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New Mother Fears

Posted, September 14th, 2012, By Jenivieve Elly

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Becoming a new mother is a beautiful thing, but it can also be quite scary! So many things you never had to worry about are now keeping you up at night! Here are some common new mother fears.

Kidnappers – let’s face it. All those CSI episodes may have made you a stellar investigator, but they have also placed a lot of irrational fears in your mind. While kidnapping is a very real issue, and you can never be too careful, a 2002 Department of Justice study (the most recent national numbers available) showed that of approximately 797,500 children reported missing over the course of a year, only 115 were kidnapped by strangers. So the odds are in your favor. Still, I know I keep my kid on a monkey leash, because hide n seek isn’t funny when yo don’t know if your kid is under a rack of clothes or snatched by a child molester.

SIDS – it is such a scary thing. You have a beautiful baby and you just can’t imagine life without them. Then all you hear is about SIDS. No reason, no justification. It sucks. Awareness is up and the number of SIDS is going down. But that doesn’t reduce the fear from your mind. “Experts say the most important thing you can do is to put your baby to sleep on his back, on a firm mattress free of pillows or heavy coverings, in a crib in his parents’ room (and keep your baby away from smokers).”

Not being a good mom – We all face this. We are scared we will make the wrong choices, not be good enough, strong enough, wise enough. But do everything out of love to the absolute best of your abilities, and your child will know that they are loved and you made the best decision you could for them at that time.

What are some of the new mother fears you have had?

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Maxwell Drew Bikini Photo Sets Parents Off

Posted, September 13th, 2012, By Jenivieve Elly

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Jessica Simpson just revealed her fabulous weight loss on “Katie,” where she also revealed Maxwell Drew in a bikini. People are to talking about how amazing Jess looks, or how much weight she lost, but instead are lashing out at her for putting her four month old in a teeny bikini.

Now, I am not sure where I stand on this. I have two little boys, so thankfully I don’t have to worry about it! Little Maxwell Drew was all dolled up and looking cute in her little yellow bikini. It is a crocheted piece, so probably not best for swimming. Jessica siad it was her daughters first bikini and shared the photo proudly. She obviously thought nothing of it.

Well, the world just isn’t that innocent. She is now getting backlash from people who say that it over sexualizes her daughter, that it is completely inappropriate. One commenter wrote,

“Sharing pictures of your baby in a bikini with three million TV viewers, as Jessica did when she appeared on an American chat show? That is nothing short of inexcusable.”

Another said,

“I just think that is a little ridiculous that you would put that on your child. It gives people the wrong idea too quickly.”

I just find it sad. She is innocent and I am sure Jess thought it was simply cute, and it is. It is a sad day when you can over sexualize a baby. I get it – there are pervs out there and I am not sure I would be comfortable in doing the same with my daughter, but I am tired of the judgmental parenting!

What do you think about Maxwell Drew’s bikini photo?

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Safe Co-Sleeping

Posted, September 7th, 2012, By Jenivieve Elly

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It is becoming more common to co-sleep with your baby, and yet the AAP does not recommend it. As an attached parent, I have practiced safe co-sleeping with my children and we currently have a huge family bed. In the research I have done, it seems that many of the cases of infant death have resulted in unsafe co-sleeping, and/or a parent being intoxicated. When done properly, research actually suggests that it can reduce the risk of SIDS.

I love co-sleeping and wouldn’t change it for the world. I wake before my little guy fully rouses to nurse and so he “sleeps through the night” only waking to feed, therefore we all get more rest. I feel more confident in that I KNOW he is next to me, breathing, and I can kep a very close eye on him. With my toddler, I love being ther when he wakes for those bad dreams, or when he just needs mommy. And I LOVE waking up in the morning for family snuggles.

With that all being said, there are several safety precautions we take to ensure that the infant and toddler are safe. These are not things to get careless with, no matter how comfortable co-sleeping you are.

Safe co-sleeping:

Remove all pillows from the bed, except the one you use to sleep on and keep it away from the baby’s head.

Dress the baby in warm clothing so he doesn’t need a blanket.

Put the bed on the floor and make sure there are no cracks or pillows for him to get stuck in.

Make sure the sheets fit tight and the mattress is firm. We have a pillow top mattress, but it is on the floor making it firm. When DS was very young he slept in the cook of my arm, and wasn’t going ANYWHERE! I also keep him on his back, though he can now roll and pick up his head.

Have a large enough bed. We co-slept with our first son in a king bed and when our second was born we tried a co-sleeper. DS hated it and ended up in the bed. To ensure everyone’s safety and a good nights sleep, we bought another king bed. They lie side by side on the floor, and everyone has enough room.

NEVER CO-SLEEP WHILE INTOXICATED IN ANY WAY.

Co-sleeping is a great bonding experience and I absolutely love it, but co-sleeping safely is very important. Be sure to do your research and make sure it is right for your family.

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Car Seats On Shopping Carts: A Big No No

Posted, September 6th, 2012, By Jenivieve Elly

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I see it every day, a car seat sitting on top of a shopping cart. Most people think that because they hear the car seat “click” it is secure. The reality is, it is absolutely not. I just wrote about this on my personal blog, Attached 2 Parenting, and it is a very passionate subject for me. As I noted in that post, a dear friend, who is an excellent mother, clicked her car seat in, and the baby fell on the ground. Thank goodness she was strapped in secrurely AND that the bar was up preventing her child from hitting the ground. But for many this is not the case.

Every year there are more than 20,000 car seat/shopping cart injuries and some of those result in death. That is right people, death. All it takes is to hit a bump, or have someone bump your cart and the baby and seat crash tot he floor.

While most car seats specifically address shopping carts and warn against placing them on top of carts, people often over look this because it is among several other warnings that easily get brushed aside. Even if there are specific instructions for using the car seat on the shopping cart (this is the exception more than the rule) shopping car seat themselves usually warn against it. The were not designed to carry that weight in the front, and provide no way of securing the car seat to the cart.

A company called Safe-Strap Co. recently announced the Safe-Dock which will allow for safe car seat docking on a shopping cart. But it has yet to hit many stores.

So what is one to do when they must shop with their child (and who doesn’t usually?!) Use a sling or carrier, a stroller if shopping with a partner or friend, or put the car seat INSIDE the cart and use the bottom and cart seat for the groceries. Play it safe people, this is an easy injury to avoid!

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Hurricanes Make Pregnant Women Go Into Labor?!

Posted, August 30th, 2012, By Jenivieve Elly

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As I was browsing the net today I came across a Fox News article that says that Hurricanes make pregnant women go into labor. Say what?! now, I live in Florida, where we experience “hurricane season.” Even on a good year we experience tropical storms with high winds and tons of rain. Most of the time we have nothing to worry about but making sure we have enough hurricane party supplies, but occasionally we have a bad storm.

But adding pregnant women going into labor in that mix seems to add to the pressure. I have had two babies – none during hurricane season, thankfully, I suppose.According to the article, studies suggest that “drops in barometric pressure can trigger either the onset of labor, or the rupture of the fluid-filled amniotic sac membrane, which is the technical term for a woman’s water breaking or starting to leak.”

“There’s definitely a belief out there,” said Dr. Jonathan Schaffir, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Ohio State University College of Medicine. “It’s certainly not cut-and-dried, but there is some scientific evidence that changes in pressure can contribute to membrane rupture,” he said.

Yikes! The only experience I have with this is my BFF who was due September 5 of this year. Here comes Hurricane Isaac, and BAM! She went into labor! No joke! Her water broke and the baby was born that day, two weeks early. Coincidence? I don’t know, but it sure is funny!

What do you think? Can hurricanes put pregnant women into labor?

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Things I Do Better Now That I Am A Mommy

Posted, August 24th, 2012, By Jenivieve Elly

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So this morning I was doing my morning grooming routine with my toddler and it hit me – I brush my teeth way better and longer now that I have someone I am trying to show how to care for themselves. And so, it inspired this post!

Here are some things I do better now that I am a mommy!

Teeth brushing – you have to get those buggies off!

Eating healthy – because I now my son will want what ever I have, I usually opt for fruit instead of chips or a sweet.

Watch my language! Toddlers mimic everything! Not cute to hear a cursing kid.

Time management – I have gotten so much better at managing every moment! When it counts, you really learn what takes priorityand how to bunch things in quick. Especially as a WAHM! We also arrive to most places on time, as I have leaned to get a head start!

Budgeting – every penny counts. Again, especially as a WAHM. I would rather clip coupons and look for deals so we can hit the zoo or aquarium (with a groupon of course) than fill my cart as I go along and waste money.

I am sure there are a dozen things I could add, but my time management is coming to an end as my little one is almost done exploring my drawer!

What are some of the things you do better now that you are a parent?

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