Flu Season is Here

The flu season is here and with full force and using the Braun Thermometer to monitor my baby’s temperature is crucial. The Braun ThermoScan5 has an ExacTemp guidance system that gives me confidence in the device. Having a thermometer that is reliable and accurate is key. It's fast, gentle and easy to use. Lucas has no issues with it unlike if I were to use one orally. He would squirm and whine. Using an ear thermometer makes it painless for both of us! The nice thing about Braun thermometers is that they come with hygienic disposable lens filters so if my husband or I need to use it, we don't contaminate the ear piece. 

We really like the  Braun ThermoScan5 but wish it had the colour-coded display like the Braun No Touch + Forehead Thermometer. The colour display would make it easier for a babysitter or family member looking after the little one to distinguish if they have a fever or not, especially if they don't know the ranges well enough for a baby. The  Braun ThermoScan5 also holds onto the last temperature reading just in case it is necessary. 

Although Bluetooth or "Smart" Thermometers are in trend at the moment, I really appreciate that Braun hasn't made a "Smart" Thermometer. While it is true that the levels of radiation emitted by Bluetooth devices is below what the current regulatory agencies consider “safe”, there are many who question whether their “safe” is really, well, safe. I personally don't feel comfortable having anything Bluetooth near my son’s head or my own! I don't even sleep with my phone by my head. If I do, it's on Airplane mode.

A thermometer is one of the staples in a house hold and is perfect for a mama's baby registry or a welcome home with baby gift! You can never go wrong with a thermometer and to be honest, when baby Lucas came home I didn't have a thermometer because it wasn't something I had thought about being a first-time mom! 

If you're not fond of an ear thermometer, Braun has you covered with the Braun No Touch + Forehead Thermometer. The first and only thermometer with both no touch and touch functions. It uses a new, revolutionary technology that ensures clinically accurate and consistent readings, with gentle convenience. I've demonstrated below with my little one so you understand what I mean by no touch & touch! 

The Thermometer has a silent mode for sleeping baby and also has a position guidance system, ultra-sensitive sensor and optical system for accuracy. I know, I know it sounds a little intimidating and hard to use but the systems in place make it fast, gentle and easy to use! 

Using the Braun No Touch + Forehead Thermometer came in really handy this month because Lucas has his immunizations so I got to test both thermometers. I really liked using this one over the ear thermometer because I didn't have to disturb his sleep while his little body beats the vaccine bugs.

Overall, I would highly recommend both devices. Choosing the thermometer that is right for you and your family is a personal choice. If I chose between the two I would go with the Braun No Touch + Forehead Thermometer because I like that it has the silent function and my son responded better to it…or lack of response since it never disturbed his sleep! Once I use the Braun ThermoScan5 he squirms because it tickles his little ear.

Baby’s depend on their mothers...
Mothers depend on their pediatricians...

Pediatricians depend on Braun.

You can find the Braun Thermoscan5 and Braun No Touch + Forehead thermometer both available at London Drugs.

* This post is Sponsored by Braun
Thank you for collaborating with me to bring awareness to Braun!

Sleeping Baby

One of the biggest questions that I get asked recently, is about my Lucas’s sleep habits. It’s a parent’s great debate. What type of method did you use while they were a baby? how long should you co-sleep? what do you do if your child doesn’t sleep anymore? There are so many different opinions to all of our sleeping questions. But, one thing I know for sure is that every kid is different. My mom group says so.

I have always been really open with how Lucas has slept. He's been sleeping in his own room, in his crib since he was 5 weeks old. We unintentionally did the "Cry It Out" Method for about a week. That being said I never really researched the CIO Method being a first time mom... You think I would.. Yes, it was super hard, but then something clicks in his head, and he became baby who slept 10 hours a night. When I say it was hard, I mean listening to him cry was hard at the beginning. He literally only cried the first week but I wouldn't let it get to a cry where he was red in the face & heating his little body. I would let him cry for 2 minutes IF that and then go in and soothe him. Now, being 13 weeks he feeds and goes to sleep no problem. He will occasionally wake up at 5am because of a dirty diaper but once it is changed he goes right back to sleep until about 8/8:30am. I will add that we do use a white noise machine. Ollie the Owl! 

Ollie is amazing! We love using him because of his cry sensor. He plays white noise for 20 minutes or a lullaby which ever your bub prefers. You can also use the nightlight that has 3 different settings if you feel it is necessary. Ollie is one necessary owl in our lives because it helps Lucas go into a deeper REM sleep. He will soon be phased out because we really don't want any 'bad habits' as some put it.

Recently, Lucas has been feeding about 8oz before bed which I 100% bet is helping him sleep longer. We start his bedtime routine around 7pm and he is asleep by 9 or 10pm if he is super fussy. I believe the most exhausting exercise during our day is bedtime. Only because my cats are screaming at me to be fed, I have to pump around the same time and well, Lucas likes to play games sometimes. It's so worth it because if he falls asleep in my arms I reflect on how lucky I am to be a mom to this little boy. He's developmentally on point & well, a beast! 17lbs and in 6-9 month sleepers! He will be tall like his father & I.

I like to believe my husband & I are very lucky to have set some routine in Lucas's life already. He is adapting so so well to being on our earth! We are lucky to have set this bedtime routine because we were in the works to hiring a sleep consultant just in case.

To all the mama's out there still struggling with bedtime/nights, it does get better! I promise.

And above all, drink the coffee.

MOM, YOU CAN HAVE HOBBIES TOO!

I see this passed around the internet like a badge of honour. Shouted from the rooftops proclaiming you are officially a better mom if your life consists solely around making sure your nuggets are tended to. I am here to disagree. I actually think hobbies & activities outside of your mom duties help make you better wife, mother, friend, etc. 

Let me explain:

While being completely pigeon holed into a single activity may seem like the best way to be the most awesome version of yourself, it’s not. Variety is the spice of life. Lets embrace it.

Just a few months ago I was lucky enough to become a mother. I still ask myself daily how I ever became fortunate enough to be entrusted with this miraculous human life, but here I am a mothering the hell out of them all while having hobbies, passions, aspirations that come from other things besides changing diapers. A new person within me was born in my the day I became a mother. No foolin'.

For all those saying, “I don’t have time for hobbies like you since I work” (i hear you & my ears are bleeding). I am in the process of attempting to becoming a work from home mom. Although the first few months of my little one's life I was bombarded with feeling guilty, not good enough, not organized enough. I also had to stop thinking negatively & just breath. I am a NEW mother. I am still navigating this new life I have with my little human. I may not be as consistent as I was prior to his arrival but I try my very best to get things out & quality content over quantity.  

I would also like to start actually getting out more & incorporating more into my daily life. I am still balancing out naps, feedings, pumping schedule. I will have another post up soon about my nursing journey momentarily. Part 2 is a 100% go. I will say, it is not easy.
I would also like to start baking again! I have such a passion for baking.. Although I cannot perfect a cookie for the life of me. I think I fold the dough to much, I know.. It sounds silly but making a cookie from scratch is hard! Maybe it's just me..

TODAY l challenge you to find 2 hobbies and leave them in the comments section below.  Explain how YOU will go about these hobbies & beginning them! (Showering doesn’t count, you should be doing that daily as well. Even if it's a quick rinse, you deserve that relaxing 5-10mins! ) We are all here to cheer you on. Get your mom tribe together and get to hobbying. I think we owe it to our children & spouses but most importantly to ourselves to have hobbies & things that separate us from our “job” as mom.   Find something that ignites fire in your soul. No excuses. Unless you're a brand new mama then I totally understand hehe.