What tips/tricks have you learned?

[melo1224]

Well I figure we can share some ideas and things we've learned so far.

For example I purchased the belly band on diapers.com (they sell them at Target as well) With the band I'm able to wear my regular jeans a little longer. I cant get any of my buttons anywhere close to each other but I can put the band on and everything stays in place. I've been pretty comfortable wearing it.

Also I bought a pair of maternity pants. They feel really good on my growing belly but every other step I had to pull them up b/c they keep sliding down (and I bought a small) So I used my belly band over the elastic of the maternity pant and it kept them right in place.

I bought the Tummy Butter and I've been pleased with it. If I put it on first thing in the morning I can still feel the moisture in my skin that night. My friends advised me to start using something early before I start stretching so I'm trying to be vigilant about using the butter.

So what things have you ladies been doing that seem to work well?

[1st]

I think my post was too long!  Sorry all!
-1st

[1st]

I couldn't stand using tummy butter ,when I was pregnant with my daughter, because it made all my clothes so sticky!  I want to use something with this pregnancy to avoid stretch marks, since I'm having twins, but I want something not SO sticky!  Melo- As for what you need with a new baby, I found that there was a great list in the "What to Expect The First Year" book.  It is NOT in the "What to Expect When You're Expecting" book, but the one after that.  It had a great list of essential items, that proved really useful with my first, when I had no clue what I would need.  My advice on the immmediate essentials (based on my own experience) are, a bassinet or crib (if you're not planning on using a bassinet) otherwise you won't need a crib 'till like 3 months after baby is born.  A change pad (even if you don't have a table, you can put the pad anywhere) and a few covers for the pad.  You need LOTS of diapers.  Wipes you'll need after the first month (when you come home from the hospital, they tell you not to use wipes for the first month, because baby's skin is so sensitive.  You use water and a damp cloth).  After the first month you'll need wipes.  You'll need a lot of onesies (less if you have  washer and dryer).  If baby is on the smaller side, Gerber makes the smallest onesies I found.  A few PJ's that are easy to get on and off.  I would NOT buy a lot of things that you have to squeeze over babies head.  Zp up PJ's are the best, or even button up ones as long as they are all one piece and you can set baby into them without having to pull a top over baby's head!  Things that Zip up are great.  You need an infant tub (although you won't need this until the umbilical cord has fallen off, before that it's all just spongue baths).  A thermometer of some kind.  I bought the kind you use in the ear, and it was HORRIBLE.  I recommend buying a regular one designed to take the temp in babie's bottom as it is the most accurate measure of temp (and they're not very expensive, unlike the expensive waste of a thermometer I bought.  I was terrified to take the temp. this way, but it's actually fairly simple).  You might want a monitor for when baby is napping (at night he/she will most likely be in the room with you).  Do NOT buy cutsie little dresses if you are having a girl, you will never use them they're too much of a hassle to get on, are unconfomfortable, and just a big waste.  Do buy some kind of swaddling blanket ( a few).  I liked the kiddopottamus ones, but some people prefer other brands.  You will want some kind of carrier for baby (but honestly, I didn't feel comfortable using any carriers until my daughter could really hold up her neck by herself!)  Oh, infant tylenol drops are another key thing.  And, it was really nice to have an infant swing to soothe my daughter while we ate dinner.  We got the Baby Papiswant (hope I spelled that right).  It was awesome for when we were ready to eat dinner, just put it on low speed if you get it, because it swings REALLY fast at the higher speeds.  These are just the essential IMMEDIATE needs that come to mind.  A breast pump, if you are planning on nursing, would also be high on that list.  I have the Medela Pump in Style and loved it!  You'll also need a nursing bra if you plan to nurse and maybe some creams designed to soothe sore nipples!  My daughter never took a pacifier, but you may want some of those and bottles!  Oh, Johnson's body wash, for the shampoos!  Anyhow, I'll try to think of anything else I can.
-1st  

[shellio]

I don't need a belly band yet (except right after i eat!!) so I loop a hairband through the button hole and then slip the loop over my button. Works pretty well for now.

[melo1224]

I'll have to look at the brand of tummy butter, I can't remember. I got it at Baby's R Us, it was my first trip to explore the options of all the baby stuff. I'll post tomorrow with the brand.

This is my first baby! Everyone says " well you were little so you're going to show early" but I haven't read that anywhere. I think people are trying to make me feel better. When I showed my bump to my family they were all in shock. So then everyone says it must be twins! I've had 2 ultrasounds that showed one baby, surely there will not be any surprises.

My husband and I felt lost at the baby store. There's so many choices to make with baby gear, and with this being our first baby we don't know the pros/cons of certain features. Luckily our sisters are here to give us advice.

[kmcarino]

Is this your first pregnancy?  The say that after you have your frst, that everything will happen sooner in your following pregnancies so you would show faster.  I am 11 weeks 3 days tody and this is my second pregnancy and I am showing too.

[hope_peace]

what brand of tummy butter are you using?
I'm going to get maternity pants next week after my u/s. I'll officially be in the second trimester. ::)
but for tricks :S when I get sick, the smell of cinnamin makes me feel better so I carry around a tiny little thing of ground cinnamin and it works.

[melo1224]

Good luck! I've been pleased with it. I'm 11 weeks today and I have a pretty nice baby bump already. I can't get into any of my regular jeans without the band. It's crazy b/c I thought it would take a while for me to show like this.

[amy0013]

Im glad to know you like the bella band!!!  Im going to be wearing mine today!  It's not that I'm really showing...these were just pants that were a little snug before I got pregnant so I thought it would be a good excuse to try out the band!  LOL!  :)