*Baby Corner*

[tnh9479 1]

I really wonder with Autism how much of it is the fact that it is more easily diagnosed now than it was 5, 10, or even 25 years ago. I can think of the case of my niece. She got diagnosed with Tourette's Syndrome when she was in first grade. After my sister and her husband found out more about it, they realized how many people in his family had it, but their tics had always been thought of as that person's own unusual quirks, and not a disorder.

As for shots, I can't imagine what was probably in the ones I got as a kid. I fully believe in getting them, but realize the debate out there. I follow the pediatrician's recommendation. If there were cases of autism in my family, I would probably be more cautious.

AFM: The babies went with me to the graduation rehearsal for the high school I teach at. They were SOOOOOO good -- not a peep out of them, except to talk with the people who came up to them. I can't believe how good they were as it was their fussy time of night -- interfered with dinner, nap, and our normal nighttime routine.

[Eveline 9]

@Chnst: I totally agree with you. I'm not against vaccinations but I want to space them a little.Adam had all shots 'on time' (except one HepA shot that he was supposed to get a few weeks back) and he never had complications from it. For Allie I delayed the MMR and Varicella until 24 months. She will never get more than three shots at a time and the Hep B, Influenza and RSV I cut out completely.

[Eveline 9]

I made some new diapers for Allie today but instead of using all flannell I only did one layer flannell (outside) and the inside with fleece. Also, I didn't sew the liner into the diaper because it took FOREVER to dry it (2h or even longer, thank goodness for hot weather here) but I made a pocket diaper and stuffed a microfiber cloth (from the WALMART autocare section) inside. I put it on Allie and after a while it was wet from the outside but the fleece was perfectly dry. I bet that feels better on her little bum than a soaked prefold. I paid 9 dollars for the fabric, 5 Dollars for six microfiber cloths and made 4 diapers out of it. That comes out at 3.50 Dollars a diaper

[Nessa 23]

@Eveline: i googled that and no, he doesn't have. he never took any antibiotic. i tried to use fleece on his diapers that i got on walmart when i was doing prefolded, then i stopped, now i'm back to using it again.

@chnst: i'm glad to see that Ben is getting better.

is there anyone worried about all this autism thing?The first time I heard about it was when I moved here,nobody really talks about it in Brazil.

i heard it before, but they don't talk about it in brazil like they do here. i don't believe a shot could cause it. and i believe it was something that has always existed but now people are giving more attention, just like aspergers.

[Nessa 23]

daycare update: so i called the daycare on post to see what's going on, n they said when there is a slot they'll call me. again, i'm in the dark. no idea of when that's gonna happen. so i asked about this other program where the child go to a provider's house, but i can't enroll now, because he won't start until july and i can't take other people's slot, so i should call mid june to find out f they have a slot. problem, they might have slots now, but nothing guarantee they will have in july.

depending on the price for those providers, i'm considering just enroll him now to guarantee a slot. i hate not knowing if i'll have childcare for him when i get back to work. it freaks me out the idea that i might lose my job over this. and i hate the fact that employees have no priority, that they would prefer us to quit our job than provide care. i alwatys thought it was fukced up we have no discount and they keep half my paycheck, but now this situation is even more fukced up.

[Anna C. 4]

@ Nessa: I hope you'll get the spot in daycare that you need. It stinks when they mess up! At least you had Ben smile at you, I always try to see the good when I'm po'd as you are currently.

As for the rash with disposables it always got worse for Jona. Air him out as much as possible. Did you try calendula or chamomille baths? They helped so much for us. Jona had a bloody rash when he had teething diarrhea in Germany. We did like sitz baths for him with calendula essence and chamomille. Also, what wipies are you using? During rash times, never use HUggies, Pampers or something like that - they all contain fragrances and other harsh irritants. Only use 7th Generation or Tushies, or even better, just plain warm water to clean his tush. I sewed my own flannel wipes and just wet them under warm water to clean Jona up.

@ Evi: yeah for your sewing skills! So fleece really wicks it away? As soon as we move in I'll get a sewing machine and try on scrap fabrics before I use the good stuff I bought. BTW I want pictures of the masterpieces

@ chnst: I'm still shocked what happened to you and Ben. Seriously, soda and crackers? Which medical professional would ever recommend soda? Every doctor in the world should advise against that cr##! And for a baby?! Where did they get there degrees, bought them in a shady alley in the Bronx from the dude who fakes driver's licenses???

@ autism/vaccines: I have done my fair share of reading. I don't believe autism is vaccine induced, however it seems that succeptable kids react to them in that way; as Dr. Jim Sears put it: it is the final thing that triggers it. Autism concerns me and I do believe that lots of environmental facts contribute (heavy metals, etc). I have researched vaccines carefully. I read the CDC pink book, all papers I could find about vaccines and adverse reactions on pubmed and had quite some discussions with my old ped (we jsut moved). Vaccines are medicines as any other and do come with side effects. I just think every parent should make the best decision for their family - for my sister it is to vax against most things, for us it is to currently wait until we feel comfortable with it; for many reasons (among them my strong vaccine reactions, DH's cousin is on the spectrum). Our ped doesn't believe Jona is at risk for anything. The only two things we are currently considering once he turns one are tetanus and measles - we never consider anything we didn't get as kids. Merck just announced the return of the single measles/rubella/mumps shots in 2011. There was an outrage about the stopping of their production and I am glad it is back; the MMR is never an option for us for moral and religious reasons (as is chickenpox and hep A). We also always have the option of the single measles shot in Germany, they never stopped the production there.

I frankly don't care what other people do, I think each parent comes to their conclusion and that's the best decision for each family. I don't believe in one size fits all, I don't believe in mandatory shots (thank you, had that under soviet oppression, not again) as I am a firm believer in medical and religious freedom.

On another note: we just moved and bought a house!!! We cannot wait to move in! Our poor kitty currently resides with DH's coworker as the on base lodging facility doesn't allow pets. We booked a pet room, but those people messed it up, thanks again.... Also, the local medical clinic is totally understaffed, they don't even do 9 months check ups here (with Tricare HMO you gotta see on base doctors). We are contemplating switching Jona to the tricare PPO, it has deductibles and copays, but we wouldn't have to wait for 5 (!!!) days to get seen if he is sick (they said that is standard waiting time!).

[Nessa 23]

i'm using pampers Hypoallergenic, unscented. my mom also told me to use only water, i'll try that. i'll try the camomile bath. how exactly do i do that? do i use the tea? also, should i use j&j head to toe baby wash or only water when i wash him?

[aleramsey 0]

I am trying to find a place here in my area that gives the shots separate,wish me luck!Until now only found a place 3 hours from here.

[Nessa 23]

good luck

[chri'stina 190]

We've just gone with the recommended shot schedule. Kavi just had his first MMR a week ago at his 15 month check up. For many reasons, including going to India, we have gotten all the shots done that are recommended so far, except one which was for rotavirus only because it was optional and I didn't know a lot about it. It might have been good had we gotten it since Kavi got rotavirus right after our trip to India. The pediatrician who saw him, who is Pakistani so he knows about that region, didn't think it was caught in India but possibly on the plane or something. I also got the rotavirus from Kavi. I think I had already written here that I wonder if he wouldn't have been sick at all if he had gotten the vacc.

Edited May 19, 2009 by chri'stina

[Staashi 371]

Nessa, I know that after every time Enzo has a bm my MIL washes his private parts, also she washes them in the morning after his first AM diaper change. She also covers him with cornstarch...I don't know if he would have had a rash or not if she didn't do these things, but he's been rash free since he was born.

[Anna C. 4]

@ Nessa: Cut out the soap for now... J&J has fragrance and other stuff that really can be irritating. Water is just fine for babies. You can either get chamomille extract, or easier, just use chamomille tea. For about a gallon I used 5 teabags... Boiled water, let it steep for a good 10 minutes and add colder water to achieve a nice bathing temp. My sister mixed water with boiled calendula essence as tush wipie solution and it worked wonderfully. My MIL just swears by water, it's how she cleans Jona every time.

The Pampers unscented wipies do contain fragrance. It's silly, but true. Someone gave them to us for the baby shower, and if you read the ingredients it says "fragrance, to cover odor". Haahaa that defeats the purpose of unscented.

@ aleramsey: Good luck! Check out the Dr. Sears vaccine book website, they list doctors who space out shots or do special orders for special brands (e.g. DTaP Daptacel, which has the least offensive ingredients from the three available brands). You can also check the forum on mothering.com in your area, someone will know a good doctor. You can also try a family doctor instead of ped, they take in babies and toddlers too and are usually extremely understanding.

Boy, it is so hot here today. I hope that thunderstorm comes soon.... The temp lodging here on base has no AC!

[payxibka 10,047]

Dariya Marielle born 5/19/09 4.02kg and 51cm

[tnh9479 1]

Welcome to the world Dariya!

[Nessa 23]

yup, i just read about the wipes and u were right. i'll buy the camomile extract, is that regular extract we use to cook?