KA: What is a baby bucket?

[_Sam Harris]

This is something that I really want for little one for the first couple of months. I don't think I'll sleep if they're across the apartment. And the walls are so thin, we had some really noisy neighbors before they got evicted...who knows what's next, our upstairs neighbors have kids that run around their bed at midnight. It's a wonderful thing to hear...

http://www.armsreach.com/pages/about-us-pv-c10-1.html

[_Sam Harris]

Sam,

I need one teeny tiny bit of information before I come up with a nursery good stuff list. I won't put it up right now. Are you physically okay with sitting on the floor or are you someone who needs to be in a chair? (I'm sure that sounds like an odd question...it's really not).

Well, I'm ok with being on the floor, especially when little one starts creeping, I kind of like to be down there with them.

[_skippy the dead]

I'm still a bit apprehensive about labor and the whole epidural thing. I had a spinal tap once, it was HELL! The nurses could hear me screaming out in the reception area. I'm afraid of needles in my back now...but who knows, the contractions might be that painful, that the momentary stick will be wonderful. :-)

For me, the epidural was no problem. Each time, the anesthesiologist waited until I was in the middle of a contraction to insert the needle. Since the contraction was the predominant "feeling", I never felt the needle go in. Easy peasy. Oh - and the BEST. THING. EVER! Worth it. (I've never had a spinal tap, although that is one of my favorite movies).

The idea of labor was freaky for me the first time, just not knowing what to expect. The course from the hospital was helpful - I think we went once a week for six weeks. It at least reduced some of the "unknowns." There were still some surprises, but overall, neither time was too bad.

[_Jersey Girl]

I just gave Touchpoints the once over on Amazon. Get that one, Sam. You can see a list of his books there, get Touchpoints at the library and see if you think it's something you'd want to purchase.

I read your response about floor level. I'll dream you up a good list as I go on about the rest of my day. I see the pros do things with the environment that would have never occured to me as a new mother.

[_skippy the dead]

This is something that I really want for little one for the first couple of months. I don't think I'll sleep if they're across the apartment. And the walls are so thin, we had some really noisy neighbors before they got evicted...who knows what's next, our upstairs neighbors have kids that run around their bed at midnight. It's a wonderful thing to hear...

http://www.armsreach.com/pages/about-us-pv-c10-1.html

I thought about getting one of those for my second, since my first spent her first 5 months or so co-sleeping with us. I looked at them in person, and found the padding to be incredibly thin - I didn't want to put my baby on a hard slab. Instead, I just kept her bassinet right next to the bed so I could pop her in and out during the night. Made nursing so much easier. And that way I could keep looking at her to make sure she was still breathing (yes, I did that with both kids).

I also passed on the arm's reach because it would require scooting way the hell down the bed to get up during the night, which you'll need to do for the first little while after the kid comes.

If your bed is big enough, you might consider this:
Click here

We actually just had each kid in the bed, even though some experts say not to. Meh.

[_Jersey Girl]

These are ideas for the environment. You're gonna need some fishing line. :-)

You'll spend alot of time awake in the middle of the night. Some days will be difficult and nights too. Create an environment that gives you peace and stimulates your infant. Here are some ideas off the top of my head that I've seen the pros do that would never have occured to me as a new mother. I am in awe of these creative people!

1. Set the mood: Put a CD or MP3 player in the room. Mount it on the wall if you can. Collect music that YOU find enjoyable, peace providing or just fun. Things like nature tapes with rushing waters, waves and all of that will keep you and baby calm and relaxed.

2. Mount a small fan in the room somewhere. Just a small one will do the trick.

3. If you find scents relaxing, put a candle warmer up on the wall mounted shelf with the CD/MP3 player. Wal Mart has candle warmers (5$) and pretty good candles to put on it. My favorite is Black Cherry and Hazelnut. :-)





Okay...here comes some ideas.

1. Nemo mobile. When the fan blows on this, the fish "swims". If you spend time on the flooor (I'll get to that) or in a rocker, suspend the mobile lower (with fishing line) so you and the baby can enjoy it.



2. IKEA Palm Leaf canopy. I couldn't find this on google, just look it up on IKEA or Ebay. This can be mounted over the crib. I've seen it mounted in a corner to create a low sitting place for adults using either a very low chair or large floor cushion the thickness of a mattress. Later it becomes a place for crawling baby to climb.

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3. Another low sitting place. You suspend a hula hoop horizontally from the ceiling using fishing line. You'll need to lay out the fishing line in a wagon wheel pattern to make it balance, then connect a vertical piece of fishing line going up to the ceiling. Cover the hula hoop with nylon netting (you can use a hot glue gun) embedded with stars or other design that dangles about 10 inches or so. Wal Mart has this fabric and it will give an effect such as this:



Again, you put a low floor cushion under it.

4. Mobiles, windsocks, windchimes, etc. You can purchase these at the Dollar Store, Wal Mart, the seasonal isle at the grocery store.
Try to find one with little mirrors or buy a disco ball Christmas ornament at Wal Mart and when the sun is just right, it will send a
zillion little lights spinning around the room! Very cool! This is what you mounted the fan for. ;-)



Also, if you are able to mount the shelf for the CD/MP3/Candle Warmer, just cover the electrical cords with a strip of clear packing tape.

[_Jersey Girl]

I keep getting logged out and wanted to trade out that candle warmer pic for a smaller one. Darn.

Night lighting: Instead of a traditional night light, you can use tube lights or a string of Christmas lights in the room. You can also suspend these with fishing line if you like that effect.

[_Gazelam]

[_moksha]

Do not use this by mistake

[_Sam Harris]

Jersey Girl, these are wonderful ideas! I will defnitely put them into practice. Lord knows baby and I will need it. :-) I like the idea of Christmas lights. Skippy, thanks for the heads up about the co-sleeper. The link you gave me has an item I put on my registry, it looks like a good idea. I wonder how long it can be used, though.

Steve's daughters were monkeys when they were little, they crawled out of the crib to come get in bed with their parents. :-) Will that be my munchkin someday?[/b]