Whether it’s a function of post-winter pounds or running in circles with mamas who lack the time to run for real, I’ve recently found myself amidst several episodes of collective discontent over muffin tops (as in, the unwanted roll that hangs over your jeans). To negotiate this problem, as well as that of rear crack or undie exposure, I’ve been recommending the hip-T. This shaped band of comfy stretch cotton covers the potential vulnerable zone between your outfit's top and bottom while creating a stylish, layered look. Offered in a variety of colors (some with lace trim…ooh la la!), you can breathe more comfortably in your clothes since the hip-T’s got your crack covered.

Want to win a hip-T*? Here’s how:

These days, Laurel is all about looking fancy and colorful (current favorite color = “pink and green and purple and blue and yellow and orange!”), and we’ve recently found a way to bridge her love of color and flounce with comfort through Twirly Girl’s bright and cheery clothing.

Offering head to toe creations bursting with colorful, traffic stopping patterns, Twirly Girl’s reversible skirts and dresses are particularly fun. Dual patterned to suit your daughter’s day-to-night (or let’s face it, hour-to-hour) whims, Laurel’s been rocking the Dancing Dots reversible skirt, which features a kaleidoscope of multicolored dots on one side, a shimmery blue/black disco dot pattern on the other, and a contrast waistband. The skirt’s material and reversible construction make it weightier than something like a standard cotton skirt, but Laurel hasn’t had a problem taking flight to twirl.

Want to shop Twirly Girl? Use coupon code Boston at checkout to enjoy a 10% shopping discount.

Posted by Christine Koh on 29 Apr 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fashion; For Little Ones
Share: Facebook   kirtsy   StumbleUpon   Delicious

Today, Carole Arsenault of Newborn Nurses offers basic lessons on infant sleep:

"'Lack of sleep' is a phrase that most new parents are all too familiar with. The first few weeks at home with a new baby can be exhausting and overwhelming. Despite the happiness and joy a new baby brings, parents often find themselves eagerly anticipating the time when their newborn will sleep through the night.

There are many books and DVDs that offer strategies and techniques designed to help babies sleep better. Plus, parents are often given lots of advice (some good, some bad) by well meaning friends and family members. The combination of sleep deprivation + information overload can, at times, be exhausting and misguiding. Here are some basic facts to help you understand infant sleep.

As someone for whom the word Clorox tends to elicit middle school memories of fad-driven bleached denim experiments, imagine my surprise when I learned that the makers of Clorox products were rolling out a natural cleaning line. And happily, these green goods deliver. Plant and mineral based, biodegradable, and petrochemical-free, the Green Works line cuts through the most determined grime (OK, I’ll admit that my formerly neglected shower tile now stands as evidence), and does so with a pleasant lemony scent that is thankfully far from my fumed middle school denim.

Want to be one of 5 winners to receive a Green Works Starter Kit? Here’s how:

And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:

Weekend reading. Coochicoos features the way a family of four makes it work in a 640 square foot NYC apartment. One Chic Mama recommends The Find Green search engine to lead you to all things green. Moms’ Buzz wants to know what you do to stay green at home. And Kris at Clever Parents shares her journey to Disney with baby Charles in tow.

Goods & giveaways. Classy Mommy is giving away over $1200 in goodies to a mom impacted by breast cancer. MomFinds is offering a chance to win a pair of See Kai Run shoes for baby. The Nest Baby features a Mother’s Day gift guide plus a chance to win personalized jewelry, gourmet dinners, and more. And We Covet is giving away a copy of The History Channel's documentary on our climate crisis, "A Global Warning?"

Posted by Christine Koh on 25 Apr 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Books & Entertainment; Decor & Furniture; For Grownups; Gifts & Paper; Home; Solutions
Share: Facebook   kirtsy   StumbleUpon   Delicious

I’m thrilled to welcome new guest contributor Suz. A proud Boston mama to two kids – one who was born with Down syndrome – Suz will provide content on resources and ideas for “differently-abled” kids. Today, she shares information on a new networking program sponsored by the MA Down Syndrome Congress; the kickoff event is this Sunday at the Waltham YMCA.

“The Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress (MDSC) is launching a new program called Advocates in Motion (AIM), this Sunday, April 27 from 1 - 4 PM at the Waltham YMCA. AIM is a monthly networking program for teens and young adults (ages 13-22) with Down syndrome; the program will include fostering of social networking skills, recreational and athletic events, skill-building activities such as public speaking or cooking, and development of employment and community service skills.

The kickoff event this weekend will feature multiple activities to choose from, and the chance to make some great new social connections. One attendee will win a new iPod Shuffle! Teens and young adults, parents, and brothers and sisters are all welcome to attend. Click here to register for the event.”

Posted by Christine Koh on 25 Apr 2008 | Permalink | Comments (2) | Filed in Local; Outreach
Share: Facebook   kirtsy   StumbleUpon   Delicious

Here’s a way to honor mom while supporting local women in need: The Women’s Lunch Place has provided a safe, nurturing, and nourishing space for Boston women since 1982. Through the end of April, you can give mom a gift that keeps on giving by ordering a WLP Mother’s Day card in exchange for a $25 donation. An anonymous artist who was served by the WLP created the card’s watercolor image, and WLP volunteers will pen by hand your personal note.

Posted by Christine Koh on 25 Apr 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Local; Outreach
Share: Facebook   kirtsy   StumbleUpon   Delicious

My first visit to Florida was not a pleasant one. I was there against my will (the mere beginnings of my dysfunctional relationship with my postdoc advisor…), presenting data I barely understood for an otolaryngology conference (don’t try to say that 3 times fast). And I wasn’t alone in my suffering. I lured poor Jon to join me, with promises of calm beaches, nature excursions, and swimming with manatees. Little did we know that the hotel was simultaneously hosting Canadian Spring Break and Harley Davidson Week (hence the bargain hotel rates), and the manatees had long since swum off for cooler waters.

My second go at Florida couldn’t have been more different. I was honored to be invited by Disney and Maria Bailey of BSM Media to the first Walt Disney World Mom Blogger Mixer, an opportunity for Disney to learn about the mom blogging culture and for mom bloggers to learn about Disney. So after wrapping my Method Detox Your Home party last week, I turned around and started packing for Disney.

At first it seemed a bit odd to go to Disney for the first time: a) as an adult; and b) without my princess-obsessed daughter. But truly, throughout the whirlwind weekend, I was grateful to be able to take everything in through a focused lens. Or rather, I probably should say attempt to take everything in because even with a full agenda, given the vastness of Disney (it’s apparently twice the size of Manhattan), we – 16 mom bloggers, 2 members of the Disney Moms Panel, Maria Bailey, our amazing organizers Michelle and Joyce, and many other visiting members of the Disney family – really were just scratching the surface.

Several of my fellow attendees (see below for list) already have recapped in detail the incredible itinerary; on that I’ll just say that in a nutshell, the experience was tremendous, both from a personal and professional standpoint. And instead, in my characteristic resource-oriented manner, I’ll provide my Lessons From Disney. Ordered chronologically by epiphany, as it were, these lessons reflect both nuts and bolts Disney information I found particularly useful, as well as larger level realizations I experienced during the course of the weekend. Here goes:

The beauty of irony. As much of an environmentalist as I am, I’ll confess that given: a) how exhausted I was before this trip; b) the timing of my flight; c) the need to haul my laptop; and d) the fact that I really wanted to wear my new pair of pretty but unsupportive madras flats, I decided to forego the schlepping of public transit and splurge on car service to get to the airport. I just wanted to have a few peaceful moments to fall asleep in the back of a chic black sedan. But when I called to confirm the car the day prior, the driver said that due to a scheduling crunch, he may need to show up with a different car: a white stretch limo. The idea of climbing into a white stretch limo by myself – corsage free – in front of the inevitable line of rush hour traffic on our busy street seemed both hilarious and mortifying. Ultimately, it turned out that he had time to switch cars and whisk me off in the black sedan. Then, during the Disney weekend, we actually did ride in a fleet of white stretch limos and you should have seen me jumping up and down when I saw them. In this case, the context - a gaggle of women toasting with champagne while heading to a fancy dinner then Cirque du Soleil - seemed perfectly fitting. And of course then I was regretting – for story arc’s sake – that I didn’t actually begin and end my Disney journey in white stretch limos.

Location, location, location. For warm weather destinations, Jon and I are huge fans of the cabana right on the beach idea, and we’ve been sorely disappointed in the past by vacation hotels that have claimed beachfront access while actually being a couple of miles from the water. We were lodged at the Disney Beach Club Resort, a lovely hotel that is just amazing for families. If you can afford it, it’s well worth the splurge. The hotel is gently appointed in New England styling (read: not an eyesore for parents), there is a huge, amazing pool for the kids (plus a couple of quiet, smaller ones for adults), a waterslide, and a little faux beach next to the water. Plus, you can walk right over to Epcot. Ultimately, Disney makes a point of enabling shuttle or monorail access from all of their hotels to get you to the action, but I loved the look and convenience of the Beach Club Resort.

It’s time to book a babysitter. We were treated to some amazing meals at Disney, including dinner at Tutto Italia in Epcot Italy, lunch at The Hollywood Brown Derby, and a spectacular dinner at California Grill – all of which reminded me that I could honestly not recall the last time Jon and I enjoyed a fancy meal on our own. We are, in fact, foodies, but the craziness of our weeks typically means that on weekends we want to hang around and enjoy time with Laurel. But I was reminded that in the grand scheme of things we give Laurel gobs of time and love and it’s time to book a babysitter and head out for an evening of culinary appreciation together.

The power of seemingly small memories. On our first night at Disney, we were escorted to the VIP viewing area at the United Kingdom Pavilion to enjoy coffee and dessert while watching IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. The spectacular fireworks and front row seats immediately made me think of my mom and Boston’s Fourth of July fireworks. We had very little hang out time with my mom when we were small, given that she was constantly on the go trying to run a business with my dad and manage a family of 11 (2 parents, 2 grandparents, 7 kids), but one Fourth of July I vividly remember her scooping a couple of us into the car, and driving brazenly to the Charles River to get us the best view possible (I believe she parked right in the middle of Storrow Drive and flat out played the confused cute Asian lady card when the cops showed up). After a childhood of very little mom-daughter time, I had never realized until that night at Disney how grateful I am for that seemingly small memory.

If you’re heading to Disney, consult the Moms Panel. We had the opportunity to meet Kim and Darcie, a couple of wonderful moms who are among the 12 (of 10,000 applicants!) Disney mom enthusiasts who comprise the Disney Moms Panel. They are an amazing resource for families planning a trip to Disney. The DMP forum covers everything from planning and budgeting, to where and when to get great deals, to dining, to recommendations for hotels, to where on earth to start when it comes to planning activities. The mom bloggers had tons of questions for Kim and Darcie and I kid you not, they knew the answers to every single question. They were unstumpable!

There’s something for everyone. I’ll freely admit that – likely due at least in part to my residual childhood glumness about never going on a family vacation – I was initially a bit skeptical about the Disney empire. Plus, when it’s time to plan a vacation, Jon gravitates towards nature inspired options. But one of the things I learned is that Disney has a range of accommodation styles; in addition to hotels suited to different budgets, they have a resort called Fort Wilderness where you can book 6-person cabins and have access to activities like horseback riding and canoeing while still being a shuttle ride away from Mickey. We unfortunately didn’t have a chance to tour this resort, but I would definitely consider it in the future as a way to balance Jon’s desire for nature and Laurel’s obsession with Cinderella.

Whatever you do, get FASTPASS. One preconceived notion that did live up to my expectations was the unbelievable ride queues. We were fortunate to have media FASTPASS tickets so for many rides (woo hoo, I finally got to ride Space Mountain and Thunder Mountain!) we could bypass the crazy lines. Honestly, I was amazed by how patiently the kids were waiting in line, but if you even remotely share my impatience with long waits, make FASTPASS a priority in your budgeting.

The arts must prevail. When we went to see Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba, I got all internally worked up about the survival of the arts in public schools. The show was both visually and musically stunning, and there was one passage in particular where the joint impact of these artistic presentations moved me to tears. Sometimes I wonder whether over-saturation – 18 years of violin lessons, countless recitals and competitions, serving as a private music teacher and group coach, and training for a decade as a music and brain scientist – killed off my desire for music (I don’t play at all these days). Seeing Cirque made me realize that I do still have musicality at my core, and enlivened my ideas about future outreach initiatives to bring music to kids.

The importance of loving what you do. I have no doubts that leaving academia was the right choice for me, but as I have struck out on my own ventures, I’ve had plenty of moments where the panic over general survival and the desire for steady income, benefits, and official days off has made me question whether I should throw in the towel for a more lucrative day job. While at Disney, I was amazed time and again by how passionate everyone is about their jobs, and how powerful and inspiring that passion can be. From bellhops, to horticulture experts, to PR reps, to chefs, to bartenders, to the fabulous Jake - the amazing Disney guide who personally escorted Erin (of Manic Mommies) and me the half mile back to the gates of Epcot when we were lost, exhausted, and not processing verbal directions – Disney’s crew comes from all over the world, has worked there for a long time, and seems genuinely passionate about their work. Yes, they probably all have 401K’s but I’m still inspired to keep following the passionate path.

The importance of community. Writing, editing, and designing can be a solitary business and it was rejuvenating to talk candidly about kids, work, and balance with a group of women all negotiating the same issues. I am eternally grateful in particular for some conversations I had with Erin and Maria (click thumbnail to enlarge photo); they’re not only incredibly smart and insightful women, but – even more important in my book – they are kind, funny people (and hey, nothing forms a bond more immediately than screaming your brains out together on a roller coaster). Scheduling face time with friends/colleagues like the women I met this weekend is something I want to do more regularly from here on in.

Believe in karma. This is sort of joke but sort of not. As conversations on people and predicaments proceeded rather openly, anyone within earshot of me heard me blabber on about how much I believe in karma. It may sound trite, but I truly believe that if you manipulate or take advantage of people, it will come back to bite you.

Own up to your misconceptions. I’ll be the first to admit that I had some misconceptions about Disney, whether it was related to said childhood glumness over never going on vacation, or riding on a high horse about not wanting to cave in to Disney mania. The trip truly reinforced the notion that it’s important to keep an open mind generally in life, and also that - from a personal growth perspective - it’s a good thing to own up to your misconceptions.

In sum, this was an amazing trip in many, many ways and I am grateful to Disney and Maria Bailey for including me in the weekend. I also wanted to disclose that while Disney generously assumed all of the trip expenses, I was not paid to share these thoughts or required to write about the experience in order to attend (for the record, I wouldn’t agree to go to an event that made attendance contingent on editorial...). As devoted readers of this site know, all editorial on this site is not bound (advertorial or otherwise) in any way.

Again, my thanks to:

It’s no surprise why babies get showered with goodies, but moms need attention too - particularly postpartum - and that’s why I dig Susan Brown’s Baby. This collection of rich yet gentle, paraben-free body products ensures that mom and baby get their TLC in tandem; the mom products focus on nurturing the belly and feet, while the baby line includes items for bath, diapering, and relaxation. I particularly love the SPF 30+ Sunscreen Lotion; the composition is creamy yet mild, fragrance-free, and packed with cocoa, shea, and jojoba butters to keep your kid’s skin hydrated. I especially love that it’s gentle and effective enough to be used on Laurel’s face and doesn't feel greasy or sticky.

Want to win a Susan Brown’s Baby gift basket*? Here’s how:

I think people who love hosting parties inherently have a bit of control freak in them. That’s certainly the case for me anyway; I think a lot about assembling a good mix of people, food, and drink, I inevitably fret over the RSVPs, and I want everything to look perfect yet effortless. And last week, at my Method Detox Your Home Boston party, I had the odd and delicious experience of enjoying the benefits of a fabulously assembled party, with all of the hard work done for me.

A couple of months ago, the folks over at Method (purveyors of green cleaning products) contacted me about working together on their Detox Your Home campaign. Hitting a handful of select cities around the country (the program launched in Seattle, and I believe New York and Minneapolis are the next stops), they opened a temporary store at 329 Newbury Street to teach folks about detoxing their homes chemical-free, doing so via the storefront itself and through cool themed parties.

Agreeing to connect with Method on this event was an easy decision for me, given my passion for green living and my belief in their product line and lifestyle philosophy. It also didn’t hurt that the team of folks I worked with on the event are fun, energetic people with a hilarious addiction to Brain Age (I'm convinced that my Ph.D. in psychology was the real draw; they insisted I try the test and it turned out that I do, in fact, have a freakishly low Brain Age...). So last week – on one of the season’s first truly gorgeous spring evenings - I played hostess to some of my family, friends, and colleagues for an evening of socializing at the bright and stylish 329 Newbury Street temporary store. Method provided a yummy spread of beverages and food, an opportunity for folks to learn about chemical-free cleaning and turn in their toxic cleaning products (to be disposed of safely), and a fabulous behind-the-curtain lounge space with all the supplies needed for a craft session with environmental lifestyle guru Danny Seo.

Danny Seo is an absolute nugget (the highest descriptive rating on my adorable scale), and I’m not just saying that because we look related (click thumbnail above to enlarge). He’s cute, amusing, and has a passion for crafting...what's not to love? He was on hand to answer eco-friendly lifestyle questions, and then engaged us in a project where we transformed old plates (think mismatched items you have at home, or inexpensive pieces picked up at the Salvation Army) into décor pieces by cutting out silhouettes from adhesive paper, sticking them onto plates, brushing the plate with glaze paint, then removing the adhesive so the silhouette remains (the last step is baking the plate at home to set the glaze). He also showed us a way to turn old or inexpensive ceramic tiles into cute coasters by applying the same type of glaze paint onto the tiles using wood grain rollers (to create a ridge pattern), then attaching felt feet to them. This photo (click thumbnail above to enlarge) shows a collection of some of the plates created during the evening (sadly, I didn't manage to get a shot of everyone's plates before people started to leave).

As for the product itself, it's a shame that the beautiful Newbury Street store will leave after this week. Since you can find Method in lots of major stores, paying rent on Newbury long term obviously isn’t part of a keen financial model, but the current space is truly inviting, the “cleaning confession booth” hilarious, and the ability to smell and try out products in a bright, stylish, and dedicated space terrific. Method treated all of my ladies to a generous goodie tote, but many folks also were excited to pick up additional cleaning or personal care products (the prices were a bit less than what you’ll find in external stores). And as I mentioned in my quick post last week, the mamas were very interested in checking out samples from the new baby care line that launched this week. Truly, I have never seen so much hubbub over diaper cream.

It was refreshing and unusual to be so relaxed and duty-free before a party (I even had time to pop into a few boutiques beforehand), and it was a pleasure to work with Method in spreading the green message. Definitely check out their line if you haven’t yet had a chance to do so; the products are effective, the scents terrific, and the cool product design will actually inspire you to spring clean.

Posted by Christine Koh on 23 Apr 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Eco Living
Share: Facebook   kirtsy   StumbleUpon   Delicious

The Regent Theatre’s Family Fun Saturdays series is coming to its seasonal end, and they’re closing with two kiddie classics. This weekend (April 26, 10:30am) the Paint Box Theatre will present Little Red Riding Hood, and next weekend (May 3, 10:30am) the Makeshift Theatre Company will perform Laurel’s favorite fairy tale, Cinderella.

To celebrate the end of this year’s series, our generous partners at the Regent are giving away 2 family four-packs of tickets to each show! Here’s how to enter to win:

The March for Babies is this Sunday at 12:30pm and now that spring has truly sprung, perhaps you’ll feel inspired to stretch those legs and walk the 3 miles with us! If you dig what we do on this site, please consider joining Team Boston Mamas, whether it's via walking or by making a donation to the team. We're grateful for a contribution of any size; every little bit counts! Thank you!

Posted by Christine Koh on 23 Apr 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Local; Outreach
Share: Facebook   kirtsy   StumbleUpon   Delicious

As supportive and involved a dad as Jon always has been, the one thing he just wasn’t into was reading those textbook-like, geared-towards-mom baby manuals. Luckily, for new dads, there’s The Baby Bonding Book for Dads, a sweet little gift book that – in a gentle, friendly dad voice - offers simple, straightforward ideas for how dad can bond with baby at home and on the go. Interspersed throughout the book are artful photos. Yes, there are a couple of buff, bare-chested daddy shots, but otherwise the photos are – like the text – representative of what many of us feel joy seeing at home; regular dads enjoying time with their babes.

Want to be one of 5 winners to receive a copy of The Baby Bonding Book for Dads? Here’s how:

I truly believe in the notion that every little bit counts, and I find this philosophy particularly important to hang on to when I read reports on the plight of the planet. The news can feel overwhelming and discouraging, but it’s crucial to keep on trucking with the little acts of greenness. Here are 10 easy green tips to cultivate your family’s awareness about the earth and its limited resources. Enjoy these for Earth Day and beyond:

And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:

Weekend reading: The Nest Baby’s experts weigh in on the topic of antidepressants during pregnancy. Classy Mommy features an interview with Christopher Gavigan, author of Healthy Child, Healthy World. Clever Parents details the ten most important steps to permanent weight loss.

Gear & goodies: One Chic Mama reviews Holly Aiken's line of stylish and durable bags ranging from diaper totes to cute purses. Healthy Bump features Tickle Bellies’ line of cards and announcements. MomFinds is offering up a Boon animal bag for the winning. And Moms’ Buzz has a giveaway going for Warm Biscuit, an online bedding and furniture store for children.

Posted by Christine Koh on 18 Apr 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Bath, Beauty & Health; Gear
Share: Facebook   kirtsy   StumbleUpon   Delicious

Someone told me that April typically is crazy as people come out of hibernation and get ready to party. This certainly has been the case for me in the realm of scheduled events, and last night kicked off Chapter 1 of a crazy but fabulous April, via an event where I played hostess to some of my family, friends, and colleagues as a Boston Method Maven. It was a terrific evening of socializing, getting the dirt on chemical-free cleaning, and eco-crafting with environmental lifestyle guru (and fellow Korean!) Danny Seo.

I’ll be providing the full report on this event next week (I’m currently in the midst of preparations for Chapter 2 of said crazy but fabulous April), but I wanted to encourage folks to stop by the temporary Method shop at 329 Newbury Street…STAT. This fabulous space is only in town through next week, and after visiting, I swear you actually will want to head home for some eco-savvy spring cleaning. The shop is bright, stylish, and loaded with cool, yummy smelling products. Plus, turn in your toxic cleaning products (which they’ll dispose of safely for you) and leave with a free Method product.

Also of note, Method is launching a baby care line next week (online, on Earth Day), and while the physical product isn’t available for purchase in the temporary Boston store, you can check out samples. Some of us tried out the baby care products last night, and it’s safe to say that I’ve never seen a group of mamas line up so quickly to squirt diaper cream on the back of their hand.

Store hours are roughly 10:00 am - 7:00 pm; call 866-963-8463 for details.

Posted by Christine Koh on 17 Apr 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Bath, Beauty & Health; Eco Living; Home; Local; Retail; Solutions
Share: Facebook   kirtsy   StumbleUpon   Delicious

Laurel and I loved babywearing, but as she outgrew various slings and packs, I was resigned to hoisting her on my hip, which led to exhausted arms and the loss of hands-free babywearing. If only I had known about the Hip Hammock. This streamlined carrier comprises a soft, lined triangular hammock with two easy straps: one to secure around the waist, and a well-padded shoulder strap that goes over the head and across the chest like a messenger bag. This carrier is designed for kids 4 months to 3 years, but it’s especially fabulous for toddlers, with the open leg areas negating the pinch factor and the hands-free design allowing you to score that coffee you desperately need after a busy morning of toddler chasing.

Want to win a Hip Hammock*? Here’s how:

I’ve finally made live a local resources page where parents can find mom, dad, and/or general family groups, networks, and support services. The link is readily available via the "find local parents" button in the site banner. If you know of a group to be included, e-mail tips@bostonmamas.com and provide the site's URL. Please note that the group must be active, have a website, and serve Massachusetts parents. Thanks!

Posted by Christine Koh on 16 Apr 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Local; Outreach; Web (Admin)
Share: Facebook   kirtsy   StumbleUpon   Delicious

Today, Sara Cabot of Little Lettice offers a primer on flax seed:

“In my last post I wrote about the importance of eating a good breakfast, and how protein can help children concentrate through the morning at school. Another nutrient that helps mental health and the ability to focus is omega 3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA). Egg yolks and fish contain this essential fatty acid, which is another reason why they make excellent breakfast items. However, for a couple of my kids, eating too many eggs can cause constipation, and eggs do contain a fair amount of cholesterol. A good solution I have discovered is flax seed.

Flax seed is not technically a grain, but it has a similar vitamin and mineral profile, while being far more nutritious. Here are some of the great properties of flax seed:

For parents in the Greater Lowell area looking to sort out summer plans, tomorrow the Chelmsford Mothers’ Club is hosting a free Summer Activities Fair. From 7-9pm, reps from local schools, day camps, and community recreation programs will provide families with summer programming information geared towards kids 6 and under. Some information for older kids will also be available, as will refreshments and giveaways.

At the All Saints Episcopal Church, 10 Billerica Road (Rt. 129), Chelmsford

Posted by Christine Koh on 15 Apr 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Childcare & Education; Local
Share: Facebook   kirtsy   StumbleUpon   Delicious

Mamas need to stick together, and former New Yorker Erin Brennan Allan and Nairobi native Mary Wambui are helping women do just that through Toto Knits. Featuring unbelievably cute hand knit sweaters and blankets for kids 3 months to 6T, the collection is ethically produced from start to finish. The cotton and wool are locally grown, spun, and dyed, then knit by a group of Kenyan women - many single mothers – who knit as a means to earn a living in an empowering, family friendly, and flexible environment. Their Safari Animal sweaters – all knit with little tails on the back – are particularly inspired.

Want to win a sweater from Toto Knits? Here’s how:

As much as I love the convenience of online shopping, I also firmly believe in supporting the local economy, particularly when the offerings are fabulous and eco-minded. Today, Jen reports on Fiddlehead, a lovely new mama and babe boutique in Boston that provides plenty of fuel for Jen’s obsession with organic baby goods. Read on for Jen's review, as well as to learn how to win a $25 gift certificate to Fiddlehead!

“My daughter is at the age where everything goes in her mouth. While she tends to find the least appropriate items the most appetizing – most recently the television remote control - I try my best to have safe alternatives within her reach. Fiddlehead, a new store located on Newbury Street between Hereford and Gloucester Streets, has plenty of options for me to choose from.

Named after a baby fern, Fiddlehead sells products that are recycled or made from sustainable materials. For babies and toddlers there are colorful stuffed animals crafted from wool sweaters, wooden blocks that are made in the United States from FSC certified wood and painted with non-toxic paint, hair brushes with wooden bristles that are finished in natural oils, pencils from trees pruned in Poland, picture books about recycling, and much more. While the stairs and double doors can be a little tricky to navigate with a stroller, owner Carol Miller and her staff are more than happy to help you in the door.

Just be careful, the items for moms are just as attractive. A simple trip for an organic cotton bib can easily end in the purchase of an entire dinner set made of recycled glass.”

Fiddlehead, 292 Newbury Street, Boston; Tel: 617-247-1120

Now, here’s how to win a $25 gift certificate to Fiddlehead*!

Laurel recently has grown particularly opinionated and independent regarding fashion; she wants to pick her outfit from the skivvies forward and dress herself. And while this new level of independence takes more time (particularly compared to my habit of dressing her based on what's on top of her clean, unfolded laundry pile), the slowdown is made up for by the ease with which she now chooses her shoes.

I’ve reported before on Vincent, but this line – which includes everything from sporty to blingy to springy to waterproof – has some great spring picks that have made Laurel’s process of shoe elimination fast and easy. The Emilia’s are fabulously sparkly, comfortable, and easy to get in and out of independently. Essentially, Laurel can feel like a princess (yes, we’re in full blown, peer-inspired princess mode) without clomping around in sure-to-break-an-ankle princess dress up heels. The Emilia’s are billed as party shoes, but they are in fact comfortable enough to hit the playground. Laurel would wear these every outing if she could, but for the sake of preserving the glittery finish, we’ve compromised that it’s fine for her to wear them anywhere except to the park.

And for said park outings, the Chrissy shoes are a great girly yet sporty spring pick. Built with playground romping in mind, they’re comfortable, flexible, and sturdy yet lightweight – the latter of which I find particularly important to accommodate the clunky, rapidly growing feet factor. The perforated, tongue-free design also makes the shoes nice and breathable, and like the Emilia’s, the Velcro closures make it easy for kids to handle the shoes independently. Of the color offerings, I’d recommend the brown and pink Chrissy’s; they’re cute as cupcakes and they’ll hide dirt.

In short, Vincent has continued to do well by little feet via their hip aesthetic, fine construction, and versatile offerings (despite the angle of this review, yes, they have plenty of boy shoes!). And really, if you have a daughter who resists getting out the door in the morning, get her a pair of Emilia’s. Your problems will be long gone.

To get you on your way to some cool kicks, enjoy 20% off using the coupon code SPRING-DEAL-8; this code is valid for all full-price item purchases at www.VincentShoeStore.us through April 30, 2008.

This review was brought to you courtesy of the Parent Bloggers Network.

Posted by Christine Koh on 14 Apr 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fashion; For Little Ones
Share: Facebook   kirtsy   StumbleUpon   Delicious

And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:

Weekend reading: One Chic Mama highlights citrus spiked hues that will add a dash of warmth and a burst of color to your wardrobe. Moms’ Buzz has a report on men’s trends for spring. Classy Mommy offers a Q&A chat with Dr. Bob Sears, author of The Vaccine Book. Clever Parents features ideas for entertaining and connecting over Sunday brunch.

Finds & giveaways: We Covet thinks the brilliant Shemergency Survival Kit has just about everything you might need in a pinch. Healthy Bump features the Bummis complete diapering kit. MomFinds is offering a giveaway for a deluxe learning kit for your little reader. And submit your belly pic to The Nest Baby bump contest to enter to win a trip to Jamaica.

Posted by Christine Koh on 11 Apr 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Childcare
Share: Facebook   kirtsy   StumbleUpon   Delicious

I have a real place in my heart for the YMCA; I was at my fittest during my Y membership (in those childless days I’d hit the gym at 5:30am on my way to work), and I overcame my waterphobia (developed after losing a friend during a swimming outing in high school) via one of their adult swim classes. Tomorrow, at locations across the country, the YMCA will host Healthy Kids Day, a day of free activities designed to introduce kids to the fun of fitness. Also debuting at the event will be their new Healthy Family Home program, which offers simple tips to help families play, eat, and enjoy time together at home.

Posted by Christine Koh on 11 Apr 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Local; Outreach
Share: Facebook   kirtsy   StumbleUpon   Delicious

Like it or not, talking the talk is necessary to keep your kids safe in our increasingly complex world. Today, PPLM Parent Education Program Manager Amy Cody recommends Dr. Sharon Maxwell’s The Talk: What Your Kids Need to Hear from You About Sex as a helpful new resource to ready you for these conversations. Read on for Amy's review, as well as to learn how to be one of five winners to receive a copy of The Talk!

“A practicing clinical psychologist, sex education expert, and mother, Dr. Sharon Maxwell – author of The Talk: What Your Kids Need to Hear from You About Sex – powerfully explains the need for better communication between parents and children regarding sex and sexuality. Maxwell helps parents define their own values about sex, and shows parents how to make the connection between values and behavior. She addresses the social power that comes from looking sexy and helps teens accept personal responsibility to use that power appropriately. In addition, Maxwell tackles the potential dangers of the Internet and offers family guidelines for safe use.

Dr. Maxwell is based in Massachusetts, where she has worked extensively with adolescents and families in the public and private sectors, in particular around helping parents and educators counteract the impact of the media on kids’ values and behavior, and how to talk to kids about sexual health issues.”

Now, here’s how to how to be one of five winners to receive a copy of The Talk!

There likely are few degrees of separation between you and a woman with breast cancer, and probably not many more between you and someone who can't afford screening and treatment. On Friday, consider joining the Mass. Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure for a legislative luncheon from 11am – 1pm in the Great Hall of the Massachusetts State House. At this event, breast cancer survivors, advocates, community leaders, and health care providers will meet with legislative leaders to discuss closing the health care funding gap in Massachusetts so all women can get the breast health care and screening services they need. Click here to RSVP.

Posted by Christine Koh on 10 Apr 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Local; Outreach
Share: Facebook   kirtsy   StumbleUpon   Delicious

While we all likely can recite Goodnight Moon and other kiddie stories by heart, when was the last time you picked up a book for yourself? A pair of bunnies that visited our yard this past weekend reminded me that it’s time for my yearly read of Watership Down. Who would have guessed that a tale about a troop of rabbits on a mission for higher ground could be so engaging? This classic truly has something for everyone – adventure, spirituality, group dynamics, good guys and bad guys, and romance (of the G-rated rabbit variety). I am moved every single time I reread this book and have never looked at rabbits the same way since.

Posted by Christine Koh on 9 Apr 2008 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Books & Entertainment; For Grownups
Share: Facebook   kirtsy   StumbleUpon   Delicious

Whether you’re chasing children or the elusive carrot dangling in front of you on the treadmill, you need to rehydrate. Today, Sharon reports on a beverage that will get you balanced in no time, Ultima Replenisher. Read on for her review, and also to learn how to be one of 5 winners to receive Wild Raspberry Ultima Kids!

“Playing is hard work. And I notice my dehydration after a morning running around with my niece, as well as after I’ve hit the gym. And with the warm temperatures (hopefully fast) approaching, the need for hydration without the excessive calories and artificial dyes is a must. A restorative pick is Ultima Replenisher, a natural, low caloric energy drink that is free of artificial flavorings, colors, or sweeteners.

I first was introduced to Ultima through my yoga studio and it is a perfect complement to the practice, rebalancing without bogging me down by sugar after sweating in the 95-degree room. Ultima is full of electrolytes and vitamins and has been used by athletes, moms and moms-to-be’s, and patient populations (apparently nutritionists at Dana-Farber have recommended Ultima to help cancer patients stay hydrated). A great drink alternative for kids and adults alike, my favorite flavor is kiwi-strawberry but the raspberry and lemon are also tasty.

I haven’t tried Ultima Kids, but evidently this pediatric electrolyte formula was designed - with input from pediatricians, kids, and parents - for little ones who are ready to move beyond milk and water. The beverage can be enjoyed generally, or provide kids with an electrolyte boost when they’re sick.”

Now, here’s how to be one of 5 winners to receive Wild Raspberry Ultima Kids!

Most kids seem to say ‘yay’ to sugar and mess and ‘nay’ to veggies, but here’s a nifty way to cut down on the former and increase the latter, at least in the drink department. First Juice is a new line of organic, sippy top fruit/vegetable juices (apple + carrot, banana + carrot) that are cut with purified water and fortified with calcium and vitamins A, C, and D. The end result is a more mild drink (43-49% juice) that will still give your kid the juice experience, minus the sugar rush.

First Juice was designed for 6-30 month-olds, but I think this juice is great for preschoolers too, especially given the need to collectively negotiate sugar intake as the desire for cookies, brownies, etc. grows. We resisted juice boxes for a long time – until they became undeniably prevalent at parties and play dates – and our compromise has been to only buy the small ones (around 4 oz.). But juice boxes still aren’t ideal in transit, so the First Juice sippy top bottle is a great solution to reduce both spills and waste. Once your kid drains the 8 oz. sippy bottle, you can just refill it (or use your own sippy cup) from the 32 oz. bottles.

If you’re interested in trying out First Juice, FJ is offering two cases of their product to the first 50 moms to sign up to host a tasting party for five friends + toddlers. Also, the folks at First Juice have offered to send free samples to a limited number of our readers if you want to taste the juice before signing up to host a party. Just email them at drinkoutsidethebox@firstjuice.com and mention Boston Mamas.

Posted by Christine Koh on 8 Apr 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Feeding & Nursing
Share: Facebook   kirtsy   StumbleUpon   Delicious

Reader Erica from Northampton wrote in about Frontline program, The Medicated Child, which will air starting tonight on WGBH. The program will address the issue of the increased wave of kids - some as young as 4 years old - being prescribed powerful antipsychotic medications that cause serious side effects, and whose long-term effects are basically unknown.

Posted by Christine Koh on 8 Apr 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Development & Behavior
Share: Facebook   kirtsy   StumbleUpon   Delicious

Whether it’s due to laziness, a desire to not rush the process, or not having a 2nd child waiting for the crib (one of my girlfriends needed to transition her older daughter early to a big girl bed when #2 was on the way, and the older child responded by climbing into the crib, removing her diaper, and leaving an unpleasant surprise…), it occurs to me that we’ve had a tendency to let Laurel’s growth - or, let’s face it, claustrophobia – determine her nest transitions.

As an infant, when Laurel wasn’t sleeping on me, she was sleeping in her Moses basket. We loved being able to move the basket around the house, keep it right next to our bed for pseudo co-sleeping (actual co-sleeping didn’t work for us since Laurel was a kidney kicker when sandwiched between us), and later on, have her sleep in the basket in the crib, to get her used to the crib environment while still feeling cozy. We finally acknowledged that it was time to retire the basket (as a stuffed animal receptacle, after loaning it out to two mom friends) once Laurel grew to the point of being wedged on all sides against the basket bumper. I still feel a little nostalgic about that piece of baby gear.

Nor did we rush the two conversions of her crib (we have a Simmons Crib ‘N More that converts from crib to daybed to full bed – it’s similar to the Simmons Harmony Lifetime Crib at Babies R Us) until – I’m slightly embarrassed to admit – Laurel refused to sleep with crib rails and then later until we added length to the daybed; instead opting to sleep in a “nest” (pile of blankets) on her rug until we broke out the toolbox to convert the daybed to the full size. Ultimately, Laurel remained in a crib until around 3 years, and then in the daybed until about 3.5 years.

We always thought the Crib ‘N More was pretty as a crib, but the Shaker styling looks truly beautiful converted as a full bed, especially with the contrasting fabrics of her big girl quilt. (Of course, now the quilt is a little small for a full bed, but I’m working on a solution to this.) When we first received the box spring and mattress, I was a little panicked by how high and large the bed seemed, but Laurel loves the space, and so far, the pillow bolsters we have on the bed are helping to define the space - though she never had a problem with falling out of the day bed - and she loves climbing up and down via a step stool. The safety factor also is improved by the fact that – perhaps due to habit developed by a long stint in the crib - Laurel actually doesn’t get out of bed until we come to her room. When we get around to working on nighttime dryness, we’ll have to figure out what to do about getting in and out of the bed in the dark to use the potty, but we’ll cross that bridge when we (lazily?) get there.

I have a tendency to get a little emotional and reflective around Laurel’s transitions, and I feel lucky that her nest transitions have been so easy, which seems attributable at least in part to not having to be in a rush to make the changes. And I guess lucky for us on the lazy front, after assembling the full bed it dawned on me that Laurel potentially could be in this bed until she flies the coop.

Posted by Christine Koh on 7 Apr 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Decor & Furniture; Development & Behavior; Home; Sleep
Share: Facebook   kirtsy   StumbleUpon   Delicious

Happily, gone are the days where kids and adults with allergies are left out at treat time. Today, Tracy reports on her testing sessions of the allergy-friendly Cherrybrook Kitchen baking mix line. Read on for her review, and also to learn how to win a gift basket of goodies from Cherrybrook Kitchen!

“One unexpected byproduct of my writing for Boston Mamas is that my allergy-related posts (my son Gabriel has life threatening allergies to milk, eggs, peanuts, and tree nuts) have created some delicious opportunities to sample and review the wares of companies dedicated to providing sweet treats to folks with food allergies.

Cherrybrook Kitchen is a conscientious purveyor of baking mixes for cakes, frosting, cookies, muffins, pancakes, and more. All of these products are batch tested to guarantee that they are free from peanut, tree nut, milk, and egg proteins. They also carry a gluten-free line of products. Patsy Rosenberg and her husband Chip founded Cherrybrook after Patsy developed anaphylaxis to seafood, eggs, milk, and tree nuts as an adult. Using her own baking recipes from scratch, she developed the recipes that are now sold as baking mixes.

We sampled the following mixes from the Original Variety Pack: Chocolate Chip Cookie, Sugar Cookie, Yellow Cake, Chocolate Cake, Vanilla Frosting, and Chocolate Frosting. Here is our family review:

Product Evaluation:

Cookies: As a rule, baked goods in our house are enjoyed, and these cookies were no exception. The kids liked them; I thought they were tasty, as did my hubby. I found that the chocolate chip cookies could, however, have a bit more chocolate flavor.

Cakes: Again, these were hits with the kids. Mike and I liked them too, although I think everyone preferred the chocolate cake slightly more over the yellow cake. We baked the yellow cake as a round and frosted it with the chocolate frosting, and the chocolate cake mix was made into cupcakes with the vanilla frosting. We set the latter up as a taste test against my own chocolate cupcakes and frosting recipes, which resulted in a tie among our testers. Gabriel and his friend Christian each preferred a different cupcake and Christian’s mom and I (both avid bakers) debated the merits of each cake, coming to the result that both were great, and something we’d enjoy eating again.

Overall Impressions:

What I liked: I haven’t been able to bake with a mix for almost 7 years, and I forgot how easy it was! Clean up was a breeze, and adding only 3 ingredients together made baking (even with the kids) something to look forward to, instead of an event to “manage.” The colorfully illustrated packaging and instructions allowed Gabriel, 6 years old and a beginning reader, to choose which mix he wanted to make and get the appropriate ingredients, measuring instruments, and bowls out and at the ready prior to our baking sessions. I think in one or two years, he’d be able to handle all but the oven part completely independently. In addition, Cherrybrook offers incentives for frequent bakers: clip the bottom flaps of your boxes and redeem them for cool prizes for everything from more mixes to t-shirts to an ipod Nano!

What I didn’t: The cookie mixes didn’t flatten and spread as much as most homemade cookies do, and for me, this affected texture. In the future, I would roll the batter into balls as per the instructions, but would probably flatten them with the bottom of a glass or similar, especially for the sugar cookies.

Both cake mixes required more baking time than stated on the packages (almost 15 minutes each). This isn’t unusual in baking as all ovens and baking equipment are different, but it’s worth keeping in mind, so you don’t take them out too early. The yellow cake (baked as a round caked) ended up with very crispy edges due to the extra baking time, while the middle was a perfect light and fluffy texture.

For us, the frostings were a mixed bag. The frostings tasted wonderful, but they were a bit runny and just spreadable enough to get onto the cake. The instructions do state that you should not use tub margarine to make them; however, in our area, the only allergen free margarines we can get are in tubs. These work just fine in my other baking and frosting recipes, so I was surprised when they really didn’t work. I even cut the amount of margarine in half for the second batch with the same result. If you are planning to use these, and need to ensure the frosting is allergen free, you’ll have to scout out a solid margarine first.

Conclusion:

I love baking, and maybe this puts me in the minority, but I love the process of baking from scratch. I can’t say that baking mixes will ever be my go-to thing, but if I’m going to use one, it will be these ones. For example, when I’m due to give birth to my 3rd child twelve days before my oldest turns 7? Yeah, that would be a good time to have a reliable mix on hand! I also can’t stress enough the ease of baking with these mixes. I can throw off a batch of my from-scratch cupcakes in about 15 minutes (not including baking time). These mixes cut that time at least in half! They’re great for kids who are learning to bake, less confident bakers, and anyone who wants a tasty treat, without needing to devote a lot of time to the baking process.”

Now, here’s how to enter to win a gift basket of goodies from Cherrybrook Kitchen*!

And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:

Clever Parents encourages you to do your part through Operation Shower - baby showers for expectant and new moms whose husbands are deployed overseas. Moms’ Buzz features a video to help teach kids to give compliments. The Nest Baby is giving away a gift bucket from American Terry filled with a hooded towel, bubbles, toys, and more. MomFinds is offering up two Hip-Ts to cover your assets. And One Chic Mama is giving away a $100 gift certificate to Ann Taylor LOFT maternity.

Posted by Christine Koh on 4 Apr 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Development & Behavior; Fashion; For Mamas & Mamas-to-be; Gear
Share: Facebook   kirtsy   StumbleUpon   Delicious

Last week I had the opportunity to sit down and chat with Melissa Kotlen Nagin, a certified lactation consultant and About.com’s Breastfeeding Guide. In particular, Melissa and I connected to talk about the dad (or partner) factor when it comes to breastfeeding. We had a fabulous time chatting; read on for highlights from the interview (a Boston Mamas first!), where we cover role shifts, dad/partner involvement, pumping, nighttime feeding, baby nurses, co-sleeping, bottle feeding battles, postpartum depression, the supermom syndrome, and re-lactation:

Christine: So, parenting obviously is very different these days. Can you talk a little bit about how parental roles have changed, and what factors you feel have contributed to this shift in involvement?

Melissa: Yes, things have changed so much. Years ago dads weren’t even allowed in the delivery room and now they’re cutting umbilical cords. And when it comes to parenting, dads are spending a lot more time at home now…there are more cases where dads take paternity leave while moms go back to work. It used to be that it was all mom and that, save a diaper change here or there, the dads weren’t involved until later when the baby was old enough to play… Now things have shifted so much that they’re doing the feeding, diapers, he’s taking baby out for a walk while mom sleeps…even making decisions. Couples are going together to register whereas it used to just be mom.

Christine: Do you think this is due to general societal change? Or the working mom factor?

Melissa: There’s just so much more information out there, even as far as the breastfeeding. Dads actually are going to the classes instead of it just being moms. And dads are often the ones who are pushing the moms to breastfeed. I’ve had clients who have said, “I’m not into this but he really wants me to do it.” Because there’s so much more information on the benefits, dads are more involved and informed – both in breastfeeding and in hands on parenting in general.

Christine: What do you think are some of the key ways that a dad or partner can get involved in breastfeeding? What are the major points to take away?

Melissa: Well, it starts at the very beginning – going to a prenatal breastfeeding class with the mom is the best start because the dads actually retain so much more information than the moms at that point since, obviously, the moms are preoccupied with pregnancy. And they’re much more supportive on that end. And obviously helping with the bottle feeding and being hands on. Even having dad as the go-to or go-out guy – he’s the one going out for diapers, for everything…even major purchases like the pump.

Christine: Seriously? Dads are going to the store to buy the pump? Are they actually picking the pump? My husband – hands on as he was – just would have been paralyzed with a task like that.

Melissa: Yes, they’re actually picking the pump, unless they’ve already registrered together for one. What I see is that they usually grab the most expensive pump because they assume the quality is better, not realizing that the Playtex Embrace Double Pump is under $200 – it’s not the most expensive but it’s the most fantastic pump. Actually, it’s the only hospital grade pump on the market under $200. Oh, and the dads…they go to the store and buy everything…everything!

Christine: So back to the helping. There’s getting water for mom, helping in general…

Melissa: Yes, yes, and I’ve actually had dads doing massaging for the mom to help with breastfeeding. I’ve seen hundreds of women in New York and 99% of the dads have been the most hands on, interested, and concerned guys. They remember so much more and become such great advocates for mom. I had one mom who was on bed rest and she couldn’t come to the prenatal class and the husband came and took all the notes and called and emailed afterwards. It’s so nice to see…for so many years it was hands off.

Christine: OK, this is a little off the dad/partner topic but one of the common issues – especially for moms getting ready to go back to work – is the issue of having to nurse around the clock and squeeze in pumping to build up a supply. What do you suggest here?

Melissa: I always recommend this: your milk supply is highest in the morning, between 1 to 5 am – that’s not to say you should wake up to pump if your baby’s sleeping. So I suggest that the best time for pumping is after the first realistic morning feed. So let’s say the baby wakes up at 7am – you have so much milk that if you feed on one side, you would still have enough left on that side to double pump for 15 minutes. If you get in the routine of doing that every day you build up a really nice stash. And the general rule is milk can be out fresh for 6 hours, in the fridge for 6 days, and in the freezer for 6 months, unless you have a deep freezer in which case it’s 12 months. So you always have milk ready to go. And the nice thing about the Playtex Embrace I mentioned earlier is that it comes with the drop in liners that you can pop into the bottle or put in a Ziploc in the freezer to build up a bank. If you’re going back to work, start a month before, and then you’re in the routine of pumping, and it just becomes part of your day. The one thing is that unless you’re at work and in a regular routine of pumping at this time, I would never recommend on a random day pumping around 4-5pm when your supply is down…you’ll be disappointed because there just won’t be much. So it’s optimal to pump to build a bank in the morning; if you’re double pumping, pump for 7 minutes, stop for 1 minute and massage, and then pump another 7 minutes and you’re done.

Christine: Related to this, do you have any recommendations for how nighttime feedings could be shared? I know a number of moms with very supportive partners but they feel that as the food supply, they’re it.

Melissa: After the first couple of weeks, once the supply and latch are established, you actually can go 4-5 hours once in a 24-hour period without nursing. So let’s say mom wants to get a good stretch of 5 hours of sleep – dad could use a bag of pumped milk for the middle of the night feed. Mom might wake up uncomfortable, but then she can pump, and if she does sleep through that stretch, great! Also, at the very beginning with the actual feedings, you can actually zone out and close your eyes – the hardest part is actually getting the baby back to sleep. So, the feeding isn’t the hardest part, it’s the getting them back to sleep. So if the dad can step in then, that’s great.

Christine: Interesting… I guess I always felt that as the food supply since I was already awake I just needed to do it all. Meaning, if my husband was still sleeping, I didn’t want to wake him and just felt like I needed to see it through.

Melissa: I know, and people ask all the time, “I’m going to have a baby nurse, what will I have them do?” And I always say that it’s the best thing in the world! If you have a baby nurse, tell them to bring the baby to you when he/she wakes up – and usually the night feeds are pretty quick – and then hand baby back to the nurse once you’re done and let the nurse work on getting the baby back to sleep.

Christine: I can’t believe I never thought of that! Actually, I have another question about the night feeding… the highly debated co-sleeping issue. So what if a mom really wants to co-sleep to make nighttime feedings easier and the dad/partner is really against it. Do you have any myth busters? Or suggested cutoff times?

Melissa: It’s a very personal decision. I would recommend those co-sleepers that hang off the mom’s side of the bed. So if a dad isn’t happy having a baby in the middle, this is a solution. And lots of people worry about rolling over, but unless you’re in a heavily sedated state, even in your deepest sleep you actually have a sense of your boundaries. It’s why we don’t fall out of bed – and this is especially the case with the sixth sense you have after you have a baby. The rollover factor isn’t really the issue. On a personal level, people are going to do what they’re going to do. But if it’s disrupting your relationship with your partner – especially if you feel like co-sleeping is ruining your sex life and marriage, then that’s another story. You have to come to an agreement with your partner – such as if it’s just for the initial weeks where you need to do what you can to get some sleep at night. And then usually around the 6 week mark people start feeling better and maybe that could be a transition point. But it’s hard to say one way or another that people should or should not co-sleep. It’s a very personal decision, but I’d say that the cutoff for me is when it starts affecting your other relationships.

Christine: OK, so let’s talk about the bottle thing. One of the issues I have heard from moms is that if you’re the one home with the baby all day it’s frustrating to also have to wage the bottle battle. And of course they don’t want to take it from you. And then there’s the issue of creating resentment – you’re feeling bitter about having to do the bottle battle during the day and then if the bottle isn’t working he’s feeling left out because he can't bond via feeding. Suggestions?

Melissa: First, assuming supply and latch are established, I always recommend starting between 2-3 weeks because they’re more apt to taking a bottle. After 6 weeks it becomes more difficult. I would always suggest attempting on a weekend when it’s a more relaxed time – always try earlier in the day than later. You could attempt when they’re slightly hungry but not when they’re starving and screaming. So if they’re somewhat satisfied from a small breastfeeding then try. And I always recommend warming the nipple. And also getting a bottle that actually mimics the breast. The Playtex Nurser is actually designed like mom and the bag collapses just like the breast does so there’s no air, you’re not going to have a baby with reflux, or one who will be crampy and uncomfortable. It’s the most natural transition.

Christine: So that’s your top bottle recommendation?

Melissa: Absolutely. There are a thousand different bottles out there but it’s been the tried and true for so long, moms trust it, and it just flows best for breastfeeding, so I’d definitely recommend it, especially with the drop ins because it’s so easy…And with the resentment factor – let’s face it, baby is not going to want to take a bottle from mom. They know what we smell and sound like, and even the way we hold them. But when they’re relaxed and comfortable and you have the time to be consistent and persistent, like on a Saturday or Sunday where dad or partner can try a bottle each day. The key is to be consistent and persistent. Even if they lick the bottle twice, fine. Tomorrow, maybe they’ll do something else. But being persistent with baby is everything.

Christine: Tell me about it. We started Laurel on the bottle late, at 3 months, and it was a nasty battle and I was pretty bitter about trying to get her to take it during the weekdays. She eventually took it and that worked fine for a couple of weeks and then we got lazy about presenting every day and dropped off in consistency and then that was it. It was the point of no return.

Melissa: Exactly! So then did you keep pumping and trying? Did she take the bottle from your husband?

Christine: She took a bit from him and also one of my sisters and my mother – the crying and the fight did not bother my mom one bit after raising 7 kids of her own! We were also lucky with the way we managed to set up her care when I went back to work and she didn’t go to day care until 9 months and only a couple days a week at that, so she was already eating a lot of solid food by that point. It was both sad and hilarious – the daily report would say, “took a sip of milk…or 1 oz. of milk.” And it was hard for me because you’re taking the time out of your day to pump and you just know that all that liquid gold is going down the drain.

Melissa: You just said something important. When moms are pumping they should bank in small increments: only 1, 2, 3 oz. increments. If they’re using a 6 oz. bottle, for example, break it up for exactly that reason. If you put in an ounce and baby takes that, fine. But if you or dad put the whole 6 ounces in and they take only an ounce or two the rest has to go. You can always add but you can’t hold onto that milk.

Christine: Right. For that reason, we really liked the Mothers Milkmate system. It rolls down like a soda can dispenser so the freshest milk is always in the back and the containers are nice and small. I used the Ameda Purely Yours pump and it attached right onto the Milkmate bottles.

Melissa: Yes, it’s great. Exactly. Small amounts.

Christine: OK, just a couple more questions here. I want to go back – you mentioned earlier having some moms who weren’t into breastfeeding… what do you do if you’re a mom who’s not enjoying it and feels tethered by it, but the dad or partner is really pro-breastfeeding?

Melissa: So, she’s ready to be done and he’s a little rah-rah about it. I think the main factor is giving him facts. First of all, we all know that a sane mom makes for a happy home life. And really, whatever a mom can do is great. Let’s say she gave just colostrum in the hospital - at least the baby got that. The problem is that yes, we do know that the longer breastfeeding goes on, the more benefits. But at the same time, if you have a mom who is absolutely cooked, she’s ready to be done, she’s not happy anymore, and she feels like you said, “tethered,” then that’s it. It needs to stop right there. For the dad, just giving a little knowledge - again, looping back, going to a prenatal class to get the right info. A happy mom is everything. I know moms who have talked to me about postpartum depression and the breastfeeding was not helping. And the second they took the baby off the breast and they were able to put the baby on formula and mom could start taking medication, they were just happier. And they felt like, “If I had only known this from the beginning I wouldn’t be such a wreck right now.” And for the dads - just to have a little knowledge and know the importance of mom being in a good space… it’s so critical. And the baby will benefit from any breastmilk that they got.

Christine: You know, I’ve also found that, perhaps as a function of being in Boston where it’s a highly educated population, a lot of moms go to a year or beyond and I think that can be tough on a mom-to-mom level. One mom may feel like, “Oh, you made it that long?” and feel bad if she can’t or doesn’t want to go that long. That pressure can really mount up, especially because people are so achievement oriented - then the mom feels like a bad mom if she can’t get to that year mark.

Melissa: Yes, definitely, one issue is that there’s a lot of hard core information out there, and then add into the mix very successful, driven societies - in a bright community moms are going to feel that pressure. But the mental health issue is huge…and too many moms lapse into severe depression because of that pressure and it’s just not worth it. If the baby had 2 days of breastfeeding in the hospital, their systems are already built up from that. Same thing as when people ask me whether they can do formula and breastmilk at the same time – it’s just a very personal decision. If you’re going to do that, you’re going to do that, but the point is that baby will benefit from whatever breastmilk they get.

Christine: Right, anything is better than nothing. And whatever you can do is great.

Melissa: Yes, absolutely. And worst case scenario and mom decides to wean early and 3 months later they change their mind, there are options. I had a client who started formula at 3 months and after a lot of trial and error it turned out that the baby was allergic to both soy and cows milk. So here they were, 3 months off the breast and we had to help her re-lactate.

Christine: Really? I had no idea you could do that!

Melissa: Yes, there’s so much that can be done. It’s not dead in the water. It’s a little work but we can do it… herbally, with medication, there are many different ways. I actually have a whole section on re-lactation at About.com. But in general, I would start the natural way with herbs, and you have to pump 8 – 12 times a day to get things going. And worst case scenario we could use medication that increases prolactin levels. There actually are no side effects and it turns out that it’s great to treat heartburn too!

Christine: Wow, you learn something new every day!

Melissa: Yes, and circling back …if a mom wants to induce lactation, that’s why the hospital grade pump is so important. It’s the most efficient and strongest. You obviously don’t want to use a hand pump to do that sort of work!

Christine: OK, one last question… do you have any book recommendations for getting partners involved in breastfeeding?

Melissa: Actually, the one book I love in general – a very easy read and written in a fun way with great information is Mama Knows Breast.

Christine: Oh, yes, I love that book – I actually
reviewed it here on the site.

Melissa: Yes, it’s a great, great book. An easy read, not daunting, very honest, fun, and just the way she writes is really great. I highly recommend it.

Christine: I know…we got a couple of the Sears books and they offer great information and I recommend them to friends, but always with the caveat that they’re very attachment oriented. That you should take from it what you will but need to do what’s right for your family. Actually, the breastfeeding book inspired panic in one of my dad friends – once he and his wife read all the stuff on the benefits of breastfeeding, even as she really struggled with nursing, they felt like they couldn’t turn back or their baby would suffer major consequences.

Melissa: Yes, it’s great that there’s so much information out there, but parents really need to do what works for them.

Christine: OK, so do you have any concluding thoughts for our readers?

Melissa: I just think that with dads, the involvement today is fantastic and the feeding part is always the most daunting but these days it’s such a pleasure to have dads be such a big part of the process. And getting them the right information is key - go to the classes and get them involved. A lot of moms want to be supermoms and do everything themselves, but they need that help. And the baby needs dad to be involved too.

Christine: Absolutely, and I also recommend therapy to all my friends! The transition can just be so difficult in so many ways – especially the shift in priority from between-partners to mom-baby. Even if you’re intellectually prepared for this change, it can steamroll new parents. So for my parent friends, I recommend all of my favorite books and…therapy! And even after you survive the “boot camp” phase of early parenting, I recommend therapy “tune-ups.” Thanks so much Melissa. It was really a pleasure to chat and gain your insight today.

Many thanks to Melissa Kotlen Nagin and to Z-Square in Harvard Square for letting us sequester their space for the interview. For more information from Melissa on all things breastfeeding, visit her at About.com. Or New Yorkers can connect with her via her private practice.

Posted by Christine Koh on 4 Apr 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Family Issues; Feeding & Nursing; Mama in the Workplace; Pregnancy & Postpartum
Share: Facebook   kirtsy   StumbleUpon   Delicious

As much as I love being an urban dweller, nothing brings me more peace than nature, and Boston is lucky to have amidst its hustle and bustle the multi-faceted, family friendly Franklin Park. This Saturday (April 5, 10am – noon) you can show your kid what the song “Everybody clean up” means outdoors at the park’s Spring Clean-up Day. The grounds need the TLC - and families will benefit from the fresh air - after a long winter.

Posted by Christine Koh on 3 Apr 2008 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Fun Outdoors; Local
Share: Facebook   kirtsy   StumbleUpon   Delicious

Spring's sprouts may be taking their sweet time to appear, but thanks to See Kai Run's spring line you'll be seeing green in no time. Particularly spring fever worthy are their deliciously bold, jelly bean green Bent (shown) and ladylike, leafy green tulip-adorned Hannah shoes. And aside from being fresh and fun in look, these kicks get top marks for construction. The leather is super soft, the soles sturdy but flexible, the footbeds cushy, and – hugely important in my book – the toe box appropriately roomy for chubby little feet. These Velcro closure shoes are easy to get on, but they’re so cute and comfy that your kid likely won’t want to take them off.

Want to win a pair of See Kai Run shoes*? Here’s how:

Congratulations to Brandy from Hanover, NH, the winner of our featured March contest in partnership with Chittypulga! Brandy won a Fleurville diaper bag + $100 gift certificate from Chittypulga. Thanks to everyone who entered the contest, and also to our friends at Chittypulga for their generous partnership. Be sure to check out their online boutique if you haven't yet had a chance to do so.

Posted by Christine Koh on 2 Apr 2008 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Web (Admin)
Share: Facebook   kirtsy   StumbleUpon   Delicious

One challenge for pregnant working women is finding maternity clothing that is stylish and well constructed, but doesn’t break the bank. When I was pregnant with Laurel and hunting for reasonably priced work pieces, I saw a troubling amount of highly flammable polyester construction that was ill reminiscent of the marching band and color guard (yes, color guard) uniforms I wore in high school. Designers are, thankfully, catching on to the need for affordable maternity style, and among the newcomers is the recently launched Ann Taylor LOFT maternity line.

I’ll admit straight out that when I need to hit an event with an elegant, feminine look, my first no-brainer stop is Ann Taylor. Their dresses and heels always fit like a dream, periodically I find just what I want on major markdown, and now I even have a shopping accomplice in that Laurel is obsessed with all of my “tall shoes” from that store (during a recent excursion on Newbury Street she saw the store and said, “Let’s get shoes at Ann Taylor!”).

I also have shopped the LOFT, which is the less expensive, somewhat more playfully designed counterpart to Ann Taylor. And if you dig Ann Taylor LOFT, you’ll likely dig their maternity clothing too, since the line is a direct extension of their style, but with a bump. I had a chance to check out a couple of pieces from LOFT maternity and was very happy with what I saw. As with the regular LOFT line, the maternity collection includes separates and dresses that are suitable for casual looks and wear-to-work, the price points are reasonable, and the construction quality is on par with the non-maternity line. I believe that khakis and a crisp white shirt are essentials in a woman’s wardrobe (pregnant or not), given that you can build countless looks over these basics, and the LOFT has done well by this combo. From their ready-made look (shown), the khaki boot leg gabardine pants are comfortable, cut well, fall flatteringly, and work for 3-9 months. The long sleeved white shirt is better suited to the later stages of pregnancy, but it’s a nicely constructed classic to have in your arsenal.

In sum, I give LOFT maternity good marks for pretty (if not a tad safe) styling, reasonable price points, and the fact that they offer clothing in sizes 00-18. And as they continue to grow, I think they could really corner the market by building in a nice collection of maternity suit separates. One of the most common questions I get from corporate mama-to-be’s is where to get maternity suiting that isn’t exorbitant (the answer currently is the sale racks at the exorbitant maternity boutiques...). And I’ll be keeping my eye on LOFT maternity to see if they rise to the challenge.

Posted by Christine Koh on 2 Apr 2008 | Permalink | Comments (2) | Filed in Fashion; For Mamas & Mamas-to-be; Pregnancy & Postpartum
Share: Facebook   kirtsy   StumbleUpon   Delicious

Whether you were a fan of the Boston-based Del Fuegos in the 80’s, or just dig grooving with your little one, this weekend you can catch former DF lead Dan Zanes with his Grammy-winning family music group Dan Zanes & Friends. World Music will host four shows at the Somerville Theatre, and for the two evening shows (7pm), kids and adults are encouraged to come boogie in their pajamas.

Want to win 2 tickets to see Dan Zanes & Friends*? Here’s how:

Today, Heather shares tips for surviving the nerve wracking early months of preemie care:

“Pregnant with triplets, we knew that our babies would be born premature. Studies have shown that babies born from one to three weeks early have a greater risk of breathing and feeding problems, trouble maintaining their body temperature, greater rates of jaundice, and problems with brain development. I was among the fortunate to carry to 35 weeks (considered full term for triplets). Our trio came into this world weighing 5.9, 4.11, and 3.13 pounds.

Words cannot describe the barrage of feelings when holding a 3.13 pound baby in the cup of your hands. Our triplets turned one in January. We made it through the round the clock feedings, sleepless nights, and all the wonderment infants bring. My fears and challenges related to caring for premature infants are now behind me, but I’ll always carry that experience with me. Here are a few helpful tips for those challenging early months of preemie care: