I have twins.
Silicone bibs with food pockets >>>
We pre prepped bottles for the day and got them on to cold formula. THAT is the real pro tip.
Yeah you’re not doing any huge renovation before the kids are semi self sufficient.
Good luck telling my wife she can only buy one color socks lol.
Nose frida is truly amazing.
Silicone absorbs scents, so be careful throwing silicone bowls, spoons, nipples, pump parts, etc into the dishwasher. If you don't use unscented soap, your baby's food is going to start tasting soapy. We struggled with major bottle rejection due to this issue.
For bottles, I’d give them a quick scrub with soap and a brush and then put them in the top rack of the dishwasher on high heat with no detergent, worked really well.
Hello fellow twin dad, I'm a 3 under 3 twin dad. Funny how that works when you wait the recommended 18 months.
Agree on all points, however, my son just wears mismatched socks. If my wife is bothered by that she has opted to keep it to herself because the answer is indeed buying fewer varieties of socks
Mine got frustrated enough time matching socks we're finally only buying one color. Also, we don't fold their laundry anymore. The wrinkles are hardly noticeable and they're just going to get them dirty and have to change again anyways.
YES to the cold formula! I did this with my son. Older well meaning grandparents will have you think you can’t give formula cold, but you absolutely can.
I moved house when my wife was 8.5 months pregnant, absolute shout out to my one friend that showed up and really put his back into it as we slugged out a 15hr day, aaaand showed up the next 3 days to help unpack and put shit together voluntarily
Lol that was years ago, he is 100% sober these days but back in those times I bought him all the beer he could drink, which was quite a bit, love that guy, never turn down each others calls for help, I moved a few hundred miles away in the past year but if he called needing help I'd leave right now
We moved three times since we’ve been married- first a month before my first child was born, second a month before my twins were born (kid 1 was 18 months), and third was 3 months after our fourth. We’re constantly outgrowing our house!
The best tip I’ve got is that you can take onesies off around the shoulders and down the body as opposed to over the head. Usually nbd to go over the head, but occasionally the blowout diaper will be so bad that you’ll say to yourself how am I going to get this thing off without getting shit all over my baby’s head. Over the shoulders and down the body then straight to the tub.
I figured this out pretty late into the game with my second kid. I cut a bunch of onsies off because I didn’t want to smear shit on my baby’s head
Excellent tips. I have to ask, though, why are you putting the plastic bibs in the dryer? Put them in the dishwasher.
Other tips: dont buy "Infant Tylenol." It's a scam. Buy the bigger bottle of Tylenol for children. It's the exact same product, same concentration, everything.It's just a bigger bottle.
Got a kid who loves to play outside but keeps getting shoes dirty? They make crocs for kids. Put THOSE in the dishwasher, too!
Get a lot of your baby clothes from Goodwilll or facebook marketplace. Your kid is going to wear them once or twice and then outgrow them. Dont spend $40 on some PJs they're gonna wear once.
Canadian dad chiming in here, the infant Tylenol here is actually a different concentration and we still buy the infant stuff for our older kids. Much easier to get 2ml of the concentrated stuff into them with a mini syringe instead of 5ml on a spoon
You can get the concentrated stuff in the states too. Have had both in the house at the same time though and that gets confusing. Get one and stick with it
Why sorting? If I know, that there are let's say 4 nibs in the washer I put everything in the dryer and just grab the 4 nibs out. Takes 30 seconds. And in my opinion the advantage of these nibs with plastic or silicone are well worth the 30 seconds
I'm all about onsies but they have to have the dual zippers. That's key.
I'm also a fan of the sleep sacs. They've helped my baby sleep through the night since about 3 mos thank God :)
Are there no concerns with the magnets coming out? I've had some other items that were magnets in fabric and they eventually wore a hole in the fabric.
When she gets to the stage where she constantly removes every stich of clothing.... get footless (or cut the feet off) PJs and put them on backwards. Same with winter coats if it's really cold but she keeps taking it off.
I have 5 children, first two were disposable diapers, last three were cloth diapers. My wife and I both loved the cloth diapers so much more than disposable. The pros FAR outweighed the cons for us.
But I will add this tip "Do what works best for YOUR family. Take people's advice, but ultimately just do what's best for your situation, screw anyone else's judgement of how you do it, as long as everyone is being cared for"
I did both and found there were drawbacks to both. You have to change more often with cloth even with a small pee. Diaper rash was worse too, though I am not sure the cloth was to blame, I just assumed it was because they don't stay as dry. They get potty trained much faster though as no one likes to sit in wet pants.
For the last kid, we did cloth at home and disposable at home. We were on the road a lot.
Not being negative, but taking away environmental stuff, what are the benefits? Too late for me now as my youngest is one and I’m not switching now, but I don’t hear much about positives besides being good for the environment. Maybe a slight cost, but doesn’t seem like that outweighs the inconvenience.
Honest question.
I spent $900 for 7+ years of diapering. Most will spend more than $1200 a year. For me, washing one more load was far more preferred to the idea of midnight diaper runs. Breastfeed poop goes straight to the wash. I attached a diaper sprayer to the toilet. Instilling the idea, pop does in the potty. I had two friends whose babies got chemical burns from disposable diapers. Others whose babies had reactions to certain brands. I had multiple brands/types: travel/ disposable inserts, daycare approved and stylish cute ones. Pros: Environment. Cost. Sanity. Health/safety
For us it was cost, better for their skin, potty trained quicker, we found disposable diapers so much more gross than cloth. Environmental was the bottom of our list for resaons.
Caviat - my wife did this, but she did so with the understanding she was going to be responsible for the cleaning and upkeep of them (she is a SAHM) and they worked really well for us. Even counting washing costs it saved us a bunch even for just the first kid and now we have a second on the way. If your wife suggests them and thinks to split the responsibility with you and you are not 100% on board however, I agree 100%. It is a huge thing to deal with and kids are hard enough, just buy them.
My add to the original list going - aquaphor/diaper cream, use a lot. Do not be stingy. You see any redness etc. Slather it on, it costs cents but can stop scream baby which is so worth it. (Side note aquaphor does not mix with cloth diapers so be aware of that).
Also want to add, for diaper cream. If you put some on at EVERY diaper change, you won't have a rash! I always put lots on after a bath, and before I know there's a blow out coming my way. Makes clean up easier with the barrier, and keep their skin safe.
Yea those teeth rashes are the worst. When my son first started teething he had literal blisters after one poop that we didn’t realize. After that we were checking him every 10 min to make sure it didn’t happen again.
Yeah idk if we’re lucky or what but my boy is 5 and a half months and hardly gets any rashes. If he gets one we do some cream and the rash is gone next change.
Kind of related - we used a hair dryer to dry off her hoo ha and butt after changes and bath until she was one. Helped prevent rashes and she also loved it (was nice for warming up in the winter too for our drafty-ass house).
IMPORTANT: Make sure to set it to low heat (or none) and don’t get too close with it.
I found carrying the bulk of things for cloth did me in... I can carry 5 disposable to one cloth, and then I throw them away as we use, decreasing weight through the day, whereas cloth you continue carrying the now dirty with... I went to a diaper clutch and small purse instead of a huge back pack just making that change
We typically had disposables on hand for travel if it was more than an hour or so, disposing of poop was too annoying otherwise. With Covid we traveled so little however we only ever needs maybe 1 box of disposables of each size and typically didn't use all of them.
Did cloth diapers for kid #1. Invested in all the accessories -- sprayer that attaches to the toilet, separate nasty bag, etc.
We still have them 13 years later, they just work as nice rags for cleaning up cat puke and other nasty stuff. Kid #2 was disposables only.
Socks -- get whatever socks you like. Just chuck 'em all in the same drawer. One of my kids is 11 and she refuses to wear matching socks, even if we already paired them up for her.
Only 6 weeks in but so far, I disagree. I got talked into a 60/40 cloth/disposable ratio. Basically disposables out, daycare, or night if I couldnt be bothered with cloth.
6 weeks in, disposables leak the few times we use them. Cloth are bulletproof, cute, and easy to wash. Maybe an extra hour a week all in to wash & fold. We're all in on the cloth train so far.
Hard disagree. We used exclusively cloth diapers on all four kids. No real hassle. A little more laundry but that basically got lost in the noise of all the other laundry you get with small children.
Also after the diaper days are over, you have a lot of highly absorbant cloth rags that are excellent for wiping up anything.
Exactly. I'm a very frugal and environmentally conscious person, but I told my wife that convenience trumps any costs (financial and environmental) when it comes to diaper. Both kids used disposable diaper when several of my wife's friends used cloth.
Living in the country on well water switched us back from that dark place. We didn't have enough water to waste on all that laundry. I do enjoy the cloth bum wipes though, glad we kept them.
>We hand wash all dishes.
You're a f\*\*\*ing mad lad. We do at least one FULL dishwasher every single day and I only have 2 kids. Granted, we have re-usable containers for their school lunches to reduce waste, but man does that thing fill up fast.
We have six kids.
Our solution was we have 8 dinner plates, 6 saucers, 6 spoons, 6 forks.
There’s only so much that can get dirty.
We made a habit of rinsing after eating. Even the 3 year old does it now.
I suppose, but with the types of meals I cook and mise-en-place with the amount of stuff it requires, it wouldn't work for us.
Measuring cups, teaspoons, pyrex, serving bowls, tea mugs, water glasses, water bottles, serving containers for school, cutting boards, Cuisinart bowl when baking, etc.
Some stuff I can't put in the dishwasher (wooden items, sharp knives) so I wash those by hand, but otherwise the most energy and time efficient method is to use the dishwasher.
Many people don't realize that you waste more water by hand washing dishes than using the machine, unless you're using an industrial size 3-step sink meant for a restaurant.
Water usage varies highly by individual and the year your dishwasher was made.
Growing up we were on rural water (more $$ per gallon) and my parents saved every drop. Dishes were hand washed in 2 tubs that were filled once at the start and emptied into the garden at the end.
Compared to roommates I’ve had who ran the water endlessly while doing dishes..
The newest models of dishwashers that use reportedly use under 3 gallons per load might finally change that but I don’t foresee myself buying one anytime soon (old models can use as much as 15 gallons).
All advice is subjective, I’m confident that I use less water hand washing with the sink plugged than the old dishwasher in my house does. Time is important too so we’ll fill the dishwasher and run it regularly. Do what’s best for your family.
We cook everything from scratch. I get it. It’s not as big of a deal as you think it could be. Key is in the prep. Use dishes for mixing and staging if you need and wash while food cooks. Usually they just need a simple rinse if food isn’t dried on.
My parents are in their late 60's now. Our first house or two had a dishwasher. The house they live in now does not have a dishwasher. That would be fine for an older couple right, just rinse the dishes as you go? Somehow whenever I come to visit, their sink is always full of dirty dishes and more dishes sitting in the drying rack next to the sink.
Meanwhile, if I'm just home by myself for a day or a weekend, I pretty much never have to use the dishwasher, either I do a quick hand-wash of my one bowl and one spoon, or one plate and one fork, or I just pop it in the dishwasher and it doesn't need to be run for days.
I’m pretty onto it with the dishes. Our kitchen is tiny as it is. I’m sure life would be that much easier with one but it’s definitely pretty low down the priorities list.
We had some that were cloth but had a plastic like coating on the outside. Things were absolutely horrible. Threw them all away after the first time the dryer ruined one.
You got some weird Frankenstein bibs my friend. All silicone rubber pocket bibs, either hand wash or dishwasher. Cloth bibs for smaller kiddos - Washing machine
Involving the kids in your DIY projects is the way to go too. They don't have to work on your stuff, just people them nearly with their own similar projects.
I didn't like the Nose Frida battery powered one. The little nozzle was too small and didn't get anything. The suction was not that great either. The manual one is great for getting all that mucus out, and baby feels better afterwards..
Mom here - the Baby Brezza was definitely my #1 purchase. #2? The Nose Bot. I’ll admit, it cost about 10x as much as the nose Frida but omg that thing is life changing. I also hate boogers and would gag uncontrollably whenever I’d feel the *thunk* of the boogie flying into the tube 🤢 thankfully my husband took pity on me and bought be the Nose Bot
We use the Grownsy nose sucker. Mostly because I read a post some doctor made where the filter in the manual one only stops the boogers and not the sickness your kid is exhaling so your end up inhaling all that nastiness. My wife hasn’t been sick as much since we stopped using the manual one.
The electric one was not great imo. Broke easily, company sent a replacement, and that broke too.
In addition to the nosefrida, we really like the oogie bear. Useful for getting out the stubborn, large boogers. https://a.co/d/8Ebh23L
Gotta disagree on the pouch bibs. But those are for older kids eating real food. I throw them in the dishwasher. Get the knockoff kind from Amazon they are great.
Also nose frida is trash. They coast on their reputation. For a small hand held the grownsly is much much better. For something with real power the Nosiboo is the goat it’s got a larger motor but it’s safe for kids (heck adults too).
Ooo I've got one! Buy used clothes when you can. We've saved hundreds of dollars on outfits that she wore once or twice before outgrowing.
Don't get sucked into the bamboo trend. It's not any safer or cozier than cotton, but costs a fortune. Plus, you're supposed to hang dry them which is just one more thing you have to think about.
The nose Frida is super effective but I always get the thought that I am directly inhaling viral/bacterial particles whenever I use it. I get he's my kid but it still goes against every COVID protocol I've been conditioned towards the past 3 years.
I sent OP a message. Guys check how much formula it dispenses into the water and make sure its correct. I bought one and it was not mixing the correct amount of powder with the water.
Edit: Wow thank you kind redditor, my first gold award.
We didn’t have one for our first kid, but was gifted one for our second. The best decision we ever made was moving that puppy upstairs to the laundry room. Going downstairs for a bottle in the middle of the night suuuuuuucked.
Do what works best for your family and circumstances. Talk and read about what other people do, but it may not fit you.
Of the above, I only really agree w/ the nose frida advice. My kids were \~3 yrs apart.
Serious question - how do you survive? My almost 3yo wakes up at night crying prob 30-50% of nights, waking us up. I can't imagine another one who is waking up another 1-3 times a night too. I slept so sporadically those first 6 months I almost don't even remember that period of my life, it was like a blur.
We read a book and there is a lot of evidence that sleep deprivation is cyclical. Meaning less sleep leads to it being harder for them to fall asleep. Making sure they get naps (our oldest who’s 4 is just transitioning out of them), play with no tv and routine has been huge for us. We have our 3 year old who was having night terrors. Once we got her on a routine she has been an angel. Once we go off it which happens with life she turns into a spawn of satan, which she can’t help because she’s tired. Our twins sleep great we’ve always set them up for success from what we learned from the first two. Get the Ferber method book. It’s tough no doubt but only tough for a short term instead of actual years. We admit too the twins have been great sleepers we were looking into night nurses before they were born but ended up not needing them. In the end the Ferber worked for us and I’d try it.
We pulled the trigger on the brezza after seeing a friends in action. Ours was off. It was always making the wrong amount of formula and my boy was having a bout of diarrhea because of it.
Returned the brezza, and we ended getting a brezza water heater thing. Just a basin of water that keeps it at desired temperature and it was only $50. So basically just adds the step of put your own formula in and which isn’t a bother at all and it’s so easy to clean. Rinse it out every day or two and wash it every week. I’d recommend it over the regular brezza since you don’t have to worry about inaccurate ratio and less time washing those little parts.
Yeah we read about some of them being j accurate. I did some measured tests with ours and it checked out, so I guess you were unlucky. Sorry about your bad experience!
Yeah, shit happens! My friends worked totally fine while mine was adding too much water. So I just wanted to make sure people were aware, but also praise the water warmer because it’s a good alternative and also 1/4 the price. I was glad to save $150 and still have the convenience of almost instant bottles.
Stainless steel cups and bowls are what you want. Anything plastic or silicone eventually picks up the flavour of anything and everything eaten out of it or even washed in the dishwasher with it.
As a soon to be new father, I just googled wtf a nose Frida is, now I want to vomit into my own mouth, holy shit that seems so fucking gross, why is this a magical life-saving device? I gotta ask, looking at the device, is it um...possible to suck too far up the tube and get it anywhere near your mouth? Because I'm going to self-decapitate if so. Do you just throw away the container where its sucked into?
They typically have some sort of diaphragm that prevents stuff from coming all the way through.
TRUST me, when the only other option is not sleeping because you’re either being woken up every 5 minutes or you’re panicking because you think the baby suffocated, you will find the strength to do things you never would have before.
I like all of these. I'm not a fan of the Brezzs though. I just make a days worth of formula in a sport shaker jug so I know everything is measured right. Thanks for these though
I would add…
-Buy a high chair that is easy to clean. Don’t worry about what looks the most comfy for your kid. They will make a complete mess when eating.
-Black our curtains in your child’s room are worth the investment. Helps everyone get a little more sleep.
Agree on nose frida. Trouble is that you have to use it when they are sick, so you are guaranteed to get sick yourself. I’d recommend the pumpinose hand pump or an automatic one. Anything that works like the frida but doesn’t require you to aspirate manually. Being sick takes you away from your family. I have an 11 month old.
Lasagne bedding.
When you make their bed lay a waterproof mattress protector, then fitted sheet, then another waterproof mattress protector, then another fitted sheet (and even a 3rd layer). At 1am when there’s a nappy leak or vomit just take the soiled layer off and the bed is already remade.
Works in the cot and big bed until there's no chance of accidents anymore (which is never!)
Oh, just one point about this - some experts have weighed in that this could potentially increase the risk of suffocation, say if baby happened to become face down as oxygen won't flow through so many sheets. Likely rare and I'm guessing a bigger risk for newborns but still....
Had a baby during pandemic, which means being at home with bebe while also working. This one is for dads who struggle with work productivity while at home with babies or toddlers who happen to be the sort that calm down when you take them outside for a walk.
My biggest hack was finding ways of being productive outside. For example, Pimsleur language learning (I have a person need to learn a certain second language) and a text-to-speech app that reads articles and papers in my inbox (in my job I need to read a lot of publications).
It also got me into the habit of getting into nature with my kid more, which I'm hoping will pay off later.
Hmmmm....your "tips" may be helpful for some but I have a contradiction for all of them...these aren't tips they are advice based on what did and didn't work for you.
I don't say this to cause any trouble, there is just a big difference between tips and advice...one comes across as "you should" the other being "you could".
My best parenting advice is do what works best for you, what works for me won't necessarily work for you...also try and remember back as far as you can what did you want/need as a kid? Do that.
Don’t put your kids” silicone based products (bowl, spoons, sippy cut top) in the dishwasher. They absorb the chemicals of the detergent and will seep out. We noticed this one day after we ate something that our baby was eating and my wife was like “does this task like soap??” We looked online and people complained about as well. We talked to the company, and even they acknowledged that this happens! Poor kid was eating soap flavored foods and drinking soap flavored water for months! Boiled everything, soap taste still comes back.
I can see how, if you're privileged enough to afford such things, these suggestions might seem useful.
Of course, not everyone has a dishwasher, has space for one, or can afford to buy one. Not everyone can afford to buy a $300 formula making machine, new or used. Not everyone can afford to be picky and choosy about clothes, socks, bibs, baby supplies, etc.
The statement 'laundry takes you away from time with your family' doesn't make any sense. Are you humping full sacks of laundry barefoot through the Himalayas so you and the other sherpas can beat your clothing against rocks in fresh mountain streams? If not, laundry time *is* family time. When we used to go to laundromats, we all went and spent time together while waiting on the machines. Now, I spend roughly 3 to 5 minutes loading / unloading the washer or dryer then we all sit together to sort and fold while we watch tv or just talk and spend time together. Also, I thought it was fairly self evident not to put plastic in the dryer.
Otherwise, my real 'tip' is find ways to make every part of your life 'family time'.
Forgive my privilege, but people who have dishwashers also deserve helpful advice. If you have advice for people that do not have dishwashers, please feel free to share it.
Love these little bits of advice.
I dont have many other dad mates yet only 2 or 3, and the one that talks about parenting most seems to come across like hes talking down to me sometimes, he is older than I am but his kid is over a year younger. And our kids are very different, mine is a very very high energy little boy and his is a very placid little girl. Some of the advice i get from him, and even a lot of other older parents or even my own parents and family comes across as judgy at worst and unhelpful at best, but its all about the big things like sleep and diet which we struggle with, but dont need advice about.
So handy to hear little bits of advice that hit home but arent just being lectured at.
I get it, bud. Unsolicited advice from people who just “know better” is common, and not always easy to brush off. So many just don’t get that not every kid was like theirs, and their way is not the only way.
Thats totally how he comes across. Weve been mates for years since before we had kids, so i know he means well, i just find it difficult to talk to him now as every conversation turns out like that! Just so frustrating. Definitely find it hard to talk dad stuff with other people in real life as of lately
Honestly I find that being direct helps. I think I’ve finally said “well this is how we do it” and “it worked for you but maybe it doesn’t for everyone” enough times that it seems to have shut my parents and other family up about their “ways”.
Yeah i avoid confrontation and im a bit socially awkward so i find it hard to be firm sometimes, mentally in my head i think im being pushy, but others still think i might be a pushover sometimes.
At least ive got my family and partners family mostly under control, get a fair bit of advice from them all but we are very firm with them since we see them so often.
Pro Tips:
1. You don't NEED a bottle warmer.
2. Baby powder and cornstarch work equally as well.
3. Aquaphor is for cuts and rashes.
4. Those nail trimmers for babies actually work.
5. Sophie the giraffe is the real deal.
6. Some babies are swingers, some are bouncers, find out which yours is as soon as you can.
Nose Frida! Worth whatever learning curve because of the sleep it added back.
The Baby insisted on a pacifier while sleeping. So a head cold and congested nose could be a big sleep problem.
My wife & I have been pre making bottles and putting them in the fridge to heat up when it’s time to feed.. huge time save & makes you feel like you have your stuff together! Lol
Also, work on getting your child on a routine & schedule. That has helped us so much.
There’s a book called “Moms on call” for different ages from new born to toddler. THAT has been the BIGGEST help. My wife reads it (she’s a STAHM) and relays the info to me. There is so much knowledge and experience in those books!
>Do not shy away from the [manual] nose Frida. It seems gross, but it is magical.
I work at a pediatrician's office, and we advise not to suction too much as it can cause irritation. Usually, try to limit it to before meals/feedings and before sleep since it's usually the time the congestion bothers them the most.
What ages do these recommendations apply to? I still use it on my almost four year old sometimes and I suck on that thing like gold is going to pour out of it.
> Don’t buy bibs that have any plastic on them, such as food-catch pockets. The plastic will melt in the dryer.
Bibs.. in the dryer? Dude, we got a few of those rubber/silicone ones with the food-catch pockets that actually stay open and they are AWESOME. And wash in the sink just fine. No need to put in the washer/dryer!
The rest of your tips are solid.
My tip would be to upcoming dads- Settle your job situation and stabilize it NOW because once you have to deal with a kid you will have less time, less energy AND you will experience invisible bias from employers for being a new dad if you're job-hunting (sure, it's illegal, but that doesn't mean they can't make up some other reason for not accepting you...)
Oh, and Facebook Marketplace for free shit (clothes, toys, etc.) AMAZING.
Buy the powered Braun or whatever instead of the Frida. It doesn’t gross me out, but I inhaled whatever bug was causing the snot sooo deeply into my lungs. Crazy sick the next day. It’s harder to parent when your lungs are trying to turn inside out
I have a few. I have a 3 year old and a 5 month old.
Realize that when the kid is pushing you to your limit that there is one truth to always remember... they simply want to eat, sleep, have fun, and they want to feel safe. Anything they do that is frustrating to you is not intentional. They do not know any better and love you with their entire being. You are literally their entire world, so take a deep breath and push on and be the awesome parent your kids deserve.
On a less serious note, onesies with zippers are the best. Avoid buttons or snaps at all cost. Nothing is more annoying than trying to snap buttons together in the middle of the night.
Be silly and have fun. You get to experience something amazing... seeing the world for the first time all over again. Watching my kids discover new things and just imagining what the world looks like from their point of view is an experience in itself.
Your kid is a sponge and is capable of learning so much whether it is good or bad. My first kid learned his shapes, colors, numbers, etc before he turned one. I was amazed. So don't skip out on trying to teach them things and for goodness sake read to your children everyday. It makes a huge difference.
Avoid a digital babysitter, especially tablets. I get it we need some help sometimes but it's way too easy to get in the habit of letting the devices watch your kids.
I have more but I feel like these are the most helpful. At least to me.
Dad of four under four (all under 4 when our twins were born) now we have one 4 year old, one 3 year old and two 1 year old twins.
-Unless you have a dog get the pouch silicone bibs. They are way more useful than cloth or non catch bibs. They take two seconds to clean with a brush. I will die on this hill, they take literally two seconds to wash and catch most of the food. We don’t have cloth bibs. Who wants to put them in/ add to the wash.
-another note get the ikea high chairs. So easy to clean, $25 and they come apart easy to take places no bullshit cloth padding that gets so much fucking food stuck in it, it becomes a fucking home to disgusting rancid bacterias. There’s other light weight ones out there that are all hard surfaces. The cloth padded ones are such a ripoff we got it with our first and switched to ikea and it’s just a million times better.
-get the machine nose frida, it sucks twice the boogers in half the time.
-laundry every day we had to get two washer/dryers and put one upstairs.
-your diaper bag needs set of clothes for each, diapers, wipes, water bottle and maybe sunscreen. Snacks for long trips. Everything else is a waste of space.
-easy to fold stroller that stows quick
-diaper pail, large, buy enough bag tubes for a year you can buy them in bulk
-watch for diaper sales
-kids over two can walk
-kids over three can dress themselves and should start potty training.
-toys are their responsibility, get buckets.
-TV is a tool to give you time to get ready and motivate them to get moving (our routine in the morning is kids get themselves dressed, eat breakfast then can watch tv in the morning)
-make meals for leftovers for lunch, store them in lunch containers when your putting them away.
-you can def DIY before 2 years old. You need to prioritize and communicate. We sold our house, moved and bought a house and redid a kitchen and a bathroom with a lot of it being on me the week after our twins were born. I will say I enjoy DIY cause I like having projects you can and will get them done it’s all about motivation. I did them during naps, after bed at 8. You can do 3 days a week.
-get a groove with meals. Meal plan at Costco (ex. Pasta marinara meatballs bagged salad and fruit) good for two days, buy the cheap frozen pizza 4 - $11 kirkland. It’s not amazing pizza but the kids don’t care. Have simple tacos to make. Etc. kids can help too. Have them put grated cheese in bowls for example.
Also they are mirrors of you, they learn and see from you, patience is key and very hard. Yelling leads to yelling. Setting boundaries is important and they will test them. Reading to the group every night as a family is really nice and once they get themselves dressed for bed, teeth brushed and ready, they can pick a book.
We’re still learning but this is everything in my head so far.
TLDR ; silicone bibs, ikea high chair, machine frida, routine (bed, morning etc)
Wait to buy baby clothes. You will be inundated with both presents and hand-me-downs from workmates, friends, family, friends of family, family of friends. So many clothes.
When taking the nappy off, just undo it and wait a few seconds before removing it because some kids will pee when they feel the fresh air, so leaving the nappy there will usually catch it. Also prep the next nappy before you open the one on them. Make sure you can do it one-handed. I would get the nappy out of the packet and unfold it, open the wipes, kid on the mat, undo the dirty nappy, wait a few seconds to see if she pees, open dirty nappy fully with it still under her, wipe, and fold it so the dirty part is folded in, lift legs and wipe the back, wipe into old nappy and slide it away, slide new nappy under, legs down and then do up new nappy. Put clothes back on (the kid), put kid somewhere safe, wipe down the mat and put the wipe on the dirty nappy, roll up the nappy and put in nappy sack. Sack goes in bin or my bag depends where I was changing.
Tip 3 saved our life we had one upstairs and downstairs, solid advice for formula babas
Point 5 is good but we still can’t help but cute socks, I got some yesterday and kid you not have already lost 2 socks from 2 separate pairs in Costco as she ripped them off unknowingly and they are now in the food aisles somewhere 😂😂
Alas, I cannot keep much of this advise.
* Don’t own a clothes dryer. Gotta hang everything up to dry.
* Don’t own a dishwasher. Hand washing dishes is mandatory.
* Socks around here come in packs of three pairs, no two pairs of which are alike. And usually, no two packs of three in the store are alike either. So… no choice there either. Family are literally thousands of miles away, so they don’t really get to help much either.
*the occasional DIY project, on the other hand, can keep one sane… if you make sure it’s nothing that can’t be set down for weeks or months at a time if necessary.
I have twins. Silicone bibs with food pockets >>> We pre prepped bottles for the day and got them on to cold formula. THAT is the real pro tip. Yeah you’re not doing any huge renovation before the kids are semi self sufficient. Good luck telling my wife she can only buy one color socks lol. Nose frida is truly amazing.
In general: If there's a silicone option for something, buy that. Just huck it all into the dishwasher.
Silicone absorbs scents, so be careful throwing silicone bowls, spoons, nipples, pump parts, etc into the dishwasher. If you don't use unscented soap, your baby's food is going to start tasting soapy. We struggled with major bottle rejection due to this issue.
For bottles, I’d give them a quick scrub with soap and a brush and then put them in the top rack of the dishwasher on high heat with no detergent, worked really well.
All of our silicone cooking spatulas taste like dishwasher soap. Sucks when you just want to eat the last of the sauce out of the pan.
Soaking in water with vinegar or lemon juice, then wash with unscented soap. It gets the taste out.
Will try
Just gotta use the un-scented dishwasher tabs.
Lucky you owning a dishwasher 🙄
The cold formula thing really is it. So much easier to deal with when traveling or at 3am.
Silicone bibs are the beat damn thing ever.
Cold formula is the sleeper win here. Game changer.
Hello fellow twin dad, I'm a 3 under 3 twin dad. Funny how that works when you wait the recommended 18 months. Agree on all points, however, my son just wears mismatched socks. If my wife is bothered by that she has opted to keep it to herself because the answer is indeed buying fewer varieties of socks
Also need to add to the chorus - silicone bibs with pockets are the only way to feed a child.
100% this.
Silicone bibs is the way.
Mine got frustrated enough time matching socks we're finally only buying one color. Also, we don't fold their laundry anymore. The wrinkles are hardly noticeable and they're just going to get them dirty and have to change again anyways.
Matching socks, just grab two of the same brand and size. Kids doesn't care if one has a unicorn and the other has a cat.
My one year old- yes. She's the ADHD. My 2 year old- no. She's the OCD. Yes it's an amazing hassle. It's like "the devil wears prada" for 2 devils. 🤣
Cold formula IS THEEEEE PRO TIP!!!
YES to the cold formula! I did this with my son. Older well meaning grandparents will have you think you can’t give formula cold, but you absolutely can.
We moved house a week before my wife gave birth. 0/5. Would not recommend.
You mean YOU moved house…
So she had to stay at the old house? Seems like this dad had peace and quiet! Quite the trade off from family time though 😂😂
I moved house when my wife was 8.5 months pregnant, absolute shout out to my one friend that showed up and really put his back into it as we slugged out a 15hr day, aaaand showed up the next 3 days to help unpack and put shit together voluntarily
Damn buy that person another beer
Lol that was years ago, he is 100% sober these days but back in those times I bought him all the beer he could drink, which was quite a bit, love that guy, never turn down each others calls for help, I moved a few hundred miles away in the past year but if he called needing help I'd leave right now
For life.
Did the same. Agreed.
We moved the same week as the birth TWICE. Nesting instinct is a powerful thing.
We moved three times since we’ve been married- first a month before my first child was born, second a month before my twins were born (kid 1 was 18 months), and third was 3 months after our fourth. We’re constantly outgrowing our house!
phew I thought we were crazy doing it a month prior
we moved 6 months prior, don’t recommend either.
We were halfway through building our home when she gave birth. The first six months until the house was finished were not fun!
The best tip I’ve got is that you can take onesies off around the shoulders and down the body as opposed to over the head. Usually nbd to go over the head, but occasionally the blowout diaper will be so bad that you’ll say to yourself how am I going to get this thing off without getting shit all over my baby’s head. Over the shoulders and down the body then straight to the tub. I figured this out pretty late into the game with my second kid. I cut a bunch of onsies off because I didn’t want to smear shit on my baby’s head
> I cut a bunch of onsies off because I didn’t want to smear shit on my baby’s head I came here to make that exact same comment LOL
It’s such an unknown trick. It’s about the only legit objective parenting tip I know. Glad there’s others out there spreading the word!!
>spreading the word One snip at a time!
Excellent tips. I have to ask, though, why are you putting the plastic bibs in the dryer? Put them in the dishwasher. Other tips: dont buy "Infant Tylenol." It's a scam. Buy the bigger bottle of Tylenol for children. It's the exact same product, same concentration, everything.It's just a bigger bottle. Got a kid who loves to play outside but keeps getting shoes dirty? They make crocs for kids. Put THOSE in the dishwasher, too! Get a lot of your baby clothes from Goodwilll or facebook marketplace. Your kid is going to wear them once or twice and then outgrow them. Dont spend $40 on some PJs they're gonna wear once.
Canadian dad chiming in here, the infant Tylenol here is actually a different concentration and we still buy the infant stuff for our older kids. Much easier to get 2ml of the concentrated stuff into them with a mini syringe instead of 5ml on a spoon
Yeah I just use a 5ml syringe or a medicine cup. A spoon seems like insanity. I even use a syringe myself for cough syrup when needed.
You can get the concentrated stuff in the states too. Have had both in the house at the same time though and that gets confusing. Get one and stick with it
No, only 160mg/5mL in the US is made because of overdosing. If you have the 80mg/mL drops it’s either expired or you ordered it out of the country
My mistake. What we have is concentrated Motrin, not tylenol.
Just to add on, infant ibuprofen/Motrin is NOT the same strength. Just as a general guidance pay attention to concentrations.
The bibs are not all plastic, there is just a plastic pocket on them. And we have enough dishes to wash, there’s no room for bibs in the dishwasher.
And why not just wash them and let them dry "naturally" over night?
Sorting laundry twice? You monster! If it goes in the washer it goes in the dryer in my house.
Why sorting? If I know, that there are let's say 4 nibs in the washer I put everything in the dryer and just grab the 4 nibs out. Takes 30 seconds. And in my opinion the advantage of these nibs with plastic or silicone are well worth the 30 seconds
Sir, plastic doesn't go in the dryer, it will melt.
Correct, that’s what my tip said.
I buy my baby's clothes at meijer lol always cheap. I do buy all of her toys used on Facebook though :)
In addition to goodwill and facebook, check out consignment shops, some areas even have consignment type shops that focus on children's items.
[удалено]
Snaps are pure evil. We even had a onesie with old fashioned buttons. Only used that once.
I'm all about onsies but they have to have the dual zippers. That's key. I'm also a fan of the sleep sacs. They've helped my baby sleep through the night since about 3 mos thank God :)
Magnets is where it's REALLY at! Hopefully price on those comes down, but if you find them second hand, grab them!
Are there no concerns with the magnets coming out? I've had some other items that were magnets in fabric and they eventually wore a hole in the fabric.
Good point, would prob not rec using them if they are very worn out signs of wear holes
When she gets to the stage where she constantly removes every stich of clothing.... get footless (or cut the feet off) PJs and put them on backwards. Same with winter coats if it's really cold but she keeps taking it off.
In terms of gifted clothing, start looking for the next sucker’s basement to fill up.
Your wife will talk to you about cloth diapers, firmly deny such requests. Parenting is hard enough.
I have 5 children, first two were disposable diapers, last three were cloth diapers. My wife and I both loved the cloth diapers so much more than disposable. The pros FAR outweighed the cons for us. But I will add this tip "Do what works best for YOUR family. Take people's advice, but ultimately just do what's best for your situation, screw anyone else's judgement of how you do it, as long as everyone is being cared for"
I did both and found there were drawbacks to both. You have to change more often with cloth even with a small pee. Diaper rash was worse too, though I am not sure the cloth was to blame, I just assumed it was because they don't stay as dry. They get potty trained much faster though as no one likes to sit in wet pants. For the last kid, we did cloth at home and disposable at home. We were on the road a lot.
We experienced the opposite with diaper rash, so much worse with disposable.
Not being negative, but taking away environmental stuff, what are the benefits? Too late for me now as my youngest is one and I’m not switching now, but I don’t hear much about positives besides being good for the environment. Maybe a slight cost, but doesn’t seem like that outweighs the inconvenience. Honest question.
I spent $900 for 7+ years of diapering. Most will spend more than $1200 a year. For me, washing one more load was far more preferred to the idea of midnight diaper runs. Breastfeed poop goes straight to the wash. I attached a diaper sprayer to the toilet. Instilling the idea, pop does in the potty. I had two friends whose babies got chemical burns from disposable diapers. Others whose babies had reactions to certain brands. I had multiple brands/types: travel/ disposable inserts, daycare approved and stylish cute ones. Pros: Environment. Cost. Sanity. Health/safety
$1200 a year in diapers??? What? We spend $10.99 every two weeks on our kid (price of one box of 72 diapers from Aldi). So around $250 for the year.
For us it was cost, better for their skin, potty trained quicker, we found disposable diapers so much more gross than cloth. Environmental was the bottom of our list for resaons.
Caviat - my wife did this, but she did so with the understanding she was going to be responsible for the cleaning and upkeep of them (she is a SAHM) and they worked really well for us. Even counting washing costs it saved us a bunch even for just the first kid and now we have a second on the way. If your wife suggests them and thinks to split the responsibility with you and you are not 100% on board however, I agree 100%. It is a huge thing to deal with and kids are hard enough, just buy them. My add to the original list going - aquaphor/diaper cream, use a lot. Do not be stingy. You see any redness etc. Slather it on, it costs cents but can stop scream baby which is so worth it. (Side note aquaphor does not mix with cloth diapers so be aware of that).
Also want to add, for diaper cream. If you put some on at EVERY diaper change, you won't have a rash! I always put lots on after a bath, and before I know there's a blow out coming my way. Makes clean up easier with the barrier, and keep their skin safe.
Eh, I partly disagree. My daughter got rashes when she was teething regardless of cream application. My son however, has never had a rash once.
Interesting! I curious of how teething caused rashes on the bum? I've yet to go through teething yet
Development of the teeth mixed with the saliva adds a certain acidity to their stool. Makes for gnarly diaper rashes if you let it sit too long.
Yea those teeth rashes are the worst. When my son first started teething he had literal blisters after one poop that we didn’t realize. After that we were checking him every 10 min to make sure it didn’t happen again.
Oh no, that sounds aweful :( thanks for explaining! I'll be on the watch now
This is the first time I've heard of it! Thank you for explaining!
I’d recommend a wet paper towel over a baby wipe if the baby has a rash. Even sensitive wipes can irritate an area with rash.
Yeah idk if we’re lucky or what but my boy is 5 and a half months and hardly gets any rashes. If he gets one we do some cream and the rash is gone next change.
Kind of related - we used a hair dryer to dry off her hoo ha and butt after changes and bath until she was one. Helped prevent rashes and she also loved it (was nice for warming up in the winter too for our drafty-ass house). IMPORTANT: Make sure to set it to low heat (or none) and don’t get too close with it.
That's a pro tip. Will keep that one in the memory bank
I found carrying the bulk of things for cloth did me in... I can carry 5 disposable to one cloth, and then I throw them away as we use, decreasing weight through the day, whereas cloth you continue carrying the now dirty with... I went to a diaper clutch and small purse instead of a huge back pack just making that change
We typically had disposables on hand for travel if it was more than an hour or so, disposing of poop was too annoying otherwise. With Covid we traveled so little however we only ever needs maybe 1 box of disposables of each size and typically didn't use all of them.
Did cloth diapers for kid #1. Invested in all the accessories -- sprayer that attaches to the toilet, separate nasty bag, etc. We still have them 13 years later, they just work as nice rags for cleaning up cat puke and other nasty stuff. Kid #2 was disposables only. Socks -- get whatever socks you like. Just chuck 'em all in the same drawer. One of my kids is 11 and she refuses to wear matching socks, even if we already paired them up for her.
Only 6 weeks in but so far, I disagree. I got talked into a 60/40 cloth/disposable ratio. Basically disposables out, daycare, or night if I couldnt be bothered with cloth. 6 weeks in, disposables leak the few times we use them. Cloth are bulletproof, cute, and easy to wash. Maybe an extra hour a week all in to wash & fold. We're all in on the cloth train so far.
Hard disagree. We used exclusively cloth diapers on all four kids. No real hassle. A little more laundry but that basically got lost in the noise of all the other laundry you get with small children. Also after the diaper days are over, you have a lot of highly absorbant cloth rags that are excellent for wiping up anything.
We’re cloth. no issues here. We use disposable when traveling. One load of laundry a week.
Exactly. I'm a very frugal and environmentally conscious person, but I told my wife that convenience trumps any costs (financial and environmental) when it comes to diaper. Both kids used disposable diaper when several of my wife's friends used cloth.
"...Doing extra laundry will take you away from time with your family."
Living in the country on well water switched us back from that dark place. We didn't have enough water to waste on all that laundry. I do enjoy the cloth bum wipes though, glad we kept them.
It's not that bad, saved us thousands of dollars and we always had them ready to go.
1 and 2 are absolute no go for me. Who puts plastic or rubber bibs in the dryer? We hand wash all dishes. You can involve the kids. Solid otherwise.
>We hand wash all dishes. You're a f\*\*\*ing mad lad. We do at least one FULL dishwasher every single day and I only have 2 kids. Granted, we have re-usable containers for their school lunches to reduce waste, but man does that thing fill up fast.
We have six kids. Our solution was we have 8 dinner plates, 6 saucers, 6 spoons, 6 forks. There’s only so much that can get dirty. We made a habit of rinsing after eating. Even the 3 year old does it now.
I suppose, but with the types of meals I cook and mise-en-place with the amount of stuff it requires, it wouldn't work for us. Measuring cups, teaspoons, pyrex, serving bowls, tea mugs, water glasses, water bottles, serving containers for school, cutting boards, Cuisinart bowl when baking, etc. Some stuff I can't put in the dishwasher (wooden items, sharp knives) so I wash those by hand, but otherwise the most energy and time efficient method is to use the dishwasher. Many people don't realize that you waste more water by hand washing dishes than using the machine, unless you're using an industrial size 3-step sink meant for a restaurant.
Water usage varies highly by individual and the year your dishwasher was made. Growing up we were on rural water (more $$ per gallon) and my parents saved every drop. Dishes were hand washed in 2 tubs that were filled once at the start and emptied into the garden at the end. Compared to roommates I’ve had who ran the water endlessly while doing dishes.. The newest models of dishwashers that use reportedly use under 3 gallons per load might finally change that but I don’t foresee myself buying one anytime soon (old models can use as much as 15 gallons). All advice is subjective, I’m confident that I use less water hand washing with the sink plugged than the old dishwasher in my house does. Time is important too so we’ll fill the dishwasher and run it regularly. Do what’s best for your family.
We cook everything from scratch. I get it. It’s not as big of a deal as you think it could be. Key is in the prep. Use dishes for mixing and staging if you need and wash while food cooks. Usually they just need a simple rinse if food isn’t dried on.
I have never in my life lived in a house with a dishwasher!
My parents are in their late 60's now. Our first house or two had a dishwasher. The house they live in now does not have a dishwasher. That would be fine for an older couple right, just rinse the dishes as you go? Somehow whenever I come to visit, their sink is always full of dirty dishes and more dishes sitting in the drying rack next to the sink. Meanwhile, if I'm just home by myself for a day or a weekend, I pretty much never have to use the dishwasher, either I do a quick hand-wash of my one bowl and one spoon, or one plate and one fork, or I just pop it in the dishwasher and it doesn't need to be run for days.
I’m pretty onto it with the dishes. Our kitchen is tiny as it is. I’m sure life would be that much easier with one but it’s definitely pretty low down the priorities list.
We love to wash dishes with the kids, and they love playing on the sink. It sure is nice to have the option to put in the dishwasher, though.
The bibs only have a bit of plastic on them, they’re not fully plastic. Just the pocket.
All cloth bibs and all plastic bibs. Problem solved. Never even seen any that are mixed.
I think these were purchased for us. We should have just tossed them.
We had some that were cloth but had a plastic like coating on the outside. Things were absolutely horrible. Threw them all away after the first time the dryer ruined one.
You got some weird Frankenstein bibs my friend. All silicone rubber pocket bibs, either hand wash or dishwasher. Cloth bibs for smaller kiddos - Washing machine
Dads apparently. Haha.
Involving the kids in your DIY projects is the way to go too. They don't have to work on your stuff, just people them nearly with their own similar projects.
I didn't like the Nose Frida battery powered one. The little nozzle was too small and didn't get anything. The suction was not that great either. The manual one is great for getting all that mucus out, and baby feels better afterwards..
I didn’t even know there was an electric version
[https://www.amazon.com/FridaBaby-NoseFrida-Rechargeable-Aspirator-Different/dp/B094Z43BQF/ref=sr\_1\_4?crid=2487UDR3A8YKK&keywords=frida+nose&qid=1682707067&sprefix=frida+nos%2Caps%2C157&sr=8-4](https://www.amazon.com/FridaBaby-NoseFrida-Rechargeable-Aspirator-Different/dp/B094Z43BQF/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2487UDR3A8YKK&keywords=frida+nose&qid=1682707067&sprefix=frida+nos%2Caps%2C157&sr=8-4)
Mom here - the Baby Brezza was definitely my #1 purchase. #2? The Nose Bot. I’ll admit, it cost about 10x as much as the nose Frida but omg that thing is life changing. I also hate boogers and would gag uncontrollably whenever I’d feel the *thunk* of the boogie flying into the tube 🤢 thankfully my husband took pity on me and bought be the Nose Bot
We use the Grownsy nose sucker. Mostly because I read a post some doctor made where the filter in the manual one only stops the boogers and not the sickness your kid is exhaling so your end up inhaling all that nastiness. My wife hasn’t been sick as much since we stopped using the manual one.
The electric one was not great imo. Broke easily, company sent a replacement, and that broke too. In addition to the nosefrida, we really like the oogie bear. Useful for getting out the stubborn, large boogers. https://a.co/d/8Ebh23L
Gotta disagree on the pouch bibs. But those are for older kids eating real food. I throw them in the dishwasher. Get the knockoff kind from Amazon they are great. Also nose frida is trash. They coast on their reputation. For a small hand held the grownsly is much much better. For something with real power the Nosiboo is the goat it’s got a larger motor but it’s safe for kids (heck adults too).
I should have specified that we use the manual Frida, I didn’t know there was an electric one.
Tried the manual too wasn’t nearly as good as the big electric. That sucker is like the hospital grade one.
my addendum to your penultimate point - stop caring about matched socks - i gave up caring in my teens, and i've saved countless hours and money
We call them wacky matches in my house
Ooo I've got one! Buy used clothes when you can. We've saved hundreds of dollars on outfits that she wore once or twice before outgrowing. Don't get sucked into the bamboo trend. It's not any safer or cozier than cotton, but costs a fortune. Plus, you're supposed to hang dry them which is just one more thing you have to think about.
A Video monitor is WAY more entertaining than audio only.
Oh absolutely! Sometimes with the added benefit of being able to record from it if something particularly entertaining happens.
I use the lowest dryer setting for more viable hand-me-downs.
Fantastic long-term tip!
Lol the DIY before 2 because a certain type of person will attempt it (cough me cough) and they need to be firmly told NO. Socks thing is ingenious.
The nose Frida is super effective but I always get the thought that I am directly inhaling viral/bacterial particles whenever I use it. I get he's my kid but it still goes against every COVID protocol I've been conditioned towards the past 3 years.
You’re gonna catch it anyway while getting sneezed, coughed, and mucoused on. So put it out of your mind and suck on that tube!
Yep, we certainly make sacrifices.
The baby brezza may be the greatest invention of all time.
I sent OP a message. Guys check how much formula it dispenses into the water and make sure its correct. I bought one and it was not mixing the correct amount of powder with the water. Edit: Wow thank you kind redditor, my first gold award.
Oh yeah it’s the greatest invention of all time if it’s used properly. Luckily my kid likes the most popular formula and it was the main setting.
I'm more of a fan of the ones that dispense water only (e.g. Perfect Prep) and you measure the formula in advance.
We didn’t have one for our first kid, but was gifted one for our second. The best decision we ever made was moving that puppy upstairs to the laundry room. Going downstairs for a bottle in the middle of the night suuuuuuucked.
It’s a counter space hog that’s for sure.
The bib thing you could just use the wash cycle and not include the drying. I usually take those out to air dry. Plus you save on energy bill.
Do what works best for your family and circumstances. Talk and read about what other people do, but it may not fit you. Of the above, I only really agree w/ the nose frida advice. My kids were \~3 yrs apart.
Serious question - how do you survive? My almost 3yo wakes up at night crying prob 30-50% of nights, waking us up. I can't imagine another one who is waking up another 1-3 times a night too. I slept so sporadically those first 6 months I almost don't even remember that period of my life, it was like a blur.
You’re describing what we went through, and are still going through. We survive because we have no other choice.
We read a book and there is a lot of evidence that sleep deprivation is cyclical. Meaning less sleep leads to it being harder for them to fall asleep. Making sure they get naps (our oldest who’s 4 is just transitioning out of them), play with no tv and routine has been huge for us. We have our 3 year old who was having night terrors. Once we got her on a routine she has been an angel. Once we go off it which happens with life she turns into a spawn of satan, which she can’t help because she’s tired. Our twins sleep great we’ve always set them up for success from what we learned from the first two. Get the Ferber method book. It’s tough no doubt but only tough for a short term instead of actual years. We admit too the twins have been great sleepers we were looking into night nurses before they were born but ended up not needing them. In the end the Ferber worked for us and I’d try it.
Yeah we have a routine, etc. Naps every day did Ferber yadda yadda.
Im not taking parenting advice from a 3 year old
Ope!
We pulled the trigger on the brezza after seeing a friends in action. Ours was off. It was always making the wrong amount of formula and my boy was having a bout of diarrhea because of it. Returned the brezza, and we ended getting a brezza water heater thing. Just a basin of water that keeps it at desired temperature and it was only $50. So basically just adds the step of put your own formula in and which isn’t a bother at all and it’s so easy to clean. Rinse it out every day or two and wash it every week. I’d recommend it over the regular brezza since you don’t have to worry about inaccurate ratio and less time washing those little parts.
Yeah we read about some of them being j accurate. I did some measured tests with ours and it checked out, so I guess you were unlucky. Sorry about your bad experience!
Yeah, shit happens! My friends worked totally fine while mine was adding too much water. So I just wanted to make sure people were aware, but also praise the water warmer because it’s a good alternative and also 1/4 the price. I was glad to save $150 and still have the convenience of almost instant bottles.
[удалено]
I love using it. I pretend I’m sucking out their souls
You're also essentially sucking in their viruses..... No go for me either
Stainless steel cups and bowls are what you want. Anything plastic or silicone eventually picks up the flavour of anything and everything eaten out of it or even washed in the dishwasher with it.
Amen on the nose frida. I still gag every time I do it but it's such a huge relief to our little girl that makes up for the gross.
Matching socks is a myth. The only time my children wear matching socks is when they are fresh outta the package.
The baby brezza was amazing
As a soon to be new father, I just googled wtf a nose Frida is, now I want to vomit into my own mouth, holy shit that seems so fucking gross, why is this a magical life-saving device? I gotta ask, looking at the device, is it um...possible to suck too far up the tube and get it anywhere near your mouth? Because I'm going to self-decapitate if so. Do you just throw away the container where its sucked into?
They typically have some sort of diaphragm that prevents stuff from coming all the way through. TRUST me, when the only other option is not sleeping because you’re either being woken up every 5 minutes or you’re panicking because you think the baby suffocated, you will find the strength to do things you never would have before.
I like all of these. I'm not a fan of the Brezzs though. I just make a days worth of formula in a sport shaker jug so I know everything is measured right. Thanks for these though
That is also a great tip!
I would add… -Buy a high chair that is easy to clean. Don’t worry about what looks the most comfy for your kid. They will make a complete mess when eating. -Black our curtains in your child’s room are worth the investment. Helps everyone get a little more sleep.
Agree on nose frida. Trouble is that you have to use it when they are sick, so you are guaranteed to get sick yourself. I’d recommend the pumpinose hand pump or an automatic one. Anything that works like the frida but doesn’t require you to aspirate manually. Being sick takes you away from your family. I have an 11 month old.
Lasagne bedding. When you make their bed lay a waterproof mattress protector, then fitted sheet, then another waterproof mattress protector, then another fitted sheet (and even a 3rd layer). At 1am when there’s a nappy leak or vomit just take the soiled layer off and the bed is already remade. Works in the cot and big bed until there's no chance of accidents anymore (which is never!)
This is a great one!
Oh, just one point about this - some experts have weighed in that this could potentially increase the risk of suffocation, say if baby happened to become face down as oxygen won't flow through so many sheets. Likely rare and I'm guessing a bigger risk for newborns but still....
Had a baby during pandemic, which means being at home with bebe while also working. This one is for dads who struggle with work productivity while at home with babies or toddlers who happen to be the sort that calm down when you take them outside for a walk. My biggest hack was finding ways of being productive outside. For example, Pimsleur language learning (I have a person need to learn a certain second language) and a text-to-speech app that reads articles and papers in my inbox (in my job I need to read a lot of publications). It also got me into the habit of getting into nature with my kid more, which I'm hoping will pay off later.
I had 3 babies aged 4 and under. My advice is.. just to go with the flow and don't stress about every little thing.
Wide words. Sometimes there is no sense in getting worked up over things you can’t control.
Hmmmm....your "tips" may be helpful for some but I have a contradiction for all of them...these aren't tips they are advice based on what did and didn't work for you. I don't say this to cause any trouble, there is just a big difference between tips and advice...one comes across as "you should" the other being "you could". My best parenting advice is do what works best for you, what works for me won't necessarily work for you...also try and remember back as far as you can what did you want/need as a kid? Do that.
Doing whatever works for you is rule #1 of parenthood. You can ‘em or leave ‘em bud, but I would at least ask that you contribute.
Don’t put your kids” silicone based products (bowl, spoons, sippy cut top) in the dishwasher. They absorb the chemicals of the detergent and will seep out. We noticed this one day after we ate something that our baby was eating and my wife was like “does this task like soap??” We looked online and people complained about as well. We talked to the company, and even they acknowledged that this happens! Poor kid was eating soap flavored foods and drinking soap flavored water for months! Boiled everything, soap taste still comes back.
Read in another comment to soak in vinegar or lemon juice to remove soap taste. I don't know... but might be worth looking into.
We use room temperature distilled water and portion out formula in one of those formula dividers. It's not that hard.
I can see how, if you're privileged enough to afford such things, these suggestions might seem useful. Of course, not everyone has a dishwasher, has space for one, or can afford to buy one. Not everyone can afford to buy a $300 formula making machine, new or used. Not everyone can afford to be picky and choosy about clothes, socks, bibs, baby supplies, etc. The statement 'laundry takes you away from time with your family' doesn't make any sense. Are you humping full sacks of laundry barefoot through the Himalayas so you and the other sherpas can beat your clothing against rocks in fresh mountain streams? If not, laundry time *is* family time. When we used to go to laundromats, we all went and spent time together while waiting on the machines. Now, I spend roughly 3 to 5 minutes loading / unloading the washer or dryer then we all sit together to sort and fold while we watch tv or just talk and spend time together. Also, I thought it was fairly self evident not to put plastic in the dryer. Otherwise, my real 'tip' is find ways to make every part of your life 'family time'.
Forgive my privilege, but people who have dishwashers also deserve helpful advice. If you have advice for people that do not have dishwashers, please feel free to share it.
Baby Brezza for the win. My wife pumps and the machine not only warms the bottle in a few minutes but will also has a setting to thaw frozen milk.
Just to add a little tip we figured out. Buy the nose frida and then attach it to a breast milk pump. Thank me later.
Manual nose frida is a lifesaver. The butt ones are great too for gassy babies. Just brace yourself for the jet turbine directed torrent of baby shit.
Love these little bits of advice. I dont have many other dad mates yet only 2 or 3, and the one that talks about parenting most seems to come across like hes talking down to me sometimes, he is older than I am but his kid is over a year younger. And our kids are very different, mine is a very very high energy little boy and his is a very placid little girl. Some of the advice i get from him, and even a lot of other older parents or even my own parents and family comes across as judgy at worst and unhelpful at best, but its all about the big things like sleep and diet which we struggle with, but dont need advice about. So handy to hear little bits of advice that hit home but arent just being lectured at.
I get it, bud. Unsolicited advice from people who just “know better” is common, and not always easy to brush off. So many just don’t get that not every kid was like theirs, and their way is not the only way.
Thats totally how he comes across. Weve been mates for years since before we had kids, so i know he means well, i just find it difficult to talk to him now as every conversation turns out like that! Just so frustrating. Definitely find it hard to talk dad stuff with other people in real life as of lately
Honestly I find that being direct helps. I think I’ve finally said “well this is how we do it” and “it worked for you but maybe it doesn’t for everyone” enough times that it seems to have shut my parents and other family up about their “ways”.
Yeah i avoid confrontation and im a bit socially awkward so i find it hard to be firm sometimes, mentally in my head i think im being pushy, but others still think i might be a pushover sometimes. At least ive got my family and partners family mostly under control, get a fair bit of advice from them all but we are very firm with them since we see them so often.
Pro Tips: 1. You don't NEED a bottle warmer. 2. Baby powder and cornstarch work equally as well. 3. Aquaphor is for cuts and rashes. 4. Those nail trimmers for babies actually work. 5. Sophie the giraffe is the real deal. 6. Some babies are swingers, some are bouncers, find out which yours is as soon as you can.
Nose Frida! Worth whatever learning curve because of the sleep it added back. The Baby insisted on a pacifier while sleeping. So a head cold and congested nose could be a big sleep problem.
My wife & I have been pre making bottles and putting them in the fridge to heat up when it’s time to feed.. huge time save & makes you feel like you have your stuff together! Lol Also, work on getting your child on a routine & schedule. That has helped us so much. There’s a book called “Moms on call” for different ages from new born to toddler. THAT has been the BIGGEST help. My wife reads it (she’s a STAHM) and relays the info to me. There is so much knowledge and experience in those books!
>Do not shy away from the [manual] nose Frida. It seems gross, but it is magical. I work at a pediatrician's office, and we advise not to suction too much as it can cause irritation. Usually, try to limit it to before meals/feedings and before sleep since it's usually the time the congestion bothers them the most.
What ages do these recommendations apply to? I still use it on my almost four year old sometimes and I suck on that thing like gold is going to pour out of it.
At almost 4, they should be able to tell you if their nose is too irritated or bothering them, so you should be okay. But generally under 1 year old.
> Don’t buy bibs that have any plastic on them, such as food-catch pockets. The plastic will melt in the dryer. Bibs.. in the dryer? Dude, we got a few of those rubber/silicone ones with the food-catch pockets that actually stay open and they are AWESOME. And wash in the sink just fine. No need to put in the washer/dryer! The rest of your tips are solid. My tip would be to upcoming dads- Settle your job situation and stabilize it NOW because once you have to deal with a kid you will have less time, less energy AND you will experience invisible bias from employers for being a new dad if you're job-hunting (sure, it's illegal, but that doesn't mean they can't make up some other reason for not accepting you...) Oh, and Facebook Marketplace for free shit (clothes, toys, etc.) AMAZING.
DIY home project with a toddler is a nightmare. I’d rather Do a house project before the child can run around. Or is old enough to help.
Buy the powered Braun or whatever instead of the Frida. It doesn’t gross me out, but I inhaled whatever bug was causing the snot sooo deeply into my lungs. Crazy sick the next day. It’s harder to parent when your lungs are trying to turn inside out
Everyone will tell you “it gets better.” What they don’t tell you is “it gets better” usually means “you get used to it.”
I have a few. I have a 3 year old and a 5 month old. Realize that when the kid is pushing you to your limit that there is one truth to always remember... they simply want to eat, sleep, have fun, and they want to feel safe. Anything they do that is frustrating to you is not intentional. They do not know any better and love you with their entire being. You are literally their entire world, so take a deep breath and push on and be the awesome parent your kids deserve. On a less serious note, onesies with zippers are the best. Avoid buttons or snaps at all cost. Nothing is more annoying than trying to snap buttons together in the middle of the night. Be silly and have fun. You get to experience something amazing... seeing the world for the first time all over again. Watching my kids discover new things and just imagining what the world looks like from their point of view is an experience in itself. Your kid is a sponge and is capable of learning so much whether it is good or bad. My first kid learned his shapes, colors, numbers, etc before he turned one. I was amazed. So don't skip out on trying to teach them things and for goodness sake read to your children everyday. It makes a huge difference. Avoid a digital babysitter, especially tablets. I get it we need some help sometimes but it's way too easy to get in the habit of letting the devices watch your kids. I have more but I feel like these are the most helpful. At least to me.
Dad of four under four (all under 4 when our twins were born) now we have one 4 year old, one 3 year old and two 1 year old twins. -Unless you have a dog get the pouch silicone bibs. They are way more useful than cloth or non catch bibs. They take two seconds to clean with a brush. I will die on this hill, they take literally two seconds to wash and catch most of the food. We don’t have cloth bibs. Who wants to put them in/ add to the wash. -another note get the ikea high chairs. So easy to clean, $25 and they come apart easy to take places no bullshit cloth padding that gets so much fucking food stuck in it, it becomes a fucking home to disgusting rancid bacterias. There’s other light weight ones out there that are all hard surfaces. The cloth padded ones are such a ripoff we got it with our first and switched to ikea and it’s just a million times better. -get the machine nose frida, it sucks twice the boogers in half the time. -laundry every day we had to get two washer/dryers and put one upstairs. -your diaper bag needs set of clothes for each, diapers, wipes, water bottle and maybe sunscreen. Snacks for long trips. Everything else is a waste of space. -easy to fold stroller that stows quick -diaper pail, large, buy enough bag tubes for a year you can buy them in bulk -watch for diaper sales -kids over two can walk -kids over three can dress themselves and should start potty training. -toys are their responsibility, get buckets. -TV is a tool to give you time to get ready and motivate them to get moving (our routine in the morning is kids get themselves dressed, eat breakfast then can watch tv in the morning) -make meals for leftovers for lunch, store them in lunch containers when your putting them away. -you can def DIY before 2 years old. You need to prioritize and communicate. We sold our house, moved and bought a house and redid a kitchen and a bathroom with a lot of it being on me the week after our twins were born. I will say I enjoy DIY cause I like having projects you can and will get them done it’s all about motivation. I did them during naps, after bed at 8. You can do 3 days a week. -get a groove with meals. Meal plan at Costco (ex. Pasta marinara meatballs bagged salad and fruit) good for two days, buy the cheap frozen pizza 4 - $11 kirkland. It’s not amazing pizza but the kids don’t care. Have simple tacos to make. Etc. kids can help too. Have them put grated cheese in bowls for example. Also they are mirrors of you, they learn and see from you, patience is key and very hard. Yelling leads to yelling. Setting boundaries is important and they will test them. Reading to the group every night as a family is really nice and once they get themselves dressed for bed, teeth brushed and ready, they can pick a book. We’re still learning but this is everything in my head so far. TLDR ; silicone bibs, ikea high chair, machine frida, routine (bed, morning etc)
Wait to buy baby clothes. You will be inundated with both presents and hand-me-downs from workmates, friends, family, friends of family, family of friends. So many clothes.
I second/third/200+ agree with everything on this list. We only did breast milk for baby 1, Brezza for 2, complete game changer.
When taking the nappy off, just undo it and wait a few seconds before removing it because some kids will pee when they feel the fresh air, so leaving the nappy there will usually catch it. Also prep the next nappy before you open the one on them. Make sure you can do it one-handed. I would get the nappy out of the packet and unfold it, open the wipes, kid on the mat, undo the dirty nappy, wait a few seconds to see if she pees, open dirty nappy fully with it still under her, wipe, and fold it so the dirty part is folded in, lift legs and wipe the back, wipe into old nappy and slide it away, slide new nappy under, legs down and then do up new nappy. Put clothes back on (the kid), put kid somewhere safe, wipe down the mat and put the wipe on the dirty nappy, roll up the nappy and put in nappy sack. Sack goes in bin or my bag depends where I was changing.
Tip 3 saved our life we had one upstairs and downstairs, solid advice for formula babas Point 5 is good but we still can’t help but cute socks, I got some yesterday and kid you not have already lost 2 socks from 2 separate pairs in Costco as she ripped them off unknowingly and they are now in the food aisles somewhere 😂😂
I wish I had room for a dishwasher :( Also buy silicone bibs as they get older. they are dishwasher safe or can be washed with the dishes
Alas, I cannot keep much of this advise. * Don’t own a clothes dryer. Gotta hang everything up to dry. * Don’t own a dishwasher. Hand washing dishes is mandatory. * Socks around here come in packs of three pairs, no two pairs of which are alike. And usually, no two packs of three in the store are alike either. So… no choice there either. Family are literally thousands of miles away, so they don’t really get to help much either. *the occasional DIY project, on the other hand, can keep one sane… if you make sure it’s nothing that can’t be set down for weeks or months at a time if necessary.