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Question Of The Month:
Q: "I've been breastfeeding my newborn but my nipples are so sore the feedings have become painful. What can I do?"
---Lauren, mother of 8 week old Samuel
A: "Sore nipples are quite common in the early days of breastfeeding.
Usually they are caused by incorrect positioning and/or latch. In the
beginning, breastfeeding is like a dance, you and your baby are both
learning and it can take a while to finesse the right moves.
In the interim, there are several things you can try to help
relieve the discomfort you feel. You can try hydrogel pads, these are
cooling pads you wear in your bra that should be soothing. There are
also soft shells that you can wear in between feedings that prevent
your nipples from touching anything.
Breastfeeding is challenging in the beginning. You have to be
committed. But with patience and perseverance, you and your baby should
both get the hang of it."
--Amanda Cole, lactation educator, owner of Yummy Mummy breastfeeding store and mother to 11 month old Alexa.
To purchase any of the products mentioned above or to learn about
breastfeeding support groups or classes offered by Yummy Mummy, visit
yummymummystore.com or visit the store at 1201 Lexington Ave (between
81st and 82nd streets) in NYC.
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Big City Moms invites you to:
You Just Had A Baby....NOW What?
The
first couple of days/weeks after you give birth could be an exciting,
stressful, and confusing time...Join us, with your baby (days old to 8
weeks) to talk in a safe environment about all the things people never
talk about but every new mom may experience such as:
Is everyone asking you
how happy you are when you can't stop crying?
Are you still unsure
whether to breastfeed, bottle feed or use a pacifier?
Does the word sleep even enter your vocabulary?
How do you take care of your baby while still taking care of you and the other 500 things you always take care of?
If you have asked yourself any of these questions, bring your baby and join other new moms and realize you are not alone.
This New Mom Support Group is facilitated by social worker and new mom, Jennifer Milich Levine, LCSW.
Ponytails and sweatpants encouraged!
(This is for moms with babies 0-8 weeks old)
--------------------------------------------------------------
When:Monday, July 13, 20, 27
Time: 3pm
Where:Kidville - 163 East 84th Street
Cost: $75 for mom and baby - please pay online to reserve your spot
www.bigcitymoms.com
RSVP: events@bigcitymoms.com or 917-488-8542
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Birthday Parties, Playgroups and Special Events
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Crib Notes Readers!
SPECIAL PRICES
Educational and Fun, All in One.
The Home of the Musical Magical Story Hour.
ANNOUNCING SUMMER STORY HOURS AT
STORYTIME BY DESIGN
JUNE 23-JULY 30
6months-2 years- 10:00 am-10:45am Tues/Thurs
2-4 years-11:00am-11:45am
Tues/Thurs
$240.00 for 6 story hours
1349 Lexington Avenue at 90th
Enjoy great stories, funky-music, puppet shows, and
simple-art. Bubbles, parachute fun and limbo complete the experience
YOU CAN REGISTER FOR Fall and receive $25.00 off registration!
(view www.storytimebydesign.com
for schedule)
Email Cori@storytimebydesign.com or Call 917-533-4201 for more information
www.storytimebydesign.com
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New York Family
Magazine's annual Ultimate Guide To Raising Children
In The City is now available!
You can receive
a digital version of the issue (and every monthly issue) for free by registering
at NewYorkFamily.com. |
Work From Home
Build Your Own Hours And
Create The Lifestyle You Deserve!
FULL-Time Salary, Part-Time Hours.
All This Can Be Yours!
Cutting-Edge Skincare Technology,
Botanically-Based,
Vegan Certified,
Baby Skincare Products and More.
To get started, contact Christine Collins at cshiah@aol.com or 917-597-0610 |
Next Month's Notes:
Question of the Month:
"How
can I eat foods that I just cannot stomach while being pregnant?"
Stuff We Love: Neatnik Saucer
Are Babies Bad For Relationships?
Try It! : Recipe for Dhal
And More!
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Greetings!
Some of our favorite warm weather activities with the little ones include splashing around in the water, discovering the feel of sand between tiny toes and tasting ice cream (we think the messier the kids get the better it must taste.) Crib Notes hopes your summer is off to a great start!
As always, we love to hear from you with suggestions for future articles, comments on past issues or anything else you'd like to share. Please email us here or at Feedback@CribNotesNYC.com. |
Follow Crib Notes on
and become a fan on
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Stuff We Love:
Garland Jewelry
What: Garland Jewelry's Signature Necklace
Why We Love It:
The Signature necklace, like Gossip Girl's Blair Waldorf wears in rose gold with "Waldorf" on it, is
the piece that moms love since it
can
be customized with different stone choices, names and lettering, and even
have
dates and messages engraved on the back.
Where to Get It:
Exclusive for Crib Notes readers! A discount of
20% off anything on Garland Jewelry's Website when you use the code CRIBNOTES at checkout.
www.garlandcollection.com
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Developing Your Mother Identity
by Dr. Gail Lencz, Psychologist
It is hard to believe how
often we speak and act just like our moms, although this makes perfect sense
from a psychological perspective. Our identities as mothers are determined by
many factors, including the normal mother experiences of intense attachments
and joys, anxiety, uncertainty, lifestyle changes, sleep deprivation,
isolation, and need to tolerate chaos. Still, it is inevitable that we become
like our mothers in one way or another.
Becoming a mother is an
enormous identity shift into unknown territory, and we use our childhood
experiences as reference points on our personal maps of that new world. Our early daughter-mother relationships helped
to construct our general identities as people. Now they are also informing our
understanding of facts about childcare issues and intuitions about everything
from baby sleep schedules and feedings to expressions of love and caring.
Given that so much maternal
knowledge and style is experience-based and often not discussed or thought
through, it can be very helpful to reflect on our mothers. What were their
styles, choices, and influences? How did they handle the enormous
responsibilities of motherhood? We can then consciously consider how to
effectively apply, update, or revise our moms' techniques.
I will offer a personal
example surrounding my over-eager approach to cooking when my son was a
toddler. While cooking can be a very positive experience, I found that my
expectations of myself were enormous and were actually not fitting to my
current family life -- they were instead attempts to be like my mother and/or
do what would impress her. I was
exhausted and ultimately gained perspective on what was going on: I was not in
the same position as my stay-at-home mother who expressed nurturance through
cooking. It was a relief to be able to
scale down my expectations to the right size, while learning to express my nurturing
side in ways my mother was less good at.
Of course, we sometimes try
the do the opposite of what our moms did, and we then risk going to the other
extreme. The best advice is to try to become increasingly conscious of what has
motivated our beliefs and feelings about parenting because that will inform our
own parenting styles, the amount of time we spend with our children, our
disciplinary philosophies, etc. As we become more aware of our own motivations
and emotional perspective, we can then make an effort to avoid either trying
too hard to be just like our mothers -- or just the opposite.
---Gail S. Lencz, Psy.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist
with Midtown Psychology Services with a focus on infant cognition studies. After receiving her doctorate, she worked for several years in Manhattan
Family Court, where she performed court-ordered evaluations of troubled
families and frequently provided expert testimony on parenting issues.
For the last 7 years Gail has been in private practice, providing
psychotherapy for individual adults and couples, including parents of
various ages.
She is also the mother of two boys, ages one and five years.
To contact Dr. Lencz for an appointment, call
212-946-1063
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Finding The Right Nanny
by Diana Nikkhah Harfouche,
for the Kindershield Agency
Finding the right nanny to care for
your child is one of the most important decisions parents can make.
After all, this person will not only be in charge of keeping your
little one safe, but also for his or her development, happiness and
well-being. No pressure, right? Well that's why it's critical to do
your homework and choose the best for your family.
Think about how much research and
expense we put into choosing the best stroller, organic baby food,
car seat, and the list goes on. Stopping short of devoting at least
that much time and effort into choosing a great caregiver is putting
your child at risk. Here are a few tips to help make the process
easier and safer.
If possible, use a reputable
agency to find a nanny. They will have vetted the caregiver and can
verify his or her experience.
Conduct a careful interview using
a written list of questions to determine the nanny's experience,
personality, and education level. This should include "what if"
questions that give the nanny a hypothetical scenario to respond to.
Get as much information for the
candidate as possible including address, social security number, a
copy of a driver's license or passport. Never think you're being
intrusive; remember this is the person you are leaving your child
with and it's your duty to have as much information as possible.
Conduct a thorough background
check. It's best to rely on a professional agency such as
KinderShield since certain criminal activity can be missed if you
don't have the experience of knowing what to look out for.
Once you've found the right
person, lay out immediately all responsibilities and expectations,
including compensation, vacation, travel, and illness. Have this
written out and reviewed by the nanny so you can always refer back
to it if problems arise. Always begin with a trial period where you
are preferably present to instruct and observe the nanny.
These are just a few important steps
parents can take to keep their children safe and happy. For more
information on screening nanny candidates and child safety, visit the
KinderShield website at www.kindershieldagency.com.
Good luck!
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Traveling With Baby:
Baby-Proofing Safety Tips
by Rene Appelbaum,
co-owner Baby Proofers Plus, Inc.
 Traveling
with young children can appear daunting and maybe even a bit scary.
However, it need not be either. In just a few steps you can child
proof
your hotel room, vacation home or a grandparent's home to remove many
hazards. Taking these
precautions can
lower the chance of an injury, help you feel more confident that you
can
protect your children away from home and make it a little easier for
you to watch
your children.
1. Pack a Travel Safety kit to use on the road and in temporary
housing. It should include:
*Electrical outlet plugs (be sure to
use the kind that requires two actions for removal).
*Door knob covers to keep certain rooms
and closets off-limits.
*A toilet lid lock (you may need more
than one).
*Corner cushions (4-8) for table
corners.
*A few exterior cabinet/drawer latches.
*A few finger guards or door slammers.
*At least one portable pressure safety
gate.
* If your
child sleeps in a crib, consider taking along a portable crib or call ahead and make sure that the hotel has cribs that
meet current CPSC and ASTM safety standards.
Many hotels and motels have unsafe cribs.
--Slats should be no more than 2-3/8" apart.
--Check for missing parts or sharp edges.
--Be sure crib is sturdy when set up and that the mattress
fits snugly.
2. When you arrive at your destination:
*Check to see that there are no small
objects that a previous guest may have left on the floor or under the bed.
*Check to see that windows and doors
close and lock securely and that the locks are out of your child's reach.
*Move climbable furniture away from
windows.
*Make sure electrical cords are out of
reach.
*Make sure there are no drapery or
window blind cords within your child's reach (including when in the crib).
*Place toiletries, soaps and glasses
out of reach in the bathroom.
*Be very careful when bathing young children
as the water temperature can change suddenly.
*Attach exterior cabinet/drawer latches
to prevent children from opening drawers and closing them on their fingers.
*Place finger guards high up on door
hinge side of door to prevent your child from closing a door on his/her fingers.
3. If You Are Staying At A Family Member's Or A Vacation Home:
*Make sure there are no small objects on the floor.
*Put purses, briefcases and tote bags out of reach.
*Remove small objects, breakable knick-knacks, hard
candies, nuts and loose coins within reach of children. If it fits inside a
toilet paper roll, it is probably not safe for young children.
*Move houseplants to a high shelf or windowsill.
*Put away tables with sharp corners or attach adhesive-backed corner
cushions.
*Keep all plastic wrapping and plastic bags away from young children.
*Put away ladders and step stools.
*Post emergency numbers (police, fire, hospital, poison control) by the
phone.
4. In the Kitchen:
*Put poisonous products in a locked
cabinet or out of reach.
*Put medicines and vitamins (often on
the table at a grandparents' house) out of reach.
*Push small appliances and butcher block
knife sets to the back of the counters, and make sure there are no cords within
reach.
*Make sure silverware, china and
glassware is stored out of reach.
*Remove tablecloths.
*Put away small refrigerator magnets
that could pose a choking hazard.
5. In the Bathroom
*Remove personal care plug-in appliances
(i.e. electric shavers, hair blowers) and store them out of sight.
*Put poisons (medicine, aspirin,
mouthwash, cosmetics, vitamins, room deodorizers) in a locked closet.
*Attach the toilet lock.
*Check the water temperature and be
very careful when drawing your child's bath.
6. In the Bedroom
*Move climbable furniture away from
windows.
*Tie up loose cords from window blinds
and put them out of reach of your child.
*Learn if there is any furniture that
is capable of tipping over i.e. a tall bookcase or floor lamp not secured to
the wall. Keep children away from these items.
7. Check for Other Hazards That You May Not Have at Home
*Windows without
window guards --- be sure any open window does not open more than 4 inches. (This
reminder, warrants repeating again!)
*Swimming pools, ponds, lakes require extra observance
*Driveways mean moving cars
*Unfenced areas and fences or decks can be climbed onto. Also, furniture that
is near a railing or that can be easily moved close to a railing by a child.
*Fireplaces
*Wood burning stoves
*Pets - If grandparents or others have
a pet, remember that this pet may not be used to young children. Supervise
carefully.
Remember, there is no substitute for supervision!
--Rene
Appelbaum
BABY PROOFERS PLUS,
INC.
212.628.8052 in NY
908.598.0676 in NJ
info@babyproofersplus.com
For more information
on baby proofing and child safety visit us at www.babyproofersplus.com
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Pure Summer
By Elina Furman
Publisher, Mamaista.com
Summer
is officially here! And while it's a great time to bond with nature,
keeping your children safe is a big concern. After all, so many of the
products used to protect our kids are actually chock full of harmful
chemicals and toxins. From playing in the grass to bug bites to safe
sunscreens, Mamaista has found the best organic products that will ensure a safe and fun summer for all.
Flower Power
A
backyard seems like the ultimate playground, but one should consider
that lawn fertilizers often contain harmful ingredients that can make a
walk in the park seem like anything but. According to the US
Environmental Protection Agency, kids who are exposed to synthetic
herbicides are four and a half times more likely to develop asthma. But
you can make sure that they get all the benefits of nature without the
dangerous side effects with:
1. Nature's Touch® Organic Lawn & Garden Insect Killer is a two-in-one lawn care solution.
2. EcoSMART's Weed & Grass Killer will tame even the toughest of lawn dilemmas and is safe for kids and pets.
The DEET is Done
With
so many warnings against DEET-based insect repellants causing
neurological problems in kids and adults, today's mom has more to worry
about than just bug bites. Luckily, there are plenty of natural
solutions that will ward off the fleas, mosquitoes, ticks and biting
flies without the use of icky chemicals.
1. California Baby® Natural Bug Spray is an all-natural bug zapper that works!
2. All Terrain Kids Herbal Armor Insect Repellent was tested by The New York Times and passed with flying colors.
Let the Fun Shine In
If the sun doesn't get your kids, the sunscreen you're using on them
might. Ingredients found in many of today's brand name sunscreens are
about as dangerous as the sun itself. Oxybenzone, PABA and dioxybenzone
are just some of the skincare no-nos that can lead to serious health
problems down the line. Fortunately, there's a whole slew of safe
options that will keep your kids protected in more ways than one.
1. Vivesana's Solar to Polar baby is the strongest synthetic-free SPF on the market.
2. Soleo Organics All Natural Sunscreen was voted the best organic sunscreen by Elle magazine.
Bottle It Up
We've all heard the press about plastic bottles releasing harmful
chemicals into your "pure" drinking water. Concerned moms have turned
to aluminum and stainless steel water bottles to help contain some of
the fallout. And with so many kid-friendly designs hitting the market,
your kids will never ask for the plastic again.
1. SIGG Bottles are made of aluminum and come in a variety of kid-friendly designs.
2. Kleen Kanteen are stainless steel bottles available with a sippy spout adapter.
--Elina Furman is the publisher of Mamaista, a free daily email that brings must-have products and services for babies, tykes, tots and mamas straight to your inbox.
Elina is also the mother of 15 month old Julian.
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Thanks for reading! See you next month!
Crib Notes NYC |
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