To say that every day is different when you have a baby is an understatement. It may seem monotonous with the eating, sleeping, pooping part of it but the trials of each is where it gets interesting. One day they will be great eaters that have an insatiable hunger. Next, it seems like they've forgotten how to eat from a bottle. Then you think you have the trick to getting them to go to sleep, then they do a 180 and have no interest in the matter..
When you compare the every day life of a mom to one of the working woman you would automatically assume that the working woman is being pushed more mentally. Learning more, carrying more stress, and over all growing as a person. Not the case. When dealing with a tiny human being who can't give you the answers you want. Who does not do as you will them to when you want them to; it's a true test of your patience and pushes you not only to learn about them but yourself as well. You had no idea how little sleep you could go on and still be functioning. How far your patience could be pushed before you break but still get up off the floor and do it again. There is no doubt that being a working woman is hard but don't discount the mom job, it is a learning and growing aspect of life.
“There’s no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one.” —Jill Churchill
Saturday, June 20, 2015
Friday, June 19, 2015
The Frugal Life
I have been a saver my whole life. Growing up we never got much of an allowance but whatever I did get plus birthday money, I saved! One day when I got home from school all my money had gone missing. I found out later that my mom had put it into a long term savings account. At the time I was so upset, not knowing that essentially it was a good thing she had done. Still, it had taken me a long time to save up all the money and in my eyes it was now gone. Since then I have almost become a money hoarder. I like to have a couple accounts with money in them for a rainy day but still like not to go under a certain dollar amount in my every day use account. Drives my husband crazy! Opposites really do attract because when I met him he was the type that if there was money in his pocket, it was burning a hole! Debt up to his eyeballs and still going. With some hard work and discipline on his part he managed to get out of it and see the light of not being reliant on credit cards. There is a certain feeling of freedom when you want to purchase an expensive item and you don't have to turn to credit cards or banks. Anyways, I've gotten off topic. Saving, being frugal (different from being cheap) is definitely a way of life. It's not for everyone but it sure comes in handy when having a baby. Some people have no idea the money they could save when they have a new baby if they just did a little work. Some examples?
Garage Sales: Babies only fit an outfit for a short amount of time. Like the tags say 0-3 mos, 3-6, 6-9. Three month bursts essentially. How many times could they possibly wear an item in that time frame. Once a week, maybe. That's 12 times at most! Go to Garages sales, yard sales and you can pick up items from anywhere from $0.25 an item to maybe $2.00. Compare this to buying it new for anywhere from $8.00 - $20.00 and you've saved a bundle.
Second hand stores: Same idea as garage sales but you may pay a little more. Probably anywhere from $1.00 - $5.00
Local Classified websites: This can be good for clothing, toys, or even furniture. Plus you can do it at your leisure in your own home. I picked up a baby swing that would have cost me $200+ for only $50. Of course you want to ask questions like how long was it used for. You don't want items with a blown out motor. For non-motorized items though as long as they're not broken or badly worn its a great deal! A lot of times people will sell a lot of boy or girls clothing. So you can get a whack of clothing at once for a low price.
Manufacturers websites: Sign up to any manufacturers products that you use. Pampers, Similac, Huggies, Nestle, Enfamil.. They all have websites that you can become a member to and they will send you anything from free product to coupons. Nestle will even send you a free diaper bag!
Flyers: Check out flyers for your frequently used items like diapers and formula. Once you find out which products you like, ex. you may find you like pampers more than huggies or vice versa. Look in your local flyers for sales. Every store has a cycle that they stick to for sale items. Once you figure it out you will never pay full price for these items.
Price Watching: This is tied into watching flyers. You have to be careful with pricing because they can trick you. Always figure out a "per item" price. I've noticed this especially with diapers that there are quite a few different packaging size. So you might look at the sale picture and think it's a great price but if you look it will be because it is a slightly smaller package. Take the price and divide it by how many are in the package and compare. Buying the large quantity (bulk buying) items doesn't always work out to be cheaper.
Name Brand: You don't always have to go with name brand. I have found that Walmart's brand Parent's Choice of formula has worked best for my baby so far. However I do not like their wipes. I do like Pampers diapers the best so far but have found Kirkland to be quite comparable. I don't have a Costco close by though so they aren't readily available to me. Either way, give non name brand items a try. You might be surprised how well they work.
Coupons: The dreaded coupon! I never got why coupons have gotten a bad rap. Perhaps they are perceived as being financially in need but that's not the way I see it. Rich people don't give money away, that's how they got to be rich. So if a manufacturer is essentially saying here, have a $1.00, why would I turn it down. Better in my pocket then theirs I figure. Give it a chance. Start with the coupons that will give you free items. It's always exciting to get free stuff! You can find coupons in your local newspapers or can go to online websites and have the mail them to you.
www.lifemadedelicious.ca
www.websaver.ca
www.save.ca
Apps: If you have a smartphone you can download a few apps that will give you money back for purchasing select items. The best ones I have found so far are Zweet, Snap by Groupon, Checkout 51, and Coupgon. All are available in Canada and the US.
DIY: This is not for everyone. You need time and patience for DIY. However, there are a few simple things you can do that will save you a lot of cash. You can make your own laundry detergent for example. All you need is to pick up a box of Borax, Washing Soda, Resolve Powder or Oxi-Clean, and a bar of soap. Mix 1 cup of each powder and grate the bar of soap, mix, and you have detergent. Of course you can make it in large quantities at a time but this is a good start just to try. This recipe actually can be used for washing baby clothes if you buy the unscented bars of soap.
Another thing you could try is making your own baby food. Essentially all you're doing is cooking your meat or vege of choice and throwing it in a blender to puree. Place in a ice cube tray (or whatever container you like) and freeze. Pull out as needed. Saves a lot of money and you won't have any added preservatives or salt.
So whether you use all or just one of these ideas to save money, it all counts and adds up! Any money saved can be used to put towards your child in other ways. College/University is expensive now a days I hear. Or you can use it towards a well deserved night out with your special someone. That's the difference between frugal and cheap. Frugal is just saving money where you can so you have it for more deserving or needed areas in your life. How bad can that really be?
Garage Sales: Babies only fit an outfit for a short amount of time. Like the tags say 0-3 mos, 3-6, 6-9. Three month bursts essentially. How many times could they possibly wear an item in that time frame. Once a week, maybe. That's 12 times at most! Go to Garages sales, yard sales and you can pick up items from anywhere from $0.25 an item to maybe $2.00. Compare this to buying it new for anywhere from $8.00 - $20.00 and you've saved a bundle.
Second hand stores: Same idea as garage sales but you may pay a little more. Probably anywhere from $1.00 - $5.00
Local Classified websites: This can be good for clothing, toys, or even furniture. Plus you can do it at your leisure in your own home. I picked up a baby swing that would have cost me $200+ for only $50. Of course you want to ask questions like how long was it used for. You don't want items with a blown out motor. For non-motorized items though as long as they're not broken or badly worn its a great deal! A lot of times people will sell a lot of boy or girls clothing. So you can get a whack of clothing at once for a low price.
Manufacturers websites: Sign up to any manufacturers products that you use. Pampers, Similac, Huggies, Nestle, Enfamil.. They all have websites that you can become a member to and they will send you anything from free product to coupons. Nestle will even send you a free diaper bag!
Flyers: Check out flyers for your frequently used items like diapers and formula. Once you find out which products you like, ex. you may find you like pampers more than huggies or vice versa. Look in your local flyers for sales. Every store has a cycle that they stick to for sale items. Once you figure it out you will never pay full price for these items.
Price Watching: This is tied into watching flyers. You have to be careful with pricing because they can trick you. Always figure out a "per item" price. I've noticed this especially with diapers that there are quite a few different packaging size. So you might look at the sale picture and think it's a great price but if you look it will be because it is a slightly smaller package. Take the price and divide it by how many are in the package and compare. Buying the large quantity (bulk buying) items doesn't always work out to be cheaper.
Name Brand: You don't always have to go with name brand. I have found that Walmart's brand Parent's Choice of formula has worked best for my baby so far. However I do not like their wipes. I do like Pampers diapers the best so far but have found Kirkland to be quite comparable. I don't have a Costco close by though so they aren't readily available to me. Either way, give non name brand items a try. You might be surprised how well they work.
Coupons: The dreaded coupon! I never got why coupons have gotten a bad rap. Perhaps they are perceived as being financially in need but that's not the way I see it. Rich people don't give money away, that's how they got to be rich. So if a manufacturer is essentially saying here, have a $1.00, why would I turn it down. Better in my pocket then theirs I figure. Give it a chance. Start with the coupons that will give you free items. It's always exciting to get free stuff! You can find coupons in your local newspapers or can go to online websites and have the mail them to you.
www.lifemadedelicious.ca
www.websaver.ca
www.save.ca
Apps: If you have a smartphone you can download a few apps that will give you money back for purchasing select items. The best ones I have found so far are Zweet, Snap by Groupon, Checkout 51, and Coupgon. All are available in Canada and the US.
DIY: This is not for everyone. You need time and patience for DIY. However, there are a few simple things you can do that will save you a lot of cash. You can make your own laundry detergent for example. All you need is to pick up a box of Borax, Washing Soda, Resolve Powder or Oxi-Clean, and a bar of soap. Mix 1 cup of each powder and grate the bar of soap, mix, and you have detergent. Of course you can make it in large quantities at a time but this is a good start just to try. This recipe actually can be used for washing baby clothes if you buy the unscented bars of soap.
Another thing you could try is making your own baby food. Essentially all you're doing is cooking your meat or vege of choice and throwing it in a blender to puree. Place in a ice cube tray (or whatever container you like) and freeze. Pull out as needed. Saves a lot of money and you won't have any added preservatives or salt.
Thursday, June 18, 2015
What it takes to be a Gamer's wife/girlfriend
This is the only aspect in my life where it helps to be an introvert. It takes a special kind of woman to be and stay a gamer's (read: video game player) girlfriend or wife.
A gamer is in some aspects like an introvert. They like to game when they are happy, upset, tired, frustrated. It's almost like a self soother to them, it helps them recharge from life. This is where it takes that special kind of woman. You can't take it personally when they choose to game instead of spending time with you or paying attention to you. Don't get me wrong, they do need to spend some time with you, they just can't spend every minute paying attention to you. It takes some getting used to. Society says that someone shows love by wanting to constantly be with you. Anyone who has been in a long term relationship knows, you need to have some time away from each other. You need some independence from each other or things will end in disaster.
When I first met my husband I had previous experience with a gamer so it wasn't a complete culture shock. However, that relationship didn't last near as long and the commitment wasn't there. So once I moved in with my husband, then boyfriend, it took some adjustment. If you don't take control of it, it can take over. You need to set some boundaries that work for the both of you. Don't try to change him by getting rid of gaming, it will only cause resentment. For my husband and I we have set nights that we spend together and the others he is free to game and I do whatever I want. On our set nights we make it a rule to not touch computers, video game consoles or even our phones if we can. Its a night designed for us to reconnect and just chill together. Or if you're into it and on occasion I am, find a game you both like and game together. I would recommend co-op games such as Halo, Borderlands, Gears of War or Mario Party and World of Keflings if you're into the more whimsical storylines.
Don't read this as I have got my shit together. At times it is still a struggle; and we've been together for 9 years now. I am lucky enough to have a tight knit group of other couples that the husbands/boyfriends are gamers as well. Every once in a while we will all get together and have a night of board games which interest both parties. It helps to know others in the same scenario. You don't feel judged when you see one of them and they ask where your significant other is and you have to tell them "he's in the basement, gaming". They get it, gaming is not just for kids any more. Some of the older generation doesn't get that yet, they see it as lazy or immature. The world is changing though and this is a common part of it, and there is nothing wrong with it. We all have our vices or outlets. As with everything in life it seems it's all about moderation and understanding.
So, whether you're new to the world of being a gamer's significant other or a 10 year veteran..just understand it takes patience, understanding and a wee bit of controlling!
A gamer is in some aspects like an introvert. They like to game when they are happy, upset, tired, frustrated. It's almost like a self soother to them, it helps them recharge from life. This is where it takes that special kind of woman. You can't take it personally when they choose to game instead of spending time with you or paying attention to you. Don't get me wrong, they do need to spend some time with you, they just can't spend every minute paying attention to you. It takes some getting used to. Society says that someone shows love by wanting to constantly be with you. Anyone who has been in a long term relationship knows, you need to have some time away from each other. You need some independence from each other or things will end in disaster.
When I first met my husband I had previous experience with a gamer so it wasn't a complete culture shock. However, that relationship didn't last near as long and the commitment wasn't there. So once I moved in with my husband, then boyfriend, it took some adjustment. If you don't take control of it, it can take over. You need to set some boundaries that work for the both of you. Don't try to change him by getting rid of gaming, it will only cause resentment. For my husband and I we have set nights that we spend together and the others he is free to game and I do whatever I want. On our set nights we make it a rule to not touch computers, video game consoles or even our phones if we can. Its a night designed for us to reconnect and just chill together. Or if you're into it and on occasion I am, find a game you both like and game together. I would recommend co-op games such as Halo, Borderlands, Gears of War or Mario Party and World of Keflings if you're into the more whimsical storylines.
So, whether you're new to the world of being a gamer's significant other or a 10 year veteran..just understand it takes patience, understanding and a wee bit of controlling!
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
What they don't tell you
It's funny how things work. Women have been having babies since the beginning of time, you would think by now they would start being honest about it! Let me explain what I mean. When you become pregnant and perhaps even before, most women who have already had babies will tell their war story to you. Morning sickness, cravings, back pain, just plain uncomfortable. Then you go into the labour stories..20 hours of labour, 2 hours of pushing! Sounds horrendous and for the most part it is! After all these stories though, they usually end it with, "it's not so bad"..
I am here to tell you, "it is that bad!"..lol
I have only had 1 child so far and let me tell you, there are holes in their stories that I am pretty sure they leave out as to not scare you. For example:
1) Once you get into your third trimester the doctor will do a test for staph b. I was not aware of this until right before he did it. I was laying there getting a routine pelvic exam to check on baby. Just when I think he is done he adds in the tidbit "just have to do a staph b test. It's uncomfortable but necessary" and proceeds to put a swab up your rectum. It was probably a good thing that I didn't know it was coming because I would of worried about it. Either way, its uncomfortable and you feel slightly violated at the same time.
2) Once in labour you feel like a road side attraction right from the get go. Seems like once you're in labour everyone gets to take a look at what's happening down there. It doesn't get any better once you have the baby either. I had a C-section so I was in the hospital for 3 days after. Every morning there was a team of people in my room whether I was decent or not. Nurses and Doctors want to see what you're doing when you're breastfeeding, lab is here to take a blood test, another guy is here to look at the baby. By the time I left I am pretty sure the whole maternity floor staff had seen my boobs.
3) That brings me to the next thing they fail to mention. Everyone goes on and on about how breastfeeding is such a beautiful and natural thing. In theory, yes, you are bonding with your baby and providing them nourishment. Unfortunately, it hurts like hell and that's before you've done it for a while and your nipples become chapped, or worse!
I personally never produced much milk, and was supplementing from the start. Try as I might it never got any better and after 4 weeks just switched her completely to formula. You would think this is where the pain ends. Nope! Even though I never produced much, when your boobs become what they call "engorged" it is terribly uncomfortable. For about 4 days after stopping the breastfeeding your boobs hurt and there is nothing you can really do about it!
4) Near the end of your pregnancy you can't wait until your body goes back to normal. You will be able to tie your own shoes, sleep comfortably, the perks are endless. Which is true, you are able to do all those things once you've had the baby. They just fail to mention that your stomach will be like a bowl of Jell-O that you carry around and almost have to shift around when you sit. I'm sure it depends on how much weight you put on while pregnant. I, myself put on 30 lbs, which is in the recommended range. I guess it's because your skin was stretched out and now you have too much of it. It was quite bothersome to me and wanted it gone ASAP. I'm at 10 weeks now and its still there a little bit but a lot better then it was. I recommend Palmers Firming Butter https://www.palmers.com/en/cocoa-butter-formula/27-firming-butter.html which can be found in Walmart for around $7.00. As well, once I hit my 6 week mark after the C-section I have been doing some exercises to help. I found the website http://www.fitpregnancy.com/exercise/postnatal-workouts/5-exercises-your-post-baby-belly and try to do some of them while my baby plays on her play mat.
4) They say that you will love your hair while pregnant. It's true, my hair has never been more healthy! Once again, they fail to mention that after baby you lose it. I'm not talking you no longer will have that great shine. You literally lose clumps of hair at a time about 6-8 weeks after you have the baby. It's disturbing! It is normal though, don't freak out and think there is something wrong. For some reason while pregnant your body holds onto hair rather than sheds it. This is your body letting all that extra hair go. My suggestion is to definitely buy a drain filter or be prepared to have your shower/bath drain plugged over and over again.
This is my insight to the dark side of pregnancy, not to deter you from having a baby but to make you more aware of what's to come. Take from it what you will.
I am here to tell you, "it is that bad!"..lol
I have only had 1 child so far and let me tell you, there are holes in their stories that I am pretty sure they leave out as to not scare you. For example:
1) Once you get into your third trimester the doctor will do a test for staph b. I was not aware of this until right before he did it. I was laying there getting a routine pelvic exam to check on baby. Just when I think he is done he adds in the tidbit "just have to do a staph b test. It's uncomfortable but necessary" and proceeds to put a swab up your rectum. It was probably a good thing that I didn't know it was coming because I would of worried about it. Either way, its uncomfortable and you feel slightly violated at the same time.
2) Once in labour you feel like a road side attraction right from the get go. Seems like once you're in labour everyone gets to take a look at what's happening down there. It doesn't get any better once you have the baby either. I had a C-section so I was in the hospital for 3 days after. Every morning there was a team of people in my room whether I was decent or not. Nurses and Doctors want to see what you're doing when you're breastfeeding, lab is here to take a blood test, another guy is here to look at the baby. By the time I left I am pretty sure the whole maternity floor staff had seen my boobs.
3) That brings me to the next thing they fail to mention. Everyone goes on and on about how breastfeeding is such a beautiful and natural thing. In theory, yes, you are bonding with your baby and providing them nourishment. Unfortunately, it hurts like hell and that's before you've done it for a while and your nipples become chapped, or worse!
I personally never produced much milk, and was supplementing from the start. Try as I might it never got any better and after 4 weeks just switched her completely to formula. You would think this is where the pain ends. Nope! Even though I never produced much, when your boobs become what they call "engorged" it is terribly uncomfortable. For about 4 days after stopping the breastfeeding your boobs hurt and there is nothing you can really do about it!
4) Near the end of your pregnancy you can't wait until your body goes back to normal. You will be able to tie your own shoes, sleep comfortably, the perks are endless. Which is true, you are able to do all those things once you've had the baby. They just fail to mention that your stomach will be like a bowl of Jell-O that you carry around and almost have to shift around when you sit. I'm sure it depends on how much weight you put on while pregnant. I, myself put on 30 lbs, which is in the recommended range. I guess it's because your skin was stretched out and now you have too much of it. It was quite bothersome to me and wanted it gone ASAP. I'm at 10 weeks now and its still there a little bit but a lot better then it was. I recommend Palmers Firming Butter https://www.palmers.com/en/cocoa-butter-formula/27-firming-butter.html which can be found in Walmart for around $7.00. As well, once I hit my 6 week mark after the C-section I have been doing some exercises to help. I found the website http://www.fitpregnancy.com/exercise/postnatal-workouts/5-exercises-your-post-baby-belly and try to do some of them while my baby plays on her play mat.
4) They say that you will love your hair while pregnant. It's true, my hair has never been more healthy! Once again, they fail to mention that after baby you lose it. I'm not talking you no longer will have that great shine. You literally lose clumps of hair at a time about 6-8 weeks after you have the baby. It's disturbing! It is normal though, don't freak out and think there is something wrong. For some reason while pregnant your body holds onto hair rather than sheds it. This is your body letting all that extra hair go. My suggestion is to definitely buy a drain filter or be prepared to have your shower/bath drain plugged over and over again.
This is my insight to the dark side of pregnancy, not to deter you from having a baby but to make you more aware of what's to come. Take from it what you will.
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
My dislike for formula preparation
Right from the get go formula has been an enigma to me. When we went to the prenatal classes like the good little first time parents we were, they told us that you must put the formula in boiling water because the manufacturers can not give you a sterilized powder. Ok, easy enough. However, if you look on the can of formula or do any sort of research online it tells you not to do that. You are burning all the good nutrients that your baby requires. Ok, easy enough, I will cool the water down first. Delve into the search any further and you will find an ongoing feud as to whether you should pre-make bottles or not. Some say you only have an hour once you've put the powder in the water, others say 24 hours. This is where it things start getting tricky...
Option 1: You could pre-measure out your water and just add the powder just before you feed your baby. Trouble with this is that you're adding powder to room temp water and must shake the crap out of it. This causes bubbles in the milk which may or may not cause gas or spit up issues with your baby. Plus some babies will not drink room temp milk so you may possible have to warm it up.
Option 2: Add your formula to water that has been boiled and cooled and place in the fridge until needed. Trouble with this is that when your baby wakes up in the middle of the night and decides they are hungry here and now, you must stand there with this baby screaming and wait for some water to boil, then place the bottle in there and wait for it to warm up. All the while your baby is red in the face, you're part deaf from holding them while they scream, and anyone else in the house has no chance of having slept threw this.
Option 3: I have never personally tried this because I just learned of it. It is almost a combination of option 1 and 2. Pre-measure half the required water out and place in fridge until needed. When needed add boiled water for the remaining required water and add the powder. It is somewhat the happy-medium because you end up with semi-warm bottle in less time. However, you still have the issue of bubbles and you still need to stand there and wait for water to boil.
Now some say they use the microwave to warm everything up. Maybe this is where I am creating my own problems but I am not a fan of the thought of microwaving it. I am no conspiracy theorist and have not done a whole lot of research on microwaving food but it just doesn't jive with me. You risk the possibilities of hot spots plus you are messing with the molecules. Call me crazy but microwaving just isn't an option for me. Ask me again after a few more nights of a screaming baby and I might change my mind.
So lets throw it out to the universe, am I missing something? Is there an easier way that I just am not grasping in my sleepy stuper?
Option 1: You could pre-measure out your water and just add the powder just before you feed your baby. Trouble with this is that you're adding powder to room temp water and must shake the crap out of it. This causes bubbles in the milk which may or may not cause gas or spit up issues with your baby. Plus some babies will not drink room temp milk so you may possible have to warm it up.
Option 2: Add your formula to water that has been boiled and cooled and place in the fridge until needed. Trouble with this is that when your baby wakes up in the middle of the night and decides they are hungry here and now, you must stand there with this baby screaming and wait for some water to boil, then place the bottle in there and wait for it to warm up. All the while your baby is red in the face, you're part deaf from holding them while they scream, and anyone else in the house has no chance of having slept threw this.
Option 3: I have never personally tried this because I just learned of it. It is almost a combination of option 1 and 2. Pre-measure half the required water out and place in fridge until needed. When needed add boiled water for the remaining required water and add the powder. It is somewhat the happy-medium because you end up with semi-warm bottle in less time. However, you still have the issue of bubbles and you still need to stand there and wait for water to boil.
Now some say they use the microwave to warm everything up. Maybe this is where I am creating my own problems but I am not a fan of the thought of microwaving it. I am no conspiracy theorist and have not done a whole lot of research on microwaving food but it just doesn't jive with me. You risk the possibilities of hot spots plus you are messing with the molecules. Call me crazy but microwaving just isn't an option for me. Ask me again after a few more nights of a screaming baby and I might change my mind.
So lets throw it out to the universe, am I missing something? Is there an easier way that I just am not grasping in my sleepy stuper?
Monday, June 15, 2015
New mom syndrome
Throughout time new moms are most commonly known for one thing...worrying about everything! Rightfully so. We are thrown into a world so different from our everyday lives. Not to mention the weight of being able to keep this tiny human being alive.
I am one of those moms.
I worry about everything! Google everything! I'm not sure how the world of motherhood existed before the internet. Good or bad it will give you an answer, tons of answers actually. Which sometime will create this twisted vortex of having an array of answers to your question so you're really no better off than you were to begin with. However, most times it is of great assistance.
I am also a woman who likes to schedule. Probably relating back to my work life as a operations manager. Everything had its time and I liked to try to stick to it so I know how my day is going to go. In mommy world this is referred to as parent-led style as opposed to baby-led. With parent-led parenting you choose the schedule and you try to get baby to conform to it. Sometimes it works, and others it doesn't. You do need to be flexible about it. If baby says they're hungry you absolutely need to feed them. I love being on schedule but I'm not about to starve a baby..
So in this scenario this is where the internet was helpful, a website I have found in one of my multiple google scavanges is http://babysleepschedule.net/routine-samples/ . It breaks it down by age, ex. newborn, 6 weeks, 2 months etc. a general schedule you should try to keep your baby on. A 6 week old baby will not have the same schedule as a 2 month old. You are attempting to space out their feeding and naps as they get older, and this website helps you with that. I was lucky in that my baby was a pretty scheduled being right from the get go. She does not like her routine to be messed with a whole lot so we have had to change only gradually. From the day she was born she was fed every 3 hours. I started off breast feeding and supplementing with formula. I was only able to do that for 4 weeks until I switched completely to formula. No matter which, once 3 hours had passed my baby wanted to be fed! She is now 9 weeks old and we are only at 3 hours and 10 minutes between feedings! Not a lot of difference but its progress. As for sleeping we are currently on a schedule that looks like this:
7:00 - wake up
7:10 - eat
8:15 - nap
10:00 - wake up
10:10 - eat
11:15 - nap
1:15 wake up
1:25 - eat
2:30 - nap
4:30 - wake up
4:40 - eat
5:45 - nap
6:30 - wake up
7:00 - bath time routine
7:15 - eat
7:45 - bed time for the night
2:30 - eat
I have been lucky because my baby dropped her 10:00 PM feeding pretty quick. Perhaps that is why she is so rigid with her 3 hour feedings. They say you are suppose to try to give them most of their calories during the day so they can build up to eventually last the whole night without eating. However, if your baby is hungry around the 10 o'clock mark you will see on the website previously mentioned something called a dream feed. This is when you feed your baby without actually waking them. I attempt to do this at my 2:30 AM feedings and it works out for the most part. If you have to change them then the idea is usually out the window!
Now you may look at this and it appears to be pretty rigid and trust me, it feels that way too! Its hard to get a lot done when your day is broken up into essentially 1.5 hour time slots. This is what works for my baby though. She is overall a pretty happy baby, never gets too upset. Which I chalk up to the fact that she is never left until starving to be fed, never over-tired, and her diaper is changed routinely just before she goes down for her naps (with the exception of the poopy ones, they get changed immediately!). Like I said though, this is just what works for us.
So, whether you choose to go the route of parent-led style parenting or baby-led; it always boils down to what works for the two of you. Never feel bad if what's working for you is not what the websites are saying are right. You're the one who has to get you and your baby through the day alive!
I am one of those moms.
I worry about everything! Google everything! I'm not sure how the world of motherhood existed before the internet. Good or bad it will give you an answer, tons of answers actually. Which sometime will create this twisted vortex of having an array of answers to your question so you're really no better off than you were to begin with. However, most times it is of great assistance.
I am also a woman who likes to schedule. Probably relating back to my work life as a operations manager. Everything had its time and I liked to try to stick to it so I know how my day is going to go. In mommy world this is referred to as parent-led style as opposed to baby-led. With parent-led parenting you choose the schedule and you try to get baby to conform to it. Sometimes it works, and others it doesn't. You do need to be flexible about it. If baby says they're hungry you absolutely need to feed them. I love being on schedule but I'm not about to starve a baby..
So in this scenario this is where the internet was helpful, a website I have found in one of my multiple google scavanges is http://babysleepschedule.net/routine-samples/ . It breaks it down by age, ex. newborn, 6 weeks, 2 months etc. a general schedule you should try to keep your baby on. A 6 week old baby will not have the same schedule as a 2 month old. You are attempting to space out their feeding and naps as they get older, and this website helps you with that. I was lucky in that my baby was a pretty scheduled being right from the get go. She does not like her routine to be messed with a whole lot so we have had to change only gradually. From the day she was born she was fed every 3 hours. I started off breast feeding and supplementing with formula. I was only able to do that for 4 weeks until I switched completely to formula. No matter which, once 3 hours had passed my baby wanted to be fed! She is now 9 weeks old and we are only at 3 hours and 10 minutes between feedings! Not a lot of difference but its progress. As for sleeping we are currently on a schedule that looks like this:
7:00 - wake up
7:10 - eat
8:15 - nap
10:00 - wake up
10:10 - eat
11:15 - nap
1:15 wake up
1:25 - eat
2:30 - nap
4:30 - wake up
4:40 - eat
5:45 - nap
6:30 - wake up
7:00 - bath time routine
7:15 - eat
7:45 - bed time for the night
2:30 - eat
I have been lucky because my baby dropped her 10:00 PM feeding pretty quick. Perhaps that is why she is so rigid with her 3 hour feedings. They say you are suppose to try to give them most of their calories during the day so they can build up to eventually last the whole night without eating. However, if your baby is hungry around the 10 o'clock mark you will see on the website previously mentioned something called a dream feed. This is when you feed your baby without actually waking them. I attempt to do this at my 2:30 AM feedings and it works out for the most part. If you have to change them then the idea is usually out the window!
Now you may look at this and it appears to be pretty rigid and trust me, it feels that way too! Its hard to get a lot done when your day is broken up into essentially 1.5 hour time slots. This is what works for my baby though. She is overall a pretty happy baby, never gets too upset. Which I chalk up to the fact that she is never left until starving to be fed, never over-tired, and her diaper is changed routinely just before she goes down for her naps (with the exception of the poopy ones, they get changed immediately!). Like I said though, this is just what works for us.
So, whether you choose to go the route of parent-led style parenting or baby-led; it always boils down to what works for the two of you. Never feel bad if what's working for you is not what the websites are saying are right. You're the one who has to get you and your baby through the day alive!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)