Blog Posts by LilSugar

Source: 10 Beach Bag Essentials For Baby

A day at the beach sounds like the perfect way to spend a Summer day - that is until mama thinks about everything her lil one needs to make it through the day. Just the thought of pulling it all together is enough to make some moms abandon the sun and surf until their tots become teens. Before jumping ship, take respite in knowing that we've thought it through for you. You remember the umbrella and towels, and we've put the rest of your list together! Sunscreen

• Sunscreen: This year's list of the safest sunscreens is packed with brands that can be purchased at your local drugstore. Given the FDA's new regulations of sunscreens that go into effect next year, beware of lotions containing the word "waterproof" and don't be swayed into buying a tube that boasts an SPF over 50. According to the FDA, neither is actually true. Most importantly apply the sunscreen to your tot before you leave the house, and reapply often throughout the day.

Source: 10 Tips for Introducing Finger Foods

Finger foods are the gateway to self-feeding and the first step toward independence at the dinner table. Annabel Karmel has explained the importance of finger foods and how parents can ease the transition for their children. She's also provided us with tips and tricks for introducing these foods to hungry (and grabby) tots.

• Be Prepared to Look Inside: One sign that a baby is ready for finger foods is that she can chew chunkier purees without any hesitation. This isn't foolproof though so check in her mouth after she is finished for any food remnants that may cause choking.
• Wash Those Hands: Proper hand washing routines should be taught from an early age. Prior to giving your lil one food, wash his hands and explain to him why you are doing so.
• Cold Foods Help Gums: Cold foods, just like teething rings, help soothe tender gums. A chilled piece of fruit or a vegetable like cucumber sticks, can provide the necessary

Source: 10 Signs Your Child May Be Gifted

Many a proud mama and papa have deemed their tot advanced or ahead of the game, but most babes are only geniuses in their parents' eyes. However, some tots actually are branded as gifted. Is yours? There are a few developmental guidelines that often indicate giftedness in children, so here are ten signs that your child may be headed to the head of the class.

• Retains Information: The term "in one ear and out the other" seems to apply to most children. Those who are a cut above when it comes to intelligence actually retain a wide variety of information and are able to recall it at a later time. An example from the National Association of Gifted Children (NAGC) is: "One six-year-old returned from a trip to the space museum and reproduced an accurate drawing of a space rocket he had seen."
• Wide Spectrum of Interests: Gifted kiddos display an interest in a wide variety of topics. They may like dinosaurs one month, space the next

Source: Tyler Florence Wants Your Kids to Eat More Vegetables (and Here's How)!

Give your freezer a rest and start cooking fresh! Tyler Florence, the Food Network veteran, restaurateur (he's opened four restaurants in the past year), and founder of the Sprout line of baby foods, is making it his mission to introduce tots to the wonders of vegetables as early as their first bite of solid food.

The father of three's new cookbook, Start Fresh: Your Child's Jump Start to Lifelong Healthy Eating, is more than just a baby food cookbook packed with beautiful photos and accompanying recipes, it's a guide to introduce families to a healthier way of eating. The bulk of the recipes are designed to feed the whole family, with instructions for making the meal appropriate for infants and toddlers. I broke bread with the chef yesterday and asked him about his veggie-fueled philosophy. See what he had to say (and learn the secret to his one-pan lasagna) in this slideshow!

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Source: Dr. Sears Discusses the Biggest Health Risk Facing Your Child Today

It's time to shape young taste. That's what Dr. Bill Sears is doing as he delves into his latest endeavor. The pediatrician, author of more than 30 books, and founder of the attachment parenting movement is moving out of the bookstore and onto grocery store shelves with the introduction of the new Dr. Sears Family Essentials line of all-natural snacks, beverages, supplements, and baby care products.

In an effort to teach children to make healthier food choices, while helping to fight childhood obesity, doctors Bill and Jim Sears, the latter of whom can be found on The Doctors each day, have created a line of snack foods microinfused with omega-3 DHA and effective doses of protein and fiber to give tots a healthy start in life. I sat down with the doctor to learn about the line, and discuss some of the most pressing issues facing parents today.

LilSugar: What are the biggest health risks facing babies and

Source: 5 Baby Items You Should Always Buy New

When you first have a baby, it's hard not to get swept up in the joy and excitement, and going overboard on purchases is usually a given. Granted, there are many items your baby doesn't really need, but there are a handful of products that are best to buy new. Here's what you should refrain from borrowing, or from buying used or secondhand to keep your baby happy, healthy, and most of all, safe!

1. Car Seats: I know a car seat may be the last thing you want to buy new for your baby, but here's why you should: car-seat designs are constantly changing and evolving. Older car seats may have been recalled (many are), or maybe it was in a crash or has missing parts. Even if a secondhand car seat looks perfectly fine, you don't want to take the chance and put the safety of your baby in jeopardy.
2. Mattress: Maybe you were planning on getting a new mattress for your baby's crib, but your older sister's baby has transitioned into a twin

Source: Stroller Cleaning Services: Ga Ga or Gag?

Baby needs a bath, and we're not talking about your lil one! A tot's stroller can be compared to mama's car. They eat in it, sleep in it, sweat in it, and more, but unlike mom's vehicle, it doesn't usually make a trip to the car wash for a polish and shine.

With the price of luxury strollers crossing the $1,000 mark, parents need their childrens' mode of transportation to last, but don't have the time, or wherewithal, to keep the carriages shining like new. With that in mind, companies like Clean Bee Baby and Buggy Bubbles have popped up across the country, offering pushchair cleaning services that not only cleanse the upholstery, but the strollers' chassis, wheels, and more. The services - ranging from $40-$100 - aren't endorsed by major stroller companies, but claim to keep the chairs working longer. Would you seek such a service out for your stroller?


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Source: Off to Work We Go: 5 Books For Children of Working Moms

A mother's work is never done, and if working outside the home is part of her routine, her lil ones usually don't have the opportunity to see what she does most of the day. Every WOHM has that moment where her tots turn to her and say, "Why do you have to go to work?" If you find yourself fumbling for an answer, these five books may help you explain it better than you could on your own. Fellow working mamas, including Iron Chef Cat Cora, have penned picture books to help kids understand that mommy loves them, even if she has to pack a bag and head off to work each day.

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