Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Funniest video ever
http://mompetition.blogspot.com/2010/11/moms-of-multiples-are-freaks-of-nature.html?spref=fb
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
What if Baby B is breech?
Breech extraction versus external cephalic version
Operative Obstetrics
Vaginal Breech Delivery of the Second Twin
Basically, if you have a doctor who is experienced in and comfortable with performing breech extractions (which can be the tricky part! ;)), breech extraction tends to be the safest delivery option for a breech second twin. It is definitely preferable to manual version (trying to turn the baby from the outside). C-section is also a fine option but not always necessary.
My babies were both vertex going into my scheduled induction. However, B flipped to breech before it was his turn to come out! I was very thankful I had transferred to an OB who was comfortable doing a breech extraction, because otherwise I would have had both a vaginal delivery and a C-section to recover from! The breech extraction went well and quickly, and our babies were born with no complications.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Registry Recommendations for Twins
Below are my recommendations. I list what I suggest getting and how many of each item (much of that is from twinstuff.com); in parentheses after most items I list my personal recommendation for specific brand or type. Hope this is helpful! Feel free to ask questions or make other recommendations in the comments section. These items should get you through the first four to six months or so. After that you'll need baby-proofing equipment, toys for older babies, etc.
TWIN ESSENTIALS
BABY GEAR/ FURNITURE
- 2 infant car seats (Graco Snug Rides. UPDATE: I recommend the Chicco Keyfit or (less expensive) the Safety 1st Comfy Carry Elite).
- 2 convertible car seats (First Years True Fit convertible car seats--These can certainly wait till later if you want to spread out expenses. UPDATE: While the TrueFits were, at the time, one of the best seats for extended rear-facing, there are some other good options now. The TrueFits have a pretty tall shell but only rear-face to 35 lbs. If you want to extended rear-face to 3 or 4, you may need a seat with a higher RF weight limit, such as the Diono Radian or the Graco MySize (though some parents have had trouble tightening the harness enough when the child is in the seat). For a small budget or back-up seats, Cosco Sceneras are a good bet. Also, the FB group "Car Seats for the Littles" is a great resource for questions about what car seat is best for your size/age of children, your vehicle, etc. Lots of techs on there who are very knowledgeable.
- 1 double stroller that takes infant car seats (Baby Trend Double Snap 'n' Go)
- 1 double stroller for after they outgrow their infant seats (Baby Jogger City Mini double; many MoMs recommend getting a tandem as well. Again, this can wait till later.)
- 2 cribs (Ikea and Graco cribs are really good value for the money!)
- 2 crib mattresses (First Years Sweet Dreams crib/toddler mattress--great deal at Wal-mart)
- OPTIONAL: 1 large or 2 small bassinet(s) (Arm's Reach Original Cosleeper--goes up to 40 lbs, making it a great choice for multiples)
- 4-6 cosleeper/Pack n Play sheets (I found some cheap on Amazon)
- Dresser/storage unit (4-drawer chest Saddlebrook, pecan--only $100 at Wal-mart)
- 1 portable playard/bassinet/changing station (Graco Pack n Play in Margo--great deal at Albee Baby.)
- 1 rocking chair/recliner (Got a glider from a friend; already had a La-Z-Boy. Use both a LOT!)
- Backpack-style diaper bag (Sienna backpack diaper bag from Babies R Us. Insulated bottle pocket has room for 2 bottles!) OR messenger-style diaper bag. We started out with the Sienna bag but now mostly use the Diaper Dude. We got it for $19.95 from RedEnvelope.com! :) The messenger style makes it easier to find things.
- 1 swing; later 2 if both like it (Fisher-Price Rainforest Open-top Cradle Swing-worth its weight in gold! Plugs in! :))
- 2 bouncy seats (Fisher-Price Soothe 'n' Play Bouncer)
- 1 Bumbo seat with tray; 2 later if they both like it (a great item to buy used)
- 2 jumperoos, or 1 jumperoo, 1 Exersaucer (1 FP Lights & Music jumperoo, 1 FP Rainforest jumperoo). Fine to start with 1 and see if they both like it.
- 1 wrap (Moby Wrap; I kind of wish I had gotten a ring sling instead. I've heard good things about the Didymos wraps as well.)
- 1 Front carrier (Ergo carrier; can be used for front, hip or back carries. Very ergonomic for both Mom and baby, can be used for several years!)
- 1 table Lamp (DH installed a dimmer switch in the babies' room instead, which was great when we needed to sneak in there for nighttime feedings and didn't want to wake them up too much!)
CLOTHING/DIAPERING
Newborn Clothes (some preemie may be helpful, too; Walmart or Carter's are good sources for preemie clothes)
- 8-12 Sleep n Plays or similar, preferably with zippers
- 4-6 shirts until umbilical cord falls off
- 10 Newborn onesies (Carter's 5-packs are great. Ross has great prices on them. Long-sleeved if winter babies)
- 8-10 Gowns with elasticized bottoms (0-3 or 0-6m size)
- As for other cute outfits, I didn't register for any; we got plenty at our baby shower
- 2 snowsuits, pramsuits, or bunting if needed. Consider BundleMe Lites for warmer climates
- 2-4 Fleece outfits / sweater or jacket: for winter
- hangers (didn't need these b/c so many gift outfits came w/hangers)
- 2-4 bonnets or caps: for summer
- 2 pairs mittens
- Hand mitts for outfits that don't come with them (to prevent scratching themselves)
0-3 month, 3-6 month, 6-9 month, 9-12 month:
- 15-20 onesies in each size (again, I'd recommend Carter's, get a mix of short and long sleeve based on season, plain white and patterned)
- 8-10 pairs of pajamas in 0-3 months.
- 4-6 outfits in 0-3 months (you'll probably receive a lot as gifts)
- Diapers: 4-12 packs in sizes preemie, Newborn, and 1 (Different diapers work for different babies, but Pampers Swaddlers seem to be a big hit. Unfortunately they only go to size 2-3. They're a good choice for stocking up pre-babies. Also throw in a pack each of Huggies, Luvs, and possibly Target or Walmart-brand diapers. We like the Target brand--Up & Up.)
- Wipes (Target's "Up & Up" wipes are the best!)
- Diaper pail (We have the Baby Trend New Diaper Champ; not a big fan.)
- 1 contoured changing pad
- 1-2 changing pad covers
- Some type of organizer for the diaper area (I got a diaper stacker with front pockets for diaper rash cream, etc., and also have a decorative wooden box for storage on the changing table.)
- 8-12 receiving blankets (Some MoMs recommend up to 20. 6-8 would have been fine for us.)
FEEDING/BATHING
SLEEPING/SAFETY
- 2-4 pacifiers (don't get too many, and get different kinds to see what your babies prefer; ours love Soothies)
- 2-4 pacifier attachers (we use Soothie paci clips. They tend to come off though. Try to get your babies hooked on a different kind of pacifier if you can!)
- 4 mattress protectors (Ultimate Crib Sheets) Alternatively, just buy more crib sheets and be prepared to change them often. :)
- 4 Fitted crib sheets (Carter's easy fit blue jersey fitted crib sheets)
- 4-6 sleep sacks (2 microfleece sleep sack sets from Halo--each includes 1 NB swaddle, 1 small, plus 2 cotton Sleep Sacks; we had winter babies)
- 2 types of swaddlers (2 Kiddopotamus SwaddleMes, 2 Miracle blankets; get 2 more if they work for your babies so you can swap out if one gets dirty)
- Optional: 2 "Blankies" (Koala Baby Luxe blankets from Babies R Us)
- Optional: 2 Breathable crib bumpers (BreathableBaby Padded Mesh bumpers)
- Baby Monitor (Sony 900MHZ Baby Call Monitor)
- Smoke alarm / carbon monoxide detector for baby's room
DÉCOR/OTHER
- 1 Vaporizer (ask pedi whether cool or warm mist)
- 1-2 playmats (Tiny Love Gymini 3-D Activity Gym and a discontinued Tiny Love playmat)
- Tummy time mat (optional; we have one from Tiny Love)
- Curtains/valances, cribskirts, etc., as needed (we got the Tiddliwinks sailboat stuff from Target)
- Wall art
- (We got the Ahoy Mate wallpaper border from BRU)
- Storage baskets as needed (You've probably already thought of this, but if your babies will be on more than one floor of your house, you'll want a diaper changing area on each floor, even if it's just a basket with a changing pad, diapers and wipes. You'll also want places on each floor to put them, e.g. a Pack n Play on the first floor or a second set of bouncy seats so you don't have to make too many trips up and down stairs.)
FIRST AID KIT
- Aquaphor
- Tylenol Infant Drops (dye free!)
- Mylicon (non-staining!)
- A few teethers/teething rings
- Bandages -- assorted sizes
- Triple antibiotic ointment
- Bandage pads (for places that bandages don't fit or areas that are too big for bandages)
- Gauze
- First-aid tape to hold bandage pads and gauze in place
- Cotton swabs -- keep in a small plastic bag to prevent contamination
- Nail clippers (We got a Red Cross Health and Grooming kit that contained a lot of this stuff)
- Tweezers
- Emery boards (great for the sharp edges of the nails)
- Scissors
- Alcohol wipes
- Alcohol
- Nasal aspirator (the hospital will usually send you home with 2)
- Medicine dropper and spoon (Tsp and ML)
- Temperature tester
- gripe water
- Vaseline
- Saline Spray for breaking up nasal congestion (Little Noses saline drops)
- Diaper rash ointment (We have and like Balmex, A&D, and Boudreaux's Butt Paste)
- Sunblock (check with Pedi for safe age to start using it usually after 6 mo.) Neutrogena
- Nursing bras
- Breast pads
- Breast shields
- Cream for Nipples (Lansinoh cream)
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Discounts and Freebies for Multiples
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[Your Name]
Here is the list of addresses I used, along with my notes on what I received and when from each company. (I sent my letters the first week of June.) I received a list of 60 addresses and have already deleted the ones that have discontinued their multiples programs. In many cases, I got my letter "returned to sender." I am leaving those in the list in case any of you are ambitious enough to try to find updated addresses for those companies. If so, let me know and I will update this post!
Evenflo
Attn: Multiple Birth Program
|
Learning Curve Brands
Attn: Multiple Birth Program
6/23: Rec’d 2 packs Take & Toss sippy cups, 2 Lamaze learning toys
| |||
NESTLÉ Nutrition
PO Box A W
Wilkes
(Did not attempt; go through your pediatrician to get FREE CASE of Nestle Good Start!)
|
Pampers Multiple Birth Offer
The Procter and Gamble Co.
6/17: Rec’d coupons for 1 free Jumbo pkg Pampers, 1 $5 coupon, 2 $2 coupons, 1 $1 off wipes coupon
| |||
Advil Forum on Health Education
Dept. CAM 1500 Broadway, 25th Floor |
American Baby Basket
Gift Headquarters
Attempted-not known
| |||
Beechnut
6/23: Rec’d 2 free samples rice cereal, lots of coupons
|
Boudreaux's Butt Paste
6/11: Rec’d 2 bibs, 2 tubes baby lip/cheek balm, 2 small tubes butt paste, other free samples
|
Bristol-Myers
Multiple Birth Program 2400 W. Lloy Expressway | ||
Earth's Best Baby Food
Earth's Best Consumer Relations The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. 4600 Sleepytime Dr. Boulder, CO 80301
7/25: Received coupons for free jars of Earth’s Best baby food (and cents-off coupons)
| ||||
International Playtex
P.O. Box 10064
NSF address; un able to fwd
|
Gerber
Multiple Birth Program
6/10 Rec’d bathtime fun book, pack of TY cards, coupons for 1 can GoodStart and 8 2-packs of Gerber 2nd Foods purees, 2 NB onesies, bath pack (loofah, shower pouf, brush)
|
Heinz Baby Food
| ||
Johnson & Johnson
6/15: Rec’d letter saying all coupons are on their websites, www.baby.com
7/13: Rec’d packet of meds coupons (Tylenol, Mylicon, etc.)
|
Kimberly-Clark Corporation (Huggies)
Multiple Birth Program Department QMB
6/16: Rec’d 2 $3 coupons, 3 $1 coupons, sent back Birth Certs
|
Kolcraft Enterprises Inc.
ATTENTION DONATIONS Aberdeen
Called 6/4 to offer to send free Jeep twin stroller if we pay $20 S&H. Stroller arr’d 6/8
| ||
Mead Johnson (Enfamil)
Attn: 2404 Pennsylvania St.
7/2: Rec’d $5 Enfamil check
|
Mustela
Expanscience Laboratories dba Mustela
6/27: rec’d free samples vitamin barrier cream, stretch mark cream, no-rinse cleansing fluid
|
Little Me
| ||
Playtex Products
6/25: rec’d 2 $5.99 coupons for Diaper Genie or refills, 1 $3 off coupon for any Playtex feeding product
|
President's Choice formula
|
T Ringling Bro's Circus
Customer Service-Baby Program Feld Entertainment 8607 West wood (Received vouchers for 2 free circus tickets!) | ||
Sassy
Kentwood
BOGO order form for feeding bowl set, less mess spoons, teether or plush pal
|
Totally Toddler
6/11: 2 coupons for any T.T. product free
|
JPMA Safe And Sound
236 RT. 389 West
Not deliverable as addressed
|
Polly Klaas Foundation
6/26: Rec’d child safety kit
|
Flanders Marketing (include SASE)
Free samples of Flanders Buttocks Ointment
| ||
Associated Hygienic Products
Suite 600 |
Lever Brothers
Not deliverable as addressed
| |||
Little Tikes
Contribution Committee
Rec’d letter with 1-time 10% discount code
|
Mondial Consumer Services
Attn: Multiple Birth Program
Not deliverable as addressed
|
Mother’s Little Helper
Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274
No such #; unable to fwd
| ||
Spencer’s Inc.
Attn: Quality Control
Mt Airy, NC 27030
|
Today’s Kids
Consumer Services
Not deliverable as addressed
|
Product Quality
Not deliverable as addressed
| ||
RC2 Brands/ The First Years
ATTN: Multiple Birth Program Suite 2A | Cornelison Ave
Attempted—not known
|
One Step Ahead/Leaps and Bounds
Rec’d $5 off coupon plus 10% discount off product total
| ||
Very Necessary
Post Office |
Healthtex
C/O LT Apparal Group
Called 6/10: No longer running multiples program.
|
Basic Comfort, Inc
5151 Franklin Street Denver, CO 80216 | ||
Regal+Lager, Inc.
Attn: Customer Care Dept.
Regal Lager, Inc. |
Luvs Multiple Birth Offer
The Procter & Gamble Company | |||
Sensational Beginnings Catalog
P.O. Box 987 Stewart Road |
Rainbow Kids, Inc.
Dept. Free Hats |
PBM Products Inc.
Attn. Deborah Burdyck
Called 6/5 to say they’ll be sending coupons for formula and I can call back the 5th of each month to request 2 more and remind them I have twins.
6/20: Rec’d 2 $5 off Parent’s Choice formula coupons
| ||
First Years
Attention Multiple Birth Program
|
Pfizer Consumer Health Care Group
Attention Consumer Relations Dept
235 E. 42
|
Earth's Best Family Program
Returned to sender
| ||
Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc., Consumer Affairs Dept.
6/19: Rec’d 1 coupon for free 64-oz juice, 1 55-cents off coupon
|
McNeal Consumer Healthcare
Mail
6/15: Rec’d a bunch of $1 coupons for children’s Tylenol, Motrin, Mylicon
|
Ross Laboratories (Similac)
(Did not attempt; go through your pediatrician to get FREE CASE of Similac!)
| ||
Nancy C. Jensen
Family & Consumer Sciences Agent
12175-125 St.
North Largo,
Rec’d pamphlets on infant development 0-12 months. This is actually a county extension agent; contact your own.
|
Audio-Therapy Innovations
Consumer Affairs
2519
Attempted-not known unable to forward
|
Nature’s Goodness
6/13: Rec’d coupons for 4 free jars baby food
| ||
Carnation
800 N. Brand Blvd. Glendale, CA 91203 |
Nursery® Water Promotions
|
Seventh Generation, Inc.
6/25: Rec’d coupons for diapers, wipes, and cleaning products, incl a coupon for 1 free package of diapers!
|
http://srbknight.wordpress.com/2012/11/29/multiples-discounts/
Saturday, June 27, 2009
My Review of Baby Jogger City Mini Double - Green/Gray
The City Mini double was designed to be one of the most light weight, easiest folding swivel wheeled strollers on the market. Customizable from birth and beyond, the City Mini is the ideal lightweight travel stroller that maintains all the safety standards and style you'd expect from Baby Jogger.
One of the best double strollers out there
Pros: Easily Stowed, Durable, Easy to Set Up, Comfortable, Adjustable, Smooth Ride, Easy To Maneuver
Cons: Poor/No Cupholders
Best Uses: TWINS, Infants, Toddlers
Describe Yourself: Parent of Multiples (Twins etc), First Time Parent
I spent weeks researching what double stroller to get after my twins outgrew their Double Snap n Go. Although it was more expensive than we wanted to pay, I kept coming back to the City Mini double.
PROS:
* Seems very comfortable for the babies (my boys are almost 6 months and about 18 lbs. each).
* The BEST sunshades I've seen on a double stroller! Great coverage and they give you several options for how much coverage you want. Nice "sunroofs" too, so you can see your little ones while pushing.
* Folding and unfolding are extremely quick and easy.
* Fairly lightweight for a double, takes up little space when folded.
* Wide enough to provide room to grow, yet so far I've had no trouble fitting it through standard doorways.
* Steers like a dream, can easily steer it one-handed.
* Turns on a dime. Zero turning radius; very easy to maneuver.
* Many reclining positions, very easy to adjust on each seat.
DECENT, NOT GREAT:
* Storage (mesh pockets on back of seats, small-ish basket underneath, can only be accessed from sides. Can't even fit my normal-sized backpack diaper bag under it ... and yet there are signs saying not to hang bags from stroller handle. What are you supposed to do?)
* 5-point harnesses (the way they attach and adjust is so-so). The crotch strap is really long on smaller babies, and with the arm straps shortened enough for 5-month-olds, there's tons of extra strap hanging out (which the babies love to suck on ;)).
CONS:
* The Baby Jogger accessories are very pricey. If you wanted just a belly bar, and a cupholder and/or snack tray for the kids and parent(s), it would add up fast. For the price, they really should include at least the belly bar if not the other accessories.
Other than that, no complaints! Wonderful stroller.