My oldest daughter did not sleep well as an infant, and I bought a noise machine at a friend's recommendation. It made a huge difference, and my daughter started sleeping much better. The book "the happiest baby on the block" also recommends white noise as it simulates the womb. I have now moved the noise machine into my youngest daughter's room, and my oldest daughter, now 4, no longer uses it. So she is not dependent on it. However, I did find it helpful to bring it when we slept away from home as it blocked out the noises of a new place and was a familar nighttime sound. The noise machine blocks out the noise of the dog barking, my older daughter yelling, my husband clomping down the hall. In the middle of the night, my younger daughter would probably sleep through all that without the noise machine. But in the morning, the noise machine makes the difference between her waking up at 6 or 7:30. As far as breastfeeding, I was kind of grossed out by the idea (for me, not anyone else). I decided I would try, and if it worked, great; if not, I would bottle feed. I went to a class prior to giving birth, and the one thing I remembered was that breastfeeding should NOT hurt. If it does, unlatch and relatch. At first, it would take numerous tries to get the latch right. But, I never had any issues with pain. I also used Gerber's NUK Gentle Moisturizing Balm, which is like a big chap stick. I liked it better than lansinoh as it was not so messy. Plus, it is not harmful to apply and then feed the baby. Anyway, initially nursing did not feel at all natural. But it worked out good for me--so easy and convenient. Our hospital offered a session with a lactation consultant which was very helpful. Good luck with whatever you decide!

I'll answer my own question. I found one that looks good on Amazon, but I was looking for some hands-on advice here. This one looks pretty good: Caring for Your Baby and Young Child Birth to Aage 5 by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Published in 2004. Would have liked something even more recent since things change so often. I also saw Mommy Calls: Dr. Tanya Answers Parents Top 101 Questions but I didn't like it as well.

Different strokes for different folks...... LOVE LOVE LOVE our trash compactor. Took one out of our last kitchen remodel and replaced it with 2 pullout trash cans. I *hated* the trash pullouts! They were twice as bulky, and we had to empty them every day. The trash compactor is one unit (though we have a separate bin for curbside recyclables), and we empty it maybe once a week. I also love my corner lazy susan cabinets. I have 3 of them; one for spices, one for medicines and coffee/tea supplies, and one for little-used small gadgets. They totally make our corners useful, and I don't have things fall off the sides. Things I would not recommend: -OTR micro. I agree about that one. I hate how close to the cooktop they are, and the totally inadequate venting. -Open kitchens if you have teenagers and you don't have a house with enough "getaway" space for everyone. OUr last house only had one living room, which we opened to the kitchen in the remodel. It looked beautiful, and when it was just DH and I, we loved it. But when we were sitting down in the evening trying to unwind and watch a show and teaming throng of teenagers burst through the door and starts fixing food, getting ice, etc., we quickly began to hate the setup. We moved to a house with doors on the kitchen and 2 living rooms and couldn't be happier. (For now!)

I did this rather fast. My thought was he's graduating on to a big boy bed, but I personally would not want to over do this stage as you will need to add/eliminate in a handful of years vs. change it completely. The, "planets" in the corner are from Party City (11.00) and are named BLAST OFF PLANET LANTERNS. I would buy two sets and make them a pinch closer together than what I captured from their site using a fine clear like fishing line and if the ceiling is white a clear or white thumb tack. Vary the heights and as I recall the largest is 16" in diameter so if you purchase 2 sets you can use another couple to make it nice in the corner of the room where maybe a bean bag and a storage area with things he might want to play with are beneath them. Either way I think hanging them in the room is very fun and colorful and plays well with the comforter even if there is not room to add a piece with some storage as shown and a bean bag below in the corner. A child size bean bag is easy to find and little kids love them. I do like the stripe black out curtains... you may thing they are busy? As for sheets... I'd just do a solid using a color from the comforter as more stars or galaxy type things would be too much. The decal on the wall above the bed is very nice for his graduating to the big bed. You can pick your colors and it's from Etsy. I was leaning toward yellow things due to the gray walls. I jotted down the name of the maker if you are interested. The little rocket next to the bed is a lava lamp...no, not a lot of light, but not sure how he is with the dark and one can easily sleep with it on and so thought of that...there are other ones with shades with a motif similar to space out there though. I'm not sure if there is a ceiling light in the room? All in all, I think with the planets at varying heights and a pinch closer together and maybe 7 of them (?) depending on the size of the room... either way, putting them a pinch closer together varying heights you might want another 2 if you like them and the corner can accommodate or maybe a large single 16" in a different spot. I didn't select a rug for under the bed as I didn't know if you needed such. Just some thoughts for you to consider and all very reasonably done too. Apologies it's not to scale, but it was for you to see them all together. Talk later and if you hate something, that's ok... just say what you might prefer... Best, Porter