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Medela Calma bottles Anyone??
YDS took a bottle for the first few weeks, then we no longer needed to supplement so we stopped offering a bottle. The next time...
YDS took a bottle for the first few weeks, then we no longer needed to supplement so we stopped offering a bottle. The next time we tried he refused, and continued to refuse until we tried the Calma bottle at 7 months or so. Since that time it's the only one he would take.
If I was having another LO though, I'd probably just offer a (cheaper!) bottle more regularly from early on and hope that it works.
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Post Partum allergies
I didn't have allergies before having kids but definitely have them now. Not sure if it's an age thing or related to pregnancy/having kids. I've...
I didn't have allergies before having kids but definitely have them now. Not sure if it's an age thing or related to pregnancy/having kids. I've developed a cat allergy and had wicked seasonal allergies last spring after YDS was born.
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Bravado bras ever seen on babysteals???
I've seen them a couple of times - the "fancier" ones I think. Random colours though like PPer said. ...
I've seen them a couple of times - the "fancier" ones I think. Random colours though like PPer said.
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Introduce a lovey? Yay/Nay?
I gave one to both my boys. Started out just leaving it in the corner of their cribs but once they were about 6 months...
I gave one to both my boys. Started out just leaving it in the corner of their cribs but once they were about 6 months I was laying it beside them. YDS is just starting to show interest in his now, he'll play with it when he is falling asleep or wakes. ODS started showing interest in it around the same age. I also sent a "twin" to daycare with ODS and will likely do the same with YDS.
One thing I read (and this might sound a bit weird) was for you to sleep with it for a couple of nights yourself to get your scent on it so it's comforting to LO. I would also hold it close to me while I was BFing for the same effect. Not sure if it helps or not but it sounded good in theory so I figured it was worth a shot.
ETA - Forgot to answer...I chose their loveys for them and they are
this one and
this one (I gave them without the "pod"). I chose them because I liked the size.
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X-Post: GTA daycare - where to start looking?!
I'd start calling around now, ask what their wait lists are like, etc. Can't hurt to start early but you'll regret starting late if spots...
I'd start calling around now, ask what their wait lists are like, etc. Can't hurt to start early but you'll regret starting late if spots are seriously limited in your area!
I'm in the east end and visited the place we ended up going with when I was about 30 weeks pregnant with ODS. I put my name on the list and they called when ODS was about 5 months old to offer us a spot for him when he turned 1. I had my name on another list (visited just after ODS was born) and still haven't heard back from them
I called them a few times and there were never any openings.
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GTA - average cost of day care or nanny
We're in the 'burbs (east end). An infant spot is approx $1,300 per month, a toddler is approx $1,100 and preschooler is approx $900 per...
We're in the 'burbs (east end). An infant spot is approx $1,300 per month, a toddler is approx $1,100 and preschooler is approx $900 per month.
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WTF Evenflo nipples
Pretty sure I've bought them at BRU and at No Frills. I think I've also seen them at Loblaws and possibly Wal Mart. PS -...
Pretty sure I've bought them at BRU and at No Frills. I think I've also seen them at Loblaws and possibly Wal Mart.
PS - Totally thought you were cursing too!
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March Mommies - Our last month here!
I cannot believe it's already been a year. Where has the time gone? Anyone remember what they were doing/feeling a year ago today? Maybe I...
I cannot believe it's already been a year. Where has the time gone?
Anyone remember what they were doing/feeling a year ago today? Maybe I should see if I can find our thread from March 2011 and bump it
One week to go until DS turns ONE!
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PTing boys...sitting or standing up to pee?
Sitting initially but standing within a couple of weeks. ...
Sitting initially but standing within a couple of weeks.
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PSA: Sale at Mabels Labels
Just wanted to say thanks for posting! ...
Just wanted to say thanks for posting!
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Babysitter, WWYD
That is a great idea. My only question is, is there definitely 15 potential sitters there or is it possible that there might only be...
That is a great idea. My only question is, is there definitely 15 potential sitters there or is it possible that there might only be 2 or 3. If that was the case, $50 would be a waste, for sure. Otherwise, go for it! Especially if you have few other babysitter options.
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Sick of my LO being a daddy's boy - vent
No advice, ODS is a total Daddy's boy too and has been for over a year now. It's tough. He does have his "Mommy" moments...
No advice, ODS is a total Daddy's boy too and has been for over a year now. It's tough. He does have his "Mommy" moments but they are far fewer than the "Daddy" moments.
I try to have one-on-one time with him, make sure I put him down for bed a few night a week and do special outings or activities with him. It's gotten better lately because of that but I think he'll always be a Daddy's boy.
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siblings and "hand me down" shoes
If you have two (or more) LOs, did your younger child(ren) wear hand-me-down shoes? ODS got a lot of shoes as gifts between ages 1-2.5,...
If you have two (or more) LOs, did your younger child(ren) wear hand-me-down shoes? ODS got a lot of shoes as gifts between ages 1-2.5, some are really worn out, some are ok and some are near perfect because they didn't really get worn a lot. His winter boots from last year are still in really good condition.
I guess my concern is that once LOs are walking, the shoes sort of mold to their feet, right? Would it be weird for YDS to wear hand me down shoes as he's just learning to walk?
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Indoor play grounds East GTA/Durham?
Rainbow World Tumbles and Toys Playtime Island Mega Fun for Kids (never been there but in Scarborough) ...
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Sunscreen
I use Badger for my ODS and will for YDS as well but I can't comment on whether it's safe to use 6 months of...
I use Badger for my ODS and will for YDS as well but I can't comment on whether it's safe to use 6 months of age.
Just wanted to suggest that whichever one you choose, consider testing it out at home a couple of times before using it when you are away. ODS had a reaction to the first sunscreen that we tried on him (he was over 1 year when we used it).
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wagon recommendation + WTB?
Can anyone recommend a wagon and where to buy? I'm looking for one for two kids (age 1 and 3), with a sun canopy, cup...
Can anyone recommend a wagon and where to buy?
I'm looking for one for two kids (age 1 and 3), with a sun canopy, cup holders, storage bag and *quiet* wheels (we'll be using it mostly on sidewalks/at the zoo). We have one of those push car things and the wheels are so loud I can't even hear when the kids are talking to me so quiet wheels are important for me
I've looked at the Radio Flyer ones and they look like a good option but not sure which one is best for us. I've also seen the Step 2 ones but not sure if they are loud on sidewalks/pavement? Not sure if there are any other good brands out there.
TIA!
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2.5 Year Old Independence and Attention
ODS is very independent. I'm not sure if it's his personality or if being in daycare contributes to it. But I'm inclined to say it's...
ODS is very independent. I'm not sure if it's his personality or if being in daycare contributes to it. But I'm inclined to say it's more related to LO's personality than daycare.
Either way, some days he's very independent and wants little to do with us! Other days, he wants our attention constantly. I think to start encouraging her to play more independently, you could set her up with specific tasks and then tell her you need to go do something. For example, set her up at a table with Play Doh and ask her to make 5 shapes while you go to the washroom. Or give her a colouring book and ask her to colour a picture for you to put up on the fridge while you go get lunch started. etc. I guess the best thing would be to start out with small tasks and leave her alone with them and slowly increase the amount of time. Maybe try using a stopwatch that beeps and ask her to look at a book by herself until the watch beeps and then you'll come back and read it to her.
Good luck!
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Straw Cups
I like these Playtex ones. The grippers are good for little hands. My YDS uses them. I also have these Playtex ones but because they...
I like
these Playtex ones. The grippers are good for little hands. My YDS uses them.
I also have
these Playtex ones but because they are smooth, they are harder for little hands to hold. YDS *can* use them but the gripper ones are easier.
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Cast care for an almost 3 year old???
Oh man I have no advice for you but tons of sympathy. My ODS is the same age and I know it would be really...
Oh man I have no advice for you but tons of sympathy. My ODS is the same age and I know it would be really tough if he was in a cast. Does your daycare have any advice? Maybe they've dealt with LOs with casts before?
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Which car seat?
I have a Graco. The Peg Perego is heavier - makes a big difference if you are carrying the baby in the carseat often. That's...
I have a Graco. The Peg Perego is heavier - makes a big difference if you are carrying the baby in the carseat often. That's why we chose the Graco.
I know most strollers have adapters available for Graco and Peg but I think adapters for the Maxi Cosi are less common *someone please correct me if I'm wrong*. Something to keep in mind if there is a possibility of you getting a different stroller (e.g. you end up not liking the one you got) or wanting to sell the carseat or loan it to someone when you are done with it.
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Cruising with an 11 month old
At 11 months, both of my boys were very mobile and wouldn't (won't) sit still on my lap for an extended period of time. ODS...
At 11 months, both of my boys were very mobile and wouldn't (won't) sit still on my lap for an extended period of time. ODS needed help being entertained while YDS is quite content to explore and play on his own for long periods of time. YDS is pretty good in the stroller for an hour or so at a time but after that he starts to get irritable, so a baby carrier comes in handy if we out for a long time (e.g. at the zoo).
ODS *could* go with just one nap at 11 months but YDS is still taking two naps, each usually 1.5 hours. For reference - bedtime is at 7:30 p.m. and wakeup time is at 6:30 a.m. most days.
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Waking too Early
I *wish* I had advice - that would mean I figured out how to get YDS to sleep longer in the morning! Has he learned...
I *wish* I had advice - that would mean I figured out how to get YDS to sleep longer in the morning!
Has he learned to crawl yet? I found when YDS was learning to crawl he was waking ridiculously early to "practice". Then he finally got it and he started sleeping a little later. Then he started waking early again when he was learning to pull up. And again when he's teething. Fun times...
So I have no advice, other than hopefully it'll pass quickly!
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Pampers and Huggies codes - worth it?
I've been collecting Pampers codes since ODS was born (April 2009). He was in diapers for 28 months and YDS has been in diapers for...
I've been collecting Pampers codes since ODS was born (April 2009). He was in diapers for 28 months and YDS has been in diapers for 11 months (about 5 months of overlaps with two kids in diapers). I've collected 7500 points and probably have about 500 points worth of codes that I need to enter.
Since I've been collecting, I've redeemed points once - for a potty seat (1000 points).
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DCP and illness notification - is this normal?
Our daycare posts signs on the room's door. So if it's in the infant room they post on the door "There are X confirmed cases...
Our daycare posts signs on the room's door. So if it's in the infant room they post on the door "There are X confirmed cases of < illness > in the infant room" (e.g. pink eye, hand/foot/mouth, chicken pox, etc.). I think they also post on the main door but I can't say for sure.
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Breastfeeding and YOUR weight (x-post)
I lost the baby weight easily both times. I was below my pre-preg weight with ODS by the time he was 2 months old and...
I lost the baby weight easily both times. I was below my pre-preg weight with ODS by the time he was 2 months old and I got to pretty much my pre-preg weight with YDS but it took about 4 months. Of course my shape was different so nothing fit(s) properly. Ugh.
Sorry to say though that I did gain weight as I weaned ODS and I think it's happening with YDS now too
I should say the weight gain started after I started weaning - I went from BFing 4x/day to 2x/day. Could have been related to no longer BFing, could have been related to being stuck at a desk most of the day instead of busy with LO.
Probably didn't help that I got pregnant again within a month of fully weaning ODS LOL
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Balance Bike or Tricycle? Pls help me decide!
ODS got a tricycle for his 2nd birthday (last April) and got a balance bike in June. He didn't start riding the tricycle confidently until...
ODS got a tricycle for his 2nd birthday (last April) and got a balance bike in June. He didn't start riding the tricycle confidently until the end of August but he took to the bike right away. He loved riding both all through the fall (and even took them both out one nice dry day last week!). I find he's now trying to balance a lot more on the bike rather than just pushing himself along.
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Moving to 2-3-4...how/when?
YDS didn't start 2-3-4 until close to 9 months but he was a pretty early riser so I found that meant he needed that 3rd...
YDS didn't start 2-3-4 until close to 9 months but he was a pretty early riser so I found that meant he needed that 3rd catnap for longer that most.
His bedtime has been the same time since he was about 6 weeks old (7:30 p.m.) so when he was doing 3 naps, if he was still sleeping at 6 p.m. then I got him up so he'd still go to bed at the same time.
I knew he was ready for 2 naps when he started flat out refusing to sleep at the 3rd nap, he'd just cry and freak out when usually he goes right to sleep. My ODS did the same thing when he was dropping his 3rd nap - I'd have to rock him to sleep if I wanted him to nap and even then he often wouldn't go to sleep.
The transition to two naps was tough but short-lived. Some days he was miserable at dinnertime (6 p.m.) but we just did bath a bit earlier and that seemed to help. And occasionally I'd bump bedtime back to 7 p.m. if he was a total mess.
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3 yo suddenly very sensitive to discipline?
Thanks all. Like others have said, it makes it so tough to discipline him when he gets so sad about it. I almost prefer the...
Thanks all. Like others have said, it makes it so tough to discipline him when he gets so sad about it. I almost prefer the angry tantrum!
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Show me your boys bedrooms?
Beautiful rooms! I don't have any photos but ODS has this duvet set , walls are painted grey and we have "transportation" theme wall decals...
Beautiful rooms!
I don't have any photos but ODS has this
duvet set , walls are painted grey and we have "transportation" theme wall decals in orange, green, and blue (from Etsy sellers) on the wall.
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3 yo suddenly very sensitive to discipline?
My 3 yo has recently become very sensitive about being disciplined, i.e. he'll get very upset (sad) about it. Is this a normal developmental thing...
My 3 yo has recently become very sensitive about being disciplined, i.e. he'll get very upset (sad) about it. Is this a normal developmental thing or could it be in response to something going on at daycare? He used to handle discipline well or he'd be on the opposite side of the spectrum and have a tantrum (and he still does that sometimes now as well).
We're not disciplining him any more than previously at home but he is in a new room with new teachers at daycare which makes me wonder if it might be related to that. I'll ask them of course but thought I'd see if anyone else has experienced this.
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Uppa G-Luxe
I think it would be fine for swimming lessons, it stands upright when folded. I've used mine in the sand. Definitely not ideal and I...
I think it would be fine for swimming lessons, it stands upright when folded.
I've used mine in the sand. Definitely not ideal and I wouldn't want to be walking long distances on the sand with it. I'd rather use a baby carrier.
I've only flown with it once. No issues gate checking with Air Canada. I don't have the travel bag.
I don't use mine for long walks, mostly malls/running errands, etc. so I don't have the rain shield.
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Crawling milestone = clingy and not sleeping??
YDS was miserable when he was learning to crawl and to pull to stand. The clinginess and crankiness was ridiculous. And he was waking super...
YDS was miserable when he was learning to crawl and to pull to stand. The clinginess and crankiness was ridiculous. And he was waking super early in the morning to "practice" and waking overnight more often, not as often as yours though.
How often did he wake overnight before this started? That seems like a lot for it to be just milestone-related, but of course I only have my kids to compare it to so I could be totally off-base on that assumption. Waking that frequently I'd be more inclined to guess teeth/overtiredness, etc. But again, just based on my experience (I know other people with LOs that age and older who wake that frequently and it's not related to those things).
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Regular Queen Size bed for Toddler??
ODS moved to a double a few weeks ago. The first night he fell out but luckily we had his crib mattress on the floor!...
ODS moved to a double a few weeks ago. The first night he fell out but luckily we had his crib mattress on the floor! He didn't even wake up. He hasn't fallen out since.
We have a rail on the side of the bed, and the other side is against the wall but he still moves around a lot. Most mornings he wakes up in a horizontal position
other days he's upside down! I'm thinking of getting him a body pillow to keep him from moving around so much but not sure if it'll help.
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What's the man version of flowers??
What about having lunch delivered to him once/week for the next month or so? (or until your budget runs out!) ...
What about having lunch delivered to him once/week for the next month or so? (or until your budget runs out!)
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Flying with an infant?
I never requested an extra seat for my carseat when travelling with LOs. But the times I've travelled, my flights have been full so it...
I never requested an extra seat for my carseat when travelling with LOs. But the times I've travelled, my flights have been full so it wouldn't have been an option.
I travelled with YDS when he was younger (5 months) and it was a good age. He was in my lap the whole time. The toughest part was when he had a diaper leak and I had to change him but aside from that it went well. He BF'd on takeoff and dozed most of the 2 hour flight. Even when he was awake he was pretty content, I just sang to him mostly.
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Anyone's LO do 3-3-4?
Yup, YDS frequently does 3-3-4 because he has a tendency to wake up early most days but I don't adjust his nap time based on...
Yup, YDS frequently does 3-3-4 because he has a tendency to wake up early most days but I don't adjust his nap time based on what time he wakes in the a.m.
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Questions about tooth care.
#1 - No great tips...but maybe try giving her a toothbrush or another novel item to distract her? #2 - Water is ok until she's...
#1 - No great tips...but maybe try giving her a toothbrush or another novel item to distract her?
#2 - Water is ok until she's a bit older. Or you can buy toddler toothpaste - the flavour is more kid-friendly, it doesn't have fluoride in it and it's safe if they swallow it. You can get it at TRU, drugstores, Wal-Mart, well.ca, etc. I've used
Colgate and
Orajel
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Using bathroom on their own
ODS has been doing this since shortly after he potty trained (maybe within the first month?) - thanks mostly to daycare. With us, he prefers...
ODS has been doing this since shortly after he potty trained (maybe within the first month?) - thanks mostly to daycare. With us, he prefers to have one of us with him but I do encourage him to go on his own whenever possible. He needs help with hand washing though because he can't reach the tap/soap.
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Tubes in ears?
Sounds like the same scenario we had with ODS - constant fluid in his ears and so his hearing was muffled, like he was underwater....
Sounds like the same scenario we had with ODS - constant fluid in his ears and so his hearing was muffled, like he was underwater. The good news is, once he got the tubes his hearing improved dramatically and his language development was super fast. Interestingly, his balance also improved.
We didn't use anything in the bath to keep water out, just kept him from dunking his head underwater. He wouldn't keep anything in his ears so we never took him swimming in a pool and at the beach, we just kept him from dunking underwater.
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Eye Infections: How Long?
I think if it's viral it can last up to a week or so. If it's bacterial and he's being treated with antibiotics then he's...
I think if it's viral it can last up to a week or so. If it's bacterial and he's being treated with antibiotics then he's no longer considered contagious after 24 hours of treatment. I find if the antibiotics work (i.e. it's bacterial) then the goopiness tends to clear up within 48 hours max.
I think eye infections are relatively common in daycares, especially with infants/toddlers because they are always touching/sharing things so it spreads easily. ODS has had it 3 times since he started daycare almost 2 years ago but it was within his first year. YDS has had it once but it was most likely viral because he also had a cold. DH and I have also had it once each since ODS started daycare (and neither of us had had it before) but ODS didn't get it so not sure where we caught it!
No advice for helping it clear faster. Just use warm water to rinse the eyes, don't share towels/face cloths/bed linens. Oh and wash those items in hot water, and wash LO's clothing in the warmest water the fabric can tolerate.
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What kind of baby cereal do you use?'
My Organic Baby (you can buy it at Loblaws in the Organic section). ...
My Organic Baby (you can buy it at Loblaws in the Organic section).
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What is/was your 10-12 month olds schedule?
I've recently bumped breakfast earlier and added a snack when YDS wakes from his afternoon nap. So here is a typical day: 6:30 wakeup/BF/diaper change...
I've recently bumped breakfast earlier and added a snack when YDS wakes from his afternoon nap. So here is a typical day:
6:30 wakeup/BF/diaper change
7:00 breakfast
9:00 nap
11:00 wakeup/BF
12:00 lunch
2:00 nap
3:30 wakeup/bottle/snack
6:00 dinner
7:00 BF
7:30 bedtime
At our daycare, they also give a morning snack (around 9:30) so I figure once that starts, he'll be fine to have formula (or milk) with lunch.
With ODS, by 14 months I stopped BFing before bed. He was having milk with meals (breakfast/lunch/dinner) and two snacks/day.
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Dual Baby Monitors
I have a Summer Infant Sleek and Secure . I like it in theory (i.e. having two cameras and as single handheld) but after dealing...
I have a
Summer Infant Sleek and Secure. I like it in theory (i.e. having two cameras and as single handheld) but after dealing with some awful customer service at the company when I needed it to be replaced (for the second time in less than a year) because it wasn't working properly, I would never recommend anything they make.
Other things I've discovered since I've been using it: I'd prefer a handheld that had a slightly larger screen and a camera that would zoom or pan the room (but I'm not entirely sure if that exists, I didn't research well enough!) I'd also prefer something that had a greater range. Being able to wall mount it was important to me as well but I'm pretty sure that's possible with most monitors. I don't find the sound all that great on this monitor either.
HTH
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dropping to one nap...remind me?
When LOs drop to one nap, they typically shorten (or refuse) one of their naps, right? But is it the morning or afternoon nap? I...
When LOs drop to one nap, they typically shorten (or refuse) one of their naps, right? But is it the morning or afternoon nap? I can't remember which ODS did. And YDS hasn't been consistently doing a shorter nap or refusing it yet. Most days both are still long naps, but occasionally one is a shorter nap. So I don't think he's dropping a nap yet but I'm just starting to watch for signs.
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PSA--Mom's of boys and Old Navy
What a great deal! I wish they were just regular jeans though, the fleece lined ones are way too warm for ODS. ...
What a great deal! I wish they were just regular jeans though, the fleece lined ones are way too warm for ODS.
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Milk after vomiting?
I'd wait 48 hours. ...
I'd wait 48 hours.
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Recommend your BIG diaper bag!
I have a Lug Tuk Tuk and love it. It's huge and has tons of pockets. But...it's HUGE. And has tons of pockets. Some days...
I have a
Lug Tuk Tuk and love it. It's huge and has tons of pockets.
But...it's HUGE. And has tons of pockets.
Some days it drives me crazy!
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Holy god, I'm a hormonal, irrational, lunatic
Ummm...YDS is 10 months old and I *still* have those days It'll get better though! ...
Ummm...YDS is 10 months old and I *still* have those days
It'll get better though!
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PSA: Amazing deal on Pampers
Got it in Toronto too. Thanks Canaci! ...
Got it in Toronto too. Thanks Canaci!
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switching to one nap and daycare
ODS was taking two naps (2-3-4 and fantastic nighttime sleep) when he started daycare at 1 year old. He transitioned to a single nap at...
ODS was taking two naps (2-3-4 and fantastic nighttime sleep) when he started daycare at 1 year old.
He transitioned to a single nap at daycare and two naps at home on weekends quite easily. On weekdays we found we had to put him to bed earlier but his overnight sleep didn't suffer. There were a few days where he fell asleep in his highchair at lunch at daycare
but overall it went well. They would go for a stroller walk in the mornings when he would usually nap. Sometimes he'd doze in the stroller, which meant that he wasn't quite ready for the "real" nap when the time came but they'd just keep him out in the play area until he was ready.
It can't hurt to ask if they'll put your LO down for two naps but it could be challenging. That means that if they do outings or play outside, your LO can't participate (if there is even someone who could stay with him while he naps and the others are out). There could also be issues depending on WHERE he naps. If it is near where the others are playing or doing activities, it might be too noisy.
Mention his current nap schedule to the DCP when he's close to starting and hopefully she'll be flexible until he adjusts. In my experience (only one kid, of course!) they adapt pretty quickly, so try not to worry about it too much and enjoy the last few weeks (or months or however long) you are home full time with your LO!
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