Father Shock

We are obsessed with my son’s diet. We follow every rule and abide every caution. But after a six month visit with our pediatrician, we drove home perplexed by her suggestion; Finger food? The idea of feeding him anything other than muted bowls of beige, brown, and green slop seemed bizarre.  A spark of excitement flicked between us as we considered our options.

My son has never been happier than the day he sat down to a small pile of cheerios. While his mother and I have meticulously investigated almost every bite of food that’s made its way past his tiny lips, the little O’s seemed beyond reproach. In fact, since we started feeding him solids, there has been a fresh box standing in the pantry just waiting to spill at his feet. Now, I’m not sure how cheerios got a free pass. As a new parent decisions are made on a tight rope, looming above a pit of sharply pointed possibilities.  But these little bits of breakfast transcend all manner of scrutiny and intention. Possessed by the spirit of General Mills himself, I passed hand full’s of O’s to my wide-eyed son.

Cheerios have become a staple in our home. Our son will sit quietly chasing the O’s around the perimeter of his small tray, buying us precious minutes to fold a little laundry or do some important bathroom reading. It’s really amazing, we have tried peas, bits of fruit, vegetables, and pasta, but nothing occupies his attention like a crowded plate of O’s.

Just like every other subject on the planet, I’m sure everyone has an opinion. So, fire up your favorite search engine and push your way through the mob of recommendations on the net. Though, making these decisions with your family pediatrician seems like a solid idea to me.  Below is a site I found helpful and also General Mills, baby bullets for Cheerios…

According to General Mills, Cheerios…

 -are the #1 choice of cereals for moms with toddlers.

       -are recommended by 4 out of 5 pediatricians as a finger food for toddlers.

        -have only 1 gram of sugar per serving.

         -have no artificial colors or flavors.

-are made with whole grain oats and is a good source of fiber. The 2005 Dietary Guidelines recommend that Americans consume three or more servings of whole grain each day (for a total of at least 48 grams of whole grain.)

-are easily managed by little fingers and helps develop motor skills because the O’s are easy to pick up, firm and resist crumbling.

-are easy for little fingers to hold.

-provide at least 10% of the Daily Value of 14 essential vitamins and minerals, including iron and folic acid.

-taste great and is fun to eat!

Try this helpful finger food link:  http://www.babycenter.com/0_finger-foods_105.bc

As I began recording my thoughts about parenthood, I had visions of a comprehensive blog that would shine a light on every aspect of the challenge. Today I have adopted a much more realistic plan and have set aside my busted ambition. I have found being an active father and diligently writing is like rubbing your stomach while patting your head, or babbling “chubby bunny” with thirty-seven marshmallows shoved in your yap. Sooner or later your gonna choke or poke yourself in the eye. It’s just too hard to keep all the balls in the air with a child in your arms.

Researching products is chore. It takes time to become an expert and make an objective presentation about any group of items. To make things worse (or better depending on your perspective) there are more baby products on the market then diapers in the landfill. So, if you’re reading about a product on this page, it is because it made a difference to me and not because it beat out the competition, in a double blind taste test.

The focus of today’s little jot is the Evenflo ExerSaucer. We received this little gem as a gift and have been grateful ever since. At first glance, it looks a mess. With brightly colored doodads springing up in every direction, the top looks like a junkyard of leftover toys that never had a chance on their own.

Its function is simple. It allows your child to boisterously spin in circles, while bouncing up and down. With moving parts and interesting noises, each attached toy provides a unique stimulation . Also, the unit has adjustable legs to allow for the growth of your child. This is an important selling point. So many of the products we use have brief life spans. It is nice to find something we like, that can used for a decent amount of time.

It’s touted by Evenflo as a safe alternative to the mobile walker. I would definitely agree. We use both products in our home. In the ExerSaucer, my son gets great exercise and I never have to worry about him wondering off; prying open cabinets or pulling things down from shelves. He stays safely right where I put him. It’s very stable; made from thick gauge, durable plastic. The attached toys are apparently helpful in developing physical dexterity and eye-hand coordination. While I can’t really validate this, my little guy enjoys messing with just about every toy that’s included.

At about sixty bucks the price point is pretty reasonable. It’s easy to clean and I doubt it will ever wear out. The only real drawback is the noise. It’s loud as hell. Don’t plan on catching Z’s or concentrating on your favorite TV show while your little one’s loaded into this sucker. Also, it’s a little bulky. If you’re tight on space, it might be a little hard to store. My living room is beginning to look a little something like a strip mall carnival. But the ExerSaucer is definitely my son’s favorite ride. 

Note:  Recalls exist on part of this product line. These recalls are specific to the toys attached to the “Tea Party” saucer and the product that shifts into a table. More information can be found by contacting EvenFlo. 

The Baby Bjorn classic carrier is one of the most popular baby carriers on the market. I have used the product and become a reluctant fan. While I think it looks goofy and believe that a man shouldn’t necessarily be walking around with a baby strapped to his chest, I still decided to give it a go. Surprisingly, I found it really convenient. Strolling along conflicted with my preconceptions, I was truly enjoying the freedom. My son was so safe and close and I felt really confident in the quality of the carrier. (In the interest of better protecting my manhood, I will not be giving mini-vans a go!)

The product is very sturdy. It supports my son well. The plastic attachments are securely fastened and Bjorn goes the extra mile to ensure that the plastics and fabrics are free from harmful chemicals like BPA (Remember everything goes in your baby’s mouth).

Once you figure out the puzzle of hooks and snaps, it really becomes easy to use. Also, Bjorn guarantees that your child’s legs and arms will be in physiologically correct positions when they ride in the carrier. How they make that guarantee, I’m not sure, but they make it none the less. If you care about color, the standard carriers come in man friendly tones.

Price is a drawback. Some models can list for over $175. If your tyke is a little on the large side, he/she will out grow the carrier pretty quickly. Although it is very adjustable, once you hit the twenty-five pound mark it gets tough to squeeze the little sucker in. It’s pretty useless after that point. It might make a good pot holder or you could just jam the thing into a dark hole in the closet.

Overall it is a nice product. It’s more of a luxury than a necessity.  My son seems to enjoy the ride, but unfortunately the Bjorn  has a very short usable lifespan. If you can find a well maintained used one or have extra cash to burn, then I say pick one up. Otherwise, just use the carriers you were born with … your arms.

Image from “The Hangover” – Warnerbros