Your Kids on Vacation

When it’s time for a vacation with little ones, a few little tips make the difference between a getaway and a getmeouttahere!

Driving: In order to avoid the dreaded “are we there yet” take some precautions before getting in the car to make things a little more fun for everyone.

-Teach them to read a map. When they ask where we are, respond with, you tell me!

-The alphabet game. Pick a genre ie: animals, food, plants, places etc. and go through the alphabet taking turns thinking up something that corresponds to the letter and the genre.

-Car songs. Take the time to fill your ipod with stuff that’s fun to sing to on the road. It will raise spirits and make for a memorable road trip.

Flying: Kids get excited about flying through the air like Superman, Tinkerbell, Harry Potter, or whomever you think to suggest. Go with it, and make it into a thrilling adventure. Once the novelty wears off, cross your fingers that they fall asleep ;)

-Avoid those adorable little mini luggage bags. Your younger ones won’t keep track of their belongings very well, and the novelty wears out right around the time your arms do. Instead, pack tight and light by adding their clothes to a couple of large luggage bags to check.

-Don’t forget some entertainment in your carry-on. A book or two along with something they like to snuggle with will make for a calm flight.

-Avoid entertaining toys with lots of parts that are likely to fall in awkward places. Instead of crayons and a coloring book, try a Magna-doodle instead.

Hotel: Novelty is your best friend on vacation with your kids, play it up anywhere you can. Even a trip to the vending machine for ice can be fun.

-For your kids to have a good time make sure your hotel has a pool, an outdoor area, a jungle gym, park, or if you’re really lucky an on-staff babysitter.

-look for child friendly hotels, with fun places to eat, and open areas to play close by. There’s nothing worse than paying $40 for them to eat two bites of asiago and oyster mushroom macaroni and cheese.

-That being said, take a night for yourselves if you can. It’s your vacation too, and you should go out to dinner like a grownup at least one night. Several hotels offer babysitting services with credentialed nannies. If you’re staying with relatives or friends, see if they wouldn’t mind tucking the little ones in, and bring them back a dessert for their trouble.

Moms and the Work-Life Balance

Sociologists have been on this subject for years. When two people have a baby in today's America, it's often the case that one goes back to work with a sense of purpose, and a fire to succeed and provide for the new member of the family. On the flip side, it's too often the case that party member #2 goes back to work and from that day forth feels a tremendous need to be in two places at once.

According to Louann Brizendine, M.D. and author of New York Times Bestseller, The Female Brain, Mothers, especially new ones, have a chemical imbalance ensue when they are separated from their baby for as little as a couple of hours. This chemical is oxytocin, otherwise known as "the cuddle chemical," and new Mothers are flooded with it during nursing, and holding their babies. When Mothers go back to work, they feel the effects of being deprived of their normal levels of oxytocin, and the feeling has been compared to the unquenchable urge to be around someone you recently fell in love with.

Every family is different, and some Mothers are able to put these feelings aside in order to provide for their babies, but some others enter into a stage of depression. Some turn to antidepressants, or discuss a more flexible work schedule with their employer.

If you are a Mom, or plan to become one, it may be worth investing some time into researching Mom-friendly companies that provide benefits like on-site child care, or telecommuting options. A great resource is www.simplyhired.com, a job hunting site that allows seekers to filter job listings by a multitude of requirements; such as, "Mom-friendly." Simply Hired also allows users to search by education, experience, and option to telecommute.

If any Moms out there do check out Simply Hired and find a great family-friendly place to work, feel free to send me a note and tell me all about it. I love a good success story!

Stylish Sibling Announcements

Dear Baby Sibling, Welcome to My World!

In-the-know parents have discovered the hip way to announce their little one’s births—have the older siblings do it with style!

Many of today’s birth announcements offer this option with smart sayings and modern graphics. Charming themes can represent older siblings’ hobbies or favorite colors as they proudly announce the arrival of the new baby or even twins. At babybirthannouncements.com, for example, the Sweet Siblings collection features a selection of whimsical characters to help personalize the way big brothers, big sisters—or both—welcome their newest playmate.

For the past decade or so, the ever-popular photo card has been a surefire way to spark a lasting impression. Today’s chic paper designs picture both siblings, with one welcoming the other. This undoubtedly captures a marvelous memory for all to go gaga over.

Whether classic or contemporary, these sassy sibling announcements not only make big brothers and big sisters feel like a star, but are an adorable and exciting way for a growing family to deliver their most important news!

Baby Einstein Makes the News

An interesting article in Newsweek, titled In Defense of Baby Einstein, by Mary Carmichael explained that there is new data to suggest that the Baby Einstein series actually does nothing to educate a baby. Carmichael offers a defense of the Baby Einsteins, suggesting that there is nothing particularly wrong with the “educational” videos, that is unless they are being used to replace human interaction, as the proverbial electronic babysitter.

Any of us who have, or are affiliated with babies have more than likely experienced the phenomenon that happens when a hysterical baby is soothed by the colors and music of a Baby Einstein DVD. This is magical, and I for one am not interested in having these “scientists” rain on the parade that I’ve been having for Baby Einstein since 1998.

But I began with Carmichael’s argument, because I believe her theory represents a fundamental decline in the American family. Statistically it’s proven (these scientists always ruin everything) that we are busier than ever before, and social media, addicting tv shows, iphone aps, and blackberrys only increase our distraction. Unfortunately, babies need attention in order to learn. The Baby Einstein is a genius invention of baby-soothing content, but babies learn from watching us hold a fork, listening to the words we say, pointing to things we point to, etc. Baby Einstein shouldn’t take the fall for a busier society, and babies shouldn’t either.

The Great Hot Dog Redesign

Ball Parks everywhere balk as The American Academy of Pediatrics has officially recommended that hot dogs be redesigned in a policy statement released this week. The reason: a choking hazard.

The classic American hot dog, along with its similarly shaped variants has been responsible for about 17% of food-related choking deaths of up to 77 children, and the emergency treatment of 15,000, yearly in the U.S. As I nearly choke on these stats, I can’t help but wonder if this is a case of child safety, or personal responsibility.

I once had a close encounter while babysitting a toddler who was eating a, for lack of better comparison, Lego-shaped graham cracker, and she began to choke. Luckily, a swift intervention with the index finger averted the catastrophe, but it scared us all just the same. I decided then and there that these snacks were no longer to be had while I was at watch, and I think a similar decision should be made in this case.

If your child is at a questionable choking age, or any age for that matter, do they really need the nutritional value that a hotdog offers? I understand the compulsion to indulge at a ball game or a video arcade if you must, which is why I would like to recommend my own version of the great American hot dog redesign: The KidDog.

The KidDog is a hot dog redesigned into any shape these American Pediatricians well please, and can be offered alongside the traditional hot dog. Parents should be free to order whichever hot dogs they think their children are capable of handling, and perhaps this one decision will give them the moment to ask themselves if a much less potentially harmful snack, like yogurt, might be a healthier choice.

Ten Questions Every New Mom Asks

Part Deaux...

This is the second part of a two-part series exploring those popular questions new parents ask.

6. What's the difference between breast milk and cows milk?

Breast milk is made up of the perfect concoction of antibodies, water, fat, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals that your baby needs in order to grow and prosper. There are over 100 ingredients in breast milk which unfortunately are not present in formula, even the new "DHA added" formulas. Cow’s milk is not a proper replacement for breast milk, or even formula. Cow’s milk doesn’t contain antibodies, and is the wrong combination of water, carbs, and protein. The protein in cow’s milk is double that of breast milk and less digestible, so it may give your baby an upset stomach in early months.

7. I already have one child, will he be jealous of the new baby?

Jealousy among older siblings is common, but studies show the more communication there is about what will happen when the new baby comes, the more excited older siblings become to help out. Explain to your child the role of the big sister or brother, and give them little tasks they can do to make them feel like they have an interest in their little sibling's well-being. It's also a good idea to remind yourself that the new baby shouldn't get all the attention.

8. What to do about cradle cap?

Noticed a yellow crust on your baby's head? It's nothing serious to worry about, but understandably can fluster a new mom. Not to fear. Ask your pharmacist for some cradle cap cream, or simply use olive oil. Rub your ointment of choice on before bed, and gently sweep off in the morning.

9. How do I make my own baby food?

Simple! Puree any fresh fruits or vegetables you like and avoid adding any extra salt or sugar. A squeeze of lemon juice adds a little flavor and acts as a preservative. You can also puree a bit of whatever you're having for dinner with the rest of the family. Allow your efforts to really last by making a lot at a time, freezing in ice cube trays, and thawing for use later. Just make sure to label everything carefully, and don't forget to store in freezer bags. Homemade baby food can be stored safely in the freezer for up to 3 months.

10. How do you know so much, Lisa, BabyBirthAnnouncements blogger?

I must admit that I am not a parent myself. However after being raised in a home day-care and working as a babysitter from age 11 to 21, I picked up a few ins-and-outs, and did some research along the way. While I remain a baby enthusiast, I do not yet have my own little ones to offer up as examples. But thanks for reading, all the same.

Ten Questions Every New Mom Asks

This is a 2-part series exploring the most common questions asked by new parents and all the answers out there. Despite what you read here, remember, nothing is stronger than a Mother’s instinct so trust that above everything you read. Mother Nature set you up to know what to do.

Now, onto all the things you think you don’t know.

1. Should we let the baby cry it out?

Pediatricians agree to varying degrees, that all babies cry. Letting an infant cry for hours and hours should only be attempted if you can a.) stand it b.) justify it and c.) make up the sleep during the next day. For the most part, babies cry when there is something distressing them. So if it’s bedtime, the baby is tired, and you’ve already checked for hunger, diaper rash, teething, upset stomach, and a high temperature, chances are, the little one is a bit fussy and you’ll be hearing tiny baby snores within a half hour.

2. Is there a difference between spit up and vomit?

Gross? Welcome to parenthood. Spit up is generally the result of relaxed muscles below the esophagus, or, overfeeding, and can be minimized by keeping babies upright after feeding, and keeping any pressure off their tummies. Spit up occurs among about 40% of babies and is most common around 3-5 months old. It’s generally nothing to worry about, just try not to wear anything dry clean only. On the other hand, you’ll know it’s a gastronomical problem if it doesn’t happen in congruence with feeding times. Babies spit up, which is normal, but if a baby is vomiting outside of feeding times, it could be a virus.

3. If my baby doesn’t have teeth yet, do I have to worry about oral hygiene?

Candidisis or Thrush are two of the most common fungal infections associated with poor oral hygiene during infancy. Keep your babies’ mouths thrush-free by wrapping a piece of gauze or a sterile wash cloth around your finger and gently wiping out the inside. Once teething begins, it’s time to upgrade to a finger brush with soft nylon bristles. During teething, don’t forget to stimulate the gums and always keep a teething ring or two in the freezer.

4. Do we still have time for the two of us, now that there are three of us?

Nursing mothers experience a special bond with their babies because of the truckloads of oxytocin (the cuddle chemical) released during nursing. Many mothers often feel the emotion of being “totally in love with their babies” according to Louann Brizendine, M.D. and author of The Female Brain. Because mothers are experiencing this special bond, sometimes fathers feel a little jealous. It’s important to remember to take time for your relationship, but as new parents, you often would rather sleep. A special dinner, a football game, or even a high-five are little ways to let your co-parent know that he’s important too.

5. How do we get our baby to sleep through the night?

If you find a no-fail method, patent it! That being said, every baby is different, and here are a few tips I’ve gleaned.

-To get the baby to sleep, walk in a pattern. A gentle “waltz” is a no-fail method I’ve found for calming an anxious baby into a subdued slumber.

-Have a routine blanket or stuffed animal that is always there when baby goes to sleep.

-If your baby is upset during the night, go in and comfort, but don’t take them out of the crib. They are learning to settle themselves, and this takes time.

Stay tuned for 5 more questions every new parent asks. Have a question yourself? Feel free to leave it below.