The Importance of Writing a Birth Plan

Not too long ago, having to write down a birth plan would have seemed ridiculous. Birth was simply birth, and there weren't many options or choices in the matter. Fast forward to the 21st century and the wonders of modern medicine have made giving birth an event filled with decisions that must be made. To begin with, do you choose a professional midwife, a nurse midwife, a doctor ... or do you decide to go it alone? Do you want to be at home, in a birth center, or in the hospital? If pregnancy goes beyond 40 weeks, do you induce, or wait it out? Do you want a "natural" birth with no pain medication or IVs ... or do you want oral pain meds, an epidural, or even a c-section? What kind of monitoring would you like? Do you want the baby suctioned after delivery? What about vaccinations, the vitamin K shot, and erythromycin ointment? While some women will have absolutely no preference on some of these decisions - most women do have a preference. And those preferences, as much as humanly possible, should be followed. Remember: this is YOUR body and YOUR baby. Making sure that baby goes directly onto your bare chest after delivery instead of getting swept away in a nurses arms to be weighed and measured matters. A lot. If you choose to decline or postpone the Hepatitis B vaccination during the first few days of your baby's life - that decision needs to be known and honored.

Sitting down and writing out your birth plan not only helps you better visualize what type of birth you want to have, it also forces you to consider some of the options you might not have even realized you had. It also ensures that you, your partner, and other supporters (such as a doula and other family members) are on the same page so that they can better support you during the labor process. When you are in the middle of transition and focused only on getting through each contraction, your spouse or doula can gently remind the nurse and doctor that you prefer the lights dimmed, or that you only want to be checked for dilation if absolutely necessary (instead of routinely).

Writing a birth plan will also help you make more educated decisions on the various options you will face. For example, what are the pros and cons of erythromycin ointment? What are the pros and cons of having regular checks for dilation? What are the benefits of an epidural - and what are the setbacks? Why might you want to have your baby suctioned after delivery, and why might you not? Rather than simply accepting whatever practice is considered "the norm" for a particular hospital or doctor (and yes, these practices do vary greatly depending on who your hospital, doctor, or midwife is), you get to make an educated decision on what is best for YOU and what is best for YOUR baby. And what is right for you may not be what is right for the mother that delivered just before you, or the mother that will deliver just after you. That is the beauty of writing your own birth plan ... it is individualized, just for you!

Discuss birth plan preferences with your provider early on. If they are unsupportive of your birth plan, you may consider finding a different provider that will be supportive. For example, many doctors will require that you be monitored on the fetal heart monitor and that you deliver laying down in bed. If this is not what you want, consider talking to another doctor, nurse midwife, or professional midwife.

Several weeks prior to your due date (usually around 36-37 weeks), make plans to thoroughly discuss your birth plan with your doctor or midwife. Give a copy to your provider. If you have a doula that will be attending your birth, make sure she also has a copy. Print out several more copies to take with you if you are going to a birth center or hospital. Have your partner give one copy to your nurse upon arrival, and tape the other copy somewhere in the room where nurses and doctors can easily see it. Because nurses and doctors change shifts every 8-12 hours, it is very likely that you will not have the same nurse upon admittance that you have during delivery. Making sure everyone has access to your birth plan is very important and will help your nurse, doctor, and midwife better support you in the labor process.

I recommend reading through your birth plan at least once daily. This helps serve as a sort of "visualization" of how you would like your labor to progress. Make sure that you leave room for flexibility, however, for unforeseen circumstances. For example, I preferred not to have Little Bear suctioned after delivery. However, because she was not a crier and her lungs sounded more gargley than the midwife was comfortable with - I allowed her to be suctioned based on the midwife's recommendation. Because I knew and trusted my midwife, I felt comfortable adjusting my birth plan preferences under her recommendation. I also preferred to tear naturally, rather than have an episiotomy. However, I did state in my birth plan that if my midwife felt that performing an episiotomy for the safety of my baby was necessary - I would allow that (sometimes this is necessary to allow for a faster delivery). This was not necessary during Little Bear's delivery, but I trusted my midwife to make that decision. As you can see, having complete and total trust in the individual delivering your baby helps make the process much easier!

Below I have listed a number of questions to answer in your birth plan. It is definitely not a complete list, but it covers many of the options/choices you will face as you go through the labor and delivery experience. Depending on if you plan on having a hospital, birth center, or home birth - some of these questions may or may not be relevant. Many of these topics I have discussed in previous posts - or plan to discuss in future posts. Please feel free to contact me at oregonmother@gmail.com with any questions you may have. Otherwise, read-up on the issues, discuss options with your partner, and write up a birth plan that will work best for you!

1.     When do you plan to come to the hospital? How far along in labor would you like to be?

2.    Would you like to be able to eat and drink during labor? Many hospitals require women in labor to only have ice-chips or sips of clear liquids.

3.     Would you like to be able to be out of bed during labor? Would you like to use the tub, shower, etc?

4.     What sort of lighting and atmosphere do you prefer in the room? 

5.     Do you want an IV and continuous fetal heart monitoring? If not, does your hospital allow you to decline these interventions? If you do not want continuous fetal heart monitoring, what type do you want (doppler, intermittent with a strap around your abdomen, fetoscope)?

6.     What type of pain management do you want to use? Consider your various options including: verbal support, techniques learned in lamaze classes, water therapy, oral medications, epidural, etc. (Remember that while many hospitals will offer epidurals as a first option for pain management, there are many non-pharmacological options available that have less side affects on mother and baby.)

7.     Would you consider induction of labor after 40 weeks, or do you prefer to wait? Many mothers go 42 weeks before labor begins. What sort of induction would you be okay with? Having a doctor or midwife strip your membranes is very different than being given a drug to induce labor. Consider your options.

8.     Would you be okay with a routine episiotomy? Most providers are moving away from this practice as evidence shows that it is more harmful than helpful in most situations. However, some providers still practice this technique. In what situation would it be okay? 

9.     Presence of others in the delivery room ... who do you want to be allowed in the room? Do you want your children there? Your mother? Just your spouse?

10  Are you okay with an AROM (Artificial Rupture of Membranes)? This technique may be used to help speed up labor. Consider the pros and cons, as well as when it might be appropriate and when it is not.

     Are you okay with intermittent vaginal checks to measure dilation? 

1   Suctioning of the newborn: Do you prefer that your baby's nose and throat be cleared of fluids with a bulb syringe? Or do you prefer that no intervention be done? If you prefer no suctioning, would you be okay with it if meconium is in the amniotic fluid?

1   When baby arrives, do you want her placed on your bare chest? Do you want her wrapped and swaddled first? Do you prefer that the newborn assessment be done while baby is on your chest? Do you wish to wait one hour or more before baby is weighed, measured, etc? 

1   Cutting of the umbilical cord: Who do you wish to cut the cord? Do you wish to wait until it stops pulsating before it is cut (this is the recommended practice currently, though it is often not done)?  

1   Do you prefer that the afterbirth (placenta) be delivered naturally, without intervention? If so, how long are you willing to wait? What would you like done with the placenta? (Many cultures save the placenta and plant it under a tree, etc.). 

1  What would you like administered to your baby? Vitamin K, erythromycin eye ointment, and the hepatitis B vaccine are all routinely given to newborns in their first hours and days of life. Parents may sign consents stating they do not want these interventions. 

     

     Do you plan on breastfeeding your baby? If so, allowing baby to suckle on your breast during the first hour of his or her life will help both of you. 

     If you tear naturally during delivery, do you prefer to heal naturally, or do you want stitches?

     When do you wish to give baby his or her first bath? Do you prefer it be done the first day - or do you wish to wait 2-3 days? 

     When do you plan on going home? Do you wish to go home soon or stay longer (most birth centers allow you to go home within 4 hours after delivery; many hospitals require you to stay 24-48 hours). 

Waiting to Bathe Baby

When giving birth in a hospital setting, nurses will almost always ask mothers when they want to give their little newborn that first bath. This exciting ritual of bathing your new one for the first time is often greeted with excitement, anticipation, and a little nervousness (those newborns are so tiny and slippery!). A family member is often designated to take photos, and a well-meaning nurse usually stands-by to offer a helping hand. And while that first bath is definitely an event to look forward to, it is usually an event best postponed for 2-3 days.

Waiting 2-3 days to give that first bath may surprise many new parents. Newborns are typically covered in blood and a white goop (called "vernix") when they make their first appearance. Nurses quickly towel dry the baby (ideally this is done while baby is resting on mom's chest) and wipe off most of the fluids and blood. What is left is typically the vernix, that white goop that looks like a waxy cheese substance. While it is many parent's (and nurse's) instinct to want to clean it off their baby to reveal that beautiful, soft pink skin beneath - that vernix is serving several important purposes.

Vernix is thought to help baby slide more easily through the birth canal. It also helps to moisturize baby's skin once out of the womb. In fact, it is the best moisturizer out there for babies! Instead of bathing baby right away to get rid of the white substance, gently massage it into baby's skin! This will help minimize drying and cracking that can often occur as baby makes it way out of it's watery surroundings of the placenta into the outside world.

Vernix is also thought to help baby conserve heat and stay warm, allowing baby to better adjust to life outside the womb. More recently, pediatricians have recognized an antibacterial benefit of vernix. In other words, that white, waxy substance actually forms a barrier between bacteria in the environment and your newborn's skin! Why in the world would we want to wash that off?!?

Some babies will have more vernix than others when born. Babies born full term (40 weeks) will have more vernix than a baby born post term (41+ weeks). Baby's born post term actually absorb much of the vernix into their skin while still in the womb. Because Little Bear was born at almost 42 weeks, she did not have much vernix left on her skin. She did have some left in the folds of her skins.

When Little Bear came home, we washed her hair (she had a lot of it!), but didn't bathe the rest of her body until day 3. By that time, all the vernix had been absorbed into her skin. Even after the vernix is gone, however, resist the temptation to bathe baby every day. Natural oils in the skin help protect and moisturize the skin (this is true even as adults!). Bathing a newborn twice a week is more than enough. Wiping down areas such as the bottom, neck, armpits, and skinfolds that can collect dirt and milk inbetween baths will keep baby's skin healthy and clean.

Remember that some drying and cracking of your newborn's skin the first few weeks after birth is normal. Resist the temptation to rub all sorts of lotions and oils onto baby. Simply let the dead skin slough off naturally.

When writing your birth plan for your home, birth center, or hospital delivery - make sure to include when you want to bathe baby. This will let nurses, doctors, and midwives know that you wish to wait to bathe your little one. A little waxy white stuff in those first baby photos won't hurt anyone - in fact, it can only help!

Ready, Set ... Diaper (Part 1)

It's funny how something so basic (such as diapering a baby) can become so complicated. Yet our culture has a tendency to offer consumers so many options for an item that one can literally stand in the pen and pencil aisle of a grocery store for 30 minutes debating on what brand, style, color, etc. is best. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately (for those that like lots and lots of options), the same is true for choosing cloth diapers. No longer is there one style. And no longer do we simply learn by watching. After nearly 3 decades of disposable diapers running the show, cloth diapering has become somewhat of a lost art - something that seems complicated, mysterious, and perhaps even gross. In recent years, however, cloth has made a resurgence as we have learned that, yes, once again, sometimes less is more - and more natural is better. And the good news?  Using cloth is easier than you think.

When I first started looking into cloth diapering, I'm embarrassed to admit how overwhelmed I became. There were SO many options, so many styles, so many decisions. What worked? What didn't? Did friends have recommendations? Luckily, I found an excellent article in Mothering Magazine that discussed in great details the various styles and types of cloth diapering available. I also had a friend who wrote in detail in her blog about her personal experience with cloth diapering. And lastly, my brother had been using cloth for the last 12 months and was able to offer his thoughts on the subject.

Everyone will have a favorite style or brand that they absolutely swear by. My recommendation is to simply pull up reviews online of each style. Most consumers will be very upfront about their likes and dislikes for certain products. I have really only used 2 brands of diapers, so I'm not a very good resource for offering you advice on the "best product out there". I can, however, get you started in what I believe are the basics you will need to begin cloth diapering your little one.

Cover/Shell. This is the part of the diaper that keeps the pee from leaking through the cloth part of the diaper and onto your baby's clothing - or your lap. It usually consists of some sort of soft inside lining and a waterproof outer lining. Bummis, Thirsties, Kissaluvs (as well as many, many others) all make covers. These are designed to fit over a basic cloth diaper. They come in various sizes, or a one-size-fits-all style that has adjustable snaps. The one-size-fits-all usually advertise that they will fit an 8 pound - 35 pound baby. My personal experience is that you will need between 10-15 covers if you simply want to toss them in the laundry and only do the wash 2 times a week. If you don't mind washing more often, you will need less. When Little Bear was really tiny, I used 5 Thirties Newborn Covers, but was doing washes more often than I do now.

Cloth Diapers (prefolds). These are the basic rectangular diapers that some of our mother's probably used. They work great as burp cloths and dust rags, too. They come in various sizes, as well. Depending on how often you want to do laundry will depend on how many you decide to buy. I recommend buying at least 60 if you only want to do laundry 2 times a week. A breastfeeding baby will often pee 15-20 times/day - and with cloth, they will need changing each time. They immediately feel when they are wet and will let you know it's time to change. Cloth diapers are available in cotton and hemp, organic and non-organic. There are many types of prefolds available, with the most popular being the Chinese Prefolds and Indian Prefolds.

Snappies. These are plastic stretchy bands that are used in place of safety pins to keep on the cloth diapers. These are used when you use the cloth diapers to wrap around your baby's bottom and waist. I used them the first 6 weeks (before switching over to the Diaper Cover with Insert). I ordered 5, but imagine 2-3 would do just fine ... if you don't tend to lose things.

OR ...

Diaper Cover with Insert. These are incredibly popular right now. BumGenius, FuzziBunz, and Flip all make a style of insert diaper. They are essentially taking the above two categories (cover and cloth diaper) and combining them into one system. They come with an "insert" that you stuff into the cover, forming one complete "diaper." Supposedly by stuffing the insert into the cover, it helps keep the wetness away from your baby. I know many people that love this diaper style. I have 2 complaints: 1) Little Bear knew immediately when she wet anyways and so we ended up changing her just as often, and 2) you had to stuff inserts into the covers and then remove them - which is very time consuming. I ended up using these diapers like covers, instead. They work great for this, as well, and I no longer have to stuff liners after every load of laundry. If using this system as intended (stuffing the diaper), they recommend you buy at least 36. This is a very expensive investment and many people just simply don't have that kind of money laying around.

YOU WILL ALSO NEED ...

Wipes. I wasn't sure I wanted to use cloth wipes (seemed like it could get messy), but now that I do, I wouldn't ever go back! We bought flannel cloth wipes (about 40 of them) and absolutely love them. I do use disposables when we are out and about, and even then I keep saying to myself that I'm going to change over. The disposables just seem so wet and flimsy after using cloth.

Spray. We bought Kissaluvs Diaper Lotion Potion. I recommend buying one spray bottle, as well as several bottles of concentrate. It is an all natural concentrate that you mix with witch hazel. It smells amazing, feels great on the skin, and Little Bear has yet to have a diaper rash. It also works great to spray on a little bit of cloth to clean out those smelly neck folds that gather sour milk during the first few months!

Diaper Pail. This can be anything, as long as it has a lid that fits tightly. We bought one made by BumGenius and are very happy with it. There are many styles and types out there. Some come with a vent in the lid that have filters in them to help the soiled diapers "breathe". By doing laundry every 3-4 days I have found that smell is never an issue.

Diaper Pail Liner. These are important. We also bought the BumGenius and are very happy with ours. These are sturdy plastic, reusable, washable liners that you place in the diaper pail. Buy two of these so that you can immediately replace one while the other is being washed and hung to dry.

Wet Bags. If you plan on going 100% cloth, you will want to buy wet bags for when you are out and about and don't have access to your diaper pail. These are like miniature diaper pail liners in that they are reusable and washable. Buy two of these, as well, so that you can always have one clean, dry one available. They are small and fit easily in a diaper bag.

Sprayer Attachment for Toilet. BumGenius also makes a good sprayer that is easy to install onto almost any toilet. It's a great invention and you'll be really happy you have it the first few months when baby poop can get a bit sloppy and messy. Simply spray as much poop as you can off the diaper before putting in your diaper pail. It works great and is worth the little extra money you'll spend on it.

If you are a minimalist, I'm certain you can do without several of my suggested items listed above. But I've found that by having some of the "extras" - like the diaper sprayer and Kissalvus Diaper Lotion Potion - it's just a little easier. And everything smells a bit nicer, too.

Ready, Set ... Diaper (Part 2) will be up shortly!

Birth Story Circles

I attended my first Birth Story Circle last week at a local birth center in town. It was a wonderful 2 hours and I left feeling very privileged to have had the opportunity to listen to women share the stories of their most intimate memories of their birth experience.

So what exactly is a Birth Story Circle? I had never been to one and did not know quite what to expect. The Birth Story Circle is simply an opportunity for women to gather together and share the stories of their birth. It is very informal, and anyone who wants to participate in sharing their story can. One can also simply come and listen, if they choose. The circle I went to had about 10 ladies in attendance, and 8 out of the 10 shared a personal birth story. Sometimes the stories were long and very detailed; others were brief and to the point. But it was obvious that each woman sharing her story did so out of some desire to share her experience with others. The experiences shared were inspiring and empowering ... encouraging several of the pregnant women in the circle who had yet to give birth that their bodies were designed for this very purpose. One woman shared of a baby she lost when she was younger - and the joy she felt when her most recent baby was born on her first baby's expected due date. Another shared her fears of trying to deliver her second child naturally, after having a cesarean section. One mother shared how her husband helped deliver her fifth baby at home in the bathroom when labor progressed too quickly for the midwife to arrive.

Each story was remarkable and unique ... and at the same time, not remarkable - and not unique. And that is what I love about birth. It happens almost every second of every day, changing forever the lives of those welcoming that little one into their arms. For the rest of our lives, K and I will remember and talk about the night that Little Bear was born: when the contractions started, what time my water broke, the hot showers we took throughout the night to help with the pain, the crazy car ride to the hospital, and of course the moment Little Bear finally burst out and we got to see - for the very first time - the face of our daughter. Every 8 seconds this miracle occurs. Every 8 seconds a mother meets her child for the first time. And she will have her own story to share, different from anyone else, yet also so similar.

I believe that Birth Story Circles can help inspire mothers-to-be. They are wonderful reminders that roughly 97% of women can naturally birth their baby into this world with no serious complications. They help us to remember that we are not "special" or "unique" in that women all over the world have been birthing their babies for thousands of centuries. And yet they also allow us to share why our birth was special and unique, about how this universal experience affected us individually at an emotional, physical, even spiritual level.

Through the Birth Story Circles we can connect with women in our communities, share our vulnerabilities, and gain new strength.

If you are interested in attending a Birth Story Circle, call local birth centers in your area and ask if they hold one. And if they don't, ask if they might be willing to facilitate one. Perhaps you can even organize one of your own. They are a wonderful, intimate, and inspiring experience - one I urge all mothers and mothers-to-be to experience for themselves.

BabyLegs: Super Cute & Super Convenient

LB & her BabyLegs: What a Feeling!

It's back to the 1980's for Little Bear! While consignment store shopping last week I found 2 pairs of BabyLegs that looked almost brand new. I decided to spend the $2.00 and try them out! I'm so happy I did. I read about BabyLegs in Mothering Magazine last year and thought that while it was a cute idea, I wasn't sure if I'd actually use them. Cute, yes. Useful? Not so sure. And if I have to choose between the two, I'll go with useful almost every time.

BabyLegs got their start in 2005 when a mother decided to opt for useful (as many, many mothers do). Her little one had a bad diaper rash and she wanted to air her bum out - but also didn't want to freeze her to death. In a moment of inspiration, she snipped off the toes to a pair of socks and used them as leg warmers for her daughter. She soon discovered that diaper changing - and eventually potty training - became much more practical when she didn't have to fight with pants and bottoms all the time. Brilliant. The company BabyLegs has now expanded to include more - but they got their start from a baby with a bad case of diaper rash and a desperate mother. Click here to visit their homepage. It's pretty cool.

So Little Bear tried out her first pair of BabyLegs yesterday and they were a big hit (for me, at least ... she didn't seem to notice the difference). Diaper changes have never been quicker or easier. And she did look awfully cute, I must admit. Because we use cloth diapers (read here about reasons why we chose cloth), I find myself doing more diaper changes than if we were using disposables (this is actually a good thing because it means Little Bear is not sitting in her own pee, like disposables allow). Not having to take pants off - and then put them back on - really does save A LOT of time. Needless to say, I'm sold on the idea.

BabyLegs makes two sizes: newborn, and one-size-fits-most. Obviously, if you have an extremely chunky monkey, you may be out of luck. But the pair I picked up fits Little Bear very well at 7 months and should fit her for quite some time (even another year?). If that's the case - or, if you just have a creative streak in you - you can always make a pair of leg warmers yourself. I found a wonderful tutorial on Prudent Baby's website on do-it-yourself-leg-warmers. I think they'd probably take all of about 5 minutes to complete.


BabyLegs cost about $10-$12/pair on their website. Again, consignment store shopping can save you tons of money if you have a little extra time and patience. There is a knock-off brand called My Little Legs which cost about $7.50/pair on their website.. Supposedly Target has a brand, as well, but I couldn't find them on their online store, if so. Then, of course, Amazon.com offers both BabyLegs and My Little Legs - selling them for less than on each individual store's website.

However you find them, and for whatever cost you find them at, I'm sure you'll enjoy them. They come in an endless assortment of colors, and really are quite practical given certain circumstances. We probably won't wear them every day, but Little Bear will definitely be sporting the 1980's "Flash Dance" style from time to time.

Erythromycin Ointment for Newborns - Is It Necessary?

Look at almost any photo of a newborn and you will notice something funny about their eyes: they are usually gooey and slightly red. It is so common to see this in newborns, that some people actually think that is just how they come out! The truth is, that gooey stuff on the eyes is actually erythromycin ointment (an antibiotic). It is usually placed in a newborn's eyes within the first hour after birth, when the nurse or midwife is weighing and measuring the baby. It has become so common that many parents simply accept it as readily as they accept cutting the umbilical cord. But is it really necessary? The answer to that is: it depends.

Eye ointments have been used to prevent serious eye infections in babies since the late 1800s. At that time, silver nitrate was used. Unfortunately, silver nitrate - if given an incorrect dose - can cause blindness. Given correctly, it saved the vision of countless babies. Why? While being birthed, a baby's head, face, and eyes have to pass through the mother's birth canal and vagina. If a mother has an active case of gonorrhea or chlamydia, the infection can be passed from a mother's birth canal to her baby's eyes. This, in turn, can cause blindness in the infant.

Eventually, silver nitrate was replaced (for the most part) by erythromycin ointment. It is safer to use and has less side effects than the silver nitrate. However, erythromycin ointment can still sting slightly, causes temporary blurring of vision, and may cause allergic reaction in rare cases. For public health measures, most states and hospitals have made it mandatory that ALL babies receive a prophylactic dose of erythromycin ointment after birth. Better safe than sorry. And yet ...

There is absolutely no need for this eye ointment if you are 100% certain that you and your partner do not have any STDs. This means that a couple needs to be in a mutually monogamous relationship and certain that neither partner has an STD. I stress mutually monogamous. If either partner is having sexual relations outside the partnership, an STD could be unknowingly introduced to the mother - which could then be passed onto their baby. Unfortunately,  chlamydia and gonorrhea can be active without showing any obvious signs or symptoms. Therefore, proper STD testing at the beginning of pregnancy, followed by a mutually monogamous relationship for the duration of that pregnancy, can ensure a mother that she is not infected.

K and I chose not to have erythromycin ointment placed in Little Bear's eyes after birth. We knew I did not have chlamydia or gonorrhea and were not worried about infecting our newborn with an STD (one wonderful benefit of choosing to live monogamously!). We also wanted Little Bear to be able to see Mommy's and Daddy's face clearly during her first few hours of life - with no blurry goop to look through. Because the state of Oregon requires erythromycin ointment to be given to all newborns, I did have to sign a waiver before I left the hospital acknowledging that I did not want this treatment done.

Deciding whether or not you should have erythromycin ointment placed in your newborn's eyes after birth is a decision only your and your partner can make. But remember, it is completely unnecessary if you are certain you do not have chlamydia or gonorrhea at the time of birth. So whether you decide to have it done or not, sit down with your midwife or doctor and clearly let them know ahead of time what your wishes are.

Thrift Store Shopping!

I've always loved a good bargain ... and I've always loved taking something old and making it new. When I was a little kid I used to love reading The Boxcar Children. They would go to the dump and rummage through old stuff ... and they always found something worthwhile! While in college I would go to Goodwill and Christian Help (local thrift stores out West) for furniture, clothes, kitchen items, etc. It saved me tons of money, I still looked fashionable (you won't believe what people give away), and I was reducing my carbon footprint. Instead of paying $70 for a pair of shoes, I might pay $10.

Now that we've started a family (and especially since K is attending school part-time and I am staying home with Little Bear), shopping smart is more important than ever. Luckily, baby consignment stores are growing in number. There are two in our town - and many more in most larger cities. Here's what I love about baby consignment stores: almost everything they sell is brand new. Why? Two reasons, mainly: 1) because babies grow so darned fast that they only get to wear an outfit several times before they are too big for it! and 2) everyone loves to buy gifts for a new baby ... and items are often duplicated, unnecessary, or simply not something the parents will use.

Here are a few practically new items we've bought at consignments shops at less than half the retail value: Kelty Baby Backpack (tags still attached!), Ergo Baby Carrier Infant Insert (for our next baby ... someday), Robeez baby shoes, baby seat, BabyLegs, and a brand new leather/lambs wool snow jumper from Macy's! Here are items I've seen but haven't bought: jogging strollers, bassinets, co-sleepers, Ergo Baby Carriers, baby tubs, exersaucers, Baby Einstein DVDs, highchairs, brand new bottles and pacifiers, cloth diapers and diaper covers ... the list goes on and on and on.

Just yesterday I found a brand new Ergo Baby Carrier in the box for less than $60. They retail for around $120 on Amazon.com. Of course the trick with consignment shops is you never know what they are going to have - or when they are going to get something new. So just popping in every now and then is a must. Every once in a while a store will take your name down if you are looking for a certain item. K and I did this for the Baby Kelty Backpack. We lucked out and they called us 2 days later (which they admitted was highly unusual ... but it's worth a try).

In Little Bear's first 7 months of life, I've probably saved $300 from shopping at consignment stores. Also, I have a whole box of unused or barely used items I will be taking in next month to sell/trade-in - another benefit to consignment shopping. By trading in items that you no longer are using, you can usually get either cash - or credit at the store.

And for those of you that don't have a little one yet but just got invited to your 3rd baby shower this year ... I recommend making a trip to the consignment store! You'll save yourself a ton of money, and no-one even has to know (unless of course you are like me and like to brag about these sorts of things!).