My Diaper Bag Checklist

Baby's diaper bag is the one constant accessory we've been carrying around since baby came. This bag can make or break a trip so it pay to be a smart packer! It holds pretty much everything your child needs for the day.

A few years back a friend gave out a "Diaper Bag Checklist" during a baby shower! I kept this all these years because i knew it would be helpful.  Do you notice how moms are obsessed about lists ... from shopping list, gift list.. etc. May be this is their last ditch effort to be more organized?  Who knew that keeping true to this list can be such a back-breaking task?  You see, hubby carries THE BAG more than i do, so i don't realize just how heavy and how hard it was to lug around! Imagine walking around for hours carrying extra kilos hanging on you shoulder. 

SAVE or SPLURGE: A new mom's guide to saving (Part 2)

Making the most out of the baby products we buy is the key here.  I didn't realize items for my little guy can cost even more than our one month's worth of grocery!

So parents should always  read up and check out the pros and cons before actually buying. It also pays "where" you get the items. I've noticed that baby products are more pricey in the malls, compared to online shops or bazaars. There are also select items in second hand stores and thrift shops, if you have an eye for bargain hunting.

Here are 5 more baby products and gears plus some  tips before getting them.

Baby bottles

• I suggest to SPLURGE on baby bottles! We use them primarily used as breast milk  storage because my son stopped feeding from synthetic nipples at 8 months.  He drank his milk from cup or through a big syringe without the needle. We invested in bottles made with hard and thicker plastic, so they don't expand or contract when exposed to high heat when i sterilize them.


• You can also get bottles that are convertible. Some brands have a line of sealing discs, spouts and handles which fit the screws of the feeding bottles.  Get the a spout to convert it into a cup. Or just get a sealing disc to make it a storage bottle.


• If  breastfeeding, choose small bottles -  those  with 4 to 5 oz capacity. Breastfed babies feed more frequently but in small quantities.


• Actually, it does not matter what brand you choose, but always choose BPA free bottles or plastic utensils for your baby. Bisphenol A  (BPA) is a chemical used in making plastics. Too much exposure to this may cause developmental defects in newborns, according to some studies done on animals. Based on La Leche Leagues's Breastfeeding Answer Book, plastics with the recycling symbol # 1,2,4 or 5 and/or PP are BPA free. Look for this symbol at the bottom of the bottle.

Baby rocker

• It's a tossup between SAVE and  SPLURGE  on this one. Actually we did not use  a rocker then, but we bought one.  The problem is we bought it late so we did not maximize its use. P was "malikot" and more mobile and resisted being put in the rocker.  I suggest to buy it as early as possible so your baby can use it longer.


• Always check to weight limit of the rocker, that can give you an idea how much longer you baby can use it.Look for straps to make sure baby is securely placed on it.


• The biggest come-on (for me) when we got this one is that it has music and lights - which should have come secondary to the rocker's structural design.

[caption id="attachment_2357" align="aligncenter" width="300"] We bought this rocker when baby was around 7 months, only to realize he's about to reach the weight limit![/caption]

Safety gate 

• A safety gate is a must to prevent your toddler from getting to hazardous places like the kitchen or stairs.  SAVE on this by checking online stores or second hand stores or thrift shops. Believe me, once they start walking they'll  try to get to these  areas when you're  not looking! They usually start walking around 9 to 13 months.


• Make sure that the safety gate is easy to install but at the same time sturdy.  Make sure they fit right on your doorway so it won't fall down when your child swings on it. Believe me, he will! 

[caption id="attachment_2424" align="aligncenter" width="225"] We bought a safety gate like this for P1,000 in a thrift store along McArthur Highway in Valenzuela. Source of photo: ebay[/caption]

 High chair

• You can SAVE on a high chair if you check out thrift stores. (As you may notice by now, we are a fond of bargain hunting!) 


• You can get a high chair when the baby starts to sit on his own, that's around 6 months for our baby.

[caption id="attachment_2423" align="aligncenter" width="300"] We got this high chair from a thrift shop along Del Monte Ave in QC for only P800.00. This converts into a swing by pushing down the back panel. When baby was younger, he would actually sleep on this.[/caption]

• Look for a high chair with a heavy and wide base. This adds to the stability of the chair. Sturdy highchairs won't topple down when your child reaches out to grab on something.


• Straps are a must for high chairs so you're secure as he sits on this. I once sat may baby down, and being to small, he almost slipped down because i forgot to strap him.

Baby shoes

• SAVE  your bucks rather than spend it on too many baby shoes! Baby feet grow so fast! At 12 months, i think we got  about 12 shoes for P din! He just kept on outgrowing them.


• I can't emphasize enough how important it is to get the right size for your kid. Always have some allowance, but not too large for his feet.

Every family's need is unique so take time to check if you really need to get these items. Do diligent research before buying big ticket items like a rocker or a  high chair.  Avoid buying on a whim or else you won't have time to analyze the product's features.

Shopping for baby is always happy time for me! It even get happier when you know that your every purchase is worth it.

Also worth reading:

• A new mom's guide to saving (Part1) 

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Nice-to-Have Items for Baby's Medicine Kit

Every home should have a kit for baby's medical maladies. The medical kit will be your first line of defense in treating baby, or at the very least, in keeping baby comfortable.

Baby had pneumonia recently so we got to test drive some stuff that can comfort baby through his bout with common symptoms like colds and fever.

Below are some of the stuff  we found handy if,  God forbid, that poor baby gets sick again :

What to expect : the First Year (or any book about dealing with sick babies) 

Of course, i won't discount the fact that your pedia's opinion and diagnosis is the foolproof way of treating your baby's condition.  But having such a book on hand will definitely keep a mommy calm. What to Expect books are such mom friendly resources.  It has sections on disease symptoms and possible treatment for common infant diseases.  Any first time mom will find the information useful, hence keeping her sane on crisis events like these. Plus, there may be some questions that bother a mom which seem to foolish to ask the pedia. WTE books might answer some of these questions!

[caption id="attachment_1400" align="aligncenter" width="300"] It pays to be informed. Books like these provide some guidance during days when baby's sick.[/caption]

Ear thermometer

It's much more convenient to use, especially when your baby is  fussy or agitated. A sick child is uncomfortable and unruly so getting his body temperature through the armpit can be such hassle. It's even harder if you'll be getting the temp rectally, which is said the be the most accurate! Read BabyCenter's notes on how to take baby's temperature here.

We got this Safety 1st thermometer from SM Baby Company. It was on sale for Php 1,800.

[caption id="attachment_1401" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Get an ear temperature when your baby has started getting more mobile - when he's learned to roll over or sit on his own. You'll be able to get his temp in just one snap.[/caption]

With an ear thermometer, you can take his temp in seconds! Some models will also indicate if your baby has fever.  It was very handy, even  throughout the period of baby's confinement in the hospital. Nurses were able to record P's temp faster.

Ask your pedia about baby's baseline temperature and the temperature she considers low grade or high grade fever.

Snot remover 

A snot remover will help clear baby's stuffy nose. Babies usually have stuffy and runny nose when they have flu or colds. Unlike adults they don't know how to clear their noses from mucus and snots. The snot remover can pickup dry or wet blockage in your little one's nose.

[caption id="attachment_1402" align="aligncenter" width="300"] This is an ear pick for adults but we use this to remove P's snot. We can only remove his snot when he's sleeping. BTW, this has built in lights![/caption]

You may also use ear buds wet with salinase to clear baby's nose and keep baby his nose hydrated. What to Expect.com suggests dabbing a thin layer of petroleum jelly under baby's nose to avoid reddening or chapping of that area. Chapping usually happens when the nasal mucus dries up.

Cool Fever

I think the cool fever strip helps a lot to relieve baby's discomfort when he has fever, especially when he's sleeping. The cool strip helps absorb heat when placed on baby's forehead.

[caption id="attachment_1403" align="aligncenter" width="225"] The strip stays in place so it's safe to stick it for use overnight[/caption]

Nebulizer

Nebulizers are usually used to treat lung diseases like asthma.  The nebulizer is used to convert  the liquid medicines into mist which is then inhaled by the patient.  When your child has colds, nebulizing with saline solution can help loosen his airway. It will be a lot easier to remove sticky mucus and snot in his nose after nebulizing.

We purchased an Omron Nebulizer for Php 3.580. It's a bit loud when you use it, so be ready to distract your child.  He may freak out during neb time especially on his first few sessions.

At home, we nebulize a few milliliters of salinase (saline solution). Depending on how much salinase you put in, the procedure can last for 10 to 20 minutes.  While confined in the hospital, baby had to take in  Salbutamol (for his cough) through the nebulizer every six hours.  Just a note: always consult a doctor before using,  Our pedia warned to avoid using nebulizer at home too much, or baby's lungs could be filled with water.  So limit using the nebulizer. Only use it to ease baby's severe cough and colds.

[caption id="attachment_1404" align="aligncenter" width="300"] At home, we use the nebulizer for baby only when absolutely necessary.[/caption]

So there, just some items to keep a mom from freaking out on sick baby days. On sick days,  it's best to coordinate and consult with your doctor for the correct treatment.

Also worth reading:

• Lessons learned after my baby got sick


• Tips on using the nebulizer on your child

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Baby Toys for Every Age

Its the "BER" months, the start of Philippine’s very very long Christmas season. At may kasabihan tayo "Ang Pasko ay para sa mga bata." Kaya nga siguro sa gitna ng Christmas rush, damit at laruan ng mga bata ang ma-benta.

If you’re a parent looking for toys for babies  here are some points to consider.

Actually there's really no strict rules on the type of toy for a baby of a certain age. It may depend on what baby can do on a particular age.  As a guide here's Baby Center's guide to babies'e development stages. Newborns may just be contented with rattles and mobile, since they just developing their sight and hearing. You may need to reassess then upgrade toys once he learns to sit or walk.  Napansin ko nga sa baby ko, 9 months na sya,  hinahagis na lang nya ung mga rattle nya, mukhang bored na at gusto na ng  mga toys like stacking cups and books.

NEWBORN TO SIX MONTHS

Mobiles and rattles will definitely be fun to a newborn to probably about 3  months. Since limited pa ang vision at hearing nila. At this stage, baby’s eyesight and hearing are developing. He'll spend hours and hours gazing and listening to crib mobile. They say black, red and white are most appealing to newborns so look for toys in these colors.

[caption id="attachment_1054" align="aligncenter" width="210"] From my baby, this crib mobile is my nephew's apple of the eye.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1056" align="aligncenter" width="300"] This black and white panda was P's best friend during his first two months.[/caption]

The rattle will provide exercise for hearing. Watch baby get curious and look for the source of the sound as you shake the rattle from different directions.

When baby learns to hold and grasp, this usually  starts around 2 months,  you might want to give him textured toys like blocks or books. Such will stimulate his sense of touch. Pulô's tita gave him Tiny Love First Book, which is double sided so it's teeming with fun activities. Guide his hands while touching a cloud on the activity book and say "This is soft!".

Another fun activity for babies at this age is looking human faces. You may place an unbreakable mirror in front of him. You'll see that he's starting to stare, may be even coo at the face in front of him.  You can add some learning by teaching him parts of his face.  Point to his nose and say "nose". Maybe he's not old enough to retain this but it's definitely a fun activity for newborns.

SIX MONTHS TO ONE YEAR

Starting around 6 months, babies may start to sit. Mine started sitting (with balance) around 7 months.  His view has now changed from just lying down to being able to sit up. You can offer him shape sorters, building blocks and stacking cups. What to Expect also suggests toys like shape sorter, nesting toys and busy boards around this month. These may develop his hand and eye coordination. Hindi pa kaya ni baby na pagpatung-patungin ang stacking cups nya pero natutuwa sya kapag pinapatumba nya ang tower!

[caption id="attachment_853" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Stackable cups can help improve hand-eye coordination.[/caption]

As early as three months, babies can actually see farther than those away from his straight line of sight, may even be aware of things inside the room. He may now  appreciate stuffed toys.  Just a note, never stock the stuffed toys in the crib with the baby in it. Baby's ventilation may be blocked.

[caption id="attachment_858" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Stuffed toys are versatible. My baby loves this gorilla. He had this when he was 6 months. Until now, Gori is still his friend.[/caption]

By the time he can stand with support, you can give him toy push carts or walkers. They can provide support as he takes his first steps. Just make sure such push toys have skids and are stable, so baby can lean on them safely as he moves forward. Never leave the baby who's just learning to stand and walk alone on a push toy.

A note on baby walkers

There's actually conflicting advices on using baby walkers. Read my post discussing this. My take is as long as you're using it with adult supervision and for a limited period per day, then it's ok.

Do not under estimate to joy babies can get from ordinary objects. Let him touch actual things rather than looking on just pictures or photos. Click here for my post on everyday objects which may work as baby's toys.

Most labels in the toy packaging usually indicate the appropriate aged for the toy.  Read this for more tips on choosing and taking care of the little one's toys.

Ok, have fun with baby!

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