LilSugar

Why Didn't Anybody Tell Me: Life's a Musical

LilSugar — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 12:00:13 -0800

Johnson & Johnson couldn't have said it better when they came up with the tagline, "Having a Baby Changes Everything." But beyond falling for your baby, childproofing your house and taking on diaper duty, you may find yourself in the midst of a musical.

Think The Sound of Music minus the von Trapp children in curtain clothing, well - unless you can sew. So you aren't Julie Andrews and you may even be tone deaf, but once you deliver you'll find yourself sporadically breaking out in song.

While I'm not sure why this happens, I think it has something to do with being sleep deprived, hormonal, or just wanting to get your child dressed or in the tub and singing seems to speed up the process.

And, songstress isn't the only title you'll take on, songwriter will also be added to your repertoire since you don't really know all those songs you thought you did and repeatedly singing "Pour Some Sugar on Me" sober during daylight hours is draining. Sorry Def Leppard.
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If you're worrying about performance anxiety, it's a thing of the past. Just wait until your kid pitches a fit in public and then you have to choose between belting out a few rounds of "Wheels on the Bus" or dealing with heavy sighs and head shaking.

I'd like to tell you that this musical mama mode is a phase that ends, but it doesn't. In fact, it's contagious - my daughter is nearly four-years-old and already chimes in on duets. So get humming.

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Simple or Swank: Animal Mobiles

LilSugar — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 04:00:39 -0700

Mobiles are eye candy for babes! The visual decorations help aid baby's growth and development. While some feature colors and patterns, others just add a touch of design to a nursery.

Simple: Ikea's Barnslig Mobile ($8) features four downward facing plush animals to stimulate a tot's curiosity and keep them occupied while in the crib.
Swank: The McKenzie Musical Mobile ($50) also uses four plush animals to entertain tots, but for an additional $42 adds the soothing sounds of Brahm's lullaby to help ease them to sleep. Which do you prefer?

Did You Stimulate Your Baby's Memory in the Womb?

LilSugar — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 16:07:17 -0700

A child's first memory of their mother isn't necessarily when they meet. Dutch researchers have discovered the presence of short-term memory in fetuses in the 30th week of pregnancy and longer term memory of sound from then on. By 34 weeks, fetuses can hold on to four weeks worth of memories of sounds and music.

Lots of parents-to-be are firm believers in reading, talking, and playing music to their babies in-utero. Some even put headphones on their burgeoning belly to stimulate the child. What, if anything, did you do?

Source: A.D.A.M.

10 More Things Mamas Took For Granted Before Children

LilSugar — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 09:00:36 -0700

Oh, to reminisce about those pre-baby days. Yesterday, I wrote about the things I took for granted before having children. While mamas love their lil ones – and our lives with them – we've given up a few luxuries. Our readers chimed in with some of the things they have sacrificed so check out the list.

Impromptu Vacations: Before kids, we threw our clothes in a bag and headed to the airport for a weekend getaway without thinking about sleeping arrangements, food or entertainment.
Reading on Airplanes: On a business trip or vacation, flights offered time to catch up on our favorite magazines and books rather than tempering cranky travelers.
Music with Explicit Lyrics: There is no way to compare the G-rated sounds of Radio Disney to Snoop Dogg's uncensored lyrics.
Uninterrupted Phone Calls: Hour-long, in-depth conversations with girlfriends were a weekly occurrence before kiddos started interrupting them with endless questions vying for attention.
Laundry: Complaining about having to do one load of laundry each week seems crazy now that the washer and dryer are constantly running.

To read the rest, read more.

Leisurely Car Rides: Sunday afternoon drives in a small convertible were one of life's luxuries before car seats required more space.
Uninterrupted Meals: Who knew sitting through an entire meal wasn't the norm.
Impromptu Date Nights: The biggest dilemma on date night used to be where to go not who would watch the kids and what time we had to be home.
Personal Shopping: Aside from simply hopping out of the car and checking off a list, shopping used to be by ourselves and for ourselves.
Stain-Free Clothing: Before kids, the stains on our clothing were the result of our own accidents instead of greasy fingers and far-flung food.

Source

Two Methods For Training Baby to Sleep

babysugar — Thu, 07 May 2009 08:00:19 -0700

When baby sleeps through the night for the first time in his life, it is a milestone to be celebrated by the whole family and perhaps, the neighbors! The lucky experience this momentous occasion early in infancy while other mums are dragged through the torture of sleepless nights into toddlerhood. Parents desperate to get a full night's rest may resort to sleep training to get baby on a lengthy snooze cruise.

There are two basic training methods - crying it out and not crying it out. While Dr. Emmett Holt, author of The Care and Feeding of Children described cry-it-out back in 1895, it is often credited to Dr. Richard Ferber, Director of The Center for Pediatric Sleep Disorders. Careful not to describe his style as CIO, the Ferber method preaches that a child can be taught to put himself to sleep with self soothing techniques somewhere between four and six-months-old. In order for the baby to learn the steps to self soothing, they need to be put down while still awake. If he rouses during the night, parents are instructed not to pick him up, but to comfort and pat him after set periods of time. It is up to the family to decide how long the intervals should be and how often the wakings. Theoretically, baby learns how to handle his own falling asleep and learns that mommy will only check on him - not rescue him.

Critics of the Ferber tactics argue that tots left to cry themselves to sleep endure long-lasting damage to their nervous systems. Researchers from a recent Harvard study claim CIO makes children more susceptible in later life to anxiety disorders, including panic attacks.

To see what the opposing technique is, read more.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, Dr. William Sears, a private practice pediatrician from Pasadena, CA, prefers an attachment fashion to sleep training. Author of texts Nighttime Parenting: How to Get Your Baby and Child to Sleep, The Attachment Parenting Book and The Baby Book, Sears supports a theory of routine, affection, and sleep mode. Before bedtime, the child should follow a strict routine cluing the infant into the fact that bedtime is near. Many parents give their babes baths, read a book, play music, and put the child into the same sleeping spot. Contrary to Ferber's belief that the child should stay awake until being placed in the crib, Sears instructs parents to put the baby in the crib after she is asleep. Sears also promotes following a schedule during the day for naps and other activities. Keeping a tot on task will help her expect certain events like naps and bedtime. Unlike Ferber's approach, Sears believes if the child wakes in the night, parents should pick her up and soothe her back to sleep - nurse, rock, cuddle, bounce, or whatever it takes.

The naysayers of the Sears plan believe that infants will sleep more soundly and awaken less often if they can put themselves to sleep.

Thankfully sleep training is optional and up to each parent's discretion. Moms and pops eager to get baby to saw some long logs may choose one of these paths or a modified version of the two. In any case, parents should be comfortable and consistent with their choice.
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babysugar Diaries: Working Mama

babysugar — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 15:00:40 -0700

I always thought I'd stay at home with my children once I became a mother. I was a stay-at-home mom for my daughter's first year of life, but then eagerly jumped back into the workforce. When I became pregnant with number two, I thought it may not even be an option to come back to work. After much consideration and calculation, I decided it was best for my mental health and children's well-being for me to be a working mommy. Having just finished my first week back, I know I made the right decision.

To see why, read more.

Some moms are wired to entertain their wee ones all day long on the home front; I am not cut from that same cloth. I turn into a lazy sloth when I am at home all day long and find it way too easy to lounge on the couch and stay in pajamas. My nanny is much better about rallying the troops for jaunts to the park, music classes at the library, and teaching them Spanish. I am more productive and energetic when I have less time to accomplish numerous tasks so work actually fires up my engine. Odd as it may sound, my lil loves benefit when I head to the office. When I get home, we are all excited to see each other. Dinner time is social hour and baths are full of bubbles and laughter. Before heading back to work, I looked forward to the 5 o'clock hour because it meant the wind down was near and my alone time was imminent. Now, I race home from work because I can't wait to spend that precious time with my darlings before they hit the hay.
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Texts and Tunes: Captain Bogg and Salty

LilSugar — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 05:00:06 -0700

Ahoy, Matey! From time to time tots become obsessed with characters and themes whether their parents like it or not. If pirates fit your child's fancy before long your home is overrun with bandanas, eye patches and even toy parrots to perch on their shoulders.

Indulge your lil Blackbeard with the songs of Captain Bogg and Salty, the Portland, OR based band that mixes pop sounds with pirate themes to put out tunes that the entire family can sing together. The five bandmates come from diverse backgrounds in musical theater, sketch comedy and children’s theater making their live concerts and videos a change of pace from some of the acts you'll find on your iPod. The group describes their original songs as "pirate jigs, mermaid lullabies, and rock chanteys," and they make the perfect accompaniment to your junior Captain Hook's exploits around the house. The band is currently touring the country appearing at children's theaters, so be sure to check their schedule for any appearances close to your shore.

Lil Find: Wooden Blocks Rattle Set

LilSugar — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 10:00:00 -0800

Whenever I visit the MOMA store I find treasures galore. This Wooden Blocks Rattle Set ($18) is a bull’s-eye gift option for any child with tragically hip parents. The small rattles are made of different types of wood and decorated with funny (almost emoticon-inspired) faces. Each rattle produces a distinctive sound so your little one can learn about music while he shakes, rattles and rolls.

The Gifted Child: Three-Year-Olds

LilSugar — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 10:00:45 -0800

Three-year-olds tend to be a bit fickle as they express their independence. One moment they are telling you they can do it all by themselves, then the next they insist on holding your hand. When shopping for a gift for a preschooler, look for items that showcase their new found abilities.

Among our favorite selections for this age group:

The ballerina in your life will be begging to put on a recital with the Acting Out Dress Up Musical Skirts that either play music from the Nutcracker or Swan Lake with the flip of a switch.
The little John Bonham or Tommy Lee in your family will love the Plan Toy Musical Band drum set. Featuring drums and cymbals, this environmentally-friendly set, is not too loud and is made from replenishable wood.
One of the coolest new toys on the market, Automoblox, are more than just wooden vehicles. Each car can be taken apart and reassembled, and, once additional cars are purchased, the interchangeable parts can be used to create new, unique, creations.
Sprig Toys use kid-power, rather than batteries, to move their environmentally-friendly, paint-free vehicles. Unlike other vehicles on the market, the trucks and all terrain vehicles in the line use kinetic energy to move, make sounds and light up.
Get your tot up and moving with Animal Scramble a new game of hide and seek that encourages listening and following instructions.
What preschooler doesn't like ice cream? With the Melissa and Doug Ice Cream Set your lil one can dream up the quadruple scoop cones while practicing her colors and numbers.

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The Gifted Child: Toys for 6-Month Olds

babysugar — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 03:00:52 -0700

Going to your local toy store and asking the sales help for advice on a gift for a six-month-old can provide you with more opinions and deep explanations than you bargained for, never mind the fact that half the items are never in stock. Rather than risk disappointing the child’s parents, and wasting your time, stick with one of these items that is sure to make everyone happy (plus, you can just order them online and be done with your shopping!).

The colors and variety of activities on the LeapFrog Learn and Groove Musical Table ($40) encourage kids to pull themselves into the standing position. Once they are standing they can groove to the different musical instruments, turn the pages of the book and hum along to the songs.

The adorable Fisher Price Laugh & Learn Learning Puppy ($22) lights up as he sings familiar songs and encourages your child to hug him and play along. You'll hear "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" and "Patty Cake," as well as a funny little sneeze that to this day keeps my son laughing.

To see more gifts for six-month-olds just read more.

From the lights to the fun Caribbean-style music, the iPlay Flash Beat Drum ($22) gets your child to start banging the drum, or rolling it across the floor, with music that you won’t tire of either.

The entire Fisher Price Peek-a-Blocks ($32) collection is fun for little ones who like the colorful animals that are hidden in the blocks. The Sing and Sounds Farm model ($30) plays the familiar "Old McDonald’s Farm," which every child seems to love.

The lights and music from the Little Tikes Discover Sounds Boombox ($13) will mesmerize your little one and help you teach him or her how to push and spin. As your child becomes more mobile, it is an easy toy for them to tote around with them like a real "boombox."

I have always been a believer in buying gifts up to one age group up from a child's age. Either the parents can put them away for a later date, or they can help the child start to learn how to use the toy. The Playskool: Busy Basics - Busy Ball Popper ($20) is one of those toys that a six-month-old will definitely grow into. While a bit noisy, the sound of the balls popping out of the machine and the chaos they create will keep your little one mesmerized for hours.