Anyone who’s ever fed a baby knows that getting the spoon to their mouth before they grab it can be a challenge….and a mess. I have a solution. Follow the two spoon rule. Give your child a spoon of his or her own to hold while you are feeding them. Every now and then, dip their spoon into the food and let them guide it to their mouth. (You can help if they’ll let you!) Not only is this a great way to keep them from grabbing at the spoon you’re holding, it’s a terrific first step towards future self-feeding. Give it a try!
The Two Spoon Rule
September 26th, 2011 | Posted by in cooperation | feeding | infants and toddlers | parenting | self-help skills | tips | Two Spoon Rule | typical development | young children - (0 Comments)My Favorite Things: Kids Play Tent
June 21st, 2011 | Posted by in Activities | infants and toddlers | outdoor play | parenting | parents | play | play tent | sun protection | Sun Smarties | young children - (1 Comments)
In the season of beaches, parks, picnics and outdoor activities, having a safe spot for your children to play is essential. The Sun Smarties Play Anywhere Play Tent is one of my favorites. First and foremost, the tent has UPF 30+ which is so important when playing outside. The tent is incredibly easy to open and close and it comes with it’s own carrying case. Let’s be honest, normally when items brag about their own carrying case, you’d generally have to be proficient in origami to get it back in, but this one slides back in without issue.
The Sun Smarties tent also features a floor, as well as a “front patio” floor, which is perfect for babies who are exploring sand or grass for the first time, or other children who don’t love the feel of sand or grass. While the company does not mention that an adult can fit in the tent, I 
personally crawled inside to play (and yes, then nap) with my nephew. This isn’t a family-sized tent, which Sun Smarties offers as well, but for a few children or one adult and a child, it’s works beautifully. The Sun Smarties Play Anywhere Play Tent has venting on all sides, which you have the option of opening or closing. Close the vents when the wind picks up at the beach, or leave it open for a gentle breeze while your child is napping!
The Sun Smarties Play Anywhere Play Tent is also great for leaving open in a bedroom or playroom, even in an apartment. Set it up and watch your children’s creativity flow. The zippered closures make it an ideal place for older children to set up materials that can be closed off and kept safe from younger children. With this tent, the possibilities are endless. Give it a try and let me know what you think!
(Note: The pool on the left is a developmentally-appropriate first pool for infants and young babies. It is available at Buy Buy Baby. Parents should always be in the water or just outside of the pool (within arms reach), when infants and toddler are exploring the water.)
My Favorite Things: Finger Crayons for Toddlers
June 12th, 2011 | Posted by in Activities | art | developmentally appropriate | fine motor skills | Finger crayons | infants and toddlers | parents | play | products | tips | young children - (1 Comments)
When introducing crayons to toddlers, finger crayons are my first choice. These crayons are perfectly sized for small hands and can fit in a child’s palm or on their finger. From a developmental standpoint, finger crayons are great for working on finger isolation, whole hand grip and general fine motor skills. They can also be stacked and sorted. Best of all, they come in terrific shades that will help your little Picasso create his or her first masterpiece! Finger crayons can be found on Amazon.com, BeyondPlay.com, and many other sites and stores.
Sippy or Straw Cup? And the Speech Therapist Says…
May 28th, 2011 | Posted by in developmentally appropriate | early childhood | infants and toddlers | language development | parenting | parents | products | tips | young children - (1 Comments)
…Straw Cup! According to speech therapists, straw cups promote more mature oral motor development. Sippy cups encourage children to rest their tongues on the under side of the spout, which can cause what is called “tongue thrust.” Tongue thrust can lead to articulation issues. Straw cups on the other hand promote lip closure, tongue and cheek strength and better oral control and coordination. One of my favorite straw cups for infants is the new Playtex Lil’ Gripper Straw Trainer. This terrific, sturdy, leak-proof cup has a specially-designed spot where a parent can squeeze to bring liquid up in the straw. Rest assured a child can not easily squeeze the cup, but the ability to raise the liquid level in the straw allows children to quickly learn this new skill. So there you have it….go with the straw cup!
Developmentally Savvy Gifts For Infants and Toddlers!
April 26th, 2011 | Posted by in children | developmentally appropriate | gifts | infants and toddlers | parenting | play | products | tips | young children - (0 Comments)
Check out my recent post for Savvy Auntie! While the article is geared for aunts, it’s a great list for anyone buying items for infants and toddlers. You’ll find my favorite developmentally appropriate picks at under $25, under $50, under $100, and “Splurge-Worthy” price points. Enjoy! Savvy Auntie’s founder, Melanie Notkin, is releasing her first book today. It’s a great gift for ABCs (aunts by choice), ABRs (aunts by relation) and all women who love children. As a proud Savvy Auntie, I pre-ordered mine. You can find it on Amazon.
http://www.savvyauntie.com/ExpertiseDetails.aspx?GroupId=112&Id=2260&Name=Developmentally
Little Lunch Launchers
March 17th, 2011 | Posted by in behavior | challenges | children | cooperation | infants and toddlers | limit setting | parenting | positive alternatives | tips | young children - (0 Comments)
Lately I’ve been hearing the same thing from parent after parent….”My toddler/2/3 won’t stop throwing his food. I put him in the high chair to eat and almost immediately the food is flying. And the best part is, when I say ‘no throw,’ he laughs!”
Here are just a few ideas that can be helpful:
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Give your child 2 choices of foods. Sometimes food throwing is related to being unhappy with what is being served. It’s not necessary to make meal after meal until you find one your child will consume, but asking for their input before the meal (and even asking them to help prepare it as they get older), increases the chances that your little launcher will eat her food instead of throwing it.
- Give your child a place to put the food they don’t want. This is a positive alternative. Your child can put the piece they don’t like into a bowl, or on the side of their tray and move on to another piece. Sometimes, throwing food is about having control. Giving your child instructions about what they CAN do, rather than only what they can’t do, is often helpful.
- Touch base with your pediatrician. Find out whether your pediatrician is concerned about your child’s height or weight, if not, don’t engage in the food battle. Young children listen to their bodies! As adults that can be difficult for us to understand. It hits “lunch time” and we eat, without tuning in to our bodies. Young children won’t eat if they aren’t hungry. Often parents take children out of their high chairs in anger and frustration. This doesn’t teach children anything, and can start a pattern where a child is simply looking for a reaction from you, positive or negative. Rather, if your child continues to throw food (after you’ve tried choices and positive alternatives) you can say, “When you throw food it’s telling me that you aren’t hungry.” They might respond by eating, saying “no hungry,” staring at you in shock that they haven’t gotten the reaction they expected, or they will throw food again. In the last case, calmly take them out of the high chair and repeat that throwing food told you they weren’t hungry.
- Note: Know your child. Some children have difficulty with foods that have different textures and consistencies. If you are noticing patterns of avoidance in your child because of texture or consistency, it is worth investigating further.
Post Script: It should also be noted that humor can be helpful when working on this and other behavioral issues with young children. Stay tuned for a post focusing on how to use humor as a technique.
Dana’s Kids
empowered parents, happy families.
My Favorite Things: Infant Bath Sponge
February 27th, 2011 | Posted by in children | infants and toddlers | parenting | tips - (0 Comments)Afters years of working with infants, I’ve come across and created lots of tips to help ease some of the anxiety new parents often feel. Bathing a tiny newborn is certainly one of these times. They might as well have signs that read “slippery when wet!” With time and experience this jobs gets easier, but why not have an inexpensive way to simplify the process now. Safety 1st makes a Comfy Bath Cushion that they suggest you place in an infant tub for “added support and cushioning.” Here’s my tip:
Rather than placing the cushion in the infant tub, lay it flat on the countertop next to your sink. Undress your baby, leaving on the diaper (this is particularly helpful with boys), and cover her with a dry towel. Bath each of your infants’ body parts, lathering with a soapy washcloth and rinsing with a clean water washcloth. Remove your baby’s diaper when necessary. Roll your baby onto her side to wash the back of her body. Always leave the face and head for last, so that you can quickly cover her head after it is clean. Scoop your baby up in the clean towel and move on to lotion (if you choose) and clothing. Because your infant is laying flat and securely on the cushion, you’ll worry less about keeping a tight grip on her while you are soaping and rinsing her body. Plus, because the baby is covered with a dry, clean towel, she is less likely to be cold and uncomfortable.
The frog shaped Comfy Bath Cushion is $8.49. If you are less concerned with form and more with function, go with the Summer Infant Comfy Bath Sponge for $6.99. Though, I must admit, for the $1.50 difference, the Safety 1st frog looks far cuter while it hangs to dry in your bathtub!
As your baby gets a little older (and bigger), and you become more comfortable with the bathing process, bath slings are terrific. Until that time comes (generally by the end of the first month or so), take the stress out of bathing by using this trick. Bathing can be a wonderful, bonding experience for babies and parents. Enjoy your time together!
Note: Before beginning the bathing process, be sure to have everything you need within arm’s reach. Never leave an infant or baby unattended on the countertop or in the bath.
My Favorite Things: Infant Toys (0-6 Months)
November 6th, 2010 | Posted by in Activities | developmentally appropriate | infants and toddlers - (1 Comments)It’s apropos, in light of the fact that my nephew was born last Wednesday morning, that I offer a list of my favorite infant toys and some ways to use them!
1.Light Rattles and Small Rain sticks- These items encourage tracking (following objects with their eyes) and are very attractive to infants. They make different noises and are a first introduction to “cause and effect.” Light rattles can be easily gripped in one hand, small rainsticks (the one pictured in the link above is the full sized version) in two. These are also great for entertaining your child during tummy time.
2. Baby Buzz’r- This terrific toy vibrates gently, plays soft music, and has blinking eyes. These modes can be used individually or together depending on what soothes your child. The wings of the bee can also be used for teething! A great item.
3. Boppy Pillow- This “c” shaped pillow can be used in a multitude of ways. A parent can put the Boppy around their body for bottle or breast feeding. The child can recline in a Boppy for bonding and play and be placed on it for feeding. For children who may be uncomfortable being flat for tummy time, placing them tummy down with arms over the Boppy can be a more comfortable introduction (you can also roll up a towel and place it underneath your child chest, under the armpits). As your infant gets older, the Boppy can be used to support a child in the seated position.
4. Massage Lotion or Oil- While this isn’t exactly a “toy,” it is a wonderful item and activity to use with your child. Your child’s skin will help determine which lotions you choose, but I love Mustela Baby Massage Oil and Johnson’s Bedtime Lavender Lotion. Even if you haven’t taken an infant massage class, gentle, rhythmic motions on your childs’ body can be very soothing for both of you. It’s also a terrific bonding experience!
5. Oball- This is a great first ball for any child. The finger holes make it easy to grip for an infant (and easy to catch and throw as a child gets older). Because it is somewhat flexible, it is safe for an infant to throw and, though I have no personal experience with this, it’s delicious to suck on!
6. Taggies Blanket or other Lovies- While no items should be placed in a crib or bassinet with a newborn, as your child gets a little older, blankets and lovies can be soothing and comforting. They can be kept close in a stroller or bouncy seat and are great for feeling different textures and, of course, for putting in little mouths!
This list could go on and on! While I love these items for infants 0-6 months, they will surely be favorites as your baby gets older as well. Be sure to follow all safety instructions listed on packages and recommended by pediatricians for your child. Remember that no matter what materials you choose for your child, enjoying them together will enhance the experience for both of you. Enjoy!
Event Added for 10/6/10!
September 26th, 2010 | Posted by in infants and toddlers | parents | tips - (0 Comments)On October 6, 2010, I’ll be speaking and answering questions at an event sponsered by CityMommy NYC and New York Family. The topic is Parenting 101: Being The Parent You Want To Be, for parents of infants and toddlers. Check out the “Events” page for details!
Dana Rosenbloom, M.S. Ed.
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