Today Avery is 1/2 way to one year old. Looking at the 6 month milestone in this way really makes you feel how quickly time is passing.
In many ways I feel like he was just born (many thanks to being holed up in this eternal winter), but when I really step back and look, the evolution of these 6 months hits, and it is bitter-sweet. Our family dynamic has changed in ways I would have never imagined.
We are all crazy about this boy and have naturally come to care for him as a “team”. If I am cooking dinner and the baby starts cranking, one of the kids without hesitation runs to his side to entertain him– and to Avery, there is NO ONE on this planet funnier than his siblings.
It stops me in my tracks every time, and if I could bottle up those moments, I would.
It’s funny. When James and I announced we were having our 3rd, we were met with many congratulations, of course but also many different follow-up reactions– from “was this planned?” to “Is this an April fools joke?” to the stunned….”WOW. 3 kids”– to which I answer yes, no and yep!
It seems as though today 3 is the number where your family officially becomes a “crew”. Walking into stores with 3 kids, receives a much different reaction than 2– sometimes its an “oh, no… 3 kids brace yourselves, people” and other times people are falling over themselves to help me juggle my troop. Both reactions strike me as odd, because with my troop, I’ve never felt more comfortable and confident as a Mom.
One would assume that a third child would bring on more more craziness, and while it certainly has its moments, this little boy has brought on a calmness amongst the chaos for all of us that I can’t fully explain.
With our first, I was overwhelmed. His firsts will always be our firsts as parents and not knowing if you’re screwing it up can be scary. With the second, juggling multiple kids made me anxious and I always felt like I was falling short. After both, I struggled to re-find myself in this role of Mom. But somehow, as odd as it sounds, the third just feels at home- like we are exactly where we are suppose to be.
I always felt our family unit was close, but somehow with the addition of this little man we feel closer.
Mother’s often speak about that feeling of being “done”; that feeling of knowing your family is complete. I could never really say that I understood that feeling, not even right after Avery was born– but I’m thinking maybe this is it. Our final puzzle piece.
Happy 6 Months, my little Avs Babes! Cannot wait to see what the rest of your first year holds.
{Sidenote: These BFF shirts are from Indienook. Aren’t they the cutest?? I’ve been holding on to them, waiting to take pics for over a month now. Love, love, love.}
When Avery was 5 months old, James and I spent 2 weeks straight co-zombing in the wee hours of the night because Avery was on a 90 minute snack-n-sleep routine. The happiest baby on the block, but not solid sleeper.
I found myself Googling for books to get babies to sleep. As ridiculous as it sounds, as a mother of 3 , for some reason this felt embarrassing, like I hadn’t learned anything from my previous two. I mean we dealt with broken sleep before. Ryan wasn’t a great sleeper. Ok. He was a HORRIBLE sleeper. He fussed and fought sleep every night until he was 3 years old (not kidding). But this felt so much was different (or so it seemed in hindsight). His waking every 90 minutes for a 10 minute snack-n-sleep seems torturous when we were juggling three all day. He didn’t sleep any better when co-sleeping. We were failing time and again at crying-it-out because we were exhausted and just trying desperately to get some sort of sleep. We were in a vicious cycle. So what’s an exhausted Mama to do? Tweet, Google and Tweet some more. I found a few books through Google searches and Twitter conversation. Everything had mixed reviews, so I compiled a handy dandy list to break-ka, break-ka it all down! If you aren’t sure where you fall when it comes to crying it out, this article does a great job of breaking down different views of crying it out and No-Tear methods of sleep training. Deciding which of these types of sleep-training you feel is best for you and your baby is the best place to start before choosing a book to work with.
I figured why not hop right into the most controversial method?
The Method + Pros:
Strict regimented routine training babies cycle eating, playing and sleeping every few hours.
Cons:
Many believe it can deprive baby of nutrients by holding off feeding them if they are hungry and negatively affect growth. My two cents– for what it’s worth: Let me start with, I have never read this book. Based on what I’ve read about this method, I can see how this method could be challenging for breastfed babies who require a feed-on-demand schedule. However, for bottle-fed babies, my pediatricians always recommended feeding schedules of every 3 hours or so. If the baby seemed hungry, they recommended feeding them more at feeding times to get them to hold out a little longer. There’s An App For That! If you are still curious about Baby Wise Sleep Training, there’s an app you can check out the Baby Wise Nap App.
Sleep training is only a portion of this book. It also discusses things like feeding solids, behavioral problems, toilet training. The Baby Whisperer focuses on answering questions to find what your baby’s needs are at any given point.
The Method + Pros:
Crying it out is tough and though sometimes effective, it is not for everyone. The Baby Whisperer is anti- CIO (cry it out). She recommends things like putting your baby down when they’re drowsy instead of when they are already sleeping, comforting them when they’re crying and not allowing the baby to stay up too long between nap times.
Con:
Not many to be found, though this might be challenging for babies who truly fight sleep.
Many, many parents have had success with this method, as controversial as it is. While the method takes steps to prepare the baby to sleep-including night-time rituals, it is possibly most well-known for “Crying It Out”. At bedtime, Ferber advises to leave the child in bed and leave the room and return at increasing intervals of time to comfort the baby– without ever picking them up.
Con:
Those opposed to crying it out fear this method can cause separation anxiety and stress for the baby.
Known for the 5 S’s to recreate the conditions of the womb: Swaddling, Side or Stomach positioning, Shushing, Swinging And Sucking, this method is all about soothing the baby to sleep and is best implemented with newborns.
Con:
May not be effective for older babies (months old).
Gentle no-tears approach. This book has a 6 phase method to get babies to sleep in their crib and recommends things like rocking to sleep, responding immediately when they cry and keeping logs of sleep and awake time.
Cons:
Some argue it is not effective for their strong willed sleep-fighters.
After you skim through this list and make your choice, I personally recommend checking their availability on Audible because if you are as tired as I was/am (because yea I’m still navigating), you’ll barely make it through a chapter without passing out. Right now I am barely making it through this blog po…. {Zzzz…}
Choosing how to feed your baby is one of the very first decisions a parent will make when their baby arrives. While there is absolutely no argument over the many benefits of breastfeeding, it is equally important for Moms to know that they have a choice, should breastfeeding not work out for them. And perhaps more importantly, that they do not have to feel guilty about it.
5 Tips For Formula Feeding: Sometimes it’s not about whats better or worse, but what works.
My Almost-Breastfeeding Story
9 years ago, when I was having my first baby, breastfeeding was my first choice. I did not second guess it. But when my son arrived, my body had other plans. I was not producing enough milk, no matter how often I pumped or what foods I ate. For the first few weeks I split between breast and bottle feeding, hoping that soon my milk would increase. And then I was hit with an infection, setting back my recovery from my emergency c-section weeks! This was not the plan. I began to feel guilty about my milk production (even though I had no control over it), guilty about leaning on others to help with the baby when I was in pain, or exhausted (when I should have been thankful). 3 weeks in to this Motherhood gig– I was both physically and emotionally spent– already feeling like I was failing somehow. I had a bout with postpartum depression. It was a rough time and moreover, it was the exact opposite of how I envisioned how my introduction to motherhood would to go.
[Tweet “Our introduction to motherhood can be the exact opposite of how we envisioned it. “]
When my second and third child arrived, I remembered my experience and weighed it out again, this time with sibling juggling added into the equation. I could have tried again. Maybe it would have been different. However we ultimately decided (this time with more confidence) that for our family as a whole, it was best to bottle feed with Similac for a second and third time.
Changing The Conversation
Stories like mine are not heard often enough. Sometimesit is not about which is better – bottle or breast feeding– but what works. And no matter the choice, none of us are any better or worse of a Mom. I am a believer that as Moms, we all just want to feed our babies the best we can– guilt free. And so it is this reason that I am proud to be partnering with Similac to bring you a series of post to educate, support and provide tips for new parents.
[Tweet “Sometimes it is not about which is better – bottle or breast feeding– but what works.”]
Statistics show that like me, many Moms plan on breastfeeding but for a variety of reasons, need or choose to introduce formula at some point in their babies’ lives. However, picking the right formula for your baby can be confusing. The amount of options, along with your baby’s specific needs, are factors that can be overwhelming when looking for formula. Here are 5 tips from Nationally-syndicated pediatrician Dr. Sue Hubbard, “The Kid’s Doctor,” to help parents who have decide to formula feed, find a formula that works best for their family.
5 Tips For Choosing The Right Formula For Your Baby
Figure out your lifestyle needs and which form of formula will support them: Infant formula generally comes in a variety of forms, and figuring out which one works best for you depends on a few factors.
Understand the ingredients: While the FDA regulates all infant formula, that doesn’t mean that all brands are the same. Understanding the makeup of infant formula will help you select a brand that is best for your family.
Be mindful of your water source: The type of water you have access to may affect the type of formula you want to use.
Watch and learn: The best way to know if a formula is right for your baby may be easier than you think.
Consider your baby’s age: As babies grow and solid foods are introduced, consider a formula designed for older babies.
Disclosure: Similac is a paid sponsor of ComplicatedMama.com All opinions expressed are my own.
Binky, Nip-nip, plugger–whatever term of endearment you may have for them– there is no denying that pacifiers have long been a newborn/baby staple. Registering for pacifiers can be a bit challenging because you never know which your child will take to. My second child actually did not take to them at all. She was a thumb baby from weeks old. Still you want to have one or two hand, just in case!
Avery, now 9 months old has not been a huge pacifier baby during his waking hours, however when he is tired, a pacifier and a small plush lovey blanket has always helped him nod off to dream land.
The pairing slowly started to become his creature comfort, but when you’re on-the-go it’s easy to forget, misplace or lose one … or… both –{GASP!!} and admittedly, I’ve done both– often.
This month we were introduced to the WubbaNub, a cuddly plush animal (much like his lovey) which is attached to a BPA-free pacifier, that is identical to the one we received in the hospital (and have been using since).
Avery took to it like a duck to water. For him, it is the perfect combo of his blanket and pacifier and he has been napping while we are out without a problem ever since (and that my friends, is always a beautiful thing).
Why I love it
The Wubbanub is specially awesome because the plush toy attachment makes it much easier for little baby hands to grip, and makes a pacifier much harder to misplace. If you’ve ever realized you misplaced or lost a pacifier, with a crying baby in your arms, you know exactly the panic I speak of. In fact, I will venture to say that you even got a little anxious just thinking about a time you’ve been in that situation. The stress is REAL, you guys.
The Wubbanub solves all that and they are easily washable with soap and water.
There are a whole slew of different adorable plush friends to choose from.
Here is just a sampling:
I mean, how cute is this dinosaur?
You can easily find WubbaNubs at BuyBuyBaby, Babies R Us, Walgreens, etc. for $12.99
(Oh, and I always recommend buying two or more of any creature comfort. So if it becomes your baby’s nap-time must have, it is definitely worth investing in a few back ups– Just in case!)
Poll: How many of you are guilty of consulting Dr. Google for a variety of ailments you or your family are experiencing?
I know that I am guilty of this more than I’d like to admit, even though I KNOW I’m not *always* getting the most accurate diagnosis OR advice AND it will likely end up inducing a panic attack.
We are only human.
This year, I partnered with Similac to share some tips and advice for new Moms. And when it comes to consulting Dr. Google, let’s be honest… parents with newborns always have a list of questions just waiting to be typed into their search bar.
GAH!!! But,… the internet. It’s so close… and our pediatrician isn’t into receiving text messages at 2am when our little one seems gassy. I need answers…. and sleep.
I hear you, sista! YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
Parents confessed some of their most memorable online nutrition related searches to Similac this year and then enlisted Dr. Sue Hubbard, pediatrician and columnist for “The Kid’s Doctor,” to provide answers.
If you have specific questions, you should of course talk with your baby’s doctor, but I think some of these questions may sound very familiar…
And confession?I searched some these with my 3rd, you guys! Not kidding.
credit: pfly/flickr
DIGESTIVE PROBLEMS
Q: What can I do to ease my baby’s digestive problems?
A: Many babies are gassy and intermittently fussy during the first two months of life as their GI tract is immature, but over time their tummies mature. Although parents want to “solve the gassy problem” it may take a bit of time and patience to find an answer. Sometimes, a change in what a mother may be eating, if breastfeeding, or a change in formula for a few months can be helpful. For extremely fussy and gassy babies there are different formulas to try that are lower in lactose, such as Similac Sensitive. For infants with frequent spit-up, formula with added rice starch, like Similac For Spit-Up, may help thicken the feeding and reduce instances of spit up.
FEEDING ROUTINES
Q: How can I create and stick to a feeding routine that will work for my baby?
A: Whether breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, babies needs time to settle into their own rhythm of eating. Flexibility will be key to your feeding success for the first few months, but there are a few things you can do to coax your baby into a feeding schedule. Newborns need to eat every two hours or so, and feeding on-demand is most appropriate during the first month of life. Some newborns take longer to eat, while others feed for shorter periods of time more frequently. To help establish and stick to a schedule, do your best to time feedings consistently; providing a consistent atmosphere also helps your baby learn when it is feeding time.
SUPPLMENTATION
Q: How do I supplement with or introduce my baby to formula?
A: When breastfeeding, some moms may need or want to supplement their baby with formula. This may be due to low milk production, returning to work or just to have the option. There is no right or wrong way to supplement, it’s really what works best for the mom and baby. The first decision you’ll have to make is which formula you want to use: ready-to-feed, concentrated liquid or powder. Also, you may have to help your baby adjust to the taste of formula. One tip is to mix some of your pumped breast milk with the already-prepared formula. Just make sure that you don’t use breast milk in place of water and always follow the package directions when preparing formula. Also, it is perfectly safe to offer breast milk at some feedings and formula at others.
BOTTLE FEEDING
Q: When and how should I introduce my baby to a bottle and how do I pick the right bottle?
A: If you choose to introduce your baby to a bottle, a slow transition will help prevent the uncomfortable engorgement that can result when a mom discontinues breastfeeding or introduces bottle feeding. If a mom is planning to return to work in two weeks, and will miss two feedings a day, she should introduce her baby to formula two weeks in advance. Before offering the first bottle of formula, she should start with breast milk in a bottle. This will help the baby adjust to the shape of an artificial nipple before adjusting to the taste of formula.
Picking a bottle to use can be a daunting task since there are many options now. Most of my patients use plastic bottles – they should all be BPA free (you can look on the label). Start off with 4-ounce bottles as they are the right size for a newborn. As your baby grows and begins to consume a larger amount of breast milk or formula you may want to get 8-ounce bottles. Testing and learning can be the best way to find a bottle that works best for you and your baby. Find a bottle that is easy for you to use; the less assembly the better. Try one or two in varying shapes and sizes the beginning and go from there. You may have to try a few bottle or nipples before finding what works best for your baby.
SOLID FOODS
Q: When and how should I introduce and transition my baby to solid foods?
A: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of your baby’s life; breastfeeding in combination with solid foods through at least 12 months; and continued breastfeeding thereafter for as long as mutually desired by mother and baby.
The AAP also recommends that infants begin eating solid foods at around six months of age. This is the opportune time as you will notice your baby has become interested in the food you are eating (watch them open their mouths when you do) and at the same time a baby is just starting to sit up which makes it easy to start spoon feeding. I typically start with infant cereal, which is iron fortified. Spoon feeding is initially about teaching your baby to put the spoon into their mouth and to begin experiencing new textures. Once your baby is enjoying spoon feeding it is easy to start adding pureed vegies, fruits and meats. The most important point about spoon feeding is that babies will typically eat almost any pureed or “mushy” food that they are offered, so now is the time to start healthy eating habits with a diversity of foods. Don’t be afraid to try new foods (kale, avocado, apricots, prunes), even things that you may not typically eat. As you do this, be sure to wait 3-5 days between introducing new foods so that you can observe any potential reactions to foods. Your baby will continue to have breast milk or formula as well as pureed foods at breakfast, lunch and dinner time. When you first start your baby on foods you will not notice much of a change in the volume of their milk intake, but over several months, as they are eating a “meal” with meats, vegies and fruits you will see that they begin taking less formula or breast milk.
If formula feeding while introducing solids, parents can look for a formula geared specifically for older babies. For instance, Similac Advance Stage 2, for babies 6-12 months old has additional protein, vitamin C and calcium to complement baby’s diet to support their growth and development.
HUNGER
Q: What are the signs that my baby is eating enough?
A: Follow your baby’s lead and feed when he or she naturally wants to eat, paying careful attention for any hunger cues — rooting for milk, sucking motions, or putting hands to mouth. Crying is a late sign of hunger, and might be a signal for something else. Here are some signs to look out for:
Number of wet diapers a baby produces: Six to eight wet diapers and one or two passed stools per day are signs that your baby is eating enough. Your baby might be dehydrated or constipated if you are changing diapers less frequently. Contact your pediatrician if a major change in the baby’s eating habits and/or digestion occur.
Weight gain: If your baby is feeding enough, he or she should gain a small amount of weight each week. Keep in mind that babies gain weight and develop at different rates and parents should consult with the baby’s pediatrician to determine what is healthy.
Disclosure: Similac is a paid sponsor of Complicated Mama. As always, we only partner with brands we truly believe in. All three of our kids were fed Similac as infants. You can readour story here.
When your one of your best friends announce that they are embarking on motherhood for the very first time, the excitement is hardly containable.
A few months ago, my best friend, Amy, called to tell me she and her fiancé were expecting this summer. I think I must have pierced her ear with my squeals of excitement. Having just “wrapped up” my very-last-pregnancy-ever (*tear*), I had so much I wanted to gab about with her… maternity clothes, cravings, …. the baby shower!
After attending multiple showers, we all get a feel for what works and what doesn’t.
So while her Mom did the actual party planning, with countless baby showers under our belts, our small group of friends served as an advisory board of sorts, giving input when needed and pitching in with some of the details.
This past weekend was the big celebration and it went off with out a hitch. It truly was a special moment to see this next chapter just beginning for her.
1. Create a group Pinterest board. Pinterest is the perfect go-to-place to brainstorm and collect ideas for planning a shower. Little details like invitations and decorations can set the tone and make an event really standout. Create a collective board with the mom-to-be to determine the perfect theme and collect unique party ideas.
Amy’s Mom made these centerpieces. How cute is she, typing up each place card- with a REAL typewriter? LOVE.
Amy’s Mom made these centerpieces. How cute is she, typing up each place card- with a REAL typewriter? LOVE.
2. Assign a Mistress of Games. For Amy’s shower, this was me. So this bullet point is probably going to be the most lengthy. It’s a given that games and baby showers go hand in hand, but it can be a slippery slope trying to find a happy medium between entertaining and, well… silly (I’m looking at you, “guess the smushed candy bar in the diaper” game). Of course, there are some who love the silly games, and I am not an expert by any means– but I do recommend trying to avoid having the games involving sniffing, tasting, blindfolds or measuring tape (hello, worst game ever!) of any kind.
Here are my gaming recommendations:
Baby BINGO. It’s a no brainer, sort of a baby shower staple and super, super easy. You can easily find printables online or purchase premade ones online. Baby Bingo is also great to keep guests engaged in the sometimes very long gift opening process. My tips:Don’t assume everyone knows how to play (I accidentally did this, whoops!), and be sure to explain the rules before the first gift is opened. Also, plan for at least 5 winners. This keeps the game going longer.
Paper Games. By paper games, I’m talking word jumbles, word searches and quizzes. With Baby Bingo, 2 of these additional paper games are perfect. If you are looking for some unique baby shower games, there are a ton of options out there (again, I suggest Pin em!). The alternative book title game was a hit at Amy’s shower.
Daddy Knows Best. It’s nice to involve the Dad to be in some way. Quiz the dad-to-be with questions like the ones below and throughout the party have people at different tables ask the mom-to-be to guess his answer.
Before starting the game, give guests a paper slip to guess how many of his answers the mom-to-be will get right. The person who guessed correctly gets a prize.
If you are ambitious and crafty, this would be extra fun with a tally board at the front of the room so everyone can see how the game is progressing.
3. Assign a Photographer-Friend. Hand off the camera duties to someone you know will capture the day perfectly. They don’t have to be a pro, just someone who is dedicated and familiar with the camera you’re using. By designating this responsibility, you do not have to worry about missing any special shots. In our case, our friend’s husband is a professional photographer, so he was assigned this task. The pictures in this post are not his- obviously- ha! But I cannot wait to see them, because I know they are going to be amazing.
4. Prepare Thank Yous. The mom-to-be will no doubt have a ton of thanks to give after her shower and the thank you writing process can be overwhelming. To help streamline the process, printing mailing labels of all of the guests and ordering her thank you cards is a huge help and a great gift idea! Also, when opening the gifts, give someone the duty of writing small descriptions of each gift on the back of the cards to help jog her memory when writing out the cards.
Disclosure: I am blogging on behalf of Walmart.com and received compensation for my time. The views expressed here are solely mine, not Walmart’s. Shop online and save money to live better at http://www.walmart.com.
4 Simple Tips For A Fun and Stress-free Baby Shower {with FREE printables!} was last modified: July 30th, 2014 by Corine
If you aren’t sure where you fall when it comes to crying it out, 
Ferberize Your Baby!
After attending multiple showers, we all get a feel for what works and what doesn’t.
