Back in my b5media days, I wrote a post over on Mother Earths Garden about a really great lotion for extreme dry skin, Skin MD.  You have to keep applying it the first day every couple of hours, then as needed after that.  Really great stuff.  It sold over the counter at some drugstores like CVS in their pharmacy department.  You can also order it online.

• White Cloud
• Huggies
• Luvs
• Pampers

We preformed a liquid pour test to see how well and how quickly each brand absorbed moisture.  Be sure to check the video if you haven’t seen it yet.

And the over all winner as far as value for your buck:

White Cloud!

While not the softest or most padded diaper in the bunch, it didn’t chafe or pinch.  It did the best out of all of them in keeping babies bum clean and dry.  It also held up to the other tests by staying in place, having a proper fit, and keeping what is suppose to be in the diaper, in the diaper!  It’s much cheaper than the name brands, so sacrificing a bit of comfort in the material seems worth the money you save in the long run.

If you’re wanting to go with comfort over cost, I’d recommend the Pampers. It covers more of babies bottom with out getting all bunched up or using lots of elastic.  It also seems to do better if your baby is like mine and has more sensitive skin.  I’ll probably be buying and using a bit of both brands.  In fact Aidan is wearing a White Cloud diaper as I’m writing this post.  We’ll probably switch to Pampers for bedtime since momma won’t be changing his diaper quite as frequently during the night.

I hope you have enjoyed this little experiment, and found it helpful.  I’d love to hear your opinions and experiences with different diapers.  Send them my way in an email or a comment!

• Absorbency – Didn’t do the best in the pour test, but wasn’t the worst either.  It does seem to be more absorbent in the front than the back, even when he is wearing them.  This may be an issue if he is sick, just like with the Luvs, but his bottom stays dry with out having dried out poop on his bum!
• Leakage – There was no leakage out the sides or back, but I do notice that his bowel movements go right up to the edge of the elastic around his legs.  This could be because the diaper doesn’t absorb moisture as quickly in the back as it does in the front, so it has time to travel out a little bit.  This makes clean up a little more of chore, but still much better than the Luvs in that department.  Bowel movements stay in the area of his bottom and don’t spread to other areas.
• Comfort – Very soft to the touch, feeling like fabric inside and out.  Not as much padding as Huggies, but enough to seem comfortable with out bunching up.  The elastic on the leg openings also feels like fabric and I notice no chaffing or pinching between diaper changes.  The fasteners are made of a stiffer material so some babies might not like the feel of rougher material on their tummies.  I’ve noticed that my son’s diaper rash is always better when wearing this brand, so it may be more hypoallergenic than other brands.  He also seems less “wiggly” when wearing them, so the material may feel  less scratchy or bunchy to him.
• Fit – This brand seems to fit my son the best, but all babies are a little different.  There is extra fabric on the front and back, so it covers him higher up his waist than the other brands.  It’s also wider so it covers more area.  It has some extra room in the bottom area, but not too much.  The side fasteners are wider than the other brands so it covers more on the sides as well.  It uses less elastic than the other brands in the legs and back but still fits snugly and doesn’t fall down due to the extra fabric on the front, back, and sides.
• Cost – Name brand diaper with the price that goes along with it.  Along the same lines as Huggies here, worth it if you can afford it, other wise you might want to start digging in the couch cushions!

That’s it for the results of the individual brands.  Stay tuned for my final conclusions of the experiment, as well as the winner for best value for your buck!

• Absorbency – The pour test proved it to be the worst compared to the other three diapers.  It took the longest to absorb and pull moisture away.  However, I noticed no problems during the course of the day while my son was wearing them.  The amount of time it takes to absorb may be more of a problem when he starts being more active.  By then they have a different style of diaper though, so it may be better.
• Leakage – No leaks while wearing the diapers, despite the leakage in the pour test.  There seemed to be an excess amount of elastic in the legs, and some extra elastic in the back that the other diapers don’t have, which did an amazing job at keeping liquid right where it was suppose to be.  And his bottom was dry and very clean when pulling the diaper away, so no dried poop stuck to his bottom.  Clean up with this diaper was a breeze.
• Comfort – By far the softest diaper in the group.  Extra padding in the bottom, and very soft to the touch.  Extra roomy in the butt area.  Because they seem to be designed for bigger bums, and all the extra elastic in the leg and back, I thought it would leave some chaffing or some pinch marks in the legs.  No marks or rubbing and the elastic felt like cloth.
• Fit – These fit my son a little akwardly since he is average size.  All the extra padding and room in the bottom tend to bunch up on him if he’s wiggling around a lot.  It stays snug but not tight around his legs and waist though, and the fasteners are longer than the other diapers so coverage on the sides is better and more secure.
• Features – The extra long, elastic fasteners are definitely a plus.  It makes securing the diaper much easier since I don’t have to stretch the sides out in order to get a proper fit.  The fasteners seem to be a different material than the rest of the diaper though, and feel scratchy to me.  This doesn’t seem to bother Aidan, but some babies might not like the feel of the fasteners on their tummy.  I also like all the extra padding and soft feel in the bottom.  It just seems like it is more comfortable.  I know I some times wish I had some extra padding on my bum during the day!
• Cost – Name brand diaper, name brand cost.  Lets just say it’s worth the price if you can afford it, otherwise start saving up those coupons!

• Absorbency – Surprisingly the pour test proved White Cloud to be the best among the four brands in pulling away moisture quickly.  As soon as the water hit the diaper it soaked it right up and was dry to the touch.  This is important because excess amounts of moisture against babies skin for any extended length of time can lead to or worsen diaper rash.  It also prevents leaking if liquid is absorbed quickly.
• Leakage – The fact that I change my baby’s diapers regularly combined with the quick absorption of this brand, there was no leaking, and it wasn’t all over his bottom, so clean up was a cinch!
• Comfort – The diapers felt like soft paper to me, but not scratchy.  Plenty of padding in the bottom, though the inside felt like paper as well.  I didn’t notice any marks or creases where the diapers may have rubbed or pinched his skin, and Aidan seemed content and happy while wearing them.  So not the softest diaper in the bunch, but tolerable.
• Fit – The way the sides wrapped around was a little akward.  Honestly I can’t decide if there was too much material or not enough.  Once i figured it out though, it fastened snugly around his waist and didn’t fall down.  It covered his bottom well with just enough extra room.  It fit a little too loose for my taste in the legs, which might have been an issue if he had had diarrhea or if he was crawling.
• Features – I actually like the fact that it doesn’t have well known cartoon characters like Elmo or Winnie the Pooh printed all over the diaper.  Don’t get me wrong, I like Sesame Street and Winnie the Pooh, but some how I think it steals some of the cuteness of a baby just hanging around in his diaper.  The fasteners were more comfortable feeling, so it doesn’t scratch against  babies skin. They felt more like cloth than the rest of the diaper does!
• Cost – About half the price of name brands, so definitely a cheaper way to go.

This brand did better over all than I expected.  We’ll see how it compares to the rest of the bunch.  Be Sure to stay tuned for the results of the other diapers!

Facts in the Experiment

Each brand will be worn by my 2 1/2 week old, 8.2 lbs son for at least two diaper changes each.  All diapers are a size 1.  Each brand will also have a liquid pour test done by pouring a 1/3 cup of water directly to a clean diaper to check it’s absorbency.  That’s roughly the amount of pee in one diaper change for most babies.  Here’s what I’ll be looking for in each brand:

• Absorbency – how quickly does it pull wetness away from baby’s skin
• Leakage
• Comfort – how soft is the diaper and do I notice any marks or creases in my son’s skin
• Fit – since all diapers are the same size, they should all fit relatively the same as far as ability to move and how well they stay on
• Features – Highlighting features of each brand that I like or don’t like
• Cost

When all is said and done, I’ll be sure to mention which diaper does the best overall as far as cost compared to effectiveness.  The scientist in me is coming out and I hope you will stay tuned for the results of my experiment over the next 24 -36 hours!

Image Source: Lil Sugar

Overstimulation & Understimulation:

A child’s brain developes much more rapidly than an adults.  From the moment they enter the world, they are learning.  Every sound, every site, every touch, every emotional and physical feeling is teaching them more about the world.  For children with a predisposition to developemental disorders, how quickly or slowly they learn can definitely play a roll in triggering things like ADD and Autism.  Here are some steps we are taking to help our son develope at a healthy rate:

• Use age appropriate toys.  We are avoiding toys with bright lights and noise until Aidan is older.  Just basic colors, shapes and textures for our little two week old.
• Avoid spending too much time in front of the TV.  This one is a toughy but a big one.  I’m not saying don’t watch TV, but if baby is sleeping, put him in another room with a monitor.  If baby is alert, make sure he isn’t propped in front of a TV screen and keep the volume down.  The fast movement and loud noise of the TV may be too much for a developing brain.
• Read and talk to your child.  We try to use a normal voice, not baby talk.  The repetition of words, the soothing sound of our voice, and simply watching our mouth move helps our son develop proper communication skills as he grows.
• Spend time with your child.  It’s easy to let small babies simply spend the day in a crib or bassinet while you work around the house, but they might not be getting the stimulation they need for proper development.  Spend at least a couple of hours a day when baby is awake and alert playing and talking to your baby.  Spend some tummy time on the floor to help him develop his motor skills, and introduce new sites and textures to him with basic toys or items around your house like towels or cups or even the cat! (Assuming your pet is good with baby of course!)  I will touch or kiss parts of my son and say out loud what they are as I do.  “This is your nose. . . ear. . .foot. . .fingers. . . ” etc.  Keep it simple, and have fun with your baby.

Stability:

This area is a bit more vague when it comes to a childs development. I’m not talking about a schedule here, though that can play a part.  I’m talking about a sense of security and discipline.  This is slightly more prevelant for an older child than an infant, but can definitely begin at any age. Personal observation has led me to conclude that children who are diagnosed with Autism and other developmental disorders do much better when a little more stability and discipline are added into thier lives.  Things such as having set times for play or TV, setting time apart for one on one learning even when they are not at school, parents being more consistent with boundaries, all help a child with learning disabilities interact and cope better with the world around them.  So having a certain amount of stability before they start developing autistic traits could help prevent it.  Here are two basic actions you can take to help prevent or help ease symptoms of learning disorders:

• Meet your babies needs.  My son is always hungry right now.  He can some times eat every hour during the day.  This becomes very tiring for me since I’m breast feeding.  But meeting my sons basic needs teaches him to trust that mom and dad will take care of him.  Not meeting basic needs such as hunger, can trigger attachment disorders that sometimes go along with learning disabilities such as ADD and Autism.  If I need a break for a bit, I’ll supplement with a bottle of formula.  I try to avoid doing this too much, but at least his needs are still being met and I can give my body a break for a bit.  The same goes for when your child is cold, dirty, hot, in pain or simply wants attention.  It’s very time consuming to be a parent, but meeting your child’s needs on a consistent basis will help them build proper interaction with those around them.
• Say what you mean and follow through.  This is more for when your child is older.  And it can be very hard to do.  I think discipline is a touchy subject for most parents, but it plays a very important roll in a child’s development.  It affects how they treat those around them, and how they interact with the world.  I’m not going to get into such issues as spanking and time outs just yet, but I think the important thing to realize when it comes to discipline is to keep your word.  If you say they will be punished if they do something, then punish them.  If you say no to something, continue to say no, despite how they may react.  Don’t take back what you say, and stay consistent.  And don’t be afraid to deal out consequences.  I do believe there are age appropriate ways to discipline a child, but letting them get away with inappropriate behavior at any age is very detrimental to their development and can cause behavior and learning problems when their actions are finally challenged later in life.  Discipline is an important part of a child’s development and should not be avoided.  To know what is allowed and not allowed and staying consistent in those boundaries provides a sense of stability and freedom for both parents and child.

In the end, the best thing you can do to help your child develop healthy and normaly is to be a parent.  Spend time with them, and help them learn.  I do not believe you can spoil an infant, and as your child grows spending time with mom and dad will be one of their favorite past times.  You’ll build memories, and help your child develope the learning and communication skills he or she needs in life.  There is no cure for Autism, ADD, or ADHD, and some children will develop these disorders dispite what you try to do to prevent it.  But I know personally, anything I can do to help my child live a healthy normal life is worth every moment.

Any research I do seems to give me conflicting answers.  Some people and experts insist on getting baby on a schedule right out of the hospital.  Other’s say wait a week and see what kind of schedule he or she falls into naturally.  Still others say having a schedule is completely ludicris and you should just through all clocks and calendars in your house out to the curb.  In general, my research has led me to suspect that having a schedule is more beneficial for mom and dad than it is for baby.  While certainly helpful to baby to have that security of knowing when to eat, sleep, or play, babies will take quite a while to really stick to any sort of regimen.  So having a schedule for the most part just ensures mom and dad will have a bit more stabilitly when trying to care for their new little one.  It seems my son has inherited my lack of time keeping.  He sometimes goes only one hour before needing to eat again, and other times I have to wake him up after four hours and remind him he should be hungry by now.  Some nights he sleeps straight though to the next feeding/changing time.  Other nights he stays awake for hours. Play time happens when ever he decides he wants to be awake.  And I still haven’t figured out why one day I’ll need to give him three baths and other days diaper clean up is a breeze.   About the only set activity so far in our lives is that we get dressed and cleaned up for bed around the same time every night.  He doesn’t always go to sleep right away, but he’s ready for bed some where between 9 and 10pm every night.  After two weeks of no set schedule, I’m wondering if all the hoopla of setting one is just paranoid moms over reacting, or if I’m doing him some harm.  It’s not driving me crazy, and he seems to be a pretty happy baby so far.  Maybe it will be more important when he’s older and awake more during the day.  But for now I’m going to go with the theory that schedules are for sissys and continue to be my spontaneous fly by the seat of my pants self.  Should I have the whim to run to the store or decide he needs a bath in the middle of the day, well, he’ll just have to go along with that and I’ll hope it doesn’t cause him too much harm!

Was keeping a regular schedule for your baby helpful or stressful?  I’d love to hear your thoughts and sugestions.

The answer is in the little things.  If you try to do big projects together, or go on dates this early in parenthood, you’ll soon wear yourselves out.  You have a lot  on your plate already.  Plus you’ll be so worried about the brand new little one back home with the baby sitter or relatives that you really wouldn’t enjoy yourselves any way.  Find small things you can do with or for your husband to make sure he knows you still think about him and love him.

• When grocery shopping, throw in a few of your husbands favorite snacks he doesn’t normally get.  My husband loves Three Musketeers!
• Write him a little note during the day when he’s not around.  Make sure it’s not a to do list, because that doesn’t count!
• Ask him how his day was.  And don’t start comparing.  You have a new baby, everyone knows your tired and that babies cry, including your husband.  Just because he’s away from all the poopy diapers and crying during the day does not make his time less valuable.
• Find something small that your husband appreciates.  I’m not much of a housekeeper, but my husband likes when I make the bed.  He says I do it better than he does and it helps him sleep at night getting into a clean made up bed. It only takes me a couple of minutes and it makes my husband happy so why not?
• Call him at work if it’s allowed, and just say “I love you!”  Be careful not to complain or talk all about the baby or give him a list of things to pick up on the way home. Chances are you’ll be doing a lot of that already.  He’ll learn to dread getting your calls.  Make sure you make a few calls just to see how his day is going!
• Give him a back massage.  I know you probably want one too, but just a small back scratch when things are calm for a moment will speak volumes.
• Watch some TV together or play a game. The dishes and laundry can wait.  Let him know spending time with him one on one is still important to you.
• Hugs and kisses.  You might not have time or desire for much more than that, but physical displays of affection are still probably the best way to show you care and want to be with your hubby.

I’d love to hear some ways you have found to let your hubby know he’s still the apple of your eye, even if you don’t have as much time to express it as you used to. Feel free to share your ideas and stories in the comments below!