MommyLexi

Are you getting ready for baby and trying to prepare your diaper changing station? I’ve got you covered! 🙂 These are some tips to get you organized and functional.

1. Select a changing table that has storage. There are many fantastic options out there. I decided on a changing table that doubled as a dresser for my daughters clothes. The baskets add additional storage for a variety of important items (more on that soon). If you already have a dresser that can be used for your nursery, look into changing table toppers. They are relatively inexpensive and can turn most dressers into a functional changing table. The best part is that once baby outgrows the changing table – or baby is potty trained – you can take the topper off and you still have the dresser! Take a look at this TOPPER – which is under $30 and comes in 5 colors! You can also click HERE for a TOPPER in white which is also under $30 and will ship free from Amazon if you use Prime! If you don’t have a dresser and need the entire changing table – try looking at Nextdoor for free or inexpensive items in your neighborhood. It’s amazing what neighbors may be looking to get rid of. It makes me so happy when I can pass things that my kids have outgrown to a family who needs it! Especially if they are in my neighborhood and can easily pick it up.
2. Get a changing pad and a couple of pad covers. The changing pad will go on top of the changing table to make it comfortable for baby. It also has a strap to help keep baby safe. You still cannot leave baby unattended – but it helps keep a wiggly baby on the pad. This pad has worked well for us and is pretty inexpensive. Pay attention to the size of your changing pad to ensure it fits in the changing table topper (if using one). Getting 2 to 3 pad covers will help you keep the pad clean. Remember – you will be dealing with some messy diapers from time to time 😉 I would say having 2 pad covers is at the minimum – but 3 is ideal. We’ve had days when both get dirty and I’m grateful to have the third while I wash the others.
3. Pick a diaper stacker.
   This will hold your diapers, keeping them out of the packaging, stacked neatly, and handy when you need them. Click HERE for examples on Amazon. You do not and should not spend a lot on this item. It has 1 job – hold diapers. If you get one that is neutral, it’ll work for baby #1 and baby #2 (or any other babies you add to your family), which is a money saver. My son was still using his when I had our daughter, so we ended up getting a pink one to match her room theme 🙂 Pick what you like but don’t waste money on something expensive.
4. Select a wipes dispenser. If this is your first child, take note that babies do not like to be cold. With my son (first child), we used a regular wipes dispenser. It was fine, but the wipes are cold and when you are trying to change a sleepy newborn with cold wipes, it makes them mad or wakes them up (or both)! For my daughter (second child), someone introduced me to the heated wipes dispenser. AMAZING! I loved how warm the wiped were, and how it kept my baby girl sleep and cozy during diaper changes. It was also nice when I was wiping her face after nursing, wiping her little eyes after a nap, and so much more. I wish I had known about heated wipes dispensers for our first child! We have this heated wipes dispenser and it’s been great! Please note that for this model (and possibly others) you do need to add a little bit of water to keep the wipes from drying out. It is not hard to do – and it makes a big difference.
5. Creams, powders and more…
   You will absolutely want creams, powders and other things to keep baby soft, clean and happy. The following are my favorite items that I recommend for your changing station: Desitin (use to protect against diaper rash), Aquaphor (use this on dry baby skin – fantastic for cheeks, upper arms and thighs), Baby Powder (helps absorb moisture and keeps baby legs soft), Hand Cream (will help keep your hands moisturized), Hand Sanitizer (great trick to “clean” your hands so you can get a clean diaper and clothes back on baby – and then go wash your hands), Mustela PhysiObebe No-Rinse Cleansing Fluid (gentle cleanser to wipe that sweet baby face after feedings, before naps and bedtime, etc.), Mustela lotion (use for face and body after giving baby a bath and after using the cleanser. This is not a thick lotion, so if baby has mild eczema – talk to your pediatrician, and consider trying Aquaphor).
6. Additional creams and baby items to keep handy.  Think about what other things will fit in your changing station that you will want on hand. A Nose Frida is a fantastic thing to have on hand and may fit in your changing station. It is small but has a big impact if your baby has a stuffy nose. Baby Vicks or other soothing chest rub helps baby breath easier when they have a cold. Consider putting it on the back instead of the chest if the smell is too strong for baby. I also recommend the bottoms of the feet (be sure to cover feet with socks right after you apply it so baby doesn’t touch the rub). Baby nail scissors are essential as babies nails are sharp and must be trimmed often. I personally love the Piyo Piyo baby scissors but you should look for the right option for you. Keep an eye out for a blog post on tips for trimming your baby nails! Baby safety swabs are a nice item to have on hand – but be very careful with them! I have only had to use them a couple of times over the last year. Talk to your pediatrician about the best way to use them. A thermometer! We use a digital thermometer – but you may want to discuss what is best with your pediatrician. This is our favorite thermometer and it has worked well for both of our kids. When sick, we take their temp about 4 times to get a good average and more accurate reading.
7. Find additional storage. Make sure you have a place to put all of these items so they are within reach when changing baby. You cannot leave baby unattended on the changing table – which means you need these items within reach. Some dressers may be large and have extra space for these items on top. Our changing table/dresser is on the small side, so I chose a small side table to hold important items. I also use a basket housed in the changing table. You can see from the photos in this post that I have many of the creams and powders (which I purchase in the largest size to save $$) in the basket. I keep the pumps (hand and body lotions, hand sanitizer, and cleaner) on the small side table with the wipes. Everything is easily within reach so I can keep baby safe while changing her.
8. Select a diaper pail. If you decide to go with disposable diapers, you will need a diaper pail. We have used the Diaper Dekor Plus for both our kids and it has worked well for us. We use the biodegradable liners – but they do have cloth diaper and regular liners as well (depending on your preference or needs).
9. Think about what other important things may fit on your changing station. A humidifier is a must for a nursery. When baby gets a cold (which will happen at some point), a humidifier will help a lot. Ours fits on the side table by the wipes. Another key item is a sound machine. We use ours for naps and bed time. Select one that has a plug and also takes batteries. It is also best if it has a timer. We use this Sound Machine for our kids – but there are many options out there. I can say that it has traveled with us to visit grandparents, on vacations, etc., and it has made it much easier for our kids to sleep. This also sits by our wipes on the side table. Lastly, a baby night light is a wonderful addition to the nursery and may even fit near your other essentials. We use this little octopus night light that projects on the ceiling and is portable. Our son has the blue one and our daughter has the pink. It fits beautifully on the changing station – but can also be moved around the room.
10. Keep a hamper handy. A changing station is used for dirty diapers. Keep that in mind as you think about where to put a hamper. We keep ours close enough to toss in soiled baby clothes or any other items that need washing. Personally, I find that keeping a hamper close to my changing station makes for less mess and much more ease.

Baby spends a lot of time getting diaper changes, clean clothes, and other pampering at this station. Make sure it is comfortable, stocked, and ready for action!

I hope this helps you prepare your changing station! XOXO

This is a topic that is very dear to my heart. When I found out I was pregnant with my daughter – I was overjoyed! I was also very unsure how to prepare my son to be a big brother. Through reading, thinking, and digging deep – I came up with the following things that were particularly helpful.

1. Remember – you have enough love to go around – so don’t panic! Personally, I felt like my son (first born) stole my heart when he made me a mommy. I wasn’t sure how I could ever love another as much as him. When his sister was born, my heart instantly doubled in size! I love them both equally – with my whole heart. I have no idea how it’s possible, but it is. So don’t worry, you will have enough love to go around 🙂
2. Kids are smart, so it is a great idea to prepare them to welcome a sibling. I’ve heard other parents say that their kids are too young to prepare them – and I disagree. I think we underestimate kids – they are capable of so much more than we think! That being said – don’t shy away from preparing them the best you can.
3. Books are a great way to introduce the idea of a new baby to little ones. A couple of my favorites include: There’s a Baby in There! – Big Brothers Are the Best! (there’s a version for big sisters as well) – Big Brother Daniel – and What Baby Needs. It’s good to get a couple so that you can mix it up a bit. You also don’t always know which book they will like or connect to best. Books help put your thoughts into words, and the images help your little one to better understand what’s going on. It’s also a great way to bond with your little one in the final moments before they are no longer an only child.
4. A stroller and baby doll can help teach your kiddo how to be gentle with baby. We purchased a small stroller for our son and a soft babydoll so he could practice being a big brother. He loved it! He would push the stroller around the living room and give baby lots of hugs. We would put baby on the couch and practice how to be gentle, where he was allowed to touch baby (on the feet vs. on the face), and how to whisper when baby was sleeping. I also changed baby dolls diaper and had him help me. Our doll came with a diaper and I used kleenex for wipes and kept our powder closed when pretending to change diapers. His job was to hand me the “wipes,” powder, and clean diaper. He loved it because it made him feel big and important! We got him a soft doll that had a magnetic pacifier and he loved it!
5. Get your kiddo involved in the process. Your child can pick out a new outfit for baby, a special toy for the nursery, etc. It’s also really fun to include them in the gender reveal if you plan on doing one. A family baby bump photo session is another way to get them involved. I had Gabe put pink paint on his hands and touch my belly. We took photos to show that we were having a girl. Getting your kiddo involved in the process shows that they are not being left behind – and that they are part of this big new event!
6. Pick out gifts for the hospital. My belly was getting big and we had been telling Gabe he was going to meet his baby sister soon. He would hug me and say hi to sister in my tummy – which was super cute! Kiddos get along pretty well when baby is still in your belly vs. your newborn joins you! lol! To help make the hospital introduction extra special, and give your older child something to connect to, think about a gift exchange. I took our son to the toy store and had him pick out a special gift to give his baby sister at the hospital. He wasn’t even 2 but he still understood picking out a present for baby. On the flip side, I also watched him look around and what toys he got excited about for himself. I went back to the toy store without him and got a special gift to give Gabe from the baby. He was SO excited to get something from his sister – and it helped them bond a bit.
7. Think about how to keep your older child occupied while you are feeding baby. Newborns eat every couple of hours – so you’re going to be busy! That can be really hard on your first born. Pick out something special that you only pull out for feeding times. Once feeding time is over – the toy gets put away. That makes it special for both kids. This works for breastfeeding or bottle feeding – and acts as a happy distraction – so they don’t feel left out. As an example, I got our son some little fire engine toys and a couple of board books. They were kept in a little basket and we pulled it out when I was alone with both kids and wanted to keep him busy while I fed his sister. Instead of feeling left out – he felt like a big kid who got to play with something special that his sister was too little to play with. 🙂 NOTE: Do not pick noisy toys! Feeding time is supposed to be relaxing and for the most part quiet for baby – so pick toys your older kiddo will have fun with but aren’t going to make a ton of noise and chaos! lol! They do make trucks, trains, robots, legos, dolls, puppets, and other toys that are fun and don’t make noise! 😉
8. Revisit your favorite baby books for quick reminders on what worked well the first time around. My favorite books for both pregnancies are On Becoming Baby Wise and The Happiest Baby On the Block. I read them both cover to cover as a way to prepare and, the second time around, as a way to refresh myself for a newborn. It’s amazing how fast you get out of newborn mode. Children grow and change quickly, and we grow with them. It made me feel more calm and prepared by revisiting my two favorite books. One other tip is to highlight your favorites parts for your partner. That made it much easier for my husband to quickly revisit the refresh himself on the most helpful parts of both books.
9. Pull together newborn items from when your firstborn was little. Even though I had a boy first, I had a lot of gender neutral little pants, socks, onesies and swaddles that worked perfectly for my daughter. It saved us a lot of money, and it was special to see our daughter in some of our favorite little things from when our son was tiny. 🙂
10. Start to introduce your little one to baby equipment. I pulled out the baby swing and bassinet in the third trimester so that our son could get used to them around the house. I also wanted him to ask questions, learn who they belonged to (his new baby sister) and see where the baby was going to spend a lot of time. It’s a nice intro to how your home will change for your kiddo – and it helps to do it before baby arrives.
11. Find a sitter, family member or friend that you trust and make sure they are 100% prepared to jump in as you get close to your due date. When I was pregnant with Sofia, I had prepared a document with emergency contact info, schedules, medicine doses (Tylenol etc.), favorite toys, feeding times, nap times, etc. I also included all the details for feedings, walks, and vet info for our dogs. Don’t forget to plan ahead for the whole family. It’ll make you feel more prepared – and will allow you to relax more at the hospital. Send a copy of the document to the folks who may be caring for your kiddo and pets while you are in the hospital. Don’t forget to print one or two copies out for the house as well. Put a copy on the fridge so it’s front and center.
12. Prepare meals and freeze them! Having a second child is amazing – and in a way – easier than baby #1. I was more relaxed the second time around – having already been through the basics with Gabe. That being said, it was still super busy! When Sofia was born, Gabe hadn’t even turned 2 yet. He was still a baby himself, and he wanted mommy! By preparing meals and freezing them – it makes it a bit easier when you get home from the hospital and everyone is hungry. It will help free up a little more time so you can snuggle up with your older kiddo and have some special time. You can also make some of your kiddos favorite meals in advance – which can be comforting to them. Remember – the little things matter a lot to kids.
13. Discuss your routine with your partner. Every family does things in the their own way. When I was pregnant with Sofia, I would get Gabe out of bed each morning. After I had Sofia, it was usually time to breastfeed in the early morning, so daddy got Gabe out of bed. That simple change in his schedule was hard for him. We adjusted and I made it a point to get him out of bed still. The small things that our kids count on as part of their routine can make a BIG difference. Think about what is part of your kiddos routine and what you can continue to do even after baby arrives. Look at how you can keep certain things consistent for them. A new baby is a HUGE change for them as well – and by keeping a handful of little things in their routine consistent – it’ll give them a sense of security that they are still important to you.
14. Pack your hospital bag and write your birth plan! Check out my other posts for details!
15. Take some time for YOU! Making a baby is a lot of work – especially when you have another kiddo that you’re chasing around! lol! Schedule a prenatal massage, go out to eat with a friend, meditate, get a mani/pedi…just try to take a little time for yourself. Making time to destress is really good for mommy AND baby!

Hope this helps! Congrats again! xoxo

Creating a birth plan for the first time can be really stressful! Or at least it was for  me! I was very unsure about what to include, how specific I needed to be, and when I was supposed to have it done. Not to mention feeling obligated to do things without any pain medication or help! Arg! The thing is, a birth plan is most helpful for your first pregnancy because it gets you to really think through all the important details of labor and birth. It also helps push you to ask lots of questions and keep communication open with your birth team.

For my first pregnancy, I took a ton of time to create my birth plan. Is was super long and it had a lot of detail. Was that a bad thing? Not at all! It really helped me to think things through – and ask my doctor, doula, and hospital lots of questions. That being said – nobody read the whole birth plan after I printed it out. Truthfully – since I had discussed everything with my birth team in detail and asked so many questions – my doctor, doula and husband all knew what was most important to me. For my second pregnancy – I had already thought through everything and been through labor/delivery before. Although each pregnancy and baby is unique – I knew what to expect (to a point) and didn’t require a lengthy birth plan to feel comfortable. In fact – I didn’t even write one the second time around.

Birthing classes can help a lot when getting ready for your first delivery. We took a fantastic one before I had my son – and I learned some helpful information and several tips for creating my birth plan. The nurse who taught the class has helped deliver hundreds of babies, gave birth to two sons of her own (with epidurals due to both sons being in the breech position), and is a triathlete! Talk about an amazing woman!

She brought up many things that really helped me. First of all, remember that all pregnancies are different. When someone tells you how you should give birth (no pain medication, in water, at home, without a doctor, or anything else) – you need to remember that you are unique, so is your baby, and so is your pregnancy.

Personally – I think giving birth in a hospital is the way to go as you don’t know what kinds of emergencies may arise. That is something you must discuss with your doctor. You should think about the health of you and your baby, and about how to keep everyone safe. You should also research the hospitals in the area and figure out what fits your needs and wants best. Schedule a tour (if they give them) and find out what they need in terms of paperwork and when they need everything.

As for pain management – you don’t know what you will require in the moment. You may have a plan to be 100% natural and end up requesting an epidural (I sure did)! You may have an epidural as part of your birth plan but end up not wanting it. Your baby might be in the breech position. You may be in more pain than anticipated and require some assistance to manage the it. An epidural isn’t the only way to manage the pain – so discuss the options with your doctor.

Again – you are unique and the pain you feel will not be the same as your friends, the people in your birthing classes, your coworkers, or even your family members. I’m the same mom – but my pregnancies, labors and babies were different! Don’t let others make you feel guilty for wanting to have help or for making a pain management plan. Being informed on what pain management options are available and having a plan will help you make educated decisions in the moment. Knowledge is power 🙂

My #1 piece of advice is allow yourself to be flexible.
You need to be able to pivot on a dime. You can absolutely gather advice and best practices – and come up with a list of what you feel is important while giving birth. That being said, you need to be able to deviate from your plan because baby doesn’t have a plan. Baby needs to get out safe and sound. You and baby both need to be safe and healthy. Ultimately, that is what matters.

My #2 piece of advice is keep your birth plan short and to the point. Don’t overdue it with the requests – only the most important instructions and wishes should be included. I put together one birth plan for my husband and doula, and a separate one for my doctor and nurses. That helped keep the version for my doctor/nurses short and to the point with the info they care about most. Does my doctor care about my music choices, candles and movie choices? NOPE! Does my husband? He better! 😉 lol!

Below are some examples of what to include and/or consider as you craft your Birth Plan.

AMBIANCE:

• Soft music from preferred playlist is to be used during labor and delivery.
• Lights should be dimmed and flameless candles can be used for a soft/calming ambiance.
• People in the room should include: Specify who you want in the room for your labor/delivery (spouse, parent, friend, doula, etc.)
• I do not want any strong smells in the room (no perfume, cologne, smelly food, etc.).

LABOR PREFERENCES:

• I would like a bath or shower to help cope with the labor pains (Call hospital in advance in case reservations need to be made for a room w/ tub or shower).
• I would like a yoga ball and rocking chair to help cope with labor pains (Call hospital in advance to see if they have these items available or if you need to bring them).
• I would like to delivery vaginally – which should be prioritized if it is possible. I am willing to do what is needed for the safety of my baby – as baby getting out safe is #1.
• I would like to try to deliver naturally (no pain medication) if possible. I reserve the right to change my mind if I need pain medication in the moment.
• If possible, I would like my water to break naturally.
• I do not want to be induced and would like to wait to be hooked up to the IV until it is absolutely necessary.
• Use of a bar on the bed, on my side, or even a rocking chair/yoga ball should be tried while pushing. I would like to try to use gravity while also seeing which position is most comfortable.

NEWBORN PREFERENCES:

• I would like to do skin-to-skin as soon as baby is born (be specific about skin-to-skin before vs. after baby has been wiped clean and weighed).
• I would like to breastfeed baby once baby is born and would like help from a nurse/lactation consultant who may be on staff (great thing to discuss with hospital when getting a tour. You can also call to ask if they have staff to help you w/ nursing).

Other things to think about while putting together your birth plan includes:

• The umbilical cord – Do you what them to cut it right away or wait to clamp and cut it until it stops pulsating and until after you do skin-to-skin? Who is going to cut the cord? Do you want them to collect the cord blood for banking? This belongs in BP #2.
• Emergency Situations – What to do if you need to have an unplanned C-section. This is important to discuss with your doctor so you understand the plan and procedure in case there is an emergency and this needs to happen. This belongs in BP #2.
• Placenta – What would you like to do with the placenta? Let the hospital dispose of it? Keep it for banking? If keeping it, you must talk to the hospital and your doctor to discuss what is needed to keep and transport it. This belongs in BP #2.
• Breastfeeding – When do you want to try breastfeeding? Who will help you and what resources does the hospital have to assist? If you have trouble, what will they provide to help you and ensure baby is fed? This belongs in BP #2.
• Visitors – When do you want friends and family to visit? Do you want visitors in the hospital and if so, do you want them to wait until the next day? Do you prefer to have visitors once you are home with baby? This belongs in BP #1.
• Photos and video – What specific photos and video would you like captured? What do you want to avoid being photographed or video recorded? Who is in charge of the photos and video? This belongs in BP #1.

Remember – A birth plan is for you to describe your wishes for labor, birth, emergency situations and post-birth care. It is important for you to remember that the nursing staff and doctors want you and baby to be healthy and safe – so know that you can provide your birth plan but that things may not go according to plan.

I hope this is helpful as you think through what is important to you – and as you create your birth plan! Don’t forget to print a couple of copies and pack them in your hospital bag. For more info and advice on packing your hospital bag – check out my blog post!

Enjoy! xoxo