[blParent] Intro and a couple questions

Wed Apr 20 15:29:18 UTC 2022

OO, thanks! Any idea which thermometer you have? I don't want to buy one just to figure out after that the app isn't Voiceover accessible. 

We do have a doula actually and are headed to a baby store this weekend. And I will definitely be a baby wearer. Anything to be hands-free is great as far as I'm concerned.

Thanks!
Sy

-----Original Message-----
From: BlParent <blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Julie McGinnity via BlParent
Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2022 12:32 AM
To: Blind Parents Mailing List <blparent at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Julie McGinnity <kaybaycar at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [blParent] Intro and a couple questions

Hi Sy,

Congratulations! I have a five month old baby, so I was in the same place last summer, looking for registry items. My fiance and I are both blind. We have the duna and love it! My fiance is 6 feet and 1 inch, and he does well with it. I'm not sure where you heard that tall people can't handle the Duna, but that's not accurate information. You definitely want a car seat you can handle on your own in case you need to take the baby somewhere without your partner.

I would also recommend going to a baby store to check things out.
Babywearing is a beautiful thing for so many reasons. It will be a great option for you if you would rather just walk somewhere and don't want to bother with a stroller. You can investigate different types of baby carriers at your local baby store. There are also babywearing groups in your area that can help. I know babywearing is kind of seen as a mom thing, but it doesn't have to be.

I also recommend getting an accessible thermometer. I have the Kinsa smart thermometer that connects to my phone. It seems to be the most accurate thing out there.

My fiance and I got a basic baby monitor and honestly don't need it since we live in a small apartment, but Katelyn had some great suggestions for that.

I would recommend getting a doula or paying someone to come in and give you guys little classes. This is what we did, and it really helped me feel better as someone who had hardly any baby experience before mine was born last fall. We got a doula, and we were able to get someone from that service to come over and show us how to change diapers, bathe the baby, put on swaddles, and I can't remember what else. A doula can also help you support your partner in whatever birth arrangement you have planned. They can show you the exercises or just talk you through what you need to do without using videos, which are all too common for this purpose.

I hope this helps. Let me know if you have more questions.

Julie

On 4/19/22, Sy via BlParent <blparent at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Awesome, thanks so much, Alysha!
>
> I've got plenty of reading and a few strollers/monitors to look at 
> now. Very much appreciated, everyone!
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: BlParent <blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Alysha 
> Hiller via BlParent
> Sent: Tuesday, April 19, 2022 12:42 PM
> To: Blind Parents Mailing List <blparent at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Alysha Hiller <alysha.jeans at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [blParent] Intro and a couple questions
>
> Hi Sy,
> The Doona may work better for you than you think. If you are pulling 
> it behind you as most blind people do, the fact that you are tall 
> might actually make the handle height more comfortable. You may not be 
> able to find it locally to try, but I would recommend testing out a 
> few strollers in the store to get a general idea of how it feels to 
> pull one behind you and things you might be looking for. There are a 
> couple of Active Facebook groups for blind parents where you can get many more ideas and resources.
> One is called Blind Parent Alliance, and the other is called Blind 
> Parents Connect. Congratulations on your baby!
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Apr 19, 2022, at 12:09 PM, Sy via BlParent <blparent at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>
>> Thanks a lot, Sharon. I have been pointed to some online resources 
>> by others that I very much appreciate. But if anyone has thoughts on 
>> registry items, I would love to hear those too!
>>
>> Sy
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: BlParent <blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Sharon 
>> Howerton via BlParent
>> Sent: Monday, April 18, 2022 4:04 PM
>> To: 'Blind Parents Mailing List' <blparent at nfbnet.org>
>> Cc: Sharon Howerton <shrnhow at gmail.com>
>> Subject: Re: [blParent] Intro and a couple questions
>>
>> Hello, Sy, and congratulations on the baby!
>> A number of years ago I taught a parenting series for Hadley, but the 
>> courses (Preparation, Infancy and Early Years) were eliminated years 
>> ago and were outdated even then. I retired from Hadley 3 years ago 
>> and doubt they have anything that in any way replaces this series 
>> since they seem to  focus on individuals 55+ who likely would not 
>> have young children, but we do have grandchildren. But that doesn't 
>> answer your question. I am totally blind and my sons are now in their 
>> mid to late 30's. You might find some basic resources on BARD though admittedly I have not checked in some time.
>> Some states also have parents support groups-I don't remember if New 
>> York has this, but people on the list may give you that kind of info. 
>> Best of luck.
>> Sharon
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: BlParent <blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Sy via 
>> BlParent
>> Sent: Monday, April 18, 2022 2:04 PM
>> To: 'Blind Parents Mailing List' <blparent at nfbnet.org>
>> Cc: sy.hoekstra at gmail.com
>> Subject: [blParent] Intro and a couple questions
>>
>> Hi all,
>>
>> I want to introduce myself and ask a few questions. Forgive me, I'm 
>> sure these are questions you all have fielded before, but any help is 
>> very much appreciated. My name is Sy. My (sighted) wife and I live in 
>> New York City, and we are having a baby at the beginning of July. I'm 
>> looking for some recommendations on a few things.
>>
>> We're looking into registry items, and I'm wondering if you have any 
>> accessible monitor recommendations  —either Wi-Fi enabled with an 
>> accessible app or a stand-alone device with tactile buttons.
>>
>> I know people here like the Doona as a stroller, but I am 
>> unfortunately too tall of a person for it. Any recommendations of 
>> good strollers for taller (6'2'') blind people?
>>
>> And any other tips on accessibility in registry items would be much 
>> appreciated.
>>
>> Also, is there any good place I can go with general tips on infant 
>> care as a blind person? Even pointers to specific parts of the 
>> archive of this list would be much appreciated.
>>
>> Thanks a lot!
>>
>> Sy
>>
>>
>>
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--
Julie A. McGinnity
MM Vocal Performance, 2015; American University Washington College of Law, JD Candidate 2023

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