KA: What is a baby bucket?

[_Sam Harris]

I read you talking about this in another thread. Are you talking about those slings that mothers use to strap their babies to them, or something different? I've never heard of a baby bucket...

[_KimberlyAnn]

Hi, Sam!

Baby buckets are what I call those infant car seats in which folks tote their babies.

I think a baby should be removed from the car seat, not carried about in it from place to place.

Seriously, I know mothers who take the seat, baby still strapped in it, out of the car, then put it in their shopping cart, do their grocery shopping, put the baby (still in seat) back into the car and then, since baby is asleep, allow them to continue to sleep IN THE SEAT once they're back home from shopping.

I don't want to offend anyone, but I find that poor parenting.

Babies need to be held. A lot. And talked to and read to and interacted with--not left constantly in seats, swings, or carriers of some sort.

I carried my babies in my arms through the store until they were old enough to sit comfortably in the cart. (And--always wipe down the cart handle with an anti-bacterial wipe! Those cart handles are crawling with germs! I also suggest placing a blanket or something soft over the handle, over the seat seat, and through the leg holes in the cart, because those seats are often very uncomfortable--not to mention dirty.)

Yes, shopping was more difficult, but I held and talked to my babies the whole time, telling them what I was putting in the cart: "Let's buy some orange carrots. And look--green lettuce!"

My girls all talked very early and read extremely early, as well. They're naturally highly intelligent, but it never hurts to spend plenty of time teaching them.

What a long answer to such a short question! Sorry about that. But now you know what a baby bucket is.

I hope you're feeling well, Sam.

Kimberly

[_Sam Harris]

Aww! Thanks for the good parenting information, KA. :-) I know once little one gets here I'm gonna need a lot. It's totally different than being a nanny, I can't take them home at the end of the day, because they'll already be there! :D But I am excited.

I'm all for those slings for the really little infants, but I do know what you're talking about, the mom of the girl I used to nanny would keep her in her carrier when she went grocery shopping. I'll probably be going with Steve, so one of us can carry little one. :-)

I like those cloth covers that they make to put in shopping carts for the babies to sit on, those are pretty cool.

I'm doing alright, thanks for asking. The past couple of weeks have been rough, but I'm on higher ground now. I've had two sonograms, and the latest one shows that my little "Speck" has arms and legs! It was so cool. I'm without an OB right now, because the one I had labeled me too high-risk and the insurance I have is acting whacked. Can't get medicaid. You'd think with my history, and the new developments I'd get some help, but I refuse to be lazy, so I end up "making too much". In this area, you either lie on your butt and collect aid (if you can find a free roof to stay under for a while), or you struggle. Well, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. But hopefully the job I'm temping in right now will hire me full-time (I applied). That'll take care of a lot of issues. I'm going back to school here soon, decided to get a certificate in medical transcription, and I'll start off PT with that from home, and eventually revert to full time. It's only 23 credits, I should be able to do that online in two semesters.

Hope you and yours are well!

[_Jersey Girl]

Carrying an infant in your arms while shopping isn't safe.

[_asbestosman]

KA, what are your thoughts on strollers? Also, how much do babies need to be held--obviously we put them in a crib for nap time, right? Does it differ from child to child? Is it age dependent? I'm not trying to disagree with you. I'm geniunely curious since I know that I myself do not generally like being touched. On the other hand, I have heard of studies that getting a certain number of hugs per day will boost your intelligence. Maybe that's my problem with smarts, but I still don't really like being touched in general.

[_KimberlyAnn]

KA, what are your thoughts on strollers? Also, how much do babies need to be held--obviously we put them in a crib for nap time, right? Does it differ from child to child? Is it age dependent? I'm not trying to disagree with you. I'm geniunely curious since I know that I myself do not generally like being touched. On the other hand, I have heard of studies that getting a certain number of hugs per day will boost your intelligence. Maybe that's my problem with smarts, but I still don't really like being touched in general.

I'm afraid I may not have made myself very clear.

Strollers are indispensable, Abman. And yes, I think it's good for babies to be laid down on their own for nap time.

It does differ from child to child. In fact, my second child was a real squirmer and didn't care to be held as much as the other three, so no, I didn't hold her as much as the others. I tended to give her more space because that's what she did and still does prefer.

And I do agree with JG--shopping with a baby in one's arms can be dangerous. I never had any trouble, but I think a squirmer who flings him/herself back and forth would be a poor candidate to attempt to hold with one arm. Madeline, my second, was like that. I didn't do much shopping at all with her, because she even tried to escape the cart every chance she got. Also, my husband likes to grocery shop, so all the heavy-duty shopping was done by him when my girls were babies. I only went to get a few things that perhaps were missing for a dinner I wanted to make. No pushing heavily loaded carts for me. :)

For Sam: The best way to grocery shop with babies is to leave them home with daddy. I'm serious. You'll need a little break, and daddy will need a little time with the baby, so it's a win-win for both of you. I used to go to Wal-Mart (hope PP doesn't read this!) late at night after my toddler was asleep. Tom watched the baby, and it was very nice.

Also, Sam, it's not a crime AT ALL to leave a baby in her/his baby bucket while you shop! I know I did sometimes. What I object to is the habitual leaving of infants in those contraptions.

A sling is a great idea and I used one a lot.

I'm no parenting expert! Do what seems best to you. I do know you can't read enough to babies, though, so get busy buying children's books now!

KA

[_Jersey Girl]

And I do agree with JG--shopping with a baby in one's arms can be dangerous. I never had any trouble, but I think a squirmer who flings him/herself back and forth would be a poor candidate to attempt to hold with one arm. Madeline, my second, was like that. I didn't do much shopping at all with her, because she even tried to escape the cart every chance she got. Also, my husband likes to grocery shop, so all the heavy-duty shopping was done by him when my girls were babies. I only went to get a few things that perhaps were missing for a dinner I wanted to make. No pushing heavily loaded carts for me. :)

That's not what I meant. Sorry, I was doing something else and gave you such a brief reply. Transporting a baby while holding them isn't safe because you can fall with the baby. (Trip, slip, be pushed, etc.)

[_Jersey Girl]

Sam,

Do you need any tips for the nursery? While that's not what I do, infant care is part of my degree and I work with astounding professional infant care givers!

[_Scottie]

I'm afraid I have to disagree with you here, KA.

I'm not exactly sure how you are supposed to shop with a baby in your arms?? I ALWAYS left my kids in the "baby bucket" while I shopped. It's just impracticle to try and carry them.

And my son was such a HORRIBLE napper that if he was asleep, you better believe I'd leave him in the car with the AC blowing while he napped. Of course, I was outside doing yardwork always within 20 feet, and checked on him every couple of minutes.

Now, where I will agree with you is the parents that go to dinner and put the kid on the floor, or watch a baseball game, and leave the kid in the carrier. Take the kid out and hold him/her.

[_skippy the dead]

That's not what I meant. Sorry, I was doing something else and gave you such a brief reply. Transporting a baby while holding them isn't safe because you can fall with the baby. (Trip, slip, be pushed, etc.)

So I should never walk from the car to the store while holding my child? Or walk around the house with her?

Surely you can't mean that one cannot walk around while holding one's child?