Getting Probiotics into Baby’s Diet

This year’s cold and flu season has been especially long and challenging. My pediatric clinic schedule is filled with runny noses, ear infections, and coughs. While my home has been a never ending cycle of sniffles. More illnesses unfortunately mean more antibiotics, which in turn means more upset tummies!

Antibiotics work by killing bacteria, all bacteria. However, your body and your babies body, need some good bacteria to help in food digestion and overall health. When all that good bacteria is killed and the delicate balance is disrupted children get nauseated, develop diarrhea, and overall have more upset tummies. 

You can decrease the negative effects medications have by adding probiotics into baby’s diet. Probiotics are live healthy bacteria that help maintain a healthy, well balanced, digestive tract. 

Stonyfield Organic has taken a step forward in helping parents provide the probiotics baby’s need. Instead of adding another supplement to your list, Stonyfield has combined probiotics into the #1 recommended baby yogurt, YoBaby. Why do so many doctor's recommend Stonyfield YoBaby for babies over 6mo old?
- It's a great source of Vitamin D and Calcium. 
- It is the ONLY yogurt made specifically for babies. 

Luke LOVES his YoBaby yogurt, and eats some every morning along with his fruit. So when I learned Stonyfield Organic was adding probiotics to a product we already love I was trilled! And I am so excited to be able to offer one lucky person a YoBaby gift package that includes 6 coupons for free YoBaby 6-packs! Follow me on Instagram @DrMommyRx to learn more and enter!

#stonyfield #stonyfieldblogger #sponsored #helpingothers #kids #toddlers #momlife #blogger #doctormommy #love #blessed #baby #gooddeeds #yogurt #organic #eatorganic #probiotics #healthy #goodfood #Earth #yobaby #firstfoods

Big News for Stonyfield Organic

Shop smart for your child and for the environment!

Have you heard about B-Corp?!? Companies that have been certified as B corporations. This means for-profit companies are joining together to meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency. Translation: companies are finally stepping up and taking responsibility for the impact they have in the community and on our planet! 

It is very important that we stand together and support this movement with our purchases and with our voice. We need to encourage more corporations to step up and protect our future. 

I am so excited to announce that my favorite yogurt brand Stonyfield has joined the B Corp Community! Now I know that when I feed my son YoBaby it is not only nutritious, but made by a company that works hard to ensure environmentally healthy practices. Some other B Corp Companies: Preserve, Pukka, Purely Elizabeth, King Aurthor, Method, and Pete and Gary's. 

Read more about B-Corp HERE

#stonyfield #stonyfieldblogger #sponsored #helpingothers #kids #toddlers #momlife #blogger #doctormommy #love #blessed #baby #gooddeeds #bcorp #doinggood #organic

Touching Lives with Stonyfield

This year I was given the incredible opportunity to partner with Stonyfield and pay it forward. By showing generosity to those less fortunate then myself I was able to model the power of giving to my son. Raising a child whom is generous and compassionate is extremely important to my husband and myself. 

We live in Southern California, a beautiful part of the country where the sun shines and the weather is always beautiful. Unfortunately, due to the cost of living there are an abundance of people and families whom don’t have homes. 

As a small child, my family went through a period of time when we too were homeless. Despite my mother working as many as 4 separate jobs simultaneously we just couldn’t afford a home in Southern California. Over a two year period I slept on couches, under the dining room table, and even lived in an attic before we finally had a home to call our own. Despite our financial struggle, my mother always made of a point of teaching her children to give back. We volunteered at soup kitchens, visited rest homes for the elderly, and always donated any extra food or clothing that we could afford. 

Although my time of need was short lived, the homeless have always held a special place in my heart and I take great joy in buying a meal for those whom need it. When Stonyfield presented me with the opportunity to give back, I immediately knew the community I wanted to help. More then anything homeless individuals just want to be seen, they want to be respected and treated as normal human beings. 

On our journey to give back, first stop was the store. There we walked the aisles picking up a huge assortment of toiletries, snacks and treats to brighten their day. Anything that could bring comfort to a difficult situation.

Although my son is young, he was right there next to me as we shopped and assembled the care packages.  Then came the part I had waited for so earnestly. With the bags in hand we headed out on our mission to surprise the homeless individuals we met with packages of love.

To protect their privacy I didn't take photos of us distributing the care packages. Taking a moment to shake their hand, acknowledge their name, and give them much-needed necessities was life-changing. The items in the care package were small, but the act of learning their story was priceless. Altogether we were able to make an imprint on the lives of 5 different individuals. It was so moving that we plan to make this giving back an annual tradition.

Thank you Stonyfield!

#stonyfield #stonyfieldblogger #sponsored #chairty #helpingothers #kids #toddlers #momlife #blogger #doctormommy #love #blessed #baby #gooddeeds

Holiday Gift Guide

As the holidays approach, the search begins for the perfect gift to give all the littles on your list, and don't forget about mama. Here are some of my favorite brands and products that are sure to put a smile on anyone's face! 

Mom:
-Necklaces: While mom may be primarily sporting burp clothes and teething necklaces  these days, having something beautiful to put on can make a huge difference. From inscriptions to names, dates to symbols, there is the perfect one for every occasion and event. 

Two of my favorite brands include:
Mintandbirch.com

leila.com

-Ju-ju-be: Once baby comes it can feel like you must pack up the whole nursery every time you leave. Gone are the days of cute designer bags and in roll large cumbersome diaper bags with obnoxious designs... But wait, it doesn't have to be that way at all!  Ju-ju-be is a designer bag company that make diaper bags that are absolutely beautiful. Designed with functionality in mind- crumb drain anyone- you will be amazed at how easy packing baby from a trip out becomes. Plus, when those days of diapers and spare outfits are passed, Ju-ju-be makes bags that will easily transition into your favorite bag for vacation, day trips, and even a night out! 
ju-ju-be.com

Baby Products:
Milky Mama: If you know any breastfeeding mamas, you know that two things always on their mind are yummy snacks and maintaining their milk supply. Solve both needs with the gift of Milky Mama's lactation treats. Truly the most delicious lactation cookies and brownies I have tried, just ask my husband. Plus they have managed to pack lots of galactagogues in will avoiding ingredients such as Fenugreek that is known to cause tummy irritation in some people. 
milky-mama.com

Owlet Baby Monitor: What every mother wants for the Holidays, a good night's sleep! Hands down my favorite baby product, an absolute MUST HAVE! The Owlet Baby Monitor tracks your baby's oxygen level and heart rate, and is then designed to alert you if they go out of range. This means you no longer have to wake up every 30 minutes to check on your sleeping baby, let Owlet keep watch so you can get much needed sleep. (Read More)

BinxyBaby: Grocery shopping becomes a whole new experience once a baby is added to the mix. BinxyBaby provides a safe hammock for your infant to stay cozy and safe while you pick up the items you need. (Read More and for DISCOUNT)

InstaTemp: What parent wouldn't love to take their child's temperature without touching them! That means not waking your sick little one whom you just spent hours rocking, and no more wrestling with your toddler to get the ear thermometer in place. It is also more hygienic because you don't touch their skin when taking their temperature, so no more spreading germs between your family members.  
Instatemp.com

Withings Baby Monitor (video monitor): Tired of baby monitors where your baby looks like an abominable snowman? Of course, that is assuming you can even see your baby at all in the impenetrable darkness of their room. The Withings Baby Monitor is incredible, with nighttime picture quality that rivals the daytime! It's phenomenal! Plus you can set it to send noise and motion alerts directly to your cell phone. Then once your child outgrows the need for a baby monitor, it can be used as a home surveillance system.
Withings.com

Otherware teethers:  All babies teethe, but that doesn't mean you have to have your house covered in tacky or ineffective teething toys. Otherware, makes teethers that are beautiful enough to use as decoration, fun for your baby to play with, and incredibly effective at soothing those swollen painful gums. (Read More)
Otherware.ca

Kids:
- TeePees: Beautiful and hand-crafted, TeePees provide young children with a place to let their imaginations grow and explore. For young babies you can hang a mobile inside and create a nice quite place for them to lounge, then as they grow it will become their book nook and favorite fort. Luke is getting one from TneesTpees this year.
Trees.com

- Wooden toys: The best toys are the ones that inspire imagination and last for generations to be passed down among siblings and become family heirlooms to cherish in the future. Wooden toys are amazingly versatile, they go from from beautiful nursery additions, into teethers for babies, and then blossom into toys that fuel your child's playtime. 
Our favorite brands:
SmilingTreeToys.com

LittleSaplingToys.com

- Kleynimals: One of my absolute favorite companies, Kleynimals is always a great choice! From highly-acclaimed and beautiful stainless steel keys, to flatware of heirloom quality, I love it all! Plus, a beautiful new rattle has been added to their collection. With a large ring, perfect for small hands to grasp and shake, it features all the same adorable woodland friends and makes a beautiful sound when shaken. 
Kleynimals.com

- Bookroo: More then just a book subscription, Bookroo is a beautiful curated subs scripting service that delivers imagination and exploration to your home each month. With two choices, board books or picture books, Bookroo has options for all the children in your life. I get so excited when our package arrives! Each month, books arrive in a box addressed to your child with a cute hand-written note on the inside; every book is then individually wrapped in beautiful paper. I love placing the open box in front of Luke and watching his face light up as he opens and explores (eats) each book ;)
Bookroo.cratejoy.com

- Slumberkins: Cute, snuggle little friends that help your child sleep! Designed by two mothers whom set out to create the perfect comfort item to help their children sleep. The collection contains three different creatures available in a variety of colors and variations: the slumber sloth, big foot and yeti; each with a unique story to help your child prepare for bedtime. So adorable, you will want to buy one for yourself! (Read more)
Slumberkins.com

- Shepherd's Treasure: An adorable and brilliant idea that I am beyond excited about. As a Christian family, it is important to us that Christ remains the center of the holiday season. Shepherd's Treasure is a fun new family tradition that involves following your little Shepherd on their journey to find baby Jesus. Along the way you have the option to add Advent cards to provide a daily Bible verse and activity to make this season extra memorable!

SleepingBaby.com

Deepening your understanding of nutrition: Milk Conference Take-Home Points

I had an AMAZING time at the MILK Conference! The depth and quality of information provided far exceeded my expectations. I love learning and 

Here are some top take-home points from the conference: 

- Skin-to-skin goes way beyond the golden hour, you need to spend 120 mins 4 times daily for the first several weeks doing skin to skin. Leading to optimal brain development, temperature regulation, and attachment.

- If you are a mama pumping for a NICU baby, it is better to pool your breastmilk from the say into a single bottle that will be served fresh, rather then dividing it up by pumping session. This is because caloric value of breastmilk varies over the course of the day and NICU babies need consistent nutrition.

- To maximize your milk supply mom needs to nurse or pump within 4 hours of delivery.

- The measurement markings on bottles are very inconsistent. If formula feeding, it is better to use a measuring cup to determine the amount of water you are adding.

- Keep in mind when choosing the best formula for your baby:

• Soy based protein needs A LOT of processing.
• Whey empties from the stomach quicker and is less allergenic.
• Partial hydrolysis of proteins may help prevent allergy/ eczema.
• Full hydrolysis may help prevent auto-immune reactions in at-risk babies. 

- SKIP THE SIPPY CUP! It can actually inhibit the development of a mature swallowing reflex and cause speech delays. Instead start focus on introducing your baby to an open (brimless) cup from about 6 months of age.

- If you are already using the Sippy cup:

• Wean from Sippy cup by 12 months, or 24 months at latest.
• Avoid using it as a soother.
• Introduce and switch to an open cup as soon as you can. 

- Babies should be introduced to solid foods (chunky textures and table foods) by 9 months old or they will be picky eaters for the rest of their life. A great way to do this is by offering pureed foods and small chunks for them to self-feed concurrently.

 We are here!

 Large lecture hall

 Fun toys to keep the littles entertained. 

 Visiting with the vendors

 Making new friends.

 Lunch break

We had a wonderful time and met many new friends!

We hope to see you at MommyCon's amazing events next year!

MommyCon.com

MiLK Conference

It can sustain a human life for a whole year without the addition of solid food or water. It adjusts automatically to the changing needs of a growing baby. It provides antibodies that fight infections and heals wounds. Sound too good to be true? Breastmilk is the most incredible substance on Earth! And these are only just a few of the incredible benefits of breastfeeding. (Now if breastfeeding is something you are unable to do, or simply desire not to do, that is okay. A healthy, growing baby is the most important thing! Fed is best.) Have you ever wondered about the intricacies that make the newborn period so unique? Or what to feed your baby once they advance beyond breastmilk/ formula?

The Milk Conference is an educational event that will answer all these questions and more. It is an opportunity to bond with other mothers as we all navigate our parenting journey, to build a community you can turn to with your questions, or simply vent your struggles and frustrations. 

Milk is a two day event comprised of 24 sessions given by 16 different industry experts. Covering everything from the benefits of Skin-to-Skin to Postpartum care and everything you want to know about nutrition in between. You don’t want to miss it!

Baby is welcome to attend too, there will even be a whole play area specially for them. 

Tickets are still available at MilkConference.com use the code DrMommyRx16 to save $5 on your ticket purchase!

MommyCon OC 2016- A Huge Success

Being new to motherhood, I am always searching for supportive groups to make this journey a little easier. If you enjoy baby wearing, or use cloth diapers, or simply want some encouragement on this journey called Motherhood- MommyCon is the perfect opportunity for you to find yourself a community to lean on. 

MommyCon is a one day event held in multiple different locations across the United States (and debuting in Canada 2017). Dates are each year between Spring and Summer. I was privileged to attend in Orange County, California. 

VIP sessions are held the Friday prior to the main event. These are 1 hour meetings focused on high interest topics. I was fortunate enough to attend two of them.

The first VIP session I attended was hosted by Jennifer Labit the creator of Cotton Babies who shared insight into her life journey. She spoke openly about how she transitioned from a mother struggling to balance the home budget, highlighting how her struggle was the catalist into becoming an entrepreneur and founder of a successful business. Her honesty was refreshing and encouraging. We all struggle and fall; hearing how the most difficult times of her life  

The second VIP session I attended Friday afternoon was called Babywearing. This session is very popular because each attendee is randomly given either an Ergo or Beco baby carrier. Hosted by two industry professionals, including Laura Brown of Ergo, this session focused on proper ways to wear Ergo and Beco soft structured carriers. Additionally, they were more then happy to take the time to help parents trouble shoot any struggles they are having with their own person baby carriers (of all forms). 

Saturday started the main event! First stop, the check-in station where everyone was given a map and schedule for the day's program.

After checking-in I immediately headed to the exhibitor expo. It was huge and SO MUCH fun to walk around and learn about all the different brands. From clothing to cleaning supplies, and a huge variety of baby gear in between, there was something for everyone. 

I made sure to stop by one of my favorite vendors, Ju-Ju-Be! I love their bags. If you are a mama, or even just looking for a versatile bag that will be durable for all your needs, check out Ju-Ju-Be. They have bags for all styles and stages of life. 

Quick stop at a photo booth hosted by OC Doulas while little man snoozed in his Ergo360. 

There were more exhibitors in the grand hallway. It was fantastic to talk with so many industry professionals and learn from quality brands.

In the afternoon I had the most amazing opportunity to to sit down and talk with the amazing blogging mama, Carmen the Modern Mom. Known for her straight forward advice, wide range of experience, and beautiful family including her adorable daughter London Navy (aka Apple). I highly recommend following her on Instagram. 

To keep all the littles entertained during the amazing educational lectures, there was a super fun Babyganics play area set up on the side of the main lecture hall. Luke was only 6 months  old so he spent most of his time cuddled in the Ergo, but I am excited to let him play next year!

Tot Squad came out to clean carseats and strollers. They always do an amazing job!

Last but not least, check out all the swag bag goodies!!!

This was my first time at MommyCon, but it definitely won't be my last. Being a mother is difficult. Having the opportunity to sit down with other moms and learn about products and topics I value all while my baby is welcomed and entertained is priceless. I can hardly wait to attend next year. The schedule of cities is up and pre-sale tickets are already available!

In the meantime I will be at MILK Conference November 11 and 12th. If you are interested in attending use the discount code DrMommyRx16 for $5 off your ticket price!