Ask MetaFilter posts tagged with baby

Help me open this Graco bassinet component.

micketymoc — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:56:03 -0800

How do you open the battery compartment to this Graco bassinet component? We just got a Graco Contour Electra Play n' Pack Playard/Bassinet. One end of the bassinet has a battery-driven compartment that has a nightlight, music, and vibrating function. I can't figure out how to open the darn battery component, and nothing I've Googled seems to address this particular model. No, we don't have the manual.

Here's an image of the bassinet component, with closeups of the battery compartment. Does this look familiar to anyone? Can anybody show me how to open this thing up without damaging the part? My fingers hurt and my screwdrivers are all bent out of shape.

How did having a baby change your life?

razzman — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:12:09 -0800

How did having a baby change your life? I'm intentionally leaving the question as broad as it is and would love to hear your answers, mothers and fathers; but especially in regard to how it may have changed you, as a person. My wife is expecting in 5 weeks, I feel both tremendous excitement, but also a slight anxiety as I know my life will never be the same.

Plan for post-partum family visits?

Anonymous — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 07:32:11 -0800

What's a good plan for post-partum family visits? Our first baby is due in early November. We feel prepared and are comfortable in infant care (both IRL and in the numerous books we've read). We have flexible schedules and generous parental leave time. We also have a large helpful circle of friends.

Our families want to visit from out-of-town when baby is born and perhaps even be present for the birth. This could be 4-9 adults at once.

First concern: there are particular family members who are very anxious and their anxiety/presence triggers my anxiety.

Second concern: we have a pull-out couch in the living room and a futon in the office/baby room but only 1 bathroom. Plus, hotels? Rental cars? Airport pick ups? We're gonna be the ones organizing all this. And we don't really have seating for more than 6 at a time.

Questions:

First, do we really need "Help" like people say we do? (We have in-house laundry and dishwasher, 3 grocery stores, 2 pharmacies, and dozens of take-out places within a 8 minute walk. And we've stocked up on baby stuff and frozen food to the gills.) Will I regret not having 4-9 "Helpers"?

And second, how do we tell them that we don't want them/need them around for the birth? (Some are going to be pissed.)

Third, then how can we properly schedule visits to satisfy their need to see the baby "early" and have them also be useful?

Fourth, is it easier to stagger guests or have them all at once and rip the band-aid off?

Fifth, how long is enough? 1 week? 4 days? They probably want to come for weeks.

One thought: Thanksgiving, when baby is 2-4 weeks old. Another thought: just suck it up and let them come and tolerate it when they are here.

Any suggestions are welcome!

Rocky .09

beccaj — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 14:08:30 -0800

My baby LOVES to climb. Any ideas for home made baby gym to use up some energy of a super busy baby? He likes to climb up stairs, up mommy, on to boxes, etc. Hang off the monkey bars, etc.
I wish there was one of those little baby gyms in the area where he can climb, etc with out having me pull him off stuff because it's not safe but there's not.
Since he's home all day we are always looking for something to entertain him - I was thinking of making my own little baby gym. I looked up the prices of mats, etc and they are a few hundred dollars a piece.
Any ideas for cheaper home made gym??
He's nine months so I am thinking this would be useful for at least 6 months.
difficulty: my handiness level seems to be very low...

Claritin for an eight-month-old?

Asparagirl — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 10:33:24 -0800

Putting a child under the age of two on Children's Claritin for his allergies...advice, or first-hand anecdotes? Our eight-month-old baby has multiple allergies and excema. He's tested positive on skin tests for both food (eggs, oranges, garlic) and environmental (mold, dustmites, weeds, grass, you name it) triggers. His main symptoms are transient excema patches on his cheeks, neck, the insides of his elbows, and the backs of his knees; horribly itchy skin on his hands and ankles; and occasionally a stuffy nose and red eyes. The itchy skin, in particular, often wakes him up in the middle of the night, sometimes multiple times -- and thus, wakes us too. We put long sleeves and socks on him and cover his hands so he can't scratch. It doesn't help much.

We run both a HEPA filter and a humidifier in his room, and I've eliminated his trigger foods from my diet since I'm breastfeeding (though not exclusively). His allergist prescribed him topical steroid cream for his occasional excema flare ups, which works well if you use it every day for a few days, but I would rather not use steroids on a kid long-term. We also give occasional small doses of dye-free children's Benadryl (at night only). That works on his allergies pretty well -- for a whopping four hours. We also use Aquaphor on his neck and other allergic patches, and that seems to work well.

His having allergies isn't so surprising, since pretty much everyone in my family has moderate-to-terrible allergies of some sort -- but we all take (or occasionally take) medicine to deal with it. So I'm really wary about putting such a young kid on anything, because it could easily become a long-term medicine.

But with his persistent allergies, his pediatrician now recommends putting him on half a teaspoon of Children's Claritin every day. While this is over the counter, there is very little information out there on Claritin's effects on young kids, especially under the age of two (nevermind that he's under the age of one!), and nothing about long-term effects. One dose of Claritin also lasts for 24 hours, unlike Benadryl's 4-6 hours, and I really don't want him to be zonked out all day. I've also found disturbing anecdotal reports on the web about kids on Zyrtec (not Claritin, but similar) developing sudden behavioral issues.

So, anyone know a kid who's been on Claritin so young? How did it work out? I really don't want to put such a young kid on a somewhat-untested-on-kids medicine, but I can't stand to see him suffer with his allergies either.

Estimating weight from breastfeeding

Anonymous — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:13:16 -0800

Fitness/Breastfeeding Filter: how do you estimate weight retention from breastfeeding? I'm an overweight woman and I am breastfeeding. I'd like to determine a healthy weight for myself, but I am unsure how much extra weight I have due to breastfeeding. Most calculators for BMI or anything like that are not meant for breastfeeding, of course. And none of the healthy weights charts are either.

My baby is older and on solids, but still nursing about six times a day, perhaps a bit more. How much extra weight would I have due to nursing? I would think there's a range, of course.

Just to clarify, I'm not looking to stop nursing. I just want to get a sense of where my weight is and where I should take it. I'm going to be nursing for at least another 15 months. I don't really want to wait till then to do the calculations. And I don't need to be totally scientific -- it's just that I find numbers motivating.

Is there a rule of thumb for estimating weight from increased breast tissue and milk? I have lost all of my pregnancy weight, fwiw. But I'm assuming that I have some weight due to breastfeeding, given that I've gone up 4+ cup sizes. I have a more than adequare supply or milk. And you would normally say that I have pendulous breasts, even when I am not breastfeeding (according to my doctor, who says that they probably make me weigh 15 lbs more than a typical person, when I am not breastfeeding).

Note: I am not looking to do anything unhealthy. It's just that I am motivated by numbers and percentages and things like that, when it comes to weight loss. Also, you are not my doctor, etc.

Thanks.

stroller panic..

gaspode — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 09:56:10 -0800

Completely overwhelmed with choices of stroller and looking for recommendations. Specific requirements inside. Your opinions on strollers, please (this thread is kind of old and we have different requirements). We're looking to buy a stroller and it needs to be done reasonably soon as I'm 32 weeks pregnant. I've looked through a few sites but it's hard to find a decent algorithm that throws up good recommendations and of course, personal recs tend to be really valuable.

* It will be used A LOT because we live in Manhattan and walk pretty much everywhere (no car), so it has to be reasonably sturdy
* suitable for newborns (ie. has to recline). Although we will be trying to rely a lot on a sling or bjorn in the early days - IF she takes to them which is not a given
* would prefer one that has a decent age range - ie. not one that the kid grows out of in 2 months
* not too heavy
* Money not so much of an object but we are not the type to demand trendy brands

That's it. The key point being one that will stand up to a lot of use, and is not a behemoth on the streets of NYC. Any anecdotes and recommendations gratefully received. Thanks!

How to split the baby

A Terrible Llama — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 07:14:28 -0800

I'm looking for thoughts on how to split up baby care between partners during maternity leave. Mr. LLama and I just had a beautiful baby girl by c section last week. After a nightmarish week of attempted breastfeeding, we've gone with formula. This has worked out nicely (even though it was a source of sadness for me initially) because we've gotten a routine split in baby care going.

However, next week Mr. LLama returns to work at the Llamatorium. What are some ways people have split up childcare once Dad returns to work and Mom goes into poop patrol full time?

The equality in the split we have now is nice, but Mr. LLama has to wake up at 4:30 to go to work and we can't put him in a chronically sleep deprived position because of the toll that takes on a relationship. I'll be able to nap and he won't.

Ideally, I'd like plan that has me and the baby up at 4:30 too (even if I'm awake but the baby isn't--that sleep when the baby sleeps thing seems impossible to me.)

She's not a difficult baby so far--she's not a screamer--but she is up 2 or 3 or 4 times a night. She sleeps in her crib in our room. We were going to do a family bed but I haven't felt safe because I can't roll over or lie on my side easily because of the incision. The crib in the room seems to be working well.

I looked at the previous threads and found some good ideas but no thread specifically dedicated to this.

Don't want to be a human security blanket

roundrock — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:19:26 -0800

Okay, I'm pretty much at wit's end. My six month old son (second child) has always been a very easygoing and happy baby, but for the last month or so, he's been extraordinarily needy. Normally, this is something I'd attribute to teething, but Tylenol/Orajel does not seem to help, and the pediatrician checked him two days ago and said he doesn't see or feel anything near the surface yet. Here's what's going on:
I can't leave his sight. EVER. The moment he sees me turn my back, he crumbles, and the tears quickly become shrill shrieks if he's not picked up immediately.

When he's in a good mood, he'll tolerate sitting somewhere (stroller/car seat/Bumbo) or laying/semi-crawling around on his tummy. Again, this only applies when I'm within arm's length. If he's not feeling particularly cheerful, then he MUST be held. I have a carrier that I love and use all the time, but there are times when I just can't hold him (e.g., when I'm cooking dinner, changing his diaper, showering, etc). When I'm holding or wearing him, he's happy as a clam - laughing, smiling, babbling, etc. It's like a switch is flipped the moment I pick him up.

He won't sleep unless he is in physical contact with me. On those rare occasions when I do get to set him down (gingerly transferring the sleeping baby to the crib or swing - we've all been there!), he wakes up within thirty minutes (and usually within a minute or two) and is frantic. I'm co-sleeping with him at night (I did this by choice when he was a newborn; now it's just the only way I can get him to sleep). We've tried cry-it-out and modified cry-it-out (pick him up and soothe him and then lay him down again; just patting him or placing a hand on his back has no comforting effect whatsoever). For the past month, I've held him or worn him (while he sleeps) all evening until I go to bed (and I'm a night owl, so that's usually around 2a).

I didn't go through this with my first son. We had some tough evenings, but around 5 or 6 months I started a modified cry-it-out strategy a la the Sleep Lady (Kim West), and it was smooth sailing after a couple of nights. This is new (and extremely exhausting/frustrating) territory for me; what gives?

What is the best financial/tax situation for a family with a kid on the way?

Anonymous — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 06:27:17 -0800

What is the best financial/tax situation for us? Kid on way, financial aid eligibility concerns. Me: grad student for 2 more years, on a teaching assistantship (this covers tuition, fees, health insurance, and gives me a $1600/mo. stipend) and with some student loans on top (less than $10k/year). I also work in the summers, but make less than $5k. I also receive research grants sometimes ($5k-$15k). In 2008, I will only have been in the country for 2 months and will have an income of less than $5k. In 2009 and 2010 I will be be back on the normal track with $1600/mo. and some loans with perhaps 2-3 months of a travel grant of ~$6k.

Him: working person making a good salary (floating around 6 figures)

New factor: baby on the way at end of year (will be on Dad's insurance and Dad's company covers childcare)

The way that we see it, here are our financial options:

(1) Stay unmarried, he claims baby on his taxes.

(2) Stay unmarried, I claim the baby on my taxes. (But would this screw up my student loan/financial aid eligibility by making me look richer?)

(3) Marry and claim kid together. (Again, would this screw up my student loan/financial aid eligibility?)

Help me avoid a babysitting blunder

pumpkin11 — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 19:46:07 -0800

I am babysitting tomorrow for an 18 month old, and while I love kids, and have had plenty of experience caring for them, it's been a couple years since I took care of a baby. I am looking for babysitting advice so glaringly obvious, I would not be able to find it by googling (I tried). Any general advice is good...the more it relates to a child that is close to 18 months in age, the better. Thanks in advance!

Is there a way to get my baby to stop shrieking?

aLearnerRather — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 11:16:04 -0800

My boy makes an unbelievably loud and high pitched shriek, for no apparent reason. Please help! He's eleven months old. And he's not crying, it's not like he wants something--he just opens his mouth and emits this unbelievably loud and high-pitched shriek. We thought it might be teeth, we thought it might be that he wants attention, but even when we're sitting right there with him, playing or whatever, he'll let rip with one. It makes my 4-year old daughter cry and not want to eat with us, and it's not doing much for my wife and me either.

He's a good boy. He's jolly and full of energy and curiosity. But the screeching...the terrible screeching. Any advice?

Puppy training 101.

Mavri — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:40:00 -0800

Advice needed on a new boxer puppy--best training book and suggestions for training treats especially. My mom and stepdad just got a 6 week old boxer puppy. Neither of them has had a puppy in decades, and when they did they were country dogs (not trained). This dog will be an outside dog, but she's sleeping indoors while she's still really young. I've read about crate-training on this site, but I don't know if that's just for inside dogs. So far, she's peeing in the yard well, but pooping indoors and on the deck. My mom is being very patient with her, but wants to do things right.

We would like suggestions about books and training treats appropriate for such a young puppy. My mom was apparently overwhelmed by all the treats at Wal-Mart. (Small town, no pet store.)

Where can I buy Miffy/Nijntje stuff?

Mayor Curley — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 14:28:38 -0800

Where can I purchase baby clothing featuring Miffy (Nijntje)? I am near Boston, Massachusetts in the United States of America, and have access to the Internet. I will also probably travel to Montreal before I need the clothing, in case there is a shop there that will best satisfy my Miffy needs

What website offers the best baby registry service?

micketymoc — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 00:33:23 -0800

What site offers the best baby registry service? Special difficulty - the parents-to-be are in the Philippines, the friends and relatives are scattered everywhere else. We want to sign up with a baby registry service that offers the least trouble and best value for international gift-givers. Our family and friends are scattered all over the world, specifically New Zealand, Vietnam, Singapore, South Africa, and in the US: New York, Michigan, California, and Massachusetts.

What site would that be, and why?

Hip, trendy pregnancy blogs?

Ugh — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 19:20:41 -0800

Are there any hip, trendy pregnancy/baby blogs out there? I refuse to believe as soon as you become pregnant your fuddy-duddy status skyrockets. I'm less interested in personal pregnancy journals, but hope to find blogs that will point me to modern maternity clothes, indie baby shower invitations, funny or interesting articles, etc.

I'm looking for something like Design Sponge only for nurseries.
Something like Offbeat Bride but about pregnancy or maternity wear.
Can I get a Mighty Junior but for newborns?

Baby Boy goodness?

k8t — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 10:25:12 -0800

Flip this question: What is great about parenting a boy? I already mentioned that I am a tiny bit disappointed about having a boy, which may be a reaction to being told every day that boys are better than girls and my personal fear about not really knowing much about boys and how they operate. But since we're on the subject, what are some great things about parenting a boy that only those who have done so know about and can help get me excited about the little man arriving in our lives.

Drunk Dad at hookup = no kid or damaged kid?

NortonDC — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 13:30:35 -0800

Does a father's moderate drinking, around insemination, affect conception rates or baby health? I've googled aplenty, but the info that I've found is consistently of poor quality, with lots of assertions and opinions but no data regarding actual outcomes, either for conception rates or a baby's development. I'm not interested in stories about damaged sperm, but rather solid evidence about babies, either the lack of babies or damage to their health. And I'm talking about consumption levels comfortably within the moderate range, so alcholic malnutrition and whatnot don't factor in. Thanks!

Come away, O Human Child...

shiu mai baby — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 11:52:55 -0800

I need a snippet of a poem or quote from a children's book about wishes. I'm giving this totally cute pewter bubble wand as one of several gifts for my goddaughter's christening in a few weeks. I figure it's a slightly more whimsical take on the pewter/silver gifts that are typically given at a christening.

Since she's too young to appreciate it just yet, my current plan is to put it in a shadow box, the back of which I was thinking of lining with some cool handmade paper, and scribbling a quote from a children's poem or book (alternately, I might write the quote around the edges of the glass) on the paper. I've been searching, but I've yet to happen upon something lovely and inspiring. I'd like to stick to the dreams and/or wishes motif, but I'm open to suggestion.

The quote needs to be fairly short, as I don't have a whole lot of room to write. I'm trying to avoid the more obvious stuff -- e.g. preferably no Disney, no Pooh, etc. I've always loved Yeats's "The Stolen Child," but the bit about the world being full of weeping seems a little bleak for a baby gift.

Any particularly appropriate quotes leap to mind?

Baby, baby, how was I supposed to know

GardenGal — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 19:16:10 -0800

My first baby shower is tomorrow... what do I do? How do these things work? I've got three baby showers coming up (one for each workplace and one for friends) that other people asked to plan for me. My first is tomorrow and the organizer hasn't contacted me to give me any details other than the time and place. Here's the catch - I've never been to a baby shower before, and have no idea what actually goes on in them. I don't want to appear clueless in front of my coworkers!

I'm planning on bringing something like banana bread (it is supposed to be a potluck), but is there anything else I should be bringing? Or doing?

I am fairly reserved and actually really dislike getting gifts except from close friends (though I love giving them). It makes me feel very awkward, though I try to be gracious and enthusiastic. On top of that, I don't know many of these people's names (except for about 6 of them, we work in different buildings) and am afraid I won't be able to thank them properly, especially with everyone else looking on. Is it expected that you open your gifts at a baby shower, or is it okay if you set them aside to open in private? If you have to open them in front of people, what do you do if you get two of the same thing?

I will most likely be expected to give some sort of speech, at least at the work parties. I'm afraid I'll forget to say something really important. Is there anything I should absolutely not forget to say other than thanking the organizer and the attendees?

I'm sure there's stuff I've forgotten to ask simply because I don't know what to expect. Suggestions? Anecdotes? Please help me be gracious and confident!

And please also pardon the Britney Spears title reference... it won't happen again. -grin-

Will having a baby physically change sex?

Go, now. Go! — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:41:44 -0800

Would having a baby change sex forever? (more info, not for the squeamish, inside) I really like my sex life now. But I keep reading and/or hearing that vaginal birth stretches things out down there in a way that changes sex forever. I'm not interested in vaginal rejeuvination surgery.

If you are a woman who has had a baby (vaginal delivery), or a man who has had sex with a woman both before and after she did so, is sex very different afterwards? Is it less pleasurable? And if there is a difference, how much of a difference is it? Does the vagina spring back, so to speak, or is there only so much that Kegel exercises can do?

Finally, if you are a woman who had a caesarian section, or a man who has had sex with a woman who delivered that way, did you notice any physical change during sex?

Just to be clear, I understand that having a child can have an effect on sex for other reasons, and that having kids can be worth it even if there is a lasting physical effect in this area. This question is exclusively about the physical effects of a vaginal or caesarian birth.

If you prefer to reply anonymously, I can be emailed at gonowgo@gmail.com. Thanks!

Remember that gift certificate you gave me?...

thetenthstory — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 04:34:14 -0800

My boss and his wife just had thier second son. What can I get him (or his child/wife) as a gift? I have been working with him for a little over a year. I am a male still in my early 20s and oppose gifts such as a "onezy" with teddy bears printed on them. I would like a gift that says my mother did not pick it out for me. So, what would you get him AskMe?

Take [Us] Back to Old New Brunswick

Pollomacho — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 05:47:09 -0800

Road Trip Filter: Help us plot our road trip to Canada! Difficulty: active toddler. Once again my wife and I head into the wilds of New Brunswick (Canada, not New Jersey). Normally, we’d fly or breeze on up, but this is our first trip back to her family farm since the birth of our wiggly and “busy” daughter. Ideally, we’ll take two days of driving from DC to near St. John. Please hive mind, help us plot a trip that involves minimal driving and traffic snarls but maximum beauty, interest, and spots to stop, change diapers, pump her full of food and allow her to run and scream for a bit. Bonus points for a great place to stop for the night where we’d all have a great time or any ideas for making a two day road trip with an active pre-terrible-two more pleasant! Thanks in advance!

Extra bonus: Daddy loves lobster rolls.

Doggy baby dilemma

vermontlife — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 19:43:55 -0800

Doggy baby dilemma. My husband and I got a dog about a year ago. He’s one year old. I love our dogpup and I spend all day with him. I’ve read about training dogs and I’ve put a lot of work into him. I don’t hit him, but I do have a benevolent and firm hand with him, and he is treated like a dog, not like a furry person. He is not allowed on the furniture. I actively work with him on basic obedience and give him attention when he’s calm and good. BUT… my husband doesn’t. My SO swats when dog misbehaves, plays roughly (play biting, wrestling etc.), and would like the dog to sleep on the bed. We basically disagree and I get frustrated that we are not consistent and, I must admit, I get frustrated because my SO doesn’t see it my way… and DO it my way. Ugh there I said it. As a result of the rough play allowed by SO, doggy plays very rough with kids and me so we don’t want to play with him at all. At the dog park he tries out dominance posturing and play and if he had things his way he would dominate (in a playful way) every dog he meets. He has not shown any desire for dominance with me, SO or our 13 year old daughter.

We recently had a baby (5 months old) and she LOVES our dog/puppy. He on the other hand, doesn’t really pay much attention to her, basically ignores her. When he does put his face in hers she is ecstatic and he, on the other hand, slows his tail wag to a stop and sniffs her. I don’t know what he really thinks of her, but I’m getting the impression, that he is indifferent at best and actively dislikes her at worst. I watch this interaction and I wish he would just wag his tail and lick her face.

I’m worried WORRIED, that he doesn’t see her as above him in the pack. I’ve done some reading and I’ve ask SO to please not play rough anymore with the dog. When SO and I have disagreements, it is HARD… HARD to come to an agreement. Anyway, he basically said, “We might as well get rid of the dog if I can’t play roughly with him.” He thinks it’s all in my mind, that I over analyzed the situation, and that I shouldn’t try to dictate how he plays with his dog. Ugh… I feel that the risk isn’t worth his occasional play times. I’ve asked him what would it take for him to change his mind? I asked him if we went to talk to the vet and ask their opinion, would that help, he said, “no”. Apparently no authority would change his mind (this is typical of him), and he won’t just do it for me.

So Metafites… I’m asking for an informal census… wwyd?? Maybe I’m over-reacting? He’s never been aggressive. I just want to do the responsible thing. I’m so tired of fighting, but this feels very important to me.

BabySlashDogFilter: Getting that second dog

birdlips — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 10:10:46 -0800

BabySlashDogFilter: Should we get a second dog when we are expecting our first child? We have a nine month old Cairn terrier that is very much spoiled and loved. It is as much as part of our family as a dog could be. We are also expecting our first child in December. My question is this, should we get another dog to be a play buddy to our current dog so when the baby arrives the dog is less effected by the loss of attention? Or will having two dogs be too overwhelming for first time parents?

Essentially I am asking if having one dog begging for attention out weighs the work required for two dogs keeping each other company?

Thanks!