Words of Encouragement for Labor

I found some more song lyrics that got me really excited about having them read to me while I am in labor. This song is about being astounded by the fact that I am one of God's creations and his Grace.  I printed the lyrics off, and we'll see if I find it soothing at all (or who knows? I may find it annoying, but worth a shot).

“Spirit Speaks” by Know Hope Collective

Your Spirit speaks
It moves in me
And I’m awakened to Your love
You’re drawing me
On to my knees
And I’m astounded by Your love

You spoke life into my lungs
You are the air I breathe
You are the air I breathe
Still You move inside of me
You are the song I sing
You are the song I sing Jesus
You cover me
With arms that reach
And I’m amazed by Your sweet grace
You set me free
And You washed me clean
And I’m forgiven by Your grace

With every breath I breathe
With every song I sing
I want to shout it out
Lord I am listening
To every word You speak
I’ll go where You will lead
To love the least of these
My greatest offering

Personal Concerns about Becoming a Two-child Family

As we get closer to the big day that our family of 3 becomes a family of 4, I've been asking my friends who parent multi-child households how things are different the second or third time around. The response so far has basically been that, yes its hard, but everyone will adjust soon enough. The main concern on my mind is how will my 2 year old deal with my need to spend such a great amount of time nursing a newborn? How will we keep from getting really upset with each other? He's not an especially needy or obnoxious child by any means, but he's still a 2 year old. I like this response from an interview with Elyse Eberstein, MSW, LE by Heather Turgeon of Babble.com :

Talk out loud about needing to divide your attention. When you’re helping your older child use the bathroom, say to the newborn (who doesn’t have a clue what you’re talking about, but it’s okay — this is for the benefit of the toddler), “I’m helping Emma right now, so I can’t nurse you until we come back from the bathroom.” That way, when you say it in reverse — telling your toddler she has to wait while you help the newborn, it feels like equal treatment.

My grandmother-in-law told me that she was very worried while expecting her second child, about how she would find the love in her heart for two children. She loved her first so much, how could she give that much love to another baby? She said, "It comes. The love comes." She eventually raised seven children and found her heart loving all of them.

Whether you're a parent of a full house, or just working on number 2, what kinds of concerns were on your mind during pregnancy? How did your older child(ren) react to a new baby in the house? How did the spacing of your children's ages affect those worries? How did you cope? I welcome your comments!

Marcia's Nursing-moms-to-be Toolkit

For all those mommies-to-be out there and those who are already nursing, here is my best advice:

1. Buy a copy of "The Nursing Mother's Companion". This has nearly everything you need to know about breastfeeding, pumping, weaning etc.

2. Let those babies air-dry for a few minutes after each feeding to prevent soreness.

3. Buy Lansinoh lanolin and put it on (after drying) after each feeding.

4. Early on, you'll need to switch positions from feeding to feeding to prevent soreness.

5. Buy LOTS of burp cloths. Cloth diapers make amazing burp cloths.

6. Buy NURSING TANKS instead of nursing bras. They hide the tummy and back when you pull up your shirt, or you can wear them without a shirt. You could also use the bella band you wore during pregnancy to hide your tummy, or buy clothes that can be pulled to the side to nurse. (lots of cute stuff for this purpose at maternity stores.)

7. Use Johnson's brand or Avent brand nursing pads. The liners aren't made of itchy, non-breathing plastic. Re-usable cloth nursing pads work if you don't leak a lot and can find time to wash them!

8. If you can stay awake without it, don't watch TV while nursing once the baby starts sleeping through the night. The noise and distraction will keep baby awake.

9. Keep baby from having painful gas by burping every 10 minutes during a feeding and immediately after.

10. Create a "Nursing Tote" for around the house so you can easily move from room to room. Fill it with burp cloths, a bottle of drinking water, nursing pads, wipes (for keeping your hands clean), a watch, your prenatal vitamins (so you remember to take them), the TV remote, and a book to read. Trust me, you don't want to ask hubby to bring you every little thing once you get sat down. Refill often.

11. Don't start bottles until baby is at least 4 weeks old (to establish good breastfeeding bond and prevent confusion). You can still use the pump in the meantime to boost milk production (though I never felt the need) and freeze or throw out the milk.

12. Hold baby in proper position so you don't make his neck or back sore over time!

13. If baby is very fussy at the breast, try to figure out why and try again in 20 minutes.

14. Enjoy your baby!