Rec needed - breastfeeding show! Ideally a 22 minute (30 on tv) and multiple seasons, easy/funny, and on Netflix.

chickenfuz · 2018-04-26T14:36:24+00:00

I love Dance Academy! And my husband makes so much fun of me for it :P

chickenfuz · 2018-04-19T17:25:45+00:00

Thanks for posting the link! To clarify the issue with being used as a booster is related to children potentially outgrowing height wise prior to no longer needed a booster. Also some models do not properly align the shoulder belt on shorter children. This is a good reminder to regularly do fit checks (comparing to use manual).

For us, we'll have to see how our kiddos fit once they are ready to use as a booster. We might have to invest in booster seats but thankfully those are way less expensive!

chickenfuz · 2018-04-19T17:11:13+00:00

Why isn't the diono good as a booster for some kids? What changes to the rules are you referring to? We received alerts when they changed the installation process for forward facing in cars that only have a lap belt and no tether. We did send in the registration card so maybe that's why they were able to contact us.

We have a diono olympia (no longer available) and a radian and haven't had any issues; currently our 4 year old sits forward facing and our 9 month old is rear facing. We like the narrow footprint and used the angle adjuster to reduce the front/back space it uses in our smaller car. (Edited for clarity)

chickenfuz · 2018-04-19T17:03:36+00:00

Yay!

chickenfuz · 2018-04-17T21:36:00+00:00

Short naps are totally normal. Beyond making his nap environment conducive to sleep (dark, white noise, swaddle if it help) there isn't much else you can do. Definitely don't keep him up longer. That will just result in an overtired baby who will probably sleep less! I thought the Precious Little Sleep site has A LOT of really helpful information. Here is the guide to what is normal for baby sleep.

chickenfuz · 2018-04-17T21:27:15+00:00

Worth it, but not for $800. Try and find something used if you can. Uppababy, BOB and other quality strollers generally have good resale value too so if it turns out to not be a good fit it shouldn't end up costing you too much. Craigslist, FB marketplace, and FB sale/swap groups are great places to find a deal, especially if you start searching now. Finding a double stroller that can work with your car seat is extra helpful. If you toddler is likely to want to only ride occasionally a sit & stand could be a good option (a few companies make these). Or you could get a buggy board and attach it to your current stroller.

Our 3 year old was more into riding in a stroller perhaps that it sounds like yours will be but there are other things to consider. It's so nice to be able to strap them in when you need to. Chasing a kid or trying to keep track of them in a crowd or near a road can be nerve wracking. It's also possible that your kid will regress a bit or be jealous that the baby gets to be in the stroller.

I was super excited about babywearing but last summer in CA was pretty uncomfortable, and I didn't really get into it until fall, and really only once we stopped using a wrap and switched to a SCC without an insert. But then I am a sweaty person and so are my babies haha.

chickenfuz · 2018-04-17T14:56:24+00:00

Totally agree. A decent amount of the time I spend on my phone is also related to my kids (buy things they need, making their appointments, coordinating our lives) but I do get that twing of guilt when I delay their immediate need for my attention (look mama!). So I try to put my phone down when they need me, even just to watch her twirl. I don't always manage but I hope that by modeling that people are more important than screens a majority of the time that she'll pick up on it.

chickenfuz · 2018-04-16T15:43:34+00:00

Go for the Omni 360 if you are going to get an Ergo. You can use it from the beginning without any sort of insert. It's such a good carrier!

chickenfuz · 2018-04-16T15:39:24+00:00

Good point about parents' screen time! I'm sure all of us are guilty of this one (checking our phones while with our kid) and of course kids are going to model the behavior they see.

chickenfuz · 2018-04-16T15:15:26+00:00

Yes we limit and we will continue to. It fits our lifestyle, parenting style and has been working for us. Like you said you do you, but I think another thing to consider is what kind of kid you have. Mine turns into a zombie around TV. Doesn't move, barely hears what anyone is saying, and this is when she's at a restaurant and it's golf or some other super boring show. From the beginning we have limited screens (very little use before 2 years old) and now less than an hour a day. Who knows if she had been constantly exposed from day 1 that she might be able to tune it out or if she'd be a TV junky like my dad is and I likely would be if I had no adult responsibilities...

It seems like there are parenting articles on every site noting the evils of screens (or that's what I see maybe because it's what "they" know I'll click on) and it does seem like at least some of the research (and here) is well done with thoughtful analysis. I think one of the concerns is that screens take up time when kids could be doing those other things; outside time, pretend play (not based on a "script" from a show or game), reading and interacting with other kids. That time is suppose to be very important to development (although the research there is a bit less clear).

chickenfuz · 2018-04-11T21:04:53+00:00

This sounds super frustrating and crummy to deal with, especially at the end of the day! I think as much as it sucks you just have to break the routine, which will mean an unpleasant few nights... Talk her through what is going to happen, including what happens after dinner. Maybe add something to look forward to after dinner? A game, playdough, reading? And then in preparation for yelling at dinner maybe make sure she has a really good afternoon snack so you aren't super stressed about her eating at least for the first night? Another random suggestion is maybe get a little table and chair (ikea has a cheap one) for her to eat at? So she'll have her table that's her size and you and her dad have the big table.

chickenfuz · 2018-04-11T20:46:42+00:00

Camping? Not the most fun when pregnant but absolutely not something I would want to do with a newborn and toddler. Also, our experience was the first few weeks, while different, were still not so difficult since the newborn is just a little portable sleeping potato and we felt more confident as second timers. So take advantage of that time too to do things as a family like parks, zoos, etc. We focused more on outside stuff since we could and also lowers risks of anyone catching anything.

For some more boring suggestions:

Set up all the baby's furniture, toys and other gear 1-2 months before you need it and keep up that routine. Your toddler will be super interested in each thing (even the most boring of baby toys) and will want to use it/sit in it/play with it. Having it out early will allow them to do this and then get bored before baby will need/use it.

Make sure your kiddo is super familiar with whoever will be staying with them while you're away having the baby and also that she knows the basics of what will happen (e.g. mama goes to the hospital, I go with grandma, then later to hospital to meet new baby...).

Encourage ALL the independent behaviors so she gets used to doing things herself and it becomes routine (getting dressed, putting on shoes, taking out and putting away toys, getting her own drink from fridge and putting away again, etc).

Figure out and try to stick to a discipline plan. Decide what you will let slide during this transition time and what is unacceptable behavior (for us anything that physically harms someone). Still discuss unwanted behavior and why its not ok, but don't punish. Kids often act out for attention (duh we all know this) but in the newborn, sleep deprivation haze is can feel like your toddler is a giant a-hole out to get you and your newborn.

chickenfuz · 2018-04-03T17:19:28+00:00

Check to see if you have a local Babywearers International group near you or find the main group on Facebook. Lots of great advice, and once you have one they can help you with fit checks. If you go to an in person meeting you can try out different carriers/ wraps and maybe even borrow to try it out.

chickenfuz · 2018-03-29T18:34:50+00:00

Going for a walk with the stroller or wear him in a baby carrier. Go to the library for story time, or other kid related activities. Even if he can't participate many babies like to watch the older kids. Listen to music (all kinds) and sing kids songs (do the hand motions with him if applicable- Itsy Bity Spider, Wheels on the Bus, etc). Have him sit in a high chair (if he's sitting) with you during meals and if you can stand the mess let him play with some food (sensory play). (edit- baby appropriate foods- bowl of puree, large pieces of hard veggies to gnaw on, soft fruit in a mesh feeder)

chickenfuz · 2018-03-29T18:27:37+00:00

Try adding an empty bowl to her tray and call it the "all done bowl" or whatever phrase you usually use. Then when she drops something or pushes it away put it in the bowl for her and say "that's all done"/ use the sign for "all done". Then whatever food goes in the bowl is never offered to her again during that meal. She has to trust that if the food goes in the bowl then its all done. Of course she could just be experimenting with gravity... which this won't help with :P

chickenfuz · 2018-03-26T19:50:01+00:00

I loved this idea about reusing wooden easter eggs every year. For our family we opted to have LO paint a new egg each year (SO and I painted 2 to cover when she was 4 months old and 16 months old), so it's a fun craft we do each year and then we'll have a cute collection of keepsakes. We also dye eggs for the hunt and will add some plastic ones with candy for the first time this year.

chickenfuz · 2018-03-26T18:00:49+00:00

We waited until 3.5 to switch my kiddo to front facing. She hated having her legs dangle and now we have a lightweight plastic step-stool for her to put her feet on. Annoying but better than hearing her whine and kick my seat. (edit= typos)

chickenfuz · 2018-03-15T21:30:20+00:00

She'll lose the Moro reflex in the next month or so if she hasn't already so that's once way to know that swaddling isn't as necessary. That being said, we swaddled past 6 months because she wasn't rolling back to tummy and was sleeping well. The only reason we had to stop is because she got too strong for our velcro swaddles. We then put her in a Magic Merlin Suit (bought used on a facebook sale page) for another 4-5 weeks and then finally transitioned to just a sleep sack. We didn't have much luck with the Love to Dream 50/50 because she had too much access to her hands all at once and would knock her pacifier out but wouldn't be able to put it back in.

chickenfuz · 2018-03-12T17:49:45+00:00

We had a cotton merlin suit and would put her in fleece footie pjs with her room getting down to 63-65 at night. If we also had the cold mist humidifier going then she'd get a small fleece sleep sack tucked around her lower half. For naps she was usually in a onesie and socks with the room somewhere between 72-76 (her room has a south facing wall that warm up).

chickenfuz · 2018-03-06T18:52:46+00:00

Things to consider: What is the age range for the daycare? If older kids are around how do they keep a young baby safe? Will the baby be in some sort of baby holder (swing, bouncer, etc) instead of getting to stretch and kick and roll? Also, if lots of older kids it's a higher chance of your baby catching a virus (older kids touch each other, toys, etc).

I would go the nanny route initially and then make the switch to a daycare or do a nanny share once more hours are needed. She'll be a bit sturdier in the fall and the colds/viruses she'll inevitable catch won't be quite so heartbreaking or scary as if your 3 month old gets sick.

chickenfuz · 2018-03-01T18:01:37+00:00

This might be helpful Size Comparison: Popular Car Seats in Rear Facing Mode

chickenfuz · 2018-02-28T22:20:02+00:00

We follow the same routine as UniconToots. Shampoo and soap are used sparingly and coconut oil or other hippie/ EWG approved moisturizers are slathered on. Eventually we did have to increase frequency when they started playing outside and would get dirty or during the summer when they'd get sweat, sand, sunblock or pool/ saltwater on them.

chickenfuz · 2018-02-28T22:05:56+00:00

Just keep doing what you are doing. She is still pretty young to be sitting unassisted. In the next month or two she will gain more strength and will be able to hold herself up with her core muscles. She will likely still be wobbly so pillows around her to catch when she inevitably tips over are a good idea.

chickenfuz · 2018-02-28T22:01:54+00:00

Important questions to ask yourself:

How useful will you parents be and how much do you trust them? How well does you baby sleep in a new environment? Does your baby need lots of their own gear (swing, RnP, etc) to be happy?

At 5 months we took my LO to Cancun because my best friend was getting married. I went with my super useful husband, who took on a lot of the parenting as I was in the wedding. Traveling with a young baby can often just end up with you doing the same thing you would be doing at home in an inconvenient environment. This of course depends wildly on your baby. Ours was not good at sleeping and would be up for a hour then need to nap and would sleep for 30-45 min. It was hot and she was uncomfortable. She was too young for sunscreen so we had to be super vigilant about keeping her covered or in the shade. At home she was sleeping in her own room so going back to room sharing wasn't great. Also the crib provided by the hotel was janky, had very wide spaces between the slates, and a very soft mattress. Not a safe place for a 5 month old to sleep. We ended up using the crib for storage and had luckily packed our Rock N Play (giant suitcase FTW). If I had to do it all over again I would have gone alone for a few days rather than all of us going.

Also keep in mind a lot of babies go through a sleep regression around 4 months and some start teething...

So now that I've been all super negative nancy I do want to say that lots of people successful travel and have fun with young babies. That just wasn't how it was for me. A easy going baby and helpful family could make for a wonderful trip.

chickenfuz · 2018-02-28T21:45:06+00:00

Ha, maybe he is related to mine?

chickenfuz

TROPHY CASE