Collect Ask A Midwife Compiled By Catherine Parker-Littler Distributed As E-Text

was a great question amp answer book, It would be particularly helpful to first time moms been there, done that moms might not get quite as much out of it.
I do agree with another poster that some of the questions are a bit, "Wow, . . how do you not already know the answer to that" but having spent time on Babycenter, com and seeing some of the bewilderingly naive momstobe on there, I'm glad there's a book that has those questions amp answers for them.
This was one of the first pregnancy books I read, Since I have opted to work with midwives rather than an ob/gyn, I appreciated that the approach the book took was typically a holistic one focused on minimal intervention and expectantmother advocacy.
I thought the tone of the book was very approachable, It was written mostly in a questionandanswer format and the answers were easy to understand,

The only reason I deducted a star is that the QampA format wouldn't make it the easiest book to use for reference.
I felt like it was good to read all the way through to get an overview of pregnancy in a nonintimidating way, but if I had specific questions, there are probably other books or resources I would consult first.
This book was all Q amp A based on the stages of pregnancy, labor, birth and postnatal care, I didn't find it to be midwifecentered, It actually talked about hospital birth as the norm instead of a birth center or home birth,



Notes:

Do not eat foods that could contain listeria such as pate, unwashed salads, raw milk and blueveined or moldripened cheeses feta, chevre, camembert, brie, queso blanco fresco.
The cheese can be eaten if they are cooked through and hot, Eat a wellbalanced diet. Avoid high amounts of salt and do not drink alcohol,

Avoid gymnastics, horseback riding, downhill skiing and scuba diving for risk of falling and hurting your abdomen,

Do kegels to strengthen your pelvic floor in preparation for birth, After the birth, it helps to restrengthen those muscles,

Starting around theth week of pregnancy, do perineal massage to increase flexibility and prevent tearing,

You are not eating for two, You only consumer and extracalories per day,

Write a birth plan together with your partner,

When considering a baby mattress it needs to fit properly with no gaps, be clean, dry and wellaired as well as firm.

A changing mat can be waterproof so that it wipes down easily,
Have wooden toys instead of plastic

Essential Items
clothes amp diapers
crib or moses basket
lightweight blankets amp sheets or newborn baby sleeping bags
carriage or stroller
baby carrier or sling
car seat

Clothing
ortee shirts
orallinone onesies or bodysuits with front opening snaps
snowsuit or jackets or cardigan depending on the season
wool or

fleece hat for winter, light hat for summer
loosefitting booties or cotton socks
blanket or shawl for outdoors

Choose onesies with envelope necks and bodysuits with front opening snaps.
Change the clothes just morning and night unless they get soiled,

Reusable Diapers
nonbleached
washed in cold water with white vinegar and bicarbonate of soda
use organic cotton balls or pads with water instead of baby wipes

Common Newborn Rashes
small red spots all over skin except palms and solesno problem, it happens toof all newborns
pinheaded white spots on nose and cheeks or all of the faceno problem, just blocked pores, happens toof all newborns

Getting a vitamin K shot for the baby helps the blood clot.
You can decline this if you want, If not, there is a small risk they could suffer internal bleeding,

After labor for mothers it is normal to feel
euphoria at meeting baby
relief that labor amp birth are behind you
tearfulness brought on by fatigue
anxiety at prospect of caring for the baby
protective or overwhelmed

Benefits of breastfeeding
breast milk protects babies from infection
reduces risk of some diseases
thought to increase a child's IQ later in life
reduces risk of allergies
greater benefits for mother such as increased weight loss

Get a good start on breastfeeding
skin to skin contact as soon as baby is born
good positioning and attachment
ensure baby can reach breast without stretching or turning
move baby to breast, not vice versa
feed on demand
avoid supplements of water or formula
try to relax
avoid giving bottles or pacifiers as this causes "nipple confusion" until much later

Don't get discouraged if baby doesn't latch on right away after birth.
Some are sleepy. Babies have enough nutrients to last them for a while,

Feed baby on demand, not a schedule

Babies will eat frequently because they have tiny stomachs, Somedays they are hungrier than others, Make sure baby empties each breast because the milk at the end has more fat, If you feed on demand, baby will sleep longer at night, Continue to feed on demand until you start on solid food,

Wait to bottlefeed expressed milk til aroundweeks,

Alleviate discomfort while breastfeeding
make sure baby latches on properly
if breasts are engorged, express some milk first
keep nipples dry between feeding, let them get air and use pads to soak up leaks
relieve sore nipples with a chilled cabbage leaf instead of creams

Avoid mastitis
don't stop breastfeeding
express little and often
feed baby little and often
place warm washcloth on sore breasts
begin each feeding from the sore side

When you are out, take a change of clothes, bra and pads in case of leaks.


Can use a plastic tub for a baby bath instead of a fancy one since they grow out of it inmonths.
Bathe a baby in a warm draftfree room with warm water temp should bedegrees F, test with elbow or wrist if not thermometerand everything you need right there.
Talk to baby to soothe them, Leave the vernix waxy substance when first born on the baby as it is an awesome moisturizer and will soak into the baby's skin.
Use a soft cloth and water to bathe baby the first couple of days, For bathing a baby, use nothing other than water tilmonth old, Can use veggie or olive oil to massage a baby if their skin is dry, Do not use any products with sulfur or perfumes, A pH neutral product is acceptable but plain water is best, Use a cotton ball to wipe away secretions are the eyes and nose, Wipe from the inner to outer corners and use a new ball for each eye, Make sure to dry the skin creases, Do not powder the diaper area, Avoid baby wipes.

Keep the house temperature betweenanddegrees F, To check the baby temperature, place the back of the hand on the chest, It should feel warm. Add or remove layers of clothing as needed,

UNICEF recommends baby share room with parents for firstmonths to sustain breastfeeding and prevent crib death,

In the crib a baby should be on their back with feet pointing to the bottom of the crib, Use light cotton sheets and blankets tucked under the baby's arms,

Swaddling may help prevent the startle reflex in a baby when they suddenly move their arms and they wake up from sleep because of it.


Atweeks a sleep pattern forms, Atmonths babies will sleepx longer through the night than during the day,

Babies will turn their heads if they are sick vomit so it is okay for them to sleep on their back.


Atweeks start making a routine, Encourage more activity during the day, Respond to night wakings with minimal fuss in the dark, Evening sequence could be a warm bath, massage, fedding then put down in the crib, Be consistent with this.

Some reasons why babies cry
being overstimulated take a skin to skin bath
being uncomfortable try burping
being wet change diaper
being cold or hot change clothing or room temp
wanting comfort try swaddling
boredom talk, sing, play with baby

After baby is born
take naps when your baby does
avoid heavy lifting
take things at your own pace, do not worry about chores
do not feel you have to entertain visitors

Reduce risk of SIDS
do not let anyone smoke near your baby
do not smoke during pregnancy
place baby on back to sleep
do not let baby get too hot, keep head uncovered indoors
place baby with feet to foot of crib
never sleep with baby on sofa or chair
safest place for baby to sleep is crib, not your bed
breast feed your baby
settle baby to sleep with pacifier after breast feeding is established

Signs that a baby is hungry
rooting
crying
sucking on hands

Give babies time of their front or supported sitting while supervised and awake.


Having baby blues forweek is normal, Longer than that is not, See your doc.

Some ways to avoid postpartum depression
make arrangements before birth for household duties
purchase a few weeks supply of nutritious food
communicate with partner
enlist support of family and friends

Baby play
sing to baby
play peekaboo
listen to music, rocking and patting in time to the beat
stroke different fabrics/textures against hands and arm

Babies like black and white at first then bright colors with detail.
They cannot distinguish pastels very well,

Keep communicating with partner, Spend an evening out together, Find quiet time to talk when baby is asleep, Hold hands. Cuddle. .