My beautiful mother drifted off in her sleep, and my strong father suffered horribly till we urged him to stop fighting.
Tuesday
Announcement
My beautiful mother drifted off in her sleep, and my strong father suffered horribly till we urged him to stop fighting.
Thursday
Melamine In Formula
Traces of melamine have been found in formulas you could be using now. One of the Fresh Starts and the one we've been using, the Enfamil Lipil. The FDA doesn't know what amount is safe so they are doing nothing. There has been no recall so my daughter is still using the formula as this is what she recieves from the Wic program. We've noticed no ill effects so far, but who knows down the line?
Sunday
Baby Neck Smell or Baby Neck Cheese - ?
I was looking over some questions from new mothers and have discovered that many of them say that their infants have foul smelling necks. Moreover they describe a "cheese like substance" on or in the folds of the neck. Apparently this is quite common. It is however a surprise to me. I do not recall having this problem with either of my kids or my new grandson.
I am not a medical professional but here's my take on the smelly neck situation.
Breast milk, formula, and drool fall into the folds on baby's neck and are not cleaned right away. What we do with David is make sure he is wearing a bib for feedings and keep it snug, not tight, right under his chin. When we see formula drip we wipe it right away with the spit up cloth we use for burping. Which brings up another part of this problem.
From what I've read, a lot of new mothers don't take burping seriously enough. Every baby has trapped burps from feedings. What we do is try to burp a couple times during the feedings. He's up to taking about 5 ounces at a time right now, so we usually stop to burp after about 2.5 oz. Sometimes he does and sometimes he doesn't, First we position him over our shoulder and alternate between patts on the back and circular massages on the back. If that doesn't work we sit him on our lap and repeat the patting and massage. If he still won't burp we continue to let him finish the rest of the bottle.
When he is done with the bottle we repeat the above burping procedure. That does not always work. So we will lay him flat for a couple of minutes, maybe do a diaper change during this time. Very often as soon as we pick him up he'll burp on his own, or after a couple patts. The point is he must burp. If you give up and don't get the baby to burp he will spit up most or some of the formula he just drank, and if you have him laid on his back he'll probably start choking on it too. BABIES MUST BURP ! Do not give up. I believe this spit up is part of why some babies necks develop this odor.
David is about six weeks old and he often, even most times will hold his head up when we are holding him upright. He does have a neck, it is visible, and if you just move his head around you can easily clean it.
I am not a medical professional but here's my take on the smelly neck situation.
Breast milk, formula, and drool fall into the folds on baby's neck and are not cleaned right away. What we do with David is make sure he is wearing a bib for feedings and keep it snug, not tight, right under his chin. When we see formula drip we wipe it right away with the spit up cloth we use for burping. Which brings up another part of this problem.
From what I've read, a lot of new mothers don't take burping seriously enough. Every baby has trapped burps from feedings. What we do is try to burp a couple times during the feedings. He's up to taking about 5 ounces at a time right now, so we usually stop to burp after about 2.5 oz. Sometimes he does and sometimes he doesn't, First we position him over our shoulder and alternate between patts on the back and circular massages on the back. If that doesn't work we sit him on our lap and repeat the patting and massage. If he still won't burp we continue to let him finish the rest of the bottle.
When he is done with the bottle we repeat the above burping procedure. That does not always work. So we will lay him flat for a couple of minutes, maybe do a diaper change during this time. Very often as soon as we pick him up he'll burp on his own, or after a couple patts. The point is he must burp. If you give up and don't get the baby to burp he will spit up most or some of the formula he just drank, and if you have him laid on his back he'll probably start choking on it too. BABIES MUST BURP ! Do not give up. I believe this spit up is part of why some babies necks develop this odor.
David is about six weeks old and he often, even most times will hold his head up when we are holding him upright. He does have a neck, it is visible, and if you just move his head around you can easily clean it.
Tuesday
Starting To Focus
For the last week or so, we've been noticing that baby is starting to focus more and more on our faces and in our eyes. He's starting also to takes cues from us for smiling and today I even got a silent laugh from him when I spoke in a funny voice to him.
Today was a good day for him. He looked so content and so happy that it made me happy just to look into his beautiful bright face. So easy to fall in love with him.
Today was a good day for him. He looked so content and so happy that it made me happy just to look into his beautiful bright face. So easy to fall in love with him.
Saturday
Sleeping With An Angel
It's a bad, bad idea to ever sleep with a baby. I did however have the baby on the bed and accidentally dozed. I wasn't in a sound sleep and I had pillows around him. I propped him up on a pillow and held his hand. I noticed that he slid himself off the pillow in an attempt to sleep on his side rather than his back. He held my hand with both of his close to him and somehow was getting himself closer and closer to me.
I watched him as he drempt and all the different expressions and eye movements he had, and I felt such peace and love. I know it sounds sappy but it was so soul nourishing for me, I felt so peaceful. It was incredible.
I watched him as he drempt and all the different expressions and eye movements he had, and I felt such peace and love. I know it sounds sappy but it was so soul nourishing for me, I felt so peaceful. It was incredible.
Can You Spoil A Baby?
My daughter can't bear to hear her baby cry which I can understand, so on those rare occasions when baby's needs have all been filled and he's still crying, she insists on his being held. I suggested to her that he will get spoiled that way and not be able to get himself to sleep or learn how to calm and entertain himself.
She informed me that one of the nurses at the hospital told her that it's impossible to spoil a baby during his first year and if you don't hold them they will feel alone. I went along with this theory up until two days ago when I did everything for him and he wouldn't settle down. I ended up holding him for a few hours. She had the same experience with him the night before and started to rethink this whole spoiling thing.
I told her that once in a while just to put him down and let him cry for a short while. You can still let him know he's not alone and let him see you and talk to him. So that's what we are doing now and it's working fine. It doesn't happen very often because he is such a good easy going baby, but at some point he'll have to get used to the fact that you can't always get what you want, but you can still get what you need.
She informed me that one of the nurses at the hospital told her that it's impossible to spoil a baby during his first year and if you don't hold them they will feel alone. I went along with this theory up until two days ago when I did everything for him and he wouldn't settle down. I ended up holding him for a few hours. She had the same experience with him the night before and started to rethink this whole spoiling thing.
I told her that once in a while just to put him down and let him cry for a short while. You can still let him know he's not alone and let him see you and talk to him. So that's what we are doing now and it's working fine. It doesn't happen very often because he is such a good easy going baby, but at some point he'll have to get used to the fact that you can't always get what you want, but you can still get what you need.
Thursday
Bringing Baby Home
I wanted to give more frequent posts about the baby, however beside being busy with him, our modem was out for over a week, my mothers been in the hospital a couple times and my dad is dying of cancer. The baby is the one spot of light in my life right now.LM doesn't realize what a good baby she has. He cries pathetically softly when he's hungry, has gas, or needs to be changed. Once his needs are met he stops and just goes to sleep.
I do admit that at times burping can be a problem so we've found other ways of getting him to burp. Once he does he's fine. Here's what we do for burps...
- Try for a burp after every couple of ounces or at least twice a bottle
- the usual pats on the back
- a pattern of patting on the back from the waist to the neck area in that order
- changing burping position to sitting on our laps
- laying him down flat for two or three minutes
- waiting a few minutes then a gentle circular massage on the back
Friday
The Second Night
LM had never had to stay in the hospital before and she really wanted to go home, however she had to stay till the next day. She didn't want to eat and I had to encourage her to do so. I on the other hand like hospitals, as a patient or even a guest.
This was a great hospital. I didn't get much sleep that night, though I did take a couple of breaks. The food in the cafeteria was really good and the choices were many, and the gift shop was nice also. There was a break room near her room with plenty of free coffee, tea, and fresh rolls and bagels with cream cheese that was delivered fresh every morning for anyone who wanted some.
The baby flunked his first hearing test and LM was advised that the more the baby sucked on the bottle, the more the extra fluid in his ears would drain out. She kept him at the bottle till he couldn't or wouldn't drink anymore and the next day he passed the hearing test with flying colors.
The nurse informed us before he could go home there was one more test he must pass. Since he was so tiny he had to pass a car seat test, which was to sit in the car seat for an hour without losing too much oxygen. He failed that the first time, but upon repeating the test, he passed it. We were about to go home with our new baby. Hurrah!
This was a great hospital. I didn't get much sleep that night, though I did take a couple of breaks. The food in the cafeteria was really good and the choices were many, and the gift shop was nice also. There was a break room near her room with plenty of free coffee, tea, and fresh rolls and bagels with cream cheese that was delivered fresh every morning for anyone who wanted some.
The baby flunked his first hearing test and LM was advised that the more the baby sucked on the bottle, the more the extra fluid in his ears would drain out. She kept him at the bottle till he couldn't or wouldn't drink anymore and the next day he passed the hearing test with flying colors.
The nurse informed us before he could go home there was one more test he must pass. Since he was so tiny he had to pass a car seat test, which was to sit in the car seat for an hour without losing too much oxygen. He failed that the first time, but upon repeating the test, he passed it. We were about to go home with our new baby. Hurrah!
His Birthday Part 4
While they were cleaning and checking both the baby and LM, I went down to the waiting room where my son was sitting and told him to come back to the room that it was over. We already knew it was going to be a boy.
I could actually see the tears forming in my sons eyes when he saw his nephew for the first time.The baby was small but healthy. Later on my husband and neighbors came to see the new baby and were delighted. We all left so LM could rest.
I took a cab there in the morning to help and be with LM and she said she had the baby with her in the room most of the night. She was nervous and a little overwhelmed and asked that I stay overnight with her there the second night. When the baby was born, LM got to choose one person to wear the wristband which would allow them access to the baby in the nursery and also to stay beyond visiting hours.I was that person so I agreed to stay.
I could actually see the tears forming in my sons eyes when he saw his nephew for the first time.The baby was small but healthy. Later on my husband and neighbors came to see the new baby and were delighted. We all left so LM could rest.
I took a cab there in the morning to help and be with LM and she said she had the baby with her in the room most of the night. She was nervous and a little overwhelmed and asked that I stay overnight with her there the second night. When the baby was born, LM got to choose one person to wear the wristband which would allow them access to the baby in the nursery and also to stay beyond visiting hours.I was that person so I agreed to stay.
His Birthday Part 3
We got to the doctors office and thanked the wonderful woman for rescuing us. She told me that I was a good friend to LM and I said that I was her mother. The woman said I looked too young. What an angel!
Anyway, LM went in for her exam, came out and said that the doctor told her to go across the street and check right in to the hospital. She was in labor. This happened at about 11:45 pm. We called my son and he took a cab right there from work. He promised her he'd be there with her till it was time.
Her pains became more intense and they eventually gave her the pain management she was promised. at about 4:30 pm she was miserable and my son and I left the room while her doctor went in to examine her. She was at stage 2 when we got to the hospital. Before the doctor went in she was at a 5.
My son and I were talking to her doctors partner out in the hall and she told us it could be another 9 hours or so for the labor and another 2 for the pushing. No sooner did she finish that sentence when the other doctor came out of LMs room and said she's complete, meaning it's time to push.
My son didn't want to be there for the actual birth and LM agreed. I stayed with her while equipment and more doctors and nurses came into the room. She started pushing and by 5:04 she had delivered an 18 inch, 5 lb. 5 oz. baby boy, complete with just the right number of limbs and fingers and toes.
Anyway, LM went in for her exam, came out and said that the doctor told her to go across the street and check right in to the hospital. She was in labor. This happened at about 11:45 pm. We called my son and he took a cab right there from work. He promised her he'd be there with her till it was time.
Her pains became more intense and they eventually gave her the pain management she was promised. at about 4:30 pm she was miserable and my son and I left the room while her doctor went in to examine her. She was at stage 2 when we got to the hospital. Before the doctor went in she was at a 5.
My son and I were talking to her doctors partner out in the hall and she told us it could be another 9 hours or so for the labor and another 2 for the pushing. No sooner did she finish that sentence when the other doctor came out of LMs room and said she's complete, meaning it's time to push.
My son didn't want to be there for the actual birth and LM agreed. I stayed with her while equipment and more doctors and nurses came into the room. She started pushing and by 5:04 she had delivered an 18 inch, 5 lb. 5 oz. baby boy, complete with just the right number of limbs and fingers and toes.
His Birthday Part 2
We got about half way to the doctors office when the tire went completely flat. She pulled the car into the nearest lot and we all got out. She got the spare out of the trunk and the jack. The jack didn't look right to me like it was missing the flat top part. My neighbor attempted to jack up the car and LM in an effort to help her got down on the pavement and looked to see what was happening under the car. The metal on the car was bending so LM told my neighbor to stop while she called the doctors office to let them know she'd be late.
The doctors office told her they were closing early that day and if she didn't get there in 15 minutes she would have to reschedule for another day. My daughter was ready to call a cab when a woman we'd never seen before pulled up and asked if we needed some help. I explained to the woman that I thought LM was in labor and was on her way to the doctor. The woman said she'd be glad to take us the rest of the way.
The doctors office told her they were closing early that day and if she didn't get there in 15 minutes she would have to reschedule for another day. My daughter was ready to call a cab when a woman we'd never seen before pulled up and asked if we needed some help. I explained to the woman that I thought LM was in labor and was on her way to the doctor. The woman said she'd be glad to take us the rest of the way.
PeePee TeePee ?
Has anyone ever heard of this, a Peepee Teepee? I never have, but when I was setting up the A Store I ran across it. It's a very small teepee that you would place over your male baby while changing him so he doesn't get you in the face or anywhere else. I got caught just once when my son was an infant and I learned my lesson. LM has had this happen already several times and I think she needs these for her baby. If you've got a little boy you may want to invest in these too. Though I have to admit that it was funny watching her get it in the face!
Thursday
His Birthday Part 1
My daughter, LM was five days away from her due date. She had a doctors appointment this day and had been feeling a bit of cramps for the last couple of days. There were no terrible pains, no gush of waters, but I had a feeling labor might have begun.
We don't have a running car so our neighbor gave us a ride on her way to work. As soon as the car pulled away from our parking lot I noticed a definite wobble and asked my neighbor about it. We passed a car pulling out of a gas station who honked at us, I had another feeling I knew what might be wrong. I asked her if she checked the tires when she first felt the wobble and she of course had not.
(Check back in for Part 2 of His Birthday. Take a look at the A Store through the magazine link in the sidebar. We have everything you need for baby!)
We don't have a running car so our neighbor gave us a ride on her way to work. As soon as the car pulled away from our parking lot I noticed a definite wobble and asked my neighbor about it. We passed a car pulling out of a gas station who honked at us, I had another feeling I knew what might be wrong. I asked her if she checked the tires when she first felt the wobble and she of course had not.
(Check back in for Part 2 of His Birthday. Take a look at the A Store through the magazine link in the sidebar. We have everything you need for baby!)
Wednesday
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