What is your name, your baby's name, and baby's age?
Nicole Bohorad, 2-year old daughter (prefer not to give name).
How was your (or your partner's) pregnancy?
Fine until I fainted in the subway platform at 26 weeks, and two days later my water broke unexpectedly.
How did you prepare for childbirth?
I actually didn’t prepare at all. I gave birth the day I was supposed to start childbirth classes.
I spent 2 ½ weeks on a hospital bed in a shared room without touching the ground, emergency C-section; baby couldn’t hold on without amniotic fluid; she was born at 28 weeks at 2 lbs, spent 2 months in the NICU.
Had I had the time to prepare, I would have loved to get a copy of Sheri Bayles pregnancy DVDs, they are excellent!
Was your birthing experience easier, harder or as you expected it to be?
A lot harder.
What one piece of advice would you give to expecting parents about childbirth?
Always be emotionally prepared for the unexpected!
Describe the first 7 days with your newborn
She came home at 4lbs. 11 oz on New Year’s Eve, so it was quite a celebration.
We had a doula, which I recommend, to show us how to care for such a small baby and help us prepare emotionally.
Baby had a visiting nurse give her a shot for Synagis, which protects extra small babies against RSV.
We took her temperature rectally 3x a day, and we found out we weren’t dressing her enough, when her temperature was 94 degrees!
We had an emergency visit from a lactaction doctor, who explained it would be a long road ahead trying to get a preemie to feed. I was trying to feed, bottle feeding and pumping for 2 hours every three hours. I ended up ordering a prescription from New Zealand to increase flow so that I could pump solely for the next several months. I gave up trying to breastfeed as well, it was too tiring to do all three.
Bottle or Breast?
See above.
Who is on diaper duty?
Both mom and dad.
What resource was the most helpful to you during the first 2 months (book, website, person, anything).
My breastfeeding doctor and her pediatrician.
Was there an age when it "suddenly got easier"?
5 1/2 months when she stopped throwing up so much and started sleeping through the night.
What type of stroller do you use?
We did not get a hefty stroller; we used the Graco carseat and MetroLite
Graco carseat and Metrolite for a year in an effort to save money, and then we were into the Maclaren Triumph. Being in the suburbs, we don’t really need a big stroller for long periods of time.
I do recommend several of the new strollers, especially those that have a cot or bassinet so that the baby’s body doesn’t stay for long periods in the upright position (carseat). However, I’d recommend not using this too long, either, so the baby doesn’t have a flat head.
What was the best newborn gift you received?
The Dex sleep positioner and wedge
for crib mattress as well as Boppy head positioner
What is your current can't-live-without gear for baby?
Moonlight slumber mattress – it’s the ultimate mattress for a crib, and a terrific value!
Are you getting any "me" time?
No, since I have a full time job and run the marketing for Parentville.com, plus I’m working on a Parenting Handbook developed from my experiences to help other new parents.
What did you find most surprising about your newborn?
Now that she’s two, it’s incredible how much she learns and remembers.