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. 

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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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. 

LittleSaplingToys.com

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. 

www.Bebecoaustralia.com

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!

Kleynimals.com

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. 

SmilingTreeToys.com

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!

Joovy.com

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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Feeding my family for less then $100/wk

Mornings for me consist of a groggy toddler kicking me in my side while he desperately searches for the breast to nurse as I pray he falls back to sleep so I can get even a couple more minutes of sleep. Needless to say, by the time I make it into the kitchen to make breakfast— it should probably be called lunch. So anything that makes meal-times better and more nutritious is a welcome addition to my home!

As parents we all want to provide the healthiest food for our families, however eating healthy always seems to come with an expensive price tag, and buying Organic-- forget about it! But I'm happy to tell you that Walmart has taken a big step forward by making a conscious effort to provide a variety of Organic options at a reasonable price. This month I was given the opportunity to partner with Stonyfield and Walmart to feed my family good food on a budget, and I’m excited to share with you all the yummy dishes we got to enjoy!

My family has a varied work/home schedule during the week, between me working evenings part-time and my husband working the traditional day shift Monday thru Friday, good home-cooked meals require lots of planning. So before heading to Walmart to see what options they offer I started by brainstorming 4-5 different meal options that are quick, easy, and delicious. Next I checked my pantry and refrigerator to ensure I wouldn't miss any much needed ingredients. And finally, I packed Luke up and headed to our neighborhood Walmart Grocery store. 

Immediately I was impressed with the selection of fresh produce, I make a point of buying Organic anytime I buy one of the "dirty dozen." Next I headed to the dairy section and was pleased to see they have a large variety of Stonyfield yogurt, a yummy option for parent and tot alike! 

Walmart even has an Organic store brand to help make shopping smart more economical!

In the end I purchased enough ingredients for 2 breakfast options and 3 dinner options, complete with proteins and vegetable sides dishes! All for under $100!

Breakfast: 

Organic scrambled eggs on Sourdough toast with fresh fruit.

Stonyfield Yogurt with fruit and granola, always a good way to balance healthy nutrition with a busy morning.

Dinner:

Cheese and Spinach Ravioli in Pesto sauce with grilled Tuscon chicken. Pared with lemon-garlic sautéed zucchini and squash.

Shredded Chicken taco bowls, composed of my favorite Crock-pot shredded chicken, lime-cilantro brown rice, black beans, and shredded cheese with various toppings to choose from.

Juicy flank steak with mashed potatoes. Served with oven roasted bell peppers topped with fresh basil and mozzarella cheese, drizzled in EVOO and sprinkled with salt and pepper..

Shopping Organic with Walmart and Stonyfield was a great experience, and I will definitely be doing so more often!


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Embrace The Whole You

When you become a mother it is very easy for your identity to become wrapped up in parenting. You no longer feel like the well rounded person you once were. Instead of an artist, an author , a business person, or an athlete; you suddenly feel like life has taken on a single note. You are someone's mother. 

However this simply is not the case. Yes, you are now a mother. But you are still that artist, athlete, or business person you wants were. In fact your skills have now grown to include storyteller, caretaker, personal chef, and boogy man chaser. You have blossomed from one person who is a part of an industry to someone whom is the entire world for a beautiful little life.

The moment you become a mother for the first time, the weight of responsibility can be completely overwhelming. But the joy and rewards that come with this incredible life change are absolutely priceless.

Today I encourage you to sit back, grab your favorite snack, throw on your favorite comfort clothes, and relish the beauty of your life and the whole you. Days like today I grab my coziest clothes, prAna is a favorite for being both indulgently soft and environmentally friendly, with a cup of Stonyfield Greek yogurt to indulge my taste buds while recharging my soul. Whole milk yogurt is a special treat, so delectable it coats my mouth in cream and fills my belly with happiness. All facets of your life are valuable, so today embrace #thewholeyou. 

WHOLES17DMR for 15% off prAna, offer is only good for a limited time, so don’t delay!

Cali Dress, Black, size Medium

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Our Day at the Aquarium of the Pacific

 This past weekend we had the opportunity to go to the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific. The Aquarium of the Pacific is special because it is an AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) accredited Aquarium and works to save endangered species. Luke loves animals and I jump at any opportunity to expose him to a wide variety of experiences so we were very excited when Stonyfield joined with AZA to offer us this opportunity.

As Summer approaches consider checking out zoos and Aquariums in your area that are AZA accredited (LIST HERE). April 25thi is World Penguin Day and this year Stonyfield has joined together with AZA to save 10 animals from extinction including the African Penguin. In fact, to commemorate this partnership, the African Penguin will be featured prominently on Stonyfield YoKids packaging this year.

We loved our day at the Aquarium, here are some of the incredible things we saw and did!

Jelly fish always look so majestic gliding through the water in their beautiful tanks.

 Luke loved exploring the huge floor-to-ceiling tanks with his cousin. The sea lions were incredibly interactive and playful during our visit.

One Sea Lion even came over to my niece and let her "pet" it!

 Next we headed to the Lorikeet enclosure where we had the opportunity to purchase a small cup of nectar to feed the birds.

Beautiful in their rainbow colored plumage, the Lorikeets were enchanting to watch and exciting to feed.

Both kids and myself loved taking turns feeding the birds. I even had the treat of one landing on my hand for a snack!

 Outside we found several touch-tanks offering sting rays, and a selection of fish and small sharks. Luke was eager to get his hands in the water, but wasn't big enough to reach any of the sea life.

The Sea Otters are always a favorite of mine. They look so cute and playful as they swim and float in their tank.

With sea life organized by region, each tank had a different theme and composition.

You can help save the endangered species by shopping Stonyfield and visiting your local AZA zoos and aquariums.

Now through the end of September families who buy two specially-marked YoKids yogurt multipacks will receive a FREE kid's admission to their local AZA-accredited zoo or aquarium with purchase of an adult ticket. Stonyfield hopes that this early exposure to endangered species will help foster a lifelong appreciation of our planet and a commitment to animal preservation.

Unfortunately, many animals are on the endangered animals list, to educate young children about the struggle Stonyfield has created a video series called "Can a Cow save a..." LINK By saying no to toxic persistent pesticides, artificial hormones, antibiotics and GMOs, Stonyfield has been saying yes to delicious, healthy food for more then 30 years.

Before we knew it our day at the Aquarium was over, but we enjoyed our day as a family and I hope we will return again soon.

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Easter Basket Inspiration

With Easter around the corner you may be struggling to come up with items to put in your baby and toddler’s Easter baskets. This is the perfect time to think about items that your child will enjoy now as well as milestones coming in the near future. That is why I put together two different baskets containing some of my favorite baby brands!

From stuffed animals to instruments, I value items that my son will enjoy for years to come rather then a bunch of tiny toys that will get thrown away in a week. Additionally, instead of filling my baskets with fake grass that will inevitably end up all over my house, I grabbed a couple beautiful swaddles from Buttermilk Babies to add a special touch.

Baby Basket-

Slumberkins Peep- Babies love to cuddle, and what better way then with an ultra plush little chick. So soft and absolutely perfect for snuggles. slumberkins.com

Modern Burlap Swaddle- I adore wrapping my baby in scripture and I can see no better way to celebrate the significance of Easter. These beautiful swaddles are also perfect for on the nursery wall! modernburlap.com

Bebe Co Maracas- Easter is a time of celebration and music is a great way to do that. These maracas are the perfect size for tiny hands and make a great decoration for the nursery. Bebecoaustralia.com

Otherware Teether- A good quality teether, perfect for tiny hands, available in a variety of beautiful colors. Otherware is a favorite brand for teething toys in our home. otherware.ca

Toddler Basket-

Hazel Village Bunny- The perfect little friend for any toddler to spend their days with. With impeccable craftsmanship and long limbs, they are ideal for your toddler's hands to hold. hazelvillage.com

Kid-O Instruments- The perfect size for toddler hands, durable, and fun for hours of enjoyment. LINK

Lollacup Sippy Cup- Learning to drink from a straw cup is a big milestone for any toddler and these cups are an adorable addition to any Easter basket. LINK

Little Sapling Toys Rainbow Stacker- I LOVE wooden toys! And stackers are a favorite in my house. They improve fine motor coordination and can be used in imaginative play as tunnels or bridges! www.littlesaplingtoys.com

Loulou Lollipop Refinery Donut Teether- Cutting teeth is difficult, but there is no reason the tethers can't be fun designs and Loulou Lollipop makes absolutely delicious options! louloulollipop.com

Books- Gifting books at each holiday is a tradition for us. I love teaching my child the significance of the holiday and books help me do that. Plus reading helps to improve language development and stimulates the imagination. LINK

Snacks- Instead of candy, I recommend including some of your toddler’s favorite snacks such as puffs, yogurt bites, and squeeze pouches.

Small toys- A Kid-O wobble toy off Amazon LINK and a light-up bunny from the dollar section of Target.