baby stuff

I have posted before I gave birth some of the baby stuff that we were planning on investing on: crib and mattress, milk, bath and skin care. Just wanted to finish what I have started (for once?) so here's the rest of it.

Milk/Feeding
We gave the baby whatever kind of milk that were given to us. Yeah. We're cheap. He was breastfed primarily so any other milk sufficed (Nestle Good Start, Enfa and Similac). But we mostly gave him Enfa after all of the freebies were gone and after he has stopped liking Mommy's milk. Now that he's a toddler, we are giving him homo.

For feeding bottles, we used Avent. Did not try any other ones. Avent were also the brand that we used with Kid #1. We used Dapple and Greenworks for the baby bottle dish soap. We also received Babies R Us sterilizer from the Baby Shower and that's what we are using until now. For Kid #1, we used Chicco.

Skin Care
I bought a lot of baby skin care before having the little one. Usually got the sample size if the brand has one. I bought Dr. Bronner's, Mustela, Wedela, Badger and Earth Mama Angel Baby. I've tried all of them. What stuck? I like Dr. Bronner's in washing his baby bums, specially when going out? It smells nice and it rinses easily well. But for total bathing and washing, I like Mustela the best. And that's what we are using still until now. For shampoo, he uses J&J. For moisturizer, we also stick with Mustela.

For diaper rash, I tried Badger and even Lanolin. But still went back to Desitin. Desitin worked with Kid #1 and still what worked with Kid #2.

Clothing/Bedding/Garment 
At first, I only used organic textiles for him. Bought them from Under the Nile, Sckoon, Aden & Anais, Perlimpinpin, Little Bamboo. We got gifts that came elsewhere and we used them also. Now, mostly all of his clothes are from major commercial retailers. But I must say that those initial investments I've bought were all great. They were really, really soft. Even the nurses from the hospital made a comment that, those were the softest swaddling cloth they have ever touched.

Stroller/Car Seat
We got the Graco Click Connect Stroller and Car seat combo. I forgot the actual Model/Type. We are still using both. The car seat is up to 35 lbs. Although Kid #2's legs and feet are now dangling outside the car seat, since he's still within the weight limit, we are still using it. We will get a new car seat once winter is over. We brought the stroller with us when we went back to the Philippines but it is not public commuter friendly, so we bought a slimmer stroller from Chicco and brought it back here, we will not buy umbrella stoller anymore once Kid #2 is too big for his baby stroller.

Diaper
I bought Naty diapers online to try on. It was okay. But  they were expensive. I believe they are also available on our local grocery store. But since J was the one doing the grocery while I was at the house with the baby, and he will not look for it at the store and he will not buy it since, it costs more, we used Pampers swaddlers. That's the best compromise that we can afford.

Toys
I tried to limit our purchase of toys. We have enough clutter at home and I don't want bins and bins and bins of toys overtaking our house. The toys that I bought were Sophie, 2 wooden toy cars and a teething dinosaur from Etsy, wooden Catterpillar from Begin Again, wooden Grasping beads and wooden Fish rattle from Haba, Uncle Goose's wooden alphabet blocks, Janod Animal Alphabet Cards, and Share Sorter and Stacking Cups from Green Toys. I highly recommend these toys because they are safe for babies and kids. I purchased some mainstream toys too, a soft book from Skip Hop and a few soft toys and stroller toys. We have received a couple of battery operated toys too, mostly from Fisher Price.

So far, he enjoyed Sophie, the Grasping beads, wooden blocks, alphabet cards, shape sorted and stacking cups. He still enjoys them except for Sophie. But he likes Sophie Books.

There.

Javier

Javier Alissandro

November 3, 4:18 am

6 lbs and 14 oz 

They say each pregnancy is completely different from another and I completely agree. I must say that it is also true with giving birth. My first one was uneventful and painless but kind of complicated because I needed blood transfusion. This time, I was also aiming for an uneventful labor and push day. Although I was a bit worried because I didn't know what pain management technique is going to be used during THE day. 

Thank goodness it was also uneventful but far from painless. 

I was awaken by a throbbing pain on my hips at around 2:30 am. I thought that was just because of my  awkward sleeping position. Since Ii was already awake, I decided to take a pee... Oppps there's a bloody show. And then I suddenly realized that the pain is still there. I calmly woke J up and told him, I think this is the time. We both got ready hurriedly but calmly. I can feel the pain and it was really hard to walk but was still tolerable. I was timing it and it is already within 15 to 20 seconds intervals. 

It is a Monday so my Kid #1 had to go to school. We informed my FIL (father in law) that we are going to the hospital and to please look after our son. When we are about 5 minutes away from the house, J decided to have my FIL go with us so he can take the car back to our house since we will be staying in the hospital and parking fee is way too expensive.  So we drive back home to pick up FIL. It is now 10 to 15 seconds interval. 

When we reached the hospital area J asked me if it is all right to go around the hospital area once so that my FIL would know where to park and where to drive back home. Okaaayyyy. I'm in labor here? I agreed because I don't want to argue anymore. I'm busy concentrating to hold it off until we are at the hospital room. 

We did the roundabout and finally we were at admission. A few questions answered, presented our med cards, printed the hosp tags and then we were instructed to go to the 3rd floor for triage. On foot. Yup. No wheel chair or whatever. At the triage, a a few more questions and room was given to us and a hospital gown for me to change into. I am just lucky and thankful that I just have to stay at one room -- from labor to delivery to recovery until the baby and I are ready to check out. 

Once I was settled in our room (J is with me all through out),  I was given internal exam and there... The dilation is already  9 cm and ready to push anytime. There were only nurses and the doctor was not yet with us so I am still holding myself not to push. They took my vitals, etc. and was telling them how my first delivery was. Come to think of it, don't they have a copy of my history? I have already told my Obgyn about that. Since I had a previous blood transfusion, they were trying to find a good vein to have it ready for blood transfusion, just in case. I was poked several times by 3 nurses until they found a good one. By this time i was already in pain and was already asking for the doctor because i know I am way too ready to push. There was no time for epidural or whatever. 

Needless to say it was a short labor. It was painful but bearable. The doctor asked if i want the baby on my chest once he's out and I said yes. He asked J if he wanted to cut the cord, of course J declined. Haha! 

So here's my bunso's birthing story, Needless to say, it was all worth it. 

baby stuff: milk

Right on the start of our 38th week, I have received a surprise package. We got home from work one afternoon and saw this hefty box on the dining table.

I know it is for me although I was wondering what could it be and where could it came from? I wasn't expecting any parcel: my recent online purchase was the day before, it couldn't have arrived the next day; and they were not that big.

I checked the box and it came from Nestle:

Hmmm.. must be promotional items. Nestle has been sending me emails about pregnancy and becoming a mommy again. I didn't sign up to any company's mailing list except for Thyme Maternity when I shopped for a few maternity clothes. I started receiving the emails right after that. I didn't bother me and doesn't bother me still. The information they're sending me is welcome and useful.

So what could be inside this hefty box?

Inside was a small diaper bag/back pack with a change pad. We can use it. And then inside the bag were: 

Nestle Good Start Powedered Formula and a Nuk Baby Bottle with nipple.

But what really caught my attention are these little bottles with liquid inside. They are the heavy ones inside the bag. 

Apparently, infant formula are now available in 3 forms: Powdered, Concentrated and Ready To Feed (RTF). And Nestle has just sent me 8 bottles of those Ready To Feed formula. So much has really changed since I had a baby!

I read some information about RTF formula today and apparently it seems RTF formula are more gentle on the newborn's tummy compared to the powdered version. And they come quite handy. You just have to put compatible nipple to the bottles and voila, you can feed the baby right away.

I haven't really thought much about prepared formula yet because I am really determined to breastfeed the baby. Even Nestle agrees that breastfeeding is still superior compared to the rest of the available formula in the world. But, you'll never know.

With Kid #1, I wasn't able to breastfeed him right away because I was confined to the bed longer than I should be. So I believe he was fed formula milk thru a cup while I was still incapable of breastfeeding. So this RTF formula is definitely going inside our hospital bag.

Aside from Nestle, Similac and Enfamil also have RTF formula (Kid #1 used to be an Enfa baby). Go read more about Nestle Good Start Infant Formula.  Thanks, Nestle!

scatter brain

Yup. One moment it is busy with all baby stuff. Next minute I want to redecorate the entire house. And before I know it, I am looking at charms. Sheesh. Let me walk you through it.

We are almost done with all the baby stuff. I think. Still have a few unchecked items on the list but those can wait after the baby is born. J would just have to do the shopping alone.

As with the other goals, I am very glad to say that Kid #1 has been sleeping in his own room now for more than a week without any hassle! Yay for us! Though sometimes he tells us that he gets lonely in his room, but still that is a big feat. On his first night, he just went straight to his room after our good nights. He said he woke up a couple of times thru the night but just let himself sleep back. And every night he asks his Dad to tuck him in. Awwwww.

There was a slight improvement on his room from this. I was meaning to take an "after" photo of his room for another post but I haven't still. No time. One of these days.

The "nursery" in our bedroom had been partially set up, meaning the crib. We are still trying to find a dresser but haven't got any luck. Oh well. Our room has a bit of a space now but still cramped. And cluttered. We have managed to throw away some "stuffs" a week ago but still not enough.

I still haven't started on our closet. I was vent on organizing the closet and purge.

the clothes inside the white garbage bags are the clothes that I know I wont be wearing in the coming year. But don't be fooled. There are new acquisitions lying on the floor + my purses. I am just too ashamed to show it ;) 

I am sure I can throw away some of my clothes and make up (no, not purses). I was dilly-dallying on buying this for my purses. By the time I decided that yes I need it, it is now out of stock. Back to zero. At least I got 2 of this for my shoes. And I am more than happy to be able to just see all my shoes in one location. Well except the boots.

And remember Kid #1 gifted me with a bracelet on my birthday?

The original cord was just a plastic thingy that is just waiting to be untied anytime. I was worried that the beads would all just fall off. And it was a great excuse to look at bracelets and charms.

I was able to find a replacement cord/string for the beads:

And managed to snatch a new charm:

Thee hearts for my three loves:

And it comes with a free tote bag!

Still in the look out though for a charm for the new baby. I don't know if I should just get a "baby" charm or another "boy" charm. There are lots of baby charms but only found a couple of boy charms.

So that's where my brain is. Happy Hump Day!

how do i nest?

I remember during the early part of my pregnancy, I nested immediately by cleaning and clearing out our pantry. Suddenly I had the urge to throw everything out and have an immaculately bare pantry. People at the house didn't know yet that I am expecting by then.

Then it stopped. By the 7th month, I have the urge to nest again. I nested by trying to organize everything in our house. I am always searching for storage boxes and storage bags and containers so that everything will be in its proper place even pins and tacks.

I am perusing the Pinterest for inspiration for (shared) nursery and for kids' room (for Kid #1) and just pinning like crazy and planning everything in my head what are the to-do's (and to-buy's?) to make the house ready for the coming wee one.

By the time I have to execute those plans, I am too tired. So in reality, I haven't really done anything yet. Haha. And that, my friends, is how I nest.

I am no Martha Stewart and don't expect me to come up with a Pinterest worthy room make over. But in the spirit of sharing a before and after case, this is how the master bedroom looks right now. We are still co-rooming with Kid #1. When he moves out, we will be co-rooming with Kid #2. The bed will just be replaced with a crib but on the other side of the bed.

And here's Kid #1 room right now. Used to be an in-law suite, so that is why there is a bed. Still a longggggg way to go.

Honestly, getting the house ready is stressing me out. That and Kid #1's halloween costume. I am hoping everything will at least be liveable before the wee one arrives.

I have already started last night on organizing our things. I started with my shoes. I bought this shoe organizer and threw away all the boxes that are occupying too much space. Will post pics some other time.

Happy Hump Day!

baby stuff: bathing and skin care

You know, sometimes, I get tired of looking into baby stuff? Spending time researching the best products to use, reading all about it, comparing products, debating with myself how far should go ... ? It's exhausting. Though, it's a good thing to know about these and that there are LOTS of sources to be familiar with these health stuff,  I know I can't be a full blast dedicated organic earth friendly person. And I am okay with that. I'll just have to do with what I can do.

One of the baby stuff that recently dived into is the area of skin care. They say the skin is the largest organ so we should be very cautious on what we put on our skin. Well, I think I have been for quite some time. But not really what you call "strictly" into it. I buy products that I believe is less toxic than the others. But I haven't reached the point of researching each ingredient in it or calling the company/manufacturer to really inquire about their ingredients/sources.

There are lots of option for toxic free and baby safe skin care (even for adults), one just have to google. My work friend is teasing me the other day, why don't I just use the regular store bought baby products. Anyway, I won't be able to sustain to keep on using those toxic free products on the baby. I jokingly told her,  I will use the regular products on to the new baby maybe after a year. Maybe by then his young body can handle the toxins. She told me, why not introduce it right away so he can adjust easily? I just smiled.

There are websites that I found credible and those are ones that I constantly consult with, they are in my Useful Links page. I read about their recommendations and ratings. And I would like to believe that they know what they are talking about.

After all that reading and deciding which products to use, the next hurdle is to see if those are available in Canada.

You see, my poor assumption before, is that, Canada and US are like sister countries. And since (almost) everything is available in US, I assume that it is also readily available in Canada. Right? Well, no. Some companies do not have a Canadian store and do not ship products in Canada. But as they say, seek and you shall find. I found Canadian retailers that offer those products that I would like to try. I just compare prices and shipping fees to see which is cheaper.

And below are those products. I got all of them from Well.ca. I got the photos of the products from their respective websites. You can click on the photo and it will redirect you their specific website, if you want more information.

Shampoo and Body Wash

Baby Lotion 

Diaper Cream

Sunscsreen

(will be used on Kid #1, too) 

I also bought sample/travel size of these ones. So that I can see and try why they have good recommendations too. 

Shampoo and Body Wash 

Body Cream

Natural Soap

I am hoping I can do my own review on these products. I have tried "organic" products before (remember, A'kin?), And if I remember it right, they are not really like the regular products that I am accustomed of using. Like they are not that bubbly or soapy as I expected it to be. So, we'll see. But don't expect my reviews to be "scientific". My review will surely be superficial and just in comparison with the regular store products, you know. 

baby stuff: mattress

I am hardly having a good night sleep these past few weeks. We are on our 3rd trimester, that's why. I remember the joy of having slept on my back again after Kid #1 was born. Can't wait.

Talking about sleep, as I have said from my previous post about baby stuff, that it seems rather best to have the baby sleep on the papag and banig. Why? Because the crib mattress is another baby necessity that is stirring up controversy in the "baby products" world.

There has been a study released by Cockrell School Engineers that "Crib Mattresses Emit High Rates of Potentially Harmful Chemicals".

Excerpt:
Analyzing the foam padding in crib mattresses, the team found that the mattresses release significant amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), potentially harmful chemicals also found in household items such as cleaners and scented sprays.

In summary, there are chemicals in the mattress composition (foam, the glue, the covering) that might trigger allergic reactions (lung complications, asthma) or may cause long term effects (hormone disruption) to the baby sleeping on it after inhaling all those fumes.

There is also a theory that SIDS is caused by the toxic chemicals released by conventional crib mattresses. They said that the chemical fumes being inhaled by the baby just shuts the baby's system off and might have causes the SIDS. Read here.

So parents, what to do?

Here's a link on How to Buy Non-Toxic Crib Mattress

And here's another list of Recommended Crib Mattresses

Other suggestion is to air out the new mattress months before the baby uses it (we won't be able to do this anymore).

Or opt to use an old mattress (crib mattress or your own mattress) but be sure that it has no molds as molds are known to eat up chemicals and release toxic gases, increasing the risk of -- you're right -- SIDS.

A New Zealand scientist, Dr. Sprott, have discovered and invented a crib mattress cover -- the BabeSafe® crib mattress cover, which is a non-toxic plastic cover that seals the crib mattress inside resulting of no gas generation occurring in the mattress that can reach the baby.

Of course, we have already bought the mattress before I have read all about this. And here's what we bought.

Simmon's Peaceful Slumber 2-sided Crib Mattress from Sears

Description from the website:

Featuring healthy support with lightweight sleep technology, this two-sided Simmons crib mattress gives growing babies a restful and supported sleep 

Thermo bonded polyester core; Recycled polyester fibres are compression packed for firm and uniform support 

Polyurethane foam free

100% certified organic cotton cover is cool in the summer and warm in the winter; Phthalate and PVC free -- but not necessarily VOC free. There are lots of chemicals that are considered VOC. Not just Phthalate and PVC. There's phosphorus, arsenic and antimony, to name a few.

Innovative two-sided design; one side for baby and one side for toddler for just the right amount of support

I believe it is made in Canada.

We haven't picked it up so I guess we still have time to change our mind because it is not on the "Recommended" list? I don't know. Or should I buy the said mattress cover/protector?

I have talked about this with J and he said that too much reading is giving me more anxiety and more things to worry about.

I guess I still won't be having a good night sleep even after the baby is born.

what i love here: government support

By November of this year, or earlier if baby is too excited to see the world, I, again, will be a stay at home mom. For a year, at least.

One of the perks of being a Canadian resident/citizen, is having maternity leave that lasts for 15-17 weeks and an additional 35 weeks parental leave that can be split/shared both by mother and father.

In our situation, J and I decided that it is best that I should be the one to take all of it, so .. lucky me! That is also one of the reasons why I decided that it's high time to revive this blog. I feel like I will have more time to blog again (really???).

On top of that, if the parent who is taking the maternity/parental leave was working for at least the required minimum number of months, and has contributions to Employment Insurance or EI (click on the link if you want to know more about it) prior to the leave, that individual would be able to receive benefits while on leave. That is up to 55% of the individual's taxable income before going on leave. This applies to individuals who are pregnant, have recently given birth, are adopting a child, or are caring for a newborn.

Some companies have a "top up" option. That is, aside from the 55%  or so, that the employee will be receiving from EI, the company will chip in an additional percentage to complement the income up to a certain period of time. And I believe, employees who return to work after the leave provision shall be placed in the same or like position at the same rate of pay.

Different companies mean different rules, regulations and benefits. But the EI is one thing that is universal here in Canada.

baby stuff: crib

If I'm having the baby come spring/summer, we would probably opt with co-sleeping -- the baby would sleep in our room, on our bed, close to me, the way I think babies should be (I know not everybody will agree with me on this). That's how we were with Kid #1. But since, I am having the baby this fall, I just can't imagine having lots of covers and blankets on the bed come winter with a little baby in the middle of it. So not safe. We opted to have the baby his own sleeping area, but still in our room.

Kid #1 will have to be moving out of our room, into his own room. That's another project I have to tackle before giving birth and deserves a separate post.

How important is the crib? A baby will spend most his time in the crib sleeping and inhaling the air surrounding it. So we have to make sure that we get the right and bestest crib, right? Right. 

Anyway, there are a lot of options out there for cribs and mattresses. For starters, we had this with Kid #1: 

And all along I thought this is considered a crib. Apparently, it is not. This is a play pen and is not advisable to be slept on (I guess napping is okay). A crib is something like this: 

from pinterest 

Nice. But once I actually checked up on the price points, reality sets in. I can't spend that much money on a crib. And J wouldn't let me. 

We checked out other options. Have considered buying second hand (it's pretty much common here) but I dreaded the fact of having my baby sleep on a crib with bed bugs/mites or "history". Scratch. 

As usual, we have to consider safety, the mechanical safety of 2nd hand cribs  and even brand new ones. There are cribs that have been recalled and there are cribs that are not being recommended anymore, Especially those with drop sides and big gaps on the slats, odd measurement of the posts, etc. Add to that the composition and construction of the crib. It is said that solid wood crib with non-toxic finish using non-toxic adhesives are the safest ones. One has to watch out for particle boards, plywood, fiber woods because these types of cribs uses adhesives to glue the wood together and those adhesives might have formaldehyde and chemicals that are carcinogens and would be harmful to the still developing baby. There are the exposed hardware that are choking hazards. And the paint on the crib with VOC and lead that your baby would be chewing on later on. 

OMG. 

My head is spinning. Whew. As I have said I am no expert here and I just wanted to give our kids the safest products that I can afford. If you want to know more and read about baby products to avoid, you can go here. 

And some guidelines on how to buy a non-toxic crib, just click here.  

Or to find a truly non-toxic crib.  

As for us, here's what we got:

Mercer 3-in-1 Convertible Crib (by Babyletto)

Description from the manufacturer:

This crib features an extra drawer to keep baby's essentials close at hand (ours doesn't have this). All hardware is safely hidden. The Mercer Convertible Crib has four adjustable mattress positions (important for me since I am not tall, I really would want ease when getting the baby in and from the crib). And grows with your baby, converting to a toddler bed (rail included) or daybed. 

Made of solid, sustainable New Zealand Pine Wood

Converts to daybed and toddler bed with included toddler bed conversion kit

Four adjustable mattress levels 

Lead and phthalate safe with non-toxic finish

JPMA Certified, meets ASTM International and US CPSC safety standards

Made in Taiwan

We have the white/espresso two-tone. It's brand new but on floor display and without the bottom drawer that's why we got it on a discounted price from this store here in Winnipeg. I really wanted the Hudson in grey but it is expensive. 

So I think, this is a good compromise, eh? 

Come to think of it, maybe it is much better to have the baby sleep on papag (bed made of bamboo) with banig (a handwoven mat usually used in East Asia and Philippines for sleeping and sitting, usually made of palm and sea grass leaves -- wikipedia)  and layers of cotton blankets.

Non-toxic is toxic

I have been buying stuff for the new baby, and boy, was I in a blur! There are lots of things to consider!!! I didn’t know that when I had my first son (all I know then was BPA and parabens).

I was online shopping and then I saw this ‘organic’ stuff. So I started reading about it.  The more I read about it, the more new words I get to encounter: phthalates, harmful polyester, chemicals in flame retardants, VOC, carcinogen, lead, nickel, chlorine – every and any chemical that might be harmful to a newborn (or humans, that is). In short there are lots of toxic chems that can be found on baby stuff!!!

And if you know me, I am so gullible. If I could only put my first born inside a bubble (BPA Free of course) to protect him, I would. Right then and there I decided to just buy stuff that is only pure and organic and non-toxic. But…… they are expensive.

Trying to find safe and reasonably priced baby products is no easy feat. Why are they making these things so expensive??!!! One could easily shell out $5000 buying non-toxic necessities for a new born, JUST the necessities. This is stressing me out, making me toxic.

Seriously, I admire those families who are really into this. There are a lot of websites and blogs that you can find and read about this stuff. I am no expert here. Just google it and you can spend your entire day reading about it. 

Ideally, in my perfect world, I really wanted to go this way, but in reality, I know that I can’t. We can’t. Even if I buy all those non-toxic stuff for our new baby, it doesn’t end here. I can buy a crib and a mattress for him that is so, so, so very safe. But our bed isn’t. The couch isn’t. Our clothes are not. What about the entire house? Flooring? Paint? It doesn’t start and and end with just the baby things. It has to be all of us, our way of living, our lifestyle.

I will just have to keep on telling myself that, alright, alright, I will exert an effort to buy only good and safe products but I don’t have to stress myself out if I can’t. I just have to be calm and believe that everything is going to be okay the way it was with the previous generations. I mean they don’t know a thing about this before, right?