Jumping Monkeys: Episode 10

To celebrate our first double digit episode, we invite the inimitable Cat Schwartz to chat about new motherhood, mommy gadgets, and moms groups.

Listen to episode 10 at TWiT.tv

Download episode 10 at iTunes

SPEND: Mama Merit Badges
found on Rookie Moms

SAVE: The Mom Advice Blog

GIVE: Bundlo

BOOK PICK:
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

LINKS:

Found on DaddyTypes

• Samorost
  Recommended by John in New York of MyFamilyLovesit.com
• Vintage ToonCast
  From listener Bryan

LISTENER MAIL:

Nathanial's Family by Elda L. Robinson

Comments

[Mark]

Thanks for the Bundlo mention! Great cast as usual. Best - Mark

[Mark]

Oh... and just to make sure everyone is clear, Bundlo allows users to add custom content including widgets and other things to your site. But the baby ticker widget you mention was designed by Babystrology and can be downloaded at widget box using the following URL... http://www.widgetbox.com/widget/baby-ticker

[Paul Cyopick]

That's one weird video.

[Kent Goldings]

That was a great podcast. I loved hearing for Cat. I think that Cat should embrace that she's sexy and a Mom. She can be the poster-woman for yummy-mummys everywhere. I'm surprised that more people don't know about infants and sign language. Frankly, it's more often taught to infants and toddlers that are having speech pathology issues. My daughter is three and still isn't talking intelligibly. We taught her basic signs at about 18-months in order for her to communicate. Why-Cry or not, A toddler that can't express his or her needs with language is pretty frustrating. The sign language is very helpful.

[John Paulsen]

The wife left for her trip today. I made sure episode 10 was on her Nano. The boys and I got a big kick out of you mentioning us at the end of the podcast. What a treat.

[John]

Saw your book pick and it reminded me of another great novel where the hero is autistic: The Speed of Dark by Elizabeth Moon. Not on audible, but its out in paperback on Amazon. Great story by one of my favorite sci-fi authors.

[Daniel]

Cat is really needs to learn more about Manhattanites before saying that none of us protect our children in cabs.

For babies under a year, the car seat strollers can be plugged into a cab in 10 seconds flat, and the seat fits on top of restaurant high chairs. A smart shopper can easily find one that crash-tests as well (or better) using a seat belt instead of the base.

For toddlers, there are tons of crash-tested harnesses that get a kid secure before the cabbie hits the gas, and is the perfect complement to an umbrella stroller.

[Eric]

Daniel, thanks for adding that clarification about Manhattan mommies and daddies. I was quite horrified to hear that kids are riding around in Manhattan cabs unprotected. Should be illegal (or maybe is?) just like in private vehicles.

I really wish Cat, Leo, Megan, and everyone else would stop using the term "nursing Nazis." First of all, indiscriminate use of terms like "Nazis" and "Hitler" cheapens the memory of the Holocaust.

And secondly, there's absolutely nothing wrong with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers extolling the virtues of nursing. Study after study after study proves the benefits of nursing. New mothers should be encouraged to breastfeed with the same vehemence that they are discouraged from smoking, drinking, and using drugs. It's that important.

Are there some mothers unable to breastfeed? Of course, and if there's a legitimate reason they can't or won't, they shouldn't be made to feel guilty.

But choosing not to nurse just because "I don't want to" is a less legitimate reason. And healthcare professionals should be commended -- not scolded -- for trying to talk hesitant mothers into nursing.

I'm immensely proud of my wife for breastfeeding our daughter until 16 months, and I firmly believe that it has helped turn her from a 32.5-week preemie into a healthy, thriving, intelligent toddler.

Despite my b*tching, I really did enjoy the show, and will definitely be a frequent reader of Cat's new blog. Great to hear her voice again. Here's a pic of me with Cat many moons ago at CES 2004:

http://rzeszut.com/photos/vegas2004/images/DSC01262.jpg

[Ken]

This is to comment about you guys mentioning that growing up not using the seat belt and seating in the front seat and you were fine.

Seat belt and car seats are safety items, if you never get into an accident then you do not need it. But, in an accident it can make a difference of life or death. I just saw on TV, a couple weeks ago, that an infant, in a car seat, survived a tumble off of a freeway overpass while the mother got killed. Car seats do make a difference.

The main reason for not having an infant or a toddler in the front seat is the airbag, which were not in cars while you guys were growing up. An infant and a toddler can be seriously injured or killed if the airbag were to deploy.

Just a friendly reminder that you do have to watch what you say on a netcast.

By the way, I do enjoy this netcast and all of Leo's other netcasts on twit.tv.

Thanks for all the great work.

[Daniel]

Of course, the term "Nazi" for LLL and their ilk is silly, but I am thankful there are confident advocates of rational parents who make alternative and equally healthful choices. Properly done scientific studies, including the most recent done by the WHO, do not demonstrate a benefit for the child beyond 6 months (probably 4 or less) versus alternatives. It's great for the mother's weight loss, though I wonder why this warrants the shaming of new mothers by the wacko-lacto organizations.

[Kent Goldings]

@Daniel, I see a lot of people using those infant carrier car seats when their children are too big. The weight limit says 20 pounds, but you shouldn't use the seat of your infant's head of feet stick out. I've seen infants as young as six months that are too big for those seats despite being under the weight limit. If feel like saying something to the parents, but I don't feel like it's my place.

[Susannah]

That's way the betsset answer so far!