Savvy Toddler Mom

Last night, my final (for now) niece arrived!  Little Viv was born just after midnight on her brother’s birthday.  A great gift for a three-year-old, huh?  Baby sister!  Mom and baby are great and her two big brothers are really taken with her.

You are probably wondering if her quilt is finished… (well, you probably aren’t, but I’m feeling some guilt about it).  The answer is no, not yet.  We are going to visit next month, so I’m giving myself until then to get it done.  That way I can deliver it in person, right?

In light of this latest new arrival — and for the several friends of mine that are also expecting right now — here are my recommendations for your newborn’s changing table.

Must Haves for the Changing Table

• Diapers - 2 packages newborn diapers to start
• Wipes - Kirkland brand (Costco) is perfect (don’t bother with a wipe warmer, they’ll just get used to it!)
• Diaper rash cream - BEST is Aquaphor mixed with Creamy Desitin at a 1:1 ratio
• Baby lotion - I love the bedtime one by Johnson & Johnson
• Purell - in a hand pump is great
• Baby sunscreen - because this is where you’ll use it – not for newborns, though
• Finger nail clippers
• Hair brush
• Rubbing alcohol & Q-Tips for umbilical cord cleaning
• Vaseline packets (for umbilical cord and diaper rash on newborns – they will probably give you these at the hospital)
• Contour changing pad
• Contour changing pad covers - 3 recommended
• Diaper pail - I really like our Diaper Champ: no cartridges to buy and it’s still serving us well after 3 years

I might also mention that Costco doesn’t sell newborn diapers.  Get a couple of packages from the grocery store, Target, etc., and then pick up some 1-2 size diapers from Costco.  Also good to know: they don’t sell size “1″ or “2″ at Costco or other warehouse clubs.  It’s size “1-2″ and then you go to size 3.  No, it’s not a problem.

I also thought I’d mention that a changing table is really a good idea too.  I know a lot of people get by just fine without one, but I really like having a space in which the toot is contained (side bars, strap, etc.), at a reasonably convenient height, and where everything is already organized and ready to use.  I highly recommend it.

On a side note, I got the buttons for the toot’s pirate costume sewn on last night and I’m going to finish the sash today.  Then I will take some photos and post them!

We didn’t make it to Wheeler Farm last Saturday; the weather was too yucky.  We are hoping to go this Saturday, though.  I’ll let you know what I think of their Scarecrow Masquerade.

With the birth of my third niece, I have been thinking about those newborn must-haves.  One of the biggies is “The World’s Best Diaper Cream” dubbed such by my sister-in-law nurse and brother-in-law pharmacist.  The secret formula is easy: mix Aquaphor with Creamy Desitin (both available at Costco, of course) at a 1:1 ratio and you’ve got the good stuff.  It works wonders.

I also recommend going to your local pharmacy and getting an ointment jar or two to put it in.  One for the changing table, one for the diaper bag.  And maybe one more on hand as a back-up for when the changing table jar runs out at the worst possible moment.

My recommendation on diaper cream application is to apply after EVERY poopy diaper.  I understand that it is the skin’s exposure to poop and urine together that causes diaper rash.  This rule of thumb has served us well.

Here’s a fun pic of the new family…

It’s been a rough week so far.  The toot woke up Sunday night at 1am (think: night of sleep before the grueling work week begins) with a fever of 102.4.  Ouch.  It was a long night.  You know how it goes… you distribute the Tylenol and ibuprofen and hope it starts to come down.  He was a bit better in the morning, but by evening was totally lethargic and I was worried.  So, we took him to the KidsCare, etc., etc.  We think it’s just a virus, so I’m just watching him carefully.  [7/1/07 Edit: It turned out he had roseola, a virus that children 6 months-3 years typically catch.  For the toot, it was a 4-day fever of 103.5 degrees that came down with medication, followed by an all-over-the-body rash for 4 days.  The rash is harmless - not itchy or anything.  The biggest concern with roseola (I understand) is to manage the fever appropriately.]

Side note: they did a strep test on him… did you know that makes a lot of kids throw up?  I didn’t.  My husband was the one holding the toot, though… unfortunately.  Unfortunately for HIM.  Sorry, hon.

Anyway, getting to the point… to keep a close eye on his fever, you need to take his temperature, right?  Well, up until now, we have simply had a rectal thermometer.  On the way home from the KidsCare, though, I insisted we stop at the store and get an ear thermometer.  I was done.  I wasn’t about to put my son through the discomfort of rectal readings at the frequency I decided I needed them.

I can say only this: I wish I had bought one a year and a half ago.  If you don’t have one, go get one.  They are worth every penny.

I’m pretty sure you shouldn’t use them on children under 1 — their ear canals aren’t big enough.

I picked up one made by Braun (the best choice I had from those at the local store).  I don’t know about any others, but this one seems to do the trick.  Only takes one second and so easy, the toot has already figured out how to do it himself.  He also added “temperature” to his vocabulary on Monday.

I was telling my friend… Best Friend with No Name (BFNN?)… about it and she said she had the same one, and that she bought it at Costco.  The one I picked up was $49.99, but I’m betting you could find it for less without much trouble.

Another thought on Tylenol and ibuprofen: make sure you are giving your kids the right dosage for their weight.  I discovered that I should have been giving the toot the next dosage up because he sneaked over the weight range when I wasn’t looking.  It would work for a while, but then wear off WAY before I thought it should and that was why. 

Also, if you don’t want to call your doctor’s office to ask for the right dosage for your child’s weight, call your pharmacist.  I always call my brother-in-law who is a pharmacist.  LOL… I call him at his pharmacy in Colorado.

I made a HUGE list of things I want to blog about… all my favorite baby & toddler related items… and then it promptly got buried in the chaos that was my basement flooding over the weekend.  Ack!  Our main water turnoff sprung a leak and soaked the floor of my craft room.  SUCH a mess.  Gallons and gallons of water.  The carpet is dry now, but it still smells like… wet carpet.  Ew.

So, until I find my list of favorites under the piles of refugee scrapbook albums, books, paper, fabric, and photos that has since taken over my office, I must draw upon my memory.  (And if you are a mom, you know how badly pregnancy can permanently damage your memory.  This is a hard thing.)  And what is the first thing my memory comes up with as a must-have for the toddler parent?  Costco.

Yes, Costco.  A Costco membership is my #1 Must Have.  I love Costco.  Really.  I used to drive 20 minutes into Salt Lake to the Costco there until they built one 5 minutes from my house in Bountiful a year and a half ago.  I jumped for joy when I heard about the new one.  I went the first day it opened — braved the insane crowds and everything.  It was so exciting!  Our very own Costco.

“Why?” you ask. “What is it about Costco? Why is it a Must Have?”

“Well,” I reply, “let me tell you…”  It has stuff you need.  It has stuff you need for less than you could buy at regular stores. It has stuff you need for less and in quantities that make it so you don’t run out every time you turn around.  They also have stuff you never even thought of needing or wanting until you see it there and HAVE to have it.  Oh, wait… that’s not exactly a plus.  Well, sometimes it is.

“Need” is a relative term.  I use “need” in the sense of “this-product-that-could-make-your-life-easier-and-your-children-happier/healthier.” 

“What kind of stuff?” you ask.  “Stuff,” I say.

Infant formula, whole milk, chicken nuggets (shaped like dinosaurs!), cheerios, meatballs, goldfish crackers, fruit snacks, fruits and veggies, DIAPERS, diaper wipes, pull-ups, swim diapers, baby shampoo, baby wash, antibacterial wipes, children’s clothing, children’s books and DVDs, children’s furniture, strollers, tricycles, toys, playground equipment, costumes, sippy cups, etc., etc., etc.

Don’t forget stuff for parents of toddlers: CAFFEINATED BEVERAGES and laptops and stuff.  Mostly the caffeinated beverages.  Oh, and the prepared meals that you just throw in the oven (my favorite is the chicken pot pie).  (I did buy my laptop from their web site and got exactly what I wanted for a screamin’ deal.)

Costco does have a pitfall.  You can go totally nuts (and broke) if you aren’t careful.  I really recommend shopping there with a LIST (and, oh, how I love lists) and NOT HUNGRY.

Also keep in mind the Costco Rule: “You can always take it back.” I have seen things there and decided to “think about it,” then come back later and they are gone.  You need a happy medium.

In summary: Must Have #1 is a Costco Membership.  Executive Membership (with 2% cash back) is $100 annually, basic membership is $50.  Too bad they don’t sell carpet.  Oh, wait… I think maybe they do…

P.S. I really recommend the Kirkland diapers over the Huggies… they work just as well, if not better (I have a boy, I can attest) and they cost less.