by Elizabeth Pantley, Author of Perfect Parenting and Kid Cooperation

Question
What are the signs of thrush? If we have it, how do we get rid of it?

Learn about it
Thrush (Candida albicans) is a common yeast infection that occurs in a baby’s mouth and diaper area, and on a nursing mother’s nipples. It is almost always harmless, but because it thrives in these warm, moist places, it is extremely stubborn and difficult to eliminate. In addition, it can be very annoying because it is quickly and easily transferred back and forth from mother to baby, until both are totally clear of it.

The signs of thrush in the baby
You baby may have all of these signs, some of them, or even none. If you suspect thrush, review both the signs for a baby and the symptoms that you have. The following are typical signs of thrush in a baby:

• White or gray spots or patches on the inside of your baby’s mouth, gums, or on his tongue. (A milk coating on the tongue wipes off easily; thrush does not.)
• An opalescent shine on your baby’s lips or inside his mouth.
• Red face, particularly on the cheeks.
• Persistent diaper rash that doesn’t respond well to usual remedies.
• Fussiness that appears worse during or after feeding.
• Bleeding of the mouth or gums in severe cases.

Signs of thrush in the mother
The following are typical signs of thrush, but many of these can signal other problems as well. If you review the list for yourself and that for your baby, and suspect thrush is the problem, call your healthcare provider, lactation consultant, or La Leche League leader.

• Pain in the nipples or breasts during or after feedings that may persist between feedings
• Deep pink, red or purple discoloration of the nipple and areola
• A shiny glow on the areola
• Dry, peeling nipples
• Rash or white spots on the nipples
• Itching or soreness that indicates a vaginal yeast infection

Note: You are particularly susceptible to thrush infection following the use of antibiotics, as these medications kill off not just “bad” bacteria, but the “good” types that keep candida under control.

Treating the family
If you suspect a thrush infection, both you and your baby will need treatment simultaneously until all signs of thrush are gone. If you are also nursing an older child, you will have to treat her, too. In some cases, your partner or other members of the family may shows signs of thrush (athlete’s foot, severe dandruff, jock itch, vaginal yeast infection) that will have to be treated to prevent the recurrence of thrush in the family.

Treating the baby
Many babies with thrush show little response to the yeast infection. For others, it is painful and prevents proper nursing. In that case, the infection should be treated promptly and aggressively so that your baby’s growth is not compromised. It’s important that you talk to your baby’s doctor, who may prescribe a topical medication that can be applied directly to your baby’s mouth for pain relief and to clear up the infection. The most common medication is a prescription anti-fungal cream. A homeopathic doctor can talk with you about using a tincture made of usnea lichen, mugwort, rosemary, or unsweetened yogurt with active cultures.

An alternative treatment is 1% gentian violet solution, painted with clean cotton swabs onto affected areas once a day prior to breastfeeding. These areas include your baby’s mouth as well as your nipples and areolae. It’s very messy and will turn your baby’s lips and your nipples purple for a few days, but it is often very effective. (Watch your baby’s mouth carefully for any signs of negative reaction, such as sores, from the treatment. Too much of the solution can burn the skin’s surface. If anything seems amiss, or if no relief occurs within four days, stop treatment and visit your doctor.)

In addition, the following may help your baby feel better, speed up the eradication of the infection, and prevent it from recurring:

• Change diapers immediately when your baby’s wet or soiled.
• Coat baby’s bottom with a diaper ointment between changes.
• Avoid using diaper wipes with ingredients that may cause stinging.
• Let your baby’s bottom dry thoroughly before re-diapering, and allow your baby to be naked for a time during the day.
• Avoid using plastic diaper covers. Instead, use coverings that allow air to circulate, or go cover-less if you’re not expecting a big poop anytime soon.
• Wash cloth diapers, cloth wipes, towels, and washcloths in very hot water to remove all traces of the yeast. A vinegar rinse will complete the disinfecting process.

Treating the mother
Talk with your doctor or lactation consultant about your suspicion of a thrush infection. She will confirm the diagnosis and prescribe a medication to clear up the thrush and any accompanying vaginal yeast infection. As mentioned earlier, if thrush is confirmed in the mother, the baby must be treated also, or the infection may continue to be passed back and forth between you. The following also can be helpful when treating thrush:

• Take an over-the-counter medication, such as acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen (such as Advil), for breast pain; alternatively, try chamomile, skullcap, or low doses of valerian.
• Place ice packs on the nipples prior to feeding to reduce pain.
• Massage the breasts to stimulate letdown before attaching your baby to the breast.
• Start feeding sessions on the least painful side.
• Take extra care in ensuring a proper latch when nursing.
• Position your baby tummy-to-tummy with you for feeding to create a straight latch position and reduce pulling on the nipple.
• Break the suction with your finger to gently detach baby from your breast.
• Go braless or topless, or keep the flaps down on your nursing bra to allow your nipples to air dry.
• Avoid using breast pads, as these create a warm, moist place for yeast to thrive.

How to prevent recurring infections

• Clean and sterilize all pacifiers, teethers, and bottle nipples after each use.
• Let nipples dry after breastfeeding before covering them with clothing.
• Avoid letting your baby suck for long periods on a bottle or pacifier.
• Discard breastmilk that was expressed and stored during a thrush infection.
• Maintain diligent hygiene with frequent handwashing after breastfeeding, diapering, and using the toilet. Pay attention to underneath the fingernails, too. Wash your baby’s hands frequently.
• Avoid excess sugar ¾ that applies to you and baby.
• Add plain yogurt to your diet (and to your baby’s diet if she is eating solid food).
• Avoid fermented foods, such as cheese, beer, and wine.
• Wear clothing that allows the skin to breathe, and avoid synthetic fabrics.
• Use regular hand soap instead of antibacterial soap ¾ it kills beneficial bacteria that control yeast growth.
• Disinfect toothbrushes and mouth appliances regularly with a bleach and water solution, or put them in the dishwasher.
• Wash dishes in very hot water.
• Discard solid deodorants used during a thrush infection.
• If the thrush infection isn’t going away, have other family members and even pets checked to see if they are carriers.

Copyright Elizabeth Pantley. (McGraw-Hill, 2003)

About the author:
Elizabeth Pantley is the author of several books, including Gentle Baby Care : No-cry, No-fuss, No-worry — Essential Tips for Raising Your Baby, The No-Cry Sleep Solution: Gentle Ways to Help Your Baby Sleep Through the Night, Kid Cooperation (with an introduction by William Sears, MD), Perfect Parenting, as well as her latest The No-Cry Sleep Solution for Toddlers and Preschoolers and is also president of Better Beginnings, Inc. She is a popular speaker on family issues, and her newsletter, Parent Tips, is seen in schools nationwide. She appears as a regular radio show guest, and has been quoted in Parents, Parenting, Redbook, Good Housekeeping, American Baby, Working Mother, and Woman’s Day magazines. Visit Elizabeth’s web site http://www.pantley.com/elizabeth.

It’s helpful for a woman who wants to breast-feed to learn as much about it as possible before delivery, while she is not exhausted from caring for an infant around-the-clock. The following tips can help foster successful nursing:

• Get an early start: Nursing should begin within an hour after delivery if possible, when the infant is awake and the sucking instinct is strong. Even though the mother won’t be producing milk yet, her breasts contain colostrum, a thin fluid that contains antibodies to disease.
• Proper positioning: The baby’s mouth should be wide open, with the nipple as far back into his or her mouth as possible. This minimizes soreness for the mother. A nurse, midwife, or other knowledgeable person can help her find a comfortable nursing position.
• Nurse on demand: Newborns need to nurse frequently, about every two hours, and not on any strict schedule. This will stimulate the mother’s breasts to produce plenty of milk. Later, the baby can settle into a more predictable routine. But because breast milk is more easily digested than formula, breast-fed babies often eat more frequently than bottle-fed babies.
• No supplements: Nursing babies don’t need sugar water or formula supplements. These may interfere with their appetite for nursing, and that can lead to a diminished milk supply. The more the baby nurses, the more milk the mother will produce.
• Delay artificial nipples: It’s best to wait a week or two before introducing a pacifier, so that the baby doesn’t get confused. Artificial nipples require a different sucking action than real ones. Sucking at a bottle could also confuse some babies in the early days. They, too, are learning how to breast-feed.
• Air dry: In the early postpartum period or until her nipples toughen, the mother should air dry them after each nursing to prevent them from cracking, which can lead to infection. If her nipples do crack, the mother can coat them with breast milk or other natural moisturizers to help them heal. Vitamin E oil and lanolin are commonly used, although some babies may have allergic reactions to them. Proper positioning at the breast can help prevent sore nipples. If the mother’s very sore, the baby may not have the nipple far enough back in his or her mouth.
• Watch for infection: Symptoms of breast infection include fever and painful lumps and redness in the breast. These require immediate medical attention.
• Expect engorgement: A new mother usually produces lots of milk, making her breasts big, hard and painful for a few days. To relieve this engorgement, she should feed the baby frequently and on demand until her body adjusts and produces only what the baby needs. In the meantime, the mother can take over-the-counter pain relievers, apply warm, wet compresses to her breasts, and take warm baths to relieve the pain.
• Eat right, get rest: To produce plenty of good milk, the nursing mother needs a balanced diet that includes 500 extra calories a day and six to eight glasses of fluid. She should also rest as much as possible to prevent breast infections, which are aggravated by fatigue.

–R.D.W.

About the Article:
Provided by FDA.

We all know and agree that breastfeeding your baby for the first year, only adding baby food between 4-6 months is best for your baby. Before the invention of bottles, mothers would have to keep their babies with them at all times while breastfeeding so that she could feed the baby when he was hungry. Bottles however create an ease and release some of the pressure from the breastfeeding mom’s shoulders.

Today, a woman can create a bottle of breast milk to have ready for her baby to eat in cases where she needs to leave the house for some “me” time, or go on the occasional “date” with her spouse. Bottles are a great tool in allowing a mother to still breastfeed her baby and have a little freedom.

Introducing the Bottle
Introducing the bottle to a breastfed baby does not always come easily and does not always go smoothly. Many times a breastfed baby will fight the bottle, in an attempt to only eat from the breast. This can lead to frustration in parents. It is important for both parents to remember to remain patient during this process. Your baby can feel your frustration which might make it harder to get him to calm down.

When to Introduce the Bottle
Breastfeeding experts say to give yourself at least two weeks of breastfeeding before introducing your bottle. This not only helps your milk supply be set, but helps avoid nipple frustration for your baby. Often if a woman gives her baby a bottle from birth, the baby learns that sucking from a bottle is easier than sucking from his mother’s nipple and tries to refuse the breast. Realistically you should try to introduce the bottle to your baby before he turns six weeks old. While you don’t want to do it too early, you don’t want to wait too long either as your baby may fight the foreign object going into his mouth and make it difficult for you to get him drinking from the bottle.

How to Introduce the Bottle
When it comes to introducing the bottle to your breastfed baby there is one very important rule. Act like it is no big deal. Your baby can feel anxiety, frustration and other emotions that you feel, so if you are relaxed it is likely your baby may be more relaxed.

A breastfeeding mother has a scent that a baby can smell. Because of this, it may be difficult for mom to get the baby to take the bottle. If you smell a juicy cheeseburger and are offered a piece of toast, which would you choose? It is the same for baby. Because of this it may be easier for dad, a friend, or another family member to offer the baby a bottle, while mom gets out of sight. A baby will eat when he gets hungry enough, and if his food source is not within reach he is likely to take it easier from the bottle.

It will probably be easier to get your baby to take the bottle when he is not starving. Wait till the end of a feeding and hand him off to another person to try feeding him. When his belly is already almost full, and he isn’t frantic, the bottle might be accepted easier.

Introducing the Bottle Late
If you wait too long to introduce the bottle to your baby all hope is not lost. You will have to remember that it may be harder, and take longer to get him to take the bottle easily. You will need more patience and more than likely will need an extra set of hands to help your baby get used to the bottle. Remember not to try and give him a bottle on an empty stomach when he is very hungry and likely to fight more. Act like it is a new game for you and your baby to play and when he does take the bottle, if only for a couple of minutes before he tires of it, praise him and upon tiring, take the bottle away. If you don’t make it a big deal, chances are your baby won’t make it a big deal either.

by Wendy Williamson

Breastfeeding has been a part of our culture since human existence, so why does it seem so difficult? Most soon-to-be-moms fantasize about the sweet, quiet moments that they will share with their precious bundle as they suckle at her breast, but moments after birth they find that the breastfeeding experience does not come as natural as was thought, but is a learning experience. Due to excruciating, long labors; post-partum depression; decisions to return back to work and many other problems that mothers are facing, some are turning to other feeding options.

Is this such a bad decision? Perhaps 30 or 40 years ago, when the fad of breastfeeding was not in, the only option was to use formula. However, we are very fortunate to have many feeding options to keep our beautiful newborns healthy, plump and happy: breastfeeding, formula, exclusive pumping, supplementing breast milk, supplementing formula, and many other combinations. But, why is it that we are instantly, right after the birth of our newborn, only given two options (breastfeeding and formula)? It is very rare for someone in our society, especially the medical community, to give you the option to pump, let alone give you a good explanation of how it works, the advantages and disadvantages, or recommend a good pump to use.

Today, our society pressures mothers to breastfeed because of the many benefits that have been proven. This pressure entails bringing baby to breast exclusively, and though this is an incredible way to create bonding with your baby while providing the best milk for your little one, this pressure can be detrimental to some mothers. Guilt, depression, inadequacy, anger, and many other emotions are felt by many mothers who feel this pressure, but are unable to successfully complete the beautiful fantasy of rocking quietly in a serene environment as baby suckles at a contented mother’s breast. Yet, instead of admitting that bringing baby to breast exclusively is not for every mother, and helping those discover the many other options, we impatiently thrust a can of formula in the confused mother’s arms.

Most of these mothers do not selfishly decide that their newly born child just does not deserve their time and sacrifice of bringing the baby to breast, it is usually quite the contrary. There are numerous reasons why a mother is unable to successfully bring baby to breast exclusively:

• baby is not nursing well (sleepy, low blood sugar, jaundice);
• baby is not able to nurse at all (premature, illness of mom or baby);
• mom or baby has surgery;
• postpartum depression.

And these are only a few of the many reasons that a mother is not capable of bringing baby to breast exclusively.

How many of these mothers are informed that they can still give their sweet babies their own perfect milk right from mom? Pumping has actually been around since the late 1700’s, with a glass bowl and brass syringe. Yet, the pumps of eras past are put to shame by the incredible breast pumps of today. You can choose from many different brands, styles, and usage requirements. Though it is not one of the first thoughts that come into one’s head when thinking of feeding options, there are many moms who breast pump exclusively, and are very proud of it.

There are many opponents of breast pumping who may inform others of the disadvantages, such as finding hours a day to do the pumping, risk of decreasing milk, or inconvenience of making and warming bottles. Yet, many mothers who find that the only way to provide their own milk to their infants is by breast pumping would argue that, although these are problems that need to sometimes be overcome, there are still many more benefits.

One benefit may include the emotional stability that some mothers experience when others are able to feed the baby while they get some extra sleep, the confidence of actually seeing how much milk the baby is consuming, or not becoming frustrated from latch-on problems, sore nipples, and biting. Another benefit is the financial cost, which is pretty minimal compared to the excessive prices of baby formula. Some babies may benefit from the length of time mothers will continue to pump as opposed to bringing baby to breast exclusively. Though 70% of mothers begin to breastfeed their baby in the hospital, only 36% continue to breastfeed their baby by 6 months, according to a study conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. This decrease can be contributed to mothers returning to work, the desire to begin to sleep longer periods of time, and many other reasons. However, because of the many benefits pumping moms encounter, these are also some of the reasons that they are able to continue to give their babies breast milk longer. One of the most important reasons to breast pump is the ability to help others in need. Many mothers who become experienced at pumping find that they are able to pump far more milk than their baby is consuming. For these fortunate mothers, they are able to share their milk with the milk banks across the U.S., which pasteurize and distribute the milk to sick and premature babies. This is one of the most satisfying and heart-felt advantages of breast pumping.

So, again, with the great advantages of breast pumping, why are we not promoting it as a major feeding option? We need to take it upon ourselves to educate others of the incredible benefits of breast pumping. Some very simple things that mothers can do to assist with breast pumping becoming a feeding option can be talking with other mothers, informing pregnant women about breast pumping as a feeding option, or asking your OB/GYN or baby’s pediatrician about their views of breast pumping. Those dedicated to making breast pumping a feeding option may contact government officials or charities to assist new mothers with funding for breast pumps, learn more and educate others about the wonderful services of breast milk banks, or get involved with educating the medical community about breast pumping and the benefits to both baby and mother.

One day, hopefully in the near future, mothers will be asked how they feed their baby, and instead of receiving strange looks when they profess that they exclusively pump, they will be greeted with a welcoming, “So do I! What type of pump do you use?”

About the Author:
Wendy Williamson has pumped exclusively for each of her children. Gabrielle, the last of three babies, received breast milk that was exclusively pumped for over a year. Thoughts of charity and giving pre-occupied Wendy for many years until she discovered breast pumping as her passion. She is determined to help other mothers realize the benefits of breast pumping for both baby and MOTHER, and hopes to help by creating a greater awareness of donating breast milk and donating breast pumps to mothers wanting to provide their own precious breast milk to their pre-mature or ill baby. More information on breast pumping can be found at her website, www.gotbreastpump.com

1. Baby Bank – Contributed by: Lorna F. of Pinopolis, SC
   Ask guests to put the money in a piggy bank and give it to the parents for their baby’s first bank account. (usually goes with the baby pool)

2. Baby Bingo – Contributed by: Audra
   Print out BINGO sheets for all guest. Before gift opening instruct guests to fill in squares with “baby items”, rattle, teething ring, etc. While honored guest is opening gifts instruct guests to circle any and all items that are given that match what they have written on their BINGO sheets. As BINGO’s are being yelled out have a designated person pass out Shower prizes.

3. Baby Food Guess – Contributed by: Lorna F. of Pinopolis, SC
   Preparation: Take about 10 different baby food jars and number the bottom of each bottle. Use a permanent marker or write on masking tape and stick it to the bottom of the jar. Be sure to write down which baby food goes with which number.Directions: Place the bottles on a tray and pass it around to the guests. The guests then try to guess what flavor is in each bottle and write it down. After everyone has seen the bottles and guessed, then read the answers. The person who has the most flavors listed correctly is declared the winner.Variation: Buy a stack of papered plates and write the numbers 1-10 around the outside. Then put a small spoonful of each baby food next to the number. Give each guest one of these baby food plates and a spoon. The guests then guess the food by tasting all the flavors! As before, be sure to write which flavor corresponds to which number.

4. Baby Pool – Contributed by: Lorna F. of Pinopolis, SC
   Copy a page or two of a calendar. Have the guests put their initials on the date and time they predict the baby will be born. Each person pays a dollar or so for each chance she takes. For more variables, have people try to guess the sex (if unknown), weight, and length of the baby. The prize can be the money or another gift.

5. Baby Quiz – Contributed by: Lorna F. of Pinopolis, SC
   Ask the grandparents to write up what the parents were like as babies. Have them include vital statistics such as time of birth, height, weight, first tooth, first smile, age when toilet trained, and early indications of personality. Based on this information, make up a quiz about the future parents to hand out to guests. The person with the most correct answers wins a prize.

6. Bottle Races – Contributed by: Anne
   Put 1 or 2 oz of milk or juice into bottles. Before explaining the game ask for volunteers (3) you can make sure to include the mother to be too. Give each volunteer a bottle, explain that they must drink from the bottle until the liquid is all gone, the first guest who finishes wins. It is a lot harder to drink from a bottle than you think! Even the people who are not drinking have fun cheering, watching, and laughing. This is a good time for pictures too.

7. Diaper Derby – Contributed by: Lorna F. of Pinopolis, SC
   To play, you’ll need a four-roll pack of toilet paper. At the shower, divide your guests into four teams. Give each team one roll of paper. Using only that, each group should dress one of their team members in a diaper. They can’t use pins, staples, or anything else to hold it together. The mom-to-be picks the best-diapered baby, and the whole team wins small prizes.

8. Dirty Diapers! – Contributed by: Phyllis C.
   Make diapers out of paper napkins, put mustard inside of one napkin. Each person is to pick a napkin and the one with the dirty diaper (napkin) wins a prize!

9. Variation on Dirty Diapers Game – Contributed by: Alyssa W.
   Buy several diapers and several kinds of chocolate (Mars, butterfinger etc.). Melt one of the chocolates in one of the diapers. Do this with all the different kinds of chocolate. Lay the diapers on a table with a number next to each one. Have each guest look at and smell the inside of the diaper. Then have the guests write down the number and what kind of chocolate they think it was on an index card. The guest with the most right wins!

10. Don’t Say Baby! – Contributed by: Lorna F. of Pinopolis, SC
    The object of the game is to avoid saying the word ‘baby.’ Everyone gets a clothespin or safety pin when they arrive, and if someone catches you saying ‘baby,’ she gets your pin. The person with the most pins at the end of the party wins a prize.Variation: Everyone gets a clothes pin… and anytime you were sitting down, you couldn’t cross your legs. If you were caught crossing your legs, the person who caught you got your clothes pin. The one with the most in the end got a little prize.

11. Dress the Baby – Contributed by: Lorna F. of Pinopolis, SC
    Get a life-size baby doll, receiving blanket, cloth diaper, diaper wrap, and one-piece underwear. Guests take turns trying to either dress or swaddle the baby. Time each guest – the one who does it fastest wins.

12. Feeding Time! – Contributed by: Lorna F. of Pinopolis, SC
    Place a bunch of cotton balls in a large bowl. Set an empty bowl in front of it. Instruct the guests that they are to transfer as many cotton balls as possible from one to the other while blindfolded. Blindfold the guests, one at a time, and hand them a large wooden spoon from the kitchen. Give them 30 seconds to scoop up as many cotton balls as possible and place them in the second bowl. This is harder than you think because the balls are almost weightless on the spoon and the blindfolded person has no idea how many cotton balls they’ve gotten. The balls are counted after each guest plays. The guest who transferred the most wins.

13. Grab the Baby Pins – Contributed by: A. Swim
    Put several small safety pins in a bowl full of rice. Give each guest one minute to find as many pins (blindfolded) as possible. It’s amazing how difficult it is. The guest with the most pins, wins.

14. Gum Babies – Contributed by: Julie S.
    Each guest gets a piece of bubble gum (the square ones like bubble yum) and a number is attached. The guest has to make a baby out of the piece of gum, the wrapper can also be used. The gum is collected along with the number (each guest has to remember their number). The mom-to-be judges the baby figures for best and worst and a prize is won. It is a great way for guests to loosen up and meet the people around them.

15. Ice Cube Game – Contributed by: Lorna F. of Pinopolis, SC
    Buy a bunch of tiny plastic babies – the kind you might put on a cake – and freeze them in ice cubes. Each guest gets one in a cup or bowl. The first one whose baby is ‘born’ wins

16. Jellybelly Count – Contributed by: Adrienne C.
    You will need a baby bottle and 1/4 lb. of jellybellies. Fill the bottle with the jellybellies and write the number on a sheet of paper. Have the guests and guest-of-honor write their guesses on pieces of paper. The person with the closest guess wins the bottle!

17. Memory Game – Contributed by: Phyllis C.
    Place a large number of baby items (rattle, diaper, teething ring, etc..) in a large bag. Give each guest 1 minute to study the items in the bag. They need to write a list of as many items as they can remember. The guest with the most correct answers, wins!

18. Mom’s Book – Contributed by: Lorna F. of Pinopolis, SC
    Buy or make a small blank book. Ask each guest to write in advice, their blessings, a wish, proverb, or poems the mom may enjoy. She can read the book while waiting for the newest additions arrival. It’s nice to let guests know ahead of time so they are prepared.

19. The Name Game – Contributed by: Lorna F. of Pinopolis, SC
    Using the baby’s full name, the guests make up words using the letters in the name. The person who comes up with the most words is the winner.

20. Name That Tune – Contributed by: Lorna F. of Pinopolis, SC
    Play or sing the tunes to children’s songs like ‘Pop Goes the Weasel,”Hush Little Baby,’ ‘Rock-a-Bye Baby,’ and ‘Lullaby and Goodnight,’ and have the guests guess the titles.

21. Onsies Paintathon – Contributed by: Lorna F. of Pinopolis, SC
    Get some white onsies or undershirts and give each guest one. With (non-toxic) fabric paint the guests can decorate each one for the baby. Variation: – Contributed by Debbie L.
    You can also do this with bibs.

22. Picture It – Contributed by: Alisa V.
    Ask all of your guests to bring in a photo from when they were babies, hang them all on a bullitien board and have everyone try to guess who each photo belongs to. The person who has the most correct answers wins!

23. Pin Counting – Contributed by: Amy N.
    Fill an 8 oz bottle with diaper pins and pass it around to your guests. Have them write down their guess on how many are in it. The closest guess wins!

24. Pin the Umbilical Cord on the Baby – Contributed by: Sarah H.
    A variation on the classic “Pin the Tail on the Donkey” with a twist! Use a photo of a baby and a paper umbilical cord.

25. Playdough Babies – Contributed by: Mindy C.
    Using playdough, have your guest make a baby item. Mom-2-be will deside the winner!

26. Round the Tummy – Contributed by: Lorna F. of Pinopolis, SC
    Buy a ball of yarn or string before the shower. Pass the ball of yarn to each guest and let them cut off the amount that they think best represents the waistline of the mother-to-be. After each guest has their string, have the mother to be go around the room and try out each string by wrapping it around her waist. The one that comes closest to her actual size wins.

27. Time Capsule – Contributed by: Lainey
    Ask each guest to bring an item for a time capsule. It could be anything from a newspaper cutting for the year he/she was conceived, to a poem written by a friend of the mother-to-be on their thoughts of the mother-to-be.

28. Zoo Babies – Contributed by: Lorna F. of Pinopolis, SC
    Have someone name an animal like ‘bear’ and then everyone writes down what it’s baby is called (e.g. ‘cub’ for bear). The person with the most correct gets a prize too.

29. Onsie Messages – Contributed by: Shannon Ley
    Have some onsies of different sizes available and some permanent fabric markers so guests can write a message or draw a design on a onsie if they choose to. You can also ask each guest to bring their own onsie in the invitation. Be sure to have little pieces of cardboard cutouts to stick in each onsie so the markers don’t bleed through.

Do you have a favorite baby shower game not listed?  Please comment!

One of the hardest stepping stones for a mother and her baby is moving on from the bottle to only a sippy cup. It is hard to know when the “right” time is to make this change, however most experts say the earlier the better. As a child approaches their second and even third birthday, they have formed an attachment to the nipple that gets harder to break, and is based more on comfort than getting nutrition.

Chances are, if you introduce the sippy cup to your baby with anything but juice, or another sweet drink in it, he will not be in a hurry to drink from it. Nipples are much easier for the baby to get formula or breast milk from, than a sippy cup. Most pediatricians will tell you NOT to give the baby sweet drinks in a sippy as a way to get them to drink from it because it can lead to the baby ONLY wanting to drink juice from that sippy cup, making the switch to formula or breast milk that much harder.

One way to break your baby from their bottle is gradually. Cutting down the number of bottles you give during the day and only offering sippies. This works well for some mothers, if you have the patience and time to do it. Most will start by cutting out a bottle at a time for a week, normally starting with the morning bottle and offering just a sippy cup. Every few days or week cut out one more feeding till you only offer a bottle before nap and bedtime as a way to help their baby relax and fall asleep. Eventually cut out that nap time bottle, teaching your baby to fall asleep without the comfort of the bottle, hopefully making it easier to remove the bedtime bottle as well. Some mothers believe this it he kinder, easier way to wean from the nipple to the sippy cup.

The other way to break your baby’s habit is cold turkey. Cold turkey however requires a lot of patience and willpower on the part of the mother. When my daughter was 9 months old I decided to wean her off the bottle cold turkey. At that point she had no interest in the sippy cup. To avoid confusion I took away the pacifier at the same time.

If you are going to wean your baby cold turkey, you have to be prepared. Stock up on your baby’s favorite food and snacks. However, don’t be surprised if your baby doesn’t want them at first. Have a sippy of formula or milk waiting for your baby and available to your baby at all times throughout the day. Offer him the sippy, and food, but do not give in when he cries for the bottle. Don’t be surprised if the first and even if through the second day your baby refuses the sippy cup and all most of the food you are offering him. Remember, if your baby gets hungry enough he will eat. At this point it is a battle of wills between you and your baby. The first day will probably be very hard for both of you. There will be a lot of crying and screaming from your baby. By the end of the day you will be exhausted if not screaming to yourself as well.

The second day will go about the same, hopefully by the evening though your baby will have started to give in a bit and be willing to drink some from the sippy, and eat the other foods you offer. By the time the third day comes to a close, the worst is over and your baby has probably completely given in. The sippy is as welcome to them the morning of the forth day, as a bottle would have been, and they are back to eating and drinking as normal. This cold turkey method works well for most, if the mother has the willpower to stick to it.

There is no “right” way to wean your baby off of the bottle. It is best to make the decision based on your family and on their needs, planning appropriately ahead of time.

Before 12 Months
It seems like it would be so much easier, as your baby gets older, to just give him a bottle or sippy cup full of cow’s milk from the fridge. For formula feeding moms not only is it easier, but much cheaper. However, your doctor tells you not too. This brings up the question, why is cow’s milk bad for your baby?

Breast milk and formula are specifically designed to be sensitive for your baby’s belly. Cow’s milk has certain proteins in it that breast milk and formula do not have. A baby’s digestive system is not capable of processing these proteins, and the lack of processing can make your baby sick. Cow’s milk also has a large amount of sodium, potassium and chloride that can be hard on your baby’s kidneys.

During your baby’s first year, it is important that he get the right amount of vitamin E, zinc, iron and other vitamins and minerals that cow’s milk does not have. These vitamins are found naturally in breast milk and are added to formula. Cow’s milk could lead to an iron deficiency in your baby and in some rare cases cause internal bleeding. It can also lead to dairy allergies as your baby gets older.

There is no doubt that cow’s milk can be more convenient that formula, but until your baby turns a year you should steer clear of giving him cow’s milk.

After 12 Months
Once your baby hits his first birthday and has his one year well-check, if your pediatrician gives the ok for you to give your baby cow’s milk, there are a lot of benefits to your baby. In most cases, for that second year of life, you will be told to give your baby whole, vitamin D milk. It is because this milk has the highest concentrate of vitamins that your baby still needs to grow. A great source of calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A, and magnesium, whole milk will help your baby’s bones and teeth grow and become strong.

Now that your baby’s digestive system has matured, milk will give him the protein that he needs to run and play during the day. Calcium is important to a baby’s future health because it can help prevent later cases of certain types of cancer, high blood pressure, stroke and other medical emergencies later in life.

If Your Baby Won’t Switch
If you are lucky your baby will make the switch to cow’s milk smoothly and easily. If you are not lucky, your baby may fight the change. This could happen for any number of reasons. Milk has a different texture, temperature, color and taste from the breast milk or formula that you have been feeding your baby, and your baby may not want to adjust. If this happens try making it a gradual process. Try giving your baby cow’s milk straight from a sippy cup, instead of through a bottle. Also, try mixing cow’s milk and your breast milk or formula, slowly increasing the amount of cow’s milk, until it is only cow’s milk. If he won’t take it through a sippy cup, try spoon feeding it to him, or mixing it in with cereal and other baby food until he gets used to the taste.

To insure that your baby is as healthy as possible, ask your pediatrician about what he recommends when it comes to giving your baby cow’s milk. If you feel that your baby is not taking to cow’s milk well, then speak with your pediatrician to see if he thinks there is a problem, or has any suggestions for you to try.