Can you handle the TRUTH??

Let's lighten this blog up a bit, shall we??

Time for...

Momma Truth's!


Not sure where we left off.  But there are so many!!

1. Laundry will never be completely done.  You think this is true before you have a baby?  Multiply by 1000!   And, just a tip...be sure to secure the velcro ends on the bibs before they go into the washer.

2. You will say and think a lot of things before you have a baby...even when you are pregnant.  I will do this, I won't do that...don't be too narrow minded.  You will be VERY surprised what you WILL do and what you WON'T do...you might be surprised that it is completely opposite what you had thought.  And this is OK!

3. Remember, these are my opinions and from my experiences only.  So take it for what it's worth.  But here is what I have figured out on my own.  Babies cannot be spoiled.  They NEED you.  They don't know what the heck is going on in this huge world they have been projected into.  And this doesn't necessarily end at a certain age.  Babies are babies and NEED comforting, love, security.  It's ok to give it to them.  Society today has put a microscope on parenting - you are told by many experts in many magazines/books that you should let babies cry it out to help them sleep or you should let them sit and cry so that they can used to being alone.  I am in the camp that these strategies do nothing but make your baby lonely, insecure and scared.  I can't do it.  For those who do or can, I am sure they have a great argument for their side.  This is my opinion only.  I am 38 years old.  Life is too short.  I am going to enjoy every moment with my beautiful girl.  If she wants to be held by her mommy while she naps, that's fine.  I will be there.  Will I cringe because I want to do chores around the house while she naps.  Sure.  But that will last for all of five minutes until I look at her perfect face and realize that I won't have this time forever.  I should enjoy every second.

4. Just when you think you have a routine, your baby will change it.  I think it is to keep us on our toes.  9 am naps will change to 10.  They may have been an hour, now they are 20 minutes.  They did want to eat every two hours, then every four, now every three.  Bath time was at 8, then at 7:30, now at 7:08 and don't miss it by a second!  Advice here...be FLEXIBLE and take your kiddo's lead.  They know what they need and want.  All you have to do is deliver.  No, it isn't as easy as it sounds.

5. The safety guidelines of putting your baby on their backs so that they don't die of SIDS (extreme but that IS what they say) has put us parents in a predicament.  When I was a baby, I was on my belly when I slept.  That sleeping style gives babies the ability to try out their arms and legs in a tummy position.  When you have to lay them on their backs, "tummy time" is imperative to help your baby get used to being in that position and eventually crawl.  The tough part about babies sleeping on their backs is the Moro Reflex (the startle reflex).  It will wake your baby EVERY time.  Frustrating, right?  Right.  The answer from the experts is to swaddle the baby - wrapping them up like a burrito neck to toe.  It works.  But weaning your baby from this comfortable, secure swaddle is...may I say...a bitch!  The experts recommend you swaddle but then warn you to stop at a certain age due to developmental reasons.  I say to swaddle until your baby is ready to be unswaddled.  You're the mommy (or daddy).  You  know better than these generic "experts".  Wean a little at a time and don't get discouraged.  If you are too worried about the developmental aspects (which I don't really believe), give the Woombie a try.  It has really done wonders for our baby and still allows the arms to move inside the swaddle.  I am weaning now just because I feel it is time (you will know).  I started four nights ago with both arms out but the woombie zipped to her underarms.  First night didn't work out and I ended up putting her arms back in around 1 am.  Since then, other than a few gripes throughout the night, she is adapting quite nicely.

6. Google is your enemy.

7. If you have any concerns, questions or worries, don't rely on complete strangers on a message board.  You can certainly get some amazing advice on message boards (I highly recommend http://www.thebump.com/) but they are regular moms like you and me (unless you are not a mom and just reading this because you are bored).  Get some day to day advice there but, if there is a medical question/concern you have, please call your pediatrician.  It is ALWAYS better to be safe than sorry!

8. Of all the classes we took while I was pregnant, I do believe that the Infant CPR class was the most helpful and the one that would be the most important at this time.  Please be sure you take this important class.

9. Even with a video monitor, movement monitor, and audio monitor, you will check on your baby multiple times throughout the night.  You will watch their bellies to see if they are moving up and down and you will put your hand in front of their noses to be sure there is air coming out.  And you will certainly not admit it!

10. You will learn to do everything with one hand and sometimes with the hand that is not dominate.  You will learn to take the quickest showers - including shaving your legs.  It isn't ideal and you will constantly fantasize about a long shower (and sleeping in) someday...whenever that will be.

Do you have truths?  Stop by my Facebook page and leave a wall comment.  I will be back tomorrow but will be doing my big review and giveaway on Wednesday!  Stay tuned!!