Diaper Bag 101

Before Haley was born my sister went with me to Babies R Us to pick out a diaper bag. I wanted a messenger bag with lots of pockets. I also wanted one that was not excessively girly so Zach could carry around without feeling too emasculated.

I decided on the JJ cole collections system bag. I love this bag but sometimes I wish it were bigger. Luckily they have released an updated version, the system 180, with has an additional main compartment. These bags comes with a matching changing pad and a pacifier pod. They also have an insulated bottle pocket (which I just use as another side pocket) a cell phone pocket and an ipod pocket

I love all of the organizing pockets

My diaper bag packing list:

In the front pocket/ side pockets of my bag you will find

a few dollars- in case I forget my real wallet and we're out somewhere and need $

my cell phone

my iPod

bookmarks for my book club- to pass out to people I meet at story time or play group, or even when I'm eating out.

a little pen

a tiny notepad, scrap paper, or sticky notes

hand sanitizer

gas drops

tylenol- especially when Haley's teething or about to get vaccinated

at least one pacifier- If I'm going out of town I stash about 3 so I can always find one easily, this is especially handy when we're driving and the bag is stashed behind my seat. I have mastered the are of the one handed binky retrieval.

mine and Haley's sunglasses,

nail clippers for me and for Haley-I always seem to be out of the house when I realize Haley's nails are getting too long, or mine are starting to scratch her

my wallett

A light blanket- for swaddling or nursing

burp cloths- I like to have 2 or 3, at least one is easily accessible emergencies

In the main compartment of my bag you will find:

a changing pad

my stocked wipes case

2 cloth diapers

4-6 disposable diapers

grocery bags for used diapers or wet clothes- the little duck has baggies too and can double as a toy for distracting wiggly babies

my camera- I like to pack the one that has the video camera in case something exciting happens while we're out, also it is a bit lighter than my SLR

a change of clothes

a jacket- even if it's warm outside you never know if your destination will be drafty

a few toys- pick quiet toys like stuffed animals or teething rings if you are going to a restaurant, a movie or somewhere else that requires quiet play

Aquaphor healing ointment- for diaper rash and for keeping baby's faced from getting chapped by the cold winter wind

extra socks and hats (both warm hats and sun hats)- these things get lost and forgotten easily

a small tube of diaper rash cream

thermometer- a paranoid mom's best friend

lotion

sunscreen- for mom and for baby

tampons and breast pads (or regular pads for the first few outings postpartum)

snacks for mom

Now that Haley is starting solids it's time to pack a bib, washcloth, spoon, mini-bowl, and food.

Also, If you are using formula or are pumping you will probably want to include a bottle or two.

What has been a diaper bag essential for you? Mom's with older babies, what should I add to my bag soon?

This packing list works for me- for more tips this week check out Rocks in my Dryer.

Putting the Bean to Bed

In January we started a simple sleep routine with Haley. It has been very effective, and it is also simple. The routine takes less than 5 minutes (this does not include baths, massages, putting on a fresh diaper and pajamas, and eating, which are not always precursors to bed time, and sometimes happen much earlier or not at all.)

Haley usually goes down between 9:15 and 9:45, It just depends on how the day has gone with naps, and her eating schedule.

Here is the routine...

We sit in her glider together. I read Haley a bible story from the Beginners Bible. (which she usually tries to eat)

I pray over her for her and for us as her parents. I sing her a song or two and put her in her crib with her binky and playing the music on her mobile. I then rub her back and give quiet shhh's until she rests her head, or if she's really fighting sleep I just walk away, knowing I will soon be back to re-administer her pacifier and give her one last night-night kiss. Luckily even on fussy nights that tends to do the trip.

Haley is great about Zach or I putting her to bed. She usually will not cry for more than about 7 minutes before putting herself to sleep. There are of course exception to this, like nights when her teeth are coming in strong and she screams for hours; or nights where we are out late as a family and the sleepy routine is to transfer her as carefully as possible from car seat to crib.

Of course once the bean is in bed I become incredibly productive knowing I have a few uninterrupted hours (mind you my version of productive on some days is just reading a lot of blogs, or catching up on a tv show I've been following online.)

You win insomnia... you always do!

Starting Solids

Haley is almost 6 months old, she has doubled her birth weight, she can sit independently for a while (until she gets interested in something else and flops over to it), she is interested in adults food, she indicated when she is full, and she is always putting things in her mouth. So what dies this all add up to?

She is ready for Solids!

So we got started... I pulled out and washed her new spoons and bowls

I heated up about an ounce of breast milk (2 tablespoons) to mix with about a 1/2 tablespoon of rice cereal.

* I started with half of the recommended amount because tit was after class and she had an once of her bottle left that I didn't want to waste and I wanted to stick with the recommended consistency. We started with rice cereal, as the experts suggest, because it is easy on the digestive tract and less likely to trigger allergic reactions than other cereals and solid foods.

Then Haley went to town! (sorry for the blurry pictures but it's what I've got.)

Haley was all about her food

She wanted to feed herself, which made it very difficult to get the food into her mouth.

It was a grand old mess.

Tonight we will go for solid foods, take 2. In reading some more I found a few tips I might try. Putting some of the food on her tray for her to play with, and feeding her some from my finger so she can get a taste for it. I will probably also give her a spoon of her own to play with, and I'll remember to actually use one of the many bibs we have been given.

I think we will wait until Haley is 6 months old to start introducing other cereals and fruts and vegetables. Leavig the recommended 3 days between foods to make sure she does not show signs of any allergies. (Luckily Zach and I don't really have allergies, so hopefully she won't either- but my mom is allergic to everything, so I will try to be cautious)

Check out some great food charts at Tiny Playground, Garden of Eden, Sympathy Pain, and Web MD

There are a lot of great articles and tips for starting solids at Gerber, Huggies, Baby Center, Healthy Children, Ask Dr. Sears, Keep Kids Healthy. Also, What to Expect, Parents, and the Baby Zone have several links about stating solids.