welcome.gif
Boston Mamas is a one-stop source for cool ideas & resources for families in Boston & beyond. Have a fab tip? E-mail us!

stayconnected.gif
1. Subscribe to our newsletter by May 15 to be eligible to win:
BAA_logo.jpg
A GG2G Tote Bag + $50 gift card from Best American Arts!

2. Enter e-mail for daily updates:


3. And/or subscribe via: Bloglines or (My Yahoo, Google, etc).

categories.gif

monthlyarchives.gif divline_175.gif

surfing.gif

Our site partners:
Alternadad
Celebrity Baby Clothes
Classy Mommy
Clever Parents
Coochicoos
Dear Dr. Moz
Mama Pop
MomFinds
Moms' Buzz
One Chic Mama
Swanky Moms
The Nest Baby
We Covet

See also:
Friends
Live Headlines
Links

And find us on:
Parent Bloggers Network
MC_Blog_Badge_small.gif
Proud member of Mom Blog Network

 db_88x31.gif
Add to Technorati Favorites
Blogarama

AFFILIATE SERVICES:

Save for College with Upromise.

Netflix, Inc.

Powered by
Movable Type 3.35

© Copyright Boston Mamas 2006-2008; a division of Christine Koh, LLC. All rights reserved. Terms & Privacy

Main

April 16, 2008

The Little Seed That Could

flax.jpgToday, 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.

Continue reading "The Little Seed That Could" »

April 8, 2008

First Juice

firstjuice.jpgMost 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.

Continue reading "First Juice" »

April 7, 2008

Let Them Eat Cake!

cherrybrook.jpgHappily, 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!

Continue reading "Let Them Eat Cake!" »

April 4, 2008

The Dad Factor

nagin.jpgLast 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:

Continue reading "The Dad Factor" »

April 1, 2008

Tips for Preemie Care

babyfeet.JPGToday, 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.

Continue reading "Tips for Preemie Care" »

March 31, 2008

Supportive Solution

cuddoozle.jpgCongrats to our very fabulous food and fitness writer Jules, who welcomed son, Will, last month. Mom and baby are doing well and today Jules recommends a supportive solution for nursing moms: the Cuddoozle Nursing Pillow. Read on for Jules's review, as well as to learn how to win a Cuddoozle Nursing Pillow!

Continue reading "Supportive Solution" »

March 13, 2008

Leftover Lessons

leftovers.jpgToday, Jules offers creative ideas for livening up leftovers:

“My husband and I recently realized we were in a food crisis. I love to cook and he loves to eat, but neither of us is too hot on leftovers; we were wasting too much. I just have this thing about them - I don’t enjoy them and am marginally freaked out by them. In reality, I know that anything I cook or eat fresh is good for another 3 days (beyond that, leftovers really do begin to collect bacteria). So I decided that what I needed to do was come up with creative ways to use leftovers for another entire meal. It turns out I do like leftovers…so long as they’re served in a totally different way than the night before.

Continue reading "Leftover Lessons" »

March 10, 2008

The Big Breakfast

eggs.jpgToday, Sara Cabot of Little Lettice offers ideas to fuel the family:

“I realize that bagels are popular and convenient (at Whole Foods I often see babies chewing on bagels as big as their heads...), but the truth is, they aren’t terribly nutritious. The below ideas may lack the on-the-go convenience of bagels, but getting a good start on the day is well worth the extra 10-15 minutes.

Continue reading "The Big Breakfast" »

February 22, 2008

Weekly Web Roundup

webroundup_50.jpgAnd now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:

Cool goods: Coochicoos showcases a light for little kids who love spaceships. Classy Mommy gives her stamp of approval to Born Free’s BPA-free bottles. Clever Parents finds Fabkins fabulous. Car & Caboodle features the new Maxi Cosi Priori convertible car seat. And Healthy Bump reviews Belly Bars.

Continue reading "Weekly Web Roundup" »

February 20, 2008

First Foods For Baby

greenbeans.jpgToday, Sara Cabot of Little Lettice offers a guide to first foods for baby:

“What food is ‘allowed’ at 6 months? Within the limits of age appropriateness, what actually works? And what about the weirder vegetables like rutabaga? Here I present the basics on introducing veggies, fruits, protein, and spices - drawn from external resources, my experience in the baby food industry, not to mention having fed my own four babies!

Continue reading "First Foods For Baby" »

February 14, 2008

BPA & Baby Bottles

adiri.jpgToday, Carole Arsenault of Newborn Nurses offers a handy guide on BPA and baby bottles:

“BPA (Bisphenol A) is an industrial chemical found in polycarbonate plastic. These plastics are used in many baby products including bottles. The latest research links BPA to possible health problems in humans. Those most vulnerable to the negative effects are infants and young children.

Continue reading "BPA & Baby Bottles" »

February 11, 2008

Divvie It Up, Please!

divvies.bmpI remember being devastated in 1st grade when I learned that one of my best friends was allergic to chocolate and peanut butter. After missing out on all those classroom birthday cupcakes (always with an accepting smile), I can only hope that wherever he is, he knows about Divvies, purveyor of treats to be enjoyed by those with (or without!) life threatening allergies. Read on for Tracy’s review, and also to learn how to be one of 2 winners to receive a gift box assortment of Divvies gourmet popcorn, cookies, and candy!

Continue reading "Divvie It Up, Please!" »

February 6, 2008

Kids in the Kitchen

woodenspoon.jpgToday, Michelle Stern of What’s Cooking offers a guide for involving kids in the kitchen:

“Since I teach cooking classes for children, people ask me all the time about what their kids can really do in the kitchen. They find it hard to believe that their toddler can actually help, without causing complete chaos. The following guide highlights some of the age-appropriate cooking skills that children typically can handle. Of course, use your discretion depending on how much experience your child has had experimenting in the kitchen.

Continue reading "Kids in the Kitchen" »

February 5, 2008

Mama’s Milk

mamasmilk.jpgLaurel has long been a breastfeeding advocate (she avidly nursed for a year, and loves asking questions about nursing or seeing other babies feed), so it’s no wonder she's a fan of Michael Elsohn Ross’s new Mama's Milk. With gentle rhyming text and cozy illustrations, Mama’s Milk realistically and tastefully depicts how humans and animals nurse their offspring. Each picture labels mom and baby animal pairs (e.g., platypus & puggles) and the book concludes with additional nursing facts to accompany each page. A great pick for moms looking for a way to explain breastfeeding to an older sibling, we also dig that this book is offered in a Spanish/English edition.

Want to be one of five winners to receive a copy of Mama’s Milk? Here’s how:

Continue reading "Mama’s Milk" »

January 25, 2008

Weekly Web Roundup

webroundup_46.jpgWeekend Reading: Car & Caboodle features an LA dad who tells of his road to becoming a minivan owner. Healthy Bump chats with former nanny Deborah Smith, who offers advice on how to search for a nanny. Moms’ Buzz offers 10 tips to help parents encourage children to eat right and maintain a healthy weight. Clever Parents highlights an easy, cheesy cauliflower pasta recipe from Rachael Ray. Coochicoos features the ultimate Batman home theater set up.

Continue reading "Weekly Web Roundup" »

January 15, 2008

Pump Primer

pump.jpgI’m thrilled to welcome new guest contributor Carole Arsenault! Carole, a certified childbirth educator and lactation consultant, is the founder of locally based Newborn Nurses. Carole will provide content on pregnancy and postpartum issues, and her first "pump primer" contribution today demystifies the various options available for expressing breast milk:

Continue reading "Pump Primer" »

January 9, 2008

Tips for Change

cheese.jpgToday, Sara Cabot of Little Lettice encourages healthier eating for kids in 2008 (and beyond!). She shares 10 tips for change, and a couple of recipes for kid favorites that can be knocked together easily, and without all the salt and preservatives of typical processed goods:

Continue reading "Tips for Change" »

December 17, 2007

Squeezing in Breakfast IV

breakfast4.gifFollowing installments I, II, and III, here’s the final segment in our squeezing in breakfast series with nutrition expert Elizabeth Ward. Here are 15 breakfast ideas from Elizabeth:

Continue reading "Squeezing in Breakfast IV" »

December 12, 2007

Silikids

silikids.jpgNever has the importance of glassware been made more apparent than when I sniffed the inside of one of Laurel’s older (but clean) milk cups and the plastic stank. The glass revolution has gained another advocate, and especially so now that I know about Silikids, purveyor of modern baby/toddler products that, by virtue of their silicone construction, are hygienic, hypoallergenic, and dishwasher, washer/dryer, freezer, and microwave friendly. Their chicly colored Siliskins are made to fit 4 and 8 oz Evenflo glass bottles and help improve grip and add a layer of padding for the occasional drop, while cleverly still showing the contents of the bottle via the translucent material and cute circle cut outs.

Want to win a Silikids product? Here’s how:

Continue reading "Silikids" »

December 10, 2007

Squeezing in Breakfast III

breakfast3.gifFollowing installments I and II, here’s part III of our series with nutrition expert Elizabeth Ward, featuring tips and menu ideas to help parents squeeze in breakfast:

“Pancakes, eggs and bacon not tempting your family’s taste buds or hectic schedule? Non-traditional breakfasts and even last night’s leftovers like chicken or a whole wheat dinner roll spread with peanut butter pack the nutrients your family needs to get the day started right. Getting fuel in the morning is important as research shows eating breakfast every day contributes to increased attention and performance at work and school. Here are a few non-traditional breakfast ideas:

Continue reading "Squeezing in Breakfast III" »

Fab Eco Find

fabkins.gifIt’s amazing how the right little details can make all the difference. Despite our regular use of cloth napkins, Laurel oddly showed a tendency towards our party stash of paper napkins…until Fabkins hit the table. Offering excellent inspiration for budding eco-enthusiasts, these cloth napkins are available in a cheery variety of themes and fabric pairings; each set includes five perfectly-sized-for-kids napkins featuring a different embroidered patch design. An excellent means to reduce waste at home and at school, these napkins also include a convenient nametag label on the reverse.

Want to be one of 2 winners to receive a set of Fabkins? Here’s how:

Continue reading "Fab Eco Find" »

December 5, 2007

Blue Bear Aware

bluebear.gifToday, Tracy reports on a fashionable yet highly functional apparel & accesories line for food allergic kids:

“The products offered by Blue Bear Aware are designed with food allergic kids (and their parents and caregivers) in mind. These shirts, badges, and accessories send a message about allergy alerts in style.

Continue reading "Blue Bear Aware" »

December 4, 2007

One Potato, Two Potato

potatoes.gif

Today, Little Lettice's Sara Cabot goes to bat for the humble potato, including recipes for the whole family:

"A mom of an 8-month-old baby came up to me the other day while I was doing a demo and said, “I’ve been doing the 4 day rule for each new food" [i.e., feeding your infant a single food for 4 days to check that there is no reaction], “but I’m a bit scared of potatoes.”

Continue reading "One Potato, Two Potato" »

November 30, 2007

Weekly Web Roundup

webroundup_38.gif

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

Moms’ Buzz features tips for a stress-free holiday season. Modern Mom presents its holiday gift guide. Healthy Bump has raves for the Cuddoozle Nursing Pillow. Clever Parents reviews the First Adventures of Incredible You. Classy Mommy video reviews a glam holiday tee. And up for the winning are a Lillébaby EuroTote from MomFinds and a Kaboost seat from One Chic Mama.

DaBib's A Winner

dabib.gif

Seriously, why on earth did I soldier on with ill-fitting plastic or easily soaked cotton bibs when Laurel was experimenting with solid foods? DaBib rights those bib wrongs with a chic, lead-free winner. Featuring a piped terry cloth side to absorb spills and a waterproof, striped reverse with crumb catcher to keep mess on the bib and off the clothes, the bib also has a soft, adjustable scrunch collar to keep food out of the neck folds. Despite all of these features, the construction is lightweight and flexible, to ensure a comfy fit.

Want to be one of two winners to receive DaBib? Here’s how:

Continue reading "DaBib's A Winner" »

November 28, 2007

Squeezing in Breakfast II

oranges.gif

Following our first installment, here’s part II of our series with nutrition expert Elizabeth Ward, featuring tips and menu ideas to help parents squeeze in breakfast:

“Half the battle of eating a nutritious breakfast is having healthy ingredients on hand. Make breakfast a snap by stocking your kitchen with healthy, convenient ingredients for the morning meal. For balance, incorporate choices from three of the five food groups below. Shop on a regular basis for healthy, convenient foods such as these:

Continue reading "Squeezing in Breakfast II" »

November 19, 2007

Squeezing in Breakfast

eggs.gif

For busy families – especially those with school age kids who need to be out the door in a timely manner – weekdays often feel chaotic and uninspired food-wise. I have yet to meet parents who haven’t hit a food rut at some point or another so I’m pleased to report that today and over the next few weeks, we’re partnering up with nutrition expert Elizabeth Ward (author of The Pocket Idiot's Guide to the New Food Pyramids) to present some of her tips and menu ideas to help parents squeeze in breakfast. Here’s the first tip of the series:

Continue reading "Squeezing in Breakfast" »

November 7, 2007

Losing Your Lunch Rut

laptoplunches.gif

If you – like pretty much every parent I know – need help losing your lunch rut, check out the Laptop Lunch System, which offers the physical structure and information to encourage balanced, eco-minded eating. Including a lead-free case, bento box tray, water bottle, utensils, and nutrition/recipe guide, the 4 colorful bento boxes (+ sauce/dip container) remind you to include a mix of food groups, offer flexibility (remove boxes to make room for a larger item), and are dishwasher safe, making reusability and waste reduction a breeze. Offered in four styles (shown, Whimsical), this system works for adults and kids alike (for kids, you need not fill every container depending on your kid’s eating patterns).

Want to win the Laptop Lunch System (Whimsical)? Here's how:

Continue reading "Losing Your Lunch Rut" »

October 31, 2007

Halloween in Moderation

candycorn.gif

Happy Halloween everyone! I previously posted a lead on alternative Halloween treats to hand out, and found it absurdly easy and inexpensive to knock together non-candy loot. I bought mini bubble bottles, cut up sheets of stickers and washable tattoos, and tossed one bubble bottle and a couple of mini sticker sheets and tattoos into each cellophane bag. It cost less than candy and took about a ½ hour to assemble. Woo hoo!

And to avoid a collective state of sugar-induced berserk post-Halloween, check out these tips on how to enjoy loot in moderation.

October 15, 2007

Master of Deception

deceptivelydelicious.gif

When Laurel moved from purees to finger foods, I thought I was so done with the Cuisinart. And I never imagined that I’d be so excited to steam and puree again (especially for a peanut with a capable, full set of teeth), until I received Jessica Seinfeld’s Deceptively Delicious, which I’m reviewing today per The Parent Bloggers Network.

Continue reading "Master of Deception" »

October 9, 2007

Apples Juicy, Apples Round

apples.jpg

Apples were my favorite food as a kid, and my mom is convinced that I bypassed teen acne because I consumed apples every day (sometimes 3 a day) from grade to high school. Today, Sara Cabot of Little Lettice offers a great feature on the nutritional content and farm processing of this fruit staple, as well as apple recipes for babies to adults (click here for the printable PDF of this feature):

Continue reading "Apples Juicy, Apples Round" »

October 5, 2007

Weekly Web Roundup

webroundup_30.jpg

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

Spooktacular: Need design inspirations for this year's pumpkin carving? Check out Coochicoos’s collection of ideas. Clever Parents features Aeromax dress-up gear, designed to last through Halloween and beyond.

Continue reading "Weekly Web Roundup" »

October 1, 2007

Join The League

For those who support breastfeeding and can’t shake the absurd, flawed logic of Facebook banning breastfeeding photos while retaining pornographic images, the League of Maternal Justice is staging a virtual nurse-in on October 10, 2007 at 10am. There are a number of ways to participate depending on how tech savvy you are; LMJ also encourages users to deactivate their Facebook accounts, and offers leads on alternative social networking sites.

September 25, 2007

Mama v. Medical Examiners

currier.gif

This is, in web terms, old news, but I just heard this morning about the current (maddening) dispute between Harvard medical student Sophie Currier and the National Board of Medical Examiners, who rejected her request for additional break time during the 9-hour licensing exam in order to pump breast milk for her 4-month-old daughter (see Globe 9/21, NYT 9/10). Clearly, the board doesn’t include members who have suffered engorgement, leaking breasts, or the trying ritual of pumping, and they should be embarrassed by this outright lack of practical and physiological consideration for modern working mothers.

September 21, 2007

Full Coverage Required

petiteviolette.gif

Busy, curious, and appropriately clumsy little hands typically create food messes of the alternately marvelous and maddening variety. For full coverage, check out Petite Violette’s fabulous food smocks. Constructed of vintage and modern coated cotton patterns (our fave is Blue Zoo, shown), these lightweight, easy to clean smocks are unique in extending all the way around the back. We can’t guarantee that your shirt will make it out of the meal unscathed, but these food (or art) smocks will help preserve your kid’s shirt beyond one meal.

Want to win a Petite Violette smock? Email us by midnight EST tonight and name another product that Petite Violette offers. We'll draw one winner from the correct responders (US entrants eligible).

Continue reading "Full Coverage Required" »

September 12, 2007

Mama Knows Breast

mamaknowsbreast.gif

During the dazed and stressful early days of breastfeeding, sometimes you just need the quick facts; a concise means to bypass the overwhelming sea of nursing resources that your newly short-circuited attention span can’t handle anyway. For this purpose, check out Mama Knows Breast: A Beginner's Guide to Breastfeeding by Boston native Andi Silverman. Friendly and non-judgmental, this compact (easily stowed in the diaper bag) book covers the mechanics (e.g., feeding and burping positions, troubleshooting, nursing on the go and at work), common questions, and tips for nurturing your body, brain, and relationships.

Want to win a copy of Mama Knows Breast? Email us by midnight EST tonight and name one of Andi's professions before becoming a mom and author; we'll draw one winner from the correct responders.

September 6, 2007

Additives & Hyperactivity

additive.gif

This just in from Jon (my unofficial health correspondent): in today’s New York Times, Elisabeth Rosenthal reports on UK research findings showing that some common food additives and colorings can increase hyperactive behavior and decrease attention span in kids (although Jon cautions that effect size isn’t specified in the NYT article). The British Food Standards Agency has responded by advising parents to eliminate additives and preservatives if consumption couples with behavior change. Interestingly, an MGH doctor makes the point that an increase in hyperactivity may not be clinically significant and worth the social impact of a kid not being able to eat the same food as his/her friends.

September 5, 2007

Baby Treasure Box

babytreasurebox.gif

Caring for babies involves a lot of stuff; problem is, new parents typically have no idea what that stuff is. So for your next shower gift, consider Baby Treasure Box, purveyor of prettily packaged baby shower gift boxes. Available themes include Eat, Sleep, Poop, and Splash, and we especially favor the Poop box (shown), which includes diaper bag essentials such as wipes, hand sanitizer, natural diaper rash cream, an extra onesie (for the inevitable on-the-go blowout), linking toys, and a super stylish, super compact Resa Design changing pad and burp cloth set. The changing pad/burp cloth sets are available in a variety of patterns; our fave is the citrus changing pad with stripes burp cloth (shown).

September 4, 2007

Back to School With Allergies

backtoschool.gif

Back to school season can be both wonderful and stressful, and allergies add an additional layer of concern to the mix. Today, Tracy shares some great resources for families; useful to check out if your child has allergies, or in the likely case that one of your child’s peers does:

Continue reading "Back to School With Allergies" »

August 22, 2007

Breastfeeding Rights Campaign

breastfeeding.jpg

Sadly, if you’ve ever nursed in public, you likely have, at some point, been subject to unsolicited comments, criticism, rubbernecking, or even ejection off the premises. If you have a story to share, MomsRisingPV, the political arm of the Massachusetts-based MotherWoman, has launched a campaign to advocate for the rights of mothers to breastfeed in public.

Continue reading "Breastfeeding Rights Campaign" »

August 17, 2007

Boost From the Bottom

kaboost.jpg

If your babe is old enough to sit at the dining table sans safety straps, check out this clever chair booster. Kaboost allows kids to sit in a real chair with the rest of the family via a boost from the bottom. The spring-loaded attachments fit most four-legged chairs and stay gripped when you lift the chair; otherwise, the chair stays put via rubberized feet. You can change the chair height depending on which direction you flip the attachment.

Continue reading "Boost From the Bottom" »

August 15, 2007

Bib Alert

bibs.gif

Good grief...more product nasties to report. If you’ve got vinyl bibs from Toys R Us/Babies R Us in your feeding gear arsenal (example shown), click here for CNN’s article detailing independent tests that have found lead contamination in these products. Despite these findings, the bibs have not yet been formally recalled.

August 9, 2007

How It All Vegan

howitallvegan.jpg

I’m grateful for all of Tracy’s excellent ideas and resources regarding allergies (see her previous posts on hosting and attending parties when allergies are a concern). Today, Tracy shares a cookbook (and a couple of fab excerpted recipes) that has proven critical in offering recipes that accommodate her son’s milk, egg, and peanut allergies, and is great for the vegetarians/vegans out there:

Continue reading "How It All Vegan" »

August 7, 2007

Tricked Taste Buds