Mommy advice

I've finally decided to review the 4 page email sent to me by a friend and re-type some of her unsolicited, though much-appreciated advice:

• Dunstan Baby Language- the 5 sounds newborns make to tell you what they need: http://www.dunstanbaby.com/
  

1. "Neh" - Hungry
2. "Owh" - Tired
3. "Eh" - Burp
4. "Eairh" - Gassy
5. "Heh" - Uncomfortable

These sounds are made at the beginning of a cry, so listen carefully. If baby's need is not met, the word is lost in an exaggerated cry.

• The Five S's to sooth babies: http://www.babyslumber.com/happiestbaby.html
  

1. Swaddling - Tight swaddling provides the continuous touching and support the fetus experienced while still in Mom's womb.

2. Side/stomach position - You place your baby, while holding her, either on her left side to assist in digestion, or on her stomach to provide reassuring support. Once your baby is happily asleep, you can safely put her in her crib, on her back.

3. Shushing Sounds - These sounds imitate the continual whooshing sound made by the blood flowing through arteries near the womb. This white noise can be in the form of a vacuum cleaner, a hair dryer, a fan and so on. The good news is that you can easily save the motors on your household appliances and get a white noise CD which can be played over and over again with no worries.

4. Swinging - Newborns are used to the swinging motions that were present when they were still in Mom's womb. Every step mom took, every movement caused a swinging motion for your baby. After your baby is born, this calming motion, which was so comforting and familiar, is abruptly taken away. Your baby misses the motion and has a difficult time getting used to it not being there. "It's disorienting and unnatural," says Karp. Rocking, car rides, and other swinging movements all can help.

5. Sucking - "Sucking has its effects deep within the nervous system," notes Karp, "and triggers the calming reflex and releases natural chemicals within the brain." This "S" can be accomplished with breast, bottle, pacifier or even a finger.

• Register in person at stores for free coupons and gifts. (We did this this weekend)
• When stockpiling diapers (we hope to start soon) buy size 2 and larger because baby will grow fast. Buy from Costco or Sams.
  
• Her fave brand is Huggies for the back leak guard, but there is a lot available and we'll need to compare and see what works best for us.
  
• For formula, don't stockpile because babies have such sensitive tummies. And hopefully, we won't need to supplement... but if we do, again Sams or Costco for cheaper.
  
• Become a fan of Ju-Ju-Be on Facebook to win free or discounted diaper bags and accessories.
• Carter's brand clothing is highly recommended for availability, cost and quality. And for her little girl who was born in October last year, she made a fancy size chart that covers all the seasons so people knew what size would be needed for what weather. With my baby due in September, I won't have to change much at all, and it will be very handy to have with all these cute Valentine's clothes going on sale after today!
  

Gotta Haves:

• burp clothes- Lots!
• bibs- Lots!
• swaddle blankets
• Boppy chair
• 2 baby brushes- one for hair, one for scrubbing laundry
• baby bath tub... buy used at DI for $5
• baby swing... buy used for cheaper

For me:

• coco butter (Palmers) and lanolin for stretch marks - "Start now!"
  
• good supportive bras, also for sleeping
• maternity jeans and capris available at Old Navy
• Not from her letter, but I also want to buy a couple of belly bands pretty soon

APPROXIMATE SIZING CHART
ignore Highs and Lows... that is Las Vegas Temperatures

Adelaide's Size and Season Chart
Tag Size	0-3 months	3-6 months	6-9 months	9-12 months	12-18 months	18-24 months
Season	Fall/Winter	Winter/Spring	Spring/Summer	Summer/Fall	Fall/Winter	Winter/Spring
Months	Oct-Nov-Dec	Jan-Feb-Mar	April-May-June	July-Aug-Sept	Oct-Nov-Dec	Jan-Feb-Mar
Highs	82-67-58	58-63-69	78-88-100	106-103-95	82-67-58	58-63-69
Lows	54-43-34	34-39-44	51-60-69	74-74-66	54-43-34	34-39-44

Eager for Unsolicited advice!

So, I got into work today and did my normal blog-stalking and email checking. I had an email from an old co-worker and good friend with the subject "From the Queen of unsolicited advice :)" Knowing this gal, and her personal experiences, I thought she was kindly going to tell me the realities of life, where things don't always go as perfectly as planned and that I was being preemptive to shout my news to the world. I almost didn't open it right away. But I did. And I was so far from the truth. Instead, she was just jumping to give me a head start on all the newest technologies in mommyhood. With a 4-page email!! She had advice about what to buy right away, what to not waste my money on, where to get good deals, etc. etc. I have had a smile on my face all morning! Such great advice, given with such enthusiasm and genuine joy for me. And so nicely organized. Wow. There was also an attachment, where she had planned out clothing sizes for the next 2 years according to season, so one wouldn't purchase an adorable Santa suit in a size that would only fit in the summer months. Too funny!! But also very helpful, really. I can just imagine her giving this chart to everyone she invited to her baby showers! Hilarious. But seriously, I'm going to use it for myself, just so that I know what I can and shouldn't buy. Her baby was born a month after Bugatti is due, so I really don't have to change much at all. So, although it was unsolicited, and honestly kind of feared, from now on, I have eager ears for mommy advice!