This baby shower version of “Pin the Tail on the Donkey” is just as fun and can really bring life to a party. Anyone can join in, women, men, children, even the mom-to-be can safely take part in this game. For the game you will need to get the following beforehand:

• A nice life-sized picture of a baby

• Drawings of a pacifier – you will need one for each guest. Since this is easy to do you can opt for excess in case some guests want more than one try.

• Blindfolds – you can create blindfolds from paper or get scarves or even ask each guest to take their own material or sleep mask to use.

• Tape to use on the drawings of the pacifiers. Tape is safer than pins.

The objective is to have guests take turns trying to place the pacifier in the baby’s open-mouth while blindfolded. The person who comes closest to the baby’s mouth with the pacifier wins the game.

There are many variations to this game, so use your imagination. Some suggestions include:

• Instead of trying to pin the pacifier, other objects can be used instead such as baby bottles, sippy cups, even a thumb.

• Use an image of a mother with hands positioned as if holding a baby, but of course, the baby is missing. The game is to cut out images of babies and try to stick them into the cradled arms of the mommy. Really creative persons can have the mommy lying in bed, sitting in a chair or standing – the choice is wide open.

• Another nice variation is ‘pin the belly button’ with a picture of a pregnant tummy minus a belly button and guests try to place the belly button in the right position.

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

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.

Your baby is learning fast and while he is learning he is using all five of his senses to understand the world around him. Why not help him out a little bit by letting him explore things in your house that you use everyday. He sees you “playing” with them; next time let him play a bit too.

Unconventional Toys
There are many items in your home that your baby can use as toys. They include

• Pots, pans, and lids
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Plastic Tupperware and bowls
• Different textured fabrics from a stocking cap, a silk scarf, a cotton napkin and more
• A splinter-free wooden spoon
• Toilet paper or paper towel roll
• Things that make noise like keys and rattles

How to Use Them
There are many ways to make use of these items. Remember to only use them one at a time so that they don’t overwhelm or confuse your baby. Not only do your household items help your baby use his senses, but inspecting things also helps them coordinate and strengthen their hand muscles. To get the most out of your “toys” remember these three things.

1. Let your baby look at, touch, listen to, smell and even taste several different items. Brightly colors, textures, and noises will grab your baby’s attention. Remember that most of what your baby touches will end up in his mouth so make sure it is clean first.

   2. Encourage your baby to hit and bang the items. Invest in some ear plugs for the day that you let your baby play with your posts and pans.

   3. You don’t have to put the toys away as your baby gets older. Many of them will continue to interest toddlers and older preschoolers as they use their imagination to make different toys out of the items. Your baby may get quite good at playing “Jingle Bells” with the wooden spoon on your collection of pots.