LilSugar

Five Tips to Introduce Reading to Preschoolers

babysugar — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 07:00:27 -0800

Forty-three percent of LilSugar readers said that they taught their child to read. While reading to your lil one for 30 minutes each day introduces the concept of words and may instill a love of the activity, it takes more than that to teach your tot to read. Here are five play-based activities to introduce pre-reading concepts at home.

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No Excuses! 15 Simple Suggestions For Mom-Me Time

LilSugar — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:26 -0800

Making time for yourself is never easy, but it should always be a priority. I wish I could be with my children every waking moment (and watch them while they sleep), but it's important for their development, my growth as a mother and my relationship with my husband that I get alone time to decompress every once in a while. Here are some of my favorite ways to relax, celebrate my mommy-hood, adulthood and, well, me. I hope you are inspired to take a little time for yourself too!

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Time-Saving Tips For Tied-Up Mamas

LilSugar — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:00:59 -0800

Busy bees have got nothing on mothers. There are not enough hours in the day or hands in the house for most mamas to accomplish all of her tasks. While she can't magically add another 60 minutes to her day, she can make it feel like she did with a few of these easy time-saving tips.

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Keep Those Wee Teeth Healthy This Halloween

babysugar — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 06:00:03 -0700

Sure kids adore the costume aspect of Halloween but the number one reason why wee ones look forward to the ghoulish holiday? The hunt for candy. Chocolate bars, candy corn, and bags of Skittles can make a youngster hopelessly in love with sugar but leave their pearly whites in pain. Thanks to Dr. Sherri Worth, a dentist to the stars and mother of three, we have some helpful tips to offer parents on how to protect those tiny chompers and combat cavities.

Rinse and Repeat: So simple…RINSE right after the candy fest. Toss the kids some water bottles and have them drink up while watching that scary movie before bed. Getting the initial sugar rinsed out before the candy has time to settle on to the surface of the tooth is key.
Do It For Them: I always brush and floss my kids’ teeth the night before Halloween. I tell them that there are so many “sugar bugs” on Halloween that I need to get them out.

To see the rest of her pointers, just read more.

Tool Time: Buy them a new toothbrush and let them use it the first time on Halloween night. They will spend more time on their teeth because it is new and special.
Keep It in the Kitchen: No candy after the teeth are brushed at night – we all know they love to keep their candy with them (taking it to bed) – keep it in the kitchen.
Fill ‘Em Up!: Have a good healthy dinner before trick-or-treating, so that they will not have a dinner of candy.

Do you have any tips to share for keeping young teeth healthy? Share them in The Mommy Club over in our LilSugar Community! Here's a detailed guide to posting questions or posts to groups if you are new to the PopSugar Community.

Lil Tip: Baking Soda Gets the Stinky Smells Out

LilSugar — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 04:00:14 -0700

Diaper pails aren't the only baby item that tend to stink over time. Diaper bags and hampers also absorb musty smells that grow stronger as lil ones add more items to them. Though a good scrub down or a round in the washer may rid the smells temporarily, an old-fashioned, household item will extinguish the stench.

The same inexpensive baking soda that helps keep your refrigerator and freezer odor free can also do the job in tight quarters. Simply fill a small cotton sack with the powder and a few drops of lavender oil and drop it in. If you are nervous of spills, Munchkin's Fresh Totes ($5 for two) add a decorative touch.

When Breastfeeding Isn't an Option

babysugar — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 08:00:14 -0700

Instead of putting baby to boob, some women just start bottle feedings. Whether it's a conscious decision or a biological one, those who don't breastfeed can let the milk dry up naturally or use aids to help keep their chests from producing the body's natural baby food.

As the milk comes in, non-breastfeeding mothers will become expectantly engorged, but unfortunately will not be able to release the pain like nursing ladies. Those looking for relief might try some of these tips.

Moms swear by the power of cold cabbage leaves. Place them in the bra and let them work their magic, replacing them when they have wilted.
Wear a sports bra to compress the chest.
Use ice packs or bags of frozen corn to relieve the pain of swelling.

To see the rest of the list, read more.

Bind the breasts using an Ace bandage or the like.
Since mama won't have to worry about her diet, she can relieve the pain by taking Advil or Motrin, which many postpartum mothers already take.
Avoid any breast stimulation, as it will encourage let down.
Some doctors administer a shot or prescribe pills to help dry the milk up. Women wanting to know more should consult their ob-gyn.

As with any medical practice, check in with your doctor about your specific situation.
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Baby Wellness: Caring For Umbilical Cord

babysugar — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 05:00:52 -0700

Unless a lotus birth is the plan of action, a mother will have to tend to her baby's umbilical cord until it detaches on its own. Typically cut in the hospital immediately after birth, the cord is clamped and quickly begins to shrivel into the newborn's belly button. The appendage usually falls off between 10 to 14 days after birth but can last longer in some cases.

Until then, parents should simply try to keep the bloody stump clean and dry. The best way to achieve this? Sponge baths. Avoid submerging the baby in a full tub and limit cleanings to sponge baths. If the cord appears dirty, a q-tip or damp cotton ball will do the trick.
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Lil Tip: Night Feeding Accessories

babysugar — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 04:00:29 -0700

When my baby starts to crow for that 4 a.m. milk meal, I practically sleepwalk down the hall occasionally stumbling over a pair of shoes or random toy. That's why my mini oasis in the baby's room helps comfort me through the wee morning feedings. To see what I keep in my artillery, read more.

Before I even get to baby's room, I bring my cell phone with me to light the way and keep track of time
A full glass of water to keep me hydrated
Lip balm
A blanket to keep my legs warm

All of these things make awaking from my slumber a tad more pleasant.
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Lil Tip: Get In on March Madness

LilSugar — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 05:00:13 -0700

With only hours until the first tip-off for the 2009 NCAA Basketball Tournament, there is no better time to get your lil one out on the court for a little one-on-one. Team sports, such as basketball, enable kids to work as a group and encourage the concept of taking turns. The game also works on hand-eye coordination and gross motor skills. Whether you seek out an organized lesson at your local rec center or simply take your tot out to the driveway, encourage them to explore how the ball bounces and the various ways it can be thrown into the basket. Before long, your lil dribbler may be slam dunking the ball right before your eyes.

To get you started, check out some of our favorite basketball gear.

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Ecomomics: 10 Simple Ways to Cut Everyday Costs

LilSugar — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 06:00:15 -0800

There's no doubt about it, everyone is cutting back on excess spending. More than 46 percent of lilsugar readers say they or their spouse have been laid off, forcing us all to reconsider where we put our paychecks. If you are starting a family you're probably worried about what you should and shouldn't splurge on, but families with one or more young children often have the toughest battle: how to cut back on the little expenses that add up big time. Here are some suggestions for near effortless ways to reduce your family's budget and be mindful of everyday costs.

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