I hate having to write another post about yet another
tragedy…
but yesterday…
Oklahoma experienced a natural disaster
that took the lives of many,
among them innocent children
at school where they thought…
they were safe
Making sense out of senselessness…what to tell your children about yet another tragedy?
Pass it on: Picking up and carrying a crying infant will automatically calm the child.
Today’s words of wisdom …
while I am on vacation
I will be posting some parenting tips each day.
Have a great Monday!
Sleep is so important and so many of us crave it…makes me wonder if it doesn’t start right at the beginning of our lives when we are infants. After all it is one of the topics so hotly discussed among parenting experts.
So how do we manage to get our newborns to sleep thus giving ourselves much needed time to sleep?
Nothing can prepare you for the changes in your sleep when you welcome a newborn baby into your family. Experienced parents will issue dire warnings and tell you to sleep while you can during the last few weeks of pregnancy. (And you will think, yeah right, there’s a large boulder resting on my bladder, and sometimes it kicks for good measure.)
If you breast feed do you have less of a chance of developing PPD (Postpartum Depression)? Here is some interesting facts from FFF (Fearless Formula Feeder) that questions this premise.
The same question holds for the connection between breastfeeding and postpartum depression. Some researchers have found a correlation between lack of breastfeeding and higher incidence of depression; however, the majority of these studies don’t factor in why the mother isn’t breastfeeding in the first place. A 2009 study found that women who exhibited pregnancy-related anxiety or prenatal depressive symptoms were roughly two times more likely than women without these mood disorders to plan to formula feed. (12) “Prenatal mood disorders may affect a woman’s plans to breastfeed and may be early risk factors for failure to breastfeed,” the researchers point out. And even if the intention to breastfeed is there, multiple factors inform infant-feeding choices once a woman leaves the hospital.
Feeling like a failure, dealing with pain, frustration, and exhaustion, and having a baby who screams at the sight of her, could make any mother feel overwhelmed, let alone one who’s already on the brink of actual PPD. Maybe for those of us more prone to anxiety or depression, the stress of breastfeeding struggles is just the camel’s dreaded straw.
Are there allergies in your family, if so, there is a community online for Moms of Allergic Children. I have also included a link to a mom’s story of her son who has asthma.
Moms of kids with allergies have to do double duty to keep their bundles of joy safe, happy, and healthy. In the Moms of Allergic Children community, moms are sharing their concerns and questions about allergies. Here are some quick tips from Dr. Oz for them and others on how to treat — and prevent — some common allergies.
For Mother’s Day, I would like it if McDonalds’ Corporation would stop targeting children in their marketing campaigns.
I know that I have a choice about whether or not to support McDonalds and to tell the truth, on occasion, I do patronize our local McDonalds’ drive thru.
In addition, we are shareholders.
We also live in the heart of corporate McDonalds’ land and benefit from the corporate taxes that McDonalds pays in Oak Brook IL.
I also work at a medical center that has a Ronald McDonalds House, which comforts many suffering families.
All of this being said, I continue to wonder, why on one hand, McDonalds Corporation continues to market to children and then turns around and funds children’s healthcare with their mobile services and family care with their Ronald McDonald Houses?
Obviously, their bottom line is profit.
Parents are encouraged by McDonalds marketing campaigns to view McDonalds as inherently good, when it is not.
Perhaps, McDonalds should look at this current generation of parents, who have been exposed to fast food most of their lives, many of whom suffer the ravages of morbid obesity with all of its’ sequelae, diabetes, heart disease, kidney and liver failure.
Maybe McDonalds should now fund healthcare for these adults or perhaps childcare for the children that these parents will leave behind, when they die prematurely from the effects of being obese most of their lives. I am just saying…
If McDonalds did begin such a healthcare initiative for today’s obese parents, it just might be an acknowledgement of their part, along with other fast food markets, in the cause of this widespread health crisis.
There is really no simple answer here…
One thing for sure is, if McDonalds stops marketing to children, this could be a good thing.
If they continue to develop ways to make healthier choices on their menu, this could also be a good thing.
What could even be better is…
If they decrease their unhealthy menu choices, continue their healthcare initiatives and develop new ones.
Then and only then, we just might see this new generation increase their longevity and the chances that they will outlive their parents.
McDonalds, children should not die before their parents…please stop marketing to kids…
I am a #MomsNotLovinIt and a #GrandmaNotLovinIt
If you want to help…join the movement at MomsNotLovinIt.org
Are you afraid to choose not to breast feed because of the backlash of comments that you anticipate from your relatives and friends?
Don’t you just want them to understand what you already know about you and your baby?
Maybe you should write down your story and hand copies to anyone who questions why you are not breastfeeding and then just maybe they will “shut up” and mind their own business!
BREAST-FEEDING is not always best.
These are fighting words if you are a mother who has delivered a baby at most hospitals throughout the Puget Sound. If you are the postpartum mother who dares to utter that statement, you will be the one fighting with nurses, doctors, lactation consultants and anyone on the street who sees you bottle feeding.
Do you use time-outs as discipline the way “The Nanny” does on her television series?
There actually is another approach….”Positive Discipline” and it just might work better with your child or children. Here is a link to someone who specializes in this approach…
I went on Amazon and bought all the top books on baby sleep and development. I read through them all, as well as several blogs and sleep websites. I gathered lots of advice.
If you are confused about Baby Sleep and how to help you and your baby get enough rest, you will find out why when you read this funny post from a mom who shares your confusion.
Don’t fret, you are not alone!
I hope these suggested readings help with three of the most discussed topics of childrearing…. Feeding…Discipline…Sleep.
Have a great weekend!
If you are familiar with my blog you already know that I support moms and their freedom of choice when it comes to feeding their babies. Although as a professional, I know that breast feeding is healthier for babies, I also know that there are circumstances in every mom’s life that influence the choice she makes as to whether to breast or bottle feed.
This being said, I find Nestle’s history with regard to formula feeding is worthwhile knowing, so that when a new mom is making her feeding choice, she does it with full knowledge of how formula makers try to influence her directly and indirectly.
I want to also say that I am not judging moms who formula feed…I did and have never regretted it. My choice was made for me since I was on Heparin and Coumadin which passes to the infant in breast milk… but to be truly honest as a mother-baby nurse in the late 70′s and 80′s I saw so many moms have such a difficult time breast feeding I was scared to try it myself.
And in the effort of disclosure, I am aware of my personal experience and choices so I make an effort not to allow my feelings to influence my work with pre-natal and new moms, who are desiring to breast feed.
Please read Nestle’s history in the following link…I think that you will find it very interesting. It is big business at its worst!
Nestle’s Infant Formula Scandal – Business Insider.
Related posts:
http://parentingintheloop.com/2013/04/23/what-moms-should-know-about-feeding-baby/
Suzie Barston wrote a book about infant feeding so that women can feel supported no matter how they choose to feed their baby…whether formula or breast.
I have not read her book but here is an interview with Suzie where she answers some questions that may help a new mom.
I wrote the book with a few goals in mind – first and foremost, I wanted to offer some support and perspective for women dealing with conflicted feelings about infant feeding. But I also wanted to provide a resource for childbirth educators, medical practitioners, and breastfeeding advocates which would explain how it feels – viscerally – to “fail” at breastfeeding in today’s world. I believe that most people are trying to help mothers; the problem is that they often unintentionally do the opposite. There is a right way and a wrong way to educate parents about breastfeeding, and I hope that even if childbirth educators don’t agree with some of what I have to say, they can approach it as a Field Guide to the American Bottle Feeder.
Do you have difficulty getting your child or children to eat a healthy variety of good food?
At some point, in my opinion I think that every parent experiences food challenges with their children.
With the approach of warmer weather comes the opportunity to eat more garden fresh vegetables…perhaps growing a few easy ones with your children will help develop their tastes for new veggies and fruits.
If growing is not your thing then maybe a trip to the local Farmer’s Market will spark their interest in new seasonal varieties of foods. At the very least, hopefully they will enjoy the excitement of seeing all the flowers and veggies on a morning excursion
But really, it’s all about approach and finesse and what not to do.
With that in mind, here are ten things that you need to give up before your child will come around to the foodie way of doing things.
Gardening with your children creates wonderful memories
It truly cuts right through me whenever I hear a child say the word “hate”, but it really causes me sadness when it is directed personally at a parent, grandparent, or anyone else.
There are many ways to react when a child says “I Hate You”!…some of them are definitely knee jerk reactions but the thoughtful reactions of a parent will generate some thinking on the part of the child.
The manner in which a parent responds to a child’s angry outbursts will either help or hinder the child’s ability to understand the feelings he is trying to express. Here are some ways to help him find other words to express his anger and encourage him to do so without punishment.
Another senseless tragedy brings to mind the words of Mr. Rogers…thankfully there are always people who are helping.
You are always safe with this explanation when talking to your children…at least I think so!
Homemade with Love
Yesterday, I went to a really delightful luncheon here in Chicago. It was an impromptu event invitation that I am so grateful to have had the time to attend.
In the last few weeks, I have had the fortune of discovering a new blog, In Jennie’s Kitchen and a new cookbook, Homemade with Love on Instagram.
Blogging and cooking are both loves of mine! Cooking has been a longtime passion of mine…blogging and reading blogs is a new passion.
Now, I have had the good fortune of meeting the creator of Homemade with Love, Jennifer Perillo.
I now realize that it was also fortunate for me that I missed her Chicago book signing, this past Sunday and that I am not afraid of twitter. To make a long story short, Jennifer extended an invitation to me to attend a very special small luncheon that she was preparing in her hotel here in Chicago.
To say, I was thrilled is definitely an understatement.
Among the invitees were some other bloggers, who are all much more recognizable than I…most were food bloggers, some were also writers, who represent various media and social media here in Chicago. A very nice mix of women and fun for me to meet, as my background is just so different, coming from nursing and social work.
What better way to relax everyone and encourage conversation with each other than to casually serve a delicious made from scratch lunch.
Jennifer did just that!
In the tiniest of working kitchen space Jennie created recipes from her new book Homemade with Love.
Firstly, we had some wine, sparkling water, or still water served with a strawberry compote to add a little bit of sweetness to our drinks…very refreshing.
Next we were treated to ….
Creamy Homemade Ricotta
Slow Roasted Tomatoes with Fresh Mozzarella Panzanella Salad
Chickpea, Parmesan and Fennel Salad
Orecchiette with Bolognese Sauce
Simple Roasted Chicken
Deep Chocolate Cupcakes with Deep Chocolate Glaze
It was a lovely marriage of flavors and Jennifer’s ease with preparing and serving made it obvious to me that I could make her recipes at home, as you will be able to do too after you buy her wonderful cookbook.
Jennifer also graciously signed copies of her cookbook for all of us.
I am impressed with her book, its’ layout, beautiful photos and helpful tips. There are icons on every page to tell you about each recipe. I love her Chapter on “Setting Up a Homemade Kitchen” which is surprisingly easy!
It helps that Jennifer is a warm and engaging mother of two, who understands what it is like to be thrown into single parenthood by the untimely death of her husband, Mikey. You can see her love for her kids and Mikey overflows into her passion for cooking.
She has truly written a delightfully beautiful cookbook that you can use in your kitchen to make your own family meals Homemade With Love.
Thank you Jennifer!
Jennifer Perillo and me…
Thank you also to Kitchen Aid and the makers of Glad, two companies who helped to make it possible for Jennifer to share her recipes and cookbook with us.
Disclosure:
This post was not sponsored. I did receive a copy of Homemade with Love from Jennifer. All opinions are my own.
