Mommies Magazine

Choosing Eco-Friendly Baby Gifts: Part 2

Posted on 13. Nov, 2009 by Sarah Valek.

Here are more ideas for eco-friendly baby gifts. Remember that even though organic and natural gifts tend to be (but are not always) more expensive than their conventional counterparts, you are paying for quality. Money is tight in many families so it’s a no-brainer why parents buy cheaper, lower quality products. But, sometimes you have to weight the pros and cons: spend less money for a cheaper product or spend more to get something naturally and ethically made? Personally, I recommend taking a balanced approach: seek out as many natural products as you can but know you can’t afford to have every top-of-the-line product. Instead of buying all organic new clothes (which can be pricey) seek out used, gently-loved clothing. This way you’re still helping the environment (by reusing) and keeping money in your wallet. But, if you can, buy more of the items listed below:

Wooden Toys
Look for wooden toys made in the U.S.—or European countries, since many have strict safety standards—out of natural, sustainable wood and non-toxic paints. (Check to make sure natural paints were used.) Wooden toys eliminate waste since they’re fully recyclable and are more durable than chemical-laden plastic.

Cloth Diapers
Babies need diapers but they don’t need to create a landfill full of them. Cloth diapers are easier and much more pleasant to use than people think. If you’re not sure about them, try a trial pack or purchase a cloth diapering  service for a few months. Cloth diapers are easy to use—the hardest part is deciding which ones to buy. Sampler packs take the guesswork out of cloth diapering and can be bought from specialty online stores.

BPA-Free Bottles and Sippy Cups
Bisphenol A (BPA) has been getting a lot of heat. Claimed to increase the risk of certain cancers, the chemical BPA is found in some bottles, sippy cups and pacifiers. The good news is that BPA-free alternatives are now easy to find and clearly labeled. Why take a chance with a controversial chemical when you can easily buy a BPA-free alternative? These can be found in big name retail stores or online.

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Choosing Eco-Friendly Baby Gifts: Part 1

Posted on 11. Nov, 2009 by Sarah Valek.

Green gifts are hot right now. And for good reason. Not only are eco-friendly gifts good for the Earth, they’re healthier and safer for babies. If you’re looking for things to put on your family’s holiday gift list, or are searching for the perfect product to buy a new baby–go green. Seek out green baby gifts and give an infant all nature has to offer, free from any chemicals and toxins.

Organic Fabrics
Once relegated to specialty online stores, organic baby items can be found in any big name (or mom and pop) store. Organic clothing, blankets, bibs, mattresses and stuffed animals are made from cotton or hemp that was grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, fungicides, herbicides and fertilizers. Bamboo is another popular organic fabric. It’s hypo-allergenic, anti-bacterial and can prevent skin irritations. Plus it’s sustainable.

Natural Remedies
No one enjoys teething. When pearly whites start poking through baby’s mouth, parents scramble for a remedy—any remedy. Instead of buying conventional teething gel, which often contains artificial food coloring and other artificial ingredients, go natural. Consider buying (or putting on your wish list) a baby necklace made from Baltic amber, a natural anesthetic. When your child sweats, Baltic amber releases healing oils that are absorbed into the skin and provide natural teething relief. Take note that the necklaces are meant to be worn, not put in the mouth. You can also find homeopathic remedies for colic, teething, gas and earaches in some specialty and big name stores.

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Baltic Amber and Teething Relief

Posted on 30. Sep, 2009 by Sarah Valek.

Even though over-the-counter medicines are probably the most popular forms of teething pain relief, they aren’t the only solutions. I recently found out about a natural—and beautiful—teething solution: Baltic amber necklaces.

Baltic amber is fossilized tree resin. It contains high levels of succinic acid, considered by some to have healing properties. Specifically, succinic acid may have analgesic properties. When worn as a necklace or bracelet, the skin’s body heat wicks tiny amounts of healing oils from the amber. These succinic acid-containing oils are absorbed into the skin and help relieve pain.

Baltic amber necklaces come in many different sizes. Just make sure your baby’s isn’t too big or too tight. Teething necklaces aren’t to be chewed on or put in the mouth. They’re simply worn on the skin.

You can find baby Baltic amber teething necklaces at online retailers. Whether they’re effective in relieving pain or not is something for you to decide. Many people have had luck using Baltic amber to treat everything from migraines to menstrual cramps; carpal tunnel syndrome to back pain. These claims have not been scientifically validated but keep in mind people have been using Baltic amber as a traditional remedy for centuries.

Another benefit of Baltic amber is that, hey, it’s pretty and your baby will look super cute wearing an amber necklace.

Do you have any experiences using Baltic amber? If so, we’d love to hear it.

photo credit: david owen

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The Troubles with Teething

Posted on 23. Sep, 2009 by Sarah Valek.

Teething isn’t fun for anyone. As parents, we know teething equals crankiness, which in turn equals frustrated babies and mommies. It’s easy to let a teething baby get to you. If your child’s anything like mine, he’s pretty much miserable when his gums get puffy and new teeth are about to poke through.

As awful as it is, it’s imperative to put yourself in your baby’s shoes (or booties). Teething has to hurt. But that doesn’t mean you can’t offer your baby some relief.

There are many teething remedies on the market (and at home). Needless to say, some will work better than others.

There’s the usual ibuprofen and acetaminophen you can give your baby. We all know what these medications are—they relieve pain and, in my experience, are pretty effective. These two meds come in a few different forms, so make sure you follow the specific recommended dosages listed on the package.

Homeopathy is another teething relief option. Working with the premise “like cures like,” homeopathic remedies contain miniscule amounts of a substance that in larger amounts would cause the condition you’re trying to heal (in this case tooth pain). These remedies are gentle and recommended by many parents.

Of course, there are also homemade remedies for teething. Many parents swear by letting their baby chomp on a frozen wash cloth or by brushing their child’s gums with a tooth brush (no toothpaste).

Whatever you do, let’s hope your baby—and you—find relief ASAP.

photo credit: nateOne

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The Happiest Toddler on the Block: Has It Worked for You?

Posted on 18. Sep, 2009 by Sarah Valek.

Confused about how to handle my 19 month-old son’s newfound emotional outbursts, I picked up a copy of Harvey Karp’s book The Happiest Toddler on the Block. (Karp authored the popular The Happiest Baby on Block book, which brought swaddling and “sushing” into the mainstream and helped a slew of parents calm colicky babies.)

In his book, Karp compares toddlers to little Neanderthal cave-people, explaining that they’re prone to being selfish, needy and are the spitting image of Bam-Bam from The Flintstones. Toddlers are in the process of evolving from uncivilized cave-people to (somewhat) civilized children. In other words, they’re seemingly annoying behaviors are completely normal and to be expected.

But how do we deal with them? Karp advises talking in “Toddler-ese,” a way of talking using very short phrases and repetition, during a tantrum. At the same time, he says to repeat what your child wants (even if he can’t have it). For instance, if your kiddo wants a cookie but you want her to eat dinner, say, “Cookie? Cookie? You want cookie? Now? Cookie?” Talk reflecting 1/3 of your child’s emotions. In theory, your child is supposed to see that you “get it”—that her attempts at communication are paying off, even if you’re not giving in. When she calms down, you tell her, “No, no cookie. Dinner first.” And then distract her or offer her a compromise.

I started using this technique on my son. He wanted to stay outside and play but I wanted him to come in for a diaper change. As he was screaming to stay outside, I said in a rushed, anxious voice, “You’re mad! Mad! Mad, mad, mad! You want to play outside!”

He didn’t calm down. He just got more red in the face. Now, I’m not saying this disproves Karp’s theory. Hardly! Maybe I just have to perfect my Toddler-ease and be less self-conscious of myself.

So, what do you think? Does Karp’s theory work? Does anything calm tantrums or are they just par for the course?

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Where Did My Baby Go?

Posted on 11. Sep, 2009 by Sarah Valek.

A few months ago I thought 18 months was the perfect age for a child. My son was blossoming from a helpless baby into an increasingly independent child. He was beginning to love the world and all it has to offer. Whether we spent the day climbing in the park, strolling in the city or checking out a museum, my son was happy.

“This is the golden age of baby/toddler-hood,” I thought.

But then my son started to change.

His easy-going demeanor became downright mean. He started to bite, kick and scream when he didn’t get his way. He became the lil’ dictator of the house; 30 inches and 26 pounds of fury and want.

Now, I’m not saying my son is a monster. Nope. He’s a toddler, in the purest sense of the word.

Parents, I’m sure you’ve all been there—the moment your baby disappeared. I mean, my child is still here, but he’s no longer an infant. And with this blossoming toddler comes a whole new set of rules to learn. Just when I had the whole baby thing figured out, I need to read up on how to handle tantrums, discipline and how to avoid being bit and hit.

Do you have any advice you’d like to share about raising toddlers? Or would you like to share your feelings and experiences about watching your child transform from babyhood?

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Tips for Selling Baby Items at a Yard Sale

Posted on 24. Aug, 2009 by Sarah Valek.

Is it time to clean out your baby’s closet? Are you overloaded with 3-6 month sized clothing… and your child is 18-months old? Sure, you could take old baby items to a consignment shop or resale store, but why do that when you can have a yard sale and keep all the profits? Yard sales are a lot of work, but they’re easily worth it. Here are tips for selling baby stuff at a yard sale. Good luck!

- Don’t under-price. In fact, don’t overprice, either. For clothing, it’s best to create two piles for pricing—one for generic brands and one for brand-name clothing. Obviously, price the brand-name clothing higher than the generic stuff. Just don’t price everything the same.

- Know all those random little toys you have? Group them up and put them in little baggies with a price. Goodie bags of mixed toys will sell much more easily than separately priced rattles and cars. Do the same thing with socks and hats.

- A general rule is to price an item 10 percent of what you bought it for. If it’s brand new, price it 50 percent of what you originally paid.

- This should be a no-brainer: Don’t put out junk unless you’re giving it away for free. Nobody wants stained baby clothes or battered toys. And as for used pacifiers? Forget it!

- Advertise what you’re selling. Baby clothes sell pretty well at yard sales, so make sure you let everyone know that your sale is the place to buy baby goods. Let people know what kind of baby stuff you have: Do you have an abundance of newborn onesies? Or will you be selling baby carriers? Or are you up to your ears in toddler toys? Be specific and the right buyers will come.

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