We had the same issue! I found these online though, and they are awesome. They squirt water, and my daughter loves them. �� https://www.amazon.com/Munchkin-CleanSqueeze-Mold-Free-Piece-Squirts/dp/B07895LGCD/ref=mp_s_a_1_fkmrnull_4?keywords=munchkin+cleansqueeze+mold-free+4+piece+bath+squirts+amazon&qid=1558663784&s=gateway&sr=8-4-fkmrnull
I got the kit on amazon. Called Luna Bean plaster kit. I did his foot too. Best thing ever.
Luna Bean Infant Plaster Statue Casting Keepsake Kit - Cast Baby Hand & Foot (0-9M) (Clear Glaze) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GUNETJS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_1SNoCbWQ7RGVM
I have one for my toddler. She's a runner. It's cute - looks like Mickey Mouse. I sewed battery-operated fairy lights onto it for nighttime because she likes to have an evening stroll before bed and we've done a couple of nighttime activities at parks. I do not care what other people think. I do care that my kid will run away from me and does not come back when called. We practice crossing the street safely and not hiding from mama in the store and all that, so the least doesn't replace parenting. In fact, I'm more likely to LOUDLY proclaim "WE HAVE TO HOLD HANDS HERE! EVEN THOUGH YOU DON'T WANT TO!" when she is wearing her leash just for the judgy-mcjudgy-faces.
It's this one, btw: https://www.amazon.com/Toddler-Anti-lost-Walking-Backpack-Disneyland
I agree with other posters about a backpack-style versus a wrist leash. This one doesn't actually have a backpack, it's flat. My kid likes it because there's no weight to it. She's too small for a backpack anyway.
Edit to add correct linktoddler anti-lost Disneyland
Not correcting the above link because dogs of Amazon
If you want to regularly want to check that you’re not pregnant I highly recommend ordering “internet cheapies” from Amazon. They work just as well for a fraction of the cost. These are the ones I got.
Oh boy. I'm sorry you were put in this situation. You have two options: redirect or face it head on. I think only you can decide what direction is best for your child. Below are a few ideas that might help.
1) Redirect to another activity altogether. I-spy is a great game you can do anywhere. Anytime he mentions "killing" something, just completely redirect.
[Son], You just spied a bug, let's play I-spy! I spy with my little eye something orange. Can you find something orange?"
2) Make it a discovery lesson. Go get books from the library about bugs. Go to the zoo or local nature preservation to learn about different kinds of animals. Learn about saving endangered species.
"Oh cool! A bug! We don't want to kill it. See, it has cool wings. Let's go ask Alexa about bugs with wings!"
3) Get a bug as a pet to teach how to touch gently. A butterfly, grasshopper, or something of the sort could be a good pet to practice how to treat things gently.
4) Get a bug catching kit.
"Bugs aren't for killing, they are for catching! We catch them and look at them for a while and then let them go."
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PGSJ5R9/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Oay6DbJCFFZ9C
Ehhh they cost $500. I'd call that pretty pricey compared to the Travel System I got by Graco, which includes a car seat and base, and stroller that the car seat clicks into as well as having a toddler seat. With the Yoyo I would still have to spend an additional $50 each on a stroller and car seat, probably more.
Edit: forgot to mention I got the Graco Travel System for like $350
If you want a good laugh I highly recommend the book Toddler’s Are Asseholes (It’s Not Your Fault) my sister got me this book as a gag gift for Christmas and it’s hilarious.
I post this at every opportunity. We have 4 of these. Worth every goddamn penny.
Adaptive Sound Technologies LectroFan High Fidelity White Noise Machine with 20 Unique Non-Looping Fan and White Noise Sounds and Sleep Timer https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E6D6LQY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_iPIzBb73109C4
Came here to say this.
I’m not advocating a specific timeline, but I also feel that we really underestimate how hard reproduction is on us physically. (If men built babies, we’d be extinct & they’d get 2 years paternity leave. See Man Flu)
OP, please keep in mind that your body just did this amazing thing: You built a person. A ton of your physical resources went into building this baby, then, one way or another, the little bugger is going to need to come out. This isn’t trivial either.
To add insult to injury, once you get your little squish out, they tend not to sleep, which means you do not get to sleep. Exhaustion leads to injuries, and you don’t want to recover from a pulled hamstring & childbirth at the same time.
If you don’t feel up to it, don’t set too ambitious expectations for yourself. Bundling up little one in a carrier & heading out for a walk would probably boost your mood. Worrying about however many minutes of cardio may set you up for PPD/PPA.
Also keep in mind that your amazing body is trying to set you up to produce milk for your little one, feast or famine, hunter-gatherer or office worker. Your hormones are still doing their thing, so the weight may not come off the way you expect.
If you are planning to breastfeed, I like this book.
Until your baby starts grabbing things and opens the safety pin and pokes themselves. But when they are super tiny and new this might be ok. I wouldn’t recommend it though.
Here’s a link to 6 clips for $7, they aren’t that pricy if you’re on a budget, and much more safe than a safety pin on a baby.
Babygoal Pacifier Clips for Boys, 6 Pack Pacifier Holder Fits Most Pacifier Styles &Teething Toys and Baby Shower Gift 6PS09 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0793RBZ1H/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_3qcKDbS82WHHY
You can even just buy a bunch of clasps pretty cheap and use the yarn then:
Marrywindix 25pcs 1" Pacifier Suspender Clips, Pacifier Clips for Making Pacifier Holders Bib Clips Toy Holder Silver https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JFTFPHK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_qscKDbEF9WYXG
Those take and toss sippy cups are gold. Toddlers love to lose things and it doesn’t matter if they hide their disposable sippy in somebody’s shoe at a play centre when you have 7 more at home. They do them in straw cup too
toddler size spoons and forks.. get at least 3 of each
a sun hat that ties under their chin so it can’t be flung
those sphincter snack containers, like this thing because snacks on stroller rides are about to become a thing for your sanity’s sake
gumboots/wellies! They LOVE. them, and it slows them down significantly so you can catch them at the playground! �� this is of course when they’re walking and running competently.
board books! Lots of board books!
nappy pants with the elastic waist instead of the regular tape side nappies, for nappy changes standing up
Things that were useless:
the 47 varieties of sippy cups he didn’t want
toys that can’t be used in a few different ways.. for example my 18 month old likes to build with his duplo, but also likes to drive the blocks around as cars and try to feed them to his stuffed toys
the changing table ��
clothes that he can’t put on himself ��
We use the Hatch Rest.
It has a multicolored light that allows you to pick the color or brightness. And there’s several noise options built in including nature noises, static, and lullabies.
You control it with your phone and can set up schedules for bed time, nap time, morning wake up. Or you can just adjust it as needed.
It’s $60, which seems steep, but for all of the options and how long we plan to use it, I think it’s worth the investment.
The hilarious part is that they don’t show the inside of the bra at all on Amazon. I feel like that would be a huge selling point for them!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06ZYSB76H/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ZWHrCbE4F2XHW
Oh wow!!
My son had cradle cap, too. In the bath, I would soap up his head first, and rinse it off last. Then, while still in the water, I'd use the Safety First Cradle Cap Brush to loosen up the dry skin, and then brush it out. Then, I would rinse his head again a few times with the bath water. It took a couple of baths, but it worked really well and it cleared up.
This is like, the sweetest and more pure FTM post ever. I have two toddlers now and sometimes I forget how I used to fret over the slightest scratch or hurt. They are so busy climbing and falling and running everywhere, I’ll be very surprised if my youngest hadn’t broken a bone by the time he starts kindergarten haha. They grow up too quickly! This post took me right back ❤️
If it’s any help, I used to love the kind of bibs that have an elasticated hole that just pop over the head. I liked them because they can’t be pulled off by cheeky little hands, but they have the added bonus of no sharp or scratchy bits! ��
From my research, the absolute soonest I would feel comfortable trying for a second is 18 months.
“Research suggests that beginning a pregnancy within six months of a live birth is associated with an increased risk of:
Premature birth The placenta partially or completely peeling away from the inner wall of the uterus before delivery (placental abruption) Low birth weight Congenital disorders Schizophrenia In addition, recent research suggests that a pregnancy within less than two years of a live birth might be associated with an increased risk of autism in second-born children. The risk is highest for pregnancies spaced less than 12 months apart.”
Huggies makes the only decent wipes to use with one hand while holding the baby. I've tried dozens of brands and they all suck for this. We use other brands for general face wiping etc but for diaper changes you can't beat them. They are good for a few reasons
"You do realize I have no idea either, right? This is all a guessing game to us both."
​
"I'm not sure. What do you think?" (say this genuinely curious/asking him, NOT with an accusatory tone. it puts the ownership back on him and hopefully makes him realize that you DON'T have all the answers all the time and that he SHOULD at some point -- or at least ask google.)
​
If you're both in a good place, legit sit down and have a conversation about this. If he has a sense of humor maybe buy him the baby owners manual and say "it sounds like you need to read the directions" ;) (https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Owners-Manual-Instructions-Trouble-Shooting/dp/1594745978)
Yes, makes a huge difference!! The valves need to be replaced pretty regularly 2-3 months. And if you use a Medela, please be sure to replace the membranes, too!! The breast flange can go for about 6 months if I remember correctly. Also keep in mind that if you EP or pump a lot at work, the parts will need replacement more often.
As a former exclusive pumper, I have a PSA for Medela users: switch from the yellow valves to duck bill valves I find these had much better suction, and I got more milk. Also, for Spectra users, a lot of people say they get great results from using Medela parts instead. There are conversion kits on Amazon for pretty cheap.
EDIT: to add these duck bill valves. As I commented below, the little tab makes it so easy to remove!
Also if you have instagram, I recommend you follow Legendairy Milk, even if you don’t to order their products. Sooo much great info about breastfeeding and pumping, with weekly live chats with experts on various topics.
Jvina I think is how you spell it. They are packed up in my “when I get my body back” clothes but I’m pretty sure that’s the brand.
Edit: brand is Jvini- lots of stretch, found some on amazon. It says skinny jeans, I am a curvy person even when I’m not preggo like now and the skinny was actually pretty flattering. Here’s the link:
Women's High Waisted Stretchy Pull-On Skinny Denim Jeans Leggings (Large/Blue) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BNWJLRN/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_LjpkDbPSY33A0
Also yay for wood toys over here. Except for a few hand-me-downs (just some colored shapes things that I thought would be educational), we don't do plastic toys over here.
Mostly for our own sanity. We're both designers and can't get over how tacky most baby shit is. The rock n play turned out to be a total necessity but I'm counting down the days until I never have to look at it again.
I found this table from Amazon, and we keep the living room supply of toys stored in there. It's great because LO (just turned 1) can serve herself. But if we don't have it overflowing (which we never do), you can't really tell at first glance that they are baby toys in there. We figured when she's older we'll just put an extra throw blanket or something in there.
Dude I know it’s kinda gross but the nose frida is AMAZING and waaaayy more sanitary than a bulb syringe. 10/10 will suck boogers again.
NoseFrida the Snotsucker Baby Nasal Aspirator and Saline Nasal Spray Kit with 10 Hygiene filters by Fridababy – Sinus Congestion Relief for newborns up to toddlers
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N093BYV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_9rPtBbG5BZGQR
My wife and I have a tiny fridge in our bedroom (little one still sleeps in her bassinet in our room) along with a second bottle warmer for this exact reason. We even specifically got this one with Cow-print since it's for milk lol
I recovered from a c-section while my husband went back to work after the first week. It is totally do-able.
Here are a few tips based on my experience:
Before your husband leaves for the day, get set up in the area you will be spending the most time in. Every morning we set me up in the living room with snacks, a few bottles, the bottle warmer, boppy pillow, water bottles, and coffee. Keep a spare phone charger in this area of the house, too.
Buy a c-section recovery girdle to help support your back if you do need to walk around a little. I used this one: https://smile.amazon.com/Postpartum-Support-Recovery-Shapewear-Wrap-Nude/dp/B01LWKSUJM/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1516740240&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=c-section+recovery+belly+band&psc=1
Make sure you take all meds. You may need to set a reminder alarm for them.
edit: formating
I had the same problem. Tilly hated sleeping in her crib on the mattress we had. So we forked out $70 for an organic memory foam mattress lolz.
It was the best decision we've ever made. She sleeps 13 hours a night, uninterrupted. I have to sneak in at around 0300 to change her nappy so it doesn't overflow, and she doesn't even wake up.
It was well worth the money.
Edit. My bad, it wasn't organic, but it's the My First Mattress on Amazon I recommend it.
Amazon link!
Bobrick KB102-00 Koala Kare High Density Polyethylene Wall Mounted Child Protection Seat, Cream Finish, 12-1/4" Width x 18-3/4" Height https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00996C252/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_kecuDbYWCZX73
We found reusable ones! They have waterproofing material on one side, and the other side is like a towel. They work really well, and when they get dirty, I'd either throw them in with cloth diapers, or when we're not doing cloth diapers, just in with towels.
Edited to add: I can't find the exact ones I have, but these are similar! https://www.amazon.ca/Munchkin-Waterproof-Changing-Liner-3-Pack/dp/B009UPUJIY
This is the one we use. Ours is great. It was actually my MILs, it's lasted a long time.
Marpac Dohm Classic White Noise Sound Machine, White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HD0ELFK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_PeY0Bb5RF6RTT
Oh my gosh, it's barely been a week. Your hormones are probably all over the place. Do you have a bouncer or somewhere to put the baby? Bring it into the bathroom and take a shower. That will be step #1 in feeling better. If you have Amazon maybe order some of these Playtex drop in liner bottles to help you cut back on the bottle washing.
Edit: also my son got a rash at that age too. It's hard to avoid cuz they pee and poop sooo much.
I got these on Amazon. Fit perfectly in the middle console.
2 PCS IPOW Car Safety Antiskid Hammer Seatbelt Cutter Emergency Class/Window Punch Breaker Auto Rescue Disaster Escape Tool https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F7YMUWU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_9YunAbQ97XBZB
I have a squeasy
That's easy as heck to clean (just need a small bottle brush for the inner top) and works as a backup liquid sippy
I would return. They aren't safe or helpful for walking, plus it's huge and something that can only be used for a short amount of time. Instead get a push walker (this V-tech one is popular) and was actually recommended to us by a PT to help encourage walking indepedently.
The tray I used is Magnolia Home from Target. I can’t seem to find a link but found a couple similar ish options. The bottles are Tommee Tippee from Amazon.
Wood: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N1373PB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_T0l3BbNW3ZP5N
Yes, absolutely. They may be able to help you setup a more secure login. It is very likely this person simply "guessed" your login information, or you used the same login for multiple sites and it was leaked online. You can use https://haveibeenpwned.com/ to check if your login information is online anywhere.
You don't have to feel bad if this person got your login information. There have been so many data leaks by so many large companies that it's more likely than not some information of yours is out there. Maybe just take this opportunity to lock things down and get some peace of mind.
I didn't end up having to bedshare so I can't comment from first hand experience, but have you considered something like a cosleeper for your bed? I know a few ladies who recommend these. You mentioned there's not much room though, so while this might mitigate the softness issue it won't do you any good if it simply doesn't fit.
You might be able to pair the cosleeper with a folding mattress on the floor in the nursery though. It'll add a degree of separation between you and baby, so that's good, but it'll keep you close and on the same level, which might work.
I really like the book boundaries. It changes the way you think about and act in relationships. It’s all logical, but if you’ve never thought about your relationship that way it’s a new way of doing things.
You are an adult. You get to choose how your mother treats you and interacts in your life. Draw some firm boundaries there and if she can’t abide them she will have consequences.
People with no boundaries and people with boundaries that are to intense suffer. You need to find the middle. So, for instance, if you don’t want her to kiss baby then say ‘it’s flu season and I’m not comfortable with you kissing baby. If you do kiss him, I’m going to have to hold him or put him in his swing’...and then do that. If she’s speaking about you in a disparaging way (your mom is being silly. Who raised her. Etc) calmly say that you are this child’s mother and you will raise this child according to your own guidelines, just like she got to raise her kids according to hers. If she can’t respect that, then maybe it’s best for her to leave and come back another time when she can respect your rules.
Be kind, but firm. It’s great practice because when baby is 2/3 you will get to do lots of work establishing and maintaining boundaries.
I think most adult sunscreens are chemical sunscreens and a lot of the ones labeled "baby" are physical barriers, which are not absorbed into the skin but sit on top instead.
What you want to look for is a mineral based sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the active ingredient. I like Banana Boat baby.
That’s so cute! And at least it makes her feel better! When your boobs need a break though, I use these Munchkin silicone baby feeders and I fill them with breast milk, freeze them up and these milk pops solve a lot of problems! My lo is big on comfort nursing, and sometimes my boobs get tired. Especially when she’s teething badly, and nothing else will do for her. I just grab a milk pop and she’s instantly happy. I keep 4 in the freezer at all times!
I agree! Honestly OxiClean is so good you don't even need to soak it right away. I've put clothes with dry, set-in stains into OxiClean and they still come out perfect every time. So there's no need to rush to do the laundry. They make a baby specific version of OxiClean, but I don't know if that's really necessary or just marketing that I've fallen victim to.
Some things we have that are we like are:
Stacking cups. Baby can knock over when we stack them, pick up, suck on, an later can stack them and use them in the bath or sandbox. This is a toy that I really feel will get a lot of use of the years!
An O-ball type toy that baby can grab onto. Also good for dangling from one of those play mat structures.
A soft book made of crinkly pages that make noise when squished.
A set of linking rings (like this https://www.amazon.ca/Bright-Starts-Lots-of-Links/dp/B001ABZGU2) for chewing on, dangling, and connecting other toys to the car seat or stroller.
Have you read "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing" by Marie Kondō? In terms of having the apperance of a clean home, one point the author makes that I thought was helpful was giving all the things in your home a place so that when you are doing things you naturally put things away in their place. Probably not helpful for a LO who is exploring, but helpful for an adult like me.
It's a fun read, but if you are a busy mom and don't think you would enjoy reading a whole book, I bet there are summaries you can read online of the tips. I'm interested to see tips other parents share.
Definitely no to forward facing! The convertible car seats may look like they're meant for forward facing but they do both forward and back.
I have this one: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07H8VMXJ8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_GKRZW093H16HT1B7J3QK?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Here are the AAP's recommendations for car seat safety https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-the-go/Pages/Car-Safety-Seats-Information-for-Families.aspx
for my 4 year old's birthday party, in lieu of gift bags, i set up a "puppy adoption center." i ordered a this pack of cheap, small stuffed puppies from amazon, these treat boxes that i marked with blank name tags, "puppy treats" (bags of scooby-doo bone-shaped graham cracker cookies, and mini frisbees for dog toys. i put up a sign with instructions, had a cup full of different colored markers, and let the kids go to town at the end of the party. we had kids in attendance ranging from like 2 to 16 (lots of older cousins!) and it seemed to be a hit for all of them.
We got a Nest doorbell, but my best investment was this sign:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01B39S9MM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_7zErCbY210Z8S
Looks nice enough and definitely gets the point across..we’ve had a large decrease in people coming to our door (and can see all the people who attempt it but then see the sign). Seriously one of the best purchases we ever made.
I use the Frida Baby nail clippers and had great success. When he was smaller, I would do it sneakily while he was nursing. Lately, I will do his hands and toes when he is buckled securely into the high chair and my husband talks/ holds up a toy to distract him. They key is to focus the attention else where and just talk/ sing calmly. These clipper are so good that I could clip just based on sound and feel. They are angled so I am not worried about clipping the skin. NailFrida The SnipperClipper Set by Fridababy - The Baby Essential Nail Care kit for Newborns and up https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01644OCVS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_27iMDbTNBGMCH
Yeah, the Dohm (which I see/hear used a lot - we have 2) is actually pink noise and not white noise. But most people don’t know about the colors so they call it white noise.
https://marpac.com/blogs/give-sleep-a-chance-blog/pink-noise-vs-white-noise
Personally I nursed almost exclusively on the couch or my bed the first few months but the older she got and the easier the nursing got we started using it all the time. To read or nurse or rock to sleep. She’s 2.5 and we read a book every night in our glider. This is the one we have!
You can buy a sitz bath pan that sits on top of the toilet. Any drugstore should have it, or you can order them on amazon.
Yes!! My LO has to supplement with multi + iron, and we LOVE Novaferrum’s multivitamin! She happily takes her dose every night. So much better than the Zarbees that we tried first.
I think they’re not called sleep n plays anymore after 12 months, but you can definitely still get footed pjs from Carters. The main difference is going to be the bottom of the feet will have that no-slip grippy stuff.
Carter's Boys' 12M-5T 1 Piece Firetruck Snug Fit Cotton PJS 12 Months https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077XKGT17/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_VZYIAbK9FSG22
Story time at the library (mine has a special one just for tiny babies) and music classes at local play cafes or music studios (a lot of them will have ones catered toward infant crowd). A lot of kids' stores (clothing stores, bookstores, etc.) have free story times too. See if there are new mom meet-ups on Meetup.com, if you live in a well populated area. The isolation drove me crazy as well until I made a point to get out more.
My father-in-law gave my (almost) 5 month old this bike: https://www.walmart.com/ip/12-Huffy-Boys-Rock-It-Bike-Red/49058097
Thanks for the bike I have to store for three years before he can actually use it?
I don’t know if they’ve formally diagnosed you with OCD, but I find this book a wonderful tool for the intrusive thoughts. There’s actually a lot of treatment out there that, while well intentioned, can exacerbate your thoughts or at the least, not help them go away. I wish you the best in your journey. I hope you can find a good support group. That will help you tons. You’re not alone.
I think the recovery is much worse if your c-section wasn't scheduled because you are much more likely to have distressed your pelvic floor. For me, going to the bathroom post c-section was totally and completely fine. Take the stool softeners and make sure to get moving as soon as you are able, but I doubt you need to do all this prep weeks out and I would not recommend you start any medicine until you talk to your doctor. Once again, stool softeners and walking should be enough. You might need a stronger laxative if you take narcotics, but even after major surgeries with weeks of narcotics I haven't needed more than stool softeners.
I bought the Kindred Braverly high waisted recovery underwear and highly recommend those and these pajama pants. I lived in these pants and nursing tanks for the first few weeks, including going home. You can start to wear leggings as soon as they are comfortable for you. For me, that was very soon. The pressure felt nice. Let your discomfort be your guide. Baby will keep you plenty busy and is very physically demanding as well, so let yourself get adjusted to that before you make fitness goals.
Get an electric nail filer and if you have difficulty seeing little nails, a head magnifier (I had one for crafting purposes but it works really well for baby nails).
I was in the hospital on bed rest for 2.5 weeks before LO was born. I lived in simple sleeveless v neck jersey dresses - I bought a couple at Target thinking I’d wear them around the house post birth - and then once I landed in the hospital I ordered several more on Amazon here
They were super convenient for me - easy for the nurses to check blood pressure, didn’t interfere with my IVs, were easy to get in and out of, and I didn’t look like I was in my jammies all day (although, I sure felt like it) - and they were cheap. I wore them every day once I got home with the baby, super easy access for nursing and they have pockets, which makes everything easier.
Poop diapers go in a poop bag that goes in a regular old trash can with a lid from Walmart. We take it out every few days and 9 1/2 months in and we have no issues with smell.
Never, ever pick up a copy of Love You Forever by Robert Munsch, then.
Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems: New, Revised, and Expanded Edition https://www.amazon.com/dp/0743201639/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_797C8X5AEFDPWN7R1KPW
$10 on Amazon. Best money I ever spent on sleep related help. He covers everything from babies to big kids, cosleeping to crib sleeping, bed wetting, etc.
It made such a difference to my poor exhausted oldest when he was around that age. My fussy cranky baby turned into a happy guy within a week. Poor kid was just tired! Good luck
You don’t need much in terms of toys right away.
At 6 weeks we used something like this: https://www.amazon.com/4-Piece-Animal-Infant-Finders-Developmental/dp/B01G4PVP58/
My son started to use this around 2.5-3 months old. https://www.amazon.com/Manhattan-Toy-Winkel-Sensory-Teether/dp/B000BNCA4K
/u/ThanksForStoppingBy mentioned Cribsheet. Here's the conclusion of the food chapter:
> Early exposure to allergens reduces incidences of food allergies.
> Kids take time to get used to new flavors, so it is valuable to keep trying a food even if they reject it at first, and early exposure to varying flavors increases acceptance.
> There is not much evidence behind the traditional food-introduction recommendations; no need to do rice cereal first if you do not want to.
> Baby-led weaning doesn’t have magical properties (at least not based on what we know now), but there is also no reason not to do it if you want to.
> Vitamin D supplementation is reasonable, but don’t freak out about missing a day here and there.
Baby Bum Brush, Original Diaper Rash Cream Applicator, Soft Flexible Silicone, Unique Gift, [Blue] https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LYQ53JW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_rSkLDb8YV4Q3T
Makes it quick and easy, no finger painting the bum and bits. Just swoop, swoop, done.
My son is pretty verbal too. He’s 19 months now and speaking sentences...just started using 5-6 words in a sentence like “mommy get off the couch” or “the bubbles go high up there”. Some things to work on: animal sounds, colors, shapes, body parts, counting, letter recognition. Some of my favorite books to read are the “Hello World” books. We got this boxed set at 15 months: https://www.amazon.com/Hello-World-Boxed-Jill-McDonald/dp/0525581324/ and I plan on getting more titles. Each book has so many things to talk about on each page and a ton of words to work on to build vocabulary. If you haven’t already start asking her to make choices, “do you want the pink cup or the blue cup?” “Do you want to put on your blue jeans or your grey shorts?” Also since she is pretty verbal, encourage her to use her words and tell you want she needs/wants. If she struggles at first, then give her the vocabulary to do so and eventually she will be telling you what she wants. It’s been great having such a verbal child who can express themselves. We know what’s wrong and how to help him. Turns out 1 year olds want some weird things and if he couldn’t tell us then we would have no idea what he wanted.
Wearing a bra will not prevent sagging. That’s a myth. Sagging depends on the type of tissue in your breast, genetics, pregnancies, age, etc. So wear whatever kid of bra you want. Since my boobs fluctuated in size while nursing, I got some comfy, stretchy bras that could clip down like these Hanes bras and wore them pretty much for the first 6 months. Still wear them now sometimes!
I'll attack them sometimes when he's napping! or just after he's eaten so he's chill. I use glass files designed for use on babies this one so I can kind of file away without worrying about filing too fast or too deep even if he's squirming around.
These books were a life saver those first few months to hold baby's attention. While not books you read, they teach the concept of "book" -- turning pages, open from left to right, etc. Fabric books also require less supervision, at least for my baby, who likes to chew on board books.
But you're looking more for suggestions on talking to baby. I am the same way as far as talking to baby. I'm pretty introverted and find constanting trying to think of stuff for a one-way conversation exhausting.
Sing! I sing both songs I know and sing-along to Spotify. I find singing easier than talking because I don't have to keep coming up with material, and I can do other things while I sing.
Read aloud to baby from your book/news/aita subreddit. Enjoy baby not understanding what you're saying while you can.
Read baby books you like. We read a lot of The Little Engine That Could, not so much Pout Pout Fish.
Put on a podcast or audio book. While maybe not as good as face-to-face talking it's still exposure to language and entertaining for you to boot. You can chat with the baby about the audio ("who do you think is the murderer?") to get some extra talk time in.
This has been mentioned somewhere on beyondthebump before, but invest in a Contigo travel mug! It keeps your coffee hot for (no joke) 6-8 hours. Plus, the lid locks so you can't spill it on your LO and you can throw it in your diaper bag or even tip it upside down and it wont leak.
I swear on my life I will never buy another coffee mug in my life. Here's a link on Amazon. Only $15!
Have you tried using a haakaa? It suctions onto your breast and gathers milk from your let down. So when you breastfeed, you put it on the side the baby isn’t currently using. It’s a really good way to stockpile some bottle feeds, without risking creating and oversupply.
I could usually get an ounce or so per feed. You can combine several sessions to get enough for a bottle, then freeze. Just make sure that the milk is the same temp when combining. So if you already have a container of milk in the fridge, let the new milk cool before adding it to the container. You can leave in the fridge for several days before you need to freeze.
Linking the OXO dispenser on Amazon
LOVE THESE. Seriously the best $20 I've ever spent, these also allow you to buy those bulk/refill packs of wipes that have like, 300+ wipes per bag. Saved a lot of money that way.
I keep a tool with me in the car that has a seatbelt cutter and the other side will break glass if needed. I bought them at Costco quite a long time ago but it's very similar to this one https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000IDUW5C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_YsEtDbT7DNHAW
Try this swaddle - Love To Dream Swaddle UP, Gray, Small, 7-13 lbs., Dramatically better sleep, Allow baby to sleep in their preferred arms up position for self-soothing, snug fit calms startle reflex https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0081GJ038/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_5jDSCbA6PZJ12
My daughter didn’t like any swaddles except this.
Not OP but I'm pretty sure I found it. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/1932319646/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A2EX1S8A5ZTYD8&psc=1
Have you tried filing them? I have an electronic baby file that I bought off of amazon and it’s impossible to hurt a kid with it.... and it’s effective.
Edit: here’s the link:
Baby Nail File, Fansidi Upgraded Safe Baby Nail Clipper - Electric Baby Nail Trimmer for Newborn Or Toddler Toes and Fingernails - Girls and Boys Acce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0725QPM8F/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_xXgWOXqx3Brb4
You can! We use the Dr. Brown's Formula Pitcher to pre mix 5 bottles that we send with our son to daycare. Just fill up your filtered water (we do 25 ounces of water, for 5 bottles at 5 ounces), dump in 12.5 scoops of formula (our ratio is 2:1 water to formula), churn it up and down a few times, pour, and refrigerate.
Premixed formula this way is good for 24 hours if refrigerated. Just pull out a bottle as needed, warm, and you're done.
Hell, I even measure out five baggies of 12.5 scoops of formula on Sundays so I don't have to do it every morning. Just water, dump baggie, pump, pour, and fridge.
We also have the Baby Brezza, which we use when we're at home. Perfect bottle in seconds.
Two things. Well visits are not just for vaccinations. They track weight, head circumference, and height to make sure that your baby is following a normal, healthy growth curve. If anything looks abnormal, for example if head circumference jumps from 5 to 75th percentiles, that would probably call for additional attention. They are also checking developmental milestones. Well checks are super important. Second, I agree with you on the vaccines. The longer the delay the more your LO is at risk for catching a preventable disease.
I think Uber would be your best bet. I would just make sure your driver is wearing a mask properly and that the car has some airflow. Does your LO still fit in an infant seat? Could you do a bucket style infant seat with a small stroller base like the Chico Keyfit Caddy? Or could you do the convertible car seat on something made for airports, like this?
Can't recommend the Simple Wishes pumping bra enough. I just pull up my shirt, unclip or pull down whatever I have on as a bra or undershirt, and zip the bra on. It takes like ten seconds and allows me to get a ton of work done while pumping. It's around $30 and has held up really well for me. They sell the same one at Target (branded as Lansinoh) but it doesn't come with the extra extender thing included like the Amazon one does.
When my SIL had her baby a month after I had mine, she unexpectedly had to start exclusively pumping her first week PP, and I bent over backwards to deliver her one of these bras the day she started. That's how essential it is to me! She bought a second one the next day.
Aside from pumping bras, you could also consider Pumpin' Pals. They allow you to lean back when you're pumping instead of having to awkwardly hunch forward. I haven't tried them myself but I've heard good things.
On the other hand, some doctors are not recommending Tylenol with vaccines anymore because there is some evidence it can weaken the immune response/ vaccine effectiveness. Of course this wouldn't apply if the fever was at a dangerously high level. It's worth asking your Ped about. Source https://www.webmd.com/children/vaccines/news/20091015/tylenol-may-weaken-infant-vaccines
We get ones like this at the grocery store. It's a universal adapter.
Aura Carver Smart Digital Picture... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088C2RNK6?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
This is the one we bought. Nothing but positive feedback from us and the in laws. Plus the picture quality looks great!
Can’t go wrong with a v-neck loose fit or (slim fit if you’re feeling your figure) with a tank/camisole under (nursing tank for me currently), jeans (I like fit and flare), a belt, and comfy shoes. Super easy, works in most settings, can contain a high energy 3.5 year old and 11 month old while wearing.
For fancier occasions, jeans, belt, and this shirt
MIHOLL Womens Loose Blouse Short Sleeve V Neck Button Down T Shirts Tie Front Knot Casual Tops https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PPLCY3J/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_XMC83KXEC0WMQXD5WHX0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Bought it three years ago 6 months after my first, doesn’t drown you, but definitely hides the extra in a flattering manner. I call it my brunch shirt and wear it weekly. I even wore it through 2/3 of my second pregnancy and it looks good on me in shape and out of shape.
I just read “And Baby Makes Three” which has some good ideas for communication for new parents- May help some with the parental stress parts amazon link
We tried plastic toy keys but LO wasn't buying it. She really likes the metal of real keys so when we found these she was a happy camper!
I buy these socks and ONLY these socks. No matter how many people tell me he needs cute socks. Unless they want to come do my laundry, he will remain in bleachable white socks.
Also - wash socks in mesh bags. No more sock monster.
Honest Toddler refers to that as preventing "Infant Sibling Disease." Here's a link to the excerpt from the (outrageously hilarious) book that explains it ;)
Groupon apparently has the S1 available for $180. It's what I use and I really like it. The battery pack is extremely handy.
https://www.groupon.com/deals/gg-hospital-grade-double-electric-breast-pump
The S2 is only $120, the only difference is no battery pack:
https://www.groupon.com/deals/gg-double-electric-breast-pump-1
You should be pumping every 2-3 hours at work just as if you were feeding bubs at home. So for example, if he breastfeeds at 8am, 11am, and 2pm you would need to pump at those times at work. A full pumping session is typically 15-20 min per side. The issue you're going to run into is that your boobs will think that you don't need the milk during those times and you will stop producing.
As for people being judge-y, fuck em. Seriously. If it was me I would be waving the milk bag in greeting everytime they stared at me like that. How obnoxious. Investing in a mini fridge for your office or cubicle (maybe something like this ) would allow you to avoid walking milk bags back and forth.
You've got this!
We have this one at all the grandparents houses. You can easily add to it (and share to multiple frames at once)
You can also get the bath seats that have a supporting ring around babies waist, so he cant slip anywhere.
Apart from the strategies, this book also helped give me a sense of perspective. Our toddlers are not yet young children, but they're no longer babies. Happiest Toddler helped me figure out how to talk to my son (now 2) and how to listen to him. It has made a WORLD of difference. A little bit of empathy goes a long way with my toddler.
I'd say this article sums up the biggest strategies in the book.
So far, the strategies I employ the most with my son are Toddlerese (really good at diffusing a situation and getting a conversation going with my son), the Fast Food Rule, and Gossip (I talk to his teddy bear every night about all of the cool things he did that day and also all the things that made mommy sad. He always asks for "Teddy Bear Talk"). All work amazingly well for me. The only thing I haven't loved from the book is his view of bargaining and negotiation, but maybe I just haven't done it right yet.
I always use the site http://www.kids-in-mind.com for that! It's a website meant for parents to assess if a movie is appropriate for their kids, but I just use it for myself to see if I can handle the violence. They do a great job of telling you the bad stuff that happens without spoiling the plot too much. For example it will say something like, "Man strangles another man, scene cuts out and it is later implied the man is dead. Woman shoots man in back." Etc.
Bike seats are not safe. They are convenient and smaller than a trailer for those for whom space is paramount but they are not in the same league as a trailer. If a bike tips over, there is a good chance the child is making contact with the ground/curb/whatever, whereas I have seen a trailer flip over completely on its side without the kid even registering an impact; I never put a helmet on my kid when she's in the trailer (nor does anyone else I know in the outdoor industry who works with these things) because realistically even if the thing flips she's not hitting her head on anything thanks to the roll bars and general structure of the trailer, but I don't know that I would ever be comfortable enough to put her in a bike seat even with a helmet.
Not to mention it is pretty convenient being able to store diaper bags and other gear in a trailer.
My grandfather, who was visibly tongue tied, had a wet nurse because his mother died during childbirth. This was 1910s New Jersey, Russian immigrant community.
There are actually a whole bunch of old school baby care manuals on google books that are FASCINATING. Here's one from 1901.
There is a lot of research that shows Americans have a wider personal space bubble than people in other countries. It totally makes sense that those cultural norms apply to our babies as well.
https://lifehacker.com/what-personal-space-means-to-the-rest-of-world-1794130182
I used washcloths like what you do, and then a childless friend sent me a link to peepee teepees thinking it would be a funny joke. I ordered a pack, then 3 more because they worked AND made me laugh my butt off ;D
Baby wearing, if the carrier you have doesn't work, maybe a different one. Or a back carrier.
Different stroller. Can you get one used or borrow from someone.
Something like this for a shopping cart https://www.amazon.com/Summer-Infant-Cushy-Cover-Positioner/dp/B00H57F2B8/ref=asc_df_B00H57F2B8
Library?
At 6 months I mostly baby wore. At 12 we switch to him sitting in the shopping cart seat. Or I'd bring my stroller.