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Oh how fun. We had a rock-n-roll elmo doll. It says "ROCK THE HOUSE!" and my son cried bloody murder. We had to put it away. Then we bought a nice toy that spits balls out the top. The motor frightened him, we had to put it away. He does not like the sound of any vaccum and we are moving, so scooting boxes across the floor has the same effect. He cries.
Peculiar. Does your baby react this way to anything?
p.s. the toy that spits the balls out, is now on the good list with Gray.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Bottles Bottles and MORE Bottles OH MY!
Here's a popular question:
"What bottles are the best?"
This is a loaded question because this too really depends on your baby. My son started out with Dr. Browns for the first 3 months (also tried some other name brand expensive ones) and then I had to have the playtex drop ins. In my opinon all the other expensive bottles are just that. Expensive. Playtex drop ins give you the advantage because once you make the bottle you can push the air out of the drop in via pushing up on the bottom of the drop in. Less air in the tummy the old fashion way.
Also:
"What flow nipple should I use and when?"
My son started on slow flow, got changed to medium flow at 6 months.(playtex bottles)
I've never used a fast flow because during breastfeeding the flow never really changes and I happen to think that fast flows are a waste of money also. At 9 months of age I did use a slow flow nipple at night to put him to bed because he'd finish so quick with the mediums, he'd get very fussy when the milk was gone. The slow flow let him fall asleep before the milk ran out.
That's my scoop on bottles. Tried and true. What's been around awhile sometimes works best.
"What bottles are the best?"
This is a loaded question because this too really depends on your baby. My son started out with Dr. Browns for the first 3 months (also tried some other name brand expensive ones) and then I had to have the playtex drop ins. In my opinon all the other expensive bottles are just that. Expensive. Playtex drop ins give you the advantage because once you make the bottle you can push the air out of the drop in via pushing up on the bottom of the drop in. Less air in the tummy the old fashion way.
Also:
"What flow nipple should I use and when?"
My son started on slow flow, got changed to medium flow at 6 months.(playtex bottles)
I've never used a fast flow because during breastfeeding the flow never really changes and I happen to think that fast flows are a waste of money also. At 9 months of age I did use a slow flow nipple at night to put him to bed because he'd finish so quick with the mediums, he'd get very fussy when the milk was gone. The slow flow let him fall asleep before the milk ran out.
That's my scoop on bottles. Tried and true. What's been around awhile sometimes works best.
Breastfeeding
Most of us have every intention of breastfeeding. Let's take a blast to the past 11 months ago
I intended to breastfeed my baby until he was at least 6 months old. I am pro breastfeeding HOWEVER I am totally in tune and understand that many moms can't. For whatever the reason. Be it work,( it's hard to pump at work.) They might have health issues, or in my case, my son had a great latch, but he just wasn't sucking strong enough to get the milk going or more of it. (I did not own an automatic pump I had a hand held. OH THE TEDIOUS WORK.)
I was so upset. Not just from that ordeal but all the breastfeeding sites I'd been too, told you that it was best, and tried to offer instructions on how to do it, or what to do if your nipples get sore, BUT they didn't tell me that some babies want to eat every 1.5 hours (not 2-3 hours like formula fed) and when they hit a growth spurt which is often in the first 6 months, they eat every 30 to 40 minutes. That means YES they are basically attached to you all the time during the growth spurts.
I was so sleep deprived I don't to this day remember all the details of the first 3 months. I do remember how much of a failure I thought I was due to never mastering breastfeeding. My lactation consultant told me that it wasn't me, sometimes it just happens.
SO why the long winded post? Because of the back lash many mothers get when they "fail" at breastfeeding. Those Mothers that haven't had issues with it, and have mastered it have a tendency at times to look down on those that don't breastfeed or had to give it up.Like me, some moms don't know that you can buy an automatic pump and still get the baby breastmilk. I to this day wish it would have worked for me, but I know that it wasn't lack of trying, it was lack of information. Lil boy didn't have strong suction. I didn't even think that was possible.
If and when I decide to have another baby, I'll try it again and this time I'll have a good automatic pump. (Each baby is different so you know this time around it won't even BE an issue.Pfft figures)
Mommie Magic only goes so far :) sometimes we have the best of intentions but things just don't work out. It doesn't make you a failure. You're baby will still get good nutrition from formula. If you can get the colostrum to the baby the first two days that's GREAT! That gives the baby the antibodies. So don't stress over it. Breastfeeding is difficult and it's time consuming, no doubt about it, You'll have days where you feel chained to your bed. Remember it doesn't last forever.
Be good to yourself. When the baby first comes home its not a time to brow beat yourself. You're human and you're learning. The world won't stop if you decide to formula feed. I do encourage you to try breastfeeding.
Do what's best for you and the baby,and don't worry about what other people think.
If you do good for yourself your baby automatically benefits.
I intended to breastfeed my baby until he was at least 6 months old. I am pro breastfeeding HOWEVER I am totally in tune and understand that many moms can't. For whatever the reason. Be it work,( it's hard to pump at work.) They might have health issues, or in my case, my son had a great latch, but he just wasn't sucking strong enough to get the milk going or more of it. (I did not own an automatic pump I had a hand held. OH THE TEDIOUS WORK.)
I was so upset. Not just from that ordeal but all the breastfeeding sites I'd been too, told you that it was best, and tried to offer instructions on how to do it, or what to do if your nipples get sore, BUT they didn't tell me that some babies want to eat every 1.5 hours (not 2-3 hours like formula fed) and when they hit a growth spurt which is often in the first 6 months, they eat every 30 to 40 minutes. That means YES they are basically attached to you all the time during the growth spurts.
I was so sleep deprived I don't to this day remember all the details of the first 3 months. I do remember how much of a failure I thought I was due to never mastering breastfeeding. My lactation consultant told me that it wasn't me, sometimes it just happens.
SO why the long winded post? Because of the back lash many mothers get when they "fail" at breastfeeding. Those Mothers that haven't had issues with it, and have mastered it have a tendency at times to look down on those that don't breastfeed or had to give it up.Like me, some moms don't know that you can buy an automatic pump and still get the baby breastmilk. I to this day wish it would have worked for me, but I know that it wasn't lack of trying, it was lack of information. Lil boy didn't have strong suction. I didn't even think that was possible.
If and when I decide to have another baby, I'll try it again and this time I'll have a good automatic pump. (Each baby is different so you know this time around it won't even BE an issue.Pfft figures)
Mommie Magic only goes so far :) sometimes we have the best of intentions but things just don't work out. It doesn't make you a failure. You're baby will still get good nutrition from formula. If you can get the colostrum to the baby the first two days that's GREAT! That gives the baby the antibodies. So don't stress over it. Breastfeeding is difficult and it's time consuming, no doubt about it, You'll have days where you feel chained to your bed. Remember it doesn't last forever.
Be good to yourself. When the baby first comes home its not a time to brow beat yourself. You're human and you're learning. The world won't stop if you decide to formula feed. I do encourage you to try breastfeeding.
Do what's best for you and the baby,and don't worry about what other people think.
If you do good for yourself your baby automatically benefits.
Baby Wipes and Tea Tree
I don't know about you but I go through a lot of wipes and I have a BOY! I can just imagine what it's like for mom's with daughters. I've already heard from a friend in Hawaii how it's went with her. The thing I love is tea tree oil. The real stuff, not imitation.
It's antibacterial, antifungal and it smells good. At least to me. Once to twice a week I take one of my old wipes boxes and about 6 wash rags - set those aside
In a bowl pour in enough water that will soak your washrags in the wipes box, but not where they are soaking wet and dripping. I think I use about 1 1/2 cups of water. Then I take Johnson&Johnson lavender baby wash and pour in about a tablespoon of that, and 3 drops of tea tree oil. MAKE sure you only use that amount, it's very potent.
I mix those and then pour it into the wipes box. Place the rags in there and get them all good and wet. If you notice they aren't damp then just add more water.
Then that day I use a couple of wipes to get the majority of the mess or urine off. I finally use one of the wash rags on the baby. It keeps them extra clean, it fends off rash(make sure they dry completely before putting the new diaper on or pat them dry with another washcloth) and like I said it's antifungal and antibacterial. It smells great too.
Just another way to beat the diaper rash and you can use this as your only wipes if you so wish. But you're gonna need more than just 6 wash rags ;)
Note: Please be careful about using tea tree oil around little girls private parts, make sure you only use the rags on the outside of their genital area
The Tantrums
It's finally hit. My son has officially became the "Scream King" he drops something over and over, and of course you pick it up....over and over. Finally when you don't give it back, and you place the <insert object here> back in it's place, IT'S ON. The fussing, screaming, and throwing a fit.
He also does this when he is in one place too long for his liking. When he's sitting on your lap and trying to wriggle away. You gently place him back on your lap where he's safe and VOILA you are now holding a rigid board. One that has a red face and the screaming pierces your eardrums.
I'm hoping this is a phase, and that when I place him in his play yard so that Mommie can grab a cup of java he doesn't throw a fit very much longer. I do believe he's simply frustrated. He's inbetween crawling and walking. He stands if he can hold himself up. He does the typical cruising, but he can't walk on his own yet. It must get boring very fast for him.
Solution? Sorry to say there isn't an easy way out of this one so far. I simply have to move him from place to play throughout the day. Play yard, jumperoo,back to the nursery for some crawl/walk/playtime then the high chair for meals etc. Bath time gets serious kudos because it takes up 15 minutes. It doesn't sound like a long time but 15 minutes with a baby who has entered this phase is eternal.
I did hear from some other moms that stated their child still acts this way at the age of two years old. All I can say is by that time I hope to have figured out another way to entertain him and if so I'll be posting that solution here too.
Good Luck and let me know what works for you!
Note: this picture is not of my son, this child pictured is not nearly angry enough.
He also does this when he is in one place too long for his liking. When he's sitting on your lap and trying to wriggle away. You gently place him back on your lap where he's safe and VOILA you are now holding a rigid board. One that has a red face and the screaming pierces your eardrums.
I'm hoping this is a phase, and that when I place him in his play yard so that Mommie can grab a cup of java he doesn't throw a fit very much longer. I do believe he's simply frustrated. He's inbetween crawling and walking. He stands if he can hold himself up. He does the typical cruising, but he can't walk on his own yet. It must get boring very fast for him.
Solution? Sorry to say there isn't an easy way out of this one so far. I simply have to move him from place to play throughout the day. Play yard, jumperoo,back to the nursery for some crawl/walk/playtime then the high chair for meals etc. Bath time gets serious kudos because it takes up 15 minutes. It doesn't sound like a long time but 15 minutes with a baby who has entered this phase is eternal.
I did hear from some other moms that stated their child still acts this way at the age of two years old. All I can say is by that time I hope to have figured out another way to entertain him and if so I'll be posting that solution here too.
Note: this picture is not of my son, this child pictured is not nearly angry enough.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Baby Powders
We never used baby talcum powder. The talc irritates the airways and eyes, we used balmex it's cornstarch based. I believe Johnson and Johnson now has a cornstarch based powder. This is one of the very things that has kept us diaper rash free.
At first I wasn't that enthusiastic about using powder. In fact I didn't use it at all. Then once I got sleep deprivation out of the way and started to think clearly again I realized,"hey maybe this is what we need to keep him dry and keep the moisture away from the skin." It worked.
I highly recommend this to all new moms. Diaper rash is not your friend, and it's not that great for the baby either. I'd rather fend it off, then try to get rid of it.
At first I wasn't that enthusiastic about using powder. In fact I didn't use it at all. Then once I got sleep deprivation out of the way and started to think clearly again I realized,"hey maybe this is what we need to keep him dry and keep the moisture away from the skin." It worked.
I highly recommend this to all new moms. Diaper rash is not your friend, and it's not that great for the baby either. I'd rather fend it off, then try to get rid of it.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
What is your biggest challenge?
I encourage the comments on this post.
I've been through several. One of the biggest has been naps...or lack thereof. Since Gray came home from the hospital he has never been your typical baby that sleeps. He did not stay awake for two hours and then sleep for several hours. He slept for 1-2 hours and then stayed awake for 6-7 hours. I thought he'd never get enough rest.
Then at about four months old he started fighting naps. He would fight when rocked, he would wail when layed down. It was a never ending battle. I knew right then I had a high maintenence baby. What about you? Has your baby fought naps, or did you have one that loves to sleep? For those of you that haven't had your baby yet, what are you concerned about? Anything yet?
What has your biggest challenge been in the first year? Thoughts?
I've been through several. One of the biggest has been naps...or lack thereof. Since Gray came home from the hospital he has never been your typical baby that sleeps. He did not stay awake for two hours and then sleep for several hours. He slept for 1-2 hours and then stayed awake for 6-7 hours. I thought he'd never get enough rest.
Then at about four months old he started fighting naps. He would fight when rocked, he would wail when layed down. It was a never ending battle. I knew right then I had a high maintenence baby. What about you? Has your baby fought naps, or did you have one that loves to sleep? For those of you that haven't had your baby yet, what are you concerned about? Anything yet?
What has your biggest challenge been in the first year? Thoughts?
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Diaper Rash, I've avoided it for the first 11 months
Gray, my son, is now 11 months old and other than a yeast rash he picked up from antibiotics he has avoided any diaper rashes. HOWEVER I want to address something that you can do for any diaper rash that might appear.
Besides keeping the baby clean, dry, and doing diaper changes regularly there is a little secret you can invest in. Lotrimin (clotrimazole) AF creme. Yes the same stuff that's used topically for athletes feet. This is an anti fungal creme ( which works for yeast infections on the skin) but also for diaper rash. A small tube is only $5 to $8 dollars and if you apply this 2-3 times a day to clean DRY skin you'll see a huge difference in 2 days.
Also remember, air time is a great way to help things along. Try it, it certainly beats a more expensive visit to the doctor.
(This advice is not meant to replace seeing a doctor. If you feel your little one needs to be seen, go with your gut)
Besides keeping the baby clean, dry, and doing diaper changes regularly there is a little secret you can invest in. Lotrimin (clotrimazole) AF creme. Yes the same stuff that's used topically for athletes feet. This is an anti fungal creme ( which works for yeast infections on the skin) but also for diaper rash. A small tube is only $5 to $8 dollars and if you apply this 2-3 times a day to clean DRY skin you'll see a huge difference in 2 days.
Also remember, air time is a great way to help things along. Try it, it certainly beats a more expensive visit to the doctor.
(This advice is not meant to replace seeing a doctor. If you feel your little one needs to be seen, go with your gut)
What can you expect to find here??
Have you ever visited an online mom or baby forum? You ask a question and although other people answer you might not get very much detail, or you want more information? Well, what you'll find here are all the things you want answered especially about that first year with your new baby. We'll cover subjects from eating, to development and everything in between.
This will be your secret weapon. You'll understand The Mommy Code, because you'll have some things up your sleeve and you'll start to see.... things aren't as overwhelming as they seem.
Join us here, and make your life a bit easier!
This will be your secret weapon. You'll understand The Mommy Code, because you'll have some things up your sleeve and you'll start to see.... things aren't as overwhelming as they seem.
Join us here, and make your life a bit easier!
Going Live
I'm happy to start this blog. There are many baby blogs and forums around the web but I promise to enlighten you, help you, and make your life as mom just a little bit easier. Please follow me, bookmark this blog and check back. Us moms need all the help we can get!
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