LilSugar

Baby Moves: Normal Newborn Reflexes

LilSugar — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 14:19:21 PST

Each child is different in his or her own little way, but there are a few reflexes that every infant has. All the reflexes are usually tested during a baby's first visit to the pediatrician, but many don't require a doctor to point out and can be seen from the very first time you meet your bundle of joy. Here are seven newborn reflexes found naturally in all children.

Monitor Your Baby With Ease and Comfort

Anna Monette Roberts — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 10:34:20 PDT

Baby monitors have come a long way from the crackly, static-filled intercoms that filled store shelves just a few years ago. Today, they not only allow parents to hear if their lil one wakes up in the middle of the night, but they also offer video and temperature monitoring and can even be shared with family and friends. The Lorex Live Wireless Video Home Monitor ($170) offers all of this and more in a reliable, easy-to-use package. Setup couldn't be easier with the Lorex system. Simply power up both the camera and the display screen and begin viewing instantly.

The camera gives clear audio and video, and in darkness, it will automatically shift into night mode, creating illuminated imaging through infrared light sensors. Via the display screen, moms can hold the "Talk" button to speak directly to their tots. They can also turn on a comforting lullaby to soothe lil ones back to sleep.

Keep reading to find out why we are liking the Lorex Baby Monitor.

Do Infants and Toddlers Need Psychotherapy?

Rebecca M Gruber — Tue, 17 May 2011 09:31:51 PDT

Social anxiety and major depression? They may sound like diagnoses for new moms and dads who are having a tough time adjusting to parenthood, but they're actually labels placed in tots as young as seven months old in the world of infant psychotherapy.

An in-depth article in yesterday's The Daily delves into the "strange and controversial world of infant therapy," where the diagnoses may sound familiar (think infantile anorexia, sensory stimulation-seeking disorder, and anxiety disorders), but the treatments are focused on the parents rather than pharmaceuticals. According to the article, the underlying factor in most of the "relationship-based aliments . . . revolve around how parents interact with the patient in question." So most treatments involve educating parents.

Many pediatricians and child psychotherapists are wary of the field moving into the realm of infants and toddlers. What do you think of the practice?

The 5 Best Bottles For Breastfed Babies

Rebecca M Gruber — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 18:35:47 PDT

Breastfed babies don't only take their milk from the breast. While lactation consultants suggest waiting at least three weeks before introducing a bottle, breastfeeding mamas often abide by their own schedules. Finding a bottle that truly mimics the motion, flow, and feeling of the breast is often the hardest part of making the switch. Check out our picks for the most breast-like bottles on the market and let us know which one you (or your children) prefer.

5 Safe Key Rings to Hand Your Teething Tot

Rebecca M Gruber — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 05:31:34 PDT

Hold onto your keys! There are few toys as universally loved by teething tots as mama's keys. Their color, temperature, and noise-making ability are an instant hit when all other toys fail. Unfortunately, most keys hanging from the ring are dirty and filled with lead. Though it's hard to fool a lil one with a substitute, these key-shaped teethers will give mom peace of mind when she places them in groping hands.

5 Toys to Add to Your Infant's Toy Box Now

Rebecca M Gruber — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 15:16:50 PDT

Sometimes it's not the lil ones who become bored with a playroom's contents, it's their mamas! Infants are too young to express their dissatisfaction with the contents of their toy chest, so it's up to mom to switch up the mix. Simply adding one new toy can shake things up enough to end the monotony of daily play time. When we visited Toy Fair last month, several toys for younger tots caught our eye, and a handful are now available. Check out these five toys that should add some spark to your next play session.

When Did You Enroll in Your First Mommy and Me Class?

babysugar — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 15:00:14 PDT

Everybody dance now! Some mamas begin the education process while their lil ones are still in the womb with music and language gizmos that attach to their expanding bellies. Others start placing their tots on preschool wait lists hours after they are born. But between those extremes, many parents turn to mommy and me classes as their first scheduled activity with their offspring. Though the classes (often music, swimming, or yoga) tend to tout the bonding experience that occurs over the course of the sessions, parents are often the primary beneficiaries of the programs - using the classes to meet other moms of similarly aged kids.

When did you take your first mommy and me class?

Did Mom Feel Bad While Baby Boy Was Being Circumcised?

LilSugar — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 06:00:54 PDT

The circumcision debate aside, how does a new mom feel when it's time for her sweet baby to get snipped? Parents decide to physically alter their son's anatomy for many reasons including cultural and religious traditions and health concerns. Though a mother may be confident in her choice to have her child circumcised, it doesn't mean she won't feel bad while he's undergoing the procedure at his bris or in the hospital. How did you respond?

Lil Community: Tips For Keeping Baby Cool This Summer

Lil Community — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 09:00:29 PDT

Parenthood is hot! Frankle is asking our readers for some tips for beating the Summer heat in The Mommy Club group.

I have a 9 month old baby, and we live in Barcelona. It's getting pretty hot here and she's not dealing with it too well. I give her water every 30 minutes, give her sponge baths, keep some moisturizer in the fridge which I massage [on] her. I was wondering if anyone else had some tips on how to keep baby cool?

When we are outside, I keep her in the shade with a hat on, SPF 50 sunscreen and lots of water.

Start asking questions and sharing your advice and tips in The Mommy Club!

Simple or Swank: Wooden Play Gyms For Babies

babysugar — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 09:00:00 PDT

Reach and stretch! Even before a baby can sit or stand, she will begin stretching for objects in eyesight. Play mats and gyms provide lil ones with colorful objects to reach for while encouraging them to lift their heads and kick their feet. In doing so, tots also learn about cause and effect – seeing the dangling objects move as a result of their actions.

Simple: Ikea's Leka play gym ($25) is made from molded birch plywood and features three distinct wood and plastic hanging objects to entice tots to play.
Swank: The Hess Wooden Triangle Baby Gym ($75) features a simple wooden frame with dangling colored beads and rattles for infants to grab and swat at as they begin to experiment with hand-eye coordination.

Which do you prefer?