Yano What I Mean?: Then and Now

Then and Now

I was lucky for the first couple weeks after Benjamin was born because I had some family come in to help me out. It was great to have someone taking care of the house chores that I had to neglect because I was taking care of the baby, as well as making meals and watching the baby while I tried to get some shut-eye. However, there were some practices that doctors suggest you do now that they didn't do when I was a baby, and I had to gently re-teach my relatives some things. Sometimes having to do this caused me more stress than the baby! Here's a couple things that I had to put my foot down and say, "Yes, I know that's how you did it before, but this is how I'm gonna do it with this little guy..."

"Back to sleep" - Back then, I remember all babies being put to sleep on their tummies. It helps them sleep easier that way. However, there's this things called SIDS, which describes the unexplained death of a baby under the age of one. Babies who sleep on their stomach have a higher risk of dying from SIDS. In 1991, they started the "back to sleep" campaign, which reminded parents to have babies sleep on their backs - this campaign reduced SIDS deaths by 50%. This is the #1 thing that I've been telling anyone who in the future may be caring for my baby - PUT HIM ON HIS BACK WHEN HE SLEEPS. I'm horribly paranoid about SIDS.

Breastfeeding - I guess back when I was a kid, breastfeeding wasn't "in". Women were working and pumping wasn't as popular as it is now. However, research has shown since then that breastmilk is very beneficial for your baby, giving him antibodies, nutrients. It also creates a bond between you and your child (hell, there better be a bond if he's sucking from my boob 10 times a day). Best of all, it's free. The thing is, it's very hard to do, which I'll get into later. When I was working on my technique, it wasn't easy - there was a lot of crying involved (by the baby) and it was suggested to me several times by a relative to just go on formula. I was stubborn. I wasn't going to give up so easily.

Bathing - The day after we came home from the hospital, relatives wanted to give baby Ben a bath immediately. They wanted to fill up the tub and get him in there, splashing around. Then I was told that we need to give the baby a bath every day. I then informed them that the doctor told us that the baby only needed a bath 2-3 times a week. This is the one thing that I got some resistance on. I actually had to have Dave explain that if a baby has too many baths, their skin will get dry, not only that, but babies really don't get that dirty. Also, babies shouldn't be submerged in water until the umbilical stump falls off. 'Til then, just sponging off the baby with some water and mild soap should be ok.

Does your baby have a baby walker? - No, and I don't think that we'll get one for him. If you look around the market, there aren't as many baby walkers available as there were a couple decades ago. That's because there have been so many injuries from walkers (babies falling down stairs) and some doctors stay that there might actually be some developmental problems with babies that use walkers. However, I had a walker as a kid, as did my sisters, and we're pretty normal. But we have stairs in our home and I really don't want to take any chances.

Why does the baby sleep all the time? - I guess some people just don't remember that newborn babies sleep for a majority of the day. When guests would come by, they'd expect the baby to be wide awake and active. Really, he's only awake either late morning from 10-1 or late at night, after 11pm, and it's really not that exciting - he just stares at you or farts because he's poopin'. The rest of the time he's sleeping, only to wake for feedings ever couple hours and falls asleep immediately after.

Hmm...there's probably more but being a human feeding station has sucks some of my brains out...

Posted by Yano at May 1, 2006 01:05 PM

Comments

I too had to remind family that "Back to Bed" and about breastfeeding. I still get asked about when I'm taking her off, but my little girl won't take a bottle anyways even if it was my milk. And the nursing does get easier for both you and baby with time.

Congrats again! Sounds like you are doing a great job keeping Ben healthy and happy.

Posted by: Amy on May 1, 2006 03:23 PM

Stand by your ideas. It's nice to have help but do it your way. Things have changed so much since my kids were babies.

Posted by: Sue on May 1, 2006 06:03 PM

Yeah, i knew about that back-sleeping thing to avoid SIDS.

I remember my mom saying that when my brother and I were babies she used to get up in the middle of the night sometimes to reassure herself that we were still breathing!

Posted by: noelle on May 1, 2006 08:59 PM

Boobie feeding definitely gets easier. Yay for you for standing your ground! I hate the engorgement in the beginning! 9 months later and still going strong over here. i'm just afraid I'm going to have a hell of a time getting her off.

Posted by: Dina on May 1, 2006 11:48 PM

wow, i feel completely out of the loop here in champaign, but CONGRATULATIONS!!! =)

Posted by: Mike Maravilla on May 2, 2006 12:34 AM

How wonderful to have the help and involvement. That makes it a littler harder to say "no" but really, standing up for what you think is best for Ben will be a long process. Sounds like you and Dave are off to a good start.

Posted by: SusanG on May 2, 2006 09:54 AM

breastfeeding is definitely better - babies tummies aren't used to eating anything else other than what mommy gives them. plus formula is cow milk and can give them digestive/food issues later on.

Posted by: daysies on May 2, 2006 01:49 PM

I always got up to check on my brother's & sister's breathing when they were babies!!! I was horribly paranoid about it and I imagine I will be when I have my own children.

Honey are you the mom of your perfect little boy and what you say goes! Glad you & Dave are sticking to your guns on those topics. :) Being stubborn is a very good trait.

Posted by: Lara on May 2, 2006 06:16 PM

May 01, 2006