7 rainy day doings

Where I grew up we were sent out to play in the rain. To be fair, in a hot, dry climate a rainy day was a novelty. Tea sets were brought out of doors and tea pots filled to the brim with rain water (lest we waste precious tap water filling them)!

With the recent cold, wet and snowy weather, (and appears set to stay for Easter), a list of 'rainy day doings' may just come in handy. These are a few things I have learnt about keeping cabin fever at bay on rainy days... 

Camping - indoor, of course! Those bed sheets can be taken off the beds and draped over dining or sitting room furniture to form a tent. Lunch of finger foods (carrot sticks, cucumber chunks, sliced cold meat, cheese, grapes, etc) may be served in the tent or around the campfire (read: scrunched up newspaper/magazine pages/recycled paper, with a red towel/cloth or red paper on top). 

Dancing - play some energetic music loud and dance the morning away!! I have some Latino tracks that Miss, Master and I love dancing to, but any dance music radio station or you tube clip will do. Play it loud and join in the dancing; try keeping a regular beat with your legs and arm movements that mimic specific behaviour for your Miss/Master to copy. Some mimicking moves might be 'window washing', 'picking apples', 'pointing to the stars', catching butterflies' - the only limit is your imagination. My children usually have more energy to burn than me so I also use a DVD of a group called "The Wiggles". They perform 'old favourites' with 'new moves' to aid physical development, while other songs have lyrics that teach about healthy eating, animals and so on. 

Cooking - I can almost hear the gasps as you read this, but stick with me. Find something quick and easy to make and bake so as to stand the greatest chance of holding your Master or Misses attention. I have an all in one cake which is so easy to make, quick to bake and is a tasty (albeit sweet) cake. Alternatively, try pizza with your choice of base (eg. English breakfast muffins, home made bread, wrap etc) and put out some Miss/Master friendly toppings they can add to their own pizza. There are many delicious possibilities: chopped toppings such as chorizo, ham, pineapple, peppers, olives, spinach, broccoli; and grated toppings such as carrot, zucchini, cheese.

Reading - some children just do not like to sit still, so this is best tried after some vigorous activity (see dancing, above). For a twist perhaps try acting out some of the scenes? This will spend some energy, teach Miss/Master role playing and offer the opportunity to demonstrate imagination with props and their interpretation of the story. 

Play doh - there is no need to buy this stuff; you probably have all the ingredients you need in your kitchen cupboards. You can make almost anything, miniature animals, cut out shapes (cookie cutters come in handy) or roll it out flat and compare the tracks left by toy cars, animals, anything!

Jigsaw puzzles - you may have these at home already, but if not, try making your own (another rainy day activity, perhaps?). Tear out pictures from a magazine or newspaper (or perhaps a 'well loved' book that is no longer in one piece), stick it onto a cereal box (or similar) and cut them up according to the skill level of your Miss/Master. 

Dress ups - when I was a girl we did not have fancy shop-bought costumes, (my own mother's words are echoing in my mind "When I was a girl..."). Without such props your Miss/Master is encouraged to use some imagination. Perhaps you have some clothes that are not quite right for donation but not quite ready for the rag pile? Laddered stockings make great tails when stuffed with recycled paper or tea towels. Old socks make great paws, puppets and superhero wrist bands...

What are your favourite rainy day doings? Please use the comments to share...

Next time: that age old question... 
(If you are following my blogs closely you will have noted this blog's 'promotion'; it is all down to the weather, of course)
 

Radioactive baby

As first time parents who attended NCT antenatal classes, read some informative books and in general, educated ourselves in the ways of babies (as much as one can, that is), being told our brand new Miss is 'jaundice' still came as quite the shock. What did we do wrong??

At an NCT newsletter planning meeting I discovered that practically all in attendance had a  jaundice story to tell. Alarmingly, at the time of our individual experiences, none of us really understood what being jaundice meant, or what to do about it. The idea for an article was born and these are a few things I have learnt about jaundice...

What is jaundice?

As defined by the Oxford Dictionary: a medical condition with yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, arising from excess of the pigment bilirubin and typically caused by obstruction of the bile duct, by liver disease, or by excessive breakdown of red blood cells. Or put more simply, in the case of a newborn, the yellowing of the skin and/or the whites of their eyes, caused by a build up of ‘bilirubin’. 

What is bilirubin?

Bilirubin is the yellow substance produced when red blood cells are broken down. The liver should naturally breakdown and filter out bilirubin. Jaundice occurs when red blood cells are broken down at a rate faster than the body is able to breakdown and filter out bilirubin.

How common is jaundice in newborns?

Very common. Around 60% of newborns have jaundice during their first week, increasing to around 80% for pre-term babies. Jaundice is more common and may last for longer in breastfed babies; around 10% will still have jaundice when they are around one month old.
So, that is jaundice in a nutshell. This is all fine and dandy, but when it is your child, at what point do you, if any, get worried??

My first born Miss

My husband remembers the midwife telling us our Miss had jaundice the afternoon of her birth, I remember her telling me the following day when she came back to check on us. I remember because Miss wanted to sleep. Miss did not want to feed. When I could convince Miss to wake and feed it lasted seconds before she went back to sleep. The midwife explained that in order to help get rid of the jaundice I had to feed Miss as often as possible, and even lay Miss in the sunshine (in January??). I remember feeling a little panicked because the one thing that we could do to help Miss get rid of jaundice was the one thing I was struggling with – feeding! I remember trying every ‘wake up’ trick the midwife suggested: tickling feet, nudging cheeks, removing clothes, dripping cool water on skin etc. And I remember trying every feeding trick we learned in antenatal class: breast, bottle, cup, syringe – all with breast milk. I even set an alarm that went off every three hours to remind me to try to feed Miss – just in case I forgot and in case Miss didn’t cry for food.

Nothing seemed to work, and when family commented that our baby seemed radioactive in the photo’s we had sent them we went to hospital to have Miss checked out – just to be sure. After all, how were we to know exactly how common this jaundice thing is? And how were we to know how yellow is too yellow?

We had a home birth and so it was not as though they could quickly pop Miss under the lamps to help with the bilirubin breakdown (I vaguely recalled something about the lamps from the antenatal class…). Perhaps if we had had a hospital birth this might have happened. But we didn’t. And it didn’t. We had a home birth and exclusively breastfed (save for one panicked 3am feed) in the middle of a cold, dark winter. With the benefit of hindsight and experience it was probably to be expected that Miss would be a little 'radioactive'. And it was also probably to be expected that the jaundice would last a while (it lasted just over a month). But the way we remember it, every feed was a battle in those first two or three weeks. We battled with Miss to be awake and feeding. Miss battled with us to go back to sleep...

*Please note, the aim of this piece is to offer basic, statistical information about jaundice and to share my jaundice experience. This article is not intended to, nor should be used as a qualified medical reference or source. Please always speak with an appropriate medical professional (eg your midwife, health visitor, GP or other medical professional) should you have any questions or concerns with regards the health of your child(ren).

Next time: That age old question...

6 toddler travel tips: The Long Haul

There are short travels (eg the local shops) and there are long travels (eg long in distance or time), but what makes any travel more pleasurable for any parent is happy, contented child(ren) during this travel. From my experience travelling with babies and toddlers, these are a few things I have learnt to improve The Long Haul.

Ease of access to items, engaged/relaxed children and having "a little to spare" are key to happy travels. As a bit of a nervous traveller, these things mean fewer stressful bits and more relaxing bits for me. Here are my top 6 tips.

1. Toys/books - Take ones that can be attached to you, your bag, buggy, baby carrier and in-flight bassinet (or toddler’s seat belt) with a ‘loopy link’. They will be harder to lose, less likely to be flung around the cabin, and quickly located in mid-flight darkness.
2. Bibs - I travel with the cloth sort that are square and have a hole cut-out for the head. Attached to the bassinet (in flight), my bag, etc. with a loopy link the bib is quickly located and can be dangled from almost anywhere to dry (if/when wet) - think bassinet, change bag, buggy, sling...
3. Nappies/formula/milk etc - use a drawstring bag to hold consumables (including food, if you need) as they are lightweight, will reduce in size as you continue your journey and can be easily attached to the outside of most bags/rucksacks as well as hooks on nappy change tables/washroom doors etc. Some drawstring bags are even partially waterproof!
4. Spare clothes - use nappy disposal bags to contain each set of spare clothes. This saves foraging around to locate appropriate articles and combinations of clothes (eg one top + one bottom) and as you slip out the new clothes you can slip in the soiled ones.
5. Packed clothes - pack ‘similar’ clothes that can be washed together and tumbled dried (if needs be and facilities allow) for a 'worst case' scenario. That is, clothes of similar colours and fabric that will mix and match to be worn and washed so you do not waste precious holiday time separating clothes for each wash (lights, colours, darks).
6. Buy on arrival - buy essentials when you get to your destination; nappies, wipes, food items (formula, baby food, snacks). I travel with enough of these consumables for the journey plus approximately 24hrs - the rest I buy at destination (price point and availability permitting - always check ahead). 

What magic tips, tricks and things have you learnt that make family travelling enjoyable? Please use the comments to share...

Next time: My radioactive baby

5 toddler travel tips: The Short Haul

There are short travels (eg the local shops) and there are long travels (eg long in distance or time). In my experience, parents enjoy any travel that involves happy, contented, engaged children. These are a few things I have learnt to improve The Short Haul.

1. Food - maintain “snack packs”, ready to pop into your bag, buggy or pocket. Any parent will tell you that the tasty biscotti Miss/Master loved last week may well be ignored this week, so an appreciated pack will probably include more than one snack; a couple of biscotti, some pieces of dried fruit, etc. Cut fresh fruit and vegetable snack packs can be kept in the fridge (lemon juice is nature's preserver - no brown bits).
2. Drink - a drink container that does not leak (or the one that leaks the least of your available options, since experience has taught me most of them will leak of their own accord), that is kept clean, full and refrigerated takes only a moment to pick up.
3. Entertainment - leave a book or toy (according to the age and interests of your Miss/Master), in your usual mode(s) of transport (buggy, car or bag). This will save remembering such things, avoid any debate with Miss/Master about which item(s) to bring and should keep the entertainment 'new' and interesting to your Miss/Master. If you are frequently out and calling upon the book or toy, consider keeping two or three items and changing one over every few outings.
4. Mealtime outings - many parents bring electronic entertainment (iPad/smart phone), which do work well, granted. And I would be lying if I said we have not done the same. Having said this, one of my children is young enough that a couple of finger puppets often do the trick. These do not make noise, knock over drinks, are not damaged by mucky fingers and are a lightweight, (very) small, affordable addition to your bag or pocket. For highchair bound children, try a toy that can be attached with ‘loopy links’ to prevent it being dropped or flung away. Burning energy touring the venue inside and out (weather permitting) before and in between courses doesn't go astray either...
5. My outing box - kept in the vicinity of my front door, my outing box saves me precious time gathering everything I need to leave the house with Miss and Master. Contents of the ideal outing box will vary according to your needs. Mine includes muslin cloths, a drawstring bag containing a day's supply of nappies & wipes, a handbag size first aid kit, nappy disposal bags containing full sets of spare clothes, some small & light books/toys and a small box containing cutlery, bibs, calpol, raisins, surface cleaner & a cloth. Before you imagine me filling a suitcase just to "pop to the shops", the outing box is for quick trips and day travels! The one item that ALWAYS accompanies me outside the house is my ‘change kit’ (an appropriated cloth make-up bag). It contains two nappies per child, wipes and hand sanitiser.

What things have you learnt that make family travelling enjoyable? Please use the comments to share... 

Next time: 5 toddler travel tips (The Long Haul)

Order amongst newborn chaos. Does it exist?

Practically all parents have been there. You return home from the hospital and if you are lucky, it is a clean and tidy home in which you know where everything is and exactly when you will need it. But with the arrival of your new Miss/Master, sleep and any semblance of order (as you know them) are abandoned.

These are a few things I have learnt...

Change kit - maintain one in each room you are likely to spend time in amd/or on each floor of your house; include multiple nappies, wipes, hand sanitiser and a change mat/towel. My kits also include spare clothes and muslin cloths as my Miss had, and Master has reflux.

Breastfeeding? - keep a (full) large drink container and snacks within arm’s reach of the places you feed Miss/Master. It seems sitting still is a trigger for hunger and thirst.

Bathroom - go at every opportunity. I really mean it! At the least, before you sit down to feed Miss/Master as like hunger and thirst, there is nothing like being ‘parked’ for the foreseeable to bring on the need to ‘go’.

Night time nappies - if Miss/Master is in with you in the early days, treat your bedroom like any other place you spend a great deal of your time and keep a change kit to hand for those indecent hour nappy changes.

Night time clothes - if Miss/Master is likely to require fresh clothes in the night keep a small pile with your change kit in an easy to locate place, eg in the dark with one eye closed.

Clothes washing - if you are using a clothes airer, set it up next to the change table and clothes cupboard/chest of drawers. Whether you found time to fold and put away clothes or not, everything dry will be within reach.

Sleeping - it would be remiss of me not to repeat the words of (likely) every first time parent, sleep when Miss/Master sleeps!

So, is there order amongst newborn chaos? No. Well not like before Miss/Master's arrival. But fragmented order is entirely possible... 

Next time: 5 toddler travel tips (The Short Haul)

What's in the box?

If you read my first (ever) blog you will know that this all came about for a variety of reasons, so it follows that my topics will be likewise varied. Essentially, the plan for this blog is to do what it says on the box (see above 'description' banner).

There are many efficiencies to be found around us, but sometimes they hard to see when we are busy 'getting stuff done'. One of my favourite efficiency tools are smart phone applications for grocery shopping. Instead of a running paper grocery I add items to my "basket" immediately. When I am ready to submit the order I check for duplicates, obvious omissions (usually milk), choose a delivery day & time and then place the order.

If smart phone applications are not for you then supermarket websites have many bells and whistles to help make online shopping practically idiot-proof (most people I know have had at least one online grocery shop "fail"). Tools that list favourite or regular groceries save precious searching time, and alerts flag omitted regular items and promotions or deals for which you qualify. You can even submit a previous order if your time is in super short supply.

One criticism of online grocery shopping is the required organisation, although my view is that it requires a different sort of organisation.

• Immediately adding items to my basket abolishes the paper list, which was not always to hand when needed.
• Groceries delivered to my door at a specified time reduces unpacking distractions (eg children) by planning activities for them elsewhere in advance. 
• When someone else shops for me the in-store and in-transit time costs are eliminated, and I avoid juggling child entertainment with shopping (we visit the park instead).

By passing on bits & bobs, tips & hints, and a handful of anecdotes of life as I know it, I hope that you can benefit from (or at least have a giggle at) things I have learnt. In the spirit of sharing, please use the comment section to pass on things you have learnt!

Next time: Order amongst newborn chaos. Does it exist?