Friday, June 23, 2017

Staying Safe in the Sun






Some tips for staying safe in the sun this Summer:


 - Avoid Sun exposure during the hours when sun is at it's most intense, 10am-4pm. If unable to limit exposure then seek shade and try to keep baby's delicate skin out of direct sunlight.


- Don't expect a darker skin tone to protect you. Everyone can develop sunburn and become vulnerable to skin cancer.
 - Wear tightly woven clothing that covers arms and legs. Clothing specifically designed for sun exposure is best because it provides UV protection. A broad rimmed hat and sun glasses are also recommended to protect the eyes, face, and head.
 - Sunscreen is recommended for use in infants and children over 6 months of age. Under 6mo it is best to use other forms of protection such as protective clothing and shade.

 - When sunscreen is used a mineral based sunscreen is preferred over a chemically based product because it minimizes absorption into the skin.

- Use a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or greater. Apply a minimum of 15mins BEFORE sun exposure and reapply frequently, no more then 2 hours between applications.
LINK for best Sunscreens


Baby Luke is wearing SwimZip, great brand for swim protection (swimzip.com) They also make some super soft everyday clothing called Shedolane (Shedolane.com). You can find complete reviews on both brands Shedolane and SwimZip

Toddler Luke is wearing June and January swim trunks (JuneandJanuary.com) and a hat by GeorgeHats (GeorgeHats.com), two more of our favorite brands!

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Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Top 5+ Common Questions that parents ask about introducing food to baby


  1. What is the first food I should give my baby?
    1. We are past the age of plain rice cereal, it offers very little nutritional value and can cause significant constipation. Instead consider avocado or squash as a first food. The key is soft purees that they can easily swallow. I do not recommend going directly to hard solid foods such as chunks of fruit or veggies because they can lead to choking and stunt your baby’s sense of adventure when trying new foods. 
  2. What age should I first introduce solid food?
    1. Age is no longer the key to determining if your baby is ready for solids. Instead we focus on physical and behavioral cues. Baby should have good head and neck control, allowing them to sit well with assistance. Additionally, baby should show an interest in your food. When your baby watches you like a hawk during dinner— it’s time to think about letting them join in on the fun!
  3. How much food should my baby eat each day?
    1. Food before one is just about fun. This means that if some days if your baby eats only a small amount of solid foods, don’t stress out, as long as they are getting adequate breastmilk/ formula then they are adequately nourished. However, as your baby gets closer and closer to one year of age, they should be eating 3 solid meals of baby food plus snacks each day. 
  4. How do I prevent allergies?
    1. The old theory was delaying the introduction of potential allergens would decrease the development of food allergies, however this is now known to be false. In fact, earlier exposure has been demonstrated to be more effective. Meaning once baby has gotten a few basic foods down, at 6+ months, go ahead and offer pureed eggs or a small amount of peanut butter in yogurt or cereal. Just remember it can take 2-3 exposures to a new food before you see a reaction. The only exception is if your family has a history of severe food allergies, in that case speak to your pediatrician first.
  5. Are there any foods my baby cannot eat?  
    1. No honey until 1 year of age. Beware of foods that are choking hazards  such as: solid nuts, grapes, hotdogs,  and popcorn. 

Monday, June 12, 2017

Calming Mom's Anxiety when it comes to transitioning from breast/ bottle to food



Any big transition in your baby’s life can be stressful just as it is exciting. Moving from a purely liquid diet to one that includes solid foods is one of these times! As a physician and mother I would like to take this opportunity to calm your fears and reassure you through this transition. 

Just like any new thing, sometimes it takes a few tries before your baby will be open to embracing the eating experience. Up until now they are use to a single flavor being offered each time they are hungry and they expect it to be offered via breast/ bottle. So don't be surprised if they don't automatically open wide when you eagerly offer their first tastes of solid food. A look of confusion and disgust may come over their face; tears and gagging may also occur. Don't panic, new flavors and textures take time to get use to. Baby's are also very ineffective at swallowing solids initially. They may also need multiple attempts before even a few teaspoons are consumed, and that is perfectly normal. Introducing new foods should be a fun and exciting venture for the whole family. Watching your baby make confused and silly faces is a great photo opportunity and a chance to make lifelong memories as your tiny one joins the rest of their family at the table. 

Pick a first food you are comfortable with, avocado, sweet potatoes, bananas, apple sauce, or baby oatmeal. Pick up a soft silicone spoon (Beaba makes our favorite) and slowly offer small tastes. As they become a more skilled eater, you can give them larger bites. Congratulations! Your baby has successfully had their first solid foods! 

Every 3-5 days you can introduce a new food (wait longer for high allergen foods such as eggs), so that you can easily identify any allergies your child may develop. Remember it often takes 2-3 exposures to a food before the allergy is apparent, so make sure to give baby the new food several times before offering the next culinary delight. 

To ensure you baby continues to consume an adequate volume of breast milk or formula, offer the milk first and then the solid foods a little while later. That way you can rest assured that your child has enough calories and nutrients in their system, even if they refuse the green beans you made.


Most importantly, try to enjoy this milestone!


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Wednesday, June 7, 2017

6-12mo toys: Life in Motion

6-12mo toys—

 So much happens in this age range. Baby discovers the joys of banging objects together to make a sound and pushing fun things across the floor. 

Push cars: 
As mobility sky rockets, toys that encourage movement and safe exploration of their environment are ideal. Hand-held toys with wheels, such as push cars are perfect.

Little Sapling Cars with tunnels and bridges
Beautifully crafted of smooth wood, the cars are the perfect size for small hands to grasp and push across the floor while remaining safe for curious little mouths to munch on. Complete with two arches that can serve as tunnels or bridges, this set is perfect for growing minds and expanding imaginations from infancy into childhood. 


Music: 
Sound and their ability to create sound is the hallmark of brain development at this age. Your baby is thrilled by the vocal sounds they can make as well as the objects they can manipulate to create stimulating noises. From shaking a rattle to playing an instrument, exploring the world of sound is key. 

Bebe Co Maracas
Beautifully crafted, the miniature maracas from Bebe Co are not only the perfect addition to any nursery, they are the perfect instrument to foster a sense of rhythm in your growing babe. Bebe Co is an Australian based online company that decorates their pastel dipped baby maracas with a completely safe non-toxic water based paint, the perfect heirloom for passing down to generations to come. Designed for babies as young as 6 months to enjoy, please keep in mind that they are not a teething toy and should not be chewed on. 



Kleynimals
Every time we leave the house my son reaches for my keys, he just LOVES the clinking sound they make and how the metal catches the light.  Household keys are sharp, dirty and do not belong in a child's hand or mouth, however, plastic toy keys just don't come close to simulating the joy and wonder adults keys do. Finally there is a solution! Kleynimals is an American based company that we love more with each passing month. With high quality stainless steel materials and superior craftsmanship, Kleynimals is sure to be a favorite in your home as well. Kleynimals is also the creators of our favorite rattle and toddler silverware!



Blocks and Letters: 
It is never too early to foster a love for learning and discovery. While they may not be able to independently spell their name yet, it is never too early to introduce baby to the letters that join together. Additionally, the joys of building and knocking down blocks is a love that transcends all ages. 

Smiling Tree Toys
Luke received building blocks for Christmas this year. Arriving in a set of 24 beautifully crafted blocks, complete with various shapes and sizes, they are ideal for learning and perfect for fostering his growing imagination. 
Another favorite of ours is their name puzzle! When Luke was tiny, this puzzle sat on his dresser as a beautiful custom decoration. Now it is the first toy he reaches for! It is never too early to foster a love for learning and discovery. While he may not be able to spell his name yet, it is never too early to start teaching letters and sounds. 



Stroller/Tike:
Imagination and exploration needs time outside the home in addition to playtime inside. The sounds, sights, and smells encountered on walks are powerful stimulators of brain development. 

Joovy
As your baby grows they will demonstrate an increasing desire to demonstrate independence. Bikes such as the Joovy Tricycoo are perfect for this. Children as young as 10 months of age can use it, with support around the waist and total parental control of the speed and steering. Then as your child grows the  trike adjusts to allow them to petal independently!
The Joovy Tricycoo has the ability to advance from being totally under parental control with baby securely strapped in, to becoming a traditional tricycle that your toddler can ride independently. Such a great way to get outside for fresh air with a removable suncover to protect delicate skin from sun exposure. 
I love that this product solves the age old toddler problem of wanting to ride their bike on the walk, but a few blocks in they are wanting to get carried home. With the Joovy Tricycoo, you can leave the parental handle connected so that once they run out of toddler steam you can give them a push home!





BOOKS:
Animal sounds- With your baby learning how to make exhilarating sounds of their own creation, take this opportunity to model and encourage the association of animals with their respective sounds. 


Touch and feel- As baby's tactile sense grows now is the perfect time for books such as "Pat the Bunny" that allow baby to interact with the story and learn about different textures.


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