Baby sleep is one confounding subject. There are all kinds of articles on it that will tell you how much sleep they are supposed to get, what ages you'd expect to have your baby take two naps a day and when they'll transition to one nap, how to get them to bed at night, etc. If there is one consistent thing I've found with all of the articles I've read, it's that not a single one seems to apply to my baby. I'll explain.
How much babies sleep. I've read several articles that say even though it seems counter intuitive, the more a baby sleeps, the more they will sleep. Ok, what? Basically, they tell you that consistent naps and early bed times ensure longer naps and longer night time sleep. While you may think that the earlier they go to bed, the earlier they awaken, this is not true. They theoretically will sleep longer if you put them to be earlier.
Many people will recommend you let the baby cry it out. As in, you put them to bed awake and if they are crying, let them cry to exhaustion until they finally go to sleep. This is actually not a recommended solution, even though many pediatricians still tell parents to do it. The problem with crying it out (and we're not talking a 5 minute spurt, we're talking 20-30 minutes or longer) is that as a baby cries are unanswered, the more they become stressed out, the more thy are learning that their needs will not be met. They are learning, however unconscious, that people can not be trusted and this will not only lead to an anxious child, but also one that has problems developing relationships with people. Cry it out can be done following the Ferber Method which involves several steps of reassuring the child that their cries are not unanswered and helping them to soothe themselves, knowing that their parents are close by if they are needed. I have a whole post on cry it out, if you want to check that out.
I have many friends that talk about their babies naps and how they can't do certain activities or have to postpone to a later time because that is the baby's nap time. I hear of moms whose babies have slept through the night from the time they put them to bed until they get up in the morning since an early age. I've read that a consistent sleep schedule is best for getting your child to nap and sleep.
And then there is my child.
Now, granted, it's not for lack of trying. Pretty early on, when my little one started staying awake longer, he developed his own sleep schedule. Since I've adopted a more attachment-parenting parenting style, I did not insist on a particular schedule and followed my munchkin's cues to identify when sleep times were. So, pretty early on, this was established by him. He'd wake up around 6:30 or 7 in the morning, get cranky and tired for a nap around 11:30 or 12, get cranky for a second nap around 2, and then he'd go to sleep at night starting at about 10:30p and slowly moving up to around 8:30p. At around 1 year of age, he started skipping the morning nap crankiness and would get tired around 1pm. So, he went from two naps to one. All of this seems perfectly normal.
So where is the problem? Well, it's that he doesn't always sleep. I've tried to put him down to naps before he is cranky (as the articles suggest) around the times he'd normally get tired, but he'd do nothing but sit up and scream. I refuse to let him cry it out, and even trying the Ferber method, his crying doesn't subside upon seeing me as it is supposed to. We have a regular bed time routine too (also as books and articles suggest) but that doesn't mean he always goes down on time. Even if I start the routine at the same time every night. It doesn't matter. He also still wakes up at night (at 13 mo.) which some people seem to think this should be done by much earlier. It is rough. I don't get a ton of sleep, but, at the same time, it is kind of my choice. I don't use cry it out. I haven't tried methods lined out in "The No-Cry Sleep Solution" which I've heard works well. I haven't seriously sought out assistance in getting my baby to sleep more.
But at the same time, I am not stressing out over it, does it bother me? Sure, but I'd rather let my baby sleep when he needs it. I figure it's less stress on him (and me) if I don't try to force him. When he is cranky and fighting sleep and really needs a nap, I take a nap with him. That solves that problem. The bottom line is, it works for us. Don't let people tell you that you need to change what you are doing unless it is causing problems, stressing you out, or putting your child's safety at risk. So what if my baby doesn't take two naps a day and sleep 12 hours at night? I'm not alone and my baby is happy. He is not over-tired and sleep deprived as many of the articles would have you believe. When he doesn't take regular naps he catches cat naps here and there to get the sleep he needs and then goes back to playing and exploring - his favorite activities.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
On Baby Mobility - Pulling up
When babies start to pull up onto things, it can be exciting as well as one of the scariest things that ever occurs in the first year.
My little one discovered how to pull up the same day he started to crawl. Two milestones in one day isn't seen very often, but it happened with ours. My husband witnessed the pulling up long before I did and while he told me about it, seeing it yourself really makes it real. Not that I didn't believe him, but I guess I just had to see it.
That particular day, he was being especially cranky and I decided to put him down for a nap because the cranky was relative to his sleepiness. He fussed for a little bit and then quieted down and when I went to check on him, I found that he had pulled himself out of his sidecar co-sleeper and onto our bed. There he was, laying face first on our bed, legs still in his co-sleeper. Luckily, I was able to move him back to his bed without waking him up.
That type of pulling up can be really scary because there is the fall risk. Other pulling up comes with its fair share of falling though and that is why I think it is one of the hardest times as a parent in the first year.
When babies first learn to pull up, it is new and exciting, but unfortunately, they don't automatically know how to return to the floor. They will fall forward and backward. And not lightly, mind you. It appears as though they fall straight, like a board. And for some reason, they don't seem to have a sense of mobile things either. A chair or toy on wheels is just as good for pulling up as anything else, leading to more falls when it rolls away.
For these situations, I found it easiest to keep my little one off of the tile and just redirect him to the carpet. Our fireplace has a floor level hearth, so I originally wasn't too worried about it. I should have been. One day I saw him pull up on his bouncer seat and then take a face-plant directly into the side of the fire place. Luckily, he was okay. Seeing that and seeing how the hard hearth was still a potential site for injury lead me to line it with foam puzzle mats. These created a nice cushion should he decide to fall again, at least, if he hit the floor.
Before too long, they do figure out how to place their hands down to catch their fall or they will learn to sit to return to the floor. Before that though, it is very hard to see them fall, but it is part of their development. They have to figure out how to stop the fall and unfortunately, they can't learn to do that if they never fall. I'd suggest keeping them from real dangers like hard flooring until they get their bearings and learn to work their way back to the floor on their own.
My little one discovered how to pull up the same day he started to crawl. Two milestones in one day isn't seen very often, but it happened with ours. My husband witnessed the pulling up long before I did and while he told me about it, seeing it yourself really makes it real. Not that I didn't believe him, but I guess I just had to see it.
That particular day, he was being especially cranky and I decided to put him down for a nap because the cranky was relative to his sleepiness. He fussed for a little bit and then quieted down and when I went to check on him, I found that he had pulled himself out of his sidecar co-sleeper and onto our bed. There he was, laying face first on our bed, legs still in his co-sleeper. Luckily, I was able to move him back to his bed without waking him up.
That type of pulling up can be really scary because there is the fall risk. Other pulling up comes with its fair share of falling though and that is why I think it is one of the hardest times as a parent in the first year.
When babies first learn to pull up, it is new and exciting, but unfortunately, they don't automatically know how to return to the floor. They will fall forward and backward. And not lightly, mind you. It appears as though they fall straight, like a board. And for some reason, they don't seem to have a sense of mobile things either. A chair or toy on wheels is just as good for pulling up as anything else, leading to more falls when it rolls away.
For these situations, I found it easiest to keep my little one off of the tile and just redirect him to the carpet. Our fireplace has a floor level hearth, so I originally wasn't too worried about it. I should have been. One day I saw him pull up on his bouncer seat and then take a face-plant directly into the side of the fire place. Luckily, he was okay. Seeing that and seeing how the hard hearth was still a potential site for injury lead me to line it with foam puzzle mats. These created a nice cushion should he decide to fall again, at least, if he hit the floor.
Before too long, they do figure out how to place their hands down to catch their fall or they will learn to sit to return to the floor. Before that though, it is very hard to see them fall, but it is part of their development. They have to figure out how to stop the fall and unfortunately, they can't learn to do that if they never fall. I'd suggest keeping them from real dangers like hard flooring until they get their bearings and learn to work their way back to the floor on their own.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
On Nursing in Public
Nursing in public becomes a really hot topic, mostly with people that don't have kids or never breastfed. So many people will see a woman nursing in public and get really upset that she's flashing everyone. I can guarantee you, this is not her intention. She doesn't want her boob out there for everyone to see. Probably more likely, she's hoping that people will just look away and mind their own business. Either that or she is completely confident in what she is doing and does not care if people see her breast because it's more important to her that her baby gets fed.
World Breastfeeding Week just passed recently and there were many posts flying around Facebook and personal blogs about the wonders of breastfeeding. Nursing in public naturally came up in many of those places. One blog I read was from a woman who was pro-breastfeeding. She described three situations that she observed in a single day about women nursing in public. One mom bared all and tandem nursed her toddler and baby, another nursed her baby with her shirt positioned so it slid down over her if the baby unlatched, and the third mom fought the baby and the sweltering heat to cover up with a nursing cover creating a much larger scene than the other two.
Now, the way you choose to nurse in public is of course a personal choice. I can also tell you from experience that the more you do it, and the more people you know that do it, the more comfortable you will be. The first time I needed to feed the baby away from the home, I actually took him out to the car and sat in the back seat nursing him. That was the last time I did that. It was too hot and completely ridiculous for me to subject myself to that. Since then, I learned the skill of using a blanket as a nursing cover. Before long, the baby received a blanket that actually had Velcro on two corners which worked nicely as a cover as I could just attach it around my neck. That is until my baby decided that he didn't want to be covered.
In talking to many moms, there are certain things you need to know about nursing covers. First, the earlier you introduce them, the easier it is for your baby to accept nursing with something over their head. Second, almost all babies will eventually get to the point where they no longer tolerate the cover over their head. I have experienced this first hand. Often, you create more of a scene in trying to get the cover over the baby than you would if you just nursed them.
So, what's a woman to do? While I know that many moms aren't bothered by flashing the occasional stranger in the process of nursing a baby, I'm not one of them. I have nursed without much stress in my mom group, but then, since it started as a breastfeeding support group, having boobs out all of the time really becomes a non-issue. In other situations though, I've tried to find the happy medium of covering myself without too much of a scene - especially since the baby is less accepting of the cover. Nursing tops make nursing in public the easiest for access. They allow you to quickly latch on the baby without pulling up your whole shirt or practically undressing leading to less of a scene. I have found the easiest thing to do is use the baby's head to block yourself as you uncover your breast and latch the baby on. If the baby lets go, I've found that pulling the baby close to you usually will block an unsuspecting public from seeing you flash them. Again, the baby's head is blocking them from seeing anything. Occasionally I will get the baby in place and use a small cloth like a burp rag to cover up anything that may still be visible. This is usually less annoying to the nursing baby. Also, holding their free hand with your free hand is often effective for keeping the baby from pulling the cloth off. This does prevent you from continuing to eat or do whatever you were doing, but it does work.
I hope this helps you find a way to make it less visible. Remember though, it is better to accidentally flash someone than have a cranky, screaming, hungry baby. There is absolutely no reason to feel you have to excuse yourself or go hide some place that may be unhygienic, like a bathroom. One more thing, nursing in public is protected by law so never feel that you are in the wrong if you need to feed your baby. It may be awkward at first, but you'll get more and more used to it and ultimately be more comfortable. Believe me, no matter where you choose to feed your baby, you have the support of every nursing mother around you. They are all sending you a silent, "Congratulations!"
World Breastfeeding Week just passed recently and there were many posts flying around Facebook and personal blogs about the wonders of breastfeeding. Nursing in public naturally came up in many of those places. One blog I read was from a woman who was pro-breastfeeding. She described three situations that she observed in a single day about women nursing in public. One mom bared all and tandem nursed her toddler and baby, another nursed her baby with her shirt positioned so it slid down over her if the baby unlatched, and the third mom fought the baby and the sweltering heat to cover up with a nursing cover creating a much larger scene than the other two.
Now, the way you choose to nurse in public is of course a personal choice. I can also tell you from experience that the more you do it, and the more people you know that do it, the more comfortable you will be. The first time I needed to feed the baby away from the home, I actually took him out to the car and sat in the back seat nursing him. That was the last time I did that. It was too hot and completely ridiculous for me to subject myself to that. Since then, I learned the skill of using a blanket as a nursing cover. Before long, the baby received a blanket that actually had Velcro on two corners which worked nicely as a cover as I could just attach it around my neck. That is until my baby decided that he didn't want to be covered.
In talking to many moms, there are certain things you need to know about nursing covers. First, the earlier you introduce them, the easier it is for your baby to accept nursing with something over their head. Second, almost all babies will eventually get to the point where they no longer tolerate the cover over their head. I have experienced this first hand. Often, you create more of a scene in trying to get the cover over the baby than you would if you just nursed them.
So, what's a woman to do? While I know that many moms aren't bothered by flashing the occasional stranger in the process of nursing a baby, I'm not one of them. I have nursed without much stress in my mom group, but then, since it started as a breastfeeding support group, having boobs out all of the time really becomes a non-issue. In other situations though, I've tried to find the happy medium of covering myself without too much of a scene - especially since the baby is less accepting of the cover. Nursing tops make nursing in public the easiest for access. They allow you to quickly latch on the baby without pulling up your whole shirt or practically undressing leading to less of a scene. I have found the easiest thing to do is use the baby's head to block yourself as you uncover your breast and latch the baby on. If the baby lets go, I've found that pulling the baby close to you usually will block an unsuspecting public from seeing you flash them. Again, the baby's head is blocking them from seeing anything. Occasionally I will get the baby in place and use a small cloth like a burp rag to cover up anything that may still be visible. This is usually less annoying to the nursing baby. Also, holding their free hand with your free hand is often effective for keeping the baby from pulling the cloth off. This does prevent you from continuing to eat or do whatever you were doing, but it does work.
I hope this helps you find a way to make it less visible. Remember though, it is better to accidentally flash someone than have a cranky, screaming, hungry baby. There is absolutely no reason to feel you have to excuse yourself or go hide some place that may be unhygienic, like a bathroom. One more thing, nursing in public is protected by law so never feel that you are in the wrong if you need to feed your baby. It may be awkward at first, but you'll get more and more used to it and ultimately be more comfortable. Believe me, no matter where you choose to feed your baby, you have the support of every nursing mother around you. They are all sending you a silent, "Congratulations!"
Sunday, August 15, 2010
On Pets and Kids
Prior to having a baby, I worked for about 11 years in pet hospitals. I worked pretty much every position other than veterinarian and over the years I became obsessed with continuing education. I love to learn and the idea of getting free education and a meal was too good to pass up! What can I say, college does that to a person. When I graduated college, my desire to learn didn't go away and I not only attended continuing education seminars, but I sought out online opportunities and even attended a conference. While I focus a lot of my training on nutrition and behavior (as those are my main interests), I have also spent many, many hours learning about parasites in pets. The reason for this subject is because it is such a main focus in pet care that affects pretty much every pet and pet owner and there is a great need to understand the risks when working with and educating clients at the pet hospital.
People seem to take different approaches when it comes to pets and kids and especially pets and babies. Some people want the pets to stay away from the baby and have the kids wash their hands after touching or petting the dog or cat. Others, have the kids playing right on the floor with the animals and never think a thing of it. I'm of the second variety. I am the type to not get to stressed if I find the baby chewing on the dog toy, but that is because I know that there isn't anything on that dog toy that the baby couldn't get somewhere else and unless he's eating it, it isn't going to harm him.
There are, however, areas where there is valid concern with pets and the safety of children. Of course there are the pets that have behavior issues or those that are clumsy (like my lanky Labrador that has knocked over my baby more times than I can count); but it is the unseen problems that people don't always think about. For the most part, bacteria and viruses like particular species, so getting a cough or cold from the dog or cat is highly unlikely. Some skin infections can pass between people and pets like ringworm (caused by a fungus) or scabies (also known as sarcoptic mange caused by mange mites). If lesions show up on your pet and kids, take the pet to the vet and the kid to the pediatrician. Both the pet and the child will need to be treated simultaneously to clear the infection and prevent them from passing it back and forth.
Even more of a cause for concern than fungal or parasitic skin infection is that of intestinal parasite infection. The reason is that there is still a high prevalence of intestinal parasite infections in pets; and people, especially the young (babies and children), old, and immune compromised are at risk as well. While people don't usually get intestinal parasites, they are affected quite negatively by the larva of roundworms and hookworms. Most commonly seen are what are referred to as larval migrans. Eggs are passed in the feces of infected dogs and cats. Once the eggs hatch, the larva burrow into exposed skin and moves around the body. In dogs and cats, they work their way through the body and end up in the intestinal tract (sometimes after years of dormancy within muscles). In people these larva don't take the same path. They can stay just under the skin causing a severe itchy reactive area in the skin or they can work their way to the eye and cause blindness.
Many pets throughout the country are not on a parasite prevention all year long. It is very common in many areas to use heartworm or flea control just during the summer months, but this type of thinking is flawed. In areas where humans live, temperatures remain ambient enough for parasites to continue their life cycles. If it gets a little cold, they can go dormant and when it warms up, they can hatch and continue developing. Because of this, it is important to keep your pet on preventative all year long, every month. Most heartworm preventatives also protect against intestinal parasites (like hookworms and roundworms) so this is the best way to protect your kids from being exposed to them as well.
The main parasite that people think about when it comes to pets and people is Toxoplasmosis in the case of pregnancy and cat ownership. Unfortunately, there are a lot of rumors that get spread about this infection. Toxoplasmosis is a protozoan that cats can get from killing and eating wild rodents.When a cat contracts Toxoplasmosis, they typically will spread it for about three weeks and then they recover (they often never show symptoms). A cat that has had Toxoplasmosis becomes immune to it and will never contract or pass it again. Humans get it fecal/orally so if good hygiene isn't practiced when scooping the box, it can put them at risk. Pregnant women should especially be careful as a Toxoplasmosis infection can lead to major problems for the developing baby. Cats that have been indoor all of their lives are very unlikely to have ever been exposed. Cats that have been outdoor (or indoor/outdoor) all of their lives are very likely to have been exposed. If the cat's history is unknown, extra care should always be used especially since all cats do not show symptoms when they are passing the protozoan. Pregnant women are, however, more likely to get Toxoplasmosis from uncooked chicken so safe handling and cooking practices are just as important as when cleaning up after the cat.
Even if you don't have pets, they can still cause concern for your kids, especially when it comes to areas your kids may be outdoors. If possible, avoid the use of public sandboxes (stray cats love to use these as litter boxes and likely aren't kept on preventative) and other similar play areas that are not blocked or guarded from stray animals. If you have a sandbox at home, make sure to keep it covered when not in use (again, stray cats can jump the fence and leave little gifts).
For more information check out the following page for the Companion Animal Parasite Council
People seem to take different approaches when it comes to pets and kids and especially pets and babies. Some people want the pets to stay away from the baby and have the kids wash their hands after touching or petting the dog or cat. Others, have the kids playing right on the floor with the animals and never think a thing of it. I'm of the second variety. I am the type to not get to stressed if I find the baby chewing on the dog toy, but that is because I know that there isn't anything on that dog toy that the baby couldn't get somewhere else and unless he's eating it, it isn't going to harm him.
There are, however, areas where there is valid concern with pets and the safety of children. Of course there are the pets that have behavior issues or those that are clumsy (like my lanky Labrador that has knocked over my baby more times than I can count); but it is the unseen problems that people don't always think about. For the most part, bacteria and viruses like particular species, so getting a cough or cold from the dog or cat is highly unlikely. Some skin infections can pass between people and pets like ringworm (caused by a fungus) or scabies (also known as sarcoptic mange caused by mange mites). If lesions show up on your pet and kids, take the pet to the vet and the kid to the pediatrician. Both the pet and the child will need to be treated simultaneously to clear the infection and prevent them from passing it back and forth.
Even more of a cause for concern than fungal or parasitic skin infection is that of intestinal parasite infection. The reason is that there is still a high prevalence of intestinal parasite infections in pets; and people, especially the young (babies and children), old, and immune compromised are at risk as well. While people don't usually get intestinal parasites, they are affected quite negatively by the larva of roundworms and hookworms. Most commonly seen are what are referred to as larval migrans. Eggs are passed in the feces of infected dogs and cats. Once the eggs hatch, the larva burrow into exposed skin and moves around the body. In dogs and cats, they work their way through the body and end up in the intestinal tract (sometimes after years of dormancy within muscles). In people these larva don't take the same path. They can stay just under the skin causing a severe itchy reactive area in the skin or they can work their way to the eye and cause blindness.
Many pets throughout the country are not on a parasite prevention all year long. It is very common in many areas to use heartworm or flea control just during the summer months, but this type of thinking is flawed. In areas where humans live, temperatures remain ambient enough for parasites to continue their life cycles. If it gets a little cold, they can go dormant and when it warms up, they can hatch and continue developing. Because of this, it is important to keep your pet on preventative all year long, every month. Most heartworm preventatives also protect against intestinal parasites (like hookworms and roundworms) so this is the best way to protect your kids from being exposed to them as well.
The main parasite that people think about when it comes to pets and people is Toxoplasmosis in the case of pregnancy and cat ownership. Unfortunately, there are a lot of rumors that get spread about this infection. Toxoplasmosis is a protozoan that cats can get from killing and eating wild rodents.When a cat contracts Toxoplasmosis, they typically will spread it for about three weeks and then they recover (they often never show symptoms). A cat that has had Toxoplasmosis becomes immune to it and will never contract or pass it again. Humans get it fecal/orally so if good hygiene isn't practiced when scooping the box, it can put them at risk. Pregnant women should especially be careful as a Toxoplasmosis infection can lead to major problems for the developing baby. Cats that have been indoor all of their lives are very unlikely to have ever been exposed. Cats that have been outdoor (or indoor/outdoor) all of their lives are very likely to have been exposed. If the cat's history is unknown, extra care should always be used especially since all cats do not show symptoms when they are passing the protozoan. Pregnant women are, however, more likely to get Toxoplasmosis from uncooked chicken so safe handling and cooking practices are just as important as when cleaning up after the cat.
Even if you don't have pets, they can still cause concern for your kids, especially when it comes to areas your kids may be outdoors. If possible, avoid the use of public sandboxes (stray cats love to use these as litter boxes and likely aren't kept on preventative) and other similar play areas that are not blocked or guarded from stray animals. If you have a sandbox at home, make sure to keep it covered when not in use (again, stray cats can jump the fence and leave little gifts).
For more information check out the following page for the Companion Animal Parasite Council
Saturday, August 14, 2010
On the Kelty FC 3.0 (Product Review)
Yesterday we received our new hiking carrier for the baby, the Kelty FC 3.0. Now, I have to say I'm a bit unaware of the differences between a lot of different packs, but there were several things that made me select this particular one.
The Kelty FC 3.0 features a 5-point harness. This is well known to be the most secure type of harness for car seats. Another wonderful feature is the rain and sun shield. This is an extra hood you place over the baby's head so that they are protected from the elements. The sides of the hood are mesh so the baby can still see out and the hood is removable for times when it is not needed. The pack features several pockets acting as a backpack as well as a carrier where the hood can be stored as well as other necessities like water bottles and sunscreen. The pack also comes with a changing pad that has pockets for diapers and wipes. Also featured on the pack are side pockets located on the padded waist strap that are convenient for a cell phones and camera. The carrier will support a baby from 16-40 lbs and those that can fully support their head. The pack will support a total weight of 50 lbs. including child and cargo.
Aside from the many features, a friend reported that the Kelty pack they had, though an early model was extremely comfortable and she had just as much each wearing it as her husband did on their trip to the Grand Canyon and many national parks in the western US. They had rented a pack for part of their trip but found it to be significantly less comfortable than the Kelty.
So, sold on the features and the reported comfort, my husband ordered the pack. We tried it out as soon as it arrived and I fell in love with it as soon as I got it on my back. The main thing that impressed me with the pack is how well it supports the baby's weight. I found that while wearing it, I barely felt the weight of the baby at all. The pack is so well structured, that worn correctly, the child is supported by the pack and not the person carrying it. Now, I still have yet to try it hiking or on longer escapades, and I will add to the review when I get the chance, but for now, I have to say I'm extremely impressed.
The Kelty FC 3.0 features a 5-point harness. This is well known to be the most secure type of harness for car seats. Another wonderful feature is the rain and sun shield. This is an extra hood you place over the baby's head so that they are protected from the elements. The sides of the hood are mesh so the baby can still see out and the hood is removable for times when it is not needed. The pack features several pockets acting as a backpack as well as a carrier where the hood can be stored as well as other necessities like water bottles and sunscreen. The pack also comes with a changing pad that has pockets for diapers and wipes. Also featured on the pack are side pockets located on the padded waist strap that are convenient for a cell phones and camera. The carrier will support a baby from 16-40 lbs and those that can fully support their head. The pack will support a total weight of 50 lbs. including child and cargo.Aside from the many features, a friend reported that the Kelty pack they had, though an early model was extremely comfortable and she had just as much each wearing it as her husband did on their trip to the Grand Canyon and many national parks in the western US. They had rented a pack for part of their trip but found it to be significantly less comfortable than the Kelty.
So, sold on the features and the reported comfort, my husband ordered the pack. We tried it out as soon as it arrived and I fell in love with it as soon as I got it on my back. The main thing that impressed me with the pack is how well it supports the baby's weight. I found that while wearing it, I barely felt the weight of the baby at all. The pack is so well structured, that worn correctly, the child is supported by the pack and not the person carrying it. Now, I still have yet to try it hiking or on longer escapades, and I will add to the review when I get the chance, but for now, I have to say I'm extremely impressed.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
On the Loss of Hotslings
Recent news tells us that Hotslings will be no more. Hotslings at least in my experience were the most recognizable brand of pouch slings available for baby-wearing. The company which started in 2003, gained in popularity and was the only sling I had ever seen in mainstream stores like Target and Babies R Us - both in stores and online.
I'm not sure why exactly they are going out of business. Their website tells only that they are going out of business and all sales are final. They had even recently developed and adjustable pouch sling that could be worn by multiple people rather than their traditional slings that fit to a single individual.
The good news is that if you are looking for a pouch style slings and are unable to find Hotslings in the future, there are other brands available. Probably the next most recognizable brand is Slinglings but there are others like Peanut Shell and Sprout Pouch.
I can't vouch for any of them aside from the Hotsling since that is the one I have and use quite frequently. I have seen and handled a Slingling and it seems very similar to a Hotsling in form and function. Either way, the most important thing is to follow the instructions for use to ensure your baby is safe and secure.
I'm not sure why exactly they are going out of business. Their website tells only that they are going out of business and all sales are final. They had even recently developed and adjustable pouch sling that could be worn by multiple people rather than their traditional slings that fit to a single individual.
The good news is that if you are looking for a pouch style slings and are unable to find Hotslings in the future, there are other brands available. Probably the next most recognizable brand is Slinglings but there are others like Peanut Shell and Sprout Pouch.
I can't vouch for any of them aside from the Hotsling since that is the one I have and use quite frequently. I have seen and handled a Slingling and it seems very similar to a Hotsling in form and function. Either way, the most important thing is to follow the instructions for use to ensure your baby is safe and secure.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
On Baby Shoes
I love going through the baby section of a shoe store or going through the shoe section of a baby store. It is amazing that feet are ever that little and there are so many cute designs and styles! At the same time, this also makes me very sad. I'll explain...
My husband and I tried to be reasonable about our baby purchases and limit ourselves to items we felt were absolutely necessary. We waited until after showers and such to start getting items for the baby when I was pregnant. We even managed to collect a lot of used baby items from family - toys, clothes, bouncer seats, high chair, etc. It made it wonderful and in the end there were only some small things and a few large items we purchased on our own.
Among the items we received either as gifts or as hand-me-downs, were pairs and pairs of shoes. Probably about a dozen or so in various sizes. It definitely made the list of items we didn't need to purchase, although, we wouldn't have even if we had not received a single pair. And all those pairs of shoes remained unworn and the new shoes stayed in perfect condition. I apologize to anyone who reads this that either passed on shoes or purchased new ones for our little one.
Why, then would we not have used the shoes we were given? Well, I'll tell you. My husband and I both operate on the theory that babies don't need shoes. Unlike other clothing items, as infants, there is no function or purpose for shoes when the child is carried everywhere. We felt it unnecessary to spend the money on shoes that he'd grow out of in a very short period of time when he didn't even have to have them. Even when they become mildly mobile, as in crawling, shoes don't really serve a purpose. To keep the baby's feet warm in the cold winter, a pair of socks and a blanket performed that job quite nicely. As a fashion statement or to finish off an outfit, there is a mild degree of use for shoes, but even this is not a great idea on a regular basis which I'll explain in a bit.
Many people will say that once a baby starts walking, that is when they will need shoes, and in general, that is what my husband and I agree upon as well, although, we go to an even further extreme. We think that even as walkers, shoes are only needed for outdoors. Any time he is home or indoors, shoes are not necessary.
You can ask any doctor or any expert, for proper walking and posture, you should be barefoot. And that's not just for babies - my yoga instructors are constantly talking about adult misalignment problems because of wearing shoes too much. It is however, vital for kids with growing feet. For proper development, kids should learn to walk barefoot and should continue to be barefoot as often as possible. Aside from that, even wearing shoes before walking can inhibit the growth and development of feet and making it harder for kids to learn to walk and develop properly. I've even heard that wearing shoes can affect them psychologically if they have too much difficulty from the shoes getting in the way as they are learning to walk. If researching, you will also learn that it is best for kids to never wear shoes that have been used. This is because shoes form to your feet. A growing child that wears shoes that have formed to another child's feet will have problems with their own development.
So, what does all this mean? Well for most situations, going barefoot is key. If the baby or toddler needs shoes for going outside, flexible soles that are comprised of leather will protect the feet, but also let your child feel the ground and learn to walk properly instead of inhibiting development. There are many brands out there that facilitate this and have commentary from podiatrists they've worked with to develop their shoes. Always get new shoes, especially if they are structured shoes as these are more likely to mold to feet.
It makes me feel slightly ungrateful to not use the shoes that our munchkin has received, and I do appreciate the generosity of others, but I'd rather he develop correctly. I've been searching for shoes that he can wear, but for now, he's only allowed limited walking outside and walking beautifully otherwise.
My husband and I tried to be reasonable about our baby purchases and limit ourselves to items we felt were absolutely necessary. We waited until after showers and such to start getting items for the baby when I was pregnant. We even managed to collect a lot of used baby items from family - toys, clothes, bouncer seats, high chair, etc. It made it wonderful and in the end there were only some small things and a few large items we purchased on our own.
Among the items we received either as gifts or as hand-me-downs, were pairs and pairs of shoes. Probably about a dozen or so in various sizes. It definitely made the list of items we didn't need to purchase, although, we wouldn't have even if we had not received a single pair. And all those pairs of shoes remained unworn and the new shoes stayed in perfect condition. I apologize to anyone who reads this that either passed on shoes or purchased new ones for our little one.
Why, then would we not have used the shoes we were given? Well, I'll tell you. My husband and I both operate on the theory that babies don't need shoes. Unlike other clothing items, as infants, there is no function or purpose for shoes when the child is carried everywhere. We felt it unnecessary to spend the money on shoes that he'd grow out of in a very short period of time when he didn't even have to have them. Even when they become mildly mobile, as in crawling, shoes don't really serve a purpose. To keep the baby's feet warm in the cold winter, a pair of socks and a blanket performed that job quite nicely. As a fashion statement or to finish off an outfit, there is a mild degree of use for shoes, but even this is not a great idea on a regular basis which I'll explain in a bit.
Many people will say that once a baby starts walking, that is when they will need shoes, and in general, that is what my husband and I agree upon as well, although, we go to an even further extreme. We think that even as walkers, shoes are only needed for outdoors. Any time he is home or indoors, shoes are not necessary.
You can ask any doctor or any expert, for proper walking and posture, you should be barefoot. And that's not just for babies - my yoga instructors are constantly talking about adult misalignment problems because of wearing shoes too much. It is however, vital for kids with growing feet. For proper development, kids should learn to walk barefoot and should continue to be barefoot as often as possible. Aside from that, even wearing shoes before walking can inhibit the growth and development of feet and making it harder for kids to learn to walk and develop properly. I've even heard that wearing shoes can affect them psychologically if they have too much difficulty from the shoes getting in the way as they are learning to walk. If researching, you will also learn that it is best for kids to never wear shoes that have been used. This is because shoes form to your feet. A growing child that wears shoes that have formed to another child's feet will have problems with their own development.
So, what does all this mean? Well for most situations, going barefoot is key. If the baby or toddler needs shoes for going outside, flexible soles that are comprised of leather will protect the feet, but also let your child feel the ground and learn to walk properly instead of inhibiting development. There are many brands out there that facilitate this and have commentary from podiatrists they've worked with to develop their shoes. Always get new shoes, especially if they are structured shoes as these are more likely to mold to feet.
It makes me feel slightly ungrateful to not use the shoes that our munchkin has received, and I do appreciate the generosity of others, but I'd rather he develop correctly. I've been searching for shoes that he can wear, but for now, he's only allowed limited walking outside and walking beautifully otherwise.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
On Car Seats, Part 2
New discussions with friends have encouraged me to add to my previous post about car seats. There were several things I've learned in researching car seats and I continue to learn new things as my baby continues to grow. I'm adding to what I have learned so the following is a continuation of my previous post on car seats.
Some things I've learned:
- Many pads and positioners are available for use in car seats to help protect the baby or make them more comfortable. These become very popular baby items and gifts for new moms. Unfortunately this is a very bad idea. The reason is that when car seats are safety tested, they are tested with the padding that comes with the seat and is made to go with the seat. Additional pads can interfere with the design of the car seat and negate safety features that will protect the child. Because of this, any warranties that are available on car seats are voided if additional padding is used other than that which comes with the car seat.
- Heavy coats should not be used with car seats. Because heavy coats are thick, they inhibit the straps from tightening against the baby's body as closely as they should. In the event of an accident, the coat can become compressed making the straps ineffective at holding the baby in the correct safe position. There are several solutions to keep your baby warm, however. Fleece jackets are typically lighter and thinner but provide a great deal of warmth. Heavier coats may be used only if the coat is laid in the car seat, then the child placed in the seat. The harness can be tightened on the child, against the child and the coat secured on the outside of the straps and clips. Another safe option is a blanket that goes over the baby that is safely secured in the seat in lighter layers. Blankets that can be added in and around the baby in the seat run the same risk of secondary paddings as mentioned above and can void the warranty of the seat as well as put your child at additional risk.
- I mentioned previously the recommendations for rear-facing. The AAP has new recommendations and that is to keep children rear-facing until 2 years of age. 1 year is still the perceived age by many, but 2 is the new 1, so to speak. Pediatricians should now be recommending this to parents. The overall recommendation remains to keep them rear-facing as long as possible but for at least 2 years.
- A 5-point harness is the safest strap system, even for forward-facing kids. Always remember, the upper buckle should be secured over the sternum at arm pit level. The straps should be secured so that you can fit a finger under the buckle but you should not be able to pinch the straps. Straps on a rear-facing child should be at or below the shoulder level. Straps on a forward-facing child should be at or above the shoulder level.
- Height and weight are very important factors when it comes to fitting into a seat correctly. A child with a long torso can be too big for a particular seat even though they fit within the height allowances. The seat should extend at least 1" above the top of the child's head. Take weight allowances very seriously as this can compromise your child's safety if you child is even slightly over the top weight for the seat you have. If your seat is not rated to rear-face above 35 lbs and your 1 year old is over 35 lbs, you must turn your child around, and it is recommended that you find a seat that has higher rear-facing limits so your child can rear-face to the age of 2 or longer.
I hope this helps!
Some things I've learned:
- Many pads and positioners are available for use in car seats to help protect the baby or make them more comfortable. These become very popular baby items and gifts for new moms. Unfortunately this is a very bad idea. The reason is that when car seats are safety tested, they are tested with the padding that comes with the seat and is made to go with the seat. Additional pads can interfere with the design of the car seat and negate safety features that will protect the child. Because of this, any warranties that are available on car seats are voided if additional padding is used other than that which comes with the car seat.
- Heavy coats should not be used with car seats. Because heavy coats are thick, they inhibit the straps from tightening against the baby's body as closely as they should. In the event of an accident, the coat can become compressed making the straps ineffective at holding the baby in the correct safe position. There are several solutions to keep your baby warm, however. Fleece jackets are typically lighter and thinner but provide a great deal of warmth. Heavier coats may be used only if the coat is laid in the car seat, then the child placed in the seat. The harness can be tightened on the child, against the child and the coat secured on the outside of the straps and clips. Another safe option is a blanket that goes over the baby that is safely secured in the seat in lighter layers. Blankets that can be added in and around the baby in the seat run the same risk of secondary paddings as mentioned above and can void the warranty of the seat as well as put your child at additional risk.
- I mentioned previously the recommendations for rear-facing. The AAP has new recommendations and that is to keep children rear-facing until 2 years of age. 1 year is still the perceived age by many, but 2 is the new 1, so to speak. Pediatricians should now be recommending this to parents. The overall recommendation remains to keep them rear-facing as long as possible but for at least 2 years.
- A 5-point harness is the safest strap system, even for forward-facing kids. Always remember, the upper buckle should be secured over the sternum at arm pit level. The straps should be secured so that you can fit a finger under the buckle but you should not be able to pinch the straps. Straps on a rear-facing child should be at or below the shoulder level. Straps on a forward-facing child should be at or above the shoulder level.
- Height and weight are very important factors when it comes to fitting into a seat correctly. A child with a long torso can be too big for a particular seat even though they fit within the height allowances. The seat should extend at least 1" above the top of the child's head. Take weight allowances very seriously as this can compromise your child's safety if you child is even slightly over the top weight for the seat you have. If your seat is not rated to rear-face above 35 lbs and your 1 year old is over 35 lbs, you must turn your child around, and it is recommended that you find a seat that has higher rear-facing limits so your child can rear-face to the age of 2 or longer.
I hope this helps!
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