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I’ve been eyeing this Ivanhoe bootie for myself — love the low heel height, the dip in the front of the boot’s shaft, and the fact that it’s from a company called “SoftWalk” — yes please! It’s $164 at Nordstrom, available in sizes 6-12 in medium, narrow, and wide sizes. SoftWalk ‘Ivanhoe’ Leather Bootie (L-2)Sales of note for 4.18.24
(See all of the latest workwear sales at Corporette!)
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And — here are some of our latest threadjacks of interest – working mom questions asked by the commenters!
- If you’re a working parent of an infant with low sleep needs, how do you function at work when you’re in the throes of baby’s sleep regression?
- Should I cut my childcare down to 12 hours a month if I work from home?
- Will my baby have speech delays if we raise her bilingual?
- Has anyone given birth in a teaching hospital?
- My child eats everything, and my friends’ kids do not – how should I handle? In general, what is the best way to handle when your child has some skill/ability and your friend’s child doesn’t have that skill/ability?
- ADHD moms, give me your tips to help with things like behavior in the classroom, attention to detail, etc?
- I think I suffer from mom rage…
- My husband and kids are gone this weekend – how should I enjoy my free time?
- I’m struggling to be compassionate with a SAHM friend who complains she doesn’t have enough hours of childcare.
- If you exclusively formula fed, what tips do you have for in the hospital and coming home?
- Could I take my 4-yo and 8-yo on a 7-8 day trip to Paris, Lyon, and Madrid?
ADE says
Any recommendations for rain boots for a 18 month old?
Anonymous says
Target
They grow so fast at that age I wouldn’t want to spend more than that.
Also: if it warm where you are, we do a lot in keen newport h2s and crocs. Much more use out of the water shoe (as water and non-water shoes) than boots for us.
mascot says
I’m not usually a fan of second hand shoes for walking kids, but I’d make an exception for this and look at consignment stores/sales.
j says
Kamik kids. Bought ours on Amazon.
Anonymous says
I’m more concerned with TYPE of shoe for a new, little walker. Can kids this age handle a regular wellie or is hard for them to walk?
NewMomAnon says
My 20 month old daughter is so sad that she has outgrown her rainboots – she loved them. They were hard for her to walk in at 12 months, but by 18 months she was a strong walker and loved her boots.
Jdubs says
I vote Crocs only because they are so much lighter than any other toddler rain boots I could find. Some of the cheaper ones are super heavy and (I thought) more difficult for a toddler to walk in.
Anonymous says
+1
Hardcore Kamik fan turned Crocs fan because of the weight. Either are good choices though. So much better than all the other options which are heavy and poor quality.
They can definitely handle them at 18 months. Mine did fine in Kamik at that age. I haven’t put an 18 mo old in Crocs (yet).
2 related questions... says
[Posting here as well as on the main s*te]
…on maternity coats and babywearing in winter.
So, I’d love advice. I’m pregnant (due early January) in DC, and I tried on my favorite long ultralight down jacket from Uniqlo, and figure it will work only unzipped in November/December/January. I walk to work, walk my dog, and run cold when not pregnant, so I really want to buy a coat that will be able to close properly, without spending tons of money. Also, I’m planning on spending a decent amount of time outside with the baby (as is DH) in the winter (and would prefer to not always having to lug the stroller down the 2 flights of stairs in our apartment building)…again, walking the dog at a minimum.
I’d love input as to what I should get. A reasonably priced similar coat a size or two larger for maternity/postpartum? Or a convertible maternity/babywearing coat?
And relatedly, I’m interested in recommendations as to how to keep the baby warm when walking around in the winter. The babywearing coat option seems nice, but expensive, and doesn’t really help when DH is the one doing the babywearing (which he really would like to do a good portion of the time). Bundling up the baby and then having the baby in a carrier outside my coat or DH’s coat seems like it would be a little more difficult, and would not allow us the advantages of sharing body heat. I’d be really interested to hear what ladies here (and their partners) have done…
Also, I admit I may be overthinking this.
Mrs. Jones says
I don’t have advice re coat. My son was born in late Oct., and I just bundled him up (footed onesie plus fleece coat and hat) and put him in a stroller for walking in winter. IMO, babies tolerate more heat and cold than adults, so don’t worry too much about baby getting cold bc you’re not wearing baby. Also note, I live in the south so it’s not freezing all the time.
anon says
For my January kid, I used my coats much of the time leading up to birth; I was running a bit hot and it was a slighly milder December, so it worked out okay. Once she arrived, I used my (larger) husband’s fleeces and coats for baby-wearing. I didn’t think it was worth it to buy a whole special coat, because to get one warm enough I’d need to spend more money than seemed worth it considering the coat would only be used for a few months. So my slightly sideways suggestions is perhaps to consider getting something your husband could use in the future, or evaluate his existing outwear. I had a lot of luck wearing my husband’s heaviest fleece (LL Bean? something like that) plus a Gortex parka-type coat. That way I could have the baby close to me and we’d keep each other warm; all my kids run hot so even though it was an especially cold and brutal winter, I don’t remember having issues with her. It goes without saying that I didn’t care too much what I looked like, given that I was running all over with a baby strapped to me in freezing cold weather; I’m of the school that when it gets into serious winter, whatever keeps you warm is a-okay.
RDC says
I had a winter baby and ended up not walking much with him while it was very cold – I never felt like he was sufficiently bundled. (Also, when there was snow I was terrified of falling on ice while wearing him.) Once it was warmer we walked much more, and I would put him in those fleece one-piece bunting things, and just wear my coat or jacket unzipped. When he was really small I was more comfortable taking him out in his infant seat with the winter cover on top and the snap n go stroller. We had the jolly jumper brand cover and really like it.
Cape says
I’m due in February and my mother just bought me a beautiful black cape from Ann Taylor (I believe it was on sale for $120). It is black and she bought it a size up from my normal size so it will accommodate my bump and the baby when he comes. It is nice looking (so would work with professional clothes) but not over-the-top that it would look weird for everyday use. It would easily cover a baby in a baby carrier and I figure I can still wear it outside of maternity/baby purposes. Probably wouldn’t work for running, but should be fine for dog walking and walking anywhere else.
TK says
Have not tried these but saw them in the maternity second-hand store. They purport to make any winter zipper jacket expand to cover baby and baby belly. Anyone tried these?
http://makemybellyfit.com/
hoola hoopa says
Maternity vest + belted trench.
Then baby in fleece bunting and you in your own jacket.
Sweaty Heads says
Does anyone else have a child with a head that gets really sweaty when they sleep / nap? I have one with a sweaty-head and one who is non-sweaty. They share a room and have the same exact bedding, so one is just wired to sweat (we put a cloth diaper over her pillow and have the pillow encased something waterproof so it doesn’t get nasty). Does it ever stop? If we won’t wash her hair every night it is downright nasty (somehow the sweaty head sweat smells really bad).
CHJ says
DS gets sweaty when he sleeps, so we dress him really lightly. Like a t-shirt, diaper, and light sleep sack. He gets too hot in regular PJs. Can you switch up the bedding and PJs for the sweaty one, if she’s too hot but her sibling is comfortable? Or if they are already in light bedding, crank down the temperature and get warmer bedding for the non-sweaty one?
CapHillAnon says
Check with your pediatrician. In adults, at least, a sweaty head can be a sign of a vitamin D deficiency. I have no idea if that’s true for small people, but there might be something behind it. Good luck.
Anonymama says
I have two sweaty kids. Light pajamas, fewer blankets, and change sheets often. I also think waterproof under bedding layers make the sweating worse, since they don’t breathe as much as regular bedding. Maybe just put a couple extra pillowcases on the pillow, and throw into the wash as needed?
I have a doctor friend who theorized that sweaty sleepers have lots of brown fat, which is but in excess calories while you sleep, so it may be beneficial for future weight-gain-avoidance?
Preemie Mom says
I’m traveling for work next week and planning to bring back breastmilk. I’ve done this several times before, but I’m considering bringing the milk back unfrozen in storage bags (traveling for fun immediately after and I want a stash of fresh, unfrozen milk for my MIL and FIL to use instead of having to defrost). Does anyone have experience doing this? I’m concerned that due to the pressure, the bags will explode or leak, but it would be nice to travel with fewer bottles for transporting back home. Thanks!
Anonymous says
I have’t had bags explode, but mine weren’t all that full, either. maybe underfill and double-bag or bring a gallon ziplock to hold them? And more ziplocks for the ice (am assuming you’re chilling the milk even if you’re not freezing it).
Good luck
amelia Bedelia says
I’ve done this and had no issue with leaks or explosions. As long as you try to seal them with as little air as possible, and don’t overfill, you will be fine.
I will say, though, that when I traveled internationally (with the breastmilk in a freezer bag cooler thing) the TSA equivalent people barely late me through because I didn’t have a baby and they didn’t like me claiming the exception. I finally had to taste several bags of the milk to prove it was fine (and start raising my voice and claiming unfair treatment, etc.) before they let me through. it was a serious hassle.
MSJ says
I’ve traveled twice with un-frozen milk (hotel had refrigerator but not freezer) and it was fine. I used Lanisoh bags no more than 6oz full and then put several inside a gallon ziploc bag. I used high quality ice packs (from BlueApron) and then had yet more ziploc bags to fill with fresh ice first from the hotel machine and then from the airport bars. All this went into soft insulated bags. No leaks.
sfg says
So far, I have only traveled with fresh milk on ice. I use Lansinoh bags, but I have suffered a leak on at least two trips. I now double bag and I do not put more than 5oz in an individual bag. I always have at least one gallon ziploc for ice and I stash extra gallon size bags in my bag.
Meg Murry says
another +1 for not filling the bags overly full (I only filled to 4 oz, because that was the size my son took in a feeding) and putting the milk bags inside a gallon ziploc or split between a few quart ziplocs.
Preemie Mom says
Thanks everyone for the helpful comments! So glad the bags have worked for others; I’m going to try it, and will double bag and not fill too full. @amelia Bedelia, that sounds terrible what happened to you at security; I can’t believe they made you taste it.
Amelia Bedelia says
It was pretty gross! But I worked WAY too hard for that breastmilk. no way I was dumping it!
When oh when? says
DH and I are in our late 30ies/ early 40ies and (technically) TTC. Only that we have a hard time “motivating” ourselves to do the deed. We both work crazy hours and usually do not have any energy left when coming home. Also, our work schedules do not match, with one of us working with a team in time zone x, and the other one with time zone y. Any strategies on how to find time and motivation without the entire thing becoming a duty rather than fun?
POSITA says
Read Taking Charge of Your Fertility and start charting. It’s so much easier when you know your window and don’t have to force things for most of the month. You will know the few days that matter and are off the hook for the remainder of the month.
Anon says
Seconded to reac TCOYF, I’d also recommend OPKs – while you’ll want to start dtd more regularly a few days before the OPK turns positive, at least you’ll have some comfort and can quit a day or two after you get the positive result without worrying you’re missing the window.
Thanks for the advice says
I commented a few Fridays ago, asking for reassurance that trying for only three months with no luck didn’t equal failure. You guys really helped my Type A side calm down — and I’ve since purchased TCOYF. We’re still “not” not trying (I bought an ovulation kit too, just in case we want to try that route sooner than later), but the book has calmed my nerves down a lot.
Hope everyone has a great (dry) weekend!
NewMomAnon says
A year ago, I had a crazy unexpected hospitalization and got amazing care at the hospital. I’d like to do something to honor the nurses and doctors who cared for me; we are going to pick apples this weekend and I was thinking of dropping off a big bag of apples with a card for the hospital staff. Has anybody done anything like this? How do I do it? Just drop it off with the receptionist, or go to the nursing station and drop it off, or something else? Is it OK to leave food at a hospital? I don’t really want to make a big scene about it; pretty much I just want to say a quiet thank you.
The hospital’s only “recognition” program was a donation to the hospital in the name of the nurse you wanted to honor, and I don’t really want to donate to that hospital (it has a religious affiliation that I don’t share).
mascot says
I think that would be a nice gesture and a welcome healthy treat.
EP-er says
When my son was finally released from the NICU, I made a big basket full of snacks to leave in the break room as a thanks to all of the staff. We have also been known to say thanks to the hospital staff with donuts or bagels when a relative is staying in the hospital over a weekend. It will be appreciated, I’m sure.
Due in December says
My husband is a nurse and I know food is always appreciated…especially sometimes having “healthy” options (or, at least options that won’t lead to a sugar crash later, rather than pastries and other baked goods). Totally OK to leave food at a hospital. Consider splitting it up and leaving some expressly for the night shift…they often get overlooked.
ameda says
Anyone have the ameda pump? It’s the one insurance is offering. Debating whether to get it at all, or getting the electric vs. hand. I suppose if I commit to pumping at work I would want to have the second one… Anyway. Wondering if it is as worthless as some of the Amazon reviews make it out to be. Otherwise – pump recommendations?
Jdubs says
I personally hated the Ameda. Got it through insurance for baby #2 and it was pretty much worthless. I definitely think YMMV – some people I think respond more easily to any pump vs those of us who have a hard time pumping with any pump. Anyway, I also ended up with a Medela PISA and a Symphony at one point and could pump more with either of those or a hand pump than I could with with the Ameda.
Katarina says
I had not problems with the Ameda Purely Yours, but I never tried another pump. I got the double electric, which also comes with a hand pump. I hated the hand pump.
AEK says
I used the Ameda Purely Yours electric exclusively until I went back to work (20 weeks). Now I use it at home and the Medela PIS at the office. I think the Ameda has a better motor while the Medela has the better features (the let-down button and variability). But the Ameda served me perfectly well. And I find its parts much easier to clean than the Medela ones.
One tip I got from lactation consultant: if you’re using the Ameda to boost supply, run it at the highest speed and lowest suction. Save the higher suction for when you’re trying to collect.
Stacey says
I used the Ameda through two kids and found it perfectly fine, even for my overeater who would go through 24+ ounces at daycare and nurse. It was easy to clean. I’ve never tried the Medela. I would suggest trying it, since it is free, and if you end up not liking it, get a different one and keep the free Ameda as a back up.
hoola hoopa says
I’ve had a Medela Freestyle and an Ameda Purely Yours. I liked the Ameda more, actually.
I personally liked the more manual controls of the Ameda. The flanges and membranes are a lot easier than the Freestyle (not sure how it compares to the PIS).
Amelia Bedelia says
I need help! Posting on both sites. I am about 100 weeks (fine, 6+ months) pregnant and have had an “ugly” pregnancy. I mean I have gained weight everywhere: thighs, back, arms, etc. Anyway, I just found out today that the engagement party I am attending is fancy. ugh. most women are wearing cocktail dresses. I have a pregnancy formal, but NOT a cocktail dress. And nothing I have from pre-pregnancy will work.
So, I’m thinking of wearing a pretty silk flowy shell (cream) I have over a black pencil skirt or tuxedo pants. I think I will wear tons of killer jewelry (most attendees are middle eastern, so we have a lot of flashy gold! it’s awesome) and amazing shoes (maybe leopard or purple — unless the topper someone suggests is super colourful). BUT, I want a fabulous jacket/scarf/pashmina/sweater to really glam up the outfit and HIDE MY ARMS!!!!!
I can’t spend more than about $250. Can anyone help me? Any suggestions? The event is in Southern Cal, so I needn’t be super warm.
NewMomAnon says
Fall always makes me lust after velvet jackets. I found this one on ShopStyle and you might have to beat me to it:
https://www.shopbop.com/embellished-chiffon-jacket-velvet/vp/v=1/1543358638.htm?folderID=2534374302155112&os=false&colorId=12867&extid=affprg_CJ_SB_US-2178999-ShopStyle.com&cvosrc=affiliate.cj.2178999
Amelia Bedelia says
i would SO purchase that if it were available in anything but small and xs!!!!!!!!!!!
sfg says
I think this Hatch jacket is pretty fab:
http://www.hatchcollection.com/chic-maternity-clothing/outerwear/the-tux-blazer.html
Winter weather says
So last winter with a newborn it was very easy to get him in and out of places in the cold weather with a warm car seat cover, but what do I do with my one year old? I know that heavy and puffy winter jackets are not safe when strapped in the car seat. We can go from car to house and vice versa via our attached garage so that is not an issue, but as far as getting into and out of daycare, my parents, stores, etc, what do people do once your kiddos are out of bucket seats for cold winter climates?
POSITA says
We loved our JJ Cole bundle me for stroller rides.
We got a polar fleece snowsuit at Old Navy for the car. It kept her warm enough because there were no gaps for air to get in (it was one piece with a hood and mitten flaps). But it didn’t have any fluff that would have worried me like a thicker jacket. When it was really cold we’d layer a blanket over the suit. It wasn’t windproof though, so we used real snow gear for outside play. It was enough for outings with the Bundle Me if she wasn’t going to be playing in wind or snow.
POSITA says
I know people are probably judging because I referred to using a snowsuit in a carseat, but it really was only a thin layer of fleece. It was no thicker than the thin fleece jacket recommended by the carseatlady. It’s warmth really came from it being one piece, not fluff. Snowsuit is probably a bad term because it’s not suited for snow. More of a thick fleece sleeper or light jacket weight.
EP-er says
We traveled with blankets for trips like that. I am super adamant that coat never, ever belongs on a child in a car seat. I would put on a hat and bundle my kids in a fleece blanket. After they were strapped in, I would tuck the blanket around them. My mother completely didn’t understand this, until she saw a segment on The Drs. or something. THEN the passive aggressive comments about how cold it was out side stopped. :) You can also strap the child in the car seat, then put the coat on backwards, over the straps.
http://thecarseatlady.com/warmandsafe/
Carine says
I just put her in a coat and hat, took off the coat to get her in the seat and put it back on when I got her out. It wasn’t really that big of a hassle, though I like EP-er’s blanket idea too.
KJ says
What’s a good reason to have a second kid?
I go back and forth on whether or not to go for #2, but nothing actually feels like a convincing reason. So #1 will have a sibling? I’m sure she would be just fine without one, and “as a service to already existing person” doesn’t seem like a good reason to bring a new life into the world. Because I feel pangs when I see pregnant women and tiny babies? Because #1 is growing up so fast? These also seem like terrible, emotional reasons to make such a big decision. Because everyone we know has or is having at least 2? Also terrible. Because if, god forbid, something were to happen to #1, I would still be a mom? Not a good reason, and also a completely horrifying thought that keeps popping in my head unbidden.
I feel like deciding on #1 was easier because it was just about whether to be a parent or not. But what’s the rational case for #2?
meme says
Personally, I had #2 (and more) because I really enjoyed parenthood and found it very fulfilling, and I just wanted more children in my family to love and spend time with. I enjoy their company and feel proud to be raising upstanding citizens (hopefully) to contribute to society. It’s just what I wanted for my life, basically.
KJ says
Can I ask if you ever worried that having more would take your time and energy in a way that would make it less enjoyable and fulfilling?
Anonymous says
Not the original answerer, but nope. Not at all. The interaction with another person would be an overall plus and help avoid any helicopter parenting (easy with 1, less so with two).
JJ says
Not the original answerer, either, but I agree with Anonymous. It certainly takes more time and energy when you go from 1 to 2 kids, but I feel even more fulfilled at the end of the day. Watching my kids play together is literally the greatest thing in my world.
meme says
I’m an introvert and I can’t really deal with too much chaos, so I just kind of took it one kid at a time. I know there’s a limit to my time and energy and a point at which I can become overwhelmed and frazzled and crazy. I don’t want to push myself there, but I never felt so close to that point that I worried another kid would push me over the edge. I’ve actually surprised myself with the patience I have for my own kids (other people’s kids, not so much at all – I’m not even slightly a kid person except when it comes to my own), and the fact that my kids don’t push my introvert buttons like having other random people (even family members) around my house all the time does. I go bonkers when my inlaws start hanging around my house too much (they and my husband are all extroverts and seem to want as many people around as possible always), but my kids and husband don’t have the same effect on me. I like “quiet” weekends at home with just our family, and don’t feel like I need extra alone time in addition. (Though I do frequently welcome bedtime when it comes after a long day.)
I think this is different for everyone, and you just have to figure out what you personally want, and what you personally can handle. Best of luck!
anon says
I had #2 (and #3) because we felt like our life was incomplete without them (that is, we WANTED them) and because we knew that we could have them responsibly, from a time and money perspective. I have to say, I still feel pangs when I see pregnant women and tiny babies, but my life doesn’t feel incomplete and it would be irresponsible to have more (from an energy/time perspective in our personal situations). I do think about the lost opportunities sometimes when I see my kids’ friends who don’t have siblings – they seem to have so much more time and attention devoted to what they want to do (e.g., I don’t have the time to spend hours making rainbow loom bracelets with my oldest and I can’t take him to the amusement park all the time because his siblings won’t enjoy it), but on the other hand, our family now seems complete in a way that it didn’t before.
POSITA says
I wanted the family atmosphere that comes with having more people living in one house. I wanted the family dinners, holidays and outings. I grew up in a family with four kids and that always was a bit too much for me. But our family of three was just a little too peaceful. I wanted more bustle.
Anonymous says
This exactly. And I love it when my kids’ friends and their parents come over. The more, the merrier.
anon says
This is a “service to an existing person” argument, but having watched single children deal with everything that goes along with sick, elderly parents, one reason I hope to give my son a sibling is so that they can do that together — not only splitting any responsibilities but also to be a shoulder to lean on.
Also because there is room in my heart for another little one — I still want someone else in my family to love.
Anon for this says
I just have the one, so I cannot comment on what pushes you over the edge, but I just want to commiserate and tell you that you’re not alone in finding this to be a really, really hard decision. I spend a lot (a lot!) of mental energy these days trying to make this decision. DH is definitely on board for a second, but since he wouldn’t be pregnant, wouldn’t be putting his job on hold a bit, and wasn’t the most involved parent to a newborn, I think it’s easier for him. I love the stage we’re in now and just keep thinking – “can I put my life on hold for 2 years again?” But, at the same time, I look longingly at babies and keep wishing we were already further along down the road or would just have an oops. So no help, but I am reading these responses with interest.
AEK says
Ditto to almost all of this!
CHJ says
+1000 to the “can I put my life on hold for 2 years again?” I think we’re going to try for #2 soon, but I’m still having pangs of “but I just got my body back… and my mind back… and my energy back…” Any advice from those who have been there before on how to address those feelings?
hoola hoopa says
I mention this in my full response below – but I had to stop thinking about the next 2 years and instead think about what I wanted my life to look like in 5, 10, or 20 years. There was zero question in my mind then. So I acknowledged that I’d need to put my head down and get through the next two years, but I know the long term was exactly what I wanted.
KJ says
Thanks for all the replies! This gives me a lot to think about. And Anon for this at 2:26, thanks, I’m glad I’m not the only one who doesn’t see this as an obvious decision.
Anon says
The rational case for #2: First time parents are crazy people who don’t know anything and tend to make their first children anxious / fearful. Having a second child will allow you to parent more sanely.
Only children bear the full weight of their parents’ expectations. (Especially upper-middle class children.) Think of how many adults you know who did things like “took the LSATs to make my parents happy.” (I can think of three different only children guys I dated who did things that were obviously wrong for them to make their parents happy).
If something goes wrong in your relationship with your only child — that’s it. I have a friend from elementary school who had some problems with his parents in high school. He did a year of study abroad, found out you could go to school for free in Sweden and hasn’t been back to the United States for almost 15 years.
Any / all elderly care you require will fall on your only child. Depending on how life plays out you may be saddling your child with as much as 20 years of your and your spouse’s decline. This could interfere with your child’s ability to have their own children, to save for their retirement, to pay for their kids’ college, etc. due either to hours or cost.
You will die someday. This is the big one — when you die who will be there with your child? What if your child isn’t interested in having a partner or children? What if they are entirely alone?
You don’t think “as a service to an already existing person” is a bad reason — but your child exists as a service to you (to turn you into parents, to propagate your genes, etc.) and now that you’ve created a life in service to your own your current plan is, eventually, to abandon him to the world without you.
But I don’t know, maybe that’s an emotional argument.
Someone says
Hey I was in a similar position and decided to go ahead with #2. I had started to really enjoy my first after he was about 3 years old… before that, he was hard. I dont particularly enjoy infants, and I struggled with the sleep issue.
Now after having #2, I’m still in 2 minds as to whether I’m happy with my decision. I’m in the trenches with the sleep thing and struggling with work and 2 kids and no sleep. I don’t feel like I’m giving the first one enough attention. The second one is demanding and clingy. My DH (who helped a lot with the first one, waking up nights etc.) is in a tougher job situation so nights are entirely on me. I’m often managing the critical dinner hour alone with both kids also. I know things will get better but we were in a good situation with just the first one.
hoola hoopa says
3) Because we like having our own siblings. It was fun (and hard and annoying) when we were young; it is fun to have them and their families together now; it is supporting and reassuring (and fun) to have the inside jokes, help with aging parents, etc.
2) Because we wanted the crowded holiday table, the group hugs, the sharing and handing down, the full car on a family outing.
1) Because we just wanted more. Didn’t feel done with one.
It’s hard – IME – to want to start over with the baby stress (daycare bills! sleepless nights! dirty house!), but it was really easy to decide when we’d think about our family 5, 10, 20 years down the road.
You didn’t ask, but I think a “bad” reason to not have another is concerns about stressing out the oldest. That concern was on our minds, although we always knew we’d have more than one, but then we saw how much joy our oldest got from having a sibling. It wasn’t a concern at all when we decided to have a third.
TK says
Try this. I live in upper mid west, he ‘wears’ it over the car seat straps so there isn’t the danger of extra bulk and we zip it up once he’s unstrapped.
http://www.cozywoggle.com/
Traveling and Pumping says
I am going on my first business trip away from my baby later this month, and need advice on pumping and bringing home milk. I’ll be away for three days, in a hotel room that will have a fridge but no freezer. I definitely want to bring milk home, because so far we haven’t needed to supplement, but this trip will bottom out my stash. But how do I do it?
The way I’m seeing it is there are 4 options:
A – on the way out, check luggage with un-frozen blue ice packs. ask the hotel to freeze the ice packs on my last day, bring cold milk and ice packs home in soft cooler carry on.
B – get some Tecni-Ice or similar, travel with it flat and dry in carry on, hope it freezes correctly in hotel fridge, bring that back in my carry on in the soft cooler.
C – no ice packs, just get ice from past security and put it in a big ziplock bag in the soft cooler?
D – something involving putting it in my checked luggage? my flights aren’t direct so that’s kind of horrifying.
I am new to traveling for business and I understand that traveling light is a virtue (though this time I am on different flights than my coworkers), but with a hand pump and a PISA and all the accoutrements, plus computer, in my carry on, I may have to check luggage anyway.
Oof I need advice!
Maddie Ross says
Some of this will depend on how far your flight is and how long the milk will need to be out of a fridge in a cooler. I think some version of A and/or B is your best bet. I’ve done that when traveling by car (i.e., had a hotel fridge with only a fridge, no freezer; took the ice packs that you break to cool down and added some ice to the cooler from a c-store). It made it the 3 hour trip home and seemed safe and cold when I got there. Definitely do not check the milk — that cooler and your pump don’t count toward your carry-on limit as they are medical devices.
Preemie Mom says
I go with Option C, but I get ice from the hotel ice machine. Learned the hard way (leaks) that ice should go into a ziplock gallon bag, not directly into soft-sided cooler (dumb move on my part). I’ve never been forced to dump this ice at security, but if you were, a restaurant inside the airport should help you out. I was once forced to throw away a gel-style (soft sided) cold pack (like one you would use on a sports injury), when I was traveling with LO and using this in the cooler with his bottle.
Other tips I have are bring a nursing poncho/cover (I’m not a fan of pumping in bathrooms and have pumped in my seat, at the gate, etc.), those Madela quick clean wipes, 3x more gallon size bags than you think you need,
a sharpie and masking tape (for labeling milk bottles), dish soap, at least one extra set of pumping parts (in case something breaks while you’re on the road), more than one extra set of membranes (those things rip easily), a battery pack for your pump and extra batteries. Also, to the extent possible, wear the easiest outfit for pumping that you have for your travel days. Finally, if you’re flying through O’Hare and have some time, the Travelers Aid office in Terminal 2 will allow you to pump in their offices – I literally sat in someone’s private office, they put a sign on the door, and pumped there.
To avoid checking a bag on the way there, I have also FedExed a tub for cleaning my pumping parts and extra bottles to myself, but that doesn’t avoid the need to check on the way home – this time, I’m going to try the freezer bags for bringing it home (see above). Although I didn’t realize that the cooler and pump didn’t count toward the carry on limit – is that airline by airline? I’ve had such trouble with the airline employees who guard the security lines at O’Hare in particular (not letting me in the line until my large wallet was inside my other carry on bag b/c otherwise, that’s three items, etc.), and that’s where I’m flying through next week…would be lovely to have a piece of paper printed out with the policy that I could flash at them. Under United’s policy, it doesn’t seem 100% clear, but I would argue it’s an “assistive device.” https://www.united.com/CMS/en-US/travel/Pages/BaggageCarry-On.aspx.
Good luck!