I have LOTS of preggo reading material to look through over the next 6 months (and all but one has been given to me by a friend----SO nice). At first I found them incredibly fascinating and I was thirsting for knowledge. Then I got a little tired of it and took a break. Now I'm back in to it again. I love reading about the different stages of pregnancy and what to expect. However, sometimes it can be overwhelming. For example, if you read that your body should be doing something that it's not, or if it is doing something that you can't seem to find in any book, it can put a first-time mommy into panic mode. I always have so many questions for my doctor about do's and dont's, which she takes in stride (as she should). She just always calmly sits back and tells me not to worry, that my experiences are normal, along with my many questions and concerns. I just wonder if all of this reading material is helping, or just making me crazy!
I read in a magazine the other day to NOT put bumper padding in the baby's crib. That there should not be a blanket, padding, or any other object in the baby's crib. Seriously?? So the baby will then freeze AND hit his/her head against the crib rails all night.... that seems safe! Anyway, my point is that sometimes too much knowledge could be dangerous. At the most it could cause you to make poor/uninformed decisions, and at the least will just make you paranoid about the care you are giving to your baby.
So I do read, but more of the lighter stuff, like "Girlfriends Guide To Pregnancy" which is full of laughs and experiences written by a mother of four children. It seems to keep me smiling and enjoying this time of life!
I totally understand! You are smart and will do what's right for your little one, regardless of what the latest trends are. Definitely read The Happiest Baby on the Block before baby comes...it saved me those first few weeks when you realize how much you don't know! :) I have others you can read if you're interested in the actual delivery, though prob not light reading...I did a lot of that reading since I couldn"t have an epidural. :) Yay for babies!
ReplyDeleteI read alot with Anna but hardly any with Caleb, since it hadn't been that long and I remembered most of it from Anna! I used a bumper with both my kids even though "they" say not to. But you can use zippered, wearable blankets and I used those in the winter with my kids since our house stays pretty cold then. They can't kick them off and they don't pose a smothering hazard. Everyone will have advice for you- take it all with a grain of salt and do what you feel is best. God gives us mama's intuition/The Holy Spirit to let us know what we should do for our kids and ourselves. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteOf course, you know I don't have ANY experience with pregnancy, but I do remember as my friend Ruth gave her pregnancy books to our newly pregnant friend Stacie & advised her NOT to read certain other books, etc. bc they would just make you freak out & worry over EVERY little thing thinking something is wrong wtih the baby every second and that you need EVERY test there is to check for all kinds of things. lol Sounds like you are having similar experiences. ;)
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