RE: Cosleeping advice

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I found that co-sleeping was pretty easy with the DBB. Just a little

different. Make sure to pad the bar with pipe foam, each time I've slept

with her without the padding I've regretted it. I used a pillow under her

legs when I wasn't there and when I was, we snuggled up like everyone else

has said either chest to chest or opposite if she wasn't nursing and she

has for the most part side slept her whole life. She lies on her back now

if I'm not nursing her, but when she was little she just slept in the crook

of my arm on her side with a pillow behind her butt and feet on her side.

The only thing that caused problems with co-sleeping was the covers. With

the little bar she first had, once she was rolling she didn't seem to get

tangled much. I also left her in that bar too long - didn't get a longer

bar till she was 6mo old but she seemed very comfortable in it till then

and I only had it changed because I KNEW it needed done. At that point I

don't think she knew she was uncomfortable but when we got the longer one

she did sleep better... till she got tangled in the covers that is lol. So

we had to do something different with that and I used a quilted baby

blanket made to cinch up on one end like a sleeping bag and tie together

around her with ties. I still use it now. I pull all the covers down so

she can't get into them and wrap her in this blanket thingie, tie it up

around her and she can move all over the bed at night however she wants

without getting tangled. But that's further on down the line for you,

right now I would have to say that you can relax about co-sleeping. I am

convinced that it's a better option for babies in the DBB anyway because if

there's a problem in the night you're right there to deal with it.

Let us know how it goes with his brace - I think more people *don't* have

problems with the brace than actually do... and as someone said yesterday

we're going to see more problems here because people who are doing well

won't bother to come and post. That trip you're going on is daunting

though, I won't sugar coat that one. If there are problems it'll be much

more difficult to deal with them while you're gone. Stock up on bandaids,

clean socks, mole skin, mole foam (thicker than mole skin), and bring a

sharp knife with you (like a scalpal or razor) in case you end up with a

sore that you need to take pressure off of if you can't get back in for a

healing cast. Hopefully you won't need them, if you're very diligent about

*pushing hard* on that knee and shoe and being SURE the heel is down all

the way they shouldn't happen. And also, don't get too busy on your trip

and forget to check his feet every few hours. Sometimes they are doing

damage and baby doesn't really act like he's in pain, just crying a little,

till it really hurts and then it's too late. It also allows you to get

good practice putting the shoes on - just make sure you don't relax while

doing it because you're doing it so often or that heel could rise

up. SHOULD something happen. A sore or blister or whatever... Keep the

shoes on if you possibly can but make sure you remove the pressure spots

(i.e. the tongue or heel pocket), this is what the sharp knife is for. Let

air get to the sore and remove *any* pressure over it. Even the slightest

pressure will retard healing and with sweaty little baby feet, it just

moist and pussy right quick.

And keep your Dr. available for advice if possible. 11 days is about the

adjustment time lol... If possible, find out if there are any Ponseti docs

where you're going, just in case you need to see one. If you're going to

the woods... well that's what the knife is for lol. If all else fails, it

is OK to remove the brace. But remember if you do that you'll be back to

casting to correct what has been lost so give that due consideration as you

examine your options to remedy your particular problem. Not the end of the

world though. A baby with a huge sore is pretty close to the end of the

world lol, prevent that if at all possible and if that means no shoes for a

few days and another cast... well that's what it means. Print the tips

post I sent, and there's another one in the files section on this list's

website that's good. Prepare the shoes before you first use them (tie the

knots, slit the tongue keeper slit, punch extra holes in the straps, etc.)

so you're not doing all that when you're in the throws of the first few

days. Your orthotist will be impressed :~}

Oh - and apparently the shoes are still coming with really short

straps. I've found that I can't get them on without them pulling out of

the side slots at all. So I had a friend punch a hole in the end of the

strap so I can put the buckle pin in and get them on while it's partially

buckled. It works, it's hard to get the strap in your fingers tight enough

to tighten up well but work at it and push on the top of the foot over and

over again till you're sure it's tight.

Have fun on your trip - good luck and kiss the little one for us!

>

Kori

Mama of

Kenton - 6/98

Merek - 3/00

Darbi - 3/28/03 - Rt. CF - DBB 12hr/d

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