As a mother we often forget how very important it is to have our little one socialize with other babies of a similar age. Of course you are an amazing mommy and you are doing everything to be your little ones favorite person, and trust us, you are! But, it is so important for your little one to socialize with peers (kids their own age) and here's why:
*They generally will talk sooner and are definitely more understandable
*These babies have better social skills (eg. sharing, following instructions, etc). Which is important especially as they grow older
*They seem to have better large motor skills. (Remember they are watching and learning what the other kids are doing.)

There is really great benefit to socializing children young and we strongly encourage it! So go out there and find local meet-ups, join a kid’s gym like gymboree, have several play dates a week and have fun with your little one and friends! Happy Mommying!

Controlled Crying is one of the most commonly used methods for sleep training babies. Your baby needs to be the right age and weight to use this method and it's best to have the go ahead from your pediatrician before too. Here are some hidden truths to know going into your sleep training process.

1. Be Consistent: have a solid daytime routine and nighttime routine before bed. Most important thing is to be consistent! I.e. do the exact same things at the same times.
2. Crying escalates: After you do your check in with your child, their crying does escalate. This is normal and natural to happen so don’t be thrown off by this, again consistency is key!
3. Benefits of sleep: remember you are not just doing this for you and your own sleep needs, your baby needs their sleep to grow cognitively and physically too. Therefore your whole household will benefit.
4. It's important to follow through with both nighttime & nap times: Again, be consistent!

So when you make the decision to do Controlled Crying, stick with it. Change takes time, like anything else.

Happy Mommying!

Your child is becoming more independent moving into finger foods and no longer wants you to feed them. In fact, if you try to feed them they groan with frustration because you are getting in their way. We all have been there, wanting to spoon feed our child yoghurt because it’s so messy. Then the second it is in their hands and they are doing it themselves its everywhere, and by everywhere we do mean everywhere. In their hair, hands, eyes, seat and some ended up in their mouth. Yep it is a mess and we have to clean it up, but that is all part of parenthood. But did you know that allowing your child to explore the food texture, taste and even throwing it sometimes builds their IQ? Yes when a baby sees something is soft and they learn this is a soft food and just like when you tell them it’s orange they learn its orange, so touching and playing with it helps advance not only their sensory skills but their verbal skills as well. Letting them explore their food will even lead to less plates thrown on the floor because your child will know what they like and what they don’t like by exploring it. So even though we dread the mess, just remember its best for your child. Let them be a kid and have fun, even with their food. The more chances you give them to learn and absorb it all, they more they will. So the next time your 12 month old wants to take the yoghurt and feed themselves, let them and let them enjoy it too! You only get to be a kid once ☺.

Happy Exploring!

If you have a teething you know that even the perfect little sleepers awake in pain when the tooth is coming out. We refer to this when the tooth, “cuts”. Do teeth cut though? Did you know that the teeth slowly twist and turn their way through the gums? So teeth don’t in fact just randomly cut one day they twist and turn through the gums until they get to the top and poke their way through. Usually with most babies the poking part in the part that wakes them up but the phases leading up to it could affect your babies eating, attitude and overall fussiness. Most babies get very swollen gums and can even form blisters on their gums before the teeth decide to pop through. Most babies also get very “needy” for mommy. They just need the extra comfort and love. Every child teethes differently, some teeth quickly and the tooth is out in no time and others take months to pop up and grow out of the gum. Which ever teether you have be in tune to the signs and attitude changes that come along with it so you can make them be as comfortable as possible through this pain.

Happy Mommying!

When our baby has their first teeth that peak through most parents are excited because the fussy baby is finally gone! The refusal to eat and maybe even some night waking definitely make can a parent a bit frustrated. But now what? How do you care for your infant’s teeth?

Prior to teeth we could just wipe down the baby’s gums with a washcloth and clean them gently but now you need a whole new list of items. First you need an infant toothbrush. One of my favorite products for the first few teeth is the rubber-like brush that actually goes on your finger so brushing teeth is easy. As your child gets more teeth an actual toothbrush is needed. The most important thing is to buy an age appropriate and safe toothbrush. A perfect example of this is a toothbrush commonly knows as a “safety tooth brush” because its handle is wide and not long with a short head, and handles for your child to hold onto letting them practice easily.

After you get the right toothbrush now you need the right toothpaste. Fluoride free toothpaste that is safe to swallow is the only one your child can use until they are old enough to brush and spit, which usually is around 3 years old. There are many baby safe brands on the market to choose from. Most importantly have fun with it. It’s the start of a whole new routine for your baby and first impressions last! ☺ Try brushing with them to make it a mommy and me time.

Happy Mommying!

Shopping in a grocery store becomes a new adventure as a mother. Your stroller is now the cart and your child ends up in the car seat or stroller seat for the whole ride. You hope to get the shopping done before the blow! Yes that uncontrollable cry that says, “Get me out of here NOW!” Every mother knows this sound and well we just don’t like it! So one thing that does get easier as our babies get older is grocery shopping. Being able to sit your child in the cart makes it easier for you as the mother and fun for your baby, it is a win-win situation!

So many moms ask, when can I put my child in the shopping cart? When your baby can sit without support you can put your child in the shopping cart. Remember no matter what age; always buckle their seat belt up. Some moms prefer to put an insert into the cart because its more comfortable, safer, and cleaner. Personally, I had one of those things and used it twice. I just never had the time for it. And clean, well when your child starts moving there will be a lot worse things they put their hands on & in their mouths! If you are weary of germs, just wipe it down as almost every grocery store has wipes next to the carts. Not to mention it was another thing I had to wash and the last thing I needed was more laundry!

Now some babies cry when you put them into the cart because they are scared and it is a new thing. Try taking them out; comforting them and singing a song while you place them in. Next while you walk around have a talk with them or sing more songs. Make them feel comfortable and happy in that situation to conquer their baby fears ☺.

So once your little one sits up alone next time you are out and about and want to go grocery shopping, you can pop your little one in the seat and buckle them up! Enjoy!

Happy Shopping!

Yes our child is on the move and we have to watch their every move! And now the time has hit where you need to baby proof your home. There are a few key items that make any home safer for your babies and toddlers.

1. Smoke Detectors: In every room and the hallways. Make sure to change the battery once a year!
2. Childproof latches on drawers or cupboard doors: Most kids love to go into every drawer. It’s always good to give them the one cabinet of tableware they can play with in the kitchen, but also always make sure that the dangerous, breakable and poisonous items are away securely.
3. Gates on Stairs: Once your child is able to move around by rolling, crawling, army crawl or walking gates are a must! They prevent accidents from happening and put our minds at ease. If you celebrate Christmas every year, it is also a good idea to put a gate around your tree to keep all the little ones safe.
4. Outlet Covers: Babies are curious and if they can fit anything into the outlet they will. Putting covers over it can avoid any accidents from happening. Today outlets are built safe with breakers, but it’s always good to be over cautious when it comes to our children around them ☺.

Once our babies start to go on the move it is a whole new world of parenting. You begin to be able to keep your eyes on every action and even predict their every move. People without children will just sit there and get tired from just watching how on top of it you are! So make your life a little simpler and safer by baby proofing your home with the basics for safety!

Safe Playing Everyone!

Now you are giving your babies real food! Their bottles or breast feedings have lightened up and consolidated. And above all, your baby sleeps like a champion! So, now what to do to keep them happy and moving??

The #1 thing is getting out and socializing! If you stay home not only will you go stir crazy but so will your baby. Doing baby classes and having play dates will keep you both busy and happy. Some ideas include: Baby gym classes, music classes, lunch dates, and play dates. Getting social is not only beneficial for your baby but for you as a parent. Hanging out and chatting with parents that are in the same stage and place as you will be comforting and serve as a great support in your new life of parenthood.

However, we are only human and we can’t get out EVERY day, so what could we do when we are home???

Well, I would highly recommend setting up a baby safe area where your child can play within safe boundaries. Put toys in there that are age appropriate and add in a tunnel or tent for extra fun! If both of you are getting cabin fever, change the environment. This may be just changing rooms or simply switching out the toys. So read your baby’s signs and keep them happy!

The baby movers and shakers is a whole new stage for first time parents. You will find yourself playing tag crawling around and just be prepared with your running shoes, because you'll need them for the next stage! For now, Enjoy the crawling fun!

Happy Mommying!

It has been 6 months with your little bundle of joy but boy are you tired! And to add to the bunch the “6 month sleep regression” has begun. What is this regression and why does it even happen? Does it happen to every baby?

Not every baby goes through a regression and some you won’t even notice they do. This depends on so many other factors such as if you baby had sleep training or their basic temperament or personality. A sleep regression refers to a disturbance in your baby’s sleep, whether they were sleeping through the night and all of sudden start waking or they were waking up and began to wake up more now, it is a regression. Around 6 months babies begin to learn how to sit up on their own and this can cause a disturbance in their sleep. When babies hit a big milestone like this it is a new thing they just want to try to practice and therefore may get themselves in a position they do not know how to get themselves out of. For example, they may sit up and not know how to get back down. You just have to teach them, as they need to learn this just like everything else. A regression is also even referred to as a growth spurt because of the cognitive spurt of learning a new skill.

The good news is your baby just learning an awesome new skill and that is amazing! And the even better news is that this will pass and everything will be ok again ☺. Regressions shouldn’t last more than 5-7 days and if you work through it with good habits to reinforce the good ones you already created then everything will go back to normal. And if you are one of those lucky moms with a great baby that never had this then that is great! I know my first had a 4-month regression and a 9 month one but my second had a 4 month and 6 month regression. So every baby is different there isn’t just one mold. So whether their naps or nighttime sleep has been off just know it is just a phase so work through it and this to shall pass!

Happy Mommying!

As your baby gets older, they develop new skills that you clap and cheer about because you are so proud of them. When they roll or sit up for the first time it brings a huge smile to your face. With these skills, other interesting skills come along like biting while breastfeeding and all we can say is, “ouch!”

Babies bite while breastfeeding for a few reasons; most commonly because they are finished nursing, teething, or simply want your attention. Whatever reason, biting should not happen while breastfeeding even when your little one has a full set of teeth. If they latch correctly it is impossible to nurse and bite at the same time. The most common cause of biting is teething. If your baby is teething, chances are their gums are painful and they tend to go on “nursing strikes” and bite everything in sight, including your breast. Here are a couple of suggestions to stop this unpleasant habit from recurring. Firstly, unlatch your baby from your breast and hand them a teething toy or cold washcloth to teeth on. Say, “we don’t bite mommy but you can bite this for your teeth.” Then after they are done teething on that toy, let them re-latch and simply breastfeed. When they do not bite, simply say, “Yay! That was excellent! No biting, that makes mommy happy!” If they are biting because they are finished nursing then use positive praising and reinforcement for when they don’t bite. Always hand them something and say, “you can’t bite me but you can bite Sophie the Giraffe.”

Now what happens if your baby keeps on biting and does not unlatch when you try to unlatch them and they bite harder? …Push their face into your breast for just a second. Their instinct to breathe will make them unlatch themselves. If they are biting for attention then give them the extra attention they need. Sometimes they just want mommy to know they are there and want some extra love ☺.

Whether your baby is teething or just wants mommy’s attention, biting does not feel good and it’s important to let your baby know that. Teach them from a young age that biting is not allowed. Stay consistent with teaching them and they will learn. Good luck!

Happy Feeding!

Yep your baby is about to go on the move! They rolled, they sat up, they went on all fours and began to sway, and then they went from all fours to a sitting position by themselves and next usually came crawling. And once that baby is on the move, they don’t stop!

Crawling can happen as early as 6 months in some babies, but most often it happens around 8 months. Some babies don’t crawl, they decide to army crawl on their belly or scoot around on their tushy! Whichever way your baby chooses to get around it is fine, as long as they show interest in moving around by their first birthday. If they do not show interest, bring it up in your one year check up and seek your pediatricians advice. Remember all babies develop at their own rate and premature babies may develop at a slower rate. Whatever your baby is doing it is individual to them, I know its hard not to compare but try not to, because every baby is different.

Now, what if your baby skips crawling? Yes, this happens very often. Some babies go straight to walking. And parents, watch out, because after walking, comes running ☺. If your baby is not showing an interest in a form of crawling but goes straight to walking this is completely ok. After they learn to walk they will learn to crawl. I have never seen a 5 year old healthy kid that doesn’t know how to crawl, so don’t worry ☺.

Whether your baby chooses to crawl, army crawl, scoot or go straight to walking the important thing is that they are moving around. So put on your running shoes moms and let the race begin. Now that they have started to move, they won’t stop!

Happy Racing!

If your baby has no problem breastfeeding but doesn’t like to drink your stored milk, it may be the taste. Does it always have a strange sour smell and your baby is turned off by it? Even if you pump fresh milk and use it a few hours later, this sour smell seems to appear you may have a high count of lipase in your breast milk. Lipase is the enzyme that aids in the digestion of fats and when it is stored it begins to breakdown. Some babies just don’t mind the taste and it is completely safe to give your baby if they are ok with the taste. So if there is no rejection, then don’t worry about it at all ☺! If they are refusing it and do not like the taste you may want to try scalding the breast milk before freezing it for storage. Scalding it is the heating up the milk before you store it to stop the process of fat digestion. Scalding it immediately is the best plan of action. Make sure when you scald or heat it up you just see little bubbles start to form and are not boiling it completely. This may lower some of the nutrients in the milk but will still be plentiful healthy for your little one. So next time you are having bottle feeding problems and you have tried everything, maybe it’s the milk not the bottle or your baby being picky☺!

Happy Feeding Mommies!

Is your baby on the move? Now what! Here are a few helpful pay tips to do with a baby on the move.

1. Tunnels and Tents, lots of fun! Crawling through them is never ending fun!
2. Activity tables, because the next step is standing! The lights the games to play with will make them want to learn to stand quickly!
3. Let them crawl through and under your table and chairs. It’s an obstacle course that lets them maneuver through the chairs legs that is great for their instincts and problem solving.
4. Windows to look out, the outside never is boring!
5. Park to have fun, just watch them closely, but encourage them to try new things such as a bridge to cross or tunnel to go through.
6. Music, keep it upbeat and fun! Dance parties never get old ☺.
7. Do classes age appropriate, such as My Gym or Gymboree. These are both an opportunity to challenge your little one and socialize for mommy and baby ☺.
8. Play dates, socializing is always fun!
9. Ball pits! Throw them up, play catch, jump in and out, it is never ending fun!
10. Pool, whether it is a blow up one in the back yard or a big pool, if the weather is warm, let them have some fun in the water!

Happy Playtime Mommies!

1. Avocado and Egg yolk
2. Peas and Pears
3. Apples and Carrots
4. Sweet Potatoes and Peas
5. Black beans and Mango
6. Black Beans and Carrots
7. Bell Pepper and Corn
8. Bell Pepper and Lentils
9. Broccoli and Peas
10. Eggplant and Bell Peppers
11. Lentils, Carrots and Celery
12. Black Beans and Banana
13. Butternut Squash and Peas
14. Banana and Avocado
15. Carrots and Sweet Potato

Happy Feeding!

Your little one has recently started to crawl and they are getting into everything! As parents we are suddenly rethinking our family photos that are out and our drawers in our kitchens, what are we suppose to do! First thing you should do when your little one starts crawling is start crawling with them! Yep get on all fours and see what they are seeing that way you can know what and where you need to baby proof. Also in the process you can have a lot of fun and be silly! As a parent with my little girls these are some of my funniest and fondest moments. The next thing you want to do is create an enclosed area for your little one where everything is fair game inside. A crawling friendly environment where they can just have fun and play with toys. You can do this by putting up a circular gate structure with toys in it. What I did with my girls is started with it circular then took it apart in stages making it bigger, then eventually just taking it apart and enclosing the items I didn’t want them getting into. Giving them stages allowed them to grow to be better crawlers and let them feel freer. Lastly, is when you are baby proofing your house always keep one cabinet open in the kitchen where you put the plastic container and non breakables. Make it at arms reach to your child and let them get into it. This will in fact make them go into the others ones less just knowing something is not off limits. You might even be able to get some cooking done too. You can do this in each room in your home to make each room fun for your baby. Babies live in a “no” environment so make it as “yes” as it can be. So get down on all fours and get into it, it’s a whole new world for your baby and you! Take out the tunnels and have some fun, that is one of the joys of being a mom is to be a kid yourself!

Happy Crawling Mommies!

The number one reason a baby begins to be “troublesome” overall is because they can’t communicate what they want to. Their frustration comes out in crying or a tantrum because you can’t understand them. Teaching them the basics of Sign Language such as food, water, more, diaper, all done, and milk can help them communicate to you and help them be less frustrated.

Our babies begin to communicate with us very early on we just don’t know what they are saying, but what if we could? You can start to implement sign language with your baby as early as 6 months when you begin to introduce solids. Your baby won’t begin to do the actions right away but they will in time and one day they will just surprise you! Sign Language is such a powerful tool with your child. This also works well for you because as a mom, sometimes we have no idea what our child wants and what they are trying to say with their babbling. If we know its water because they sign it, our frustration disappears as well. This can lead to less crying and less tantrums. Sign Language is a powerful tool in the mommy toolbox, so pack it up and use it! Happy Signing Mommies!

The book below will allow you and your little one to learn at the same time!

"Baby Signs" by Joy Allen