Weekly Chat January 10-16

[audsma]

Good Saturday, Mamas! How are we all doing today?

[mamanurse]

Thanks for starting a new thread!

I'm doing awesome. My oldest dd is at Nana and Papa's for the night. They took her to Chuck E Cheese's for the morning and lunch : I'll get her back tomorrow morning just in time to go to her little friend's 3rd birthday party.

Hazel and I cleaned the playroom, dd1's room, and upstairs bathroom. I also cleaned the downstairs bathroom and kitchen while she's been sleeping

Blah about cleaning. Sorry.

We're having my sis and BIL over for a yummy portabella Wellington dinner tonight and then we'll play cards. Should be lotsa fun.

[birthdancedoula]

Gosh, is it really the 10th already?? I was still posting in the other thread. Thanks for keeping us on track, Kelli!

Have fun tonight, Jenn! Mmmm...mushrooms!:

I'm getting in a little work on Iris's scrapbook while dd1 is happily "crafting" with mama. Some friends are coming over to make dinner with us in a bit so it should be a nice night.

Today I took my 2 olders to get their hair cut. They look soooo different! My 7 y/o looks as though he grew by 2 years. While we were out I took the baby-less (I was home with dh) opportunity to head over to a brick and mortar that sells the Aden & Anais blankets and I bought some...omg, they're great! I was going to make some but the muslin I found is nowhere near as soft as the A&A blankets. I can't wait to wrap I up in the tonight!

Okay, friends are here. Gotta run. Have a great night!

[Amber Lion]

Hi ladies!

Question about swaddling - I've been paying attention (shocker! ) and have noticed that Addie IS waking herself up in between sleep cycles with her movement. Yesterday I just tried holding her really tight for her nap (yeah, didn't get anything done, but baby slept!) and she slept for 1.5 hrs. Every time she'd stir I'd just hold her so she couldn't wave her arms/legs around and she'd go back to sleep. So I'm thinking the swaddling trick would work? We've never swaddled her before though b/c she hates having her arms/legs restrained. You obviously all swaddle before they're asleep? Anyway to swaddle once they are asleep without waking her up? Any ideas?

Jenn - cleaning around here is big news!! Go you!!

Ashley - Aww, have fun with your friends! I really am feeling social, wonder if anyone can hang out this weekend...

AAM: Had to go into school this morning and use a computer lab and amazingly Addie fell asleep in the carseat on the way home sucking on the paci (Dh was driving) and stayed asleep after I took her out... she slept for about 2.5 hrs!!! That's the longest she's slept during the day in AGES! I've given up trying to get anything done and am just holding her in hopes that she'll actually sleep b/c I'm tired of a grumpy baby.

She laughed for the first time today too! It was so sweet! Dh wasn't there and of course she hasn't done it again, but I swear, that was the most amazing sound I've ever heard. :

Dh has to study... so I've got to get off the computer and take Addie again. Gosh I love the weekends when we get to share parenting!!!

Hope everyone is having a great weekend! And Carrie, hope you're getting your snuggle fix with Nora!!

[Changed]

I swaddle and then nurse immediately. He doesn't mind anything when he's got boob. Then I burp him and he's a goner.

[OrchideZ]

Em: I think you have to swaddle them before they fall asleep otherwise you would wake them up it seems.
Jasper fusses up a storm when he is being swaddled but within minutes, he is all calm. You should watch the dvd/read the book "The Happiest Baby on the Block". Its all about swaddling and how it works.

I caved and bought some Goodmamas organic bamboo velour fitted dipes today. They are pricey but I never see these in stock and their current New Years sale is buy two and get one free.
They are one size as well so should last.
I can't wait to get them. They are so cute. I also got some hemp/fleece doublers and am hoping this will help with pulling moisture away from Jasper. He hates being wet and this means a change an hour.
We finally put him in his Swedish wooden bouncer- its called a Svan- and I wish we had used this before now!
Its so cool and can be reclined back which I didn't realize before. I put him down in there and he slept for 2 hours this afternoon. Its very streamlined too and folds down.
Hope everyone is having a great Sunday!

Carrie: How is Nora's bum doing?

[Orionbelt]

OK...I am so confused and have no idea where to post to our weekly chit chat anymore so I will continue to post here until I figure it out.

DH and I threw a Post Holiday party this week-end and it was a blast. We invited people over starting at 4 pm because most of our friends have young kids with bedtimes so we offered Chili and Soup for supper...FORTY people ended coming over for supper and I still had a ton of leftovers. It was so much fun and there were so many babies here! There were four of us that were all pregnant at the same time and our babies were born within two weeks of one another and it was so much fun that all of them could meet each other. I think we are planning on doing a weekly playgroup at my house and have coffee and lunch together as well. I am so looking forward to this...

oops...got to run...the first monkey is up and ready to start the day!

[Baby_Cakes]

Originally Posted by OrchideZ

Carrie: How is Nora's bum doing?

All healed, it looks like! Not even the slightest bit red. She's back with MIL today, so we'll see what happens. Hopefully it's nothing she's doing.

Originally Posted by Orionbelt

OK...I am so confused and have no idea where to post to our weekly chit chat anymore so I will continue to post here until I figure it out.

DH and I threw a Post Holiday party this week-end and it was a blast. We invited people over starting at 4 pm because most of our friends have young kids with bedtimes so we offered Chili and Soup for supper...FORTY people ended coming over for supper and I still had a ton of leftovers. It was so much fun and there were so many babies here! There were four of us that were all pregnant at the same time and our babies were born within two weeks of one another and it was so much fun that all of them could meet each other. I think we are planning on doing a weekly playgroup at my house and have coffee and lunch together as well. I am so looking forward to this...

oops...got to run...the first monkey is up and ready to start the day!

I think that we'll post here until the forum closes, right? That's what I'm going to do anyway. LOL!

That party sounds like it was much fun! I wish I knew people who had babies around the same age!

[audsma]

2 wonder weeks?

nak

jenn- I'd be shouting that kind of cleaning accomplishment from the rooftops, as it has to happen @ my house this week.

ashley-- aren't those transformations amazing & unexpected, as that older child was in there all along.

em- glad to hear Addie slept well. sorry she's been grumpy.

viv- yeah for deals!

orion- sounds like a great party & I'm jealous of your play group.

aam: I refuse to believe this new whiney-butt is actually mine, so am holding out for this to be wonder week part 3. we went on a family walk yesterday w/ another family. 2 miles & he slept great. But, the day was so springlike I'd dressed him too warmly. We got to a restaurant , I fed him while we waited to be seated, and then upon arriving @ the table, he started to cry. Outside, back in time for salad, my girlfriend held & bounced him, outside, back in time for entree, dh outside while he cries, I scarf food, back outside, he falls asleep in moby (which had been too hot) & I walk back in as all are leaving rest. fun! The couple we were w/ have 2 of own & are adopting in March. Perhaps he was just reminding them of their future?

he slept in car, but crying resumed when we got home. This was the inconsolable I'm in pain crying. He had some loud gas @ times, but I can't think of likely culprits, unless the lactic acid from my stroll. All together he cried w/o consoling (despite being in arms entire time if not worn or on a chest) for 3 1/2 hrs. He has a rough white spot on his back gum in the molar area. Could it be?

I was reading in Dr. Sears' Baby Book last night and he said that the third month brings a happier baby. It'd better be the case, as I'm getting awfully grumpy, and DH is too.

Time to get my crew ready for school/work. Geesh, even the cats are cranky today.

[birthdancedoula]

Originally Posted by audsma

I was reading in Dr. Sears' Baby Book last night and he said that the third month brings a happier baby

I totally think this is true. The past 2 nights we've actually slept (was starting to forget what that was all about, ha!) and Iris wakes up so happy! It is so sweet...she's all smiles and coos while we lounge around for a half an hour or so. Last night she slept for a good 7 hours straight next to me w/o being latched on...I even enjoyed sleeping on my belly!

Hang in there, mama...B is right around the corner from being a much happier little man.

[Baby_Cakes]

Originally Posted by audsma

he slept in car, but crying resumed when we got home. This was the inconsolable I'm in pain crying. He had some loud gas @ times, but I can't think of likely culprits, unless the lactic acid from my stroll. All together he cried w/o consoling (despite being in arms entire time if not worn or on a chest) for 3 1/2 hrs. He has a rough white spot on his back gum in the molar area. Could it be?

Hang in there! Nora gets fussy like that some days too. It's SUCH a pain, especially since I can't figure out what on earth could be wrong. All the symptoms, even the gas, can be explained away by teething. Nothing has to be cutting through, but if anything is stirring in those little gums it's enough to cause them to act this way.

[peacemamma]

Hello All-
I'm new to mothering.com and am not sure I'm suppose to join this forum before I post. So I hope I'm not disrupting protocol.

But, I gave birth to our DD in October and would love to hear what other mama's are up to with their LOs of the same age.

On the topic of swaddling - we swaddle our LO. We wait until she is asleep and then swaddle her - it doesn't wake her up. If we try to swaddle her before she is asleep then she gets upset. But, the swaddling keeps her from waking herself up. I just recently read that you aren't suppose to swaddle for too long (like overnight) because it can interfere with hip joint growth. So we rigged up a swaddle system that just keeps her arms down and her legs free.

Anyway - nice to meet you all!

[farmerjess]

welcome peacemamma! Hmmm, I swaddle Davin all night and many times during his naps too. He doesn't sleep well if I don't. I will have to look into that hip development thing and maybe think of a new system to keep his arms down.

Audsma, Sorry to hear about your little fussy one. I think that Davin goes through a cycle of a few difficult days and then a few good days rather than wonder weeks. Lately he is just refusing to take naps without a whole lot of fussing everytime we try to put him to sleep. DH and I commiserated that we now understand why someone would be motivated to drop their baby in a dumpster sometimes..... From the last thread, thanks for the mirror in the carseat suggestion, I think I will try it, but he screams even when I am sitting next to him trying to play with him, talk, sing, etc. especially if he is a little tired. ugh.

Nevermindyouthere, from the last thread, I wanted to say that I hope you get some answers from your ED. We are gluten free and used to be dairy free, but it didn't seem like dairy was really affecting him. But I am also on an anti candida diet because I have had thrush continuously since Davin was born. I am afraid to limit carbs too much though because I don't want anything to interfere with my supply, but I am not eating any sweetners, grapefruit and green apples as my only fruits, and no white carbs, etc and trying to get lots of probiotic foods. I am also on Diflucan long term it looks like. I have had a problem with Candida ever since I got blasted twice with triple IV antibiotic therapy for an supposed infection a couple of years ago.

AAM, my baby was so fussy and would not nap this morning so I strapped him on in the Moby and did 20 minutes of step type aerobics and he's been out for an hour and a half now. Yay for a break! I am excited to go to the health food coop store today. Yay for simple joys.

[Changed]

Originally Posted by peacemamma

I just recently read that you aren't suppose to swaddle for too long (like overnight) because it can interfere with hip joint growth. So we rigged up a swaddle system that just keeps her arms down and her legs free.

Anyway - nice to meet you all!

Do you have a link? I've been swaddling all night since birth!

[mommysaurus]

dont have a lot of time...nak too.

Just did a quick browse, can't reply like I want to...G man has turned into Crab Master Flash since Friday...UGH! I dont know what happened to my boy who used to nap but G is NOT napping except for maybe 20-30 min. in arms. The swing doesn't even work any more. He'll do a sling for a while but that doesn't last long either. At least I still get a good stretch at night but the not napping during the day really sucks!

Oh and I thought AF was on her way (first one since having G)....I had some really light pink spotting on Saturday, brownish on Sunday morning and that was it. I'm still keeping watch, so maybe that was a sign she'll arrive in the next day or so. No cramping so I don't know what up.

OH yeah, G is 17 lbs and 25 1/2 inches.... he'll be 3 months tomorrow.

Welcome peacemamma!

[Amber Lion]

Originally Posted by Orionbelt

DH and I threw a Post Holiday party this week-end and it was a blast. I think we are planning on doing a weekly playgroup at my house and have coffee and lunch together as well. I am so looking forward to this...

What fun!! I'm jealous about your play group plans, I'd LOVE more Momma's around here to interact with.

Originally Posted by audsma

aam: I refuse to believe this new whiney-butt is actually mine, so am holding out for this to be wonder week part 3.

I was reading in Dr. Sears' Baby Book last night and he said that the third month brings a happier baby. It'd better be the case, as I'm getting awfully grumpy, and DH is too.

I could have written this! I just keep saying, "I refuse to think this is her new personality, stuff is just happening with her... a lot of stuff... and she'll be back to her happy, sleeping self soon! I know that around the 3 month mark stuff is expected, so I'm trying to be optimistic.

Originally Posted by peacemamma

On the topic of swaddling - we swaddle our LO. We wait until she is asleep and then swaddle her - it doesn't wake her up. If we try to swaddle her before she is asleep then she gets upset.

Welcome!! I'm going to try swaddling her once she's asleep this afternoon. I'm desperate for some good napping at this point!!

AAM: I am so. freaking. tired. Addie was up every 1.5-2 hrs again last night to eat... after spending about 2 hrs comfort nursing to get her to fall asleep in the first place. She also had a lot of painful gas last night and some foamy poo this morning.. wonder if I ate something weird? But the up all the time thing wasn't new last night, just the waking screaming in pain. This had better be a growth spurt type thing or I'll go crazy. I thought newborn sleep was supposed to be awful and it got better around now.. I'd take her newborn sleeping pattern any day over this!!! At least she napped yesterday. Again, I didn't get anything done b/c I was valuing her sleep over productivity and just sat there with her in my lap.

Nothing much going on in life right now... my sister and BIL are coming to visit this weekend then 2 weeks from that my parents are coming. I've got a TON of schoolwork I should be doing (but of course I'm on MDC) and my house is a mess.

Oh! Can the little baby girl whose birth I attended get some healing thoughts/prayers? Her Mom was on methadone apparently for a cyst in her brain (didn't know this before the birth) and the little baby is having to go through withdrawls and it's been pretty scary. They are thinking of putting her on morphine and slowly decreasing the dose if she doesn't get drastically better soon. I know she and her family could use all the loving thoughts you could spare.

[peacemamma]

Thanks for the warm welcome all!

I read the swaddling info in Dr Sears' The Baby Book P. 92 if you have the book.
Here's what it says:
"Shorten Swaddling Time: Once upon a time, wrapping babies burrito-style in a blanket was advised to help them settle easier. New insights, however, have shown that swaddling babies too often and for too long may harm their hip development. In order for the ball-and-socket structures of the hip joint to develop properly, babies need to have freely swinging motion of their legs and lie or sleep with their legs outward in a frog position. Leaving their legs unbound is especially crucial in the first few months, when the hip joint is rapidly developing. Swaddling your baby for a few hours every few days won't harm her hip development, but avoid letting her sleep swaddled for long periods of time, such as through the night."

So this kind of freaked me out when I read it because I had been swaddling our LO ALOT. But, I think it's okay. Now I just arrange the swaddle so that her arms are swaddled, but her legs are free. If I don't swaddle her arms, she won't sleep for more than about 30 mins at a time.

[OrchideZ]

I have heard that too (aside from the Sears book) re. not swaddling all night.
I think maybe he talks about that in The Happiest Baby on the Block? And I think my Miracle Blanket says something to that effect on the instructions.
And yes, it has to do with their hip joint development.

I am having a happy day. I had my OB visit to check my wound at now 12 weeks post. It is considered as healed: and no more dressings or bandages. This means I can go back to exercise, take baths and have teh sexay time!
I was so happy I almost started crying.
I immediately came home and went online to buy a yoga pass for Mommy & Me yoga/pilates classes for Jasper & I starting tomorrow. *whew*
Gonna take a rest now but wanted to give a hug to Audsma for the dinner fiasco. So sorry you never got to sit and enjoy with your pals. I am sure like everyone else said, sunny days are ahead for you.
We finally went for dinner- sushi my fave- on Saturday night to a great place downtown. I was so nervous he would carry on but he didn't. He slept like a lamb through the meal and all the way home.

eta: sending loving healing prayers for the little girl you mentioned Em.:

[TaraRae82]

Originally Posted by Changed

I swaddle and then nurse immediately. He doesn't mind anything when he's got boob.

:

Ally fusses while I wrap her but only because she's so tired when I do it. We then nurse side-lying and she passes out within just a minute or 2.

Our Bradley reunion was Saturday night. We hosted it and had all 6 couples here plus babies and our instructor. We had a great time and got to share our birth stories which was fun! I am so blessed that I had such a great birth experience that I love to relive it and share that joy.

So, I'm thinking I'd like to start CD'ing. One of the mama's that was over on Sat night uses BG's and they really look SOOO easy! I was shocked. How did I not take the time to really research this before now? I'm ashamed of myself as a naturally-minded mama. *tisk tisk* on me. Any advice? I'm thinking pockets look the best for me as they resemble sposies and clean up isn't much more complicated than sposies. I need a crash course in CD'ing. I've visted that forum but didn't really find the specifics I need. Are one-size's really one-size fits all? Ally's only 11lbs so she could wear the small size for quite a while I think. But, convincing DH to let me buy CD's now and then again when she's bigger could be difficult even though the long term savings is substancial with CD's. HELP experienced mamas!!!

[Astrid1024]

Originally Posted by TaraRae82

I need a crash course in CD'ing. I've visted that forum but didn't really find the specifics I need. Are one-size's really one-size fits all? Ally's only 11lbs so she could wear the small size for quite a while I think. But, convincing DH to let me buy CD's now and then again when she's bigger could be difficult even though the long term savings is substancial with CD's. HELP experienced mamas!!!

Once you've been CD-ing for a couple of weeks, you'll feel like an old pro. We started out using prefolds and thirsties covers. That was good, but L.O. wet through those too quickly. One good thing about starting cloth diapering now with Ally is you will have missed the crazy first month of 16 diaper changes a day

What we use now is Motherease One Size and wool diaper covers. The wool is very absorbant, extremely low maintenance and very breathable. While I liked the Thirsties covers, I think they didn't breathe well enough. When we go on long car trips, I keep a couple of Motherease Air Flow covers handy. I do love woolies, though, and use them almost exclusively. They are sort of spendy, but you don't need that many - four or five - enough to comfortably rotate while you are airing one out after a diaper change...

I love love LOVE Motherease one size diapers.
https://usshop.motherease.com/shopdi...Special+Offers
We started with the 12 pack and then later on, bought six more.

We also have about 5 Kissaluvs Fitted - they are good too...
http://www.thanksmama.com/Kissaluvs_..._p/kis-001.htm

Our covers
http://www.greenmountaindiapers.com/disana.htm
http://swaddlebees.com/products/diap...2bfd9d8f22c7a9

I tried Bum Genius 3.0 and have to say I DID NOT like them. The microfiber inserts were a PITA to stuff in the diaper after taking them from the dryer. They also gave me the willies to hold them - kind of like styrofoam or nails on a chalkboard for some people. I also do not like the velcro aspect - the scratchiness on the skin. That's why we have the snap wool covers or the pull on covers. Plus if you have animals, the velcro gets all gummed up with pet hair. Yuck. I've also heard that children can develop allergic reactions to the fabric they use in the diaper. I sold the twelve I had and bought more cotton Motherease.

We have two organic hemp Little Beetle diapers that we use at night because they have a neat doubler system built in. Because I wash diapers once every 1.5-2 days, this is enough to last us.

I think you should TOTALLY CD. You'll be great at it. Tell your DH that disposable diapering costs $3K overall. While CDing takes an initial investment, it is better for baby (especially girls - you really don't want all those chemical absorbents near their delicate private parts), the environment and your wallet (even with all the washing). Craigslist is your best friend for experimenting with cloth diapers.