An Idiots guide to babies...

[BatPenguin]

Can I ask some probably very stupid questions please? My first baby is due in February and I've been wondering about the following things, but I am too embarrassed to ask anyone in real life as I feel I should just know these things.......

Formula feeding - does anyone know what milk they use in hospitals. If I use something different when I get home will it upset my baby's tummy?

How soon after baby is born do you give their first bottle? Is it straightaway?

Do they bath the baby in hospital?

How often do newborns need their nappy changed, and when do you do it - before or after a feed?

Thanks in advance.....

Hospitals usually stock all formula brands or you can take your own
My three dcs never had a bath in hospital
First feed in first half hour of birth
Nappy change every couple of hours

These arnt stupid dnt worry, you our asked what formula you would like your baby to have and are usually fed more or less straight away once cleaned up dressed etc, they don't bath babies anymore unless you have a long hospital stay ( in my experience) and as for chnaging I have always just done it when it has been needed if you check baby before and after feeds you will probably find out what routine baby has and they usually let you know anyway.

Hope that helps x

Formula - when I had my first baby (17 years ago) I was asked which one I wanted to use so the hospital obviously had a choice. I could only think of Cow&Gate (I was actually breastfeeding but I wanted him fed during the night so I could rest) so I chose that and then bought it later on when I swapped to formula feeding as I knew he was ok with it.

I don't imagine swapping formulas would upset most babies' tummies - some maybe?

I don't know when first bottle is given but they certainly try putting the baby to the breast straightaway and sometimes the baby feeds straight away.

Yes, my first baby was bathed in hospital and I was shown how to do it. Subsequent babies weren't. I took them home and bathed them there.

Nappies need changing usually with every feed, sometimes more often. I don't know that there is a rule about it. If you change the nappy before feeding, they often fill it after feeding, but if you wait to change the nappy, the baby could well be feeding with an already full nappy which isn't very nice for them (or you!) Basically, what I am trying to say is, life can seem like one long and repeated nappy change with a newborn, and also, there are no hard and fast rules.

Good luck!

Local hospital doesn't have any formula , advised to take your own , in cartons is easier.
Mine had a bath in hospital.
Within half an hour I fed him.
Nappy changing varied, usually I changed him before i fed as he went to sleep during a feed- which was often the case, so didn't want him to be dirty and have to wake him up again. But sometimes changed after his feed aswell!
Just have to go with the flow and do want your baby is wanting. - if he's hungry feed him, sleepy then let him sleep, dirty/ soggy bum then change :)

They used aptamil in the hospital where I gave birth. We continued it for top ups at home as we didn't want to risk changing & DD not taking it. I could be wrong but I think if you are planning to FF from the start, the hospital will not provide it and you have to take your own? Best to check with your midwife what the policy is on the post-natal ward. The first feed would normally be a breastfeed as soon as baby is checked and clean -I would imagine the timing would be similar for a bottle feed.

They don't bathe the baby in hospital and we didn't at home properly for a couple of weeks until the umbilical stump came off.

Newborns will get through A LOT of nappies - minimum
12 a day. We changed before a feed so as not to disturb
any drowsiness after. There are times though when it just has to be done regardless!

Thank you this is really helpful
I was planning on using cow & gate - they do the ready made sterile bottles so I was going to take those with me and if it turns out i don't need them we can keep them for night feeds at home.

So I assume the midwife dresses them for the first time then?

Wow 12 nappies a day I knew it would be lots but bugger me.

"They" didn't use any milk or do any baths when I had DD1 in hosp 9 years ago. Absolutely of all of her care was down to me and they do not check or supervise that you're OK with it- just so's you're prepared for your hospital stay.

My husband dressed the babies for the first time. I was a bit busy being sewn back together.

My dh dressed our lo for the first time, and did virtually all nappy changes until we got home (I was in hospital for a few days post-birth). Be prepared for A LOT of nappy changes - it really does vary as some babies poo a lot more than others!

Please please please can I add on my "everyone thinks you should know but no idea" question while you've started the thread Bat (hand up eagerly icon)

What do new babies wear exactly? How is a sleep suit different from a vest or a babygro? And if they're in vests, what do you put on their legs? And what the flip is a pramsuit to wear home exactly?

Pramsuit = snowsuit.

Yes good question puggle.

So they don't check that your feeding the baby properly or anything? Your left to it? Oh my days. I've never fed a baby. I'm starting to feel very unprepared.

Yes, I don't think they provide formula in hospitals any more, certainly don't where I live. If you're definitely not BFing I'd offer a bottle within the first hour (baby probably won't want more than about 20ml), and don't leave more than a three hour gap between finishing one bottle and starting another.

Oh don't worry, I didn't have a sodding clue with mine! There's only two really important things: feed the baby regularly and keep it cool / free from smothering hazards. Everything else you learn on the job.

SID guidelines specify that the baby shouldn't be overheated so what they wear will depend on the temperature where you are. They certainly should not wear a hat indoors.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/sudden-infant-death-syndrome/Pages/Introduction.aspx

Hi bat these are perfectly normal questions to have if you haven't had experience of babies. Really you shouldn't feel embarrassed and should feel comfortable asking your midwife these things.

Formula: I have no idea about this as I breast fed

Nappies: I have two children and cannot even remember how many nappies they got through a day. But I do remember I used to change their nappy before every feed and of course if in between feeds they pooped I would change that too.

Bath: Both of my children had a bath in hospital and I gave my babies a bath every day before bed followed by a massage. If you feel unsure about the bath you could always ask them to show you how to do it before you are discharged.

How soon to feed: I cannot even remember this either I know both of mine latched on to breast straight after being born but they didn't really feed.

Please don't feel stupid these are all perfectly normal things to be asking about. I am also due in February with my 3rd and have forgotten most things and my youngest is 6 so it's not as if its that long ago.

You've already had some great answers, so I won't repeat them but I just wanted to reassure you.

I had my DD in April (is just turned 6mo). Two of my best friends gave birth about a month before I did and I was really concerned that I wouldn't cope like they were and I had a million questions.

Then DD arrived and you just get on with it! You work it out as you go. You should've seen me & dp passing dd between us, in the early days! Very Chuckle Brothers....to me, to you!

She's now a happy, healthy, gorgeous baby. I can't quite believe it, some days!

I had my first baby 18 days ago.

the hospita in london where I had my baby did not provide forumla and were extremely reluctant to give me some. they did evbtually provide cow &gate formula. I started feeding my baby on aptamil as after lots of online reading I read it was the best ( this is just personal choice) she has got on with it very well.

the hospitakt didnt provide any nappies but I packed my own anyway.

I normally change her first then feed her.

first bath was after her cord onbelly button fell off and the hospital didnt show me how to feed, burp , change or bath her.

ita all been pretty much guess work and trusting my own instincts which so far I think I am doing ok

Thanks.
How do you know when they've had enough milk? Will they just stop drinking or keep going until their sick

My mum said that babies don't need bathing every day but I like the idea of doing it every evening as part of a routine.

Somany congratulations

Some people don't wash them every day. But for me it was a must for two reasons.

1: because both my babies were sick so much they stank of sour milk by the end of the day.

2: like you said it was really great to establish a routine. So by the time they got to 6 months they were so used to the routine it worked amazingly. They had a bath, I gave a long massage, pjs on, I read a story book to them and then did the last feed. By 7pm this would be complete I would put them to bed and then they slept 12 hrs.

I had to start off with a later time to begin with however. And I gradually got earlier and earlier until they reached 6 months. Before 6 months I also fed on demand so I was doing night feeds.

If you are formula feeding you will probably find your baby sleeps longer at night from an early age as it fills them up more. My first born used to only sleep for and hour or 2 at the most before waking for a feed. Oh gosh I am not looking forward to those sleepless nights. But I cannot wait to meet my little man.

Looks like you have the feeding and nappies covered.

Buttons on baby clothes are the work of the devil. Whoever designs them clearly doesn't have children. Poppers are your friend. If you have any vests/babygros with the envelope shoulders (where the two pieces of fabric overlap) they are designed to be pulled down over the body, rather than over the head. Much easier when a nappy leaks!

What to dress baby in? Good rule of thumb is one more layer than you're wearing. Was in ikea today and saw tiny babies all wrapped up in hats and pram suits inside a warm cafe - they must've been boiling!

When checking babies temp don't check hands and feet which are always colder on a little baby as they don't have great circulation. Instead, put your hand down their back or on their tum.

In winter at home I would imagine a baby would wear vest, babygro and light cotton Cardi. If a cold house maybe woolly Cardi instead.

Good luck.