The Mom Thread

[mariazmess]

I can't recommend this pre-natal Pilates class enough. The teacher is amazing and has kept me feeling strong and pretty pain-free throughout my pregnancy.

http://www.facebook.com/events/134658526740178/

Even at the ultrasound and when they administer the Doppler and I hear the heartbeat, I'm only just 'ok cool'. And they're looking at me like I should be weeping or something and I dunno what to do.

I felt that too. I was like, "ok, good, still alive!" but I didn't get weepy or anything and I felt like I should.

Oh Hollywood, thanks for making us think that there's a specific way to be pregnant and have babies!

 

[bettEC]

I can't recommend this pre-natal Pilates class enough.

Saw Anita posted this today. I really want to do it but I am such a commitment-phobe right now - not knowing how I will feel. For example, today I do not have enough energy to unroll my mat, nevermind pack it up and leave the house. Thanks for the rec though Maria - good to hear positive feedback and if I feel better in time I'll try to sign up.

 

[awwnaw]

Confession;: I've never done yoga in my life. I don't bother trying 15 yrs ago when it became popular and I was actually a fitness obsessed. Now I'm too embarrassed to go to a newb class cause I feel like an adult learning how to ride a bike and I'm certain it would be full of 57 yr olds. I thought prenatal yoga was a means to remain muscle and bone strength while pregnant: but Mariazmess it sounds like its actually helpful for aches and pains as well? Could I just got to a prenatal one not ever done the normal kind before?

 

[mcbee]

prenatal yoga is AWESOME for aches and pains. as well as mental health. and meeting other moms to be in the same good/bad place as you.

I did classes at Yoga Space and they were awesome. I also have mom friends who did the preregistered classes at Yoga Sanctuary and loved them.

I would totally give it a shot.

sarah

 

[mariazmess]

Prenatal yoga is a walk in the park compared to non-pregnant yoga, in my experience. Maybe because there are a lot of first timers (Awwnaw you are not the first pregnant lady to think, hm, maybe yoga would be a good idea now that i'm preggo!)

This is pilates though, not yoga. I felt like i was getting an actual work-out, and the focus on posture, mobility and strength were exactly what i needed.

If you want simple yoga stuff that will help relieve stress and aches, i strongly recommend Mamaste yoga (iTunes or online downloadable video podcasts, 10 minute commitment, unless you want to do more).

BettEC, you don't have to bring anything to the studio for Shonel's class. Everything is provided and set up for you!

 

[KillaLadY]

I trained with Nadine at Anita's studio until the day of labour. It's Pilates that kept my body in shape and also helped it bounce back really fast. I usually train on my own, however I really needed an extra "push" to get my pregnant ass to work out during that time and I wasn't going to go anywhere else, because I knew the quality I was getting.

I definitely recommend her studio, if you need guidance, motivation and to learn proper posture.

 

[mariazmess]

FTWK: Anita's studio = Imprint Pilates

They also offer other holistic services at the studio: a nutritionist, acupuncture, etc. Anita's sister is a holistic nutritionist and I went to her to help me create a whole menu that I could stick to during my first pregnancy (I was really used to eating out and eating shitty).

Ok, enough Imprint pushing. They rock!

In other news, my man is home for the rest of my pregnancy/summer/foreseeable future and having a partner to help with bathtime, bedtime, parktime, playtime... HEAVEN.

God bless the single-parents -- major major props.

 

[girlnextdoor]

hello mamas! i am popping in here for the first time in a long time! i'm now 28 weeks and feeling very pregnant! went to a home birth last night on the 16th floor of an apartment building with no a/c and it was like being in a sauna - i was so sweaty at the end of that one! i am scared for the rest of the summer!

 

[leigh]

Hi Mom (and Dads)! I know the topic of strollers has been covered in this thread, but quite some time ago. Does anyone have a suggestion for a good compact city friendly stroller? We live in a tiny apartment, we'll be using public transport a lot and I'm looking for a stroller that works for an infant to toddler (I think that exists). Any suggestions or reviews of your current strollers? Thanks so much!

 

[janiecakes]

I was very happy with the Maclaren Techno for all the criteria you list. Light enough for me to lift with a baby in it, didn't take up a lot of space on the TTC or in the apartment, sturdy enough for winter. I used it all the way through from newborn on up.

 

[jocelyn dee]

Anybody need a baby swing?

I have a fisher price precious planet cradle swing that I don't need anymore. I was going to sell it but would also be OK giving it to a Triber mama who needs it.

It is still in good condition and looks like this one.

I also have a baby play mat - used but still has some play left in it. It is Tiny Love brand and looks like this one:

Also have a bag of assorted baby toys that my boy no longer uses - some rattles, baby links, teethers etc.

All free if anybody wants them.

 

[mingster]

i need a swing! i've been looking for one for baby coming in 6 weeks!

sending you a PM.

 

[Liability]

Hi Mom (and Dads)! I know the topic of strollers has been covered in this thread, but quite some time ago. Does anyone have a suggestion for a good compact city friendly stroller? We live in a tiny apartment, we'll be using public transport a lot and I'm looking for a stroller that works for an infant to toddler (I think that exists). Any suggestions or reviews of your current strollers? Thanks so much!

We use the Upa Baby Vista. Not the most tiny of strollers but we walk and transit everywhere and the thing is rugged enough to take any and all abuse. Also has great storage for doing grocery runs while on the move. Handle adjusts upwards which is great for taller walkers.

 

[stryker]

We had the anatomy scan last week and they're looking happy and healthy

They're starting to look like people...the previous ultrasounds just looked jumbled. We couldn't tell if the techs were looking at babies or Jodi's breakfast.

We felt them kick for the first time this weekend.....such a trip!

Prenatal classes at Mt Sinai start next month and I'm really looking forward to it because I have no idea what I'm doing. I tried wrapping/packing my Buddha statue for the house move next month. If the bubble wrap didn't even make it from the table to the box, what the hell is going to happen to two diapers...lol

stew

 

[KillaLadY]

Uppababy Cruz user. I travel a lot (train, drive and a lot if flying), my stroller has been through a lot of abuse, light, very compact, small, sturdy, good storage, my son naps daily in it.

 

[mariazmess]

Baby came 5 weeks early, at 35+3days. Crazy story which I will recount here some other time.

Needless to say that this birth was completely different from my first birth!

Melodie, 5lbs 9oz!

 

[sk8]

Congratulations Maria and welcome little Melodie!!

Hope everyone is doing well

 

[mcbee]

Congrats! such a pretty name!

sarah

 

[peko]

Baby came 5 weeks early, at 35+3days. Crazy story which I will recount here some other time.

Needless to say that this birth was completely different from my first birth!

Melodie, 5lbs 9oz!

Congratulations Maria & Mélodie & thé boys!

Very happy you're both healthy and well.

I have LOTS of girly clothes to share, if you want. The girls and I can bring them to you.

 

[awwnaw]

Congratulations!

Ladies, some questions;

-baby monitors... Critical points of difference I should care about? We're in a condo so range is the only unimportant thing. They all seem to vary so wildly in cost and bells and whistles but I can't foresee what I'll really care about. If I decipher a cry, I'm gonna go running. Right?

-stretch marks... So I've always thought I'm meant to slather myself in oil like I'm about to be in a porno, but then someone said they're hereditary and it's pointless. Oiling is just to help relieve the itching. Thoughts?

Give me any and all your tips!! I'm finding everything a bit overwhelming. I refuse to buy tons of crap I don't need. However it sounds like their are some lifesaver/must haves all moms agree on. Ex. That rubber giraffe. I haven't a clue how to be a normal consumer in this case.

 

[mingster]

personally, i only used my monitor for sound, so it was only needed when i was on a different floor than the baby. if you can hear the baby's room from anywhere in your condo, you're probably good. you might just need a monitor if you're going away to someone's house for some time. my monitor is Summer Infant, pretty standard, with lights that light up if there's noise in the baby's room. so i can have the monitor on mute, but still see if there's noise. i like that.

i have never used a video monitor, but my feeling is that it will have you looking at your baby on a screen alot more than you need to, instead of taking time for yourself to read or sleep or watch tv or something.

my son never really took to the giraffe. even though i had 4 of them. :/

i can remember feeling overwhelmed about what i needed to have in terms of baby supplies before the baby came. like, how in the hell am i supposed to know what i'm going to need if i've never done this before! you'll need/want some basics for a newborn, but anything after that, you can go out and get during the day when you want to get out of the house anyway, and you know your baby a bit better and will have a better idea of what they will like to play with.

research your strollers and make sure you pick one that you like and that will suit your needs. this is the one purchase that i wish i had experience with before i bought my first one.

 

[Jennika]

hi awwnaw,

we lived in a condo for both our babies and honestly, I wouldn't even bother with a monitor. you can hear the baby fine. i only ever used ours when we were visiting family that has a house where the baby was sleeping on a different floor. I personally would spend my money elsewhere, you can always buy a monitor after the fact if you feel you need one.

stretch marks- no idea. I suspect hereditary and the amount of weight you gain does matter, but I did use bio oil regularly for both kids and didn't get any yet I did get stretch marks when I was a teen on my hips so it's not like I'm immune

 

[sk8]

I did nothing really for stretch marks and I didn't get any either, and I also have growing ones from teenage years. I have no explanation for this at all. Sometimes I put on some cocoa butter, but not anywhere close to regularly. I am a very lazy person in this type of thing. I suspect the amount and how quickly you gain the weight has a lot to do with it.

I had a monitor - just a cheapo hand-me-down one. We have a 2-floor house so I did use it and also had it on at night as we sleep with a fan and I wasn't sure if I'd hear over that.

As for stuff, technically you don't need any of it, don't let those "suggested registry lists" fool you. But there will be things you want to make your life easier. I would suggest holding off on a lot of it until you figure out what you need. It's not like you are suddenly unable to shop after birth. You'll need clothes and diapers obviously, blankets - that kind of thing. The one thing I would suggest getting early is a good carrier and yes - stroller is key, particularly if you are a subway/walking person.

 

[Hi i'm God]

We have a huge house so definitely have a monitor, the video one is amazing. It's not always on because it drains the battery in minutes but if I hear a noise or one of them fussing I can just take a quick peek rather then trudge all the way upstairs.

Stretch marks

 

[KillaLadY]

We are in a condo and no monitor here either, we sleep together and we all go to sleep at the same time, so don't need a monitor. He also naps whenever/wherever and never away from me really.
I bought one and never used it. (Audio only).

Stretch marks will go away if you work out and lose the baby fat. I didn't get stretch marks until the last 3 weeks of my pregnancy as I was 56 pounds+ and was quite low.
I have been working out daily and they are pretty much gone. Oils work, but they will not begin to deminish until baby fat is gone.

And the only thing you will really need for the first 3-4 months is diapers and milk. Clothes should be hand-me-downs, as they grow super fast at this age if they are healthy.