In this episode, your steadfast hosts continue/conclude their discussion, helping you prepare for the arrival of a new baby!

This part is more about "things."

We promise.

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In this episode, Dr. Valerie Lawrence and Dr. Philip Magcalas continue talking about preparing for the arrival of your baby. They dive right into what to expect the moment after your baby is birthed, followed by countless tips, tricks, and insights into what items you will and won’t need once you bring your baby home. (Hint: It’s all about the basics!)

The Docs share their candid thoughts on everything newborn-related, including clothing your baby, white noise machines, preferred types of bottles, switching your detergents and soaps, and preparing a nursery. They also give important precautions and warnings on car seats, sleeping monitors, and prenatal massages that you won’t want to overlook!

This episode is sure to keep you laughing til you cry and will remind you not to sweat the small stuff. Parenthood isn’t about perfection… it’s about learning, growing, and caring for the miraculous life that you have created. If you enjoyed this episode, give it a ‘share’ to pass on the laughs to someone who you think could benefit from them!

If you haven’t listened to Part 1, you can go ahead and listen to that here: www.twotireddocs.com/whoneedssleep/thedrumroll1

Lessons learned:

• Less is more when it comes to baby clothes… start simple and if it’s not working for you, you will find something that does.

• Car seats expire! Expiration dates depend on the type of car seat, so check to make sure when yours was made, especially if it’s secondhand. It’s best to get a new car seat. Check online for videos on proper car seat installation. As your baby’s diaper size grows, adjust your car seat’s straps accordingly.

• Don’t microwave bottles! You can buy a bottle warmer or simply stick the bottle in a container of hot water. Refrigerated breast milk can be left out for 4 hours max.

• It’s best to switch to hypoallergenic, fragrance-free detergent and soap.

• If you’re going to get a prenatal massage, go to someone who is trained because an untrained massage can send you into labor.

• You don’t need to curate your baby’s newborn experience before they arrive, as they really don’t need much to thrive.

• You may find yourself checking to see if your baby is breathing while they are sleeping and that’s normal. Though the vast majority of babies do not need to be hooked up to a monitor while they sleep. If they do, which is rare, your doctor will provide you with one.

Episode Timeline:

• [0:00] Intro

• [1:16] Check out our mini episodes and reach out to us with questions or comments!

• [2:56] What happens immediately after giving birth

• [4:52] You cannot have enough burp clothes!

• [7:15] Clothing and swaddling newborn babies + What is brown fat?

• [10:18] Sleep: Should I get a white noise machine?

• [11:10] Car seats + Strollers: Expiration dates, new vs. used, traveling with ease

• [18:18] Bottles: Glass vs. plastic, 4oz vs. 8oz, bottle sterilizers and warmers

• [26:07] Soaps + Detergents: Dos and don’ts, unscented vs. fragrance-free.

• [28:40] Benefits of having a smart phone in early parenthood months

• [29:59] Why you should replace your  batteries before giving birth

• [30:53] Feeding + The fun and fast pace of infancy

• [32:20] The importance of self-care + Prenatal massages
• [36:15] What you don’t need + Reviewing what you do need

• [37:15] Infant inserts for car seats + Adjusting car seat straps and your child grows

• [38:52] Don’t worry about the small stuff… less is more!

• [39:38] Checking to see if your baby is breathing while sleeping + Are monitors necessary?

• [42:48] Staying off the internet + Looking to your community for support

• [43:48] Outro + How to contact us

Resources mentioned:

Doona Car Seats & Strollers

Safe Kids

Mustela

Connect with the Two Tired Docs:

Visit their website: www.twotireddocs.com

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Follow them on Twitter: www.twitter.com/TwoTiredDocs

If you have any questions you’d like answered in a future episode, email us: twotireddocs@gmail.com OR leave a phone voicemail at 313-364-YAWN OR an internet voicemail on www.twotireddocs.com.

Disclaimer: All opinions expressed in the podcast, “Who Needs Sleep?” are those of the speakers and do not represent the views of their employers or any associated medical establishment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

The information from the podcast is not intended to be used as a substitute for medical advice from your or your child’s doctor, who know you best.

In general, we recommend you approach any information obtained from the internet with the most generous amount of skepticism that you can muster.