More FTM Questions...

[requiressnacks]

Google is overwhelming...can you help me with these lame FTM questions? Also, if anyone else has questions, feel free to ask away.

1. Is there an easy way to clean a baby's neck? My girl has lots o' rolls that trap formula. It's a struggle to keep clean.

2. When do I have to start buckling the babies into things like swings, rockers and bouncers? FFFC: I haven't buckled them into anything yet because they don't move.

3. When should I give this blanket/animal thing to a baby? I received a bunch of them and I want to make sure they get used.

[Lucy]

I use bibs when she's eating and hope for the best. It still requires a daily washing and I try to make sure her neck gets dried off after each feeding.

I start buckling once they're moving enough to warrant it. It definitely needs to be done once they're trying to sit up or roll. Until then I don't bother. I even took the straps off of the swing because they were in the way since we aren't using them right now. I'll put them back when I need to.

My kids never cared for the lovey blanket toys. They were always the most ignored. I guess they're good to pull out once they start grabbing/holding things. Until then there isn't much to do with them.

[littlelion]

requiressnacks
1. I'd use bibs when feeding. And use baby wipes to clean up.
2. Each baby is different. Alex already stiffens up and kicks a lot so I've been buckling him in the swings. He's 7 wks.
3. No opinion, ds1 didn't have these. He never got into any type of stuffed animal. Alex has the sofi giraffe.

[mrswillie]

1. I use the bib or spit cloth. If it's really bad, I'll use a wipe. Otherwise during bath once a week.

2. Y'all are giving me anxiety with this one! I buckled into swing and bouncy seat right away with all 3. I guess you don't know they've started moving until they do and then it could be too late? Mine were all wigglers and I could see them sliding right out of the bouncy.

3. I sometimes put it on him like a little blanket. He's started batting and grabbing some things so I figured he might like it. Meh.

[mrsp121308]

1. Hazel takes a shower every night because she spits up a lot and gets smelly. If we don't do a shower one night, I just use a wipe in her neck roll.

2. She's a leg stretcher/kicker so she's already wiggling herself around in her swing, so we generally buckle her if she's in it for more than a minute or two.

3. We had some with the older girls and I just left them with all their other toys. When they were bigger then they could choose it if they wanted.

[requiressnacks]

Jan 19, 2017 23:08:47 GMT -5 mrswillie said:

1. I use the bib or spit cloth. If it's really bad, I'll use a wipe. Otherwise during bath once a week.

2. Y'all are giving me anxiety with this one! I buckled into swing and bouncy seat right away with all 3. I guess you don't know they've started moving until they do and then it could be too late? Mine were all wigglers and I could see them sliding right out of the bouncy.

3. I sometimes put it on him like a little blanket. He's started batting and grabbing some things so I figured he might like it. Meh.

I was thinking that too. Like, I won't know if they are ready to slide out of the bouncer until it happens. If I'm using it on the floor then NBD, but I use it a lot on the kitchen counter. So....

[requiressnacks]

Jan 20, 2017 7:10:35 GMT -5 crimpgirl said:

Weird FTM question:

Is it concerning that R doesn't have a toe nail on each toe?

I'm assuming they will grow in??

I just noticed the other day

No answers, but +1 to this. The pinkie toes don't really have a nail.

[requiressnacks]

mrsp121308....how do you shower baby? I'm still doing the baby bath in the tub so I'm curious.

[mrsp121308]

Jan 20, 2017 7:59:29 GMT -5 requiressnacks said:

mrsp121308....how do you shower baby? I'm still doing the baby bath in the tub so I'm curious.

I just sit in the tub with the shower running on us. Then I lay her face to my chest to wash her back, rinse, then flip her over to wash her front.

[Lucy]

Cora's bouncer is on the table. I buckle her in that one if it's more than a few seconds. She hates all of her seats though, so she's never in them long.

She has 6 seats in this house that are all her own and she hates every single one of them. I'm reminded of the wasted money every time I trip over one of them.

Stupid Rock n Play...

[requiressnacks]

Jan 20, 2017 8:58:01 GMT -5 Lucy said:

Cora's bouncer is on the table. I buckle her in that one if it's more than a few seconds. She hates all of her seats though, so she's never in them long.

She has 6 seats in this house that are all her own and she hates every single one of them. I'm reminded of the wasted money every time I trip over one of them.

Stupid Rock n Play...

Damn! Even the Rock n Play?! You must be super comfy.

[lola]

We have weird toenails over here too. Haven't had to cut them yet. They don't grow as fast as her razor claws apparently.

We buckle her into the Mamaroo because it's more shallow and I could easily see her sliding out. She pushes a lot with her legs. The RNP is a lot deeper, so I don't worry about that one right now.

We don't bathe every day, or even every other day, but I'll use a baby wipe in between if her neck gets funky.

No loveys for us yet, but we'll try a few when she gets older. You ever know what they'll get attached to.

[lastnamewithheld]

DS's toenails are kind of funny too... I just ignore them and hope they straighten themselves out before I have to try and cut them lol.

I haven't used my buckles either, but I think the mamaroo will be the first because he rutches himself down when he gets worked up.

AND I made this cloth wipe spray (which is essentially baby oil, baby wash and water--shake it up and spray it on a flannel square or washcloth) to use along with cloth diapers (but CD isn't working out for us right now...) BUT I use that spray and wipe for DS's neck and diaper area on the days we don't do a bath.

[Lucy]

Jan 20, 2017 9:27:22 GMT -5 requiressnacks said:

Jan 20, 2017 8:58:01 GMT -5 Lucy said:

Cora's bouncer is on the table. I buckle her in that one if it's more than a few seconds. She hates all of her seats though, so she's never in them long.

She has 6 seats in this house that are all her own and she hates every single one of them. I'm reminded of the wasted money every time I trip over one of them.

Stupid Rock n Play...

Damn! Even the Rock n Play?! You must be super comfy.

I'd heard it was the baby crack chair. I'm so disappointed.

[babycowbell]

I have a couple FTM questions I thought I'd throw out here if I can. We're traveling by plane when LO is two months. We plan to have stroller and car seat to check at the gate and bring a wrap to wear her when we're allowed to on the plane. Any pro tips in general for travel at this age?

Our car seat has a base we'll need to bring to use when we get to our destination. Does that get checked at the gate or am I supposed to pack it in my luggage?

What's the best way to heat a bottle on the plane? Or is that not a thing?

I pump once per day to get about six ounces to bottle feed throughout the day when she's especially hungry. Sounds like a lot of stuff to also bring a pump. Are the manual pumps a reasonable way to pump 6oz once per day?

Thanks in advance!

[lola]

I think it depends on how you produce and how well you respond to pumping. I have a really strong letdown and sometimes overproduce, and I have a manual pump (Medela) that I use if I need to take the edge off without getting out the electric pump. It works well for me, and would obviously be easier to transport.

[requiressnacks]

Just for everyone's awareness.....olive oil worked amazing on DS's dry skin on his scalp. I am actually shocked.

Eta....and I now see that I didn't ask that question here. Oh well.

[mrsp121308]

babycowbell, I don't recommend checking your car seat, most studies show that equivalent to damage done during a car wreck. I know a lot of people do, I just wouldn't personally. I've gate checked our stroller though without any issues.

Unless LO is one who refuses to eat unless it's warm, I wouldn't worry about it. Otherwise, I'm sure you can ask for a cup of hot water, just explain its to warm a bottle.

I don't love to use a manual pump so I would just probably pack my normal pump. It's really not that bad to travel with.

[babycowbell]

Jan 23, 2017 18:17:57 GMT -5 @kc295905 said:

babycowbell I've never flown with an infant so no advice there.

I never had luck with a manual pump but they're fairly cheap if you want to try out. Are you nursing too? You can warm bm in a cup of warm water, I'm assuming formula would work the same? you could also try to hand express at least a few oz.

Thanks for the input! I'm nursing, so maybe I won't need to use a bottle on the plane, the bottle with pumped milk has become more of a security blanket for me than an actual necessity most days.

[mrswillie]

Jan 23, 2017 16:58:33 GMT -5 babycowbell said:

I have a couple FTM questions I thought I'd throw out here if I can. We're traveling by plane when LO is two months. We plan to have stroller and car seat to check at the gate and bring a wrap to wear her when we're allowed to on the plane. Any pro tips in general for travel at this age?

Our car seat has a base we'll need to bring to use when we get to our destination. Does that get checked at the gate or am I supposed to pack it in my luggage?

What's the best way to heat a bottle on the plane? Or is that not a thing?

I pump once per day to get about six ounces to bottle feed throughout the day when she's especially hungry. Sounds like a lot of stuff to also bring a pump. Are the manual pumps a reasonable way to pump 6oz once per day?

Thanks in advance!

We just flew with all 3 LO's. DS3 is 7 weeks. He did awesome. He slept most of the flight each way. Depending on what airline, they'll let you bring the car seat on the plane for free if it's not a full flight. Southwest does. Of that doesn't work out, you can wear her in the wrap, just not for takeoff and landing. Try to change her diaper as close to getting on the flight as you can. They never took the fasten seatbelt sign off on either flight due to turbulence, so there was no bathroom trips. Also, there was no cabin service which leads to your next question.

The bm can stay at "room temp" for however many hours. Not sure how early you have to leave to get to the airport or how long your flight is. Perhaps bring in an insulated bag (can you bring ice packs on?? Idk) and take out so it's not too cold if you know approximately what time she'll want to eat. I suppose you could always ask for a cup of hot water, but again, if they ended up having to suspend cabin service, then that's not happening.

I know a lot of ladies say they like the manual pump for things such as that, but I have no personal experience. I brought my electric pump with me. It want too awful to pack.

I'm exhausted right now, but I'll see what else I can think of for travel tips.

- You can wear baby through security, which I always do. So much easier.

- Your stroller will most likely have to go through the x-ray machine unless it's really big and doesn't fit. It lasts come off (like on the City Select), you'll need to remove all parts you can (like seats) to put through.

- If you bring any bottles, diaper cream, formula, wipes, liquid anything, etc... have them near the top of the diaper bag or take them out and put in a bin because they WILL inspect ALL of them.

[Lucy]

Jan 23, 2017 19:39:43 GMT -5 requiressnacks said:

Just for everyone's awareness.....olive oil worked amazing on DS's dry skin on his scalp. I am actually shocked.

Eta....and I now see that I didn't ask that question here. Oh well.

Jojoba oil is awesome too on dry scalps and cradle cap. I even use it on my face when it's really dry. 

[babycowbell]

Thank you mrswillie! Great tips!

[lastnamewithheld]

Jan 23, 2017 19:39:43 GMT -5 requiressnacks said:

Just for everyone's awareness.....olive oil worked amazing on DS's dry skin on his scalp. I am actually shocked.

Eta....and I now see that I didn't ask that question here. Oh well.

I just gave DS a bath two nights ago and went to dry off his hair and OMG the skin flakes.

Olive oil. Noted. Thanks