When a young doctor decides to become a pediatrician, most likely they don't have kids. Do you think they know that a huge chunk of their job will be to reassure tens of thousands of first time mothers over the course of their career? Even the most confident of women will seek validation from their pediatrician. This makes each office visit a sort of pilgrimmage or a type of cleansing to give you the strength to go through the next 2 months.
However, I would say it is essential to pick a pediatrician with a "help nurse" on call so you can ask those 3,000 questions you'll have in between.
Friday, May 30, 2008
My morning constitution
I take my daughter and my 100lbs lab out for a walk every day and I truly enjoy it. There's a definite art to walking the dog, pushing the stroller, and holding a poop bag.
Tyler, the dog, is pretty well behaved and possibly extremely smart. I say this because most of my commands require that I say his name so that he knows I'm talking to him. For example "Tyler, No!" or "Tyler, Drop it" or "Tyler, Come on".
It only occurred to me today, that my daughters first word might be Tyler.
Tyler, the dog, is pretty well behaved and possibly extremely smart. I say this because most of my commands require that I say his name so that he knows I'm talking to him. For example "Tyler, No!" or "Tyler, Drop it" or "Tyler, Come on".
It only occurred to me today, that my daughters first word might be Tyler.
We've sprung a leak
You are the last person to know when the diaper has exploded.
However, you can tell a lot by the expression of those around you.
However, you can tell a lot by the expression of those around you.
Losing that baby weight
I know that breastfeeding leads you to lose weight more quickly, but what about...
-carrying an extra 10lbs around for the entire day
-doing 300 squats while trying to pick things up off the floor and holding your baby
-holding a 20lbs car seat 6 inches away from your hip or lifting it in and out of the center of the backseat of your car
...those things have to help too
-carrying an extra 10lbs around for the entire day
-doing 300 squats while trying to pick things up off the floor and holding your baby
-holding a 20lbs car seat 6 inches away from your hip or lifting it in and out of the center of the backseat of your car
...those things have to help too
Full of it
We had a great tip from the pediatrician for diaper rash - clean the area with a wet cotton ball, let the area dry, apply some neosporin followed by a diaper cream like A&D. This works fantastically.
However, when faced with a diaper load, armed only with a cotton ball - you feel well out of your league.
However, when faced with a diaper load, armed only with a cotton ball - you feel well out of your league.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Reconnaissance
The problem:
How to prevent unsightly scratches from both you and your babies face
The "experts" solution:
Simply, clip the fingernails to a respectable safe length as needed.
Past results:
In 2 months, I have successfully clipped 3 fingernails.
The facts:
A 2 month old child can grab a single strand of hair so tightly that you cannot release it from their grasp.
A newborn fingernails are approximately the size of a pin head.
Newborn fingernail clippers are regular clippers with a magnifying glass.
Logistical considerations:
How to pry the fingers open?
How to keep them still long enough to clip the nails?
What to do in case of casualties?
The "actual" solution:
I have no idea
How to prevent unsightly scratches from both you and your babies face
The "experts" solution:
Simply, clip the fingernails to a respectable safe length as needed.
Past results:
In 2 months, I have successfully clipped 3 fingernails.
The facts:
A 2 month old child can grab a single strand of hair so tightly that you cannot release it from their grasp.
A newborn fingernails are approximately the size of a pin head.
Newborn fingernail clippers are regular clippers with a magnifying glass.
Logistical considerations:
How to pry the fingers open?
How to keep them still long enough to clip the nails?
What to do in case of casualties?
The "actual" solution:
I have no idea
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Forget cloth vs disposable....
...what about disposable vs disposable.
When's the last time you actually looked at a diaper aisle? Outside of the decision of brand name vs generic or which brand name or cost...you have several other decisions to make.
For example, when your baby is 16 lbs you have the following choices from Pampers
Swaddlers size 2 (12-18lbs)
Swaddlers size 2-3 (14-22lbs)
Baby Dry size 2 (12-18lbs)
Baby Dry size 3 (16-28lbs)
Cruisers size 3 (16-28lbs)
As my baby is only 12lbs 4oz, I have some time to research these choices on the internet.
When's the last time you actually looked at a diaper aisle? Outside of the decision of brand name vs generic or which brand name or cost...you have several other decisions to make.
For example, when your baby is 16 lbs you have the following choices from Pampers
Swaddlers size 2 (12-18lbs)
Swaddlers size 2-3 (14-22lbs)
Baby Dry size 2 (12-18lbs)
Baby Dry size 3 (16-28lbs)
Cruisers size 3 (16-28lbs)
As my baby is only 12lbs 4oz, I have some time to research these choices on the internet.
The progression of the swaddle
Swaddling is great; it comforts your baby, keeps them warm. However, there is a definite evolution of the swaddling process between you and your baby.
Stage 1
If you're like me then you were a bit apprehensive of the swaddle at the start, thinking "can they really like to be confined?" or "what if the swaddle is too tight and they suffocate?"
Stage 2
As time passes, you get better at the swaddle and become a true fan. Your baby also improves as time passes - in "swaddle escapism".
Stage 3
So you step it up a bit - get a little neater, tighter with the wraps; maybe even go for the double swaddle and perfect your technique and speed. The trick, undoubtedly, is to get the arms nicely wrapped up and to have all ends of the blanket under the baby. However, even a perfect swaddle is no match for your newborn - and in a hour or two the blankets will have been kicked down to their feet.
Lets not gloss over the fact that 2 month old babies cannot roll over - so how they ever get the blanket out from under themselves in the first place is impressive.
Stage 4
This is now a competition between how long it takes you to swaddle and how long it takes them to get out of it. Generally your husband steps in - with his superior techniques and finishes with a look of pride at his handiwork. 10 minutes later when your uncovered baby is crying with cold - a newly determined husband tries again, generally with the same result.
Could this be the beginning of your child besting you in everything you do?
Stage 5
Consulting the baby books - maybe my child is too big, too old for the swaddle? "They" suggest that as soon as your baby can kick out of the blanket that you should stop swaddling. According to our child, that was Stage 2...5 weeks ago.
Stage 1
If you're like me then you were a bit apprehensive of the swaddle at the start, thinking "can they really like to be confined?" or "what if the swaddle is too tight and they suffocate?"
Stage 2
As time passes, you get better at the swaddle and become a true fan. Your baby also improves as time passes - in "swaddle escapism".
Stage 3
So you step it up a bit - get a little neater, tighter with the wraps; maybe even go for the double swaddle and perfect your technique and speed. The trick, undoubtedly, is to get the arms nicely wrapped up and to have all ends of the blanket under the baby. However, even a perfect swaddle is no match for your newborn - and in a hour or two the blankets will have been kicked down to their feet.
Lets not gloss over the fact that 2 month old babies cannot roll over - so how they ever get the blanket out from under themselves in the first place is impressive.
Stage 4
This is now a competition between how long it takes you to swaddle and how long it takes them to get out of it. Generally your husband steps in - with his superior techniques and finishes with a look of pride at his handiwork. 10 minutes later when your uncovered baby is crying with cold - a newly determined husband tries again, generally with the same result.
Could this be the beginning of your child besting you in everything you do?
Stage 5
Consulting the baby books - maybe my child is too big, too old for the swaddle? "They" suggest that as soon as your baby can kick out of the blanket that you should stop swaddling. According to our child, that was Stage 2...5 weeks ago.
Baby Weapons
Why do babies have fingernails at birth? They don't have teeth. It seems to me that fingernails should grow in when babies need them or know how to use them properly.
Fingernails on newborns are weapons - expect to be scratched. Like most good self defense techniques, babies know to go straight for the eyes - your eyes and more often their own eyes.
Prepare for some battle wounds
Fingernails on newborns are weapons - expect to be scratched. Like most good self defense techniques, babies know to go straight for the eyes - your eyes and more often their own eyes.
Prepare for some battle wounds
Monday, May 26, 2008
Babies in the buff
I can't believe my 7 week old is wearing 6 month sized onesies. While she does not suffer from gigantism, it does make you think that a females trauma with clothes shopping starts at birth. The only problem with babies is that when you finally find something you like...that fits...it only lasts one month.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Well, it smells clean
Baby detergent does not get poo stains out of clothing.
Well, baby detergent does not get day old poo stains out of clothing.
So are you supposed to wash it in "real" detergent and then wash it again in baby detergent so it doesn't irritate their skin...OR...do you just do 3 loads of laundry a day?
Well, baby detergent does not get day old poo stains out of clothing.
So are you supposed to wash it in "real" detergent and then wash it again in baby detergent so it doesn't irritate their skin...OR...do you just do 3 loads of laundry a day?
Challenges on the changing table
When your baby spits up on a changing table - it's only to distract you from what's happening on the other end.
There is NOWHERE on a changing table where you can put a dirty diaper without your babies foot getting in it within 5 seconds
There is NOWHERE on a changing table where you can put a dirty diaper without your babies foot getting in it within 5 seconds
Sunday, May 18, 2008
You know you're a mother when...
...the song that gets stuck in your head is "The wheels on the bus" or "Do you know the muffin man?"
...you're cooking at the stove one handed and bouncing your hip when the baby is actually sitting in the bouncy chair across the room.
...you always have diaper cream stuck under your fingernails.
...you're cooking at the stove one handed and bouncing your hip when the baby is actually sitting in the bouncy chair across the room.
...you always have diaper cream stuck under your fingernails.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Monday, May 12, 2008
Crying babies
Is there another species where the young cry for food, exhaustion, or security?
Baby birds maybe, but then the adult birds just sit on them to solve that problem.
Baby birds maybe, but then the adult birds just sit on them to solve that problem.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Studies say...
How to talk to your baby
-Provide a running commentary of what you're doing during the day
-Ask your baby questions like "what do you want to wear today?"... pause ... and then answer the question for them.
Don't other studies suggest that talking to yourself incessantly is crazy?
-Provide a running commentary of what you're doing during the day
-Ask your baby questions like "what do you want to wear today?"... pause ... and then answer the question for them.
Don't other studies suggest that talking to yourself incessantly is crazy?
Monday, May 5, 2008
1/2 Mum....1/2 Dad
My daughter's got her Dad's thigh's......which is a small price to pay if it ensures she won't have her Mum's knees
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Mum's need more than 2 hands...
...when nursing a newborn. You need 1 hand for holding them to your boob, 1 hand to hold their head in the right position, 1 hand to prevent their hands from getting in their mouths or scratching their eyes out, and 1 hand for you to grab the burp cloth, the remote, a glass of water, an itch, or anything else that's 6 inches out of reach.
...when holding your crying newborn and trying to eat anything that wasn't pre-prepared in bite-sized morsels.
...when holding your crying newborn and trying to eat anything that wasn't pre-prepared in bite-sized morsels.
Milestones
April 3rd 8:30pm; Water breaks
April 3rd 11:18pm; our baby is born, 6lbs 15oz
April 7th - First Pediatrician's appt
April 16th - Second Pediatrician's appt., our daughter pees all over the scale.
April 23rd - First trip out to the world, the library
April 29th - Wearing pre-maternity clothes (well, some of them)
April 30th - Gone up in diaper size
April 3rd 11:18pm; our baby is born, 6lbs 15oz
April 7th - First Pediatrician's appt
April 16th - Second Pediatrician's appt., our daughter pees all over the scale.
April 23rd - First trip out to the world, the library
April 29th - Wearing pre-maternity clothes (well, some of them)
April 30th - Gone up in diaper size
Motherhood redefined
Patience is changing a diaper 3 times in 15 minutes
Hope is 3.5 hours of uninterrupted sleep when it's 3am
Experience can be measured in the number of wipes used at a diaper change
Hope is 3.5 hours of uninterrupted sleep when it's 3am
Experience can be measured in the number of wipes used at a diaper change
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