Real Tech Mom

Pregnancy is an amazing time in your life. How many times did I hear that and think to myself, whoever believes that is crazy.  I’m sorry, I was not a big fan of being pregnant. Don’t get me wrong, I was happy that my husband and I were expecting, but I just did not enjoy being pregnant. I think a friend of mine described it very well, “it’s like becoming a teenager all over again.”  Your body is changing, there’s more fur where there was none before LOL —sorry had to add that one in from The Simpsons, and every morning, you look at your changing body and feel out of control of it all. Not to mention the crazy hormones that go along with the changing body, one minute you’re happy, the next minute you’re the crazy pregnant woman. I remember one time I had a huge melt down because I had forgotten my pants at the tailor’s over the weekend and had a Christmas party to go to, I even cried LOL But I digress.

First Things First… Congratulations!

Bringing a life into this world is scary and exciting at the same time. It’s almost impossible to describe the feeling. I was terrified. While our son is an amazing miracle, we had not actively been trying. Sure we charted ovulation and knew it was “possible”, but was it? Short answer yes.  And it only took once! What’s amazing is that once you pee on that stick and it turns—a variety of things meaning positive, there is no going back folks. Whether you thought you were ready and now are not so sure, it really doesn’t matter anymore.  It ceases to be about you, and starts to be all about your baby. Questions like: Am I really ready? Will I be a good mother? What will my partner think? What will my family think? What about my career? What can I eat? Also there are these questions: Oh no, I just found out, and now i’m worried about all those drinks I had, is the baby ok? I just read that i’m not supposed to take hot baths, and here I am sitting in one, Oops, we’re not supposed to eat sushi, but that’s what I had for supper, how’s my baby now?

If you were not expecting this pregnancy, this life is your choice but I urge you to look at this video before you make any decisions, please take a minute to watch this video:

I am all for a woman’s control over her body and before I had a child, I always thought that I was “ok” with abortion. I mean there are always extenuating circumstances but for me I never thought I could do it. There are so many people who can’t have children who would make wonderful parents. If you are newly pregnant and wondering if you could keep it please visit this link:

http://www.cfsh.ca/

So ummm when am I due? How far along am I?

These are some pretty standard questions. First things first… you need to figure out the first day of your last period. Here is a standard Due Date Calculator. I think it always helps to look at your ovulation cycle as well, because some women do not have a standard 28 day cycle, take a peak at when you may have conceived your bundle of joy! So depending on how you count it, three months does not happen until 12/13 weeks of pregnancy. Some women will count that she is 12 weeks but in her 13th week of being pregnant. I know it took me a while to get that too.

For example:

My LMP (Last Missed Period) was June 21st, 2007 so based on this date, my fertile times were between July 2nd and July 7th. My resulting due date was approximately March 27th. Before you even “know”  you are pregnant, your little bean is growing extraordinarily fast! When you find out you are pregnant (if you find out around the time your period is supposed to come) you are already 4 weeks along, so at that point there is only 9 months to go (yes pregnancy is 10 months long!)

Around the two week mark from your first day of your last period, your ovaries release an egg (often just one egg–they can release more then one.) When the egg is released, and travels down from your ovaries through the fallopian tube where fertilization most likely occurs. Once the egg is fertilized, it travels to your uterus and embed’s itself into the lining–this can actually cause cramping, as well as some spotting.

Will I miscarry?

A newly pregnant woman always has the same fears about miscarriage. While something’s are not recommended for newly pregnant women, most often miscarriages cannot be prevented.  There are a few things you can do to lower your chances of miscarriage but sadly, there is not always an explanation for a pregnancy loss.

Some suggestions to lower your risk: cut out the caffeine, studies show that excess amounts of caffeine increase your chances of miscarriage. This includes pop ladies!  Please remember that correlation does not equal causation and that it’s impossible to isolate one cause because of other lifestyle factors.

Sadly, the statistic’s on miscarriages are not always accurate because of the ones that do not get reported. But generally for women in childbearing years, the chances of having a miscarriage can range from 10-25% ( 1 in 4), and in most healthy women the average is about a 15-20% chance. It is also widely believed that if you reach your second trimester, the rate for miscarriages drop dramatically, and while they do lower you may still lose a baby at any stage in your pregnancy. Any loss of pregnancy before 20 weeks gestation, is a miscarriage, over 20 weeks 6 days it is called a still birth.

During the first trimester, the most common cause of miscarriage is chromosomal abnormality – meaning that something is not correct with the baby’s chromosomes. Most chromosomal abnormalities are the cause of a faulty egg or sperm cell, or are due to a problem at the time that the zygote went through the division process. Other causes for miscarriage include (but are not limited to):

• Hormonal problems, infections or maternal health problems
• Lifestyle (I.e. smoking, drug use, malnutrition, excessive caffeine and exposure to radiation or toxic substances
• Implantation of the egg into the uterine lining does not occur properly
• Maternal age (this can be either younger then 18 or older then 35)
• Maternal trauma

Interesting side note: some factors that are not proven to cause miscarriage are sex, working outside the home (unless in a harmful environment) or moderate exercise

An increase in maternal age affects the chances of miscarriage:

Women under the age of 35 yrs old have about a 15% chance of miscarriage

Women who are 35-45 yrs old have a 20-35% chance of miscarriage

Women over the age of 45 can have up to a 50% chance of miscarriage

A woman who has had a previous miscarriage has a 25% chance of having another (only a slightly elevated risk than for someone who has not had a previous miscarriage)

What are the warning signs of a miscarriage?

If you experience any or all of these symptoms, it is important to contact your doctor or a medical facility to evaluate if you could be having a miscarriage:

• Mild to severe back pain (often worse than normal menstrual cramps)
• Weight loss
• White-pink mucus
• True contractions (very painful happening every 5-20 minutes)
• Brown or bright red bleeding with or without cramps (20-30% of all pregnancies can experience some bleeding in early pregnancy, with about 50% of those resulting in normal pregnancies)
• Tissue with clot like material passing from the vagina
• Sudden decrease in signs of pregnancy

Keep in mind that you may have implantation bleeding during the first few weeks as well as cramping.  As for weight loss, I actually lost 10 lbs when I found out I was pregnant and not because I had morning sickness badly, your eating habits just change. Don’t freak out if you see white/pink mucus again could be a sign of implantation, but it turns bright red I’d go to the doctor or emergency. Often at the beginning of the pregnancy, there isn’t much they can do to prevent a miscarriage. From all of the people in my life that have experienced a miscarriage, have told me the same thing. The doctor’s treat it like a process (I have a check list here, and i have to go through it systematically), leaving you like a science experiment gone wrong. It’s almost like their ability to empathize that you are LOSING your baby goes out the window. Not only that but you are bombarded by (in Winnipeg anyway’s) student’s (at teaching hospitals) who have little to no experience with miscarriage. They often ask you the same questions over and over again, and then if there is someone new that comes on, be prepared to go through it again. I’m sure there are some very nice doctors and nurses out there but you are a needle in a haystack when it comes to emergency room care.

If miscarriage is suspected you may be asked to take a pregnancy blood test. This test will look for levels of pregnancy hormone beta HCG. 48 hours later you will be required to repeat this test. If the levels of the pregnancy hormone have dropped, then it means that you have lost the baby. If levels are continuing to rise, you are still pregnant.

If the pregnancy is lost, they may perform a D&C (Dilation and Curettage–small spoon shaped instrument) where your womb is scraped to make sure it is clear–often performed under light anesthetic. At hospital they may give you a vaginal scan to check that your womb is clear. If something does not feel right and they send you home go see your doctor or go back to the emergency room.

What happens after the curette?

Most women bleed for five to 10 days following a curette. Contact your doctor if you experience:

• Prolonged or heavy bleeding
• Blood clots or strong abdominal pain
• Changes in your vaginal discharge
• Fever or flu-like symptoms.

Your next period

Your ovaries will usually produce an egg about two weeks after your miscarriage. Your first period should occur within four to six weeks. You should have a check-up with your doctor six weeks after your miscarriage to make sure there are no problems and ensure your uterus has returned to normal size. You can also ask any questions about your miscarriage at this time, including the results of any pathology tests.

The most important thing if you’ve suffered a miscarriage is to find a support system that works for you. This can be family, friends or medical professionals. Often clinic’s or hospitals offer wonderful support groups and I encourage any women who have had the experience of a miscarriage to seek some type of counseling. Additionally there are fantastic resources online for women who have experienced a loss. There are also many message boards that you can join, to talk to other women who have or are going through exactly what you are feeling.

The Bottom Line

Ok so now that I’ve scared all the newly pregnant women out there, keep in mind while approximately 1 in 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage, 3 out of 4 pregnancies do successfully come full term. There is hope out there ladies. Even if you have suffered a loss you can successfully bring a life into this world. We may not know why we lose our little babies, but these little angles do not go on unloved or forgotten.

Stay tuned to find out symptoms of pregnancy…

• Use what you learn or stay in bed.
• Creepy fake babies
• Sponsoring a Child

So every week I receive countless forwards that are varying degrees of stupidness–yes I’m aware that’s not a real word. Once in a blue moon, or at least once a month, one is actually pretty funny.  Below is just that, a funny forward worth a read for pet lovers!

Excerpts from a Dog’s Diary……

8:00 am – Dog food!  My favorite thing!
9:30 am – A car ride!  My favorite thing!
9:40 am – A walk in the park!  My favorite thing!
10:30 am – Got rubbed and petted!  My favorite thing!
12:00 pm – Lunch!  My favorite thing!
1:00 pm – Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 pm – Wagged my tail!  My favorite thing!
5:00 pm – Milk bones!  My favorite thing!
7:00 pm – Got to play ball!  My favorite thing!
8:00 pm – Wow!  Watched TV with the people!  My favorite thing!
11:00 pm – Sleeping on the bed!  My favorite thing!

Excerpts from a Cat’s Daily Diary …..

Day 983 of my captivity.
My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.

They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.

The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet.  I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of.  However, they merely made condescending comments about what a “good little hunter” I am.  Bastards.

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight.  I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event.  However, I could hear the noises and smell the food.  I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of “allergies.”  I must learn what this means and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking.  I must try this again tomorrow — but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches.  The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released – and seems to be more than willing to return.  He is obviously retarded.

The bird has got to be an informant.  I observe him communicating with the guards regularly.  I am certain that he reports my every move.  My captors have arranged protective custody for him in a elevated cell, so he is safe.

For now…………….

• Sponsoring a Child
• Back in Action
• My appologies to the Emo and/or Cutter World

Have you wanted to go and see a new movie without feeling badly about if your baby or child makes a scene or has a melt down? Now you can with Cineplex Odeon’s Stars and Strollers!  Most of their theater’s offer this service to moms, and dads alike, not to mention grandparents and family members who want to get out and enjoy a movie with the special “little” people in their lives.

Children under 3 are free, so all you have to worry about is a ticket for the adults or children that accompany you.  They offer complementary Diapers and wipes (at least the location we went to today did). The only draw back is that there was only one changing station in the woman’s bathroom.  They had one set up next to the complementary diaper’s but it is a little awkward changing  your baby in front of 30 other strangers. But as an option (while the movie is playing) it is dark in the theater so provided that you need to change your little one during a show, it is dark enough to do so privately as long as you bring a change pad.

Stars and Strollers allows you to:

• Enjoy the latest movies in a Baby-Friendly environment at Cineplex Entertainment theatres
• Generally featuring a choice of two movies at every screening!**
  • **Film options may be reduced to one per week during summer months and holidays
  • Find out if your Cineplex theater offer’s this service in your area by visiting this site:
  • This site will also allow you to see which movies are playing in your area this week!
• Screenings of the latest releases every week at your participating theatre
• Lowered volume levels
• Dimmed lighting
• Stroller Parking Available

For us we are given a choice of one movie per theater (i’m sure because it’s summer) and we chose to see Wall-E . The movie itself was not too bad, it started out pretty iffy as there was no talking for a good 30 minutes of the film, and only robot sounds, which get’s old to adults quickly. But the movie picked up and introduced the humans so if you do decide to go see it, it won’t totally bore you.

There was however the funniest short film i’ve seen in a long time. It’s by Pixar, and it’s called Presto. A tale of a rabbit and his magician. I laughed so hard for the whole time it was playing and my son was amazed at the huge animations on the screen.

The Bottom Line

If you are going to take your young baby, make sure you take a blanket as watching a movie, that size for a lengthy amount of time is quite stimulating. I was able to put up a “wall” in the line of vision so that  he could try to nap. Amazingly he did well, he watched for 20 minutes, got fussy, I wrapped him up he slept for a good 40 minutes and then I was able to feed him in the darkness before the end of the movie. All in all successful trip!The movie is still loud, and may startle those babies who need absolute silence to sleep! For what it’s worth, I would not plan to stay for any length of time, you never know how they’ll react to the big lights and sounds.

Oh and as a side note, there was a shady character that came up to me after the movie, and while as a parent you carry a lot of things with you when you travel, my hands were full. So I opted to sit down and wait for my mommy friend to return (she went in search of a change table at the mall). Well I had the diaper bag around me and had placed my son on the floor (in his car seat with my purse between my feet). He came up to me and said cute baby, so being the nice person I am (LOL) I said thank you but decided not to continue the conversation. He proceeded to sit down, which made me uncomfortable (he sat at the table next to me) and I decided to nonchalantly pick up my purse and pretend to look for a baby wipe. He then asked me for spare change, to which I replied I had none, and then he said, i’m just looking for coffee, to which I still replied I had none. He sat there for another 5 minutes before getting up and walking away. Just as a warning ladies, with as much as you carry around with you are are a perfect target for criminals. I wouldn’t run after this creep if he had swiped my purse and leave my son unattended. So either don’t take your purse or strap it to yourself!

Happy viewing everyone!

• It’s beginning to look at lot like Winter.
• Creepy fake babies
• Use what you learn or stay in bed.

The other day I was looking around for funny baby videos, and found a lot of great ones, and some pretty bad ones.  You have to love what babies do, and what parents will put on the Internet.  **Note: language warning in video’s marked with two asterisks**

So without further ado, here are the videos on the Internet that I found.

Top 10 Funniest Baby Videos on the Internet

1. Don’t mess with Kung-Fu Baby

2. Very Talented Baby and her Soother–ooh if they only all did that!

3. Baby Laughing

4. Beware all Monsters–You’ll Kick his what?– I love this one**

5. Should I Eat or Sleep?

6. Childbirth song–Parody written by Helen Austin**

7. Who needs to walk when you can scoot? What a baby will do for Chocolate.

8. E-trade Superbowl Ad

9. Baby drinking water from a hose–I just love this one too.

10. Facial expression of a two year old on a waterslide for the first time!

Bonus: Baby Panda Sneezes (watch the mom)

The Bottom Line

These are just some funny ones I’ve found online, thanks to Sara for the Childbirth song! Please note that I do not endorse any of these video’s or what parent’s do or don’t do with their children. I think some of the stuff I came across I thought at first was funny–like giving your child a lemon. But I came to think that’s kind of mean, kids are so curious and trusting of you, and will try it more then once (probably because of it’s colour and fleshy texture, but man it’s kind of mean.)

But if this has taught me anything it’s to keep your video camera handy, you never know what you will get on tape! Also, there is a lot of stuff that “parents” find funny, and cute, but really it’s only “funny” and cute to them–but who cares if you think your kids are cute and funny, enjoy them! It will never cease to amaze me the sheer joy kids get from their parents being silly, so enjoy your kids, play with them, and cherish their laughter. There are just too many children around the world that don’t get that opportunity to just be kids!

• Sponsoring a Child
• About the Real Tech Mom
• Creepy fake babies

Every Sunday we will feature a Kitchen Korner feature article. This will be a small blurb about an easy recipe that you can add to your family meal time. Most of these will be quick meal idea’s along with pictures!

Cajun Potatoes

What you’ll need:

• 5 or 6 medium/small potatoes freshly washed with skin on
• Cajun spice
• Olive oil
• Aluminum tin
• Aluminum foil
• Salt (optional)

What do I do next?

Preheat your oven to 400 Degree’s Fahrenheit, Cut potatoes in small cubes, sprinkle (generously) with Cajun spice and Salt if desired and Olive Oil. Mix your potatoes up so they are evenly covered. Once your potatoes are covered evenly with the seasonings, pour them into an aluminum (or greased cooking pan) and cover with Tin Foil. Cook for 40 minutes or until potatoes are soft but firm.

Serve and Enjoy!

–Thanks to Lea for this quick side dish idea!

If you’d like to submit and article for publication, please contact me at erincarrasco@gmail.com with ingredients and directions along with a photo. I will only publish food recipes with photo’s. You will get full credit for your idea should you want your name published.

• It’s beginning to look at lot like Winter.

Let me preface this post with saying, I don’t think I could have survived the first three months of my crazy adorable son’s life without this DVD. Dr. Harvey Karp is a nationally renowned pediatrician and child development specialist. He is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the UCLA School of Medicine. Now that I’ve gotten the technical stuff out of the way, I’m going to tell you how he saved my husbands and my sanity. I swear I would have thought my son was “colicky” if it were not for this DVD.

The Beginning…

Babies are wonderful miracles, and it still amazes me today that I have the privilege of being a mother. It is the hardest job I’ve ever done in my entire life. We’re talking about 24/7— 365 days a year, and no your work doesn’t stay at the office when you go home! But, the first three months are the hardest time in a parent’s life. Why? Let’s see, after a crazy experience called “birth” you are thrust into “motherhood” with little to no training. No matter how many books you read, how many shows you watch, and how many friends tell you their version of motherhood, NOTHING can prepare you for your journey.

So what happens after you give birth?

Well, for me I was thrust into a semi private room (after 22.5–and yes I will add the .5 in there–hours of labour) and not having slept in two nights, was given my baby.  Not that I’m advocating leaving your child with someone else, but birth is such an emotional rollercoaster, and even with it taking almost 24 hours for it to be completed, you’re so tired, and almost shell shocked and thrust forward into reality. So for the past 10 months (that’s right for all of you who think pregnancy is 9 months, it’s 40 weeks long) you’ve been incubating this little baby, while you go through the rough part of morning/noon/night sickness in the beginning, gaining lots of extra padding, and then feeling like you’re a beached whale, trust me pregnancy is the “easy” part. You only really have to worry about you for those months, you get to eat when you want, sleep when you want and run to the store when you want. Well after your little one comes out, it ceases to be about you.

No matter how tired you are, your baby comes first. You need to feed, change and love this little bundle of joy. Sounds easy doesn’t it? Well the premise is good, but what happens when your baby is crying. Generally you ask yourself these questions:

1. Is (s)he hungry? Feed baby.
2. Is (s)he wet? Change baby.
3. Is (s)he lonely? Pick baby up.
4. Is (s)he gassy? Burp baby.
5. is (s)he cold/hot? Bundle baby or remove some layers from baby.

Uh oh… baby is still crying. What now?

Welcome to parenthood. It seems like people are forever giving advice, that’s all well and good, but the problem is that half the time, its conflicting advice. More often then not when a baby is crying, people assume it’s Colic. So… What is Colic? Most websites describe Colic as this:

“When a baby’s crying lasts longer than three hours a day, it is called colic. Almost all babies develop a fussy period. The timing varies, but it usually begins at about three weeks of age and peaks somewhere between four and six weeks of age. For most infants the most intense fussiness is in the evening”

Alright ladies and Gentlemen, have you ever had to endure a baby crying for any length of time? Let alone for 3 hours? Now as a new parent you’re seriously supposed to wait until 6 weeks before things get better? NO!!!!  A lot of people believe that colic is gas, well hate to tell you this, if when you try Dr. Karp’s method’s and baby stops crying instantly, it’s not gas. Newborns have this shrill cry, about everything when they get worked up. It sounds like they are in constant pain, in reality they’re just trying to get used to their surroundings to our world. Imagine, you’re in this temperature controlled environment, with constant rocking, hugging, sound (it’s louder than a vacuum inside the womb), and food. And then you’re born– all of a sudden, there is no constant in your life.  It’s quiet, you feel hunger for the first time, you bum gets dirty and then someone places you in a big open space and expects you to sleep!

So what can I do?

You’ve checked baby’s bum, fed baby, comforted baby (baby probably won’t let you put him/her down), burped baby, and made sure (s)he is not too hot or cold. Now it’s time to help your baby with their “calming reflex”  Dr. Karp insists that babies are born with a calming reflex (much like the sucking, or rooting reflex) and it’s our job as parents to turn it on!

The 5 S’s

Swaddling - Tight swaddling provides the continuous touching and support the fetus experienced while still in Mom’s womb. He Swaddles using the Down Up Down Up (DUDU for short–no I’m not kidding) The best way to explain this–And this is seriously the most important of all 5 S’s, is get a large square blanket. Make it yourself tip: Get enough stretchy cotton from the fabric store, to make three or four 42 Square Inch blankets–have someone or do it yourself, serge the edge of the material or place ribbing around the end and sew it on. Or you can buy them off the site.  Now lay the blanket flat on the ground in a diamond shape. With the top edge of the diamond, fold it down just a tad, that is where baby’s head will rest. Take the left side of the swaddle (note: babies will try to fight you but sleep much better wrapped up, because they don’t have control over their arms yet) and fold it over baby, tuck tightly under baby leaving right arm free. Bring bottom part of diamond blanket up and tuck around right shoulder, encompassing the right arm. Now this is the tricky part. Take the right side of blanket (often holding arms so they don’t wiggle out)and bring it down towards the chest–stop half way down. Notice you still have material left over? That’s what you wrap your baby with all the way around and tuck into the fold. To buy the video go to their site or rent it from your local library for free–note, there is usually a waiting period so if you are expecting, I’d get on a wait list near the end of your pregnancy. Here is my take on how to wrap the DUDU way!

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Sidebar: Here is the RealTechMom’s swaddling technique. I’ve combined the Happiest Baby’s technique with a little twist. My son has very strong arms, and while the DUDU way works very very well, my son would always manage to get out of it after 3 or 4 hours thus waking up.  There are a number of different swaddle makers out there, but honestly for me to spend the kind of cash they want to ship to Canada is ridiculous. My solution? Make one myself (well actually my MIL made it), you take your 42 square inch blanket and lay it down the same way, here’s the difference, there is bound to be some left over material when you’ve made your swaddle blanket or (you can purchase some from the store), lay that down across the blanket so that it’s near the top where the head would go (see video for instruction), then you are going to take the sides of each blanket and individually wrap the side of each arm so the material goes under baby’s bum/back. Then proceed to wrap baby like the happiest baby does (the DUDU method). When I started to use this method my son started to sleep longer and longer and is now (I am proud to say: sleeping through the night!) I went from getting 2 or 3 hours of sleep, and around three months, he started giving me a 4 hour stretch. When I implemented the new swaddling technique, he gave me 5 hour stretches waking around 2 am, for a feed for about a week and now, does not wake at all for a feed between 8 and 4/5 am! Here is my take on the swaddle, but either way, the key is to make the swaddle out of stretchy cotton material, and when you are pulling tight at the end, make sure it’s snug. I guarantee that baby will sleep longer if baby is swaddled.

Babies will fight you, and you have to be strong (you and your partner/support person(s)) and commit to swaddling. It looks like they don’t like it, but you are the parent and you know what’s best. This will definitely help you get more sleep. Babies’ arms wake them because they lack the ability to control them themselves. If/when they hit themselves, they really have no clue that those thing flying around are their arms, hence the startle and the waking. Now the important part to remember is that swaddling often by itself will NOT calm baby down. Once you’ve swaddled, it allows them to focus on the next S’s so that you can get them to the best “s” Sleep!!!!

Side/stomach position - You place your baby, while holding him/her, either on her left side to assist in digestion, or on her stomach to provide reassuring support. This is often called the “football hold” or reverse breastfeeding hold. You want to make sure that baby is placed with their stomach to the side, if baby is laying flat on your arm it will help but if you tilt baby to the side a bit, you’ll notice your baby has a “sweet spot.” This can often (in combination with the swaddling) can calm your crying baby. Once your baby is happily asleep, you can safely put her in her crib, on her back. Dad’s some of you may excel particularly well at this hold because your arms are bigger, and you feel comfortable holding football’s. For me, I could never quite hold my son in this style. But sometimes baby needs a little more help.

Shushing Sounds – This is the most amazing to see on the Video (that is why I seriously recommend renting or buying it, I liked having a copy that was purchased for me because I could re-watch it over and over to get some of these techniques right. Dr. Karp goes right up to the baby’s ear and goes (shushhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh— loud enough to match baby’s cry) At first, mom’s, grandmom’s, sister’s and anyone else watching may freak out. It appears that you are making baby deaf.  But in the video, you watch Dr. Karp do this to numerous babies and it’s like and automatic switch that turns on their calming reflex. Dr. Karp advocates that it is louder then a vacuum in the womb and that baby’s are “thrust” into silence, the “white” noise comforts them. Have you ever turned on the vacuum to calm a baby down? Try it, unless they are hungry, uncomfortable, or in pain, crying will subside. These sounds imitate the continual whooshing sound made by the blood flowing through arteries near the womb.  The good news is that you can easily save the motors on your household appliances and get a white noise CD which can be played over and over again with no worries. *Note: if using a hair dryer to make white noise for longer then 1 minute, move the hair dryer at least 6 feet away.*

Swinging - Ahh the Swing, where would I have been without my swing. I think I would have been thrown in the loonie bin. Dr. Karp advocates that newborns are used to the swinging motions that were present when they were still in Mom’s womb. *Note: the swing will not calm your baby, baby must be calmed before placed in swing, if baby starts to fuss, give the bucket a little jiggle to re-calm baby* Every step mom took, every movement caused a swinging or jiggling motion for your baby. After your baby is born, this calming motion, which was so comforting and familiar, was abruptly taken away. Your baby misses the motion and has a difficult time getting used to it not being there. “It’s disorienting and unnatural,” says Karp. Rocking, car rides, and other swinging movements all can help. This jiggling that he demonstrates in his video is amazing and is what saved my husband and me. Also dad’s this is where you can swoop in and save the day, men often feel more comfortable using this jiggling then the mom’s. *Note: this is not shaking your baby, you should never EVER shake your baby, if you ever need a break, place baby in a safe spot (crib, play yard) and walk a way for a few minutes or call someone to help.

Sucking – The last but certainly not the least S “Sucking has its effects deep within the nervous system,” notes Karp, “and triggers the calming reflex and releases natural chemicals within the brain.” This “S” can be accomplished with breast, bottle, pacifier or even a finger. He advocates that pacifiers are very useful for the first 3 to 4 months of age to help baby to self soothe, and I 100% agree (we’re not talking about a 3 year old having a sucky here, these are newborn’s.)

Now some babies just need a little bit more help then others and what one of his parents described as the “cuddle cure” (using all 5 at once) takes some practice to find out what works for your baby. Don’t get frustrated, you may not get how to do these right away, but I promise if you give it time to work, it will! You will also get better at each of these things and will learn what works for your baby. Here is Dr. Harvey Karp talking about the 5 S’s.

Back to Sleep

What is SIDS?

SIDS stands for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. SIDS rarely occurs before 2 weeks or after 6 months of age, while still possible most deaths occur in children who are between 2 months and 4 months of age.

The number of SIDS deaths has declined significantly in recent years, thanks to research that has identified simple measures parents can take to greatly reduce their child’s risk. The most important of these measures involves placing infants to sleep on their backs instead of their stomachs.

The Moro Reflex

Many parents find it very difficult to get their baby to sleep on the back. Most of the time, this difficulty is due to a startle reflex infants have called the Moro reflex. The Moro reflex is a normal reflex for an infant when he or she is startled or feels like they are falling. The infant will fling out his or her arms sideways with the palms up and the thumbs flexed. This reflex can be activate while sleeping if your child is dreaming. This “jerking awake” motion can startle your child awake, upsetting him or her in the process.

Swaddling, arguably the most important component of Dr. Karp’s method, helps your baby feel more secure and allows you to place, an otherwise unwilling baby, on his or her back, instead of the stomach. The swaddling gives your baby a safe secure feeling, as if you are holding them, and will limit any of the sudden movements which can cause your baby to startle awake.

Swaddling makes is easier to place your baby in a safer, recommended, sleep position which reduces the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).

For more information on the “Back to Sleep” campaign call Toll free at 1-800-505-CRIB (2742)

The Bottom Line

Buy or Rent the DVD, it’s only about 20-30 minutes that will save yourselves from hours of crying. It is worth the money as a purchase in my books. There is also the book that goes into much more depth about the missing 4th trimester (basically our babies are born 3/4 months too early and need to adjust to the outside world). He also advocates that what you are doing is not spoiling your baby. He says you have to look at it from this perspective, in the womb, baby had all of these things 24 hours a day, so holding them, shushing them and rocking them is not spoiling them even if you’re doing it half the amount of time. So let’s say they go from getting these things for 24 hours a day to 12 hours a day, that hardly sounds like spoiling to me. Remember, your job is to love your baby the best way you know how, these are just some tools that helped me. My son has slept in his crib from day 7 (that’s another story, I did not have my crib mattress yet as he was 3 weeks early) and I’ve never looked back. I’m not knocking co-sleeping because for many people it works, but for us this works better. You can also implement these techniques if you are co-sleeping too.

If you can’t calm your baby, and you are feeling closer and closer to losing control:

• STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING!
• Put your screaming baby down in a crib, swing, or other safe secure spot.
• Walk a way. Go stand on the porch. Go take a shower. Go do something that will get you away from the situation until you have regained your composure and are able to deal with your baby.
• REMEMBER—It’s normal to feel upset and angry. Women have a natural instinctual reaction in us to feel (hormonally) upset/frustrated when babies cry, not that men don’t get frustrated but for women it’s chemical.

Taking care of a baby can be tiring and sometimes extremely frustrating, I can’t tell you how many times at the beginning I would sit and cry with my son when he cried because I was so frustrated, so tired, and felt like I was doing a bad job as a mom–It does get better (I know, I hated that saying too but it’s true) . But there are ways to comfort him and yourself, and people nearby to help. Never yell at, hit, or shake a baby!!

If you are having a difficult time dealing with your birth experience, and the emotions that come with having a baby, you are not alone. Do not ignore these feelings. Postpartum Depression is normal and should not be ignored. Feel free to look at this site(http://www.postpartum.org/supportgroups.html) and contact the closest location to you, or talk to your public health nurse–they are wonderful resources! Remember being a parent is not easy, especially when you come home from the hospital your hormones are all wacky, but never let that be an excuse. Talk to your doctor if you are even slightly concerned, and if your doctor dismisses your feelings, GET ANOTHER DOCTOR.

• Creepy fake babies
• My appologies to the Emo and/or Cutter World
• Use what you learn or stay in bed.

So recently I’ve noticed some wear on my son’s favourite soother. And after an episode of Simpsons prompted me to keep more then one of the same brand of soother available to my child (for sheer fear of losing his favourite one) I have been vigilant to change it up every once and a while so this “favourite” does not become his “only” soother!

My son’s brand of choice is the Gerber Nuk. We tried a few different kinds but ultimately the Nuk won out. (thanks mom!) But wow do these things ever wear out quickly, I’ve maybe had the new one for a month and a half and it has started to show wear on it.

With all of the BPA-free hype, it’s made us parents “paranoid” about using anything that “could” contain this chemical that most plastics contain! So after all the years we’ve been eating and drinking things (how many of your water bottles had the little 7 in the recycling box hummm?) containing this harmful chemical only to now learn it’s not safe. (Much like lead paint and asbestos I guess)

Before my son was born I was unsure if I was going to use a soother, my nephew had a real strong attachment to his soother and at three was still clinging on to it for dear life. My sister had tried everything and finally on his third birthday, they’d made a “deal” when he turned three, he was a big boy–no more soother! So we all came over for his birthday party and at the end of it we tied his soother to a helium balloon and said “goodbye” to his soother. We told him that babies needed it more then he did, so we all watched in amazement as he attached it (with mom’s help of course) to the balloon string. Well he let go and waved goodbye like a big boy, all seemed well—until that night. While that soother would never return to their house, a new one certainly did, they luckily had another on in the house to spare. He did eventually (one day out of the blue) did not want it anymore, so there is hope! Ok back to my point!

I was given a great gift by my cousin (who had recently studied to become a Doula) for an in home education on something called The Happiest Baby on the Block. This Doctor (Dr. Harvey Karp) not only suggested it, he advocated, that in the first three months babies need to suck– as a calming reflex. So I decided after three weeks of no sleep and being raw from being sucked on—no fun! That I was going to use a soother. My son; however, had other plans. It was such a war to get him to take it. I guess some would say it’s a blessing in disguise but when he did take it, it was when he was tired and it really did help him calm himself. The good doctor deserves his own posting himself, so please check back for updates.

While doing research for some previous postings, I came across a question that plagued some message boards I belong to: When do I get rid of soothers and bottle nipples?

Gerber’s website stated in their FAQ:

How often should we replace pacifiers?

Pacifiers should be replaced when any type of wear is noticed. The strength of the pacifier should be tested by pulling on the bulb portion. If any tears, stickiness or swelling are noticed, the pacifiers should be discarded and replaced.

Why do the nipples and/or pacifiers get so big?

Continual use of rubber nipples and pacifiers can cause them to swell. Constant sucking action, the acidity of a baby’s saliva, microwaving and excessive boiling are all contributing factors to the breakdown of the rubber. Swollen nipples and pacifiers should be discarded, as they are a choking hazard.

For me, I err on the side of caution and would suggest that when your soother’s become cloudy in colour (if they were clear) I would discard them.  The same thing goes for bottle nipples, if they become misshapen, get some new ones! Also out of all the pacifier maker’s I could find, (online) only Gerber had an answer posted on their website. (see answer above) So really my new motto as a mom has become, “if you are asking yourself, should I do this, is it safe?” answers my question. If I’m questioning it, I’d best not be doing it. But it’s all about going with your instincts, while there are so many outlets of information out there for you gawk at, you as a parent have to trust yourself to know what’s right for your baby!

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