Thursday, April 26, 2012

Bye-Bye Sanity

Teething.

I've always heard it was a bear but I had no idea it could be so awful.

Fox has been drooling like crazy and rubbing his fists (and everything else he could reach) on his gums... but that was about it. Up until two days ago. Then started the fussiness. Then yesterday started the crappy naps - I'm talking 2.5 hours in a 12 hour span compared to the usual 4.5 to 5 - and the screaming and crying non-stop. 
I've given frozen fruit in a mesh feeder, Tylenol, rubbed vanilla on his gums, and even resorted to teething gel. Nothing is helping. So today I'm going to go buy some Motrin and Hyland's Teething Tablets and order an amber necklace and throw his stupid hazelwood necklace in the trash! I am so upset that it isn't helping even though they claim to be good for teething. Apparently the amount of amber on the strand determines its effectiveness, and the amber on the hazelwood necklaces are pretty much just there for looks.

Please keep me in your thoughts. This is rough!

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Swim Diapers

I have been trying to plan a mini family vacay to the beach and after going through a little checklist in my head I realized I'm going to need swim diapers. I already knew which ones I wanted -- only the CUTEST reusable swim diapers I've ever seen!
I went to my favorite site for cloth diapers and natural products, Sweetbottoms, and 2 days later my diapers arrived in my mailbox!

 Aren't they just the most adorable diapers?!



Two layers of mesh make it easy for water to move through, yet keeps #2 in.


Now if only I can figure out the dates so we can get this trip planned and get our feet in the sand!

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Baby Walkers

Each time I take Fox to the doctor we receive a piece of paper with information and milestones to expect at his age. I noticed that each paper recommends against using a walker. I had never heard this before so I posed the question in a group of moms on Facebook if they had heard the same thing.
To my surprise I learned that several people were not going to be using walkers based on how dangerous they are. I started doing some reading online and I have learned so much over the last 24 hours.

First there are the obvious environmental dangers. Putting a baby on wheels makes it easier for them to roll down stairs, reach hot or sharp objects, and even get fingers and toes trapped. Most of these things are likely to happen whether or not a baby is in a walker once they become mobile. However  most of the injuries happen while parents are watching! Why? Because a child in a walker can move much quicker - three feet a second - making it difficult for parents to respond in time.
Innnteresting.

Then I was really shocked to read that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) believes that baby walkers actually delay motor and mental development. Babies who use walkers skip developmental milestones by being upright before they are physically ready. Walkers now have a large tray which blocks a child's view of their feet and they don't get visual feedback, which the AAP says is necessary in learning to walk. Studies have shown that babies who have used a walker sit up, crawl, and walk later than those who have never used one. Another tidbit that came as a shock to me was the effect on mental development. They can have lower scores on mental testing which can last months after the use of walkers has ended.

Walkers are banned in several countries and the AAP is pushing to ban them here in the U.S.

Some good news is some newly made walkers are being equipped with safety features such as making them wider so they can't fit through doorways and fall protection which stops them from going down stairs. But if you're like me you have a hand-me-down which may not have any safety features. My pediatrician suggested using stationary activity center like jumpers and saucers instead.

I want Fox to learn at his own pace, so I am going to opt out of using a walker and keep him on the floor where he is currently sitting, scooching, rolling, reaching, and grabbing right on track.

Sources: NY TimesHealthyChildren.org, Baby Center, Brainy Child, AAP Grand Rounds

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Goodnight, Heavy Wetter

Fox, like a lot of babies in cloth, leak out of his regular diapers at night. He is a heavy wetter and a side sleeper and this combination made for several nights of him waking up in a soaked crib.

I am a member of a cloth diaper group on Facebook and several ladies suggested the Kawaii GNHW (goodnight heavy wetter) for this problem. In fact, they had a co-op open where I could buy them at wholesale prices so I snagged me three and tried them out.

 They come with 2 XL microfiber inserts that are extra fluffy!


 I didn't want to risk it so I used both inserts. Talk about thick! lol


 This blue dotty print is super cute on his little hiney!


All that cushion didn't interfere with him sitting up.

 
Fox approves!


I wished him goodnight and he closed his eyes and rolled over onto his side.
The next morning my cute little alarm clock woke me up by yelling into the monitor. I went to change his diaper and the sheets were still dry! I am so happy to have finally found a solution to our leaks. I also love that this diaper will grow with him as he gets older.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Mmmm... Nanners

The other day Brent and I were putting up dishes and we ran across the mesh feeder we were gifted about 8 months ago. Brent asked "We can give him bananas in this, right?" and I told him we could and went about our day. 
Today I noticed our bananas are pretty ripe so I sat Fox in his high chair and gave him his mesh feeder with some banana inside. He chewed on it for a few seconds and as soon as he realized there was something tasty in there he went crazy!