Lessons I've Learned, Chapter Three

[ Chapter One  Chapter Two ]

Okay, so this one is really about poking fun at Hubby.  I don't remember if I've mentioned this before, at least maybe not PUBLICLY, as I'm a bit embarrassed on his behalf.  Needless to say, he OPTED OUT of going to the Baby Care Class with me.  But really...common sense??

So, the lesson is: USE A WIPE WHEN CHANGING ALL DIAPERS.

To clarify, upon actually observing Hubby's diaper changing technique it came to my realization that he neglected to use wipes unless the diaper was dirty.  Thus, if it's just wet then slap on a new diaper and he's ready to go!  His reasoning: "Urine is sterile!"  My response: "If his family jewels develop gangrene and fall off then we know who's to blame."

I don't know if his reasoning has any merit.  Us girls, we wipe everything because we sit down.  You guys just shake it off, right?  But you can't just shake it off!  And I'd rather know he's clean.  Lucas has been pretty fortunate not to have any diaper rash incidents to date so so far so good.  But really?  I bought a big case of wipes from Costco for a reason.  How about we use 'em?

So now whenever I happen to observe his diaper changing techniques he does use a wipe.  But who's to say he's just doing it for my benefit?  Maybe when I'm not around he's stubbornly boycotting the wipes?  If only Lucas could tattle tale!  :)

Lessons I've Learned, Chapter Two

Now this is one that they definitely didn't teach us in my Baby Care Class.  And it won't apply to all.  I just apparently have a baby that loves to spit up.  It doesn't appear to be from overfeeding because I'll give him his "usual" and sometimes he's still hungry so I might give him just a little more.  We're at a point where he's starting to want a little bit more at feeding time, but we haven't fully upped his intake.

So, the lesson I've learned: ALWAYS CARRY AROUND A BURP CLOTH.  We keep one at his crib so that when we get him out to leave the room we'll have it on us.  And we keep one at the couch where we typically feed him.  That's pretty much the two places we keep in steady rotation.  Of course, I'm extra careful in the mornings before I go to work.  I don't want to run late due to having to change my outfit.  The evenings I'm not so mindful.

And this lesson was reinforced this weekend when my parents visited.  Lucas just all of a sudden spit up a ton when his Nana was holding him.  He mostly got himself covered in it but boy was it one degree from being projectile.

I think that a good part of why we need this so much is also because he's started drooling excessively the past month.  He still hasn't popped his first tooth yet but we keep thinking it could happen any day now.  And I think we are getting very close based on this past weekend.  So he's definitely a very drool-y baby.  His daycare actually requested we bring in bibs when he hadn't needed them at all before.  He now goes through them often.  Good thing we have tons!

Lessons I've Learned, Chapter One

In these first few months of being a new mom there are definitely things that you may have not been informed of in advance.  I mean the Baby Classes do teach you the basics.  And they try hard to reach other topics and answer other questions that you can possibly think of.  But there are just a few common sense things that don't really click until you've made the mistakes a few times over.

For instance, they teach you how to diaper a baby.  Well, most of you probably had experience diapering babies before, with your younger siblings or cousins or just from babysitting jobs.  Me on the other hand, not so much.  I never had much experience with babies.  I was the youngest growing up.  All my cousins lived several states away.  And my only attempt at babysitting was in college with some mischievous grade school kids.  (Pre-baby Me was NOT a Kid-person.)  

So needless to say I had never changed a diaper.  In the more recent years I did have more opportunities to get some practice but at that point I had set my mind to avoid doing so.  I decided my first diaper would be on my own baby.

So like I said, they teach you the basics of changing a diaper.  They even make sure to mention that if you have a boy to make sure you cover up the family jewels because he will be sure to spray you in the face if he can (or even his own face I might add - yeah, that's happened!).  And of course, even with that preparation it STILL HAPPENS.  Some times the little "teepee" just shoots off from the force - when he's gotta go, he's gotta go.

Here's a "common sense" tidbit that I've learned.  And if we went over it in my Baby Care Class I didn't retain it.  UNFOLD THE DIAPER IN ADVANCE.  Yeah.  Don't get the dirty diaper off and get him all cleaned up before having that new diaper ready and easily accessible.  I've caught my mom not being prepared because she's too busy making goo-goo sounds at Lucas.  (I love you Mom but it's your couch!)  Of course, the same applies when you've bathed him and need to get a new diaper on him.  We make sure we have one out and ready to go before we give him his bath.

And I'm ALL EARS if anyone else has some knowledge to pass on.  Especially those of you who have infants that are just a little bit older than my Lucas.  Because I'm definitely paying attention and learning from your mistakes.  :)  Pass on the wealth of information please!