These days I spend a lot of time doing laundry, like seriously A LOT. Some days I’m doing at least a load every day, it is a bit ridiculous. Why, exactly, am I doing so much laundry, you ask? Well, you see, I’m the proud parent of a “Happy Spitter”. I know I’m so lucky, right

So, what is a “Happy Spitter”, or as our pediatrician likes to refer to it “The Laundry Maker”? A “happy spitter” is a baby who spits up frequently but is still eating well, gaining weight and otherwise happy. Basically, it is when spitting up isn’t necessarily the sign of a problem or causing the baby any distress, but is just more of a nuisance. And, boy is it ever a nuisance!

Anna is a “happy spitter”. She has been spitting up on a regular basis, and by regular basis I mean almost every feeding, since she was born. We go through a lot of burp cloths, receiving blankets, and clothing (both hers and mine) every day. I have purchased an insane number of burp cloths (I have at least a dozen) and receiving blankets to help avoid having to do laundry every day. It has helped a bit, most of the time I only find myself needing to do baby laundry every other day. Kind of sad when you consider every other day laundry an improvement.

There isn’t anything I can do to stop this annoying habit of my wee one, it’s just something she does. It is probably caused by a combination of a few different things like my overactive letdown, her immature digestive system and the very rapid way in which she consumes her food. There isn’t really anything I can do to stop the constant vomiting. I burp her a lot, and keep her upright for a while after she eats, but really other than that I’m just kind of stuck with it until she out grows it.

Any other parents out there dealing with happy spitters? What tricks have you discovered? Have you found any ways to keep the spitting up to a minimum?

Now if you’ll excuse me I need to go fold another load of baby laundry.

It has been 2 years.

2 years since a Mom and Dad lost the most amazing thing in their lives, their daughter.

2 years since the world lost the light and life of an incredible little girl.

2 years.

For 2 years we’ve been missing Madeline Spohr. We’ve been supporting her family in every way we can. Lifting them up when the weight of a world without her seems too much to bear.  2 years.

On this April day, 2 years ago, we said good-bye to Maddie.

On this April day we remember the beauty, light, love and strength beyond her years that was the Amazing Maddie.

We love you. We miss you. We will remember you always.

Please stop by Heather’s blog and let Heather, Mike and Annie know that you are thinking about them today.  They need love on this day.  Please consider making a donation today in memory of one truly awesome little girl.  Heather and Mike are raising money for the March of Dimes this year in preparation for walking in Maddie’s honor again this year or you can make a donation to the charity set up in Maddie’s name, Friends of Maddie.

The long standing warning from pediatricians and other health care professionals to avoid introducing nuts into your child’s diet until they are 3 years old has recently been changed.  Studies have found that it could be that waiting to introduce nuts into your child’s diet may actually increase their chances of developing a nut allergy.  Only about 1-2 percent of children are predisposed to nut allergies because of a family history.  By introducing nuts earlier children without a predisposition may be much less likely to develop the an allergy.

Recently the AAP (Amercian Academy of Pediatrics) changed it’s long standing policy regarding nuts and is now recommending introducing nuts into a child’s diet as early as 6 months of age if the child has shown no signs of other food allergies and there is no family history of nut allergies.  For many parents, especially those with older children who had to avoid nuts for so long it may be hard to accept the new recommendations.  Nut allergies are scary to many parents and taking that first step and giving your child something that contains nuts for the first time is very nerve-wracking.

When introducing nuts parents should be sure to give their child a very small amount the first time and be careful to watch for signs of an allergic reaction.  Common symptoms of an allergic reaction include: wheezing, stomachache, vomiting, diarrhea, hives and swelling.  If you suspect an allergic reaction contact your child’s doctor and if the symptoms are severe seek medical treatment immediately.

Be sure to talk to your child’s pediatrician about these new recommendations and make sure you have all the facts and information before beginning to introduce nuts into your child’s diet.

Remember it is not safe for children until the age of 5 to have whole nuts.  Any nuts your child consumes before the age of 5 should be in spread form, or ground into other foods.

Every year almost 550,000 babies in the United States is born premature, that’s 1 baby for every 8 babies born. That is too many. Today, November 17th, is National Prematurity Awareness Day. Today is about giving a voice to those tiny lives who don’t have a voice of their own. Today is about showing our support for the parents of those tiny babies born too soon. Today is about supporting an organization that is trying to end prematurity, the March of Dimes.

Premature birth is the leading cause of death among newborns worldwide and results in $26 billion in health care costs each year here in the United States alone. The goal of the March of Dimes is to help each pregnant woman have a healthy pregnancy and help each family welcome a healthy, full-term baby at the end of that healthy pregnancy.  That may seem like a lofty goal, but it is a goal that has resulted in a recent decline in premature births by more than 3%.  It is a goal I am proud to support.

As the mother of a little girl who was born full term I know the joy and relief that can come from knowing your baby is healthy.  Every mother should know that feeling.  I have also seen the pain, frustration, helplessness and agony that can come from watching your child fight for their life from the confines of a NICU.  My youngest brother was born 8 weeks premature.  Today he is a healthy 19 year old, but in those early days it was scary.  No parent should have to stand back and wonder if their child will make it, or worse watch as their baby loses their fight for life.

I support the March of Dimes and I fight for preemies on behalf of children like Maddie Spohr who sadly and heartbreakingly lost their fight, and on behalf of children like my brother who thankfully won theirs.  Each child deserves a fighting chance and I want to help give them that.

Please, if you can, support the March of Dimes in their efforts and show those tiny babies fighting for their lives that they are not fighting alone.

November, 11 2010.  Veterans Day.  Remembrance Day. Maddie’s Birthday.  Today would have been, should have been, Madeline Spohr’s 3rd birthday. I should have woken up this morning to a beautifully written blog post by her mom, Heather Spohr, proclaiming and celebrating the awesomeness that would have been Maddie at 3 years old. Instead I wake up with a heavy, sad heart wondering why.  Instead I wake up asking how I can honor Maddie and show her parents my love and support.

Today is about celebrating the life of a little girl who touched the lives of so many. Whose life has inspired so many. Whose smile and angel eyes could light up a computer screen like no other. Today is about supporting Heather, Mike and Annie as they go through yet another birthday without Maddie. Today is about remembrance and celebration and honoring the life of Maddie.

To celebrate Maddie’s birthday I will be making a donation to Friends of Maddie and my daughter I will be taking a trip to the park in Maddie’s honor. We will swing on the swings and feed the ducks and place a purple flower in the lake.  I ask you to do something for Maddie today as well, please visit Heather’s blog and leave a quick message letting Heather know you are thinking about Maddie today, celebrating Maddie today.

Happy Birthday, Maddie.

Cold and flu season is upon us.  No one likes being sick, and no parents likes to see their child suffer from an illness.  Though it is probably impossible to keep your child free and clear of all viruses, it is possible to help keep the cold and flu bugs away at least some of the time.  There are steps you can take, things you can do, things you can teach your child to do, that will help keep them healthy during this cold and flu season.

Viruses spread easily and quickly among children. Between the tendency for children to constantly put their hands in their mouth and a tendency to forget about the coughing and sneezing into your elbow rules it isn’t any wonder germs make their way around a group of children so easily. Kids share toys, food and inevitably germs.  Here are a few things you can do to help your child avoid cold and flu bugs this season:

• Talk to your child’s doctor about getting a flu vaccine this season.  Flu vaccines are effective at preventing the spread of the flu.
• Teach your child to wash their hands frequently.  Clean hands are less likely to spread germs and contract germs.
• Teach your child to sneeze or cough into the crease of their elbow to help avoid getting germs on their hands that they then spread to others.  A child who is used to this rule will likely encourage their friends to do the same.
• Encourage your child to keep his or her hands of their face, and especially out of their mouth.
• Encourage your child to be active.   A healthy, active child is far less likely to get sick.
• Encourage good sleep habits.  A well rested person is better able to fight and avoid cold and flu bugs.
• Provide your child with a healthy diet.  Encourage healthy meals and snacks.

The more active and well rested your child is the better chance they have of avoiding the cold and flu bugs that will inevitably go around their classroom this year.  Teaching your child good habits for washing their hands and avoiding putting their hands on their face or mouth is a great way to further help your child avoid the bugs this season. If you have questions about the flu vaccine or steps you can take to help your child avoid the cold and flu this season talk to your child’s doctor.

Happy cold and flu season. Here’s hoping you and your family can avoid as many bugs as possible this winter.

Before Maya was born I didn’t know much about babywearing or the various means by which one could carry a baby, I just knew I wanted to do it.  The idea of having my baby close at hand, snuggled in close to me, sounded like exactly what I wanted.  Unfortunately, I didn’t do enough research about the various means of babywearing before Maya was born and instead of purchasing a sling carrier I went with a Baby Bjorn.  Though I loved my Baby Bjorn and used it a ton I really wish I had done more research and had gone with a sling style carrier from the very beginning.  I will know better next time

Maya has spent the better part of her first 3 years on this earth in some sort of carrier, be it the Baby Bjorn, a backpack or the sling style carrier I finally purchased when she turned a year old.  Wearing her has been one of the best decisions I made as a mom.  Wearing her as a baby meant that I was able to tend to her needs more easily and more quickily, and it also meant I could get a few things done around the house when all she wanted was to be carried.  Lorne and I love hiking and being babywearers made that activity so much easier.  We could just put her in the backpack carrier or the sling and off we went.  We took a trip to Colorado when Maya was about 10 months old and without the Baby Bjorn we were using at the time that trip would have been rather difficult.  She got to see the sites right along with us, attached to our fronts.

The memories I have from wearing Maya are some of my fondest.  I miss wearing her now that she is a big girl and would rather walk on her own.  I enjoyed the bonding, the quietness, the reassurance and the naturalness of babywearing.  I recommend it to all my friends when they have babies.

The BCIA (Baby Carrier Industry Alliance) has made a call to action.  We need to make our voices heard, we need to advocate for babywearers everywhere.  Babywearing is safe and any parent can do it, it doesn’t require special skill, just a good baby carrier, a baby and a parent who wants to wear their baby.

Stephanie over at Adventures in Babywearing has declared October to be National Babywearing Month.  So in honor of National Babywearing Month I have shared my story, what is your babywearing story?

Head on over to Stephanie’s site and the BCIA Facebook page to read other parent’s stories about their babywearing experiences.

Baby massage is a wonderful way to bond with your baby while helping your baby in many different ways including calming your baby, aiding in digestion, promoting better sleep and aiding in development.   Your baby will appreciate the warmth and comfort of your touch and it is a wonderful way to spend some quiet time together, just getting to know each other.

When Maya was an infant I loved giving her baby massages.  It really helped to calm her down, particularly if she was fussy due to gas.  In the late evening if I massaged her I found she fell asleep more easily and slept for longer stretches.

Baby massages aren’t elaborate, you don’t need massage oils or a special location.  Keep your baby clothed to ensure she is warm enough during the massage and find a warm, quiet place to begin the massage.  To get started:

• Sit either on the floor or on a bed with your back well supported and your knees raised.
• Place your baby tummy down on your thighs.  Figure out the exact positioning that works best for you and your baby, where you are both completely comfortable.
• Using the backs of your fingers lightly stroke your baby’s back from hip up to shoulder, first the right side and then the left side.  Do this several times.
• Move on to your baby’s feet.  Take one foot in your hands and using your thumbs stroke from toe to heel, repeat with the other foot.
• Turn your baby over.  With a few fingers gently stroke your baby’s abdomen from hip to rib cage in a flowing motion.
• Take each of your baby’s legs in your hands and gently stroke the leg from hip to ankle.
• Take your baby’s hands in yours and using your thumbs stroke your baby’s palm in a circular motion

The key to baby massage is to keep it simple, relaxed and quiet.  It isn’t about applying pressure or working out kinks like it is with adult massage.  Very gently strokes are all that is necessary.  Your baby should be calm throughout the massage.  If your baby is uncomfortable or overly worked up stop the massage and wait for another time when your baby is more calm.

If you are unsure about doing baby massage there are baby massage classes.  Many hospitals offer these classes along with childbirth and breastfeeding classes.  Typically the class are done after the baby is born as a mommy and me class so you can learn hands on.

Sometimes I am reminded of just how unfair life can be, how heartbreaking life can be.  Today I was a reminded.

No parent should ever have to say “today is the day my child has been gone longer than she was alive”, never.  My heart is heavy with sadness for Heather, Mike, Annie and the rest of their family.  My thoughts are filled with thoughts of a little girl who has touched my heart in so many ways.  Maddie, you are missed and loved by so many.

Please say a pray, send a thought, send some love to Heather and Mike today and take a moment to remember the wonderful Madeline.

My friend Heather over at The Spohrs Are Multiplying, wrote what was for me, a very thought provoking piece today.  As you all know I am a big advocate of breastfeeding and I think every mom who can should give it a try.  I write a lot about the benefits and the challenges.  I’ve shared my own successful breastfeeding story.  Breastfeeding is a big deal to me.

After reading Heather’s post and learning about her fear to admit that she had given up breastfeeding it made me question my advocacy a little bit.  I still wholehearted believe that every mom, if she can, should try to breastfeed.  Advocacy is important because it provides education, information and support.  However, does advocacy make those who try but decide to give it up feel more guilty than they should?

I know breastfeeding isn’t for everyone.  Sometimes the challenges of early breastfeeding are too much for some.  Sometimes the baby just never figures out the latch and pumping and feeding just are practical.  Sometimes, like in Heather’s situation, a mom has to give up breastfeeding so she can take care of herself and be the best mom to her baby.  I don’t want my advocacy to make those women feel guilty.  I don’t want them to be afraid to admit that they have chosen not to breastfeed.  There is no shame or defeat in saying you gave breastfeeding your best shot and it just didn’t work out, no matter the reason.

My mom suffered, and still does suffer, guilt over not being able to breastfeed my youngest brother. He was born 8 weeks premature and at the time of his birth, 19 years ago, they didn’t have women pump and feed their premature babies in the NICU.  Plus, due to major complications after my brother’s birth my mom was on some heavy duty meds.  So, as my brother grew stronger and gained the weight necessary to come home, as my mom attempted to recover from a very difficult birth, her milk dried up.  She had breastfed 4 previous children and not being able to breastfeed her baby made her feel incredible guilt.   She still to this day wonders, worries and feels guilty about not breastfeeding him.  She shouldn’t have to feel that guilt.

To all the moms out there who give breastfeeding a try and it just doesn’t work out.  To all the moms out there who have to give up breastfeeding.  To all the moms out there, like my own mom, who can’t breastfeed for some reason.  There is no shame in formula feeding a baby.  We are all good moms, breastfeeding moms and formula feeding moms.