Monday, July 23, 2007

Update to the Instruction Manual:

Since I wrote that post on Friday, it has been pointed out to me that I'm doing two stupid things:

1. Boiling water before I make formula.
2. Sterilizing the bottles every night.

So here is my lame defence for each point:

#1: I've been boiling the water for the formula because, well, it says to in bold, all caps letters on the side of the can; and being the polite and obedient Canadian that I am, I followed the instructions. It has since been pointed out to me both online and in person that only new Moms like me follow that instruction. Apparently, most of you all buck the system and just use hot tap water. So, I've been using hot tap water for the last couple of days and sweet Gracie still seems to be alive and well, so I've eliminated that step from my night time routine.

#2: I've been sterilizing the nipples to her bottle every night since she got thrush three months ago. I didn't use to. I used to just put them in the dishwasher and then sterilze them once a week like it said on the instructions. (I'm a real follow-the-instructions kind of gal). But the first time she got thrush it didn't go away until I started sterilizing every night. Once the thrush cleared up I went back to sterilizing once a week, but by the end of the week the thrush was back. I did that three times. The third time she got thrush I had to give her a super strong prescription medicine, throw away all of the bottle nipples, throw away all of her soothers, throw away all of the gripe water that I had dipped a soother in, and take away a number of toys that she had chewed on and sterilize them too. I didn't want that thrush to come back ever, ever again, so I just got into the habit of boiling all the bottles nipples for a half hour every night before I went to bed so they would be ready for morning.

But she hasn't had thrush in two months now, so I could probably be safe in going back to once a week. And I've decided that this is the week. So thanks everybody! Maybe with all the extra time I'll have, I'll see if I can get my hands on a copy of the new Harry Potter book…

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

BRAVO!!! Welcome to the land of Living On The Edge!!!

Chris had thrush once, so I know what you went through - it was soooo hard to get rid of!

Jenifer said...

We've never had thrush here so I can't relate on that one, but if sterilizing was the only thing that kept it from coming back I am sure I would be doing it too!!

Don't be so hard on yourself... I did the 1st time Mom thing too just like you. After awhile you realize that some of those "instructions" on things are more a legal CYA on their part... they go above and beyond to avoid the "but you didn't tell me to so now I will sue you" types. After awhile, and ESPECIALLY once there were 2..... you go with what works... and keeps your sanity!

I'll keep reading and if I think of anything else that may be "time-saving" for you I'll be sure to pipe up.... we are trying for #3 now so I should be an expert soon!!!