10 Months
- Up around 7am
- Nap between 9:30 & 10am
- Up til around 2:30-3pm
- Bed around 7:30pm
11 Months
- Up around 7:30
- Nap between 10 & 10:30am
- Up til around 3pm
- Bed around 7:30pm
12 Months
- Up around 7:30-8:00
- Nap at 10am (sometimes took 30-45 minutes to fall asleep)
- Wake up after 90 minutes
- Nap three hours later (normally only 45 minutes to an hour if doing good, poops seemed to wake up on occasion)
- Bed around 7:30pm
**When started doing ISR lessons Carmen took two two hour naps for the first couple of weeks because she was so tired and went down earlier than normal.
Teeth Care
- Once teeth make their appearance start cleaning before bed.
- Can just use a washcloth with water on it to wipe them off.
- Once a couple teeth are really in can use toothbrush with toothpaste that does not contain fluoride.
- Can start using toothpaste with fluoride once kiddo is two years old.
- Make first dentist appointment at 2 1/2 - 3 years old.
- Unless see problems earlier.
10 Months
- Fourth tooth (2nd on top).
- Loves emptying toys from their bin and the books off the shelf.
- Mimicking what we do.
- More hair.
- Standing for several seconds on her own with confidence and without thinking about it.
- Sticking tongue out.
- Switched to flats for cloth diapering.
- Tilts her head to the side to make us laugh.
- Walks when her hands are held but she loves crawling fast to get places.
- Way more chatty.
- A week before her birthday started climbing up the ladder without help and can come down the slide as well without help
- Flips container in pack-n-play over and stands on it
- Lays head down frequently for a few seconds on pillows, our shoulders, etc.
- Mastered sign language of "more"and "milk"
- Pats our backs in excitement
- Plays with our hair while drinking bottle
- Started walking on Father's Day
- Starting to prefer Geoffrey over me
- Super happy
- Tries to climb up the slide on her own
- Understands "It's bedtime" and normally starts whining/fussing that she doesn't want to go to bed.
- Understands "Will you put your head down?" and lays it down on my shoulder.
- Uses index finger to flick lip... Halfway into the month discovered making noise while doing it is a lot more fun.
- Finally mastered sippy cups and drinking out of a straw. Berry smoothie from Costco did the trick with the straw.
- Finally understands she is supposed to run when I say "I'm going to get you"... Before she would simply run to me.
- Plays hide and go seek
- Brings books over for us to read to her. We are doing good if we get through three pages before she moves onto something else :)
- Has discovered the door stopper by the front door is fun to play with.
- Finds great delight in playing with Bella.
- Now understands what the following words mean: Daddy, Mommy, Auntie Kali, food, milk, more, ball, book, bed time and shoes
- Has mastered the sign language for: more, food, milk, water and please
- Growth in communicating when she does not like something :)
- Loves when we play music and bobs her head to the tune (even if it's slow haha)
- Understands mommy and daddy are interacting with their iPad or phone and now tries to grab the devices to look at them
- Understands the remote controls the TV
- Started ISR Self-Rescue Swim lessons. Quickly mastered holding her breath under water and swimming to the pull up bar.
- Tries to delay bed time by resting her head against Mommy's should because I'm a sucker for cuddling
- Also tries to delay any nap or bed time by now asking for milk, water or food whenever I change her diaper
Resources
- Loved this website!
- Printed this LIST and had it inside cabinet to help think through what feeding Carmen.
- Super Baby Food is an overwhelming book that friends swear by... maybe try getting through it with second kiddo.
Real Food for Baby
- Introducing Liquids
- Never gave juice because didn't want baby to have so much sugar.
- Use small see through cup of water to have baby learn how to sip out of it.
- Also use sippy cups:
- Do consistently and at most meals.
- Model how to use it.
- Try a soft straw in a cup with the next one.
- Introducing Solids (Mainly Veggies)
- Tried to do a lot of various veggies and non-sweet foods before fruit.
- Month 6 & 7 only did veggies and avocados with Baby C.
- Order of foods started with Baby C: oatmeal, avocados, acorn squash, butternut squash, green beans, rice cereal, carrots, peas, apples, bananas, pasta
- Used formula with solids to make them less thick instead of trying to pump for it.
- Used oatmeal before bed for the first couple of months to help with sleeping through the night
- Introducing Fruits
- Think through what fruits are binding and which ones break down.
- No citrus, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries until after a year.
- Introducing Dairy
- Start with whole fat yogurt (banana flavor is especially mild, watch out for berry flavors!), mild cheese (like mozzarella), then not as mild cheese...
- No milk until after a year old.
- Introducing Finger Foods
- Started at 8 months. Maybe do earlier with next one.
- Finger Food Ideas
- Don't put finger into mouth to pull out food baby is choking on unless you can see it. Do a hooking motion to pull out food. Swatting baby's back is best! Don't want to accidentally shove food further down the neck.
- Foods to Watch Out for and Avoid:
- Highly allergenic foods: dairy, eggs, peanuts, strawberries, wheat
- Peanut butter and nuts
- 6-12 months
- Maybe give baby right before doctor appointment in case swells?
- Not until after a year: strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, citrus, honey, eggs, whole milk, shellfish/crustaceans
- Grapes and hot dogs are super big choking hazards!
Mommy Reflections
- Be patient! Baby is learning!
- Know what allergies run in the family.
- Wait 3-4 days with introducing new foods to see if there are any allergic reactions.
- Baby C had big time rash with poop changing for 1-2 weeks.
Parenting
- Flick the side of baby's mouth if spitting food to nip that practice in the bud right away. Don't do it hard! Even a little flick hurts.
- From beginning of solids hold baby's hands down in lap while feeding him/her. This keeps baby from from grabbing the spoon and pulling on the bib. Down the road as you no longer need to hold the hands he/she won't grab the spoon when being fed.
Must Have Supplies
- Stock Pot and Strainer/Colander
- To steam the fresh foods.
- Used the strainer that came with our stock pot and it worked great instead of needing an additional colander.
- Blender
- To puree the steamed food in.
- If food is already frozen just follow the directions of how to cook it on the bag.
- Ice Cube Trays with Lids
- Use initially to freeze baby food.
- Silicone Muffin Pan
- Use to freeze baby food once eating more.
- Loved this over a normal one! So easy to pop the food out after it's frozen!
- Use saran wrap to cover it to keep it from freezer burn. Must be BPA free.
- Skillet
- To reheat the food up since the microwave zaps all nutrients.
Additionally Useful
- Pack of 4 oz Jars
- Place frozen ice cubes of pureed food into them to defrost the food in the fridge before heating it up.
- Moved so quickly to the muffin pan to store the pureed food that probably would get a couple bigger glass jars instead for next baby.
- Or skip this altogether and just go straight to using the skillet to reheat the food. It only takes a couple minutes longer :)
- Sili Squeeze
- To take homemade baby food on the go in.
- Make sure have a way to keep the food in it cold.
Thoughts & Resources
Formula
- Formula Amounts
- When switched to full time formula Baby C had diarrhea for a week.
- Started supplementing at about 7 months.
- Fully switched by 10 months.
- Biggest challenge was not fearing what others would think.
- Way easier to do things once no longer nursing :)
- Week 4 & 6: crazy eating all the time, up a lot throughout the night, get nothing done, completely exhausted and feel like going insane
- Also can happen around 3, 6 and 9 months
- Baby Growth Spurts article that was super helpful
TEETHING
- Baby will likely be miserable: unusually fussy and irritable, not sleeping as well, feverish, drooling a lot, loss of appetite (normally due to saliva in the stomach)
- Use baby acetaminophen (especially for naps and bed time)
- Banana smoothies can help as well as bread and crackers
- Frozen teething rings and little ice cubes when baby is old enough are also helpful
- Pump if doesn't seem to be nursing as much to keep supply up
- Make sure baby stays hydrated
- Helpful link about What to Expect regarding teething (especially this diagram)
DIAPER RASH
- Don't use baby wipes to clean as the bacteria in them can irritate the skin more.
- Rinse baby's bottom with water and pat dry. If poopy use a little bit of mild soap to clean it off. Can use a peri bottle to rinse bottom off.
- Pat dry and let air dry completely. A few times had Baby C crawl around for a few minutes on a towel on the wood floor to help with air drying.
- Use aquaphor or coconut oil to protect the skin and help it heal.
- Note: The coconut oil draws out any bacteria in the skin so it will initially look worse but after a day it should be significantly better.
- Letting baby sit in a warm bath with a couple tablespoons of baking soda. Do this 3x/day for 10 minutes each time.
DIARRHEA
- Keep baby hydrated!
- Liquids with electrolytes (like pediasure, advocare's rehydrate or diluted gatorade) can help with rehydrating. If doesn't like flavor try mixing with applesauce, freezing into little popsicles (use ice cube tray with little sticks)/ Baby C only liked the rehydrate and frozen little ice cubes.
- Try giving fluids (breastmilk, formula, water when able) every 20-30 minutes to get a few sips in to help keep hydrated. If baby is refusing liquids can try a large syringe, sippy cups, soft straw out of a cup, try a drink in the tub as a fun alternative.
- If eating solids use foods that tend to bind: bananas, rice, applesauce, toast, crackers, starchy foods and yogurt (must contain live or active cultures, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum)
TAKING CARE OF BABY
- Baby Acne: Breast milk can help. Have to wait it out. Make sure baby doesn't get overheated.
- Bathing: Sponge bathe until umbilical cord falls off. Use elbow to test temperature of water. Bathe every 2-3 days. Don't forget to scrub behind ears.
- Checking temperature: Place thermometer under baby's armpit.
- Clogged tear ducts: Use breast milk on baby's eyes when they're all gunky and gross.
- Cradle Cap: Daily scrub baby's head with warm water to keep it at bay. Can also massage coconut oil afterwards into scalp and then comb baby's head.
- Don't Forget Socks
- First Aid: Baby Acetaminophen (Fever Reducer), Anti-Gas Medicine, Nose Drops, Nasal Aspirator, Aquaphor and/or Coconut Oil for diaper rash. Coconut oil draws the bacteria to the surface so it will initially look worse.
- Jaundice: Get baby in sunlight to help with it.
- Stuffy Nose: Use Nosefrida carefully. Use nose drops first.
- Swaddling: Used to comfort and soothe baby.
- Time in Sun: Have baby out in sun 15 minutes per week for some Vitamin D. Use the ergo once baby's neck is strong enough to hold up.
- Trimming nails: Use scissor nail clippers.
CRYING CHECKS
- Dirty diaper
- Hair wrapped around finger cutting off circulation
- Hungry
- Over tiredness
- Upset tummy (Is it rock hard from gas? Do baby tummy massage. Does she need to be burped?)
- Aquaphor
- Changing pad
- Couple of burp cloths
- Diapers
- Diaper bag dispenser
- Extra change of clothes for baby (don't forget socks)
- Hand sanitizer
- Nursing cover
- Plastic or waterproof bag to hold dirty diapers
- Swaddle Blanket (especially important for doctor appointments because the rooms are cold)
- Wipes
- Reading Books: Start once baby starts seeing better (around five weeks) to encourage love of reading, creativity and learning.
- Nap in Pack-N-Play: Start doing once/day around two months so baby is used to it when have to use the pack-n-play at someone else's house for naps.
- Bouncer: Use shortly after baby born to prop baby up to allow simple and safe entertainment. Great to use while making dinner. When outgrows bouncer switch solely to the bumbo.
- Bumbo: Around three months start trying to use. Especially use when making dinner. Encourages neck muscles to be strengthened and is useful for baby to be accustomed to not always being entertained.
- Tummy Time: Do this shortly after baby born starting with 5-10 minute increments and then increasing the time to help baby learn to hold head up and look around.
- Play Time: Under gym in pack-n-play once baby starts seeing better start with 5-10 minutes and increase time from there. Once baby is moving around can use a small amount of toys instead of the gym. Do this to train baby to play by herself and encourage creativity and contentment. Baby C at ten months was capable of playing for 30-60 minutes.
- Time Outside: 15 minutes per week for some Vitamin D. Use the ergo once baby's neck is strong enough to hold up. Use stroller once baby can sit up.
- Rotate books and toys every 4-6 weeks to minimize clutter. Put reminder in calendar.
- Toys are overrated :)
- Practicing napping in the pack-n-play is great to do at grandmama's house.
Resources
