So my little AJ is 2 weeks old, as of yesterday. We had his newborn follow-up yesterday afternoon. It should have been the week before, but my little Cita was home sick for 3 days that week, so I didn't take him in.
He has gained 7 oz, so he's now 9 1/2 pounds...and they measured him at 21.5 inches - which is half an inch longer than at birth - but the nurse said that sometimes the hospital measurements are different - and she said most babies appear to "shrink" when they have their first doctor's appointments due to the measurements being 'off'. So, he's above the 90th percentile in both height and weight for now - which I totally believe, cuz the dude eats like he's not going to get fed again. hehe (kinda like his daddy)
And GUESS WHAT? So, I've been a mom for almost 13 years - I've had 5 children now...and I learned something NEW about babies yesterday at the appointment. A little background...for my first few children (1997, 2002, and 2004), the instructions given about umbilical cord treatment was to put alcohol on it every day until it falls off. Fast forward to 2008 when my 4th daughter was born, and the instructions are to not put ANYTHING on it, and just let it fall off on its own. Little AJ's umbilical cord stump has still not fallen off - and it was starting to emit a foul odor...so I'll be darned what "the instructions" say, I put alcohol on the darn thing. So, when I took him to his appt, my pediatrician asked if I had any concerns - and I mentioned that his cord hadn't fallen off and that it was getting stinky. And I told her that I put a bit of alcohol around it, even though technically I wasn't "supposed to". She said that it was OK to put a little alcohol around the edges for odor control. And then she proceeds to tell me what causes the odor..."The way that the umbilical cord falls off, is that bacteria EAT away at the cord causing it to fall off - and the bacteria is what causes the odor." Internal dialogue to myself..."WHAT????!!!! Are you freaking kidding me? That is REALLY gross!". What I actually said out loud, "Wow...I did not know that."
So, the phrase "You learn something new every day" really applied yesterday. Can I just say...ewww.
He has gained 7 oz, so he's now 9 1/2 pounds...and they measured him at 21.5 inches - which is half an inch longer than at birth - but the nurse said that sometimes the hospital measurements are different - and she said most babies appear to "shrink" when they have their first doctor's appointments due to the measurements being 'off'. So, he's above the 90th percentile in both height and weight for now - which I totally believe, cuz the dude eats like he's not going to get fed again. hehe (kinda like his daddy)
And GUESS WHAT? So, I've been a mom for almost 13 years - I've had 5 children now...and I learned something NEW about babies yesterday at the appointment. A little background...for my first few children (1997, 2002, and 2004), the instructions given about umbilical cord treatment was to put alcohol on it every day until it falls off. Fast forward to 2008 when my 4th daughter was born, and the instructions are to not put ANYTHING on it, and just let it fall off on its own. Little AJ's umbilical cord stump has still not fallen off - and it was starting to emit a foul odor...so I'll be darned what "the instructions" say, I put alcohol on the darn thing. So, when I took him to his appt, my pediatrician asked if I had any concerns - and I mentioned that his cord hadn't fallen off and that it was getting stinky. And I told her that I put a bit of alcohol around it, even though technically I wasn't "supposed to". She said that it was OK to put a little alcohol around the edges for odor control. And then she proceeds to tell me what causes the odor..."The way that the umbilical cord falls off, is that bacteria EAT away at the cord causing it to fall off - and the bacteria is what causes the odor." Internal dialogue to myself..."WHAT????!!!! Are you freaking kidding me? That is REALLY gross!". What I actually said out loud, "Wow...I did not know that."
So, the phrase "You learn something new every day" really applied yesterday. Can I just say...ewww.
17 comments:
Ok, Well I just learned something new today too. I have never heard that the bacteria eat at it. I just figured it dried up and fell off. That is kind of gross if you think about it...
Can't wait to meet the new Little Man!!
That is gross!!! BTW, i saw that you placed over at Internet Cafe Devotions in the "My Cup of Tea Blog' category! Congratulations!!!!
double eww...
my mom and I actually had a huge fight over the alcohol thing after the birth of my first child. they told me not to put it on but my mom thought it was just that particular doctor (because she had always done it) and so she put the alcohol on there anyways. what followed can best be described as a first time mom hormonal freak out...
glad you're back to posting semi-regularly again. I missed you.
You are in the TOP 100 at Internet Cafe Devotions! Congratulations!
Every year Internet Café Devotions hosts Blessed Aroma, a call out to blog readers to nominate their favorite blogs, in specific categories, written by Christian Women. Those with the most nominations are compiled into a list that gives us the TOP 100 Christian Women’s blogs each year.
Your blog was chosen this year in the category of: “Learn-a-Latte Blog”. We hope this blesses you as much as you have blessed others!
Thanks for all that you do in your online ministry. Have an amazing day!
That is gross...
Nothing wrong with a big eater! Aiden is 97th% in both height and weight hehe. I was really hoping you had posted more pics, we need to see this little guy!
Ohhhhhh YUUCK. YUUUUUUCK.
I remember the cord days. I was all about the latest in baby-care info and did NOT put alcohol on it. When the pediatrician (who I fired) heard that I WASN'T USING ALCOHOL SWABS she acted like I was beating my newborn. Damn backwoods town. ;p
5 kids, lady. You are brave.
I'm LOL-ing thinking of The Cute's first appointment. I was all 'OMG. She SHRUNK?!?!'
Please NOMNOMNOM AJ's newborn feet for me.
Really? I had no idea. I was not told to swab the stump with any of my boys, I assumed it was so I didn't dry out their little baby skin.
He is sweet looking.
Oh he is so precious...SIGH....just beautiful...That was gross..lol.
So sweet....tell Southwest Airlines to lower their fares and we will be in Pheonix this summer harassing the Brabsons....and you too!
He is gorgeous!
Hi Crystal,
My name is Sue, I want to congratulate you on winning your Blessed Aroma Award, also to tell how beautiful your baby is.
When I had our babies many many years ago, we put alcohol on the cord just because i was told to by my Dr. lol Thank you for sharing.
Blessings,
Sue
He's perfecccct!!! So cute!!!
♥
I have a big smile on my face. Your blog always gets me out of my somber seriousness.
Thank God for women like you!!!
BTW - Your son is such a handsome baby boy!
He is just precious! And yes, ew gross! You are amazing for blogging when you have a two week old at home! xo
What a beautiful baby! Sigh! However, I must be too old to have more babies because I still would use the alcohol around the edges (which is where I used it with my 5 the entire time)
Can't wait to meet the new Little Man!!
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