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This shift dress from Standards & Practices has sleeves and pockets AND is machine washable. It’s definitely a bit on the casual side, I’ll grant you that, but I think that for the right woman and the right office, this dress would look amazing. I’d like it with long pendant necklace, and it would be very easy to dress up, say, with a duster cardigan. The dress is $94 at Nordstrom in sizes 1X–3X. Tania V-Neck Shift Dress For an option in regular sizes, Karen Kane has a machine-washable shift dress with pockets that comes in black and navy. Looking for other washable workwear? See all of our recent recommendations for washable clothes for work, or check out our roundup of the best brands for washable workwear. This post contains affiliate links and CorporetteMoms may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. For more details see here. Thank you so much for your support!Sales of note for 4.18.24
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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?
AwayEmily says
Tell me about ear infections…my oldest never had one but for the past two days my 12mo has been unusually fussy, sleeping poorly, rubbing at his ear, and he just got over a cold, all of which the internet tells me are signs of an ear infection. No fever. But every time I think “maybe I should call the doctor,” he turns back into his normal cheerful self for a few hours. If he still seems off when I pick him up from daycare I will definitely call, but in the meantime I would love to hear any advice from more experienced parents about ear infections (do they really sometimes go away on their own? at what point do you call the doctor? etc)
Cb says
Something like 90% of them go away on their own, from what I’ve read. My son had a double ear infection in December and was absolutely miserable. The out of hours nurse we saw gave us amoxycillin but if we had seen our normal GP, they likely wouldn’t have prescribed it and just waited it out.
Anon says
I would call the doctor. It’s normal for ear pain to wax and wane. Without a cold, these symptoms are probably teething, but the cold makes an ear infection much more likely, so I usually call when she has a cold and then shows these symptoms. That said my kid has nene been prescribed antibiotics so I’ve made a few unnecessary trips to the ped. But better safe than sorry I think.
Anon says
*never
Anonymous says
All my kids are prone to them. If when he lays down or reclines in a car seat he gets fussier that is a clear clear sign.
Call the ped. Or take him to a walk in if it’s easier. Antibiotics and it’ll clear up in 24 hours (but keep taking them!!).
Anonymous says
Our ped has always prescribed antibiotics when we’ve known kiddo has had an ear infection. That’s definitely my preference even if it might eventually clear up on its own.
RR says
My rule of thumb was generally “if I think they have an ear infection, they probably have an ear infection.” I don’t think I ever suspected one that wasn’t actually diagnosed as one. My older daughter had a ton, such that she got tubes at 20 months, which was a game changer. I generally took the antibiotics. Even then, my really ear infection prone daughter often required two rounds. My son (in one of his few ear infections) and my older daughter both had burst ear drums from ear infections. Son’s resolved on its own. Daughter’s required a year of follow up and ultimately surgery to graft skin from behind her ear over the hole. We were maybe particularly unlucky with ear infections though.
octagon says
They can resolve on their own, but if it’s lingering more than a few days it’s worth a visit for peace of mind. The big tell for my kid is fussiness when laying down. Totally normal kid upright, but couldn’t sleep for more than a few hours without screaming in pain.
ElisaR says
ear infections make me crazy because you just don’t know! They do resolve on their own for sure. On more than one occasion I have brought my son in for a well visit or something else and they said “oh he has an ear infection.” and I didn’t even have any hints that that was the case. If baby is rubbing their ear or especially fussy (esp after a cold) it is certainly possible. I wish there was a way to have parents peek in and see if they have an ear infection bc really I just need the PA or doc to look in and say “yay” or “nay” and then we can be on our way. My kids don’t usually have a fever with the ear infection.
ElisaR says
and we usually do antibiotics for it even though I generally try to avoid them if possible.
AwayEmily says
Thank you all! You have convinced me that it’s probably an ear infection and he has an appointment for this afternoon. I love this community — as a parent who often feels lost/overwhelmed, it’s so wonderful to have a bunch of nice people with good judgment who are willing to share their knowledge.
Anonymous says
The other reason to have it checked out is to make sure you start that process should it become a regular thing and he ends up needing tubes. If you made it this far without one, he probably won’t (my oldest only ever has had 2 and is now 6), but my youngest did need tubes after about 7 ear infections in her first 18 months (plus probably one or two more I never got officially diagnosed).
anon. seriously dumb question. says
First world problem question. I live in a smallish city (no good used/ trade kid furniture sites) and was given an Oeuf crib as a hand me down. The conversion kits are $260! I shouldn’t buy this right? I should just buy a $60 toddler bed and give the crib to someone else? Alternatively does anyone here know if there’s a generic alternative? The way these are built, there doesn’t seem to be (you can’t just clip something on to the side).
anon says
You can also skip the toddler bed entirely.
anon. says
Yes, good point. Did you go to a twin or full?
Anonymous says
Twin. I ain’t spoiling my kids with a full bed. They can have that after I convert their rooms to guest rooms after they go to college.
Anonymous says
Depends on the size of the bedroom. Remember that when the kid gets older you will probably want room for a desk and a bookcase. You would need a really large bedroom to fit a full-sized bed, dresser, bookcase, and even a small desk.
anon says
I’d go with whatever bed you want them to have long term. A little kid looks tiny in a full sized bed but they get used to it quickly and it gives you a comfy place to read to them.
Pigpen's Mama says
I kinda felt the same way about spoiling a kid, but our now preschooler went from a crib to a full size bed because we had one and her room is big enough, the bonus is that it’s easy for both of us to lie down and read to her, or even one of us sleep with her if she’s having a rough night/is sick.
Anon says
I’m going to put my toddler in a queen (because that’s what’s currently in the guest bedroom) once we need her crib-converted toddler bed converted back to a crib for the next baby (TTC, should be able to pee on a stick next week, here’s hoping). Wouldn’t have bothered with the conversion, except the rail was included with the crib we bought, and she climbed out approximately 18 months before I had planned on her climbing out.
Anon says
I also went with full b/c I use my kids’ rooms as guest rooms when I’m hosting big family events. All the kids go to the basement while each adult gets a room. This varies, of course, on the size of your home and whether you host overnight family gatherings.
Mrs. Jones says
+1. We got DS a full bed. The toddler bed was pointless.
octagon says
We are doing a full size because it will be more comfortable for US to read stories in.
Anonymous says
Skip the whole thing. Put the crib mattress on the floor or just put a twin or full mattress on the floor. Then add rails if you want to put it on a frame.
My oldes went into a full, my second went into a twin and my 3rd is going into a full because now the two oldest have twin beds so she’s getting ODD’s full.
mascot says
We did the conversion kit, but our bed went from crib to toddler to daybed to full so we’ve gotten our money’s worth. I’d skip if it only goes to a toddler bed.
We do love the full bed because we can all pile on for story time and snuggles.
anon. says
OP here – Thanks for all of your answers to this supremely dumb question. I’ll probably go straight to some kind of bed. Appreciate it.
Anonymous says
This was not a dumb question at all. Give yourself more credit. ;)
farrleybear says
Ditto! I felt dumb initially for failing to get the conversion kit for our kiddo’s crib before it was discontinued, then realized….we didn’t have to do a toddler bed! We went from crib to full bed, and I like that it allows for one of us to sleep in there somewhat comfortably if he’s sick.
Anonymous says
Jumping off the crib question, how do I go about buying a used crib? I’m interested in one of those Stokke oval ones (but they’re like $800 new!) and was wondering if I could get a used one anywhere. I’m in DC. Thanks!
anon says
Craigslist or a mom’s Faceb**k group.
Lana Del Raygun says
I would try Craigslist, although most of the good CL stuff is on the VA side, sometimes as far out as Dulles which is too far for me (coming from MD). MD people seem to use Facebook Marketplace more. You could also look at children’s consignment shops like Once Upon A Child.
Anonymous says
I got our used crib off craigslist but I see them all the time on Facebook yard sale groups. They’re not car seats, so just make sure they aren’t broken or recalled and clean with bleach.
Anonymous says
Not sure about DC, but my go-tos for used baby stuff are the kids consignment shops (you can call and just ask if they have what you’re looking for, in our area the main one is Kid 2 Kid), and Nextdoor’s app.
anon says
My 8 month old twins aren’t really that into reading books. In all honesty, I didn’t read to much as them as I would’ve liked in the first few months of their life because I simply didn’t have enough hands and enough time. I know they say it is important to read a lot to your kids from the get go. Anyone have any anecdata of their babies who weren’t that into reading, but then liked it as they got older?
Anonymous says
8 Months is so young! They will certainly like books when they are older. At 8 months books with flaps to lift or things to touch (That’s not my pony, That’s not my duck etc) will be of most interest to them.
RR says
Second the Usborne “that’s not my . . . ” books. Far and away my kids’ favorites for the first several years. (Also great for new readers when they are a little older.)
anon says
Or the “Don’t touch the ____ (monster, dinosaur, etc.)” series.
GCA says
Nah, I read the Economist to my kids from day 1 of maternity leave and now the 6 month old chews on the foam letters that make up her name. Just kidding. An 8 month old is more into tasting books than being read to. After a while they figure out that books aren’t the same as other objects – they contain pictures of other objects! mom makes patterns of interesting noises when we interact with these things! – and then they get more into it. Bonus points if the book has fun flaps and textures. And then after a much longer while they start being ‘into’ the actual story. My first was probably 2 before he got into reading and now he wants to be read to all day every day and basically won’t eat breakfast without at least one book.
GCA says
PS – if it’s any comfort, babies do learn a ton just from you interacting with them – about language when you respond to them, about physics when you roll a ball to them or let them tip over the shape sorter, and so on. For a long while, books are just another category of interesting object to interact with.
ElisaR says
haha!
My experience is at 8 months they aren’t following or enjoying reading a book. But I just kept doing it all the time and eventually by 18 months or so they are more into it. I remember thinking my son wasn’t listening at all one time (he was on the other side of the room) and i just stopped reading and put down the book because I felt like it was pointless…. he turned to me and said the next line of the book that I didn’t read bc he was expecting it and I was like “oh wow, ok this reading while he seems otherwise engaged is not for nothing!”
Anonymous says
A lot of 8-month-olds are mostly interested in eating or tearing books. I’d just get some cloth books and let them turn pages, grab the books, whatever. Also read interactively. Point at the pictures and talk about them, ask the kids questions and then answer them yourself, etc.
RR says
Totally normal for them not to seem interested. I’m sure all three of mine didn’t seem interested as 8 month olds and all are now avid readers. I heard somewhere that studies show it benefits them to be read to even if they are playing and seem to not be paying attention. They are still getting the benefit of hearing the words, seeing how books work, interacting with you, etc.
rosie says
Please don’t beat yourself up over this! I would suggest checking out simple flap/interactive books–Pat the Bunny, Where’s Spot. And also see if you can get free books through Imagination Library (google it–get free books if you’re in an area that participates), it’s fun to get something new in the mail each month.
AnotherAnon says
DS wasn’t interested in books until after he was 18 months old – even those weird sensory pattern baby books never held his interest. DH has always been good about reading to him at bedtime, but at first it was more of a calming/routine exercise than for his benefit. I think what helped pique his interest was those Priddy books with minimal text and HUGE pictures. Also, I noticed that he was first interested in books with actual photos of babies. My advice would be 1) read to them if you want but don’t freak out about it and 2) have books out/around and they will become interested eventually.
Anonymous says
Piggybacking off this, my 15 month old is much less into books than her older brother is and was, but I’ve noticed she’ll play with lift the flap books for a bit. We have Where’s Spot and Dear Zoo– what are some other good ones?
FVNC says
Dinosaur’s Binkit by Sandra Boynton is cute.
Cb says
Perhaps for a bit later but we have this Usborne Things that Go book and my 18 month old (and 38 year old husband) are obsessed with it.
RR says
We had a really cute Sofie the Giraffe flap book about colors–all Sofie’s friends are hiding under things. Eric Carle board books are also great for interactivity.
rosie says
We always get a kick out of the names of Sophie Le Giraffe’s friend’s names in that book. But agree it’s cute.
FVNC says
My younger one was not very interested in books until probably 18 months. He loves books now, but still prefers the baby books that don’t have much of a story versus toddler books that are probably more “age appropriate” (he’s now 22 months). Anything with flaps or texture is good.
anon says
I wouldn’t worry about whether your kiddo seems interested. Definitely don’t beat yourself up that you are just getting started but it is worthwhile from a language development standpoint to read to them even before they know what you are doing/have any interest in books. You can even read your books outlook to kiddo (while they play on the floor or whatever). As an aside, my niece’s favorite activity is pulling all of her books off the shelf and then sifting through them on the floor. Gives my sister a few quiet minutes so it’s a win-win.
lsw says
Mine waxed and waned for the first 18 months. Stayed still and listened as a baby, then swatted them away and whacked on them so we couldn’t read, then somewhere in the middle, and now really loves them. Totally normal for your kids not to have much interest in them, and remember that everything changes so fast!
Anon says
I wouldn’t worry at all. 8 months is way too young to expect most kids to sit still for a book and the fact that they show no interest in books at this age has nothing to do with how likely they are to enjoy reading later in life. They’re often getting very mobile at that age, so of course they want to be exploring! And they’re too young to understand the words, so the book is very boring to them – it’s like how you would feel listening to a bunch of random words in a foreign language that mean essentially nothing to you.
My 11 month old has just started sitting still for books (and, perhaps not coincidentally, had a receptive language explosion around the same time – I think she’s more interested in books because she’s starting to understand at least bits and pieces of them), but even now her patience is very limited. We can get through a board book (particularly one with funny animal sounds or rhymes I can read in a sing-song voice) but I can’t finish a full children’s book like Dr Seuss.
Definitely keep reading to them though, even if you’re reading “at” them, not “with” them. I used to literally follow my daughter around the house, reading aloud to her as she crawled around.
Spirograph says
Don’t worry about this at all! Lift the flap or texture books, and short, rhyming board books are good for the <1 set, but I don't think any of my kids really got interested in books and excited about sitting still to listen to a story until they were closer to 2. They all love books and being read to, now.
Anon says
My kiddo didn’t really get into books until about a year (despite copious reading to her). Now at 18 months she LOVES books and makes her book-hating dada read to hear a gazillion times a day – she will also independently sit and look at books. The first books that ever held her attention (starting at around 9 months) were the llama llama board books (nighty night, wakey wake, I love you, etc.). I think it’s because they were short, rhyming and had good rhythm (Hand Hand Fingers Thumb is another favorite – she seems to have an ear for cadence).
Anonymous says
So much of my parenting experience goes along the lines of “whose kid actually does this??” My family are all big readers and I was big into reading as a kid so I fully thought my kids would be too and take to books like fish to water. Not so. It’s been an evolution. My 3 year old and 18 month old weren’t into books at all around 9mo-1 yr. My 3 year old got more into books at age 1, but only to the extent I would read him the same book over and over (e.g. same book 8 times in a row). My 18 month old is finally getting more into books, she’ll go grab one and we start to read. She often loses interest half way through though.
Anon says
You don’t have memories from when you were 12-18 months old though. I’m not sure why you’d infer that just because you loved reading as an older kid, your kids should love books as very young babies/toddlers. There are lots of voracious readers in my family and I don’t know any babies that were really captivated by books before 18 months. They don’t understand the words much before then anyway, so books before that age are more about pictures/interactive activities like lifting the flaps. A 6 month old who appears interested in a book is not interested in the words, I promise you. Even if they’re very precocious.
anonymous says
this response at 12:30 sounds like someone’s picking a fight for no reason. She didn’t say she has memories from 18 months old.
Anon says
Not trying to pick a fight! It just seemed like a bit of a non-sequitor to say she was surprised her kids didn’t like reading as infants/young toddlers because she liked reading as a child. I was just pointing out that she doesn’t remember being a year old and presumably she had no interest in books then either, despite loving books as a kid.
Emily S. says
yes, mine! At 3.5, she now loves to read and asks to read after breakfast, while getting dressed, while I’m making dinner, etc. I had the same worries when she was a baby. I hope all these responses make you feel better! As for lift the flaps, I just bought 2 Maisy lift the flap books (love Lucy Cousins!)
lsw says
Has anyone used Ruggable? We were going to go with FLOR, but I like the idea of throwing the whole thing in the wash. Wondering how my washing machine would do with an 8×10 rug, though…
voa says
I have a Ruggable near my entry door and am happy with it. We’ve had it for just over a year (purchased December 2018). It’s not as nice as a real rug. Basically, it’s like a rug pattern printed on fabric. Because it has no nap it’s not as comfortable underfoot as a real rug and doesn’t look as good. On the plus side, no nap means it doesn’t actually pick up dirt. I thought I’d be washing it every few months but haven’t washed it yet (despite 1.5 Ohio winters and a dog). To be honest, given the size, I’ll probably take it to a laundry mat to use one of the oversized machines.
lsw says
Thanks! I was just looking for something to put under the dining room table, and am fine with a sub-rug as far as quality. And I think you’re right about the laundromat.
GCA says
I don’t have a Ruggable, but my apartment’s front-loading washers and dryers have a lot of trouble with heavy, bulky items like fleece blankets. The load is unbalanced and the machine never spins properly.
lsw says
That’s a good point.
Anonymous says
Our HE top-loader would also have trouble with a large rug.
AwayEmily says
We have an Ikea indoor/outdoor rug under our dining room table that spot-cleans easily (though not in the washing machine).
EP-er says
I think I hear about them here & tried them. I have a matching set for my entry & under the dining table. I actually love it more for under the table than the front door. My only issue with the one under the table is that you just have the liner when you are washing the topper. (Centering it under the light and whatnot is finicky for me, so I don’t want to pull it up every time.) The one by the front door needs to be washed more regularly & gets pretty dirty, but that is because we got a lighter color, I think. Also bought a seasonal winter one, which I kind of love.
Ankle Swelling says
38 weeks pregnant and despite compression socks, sleeping with my feet elevated and drinking gallons of water…my ankles are swelling so bad. Anything else I should try?
ElisaR says
oh man… sounds like you have all the bases covered. Hang in there, my only other tip is that I kept my feet up on a mini stool under my desk during the day too. Or a box. Whatever you have. They were only like 18 inches off the ground but it helped. Good luck!
octagon says
Pedicures! the rubbing will help break up some of the swelling. A friend had terrible swelling and was going every three days in her last weeks of pregnancy.
Anonymous says
And your blood pressure is OK? Just be careful of pre-eclampsia with the swelling at this point.
anon says
Definitely elevate your feet while you’re sitting; don’t sit (or stand) for too long at once, get up and walk around; wiggle your toes and ankles while you’re sitting; get regular foot and leg massages (or pedicures). Good luck! You’re almost there!
RR says
At some point in both my pregnancies, the swelling just didn’t go down. It started around 20 weeks with my first pregnancy (twins). I remember the utter joy when my ankles reappeared 2 weeks after delivery! I never had preeclampsia or any indicators other than the swelling. I just had a ton of water retention (I lost like 65 pounds in the three weeks following delivery, for reference). It’s so uncomfortable!
Mrs. Jones says
The only thing that helped my ankle swelling was walking. I waddled around my office and neighborhood a LOT.
Anonymous says
Stay off your feet as much as you can, elevate feet, even when sitting if you can. And look up that picture of Jessica Simpson’s feet and know that you’ve got lots of sisters including celebrities that feel your pain!
Anonymous says
Ugh it is the worst. My second kid did this to me and I was swollen from week 38 to week 42 :/. And it was August. My other summer babies didn’t do it to me. Just take it easy and maybe try and get a foot run to improve circulation.
Coach Laura says
Swimming or being in a pool or (lukewarm) hot tub!
I swam while pregnant and the water pressure combined with the swimming always reduced the swelling and got rid of the pain.
But you don’t even need to swim. Get in a pool and walk and alternately hold on to the edge of the pool and gently kick your feet. Hang on facing the pool and also facing away from the edge holding on to the side. Or just stand in the water.
Anonymous says
My oldest did this to me, and I’m pregnant with #2 and it’s starting again at 25 weeks. I had to buy new shoes because I couldn’t fit into my old ones. Compression socks helped a bit, as did regular massage, but after a certain point, the only thing that helped was just getting the baby out. It sucks, but it just comes with the territory for some folks.
Locked Door says
For those that have pumped in their office at work, what do you say when someone knocks? I have been saying nothing but this has led to people knocking again aggressively and even trying to come in (thank goodness I have a lock!). The last straw was when someone unknown person tried to open my locked door repeatedly after I didn’t answer their knocks. I just don’t understand.
ElisaR says
I put a little sign on my door (handwritten and taped on the door so it was obvious that it was temporary) that said “Please do not disturb”. They got the hint. This may be more appropriate for some office setups than others.
anon says
Yep, add a sign. IF you are comfortable answering/talking on the phone while you’re pumping you could add a note to that effect. Also, depending on your office environment and office neighbors you could tell them what’s up.
Anon. says
The office manager made me a laminated sign that said Conference Call in Progress to hang on a temporary command hook on my door. It was 100% effective.
Mrs. Jones says
+1
Anonymous says
No advice, but that’s obnoxious. How do they know you didn’t close the door because you are on the phone? And don’t your colleagues know you are a pumping mom?
Locked Door says
It’s so obnoxious. It’s midlaw, so some people don’t know – but the part I can’t figure out is why it would ever be appropriate to barge in someone’s office with the door shut? I answer my phone and email, so it’s not like I’m unreachable. Lawyers are weird.
Anonymous says
i did the same thing as you’re currently doing in my midlaw office with my first. lots of awkward knocking on the door encounters. I’ve been using a sign while pumping with my second and no one has knocked, which has made me much, much calmer.
Anon says
I had a door sign from the A behemoth that hung on the handle and said something like “nursing mom at work” that I put up whenever I was pumping (because culturally in my office a closed door with no response doesn’t necessarily mean don’t come in, particularly if the auto-timer light had turned off). The sign prevented any knocking.
rosie says
Definitely put a sign on the door. I had a whiteboard at eye level where I wrote “please do not disturb, available at noon” or whatever.
lsw says
Same – I found that putting an end time (I usually estimated 15 m more than I planned to need, just in case) was helpful with my clueless (female) boss who somehow kept forgetting that was why my door was closed.
Mama Llama says
I ignore knocks, but no one has ever tried to come in. I agree that a sign is a good next step. You could also call out “I’m not available right now,” as a last resort.
LSC says
COME BACK WITH A WARRANT! Just kidding, I use a post it note on the door that says “available in 15 minutes.” But that’s what I’d like to say instead!
Anon says
Ha, this is amazing.
Anonymous says
I have dealt with this situation too and it’s super obnoxious. Who just busts into other people’s offices!? I have tried a sign and that also didn’t work (apparently at my office, people at my office think that this means I just don’t want to talk to them). One of my coworkers who sits near me agreed to be my gatekeeper (she offered to do this). She gives whoever it is the stink eye and says “She is NOT available” in a really stern voice. The only other thing that has worked for me is I find out whoever it was that was trying to come in and in a very nice tone tell them, I was pumping when you came over, what can I help you with? That sufficiently mortifies them so that it doesn’t happen again.
Mama Llama says
I like the mortification approach for repeat offenders. Maybe just bellow out, “I’m pumping breastmilk! Out of my BREASTS!”
Emily S. says
My staffer did the same to me — maybe bc she thought woman to woman, it’s cool? It was not. A sign on the door that said, “Please do not disturb but come back in 15 minutes” kept everyone else away. Good luck!
Anonymous says
Luckily my assistant sits right outside so I told her and she would say something if someone tried to come in. I never told anyone else explicitly but I feel like the figured it out since I just came back from leave. I also started leaving my door open all times I’m not pumping.
DLC says
I have to say, I’m for being very explicit that you are pumping. I feel like when we are vague about why the door is closed, it makes pumping this thing we are supposed to be ashamed of, or that we aren’t supposed to talk about. We have no issues saying, “excuse me, Inhave to visit the bathroom.” and we should also be able to say, “Excuse me, I need to go pump.” without it feeling awkward. If we don’t normalize pumping for people who aren’t familiar with it, pumping will always be this thing that we feel is a burden to working women. I didn’t even realize pumping was a thing until the lactation consultant showed up in my hospital room the day after my daughter was born (maybe I was just really unprepared to have a kid…). Yes, it’s a private activity and we need to modest about it, but it shouldn’t be one of those THINGS OF WHICH WE DO NOT SPEAK. Let’s change the workplace culture here!
GCA says
Amen to all of this! For my part, I knew while pregnant that pumping was a necessary thing for anyone who was nursing and needed to be away from baby for a typical workday… I just didn’t realize *how much* it would take over my life/ workday, grr. Or how oblivious people could be*.
*Yesterday I dashed from the mother’s room at my coworking space, running late for a call, to the only available phone room then, at the other end of the building. On the way I went to put the milk and pump parts in the fridge and the space labeled ‘reserved for mothers’ was inexplicably full of fruit. I almost cried.
Anon says
Is it normal for kids acquiring language to seem to use a word for a while and then lose it when they get a new word? My 11 month old has never really had what I would call an Official Word, but for a while she was saying “haaaaiii” while waving, and then she stopped doing that but started saying “Mum” (to me mostly, but sometimes to other people), and then she stopped saying that but is now saying a very clear Dada while pointing at her dad (but also babbles dada plenty when he’s not around). My friends say their kids just had one word, then two, then three, etc., without losing words they already had. Is this kind of regression normal? Maybe these aren’t really words and her babbling is just changing? Her receptive language skills seem normal to good and seem to be growing all the time, so I’m not really concerned, but I do feel like it’s kind of weird that she was using these word-like things in the past that she does’t use now.
Anonymous says
Not a pediatrician, but it sounds totally normal to me, especially if what she is “losing” is wordlike babble and not something you were definitely sure was a word.
Also, one way to ease your mind and to have fun at the same time would be to introduce some baby signs. Babies’ mouths can’t keep up with their brain development, so they can often sign many more words than they can say out loud. Sign language is fantastic for all babies’ linguistic development, it can reassure you that yes she can use words, and it is adorable.
Anonymous says
My daughter did this – picked up a new word, used it a lot, and then seemed to cycle it out so I wouldn’t hear it again for months. It eventually sorted itself out – she’s 3 now and seems to have a normal, if not large, vocabulary. I think 11 months is probably too young to worry about this.
Anon in NYC says
My kid (now 3.5) did this. She used to point out every instance of whatever (bird, dog, etc.) and then lose it and start pointing out new things. I asked our ped and she said it was very normal and that so long as her receptive language was good, she was probably fine – at least at that stage. I subsequently mentioned it to a speech therapist (in a casual conversation, not like, paying for a consult), and she basically agreed although had a lot more to add from a professional perspective.
New Mom To Be says
Having my first soon. What should I have on hand for both circumcision care and umbilical cord care? Thanks!
anon says
Vaseline for the circumcision. I *think* the new rule for umbilical cords is to avoid messing with them or getting them wet.
Anonymous says
Yes, this is correct re: umbilical cord care. But I have a one month old at home and sure enough, she had a blow out that went up the front Ugh! Our doctor gave me those disposable alcohol swipe pads (same as the ones they use when you get a shot). I would ask for a few of those at the hospital before you leave so you can have them on hand if you have a situation like mine.
Anonymous says
+1 for alcohol prep pads. They get down into all the little folds better than a cotton pad with alcohol on it.
Lana Del Raygun says
Don’t put anything on the cord. Just let it air out as much as possible (t-shirts instead of onesies, etc) so it can dry.
RR says
The hospital should give you anything you need (if anything). Shouldn’t be anything more than Vaseline at most.
Anonymous says
I think we got Vaseline and maybe some gauze. My husband wanted to use half a tube of Vaseline at a time it seemed like. Healing time was short.
Marilla says
Our doctor told us to use gauze and liberal amounts of polysporin for post-c care for our son. He healed well and quickly fwiw.
ElisaR says
Vaseline like the other commenters said. I have one thing to add: the kind of vaseline where you just stick your dirty fingers in the jar kind grossed me out. I preferred to have the kind you squeeze out of the tube for that verrrrry red and injured area. It turned out hard to find and MIL had to special order it at the pharmacy. Not a huge deal, but that was my experience.
Mama Llama says
I liked the tubes better for the same reason and pilfered a bunch from the hospital when we left.
Gestational Diabetes Meal Ideas says
I actually had GD with my second but at that time was able to shop and cook for myself much better. I’m currently pregnant with number three and have a 2.5 year old and almost 4 year old and a husband who’s been traveling frequently for work. I’m finding it nearly impossible to pull together balanced meals in this environment – can anyone share ideas of super easy things they ate that seemed to work? I feel like I’m so busy taking care of my first two kids that I’m neglecting this baby! Oh and working full time, ugh.
Scilady says
Here’s a food blogger who got gestational diabetes with her 3rd. Should have some helpful ideas!
https://iowagirleats.com/2018/06/15/i-have-gestational-diabetes/
Anon says
I like IGE, but she also has Celiac’s and I think one of her kids has dairy and egg allergies, so her meals are (understandably) quite tailored to those groups. I used to make her recipes frequently, but since her diagnosis they don’t interest me much.
GCA says
Ha, the flip side is that IGE’s recipes are particularly useful to me because of the dairy-free options (baby has milk protein sensitivity), and sometimes we have guests who are gluten-sensitive so I like to give them the option. On the GD front though you may have to resign yourself to eating a greater balance of animal protein (TJ’s frozen meatballs? salmon? rotisserie chicken?) and salads. Maybe some sheet pan dinners, easily deconstructed so kids will eat? ‘Picnic’ style dinners?
Anonymous says
I’ve followed IGE for quite a while, both pre- and post- Celiac diagnosis. Her gluten free recipes annoy me. So many of her recipes are just “use gluten free pasta/soy sauce/etc., etc”. in place of traditional ingredients. Like, I can take any recipe and sub gluten free ingredients, too. The fact that your recipe is gluten free really isn’t that special – it’s the recipe or idea as a whole that is helpful. I feel like she makes such a big deal about everything being gluten free but only uses substitutions that are pretty obvious.
Coach Laura says
No reason to be annoyed. The reason Iowa Girl puts GF on every single ingredient is because she advertises the meals as GF and caters to the newly diagnosed celiac. If you were someone new to GF eating and she put “soy sauce” you might not know that soy sauce has gluten in it routinely. And the newly diagnosed period is so so so difficult.
It’s so easy for you to just ignore the GF label if you (luckily) don’t have to be GF.
Anon says
Thanks! I’ll check them out. I basically just wish stove top pasta would work for me or microwave pizza or bagels… just the most easy possible things.
Anonymous says
Is lentil or chickpea pasta gd-friendly?
Seafinch says
Where are your pressure points? Are you failing at feeding yourself at work? The whole family at night? I am pregnant with my fourth and standing and chopping is becoming a problem. I am moving more of the work to the weekend and cutting down on the more complicated recipes. (I cook full meals from scratch every night, normally). I rely on my Instant Pot for weekend prep a lot. Do a double batch of beans, a double batch of rice, and either some shredded chicken breasts or roast them in the oven. Just leave it all in the fridge and assemble and reheat when you get home. Keep your crisper drawers full of bagged salad and crudités. Keep frozen, cooked shrimp in the freezer and frozen peas. Either make a large jar of vinaigrette on the weekend or keep a good store bought one on hand, dress the salads and the grains and beans. Don’t hesitate to make scrambled eggs one night a week. Mac& Cheese in the IP with frozen peas thrown in. Chicken pieces or sausages can be thrown on a sheet pan and roasted with pretty much any vegetable. I.e. Tonight I am doing sheet pan sausages with roasted broccoli/beets/red onion (dressed in oil and garlic), thrown over one minute Quinoa from the IP, dressed with lemon goat cheese drizzle (made into sauce in the food processor) and toasted pine nuts.
Anon in NYC says
Caveat that I did not have GD, but can you make things in batches on a weekend and then just re-heat them during the week for dinner? I did a Whole30 in January and found that the only way I could stick to it was to cook all of my food on Saturday and Sunday so that all I had to do was rewarm things. So I would cook proteins and veggies (sweet potatoes, roasted veg, etc.), package them up, and then just portion them out during the week. I also do not eat dinner with my daughter, so I would just serve her whatever she was willing to eat (meatballs, chicken, mac and cheese, beans, etc.).
I made this salsa chicken from Nom Nom Paleo and loved it: https://nomnompaleo.com/post/143765161843/pressure-cooker-salsa-chicken-tacos
If you can eat beans, I really like this recipe, and my daughter devours it. https://thehappyfoodie.co.uk/recipes/slow-cooked-black-bean-ragout (I find it takes about 40-45 minutes in the Instant Pot, or about 4 hours on high in my slow cooker).
drpepperesq says
hardboiled eggs, cheese sticks, hot dogs, maybe those Mary’s Gone Crackers with some guac or cream cheese? maybe look at keto friendly blogs or pinterest recipies?
anne-on says
My husband and son are going skiing this weekend so I’ll have the house all to myself Friday until Sunday afternoon. I’m planning to cram in some extra work, have two ‘extra’ workout classes scheduled, and have a massage booked. What else would you do? I’m not big on manicure/pedicures, and all set on shopping so wandering the mall/Target isn’t really a priority.
Anon says
That all sounds great to me. I might meet a friend for dinner, but otherwise I wouldn’t try to pack anything else in; instead, leave yourself some unscheduled time to relax, read, watch tv, etc.
Anonymous says
This sounds divine. I would spend some time browsing the magazines and books and Barnes and Noble, then go home and read in PJs with your favorite beverage.
ElisaR says
this sounds heavenly.
Anonymous says
I’d watch all the shows and movies they aren’t into, take myself out to lunch, and eat ice cream :) that sounds wonderful though enjoy!
Spirograph says
This sounds amazing. I would eat cheese for dinner one night and try to meet up with friends the other night, and spend a lot of time lying on the couch and enjoying doing nothing, or watching TV shows that my husband doesn’t like, or reading.
I’d also queue up a good podcast or playlist and tackle one of my organizing (or Kondo-ing) projects that require taking stuff out of a closet /cupboard/drawer that are impossible to do when other people are trying to move through that space.
rosie says
Go to the movies–with a friend or alone. I would also eat stuff like ice cream straight from the container and random candy I impulse buy–stuff I try to avoid doing in front of my daughter to avoid setting that example/sharing. And slow breakfast in bed while watching TV or reading.
avocado says
Lucky you! I’d buy a hunk of cheese, a bottle of wine, and one or two chocolate cupcakes, then paint my toenails while binge-watching I’m Sorry.
Elle says
Sleep, movies/netflix/tv, go out with friends (maybe…honestly I’d savor the alone time!)
SC says
I’d pour myself a glass of wine and read on the couch. It seems like my kid will play independently until he sees a book in my hand, then he’ll beg me to play with him. He’s even taken a book out of my hands and closed it with his cutest expression on his face.
Anonymous says
Toddler eating is making me batty with the amount of food I’m throwing out. Is this just the nature of the beast at this stage, or do you try to store the food? I tried giving myself less and then eating what they don’t eat, but it sort of sucks feeling like a human garbage disposal. What’s been your experience?
Anonymous says
Only put a small amount of food on the tray at once. If it gets eaten, add more. We never saved leftovers that had been on the tray/plate because they were nasty.
Anon says
A lot of toddlers will eat 10% of their food, and put 90% on the floor, their hair, the dog’s mouth, etc. I suppose you could cut them off the minute they start playing with their food, but my kid would consume almost no calories if I did that.
Anonymous says
Yeah, but OP is not going to be saving the food that is on the floor or in the baby’s hair. She’s just talking about leftovers on the tray.
Anon says
We have a dog, so nothing goes to waste except things the dog can’t eat like grapes, and we don’t serve those often. No advice, but the waste would really bother me if we didn’t have a dog.
rosie says
We’re trying to compost. We live in a city & cannot do it easily in our current set up, so we are hoping to get started with a company that will pick up food waste & compost it. I agree with smaller portions at a time, but we can only avoid so much waste.
lsw says
I hate it so much. We give only small portions and, if possible, wrap up leftovers for tomorrow’s daycare lunch. We try to limit it but we still throw some stuff away.
Boston Legal Eagle says
We also use a lot of dinner’s leftovers for the next day’s daycare lunch. DS1 seems to eat the food better (not always) when it’s at daycare vs. dinner with us.
IHeartBacon says
It depends on the reason your toddler is wasting food. Is it because the toddler refuses to eat what you initially offer? If so, I would just wrap up the food and put it in the fridge and offer it again later. I would not offer the toddler any other options until s/he finishes the first meal. If the issue is that your toddler is throwing food on the ground, then I would warn the toddler that you will take the food away if they continue to throw it, and then follow through with the threat. If the issue is that toddler is just accidentally dropping food because s/he hasn’t mastered a spoon or fork, I don’t think there is much of a solution. Just try to remind yourself that toddler is learning and the falling food is collateral damage. If the issue isn’t any of these, or you’ve tried these things and they haven’t worked, then I have no real advice. We have a dog, so nothing on the floor goes to waste.
Finger foods for toddler party? says
Late afternoon party, about 25 adults and 15 kids (mostly 1 and 2 year-olds). What cold finger foods would you serve? Plan thus far is cheese, crackers, salami/prosciutto/etc., olives, and cut fruit. Might do pretzel sticks and hummus but that can be such a mess with toddlers. What else is easy and that I’m not thinking of?
anne-on says
Could you also add some cut up fancy bread/baguettes with dips (more for the adults) – like flavored oils or yummy fancy butter? Cut up bagels always seem to be a big kid hit, less crumbly than crackers and good for gnawing on. I love hummus and baba ganoush so I’d add those. Would spiced or sweet nuts be ok for this crowd?
I’d also add a ‘dessert’ component, maybe some brownie bites, mini muffins/cookies, or sweet dips for the fruit?
OP says
Oh yeah, forgot to add we’ll also have mini and regular cupcakes.
Anon says
First world question, I know, but can you install a convertible carseat in first class? It’s a short domestic flight with regular (slightly wider) seats, not the special layflat pods, so I don’t think it would be a problem but I’ve never actually done it. I got an upgrade for a flight tomorrow but will decline it if I can’t install the baby’s carseat because I bought her her own seat and don’t want to have to check the carseat.
Anonymous says
I don’t know why it wouldn’t work. If for some reason you can’t get the car seat installed, I am sure the flight attendants will be able to find someone back in steerage who is willing to swap with you.
Anonymous says
Depends on the plane, I think. Can you check with the airline?
Canadian says
I also don’t see why it wouldn’t work. It’s the same seatbelt they have in coach right? Seat being wider shouldn’t be an issue. The concern on airplanes doing car seat installs is usually seat being too narrow, not too wide. Worst case, ask for a seatbelt extender.
Anonymous says
I think sometimes first class seats have inflatable belts, in which case it might be a problem.
Bath mats says
Inspired by the ruggable threadabove, any recs for a soft, absorbent and large bath mat that is easy to wash? Currently have thick cotton, which takes a long time to dry. Never had a nylon bath mat – does that fit the bill?
anon says
for those of you who started your kids with purees. when did you switch to more finger foods and when did your baby figure out how to feed themselves/how do i teach my twins to do that?
Anon says
We started baby on purees at 5.5 months. It took her maybe two or three weeks to figure out how to eat off a spoon and swallow and then she ate readily off the spoon. When she was maybe 7 months, we started introducing very small finger foods alongside purees – whole peas are good because they’re basically impossible to choke on, so we did those and other food cut into pea-size pieces. It took her a while to learn how to pick up the food effectively and get it to her mouth, but I’d say by 8-9 months she was pretty adept at feeding herself and even chewing up bigger pieces, especially something soft like fish or a banana. I never could do the baby led weaning thing where you give them huge sticks, it was just terrifying to me (and to this day, when we give her a really giant piece of food she often either rejects it or tries to swallow it whole, which results in gagging/vomiting). We never stopped purees though, baby is almost 1 and still takes yogurt, pureed veggies and thinned nut butters on a spoon from us. I do feel slightly weird about the fact that I spoonfeed my almost-toddler, but these days a large majority of her finger foods go directly to the dog, so she gets most of her nutrition from the spoon feeding.
avocado says
My kid is 12, so she learned to eat before BLW was a thing. Purees at 6 months followed by a transition to finger foods as quickly as possible was the usual strategy back then. We started with puffs around 7 months. At first they would just stick to her fingers and she’d shove her fingers in her mouth and suck the puffs off. We moved on to tiny bits of real food at 8 months. She was a very hungry baby with an apparently endless need for calories, so at first we’d feed her purees before or after finger foods to get enough nutrition in. She was definitely eating full meals of finger foods before age 1, especially at day care.
Re. feeding herself with utensils, we had a plastic spoon that had a fat handle and a flat bowl with holes in it. She could just smush the spoon into a bowl of puree, cereal, or yogurt and some food would stick, then she’d maneuver it towards her mouth. It was not pretty, but it allowed her to feed herself a little before she really had the dexterity to handle regular baby flatware and scoop food up with the spoon. We still had to spoon additional food into her mouth to fill her up until she really got the hang of the spoon. Again, by age 1 she was pretty much feeding herself.
Anon says
We mostly followed this approach (despite BLW being a thing). She was feeding herself finger foods by about 9ish months and reasonably adept with a toddler fork and spoon by a year.
Anonymous says
At 6 months. Started purées at 5 months, pediatrician recommended real food instead of purées at her 6 month checkup. We gave her some waffle the next day and she did great (which nearly gave my MIL a heart attack). We stuck to small pieces but really weren’t obsessive over cutting stuff up, just served softish stuff she could gum up. I think you also have to be comfortable with the fact that gagging is natural when it’s too big a piece. Obviously we wouldn’t let her eat unsupervised this way in case she did choke. FWIW she’s a great eater and not picky at all. After 12 months she started wanting to experiment more with fork/spoon after watching us use them.
Anonymous says
I was so worried about this with my first! At 8 or 9 mo or so he was still on purées and I despaired he would ever figure out finger food, and was worried about how to reach him. Joke was on me— it’s one of those things they just do by themselves. They just develop a pincer grasp and at the same time developmentally they are able to eat the foods they can now grasp. By 10ish months kid was eating regular solid food / finger food meals. Ours had a very very strong gag reflex and the only “teaching” we did was give him cottage cheese to try to transition to texture.
Toddler spa day ?? says
Can I take my almost 3 year old to get a manicure or pedicure?? Is this obnoxious or unsafe in any way? I am going out of town next weekend for a bachelorette party and desperately need a pedicure because I’ll be wearing sandles. I also desperately need to get my hair done so I’m doing that on saturday. Between that and fitting in time for a pedicure Sunday and being away next weekend I feel like it’s a lot of time away from her and I thought maybe she could come as some special mommy time? She doesn’t nap and the nail place closes before her bedtime. I know that these activities are luxuries and I should be enjoying them but they feel just like another chore and added guilt about being away from the kids. I also know I could skip pedicure but my feet are always gross looking and I think I’ll be really self conscious if I don’t get it.