Conference moira::parenting_v3

    We bought one out of desperation at Tiny Totland in Manchester.
    Even though it did help, I think it would have been more effective
    if we had it BEFORE he was born and started using it right from
    the start ..that's what we plan on doing when (if?) another one 
    comes along ..
    
    As far as not being deprived of sleep?  I don't think a gadget 
    exists to do that ...(smile).
    
    Nancy

    I've seen the bears in TOYS R US.  They're not cheap.  I remember
    considering one, but the $40 price tag put me off.  
    
    I've been through two infants without a bear; one was a light/fussy
    sleeper, the other slept through the night a four weeks.  Who know why
    they do what they do?  In utero sounds may help, but they are no 
    guarantee.  
    
    Good luck!  
    LZP
    

    
    Our bear is 6 years old and its been through 2 babies.  I can't really 
    comment on its effectiveness.  Like .2 we had one good sleeper and one
    horrible sleeper.  One advantage was that when using the bear, the baby
    was still awake when I put him/her down instead of letting them fall
    asleep in my arms.
    
    Rochelle
    
    P.S. The bear is kind of fragile and has to be put away when the
         baby is old enough to rip the battery out. [Experience talking
   	 here]  

    My experience through three kids has been that anything that makes
    a steady whooshing noise -- air cleaners, fans, humidifiers -- 
    are usually as effective as expensive "baby sound" doodads and
    often a whole lot cheaper.  (Our $15 air cleaner is on its second
    kid. )
    
    --bonnie

    I too second anything that makes "white noise", there are machines made
    to do this, but the air cleaner is much cheaper for producing the same
    noise, plus the benefit of semi-clean air (I'm a skeptic of air cleaners)
    
    What we found woke AJ up quickest was cold sheets.  Our solution was to
    first use flannel crib sheets, and when he woke up we put a heating pad
    on the spot where he was laying when we picked him up, to keep it warm,
    and removed it when we put him back down so the crib was warm and soft.  
    It worked wonders for us at least. Who knows, you may have a baby who 
    won't need any of this, you might just take a wait and see attitude.
    
    Lyn

    
    You can "rent" one from the Fallon Clinic if you are a member.  I tried
    one out with my daughter for about 2 weeks.  I really didn't like it
    that much personally and don't know if it helped her or not.
    
    They just ask you to replace it with a new battery when you are
    through.  I am also not sure if there is a limit to how long you may
    use it.  It might be worth while to try it out this way first, and then
    buy one if it helps your child sleep.
    
    Sue

    I also bought one when they first came out (my son is now 9 1/2) and he
    was collicky, so I don't know if it worked or not.  I gave it to my
    sister when my niece was born, she agrees that you really can't tell
    if it works or not.  Definetely make sure you do it from the first
    day they come home or even at the hospital if they'll let you.  I
    don't know if I would spend the money again though.  Just my opinion.
    

Just a side comment. Try to avoid abosulte silence around your young'uns when
they are new born, as it will make it more difficult for them to sleep. My
son, usually had sounds of some sort or another around most of the time. My
wife could vacuum his room while he was having a nap, and he wouldn't wake
(Yes, he has perfect hearing). 

q

    I also use to vacuum in my sons room when he was sleeping.  When we
    sold our house the Fire department had to come out and check the fire
    alarms to make sure they were working. The fireman notice my son at the
    time (4 weeks old) and said this will probably wake him up I said that
    is fine its around feeding time anyway.  Well he tested the fire alarms
    on all three levels and my son never woke up.  He is now 3 years old
    and he still sleeps thru them and about everything else. ( and his
    hearing is perfect)
    
    
    Carla
    

    My husband and I have both been involved with our town's Fire Dept and
    ambulance since AJ was a matter of months old (moving day was 4 years
    ago tomorrow in that awful blizzard!!)  We've always had two pagers, in
    the bedroom and kitchen, and a scanner in the livingroom.  At first he
    might awaken a bit when the tones went off, and occationally would wake
    up because dad makes some pretty noticable noise in his boots, but now
    he doesn't even wake up at all! Including when the phone rings in the
    middle of the night, thanks to either this fine company calling my
    husband or the dispatcher with a call. I think it's unrealistic to try and
    keep the house "morgue quiet" just because there's a nap in progress. 
    My sister used to wait for nap time just to vacume.  My son's godfather
    is also on the fire dept, and his wife never turned down the scanner or
    pager either for naps.  IMO, it's good to get them used to sleeping
    with some noise.
    
    Lyn

    I agree you should get use to sleeping with noises.  When I use to
    visit my sister you would have to be very quiet during nap time because
    she did not want to wake the kids.  If you were watching TV you would
    have to watch it with the volume turned down so low you could not even
    hear it.  If I tried calling her during nap time I would never get her 
    because she would unplug the phone.
    
    C
    

    I have 2 world-champion sleepers, so I don't have any firsthand experience
    with sleep gadgets, but if I were interested in them, I'd skip the bear
    and go for one of those white-noise-and-crib-shaker things (supposed to
    simulate riding in a car, I think).

    Also in (partial) rebuttal to those who recommend making lots of noise
    while the baby's sleeping :) I will point out that some people sleep
    more deeply than others.  My older son is in the category with the
    baby that sleeps through smoke alarm testing - when he's asleep, he's
    *really* asleep.  My younger son sleeps much more lightly, and if
    anyone walks into his room while he's sleeping, he immediately pops his
    head up and is awake.  If anything, he's accustomed to more sleeptime
    noise than his older brother, because said brother is contributing lots
    of noise to the household now, but the house was pretty quiet when there
    was just one baby.  So just use your common sense about what's an
    acceptable level of noise for your baby to sleep through, and don't count
    on putting away the baby's clean clothes in the dresser while they're
    sleeping (she says, thinking about that stack of clothes on the rocking
    chair in the other bedroom...)
				cheryl

    I have such a bear stored away in a box of baby toys.  I'd be happy to
    sell it for a fraction of what it would cost new.
    
    If you're interested, get in touch with me offline:
    
    LJOHUB::HICKSCOURANT
    DTN 226-2008
    
    
    Martha
    

Thanks for all your opinions!  In general you've confirmed 
MY gut feelings that no toy or anything will be a cure all. 
I also agree with all of you recommending to let the baby 
get used to sleeping thru some noise. 

I'll have to get hubby to read these and see if HIS gut feelings 
change any as a result of all this experience!

It's funny - we're both equal rookies at this but our opinions
on so many baby considerations are 180 degrees difference. But
honestly, I'm thankful he's interested and not leaving all the 
decisions up to me. 

6 weeks til "D-day"!

Thanks again!
Norma