Teeth, Teeth Go Away. August 15, 2007

Poor Gracie is teething like a maniac right now. I can see the numerous whitecaps right under the gums and I think we’re getting the dreaded molars. I’m always looking for remedies and here’s what I have found “works” so far. Keep in mind nothing works completely except those darn teeth breaking through the gums.

Hyland’s Teething Tablets (homeopathic) work pretty well but lately we’ve had to step it up to Infant Motrin. Another idea is putting the pacifier in the freezer (it won’t get too hard). I’ve also found a great remedy which is this little baggie thing from Munchkin. It’s called a Fresh Food Feeder, the idea being you put solids in the bag and they can chew without choking. I’ve found putting an ice cube in there really helps the teething. Just keep going to the freezer and repeating until the Motrin kicks in…

You can find all this wonderful stuff at Drugstore.com

Pacifier Controversy–How Old Is Too Old? August 14, 2007

When this pic was published a while back, many were up in arms about Ryder’s binky. They said he was 2 or 3 and waaaay too old for a pacifier. I agree that 2-3 is pushing it but when do you think they should go? I encountered a poor daycare workers struggling with a child who looked like she’d been crying for a week straight because “the parents want the pacifier gone, cold turkey.” The poor baby was probably only 8 months old and now the lucky daycare workers get to deal with the aftermath. How much you want to bet the baby gets it at night when the parents are around??? I’m just saying.

Grace initially had no pacifier and then it was suggested by the lactation consultants that it would help her suck reflex. We’ve been on the binky ever since. Regular latex Binky, not orthodontic thank you very much. I’m just excited that she seemed to take the orthodontic one today. That’s progress over here. She really only uses them to sleep. I’m not going to get all jacked up about it like some people do “you MUST wean at age (fill in the blank).” I’ve never seen a child attending college with a binky so I’m pretty sure she’ll be able to give it up.

Favorite Baby Product..Just Don’t Flush It August 14, 2007

I have to admit, I’m a snob about certain products and I just won’t go generic. These include paper products (paper towels, toilet paper and baby wipes). These work so well that I just can’t deviate. They are silky soft and like cloth. But I really love them for their myriad of uses (wipe the counter, the car seats, the high chair, take off my makeup, wash my hands, etc.) These things do it all…except for flush. I made the stupid mistake of flushing a few too many down our toilet today. This ended up with poo water all over our master bath. I can’t relive it, it was horrifying. It’s finally under control but please DON’T FLUSH THESE BABIES!

Study Says Moms Too Quick to Reach for the Bottle *Offers No Suggestions For Working Moms August 8, 2007

Found this article on Yahoo about how moms are “too quick” to reach for the bottle and then end up stopping breastfeeding sooner than they “should.” It notes that women should “ideally” breastfeed for six months or more.

Great idea but let’s talk reality. We have no mandatory maternity leave (paid) in this country. Thus, many women have to return to work (wow, what a concept!). I was planning on returning to my work after 3 months. This was unpaid leave by my employer but I would have been able to collect disability in California for about half my salary during that time period. If you live in another state or can’t get buy on half of your salary, I guess you get to go back earlier. I planned on breastfeeding too. Luckily I had my own office and could shut the door and pump away. However, I really could not work during this time or carry on phone conversations so this would be a significant chunk of time out of my day. I worked as an attorney with billable hours required and every minute counted, literally. So if I tood 30 minutes per day to pump, I’d basically be at the office another 45 minutes later in the day. That would put me at 6:30 for leaving. We had moved out of the city so I’d be home at around 7:15. My daughter goes to bed at 7pm so I guess I would just see her on the weekends We ended up moving and I was able to stay home with Grace for the first year so this turned out not to be an issue for me. But it is for many, many women.

My friend worked in a cubicle and had to pump in the computer server room. Many pump in bathroom stalls with no electrical outlets. Gee, I wonder why they eventually give into the bottle. Let’s face it, its not easy on the mamas. Let’s focus on mandating breaks and facilities on the employers and a little less guilt on the mothers please.

AP article regarding bottlefeeding

Why Didn’t They Have This A Year Ago? August 8, 2007

Following up on my swing post, I really wish this product had been available a year ago as Grace loved her Graco Snugride and this is a swing frame that the carseat snaps into. Genius people!  Anyway, here it is….

Swingin’ the Fussies Away August 8, 2007

When Grace was a wee thing the swing was our best friend. It was the only thing that seemed to soothe her. We got the Fisher Price Baby Papasan which swings forward and sideways (although our peanut really preferred the regular facing way). It’s a big seat that has an upright position and another position that is nearly flat. This was good for us as Grace literally slept in this thing for about a month. My only complaints are: price, bulkiness and no A/C adapter. Otherwise, it was a lifesaver for us. Be sure to stock up on D batteries.

My obsession with the swing first developed after reading Harvey Karp’s “Happiest Baby on the Block.” Highly recommended if you have a “difficult” baby…

Good Old Fashioned Plastic High Chair: Graco Contempo August 8, 2007

I’ll admit that I used to be much more concerned with fashion over function. I wanted a Stokke high chair so as not to disrupt my furnishings. A Bugaboo Frog because that’s what you “had” to have (when we lived in San Francisco). Well, screw the Stokke because it has no tray (unless you pay $$$) for the child and the Bugaboo is a pain in my ***. I’m now all about convenience.

Grace outgrew her booster type high chair (strap on to an existing chair) rather rapidly and it was time to get her a real one. I gave in to practicality and got the Graco Contempo in Kasbah. I love it. It is easily wiped as it’s not fabric (more of a plastic), Grace is comfy in it and it has a huge, washable tray that removes. Newbie Mama screwed the bottle top on incorrectly and milk went flying everywhere, including all over Grace. Cleaning the chair was a breeze. Cleaning Grace was a little more challenging. Plus, it folds up quite nicely. I may even take this baby on vacation with us and stuff it in the car. Two thumbs up!!!

You can find it at Walmart.com

To Cereal or Not Cereal That is the Question August 6, 2007

As I was browsing in Target yesterday (like I always do) and nice woman asked me if I was a mother and my thoughts on rice cereal. It was still a little weird for me to say “yes, I’m a mother.” She was debating between oatmeal and rice, when do you give it,  etc. etc.

My daughter has a sensitive tummy. In addition, we didn’t sleep through the night until she was six months. I thought cereal would be the answer to this as many friends said “he started sleeping through the night when we gave him cereal.” My doctor gave her the ok for cereal in a bottle around 4 months. It did not go well for us. She was writhing in tummy pain all night. So we discontinued and never really used the cereal much. Instead we went to Earth’s Best Prunes and Oatmeal which kept her regular and content.

My point? Don’t feel obligated to use cereal because that is what everyone says you “have to do.” Trust your gut. And your baby’s.

Stroller Issues–Maclaren Quest August 6, 2007

My husband thinks I have a problem with strollers. I probably do. A little background…I originally purchased the Bugaboo Frog almost immediately upon pregnancy confirmation. We were living in San Francisco at the time and you just HAD to have one. So I got one. I thought nothing about practicality, etc. I figured if it was that expensive and you HAD to have it, it must be the best.  Wrong. My issues with the Boo are as follows: Too clunky, hard to fold, two piece design that is completely impractical for getting in and out of car, wide wheelbase that hits everything in its path in narrow stores.

So after a TON of research I decided to get the nifty Maclaren Quest. It has 3 recline positions, 12 pounds, a breeze to open and fold and a dream to steer. My problem with the Maclaren is it has no snack tray and my daughter likes to eat a lot and more importantly, she seems to slouch in it and can’t sit upright, which irritates her. Do any other Maclaren mamas have this problem?

I’m thinking Peg Perego P3 may be my next stop even though it’s bigger and save the Quest for travel. I was very drawn to the Peg Aria but held off because I heard it had durability issues. Any thoughts out there???

Recommendations to Compliment Your Sippi Grip August 3, 2007

If you use a caregiver, daycare, etc. check out the BumpyName labels that fit right over a bottle or cup. I keep them on and throw them in the dishwasher with the bottles. Only problem is if you need to date the bottles per some daycares. Can’t help you on that.

On the sippy cup tip, try the Nuby. The only one my daughter will try, with a soft spout to make the transition a little easier. They have tons, some with straws, some that have multiple valves (nipple, sippy, straw) to try out. Baby Bungalow has a good selection if you can’t find them at your local Wal Mart or Target. FYI, Wal Mart has a bigger selection.

http://www.babybungalow.com/nubapr.html