Saturday, January 2, 2010
Diapers/Bathtime/Sick kid care
These lists are almost as scary as the feeding accessories. What do I need to keep my keep my kid from getting swine flu or make him feel better if he does? (I know, Shannon, besides breastfeeding.) And – be honest – does anyone actually use special baby detergent?
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In the beginning there is very little you can give baby...but you'll eventually need some type of "cold" medicine, and lots of Tylenol! Some gassy babes like Mylicon. Yes, absolutely use special baby detergent - Dreft. You can't use powder on babies as it could get in their noses and air passages. The only "bath" item you need is J&J baby shampoo (or Target brand!), and maybe some J&J lotion (don't go for all the smelly, calming lotions). No need for baby wipe warmers. And you'll need a baby bulb to empty out his/her nose, but hospital will give you the one they use when baby comes out. And you need scissors as their little fingernails can scratch you.
ReplyDeleteYep, still use Dreft. You can also probably use Tide Free or something like that, but babies are much more sensitive to stuff than we are, so they need the dye free perfume frees stuff. Check out "Baby Bargains" for the first-aid kit list.
ReplyDeleteThe aspirator is a must, as are several types of thermometers. Most doctors want a rectal temp when you call at 4am, so rectal is necessary, though we use the ear one now when we are just wondering if we should be concerned.
For bathtime, soap, lotion. We used whatever was on sale, and he seemed fine with that.
We use Tylenol for colds. As for baths, we actually use Dove because she has super sensitive skin. And whatever diapers you decide to use, sign up on their website and they will send loads of coupons. Also we found the newborn diapers with the stripe that changes color when they pee very helpful.
ReplyDeleteAspirator, butt thermometer and Tylenol... Humidifier and orajel. And know your CPR no joking ... I had to do it on my middle one and it saved her life.
ReplyDeletebulb syringe with saline will help with colds. we use the humidifier at night. mylecon/simethecone is a lifesaver when they have gas. we use johnsons bath wash ans lotion. All free and clear is cheaper detergent but is similar to dreft but works just as well. babies have super sensitive skin in the beginning.
ReplyDeleteload up on purell and insist anyone who touches your baby needs to use after hadnwashing before touching. get yourself vaccinated to prevent swine flu. My pediatrician said to avoid public places until 6 weeks old since they are so little in flu season. and she said to keep them away from children since they tend to have germs until the babies are a little older.
i would go with pampers or huggies. My sister swore by using huggies for her boy.....ellie broke out in a rash from using the off brand diapers...they didnt wick away the moisture as well. Bordeax butt paste has been helpful in diaper rash or triple paste cream was recommended by pediatrician.
Don't panic over germs. Kids develop immune systems by being exposed to germs. Just make sure you let the kid sleep indoors during the winter months.
ReplyDeleteGet a diaper genie to cut down on the smell.
Find a pediatrician that you like personally, and trust professionally. You will be fine on the health front. They are very comforting for first time moms, and they have seen it all before. It always worked for me. Germs happen, so the vaccine thing is a big decision. Personally, we vaccinated, but not against the flu. Now I don't know what I'd decide. A good question for Dr. OZ.
ReplyDeleteI didn't use baby detergent, but I did use dye and perfume free detergent. I recommend one of the green brands that are out today, that are free of harsh chemicals. Kids do react to bad stuff on their skin.
I forgot to add that I love the ear thermomitor. It is so safe and accurate. There are also strips you can placed across thier head that will indicate a fever.
ReplyDeleteWe've used both the ear thermometer and the one that you swipe across the forehead, not the strip that indicates fever, but the actual thermometer. Our pediatrician assured us it was accurate enough and much less invasive, screaming, crabby children really don't love rectal thermometers, but that's up to the the doctor you choose, they'll let you know what they recommend. Our doctor's office also has a website with common questions about care which has been a godsend more than once.
ReplyDeleteNancy
It's true that not much can be done to soothe a baby with a cold. Johnson's Soothing Vapor Baby Bath is a must. We just added some to a warm bath and our son got instant relief.
ReplyDeleteOk, you can use baby powder, as long as it is pure cornstarch powder. No talc! Talc is bad for anyone to breath in.
ReplyDeleteMylecon is great for gassy babies, and is safe to give at every feeding - just follow the directions on the bottle.
Infant's Tylenol - follow directions on bottle and double check the dosage amount with the pediatrician. under 2 months old, you shouldn't be giving the baby any mediciations (except for Mylecon)
No Infant's Motrin until he is at least 6 months old. It is helpful to rotate the dosing of Tylenol and Motrin for fevers or teething, as the system doesn't get used to one or the other.
Always keep in mind the temp readings rectally differ from orally or anixillary (ear). Under two months, anything above 101 and as they get older, the numbers will change. A temporal thermometer is not as accurate. For kids under 6 months, rectally is going to be your most accurate, because their ear canals aren't big enough to get a proper reading for an anixillary thermometer. When taking their temp rectally, use KY Jelly instead of vasoline. Vasoline can actually bind them up...and KY will have the adverse reaction somtimes.
You need to be careful on the Vapor rub on babies. There are controversial reports on using it. As well as baby Orajel for teething. Don't use it, mine survived without it. A cold teething ring or wet down and frozen washcloth do wonders.
Baby detergent: Use for the first few months, then after that, you should be able to switch. Babies have very sensitive skin when they are brand new. Perfumes can dry them out.
Don't feel the need to bathe every night/day. You also don't need to wash their hair every day either. Cradle cap is a pain in the ass, but there are ways to help get rid of it. I found this stuff at Target or Babies R Us, that is made by Disney, that is for cradle cap. It worked great! Cradle cap is caused by oils, not by dry skin.
Butt paste is the best, with Desitin in close second. Jenna gets bad diaper rash, and BP works much better that Desitin.
Also, having hand sanitizer is great, around the house in various places, and at the diaper changing station for you.
I forgot - Diapers.
ReplyDeleteWe had the best luck doing the following:
Newborns/Size 1 diapers - Pampers Swaddlers
Size 2 and up - Huggies Supreme (burgundy box)
Starting at around size 4, we needed to use nighttime diapers for Aiden for leaking purposes)
And, let's say Lincoln is a size 2 diaper, but he is leaking during the night (as you don't need to change him as often, etc) You can up him to a size 3 at night - give him more absorbancy. We did this for Jenna, and it worked like a charm!