Breastfeeding
As I gave birth in the Netherlands and here you have someone coming to care for you and the baby in the first week, I never looked too much into it before giving birth. But I discovered the best informed group for it
Unfortunately available just for Romanian moms, as all information is in Romanian. But it is the place where I learned about Dr. Newman
And I just loved his approach and I would recommend him to any new moms. There are books to buy and videos to watch and learn the majority of things you should know.
Best tips I got and tested on myself: use white cabbage in the bra when the milk is coming in for the first time and you feel on fire. Make sure to keep it refrigerated.
Use Multi-mam compresses to help when nipples get too rough. Lanoline should help too, but I found the compresses way better at the second child.
Start labour
I am not sure if anything helps. I am not even sure I started my own labor. But I did watch a few videos. So here are the ones that I thought could be useful.
Anything that could get baby down and engaged should help I believe.
I never wanted to rely on taking anything, so I stuck to movement and just getting myself ready in my head/psychologically.
Anything related to hypnobirthing should help I believe.
First weeks at home
Looking back at my 2 births I can see how the lack of experience made it more difficult the first time around. We both wanted to do things right and we were just overwhelmed like any other parent of the new life as 3. We had bought way too many things, and realized we only needed:
To be there and help the baby accommodate the transition outside of the womb. Depending on how easy or rough the birth was, they do tend to sleep a lot the first days. My experience is that the best position to sleep for a baby is just perpendicular on your chest. This position helps with pressing the gas out after feeding, as well as giving them the same safe feeling (listening to your heart). Your body is also the best way to keep your baby's temperature right.
Give yourself time and rest so that your body has time to heal. You will probably be up a few nights before the baby learns the difference between night and day. Buy yourself a wrap to help you holding the child in your hands, your back will be thankful. Also it might help calming the baby down quicker.
If breastfeeding hurts just ask for help from a specialist.
The same with babywearing.
Choose anything else instead of a plastic clamp for the navel. Why? Because it is so much easier to put a diaper around it and help the cord fall out. I went for a cord ring out of latex the second time and it was so much better. Remember to leave it outside of the diaper so it will dry quicker.
Don’t buy too many clothes in small sizes. They grow so fast. My first born grew out of the first size in just 2 weeks.
For diaper rash, as well as your own wounds in case you had a natural birth, try Kamillin Extern Robugen. I could only find it in Germany. I guess a chamomile concentrate tea should have the same effect. I still use it at every bath of my 3 months old.
