Again...I know two nights doesn't constitute a pattern, but I think in conjunction with all the times he has stayed with my parents or in laws it does. A bottle before bed plus me not being the one to put him to sleep = longer sleep for him. Last night his first wake was at 2am. He woke again at 4, and 5:20. I nursed him at the 5:20 one...I prolly should have at 4, but he went right back to sleep then when I laid him down (he immediately stands up in his crib when he wakes up...). Up at 6:45 like usual.

I'd like to test it with my husband doing all the night time parenting, but when I suggest that he looks at me like I'm a leper. he's not even convinced that him putting buddy to bed is the reason he slept longer.

Quote :

"amelia had her first table food today. she had a couple of string beans and some diced banana. she chowed down like a pro without a tooth in sight. I'm going to have to hurry if i want to actually use my purees."

that's fun I'm having a hard time getting buddy off purees and eating more solid foods other than puffs or mum mums. He'll eat pasta or chicken occasionally, and he had pancakes once. But veggies or fruits that he's had puréed he does not like the switch in texture. How's the real cup going?

[Edited on March 31, 2012 at 8:24 AM. Reason : Q]

3/31/2012 8:23:54 AM

The open cup with thickened liquids like thinned yoghurt is going well with us holding it for her. Something like water with an uncontrolled flow like an open cup chokes her up a little bit. That will just take practice. If she holds it, she just dumps it. I have been letting her practice holding a cup by giving her small amounts of water in a sippy cup without a valve so it flows freely and she manages well. I love introducing new things to babies. So much fun.

3/31/2012 9:48:54 AM

ok... baby bjorns... which do y'all recommend? the original? the active? other brands? (price is not a consideration.)

3/31/2012 10:53:11 PM

^ I have a Moby wrap and an ERGO. The wrap was great when he was tiny, but not as easy now. I LOVE the Ergo.. it's really comfortable and he seems to like it. The only thing is he can't face out (supposedly it's not good on their hips so ERGO doesn't make a carrier that is outward facing), but I can switch it to my hip and it can be used for a long time. It's a bit pricey though. Never tired the bjorn.

http://store.ergobaby.com/Baby_Carriers

[Edited on April 1, 2012 at 9:09 AM. Reason : edit]

4/1/2012 9:07:35 AM

we've used the classic babybjorn with our nephew. we loved it & thankfully SIL is giving it to us when we have our kid.

never used any of the others before though, so i have nothing to compare it to.

[Edited on April 1, 2012 at 10:04 AM. Reason : ]

4/1/2012 10:04:09 AM

we loved our baby bjorn, and have the original. i could never get a hang of the moby wrap. and while the kangaroo carrier was very easy to use, he hated it.

we went for the kelty tc 2.0 back carrier now that he's bigger and we all love that as well.

4/1/2012 6:37:09 PM

I have a knock off Bjorn that I've used with both kids that I enjoy if I'm going to be out and about baby wearing for a long period of time. I keep it in my car. I really enjoy a Moby Wrap for its versatility, but it's really bulky and I keep it at home. My favorite baby carrier is a simple pouch sling -- I have two Hot Slings. I can easily fold it and slip it in my diaper bag. I love to cradle carry them as a newborn and the hip carry them as older infants.

4/1/2012 7:12:55 PM

My 19 mo old son is a sprinter, so my wife got one of those backpack leashes. I'm conflicted because I think they're creepy... Does anyone have experience with them? So far when I walk with him I just hold his hand and wait for him to get back up if he gets frustrated and sits down. It's very slow going and there's lots of chasing if he gets his hands free so I understand my wife wants an easy solution, I just don't know...

4/2/2012 10:07:05 PM

Use it!

It isn't creepy nor is it cruel.

It's a wonderful invention that I wish that they had had when I was a child because the 80s version looked more like a straight jacket than a cuddly back pack friend.

Most preschools are teaching kids to walk in a line and stick together by holding onto a circular ring connected to what amounts to a leash. It's great because each child has their own ring and it gives them concrete knowledge of where they should be. I think this ties in nicely with child "leashing."

The backpack leashes are the same thing. It's a tangible reminder of the things that they already know -- follow the rules and stay close to mom or dad. Kids need these tangible reminders. For some children, the backpack leash can make them feel safe and they can become quite attached.

I like the backpack leash. It gives my child's arm a break. Parents quickly forget what it is like to be force to hold your hand in the hair for half an hour and be pulled this way and that by someone twice your size. The backpack lease also taught my son his boundaries. It was tethered to me and it didn't take long for him to realize that he needed to stay within the mommy zone. Eventually, his backpack leash turned into another stuffed animal because is had helped us teach Silas to stay near while in public and not to bolt away.

4/3/2012 12:28:31 AM

^^^^ I LOVE my ERgo, our ped actually recommends against Baby Bjorns and I had read a lot about "crotch danglers" - as that style carrier is being referred to- so we had a Moby and Ergo as well. I forgot I can wear her on my hip though- have to try that!

4/3/2012 8:31:18 AM

Get an Ergo. Seriously don't even consider the other ones. We have had the same one for over 5 years now. My oldest daughter used it, we let a friend use it with her kid, and now our youngest still rides in it from time to time and she will be 3 in May. The chest clip broke on it and my wife wrote to Ergo, they sent her a replacement no questions asked.

Over the years we have had Moby, Maya Wrap, Baby Bjorn, Snugi, some kind of hip carrier, a metal tube frame backpack, and probably one or two more I'm forgetting. The Ergo is by far the most comfortable, well-built, and most versatile of them all.

4/4/2012 7:51:32 AM

Put me in the "leashes are creepy" camp.

Our oldest responds to discipline and praise well. We'll see with our youngest but I'm not sure I'll ever resort to a leash.

4/4/2012 1:52:09 PM

Safe trumps creepy.

When ever someone says why don't you hold his hand, I ask them to hold their hand up in the air for two minutes and then imagine doing that for an entire outing because that is what we ask of our kids.

My mom had two walking under three and leashed me. I don't blame her, especially now that I have two. Managing multiple children out in public is tricky business. Now my son knows to hold onto the cart or stroller, but he didn't always. And even if your kid isn't a runner or explorer, it only takes once for something irrevocable to happen.

It isn't a harness to yank your kid around or a substitute for paying attention to your kid. It is just a tool to ensure your child's safety and free up a busy parent's hand for carrying grocery bags or fumbling for a wallet.

4/4/2012 3:59:50 PM

Once your child transitions to solids, what to do with leftover baby food...

Amelia has said heck no to purees and is now eating table food like a champ. Unfortunately, I bought a bunch of purees at Sam's Club and need some ideas on how to use them and it's even better if I can use them in food that the baby can eat.

The fruits and sweet potato I know that I can add to breads and muffins. This morning I stirred peach puree into my pancake batter and made some pretty yummy stuff that both of the kids enjoyed.

What about the vegetables? Specifically, string bean puree and pea puree. My nutritionist friend said that I could add the string bean puree to my spaghetti sauce without really changing the sauce's flavor. I may do that, but I'd like to make something that I know that Amelia can enjoy.

4/7/2012 10:17:26 AM

maybe dump it in some vegetable [beef/chicken] soup...?

4/7/2012 11:04:23 AM

I got these for on the go and my son will still take his yogurt out of them. I view it just like the squeeze pouches you buy but cheaper. I never used it with him until he was well into solids.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Infant-Bottle-Baby-Solid-Food-Cereal-Nurser-Infa-Feeder-/350486675771

I would also save a few for when she gets sick. My only ate baby food whenever he caught anything significant.

In terms of using it, I made a lot of rice pilaf type things and used the pure veggies in those. I also made used the purees in mashed potatoes. I am sure you could make pot pies also.


[Edited on April 7, 2012 at 11:36 PM. Reason : I found these clearanced at Harris Teeter for $2 which is why I decided to give it a shot]

4/7/2012 11:33:54 PM

First post in this thread! Yay!

So my wife and I named our son Morrissey, which is her last name. But it sure is a mouthful to say to a baby, so what about MoMo is a nick name for now, how does that sound?

4/10/2012 9:47:29 AM

cute. although, momo is a nickname i have for a girl friend

4/10/2012 10:04:56 AM

Momo means peach in Japanese so to me it just sounds really girly

4/10/2012 11:05:08 AM

what about Morrie?


I was thinking, my first name is Caroline (same amount of syllables) and my family shortened my name to Carrie when I was an infant/child for a nickname

4/10/2012 1:51:30 PM

I like Morrie more than MoMo.

4/10/2012 2:05:15 PM

Quote :

"So my wife and I named our son Morrissey, which is her last name. But it sure is a mouthful to say to a baby, so what about MoMo is a nick name for now, how does that sound?"

I'd rather just call him Morrissey myself. It's a sweet name, and you don't want him self-identifying as MoMo for the rest of his life.

4/10/2012 2:30:41 PM

i really hate nicknames & agree with just calling him by his given name...but if you have to shorten it, go with morrie over momo.

4/10/2012 3:05:29 PM

Morrissey? -sigh- the name just wants me to break out the black eyeliner. Morrie. MoMo is just awful. I'd probably go with Ris (Reese).

4/10/2012 4:06:59 PM

It's her last name, she is half irish.

4/10/2012 5:07:34 PM

What about "Morris?" Is his full name pronounced like "Morris E." or "More eese E."?

I'm guessing you're just looking for something to call him, not necessarily for him to go by when he's school age or something like that. "Momo" def. sounds feminine, but "Mo" would be fine, or something playful like "Mo Man."

4/10/2012 5:11:44 PM

Morris sounds too country for my wife, but I like it.

4/10/2012 6:42:15 PM

hmm. never struck me as country at all.

imo,

morris>>>>>>>>morrie>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>momo

momo would probably get the kid beat up

4/10/2012 7:02:16 PM

All this talk of Morrissey has this song stuck in my head.

4/10/2012 7:40:31 PM

Does anyone have any good high chair recommendations? or things to look out for?

I've seen lots of positive reviews online for ones that you connect to a kitchen chair, but I think I would prefer one that stands alone due to our big dogs with long noses and the time my little sister turned over her chair and turned blue from crying so hard - really don't want to relive that scenario.
I definitely want something easy to clean. I've considered the simple Ikea one with the added tray and support. Have any of you seen it in person or used one?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts or suggestions!

4/14/2012 1:50:35 PM

We have a full size by graco that we purchased off Craigslist for $30. It folds up easy, and the tray is dishwasher safe. A dishwashe safe tray is all I would say is a must. My mom got one that attaches to a chair, and we've borrowed it when we went out of town. Also very easy to use. I have no preference of one over the other.

4/15/2012 3:55:24 PM

I've got the one that attaches to the chair and I love it. Mostly because its portable so we can take it to the grandparents, beach, etc. It's easy to attach and sturdy. It's been good for us.

4/16/2012 3:21:06 PM

It also takes up way less space. For both of our kids we started out with a full size high chair for when they're just starting to sit up then when they have a mastery of setting go with the chair-attached. Finally got rid of the full-sized chair when my 2nd kid outgrew it. yay.

4/16/2012 4:15:26 PM

Cloth Diapers: Anyone use them? Anyone have some used ones for sale? We want to use them for both expense and environmental reasons.

4/20/2012 1:23:16 PM

link from previous page: http://jilliansdrawers.com/

they sell & buy used ones. the page has a wealth of info & i've found it very helpful. their customer service is very responsive too (i just had a question about the difference b/w 2 diapers & the lady was super happy to answer).

4/20/2012 3:40:57 PM

^^ http://www.sweetbottomsbaby.com

My wife used to work there, her friend is the manager of the retail shop in Raleigh. If you want to actually see and touch about any kind of cloth diaper you can imagine, they have them there and will spend a lot of time explaining each one to you.

4/22/2012 9:28:44 AM

Has anyone camped with an infant? We're heading out this weekend to a local campground for a one day & night trip (short and close by just in case it goes awry we can leave). Any tips?

4/25/2012 3:01:09 PM

oooh this is something i will definitely be interested in. keep me posted.

4/25/2012 3:56:47 PM

We're gonna do family style of course. Plan on taking the kelty and pack n play for sure. Pack n play for naps and general containment while cooking. He'll sleep with me in my sleeping bag. Best tip I've found so far via google search is to carry a large rubbermaid container for his bath.

I wish I had the folding camping high chair I just recently saw online. I feel like we'd use it again for travel or tailgating, so if I find one between now and Saturday I'll prolly buy it.

4/25/2012 4:55:33 PM

There's a good post on offbeatmama.com about camping with babies. If I wasn't about to go into a meeting I'd dig it up for you lol. I'm sure searching camping on the site will bring it up.

4/25/2012 6:06:34 PM

Yeah I know which one you are talking about. I remember reading that a long time ago when it was first posted, and I'll do a refresher reading for sure

4/25/2012 7:36:29 PM

Here's a website that was linked from one of the offbeat mama camping posts (there were 5; this one was the most helpful) http://kidsinthewoods.com/

4/26/2012 11:31:34 AM

So we went from in-home to a professional day care, which started yesterday. At the end of the day we're told that in order for him to have anything other than rice cereal at this age (11mos) we have to provide them with a doctors note. So our PA writes this:

Quote :

"To whom it may concern: Will may have baby food and finger foods in addition to rice cereal at parents' discretion. Thank you. "

I found it remarkable that I needed a doctor's note to authorize the use of my discretion in what I bring them to feed my kid.

5/1/2012 8:51:33 AM

there is a lot of CYA in the childcare industry.

5/1/2012 8:55:49 AM

CYA...Liability.

[Edited on May 1, 2012 at 8:57 AM. Reason : ^beat me to it. ]

5/1/2012 8:56:47 AM

I get the reasoning behind it. I think it was just the amazement of the first time that happening

5/1/2012 9:12:09 AM

at least that's more of a normal CYA. get ready to be more amazed...http://mommyish.com/childrearing/playdate-waivers-prove-some-parents-have-gone-totally-mad-655/

5/1/2012 9:45:28 AM

^

5/1/2012 3:01:32 PM

When did your kids drop to one nap? His morning nap is only about 30 min these days with 1-1.5 hrs in the afternoon. Sleeps 11 hours (straight! finally!!) at night. I'm thinking about pushing his am nap back slowly, but is 10 mos too early?

5/7/2012 7:34:05 PM

wow, LKB. That article definitely talks about some crazy-ass parents. Makes me sad that our world has come to this kind of nonsense. I guess I would rather my kid not play with someone who has parents that would have me sign a waiver. I guess I also hope for the best when my kids plays.

5/8/2012 12:01:51 AM