Those Baby Shows

Gompers, BSN, RN · Oct 30, 2006

Haha I loved this! Now I don't have kids (and I won't for a while! I'm 18.) but the little girl I babysit for is 19 months old, and her mom just had another girl in September, so they are 18 months apart. I haven't watched them together yet but I will again starting in the end of November. Whenever I go and visit Eliza (the older sister) is always trying to poke Gemma (the little sister), hold her, shove her pacifier in her mouth, etc! I mean she doesn't succeed in doing it, but she does try! The mom is having a tough time because now Eliza is being very clingy and wants to be held all the time. I mean it's not that she didn't expect it, but this show is always way off! While little kids may enjoy having a big brother or sister, they aren't going to love them and act like little angels ALL the time!

There is this GREAT picture of my brother taken the day I came home from the hospital. My mom is holding me (she looks extremely tired, I look extremely red and wrinkled) and my brother is standing next to us giving me a bottle. Except he just has it SHOVED in my mouth, and he's turning away from me looking at the camera with this look on his face that CLEARLY says, "Do we HAVE to feed it? Can't we just let it STARVE to death???"

Gompers, BSN, RN · Oct 30, 2006

My other big complaint is how often they do not use corificeats correctly- aftermarket snuzzlers that strap in, bundle-mes that strap in, chest clips too low, toys and mirrors on the handles and seat backs, and harnesses that are too loose.

Gotta sneak this in here, since I just registered for baby stuff and have been reading a lot about this kind of thing. Yes, those snuzzlers and head rolls are not approved for use unless they come with the corificeat. This is why I registered for the corificeat by Chicco that already has a nice snuzzler-like insert (4-11 lbs) that comes factory installed and is safety tested. The Bundle Me covers, however, are approved. The knock-off brands might not be, but the original one is considered a better option than putting a baby in a snowsuit (which causes the corificeat harness to not fit right and baby to overheat on long rides) or putting a blanket over the carrier (which could smother the baby).

Safety info for the Original Bundle Me:

In line with JJ Cole's commitment to child safety, the Bundle Me has been tested to FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard) 213 requirements. Tests performed on infant car seats with the Bundle Me installed found that the car seats complied with the Restraint System Integrity and Occupant Excursion portions of the FMVSS 213 requirements.

Sorry for the hijack!!!

Lovely_RN, MSN · Oct 30, 2006

****I have to vent about those silly shows so please forgive me******

I watched those shows religously while I was expecting my baby and they totally gave me a false sense of what to expect. I actually apologized to the doc and nurse after I had my daughter because I cursed like a sailor while I was in a stadol induced stupor. I really thought I was abnormal because I had never seen anyone carry on the way I did on a Baby story! So instead of feeling proud that I gave birth to an almost 8lb baby with only 8 hours of labor and no epi I felt bad for not being able to control myself like those women on T.V.

I also cannot watch Bringing Home Baby because the couples do act stepford like! I hate to see a new mom who wants to bf giving the baby a supplemental bottle . It sucks because they haven't been taught any better and they are really going to wonder what they heck happened in a week when their milk supply drastically dwindles and they end up supplementing even more or just throwing in the towel because they think they can't manufacture enough milk. I almost fell into that trap and thank God I found LLL before I lost my milk completely! It took a lot of hard work to build my supply back up and get to a point where I can EBF.

Finally, the absolute last thing new parent's need is a camera crew on them 24/7 or for that matter any visitors at all. It creates nothing but stress and aggravation to have people over during the first few weeks. There should be a rule for new parents that all visitors must cook, clean, and run errands!

They should also voluntarily leave the room or better yet your home without being told to do so when it's time to feed the baby. I am sorry but the entire extended family doesn't need to stare at my boobs while I am trying to get a 1-week-old baby to latch on properly and I don't need any helpful comments like: "She doesn't look like she is getting anything? Or how much formula does she drink? She looks hungry why don't you just give her a bottle" Grrrrr :angryfire

O.K Vent over...thanks for letting me share.

htrn · Oct 31, 2006

On admission.

Me: Have you taken any prenatal classes during your pregnancy?

Pt: No, but I've been watching "Baby Story" and reading alot of stuff on the internet.

Me: Groan and :uhoh3: :uhoh3: :rolleyes:

LiveZen · Oct 31, 2006

Glad this thread has caught some interest. I was figuring most people around here didn't like the shows...which is perfectly fine with me. I'm pretty much a sucker for any medical/baby shows...I think they're fun...but fun is different than trying to substitute that for prenatal classes...yikes!

I must say though, that I think the adoption stories are really neat. I know the families have to drop a ton of money to make it happen, but the fact that they are willing to make that sacrifice to take on a baby no one else wanted...I think that is amazing. I know a family who does ok financially (not loaded, but does ok), with 3 kids already and they are waiting for a baby girl from China. No TV show involved. They would think that was crazy.

But, I will admit, even the adoption shows make the whole process seem quick and easy though (like a 30 minute labor) instead of the 18 month process that international adoption really is. TV glams everything up doesn't it?

slou! · Oct 31, 2006

Glad this thread has caught some interest. I was figuring most people around here didn't like the shows...which is perfectly fine with me. I'm pretty much a sucker for any medical/baby shows...I think they're fun...but fun is different than trying to substitute that for prenatal classes...yikes!
I must say though, that I think the adoption stories are really neat. I know the families have to drop a ton of money to make it happen, but the fact that they are willing to make that sacrifice to take on a baby no one else wanted...I think that is amazing. I know a family who does ok financially (not loaded, but does ok), with 3 kids already and they are waiting for a baby girl from China. No TV show involved. They would think that was crazy.
But, I will admit, even the adoption shows make the whole process seem quick and easy though (like a 30 minute labor) instead of the 18 month process that international adoption really is. TV glams everything up doesn't it?

I agree with all of this. I always find myself watching all of the Discovery Health shows and anything medical related, like these shows! But I can see how they would be annoying!

I also think the adoption stories are neat. I know a lot of people who are adopting, both internationally and nationally. My sister works for an adoption agency actually. I don't think that these shows portray adoption like it really is. Depending on the country, it can take anywhere from 8 months to 2-3 years! The show never shows any of that! They also don't show the aftermath when the child has attachment disorders and problems with bonding, do they? Not that this happens with every adopted child, but it does happen with some! Actually they might, I haven't seen that many episodes, but any time I've seen it I haven't seen this. TV does do a good job of hiding reality!

julieK · Oct 31, 2006

The thing that killed me about "Bringing Home Baby" was how in order all the moms' homes seem to be, even after bringing home their first baby. My house was an absolute disaster for at least 2 months after I had my son, and these mothers are cooking actual meals with actual courses and silverware on a table that is actually a clear surface!!!!!

-Julie in NYC

klone, MSN, RN · Oct 31, 2006

There was one episode of "A Baby Story" where they not only had EVERY family member present (we're talking brothers-in-law, grandfathers, etc.) but they also had a school-age boy that lived next door because they wanted him to see what childbirth was like!!!
My personal mantra will always be, "If you weren't at the conception, you shouldn't be at the delivery."

I've found that it's very cultural. A high percentage of patients we see are Mexican immigrants, and childbirth seems to be very much a social occasion. I actually like it, because the mothers, grandmothers, sisters, sisters-in-law, et al, usually provide so much good emotional support to the mom, and I don't feel as bad if I can't spend as much time with her as I'd like. In my experience, the women are very hands on and really help out the mother, emotionally.

AmericanChai · Oct 31, 2006

:) Okay I have to admit, for the birth of my second child I did have a lot of people in the room. I had my two girlfriends, my husband, and a doula. It was a very large room and it was really nice having them to keep me company, take photos, and such. I cherish those photos. The two girlfriends are like the sisters I never had, and I was doula for the births of two babies for one, and one baby for the other. I guess when you are in that pushing stage you lose modesty anyway and don't care who sees you! lol!

I valued the emtional support they gave me. I really did. I had made arrangements that if I needed a section, the doula would wait right outside the OR so that when my husband followed baby to the nursery, the doula come come in and hold my hand until I was stiched up. Glad I just had two routine births, no sections.

A little bit off topic with the show discussion. I don't have cable so they didn't influence me one way or the other. I am not sure I would want the births of my kids on national TV with the whole film crew in there.

Having a doula or a sister or girlfriend really does help the laboring mother feel more calm and emotionally supported, esp. for a natural drug-free birth. My husband is a wonderful man but he does not do well with blood and was kinda freaked out for the first birth. Then after I had the epidural he fell asleep on the recliner!!! For the second birth it was like a little tea party and we talked and laughed and shared stories until it was time to push. Beats watching re-runs on TV while hubby naps!

Gompers, BSN, RN · Oct 31, 2006

:) Okay I have to admit, for the birth of my second child I did have a lot of people in the room. I had my two girlfriends, my husband, and a doula. It was a very large room and it was really nice having them to keep me company, take photos, and such. I cherish those photos. The two girlfriends are like the sisters I never had, and I was doula for the births of two babies for one, and one baby for the other. I guess when you are in that pushing stage you lose modesty anyway and don't care who sees you! lol!

Please don't feel like you have to defend your decision. I'm just telling you guys MY own personal views on childbirth, and it's something that I don't want to share with anyone but my husband. That's ME.

There is also a difference between having a doula and some close friends or family members there for support, and having the whole neighborhood there to just gape. Support peolple are very helpful and comforting to the mother. There is nothing wrong with that. Same like the above mentioned cultural scenario - yes, in some cultures many of the mother's female family members are there for guidance and that's a wonderful tradition.

What I was referring to was the freak show stuff. There is no reason for your brother-in-law to be in the room, or the boy next door for that matter! If people are there just to "be there" and they're not doing anything to support mom, then they're just in the way. There is a major difference between being there for support and being there to just watch and stare with twenty other people.

Again, this is my own PERSONAL view on the topic.

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN · Oct 31, 2006

On admission.
Me: Have you taken any prenatal classes during your pregnancy?
Pt: No, but I've been watching "Baby Story" and reading alot of stuff on the internet.
Me: Groan and :uhoh3: :rolleyes:

I actually said this the last time I had my baby. I was totally joking. After a minute..the nurse caught on and let me tell you...in all my discomfort we were ROTFLOL.

rbytsdy · Oct 31, 2006

I can't watch A Baby Story anymore. I swear, my ob group is on every other show. I started calling the OB that delivered my dd, "Dr. A Baby Story" because he is on so often. It just reminds me of the horrible over management of my birth.

House of Babies in kind of cool even though the head midwife scares me a bit sometimes. LOL!!