Young Mother's Club

Bladder Infection

2012-01-06T09:53:00.000-08:00

My little girl always seems to have a bladder infection. (At least that is what I think it is). I am going to the doctor's office today but I want to know what else I can do for her besides giving her meds. Any advice you mom's have up your sleeves? Prevention and/or treatment?

Getting a Toddler to Drink More

2011-06-15T11:43:00.000-07:00

How do I get my almost three year to drink more? This may be TMI but her pee is usually dark yellow and so I know that means she needs more fluid. I have been trying to get her to drink more but have been unsuccessful. Any tricks or tips you have for me?

Going from 1 baby to 2

2011-01-21T06:21:00.000-08:00

Cute Marci needs advice:

"So as i am preparing to welcome a new baby into our house in the next 3 1/2 months i am wondering if there is any advice, tips, etc that any of you moms of more than one would like to offer. I like reading what others think, it helps me form my own opinions of what needs to be done, or how things need to be done. The advice could range from how you prepared your first for the second, he will be almost 2, anything you prepared for in your homes/lives before or wish you would have done before the new baby arrived. Really any advice."

Nightmares

2010-11-17T12:48:00.000-08:00

Kari writes... "My 2 1/2 year old girl had her first nightmare last night! Are there things I can do to minimize the scaryness of the situation for her? Can I help prevent them? Help! It's so HEARTBREAKING seeing her so scared."

Milk Supply

2010-09-16T16:51:00.000-07:00

I have witnessed a miracle at my house. My little guy who wouldn't/couldn't sleep for longer than literally a few minutes, even in your arms, has started sleeping on his own. (He has bad reflux and is now on meds.) It started out with 2 hour blocks of time and has gradually increased. Last night he went a whole 7 hours on his own. I LOVE it and it has made me a happy mom again.

My question is this...how do I keep up my milk supply? I'm worried that with him eating so little during the night and then wanting to eat so much during the day my body is going to be super confused and not produce as much milk. Am I crazy for thinking this? Is there a way to keep up my supply without waking up and pumping?

Poop Clothes

2010-09-08T21:50:00.000-07:00

I have a SUPER POOPER on my hands. What do you use to get out those nasty stains. I don't want to lose any more clothes!

Baby Burps

2010-07-24T18:41:00.000-07:00

Any tricks to get BURPS out?

Keeping Shoes On

2010-06-16T08:51:00.000-07:00

How do I get my 22 month old to keep her SHOES on in the car? Every time we are in the car she takes them off. It's annoying to have to put them back on every time we get out. I've tried explaining why she needs them on and when I can I carry her instead of letting her walk. (My attempt to show her that she needs her shoes to walk on the ground-She hates it.) But really I can't carry her everywhere, especially with the new baby coming.

Any advice to get her to keep them on?

Picky Eater and Silverware

2010-06-04T05:51:00.001-07:00

Lindsey has a daughter, like so many of us, who is a picky eater.

She writes, "My daughter is about 19 months and I just wanted some tips on getting her to eat with silverware. I give her the option of eating with silverware if she wants to but sometimes it's just easier with her hands. Not worried just wanting some advice. A little WORRIED about my next question. My daughter is such a picky eater. She'll go from one day to the next with different kinds of food she likes. When we go out to eat or over to Grandma's she hardly EATS anything because she seems to always want to be busy. She still takes a bottle right before bed and just drinks it so fast. I feel like she's hungry and counts on that bottle to fill her up at night and we're trying to get her off of it completely soon. I need help with my picky eater! Also any foods or recipes for picky eaters would be great!!"

Airplane Advice

2010-05-15T08:51:00.000-07:00

Okay mom's let's help KATE out......

"I'm taking a trip with my kids, and the idea is pretty daunting. Here are the details: I'll be alone on the airplane with my two boys (2.5 and 1 and both still in diapers), our flight is 4 hours long, and their typical bedtime will be somewhere in the middle of all that. But I still have 6 days to prepare for it, and also, I have no problem using sugar to my advantage.So if you have any good secrets, please pass them along now!"

"I need all the HELP I can get"

Potty Training

2010-03-26T12:45:00.001-07:00

Ever since I started watching a little boy who is potty trained Hallie has become extremely interested. I went and bought her a little toilet seat which sits on the top of the toilet and she loves it. She constantly says "POTTY" and asks to go sit on the potty and have her diaper changed. The problem is that she never pees!! She sits on the toilet for a minute, asks for toilet paper, flushes the toilet and then washes her hands...BUT never actually pees. I thought maybe if she sat there for a few minutes that might help, but nope. I also thought that maybe if she heard running water (always helps me) it might trigger something. But again nothing. She is only 19 months old and so it seems early to be potty training but I don't want to discourage her, especially with baby #2 on the way.

Any suggestions?

Transition from 2 naps to 1

2010-03-20T11:38:00.000-07:00

Lindsey has a question about her daughter's nap routine...

"Noelle is transitioning in to only needing one nap a day but I'm not sure how to go about doing it. I love when she takes an early afternoon nap (between 11am and 12noon) but sometimes she'll stay in her bed for a half hour or more just talking to herself. She'll take a pretty good nap but then wake up and eat a very late lunch and then gets tired around 5 or 6 but by then it's too late to give her a second nap. I just want to know how to TRANSITION so I don't have an ornery girl half of the day."

Weaning from Breastfeeding.

2010-03-15T16:51:00.000-07:00

Marci Kay has a question for all of us moms who breast fed at one point.

She writes, "I would like to know how long it took you moms to loose your milk once you started to wean your baby. It has been 2 weeks and I am still PRODUCING milk! Besides that I was only nursing 2 times a day before I weaned him...why the soreness still!?"

Weaning From Pacifier

2010-03-05T05:26:00.001-08:00

Brittany has a question regarding her son's pacifier.

"My son is turning 2 in June and is very attached to his pacifier. I was just wondering when I should start 'weaning' him from it and what would be the best way to do so. He HAS to have it when he goes to bed and likes to use it every once in a while during the day as well. I really don't mind him having it but I was very annoyed when he woke up screaming last night when he couldn't find his pacifier so I had to get out of bed to help him. I don't want him to continue this. What is your ADVICE?"

Circumcision?

2010-03-01T16:51:00.000-08:00

With baby #2 being a BOY I now have the question...

To circumcise or not to circumcise?

Double Stroller Recommendation

2010-02-20T16:45:00.001-08:00

With baby #2 on the way I'm in the market for a double stroller.

Any recommendations? Any that I should stay away from?

Immediate nursing help!

2010-02-11T14:11:00.000-08:00

Juls needs IMMEDIATE HELP!!

She wrote "Nolen has totally just STOPPED breastfeeding as of last night. Stopped! Refuses! My boobs are large and in charge!!!! I am in discomfort and PAIN! I was not ready for this! For him to just stop! WHAT THE HECK?? We were down to 3-4 times a day of nursing... now zero?? Just like that??? NOOO!!!! I dont want to pump, because then my boobs will just produce more and more, and well if Nolen is done,what DO I DO????? OUCH!!!!"

Okay ladies let's come to her rescue!

Learning to Eat

2010-02-11T06:32:00.000-08:00

Erin, the mother of the CUTEST little Lucy you have ever seen, needs advice when it comes to rice cereal.

Here is her question..."We've started to introduce solids to Lucy (almost 5 1/2 months now). We've tried feeding her rice cereal 4 or 5 times now and she doesn't understand how to eat it (or that it's something to eat); she just spits/drools every spoonful out of her mouth. Is there a secret to teaching babies how to eat, or is it just practice and repetition until they finally catch on?"

Discipline

2010-02-02T12:24:00.000-08:00

I need help disciplining Hallie. We first tried TIME OUT which worked wonders. My husband and I thought yeah we totally have this parenting thing down. HAHA Little did we know that it would stop working after a couple months. After that we started lightly slapping her hand when she did something bad. It didn't take long for her to start slapping her own hand and saying "No, No" to herself. As funny as it was to watch we knew that it meant it was no longer working.

So mom's what do we do now? How do you discipline a 18 month old?

First Time Mom Help

2010-01-18T16:29:00.000-08:00

Okay moms, my BF Shanna needs help planning for her new little guy who is coming soon.

Here on her personal blog she pleads for help. She wants to know what a FIRST TIME MOM needs. (We all remember how it felt to become a mom-so pitch in ladies.)

I know that we did this question before but I'm sure you've thought of things to add to our list.

HERE is the link to the last time I posted this question.

Hitting, Bottles, and Walking?

2010-01-13T11:05:00.000-08:00

Darling and may I say nearly perfect Lindsey needs your advice with three questions.

#1- My daughter likes to swing her arms and hit us. Sometimes she does it when she doesn't like something but sometimes I know she doesn't mean it. I feel like she is so young to be doing this. How do I teach my 14 month old not to hit?

#2- I know I don't need to take her off a bottle completely yet because she is 14 months and was a preemie. She usually has 3 bottles a day and takes about 4-5oz with each bottle. And all of them are before naps and bedtime. She likes using a sippy cup but she loves her bottle. I asked her doctor at her 1yr appointment and she said not to worry about it yet. When should I worry about it and start transitiong from 3 bottles to 2 and so on and how do I transition?

#3- My daughter was 8 weeks premature and so there are some things that have taken her a little bit longer to do. I haven't worried at all about it because she is very active and happy. She will walk across furniture and with the help of a little toy train will walk across the room. All of the walking usually is done on her tippy toes. We try to get her to walk from dad to me (a very very short distance) but she just sort of falls and seems to have no desire to walk on her own yet. I guess I just want to know if anyone has been in the same boat or any advice on the matter?. How do I help my daughter feel comfortable walking on her own and how can I make it easier for her?

Tricks To Get Your Child To Eat Veggies

2010-01-07T06:58:00.000-08:00

How do you get your toddler to eat VEGETABLES?

Hallie refuses to eat any veggies. We try to sneak a little bit in but she just spits it out. Is this a normal stage for toddlers? What do you do to make sure your baby is getting the proper nutrition?

One Nap Transition

2009-12-28T06:51:00.000-08:00

How do you know when your baby/toddler is ready for only ONE NAP a day?

Hallie has been taking one good nap (1 hr 30 min) and then screaming the whole time for her second nap. I figured that was a good sign that she is ready for only one nap, but then she is getting 5 teeth all at the same time (which could throw things off). Plus she still acts tired later in the day.

WHEN did your kids make the transition to one nap and was it longer than 1 hr 30 min.?

Morning Sickness Help!

2009-12-13T16:34:00.000-08:00

Those of you who don't read my personal family blog might not know that I'm PREGNANT! Baby number #2 is coming in the beginning of July.

My question is thus...

What did you use to help with morning sickness-or should I say ALL DAY sickness?

I'm already taking half of a unison pill and half of a B6 pill. The two together have helped but I'm still so so sick.

HELP!! I'm desperate.

Success

2009-11-23T11:00:00.000-08:00

It is with great happiness that I write the sentence, "Hallie is no longer nursing".

Thank you for all your words of encouragement and advice. I couldn't have done it with out you. I also could not have done it without a long weekend where my husband was home and my parents who were in town.

Because I had so many people around it was easy to find someone else to put her down to sleep instead of me (who always nursed her to sleep.) It took a lot of tummy rubbing and even a little crying, but now I am happy to say that Hallie goes down to sleep with out nursing. (Which is the only time I nursed her.) She now knows the drill. We walk around with her cuddling up to us or we rock her in a chair just until she is settled down and sleepy. We then place her in her bed (her eyes are still open) and we walk out. No crying and no fussing. MIRACLES HAPPEN!!

Potty Accidents

2009-11-16T07:43:00.000-08:00

Cute and spunky Alesha needs advice for her three year old.

"Koen has been having "ACCIDENTS" latley(he is 3 and has been potty trained for almost a year). I am at a loss. I think it is maybe that we are moving into a new house and had a baby(5 months ago though) and just "big changes" Any ideas of what to do? I have tried taking toys away and he is really upset when it happens but still continues to have an accident everyday...by the way, they are totally avoidable, most times he has been in the bathroom "hiding" or just sitting here, then he says "I couldn't make it fast to the potty" while he isn't even trying. Any ideas?"

Lets help her out and comment fast so she has to clean up less pee!

Convertible Car Seat/Christmas Present Ideas

2009-11-13T08:45:00.000-08:00

My dear friend, Marci, needs your comments about infant car seats.

She writes, "I want to know if anyone has a CONVERTIBLE car seat.....Ky is a chubby monkey and will grow out of his infant seat really soon. So for Christmas he is gettin a new one and i would like help choosin a good one."

She also wants Christmas toy/gift ideas that she can give to Grandparents and family members. Cute little Kyler is 6 months so toys/gifts that are 6 months to one year would be perfect.

Weaning from Breastfeeding.

2009-11-09T05:20:00.000-08:00

For the past few months I have been slowing trying to wean my Hallie from nursing. We are down to morning, night and before naps. As happy as I am with this I now want to cut out one of her nap feedings at a time until those too are not necessary.

My question is this: How do I get her to go to BED without nursing her? I know this may seem stupid but is there any other way besides letting her cry it out? AGAIN! I know several moms who put their baby to bed with a bottle or sippy cup of milk but I thought this was a no no because it can rot teeth.

Suggestions or Advice for ME?

Baby Sitter

2009-11-05T14:08:00.000-08:00

What information SHOULD you leave with a baby sitter?

Holiday Traditions?

2009-11-04T07:03:00.000-08:00

Amy asked a smart question that I never would have thought to ask, but now I want to know the answer to.

She asks, "Not all holiday traditions are REASONABLE to do with small children. What holiday traditions have you found to be successful with young children?"

Can't wait for your comments!

Baby's First Solid Foods?

2009-11-02T07:12:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since we've had a question. HOORAY for Kate who asks,

"I am starting to introduce my little 6 month old to solids. So far I have only given him rice cereal. I'm wondering what foods would be best to offer next. I've heard MIXED opinions about green vegetables, yellow vegetables, and fruit. I am persuadable and hope to get some good advice!"

So mom's let's give some good advice.

Fast From Sweets?

2009-10-24T18:35:00.000-07:00

Any one in for a fast from sweets next week? (meaning NO sweets!)

Oct 26-29

I know it's only 3 days, but hey you gotta start small.

(Plus it's Halloween!!)

Breastfeeding Challenges

2009-10-23T06:19:00.000-07:00

So lately I have been having more than my share of BREAST issues. I went from having pain every time Hallie would eat to having cracks you know where, to a clogged milk duct, to mastitis. Yikes!! Good thing I have good friends who give advice, the internet, and antibiotics. All have really helped me. So here is what I've FOUND:

Symptoms of clogged milk duct:

The first sign of a plugged duct may be a small, hard lump that's sore to the touch, or a very tender spot in your breast. Some women also notice redness on their breast. You might also feel achy, run down, and feverish, which could be a sign that your clogged duct has become infected.

I had a large lump that was tender and didn't go away even after Hallie ate.

Treatment:

Rub and massage the area while in a warm shower or bath.
Apply moist hot packs to your breasts before feeding. The heat enables the milk ducts to open better and allows for better milk drainage.
Use massage and heat on the affected side while you breastfeed. After applying heat and your breast is still warm, massage from your armpit down to your nipple.
Avoid putting pressure on one area of the breast for an length of time and wear a comfortable and well fitted nursing bra.
Get enough rest (I know that one is easier said than done!).

From: http://www.babycenter.com/0_clogged-milk-ducts_8494.bc

I rubbed and massaged it and fed Hallie frequently. I also placed a hot cloth on my breast for 10 minutes before and after I nursed. It went away. Another cool thing I found was instead of using a hot cloth which doesn't last long. Fill up a disposable diaper with hot water and wring out until it's not dripping and making a mess. Place it on your breast and the heat will last MUCH LONGER.

Symptoms of Mastitis:

Breast enlargement on one side only
Breast lump
Breast pain
Fever and flu-like symptoms including nausea and vomiting
Itching
Nipple discharge (may contain pus)
Nipple sensation changes
Swelling, tenderness, redness, and warmth in breast tissue
Tender or enlarged lymph nodes in armpit on the same side

This time things were way worse than before. I knew I needed to see the doctor.

Treatment:

Self-care may include applying moist heat to the infected breast tissue for 15 to 20 minutes four times a day.
Antibiotic medications are usually very effective in treating a breast infection. You are encouraged to continue to breast-feed or to pump to relieve breast engorgement from milk production while receiving treatment.

From: https://www.google.com/health/ref/Breast+infection

In my case I am currently on an antibiotic.

It hurts like H E double hockey sticks!

I hope this helps other moms to catch the symptoms before they get worse.

Any one else have something to add?

I'm Back

2009-10-13T19:18:00.000-07:00

Oh my GOODNESS it has been forever! I've neglected this blog and I apologize. I'm back and won't do it again! :)

Now let's get down to business. My friend Mrs. Long, a proud new home owner, suggested quite a while ago that we post success stories. I think that is a great idea!! If those moms who have asked a question on this blog would email me a quick update I will post it and tag it success story. I know I have several to post.

And PLEASE, please, please do not be shy about asking question for me to post. The blog can't function without them.

Can't wait to hear from you!

MOMMY First Aid Class

2009-09-21T07:26:00.001-07:00

Last week when Hallie broke out in a rash all over her body I called my dad for advice. He is a firefighter/EMT and knew what to look for if it was a reaction to something she ate or something that she could have touched or rubbed up against.

If it is an allergic reaction to something they ate kids will break out in a rash around their mouth and also inside their mouth. (In Hallie's case also all over her body.) If it is something they touched (plant, grass etc.) it will not be around their mouth. Makes sense, but I had no idea.

So anyway I've talked my dad into flying out to DC and teaching a First Aid/CPR class to me and my friends. I'm always worrying about the "what if..." Like, what if something happens to Hallie while I am home all alone with her. Will I be able to do what I need to until the emergency crew arrives? Is the issue bad enough that I need to take her to see a doctor or maybe even to the ER? I could go on and on!

I imagine most moms have similar questions and so I want my dad to start teaching MOM CPR/First Aid classes. I think it would be genius and oh so helpful.

What do you think?
How much would you pay to go to a 1 hr special CPR/First Aid class designed for moms?
What questions/concerns would you like taught or discussed?

Ranch Dressing Can = Skin Rash

2009-09-14T08:03:00.001-07:00

My husband and I watched our friend's kids yesterday and I discovered a couple of things.

1-Life will be CRAZY with six kiddos.

2-Ranch Dressing can often give kids rashes. There is something in it that can cause a reaction in little kids. The rash will break out around their mouth and doesn't tend to stay around for too long.

I had no idea! I thought I would share and maybe save one of your babies from an uncomfortable rash.

Getting Baby To Take A Bottle

2009-09-10T06:59:00.000-07:00

Alesha, who loves to wear stiletto's :) asks, "My baby is almost 3 months old and will not take a bottle (breast milk). I am going to school and need him to take one but only once a week. I hate pumping and don't really want to try to give him a bottle everyday (for him to get use to it) and have pump, is that my only option? Any tricks for getting them to take it. My first could have cared less, bottle or nurse, breastmilk or formula. Why is this one so picky?

Nursing pads

2009-09-10T05:10:00.000-07:00

New mother of two Stacey asks, "has anyone heard of Lily Padz for breastfeeding moms? Like them? Hate them? Do they work?"

Rice Cereal?

2009-09-09T05:49:00.000-07:00

Marci Kay asks,

"When did you all start feeding your baby rice cereal? I have a friend who just started and her baby is only 4 months, but i have read that you shouldn't until they are 6 months? What is your thoughts on this? I ask because Kyler will sleep almost 10 hours at night and i am wondering if i should when he is going so long.
Also i am wondering what you guys think about giving a bottle of formula to your breastfeed babies? I have had a few people ask if i do just so they are used to that flavor, i never thought about it, but i would like to know if any of you did, and how you felt about it."

Breaking Bad Napping Habits

2009-09-04T12:15:00.001-07:00

Okay Ladies lets help out my daughter's future mother in-law. (My Hallie is going to marry her Nolen.) lol

She writes, "My little man takes naps throughout the day. He is 6 months old next week- and he takes a bunch of little cat naps- anywhere between 20 mins to 1 hour naps. I REALLY want him to start taking 2- 2 hour naps- is that reasonable? What is the best way to change his napping habits? Is it the same as getting them to sleep through the night?- let them cry it out?"

Transition to Cow's Milk

2009-09-03T06:40:00.000-07:00

Okay so do all babies/toddlers hate cow's milk when first introduced to it?!

Hallie keeps spitting it out when I give it to her in her sippy cup. Once I even put a touch of chocolate syrup to lure her into swallowing. No LUCK! Did it take awhile for your kids to take to cow's milk after being nursed or is this just one more area my darling daughter is showing her stubborn side?

Share what has been Shared

2009-08-29T12:02:00.000-07:00

Curious.....what is the best PARENTING advice you have received thus far?

Doctor Car Seat Recommendation

2009-08-24T17:53:00.000-07:00

I just brought my Hallie in for her ONE year check up and while waiting for the doctor I read a paper on the wall informing me that they (some doctor's association) now recommend keeping your infant in a rear facing seat until they are TWO years old. When the doctor came in she repeated the same thing to me. (It used to be a combination of one year and 20 pounds)

I already have Hallie in a front facing car seat and we BOTH love it so I don't plan on switching her back, but I thought some of you might like to know.

So the scoop is keep your child in a rear facing seat until they are two years old. Next thing we know kids are going to need to be in a car seat until they are eight years old. Wait a second...... Oh yeah that's LAW!

Kids and T.V.

2009-08-18T08:13:00.000-07:00

Exercise Wonder Woman, Amy, asks for help getting opinions on appropriate usage and amounts of TV times.

Also suggestions for shows for young children that aren't annoying and have more substance than entertainment (counting things, abc's, colors, etc.).

Toddler Bed Help

2009-08-15T06:43:00.000-07:00

Nurse Kari asks, "How do I transition my 17 month old into a toddler bed from her crib. I have the new baby coming in October, and everyone is telling me to do it before the new baby comes. But how? I am worried she won't stay in a todddler bed."

Moms what do you think?

Thank You

2009-08-13T10:24:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to say Thank You to every mom who comments. I love this blog! It has helped me and other moms in numerous ways. Your comments helped me have the courage to get Hallie sleeping on her own (which seriously changed my life and got me out of my post-baby blues) and this last plane ride with Hallie really wasn't that bad thanks to all your suggestions.

Thank you for all your comments!

p.s. Please email me with your questions to post.

Flying with a Busy Baby

2009-08-03T04:32:00.000-07:00

After eight months Ben and I finally get to go see our families this next weekend and we couldn't be more excited. Or wait maybe we could be if.......

We knew what to do with Hallie on the plane!

We have flown with her multiple times before but that was when she was tiny and would sleep/nurse the whole flight. Now that she is an unstoppable almost one year old we are terrified. Somebody's got to have advice on how to keep her busy and happy-Help!!

Bassinet vs. Crib

2009-07-29T11:01:00.000-07:00

Amazing and oh so talented Marci wants to know when to move her baby into his own crib and out of his bassinet?

She writes, "I am having separation anxiety just thinking about it, and would like to know when everyone else did and what their reason was for the move."

Once again thanks moms!

2009-07-27T08:56:00.000-07:00

Sweet, genuine, powerhouse, southern belle KATE, mother of two, needs help keeping her toddler in his crib.

She writes,

"Noah (the almost-two-year-old) just started figuring out how to escape from his crib. When we try to put him to bed, we have to fight him for at least an hour because as soon as we put him down, he climbs out. He thinks it is a game or something. I am afraid he is too young for a toddler bed, because if he won't stay in his crib, I don't know why he would stay in a bed. His escape from a bed would be even easier! But I don't know any other alternative. I need good tricks for making the transition to a toddler bed."

Getting rid of the Pacifier

2009-07-25T06:00:00.001-07:00

At one point it is a BLESSING yet at another it becomes a BURDEN. How do you ween a baby/toddler of their pacifier?

What is unreasonable?

2009-07-16T06:20:00.000-07:00

After my friend Stacey had her second adorable daughter her pediatrician told her something we think is unusual. The baby is healthy and gaining weight at a great rate, yet her doctor suggested not going anywhere for two months, at least until the baby got her shots.

Is that NORMAL?!

What's up with the two months? Have any of you had similar situations or do you think two months is too long?

Weaning from Breastfeeding.

2009-07-11T07:10:00.000-07:00

All good things must eventually come to an end. How do you recommend weaning a baby from breastfeeding?

What is normal?

2009-06-29T14:03:00.000-07:00

This question comes from Juls, one of my all time best roommates!

"My baby's head is pretty flat in the back and not very proportionate. Should I worry? Is it just because of the way he sleeps (on his back ALL the time?) I've been told not to worry, that baby's heads change and form for the first 6 months. What do you think?"

Lets hear it moms....

Babysitter?

2009-06-23T05:31:00.000-07:00

So what is the going rate of a baby sitter these days?

It has been years since I was paid for babysitting so I have no idea. I'm afraid of offending someone by paying them an amount that to them seems cheap.

How much do you pay?

2009-06-18T10:44:00.001-07:00

So my little munchkin lover is turning ONE in August and of course I'm throwing a big party!

I need your ideas on party themes....

Did You Know...?

2009-06-17T12:53:00.001-07:00

That a mother's postpartum depression is directly linked to her new baby's sleep habits.

Book Recommendations?

2009-06-10T10:11:00.000-07:00

What books do you recommend a new or expecting mom read?

I know a few were mentioned back on this post.

Diaper Rash Remedies?

2009-06-08T09:23:00.000-07:00

DIAPER RASH!!!!!!!!!!!!

They all get it so how do you fix it?

Speech Delays

2009-06-06T05:39:00.000-07:00

One of our fellow mothers, Amy, wrote this article about discovering speech delays in children.

Watching children develop can be a mother’s greatest joy. The first time they roll over, when they begin to crawl, or when they start to walk are all milestones carefully documented in their baby books. My oldest son Tyler accomplished all of these things early, and with ease. Though there was something missing. His verbal skills seemed to get farther and farther behind.

At first, I attributed it to the fact that he’s a boy. And boys talk later than girls, right? Pretty soon all the boys his age were talking too. Then I figured it was because he was an only child so he doesn’t have siblings talking to him. At one point I even blamed it on the fact that I don’t let him watch TV so he wasn’t learning language from there, obviously I was beginning to grasp at straws.

Finally, I decided that I should talk to my pediatrician about it. I probably should have done it earlier, but I didn’t want to seem like I was a bad mother. Looking back, it sounds ridiculous, but it’s true.

I was referred to the Birth-3 program in our county. Tyler had to be put through testing to assess what his level of speech was. It was harder on me than it was on him. I had to sit there while they asked him questions, gave him directions and simple tasks to perform. I wasn’t allowed to interfere so they could get a good assessment of where he was.

As hard as the assessment was, the results were worse. As the group of therapists sat around and told me the results, it was as if someone was telling me that I was doing everything wrong and I was a horrible mother. I felt as if I had been sucker punched. I went home and cried. It was hard to admit that my perfect little boy wasn’t perfect after all.

Let me explain with rational thinking, time, and hindsight. I had done nothing wrong. My little boy is just speech delayed. At the assessment, they in no way assessed my work as a mother. They were as kind and as helpful as could be.

Speech delays are present in 5-10% of children. Although it can be linked to deeper problems, both mental and physical, for many children it stands alone. With early intervention treatment, they are able to catch up and start school and be ‘normal’.

As a mother, you are the person best situated to assess their development. Every child develops at a different speed. I had a hunch early on that his speech wasn’t developing properly, but I let pride get in my way. Follow your instincts.

If you think your child has some speech delays, talk to your pediatrician. They can refer you to the program in your area. There are often two routes you can take, public (meaning through the school district) and private. Public is often free, though a lot of programs take summers off and you are subject to availability. Private is more expensive, but can still be free or manageable depending on your insurance. If your child needs lots of help, you may want to consider doing both.

Tyler’s therapy started with in home visits. At first I couldn’t figure out what they were doing because it just looked like they were playing with him. But they were showing Tyler how to talk, what to say when, and how to interact with other adults.

After he had passed the informal behavior tests (meaning that he wasn’t going to be mean to other kids and throw tantrums all the time) he joined weekly group speech therapy. This is where the fun began. Every Monday morning we would go to the local elementary school and play. Every week they had different projects to do, things to stick your hands in, toys to play with and climb on. There was singing time, snack time, and group play. He loved it, I loved it, and Henry (my second child) loved it. My husband even took work off a few times to take Tyler. He had so much fun he considered, albeit briefly, going back to school to become a speech therapist so he could play all day.

Now that Tyler is three years old he moves on from the Birth-3 program, to the early intervention program. He had to be reassessed to again assess if he qualified for services. I again was nervous knowing how terribly the first assessment went. The second time wasn’t as bad, I knew more what to expect, and I knew that it wasn’t my fault.

When it came time to learn the results, I was pleasantly surprised. He had come a long way. He still qualified for treatment, which is great because now I get free preschool, but just barely.

Tyler has come a long way. I have high hopes that by the time he enters kindergarten he will be at a ‘normal’ level of speech. Tyler has learned to talk and I have learned to step back and let him figure things out a little better.

Breast Pump Question

2009-06-04T07:09:00.000-07:00

One of the newest members of our Young Mother's Club needs advice on using a breast pump. Any advice/tricks on how to express more milk. She is only getting about an ounce at a time. I know I had this same problem when I first started trying to pump. So let's hear it girls....

Also, do you have a brand of pump that you like better? Electric or hand? Evenflo or Medela or Avent....?

Baby vs. Husband

2009-06-03T04:24:00.000-07:00

Okay ladies, advice on not overshadowing being a wife because you are a mom?

It's hard to watch the kid (s) all day, plus cook and clean, and then have enough energy to be sexy when your hubby shows up. I've read in countless baby/mom books to not forget about your husband and his needs. How do you remain not only a good wife who does the laundry etc., but a great wife with a happy husband?

Immunizations

2009-05-31T18:12:00.000-07:00

To IMMUNIZE or not to IMMUNIZE that is the question?

Losing The Baby Weight

2009-05-29T05:29:00.000-07:00

I will admit that one of the hardest things for me post pregnancy has been the weight issue. I gained 40 pounds during my pregnancy and as much as I felt like I was as big as a house I had a baby inside of me so I dealt with it. I figured after I had Hallie and no longer had a baby inside me I would drop the weight fast and go back to the weight I was when I got pregnant. We all see the TV stars that have babies and then one month later appear on a magazine cover in a bikini! I quickly realized that that's just NOT realistic!

So what is realistic?

Advice or tips on losing the baby weight and being patient until you do?

Part Two of Lactation Consultant Visit

2009-05-24T14:45:00.001-07:00

I decided that I would write this post when I first started this blog. I share this information with you knowing that I am an open book and hoping to help someone who may be dealing with the same thing and not know it. I also hope that it's not too much information for some of you. :)

In a previous post I mentioned the fact that I went and saw a lactation consultant. I went to see the consultant when Hallie was three months old. I had told people that I was constantly nursing her and they all said that was normal for a newborn. It wasn't until we took a trip out to Utah that my family really saw JUST how much I was nursing Hallie. I wasn't exaggerating when I said I was nursing every hour. Plus when we would occasionally give her a bottle she would inhale it. (Which I was told wasn't normal for a newborn.) Plus, my breasts never really felt full. Which would make sense since Hallie would eat every hour-they would never get the chance to fill up. I was at my wits end. When I would call the midwifes they would all say that I just needed to nurse Hallie more to get more milk. Supply and Demand right? Wrong! I knew there was no way I could nurse Hallie more. I desperately wanted to continue breastfeeding but I was worried Hallie wasn't getting enough because I just wasn't capable of producing the amount of milk she needed. Enter Lactation Consultant.

When you go to see a lactation consultant you have to nurse in front of them so they can observe you to see what you are doing right and what you could do better. As soon as I took off my shirt she said that she knew what the problem was. I have what they call "Tubular breasts". Funny term I know! Ben and I laughed about it for days. It means that my breasts are not perfectly round like all the movie stars who had boob jobs. My breasts are also widespread. The lactation consultant commented, "didn't you notice you never fit into bras?" I told her of course I did I just thought it was because I was small. She laughed and said, "Honey, Asian women are small and they still fit into bras!" Suddenly my life made sense. All those visits to Victoria Secret to find out what bra size I truly was weren't in vain. What was even better was the fact that she solved my nursing dilemma. Because of my tubular widespread breasts I could not STORE a lot of milk. I was producing enough milk I just wasn't capable of storing it all at once. I HAD to feed Hallie more often than most women feed their babies. It wasn't all in my head and I wasn't exaggerating. What a relief! I walked away from that consultation a new woman. Not only did I know that Hallie had Acid Reflux but I also knew why I was constantly feeding her.

I hope learning about my breast dilemma hasn't scared you off. I also hope that it doesn't make you stare at my chest in the future wondering how weird they really look. I'm not a mutant or a freak show! With all that said my goal in writing this post is to let you know that tubular widespread breasts are actually very common. Out of the few friends I have told some of them have commented, "hey maybe I have that too". Most women don't know they have them and will never know. I mean how would you ever find out?

So if you don't have the cleavage that the movie stars have or if you don't fit perfectly into a bra you might have tubular widespread breasts. Which as a result it might be more difficult to nurse your babies. Although, I am proof that it is still possible. I supplemented Hallie's feedings with a bottle or so a day until I could feed her cereal. She never lost weight and is actually very "healthy" and chubby-all with my own milk supply.

Any of you have nursing problems or stories?

Packing Bags

2009-05-18T09:32:00.001-07:00

It's a lot to think about...coming home with a tiny baby. As if the new mom doesn't have enough to worry about she's also got to pack her bags and make sure she's not forgetting anything. Most hospital stays for Labor and Delivery are around 3 days. What would you suggest an expecting mom pack for her hospital stay? (Include things for the husband)

(I had Hallie at a Birthing Center and went home 3 hours after she was born so I can't help on this one.)

Labor and Delievery

2009-05-14T06:49:00.000-07:00

I have about a dozen friends (seriously) about to have a baby in the next couple of months. I thought it would be great to give them some advice for the Labor and Delivery. I know I appreciated any help/advice I got and I'm sure they would too.

Labor and Delivery ADVICE?

Managing Stress

2009-05-14T06:27:00.000-07:00

These are questions that pertain to all moms. It doesn't matter how old or young your children are, being a mom is a stressful full time job.

How do you manage your stress?
How do you not become a mom who yells all the time and is constantly putting your kids in time out?
How do you enjoy the time with your baby rather than thinking of all the things you need to get done?
How do you not stress out about germs or someone kidnapping your child?
How do you not become paranoid?

No More Gerber?

2009-05-12T05:01:00.000-07:00

My little Hallie has decided that she does not like to eat baby food anymore. She LOVES eating cheerios and things she can pick up with her fingers, but does not like eating from a spoon. This happened suddenly about a week and a half ago.

What do I do? What people food can I start giving her? She is only 9 months old.

Brushing Baby Teeth

2009-05-12T04:58:00.000-07:00

When do you start brushing your babies teeth and how do you do it?

Is there a baby toothpaste?

Toddler Help

2009-05-08T09:31:00.000-07:00

Jill, the HOT MAMA of two beautiful little girls, wants advice for her two year old.

Advice on tantrums and potty training?

Baby Products

2009-05-06T06:17:00.000-07:00

What products are a must have for a new mom?

Success Sleeping On Her Own!!

2009-05-04T08:29:00.000-07:00

Right now as I type my baby girl is taking a nap ALL BY HERSELF! There were days (okay 9 months) when I never thought this would be possible.

Thank you for all your comments on my post sleeping through the night. It gave me the courage to get Hallie sleeping on her own.

Here's how I did it:

Nursed Hallie until very sleepy yet not asleep.
Put her in her bed with a Silky blanket that smelled like me.
Let her cry it out.
Went in and reassured her with a kiss and a pat on the tummy.
Had an amazingly supportive husband.

After reviewing some books and your comments (for the fifth time) we started Thursday night. She cried for only 40 min. before falling asleep. However, she woke up about every hour and a half to two hours crying. It was a long night, but it could have been worse. Every night since then she has gotten progressively better. She is still stubborn and cries but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and it is GLORIOUS!!!

My advice for any mom who has a baby that will only sleep in her arms. Read the comments on this post and pray, pray, pray! :) Find out what you feel most comfortable with and go with it. I cried like a baby the first night, but it has been soooo worth it.

Sleeping on her own has not been the only benefit. Hallie has also shown improvement in the following ways:

She is not as clingy
She plays better on her own.
She is happier when she is awake.
She goes to Ben and plays/snuggles with him. (She always wanted me instead of Ben.)

In Hallie's defense I realized that if I depended on someone for my food and sleep then I would be clingy too. Now she doesn't depend on me for sleep. Hallelujah!!

Infant Acid Reflux

2009-04-28T07:14:00.000-07:00

I mentioned in the last post that Hallie has been dealing with acid reflux. She was about 3 months old when she was diagnosed, but it wasn't her pediatrician who diagnosed her, oddly enough it was a lactation consultant.

I was having issues nursing Hallie so I paid $85 and sat down one on one with a consultant. It changed everything! (My next post will explain the nursing side of the advice.) Anyway, as I started to explain some of Hallie's behavior the consultant instantly called it Acid Reflux. She continued listing off other symptoms, all of which Hallie had. Instead of feeling overwhelmed at the diagnosis I was relieved, finally, I knew what was wrong. I wish I had known earlier what was plaguing Hallie. For three months the doctor continued to ignore my pleas for help calling Hallie's fussiness Colic. I hope this post helps another family.

Here are some of the symptoms:

Frequent or recurrent vomiting (Hallie's spit up would often be chunky-pre digested milk)
Frequent or persistent cough (Out of no where Hallie would cough or choke.)
Heartburn, gas, abdominal pain, or colicky behavior
Regurgitation and re-swallowing
Colic (frequent crying and fussiness)
Feeding problems (Hallie would wiggle while she was nursing b/c she was uncomfortable)
Recurrent choking or gagging
Poor growth
Breathing problems
Recurrent wheezing
Recurrent pneumonia

Because the pediatrician had over looked all of these symptoms the lactation consultant wrote everything down for me and told me to consider getting a new doctor. I immediately made an appointment with a different doctor and I took the list of symptoms with me. They agreed it was reflux and wrote Hallie a prescription for Zantac.

Within days of starting Hallie on Zantac things got better. Before Zantac we could never put Hallie on the floor laying on her back. That was the first improvement we noticed, she could lay on her back and be content for a few minutes. Things continued to improve for a few months until many of her symptoms returned. At that point we decided to take Hallie off of Zantac because we knew it was only covering up the problem rather than healing it. Many parents choose to use Zantac until their child no longer exhibits any reflux symptoms. We, however, decided to try other alternatives.

Here is a great website with many alternatives

http://parents.berkeley.edu/advice/babies/reflux.html.

My doctor also recommended feeding Hallie solid foods (baby food) three times a day and no lactose. Acid reflux is more common than most people think. Good luck if your child has it. I feel your pain and wish you the best.

Here are more fabulous websites about reflux:

http://www.coliccalm.com/baby_infant_newborn_articles/acid-reflux.htm

http://www.medicinenet.com/gerd_in_infants_and_children/article.htm

http://children.webmd.com/infants-children

Anyone have any other suggestions or advice?

Sleeping through the night

2009-04-25T07:53:00.000-07:00

I'm sure none of you have this problem because your babies all sleep wonderfully through the night. However, I need help! Hallie is almost nine months old and will only sleep next to me. When she was first born she slept in her own bed but ever since her acid reflex kicked in she's never gone back. (I will post the signs of acid reflux in a future post.)

My husband and I have tried the famous "cry it out" method a few times. It breaks my heart and she always out lasts us. (Crying for over an hour and a half.) I know I'm mostly to blame for her bad sleeping habits. I've gotten too comfortable nursing in bed and now she thinks she can't sleep without the boob. I guess you live and learn. I will not be as lenient with my other babies. At least that's the plan. :)

Anyway, here's my question: What other methods besides crying it out can I try? What has worked for you?

Teething Question

2009-04-22T10:00:00.000-07:00

My little Hallie is getting two bottom teeth. As can be expected she has been even crankier than normal. To remedy this we pulled out the baby Tylenol and baby ore-gel. They seemed to help the crankiness but not the clinginess. Both teeth have cut through, however, she is still cranky. My question is: How do I know if it is her teeth that are still bothering her or if she is cranky for another reason. I don't want to become accustomed to giving her Tylenol just because she is cranky. Advice?

Welcome

2009-04-21T11:08:00.000-07:00

This blog is for advice, stories, questions, support etc. that young mothers may have. I myself am a young, 24 year old, mother of one adorable, stubborn, clingy, and energetic 8 month old girl. I know I need help and imagine other mothers do too. I plan on posting questions etc. every few days and I hope that you, the readers, will respond by commenting. Let's help each other out!