Breastfeeding: One Year

I’ve been nursing Henry for 10 + months, and I plan to wean him after the 1 year mark.  For me, nursing has been relatively drama free, which has entailed having self-diagnosed mastitis twice, clogged milk ducts countless times, and cracked and bloody nipples.  Since Henry’s top teeth came in, a bit of soreness returned, but it passed in a few days.  He’s nibbled while nursing a few times, each time followed by a grin, but I’ve learned that he only nibbles when he’s full.  I’m not a breastfeeding crusader, but Henry and I have a great routine going and I love the quiet time we have together nursing.  I’ve considered weaning before the 1 year mark, but the expense of formula, and Henry’s dairy allergy requiring soy formula have deterred me from seriously considering it.

Half of the moms I know breastfed their babies, and half of those moms weaned around 5 or 6 months.  For many moms nursing is extremely painful and frustrating.  A wonderful mother I know had two children who were allergic to her breast milk anytime SHE ate dairy.  She nursed both kids for as long as she could, but finally gave in to formula.  Her kids are healthy and happy.  Another baby I know never figured out how to latch on, and her mother gave in to formula after a few days.  Again, the baby is happy and healthy.  Each mother and baby makes the decision for themselves on whether or not they will breastfeed or use formula.

Breastfeeding at the Hospital

I attempted nursing soon after the birth.  A lactation consultant met us before we left the delivery room, but she was unhelpful.  Henry took to the breast quickly and furtively from the beginning.  He nursed so well.  He once choked and spit up what looked like 3 tablespoons of collostrum.  We were worried at first as we didn’t know what it was.  Other than the spit up incident, I was upbeat and encouraged.  Unfortunately, lactation consultant #2 made me feel inadequate.  Her discouraging tone made me nervous and uneasy, and Henry stopped nursing.  He must have sensed that something was off.  We had trouble nursing for a couple feedings.  Thankfully the morning we checked out of the hospital, lactation consultant #3 came by to check on us.  She suggested SNS to encourage Henry’s latch.  It worked like a charm.  I taped the plastic tube to my nipple.  The tube was connected to a milk reservoir that I pinned to my hospital gown.  My milk hadn’t yet come in, and taping the tube to the nipple encouraged Henry to latch.  The formula also supplemented Henry’s feedings to ensure he got enough milk.

To help my milk come in I used the hospital pump regularly.

Breastfeeding at Home

Once my milk came in (day 4), we no longer needed formula.  In fact, we still have the unused and unopened hospital formula in Henry’s closet.  Henry nursed 8-10 times a day for 45 minutes to an hour each time.  I basically nursed him all day long.  My nipples were extremely sore, cracked and bloody.  Henry’s pediatrician recommended I limit Henry’s nursing to 45 minutes.  Apparently, he was comfort nursing.  Once I capped his nursing at 45 minutes, the bloody cracks started to heal.  Using Lansinoh lanolin was also helpful.  

I was so thrilled when the milk came in.  I pumped after each feeding to encourage the milk to come in.  Of course, that backfired, because I started producing too much milk and got clogged milk ducts.  I soon learned to time each pumping session to ensure I didn’t over-pump.

Clogged milk ducts are literally plugged up ducts.  The milk gets backed up, and it feels like hard inside out pimples scattered all over your breasts.  The only way to cure them is to encourage feeding and massaging the hard spots in a hot shower.  It’s a vicious cycle as baby will have trouble nursing if there are hard spots, and the milk won’t flow consistently.  It is extremely painful, and if they persist it can develop into mastitis, which entails horrible flu like symptoms such as chills, sweats, fever, fatigue etc.  That was the first time I learned the concept: mommies don’t get sick days.  Henry quietly sat in his swing and seat most of the day as I suffered through the symptoms.  Luckily when I woke the next morning the symptoms were gone.  My OB/GYN told me that I probably didn’t have mastitis since the symptoms went away without antibiotics, but I’m convinced my diagnosis was correct.

To prevent getting clogged milk ducts/mastitis:
1.    Don’t skip feedings.  If baby sleeps too long, try pumping a little bit to relieve the engorgement.
2.    Don’t over pump.  If you’re going to create a stock in your freezer of milk, choose an extra time each day (a non-feeding time) to pump.  When baby is eating 8-10 times a day, this isn’t really feasible, but it can be easily done when baby eats 4-5 times a day.
a.    Over-pumping causes engorgement, and when that happens baby will have trouble latching on.

Engorgement

Engorgement feels like your breasts are overfilled water balloons.  They get hard as rocks and leak.  The milk will even spurt.  Whether you pump or not, you will get engorged while nursing.  At the beginning your body is figuring out how much milk baby needs, and it will sometimes produce too much.  For example, when Henry slept a long stretch at night, I would wake up soaked.  Then I would be engorged and Henry would have trouble latching and get frustrated.  He even got sprayed in the eyes a few times.  I learned to manually squeeze or pump off the excess before feeding him.  Waking up before his regular feeding to pump was tricky, but I succeeded in doing that a few times.  

Breast Feeding in Public

I was extremely shy about nursing in public.  I didn’t think I’d be able to do it.  I made it 3 months without having to nurse Henry in public, but I definitely was feeling restricted.  My sister insisted I learn to nurse in public, knowing that I wouldn’t last long if I didn’t figure it out.  With heavy coaxing from my sister, and a busy day, I finally did it!  We were visiting Henry’s new cousin at the hospital, and then headed to a baby shower in the neighborhood.  I didn’t have a choice but to nurse him in the hospital lobby.  I set up a chair in the corner of the room, put on my Bebe Au Lait nursing apron and tucked Henry underneath.  We did it, although not without Henry’s protest.  It took many tries to get Henry comfortable nursing under the apron.  He still doesn’t enjoy it.  He kicks his legs and flails his arms, but if he’s hungry he will nurse.

43 states, the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands, have laws that specifically allow women to breastfeed in public.  28 states, D.C. and the Virgin Islands exempt breastfeeding from public indecency laws.  24 states have laws relating to breastfeeding in the workplace.  There are even 12 states that exempt breastfeeding mothers from jury duty.  I recently received my first jury duty summons, and postponed it easily with a short phone call.

http://www.ncsl.org/issuesresearch/health/breastfeedinglaws/tabid/14389/default.aspx

How Much Milk Should I Produce?

Each mother produces a different amount of milk.  Milk production depends on many factors, but mostly on how much the baby needs.  First, the more often you feed and the longer you feed the more milk you will produce.  From birth to 2 or 3 months Henry fed every 2-3 hours for 30-45 minutes.  The stronger he grew the quicker he fed.  Starting around 3 months he nursed for 10-15 minutes at a time.  At around 6 months, Henry could get all his milk in 5-10 minutes.  

In the first couple months I could pump 2-4 oz. max in one pumping session (5 minutes).  When Henry was around 3 months old, I was producing close to 8 oz of milk in one session.  He started solid foods at 4 months old, and at around 6 months started eating enough to supplement his breast milk.  The more solids he ate, the less milk he needed.  Solid Food post coming soon.

The amount I pumped roughly corresponded with the amount of milk Henry consumed.  Around 3 months I was having trouble producing milk late at night.  I had developed a habit of pumping at Henry’s 8 p.m. feeding so that Chris could give him a bottle.  What I didn’t know was that my body was decreasing milk production at the 8 pm feeding, because I was pumping at that time every day.  I started moving the pump session around each day, and my milk production went back up to 8 oz after a few days.

I also learned that my body produces more milk in the early part of the day.  And my milk production goes down when I’m exhausted or dehydrated.

At 6 months, Henry was nursing 5 times a day (7am, 11am, 2pm, 4pm, 7pm), and I would pump once in the mornings between his first and second feedings.  Generally, I would feed him every 3 hours, give or take an hour depending on when he was asleep.

At 9 months, we cut his nursing down to 4 times a day (630am, 11am, 4pm, 730pm), and I still pump once in the morning.  On days that I’m tired, I skip the pumping session knowing that my milk production might be down.  As convenient as pumping is, it’s also tedious.    

The Long Haul

Nursing for a year is a serious commitment.  It’s been more difficult than I anticipated, but I’ve enjoyed it.  I have a wonderful bond with my little baby boy.  I’m so proud of what Henry and I have accomplished.  I’ve watched him drink my milk and grow at an amazing rate.  It’s the same feeling I get when I water my plants and watch them bloom, but multiplied by a million.  I feel a part of every giggle and every smile.  Of course, there are days when I envy moms who have the freedom and convenience of formula, but I know I will miss nursing him when it is all over.  I will miss the quiet time we have together.  I will miss watching him pull at his hair and kick his legs.  I will miss the comfort my milk gives him.  But I will be free.

Maclaren Plans to Recall ALL strollers produced between 1999 and 2009

http://baby411.typepad.com/babybargains/

"Maclaren plans to recall 1 million strollers --- all its production between 1999 and 2009 --- after receiving 12 reports of hinges on the stroller that amputated childrens' fingertips."

Eek!  Although we don't have a Maclaren, most moms we know have the Maclaren Volo umbrella stroller.

Wedding Registry List

Wedding Registry List

Although this is a blog about babydom and mommyhood, there was a time when weddingville was my prime focus.  I’m a sucker for lists, and decided to share this list with those of you who haven’t quite reached the baby stage in life.  Registering was one of the first things we did after getting engaged, and with my sister’s expert chef’s knowledge, I initially registered for 3 different sized ice cream scoopers, etc.  With Chris’ sensibility, I pared the registry down to something more practical.  The obvious registry sites are:  Crate & Barrel; Williams Sonoma; Macy's; Bloomingdales; Target; and Bed, Bath & Beyond.  We also registered at REI.  Below is a realistic comprehensive wedding registry list.  Enjoy!

Electrics

Kitchen Aid standing mixer

Kitchen Aid hand mixer 7 or 9 speed

Cuisinart (Regular and prep sizes)

Breville Electric Tea Kettle

Coffee maker

Rice cooker

Convection Toaster Oven

Blender?  Don't get the Waring Ice cream maker

Hand immersion blender

Coffee bean grinder
Waffle Iron

Cookware

Le Creuset Dutch Oven 5Q Oval

I think All Clad is the BEST!  Although there are a lot of other wonderful brands.  We registered for a big set, and then a few individual pieces.  It depends on whether or not you think anyone will spend $500-1000 on you. 

All Clad stainless steel fry pans 12", 10", 8"  

All Clad brushed nonstick fry pans 10", 8"

All Clad Sauté Pan 3 and 6 Q, if you're only get 1, I'd get the bigger one. 

Splatter screen

All Clad saucepans 2, 3, 4 Qt

-- with 4 Qt steamer insert

All Clad Steamer Set (good sized soup pot with steamer insert) -- we have the stock pot with insert and don't use that size that much

All Clad Roaster with rack

All Clad slow cooker

Griddle

Cutting Tools

Cutting Boards (plastic with the rubber on the bottom, and a nice wood one can double as a cheese board)

Knife Block

Chef's knife

Santoku

Fish knife

Scissors

Paring knife

Steak Knives

Mandolin or Kyocera slicer

Cheese Grater

Cheese knives

Baking Stuff

Nesting bowls (glass and Melanine)

Spatulas

Pastry Scraper

Measuring cups

Cookie Press

Straight rolling pin (recommended by cooks illustrated - no handles)

Silpat

Peeler

Spoon rest for the stove top

Stainless steel measuring tools

Flour sifter

Cooling racks

Round and or square baking tins

Cupcake/muffin tins

Loaf tins

Baking Casserole dishes - 2 or 3, 1 long rectangular and 2 square or 1 large oval and 2 small oval?

Pie Dish (I like Emile Henry, but they're all great, even pyrex is great)

Cupcake carrier

Cookie Sheets (2)

Baking Sheets (2 with edge)

Ramekins

Linens

Napkins

Placemats

Tablecloths

Dishtowels

China and Glassware

Dinnerware (fancy (12), everyday (8))

Silverware (fancy (12), everyday (8))

Mugs

Cereal bowls

S&P shaker

Sugar bowl/spoon

Creamer

Beer glasses

Water glasses (fancy/everyday?)

Wine glasses (Riedel, some people also get crystal)

Champagne flutes

Serving platters, dishes and bowls - a few different shapes, sizes is handy (you will probably get a few off the registry)

Chips and Salsa Platter

Serving Utensils

Salad bowl/salad tongs

Teapot

Butter dish

Gravy boat

Decanter

Alfi Carafe (I love it!!!!)

Water pitcher - doubles as margarita or lemonade

Lobster/Crab claw crackers

Soup spoons (ceramic)

Cooking Tools

Meat Tenderizer

Grill tools

Picnic items (plastic cups, etc.)

Strainer

Fish Spatula

Ladle

Skimmer

Pancake type spatula

Spoon

Tongs - short and long (nonstick safe and stainless steel)

Long chopsticks

Slotted spoon

Oven Mitt

Hot pads

Kitchen utensil holder for the counter top

Spice Rack

Salad spinner

Pepper Mill

Salt storage container

Olive Oil dispenser

Ice cream scooper

Peeler

Miscellaneous

Cereal storage container

Storage containers for rice, sugar, and flour

Tupperware type storage

Candle sticks

Vase

Coasters

Mat for the sink

Step stool for kitchen

Bath towels

Bed linens

Diapers Stink

I walked into Family A’s condo and was immediately hit with the stench of steaming poo.  I could’ve cut the thickness of the stink with a knife.  The entire apartment wreaked of simmering excrement.  “What is that smell?” I asked.  I walked around the apartment sniffing for the source, and found the diaper pail in the utility closet.  They were storing their dirty diapers next to the furnace.  It was sadly hilarious that the family was desensitized to the stench, and probably burned off all their nose hairs in the process.  After that incident they kept the diapers out on the deck.  Whether or not you boil your baby’s poo, diapers stink.  Storing human waste in a trashcan, no matter how airtight, is going to drive your olfactory glands crazy.  There is no magic diaper pail that will save you from the stink – not even the Diaper Genie.    

We keep our diaper pail in the obvious place - next to the changing table in Henry’s room.  If you’re really sensitive, or if baby had a particularly stinky poo, the best thing to do is to change your diaper pail every day or every other day.  This explains the special bags required for the Diaper Dekor and the Diaper Genie.  The specialty bags cut away so that you can throw out the diapers as often as you choose without having to change the entire bag.  The Diaper Champ doesn’t require specialty bags, but throwing away a tall garbage bag every day doesn’t sit well with me.  It’s a lose lose situation when it comes to disposable diapers.   

Another good tool is putting a dryer sheet in the bag with the dirty diapers.  I double up by placing a second dryer sheet outside the bag in the can. 

Although baby’s diapers won’t stink up your entire house until he or she starts solid foods (4-6 months), little babies do “go” more often, so you’ll get used to taking the diapers out regularly. 

If it isn’t already, poo will soon be a big part of your life.  You will be charting poos, checking the color, feeling the texture (if it’s hard, baby is constipated and needs a softener like prunes), wiping poo, washing poo, sniffing poo, watching poo, etc.  Don’t just tolerate it.  Embrace it.  For example, today we discovered Henry’s poo to have 2 distinct colors – bright orange and speckled green and black.  Amazing.  

Winter Share Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)

I picked up our first CSA share yesterday!  We signed up with Simply Wisconsin, which provides produce from 30 family owned certified organic Wisconsin farms.  Our advance payment helps farmers with preseason planning and planting, and we get fresh locally grown organic produce for a price that’s competitive with store bought organic produce.  Everyone wins! 

Our pick up site was in the garage of a private home.  The produce was stacked in individual share boxes.  I initialed the sign up sheet, and Henry sat on the pile of broken down boxes as I gingerly placed my produce into a canvas bag.  I broke down my share box, grabbed my twenty-pound bag of produce and picked up my twenty-two pound son.

Our share this week included:  red cabbage, delicata squash, green acorn squash, gold acorn squash, carrots, garlic, parsnips, thyme, white button mushrooms, red beets, and apples.

For dinner we had leftover steak (Chris) and leftover chicken breast (me) on a bed of parsnip, potato and garlic puree sprinkled with thyme and s + p, with a side of blanched haricot vert.  I also made a side of plain parsnip puree for Henry.  For breakfast this morning, I whipped up a white button mushroom, onion and egg white scrambler with wheat toast.

I’m loving this CSA already! 

The best part about the CSA is that we are forced to try things we normally wouldn’t try, while supporting local farmers.  And when I say we, I mean Henry.  He will be having fresh squash and beets next week.

Baby Showers: How-to for the hostess and the mom-to-be

Contributed by B. Anderson, Henry’s Grandma, our in-house guru on etiquette

Baby showers are a special time for new parents, grandparents, sisters, as well as friends.  For the mom-to-be (“MTB”) it is a challenge to decide whom to invite and what to do if there are distinct "friendship groups,"  e.g. office friends, social friends, or family.  For some MTB’s there may be as many as 3 different showers depending on these different groups!  Consider how these various groups might mesh if there is only one shower. 

MTB’s To-Do-List

Step 1:  MTB and dad-to-be (DTB) should decide whether they will have a couples’ shower or a ladies’ shower.

Step 2:  MTB will provide a guest list to the hostess(es).  The hostess will also give some idea of the numbers she can handle.  These lists should include the mailing address or email addresses (if sending an evite).  Be sure the list is current and correct.  Sometimes it is hard to decide who should be invited.  On the one hand, the MTB doesn't want to hurt anyone's feelings by excluding them.  On the other hand she does not want guests to feel like she is asking for gifts.  It is helpful to spend several days on the guest list.  My experience has been that folks like to be included, and a guest can always regret if she does not care to participate. 

Step 3:  The MTB should give a gift to each of the hostesses as a “thank you” for the party.  This gift does NOT have to be expensive.  Consider the hostesses' interests, hobbies, home decor, etc.  I have given or received a beautiful orchid in a ceramic pot (Home Depot has good plants and prices), a planter of fresh herbs, a collection of wonderful soaps and lotions, a set of paper placemats, a selection of seasonal paper products (napkins, plates etc.), nice candles, candlesticks, a collection of dried soup mixes, etc.  If the shower is a couples’ shower a good bottle of wine is always well received.  Usually these gifts are brought to the shower, but the MTB can deliver them earlier to avoid confusion on the day of the shower.

Step 4: The MTB should do her part to ensure that the guests know each other.  If she has included some friends from another part of her life, she should try introducing them around.

Step 5:  The MTB should be expansive in her thanks and appreciation for the event.  Thanking the guests in-person with a toast for taking time from their schedules to be there and of course special thanks to the hostesses.  I am a big thank you note person and feel that a personal note or an interesting post card is a requirement.  I have been to a shower where each guest fills out her name and address on an envelope to make the thanking process easier for the MTB.  I have also attended showers where the hostesses say that a verbal thanks as gifts are opened is enough, although, I don't agree with that, but that is a personal feeling!

HOSTESSES

It is definitely sensible from all standpoints to work with a group in hosting a shower.  Each person brings a set of talents and skills, and it is usually an enjoyable experience to be part of a team.  The timing of the shower can vary depending on the group.  Sunday afternoons are often a good time for working ladies.

Themes

Dress up in hats and gloves for an afternoon tea

Weeknight light dinner buffet

Saturday or Sunday morning brunch – strata, muffins and fruit

Toy Shower

Education:  each guest brings his/her favorite baby books, and contributes a small amount to baby’s college fund – hostess collects before hand

Couples’ barbeque

Friday night cocktail party (remember MTB will not be drinking!)

After-work girls’ night out

Lunch during the week with work friends

Invitations

Invitations can range from simple and clever to expensive!  Some MTB’s know the baby's sex, so the invitation can display a girl or boy theme.  If the group is under 20 guests, it is easy to buy packets of cute invitations and fill in the details by hand.  Larger groups may require a printed variety.  I have found cute card stock, and with my husband’s help, printed them at home.  There is clever baby stationery available at big box office stores.  Maybe one of the hostesses is good with poetry, so a poem could be used as the invite.  I suggest getting the invitations out about 6-8 weeks in advance to give everyone plenty of notice.  Be sure to include a deadline date for the RSVP!  You are more likely to get responses back if you provide an email address in addition to a phone number.

Gifts

The hostesses will decide what type of gift(s) should be presented.  Would the MTB like to receive one or two large items or a variety of useful and clever baby necessities?  The size and nature of the group as well as the MTB's situation will help with this decision. At a large shower it will take the MTB forever to open individual items.  In this situation,  having the guests contribute to a group gift is very effective.  This large gift could be a major item from the registry - a car seat, stroller, crib, etc.  If  a contribution to purchase a large gift is to be collected it is nice to include a slip of paper with the invitation asking guests to contribute a decided amount to a group gift.  Sample: "If you would like to contribute to a group gift, please send $25.00 to Jane Doe (one of the hostesses) by December 1."  The amount chosen is up to the hostesses.  I have seen amounts suggested anywhere from $20.000 to $35.00.  Remember that this slip of paper should not be included in the MTB's invitation!  It is by no means a requirement for guests to contribute to the group gift and some may have chosen something special they would like presented, but it is a nice way to shower the MTB and baby with one of the more expensive items.  It is fun to have a few cute baby things along with the group gift and that always happens!

Another wonderful gift idea is to ask each guest to bring a children's book to start the new baby's library.  These can be wrapped or not.  Often as unwrapped they serve as a good conversation piece during the gift opening. 

Shower games or activities

My experience has been that there is a shift away from the typical shower games such as word search, mustard in the napkin, etc. Prizes should be simple:  Starbucks gift card or the flower centerpieces.

Activity 1:  Name that baby food.  Guests are divided into teams of 4 - 6.  Each team is given a tray with 5 baby food jars with the labels obscured.  The jars are numbered. Provide a pen and paper to each team.  Each person tastes and records what she thinks is in the jar.  The group that guesses the most jars correctly, wins.  

Activity 2:  Name that baby tune.  Provide a pen and paper to each guest.  If you have a piano and a pianist, great, if not use an iPod.  Play a variety of songs with "baby" in the title.  Guests listen and write down the name of the song.  The guest with most correct answers wins. 

Activity 3:  Guess the $ of baby gear. Provide a pen and paper to each guest.  Pass around small baby items (baby hanger, pack of diapers, diaper rash cream, baby shampoo, etc.).  Have guests guess on paper how much each item costs.  Guest with closest guesses wins.

Activity 4:  Go around and have the guests give one piece of child raising advice or one thing they remember about how they were raised. 

Activity 5:  Have each guest tell about the book she brought and why she chose it.  

Seating

Usually guests go through a buffet line and sit with plates in their laps (light weight basket trays are often helpful).  If there is space to set a table, consider putting the honorees - MTB, grandmas, special aunties etc. at a table with place cards.  Other guests can sit around the room.

Menus: keep it simple

Offer a variety of salads (3 or 4): chicken salad; fruit; caprese salad; pasta salad; rice salad; corn salad; Oriental cabbage salad; tossed green salad - with nice bread rolls.

Wraps cut into a manageable size are also nice.  Chicken pouches: chicken salad in a wanton pouch is easy.

For a dinner shower, try a chicken rice casserole and tossed salad with French bread.

A tea could include finger sandwiches (cut into teddy bear shapes, squares or triangles), sweet pastries, fruit kebobs, scones and clotted cream.

When guests arrive they may like juice, iced tea, or champagne punch.  Be sure that each table has a water pitcher and glasses.  Seasonal touches are always fun:  e.g. apple cider in the fall, lemonade and iced tea in summer, hot tea or cocoa in the winter.

Dessert:  Cupcakes are popular.  Recently I found tiny naked babies (plastic) at Michaels and put one atop each cupcake.  A baby themed cake is great (find out what appeals to the MTB) or decorated cookies.

Decorations

Be creative with  a floral arrangement for the table center or buffet.  There are many ways to incorporate a new baby into the arrangement - containers, adding baby items (rattles pacifiers etc) to the arrangement, using a seasonal arrangement with pink or blue flowers I used green gourds to surround pink roses for a fall shower.  One group decided to use their flower budget for baby boy toys - trucks, cars, etc as table centerpieces. If books are the gift, pile them at the center with flowers atop.

A “diaper cake” centerpiece: directions for making these are online.  They are fun to do and MTB will need a good diaper supply.

Favors

This is strictly up to the hostesses and the budget.  I have seen beautiful cookies wrapped individually and tied with a bow given to each guest as she left.  One MTB found seed packets and wrapped them cleverly in a tiny bag and gave them to each guest along with a little poem about the seed sprouting like the new baby.  A variety of teas could be wrapped in a clever bag.  The packaging is the key here!

There are probably millions more clever and enjoyable shower ideas out there, but I hope these thoughts will get you folks going!

- B.

Etiquette Guru for Babies In The Wilde

Favorite Books: The ones we wish we had when we were kids

Henry loves books.  Since birth, we've read to him every day.  Before he could sit up on his own we would place him on the floor and lay next to him with the book up in the air.  Now we sit in the rocker with him in our laps.  His naptime and bedtime routines include reading at least 1 book (if he's tired), usually 3 or 4.  He can sit through book after book after book.  At birth it didn’t seem like he noticed much other than the sound of my voice.  At 6 months his favorite books were the touch and feel and flap books.  Now at 10 months he still loves his touch and feel and flap books, but he has started pointing to the small illustrations.  He also loves his books for the convenient binding, which doubles as a great teething toy.  I love Henry's books for the clever words, the didactic tales and the beautiful illustrations.  I read without inhibition, taking on silly voices and making up song tunes to the words.

Below are some of our favorites that combine great illustrations with wonderful poems, prose and prose poems.  

The Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman  “In a cave in the woods, in his deep, dark lair, through the long cold winter sleeps a great brown bear.”

Sandra Boynton Favorites

Belly Button Book “Belly Button Beach – Where tons of hippos stand around in bathing suits too little because they hope you will admire the button on their middle.” 

Oh My Oh My Oh Dinosaurs!  "Dinosaurs weak and dinosaurs strong.  Dinosaurs singing a dinosaur song!” 

But Not The Hippopotamus

Barnyard Dance!  “With a BAA and a MOO and a COCKADOODLEDOO everybody promenade two by two.”

Doggies:  A counting and barking book “1 One dog.  Woof! 2 Two dogs.  Yap Yap” 

Fuzzy Fuzzy Fuzzy!  Different textures with funny-faced animals. 

Dr. Seuss

Dr. Seuss’s ABC:  An Amazing Alphabet Book!  “Big A, little a, what begins with A?  Aunt Annie’s alligator.  A…a…A”

Dr. Seuss’s Mr. Brown can MOO!  Can You?:  Book of Wonderful Noises  “Oh the wonderful sounds Mr. Brown can do!  He can sound like a cow.  He can go MOO MOO.”

Dr. Seuss’s There’s a Woset in my Closet  “Did you ever have a feeling there’s a nink in the sink?”

I Love You, Good Night, by Buller and Schade “I love you like I love blueberry pancakes!  I love you like I love strawberry milkshakes!”

Jamberry by Bruce Degen  “One berry Two berry Pick me a blueberry”

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown  “Goodnight starts.  Goodnight air.  Goodnight noises everywhere.”

Caterpillar Spring Butterfly Summer by Susan Hood

3D Plastic slinky caterpillar covered in soft material inside

Opposites with Albert and Amy:  The fun way!  A spinning disk is great when baby starts using his pincer grip.

Toes, Ears, & Nose!: A Lift-the-Flap Book By Marion Dane Bauer

Gallop!:  A Scanimation Picture Book by Rufus Butler Seder

As you turn the page the horse gallops, the rooster struts, etc.

Trains, Boats and Planes Pop-Up Book by Gill Davies  “The plane is flying in the sky…How wonderful to be so high; Hills and houses look so small, Just like toys, not real at all.” 

bright baby:  colors

bright baby:  animals

The Empty Pot by Demi 

Beautiful illustrations and a story that teaches kids to be honest, no matter what.

What could be better than this? By Linda Ashman

A tear jerker.  Prince (dad) and Pirate (mom) live fantastic lives before they meet.  Once they marry they have an exciting life traveling and ruling the kingdom.  Then they have their baby.  “They dance with you slowly, then tuck you in tight, Ending each day with a warm tender kiss, saying, What could be better than this?  Nothing is better than this.”    

Cookies: Bite-size Life Lessons by Amy Krouse Rosenthal  “Proud means, My chin is high and I sure do like the way my cookies turned out.  Modest means you don’t run around telling everyone you make the best cookies, even if you know it to be true.”

What Mommies Do Best/What Daddies Do Best by Laura Numeroff

Flip through halfway, and the pages are upside down.  You’ll find that the story starts over from the back to front upside down.  An egalitarian book teaching that Mommies and Daddies are capable of doing the same things with baby.