2/20 Questions

[lucybrown]

We have a new walker and I need to buy him shoes.  When DD (7) was little, we used Stride Rite, Pediped, etc. soft-soled shoes.  Is this still the same recommendation or have toddler shoes changed in 7 years?  I just want some basic, everyday shoes, mostly for daycare.   

[tiki]

I've been very happy with Stride Rite Soft Motion. DD has been in them from 13-18 mo so far. I'm bummed that line doesn't go above a size 6 since they work well for us.

[estrellita]

We still like Stride Rite shoes. A actually wears a pair of Carter's shoes we like too.

[melsbels]

I love Stride Rites! We bought them for the twins when they had just started walking at 12 months, and we just bought them a new pair each at 20 months. They’re very well made so their original pairs are still in excellent condition.

[brooke77]

When does separation anxiety ease up? DS is 18 months and it’s terrible. Daycare drop offs are a nightmare. He starts sobbing as soon as I start to take off his coat. I’m at the point where I’m showering with the door open and taking him to the upstairs bathroom so I can go with the door open and he can run around. He has it with DH too, but to a lesser extent. He can’t be a foot away from me without being very upset. When will this phase end?

[shauni27]

when S first started walking I did mostly robeez and then stride rites.

[shauni27]

brooke77, you have my sympathies. S is like that with me, though not quite as bad it sounds. It is really hard and I do not have any answers.

My question: how on god's green earth did you get your toddler to eat meat? 19 months now and has maybe in his life willingly eaten 1 chicken nugget and 3 hot dogs. Seafood occasionally. He used to be a lot more adventurous but now he is a typical asshole toddler who likes something one day and hates it the next. But meat has consistently been spit out since he started eating solids. Anyone else go through this?

[lucybrown]

Feb 20, 2019 12:08:00 GMT -5 shauni27 said:

when S first started walking I did mostly robeez and then stride rites.

I totally forgot about Robeez.  Thanks!

In my experience, nothing I did encouraged DD to eat more meat.  It just went in waves.  At 7, she still doesn't like eating much meat other than hot dogs and lunch meat.   DS is the opposite and wants all the meat, all the time, lol.   Keep presenting it and he'll come back around. 

[raangoli]

shauni27, kids like to dip things. Maybe also give him a little sauce or ketchup on the side and let it work it's magic. It sounds strange, I know, but it has to with control. They get to control the amount of sauce/dip/etc and then you still get them to eat food, or in this case, the meat.

[bcv513]

We like Stride Rite and Carters for shoes too.

We are converting C's crib into a full sized bed. How do you go about buying a mattress for a kid? I don't want to drop a ton of money, but I want it to be something that will last. Do you just get a firm mattress with no frills?

[Susie]

We did Robeez and then Stride Rite soft motion. Surprize by Stride Rite at Target is fine too, although they only come in whole sizes. I don't buy half sizes much anymore, but at first I did because the difference between 3.5 and 4 seemed material when she was a brand new walker.

[Mrs.flang]

Feb 20, 2019 12:27:03 GMT -5 raangoli said:

shauni27, kids like to dip things. Maybe also give him a little sauce or ketchup on the side and let it work it's magic. It sounds strange, I know, but it has to with control. They get to control the amount of sauce/dip/etc and then you still get them to eat food, or in this case, the meat.

I’ve tried this with veggies, but DD is really into condiments and she will just lick it off and dip again. LOL. She does this with ketchup, ranch dressing, cream cheese, hummus...

[Mrs.flang]

For shoes, I really love See Kai Run. Especially the soft soled ones when she first started walking.

[shauni27]

Feb 20, 2019 12:27:03 GMT -5 raangoli said:

shauni27 , kids like to dip things. Maybe also give him a little sauce or ketchup on the side and let it work it's magic. It sounds strange, I know, but it has to with control. They get to control the amount of sauce/dip/etc and then you still get them to eat food, or in this case, the meat.

we have tried this to no avail--even with hummus, his most coveted food (besides pouches, lol).

[thoseareradishes]

shauni27, have you tried meatballs or meatloaf? E loves both. They are pretty soft, not so chewy like a lot of meat or too crispy like some nuggets (E isn't really into nuggets right now either; she got chicken noodle soup last time we went to chick-fil-a).

[scm1011]

Feb 20, 2019 11:58:35 GMT -5 brooke77 said:

When does separation anxiety ease up? DS is 18 months and it’s terrible. Daycare drop offs are a nightmare. He starts sobbing as soon as I start to take off his coat. I’m at the point where I’m showering with the door open and taking him to the upstairs bathroom so I can go with the door open and he can run around. He has it with DH too, but to a lesser extent. He can’t be a foot away from me without being very upset. When will this phase end?

Um, well my kid is 27 months and it hasn't happened yet. I cannot pee alone at home, he will legit sit at the door and wail. If I leave the living room to grab something in the kitchen he gets all panicked and yells "mama! mama! mama!" until I return. 

Good times. 

[shauni27]

Feb 20, 2019 14:16:59 GMT -5 thoseareradishes said:

shauni27 , have you tried meatballs or meatloaf? E loves both. They are pretty soft, not so chewy like a lot of meat or too crispy like some nuggets (E isn't really into nuggets right now either; she got chicken noodle soup last time we went to chick-fil-a).

yup. No luck. He has tried some meatballs but so far we have had success exactly twice.

I keep trying to offer it and he mostly eats beans and yogurt and some cheese, so I know he is getting some protein. But still!

[tiki]

shauni27, DD's favorite meats are cut up Costco rotisserie chicken and (gross, I know) Brown N Serve original sausage patties. She's not going to go out of her way (and, like, chew) for meat that's not both soft and salty.

[shauni27]

Feb 20, 2019 15:11:58 GMT -5 tiki said:

shauni27 , DD's favorite meats are cut up Costco rotisserie chicken and (gross, I know) Brown N Serve original sausage patties. She's not going to go out of her way (and, like, chew) for meat that's not both soft and salty.

I have tried all those pre-made meatballs (Alfresco, etc) and frozen turkey meatballs, etc. and still, nothing.

I forgot though that we did have good success with beef teriyaki on a stick. That was well received.

[melsbels]

shauni27 I have similar struggles with veggies. It’s sooo annoying! When they were babies they’d eat everything under the sun. I made fancy purées, and tiny little meatballs packed with veggies, and organic avocado toast etc.....but now they prefer to survive on yogurt, goldfish crackers, and fruit. It drives me NUTS. I slaved over roasted butternut squash mac and cheese on the weekend, and as soon as I put it on their trays they cried and said all done. Ughhh lol.

Typically if I can get meat into them it’s included in a pasta dish like spaghetti and meat sauce, or Kraft dinner & hot dogs lol. But then for some strange reason Twin B ate 3 helpings of Korean beef bowl few weeks ago. Kids are weird.

My saving grace protein that they will always always eat is eggs. So, I make a lot of those! That’s our go to when we know they won’t eat our meal lol. 3 ingredient pancakes, scrambled, hard boiled, on a tortilla with cheese etc.

[Susie]

Feb 20, 2019 12:10:38 GMT -5 shauni27 said:

My question: how on god's green earth did you get your toddler to eat meat? 19 months now and has maybe in his life willingly eaten 1 chicken nugget and 3 hot dogs. Seafood occasionally. He used to be a lot more adventurous but now he is a typical asshole toddler who likes something one day and hates it the next. But meat has consistently been spit out since he started eating solids. Anyone else go through this?

She has never been great with meat, so we offer a lot of plain greek yogurt, eggs, cheese, and PB, and we just keep giving her whatever meat we have to see what sticks.  Sometimes we get lucky and other times we don't, but it's less annoying when it isn't prepared specially for her.  So far we've had the best luck with seafoods that are sweet, like scallops and crab meat (sooo convenient, not).  She also likes seafood that she can dip in melted butter.  Shrimp are hit and miss now, but for a while they were a good go-to.  She has never liked breaded meats, so fish sticks, chicken nuggets, etc. have always been no dice.  We have had ok luck with meatballs that are sauce-covered.  Things like beef, pork, chicken, etc. are usually not big winners.

[seaturtle]

We're going on vacation in a few weeks with DS (3 months).

1. I've been EPing (with formula supplement) and slowly winding down. I only pumped 10 minutes today (got over 7oz) and hopefully that's it for the day, down from a high of 4 hours/day and about 20oz. But I wake up and my shirt is soaked and my boobs are so so painful. I'm icing, using cabbage leaves, and drinking peppermint tea. What else can I do to be done before our trip since I really don't want to bring my pump? If I can't be done should I buy a hand pump?

2. We're planning on bringing the car seat and stroller, should we counter or gate check? It would be good to have the stroller through the airport but is it a pain to bring through TSA? We have a Chicco infant seat and frame stroller.

[icedcoffee]

Feb 20, 2019 12:10:38 GMT -5 shauni27 said:

brooke77, you have my sympathies. S is like that with me, though not quite as bad it sounds. It is really hard and I do not have any answers.

My question: how on god's green earth did you get your toddler to eat meat? 19 months now and has maybe in his life willingly eaten 1 chicken nugget and 3 hot dogs. Seafood occasionally. He used to be a lot more adventurous but now he is a typical asshole toddler who likes something one day and hates it the next. But meat has consistently been spit out since he started eating solids. Anyone else go through this?

We have the best luck with super tender and super saucy meat—stew, anything from the Chinese restaurant, ground turkey, ground beef. If it’s not super bite size, saucy and tender it normally is not eaten.

[shauni27]

Feb 20, 2019 16:30:56 GMT -5 seaturtle said:

We're going on vacation in a few weeks with DS (3 months).

1. I've been EPing (with formula supplement) and slowly winding down. I only pumped 10 minutes today (got over 7oz) and hopefully that's it for the day, down from a high of 4 hours/day and about 20oz. But I wake up and my shirt is soaked and my boobs are so so painful. I'm icing, using cabbage leaves, and drinking peppermint tea. What else can I do to be done before our trip since I really don't want to bring my pump? If I can't be done should I buy a hand pump?

2. We're planning on bringing the car seat and stroller, should we counter or gate check? It would be good to have the stroller through the airport but is it a pain to bring through TSA? We have a Chicco infant seat and frame stroller.

This is almost exactly why I weaned from pumping when I did. We were going on vacation right around 12 weeks and I did not want to have to keep pumping. I did end up bringing a small battery operated mini pump that was perfect. Small and easy to use, and I would pump maybe once or twice a day just to get the edge off. 

Also, assuming baby can sit in the stroller without the infant seat, I would counter check the seat and gate check the stroller. The stroller should be pretty easy to take through TSA--tell them you do not want to break it down and they will pat it down for you. Just hold baby while they do this. Easy peasy.

You didn't ask, but at that age I also brought the baby carrier too. I found it really helpful for boarding the plane and keeping baby contained on the flight with my hands free

[Susie]

Feb 20, 2019 16:30:56 GMT -5 seaturtle said:

2. We're planning on bringing the car seat and stroller, should we counter or gate check? It would be good to have the stroller through the airport but is it a pain to bring through TSA? We have a Chicco infant seat and frame stroller.

I would gate check rather than counter check a bucket seat and frame stroller, for sure.  It's a little annoying in TSA, but NBD, and nothing compared to the agony of arriving at the destination to learn that the airline has lost your carseat.  (Personal experience speaking.)  The less time that essential stuff is in the airlines' hands the better.  The stroller is also helpful to have through the airport on both ends and on any layovers.  

I always hang onto my umbrella stroller and gate check it rather than counter.  After AA lost our convertible seat once, we also never counter check car seats.  It took 2 days for them to get it to us. 

[melsbels]

Feb 20, 2019 16:30:56 GMT -5 seaturtle said:

We're going on vacation in a few weeks with DS (3 months).

1. I've been EPing (with formula supplement) and slowly winding down. I only pumped 10 minutes today (got over 7oz) and hopefully that's it for the day, down from a high of 4 hours/day and about 20oz. But I wake up and my shirt is soaked and my boobs are so so painful. I'm icing, using cabbage leaves, and drinking peppermint tea. What else can I do to be done before our trip since I really don't want to bring my pump? If I can't be done should I buy a hand pump?

2. We're planning on bringing the car seat and stroller, should we counter or gate check? It would be good to have the stroller through the airport but is it a pain to bring through TSA? We have a Chicco infant seat and frame stroller.

Gate check all the way! It’s way safer because your car seat can get damaged way too easily if you check it. I’ve never had a problem bringing my stroller through security.

[seaturtle]

shauni27 rec for the mini pump? And we're only bringing the frame so it probably makes more sense to keep it and the car seat together. I forgot to mention that we'll be bringing the ktan or bjorn to carry him on the plane or through the airport after checking the stroller.

Susie and melsbels thanks, good to know it's not terrible to bring through security. Definitely don't want the seat lost or damaged!

[estrellita]

Feb 20, 2019 16:30:56 GMT -5 seaturtle said:

We're going on vacation in a few weeks with DS (3 months).

1. I've been EPing (with formula supplement) and slowly winding down. I only pumped 10 minutes today (got over 7oz) and hopefully that's it for the day, down from a high of 4 hours/day and about 20oz. But I wake up and my shirt is soaked and my boobs are so so painful. I'm icing, using cabbage leaves, and drinking peppermint tea. What else can I do to be done before our trip since I really don't want to bring my pump? If I can't be done should I buy a hand pump?

2. We're planning on bringing the car seat and stroller, should we counter or gate check? It would be good to have the stroller through the airport but is it a pain to bring through TSA? We have a Chicco infant seat and frame stroller.

1. Have you tried Sudafed? I've heard that can help a lot. Or regular birth control but I'm not 100% sure if the milk is still safe? I'd probably bring a hand pump just in case, or you can hand express if needed. I stopped pumping on Dec 21 but ended up using my hand pump on Jan 1 because I got a random clog! Could you borrow one or get a used one cheap on FB? You'd just have to sterilize it. Oh and also - tight sports bra might help too!

2. When we traveled with E, we used the stroller to wheel the car seat through the airport and we switched off holding him (was with my parents and sister). Then we gate checked the stroller and the car seat when we weren't able to use it on the plane. We didn't have any issues.

[shauni27]

Feb 20, 2019 17:34:48 GMT -5 seaturtle said:

shauni27 rec for the mini pump? And we're only bringing the frame so it probably makes more sense to keep it and the car seat together. I forgot to mention that we'll be bringing the ktan or bjorn to carry him on the plane or through the airport after checking the stroller.

Susie and melsbels thanks, good to know it's not terrible to bring through security. Definitely don't want the seat lost or damaged!

it was something like this (which is on wicked sale at Walmart!)

[macmars45]

shauni27 my DS (almost 3), just recently starting eating meat besides chicken nuggets and tuna. All chicken is called chicken hold the nugget, hot dogs are good, bacon and sometimes tuna. He detests cow meat in any form. And ground turkey is bad too. He hated any kind of egg until very recently. Now he'll eat a bite or two of mine. The time he ate a whole egg that he requested with no prompting I took a picture of him eating it.
Sigh. This too shall pass.