FAMILY PLANNING
THE GALS OF THE BABY PLANNERS, LOS ANGELES'
PREEMINENT PRENATAL SERVICE
(THINK: COMPREHENSIVE
PREGNANCY CONCIERGE), TALK THE TOP TWELVE DECISIONS
YOU MUST MAKE BEFORE GIVING BIRTH
From the sublime to the ridiculous, every decision you need to make
before you give birth seems huge.
Moses basket or bassinet? Jogging
stroller or fancy pram? Co-ed baby shower or traditional?
While these
choices may cause some pre-baby jitters, there are some even bigger
and more essential
decisions to make, too.
Here are our twelve to-dos and decisions for your with-child forty. This list has
been known to cause a
few sleepless nights (the surging hormones don't help
either), but once it's completed, you'll rest easy—promise.
A birth plan is your road map for how you’d like your birth experience to unfold. It’s meant to be a source of comfort and confidence, but it—and you—must remain flexible as no one can predict exactly how your childbirth will go. (Our favorite example of late: Our friend's water broke while waiting in line for a fast food burger—that wasn't in her birth plan.) Your plan can include a variety of topics from who will be in the delivery room with you (Doula? Midwife? In-laws?) to your labor method (Drugs or No drugs?) to how you cope with your discomfort (bring favorite pillow, play music or try aromatherapy). Discuss your plan with your partner, write it down and share it with your doctor. It’s important that your core team is on the same page now to avoid possible disappointment—and chaos—later. Whatever you decide, feel good about it, embrace it and move on.
Another decision best made before the labor pains begin is whether or not you’d like to have blood from your newborn’s umbilical cord harvested and stored. Newborn stem cells are only available in the moments after birth, so you must make this decision early. The goal of banking is to have the stem cells available to the family in case they are needed at a future time for the treatment of a serious or life-threatening medical condition. It’s important to keep in mind, however, that if your baby is one day diagnosed with a condition that might be helped with this kind of treatment, it’s possible the cord blood carries the same condition making the treatment useless. An alternative to the bigger and more costly cord blood banks like Cord Blood Registry is public cord blood banking, which is often free and is encouraged by the American Academy of Pediatrics as a means to increase the amount of usable cord blood available. For more information go to their website at
www.aap.org.
Click here to read THE FAMILY GROOVE's article on cord blood banking.
| 3 |
Will you breast of bottle feed? |
Believe it or not, it’s almost like asking are you a dog or a cat person? What we mean by that is that there are two very specific schools of thought on this topic and the tough part is that there’s a lot of guilt associated with this question. But if you ask us, there shouldn’t be. Yes, breast milk is nature’s best. It’s nutritious, helps you bond with the baby and you’ll be amazed at how quick that baby weight comes off—but nursing isn’t always easy. We say, go ahead and give it the old college try. The worst that can happen is it’s just not for you. If that’s the case, stop feeling guilty and worrying about what other people think. Consult with your doctor, lactation specialist, or both, and find a formula that works. There are lots of nutritious options out there. Remember, breast or bottle, happy mommy equals happy baby.
| 4 |
The Great Diaper Debate |
Yes, babies poop and poop and poop, so having diapers at the ready is crucial. Even with the ever-growing awareness of environmental issues, the vast majority of new parents still go the disposable route. We’re not going to make that decision for you, but we’ll tell you this: disposable diapers are convenient and easy. Cloth diapers are often considered environmentally friendly, potentially cause less skin discomfort for baby and are chemical free. Deciding to use cloth or disposable diapers depends on your lifestyle, personal and financial preference, and how green you live your life. Still can’t decide? Split the difference. Use cloth diapers at home and disposable on the go.
Click here to read THE FAMILY GROOVE's article on high fashion cloth diapers.
We haven’t laughed this hard since we first heard about something called bottled water. Making a plan to sleep might seem a bit ridiculous, but you’ll be needing more sleep than ever once baby is born. Knowing where baby’s going to sleep ahead of time will alleviate a lot of stress when the tears start flowing—yours and the baby’s. Our advice is the sooner baby adjusts to their new environment—whether it’s between mom and dad, a bassinet or crib—the better the night's sleep for everyone. If the nursery down the hall seems too far, and co-sleeping isn’t for you, you’ll find that having a Moses basket or bassinet nearby does the trick. Of course, a good quality, low interference baby monitor provides much needed reassurance, too. Nighty-night.
Let the interviews begin. We know, you’ve never interviewed a doctor before, but this one could potentially be with you for the next eighteen years. You’ll want to know their philosophies on everything from breast feeding to vaccinations. Also, you’ll want to take into account the friendliness of the office staff, if there is a separate entrance for sick children and what insurance plans they participate with. Last but not least: location, location, location. You’ll want them to be close to home in case of an emergency and knowing what hospital they’re affiliated with (and liking that hospital) is important, too.
| 7 |
Prepare to Take Your Leave |
Every company is different when it comes to maternity and paternity leave, so do your research. Whether you work full-time or part-time, you need to know what benefits your company offers. According to the Family and Medical Leave Act, parents who have worked at least one year for a mid-size company or larger (50 or more employees) are entitled up to 12 weeks of unpaid time off. The good news is, by law, you’re guaranteed your job back at the end of your leave. The Department of Labor’s website can be of help, check it out at
www.dol.gov/esa/whd/fmla.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, up to 80% of car seats in use today are installed incorrectly. Our goal is to make sure you’re not part of that statistic. Whether you choose an infant car seat (rear facing only, up to 20 pounds is our pick) or a convertible seat, (rear facing, from birth up to 30 pounds, later turned forward for toddler use), we highly recommend you have it installed by a professional—it’s getting easier and easier to find one. Many baby retailers, from the larger chain stores to boutiques, now offer this service, sometimes even free of charge. There’s a great website we recommend for finding a certified car seat installer in your neighborhood. Go to
www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/childps/contacts and simply plug in your zip code.
Click here to read THE FAMILY GROOVE's article on car seat safety.
It's time to take an infant CPR class. This is one class that’s essential in preparation for your baby’s arrival. The idea behind it is to increase the likelihood of a good outcome in case of a life-threatening situation. A good CPR class not only gives you the basic skills you’ll need, but also the confidence to handle even the most unpredictable event. Check with your local hospital, pediatrician or the Red Cross for class information.
Click here to learn about C.H.A.S.E. for Life, a non-profit that's changing the state of CPR and Heimlich awareness.
This story will change your life.
If you have life insurance already, great; if not, pay attention. Life insurance ensures that your baby will be taken care of should something happen to you and/or your partner. Term life insurance is a popular choice for new parents. It’s usually the least expensive option and as your family’s needs change, it’s easy to adjust coverage. Being a stay-at-home parent doesn’t make your life insurance needs any less. For maximum security and minimum stress, make sure you’re both covered and that your beneficiary information is kept current. Same goes for your retirement accounts—IRAs and 401(k)s. Update, update, update!
Click here to read THE FAMILY GROOVE's article on financial planning.
We know, making a will is not fun—but it's very necessary. It is the only way to make sure that your child will be taken care of in case something happens to you. A will not only states guardianship of your child, but also ensures that your child will be cared for and provided for in the way that you intended. Your will should clearly state who will take care of your child and who will look out for his/her financial best interests. The same person is not necessarily responsible for both. Just be sure you have this very important conversation with the people you are entrusting this serious responsibility.
| 12 |
Find Some Helping Hands |
If you’re going to be needing at-home help be realistic about what your needs will be. A night nurse can help with the baby by changing diapers, doing midnight feedings and providing expert tips on baby care. A certified doula provides support for both mommy and baby, including lactation education. Some doulas will even cook light meals for the family. If you decide you’ll be needing a nanny, just make sure the agency does a full security background check on anyone they refer. Keep in mind that finding someone to care for your baby takes time, so listen to your instincts and don’t settle.
Click here to read THE FAMILY GROOVE's article on finding good help.
Whew, you’re done! We assure you that once these decisions are made, a huge weight will be lifted, you’ll walk taller, breathe lighter, and be able to start focusing on the really important things—like finding that perfect diaper bag.
 |
Melissa Gould and Ellie Miller are The Baby Planners,™ Los Angeles’ premiere baby planning consultants. Check them out at www.thebabyplanners.com. |
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