Questions - Week of 11/6

psuxray07 · November 2017

Ok, so this question has probably been discussed before, but ain't nobody got time to go looking and reading through things, and I'm trying to make our personal registry right now, lol. Actually, it's a couple questions. I've seen people talk about rock n plays and my friend told me today how much she loved hers. What makes it so great? Specifically, why is it better than a swing? DS loved his glider swing. A downside I'm seeing is her baby just turned 6 mos and she said she has already outgrown the R&P...it looks like the weight limit is only 20 lbs? We used our swing for like 8 mos. Why is it called a rock n PLAY? Where's the play? I only saw 2 that are premium ones (and the one is hideous print haha) that actually have something to occupy them, like our swing had dangly toys. Basically, I'm just trying to see what I should put on our list to get for new baby. I never considered one until today.

keeksie84 · November 2017

@psuxray07, I am no help to you but will be following along on this thread because I'm also curious about the ol' rock n play situation.

Not sure if this has been addressed yet either, but what's the deal with cord blood banking? Have you banked it previously? If so, public or private? I keep getting adds popping up all over the place so it feels like a pressing issue.

jacklynnmike · November 2017

We have a rock n play. Not much of playing station and more of a rocker. It has a vibrate setting and rocks on it's own. We used it out of desperation when DS had trouble going to sleep. Tbh I felt super guilty letting him sleep it in at night. It's keeps the baby in a somewhat upright position and I was always afraid his breathing wasn't as good as it would be if lying flat on his back. But DS loved it and definitlet slept better in it

ngolimento · November 2017

keeksie84 said:

@psuxray07, I am no help to you but will be following along on this thread because I'm also curious about the ol' rock n play situation.

Not sure if this has been addressed yet either, but what's the deal with cord blood banking? Have you banked it previously? If so, public or private? I keep getting adds popping up all over the place so it feels like a pressing issue.

Cord banking is mis-advertised a bit. They always make it look like it could potentially save your baby's life, but in reality, that's not 100% true. The entire purpose of harvesting cord blood is that you are getting at the stem cells at a stage when they are their most medically desirable. Stem cells from the placenta are the most malleable, and can be very easily coaxed to turn into any type of cell.

So the theory is, you store these cells and if you baby gets an illness later that requires stem cell therapy, tada you have it on hand. HOWEVER, this is predicated on the idea that your child's illness is not on that involves their production of cells. If the problem is that their body doesn't produce correct cells (cancer or some genetic disorder), then you can't use the cord blood you harvested, because those cells would be potentially wrong too.

We personally decided against it because of the prohibitive cost, and the fact that you can't really have delayed cord clamping if they collect cord blood. Also, the fact you would need to go to a communal cell bank anyway to get donor cells for a lot of serious childhood diseases anyway.

kmalls · November 2017

@psuxray07 a Rock N Play is god's gift to babies with any kind of reflux issues. It keeps them at an incline and allows babies some relief when they can't be flat on their back. It's not meant to be a play area at all.

There is some concern about its use with infants as it may not promote optimal airway positioning. In the very early weeks, we had DD in her RNP right by our side to keep an eye on her. As she got older we moved the RNP to her own room. We also countered her positioning in the RNP by doing tons of tummy time and babywearing (some babies who spend too much time in the RNP can develop a flat head).

If used correctly, a RNP can be an absolute lifesaver. I don't think I would have survived DD's early months without ours.

mrs_massie · November 2017

I dont see the weekly symptoms thread, so maybe it has stopped because everyone should be slowing down on symptoms now, except me. I still feel nauseous frequently, throw up several times a week and now within the last few days i feel extremely weak upon any exertion and just need to sit down, sit back and let all my weight sink into the chair. My arms get really heavy and i cant find a comfortable way to rest them. Im 17 weeks and thought my energy should be coming back now, but I feel like its getting worse. Does anyone else feel like this still? Also, I'm worried about gestational diabetes. I didnt have it with my first and the Dr. said its unlikely i'll have it with my second, but I dont know how else to explain this feeling other than it feels like a blood sugar issue.

psuxray07 · November 2017

@kmalls Yeah I heard a lot of people say they're lifesavers! I was just kinda wondering how it's any different than a swing. Our swing you could have 3 different upright /laying positions, it vibrated, played music, had a plaything, and had 6 different speeds. DS slept in it for 3 mos at a slight incline bc in NICU he threw up laying on his back twice and it freaked me out so I didn't want him flat and our of my immediate sight in a crib.

ladythrice · November 2017

@psuxray07 The ironic thing about RNPs is that I've never heard of anyone using them for 'play.' They are primarily designed for bean stage babies <6 months and serve has a 'holding' or 'sleeping' device. We have two, one on each floor of the house, and our kids slept for naps in the one on the first floor. We'd also set them down in the RNP if we had to do something else sans baby in hands. It's particularly helpful if you have other rug-munchers around and feel less comfortable leaving the baby on the floor. In the evenings our LOs would also sleep in the RNP. The one we used for the evenings is one of the newer sleep designed ones, it has a more mild incline, wider sleeping area, netting for sides, etc and we use it to help transition the newborn from sleeping in the womb to being expected to lie flat on their back. Using the RNP as a transition step, smaller confined space that more closely mimics the womb than lying flat in a crib, helps our kids as we prep them for laying flat on their back... and was a lifesaver with DD's reflux at night.

kmalls · November 2017

@psuxray07 sorry, I totally skipped over your RNP vs swing question. For us, the RNP was way more convenient. It's small, lightweight, and very portable. Our swing was great but pretty big (it took up a lot of room), and once it was set up it wasn't going anywhere. Plus we quickly realized we wouldn't be able to use it with DD because DS (who was 19 months when DD was born) was obsessed with trying to climb in it. He was way too heavy for it so instead of waiting for him to break it, we packed it up.

Additionally, it was great to know DD would be able to sleep anywhere, even if we were traveling. We frequently go to my parents beach house and it was great to not worry about how she'd do there -- we just folded up the RNP and threw it in the car and she was good to go.

ETA: I will say that if you're just looking for a place to put down the baby and for the baby to be entertained, a swing has the advantage for sure. A RNP really isnt for anything other than sleeping.

Kaessi · November 2017

@kmalls hit the nail on the head! RnP for sleeping and swing more for "entertainment". RnP is portable whereas swing is really not. I remember reading all the hype about them when I was pregnant with DD and didn't think I would really need one. Happened to find a a plain, manual one on sale on Amazon a few weeks before I gave birth and bought it on a whim but didn't really think I would use it. Sooo glad we had it, it saved us so many sleepless nights. I could reach over the side on the bed in the MOTN and rock her when she woke up and she would often go right back to sleep. I recommend these to all the new mamas I know!

ekendall09 · November 2017

I've had sore lymph nodes/neck glands for the past three days. My throat is feeling a little better but is still a bit sore. Is there anything that I can do to relieve this or help the soreness go away? I've tried salt water gurgles, peppermint tea and fluids. Sigh/

ladythrice · November 2017

kmalls said:

@psuxray07 sorry, I totally skipped over your RNP vs swing question. For us, the RNP was way more convenient. It's small, lightweight, and very portable. Our swing was great but pretty big (it took up a lot of room), and once it was set up it wasn't going anywhere. Plus we quickly realized we wouldn't be able to use it with DD because DS (who was 19 months when DD was born) was obsessed with trying to climb in it. He was way too heavy for it so instead of waiting for him to break it, we packed it up.

Additionally, it was great to know DD would be able to sleep anywhere, even if we were traveling. We frequently go to my parents beach house and it was great to not worry about how she'd do there -- we just folded up the RNP and threw it in the car and she was good to go.

ETA: I will say that if you're just looking for a place to put down the baby and for the baby to be entertained, a swing has the advantage for sure. A RNP really isnt for anything other than sleeping.

Oh yeah, this is an awesome perk I forgot about!! We also take our RNP traveling with us so the baby can sleep in it. After DS was born I spent 10 days with my parents (I drove myself and our 8 week old in the middle of winter... talk about a horrific harrowing drive) and brought the RNP for DS. It was perfect. After DD was born, DS was still sleeping in the PNP so we had a PNP for him and the RNP for her. Perfect!

growingournest · November 2017

Is a mamaroo worth the hefty price tag? I have heard A LOT of people lately talking about how their mamaroo was their biggest regret because their baby HATED sitting in it and would get upset each time they were set down in it. Has anyone else had a different experience with them and their baby actually liked it? I like that they don't take up much space, but they're pretty expensive to gamble whether baby will like it or not.

ekendall09 · November 2017

@growingournest I loved our mamaroo and used it. We didn't buy a swing, rnp, bouncer etc. just the mamaroo and I felt like it was perfect for our needs. But I think alot of people here said it was a miss for them.

bchalm · November 2017

@growingournest it was the first item we returned. It just was too soft of movement and DD preferred a regular swing.

lindsye · November 2017

@growingournest Fisher Price came out with one that looks comparable but is a whole lot cheaper. I will probably buy that because I too have heard lots of people say the momaroo was a miss for them, and that's a lot of money to spend on something your baby doesn't even like.

https://m.toysrus.com/product?productId=61277306&source=CAPLA_DF:61277306:BRUS&cagpspn=plab_CA3AD386&camp=PLAPPCG-_-PIDCA3AD386:BRUS&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIz723_42t1wIVkGB-Ch0n-w80EAQYASABEgLwEPD_BwE

kmalls · November 2017

bchalm said:

@growingournest it was the first item we returned. It just was too soft of movement and DD preferred a regular swing.

Same. Even cranked up to the highest level, the mamaroo just didn't work for either of my kids. Thankfully we had borrowed it from my SIL, otherwise I would have been so mad we spent so much on it.

...kind of like the POS halo bassinest that we spent a small fortune on, BUT WHATEVER

mmmmkay · November 2017

we didn't have a RNP. we had a small collapsible swing we never really used.
basically everyone tells you you HAVE to have things. you might need them. you might not. every baby likes something different.

at this point it's a crapshoot!

anyway, rock n plays are nice as they vibrate play music and hug the baby a little. it also is slightly elevated at the head which helps a TON if baby has reflux.

if you aren't depending on the registry, i'd hold off on buying big things like this and rely on one day overnight amazon shipping if you decide you are desperate and need something!

mcb2016 · November 2017

Rock and plays are not intended to be used for sleeping. It sounds like a lot of people do it anyway. As it was the number one baby equipment recommended to us. We had a generic brand that we had to rock ourselves. We used it a few times but not much. But my baby was incredibly easy going. Had he been a colicy infant I'm sure it would be a different story.

Our friends had a mamaroo that we got to try. It was pretty cool. I've seen them for around $100 on craigslist. I wonder if they are any safer sleep wise than the rock and play?

kmalls · November 2017

mcb2016 said:

Rock and plays are not intended to be used for sleeping. It sounds like a lot of people do it anyway. As it was the number one baby equipment recommended to us. We had a generic brand that we had to rock ourselves. We used it a few times but not much. But my baby was incredibly easy going. Had he been a colicy infant I'm sure it would be a different story.

Our friends had a mamaroo that we got to try. It was pretty cool. I've seen them for around $100 on craigslist. I wonder if they are any safer sleep wise than the rock and play?

Yeah, it's super easy to judge sleeping arrangements when your kid actually sleeps.

MrsF1017 · November 2017

MrsMassimilla said:

I dont see the weekly symptoms thread, so maybe it has stopped because everyone should be slowing down on symptoms now, except me. I still feel nauseous frequently, throw up several times a week and now within the last few days i feel extremely weak upon any exertion and just need to sit down, sit back and let all my weight sink into the chair. My arms get really heavy and i cant find a comfortable way to rest them. Im 17 weeks and thought my energy should be coming back now, but I feel like its getting worse. Does anyone else feel like this still? Also, I'm worried about gestational diabetes. I didnt have it with my first and the Dr. said its unlikely i'll have it with my second, but I dont know how else to explain this feeling other than it feels like a blood sugar issue.

I would suggest talking to your doctor about early glucose testing. Or maybe vuy a monitor to check your sugar after eating. Just to reassure you. Have you ever had sugar issues before? Just trying to figure out why you may think it's sugar related if you haven't experienced it. What are your symptoms?

ngolimento · November 2017

Amen @kmalls. I think people don't consider the danger to the infant who has non-functional parents. What are my chances of making poor choices, or getting into a vehicular accident when I get only 2 hours of sleep a day? What are the chances my baby is involved in that? Probably WAY higher than the risk of my kid sleeping in a swing.

And not to get super dark, but what are the chances of PPD becoming critically bad on 2 hours of sleep a night? What is the infant survival rate then? Too fucked up of an alternative to just letting people get their baby to sleep however they possibly can.

kmalls · November 2017

@ngolimento I spoke to our pediatrician about it because I was feeling some guilt about using the RNP with DD, and he essentially echoed the points you raised. He said that while, yes, sleeping flat in a crib is always going to be the safest, most recommended sleep method, at some point you have to do what works. Would he ever tell a parent to pass out on a couch with a newborn beside them? Of course not. But the risks of a RNP are minimal enough that he wouldn't tell us NOT to do it, if that's the only thing allowing everyone to sleep at night. A healthy baby depends on healthy parents.

rmmorris · November 2017

The momaroo didn’t work for my daughter. I didn’t buy a swing/rock n play/bouncer because I thought for sure the momaroo would be amazing. She just wasn’t into it. I ended up buying a $20 bouncer and got way more use out of it. This time around I already got a rock n play and I’m looking at swings. Our momaroo was damaged in hurricane Harvey and we aren’t repurchasing one.

rach-j · November 2017

Weighing in on the mamaroo discussion. As a NICU nurse those things are seriously life savers. I find that they are the only thing that works for soothing a colicky baby who needs to be rocked constantly and of course we can't do that when we have other patients. I have found they work much better than other options that vibrate or only rock back and forth. They also do help with reflux. However I plan on holding off to see if my baby can sleep in a regular bassinet first before investing the money.

Puddlewonderful · November 2017

I'm another mom who used and loved the RNP. DS hung out it in most of the day (when not being held, tummy time, etc) and slept in a PNP at night.

Question for TTMs though: with my first we NEVER used the swing. It was a huge waste of space. But even then I remember thinking I bet I'd use it a lot more with two kids - to entertain baby while dealing with an older one. Is that true? Anyone just truly never use the swing?

lindsye · November 2017

@Puddlewonderful neither my second or third would sleep in the swing (high needs little things wanted to be bounced rapidly up and down) so we kept ours in the kitchen by the dinner table for if I needed to cook or for the baby to go in when we all ate dinner. It worked well for that purpose and I plan to do the same thing again this time!

riversdoctor · November 2017

We LOVED the rock n play (cheap manual one even). But it was a better incline Than the swing and car seat which can put pressure on the esophagus. Biggest downfall is that my macho baby figured out how to crawl out of it by 3 months! (He pushed his feet to get out of the strap the. Rolled to his belly and scooched to the floor!) this is the same kid though who at two can climb onto the counters to get into the treat cupboard. Every.kid:is.different!

Mattel · November 2017

Since Mattel refers to the Rock n Play as an inclined sleeper, it’s hard to argue that it isn’t made for sleeping in.

We LOOOOVED the RnP. When DD was born, it was a fairly new item so the auto rock and vibration weren’t yet an option. I fully plan on getting another for this baby. DD hjas reflux and was miserable sleeping flat. The RnP was inclined just enough and because it folded her at the seat, sort of like a chair rather than a ‘hammock’ type seat, it seemed to keep her abdomen and torso straight and not hunched over. There wasn’t that chin drop like sometimes happens in the infant car seats. Does that make any sense? She also absolutely hated her swing.

My question... has anyone used a maternity support belt? My OB told me to get one to get relief from my back/hip/tailbone pain and the sever RLP. Plus I’ve already developed diastasis recti

Any suggestions for a good one? I’ve seen different types out there and I’m not sure which to get.

psuxray07 · November 2017

Thanks, ladies! Sorry I'm finally getting back to this post. It's been a longgg day. It seems really the only difference for me is that it's portable, and when we travel, we just use the pack n play for a bed. We had a Graco Glider swing so it's like on a "base," it doesn't hang or take up much space, so we'd bring it out in the living room during the day and the bedroom at night. The swing seems to have more features and positions and we can use it longer. I'll probably still keep both on my list in case a really cheap one pops up, lol.

@mattel I am no help as I've never used one, but you caught my eye with it helping with tailbone pain. I wonder how that would help? 'Cuz my bum freakin' hurts!

tooraloorah · November 2017

We loved both the RNP and mamaroo. DD slept in the RNP at night for quite a while and it was crucial for our sleep, her sleep and reflux.

She also slept in the mamaroo most naps until she outgrew it. We chose not to get a swing or any other kind of device like that in favor of the mamaroo.

tooraloorah · November 2017

Question for STM+: anyone have a marginal previa or low lying placenta? The measurements were ranging today from partial to low-lying, but the perinatologist felt comfortable saying that I would be ok to have a vaginal delivery. I'm going to ask my OB how they will interpret it, but I guess I get a bonus u/s at 32 weeks to check, and other than that, I'm good to go?

g_amoss · November 2017

@Mattel - my OB's nurse suggested a support band really early on. I bought the Belly Bandit 2 from Target for $40ish. Reviews said it helps with sciaticia (I'm fighting it on and off). I think when I am 100% in maternity clothes I will like it more, but over pants that still button, it just adds bulk. Also, you have to take it off/put it on each trip to the bathroom (not a dealbreaker, just annoying trying to find a good place to put it lol). It feels like it will offer good support when I'm a little more bump heavy.

keeksie84 · November 2017

@ngolimento, thanks for the info. That makes me feel less anxious about making a decision right away.

MrsF1017 · November 2017

@tooraloorah I didn't experience this personally but a very close friend of mine had a low lying placenta. She was lucky that as her uterus grew her placenta moved and was able to deliver vaginally.

pghren · November 2017

@Mattel I got my belt from Amazon. It was recommended by my midwife. Also, I find I don't have to take it off to use the bathroom. It's amazing how much a little thing can help. I got this one, but they also make a beige one for a bit more. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B073PBDWKN/ref=mp_s_a_1_sc_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1510144678&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=az+med+maternity+belt

mcb2016 · November 2017

@tooraloorah

I did have a partial to low lying placenta. It was never mentioned to me until it had already moved up later in pregnancy. I ended up with a c section which was unrelated to the placenta.

ngolimento · November 2017

tooraloorah said:

Question for STM+: anyone have a marginal previa or low lying placenta? The measurements were ranging today from partial to low-lying, but the perinatologist felt comfortable saying that I would be ok to have a vaginal delivery. I'm going to ask my OB how they will interpret it, but I guess I get a bonus u/s at 32 weeks to check, and other than that, I'm good to go?

I had one with my DD1, and it ended up being NBD. I just had an extra scan, like you said, to check and make sure my growing uterus had pulled it away from the cervix enough. It made me worry a little when they diagnosed it, but it was a non-issue. It's pretty common and usually resolves itself.

ladythrice · November 2017

mcb2016 said:

Rock and plays are not intended to be used for sleeping. It sounds like a lot of people do it anyway. As it was the number one baby equipment recommended to us. We had a generic brand that we had to rock ourselves. We used it a few times but not much. But my baby was incredibly easy going. Had he been a colicy infant I'm sure it would be a different story.

Our friends had a mamaroo that we got to try. It was pretty cool. I've seen them for around $100 on craigslist. I wonder if they are any safer sleep wise than the rock and play?

I know I'm late to the game here, but this is not entirely correct.

1. Some RNPs are explicitly designed for sleeping. Search for 'rocking sleepers.' They tend to be deeper, more mild incline, and have mesh sides.

Regardless of whether you have a 'sleeper' RNP or a regular ole RNP (we have both, but with DS only had the regular one) I'm going to believe my medical professional's advice over the internet.

2. Talk to your pediatrician if you are concerned about using a RNP. When we discussed the issues we were having with DS and sleeping, our PED recommended we use a RNP. It was a life saver for us. With his guidance, and warnings/caveats about extended RNP use (many many months/Flat head concerns). We happily used the RNP for both of our kids.

I will say... Once you know better, do better, so that's why we bought a second RNP, one explicitly designed for sleeping, when DD was born. Same convenience, same price, now we've got two for use. One for day time when I can watch the baby, and one for night time when we're all sleeping.

ladythrice · November 2017

ngolimento said:

tooraloorah said:

Question for STM+: anyone have a marginal previa or low lying placenta? The measurements were ranging today from partial to low-lying, but the perinatologist felt comfortable saying that I would be ok to have a vaginal delivery. I'm going to ask my OB how they will interpret it, but I guess I get a bonus u/s at 32 weeks to check, and other than that, I'm good to go?

I had one with my DD1, and it ended up being NBD. I just had an extra scan, like you said, to check and make sure my growing uterus had pulled it away from the cervix enough. It made me worry a little when they diagnosed it, but it was a non-issue. It's pretty common and usually resolves itself.

@tooraloorah I echo what @ngolimento said. Its SO COMMON for women to be told that they have a low lying placenta early in pregnancy. I was told this with DS. However, for the majority of women, it resolves itself as your uterus continues to grow. It's so not worth stressing about at this point. Chances are high that as your uterus grows, the placenta will move with the growth.

ladythrice · November 2017

On the topic of the Mamaroo... I've never bought one but I've been tempted every time. Since this is likely our last one I don't plan on buying one. I will add that every pregnancy I hear bad reviews about the dang thing. My kids hate swing/move devices anyways. Lucky me... lol

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