse. We definitely lucked out with such a kind, caring, and patient nurse who made us feel at home, and...normal.

Thought's on epidural...use it.
My wife wanted to see how long she could last thru the pain. After a few minutes, we did the "point your finger in the air and say, 'doctor?!?!'". Of course there are potential complications with any type of external influence, but if you want your wife to be comfortable for what could be hours...use it. It was about 6pm when the drugs kicked in, and my wife lay in relative comfort until 4am when she was fully dilated.

Our OBGYN was called in, the nurse and I held her legs, and we were off and running. She pushed for about an hour, and our baby oozed out, cone-shaped head and all. Whew! Overall, it was about a 24 hour labor from beginning to end...not bad if you ask me.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

I'm not an Expert



I would say that the most intimidating experience I've had in recent memory was not: asking my then-wife's parents for her hand in marriage; placing the ring on her finger to seal a lifetime of commitment; signing your life away in the form of mortgage loan documents. No, I would say that the most daunting, overwhelming, paralyzing experience I've had was...stepping foot into a BABIES 'R US.

50 foot high ceilings, wall-to-wall shelves stacked with foreign objects, the sound of crying babies and bustling moms who know what they're doing. I was amazed at this underground world that I never knew of, and what is likely a multi-billion $ industry...all for this little one who has know idea or care for any of this stuff. Wasn't Jesus born in a manger? If that's good enough for Him then, hey? Okay fine, I did succumb to the innate parental urge to provide the best, safest (and always interestingly most expensive) products for my baby boy.

I don't claim to be an expert, as many authors and doctors will claim. I can just share about the things that have worked (and not worked) for my kid - and hopefully you can learn from them. I do believe that for the most part, there is no right or wrong...just what works for your baby. I try to gather reasonable amounts of information, and simply make a parental decision. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't - but we learn, and move on and continue to try our best.

Since that first trip to Babies 'R Us, I've had many more. I know where to go, I know what I'm looking for. I am familiar with the brands: Medela, Dr. Brown's, Baby Trend, Graco, etc. etc. I can't say that I don't still feel like a fish out of water, but I can walk the aisles with a sense of purpose and confidence. Don't worry, you will too - just be patient, with your baby, and yourself.
 
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