tom@hcrvx1.UUCP (Tom Kelly) (02/02/86)
As parents of a 4-month old we have opinions (of course) on some
of the questions that have recently gone by:
Re: Where does the baby sleep?
We have him in our room and it has been fine. It doesn't take as long
to get used to a new person in the room as it took to get used to
a new person in the bed! It is a crucial convenience for a breast-feeding
mother, not only because of proximity but because I wake up gradually
and gently as Ben's noises change and he rarely reaches the screaming
(i.e., fully awake) point.
We started him out swaddled, laying on his side, in a small rush basket
we put inside the crib. We moved him to the crib to sleep when he
wanted to sleep on his stomach, at about 3 months.
As far as putting a baby in the living room of an apartment: I think
it will present real problems in making night seem like night (dark and
quiet).
Re: Diapers
We use a service and love it. We may try washing them ourselves when
the weather is warmer (but I doubt it: TK). Disposables used when
travelling.
*** SALES PITCH ***
We use a GREAT system for putting on the diapers, thin pliant sheets
of plasitc usually marketed as "Baby Snibbs" or "Scandinavian Style
Tie-on Pants". They are very simple to use. (See "drawing" below.)
The diaper is placed on top, and the ends rolled to catch it. The
whole thing is put on the baby, and the thin end bits are tied
(using bows!) at each hip. Fast, easy (no pricked fingers!). Almost
as waterproof as plastic pants, but some slow evaporation reduces
chances of redness, and no urine gets caught in gathers. When removing
diaper from baby, you grab the Snibb, and use it to carry the diaper
to the diaper pail. We then drop the Snibb in a bag, to be machine
washed. We bought 40 (about $ 6.00) from Mothercare-by-Post in
England. We've seen them advertised in baby magazines, and from
diaper services at a somewhat higher cost.
------------------------------------
| | tie
-------- --------
\ Diaper /
\ /
| goes |
| | Leg goes here
| here |
/ \
/ \
-------- --------
| | tie
-----------------------------------
Mothercare-by-Post
P.O. Box 145
Watford, ENGLAND
They have a catalog, but we don't know if you have to pay for it.
**** End Sales Pitch ***
Re: Strollers
We picked a fairly fancy convertible stroller (folds up, 3 position
back, clear plastic window at back of wind shield, switchable handle).
It has been good for us, but we live in the city and use it outside
a lot (we don't often drive to a mall and then use the stroller). A light
one would not survive the winter here. One complaint: the handle is
short, can lead to sore back for tall (or even not-so-tall) pushers.
This seems to be a general problem with all strollers with adjustable
handles (at least: all the ones we looked at). It is a little bit
heavy to carry, which makes it inconvenient at times to go up and
down stairs, but we manage.
Re: toiletries
We receieved a lot of stuff from samples and baby showers. We use
none of it. Water and baby oil to clean Ben's bottom, on 4 x 4
squares of J-cloth. Vaseline in creases, then wrap him up. Baths
use J&J baby shampoo and Dove soap, well rinsed. We tried liquid
baby bath (from Mothercare) which was fine too. The commercial Baby Wipes
(and clones) all seem to be impregnated with noxious chemicals. They
out-stank any diaper collection after 5 minutes in the trash, besides
Ben hated the cold lotion.
Re: clothes
Cottons and cotton blends have washed and worn much better than polyesters
(Carter's sleepers wore out very fast). The sturdiest clothes, and most
sensibly designed (e.g., no Peter Pan collars, or buttons on back), were again
from Mothercare. Some of their stuff was in great shape third hand.
Osh Kosh overalls of all varieties (especially one set that has feet!)
were winners too. I bought some cotton draw-string bottom nighties,
but to my suprise liked snap stretch suits better.
Re: What are receiving blankets for ?
When Ben was really small, leaked constantly from both ends, and was
swaddled a lot, we went through cotton flannel receiving blankets at
an astonishing rate (sometimes 8/day).
Re: miscellaneous
We use a Fisher-Price nursery monitor. We love it. It allows us to
keep tabs on his "state of wakefulness" from everywhere in the house,
and get to him before he works himself up. It also allows us to do
something noisy without worrying that we won't hear him when he wakes up.
We recently got a Baby-Matey carrier. Although it requires substantial
study to get into it the first time, after that it is great. Easy to
get on and off, works front or back or side, Ben loves it, and it is
much easier on our back than other kinds we tried. (Weight is on hips).
We recommend it. But make sure you have lots of time the first time
you get into one. Practice with a teddy bear.
Re: Breastfeeding
Go for it! As mentioned by others, it is not totally "natural" or
automatic at the start, but I think it is well worth the effort.
I think that people tend to give up on having the baby in the room,
using cloth diapers, and breastfeeding for the same reason: it is
hardest just before it becomes an easy habit. (Naturally, breastfeeding
is the most important one to keep your patience with).
Marsha Groves
(posted by:
Tom Kelly (416) 922-1937
Human Computing Resources Corp.
{utzoo, ihnp4, decvax}!hcr!hcrvx1!tom
)