Baby Must Haves

I received an email last night from a woman in my playgroup that is due to have a baby in the next few weeks and she had just bought a double stroller and was disappointed with it. It turns out that I have the same double stroller and LOVE it! It's the Kolcraft Contours Tandem Options stroller and it really is great, in my opinion!

She wanted to know what the stroller was really like and if it was worth it. Another friend of hers had a Graco double and she felt like she should go with the Graco. We got into a conversation about double strollers and I told her I had bought my Contours AFTER having spent close to a year with the newest Graco double. I could not stand my Graco double. Yes, it had a few conveniences that my Contours doesn't but the pluses on the Contours outweighed the conveniences on the Graco!

I would recommend this stroller to anyone! I would also recommend an excellent stain remover, such as Baby OxyClean, to anyone with a new baby or kids in general.

My question for you is, what baby items would you recommend to someone having a new baby or another baby? What's your signature shower gift? What's the ONE THING you can't live without?

Share with us!

Cravings

With the passage of the July 4th holiday and all the food I consumed I couldn't help but think back to my pregnancy days and the fabulousness that was cravings and giving in to them!

Don't get me wrong I had a solid 5 months of all day sickness and eating came in spurts but once I moved past that, those two weeks where my stomach still longed for food and could hold more than a thimble were were GREAT!

My second pregnancy was unplanned and I had NO IDEA I was pregnant. I was a bottomless pit, though. I ate anything and everything in sight for a good two weeks before we found out we were expecting again. Then the moment the stick read pregnant, I puked my brains up and continued to do so for 4 months or so. Then came the fun...the cravings...the eating! YUM!

With my first pregnancy, my son, I could not get enough lemonade, chicken francaise, limes and gravy fries. Maybe an explanation for my heartburn? I think so! Anyway, I would have killed for any of those foods. I LOVED them...my baby LOVED them! Interestingly enough my son now adores lemonade!

With my second pregnancy the cravings became a bit more interesting. My main craving for the 7.5 months of that pregnancy? Fettuccine Alfredo and Grape soda. I know, I know. I'm sorry if you're pregnant and that made you sick. Even if you're not pregnant and that made you sick, I'm sorry! But it was O. So. Good. I also loved pancakes with maple syrup and a dill pickle on the side. Again, I'm sorry.

I gave in to my cravings. When I wanted something I ate it. I kept waiting for the really weird cravings to begin. The pica. Luckily, it never happened for me. Unless you count my crazy need for maternity clothes. I did begin to worry about my cravings because gravy fries and alfredo aren't exactly all that healthy. I took my concerns to my fabulous OB/GYN.

She informed me that because weight was not an issue for me and my BP problems were not related to food I should be ok. She also told me that generally the cravings are an indicator that the body is in need of some vitamin. The lemonade and limes from my first pregnancy were most likely an indicator that I needed Vitamin C. The Alfredo and grape soda she wasn't so sure about. But I also had a lot of red meat cravings during my second pregnancy. I ate steak and burgers a bit more than I thought I should but it appeared I needed the protein.

Cravings, while sometimes just a trick that our brain and stomach are playing on us, can also be indicators that we need something more. Cautiously giving in to your cravings can be ok and might even be helpful! So, go ahead indulge in that five cheese burrito covered in maple syrup- just keep the Tums and a garbage can nearby!

Heart Burn Helps

I figured since there haven't been any questions, that I know of, yet I'd post about one of the most annoying parts of pregnancy.

This is one of the pregnancy symptoms that hit me almost as soon as I knew I was pregnant. Actually, thinking back, it was a symptom that almost made me take a test because it was so bad!

Heart Burn.

Good Lord, I had it BAD! With both pregnancies I had it REALLY bad!

With my first pregnancy, I carried my son very high. For most of the 9 months he was just under my lungs and ribs which meant he was also pushing right against my stomach. From the very beginning, everything that I hate caused me heart burn. Agata. Terrible burning in my esophagus and even up into my mouth. I had no idea what to do! My first inclination was to drink milk. I figured the creamy texture and coolness would have to soothe the acid.

Definitely not.

The milk made it much much worse.

I made sure not to lay down after eating, even though everything made me tired. I ate bland meals and stayed away from the typical heartburn triggers- spicy, acidic, large meals. Nothing helped.

Then I discovered Tums. The antacid of the gods! Don't get me wrong, these tiny tablets taste like flavored chalk and they can be difficult to choke down, especially with all day sickness, but they work WONDERS! Or they did for me! I bought the economy size bottle to keep at home and then had bottles stashed everywhere I went!

One in my car.

One in my desk at work.

One in my husband's car.

One at my parents.

One in my purse.

The plus side of taking so many Tums? The calcium! Not only was I ridding myself of heartburn, I was also getting a nice dose of calcium. As long as you stay within the recommended dosage and talk with your doctor, Tums can be your savior, too!

As soon as the stick turned pink with my second pregnancy I jumped in my car and headed out to stock up on my most useful pregnancy remedy! Heart burn can be unpleasant and one of the worst side effects of pregnancy but if you watch what you eat, eat slowly and small meals and allow your food to digest a bit you can help to avoid it as much as possible. And when all else fails, take the Tums- they work!!

Carnival Of Questions

Since we have two new farmers on board, I would like to extend an offer to ask as many questions regarding pregnancy, childbirth and babies/kids, as you want! Then, we will divide up the questions between the three farmers and answer them in one big post. It can be any question you want. It can be as embarrassing as you want, because you will remain anonymous. Just post your questions in the comments section and be sure to pass this link on to friends or family who may want to ask a question, as well.
At the end of the carnival, I will randomly select one reader's question and they will receive a custom designed button from the Defiant Mom store!

Pregnancy...It's A Gas!

Q:
Lately, I have been experiencing really bad gas pains. Since I cannot easily double over, because of my huge belly, is there anything I can do to treat it?
A:
Have no fear, relief is near! First of all, preventative measures are the best idea. Since it is a little late for prevention, let's start by talking about taking action. Here are a few suggestions for quick gas relief:

1. Simethicone: A natural remedy that can be found in anti gas baby products such as "Little Tummies." It is also available in adult form known as "Gas X." Both products are completely safe. You can also use a remedy known as "Gripe Water," though it is harder to find on store shelves.
2. Do the "stink bug." Kneel on the floor and lower your head to the ground, without making yourself uncomfortable. Keep your legs under your body and stick your rear end high up in the air. The idea is to let gas travel upward (as it is known to do,) and exit your body ASAP. This could take a few minutes, so don't rush it.

Now that your have relief, heed these warnings for future. Steer clear of certain veggies. No cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli or brussel sprouts. No beans. No spicy foods. No fried foods. Fast food is notorious for creating excess gas. Do not eat fast. The faster you eat, the more air you intake. Remember these rules for when you nurse. If something gives you gas, it will do the same to the baby. Good luck and peace be with you!

Is Your Baby Taking A Ride On The Mood Swing?

Q:
I have a wonderful daughter who is 8 months. I love her dearly, but lately she has been demanding and grumpy more than she has been happy. I am curious to know if all your babies had different temperaments and were their temperaments indicative of their current personalities?

A:
All of my babies varied in their temperaments. Some were calm and easy to soothe. Some were always fussy. However, their current behavior does not always predict their future characters. Marlie was a very fussy baby, for the first few months. After she turned 4 months old, things changed and she became a very easy going child. Babies may change their temperaments when faced with the stages of early childhood development.
Babies go through developmental stages that, sometimes, produce temporary changes in behavior. Your baby's grumpiness could be due to several factors. Is she teething? How is she sleeping? Have you cut out a nap? Have you started solids yet? Could she be hungry and need more food due to an increased activity level? Has anything in her environment changed? Babies thrive on consistency and any little change can trigger her to feel insecure.
Also, at her age, babies start to learn how to manipulate parental responses. Social skills start to kick in along with separation anxiety. My son, Daniel, would wail like we had injured him, if we dared leave him. I felt so bad leaving him with my grandparents and would often hurry home to find him playing happily. My grandma said that he was always fine after we left. It was just his way of communicating his displeasure with my departure. After a few times, he realized that we were coming back and stopped having separation anxiety.
As children reach milestones, they may become fussy. Their bodies are trying to accomplish new things and their minds may not be able to cope with all that is happening. They may be frustrated with the inability to crawl or walk. They are trying to master motor skills, learn a language, remember faces and names and process social cues. That is a lot to manage, even for an adult! Be patient, while setting guidelines. Do not give in to her demands. It will only teach her that she can get away with that kind of behavior. Stay positive.
Above all, if you suspect that there may be an underlying medical condition, seek a doctor's advice. You know your child better than anyone and if you feel that something greater than what I've mentioned is happening, follow your intuition. Good luck and peace be with you!

A Hello From the New Farmer

I just wanted to take a moment and say hello to everyone!
I am so excited to be here and to be working with Kadi and Fertile Farmer. Like Kadi, I am not a doctor or medical professional. I am a mom who has done a lot of research and lived through a number of different medical traumas. Some were pregnancy related, some were not.
I am here to answer your questions or discuss your concerns as a mom, a woman, a wife and a friend!
Please feel free to leave me a comment or drop me an email at mcgearstella at gmail dot com with any questions or comments! Over the next few days I am going to try and post a little bit more detail about my pregnancies and share with you the roller coaster ride that my second pregnancy was!
I am so glad to be here and I am excited to share my thoughts and experiences with you!

Alison