Kids Archives - Page 6 of 11

Treating Mastitis Naturally

Posted by Angela Parker

· May 5, 2014

· No Comments

Treating Mastitis Naturally

Mastitis can be scary to a breastfeeding mama.

The painful and inflamed breast. The chills. The fever.

I have had full blow mastitis 3 times now! I had it both after the first few days after childbirth and now today…

What causes mastitis?

Mastitis is usually caused by a clogged milk duct that isn’t draining properly. Mastitis can come when you are not resting enough or drinking enough water – Hello, Holidays!

This time it developed from a milk bleb – a clog right on the nipple. I noticed a slightly painful white dot on my nipple about 2 weeks ago, but I thought it honestly went away… Until last night. read more

How to Get Kids to Eat Whole Foods – Real Mom Answers

Posted by Angela Parker

· May 2, 2014

· No Comments

Have you ever felt like you were alone in the struggle to feed your kids whole foods?

Today we will here from 3 different bloggers who give their answers and advice to the question:

How to Get Kids to Eat Whole Foods?

Continue reading on Whole New Mom for the real mom answers.

DIY Baby Powder {Talc Free}

Posted by Angela Parker

· March 19, 2014

· 22 Comments

Make your own DIY Baby Powder with this simple and easy recipe – Feel confident that it is healthier without the TALC and better for your baby too.

DIY Baby Powder {Talc Free}

Why Talc Free?

I’m going to be perfectly honest. I’m still learning daily about natural health and natural living. What I enjoy doing is learning and then being able to share what I learn with you.

So I started thinking about baby powder. I don’t use baby powder on my babies. I have a small travel sized bottle I will sometimes use between washing my hair if my hair looks oily. read more

4 Reasons for Sensory Play & Sensory Toys

Posted by Angela Parker

· March 12, 2014

· 22 Comments

As we navigate the exciting world of parenthood, we’re always on the lookout for fun, engaging, and beneficial activities for our little ones. Today, we’re going to delve into the world of sensory play and sensory toys, plus uncover four compelling reasons why it’s a must-try. But that’s not all! We’ll also guide you through creating your very own DIY sensory bag, a simple and effective tool for sensory play. So, whether you’re a seasoned sensory play enthusiast or a curious newcomer, join us as we explore this fascinating aspect of early childhood development. Let’s dive in and discover the magic of sensory play together! read more

How to Establish a Bedtime Routine

Posted by Angela Parker

· February 28, 2014

· 6 Comments

How to Establish a Bedtime Routine

We are creatures of habit. We like to be able to predict what is coming next. Babies are no different. When they are learning about the world around them, it gives them security when they can predict and know that an action follows another action.

Routines are great for babies and kids alike. You will have less tantrums from your toddler and preschooler if you stick to a routine. The minute you change things up on them, expect some protest in the form of a tantrum.

Kids in general don’t like to be surprised. That’s why they like the same book or movie over and over. They are learning language and they are learning to be able to predict what is coming next. They find security in being able to know and predict.

Routines are very important at bedtime. This is a time that you are going to leave them alone and they need to know they are safe and secure. How would you feel if you were dropped off and had no idea when your ride was going to pick you up?

Letting your child fall asleep knowing that this is normal and that you will come and get them will help them fall asleep in a safe state.

Establishing a bedtime routine

When should you establish a bedtime routine? As soon as you are able to! Babies are learning from the moment they are born.

If you plan to do a bath time before bed, start it early on. Think about what steps you want to include in your routine. Is it able to be followed away from home? How long does it take to complete the routine?

Aidalyn had a solid bedtime routine in place by 6-8 weeks. We would swaddle her, give her a pacifier, her lovey (Charlie) and turn on her sound machine. She was sleeping through the night in her crib by 8 weeks. This child loves routine though. She never would adapt well when we weren’t at home.

Here is the sound machine we use:

Aidalyn is now 3 and her

bedtime and nap routines have developed to meet her needs. read more

Why you should be Oil Pulling

Posted by Angela Parker

· February 24, 2014

· 4 Comments

We’re about to embark on a little morning ritual that could revolutionize your oral health game – oil pulling! Picture this: a simple, natural practice that not only kicks off your day with a burst of freshness but also pampers your pearly whites in ways you never thought possible. In this blog post, we’re unraveling the why behind oil pulling and how dedicating a few minutes each morning to this ancient oral tradition can leave you grinning from ear to ear. So, grab your favorite oil, cue the morning sunshine, and let’s explore the world of oil pulling for a happier, healthier smile! read more

Top Toys for 6 Month Olds

Posted by Angela Parker

· February 22, 2014

· 2 Comments

Top Toys for 6 Month Olds

Everyone always is asking what to buy for their baby’s birthday or special occasions. Sometimes it is hard to know what are the best toys out there for different developmental ages. Right now Annaleigh is 8 months old and so much fun. At 6 months, she just starting to really have fun and play. It was a whole new world for her to explore! We have tested out these toys. I wanted to share her favorite ones.

Here are my top picks toys for 6 month olds:

1) Exersaucer

Annaleigh loves that she can sit up and play in her exersaucer. She enjoys being about to look around the room and watch Aidalyn run around. The exersaucer also gives her a chance to use her newly developed head control and work towards sitting up by strengthening her core muscles.

2) Easy to Grab Toys

Annaleigh is all about being about to hold toys in her hands. The perfect toys for this age are the ones with fun colors and lots of small things to catch her attention. The easier for them to hold onto, the less picking up you will have to do. Annaleigh loves toys that make gentle noises like rattles and crinkle sounds.

Here are some examples of grab-able toys:

3) Toys that Grow with your Child

It is no new idea that kids grow fast. Toys that can adapt to their growing body and abilities are the best because they will last as an engaging toy. Soon these babies will be sitting up then crawling and eventually running circles around you!

Here are some toys that grow that I personally love:

4) Toys to Chew

Teething is a common woe to 6 month olds. They want to chew on anything and everything they can get their teeth on! Even if it isn’t designed to be chewed on, babies will find a way to soothe their gums.

Sophie the Giraffe Teether (affiliate link) was a gift from a friend. I had seen Sophie before, but didn’t have one with Aidalyn. Annaleigh doesn’t take a paci, but she just seems to enjoy chewing on Sophie. I think she will be a great toy to have as we continue to teethe.

Here are some toys that are designed to be chewed on:

6 months is such a fun age. They start growing out of the itty bitty stage and are really to really develop in speech and motor.

I love watching Annaleigh learn and discover. She is so close to sitting up on her own. Even at 8 months, she will balance for a few seconds and then fall over. She wants to crawl so badly too. She is sort of scooting and rolling everywhere she wants to go.

I hope you love her picks for your 6 month old.

What are your favorite 6 month old toys?

What is a Balanced School Lunch?

Posted by Angela Parker

· February 21, 2014

· 6 Comments

What is a balanced school lunch?

School Forces Child To Eat Ritz Crackers to “Balance” lunch

Recently, there was an article about a Canadian school that charged a mom $5 per child, because she did not include a “grain” in her home packed school lunch. The school supplemented the children’s lunch with Ritz crackers to complete their “unbalanced” meal.

The children’s lunch included: meat, potatoes, carrot, milk, and an orange. Under the school’s “balanced” guidelines, a parent is supposed to pack: 1 milk, 1 meat, 1 grain, and 2 fruits and vegetables. This mom actually packed an extra vegetable – a starch (the potato) – which is by far better than a Ritz cracker.

Adapted from http://www.flickr.com/photos/buzzymelibee/8696769797/

What is in a Ritz Cracker?

Ritz cracker ingredients: Wheat Flour, Vegetable Oil, Sugar, Raising Agents (Ammonium and Sodium Bicarbonates, Disodium Diphosphate), Salt, Glucose Syrup, barley Malt Flour. The crackers have more sugar than a potato and include vegetable oil (which is not a health food, read about healthy fats here). This doesn’t sound very healthy or balanced to me. If the school plans to routinely supplement children’s meals with Ritz crackers for health and nutritional reasons… they may need to rethink their plan.

So what is a balanced school lunch?

What are the foods all kids should eat? I wrote a previous post: 4 Food Groups all kids should eat. These food groups include: Saturated Fats Bone Broths Cultured foods (fermented foods) Seasonal, Local Produce

So in response

The school should widen it’s view of a “balanced” lunch. They possibly should eliminate the need to include grains entirely, because you can eat a balanced meal without eating grains. The school could offer one of the foods in the 4 food groups list to supplement a meal, if their goal is health. If the school continues to require grains to be included in the school lunch, parents could send my Almond flour Cheese Crackers (shhh they are grain free). These gluten free crackers are easy to make. They are grain-free, gluten-free and have good healthy saturated fats (one of the 4 food groups all kids need).

Here are some other recipes to try:

Healthy Budget Friendly School Lunches from Five Spot Green Living

Toddler Lunch ideas from The Zest and Zeal

43 Kid Friendly Real Food Snack Ideas by Vicariously Vintage

Healthy and Eco-Friendly Back to School tips from O’Boy Organic

Healthy School Lunches read more

Gluten Free Cheese Crackers

Posted by Angela Parker

· February 18, 2014

· 26 Comments

Grain Free Gluten Free Cheese Crackers

What kid doesn’t like crackers? I know my daughter could eat a whole box in one day. Our family discovered last year that we are sensitive to gluten and feel best when we avoid it completely.

These grain free and gluten free crackers are so easy to make. Almond flour is the key to keeping these gluten free. I used my food processor to mix all the ingredients together. My 3 year old loves to help me in the kitchen and this was the perfect recipe for her to be included.

Ingredients

Here are all the main ingredients you are going to need to make these gluten free cheese crackers: read more

How to keep Growing in Life

Posted by Angela Parker

· February 15, 2014

· 6 Comments

How to keep growing and to have life among the growing.

Life Among the Growing…. What does that actually mean to me?

This phrase really speaks to me deeply in several ways.

First, I think about how I want to be continually growing into a better person with each day and opportunity I get. If you aren’t moving forward, you are moving backwards. If you aren’t growing, you are dying.

This is in my personal life as a wife and mom. In my spiritual life, I want to continually study and grow in God’s words.

Secondly, I think about my little girls. I love life with them as I get to watch them grow. Time flies by so quickly and I’m blessed that I am able to stay home with them in this fleeting stage.

Thirdly, I like to think about life. What is happening in my life and around me. What am I learning these days?

What are some ways that we can continue to grow and not become stagnant?

1) Try something new.

Visit a new town, a new restaurant, a new museum.

2) Read a book.

How many books have you read recently? I prefer nonfiction for sure, but last summer I got into some mystery novels that were fun to read as well.

3) Learn a new skill.

Always wanted to know how to fix something by yourself or understand how something works? Find out!

4) Be around others who are growing.

Proverbs 13:20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. read more