drnewmom's comments

Bedtime With Baby - Blog Entry

05 Feb 2010 01:43 PM

I thought that may be the case, but I didn't want to ramble if it wasn't...

My son spent his first 4 months in the NICU and was tending to late nap, late to bed and I was usually tired enough to go to bed at the same time.

One thing that did work to settle him, even in the NICU, was a crib-side CD player with soothing music. I still put some tunes on when he goes to bed (and he's 23 months). Perhaps your daughter would find something like that soothing enough to keep her calm once your hand leaves her.

Addressing how long to cry (and I didn't "let" my son cry until he was well over a year and in his own room) ... I started with following the usual bed time routine and then leaving the room. Most of the time, he'd cry for 5 minutes or less, but if I knew he was really tired and fighting it, I rarely waited 10 minutes and he'd pass out. Plus, he cries differently depending on needs and wants ...

There is no one thing that works for everyone all the time ... I think following one's mommy(daddy) instincts (while taking care of herself, too) is important.

Bedtime With Baby - Blog Entry

04 Feb 2010 09:17 PM

Why even pick up the baby? I co-slept with my son until he outgrew the co-sleeper. If he fussed after bedtime, it usually only took me placing my hand on him to reassure him of my presence. If that wasn't enough, I would lift him up onto the bed and hold him on my chest. Save for a soiled diaper or a hungry baby, I cannot recall having to actually get up out of bed.

For young babies, it just doesn't make sense for them to be expected to adhere to a schedule and left to soothe themselves.

Do You Expect TV To Make Your Baby Smarter? - Blog Entry

26 Oct 2009 12:45 PM

I received all our BE DVDs as gifts. Even if I hadn't, I wouldn't be clamoring for my refund. I would never expect TV to teach a baby anything, especially without interaction from adults or older siblings. I think TV can be entertaining to little ones, but NOT educational.

I actually call our BE collection "baby crack" because my guy will stop whatever he is doing and watch it. I rarely have it on and try to reserve it for when I really think he needs to sleep but won't stop long enough to do so. I put him in the swing with BE on and he watches it a bit then falls asleep. He is clearly drawn to it compared to just regular TV, but I believe it is simply entertainment.

What's Wrong With the Rear-Facing Position? - Blog Entry

15 Sep 2009 11:17 AM

Oh, your seat seems to have the strap higher and probably easier to pull to tighten...

What's Wrong With the Rear-Facing Position? - Blog Entry

15 Sep 2009 11:17 AM

All are made by Cosco, an alpha-omega and a scenera are what we're using now. My problem is pulling the strap that tightens the harness around him. The toggle where the strap comes out of the carseat is tightly wedged between it and the vehicle's seat back. I cannot pull it down to get the straps snug b/c I can't pull down into that tight space, while any upwards force seems to "lock" the toggle switch and then it won't pull at all. Does that make sense?

What's Wrong With the Rear-Facing Position? - Blog Entry

14 Sep 2009 01:57 PM

I have read the reasons to keep them rear-facing and my biggest trouble is this: how the heck does one tighten the straps on a rear-facing toddler (convertible) seat? I have 3 different ones and cannot get it (and I'm a patient woman). The toggle is so far in the crease between the car seat and the car's seat back that it is nearly impossible to pull the strap down to snug it on the child (loose + rear-facing probably defeats the point). Anyhow, I have even called the company that says their seats are rear-facing to ask for tips, they were NO help! For now, I keep the straps snug and just work his arms through, but that's not going to work with winter layers!!

Anybody figure out how to get them to work?

Parents and Public Restroom Problems - Blog Entry

14 Jul 2009 06:08 AM

Sounds like the guard was on a power trip and had no children in his life (nieces, nephews, etc... included).

Parents in Denial: Pool Pregnancy - Blog Entry

14 Jul 2009 06:01 AM

She's obviously NOT had the "where babies come from" talk with her daughter ... if she had, she'd know better about the pool and her daughter would've been more prepared to protect herself during the secret "interlude".

Bad Dad: Sick, Stupid or Just a Jerk - Blog Entry

18 May 2009 05:00 AM

This guy is an @ss! Maybe someone can expand the collar so the prongs on the "correction device" are on a very sensitive place on his body. Then someone could randomly shock him and watch him jump REALLY high, just for fun. Seriously, that type of random "punishment" has to be the most psychologically damaging b/c the kids would not know when to expect it (or what to do to avoid it)--no wonder they were so terrified. UGH! All I can say is what an @ss!

Sick Kids Should Stay Home - Blog Entry

15 May 2009 01:12 PM

This goes up there with people who themselves are sick should not come to work. Yes, we all have immune systems and we all have to fight infections sometimes (children included). HOWEVER, it is RUDE and INCONSIDERATE for people to knowingly spread their cold and flu bugs!