poohb2878

My son is 9 months old and only recently started to babble (saying mamamama, babababa) but not actually using the words correctly. He can say mama, but he doesn't know what it means. He does respond to his name, and he knows what "no" means. I'm just wondering if this is something I should be concerned with or if he's okay.

How can I keep fresh strawberries from going bad. It seems like they start to rot the day after I bring them home from the store. Are there any tricks to keeping them fresher longer?

I've been looking online for ways to baby proof my house and some of it just seems to go overboard. Can you guys tell me the must haves of baby proofing. I have a few gates to stop my son from crawling up/down stairs as well as to keep him in one room at a time so I can better keep an eye on him. I have locked my cabinets/drawers so he cant' get into them. I have put outlet plugs in. Is there anythign I'm missing?

Also - my son as a fascination with cords. Is there anyway to hide them/make them less attractive/make them less accessible?

Thanks so much!

My 9 month old son has no problems going to sleep at night. We put him down in his crib and he's able to put himself to sleep. However, for naps during the day he refuses to sleep in his crib and will only nap if we're holding him. Are there any suggestions for to get him to nap in his crib? Any help is much appreciated!

It seems that if there are no accidents and everyone drives the speed limit, there should be no traffic jams. So what's up? Why are there traffic jams?

I'm just curious about using a neti pot. I want to try it, but what does it feel like? Does it feel like water going up your nose (like when you're swimming)?

My birthday is rapidly approaching and as is customary I am expected to bring in some birthday treats to the office. I'm tired of the same old donuts or bagels. Any suggestions on a creative and fun birthday treat?

My son is 4 months old, he has not popped a tooth yet. Should I be brushing his gums with infant toothpaste anyway? When do you start brushing gums/teeth?

My mother-in-law is wonderful enough to babysit during the week while I'm at work (she and my mom split the week so she's not doing all the daycare). Everything is going good for the most part except when it comes to naps. She insists my three month old son doesnt' need to nap in the afternoon despite the fact that he naps for both my mother and me. I know she'd rather play with him (this is her first grandchild) but I really really really need him to take that afternoon nap! How can I politely and gently get her to put him down without seeming ungrateful for her services?

How many of you out there tried unsuccessfully to breastfeed? I feel like a terrible mother because I tried, but my new baby boy just wouldn't latch on. We're now pumping and feeding him the breastmilk - I was wondering how many of you had this same problem (sometimes all I read about is what a terrible mother you are if you don't breastfeed). Did you feel like "less of a woman"? How did you deal with it? My husband and I are pretty okay with our decision to move to the bottle (I'm also not producing enough breastmilk so we supplement with formula), but my mother-in-law is a purist and less than pleased with what we've chosen to do. I guess I'm just looking for support and to know I'm not the only one with this problem. Groups like La Leche League make it seem like everyone can if you just try hard enough, but breastfeeding was just too stressful for me, my baby, and my husband. Please advise.

Hey everyone,

I was thrown a surprise baby shower at work. What is the proper etiquette for thank you cards regarding this? Do I send everyone who signed the card a thank you note?

Hello everyone! If you're like me you have a love/hate relationship with your pregnancy and changing body. What is one thing you absolutely love about pregnancy and one thing you distinctly don't like?

I'll start -

I love the extra attention I get (at 8 months pregnant). For example, I've never received so much help at the grocery store! I even got help carrying my groceries out to my car!

But...I hate my cankles! I can handle everythign else, but please Lord give me my feet and ankles back! Where does the calf end and the ankle begin? Who knows!

Oh my goodness ladies! So, maybe has started making It's journey downward (I'm 34 weeks pregnant). Hooray! No more stomach and lung sitting! But now I am so hungry all the time. I'm not kidding. I just had a double quarter pounder meal from McDonald's and I'm still hungry (no diatribes on the unhealthiness of my choice please.) And not just a little hungry, but a OMG IF I DON'T EAT RIGHT NOW I'M GOING TO DIE hungry. Is anyone else dealing with this? Let's share our gorging stories! Or...if anyone has tips on how to cure hunger that woudl be most appreciated as well!

Hey everyone - my brother-in-law turns 21 tomorrow! Hooray for him. We've become very close over the last few years (in fact, we've chosen him to be the Godfather of our baby due in July). I want to get him a cool birthday gift for his 21st. Any unique ideas out there? For the record, he's more of a beer drinker than a hard liquor/cocktail/wine drinker.

Hey everyone - my brother-in-law turns 21 tomorrow! Hooray for him. We've become very close over the last few years (in fact, we've chosen him to be the Godfather of our baby due in July). I want to get him a cool birthday gift for his 21st. Any unique ideas out there? For the record, he's more of a beer drinker than a hard liquor/cocktail/wine drinker.

Have your partners said anything about the way you smell? My husband swears up and down that I smell better now that I'm pregnant. Maybe my pheromones have changed, I don't know. But the other day my husband said he didn't want to go out he just wanted to stay in "to smell me." Mind you I'm not complaining! I just want to know if other partners have noticed that you smell different/better?

My husband and I are looking at a house for sale and we're very interested. We were told it was subject to a "short sale". What exactly does this mean and does it benefit us in any way?

It almost amuses me...you can look at a list of answers and see perfectly reasonable answers straight down the line get thumbs down UNTIL you get to that one person who must have just answered...they have no thumbs down. Why do people feel the need to just go down the line and give thumbs down to anyone that answered in front of them? It's totally ridiculous!

Hello ladies! So...I had horrific morning sickness my first trimester (lost 8 pounds as a result of it). Second trimester was much better. I was still sick, but only about once a day/once every other day. Now suddenly in my third trimester it's back in full swing! Has anyone else experienced this?

Okay, so I'm 7 months pregnant and am dying for a drink! Do you guys know of any yummy NA drinks that can somewhat satisfy at least? Thanks!