Any time your child gets a cold, your deepest mommy caregiver instincts suddenly take over. You just want your baby to feel better so she can finally rest and you can get the family schedule back on track. Until recently, many parents immediately reached for a reliable over-the-counter cold medicine that ads promised would help doctor mom. 

Not anymore!

In October, A Food and Drug Administration advisory panel voted to ban popular over-the-counter cold products intended for children under the age of 6.  The panel couldn’t find any proof that the medicines alleviated cold symptoms in children.  In fact, there were reports of serious illness and even death as a result of accidental overdose.

Reading the proper dosage amounts for weight and age isn’t good enough.

Unfortunately, the only way to understand how the medicine will affect your child is to read the “Drug Facts” box on the package (in teeny tiny print).  According to The New York Times, about 800 pediatric cold products sold in the United States use at least one or more of 39 different drugs.  Concerned parents spend around $500 million every year, and buy nearly 95 million boxes of medicine.  That’s a lot of teeny tiny print!  

And it’s only a matter of time before major manufacturers of cold medicines find a way to get their reformulated products back on the shelves.  When they re-appear, here are some important facts that every parent should know the next time you want to give your child an over-the-counter medicine.

-         Cough and Cold medicines should NOT be used in children under the age of 2 UNLESS your pediatrician gives you specific directions to do so.

-         Never give children medicine intended for adults.  This would dramatically increase the risk of an overdose.  That includes desperate parents with children on a long flight.

-         If other medicines either prescription or over-the-counter are being given to a child, the child’s pediatrician should review and approve their combined use.

-         It is important to follow the directions in the “Drug Facts” box. Do not give a child medicine more often or in greater amounts than is stated on the package.

-         Use the measuring device i.e. dropper, dosing cup or spoon, that comes with the package with each different medicine. They are marked to deliver the recommended dose.  If one is not included in the medicine packaging, they’re widely available for purchase in drug stores.  Take a look to make sure that the dosing matches the directions on the medicine box that you are using.

-         If you do not understand the dosing directions, do not give the medicine until you contact your pediatrician.

-         If your child’s condition worsens or doesn’t improve, stop using the product and take your child to their pediatrician for evaluation.

Because these medicines treat the symptoms of the common cold and are not a cure, many parents turn to tried and true homemade remedies.  I use a humidifier, TLC and my grandmother’s chicken soup recipe which always makes my children feel better during the time it takes to get better.

For a list of products that were banned visit  www.aap.org/new/kidscolds.htm

Tell us:  What’s your Homemade Cold Remedy?  Send us your great ideas for cold solutions without medicine and we will share them with other moms on www.homemadebaby.com

Theresa Kiene

My mission this school year is simple: Pack a healthy lunch for three kids – every day. A lunch that’s healthy enough to keep their concentration levels high for the rest of the day, and tasty enough not to get traded. Mostly a lunch that they’ll eat!

My motivation is high at the beginning of the school year and I’m filled with creative ideas on food, presentation and love notes to include in my children’s lunch boxes. Even with the best intentions, there’ll always be a morning where I’m running late, one of the kids is sick and now I’m rationalizing the nutritional benefits of beef jerky. For those days, I’ve created a check list to guide my choices so that I’ll be giving my children a healthy lunch experience even on my sleepiest mornings.

For each lunch box I make sure they include the following: Main dish, 2 side dishes, beverage and a snack

Those categories must include one serving each of:
• lean protein (main dish)
• fruits and vegetables (side dish - try for one of each)
• calcium (can be additional side dish or beverage)
• whole grains (usually part of the main dish but can also be a side dish).
• Beverage (usually water or low fat milk. Occasionally 100% juice)

Lean protein options – Antibiotic and hormone-free, no nitrates Turkey; chicken; and ham; fresh salmon and low-mercury canned tuna for healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Non animal source proteins include legumes, organic tofu and tempeh.

Fruits and Vegetables – one half cup is considered one serving, so lunch time is a great place to continue to reach the daily allowance. Fresh organic fruits and vegetables are best. Offering a variety of choices (the colors of the rainbow) will provide maximum amounts of vitamins and nutrients. Buying in season is a great way to get the most flavorful and economic choices. Try your local farmer’s market. It makes a great weekly family outing as well as providing many teachable moments.

Calcium – Organic lowfat milk, cheese, no sugar added yogurt, calcium fortified soy or orange juice and dark, leafy greens.

Whole Grains – Whole grains contain fiber and vitamins that processed refined grains do not. Try whole grain breads, tortillas, pastas or cereals. Also try brown rice, quinoa, whole barley, bulger or buckwheat.

Whichever combinations you choose, some of these foods pull double-duty in nutrition. For instance, string cheese provides both calcium and protein.

To help get you started on lunch box planning here are a few ideas:

Main Dish
Organic turkey on multigrain bread
Mac n’ Cheese with vegetables mixed in
Soup (when using canned soup, up the nutrition by adding a handful of beans)
Beans & Rice
Vegetarian or turkey chili
Tuna & shredded carrot wrap
Miniature Ham & Cheese sandwich on baby bagels
Healthy Burrito with sweet potato spread topped with beans and veggies
Peanut Butter & bananas on multigrain bread or crackers (check to see if peanuts are allowed)
Add left over chicken to potato salad, over greens or in a wrap
Tofu dogs (keep warm in hot water in a thermos)

Side Dish (any 2)
Apple slices w/fruit yogurt dip or peanut butter (check for allergies)
Dried fruit mix
Hummus and veggies
Homemade Pita or tortilla chips w/fresh salsa
Cherry tomatoes with light ranch dip
Organic fresh fruit
Applesauce
Hard boiled egg
Brown rice pudding
Salad
Edamame
Baked sweet potato fries (cold)
Bean deep w/homemade chips

Snack
Whole grain snack bar (check sugar grams)
Homemade baked goods
Soy or rice chips
Homemade muffins
Graham crackers
Low fat popcorn
Whole wheat fig cookies
Organic string cheese (calcium)
Dry cereal or granola (low sugar)
Whole grain waffle with nut butter or fruit preserves
Raisins
Low fat no sugar added yogurt cup or squeezable (calcium)
Soy or lowfat pudding (calcium)
Cheese and whole grain crackers (calcium)

Beverage
Drinkable yogurt or kefir (calcium)
Orange juice (calcium)
Water
Organic milk (calcium)
100% fruit juice
100% vegetable juice or fruit and veggie blend
I remember being shocked to learn that the actual time allotted for eating lunch only lasts 15 to 20 minutes and is filled with distractions and the urge to get in line to play tether ball. From then on I made sure the lunch foods I packed were easy to eat and in easily opened containers.

You can keep soup and chili warm by pre-heating thermoses with hot water a few minutes, empty the water and add the food.

Now that you’ve decided on the food, think about ditching the brown bag and plastic baggies for reusable lead free lunch boxes or totes. There are a lot of adorable eco-friendly choices that your child will love.

Theresa Kiene
Chief Executive Mommy

One of the coolest things about working in our baby food tasting room is that I get to feed and play with Babies everyday.

As my oldest turned 10 over the weekend (yes, I was a little weepy) working with other parents’ babies is a constant reminder of the joy and fulfillment I get as a mom every time I serve my family a healthy meal. Although every baby that I meet is different, the way they express the joys of eating is always the same. It’s now going on 10 years that I’ve been cooking and feeding fresh, organic baby food – and since I’m in the baby food business – that’s literally thousands of babies. I’ve noticed that when I meet moms most of them have already had the “First Foods” feeding conversation with their pediatricians – but they still have so many unanswered questions. There are so many topics to cover at the doctor’s office and there’s only so much time doctors have to give…

The question that moms always ask me the most often is: which first foods do they begin with, fruits or vegetables?

Some moms worry that if they begin with fruits, their baby won’t love veggies, since fruits are sweet and would spoil their taste buds. And really, what mother doesn’t want their kid to love vegetables?

My personal opinion is that after your baby has been introduced to iron-fortified cereals and you’re ready to introduce other solid foods, it really doesn’t matter what you begin with, either fruits or veggies. If you’ve breast fed your baby then they’ve already experienced the sweetest taste on the planet and no fruit can compete with that! Formula fed babies also experience sweet tastes even if not quite the same as breast milk.

So don’t worry when your child pushes away the broccoli because their first fruit was a banana. A variety of healthy, developmentally appropriate taste experiences are the way to go. If you want more info on appropriate first foods go to the “Nutrition” section of www.homemadebaby.com. Or better yet – bring your baby by our baby food tasting room – I’d love to meet them!

Annie Sasseville, RD, CNSD, pediatric dietitian

Like all toddlers, my 1½ year old daughter is a master imitator. I adore this quality when I see her giving kisses, putting toys back in the box or giving the dog another love pat. But I realize the significance of this imitation at mealtime when I remember that she will duplicate my healthy eating habits, but also my very worst ones!

Working as a pediatric dietitian for the past several years, I have seen the unfortunate consequences of parents setting an unhealthy example for their young children. So I appreciate the importance of setting a good one for my daughter at mealtime. I am naturally concerned about her nutritional intake, and I want to encourage her to find a healthy and balanced relationship with food. I have learned a few lessons while practicing as a dietitian, and I aim to teach these same concepts to my child along the way:

• Give your child a plate full of fabulous colors! Children love to see brightly colored items, and they are more likely to be interested in foods if the colors are vibrant and appealing. Fruits and veggies have the brightest rainbow of colors and happen to be the most nutritious foods, too! If you are making a colorful salad or vegetable appetizer for yourself, be sure to encourage your child to participate in the preparation of this nutritious meal with you (i.e. washing lettuce, scrubbing fruits, etc.)

• Show good manners at the table, and encourage Dad and other guests to do the same. Try new foods, and discourage siblings or relatives to talk negatively about foods or drinks.

• Compliment, compliment, compliment at mealtime. Children thrive on being praised for good behavior—you don’t have to reward with large or expensive gifts. Big smiles and hugs can go a long way in the world of children (and moms)!

• Healthy toddlers generally know when they are full. Recognize their ability to do so—this is a wonderful concept to be aware of for the rest of their lives. If this ability continues to stick, they will likely avoid future weight problems. Try to provide appropriate portions for everyone in the family so you don’t feel frustrated or wasteful if they can’t finish the plate.

• Avoid rewarding good behavior for your child (or yourself) with chocolate or candy, and try stickers or hand stamps (or flowers for you!). You will be setting a wonderful example for your child that food is fuel!

• If your child can not sit at the table for every meal and snack, aim for seated meals with the family at least 2-3x/day.

• Don’t talk with your mouth full of food—this is a harder habit for toddlers to learn, but they will learn more quickly with a good example set in front of them.

• Keep “hungry” pets at a distance during mealtime. My daughter has developed a serious fondness for our wonderful 3 year old yellow lab. As much as we cherish their friendship, we despise his rude table manners! He pokes in her face, licks her feet and jumps for food. Although their silliness can be cute at times, we have recognized he is setting another kind of example for her. Now the dog stays outside at mealtimes—if she wants to feed the dog or give him snacks, there is a time and place for it!

And most of all, remember that eating and meals should be a low-stress, enjoyable time in the day with your family. Remind yourself that a few good mealtime habits for you today can mean a lifetime of healthy habits for your child!

By now most of us realize the dangers of the sun’s harmful rays on both adults and children. Research shows that two or more blistering sunburns as a child or teen increases the risk of developing skin cancer later in life. So, in the summertime when there’s so much fun to be had outdoors, what’s a new parent to do with the baby?

Most sunscreen products are made for children over the age of six months. Until recently the American Academy of Pediatrics advised against the use of sun block for babies under six months of age. Now they recommend:

“For babies under six months of age, sunscreen may be used on small areas of the body such as the face and the back of the hands if adequate clothing and shade are not available. For older children, test the sunscreen on the baby’s back for a reaction before applying it all over. Apply carefully around the eyes, avoiding eyelids. If your baby rubs sunscreen into her eyes, wipe the eyes and hands clean with a damp cloth. If the sunscreen burns her eyes, try different brand or try a sunscreen stick or sun block with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. If a rash develops, talk to your pediatrician.”

Many sunscreens are made up of chemicals like phthalates and parabens. Infants and young children have proportionately more skin for the size body as compared to adults. Therefore, babies absorb higher amounts of sunscreen than older kids and it’s hard to regulate how much they’re getting. Fortunately there are sunscreens that are made without chemicals especially designed for babies. You can find them at most Natural Food stores or check out www.cosmeticsdatabase.com and click on sunscreen for a list of safe sunscreens or to check the safety of those you already own. Choose a sunscreen with the words “broad-spectrum” on the label. This means that the sunscreen will screen out both ultraviolet B (UVB) and Ultraviolet A (UVA) rays. Choose a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. I always choose one much higher. Try to put sunscreen on 30 minutes before going outdoors. Remember to reapply frequently, especially if your baby is playing in water. Using sunscreen is not a safety net and not a reason to stay in the sun longer.
Dehydration is a real concern for babies and they need extra care in the heat to stay cool and comfortable. A baby can’t tell you when he’s too hot or beginning to sunburn. And your baby can’t move out of the sun and into the shade without your help. Here are a few suggestions to help your summer time stay cool:

• Keep babies under six months of age out of the direct sun.
• Feed your baby frequently, with breastmilk or formula. The water content in either of these will help keep your baby well hydrated. While a little extra water is okay, be careful not to overdue it because babies may actually drink too much of it and suffer from what is called water intoxication which can cause seizures.
• Use a wide brimmed hat. If you start using hats when they are very young, most babies will tolerate it. Using a little extra distraction at first can help them get used to it.
• Select clothes that are light weight and tightly woven that covers the body. Clothes with a tighter weave protect better than clothes with a broader weave. To check the fabric weave of your baby’s clothing, hold the clothing up to a lamp or window and see how much light shines through. The less the better. Clothing made of certified organic cotton is cool, protective and more pure for baby’s extra sensitive skin.
• Use a canopy as much as possible.
• Don’t forget the UV protection sunglasses. Check for a good fit. Damaging sun rays can bounce back from sand, snow, concrete and water.
• Try to avoid peak sun hours (10am to 4pm) and save the water play for later in the evening or early morning. Sunrays can come through the clouds on an overcast day; so use sun protection if you’re going to be outside on cloudy days.
• If your baby gets a sunburn and is under 1 year of age, contact your pediatrician. They will help you to treat the burn appropriately and check the general health of your baby.

Follow these suggestions and come up with a few creative ideas of your own so that your baby and family will love your time together in the Sun!

SMART EATING FOR SMART BRAINS

Confucius said a lot of smart things in his day. But I’ll bet if he’d spent any time as a mother, he’d have also said: “A happy baby is a happy mommy.”

Look around any airport or mall, and you can see the relationship between what children eat and how they behave and learn. Chances are the child dangling from the light fixture ate too many swizzle sticks and malt balls.

Studies show that the relationship between behavior and learning begins with the brain. A baby’s brain triples in size by the first birthday. Since the baby’s bloodstream feeds its nutrients first to the most vital organs, the brain gets the first helpings. Mozart might help, but a developing brain craves three types of foods:

Mood Foods

The brain uses 20% of the body’s carbohydrate supply. That affects behavior and learning. Foods that contain sugars (complex carbohydrates) released into the bloodstream at a slow and steady pace are:

•Cereal and grains like oatmeal and brown rice.

•Fresh fruits like apples and oranges (fruit juices don’t provide the necessary fiber needed to release sugar over a sustained period of time)

•Veggies and Legumes, like sweet potato and lentils.

•Dairy products, like milk or yogurt (but beware of the added sugar in many flavored yogurts)

Smart Foods

Proteins are necessary for brain development, because their amino acids help your baby’s brain build neurotransmitters that carry messages from one brain cell to another – literally, the firing pistons in the brain’s engine. From birth to six months, the average baby requires 13 grams of protein daily.

•Breast milk and/or formula is the perfect choice.
•Older babies can incorporate seafood, soy products (watch for allergies), meat & eggs

Fat is good (really!)

The baby’s brain is 60% fat and it uses 60% of the total energy consumed by the infant. The right kind of fat is important too: Breast milk is rich in brain building fats such as DHA and Omega-3 fats. Other food sources include:

• Green leafy veggies
• Flax seed oil
• Salmon

Selecting Certified Organic foods to feed to your baby’s brain at this most vulnerable time in its development have immense benefits that last throughout your child’s life. This includes:

•Lowering your baby’s risk of allergies or asthma

•Decreasing exposure to toxic chemicals.

•Infants’ diets are usually restricted to a small range of foods in concentrated amounts, which puts them at a higher risk for toxic exposure.

Here are some of the foods that help to build your baby’s brain:

Broccoli, Avocados , Cantaloupe, Cheese, Brewer’s Yeast, Eggs, Peas, Spinach,Brown Rice, Asparagus,Legumes, Oatmeal, Yogurt, Bananas

How food affects your baby’s mood and brain growth varies from child to child, but if you understand how foods affect the mind and body, you can make wise choices for your entire family.

Theresa Kiene
Chief Executive Mommy
HOMEMADE BABY

Your first Mother’s Day as a mom is a significant milestone. Even if you refer to most holidays as cheesy Hallmark creations, your first mother’s day is a very big deal. However, expectations of lavish gifts and loving pampering that are unmet can turn your special day into a huge disappointment. With mother’s day quickly approaching, the pressure is on. Will your expectations be realistic? Will your husband deliver? Here are a few ideas to honor your new role as mom.

1. Take The Day Off. No…really! Both professionally and at home. It’s an important ritual to establish for your special day. On your subsequent mother’s days you’ll be grateful that you did.

2. Celebrate being a family. Do something together as a family that you really want to do. Take a hike. Picnic in the park. Ask your spouse to make the arrangements and prepare and pack all the things you’ll need for a hassle free day out.

3. Take time for yourself and don’t feel guilty about it. Whatever “time to yourself” means to you – like get a massage or sleeping late — everyone else will be fine while you refresh and recharge. Remember, you cannot give what you do not have… so take care of yourself.

4. Buy a present for you. Whether it’s something you treasure as a mother like “mother’s jewelry” using your child’s name or birthstone or a pair of warm weather sandals, you deserve a present!

5. Call your own mom for Mother’s Day. You probably have a whole new appreciation of her now that you’ve become a mom. Connecting with your own mother will give you strength.

6. Celebrate your body. So what if your tummy isn’t flat and skinny jeans are out of the question? You nurtured and grew a child in your beautiful body. Regardless of whether you became a mother biologically or not, you’ve made sacrifices to become a mother. Isn’t a spa day in order?

7. To The Husbands – make her feel sexy without any strings attached. You may be surprised at the response.

8. Celebrate the “firsts.” Your child’s birth story, the first time you held your baby, the first smile. Reliving these “firsts” with your mate reminds you of how much you love your baby and your spouse.

9. A Grown Up Night Out. For some women, just having an adult conversation about something besides the latest diaper count can restore sanity.

Finally, no matter how you choose to celebrate your first Mother’s Day, take the pressure off of what you do (or what your husband does or doesn’t do!) and just focus on creating memories you can share with your friends and relatives for years to come. After all, you’ll only get one chance to experience this Mother’s Day!

Do you ever wonder how Jello gets its pretty colors? Or how the taste of vanilla can exist in food that doesn’t contain vanilla beans? Additives and chemicals are added to our everyday foods and beverages and most have nothing to do with nutritional value. They exist to fulfill consumer’s expectation of perfection. We know that Mother Nature may not produce a perfect fruit or vegetable so we keep them unblemished with the use of fungicides, pesticides and herbicides. With the continued high demand from consumers for meals that are easy to prepare and taste good, the industry of food additives in the category of flavorings and flavor enhancers is expected to top $1.46 billion this year.

Food additives are not new (originally they were made from coal tar oil) and children have been eating them for decades. So why do we care about them now?

Today our children are exposed to additives and chemicals everyday all day. Instead of the occasional candy, or special occasion pink cupcakes, children growing up in the United States are digesting chemicals from breakfast until bedtime. Multi-colored toothpaste, colored breakfast cereals, artificial whip toppings, bubble gum, liquid medicine and highly processed convenience foods in lunchboxes (can you say Lunchables?) More children are drinking soft drinks with artificial color, flavor, caffeine and aspartame. The more they have the more they crave and for a tired parent, sometimes the path of least resistance becomes the choice.

More importantly, pesticides, hormones and synthetic food additives have been shown to affect brain development, behavior and learning abilities in children. What you put in your shopping cart is more important that ever!

FOOD DYES – Listed on the ingredients label as “Yellow No. 5”, “Red #3”, etc. Dyes are used primarily to make food appear fresher than it is, or in the case of many foods made for children, to attract them with bright colors. They are used in breakfast cereals, drinks, candy, bakery goods, puddings, gelatin desserts, just to name a few. Instead, look for carrots and beets as natural coloring agents on the label.

ARTIFICIAL FLAVORINGS – Are made up of hundreds of combinations of chemicals, both natural and synthetic. A popular flavoring agent is “vanillin” also listed as “vanilla flavoring” This flavoring agent is made from the waste product of paper mills. Instead, look for “pure vanilla” on the label. MSG, salt and sodium containing agents are popular food additives. MSG has been linked to brain damage and infertility in laboratory animals and many people who eat MSG complain of headaches, chest pains and numbness. It’s primarily used to intensify flavor in meats, condiments, pickles, soups, candy and baked goods.

PRESERVATIVES – There are about one hundred preservatives which are used to prevent food from going “bad”. BHA, BHT and TBHQ are three commonly used preservatives. They may also be listed as “anti-oxidants” because they prevent the fats in food from “oxidizing” or spoiling. There are natural and beneficial anti-oxidants but they are more expensive than the synthetic versions that are currently widely used. You can find them in beverages, ice cream, candy, baked goods, soup bases, potatoes, breakfast cereals, dry mixes, enriched rice, animal fats and shortenings containing animal fats. These preservatives can cause allergic reactions and have been known to affect kidney and liver functions, brain function and may also convert other ingested substances into cancer-causing additives.

Nitrates, nitrites and sulfites, sodium benzoate, calcium propionate and citric acid are preservatives that trigger terrible symptoms in allergy sensitive kids, but for some they are deadly. Nitrates and Nitrites are used as a color fixative in cured meats, and studies have linked them to cancer. Sulfites are used for their anti-browning effects and to keep fruits and vegetables crisp longer.

SWEETENERS - Refined starches, high-fructose corn syrup and all artificial sweeteners (NutraSweet, Equal, Sweet’n Low, Sucralose, Acesulfame-K) not only rob your children of their health, but artificial sweeteners have been linked to brain damage, MS, Lupus and other central nervous disorders. Excessive sugar intake in children is also a contributing factor to our current childhood obesity epidemic.

As the primary grocery shopper, you are the most important person in your family’s health. By reading labels and selecting wisely, you can protect your family and affect the sales of more wholesome foods.

Capturing your baby’s cute reactions to a new food experience has to be a primary reason they created Shutterfly and various family websites. But when your baby’s response is a skin rash, respiratory problem or a tummy ache, put away the camera and suspect a food allergy.

What is a food allergy?
When your baby’s immune system reacts to a particular food as an intruder and releases antibodies that produce symptoms.

What is a food intolerance?
Food intolerance is when a food upsets your baby’s intestines but not other commonly known areas where allergies occur. Lactose intolerance is one of the most common known food intolerances.

Who is at risk?
If one or both parents have food allergies; the risk is higher for their baby. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean that baby and parent will be allergic to the same kinds of foods.

Feeding babies solid foods before their intestinal lining is mature can increase their chance of developing a food allergy. Delay introducing high allergen foods such as cow’s milk, wheat, peanuts, egg whites, shellfish, tomatoes and soy. Check with your pediatrician to assess if your baby is in a high risk category and when the above mentioned foods should be introduced.

The most common signs of food allergies include but are not limited to:
Tummy trouble/gas and bloating
Rash on the face
Runny nose and watery eyes
Diarrhea or mucus in the stools
A red rash around the anus
Vomiting or excessive spitting up
Fussier than usual
Really colicky
Some food allergies can be so severe that anaphylaxis (cardiovascular system goes into shock) occurs and can become life-threatening.

Be a food Detective
Although skin tests are available through your doctor or allergist, parents can help to find the offending food by careful observation and note taking.
1) Keep a record of everything you are feeding your baby and any symptoms.
2) Try to keep food choices to Organic, additive and dye free.
3) Eliminate the most likely offenders for 10 days to 2 weeks. Keep track of any reactions. Also, stick to single ingredient foods while conducting your experiment so that it will be easier to isolate the offending food.
4) Reintroduce suspect foods one at a time to see if the symptoms reappear. If so, avoid that food for a few months. Many food allergies are outgrown, especially those to milk and soy. Shellfish and nuts in some cases turn out to be life long allergens.
5) Some children can tolerate small amounts of high allergen foods or other foods from the same food group. You can find out if your baby’s allergy is portion related by reintroducing food in small amounts once every few days and then increase the amount given until allergic signs reappear.
6) Share your findings with your pediatrician and together devise a feeding plan.

Nursing mothers: Some research suggests that if breastfeeding mothers keep allergenic foods out of their diets the first year, their baby will be less likely to develop allergies.

As busy parents seek convenience, children eat foods that are overly processed and filled with preservatives and additives. It is natural for the body to rebel against these foreign substances added to our food. Make reading ingredient labels a habit and you will make smart and healthy food choices for your entire family.

We shared wedding vows to stay together for life. We shared a mortgage – which in California is almost more binding than the vows. But our lives only really changed the day we brought home our first baby.

My husband still claims that his most nervous car trip was the day he drove our new daughter Olivia and me home from the hospital. Although we’d spent months preparing our nursery, nothing prepared us for jaundice. Suddenly, we had sleepless nights supervising her sleep under the powerful night light; obsessively reading baby how-to books and learning to nurse. Over night, our comfortable routines had been interrupted and our marriage had taken a back seat to the ever-present needs of our newborn. After the birth of a child, couples only have about one-third as much time together alone as they did before the child. Priorities change. This became painfully clear to me the first day my husband returned home from work and kissed our daughter before remembering to kiss me hello.

I had to do something quickly – besides finding the time to take a shower and losing my pregnancy fat. After reading The Birth of a Mother How the Motherhood Experience Changes you Forever by Daniel Stern M.D., a moving psychological look at the new role of mother I was about to play, we turned to a loving network of family members, our pediatrician and friends. Their advice and support addressed our sense of isolation, helped establish eating and sleeping routines for the baby and most importantly gave us a couple hours alone together.

At first it was hard for me to accept advice from friends and family because I felt that I was being judged. I realized that just as our baby was the most important part of our lives, our baby was also important to them and because they cared about us they wanted to help. Of course, being extremely hormonal didn’t help either! Some of their information was extremely valuable like “watch your baby not the clock” when breastfeeding – while other well meaning advice just felt wrong. When I didn’t want to accept the advice that was given, I learned to use our pediatrician as our scapegoat by quoting “Our doctor says…..” or by using a non-committal response like “interesting!” Regardless of their advice, we were the only ones who could decide what was best for our baby and our family.

Our former pediatrician, Dr. Harvey Karp, taught us his technique for calming our infant – key to establishing a sleep routine, and restoring sanity to our sleep-deprived household. His best selling book, The Happiest Baby on The Block is a detailed account of his revolutionary technique that helps calm crying. It definitely helped our baby to sleep longer. Whether you’re a first time mom or just need to brush up, I highly recommend it!

Establishing a routine can be a bit more complicated when parents are also contending with older siblings.

Start Making Friends Before Birth
We started by involving our oldest, Olivia who was now 2 years old at the time, in my prenatal checkups. She could hear her little sister’s heartbeat and look at the ultra-sound pictures. She’d feel the baby’s kicks and “talk” to her little sister through my belly. We also found many wonderful books to read to her like What to Expect When the New Baby Comes Home by Heidi Murkoff and Laura Rader and Peter’s Chair by Ezra Jack Keats. At the hospital she spent a lot of time introducing the baby to our visiting relatives which was a great source of pride for her.

Bringing Baby Home
When her little sister, Isabella came home from the hospital, Olivia rode in the car with us. This became my husband’s second most nervous car trip. Generally, friends also gave gifts to Olivia when visiting Isabella. But if they forgot, we wrapped a few, just in case. It also scored points when her new little baby sister “gave” a gift to her big sister.

Olivia loved playing the role of “teacher” to her baby sister and found pride in helping mommy pick out Isabella’s clothes and handing me diapers. In the evening and weekends daddy made her feel special by giving her extra attention – which was a great help to me too.

While I nursed the new baby, I kept a basket of special toys for Olivia to play with that only came out during nursing times. She even called them her “nursing toys.” They were mostly quiet play toys. I also found that wearing our baby in a sling was a great way to keep both hands free and that helped me remain available to both children. Wearing my baby became critical when the third baby came along.

How do I prepare my Twins for the New Baby?
Parents of twins already have a head start on splitting their attention and multitasking. “Having a singleton after multiples is wonderful!” says Dr. Rebecca Moskwinski, Executive Vice President of the National Organization of Mothers of Twins Club as well as a mother of twins and four singletons. “It’s so much easier. When you have fed the baby – you’re done! When you’ve changed him – you’re done! (Unlike twins when it seems you are never finished!) Plus twins were used to sharing Mom and Dad with someone else, so it wasn’t as much as a shock to them.” Since your twins already have a built in best friend, use it to your advantage when you need more time with the new baby. Consider buying each child a baby doll of their own to take care of, as a way to help foster the individuality of the twins.

How Can I Prepare My Pet?
Similar principles apply for bringing home your new baby to a waiting beloved pet that also needs help adjusting to the new family member. When you arrive from the hospital, have a neutral person, like a grandparent or aunt carry the baby into the house. That way, you’re free to greet your pet and give them attention before teaching them about the new member of the family. You can also accustom your pet to baby related noises months before the baby arrives by playing crying sounds, mechanical infant swing, etc. Give positive reinforcement during these noises by offering a treat or playtime. If you’re concerned about how your pet may interact with your baby, discuss it with your veterinarian and pediatrician. You may want to enroll in a training course so that you can safely and humanely control your pet’s behavior around the baby. Being up to date on routine health exams and vaccines will also give you peace of mind when the new baby comes home.

A second, and then third child also helped us evolve our family dynamics. The three sisters still have their moments of frustration and rivalry. I suppose that’s the nature of family. Fortunately, your children will also realize that more siblings just means more love – and that’s what really strengthens the family (and marital) bonds.