I guess you never notice diapers (except for making the occasional Depends joke) in drug stores and super markets but when you have a child, diapers become mission #1 and all of a sudden you’re faced with buying ‘em, changing ‘em and what ever else you do with ‘em.
So, I made a trip out to the drug store last week for diapers and that’s all I was told…. NEVER tell a man general information! Be specific, otherwise we’ll come home with something nowhere near what is actually needed. When I got to the store, and finally found the illusive “diaper” area, I was presented with (probably) a million different brands, sizes and absorbency types. Needless to say I was completely clueless, and contemplated quietly turning around and wrapping her up in a bath rag or paper towels. What size? Huh?
I guess I took for granted that the amount of diapers we got at our baby shower was enough. Who knew a thing so small could sh*t that much. I’m blown away with the sheer amount of #2′s my daughter is capable of in a day. So anyway, I thought I wouldn’t have to do this, because of the massive stock from the shower, but low and behold, here I am…sigh…the day has arrived, the baby shower stock is GONE!
Now Sylvia has been home for about a month, give or take a few days and – I’m so exhausted from being on standby, the day job, domestic homework and lets not forget to mention my wife; who resembles more of a walking zombie woman of the dead [read: Sleep, Sleep, NO SLEEP!] trying to make sure she’s supported the best I can – some of these diapers are listed in weeks, months and weight, WTF? How do I know where my daughter is? I overheard that while at her two-week stay at the hospital she managed to grow two diaper levels (whatever that means). How do I know when she has upgraded? There has got to be an easier way. But wait there’s more?!
This is today’s Trials of Being Dad!
Michael J. Carrasquillo is a NYC musician, filmmaker, speaker, organizer of NYC Media Makers & new father. He blogs at Issue De ‘Quillo and produces a podcast called “The Trials of Being Mike” and an upcoming podcast called “moments”. You can follow him on Twitter @mjcarrasquillo.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Very amusing. I definitely can be overwhelming!
I suggest you pay attention to the chemicals in the diapers. We buy natural “green” diapers because I always though that the chemicals that could stop wetness from leaking would also be the same chemicals touching your baby’s most private parts. Not good.
For our first kid we did cloth diapers. What we saved in money (which was considerable) we more than lost in time and washing. Actually no it wasn’t bad. The hardest part of cloth diapers was getting the daycare to play along. When they have 5-10 kids all needing diaper changes, those dang hippies with the cloth diapers just make things harder for everyone. Kid number two had store bought diapers.
All I can say is… thank god my kids are out of diapers. I remember going to Costco and thinking, this is it.. the last box of diapers ever we’ll need!
Just make sure you don’t make the mistake and assume 7-10 lbs. for example means that’s the diapers maximum capacity – huge mistake!
Thanks everyone for posting comments!
Richie, [LOL] that thought actually, briefly, crossed my mind.