Puppy-Dog Feet, Part Two

So, my son's baby registry is still active.

I use it as a constantly revolving and updating shopping list of what we currently need for him, and how urgently we need it (LOVE their priority sort feature).

I know, it's lame.  Possibly even tacky.

What can I say, I'm too lazy (read:sleep-deprived) to create a whole new wish list to serve the same purpose.

SO... a week or two ago when I realized that NONE of JJ's socks still fit, I hit my handy dandy little "Baby List" bookmark, signed in, and ordered two different sets of baby socks.

I swear, I get a little rush every time I get to buy baby stuff.  It's like a mini-Christmas in April.

*shakes head & refocuses*

Right... the point...

The point is, now that I've had both sets for a week, it's product review time. To put the following in context, JJ has socks on most of the day and night. He seems to have inherited my popsicle toes, so unless he's having a bath or a foot massage, he's wearing socks.  Thus, the socks I buy for him need to hold up to nearly continuous wear over 24 hours, fit snugly enough to stay on, but not be so tight as to restrict circulation or leave lasting marks.

Set #1: Luvable Friends 6-Pack Fun Stripe Combo Socks, 6-18 months


                  On the site...

                                 .... On the baby!

These are your basic cute cheap baby sock.  $5.00 plus s&h for six pair.  The patterns are woven in, there's no texturing on the bottoms, they're fairly light-weight fabric, and there's plenty of stretch for growing room.  Some reviews mention that the stitching top cuff occasionally comes undone, and though I haven't seen this happen yet, I took a good look at the stitching and I see how it could, the tail end of the thread isn't always back-stitched for security.  The elastic band at the top did leave a red mark when worn as shown, but left down closer to his ankles it was loose, but still stayed on.

Set #2: Robeez 3-Pack Train Socks, 6-12 months


                  On the site...

  

                       .... On the baby!

These are a bit thicker than the Luvables, and as you can see they have more detailing.  They're also more expensive, $10 for a 3-pack, but so far they're worth it.  They're a little sturdier, a little thicker, the printing on the bottoms is textured so you have some skid protection, and the elasticity of the whole sock holds up better over 24 hours of wear.  The package boasts that they are "Kick- Proof", and so far the claim holds true!  The one and only con - like the Luvables, they left red marks on JJ's chubby li'l calves, but left to bunch at the ankles, they're fine.   (And they still stayed on!)

Between the two, I'm honestly happy with both sets, for different purposes.  When the weather is super cold or if we're going out and it's chilly at all, I'll go with the Robeez for the extra heft in the fabric.  They're also my go-to when JJ's going to be in his bouncer, because the textured printing on the bottoms gives him just a little extra traction.  Just bumming around the house, or it's warm outside but not warm enough for bare feet, I'll hit up the Luvables.  Between them, I've got a good color mix so I can find something that looks good with whatever he happens to be wearing, and they're all adorable. :)

Okay, now I know what people were raving about...

We had a really good week here in our little corner of the world last week.  John got paid, our renter coughed up the rent, and everything cleared the bank in a timely manner.  Consequently, I got to go shopping for baby stuff.

Mommy Dance!

I finally used the completion discount on our Baby Registry, and snagged quite a few very necessary items.     The first of these arrived yesterday, and JJ has taken to it so well that I just had to share.

The First Years Newborn Pacifier

Otherwise known as the Soothie... and they are not kidding.  This little gem has swiftly ousted all other pacifiers for acceptability.  We've tried Nuk, Playtex, and several others, and while a few have been tolerated, none hit all our points of ideal.  

The Ideal Pacifier  *drumroll*

* Baby takes it, doesn't lose it when relaxed but not yet asleep, and doesn't fuss or spit it out when he clearly is only sucking for comfort.  (JJ will refuse the breast when he doesn't want food.)

* Made in one piece to reduce germs and ease cleaning.

* No latex or other potentially issue-causing substances. ;)

* Promotes a good, deep latch and strong sucking so that it's use will not interfere with breast-feeding.

* Qualifies as orthodontic ... less likelihood of it screwing up his developing teeth.

* Safety  handle for easy removal ... yeah, it's seemingly a given, but you never really know, do you?

* Gender-neutral color = good, and must be cute!  Must not distract from teh cuteness of teh babeh!!  

The Soothie

* It took a little practice, but JJ quickly got the hang of holding onto the narrow nipple.  After going down for one nap with the Soothie, he immediately began rejecting all his other pacifiers, even the ones which had been previously acceptable.  He refuses it only if he wants to eat or isn't in a sucking mood at all, and when he wants it he actually yells if I take it away!

* One-piece design, can be boiled to sterilize.

* Medical grade silicone... pretty simple.

* The nipple is shaped ... here's a concept ... like a nipple.  Long and narrow instead of short and flat and bulbed like more traditional pacifiers.  This encourages baby to keep his tongue down and suck deeply and strongly, since it's not as easy to hang on to, and that helps to promote good feeding habits.   One nifty feature of the design is the hole down the middle... you can actually see what baby is doing inside his mouth!  The deep latch and strong suck reduces the air swallowed, and I noticed an improvement in JJ's latch at the breast (and consequent reduction in air swallowed during feedings = less gas!) within hours of introducing the Soothie.

* The symmetrical nipple shape means there is no "upside down" with this pacifier, so it's far less likely to create or exacerbate issues with the teeth and jaws.  Because it's a little harder to hang onto, it makes baby work a little harder, which is all to the good for the development of strong muscles in the mouth and throat.  The material is soft enough to give with the sucking motion, like the breast, but firm enough that little JJ is using it to soothe his cranky gums.  (Note: The Soothie is not for babies with teeth.  First Years makes a whole line of pacifiers that are age appropriate as baby grows.)

* While the one-piece design means that the Soothie lacks the traditional "loop" handle, that tab you see sticking out is surprisingly easy to grip and hang on to in a pacifier tug-of-war!  Those two holes are bigger than they look, and would easily accommodate the ribbon from a standard pacifier clip.  There is also the option of purchasing the Soothie as a Wubanub, a stuffed animal with the Soothie attached to its mouth.  The Wubanubs reputedly help teach baby to keep track of his own binky... might have to get one of these later!  (Note: While there have been reports of babies getting the entire Soothie into their mouths (thus creating a choking hazard), this really falls on the parents to pay attention... if you even think baby could fit the whole pacifier into his mouth, it's too small and needs to be replaced with a larger binky!)

* Green... nice and neutral!  And while some prefer flowers, cartoon characters, bright colors, and other such, I think the Soothie is adorable.

Even if it does make him look a bit like a sucker-fish!

All in all... I'm pretty sure it's got to be the perfect pacifier.  At least for us!

Blessed, blessed silence.

Gentle readers, it has happened.

For the first time in just about two weeks, it's 10 pm and my precious baby boy is asleep.  Peacefully, without having screamed himself hoarse since roughly 5 pm.

My skin is positively a-tingle with bliss.

Oh, wait... that would be my over-achiever boobs having a secondary (tertiary??  quadrary????) letdown.

Enter my trusty Medela Harmony.

Cheery, ain't it?

Now, mind you, it IS a manual pump.  It will never be as efficient as an electric (and I hope to get my hands on one of those in the near future), but this little beauty does the job when used and cared for properly.  Is it the most comfortable process in the world?  No.  But honestly, baby in his biting mood hurts more, and while I can and have gotten more milk by hand expression (*glares at the peanut gallery*... one single solitary cow joke and you're all toast, mates), the Harmony consistently delivers a full ounce from a moderately full breast in 15 to 20 minutes of patient pumping, easily two if it's first thing in the morning and the milk bar's loaded.  This is me, of course, every woman is different, but for me, it works, and has calmed this first-timer's worries that there was a lack of supply.  

I do this about 4 times a day, usually, depending on how many storage bottles are empty and thus available, and I have yet to note my hand getting tired (or hurting later) from the pumping action.  This is a big deal, as I have a connective tissue disorder (big fancy name, don't ask) which means I hurt pretty easily sometimes.  The trick is to put on something interesting, feed the kid on one side, and pump on the other.  Get distracted enough, and I occasionally find I've pumped through most of an episode of Doctor Who (GO, TEAM GALLIFREY!!!), and have thus nearly filled the 5 oz attached bottle.

It's easy to clean, there are only 4 parts, five if you count the itty bitty white diaphragm (handle with care, it's delicate) at the bottom of the pump assembly.  I just pull the whole thing apart, drop it in a fresh sink of HOT soapy water, let it sit for a few minutes, rinse thoroughly, and let air dry.  The two-phase expression feature is probably awesome for some folks, but I find I can get the same effect as the small end (Stimulation Phase) by using shorter, lighter strokes with the regular handle (Expression Phase).  

There is only one solitary down-side for me.  All parts involved in creating suction must be absolutely 100% dry before use.  Not 98%, not 99%, not 99.999999999999999999999999999%.  It must be devoid of even the tiniest most miniscule trace of subversive moisture, or it will not maintain suction for more than a few minutes.

As a complement to the block-feeding that is making significant strides in improving JJ's gas issues, the Harmony is a welcome and much loved tool.  

As glaring evidence of masochism... well...   *shifty eyes*

I don't know what you're talking about.  I am a boring, white bread, thoroughly vanilla housewife.  

*dons pearls and hums the theme from I Love Lucy*

Not buying it, huh?

Smart people.