We flew with our son almost twenty times before he turned a year old. I read a lot about traveling with babies, and here is what I used the most:
Baby Bjorn: When our son was little (up to six months or so), I used a Baby Bjorn carrier. I could unlatch it without taking the whole thing off and if he fell asleep, I could take him out without waking him. This worked better than a stroller when he was tiny.
Warm Clothes: Airports and airplanes are so cold, I dressed our son in layers. I actually bought a "snow suit" type of outfit made of really soft material and he loved it - even traveling in summer! It had a zipper on the side that I could unzip if he got too warm. This was especially important when he was small (up to six months or so).
Cute clothes/hat: I dressed him in the cutest outfit he had and made sure he had a pilot's hat on or ball cap and sunglasses. When the crew and other passengers saw him, they would "ooh" and "ahh" instead of roll their eyes and give us dirty looks for bringing a baby on board. :)
Bassinet: We didn't buy him his own seat for financial reasons, but we asked to be seated next to the baby bassinet. They have them on the larger planes. He slept great in that when we went overseas.
Liquid: I kept a bottle of chamomile tea (and took extra tea bags) for when we took off and landed. A baby's eardrums are so small that the pressure can really hurt them. The rule of thumb is when you feel pressure in your ears, give them a swallow of liquid (or when they're old enough to eat, give them a cheerio or gold fish cracker). I used chamomile tea because it is also a natural relaxer and calmer. On "short" flights, the pressure lasts for about half an hour going up and then starts about half and hour before you land. On over-seas trips, it's about an hour both ways. I think we've all probably heard babies screaming throughout the entire flight. My doctor told me this was due to pressure in the ears, so this is important. If he was sleeping during take off or landing, I would just watch him really carefully and have the bottle ready in case he woke up.
Sudafed Nasal Decongestant for Children: Congestion makes the air pressure worse, so I carried this with me in case he had a runny nose or cough before the flight. Our doctor suggested giving it to him about 1/2 before take-off. He suggested 0.8 ml (for a 5-month-old), but check with your doctor, because this is not recommended for children under age four. I haven't had to use it, but I still take it with me.
Allergy Medicine (Benadryl for Children): My doctor said that if Elliot was too sleepy to calm down, I could give him 1.25 ml (5-month-old) of this. It makes most babies drowsy and helps them sleep. Again, check with your doctor. I haven't had to use this, but I take it as a last resort. My absolute first resort for sleeplessness is the (all natural) Hyland's Chamomilla from www.vitacost.com.
Children's Motrin: I like this better than Tylenol. I took it in case he got a fever, etc. My first resort for fevers is the (all natural) Hyland's Belladonna from www.vitacost.com. I received the following dosage recommendations for Motrin from our pediatrician: 12-17 lbs = 1.25ml(1/2 tsp), 18-23 lbs = 1.875ml(3/4 tsp.)...give 6-8 hours as needed, no more than 4 times in 24 hour period.
Homeopathic Colic Tablets: Our son had terrible stomach problems when he was really little. We initially used Gripe Water, but found the colic tablets to be just as natural and much cheaper. (We went through BOTTLES of the Gripe Water.) I also bought this at www.vitacost.com.
Hyland's Chamomilla & Belladonna: These were a teething lifesaver. And they are completely all natural!!! We use them even when he's not teething. The Chamomilla naturally calm and sooth. I found they also helped our son sleep. They instantly dissolve and are small enough that they can't choke on them. (I give Belladonna for fever/teething and Chamomilla for fussiness/teething. Or if I'm not sure, I just give him one of each.)
Stroller: We got a cheap stroller to send through with the luggage for once we got to our destination. We use it in the airport now that he is a little too heavy to carry.
Bentonite Clay: This little powder is a first resort in case our son gets bitten by a poisonous snake or spider. I never know how far we're going to be from a hospital, so I always travel with this. I get it from: www.bulkherbstore.com.
Small First-Aid Kit: Antibiotic cream and a few bandaids.
WARM Mist Humidifier: Depending on how far we're traveling and how long we plan to be gone, I usually take a warm mist humidifier with us. This is my main-stay for when he is sick - I turn it on for every nap and at night. When our son was a couple weeks old he began coughing up dried blood. We panicked. Our doctor told us to keep a warm mist (not cool mist) humidifier in his room during the winter and also at other times if he had any congestion/runny nose. A baby's sinus passages are small and still developing. If congestion gets caught and dries in there, it can get infected (hence ear infections, chest congestion, coughs). Our son is now almost three, and to-date he has not had an ear infection. He has also never had chest congestion/cold/flu/fever that required a doctor's visit. If I could recommend only one thing for keeping your baby well, it would be this. (If you have hard water, a mineralized coating will develop. Some humidifiers have automatic shut-off and others get burned out. Pour a little vinegar [1/4 cup] over the heat source and run it until it turns off.) We got ours at Walmart for $20-something.
Lavender Essential Oil/Eucalyptus Essential Oil: We use two or three drops of each in the humidifier vapor cup (where the mist comes out). If I don't catch the congestion fast enough (with the humidifier), and it develops into a cough, I rub one drop of the eucalyptus oil on his chest and on his back before a nap. I also use the lavender oil for burns and diaper rashes. (But I also carry diaper cream for major rashes.)
Monday
Babies...can talk?
My husband and I watched a video that helps you "decode" babies' first words for the first three months of their life. (After that they develop their own cries and babbles.) Since our son's birth, my husband said that this was the single most helpful baby information he'd received. It really did work - and took out a lot of the frustration that comes with wondering what they need when they cry.
A lady (Dunstan) from Australia could listen to a piece of Mozart once and then play it back perfectly on her violin when she was five years old. Her parents discovered that she had "photographic" hearing. When Dunstan had her first baby, she began to distinguish her son's cries...and then noticed that other babies had the same cries. So she developed a training DVD to teach parents what their baby is saying with each cry. (Dunstan Baby Language)
Below is a link to part of the DVD.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6CFSGAueyo
A lady (Dunstan) from Australia could listen to a piece of Mozart once and then play it back perfectly on her violin when she was five years old. Her parents discovered that she had "photographic" hearing. When Dunstan had her first baby, she began to distinguish her son's cries...and then noticed that other babies had the same cries. So she developed a training DVD to teach parents what their baby is saying with each cry. (Dunstan Baby Language)
Below is a link to part of the DVD.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6CFSGAueyo
SIDS...Mattress Cover
We attended a birth class and were told of a study done in New Zealand on SIDS. Evidently, two doctors found that it was the fumes from the fire-proof crib mattresses - when they came in contact with a common household mold - that killed babies. They suggest wrapping the mattress in a heavy plastic wrapping. They have had 100% success rate in their research, and SIDS has gone down 70% (or more) in New Zealand. I don't know why we haven't heard more of this here in the US, but here are a couple of links. You can buy the mattress cover for about $30-ish or make your own. I bought a cover online and it looks like a plastic pillow case for the mattress...with two holes (dinner plate size) on the bottom. You fold the ends and tape them down. That's it.
They suggest putting a wool or cotton blanket over the plastic before you put the crib sheet on, but they wouldn't stay in place, so I just put the sheet directly onto the plastic. Do not use waterproof mattress pads because they are made from the same "fire-proof" material as mattresses. During the winter, I put a flannel (cotton) blanket directly under the baby for added warmth.
If you buy yours online, I think Size E or F is what we need for the US mattresses, but you can make sure the measurements match your mattress. The cost, including shipping, is $41.00 (was $27 in 2008).
http://www.healthychild.com/cribdeathcause.htm
http://www.eves-best.com/babesafe-mattress-covers.htm
http://www.stopsidsnow.com/Orders.html
http://www.babymattresscovers.com/
~~~
http://cure-guide.com/baby-bedding-sids-do-crib-mattresses-cause-infant-deaths/
HOW TO WRAP A BABY’S MATTRESS FOR SIDS PREVENTION
Instructions written by James Sprott
The advice to wrap mattresses applies to every mattress on which a baby sleeps (except a BabeSafe mattress) and includes: adults’ mattresses; mattresses of other children; and all mattresses made of or containing natural products such as sheepfleeces, goatskins, kapok, tree bark, coconut fibre, etc.
The most convenient way to wrap a baby’s mattress is by means of a BabeSafe mattress cover. As an alternative, parents can purchase polyethylene sheeting to make their own mattress wraps. If they select this option, the following instructions apply:
1. Use thick, clear (not colored) polyethylene sheeting, available in the paint section of your local hardware store. The thickness of the polyethylene must be at least 125 microns, or 5 mil. On no account should PVC be used for wrapping mattresses.
2. Place the polyethylene over the top of the mattress and down the ends and sides, and then secure it firmly beneath the mattress with strong adhesive or duct tape.
3. The polyethylene should not be airtight on the underside of the mattress. It must be airtight on the top and sides of the mattress.
4. It is imperative to use the correct bedding with a BabeSafe mattress or BabeSafe mattress cover or polyethylene-covered mattress. On top of the polyethylene place a fleecy pure cotton underblanket and tuck this in securely. Then make the bed using sheets and pure woollen or pure cotton overblanket/s.
5. Do not use any of the following items in your baby’s bed:
Sheepskin
Sheepfleece underlay
Any form of moisture-resistant mattress protector
Acrylic blanket
Sleeping bag
Duvet
6. Proprietary mattresses and mattress covers must not be used unless they carry the Campaign against Cot Death logo or are accompanied by a certificate of analysis showing that they contain no detectable phosphorus, arsenic or antimony (lower limit of detection 0.001% = 10mg/kg = 10ppm).
For more information about baby mattress issues read the articles at the healthychild website.
They suggest putting a wool or cotton blanket over the plastic before you put the crib sheet on, but they wouldn't stay in place, so I just put the sheet directly onto the plastic. Do not use waterproof mattress pads because they are made from the same "fire-proof" material as mattresses. During the winter, I put a flannel (cotton) blanket directly under the baby for added warmth.
If you buy yours online, I think Size E or F is what we need for the US mattresses, but you can make sure the measurements match your mattress. The cost, including shipping, is $41.00 (was $27 in 2008).
http://www.healthychild.com/cribdeathcause.htm
http://www.eves-best.com/babesafe-mattress-covers.htm
http://www.stopsidsnow.com/Orders.html
http://www.babymattresscovers.com/
~~~
http://cure-guide.com/baby-bedding-sids-do-crib-mattresses-cause-infant-deaths/
HOW TO WRAP A BABY’S MATTRESS FOR SIDS PREVENTION
Instructions written by James Sprott
The advice to wrap mattresses applies to every mattress on which a baby sleeps (except a BabeSafe mattress) and includes: adults’ mattresses; mattresses of other children; and all mattresses made of or containing natural products such as sheepfleeces, goatskins, kapok, tree bark, coconut fibre, etc.
The most convenient way to wrap a baby’s mattress is by means of a BabeSafe mattress cover. As an alternative, parents can purchase polyethylene sheeting to make their own mattress wraps. If they select this option, the following instructions apply:
1. Use thick, clear (not colored) polyethylene sheeting, available in the paint section of your local hardware store. The thickness of the polyethylene must be at least 125 microns, or 5 mil. On no account should PVC be used for wrapping mattresses.
2. Place the polyethylene over the top of the mattress and down the ends and sides, and then secure it firmly beneath the mattress with strong adhesive or duct tape.
3. The polyethylene should not be airtight on the underside of the mattress. It must be airtight on the top and sides of the mattress.
4. It is imperative to use the correct bedding with a BabeSafe mattress or BabeSafe mattress cover or polyethylene-covered mattress. On top of the polyethylene place a fleecy pure cotton underblanket and tuck this in securely. Then make the bed using sheets and pure woollen or pure cotton overblanket/s.
5. Do not use any of the following items in your baby’s bed:
Sheepskin
Sheepfleece underlay
Any form of moisture-resistant mattress protector
Acrylic blanket
Sleeping bag
Duvet
6. Proprietary mattresses and mattress covers must not be used unless they carry the Campaign against Cot Death logo or are accompanied by a certificate of analysis showing that they contain no detectable phosphorus, arsenic or antimony (lower limit of detection 0.001% = 10mg/kg = 10ppm).
For more information about baby mattress issues read the articles at the healthychild website.
Vaccines...a bear to research
I received an e-mail from a friend re: vaccinations. She has two children with autism. I read the book she suggested and below are the cliff notes.
~~~~~~~
The following are my cliff notes from The Vaccine Book (Robert W. Sears, M.D., F.A.A.P.) Opting out of a couple of the vaccines was our choice, not his recommendation. We began vaccinations at 4 months instead of at 2 months.
“The main difference in my suggested alternative vaccine schedule is it spreads the infant vaccines out over the first few years of life, instead of bunching them all up in the first 18 months.... What are the benefits of my alternative schedule compared to the standard one?
• By only giving two vaccines at a time (instead of as many as 6), I decrease the chance of chemical overload from grouping so many vaccines chemicals all together at once. This allows a baby's body to better detoxify the chemicals one or two at a time.
• I give only 1 aluminum-containing vaccine at a time (instead of the recommended 4). Overloading on this metal can be particularly toxic to the brain.
• I give only one live-virus vaccine component at a time to allow the body's immune system to better handle the live viruses in these vaccines.
• Giving fewer shots at a time may decrease the side effects, in my experience.
• Giving fewer shots at a time also makes it easier to figure out which vaccine a child is reacting to if a severe reaction occurs.” Dr. Sears
A = Aluminum
M = Mercury
F = Formaldehyde
Alternative Vaccine Schedule
2 months
• YES...DTaP (Daptacel by Sanofi-Pasteur brand = 330 mg A, 100 mg F) Diphtheria...This rare, but serious disease causes breathing/throat/lung problems. Tetanus...This rare, but serious disease causes paralysis. Pertussis...This very common, serious, and often fatal (in infants and children) disease causes whooping cough and damage to the lungs. Unfortunately, as of 2008, there is not a P-only shot. This vaccine is not as deadly as the former DTP, but it is still one of the more dangerous vaccines. If given alone or with a non-harmful vaccine and if the infant’s immune system is boosted, there are fewer chances of serious side effects.
• NO...Rotavirus (POSSIBLY OPT OUT OF THIS ONE) This very common disease causes severe diarrhea (up to 12 dirty diapers a day). With good hydration [breast milk] and probiotics [acidophilus], no hospitalization/doctor needed. Also, the oldest vaccine brand on the market has only been out since 2007. Older ones have been taken off the market because of major side effects. May want to rethink this vaccine after it has been out for a longer period of time and more research/refining has been done. If child is in daycare and not breastfed, this vaccine may be a good option.
3 months (shot only visits)
• YES...Pc (Prevnar by Wyeth brand = 125 mg A) This common and sometimes serious disease (pneumococcus) can cause pneumonia/blood-stream infections/meningitis. This disease targets children under 2 and the elderly. Babies who are breastfed have a lower chance of getting this disease. The vaccine is relatively safe, especially if given with a non-aluminum vaccine or alone.
• YES...HIB (ActHIB by Sanofi-Pasteur brand = no M or A) The rare, but very serious disease causes meningitis/blood and bone infection/pneumonia. This is one of the safest vaccines given.
4 months
• YES...DTaP (See note at 2 months)
• NO...Rotavirus (See note at 2 months)
5 months (shot only visits)
• YES...Pc (See note at 3 months)
• YES...HIB (See note at 3 months)
6 months
• YES...DTaP (See note at 2 months)
• NO...Rotavirus (See note at 2 months)
7 months (shot only visits)
• YES...Pc (See note at 3 months)
• YES...HIB (See note at 3 months)
9 months
• YES...Polio (Ipol by Sanofi Pasteur brand = .02% F) (POSSIBLY OPT OUT OF THIS ONE...do more research) Polio is rare, but transmitted like the common cold and can cause paralysis or permanent muscle weakness. The vaccine does have baby cow blood serum, human blood proteins and monkey kidney cells. However, the side effects profile is one of the safest of all vaccines. Although the chance of getting polio is almost none (in the States), the very serious disease can return if many people choose not to vaccinate. This vaccination is important from a public health standpoint.
• NO...Flu (2 doses) (OPT OUT OF THIS ONE) The potential severity of the flu for infants and children has been hyped by the media. However, the elderly are susceptible to more serious/fatal flu symptoms. (There is a total of approx. 100 deaths per year in children and adults combined...90% elderly.) The flu is very common and often runs its course within a week. There is also no guarantee that the flu shot given is the strain that will spread in a given year. Also, many of the vaccines contain mercury, formaldehyde, and/or MSG.
12 months
• NO (doctor didn't have individual Mumps vaccine)...Mumps. See note at 5 years = MMR
• YES...Polio (See 9 note at months)
15 months
• YES...Pc (See note at 3 months)
• YES...HIB (See note at 3 months)
18 months
• YES...DTaP (See note at 2 months)
• NO...Chickenpox (OPT OUT OF THIS ONE unless child does not catch disease by age 11.) The disease is rarely harmful in children, however, can be serious in teens and adults. The vaccine has the live virus, MSG, DNA from human cells, and cow fetus serum. And the vaccine does not guarantee immunity. (Whereas contracting the virus does.) If not sure the child has caught chickenpox by age 11, have blood test done for immunity, then consider giving vaccine.
21 months (shot only visit)
• NO...Flu (See note at 9 months)
2 years
• NO (doctor doesn't have individual Rubella shot)...Rubella. See note at 5 years = MMR
• YES...Polio (See 9 note at months)
2 years, 6 months (shot only visit)
• YES??...Hep B (Engerix B by GlaxoSmithKline = 250 mg A) (POSSIBLY OPT OUT OF THIS ONE) Hepatitis B is a dangerous, but a rare (among infants and children) sexually transmitted (saliva/blood transfusion/dirty needle) disease causing liver damage. This vaccine is recommended at birth if the mother has the disease. (Some hospitals give this vaccine to babies at birth without parents’ permission, so make sure to make your wishes known beforehand.) The vaccine itself is not too dangerous, so you can opt out unless there is high potential of coming in contact with infected persons.
• NO...Hep A (OPT OUT OF THIS ONE) Hepatitis A is passed through the stool. (Eating food an infected person has touched if they have not washed their hands after using bathroom.) This disease can cause liver damage in teens and adults (the vaccine is recommended if a person has a weak liver), but often, the intestinal flu symptoms (in teens and adults) only last a few weeks with no ill effects. Children under 6 rarely have any symptoms. Once infected, a person has a life-long immunity. This vaccine was not routinely given until 2006. However, in an effort to wipe out the disease (and spare teens and adults the discomfort), infants are given this as a matter of course. If given to a child under 2, there is a higher rate of possible seizures from the vaccine.
3 years
• YES??...Hep B (See note at 2 years, 6 monts)
• NO (doctor doesn't have the individual measles vaccine)...Measles (See note at 5 years = MMR)
• NO...Flu (See note at 9 months)
3 years, 6 months (shot only visit)
• YES??...Hep B (See note at 2 years, 6 months)
• NO...Hep A (See note at 2 years, 6 months)
4 years
• YES...DTaP (See note at 2 months)
• YES...Polio (See 9 note at months)
• NO...Flu (See note at 9 months)
5 years
• YES...MMR (Booster) Measles…this is a rare and usually not serious disease. There is no treatment. The disease must run its course. Mumps…see description of measles. Rubella…only dangerous to pregnant women. It causes birth defects during the first and second trimesters. This vaccine has the live viruses, human blood proteins, cow fetus serum, and chick embryo proteins. It sometimes causes serious side effects (especially with a weak immune system). However, from a public health standpoint, if people choose not to vaccinate, unborn babies are susceptible to birth defects. This is difficult to decide because there are reports that the vaccine is linked to autism. However, if you split the vaccine (M, M, and R), the dangers are drastically reduced. A 5-year-old’s immune system is able to handle the 3-in-1 booster just fine, or you can split it up and give it to them in the course of a year. It is important for girls to get the Rubella at least 3 months before they are married. For boys they need to have the Mumps before they hit puberty. If the mumps settle in their testicles after puberty they will be sterile.
• NO...Flu (See note at 9 months)
6 years
• NO...Chickenpox (OPT OUT OF THIS ONE) This is the booster shot. See note at 18 months.
11 years
• YES...Chickenpox (See note at 18 months) If disease is not caught by this age, do blood test to determine immunity and consider vaccinating.
12 years
• NO...Tdap (See note at 2 months) (POSSIBLY OPT OUT OF THIS ONE) This is the DTaP for teens. The main reason for this vaccine at this age is pertussis. It is common among teens and adults, but not serious. The goal is to decrease the spread of pertussis to infants, since they are not vaccinated until two months (or later). They recommend adults be vaccinated every 10 years. Side effects can be serious. Do more research at a later date. There may be a P-only vaccine by that time.
• NO...HPV for females (OPT OUT OF THIS ONE) This sexually-transmitted and common disease causes genital warts and cervical cancer. The vaccine has currently not been approved for males. The vaccine only protects against a few strains of the virus, and the duration of protection is unclear.
12 years, 2 months (shot only visit)
• NO...HPV (See note at 12 years)
13 years
• NO...HPV (See note at 12 years)
• YES...Meningococcal (Menactra by Sanofi Pasteur brand) This somewhat rare disease causes meningitis and is the most serious of all vaccine-prevented diseases. Aggressive medical care in ICU for weeks is usually required. Often there is permanent disability/fatality of some kind. College kids in dorm conditions and infants are at high risk. However, this brand-new vaccine was launched in 2005 and has not yet been approved for infants/children. This is one of the purest and simplest vaccines made. A new vaccine may come out in 2008 for infants and children. May want to do more research later on.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For parents who don't want to vaccinate at all, the following are Dr. Sears' suggestions of the most important vaccines to consider, along with a schedule. Read pages 224 - 226 for his explanation.
2 months DTaP, Rotavirus (Rotavirus, only if you don't plan to nurse.)
3 months Pc, HIB
4 months DTaP, Rotavirus (Rotavirus, only if you don't plan to nurse.)
5 months Pc, HIB
6 months DTaP, Rotavirus (Rotavirus, only if you don't plan to nurse.)
7 months Pc, HIB
15 months Pc, HIB
5 years Tetanus booster
10 years Blood tests for measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, and hep A immunity. Consider vaccinating if not immune. Also consider a 3-dose polio series if traveling to Africa or Asia.
11 years HPV (3 doses, girls only)
12 years Hep B (3 doses)
Mercury
Make sure your doctor is using 100% mercury-free vaccines. The only place mercury is still found in large quantities is in some brands of the flu shot and some older versions of the plain tetanus and diphtheria/tetanus shots. A few shots use mercury in manufacturing, then go through a filtering process that removes 99% of it, leaving a tiny little trace amount of mercury. These shots include one brand of the DTaP vaccine, some brands of the flu shot, and the newer plain tetanus or diphtheria/tetanus shots.
Schedule
If you are starting the schedule at 4 or 6 months (instead of at 2 months), don’t hurry to catch up. Just start the schedule as if your baby was 2 months old, and you’ll go through the whole thing but always be 2 to 4 months behind.
Immune system
Most vaccine side effects involve the immune system reacting poorly to the vaccine, so insuring a healthy immune system is one way parents can decrease their child’s risk of a vaccine reaction.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding reduces a baby's risk of catching any of the above diseases and boost the immune system to handle vaccines. It is best to breastfeed for two years if possible. (I only breastfed for a little over a year.)
Sugar and junk food
Sugar weakens the immune system. Minimize treats and sugary foods for several weeks prior to checkups and vaccines at the doctor’s office.
Omega-3 oil supplements
Most children are deficient in the healthy omega-3 fats (from fish and eggs). Breast milk is also full of omega-3’s. Choose fish oils (liquids for toddlers over age one and chewables or capsules for older kids) that are tested and found to be mercury free. (GO FISH Children’s Omega-3 Fish Oil Liquid = 1/2 teaspoon for children 6 months and older. Adults = 1 teaspoon)
Probiotic (Acidophilus)
These are the healthy bacteria that live in our intestines and regulate our immune system. To be taken on a continuous basis, but especially several weeks before/after vaccinations. For infants 6 months and older, probiotics can either be mixed into food or liquid as a powder. For older kids, it can be swallowed as small capsules or pearls. Also take with antibiotics. (Antibiotics kill the healthy bacteria and leaves the immune system vulnerable.)
Fruits and vegetables
Fruit, veggie, and berry supplements are available as chewables for children and as capsules for adults. Infants age one and older can also use adult capsules opened up into their food. The immune-boosting content of fruit, veggie, and berry supplements can really help prevent infectious diseases and may limit vaccine reactions. (Juice Plus, or similar product)
Vitamin A
Some researchers believe this plays a role in protecting the brain from vaccine side effects. Give Vitamin A once a day for 3 days prior to vaccines and continue each day for 10 days after. Infants = 1,500 IUs/daily. Toddlers/preschoolers = 2,500 IUs/daily. Older kids/teens = 5,000 IUs/daily. Commonly available in drops mixed with C and D for babies and young kids. Another choice is a liquid/chewable multivitamin. The best source of Vitamin A is cod liver oil (not for babies younger than 9 months). Overdosing Vitamin A can be toxic, so do not exceed the suggested amounts.
Vitamin C
Give this once a day for 5 days starting on the day of the shots. Infants = 150 mg/daily. Toddlers/preschoolers = 250 mg/daily. Older kids/teens = 500 mg/daily. The amount of Vitamin C in a multivitamin usually isn’t enough.
~~~
Here is my friend's e-mail to me:
To make it a bit easier and to know the history over the past 9 months you can read it on my blog at jennielynnt.blogspot.com
The boys, Taylor and Spencer were diagnosed with Autism in September of last year. We have been doing the bio med treatment with them to get them to a recovered state. It is working and you can see some of the progress on my blog.
I add around a cup of Epson salts to their bath. (my note: Epson salts are a natural detoxer. I use a cup in every bath for the kids.) As for the cleanse we did what was called the Specific Carbohydrate Diet for 3 months with no dairy products or any of the foods that came back on their blood tests as foods to avoid. I then added in the dairy after 3 months. We did this diet for 6 months, but being prego with Connor made it difficult so I went just gluten free. We are now gluten and milk free. I do give the kids dairy products that have some kind of culture in them. It seems to make a difference in how their bodies handle the dairy. After the holidays the rest of us are going gluten free and I am taking the sugar out of the diet. I will use Agave nectar for our sweetener.
I do not believe that vaccinations are the total cause of Autism. I believe that they are a contributing factor, but in order for the onset of Autism to occur you have to have a number of things in line. My three youngest have food sensitivities that also contributed to the Autistic behavior. We also have a number of things on each side of the family that are markers that we now know to look for.
Cindy has Crohns and so does my aunt. My mom has some IBD. Darrin's mom is highly allergic to wheat and his father and brothers also have other allergies. His grandma is allergic to MSG and his Dad's father was an alcoholic which indicates chemical sensitivities. Darrin is very sensitive to medicine and other chemicals. I have allergies to food coloring and psoriasis, which is an auto immune disease. Taking all of this into consideration the field was ripe for our children to develop the Autism.
We are expecting our 5th at the end of October beginning of November. I have been taking Vitamin B and Fish Oil supplements to give this little guy a boost. He, being a boy, needed a bit more than a girl would have. Autism affects 1 in every 150 kids this number is growing and it affect 1 in every 90 boys.
This little one will not have any vaccinations until he is past the age of 3. The only reason we are doing this is because we do have Autism in the family. The boys were not vaccinated until they were 9 months and even with that they only had 11 of the shots. I think this is why our recovery has been so quick and effective....
I will also be trying to nurse this one for a year without other food supplementation. He will not be getting any oat cereal or rice cereal. When he does start solid food or needs more than just milk he will be getting organic veggies, meats and fruits. This is the diet that we have the kids on. It is meant to help heal up their guts. Most children with Autism have what is called a "leaky gut". This means that some of the proteins from the foods that are digested "leak" through the intestinal lining and cause problems. It is different foods for different kids. Even the boys had different things that affected them and they are identical. So to avoid the "leaky gut" we are just going to give this little guy the same things the kids eat.
This guy will also not get any Tylenol. The reason that Tylenol is lethal in overdose it because it depletes the GSH in the liver. GSH is the enzyme that your liver uses to rid the blood of toxins. Kids with Autism already have a depleted amount of GSH and this makes if difficult for them to eliminate toxins in their blood. This includes the heavy metals that they encounter not only in the vaccinations, but also in their daily environment. Vitamin B12 helps build up the GSH.
~~~~~~~
The following are my cliff notes from The Vaccine Book (Robert W. Sears, M.D., F.A.A.P.) Opting out of a couple of the vaccines was our choice, not his recommendation. We began vaccinations at 4 months instead of at 2 months.
“The main difference in my suggested alternative vaccine schedule is it spreads the infant vaccines out over the first few years of life, instead of bunching them all up in the first 18 months.... What are the benefits of my alternative schedule compared to the standard one?
• By only giving two vaccines at a time (instead of as many as 6), I decrease the chance of chemical overload from grouping so many vaccines chemicals all together at once. This allows a baby's body to better detoxify the chemicals one or two at a time.
• I give only 1 aluminum-containing vaccine at a time (instead of the recommended 4). Overloading on this metal can be particularly toxic to the brain.
• I give only one live-virus vaccine component at a time to allow the body's immune system to better handle the live viruses in these vaccines.
• Giving fewer shots at a time may decrease the side effects, in my experience.
• Giving fewer shots at a time also makes it easier to figure out which vaccine a child is reacting to if a severe reaction occurs.” Dr. Sears
A = Aluminum
M = Mercury
F = Formaldehyde
Alternative Vaccine Schedule
2 months
• YES...DTaP (Daptacel by Sanofi-Pasteur brand = 330 mg A, 100 mg F) Diphtheria...This rare, but serious disease causes breathing/throat/lung problems. Tetanus...This rare, but serious disease causes paralysis. Pertussis...This very common, serious, and often fatal (in infants and children) disease causes whooping cough and damage to the lungs. Unfortunately, as of 2008, there is not a P-only shot. This vaccine is not as deadly as the former DTP, but it is still one of the more dangerous vaccines. If given alone or with a non-harmful vaccine and if the infant’s immune system is boosted, there are fewer chances of serious side effects.
• NO...Rotavirus (POSSIBLY OPT OUT OF THIS ONE) This very common disease causes severe diarrhea (up to 12 dirty diapers a day). With good hydration [breast milk] and probiotics [acidophilus], no hospitalization/doctor needed. Also, the oldest vaccine brand on the market has only been out since 2007. Older ones have been taken off the market because of major side effects. May want to rethink this vaccine after it has been out for a longer period of time and more research/refining has been done. If child is in daycare and not breastfed, this vaccine may be a good option.
3 months (shot only visits)
• YES...Pc (Prevnar by Wyeth brand = 125 mg A) This common and sometimes serious disease (pneumococcus) can cause pneumonia/blood-stream infections/meningitis. This disease targets children under 2 and the elderly. Babies who are breastfed have a lower chance of getting this disease. The vaccine is relatively safe, especially if given with a non-aluminum vaccine or alone.
• YES...HIB (ActHIB by Sanofi-Pasteur brand = no M or A) The rare, but very serious disease causes meningitis/blood and bone infection/pneumonia. This is one of the safest vaccines given.
4 months
• YES...DTaP (See note at 2 months)
• NO...Rotavirus (See note at 2 months)
5 months (shot only visits)
• YES...Pc (See note at 3 months)
• YES...HIB (See note at 3 months)
6 months
• YES...DTaP (See note at 2 months)
• NO...Rotavirus (See note at 2 months)
7 months (shot only visits)
• YES...Pc (See note at 3 months)
• YES...HIB (See note at 3 months)
9 months
• YES...Polio (Ipol by Sanofi Pasteur brand = .02% F) (POSSIBLY OPT OUT OF THIS ONE...do more research) Polio is rare, but transmitted like the common cold and can cause paralysis or permanent muscle weakness. The vaccine does have baby cow blood serum, human blood proteins and monkey kidney cells. However, the side effects profile is one of the safest of all vaccines. Although the chance of getting polio is almost none (in the States), the very serious disease can return if many people choose not to vaccinate. This vaccination is important from a public health standpoint.
• NO...Flu (2 doses) (OPT OUT OF THIS ONE) The potential severity of the flu for infants and children has been hyped by the media. However, the elderly are susceptible to more serious/fatal flu symptoms. (There is a total of approx. 100 deaths per year in children and adults combined...90% elderly.) The flu is very common and often runs its course within a week. There is also no guarantee that the flu shot given is the strain that will spread in a given year. Also, many of the vaccines contain mercury, formaldehyde, and/or MSG.
12 months
• NO (doctor didn't have individual Mumps vaccine)...Mumps. See note at 5 years = MMR
• YES...Polio (See 9 note at months)
15 months
• YES...Pc (See note at 3 months)
• YES...HIB (See note at 3 months)
18 months
• YES...DTaP (See note at 2 months)
• NO...Chickenpox (OPT OUT OF THIS ONE unless child does not catch disease by age 11.) The disease is rarely harmful in children, however, can be serious in teens and adults. The vaccine has the live virus, MSG, DNA from human cells, and cow fetus serum. And the vaccine does not guarantee immunity. (Whereas contracting the virus does.) If not sure the child has caught chickenpox by age 11, have blood test done for immunity, then consider giving vaccine.
21 months (shot only visit)
• NO...Flu (See note at 9 months)
2 years
• NO (doctor doesn't have individual Rubella shot)...Rubella. See note at 5 years = MMR
• YES...Polio (See 9 note at months)
2 years, 6 months (shot only visit)
• YES??...Hep B (Engerix B by GlaxoSmithKline = 250 mg A) (POSSIBLY OPT OUT OF THIS ONE) Hepatitis B is a dangerous, but a rare (among infants and children) sexually transmitted (saliva/blood transfusion/dirty needle) disease causing liver damage. This vaccine is recommended at birth if the mother has the disease. (Some hospitals give this vaccine to babies at birth without parents’ permission, so make sure to make your wishes known beforehand.) The vaccine itself is not too dangerous, so you can opt out unless there is high potential of coming in contact with infected persons.
• NO...Hep A (OPT OUT OF THIS ONE) Hepatitis A is passed through the stool. (Eating food an infected person has touched if they have not washed their hands after using bathroom.) This disease can cause liver damage in teens and adults (the vaccine is recommended if a person has a weak liver), but often, the intestinal flu symptoms (in teens and adults) only last a few weeks with no ill effects. Children under 6 rarely have any symptoms. Once infected, a person has a life-long immunity. This vaccine was not routinely given until 2006. However, in an effort to wipe out the disease (and spare teens and adults the discomfort), infants are given this as a matter of course. If given to a child under 2, there is a higher rate of possible seizures from the vaccine.
3 years
• YES??...Hep B (See note at 2 years, 6 monts)
• NO (doctor doesn't have the individual measles vaccine)...Measles (See note at 5 years = MMR)
• NO...Flu (See note at 9 months)
3 years, 6 months (shot only visit)
• YES??...Hep B (See note at 2 years, 6 months)
• NO...Hep A (See note at 2 years, 6 months)
4 years
• YES...DTaP (See note at 2 months)
• YES...Polio (See 9 note at months)
• NO...Flu (See note at 9 months)
5 years
• YES...MMR (Booster) Measles…this is a rare and usually not serious disease. There is no treatment. The disease must run its course. Mumps…see description of measles. Rubella…only dangerous to pregnant women. It causes birth defects during the first and second trimesters. This vaccine has the live viruses, human blood proteins, cow fetus serum, and chick embryo proteins. It sometimes causes serious side effects (especially with a weak immune system). However, from a public health standpoint, if people choose not to vaccinate, unborn babies are susceptible to birth defects. This is difficult to decide because there are reports that the vaccine is linked to autism. However, if you split the vaccine (M, M, and R), the dangers are drastically reduced. A 5-year-old’s immune system is able to handle the 3-in-1 booster just fine, or you can split it up and give it to them in the course of a year. It is important for girls to get the Rubella at least 3 months before they are married. For boys they need to have the Mumps before they hit puberty. If the mumps settle in their testicles after puberty they will be sterile.
• NO...Flu (See note at 9 months)
6 years
• NO...Chickenpox (OPT OUT OF THIS ONE) This is the booster shot. See note at 18 months.
11 years
• YES...Chickenpox (See note at 18 months) If disease is not caught by this age, do blood test to determine immunity and consider vaccinating.
12 years
• NO...Tdap (See note at 2 months) (POSSIBLY OPT OUT OF THIS ONE) This is the DTaP for teens. The main reason for this vaccine at this age is pertussis. It is common among teens and adults, but not serious. The goal is to decrease the spread of pertussis to infants, since they are not vaccinated until two months (or later). They recommend adults be vaccinated every 10 years. Side effects can be serious. Do more research at a later date. There may be a P-only vaccine by that time.
• NO...HPV for females (OPT OUT OF THIS ONE) This sexually-transmitted and common disease causes genital warts and cervical cancer. The vaccine has currently not been approved for males. The vaccine only protects against a few strains of the virus, and the duration of protection is unclear.
12 years, 2 months (shot only visit)
• NO...HPV (See note at 12 years)
13 years
• NO...HPV (See note at 12 years)
• YES...Meningococcal (Menactra by Sanofi Pasteur brand) This somewhat rare disease causes meningitis and is the most serious of all vaccine-prevented diseases. Aggressive medical care in ICU for weeks is usually required. Often there is permanent disability/fatality of some kind. College kids in dorm conditions and infants are at high risk. However, this brand-new vaccine was launched in 2005 and has not yet been approved for infants/children. This is one of the purest and simplest vaccines made. A new vaccine may come out in 2008 for infants and children. May want to do more research later on.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For parents who don't want to vaccinate at all, the following are Dr. Sears' suggestions of the most important vaccines to consider, along with a schedule. Read pages 224 - 226 for his explanation.
2 months DTaP, Rotavirus (Rotavirus, only if you don't plan to nurse.)
3 months Pc, HIB
4 months DTaP, Rotavirus (Rotavirus, only if you don't plan to nurse.)
5 months Pc, HIB
6 months DTaP, Rotavirus (Rotavirus, only if you don't plan to nurse.)
7 months Pc, HIB
15 months Pc, HIB
5 years Tetanus booster
10 years Blood tests for measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, and hep A immunity. Consider vaccinating if not immune. Also consider a 3-dose polio series if traveling to Africa or Asia.
11 years HPV (3 doses, girls only)
12 years Hep B (3 doses)
Mercury
Make sure your doctor is using 100% mercury-free vaccines. The only place mercury is still found in large quantities is in some brands of the flu shot and some older versions of the plain tetanus and diphtheria/tetanus shots. A few shots use mercury in manufacturing, then go through a filtering process that removes 99% of it, leaving a tiny little trace amount of mercury. These shots include one brand of the DTaP vaccine, some brands of the flu shot, and the newer plain tetanus or diphtheria/tetanus shots.
Schedule
If you are starting the schedule at 4 or 6 months (instead of at 2 months), don’t hurry to catch up. Just start the schedule as if your baby was 2 months old, and you’ll go through the whole thing but always be 2 to 4 months behind.
Immune system
Most vaccine side effects involve the immune system reacting poorly to the vaccine, so insuring a healthy immune system is one way parents can decrease their child’s risk of a vaccine reaction.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding reduces a baby's risk of catching any of the above diseases and boost the immune system to handle vaccines. It is best to breastfeed for two years if possible. (I only breastfed for a little over a year.)
Sugar and junk food
Sugar weakens the immune system. Minimize treats and sugary foods for several weeks prior to checkups and vaccines at the doctor’s office.
Omega-3 oil supplements
Most children are deficient in the healthy omega-3 fats (from fish and eggs). Breast milk is also full of omega-3’s. Choose fish oils (liquids for toddlers over age one and chewables or capsules for older kids) that are tested and found to be mercury free. (GO FISH Children’s Omega-3 Fish Oil Liquid = 1/2 teaspoon for children 6 months and older. Adults = 1 teaspoon)
Probiotic (Acidophilus)
These are the healthy bacteria that live in our intestines and regulate our immune system. To be taken on a continuous basis, but especially several weeks before/after vaccinations. For infants 6 months and older, probiotics can either be mixed into food or liquid as a powder. For older kids, it can be swallowed as small capsules or pearls. Also take with antibiotics. (Antibiotics kill the healthy bacteria and leaves the immune system vulnerable.)
Fruits and vegetables
Fruit, veggie, and berry supplements are available as chewables for children and as capsules for adults. Infants age one and older can also use adult capsules opened up into their food. The immune-boosting content of fruit, veggie, and berry supplements can really help prevent infectious diseases and may limit vaccine reactions. (Juice Plus, or similar product)
Vitamin A
Some researchers believe this plays a role in protecting the brain from vaccine side effects. Give Vitamin A once a day for 3 days prior to vaccines and continue each day for 10 days after. Infants = 1,500 IUs/daily. Toddlers/preschoolers = 2,500 IUs/daily. Older kids/teens = 5,000 IUs/daily. Commonly available in drops mixed with C and D for babies and young kids. Another choice is a liquid/chewable multivitamin. The best source of Vitamin A is cod liver oil (not for babies younger than 9 months). Overdosing Vitamin A can be toxic, so do not exceed the suggested amounts.
Vitamin C
Give this once a day for 5 days starting on the day of the shots. Infants = 150 mg/daily. Toddlers/preschoolers = 250 mg/daily. Older kids/teens = 500 mg/daily. The amount of Vitamin C in a multivitamin usually isn’t enough.
~~~
Here is my friend's e-mail to me:
To make it a bit easier and to know the history over the past 9 months you can read it on my blog at jennielynnt.blogspot.com
The boys, Taylor and Spencer were diagnosed with Autism in September of last year. We have been doing the bio med treatment with them to get them to a recovered state. It is working and you can see some of the progress on my blog.
I add around a cup of Epson salts to their bath. (my note: Epson salts are a natural detoxer. I use a cup in every bath for the kids.) As for the cleanse we did what was called the Specific Carbohydrate Diet for 3 months with no dairy products or any of the foods that came back on their blood tests as foods to avoid. I then added in the dairy after 3 months. We did this diet for 6 months, but being prego with Connor made it difficult so I went just gluten free. We are now gluten and milk free. I do give the kids dairy products that have some kind of culture in them. It seems to make a difference in how their bodies handle the dairy. After the holidays the rest of us are going gluten free and I am taking the sugar out of the diet. I will use Agave nectar for our sweetener.
I do not believe that vaccinations are the total cause of Autism. I believe that they are a contributing factor, but in order for the onset of Autism to occur you have to have a number of things in line. My three youngest have food sensitivities that also contributed to the Autistic behavior. We also have a number of things on each side of the family that are markers that we now know to look for.
Cindy has Crohns and so does my aunt. My mom has some IBD. Darrin's mom is highly allergic to wheat and his father and brothers also have other allergies. His grandma is allergic to MSG and his Dad's father was an alcoholic which indicates chemical sensitivities. Darrin is very sensitive to medicine and other chemicals. I have allergies to food coloring and psoriasis, which is an auto immune disease. Taking all of this into consideration the field was ripe for our children to develop the Autism.
We are expecting our 5th at the end of October beginning of November. I have been taking Vitamin B and Fish Oil supplements to give this little guy a boost. He, being a boy, needed a bit more than a girl would have. Autism affects 1 in every 150 kids this number is growing and it affect 1 in every 90 boys.
This little one will not have any vaccinations until he is past the age of 3. The only reason we are doing this is because we do have Autism in the family. The boys were not vaccinated until they were 9 months and even with that they only had 11 of the shots. I think this is why our recovery has been so quick and effective....
I will also be trying to nurse this one for a year without other food supplementation. He will not be getting any oat cereal or rice cereal. When he does start solid food or needs more than just milk he will be getting organic veggies, meats and fruits. This is the diet that we have the kids on. It is meant to help heal up their guts. Most children with Autism have what is called a "leaky gut". This means that some of the proteins from the foods that are digested "leak" through the intestinal lining and cause problems. It is different foods for different kids. Even the boys had different things that affected them and they are identical. So to avoid the "leaky gut" we are just going to give this little guy the same things the kids eat.
This guy will also not get any Tylenol. The reason that Tylenol is lethal in overdose it because it depletes the GSH in the liver. GSH is the enzyme that your liver uses to rid the blood of toxins. Kids with Autism already have a depleted amount of GSH and this makes if difficult for them to eliminate toxins in their blood. This includes the heavy metals that they encounter not only in the vaccinations, but also in their daily environment. Vitamin B12 helps build up the GSH.
"How to" Books
I know some people don't like to read "how to" books. I am one of those people. However, I realized that having children is a huge responsibility...and I wanted to be prepared.
Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, by Ina May Gaskin
Some of her views are a little "out there," but of all the books I read, this one best explained the birth process and helped me to feel "more ready" and that birth shouldn't be a big deal. I just skimmed passed the first half of the book (labor/delivery testimonies). In the rest of the book she gives great ideas to help the birth go faster and also how to relax and what to expect. If you only read one book about birth, this is the one I'd highly recommend! You can get a copy from the library, or if you're in Oklahoma City, let me know and you can borrow mine.
The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth, by Henci Goer
Useful, non-inflammatory info on common procedures and interventions. A good introduction to the array of choices and vocabulary, as well as risks/benefits.
What to Expect When You're Expecting, by Heidi Murkoff
This was fun to read during the pregnancy to know what to expect at each stage.
What the Bible Says About Child Training, by J. Richard Fugate
One of the best child training books I've ever read. I have read it once and am going to keep it handy as the children grow. My husband read it, too and really enjoyed it.
Babywise, by Gary Ezzo
This is a really great book on the first five months of a baby's life. It teaches how to get the baby to sleep through the night, how much to feed, what to expect, etc. Very common sense and interesting. Some people don't agree with the schedule method, but I've seen it to be helpful in the families who have used it (vs. the ones who don't). He also has Babywise II, Toddlerwise, Childwise, Preteenwise, etc. I have read and used Babywise II, and it's been very helpful as well.
To Train Up A Child, by Michael Pearl
The methods in this book are really down to earth. He also has "No Greater Joy" in three volumes and a monthly newsletter. Easy reading, and great information.
Shepherding a Child's Heart, by Tedd Tripp
This is a great book on the philosophy of child training. I think this book needs To Train Up a Child for a more rounded perspective.
~~~~
My husband and I were out of town for most of the summer before our son's birth, so we didn't enroll in a Bradley Class in time, but I have heard GREAT things about the class. We got the workbook from some friends and read/studied through it. If you get a chance to go through the class, it's worth it - just going through the book helped my husband know what to expect.
You can find classes at www.bradleybirth.com. It is a 12-week class and costs a couple hundred dollars, I think.
Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, by Ina May Gaskin
Some of her views are a little "out there," but of all the books I read, this one best explained the birth process and helped me to feel "more ready" and that birth shouldn't be a big deal. I just skimmed passed the first half of the book (labor/delivery testimonies). In the rest of the book she gives great ideas to help the birth go faster and also how to relax and what to expect. If you only read one book about birth, this is the one I'd highly recommend! You can get a copy from the library, or if you're in Oklahoma City, let me know and you can borrow mine.
The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth, by Henci Goer
Useful, non-inflammatory info on common procedures and interventions. A good introduction to the array of choices and vocabulary, as well as risks/benefits.
What to Expect When You're Expecting, by Heidi Murkoff
This was fun to read during the pregnancy to know what to expect at each stage.
What the Bible Says About Child Training, by J. Richard Fugate
One of the best child training books I've ever read. I have read it once and am going to keep it handy as the children grow. My husband read it, too and really enjoyed it.
Babywise, by Gary Ezzo
This is a really great book on the first five months of a baby's life. It teaches how to get the baby to sleep through the night, how much to feed, what to expect, etc. Very common sense and interesting. Some people don't agree with the schedule method, but I've seen it to be helpful in the families who have used it (vs. the ones who don't). He also has Babywise II, Toddlerwise, Childwise, Preteenwise, etc. I have read and used Babywise II, and it's been very helpful as well.
To Train Up A Child, by Michael Pearl
The methods in this book are really down to earth. He also has "No Greater Joy" in three volumes and a monthly newsletter. Easy reading, and great information.
Shepherding a Child's Heart, by Tedd Tripp
This is a great book on the philosophy of child training. I think this book needs To Train Up a Child for a more rounded perspective.
~~~~
My husband and I were out of town for most of the summer before our son's birth, so we didn't enroll in a Bradley Class in time, but I have heard GREAT things about the class. We got the workbook from some friends and read/studied through it. If you get a chance to go through the class, it's worth it - just going through the book helped my husband know what to expect.
You can find classes at www.bradleybirth.com. It is a 12-week class and costs a couple hundred dollars, I think.
Exercise...Baby Pooch
Many friends complained of a little "baby pooch" that wouldn't go away after a pregnancy (and some of us had the pooch before we got pregnant!). I hadn't really thought much about it until I read about the following two exercises.
1) One of the single most effective exercises you can use to flatten your stomach completely is called the ab vacuum (Tuppler technique). It basically involves you laying flat on your back and sucking your bellybutton in toward your spine while lifting your head. Hold that contraction for 10 seconds or more, while breathing. This exercises your transverse abdominals that really are overlooked by most of the traditional crunches, lower ab exercises, and oblique crunches.
2) Reverse crunches. Reverse crunches squeeze that lower/middle problem area. Lay flat on your back on the floor. Lift legs into the air and bend knees slightly. Pull knees down to chest while rolling hips/rear off the floor. SQUEEZE as you press kneecaps into chest. Bring you legs halfway down and repeat until you're burning. Make sure your back is flat on the floor at all times or you won't feel a thing. It should be a slow, smooth contraction.
1) One of the single most effective exercises you can use to flatten your stomach completely is called the ab vacuum (Tuppler technique). It basically involves you laying flat on your back and sucking your bellybutton in toward your spine while lifting your head. Hold that contraction for 10 seconds or more, while breathing. This exercises your transverse abdominals that really are overlooked by most of the traditional crunches, lower ab exercises, and oblique crunches.
2) Reverse crunches. Reverse crunches squeeze that lower/middle problem area. Lay flat on your back on the floor. Lift legs into the air and bend knees slightly. Pull knees down to chest while rolling hips/rear off the floor. SQUEEZE as you press kneecaps into chest. Bring you legs halfway down and repeat until you're burning. Make sure your back is flat on the floor at all times or you won't feel a thing. It should be a slow, smooth contraction.
Exercise...Delivery
I had read quite a bit on the importance of exercising, but it didn't really hit home until a few months before I delivered. A friend of mine told me that her labor (for her first child) lasted two hours from start to finish, and although it was very "uncomfortable," she wasn't in major pain (like the horror stories most women have). I asked her what she had done; expecting her to just shrug her shoulders, but she told me that she exercised using a treadmill and an elliptical machine (a cross between a treadmill and stationary bike) - every day for 30-45 minutes (on lightest setting) during her pregnancy.
I wasn't sure the same would happen to me, but we found a used elliptical machine, and I exercised almost every day during the last couple of months of my pregnancy. As it turned out, my labor lasted three and a half hours, and just like my friend's...it was uncomfortable, but there was no major pain. And, as an added bonus, I lost most of my baby weight within the first few weeks. My second labor was very similar.
Since then I've talked to a couple other women who exercised on the elliptical and had the same experience. A doctor I spoke with said that the elliptical exercises the muscles you need for labor.
In Scripture the Israelite women delivered quickly, and before the Egyptian midwives arrived...because they were strong. (Exodus 1:18-20) I don't know if using the elliptical helped the labor go so quickly, but I have read that any type of low impact exercise is very helpful during pregnancy.
One more thing...I took evening primrose oil every day beginning two weeks before my due date. (500mg by mouth am and pm) This softens the cervix, so you don't want to take it too soon. I'd ask your doctor or midwife about it.
I wasn't sure the same would happen to me, but we found a used elliptical machine, and I exercised almost every day during the last couple of months of my pregnancy. As it turned out, my labor lasted three and a half hours, and just like my friend's...it was uncomfortable, but there was no major pain. And, as an added bonus, I lost most of my baby weight within the first few weeks. My second labor was very similar.
Since then I've talked to a couple other women who exercised on the elliptical and had the same experience. A doctor I spoke with said that the elliptical exercises the muscles you need for labor.
In Scripture the Israelite women delivered quickly, and before the Egyptian midwives arrived...because they were strong. (Exodus 1:18-20) I don't know if using the elliptical helped the labor go so quickly, but I have read that any type of low impact exercise is very helpful during pregnancy.
One more thing...I took evening primrose oil every day beginning two weeks before my due date. (500mg by mouth am and pm) This softens the cervix, so you don't want to take it too soon. I'd ask your doctor or midwife about it.
Colic & Gas
The first few weeks are the worst. It does get better. When Elliot hit six weeks, I began to see the light. And then by three months, it knew I was going to make it. I kept reminding myself to enjoy what I could during each stage; and not focus on the bad.
My son had gas/spit-up problems. We used Gripe Water. It's cheaper if you get it online (even including shipping... www.vitacost.com), but they carry it at Walgreens, too, if you want to try it right away. It worked within seconds when he was little. And it's all natural. I would feed him, burp him, and if he seemed to be having problems (scrunching up his legs and crying), we would give him some.
We burped him after each feeding; even if he was asleep. We would walk around patting him until we heard something. That usually kept him from waking up in his sleep with gas.
Here are a few other things that worked well for us:
Chamomile tea (1/2 teaspoon)
The book "Babywise" (burping positions)
Stomach sleeping (see SIDS post)
As for food...I tried going off dairy and that seemed to help. Also, I drank chamomile, peppermint, or fennel tea during the day. I also started a list of things I ate and Elliot's reaction after each feeding. That helped, too. It looks like it takes the food about 24 hours to go to the milk. But with somethings it takes less. :( Wish it were a science.
Also, I found that when I didn't eat a whole lot, Elliot would be gassy. (I eat the wrong thing and he's gassy and I don't eat anything and he's gassy...what's up with that??) I have tried to keep chicken breasts and frozen fish fillets in the freezer. Put a little bit of salt seasoning on it, and stick it in the oven frozen...microwave a few vegetables and wa-la.
And I didn't try to entertain him all the time. I read that babies need to learn to entertain themselves. And I tried not to be afraid to let him cry. When Elliot cried, I checked his diaper, burped him, and then put him back down (if it wasn't time to eat or be awake). Then I would set the timer for 10 minutes and let him cry. I would go back in and burp him again and lay him back down and set the timer again. At six weeks and four months they have a growth spurt, so if he tried to suck on my arm or neck while I burped him, I would feed him; even if it had only been two hours or so.
I did some research, and here are a few foods that nursing mothers should avoid. Some babies aren't bothered, but our son had terrible spitting up/colic issues. I tried staying away from all of these, but I wasn't getting enough calories and it was effecting my milk production. I went back to eating almost everything, but did my best to stay away from beans, dairy, eggs, and carbonation until he was a couple of months old. He quit spitting up as much and his digestive system seemed much better. :) (We gave him Gripe Water and Homeopathic Colic tablets and they helped TREMENDOUSLY. See Flying/Travel/Medicine post.)
Beans/Lentils
Broccoli
Brussel sprouts
Cabbage
Caffeine
Carbonated Drinks
Cauliflower
Chocolate
Citrus fruits (lemon, orange, grapefruit)
Corn
Dairy products
Eggs
Hot peppers
Iron supplements
Medicines
Onions
Peanuts
Pineapple
Shellfish
Soy and tofu
Spicy food
Tomato
Wheat
My son had gas/spit-up problems. We used Gripe Water. It's cheaper if you get it online (even including shipping... www.vitacost.com), but they carry it at Walgreens, too, if you want to try it right away. It worked within seconds when he was little. And it's all natural. I would feed him, burp him, and if he seemed to be having problems (scrunching up his legs and crying), we would give him some.
We burped him after each feeding; even if he was asleep. We would walk around patting him until we heard something. That usually kept him from waking up in his sleep with gas.
Here are a few other things that worked well for us:
Chamomile tea (1/2 teaspoon)
The book "Babywise" (burping positions)
Stomach sleeping (see SIDS post)
As for food...I tried going off dairy and that seemed to help. Also, I drank chamomile, peppermint, or fennel tea during the day. I also started a list of things I ate and Elliot's reaction after each feeding. That helped, too. It looks like it takes the food about 24 hours to go to the milk. But with somethings it takes less. :( Wish it were a science.
Also, I found that when I didn't eat a whole lot, Elliot would be gassy. (I eat the wrong thing and he's gassy and I don't eat anything and he's gassy...what's up with that??) I have tried to keep chicken breasts and frozen fish fillets in the freezer. Put a little bit of salt seasoning on it, and stick it in the oven frozen...microwave a few vegetables and wa-la.
And I didn't try to entertain him all the time. I read that babies need to learn to entertain themselves. And I tried not to be afraid to let him cry. When Elliot cried, I checked his diaper, burped him, and then put him back down (if it wasn't time to eat or be awake). Then I would set the timer for 10 minutes and let him cry. I would go back in and burp him again and lay him back down and set the timer again. At six weeks and four months they have a growth spurt, so if he tried to suck on my arm or neck while I burped him, I would feed him; even if it had only been two hours or so.
I did some research, and here are a few foods that nursing mothers should avoid. Some babies aren't bothered, but our son had terrible spitting up/colic issues. I tried staying away from all of these, but I wasn't getting enough calories and it was effecting my milk production. I went back to eating almost everything, but did my best to stay away from beans, dairy, eggs, and carbonation until he was a couple of months old. He quit spitting up as much and his digestive system seemed much better. :) (We gave him Gripe Water and Homeopathic Colic tablets and they helped TREMENDOUSLY. See Flying/Travel/Medicine post.)
Beans/Lentils
Broccoli
Brussel sprouts
Cabbage
Caffeine
Carbonated Drinks
Cauliflower
Chocolate
Citrus fruits (lemon, orange, grapefruit)
Corn
Dairy products
Eggs
Hot peppers
Iron supplements
Medicines
Onions
Peanuts
Pineapple
Shellfish
Soy and tofu
Spicy food
Tomato
Wheat
Sleeping Through the Night
My Mom said that she used the book "Baby Wise" with my last two siblings, and it worked great for her. I decided to try it with our son and it DID work great! Some people think it's a little too scheduled, but it kept us sane. The basic low-down of Baby Wise is:
Week One:
The first couple of days, demand feed - every time the baby cries, feed him. This establishes your milk supply. After your milk comes in (3-5 days), feed every 2 to 2 1/2 hours and try to get a full feeding in. Do your best not to let him fall asleep during the feedings. (Otherwise he will want to graze all day long!) A "full feeding" means something different for each baby. Some babies get enough after three minutes on each side and others need fifteen. The key is to listen for when you are empty. "Suck, swallow" or "suck, suck, swallow" means they are eating. Wait until you hear "suck, suck, suck, swallow." If he is hungry before two hours and wants to eat, then he didn't get a full feeding. Our first son spat up a lot (which I later found out can be an indicator that baby is getting too much milk). The first week, it's important to wake him up if he doesn't wake up after 2 1/2 hours (during the day). This establishes his days and nights. However, let him sleep up to five hours during the night.
Week Two - Four:
Feed every 2 1/2 to 3 hours during the day and let him sleep up to five hours (between feedings) at night. It's important to stick to these times to establish lactation during these early weeks. After each daytime feeding, try to keep him awake for 10-45min before putting him down for a nap. This Feed/Wake/Sleep cycle during the day is important.
Weeks Five - Eight:
Feed every 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours during the day and let him sleep up to nine hours (between feedings) at night. Continue the Feed/Wake/Sleep cycle during the day and most babies will begin sleeping through the night on their own.
Weeks Nine...:
From this time to six months, I fed him at 6a, 9a, 12p, 3p, 6p, and 9p. If he didn't wake up by 6a, I would wake him up to get him on the schedule. I kept him awake after each feeding except the 6a and the 9p. This was just easier for me to remember what time to feed him, instead of wondering when I fed him last. It may be a bit scheduled for some people, but it worked great for me.
~~~~
Here is a blog that goes into more detail.
http://babywisemom.blogspot.com/
Week One:
The first couple of days, demand feed - every time the baby cries, feed him. This establishes your milk supply. After your milk comes in (3-5 days), feed every 2 to 2 1/2 hours and try to get a full feeding in. Do your best not to let him fall asleep during the feedings. (Otherwise he will want to graze all day long!) A "full feeding" means something different for each baby. Some babies get enough after three minutes on each side and others need fifteen. The key is to listen for when you are empty. "Suck, swallow" or "suck, suck, swallow" means they are eating. Wait until you hear "suck, suck, suck, swallow." If he is hungry before two hours and wants to eat, then he didn't get a full feeding. Our first son spat up a lot (which I later found out can be an indicator that baby is getting too much milk). The first week, it's important to wake him up if he doesn't wake up after 2 1/2 hours (during the day). This establishes his days and nights. However, let him sleep up to five hours during the night.
Week Two - Four:
Feed every 2 1/2 to 3 hours during the day and let him sleep up to five hours (between feedings) at night. It's important to stick to these times to establish lactation during these early weeks. After each daytime feeding, try to keep him awake for 10-45min before putting him down for a nap. This Feed/Wake/Sleep cycle during the day is important.
Weeks Five - Eight:
Feed every 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours during the day and let him sleep up to nine hours (between feedings) at night. Continue the Feed/Wake/Sleep cycle during the day and most babies will begin sleeping through the night on their own.
Weeks Nine...:
From this time to six months, I fed him at 6a, 9a, 12p, 3p, 6p, and 9p. If he didn't wake up by 6a, I would wake him up to get him on the schedule. I kept him awake after each feeding except the 6a and the 9p. This was just easier for me to remember what time to feed him, instead of wondering when I fed him last. It may be a bit scheduled for some people, but it worked great for me.
~~~~
Here is a blog that goes into more detail.
http://babywisemom.blogspot.com/
Nursing...the Act
Breastfeeding...it was worse than childbirth (seriously) and I thought of quitting even though I knew that it was better than formula. It hurt like crazy every time he latched on. Three things were life-savers and I would recommend that you get them.
The first: medicated nipple cream. My midwives prescribed a cream containing ibuprofen. It is not over-the-counter. (Mupirocin 1% / Ibuprofin 2% / Miconazole 2% / Betamethazone 0.025% / Propylene Glycol) It is a compounded cream that must be prescribed by a doctor and has to be compounded at the pharmacy. Very few pharmacies do that, so you may have to call around. We got ours at the pharmacy downtown OKC. (Walgreens @ 535 NW 9th Street; OKC, OK 73102 • 405-231-2133) You can have them made just a small amount (we got about $30-worth and it was way too much); it goes really far and I had TONS left over (even after three other ladies borrowed it).
I would put it on after each time I nursed and I didn't feel a thing! I only had to use it a handful of times before the nipples were toughened on their own. If you are planning to nurse, get this BEFORE you have your baby and take it with you to the hospital...seriously. Just think of the worst pain you've ever experienced and multiply it by ten. That was nursing for the first six weeks with my first one...oh, and bleeding and open sores. Can I be more blunt?
The second: lanolin cream. An off-brand works just as well (100% pure lanolin). You put it on after feeding the baby and just leave it on - no need to wash it off. You could even start using it every night a month before the due date to soften things up ahead of time. You can use this if you don't want to get the medicated cream. It only serves to keep everything from becoming dried and cracked...you will still experience pain.
The third: breast/nipple shield. I don't think I could have lasted without this with our first. They sell them at BabiesRUs in the breast pump section. It is a clear plastic cover (with holes) that goes over the nipple part during nursing. They are recommended for inverted nipples, I think. I didn't have that, but it helped ease the pain of nursing. They say that if you use it, the baby will have a hard time nursing without it, but if you only use it every other time you nurse, there won't be a problem. I had to use it for six weeks with our first. And he transitioned just fine. This also helped our sons (I used it a couple of times with our second, too) learn to open their mouths wider. Some in the medical profession frown on these, but go and buy one and keep it handy just in case. You can always return it if you don't experience problems. This was what kept me from quitting the first time around.
And about having enough milk...I worried about it. My Mom told me that if I ever felt like I was losing my milk, to drink 1 tablespoon vinegar in a cup of water (with a little honey to cover the taste) a couple times a day. I've tried it twice, and each time, milk literally squirted out of me. (Sorry for the mental image.) I tried cranberry juice and it did the same thing (tastier, too!).
The first two or three days nurse whenever the baby cries. (??!!) You will quickly feel like a dairy cow but it helps the milk come in more quickly and transition your body (and baby) to nursing. Do NOT try to get on a schedule until after the first week. How long to nurse? When is the baby done? Nurse one or both sides? Nurse until you stop hearing the "suck, gulp, suck, gulp." Listen for it. When you hear, "suck, suck, suck, gulp," they are done with the hindmilk. Why didn't someone tell me that with my first one??!! I nursed for 45 minutes each side, for crying out loud! If after you've determined that the sucking and the gulping is sufficient on one side, offer the second side and listen for the same gulping and sucking, etc. And then you can unlatch them (in case they *try* to use you as a pacifier). (And don't forget to burp them in between sides.)
Oh, and one more thing. DO NOT PUMP during the first two weeks. NADA. You may feel like you are going to explode once your milk comes in, but your body is trying to figure out how many babies to supply and if you pump it will take longer and can cause problems. If you feel too full or hard, just take a hot shower and massage the hard parts until they are soft. I pumped with my first one and speak from experience. I didn't pump with my second and the transition was *almost* effortless. (As effortless as loaning your body as a dairy cow can be.)
The first: medicated nipple cream. My midwives prescribed a cream containing ibuprofen. It is not over-the-counter. (Mupirocin 1% / Ibuprofin 2% / Miconazole 2% / Betamethazone 0.025% / Propylene Glycol) It is a compounded cream that must be prescribed by a doctor and has to be compounded at the pharmacy. Very few pharmacies do that, so you may have to call around. We got ours at the pharmacy downtown OKC. (Walgreens @ 535 NW 9th Street; OKC, OK 73102 • 405-231-2133) You can have them made just a small amount (we got about $30-worth and it was way too much); it goes really far and I had TONS left over (even after three other ladies borrowed it).
I would put it on after each time I nursed and I didn't feel a thing! I only had to use it a handful of times before the nipples were toughened on their own. If you are planning to nurse, get this BEFORE you have your baby and take it with you to the hospital...seriously. Just think of the worst pain you've ever experienced and multiply it by ten. That was nursing for the first six weeks with my first one...oh, and bleeding and open sores. Can I be more blunt?
The second: lanolin cream. An off-brand works just as well (100% pure lanolin). You put it on after feeding the baby and just leave it on - no need to wash it off. You could even start using it every night a month before the due date to soften things up ahead of time. You can use this if you don't want to get the medicated cream. It only serves to keep everything from becoming dried and cracked...you will still experience pain.
The third: breast/nipple shield. I don't think I could have lasted without this with our first. They sell them at BabiesRUs in the breast pump section. It is a clear plastic cover (with holes) that goes over the nipple part during nursing. They are recommended for inverted nipples, I think. I didn't have that, but it helped ease the pain of nursing. They say that if you use it, the baby will have a hard time nursing without it, but if you only use it every other time you nurse, there won't be a problem. I had to use it for six weeks with our first. And he transitioned just fine. This also helped our sons (I used it a couple of times with our second, too) learn to open their mouths wider. Some in the medical profession frown on these, but go and buy one and keep it handy just in case. You can always return it if you don't experience problems. This was what kept me from quitting the first time around.
And about having enough milk...I worried about it. My Mom told me that if I ever felt like I was losing my milk, to drink 1 tablespoon vinegar in a cup of water (with a little honey to cover the taste) a couple times a day. I've tried it twice, and each time, milk literally squirted out of me. (Sorry for the mental image.) I tried cranberry juice and it did the same thing (tastier, too!).
The first two or three days nurse whenever the baby cries. (??!!) You will quickly feel like a dairy cow but it helps the milk come in more quickly and transition your body (and baby) to nursing. Do NOT try to get on a schedule until after the first week. How long to nurse? When is the baby done? Nurse one or both sides? Nurse until you stop hearing the "suck, gulp, suck, gulp." Listen for it. When you hear, "suck, suck, suck, gulp," they are done with the hindmilk. Why didn't someone tell me that with my first one??!! I nursed for 45 minutes each side, for crying out loud! If after you've determined that the sucking and the gulping is sufficient on one side, offer the second side and listen for the same gulping and sucking, etc. And then you can unlatch them (in case they *try* to use you as a pacifier). (And don't forget to burp them in between sides.)
Oh, and one more thing. DO NOT PUMP during the first two weeks. NADA. You may feel like you are going to explode once your milk comes in, but your body is trying to figure out how many babies to supply and if you pump it will take longer and can cause problems. If you feel too full or hard, just take a hot shower and massage the hard parts until they are soft. I pumped with my first one and speak from experience. I didn't pump with my second and the transition was *almost* effortless. (As effortless as loaning your body as a dairy cow can be.)
Baby Announcements
Below are some birth announcement ideas. We found something we liked and duplicated the designs in Photoshop before the baby arrived. Then we inserted a picture of the baby...and uploaded it to walgreens.com and had 5x7s made.
www.brickhousepaperie.com
www.peadabdesigns.com
If you don't have access to Photoshop, I have a couple that I have duplicated. I'd be happy to send them to you - just e-mail me.
www.brickhousepaperie.com
www.peadabdesigns.com
If you don't have access to Photoshop, I have a couple that I have duplicated. I'd be happy to send them to you - just e-mail me.
Postpardum Info
I researched wraps and belly-binding after we had our first and I ordered a bengkung from Malasia after our second was born. The total cost was $38 (including shipping), and it was SO comfortable. It's cheaper than the elastic ones you can order online, and it reaches from below the chest to the hips. It worked great for me, and I wish I had it with our first. My rib cage and hips went back to what they were before I had our first.
http://happyconfinement.blogspot.com/2008/04/bengkung-mia-intro.html
~~~
Many women (especially the Asian culture) also wear wraps around their stomach during pregnancy to help support their back and then they wear it postpartum to help shrink their stomach back into shape. These are called "Sarashi" or "Hara Obi." Here is a link on what it looks like and how to put it on:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BU2thhFGnw4
I never found a place to buy one, but you can make your own...do a google search for "how to make a sarashi" or "how to make an hara obi." It seems a little too cumbersome for me...with the long fabric. But if you have back pain, it's worth a try.
~~~
I wish someone had told me that the aftermath of having a baby is really hard. I never knew it took so long to recover - both emotionally and physically. I felt really good the first week and then crashed. I literally felt like my joints were coming apart. I could hardly turn over in bed...and having to nurse all the time - I was miserable and felt like a cow.
I wish I had stayed in bed that first week and gotten more rest. I think it would have helped me not crash. Give yourself plenty of space to feel lots of emotions you may never have felt before, and don't take yourself seriously for at least the first few weeks. It takes nine months to build up the pregnancy hormones, and then they leave your body within a very short time...so much of the emotional turmoil is just physical.
The pregnancy hormone that causes the joints to expand does not completely leave the body for a few weeks after the birth. If there were bones or joints displaced during the labor or during the many hours you will be holding a 7+ lb baby, you will have trouble. One of my ribs was displaced during labor and it did not go back into place until after I became pregnant with our second. I had a rib sticking out of my side...literally. I even tried going to a chiropractor, but the joints/cartilage had already hardened. A week after the birth of our second, I went to a chiropractor and he was able to get everything back in place. I went only once, but I wish I had gone a couple of times during the first two or three months.
With our second child my midwife recommended that I have my pregnancy hormones encapsulated from the placenta after the birth. I did, and I felt a night/day difference. The same capsules can be stored and used during menopause. Who would have thought?
~~~~
Came across this link for miscellaneous postpartum info. Very interesting. I remember having a lot of dryness after Elliot was born but when he was a couple months old it went away. I assumed that it just went away. This link says that flaxseed oil helps with dryness and balances out your hormones. About the time the dryness went away, I had purchased some flaxseed and used it on my cereal almost every morning. (Just a health kick!) :) I still use it when I remember. I haven't read all of the website, and some natural remedies are a little kookie, but thought I would pass it on. :)
http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/postpart.html
http://happyconfinement.blogspot.com/2008/04/bengkung-mia-intro.html
~~~
Many women (especially the Asian culture) also wear wraps around their stomach during pregnancy to help support their back and then they wear it postpartum to help shrink their stomach back into shape. These are called "Sarashi" or "Hara Obi." Here is a link on what it looks like and how to put it on:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BU2thhFGnw4
I never found a place to buy one, but you can make your own...do a google search for "how to make a sarashi" or "how to make an hara obi." It seems a little too cumbersome for me...with the long fabric. But if you have back pain, it's worth a try.
~~~
I wish someone had told me that the aftermath of having a baby is really hard. I never knew it took so long to recover - both emotionally and physically. I felt really good the first week and then crashed. I literally felt like my joints were coming apart. I could hardly turn over in bed...and having to nurse all the time - I was miserable and felt like a cow.
I wish I had stayed in bed that first week and gotten more rest. I think it would have helped me not crash. Give yourself plenty of space to feel lots of emotions you may never have felt before, and don't take yourself seriously for at least the first few weeks. It takes nine months to build up the pregnancy hormones, and then they leave your body within a very short time...so much of the emotional turmoil is just physical.
The pregnancy hormone that causes the joints to expand does not completely leave the body for a few weeks after the birth. If there were bones or joints displaced during the labor or during the many hours you will be holding a 7+ lb baby, you will have trouble. One of my ribs was displaced during labor and it did not go back into place until after I became pregnant with our second. I had a rib sticking out of my side...literally. I even tried going to a chiropractor, but the joints/cartilage had already hardened. A week after the birth of our second, I went to a chiropractor and he was able to get everything back in place. I went only once, but I wish I had gone a couple of times during the first two or three months.
With our second child my midwife recommended that I have my pregnancy hormones encapsulated from the placenta after the birth. I did, and I felt a night/day difference. The same capsules can be stored and used during menopause. Who would have thought?
~~~~
Came across this link for miscellaneous postpartum info. Very interesting. I remember having a lot of dryness after Elliot was born but when he was a couple months old it went away. I assumed that it just went away. This link says that flaxseed oil helps with dryness and balances out your hormones. About the time the dryness went away, I had purchased some flaxseed and used it on my cereal almost every morning. (Just a health kick!) :) I still use it when I remember. I haven't read all of the website, and some natural remedies are a little kookie, but thought I would pass it on. :)
http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/postpart.html
Baby Food Schedule
I made our son's baby food. I used http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/ and http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/feeding-infants-toddlers/making-you-own-baby-food to get ideas and learn how to make things. I think the bottom line is to make sure there is plenty of liquid, otherwise it can cause constipation. (I learned that the hard way!) :) I think they suggest organic until they reach their first birthday, but the following site http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary/ gives a "top ten."
Feeding at a glance
Birth to 6 months
Breast milk and/or iron-fortified formula satisfies all nutritional requirements • Designed to suck, not chew, rooting reflex; searches for food source, tongue-thrust reflex pushes out solid foods, sensitive gag reflex
6 months
Bananas, pears, rice cereal, applesauce • Tongue-thrust and gag reflexes lessen; accepts solids Sits erect in high chair; begins teething
7 to 9 months
Avocados, mashed potatoes, peaches, barley cereal, carrots, squash, teething biscuits, pear and apple juice • May drink from cup, finger foods begin, pureed and mashed foods, holds bottle, thumb-and-forefinger pickup begins, fascination with tiny food morsels, begins mouthing chokable food and objects (parents beware!), bangs, drops, flings, reaches for food and utensils, munches food
9 to 12 months
Lamb, veal, tofu, poultry, noodles, bagel, beans, rice cakes, peas, egg yolk, yams, cheese, oatmeal, yogurt • Lumpier consistency, finger foods mastered, bite-sized, cooked vegetables, melt-in-mouth foods, holds trainer cup, self-feeding skills improve, points and pokes, smears, high-chair gymnastics increase, tries to use utensils
12 to 18 months
Whole milk, papaya, cottage cheese, apricots, ice cream, grapefruit, whole eggs, grape halves, beef, strawberries, tomatoes, fish (salmon, tuna), pasta, graham crackers, broccoli, wheat cereal, spinach, honey, cauliflower, pancakes, melon, muffins, mango, kiwi • Participates in family meals, eats chopped and mashed family foods, begins self-feeding with utensils, tilts cup and head while drinking, holds spoon better, begins walking
18 to 24 months
Sandwiches, stews, puddings, sauces, smoothies, shakes, dips, toppings, spreads, soups, peanut butter • Grazes, weans from bottle, uses spoon and fork, molars begin, begins rotary chewing, spoon-feeds self
Other helpful information
Suggested vitamin intake for children
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/4/T045500.asp
Juice
Do not begin before six months, preferably nine months. White grape juice is the most intestinal- friendly juice. Dilute all juice with equal parts water. 6-12 mo: 4 oz./day. 1-4 yrs: 6 oz./day. 4-12 yrs: 8 oz./day.
Feeding at a glance
Birth to 6 months
Breast milk and/or iron-fortified formula satisfies all nutritional requirements • Designed to suck, not chew, rooting reflex; searches for food source, tongue-thrust reflex pushes out solid foods, sensitive gag reflex
6 months
Bananas, pears, rice cereal, applesauce • Tongue-thrust and gag reflexes lessen; accepts solids Sits erect in high chair; begins teething
7 to 9 months
Avocados, mashed potatoes, peaches, barley cereal, carrots, squash, teething biscuits, pear and apple juice • May drink from cup, finger foods begin, pureed and mashed foods, holds bottle, thumb-and-forefinger pickup begins, fascination with tiny food morsels, begins mouthing chokable food and objects (parents beware!), bangs, drops, flings, reaches for food and utensils, munches food
9 to 12 months
Lamb, veal, tofu, poultry, noodles, bagel, beans, rice cakes, peas, egg yolk, yams, cheese, oatmeal, yogurt • Lumpier consistency, finger foods mastered, bite-sized, cooked vegetables, melt-in-mouth foods, holds trainer cup, self-feeding skills improve, points and pokes, smears, high-chair gymnastics increase, tries to use utensils
12 to 18 months
Whole milk, papaya, cottage cheese, apricots, ice cream, grapefruit, whole eggs, grape halves, beef, strawberries, tomatoes, fish (salmon, tuna), pasta, graham crackers, broccoli, wheat cereal, spinach, honey, cauliflower, pancakes, melon, muffins, mango, kiwi • Participates in family meals, eats chopped and mashed family foods, begins self-feeding with utensils, tilts cup and head while drinking, holds spoon better, begins walking
18 to 24 months
Sandwiches, stews, puddings, sauces, smoothies, shakes, dips, toppings, spreads, soups, peanut butter • Grazes, weans from bottle, uses spoon and fork, molars begin, begins rotary chewing, spoon-feeds self
Other helpful information
Suggested vitamin intake for children
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/4/T045500.asp
Juice
Do not begin before six months, preferably nine months. White grape juice is the most intestinal- friendly juice. Dilute all juice with equal parts water. 6-12 mo: 4 oz./day. 1-4 yrs: 6 oz./day. 4-12 yrs: 8 oz./day.
Sign Language & Reading
Teaching your child sign-language...a fun video:
http://www.signingtime.com/vol-1-my-first-signs-dvd
They also have some videos directly for babies, but I read reviews that they weren't quite as good. I got a copy from the library and our son LOVED watching it. It helped me learn the signs so I could do them with him throughout the day. Sign language DID NOT delay his verbal skills (that I could tell). There is an in-between stage for babies...from the time they know what they want to the time they can tell you with words. It was WONDERFUL to know when our son was hungry, when he was thirsty, and when he was full. The handful of signs we taught him were life-savers and saved him some frustrated tantrums.
~~~
I also bought the series "Your Baby Can Read" on Amazon. It's a little far-fetched to think that I can teach our young son to read, but it makes sense that their learning capacity is greatest before age three. :) So I've been trying it out. He is two and is beginning to read some words. I keep a stack of flashcards with the words we use often: Oatmeal, Boat, Bubbles, Pops, Shopping, Slide... I have been surprised by how often he wants to do the flashcards with me. He never tires of them. If you're interested in the science behind sight-training (as opposed to phonics...which should be taught at 5 or 6), a very fascinating book is "How to Teach Your Baby to Read" (by Glenn Doman). This was the most interesting book I've read on the development of children. I highly recommend it.
~~~
Another thing I'm doing (or planning on doing) is downloading the bible in Spanish, Chinese, Romanian, and English and then alternating verses or chapters. I don't necessary plan on teaching him all those languages (aside from English), but I would like him to have the capacity of learning the accent well.
~~~
After our son was born, I would just stare at him and he would stare back at me...and I really wasn't sure what to do with him when he was awake. I came across this site that gives some age-appropriate ideas.
http://www.productiveparenting.com/aspx/ActivityLibrary.aspx?aid=0B
I guess we try a bunch of things on our first and then the rest do well to read by age 10? Anyway...I've loved being a mom and our two boys are so precious.
http://www.signingtime.com/vol-1-my-first-signs-dvd
They also have some videos directly for babies, but I read reviews that they weren't quite as good. I got a copy from the library and our son LOVED watching it. It helped me learn the signs so I could do them with him throughout the day. Sign language DID NOT delay his verbal skills (that I could tell). There is an in-between stage for babies...from the time they know what they want to the time they can tell you with words. It was WONDERFUL to know when our son was hungry, when he was thirsty, and when he was full. The handful of signs we taught him were life-savers and saved him some frustrated tantrums.
~~~
I also bought the series "Your Baby Can Read" on Amazon. It's a little far-fetched to think that I can teach our young son to read, but it makes sense that their learning capacity is greatest before age three. :) So I've been trying it out. He is two and is beginning to read some words. I keep a stack of flashcards with the words we use often: Oatmeal, Boat, Bubbles, Pops, Shopping, Slide... I have been surprised by how often he wants to do the flashcards with me. He never tires of them. If you're interested in the science behind sight-training (as opposed to phonics...which should be taught at 5 or 6), a very fascinating book is "How to Teach Your Baby to Read" (by Glenn Doman). This was the most interesting book I've read on the development of children. I highly recommend it.
~~~
Another thing I'm doing (or planning on doing) is downloading the bible in Spanish, Chinese, Romanian, and English and then alternating verses or chapters. I don't necessary plan on teaching him all those languages (aside from English), but I would like him to have the capacity of learning the accent well.
~~~
After our son was born, I would just stare at him and he would stare back at me...and I really wasn't sure what to do with him when he was awake. I came across this site that gives some age-appropriate ideas.
http://www.productiveparenting.com/aspx/ActivityLibrary.aspx?aid=0B
I guess we try a bunch of things on our first and then the rest do well to read by age 10? Anyway...I've loved being a mom and our two boys are so precious.
Cloth Diapers???
I met some moms at a garage sale and they invited me to join their mom's group. A lot of them use cloth diapers (which I had looked into, but quickly nixed the idea!). They said that they never thought they would like it, but now they wouldn't go back to disposables.
My husband and I calculated that we would spend around $1,000+ on disposable diapers before our son was potty trained, so we bought two cloth diapers as a trial. They were easy to use and we really liked them. They add just a little bit of extra bulk, but our son was long and lean, so it kept his pants from falling off. And they're not as gross as I thought they would be! When he started eating solids, we used a flushable liner (Imse Vimse). The poo rolls right off into the toilet with the liner and wa-la. And you can wash and reuse the liner if it hasn't been soiled.
We initially used the bumGenius 3.0 pocket diaper (velcro) which grows with your baby from infant to potty training ($18/each), but I had problems with the velcro tabs losing their stick. I tried wool diaper covers, prefolds and covers, cheaper brands (Nubunz) of pockets, and was unhappy with all of those options. (Good thing cloth diapers hold their value and are resellable.) HOWEVER, BumGenius came out with a 4.0 one-size pocket diaper with SNAPS! They are also $18/piece, but should hold up through a couple of kids (plus there is a one-year warranty.) I'm very (very!) happy with them. www.cottonbabies.com has no shipping cost and you can buy just one as trial. (If you don't like it, you can sell it on www.craigslist.com...cloth diapers have amazing resale value.)
For a cheaper option (but no warranty), you can try Sunbaby diapers. They are $4-$5 dollars each. http://www.sunbabydiapers.com/product.php?id_product=19 You can contact the owner and ask to purchase just one or two before purchasing a bunch. I have some and REALLY like them. They don't have the same fit as BumGenius, but they work just as well. The Sunbaby diapers fit my two-year-old and my infant, so they are one-size, too. And they have some really cute patterns. :)
If you are interested, I would just buy one or two to make sure you like cloth diapering before you buy more. I had eleven at first and did laundry every three days. You will do laundry more if your child isn't yet on solids. If you have an HE machine, I would not recommend buying cloth diapers. They need a lot of water to wash out the smell and all the detergent. You will most likely end up with smelly, leaky diapers. I do have friends who use HE machines, but they have to "strip" the diapers often. (See below.)
If you do have leaking problems, it's because you're using too much detergent. I use a couple drops (really!) of the original blue Dawn dish soap per load and 1/2 teaspoon of Country Save detergent and that's it. (Use warm water.) I also have friends who make their own detergent and use it on the diapers without problems. I wish I would have known before I bought the more expensive kind. Here is a recipe:
~~~~~~~
Homemade Laundry Detergent
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar (Crest, Meijers)
1 cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda* (Walmart, Homeland, Crest)
1/2 cup Borax (Walmart, Homeland, Crest)
-Grate soap or break into pieces and process in a food processor until powdered. Mix all ingredients. For light load, use 1 Tablespoon. For heavy or heavily soiled load, use 2 Tablespoons. Yields: 3 Cups detergent. (Approx. 40 loads...Recipe cost approx. $2 per batch.)
*Arm & Hammer "Super Washing Soda" - Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate.
TIPS FOR LAUNDRY SOAP: You can also use Ivory, Sunlight, Kirk's Hardwater Castile or Zote bars instead of Fels-Naptha bar soap. Just don't use heavily perfumed soaps. Washing Soda and Borax can often be found on the laundry or cleaning aisle.
~~~~~~~
~One time a month or every two months, use 1/4 cup bleach/per load
~Periodically "strip" diapers of detergent build-up otherwise they start leaking. Strip by washing them in warm water until all the soap suds are gone. (Up to 8 cycles.)
~Do not use diaper creams...it will cause diapers to repel and leak (if you accidentally do, stripping will fix the problem)
~Keep the dirty diapers in a little pail with a cover until you do laundry (you don't have to soak in water)!
My husband and I calculated that we would spend around $1,000+ on disposable diapers before our son was potty trained, so we bought two cloth diapers as a trial. They were easy to use and we really liked them. They add just a little bit of extra bulk, but our son was long and lean, so it kept his pants from falling off. And they're not as gross as I thought they would be! When he started eating solids, we used a flushable liner (Imse Vimse). The poo rolls right off into the toilet with the liner and wa-la. And you can wash and reuse the liner if it hasn't been soiled.
We initially used the bumGenius 3.0 pocket diaper (velcro) which grows with your baby from infant to potty training ($18/each), but I had problems with the velcro tabs losing their stick. I tried wool diaper covers, prefolds and covers, cheaper brands (Nubunz) of pockets, and was unhappy with all of those options. (Good thing cloth diapers hold their value and are resellable.) HOWEVER, BumGenius came out with a 4.0 one-size pocket diaper with SNAPS! They are also $18/piece, but should hold up through a couple of kids (plus there is a one-year warranty.) I'm very (very!) happy with them. www.cottonbabies.com has no shipping cost and you can buy just one as trial. (If you don't like it, you can sell it on www.craigslist.com...cloth diapers have amazing resale value.)
For a cheaper option (but no warranty), you can try Sunbaby diapers. They are $4-$5 dollars each. http://www.sunbabydiapers.com/product.php?id_product=19 You can contact the owner and ask to purchase just one or two before purchasing a bunch. I have some and REALLY like them. They don't have the same fit as BumGenius, but they work just as well. The Sunbaby diapers fit my two-year-old and my infant, so they are one-size, too. And they have some really cute patterns. :)
If you are interested, I would just buy one or two to make sure you like cloth diapering before you buy more. I had eleven at first and did laundry every three days. You will do laundry more if your child isn't yet on solids. If you have an HE machine, I would not recommend buying cloth diapers. They need a lot of water to wash out the smell and all the detergent. You will most likely end up with smelly, leaky diapers. I do have friends who use HE machines, but they have to "strip" the diapers often. (See below.)
If you do have leaking problems, it's because you're using too much detergent. I use a couple drops (really!) of the original blue Dawn dish soap per load and 1/2 teaspoon of Country Save detergent and that's it. (Use warm water.) I also have friends who make their own detergent and use it on the diapers without problems. I wish I would have known before I bought the more expensive kind. Here is a recipe:
~~~~~~~
Homemade Laundry Detergent
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar (Crest, Meijers)
1 cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda* (Walmart, Homeland, Crest)
1/2 cup Borax (Walmart, Homeland, Crest)
-Grate soap or break into pieces and process in a food processor until powdered. Mix all ingredients. For light load, use 1 Tablespoon. For heavy or heavily soiled load, use 2 Tablespoons. Yields: 3 Cups detergent. (Approx. 40 loads...Recipe cost approx. $2 per batch.)
*Arm & Hammer "Super Washing Soda" - Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate.
TIPS FOR LAUNDRY SOAP: You can also use Ivory, Sunlight, Kirk's Hardwater Castile or Zote bars instead of Fels-Naptha bar soap. Just don't use heavily perfumed soaps. Washing Soda and Borax can often be found on the laundry or cleaning aisle.
~~~~~~~
~One time a month or every two months, use 1/4 cup bleach/per load
~Periodically "strip" diapers of detergent build-up otherwise they start leaking. Strip by washing them in warm water until all the soap suds are gone. (Up to 8 cycles.)
~Do not use diaper creams...it will cause diapers to repel and leak (if you accidentally do, stripping will fix the problem)
~Keep the dirty diapers in a little pail with a cover until you do laundry (you don't have to soak in water)!
Baby Carriers
I didn't follow the baby wearing method (having the baby in a carrier all day long) for two reasons. I read Babywise and liked their philosophy better and I just wasn't strong enough to carry a growing baby on me...it was hard enough carrying him IN me. :) I wore a carrier during travel (when they're little, it's easier than using a stroller) and to the grocery store until the got old enough to sit in the child seat.
The wrap (see below) worked great for when our son was younger. Now I use a Mei Tei. (There are links online for how to make or buy them. I made the Baby Hawk and really liked it.) I also used the Baby Bjorn while we traveled, and that worked really well because I could take off the whole front and keep the harness on under my jacket.
I've also had friends who bought the Belle Baby when their child got older - they say it was more comfortable. I still use the Mei Tei on grocery store trips (especially during cold season). Otherwise I set our son in the cart after I wipe it down really well. Or if we're out...I just use a stroller.
I also have a baby sling, but I've only used it once...it really hurts your neck since the majority of the weight is on one shoulder. I wouldn't buy one unless you try one first and like it.
Here's how to tie the Mei Tei. The first set of directions (back carry) crosses the ties across the front (looks a little awkward on a woman, I think), but I just put it on like a backpack.
http://www.babyhawk.com/Instructions/
~~~~~
Below is an e-mail I received from someone we met in Brazil. She was (stylishly) carrying her baby in an open street market and after staring at her and trying to figure out how she wrapped her baby in this long piece of cloth, we finally went up to her and asked her. :) She is from France, (I should have known) but lives in Brazil with her husband. I gave her my e-mail address, and below was her very gracious
response.
~~~~~~~~
Here is the link where you can buy "The baby wraps"
http://www.attachedtobaby.com/Baby-Wraps-C3.aspx
Do not confuse with another method such as sling´s etc... because there are much less versatile. The wraps method is suitable for baby from infant to 3 years old depending of course of the positions you choose to use.
You can also make it yourself if you know someone who as a machine it far cheaper!
I did the wrap myself because I personally couldn't find them in Brazil so I bought a very resistant tissue (I think she means fabric) 100% made of cotton 4.20m x75 cm.
And as shown below, it is better to cut the Wrap as a parallelogram form,to make it easier to make the "tightening" (and here she means knot) (-> i´m not sure if we say so in english...). Well, I hope you´ll see what I mean but if not, don't hesitate to contact me it will be a pleasure to help you! This carrying method is really great!
The position I was using today was this one: ( It´s my favorite because I can take my son out of it without taking the Baby wrap away!
http://www.bebe-portage.com/Le-simple-croise
(see also Enclosed a position for breast feeding with ich exactly the same position. The baby lies down in the cross instead of sitting in it!!! Suitable for new born babies as well.
Here are some other links who show various positions:
http://66.163.168.225/babelfish/translate_url_content?.intl=fr&lp=fr_en&trurl=http
%3a%2f%2fwww.escale-echarpes.com%2fpositions.htm
http://www.bebe-portage.com/Le-double-croise
http://www.bebe-portage.com/Le-kangourou-sur-le-ventre
http://www.bebe-portage.com/Le-kangouron-sur-le-dos-sac-a-dos
And it is very important when installing the baby, that is knees are positioned higher than his bum (frog Position) so that he sits on his bum and not on his genital parts...
You can also practice with a teddy bear or even a Doll. Here is the best knot to use:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reef_knot
The wrap (see below) worked great for when our son was younger. Now I use a Mei Tei. (There are links online for how to make or buy them. I made the Baby Hawk and really liked it.) I also used the Baby Bjorn while we traveled, and that worked really well because I could take off the whole front and keep the harness on under my jacket.
I've also had friends who bought the Belle Baby when their child got older - they say it was more comfortable. I still use the Mei Tei on grocery store trips (especially during cold season). Otherwise I set our son in the cart after I wipe it down really well. Or if we're out...I just use a stroller.
I also have a baby sling, but I've only used it once...it really hurts your neck since the majority of the weight is on one shoulder. I wouldn't buy one unless you try one first and like it.
Here's how to tie the Mei Tei. The first set of directions (back carry) crosses the ties across the front (looks a little awkward on a woman, I think), but I just put it on like a backpack.
http://www.babyhawk.com/Instructions/
~~~~~
Below is an e-mail I received from someone we met in Brazil. She was (stylishly) carrying her baby in an open street market and after staring at her and trying to figure out how she wrapped her baby in this long piece of cloth, we finally went up to her and asked her. :) She is from France, (I should have known) but lives in Brazil with her husband. I gave her my e-mail address, and below was her very gracious
response.
~~~~~~~~
Here is the link where you can buy "The baby wraps"
http://www.attachedtobaby.com/Baby-Wraps-C3.aspx
Do not confuse with another method such as sling´s etc... because there are much less versatile. The wraps method is suitable for baby from infant to 3 years old depending of course of the positions you choose to use.
You can also make it yourself if you know someone who as a machine it far cheaper!
I did the wrap myself because I personally couldn't find them in Brazil so I bought a very resistant tissue (I think she means fabric) 100% made of cotton 4.20m x75 cm.
And as shown below, it is better to cut the Wrap as a parallelogram form,to make it easier to make the "tightening" (and here she means knot) (-> i´m not sure if we say so in english...). Well, I hope you´ll see what I mean but if not, don't hesitate to contact me it will be a pleasure to help you! This carrying method is really great!
The position I was using today was this one: ( It´s my favorite because I can take my son out of it without taking the Baby wrap away!
http://www.bebe-portage.com/Le-simple-croise
(see also Enclosed a position for breast feeding with ich exactly the same position. The baby lies down in the cross instead of sitting in it!!! Suitable for new born babies as well.
Here are some other links who show various positions:
http://66.163.168.225/babelfish/translate_url_content?.intl=fr&lp=fr_en&trurl=http
%3a%2f%2fwww.escale-echarpes.com%2fpositions.htm
http://www.bebe-portage.com/Le-double-croise
http://www.bebe-portage.com/Le-kangourou-sur-le-ventre
http://www.bebe-portage.com/Le-kangouron-sur-le-dos-sac-a-dos
And it is very important when installing the baby, that is knees are positioned higher than his bum (frog Position) so that he sits on his bum and not on his genital parts...
You can also practice with a teddy bear or even a Doll. Here is the best knot to use:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reef_knot
Child Training
Ok, child training is a hot topic. You read what you can and decide what methods (if any) you want to incorporate. And then you have your second child and you throw it all out the window and start afresh. :) Below are some ramblings of what I found helpful with our sons, as well as some books I read that I enjoyed. The one thing that I have found universal is consistency. Whatever you decide to do, be consistent. We all need to know what the boundaries are.
I was told that child training needs to begin at a really young age - even as young as a couple months old. They say that if you can train your child to obey pretty consistently by the time they are one, your work after that will be much easier. I read somewhere else that if you don't bring your child's will under control by the time they are three, you're in for a harder ride. I don't know if it's true, but that is what I'm striving for.
I have let our son "cry it out" like some books suggest and it has worked great. I know some mothers like to pick up their child each time they fuss, but children eventually need to learn to self-soothe.
With our first I was scared to death that he would suffocate in his crib from the bumper or blanket. We use a mesh/breathable bumper around the crib. It does make the crib look plainer, but I got a little more sleep. Funny thing...he actually scrunches up his blanket and buries his face in it when he goes to sleep. I think I was over-paranoid about suffocation. Once they are big enough to move around, I think they are big enough to turn their head when they can't breath.
He had a blankie that he wouldn't sleep without...so when he was seven or eight months old I took it away so he would learn to sleep without it. I heard that the longer you wait to get rid of "sleep aids," the harder it is. I don't know...a blankie and pacifier are pretty harmless, but we travel quite a bit, and I didn't want a screaming child if I had forgotten the blankie. He is sleeping on his own just fine without the blankie now...but it did take a couple of nights and naps of fussing. :( One thing is true...if you wait too long to get rid of sleep-aids, the battle will be much longer.
When he was a couple months old, he would fuss a little when it was time to eat, but when he saw me coming he would begin to SCREAM. I could tell it was a mad, "why aren't you hurrying up, Mom???" scream. We read somewhere that you can train young babies not to bite while nursing by lightly tapping/flicking them on the cheek with your fingers. Not hard enough to be painful; just enough to startle a little. We tried this and at the same time saying, "no screaming" in a low voice. After a couple of times, he no longer screamed when he saw me coming to feed him.
We also used it when he arched his back and tried to flip over when we changed him. I put the diaper changing station on the floor for a few days. If he arched or tried to turn, I would lightly tap him on the leg and say, "Be still." It took being consistent, but now he doesn't move when I say, "be still." Even if I just lay him down and am not changing him! I don't have to wrestle him now that he's bigger and I don't have to worry about reaching for a diaper and him wiggling off the changing table. The training process was NOT fun, but it didn't take long and the end result has been SO WORTH IT! :)
When he began to crawl I had to figure out what was off-limits and what I would babyproof. When he touched something off-limits (like the fireplace, cords), I would tap/flick his hand a couple of times (or just squeeze it lightly), turn him in a different direction, and say, "Don't touch that. Walk away." After he realized I was serious (consistency is key), I could instruct him from across the room and he would back away and crawl in a different direction. The "walk away" is important to the training because initially he would pull his hand away from the forbidden object, but just stand there until the temptation was too much and then reach out again. This saved me much frustration and kept him safe. He eventually learned what was off-limits and stopped trying to go there.
Also, when he got bigger, tapping wasn't working any more...you can read the below books and decide for yourself what mode of training, if any, you want to use.
Below are some books that we keep handy. I've read them through once...and some more than once. They would be worth getting.
What the Bible Says About Child Training, by J. Richard Fugate
One of the best child training books my husband and I ever read. Train to honor and obey implicitly from 0-5, then train in the "why"s (character) from 5-12...etc. It's opposite to what most people are doing - indulgent when the child is young and then restrictive when they are teenagers. If you only get one book, this would be it. This is worth reading at least once a year.
Babywise 2, by Gary Ezzo
The first part of this book is great on child training! The second is on eating, schedule, etc. (It talks about teaching an infant to play in a playpen during parts of the day...because when he becomes mobile, you will need him to already know how to happily play in one so you can go take a shower or get dinner finished.) I have the next books by Gary Ezzo but haven't read them yet. I didn't use all of his suggestions, but there are many great ideas.
To Train Up A Child, by Michael Pearl
The methods in this book are really down to earth. He is very practical and gives lots of examples. This book is one of my favorites, even though I don't agree with him on everything.
No Greater Joy Volume 1 (and 2 and 3), by Michael Pearl
These books are great, too. Again, some things are a little too strong for me, but I really enjoy them because they give real situations and real, step-by-step answers in how to respond.
Shepherding a Child's Heart, by Tedd Tripp
This is a great book on the philosophy of child training. It's not quite as practical as Michael Pearl's books, but it's worth having in the library and reading it every couple of years.
So there you have it. Even though I've written things pretty matter-of-factly, I've come to these conclusions by trial and error. Often the books are pretty clear, but I'm so uncertain in my own parenting that I second-guess myself and wonder if I'm doing the right thing. It's helpful that my husband has read the books, too. As a result, we're not only on the same page, but he can help keep me balanced.
With our second, I have been much more confident in our method of child-training. I'm sure there will be variations as the children grow, but amazingly enough, I've started sooner and it's taken less time to train.
I was told that child training needs to begin at a really young age - even as young as a couple months old. They say that if you can train your child to obey pretty consistently by the time they are one, your work after that will be much easier. I read somewhere else that if you don't bring your child's will under control by the time they are three, you're in for a harder ride. I don't know if it's true, but that is what I'm striving for.
I have let our son "cry it out" like some books suggest and it has worked great. I know some mothers like to pick up their child each time they fuss, but children eventually need to learn to self-soothe.
With our first I was scared to death that he would suffocate in his crib from the bumper or blanket. We use a mesh/breathable bumper around the crib. It does make the crib look plainer, but I got a little more sleep. Funny thing...he actually scrunches up his blanket and buries his face in it when he goes to sleep. I think I was over-paranoid about suffocation. Once they are big enough to move around, I think they are big enough to turn their head when they can't breath.
He had a blankie that he wouldn't sleep without...so when he was seven or eight months old I took it away so he would learn to sleep without it. I heard that the longer you wait to get rid of "sleep aids," the harder it is. I don't know...a blankie and pacifier are pretty harmless, but we travel quite a bit, and I didn't want a screaming child if I had forgotten the blankie. He is sleeping on his own just fine without the blankie now...but it did take a couple of nights and naps of fussing. :( One thing is true...if you wait too long to get rid of sleep-aids, the battle will be much longer.
When he was a couple months old, he would fuss a little when it was time to eat, but when he saw me coming he would begin to SCREAM. I could tell it was a mad, "why aren't you hurrying up, Mom???" scream. We read somewhere that you can train young babies not to bite while nursing by lightly tapping/flicking them on the cheek with your fingers. Not hard enough to be painful; just enough to startle a little. We tried this and at the same time saying, "no screaming" in a low voice. After a couple of times, he no longer screamed when he saw me coming to feed him.
We also used it when he arched his back and tried to flip over when we changed him. I put the diaper changing station on the floor for a few days. If he arched or tried to turn, I would lightly tap him on the leg and say, "Be still." It took being consistent, but now he doesn't move when I say, "be still." Even if I just lay him down and am not changing him! I don't have to wrestle him now that he's bigger and I don't have to worry about reaching for a diaper and him wiggling off the changing table. The training process was NOT fun, but it didn't take long and the end result has been SO WORTH IT! :)
When he began to crawl I had to figure out what was off-limits and what I would babyproof. When he touched something off-limits (like the fireplace, cords), I would tap/flick his hand a couple of times (or just squeeze it lightly), turn him in a different direction, and say, "Don't touch that. Walk away." After he realized I was serious (consistency is key), I could instruct him from across the room and he would back away and crawl in a different direction. The "walk away" is important to the training because initially he would pull his hand away from the forbidden object, but just stand there until the temptation was too much and then reach out again. This saved me much frustration and kept him safe. He eventually learned what was off-limits and stopped trying to go there.
Also, when he got bigger, tapping wasn't working any more...you can read the below books and decide for yourself what mode of training, if any, you want to use.
Below are some books that we keep handy. I've read them through once...and some more than once. They would be worth getting.
What the Bible Says About Child Training, by J. Richard Fugate
One of the best child training books my husband and I ever read. Train to honor and obey implicitly from 0-5, then train in the "why"s (character) from 5-12...etc. It's opposite to what most people are doing - indulgent when the child is young and then restrictive when they are teenagers. If you only get one book, this would be it. This is worth reading at least once a year.
Babywise 2, by Gary Ezzo
The first part of this book is great on child training! The second is on eating, schedule, etc. (It talks about teaching an infant to play in a playpen during parts of the day...because when he becomes mobile, you will need him to already know how to happily play in one so you can go take a shower or get dinner finished.) I have the next books by Gary Ezzo but haven't read them yet. I didn't use all of his suggestions, but there are many great ideas.
To Train Up A Child, by Michael Pearl
The methods in this book are really down to earth. He is very practical and gives lots of examples. This book is one of my favorites, even though I don't agree with him on everything.
No Greater Joy Volume 1 (and 2 and 3), by Michael Pearl
These books are great, too. Again, some things are a little too strong for me, but I really enjoy them because they give real situations and real, step-by-step answers in how to respond.
Shepherding a Child's Heart, by Tedd Tripp
This is a great book on the philosophy of child training. It's not quite as practical as Michael Pearl's books, but it's worth having in the library and reading it every couple of years.
So there you have it. Even though I've written things pretty matter-of-factly, I've come to these conclusions by trial and error. Often the books are pretty clear, but I'm so uncertain in my own parenting that I second-guess myself and wonder if I'm doing the right thing. It's helpful that my husband has read the books, too. As a result, we're not only on the same page, but he can help keep me balanced.
With our second, I have been much more confident in our method of child-training. I'm sure there will be variations as the children grow, but amazingly enough, I've started sooner and it's taken less time to train.
Lotions, Shampoo, etc.
Below is a website someone passed on to me. It calculates how many toxins are in lotions, etc. I was particularly surprised when I saw the numbers for normal brands of baby shampoos/lotions.
~~
http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/
This is what I think I'm going to go with (I'm not completely jumping into the "organic/natural" wagon...but I am trying to find a happy medium). The rating is 1 - 10 (10 being the most toxic)
~Baby Aquaphor diaper cream (rated a 2)
~Earth Mama Angel Baby Natural Stretch Oil (rated a 0) or straight cocoa butter (in a a tube at Walmart/Dollar Store)
~Seventh Generation Unscented Baby Wipes with Aloe Vera & Vit E (rated a 1), Pampers Wipes Natural with Aloe (rated a 3), or Huggies Fragrance Free (rated a 4)
~CVS Lanolin Cream - for nipples (rated a 1) or Lansinoh Nipple Cream (rated a 1)
~Earth Science Pure Essentials Fragrance-Free Shampoo (rated a 2...you can buy it at www.vitacost.com for $4 / 12 oz)
~Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion with Natural Colloidal Oatmeal (rated a 2 and so is the off-brand) or Aveeno Baby Daily Baby Lotion (rated a 2)
~~
http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/
This is what I think I'm going to go with (I'm not completely jumping into the "organic/natural" wagon...but I am trying to find a happy medium). The rating is 1 - 10 (10 being the most toxic)
~Baby Aquaphor diaper cream (rated a 2)
~Earth Mama Angel Baby Natural Stretch Oil (rated a 0) or straight cocoa butter (in a a tube at Walmart/Dollar Store)
~Seventh Generation Unscented Baby Wipes with Aloe Vera & Vit E (rated a 1), Pampers Wipes Natural with Aloe (rated a 3), or Huggies Fragrance Free (rated a 4)
~CVS Lanolin Cream - for nipples (rated a 1) or Lansinoh Nipple Cream (rated a 1)
~Earth Science Pure Essentials Fragrance-Free Shampoo (rated a 2...you can buy it at www.vitacost.com for $4 / 12 oz)
~Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion with Natural Colloidal Oatmeal (rated a 2 and so is the off-brand) or Aveeno Baby Daily Baby Lotion (rated a 2)
Highchairs
Ok - here's what I've found on highchairs. I wanted something that would blend in with the existing furniture. And that didn't have vinyl that would tear or rip. Some of them are a bit pricey.
1) Svan High Chair ($250)
2) Kettler Futura ($109)
3) Kettler Madison ($172)
4) Svan Anka High Chair ($170)
5) STOKKE TRIPP TRAPP® high chair ($249)
We bought the Svan high chair. It was a fun highchair, but food would get stuck in the crevices and we ended up having to polyurethane the wood because it soaked up water every time I wiped it down. The wooden tray does not come off, so the child has to slide in...which is a little hard as they get bigger.
The Fisher-Price Healthy Care Deluxe Booster Seat works great! It attaches to a chair and is low enough that you can still scoot the chair under the table when not in use. Amazon sells it for about $25. I would have gone with this the first time around, if I'd known about it. And it can be used as a booster until they can reach the table. We have one and I really like it.
1) Svan High Chair ($250)
2) Kettler Futura ($109)
3) Kettler Madison ($172)
4) Svan Anka High Chair ($170)
5) STOKKE TRIPP TRAPP® high chair ($249)
We bought the Svan high chair. It was a fun highchair, but food would get stuck in the crevices and we ended up having to polyurethane the wood because it soaked up water every time I wiped it down. The wooden tray does not come off, so the child has to slide in...which is a little hard as they get bigger.
The Fisher-Price Healthy Care Deluxe Booster Seat works great! It attaches to a chair and is low enough that you can still scoot the chair under the table when not in use. Amazon sells it for about $25. I would have gone with this the first time around, if I'd known about it. And it can be used as a booster until they can reach the table. We have one and I really like it.
Registering & Baby Stuff
Some fun baby things:
A friend has always had her babies wear baby pilot hats. I thought it was a good idea - especially during the winter. Babies wear these hats in Romania, too. I found them at www.HannaAndersson.com (European company). I've never seen them in stores, so I guess they are not very popular here in the States.
Size: XXS - 1 - 3 months
Size: XS - 3 - 12 months
Size S - 1 yr - 3 yr
http://www.hannaandersson.com/style.asp?from=SC|6|2|156|47|12||&simg=36305_011
~~~~~~~
Someone gave us a Pogy Travel Crib that we really like. It works great until they start rolling around (5 months or so):
http://www.target.com/gp/search/183-0455788-1824453?field-keywords=pogy&url=index%3Dtarget&ref=sr_bx_1_1&x=0&y=0
~~~~~~~
These are very cool-looking bibs. I haven't bought one yet, but have been eying them for a long time. They are made from diving suit material, I think. BuiltNY. Amazon sells them.
(Update) I actually ended up buying the following bibs from Amazon. They work GREAT and are very easy to clean. AND they keep the mess off clothes while they are learning to eat by themselves. KLADD PRICKAR bibs. You can buy them from Ikea or Amazon. They don't look great online, but they are cute (and VERY functional).
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70179754
~~~~~~~
Also, I read this book a while back, but it was a GREAT help in
learning to photograph a baby. How to Photograph Your Baby (by Kelsh). You can get it at the library.
http://www.amazon.com/Photograph-Your-Baby-Nick-Kelsh/dp/1556708955
~~~~~~~
REGISTERING...
A lot of baby things are personal and depend on your personality. I wrote the things I used and didn't use along with a little synopsis of why. Hope it's helpful!
If you register at Babies R Us, they usually give you a list of things you'll need. I actually didn't use a lot of the things that I thought I would. Here are Target's and Babies R Us' suggested lists:
http://www.toysrus.com/shop/index.jsp?categoryId=2964381
http://sites.target.com/site/en/baby/page.jsp?contentId=WCMP04-036198&ref=DashboardS2010
I would register at Target (only...or in addition to BRU). A lot of people can't get to BRU. And Target has a pretty good return policy when you get duplicates of things, as long as it's on your registry. You can always add it on before you return it if it's not on there, too.
USED A LOT:
Infant Car Seat (5 lbs. - 30 lbs.) Baby Trend Flex Loc Infant Car Seat from BabiesRUs (We thought about getting just one car seat that would hold him from infancy to toddlerhood, but we did end up getting two carseats. You can't carry the infant in the convertible ones, so you end up waking a sleeping baby to get him out of the car. Both carseats we got had bad reviews for ease-of-use on the web, but they were at the top of the list on www.consumerreports.org. I found that the reviews were more "user-related" than actual problems with the seats. It was overwhelming researching this.
Convertible Car Seat (5 lbs. - 100 lbs.) - we got the Eddie Bauer Delux 3 in 1 Convertible Car Seat from Sams for about $40...a fraction of the cost of BRU or Target or Walmart. And it was rated one of the top on Consumer Reports when we bought it.
Waterproof car seat pad (STILL use this!!)
Nice umbrella-type stroller...Chico Capri Stroller from BabiesRUs (We've been very happy with it...but I'm going to have to get an umbrella extension for more shade...I also wish it reclined even more for him to sleep.)
Cheap umbrella-type stroller (for airports and to keep in the back of the car)
Baby Bjorn baby carrier
Mei Tei baby carrier (Baby Hawk)
Pack & Play with bassinet attachment (when they're really little and not sleeping through the night, this was nice to keep in our walk-in closet so I didn't have to get up and walk across the house to feed him at night. Now I use it as a play yard for him to entertain himself while I get dinner or clean.
Pack & Play sheets
Door Jumper (This worked great while I made dinner...he loved it)
Exersaucer (STILL use this!)
Burp clothes! (I ended up using so many that I bought two stacks of white washclothes...and I can use them as rags when they're worn. Make sure they are the soft wash-clothes...not the cheap Walmart ones. I think Macys or JCPennies has 12 for $8-ish. I still use these to wipe up his spills or give him a quick wipe down. We also had some nice embroidered burp clothes for when we went out.)
Bibs (I used some little ones when he was a baby to save on changing his whole outfit 10 times a day from spitting up and drooling.)
Disposable diapers or Cloth Diapers. I know this is a funny thing to add. (See "Cloth Diapers" post.)
Nursing cover...I didn't have one, but I think it would have been really helpful. The blanket was hard to keep in place.
Highchair
Nail clippers
Humidifier, warm mist (Our doctor told us to keep one going at night/naps during winter to help keep any congestion moist. Otherwise it could cause ear infections, chest infections, etc. We did, and he never got an ear infection.) We got a cheap one from Walmart that didn't require a filter. And if you use a few drops of eucalyptus oil, it helps nip colds in the bud.
Thermometer
Gripe Water (all-natural gas relief liquid) We should have bought stock in this company...we went through so many bottles.
Bulb syringe (Make sure you get the one that is one piece of plastic. The one with the soft plastic bulb and hard plastic nose piece didn't work very well.)
Baby Wipes
Changing pad and cover
Crib...they are all relatively safe these days since they have to abide to really strict guidelines. I almost bought a convertible crib (converts from crib to toddler bed and then twin or double bed), but realized that I would rather get a nice crib I liked to use with all the kids then keep buying a new convertible crib for each baby. Then we'll get twin beds when they move up from the crib. That way it doesn't matter if the babies chew on them or jump on them (or spit up all over the rails...). One thing I would look for in the reviews is whether or not it scratches easily. We got ours from Babies R Us and are really happy with it...although we had to put a guard on it because our son chewed on it while teething.
Also, you can read reviews on Babies R Us website and even google "crib reviews." After reading all the reviews on Babies R Us, we actually went down to look at the cribs in person and a lot of them were already scratched up...even with good reviews. Some weren't though...so that's a good test.
Crib mattress
Crib mattress plastic SIDS cover (see "SIDS" post.)
Large flannel blanket for swaddling. If you sew or know someone who does, that's the best way to go. I haven't found large enough ones otherwise.
Wearable blanket - this worked great during the winter when he wouldn't stay swaddled anymore.
Clothes...Baby clothes sizes are not to scale. :) Our son grew out of the 0-3months size when he was about four weeks old. And to make it more difficult, some brands run bigger and some smaller. I feel like I'm constantly going through his clothes and switching out the small and adding the next size up. :) It has slowed down as he's gotten older, though.
I thought I was conservative in the outfits I bought...but there were soooo many he never even wore! I would only get three or four cute outfits for church/outings in the 0-3 month size. When they are so tiny, it's hard to get them in and out of outfits, and they spit up so much (and get dirty/wet) throughout the day, that when I was at home, I just used the footed pjs (I liked the zipper only much better than the snap ones). I had about 4 or 5, but I often used them all in one day, so this next time I got a few more.
The wrap white shirts (a onsie without the bottom section) also worked great for those first 6 weeks when it was hard to get things over his head.
Baby Clothes Sizes:
Premie (usually up to eight pounds)
0-3 months
3 months
3-6 months
6 months
6-9 months
6-12 months
9 months
9-12 months
12 months
12-18 months
18 months
18-24 months
24 months (before their 2-year growth spurt)
2 T (longer and not as big around the waist)
3 T
etc.
2) I've come up with a handful of "must-haves" for me. Of course I have a boy, so girl clothes are a WHOLE different world.
0-3 month
~Pilot hats (for newborns during any season [protects from wind] and toddlers during winter)
~Side snap shirts (when they are infants, the over-the-head onesies are hard to get on and off...especially at night when they are soaking wet)
~Socks don't usually stay on...so only a couple pairs to go with outfits
~Outfits...four or so (for going out and church)
~Baby footed pjs (The ones with a zipper!!! You'll need these for all seasons since babies kick off blankets)
~Large square blanket for bundling
3-6 month and on
~One pair of jean shorts/jeans
~One pair of khaki shorts/pants
~One pair of corduroys (during cold weather)
~Misc shirts for play/church
(I tried buying different colors of pants, but they would only go with certain shirts. It has been difficult enough to switch out his clothes and making sure everything fits, so this makes it easier for me.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DIDN'T USE:
Shopping cart cover (I just carry disinfectant wipes in the car...the cover is just too bulky for me.)
Baby Travel system/large stroller...(an infant car seat that fits inside of a stroller) (I used my stroller so little when our son was small. I just bought a really nice umbrella-type stroller that reclined and used it even when he couldn't yet sit up on his own. The other just seems so bulky and hard to maneuver to me.) Also, my mom said that they are not worth the money...and you don't end up using them as much as you thought. We didn't get one, so I don't know. When the baby is little, you can put the car seat in a regular umbrella stroller. Face the carseat forward and wedge it in the stroller. It won't snap in, but it is secure (as long as you don't go off-road). :)
Bouncer (our son never liked his bouncer because it would move when he kicked his legs and it would scare him. I had to prop it up with something so it wouldn't move.) It may have just been the style.
Baby Swing (I never bought one because I wanted our son to learn to fall asleep without being rocked...and I just thought it was an extra piece of baby equipment in the living room. :)
Gyms/tummy-time stations...I'm a minimalist, so a blanket and a few toys worked great for me.
Sterilizer (I didn't use bottles frequently. When I did, I would just pop them in the dishwasher, and that worked fine.)
Nursing pillow (Boppy) I had one, but it was more comfortable for me to just hold our son while he nursed.
Baby Food Processor - there are some cool ones out there, but a regular food processor worked great for us. Just boil/steam the vegetables/fruit until soft and then pop into the processor and freeze in baby food jars or icecube trays.
Highchair splash mat...I fed him myself until he was ready to learn not to throw things on the floor. We also have tile, so it didn't matter if something dropped.
Baby Bathtub...we had one, but he was so cold in it because only his bottom section was in the water. I ended up using a towel in the bathtub with a couple inches of water.
Hooded bath towels...we had two or three different kinds and didn't like any of them. They never seemed big enough. We ended up using a towel.
Diaper bag - I actually didn't end up using a diaper bag. It was too bulky for me to carry along with the baby. So I found a small (very chic!) backpack which has worked great.
Bedding set/bumper (I had one, but when he was a couple months old, I had to take it off because he would pull it down to be able to see outside the crib. It didn't stay in place with him pulling on it, so I just took it off.) I found a velcro "breathable" bumper and REALLY like it. (Target carries the breathable ones.)
Sleep positioner (Since I had the SIDS mattress cover, I let him sleep on his stomach from the time he was 2 or 3 weeks old.)
Diaper stacker (I just used a basket)
A friend has always had her babies wear baby pilot hats. I thought it was a good idea - especially during the winter. Babies wear these hats in Romania, too. I found them at www.HannaAndersson.com (European company). I've never seen them in stores, so I guess they are not very popular here in the States.
Size: XXS - 1 - 3 months
Size: XS - 3 - 12 months
Size S - 1 yr - 3 yr
http://www.hannaandersson.com/style.asp?from=SC|6|2|156|47|12||&simg=36305_011
~~~~~~~
Someone gave us a Pogy Travel Crib that we really like. It works great until they start rolling around (5 months or so):
http://www.target.com/gp/search/183-0455788-1824453?field-keywords=pogy&url=index%3Dtarget&ref=sr_bx_1_1&x=0&y=0
~~~~~~~
These are very cool-looking bibs. I haven't bought one yet, but have been eying them for a long time. They are made from diving suit material, I think. BuiltNY. Amazon sells them.
(Update) I actually ended up buying the following bibs from Amazon. They work GREAT and are very easy to clean. AND they keep the mess off clothes while they are learning to eat by themselves. KLADD PRICKAR bibs. You can buy them from Ikea or Amazon. They don't look great online, but they are cute (and VERY functional).
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70179754
~~~~~~~
Also, I read this book a while back, but it was a GREAT help in
learning to photograph a baby. How to Photograph Your Baby (by Kelsh). You can get it at the library.
http://www.amazon.com/Photograph-Your-Baby-Nick-Kelsh/dp/1556708955
~~~~~~~
REGISTERING...
A lot of baby things are personal and depend on your personality. I wrote the things I used and didn't use along with a little synopsis of why. Hope it's helpful!
If you register at Babies R Us, they usually give you a list of things you'll need. I actually didn't use a lot of the things that I thought I would. Here are Target's and Babies R Us' suggested lists:
http://www.toysrus.com/shop/index.jsp?categoryId=2964381
http://sites.target.com/site/en/baby/page.jsp?contentId=WCMP04-036198&ref=DashboardS2010
I would register at Target (only...or in addition to BRU). A lot of people can't get to BRU. And Target has a pretty good return policy when you get duplicates of things, as long as it's on your registry. You can always add it on before you return it if it's not on there, too.
USED A LOT:
Infant Car Seat (5 lbs. - 30 lbs.) Baby Trend Flex Loc Infant Car Seat from BabiesRUs (We thought about getting just one car seat that would hold him from infancy to toddlerhood, but we did end up getting two carseats. You can't carry the infant in the convertible ones, so you end up waking a sleeping baby to get him out of the car. Both carseats we got had bad reviews for ease-of-use on the web, but they were at the top of the list on www.consumerreports.org. I found that the reviews were more "user-related" than actual problems with the seats.
Convertible Car Seat (5 lbs. - 100 lbs.) - we got the Eddie Bauer Delux 3 in 1 Convertible Car Seat from Sams for about $40...a fraction of the cost of BRU or Target or Walmart. And it was rated one of the top on Consumer Reports when we bought it.
Waterproof car seat pad (STILL use this!!)
Nice umbrella-type stroller...Chico Capri Stroller from BabiesRUs (We've been very happy with it...but I'm going to have to get an umbrella extension for more shade...I also wish it reclined even more for him to sleep.)
Cheap umbrella-type stroller (for airports and to keep in the back of the car)
Baby Bjorn baby carrier
Mei Tei baby carrier (Baby Hawk)
Pack & Play with bassinet attachment (when they're really little and not sleeping through the night, this was nice to keep in our walk-in closet so I didn't have to get up and walk across the house to feed him at night. Now I use it as a play yard for him to entertain himself while I get dinner or clean.
Pack & Play sheets
Door Jumper (This worked great while I made dinner...he loved it)
Exersaucer (STILL use this!)
Burp clothes! (I ended up using so many that I bought two stacks of white washclothes...and I can use them as rags when they're worn. Make sure they are the soft wash-clothes...not the cheap Walmart ones. I think Macys or JCPennies has 12 for $8-ish. I still use these to wipe up his spills or give him a quick wipe down. We also had some nice embroidered burp clothes for when we went out.)
Bibs (I used some little ones when he was a baby to save on changing his whole outfit 10 times a day from spitting up and drooling.)
Disposable diapers or Cloth Diapers. I know this is a funny thing to add. (See "Cloth Diapers" post.)
Nursing cover...I didn't have one, but I think it would have been really helpful. The blanket was hard to keep in place.
Highchair
Nail clippers
Humidifier, warm mist (Our doctor told us to keep one going at night/naps during winter to help keep any congestion moist. Otherwise it could cause ear infections, chest infections, etc. We did, and he never got an ear infection.) We got a cheap one from Walmart that didn't require a filter. And if you use a few drops of eucalyptus oil, it helps nip colds in the bud.
Thermometer
Gripe Water (all-natural gas relief liquid) We should have bought stock in this company...we went through so many bottles.
Bulb syringe (Make sure you get the one that is one piece of plastic. The one with the soft plastic bulb and hard plastic nose piece didn't work very well.)
Baby Wipes
Changing pad and cover
Crib...they are all relatively safe these days since they have to abide to really strict guidelines. I almost bought a convertible crib (converts from crib to toddler bed and then twin or double bed), but realized that I would rather get a nice crib I liked to use with all the kids then keep buying a new convertible crib for each baby. Then we'll get twin beds when they move up from the crib. That way it doesn't matter if the babies chew on them or jump on them (or spit up all over the rails...). One thing I would look for in the reviews is whether or not it scratches easily. We got ours from Babies R Us and are really happy with it...although we had to put a guard on it because our son chewed on it while teething.
Also, you can read reviews on Babies R Us website and even google "crib reviews." After reading all the reviews on Babies R Us, we actually went down to look at the cribs in person and a lot of them were already scratched up...even with good reviews. Some weren't though...so that's a good test.
Crib mattress
Crib mattress plastic SIDS cover (see "SIDS" post.)
Large flannel blanket for swaddling. If you sew or know someone who does, that's the best way to go. I haven't found large enough ones otherwise.
Wearable blanket - this worked great during the winter when he wouldn't stay swaddled anymore.
Clothes...Baby clothes sizes are not to scale. :) Our son grew out of the 0-3months size when he was about four weeks old. And to make it more difficult, some brands run bigger and some smaller. I feel like I'm constantly going through his clothes and switching out the small and adding the next size up. :) It has slowed down as he's gotten older, though.
I thought I was conservative in the outfits I bought...but there were soooo many he never even wore! I would only get three or four cute outfits for church/outings in the 0-3 month size. When they are so tiny, it's hard to get them in and out of outfits, and they spit up so much (and get dirty/wet) throughout the day, that when I was at home, I just used the footed pjs (I liked the zipper only much better than the snap ones). I had about 4 or 5, but I often used them all in one day, so this next time I got a few more.
The wrap white shirts (a onsie without the bottom section) also worked great for those first 6 weeks when it was hard to get things over his head.
Baby Clothes Sizes:
Premie (usually up to eight pounds)
0-3 months
3 months
3-6 months
6 months
6-9 months
6-12 months
9 months
9-12 months
12 months
12-18 months
18 months
18-24 months
24 months (before their 2-year growth spurt)
2 T (longer and not as big around the waist)
3 T
etc.
2) I've come up with a handful of "must-haves" for me. Of course I have a boy, so girl clothes are a WHOLE different world.
0-3 month
~Pilot hats (for newborns during any season [protects from wind] and toddlers during winter)
~Side snap shirts (when they are infants, the over-the-head onesies are hard to get on and off...especially at night when they are soaking wet)
~Socks don't usually stay on...so only a couple pairs to go with outfits
~Outfits...four or so (for going out and church)
~Baby footed pjs (The ones with a zipper!!! You'll need these for all seasons since babies kick off blankets)
~Large square blanket for bundling
3-6 month and on
~One pair of jean shorts/jeans
~One pair of khaki shorts/pants
~One pair of corduroys (during cold weather)
~Misc shirts for play/church
(I tried buying different colors of pants, but they would only go with certain shirts. It has been difficult enough to switch out his clothes and making sure everything fits, so this makes it easier for me.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DIDN'T USE:
Shopping cart cover (I just carry disinfectant wipes in the car...the cover is just too bulky for me.)
Baby Travel system/large stroller...(an infant car seat that fits inside of a stroller) (I used my stroller so little when our son was small. I just bought a really nice umbrella-type stroller that reclined and used it even when he couldn't yet sit up on his own. The other just seems so bulky and hard to maneuver to me.) Also, my mom said that they are not worth the money...and you don't end up using them as much as you thought. We didn't get one, so I don't know. When the baby is little, you can put the car seat in a regular umbrella stroller. Face the carseat forward and wedge it in the stroller. It won't snap in, but it is secure (as long as you don't go off-road). :)
Bouncer (our son never liked his bouncer because it would move when he kicked his legs and it would scare him. I had to prop it up with something so it wouldn't move.) It may have just been the style.
Baby Swing (I never bought one because I wanted our son to learn to fall asleep without being rocked...and I just thought it was an extra piece of baby equipment in the living room. :)
Gyms/tummy-time stations...I'm a minimalist, so a blanket and a few toys worked great for me.
Sterilizer (I didn't use bottles frequently. When I did, I would just pop them in the dishwasher, and that worked fine.)
Nursing pillow (Boppy) I had one, but it was more comfortable for me to just hold our son while he nursed.
Baby Food Processor - there are some cool ones out there, but a regular food processor worked great for us. Just boil/steam the vegetables/fruit until soft and then pop into the processor and freeze in baby food jars or icecube trays.
Highchair splash mat...I fed him myself until he was ready to learn not to throw things on the floor. We also have tile, so it didn't matter if something dropped.
Baby Bathtub...we had one, but he was so cold in it because only his bottom section was in the water. I ended up using a towel in the bathtub with a couple inches of water.
Hooded bath towels...we had two or three different kinds and didn't like any of them. They never seemed big enough. We ended up using a towel.
Diaper bag - I actually didn't end up using a diaper bag. It was too bulky for me to carry along with the baby. So I found a small (very chic!) backpack which has worked great.
Bedding set/bumper (I had one, but when he was a couple months old, I had to take it off because he would pull it down to be able to see outside the crib. It didn't stay in place with him pulling on it, so I just took it off.) I found a velcro "breathable" bumper and REALLY like it. (Target carries the breathable ones.)
Sleep positioner (Since I had the SIDS mattress cover, I let him sleep on his stomach from the time he was 2 or 3 weeks old.)
Diaper stacker (I just used a basket)
DHS
A friend of mine had someone call DHS on her. It was very unfounded, but the police came and spoke with her and she had someone from DHS come and speak with her. Her husband was in Iraq at the time and she has three children. Anyway, it worked out just fine - DHS realized that there was no reason for intervention, and they just dropped it. But it made me realize that there are people out there who desire to harm. I have another friend who worked in the District Attorney's office and below is her e-mail to me regarding the situation.
~~~
It is my thought that the DHS worker will see the report for what it is & not do anything. She may offer your friend some services (which would be voluntary), but that’s probably it. They are required by law to look into certain reports (some reports they can just screen out, it depends on the allegation). The worker will probably talk to her, the children & take a look around the house. I would tell her to be cooperative with the worker & it might be a good idea to provide the worker with a list of people the worker can call as references (the more independent the better)—if you feel comfortable vouching for her then tell her to give your name & # to the worker.
DHS investigates many reports & most of the time they do not remove children without good reason. If the worker decides a child is at risk of harm & they think the child needs to be removed, they discuss the case with a supervisor & then they have to get one of the District Attorneys to review a Pick up Order & then the Pick Up Order has to be signed by a Judge. (My note: Someone can't just walk into your home and take your children without a court order.) When I was at the DA’s office, I did have a Judge decline to sign the pick up order. When the kids are removed, they are taken to a shelter. The next day there is a hearing in front of a Referee (mini judge). He decides if the kids can remain in custody. It is very rare for the referee to return kids at that hearing, but it has happened. Once a child is removed, it is a long process to get them returned that can take several months up to years. If the parents don’t do what is court ordered, the state can move for their parental rights to be terminated.
That is a really brief synopsis of the court process. DHS workers are overworked & underpaid & b/c of the high level of stress, there is a very high turnover rate. Let me know if you have any more specific questions about DHS & I’ll try to answer them. When I was at the DA’s office I do not recall seeing very many instances where I thought kids were wrongfully removed. More often, I felt DHS should have done more in some cases to protect children.
~~~
It is my thought that the DHS worker will see the report for what it is & not do anything. She may offer your friend some services (which would be voluntary), but that’s probably it. They are required by law to look into certain reports (some reports they can just screen out, it depends on the allegation). The worker will probably talk to her, the children & take a look around the house. I would tell her to be cooperative with the worker & it might be a good idea to provide the worker with a list of people the worker can call as references (the more independent the better)—if you feel comfortable vouching for her then tell her to give your name & # to the worker.
DHS investigates many reports & most of the time they do not remove children without good reason. If the worker decides a child is at risk of harm & they think the child needs to be removed, they discuss the case with a supervisor & then they have to get one of the District Attorneys to review a Pick up Order & then the Pick Up Order has to be signed by a Judge. (My note: Someone can't just walk into your home and take your children without a court order.) When I was at the DA’s office, I did have a Judge decline to sign the pick up order. When the kids are removed, they are taken to a shelter. The next day there is a hearing in front of a Referee (mini judge). He decides if the kids can remain in custody. It is very rare for the referee to return kids at that hearing, but it has happened. Once a child is removed, it is a long process to get them returned that can take several months up to years. If the parents don’t do what is court ordered, the state can move for their parental rights to be terminated.
That is a really brief synopsis of the court process. DHS workers are overworked & underpaid & b/c of the high level of stress, there is a very high turnover rate. Let me know if you have any more specific questions about DHS & I’ll try to answer them. When I was at the DA’s office I do not recall seeing very many instances where I thought kids were wrongfully removed. More often, I felt DHS should have done more in some cases to protect children.
Fun Nursery Designs
The following link has some very fun nursery designs.
http://www.roomzaar.com/rate-my-space/Nurseries/gallery.esi?sortOrder=3&page=2
http://www.roomzaar.com/rate-my-space/Nurseries/gallery.esi?sortOrder=3&page=2
Schedules & Milestones
The following was taken from:
http://www.babywisemom.com/2008/05/helpful-routine-information.html
Phase One: 1 – 2 months (Stabilization Period)
0-2 weeks
* 2.5-3 hour cycle
* 7-8 feedings (however, in Babywise it says 8-10 feedings in a 24 hour period)
* 6-8 naps (though I think it can be 5-8 naps)
* Nap are 1 hour -1.5 hours long
* Waketime is 15-30 minutes long (I am not sure if this included feeding time; I find it to be more like 15-45 minutes long--many two week olds will stay awake only long enough to eat, which is why there is the 15 minute length)
* Sample schedule from this age:
7:00 am
10:00 am
1:00 pm
4:00 pm
7:00 pm
10:00 pm (no waketime after feeding)
1:00 am (no waketime after feeding)
4:00 am (no waketime after feeding)
(If it were me, I would have 2.5 time intervals in the day so there are at most 2 night feedings...I consider 10 pm to be night feeding).
3-8 weeks
* 3-3.5 hour feeding cycle (However, in Babywise it says between weeks 5-8, your baby might be ready to eat every 2.5-3.5 hours. So I would say 2.5-3 hour until 5 weeks, then maybe 2.5-3.5 if baby is ready)
* 6-8 feedings (However, in Babywise it says between weeks 5-8, your baby might be able to go down to 7 feedings in a 24 hour period--but only after she starts sleeping 7-8 hours at night. It also says not to go down to 6 feedings until after 8 weeks old)
* 5-6 naps (though the exact number is going to depend on how many feedings you have in the daytime)
* Naps are 1.5-2 hours long (though I would add that they can be as short as 1 hour if you are still on a 2.5 hour cycle)
* Waketime is 30-45 minutes (though I think some might be able to go as long as one hour)
* Sample schedule from this age: *=no waketime after feeding
7:00 am
10:00 am
1:00 pm
4:00 pm
7:00 pm
10:00 pm (no waketime after feeding)
1:00 to 3:00 am (no waketime after feeding)
*Additional am [possible]
Phase Two: 3-4 months (Extended Night Period)
9-15 Weeks
* 3-4 hour feeding cycle (though Babywise says this shouldn't happen until weeks 12-15 at the earliest. So I would say anywhere from 2.5-3.5 hour cycle, moving possibly toward 4 hour cycle at the end of this phase)
* 5-6 feedings in a 24 hour period (Though Babywise says starting at 13 weeks, your baby should be at 5-7 feedings a day)
* 4-5 naps (though exact number does depend on number of daytime feedings)
* Naps are 1.5-2 hours long (though Babywise does say 1.5 hours)
* Waketime is 30-60 minutes long (some babies might be able to move up to 1.5 hour waketime, and most should be able to do 60 minutes total at least)
* Sample schedule for this period:
7:00 am
10:30 am
2:00 pm
5:30 pm
9:00 pm (no waketime after feeding)
11:30 pm (no waketime after feeding)
Sleeping through the night!!!! The goal! (STTN means Baby can gradually move to 9-10 hours of continuous sleep if breastfed, 11 hours if bottlefed. I will also add, you don't want to extend your routine until baby is sleeping through the night. You also don't want to extend it until that dreamfeed is dropped, so that 11:30 feeding would be gone before you dropped daytime feedings. You want long, continuous sleep at night for optimal development. So, if this were me, I would have a 7:30 feeding right before bed. I also wouldn't have that 9 and 11:30 feedings. If baby needed an extra feeding, I would shorten the daytime schedule back to three hours to work the right number of feedings in).
Phase Three: 4-5 Months (Extended Day Period)
16-24 Weeks
* 4 hour feeding cycle (though I will point out that not all babies are there yet, so don't stress if yours isn't)
* 4-5 feedings (though Babywise says 4-6 liquid feedings)
* 3 naps
* Naps are 1.5-2 hours in length
* Waketime is 45-75 minutes (could possibly be 1.5 and maybe even two hours--but be aware if longer waketimes start creating shorter naps--I also think babies this age will be able t do at least 60 minutes of waketime)
* Sample Schedule for this age:
8:00 am
12:00 pm
4:00 pm
8:00 pm (no waketime after feeding)
Phase Four: 5 Months and Older (Extended Routine Period)
25 weeks and older
* Family Cycle (this means baby will align meals with the family. Be aware that you need 4-5 liquid feedings. Most babies will stick with that 4 hour routine until close to a year)
* 2 naps a day (however, this doesn't happen until 6 months at the earliest. By 6 months, Babywise says most babies can drop that third nap. Babywise II says a 6 month old will need 2 naps and a catnap (short nap). I have found Babywise II to be more accurate for my children. Both Babywise II and Toddlerwise say that by 8 months, most babies will be able to drop that 3rd nap (catnap). Remember, you are the parent. If you have a big sleeper and she is still sleeping well at night, you don't need to eliminate that nap.)
* Waketime of 60-90 minutes (though baby will be able to move to at least 2 hours and longer during this time period)
* Sample Schedule for this age:
8:00 am + solids
12:00 pm + solids
5:00 pm + solids
8:00 pm
~~~
http://www.babywisemom.com/2008/03/sample-schedules.html
Birth:
Kaitlyn was a born sleeper and I had to wake her for every feeding at first. Also, we gradually included waketimes. She was so sleepy I could only force one waketime out of her at first (beyond feeding). We added one waketime per week. So some naps started immediately following a feeding, so I will just list feeding on this list:
7:30--nurse
10:30--nurse
1:00--nurse
4:00--nurse
6:30--nurse
9:00--nurse
I went to bed after the 9:00 nursing. She then woke twice in the night to nurse.
McKenna also seems to be a born sleeper. She does have a short waketime after feedings, but not long. Her total waketime (including feeding) varies from 30-45 minutes. She then sleeps until her next feeding. Here is her actual schedule as a newborn:
7:45--nurse. My goal is for a 7:30 waketime, but 7:45 works quite well for us. At some point in the future I will shoot for 7:30, but for now we are typically at 7:45-8:00.
10:30--nurse
1:00--nurse
4:00--nurse
7:00--nurse
9:30--nurse. This actually can vary from 9:30-10:00 PM.
I then go to bed. She typically wakes on her own somewhere around 2 AM. I then wake her around 5:30 AM so she will be hungry enough to eat at our first feeding in the morning. Once she is old enough to go to 7 feedings a day, I will let her drop one of these night feedings.
4 Weeks:
Around four weeks, the schedule I had created for Kaitlyn started to change. She had different plans :). At four weeks, we were still working on waketimes, but had all but one or two down.
7:30--nurse
8:30--nap
10:00--nurse
11:00--nap
1:00--nurse
2:00--nap
4:00--nurse
5:00--nap
6:30--nurse
7:30--nap
8:30--nurse then bed
She continued with the two night nursings. This schedule continued for a while. Some days, the 10 AM nursing would be 10:30. Also, some days the 4 PM nursing would be 3:30. Around 8 weeks, she dropped one night nursing. Around 9 weeks, I tried to force a dreamfeed at 10:30, but she would not wake up.
For McKenna, her schedule stayed pretty much the same. I had noticed by then that McKenna didn't eat well if it was sooner than 3 hours:
7:45--nurse
10:30--nurse
1:30--nurse
4:30--nurse
7:00--nurse
10:00--nurse
I still woke her twice in the night.
6 Weeks
Kaitlyn's schedule stayed pretty much the same. Here is McKenna's six week schedule:
7:15-7:45--nurse. I changed our 30 minute window to this.
10:30--nurse
1:30--nurse
4:30--nurse
7:00--nurse
10:00--nurse
She woke twice in the night for the first half of 6 weeks old, then went down to once a night.
3 Months:
At this age, the schedule for Kaitlyn moved more toward my original plan.
7:30--nurse
8:30--nap
10:30--nurse
11:30--nap
1:00--nurse
2:00--nap
4:00--nurse
5:00--nap
6:30--nurse
7:30--bed
10:00--nurse then bed (dreamfeed)
At this age, her night feeding was in those early morning hours, usually around 6 AM. I believe she dropped that feeding around 4 months.
FOR MCKENNA
Things did vary week to week, but here is a typical day:
8:00--nurse
8:50--nap
11:00--nurse
12:00--nap
2:00--nurse
3:00--nap
4:30--nurse
5:40--nap
7:00--nurse then straight to bed
10:00--dreamfeed
There would then be a feeding on one side around 5:30 AM. During this month, she extended her night feedings so that she started to make it to 7-7:15 in the morning. On those days, we started the day then and then she had a long nap in the morning. Those days looked like:
7:00--nurse
7:50--nap
10:30--nurse
11:30--nap
2:00--nurse
3:00--nap
4:30--nurse
5:40--nap
7:00--nurse then straight to bed
10:00--dreamfeed
4 Months:
Kaitlyn's schedule didn't change much, but she did drop a nap. We also started solids at 4 months, so solid feeding times are listed as they were once we had all three.
7:30--nurse + solids
8:30--nap
10:30--nurse
11:30--nap
1:30--nurse + solids
2:30--nap
4:30--nurse
6:30--nurse + solids then bed
9:45--nurse the bed (dreamfeed). I was starting to move it back in preparation for dropping it.
FOR MCKENNA
The first couple of week of 4 months old were a bit unpredictable due to early morning feeds. Once she hit 19 weeks, though, things smoothed out.
7:00--nurse
7:50--nap
10:30--nurse and cereal
11:30--nap
1:30--nurse
3:00--nap
4:30--nurse and sweet potatoes toward the end of the month
6:00--nap
6:30--she would wake, or I would wake her. Some days, she didn't take this nap
7:00--nurse then straight to bed
10:30ish--dreamfeed
6 Months:
I finally relinquished the dreamfeed. Kaitlyn basically started to refuse to wake up and eat, so I consented and dropped it. Her waketime had also started to extend a bit, and she started to need to go longer in the morning between feedings.
7:30--nurse + solids
8:45--nap
11:00--nurse
12:15--nap
2:00--nurse + solids
3:15--nap
5:00--nurse
7:00--nurse + solids then bed
FOR MCKENNA
8:00--nurse + solids
9:10--nap
12:00--nurse+ solids
1:15--nap
4:15--nurse + solids
6:00--nap
8:00--nurse then bed
10:00--dreamfeed
7 Months:
About a week before Kaitlyn turned 7 months, I finally moved her to the 4 hour schedule.
7:30--nurse + solids
8:50--nap
11:30--nurse + solids
1:00--nap
3:30--nurse
5:00--nap
7:00--nurse + solids then bed (I woke her up earlier than 4 hours because I wanted her in bed for the night to get 12 hours of sleep)
FOR MCKENNA
8:00--nurse + solids
9:30--nap
12:00--nurse + solids
1:30--nap
4:15--nurse + solids
6:00--nap
7:45--nurse + solids then bed
9 Months:
At 9 months, I started trying to drop the third nap. It was a weaning process. We started by shortening it over time. It got down to the point of being only 1 hour long, then 45 minutes. Then she would have some days she wouldn't need the nap. Those days, I would feed her at 6:30 if needed so we could get her in bed earlier.
11 Months:
7:30--nurse + solids
9:15--nap
11:30--nurse + solids
1:15--nap
3:45--nurse
7:00--nurse + solids then bed
Other Items
These sample schedules only include eating and sleeping, not other activities (like independent play).
~~
http://www.babywisemom.com/2008/02/babywise-milestones.html
Babywise Milestones
In this post, I list the different "milestones" you can reach through Babywise. I list this with the caution that many of these are averages. To create an average, you add together a lot of numbers. The average is a number that was created out of smaller and larger numbers. Remember, you are the parent. Look at the averages and asses where your baby falls in the spectrum of expectation. She may be higher and she may be lower.
I also want to remind you that these are numbers based on babies who did BW from birth. If you started late, you might be behind on some for a while. I was behind with Brayden until he was 6 months old (we started at 9 weeks). Also, if you don't follow all BW principles, you might not receive all BW benefits. You are the parent, so you get to decide what to do, but don't expect all benefits unless you practice all principles.
BIRTH TO 8 WEEKS
This is called the stabilization period. I found that to be so true with Kaitlyn. One night when she was 8-9 weeks old, I told my husband that she seemed to just be in her niche, and that it seemed she was just stabilized. Then it hit me that the time period had already been dubbed as stabilization. Also, many things need to be followed closely in this period, such as feeding intervals and number of feedings.
* Feed every 2.5-3 hours
* Have 8-10 feedings in a 24 hour period
* Do not let baby sleep more than 5 hours if you are breastfeeding until 5 weeks of age
* There will be about 6-8 naps a day, depending on the number of feedings
* Naps will be 1-1.5 hours long
* Between weeks 5-8, your baby might be ready to eat every 2.5-3.5 hours
* Between weeks 5-8, your baby might be able to go down to 7 feedings in a 24 hour period (but only after she starts sleeping 7-8 hours at night)
* By 8 weeks old, your baby most likely will be sleeping 7-8 hours consistently
* 15% of babies don't start sleeping 7-8 hours until they are 10-12 weeks old
* After 8 weeks old, your baby might be able to move to 6 feedings in 24 hours
WEEKS 9-15
* Baby can gradually move to 9-10 hours of continuous sleep if breastfed, 11 hours if bottlefed
* Remember that 15% of BW babies don't start sleeping 7-8 hours until they are 10-12 weeks old
* Baby's naps should be about 1.5 hours long
* Most babies drop the late night feeding in this period (aka Dreamfeed)
* Between weeks 12-15, your baby might be able to move to a combination 3-4 hour schedule
* Starting at 13 weeks, your baby should be at 5-7 feedings a day
* This is also the age where many babies begin their early morning talking (waking in 5 or 6 AM hour). This can last longer than one month. See page 132 in Babywise for more information.
WEEKS 16-24
* 4-6 liquid feedings a day
* Baby moves to 10-12 hours at night
* Baby will need 3 naps of 1.5-2 hours in length--but remember that some will take a 45 minute nap for the 3rd, and that is just fine
WEEKS 25-52 (6 months to 1 year)
* Feedings stay pretty close to the same as they are at 24 weeks (6 months), assuming you were eating 4-5 times a day
* You want 4-5 nursings
* By the end of this time period, you move to 3 feedings, with the exception of 4th and maybe 5th nursings to maintain milk supply
* Naps are 1.5-2.5 hours long
* By 6 months, Babywise says most babies can drop that third nap. Babywise II says a 6 month old will need 2 naps and a catnap (short nap). I have found Babywise II to be more accurate for my children
* Both Babywise II and Toddlerwise say that by 8 months, most babies will be able to drop that 3rd nap (catnap). Remember, you are the parent. If you have a big sleeper and she is still sleeping well at night, you don't need to eliminate that nap. At nearly 10 months old, Kaitlyn still needs it some nights
* Once the third nap is dropped, waketime increases, and often the length of the other two naps increase also. Instead, you might increase nighttime sleep if baby wasn't sleeping 12 hours. Decide what is best for your baby
16-20 MONTHS
* Babywise says the morning nap will be dropped between 16-20 months old. Babywise II says between 18-20 months old the morning nap will be dropped
* Toddlerwise describes our nap change experience better. Between 16-18 months old, the two naps get shorter. I believe Brayden was 15 months old when it began for him. Then between 18-20 months, you transition to one longer afternoon nap. We made the move at 17 months old.
* Toddlerwise says that the crib to bed transition typically happens between the ages of 18-24 months old.
Hopefully this quick reference can aide you when you want to know what you can expect your baby to be ready for in the near future.
http://www.babywisemom.com/2008/05/helpful-routine-information.html
Phase One: 1 – 2 months (Stabilization Period)
0-2 weeks
* 2.5-3 hour cycle
* 7-8 feedings (however, in Babywise it says 8-10 feedings in a 24 hour period)
* 6-8 naps (though I think it can be 5-8 naps)
* Nap are 1 hour -1.5 hours long
* Waketime is 15-30 minutes long (I am not sure if this included feeding time; I find it to be more like 15-45 minutes long--many two week olds will stay awake only long enough to eat, which is why there is the 15 minute length)
* Sample schedule from this age:
7:00 am
10:00 am
1:00 pm
4:00 pm
7:00 pm
10:00 pm (no waketime after feeding)
1:00 am (no waketime after feeding)
4:00 am (no waketime after feeding)
(If it were me, I would have 2.5 time intervals in the day so there are at most 2 night feedings...I consider 10 pm to be night feeding).
3-8 weeks
* 3-3.5 hour feeding cycle (However, in Babywise it says between weeks 5-8, your baby might be ready to eat every 2.5-3.5 hours. So I would say 2.5-3 hour until 5 weeks, then maybe 2.5-3.5 if baby is ready)
* 6-8 feedings (However, in Babywise it says between weeks 5-8, your baby might be able to go down to 7 feedings in a 24 hour period--but only after she starts sleeping 7-8 hours at night. It also says not to go down to 6 feedings until after 8 weeks old)
* 5-6 naps (though the exact number is going to depend on how many feedings you have in the daytime)
* Naps are 1.5-2 hours long (though I would add that they can be as short as 1 hour if you are still on a 2.5 hour cycle)
* Waketime is 30-45 minutes (though I think some might be able to go as long as one hour)
* Sample schedule from this age: *=no waketime after feeding
7:00 am
10:00 am
1:00 pm
4:00 pm
7:00 pm
10:00 pm (no waketime after feeding)
1:00 to 3:00 am (no waketime after feeding)
*Additional am [possible]
Phase Two: 3-4 months (Extended Night Period)
9-15 Weeks
* 3-4 hour feeding cycle (though Babywise says this shouldn't happen until weeks 12-15 at the earliest. So I would say anywhere from 2.5-3.5 hour cycle, moving possibly toward 4 hour cycle at the end of this phase)
* 5-6 feedings in a 24 hour period (Though Babywise says starting at 13 weeks, your baby should be at 5-7 feedings a day)
* 4-5 naps (though exact number does depend on number of daytime feedings)
* Naps are 1.5-2 hours long (though Babywise does say 1.5 hours)
* Waketime is 30-60 minutes long (some babies might be able to move up to 1.5 hour waketime, and most should be able to do 60 minutes total at least)
* Sample schedule for this period:
7:00 am
10:30 am
2:00 pm
5:30 pm
9:00 pm (no waketime after feeding)
11:30 pm (no waketime after feeding)
Sleeping through the night!!!! The goal! (STTN means Baby can gradually move to 9-10 hours of continuous sleep if breastfed, 11 hours if bottlefed. I will also add, you don't want to extend your routine until baby is sleeping through the night. You also don't want to extend it until that dreamfeed is dropped, so that 11:30 feeding would be gone before you dropped daytime feedings. You want long, continuous sleep at night for optimal development. So, if this were me, I would have a 7:30 feeding right before bed. I also wouldn't have that 9 and 11:30 feedings. If baby needed an extra feeding, I would shorten the daytime schedule back to three hours to work the right number of feedings in).
Phase Three: 4-5 Months (Extended Day Period)
16-24 Weeks
* 4 hour feeding cycle (though I will point out that not all babies are there yet, so don't stress if yours isn't)
* 4-5 feedings (though Babywise says 4-6 liquid feedings)
* 3 naps
* Naps are 1.5-2 hours in length
* Waketime is 45-75 minutes (could possibly be 1.5 and maybe even two hours--but be aware if longer waketimes start creating shorter naps--I also think babies this age will be able t do at least 60 minutes of waketime)
* Sample Schedule for this age:
8:00 am
12:00 pm
4:00 pm
8:00 pm (no waketime after feeding)
Phase Four: 5 Months and Older (Extended Routine Period)
25 weeks and older
* Family Cycle (this means baby will align meals with the family. Be aware that you need 4-5 liquid feedings. Most babies will stick with that 4 hour routine until close to a year)
* 2 naps a day (however, this doesn't happen until 6 months at the earliest. By 6 months, Babywise says most babies can drop that third nap. Babywise II says a 6 month old will need 2 naps and a catnap (short nap). I have found Babywise II to be more accurate for my children. Both Babywise II and Toddlerwise say that by 8 months, most babies will be able to drop that 3rd nap (catnap). Remember, you are the parent. If you have a big sleeper and she is still sleeping well at night, you don't need to eliminate that nap.)
* Waketime of 60-90 minutes (though baby will be able to move to at least 2 hours and longer during this time period)
* Sample Schedule for this age:
8:00 am + solids
12:00 pm + solids
5:00 pm + solids
8:00 pm
~~~
http://www.babywisemom.com/2008/03/sample-schedules.html
Birth:
Kaitlyn was a born sleeper and I had to wake her for every feeding at first. Also, we gradually included waketimes. She was so sleepy I could only force one waketime out of her at first (beyond feeding). We added one waketime per week. So some naps started immediately following a feeding, so I will just list feeding on this list:
7:30--nurse
10:30--nurse
1:00--nurse
4:00--nurse
6:30--nurse
9:00--nurse
I went to bed after the 9:00 nursing. She then woke twice in the night to nurse.
McKenna also seems to be a born sleeper. She does have a short waketime after feedings, but not long. Her total waketime (including feeding) varies from 30-45 minutes. She then sleeps until her next feeding. Here is her actual schedule as a newborn:
7:45--nurse. My goal is for a 7:30 waketime, but 7:45 works quite well for us. At some point in the future I will shoot for 7:30, but for now we are typically at 7:45-8:00.
10:30--nurse
1:00--nurse
4:00--nurse
7:00--nurse
9:30--nurse. This actually can vary from 9:30-10:00 PM.
I then go to bed. She typically wakes on her own somewhere around 2 AM. I then wake her around 5:30 AM so she will be hungry enough to eat at our first feeding in the morning. Once she is old enough to go to 7 feedings a day, I will let her drop one of these night feedings.
4 Weeks:
Around four weeks, the schedule I had created for Kaitlyn started to change. She had different plans :). At four weeks, we were still working on waketimes, but had all but one or two down.
7:30--nurse
8:30--nap
10:00--nurse
11:00--nap
1:00--nurse
2:00--nap
4:00--nurse
5:00--nap
6:30--nurse
7:30--nap
8:30--nurse then bed
She continued with the two night nursings. This schedule continued for a while. Some days, the 10 AM nursing would be 10:30. Also, some days the 4 PM nursing would be 3:30. Around 8 weeks, she dropped one night nursing. Around 9 weeks, I tried to force a dreamfeed at 10:30, but she would not wake up.
For McKenna, her schedule stayed pretty much the same. I had noticed by then that McKenna didn't eat well if it was sooner than 3 hours:
7:45--nurse
10:30--nurse
1:30--nurse
4:30--nurse
7:00--nurse
10:00--nurse
I still woke her twice in the night.
6 Weeks
Kaitlyn's schedule stayed pretty much the same. Here is McKenna's six week schedule:
7:15-7:45--nurse. I changed our 30 minute window to this.
10:30--nurse
1:30--nurse
4:30--nurse
7:00--nurse
10:00--nurse
She woke twice in the night for the first half of 6 weeks old, then went down to once a night.
3 Months:
At this age, the schedule for Kaitlyn moved more toward my original plan.
7:30--nurse
8:30--nap
10:30--nurse
11:30--nap
1:00--nurse
2:00--nap
4:00--nurse
5:00--nap
6:30--nurse
7:30--bed
10:00--nurse then bed (dreamfeed)
At this age, her night feeding was in those early morning hours, usually around 6 AM. I believe she dropped that feeding around 4 months.
FOR MCKENNA
Things did vary week to week, but here is a typical day:
8:00--nurse
8:50--nap
11:00--nurse
12:00--nap
2:00--nurse
3:00--nap
4:30--nurse
5:40--nap
7:00--nurse then straight to bed
10:00--dreamfeed
There would then be a feeding on one side around 5:30 AM. During this month, she extended her night feedings so that she started to make it to 7-7:15 in the morning. On those days, we started the day then and then she had a long nap in the morning. Those days looked like:
7:00--nurse
7:50--nap
10:30--nurse
11:30--nap
2:00--nurse
3:00--nap
4:30--nurse
5:40--nap
7:00--nurse then straight to bed
10:00--dreamfeed
4 Months:
Kaitlyn's schedule didn't change much, but she did drop a nap. We also started solids at 4 months, so solid feeding times are listed as they were once we had all three.
7:30--nurse + solids
8:30--nap
10:30--nurse
11:30--nap
1:30--nurse + solids
2:30--nap
4:30--nurse
6:30--nurse + solids then bed
9:45--nurse the bed (dreamfeed). I was starting to move it back in preparation for dropping it.
FOR MCKENNA
The first couple of week of 4 months old were a bit unpredictable due to early morning feeds. Once she hit 19 weeks, though, things smoothed out.
7:00--nurse
7:50--nap
10:30--nurse and cereal
11:30--nap
1:30--nurse
3:00--nap
4:30--nurse and sweet potatoes toward the end of the month
6:00--nap
6:30--she would wake, or I would wake her. Some days, she didn't take this nap
7:00--nurse then straight to bed
10:30ish--dreamfeed
6 Months:
I finally relinquished the dreamfeed. Kaitlyn basically started to refuse to wake up and eat, so I consented and dropped it. Her waketime had also started to extend a bit, and she started to need to go longer in the morning between feedings.
7:30--nurse + solids
8:45--nap
11:00--nurse
12:15--nap
2:00--nurse + solids
3:15--nap
5:00--nurse
7:00--nurse + solids then bed
FOR MCKENNA
8:00--nurse + solids
9:10--nap
12:00--nurse+ solids
1:15--nap
4:15--nurse + solids
6:00--nap
8:00--nurse then bed
10:00--dreamfeed
7 Months:
About a week before Kaitlyn turned 7 months, I finally moved her to the 4 hour schedule.
7:30--nurse + solids
8:50--nap
11:30--nurse + solids
1:00--nap
3:30--nurse
5:00--nap
7:00--nurse + solids then bed (I woke her up earlier than 4 hours because I wanted her in bed for the night to get 12 hours of sleep)
FOR MCKENNA
8:00--nurse + solids
9:30--nap
12:00--nurse + solids
1:30--nap
4:15--nurse + solids
6:00--nap
7:45--nurse + solids then bed
9 Months:
At 9 months, I started trying to drop the third nap. It was a weaning process. We started by shortening it over time. It got down to the point of being only 1 hour long, then 45 minutes. Then she would have some days she wouldn't need the nap. Those days, I would feed her at 6:30 if needed so we could get her in bed earlier.
11 Months:
7:30--nurse + solids
9:15--nap
11:30--nurse + solids
1:15--nap
3:45--nurse
7:00--nurse + solids then bed
Other Items
These sample schedules only include eating and sleeping, not other activities (like independent play).
~~
http://www.babywisemom.com/2008/02/babywise-milestones.html
Babywise Milestones
In this post, I list the different "milestones" you can reach through Babywise. I list this with the caution that many of these are averages. To create an average, you add together a lot of numbers. The average is a number that was created out of smaller and larger numbers. Remember, you are the parent. Look at the averages and asses where your baby falls in the spectrum of expectation. She may be higher and she may be lower.
I also want to remind you that these are numbers based on babies who did BW from birth. If you started late, you might be behind on some for a while. I was behind with Brayden until he was 6 months old (we started at 9 weeks). Also, if you don't follow all BW principles, you might not receive all BW benefits. You are the parent, so you get to decide what to do, but don't expect all benefits unless you practice all principles.
BIRTH TO 8 WEEKS
This is called the stabilization period. I found that to be so true with Kaitlyn. One night when she was 8-9 weeks old, I told my husband that she seemed to just be in her niche, and that it seemed she was just stabilized. Then it hit me that the time period had already been dubbed as stabilization. Also, many things need to be followed closely in this period, such as feeding intervals and number of feedings.
* Feed every 2.5-3 hours
* Have 8-10 feedings in a 24 hour period
* Do not let baby sleep more than 5 hours if you are breastfeeding until 5 weeks of age
* There will be about 6-8 naps a day, depending on the number of feedings
* Naps will be 1-1.5 hours long
* Between weeks 5-8, your baby might be ready to eat every 2.5-3.5 hours
* Between weeks 5-8, your baby might be able to go down to 7 feedings in a 24 hour period (but only after she starts sleeping 7-8 hours at night)
* By 8 weeks old, your baby most likely will be sleeping 7-8 hours consistently
* 15% of babies don't start sleeping 7-8 hours until they are 10-12 weeks old
* After 8 weeks old, your baby might be able to move to 6 feedings in 24 hours
WEEKS 9-15
* Baby can gradually move to 9-10 hours of continuous sleep if breastfed, 11 hours if bottlefed
* Remember that 15% of BW babies don't start sleeping 7-8 hours until they are 10-12 weeks old
* Baby's naps should be about 1.5 hours long
* Most babies drop the late night feeding in this period (aka Dreamfeed)
* Between weeks 12-15, your baby might be able to move to a combination 3-4 hour schedule
* Starting at 13 weeks, your baby should be at 5-7 feedings a day
* This is also the age where many babies begin their early morning talking (waking in 5 or 6 AM hour). This can last longer than one month. See page 132 in Babywise for more information.
WEEKS 16-24
* 4-6 liquid feedings a day
* Baby moves to 10-12 hours at night
* Baby will need 3 naps of 1.5-2 hours in length--but remember that some will take a 45 minute nap for the 3rd, and that is just fine
WEEKS 25-52 (6 months to 1 year)
* Feedings stay pretty close to the same as they are at 24 weeks (6 months), assuming you were eating 4-5 times a day
* You want 4-5 nursings
* By the end of this time period, you move to 3 feedings, with the exception of 4th and maybe 5th nursings to maintain milk supply
* Naps are 1.5-2.5 hours long
* By 6 months, Babywise says most babies can drop that third nap. Babywise II says a 6 month old will need 2 naps and a catnap (short nap). I have found Babywise II to be more accurate for my children
* Both Babywise II and Toddlerwise say that by 8 months, most babies will be able to drop that 3rd nap (catnap). Remember, you are the parent. If you have a big sleeper and she is still sleeping well at night, you don't need to eliminate that nap. At nearly 10 months old, Kaitlyn still needs it some nights
* Once the third nap is dropped, waketime increases, and often the length of the other two naps increase also. Instead, you might increase nighttime sleep if baby wasn't sleeping 12 hours. Decide what is best for your baby
16-20 MONTHS
* Babywise says the morning nap will be dropped between 16-20 months old. Babywise II says between 18-20 months old the morning nap will be dropped
* Toddlerwise describes our nap change experience better. Between 16-18 months old, the two naps get shorter. I believe Brayden was 15 months old when it began for him. Then between 18-20 months, you transition to one longer afternoon nap. We made the move at 17 months old.
* Toddlerwise says that the crib to bed transition typically happens between the ages of 18-24 months old.
Hopefully this quick reference can aide you when you want to know what you can expect your baby to be ready for in the near future.
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