Saturday, August 4, 2012

Perplexing Mom Questions



How does one sterilize Sophie the Giraffe? 
Seriously. I've boiled it to sterilize and now it has water stuck on the inside and won't squeak. Then I read you aren't supposed to boil but wash with "mild soap and water" instead? Goodness.

Why are child toys sold in parent-proof packaging?
I spent a solid 5 minutes nearly cutting my fingers off trying to get a Baby Einstein toy out of its packaging tonight (a gift. Thanks Amy!). Cool toy, impossible packaging!

Why are crib slats the most perfect spot to wedge chunky baby legs?
At least once a day we're practically chiseling our little chunk's legs out of the wood slats. I won't subscribe to the breathable crib bumper as I don't want another thing to buy that he doesn't really need.

Why are some baby clothes white? 
It's almost inevitable that the kiddo will mess it up and therefore have me scrubbing in the utility sink during naptime. I swear I'll never buy another white outfit again. What was I thinking?

Why do disposable diapers have the most ridiculous characters printed on them?
I much prefer the plain Seventh Generation diapers I was using when B was a wee newborn. Too bad they didn't work as well as we hoped. And then there's the huge price difference that I didn't love. But at least they didn't have a large purple monkey on the front.

Why are carseat covers so difficult to pull off?
B has made quite the mess a number of times and it required the entire removal of the carseat cover. It takes at least two college degrees to figure out how to get that thing back on. Now I place a Carter's brand Keep Me Dry pad right where his bum goes in the carseat. It's saved us a number of times.

Why are any child straps (carseat, highchair, bouncer) white? 
I can't even begin to mention how many times I've scrubbed those things.

Notice how many of my questions are centered around cleaning. Have any perplexing questions of your own? I can't be alone on this! 

15 comments:

Caroline said... [Reply to comment]

We have the Chicco carseat which I loved except for the little shoulder/neck pad things. Why couldn't they make those removable so I could clean spit and droll and everything else up more easily?

I have read that you aren't supposed to wash the car seat padding as it loses it's flame resistance but still would be nice if it was easier to remove just to be wiped down!


Totally agree on the parent proof packaging! Why do I need a screwdriver to open a child's toy for crying in the night?!

sarah said... [Reply to comment]

Caroline, it took me a bit of time but I figured out how to get those chicco strap covers off to be washed and it wasn't that confusing if I remember correctly.

I hear you on the Sophie washing. I let Owen play with her in the bath tub. Oops. No more squeak. Glad he's not that crazy about her anyway.

The crib slats! Yes! It's a phase though, or at least it was in our case. Either O's legs have gotten too chubby or he's figured out how to unwedge them pretty easily, because he never has them hanging through the way he used to.

White clothes: urgh. sigh. yes.

And diapers with the stupid characters - why why why? The whole foods brand are all white, which was great. But they are more expensive than costco brand, which I didn't like. I should just be using cute cloth ones, but then I'd seriously have like a zillion questions about cleaning them in our machine which can't even get white CLOTHES clean.

Molly said... [Reply to comment]

Lol that's one reason I love Target diapers--bc I can't stand the characters! Cute blue and green dots on the Target ones. I used them for Sloane and loved them. Hoping they work as well for boys. I also like them bc the glue stuff doesn't ball up like Pampers. And they don't feel as yucky and squishy when full.

K is just starting w Sophie but cleaning it the first time made me realize it was going to drive me nuts. Grrr. Wish is could go in the dishwasher w Chew Beads and O balls and stuff.

Danielle said... [Reply to comment]

I use a Clorox spray for Ns toys... you can spray it right on the toys and as soon as it dries, its ready to use again!! no rinsing, no washing--just bleach, dry, and go! they sell it at Target--white bottle, blue writing... forget exactly what its called, but i could show you right where it is... my body practically walks there on its own--its the first thing we pick up when we go to Target. Every. Time. love it!

Q: trays on highchairs--big, huge, awkward pieces of plastic. sink in kitchen--small, square, shallow... how to really wash that sucker so its CLEAN!? :/

The Bryants said... [Reply to comment]

I have not ever commented but love keeping up with you.

I learned with white clothes that sunshine will take out lots of stains. It's like a miracle!!! We saved many many outfits from blowouts. :)

Nicole said... [Reply to comment]

I love this post...because I have been/am right there!

I have no idea why things have to be so difficult to clean. Our highchair straps are white, AND not removable. So, I've had to take the chair as apart as I can, and soak the straps in disinfectants and cleaners. Not ideal, but at least it makes me feel better.

A question I'm currently running into is: Shoes. Why so hard for me to put them on her, and so easy for her to get off? (In a store, 3 aisles back.)

Anonymous said... [Reply to comment]

Our Sophie did the same thing. And at $30 bucks a pop, you want that thing to last! We contacted the company who ended up sending us a new one at no cost. Talking to the rep there made me think this is a common call they take! Good luck :)

Brie said... [Reply to comment]

Oh you have read my mind. I spent half of my Sunday cleaning and sanitizing!

My husband joked that my answer to everything is vinegar.

It's true.

I go through gallons of vinegar in my attempts to keep things clean and sanitary aroud here. Blog post coming soon (=


We don't own Sophie, but I have ruined a rattle toy or two by submerging them in waer, and I totally melted a MAM paci clip in the sterilizing bag once. We've all been there.

As for saving carseats from blowouts--after a few of our own, I bought a piddle pad, which is prob similar to what you are using. LIFE SAVER.

Love your blog--keep the posts coming!

Emily said... [Reply to comment]

Um...you're suppose to wash Sophie? I suppose my answer to a few of these questions is: they don't get washed. Does that make me a bad parent? I figure Kaia's not going to use a lot of things long enough for them to actually get REALLY dirty, so I'll wash them all once before I store them away for the (possible? maybe? hopefully?) next child or before we give them away.

Problem solved!

Lj82 said... [Reply to comment]

@Emily

haha, love it. :)

Tiffany said... [Reply to comment]

you read my mind!

the cleaning of certain baby items has always perplexed me... and I seem to spend more time cleaning up the messes they make on them than the babies actually use them!

as for child toy packaging-- grrr! my biggest pet peeve! I always tell my relatives to get the kids whatever they want for xmas or birthday, whatever, but their gift to be is to take the stupid thing out of the packaging! I hate the morning after birthday or christmas. I always end up bleeding!

SuzyQpon said... [Reply to comment]

Have been experiencing this one this summer with temps 100+ - why are all buckles, etc. on car seats black? My poor son cried out when his shirt hiked up and his bare skin hit the buckle. I bought a light colored car seat to avoid this very thing! Sigh, I now cover it every day with a white towel. But seriously, I can't be the first! Hey car seat makers (you hear me Britax?) - make those suckers white or light gray or something!!!

Amy said... [Reply to comment]

I love our breathable crib bumpers. Nic used to wake up every night with his arm or leg stuck in a slat, and now we sleep peacefully through the night. Yes, they seem silly, but the sleep is worth it. :-)

B. Wilson @ Windy {City} Wilsons said... [Reply to comment]

@SuzyQpon

Oh great! I just bought a dark Britax (so tired of messy blowouts!) for B's next carseat. Didn't think of the heat! Can't win....

Melissa said... [Reply to comment]

This post is hilarious! Thank you for the laugh!