The kids are back in school, the leaves are turning and there is a chill to the air. What better time than now to bake with pumpkin?

Pumpkin spice cupcakes are just the thing to take off the chill and warm up a fall day. Even better, this recipe is an old family favorite – and probably one you’ve heard of or even used in the past.

These cupcakes are so easy to make, my toddler helped me not only mix the ingredients, but “sample” the frosting as well! (We used a store bought cream cheese frosting, but vanilla or even chocolate would be delicious.)

How to make Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes

The ingredients for the cupcakes are so simple, no measuring is involved: just a box of spice cake mix and a 15-ounce can of pumpkin puree. After preheating the oven to 350 degrees, pour the two ingredients into a large mixing bowl and stir with a wooden spoon just until moistened. Then, using an electric mixer, blend on medium speed for about 2 minutes or until mixed thoroughly.

Divide the batter evenly into paper lined cupcake cups (using an ice cream scoop for less mess and more fun – my daughter especially liked this part!) and bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in the pans on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then remove cupcakes to wire racks to cool completely.

Once cooled, frost and serve.

]]> http://blogs.babiesonline.com/fun-stuff/pumpkin-spice-cupcakes/feed/ 3 http://blogs.babiesonline.com/pregnancy/lead-levels-in-lipstick-higher-than-previously-reported/ http://blogs.babiesonline.com/pregnancy/lead-levels-in-lipstick-higher-than-previously-reported/#comments Mon, 21 Sep 2009 16:20:16 +0000 Teresa http://blogs.babiesonline.com/?p=12660

Lead levels in lipstick are much higher than previously thought

Pregnant women, take note: A study by the Food and Drug Administration has discovered that lead levels in lipstick are much higher than those detected by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (CSC) in a 2007 study that received international attention.

The FDA found lead in all 20 lipsticks tested, at 0.09 to 3.06 parts per million – four times higher than the highest level reported by CSC. A new device was used by the FDA to analyze lipstick; thus, the organization said earlier test methods likely underestimated lead levels.

There were three manufacturers whose lipsticks had the highest lead levels; however, the FDA is not releasing the brand names.

Current Lead Levels Allowed in Lipstick

The FDA has no standard for lead in lipstick, although any level could be unsafe. “Pregnant women using lipstick are unknowingly exposing their fetuses to unknown and unregulated levels of lead,” said Lisa Archer, national coordinator for the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics at the Breast Cancer Fund. “FDA should immediately set standards to require manufacturers to make lipstick as safe as possible.” Sounds like  great time to switch to organic make-up.

As with anything, pregnant women should check with their doctor if they are concerned about using a product during pregnancy. In addition, if you are concerned or wonder if something is safe to use – don’t use it.

We all know about the importance of teaching children to love reading– not only does it teach language skills, but it is an excellent way to bond together.

Lately, reading to our toddler has become more of a chore than a pleasure. Sure, we all enjoy the time together and some of the stories are quite good, but getting her to sit down and pay attention is turning into a losing battle. Instead of fighting, we’ve given in to her toddler whims and gone with them. Here’s what has worked for us.

• Make reading fun. We try to read fun books to her (anything by Dr. Seuss will work). Not only are the illustrations wildly colorful and imaginative, but the rhyming verses also capture her attention. Also, instead of reading the same few books every night, we try to mix it up and rotate her books. That way, she isn’t hearing the same stories and looking at the same illustrations every night.

• Read interactive books. “Pat the Bunny” and lift-the-flap books are amusing for toddlers – not only are there a story and illustrations, but the child is able to take part in the book instead of passively listening.

• Allow play during reading time. Instead of sitting down and reading to our daughter, we let her play with the books. Not only does she have fun turning the pages and pointing to some of the drawings, she also seems to be making up her own story to go along with them. (A note to the type A moms like me: it’s OK to keep reading the story while your child turns the pages back and forth and skips pages – since you have the story memorized anyway, go ahead and “read” it from start to finish.)

• Make up a new story. Turn one of your child’s books into a new story – instead of reading the story, look at the pictures and make up something else. Instead of “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?“, maybe it’s a trip to the zoo or someone’s house pets. “Guess How Much I Love You” could be a series of sporting events.

• Act out the story. Instead of just using different voices for different characters (which is also a good way to make reading fun), involve yourself and your kids in the story – act out certain scenes or just do what the characters are doing. Have your child jump up and down when a character does, or just make the same facial expressions.

Reading is an important step in your child’s development – making reading more fun can be a good way to enjoy story time together with your toddler.

If the thought of a family road trip conjures up images of whining, sibling fights in the back seat or cries of “Are we there yet?”, think again. A road trip can actually be a great way to communicate better with your kids and even learn something about each other along the way.

Ways to make a car trip more enjoyable.

• Distractions.
  • If your home is anything like mine, it seems like there are more distractions than opportunities to talk to each other. Between the television, cell phones and electronic games, we’ve found more and more ways to not communicate. However, in the car, things are much different. Not only do you have a captive audience, but no distractions – save for a DVD player or other device you might have installed. Turn off the TV and radio, and talk to your kids. It might take a little while to get them warmed up, but after you do you may be surprised at what you learn.

• Broaden horizons.
  • A road trip – any road trip – can broaden your horizons and introduce you and your family to something new. Even the same weekly drive to Grandma’s house across town can be a new experience if you take a different route or add a new pit stop along the way. Take a few minutes before leaving to map out new directions or find a new place to stop that no one has been to before.

• Play games.
  • Games aren’t just for kids – get the whole family involved. Whether it’s car games, such as watching for out of state license plates or counting the number of a certain type of car, or playing 20 Questions, everyone can play. Or, for younger kids, sing a silly song together — either make up new words to a familiar tune, or sing a favorite. Playing games together can strengthen bonds and be fun for the entire family.

• Start a new tradition.
  • In our family, there are certain stops we always make, depending on which direction we are headed. These stops become part of the journey and make the time more enjoyable. Try adding a new tradition to your road trips, such as collecting a certain type of souvenir, like post cards, or taking a photograph in the same spot each time you drive by and make a scrapbook. You and the kids will come to enjoy these special traditions that you all share.

Summer goes by so quickly. Before you know it, the school year has started and chill has filled the air. Before you dig out the winter coats, take some time to enjoy the sunshine. Even for busy parents, it’s important to spend some family time outdoors (with sunscreen on, of course!). If you’re short on time but still want to enjoy the weather, try dining out in the great outdoors at a restaurant patio or terrace.

5 Reasons to Dine Outside With the Kids

• Noise. In a quiet restaurant, even the softest baby squeal can seem too loud; outdoors, on the other hand, it might not be heard at all. Among the street noise, sounds from other diners and outdoor sounds, a few cries from a baby probably aren’t going to bother others.

• Baby can stay in the stroller. Crowded restaurant dining rooms can make it difficult or impossible to pull a stroller up to the table. Outside, there is usually more room. Just pull the canopy of the stroller over baby to shield him or her from the sun. Best of all, if baby starts to fuss, just roll the stroller back and forth – the movement just might lull him or her back to sleep.

• Messy is permitted. Cheerios on the floor of a fancy restaurant? Not good. Cheerios on the sidewalk? Fine – in fact, the birds will probably eat them up before anyone even notices. Just don’t let the kids intentionally throw things to the ground – be mindful that it is still a restaurant and someone does have to clean up.

• Distractions galore. Distractions can be a two-way street. On the one hand, feeding a baby or toddler while something else is going on can be difficult; however, if he or she isn’t eating – or is being fussy – distractions can be a welcome opportunity. Let your child watch the traffic, passers by or other diners at the restaurant – then feed him or her when you get home.

• Learning opportunities. With all the activity around you, there are also ample learning opportunities for your child. Count the number of people passing by, the number of red items or the number of cars. Or point out certain colors, shapes or patterns.

Dining outdoors can be an enjoyable way to spend time together – and enjoy the summertime weather while it lasts.

The AP is reporting that the “No shoes, no shirt, no service” signs commonly found in fast food and other restaurants may have been enforced a little too strictly at a St. Louis Burger King.

The article says that Jennifer Frederich, along with her mother and her infant daughter stopped at Burger King on Sunday. The baby was not wearing shoes, her mom figured that her tiny baby feet were exempt from the rule.

But workers asked the family to leave because the shoeless baby was violating a health code. In fact, there is no such policy in that county and the restaurant eventually apologized to the family.

As a mom of two, I know that baby shoelessness is a common occurrence – at least with my kids. Even my toddler daughter, who is known to kick off her shoes the minute she is strapped into her car seat, sometimes is brought into restaurants or stores sans shoes. Be it because she is asleep or because we just don’t feel like fighting her about it – but never sets bare feet down on the floor. Perhaps if the young baby was walking on the floor it might have been grounds for a health code violation, but to require babies to wear shoes is a bit extreme. Heck, our seven month old son doesn’t even own shoes!

What do you think?

Did they take it too far at this restaurant, or should babies be required to have on footwear?

While some babies enjoy taking baths, others are apprehensive or even afraid. Both of our kids were afraid of the tub, but have come to enjoy bath time and even get excited at the prospect of taking a bath. (We’re enjoying it while it lasts, knowing that eventually they will probably turn around and start hating baths again soon enough.) Here’s what we do to make bath time more fun for our babies.

Play Music – Fun, upbeat music sets the mood for fun. Try a bath related CD or any other cheery music to help kids get ready for a good time.

Blow bubbles -  For babies of all ages, seeing bubbles is a joy. Blow bubbles, being careful not to get them in baby’s face, and watch baby laugh and smile. Caution: the popped bubbles can make bathroom floors slippery – be careful and make sure to dry the floor or put down a rug.

Make a bath time book – While you are bathing baby, have someone take pictures of the process, such as putting him or her in the tub, face and hair washing, and drying off. Have the photos printed and write a story to go along with them, then put it all together and read the book with your baby during the week to prepare for bath time.

Give baby age-appropriate toys – For young babies, a wash cloth or a rattle can be enough to stimulate his or her senses and entertain him. For older babies, try a set of stacking cups or bowls, or utensils such as a whisk, wooden spoon, and colander to play with in the water.

Make sure you’re comfortable, too. Consider washing your baby in the kitchen sink – not only will it save your back, but baby might be more comfortable in a smaller space. Place a towel on the bottom to prevent slippage. Some parents opt to bathe their babies while holding them in the tub; if you choose this route, be sure to practice safety measures and have someone nearby to safely hand you the baby and help when needed. Bath time need not be boring; try these tricks to make taking a bath more fun for baby – and you.

Whether it’s the pediatrician’s office or any other appointment, at some point, you will be stuck in a waiting room with your baby. Here’s how to make it less stressful for the both of you.

Go Early

By getting the first appointment, you’re less likely to have to wait very long. Mid-day or late-day appointment, on the other hand, are usually the least on-time. You’ll be waiting for doctors and nurses running late, other patients’ tardiness or too many appointments scheduled in the day.

Be prompt

Show up early for your appointment – yes, it might mean waiting a little longer, but it’s better than being late and possibly missing your appointment time. In addition, if your child is a new patient, there may be paperwork to fill out prior to seeing the doctor.

Pack Extra

Pack two (or more) of everything. The rule of thumb in our house is to pack twice as much as we think we will need. If you think just one bottle will be enough, take two. Bring enough bottles of water and snacks for both the kids and you – you might be waiting a while and need them. In addition, bring plenty of diapers and wipes; infants and babies go through scads of diapers each day and you don’t ever want to be without a fresh one.

Bring a new toy

Skip the play area (they’re notorious germ pits — even, ironically, in doctors’ offices) and bring your own toys – preferably a new one that your child hasn’t seen before. If you don’t have anything on hand try giving them something they aren’t used to such as a pen (remove the ink cartridge of course), pieces of paper or a magazine, an Altoids tin. Just be sure the toy is age appropriate and does not pose a choking hazard or any other danger.

Bring patience

Most likely, you will have to wait for a few minutes. Be prepared to wait and the wait will go a little bit better. In fact, if you are prepared to wait, you might just be pleasantly surprised if you don’t have to wait very long!

It sounds like the title of a horror movie: when baby shrieks. But this is no horror movie, this is our current reality. Our baby shrieks. Loudly. And in public.

He has just passed six months of age, so we are hoping that this is just another phase and not a long lasting event. Thankfully, it happens most often at home, although my husband had a rather embarrassing time of it on the last trip to the grocery store – while he was pushing baby in the stroller and pulling the cart behind him, our son was shrieking up a storm in the aisles, causing heads to turn and for many people to quickly get out of the way.

Most people say that the shrieking is a normal part of babies development and common at around six to eight months of age. It can be chalked up to discomfort, inability to communicate, or even happiness – many babies will shriek and then smile or laugh. Others say that it’s just a way for baby to communicate and to test out his or her lungs and vocal chords. Baby is seeing what he or she is capable of doing – and the reaction that Mom or Dad might give. (Of course, it’s always wise to check with your pediatrician to make sure that the shrieking or any other unusual behavior isn’t anything serious.)

Why does baby shriek?

When our baby starts shrieking, it’s usually because he is tired, hungry, uncomfortable or a combination of these. We’ve found a few ways to tone down the shrieks and calm him down.

• Food. A nursing session never fails to calm down my baby. Sometimes even just a few minutes helps him to relax and calm down.

• Distraction. Sometimes baby will complain due to overstimulation or simply boredom. Try giving him or her something else to do – put him down on the (clean) floor to explore and see things from a different angle; put him in the Bumbo seat or infant carrier/car seat or baby swing; or give her a new toy to play with.

• Motion. For many babies, motion is soothing. We have found that our little one relaxes from swinging or other movement, such as a ride in the car or in his stroller. In fact, many times the motion will relax him so much that he will fall asleep.

A shrieking baby can be disconcerting. However, it isn’t necessarily something to worry about – and, most times, a few simple actions can calm him.

We just went through a night of heavy storms. While my husband and I usually enjoy the light show of a good summertime thunderstorm, this one was a doozy. Severe thunderstorm watches turned into warnings until finally the dreaded tornado warning was issued.

While we weren’t afraid, our toddler-age daughter was; the thunder was booming, the lightning was like a strobe light outside and, through it all, the tornado siren sounded its eerie whine. At one point in the late afternoon, the sky was dark as night and the street lights came on, our daughter wouldn’t leave our sides.

How to Weather the Storm

• First of all, seek shelter and be safe. Stay indoors and away from windows and electrical appliances – lightning can travel through pipes and electrical outlets. Explain to kids that they are safe inside.
• Acknowledge the fear. If your child is afraid, let him or her be afraid – don’t ignore it or belittle them. Try to talk to them about it, such as what it is exactly that they are afraid of. Just verbalizing the fear might help to reduce it.

• Explain what’s going on. Talk to your children about thunder and lightning, such as what causes them.

• Tune out. While it might be interesting to you to watch the minute-by-minute storm coverage on television, your kids probably don’t need it. They might not understand that what they are seeing on television is not happening right outside the window, and having the TV on can make them more anxious or afraid.

• Have a plan – and get the kids involved. Together, gather an emergency kit for severe weather, including a battery-powered or hand-crank flashlight, a weather radio, water and snacks, and other basics. Designate a certain area of the basement as a storm shelter and practice using it. Planning ahead and being involved can give kids a sense of control over the events.

• Give comfort. Obviously, a parent should try to comfort a frightened child. Stay close to him or her, hug them, and reassure them during the storm. We sat with our daughter and read a favorite book with her, which distracted her from the storms and reassured her. Other ideas are to do crafts, sing, dance, or anything else that might take your child’s mind off of the storms outside.

• Learn about storms. Take your child to the library to read age-appropriate books about clouds and storms. In addition, you can help your child to create his own story about storms. Have him draw the pictures, and help write the story.

Most importantly, if you are afraid of storms, don’t show it – kids quickly pick up on parents’ feelings, and if you are calm and reassuring, your child is more likely to relax.

New parents find out quickly just how fast time can pass with a baby. Once at home with a new arrival, it seems like the day and night blends into one, punctuated by dirty and wet diapers and (if you’re lucky) a nap or two.

While there’s no way to stop or turn back the clock, there are a few things you can do to savor the moment, no matter how sore, tired or sleep deprived you might feel.

• Take photos and/or video. It goes without saying that your cameras have been busy – probably even before baby arrived. Remember to take a picture and/or video as often as you can to document everything. You – as well as any family or friends you share it with – will be glad you did.

• Write it down. Keep a baby book to jot down your baby’s results from pediatrician appointments, keep track of vaccinations, and other details.

• Journal. When my daughter was born, I started a journal, chronicling every day with her. While it began as an everyday task, it soon became once or twice a week, and sometimes just a sentence or two noting something new she might have done that day. You can also keep an online journal right here at Babies Online. It’s fun to look back on it now and read about what she was doing in her infancy and babyhood – and to compare her notes with her little brother. Plus, someday when they are older, our kids will be given the books as their own keepsakes.

• Start a memory box. For each of our two children, I have a plastic bin where I stash any little keepsake items I want to hold onto, be it an outgrown outfit, invitations to their first parties, birthday cards, or other items. Each year I will start a new box for them, with the intention of putting together a scrapbook of their childhoods.

• Relax and try to savor the moment. Stop thinking about everything you need to do, haven’t done, or wish you had done and just enjoy the time you are having with your little one. It sounds trite, but he or she will never be this little again; enjoy it.

Finally, remember that those first few weeks will soon be past and things will get a little better. Baby (and you!) will sleep for longer stretches of time, your soreness will heal and you will begin to really appreciate your time with your new baby. And when you look back, you’ll be glad you took the time to document those crazy first few weeks – and beyond – with your little one.

Summertime is all about the fresh fruits and vegetables. Where we live, we are lucky to have some established fruit trees and bushes, so we can just go outside (with the kids, of course) and pick what we want to eat. If you don’t have such direct access to fresh produce, try the farmer’s market or other markets in your area that carry fresh, locally grown fruits and veggies – there really is a difference in taste.

Our favorite way to enjoy summertime fruit is in a quick and simple fruit sorbet. Fresh peaches, strawberries, cherries, blueberries, raspberries, or a mixture are all delicious – just be sure to adjust the amount of sugar so that the sorbet isn’t too tart.

To make sorbet, you need:

• About 5 cups of chopped fruits or berries. (The juicier the better, such as various berries and stone fruits.)

• Wash and remove any peels

• Chop the fruit so that all are about an inch in diameter.

• Set aside about 1 cup of fruit from the batch, and scatter the other 4 cups onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

• Place the sheet in the freezer and the 1 cup of fruit in the fridge overnight.

When you are ready to make the sorbet, remove frozen fruits from the freezer and pulse them in a food processor until it looks like a smooth fruit puree. Add some sugar as needed to smooth out the fruit even more and sweeten the mixture – about half a cup should be enough, but be sure to add enough so that the sorbet is sweet and not too tart (raspberries, for example, need more sugar than peaches or strawberries). You can also add a little water to further smooth out the fruit. Add the fruit from the refrigerator and blend until smooth, then serve.

Now that we have two children, my husband and I like to think we’ve figured a few things out. We know how to diaper the kids so that they (usually) don’t leak. We can tell when they’re hungry – and when they’re just acting up because they’re kids. But most of all, we’ve figured out a few ways to save ourselves some money – that don’t include asking the grandparents to buy them all the clothes, diapers and food that they need (although that would indeed be a money saver).

Here are a few of the things we do.

• Save up and make “bigger” items special gifts. We’d love to have a season pass to the zoo and to the local YMCA, but they’re not cheap. For holidays or birthdays, we’ve asked family and friends to give toward these memberships instead of buying clothes or other items. That way, the gift will be used – and appreciated – all year.

• Buy used items. This one is a real money saver for clothing and other items that we seem to go though quickly. Winter coats and other gear are especially nice to buy used, either at consignment stores specializing in baby items or second hand shops. Be cautious, however, when buying used cribs, toys or other equipment – inspect them carefully for signs of wear and make sure all pieces are there. In addition, be sure to thoroughly wash or clean any used item before the kids touch it. Never buy used car seats – you don’t know if they have been recalled or ever been in an accident.

• Buy in bulk. Purchasing diapers in bulk saves money. Better yet, switch to cloth diapers. They cost more up front, but we have saved a great deal of money in the long run with using cloth diapers – especially since we have used them on two babies.

• Make it yourself. Instead of purchasing baby foods in jars, I try to make baby food whenever possible. Steam some extra vegetables and blend them into a smooth puree for baby. Many play items can also be made at home for far cheaper than they cost to buy, such as play dough and finger paints from kitchen pantry items.

• Take advantage of Free Offers! You can find a wealth of free offers, samples, and coupons on the internet. Many sites, especially Babies Online, work hard to bring you the very best free baby deals available. Often times these deals are brought to you with zero obligation.

• Playgrounds are free. While it’s nice to have your own play equipment in the back yard, it’s not truly a necessity. We like to take the kids down to the neighborhood playground – not only is it free, but it’s also a nice way to meet other kids – and parents.

While having kids is by no means cheap, there are some ways to save money. What’s your favorite money saving tip?

Now that our son has begun to eat solid foods, I’d like to start making baby food for him myself. Not only is it more nutritious to make your own baby foods at home – especially with fresh, in season and organic produce– but it can also be less expensive. In our neighborhood grocery store, jars of baby food are sold for just under a dollar each; I can buy a half pound of apples for that price and make enough applesauce to not only feed him, but to freeze or can some as well. What’s more, by making the food myself, I know exactly what is going into it, and thus going into his little body.

Applesauce is a great first food for baby – the smooth consistency is easy for him or her to eat, and the sweet fruit is easy to digest. It’s also quite simple to prepare.

To make your own applesauce:

• peel and core apples

• chop into chunks

• steam the apples over medium heat for about five minutes, or until they are soft. (Using a steamer basket over a sauce pan)

• Set the cooking water aside and carefully remove the apples from heat

• Puree apples in a blender or in a bowl using an immersion blender until smooth

• Add as little of the cooking water as needed to obtain the desired consistency (smooth and thin for young babies, and slightly chunky for older babies; use your judgment and remember that it’s easier to add water and thin the mixture than to make it thicker)

The applesauce can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days, or frozen for up to six months. Freeze the applesauce in ice cube trays, removing once they are frozen and placing in a zip top bag. Each cube measures out to be about one ounce.

Now that our daughter has passed the two year mark, things have gotten much easier. Sure, she still tests us every chance she gets to see just how far she can stretch her limits, but that’s typical toddler behavior. She eats better and is more willing to try new things, and she absorbs language and other skills like a sponge.

One thing that hasn’t gotten easier, however, is traveling with her. She doesn’t like to sit still for very long, so leaving the house is a challenge. She’ll willingly get into the car seat when we leave the house, but getting her in and out multiple times (such as when we’re running errands) can be difficult.

Here are some of the ways we’ve found to keep her happy while we’re traveling.

• Keep snacks handy. There’s nothing worse than a cranky, hungry toddler. We travel with finger foods. Snacks that are portable and easy to eat in the car, such as baggies or snack cups half filled with Cheerios or other snacks.

• Keep them hydrated. A sippy cup of juice or milk helps to keep her hydrated and happy for car rides.

• Keep them entertained. We keep a few toys around that are only played with in the car, and rotate them. This way, she always has something somewhat “new” to play with while she’s in the car seat.

• Keep it short. If you can, try to limit the amount of time they’re in the car. For longer trips, take breaks every hour or two to stretch out. We like to park the car at a park or other large, grassy area so our daughter can wander and play safely for a little while before getting back in the car.

• Keep them shaded. Use sunscreen, even when the sun isn’t out, to prevent sunburn. In addition, use a window shade or other screen on the window to keep the sunshine from being so bright and hot. We tuck a receiving blanket up into the window crack to form a curtain that blocks out most of the harsh sunlight.

• Expect the unexpected (and try to plan for it). The last time we traveled, our toddler caught a cold, which drastically changed our plans. While you can’t plan for everything, sick kids are a common reality. Be sure to pack the children’s medicines and any loveys or other items he or she finds comforting.

After a seemingly endless assortment of coughing, sneezing and general feelings of unwellness, we seem to have turned the corner on our sickness. My toddler is happily playing by herself again, singing songs and arranging and rearranging a set of nesting boxes all over the living room. My baby son is nursing more frequently again – but much more efficiently, now that his nose isn’t so congested he doesn’t have to stop eating every few seconds to breathe.

We’re better.

Which means the real work begins. After anyone in the house is sick, I like to give everything a good scrub down to get rid of any residual germs and freshen things up.

Starting with our linens, I pull everything off the beds and wash in hot water. Same with towels, wash cloths and any other fabrics we came in contact with – stuffed animals, pillows, clothes, shoes, jackets, or anything else that can go through the washing machine.

Hard plastic toys get cleaned and sanitized in a diluted bleach solution – ½ cup bleach to a gallon of water; soak for five minutes, then rinse thoroughly and allow to air dry.

Fabric or plush toys are a little trickier to clean; most are spot-clean only, so they get wiped down with some gentle soap and water and allowed to dry in the sun to bleach out any germs.

The house also gets a good scrubbing, including high traffic areas like the entire bathroom, door knobs, the refrigerator door handle, and anything else that gets touched frequently – and frequently by germy kid hands. Toothbrushes get tossed out and replaced, and combs and brushes are scrubbed with soapy water. Dishes are washed in the dishwasher using the “sanitize” setting to make sure that they’re nice and clean.

What’s your routine after everyone feels better from being sick?

Our whole family seems to have come down with a cold. It started with the toddler, who ran a fever one afternoon. Then I caught it, and passed it on to my nursing son. My husband didn’t take long to follow, and before we knew it, we were all sick.

Having a sick household is no fun, to say the least. Between all the coughing and sneezing and fevers, we are all miserable. But it gave us a chance to try some natural ways to soothe our colds – without side effects. Here are the ones that worked best for us.

• Steam for congestion. A humidifier in the bedroom can provide some much needed humidity to the dry indoor air – use a cool mist humidifier in kids’ rooms. If you don’t have a humidifier or need quicker relief, a steamy hot shower can work wonders. Adults can take a hot shower, or you can just close the bathroom door and turn on the hot shower, letting the steam collect in the room. Be careful not to let little ones overheat.

• Honey and lemon for sore throats. Combine equal parts lemon juice and honey, then microwave for about 10 seconds on high power. Stir and serve, one teaspoon at a time. The honey helps to soothe and coat the throat, and reduces the urge to cough. The lemon dries up congestion and mitigates some of the scratchy, rough feeling throat. Note: Honey is not safe for babies under 1 year of age.

• Chicken soup. Nothing is more comforting for a cold than a warm bowl of chicken soup. Try chicken or other broths for young children – float goldfish crackers on top to get them interested in eating.

• Rest and TLC. Sometimes there’s nothing you can do but rest. When you can, take a nap or just lie down on the couch – cuddle up with the kids to help them to rest as well. Take care of yourself and your kids – give them a little extra love and relax the rules a bit. In our household, we let our daughter watch a little more Sesame Street, usually curled up with one of us on the couch. It helps her to settle down and is nice to have some down time together.

A sick household is never fun, but there are natural ways to help everyone feel better.

It’s a parenting quandary that has been around for years: which is harder, the adjustment from having no kids to having kids, or going from one child to two (or more)? When my husband and I found out that we were expecting baby number 2, it was a question we asked every parent we knew who had more than one child. The responses were mixed. Each parent firmly believed that they had the right answer, and they did – for their family. However, it goes without saying that each family is different, and the only way to know the answer for yourself is to experience it.

At first, we just believed whatever anyone told us – that is, when it was what we wanted to hear. Oh, they’d say, going from zero to one is hard! Once you have one, any additional kids are a cake walk. After all, you’ve experienced it once – you are a pro!

It turns out, this couldn’t have been further from the truth. Yes, we had experienced it once – we already had a daughter. Our second born is a boy and, for us, the experience was like being new parents all over again. The difference in his anatomy forced us to change our diaper changing process (more wash cloths were kept handy next to the changing pad to deflect or absorb any spraying that inevitably took place once he was de-diapered). And he is, of course, a different person from our daughter and responds differently to, well, everything. She liked being swaddled; he kicks off the blankets. He sucks his thumb; she never did. He nurses; she was bottle fed. He laughs easily and often; she is still one of the most serious kids we’ve ever met.

Despite their similar DNA, they are two decidedly different people – and two is definitely harder than one, at least for our family.

If you have more than one child, which was a harder transition for you?

Traveling with small children can be a challenge. Not only do you have to pack your own luggage, but also every item you think your child might possibly need while you’re away – and you’ll still inevitably forget something.

After traveling with each of our babies when they were infants, my husband and I came up with a system that helped us not only to not forget anything, but to make the entire experience a little less stressful.

• Make a list (and check it often!). I like to make a master list on the computer of all the baby essentials I will need for the road; I can then print out a copy each time I need it, and cross each item out with a pen when it is packed. The list should include diaper bag essentials, plus any extras you might need for a longer trip, such as additional bottles or toys.

• Plan ahead with bigger items. If traveling by plane, check with the airline on their baggage requirements; for example, can you check the car seat or stroller at the gate instead of when you check in, so that you can use it in the airport terminal?

• Check with your destination before packing large items. If you will be visiting family, do you need to pack the pack and play, or do they have a spare crib or travel crib that you can use? Is a stroller available? Having the items at your destination can save much needed space in your luggage.

• Will you be breast feeding during the trip? You might also want to pack a pump in case baby sleeps through a feeding or if his or her schedule is off. Bring an extra couple of sterilized bottles as well.

• When it doubt, pack it anyway. Sure, those extra outfits will take up more room, but if baby has a diaper blowout or if the weather is different from what is predicted, you’ll be glad to have the extra clothes for him or her.

• Stay organized. It is difficult to stay organized while traveling – especially with kids – but by keeping track of where things are, you can avoid extra stress and frustration.

Traveling with an infant can be difficult, but by planning ahead, you can make the trip a little easier on everyone.

]]> http://blogs.babiesonline.com/baby/traveling-with-an-infant/feed/ 1 http://blogs.babiesonline.com/toddlers/my-toddler-the-rock-star/ http://blogs.babiesonline.com/toddlers/my-toddler-the-rock-star/#comments Thu, 14 May 2009 14:55:49 +0000 Teresa http://blogs.babiesonline.com/?p=11359

I am convinced that my toddler thinks she is a rock star. At just a few weeks past two years old, she has trashed so many rooms you’d think she is on tour, but her diva behavior doesn’t end there. We keep some of her clothes in a dresser in our living room, which we keep shut but, being a toddler, she has some sort of intrinsic need to open the drawers. She then proceeds to toss out every article of clothing from the dresser and strew them all over the living room — usually at the most inconvenient times, like when company is coming over.

Meal times are no different. If she doesn’t like a certain food, she is sure to either toss it over the edge of her high chair tray or hurl it at the wall. I simply cannot count the number of times she has overturned a bowl of food onto the floor, or dumped it onto the tray and then grabbed it with her hands. Same with her water glass – she loves to pour the water anywhere but inside her mouth.

Fortunately, she also enjoys cleaning up. One of her favorite activities is washing her hands, and she almost always willingly scrubs her hands at the sink, especially before and after meals. She usually helps with cleaning the living room as well, and is most likely to do so when an incentive is introduced. For a little Elmo or Kai Lan time, she will pick up her clothes and jam them into the dresser drawer one at a time, but only after she has tried on a few of them in ways they weren’t intended to be worn. She will take a blouse and wear it like a skirt, or a onesie and pull it over her head like a shawl. Then she’ll find a pair of my shoes and put them on her feet, usually with one on backwards. She’s a rock star, all right – one with a very, um, striking sense of style.

Does your toddler have rock star behavior?