0-4 Month Must Haves

I've been on hiatus.  Tim-Daddy came home from Korea for a visit, so I took some time off ... aaaaaand 2 trips to the ER.  I electrocuted my left hand unplugging something, then 2 weeks later went back because I thought I had possibly broken or fractured my left hand.   Word to the wise:  Take baby OUT of walker before lowering the level.  Thankfully, nothing was broken...just a "crushing injury" which caused a contusion.  L smiled and laughed at me the entire time I paced and moaned till my Mom came home from work to take me to the hospital.  They gave me pain meds, which I only took 1 night.  The next time we hang out, be sure to ask me how that went if you would like a good laugh.

I was asked recently if I might make a list of newborn must haves.  So, aside from the obvious things like air, food, and love...these are the things I have come across that make life with a new baby much easier.  Before you go clicking and purchasing, be sure to join Amazon Mom to get free Prime shipping.  So here are my "must-haves" as they came to mind.

Boppy - I used this all day every day in L's first few months.  Great when you're feeding, rocking, gazing, etc... L is 6 months now and now I use it as support for sitting up - around her front or back.

 

Pack n Play - I opted not to get a bassinet since this had a basket that raised her up.  I thought I'd have it next to my bed, but she and I both slept just fine with her in her nursery.  I am not a total opponent of co-sleeping, but I do have reservations about the safety of it.  There are contraptions out there that prevent co-sleeping incidents and I'd encourage you to get one if you will be co-sleeping.  I have heard enough tragic stories as a result of co-sleeping (and one tragedy should be enough).  Tim and I agreed we wanted our bed to remain a marriage bed.  Of course, there are exceptions to this rule when you take monsters and thunderstorms into consideration.  You have to do what works for your family, but I would stress that safety come first.  For a time, I had the pack n play in her nursery up against the crib because it was easier on my back to lay her in it than the crib.  It is GREAT for the obvious benefits of traveling...not to mention play time/stretching out in a safe environment clear of foot (and paw) traffic.



Swing/Bouncy Seat -L had reflux so she slept in her swing and her bouncy seat a lot.  They have been like little portable miracles for me when I've needed to get something important done...like showering for instance.  This is a key to my sanity.  L's bouncy seat has dangley toys and plays music.  She got to practice hand-eye coordination while I got a little "me time" ... if being in the same room, while playing peek-a-boo with the shower curtain constitutes as "me time." They were both life-savers until recently.  Now they lay in the graveyard of L's entertainment.  May they rest in peace until the next little one.




Changing Pad Liners - I love my pretty & soft changing pad covers.  I do NOT love it when pee-pee or poo-poo gets on it.  These are great and can double as a burp cloth.  They come in all sizes and brands, but there is one kind that has a rolled seam around the edge and after washing they no longer lay flat on the changing pad.  The plastic liner also separates from the material.  Something like the link below is inexpensive and easy to fold.



Bumbo Seat - With or Without the tray, I think the Bumbo seat is superb.  It surrounds L completely and opened her eyes to the beauty of sitting up.  Get the tray, and this can be your portable "high chair."  Do not leave your baby in Bumbo unattended.  Check out this link for all the purdy color options.




Super Baby Food by Ruth Yaron - Everything you need to know about feeding your baby.



Snap and Go Carseat/Stroller Combo (Extra base for carseat) - I think there might be a brand called Snap and Go, but I am not saying you should get that one...not saying you shouldn't.  Don't know anything about it.  There are many many brands of all designs and colors.  We got a CityMini Stroller and an attachment to snap the carseat onto.  Oh so very, very easy.  Probably a good idea to get an extra base if your wee one rides in more than one car regularly.

Baby Wrap or Carrier - There are endless options when it comes to baby wearing.  I think I may have tried them all.  I finally found one that felt comfortable for both of us.  The woman who makes them has 5 kiddos and 1 on the way.  She knows baby wearing.  Here's her Etsy shop.

Digital Bath Thermometer -I don't trust my hands to test the water since I can take a lot of heat.  This neat little guy takes the worry out of getting bath ready - beeps when the water gets too cold or too hot...and a fun toy too :)


Bottle warmer - A lot of people say this is a luxury item.  It's been a must-have for me.  I've taken the baby on 2 road trips and didn't leave home without it.  Since L had reflux, her bottle being warmed helped.  It's a known fact that you should not microwave your baby's milk/formula/food because of hotspots and harmful/unhealthy radiation.  Bottle warmers do it fast and come with a handy dandy guide on type of bottle, amt, and how much water to put it.  Put it in, change a diaper, boom - bottle's ready.  I went through a couple cheaper warmers that burnt out.  This one has been superior to those.  You can warm baby food jars in it as well.




Sheet Savers or Crib Bib- This goes along the same lines as the changing pad liners.  Who wants to change a crib sheet in the middle of the night?!?  I love my homemade (not by me though) cute crib sheets and didn't want to cover them up with those plain full sheet covers that snap.  Get at least a couple of these.



Sound Machine - Oh muh gush.  This is vital.  VITAL!  Babies are used to a rushing sound when they are in the womb and my baby had to have it outside the womb to sleep.  It drowns out doors and dogs and general goings-ons.  I personally sleep with a sound machine, so hers coming through on the baby monitor works for me.



Speaking of...   
Baby Monitor - So very very many out there.  Sometimes I wish I would have gotten the video monitor.  L's nursery door sticks and I do NOT like peeking in to check.  Here's the one I got.



Aden and Anais Swaddlers - So easy to swaddle in these very soft blankets AND they are breathable so baby doesn't overheat.  Your baby should wear something/be covered similar to what you are comfortable sleeping in.  A sweaty baby is no bueno.



Breast Pump - Breast is best, so pump it up ladies.  Freeze and store for when you're on the go or when someone else needs to feed your precious one.  I rented the hospital grade pump to try to get my milk to let down since it's got super suction.  It never happened, but if it had - you bet I'd be pumping right now while I blog :)  While you're at it, get a pumping bra.  I was attached to the pump for 6 weeks and the bra allowed me to multi-task.



There you have it!  I am sure there are many more gadgets and doo-dads out there that have been life-savers for you Mommies.  We'd love to hear them!

If You Vaccinate, Ask 8 (Part 2)

In the first section, I listed the 8 questions you should ask yourself prior to vaccinating (or not vaccinating) as suggested by the NVIC. Now let's delve into these questions a little deeper...some deeper than others, so forgive me as I begin out of order.

8) Do I know I have a right to make an informed choice?

Let's start with exemptions!

I've come across many people who think that their child can't get into school if they haven't had their shots. This is simply untrue. There are exemptions available to parents who choose not to vaccinate but still enroll their child in school. Each state dictates which exemptions are available in that particular state. The process typically requires you to contact the state for these exemption forms and then have them signed by the parent and notarized by a notary public prior to being turned into the school in which your child is enrolled. Public schools are required to acknowledge and accept these exemption forms, private schools are not.

First is the medical exemption. If your child has a past history of vaccine reaction or he/she has an underlying disease or illness that would increase the risk of vaccine reaction, your child's pediatrician or family doctor (including D.O.s) may be willing to give you a written medical exemption to bypass having to have further vaccinations. Since medical doctors are highly influenced by drug/vaccine manufacturers and procedures passed down for generations in medical school, this is possibly the most difficult exemption to obtain. All 50 states have medical exemption to vaccination.

Next is the philosophical exemption. This is based on your personal or conscientious beliefs in regards to vaccination. In most cases, you must object to all vaccines, not just a select few. Only 18 states have philosophical exemptions to vaccination.

Finally, there is a religious exemption. In most cases, this exemption does not even require you to state what religion you are, but just that it is against your religious beliefs that your child is vaccinated. Some states require a signed affidavit from a pastor or spiritual advisor that affirms the parents' sincere religious belief about vaccination. California, Mississippi, and West Virginia are the only states who DO NOT have religious exemption to vaccination.

Some states also allow proof of immunity as reason to exempt your child from a specific vaccination. Independent laboratories can draw blood and analyze it for antibody levels for a particular illness. For example, if your child has had chicken pox prior to entering school and you choose not to give your child the chicken pox vaccine, rather than obtaining one of the three exemption forms listed above, you can have blood drawn and analyzed to show that your child has high enough antibodies to chicken pox that natural immunity has been obtained.

Later, I'll go even further with information that will help you make an informed decision....vaccine ingredients, the concept of herd immunity, and the manufacturing and marketing of vaccines.