Tips

First Time Moms: Here’s Your Formula Feeding Guide

Posted on November 14, 2016

While breastmilk is the most nutritious and healthy choice that parents can make for their new baby’s diet, there are times when breastfeeding simply isn’t feasible. When medical conditions, personal choice or other circumstances require that your infant be fed formula, the vast array of options on the market can be staggering. Commercially available infant formula comes in several forms, and contents vary based on the specific requirements of an infant with special dietary needs.

Preparations

There are three common infant formula preparations commercially available today: powder, liquid concentrate and ready-to-use. Powder formula is often chosen due to its relatively low price and is favored by earth-conscious new parents due to the fact that powdered formula cans take up less room in transit, and in the garbage. It does, however, require a bit more time and concentration to prepare, which might be less than ideal for 2 A.M. feedings. Powdered infant formulas are designed for parents and caregivers to mix only the amount needed for a specific feeding, which help sin reducing waste. Cans generally have a one-month shelf life after they’ve been opened.

Liquid concentrate infant formula is more expensive than the powdered variety, but almost always cheaper than its ready-to-use counterparts. Preparation typically requires parents or caregivers only to mix equal parts of the concentrate and water, which makes the process a bit less labor-intensive than preparing a powdered formula variety. Like ready-to-use products, liquid concentrate formula is commercially sterile when it arrives in your home.

Ready-to-use or ready-to-feed formulas are generally the most expensive commercial option, but they require no mixing or measuring. Parents or caregivers that are concerned about access to safe, clean water to mix a powdered or concentrated formula can opt for ready-to-use because it eliminates such worries. Containers of ready-to-use formula require more space for storage, as well as more room in landfills if consumers don’t have access to recycling programs. Furthermore, the formula only has a shelf-life of 48 hours after opening, and may be more likely to stain than other feeding options.

Types of Available Formula

In addition to the three main forms that infant formula is available in, there are a variety of options regarding nutritional content and allergens. Parents should speak with their pediatrician before switching an infant’s formula, but should also have a basic idea of the different options on the market.

The most common type of commercially available infant formula is cow’s milk based, though the proteins are altered in order to make it easier for babies to digest. As a general rule, babies tend to thrive on a diet of cow’s milk based formula; carbohydrates, protein and fat levels are balanced almost perfectly for the majority of tiny tummies.

Some infants may have difficulty digesting cow’s milk formulas, or parents that are hesitant to place their new baby on a diet that contains animal proteins. In such cases, soy-based formula may be the best option. Lactose intolerant babies also do better with soy-based formula, which is also often suggested to the parents of colicky babies. Evidence supporting claims that soy-based formula improves symptoms of colic is largely anecdotal, however. Roughly half of babies that have milk allergies are also allergic to soy, so be prepared for the chance that a switch to soy-based formula makes no discernible difference.

Babies that have a number of allergies or aren’t able to absorb the nutrients in formula well may benefit from being switched to an extensively hydrolyzed formula, in which the proteins have been broken down into smaller parts. These formulas may also be suggested by your pediatrician if your child is suffering from eczema or other irritating skin conditions.

Low-birth weight and premature babies require specialized formulas that are higher in protein and calories than other varieties, containing medium-chain triglycerides that are more easily absorbed than other fats. Formulas thickened with rice starch are generally suggested for babies with reflux problems, which often aid in the prevention of reflux symptoms.

While the advertising budgets of nationally recognized infant formula brands may help to boost their visibility, they do not contribute to improving the quality or nutritive value of the formulas themselves. Because infant formula is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, generic brands are held to the same standards as their designer counterparts; more often than not, parents shelling out extra money for name-brand formula are only paying for that name. Comparing the ingredients and nutrition information on the labels, parents can make an informed and frugal decision about the formula to feed their brand new bundle of joy.

reprinted with permission

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Grow a Lifetime Reader, Give them An Unlimited Library

Posted on November 14, 2016

Studies show that kids who choose their own books are far more likely to finish them, and that can lead to a love of reading that lasts a lifetime. I am a big believer in the power of books and encouraging learning and reading in children from early childhood on.

My children developed a passion and interest in reading and a comfortable familiarity with written prose, stories, and reading for fun and enjoyment. It wasn’t by accident. I equipped them with toys that babbled in foreign languages, exposed them to to things like Baby Einstein videos, My Baby Can Read and ABC Mouse.

I took my children to library story hour as infants and when our eldest started to wain in interest in books, we kicked it into overdrive and explored lots of options until we got our son back on track and back into reading chapter series for fun.

As a result of all that passion, our children consistently score in the upper 90% in national standardized tests for reading and they get A’s on their report cards in reading and great feedback from their teachers who tell me that my children do excellent in composition.

I recognize it isn’t easy for all parents especially those who have to compete with all these digital screens that are competing for children’s attention.

My kids too spend more of their time on YouTube videos, watching TV and gaming on tablets, smartphones, on their computers and game consoles. However, fortunately for us, innovative companies have cropped up and providing new ways to allow parents to combine their children’s obsession with digital devices and use that obsession to expose them to more books electronically.

I learned of the monthly subscription program called Epic! and love it!

Each month, kids get access to an unlimited amount of digital titles. Parents of multiple children can set up accounts for up to 4 kids for just $4.99 per month.

The app is packed with thousands of books that kids can stream in seconds without waiting for them to download. There are plenty of options for beginning readers to advanced ones.

Another plus for the app is that it is absolutely FREE for educators. It has features like “read to me” and users can easily search through categories. The kids can set up reading logs, and get rewards for reading. Teachers can take advantage of a letter for parents, so educators can encourage parents to help supplement what is being taught in school.

There are NO in app purchase so you don’t have to worry about getting a surprise big bill. Anyway! Try it for one month FREE! Sign up TODAY!

epic-read-amazing-children-s-books-unlimited-library-including-flat-stanley-scaredy-squirrel-batman-and-many-others11

For even more Thanksgiving book recommendations, click here.

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Get These Tech Gadgets for Parents of Multiples

Posted on November 10, 2016

It may be hard to believe, but those two (or more) heartbeats you saw on the ultrasound are now bouncing babies who are getting used to life outside of the womb. After an exciting pregnancy and birth, you are now back home with your darling infants and trying to settle into your new routine.

As you probably already know quite well, being the parent of multiples is both rewarding and challenging. From hoping they nap at the same time to trying to safely juggle two crying tots at once, this new lifestyle is definitely going to take some getting used to.

Fortunately, there are plenty of gadgets that can help make parenting two or more infants at once a bit easier. In those precious quiet moments when you can do some shopping online, you may want to check out the following devices.

Portable Home Monitor

New parents are often understandably extra concerned about keeping their homes and children as safe as possible. Thanks to the Nest Cam, you can solve both of these issues at once. The Nest Cam is easy to use and offers excellent video footage streamed right to your device. Just download the Nest app on your mobile device, like the Apple iPhone 7 smartphone, and plug in the camera in the room you want to monitor. Station it in your babies’ room and use it to remotely check on them during naps or bedtime. And when you head to the store with your tots to purchase more diapers and baby wipes, move the camera into a main part of the house to use as a home security camera. The camera will detect both audio and video footage in its range and send you notifications through the app of any movements or sounds it detects.

High-Tech Mobile

If you have older kiddos in addition to your newborns, you might remember the hand-cranked mobiles that you hung over the baby’s crib. While they played music for a few minutes as they wound down, the old school mobiles didn’t do much in the way of calming a fussy baby, or helping him to stay in dreamland. Thanks to the Dream Station by B Kids, your babies will be lulled into the land of nod with the device’s soft music and lights. As a major bonus, the built-in sensor can actually detect when your babies are moving less, and will react by phasing out the music and lights. When your infants wake up during the night, the Dream Station will respond by switching on soft lighting, which may help calm your babies enough to allow them to fall asleep again on their own. At the very least, the light will allow you to safely make it to their cribs without tripping over something on the nursery floor.

Vibrating Mattress Pad

There is nothing like a car ride to get even the fussiest baby to sleep. As the parents of two or more tots, you may find that you are spending more time than ever cruising around the neighborhood, gripping the wheel and hoping your babies will just nap already. To save you time, gas, sanity and increase the chances that your infants will learn to sleep in their own beds rather in their car seats, check out the Lulla-Vibe vibrating mattress pad from Munchkin. The battery operated small pad slips under each baby’s mattress and will cause it to gently vibrate for about 30 minutes, which should be enough time to convince your babes to drift off to sleep.

Hope these are helpful!

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10 Ways to Encourage Healthy Reading Habits With Your Child

Posted on November 10, 2016

Every child learns at a different pace and in different ways, however, so be patient with the process. In the meantime, here are some tips to encourage healthy reading habits in your child.

1 Visit the library – The library is a magical place for children! Help your child register for her own library card so that she can check out books independently. This independence will allow her to choose the books she’d like to read and help her become responsible for taking care of those treasures. Encourage her to look for books she is interested in, show her where to ask for help if she can’t find something and allow her to make her own choices.

2 Read to and with your child daily – About 30 minutes of reading per day is what is recommended to encourage healthy reading habits in your child. Start at a young age by reading to your child and then gradually transition to him reading out loud to you. The reading doesn’t have to be done all at once, but can be broken up into smaller, more manageable slices of time.

3 Role model at home – Children who see the adults around them engaging in reading are more likely to follow your example.

4 Write short notes to your child – Put them in lunch boxes, backpacks or leave them on the counter for your child to read. You can write about anything; tell her that you love her, leave her a small fact to read or even write down her chores for her!

5 Ask open-ended questions about the story that you are reading – Asking your child open-ended questions will encourage him to think about what is going to happen next in the story and to put together what has already happened. Ask him how he’d have the story end or to predict what he thinks will happen next in the story. Once you read more of the story, look back on your discussion and compare his thoughts to the actual story line.

6 Use context to check vocabulary words – Throughout your life you use context to check the meaning of words you don’t know, so encourage your child to do the same. It’s an essential life skill.

7 Practice writing skills – Reading and writing go hand in hand because you learn one while you are learning the other! Have your child practice sounding out words while she is writing, encourage her to create her own story with illustrations and have her write letters to people in your family (and have others write back to her!).

8 Let them pick the books that they read – Giving your child ownership of the books he chooses will mean that he is more involved in the reading process from the beginning. Encourage him to read the classics as well, but let him pick out what he is interested in reading.

9 Make reading fun – While you are reading together have her act out stories, recreate them or illustrate them how she thinks it should be done!

10 Play reading related games – Choose games that require reading to play together. Games that involve word play (Scrabble or Boggle), games with cards that you read (Fluxx or Pictionary) or games that require you to read spaces (Life or Monopoly) all encourage children to read independently while playing.

It’s important to remain patient and calm during the learning to read process with a young child, help him when he needs help, but stand back and allow him to navigate the words on his own as much as possible. Eventually the day will come that you are sitting side by side on the sofa, each reading your own books, and all that effort and hard work will pay off.

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How to Talk To Your Children about US Election Outcome

Posted on November 9, 2016

Today, half of the country that did not vote for the current US President Elect Donald Trump woke up wondering what to tell their children about his win. Some started off the conversation this morning, sent their kids off to school and are waiting until later to have a heart to heart to discuss concerns, apprehension and fears.

These tips from PBS are helpful in brokering this topic and any complex or difficult piece of news:

Sometimes —even if your kids don’t want to talk about the news— it’s important to find a way to talk anyway.

These conversations are particularly useful if the news has a direct effect on your children’s life , such as when security at the airport increases before a family trip. Discussions about disturbing events are equally important —for example when a hurricane displaces thousands of people or a local crime causes panic in the community. Talking about wars, elections, and even holidays helps children gain an awareness of the world around them and their place within it.

When to have these discussions depends on the age and stage of your child. While you might be concerned about starting a conversation with a child as young as five, be aware that kids this age are likely to hear about the news at school or on the playground even if they don’t watch or read it at home. And they will be less anxious hearing about disturbing news if they have heard it from you first.

Initiating a discussion with kids over the age of eight presents its own set of challenges, particularly if your older child’s response is “We talked about it at school, already!” Be aware that some children will be anxious to talk about current events while others may show little interest. Take the lead from your child on how detailed a conversation should be or how long it should last. “You don’t need to put pressure on your older kids,” says Diane Levin, Ph.D., “but you might simply reply, ‘well what did you talk about?'”

While specific events may change, the conversational themes remain the same. And the amount of interest in the news increases with age. The discussion-starters below, suggested by advisors Jane Katch and Diane Levin, are presented by topic —with suggestions on what to ask, what to listen for, how to soothe, and how to keep the conversation going.

reprint: PBS

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35 Election Day Free Food & Discounts!

Posted on November 8, 2016

Today is Election Day in the United States and those who vote are entitled to some perks ,discounts and free food! Check out this list of 35 places offering free donuts, burgers and even free rides to your polling place today! Many require you to show your “I Voted” sticker, but not all.

7-Eleven

Use the app to get a coffee in an extra large 7-Election Stay-Hot Cup for just $1.
& pizza

Come in, ask for a free craft soda, and they’ll give you one.
All About Burger

Get a free, single burger or chicken sandwich with your “I Voted” sticker at all three area locations.
Bananas Smoothies & Frozen Yogurt

The dessert chain is serving up an election-inspired smoothie for just 45 cents to celebrate the 45th president of the United States.
Bastille

All diners wearing an “I Voted” sticker at the Alexandria restaurant on election night will get free slice of election cake. Call 703-519-3776 for more information.
Bob Evans

Get 30 percent off your order with a coupon to be used exclusively on November 8.
The Lounge at Bourbon Steak

Everyone wearing an “I Voted” sticker gets free Freedom Fries (they’re made with duck fat).
BurgerFi

Participating locations are offering $5 Conflicted Burgers (one Angus beef patty and one veggie patty) all day.
California Tortilla

Make any purchase and get free chips and queso. Just say one of these phrases while ordering: “Make queso great again,” “I’m with queso,” or “I vote for queso.”
Chuck E. Cheese

Get a free personal size pepperoni pizza with any pizza purchase when you mention coupon code #5253.
Duffy’s Sports Grill

The Florida chain restaurant is giving out free red velvet doughnuts to customers sporting an “I Voted” sticker.
Duke’s Counter and Duke’s Grocery

Your “I Voted” sticker gets you a beer, wine, or mixed drink for just $1.
ENO Wine Bar

Show that “I Voted” sticker to get a complimentary tomato bruschetta.
Firehouse Subs

Show your “I Voted” sticker and get a medium beverage for — you guessed it — free.
Gold’s Gym

Show your valid voter registration card or “I Voted” sticker to get free admission at all locations.
Great American Cookies

Get one free cookie at participating locations when you show your “I Voted” sticker.
Hank’s Oyster Bar

Enjoy $1 select oysters on the half shell at all three locations. They’re also offering “free hugs and tissues with any purchase.”
Haute Dogs and Fries

Get an All American Dog for $2 all day.
Henry’s Majestic, Dallas: You can start early in Dallas. Starting at 11 a.m., cocktails with names like The Deleted Email and What’s Aleppo will be mixed up and ready to throw back for just $2, Eater Dallas reports. More for Dallas residents here.
Krispy Kreme

Get a free doughnut of your choice when you show up wearing your “I Voted” sticker.
Lemonade

Show your “I Voted” sticker at any Lemonade location in Los Angeles for a free 12oz lemonade.
Logan Tavern

Snack on complimentary “Campaign Trail Mix” on election night. They’ll also pass out some free, wearable goodies.
Marco’s Pizza

Go on their website on Election Day to cast your vote for Marco’s and receive a voucher for a free pizza.
Monkey Joe’s Germantown

Parents who wear their “I Voted” sticker get a discounted $5 admission for their child.
Nando’s Peri-Peri

Wear your “I Voted” sticker to get a free regular side with purchase of any entree.
Nestle Toll House Cafe

Participating locations will give you a free chocolate chip cookie for wearing your “I Voted” sticker.
Noodles & Company

After you vote for your favorite mac and cheese on the restaurant’s website, you will be granted a “Buy One, Get One” coupon.
Seasons Restaurant

Buy a breakfast entree and get a free red, white and blue Presidential Parfait with your “I Voted” sticker.
Schlotzsky’s

The restaurant chain is offering a “Buy One, Get One Free” coupon for mac and cheese.
Tijuana Flats

The Tex-Mex chain is giving out a free small side to anyone with an “I Voted” sticker.
Toppers Pizza

Get one large 2-topping pizza or a Triple Original Topperstix for $5.99 with your carry-out order.
White Castle

Receive a free gallon of iced tea when you use the code “USA” at checkout when ordering a Crave Case online.
World of Beer

Ask your server for a pint of common good, and your first select beer is just $1.
Uber

First-time users can use promo code “VOTETODAY” to get $20 off their ride, and a special in-app feature will help you find your polling place.
Zipcar

Select Zipcars are free from 6 p.m.-10 p.m. while supplies last to help people get to the polls.

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Tips

5 Ways to Save 1000 Calories This Thanksgiving

Posted on November 7, 2016

Bellyitch Rewind

Granted Thanksgiving is a time to really tear down on some really good food, but the Holiday is the start of a series of Holidays (Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter) of non-stop eating that have the average person packing on pounds that they don’t shed later.

A typical Thanksgiving dinner plate can be 2,900 or more. People think it’s the turkey that makes them so sleepy and tired after Thanksgiving meal, but in reality, it is all the carbohydrates that are part of the average Thanksgiving meal: cornbread, stuffing, rice, macaroni pie, rolls, casseroles, pasta, etc.

There are simple ways to save some of those calories. Here are five tips:

Say no to the gravy.

Put only two portions of carbs on your plate instead of three.

Fill up with veggies, salads, cabbage, green beans. Have those items take up most of your plate.

Drink a full glass of water before you eat to trick your body into getting fuller faster.

If there is a salad served, eat that first before eating the hot foods. This move will also help trick your body into getting fuller faster on less high calorie, high carbs foods.

The most important of which is portion control. If you must sample all the goodies, opt for one tablespoon of each verses a full portion size.

Good luck and Bon Appetite!

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10 Facts About First-Born Children

Posted on November 6, 2016

Yet another scientific research study was released recently stating that first born children are usually smarter than their younger siblings.

This tickles me pink being a first born myself. I am a big believer in birth order playing a role in the development and personality of a child.

These are 10 facts from our friends at Nanny.net about the effect of birth order on the eldest children, some of which may shed new light on behavioral quirks and personality traits of your firstborn.

They’re More Reliable – First born children are often expected to look after younger siblings and take on a greater role of responsibility than children born into the family after them, and as a result they often grow into more reliable and dependable adults.
They Tend to Be Higher Achievers – Almost half of all United States presidents have, to date, been first born in their families. In contrast, only four have been last born children. High achievers tend to be eldest children, who place a higher value on achievement and success than their younger siblings.
They’re Natural Leaders – When a child is born first, she’s generally something of an authority figure over her younger siblings. That dominance often becomes a hardwired personality trait, which leaves them more likely to find themselves in positions of leadership in the adult world.
They’re More Likely to be Perfectionists – Unlike younger siblings, who tend to have a more relaxed approach to life, first born children are more likely to be perfectionists, often setting almost impossibly high goals for themselves.
They’re Not as Likely to Rebel – Alfred Adler, the father of the birth order psychology movement, asserted that older children often feel “dethroned” by new babies in the household and, as such, may be more likely to actively seek the approval of their parents and the other adults in their lives. In many cases, this drive to please continues throughout adulthood and they’re less likely to be rebellious as teenagers.
They Benefit from Teaching Younger Siblings – When firstborns teach their younger siblings new skills or information, they’re benefiting from what’s known as “the tutor effect.” That’s one of the reasons why firstborn kids tend to be higher academic achievers and to pursue intellectual careers as adults.
They Care More About What People Think of Them – Free-spirited people who aren’t concerned with what society as a whole or even the people closest to them think about their choices tend to be younger siblings, as firstborns generally have a very real drive to be people pleasers.
They Value Organization and Order – Firstborns are more likely to be list-makers, organizers and to bring order to their surroundings than their more haphazard, disorganized counterparts who are lower in birth order.
They’re Self-Motivated – Because of their desire to please and determination to succeed, older kids tend to be more self-motivated than their younger siblings and to require less encouragement to work towards the goals they’ve set for themselves.
They’re Individuals – There are more studies on the subject of birth order than one could shake a stick at, but one thing that holds true across the board is that there’s more at play than simple birth order when it comes to determining a child’s personality. Genetics, for instance, will have some role in the habits and methods of a person’s behavior, as will environment and other important factors. Knowing a bit about the typical firstborn pattern is helpful, but be careful not to box your child in with expectations that may not hold true in her particular case.

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Only 4 of 10 People Had High Scores in this Voting History Quiz

Posted on November 6, 2016

Tuesday, November 8 is the long-anticipated U.S. Presidential Elections. It has been quite a bumpy ride and the rhetoric on the campaign trail leading up to the General Elections has been off the chain.

Besides all that, although many people are eager to get this election over and done with, a lot of us are really clueless about the election laws. In fact only 4 out of 10 people can answer the following questions about voting history accurately.

Test Your Knowledge

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My Pre-Schooler Knew How to Read & Do Complex Math Before Kindergarten Thanks to ABCMouse

Posted on November 5, 2016

My daughter is in the third grade and is a whiz at spelling, reading, grammar and gets all 100% in math. I credit part of her success at reading and mathematics on an online learning platform that she used religiously from age 4 to 5: ABC Mouse.

In fact, while she was on the program, she was one of the few children in her early childhood education programs who could read. She entered into Kindergarten with a very strong foundation and skills, thanks to that learning platform.

I feel her daily experience with the ABC Mouse online desktop learning system is what has done the trick to get her so comfortable reading.

When I purchased access to the program at an introductory rate of $4.95 back then, I was only planning to give it just a trial run. I stuck with it because I was very pleased with my daughter’s progress.

It also was a great supplement to the education she was getting at her pre school. Interestingly enough, her Early Childhood Education Center also uses ABC Mouse as well. It has over 350 lessons and 6 levels.

Plus! That means she’s getting a reinforcement of the lessons there too

The interactive online program has a teacher that walks through various lessons taught through fun games. The child is able to create an avatar that closely resembles what she or he looks like.

After completing a task, she is awarded points/currency that she can use to buy digital gifts with in a fun store.

ABC Mouse:

Helps your child learn reading, phonics, and math in a fully interactive environment.
Helps your child develop a love of learning at an early age.
Helps your child gain essential learning skills that will last a lifetime.
Builds your child’s educational foundation before entering school.
Prepares your child with these essential reading and math skills to succeed in school.
Gives your child an educational head start before entering school.
Allows your child to learn at his or her own pace.

My daughter loved it and asked to log on. She played with the games in favor of watching TV!

I highly recommend you consider it for your child. I love it so much, I now encourage all my friends with young children to give it a try and partnered up with ABC Mouse to promote its top ranked product widely to other parents.

Get ABCmouse.com – Online Preschool Games – First Month Free – Click here!

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Tips

Portable Home Monitor

High-Tech Mobile

Vibrating Mattress Pad

Test Your Knowledge