LilSugar

Baby Bump: An Apple a Day Keeps the Asthma Away

LilSugar — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 09:00:01 -0800

What you eat prenatally, can pay off in your lil one's health even after she leaves the womb. Recent research suggests that moms-to-be who eat apples during pregnancy, have children with lower rates of asthma. Those who consumed more than four apples a week had children who were 37 percent less likely to have asthma.

Studies also found a specific food would reduce rates of eczema in babies too. To find out what it is, just read more.

Mothers who consume fish (more than once a week) during pregnancy may lower their child's risk of developing eczema. Too much of a good thing can be bad though, especially in the case of fish. Consuming high amounts of fish can boost mercury levels in a developing fetus so don't overdo it.

Best practice is to focus on eating a diet wide in a variety of fruits, vegetables, and proteins - but now you may want to make sure that it includes a few apples and pieces of fish.

Fish: Brain Power for Baby at a Price?

LilSugar — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:00:57 -0700

A new study suggests eating fish is a delicate balance for mamas-to-be. A Reuters article about the findings said:

Researchers found that among 341 3-year-olds, those whose mothers ate more than two servings of fish per week during pregnancy generally performed better on tests of verbal, visual and motor development.

On the other hand, tests scores were lower among preschoolers whose mothers had relatively high mercury levels in their blood during pregnancy.

To see the list of fish to avoid, read more.

While omega-3 fatty acids aid in fetal development, mercury has an adverse effect. The piece cites long living fish like shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish as those to be avoided during pregnancy.
Source

Lil Treasures: Bathtub Fishing

LilSugar — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 15:30:41 -0800

You don't need a permit to fish in the tub! After a long day, a fun soak in the bath is just what your kids need before heading off to bed. But, washing the grime away doesn't have to be a chore - take the opportunity to turn the task into a memory. Fill the tub with bubble bath and drop a few toy fish in. Then, hand out the poles and see if they can catch more than the shampoo bottle.

Cast a Line and Teach a Tot to Fish

LilSugar — Wed, 20 May 2009 05:00:06 -0700

The image of a father standing behind his child and teaching him to cast a line is as iconic as a Norman Rockwell painting. But any parent that has tried to introduce their kiddo to the sport of fishing knows reality isn't as picturesque. From hooks caught on clothing to tangled lines, it's all worth the memories so get out there and catch dinner with your darlings! Here are some tips:

Length of trip: The length and location of the fishing trip should be determined by the age of the participants. Wee ones aren't likely to last more than an hour, but engaged kindergartners may sit for quite a while. Local creeks, docks and lakes may be a better fit for these age groups than an afternoon boat trip.
Choice of rod: When selecting a fishing rod, consider the actual goal of the outing. While there are many fun, character-enhanced rods, a good, ultra-light rod and reel will actually allow kids to bring in a fish, rather than breaking.
Bait: If worms and squid make your small fry squeamish, consider using cut-up hot dogs, chunks of cheese, dough or cooked corn kernels.
Casting the line: Position yourselves far away from other anglers, as youngsters tend to be a bit wild when casting their lines. Don't worry if the line doesn't go far, the kids will be just as excited.
Reel it in: Allow tots to attempt to reel in the fish themselves. It's all about the action, not the result.
Catch and release: Practice catch and release techniques with your kiddo unless you plan to eat the finned creature. To make the catch more exciting, consider holding the fish in a spacious bucket or container filled with water where children can watch it swim. Then, set it free.

To see more fishing tips, including several safety ones, read more.

Remember that even though you may only be fishing in a foot-deep creek, each member of your pint-sized party should wear a personal flotation device.
Carry a first aid kit with medical supplies that can care for all types of cuts, scrapes, bumps, bruises and insect bites.
Bring plenty of cold drinks (water, juice, etc.) to accompany your snacks. Being on the water in heat will require hydration.
Wear proper shoes. If you will be fishing on or near rocks, be sure kids wear shoes with good traction and covered toes. This will prevent unnecessary slipping and scraped up feet.
Be safe in the sun. Aside from reapplying sunscreen on a regular basis, remember to pack UV sunglasses for the kids. The reflection of the sun off of the water can be dangerous for lil eyes. Wide-brimmed hats will also help protect their faces, ears and necks from the sun’s damaging rays.
Pay careful attention to the ingredients of your insect repellent. While the lotion or spray may prevent bites and stings, some contain DEET, which should not be spread on tot’s skin.

Source

Trendtotting: Baby Fish Mouth

LilSugar — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 12:00:10 -0700

Aside from its incredibly cute name, Baby Fish Mouth has a line of tops that are sure to sell out with movie buff mamas. The onesies, tees, and long-sleeve shirts ($24), available in sizes 3 months to 4T, are inspired by classic films. Paying homage to The Godfather, one says "He made me a bottle I couldn't refuse" while another made as a tribute to Spinal Tap reads "This cry goes to 11." Mixing humor and memorable moments from movies, the cotton kiddie apparel comes wrapped in a popcorn box. Check out all the fun options!

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Atlantis Adventure: Bringing Technology to Kids

LilSugar — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 09:00:03 -0800

The Bahamas is a place where families go to get away, but it's also cool to stay connected. When Atlantis, JetBlue and LEGO invited us to be their guest at the resort, we were surprised by all of the new gizmos in their kids club.

As we mentioned, the club is for kids only and parents aren’t allowed past the check-in counter. Each lil vacationer is given a GPS-enabled wristband that is worn throughout their stay and allows the staff to easily locate children when their parents come to pick them up, and when they leave the AKA site for group outings.

The Performance Room’s interactive projected floor games (dodge ball, fish catching, soccer goalie, etc.) and iWall games will keep even the youngest visitors on their toes, but it was the Arts and Crafts Room’s iTables and iWall that had us hooked. Much like an iPhone, the tables are loaded with apps for various age groups. The scribble-like app allows kids to color in Caribbean-themed coloring pages, the "fish tanks" are filled with virtual fish that scurry away when a lil hand touches them and the Whac-A-Mole-like Sea Scoop game teaches older kids about water conservation as they clean up the garbage-littered beach. The “create your own treasure map” game (which can be printed out) was a clear winner in my 3-year-old's book.

To read more about the technology at the resort and see photos, read more.

Older kids at the club are often taken on "field trips" around the grounds (to visit the dolphins and see the water conservation projects at work) where they are given digital cameras to document their adventures. When they return to the AKA facility, they are encouraged to email the photos to their parents and friends back home. The AKA’s use of the latest digital innovations for children was a true added benefit to the club.

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F Is For Festooning With Fish

babysugar — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:00:21 -0700

Fish fans will have a tough time choosing fare for their wee one's lair with a selection so plentiful. From tailcoat hooks to handwoven rattan baskets in the shape of a puffer, the decor options are endless. Spice up the walls with a print of a blue fin swimming or a Walter fish wall application. If subtlety is the name of the game, accent with tasteful pieces like mini fish shaped vases or a series framed Indian Ocean watercolors.

Don't forget to come back and see what's up with G!

Atlantis Adventure: What We Thought of the Atlantis Kids Club

LilSugar — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 05:00:00 -0800

Have kids, will play! We recently spent some time down in the Bahamas courtesy of Atlantis, JetBlue and LEGO. The main purpose of our trip was to attend the grand opening of the resort’s Atlantis Kids Adventures (AKA). Nestled between the pristine beaches, inviting waterslides and attractive aquariums, the 8,000 square foot kid space is nothing short of a wonderland for 3-12 year olds. The kids only club (no parents are allowed beyond the check-in counter) blends traditional camp activities like arts and crafts and dodge ball with state-of-the art technology, in a modern space that has something for everyone. Staffed by an energetic team, the AKA allows visitors to pick their own guided “adventure” during their stay.

AKA’s youngest club-goers (all lil ones must be potty trained), will love the Imagination Station’s fully-stocked grocery store and life-sized Victorian dollhouse. Its Wizardology reading room is filled with adorable pods for kids to cozy up with a favorite book, while a talking tree "reads" books aloud. There is also a performance room with a dress up area (complete with photographers that snap pictures to show off to mom and dad later) and interactive projected floor games (dodge ball, fish catching, soccer goalie, etc.) and an arts and crafts room where tots can complete both digital and live projects.

It might be hard trying to pry your older child's hands off of all of the Wii, Xbox 360 and PS3 controllers that line the Game Room. Mac stations fill the Computer Room allowing kids to safely browse the web and compete in online games against other club-goers. And the Arts and Crafts Room is filled with projects specifically designed for the more mature crowd.

To see where the club could use some improvements and how much it will cost you, read more.

The state-of-the-art AKA seemingly has enough activities to keep kids' hands (and minds) busy while parents enjoy a lil R&R of their own, but given the location of the club, I was disappointed to find that most of the activities were indoors. While there is an outdoor play space (complete with life-size versions of Scrabble and Candy Land, a ping pong table and a basketball hoop), it had to be sought out, which is pretty hard to do when you are surrounded by fancy technology.

The staff did tell me that lunch and snacks are often eaten outside, but given that most families visit the resort as an escape from cold-weather locales, I would love to see more activities that involve the kids exploring the aquariums, beach and dolphins that make Atlantis such a great destination.

In terms of pricing, the morning and afternoon sessions (3 and 4 hours each, respectively) cost $45 each, with lunch and dinner options available for an additional fee. There is also an hourly rate available. For families who want to enjoy the resort’s outdoor activities together during the day, but are looking for some time for mom and dad to experience one of Atlantis’ celebrity chef restaurants and the casino, the $60 evening session (from 6:30 – 10:30 p.m.) is the same price as the babysitting service, but a lot more fun than sitting in your room with a strange caretaker.

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My Kid Won't Eat Anything That Is Not Crunchy!

Lil Community — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 04:00:39 -0800

This post was submitted by an anonymous member in our A Place to Vent group.

Recently my two-year-old daughter won't eat anything that is not crunchy. I have tried vegetables that are not uber cooked, in hopes that they would still be crunchy enough but she just won't eat. All she wants is graham crackers, gold fish, cereal (with no milk), chips and anything else that crunches. I have tried to give her other food but she won't eat all day. I don't want her to go to bed hungry, so I eventually give her something that she will actually eat, i.e. crunchy food. The doctor has said she will grow out of texture issues but I am starting to worry about her nutrition. Has anyone else had this problem? Were you able to slowly introduce other food? Please help!

Overwhelmed by a fussy eater, crying baby, fighting tots, overbearing in-laws and competitive parents? Start venting in our anonymous group, A Place to Vent and share your stress with fellow moms who understand your plight.

Mommy's Lil Helper: My Week Calendar

LilSugar — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 05:00:08 -0800

Preschoolers spend much of their time mapping out their weeks and figuring out which activity comes next. With the 2Fish Kids My Week Calendar ($22), your lil one can see exactly how their days are laid out, one week at a time. The colorful magnetic sheet comes with 58 activity, season and weather magnets that attach directly to it, helping tots preview their activities and differentiate one day from the next. A great tool for introducing the concept of time and seasons, the calendar can be prominently displayed on your refrigerator and adjusted as plans change. It also includes a dry erase marker, allowing you to personalize it for the new timekeeper in your life.