Welcome, Winter Danyeil!

Winter Danyeil is here!  All of us at Daisy Baby wish Dana and family a hearty congratulations… and since we share so many of your journeys, Dana would like to share her birth story with you.

What a pretty baby!

My pregnancy lasted 42 weeks, 3 days. Before this journey, I seriously didn’t even know that was possible. Even as we approached “postterm”, I didn’t expect it to go that far. My estimated delivery date was May 2^nd, and I went into labor the morning of May 19^th. We were warned by friends, family, and clients – about large baby size, passing meconium, low amniotic fluid, placental decay. Even knowing everyone had our best interests at heart, it really took a lot of inner strength and reassuring reading to stay calm and happy as we went postdates. It was so good to hear from those who’d gone 10 or more days past their estimated delivery date, because reassuring stories helped keep me in the mindset that this was normal! My midwives (MAMAS midwives out of Takoma Park) had had a client go 42 weeks 5 days and deliver a healthy, happy baby – that reassurance helped as well. The midwives checked on the baby every 3 days, and checked the viability of the placenta. We checked fetal kick counts. All the reassurance helped… but the ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) guidelines really gave me a good perspective from a traditional medical standpoint – I came to the conclusion that if there’s nothing wrong, there’s no reason to do anything but let nature take its course!

Dana, Winter, and her labor support

In due time (haha), and when I was starting to go out of my mind at how long it had been, I was awakened at 6:00am with actual intense contractions. While people say the second baby is always faster, we were actually shocked at the speed – 8 hours – 1/3 the time of my first labor!

If you didn’t know, I do deliver with midwives at home – MAMAS midwives (Mairi and Erin) come to our house for all prenatal visits and when I’m in labor. While I know this isn’t the right choice for everyone, it would be amazing for all women to have this level of care. I never had to go to an office & wait to be seen. For all women to be able to have community care, meeting with other women giving birth at the same time – it could make such a difference in that beginning of a new life and family.

Dana and Baby Winter

At my birth there were 3 midwives doing nothing but focusing on me. Never leaving my side. Talking me through each contraction, coaching me on how to push out my daughter without tearing. I never felt more cared for. Baby Winter was placed on my chest immediately, and was nursing within 20 minutes. When I was ready, they helped me to the shower - after they helped me shower, I came back to a perfectly made up bed and a beautiful clean space. They proceeded to spend another two hours making sure the baby and I were safe and well before they departed. It really is a wonder way to birth.

During labor, our daughter Ever was right there with me, handing me cool cloths during the delivery. She was really much stronger than we knew – she understood what was going on, and was reassured that I was okay. I was so happy she could be there, a part of the proceedings – in her daddy’s arms as her baby sister was born. She says, “I watched baby Winter come out of mommy’s legs!”

As for everyone’s concerns – baby Winter did appear to be postdates, but we had no problems with meconium, placenta decay, or any other worries. She was born beautiful and healthy, and very average sized!

Baby Winter and the scale (the baby hangs from the scale in a blanket - no cold hard edges!)

Newborn Needs - Layette

If you're in this baby world, you've definitely heard the term "layette". You probably even know it means clothing (and linens) for a newborn baby. But you may not know exactly what you need in your baby's layette! What clothing is really necessary for a newborn? Sure, 87 fluffy lacy ribbony dresses are fun and adorable... but as a new mom, practical is the new fun. You need to know what you're actually going to use, and what's going to make your life easier. So, let's get down to the nitty gritty!


Clothing:
6 kimono style or side snap shirts
6-8 footie pajamas and/or gowns
8 onesies, rompers, or soft outfits
4 hats
6-8 pairs of socks
2 sweaters
For cold weather - 1-2 snowsuit or winter bunting
2 pairs scratch mits (optional, but nice!)
3 drool bibs (also optional, but nice for drooly little ones!)

The side-snap or kimono style shirts are easy to get on floppy sweet newborns, and don't bug their umbilical cord! They're great for just hanging out at home, that first little while. Footie pajamas or gowns keep little feet warm, and as simple and practical as possible makes outfitting your little one easy. 

Hats from Baby Soy, Wiggle & Scoot, and Carlino. Bib from Mum2Mum.

Mits from Baby Soy, GuavaKids. Socks from Trumpette and BabySoy.

Side Snap onesie from Carlino, side snap shirt from Finn & Emma,  Hoodies from Baby Soy, Side Snap long sleeve onesie from Baby Soy.

Sleeping:
3-6 receiving blankets
2 sleep sacks or swaddlers
3-4 crib or bassinet sheets

For receiving blankets, there are many options - absorbent, soft, and multi-use, Aden & Anais are always a fabulous choice. For sleep sacks you can go from luxe (Little Giraffe!) to practical - or choose easy swaddlers instead! We usually recommend 2-3 custom sheets for your bedding, and fill that out with inexpensive, simple and sweet Lil Critters organic cotton jersey.

Sheets from Dwell Studios, Annette Tatum, Aden & Anais, and Crib Critters.

Sleep sack from Little Giraffe, Swaddling Blankets from Aden & Anais, Swaddler from  TrueWomb, Convertible footie/gown from Carlino.

Bathing:
2 hooded bath towels
6 cotton wash cloths      

These aren't strictly necessary, but make bathing a more enjoyable experience for you and your child! Try Maamam towels, which keep you dry while you bath your sweetie - or custom hooded towels from Boogie Baby! 

Hooded towel from Boogie Baby, Aacua Towel from Maamam, Cloths from Maamam.

Other:
Baby Carrier/sling

While not technically layette, this definitely falls into the category of linens and newborn necessities! Try the Baby K'Tan for a soft baby experience, or the Boba 3G carrier if you want it to last longer. 

Baby K'tan in black, Boba 3G in Montenegro, Baby K'tan breeze, Boba3G in Soho.

You may find you need more or less of each item, but this list will give you a good start. Come on in the store and we can help you decide what and how much is right for you - and help you set up your registry!

Happy Mother's Day!

Mother. Madre. أم. Ma. մայր. Ama. маці. Mare. 母亲. 母親. Majka. Matka. Mor. Moeder. Ema. Ina. Mère. Mutter. μητέρα. אמא. leej niam. Móðir. Máthair. 母. 어머니. Māte. Omm. مادر. Mãe. Mamă. мать. தாய். Anne. мати. Mẹ. Mam.

Gaia mosaic

Why do we love her? From Eve to Mary, from Demeter to Parvati to Isis to Juno... motherhood has been honored in various ways throughout history. In myth, she can be Gaia, the personification of earth, wide-bosomed and everlasting. She can be Venus, the embodiment of beauty and sexuality. She is a biological mother, a stepmother, an adoptive mother. She is your sister, your friend, the mother of your heart. She is you, who loves her child before you've met him, and you, who bonds through time and care.

Venus of Willendorf

At Daisy Baby, we love you because...

You come in and we can't tell you're pregnant yet. It's like a little secret we get to share.
You come in days from delivery with your big round belly!
You chat with us about your birth choices.
You're having a girl... or a boy... or you don't know!
You come in just to see what we carry, even if you're not sure what you want.
You come in knowing exactly what you want and we can help you fulfill it!
You are open to ideas.
You spend 2 hours and have your entire nursery designed.
It takes you 2 months to decide that you've chosen the right crib, for sure, and now it's time to work on fabrics!
You register with us, and we get to see your friends and family come in to buy presents for you.
You call or email us when you give birth!
You come in to show off your new baby.
You're dressed to the nines, because motherhood revs you up.
You're wearing sweats with your hair in a ponytail, because motherhood is exhausting.
You stay to chat and feed your baby - breast or bottle, we love it either way :)
You come in to show off your toddler, as she grows!
We see you years later, buying big kid bedding or stopping by to say "hi"!

Most of all, we love that you let us be a part of your life... a part of your Motherhood Journey. This Mother's Day, we love you. We appreciate you. And because we do, we're putting our mommy goodies on sale just for you! Whether you're buying a present for a new mom, for your partner, your friend, or yourself, our mother's day sale will help you find a special gift just for mom.