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  • [-]Just found out the Mohel I wanted to use will be away from 5 days before my due date until over a week after. She gave me the names of some others but I am not necessarily comfortable with that since i do not know anyone that used either of them. She came highly recommended. How did you find your Mohel??? FWIW - we are refrom and plan to have the bris in our house.

    23 replies [ Reply | Watch | More
    02.02.09, 08:59 AM Flag ]
    • word of mouth

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      02.02.09, 09:03 AM Flag
      • yep, tried that and it got me an on vacation mohel.

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        02.02.09, 09:04 AM Flag
    • could you reach out to a local temple perhaps. I would say you could contact those mohels and ask them for references. I just tried to look up the names I had but i did not save them (i had a gilr but had names ready). Perhaps just ask the UB'ers here for names-GL

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      02.02.09, 09:08 AM Flag
    • maybe pediatrician has some names? Longshot-or your ob?

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      02.02.09, 09:08 AM Flag
    • what is the name of the mohel you tried? I have a list of 3 names and was planning on just trying all 3 from the hospital

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      02.02.09, 09:09 AM Flag
      • Dr. Doroty Greenbaum. She gave me 2 others - another woman whose firts name is Emily but I cannot remember the last (she is an MD) and the other is a Dr. Meisels.

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        02.02.09, 09:11 AM Flag
        • Dr. Meisel is on my list. he is great.

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          02.02.09, 09:12 AM Flag
          • Good to know - thanks!!!

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            02.02.09, 09:18 AM Flag
        • when are you due? It doesnt really help calling early because they will never know if they are booked the day you need the bris

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          02.02.09, 09:13 AM Flag
          • Just wanted to have a quick chat to determine if I even like the person. I am due at the end of Feb.

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            02.02.09, 09:17 AM Flag
            • flame away but this isn't your OB. you won't have a relationship. why do you need to "like" the person?

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              02.02.09, 09:24 AM Flag
              • no flames necessary - I just have heard from some friends that theirs were not so great to deal with. So, if I can at least have a cha with someone ahead of time it is one less thing I can be worried about.

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                02.02.09, 09:33 AM Flag
    • Dorothy Greenbaum did ours. Amazing. We loved her.

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      02.02.09, 09:21 AM Flag
      • she's the one that will be on vacation.

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        02.02.09, 09:32 AM Flag
    • I've heard of that Emily woman, too -- and have seen posts here. By the way, Greenbaum might even be available. You might deliver a few days after due date (not unlikely, unless you have a scheduled c-section) and have 8 days until the bris.

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      02.02.09, 09:34 AM Flag
      • I know but it will definitely be tight.

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        02.02.09, 09:35 AM Flag
        • You should search here for the Emily mohel as I think there are 2 female ones who are highly recommended and she's the other.

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          02.02.09, 09:37 AM Flag
          • ^^^just did it for you. Search mohel and emily and her name is Emily Blake and she shows up in posts and people seem to like her. We used Phil Sherman and some people hate him.

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            02.02.09, 09:38 AM Flag
            • thanks - I found her website and will give her a call.

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              02.02.09, 09:54 AM Flag
          • DO NOT use Dr. Emily Blake. We used her for my son's bris in 2010 and she did a horrible job and left most of the foreskin on him. When I called her to tell her that three different pediatric urologists said that my son needed to have it redone, she basically shrugged and said something to the effect of "These things happen. It's not the first time I've had this problem." She took no responsibility and this is her CAREER. She didn't even apologize. I DID NOT ask her for money nor did I mention it because money wasn't and isn't the issue. Having a conscience and taking responsibility is the issue. Now 1.5 years later, we've had to redo his circumcision at the hospital. My poor baby had to be put under anesthesia, will be bandaged and uncomfo...

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            04.20.12, 05:33 PM Flag
    • Cantor Kushner he is great from Philly but travels

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      02.02.09, 01:59 PM Flag
    • We used Emily Blake last November, ped said she did a good job.

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      05.15.12, 08:45 PM Flag
  • [-]Seeking a nanny in Jersey City (Grove Street area) to work Monday through Friday about 50 to 55 hours a week. My baby is about 5 weeks old now so I'll need someone who has experience taking care of newborns. Would love any referrals!

    49 replies [ Reply | Watch | More
    03.04.09, 11:51 AM Flag ]
    • I'm a nanny! What are you willing to pay?

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      03.04.09, 11:55 AM Flag
      • np: right cause a nanny who's first question is "what are you willing to pay" is every mother's first choice! at least have the tact to say, "can you tell me the salary range of the position to see if it's a good fit before providing my contact info?" This is why you are looking for a new job.

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        03.04.09, 11:58 AM Flag
        • Lady, let's be honest ... it's ALL about the money. Let's just cut to the chase and not waste each other's time, yes?

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          03.04.09, 11:59 AM Flag
          • Apparently it is all about the money for you. However, that is not true for everyone with every job. Many of us take other factors into consideration. And most of us at least have the tact not to ask about salary as our FIRST question.

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            03.04.09, 12:01 PM Flag
            • So you're not answering the question, is that correct?

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              03.04.09, 12:02 PM Flag
              • I'm not OP. You can fake an OP reply if it will make you feel better.

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                03.04.09, 12:05 PM Flag
              • np. Looks like she's one of those moms who can't really afford a nanny, but wants one anyway, and has adopted the high minded (albeit irrational) philosophy that nannies should be satisfied with "personal fulfillment" that comes with caring for children, rather than money. I wonder how far her argument goes with her doctor.

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                03.04.09, 12:07 PM Flag
                • hi, nanny.

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                  03.04.09, 12:15 PM Flag
                  • ITA. NP gave a rational response to OR's obnoxious How much comment.

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                    03.04.09, 12:28 PM Flag
                • first OR: tell me how much you think I need to have as HHI to pay my nanny and I'll tell you if I make that much.

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                  03.04.09, 12:17 PM Flag
                  • I don't know how much HHI the employing family needs to have, but a properly-compensated nanny should be paid at least $800/week for 40 hours ... more for overtime. If you can't afford that, you can't afford a nanny.

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                    03.04.09, 12:21 PM Flag
                    • $800 gross so she nets about $600-650?

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                      03.04.09, 12:25 PM Flag
                      • Yes. Assuming she's not working a minute of overtime, which would then be calculated at time-and-a-half.

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                        03.04.09, 12:29 PM Flag
                        • I do not know a single nanny who considers ft 40 hours. Most nannies expect to work 45-50 hours if the parents commute and work ft.

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                          03.04.09, 12:33 PM Flag
                        • Full time IS 40 hours, whether it "works" for you or not.

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                          03.04.09, 12:35 PM Flag
                        • Not at any job I've ever had. Or Dh or any of my friends with college degrees. If you want to be paid like a "professional" then you need to be willing to work the crazy hours we all work for a set salary, not an hourly wage.

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                          03.04.09, 12:44 PM Flag
                        • LOL. Sounds like someone's been drinking the Kool-Aid! I'm a professional writer with two advanced degrees and I have never worked for a "set" salary in my life. My standard "work week" is 32.5 hours, after which overtime pay kicks in.

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                          03.04.09, 12:50 PM Flag
                        • Then you are very lucky, but cannot seriously think this is the norm. I am an engineer, dh a doctor; friends who are: accountants, finance, lawyers, writers, advertising, academics, actors, and small business owners (those that pop right into my mind). I do not know a single person who works less than 40 hours routinely. I'm sure they exist and I believe you are one of them - but for the nanny to state this is the norm while then stating she expects to be treated like other professionals with a college degree is disingenuous.

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                          03.04.09, 12:55 PM Flag
                        • Um, you've never heard of exempt employees? You think Wall Street/doctors/consultants/lawyers get paid by the hour?

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                          03.04.09, 12:56 PM Flag
                        • No, I'm not "lucky". There are plenty of professionals who are compensated above working 40 hours a week, including engineers, actors (especially ... HELLO! SAG and AFTRA!), writers, nurses, electricians, plumbers, etc. And don't even get me started on LAWYERS, who bill for every little extra, right down to answering a f-ing Blackberry message.

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                          03.04.09, 12:58 PM Flag
                        • UM ... every lawyer I know charges by the HOUR.

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                          03.04.09, 12:59 PM Flag
                        • For Pete's sake, it's one nanny/troll posting this. Just ignore her. According to the PSP survey that someone else already referred to, standard pay starts at $12 for 1 DC and goes up to $15 for two. Average hours worked is 46. I'm not saying there are no nannies working for $20/hour, but it bears emphasizing that this is not the norm.

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                          03.04.09, 12:59 PM Flag
                        • but does not WORK 40 hours. Nannies routinely get paid a salary based on a 45-55 hour workweek. Their salary is not normally based on 40 hours and then overtime. You are missing the point entirely.

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                          03.04.09, 01:00 PM Flag
                        • Are you dense? Lawyers charge by the hour but they are not paid by the hour. This is only true if they are self-employed. Lawyers in Big Law do not get paid hourly.

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                          03.04.09, 01:00 PM Flag
                        • agree with the "but does not WORK 40 hours" poster.

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                          03.04.09, 01:02 PM Flag
                        • I know you are right. I just hate it when one nanny gets on here, posts 15 times at ridiculous salary numbers and then new moms search to salary and nanny and think this is normal if they are new to UB. I like to make sure I at least try to counter the crazy nanny salary posts a little so that someone who gets this on a search a month from now will know to be wary. But you are right, must stop engaging this one.

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                          03.04.09, 01:02 PM Flag
                        • No. YOU are missing the point that non-professionals (like nannies) who are not on a growth-track career should not be EXPECTED to work the same kind of hours that highly-compensated professionals work. If you expect your "nanny" (babysitter) to work hours comparable to you, then you'd better pay her comparable to YOUR salary.

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                          03.04.09, 01:02 PM Flag
                        • UM ... actually I am an exempt employee (writer here). But my UNION contract provides for the sane workweek and overtime pay.

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                          03.04.09, 01:08 PM Flag
                        • OP: JUST READ THE PSP SURVEY

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                          03.04.09, 01:21 PM Flag
                        • It's a federal law that nannies must be paid by the hour

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                          02.19.11, 08:12 AM Flag
                    • HAHAHA! $20 an hour... yeah right!

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                      03.04.09, 12:29 PM Flag
                      • np. Um ... yeah. Teenage babysitters get $15/hour. The poster was erring on the VERY conservative side for a professional NANNY.

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                        03.04.09, 12:30 PM Flag
                        • Teenage babysitters do not get paid vacation, sick days, etc. And fwiw, most teenage babysitters I know are paid $12, especially if the children will be asleep for most of the time they're on duty.

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                          03.04.09, 01:35 PM Flag
                      • OR and ita. Three laid off nannies in dc's class of 18 alone. And I barely knew anyone paying that kind of money even in the flush times. Forget now. Guess we know why this nanny is unemployed.

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                        03.04.09, 12:31 PM Flag
                        • You have to learn the difference between "nannies" and "babysitters". Those unskilled women from Trinidad whom you can bully into watching your kids for 65 hours a week AND clean your house for only a couple hundred bucks a week ... are BABYSITTERS.

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                          03.04.09, 12:34 PM Flag
                        • Oh, absolutely. I need a COLLEGE kid to watch a 5 week old baby.

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                          03.04.09, 12:36 PM Flag
                        • What's the difference between that and some illegal hoochie mama who just swam ashore?

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                          03.04.09, 12:39 PM Flag
                        • If you consider yourself the definition of a "nanny," then please give me a babysitter anyday.

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                          03.04.09, 12:42 PM Flag
                        • OMG I was just about to say the same thing.

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                          03.04.09, 12:43 PM Flag
                        • Yes. OP's DB is five weeks old. As in BABY. As in BABYsitter.

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                          03.04.09, 01:26 PM Flag
                    • LOLOLOL

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                      03.04.09, 12:32 PM Flag
                    • That's an outlier. Check out the nanny survey at www.parkslopeparents.org. The rate is more like $12-$15 an hour. You do not need a graduate student with a degree in childhood education to watch a baby. Maybe when DB is older you can switch to someone with this kind of experience.

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                      03.04.09, 12:39 PM Flag
          • Oh, you'll definitely get the job now. TROLL.

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            03.04.09, 12:40 PM Flag
    • op here - Parents ask how much are you charging all the time - so what's the big deal if a Nanny ask How much are you paying?

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      03.04.09, 12:21 PM Flag
      • okay, so how much are you paying? and post your contact info pls.

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        03.04.09, 12:24 PM Flag
      • op here - earlier "op" was not the op. I'm really just looking for a referral for the JC area, the $$ stuff took off on it's own. Although the info I got here about pay is very helpful. BTW, still looking...

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        03.11.09, 04:05 AM Flag
    • I am looking for a f/t nanny. She needs to live in either jz city or hoboken. 55 hours Mon-Fri. Live out. Toddler and infant- great kids! Needs to be legal. 700 take home pay :) denisemarrtristate @ gmail

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      02.18.11, 12:32 PM Flag
    • My old nanny is available. She's truly excellent, best I've ever seen, and came to work for us when my daughter was 6 weeks old. We shifted last year from Jersey City to the Upper East Side in Manhattan and she couldn't make the commute work (she lives in Bayonne NJ), we were really really sad to see her go. She's currently looking for something in Jersey City and I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending her. She's brilliant. But I don't want to post details on a public site and don't know how to get in touch with you. I will check this board soon - if you do have an email address or phone number, please let me know.

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      02.19.11, 12:58 PM Flag
    • Hello my names Taruna I'm currently looking for a full time babysitting position in the Jersey City area. Im currently taking care of two three year old boys for the past 2 years and unfortunately my position will be ending the end of June, so I will be looking for a new position for the beginning of July. I'm very experienced in babysitting which I've been doing for the past 6 years and I'm very passionate in what I do. I have plenty of references if needed and can be contacted at (917) 373- 2212

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      05.05.12, 09:41 PM Flag
  • [-]I'm expecting my first child - a boy - in late April. Although we are not Jewish, we would like his circumcision done by a mohel. Can anyone recommend one in the NYC or Brooklyn area who is willing to work with gentiles? Thanks in advance!

    22 replies [ Reply | Watch | More
    01.27.09, 04:12 PM Flag ]
    • Why would you do that? Use a mohel when you are Jewish?

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      01.27.09, 04:14 PM Flag
      • better, safer than any MD - plus easier on the child. My ped used a mohel for her three children (as opposed to another doctor)

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        01.27.09, 04:18 PM Flag
        • i am jewish and had my ob gyn do it in the hospital (ds was hospitalized after birth for a week. if you trust an ob gyn to deliver your baby trust me they can do a circumcision. mine did a perfect job

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          01.27.09, 04:34 PM Flag
          • NP, I agree with OP, find a mohel. I'm shocked no one on the board can recommend. OP wait a bit and post, Looking for a Mohel for baby to be born in April. Leave off the rest and see if you get replies.

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            01.27.09, 04:37 PM Flag
          • ditto and ditto. our ped actually commented on what a good job she did!

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            01.27.09, 04:48 PM Flag
          • We are using a midwife practice, giving birth at a birthing center where they do not perform circumcisions. They gave us a list of doctors who would do it, but we would prefer a mohel.

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            01.27.09, 04:49 PM Flag
        • that was a religious choice, not safety choice

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          01.27.09, 04:44 PM Flag
        • why is it safer? it's done in a hospital by an md. i would choose md over mohel if i were her.

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          01.27.09, 04:47 PM Flag
        • safer? easier on the child? huh?

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          01.27.09, 04:49 PM Flag
          • i know, can you even believe this conversation?

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            01.27.09, 04:51 PM Flag
      • My MD (surgeon) DH has done so many of these he can do them in his sleep, has never had patient with a problem.

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        04.26.12, 02:12 PM Flag
    • I know a few people who did that. The "big" NYC mohels are Phil Sherman, Emily Blake, and Dorthory Greenbaum. Each charge about 800$ --

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      01.27.09, 04:45 PM Flag
      • DO NOT use Dr. Emily Blake. We used her for my son's bris in 2010 and she did a horrible job and left most of the foreskin on him. When I called her to tell her that three different pediatric urologists said that my son needed to have it redone, she basically shrugged and said something to the effect of "These things happen. It's not the first time I've had this problem." She took no responsibility and this is her CAREER. She didn't even apologize. I DID NOT ask her for money nor did I mention it because money wasn't and isn't the issue. Having a conscience and taking responsibility is the issue. Now 1.5 years later, we've had to redo his circumcision at the hospital. My poor baby had to be put under anesthesia, will be bandaged and uncomfo...

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        04.20.12, 05:34 PM Flag
    • they will work with with anyone, are you kidding? they'll take your gentile money.

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      01.27.09, 04:50 PM Flag
    • If you aren't Jewish why are you having him circumcised at all? I am from the UK where this is not at all common.

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      01.27.09, 05:49 PM Flag
    • Why would you circumcise at all? And if you insist, why do it eight days after birth in a cultural ritual that isn't yours. Doesn't it make more sense to just have it done at the hospital when the baby is two days old and much less aware?

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      01.27.09, 05:55 PM Flag
      • If she isn't have a traditional bris, the mohel can just do it whenever...

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        01.27.09, 06:24 PM Flag
        • I know this is an older post, but many mohels will perform circumcision even for Gentiles. A good mohel will have much better and quicker technique than what is done in a hospital- there is a reason why most hospitals will not let you observe them performing a circumcision- you would be appalled. And the rate of complications from circumcisions performed at 8 days is much lower than ones performed sooner, because it helps that the baby is a few days "stronger" to endure the trauma to its body.

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          04.26.12, 10:48 AM Flag
    • I can't imagine circumcising for any other reason EXCEPT religion. Bizarre.

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      04.26.12, 02:05 PM Flag
    • Cantor Mark Kushner

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      04.26.12, 06:48 PM Flag
  • [-]My pediatrician does one vaccine per visit. Anyone else's do the same?

    18 replies [ Reply | Watch | More
    04.21.12, 08:19 PM Flag ]
    • We do one combo or 2 single at a time -- kind of depends on the vaccine though... Not for typical reasons - we've had reactions in the immediate family so we have to monitor closely.

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      04.21.12, 08:24 PM Flag
    • Upon request. We did our vaccinations this way. Followed the alternative schedule in that Green vaccination book (Dr. Sears).

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      04.21.12, 08:24 PM Flag
      • Ugh - he's such a quack. That's like following the philosophy of 'Dr. Phil' - sheeple.

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        04.21.12, 08:27 PM Flag
        • he's not a quack. he's a feel-good-doctor-of-what's-happening-now, but not a quack. he wants to make a buck but i think he loves children. he has to. he had seven of them.

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          04.21.12, 08:30 PM Flag
          • ::roll::

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            04.21.12, 08:30 PM Flag
            • as in eye roll? the man loves kids. don't take his advice but he loves them.

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              04.21.12, 08:33 PM Flag
              • I love kids too. Want to buy my book?

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                04.21.12, 08:46 PM Flag
          • np: plenty of quacks are nice people. he is a quack, though.

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            04.21.12, 08:39 PM Flag
            • what does he say that qualifies him as a quack?

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              04.21.12, 09:10 PM Flag
    • Our ped offers it but said he only does this for the silly vacc fearful mommies who don't know it doesn't matter.

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      04.21.12, 08:29 PM Flag
    • more co-pays. Fun!

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      04.21.12, 08:30 PM Flag
      • usually, a nurse does the shot and no co-pay for just shots.

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        04.21.12, 08:32 PM Flag
    • My ped does it at my request. Not every child tolerates vaccines the same way. I have the time so figure with all the controversy why not play it safe.

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      04.21.12, 08:43 PM Flag
      • omg. "all the controversy"? do you also think there is a lot of reasonable controversy surrounding evolution and global warming? or just a critical mass of vocal morons?

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        04.21.12, 08:47 PM Flag
        • Do you read the papers? There is a TON of controversy surrounding global warming. What's the harm in getting one shot at a time. After weighing pros and cons, I just didn't see the downside except the loss of my time.

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          04.21.12, 08:52 PM Flag
          • the point i am trying to make is that there is a difference between reasonable controversy and manufactured controversy. The latter is created by ignorance rather than conflicting evidence. The vaccine "controversy" you are talking about is manufactured. The controversy surrounding global warming is 98% manufactured. The controversy surrounding evolution is manufactured. C'mon.

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            04.21.12, 08:55 PM Flag
      • oh barf.

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        04.21.12, 08:48 PM Flag
  • [-]Dr. Emily Blake or Cantor Phil Sherman for a bris in NJ? Blake's demeanor seems to get much better 'ratings' on here but I am confused by this clamp situation...anyone use Blake who can explain what she does in the other room with a clamp and what kind of a technical job she does?

    4 replies [ Reply | Watch | More
    12.22.08, 09:16 AM Flag ]
    • I too was concerned about Emily Blake's method for my son's bris after reading some of the posts on here. But I ultimately decided to go with her anyway for a variety of reasons (one of which is that my understand is that all 'doctor-mohels' do it this way and I preferred to have a doctor). I am so glad we used her. Like another poster said, our son slept most of the time and didn't cry at all throughout the entire procedure. My in-laws are doctors and were in the prep room with Dr. Blake prior to the actual bris and could attest to me first-hand that she was soothing and professional and didn't do anything that upset the baby. She just preps so that a minimal amount of the "scary part" happens during the actual bris service, which puts eve...

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      03.24.09, 05:48 PM Flag
    • Literally only negative on Emily Blake is that she is very chatty - on phone and stays after bris a while. But it's also nice because she is very thorough with follow up and checking the circumcision and reviewing the post care. She has a very nice, "spiritual" aura.

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      03.24.09, 05:50 PM Flag
      • We used Dr. Emily Blake and a friend who recently attended my son's bris told me that she thought the service was so beautiful and spiritual, it actually made her feel she'd like to marry someone Jewish (she never really cared before). I thought that was the best compliment she could give to the way the bris was handled.

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        05.12.09, 11:58 AM Flag
    • DO NOT use Dr. Emily Blake. We used her for my son's bris in 2010 and she did a horrible job and left most of the foreskin on him. When I called her to tell her that three different pediatric urologists said that my son needed to have it redone, she basically shrugged and said something to the effect of "These things happen. It's not the first time I've had this problem." She took no responsibility and this is her CAREER. She didn't even apologize. I DID NOT ask her for money nor did I mention it because money wasn't and isn't the issue. Having a conscience and taking responsibility is the issue. Now 1.5 years later, we've had to redo his circumcision at the hospital. My poor baby had to be put under anesthesia, will be bandaged and uncomfo...

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      04.20.12, 05:47 PM Flag
  • [-]Anyone seen/used both Emily Blake and Dorothy Greenbaum for a bris? Trying to decide. Used Blake last time but not sure if I should switch.

    24 replies [ Reply | Watch | More
    08.07.08, 09:57 AM Flag ]
    • Nope, but Phil Sherman was amazing (so fast with the boy he had no time to cry).

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      08.07.08, 10:33 AM Flag
      • Phil Sherman is the exact opposite of Emily Blake. if you like her style you will hate him and vise versa.

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        08.07.08, 10:38 AM Flag
        • What's she like? I'm the one who appreciated Phil's speedy hands above. Every other bris I have been to has been torture, with baby screaming, use of clamps, sometimes even strapped to a plastic platform to immobilize. My main concern was my boy's comfort. I wanted him off the breast for the least time possible and Phil made that happen. We're Reconstructionists but didn't mind his pedagogical differences. Spouse is a pediatrician and preferred this approach. In fact, he refers even non-Jews to mohelim if baby does not get circ at hospital and parents want it.

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          08.07.08, 10:42 AM Flag
          • OP: Blake was really mellow and sweet and lead a beautiful service. Sends it to you via e-mail first so you can print it out for all your guests to follow along. So moving it made me cry, with stuff about his future, etc., and his name/hebrew name on first page, etc. Just really warm. HOWEVER, she did strap ds gently to a board in a back room first and apply the clamp.. so he was held down for a long time and started crying right then, through the whole thing. Brought out on board (covered in blankets), it was done, he was unstrapped and given to me. But there was a lot of crying b/c he was confined for so long. Want the nice service of Blake with the quick snip of Sherman. Where to find it??

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            08.07.08, 10:51 AM Flag
            • Beats me but maybe you could write want you recall from Blake's service and give it as your own speech. My boy was on my breast while Phil spoke, then on a pillow in my father's lap sucking on a hanky corner dipped in wine as Phil spoke more. Husband held his legs for the 5 or fewer seconds of the snip itself. Handed to me immediately to get back on breast while the dancing and singing went on. Then we went into another room and Phil showed us how to do after-care. It all depends on what's most important to you. PS is not part of our ongoing spiritual life so his remarks were not pivotal.

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              08.07.08, 10:59 AM Flag
              • I have the entire service printed out from last time, so I guess i could do that. Have heard that PS is cracking jokes about "working for tips", etc. the whole time, and talking about how great he is, etc... so that part I'd love to avoid.

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                08.07.08, 12:04 PM Flag
                • Definitely an egotist but an artist with the knife. He'll tell you where he's cutting if you want to take a peek. Brit milah requires no invitation, you know. Attending is a mitzvah.

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                  08.07.08, 12:12 PM Flag
                • I have been to many brises by both and phil sherman will not give you the warmth of Emily. He is a show man and it's his show. But Emily did my son's bris. I didn't want the board so she didn't use it. I held my son until the actual sniping time and then my dh held him during the sniping part. We did get my son nice and drunk first with the gause dipped in wine (at emily's suggestion)

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                  08.07.08, 12:14 PM Flag
                  • Sounds as if she's willing to be flexible! Talk to her.

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                    08.07.08, 12:19 PM Flag
                  • Thank you so much for your reply - perhaps this is my answer! Did she put the clamp on beforehand and everything? She told me that essentially the real circ. occurs before the baby is even brought in (when she clamps it in the other room) but I really hated how long he was held down/clamped. Maybe we can do it the way you did. Was she fine with that?

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                    08.07.08, 03:53 PM Flag
                    • Oh no, now I don't like that Idea at all. If she needs a clamp, she's no Phil Sherman. If the circ is happening at some other time/place really then the ceremony feels like BS to me. I couldn't do anything that led to more than a few seconds of crying so I'm back to Phil. Nobody else out there who does it freehand??

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                      08.08.08, 07:27 AM Flag
            • So interesting. I used Blake and agree with the feel BUT my son slept through the whole thing! Didn't cry at all. And she had him on the board but he was comfortable and sleeping.

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              08.08.08, 06:46 AM Flag
            • Definitely use Dorothy Greenbaum then, fast procedure and moving ceremony

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              01.21.09, 06:19 PM Flag
    • Let that poor boy keep his foreskin, please.

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      08.07.08, 12:13 PM Flag
      • Go start your own thread. None of us are taking this bait.

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        08.07.08, 12:22 PM Flag
    • Thought Dorothy Greenbaum was fabulous. Warm, kind, made everyone feel comfortable (and we had a lot of gentiles at the bris). Phil Sherman puts on a show, it's rote. Seen him a ton of times and he tells the same jokes each time, zooms through it. Don't like him.

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      08.07.08, 04:22 PM Flag
      • ita about Dorothy Greenbaum. She was wonderful. My OB attended and he was amazed at what a wonderful job she did.

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        08.07.08, 04:33 PM Flag
        • OP: To both of you - did you feel like she rambled on and talked about herself a lot? That's one complaint/comment I heard from another person who used her. That is was not "schtick" like Sherman, but that she just "rambled" a lot. Was the service itself nice? Did she put the baby on a board at all or just brought out and put on a pillow?

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          08.07.08, 07:34 PM Flag
      • Didn't like Greenbaum. Thought she was a little too showy for me. She was nice but left too much skin on when she did my friend's son's circumcision and now they have to get it redone at a year old. I hear that's common.

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        01.21.09, 04:49 PM Flag
    • DON'T DO IT

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      08.07.08, 07:37 PM Flag
      • snip snip... Off with their heads !

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        08.07.08, 07:45 PM Flag
    • Best Mohel: Dr. Eric Diamond. Loved his service. Great circumcision. Baby didnt cry. Has a list you can follow on his website Moheldr.com His list makes it easier to buy all of the things you need. I didn't want to think about all of the stuff last minute... I knew how to plan for everything in advance. My sister also just used Dr. Eric Diamnd. He did her Bris out east on Long Island and he didn't even charge her more to go there. I thought he was very fair. We both thought he was great.

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      01.21.09, 04:47 PM Flag
    • i used emily blake for my ds and i LOVE her

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      01.21.09, 04:52 PM Flag
      • DO NOT use Dr. Emily Blake. We used her for my son's bris in 2010 and she did a horrible job and left most of the foreskin on him. When I called her to tell her that three different pediatric urologists said that my son needed to have it redone, she basically shrugged and said something to the effect of "These things happen. It's not the first time I've had this problem." She took no responsibility and this is her CAREER. She didn't even apologize. I DID NOT ask her for money nor did I mention it because money wasn't and isn't the issue. Having a conscience and taking responsibility is the issue. Now 1.5 years later, we've had to redo his circumcision at the hospital. My poor baby had to be put under anesthesia, will be bandaged and uncomfo...

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        04.20.12, 05:36 PM Flag
  • [-]Mother to an adorable newborn. Parents insist on staying with me to help care for the baby (their first grandchild). My mother is driving me crazy be

    17 replies [ Reply | Watch | More
    04.18.12, 02:12 PM Flag ]
    • ...cause she is constantly second-guessing everything I do - from feeding the baby to hiring a nurse. Anything and everything is fair game. The latest - an old family friend who is a retired pediatrician is giving my mother unsolicited advice re: baby. I appreciate the concern, but what she says is sometimes at odds with what I hear from the baby's pediatrician (who was a referral from my dear OB). What to do? Going crazy here.

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      04.18.12, 02:15 PM Flag
      • how long are they staying? a few more weeks or a few more months? if the former, put up with it and just nod and ignore. if the latter, you have to have a conversation

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        04.18.12, 02:17 PM Flag
        • Sadly, it's two more months - and there is no rectifying the living situation. Anytime I call out my mother's behavior she gets super defensive. No reasoning with her. Sigh.

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          04.18.12, 02:38 PM Flag
          • You should tell her that your doctor said ZYX and that you trust them and will follow their advice. keep repeating that like a mantra. my mom did the exact same thing to me and RUINED my 3 month maternity leave. she was living with me to "help" the whole time.

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            04.18.12, 02:42 PM Flag
            • I will try that - thank you!

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              04.18.12, 02:44 PM Flag
              • Np: If she won't knock it off, your parents need to go home early. You and DH need to make decisions on how to care for db, and to enjoy DB. There's no room for him to be a co-parent if everything is a negotiation between you and your mom. Pushing back on your mom is important to your marriage.

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                04.18.12, 02:54 PM Flag
            • Feel your pain - I find that sometimes, it's easier, budget permitting, to hire an experienced, professional caregiver rather than to rely on 'help' from my mother.

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              04.18.12, 02:46 PM Flag
            • If you can believe it, DM attacked my pediatrician, saying they **can't** be good because they charge an exorbitant amount for a visit and don't accept insurance. Honestly, I don't even have a retort for that. Sigh.

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              04.18.12, 02:49 PM Flag
              • I am the OR above. you cant reason with your mom on that stuff. so dont engage. just say, well, this is what I am going to do. have her come to the doctors appt with you. that helped with me actually. yes, i brought my mom to both the OB and the Ped. it shut her up.

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                04.18.12, 03:13 PM Flag
                • Thank you! You are SO lucky that bringing your mom to the OB and the Ped worked. i made the mistake of brining my mother with me (she insisted - no surprise) to the Ped. Mistake. Even though my mother (English isn't her first language) can't really follow what the Ped is saying, she is convinced the Ped (with 40+ years of experience) has *no* idea what she's doing... I agree, sometimes there is no reasoning with my mother.

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                  04.18.12, 03:38 PM Flag
          • Np: this is your chance to renegotiate your relationship with your parents. Of course you don't need to be mean, but you need to establish your authority in re DB. Your mother is no longer the only infant in your life. It may be a tough adjustment. But think of db, and do it. If you can't set boundaries with her when you're postpartum, you never will.

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            04.18.12, 02:47 PM Flag
    • adorable or beautiful or just sweet?

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      04.18.12, 02:26 PM Flag
      • All of the above - but I'm sure plenty of new parents feel the same about their babies!

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        04.18.12, 02:42 PM Flag
    • just remember that everyone is acting out of love. everyone wants the baby to have the best. just nod and smile and be grateful for the help. as another pediatrician, i'm quite sure none of the family friend's advice is affirmatively harmful, so just roll with it. the time together will be so much nicer and more memorable if you stop sweating small stuff. it really doesn't matter -- baby will be fine, and this should be a happy time for all of you. it's not the time to start having major power struggles. gl!

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      04.18.12, 03:37 PM Flag
      • Thank you so much for your reply - the thing is, do I constantly act on the second opinion? i feel that if I do not, my mother won't stop nagging (she nags on everything). Trying desperately to enjoy this time with the newborn, but my exhaustion plus the constant criticism (and personal attacks) are wearing on me.

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        04.18.12, 03:42 PM Flag
        • I think if you pick your battles, she'll relent. if it's something that's just stylistic, or 6 on one hand, half dozen on the other, then just let it go. if it's something where it's been demonstrated that your way is better, just say, I'd like to do it this way this time, and then do what you want to do. the key is not to get riled up about it.

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          04.18.12, 03:45 PM Flag
  • [-]DS is 5 months and keeps rolling onto his tummy to sleep. I put him on his back and he rolls right back over. I am worried about SIDS, but really, I have never known anyone who lost a baby to this anyway. Has anyone on this board ever known any baby to die of SIDS? Am I worrying over nothing?

    13 replies [ Reply | Watch | More
    03.06.12, 11:35 AM Flag ]
    • Let him sleep on his stomach. Babies are more comfy on their stomach. Ds was in nicu on his stomach and nothing happened.

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      03.06.12, 11:37 AM Flag
    • Seems to be really rare, that said BIL's friend just lost a baby to SIDS.

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      03.06.12, 11:38 AM Flag
      • How old was he? They say the risk goes down at 6 months. Maybe I am just a neurotic new mom fixating on stupid stuff.

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        03.06.12, 11:43 AM Flag
    • My friends baby girl died of sids during the first 3mo's.

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      03.06.12, 11:43 AM Flag
    • If the baby keeps rolling over on his own, there is not much you can do about it. I think if you minimize all other risk factors -- use an overhead fan, no bumpers, etc., you're doing everything you can.

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      03.06.12, 11:45 AM Flag
      • Agreed...the Back to Sleep thing if for babies until they roll over. At that point you have not control, except for tying them down, which would cause other issues...

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        03.06.12, 12:16 PM Flag
    • can he roll from front to back on his own? can he lift his head up and move from left to right? thats what matters in terms of them clearing their airway

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      03.06.12, 12:38 PM Flag
      • Yes, he can do all of those things. I guess I am being foolish.

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        03.06.12, 01:57 PM Flag
    • my db did the same thing. i checked the monitor frequently. always turned him around when i noticed him on his stomach. (SIDS in the family so i am extra paranoid)

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      03.06.12, 12:49 PM Flag
      • ^^ i was more paranoid during 0-3mo when he couldn't move his neck as much.

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        03.06.12, 12:52 PM Flag
      • I turn him, but he just flips back over.

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        03.06.12, 01:59 PM Flag
        • If u are concerned, Keep turning him back.

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          03.06.12, 06:39 PM Flag
    • Keep crib clear of fluffy things that he could roll over on to/padded bumpers/blankets and if he can roll stomach to back and has the neck strength to lift his head while on his stomach, you are very likely in the clear. Ask your pediatrician to ease your worries, but I don't think you're being foolish. I do think you baby's risk at this point is pretty darn low- especially if you don't have any other known risk factors- no smoking around the kid/in the house, safe crib...

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      04.03.12, 05:43 AM Flag
  • [-]My ds is almost 4 months. We never got an excersaucer or jumparoo...do I need either of these things? How much use is typical from either? tia

    12 replies [ Reply | Watch | More
    03.19.12, 08:32 PM Flag ]
    • You do not. They are better off on the floor.

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      03.19.12, 08:42 PM Flag
    • ExerSaucer is useful to help DB learn how to stand. But, you could probably do without if you have a play yard. I'm sure DB would learn how to pull himself up eventually.

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      03.19.12, 08:42 PM Flag
      • ^useful to have a place to put DB when you are cooking, etc

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        03.19.12, 08:43 PM Flag
        • op: we have the bumbo and some johnny jumper thingy that attaches to doorway to kitchen. i'm just wondering if excersaucer is worth it?

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          03.19.12, 08:49 PM Flag
        • +1

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          03.19.12, 08:50 PM Flag
    • Anyone ever try the foldable fabric exersaucer?

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      03.19.12, 08:46 PM Flag
    • Kids don't need help learning to stand. Crawling is really good for them, the reciprocal movement helps dve

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      03.19.12, 08:48 PM Flag
      • I don't think most people get those to help their kid learn to stand, but rather to keep them corralled and entertained when necessary. So.. necessary for the kid, no. Necessary for the parent trying to make dinner? Definitely! (although OP has the jumping thing to keep her covered on that front)

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        03.19.12, 09:28 PM Flag
    • Both my boys loved using a jumpy swing that hangs in a doorway. They are cheap, compact and you can travel w them.

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      03.19.12, 09:10 PM Flag
    • Jumparoo is just a lot of fun for dc. Exersaucer too!

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      03.20.12, 05:42 AM Flag
    • We have neither of those things. We did just get a Bumbo seat (hilarious) and we do have one of those Fisher Price bouncy seat things with a play arch that our little guy LOVES.

      [ Reply | More ]
      04.03.12, 05:39 AM Flag
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